Change of Plans

Well, unfortunately the camp out was canceled on Friday night due to extremely bad weather. Like as in Tornado-bad weather. That is one thing I will never get used to out here, is watching the skies during a storm and praying we don't hear the tornado sirens.

It was supposed to be the father's and sons camp out on Friday night, and then the girls and I were going to meet up with Sugar Daddy and some friends for Saturday night. Since it was canceled Friday night, and I had a lot to do on Saturday, we just canceled the whole weekend altogether.



Part of it has to do with poor little G. Saturday morning she starting throwing up again. This is how she spent most of the afternoon on Saturday. I had a baptism to attend, and when I returned home she was still pretty sick. I was worried about dehydration, but by that evening she was drinking a little bit at a time, and not throwing it up, so I could tell she was on the mend.

Yesterday she stayed home with Daddy while I took the girls to church. It was so nice to be able to sit through Sacrament meeting without a kid climbing all over me! Those of you that know me at all might be surprised that I went to church even though I had a perfect excuse to stay home. I was surprised as well! I had just been feeling a sense of importance that I attend church yesterday. So I went, and first thing in Sacrament they change our first and second counselors in the bishopric, our Elders Quorum President, and the Ward clerk. Our good friends are now the holders of responsible positions! Obviously it hasn't rubbed off.

So I thought that was why I had been impressed to go to church. I went through the rest of the meeting just half paying attention. But during Sunday School, our lesson was on Temples. I was reminded of how important the temple is in our lives. Maybe that was why I needed to go that day!

Then in Relief Society we learned about Spiritual Gifts. Oh boy. This was definitely why I needed to go yesterday! It was really just what I needed to hear. I have been so angry about why other people can be healed and saved by their faith, when my mom and her obedient spirit were not. I have never had doubts about this before, because I have been on the positive end of healing so many times. But to see that the Lord has a plan for us, and despite our faith, if it is our time to go and work on the other side, it will be done. Knowing she serves a higher purpose on the other side of the veil brings me some comfort, but I'm sure this isn't the only time I will feel betrayed. Definitely something I'll be working through for a while.

I guess there is more than one way to deal with a change of plans.

Welcome

This is Noma. Or Oma, as Gretta likes to say.

She'll be joining our family on August 3rd. We are very glad she said yes. I guess we've all fooled her into thinking we're a cool enough family so she'll want to become one of us.

I wonder how long it will take her to figure us out? ;)

Congratulations, Dad and Noma. We love you.

Transport

We're going away this weekend. It's a very exotic-like vacation, so don't be too jealous.

You see, we're taking the trailer out. Finally. We used it once last year. Sad, but since I was in Utah the entire summer, we didn't really have the opportunity to use it. Trust me, if I had my choice, I would have loved to have used it every weekend last summer. If only.....

But alas, things change. Mom is gone, and now the trailer can come out of storage. So we're heading out to the Chain O Lakes state park. Yes, it really has the "O" instead of "Of". And they think us Utahan's are rednecks.

Part of the joy of the trailer, is getting everything ready to go. Food, towels, sheets, blankets, propane, putting back in the batteries, emptying out the poopsicle that never got emptied before it froze solid. See, fun stuff like that. But there's also getting the truck ready to haul it. Fuel, car seats, iPod, new U-joints. Wha? Yep. A day before we need to get ready, the truck needs new U-joints. Figures. It's actually about time, but still, car repairs are the worst. Luckily for me, Sugar Daddy is a master at finnagling things, and can fix pretty much any car problem.

He did it. He fixed it all by himself. And it could have cost us $650. Instead, it cost us the price of a one day Metra ticket, since we had to wait a day for the part, requiring him to take the train into work for a day, and then $35 for the actual part. Labor? Totally free. He rules.

So we're getting ready to go. I can't wait. Even though the Chain is about, oh, 5 minutes away from our house, it will still feel like a major getaway, since I've never been there. I love the trailer. I love being with my kids, and seeing how they interact with eachother, and with nature. I'm sure Maggie will be in personal Hell with the bugs and trees and water all around, but she'll survive. I don't think Gretta even remembers the trailer, since it's been a year since we last went. I'm sure she'll love it, too.

I have a good FFF tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Throw Down That Hoe

Emma had her talent show last week. Yes, I'm just barely getting around to posting. Sorry, things have been crazy. Gretta was puking all day yesterday, and today so far, so yesterday's post didn't happen.

I give you Emma.


Moments after performing. I love the braids, don't you?


In the midst of her performance for the parents. She did such a good job. She practiced hard, and had a lot of fun, which is of course the most important thing.

Keli Can't Come To The Blog Right Now

There has been an eruption of vomit at her house. She is busy cleaning it up, soothing the sad baby, and making sure enough fluids are taken in.

Please check back tomorrow. Hopefully the patient will be fully recovered by then.

Thank you for your patience.

Mom's Day Recap

I have to admit, I was dreading Mother's Day. I had these horrible feelings conjured up, and I was certain they would take over and drown me in sorrow.

I was wrong.

I had a great day. A little sadness, of course, but nothing like I had anticipated. Luckily, part of the reason for that is living outside of Utah, the Mother's Day church service wasn't a sappy song and dance meant just to make mom's cry. It was just any other Sunday. Youth speaker, check. Primary kids singing "Mother I Love You", check. Stake Young Womens President speaking on Relief Society, check.

Even Relief Society itself held a lesson not related to Mother's Day. "Facing Persecution with Fatih". Totally unrelated, see?

I was glad. I needed a break from the sorrow I had dreaded so much. I did leave during Sacrament meeting because I got something in my eye, (really! I did!) and as I was coming back out of the restroom, I was greeted by good friends making sure I was okay. Of course, it looked like I had been crying due to the watering eye situation, but I was fine. What good friends I have. Thanks, girls.

I was also treated to a mani/pedi/eyebrow wax for my day, and took the older girls along with me, as well. We had a great time, and their nails look beautiful! I bought myself a new pair of shoes, and 2 bouquet's of flowers, and called it good.

We had a bbq with some friends yesterday, and as always, we talked too much, stayed too late, and had too much fun. But that is what friends are for, I suppose.

So I survived my first motherless mother's day. I'm sure there will be more sad times to come, but I can do it. Also, thanks for the cards and letters. I have such an awesome support system, I know I can get through anything!

I Feel So International

Thanks to Sugar Daddy's side of the family, international visitation has risen significantly on my blog. I now receive visitors from Oslo, and Paris. These are in addition to the visits I've already been receiving from Brasilia, and La Paz.

I feel very cool right now.

Mother's Day Week

I couldn't possibly do a Fun For Friday today, what with Mother's Day Week coming to an end. I have to reflect back on last years post, and I realize now that I was prompted to write all these wonderful things about my mom. I miss her so much. More than any word can describe. I miss the safety net she was, I miss the comfort of normalcy that I had before she died. I miss her smile, her hugs, her laugh, her wisdom, her strength, her friendliness, her hands, her love. I know she is my angel, and I'm glad I can have that over having nothing at all.

I love you, mom.

May 9, 2008

To my mom

There are so many things that make you who you are. I couldn't possibly sum it all up in just a few paragraphs, or pages, for that matter. So I enlisted some help. Together we have racked our brains, smiled, laughed, cried, and felt pangs of homesickness, all to pay tribute to you, and your wonderful self.

Remember all those times you had to sit with me in school? Sorry.
I laugh when I think of all the times we had church activities, and you were always in charge. Always.
Making sandwiches on the cooler in the boat, and you only forgot the knife once.
The smell of Gardenia lotion in your bedroom.
The way you have the B. in your name.
Putting your family first, even when it's hard.
Discovering that you might have a bit of a rebel in you. Just a bit.
Au Gratin potatoes and chicken noodle soup. And Nasi. And turkey dinner, and rolls, and roll-ups, and I think we eat too much...
The way you send out cards "just because" to random people.
The way you keep friends for a hundred years.
Trying to find your way out of the ZCMI parking garage.
Keeping your cool when your sweet Cadillac lost the brakes on the way home from the mall.
Flying away at a moments notice when one of us needs you.
Using the "facilities" in a nice new house, when there was no running water.
Always saying "this too shall pass" and other fine words of wisdom.
Staying calm when the motorhome battery exploded, and just blowing out the flame.
Saying "Time to find a beach".
Pokey.
The yellow Blazer.
Your beautiful fingernails.
The way you love every piece of jewelry you've ever owned.
Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Shall I go on?
And last but certainly not least, QVC.

Mom, we love you. You are the rock we cling to, the light in our tunnel, and most of all, our friend forever. We couldn't do any of this "life" stuff without you.

Happy Mother's Day

Skipping

I'm skipping today's Mother's Day Week post in lieu of something much more important.

Emma's talent show is today.

She performs for the school today, and for the parents later tonight.

She has braids in her hair, and looks adorable.

She's a little nervous. I'm a lot nervous. I want her to totally rock it. I know she will.

But I'm still a lot nervous.

Mother's Day Week

May 7, 2008

There are so many reasons I love being a mother. The more I think about it, the more my joy swells. Mostly I just love that I have this job, with basically no prior skills, and I feel like it is a natural fit. Even though I'm not the most nurturing, huggy touchy feely mother, I feel like teaching my kids to do things on their own, and stand up for themselves is just as important as holding their hands and carrying them around. Don't get me wrong, I do my fair share of hugging and kissing, they certainly aren't neglected in that area, it's just not my strong point. But that's okay. I hope I make up for that in other areas.

Mother's Day Week

Last year I did posts for each day during the week before Mother's Day. This year I'm doing it again. As in, I'm copying and pasting my posts from last year. I'm so motivated.

Honestly, it has a lot more to it than that. I'm seriously dreading Mother's Day this year. I don't have a mother anymore. I don't have her to call and say "I love you" to, or in my case, apologize for being the best.daughter.ever.

As I look back on my posts from last year, I remember thinking it was imperative that I honor my own mother by revealing all the things motherhood has taught me. Maybe a little inspired? Probably.

So sit back and enjoy this weeks posts all about being a mother.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Why I love being a mother

• It makes me do things I would otherwise never have courage to do.
  
• It makes me see things from a smaller, more innocent perspective.
• It makes me more confident in my decision making skills.
  
• It makes me rely on faith and promptings in a way I have never known.
  
• It makes me stick to my guns, and stick up for my kids.
  
• It makes me see how lucky I am to have healthy, happy kids.
  
• It makes me appreciate my own mother more than ever.
  

Why do you love being a mother?

Fun For Friday

This Friday brings a different sort of fun. I had the pleasure of interviewing miss Allison Averett Westenskow, of Gilbert, AZ. She and I go way back. Well, sort of. Her mom was my piano teacher back in the day. She taught better than I learned for sure. But I did stick with piano because of her, and now I can play fairly well. But I digress.


Allison and I have reconnected through blogs. You know how it is. We weren't ever friends when we lived in Utah, she is a few years younger than me, but her family lives near my in-laws, so I can keep up to date through them. Now that she has her own blog, I've learned a lot about her. A few things I've noticed are that she is a total babe. Very NieNie-esque if you will. She has great taste in music, you can listen to her play list on her blog here. And her family is absolutely adorable. So I took it upon myself to introduce all of you to all of her. Here goes.

Why did you start blogging?

I originally started the blog because we moved to Arizona and I wanted friends and family to keep up with what was going on in our family. Although, as time has passed, said family and friends don't look at very much, I have to tell them "Look at the blog!" I have sort of taken it over as my own and I put more things on there that reflect me instead of family related info.


You have Celiac Disease. Tell us a little about it and what it's like.

Celiac Disease! It is the devil. Really, it is a genetic auto-immune disease that affects the small intestine. You can have the gene for it all your life and never be sick, it has to be triggered somehow usually by stress. I was diagnosed with it when I was 24. My body thinks that the protein in gluten is toxic for my body and it is unable to digest it properly. My body tries to fight off the scary protein and in turn destroys itself. I get really sick. So, that means no wheat, barley, rye, etc. It was very hard at first, but I have been able to find things I can eat and there is more information about it than there was 7 years ago. There are a lot of gluten-free menus in restaurants now-a-days and I am hoping a big name celebrity will get it (other than Elizabeth Hasselback) and it will be cool to be gluten-free.

What are some of your all time fave movies?

Hmm, all time favorite movies. That is tough one, I go through phases, I usually like the more off beat type of movies. Edward Scissorhands, Reality Bites, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Stranger than Fiction, Nacho Libre, Little Miss Sunshine. I also like good action movies & 80's movies.

Describe for us a typical day in the life.

My typical day is blah, blah, blah. Haha, really, it is get up (against my will) get the kids breakfast, ready for school, take the kids to school, go to the gym, shower, play with Micah, lunch, go to the store, play on the internet (or read, listen to music, talk on the phone depends on the day) :), pick Alexis up from school, fix dinner, help with homework, read stories, get the kids ready for bed, watch T.V. (play on the internet, read, music etc) Go to sleep, wake up and repeat. I guess I clean up the house every once and while too.


If you had all the money in the world, what would you like to do?

Travel, travel, travel! I love to see new places and experience new cultures. I loved living out of the country and I hope to do it again someday. I would also love to solve all of the world's economic problems if I had enough money left over, oh and give to charity (really).


So that's Miss Allison. Check out her blog here, and stay long enough to listen. I love the world of blogs, it opens up so many doors. I love meeting new people that share ideas and values, I love keeping up with friends from far away, and I love reconnecting and remembering where I come from, and all the people that have helped shape the person I've become. I challenge each of you to interview a fellow blogger and post it.

Happy Friday!

Roses On Your Piano

Did I give birth recently?

I don't recall.

But I must have, because Sugar Daddy came home with these beauties.


Only the second time in our entire marriage that I have gotten flowers without needing a C-Section first.

The other time was when we were fighting pretty good.

This time, no reason.

I'm suspicious.


*also, see here for the latest article.

Spring had Sprung

Spring was here. For one day, and one day only. We enjoyed a day of relaxing on the patio while the girls frolicked in the sprinkler. I had a big refreshing beverage, a salad from Chili's, and a bestie to chit chat with, and life was good. I garnered some sun on my arms, a little on my face, and the kids tanned nicely as well.

And then the next day came, and the rains came down. And down, and down and down. It's pretty much been raining here for 5 days straight. April showers and all that jazz, it's true. I do enjoy the thunderstorms, though. We certainly never got anything like this in Utah. The lightning is spectacular, and the worms that leave the grass in search of higher ground are fat and fabulous. You should see these suckers.

But for one day, life was sunny and good. A peek into what the summer may hold. I liked what I saw.


Gretta in her water shoes. She loves the water; the tub, shower, sink, toilet, sprinkler, hose, doggy dish, anything that can get her wet. No fear.


Mags was a little hesitant to get wet at first. After a few minutes of keeping the sprinkler on "low, mom", she was fine, and bouncing through the watery tendrils with the other kids.


Meet the other kids. Can you tell which one belongs to me? Emma and Shivani are total besties. They play at school, and at home on most weekends. She is a wonderful girl, and very sweet and kind, so I have no problem with them spending lots of time together. But really, could they look any more opposite?

The rest of this week is supposed to be kinda blah, but I think we're on an upward trend for sure. Pretty soon you'll hear me complaining about the heat, I'm sure. Already my hair is as curly as it gets, and I don't love that, but I'm dealing with it.

I Write

Well, it's official people. I'm a working gal. After exploring many, many avenues of what I would like to be when I grow up, I've decided to try something new. Again. This time, though, I can do it from home, I can express my opinion freely, and I get paid. Okay, so it's pretty much like a blog, only with a paycheck. But still, there's a paycheck. Did I mention that part yet? Seriously, getting paid to speak my mind is like, well, like getting paid to pee. I mean, we all know it's going to happen so why not make a little money at it?

Anyway, like I said in the email I sent out to my family yesterday, you can see the article here. Please, please tell me what you think. And be honest. And if you don't like it, then you can stick it.

Gettin' Smart

While I was in the Motherland, Sugar Daddy went all good-little-wifey on me, and took the girls to the city to see the Field Museum. Last year we had an annual pass to the aquarium, so this year he got us a pass to the museum. The kids loved it, and they didn't even get to see it all in their trip down there.

Gretta showing off her newest face.

The girls in front of some sort of dinosaur. I'm sure Maggie could tell you which one it is. She really likes dinosaurs. Which is surprising, since they are bigger than her, and I would think that would scare her.

Mags with the Cheetahs. Does this make her a cheetah girl? Hmm.

I've always said Sugar Daddy is a better wife than I am. If I had been stuck at home with the girls for a weekend while he was away, they would have watched a lot of movies, I would have caught up on sleep and cleaning, and we would have gone about the days just as any other. I'm glad he took some initiative and got the kids out and about. He's such a good little mommy.

Fun For Friday

This is probably much more fun for me than it is for you.


Either way, it's pretty dang fun. Student of the Month. I freakin love this kid.

Happy Friday!

It Could Go Either Way

My Maggie is a crack up. She loves TV. Pretty much any cartoon, or Disney show, will hold her attention for hours. She likes to be mellow, and keep the excitement to a minimum. But there is one show that will get her out of bed at 6:00 AM, and this show will keep her mesmerized until the very end, even if she's seen it a million times.

A Baby Story on TLC.

Seriously, she's obsessed. I don't really know why. And I certainly don't know if this is a good thing or a bad thing. She became very interested in it when I had Gretta, naturally, and it has just continued over the last 2 years.

But here's what I think about it. I figure this little obsession of hers could go 2 ways. 1, she will turn into a creepy pregnant-lady stalker. You know the ones. They rub your belly, give unfounded advice, and ask for all the gory details of your birth. Or 2, she will become a wildly successful OB/GYN, and possibly have her own TLC show, makes tons of money, and support Sugar Daddy and I until we die.

I like #2. Obviously.

I just hope this isn't doing her any harm. I don't want her to think that birth is something to be ashamed of, or that she should shy away from asking questions about her body. I like the openness of it all. But if she turns into creepy pregnant-lady stalker, it's not because I didn't try to get her to go to medical school.

Bonus Post

Happy birthday to my nephew, Eli. He's 5, and dang cute. I love him. He has a funny way of speaking, and he is very spunky. I could probably eat him, if I could catch him. Happy day, dude. I Love You!

Re-Turned

I'm back. I know, you're thrilled beyond belief. The Motherland was great, and warm, and not Chicago, so I was a happy camper. Add to that that all the sibs were together, and there was no stopping the fun. So for your pleasure I give you bullets.

• Driving myself to the airport at 5AM. I'm such a big girl.
  
• The bumpiest flight I've ever been on. But "Yes Man" was on, and it distracted me nicely.
  
• My bag was the first off the carousel. That never happens.
  
• Visiting with MIL. I love her. She's the bestest ever.
  
• Driving to Vegas with Dad and Noma and Madison. I don't think we had one lull in conversation.
  
• Seeing Gracie. I love that kid. Oh, and the other kids are good, too. And Jill. And Aaron.
  
• Sleeping in the bunkbed. Awesome.
  
• Mandalay Bay crab leg buffet. I love crab. Straight up, no butter. Just simple, honest, crack, pull and eat. Mmmm.
  
• The Las Vegas Temple. It's beautiful inside. And Pink. And Brother Whistle-when-he-speaks as a sealer.
  
• In N Out. Need I say more?
  
• Nutella shakes. That Troy, he's so creative.
  
• Driving home with crazy driver Josh and Meg. Crashing his family's party.
• Visiting with Julie and Chad and Chase, et al. Good people, they are.
  
• Getting my band filled. It's been a while, and boy, liquids for a whole day is tough enough, but especially when you have a 4 hour flight. Liquids in, liquids out, you know.
  
• Booking it through Detroit Metro trying to make my connection.
  
• A relaxing 40 minute flight back to Chicago from Detroit.
  
• Driving home in a semi-coma, and falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
  

And now it's back to the grind. Screaming kids, speech, school, music, talent show, blah blah blah.