Dad

John and I have talked a lot about how we will be able to keep an eye on our kids when they are teenagers. We want our kids to WANT to hang out at our house. We are not sure however how to accomplish that. Do we buy all the cool toys? Have endless supplies of junkfood on hand? I don't know but if any of you have suggestions we would love to hear them.

At my house growing up we certainly didn't have all the latest gadgets (I remember begging my parents to get an answering machine because we were the ONLY family who didn't have one.), and we rarely bought prepared food, but my parents did do one thing that made our house a frequent place to hang out. My friends were always invited to come over. After Saturday night dances it was always a given that friends could come over for ice cream. Most of my friends wouldn't be allowed to have a large group of teenagers show up at 11:30 at night (it helped that I'm the youngest therefore there were no younger sibling to wake up at my house). But my parents never complained.

I remember one particular time after a dance a large group was at my house. A few people asked me for a ride home afterwards and my car was full. When things were winding down and everyone was going home, one friend had waited until the last minute to ask me for a ride home. Not only was my car full but this particular friends lived across town about 20 minutes away. So in the middle of the night I woke up my Dad to ask for his help. If it were me woken up in the middle of the night I'm sure the scene would not be pretty. But my Dad didn't complain. He just quietly took everyone home. I didn't even get a lecture.

As a parent I can see how it could get really annoying to have kids over in the middle of the night all the time. I'm glad my parents were willing to put aside their comfort for me. And I am especially glad that my Dad was willing to help me with out lecturing me. Glad that I was safe.

Vacation

A couple weeks ago we got the chance to go to Utah for my sister's wedding. It was a wonderful day. Charlene was just glowing with happiness. We are so happy for her and are so glad to have Mark and his kids in the family. We also have more good news that John's brother was married last Saturday. Unfortunately since the wedding was out of the country we were unable to make it. But we can't wait to meet you Liz! Charlene and Mark

Don't they look great despite the terrible shot?

The kids had a blast playing with cousins.

I got to see my good friend and previous roommate Alyssa while we were there. Alyssa, I had a blast hanging out and wish we could do it more often. There is just a great bond that forms between roommates that it seems no longer how long it's been since we have seen each other we can just pick right up where we left off.

On the drive up there it started snowing. Of course this was too exciting for us Arizonans so we hopped out in our shorts and sandals to have a snowball fight.

And I made sure to take a picture of me with my mother while I was there. Isn't she beautiful?

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.