When I was in the excruciating pain of labor this is the moment I kept thinking of.  This is the moment that makes it all worth it.

Thursday March 27th at 4:50am I had my first contraction. It woke me up and I said, "Wow!! That one hurt!!" I guess I said it loud enough that it woke up my husband, and he asked if I was okay.

I knew at this point this was labor, and we had to hurry. After being in labor for a couple minutes, I knew if we didn't hurry we'd be having the baby at home. The whole labor is really something straight out of a movie.

I woke up my husband again and said, "I'm in labor!!"

He jumped up and said, "What do you want me to do?"

 

I said, "Start loading up the car!!"

At this point, he started timing contractions. They are 3 minutes apart. Which, for me, means baby's arrival is very soon!! Also from past labors we've learned that when I can't talk through contractions it's time to push. At this point I'm not talking through contractions. So my hubby knows we have to leave, and so he is running around the house in a panic. He has to load up the car, switch car seats into the car my 17 year old daughter will be driving, and finally waking up my daughter to watch the kids. Just getting ready to leave took about 40 minutes. So, at this point, I've only been in labor for one hour.

Really from here on just picture the movies... Hahaha

@5:55 leave the house. Hubby drives like a speeding maniac!! Haha and I'm trying really hard not to push.

@6:00 hubby takes the wrong freeway exit and starts going toward The wrong hospital. Not only the wrong hospital, but the old hospital isn't even there anymore. :) This whole time contractions are continuous, and I'm in a lot of pain, and I'm thinking of a good place to pull over and give birth.

@6:05 Hubby gets back on freeway even though now I'm really thinking I'd rather give birth in a parking lot than on the side of the freeway!!

@6:11 we pull up in front of the hospital. Hubby runs inside the hospital because I can no longer walk.

Hubby - "My wife is in labor and the contractions are really close."

Nurse - "Is this your first?"

Hubby - "No this is my 8th!"

Everyone jumps and runs!! Haha

Meanwhile I'm in the car with continuous contractions and can't move. I'm praying they believe us because I don't want to deliver in the parking lot. I was relieved to see my hubby, a wheelchair and 2 or 3 nurses running out to get me.

It takes a little bit, but they get me in the wheelchair. They literally run with me in the wheelchair into the hospital and through the hallways to my room. We get to the room and again it takes a little bit to get me into the bed, but

@6:16 the nurse says,"she is complete, there's the baby's head, she is pushing".... I give birth to my amazing and adorable 8th baby.   5 minutes after pulling up to to the hospital.

 

Luckily there was a Doctor in the hallway, and when she saw us run by, she decided to wait and see if we needed her. And we did!!! Hahaha

It was a total of an hour and a half labor. He is just living up to the name that my 5 year old decided to give him before he was born. The Flash!!!




19 years and 4 days after starting my family we are finally all together!!  well....kind of all together. 
One of us is serving the lord in Texas, but he is still in our picture. well.... kind of... he is a life size cut out.
My point is...
I'm feeling very blessed to have the 8 amazing and wonderful children and incredable husband that I have. 

Looking For Super Girl

 I have guilt. I want to go back in time and tell a teenage girl in Applebee's that she looked beautiful. The problem is I don't know who she is. All I know is it was close to Halloween, she was at an Applebee's and she was the only modest super girl in a large group of super girls. She was beautiful, radiant and it showed. Everyone agreed she was the prettiest girl in the restaurant. I wanted to go up and tell her. The problem is I wasn't brave enough. I didn't want to look stupid. I didn't understand yet what she had to go through to get to that Applebee's dressed modest. Now that I have a teenage daughter I understand. I truly understand the stress, tears, time and money it took for her to stand up for her beliefs.

I remember when my daughter was about 12 or 13 we went Easter dress shopping. She found a cute dress. This dress with a couple changes would be cute and modest, but we had to change it. She wanted it so badly. I told her I really wanted to find one we didn't have to change. I didn't want to support the immodest clothes, even if we changed it. She looked at me and said,"Mom can one girl really make that big of a difference?" I honestly didn't have an answer. She didn't buy the dress. Later that same day, we went to the general young women's broadcast for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They showed a video where the Young Women's General President said this, "now young women you might ask, can one girl really make that big of a difference? And to you I say YES!! Yes she can!!" I started to cry!! My daughter smiled and handed me a Kleenex. I was so grateful for a loving Father in heaven who answered my daughter's question when I didn't have the answer. From that point on, she has stood up for what she knows to be true. I'd like to say it was me. That would be a lie. She has taken my high standards and raised the bar even higher.

 My daughter is now a junior in high school. She has been to prom, sweethearts and now homecoming. Each time she searches and searches until she finds a beautiful dress that is modest. It isn't easy and is stressful every time. She just went to homecoming and of course she was dressed in a modest beautiful yellow dress. As they sat at Texas Roadhouse a nice lady came up to her and told her how beautiful she looked. This made her so happy!! It was so nice to hear from a stranger that she looked beautiful. Not just for the dress she was wearing and the way her hair looked, but for what she stands for. For the decision she made to stand up for what she believes in even if she was the only one. That is what makes her beautiful.

 Seeing the smile on my daughter's face when she told me of the nice lady that told her how beautiful she looked made me remember super girl. I have never forgotten her. I've never forgotten how truly beautiful she looked in the only modest super girl costume. If I could go back and tell her I would. I would like to thank the lady who was braver than me and told my daughter how beautiful she looked. Thank you!! Thank you for helping my daughter stand up and be beautiful.

 And to super girl who is probably all grown up now. You are beautiful!!

Mailman or gmail I'm still waiting!!!

Saying Good by at the MTC

Wednesday is here again!! I like Wednesdays.  Actually for the last 3 weeks, I love Wednesdays.  Wednesday is my missionary sons P-day or preparation day.  So that's the day he gets to write home.
 Every week I sit here waiting for the alarm on my phone and/or iPad to go off saying I have a new email.  I get so stinkin excited!! My heart jumps and I grab my phone in hopes it's the one I've been waiting for.  My hopes usually turn into frustration when it is yet again another junk mail from Travelocity or Desert Book.

Saying Hello after 2 long years

 It takes me back, 22, 20ish, okay a few years, when I was writing another missionary.  This time he was MY MISSIONARY!! The man I hoped to and did marry one day, the man I wanted to spend my forever with.   Every week I'd be so excited to check the mailbox, I'd run home from school just to check it.  When it wasn't there yet, I'd be so disappointed. I'd go in the house only to come out a few minutes later hoping it had come.  I'd walk up and down my driveway several times until it finally came.  It would make my week!! I wanted to hear how he was doing, to hear all the stories, to hear about his companion, to hear about the people he taught and baptized.  I had no idea that one of the girls he taught and baptised would later become one of my favorite and dearest friends.   The part at the end of the letter always made me the happiest and some weeks I'd start at the end. The last few lines that said how he still loved me and still missed me. Those are the lines I read over and over . . . . and over again.

 It only took a little while for my mailman to figure out what was going on.  Maybe it was the upside down stamp (that meant I love you), the 'i' in my name that was dotted with a heart, or the fact that if I saw him coming, I'd meet him at the mailbox.  I don't know, but he was smart and knew how important those letters were to me. So without talking about it beforehand, we had a secret code my mailman and I.  If I had a letter from my missionary, he'd close the mailbox.  If I didn't have one, he'd leave it open.  I started leaving it open to know when he'd come by with the mail :), but let's face it, I sat with a perfect view of my mailbox so I could sit and wait.  My mailman made me happy.
 

 Then my missionary became my hubby.  As I was standing in line at our reception, a cute man came up and said, "Do you recognize me?"
 

 I knew him, but couldn't place where.  So I said," I know you but . . ."
 

 Then he said, "Maybe this will help" and then he pulled up his pants to reveal his legs.
 

 That's when I yelled," YOU ARE MY MAILMAN!!!"
 

 It made so happy that my mailman came to my wedding reception.  The perfect way to celebrate our marriage was to have my mailman come to help us celebrate.
 

 So here I still sit with my computer open to my gmail account, my phone open and my iPad on my email-- waiting to hear from my missionary.  I want to hear all the stories.  I want to make sure he got my package of "healthy food" and by healthy I mean cookies made from apple juice, and I mean healthy including Dunford Bakery donuts.  I'm excited to hear if he beat the most letters written in one day by different people competition, I want to make sure he is still happy, learning Spanish, getting along with the other elders, and of course, I love reading the line that says, "I love you Mom!" That makes me happy.
 

 When I married MY missionary almost 20 years ago I had no idea that he wouldn't be my last missionary.

Where have the last 6,663 days gone?

So 9 days ago I wrote this post.  It has taken me 9 days to find enough time to post it.  Remember that as you read this.  Remember that 3 of my adorable children are all sitting in time out as I finish this up, they have sucked on batteries, played with a water gun in my house, my toddler finger painted with poop, they have argued, yelled at each other and said work was done when lets face they never started it.  I have dishes piled in my sink, I haven't showered, eaten breakfast or even gotten dressed.  The older kids who everyone says helps me and thus makes my life easier are either still in bed or at school  for Cross Country practice since 7 am this morning.  Let me say it now I haven't forgotten anything.  I am still right in the middle of it and couldn't be happier!!!

  What I'm going to say, some of you don't want to hear. Actually after reading an article recently some of you will be so mad you will "want to hold my head under water." You see today I dropped my son off at the MTC (missionary training center) to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lubbock, Texas for two years. All I can keep thinking is, "But wait what happened to the last 18 years? I am not old enough to be a missionary Mom! I am not!! I am not!!! I AM NOT!!!" That went by so unbelievably fast. It really does seem like last week I sent him off to Kindergarten and was so sad and worried that I volunteered in his class almost every single day. Some of what we've been through I wouldn't want to go back and do again. Actually a lot!! I'm not saying it was easy. At times, I tried to turn in my two-weeks notice. Actually, I remember more than once asking about boarding schools, and I've threatened to sell him to the traveling gypsies at least monthly. I wanted to follow him to school and beat up some bullies or hide behind a bush and whisper to him what to say to help him make friends. I've gone to the talent show and cheered him on when he played Yankee Doodle Dandy on the piano or when his talent was shooting hoops and he missed every single one. I was still there with a big smile recording every single missed shot. I sat through all his basketball games, and I was there when, even though he is a great shot now, he didn't make the team. He has made me proud to be his Mom, and he's taught me so much about life and has truly helped make me who I am today.

About day 4.

Day 6,663

 So I guess as I read the article about the parent who is right in the beginning of the crazy parenting years that you aren't sure you will survive, I had a different perspective. A much different perspective. Now remember I have 7 kids.  Four of them are elementary and younger. So I haven't forgotten anything! And if you are thinking, "yeah, but she has older kids who help," let me ask you this, have you ever heard anyone say, "teenagers make everything so much easier?"  No? I didn't think so!! I love my teenagers, but they DON'T make my life easier. Fun, crazy, exciting and very expensive but not easier. My perspective is... I have been right by his side for the last 6,663 days. 6,663 days I have been his mom. I've nagged him, cried with him, cried because of him, cheered him on and yelled at him, I've loved him and been proud of him. 6,663 seems like a lot. And it is!! I survived!!! I've earned my first parent "Black Belt" I will always be his Mom and from what I hear it's harder when they return from their mission. Or at least it's different. Think of it this way if he lives to be 80 years old he will have been alive for 29,200 days. That means that for 22,544 days of his life he will be an adult. That's 22,544 days that I have to just sit back and hope and pray that he will do what he knows to be true. Pray that the world will teach him to be strong, but go easy on him along the way. Pray that he knows that whenever he needs someone I will always try to be there, but God WILL always be there. Pray that people are kind, but more important that he will be kind. 6,663 seems like a very small number to me now. That means I only had 6,663 days to teach him everything he needed to know to become a mature, responsible, kind, self motivated, intelligent, God fearing, loving adult. That's not a lot of days to implant in him a love of God, love of country and pride in himself and what he can become, but teaching him humility and a sense of humor all at the same time. Now he is on his own. Now all I am and can really share is an opinion. Well and lots and lots of love. 

My Mom and Dad on their 19,795th day of parentingand and Me on my 6,659th day of parenting

 So enjoy them, really enjoy them. On that day when even Chocolate doesn't help and you know you have to wake up and do it all again tomorrow and you are afraid you will be doomed to repeat the same day forever. Stop, take a deep breath and remember they grow up fast! I feel I can say that now. I've worked my butt off for the last 18 years, 2 months and 27 days, 951 weeks, 218 months or 6,663 days. I know I will always be his Mom and he isn't gone. I will still give him my opinion when he probably won't want it. Even though I want to, I can't follow him on his mission, to college or to a job. Now don't feel bad for me. I still have 6 kids living at home. One might say 1 down 6 to go. I am a parent of a missionary, one in High School, one in Jr. High, two in elementary, one in pre-school and a toddler. Now when I'm at the store and one is asking for everything he can see and they are crying and throwing one temper tantrum after another and "an older parent walks by and says, "enjoy them while you can, they grow up fast," I smile and say, "oh trust me I know and I am!!" I am enjoying every single day!!! Some days more than others, but I'm enjoying them. Besides I only have 5,868 days left. But who's counting?

So to sum up what we have been up to in the last 3 months I thought I'd use pictures.  

My oldest is called to the Lubbock, Texas Spanish speaking mission.

His cousin is called to the Oklahoma city, Oklahoma Mission.  They will be neighbors!!

My Daughter goes to her first Prom

My little man turns 8 and gets Baptized

My daughter goes to her 2nd prom

My 10 year old becomes a Black Belt

We go mission shopping

We discover that my 4 year old has the force.  He now uses the force to roll up and down windows.

My son graduates from Seminary.  He also got to speak at Graduation.

Rain gutter regatta

Jr. High choir performance

High School Choir performance

4th grade program

 Everything else happens in two weeks!!

My 8 year old does Karate for the school talent show.

My 10 year old is in a skit for another school talent show.

My 10 year get the Citizenship award at school.

Oldest Graduates from High School

My oldest receives the Priesthood and is made an Elder

My oldest goes to the Temple for the first time.

My oldest has his farewell and an open house to say good bye to friends and family.

We spend a week on vacation.

We take our oldest to the Salt Lake Temple

My Oldest is set apart as a Missionary

We pack!!

We say Goodbye

He enters the Missionary Training center to learn Spanish so he can preach the gospel to the people of Texas.

On the same day my oldest leaves, my Baby Girl turns 13!!  Happy Birthday BEAUTIFUL!!

right after dropping my son off I then send my girls off to girls camp for 4 days.

I also would like to suggest that if you drop your son off at the MTC on the day your baby girl becomes a teenager and both your girls go to camp for the rest of the week.  Going grocery shopping right after is NOT a good idea.  You will come home with a lot of comfort food.  although getting a plate of cookies from a friend just because she knew I'd have a hard day, is AWESOME!! I highly suggest that. 

 It's been a crazy fun 3 months.  We've been very blessed and I am very grateful!!

Happy Birthday to the One Who Made Me a Mom!!

18 years ago today, on a day just like this one when we had a huge snow storm, a perfect, very skinny and very long baby boy changed my life forever!!!

He surprised us by coming  4 1/2 or 5 weeks early, 2 days before my first baby shower.  We had nothing.   Even early, he weighed 7lbs and was 21 inches long.

From that moment, my life changed.  From that moment, this little amazing person started to teach me more about life than I had learned in my 22 years (stop adding up to try to figure out my age!! I'm 35!!)

He taught me unconditional love!! Even when I'm sleep deprived, stressed, out of control, frustrated, out of patience and ready to self combust... I still love him more than the air I breathe and would do anything to help and protect him.

He taught me that, no matter how unfair life can get, you still get up out of bed everyday and go out into this very unfair and very cruel world.

He taught me patience.  Patience in learning new things, patience in the Lord's timing and patience for each other.

He taught me that even when people hit you, put gum in your hair, make fun of you and call you names and make what seems like everyone else hate you too, you still go to their birthday party, because "maybe if you do it will get better."  It didn't.

I learned that when you are worried about someone you love the Lord loves them more, and all you can do is pray and have faith that God will take care of them.

As a mom you pray!! A lot!!!

He has shown me that the gospel is true, that you are never too young to read the Book of Mormon and you can read it so many times you can forget how many times you read it, that the entire standard works can be read in a year and even when other people want to Bible-bash and prove you wrong, you can stand strong and immovable.

It's been the hardest, funnest, most tiring, frustrating years of my life.  I've cried tears of hurt and pain, but mostly joy.

On Thursday, this amazing young man that I've grown to love so much got a mission call to serve in Lubbock, Texas for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He will be preaching in Spanish.  I couldn't be prouder, proud of the strong man he is becoming and proud of who he can become.

Now just like when he was at the birthday party of his bully all I can do is pray.  Pray because I know that our loving Father in Heaven knows and loves him more than I do.  Pray because no matter where he goes and what happens, he will stand strong and stand with our Savior.

I will stand and be amazed at what he can and will do.

Happy Birthday!!!

My Superhero

My 3 year old has an amazing imagination.  He loves to pretend. His
 favorite, of course, is all the superheroes, and sometimes he is a Scooby
 Doo character.

 When he is Superman, he IS Superman all day long.  He flies around
 saving me from falling airplanes and using his laser vision.

My superman using his laser vision.

  When he is Spiderman, I spend most of my day stuck in his spider web.

 Batman, the Hulk, Ironman, Captain America or Thor. It's the same
 thing. He knows his character and acts his part. He can also sing all
 the theme songs for all the heroes.  No one has a better Shaggy walk
 than he does, and he has been known to eat his lunch on the floor when
 he is Scooby.

 

 

 Well, lately, he has started being my favorite of his heroes.  He gets
 up and gets in is Daddy clothes, and he is Daddy.  He will boss the
 kids around and say things like, "Littlest Man, stay in your stroller
 and be nice because I'm Daddy." Yesterday when a couple of the kids
 were fighting he said, "STOP!! Be nice!! I'm daddy."

He has always loved his Daddy. Even when he was a newborn in the

 hospital, Daddy is the one who could calm him down and make him happy.
 I've always felt that little super hero and my husband had to be best
 friends in the pre-earth life because they have always had a strong
 bond.

 On Friday, he got up and got dressed all by himself.

Because we had to actually leave the house I knew I had to try to get him to change.
 This is NOT easy though. It is very hard to convince him to change if
 he decides on something.  Before he had his "Daddy" clothes every
 Sunday, he was a super hereo at church.  Due to the fact it would cause
 major jealousy among the primary boys if he showed up dressed as
 Superman I convinced him he had to go as Clark Kent, Bruce Wayne or
 Peter Parker.  Each would have a different Sunday shirt that he
 decided looked more like that character.  A few times he's had major
 melt downs because he didn't want to be himself.  He wanted to be ______!!!  So on this Friday, I tried to explain that Daddy wasn't at church.
 He was at work and so he'd be wearing jeans and his Nike's' with a nice shirt or sweater.  He didn't believe me. (Maybe because Daddy is
 usually in a suit).  So we called daddy and asked him what he was
 wearing.  Daddy said he was wearing a gray shirt, blue jeans and his
 Nike's. He still didn't believe us.  So I asked daddy to please send
 us a picture of himself. (Seriously how did people live without smart
 phones? I can't even get my kid dressed without mine! ) So daddy sent
 us a picture, and then he finally decided that he looked just like
 daddy.

  I'm grateful that my 3 year old has someone who is strong,
 intelligent, kind and responsible to look up to. I am so grateful,
 blessed and extremely happy that I married an amazing man that I want
 my son to be like.  I think all children should have a superhero daddy
 to look up to.  Think of how amazing the world would be?