breakfast by trent

This morning Trent came in our room at 5:30 AM.

Brett explained- it's Saturday- we're sleeping in... go back to bed- your own bed- No don't get in our bed- No do not get into bed next to your mother.

Fast forward to 6:30 when the whole process started over again.

Finally he went downstairs & watched Tom & Jerry- his favorite show, of course.

Fast forward to 7:50 when he came in exclaiming

SURPRISE- I MADE YOU GUYS EGGS FOR BREAKFAST!

Oh my- what in the world- run down stairs...

What a gem- who knew?

Thanks for breakfast T- rent.

impromptu lunch meeting

Yesterday was a real treat. The blogger moms - who all double for Community Council moms, got together for a little impromptu lunch meeting to discuss some serious glitches in our upcoming fundraising concert. I called WEnde & KrisTY & said- hey what you doin'?- knowing full well they were for sure working on gift baskets & ... eventually going to lunch.
I quick jumped into the shower & funny thing, before I got the chance Karrie called me- so I of course called Janae. We all dropped everything & met at the local new place & ironed out- (as much as we could) the big mess that has now come up.

This little guy is SO GOOD! I can't get over how he just goes with the flow- what a sweetie. We had the best ever chips & salsa & he was right in there eating them with us. Every now & then he would say-- hot! I've never seen a kid who loves spicy food as much as this guy.

If I have to have to be involved with a major break down two weeks before a HUGE, already scheduled, major, community fundraising event, not to mention my daughter's wedding... I'm glad that I at least have to go through it with these guys.

Who have all by the way, stepped up & taken on too much of this job- just so I can have my own breakdown with the now very emotional job of preparing to marry off my first born.

Everyone told me planning a wedding would be hard. I didn't think it was too bad- until just lately it hit me-

I'm planning my daughter's wedding.
Holy crap- what in the world- when did this happen?

Wasn't she just going to kindergarten like yesterday? I swear we just barely sent her off to college, was that really 3 1/2 years ago? Where's Brian to make fun of me & make the situation light? Did I do everything I was supposed to raising her? Is she ready for this? Isn't she too young? Am I going to be a grandma? Oh gosh, let's not go there.

I just want the whole day to be absolutely perfect. Is that too much to ask?

This a lot of pressure for a non perfectionist like myself.

I helped with a PTA district Volunteer of the year luncheon yesterday. I was in charge of table decorations, food, invites- actually I was in charge of everything... but I had good help. I don't normally EVER agree to do table decorations because I am seriously not good at that... anyhow I was so thrilled with how these turned out that I am posting it!

I bought a flat of mini daffodils for $10- then pulled them out of their little places & put them in a white cup. Then I wrapped cute tissue paper around the bottom & tied it up with white string.

I put three on each table & let the guests take them home. They turned out so darling & they are so springy. Can you believe how cute these are? Daffodils are my favorite flowers. They really brighten my world this time of year.

rugby jack

Yesterday was a really, really busy day for me. The best part though was after all my business I got to go to jack's rugby game. Just me & trent. Everyone else had places to be & I was NOT going to miss this home game! Jack is in black on the right. Ya- with that funny cap on. It's called a scrum cap- I think. It's to protect him from something called cauliflower ear- which translates to: my mom will literally kill me if my ears are protruding massively off the sides of my head in my sister's wedding photographs, so I wear this cap.

He's somewhere down in the middle of this with his head between two guys thighs?
(Another use for the scrum cap is apparent here.)
I really don't understand rugby- yet. Even still, I had so much fun watching this game. It's the first time I have seen a whole game (so sad.) Trent was his typical nightmare public self. He wanted to go to the park way, way over across the field & of course I wouldn't let him so basically he spent the whole 1 1/2 hours splitting his personality between begging sweetly, screaming how bored he was, hitting me with his outstretched jacket sleeves, complaining, & telling me he hated me- oh ya screaming that too- then back to begging sweetly.
Wow that was fun. Not.

They lost- which is a real bummer. Especially since the won on Saturday- I was at the wedding shower- & jack even scored!

Do you like their t-shirts?
Viking Rugby... freaks of nature.
I'm so proud?

Jack for some reason has an overwhelming desire to do something dangerous. Is this normal? Do all boys have this? He seems to have it in his blood- thicker than my other boys. If I could scan... I would scan a picture of him riding steers at the junior rodeo a couple years back.
That just plain ticked me off. I had specifically forbid him to do that- then dad said he could. I wouldn't even go watch until he had done it a few times, then I went very reluctantly. I was kind of like public trent, but alas that attitude did me about as much good as it did him- none.

Can I just say...
This kid is so good lookin!

Jack & Seth

I took this picture from the car since it was so cold.

Seth- one of his best friends since 2nd grade- Seth is just plain family.

Seth is warming his hands- why you say- because it was absolutely frigid cold! In fact it was snowing hard on the drive over. It was windy & 43 degrees. The sun did come out after the game started. So much for spring. In typical Utah fashion we are going to go straight from winter to summer.

I've decided, the best part of rugby is the short shorts. Not that I know enough about the game to really make that judgement yet, but they just crack me up. Of course these guys wear under armor with them, not that I blame them. But, these short shorts just take me back in time.
* have you ever watched a rugby match/game?

*do you have a danger loving son?

*head wedged between his teammates thighs? sick really...

spt- what was I thinking?

I've been a mom for going on 21 years now...

I have cleaned up all kinds of messes, over & over. Floors have always been the biggest pain for me. The pitter patter of 16 feet can spread a lot of dirt around.
So what was I thinking when I painted my kitchen floor white & off white? Ya it looks good in the picture but it's so NOT GOOD. It is always dirty. Really dirty. I sweep it, scrub it.
It's always dirty.
Duh...
IT'S A WHITE FLOOR-

(NOTE TO SELF- next time you get the bright idea to spend days on your hands & knees painting a floor, paint it dirt color)

*do you know what I can put on top of my painted floor to make it easier to clean?

*have you ever painted anything white?

*I am glad I did this before painting my kitchen cabinets white, which is what I would like to do... or maybe I should paint them white with dirt colored specks?

Shower me Saturday

Yesterday was a really big day around here. Megan had a wedding shower in the morning & one in the afternoon! She was so excited- and so was I. The first one was at my neighbor Linda's across the street. Linda is the amazing caterer- but no I didn't take any pictures of her....??

It was a shower for friends from H.S. & friends from our old neighborhood, etc. It was a lot of fun, with tons of yummy treats... I didn't take a picture of them either. I am so lame.
H.S. friends.

The blogger mom's came! They are the best. We are standing in front of the delicious spread made by linda. These guys are so wonderful. I know some of them have probably never met megan until now- even though she told me she feels like she knows them all from the blog- it was really sweet of them to show so much love & support!

Lori & Sky.

Sky was huge help- made all the invites, etc. ARen't they cute!

Linsey, Megan & Emily.

Linsey is one of megan's dear friends growing up & linda's daughter. Emily roomed with megan last summer. She's a great friend to Megan.

Linsey & megan spent a year volunteering every Saturday when they were 15- at an old folks home running bingo in the morning. They used to come home & tell the funniest stories.
The afternoon shower was at my sweet friend Karen's house.

Yep, I don't have a picture of her either.

(I am really frustrated with myself posting this,)

These are megan's two new sisters!

They were really great & drove an hour to get here with Tony's mom. Ya, no picture of her either. She's a sweetheart. megan is so lucky to be marrying into such a great family.

Emily, megan & heather.

Megan & heather have been friends forever. Heather has been megan's roommate for a year or so now. She's from our town & a really great friend.

Lots of people came to both showers but I didn't document it very well.

She was given so many great gifts! I am amazed by the love & generosity of my sweet neighborhood. I swear I am NEVER moving if I can help it!

BrittanY & chloE!

Ruthie was here-again no picture. In between showers she took trent & her son, plus her daughter & chloe to build a bear for my nephew's birthday. Fun stuff. Trent is in love with his bear Winston. He slept with him & wanted to take him to church.

The food, friends, gifts & everything was amazing.

Thank you everyone who came Or helped. It was such a memorable day for Megan & me too.

Later that night- was the closing of Annie get Your Gun.

Hailey had a blast doing this show! Brittany & megan came, plus jack, chloe & I & brett of course. jack left at intermission.... I let him on the condition he brought all of the shower gifts in from the car. (desperate measures)

This is such a fun show!~ Great music & kissing... woo hoo- Jr. high kissing.

I mentioned to jack that he was probably bummed that they didn't do this show when he was in the cast, with all the kissing... he said- how did I know if there wasn't any kissing going on in his production???

(smarty pants)

My girls!

It was a great but very long day. I am still recuperating tonight.

I forgot to mention- Jack had a rugby game during one of the showers & made his first goal!! Dang I missed it, but dad was there. He has a home game on Wed. so I will post some pictures then.

day 150- the mission

My emotions change from moment to moment when it comes to my missionary. People ask me all the time how I feel about my daughter getting married... I just can't think too deeply about that- I am still thinking of my missionary. I can only wrap my mind around one "loss" or one "gain" depending on how you look at it- at a time. You see, megan left home 3 years ago. She's independent, she's a woman now & she is doing great so I am happy for her. I look at the wedding as a definite gain. But the mission... it's a gain, & a loss, in that I miss him so much sometimes.

"i remember time out with mom and dad was one of my favorite things ever. you all are so lucky, jack hailey chloe and trent, take advantage of the time you have... they´re getting pretty old hahaha. no but for real, we are so blessed to be in the family that we are in and to have the parents we have, i hope you all know that."

The emails are amazing! No kidding... a definite mom & dad pay day for sure. Every week it is so exciting for all of us to hear what he's doing. I think every one of my kids want to be a missionary now. He is having the time of his life- intermingled with very short periods of homesickness.

"so for starters i have probably the funniest story ever... i hope you agree. yesterday in sacrament meeting my comp was giving a talk and everything was all good and the people were listening. he began to give his testimony and got about half way through when the daughter of our mamita here in futrono opened a little fireplace heater thing in the back of the room... well with the luck that we have out jumped a BIRD! haha it began flying frantically the length of the chapel and freaking out. of course chao espiritu santo (bye holy ghost) everyone was busting up. my comp looked back at me with a big smile on his face, i was dying! anyways it did about 3 laps from one end to the other, and flew right past my comps head. it flew down to the other end and was making its way back up to the stand. my companion was standing there stiff as a board as the bird headed straight for his head, it made a slight left turn but my companion was just too fast, he threw his right hand up as if it was nothing and snatched the little sucker out of the air IT WAS AWESOME! he then walked calmly to the door, threw it out into freedom walked back to the pulpit and said, comparto estas cosas en el nombre de jesucristo amen (i say these things in the name of Jesus Christ amen)"

Something in me has definitely changed in me these last couple of months. I don't worry about him as much anymore. I just know he is going to be okay. I am sure even more than before that he is in the right place at the right time, doing the right things. I am grateful for that.

i spoke yesterday too, about the life of Jesus Christ. i studied this week and being the same old me finished writing my talk the morning of haha. but it was really cool to study the life of our savior Jesus Christ. i read some in Jesus the Christ, i love that book and found out some different things that i hadnt ever really thought about. i love the story in ... Luke about Christ as a youth in the temple sharing with the people. when his mother finds him she says, why have you treated your father and I like this, we have searched for you sorrowing (something like that) and his response is so awesome, he said, ¨¿por qué me buscabais? ¿no sabíais que en los negocios de mi padre me es necesario estar?¨ something like why did you search, shouldnt you know that i was about my fathers business? i love that, in Jesus the Christ it says something about how it was almost as if Christ was kind of reminding mary of the reason he was there in the first place. i love the way that Christ answers the questions of the people. he was such a great missionary. people ask me questions here and i have no idea what to say sometimes but he always had the right answer to either edify them or shut them up. (i could use the latter sometimes...)heehee

He spends a good deal of time defending or teaching about the United States, about our religion & helping others who are very unfortunate in this life. I am amazed it's been 150 days. It seems like longer- lately the wedding plan are making the time go faster.
I am so grateful right now for so many things. I am blessed. It's a good life.

surprise fun

Today I had a long list of chores. Ironing, emails about the benefit concert & luncheon, cleaning the painted floor, kitchen, etc. etc. Anyhow... surprise- my dear friend Karen called & asked if I could spare an hour to go get a pedicure with her-

Uh~ YA!

She had a gift certificate & a babysitter- and I have deep love for pedicures & haven't had one for a year. Not to mention I have been so busy these days it feels like I haven't seen Karen for a year.We chose matching polish, not cause we're weirdos who think they're in 8th grade... we just liked the same polish.

Today I ran to the Jr. high to pick up Hailey then 1/2 hour later ran to the H.S. to pick up Jack- he had a test. Max came with me & refused to get out of the car. He loves the car. I finally left the side door open & came inside. About another 1/2 hour later I remembered he was still in the car. I ran to the garage, opened the door & there he was sitting in the driver's seat. Just lookin' around. I wonder if he pretends he's driving? It took another 1/2 hour before he would come in. He is so funny.
*do you have a dog?
*do you think people who wear matching clothes are weird?

*man I love a pedicure- do you?

service awards night

For the past two years, my dear friend Jeanine & I have chaired the service awards at the H.S. Jeanine is the best. We used to be in the same neighborhood. When we first moved to UT eleven years ago, she was one of the first people I met. Brett & I were called to be assistant cubscout masters & she was the cub committee chair. We instantly hit it off. Her oldest three & my oldest three are the same ages/opposites sexes. We used to take them on little field trips together in the summer & she had a big baby shower for me before Trent was born. Her oldest son was Megan's first crush- they used to stand on the corner & talk in 8th grade, it was really cute. He's on a mission now in Leed's England & comes home in two months- hard to believe.

(I made cupcakes~oh ya!)

The service awards are one of my favorite things the H.S. does.

Students & faculty nominate outstanding people who wouldn't normally be recognized. Jeanine & I read through the nominations (120 this year) then seperated out the sillies (this is H.S. but there weren't too many) from the serious etc. We then take them to a committee of administrators, PTA & teachers where we narrow them done to 12 or so. It's a tough but fun process.

I am lucky to live in an amazing community where so many- really so many - people could qualify for this award. This year the award went to a young man who started a chamber orchestra on his own in the school. Three handicap students who started a recycling program & pull garbage cans with their motorized wheelchairs around the school to pick up papers from each classroom- they do it with such cheerful enthusiasm. Teachers who come early & stay late REally helping & teaching. A student who is the president of the best friends club. The janitor who goes out of his way to really make friends with the students, besides keeping the school ship shape. A parent volunteer who sewed all the costumes for the musical- without a student at the school!And more...It's all amazing really, how ordinary people do extraordinary things!

People ask me why I am always doing what I do-- can you see why?-- it's great to be a part of great things!

Jeanine & I.
We are not chairing this committee next year.
I have to think of another way to make sure we can get together

She is truly one of my favorite people.
I just feel like there's not enough time to visit & see all the people I love.

I guess that's what Heaven is for!

Happy Birthday MOm!

Are we seeing spring on the horizon finally?

I hope so!!!

hailey... i mean annie get your gun- parent preview

Last night Brett, Chloe & I went to the parent preview of Hailey's show. We opted to not bring -for obvious reasons- Trent which meant Jack stayed home. Jack is so willing to bbsit for jr. high events when needed- aren't you impressed? It was so great!- experience tells me it will be even better by Saturday, closing night.

All of my kids so far have taken this musical theatre class in school. It's been a great experience. Meg, Brian & Jack have made some of their closest friends as a direct result of this class. Funny how even on stage Hailey seems to hide from the camera?? I think she could see me taking this video. What a stinker.

Looks like fun, huh!?

I'm feeling guilty because I didn't help with the show this year, I'm just too busy. I just can't be everywhere. It sure is fun to sit back & watch!

great good mail

It's been much too long since I posted any good mail. I hope I didn't forget anyone. Getting good mail is such a treat. Forgive me if I did forget you... please oh please!

Wende- sent me this great dvd, her personal favorite for exercise & an encouraging note- knowing about my diet. okay, okay I haven't used it yet... but I'm gonna... really I am!! I'm serious, I will... stop nagging me blogasphere, gosh~

I got this amazing card from Amanda :). It was so cool to get a letter all the way from her house! It even had a great stamp and UK flag on it. I loved it- what a treat!!!

I swear at least a month ago Becky sent me note thanking me for the birthday card I sent her. So sweet & completely unnecessary but wonderful. I have had it on my counter all month.

Karrie sent me some sand from her trip to Mexico! She sent it in Mexico & it took a month to get here. It's beautiful white sand with little white shells in it. It looks great on my bathroom window seal with my other bottles of sand, in my sand collection.

Upon hearing of all the good mail I have been sending, Jill sent me more good mail labels!

These are even cuter than the last ones I ordered- if you can believe that. I love them.

Good mail- I love it. Life changing, trust me. Make some one's day & send a note. You won't believe how great it makes you & the recipient feel. One of the most amazing thing about good mail is eventually it comes... back to you.

You really have to try it.

look who came to visit

Brett's mom!

She came to town this weekend for a visit with her high school friends & sisters. I think it's so great and amazing that she has kept in touch with her high school friends. She's not going to be thrilled I put this picture up since she doesn't have her "hair done." I think she looks great.

These are her three sisters.

She was supposed to stay today, tomorrow & go home Thursday but a storm is brewing & she needs to get home, out of the mountains before it comes. Even though it was short, it was fun to have her here.

These ladies are so funny. As they were getting ready to go this morning they kept coming back in because they had each forgotten things. They make me chuckle. You should see them when they get around water in the summer- or maybe not. There's for sure to be a water fight. My mother in law is a great lady. She raised an amazing son- for that I am eternally grateful.

sunday conference wrap up

Conference weekend flew by so fast.

It was great!

(hailey under blanket hiding from the camera)

I loved all the talks, but especially loved President Monson talking personal about his family & sweet wife at the end.
Trent & I played some yahtzee to help me stay tuned... and keep me from killing him. He only asked me 100,000 times if he could have a friend over. Then exclaimed at least a dozen times- I hate conference... it's so boring... why can't I have a friend over etc., etc.
At one point during our game I mentioned to brett out loud- -that was one of my favorite talks ever. Trent piped in- mine too. Such a funny guy.

Afterward we went out & jumped off some steam & got out some energy. Notice -I was so wiped out last night, I slept in these clothes then never got out of them today. One of "those" days. It was supposed to rain/snow all weekend. HA~ it was nice. I don't know why I check the weather- I swear they just play cards in the back all day then make all this stuff up.
Megan came home for a little bit. I taught her to make cupcakes, of course.

My diet is officially blown this weekend! Crap-

is that proper to say after watching conference ?

*do you ever sleep in your clothes?

*it's the worst, I know.

*what did you do during conference?

conference, cards & cupcakes

I LOVE my churches bi-annual general conference!

It just happens to be the best two weekends of the year for me.

This year was extra special. Because our beloved president Gordan B. Hinckley died, a new president- Thomas S. Monson was sustained.

What a privilege to raise my hand in support for him, one of my all time favorite speakers, by the way. I am so thankful for a prophet.

Knowing my own weaknesses- I keep myself busy during conference- as to not fall into deep sleep. The music, the speakers, my soft couch (conference in Utah what a joy), can induce sleepiness. So I had a spiritual & creative & wonderful Saturday yesterday. I worked on announcements (I'm almost done! woo hoo), made cards for card club,

and made & decorated cupcakes with these two gals.

Mmmmm are they good & so fun to make. Thanks for the piping lessons, wende!

Chloe painted with her art set that she got for Christmas from Grandma.

"the tree of life"


Max had no problem watching conference. He didn't fall asleep at all!

Strawberry lemonade & double chocolate cupcakes.

When I was a kid we had to listen to conference on the radio- very difficult. My kids have had the very opposite experience. They have been there in person, watched from our home & before we lived in Utah... gone to all four meetings at the church to watch by satellite. When my older kids were little Brett had to work on Saturdays. I would pack up the kids, some toys & coloring books & head to the church by myself to watch conference. That memory is precious to me. Being a young mother I wanted to impress on my children the importance of conference. Those were not easy times but powerful & so wonderful now that I look back.
I am rejoicing today thinking of my son watching conference, in Chile as a representative of Christ. Of my daughter who had a dress rehearsal but stopped to raise her hand to the square in the dressing room to sustain president Monson.

I love this gospel.
I am so looking forward to tomorrow- the last two meetings.