Random Friday

It's been a while since I've done a Random Friday....

A DREAMY AMBITION OF MINE --
A dream I've always had was to write a novel someday. I've always had ideas, and thoughts about what to do, but really haven't ever put anything on paper. Well, that's all changed now. I've started putting words to paper, or rather typing to screen and forming words and thoughts, and feel like I'm on my way to really getting the book finished. Might not be anytime soon. But at least I've started. And in order to "finish" one must actually "start", right?

SLEEP IS A MUCH NEEDED COMMODITY THAT IS ALMOST EXTINCT ---
I've also had some time the last few days to get caught up on some much needed sleep, and have spent time with my kids playing at the park, and watching them have a water fight, while I waited safely in the house to avoid getting wet also. But don't think I'm a wuss either. Because sometimes I'm getting just as wet as they are and totally LOVE it. Today just wasn't that time.


SCHOOL DURING THE SUMMER @ HOME. ----
I'm going to start next week doing school with my kids. They are in essence going to have spelling words to work on, math worksheet(s), they'll have journal time, and then they will have reading time as well. And I'll try to fit in some " arts and crafts" and maybe even some science stuff. I guess you could say I just might do the "homeschooling" thing for the summer. Even T-man will have things to do to. Like working on ABC flashcards, learning to write his name, and practicing writing all the letters and numbers. He'll also have reading time to, but mainly it'll be mom reading to him and Ethan. This should be lots of fun, and I don't want the kids to get bored, but I guess you never know because they are kids.


BEJEWELED BLITZ on FACEBOOK ---
I think it's a healthy addiction!! NUF SAID!!

FAMILY GET TOGETHERS --- Are great but only when there isn't a lot of STRESS, CONFUSION, and LAST MINUTE changes that take place. And while doing the event, everyone needs to watch out for thier kids, and try not to be irritated with anyone, or for any reason. The best way to pull of a HUGE FAMILY GET TOGETHER is with a plan. A very well thought out plan, one in which :

1. The Day
2. The Place
3. The Reason
4. The Time
5. For Who
6. What Food if any
7. What Activities if any
8. What to wear

Are decided as far in advance as possible. Keep the food simple, keep the location neutral, and preferrably somewhere already familiar with everyone, access to bathrooms, and lots of room for kids to run around and be crazy. And when planning said event, have as few people as possible actually "planning" it, so that confusion can be avoided. You need to plan a time, when as many people as possible would be able to make it, and avoid getting together "outside" in the middle of the hot day. Now as far as food goes, is the get together really about the food?? Or is it just because everyone is meeting around the time of a meal, but what is really important is the togetherness and time being spent with each other?? Keep the food simple, finger foods are great, and food that is inexpensive for those on a limited budget is good. I've also discovered that everyone can help out with the food "assignments". Because everyone eats, and wants to eat, they can help bring something, especially if you don't spring it on the last minute. So since summer time is coming and I know "parties" are going to take place, just keep this in mind as you plan. But I'm also wondering if you have ideas for what goes well for the "menu" of large get togethers. I can always use new ideas...

My Breaking Point

Okay I swear that if anything else seems to go contrary to plans that include stress free living conditions, and a worry free summer from now until (FOREVER), I'm might just reach my breaking point. You know the point that you just can't control the emotional outbursts that come, usually those that involve the "waterworks", and I will have red, puffy, eyes because of it. And because of that I just might get a raw nose because my nose has been "attacked" too much.

Well, this last month has been a bit of a "heckish" month. Where it's been almost one disaster after another. Or one bit of bad news after another. It all started on my daughter Kaylee's birthday back on April 27Th.

Well here is the chain of events that have happened. Some of which, I've already mentioned. But here is the LOW DOWN:

April 27Th -- Along with being my daughter's birthday my sister was in a car accident. And had some injuries, but not any that are life threatening. Thank goodness.

April 29Th -- Discovered in my cellar that we had some leaking going on from our drain pipes, and need to have them replaced. FINANCIAL STRESS starts in. We have once company come out and gave us an estimate of something like $3000.00 dollars to replace all the plumbing under the sink and the main drain line from there to where it meets up where the bathroom toilet is halfway across to the other side of the house.

April 30Th --- Well, we managed to be blessed in this situation because we remembered a friend who did this kind of stuff, and helped us replace our line. So it only cost us around $90.00 and a few hours worth of labor. Plus I need to get them over for dinner still. (When things finally settle down for us)

May 2ND ---- I got the call that my Grandpa was in the hospital and having some serious health issues.

May 5Th --- Grandpa passed away.
May 6Th ---- Great Aunt Zelma (grandpa's sister) passed away.

May 7Th --- Heidi fell and hurt her arm on my way out to book group. She complained of it hurting all weekend on our trip.

May 8- 11 --- Trip to California for the memorial service for Grandpa. Everything went okay until we attempted to come home on May 10Th (Mother's Day) and had major car issues involving tires and brakes.

May 12Th --- Take Heidi into the Dr. and found out that she fractured her arm and was put in a fiberglass splint and ace bandages to prevent movement and aide in its healing.

May 13th - 15th -- Somewhere in here we got news that my Dad had been in the Dr.'s office most of the day and having test's run because he might have Diabetes.

May 20Th --- Kaylee fell while rollerblading (as did Heidi) and majorly broke her arm. This happened at around 7:30ish in the pm. We spent that evening in the ER while my other kids were with my sister in law. (Thanks again Amy and Richard).

May 24Th -- Kaylee started feeling a lot of pain while at church and left the meetings about 15 minutes early. She felt much better at home, and less stressed I think too.

May 26 Th --- First day of "summer vacation" for the kids, and we spent it in waiting rooms. But it also was my husband's birthday too. Heidi had her temporary cast removed and then was placed into a Velcro splint that she needs to wear for two more weeks. But can be taken off for bathing and when relaxing. She likes this set up a lot better. Her appointment was pretty painless and pretty quick, we were only there for about 30 minutes max. .

Now for Kaylee's appointment we had the DVD player with us, and a bag full of chocolate animal crackers, that worked for all of 20 minutes or so. We were in the office for 2 hours, and I was exhausted by the end. The kids were running all over the place and getting into things, and then we find out that the bone in Kaylee's arm was slipping and moved about halfway from where it was supposed to be. So they said that we should have her put to sleep and reset her bone and put a new cast on.

May 27 th --- I have to wake up at 5am and took my shower, and woke Kaylee up so that we could get to the center by 5:30am. We managed to get there around 5:40am and around 6:40 they took her back to the "operating" area and I was away from her for about 45 minutes and then we were reunited while she was trying to come out of the anesthesia. She had a few sips of water, and then ate a pudding container, which I fed to her, and we were able to head home after about 30 minutes.

Then after I had been home for a few minutes I got a call from my mom that confirmed that my Dad's test results were positive for Diabetes.

Not to mention I've been really exhausted all day and can't manage to get a nap, because the kids are wreking havoc all over the place. I've tried to look for the blessing out the situations that have come our way, but the emotional toll it's taking on me, and the lack of sleep caused by the 2 year old.... it all adds up.

I know that everyone will have trials and difficult situations to face and go through. And what may seem easy to one person might be very difficult for another. And the biggest thing that I'm learning right now is that I shouldn't judge another person's situation because I think it's nothing. To them it might mean the difference between a level one tropical storm and a category 5 Hurricane. We need to support each other and help each other to stay positive while going through these trying times. Be there to lend a shoulder to cry on, or an ear to listen or to bring a meal and help lighten the burden. Or serve someone in a way to help them feel better. Doing their dishes, folding their laundry, or watching their kids... because it all means something, and that's what being Christlike is... serving each other as he would if he were here. But sometimes, despite all the help and the bouts of trying to stay positive, it still gets hard to bare. Because as life seems to be "falling apart" life is still going on, and we still have our "jobs" to do, and our duties at home. In my case I'm still a Mom, and have 5 children to take care of, and to know that someone else cares about us and can give me that hug of encouragement.. it helps me to keep going and plunging onward.

I'm sure that my moments of experiencing the emotional rollercoaster might not be over and I'm pretty sure that I'll endure even more thing in the future, but if I can just handle these moments with faith and with prayer I just might be able to handle the next round a little easier. Or not. Just depends.

Now I should go and deal with the kids that I've pretty much "ignored" today because I've been a little out of it.

Happy Birthday KAR !!!

It's now officially May 23, 2009 which means my little SMARTIE PANTS is now 9 years old !!

Happy Birthday Smartie Pants

These are pictures of my dear sweet Smartie Pants she always seems to come up with ways to be creative, clever, or just plain SILLY!! She is a great part of our family and such a great HELP to me. I love the way she helps her younger siblings and the way that she soaks us knowledge. And can you believe that this child LIKES to watch ANIMAL PLANET !!

She likes to read, to "dance", watching movies, playing outside, she likes bugs, she climbs TREES!! She is so much like her DAD !! A total smart alec,and tries to be a FRIEND to everyone. She tries to make everyone feel included, and is always asking questions !! She likes to take charge with watching her younger brothers and does everything she can to make them feel loved. She's into ART!! She likes to draw, and create things. She likes just about everything she gets for dinner and she is willing to try new things at least once, and can usually fine creative ways to convince others to try it too.

Sweetheart, I just want to let you know that I love you and I'm so glad that you are a part of our family. You find ways to try and make me laugh and make things feel not so bad. You are a good, hard worker and really try to solve all problems that come up. I'm glad I can count on you to locate anything I "lose" or "forget" where I put it. You always put a smile on my face, and Dad and I will always love you and be glad that you are part of our family.

Happy Birthday !!!!

Being a mom, I get to learn a lot of things about traveling with Young Kids

Okay so I'm feeling the need for a bit of trip randomness.....

seeing how the summer travel season is now upon us.

I've just recently discovered that I hate LONG road trips with kids, but

I have found a few things that made them more bearable for me.

We like to save $$$ whenever we can, so on trips we try and resort

to eating food in the car while we're driving and we just have a

water bottle for each person in the car. We carry a thermos jug

which we keep ice and water in to refill our bottles when needed.

We also carry an ice chest and keep a block of ice in it to keep all the

food cool. We cut up veggies ahead of time and place in Ziploc bags

for ease of snacking while on the road. We like celery, carrots and cut

up cucumbers. YUMMY!! (I also carry a jar of peanut butter

for use on the celery and carry a disposable knife for spreading)

We've tried the ritual of making sandwiches in the car while driving and

with myself being the mother I find it makes the trip more chaotic for me

when I have to do this in the car. So we've changed things up a bit and

find a way to make the sandwiches ahead of time and place in Ziploc sandwich

bags and write names on the bag, so we can identify who they belong to.

So when the designated "meal" time arrives it's just a matter of opening the ice

chest and tossing back the sandwiches to who they belong to.

I just wish that I could have taken a picture
of the food stuff we had on our last trip before we

started to devour it all.

And as a rule thumb having something sweet in the car is ALWAYS a must. This can be apple slices, washed grapes, cookies, candy (like jolly ranchers) anything to help break up the boring food routine you sometimes run into on a trip.

I also like to make sure that I have some kind of bite sized snack, like cheese crackers, dry cereal --- something easily eaten by the one driving so that you have something to "concentrate" on and help get you to the next stop.

And keeping empty grocery bags on hand for trash helps in the cleanup when the trip is over. So if you can throw away as you consume, less to take care of afterwards.

We always take binoculars on our trips, and we'll even pass them around and let each person have a 5-10 minute turn, using them to look around and see what there is to see. And as far as packing goes, I don't mind doing laundry while we're gone if we'll have access to a facility of some kind. That way we can reduce the amount of clothing to be taken. Because let's face it, when you have a family of 7 and drive a mini van without a car top carrier of any sort or capabilities for a trailer on the back of the van... well you run out of space QUICKLY. So we've learned to combine several kids clothes in one bag, and then only let them carry their small blankets with them up front and shove the sleeping bags into the back for safe keeping.

Which brings me to the point that EVERYONE needs to have a ROAD ATLAS with them. Especially if you are driving in unfamiliar territories and don't know your way around, this will allow you to have back up routes to take and help you plot your course. Of course, Mapquest is a good source for the very specific directions from the main "freeway/highway" to the business or house you are locating. But don't solely rely on them, they don't always give you the best way. And if you are lucky with the Atlas you get, REST AREAS are usually marked out so you can try to plan your "potty" stops accordingly.

A little caution about shoes. Especially if the owners of said shoes happen to be children, who if they are anything like my own travel with all sorts of "CRAP" at their feet and love to take off the shoes. When everyone gets into the car, grab their shoes and put them into either a 'Bag' just for shoes, or right under the seat you sit in or some designated spot just for the shoes. That way when you need to get everyone out AGAIN, because someone forgot to GO last time which was only 20 minutes earlier, you will most likely cut down on the "find the shoe" time. It's totally helped with our car trips, because ALL my kids enjoy taking of their shoes in the CAR.

Another tip I got last year from a friend was that if you are making a cross country stretch,and are traveling with lots of little kids and/or people in the same family, you can pack one bag for everyone the first night and then you just have to grab the one suitcase for the night and not need to unpack the entire car, for only a one night stay that might only last 9 hours maximum.

That helped us out a lot last year when we trekked across the country from Utah to West Virginia over the period of a few days.

Always travel with your camera HANDY and with fresh batteries and "FILM" or a fairly empty memory card. You never know when you'll wish you could get to it.

These are just some lessons I've learned while traveling with my wild brood!!

What great ideas or tips do you have that I haven't mentioned. Does anything make your trips as parents more of a BREEZE and cut back on the stress that seems to naturally come while on a trip with several young children?

Rock of Revelations .... Part 2

So after all the siblings and families had finished eating their various lunches,

we all started getting ready to head over to the church where the service would be

held. Once there I immediately tried to locate cousins I knew were going to be there, and

hugged them. It really was great to see them, and all the Aunts and Uncles too, just something

wasn't quite right... someone was missing. Yep, it was Grandpa. Sure they had pictures of him up and around the room, but it just wasn't the same. I knew he was gone, but I just couldn't

really connect to the fact he was. I guess it's probably because I didn't get to see him one last time. I'm probably better off anyway. At least I had my letter read to him. (Thanks Angie, for printing it off and giving it to Aunt Kathy to read to him).

The service was great stories were shared about the type of man he was, how he enjoyed being with his family. Just everything I'd come to know and love about him being my GRANDPA!! I was doing okay until my Dad went up to share some of the "EULOGY" about what he was like as a dad, and such... I started losing the control of the tears then, but quickly dried them up and away. And then they had some time for random people to come up and share something about him. I of course, being the "WEIRDO" I am -- GOT UP!! That's right, I decided to get up, and share what he meant to me. What did I say?? Well I reflected about how I was grateful that I got to see him last November. Because that was the last time I got to see him alive. And while at the reception how Grandpa got up to dance and was totally being silly. I loved it. And that is the last MEMORY I have of him, and not one I'll soon forget either.

Once I started to sit back down, I met up to my Dad, who embraced me and gave me a hug, and then I lost it again. I really tried not to, because this was to be a "CELEBRATION OF HIS LIFE". Then they played the video -- (great job on putting it together by the way James and Des) -- I couldn't keep my eyes cleared enough to see all the pictures. But I'm glad that there was a picture of him with my grandma -- one I hope I can get a copy of, and soon!!

There was a get together with TONS OF FOOD!! And we had a great time visiting with family and being with them, all the while trying to keep my kids from falling into the pool because I wasn't willing to dive in after any of them.

My Uncle was a big help. I was able to eat (and take pictures) while I TRUSTED him,

to watch my kids around the water!! The kids were getting quite upset at us.

After the get together was done, and we said good bye to those we wouldn't see for a while. We headed back to the motel after we stocked up on food for our 13 hour car ride home. With 5 kids that can be a VERY LONG TRIP. So food, helps!! That way we don't have to stop to eat, we can just make food while in the car. We visited with my parents and those siblings that were left for a little while and then headed back to my Uncle's house an hour away. We followed him home, and managed to take freeway back all the way instead of having to make all these turns all over the place to travel the "back roads". It made for an easier ride home.

Once we got back, all the kids were pretty much asleep in the car driving home, so we just had to transport them into the house to their designated places to sleep. So here again, little Man was a breeze for getting to sleep. Thank goodness. Once all children were in the house and tucked into their beds for the night and all fast asleep. The adults, which included Chris (my husband) myself, and my Uncle George and his girlfriend Melinda, we ate some Papa Murphy's pizza and talked for a while. It was really nice to visit with them and get to know Melinda a LOT better. We were playing the part of the young college students again, and staying up till 1 or 2 in the morning. Which resulted in the crazy start of the day we were attempting to come home.

We woke up later than we had hoped. Okay so it wasn't too late IT WAS ONLY 8am, but in Utah it would be 9am (we had to keep this in mind since we would be arriving home and the time is 1 hour difference)

So after Chris and I had taken our turns with getting showered and dressed I was busy folding clothes that we threw in the wash the night before, and packing up the bags, while my uncle was busy downstairs making food for the kids, well not really making but, getting the cereal out and pouring milk into the bowls. Still it was one less thing I had to do. So as I'm busy getting all the things cleared out of the room we were using for our stay, he wanted to take the kids on a walk. I thought, no big deal, 10 -15 minutes and he'd be back. Well an hour went by and he was still gone. By this time, we're starting to freak out because we don't know where the kids are and the van was ready to leave. Melinda tried to call his cell phone but the man, didn't take it with him. So Chris gets in the car and drives around the neighborhood to see if he can spot them. NO SUCH LUCK. So now I'm really starting to PANIC.

But remember, I do TRUST him.

Melinda was about to grab the keys to his truck and start looking around when what to my wondering eyes do I see but a tired old man, and five red and hot grumpy kids walking up the way. They get back and he had promised to let them hose of their feet and cool down somewhat and then... we said Good bye, and backed out of the driveway and didn't get two feet away and

POP !!

PSHHHHHHH The tire was quickly going FLAT !!!

OH GREAT!!

NOW WHAT!!??

So we drive the van back into the driveway, and my uncle had Chris place it so that he

could see the hole in the tire with it being parked. Well, I'm starting to really PANIC. HELLO, we live in UTAH, and we have a 13 - 14 hour drive ahead of us and we don't have time for this. So talk about your ultimate OX in the MIRE situation. My uncle was jinxing us the whole time. He kept saying that we shouldn't leave on Sunday and that it was bad luck and we should stay until Monday. Well, my fears quickly went away when I noticed a crazy dude driving like a mad man and pulling into the driveway right beside us. It was my brother David. He works on tires for a living and knows what he's doing. I felt like it would all be OKAY.

Lessons we learned from the ROCK!!

• We now know how to access our spare tire, we knew where it was but didn't know how to use it if we needed to.
• That a spare can lose air, so check it as often as you check your regular tires.
• After having two tires replaced on the front of the van, we discovered we didn't have breaks to make it to Utah.
• My Uncle is very kind, and bought the breaks for us, and between him and David they replaced our breaks for us. Saving us about $150.00 in replacing them.
• So what we saved in hotel expenses we were able to put into new tires.
• And we broke down in front of his house, where the van could be fixed and we could let the kids hang out at his house still.
• We learned that if the two of us hadn't BOTH listened to the prompting we got and try to head home Sunday instead of attempting Monday ... well this would have all happened on Monday without a day to spare and not have Chris miss work again.
• We had some Mountain passes we would have need to use our brakes on, and if we didn't have the blessing of the ROCK, we'd never have known about the lack of brakes.
• Since the repairs were taking most of the day, we decided to wait till the next morning to leave.
• And with all the delays we experienced, made it so that my brother David showed up just within a minute of the tire POPPING. He was a big help, and he felt that he needed to come us also, and I'm glad that he listened to the prompting that he got.

We were truly blessed to have our lives and vehicle spared serious damage and I know it's because the Lord was watching out for us. I know that he loves me and my family, and that if we desire to do what he has asked us to do, we can all be entitled to these same kind of blessings and more.

And that takes me to part three of this trip....

ROCK REVELATIONS.... part 1

Okay so let me preface this by saying that this last weekend (May 8th - May 11th)

was anything but a "BREEZE". I know I have several other things

I want and need to post about.. but I want to get this weekend

down before I forget EVERYTHING that happened. This is the first installment of at least

two episodes.

1. Our scheduled time for the trip Friday May 8, 2009 - Monday May 11, 2009
2. Destination --- Concord (East Bay) area, and Manteca all in California.

3. Reason -- My Grandpa Hill passed away on May 5th, 2009 and the memorial service was scheduled for Saturday May 9th, 2009.

4. Mode of Transportation --- Our White Mini Van.

5. Length of Travel Time -- Roughly 12 - 14 hours

6. Number of Miles -- about 850 to my Uncle's house.

7. Number of people in the car -- 7 ....... 2 Adults 5 kids.

8. Days of school and worked missed ... 2 (Friday and Monday)

9. Health condition of passengers ... Sunshine has a hurt wrist, and all the kids are taking meds since the day before because of STREP ! YUCK~!~ And my throat started hurting Wednesday morning as well. (But I don't think it was strep)
10. Oh yeah, make sure one of my children hurts there arm and complains about it the whole weekend. But make sure this happens late Thursday evening and don't go to the doctor until I return.

11. Did the trip go smoothly without incident....

12. Were we extremely blessed because of such incidents.....

READ ON TO FIND OUT:

On Friday we were able to leave Provo, and get on the road.. all the while, as with any trip, hearing the beginnings of "I'm hungry", "When are we going to get there?" "I've got to go Potty" and many other noises of laughter, and screaming, and occasionally complete SILENCE. Aw.

We traveled I-80 and stopped at the Salt Flats Rest Area to do a potty break, which was just before Wendover, on the Utah, Nevada border.

No problem here, as all parties involved were able to go and

thus avoiding any accidents in the near future.

We start driving again, and go through Wendover and about 15 minutes later, T-man hollers that he has to go to the bathroom, of course we're in a barren desert and nothing around for miles. Luckily we found a sign for a "rest area". It was disgusting but better than having a wet boy, right?? He REFUSED TO USE IT!!! All the while, grabbing at himself, because he apparently was telling the truth. So I tried to make him sit on the darn thing, and attempted to pull down his pants so that he could go and avoid the accident, HE SCREAMED!!! I was in there for at least 5 -8 minutes trying to get him to sit, and he wasn't having it. (If he didn't have to go so BAD, I wouldn't have tried so hard) but alas, no such luck. So we load everyone up again, and get into the car. About 10 minutes later he cried because he had peed himself in the car. We said, TOO BAD, you'll have to wait to get changed.

** I know we're MEAN

We come upon Wells, Nevada and found a gas station to use. So I dug out clean clothes and being the "DUMB" mom I am, grabbed another pair of underwear for him. So I attempted to change him, and we made everyone else "TRY" even though it was less than an hour since the last time. I used a plastic grocery bag to put the wet clothes into, and we laid a towel on top of his booster so that he wouldn't get his now dry clothes wet, too.

The details of this part of the trip are fuzzy to me right now, but before we reached Fernley, Nevada where I was able to visit with my cousin and her family for a few minutes, T-man had peed one other time in his clothes. SUCK!!! But, I quickly overlooked that, and enjoyed the visit with my Cousin, whom I haven't seen in about 7 years. So that was refreshing at best. I feel jipped to not have more time, but we had further places to travel.

We stopped again near Sacramento somewhere to use the potty once again, from here we were only about an hour away from my Uncle's house, only problem --- we ran into traffic at like 9pm at night. So it slowed us WAY down. My uncle had to go to work in order to have Saturday off, so he was leaving shortly to put that time in. Of course, I'm using the map to navigate, and finally around 11:30 we arrived at their house to SLEEP!!! Chris was TIRED!! I only drove about an 80 mile stretch, and he was EXHAUSTED.

The baby was asleep when we pulled up so we didn't have to get him to go to sleep, but the other kids were bouncing off the WALLS!! Pent up energy, I guess. They started saying how they were hungry and Melinda got busy helping them, find things to eat. Finally we settled in, but we didn't get to see my uncle that night because he was at work.

And before we had gotten to his house, Chris and I started feeling like we should just head home on Sunday morning and use Monday as a recuperation day, since he had it off. So we let Melinda know about that, and that we wouldn't stay till Monday. (Although, I know my Uncle was secretly sabotaging us to stay till Monday) .

Saturday was the day we would drive to Manteca, about 1 hour away, because all of my family was there, and that is where the Memorial service for Grandpa would be. We woke up, and got to see my Uncle for just a few minutes before he went to sleep. He had just gotten home right before 7 and had been up since 4 am the day before. He was TIRED!! So we helped ourselves around the house and feeding the kids because Melinda had to leave for a test, and my Uncle needed to SLEEP. We ate, and got dressed, and packed up what we needed for the day. We followed the directions that we got through mapquest to get to the hotel where my parents were staying. We were driving on side roads and had lots of turns involved and finally about a little more than an hour later we arrived.

It was great to see my family ALL 8 of the kids were there with their families along my parents. It was crazy to say the least. But fun TOO!! We still had about two hours before the service was going to start, so we took our family over to In N Out for lunch.

I LOVE THAT PLACE.

So we grabbed our food and

headed back to the motel rooms to eat.

After we finished eating we cleaned up the trash and threw it away,

and then told my kids to change into thier church clothes.

All the while, the other sibs were coming and going, and watching the babies,

and others getting food to eat as well.

The room had the aroma of several good smelling things,

but all together they STUNK, but with the door opened it quickly aired out.

Life is So Precious part 2

So I just found out that later this evening they will take my Grandfather of from life support. Basically the machines are doing everything for him, and he's in a coma like state. I know it's a tough decision for everyone but I feel it's best for him. I've been on an emotional roller coaster ever since I hear this news Friday morning of his health issues, and now I'm okay for the moment but know that later tonight I'll be a BLUBBERING BABY!!!

I was reminded while I was laying in bed this morning, about a feeling I had back in Octoberish time. We had a tri p planned for going to California set up for Halloween, Chris had all the time arranged for work to have it off, and we'd go let the kids Trick or Treat there in California where my parents live. Well.... about a month or so before the trip we found out the date of when my sister was hoping to get married. Which would have been a week before Thanksgiving. We weren't going to try really to get to the wedding at first. But after a few days of pondering this thought, I felt very strongly that I needed to go to the wedding and that I needed to be there to support my sister ..... ladi da da. Well, my husband was able to cancel the intial vacation time and reschedule it so that we could attend the wedding. I had a fun time, and my Grandpa Hill and Maria were able to come down from Manteca, Ca where they lived to witness the marriage of my sister to Miguel.

And not until this morning did I realize what the urgency in going on that trip meant. That was the last time that I got to see him Alive!! I feel that in this simple little example I have felt the Peace and Love that our Heavenly Father gives to us in times of trial and tragedy. I was given the reminder this morning so that I could record it... Heavenly Father had a plan and that was his way of getting things in order for this unfortunate event to take place later tonight.

It's been a rough couple of days and moments and minutes of being so emotional to the point of bawling that I couldn't see through the tears coming down my face. I haven't even thought about eating, even as my heart feels like it's being ripped into pieces again, because an important part of the Love that fills my heart can't be fully shared anymore.

Even though I know that losing a dear loved one who is close to us and plays an important role in our lives, we can rest assured that life will still go on, and we just need to keep the legacy alive of such dear sweet people. It's HARD!! I'm not going to lie, but why does the ache hurt so bad... and I haven't even begin the real part of grieving yet, I'm sure that will hit harder as I hear he is pronounced dead, and passes on, and then again as I meet up with family members as a result of his death. I was only 10 when my grandmother passed away, and I can hardly believe that it's been nearly 21 years since she died -- it feels like forever and even still I MISS HER!!

Just a friendly reminder to mend those relationships that aren't going so smoothly and make sure your family and important friends know you love them. You don't want any regrets... and I'm glad that in this case I don't have any... at least not that I'm aware of yet...

Ordinary and Occasionally Extraordinary: Primary is Entertainment

Ordinary and Occasionally Extraordinary: Primary is Entertainment

Take a minute and visit this post. If you're LDS you'll totally laugh!! I did.

BLOG UPDATE

Don't worry if you just got 4 old posts into your readers today. I imported a blog I had started and decided not to keep it going, but I wanted to save the posts because I really liked them.

"Time? I have no concept of Time."

"Time? I have no concept of Time." from So I Married and Axe Murderer. This is how my motto should be.

It's a Monday and what have I done today? NOTHING!!! I've been trying to figure out some tweaks for my blog, and playing with my 2 year old, and trying to keep "sickko's" in their room since they weren't feeling well enough for school this morning. I did, however, manage to take a bath, get dressed, talk with a friend -(who by the way made my day!!)

I went to the school and dropped off my two "sickko's" that were feeling MUCH better and let them finish the day of school, lucky they went now they get to play outside when homework is done. So I managed to run a sink full of water and have a huge mound of bubbles towering over the counter top. The boys would love it if I let them up there to play, but not today!! I have major dishes to wash, and about 8 loads of laundry to fold -- none of which I want to do. I've been fighting a slight dizzy feeling, and an oncoming headache all day. My cure, I should go lie down again, and read some more.... but then I feel slightly guilty because of the duties that haven't been accomplished today.... there's dinner that needs to be made, and dishes washed (as I already mentioned) and laundry to fold, not to mention -- it's nice outside and I should go on a walk -- but where oh where is the TIME!!!

This one element about life I can't seem to get a grasp on, but then again I don't have a grasp on many things that I feel I should. I don't even have teens yet, but I feel my day is already taken up and used before I can really do anything I want to... I guess it just all boils down to setting priorities and just knowing that my kids won't always be with me, eventually they will all leave the nest (because I won't let them live with me forever and if they want to try IT WON'T BE PRETTY) they won't be little like this forever, and I'm sure that when they are much more grown then now, my house will probably have a semblance of order on a more consistant basis and I'll not have clothes all over the sofa because I can't get them folded as they come out (for whatever reason). But I need to find JOY in the journey I'm having right now. I don't want to wish away my life and I want to avoid having or possessing the "If this happens.... then I'll be happy" syndrome. I try to sit back and look at my life right now and wonder what the heck, others might say in conversations if I were to die right now. Frankly it kind of scares me.

• I don't feel like I'm that great of a Mom, but I try my best.
• I'm not some fashion guru who wears great clothes all the time. (actually I don't think I ever do)
• I don't really get into shoes all that much.
• I dont' work to earn any money.
• I don't feel like I'm a runway model with the "HOT BOD" and "GREAT FACE" to go with it. (Because I tell you I have those huge pores on my face that look NASTY when seen up close, so stay back for better looking effect)
• I don't have a lot of rich relatives (now that I think about it I don't have any -- DARN IT!)
• I don't have a lot of jewelery. Heck my wedding ring is "laboratory created" aka: A FAKE!! But I love it because HE gave it to me. (He = MY MAN)
• I'm not extremely talented in anything. I know a little about sewing, a little bit about exercising, a little bit about decorating (but I suck at it), I'm a wannabe photographer, and digital scrapbook designer.
• I don't feel like I have many friends at all. Most days I get calls from automated messages, not a real person ever. And then when they are from real people, it usually comes bearing bad news.
• I don't keep my house immaculate. But try to keep it somewhat functional. Even if that means dishes get washed as they are needed.

So what in the heck would anyone say about me if I were to all of a sudden "leave this earth"? Well maybe they could say :

• She was so caring, and always friendly.
• She was always modest in her dress. And kept her children clothed.
• She tried to help even though she didn't know how.
• She loved her family, she was always taking them on walks, going to the park, talking about them, trying to find ways to help them make good decisions.
• She loved the Lord!! Her example proved it.
• She was a loyal wife and friend. She tried to show her love by the deeds she did.
• I never heard her get mean with her children ever --(gotta work on this one)
• She never lost her temper. (Well maybe not in public)
• She never tires from her duties as a mother and wife. (gotta work on this too!)
• She truly cared about me, because she always said Hi when she saw me, and tried to find out how I was.

Not that I'm hoping to die anytime soon, but I was just thinking about other family members who have passed on, and all the great things I can remember of them, and I just hope that when my time comes, I can fulfill some of my dreams and have great things remembered about me.

But back to the element of Time. It's short here on earth, and I have to make the best I can of it, while trying to tackle everyday items with children underfoot, or uncooperating with me and what I deem important. My goal needs to be to TEACH them how to live and WHAT is important in life, that when I'm not with them all the time, they can make good choices. It's such a tender spot with me, because I have some family experience with bad choice making, and I see what kind of misery that can be, and don't want that for my children. I'm so glad that they have good primary teachers at church that help instill in them a desire to do good.

My time is fleeting, and I never seem to have enough.. .like I need to go make dinner but haven't even started yet.... So it's off to make dinner, time to make sure homework has been done, and we have Family Home Evening tonight and I have to make sure all parts are ready for that, then it's bedtime, and that is a whole different time task on its own. I just don't feel like I'm ever in control of my time and when I feel like I am, I don't know where all the time went. So now it's time to get better control of my time, while I have TIME to do something about it.

Bet you never knew that I used to like to write poetry. Oh, I wasn't that great or anything but as I was sifting through the contents of a box that I cleared from my cellar, I stumbled upon two of these poems that I wrote. So here I place them for permanent keeping.

#1

He casts a wave upon the sea

It swiftly flows for all to see

The tender thoughts, the doubts, the fears

May come and go amid the tears.

They try to float, but yet, they sink.

It was not as was thought

I think...

#2

As roses bloom amid the trees

Their beauty weakened by the weeds.

As sunshine, water, soil do try

The roses wilt, as if to cry.

After reading these now I realize that they were probably my first attempts, and could use some more . Who knows, maybe I'll get back to them once again.