Halloween, 2009

My children being funny and oh so scary. I was too lazy to post this on Halloween, but better late than never! :)

Kiss My Foot!

Growing up this was one of my moms favorite things to say to us kids when she wasn't going to take any you know what from us! This is what I felt like saying to my brood today. We went to visit my parents in my hometown because Chris was due to take some continuing education courses, so I thought I would hang out with my family. We had a great time. I was able to visit one of my best friends that lives an hour from my parents which was very refreshing and fun! Plus she made me chocolate chip cookies...darned girl!! They were yummy. Anyway, it wasn't until the drive home today that I wanted to exclaim to my children "Kiss my foot!!" It was one of those days where the fighting was NON STOP. Constant exclamations of "Her feet are in my face!" or "He poked my back!" or "She spit on me!" (That one really made me mad.) I literally felt like I needed to run far away to another land. In fact at one point I stopped at a red light, looked over and there was an old lady all alone in her car, and I said under my breath..."can I get in your car?" Chris took the "fix" it approach as he watched me crumple before his eyes. He kept saying things like "Oh come on, you know you love them" and "One day you'll laugh at this." Hmmmm...I told him it would be a LONG time before I laugh! Bless Chris' heart for trying to talk me out of my mini breakdown, but you would think he would realize after 12 years that this approach never works for me! I do believe that I will one day laugh though...especially when I am the little old lady sitting in a car all alone....probably even wishing the kids were driving me crazy. Yay for tomorrows...lets hope there won't be any foot kissin'.

Why I Love The People I Love...Part VII

Okay, I really feel sorry for those of you who can't stand your mother in law. This would be a horrible feeling. I am so blessed to have a good mother in law because I have heard of a few really scary, overbearing, controlling, nosy mother in laws!! (Sorry to sound harsh...but they DO exist!) My father in law passed away 16 months ago, and I loved and still do love him so very much too! I can honestly say that I am so grateful for these two for many reasons, but for the most part because they raised Chris to be a wonderful person! They raised him with the same core values I was raised with. Chris and I both come from different backgrounds. I am more of a city girl and he is really kind of a country bumpkin, but it goes to show you that as long as you share the same values and you love another, then none of that really matters! The thing that really matters is the fact that our parents loved us, and raised us to be good people. We make lots of mistakes, but we keep trudging ahead and attempting to raise our children with values that will lead them to have a life that brings them joy. I am grateful to my in laws (mother, father, and siblings too!) because they contributed in the making of my dear sweet husband. I will be indebted to them forever for just that.

Tiny Fingerprints....

At our last General Conference President Monson gave a talk I thoroughly enjoyed. I have set goals the last few years to watch every session. I never regret it! I always think "What if I had missed this part?" Something is always said at each session that I needed to hear. President Monson said this of raising children "If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly." WOW. I needed to hear that so I could once again be reminded that my children are everything and that all too soon, they will be raising their own little family. I love my children.

Why I Love The People I Love...Part VI

I was 6 years old when my one and only brother David was born. Being one of 4 girls, having a brother had always been a huge dream I wanted to come true. I remember holding him and saying to him "I promise I will never tell you I hate you." Funny the things we think of when we're kids. Unfortunately by the time David was around 4ish, I broke my promise. I didn't play with little Davie boy as much as I should have because G.I Joe and boy toys weren't really my thing, and Barbie's and Strawberry Shortcake weren't his. But how grateful I am to have a brother! I'm finding as I get older and time passes that the people we love won't be in our lives here on this earth forever. One day my dad will pass away, and who will help ease that? My brother. If my mom out lives my dad, David will be the rock we all lean on, I have no doubt. Of course I will have my dear husband, but as far as us sibs?? We will be grateful to have the male influence because having that brings comfort and peace. And my brother happens to be very smart and intelligent and very much like my dad. I love him! Above is a picture of he and his daughter, and wife Krysta (whom I also happen to love very much!)

Why I Love The People I Love...PartV

I grew up as the middle child . There were 5 of us and I was number 3. I had 3 sisters growing up and one little brother. Boy, was there a heck of a lot of drama in our house! I can remember being 7 and my little sister Gina was 4, and she and I were playing in a box. I recall that we were having so much fun and it dawned at me at that very moment that I wanted her to be my very best friend. So I looked at her and said "Hey Gina, lets be buddies!!!" And I can honestly say from that day forward we were inseparable. I loved her so much I wanted us desperately to be twins. Her name was Gina, so I would say "Okay, I'll be Tina!!" hehehe. I cherish my memories of my baby sister, and at times miss it with all my heart.

April was the one that gave me info as a teenager. She was the one that gave me the scoop about kissing boys and what to expect as I went from a child to a woman. April was also the one that would let you borrow clothes. The rest of us were just too selfish! April is the one that calls everyone, and brings everyone together...it's hard to explain!

My oldest sister Joely was the mean one, hahahaha!!! She would tell me that If I flushed the toilet I would actually go down it! And she would make me turn the channel for her and get her snacks because she knew I was afraid of her. She was 9 years older than me...I did what she asked, lol. But the interesting thing is, now that I am nearly 32, and she is 40, it's as though we are the same age. I look up to her so much. She is a registered nurse and I always know I can call her anytime I have a question about my kids or mine and Chris' health. She is an outstanding mom, and has never told her kids they would flush down the toilet. It is so true that once you get older, age is irrelevant!

I love my sisters so much, and they have impacted my life and I am so grateful to know they are always there, even if we all live so far apart. :)

Why I Love The People I Love...Part IV

I have a very fond memory of being three years old, and seeing my dad in our back yard working so diligently to build my sisters and I our very own tree house. I actually remember him helping me up the ladder...it's probably my earliest childhood memory. My dad has helped me up the ladder more than once in my life. I was really interested in this really hot guy at 16, and I knew my parents would not approve, so he and I would sneak and write letters. But being that my dad is the type to help me climb the ladder to the tree house, he opened my mail while I was gone one day and read all the juicy details hidden inside. Was I mad? Surprisingly no. I have always really respected my dad and the advice he gives me. And I loved him for caring about me. I think we as parents tend to be too hard on ourselves, spending too much time feeling guilt for what we've done or said that shouldn't have been done or said. I do this all the time. I should have "I'm A Guilty Mother" written all over my forehead. And not because I'm a bad mom, but because I am TOO hard on myself.

I have always been a somewhat fearful person, and the thoughts of losing a loved one has haunted me on a regular basis since I was about 7. I remember several times being petrified that my mom would die. Gosh, I love this woman so much! My mom is the perfect example of a parent who is too hard on themselves. I remind her regularly that she was and still is a wonderful mother! She taught me to pray for answers when I don 't know what to do. She is a woman of FAITH! My mom instilled in me that there is a higher being, and we don't have to live through this crazy world alone! Oh and she really is beautiful...

I love my parents because they did the very best they could in giving me a wonderful life, and they succeeded.