the master of disguise

he takes self portraits with my camera

and i caught him in my room near to the laundry basket...
no doubt looking for a clean shirt to complete his covert costume

you didn't see anything at all ...

Happy Mother's Day!

Elder Marvin J. Ashton said:
"Some mothers seem to have the capacity and energy to make their children’s clothes, bake, give piano lessons, go to Relief Society, teach Sunday School, attend parent-teacher association meetings, and so on. Other mothers look upon such women as models and feel inadequate, depressed, and think they are failures when they make comparisons.

We should not allow ourselves to be trapped into such damaging inferiority feelings. This is another tool of Satan. Many seem to put too much pressure on themselves to be a ‘supermom’ or ‘superwoman.’

Sisters, do not allow yourselves to be made to feel inadequate or frustrated because you cannot do everything others seem to be accomplishing. Rather, each should assess her own situation, her own energy, and her own talents, and then choose the best way to mold her family into a team, a unit that works together and supports each other. Only you and your Father in Heaven know your needs, strengths, and desires. Around this knowledge your personal course must be charted and your choices made." (in Conference Report, Apr. 1984, 11; or Ensign, May 1984, 9–10 ).

Neal A. Maxwell said:

"We salute you, sisters, for the joy that is yours as you rejoice in a baby’s first smile and as you listen with eager ear to a child’s first day at school which bespeaks a special selflessness. Women, more quickly than others, will understand the possible dangers when the word self is militantly placed before other words like fulfillment. You rock a sobbing child without wondering if today’s world is passing you by, because you know you hold tomorrow tightly in your arms." ("The Women of God," Ensign, May 1978, 10)

amen.

Thoughts on being 'mom'

Today i spent most of the day alone ... a rarity it feels like in my line of work ... I took myself to the store, all by myself, i got out of the car, closed the door, walked alone across the parking lot, waited for a car to back out of a spot and made it into the store ... all by myself. I walked into the jewelry section and kept my hands to myself, i didn't touch the glass or spin the displays ... just looked and then i walked over to the shoe section ... i tried on a few pairs and found the perfect ones ... just what i was looking for ... all by myself. I went to the clothing section and found a darling skirt and picked up a few different shirts to try on, i went to the dressing room and tried them on and chose one to buy ... i went to the register and paid for my items and turned and walked out of the store ... across the parking lot and got back into my car, put on my seat belt and said to myself, "wow it's quiet in here ..." there wasn't any fighting, no whining, no "i want to sit there" or "stop touching that" or "keep your hands to yourself" ... there was also no "thanks mom for taking me" or "mom, where are we going next?" or "what time is it?" ... no little voices singing along with the music ... no laughter. I was reminded that sometimes it's not that great to be alone. (don't get me wrong, i love me some me-time ... but i thought to myself "that is why i wanted to be the mom!")

Then i watched this youtube video and it changed me a little ... being the mom isn't glamorous ... but i sure love it ... and i need to start telling my kids how much i LOVE being their mom ... it's always been my #1 - when my friends were hoping to be astronauts and the first woman president ... i wanted to be a mom (my big plan was to go to beauty school and be a hair dresser in my own home so that i'd be home but able to work ... maybe someday i'll add on that extra part).

i read this for the first time on my mission ... true ... so true!

What is a Mother?

A Mother is a wonderful creature constructed almost entirely of love and this she can express in a million ways from hugs and kisses and good cooking and patient listening, to stern lectures and strict rules and repeated use of the word "no".

Like snowflakes, no two Mothers are alike but they have a number of things in common. Name anything a Mother can be found washing it, roasting it, polishing it, getting rid of it, repairing it, packing it, teaching it, redecorating it, loving it, or talking it over at PTA.

A Mother cares about, and for most everything; gardens, pets, the state of the nation, the worn spot in the rug, hungry people, and most of all, Father and her children. For these, she can do anything, dare anything, and fight for anything necessary for their happiness.

A Mother is not always an angel. She will often disagree with you, expect too much of you, criticize your choice of friends, and bring up the subject of work when you feel least energetic. But she's always ready to help when you need her.

You don't always tell a Mother how much you love her or how much you wish the most wonderful things in the world will come to her because there are no words to express feelings so deep and sincere. Somehow, though, you feel she understands what's in your heart. Mothers always do.

no better way to spend a birthday ... (round 3 or maybe 4 ... who's counting?!)

when you get older it's your own prerogative how you want to spend your birthday ... as well as how many times you can celebrate/how long you can stretch out the celebration.

this year i chose to celebrate with my family on the actual day ... we had alfy's pizza and went to the skatedeck! earlier that day Andy and i went to lunch and later that night i went to a late night movie with some girlfriends!!

then a few nights later i went out to dinner with my 2 best girlfriends (and when i say 'dinner' ... we ate a little and talked a LOT ... we solve the world's problems on a regular basis! (dinner was at 8 we talked until midnight))

to top off my week + birthday celebration, the Party got together tonight for the premier of Iron Man 2 and dinner at Maggiano's. we made a reservation and it is a good thing we did ... when we arrived 20 minutes early the place was PACKED!! our table was ready right on time and we went in and sat down. excellent service, delicious food (i tried everyone's dish ... all were spectacular!! - i even tried calamari - not terrible but not yummy ... in a word: 'myeah ...' ) and GREAT conversation.

the conversation is always easy with us ... we seem to move effortlessly, flawlessly (naturally even?!) from poop and boogies with our collective 9 kids to work and computers to leisure time and vacation plans to how to talk to our kids about sex and everything in between! we share laughs and fears and trade hilarous stories about kids and everything ... there isn't anything off limits with this crowd. we talk feelings and memories and hopes as well as bathroom humor, TMI, and 'really did you just say that out LOUD?!'

these people are truly my BFFs ... they know far too much!

as we were leaving the restaurant, i said, "i love to sit and eat and then talk for hours with you guys! it's my favorite ... what a great birthday! thanks!" and i meant it ... every word.

memorial day campout 2008

we were at maggiano's for 2 1/2 hours!!

i love us!

my favorite time of day ...

mom, tan i see hor phone while hor pushing da buttons?

Easton loves it when i text his name to Andy at night time ... He recognizes the 'E' and says that every word that starts with 'E' is his name - except when it's my name! (he knows that my name starts with an 'E' too because i write it when i sign him into the Y's adventure zone!) this picture is taken with my phone and the flash was SO bright we couldn't keep our eyes open!

He loves to sing at bedtime (or in the bathroom, or when it's just the 2 of us in the car, or when he's playing by himself ... never performing ... but he loves to sing!) and he has his favorite songs ... this one is one of my favorites!!

"i'm so dad when mommy tums home,
dad as i tan be!
tap my hans and shout for joy
and time up on her knee.
put my arms ahound her neck,
hud her tight hike dat,
pat her cheek and dive her what?
a date bid kiss!!"

i need to post the video ... his face is the best part!

Cinco de Mayo! ... it's already been a week since i turned 34?

We started this morning by reading the first 5 verses in 1st Nephi ... it is our first day since we committed to be a part of this:

As part of our September 2009 Everett Stake Conference, President Duce extended the following invitation to the stake membership with regards to studying The Book of Mormon as a family:

1. Get a paperback copy of The Book of Mormon for each member of the family and write your name in it
2. Meet as a family and decide what time of day you will read from The Book of Mormon as a family
3. Get four different colored marking pencils for each family member
4. As you read, highlight in different colors:
a. Each reference to Jesus Christ (any of His names or pronouns referring to Him)
b. His words (spoken by Him or by prophets when they say “thus saith the Lord” or similar)
c. His attributes
d. The doctrines and principles contained in The Book of Mormon
During the General Session of Stake Conference this morning (April 18th), President Duce again extended this invitation in support of the stake focus - Increasing Faith in Jesus Christ through Daily Scripture Study and Praying with Real Intent. We join with President Duce in inviting each of you to accept this challenge of reading and marking The Book of Mormon with your families as outlined above. We know that doing so will be a blessing to your families and will bring you closer to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

We raised our hands in Sacrament Meeting just last Sunday and committed to do it!

Then I dropped kids off at school and headed to my hard core step class ... (and yes ... my teacher kicked my bum today ... if you were wondering!)

I hurried home to shower and get ready for Visiting Teaching and then hurried to get Ammon from school!

We dropped off our friend that we carpool with and headed to lunch!

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Hooray for Taco del Mar!

YUM!!

34 is a little young to be having actual heart attacks ...
But this kind i could have everyday!!
My friends are so nice!!

The booger one was one of the funniest! I also liked the one that said "get out your lawn chair and pretend you're in Hawaii! Thanks friends! You're the best!

what?? fashion don't?!

I texted my 2 best friends about these shoes ... "what do you think?!"

one sent back: "So cute!"

but the other had a little more to say ... "Um ... maybe with the right outfit ... "

So i donned my new sherbet colored shirt and sent

"How bout this?"

"Um ... no ... you don't match your shoes to your shirt ... unless they are black."

"and are they shiny?"

hm ... i said ...

"i think the term you were searching for is patent leather"

"no ... shiny is the term ... bleh"

texting still. "what? you don't like them? what can i say ... i'm just your country bumpkin friend!"

"country pumpkin ... "

HA! You just made a funny!!

Maybe if i accessorize with a little bit of Sammoon!?

ooo and i'm LOVING this orange purse!!

by the way: the darling orange shoes cost me all of $3 - not bad!!

mom, did your teacher kick your bum today?

Easton's question every time i pick him up from the Y's adventure zone ... i'm sweaty and red in the face from getting my bum kicked in my exercising classes!  Today, though, i enjoyed a bit of Yoga and my face was not red and i was not sweaty when i went to get him ... still the usual question.  Nope, not today, i just stretched and laid on the mat. 

"who is your teacher?"

Miss Vicki

"she's nice, she doesn't kick your bum!"

(added pic 5/5 ... today she kicked my bum!)

Sunday

a perfect day for a rest

Thank you Mr. Lanz, your music is divine

all dressed in white

Elyssa was baptized today by her dad. She has a book that helped her prepare ... it has scriptures to read and things to think about ... places to write her feelings. There is a place for her parents to write down how they felt and to record their testimony. Before I put pen to paper I wanted to type it out ... I'm much better at typing than writing!
My feelings of the day ... I started out feeling confident - knowing that we'd make it to the building on time, ready for the baptism without a glitch. My confidence turned to anticipation and eagerness when your dad was a little late arriving home ... but then relieved that we ended up getting to the building with plenty of time. I had remembered to have you bring the things you needed and I was prepared to do the things I was going to do. I felt happy that our friends had come and that even though Granny was sick she felt that it was important enough to be there. I felt the Spirit when Sister Greely talked about Baptism and the promises that we make when we are baptized. The words she said were true and I felt good inside. I felt happy that Nicki was willing to sing at your baptism, she really loves you and was so happy to be a part of this day with you. I felt so good inside when you went down into the water with Dad and he baptized you with the power of the Priesthood, and especially happy that we have a Dad that holds the priesthood and can bless us. I felt the Spirit while Sister Davis talked about the Holy Ghost and I hoped that you would remember the things that she said. I remember feeling especially grateful that she had talked about how the Holy Ghost never wears out and that the more you listen to Him the better He works in your life. While Dad laid his hands on your head and gave you the Gift of the Holy Ghost, I was interpreting the blessing so that Ann could understand and I felt the Spirit as I repeated the words that Dad said to you. He and Heavenly Father love you SO much and I could feel that ... I remember hoping that you would remember that especially - that your Heavenly Father loves you! I felt the Spirit as Sister Nguyen stood and welcomed you to Primary ... I know you are already used to seeing her every week but she really loves the Primary kids and I can feel her love for you! I was happy that Brother Simpson was there to welcome you into the ward ... I know that you know him as Chad and that he's a good friend of ours ... but I felt the love from the Bishop as he welcomed you to the ward! I felt the Spirit very strong, and it made me cry a little, while I said the closing prayer. I know you made a wonderful decision to be baptized and I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ will be a strength and a protection to you if you continue to choose the right. I love you and I want what's best for you always!

This probably won't all fit on the few lines that are available in the book but now it's recorded and hopefully she will remember all the feelings she had on this special day.