Forty...4-0... Yes, that's how many... No, not my age... passed that up a few years ago! Not how many gray hairs I have... I don't think I have any yet thanks to good genes on my dad's side of family (he didn't have any until into his 70's). And it isn't how many presents we opened yesterday... I'm sure by the size of the pile of wrapping paper it was way MORE than that! And it's not how much cash is left in my wallet 'cuz I probably have way LESS than that!
So this "40" I'm talking about is the best present I received this year (and for the last 5 years)... With that clue some of you may have guessed... Yes, it is how many minutes we had to talk with Josh on the phone from his mission in Georgia... It went by way too quick... Yeah, I felt a little cheated considering we talked for a couple of hours (at least) with Jon and Matt during their Christmases in the field. But Josh is a stickler for exactness... in everything... and in obeying mission rules... he knows that blessings will come from following those rules to a T... and he badly wants those blessings as he gives his whole self in service to the Lord. And so I can't really fault him or say let's bend the rules because 40 minutes isn't long enough for this mom who misses and loves her baby son soooo dang much! His mission president seems to be a little more on the "strict" side shall I say than many other mission presidents. Funny how my last post was about a phone call, too.... the DREADED one (see below)! THIS phone call was the one a mom waits for months for and counts the days for!!
And so I cherished every minute of that 40... and soaked in every word he said... and teared up as he told of the miraculous baptisms of a newly married couple this past week. And with his cast freshly cut off he was able to perform the sacred ordinance... a WHITE Christmas they call it amongst missionaries. And I painfully listened to more details of his accident... and silently thanked my Heavenly Father for protecting and healing him. And Matt and him spoke a little Spanish together... and even though I couldn't understand it, I felt the spirit of these two brothers communicating and sharing this common bond. And then.... before I had to a chance to ask all my questions... it was time to say good-bye... it was like only having the first course of a delicious meal... you're still hungry for more...
I love you and good bye... and click he is gone... Does he know how much I love him? And how proud I am of him? Could he hear that in our voices or feel it in his heart? I guess all those questions I had for him can wait.... at least until next week's email to him... or until the Mother's Day phone call... I've already begun counting!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Dreaded Phone Call
Yeah, we got one of those phone calls... the one you hope and pray you never get... It was Halloween Day early afternoon to be exact... The caller ID said LDS Mission... my heart stops momentarily as I say "Hello?" The voice on the other end sweetly says "Is this Sister Weathers?" "Yes" my voice is cracking. "This is Sister Bowman" (Josh's mission president's wife) and I immediately know this is NOT good. Emails and letters are good from Mission Presidents and wives. We've received a few of those. BUT NOT A PHONE CALL!! She asks how I'm doing and I tell her good... until NOW! She calmly tells me Josh has had a bad accident... a bike accident and he is in surgery and they are on their way to see him. Breathe... hold it together.... A broken arm, no concussion, and very few details she has at this point. Which arm? How bad? Why surgery? What hospital? She doesn't know. She promises to call back as soon as he's out of surgery and in recovery.
The hours tick by very slowly....2 then 3 then 4 then 5 THEN 6 and I'm going crazy!! It's the longest day of his mission for me! And I begin to think the worst! Since when does a broken arm take 6 hours of surgery???? It's now Halloween night and I'm keeping the phone in one hand as I'm answering the door and practically throwing the candy at the trick-or-treaters and mumbling out a Happy Halloween to them as I'm sure NOT feeling happy!
And then I can stand it no longer so dial her cell phone number. She answers. Keeping my emotions under control and without asking her why in the heck she hasn't called us back she tells me that the surgery went fine, he was awake and hoping to get some food, and that they had to put 2 metal plates and 6 screws in his arm... his RIGHT arm... bummer... I asked for the 2nd time if we would be allowed to speak to him and/or his surgeon and she said she didn't think so. But wait! This is my child! I need to hear his voice... to have that reassurance... he's not in prison for gosh sakes!!
Our stake president was informed of his accident the next day and there was some discussion about him possibly coming home to recover and have physical therapy. But he is staying and I'm glad because he wouldn't be a happy camper if he had to come home. He is a strong, determined, faithful young man and wants to be there out serving no matter the price! Yes, it will be a daily struggle for a couple of months. He loved being on a bike but will be in a car for at least 6 months. (I'm happy about that!) He will have to find ways to dress, eat, email, write, and sleep with a cast on.
I reminded him in an email that this "affliction shall be but a small moment" and "know thou, my son, that this shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (Paraphrase from D&C 121) Maybe someone's heart will be softened because they see him out working and serving in spite of a broken arm. Or maybe this will further refine and humble Josh into an even better missionary. (He is currently District Leader and a trainer.)
Josh was able to email us a few days later and told us that his tire hit something in the road and he flew through the air like Superman and landed on his arm. He was calm until he saw that his arm looked like a boomerang. But before shock could set in he asked his companion for a blessing and a doctor was immediately there to help and call the ambulance... his accident occurred right in front of a orthopedic doctors office!
Yes, it is very hard to have a child (I know he's 19 but he's still my child) far away and in a hospital and probably scared about having surgery (he's never had any before). But our loving Heavenly Father watches over his children, especially his missionaries... He sends the comforter to give peace to our hearts... and throws in a few tender mercies along the way...
The hours tick by very slowly....2 then 3 then 4 then 5 THEN 6 and I'm going crazy!! It's the longest day of his mission for me! And I begin to think the worst! Since when does a broken arm take 6 hours of surgery???? It's now Halloween night and I'm keeping the phone in one hand as I'm answering the door and practically throwing the candy at the trick-or-treaters and mumbling out a Happy Halloween to them as I'm sure NOT feeling happy!
And then I can stand it no longer so dial her cell phone number. She answers. Keeping my emotions under control and without asking her why in the heck she hasn't called us back she tells me that the surgery went fine, he was awake and hoping to get some food, and that they had to put 2 metal plates and 6 screws in his arm... his RIGHT arm... bummer... I asked for the 2nd time if we would be allowed to speak to him and/or his surgeon and she said she didn't think so. But wait! This is my child! I need to hear his voice... to have that reassurance... he's not in prison for gosh sakes!!
Our stake president was informed of his accident the next day and there was some discussion about him possibly coming home to recover and have physical therapy. But he is staying and I'm glad because he wouldn't be a happy camper if he had to come home. He is a strong, determined, faithful young man and wants to be there out serving no matter the price! Yes, it will be a daily struggle for a couple of months. He loved being on a bike but will be in a car for at least 6 months. (I'm happy about that!) He will have to find ways to dress, eat, email, write, and sleep with a cast on.
I reminded him in an email that this "affliction shall be but a small moment" and "know thou, my son, that this shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good." (Paraphrase from D&C 121) Maybe someone's heart will be softened because they see him out working and serving in spite of a broken arm. Or maybe this will further refine and humble Josh into an even better missionary. (He is currently District Leader and a trainer.)
Josh was able to email us a few days later and told us that his tire hit something in the road and he flew through the air like Superman and landed on his arm. He was calm until he saw that his arm looked like a boomerang. But before shock could set in he asked his companion for a blessing and a doctor was immediately there to help and call the ambulance... his accident occurred right in front of a orthopedic doctors office!
Yes, it is very hard to have a child (I know he's 19 but he's still my child) far away and in a hospital and probably scared about having surgery (he's never had any before). But our loving Heavenly Father watches over his children, especially his missionaries... He sends the comforter to give peace to our hearts... and throws in a few tender mercies along the way...
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
LDS Keepsake Ornaments
So, next in the "I'm sooo busy I forget to breathe" category is...
It's a long story so I'll try to make it short as possible...
Every Christmas I always buy a new ornament for each of my kids. I try to find ones that go along with what they are doing in their lives. Like, for example, Matt is at BYU Hawaii and he bought a surfboard and learned to surf. So I found a cute surfboard ornament for him. I have done this each year since they were born and put them on the "kid" tree in the family room. Someday when they get married I will give them all their own ornaments and hopefully they will continue the tradition with their kids. Of course, this will never happen if they DON'T HURRY UP AND GET MARRIED!!! Okay... I'm getting sidetracked... So since I've had sons out serving missions for the last 5 Christmases I wanted to find a missionary ornament! And do you think I could find one searching all the millions of Mormon websites out there??? Not one decent one out there! So as I'm at the mall looking at ornaments, there is one that has a boy in shorts on a bike...hmmm... I think to myself... with a change of clothes to a white shirt and tie and dark pants and a black name tag, he would look like a missionary! So for several months I sketched several missionary designs and searched for an ornament company that would be willing to work with me to produce these custom polyresin (clay-looking) ornaments. I contracted with a company in Massachusetts and the process began. I worked with the owner of the company and her son... I started with 5 missionary designs and after further inspiration decided to add several Temple marriage designs... couldn't find any of those kind of ornaments either which is amazing considering there is almost 14 million of us Mormons out there! Now the other little obstacle I had to overcome was the fact that the people helping me make the designs and molds had barely ever even heard of a Mormon! So I directed them to our church website and helped them become a little more familiar with what a temple is and what a missionary does and looks like.
So after months of collaborating and working on the marketing, the ornaments are being mass produced in a factory in China and should be arriving in the next couple of weeks! I hope! Deseret Book is going to sell them in their stores and online!! (That's another whole story in itself.) A local store in Mesa will carry them. And if I ever get around to getting a website done, they'll be available there, too. I was hoping they would arrive in time for my boutique, but alas, no...
They are being featured in LDS Living Magazine (November edition) in the Gift Guide Section. Facebook friends have already seen the previews... but I think they are much cuter and better looking in person. They will come in boxes and will be personalizable (is that a word??). So buy them for your missionaries that are out or have even come home! Or for future farewell gifts. The temple marriage ones are nice for wedding gifts or gift toppers... and one of the hearts is a picture frame... Valentine gifts, too!
I have about a dozen more designs in various stages of production that will be out next year including "Babies are a Blessing" and family ones. So cherish the milestones in life with an LDS Keepsake Ornament!!
Greatest Power for Good is a MOM
Here's what's next on the list of my busy life...
I was nominated and chosen to serve on the executive board of directors for the Arizona American Mothers Association. I will be installed at the State Convention on November 14th. I feel very honored and humbled to be a part of this great organization. The national organization was founded 75 years ago and they own and sponsor Mothers Day. Their main goal is to strengthen the moral and spiritual foundations of the family. My responsibilities (I'm Vice President of Honoring Mothers) will be to find, and with the help of my committee, select the Mother and Young Mother of the Year for Arizona, and organize community events around Mothers Day including the 5th grade essay contest ("Why my mom is special") that the schools do each year. If you want to read more about American Mothers and how you can join a chapter in your area, go to the American Mothers, Inc. website for Arizona or any state or the National one. I truly believe that "Moms are the greatest power for good in the world."
I was nominated and chosen to serve on the executive board of directors for the Arizona American Mothers Association. I will be installed at the State Convention on November 14th. I feel very honored and humbled to be a part of this great organization. The national organization was founded 75 years ago and they own and sponsor Mothers Day. Their main goal is to strengthen the moral and spiritual foundations of the family. My responsibilities (I'm Vice President of Honoring Mothers) will be to find, and with the help of my committee, select the Mother and Young Mother of the Year for Arizona, and organize community events around Mothers Day including the 5th grade essay contest ("Why my mom is special") that the schools do each year. If you want to read more about American Mothers and how you can join a chapter in your area, go to the American Mothers, Inc. website for Arizona or any state or the National one. I truly believe that "Moms are the greatest power for good in the world."
Some REAL Housewives from the Holiday Magic Boutique...
Life has been crazy the last few weeks... or maybe it's been months... it sure feels that way! I feel like I need to come up for air! And speaking of air... the nice cool mornings and evenings sure feel great and do wonders for our a/c bill!
So what has keep me soooo busy?? Well, for starters, I'm working on my 3rd annual HOLIDAY MAGIC BOUTIQUE... It's coming up next week (Friday, November 6th and Saturday November 7th) here at my home. I have about 30 vendors signed up selling homemade and resale items. Christmas gifts for everyone on your list! Lots of baby stuff, jewelry, purses, candles, hair accessories, aprons, crystal nail files, pictures, yard art, gourment food storage, tamales, cinnamon rolls, and tons more. I advertise all over, find vendors, answer 1000s of emails, get okays from the HOA, make signs, and get the house ready, etc. Many hours a day for the last couple of months. Every year I say I'm not doing it again and then somehow the bug hits me and I get talked into it. I guess cuz I love boutiques and browsing all the cute and creative things that people make. It gets my creative juices flowing...
My boutique is also being featured in Go Gilbert Magazine! One of the editors found out about it and put it in the calender section of the magazine. She also asked about doing a feature on the boutique, why I do it each year, and who some of the Gilbert moms are that participate. She also had heard about my "REAL Housewives of Gilbert" blog that I posted in May of this year. And so, we wrote a human interest/feature article for the magazine and had some pictures taken. It's a spoof on the Real Housewives shows (New York and Orange County) on Bravo TV. Unfortunately the feature won't make it out before the boutique happens, but maybe it will be great publicity for next year! Oh wait! Didn't I say I won't do it ever again?? Yeah, I say that every year! So at least we're in the calendar and that has already gone out to over 25,000 households in Gilbert and Chandler!
So come experience the magic of the holidays and see what some of the REAL Housewives of Gilbert have up their sleeves!!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Fall is in the Air (or is it??)
It is officially FALL... Time to put away the swimsuits and shorts and quit wearing white!! But how do you do that when the forecast for today is 105 degrees?? It doesn't look like or feel like fall around here in AZ! I long for cool autumn days and chilly nights sitting by a cracklin' fire and sipping hot chocolate... and listening to the sounds of leaves rustling in the breeze as they change to colors of blazing oranges and rusty reds... and, darn it, just having enough cool days to wear all those sweaters in my closet before it gets too hot again!!
Don't get me wrong... we love desert living!! In January when half the country is digging themselves out of the snow and scraping ice from their cars, we live outdoors! Yeah, it's only in the fall that I turn a little melancholy watching BYU football games on TV and wishing I was there breathing in the crispness of the mountain air and admiring the beauty all around!
So, as I have for the last 17 years of living in Arizona, I'll hang my fall wreath with fake leaves on the door, I'll put out my fake pumpkins on my front porch (real ones would turn to mush within a week), and I'll fill every nook and cranny inside with some of the same!
Oh, and maybe I'll bake an apple crisp for dessert tonight!
And I guess I could turn the a/c down to 68 degrees and put on a sweater...
Don't get me wrong... we love desert living!! In January when half the country is digging themselves out of the snow and scraping ice from their cars, we live outdoors! Yeah, it's only in the fall that I turn a little melancholy watching BYU football games on TV and wishing I was there breathing in the crispness of the mountain air and admiring the beauty all around!
So, as I have for the last 17 years of living in Arizona, I'll hang my fall wreath with fake leaves on the door, I'll put out my fake pumpkins on my front porch (real ones would turn to mush within a week), and I'll fill every nook and cranny inside with some of the same!
Oh, and maybe I'll bake an apple crisp for dessert tonight!
And I guess I could turn the a/c down to 68 degrees and put on a sweater...
Monday, August 31, 2009
Jon is 22
August just flew by without a post... A trip to Utah for a family reunion at Lagoon, school starting for Katelyn, Jon starting college, and working hard getting my line of ornaments designed, manufactured, and marketed kept me very busy! So here it is the last day of August and I don't want to leave the month without at least one post. I should have done it yesterday because this morning I got stung on my finger by a baby scorpion and it is still stinging and tingling... AND yesterday was Jon's 22nd birthday!! So here are 22 things I love about Jon:
1) his big smile
2) likes to shop for clothes and look nice
3) returned with honor from his mission
4) is always positive
5) never speaks ill of anyone
6) is very hard-working
7) is always helpful and does things without having to be asked
8) is a loyal friend
9) volunteers to serve at every opportunity
10) does beautiful woodworking
11) does tile and stone work and all kinds of construction
12) earned the money for his mission by doing his woodworking
13) likes country music (like me)!
14) brings a great spirit into our home
15) has a big heart!
16) was always his teachers' favorite student-- every year in elementary school
17) learned to ride a 2-wheel bike when he was only 4 (he got impatient waiting for his dad to take off the training wheels, so he found some tools and figured out how to take them off himself... and off he went!!)
18) got his first "play" set of tools when he was 3 and has been become a master of tools and fixing things ever since!
19) has a natural ability riding dirt bikes... his 1st was a YZ50 when he was 6... by 10 he was racing!
20) is kind and respectful to everyone
21) has a strong testimony and is faithful in his callings
22) tells me he loves me every day!
1) his big smile
2) likes to shop for clothes and look nice
3) returned with honor from his mission
4) is always positive
5) never speaks ill of anyone
6) is very hard-working
7) is always helpful and does things without having to be asked
8) is a loyal friend
9) volunteers to serve at every opportunity
10) does beautiful woodworking
11) does tile and stone work and all kinds of construction
12) earned the money for his mission by doing his woodworking
13) likes country music (like me)!
14) brings a great spirit into our home
15) has a big heart!
16) was always his teachers' favorite student-- every year in elementary school
17) learned to ride a 2-wheel bike when he was only 4 (he got impatient waiting for his dad to take off the training wheels, so he found some tools and figured out how to take them off himself... and off he went!!)
18) got his first "play" set of tools when he was 3 and has been become a master of tools and fixing things ever since!
19) has a natural ability riding dirt bikes... his 1st was a YZ50 when he was 6... by 10 he was racing!
20) is kind and respectful to everyone
21) has a strong testimony and is faithful in his callings
22) tells me he loves me every day!
Monday, July 27, 2009
WICKEDness is Happiness!!
Several months ago I bought tickets (5th row center) to the musical Wicked. I was so excited to see it! I tucked them away in a safe spot. And then forgot about them. Well, sort of... Every year my daily planner pages end in June so I start a new one on July 1st. I forgot to record the show dates in the new calender. But the date that stuck in my memory was July 27th (today). So last Thursday morning (the 23rd) I pulled out the tickets just to look at them. And to my horror they said Wednesday, July 22nd!!! No! NO! It can't be! I think I was hyperventilating and I was so sick I wanted to throw up.
A couple of hours (and friends' condolence phone calls) later I had finally calmed down. So I got up the courage to call Mark. I told him something horrible had happened this morning. Of course, he thought I'd wrecked the car or had something that really was horrible happen. When I finally spilled the news he began to laugh. I mean he wasn't thrilled that I'd just thrown away $400, but he was so relieved that that was all it was. He had no interest in going to the show anyway.
Next, I called the Box Office and begged. So sorry... nothing they could do. And the final shows were all sold out. BUT, they said, I could come down 3 hours early and put my name in a ticket lottery. Ten names would be drawn for 2 tickets each. I asked how many people show up for that? Usually a couple hundred. Pretty bad odds, I figured. And standing out in the heat... unbearable. And I'm sure the seats are in the nose-bleed section. So I decided to wait for the next time Wicked came to the valley again which would probably not be for another 2 or 3 years... Bummer...
And then a little miracle happened thanks to my wonderful friend Sharon. She heard about my story and she had also desparately wanted to see Wicked. So she and her husband went down to Gammage on Friday afternoon to put their names in for the lottery. But no luck. They went again on Saturday morning. No luck again. They went again on Saturday afternoon. And... drum roll please... her name was the 2nd one drawn!! She called to tell me and I was so happy for her and her husband. (Really, I was!) And then she said "You're coming with me 'cuz my husband doesn't want to go! The monkeys scared him when he watched The Wizard of OZ as a kid and he has really never liked it since! I have a ticket for YOU!!!"
So her husband chauffered us there... and to our amazement and delight... our seats were guess where?? FRONT ROW (yes, ROW 1) and Center!!! The best seats in the house!!! We could see every detail of their costumes... and every expression of their eyes and faces... and it seemed they were looking right at us! It was phenomenal!!!
And then last night Mark came into the office while I was emailing our missionary Josh. He said he had something I needed to see. "But I'm kinda busy." "Yes, but you really need to come and see this" he insisted. So I reluntantly followed him to the family room where BYU TV was on and low and behold the Women's Choir was performing the songs from Wicked!!
And I relived the magic all over again!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
A years supply of egg custard...
It's a hot, hot day and I'm thinking about making some egg custard... sprinkled with a little nutmeg... the cold smooth cream slithers down your throat. Yumm...It's always been one of my kids' favorite desserts. They loved it from the time they began to eat solid foods. Jello brand sold it in little boxes like their puddings and it was quick and easy to make. And then one day there was not one box of it at the grocery store! Week after week it was on my grocery list and the store was always out of it. I checked other stores. They all had an empty spot where it once was stocked. I asked the store managers. They didn't know what happened to it. I had my mom check the grocery stores in Utah (they always have everything) and nothing! I checked out Jello's website. They didn't even show it as a product anymore. We could probably get along without green jello, but not custard! I emailed them and got no response. I was getting frantic! I searched for it on all kinds of hard-to-find food websites. I mean HometownFavorites.com even has Danish Dessert (the best strawberry glaze) on their website and I've tried for years to get Arizona stores to carry it!
Months (it felt like years) went by...
In the meantime, I made some from scratch but my kids didn't like it as well. I guess their tastebuds got used to the powdered egg taste!
And then last week I fretted to my husband about it and he said to just google it! So I did. And guess where it showed up??? On Amazon.com! I knew you could buy books, CDs, DVDs, electronics and all kinds of stuff on there! But I NEVER knew you could buy food on Amazon! (Thank you Jeff Bezo!) So I ordered 24 boxes (that's the minimum) on Saturday and on Monday morning it was on my doorstep! Now I've got my years supply of it!
And guess what's for dessert tonight??
Monday, July 13, 2009
Kona - Hawaii
A couple of months ago Matt went over to the big island to see his best friend Vasu get married in the Kona Hawaii Temple. (The Laie Temple is closed for renovations.)
Here are some of the pictures he emailed us... I'm just a little slow getting them uploaded.
The wedding party...
Matt sang and played the guitar at the reception...
Here are some of the pictures he emailed us... I'm just a little slow getting them uploaded.
The wedding party...Matt sang and played the guitar at the reception...I think he keeps that talent a little hidden!
Duck Creek
We had a Weathers' Family Reunion in Duck Creek Village, Utah over the July 4th holiday. Duck Creek is east of Cedar City by Cedar Breaks and in Dixie National Forest. High altitude (8500+) and low temps (50-60's)!! A nice reprieve from our 110+degree days. It was fun to share a few days with extended family. Here are some pictures from our trip:
Can you guess what the main form of recreation was??
Miles upon miles of trails... through gorgeous mountain vistas....
Miles upon miles of trails... through gorgeous mountain vistas....Inside Mammath Caves...
Check out the dirty smiling faces...
Cousins hanging out together in the hammock...
And playing in an evening concert...
And most of the gang that could come...
Check out the dirty smiling faces...Cousins hanging out together in the hammock... And playing in an evening concert...Mom/Grandma and her four kids...
And most of the gang that could come...Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Can you HEAR me now?
I grew up in a house with 3 phones. One in my parents' room, one in my dad's office, and one in the kitchen with a 15+ foot cord. That was the one we were relegated to use. It could stretch around the corner and down the hallway but privacy was at a premium because it couldn't quite reach my bedroom. Some families got a second line for the teenagers. We didn't.
As my first child approached those teenage years I began to ponder the second line concept for our home. But then, in the blink of an eye, telephone technology changed. House phones became cordless and you could walk around the house (and even the yard) with one. My car phone, once hard-wired into our car, became mobile and grew smaller... the prices went way down... and it seemed that every man, woman, teenager, and child on the block had one in their pocket or purse! Family plans, mobile-to-mobile minutes, roaming fees, and text minutes replaced land lines and local and long distance carriers. We could talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime...
Years ago there was a commercial that said "Let your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages!" (Who even uses those big bulky Yellow Page Books anymore? I've been meaning to write them and tell them what a waste of time, money and paper it is to keep leaving them on my doorstep.) Ninety-five percent of the information we need we can literally hold in the palm of our hands... and have it with just a few quick movements of our fingers!
And now we don't even have to use our mouths to communicate to others with these small devices!
In this new world of communicative technology, our fingers (mostly thumbs) have become our mouthpieces!! Texting, tweeting on Twitter, emailing, IMing (instant messaging for those few who don't know), blogging... all great new forms of communicating and connecting with others... and without a sound... okay, maybe a few click, click, clicks... Are we still living out loud (LOL) or as a recent cell phone commercial asks "Can you HEAR me now??"
The other day my 21-year-old son was sitting in the family room having a "conversation" with a friend. He told me he was asking her on a date.
"But, I didn't hear you talking to anyone?" I questioned him.
"I texted her, Mom!" he returned.
"So you didn't even call her on your cell phone?"
"Nobody does that."
Hmmm... I wonder if they will talk out loud on their date??
As my first child approached those teenage years I began to ponder the second line concept for our home. But then, in the blink of an eye, telephone technology changed. House phones became cordless and you could walk around the house (and even the yard) with one. My car phone, once hard-wired into our car, became mobile and grew smaller... the prices went way down... and it seemed that every man, woman, teenager, and child on the block had one in their pocket or purse! Family plans, mobile-to-mobile minutes, roaming fees, and text minutes replaced land lines and local and long distance carriers. We could talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime...
Years ago there was a commercial that said "Let your fingers do the walking through the yellow pages!" (Who even uses those big bulky Yellow Page Books anymore? I've been meaning to write them and tell them what a waste of time, money and paper it is to keep leaving them on my doorstep.) Ninety-five percent of the information we need we can literally hold in the palm of our hands... and have it with just a few quick movements of our fingers!
And now we don't even have to use our mouths to communicate to others with these small devices!
In this new world of communicative technology, our fingers (mostly thumbs) have become our mouthpieces!! Texting, tweeting on Twitter, emailing, IMing (instant messaging for those few who don't know), blogging... all great new forms of communicating and connecting with others... and without a sound... okay, maybe a few click, click, clicks... Are we still living out loud (LOL) or as a recent cell phone commercial asks "Can you HEAR me now??"
The other day my 21-year-old son was sitting in the family room having a "conversation" with a friend. He told me he was asking her on a date.
"But, I didn't hear you talking to anyone?" I questioned him.
"I texted her, Mom!" he returned.
"So you didn't even call her on your cell phone?"
"Nobody does that."
Hmmm... I wonder if they will talk out loud on their date??
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Life Lessons Learned in a Rodeo
The little red Rodeo is gone. Hooray!! We sold it a few weeks ago... just a couple of hours after putting a sign on it... signed, sealed, delivered, it's theirs! No sellers remorse here. I thought it was long overdue to get rid of it. It was already 10 years old when we bought it. Each of my three boys drove it. Matt drove it until he left for college in Hawaii. Jon drove it to work every day one summer with the air conditioning broken and never complained. It was getting pretty beat up by the time Josh got it. I asked him one day if he wanted a newer car and he said "No way, I love the Rodeo. Who cares if it's old! I'm happy to drive it!" Wow...
I realized then that my children are much wiser and more insightful than I am. Yes, my kids learned some great life lessons because of that Rodeo. They didn't care if most of their friends were given new cars when they turned 16. Their self-image wasn't tied to what kind of car they drove. They didn't have feelings of entitlement as so many of their generation do. (And I personally believe it is fueled by their parents giving them too much.) They learned how to take care of a car, to do the maintenance on it, and to work on the engine and all the other moving parts. With the help of a kind home teacher, they rebuilt and fixed the air conditioning system. And boy did they appreciate the flow of cold air on their faces after driving it for months without!!
And now Jon has bought his first truck. It's almost new and nothing fancy. A part of me just wanted to hand him the money and say "We'll pay for it... you deserve it!" But, no, we held back as we watched him work and struggle to pay for it with his hard earned money. His pride of ownership shows with the big smile on his face! He knows the value of a dollar. And the accomplished feeling of hard work. He says it was worth the wait!
It really is true that if you make your children's life a little harder, they will have a much better life! In a world of everything being so instant it is so hard to teach them to wait. And I find myself saying the same thing my parents said to me when I was a kid: "Wait until you grow up, then you'll appreciate it more." Child psychologists claim we need to teach our children this theory of delayed gratification for them to have happy and successful lives.
I agree... let them grow up and still have things to dream about...
I realized then that my children are much wiser and more insightful than I am. Yes, my kids learned some great life lessons because of that Rodeo. They didn't care if most of their friends were given new cars when they turned 16. Their self-image wasn't tied to what kind of car they drove. They didn't have feelings of entitlement as so many of their generation do. (And I personally believe it is fueled by their parents giving them too much.) They learned how to take care of a car, to do the maintenance on it, and to work on the engine and all the other moving parts. With the help of a kind home teacher, they rebuilt and fixed the air conditioning system. And boy did they appreciate the flow of cold air on their faces after driving it for months without!!
And now Jon has bought his first truck. It's almost new and nothing fancy. A part of me just wanted to hand him the money and say "We'll pay for it... you deserve it!" But, no, we held back as we watched him work and struggle to pay for it with his hard earned money. His pride of ownership shows with the big smile on his face! He knows the value of a dollar. And the accomplished feeling of hard work. He says it was worth the wait!
It really is true that if you make your children's life a little harder, they will have a much better life! In a world of everything being so instant it is so hard to teach them to wait. And I find myself saying the same thing my parents said to me when I was a kid: "Wait until you grow up, then you'll appreciate it more." Child psychologists claim we need to teach our children this theory of delayed gratification for them to have happy and successful lives.
I agree... let them grow up and still have things to dream about...
Monday, June 8, 2009
A College Degree?
Matt is in the home stretch... one more semester until he graduates with his BS in Computer Science. He would have been finished by now but the disadvantage of a small college (BYU-H) is they don't offer a lot of senior level classes during the spring and summer terms. And the advantage? More time for sun and surf. Rough life, I say. His house is walking distance to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world! But, to his credit, a Computer Science Degree is no cake walk! Physics and more physics and lots of tough classes. A couple of months ago when he told me he wanted to change his major I stopped breathing for a moment. "Oh, no! You're soooo close to being done," I gasped! Yeah, I admit early on I hoped he'd be a doctor (or lawyer--he likes to argue a lot!). But, as parents, you have to let them explore and figure it out themselves. I mean when he was 18 he wanted to be a rock star! So, I'm thinking, Computer Science is good! Really good! And a VERY MARKETABLE degree to have even in this economy! And with his affinity for computers he will do just fine.
Now, Jon is home from his mission and trying to figure out his path of college travel. I'm just trying to bite my tongue. And Josh has 2 years to just concentrate on serving the Lord and not think about college.
When I was in college my parents insisted that I take classes that would give me marketable skills, too. I preferred more artsy stuff like interior design, creative writing, and flat pattern design (sewing). And, as a hopefully soon-to-be wife and mother, sprinkle in a little CDFR (Child Development/Family Relations) as it was called back then. So after 2 years of the "fun stuff" I switched over and dutifully took the shorthand (Now THAT's a real marketable skill nowadays! HA!) and business and accounting classes. And I sort of lost my focus and interest in college.
But, alas, I got my MRS Degree and not my BA or BS degree. And I've regretted it ever since. (Not the MRS part!) Yeah, sorry to admit, but my young adult social circle was more concerned about finding a husband than getting a college education. (Oh, the stories my roommates could tell you!) I'm so glad that this generation of young women seem to be more focused on getting their education while looking for a man. Good for them!
The years filled up with childbirth and children, church callings and service, keeping house and just keeping up, and not fun to mention, but several major surgeries and illnesses along the way. And I kept wondering when will it be MY time to go back and finish what I started at BYU over 25+ years ago? The guilt pricks me a little when I see those BYU TV commercials showing middle-aged women like me who've gone back and got their General Studies Degree through their online program. And I think to myself, "General Studies... too "generic" for me!" But it's better than no degree! So with the house a little quieter and emptier I probably could squeeze in some time for classes... That is after I help Katelyn with her schoolwork and stuff, fulfill my church calling and service, do the cooking and cleaning, laundry and ironing, and errands, and keep up the house...
I think I'm just too darn tired now.
Now, Jon is home from his mission and trying to figure out his path of college travel. I'm just trying to bite my tongue. And Josh has 2 years to just concentrate on serving the Lord and not think about college.
When I was in college my parents insisted that I take classes that would give me marketable skills, too. I preferred more artsy stuff like interior design, creative writing, and flat pattern design (sewing). And, as a hopefully soon-to-be wife and mother, sprinkle in a little CDFR (Child Development/Family Relations) as it was called back then. So after 2 years of the "fun stuff" I switched over and dutifully took the shorthand (Now THAT's a real marketable skill nowadays! HA!) and business and accounting classes. And I sort of lost my focus and interest in college.
But, alas, I got my MRS Degree and not my BA or BS degree. And I've regretted it ever since. (Not the MRS part!) Yeah, sorry to admit, but my young adult social circle was more concerned about finding a husband than getting a college education. (Oh, the stories my roommates could tell you!) I'm so glad that this generation of young women seem to be more focused on getting their education while looking for a man. Good for them!
The years filled up with childbirth and children, church callings and service, keeping house and just keeping up, and not fun to mention, but several major surgeries and illnesses along the way. And I kept wondering when will it be MY time to go back and finish what I started at BYU over 25+ years ago? The guilt pricks me a little when I see those BYU TV commercials showing middle-aged women like me who've gone back and got their General Studies Degree through their online program. And I think to myself, "General Studies... too "generic" for me!" But it's better than no degree! So with the house a little quieter and emptier I probably could squeeze in some time for classes... That is after I help Katelyn with her schoolwork and stuff, fulfill my church calling and service, do the cooking and cleaning, laundry and ironing, and errands, and keep up the house...
I think I'm just too darn tired now.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Cocoons and Butterflies
Science was never my favorite subject. But, nonetheless, I do remember learning (probably in 5th grade) about the amazing life cycle of butterflies. And ever since we dropped Josh off at the MTC I've been thinking about this metamorphosis analogy: Female butterflies (moms) lay eggs which grow into caterpillars. Caterpillars spend most of their time eating. (Like teenage boys!) A protective casing (family, the gospel) forms around the caterpillar during the stage that they are undergoing a transformation (from a teenager into a young missionary/elder of the church). A caterpillar enters the cocoon so that they will be protected from a harsh or unfriendly environment. Once they have grown strong enough, they emerge from the cocoon (home, or in this analogy, the MTC) to the outside world. A silk worm (or caterpiller) metamorphosis's into a beautiful butterfly. It has often been said that the most beautiful butterflies usually emerge from the ugliest cocoons. For this reason, many people consider the process of the cocoon to be a miracle of nature. (Many miracles happen in the MTC!) Josh has completed his metamorphosis and has now emerged from the MTC "cocoon", spread his wings, and flown to the Georgia Macon Mission to share the awesome message of the gospel! Wonderful new adventures await him there!
Monday, May 18, 2009
Invasion of the Giant Zucchinis
We finally see some signs of life (besides tomatoes) in our garden. Peppers are growing (look very closely and you can see several in the picture on the right). The corn is almost 3 feet high. And all of a sudden... hidden under the big leaves... GIGANTIC zucchinis everywhere! I think you're supposed to pick them when they're a little smaller?? I NEVER see ones this big at the grocery store. Ma
ybe it's all that Miracle Grow juice that Jon keeps putting on them. We've grilled them, fried them, baked them and just as I think we've used our last one....surprise... there's more growing! So now I'm shredding them up and freezing them to use later in the year.Anyone for a zucchini cookie??
Friday, May 15, 2009
The Phone Call vs The Letter
When you have a missionary out serving, Mothers' Days are extra special. The handmade cards are sweet. The breakfast cooked by the kids and husband is yummy. The gifts are great. But...
Nothing can compare to the excitement of the much anticipated PHONE CALL ! For the last 3 Mothers' Days I've had that "gift"... Matt from Argentina and Jon from Pennsylvania. We even finagled a three-way so we could all talk together when both sons were out serving! Emails and letters are great but there is nothing like hearing their voice. That amazing and spiritual young man you are talking to you swear is not the young boy you sent off! You can feel their strength of testimony through the phone lines. Or... if you are on your cell phone, that power bounces off the satellites right through the walls of your home and into your ear!!
Several of my friends have missionaries out and it was fun to hear about their calls... and the efforts to coordinate the timing of the calls from different time zones while trying to squeeze in their block of church and get extended family members together for the big event. Whew!
But, with Josh still in the MTC, I knew there would be no phone call at our house that day... If they let those thousands of missionaries in there make even a 5 minute phone call, it would probably overwhelm the phone grids all over Utah Valley! It would be a logistics nightmare! Matt called me from Hawaii so that was sorta like the "call". I always like to hear my children's voices.
But... Josh didn't forget about mom's day and I received the most wonderful letter from him this week! And it TOTALLY made up for not hearing his voice on Sunday! Because what is better than a handwritten note from your child thanking you for everything you've sacrificed for him and telling you how lucky he is to have the best mom in the world?? (I'm not bragging... just quoting him.) I had to chuckle when he said, "It's wierd...when I throw my clothes into the laundry here, they don't come out all nice and folded on my bed for me! And when I go to dinner not everything is edible... I'm not used to that!" And then he goes on to share his testimony and his feelings and how much he is learning and that he will do his best to "become the missionary you believe I am." And even though I can't hear him saying these things, I can feel him saying these things! And the tears are streaming down my face as I'm trying to read and he's writing that he doesn't know if he can totally relate to being one of the 2000 Stripling Warriors, but he slightly changes Alma 56:47-48 to read "I have been taught by my mother, that if I doubt not, God will deliver me...I do not doubt my mother knew it."
No words in a blog can describe what my heart feels... And since I wasn't blogging during the time Matt and Jon were serving their missions, just let me put into the record that I also received amazing hand-written letters from them during their time out serving and I also read them with tearing streaming down my face and feeling seriously blessed!
Nothing can compare to the excitement of the much anticipated PHONE CALL ! For the last 3 Mothers' Days I've had that "gift"... Matt from Argentina and Jon from Pennsylvania. We even finagled a three-way so we could all talk together when both sons were out serving! Emails and letters are great but there is nothing like hearing their voice. That amazing and spiritual young man you are talking to you swear is not the young boy you sent off! You can feel their strength of testimony through the phone lines. Or... if you are on your cell phone, that power bounces off the satellites right through the walls of your home and into your ear!!
Several of my friends have missionaries out and it was fun to hear about their calls... and the efforts to coordinate the timing of the calls from different time zones while trying to squeeze in their block of church and get extended family members together for the big event. Whew!
But, with Josh still in the MTC, I knew there would be no phone call at our house that day... If they let those thousands of missionaries in there make even a 5 minute phone call, it would probably overwhelm the phone grids all over Utah Valley! It would be a logistics nightmare! Matt called me from Hawaii so that was sorta like the "call". I always like to hear my children's voices.
But... Josh didn't forget about mom's day and I received the most wonderful letter from him this week! And it TOTALLY made up for not hearing his voice on Sunday! Because what is better than a handwritten note from your child thanking you for everything you've sacrificed for him and telling you how lucky he is to have the best mom in the world?? (I'm not bragging... just quoting him.) I had to chuckle when he said, "It's wierd...when I throw my clothes into the laundry here, they don't come out all nice and folded on my bed for me! And when I go to dinner not everything is edible... I'm not used to that!" And then he goes on to share his testimony and his feelings and how much he is learning and that he will do his best to "become the missionary you believe I am." And even though I can't hear him saying these things, I can feel him saying these things! And the tears are streaming down my face as I'm trying to read and he's writing that he doesn't know if he can totally relate to being one of the 2000 Stripling Warriors, but he slightly changes Alma 56:47-48 to read "I have been taught by my mother, that if I doubt not, God will deliver me...I do not doubt my mother knew it."
No words in a blog can describe what my heart feels... And since I wasn't blogging during the time Matt and Jon were serving their missions, just let me put into the record that I also received amazing hand-written letters from them during their time out serving and I also read them with tearing streaming down my face and feeling seriously blessed!
Friday, May 8, 2009
The Real Housewives
Sometimes late at night when I can't fall asleep I turn on the TV and watch totally obnoxious shows... like The Real Housewives of New York City or Orange County. It's kind of addicting watching these women and their over-the-top lives. And then, the other night, out of the blue, my husband asked me if I wished my life was like that. I was mortified that he would even think that!
I grew up in Orange County and I've been to New York City... and yeah, there's a lot of women like them... self-absorbed, botox-injected, plastic surgery enhanced, top designer dressed, and money and power obsessed. One "housewife" on the NYC version told her husband that she didn't want much for her birthday and then bought a purse for $16,000 (no, I didn't type too many 0's!) and then was also surprised with a new fully-loaded Mercedes SUV....and then complained that it didn't have everything she needed! These "housewives" have the average 1.5 kids who they send off to boarding schools, employ maids, personal trainers, and personal chefs, and spend most of their time worrying about being seen with the right people at the right parties. I'm sorry TV Show Producers... they may be hilarious to watch, but they are not real housewives by any stretch of the imagination!!
Let me tell you about the real housewives that I know...
Most "housewives" I know are college educated or have helped put their husbands through college at great sacrifice.
Some "housewives" I know have served 2 year missions for our church.
Many "housewives" I know are stay-at-home moms sacrificing their own desires for fame and fortune to be available 24/7 for their kids and knowing that "no success is worth failure in the home".
Many "housewives" I know work, not always because they want to, but because they have to.
Lots of "housewives" I know stay up all night taking care of sick babies and children.
One "housewife" I know spends many nights softly rocking her newly adopted little girl who is experiencing night terrors because of her memories of living in an orphanage in China.
Many "housewives" I know open their hearts to fostering and adopting children from other countries and here in Arizona.
One "housewife" I know lives each day with optimism and cheerfulness in spite of her husband's brain tumor.
Several "housewives" I know care for and help raise their grandchildren.
One "housewife" I know has ached to have a baby for many years and now is awaiting not one... but 2 miracles... twins to adopt.
Many "housewives" I know spend time working on their gardens and canning food for their families.
One "housewife" I know regularly bakes cookies with her children to deliver to an elderly lady who is paralysed with MS.
One "housewife" I know focuses much of her time and energy on finding answers and therapies to help her young daughter with a genetic disorder.
Most "housewives" I know spend time volunteering at schools, in the community, and for their churches.
Many "housewives" I know send out missionary sons and daughters to share the gospel knowing that they will miss them terribly.
Several "housewives" I know patiently teach and work with their learning-disabled children.
A few "housewives" I know tenderly care for aging parents.
Many "housewives" I know are finding ways to save money and feed their family on a tight budget.
Most "housewives" I know fill their days with kids, carpooling, cleaning, cooking, and Costco.
Most "housewives" I know don't own a $16,000 purse or even a $160 purse!
And all the "housewives" I know think that their job of being a wife and mother is the best job (and hardest) in the world!
What do all of the above "housewives" have in common??
Sacrifice... Service... Selflessness... Compassion... Patience... Charity... Faith... Hope.... and LOVE !!
It is the true essense of motherhood...
It is what the REAL HOUSEWIVES of Gilbert Arizona (and everywhere else for that matter) are doing day in and day out....
I love being a housewife and a mom... and, honey, I wouldn't trade it for all that other stuff!
Happy Mothers Day to my mom and all the moms (and housewives) out there!
I grew up in Orange County and I've been to New York City... and yeah, there's a lot of women like them... self-absorbed, botox-injected, plastic surgery enhanced, top designer dressed, and money and power obsessed. One "housewife" on the NYC version told her husband that she didn't want much for her birthday and then bought a purse for $16,000 (no, I didn't type too many 0's!) and then was also surprised with a new fully-loaded Mercedes SUV....and then complained that it didn't have everything she needed! These "housewives" have the average 1.5 kids who they send off to boarding schools, employ maids, personal trainers, and personal chefs, and spend most of their time worrying about being seen with the right people at the right parties. I'm sorry TV Show Producers... they may be hilarious to watch, but they are not real housewives by any stretch of the imagination!!
Let me tell you about the real housewives that I know...
Most "housewives" I know are college educated or have helped put their husbands through college at great sacrifice.
Some "housewives" I know have served 2 year missions for our church.
Many "housewives" I know are stay-at-home moms sacrificing their own desires for fame and fortune to be available 24/7 for their kids and knowing that "no success is worth failure in the home".
Many "housewives" I know work, not always because they want to, but because they have to.
Lots of "housewives" I know stay up all night taking care of sick babies and children.
One "housewife" I know spends many nights softly rocking her newly adopted little girl who is experiencing night terrors because of her memories of living in an orphanage in China.
Many "housewives" I know open their hearts to fostering and adopting children from other countries and here in Arizona.
One "housewife" I know lives each day with optimism and cheerfulness in spite of her husband's brain tumor.
Several "housewives" I know care for and help raise their grandchildren.
One "housewife" I know has ached to have a baby for many years and now is awaiting not one... but 2 miracles... twins to adopt.
Many "housewives" I know spend time working on their gardens and canning food for their families.
One "housewife" I know regularly bakes cookies with her children to deliver to an elderly lady who is paralysed with MS.
One "housewife" I know focuses much of her time and energy on finding answers and therapies to help her young daughter with a genetic disorder.
Most "housewives" I know spend time volunteering at schools, in the community, and for their churches.
Many "housewives" I know send out missionary sons and daughters to share the gospel knowing that they will miss them terribly.
Several "housewives" I know patiently teach and work with their learning-disabled children.
A few "housewives" I know tenderly care for aging parents.
Many "housewives" I know are finding ways to save money and feed their family on a tight budget.
Most "housewives" I know fill their days with kids, carpooling, cleaning, cooking, and Costco.
Most "housewives" I know don't own a $16,000 purse or even a $160 purse!
And all the "housewives" I know think that their job of being a wife and mother is the best job (and hardest) in the world!
What do all of the above "housewives" have in common??
Sacrifice... Service... Selflessness... Compassion... Patience... Charity... Faith... Hope.... and LOVE !!
It is the true essense of motherhood...
It is what the REAL HOUSEWIVES of Gilbert Arizona (and everywhere else for that matter) are doing day in and day out....
I love being a housewife and a mom... and, honey, I wouldn't trade it for all that other stuff!
Happy Mothers Day to my mom and all the moms (and housewives) out there!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Garden Update
You say "tomato"...I say "what the heck is this?"Wierd things are growing in our garden...
Most of our seeds germinated and corn, squash, peppers, and tomatoes are growing... still waiting on the rest...
I'm sure this is a rather pathetic looking garden for all you green thumbers out there!
Monday, April 27, 2009
No nuts at our house!
My kids were deprived... deprived of one of childhood's most-beloved foods! Oh, the horror! (My son at BYU-H informed me of this last night on the phone.)
I never made one for their lunch box. I have never bought even one jar of the creamy stuff. I've skipped that aisle in the grocery store for the last 25+ years.
My kids watched other kids bite into the gooey brown stuff and smack their lips with delight... while they quietly ate their ham and cheese sandwiches wondering what they were missing out on!
Yes, I'm talking about PEANUT BUTTER! eeww..I can hardly even type the word without getting hives and my mouth starting to itch!!
It is lethal to me... one little bite and I'm into antiphylatic shock. Grab the epi-pen, find the benadryl, call 9-1-1... I even have to call ahead when I fly to make sure they aren't serving peanuts on my flight. And boy, that's embarrassing when they announce it's a peanut-free flight and you hear the grumbling from the other passengers. And as I'm slithering down in my seat, I'm thinking, "Gosh people, get a grip! It's only a little salty nut! Have some pretzels instead!"
Our house has always been a peanut-butter-free zone (and all nuts for that matter). The only way they ever got to eat pb&j sandwiches was to sneak it at a friend's house. Josh said he used to raid his friend's pantry for a jar of the brown stuff. And it's the standard dinner entre for most missionaries (when they don't have a dinner appt) but for my boys it's like eating sushi or some wierd foreign food. And my hubby knows not to eat it if he ever wants a kiss!
So, yes, Matt says that since he's 3000+ miles away from home he can finally enjoy the delectable stuff whenever he wants! And since he doesn't like to cook, I'm guessing he's probably having it for dinner every night!
I never made one for their lunch box. I have never bought even one jar of the creamy stuff. I've skipped that aisle in the grocery store for the last 25+ years.
My kids watched other kids bite into the gooey brown stuff and smack their lips with delight... while they quietly ate their ham and cheese sandwiches wondering what they were missing out on!
Yes, I'm talking about PEANUT BUTTER! eeww..I can hardly even type the word without getting hives and my mouth starting to itch!!
It is lethal to me... one little bite and I'm into antiphylatic shock. Grab the epi-pen, find the benadryl, call 9-1-1... I even have to call ahead when I fly to make sure they aren't serving peanuts on my flight. And boy, that's embarrassing when they announce it's a peanut-free flight and you hear the grumbling from the other passengers. And as I'm slithering down in my seat, I'm thinking, "Gosh people, get a grip! It's only a little salty nut! Have some pretzels instead!"
Our house has always been a peanut-butter-free zone (and all nuts for that matter). The only way they ever got to eat pb&j sandwiches was to sneak it at a friend's house. Josh said he used to raid his friend's pantry for a jar of the brown stuff. And it's the standard dinner entre for most missionaries (when they don't have a dinner appt) but for my boys it's like eating sushi or some wierd foreign food. And my hubby knows not to eat it if he ever wants a kiss!
So, yes, Matt says that since he's 3000+ miles away from home he can finally enjoy the delectable stuff whenever he wants! And since he doesn't like to cook, I'm guessing he's probably having it for dinner every night!
Monday, April 20, 2009
A Perfect Cookie
I wanted to be the perfect cook (like my mom) when I got married. But, unlike my mom who spent hours a day in the kitchen, I wanted to make everything fast and easy! It took me years to finally make the perfect pot roast that tasted like mom's. You know-- the juicy and tender meat that melts-in-your-mouth kind of pot roast. I learned it had to first be seared and then cooked very slowly for many hours in liquid. The longer it cooked, the better it was! I learned that some perfect things take time...and patience... something I don't always have a lot of.
I've baked lots of chocolate chip cookies through the years... trying dozens of recipes in my quest for the perfect one! I know... everybody's got their favorite way to make them... their family's top secret cookie recipes... But finally... after "tweaking" several recipes... I have one that bakes up nice and chewy and holds together while dipping it in milk... and it's become our family's favorite!
So... Life (and my cooking) may not always be perfect, but at least a cookie can be!
Chocolate Chip Cookies
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 extra large eggs
2 tsp real vanilla
1 TB water
4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 12 oz package Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
Beat together butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla, and water until creamy. Sift together flour, soda, and salt and add to mixture. Stir in oatmeal and then chocolate chips. Place rounded tablespoonfuls of cookie dough on ungreased cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degree for 8-10 minutes or until just lightly starting to brown but still slightly doughy. Makes 5-6 dozen.
I've baked lots of chocolate chip cookies through the years... trying dozens of recipes in my quest for the perfect one! I know... everybody's got their favorite way to make them... their family's top secret cookie recipes... But finally... after "tweaking" several recipes... I have one that bakes up nice and chewy and holds together while dipping it in milk... and it's become our family's favorite!
So... Life (and my cooking) may not always be perfect, but at least a cookie can be!
Chocolate Chip Cookies
3 sticks unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
1 1/2 cups white sugar
3 extra large eggs
2 tsp real vanilla
1 TB water
4 cups all purpose flour
2 tsp salt
2 tsp baking soda
2 cups quick cooking oats
1 12 oz package Ghiradelli semi-sweet chocolate chips
Beat together butter, sugars, eggs, vanilla, and water until creamy. Sift together flour, soda, and salt and add to mixture. Stir in oatmeal and then chocolate chips. Place rounded tablespoonfuls of cookie dough on ungreased cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake at 350 degree for 8-10 minutes or until just lightly starting to brown but still slightly doughy. Makes 5-6 dozen.
The heat is on....
What happened to spring? Forecast for tomorrow: 101 degrees!! Wait... it’s still April!
And, of course, our air conditioning in one of our cars conked out on us…right on cue…the first day of really hot weather!
Life changes when the thermometer hits 3 digits!
You gotta get up earlier to do a few things...
Watering the garden…I think it’s going to need a shade cover to survive…
The lawns and plants need to be watered at night or the little drops of moisture will just evaporate into thin air…
Walking the dog must be done before 8 am or after 8 pm… And she wants to be indoors most of the day which means more dog hair to vacuum up… Time to get the dog’s hair shaved off…
No more lounging out by the pool without lathering up on the sunscreen… Ha! Ha! I had to throw that one in! Who has time to do that??!!
No more going out to get the mail barefoot!!
No more feeling guilty for not taking that long walk or jog...thank goodness for our basement gym!
Why didn’t I get my spring cleaning done a little earlier??? Now all those crates that need cleaning out in the garage will have to wait another year until the daytime temps are back below 75 degrees! (What’s another year when they’ve been out there for 7 already?!)
And then there are other nuisances associated with the heat…
Feeling like you are in a sauna when you get in the car... the steering wheel is way too hot to touch...and so are the seat belts for that matter... and the kids are screaming that their shorts-clad legs are burning against the heat of the leather seats...
Scorpions…need I say more? Katelyn and I both had the unpleasant experience of getting bit by one last year... not fun! We now have a better bug company servicing our home and yard.
And crickets chirping at night…the loud ones always find a way inside and drive me crazy… Can we pray for a few seagulls to come our way and eat them up like they did for the pioneers??
But, hey, we love the desert! We left Southern California 17 years ago and have never looked back! I spent many weekends of my childhood in Palm Springs (and Mark lived in Palm Desert for a couple of years as a child)... so we knew what we were getting into... and we will take the heat any day over living in the cold, frozen north!
So crank up the a/c... say good-bye to our lower electric bills... see ya in November.
And, of course, our air conditioning in one of our cars conked out on us…right on cue…the first day of really hot weather!
Life changes when the thermometer hits 3 digits!
You gotta get up earlier to do a few things...
Watering the garden…I think it’s going to need a shade cover to survive…
The lawns and plants need to be watered at night or the little drops of moisture will just evaporate into thin air…
Walking the dog must be done before 8 am or after 8 pm… And she wants to be indoors most of the day which means more dog hair to vacuum up… Time to get the dog’s hair shaved off…
No more lounging out by the pool without lathering up on the sunscreen… Ha! Ha! I had to throw that one in! Who has time to do that??!!
No more going out to get the mail barefoot!!
No more feeling guilty for not taking that long walk or jog...thank goodness for our basement gym!
Why didn’t I get my spring cleaning done a little earlier??? Now all those crates that need cleaning out in the garage will have to wait another year until the daytime temps are back below 75 degrees! (What’s another year when they’ve been out there for 7 already?!)
And then there are other nuisances associated with the heat…
Feeling like you are in a sauna when you get in the car... the steering wheel is way too hot to touch...and so are the seat belts for that matter... and the kids are screaming that their shorts-clad legs are burning against the heat of the leather seats...
Scorpions…need I say more? Katelyn and I both had the unpleasant experience of getting bit by one last year... not fun! We now have a better bug company servicing our home and yard.
And crickets chirping at night…the loud ones always find a way inside and drive me crazy… Can we pray for a few seagulls to come our way and eat them up like they did for the pioneers??
But, hey, we love the desert! We left Southern California 17 years ago and have never looked back! I spent many weekends of my childhood in Palm Springs (and Mark lived in Palm Desert for a couple of years as a child)... so we knew what we were getting into... and we will take the heat any day over living in the cold, frozen north!
So crank up the a/c... say good-bye to our lower electric bills... see ya in November.
Catching up...
What happened here?? Two weeks...no posts...I'm already falling behind on my goal of at least one post a week...gotta get back in the groove...Let's see what has happend...
Direct from the MTC: Josh is on fire!! His Spanish is coming along great and he says that the promises in his setting apart blessing are coming true. He was made a Zone Leader after just 2 weeks in the MTC...WOW...I knew he was a natural-born leader... He says he is the youngest in his zone of 42 Elders and 6 Sisters (Hermanas). Elder Jeffrey Holland spoke at a Tuesday night devotional and Josh was so close that there were several times he just knew "he looked directly at me when he was speaking"!! Yes, I sure miss him...but I feel such peace in my heart and our home as I read his awesome emails and letters.
Matt had a few days off between semesters and flew over to Kona (on the big island of Hawaii) with a few of his buddies. His best friend Vasu (from India) was getting married to a girl from Brazil in the Kona Temple because the Laie Temple is closed for 18 months for renovations. Matt was bummed about that (the temple closing, I mean) because he lives right next door to the Laie Temple. How cool is that view to wake up to every day!!! Lucky bum! He has promised to send me some pictures to post. He graduates the end of this year and I think he will have a hard time leaving his island paradise!
Jon is busy, busy, busy!! When he came home from his mission a couple of months ago he thought he would have a hard time finding work because of the bad ecomony/housing market. But he's doing tiling, woodworking, painting, drywalling, and all kinds of stuff...his skills and great work ethic are in demand! And he's on the RM speaking circuit in our Stake! I hope he will pause long enough to enjoy a social life and start college.
Katelyn (and 2 friends) played "Love One Another" on the violin during our Easter Sunday Sacrament Meeting. They sounded great and it was a nice addition to the piano accompaniment and choir. We were very proud of her because that's a scary thing to do in front of the whole ward! The Thursday before Easter I took her and her brother (he lives with another foster/adopt family) and her grandmother to see the Easter Pageant on the Temple grounds. (We allow contact with her paternal grandmother because she was the one constant/positive in Katelyn's early life. She came to Katelyn's baptism and we have been "gently" teaching her about the gospel.) I think she really enjoyed the pageant and hopefully went away with a better understanding of our Savior's life and ministry... Katelyn played her violin again last Tuesday evening for the talent portion of the Daddy/Daughter Night at the church. And she gave her first talk in Primary yesterday! It warms my heart to see this little girl growing in the gospel and sharing newfound talents...
Mark is putting in some pretty loooong hours at work lately! It is one of the fastest growing companies in Arizona so there is lots to do. But, he enjoys the challenge! And hey, in this economy, it's great to have a job!!! He celebrated another birthday last week...He's such a techno-toy freak (or geek?) and I'm not... so I never know what to buy him. I just put the Fry's Electronics Ad with his card and say "Go pick out what you want!" But I know more than anything, he would really love a Harley!! And I just keep putting my foot down no matter how good his argument in favor of it is....(great gas mileage, can take the commuter lane to work, fun to ride on Saturday trips through the beautiful desert highways, etc.) So last Christmas I was so tired of hearing about it that I finally broke down and bought him one...a remote-controlled Harley...he was the only one not laughing!!!
Direct from the MTC: Josh is on fire!! His Spanish is coming along great and he says that the promises in his setting apart blessing are coming true. He was made a Zone Leader after just 2 weeks in the MTC...WOW...I knew he was a natural-born leader... He says he is the youngest in his zone of 42 Elders and 6 Sisters (Hermanas). Elder Jeffrey Holland spoke at a Tuesday night devotional and Josh was so close that there were several times he just knew "he looked directly at me when he was speaking"!! Yes, I sure miss him...but I feel such peace in my heart and our home as I read his awesome emails and letters.
Matt had a few days off between semesters and flew over to Kona (on the big island of Hawaii) with a few of his buddies. His best friend Vasu (from India) was getting married to a girl from Brazil in the Kona Temple because the Laie Temple is closed for 18 months for renovations. Matt was bummed about that (the temple closing, I mean) because he lives right next door to the Laie Temple. How cool is that view to wake up to every day!!! Lucky bum! He has promised to send me some pictures to post. He graduates the end of this year and I think he will have a hard time leaving his island paradise!
Jon is busy, busy, busy!! When he came home from his mission a couple of months ago he thought he would have a hard time finding work because of the bad ecomony/housing market. But he's doing tiling, woodworking, painting, drywalling, and all kinds of stuff...his skills and great work ethic are in demand! And he's on the RM speaking circuit in our Stake! I hope he will pause long enough to enjoy a social life and start college.
Katelyn (and 2 friends) played "Love One Another" on the violin during our Easter Sunday Sacrament Meeting. They sounded great and it was a nice addition to the piano accompaniment and choir. We were very proud of her because that's a scary thing to do in front of the whole ward! The Thursday before Easter I took her and her brother (he lives with another foster/adopt family) and her grandmother to see the Easter Pageant on the Temple grounds. (We allow contact with her paternal grandmother because she was the one constant/positive in Katelyn's early life. She came to Katelyn's baptism and we have been "gently" teaching her about the gospel.) I think she really enjoyed the pageant and hopefully went away with a better understanding of our Savior's life and ministry... Katelyn played her violin again last Tuesday evening for the talent portion of the Daddy/Daughter Night at the church. And she gave her first talk in Primary yesterday! It warms my heart to see this little girl growing in the gospel and sharing newfound talents...
Mark is putting in some pretty loooong hours at work lately! It is one of the fastest growing companies in Arizona so there is lots to do. But, he enjoys the challenge! And hey, in this economy, it's great to have a job!!! He celebrated another birthday last week...He's such a techno-toy freak (or geek?) and I'm not... so I never know what to buy him. I just put the Fry's Electronics Ad with his card and say "Go pick out what you want!" But I know more than anything, he would really love a Harley!! And I just keep putting my foot down no matter how good his argument in favor of it is....(great gas mileage, can take the commuter lane to work, fun to ride on Saturday trips through the beautiful desert highways, etc.) So last Christmas I was so tired of hearing about it that I finally broke down and bought him one...a remote-controlled Harley...he was the only one not laughing!!!
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Reflections of Quietness
10 days... no doorbell-ringing teenagers streaming through the front door... politely taking off their shoes of course... no "Hey Sister/Mrs. Weathers, how ya' doing?" as they head down to the basement to hang out... no vibrating floor from the beat of their loud music...no 6-foot boys raiding the pantry looking for junk food to fill up their bottomless pits ... (my grocery bill is substantially less now)... no laughing, screeching, giggly girls and deep rumbling-voiced boys filling the house and yard and pool...
No teenagers to wait up for!! Katelyn is still 11... we have at least a couple of years reprieve. Matt is at BYU-Hawaii... what I don't know I won't worry about. And Jon is fresh home from his mission and still keeping the "early to bed early to rise" schedule. So for now anyway... the doors are locked and lights are out waaaay before midnight...WOW... I might actually get a good nights sleep... and maybe these dark circles under my eyes will finally go away...
And yet... I miss it... and them... almost as much as I miss Josh! They are a part of his life... his happy-go-lucky high school years... good clean cut kids that don't cuss...or drink... girls that dress modestly... kids that stand strong in what they believe! I wouldn't trade that noisy bunch of kids for a quiet house anytime! There were so many that I could never remember all their names. But I thank my lucky stars for them every day. We are so blessed to live in such a great place.
Yep, it sure is quiet around here... oh, and I even miss the piles of shoes...
No teenagers to wait up for!! Katelyn is still 11... we have at least a couple of years reprieve. Matt is at BYU-Hawaii... what I don't know I won't worry about. And Jon is fresh home from his mission and still keeping the "early to bed early to rise" schedule. So for now anyway... the doors are locked and lights are out waaaay before midnight...WOW... I might actually get a good nights sleep... and maybe these dark circles under my eyes will finally go away...
And yet... I miss it... and them... almost as much as I miss Josh! They are a part of his life... his happy-go-lucky high school years... good clean cut kids that don't cuss...or drink... girls that dress modestly... kids that stand strong in what they believe! I wouldn't trade that noisy bunch of kids for a quiet house anytime! There were so many that I could never remember all their names. But I thank my lucky stars for them every day. We are so blessed to live in such a great place.
Yep, it sure is quiet around here... oh, and I even miss the piles of shoes...
Awesomeness
Well, Josh has been in the MTC for 10 days now. He wrote a quick note to us the first night he was there and you could feel the excitement in his words. He says he has two awesome companions... one from Phoenix and one from Mesa. So three Arizona boys together! He told me not to worry that he is in the hands of the Lord right now and that it is an awesome (word used frequently by Josh) feeling to carry Christ's name on you at all times (his nametag). A couple of days ago we got another letter and he bore his testimony in Spanish. He says he is learning so much so fast! I am not surprized. When he was set apart he was given amazing promises and blessings. He says there is no other place on the earth like the MTC! Yes, Josh is experiencing the "awesomeness" of the MTC!
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Mothers Torture Chamber (MTC)
Yesterday we said our good-byes to Josh at the MTC. We know the routine now by heart: spend the morning slowing getting ready... check the clock for the time... no one has much of an appetite... check the clock again... close up the suitcases... look at the clock... give a few last words of advice and encouragement... check the clock... stay strong--no tears... okay, it's time to go! As we load the suitcases in the trunk the snow begins to lightly fall. And I'm thinking why didn't I bring a jacket? I'm freezing! It's 40 degrees cooler here than Arizona! I barely notice how gorgeous the mountains are all covered in white. Slowly we drive the short mile from my parents' house down to 9th East...
And THERE IT IS... the Missionary Training Center... the big iron fence wrapped around dozens of tan brick buildings... a rather ordinary looking place... but with extraordinary things happening inside!! Mark was the first of our family to enter those gates to start his mission there almost 30 years ago! And now all three boys will have had those same wonderful experiences learning and growing within these walls. (My mom and dad served there for many years and they once told me that the MTC is a place of miracles.) As you enter, the spirit is palpable--I get goosebumps every time I'm there. Other than temples, I think it is one of the most spiritual places on earth. Someone dubbed it the Mothers Torture Chamber, but I only say that tongue-in-cheek, because it really is an extraordinary place!!
Josh has remained calm all morning but now I notice a little nervousness kicking in. As we pull into the parking lot, the older gentleman volunteers are everywhere directing with hand signals and orchestrating every movement with great precision. Pull up here...park over there...Welcome Elder!... take your luggage there....go to that door there... Yes, I remember it all too well from the last two times! I whisper to myself... stop tears...don't spill out yet! While Mark parks the car I help Josh take his suitcases down the long sidewalk. His big neon green tags will help him easily find them again among the masses of black suitcas
es. We huddle outside in the drizzle for another picture or two and then send him in one door and we enter another. We watch him as he gets some instructions and then joins us in the lobby for the official placing of his missionary badge. As his mom I get the honor of placing it on him for the first time. The knots in my stomach temporarily untwist as I feel the sweet peace in knowing that he is now officially part of the greatest army on earth--the Lord's missionaries! I am so grateful and proud!
It's time to go into the chapel... we cannot stall any longer... hurry, one last picture. Again we are guided by cheery volunteers saying "Welcome Elder!" every few feet as we walk the long corridor to the chapel. We watch 30 or so minutes of "Mormon Ads" and fun facts about the amounts of milk and cereal consumed by the missionaries in the MTC each day. (Did you know it takes a 300 cow dairy to keep the missionaries in milk??!) Then President and Sister Smith enter and the meeting begins. My eyes are pooling with tears as we all sing "Called to Serve". I'm watching Josh as he intently listens to the talks. The lump in my throat is growing and I'm biting my lip to keep it from quivering... only a few more minutes to sit by my baby...my boy soon a man... We watch part of the video "Called to Serve". (It was made about 20 years ago and my parents and many of their New Hampshire missionaries are in it.) After the closing prayer... it's time. Slowly everyone stands up and deep breaths and sighs echo throughout the large room. But Josh is ready to get this over with quickly! Hugs, tears, kisses, smiles, and one more big, squeezy hug to last me for two years... And then he turns and walks toward the missionary exit. A few moments later he is gone....disappearing amongst the sea of short haircuts and dark suits.... Robotically we move toward the big yellow sign that says "Family Exit" and down the hallways lined with tissue-offering volunteers. Out into the fresh cold air I pause to look at those beautiful mountains and wonder if Josh will see them, too...
During the drive back this song is playing in my mind... "Dear Lord, who hears and answers prayers...please keep thy servant always in thy care...as he prepares to teach his fellow men...oh keep him safe and bring him home again....In the hollow of thy hand as he grows from boy to man let him know the special blessing of thy peace." (This was sung at Josh's "farewell".)
Well, the hardest part is over. My eyes will probably be puffy and red for a couple of days... can't think about the two years. I'm on pins and needles waiting for his first email to arrive... a Blackberry would sure come in handy! Honey, how 'bout it?
And you'd think by the third time I'd be a pro at this sending off a missionary stuff, but I'm already working on a package to send up all the "forgotten" items!
Monday, March 23, 2009
The Countdown is on...
The countdown is on as we are just hours from Josh being set apart as an official missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I've already had butterflies in my stomach for a few days now. It's because I've done this 2 times before, and I know how hard it is to say good-bye, and it doesn't get any easier! He is my last missionary (unless Katelyn decides to go--although most girls don't). I watched him last night as he said good-bye to his huge group of friends. Many of these young men and women look to Josh as their leader, an example of always doing the right thing, but also having fun along the way. And I'm pretty sure that is how his mission mantra will be... work hard...play hard (just on p-days of course).
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that I let him go. Sadness because I will miss him sooooo much... and joy because he will grow and learn more than I could ever teach him here at home. And so I wonder...did I love and nuture him enough? Did I sometimes hold him too tight because I wanted to shield him from the outside world? Now with great faith I have to cut those apron strings and launch him out the door...to new adventures... to the Georgia Macon Mission where the people will hopefully embrace and love him and want to listen to his message of the gospel.
It is with a mixture of sadness and joy that I let him go. Sadness because I will miss him sooooo much... and joy because he will grow and learn more than I could ever teach him here at home. And so I wonder...did I love and nuture him enough? Did I sometimes hold him too tight because I wanted to shield him from the outside world? Now with great faith I have to cut those apron strings and launch him out the door...to new adventures... to the Georgia Macon Mission where the people will hopefully embrace and love him and want to listen to his message of the gospel.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Josh turns 19 today....
My 3rd son turns 19 today. Without going into the details of his birth, he was a miracle in many ways. I'm so thankful for him and so grateful to be his mom. He has brought such joy to our lives. Here are 19 things about Josh that I love:
1. his big toothy smile/grin
2. his thick mop of hair
3. his little notes and lists that he makes to remind himself of stuff he needs to do (just like I do!)
4. his willingness to always make good choices even when it's hard
5. that he doesn't mind driving his old red Rodeo
6. his homemade (on the computer, of course) cards every Mothers' Day and Christmas
7. his thoughtful, tender prayers
8. his strong testimony and committment to serve a mission
9. that other moms tell me they don't worry about their son/daughter when they are with Josh
10. that I never had to wake him up for school or church or early morning (4am) volleyball practices
11. that he shows good sportsmanship and team spirit and always rallied his teammates whether they were winning or losing
12. that he shares his "crib" (slang for house) with his large circle of friends
13. his delicious sandwiches
14. his amazing videos and his keen eye for special effects (google "Josh Weathers Fast Sunday" and you will find his video on YouTube that he won Best Special Effects for at the Arizona LDS Institute's Academy Awards of Film Night)
15. the cool songs he writes and records
16. that he willingly took a few years of piano lessons (and continues to teach himself)
17. that he tells me dinner was delicious even if it wasn't!
18. his excellent guitar, drum, and harmonica playing... (Ask him to play Billy Joel's "Piano Man" with guitar, harmonica, and singing at the same time!)
19. And last, but not least....that he tells me he loves me every day!!
Wow...am I a lucky mom?! I love you, Josh! At this time next week we will be taking you to the MTC to start the next great adventure in your life.....
1. his big toothy smile/grin
2. his thick mop of hair
3. his little notes and lists that he makes to remind himself of stuff he needs to do (just like I do!)
4. his willingness to always make good choices even when it's hard
5. that he doesn't mind driving his old red Rodeo
6. his homemade (on the computer, of course) cards every Mothers' Day and Christmas
7. his thoughtful, tender prayers
8. his strong testimony and committment to serve a mission
9. that other moms tell me they don't worry about their son/daughter when they are with Josh
10. that I never had to wake him up for school or church or early morning (4am) volleyball practices
11. that he shows good sportsmanship and team spirit and always rallied his teammates whether they were winning or losing
12. that he shares his "crib" (slang for house) with his large circle of friends
13. his delicious sandwiches
14. his amazing videos and his keen eye for special effects (google "Josh Weathers Fast Sunday" and you will find his video on YouTube that he won Best Special Effects for at the Arizona LDS Institute's Academy Awards of Film Night)
15. the cool songs he writes and records
16. that he willingly took a few years of piano lessons (and continues to teach himself)
17. that he tells me dinner was delicious even if it wasn't!
18. his excellent guitar, drum, and harmonica playing... (Ask him to play Billy Joel's "Piano Man" with guitar, harmonica, and singing at the same time!)
19. And last, but not least....that he tells me he loves me every day!!
Wow...am I a lucky mom?! I love you, Josh! At this time next week we will be taking you to the MTC to start the next great adventure in your life.....
Monday, March 16, 2009
Seeds of Faith
"Faith is like a little seed...if planted it will grow..." (Song from the LDS Childrens' Songbook)
When we landscaped our yard a few years ago we left a nice plot for a garden. Other than a couple of tomato plants, we have never fully used that space. Well, we finally did it! Jon and I (Jon digging, me directing) spent the afternoon sowing seeds of cucumbers, peppers, squash, watermelon, corn, strawberries, and green onions. (We cheated with the tomatoes and bought 3 varieties already 2 feet tall at Costco the other day.) I admit I do not have a green thumb and don't like digging in the dirt (especially after I've just had my nails done)...couldn't find the garden gloves anywhere... But I have to say it felt good to be doing one of the things that our church leaders have always counseled us to do. We wished we'd saved a bigger plot for the garden because we actually had much more we wanted to plant. Of course in a couple of weeks we may be laughing about that if none of our little seeds germinate! Gotta have faith!
Lemony Fresh!
After several years of growing citrus trees we finally had a good crop this year. Lots of oranges, grapefruits, and lemons, but only one tangerine! (I don't know what happend there.) But I love those lemons!! I brought a handful in the other day and they made the house smell soooo wonderful. Mark noticed the minute he walked in the door and of course he was hoping it was lemon bars or lemon pie he was smelling.... So I jumped on the computer and surfed all my favorite recipe sites for a new lemon recipe. After an hour I had printed out dozens of them and finally decided on a lemon sour cream cake. It was dense, moist, and had lots of lemon zest in it. Today I picked some more and the kitchen is overflowing with lemons...mmmm... maybe my neighbors would like a few. And then I had this brilliant idea... I wonder if putting a lemon in each bathroom would make it smell lemony fresh without having to clean it? It always makes my garbage disposal smell better, so why not? I peeled one a little bit and left it in the bathroom and when I came back later it smelled really good. My housecleaning tip for the day? Company coming and no time to clean the bathroom?? Just hide a couple of lemons in the medicine cabinet or linen closet and bam! Lemony fresh and clean!
Monday, March 9, 2009
A "Doggone" Adventure
Our beloved dog Sandy (golden retriever/lab/collie mix) decided she wanted to go on a run by herself on Friday. She is usually very good about not sneaking out an open door. But I knew something was up when I saw Josh running down our street yelling to get the leash! Sandy high-tailed (pun intended) it around the corner and down to the Riparian. Now this is a 100 acre water preserve park with lots of trails and wildlife, including burrowing owls and lots of rabbits....Sandy loves to chase them and...oh how can I put this gently??...grab them with her jaws and teeth...eeewww....She really is a kind and gentle dog and has NEVER bitten or even tried to bite anyone...but those darn rabbits just bug her. Okay...so back to the story....Josh called me on his cell phone and said she had gone in the entrance of the preserve...when he finally found her she would watch him out of the corner of her eye and when he got within about 50 feet she would take off running again....So, Jon and Katelyn jumped in the truck with the leash and a treat and headed to the preserve to help. Of course I was frantically pacing the floor like any worried mother when a child is missing. They finally retrieved her, put her in the truck and drove home. Too bad dogs can't show more expression or talk because I think I saw a little smug look on her face and she was probably thinking "ha ha...those silly humans... I showed them....if they don't want to walk me every day I'll just go by myself!"
Friday, March 6, 2009
Sawdust Everywhere
I've always heard that remodeling is worse than starting from scratch. Well, we built our home 8 years ago and it needs a little updating. So now we are doing a little minor remodeling and I'mthinking I'd rather be starting from scratch! The problem is it's the master bathroom area and I happen to spend a lot of time in there! Even with the shop vac at full force the dust has a mind of its own and it floats and lands on everything in the garage as well as everything in the bathroom area including my makeup, our clothes, on the tp, all over the mirrors....you get the picture. And we've only just begun....the shower is next....thank goodness we have 4 other bathrooms we can use!
I shouldn't complain because the labor is free... my son Jon is a woodworking wonder! He built us a TV entertainment center with bookcases when he was just barely 17! He recently returned from a 2-year mission for our church and he couldn't wait to get out his tools again. I'm so thrilled he's home...and not just because he's finally getting my to do list done!!
I shouldn't complain because the labor is free... my son Jon is a woodworking wonder! He built us a TV entertainment center with bookcases when he was just barely 17! He recently returned from a 2-year mission for our church and he couldn't wait to get out his tools again. I'm so thrilled he's home...and not just because he's finally getting my to do list done!!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Beginnings
I've been thinking about writing in a blog for at least a year now... I mean it's the hip thing all the young moms are doing now, right? But hey, us moms over 40 are fab, too...so why not?? And maybe besides adding wrinkles and cellulite we've gained some wisdom to share with the younger generation. (Ha!) I often sneak a peak at some of their blogs and say to myself "how do they have time to write in a blog"? And then I remember back to those quiet moments of babies napping and much earlier bedtimes.... when I used to pull out the old Singer sewing machine to sew a new outfit or a floral chintz pillow (circa early 1990's... and does anyone sew anymore?) ... And, yes, even I faithfully took out my journal and painstakingly wrote about every precious moment of my childrens' early years...Well, okay....I confess....the first child I was very consistant....the second...pretty consistant....the third...occasionally consistant...sorry #3 child....I'll get to finishing your baby book someday! And the fourth child? Well, she was a foster child that started living with us when she was 7 and we have now adopted her. (more on that in a later post....) Even though we missed those early years we're making up for lost time with new memories!
So here's to new beginnings....a fresh new blog-journal of random thoughts about life and being a mom to a tweener (I think that's the new word for pre-teen but it's not in the dictionary yet) and three emerging young adults. Where did the years go??
So here's to new beginnings....a fresh new blog-journal of random thoughts about life and being a mom to a tweener (I think that's the new word for pre-teen but it's not in the dictionary yet) and three emerging young adults. Where did the years go??
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