Friday, February 27, 2009
Road Block
The road block is not really a surprise.
We have been aware that it existed for a while now.
There have been warning signs flashing
along the road as we have moved toward our destination.
Every now and then we have even caught a glimpse of it
off in the distance and wondered
if there would come a time when it
might impede our forward progress.
Road workers were consulted
and they predicted that most likely,
with caution and some help
from an experienced road crew,
it could be navigated around.
That's why most of us were a little taken by surprise
when today we got right next to the road block
and discovered it's actual size.
What had appeared to be rather small and manageable
from a few miles away
now appears quite massive and a little scary.
And the hardest part of all
is that while many of us can stand here
and offer support and suggestions
the heavy duty road block removal
has fallen on the tiny shoulders of the fiancee.
It is her road block to conquer.
At the moment she's not sure if she is up to the task.
The road block appears huge
and she is so small.
She has known for a long time that this road block
was going to have to be approached
and dealt with at some point in her journey
but now that she is face to face with it
she doesn't have a clue how to make a dent
in this gigantic mountain before her.
She is feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
It seems like it would be easier to just give up.
Perhaps turn around and take a different route,
but now that she has acknowledged the road block
it seems to stop her progess
no matter which direction she turns.
She is stuck.
I hope she can realize
that she doesn't really have to remove
this road block all by herself.
Her loving Savior, Jesus Christ,
is an expert at getting rid of
seemingly insurmountable obstacles
and he is waiting right there
ready and willing to help
as soon as she asks.
We, on the other hand,
are just waiting
and praying.
Milkshakes and Movies
I stocked up on lots of soft food for him to eat during his recovery and he has been using this as a good excuse to consume a few milkshakes as well.
Today he decided to host a Mighty Ducks Movie Marathon. Somehow I was sucked into the excitement of the event and spent most of my day keeping him company. It had been a long time since I had watched one of the Mighty Ducks movies and I can now say I've watched all three of them in about 5 hours. The sacrifices we mothers have to make for our children.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
No More Merit Badges
Now if he can just push himself a little bit longer and harder and get that Eagle project completed. He is so close. He is not sure that this is important to him, but I know that someday it will be. I hope he can hang in there and just do it!
Today I am thankful for
the scouting program that has helped my sons learn to set goals and accomplish them.
scout leaders who expect my son to rise to his potential.
friends to sit by at church meetings.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Food Affection
I have been doing some sorting and organizing in my bedroom recently and I ran across my life history that I wrote for a Genealogy class I took at BYU. It was somewhat discouraging to realize that this "completed" personal history, that was written in 1983, now has more missing years than recorded ones, but that's beside the point. I read the first page and immediately figured out where my food affection came from. There was a paragraph with some memories my dad had written of my birth and this was part of his description of the hospital where I was born "the cook who worked in a rather large kitchen on the ground floor fixed excellent meals and mother always enjoyed her stay which generally lasted four or five days." There it is. My birth was celebrated by my mother with delicious hospital food and my father associated my arrival with that memory. It appears that both of my parents would have had a lot of food posts as well if blogs had been around in 1959. Apparently it's a genetic thing.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Orange Blossoms
Today my companion and I finished up our visiting teaching for the month. After we were done talking with our sister she suggested that we go out in her backyard and pick ourselves a bag full of oranges. She wanted the oranges off the trees before the new buds actually turned into blossoms and we were happy to be of help after all visiting teaching is all about service isn't it? I enjoyed the fragrant aroma as I stuffed my bag with large, beautiful fruit. After we left her home and were driving down the road those wonderful blossoms hit us in full force though. My companion and I took turns sniffling and sneezing all the way to my house and could both hardly breath by the time we arrived. Those orange blossoms may smell fabulous, but they sure set off my allergies. I still think it's worth it though.
Today I am grateful for
my son(s) that loves to sing.
free oranges.
boys that aren't afraid to watch "The Little Mermaid" for family home evening and enjoy it.
He's Back!
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Gone
Friday, February 20, 2009
One Year Older
Today I am thankful for
primary music.
old friends, and I'm not referring to someone turning 50 because I no longer consider that old.
one clean window.
Beach???
On the Inside
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Stiffnecked
I asked my youngest son what I should do about my neck and he said I should stretch it. I have been doing my giraffe imitations, but they don't seem to be helping.
I decided to ask for my youngest daughter's opinion. She used to really be into anatomy and read medical dictionaries for fun. Maybe she would have a helpful suggestion. I told her "I have a stiff neck. What should I do?" She thought about it for a minute and replied "Perhaps you should pray to Heavenly Father to soften it." While that wasn't quite the response I was looking for I thought it was a good one.
Sometimes I can't help but think how totally right on discriptive words in the scriptures are. When someone is called stiffnecked I know exactly what is meant. I can relate with that condition, physically and yes, probably even spiritually once in a while.
Now if I could just figure out how to say the word stiffnecked I would be all set. Is it stiffneck-T or stiffneck-ED. I know it's repent-ED, repeat-ED, and post-ED. I know it's search-T, ponder-D and pray-D. I would say it is stiffneck-T since it is kick-T and cook-T, but then when the word is stiffneckedness that just doesn't seem to work. It has to be stiffneck-EDness not stiffneck-Tness, doesn't it?
I admit to being a hick from a small town in Utah who doesn't always speak correctly, in the opinion of some people, so can someone please help me out here?
No Such Thing As a Free Lunch?
This has been a week of free lunches for me so far.
Monday the oldest daughter had the day off of work for President's day, but her hubby still had to go to school, poor guy, so she asked me if I would like to take a road trip in her new car to Glendale for a salad at Rumba Cafe. Once, a long time ago, there used to be a Rumba Cafe in Mesa and my family, friends and I frequented it often, but one day it closed and we were all sad. Every now and then we get the urge to take a drive and eat some good food. This was one of those every now and thens. The daughter drove and paid for lunch.
Free Lunch - Day 1!
Yes, I probably have bought her lunch in the past and yes, I will probably be expected to do something nice for her sometime in the future, and there is always the possibility that that lunch will put her over the financial edge and she will end up having to move in with me to save money, but for today, my lunch was free.
Thank you dear daughter.
My visiting teaching companion and I have been helping one of our visiting teachees sort and pack and organize her belongings as she prepares to move to Missouri. This project has been going on for a l-o-n-g time. We are finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel or more accurately the taillights on the 3rd moving van heading for the new home and so yesterday we celebrated and the recipient of our help treated us to lunch. We went to a restaurant called Iguana Macks in Mesa. It calls itself a roadhouse and had some very eclectic food and unique decor. They are known for their ciabbata bread and dipping sauce and I will agree that it was very tasty, as was my soup and salad lunch special. At the end of lunch the bill passed right over me.
Free Lunch - Day 2!
OK, I do realize that I definitely invested more time and energy in this endeavor than what the lunch probably cost, but the lunch was a bonus and somewhat unexpected, and therefore I am calling it free.
Thank you dear Relief Society sister.
Today brought my visiting teaching companion and I together once again armed with packing tape and a sharpie marker. We were surprised when we arrived at the almost empty home to discover that we were invited to be guests at the next door neighbor's house for lunch. The neighbors are a very hospitable older couple who are also members of the church. The wife is Hawaiian and Japanese and grew up in Hawaii and she and her husband spend at least a few months every year in Hawaii where they own a home, store and restaurant which they lease to a cousin there. They are a delightful couple with lots of interesting stories that they enjoy sharing. We were served Teriaki pork sandwiches and fried rice and it was delicious. I don't really know this couple very well, since health problems and travel have kept them from attending church on a regular basis since our wards were combined, but I thoroughly enjoyed visiting with them and hearing about all the adventures they have had during their lives.
Free Lunch - Day 3!
I do honestly believe that this could truly be considered a free lunch. I didn't do anything to deserve this and I don't think there is anything expected from me in return. We were told that we were eating leftovers that would otherwise have gone to waste. They can feed me their leftovers anytime.
Thank you dear neighbors.
Today I am thankful for
nice people.
an upbeat phone call from my mom.
the freedom to sit and listen to stories if I want to.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
How Does He Love Me?
To his credit he did ask me if I was interested in dinner out or a movie, but I don't enjoy fighting the crowds on this special holiday. I was totally happy to sit at home with my signigicant other feeling very content and very, very loved. Thanks Sweetheart!
Today I am thankful for
my sweetheart.
three day weekends.
events that get my whole family together.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Back Off
Backing Off is something that I have a very difficult time with. Just ask my husband and my kids. It is hard for me to see my own children, as they grow up, raising their hands signifying stop every now and then. So many of their words and actions and gestures seem to say "I'm bigger now and I don't need you". It always takes me back for a moment and their unintentional snubs are harder to laugh off than those of the nursery kids. It is kind of funny when you think about it. This is what we work for all of our children's growing up years. To raise responsible, independent, self-assured children who are capable of taking care of themselves. Who don't need their mommy to hold their hand or wipe there nose... When they are moving forward in this endeavor I should applaud and pat myself on the back not feel sad. And yet, there is something about not being needed that is a little unnerving. I do want my children to grow up. I do want them to be independent and self-assured and responsible. I do want them to have their own lives and their own friends and their own families and their own homes and their own dreams, but every once in a while I want them to remember that they still need me, even if it is only to wipe their tears when someone knocks their tower down or to share their joy when they get it to stand up tall and steady.
Message to my children - I love you. I am learning to let go, but sometimes it is hard. Please be patient with me.
Today I am thankful for
a ward family.
good food that I didn't have to prepare.
a husband who still likes to go places with me.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Insignificant Flaxing on the Left
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
9 to 5
Power Restored
the son and I went to the DMV
to get him another permit.
We tried out a different DMV
than we usually frequent
since this one on Greenfield Road in Mesa
was very close to the doctor's office.
Although the lines didn't seem
to move any faster at this location
than any of the others I have visited
the people did seem to be competent
and even somewhat friendly and helpful.
The small one only missed one question
on his test and is now the proud owner
of his 3rd learner's permit.
Hopefully someday he'll score as well
on his school exams
and will actually get to possess
a full fledged Driver's License.
As the boy walked out to the van
with the keys in his hand
and the permit in his wallet
he exclaimed, "I feel so powerful."
I'm glad that being in the driver's seat
can do that for him.
Most Likely Not the Last Time
2 hours getting an x-ray,
2 hours trying to find
an ear, nose and throat specialist
that could fit us into their schedule within a week,
an hour filling out paper work
and then cancelling
the no longer necessary appointment
with the ENT specialist we found
since the urgent care doctor
got an appointment for us
with the specialist he recommended
who apparently was no longer
totally booked for the month,
and 2 hours visiting the ENT specialist
the final decision on the boy's nose is -
Yes, it is fractured in two places.
However, chances are good
that it could very possibly happen again
before this child reaches adulthood.
The recommendation is to do nothing.
Hmm... I'm pretty sure that's what
I suggested the night it happened.
I guess I'm glad to know for sure
that no necessary breathing apparatus
has been damaged
and that I am not just being
a cheap, neglectful mother
intent on ruining my son's chances
of ever finding a wife
due to his hideously deformed nose.
Oh, and the souvenir x-rays seem to show
a good sized brain in this boy's head
so maybe that,
in of its self,
was worth the time, money and effort spent.
Here is the nose before the break.
and here it is after
It does look a little different,
but rugged is a good look for men,
isn't it?
Perhaps if I teach him to smile
he'll still have a chance of finding a wife.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Eighteen Months Old
These kids tell it how it is. Most of them without using any words at all. You know when they are happy with you and also when they aren't.
If they want something they go after it, with both hands and sometimes feet and teeth as well. When was the last time I wanted something that bad?
They are so comfortable in their own skin. They think they are handsome or pretty and like to flaunt what they've got whether it's a brand new pair of shoes or a face covered with various shades of markers. It's all "prity" to them.
These kids aren't afraid to admit they need comfort at times. It's amazing the difference a worn, fuzzy blanket can make. I think that we all should have a blanket to hang on to in life.
Learning is an adventure to them. They are so, so little and the world is still so new to them, but each week they all return to nursery with a new word or a new skill. Everything has to be examined, touched, thrown, and often tasted.
You can just see the wheels turning in their little heads.
Think how smart we would all be if we kept learning at the rate an 18 month old learns.
You might remember that at the start of January I set a nursery goal and estimated that it would take at least 3 months to accomplish it. Well, today it happened! All of the nursery children were sitting in their chairs with their arms folded for snack prayer - all 5 of them. I know it sounds like such a small step, but this group of kids is teaching me to appreciate little things. Now if one of them could just learn how to talk so someone can say the prayer.
Colonoscopy Prep
Today I am grateful that
there were only 5 kids in nursery.
I have lots of blankets.
this procedure is only a screening and that I'm not too worried about what they'll find.
Coronation
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Broken or Not Broken?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Draper Temple Open House
Today I am thankful for
a sister to drive me to the airport.
another sister to come and stay with my mom.
a chance to have all the girls in the family together for a day.
EFY registration
I texted the son to make sure this was something he wanted to do and he seemed excited so at 9:00 I attempted to sign on to the website and register him. At first the website wouldn't even open and then after trying for about 15 minutes I got on to the website and was greeted with the message that basically everyone else was trying to register their child for EFY and there would be a "wait in line". That was to be expected, so I waited.
Our mother/daughter plan for this morning was to go to the back and get all of the daughters authorized on my mom's bank accounts before she had to go to physical therapy at 11:00. I was patiently waiting for my turn to register and everyone else was patiently waiting for me to be ready to go to the bank. Finally just before 10:00 I said let's just go. I left the computer on and thought maybe we'd be back before my turn popped up.
The bank took quite a while and we dropped my mom off at her appointment and went home to find the computer looking just like we had left it. What we didn't know was if my turn in line had come and gone or if I was still waiting for a turn. I didn't want to close the page in case the line was really that long and it was going to let me on any second, but I wasn't sure so I opened the same page in a new window too and waited to see what happened.
My sister who arrived yesterday had come with the assignment from her family at home to buy a web cam for my mom's computer and set her up with a SKYPE account so they could make video phone calls to her and she could see them and their families and they could see how she was doing. She bought the camera on the way to mom's house yesterday so while we were waiting for the EFY Website to let me in we decided to set up everything and see if we could get it to work. I was a little bored sitting by the computer watching the 2 screens count from 60 down to 0 over and over again so I starting trying out some of the fun photo effects that came with the camera.
This is me trying to look nice in case someone calls.
Here's the rainbow effect. Do you think green makes my skin look a little purple?
This fishbowl effect was my favorite. It made us all laugh and laugh, which by the way is a very healthy thing to do.
We decided that when my mom feels sad and discouraged she can just get on the computer and make faces at herself and that can't help but make her feel better. When my mom came home she said this picture looked just like her. I always thought I looked like my dad.
I decided we needed to document the three sisters being together so we took our picture too.
We have all spent quite a bit of time with mom recently but we haven't had the chance to be here at the same time. It was fun to get to be together and watch movies and laugh and catch up on life. I am lucky to have such nice sisters.
My mom and the sister that was staying left to go to my mom's club luncheon just before 1:00 and my other sister and I tried to decide how long we should hang out to get the son registered. Finally she decided she would call her roommate and have her turn her computer on and check it for us every now and then. As soon as the roommate came on the phone, the registration page FINALLY popped on. Hooray! When I got to the part where I actually had to commit and pay the money for the week I vacillated for a moment if this was really such a good idea (the price had gone up from years ago when I had considered trying to get my other children to EFY, but I decided it would be a good experience for the boy. Hopefully he'll still be friends with all these guys by the time July rolls around. Maybe that's not as big a problem with boys as it is with girls.