31 For March

1. I love everything blueberry. Growing up in the Northwest we picked blueberries every summer & froze them. I now buy them & freeze them- there are no blueberries to pick in UT. I make blueberry pancakes & muffins, plus blueberry pie several times throughout the year.
2. I can't remember ever being as cold as this winter. It's almost over- bring on the allergies.
3. My favorite food- pizza- I love it.
4. I don't know how to swim. I've never learned.
5. I am terrified of water, unless I have a life jacket on.
6. I used to water ski as a teen- with a life jacket on.
7. Sitting in the shallow end of the pool & watching the other kids swim at swimming parties was not cool or fun.
8. I can't ice skate or roller skate either.
9. I am obviously very uncoordinated.
10. I would rather be cold than hot.
11. Sometimes at night I sneak into Trent's room & put lotion on his drying hands. He hates lotion.
12. I wonder if I am listing any of the same things month after month?
13. The only thing I would change about my 20's- shoot - I would wear a swim suit every single chance I had. Even just around the house. I was so young & stupid!
14. For my 40th birthday I gave myself a present... I am not taking my kids to the pool or water park in the summer anymore. Before you judge me- & I know you are... remember I have been dragging kids, coolers, beach towels & my fat self to the pool/water park for YEARS. I hate it- I HATE IT. I can't swim- I am miserable- I have sensitive skin & the sun does me in- I'm 40 now, I'm done with it! Sorry Trent & Chloe- I may go once in a while but that's it- I really haven't been going for a couple of years now anyway, so really I am giving up the guilt of it -happy birthday to me.
15. I am not a morning person.
16. I read the comics everyday in the paper.
17. Putting gas in my car is one of the sweet things I want my husband to do for me. I really go overboard thanking him when he does it, hoping he will keep doing it.
18. I think every woman (married or not) should read The Proper Care & Feeding of Husbands by Dr. Laura. REally it's a thought provoking read.
19. I have made a lot of friends because of blogging. I really am happy about this.
20. I love to go out to breakfast because of my friend Lori. Brett's favorite meal is breakfast, but I never really understood it until I started going out to breakfast with sky & Lori now & then.
21. Jack is a March baby.
22. Snow in March is very depressing. Spring is so close yet so far.
23. I have a collection of sand from different beaches. It is in little bottles on my bathroom window sill. Just about a 1/2 cup of sand labeled in cute little bottles- I love it. My friends sometimes bring me sand back from vacations- so nice.
24. Jane is my middle name. I was named after my mother.
25. I hate dust- doesn't everyone. There is NO WAY there can be dust in heaven!
26. I love musicals. My favorite right now is... Hairspray. No Wicked. No wait a minute I love forever & ever Les Miserabe. Seeing it last spring on Broadway was an amazing dream come true. I won't mention that I got my picture taken after the show with Jon Val Jon after waiting forever- then Trent erased it off my camera... No I won't bring that up again.
27. I am so excited for the writer's strike to be over- BRing on The Office!
28. I don't want Jack to play rugby... but I am just praying it's all okay.
29. I almost never watch movies.
30. I never want to move again.
31. I am really excited to be a mother-in-law, is that weird? I'm not sure Tony is excited to have me for a mother-in-law... but I think it'll be fun.

BOYS!?

Jack home after rugby practice. The only part of him not covered in mud are his feet- but you should see his rugby shoes.

(Megan & Tony -so cute- playing wii in the background) Let me just say--- be glad, so glad you don't have smell o' vision. I wish I would've thrown these clothes away.

PU

I can't get the stank out of my laundry room-UUGGGHHH!

In case you were wondering... I asked him what happened to his sleeve? NO biggy, some kid started bleeding so he ripped it off & gave it to him?? I'm so proud.

Trent's wrestling clinic.

I signed Trent up to go to a 5 day wrestling clinic because his little friend at school is obsessed with WWF. We don't do WWF. Trent thinks he does. Having never seen it- but thinking he knows all about it (ridiculous stuff trust me) I signed him up thinking after one take down he'll bawl his eyes out & we'll go home.
NO such luck! He LOVES it.

All of the boys & coach are really nice to him- they know his older brothers.

I looked over at the end of practice, the coach (jack's English teacher) was on one knee talking to the boys. Trent was standing next to him with one arm around him. At one point Trent laid his head on his shoulder. It was so cute. I grabbed my camera but I was too late. All I can say is... at least he's lovable.

This movie clip is Trent wrestling the state champion for his weight class- who is going to Nationals soon, yep friend of Trent's older brothers. He was so nice to come over & take Trent aside. I told Trent- hey if you can beat that kid you can beat anyone!

Way Off BAlance

I am way off balance. I have so many things to get done. Yesterday I forgot an appointment & one other big thing I had to do. When I start forgetting things I know I am over my limit & way over scheduled.

BALANCE where are you? Why did I let you go?

Today I need to get some big things done- but I really need some down time. Just a couple hours of nothing to do- no phone calls- no kids talking to me- no commitments.

I am realizing that if I want to have BALANCE in my life I need to CREATE it.

So along with my 07 word BALANCE- which I cannot let go of- my companion word for 08 is

CREATE.

CREATE- I want to CREATE more BALANCE.

CREATE peace.

CREATE opportunities for what's really important.

CREATE happiness.

CREATE lovely things with my sewing machine- (that quilt on my list.)

CREATE time to take care myself.

CREATE memories with my family.

CREATE love.

CREATE the life I want & am meant to live.

*do you have a word for the year?

*do you get bogged down, over scheduled, & so busy that you start to forget things?

*do you let life just happen or do you CREATE it?

Boy Are My Feet Tired

Today I went on the sixth grade field trip with Chloe downtown. I really was excited to go when I signed up... but I was sure dreading it last night. Going to bed it was all I could think about. 92 sixth graders & public transportation... what was I thinking?? Yes we rode three different public busses. It wasn't too bad. Those poor regular riders must have nearly croaked when they saw us on the bus. Needless to say- I was on my feet all day.

(not enough seats)

This gal made it all worth it! I keep reminding myself-- there are hardly any field trips in Jr. High, not to mention- she probably won't want me to go then anyway --Just enjoy!

We went here first for a tour. The SLC Public Library. It's an incredible building. Almost completely made of glass. It's stunning & it was fun to learn more about it on the tour.

This is the front entry. Isn't it gorgeous?

This is the view looking down from the second floor onto the 1st floor children's section. It's hard to explain but there are these pull across shades that keep it from getting to hot- the building is mostly glass you know.

Here is the view from underneath. Amazing.

Besides having a fantastic selection of books on the south side there are all these tunnels & cave like places. This one is kindof like a tree house with a big sky light.

This cave is supposed to resemlbe ice. It's called the crytal cave- I think? There were lots more with computer games, etc. REally fun place for kids- with adult supervision. Many homeless people spend there days here at the library, just like any big city. As we were walking through, Chloe asked me at one point plugging her nose-- What's that smell- very humbling.

After the tour we took TRax up to the U of U stadium where the opening & closing ceremonies of the 2002 olympics took place.

We walked a long distance (my feet were really tired at this point) to the SLC recreation center & went ice skating- well the kids did. I couldn't ice skate at their age let alone now!

The walk wasn't so bad with such an amazing view.

I loved the Olympics when they were here.

I wish they could come back. It was an amazing time.

We ate lunch outside- it was a gorgeous day! Really sunny & warm. Being outside was almost healing.

Chloe & classmates got to skate where surely some of the world's best skaters practiced just a few short years ago.

Chloe was very serious working on her backwards skating moves- while I FINALLY got to sit down with the other parents. FEEEEW - like a dumby I didn't wear the best shoes. We literally had to run to make the bus on the way back- no pictures- I took my shoes off & ran at one point- it wasn't pretty. Let me tell you what- I was NOT going to miss that bus! I told my little group- we have to be in front to get on the first bus home, whatever it takes. I was willing to knock over kids, jay walk, you name it- we were getting on that bus. I just wanted to get home at least a couple minutes before everyone else.

Home again hurray- zzzzzz- for 10 minutes.

Tonight was our Blue & Gold Banquet. Trent was so excited. We got there late because Trent is going to a little wrestling clinic at the highschool this week???? I will blog about that another day.

The theme was Chinese New Year.
It was really fun to watch Trent use chopsticks!

After this I had a girl's camp meeting at 8:00. Oh ya, did I mention I was called to be the assistant stake girl's camp director this summer?

What a couple of cuties!

Oh my gosh - I am so tired- my house is so dirty.

My feet are still tired.

Good day.

*do you like to go to the library?

*have you ever been to the SL library or a big city library?

*do you sign up for things then wonder ---why, oh why?

*does being with 92 sixth graders from 9:00am to 3:00 pm sound like fun to you?

Monday Madness!

Today Brittany & I went wedding dress shopping with the bride to be Megan. We didn't realize that we would be sitting on a couch the whole time while she was being dressed in this room...
It was really fun though.
They wouldn't let us take pictures!!
Not until we commited to one- I guess I can understand that but still I was so bummed.
Isn't it bad luck or something to take a picture of the bride before her wedding day? What about bridal shots? We actually picked one out- DONE! It's absolutely gorgeous & perfect for her. She is renting it... I wasn't so sure about it but we really don't have a lot of time to buy one, get it altered etc. It is so beautiful- it really is perfect. I wish I had a picture but that will come soon enough.

Brittany & I looked through catalogs of really lame wedding invitations. A lot of them said 2007 on them but- NO WAY - these were totally 80's invites. Some of the expressions on the faces of the couples are so funny- they are trying to be serious but look like they are wondering if they made the wrong decision. We had a great time making fun of them.

I came home & Brett had built a shelf in our closet for shoes. I don't really have a lot of shoes but now they are really organized. It was so nice of him. I was completely shocked! I really love it!!

For family night we worked on these.... our 72 hour kits.
News of a big earthquake in Nevada has made us just a little jittery. These kits hang on the wall of the garage. I thought we'd better take inventory & see what we need to throw out etc. The last time we went through them was during the hurricanes in the gulf coast, so it's been a while. We decided we need to bulk them up a bit plus make a standing list of things to get together if we only had a few minutes in an emergency. I am making a booklet of phone numbers & account numbers for the main kit too. If I can remember, I have such good intentions- but so many, it's hard to keep track.
(hey why don't one of you lurkers email me & remind me in a week or two okay?)

Jack had rugby practice & came home completely soaked through. It was raining. He took a hot shower then landed here.
The girls were in charge of inventory lists.

After Trent carried in the kits on his back- very important job. He decided to ditch us and start up some roller coaster tycoon. His favorite.

Just to lighten it up a bit we had a bubble gum blowing contest.

Brett opted out after he could tell he wasn't going to win.

*did you rent or buy your wedding dress?

*do you think she'll regret it?

*do you have a 72 hour emergency kit?

*can you blow bubbles?
*can you believe after spending most of the day with Megan I didn't get her picture?!

Melancholy Sunday

Today we went to church & sat behind a sweet family with five young children-the oldest being eleven. I couldn't help but think about how much my family has changed in the last ten years. Just 10 years ago Megan was almost eleven- just like their daughter & Brian was 8- just like their son. Yep & Jack was six- like their six year old. I wanted to grab the mom & say... in ten short years everything will be completely different. Your daughter could be engaged, son on a mission & other son a junior in H.S. I'm pretty sure she already knows that. Still it was fun to silently sit behind them & remember. I wonder what the next ten years holds. Hailey will be 24 by then, Chloe 21 & Trent 18. Boy, I am feeling blessed.

(if I can figure out the scanner a really cut photo will follow *&%#@)

Good Mail Kindness

Last week I got this darling puzzle piece in the mail with a thank you note written on the back from Kristi. Isn't that a cute idea!? That Kristi is so creative. It just goes to show you don't have to have fancy stationery to be thoughtful- creativity is better.

(well both really- you know how I feel about my personalized note cards)Sky sent me this invitation to a stake camp meeting next week. I was just called to be the assistant stake girl's camp leader. What a great idea- sending out darling invitations to our first meeting! I bet everyone shows up now- smart Sky!Today I got this in the mail!! Woo HOoo- I bought it from the Pritzy Pritz's etsy shop. So, So cute! I love etsy shops but hate pay pal, I apparently forgot my name & password so they won't let me pay!! I have emailed them but they don't care- I emailed Jessie & she let me send her a check. Thanks Jessie. Check out her shop - really- I love it!Lori brought me this cute card & bag of sugar free candy, since I am trying to lay off sugar. I am super bad addicted to sugar. Really it's ugly. I can't get tooo much of it. Actually I get too much of it on a regular basis. I'm working on it. It's so hard.Today I got this amazing package from Wende- it's so cool. It's a spring package with a note saying that if we spread spring joy around maybe it'll come sooner- I am hoping she is right!! I am sending some COME SPRING SOON good mail out this week. How about you?

Will you get on the spring come soon bandwagon & spread the spring spirit around with good mail or at least a surprise to a neighbor or friend?
* did you notice the smudge on all of my pictures?
My lens cover is broken so there is probably some gunk on the lens.
(*reminder- clean lens)

This week

It's been a busy week & I haven't blogged as much as usual or as much as I like to for that matter. Anyhow this is a little bit of what happened in my life this week.

Max (our Schnauzer) peed in Jack's shoe one morning.

It's a long story but Jack came down from brushing his teeth, stopped to put his shoes on & there was a puddle in one. He came in & told me- I didn't believe it until he put a tissue in pulled it out- yep it was a yellow puddle. I laughed so hard & just about puddled myself. I took Jack to school that day & laughed the whole way. Jack didn't seem to think it was as funny as I did. You see, Jack is always saying that Max is a not a very smart dog- yada, yada, yada & that we should get a new one- blah, blah, blah I guess Max showed him- hee hee hee. Needless to say, Jack better watch his step- (Brett took Jack to get new shoes- even though I cleaned them out- big wimp!)

I took Chloe with me to a school board meeting, volunteered in Trent's class, & sent a lot of emails about a fundraiser coming up this spring & Jr. high legislative updates.

I loved going to the capitol but had to leave early to visit the wedding photographer.

I bought a new purse, it's not this one, the one I really want- but it will have to do.I added a new recipe for corn bread to a new cooking blog. Check it out here if you haven't yet. It's really fun & new recipes are being added everyday by me & my local blogging buddies.
I went to breakfast with Lori & found a perfect dress for Chloe for the wedding today.
Later I took Chloe & Trent to the library after school.


Gosh when I write it out it doesn't seem like that much... that's what I get for not blogging everyday!

*would you wear shoes that had been peed in?
*even if your mom cleaned them out with a disinfectant?
*do you love Vera Bradley too?
*do you think Trent needs a haircut or what?
*are you as thrilled as I am that spell check is working again?!!!
Today is Brian's 100th day as a missionary.
Congratulations Missionary Boy

Another Busy Day :)

Today I had such a great/busy day. I am the Legislative V.P. at the Jr high & today was PTA day at the Legislature. I have always wanted to go to -so I was really excited about it. The State Capitol of Utah is Salt Lake City & our Capitol building was recently remodeled to make it earthquake safe, etc. (I was really looking forward to seeing the building.) In fact Pres. Hinckley's last public address was the prayer at the dedication of the building. I left really early, just after Chloe & Trent left for school, hoping to go on the tour that was offered before the workshops started.
Well, I would've gone on the tour if it didn't take me 45 extra minutes to get into the building because of NO PARKING!! I literally parked so far away that you couldn't even see the building & my parking space was straight up a huge hill.
The conference was great. I learned so much about house & senate bills that affect children/schools & how to become more involved. I now wish I could be more involved with the process next year... we'll see.The walk down the hill wasn't too bad- piece of cake but the walk up- OH MY GOSH. How about some funds for parking? It was a hard treck in heals but I made it. I was in a hurry because I was trying to meet with Megan and a wedding photographer early, so that I could be home before the rush hour traffic. Me eating lunch & walking up that hill at the same time, all while having to go to the bathroom was scary for those cars driving by I'm sure.

I just want to document that I know now beyond a shadow of a doubt that God loves me. I know because, right after I got in the car & started driving down the hill it started to rain. Thank you, thank you to the heavens for not raining on me before I got in the car!

Megan & I met with the photographer who we absolutely loved, booked him & picked out invitations! Woo Hoo~ who says weddings have to be complicated?

(oh no I may have just jinxed myself)

I forgot to take a picture of us- I'm not sure she would be willing seeing as she sped up driving past me...

when she saw the camera in my hands!
COWARD

Well I'm home early- missed the traffic- and done with meetings for today.

(I had a bunch yesterday too.)

Everyone is busy with activities tonight...

(jack-rugby/hailey- early youth group/chloe-ballet/Brett - YM president)

so Trent & I are going to the library!

*don't you hate it when you can't find a parking place?

*are you interested in your state & local government?

*do you feel personally blessed when the weather goes your way?