Sofia

The daughter of a dear friend passed away yesterday. She was almost 8 months old. She had two open-heart surgeries during that short walk on earth. She suffered so much, as did her family, watching her struggle for life.

She will be remembered, but I have a special reason for that. I has been so wrapped up in my own life that I didn't take a few moments to go over, hold Sofia, hold Susy, or hug the kids. I lost that chance. I thought so many times about calling her, doing something for her, but time got away from me.

Time is one of the few things we can never, ever get back. Once we have spent an hour, we will never get another chance to re-spend it. Every moment of our lives in like that. How often do I think I "deserve" time with my family, friends, etc.? I take it for granted that they will always be there. I can put them off for a few minutes, hours, days, weeks. When I am finished my "project," I will spend more time with them. Yet, I find that one project leads to another and another. Only I can decide to spend wisely the time I have been given. It only takes a moment for a kiss, a hug, and book, a shoe tied, a game.

"Awake, my soul!"

Instead of wallowing in self-pity, I choose to embrace my weaknesses and believe. I will hug tighter, laugh louder, see more.

Why

Why does everything seem hard right now?

Basketball

My hubby is playing ball again.

He loves it.

When he walks in the door, happy and sweaty, he looks good.

Real good. ;)

Funny William

Here is William's joke at the dinner table tonight:

Why did the bunny go to the hospital?

Why?

Because he needed a hop-eration.

Gotta love that kid.

Good-bye, Graeme...

My sweet nephew, Graeme, is leaving on a mission on Wednesday. To Culiacan, Mexico.

Yesterday he spoke in his ward's sacrament meeting.

He is a man of few words.

I was completely mesmerized by his farewell talk.

I guess it is true of those who are frugal with words--when they talk, people listen. (I wouldn't know, personally)

He was so humble, so sincere, so in tune with the Spirit. I learned so much about him--how he has prepared, about his motivation for serving a mission, about his willingness to be a witness of Jesus Christ.

I was so proud of him. He is a good man, destined to work hard and be a humble, loving missionary.

Good luck, Graeme. But you know that He will go before your face, on your right hand and your left hand. He will never leave you alone!

We'll miss you!

All about cheesy-ness

Today I was making scrambled eggs for my tall, dark, and handsome hubby. My youngest daughter walked in and saw the cheese. Normally I just use block cheese, but I wanted to use up some cheese slices I had in the fridge, so I cut up one and threw it in. Sarah balked at my thriftiness. She said, "Mommy, you used the yucky cheese." I quickly reminded her that it wasn't yucky, just different.

As I plated the eggs for Larry, I murmured, "Mmmm, cheesy goodness."

Sarah took one look at that and disagreed. "Mommy, that is yucky cheese."

Then she stopped me with this memorable quote:

"Cheesy badness, Mom."

I love my girl!

Back in the saddle again

Well, yesterday I started piano lessons with W and H. I am determined to do better this time--not demeaning, not frustrated, just supportive. I am starting with 20 min. a day for W and 30 min. for H. We'll see. I'd love to get H into hymns again. I know he can do it. Really, the ideal is that I can have someone else teach them, but I have to wait until there's more wiggle room in the budget.

What a game!

Well, let's be honest. This post won't have pictures. So just turn on your brain image viewer and imagine all the fun we had this weekend.

The kids' school handed out free tickets to the Utah Flash (local NBA development team) game for Friday night, so being the fun-loving family we are--we went! What a night!

• We started off with "dinner" at In-n-Out. I tried a double double with no cheese (I know--I just don't like it!), and I don't think I'll try that experiment again. The sad (well, pathetic, really) thing is that my hubby knows the "code" to my fave burger: hamburger w/no onions, lite ketchup instead of the spread and add pickles. I don't even have to prompt him anymore. In-n-out is our weakness--the only place we really go. I guess $1.95 is about as spendy as we get for a meal out...
• Then we headed to Orem for the game. We all got in free (if you don't count the $5 parking--DANGIT! they messed up my "free" gloating privileges!) and sat right behind the north basket. They were actually pretty decent seats with plenty of up-front action at the hoop. Now we just have to get our kids to like to watch...
• The Flash were down for almost the entire game (averaging about 20 points down), but they came back in the 4th quarter to send it to overtime where they won, 100-96! Woo-hoo! What a game for a first experience with the family, don'tcha think?
• It also helped that there were 2 bounce-houses on the other side of the court (southside hoop). William got all hot and sweaty going down the slide while Lauren and Sarah bounced to their hearts content with the smaller kids.
• One more thing--during one of the time-outs, the cheerleaders gathered a bunch of kids so they could dance on court. Of course, our little boogie-girl went out there and had a BLAST!!!! She was so cute. Totally out on the side, dancing her heart out. Sometimes I can't believe she is my daughter. She DEFINITELY inherited Larry's sweet dance moves! He even took some video on his phone--I'll see if a miracle may happen, and we can share it. Don't hold your breath, though! (just keepin' it real, ya know?)

There is our highlight reel. We're still trying to keep fed, clean, and clothed. We are mostly succeeding. Our family is enjoying the treadmill we just retrieved from being babysat by my little sis. The kids aren't allowed to watch TV after school, but if they want to walk/run on the treadmill, they can watch on the little attached TV. I've been spending about 30-40 minutes on there as well each day. I just hooked up my trusty Clearplay DVD player and watch all the DVDs I check out from the library. Funny thing, though. I planned to watch this movie for about 3 days, but after 2 days I was all done. I guess there were a lot of objectionable scenes because I lost about 30 minutes! What happened? I have to admit that sometimes I don't get what is happening because of deleted scenes. But I'd rather be confused than offended, that's for sure!

One last thing--tonight I made one of Larry's favorite childhood treats--butterhorns! It doesn't take too long, but the look on Larry's face when he bites in--priceless! He says I have mastered them. Now that is a treat for me!

New year, new life

Well, I always make resolutions, and I always forget about them.

However, I have a little help this year with one of my goals: read scriptures more regularly/teach my children to read daily.

This year's theme for Primary (children's classes at church) is "I Know the Scriptures are True."

Love, love, love it.

They also want to instill a habit of scripture study, so we have a little poster where we can mark off the days we have read. So we've read everyday since we received it (yesterday--but don't knock it! that's longer than I keep most of my resolutions!)

I am also trying to be more healthy. That means figuring out what to eat (especially dinner). I made a mean beef stew tonight (thanks, tasty kitchen!), and tomorrow we're having split pea soup. I hope my kids don't die at the sight of green soup. The beauty of it is that we still have leftover stew, so whoever balks can fill a bowl of something else (if I let them--or maybe if they try the green stuff they can refill with stew). I am such a loving mother, I can hardly believe it!

One of my weaknesses is over-indulging in reading. Reading bad? It is when you don't remember you have a family, or when you don't shower for days or your garbage can next to the bed is full with empty chip bags and candy cane wrappers (it isn't right now, just so ya know).

I am trying to not chew while I read (and not even read that much). We'll see how that pans out. I am also going to get back on the treadmill. We have to set it up, but I WILL CONQUER IT! I'd love to do another 5K this spring/summer, so I'd better get moving.

Overall, this Monday has been fruitful. I am conquering clutter/garbage in my house, mind, and body one day at a time. But I am also going to be kind to myself. Starting now--putting myself in my nice will-be-warm, comfy bed and drifting to dreamland.

Good night.

2011 here I come!

Remember me?

Well here I am, remembering a little of 2010:

• being snowed in after Christmas
• actually DOING a puzzle with my kids (1500 pieces, no less!)
• enjoying Christmas Eve and Day
• basking in the glow of William's baptism
• seeing my children grow, learn, and come into their own
• struggling with my own imperfections
• seeking peace in trials (and finding it!)
• loving my family and friends
• taking in the beauty of the world that surrounds me
• rejoicing in teaching children at church with my sweet hubby
• cherishing that tall, dark, and handsome man I married 13 years ago!
• having a blast teaching music classes in my home
• looking forward to changes in myself in 2011 instead of beating myself up for 2010!
• striving to love myself, my family, and my life!

Well, that may seem vague, but four months away from blogging has been a little too long for me to remember too much of what has happened (and my memory only applies to phone numbers and random people in Barnwell that I sent wedding thank-you notes to)!

I'll be posting more, but don't hold your breath--I'm imperfect, but I'll do my best!