They came, they finally came!

The Son

Today I had a moment of pure joy.


All day yesterday was a cold, windy, dreary day. Canada sent some of it's air our way and we didn't climb past the mid teens for our daytime high. Clouds hung heavy in the sky. Snow fell late in the day and the sun hid it's face. I love those kind of days. Days when all you want to do is snuggle up under your blanket, read a good book, and sip hot cocoa.

But even more than that I love days like today!

The tomorrows that Annie loved to sing about when the clouds clear out and the sun lights the earth and spreads it's warmth. The sun came out today! Bright and brilliant and warm!

Driving home from Walmart, listening to Christmas music, I felt it! My Joy! I was thinking about the sunshine, how it lights the earth. How it warms the earth. My heart swelled. Peace pierced my heart. I took a deep breath and inhaled the joy around me. The sweetness that the earth feels when it's sun comes out.

My thoughts were then drawn to The Son.

The light of the World.

My warmth, my light, my peace, my Savior in all things. The joy I will one day feel in His presence

My heart swelled to overflowing.


He knows me!


He loves me!


And this Christmas Season I'm grateful for the chance to celebrate Him!

Man of the House

This year for the Acres Organic conference Larry traveled to Minneapolis Minnesota.

But unbeknownst to me, before he left, he left Braden in charge. The day he flew out he took Braden aside and told him

"Son, I'm going to be gone for a couple of days. You are going to be the man of the house. You need to take care of your sisters and mom and make sure things go okay."

"okay dad" was Braden's four year old reply

This conversation took place without my knowledge

Braden was his usual helpful self so I didn't think anything was out of place until Thursday when he announced he needed a glass.

I asked him if he wanted water in the glass.

"No"

"well, do you want ice in it for your soda?"

"no ice, just a glass with noffing"

As our strange conversation goes on I get more and more confused...a glass, no ice, no water. Maybe he isn't thirsty...then why does he want a glass.

Once I'm clear as mud about what he wants I give him the glass. I try not to stare and wonder what he is going to do with the glass because he gets kind of shy when there is unwanted attention on him. So I watch him out of the corner of my eye and see him spit into the glass.
I look at him and say "what are you doing bud?"

He says"I spit in glass like Daddy"

I think, "oh no"

That night he climbs onto my lap to watch a movie, with his cup in hand, and spits throughout the whole movie.

I told Larry about this on the phone that night and he felt a little bit alarmed that his little boy might pick up on his bad habit. Maybe this will be a catalyst to helping him quit chewing.

One other way Braden thought it was important to "man up" was in the wearing of his apparel. Again Thursday night, he was walking around the house with his pants low on his hips. His bumcrack is hanging out and when I pointed this out to him he says

"me just like daddy now"

You won't find a litte boy anywhere who wants to be just like his daddy more than Braden.

This Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving we went to Grandma Cindy's house in Nampa. We spent two fun days with Grandma and Aunt Kresta eating and decorating.

Since Grandma isn't a big fan of cooking we were treated to Thanksgiving dinner Marie Calendar style! The great thing about eating out for Thanksgiving dinner is that there is no clean up! No piles of dishes, no hours of cooking, and cleaning while everyone else watches football.

Highlights from the trip include:

*No dishes after dinner

*Aunt Kresta wrapping Gabby in her coat with her because Gabby was cold.

*helping decorate Grandma's house for Christmas. Braden had a blast.

*the kids snacking all day on Grandma's good stuff

*taco dip

*apples to apples

*Ally and her sticky notes

We had so much fun with Grandma. Kresta cracks me up with her wit and innocence. She says "I love you mommy" whenever she knows she about to be in some hot water....reminds me of Ally a few years back who would always say "I love you" quickly after getting into some kind of mess.

Thanksgiving seemed to sneak up on me this year. Actually this whole year has seemed to really fly by. This Thanksgiving I was keenly aware of how grateful I am for my family. I am truly blessed to be surrounded by so many wonderful people in my life.

Ticket Nazi

One Saturday last month Larry and I decided we would do something we have never done before. We wanted to see two movies in one day... back to back.

Larry really wanted to see the movie "2012" and I wanted to see "New Moon" one more time (and Larry did to, just don't ask him to admit that).

We checked our show times and found out that if we went to see 2012 first then we would only have a fifteen minute wait (long enough to stretch our legs) before New Moon started. So, eagerly we bought tickets for both shows at the ticket counter. Larry held on to the tickets as he always does and I bought a very large Dr Pepper, both of which contribute to my story.

In looking at our movie times and trying to decided which movie to see when, I discovered that both of these movies were over two and a half hours each. A fine length for a movie...I'm not complaining... I want to get my eight bucks worth. But if you know me, you know that I drink like a camel saving up for a long dessert hike and consequently I have to use the bathroom quite a few times in a two and a half hour period.

About an hour into the first movie I decided the movie was in a good lull, I could tell what would happen next, and that it was a great time to empty my burgeoning bladder. I walk out of the theatre down the hall, past the ticket taker and into the bathroom. Afterward, on my way back to the theatre I pass the ticket taker standing dutifully at his post.

He puts his hand out toward me and says "ticket please?".

I say "huh?"

I have been to this movie theatre maybe seventy five times since we've lived here and not once!....not once! have I been asked for a ticket stub on returning from the bathroom. The boy was standing there when I left my theatre for goodness sake...he saw me leave, so what was this business about needing a stub? You of course understand my dilemma....Larry had my ticket stub with him. So here I was a thirty three year old woman cowering to a very tall seventeen year old boy asking for my ticket.

"Ummm, my husband has it with him" I stammered, feeling guilty even though I knew I could provide proof of stub if he would allow me.

"okay" he says and lets me pass, but not without giving me the suspicious stink eye first.

I get back into the theatre and tell Larry, " I need my ticket stub"

"huh? why?" he asks

"ticket Nazi's" I explain

"okay?" he says just a little puzzled.

Over an hour later the same need to empty my bladder. The ticket taker was there! I went in to the bathroom, came back out and viola...he was no where to be found.

2012 turned out to be a fun movie, if not improbable. So we went out to the parking lot to stretch our legs and call the kids at home.

After a short break we went back into the theatre to get our seats for New Moon. Again after the first hour and a half or so I still had some Dr Pepper left (it must have been a forty ouncer) and had to take one more trip to the bathroom.

And again, there at his post was my ticket taker. By now he was looking at me very suspiciously. Not very many people come to the theatre in Twin Falls and stay for almost five hours apparently. On my way back to the movie he sticks his hand out and says "ticket please"

I proudly produce my ticket stub for New Moon but in the process drop my other ticket stub for 2012. He, quick as lightening, bends over to pick up the stub and stuffs it in his pocket. I could have been offended that he still didn't' believe me, and was thinking that I was trying to pull a fast one. But I wasn't offended, instead I thought to myself "well, that's just what Nazi's do" and went happily into the movie, knowing that he had the proof in his pocket that I had indeed paid for two movies that day.

Ticket Nazi's aside, it was a great day! Larry and I had fun doing something we've never done before. I don't know what it was, maybe it was feeling again like we had all the time in the world to just hang out with each other...no worries...no schedules...just us. It sparked a small spark of excitement again in our hearts for each other.

It was fabulous!

Halloween.....just a little late

So I've been a little lax.

I've been busy.

I painted, cleaned, moved furniture, redecorated and tried to stay on top of my life this last month.

But I figured that since I want to make this blog into a book for my family to enjoy the rest of our lives, I didn't want to leave anything out. No matter how out of season it is.

Here are a few pictures from Halloween this year.

This year Courtney went as a 1970's basketball player....she rocked the fro! And got the most attention from the candy givers. Check out her form.

Ally's costume was kind of a last minute idea. We had this great cape and black dress so we decided that she could be Jane from the Volturri. It worked out to be a great costume and she looked just like Jane (her eyes are even glowing red from the overexposure on the camera...cool trick huh?). Sadly there weren't very many Twilight fans in Hazelton because only two people recognized her.

And our very own little superhero. Braden went as Spider-Man. He loved this costume and wore it every day for about a week. He also didn't want mom to put it away with all of the rest of the costumes in storage. He insisted I keep it out....so I did...it's hanging in his closet to be worn at his next whim.

Trick or Treating was fun. We walked around our small town for about an hour then walked back to the church for some trunk or treating. The weather was really nice, high fifties, so it wasn't a bad evening for walking.

Who Done It?

Oh it's good to be fifteen!

I remember those carefree days. All the time spent with friends...no cares in the world...all you really had to worry about was, well..........your entire future!

But between the hectic school schedule, seminary, wanting a car, wondering where to go to college, (and soon voice lessons), bugging mom about a car, worrying about how much car insurance will cost once we have a student driver (oh wait, that's me), and being a wonderful big sister, Gabby has some time to spend with her friends.

Just a side note about Gabby's pals. She has known these girls since we moved here six years ago. She was in the fourth grade and hating her parents because we moved her in the middle of the year. She didn't know anyone and she was afraid that no one would like her. But she made friends fast and they have continued to be the best of friends. She has had this group of seven that she does everything with. If she isn't with one of these girls she's with another. As a mom I have felt very fortunate that these girls come from such great families and they are a support and encouragement to Gabby and she to them. I coached them in Volleyball for three years and have watched them grow so I feel a little bit of ownership in them. I know the other moms feel the same way.

This year for Cheyenna's birthday (16th), she hosted a murder mystery dinner. Gabby was supposed to be "Torchy" a lounge singer from the late 1920's. They had so much fun. In the end it was Cheyenna who was the murderer.

Torchy a.k.a. Gabby

All of the girls from Left to Right

Chey, Jac, Dani, Tori, Kaela, Valene, and Gabby

Picture Day!

Well, we finally did it!

We haven't had family pics since Gabby was three and Courtney was one. Well not "official" family pics, the ones where you all dress in coordinating outfits and you have an actual photographer there. (The ones where we were all posed in front of my christmas tree don't count) Below are a few samples of our attempt at amatuer modeling. Hope you like!

I'm not being vain or anything but the black and white really works for us! I wondered out loud to Katie why I couldn't just go around all day in black and white.

My awesome kiddos

These are just a few of the many, many pics we took. Kate does a great job and she has a really good eye for placement and background. If you are in the Idaho Falls area and need a great photographer (I bet she wouldn't mind traveling to Boise too) you can find her
here

Reconsidering September

Fall, with all of it's beauty, happens to be my favorite time of year.

September on the other hand is the one month out of the year that can't be over fast enough for me. It's a tragic and strange coincidence that my favorite time of year would be coupled with my least favorite month.

But then you are asking yourself, how could she not like a whole month? That's weird, surely most people only dislike one or two days a year. Maybe Christmas is painful for the lonely, birthdays are less enjoyable for those who keep aging and so on.

But yes, it's true. I have an entire month that I have learned to be wary of.

For some reason the truly life altering, negative things that have happened to me, have happened in September. I am ear marked I tell you.

One fall day, twenty three years ago, my family was getting ready to go on a picnic to the Sand Dunes. We were all packed and ready to go but were delayed because my mom just "felt like there was something else to do" when two neighbor boys came running up to the house and told us that their sister had been in a four wheeler accident. They needed help lifting the machine off of her. My mom grabbed Jess and I, told Vickie to stay home with the younger ones and we went to see how we could help. We lifted the four wheeler off of our young neighbor, my mom gave her CPR, but we later learned she had died instantly from her injuries.

It was September, I was ten, and my faith in mortality was shaken.

The next time it was summer when we learned that we were to have another addition to our family. Excited was a word we used often in our home at that time. But then a feeling of emptiness, a strange dream, and the news that she wouldn't be coming to our family just yet.

It was September 12. Understanding and peace came later.

Oh.

So.

Slowly.

And then this last month, trivial as it may seem in comparison, we were served with a lawsuit for the car accident in March. We have been declared innocent by all accounts. But a lawsuit. What a headache. A major nuisance in my life, when I could really do with out it.

Again.....September

The other night I was sitting there thinking about this lawsuit, fearing it, wondering how to deal with it, when I came across this scripture in Alma 38 versus 4 and 5

"...and thou didst bear all these things with patience because the Lord was with thee........remember that as much as ye put your trust in God even so much ye shall be delivered out of your trials, and your troubles, and your afflictions..."

Instantly the peace came, the worries vanished and my cares were cast upon the Lord.

As I thought about these events, the letter (it seems) from Heavenly Father directly to me, I realized that it happened in September.

And then I realized another thing....

For all of the pain that this month has dealt me, there has been with it the accompanying peace and support from a loving Father.

Spiritual experiences have come to me to the point of overwhelming me with each of these tragedies, taking from them their sting. A blessed funeral for a little girl where an opportunity to sing "I Am a Child Of God" reminded me of who I am and sealed it in my heart by the power of the Holy Ghost. A dream that showed me the little girl that was not lost, only delayed in coming to our family. And a firm reminder that Heavenly Father is always aware of me and my trials.

Now that my eyes have been opened to the blessings of this month, I feel like I should really

....reconsider September

Preserving For The Future

(our canning booty)

This is how neglectful I have been the last few years.

A couple of days ago Ally was sharing a story about her friend Emily. She ended with,

"Emily didn't go to homecoming this year because she was home helping her mom with the canning."

A long pause.....

"Mom, what is canning?"

Instantly I felt regret that my youngest daughter doesn't know what canning is. I used to can all the time in Washington! Gabby and Courtney definitely remember, they had to help. But Ally was just a baby so she has no recollection of these fun times.

I do have my reasons really for not canning. My garden has not been my favorite place to be since moving to Idaho. I don't know if it's the feelings of impermanence I feel or the fact that the weeds grow faster that I can pull, but whatever it is, I have literally hated my garden for four years now. (The first two years we lived here I didn't have a garden at all) Which is so strange to me because I used to really enjoy my garden when I was younger.

I loved watching the plants as they grew from tiny little seeds until they became the fruit we would eventually eat. I loved canning that fruit, making pickles, canning beets, corn, peaches, pears, salsa, and anything else you could stuff in a jar and process. It was a lot of work but the rewards were worth it.

This year I planted my garden in good faith hoping for an abundance of cucumbers, corn, green beans and everything else. The day after I finished building, constructing (the kids and I built boxes out of railroad ties, hoping to thwart the weeds that grow all around and keep it somewhat manageable) and planting my garden, it started to rain, and didn't stop.......for three weeks. I promise....three weeks of rain, at least once a day. The people who braved the frost and had planted earlier than I were loving it. Their gardens were growing because of the rain. My little seeds however, were rotting in the ground. When my garden did finally come up, it was sparse. A few corn plants here and there. Two of the twelve cucumber plants that were planted. One in five green bean plants......well, you get the idea.

This did little to inspire my confidence in myself as a gardener.

So I hadn't planned on canning anything again this year. Until Ally, with her innocent remark and her unspoken call to action, reminded me that I have a stewardship to perform in raising these children of mine with a knowledge of canning, and gardening (even if it fails, we were still out there working on the darn thing).

Nothing that came from my garden was of any use to me, I just didn't have enough to work with. But we bought a couple boxes of peaches, which had come down in price, helped glean Bruce and Rebecca's garden of tomatoes and went to work. We ended up with ten quarts of peaches, seven pints of salsa, and a renewed determination to fulfill this aspect of motherhood. Because one day these lessons in home preservation may eventually be the keys to self preservation for my children and their children. I'm grateful for my lessons on these subjects and the fact that I have this knowledge to pass on to future generations.

Thanks for the reminder Ally.

Local Tourist

Sometimes I forget how lucky we are to live in such a lovely area. I take for granted that just a few minutes drive away is the Snake River Canyon. You know, the one that Evil Knevil tried to jump, but missed. We spend quite a bit of time there as a family. It's a major attraction for tourists coming through the area, but most of the time we get to have it all to ourselves. Especially if we time it right.

(The Perrine Bridge that spans the canyon)

(The water that falls out of the rocks above the cayon. A little bit over exposed so I tried to fix it.)

(More of the falling water)

On non~hurried days, we like to take a lunch down into the canyon and play at Centennial Park. It's one of the kids' favorite things to do.

(Ally finally mastered the monkey bars)

(Give him something to climb and he's off.)

I guess we figure that since we live here, we'll go someday. We still haven't been to the City of Rocks. But we love Shoshone Falls and go there often as well. Fall is my favorite time to go visit these places since most of the visitors have gone home.

Do you have somewhere that you love to visit? Tell me about it so I can come and see.

Turn Your Face to Heaven

I sat down to write a a new blog a few days ago. I typed out a couple of sentences, but after thinking about the things I wanted to say, I deleted them. Deciding that some things were too personal to share.

But here I am now, wanting to share with you the other thoughts that have been in my head begging to be released.

Over the past two Sunday's or so, we have had lessons on adversity. Our Sunday School lesson focused on it two weeks ago. Our talks in Sacrament Meeting visited the subject again today.

If you will, let me share my own ideas. My thoughts on the subject are this:

I picture myself standing next to the Savior at the end of my life. We review my life together and hopefully I don't get into too much trouble. I've pictured this scenario in my mind a few times. When the Savior turns to me and says "Well Amanda, how do you think you did? Tell me what you learned". I don't want to look back on my life and say...."That was a breeze. I got everything I wanted, didn't shed a tear, was never lonely and just plain had a good time".

Instead I hope to honestly say, "There were times when I didn't think I would make it. The world was pressing down on me so forcefully that I thought I would drown in the turmoil. But when I was pressed down, I found myself on my knees, and that's when You were beside me. There were times when I felt alone, but then when I asked You to, You came to me. I felt sadness only to recognize it's opposite in Joy! I learned so much through my trials, they brought me closer to You and the Father. I learned to have faith and trust in Thee. "

In this months Ensign there is an article about Joseph Smith's time in Liberty Jail. Midway through the article written by Elder Holland, there is this quote:

"..when we promise to follow the Savior, to walk in His footsteps, and be His disciples, we are promising to go where that divine path leads us. And the path of salvation has always led one way or another through Gethsemane. So if the Savior faced such injustices and discouragements, such persecutions, unrighteousness, and suffering we cannot expect that we are not going to face some of that if we still intend to call ourselves His true disciples and faithful followers."

Each of us at some point will face our own personal Gethsemane. Every picture that portrays the Savior in Gethsemane, shows Him with His face turned toward heaven. As our example in all things, He gives us the key to enduring and overcoming our own trials. It is to turn our faces from to world and look to heaven as our source of strength.

I'm getting better at it, but I still have a lot to learn!

Smelling Roses

Is life speeding by for anyone besides me?

I find myself saying over and over again, "where does the time go?"

The kids are growing up. Their activities keep me in constant fast forward.

I haven't blogged in awhile because I really don't know what to blog about. When I am running like I have been it isn't conducive to quiet moments of reflection.

But within the constant movement there are moments, however small, that remind me why I'm here.

A tug on the heartstrings because of a talk in church.

A quiet whispering that brings comfort.

Prayers that are answered by a loving Father.

And then there are the reminders to open my eyes and see the world around me. This lovely world that was created for us.

The other day as I was walking into the dentist office I noticed a rose bush growing by the door (how could I not notice it? It was taller than me). On the impulse of the moment, I gently cupped one of the open buds, leaned in, put my nose next to the soft petals and inhaled the sweet fragrance of summer.

It didn't' occur to me until a few days later that I had actually stopped to smell the roses.

Hmm imagine that.

Eternity's Promise

The first memory I have of my husband was when I was five years old. I was sitting on the bus in my green dress. I didn't get to wear dresses to school very often (in fact I can only remember two instances) because I was so rambuncious. My mom just knew I would be turning cartwheels all over the lawn and the playground, and she was right. So before I was even allowed out of the house I had to give my solemn oath that I wouldn't climb monkey bars, turn cartwheels, swing high in the swings or chase the boys (the last part was a required promise any time I walked out the door). I remember sitting on the bus being my most lady like self when Larry walked by. I had many thoughts at the time in my five year old brain like "He's cute" "He's such an older boy" " I wonder if he likes my dress". I remember these thoughts so clearly probably because it was such a momentous day for me, wearing the dress. I remember the boy, blonde and quiet. He really was a handsome boy.

My next recollection is of the boy every one talked about. The information was whispered and tragic. So sick, would he die? His poor family. "What does he have Mom?" "I can't remember the name of it. It's something very rare."

And then the blonde boy again, a few years later. Riding his green motorcycle. Would he take me for a ride if I asked? I wondered.

As a young woman at a dance Vickie says "he's so cute...you just have to get a look at him". Dressed in his California style I was a little put off. Christmas caroling at his grandparents house, standing in the back, again, the cute boy with the blonde hair, the motorcycles, the illness no one dared mention.

A couple of years later, a first date, a tender kiss. My earth shook, was tipped off balance, and forever changed when I looked into his eyes and saw eternity.

Camping~Beck Family Style

For a few summers now we've been promising the kids that we would take them camping. Spring comes, the anticipation builds. Summer comes, the hay grows and needs cut, the corn grows and has to be chopped. A few swimming excursions at the YMCA, weed the garden, mow the lawn, summer turns into fall and we say again, maybe next year.

I couldn't stand the thought of another summer going by without the long awaited for family camping trip. So I enlisted the help of Ramona. She was game to go, was excited and for some reason, I couldn't let her down. (Maybe it was the taunting, "oh you won't really go" or "you wouldn't last one night without the camper" "you're too high maintenance". For future reference, don't give me a good challenge unless you plan on my winning.)

So for two nights in a row, we braved the elements, fought with faulty mattresses (okay, I'll camp, but not if I have to sleep on the ground, hence the air mattress), killed spiders on our chairs and chased a hungry skunk from our campsite. Courtney only threw up once due to her intense nervousness from the lighting and thunderstorm wailing over head. Our tent, although bent nearly parallel to the ground a few times from the wind storm, survived and provided adequate shelter from the rain that came later the second night.

Larry and Braden at the "dinner table/kitchen area"

Ally, Adam and the back of Devan's head after a long day of swimming.

Samantha, Mona, and Jenna, relaxing before the worst part of the storm hit



The clouds are rolling in

I guess these pictures don't do the waves justice, they were rolling in like we were at the ocean instead of our little lake in Idaho. The spray was blowing at us causing us to close the tents down so we wouldn't all get wet.

We had so much fun swimming for two days. The water was so warm it was like a bathtub. A few family members came to swim but didn't stay the night with us (wimps).

I would totally do it again next year.....I just need to get a new air mattress first.

Driving Lessons

This is Gabby at two years old. This is Gabby driving my car.
This is Gabby in my mind.

Consequently this is me while she drives....

I know, I know! It's not fair to her that she is perpetually two years old in my mind. Especially since she is so mature and handles life with such grace. But this driving thing has seriously tweaked my insides.

Maybe it's because I remember being fifteen and how fast I drove. I actually used to drag race through town with Jason and along the highway with Dusty. AAhhhhhh! I would kill my daughter if she did that!

Maybe it's because I have been in nine car accidents since and know how fast things can happen. When I was fifteen I had NO idea that a car accident would happen to ME! Let alone nine of them!

Or maybe it's because this means I have only three years with Gabby still at home. After that, she gets to pursue her life. Independence and college. She'll leave the shelter of my wings and start to build her own nest. These driving lessons are only the beginning.

I'm not sure how I feel about that.

Becoming

The other day while reading an article in the Ensign, I came across a quote in the footnote. It was an interesting thought that I have been mulling over since. I wanted to share it with you but I won't add my usual commentary in the hope that you will think about it too and apply your own thoughts to it.

"The final judgement is not just an evaluation of a sum total of good and evil acts--what we have done. It is an acknowledgment of the final effect of our acts and thoughts--what we have become. It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made to some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become."

Dallin H. Oaks

Four Going on Eight

One of the reasons I like keeping a blog is that I get to write down the fun things that happen on a day to day basis. The things the kids say and do that unless recorded will be lost in the busy-ness of life. Like this one time Gabby was totally...oh wait, I didn't write it down so I forgot.

These days are too precious to be lost. I would freeze time if it were up to me and keep my kids forever. I like the age Braden turned today. Four. He's old enough to do so many things for himself and yet still needs mom for hugs and kisses and to pick him up when he gets hurt.

Even still, he's independent enough to make rational decisions for himself. Take for example the other day. Braden has many trucks and loaders that he loves to play with. He only has one problem. There is no dirt to play in. No earth to move, load in the truck or make roads out of. The ground around our house is either covered in grass, flowers, weeds or rocks. Using his four year old little brain Braden came up with a seemingly obvious solution. You know those flowers mom has planted in the flower bed? Well, they were covering a whole boatload of perfectly good dirt so why not pluck the flowers from the ground and run my tractors over the roots? Problem Solved.


When asked today how old he was he kept saying "eight". Is this his subtle way of reminding mom that her last baby is going to grow up WAAAY too fast? Do you think he'll be embarrassed if his mom shadows him to school offering to wipe his nose for him.......when he's seventeen?

Where does the time go? Braden at five months

And tonight right before bed. I asked him to hold still for a picture so I could post it on my blog. Do you know that four year old little boys don't actually HOLD still?

I mean never.

Not even for a second.

(Yes really, I'm pretty sure they don't even hold still while they are sleeping).

It took about eight takes but we finally got this cute one.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHORTY

Slow down will ya?

~Walmart Anxiety~

Maybe you heard about it on the news. It was the big story around town and the irony alone may have meritted international attention but just in case you haven't heard, I'll make the announcement.

~News Flash~

Twin Falls Opens a New Walmart!

So you're saying big deal, right? Who cares? There's a new Walmart opening somewhere in the world every ten minutes.

( I made that statistic up so don't drive yourself crazy trying to google it).

So what IS the big deal?

The big deal is this. Twin Falls didn't want a Walmart. (~Collective Gasp~) They fought tooth and nail to keep it from coming into their town.

Well, why didn't Twin Falls want this super~savior from high retail to come to town? Because, Twin is an interesting little city. Trying to maintain it's small town feel and at the same time hoping to offer it's residents some options.

Take for instance the fact that we don't have a Red Lobster....that's a problem for me. I LOVE

Red Lobster! I think it was about a year ago that I read in the Times-News that the city had X number of liquor licenses that they were willing to distribute to restaurants and businesses and that number had been used up. Since most restaurants won't open without a liquor license I am sad to report that we won't be getting a Red Lobster anytime soon . A side effect of living in a little big city

Back to Walmart. When the city council of Twin Falls denied Walmart's bid to build a store in their community, I'm sure the retail giant was a little bit stumped. I mean, who wouldn't want low prices and great deals on their doorstep? Twin Falls city council that's who. I for one already have two Walmarts within driving distance. One in Burley, fifteen minutes away and one in Jerome, forty minutes away (that's only a ten minute drive from Twin for those folks) so this decision didn't really affect me. But Twin Falls in it's careful consideration of this proposal decided that to give it's already established retail giants (Target, Kmart, Fred Meyer) a chance to keep their head above water they would reject the bid. And did for four years. Then Walmart came in and promised to pay millions of dollars in taxes the first month alone and wal~la Twin Falls opened it's new Walmart in June! Money talks folks.

For over a month I have avoided the giant of a shopping center. Home Depot, Sportsmans Warehouse, JC Penny, Albertsons and your local Garden Center all rolled into one. I avoided the crowds that exploded at the grand opening, the parking two blocks away just for the opportunity to walk to and then through the newly opened store. I haven't been very concerned with what the insides of the store look like since I have the philosophy that "if you've seen one, you've seen them all". Until today. Today I was on a mission. The mission of any mother who loves her children and wants to give them the things that will fill their hearts and make them smile. I'm talking about birthday presents (you thought I meant love and tenderness didn't you?) This morning I was on the hunt for Bradens much wanted Spider Man bike.

I knew that Walmart had it. I saw it in Burley but didn't buy it at the time because I didn't want to try to hide the darn thing for over a week. Since I had to go to Twin to pick his cake up from Winco I decided that I would check the new Walmart.

My first impression of the store was that the parking lot was very nice. The yellow stripes are freshly painted, the handicap parking is clearly marked, the sign on the store says Walmart "Always Low Prices" so you don't forget. I noticed the nicely painted lines on the pavement perhaps because there weren't very many cars in the parking lot. After having been full to overflowing the previous month, the few cars sitting sparsely around gave the eerie impression of a lack of customers. Then, as I am walking through the automatic doors I half expected to see a Walmart greeter standing somewhere nearby. Only to be fully surprised when one nearly jumped out at me from behind the electronic theft protection thingies that are posted at each entrance and said "welcome to Walmart". For some reason this made me feel all jumpy and nervous.

After grabbing my map (yes you need a map in this place) I looked up at the wide isles, concrete floors, high ceilings and scantily populated walkways and felt distinctly anxious. The store was big, huge, and otherwise enormous. How was I ever going to find anything in there? You could run a marathon inside the store and only have to circle it once. It took me forty five minutes to navigate the store and find the three things on my list. I survived! For that I am grateful. I could still be stuck in there you know. Lost in the toilet paper section, buried under paper towels. I left the store shaking slightly and on the verge of hyperventilating.

Although glad for the experience I don't know if I will ever go back. I seem to be a creature of habit more than I supposed. I like the narrow isles in Burley's Walmart. It feels more secure to pass someone, maybe brush their shoulder and offer an apologetic, "oops sorry". Some days it's the only human contact I get outside of my family. And I like that I know to the letter where everything is in Winco (I was asked by two different people if I knew where the so and so was at Winco. I just have that look about me, like maybe I've shopped there forever, I guess.) And I like that Target has everything that I can't get at Winco and Cute Shoes too!

For now they can keep their Super Walmart, and who knows, maybe one day when I'm hopped up on Zoloft I might decide to go back.

Bloggers Guilt

I have a confession to make.

I feel guilty when I don't blog for awhile.

That's all I need in my life....one more thing to feel guilty about!

I don't know why but the ideas aren't flowing in my head the way they have for the last few blogs. Maybe it's because we've been sick, out of town, and generally out of sorts (not really but it went with the out of town bit).

I don't want my blogging to go the way of many of my newfound interests. I genuinely enjoy writing about my life (self-centered? maybe). Sitting at the computer and thinking about what I might write gives me some much needed time for reflection. Maybe I have writers block.

Larry mentioned today that I should write a book. It was very flattering that he thought I might have some talent in that area. I have been tooling around in my mind some ideas for a childrens book and a novel but they are a little ways off. I have to organize my thoughts first.

Stumbling, stumbling through this post I realize what it is that I might need right now.....

I'm going to go take a nap!

In Mammas Shoes

For all of you who don't sit on my blog following links to all of the friends on my blog list I would just like to announce.....

Courtney has started her own blog. Gabby will be soon to follow. We will set it to private for the safety of my children so hurry and add them to your list or send us your email address or something or other....not really sure how to set a blog to private but we will figure it out soon I hope.

Go read her blog, it's prety good stuff....

thecrazysideofme.blogspot.com

While Mom's Out Driving...

Dear Mom,

I know you're eventually going to want to check your blog, and through past experiences you might have realized that I'm not the best when it comes to saying how I feel. But you know what, for you right now I'm going to try, and while trying I'll also do my best to avoid sounding cheesy...no promises though.

I tease you-a lot. I give you attitude-a lot. I mumble and grumble about half the stuff you make me do-a lot. But mom, I also love you-a lot.

I know that I've given you a lot of grief over getting a job, and the idea of you making money seemed like it would be the perfect fix for whatever financial fix we're in. But sitting here, I'm thinking about the things I'd be miss out on if you were hardly home. A homecooked, made from a recipe meal for starters. Could you imagine me trying to cook every night? I already feel bad for my future husband who will undoubtedly either be having 1) a lot of Ramon Noodles or 2) a LOT of overcooked/undercooked/burnt meals. Not only would our whole family be missing out on the yummy food (I know you're thinking 'sure because you eat my food ALL the time', but really it's just me being stubborn) but I know that if you weren't around waking my butt up at 11 or noon every day I'd probably end up laying there in bed, eating, sleeping, and eventually getting fat.

You also, though sometimes I really wish you wouldn't, drag me to church. I don't think you realize how grateful I am, and yes I am to blame for not letting you know, that you have raised us with the gospel. Being able to fall back on the teachings and lessons, and things that I have been taught and that I know are true have actually come as a great relief to me during some of my dark days.

I've always known where Courtney gets her peacemaking skills from. Our house would probably be a living hell hole, with us all laying in a puddle of blood because we killed each other (nice image huh) if you weren't there to straighten out the petty arguments over the computer, a new toy, or the remote. Not only that but you discipline us when we need it. (I never need it of course ;) I haven't been afraid of dad when he gets mad or yells or whatever for a long long time, but you...when you get all fired up and mad, it's really very terrifying. I swear you Morrison women....

I realize that in our entire family, extended and otherwise, I am sort of viewed as Public Enemy No. 1. I'm the rebellious teen who can't seem to get a hold of her life, makes bad choices, and everyone feels sorry for her parents because they know how hard they try. Of course people in our family are way too subtle to go outright and say it, but I notice how everybody takes to all the other kids, and then you know "there's 'ol Gabby, remember when she used to be a sweetie..." Ok I kid, I was never really a sweetie, and I'm probably overexaggerating, but Ma I do love your side of the family even though I pretend that I have absolutely NO Morrison blood in me. Sure Jess and Mona are the 'mean aunts' in my book :D, and I hardly get to see Vic, but oh well when I do see her it's always fun, and i still love all of my aunts and uncles nonetheless.

So Mom, you're probably almost home...hopefully, and to wrap this up I'd like to let you know that I love you very much. I already know that I don't tell you nearly as much as I should, but I want you to remember that even when it may seem like I don't, that's really when I love you the most, I'm just too hardheaded to admit it. And I saw your expression fall after you got done reading the conversation that went on between me and Trent's mom, but you need to realize that YOU'RE the best mom out there, and that I am SO grateful that you're my mother. I wouldn't replace you for anyone. Just always remember that in this family you're worth a lot. Definitely a TON more than everyone gives you credit for. Don't ever forget how much Heavenly Father loves you, and how much your family loves and needs you. You could never be replaced.

I love you Mommy!
Love,
Gabby

Swathing With Dad

Since Larry has been a Manager here at Horizon Organic, with all the paperwork and schmoozing that goes with it, he doesn't have many opportunities to drive the equipment. Which is kind of sad in a way because Braden LOVES to ride with his Daddy.

However, every once in a while Larry will get to drive a swather or chopper and call us to come and ride. And by "US" I mean Braden rides and mom drives him to and from the field. The other day Braden rode with Larry from eleven in the morning until four in the afternoon. Today I needed to take Larry a lunch on the swather so I loaded Braden up and away we went. I told Braden that we were going to ride with Dad and that Mom was coming too. He was a little concerned that Mom was "too big" for the buddy seat in the swather. (What's he sayin anyway?) That we wouldn't both fit.

(Larry got the functional swather and we were able to go 3mph. Saul wasn't as lucky)

Braden, who was sitting on my lap thought I was cramping his style because he asked me more than once to sit on the floor so he could sit on the buddy seat by Dad. We only stayed about an hour, much shorter than Braden would have liked, but he was torn between staying with Dad and coming home with Mom.

(A disgruntled three year old )

(We were clowning around for our blog)

Spilled Milk

Tonight as I was reflecting on my day, wiping the microscopic bugs off my counter in preparation to make dinner

(Picture of the bug, the staple is used as a size reference)

I found myself wondering what it would be like to live in town. Where the grass is greener and the bugs are fewer. At least that's how it is in my fantasies. What would it be like to live in a house of my own choosing? Preferably one that hasn't been lived in previously by four generations of farmers. A house that I wouldn't have to co-habitate with rats, mice, bugs or spiders. A house within walking distance of the mall or some major shopping center, that way when these doldrums strike as they sometimes do I would be a few short steps away from the endorphin releasing pastime that is shopping! Oh man, what would it be like?


These were my thoughts as I was preparing the potatoes to bake in the microwave (if they bake in the microwave can I really call them "baked" potatoes? There must be some other name for microwave baked potatoes).

And then my thoughts circled around and I asked myself what had I done today? Why did it feel like I had accomplished nothing.


I mean, we were having baked potatoes for dinner for goodness sake.....as a MAIN DISH!

But then I remembered all that I had done or rather, the few things of consequence that I accomplished that took so much of my day.

Cleaning the car for example, took three hours! Three hours! What possesses me? It seemed so simple at first. Vacuum the sand out of the car from the dirty feet after swimming at the lake the day before. Pretty easy right? Well then, what was that funky smell coming from the rug on the rear passenger side? Spilled milk? Why yes, yes it is. Mmmmmmm! Does anyone know what spilled milk smells like when it soaks into a rug in a hot car? Not a smell you would want to drive around with for hours at a time that's for sure! So after I vacuum the car, I move on to shampooing the carpets. Not just the spilled milk carpet because then the color of the other carpets wouldn't match. After the carpets are clean, roughly two hours later, Braden and I move on to washing the exterior. Why, you may ask am I washing my car by hand rather than taking it to a car wash to let them wash it for me for six dollars? Well, I am saving money, that's why. Something that takes a car wash technician (yes, they have been elevated to technician status in my book now) all of five minutes to do, takes me a full hour to do. BUT, I am saving money gall darn it!

Then later as I am dragging my tired self into the house Braden meets me at the door and tells me Santa is here! That perked me up just a little bit because I know Santa doesn't usually make house calls but once a year so I started to picture the things Santa might have brought me in June, like a million dollars or a house in town. Sadly, it wasn't to be. It wasn't REALLY Santa but his inflatable look alike that we keep in the storage room until the snow falls on the grass. Braden thought it would be a good idea to bring him inside, plug him in, and give mom a little bit of the Christmas Spirit. It worked and I didn't have the heart to tell Braden that Santa won't be coming for another six months

(you just try telling that adorable little boy no.)

And then, because Braden didn't feel like he had helped mom enough already today he decided to pour himself a glass of milk. Most of the gallon ended up in a sticky pile at his feet. He was quick to offer to clean it up (he's good at guessing when mom is about to the breaking point).

And he's good at teaching mom lessons. I learned (yet again) from my three year old that there's no sense crying over spilled milk, wishing for a house in town or resenting the small insects that live in my home.

The milk gets cleaned up, the house in town probably DOES have bugs

and I bet you, I just bet you, the grass isn't really greener over there anyway!