Bitter Sweet~ Mostly Bitter For Now

I can't stop crying~ it's more than just being sad~ he's my boy.

(Remember, I cried for a week when Megan went to college just 45 minutes away.)
I'll write later.

Chile In the Morning Chile in the Evening Chile at Suppertime...

Today we've been shopping for all the last minute stuff the missionary in waiting needs. Turns out it's kind of a lot of stuff- nothing like the last minute.

We bought everything on the list and more. They look pretty depressed about it in this picture. I'm not sure what's up with that.

We went to lunch at the golf course where Brian worked all summer.
He loves the food there, and so do we. I asked him where he wanted to eat lunch and this was it! What a compliment after eating there everyday this summer.

Here's some of the stash. Hopefully it'll all fit. If not, we're in trouble- jk.
He doesn't leave for Chile until January so we can always drop off or send what he needs before that big send off. In case you didn't know, parents don't see or talk to their missionaries except for emails once a week, letters, and two phone calls a year- Mother's day & Christmas. Brett & I are planning on picking him up from Chile in 2009. That will be something, won't it?

Brian's Farewell Sunday

Tradition is that Missionaries speak in church at our Sacrament meeting the Sunday or so before they leave on their missions. Brian spoke yesterday. He was really great- I'm not just saying that because I am his mom. He was prepared, he was funny, he was serious, he was humble. I felt better about seeing him go (if a mother can) after hearing him speak. He looked like a man.

- can you believe this great cake? One of Brian's best friend's mom made it!

Many of his friends came from distances far away... they are all in college now some waiting for their birthdays to get mission call (you have to be 19 for boys 21 girls.) So, we had a house full (very full) of young adults for a little lunch. Wende the great photographer took these great pictures- thank you! It's kind of fun to read her post about the event here.

Megan was here. Here she is with Riley the cutie.

Three of his best buds. Jordan on the right is leaving on a mission to New Hampshire in January.

more friends.

Aimee, Sean & Cole. They are moving on Friday. I am so sad, but they will love it in Seattle- one of my most favorite places ever.

And here are some of the gals.

I am so grateful that Brian has so many great friends. At one point the line of kids was out the front door! Not only does Brian have great friends but many of our friends & neighbors dropped off salads & treats. We are so blessed to live in a community we love so much.

It's going to be a really hard couple of days for me. A wise friend told me once that the biggest secret in the LDS church is how hard it is to send our sons and daughters out on missions. Don't get me wrong... they don't have to go. I have told Brian at least a thousand times he doesn't have to go. He wants to. We raise these children the best we know how, then they become their own selves, make their own choices. I keep reminding myself that this is a great thing for him to do. He could be doing so many non productive things with his life. I am grateful for the man that he is becoming. I am grateful he has faith in Jesus Christ. That he has conviction. That he is brave, even though I know he is nervous. I am thankful to be his mother.

So, if you are a lurker reading this message the next time you see a Mormon missionary in your town, think of me. Just remember that somewhere they have a mom who is worried about them & didn't really want to see them go. Remember they are giving up two years of their lives because they want to make the world a better place. These kids not just preach they work & do service all over the world. They love their Heavenly Father & they feel love from Him.

Okay I'm done. Thanks for listening, I mean well.

Early Thanksgiving November 10, 2007

Baby Riley - he's growing! He's almost 8lbs. now.

Well, we did it. We had our early Thanksgiving on Saturday! It was a lot of fun we had a lot of people here but since I have not been blogging I took awful pictures or I guess I should say... I didn't take many pictures. It's amazing how blogging has completely improved my picture taking and not blogging this week I've slipped back into below average or non existent pictures.
Riley & I bonded Saturday night. I keep him in my room so my sister could sleep. He was really good. He was up from 3:00 - 4:30 AM. I fed him a bottle, burped & changed him. We're tight.

The missionary in waiting got his turn. Man, it seems like it wasn't that long ago...


Here's my only picture of our company and not everyone is in the picture. I am so lame. This is mine and Brett's parents visiting before dinner.

I did get a picture of the tables

And the turkey!

Talk about delicious!! The turkey turned out perfect thanks to the Pioneer Woman cooks I followed her recipe for brining & roasting a turkey exactly. She was right it was fabulous.

I can't believe I don't have better pictures than this.

Aimee, Sean & Brittany were here. My sister & kids plus the grandparents, my own kids. Luckily my friend Wende the great photographer came the next day to our home to take some pictures of Brian the missionary in waiting's day. So I will post about his farewell talk including some pictures when I get them.

SPT - 6 Days Late!!

Me & my obviously crooked nose voted last Tuesday. All I can say is I am really glad this election is over. There was the big school voucher issue on the ballot that was very controversial here in Utah. Whether or not you believe in vouchers- I am glad the debate is over. I am proud to say I voted- I always vote. I think it is tremendously important although it feels like our voices are not heard sometimes. I do know that this country is in trouble. Greed & secret combinations are taking over... sound familiar. What a priviledge to vote.

Why I Didn't Blog Last Week

{BEFORE} Last week was craziness! Loads of work. The new flooring we planned to have done at least a week before our early Thanksgiving had gone MUCH slower than we anticipated. Isn't that the way big jobs go? I should have known. Well I unplugged my computer Monday to paint my floors. Yes to paint my floor. You see we have hard wood veneer in the entry, dining room & kitchen. I wanted to get rid of the carpet on the main level & put in laminate wood but we couldn't match the wood we have. I have always loved painted floors & drooled over pictures of them in magazines so I researched it out a little & decided to go for it. We planned all this in August, started in September just finished the first week in November. When life is happening all around you it takes more time then you think. Well it was worth it & now it's done. There's nothing like the deadline of Thanksgiving at your house to get a job done, even if it is down to the last minute.

{AFTER}
I LOVE IT! It's a good thing too because my body has been in pain since I started. Sitting, kneeling and being hunched over the floor for four days- let's just say my new best friend is Ibuprofen. Thanks Brett for being brave enough to believe I could do it & thanks Brian & jack for all your help.

Brian's Morning With Mom

Last Tuesday I spent my morning with Brian. It was a great time to for us to talk & listen before his big send off on Wednesday when he goes into the missionary training center. We went out to breakfast - he's a big eater- (just kidding this is both our breakfasts) then we went to Build A Bear to make a missionary bear.

I'll be honest Brian wasn't thrilled about making this bear. In fact he felt like his masculinity had been compromised, but hey... his mom really wanted one, so he gave in. All the laughter in the background is me. Just before he did his bear someone else was making one & he said there is no way I am doing that! So he melted under the build a bear pressure.

So in the next two years if you're in town you have to come by & squeeze both hands of the Elder Messer Bear. He recorded messages - another thing he didn't really want to do but mom insisted, I just really need to hear his voice now & then.

P.S. Brian says build a bear is a huge rip off on parents- I wonder how he'll feel about it when he has a three year old?

I'm Alive!!

I'm back!

almost

I had to unplug my computer for a couple of days this week to work on my big floor project in my kitchen it has been excruciating for me~ really, I have missed blogging. Now I can actually blog & I can't find my camera cord. I am about to SCREAM. I bet you would hear me too. Dang! I even have an SPT picture I have been dying to post.

I have gotten so much done this week I can't wait to share it on this blog. Today I had three phone calls from family wondering if I was okay since I haven't posted in so long. I love that. So, for now I am going to spend the rest of the night extremely frustrated. Hopefully I will be in full swing tomorrow. (even if it is Thanksgiving I need to blog this week - it's been so great!)

The Karate Kid

Chloe & I went to karate with Trent on Saturday morning. I am so glad we started Trent in karate almost two years ago, worried about his ADHD. It's been such a good experience. Guess what? He's not bad... he's getting good at it in fact, except for the push ups. He gets that from his dad- hee hee (I only put that in there to see if Brett is reading this) We are thinking about putting him in twice a week after the new year since it is one of his strengths. Here are some photos...

{Chloe was sneakily eating Halloween candy the whole time (reese's peanut butter cup)}

and a video. I am really into this video thing, isn't it awesome?! After the lesson the teachers and students sometimes play dodge ball - it's Trent's favorite game you can see why.

He's Okay- I'ts Just A Flesh Wound

Friday is early out day at our elementary school. As many of you know, Trent is fascinated with building things, other people building things, tools like hammers etc. I have worried from time to time that something bad was going to happen, I even mentioned that he does this to the team of school professionals at the little meeting we had where we talked about his asperger's syndrome, school goals, etc. They thought this was a strength & we should encourage it, even set up a little workshop in the garage where he can hammer & build things. Well, this early out day he was building a play house in the front yard (that's what he called it.) He pulled the hammer back a little too aggressively and the two prongs in the back hit the back of his head. He & lily ran into the house, he was screaming like none else. I calmly.... breath, breath, slowly... checked out the back of his head & yes it was bleeding. We went into the bathroom I washed it off with some warm water. It was hard to tell- so I called the pediatrician & off we went to her office.

I had put a blue hand towel around his neck when we were over the sink so he was wearing that on his head now. We took him back, he was really nervous, of course. A nurse was looking at it & talking to him. I mentioned to the nurse that he had ADHD and asperger's. She looked at me & said, "I thought so." OUCH - that stung, did someone just hit me in the head with a hammer? I keep lying to myself that it's not that noticeable.

The doctor came in and wasn't sure either so we went into the room where they do stitches. STITCHES ? He was not happy & started to back out slowly at first then started running. Before I knew it he had ran over to a side exit door- & yep, he was outta there. Mortified I ran after him & almost 1/2 a block later screaming, stop- I mean it- I got him. He swung his arms around a little light post at the entrance of the office & wasn't going anywhere. I knew right then if he needed stitches I wasn't going to be enough to hold him down. The missionary in waiting had Brett's car and Jack was taking a math test, so I called the waiting guy. He left work & started over to the doctor's office.

I talked to Trent and asked what was really bothering him? Hey- they still were looking & not sure he needed stitches. He was afraid of the chair/table with the light over it. He didn't want to sit there & didn't want to get stitches. We went back into the room & practiced communicating with the nurse. He didn't want to sit in the chair. No problem, he stood up to be looked at. Guess what? No stitches. Right about then the missionary in waiting arrived. We went to get ice cream & got hamburgers instead.

I've decided, with my limited experience, that kids with asperger's just do what we all really want to do but don't because socially we know it's not the thing to do. Everyone of us would want to run out of the doctor's office, but would be too embarrassed to do such a thing. I am wondering if this asperger's could possibly work sometimes to a moral advantage, such as doing or saying the right thing when no one else has the guts- or socially is too smart? I am a mother you know, wishful thinking?

*do you ever feel like running away from a situation?

Piano Recital

Hailey & Chloe had their fall piano recital tonight. It was fantastic. I am uploading videos of each of their performances.

After the recital we ran over to the Gateway so that Brett could stop in at Franklin Covey & get something. The missionary in waiting came up with a great plan to scare his dad by running after him when he came back to the car- he was hiding out in the IPOD store until I gave the signal. (he's gonna be a fun missionary companion...?) Hailey came up with her own great plan to scare the missionary in waiting by hiding next to the car and jumping out after the first great plan. Chloe & I were parked next to the Olympic fountain & while we waited & kept watch the Olympic music actually played - I love that!

Well, I blew the signal & gave it too early... Brian came out before Brett got down the stairs then Hailey got them both, kind of. Just for fun Brett challenged the missionary in waiting to a race across the fountains. They were supposed to run on three, Brett took off & Brian jumped in the car. I told you he's gonna be a fun companion.

I hope you enjoy the recital.

* has anyone else completely OD'd on Halloween candy today?

I'm gonna be sick

SPT - TRICK OR TREAT

Every Halloween I make raised doughnuts for everyone who stops in.It's a tradition that my kids love.Here is the recipe. Let me know if you try them!

Sweet Roll Dough

1/2 Tblsp. active dry yeast

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup lukewarm milk

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup butter softened

1 tsp salt

1 egg room temperature

3 1/2 to 4 cups flour

Dissolve yeast in warm water in large bowl. Stir in milk, sugar, butter, salt, egg & 2 cups of the flour. Beat until smooth. Mix in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.

Turn dough onto lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes. Place in greased bowl; turn greased side up. Cover; let rise in warm place until double, about 1 hour. Punch down dough. Roll out to just around 1/2 inch thick then cut out the doughnuts with a floured doughnut cutter. Cover; let rise on floured surface for about 1/2 hour.

Heat vegetable oil (2to3) inches deep in heavy pot. Slide doughnuts into hot oil. Turn doughnuts as the rise and brown. Remove from oil onto paper towels to drain. Dip in vanilla glaze.

Vanilla glaze

whisk together: 1 3/4 cup powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk, & 1/4 tsp vanilla until smooth.

I times this recipe by 4 to make around 100 doughnuts.

(it's just a little stressful)

Halloween 2007

HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2007

Cassidy

I went to breakfast with my breakfast buddies today & Lori brought her sweet baby all decked out for Halloween. Isn't she darling!!!

Max & I took Brett a spooky Halloween lunch. (Turkey sandwich with chips)

Superman made out like a bandit, although several pixie sticks broke in his trick or treat bag & made a huge mess. Oh well. I love pixie stick too, dang. The real treat for him was the three little packs of play dough he got. Trent doesn't really like candy- can you believe it???? He came home & dumped out this mess then played with the play dough.

This is Chloe's candy before she went back out with a big group of friends and got at least triple this much candy. She is the kind of gal who eats one piece of day then tortures the rest of us because we all want to eat it, except for Trent.

Megan was here- I forgot to get a picture. The boys went to Halloween parties. Here's Hailey & Brian the cowboy. Hailey helped me with doughnuts & getting the front door. I forgot to take a picture of Jack- he was a rugby player.

Making doughnuts probably isn't the best thing for me to do on Halloween. Every year I forget how completely stressed out it makes me. I'm always worried I won't have enough, they won't be ready in time. Why do I do this? I am definitely a Halloween witch while making doughnuts. This may be a tradition that needs to be dropped.

The Cowboys Are Back

The cowboys got back tonight.

I am so glad they made it safely. They had the best time. Seth & Josh (jack's friends) went with them. On the way Seth lost a shirt out the window then they missed a turn and went a little out of their way- but they made it. Here is a picture Brian took driving through Wind River Canyon. It's a beautiful canyon one of the highlights of the drive.

They're Grandparents home is east of Cody, several miles. They live near a reservoir. It is beautiful country.

Right after they got there Brian broke his camera so these aren't his best pictures because he couldn't see out the screen. I think they turned out pretty good though. Grandma took a bunch of them riding horses so I will put them up later.


This one is taken from the dike near their home.

Brothers.

And Bandos.

We love Bandos. Brian got to choose which horse to ride since he won't get to ride for a couple years so he chose Bandos the whole time. He said he was great- he's a good horse.

Jack

These are the views from the porch.

The Grandparents took the boys out riding, to dinner, to town, to church. Grandma said they mostly kept themselves busy. They said they had a blast. One of the highlights was late the first night they heard a sound outside. It really spooked them so they turned off the lights & peeked out the window. They were thinking it might be a grizzly- but no- the horses were out. They jumped out to get them while Brian woke up his grandma & grandpa who just knew he was wrong, but he was right they were out. So the boys saved the day, or night.

Josh, Jack & Seth at the reservoir.

They are great friends to jack. I love all of my son's friends, I really do. It is a real privilege to have such wonderful young men in our home now & then.

Their grandma called this morning letting me know they had left. She was crying & said she felt like four of the stripling warriors had left her home. Wow- what a compliment. Of course, she is the grandma, but they are great boys.

Good Mail- Good Day

Max loves to go for a ride in the car. He listens for the front door to open then darts out & tries to jump in the car, any one's car really. Today I was running off to Costco - the girl's & Trent were home, no school today. I felt sorry for Max. He made the mad dash to the car hoping I would take him- what the heck. (Now I have become one of those silly people who always have their dogs in the car- no offense intended it that's you) Doesn't he look cute . This was him as I opened the back of the car.

He got a haircut and most of his beard is gone. He looks ridiculous, like a huge skinny rat with a small beard.

This past week I have been thrilled to get some good mail so I thought I would post it today.

I got this funny card from my dear friend Stephanie. We both love funny cards. I can just imagine her laughing when she picked it our at the store.

I also got these fabulous products that I ordered from a different Stefanie at stationary with style. I love EVERYTHING she makes and sells. Are these cute or what? Check it out she has a fantastic weekly special too.

I also got my word necklace from Lisa Leonard. Even though I am not a jewelry person, I love all of her handmade jewelry. I am now reminded to keep my days in balance in a very uplifting positive way.
My mom sent me this cookbook & magazine. She knows I love cookbooks & magazines so it has been a delight to read through them.
The cowboys come home today so hopefully I will have some great pictures to share tomorrow.

I hope you are having a great day.