Pass Along a Smile

I was told by my girls today that they would like coupons in their salad with a glass of root beard! They make me laugh, just thought I'd share a smile. Wishing everyone a good day!

*What they really wanted was some crutons and some root beer!

A Change of Attitude

This week there has been a few events that have made me realize that I am far too ungrateful for the people and things I have in my life. No major events, just time to really reflect.Life is crappy sometimes! I get into the "poor me syndrome". I feel everybody should pity me. What I didn't realize is that maybe these "terrible" things have a purpose.

I think sometimes I expect everything to be just the way I want, all springtime and butterflies, all the time. When the unpleasant stuff arrives, I'm always saying, "What the heck? I don't deserve this." That's when the pity party starts. Poor me and my sad little world too. I mope and hate life for a while.

I never realized that maybe, just maybe, Heavenly Father is trying to teach me something. I look back at all the challenges I've had to overcome and I can honestly say I'm better for them. I would not be who I am today if I had not gone through some of the things I've had to go through. Granted, some I brought on myself, but others were tests just for me. Tests that made me stronger and better. I just had to change my attitude and learn to see the sun between the clouds. Now if I can just keep it in mind when the next storm comes!

It's a Fact... I'm Old

Aaron came home from school yesterday very excited about his substitute teacher. His teacher's mom died so she is away for 10 days. Usually I hear how terrible or mean a sub is. He doesn't like change much and gets a little grumpy about it. Well, not today! Here is part of that conversation:


Aaron: "Mom you know why I like him so much?"

Me: "No. Why do you like him so much?"

Aaron: "Because at recess, he plays basketball with us."

I had to admit that was pretty cool. Not many teachers left who are willing to get down on the kid's level and interact that way with them. Not many girl teachers who will play basketball with their kids.

Me:" Wow! That is pretty cool. Is he older or is he young?"

Aaron: "Uhh, he's kind of in the middle. He's like 20 or something."

I laughed. Well if twenty is in the middle, I must be closer to the "old side" than I thought! I love their perspectives!

I Might Be His First Groupie....

A couple weeks ago while playing a game of Loaded Questions, I was asked, "If you could be a groupie for anyone, who would it be?" I didn't have to think very long at all, but I knew my answer would be laughed at, so I hesitated writing it down. After convincing myself it was okay, I wrote it down. Michael McLean. If I could be a groupie for someone, it would be Micheal McLean. I will say that my 'groupiness' would not involve screaming madness, longing for an article of clothing belonging to him, and tossing my bra up on stage. I would conduct myself in a very decent manner.

Why? I honestly didn't really know until today.

In the summer after my sophomore year, I started realizing my life was not where I wanted it to be. I was a lost teenager not really sure of what to make out of this whole earthly journey. I needed some help. I prayed for guidance and instruction.

One day I ended up in Deseret Book (I love that place, so many life changing purchases for me there). I was was looking for something to help me. I love music, so I was searching all the cassette tapes. I came across one. I had never heard of the artist and thought ,'maybe'. Then I felt that I should buy that one. It was titled, One Heart in the Right Place, by Michael McLean. I bought it, completely unaware of how it would change my life. (I am starting to realize that all things purchased at Deseret Book, Seagull Book, or the LDS section of Walmart were to become tender mercies from a loving Heavenly Father)

I took that tape home and listened to it over and over, and over! I even remember taking to volleyball camp with me and requesting that Sis. Zohovetz play it while we drove. I couldn't get enough of it! The way I felt, as those lyrics hit my ears , was indescribable! I can tell you that they gave me hope of a better me, the true me.

Those feelings led to the purchasing of even more tapes. I soon owned every album he had out. I cherished that collection. I knew all his music and was excited when a new something of his came out! Even my sister, Alissa started adding to the collection. She bought the first CD we ever owned of his, You're Not Alone. And slowly my CD collection started to grow. ( I do feel I have to tell you my husband threw my cassette tapes away. He felt we had no need for them anymore and was unaware of their importance to me, he can always make it up to me by buying the 25Th Anniversary boxed CD set... hint, hint)

So, why am I telling you this? Well, I had a revelation today. It is why I would follow him around and attend every concert. When I feel discouraged, beaten, and hopeless, I always turn to his music. I never realized this before. Lately I have been struggling to feel that I am truly a Daughter of God. I went to Seagull book and what do you think I found? Right there on the clearance rack, a book. A book written by Michael McLean. I never knew he had written a book. Guess what came inside? A CD! A CD with a lot of the old songs that were on my tapes. And in this book he writes his memoir.

While reading it, I came to see that he and I are a lot alike. You can always learn best from someone who is a lot like you , I think. I am excited to finish this book. Maybe I will learn what I need to know about myself. I don't think it was a coincidence that I happened across it. I think Heavenly Father knows me best and what I need. I'm so grateful for that.

Mother's Day

It is Mother's Day. Since I am the 9Th 0f 11 children,and I'm waiting to get through to my mom on her line, I thought I would blog about her.

My mom, Sandra, was born in Arizona. It is there that she met my dad, fell in love, and got married. Together they raised 11 children. Yes, 11! I couldn't even imagine.

I love it when she talks about having all these kids. She stopped for a while after 6, then had 5 more, all a year apart. I was complain of having Kate and Becca so close, I couldn't imagine adding three more kids to the mix,all spaced about the same time apart.

My mom was "Young Mother of The Year" for AZ in 1977. She was pregnant with her 10th baby.She was "Mother of the Year" for NV in, I think, 2003. I remember being very proud of her. And she truly deserved those awards!

I thought it would be fun to fill out a survey about my mom, like the ones the kids do in school. Keep in mind I really don't know some of these answers!

My Mother is 30+years old
Her favorite food is salad
Her favorite color is red
She likes to read, sing, & change her furniture around
If she liked animals,I think she would like a dog, even though she has a cat
She is good at singing, being organized, writing
I admire her because she is patient, relaxed, and a strong independent woman
I love her because she is a beautiful lady who cares for everyone. She does not judge someone by what she has heard or what they look like.She gets to know them and make her own opinion about them, and usually it turns out that everyone else was wrong. This is something I try to emulate.

I love you, Mom! I'm thankful for your good example. I'm thankful for all that you have taught me, and still teach me! I still say in my mind, "When I grow up,I want to be just like my mom!"

Happy Mother's Day!

PS I had a good day! The kids gave me cute gifts. Ryan made me some chocolates, Aaron made me a fabulous book that held all of his projects for the year, Grace made me a key chain, and Kate and Becca made me some cute cards! I also bought myself some cute shoes! I'm so thankful for my kids and the opportunity to be their mom. It is the hardest, most challenging thing I have ever done, but I wouldn't change it for the world. Thanks for breakfast guys!! French toast and sausage are my favorite!

Gathering Flowers

I'm sure you all remember when you were little gathering flowers for your mother as you walked. Often they were probably those lovely YELLOW weeds you could always find in abundance, or maybe the neighbor's tulips, Alissa!

I woke up Sunday feeling rather poorly. My body ached and I had this massive headache. After googling 'symptoms of swine flu' and being reassured by Dustin that I was not contaminated with the virus, I fell asleep as my family left for church. I was able to rest a little-I decided to keep Becca, no parent should try to "go it alone" with her!

As they came home, I was greeted with all their little handouts and stories of what they had learned at church. I was feeling a little better. My headache was subsiding because I took my beloved, and trusted, friend IBUPROFEN! But I needed some more quiet, so I suggested the kids take the dog on "the long walk". They got the dog and took him.

I was awakened again as the girls came running into my room, anxious to show me what they had done. They had gathered some beautiful flowers for me! I might add that they were not YELLOW! Aaron came in with a TULIP. Sorry to whoever happened to supply the tulip! It was little! It will come back next year!

They all wished for me to feel better. It must have worked because by the evening I was feeling a lot better!

I wish I had a vase full of all the flowers my kids have given me! A lot would be YELLOW, but there would be an occasional pretty one, and even the kind I get to blow and make a wish!

I decided to take a picture of this lovely bunch. Why didn't I think of that years ago?