I need a vacation!

Kelly has been out of town this week on a business trip. I decided it was a great time to paint and decorate my master bedroom and bath. After new paint highlights in my hair, rough dry hands, a split toenail (I had just painted them too!) and new muscle recognition from lots of hours climbing up and down a ladder I'm glad to say I'm done! It's so good to have my bedroom back. This room has waited many years for a make over and it's nice to see it all finished. We will see if Kelly likes it when he gets home. I'm ready to crash and sleep for a week, and if I don't hold a paintbrush anytime soon, that would be good too!

I was so grateful for a great friend who heard that I was painting from my kids and called to see if she could help. When I didn't answer the phone (because I was 14 feet up in the air at the time) she decided to go the extra mile and come over. When I didn't answer the door (because I was 14 feet up in the air and looked like something out of a horror movie ) she walked in, found me and announced she was there to work. I told her I was fine, I honestly tried my best to get her to leave but she insisted (amazingly this is a really sane person!) and spent her three free hours she has without kids helping me paint. I would have never survived that paint job without her. If that isn't an example of true service I don't know what is! It's one thing to offer to help at some future unknown date with a high probability you won't get asked. It's another to make a phone call to see if you can help and when they don't answer, say, "well at least I tried". It's completely another to break and enter a house where painting is occurring and then instead of running far far away as fast as you can, to stay and pick up a paintbrush! Christi, I can't thank you enough for being so stubborn! :) I am ready to take a vacation to my own bedroom and bath for a few days. Think my family will let me?

Water Polo Game!

I finally got to see one of Ryan's water polo games. I took Kelly's nice camera with his telephoto lens and had fun following Ry up and down the pool. He got some good playtime and it was fun to watch. I have no idea of the rules. I sat there wishing Ry was next to me explaining all the various whistles and comical hand signals the refs were using. I was sitting next to another mom who had no idea what was going on either. We began to make up calls as we watched the refs. :) I have a lot to learn in this sport. Here is a link to the video I quickly put together. He looks good! Turn up your volume, cause I found a fun song to go with the pictures.

http://video.yahoo.com/watch/4716919/12601304

Farewell to a New House

At one time ours was a new house--

it glittered and it shinned.

I remember telling the kids

"don't touch that" and "be careful" all the time.

The walls were without blemish,

there wasn't a scratch on the wood floors;

The glass actually sparkled

and you could see out windows and doors!

Now flash forward six years later--

as I look at each room and hall;

Just what on earth has happened

to each pristine floor and wall?

Has there been some silent intruder,

some mysterious destructive foe?

That has damaged every surface

and marred the perfection found once ago?

I scratch my head in wonder

and ponder these important questions.

My house has been transformed,

gone through a major regression!

Is that green gum stuck in the carpet?

What's this new substance on the walls?

Some experiment gone wrong--

No science fair this week as I recall.

After finding a window,

through a mass of fingerprints and grime.

I realize the sun is shinning,

what a discovery, what a find!

I always liked the rustic look,

but this floor is pushing the definition;

I am not sure there is a word

to describe it's present condition!

When did all these crimes

befall this innocent dwelling?

Is this evidence of a misdemeanor

or a felony in the making?

Some great battle must going on,

some great war is being fought,

For what else could explain

all this destruction being wrought!

As I ponder this great injustice

that has developed all around me;

I wonder why I didn't buy

an extended warranty!

But as the dust has settled

and the house dims in its glory;

I realize every ding, scratch and fingerprint

tells a great story.

There will be no more mourning,

this house as it once was built.

As I realize the character that's been added,

I feel no guilt.

I forgot that a home is what I wanted,

not a shrine no one can touch;

Come in the front door and see this house,

which has been loved very much!

I got frustrated today as I did find gum in the carpets, and strange marks on the walls and I decided to come write another silly poem about my house. I feel better now and am grateful to have such a wonderful place to live that is as imperfect as I am. By the way, does anyone know a great way to get gum out of carpet? :)

Spring has Sprung....

Spring is finally here! (At least until the next snowstorm) Two good indicators...even better than the groundhog seeing his shadow six weeks ago...or was it not seeing his shadow....Anyway, my crocuses are out, and my house is quiet in the afternoons! There is color in my yard, and my kids have pulled out their shorts are are living outside! Cassie wanted to rush things a bit last Saturday, even though it was still a bit chilly. She and her friend Aubrey were selling lemonade at the corner of our circle. I told her it might be a little soon for that, but she said, "It's too warm for hot chocolate, but lemonade is good as long as we don't put ice in it!" It wasn't selling too great, so they decided to include free face painting with a purchase! I think these two girls have a great entrepreneurial spirit about them.

Water Polo

This past weekend Ryan had a two day Water Polo Tournament in Cedar City. They played four games, and he had a good time. One game he was able to score at the buzzer! He was SO excited. Kelly and I weren't able to go, but we got a lot of play by play action through texting between the games. I would ask, "Ry, are you having fun?" He would say, "Mom, did you not get my text, I scored at the buzzer!" I would respond, "Yeah, Ry, I got the three previous texts about that, great job again! Are you getting in homework done?" "Mom, did you hear me, I scored at the buzzer!!" I decided that I would have to wait to have any other conversation with him for awhile. :) It was fun to see him get so excited, they didn't win that game, but I learned a good lesson from him. I was glad to see he wasn't too caught up in the competition of the game that he failed to recognize and and enjoy the good moments. In fact I never knew the final score of the game, until hours later. Way to go Ry!

Josh's Priesthood Ordination

Yesterday was a great day. Josh was ordained a Teacher by his dad. Ryan was able to stand in as he is now a priest and mom got to cry her eyes out (as witnessed in the lack of makeup below!) I wasn't prepared for the emotion of seeing my two teenage sons all dressed in suits participating in this great event. Kelly gave a wonderful blessing which didn't help the water factor. I am so blessed to have these great children that were chosen to come into my life. When challenges come, memories from family gatherings and important events like those which happended this weekend can serve as a reminder of what truly is important.

Now that the mushy stuff is over, as my kids would say....on to a bit of humor. Josh is bound and determined to be taller than I am. Kelly took our picture to prove Josh was taller and dang it he was!! Even with me cheating at the time!

Josh's Birthday Party!!

Josh had family over Saturday night to celebrate his birthday. He got some great gifts, but I think his favorites were his new size 13 rollar blades from us, and homeade grape juice from his Aunt Terri and Uncle Tim (Fresh from their grape vines last fall!) He got a very creative cute sign from his Aunt Rachael and Uncle Jeff (who was the one who took him skiing when he hurt his knee).

Mark gave Josh some candy for his birthday, but the sweetest thing was the homeade cards both he and Cassie spent most the day on.

The most memorable part of birthdays is always when family gets together to visit and have fun together. We have a wonderful family some of which were here with us last Saturday.

Cassie with cousin Kennedy and Alex

Little Sammy who is always a favorite around here and Zac who loves to give Harley attention.

Here is Grandma Marks with some of her grandkids.


Then of course no party is complete without Ryan showing us his tonsils!

Happy Birthday Josh!!!

I wanted to take a personal minute and wish Josh a very happy birthday!! He is 14 today and I just can't believe where the time has gone. I vividly remember holding this nearly 10 pound baby with a full head of thick black hair. I remember how he loved pacifiers and as a toddler when we thought we had located them all in hopes of breaking his addictive habit, we would turn around and find him with another one and a triumphant smile on his face! We figured he had secretly stashed them all over the house, because for weeks, he kept finding more. He has kept that persistent personality trait, when he has wanted something strongly enough he keeps at it until he gets it. His biggest motivator has always been when someone has doubted his ability to do something, he has always proved them wrong. Josh is my biggest helper around the house. He has been my best babysitter, when Ryan was throwing up over changing diapers, little Josh just stepped in and took over. He was the one that would read books and play with Mark and Cass, make sure they were fed and in bed on time. Ry was great at making sure the house didn't burn down and everybody was still breathing. :) I've depended on Josh a great deal over the years and he has never let me down. He is always aware of what needs to be done and when, and hates to procrastinate, so things always get done early and without me having to bug him. Josh has a strong spirit and when he has had to give a talk, think of counselors for a calling or struggled with hard times in his life, he has always turned to his Heavenly Father. He is an example to me. Josh is the comic relief of our house. His crazy antics always leave us laughing or wondering where on earth he came from! He has coined phrases that we all end up saying like "freakin' awesome!" and "chillax".

Josh I hope you have a wonderful birthday! I love you so much and am glad your a part of our family. Thanks for your example of faith, perseverance, humor and service. I know there are many more wonderful things to come for you and to our family because of you!!

The revolving door syndrome....

Some days that is what I feel like I live in...a revolving door. I clean one room and move on to the next and so on knowing soon I'll be through all the rooms and done for the day. I can visualize the finish line, a content happy place where life is peaceful and tranquil. I'd feel a great sense of accomplishment and enjoyment over my neat, organized surroundings. But low and behold when I round the corner to the room I began in....boom! I must have entered some parallel universe where order is replace by chaos.....no, that can't be right.....it must be 3:00 in the afternoon and the daily child paraphernalia explosion has occurred. There is a path of shoes, socks, books, backpacks leading into the kitchen where a variety of snack makings originate all over the counters and continue over the floors into the family room. There I see the culprits with the TV remote, feet up enjoying a sandwich! I must have some unsual perplexing expression on my face because I'm greeted with the same innocent question everyday... "hi mom, what's wrong?" I throw my hands up in the air and wonder when the moving door will stop so I can get off. It gets dizzy around here sometimes. :)