To my Mom

I wanted to find a picture of my mom and I when I was a kid to share but I simply couldn't find one. The only picture I have of the two of us is from my wedding day. My mom was always behind the camera and was unable to take pictures of herself. So to mom's everywhere, make sure you get some pictures of you with your kids. Dad's, make sure it happens. And mom, next time I come out I'm getting a picture of the two of us.

Happy Mothers Day. There are some amazing mother's on this planet and I count my mother at the top of the list. As the summer travel season is approaching I am in awe of my Mother. We went on a family vacation every year and most of the time these vacations involved a FULL day's drive and a lot of camping. I never realized just how much work that is to prepare for.

She was able to keep kids entertained for 12 hours in a car (before portable DVD players or even the mini VHS player). Recently one of our leaders at church admonished us to not just "plug in" our kids for road trips. He talked about how road trips are a time for families to grow closer to each other. I looked back at my road trips growing up and though I would have never admitted it at the time, I have really fond memories of the road trips.

My mom didn't simply have us all sitting in the car together watching TV, but she had us playing together. We had a travel box that was only allowed out for such occasions so the novelty of the games wouldn't ware off. Remember travel battle ship? And war cards? Not regular playing cards, but cards made specifically for playing war. I remember playing endless games of war in the car. My mom made travel bingo cards. Since we couldn't just print out a game card online my mom drew each picture on each card. Wow what a mom!

And camping. Do you know how much needs to be packed for seven kids to go camping? My mom organized a master camping list so we were always prepared. She passed that list on to me for which I am truly grateful. Another thing that my mom always did for vacation that I still have been unable to master is that the house was always spotless when we left. It seems to be more than I can handle to get everything packed but my mom always made sure that the house was clean and that we were able to come home to a clean house. It really makes such a difference to come home to a clean house.

John and I decided a few years ago that it was important for our family to have a vacation every year for just our family. It's not easy. I can see why lots of people don't make it a priority. But I know how much I appreciated those family vacations as a kid and how much closer my family grew as a result.

Mom, you are amazing. I am still striving to be like you everyday.

Lament of a Broken Camera

There are some things I would post if I had a functioning camera right now. But I don't so I will just have to tell you what I would have taken a picture of.

The handful of red raspberries that we miraculously grew this year.

The rose bush that despite the fact that we thought it was dead when we moved in, hacked most of it away, and didn't water or fertilize, gave us a beautiful blossom.

An after shot of Alan's dresser that I painted.

Before shots of my next projects.

My tomatoes that are just starting to get a hint of color.

My garage that is finally cleaned out (OK maybe that isn't picture worthy, but I'm still excited).

My darn cute kids.

My hot husband.

It's all about ME!

I've never been a person to shout from the rooftops that it's my birthday but I'm thinking that should change sometime. I have a friend who's birthday was last week and she treats herself for the entire week. I'm thinking "Right On!" I should treat myself more often. So in honor of my 30th birthday, this post is all about me. Here's 30 things you might not know about me.

1. I can't whistle. I've never been able to. And don't think that you can say "it's easy, I'll show you." Believe me, I've tried, and the best I can get is some spit.

2. I cry every day. I'm not someone that most people would consider especially weepy, but I at least tear up every day. Whether I'm thinking about something that happened last week,or I'm watching a cotton commercial, I'll tear up. So if you are ever around me and you think it looks like I'm crying even though nothing remotely emotional is happening, chances are pretty good that I really am crying.

3. I talk to myself all the time. When I talk to myself my lips move but I don't actually say anything. Weird. I know. So if it looks like I might be talking to you but you don't hear any sound coming out, don't worry, you are not going to deaf, I am just having a conversation with myself again.

4. I don't like eggs. The only way I like eggs is mixed with flour and sugar and baked into cake or cookies.

5. Are you still here? You didn't honestly think I was going to write 30 things did you? I'm all out of ideas at 4. OK here's my #5. If I was reading someones blog and they wrote 30 things about themselves there is a pretty good chance I would have only skimmed it. I don't blame you if that is what you decided to do here.

Fresh Squeezed

Our new house has an orange tree and a lemon tree. We were so excited for all the fresh squeezed orange juice and lemonade but due to the fact that no one really has been really taking care of them for the last two years the crop totaled 7 oranges and 3 lemons. Well we can be excited for next year anyway. We have been watering and fertilizing and have tons of blossoms.

Disappointed that we didn't have any for ourselves we took to stealing fruit from the neighbors trees after dark. OK no not really. The HOA's all plant citrus trees along side the road so tonight for Family Home Evening we decided to make good use of our HOA fees and go pick some oranges. The bottom half of the trees had all been cleared, so John fashioned some fruit pickers and we set to work.

We got three bags or oranges and then realized that it would have been a good idea to buy an electric juicer prior to tonight. Oh well. The four of us used our muscles and got a half gallon of juice. It is a lot of work but for fresh squeezed juice, there are some things worth working for.

One sip . . . .

and the taste . . . .

Of fresh squeezed Orange Juice . . . .

WAS SO AWFUL!

"Oh I'll just add a little sugar" I thought. No,a cup and a half of sugar later I could barely gag it down. I'll be honest the smell of the oranges is still in the air and my stomach is hurting. It's that bad.

I suppose they are considered ornamental for a reason.

First Bike

Do you remember your first bike? I remember mine. I got it for Christmas when I was six years old. When I saw it by the tree I knew it was mine. Of course that afternoon I got to try it out. I wasn't very good. I kept imagining that I would be able to ride that day. Well it took some training wheels and a LONG time (I'm thinking many months), before I got it.

Hyrum got his first bike recently. We had some training wheels, but unfortunately they were meant for a smaller bike. They were useless to Hyrum. I was worried. I had no reason to be. He got it almost immediately. I don't get it. He obviously didn't get that coordination from me. Riding a bike was easy for Alan too. But every day since then he begs to go ride his bike outside. Remember that excitement. The freedom and exhilaration of being on a bike.

He makes me want to get a bike too.

Confounded

I may have been taught to play checkers once when I was a kid, but if so, I have no memory of it. I never knew how to play checkers and had consequently, never played before until last Saturday. I was at a garage sale (Horray for garage sales!), and saw a checkers game for 25 cents. I figured it would be a good addition to our game collection.

Saturday afternoon I played my first game of Checkers.


I have played 3 times since then.


I still have yet to beat my 5 year old.



(Maybe there is a reason I never played this as a kid)