Already Gone

I've had plenty ideas to blog about, some of them really thought provoking. I've tried, but I just haven't been able to blog this past week or so. Why? Because my mind is already on vacation. You see, in just two more days we leave for Disneyland. If you know us at all, you know that we eat, drink, breathe, and sleep Disneyland. It IS our family vacation destination. So it should be no surprise that my hubby and I are more than excited to head out to that magical place. In my mind I am already walking through the gates and heading down Main Street as I hear that fun music and anticipate hitting our first ride. Pirates of the Caribbean? Splash Mountain? The Haunted Mansion? Eeeek! I suppose I should mention the kids are anxious too.

Don't worry, once we get back I'll blog again. I'll have lots of pictures to post and I am sure I'll whine about not being on vacation at Disneyland because it was so fun and I want to go back now. Then maybe my brain will eventually start working so I can blog deep thought provoking blogs. Until then, you'll just have to deal with the void of blogs because, baby, I am already gone!

I want to pinch and kiss these!

I love baby legs. So cute and chubby with a roll or two. Of course, these baby legs have lost some chub since they started crawling and now are walking as hard as they can. But they are still as cute and kissable as ever!

Embrace the "Mom body"

I am sure you all have heard someone complain after a meal that they shouldn't have had that last piece of pie, cookie, cupcake, etc. because now they are stuffed and will regret the caloric consequences later. Women are especially hard on themselves and their appearance, which means we like to beat ourselves up whenever we eat something sweet, greasy, carb-filled or good. We feel guilty for indulging ourselves because, for some reason, that's bad in our minds. We notice every change to our bodies like that tiny pimple, wrinkle, stretch mark, or flake of skin. Nothing escapes our hawk-like eyes.

I had a bit of an awakening the other day when I was pondering the above. You never hear any sane person say "You know, I really shouldn't have had those last two kids. They did a number on my body. That first one was okay, but I'd have skipped those last two in order to keep my small hips." Of course no one would say that. It's extremely calloused and heartless. Yet how often do women tear themselves down because of the lingering physical affects of child bearing? Stretch marks galore, a less firm chest, that pool of skin that once was a stomach, and so on. It's one thing to exercise and get back in to shape, but it's quite another to bemoan the fact that our bodies will never be the same again. Do what you can to feel good about yourself and accept what won't ever change back! You brought life into the world, of course your body went through a lot of changes. But was it worth it? Would you give up one of your kids in order to have a few less stretch marks or a more perky chest? The answer had better be a resounding "no!".

I cannot imagine life without sweet happy Jacob, affectionate inquisitive Jimmy, fiery adorable Rachel, or studious glamorous Anna. I honestly don't love my road map of stretch marks or that doughy middle that was once a flat stomach. I like to keep in shape because it makes me feel good. But I also know that I've had four kids and there are going to be some permanent affects because I am no Elasta Girl. I've come to accept and move beyond those issues. Is it really worth focusing on or getting upset about? Love your "mom body" and what it has been able to accomplish. Get over what you don't like.

After all, would you really trade in the experience of motherhood just to have a few less stretch marks?

Readings as of late

I've really gotten into reading Biblical fiction. It has been fun and fascinating to read about women of the Old Testament. Their customs, life style, and point of view. I just had the chance to finish two such books written about two famous women from the scriptures. I wish I could say I enjoyed both works, but I didn't


Up first on my reading list was "The Red Tent". I have heard so many things about how good this book is from various women. It's the story of Dinah, the prophet Jacob's daughter, and her mothers. I admit that the details of their life was fascinating, but that's where my interest in the book ended. It was rather crude, with heavy sexual undertones. I think I can figure out how people have children, you don't need to tell me about it in detail. But my biggest gripe was how the prophets and great women from the Old Testament were depicted. Jacob was apparently a man with a vast sexual appetite that satisfied himself any way he could. Isaac in his old age had a young concubine to have fun with. Rebbecca, Isaac's wife, was a priestess full of spite for her husband and contempt for the world around her. I could go on and on. Seriously, if a man is going to be a prophet, he has to be a little bit better than the rest in behavior and exercise some self control. And the faithful wives of such men aren't going to be egomaniacs. Otherwise they wouldn't be married to such holy men. The book left a nasty taste in my literary mouth. I couldn't even bring myself to finish it.


That is why I am so glad my next read was "Sarah" from Orson Scott Card's "Women of Genesis" series. This was a well written, interesting, and clean book. His telling of the story of Abraham and Sarah was beautiful, romantic, and TASTEFUL. Like the rest of us, they had their struggles and doubts at times. Who wouldn't when in a foreign country and under risk of being assassinated by the king if he found out a marriage existed between you and your spouse? Or what about doubting when the Lord tells a very elderly woman, who has spent years barren and longing for a child, that she will finally bring forth a son? Yet, despite their many trials, they stayed close to the Lord and each other. Their love was sincere and beautiful. This is the kind of book I like to read. This is how I would like to think my Old Testament figures as having been.

I'd pick "Sarah" over "The Red Tent" any day and twice on Sundays. In fact, I am excited to check out more books from the "Women of Genesis" series. Well worth the read.

Happy Birthday Jimmy!

Happy Birthday Jimmy! I can't believe my little guy is 4! He has been so fun to have in our family. I love how caring and tender he is. If one of his sisters loses dessert or a special privilege, Jimmy will sacrifice his dessert, etc. so they can have something. He always gives hugs and kisses. It usually takes a few minutes to get out the door when going someplace because Jimmy has to kiss us multiple times. And he loves to cuddle. I also love his sense of humor. Jimmy says the best things. For instance, yesterday he asked me when the sun is going to turn off and why he kept peeing so much when he went to the bathroom. He wants to be a "worker man" or a police man when he gets older. He has all sorts of interests. He likes the fix things, hence the real tool set he got for his birthday as seen in the above picture. But Jimmy also likes to watch cooking shows and help in the kitchen. He's a well rounded guy.

Happy Birthday my cute Jimmy!

Come snuggle up on our pew

Sometimes you find the most interesting things on Craig's List, like the following:

Really? Unless I am opening my own Church of Sue, why in the world would I buy a church pew? Even the ones that have padded bottoms are only comfortable for so long and this one has a hard seat. I am baffled, truly confused. It would just look freakish in any home, like it does in this picture. Sorry, but the matching pillow doesn't help.

So the next time you are in the market for a new couch or church pew, remember Craig's List has it all.

Just Because

It seems like time is zipping by now that Jacob is a year old. He's standing on his own and trying to walk. His hair is getting longer on top so his puff head is less. But he is still an adorable little guy who makes us smile.
Putting on the charm for the camera

His little "o" face

Why . . .

-do I want to eat my body weight in chocolate?

-is Jacob refusing to nap or go to bed after being up since 11 am today? Afternoon church is a killer!

-isn't time going faster? Only three weeks until we go to Disneyland. I am SO excited!

-is time going too fast in other areas? Anna will be eight and baptized this year and Jacob is one and trying to walk. Eeek!

-don't I have someone hired to give me foot rubs every night.

-did I ever live without a sunken tub before? A hot bath is heavenly after any day!

-is tomorrow Monday?

-isn't it bedtime for me yet?

-am I so blessed?

Sink:0, Sue:1

I am pooped. Plain old tired. Exhausted. My arm muscles are crying out in pain. Why? Because I have spent the past two days working on fixing a leaking faucet. That shouldn't be so hard, you say. No big deal, you say. Foolish mortal! Ye know not the power of the plumbing gods bent on causing woes and misery to all those who dare to step foot into their world of pipes. Beware, for they are not a merciful force to be reckoned with.

It all started out with me getting annoyed at a slow drip we've had in our faucet ever since we moved in. Every time one used the water, it would leak out of the handle, causing a lime and calcium trail all over the beautiful white finish. (White, by the way, is not a color that should be made for sinks. It's like white carpet, impossible to keep clean. Try making something white that isn't always exposed to human use!) Silly woman that I am, I thought I could tackle the project with ease with my basic plumbing knowledge. Two days and one new faucet later, it's finished. It seemed that everything that could go wrong did. What a nightmare! But it's finished and I survived. Here are a few things I learned along the way:

1. It pays to know friends with plumbing knowledge so you can call them in bind and ask for help. I had to do that twice with two different brothers from our ward. They both were very helpful and I am SO grateful for them.

2. I now know what that box is for on the laundry room wall. I can shut off water to each room in the house. Good to know. Too bad I didn't know sooner so I didn't have to have the water off for hours at a time.

3. My husband is a very sweet, patient, and encouraging man.

4. It doesn't take long to soak a kitchen.

5. I have a lot of towels, which is handy in cleaning up the above.

6. I have little patience when things go wrong.

7. Plumbing projects are not my favorite. They can get really messy.

8. I need more upper body strength. Spending hours under the sink unloosening stuck washers was not fun.

9. The internet is a great resource for learning about hwo to do home repairs. (even if it doesn't go as smoothly for you as it does on the video.)

10. Nothing is impossible, you just need to be willing to try something new.

Since the plumbing gods have been defeated for now, I am happy to move back to my project of refinishing our bathroom cupboards. I prefer working with wood over pipe any day!

My Sweet Banshee of Doom

It often has amazed me that the human race has survived beyond childhood. Some days I wonder if my own children will make it past these early years. Not from lack of care or love, but rather the absence of patience and sanity from their mother. Today was the first day back to school from winter break and a big adjustment for some people in our house, namely an adorable five year old girl.

I've often quoted to my husband, "Hell hath no fury like a Rachel scorned." When that girl gets in a temper, watch out! Mountains will crumble to rubble, rivers will dry up, grown men will weep, and mothers will tear out their hair.

Rachel did well today until after dinner, when her dad was gone to meetings, and it seemed that the world was out to get her. There were tears, screams, and hitting of siblings because life was unfair and Mom a cruel and heartless soul. Oh the woes of a five year old!

But now the storm has ceased and the cute banshee of doom is down for the night. Of course, as we read scriptures before bed she was very tender and caring towards her baby brother. A good reminder to her mother that despite the sometimes raging tornado of tantrums, there is still a sweet little girl inside.

For my hubby

My husband and I joke that I have supersonic sense, especially when it comes to hearing and smelling. At night I have a hard time sleeping if the noise in the room is not consistent. I actually sleep with ear plugs in because I can't fall asleep while hearing my husband breathe. He, of course, finds this amusing and annoying. He gets in trouble if he breathes too loud or snores. That's why today's 'Pickles' made me chuckle because I know Marshall can relate.

I wasn't always a mom, you know . . .

It's always funny to see yourself from your children's perspective. According to them, I have always been a mom, never a little girl who played with dolls, beat up bullies, or did anything remotely cool. That's why I took their little minds for a whirl today when they discovered a secret from my past. I can play video games.

Yes, my hidden skills haven't really had the opportunity to come to the surface in my adult life. I admit, I was a video game playing junkie when I was a tween. It was serious business. But as I grew older, I moved on to better things. However, this Christmas we got Super Mario Wii and that has tempted my game playing appetite once again. My husband and I have had fun teaming up together after the kids are in bed and kicking some serious Bowser tail. Apparently, I am very competitive when it comes to Mario. I never realized this until my husband started to remind me, almost nightly, that it was just a game and not the end of the world. (Says the man who's family gets as passionate about board games as some people do about politics.) I admit it, I am a die hard gamer and the long slumbering beast has been awakened. No mercy! Take no prisoners!

Today the girls were playing Super Mario Brothers and discovered the saved data from our little nightly gaming adventures. They automatically assumed that I was the one who had died more often in our exploits. Not so! Their little minds were blown away when they discovered it was their father who had lost more Mario lives. I was the better player. Wow! Who would have thought? During the day I just don't have time to sit and throw down some Koopa bootie so they were amazed that I knew how to play at all. I may have actually become cool for a minute or two.

Who knows what secrets my kids will discover about me next?!

2010 Goals

I have been slacking off on my blogging thanks to partying with in-laws who were visiting for the week and a nasty cold. Now it's back to reality. Everyone has headed for home, except for my silly cold germs. They've decided to stick around for a bit to keep me company. How thoughtful of them.

It's a new year and with that comes new goals. I am all about making resolutions, if you're serious about keeping them. Otherwise, what's the point? You have to try to be somw=ewhat realistic. I've been thinking about some goals I would like to accomplish this year and have listed a few. Have you thought about your resolutions? If not, maybe reading mine will get that old brain thinking. Or perhaps reading mine will be worth a good chuckle. We'll just have to see.

2010 Goals:

1. Cultivate more patience/ mercy. (This is just something that is added to my list every year. It's a lifelong process.)

2. Continue working on family history.

3. Keep up the exercise regiment. (With colds, sick kids, and visiting family, I have slacked off this month. Time to get it in gear!)

4. Apply as a writer for the paper. (I've been debating this some time and just have been too weenie to try it. I've had a few people tell me I should try being an opinion writer in the local paper. I think it would be fun. I just need to be brave and apply. You all know I have a lot to say about everything. Half my thoughts I never get around to writing down. Maybe this would help.)

5. Have more meaningful prayers.

6. Rule the world. (Oops, that wasn't supposed to be published! But hey, I am sure I can't do any worse than what we have going for us right now!)

7. Be more positive. (Do they sell instant positivity in bottled form? I wish they did. My husband is a happiness junkie and I need to get me some of that!)

Good luck making your goals for the year!