Ahvurt Yor Ize at tha Prapah Mow-ment...

We have a situation in our house.
It's actually, I think, unique to our family.
Once I tell you, you'll probably agree.
Shopping, sometimes, we happen to walk by

the lingerie department at say,

Target or Walmart or JCPenney or Kohls.

The Boofus can't handle it.

He covers his eyes and looks the other way when

we just walk by or thru the aforementioned-aisle.

He blushes, walks faster, until it's safe.

Every time.

He is the most modest boy you've ever seen--even on TV,

those Victoria's Secret Commercials are painful.

He doesn't say a word. He just closes his eyes until he hears it's over.

It seems I've got a "gentleman" on my hands.

gentleman
n.
A courteous and honorable man.

~~~~~~

*title: Avert your eyes at the proper moment

What Does Sisterly Love Look Like?

Dani. All of 17 years old. Dressed for Prom. She wasn't going with a date--in fact, she was a Chaperone for Dean and his date. She drove him to pick his date up and sat with them at Prom.

We didn't even know Dean was going to Prom until the young lady's father called us 2 days before and asked us if we knew they were going together. Um no, we didn't! Dean and his friend, J. were in the same SRR class (special resource room) in school, and apparently J. asked him to take her. Dean, being the affable, agreeable young man he is, said "sure." And left it at that.
I haveta admit, I was so glad he would get the chance to go to Prom. So I called a tux shop and spoke to the manager ahead of time and told him the situation: that Dean and I would be arriving together, but that I wanted this to be Dean's personal experience, not mine and his together. And he would need alot of help and also what the budget for this would be. The manager was great and said he'd be ready.
SO when we got to the Tux shop & introduced ourselves, I stepped back and watched as this awesome manager gave perfect direction to Dean as they put together a very handsome tux.
Then, Dani--who had no intention of going to Prom--showed an enormous amount of maturity, and became a willing chauffer/chaperone. She sat with them when they sat, she visited friends while Dean and J. danced, and she drove the date home when it was over. She could have protested about how embarrassing it might be. But that's not her. She gave Dean something he couldn't give himself: a real date to Prom.
Dean will not go to college, learn to drive, get married, have a family or a career. His purposes on this earth are different than ours. But what he can do, we encourage and cheer along!
What does sisterly love look like? Saying "yes" when she could've said "no".

Guest Post

I was invited to share a post with a newer blog Experiencing Motherhood. Here's the link.
http://experiencingmotherhood.com/choose-your-love-and-love-your-choice/

I wasn't sure which post they were going to use... but found it flattering they'd consider anything I have written worthwhile to post on their blog. So thanks to Tabitha at Experiencing Motherhood for the pat on the back!

~Momza

Weekend Whatevers

Well, it's late Sunday night. My good friend, "Insomnia" is visiting again. It's kinda like fish and company--both start to stink after 3 days. I'm so over this late night stuff.
Because of the Blizzard on Thursday, we had an exceptionally long weekend. Actually, it was nice.
Friday the littlest yahoos played in the snow...and the same for Saturday. I didn't take pictures, but we did get a good amount of snow that is mostly melted now. Good ol Colorado Springs.
We did have to postpone The Caboose's baptism though...Nana & Taylow were stuck in Idaho --(I use that term lightly b/c they were having a blast thanks to Mr. Idaho's family who entertained them with pillow fights and movies--and a certain young spud who holds Nana's attention.) Anywho--they couldn't travel in the storm, so we delayed the baptism. We're aiming for the 11th.

Saturday the Newlyweds came down for the day. They did some laundry, ate some of my pork and green chilis tortillas, and had a snowball fight that ended badly for Dani when the Boofus lampooned a snowball in her eye. She works for an optometrist and saw the Dr this morning, who gave her some meds and an eye-patch--(I've asked her to take pics for us, but I don't think that'll happen) and said she'll be fine tomorrow. Of course, the Boofus didn't mean to blind his sister, and I think he'll try to control his bionics in the future.

We didn't get to church this morning because we were up all night with Boofus and his nasty cough that is back! The cold air hit his lungs and has inflamed them again. Same for the Caboose, but she's at least slept all night. Not so with Boof-dog--I was up until 3:30am with him by myself, then Mr W got up and took over. So I went and slept in Boof's bed until 8am, then went and got in Nana's bed int he basement (quieter and darker) so I could catch up on some sleep.
This sickness is getting old. The kids' seemed themselves and over the illness that has held them bound for so many weeks--and then we had to let him have a snowday. ugh.

The best part of my weekend? Two things, no Three things: Nana and Taylow are home safe.
The sweetest missionaries ever dropped by tonight with a wonderful devotional for us. And I can't say what the last one is...I've been sworn to secrecy. Which is incredibly hard for me.
I am not a good secret-keeper. But this will eventually come out so I am gonna do my best to keep my lips zipped. My pie hole closed. It's good though and that's all I'm allowed to say.
Interested parties will have to wait. But if you wanna guess, go ahead.

I Would Die For That

A very touching song/video about motherhood and the tender feelings women experience regarding their innate calling.
It reminds me of a couple of things:
1- To not take having a quiverfull for granted. (So I hugged my babies a little tighter tonight.)
2- To have more compassion for empty arms.

"Children are an heritage of the Lord"

A GIFT--For YOU!

Thanks to Sadie, I am doing this too. Since I know she is an awesome crafty gal, I couldn't resist. The first three people to respond to this post will get something made by me! My choice. For you.

This offer does have some restrictions and limitations:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make!

2. What I create will be just for you.

3. It'll be done this next month.

4. You have no clue what it's going to be. It may be a story. It may be poetry or something sewn.

I may draw or paint something. I may bake something and mail it to you. Who knows? Not you, that's for sure!

5.The catch? Oh, the catch is that you must re-post this on your blog and offer the same to the first 3 people who do the same on your blog. The first 3 people to do so and leave a comment telling me they did win a FAB-U-LOUS homemade gift by me! I do promise fabulosity here folks...

Hurry and sign up before your brain is sucked out!

Choose Your Love and Love Your Choice

We've all heard it over and over again..."the choice is Yours"...

I'm a big believer in "owning" your life. I have a sign in my kitchen that says

~~"THOU SHALT NOT WHINE"~~

And I mean it. I can't bear whining. Physically and mentally, it wears on me. Life IS all about choices--if you don't like the direction you're headed, you certainly won't like the final destination! Own your life. I tell my kids that all the time. You can't plan a trip for London and not pack a raincoat or an umbrella. Likewise, if you wanna end up in Hawaii, leave your winter coat behind! Extra baggage is just that--Extra. It gets non-sensically heavy and is best left behind. As in, In the Past. Also, Preparation is essential.

Sometimes, being a wife and mother is messy. And inconveniant. Sometimes it's a hair-raising, tongue-biting, eye-popping, tear-jerking experience. When David Scott was a missionary in Canada, I got a letter from him that was better than winning the lottery! He wrote, "Thanks Mom, for not killing me in my sleep when I know I deserved it." Yeah, he did. What a payback for him to realize his part in our relationship. That's another phrase I use ALOT: "DO YOUR PART"....do your part...do your part. Whatever you're involved in--a cause, a career, a marriage, a relationship, schooling, faith...whatever your life entails, if you want to have a positive expereince YOU GOTTA DO YOUR PART. It's sweeter that way too. Noone is gonna hand you a perfect life. Life is a Do-It-Yourself Project. Owning your life means recognizing that A) You're not perfect and mistakes will be made. B) When a mistake is made, there are 4 steps you need to do to get past it: first: Own it. If needs be, openly confess your mistake. second, Apologize. Admiting your imperfections is actually freeing. thirdly, make amends the best you can. Fourth: Learn from it, forsake it, and move forward.

For example, when my kids have hurt one another, they know that part of the "I'm sorry" they offer to the offended party needs to include, "I will never do that again." And they need to mean it. Cuz if the behavior continues, then they lose their credibility. This process is also called "repentance"--some people think it's only a religious practice--to be repentant--but it's not. It's for all of us to learn to be better, to learn to keep our word and master ourselves. We all know people who have hurt others, maybe even ourselves, repeatedly--and the words "I'm sorry" just doesn't cut it after awhile. They've lost their credibility with us. Trust is lost. But if they are careful to not repeat the offense, whatever it is, then trust is restored. It is my experience that we all want to trust those we love implicitly and most of us are quick to change when given the chance.

You know, if someone hurts my feelings and apologizes, I am quick to forgive. That's just as important. Forgiveness. It's been said that "holding a grudge is like drinking poison and hoping the other person dies." Forgiveness is freeing too. I have found that the older I get, the more Mercy I need, the easier it is to give mercy too. Owning My Life leaves no room for blame. If I don't like how things are going, there's no reason I can't say, "Oops, that's not working for me, something needs to change." And just for the record, apologizing to my kids doesn't work against me...it binds me to them closer. They know I'm human and just trying my best.

If I were Queen...actually it has been my experience that a Mother is the Heart of the Home. Those little sayings " If Momma ain't happy, Nobody's happy" "Happy Wife, Happy Life" "A mother is only as happy as her saddest child"~~~ all of those are true. My mood is reflected in my family's mood and behavior. What an incredible responsibility. Somedays it is overwhelming. I'm just a person. I haven't got everything figured out. All I know is that I want to be happy. And the things that make me happy most are when my family is happy, productive, respectful of themselves and others, and show appreciation in the little things. My family is my life's work, no matter what else I may devote time and talent to, my legacy will be how my family shows Love.
In my teenager's room hangs a poster that she and I made together, it says "Happiness is a Choice". And it is. Part of being Queen is to show my kids how to be happy. In fact, I would dare say, that is the secret to life...to learn to live happily. Because really, don't we all want happy endings?

*Originally posted on 1/3/09

Donny Osmonds Sings My Life!

A New Game in Town!

You pick ONE band or artist, and answer the questions using ONLY song titles.

1. Are you a male or female: Hey Girl
2. Describe yourself: Sweet and Innocent
3. How do you feel about yourself: Down By the Lazy River
4. Describe your ex boyfriend/girlfriend: Puppy Love
5. Describe your current boy/girl situation: The Twelfth of Never
6. Describe your current location: Morning Side of the Mountain
7. Describe where you want to be: The Promised Land
8. Your best friend is: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
9. Your favorite color is: Deep Purple
10. You know that: All I have to do is Dream
11. What's the weather like: Chilly Winds
12. If your life was a television show what would it be called?: Let My People Go
13. What is life to you: Life Is Just What You Make It
14. What is the best advice you have to give: One Bad Apple
15. If you could change your name what would you change it to: Donna


Okay, so come back and let me know if you do on your blog!

Blizzard: its not just at Dairy Queen

Local weather forecastColorado Springs, CO
Local forecast
Current conditions (as of 6:54 AM)
Today's forecast
Blizzard warning
Clear28°F
Feels like: 23°F
Dewpoint:25°
Humidity:86%
Visibility:10 miles
Wind:5 mph ESE
Sunrise:6:52 AM
Sunset:7:17 PM
Observed at Colorado Springs, City Of Colorado Springs Municipal Airport.All times shown are local to Colorado Springs.
TodayHi:29° Lo:11°
Snow 9 AM 34°
Snow Noon 32°
Snow 6 PM 23°
Snow until it stops snowing.

SPRING BREAK : Weekend Wahoos: Talking in Church

Saturday was busy as usual. My married daughter came down again. She's been married just over a month, and still comes home on weekends. I didn't expect that, but it's nice that she is happier everytime I see her! Mr. Idaho is usually AWAY with his school's wrestling team, so she comes down and does laundry and hangs out. Mr. Wonderful is not so crazy about the laundry part, but that's another story.
Anywho, the evening was busy getting for our family presentation in Church yesterday. Two weeks ago we were asked to speak on the topic of Family Home Evening. Mr. Wonderful, myself, Nana, Daisie, and we included Taylow, so she could bear her testimony for the first time.

Let me say first, my girls were super...they said all kinds of nice things about our family--I let the congregation know that my girls will be getting a large sum of money for all the niceties.
Taylow's testimony was, for me, the highlight. She has grown so much, even over the last week.
She and Nana are reading the scriptures every morning and night together. They both got limited-use recommends yesterday and are headed to the Denver Temple this next weekend.
There are no words for how happy I am for them.
Mr. Wonderful is not a public speaker. He'd rather have his eyes poked out than stand up and talk in Church. Business meetings are no problem. Church however, makes him sweat.
In talking to Taylow about it last week, he said: "There are 4 stages in giving a talk in Church.
The first is the phone call. You have to say yes even when you want to say no. The second stage is DENIAL: Surely they don't mean You. You've got nothing to say! The third is ANGER: WHY? Why are they making me do this?! And then there's four...you know what that is, right?
At this point, I say, " Resignation? ACCEPTANCE? OBEDIENCE?" He shakes his head, "No, Death."

So here's a few things I shared in my talk:
In the Pre- Existence, we lived with our Heavenly Father, as His Sons and Daughters. We belong in the Family of God. I imagine we were very happy there, but given the choice, we left our Heavenly home to come to Earth to be tried and tested and within the Law of Free Agency, do our best to live the commandments so we can become like our Father in Heaven, and return to Him.
We believe in Eternal Families.
So we’re here. We’ve come to this Earth into a Family. Then we meet Miss Right or Mr. Wonderful. And off we go to make our own family.

As a Doula, I first meet with couples, and let them know who I am there to support. I am not there solely for the Mother-- but also for the Father. While she is in Labor, I know it is HIS voice she wants in her ear, it is HIS touch she responds best to, and it is HIS eyes she looks to for truth and encouragement. I am there to coach him as he encourages her.

When a baby comes into this world, Angels seem to accompany that sweet new Spirit. I know this because everyone who is in the room is filled with Love. There are smiles on their faces—NEW kinds of smiles—ones you’ve never seen before on her face and his. It is heavenly.
And a Family is born. This creation of a Family is Divine. It is the sustaining and growth of a family, that will help us become more like our Heavenly Father. The Sacrifice that comes from being a purposeful Parent refines us in ways nothing else can.

We’ve been counseled to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study & instruction, and wholesome family activities.

Because of the span of years between our children, we have gone through different phases of learning and teaching a couple of times each.
There were years, when all our FHE’s were missing was a WWF Announcer: “Let’s get ready to RUMMMMMMMBLE!”

At this stage, right now, we’re all at home most nights. Our family plays games weekly, the girls love to bake, and we ARE our Best Friends. The youngest kids are now in school and so the lessons can be taught with more detail and fullness.

So what does a Purposeful Family Home Evening look like?
Well I asked around and these are two of the responses I got:
“Does Monday night football count?”

Well, if you begin with a prayer, then a song, and end with a song and a prayer with a treat and a good fight in the middle, maybe.

Another offered: “Our home evenings last about an hour and a half. We have an opening song, a prayer, a lesson, a game, a closing song and prayer and a treat afterwards.”

Which one is the ideal model? You decide.

But there are guidelines about WHAT FAMILY HOME EVENINGS ARE NOT:


In the FHE Res. Book we are counseled in the article: Avoid Putting Children in Corners”:
“Even the tamest small animal will fight to preserve its life if it is backed into a corner. No family can hope for successful home evenings if the children feel threatened or pushed into a corner. Some parents, in trying to teach their family, sometimes use family home evenings to talk about personal problems of individual family members, thus embarrassing them and forcing them into corners. As a result, instead of confiding in their family and resolving problems, a child may withdraw, become angry, and possibly fear future home evenings. As parents, you should tactfully direct home evenings toward the solution of problems that affect the whole family, but never tear down or criticize individuals.
Home evenings must not become a time to check or report on whether children’s bedrooms are clean, toys are picked up, or chores are completed. Neither is it a time to determine whether one has really earned his allowance, or has been good enough to go out on a date the coming weekend. Wise parents will plan each home evening to avoid these personal conflicts. Family problems should be discussed, but not those that single out one family member, embarrassing him and pushing him into a corner. Corners are not comfortable!”
After reading that article, I realized that I have been guilty of that behavior.
There have been times when my teens were reluctant to come to home evening—no wonder. I have committed about every single offense listed.
Why was this counsel tucked away in a book? I want it on the COVER of the FHE Book or better, plastered on the living room wall.



When I was young mother, I resented having to be the one who was IN Charge of FHE . No fun.
Then, I grew up, and realized, FHE makes me happy. I want my family to like FHE and being together, so if I’m the one who plans it, no big deal.

We are in a day and age where the world is no longer subtle about its’ corrupt values. The collective evil messages are ringing in our children’s ears. The messengers not ashamed, nor do they hide in dark places anymore, they are out in the light, defying judgment.
We cannot underestimate the power of the Adversary. We cannot afford to.
BUT, We have, within our power, Divine rights as parents to call upon the Lord for help and protection of our family.
It is in the Home where we find Peace, Acceptance and Encouragement.


At a birth I recently attended, I was holding onto the new baby’s fingers while he was being examined—his parents eyes were fixed on the baby—he was beautiful—I said to them, ”This-This right here—is why you won’t sell him to the circus when he wrecks your car.”

My greatest legacy will be my children. Nothing else even compares to them. We are partners with our Heavenly Father as we bring His Spirit children to this earth to gain a body, and teach them all that we can to lead them back to our Heavenly Father. And because we are partners with God, He gives us the strength, courage and all that is necessary to do our part, including Prophets who have counseled us in these latter-day to hold on to our children. TO lead by example and by LOVE, and to hold family prayers and family home evenings.
To pull them in closer when they are the least lovable and need it most. And may I add, it is part of His Plan that tho we may do all we can, and still suffer from the choices our children may make-- exercising their free-agency--, that we can trust in His Redeeming power and love. He is not the Great Preventer, but the Great Redeemer. We are only asked to do our Part.

So what does a Purposeful Family Home Evening look like?
Perhaps a more important question is: “What does a it FEEL like?”

May we so live that our children will FEEL the love of the Savior in our homes and choose to Follow Him because we have led the way To Him.
****
Ta Da.

*this was originally posted 1/26/09 Since it is Spring Break...I'm taking a couple of days off to spend with my kiddos sans blogging. I felt impressed to re-post this...so whomever this is for, here you go. MWAH! I hope you got what you needed.~ Momza

So, we're good for about another 4 years I suspect before we're asked to speak again. Well, after next week. Then, I think, we're done. Mr. Wonderful slept like a baby last night after, what he called "a near-death-experience" (speaking in church). All is well.

from the headlines: More People Growing their own vegetables to save money!

On my Qwest newsline:

BOISE -- Employees at lawn and garden stores say they are seeing more people come in to learn how to grow their own vegetables.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29863769/

My first thought. Wow. That's on the news.
2nd thought: Boise. Boise = humongous quantities of LDS. (nodding head.)
3rd thought: I want one. I better get busy planting seeds to transplant outside when the weather's right.
My last thought? John Denver's Charming song: Home Grown Tomatoes!(it starts a little slow, but the mater shots are worth it!


p.s. The weird-lookin'guy at the end was a bonus! You gotta watch the whole thing!

Broken Things

From Jeffery R. Holland's Talk "Broken Things to Mend":

"The first words Jesus spoke in His majestic Sermon on the Mount were to the troubled, the discouraged and downhearted. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” He said, “for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Whether you are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or among the tens of thousands listening this morning who are not of our faith, I speak to those who are facing personal trials and family struggles, those who endure conflicts fought in the lonely foxholes of the heart, those trying to hold back floodwaters of despair that sometimes wash over us like a tsunami of the soul. I wish to speak particularly to you who feel your lives are broken, seemingly beyond repair.

To all such I offer the surest and sweetest remedy that I know. It is found in the clarion call the Savior of the world Himself gave. He said it in the beginning of His ministry, and He said it in the end. He said it to believers, and He said it to those who were not so sure. He said to everyone, whatever their personal problems might be:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

~~~~~~~~~
At my age, one cannot get to be nearly 50 years old and not had occasion to bring a broken-something to the Lord. I have had many a "broken heart and a contrite spirit" to bring to Him:

~When I was just 23 years old, and He sent me a son with brain damage. I turned to Him like I had never done before. I became acquainted with Him, learning to trust in His love for me and my son, even in our broken-ness.

~When I was 36 and found myself a single mother of 5 children... I turned again to Him, as Abraham Lincoln said, "I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go." Altho I could not see the road ahead, He did. Even when I lost my way for a time, He did not let go of my broken heart. He restored it 100-fold.

~When I was 45 and my husband was unemployed for an entire year...I could hear my truest Friend's soothing voice, "Just Wait." "Be Patient." And I had peace in the midst of the storm.

It's true. Our Savior Jesus Christ, is the Redeemer, just as He said. And He can fix broken things when we cannot.

I Twitter...Now What?

So I joined Twitter. Because there seems to be a connection between blogging and twittering, and I don't wanna miss out on anything that looks better than bedmaking and toilet-scrubbing, so I joined.
But Twittering? I tried it, and it felt like I was talking to my cryptic-speaking teenagers. Very unsatisfying. Making a limited word statement into nothingness? is fun? What am I missing? I can't bring myself to go back to my twittering account because what I have to say is more than 2 sentences. I'm old. I can't censor myself like that. I can't relate to people in 30 characters or less. I'm better at bedmaking. Not so much the toilet tho. Twitter-ing may still beat that one.

What's wrong with me?AmIdoomedtobeaSilent-Twitterer?Truthis,Idon'thavefunnycleverthings tosayinablip.I'mmoreofaRamblerthanaTwitter,don'tyouthink? (how many characters is that?)

Before You Put That "For Sale" Sign in Your Yard...

Stage Your Home First!

The Selling Season is fast Approaching! Now is the time to get your home ready for the home market. Being proactive about preparing your home will pay off! I've Home Staged two of our homes and they sold within weeks. One sold in 13 days--to the first family that looked at it--in a market that had 11 months' worth of homes in my immediate area!

The key is to present your home at its' very best on the first day it's on the Market. I cannot tell you how many times I am called in to stage a home that's been on the market for 3 or more months---as a "last resort"! Home Staging should be the first thing you arrange before putting that sign in the yard and the house on the MLS.

You don't have to spend alot of money to show your home at it's best. Most energy is expended in good 'ol elbow grease! Clean Your House. Top to Bottom. Every nook and cranny. From the curbside to the back fence. Most homeowners have more than enough stuff--truthfully, we own too much stuff--so now is the time to get ready to move!

Pack away all the stuff that is filling your closets, your bookcases, your cabinets and drawers and crammed in your garage. Sort thru it--you don't wanna take unwanted items with you to your next home, do you? Get rid of it--have a garage sale! That way you can make money off the old stuff to buy the new items you will want to customize your new home.

The biggest obstacle I face as a Home Stager with the homeowner is Sentimentality. I encourage them to prepare their home for a new family. Selling a home is an emotional experience for some--especially if they've lived in the home for a long time or if it is their first home. So, disconnecting yourself is essential to staging your home to perfection. Start thinking of your home as a Product you want to sell...pack away your memories (you're taking them all with you!) and show prospective buyers how much you really loved your home by showcasing it at it's best!

I'll start a short Home Staging Tips blog once a week, now thru the summer, with ideas on how to stage your home to sell and answering questions if you have any. Staging Works!

We Believe...

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
~Articles of Faith, #4.

IN Primary today, the lesson was "Baptism"...since I teach the children who are turning 8 this year, the "age of accountability" in the LDS faith, this is an important lesson. We discussed why we are baptized (it is a commandment), who can baptize us (someone who has the proper preisthood authority), how we are baptized (by full immersion), and when we are baptized (when prepared, around 8 yrs old)...then we discussed the example set by our Savior, Jesus Christ...when he came to John the Baptist as he stood in the Jordan river and together, they fulfilled a prophecy, which we can read about in Matthew 3.

I got a little emotional teaching today. For 7-going-on-8 year olds, it cant' be a long drawn-out lesson. The most important thing I can do is to make the setting fit for the Holy Ghost to attend and touch their little hearts.
I shared my story of joining the Church at age 16. (another blog for another time)..then we talked about The Caboose. She is also a student in my class, but she wasn't there today cuz she puked her breakfast up this morning, just as we were leaving for Church. We all still went, but she slept in my lap during Sacrament meeting (70+ mins.), and woke just as it ended. Her face was all flushed and red--she said she didn't feel good--it was easy to see she wasn't. Mr Wonderful said he'd take her home and bring her back after the rest of our meeting were over in 2 hours. She was hesitant to go--today she had a special meeting with our Bishop Rogers. Her Baptismal Interveiw. She wants to get baptized next Saturday and that meeting was important.
When Mr W offerred to bring her back in time for her special meeting, she agreed to go home.

Now, that may not be a big deal to you, but it was to me. It showed me that my little Sweetheart knows that being baptized is something worth sacrificing for--even if she doesn't feel great, she doesn't want to miss out on her chance to take her place in her Heavenly Father's kingdom. Not if she can help it.

In our faith, there is a cultural tradition known as Three White Dresses, which is directed at our young women...the first dress is her blessing dress --sometimes it is an heirloom, sometimes handmade, but always it is beautiful and white. The Second dress is a Baptism dress...she isn't baptized in it, but wears it afterwards to signify that she has been baptized and of course, the colorless white reflects her purity. The Third dress is her Temple Wedding dress...because when we are in the Temple, we all wear White. Not Ivory or cream or whatever fashionable color is the trend--no, just White. White is a symbol of Virtue and Purity, but it is also the symbol of Victory.
The Caboose will be wearing Dress Two on Saturday.

Enjoy this video... oh, and grab a tissue.

More Moments of Mayhem!

So as some of you know I am the mother of a special needs child, Deano. The soft-spot in my heart.

He was born with cerebral palsy. He's gonna be 24 this summer. He is one of the funniest people you might ever meet. No kiddin'.


I'm just gonna see how many wild "Dean stories"I can remember:

*13 yo--Driving our neighbor's Winnebago: As I recall, Nana and Dean were down at Hill's playing in their winnebago while Lisa, Hill's Mom and her cousin (?) were cleaning it out? Then, Dean got up in the driver's seat, put the car into neutral and drove it down their driveway, luckily, a neighbor saw what was happening, and jumped into the moving vehicle and stopped it. Dean thought it was amazing, while it freaked Hillary and Nana out. He came in and told me knew how to drive!

*13 yo--Dean Driving the car through the garage. That was the ugly brown car. I believe he put it into reverse and pushed the gas pedal? or was it parked outside and he put it in DRIVE. Thru the garage door. I forgot to hide the keys.

* 13 yo--Dean backing the white Lumina van out of the drveway--cuz he was ready to go to CHURCH, darn it!
The first time we realized he'd been paying attention to which keys unlocked the car, and a different key started it.

*14 yo Walmart: Orange Hunting Jacket, hat, face mask and overalls. Dani & I were standing in line, and I had just said, "someone needs to go get Dean."--then we looked down the aisle and saw him coming towards us! Arms waving and excited to show us his new duds.He was brilliant in Neon Orange! We lost it--I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe! Dani went and helped him change and put everything back in the sporting goods section. We often wonder why noone in the Sports Dept. stopped him?

*15 yo--I was taking an nap after the birth of the Caboose. School was out, the kids were all home when I hear a fire truck and ambulance come blaring into our cul-de-sac. Then, as I am getting up to see what's going on, the doorbell rings. I rush to the door, and the EMT guy says, "We got a distress call from this address." "What? No, there's nothing going on here.", I say. Then the guy says, "It was an indistinguishable voice, but we could hear the word:"help". "Oh! "DEAN!" I yell...just about that time, Dean comes walking up from his room in the basement. He said, "FINALLY! I need Help! My closet light is broken." They had talked about calling 911 in school that day whenever you need help. We took the phone out of his room (he shared with his older brother) that day.


12 yo--* Running in the Special Olympics track and feild at ASU.. he stopped running and waited for another athlete who had fallen, to get back up to finish the race.


11 yo--* Microwaving an entire block of cheese. Truly. The entire block. On High.

8-16 yo--*Pizza in the VCR

11 yo--* Roast Beef and toothpaste sandwich! When he was like 12 yrs old, he got up earlier than the rest of us one morning, found leftovers from the night before and made himself a roastbeef and toothpaste sandwich. I found it on the counter with one bite taken out of it. Apparently, the idea was better than the reality.

And so much much more...I told you, it's never boring around here. You can't make this stuff up.

Temple Blessings

Yesterday, Diana and Taylow went to the Salt Lake Temple with limited recommends.

It was Taylow's first time to enter The House of the Lord. I asked her what her favorite part was--she said, "It was kinda intimidating, ya know? It's so beautiful. And the doors open, and they ask you to remove your shoes. And the baptism font was so different--so beautiful. I can't wait to go again."

Just like Elder Nelson says, the Temple is for everyone who is prepared to enter. Taylow has been prepared and her experience there was nothing she expected but better than she could've imagined.

Mr W and I served in the Denver Temple for 2 years, as he served as a Baptistry Supervisor.

What a sweet calling. The Temple is sacred and going there to serve made us better people. Blessed our family in ways I can only describe as miraculous. I love to see the Temple.

What? That Never Happened To You? Serious?

While I would like to evoke an image of sophistication and propriety, what I'm about to share with any interested parties will shatter that image to smithereens.

One Sunday afternoon, after church, there's a knock on the door. My then-4-year-old son runs to the door.
"No!" I say, "don't open--"
Too late. There stood the missionaries. Door wide open. Straight shot to my bedroom.
Me, standing in my slip.
I pushed my bedroom door closed. Got dressed and came out.
"Dontcha love kids?" I offer, cheeks burning.

***********

Sunday. Fast & Testimony Meeting. I'm at the podium. I see one of my wiggly kids break free from Dad and rush the podium stage. Dad grabs him, tosses him over his shoulder, heading for the foyer.
Atop his dad's shoulders, he yells: " HEP ME BISSOP!"

***********

Another Sunday. Another Fast & Testimony Meeting. Again, I'm attempting to bear my testimony. Different wiggly kid breaks free from Dad and rushes the podium. I watch in horror as I see my 3 yo play chase with Bishop and 2nd counsellor.

************

1988-Sunday. Church. Sacrament. 5 yo son exhales loudly and says for all to hear: "Can we go home now? THIS is SO BORING."

***********
2004-Sunday. Church. Sacrament. Different 5 yo son, exhales loudly and says for all to hear: "Can we go home now? THIS is SO Boring."

**********

High School. I'm a Senior. After the Homecoming Parade, I had to change out of a huge antebellum "Southern Belle" dress in one of the school's bathrooms. It was around 5pm...I'd changed into the dress in a particular stall before the parade and left my clothes there. My bff at the time, Melanie, stood outside the door where I handed her the humongous dress--and off she went to the parking lot to wait for me. She no sooner left than I discovered that my clothes were gone. Stolen.
I stood in the bathroom for a few panicked moments. What were my options? First, I yelled for Melanie. Too late, she was long gone. Hmmm. I peeked down the hall. I was in C hall...my locker, that had a coat in it, was in F hall...could I run to my locker, open it, and get my coat on without being seen in just my bra and panties?

Yes. Yes I could.

***************

Nine Years Old. Florida. My cousins decided we would all make our own bikini tops with lava lava's before heading to the beach. My top consisted of two tiny triangles of fabric, handsewn with little strips of fabric holding it all together and onto my skinny stick-figure body.
We're walking down the street, when two older boys on 10-speeds ride toward us. One of them is smiling at me...in my 9 yo head, I'm thinkin', "wow, he must think I'm cute!" So I nudge my cousin, who takes one look at me and screams, "Where's your top??!!"
It blew right off my body without a hint. Never did find it.

*****************

C'mon stuff like this happens to you, right?

That Long NIght...random thoughts

It's past midnight. I'm awake. What's up with that? I mean, really--WHAT IS UP WITH THAT?

I'm sleepy. I want to sleep. I need sleep.

I went to bed early. Even fell asleep. Then, Daisie comes in around 10:15pm from babysitting, and here I am, three hours later. Mr W is snoring. Loud. This is not cool. I'm gonna have to get those breathe right strips for us...well, he'll wear it and I won't have to listen to his snoring. Sometimes, his snoring is so weird-sounding, I start giggling and then he starts giggling--cuz he wakes himself up!

randomness #1: I can hear the Boofus is yammering in his sleep. He's dreaming about Legos. I am not kidding. He's saying, "Dude, these are all mine. These are all mine. You have the [blah blah blah] ones..." The other morning I was complimenting him on his newest Lego creation..."someday, you might work for an important company doing amazing things." "Yeah, I think I will work for Legos." Hmm. Well, maybe he will. I was thinking like an architect or a civil engineer...but yeah, people work for Lego too, right? I've just never met anyone in my life that works for Lego. But you know, the Boof-dog would love it, and you should always do something you love.

randomness#2: The girls made it to Utah. They haven't called me from Lea's house. I don't have Lea's number.
They last called when they were 5 minutes from her house...so the chances that they are lying on the side of the road or in a hospital are pretty slim. Besides, Lea woulda called me by now.
Okay I feel better about that.
Diana is awaiting her Nanny assignment--the Director said she will know the details about where she'll be placed by May. I'm excited for her to have a great adventure on the East Coast. It's with LDS Nannies, I'm pretty sure. Definitely an LDS nanny company though--they even require a Bishop's recommendation letter.

randomness #3: What else? Oh we had Nan's daughter's Bridal Shower tonight. We used the ABC theme. There were some fun gift ideas and lotsa good food--as is always the case when it comes to any thing that Nan is involved in--you never leave there hungry. The Bride-to-Be rec'd some "naughty nighties" from her sisters and she had a great sense of humor about it too. But then, she's is Nan's daughter, so what else would she do? Okay and the punch Kelly made was TO DIE FOR!
***Sprite, Apricot Nectar, Pineapple Juice and Pineapple sherbet.*** I had to go back for more 3 times. Yummy!

randomness#4: Even though Mr W vetoed getting a dog right now, I'm still clicking on craigslist every stinkin day looking for a dog I can't resist. It's like a "dare" now...and can I just say that there are some hideous-looking pooches out there? Sometimes I have to go back and look at the pic again to be sure it was just an ugly dog! Man, I've seen mutts in my day, but some of these look like science experiments gone way wrong! Since we always neuter/spray our pets, I guess I didn't realize how many people just don't do that. From what I can tell, Black Labs get around ALOT.
Black lab "Mixes" are everywhere to be found: "labradoodles", "lab/pits", Lab/goldens, Lab/Newfies, "lab/shepherd", "lab/beagles" --on a side note, ever hear of a "Puggle"? I didn't until today: Pug/beagle= puggle. Whodathunk?--anywho, Black Labs are apparently very attractive to many many other breeds...and why not? Are they not the most affable dogs on the planet? What's not to love, right? Isn't Scooby Doo a Lab? Labs are the "Barry White" of the Canine Community.
Okay okay--well I'm looking for a dog Mr W can't resist...truth be told, cuz I'm a pushover for Labs and Goldens. And I want one so I can have a reason to walk my old woman behind off!


randomness #5: I'm thinkin of taking Ari to the Park tomorrow and taking pictures of her in her white baptismal dress. She is getting baptized next weekend. I feel a little emotional about that...she's my baby.
And you how when your kids get to be close to 8, they start acting out and stuff and you think, "Yep! It's time! They're accountable!"?? Well this little sweetheart is not like that. She's just so dang sweet. Oh shoot, tears.
Breathe. Exhale. Tissue.
I really shouldn't be allowed to post things after my bedtime.

Road Trip, Temples and Skittles

This is a Map of the Western United States. Yes it is. I know what you're thinking...but it IS.
Look, right there where it says Bandarawela...that's Denver. Just a little north of where we live.
Where Nana and Taylow just left for a little over an hour ago on their way to Maskelya (Salt Lake City) and from there, onto Anrasawella (where the bright green C is) also known as Boise.


Okay, I couldn't find a pic of map as quickly as I wanted, so I thought this would work. Do you see San Diego down there...Bentota?...yes there it is. Isn't this fun?


This is the car. If you see this car coming up behind you--will you roll your window down and point your finger at these two girls if they don't have their seat belts on? Thank you.

Spring Break is all about : Instead of going someplace like CA., Mexico, or any coast at all...these two are not in search of a great tan. They're going Temple-hopping...first to Salt Lake (thanks Lea!), then Bountiful (thanks Dodee!)...and then to the Boise Temple with David Scott and Tisha. (love u guys!)

And they're checkin' out BYU and BSU while they're at it...Taylow's never seen either.

On the outside they look very mature...especially for me, when I took this photo months ago.





Then, I found this in a file on the pc a minute ago--it's a file of Nana's pics. "Mature" is not the word that comes to mind. And somehow, I don't think this was meant for the Internet. oops.

They gave me a list of treats for the trip: Cheese stix, Lays Baked Chips, Yogurt-covered raisins, Gatorade and Skittles. That's all they're taking. Oh, and some chocolate-chip cookies their YW leader baked for them. (thx Charlotte!). Do you remember when you could get away with eating like that?

They're 18 now. Road trips are normal for this age...right? So when I followed them out to the car and asked them if they packed coats and a blanket;

and told them to stick together no matter what,

and to never leave the other alone in the TruckStop bathroom or in the car...

and to keep the music at a level they could still hear an ambulance from behind,

and to keep their arms and legs inside the car at all times

and no tossin' Skittles at other cars that might have BOYS in them...

and to ALWAYS ALWAYS wear their seat belts...

well that was normal too, right?

They're supposed to call when they reach Denver.

And again in Wyoming.

And once they get thru Green River.

And again when they get to Lea's house.

It's gonna be a long night.

591 miles to Bountiful.

330 more to Boise.

1 week.




P.S. I expect some recrimination once they get home and find out I put this old picture of them on my blog that is viewed by millions...ok, the 3 of you.

But it's worth it, don't you think?

Spring Cleaning at our House!

Tomorrow is the First Day of Spring!

The thought makes me giddy. Some of the things I love doing in the Spring include: going to plant nurseries and checking out the plants I wanna get for my yard when chance of the last frost has passed--sometime after Mother's Day here in Colorado. Thinking about sewing projects. And Spring Cleaning...nothing makes me feel as good as a spic and span house. The smell of clean floors, cabinets, walls, closets (yes, they have a smell too!), drawers, and windows makes me smile from the inside out!

With such a large family (9 when they were all home)--I got tired of the kids runnin' out the door, poutin' and whinin', or feigning bladder problems ("I gotta go to the bathroom!") whenever I announced Spring Cleaning Week. So I wracked my brain and put a twist on Spring Cleaning:

The kids have to bid on the jobs they want to do.

1.Make a list of what needs to be done.

2.Attach a value to each job...the harder the job, the more value it has.

3.Value = compensation.

Compensation. Compensation is where I got creative. Anything from a huge candy bar to gift cards at McDonalds, Target, Claires; or gift certificates to be exchanged for CD's, RIDES (big with pre-drivers), sleepovers and cash. This part lets them know up-front what they're working for.

4.Make sure there are enough goodies to attract each kid in the house, whatever the age is, and make it so that the Value is higher for the harder jobs you want older kids to do.

Process:

5. I buy all of the necessary cleaning products beforehand.

6. Make copies of the list and give one to each family member at a special meeting around the dinner table.

7. And we go down the list and let them bid on the job--now they really have to say why they are qualified to do the job, and propose when it will get done.

8. It's up to me to decide who gets the job and we have set deadlines when it has to be done, otherwise the job is forfeited and someone else may have the chance to get the compensation.

9. After all the jobs have been bid on and awarded, I then make a Master List, and Post it on the Fridge.

10. As each is completed, it is checked off by the bidder and then it is inspected by another child and they check it off. If the job needs more attention, I am called in to inspect it and help the bidder with directions to finish it right.

And that's it. Spring Cleaning has been made more fun because I no longer am in charge of saying who does what job--they get to choose--and yes, they all must have the same number of jobs--that gets them all involved on the same level. Cuz honestly, I have some kids who would do alot more than their share and some who would let them. (I know I am the only mom in the world who has this kind of child, so I freely admit my poor parenting skills.)

Diana likes doing the kitchen by herself, while Daisie is a good closet organizer; Joseph likes doing the vacuuming, while Ari loves mopping...tapping into their natural abilities helps us all enjoy cleaning our home without more fussing than is bearable. Oh! And that's another condition of the getting the bid--there cannot be any whining on their part or nagging on mine.

Doing it this way has been more fun for all of us--the bidding part is especially fun. So that's what works for Momza's House!

Chicken Noodle Soup with a Bite!

2 large cans Chicken Broth ( I used Swanson's low sodium)

5 chicken breasts (remember-- I cook for a small battalion!)

1 celery stalk

1/2 cup red onion

1/2 cup fresh cilantro

1 can Rotel tomatoes or diced tomatoes with chilis

Egg Noodles

1/2 bag of California Mix frozen vegetables(cauliflower, broccoli, yellow squash, carrots)

1 can corn

Garlic Salt

Pepper to taste

Olive Oil

So cut up the chicken while it's still a little frozen--it's easier to cut that way.

Then brown it in the oil with the garlic salt & pepper.

Then Toss the chicken into your big Soup pot.

Add everything else except Noodles.

Bring to a nice rolling boil, then add Noodles.

Turn heat down to let noodles cook a little slow...not boiling, but not a simmer either.

Cook until noodles are tender but not mushy....like 7 minutes.

I made this up last night--doesn't it look made up? I wanted the kids to eat homemade chicken soup, and add a little kick. This was really great and I will be oh-so-upset if I ever see it on Rachel Ray--lol! I served it with tortilla chips and salsa for Mr W and the little kids wanted bread and butter. So there you have it.

(* this is not an actual photo--there wasn't any left to take a picture of!)

Wordful Wednesday Topic: Favorite Genre

When pressed to specify my favorite genre in Books, I took a look on my bookcase that sits next to our computer to see what is my favorite genre? I looked at each shelf to see a common denominator. There's really not one. I like to read about alot of different things...C.S. Lewis' Made For Heaven is a book I have read a few times. It inspires me every time I read it. I am a huge fan of his philosophy, so this little gem is worth reading over and over.

All These Things...I rec'd this book as a gift just after I joined the LDS Church and my family freaked out. It puts our trials in perspective...it put MY trials in perspective. I've gone back and read it a couple of times too. And if you don't know Neal A. Maxwell--you need to. His eloquence is soul-reaching.

I also love to read biographies of real women. Barbara Robinette Moss' "Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter" left an impression on my heart, and tears on some of it's pages. While, Terry Ryan's "The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio" made me laugh outloud so hard I could barely read the pages, and was a tribute to a woman's ingenuity and devotion to her children.

I also loved this by "Ted L. Nancy" alias for Jerry Seinfeld...hilarious! It is a book of actual letters and responses to those letters, written by Jerry to all kinds of institutions requesting ridiculous things from them; restaurants, hotels, movie theaters, hospitals, you-name-it--he asks for bizarre things, counting on the motto "the customer is always right"--to see if he can get away with it--and the responses are just as funny. We even sat around and read the letters outloud to the kids one night just for laughs. Oh, and look for "More! Letters From a Nut"...we own them both.

I actually learned alot from this book. I feel even more guilty for being fat., but now I know why I shouldn't eat doughnuts from a scientific-physiological viewpoint. And Lincoln. I love Lincoln. When they were talking about discontinuing making pennies, I wrote a letter to the Governor and stated my case about keeping the penny. I am a sap about Lincoln, and I love having little copper pennies with his head on it to remind me of how one person can make such a difference.

Shel Silverstein is a huge family favorite! We have had Family Nights where we divide into teams and each team member takes turns reading outloud their favorite poems to everyone from one of his wonderful books. I love hearing my kids read outloud and this is full of giggles.

So that's a sampling of what's on my bookcase. Neitzsche is not there. Neither is Plato. Or Socrates. Or even Grisham, Stephen King, or Danielle Steele. Just a mish-mash of authors that speak to my plain and simple self.

*Thanks to Cocoa of "Chocolate on My Cranium" for the prompt!

**Note: After reading other's posts on the same subject, I revisited my bookcase and discovered that I am mostly a Non-Fiction reader, with a focus on Biographies! Some of the bios I've read : Lincoln (before Obama started comparing himself to Lincoln), Ronald Reagan, Golda Meier, Gordon B. Hinckley, Marjorie Hinckley, Doris Day (I'm not kidding!), Diana of Wales..and that's just what I can see without my glasses on from here. Oh, and tons of Childbirth/Doula books. So yeah, I decided I am not into Period Fiction, unless it's Jane Austen or humorous, like Bill Bryson. (this p.s. is mostly for me--self-discovery and all.)

Umbrellas And Trials

Having been sequestered at the house for these past endless weeks, I have had some pretty lucid moments. I think getting out for TOFW in Denver last week has left me with residual pockets of enlightenment--either that or I am downright delusional from Cabin Fever--and in that case, someone send help!


As I have said before, in the scriptures it says "it rains on the just and the unjust" and we don't have to look very far to see it is pouring down rain on alot of people. People in our commmunity, in our churches, at work, in our neighborhood and in our families, sometimes right in our own livingrooms. It's raining...and there seems to be a shortage of umbrellas to go around, if you know what I mean.




I have dear friends whose hearts ache because of the choices of their children.
We cringe when we see self-defeating behavior in people we love, don't we? We want to force them to use our "umbrella" when we see rain on their shoulders.
And as parents, we struggle to not let our children's choices define US. I am not my college-aged child's grades, or their unkept room. Nor am I a partner in their marriage. That's their responsiblity. If I have done my part, I have told them to have enough sense to come in out of the rain, right?
They too, have the gift of free agency...to choose for themselves. And I try to remember that even our all-knowing Heavenly Father doesn't force his knowledge on me.

Someone in my life is facing a divorce because of a lack of true love in his home. His calls leave me saddened for him and his family. From the outside, I can see the damage that has been done is extensive but not irreparable. Healing can happen--but I suspect they need help from an outside source like a counsellor or a clergy member. Most of their hurts come from poor habits. I told him, "What you have are bad habits. Stop it. Tell yourself that you are an Evolving Human Being and that you can change, that you MUST change if you want to have a family. It is not in your best interest to be stubborn and selfish at this point. Those things do not help your cause."
His wife is a good woman. And he has abused her trust in him, counting on her to be as she has always been, forgiving, committed, and supportive to him. He took alot more than he gave, and now, she wants out. What she's looking for is for him to make sure she's got an umbrella too.


There's alot of hurt going around. "Taking the easy way out" has lost it's flavor and charm in the world these days of bail-outs and corporate un-accountability.
The truth is, there is a better way. Not necessarily easier, but better. It involves that four letter word: W-O-R-K. Work on what ails you. Good old fashioned you-get-what-you-pay-for-work.
Listen, there's not enough money in the Lotto for us all. Luck is fallible. You can't wait around for your "boat to come in"--if you want a boat, you better head over to Home Depot and buy some wood, a strong hammer and a box of nails.
If you want a better marriage, work on it. If you want a better relationship with your kids, work on it. If you want a better life, work on it.




My Umbrella: What gets me thru the day is working to keep my heart focused on my Savior and following after Him. His example is clear and simple. The Golden Rule. 10 Commandments. Word of Wisdom. Tithing. Service. Prayer.

So simple. And yet, even people acquainted with His ways, look over their shoulders and ask, "Isn't there an easier way? As in, do you have a way that is all about me? all about what I want?-- That only benefits my agenda?" And the answer is "One Size Fits All." That's how perfect it is...this Plan of Happiness. And sometimes, you just gotta share your umbrella.


In "Forgiving Ourselves", Wendy Ulrich writes that sometimes, we let our trials define us to the point that we become dependant on them to direct our motives each day. We get so accustomed to them that we feed them with our attention, our resources, our time, our thoughts, our emotions...it can get to the point that our trials can actually blot out anything else, and we can lose interest for things that give us joy. If I am not my trials, what am I? What will I do with my increase in time, money, resources? What will I think about, talk about, and ponder? Our trials can become our security blankets in a very twisted way. When we let our trials become the focal point of our lives, what is left?


Her counsel is inspiring and warm...own what is yours to own, make amends/improvements where you can, and then, move forward with confidence in your life with hope and optimism and a purpose to do better and live happier. She states that by doing this we set the example for others to do the same. When we excuse our selves and live in our trials day in and out, we lose our credibililty with our family members when we try to tell them how to make good choices. They can see that we ourselves cannot manage our own happiness, so any amount of counsel from us is in fact, counter-productive. We aren't living what we're preaching in their eyes.

I thought about her counsel--it's so true. "Your words may be confusing, but example is always clear." (e. guest)
Rain makes things grow...just like trials.
The good thing after a big storm is the Rainbows...you just gotta look for 'em.

Anybody get this?

Birthday Break-out! for Bee~!

As previously written, the youngest two have been sick with an awful cough for weeks now. The kids have bascially been quarantined for this too...no playing with friends or going anywhere except to the Dr.'s ofc. Well last Friday was a special birthday, and the Caboose wanted only one thing: A Build-A-Bear. So, I drugged them sufficiently with their meds and ventured to the mall with them. It was like a jail break--they were so happy to be getting out of the house!
We went there soley for her, but once there, Boofus decided he wasn't too much of a "man" to also want his own little black bear--dressed in a camo military get up, no less.


The Caboose's new friend, "March" (hey, it was going to be "aquamarine", but I suggested she think of something to do with her birthday with fewer syllables) and Boofus' buddy, "Scout".

She was a happy camper.




After the bears were finished, we went back to the cell, er, I mean, Home. Yes, our Home Sweet Home...that's where we all went. The same place we've been stuck in, er I mean, recuperating in, for several weeks now. Because the kids did pretty good on the earlier outing, and also because I was feeling tired--we let them choose a place to eat dinner. Honestly, I would've gone anywhere, but they chose FatBurger. I got thru the entire last week of not cooking a single meal...an unexpected gift to comfort my weary bones..thanks to others who've popped in and out with meals.

Joseph ate two baby fat burgers! Which I was happy with because he hasn't been able to keep much down. And he did keep those down! yea!

Ari loved it. She had to go to the bathroom, and when she came back she says, "MOM, you have got to see the bathroom! It is BEAUTIFUL! It's all white! It's all white! You could have a wedding in there!


So I sent Dara in with the camera to take a picture. Cuz any public bathroom that gets the Cabooses' seal of approval is a big deal in our family! She is known for "holding it" for hours until we get home because she has a strong gag reflex. I'm not kidding. So, yeah, if you're looking for an alternative venue for your next wedding...look into FatBurgers! I hear they have beautiful bathrooms!

There just happened to be a Baskin Robbins 31 flavors by the Fatburgers...

And that was Friday night. Of course, the Caboose lost her food by the time we got home--but she has such a great attitude--which has really shown me how strong my kiddos are--I would've turned into a whiny pathetic boob had I been sick for weeks now. But not them.

Saturday, Dani & Brad came down from Lakewood to share the Caboose's bday too. We went to her MOST favorite place: Chinese All-U-Can-Eat. An interesting choice considering she hasn't been keeping alot down--but that's just how it went. We went around the table and everyone "toasted" the Caboose saying what they love about her. When we were all done (all 9 of us)--she said "I want to say something to all of you: I love u for saying all those nice things about me."

And back home we went. We missed David Scott and Tisha and Dean. Hopefully, they will all be here in 2 weeks for her Baptism on the 28th. (As LDS' our children are considered "of age" when they are 8 years old, to be baptized.) So I am really looking forward to that.

So that was a busy weekend! We did go see the Dr. again yesterday, b/c their coughs weren't any better. She prescribed prednisone and the results have been remarkable. We got thru the night with only minor coughs and noone lost their meal this morning! The Dr. said we're doing everything right, and that it's just gonna take some time to get this bug outta them. Their weightloss has been minimal, they're not dehydrated, and they still have good appetites. So I think this new med is gonna hit the spot. By golly, I think we've got it!