Its Potty Time My Little Pee...

Walking down the aisle, reaching for the last few items, I tried to talk my body into "waiting" until we get home. "I can hold it...I live five minutes away. I only have a few more items to get....I can wait" I kept telling myself as I pushed my shopping cart with Two running, rather being dragged by me through the store.

"No I can not wait." I said to no one in particular. "Lets go Two!" I make her run.

I shoved the cart by the door, grabbed T- Rex from the seat and headed for the handicap stall. Holding T-Rex in one hand and trying to unbutton my pants, and getting Two to come in the stall with me was a little challenging.

I sat down still holding T-Rex. I was just glad to have made it to the bathroom. Then Two plops on the floor and peers under the stall.

"Mommy there's a lady in there."

"I know. Get up off the floor. Stop looking under the stall"

I reached over to pull her back, trying to keep my bare bum on the seat and balanced with T-Rex still in hand. She stands up. Then loud and proud said, "Mom why are you pooping.Its stinky. Why does pooh stink so much?"

And before I can answer she pops back down, with T-rex with her.

"Mom she is pulling up her pants."

"Two get up!...T-Rex...stop...get...over here" I ordered as he slipped further under the stall...

"I am sorry."....to which I got no response. I sat and was hoping she was done, considering the update Two gave me.

"Flush" ..... Flush, Flush.... Two found the little black button on the back of the toilet. Now that my back side is sufficiently wet, I hold both of my kids by their waist bands.

Two and T-Rex are under my control for a few seconds...plop! Back on the ground they went.

"She is still sitting!"



"Two!!! I am so sorry!!!!"

I hurriedly finish up thinking "I will beat her out of the stalls to the sink!"

Hoping to not have to face our poor bathroom victim, off we go to wash our hands. We were almost in the clear, drying our hands when out she came. I quickly dry their hands and apologize again, when the bathroom door opens, and in walks a mullet haired, baggy red U of U shirt, over stuffed jeaned woman.

"Mom, Mom....why is there a man in here?"

Oh my goodness can I just ignore that comment??

"No Sweetie that's a woman."

I grabbed my kids and headed out of the bathroom as I left the words..."I am sorry."

--
Posted By Corrine to 4 Kids, no dog, and living the American Dream! at 11/05/2009 07:20:00 PM

Re: [LDS-PS] Corrine: THURSDAY'S PROMPT

>>  Of course the house would come with a stainless steel self cleaning kitchen, and self cleaning bathrooms. 

 

do they MAKE those?  If so, I want them, too!

 

paulaj

Corrine: THURSDAY'S PROMPT

If I had one wish for something of a material nature, not to be shared with anyone else, it would be a a home of my very own. Well in all actuality (is that a word) I wouldn't want anything that wouldn't be shared. My house would be big enough for our family, yet small enough to keep itself mostly clean.  Not too showy, nice and homey!  Inside would be beach colors and a big comfy family sofa.  And I'd say I'd really like locks on my bedroom door, and a nice big master bath with a hot tub....and a swimming pool and playground outside. 

 

A place where I could invite friends and family over and hang out and have a lot of fun.  Of course the house would come with a stainless steel self cleaning kitchen, and self cleaning bathrooms.  Oh and a laundry room with hanging and shelf space so I could fold and put away there. 

 

I guess that just might be more than one wish. But that is my wish.  A home.  One to be shared with my family. 

 

But then again, I'd really like a secret vacation home for me, to escape to....maybe my next wish!

---

From: Cherished <cherished@comcast.net>
To: LDS-PS@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2009 8:00:31 AM
Subject: [LDS-PS] THURSDAY'S PROMPT

 

If I had one wish for something of a material nature, not to be shared with anyone else, it would be...

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TUesday Prompt : Ring Corrine

Ring Ring....the phone awakened me from a deep sleep. 

 

As I cleared my throat.."uh uh hello?"

 

"I am sorry did I wake you up?"  asked the unknown yet familiar caller.

 

"Not a problem. I need to get up and get the kids from school." 

 

"This is Shelly, the secretary from Hidden Hollow elementary."

 

"Oh yes, hi how are you doing?"  I asked with a little bit of worry.

 

"I am doing alright.  I am calling because the principal received your email inquiring about the position in our special education class."

 

"Oh great, for a second I thought one of my children was in trouble." I giggled a sigh of relief. 

 

"Oh no just calling to see if you could meet Mrs. Rich in the moring to go over your resume." 

 

"That would be wonderful.  What time?"

 

"Would 9 Am work?"

 

"Yes I will see you then. Thanks so much."

 

As I hung up the phone I was amazed to have received a call so soon after sending the email.  This would be an anwer to our  prayers, working at our school with my kids. 

 

I glanced down at the wedding ring on my left hand that I haven't had the courage to take off since my husbands passing. With eyes upward I know he is watching and looking out for me.  If only he was around to call and share in this exciting moment.   

Corrines Leasons of Summer

 

Summer came and went too fast.  Summer came and went too slow!  Never thought the summer break would get here, and never thought the school year would  ever come.  I love summer time. I would say I am a summer person.  Hence Hawaii made me happy, warmth, sun and water, I couldn't ask for more.  

 

Spending time with my four young kids brought me to a knowledge of life goes fast, and that all the little things should be enjoyed.  When it came time for the kids to pull the I am bored card out, and chores didn't fill that bored itch, I discovered spending time with each of us made them happy.  We didn't have to spend lots of money to have fun or enjoy the summer life, we just had to spend it together.  Whether we would just go for a walk, or to a neighborhood park, or take the little drive up to the lake, or even hang out at the restaurant together, there was laughter and enjoyment. 

 

I truly felt bad heading into the summer with no money, a new neighborhood, a new home, and a life as a single mom.   But we made it.  I was able, well most days, to handle the kids alone, though I do truly appreciate my husband and all he used to do around the house, and appreciate him when he is able to be around.  I learned to try to be creative in our activities and made an extra effort to make new friends not only for the kids but for me.

 

I grew a lot this summer.  I discovered much about myself.  I am adaptable and flexible.  I make friends where ever I go.  Someone the other day said to me how surprised she was at how I am the new girl and I am organizing and getting people together.  I try.  Though I realized that I am a homebody too, there were days where I had to beg and plead with my children to just stay home  There weren't many of those, and well many nights I wish I had a good book to read. Which by the way reminds me I need to take the kids to the library.

 

Anyway the tv is way too loud for me to even think straight. 

 

Timmy and Emily are walking around the house with their baby strollers.  Not sure what Timmmy is going to do when Emily goes to preschool. Oh just had an idea.....well I think I have been babbling for awhile. 

 

Corrine

 

TUESDAY'S PROMPT: Corrine where did it go??

I know I set it down right here.  Where did it go??  I have search hi, and low, oh where did it go??  Think Corrine, think.  I am sure my library book didn't grow legs adn walk away.  However there are five other sets of legs around here.  

 

"Kids come here!" 

"I can't find the book from the library.  We need to find it." 

 

We lift up the couch.  "Mom I found my other shoe!"  And other than that and several dust bunnies....no book. 

 

We search through our book shelf, well actually little Timmy helped by dumping all the books on the floor.  And as we sort them back on the shelf, we discover a few books needing some surgery but no library book.  

 

Off to the kids rooms.  Lets sort through the clothes.  Fold and refold and put them back.  No book.  Under the beds is a great place to hide.   Lots of missing socks and undies and what is this, a dirty shirt and a very wet swim suit???  No book??

 

Oh where or where did it go?? 

 

The car?  Grab the vacuum, some trash bags and off we go.  Oh my goodness, ok no more food and eating in the car...when did we eat fries last??  Gross...."Kids there will be no more eating in the car."  Well until our next long drive and not only are the kids hungry but so is mom....Car is clean...no book. 

 

Its lost.  It is gone.  There really is no other place it could be.   OR is there? 

 

Maybe the little people that like to sneak into our dryer and steal socks for sleeping bags for their weekend camp outs needs a book to read....just wish I knew where they were hiding, so I could find my book.  Maybe they are scrabooking their latest camp-out??? 

__,_._,___

Every Member a Missionary

 

Yesterday my son Gregory was baptized. He is the oldest of my four children. What an awesome blessing it was to watch him take such a major step in his life. He chose to be baptized, was eager and excited to do so. While sitting at the chapel the thoughts came to my mind of how often we loose that excitement about life and the gospel. He is young and this is new. Many times in our lives I think that we allow other things to bring us down, or distract us and we lose the excitement and the joy that the gospel plain and simple brings to our lives.

While serving my mission in Brazil my American companion and I decided that we would make snicker doodles for all of our investigators, and neighboring members. I really wanted to make chocolate chip cookies but we didn't have brown sugar or chocolate chips accessible. So we went to the next best thing we could. We worked hard in the kitchen during our P-day, then later that evening we went out and delivered them. Everyone was so excited to receive their little plate of home made cookies, something many of them had never had. I only imagined how much more they would have liked the chocolate chip cookies.

The sun had started to go down on us and we were heading out to our last home, when from off in the distance we heard footsteps running faster towards us, and a voice calling louder "sisters, sisters wait." A young boy caught up to us.

He asked "Sisters what are you giving to all the people."

"Cookies." We told him.

"Can I please have just one?" We looked at our last little plate with just six cookies on it for our last family. We knew there wouldn't be enough for them, but who could resist the asking of this young boy, who was so eager to have what we were giving to others.

We handed him the cookie and off he ran. No we didn't ever teach him or his family the gospel but it taught me a valuable lesson.

I have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, I have the full chocolate chip cookie! I have the blessings of being baptized, of having gone through the temple, having been sealed to my family for all eternity. I have a testimony and know that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ and through his atonement and the plan of our Father, I have happiness. Every day I should be filled with this excitement of having the gospel. And with that I have the responsibility to teach and share with those around me, members of my faith and those who are not.

I had planned to only share those cookies to those that I knew, those that I had planned to share the cookies with. I had no idea that I had to share with that young boy. I could have chosen to not give him the cookies and told them they were for someone else, but I didn't. He was excited about the cookies and wanted them, just as those around us are wanting and needing the joy in their lives that the gospel brings.

We never really know who is watching us and waiting for us to share with them the gospel.

At that time I had the full time responsibility of sharing the gospel to the people of Fortaleza and now my responsibility has changed some but is still there.

Each of us as baptized members of the church are required to share the gospel.

In Mark 16:15 the Savior commands us

".... Go ye into all the world, and apreach the bgospel to every ccreature"

And how do we share the gospel? How are we as members of the church to be a missionary, especially when we seem to be surrounded by already baptized members?

1. We start in our homes, through daily scripture study, prayers and kind acts. Also with a formal weekly family home evening. President Hinkley said:

"We have a family home evening program once a week [Monday night] across the Church in which parents sit down with their children. They study the scriptures. They talk about family problems. They plan family activities and things of that kind. I don't hesitate to say if every family in the world practiced that one thing, you'd see a very great difference in the solidarity of the families of the world" (interview, Boston Globe, 14 Aug. 2000).

"[The Lord] expects us to have family home evening—one night a week to gather our children together and teach them the gospel. Isaiah said, 'And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord.' That is the commandment: 'All thy children shall be taught of the Lord.' And the blessing: 'And great,' he said, 'shall be the peace of thy children' [Isa. 54:13]" (meeting, Nouméa, New Caledonia, 17 June 2000).

2. Being a friend to those around us, regardless of their faith, race, nationality, economic status, is another great way of being a missionary. I think many times we correlate missionary work to conversion through baptism. Many times those around us will not become baptized into the church, or appear to change their ways, and that is ok. The most important thing we can do is love them and be their friend regardless. In True to the Faith it states: "

Our expressions of love for others may include being kind to them, listening to them, mourning with them, comforting them, serving them, praying for them, sharing the gospel with them, and being their friend.

Our love for those around us increases when we remember that we are all children of God—that we are spirit brothers and sisters. The love that results from this realization has the power to transcend all boundaries of nation, creed, and color.

3. Another way to be a missionary is by serving those around us. Whether it is offering a ride to a neighbor walking home, or bringing dinner to a family, or going to visit elderly in the retirement home, or just calling up someone when their name pops into our head. Service brings us closer to others, it brings us closer to the spirit. It also shares with others the true love of Christ. The story of the good Samaritan reminds us of true charity and service. In a lesson in the Gospel Principles about Charity it states:

The parable of the good Samaritan teaches us that we should give to those in need, regardless of whether they are our friends or not (see Luke 10:30–37; see also James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, pp. 430–32). In the parable, the Savior said that a man was traveling to another city. On the road he was attacked by bandits. They stole his clothes and money and beat him, leaving him half dead. A priest came along, saw him, and passed him by. Then a temple attendant walked over, looked at him, and went on. However, a Samaritan, who was despised by the Jews, came along, and when he saw the man he felt compassion. Kneeling beside him, the good Samaritan bandaged his wounds and took him on a donkey to an inn. He paid the innkeeper to take care of the man until he recovered.

Jesus taught that we should give food to the hungry, shelter to those who have none, and clothes to the poor. When we visit the sick and those who are in prison, it is as if we were doing these things to him instead. He promises that as we do these things, we will inherit his kingdom. (See Matthew 25:34–46.)

We should not try to decide whether someone really deserves our help or not (see Mosiah 4:16–24). If we have taken care of our own family's needs first, then we should help all who need help. In this way we will be like our Father in Heaven, who causes rain to fall on the just and on the unjust alike (see Matthew 5:44–45).

President Harold B. Lee reminded us that there are those who need more than material goods: "It is well to remember that there are broken hearts and wounded souls among us that need the tender care of a brother who has an understanding heart and is kind" (Stand Ye in Holy Places, p. 228).

We need to serve those around us regardless if they are our friends or not.

3. The last way and I feel the most important way to be a missionary is being an example through our own conversion, our own way we live, through our daily lives. This reminds me of when on an airplane, and they explain the air bags and how we are to put our own mask on first before helping those that need assistance. If we aren't receiving oxygen, we will be unable to help those around us. Same goes for the gospel and missionary work. If we aren't teaching and sharing the gospel to ourselves through our daily scripture study, prayers, church attendance, home and visiting teaching, service, we will not be able to share the gospel with others.

We have been blessed to have the restored gospel in our lives. We have the fullness of the gospel that is meant to bring a fullness of joy into our lives.... we have the brown sugar and the chocolate chips to make a tasty cookie. And we have the ability to share it with those around us.

As we go through out our lives, and strengthen our own testimonies through the studying and living of the gospel, I pray that we can remember the simple and plain truths so that we can be missionaries to those around us. I know the Gospel is true. I know God lives and loves us. And am so grateful for the atonement of Christ and the blessing it is in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Faith and Hope: Week Two

Faith and Hope go together like salt and pepper, oil and vinegar, bread and butter, you really can't have one with out the other.  

 

Lately my faith has been missing its hope, and I wondered if I really had any faith at all.  Faith in my future, faith in my existing life, hope for a better future and hope for my life, were gone.  I don't think they left in an instant.  They slowly were chipped away with each passing event: losing a job, moving, moving again, again moving, hospital stays, kids getting sick, money disappearing, me stopping doing the things that bring me daily enjoyment. 

 

My life seemed to be scattered across the fields, taking with it my faith and hope. 

 

I have found them recently. 

 

I have faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, and know through him all is possible. 

 

I have faith that He is leading and guiding us, he is holding my hand, not running in front of me wanting me to chase him, as I had been feeling.  Winded and unable to catch up to something that was next to me not in front of me. 

 

I now have hope in the fact that things are going to turn around.  I have faith that the humbling that has been happening to me, will lead to a very promising future. Not one with out bumps, but one filled with hope.  And one where I follow in faith knowing that with Him by my side, all things are possible. 

NOah: Who would have thought??

This morning our toilet backed up....I was informed by my seven year old, soon to be eight in a few days, who yelled from the bathroom "the toilet is about to throw up water everywhere, pooh is going to get on the floor!"

I ran in and sure enough he was right, luckily none of the insides exploded on to the floor.

I packed the little three in to the car and headed out on a mission to find a plunger. Who would of thought it would be so hard...I mean I swear the last time I was at the store I saw one sitting right next to the toilet cleaning wand...but not today!

My first attempt was our local grocery store, where I swear I saw it before....I looked up and down the aisles...some how filling my cart with other things that I really didn't need, like the doughnut holes that were calling my name....or the large fresh strawberries that jumped into my cart, I swear I ate breakfast before I left.

Anyway $40 later, I was out the door. I called home to let Eric know I failed on my trip but got some groceries and asked him to call our upstairs neighbors to see if he could borrow their plunger, as we have had to borrow it before. He was not willing to do it. And told me on my way home before coming in to go ask her, since I would be outside anyway.

I got a little irritated and instead of coming home and borrowing the neighbors I set out on a mission, in hopes of finding one and to let Eric suffer holding his morning need to use the toilet.

I didn't go too far, but was driving really slow looking at all the stores, wondering if they carried a plunger...

scrapbook store--Probably not....

Reams cowboy gear...Um no they probably don't even use a toilet :).....

party gift shop...usually plungers aren't on the list of birthday gifts, would shoving hellium balloons down the toilet help???

another grocery store---not worth taking my kids out of the car to check....

AHHHHHHH Standard PLUMBING supply!!

Totally...Totally a plumbing store! They have to have a plunger Right?????

WRONG!!!

I walked in and looked around at all the pipes and gadgets and finally asked Noah the man at the counter, "Where are your plungers?"

"Oh we don't carry plungers believe it or not..."

"Really??" See I thought he was kidding...wouldn't you?? I mean Standard PLUMBING supply store??? What plumber doesn't need a plunger???

"Yeah we don't carry them, sorry."

"Ok thanks..."

I walked out a little dumbfounded....and determined to go find one.

Bee, as we drove away, said "that's crazy that a plumbing store doesn't have a plunger!"

"i know its like an ice cream store not having ice cream!"

"Yeah that is crazy totally like a grocery store not having food"

"Or a shoe store not having shoes!"

"Yeah that is CRAZY" and the game went on forever and she then said "I bet Home Depot has it"

"I bet you are right....."

And well we came upon a LOWEs and low and behold the plunger!! Yeah for me, mission accomplished.....and when I got home, I even was able to successfully unplug the toilet!

Moral of the story.....you can't judge a store by its name!

--
Posted By Corrine to 4 Kids, no dog, and living the American Dream! at 4/08/2009 10:22:00 PM

Earth Worms

As the rain clouds slowly blew away, the sun shone a little light on the ground inviting us to creep out of our house, where we had been locked in all day.  With four small kids, keeping them happy indoors for too long, can be come extremely difficult. So the minute the rains let up, we were out the door.   I think I already said that didn't I.  None the less, we were eager to get moving and smell some fresh wet pavement and cleaned out air.

 

After strapping the baby in the stroller and locking the front door, we headed on to our little mile walk.  Seems that the eyes of children see things clearer and notice things better, far better than my own aged eyes. 

 

Coming out of the ground, most likely eager as us to get some sunlight, was a long skinny pink earth worm.  My own son mistaking it for a small snake, quickly asked if he could keep it for a pet.  

 

"Really you want to keep this as a pet? You can I guess. They just need dirt.  Where are you going to put it?"

 

"Umm I don't know."

 

We all looked around for something to put him in.  My son tried the flat rock, but the worm wiggled off.  Then there was a straw, he thought to have him climb in, but the worm would have nothing to do with that.

 

Then my eyes caught a hold of the empty water bottle in the bottle of the stroller.  I convinced them that it would make a great home for the worm.  Just add a little dirt, and voila you have a cool worm home.  So they filled the bottle up.  And now we have a pet.  Wonder if we can teach him any tricks?

__,_._,___

Writing

Writing seems to free my soul, release my thoughts and lighten my load.  When my fingers hit the keys its like a spiritual prison gate is unlocked. 

 

Amazingly I can express my thoughts through written word, far better than verbally.  How is that possible that my mind can communicate better through my fingers than through my mouth? 

 

It can.  Most days. 

knowledge

Knowledge can be
gained as well as lost.
Taught and shared
with those we love.
Knowledge can not
be seen or really heard.
Ever expanding,
never limited.
A struggle to gain,
a treasure to keep.
Helpful
Insightful
replenishable
Important to nurture it
Only thing we take with us.

Sugar Cubes

Please dear come sit down with me and have some tea. Would you like a little sugar? aske Ms. Lucy Mack.

"no thank you." replied, Emma. "I prefer it plain. I know it is kind of bitter that way but I just don't like the sweet."

"To think a young gal as your self not crazy about sugar as are the other young kids of today." Ms. Mack commented, as she lifted her little tea cup to her mouth to take a sip. At that moment her young son Joseph came into the room with a hop skip and a jump. Wearing his white knickers and stripped shirt, all covered in dirt, it was obivious his baseball game was a successful one.

"Mom, mom, I got three home r....oh excuse me, I din't realize you had company." Joe said as he saw Emma Long sitting on the floral arm chair. There she sat with golden hair, all in perfect ringlets resting on her shoulder. She made eye contact with a nervous smile, as she then tilted her head down looking back down at her untouched tea in her hands. "How are you doing Emma?" the young handsome man asked.

"Very well thank you. I just stopped by to see if I could borrow some sugar for some cakes we are baking. Your mom was kind enough to invite me to sit down with her and have some tea."

"Well it is great to see you again." He said as he turned to his mother and as quickly as he came in he left the room as he said "I am going to wash up."

bandaids

Today Two smashed her finger in the door, kind of a theme going on lately around here. After she stopped crying and was able to tell me what had happened, she asked or rather said "Me need a bandaid, mommy. It hurts me need a bandaid." Her finger wasn't bleeding, which for me is why you need a bandaid, but it was smooshed (I know it isn't a word but I like it) a little and red and obviously hurting.

So we went to the kitchen and pulled out the first aid kit and bandaged up her little finger, it was actually her middle but not sure why I just added that. Anyway once it was done I asked her if it felt better. You know what she said? "No, it still hurts."Usually the bandaid is a cure all for pain and sores and other bodily afflictions.

It caused me to pause and think about what "bandaids" I use for my emotional owies. Kind of funny that we keep the first aid kit in the kitchen because I think that is where I go first for my "bandaids" that are usually found in the refrigerator.

For example, not that I did this...ok I did....I bought some chocolate macadamia nuts for my "pay it forward" friends. I had enough that yesterday the kids and I shared a box, ok two...well the second Bee took some this morning for a friend, so we didn't eat both boxes, totally.

Anyway after the kids were off to school the little ones and I went for a little walk. For some reason I came home really sad. We are talking tears running down the face sad. Not sure where it all came from. But you know what I did, I came in and went straight for the un opened box of chocolates and started eating them.Then I asked myself, "do you feel better?"

And you know what my answer was?? "No but they tasted good." And as I sat there feeling sorry for myself, and lonely and just out of the blue blue, the phone rang. THANKS!! I know you felt you should call me and it was very appreciated and very very timely.

So my question to you is: What are some of your bandaids?

I wish mine were running or drinking lots of water or skipping!Though I do have to say I tend to use writing and walking as some other band aids.

Speaking of which we are off to walk to the post office. And summer is over and we still don't have a job for after the elections.

Favorite Tv Shows

I love TV, I admit. I am addicted. I can't fall asleep with out it. It used to be I couldn't fall asleep until I wrote in my journal, or read, but now no matter what time it is when I hit the bed I have to watch a good 20 minutes before I fall asleep. Sometimes it is just changing channels or sometimes it's my favorite 8 o'clock show.

What do I prefer to watch? Oh man, some I am embarrassed to even say.

First I love and record Ghost Whisperer! I can't seem to get enough of her ghost talking friends. Walking around seeing ghost struggling to figure out what they are doing still on earth and Melinda being able to help them solve their problems so they can move on into the light, always brings great story lines. The writers know how to turn something sometimes dark into something light and peaceful. Though I have to admit the latest story line of her husband's spirit going into another man's body and the same actor playing him, has me in a quandary. But love this show.

I also love Medium...I think I have a thing about death. Actually I do, I used to only write about death and murder when I was younger. Now I know there is more to life, though we do all die. Medium is good, I like their family life, and their daughter Bridgette always has me laughing. This show though is almost always based on murder, where Ghost Whisperer just deals with lost souls more than anything.

Then there is my Clean House on style network. A group of people come in and help people purge and clean out their messes, then sell it at a garage sale, then use that money to redecorate, clean and style their home, while the home owners go away. My daughter and I were watching the marathon yesterday and she said "we should make our house really messy so we can have them come and make me a cute room."

To which I replied "we need a house first."

"Oh yeah" she said.

I really like CSI las vegas, I have to admit I have been watching that show since day one. I turned a lot of my friends on to that show. Before it even started I wanted to be a crime scene photographer. However, the police chief, a family friend, talked me out of it. He said it would be a fun job, bunch of fun young people, however he asked me "have you ever smelled a two week old rotting dead body?" Yeah don't think I could do the smells...let alone the real sight. So I live vicariously through these guys.

Then of course the latest of my favorites is Private Practice. It has me sucked in, however its a little too much of a soap opera and I am tired of them all sleeping together, but I really like the show.

Anyway that is enough of my TV watching. I could list a few other, like House and The Office (though haven't really watched that since the movie strike way back when. I like My Name is Earl, and always enjoy Survivor.

Bad Habit

Did you say write about your most annoying habit or your worst habit? Are they one in the same? I am not sure. I guess I could scroll down and read again but then that just might take too much effort now wouldn't it.

I'd have to say it is my laziness sometimes. Don't get me wrong when I want to do something I do it NOW....ask my husband, he hates chore days with me. I am like get in, get out and get it down NOW. He is like oh pick up a few shirts, sit watch a movie, fold some laundry, get a drink, vaccuum...ok so maybe that is a bad habit of mine....

Oh I don't know this is hard, but again back to the laziness thing, I think I am not as lazy as I am easily distracted. You know like you go to clean your closet and you want to do it fast and then you find some pictures, that you decide need to go in the other room and then while there realize you haven't made the bed yet...you know and it goes on.

Speakdig of which I should be getting my kids some breakfast they are standing at my feet begging for some food and well I should go give them some but I really wanted to write and check my email.

I ran this morning too...I need to write about that.

Preparedness

Driving up Highway 17 with my mom, I was thinking about how my wart was finally gone off my toe. As a 16 year old this little wart was some of the biggest of my concerns, consuming my thoughts. I was not even thinking about the World Series pre game chatter we were listening to at the time on the radio. My thoughts and concerns focused on my look, my finally normal toe. In a brief moment my mundane, innocent thoughts turned. The road became a sea of waves. The radio fell silent. Trees lined the streets and bowed down to us. An overwhelming eerie quiet and calm filled the air. What had happened?

I quickly realized an earthquake had hit, and began to giggle at all the people pulled over checking their tires for a flat. My mom even commented that she thought we had a flat. Realizing that not every single person got a flat, I urged my mom to continue on, but we were stopped by huge fissures in the highway. We took a back road, to only be stopped again by fallen trees and rushing waters from broken water mains.

As we hiked the few miles home up hill, I looked into the homes, and was amazed at how messy all our neighbors kept them. Not until I walked into my own home did I realize the intense destruction of the earthquake of which its epicenter was two miles away.

Were we prepared that day? In some ways, we have been counseled by leaders and Prophets to store up food, have candles and water to be prepared for an emergency. We had that, well most of that. We didn’t have stored water but some juices and sodas.

I am not sure what I thought an emergency would consist of but nothing from words or lessons could have prepared us for a week with no electricity and six months with no running water, never mind all the rebuilding and repairing that was to take place.

With out the electricity, we turned to our frozen foods, not our can foods. The freezer didn’t stay cold for long, and all that meat and frozen vegetables had to be consumed. I don’t think I ever consumed so much meat in my life. The great part was we sat around the BBQ grill, with flashlights and roasted meat, and shared stories with friends and neighbors. We even delivered cooked steaks to other neighbors, and shared our food with them.

In my few years of life, I had sat through Sunday School lessons and Sacrament meeting talks, as the words of being prepared for an emergency flew over my head. I was a youth. I had no cares. I had no worries. My parents would take care of it all, and they did.

And not only did they, but neighbors and ward members all helped out. We cleaned each other’s houses. We gave food. Wards from across the country “adopted” us and sent us new dishes, meals, other lost items and cash.

In the end of it all I learned a great lesson. Maybe I wasn’t prepared that day for an emergency, I was too preoccupied with my little wart growing on my foot to care about heeding “adult” council. However, there isn’t a day that goes by that doesn’t bring me back to that moment in my life, when we needed to be prepared.

We needed to be prepared to receive help from others.

We needed to be prepared to help others.

We needed several everyday items on hand to survive. Roads weren’t drivable to go down to the store. The local stores received a lot of damage as well, to where their things weren’t sellable.

We needed to be prepared to watch others selflessly serve. Our own Branch President at the time, lost his home, it was leveled. He went around and checked branch members, he helped them out. The local beer company stopped producing beer for a week and just canned water, which they delivered in cases to all the homes in the area.

Emergency preparedness is more than having your shelves lined with canned food, flashlights and blankets. It’s about preparing your hearts for the type of service you will give to others and also the service you will receive.

And like me, just driving along on the freeway worrying more about my little toe, than others, we need to stop on our journey of life and think about those around us; how we can be prepared to serve them as well as take care of ourselves.


President Brigham Young said “Instead of searching after what the Lord is going to do for us, let us inquire what we can do for ourselves.” As we go about praying for the Lord to help us be prepared for our life emergencies, we need to go about and do all that we can to be prepared and pray that He can help us get to the point where we can not only be prepared for ourselves, but prepared to reach out to those around us.

Stop worrying about your little warts, and begin to worry about the bigger picture.

Piano Man

It's nine o'clock on a Saturday, regular crowd shuffles in...there's an old man sitting next to me, making love to his tonic and gin...Oh la di da di da da...." sang my radio as I began to reach over to snooze the melody waking me up this cold winter morning. I never liked having to set the alarm to wake up before the sun. And today was no exception.

I rolled over and shoved my head under the pillow, telling my alarm to give me ten more minutes. I do set my clock ahead ten minutes just so I can snooze an extra ten minutes. Kind of crazy mind games I play with myself, but there is something powerful about hitting the snooze and dozing off for a few minutes.

Though before I can finish dreaming about being a piano man in a bar, the alarm goes off again, to the sounds of the weather forecaster predicting a heavy snow fall. Great. The morning I decide to finally get up and go for a run it is freezing out and blizzardly.

I knew I should have bought a gym membership, I thought to myself as I tied up my shoes. I decided nothing was going to keep me from my goal. I grabbed my jacket, my hat and gloves and off I went.

To Run or Not To Run

To Run or not to Run,

seems to be the biggest question of my life...I mean really do you know any really over weight runners? I mean really, it seems to be such a simple task, get up, move your feet a little faster than walking, just two miles a day....and they say you will get faster, they say the weight will drop. They say you will feel better.

So why the heck is it so hard to get my tennis shoes on? Why can't I find the 30 minutes I need each day to make it the 2 miles? Why is it so hard to just go outside alone?

I just don't know!

Though today, amidst the rain, the cold weather, the crying of the kids "don't go mommy" I went out side and walked for an hour. Up the hills. Down the hills. Jogging a little here and there.

It is a start. It is a beginning.

Maybe just maybe in a few weeks I can be jogging. Maybe in a few weeks I will be down just ten pounds. Not a lot but a start.

Later I will work on the eating, but for now, its getting these legs moving.

Beck, Alice Walker, and Kissy Face

As I drove down the street heading to meet up with some friends, I listened carefully to the words of John Beck. If there were someone out there that could voice my political feelings. Something he said, headed my thoughts away from him and onto my own pathetic life.

What was it that he had said? I can't really remember but it made me think that this economy and recession and signs of the times have come and bit my family in the butt.

Really, how did we get where we are? What did we do that caused us to be heaped upon by trials and tribulations. I know it is apart of life, but really could we just slow it down a bit.

Then for some reason, maybe a little guidance by the spirit telling me to lighten up, I thought of the book The Color Purple, where life for those gals was tough, truly hard, and nothing compared to my life.

Though why does it feel like I have hit bottom that I can't get out of the hole that I am in?

Its is hard enough to find a job, let alone in our times right now. I feel for those across the nation that their whole towns and family are struggling what we are. I feel for my own brother and some dear friends.

What I would do right now to have someone look at me and make one of those fishy kissy faces and make things all better, sending me into a fit of laughter.

If life were only as easy as it was when a child, when simple smiles and kisses made you feel better.

headache

"I have a headache this big and it has Excedrin written all over," buzzed the lady on TV looking worse than I did this morning. I really could use some Excerine myself.

Its been several weeks since I slept all night, and several more that I have stayed up way too late, surfing the web for solutions to my life problems.

Not sure how many solutions I can find out there hopping through blogs, reading emails, looking at free stuff on KSL, and looking for homes for sale and for rent. It isn't like I can buy a house, or rent one for that matter. I have no room for stuff, even if it is free, and my emails are old and out dated, but unread, but not calling me really to read them anyway.

I feel alone. I feel tired. I feel lost. I feel sad. I haven't felt this bad, since my post partum depression post my third child.

My head is pounding. I need some sun light, but the cold outside gives me brain freeze and burns my lungs.

Oh how I could go for a bottle of Excederine, right now. Maybe a Coke would help or a visit with some friends.

Insecurity

I am feeling so insecure. Who would have thought that at the age of 35---yes today is my birthday---I'd be where I am. Living with my parents, four kids and a job less husband, several dollars in debt, over weight and just depressed for the most part. It just has me in a stump of insecurity.

I just want to feel secure in this life.

I know that all happens for a reason. That we aren't tested above our means, but today I feel like I truly couldn't handle anymore. That I am about to break. I can't even imagine being able to handle any more or wanting to handle anymore. I feel I have hit rock bottom. I feel like I am drowning. I feel like I am done.

Talk about insecure right now.

Not insecure about myself. I think I am a pretty cool person. Don't mind too much how I look or if people like me.

My insecurities lie in what lies ahead. The uncertainty of the future. The uncertainty if ever my life will be calm. I know we are here to experience trials and tribulations, but I am done right now.

But again if these are the trials for me. I will take them, over other ones I know others have.

Talk about babbling.

My Turn

I have decided that right now its My TURN to take care of myself.

I have decided that it is ok for me to take an hour out of my day, to run, to read, to just be me.

I have decided that when it is eight at night and kids are crying because they want me and don't want to go to sleep, it is ok to say you know what its your turn to go to bed, and my turn to do things for me.

I have decided that when all is said and done if I don't take my turn, I won't be around to do much of anything.

I need my turn to recoup.

I need my turn to refocus.

I need my turn to breath.

I need my turn to smile.

I need my turn to laugh.

I need my turn to think.

I need my turn to just be me.

I need my turn to remember that I love those around me, and love taking a little bit of my turn time.

And it is OK!!!

Table Manners

Ring Ring.

'Not the phone again.' Emily thought to herself as she had just sat down to dinner with her family.

"Mom, THE PHONE." shouted little sis.

"I know. Lets just ignore it and enjoy dinner."Not sure of what she was thinking, about the whole idea of enjoying dinner. Had she not taught her family any manners?

"Honey" she directed the comment to her husband of eight years, "please get your arms off the table. You don't need to lay in your food and shovel it into your mouth like you are running a marathon." Emily was tired of seeing her husband day in and day out, hunched over his food throwing it in as fast as he could. What kind of manners is that teaching the children. Her thoughts and words were then directed to Mikey.

"Mike, no humming while you eat. Just eat your food and sing later please. Stop banging your feet like your playing the drums. It is dinner time not band practice."

'Oh my goodness, I should have just answered the phone.' Just then baby Steve through his unfinished food and bowl to the floor with a loud crash. Fed up she just left the table, not minding her own manners and asking to be excused, nor clearing her plate. Another day. We will work on the manners.

adventures in kitchen land

Adventures in Kitchen Land.


"Mom, Mom, Can we please make red velvet cupcakes. Please.. We bought the mix at the store last week. Please????" Yelled Bethany from the kitchen to her mother in the other room.

Mom was in the middle of changing loads, finishing up cleaning the down stairs bath and vacuuming the floor. She didn't know where she was going to squeeze in a few minutes to make some cupcakes.

She switched loads quickly, shook out the rugs, and finished her vacuuming and walked into the kitchen. Sitting at the island were her two little daughters, six and three. Set on the island in perfect order and patterned by color, were cupcake holders.

"Can we Mom?" Bethany asked again.

"Yes" Mom quickly replied.

"Do we have the things that you put the cupcakes in?"

"Yes let me go get some."

Mom ran off, well not ran, but went swiftly, though feeling the pain of her morning run. A new goal in her life lately. Making cupcakes probably doesn't help with that goal, but oh well. She went to the storage room, pulled out the tins and returned to her smiling girls.

Together they laughed and talked as they whipped up the cupcakes. After each tin was full, the girls covered their faces in red sticky goo as they licked the beaters.

Shoemaker

Shoemaker:

There was once a shoemaker who worked very hard and was honest, and good.
His life was so simple, his family so loyal, he did all that he could.

One day in the winter,
when the weather was cold.
He took a trip through the woods.

His shoes were too tight,
though he loosened them with all his might.

A loud noise he heard as he tied his shoe strings,
un aware of the tree, falling down with the breeze.

The tree did fall, on top of this man,
who did not fair well, alone in the woods.

Trapped he did stay days on end,
until his family, him did find.

The Band

The wedding reception had been going on for hours. So many friends and family members were there enjoying the celebrations, and the food and drinks...and the company. The summer sun had long gone set. The young couple, eager to start their new life together, prompted the band to play one last song. Their song again was played.

Timmy held his new bride, Elizabeth in his arms. Their cheeks touched. The world around them blurred as they spun in their own circle of love.

"Can you believe we are finally married?"


(I press send before even finishing this but didn't feel like finishing it.)

Manners

Ring Ring. 'Not the phone again.' Emily thought to herself as she had just sat down to dinner with her family.

"Mom, THE PHONE." shouted little sis.

"I know. Lets just ignore it and enjoy dinner."

Not sure of what she was thinking, about the whole idea of enjoying dinner. Had she not taught her family any manners?

"Honey" she directed the comment to her husband of eight years, "please get your arms off the table. You don't need to lay in your food and shovel it into your mouth like you are running a marathon." Emily was tired of seeing her husband day in and day out, hunched over his food throwing it in as fast as he could. What kind of manners is that teaching the children.

Her thoughts and words were then directed to Mikey. "Mike, no humming while you eat. Just eat your food and sing later please. Stop banging your feet like your playing the drums. It is dinner time not band practice."

'Oh my goodness, I should have just answered the phone.' Just then baby Steve through his unfinished food and bowl to the floor with a loud crash.

Fed up she just left the table, not minding her own manners and asking to be excused, nor clearing her plate.

Another day.

We will work on the manners.

My Turn

have decided that right now its My TURN to take care of myself.

I have decided that it is ok for me to take an hour out of my day, to run, to read, to just be me.

I have decided that when it is eight at night and kids are crying because they want me and don't want to go to sleep, it is ok to say you know what its your turn to go to bed, and my turn to do things for me.

I have decided that when all is said and done if I don't take my turn, I won't be around to do much of anything.

I need my turn to recoup.

I need my turn to refocus.

I need my turn to breath.

I need my turn to smile.

I need my turn to laugh.

I need my turn to think.

I need my turn to just be me.

I need my turn to remember that I love those around me, and love taking a little bit of my turn time.

And it is OK!!

Why are you where you are right now?

Monday, July 7, 2008

Why are you where you are right now?
A few months back, just after Christmas, we were sitting around, probably watching TV. I am not sure other than we were sitting in our family room, me on the sofa and Eric in his blue recliner rocker chair. We must have been talking about something, or maybe we were watching a design show but I said to him "we need to get our house ready and sell it." To which he replied, "I know I had the same exact feeling."

So I got on the phone and called my sister in law, Leslie, and asked her to come and help me clean out the closets, kitchen or whatever I could use her for to help me get something gone and cleaned out. She was such a sweetheart and came up a few days later. I believe we cleaned out the kitchen and laundry room. She helped me a few years back when I was pregnant with Emily. With her there to help it kick started me into getting all kinds of things done.

A few months later, after much paint, sweat and tears, and some wonderful friends cheering me on and moving things out. I think Michele did a ton of Goodwill runs for me. The house was ready to put on the market.

Around the time we put the house on the market, Eric was approached at work about working in Hawaii for six months. He was excited to take on the challenge, but accepted with one request, that he be able to take the family with him. The guys at work were extremely surprised that we'd be willing to uproot ourselves for six months. But he mentioned to them, that we had already put our house on the market and were planning on moving already. He didn't mention that we had no idea at the time where we would be moving to or why we were really going to sell our house. But none the less he said yes.

And then the turmoil began.It took until the week before we got here, to know for sure we were coming. Too much to really go into any details, other than there was a lawsuit against the state and it just held things up. And actually until about a week ago..yeah exactly a week ago, we didn't know if the job was going to be Hart's after all-Eric's company. Needless to say the time from when we said we were going to move, until today has been filled with turmoil and uncertainty.

And to be honest there still is quite a bit of uncertainty as to where we will be at the end of November. We have fallen in love with Hawaii. Well at least I have. I can't imagine living any where else at this point. I truly call this home. It feels like the first time in a long time, that I am at home. Grant it, I would love to have some furniture and some home furnishings to make this home my little nest, but it is home.

I really love it here. I love the surroundings. I love the people. And I really love being here with my family.Sure it has had its ups and downs and no life is perfect. I really miss a back yard to send the kids running. I miss old friends. Though blogging has kept them "close." Gas is really high and groceries are worse, but I am happy to be here. And happy we made this decision. Now just need to figure out where we will be for Christmas.

What Makes you Laugh?

Speaking of laughter reminds me often of my family growing up. Laughter filled the air. However one night on my third or fourth date with a certain boy, laughter was not all that filled the air.

This guy, we will call him Ryno, brought me home from a date to my sister's house. Waiting at the house were my parents and several of my siblings if not all, all cramped into a small room. They were playing some board game, probably True Colors. Well they had had "fire butt chili" that night for dinner, and they were all passing gas.

So I walk into this overly populated room with Ryno and my family just laughed. They were being really loud too, and I had just finished explaining to Ryno that my family was fairly quiet. Anyway they proved me wrong that night. He stood there quietly for a bit and then left.

I am not sure if it was the loud laughter or the smells that drove him away. However I don't think he ever asked me out again after that moment. Oh well. His loss.

We do love to laugh.My brothers and Dad have a keen way of telling a joke that is not heard by anyone else, because they are laughing so hard before they reach the punch line. But because of their tears of laughter, everyone else is laughing too. To hear the three of them together telling jokes, is quite amusing to me. Because it mostly goes like this:

There was this guy...giggle giggle snort...who....giggle walk...ed....giggle...loud laugh....missed the joke.....

Anyway love listening to those guys tell jokes and laugh.

Then there is my wonderful husband who gets me laughing all the time. I am not sure what it was but once we sat on the bed laughing, laughing so hard are stomachs hurt afterwards, so hard that the whole family heard us laughing. We can just make each other laugh. And we both giggle easily I think.Sometimes we just do some silly stupid stuff to make ourselves laugh.

My kids make me laugh. They say things that just crack me up. The sad thing is I don't remember them all. I need to be better about writing down the things they say and record them. Because my goodness every day they humor me.I love to laugh.

What makes you laugh?