Reading Kristi's blog today... I couldn't pass this one up.
Savannah has a soccer tournament in Park City this weekend. Since Tyler is out of town, I had to have all the kids dressed, fed ready for a full day of soccer and to the field by 7:30 a.m. this morning. I was feeling pretty good about myself until I turned around to get Oliver out of the car and realized that he wasn't wearing any shoes. Nothing a trip to Wal-Mart can't cure... so we dropped Savannah off (early, I must add) and headed to the store. While we were in the parking lot, I decided to put on my make-up which prompted Emmaline to say...
"Why are you putting on make-up? Nobody cares what YOU look like." (Yes, there was an emphasis on the word "YOU.")
Nothing like a child to bring you back to earth... or in Kristi's case, to put you on Cloud 9. Could I borrow Ella for a day?!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
It's all about Ollie!
(this is a picture in the moving van when Judy and Lavar were moving-it was HUGE and he loved it!)
"Roan was such a good friend. He came to sit by me 'cuz I was crying. He's such a good friend. I wish I could drink him."
Hmmmm....
It reminded me of another one I forgot to post from our trip. We were eating cherries and Oliver threw one of the pits out of the window.
"Hey Dad. Now I'm one of those bugs."
What?
"One of those bugs who throw trash out the window." (litter bug)
And another...
I had to take Savannah to soccer camp on the 24th, so Tyler took Emmaline and Oliver to the Days of '47 Parade. Apparently there was a large group of "army guys" marching in the parade. When they came by, Oliver jumped up and began saluting and yelling, "I LOVE ARMY GUYS!" He was so excited when one of the "girls" saluted him back.
He keeps us laughing.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
My week
Emmaline has a cavity.I don't know how it happened. I've never had a cavity and I thought she had my teeth!
Oliver threw up.
(Don't worry- not the flu... just happens when he doesn't nap.)
Someone cut the guinea pig's hair and isn't fessing up.
Oliver, Emmaline and I have this weird rash of bumps on our face.
How's your week shakin' up?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Good thing we live where we live...
On Sunday, Sacrament was really strange. As the meeting began, instead of letting the speakers give their talks, the bishop started calling random people from the audience to bear their testimony (a young woman to speak on girl's camp, a young man on scout camp, some of the newly released Primary Presidency). We found out later it was because the main speaker was unable to print her talk from home and the person she asked to print it was also unable to print it at her house... so people were emailing and getting it printed.
Anyway, of course I had to leave to feed Tucker and Tyler is out of town, so my kids were sitting by themselves (with two neighbor kids they had invited to church). You know Emmaline, she only pays attention about 1/4 of the time (if that)... she thought it seemed like a fast and testimony meeting and decided she would take Oliver up on the stand to bear his testimony. Unfortunately (for all of us), Savannah didn't realize what was happening until they were on the stand. She had to go up there and tell them to come back and sit back down. It's a good thing we live where we live, otherwise I might have to be REALLY embarrassed. But since there were only about 30 people at the meeting... I have to only be slightly embarrassed every time this story is retold!
Anyway, of course I had to leave to feed Tucker and Tyler is out of town, so my kids were sitting by themselves (with two neighbor kids they had invited to church). You know Emmaline, she only pays attention about 1/4 of the time (if that)... she thought it seemed like a fast and testimony meeting and decided she would take Oliver up on the stand to bear his testimony. Unfortunately (for all of us), Savannah didn't realize what was happening until they were on the stand. She had to go up there and tell them to come back and sit back down. It's a good thing we live where we live, otherwise I might have to be REALLY embarrassed. But since there were only about 30 people at the meeting... I have to only be slightly embarrassed every time this story is retold!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
My boys
Thought I'd give a little update on what the boys in the family are up to.
Sometimes, when I'm feeling really frustrated, I can almost "hear" him say, "I won't be a baby for long and I don't want you to wish you had held me more." He just loves to be held and cuddled.
When we're getting ready for church, his monkey has to do the job.
And now Tyler is off to Dallas for a LONG time! We'll miss him.
Tyler and Oliver have been working on his room this week.
Don't you love how Ollie's shoes are on the wrong feet?!
Tucker has been his usual fussy self- although this picture from this morning would lead you to think otherwise.
Sometimes, when I'm feeling really frustrated, I can almost "hear" him say, "I won't be a baby for long and I don't want you to wish you had held me more." He just loves to be held and cuddled.
When we're getting ready for church, his monkey has to do the job. Thursday, July 24, 2008
On this day...
Five years ago, on this day I was up at 4 a.m. Okay... TODAY I was also up at 4 a.m. to feed this little bundle.
But five years ago, I was 20 lbs. lighter and getting ready to run my first marathon. I was thinking about it this morning... realizing that I never wrote about it (one of those things I was going to write in a "journal", but never got around to it). Tyler and I have been running "together" this week...or should I say, at the same time. He is so much taller than me and thinner, he's always about a block ahead. Anyway, my plantar faciitis has been nagging and I'm coming to the sad conclusion that I may never run another marathon... so I better write what I remember so I don't forget. WARNING- this is long. Feel free to skim or skip this entry.
I had been running for less than a year when I decided to run the Deseret News Marathon. I had increased my mileage to six miles and kind of got stuck there. When Martha called me the morning after Mama died, I got up and started running. I ran eight miles that day and realized that running distance was more about mind control than fitness level. 2003 was the last year for the original Deseret Morning News Marathon and it was one I didn't want to miss. They still have a marathon called that now, but it doesn't follow the same route as the original pioneers.
Fast forward to July 24th. I caught the last bus at 4 a.m. and we made our way up to the Park City golf course. It was totally dark when we started to run. There where no lights on the road and you literally couldn't see anything except the people in front of you. As the sun came up... we where greeted by a gorgeous sunrise and you could see that the road was going straight up and you couldn't see where it ended. It was interesting to me how many people started walking at that point. They seemed to just give up in the first 20 minutes of the race. For a little while, I wondered if they all knew something I didn't, but John (my brother) had told me... "Whatever you do, don't walk. If you need to, run slow, but don't walk." So I renewed my commitment and kept on running. I never saw those people that started the race with me again.
The next 16 miles were kind of surreal. I hadn't driven the route, so I didn't really know what to expect and it was gorgeous! One thing I loved about this marathon was that it was before most people had ipods and since it was a fairly small race, we all just kind of talked together. As we came down to where the route turned on to Foothill Drive, I thought the worst was over. I had run the 10K before, and I thought I was almost to the starting line of that race. I decided to stop at one of the few porta-potties on the route before the last leg. I had to wait in line for a while, and by the time my turn came up... my legs were burning like crazy. I had a Motrin in my pocket that I took and decided that no matter what... I wasn't stopping again.
We started running uphill again when we came to the U campus. Pretty soon I realized that this was not the route of the 10K and it was not leveling off. Everyone around me was walking. I would run up to someone and say, "When do we start going down," and everyone would say, "This is a different route. I have no idea." So I would run to the next person and get the same answer. I have never wanted to walk so badly. This was the only point that I considered that maybe I was not going to finish... and then I saw it.... a flat stretch of road with drinks, and the road started going down.
I got my next rush to finish. I was so excited because I knew I could do the rest. It wasn't long until Tyler met me on the road with a fresh drink. That also gave me a boost. I told him I thought it would take me about an hour to finish (I had 6 more miles). After he left, I came up to another guy I knew from the practice runs. He was just a little faster than me and we always played this game of tag during the runs. I would run past him for about a mile, he would catch me and run faster than me for a mile. I ran up to him and said, "Let's go.... we're almost done." But he had lost his drive. He just waved me on by.
Then we hit the parade crowds. There is nothing better than being cheered on by crowds of people. I felt so good and started to sprint to the finish. Unfortunately that meant that I was faster than I anticipated and no one was there when I finished... but it was a great feeling.
It took me a while to find my family, and I found the guy I used to play tag with. He said he couldn't believe I beat him and asked if I had seen the guy with the artificial leg. He said, "That guy passed me at the end. I wanted to reach out and trip him so bad." What an awful thing to say... but it was funny.
The feeling of finishing a marathon is indescribable. You honestly feel like there is nothing you cannot do. Although my time on my next marathon was faster, there wasn't quite the same feeling. If I do get to do another one, I think it will feel pretty significant after the things I've gone through physically to get there. We'll see what the future brings, but I am so glad I did the ones I did. I learned so much about myself, about making and keeping goals, about meditation and the power of the mind, and about being grateful for what my body can do. Who's next?
But five years ago, I was 20 lbs. lighter and getting ready to run my first marathon. I was thinking about it this morning... realizing that I never wrote about it (one of those things I was going to write in a "journal", but never got around to it). Tyler and I have been running "together" this week...or should I say, at the same time. He is so much taller than me and thinner, he's always about a block ahead. Anyway, my plantar faciitis has been nagging and I'm coming to the sad conclusion that I may never run another marathon... so I better write what I remember so I don't forget. WARNING- this is long. Feel free to skim or skip this entry.I had been running for less than a year when I decided to run the Deseret News Marathon. I had increased my mileage to six miles and kind of got stuck there. When Martha called me the morning after Mama died, I got up and started running. I ran eight miles that day and realized that running distance was more about mind control than fitness level. 2003 was the last year for the original Deseret Morning News Marathon and it was one I didn't want to miss. They still have a marathon called that now, but it doesn't follow the same route as the original pioneers.
Fast forward to July 24th. I caught the last bus at 4 a.m. and we made our way up to the Park City golf course. It was totally dark when we started to run. There where no lights on the road and you literally couldn't see anything except the people in front of you. As the sun came up... we where greeted by a gorgeous sunrise and you could see that the road was going straight up and you couldn't see where it ended. It was interesting to me how many people started walking at that point. They seemed to just give up in the first 20 minutes of the race. For a little while, I wondered if they all knew something I didn't, but John (my brother) had told me... "Whatever you do, don't walk. If you need to, run slow, but don't walk." So I renewed my commitment and kept on running. I never saw those people that started the race with me again.
The next 16 miles were kind of surreal. I hadn't driven the route, so I didn't really know what to expect and it was gorgeous! One thing I loved about this marathon was that it was before most people had ipods and since it was a fairly small race, we all just kind of talked together. As we came down to where the route turned on to Foothill Drive, I thought the worst was over. I had run the 10K before, and I thought I was almost to the starting line of that race. I decided to stop at one of the few porta-potties on the route before the last leg. I had to wait in line for a while, and by the time my turn came up... my legs were burning like crazy. I had a Motrin in my pocket that I took and decided that no matter what... I wasn't stopping again.
We started running uphill again when we came to the U campus. Pretty soon I realized that this was not the route of the 10K and it was not leveling off. Everyone around me was walking. I would run up to someone and say, "When do we start going down," and everyone would say, "This is a different route. I have no idea." So I would run to the next person and get the same answer. I have never wanted to walk so badly. This was the only point that I considered that maybe I was not going to finish... and then I saw it.... a flat stretch of road with drinks, and the road started going down.
I got my next rush to finish. I was so excited because I knew I could do the rest. It wasn't long until Tyler met me on the road with a fresh drink. That also gave me a boost. I told him I thought it would take me about an hour to finish (I had 6 more miles). After he left, I came up to another guy I knew from the practice runs. He was just a little faster than me and we always played this game of tag during the runs. I would run past him for about a mile, he would catch me and run faster than me for a mile. I ran up to him and said, "Let's go.... we're almost done." But he had lost his drive. He just waved me on by.
Then we hit the parade crowds. There is nothing better than being cheered on by crowds of people. I felt so good and started to sprint to the finish. Unfortunately that meant that I was faster than I anticipated and no one was there when I finished... but it was a great feeling.
It took me a while to find my family, and I found the guy I used to play tag with. He said he couldn't believe I beat him and asked if I had seen the guy with the artificial leg. He said, "That guy passed me at the end. I wanted to reach out and trip him so bad." What an awful thing to say... but it was funny.The feeling of finishing a marathon is indescribable. You honestly feel like there is nothing you cannot do. Although my time on my next marathon was faster, there wasn't quite the same feeling. If I do get to do another one, I think it will feel pretty significant after the things I've gone through physically to get there. We'll see what the future brings, but I am so glad I did the ones I did. I learned so much about myself, about making and keeping goals, about meditation and the power of the mind, and about being grateful for what my body can do. Who's next?
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Just when you think they aren't listening...
The girls and I were spending some time cleaning out the junk they brought home from school and stuffed in the cupboard, and I found this little "persuasive" paper Emmaline wrote for school.
It makes me mad when my mama give me the wrong thing like when I want orange juice and she gives me milk, or when she gives me consequences and doesn't let me do what I want to do. For example if I use bad language I don't get to play with my friends (I don't know where that came from!). This makes me feel sometimes that my mama is not special, but I really know better.
One way that my mama is special is that she works hard. She takes my sister and I to soccer five days a week. She feeds six pets (I guess she's counting individual fish) and six people every day. My mama also helps my dad with his business.
Another way that my mama is special is she helps me. For example one time I didn't know what to do for the talent show and she showed me a variety of poems. She helps me type projects. Finally she helps me solve problems. For example one time a girl across the street was spreading rumors about me and Tessa and Grace didn't want to play with me. My mom helped me write a letter to them and now they play with me every day.
My last reason is she loves me because one time I heard her talk on the phone. She said she was worried how I itarac (interact) with another kids and she took me to a speirsl (special) doctor and she cleans up dog poop so I can play outside.
Aaahhh.... makes it all worth it, right?!
It makes me mad when my mama give me the wrong thing like when I want orange juice and she gives me milk, or when she gives me consequences and doesn't let me do what I want to do. For example if I use bad language I don't get to play with my friends (I don't know where that came from!). This makes me feel sometimes that my mama is not special, but I really know better.
One way that my mama is special is that she works hard. She takes my sister and I to soccer five days a week. She feeds six pets (I guess she's counting individual fish) and six people every day. My mama also helps my dad with his business.
Another way that my mama is special is she helps me. For example one time I didn't know what to do for the talent show and she showed me a variety of poems. She helps me type projects. Finally she helps me solve problems. For example one time a girl across the street was spreading rumors about me and Tessa and Grace didn't want to play with me. My mom helped me write a letter to them and now they play with me every day.
My last reason is she loves me because one time I heard her talk on the phone. She said she was worried how I itarac (interact) with another kids and she took me to a speirsl (special) doctor and she cleans up dog poop so I can play outside.
Aaahhh.... makes it all worth it, right?!
Monday, July 21, 2008
Have you made your book yet?
I just published my 2006 blog book using Booksmart. It is the coolest thing! It imports all of your entries, then you can edit it for a book. Since I am using my blog as my journal... it was so much fun to see it all together as a book and remember all the fun things my kids have done... like how Oliver used to say, "I've had nuffin eat ALL DAY!" They grow up so fast!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
I miss Louisiana
(this is a little sample of the good 'ole Louisiana cuisine we enjoyed)
As I visited the Wal-Mart in Alexandria during our most recent visit, I was reminded of why I miss Louisiana. and living in the South. Once, a guy almost ran into me and apologized profusely... and he MEANT it. Seriously, it wasn't just a courtesy, rushed, "sorry".... it was a true, "Excuse me, I am so sorry." And then, as I tried to get out the sliding door, another woman and I almost collided (I was a little rushed...). As I scooted over to let her past, she said, "Oh no, I'm just gonna stand here and find my sunglasses. You go on." Some of you probably know exactly what I am talking about. For those that don't understand... I apologize for my inability to accurately portray that "feeling", that goes beyond hurried politeness, that you don't find anywhere else.
It reminded me of last year when we went to the reunion. As we started getting close, and the trees began to change and I could smell the scent of Louisiana, I was overcome with a feeling of nostalgia. It really took me off guard. I truly didn't think I missed it that much. But after being there again, I realized I do. And not in an idyllic way (I did visit the local Popeye's Chicken... and it brought it all back)... but with a real yearning that the rest of the world were more like it and a renewed commitment to treat people like I haven't forgotten that I'm from the South (even if everyone looks at me funny). Wish I could get my kids on board and they would continue with the "yes ma'am's" they learned from their cousins.... but I'll just enjoy it while it lasts!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
At the ranch
Next on our trip we visited the ranch in Kansas.
The ranch has several ponds that are just loaded with fish. It is so great for the kids because they hardly have to put their line in the water before they get a bite. Savannah successfully defended her title and, once again, caught the biggest fish (somehow that girl can even catch a fish even when no one else can).
Tyler woke up one morning at 5 a.m., couldn't get anyone else to go with him, and fished by himself for 5 hours before the rest of the clan joined him. That's dedication!
Dandy, the pony, was not up to being ridden by the kids, although Tyler had some fun with him... so Daddy Jeff took them on rides in the tractor. Oliver was in heaven!
It was so great to spend a little extra time with some of the cousins and Daddy Jeff and Issy. Thanks for the pictures, Leslie. Since you mentioned it... no, we didn't find Tyler's camera and unfortunately Emmaline used my camera early in the trip and lost the battery. Lucky everyone else takes great photos... otherwise we'd be left with just the memories!
The ranch has several ponds that are just loaded with fish. It is so great for the kids because they hardly have to put their line in the water before they get a bite. Savannah successfully defended her title and, once again, caught the biggest fish (somehow that girl can even catch a fish even when no one else can).
Tyler woke up one morning at 5 a.m., couldn't get anyone else to go with him, and fished by himself for 5 hours before the rest of the clan joined him. That's dedication!
Dandy, the pony, was not up to being ridden by the kids, although Tyler had some fun with him... so Daddy Jeff took them on rides in the tractor. Oliver was in heaven!
It was so great to spend a little extra time with some of the cousins and Daddy Jeff and Issy. Thanks for the pictures, Leslie. Since you mentioned it... no, we didn't find Tyler's camera and unfortunately Emmaline used my camera early in the trip and lost the battery. Lucky everyone else takes great photos... otherwise we'd be left with just the memories!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
And we're back
I've got so much to catch up on... but I wanted to give a little update on our trips for the side of the family that wasn't there!
Our trip began with a plane ride to Tulsa.
Here Emmaline is giving Oliver instruction on emergency procedures.
We left the airport and immediately began our trip to Louisiana. We stopped in McAllister, Oklahoma for the night at the "Happy Day's Hotel." It's owned by some locals and has a 50's theme. I guess that's one way to use your hobby as a tax right off. Oliver LOVED the jukebox... especially the "Monster Mash" song.
We arrived in LeCompte the next evening and spent the next couple of days hanging out at Loyd Hall. It was so great to see everyone.
Tucker loved being held the ENTIRE time. Isn't he fat? He thinks every vacation is a great opportunity to relax, eat a LOT and try to get bigger. I think it's working.
Emmaline, as usual, enjoyed the local nature and found lots of frogs.
Oliver spent most of his time keeping cool in the pool or with tasty treats (thanks for the ice cream and snow cones, Aunt Julie).
Savannah just loved hanging out with the "older" cousins. Interesting, this year she didn't really hang out with the little kids. She wanted to be with the older crowd... I guess she really is growing up, sniff.
It was so great to be back in Louisiana (more on that later)... but most of all it was fun to make memories for a lifetime with these kids. Here were "the girls" back in 2003.
And now.... (got to get Jillian in there next year Tuck and Amy Jo- and maybe a boy picture too!).
For more pictures, check out Leslie's blog. Most of my pictures are courtesy of her (we won't mention our camera mishaps!). Jeff's blog also has some great shots.
Our trip began with a plane ride to Tulsa.
Here Emmaline is giving Oliver instruction on emergency procedures.
We left the airport and immediately began our trip to Louisiana. We stopped in McAllister, Oklahoma for the night at the "Happy Day's Hotel." It's owned by some locals and has a 50's theme. I guess that's one way to use your hobby as a tax right off. Oliver LOVED the jukebox... especially the "Monster Mash" song.
We arrived in LeCompte the next evening and spent the next couple of days hanging out at Loyd Hall. It was so great to see everyone.
Tucker loved being held the ENTIRE time. Isn't he fat? He thinks every vacation is a great opportunity to relax, eat a LOT and try to get bigger. I think it's working.
Emmaline, as usual, enjoyed the local nature and found lots of frogs.
Oliver spent most of his time keeping cool in the pool or with tasty treats (thanks for the ice cream and snow cones, Aunt Julie).
Savannah just loved hanging out with the "older" cousins. Interesting, this year she didn't really hang out with the little kids. She wanted to be with the older crowd... I guess she really is growing up, sniff.
It was so great to be back in Louisiana (more on that later)... but most of all it was fun to make memories for a lifetime with these kids. Here were "the girls" back in 2003.
And now.... (got to get Jillian in there next year Tuck and Amy Jo- and maybe a boy picture too!).
For more pictures, check out Leslie's blog. Most of my pictures are courtesy of her (we won't mention our camera mishaps!). Jeff's blog also has some great shots.
Friday, July 04, 2008
Quote of the day (in a patriotic vein)
Oliver: "I love you, Mama. You're the greatest American girl."
Wednesday, July 02, 2008
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