Take these and call me in the morning.....

I have been subbing in the 4th grade at Parker-Egin elementary. It was rewarding, exhausting and finished. Today I said good-bye and gave them a bookmark for Christmas. And you know what? I was sad! I am going to miss those kids. And I admire teachers even more. Say what you will about the decline of education blah blah blah, but it is incredibly difficult to teach a room full of kids who are at different levels, have different backgrounds and family and home environments. You can give it your best but not every kid is going to get what you are teaching. So you try it a different way. And you worry and hope you can help each of them understand. I am stumped as to why legislators think we should base teachers pay on their students scores. Because I did everything I could, I studied the material, reviewed, used different strategies and even felt pretty good about the kids' handle on singular and plural possessive nouns. But they still didn't test well!!!! Now I know I am not a real teacher, but should my pay be based on those tests? Because I tried my very best and still some didn't get it. How do you measure the success of someone when their job is teaching so many individuals? So, if anyone is reading this, I challenge you to thank a teacher in your life. One you had or one your children have had.
I am not sure if I am tired, emotional because I said goodbye or what, but I feel like I am at the end of my rope. Perhaps it is the seemingly endless list of things to do without corresponding endless time to accomplish it all. Or how I wish I could give my children the world for Christmas, but can't and really shouldn't anyway. My stomach is in knots and I am a tad, okay REALLY grumpy. There are certain things I am struggling with that sometimes feel too heavy. So, tonight I took a sleep aid and am hoping I will actually sleep and tomorrow will seem brighter! Or at the least I will be more able to deal. So, I took two and will call you in the morning. Not really, but maybe I will blog you!

Let the season begin.

Oh I love the First Presidency devotional. When they speak it feels like my Grandpa is teaching and talking to me. I love how the Conference Center is decorated. We used to drag the kids to the Stake Center to watch it, and there were lots of people there. Maybe it was before BYUtv? I was telling my kids how every year they would have new church clothes and the little girls would have beautiful little dresses. So we would drag them out after a typical Sunday of messed up schedules and missed naps. I remember Hannah stretching across the bench and falling asleep, her little cheeks on her folded arms. And tonight that little girl all grown up went to the Conference Center to the devotional! I hope she didn't stretch out on the floor and fall asleep! And now that the decorations are all up, the First Presidency has spoken, the season can begin!

And I am finished! Whew!

Even though they don't read my blog, maybe some day they will. They being Natalie and Brigham. Blessing 6 and 7. Let me back up a bit. When I was pregnant with Nathan and SO SO SO SICK I was at stake conference sitting out in the hall with my restless baby Hannah. Sharlene Wells Hawkes walked by me. Who is that you ask? She was Miss America in maybe 1984?, she married a guy from St. Anthony and they must have been visiting. She was and is just beautiful. Anyway, she walked by, I was sick, exhausted,discouraged. Did I mention sick? And I prayed a desperate prayer in my heart asking how much longer, how many times would I do this? And immediately came the answer in a simple, sacred manner and I knew I was supposed to have seven children. For whatever reason that comforted me. And now fast forward. I had a miscarriage between Porter and Hannah. When Emily was 18 mos I had a miscarriage. I went on to have 3 more before my doctor decided I was no longer producing progesterone. And finally I was able to have those last two babies. So, just the fact of their existence is miraculous and proof of divine promptings.
Natalie is my mini-me. Except much more beautiful. She loves to read. And she is yet another strong willed daughter of mine! I am grateful for Natalie's kindness and quiet concern. She is almost perfectly obedient, but I take advantage of that sometimes and need to remember not to depend so much on her. I am awed by her determination, she just doesn't give up. I am thankful that what she wants to be is a mom. Natalie has been a blessing since the moment we knew she was on the way.
Brigham has been through more in ten years than most people are in several decades of life. I am thankful for his toughness and acceptance of his perthes disease. He just dealt with the circumstances. I am grateful for the challenge he is to me. For some reason he was sent to our family last. When I am tired and worn out but need to be more on my mom game than ever. I am grateful he keeps me having to remember that life should be fun and simple. That there is fun to be had in little green army men. And Disney movies and Christmas movies. I love that he LOVES sports, especially football and can talk like an adult with Gary about it all.
This has been a good November. And I am glad I decided to blog my blessings. Life is good, and I forget that often. We had wonderful Sacrament meeting talks about gratitude.Something else I am grateful for! I am thankful for Gary's calling. He is an amazing bishop for those BYUI kids. I am so glad I get to prove that I will be strong and faithful. I am alone with my kids most of the time, but it's ok. And I am so thankful for Gary. That he loves Heavenly Father more than me. That he loves me. That he is the best speaker ever! That he has provided us a life. Overall there is so much to be grateful for

Two more blessings.

I am taking a break from decorating our trees. And that is definitely a topic for another post. Anyway, I am going to finish out my thankful/gratitude posts the next few days.
Nathan was an unexpected blessing. Hannah was 3 or so months old when I found out I was having another baby. WOW. His was a difficult pregnancy. I had the Beijing flu in my second trimester and the doctor told me that my unborn baby would always have problematic teeth. Poor kid, that turned out to be true. He had 4 root canals by the age of four and it continues today. But he is brave and just does what he has to. I admire Nathan because he marches to his own drummer. He could care LESS what others say about him. He knows what he wants to do and is going to do it. I am thankful for his thirst and zeal for knowledge and learning. I am so grateful that he sets and accomplishes goals, we rarely have to remind him. He is kind and considerate, especially to younger kids. I am so thankful he has a good work ethic. He had a paper route for 3 yeaRs and then has worked at Exxon since high school. He is an obedient soul and I think I overlook what a blessing that is for a mother. I am also glad that he and Hannah have always been best friends. Nathan was a surprise that turned out to be a huge, wonderful blessing. And I am thankful he is my son.
And then there was Emily. How thankful I am for Emily. She brings life and commotion to our home! I am grateful for her spunk. And her strong will. Hmmm, another strong daughter! When I watch her play soccer or basketball my heart fills with joy. She is fearless and confident. But has worked to get there. I am thankful for her loyalty. If you can get behind the walls she builds, well you are in for life. Most of the time I am grateful for her sheer grit. You can not distract her from what she wants to do. Or bribe her to do what she does not. When she was 3 we enrolled her in ballet, just as we had Hannah. Well, the first day came. For some reason I couldn't go so she went with her best friend Braydn and her mom Jodi. Emily did NOT want to dance. Nothing Jodi said would convince her. This tiny 3 year old child couldn't even be bribed with candy or ice cream. And that is the theme of her life! I am also thankful for how fiercely she loves the family she babysits for, it shows me that some day she will be a great mom. Hopefully to five daughters just like her! Haha. The day Emmy came to our home was a great day indeed!

I am skipping a day.

I want to write about my four other blessings. Otherwise known as my four other children. But I am tired and have 6 more chocolate pies to make. So I will extend my grateful posts to the end of November. I am grateful for my bed!

Ummmm.......

Today I am glad to be me. I am not pretty, or smart or special. And that is ok because I am who I am supposed to be. Aim grateful to know that.

Tired.

Today I am thankful to be home.

Prayer.

I already said it, but tonight I am thankful for prayer again. My dad isn't doing too good. I imagine it will be ok, but I am scared. So I am thankful for prayer, where I can find peace. And tomorrow I need to go home. Because while I am my parents' daughter, I am also my children's mama. They need me, or at least I like to pretend they do. So I will leave my mom and have to trust that Heavenly Father will buoy her up. And she has two WONDERFUL friends who will help her. I am grateful for prayer and that Heavenly Father will take care of things. And people.

Bah Humbug!

That is a Christmas saying, I know. Today I was in a few stores and saw the Christmas items and all of the STUFF. And I wished I was a billionaire so I could buy my kids everything. But I can't! I am SO THANKFUL that I live in a tiny little town and can only shop at WalMart. At home I don't go into Dillards or Buckle or anywhere, so I don't ever see the glories that are out there! Thank goodness for little towns.

The sun will come up tomorrow!

That song annoys me, but it is true. Today is yesterday's tomorrow. And figuratively the sun came up. My dad is doing pretty good. And I am THANKFUL. And I am grateful for the prayers offered in his and our family's behalf.We have felt them, even if I may be the only one who knew what it was! So today I give thanks for the sun! But really, it snowed/rained here so it really is figurative. And now you all can thank me for putting that annoying song in your head!

This is a stretch......

Well,my dad was supposed to have surgery at 3. They didn't take him back til about 8. He hasn't eaten or had water since last night.UGH. I am grateful for the nice, private waiting room at the hospital.

Prayer

I am thankful for prayer. I prayed I would travel to Boise safely. I did. There was one incident, a state trooper flashed his lights and turned into the emergency turn place. So I got into the right lane and slowed from 80 to 77/78. I wasn't worried because I was only going 80, and I don't think they get you for that on the interstate. He passed me after about ten miles. Then my 44 oz Diet Coke hit and I pulled into a rest stop. When I came out that state trooper was pulling in beside my car. WHAT!? He rolled down the window and asked " Shannon?" And I nervously but lawfully abidingly said "yes, that's me?" Meanwhile wondering WHAT THE HECK? He then told me my license was expired. After respectfully disagreeing because we only bought the car a month ago he clarified it was my DRIVER'S LICENSE.Oh yeah, that. He just told me to take care of it soon. Whew! But WAIT! Why did he run my info? I wasn't speeding, my appropriate lights were on, my license plate was current...is there some overweight middle-aged Caucasian housewife racial profile out there? In a Kia Optima no less? It baffled me. And freaked me out in a low- key manner. And I still got here in four and a half hours. When I travel I impose these ridiculous time goals on myself. Man, I am one weird woman aren't I?
Anyway, I digress. I am also grateful for prayer because my dad has colon cancer and tomorrow he has surgery. So I am grateful I can turn my concern for my earthly father to my Heavenly Father. Because I am scared. And I hope and pray all goes well tomorrow.

Day 15

I am thankful for DayQuil. And NyQuil.

I like pink!

Today I am grateful for pink! Because in my mind pink is Hannah. When we found we were having a GIRL!!!!! my mom started buying pink girl stuff, so even though Hannah may not love the color pink it makes me think of her. We named her Hannah because it means grace of the Lord and after Hannah in the Bible. She had curly hair and beautiful big brown eyes. I wanted to raise daughters that would be strong and self-assured and righteous. So I tried to make sure Hannah knew she was entitled to her own opinions, that she didn't have to think the same way or like the same things that I did. As long as she was true to her faith that is! I succeeded. I love that she can not be swayed, she will do what she believes is right, even if others judge and scorn her. And that happened A LOT last year. But she held her ground. I am thankful for her quick mind and the ability to have intelligent discussions with her. The guys in high school would tell me they were scared of her. That used to bug me. Now I think when she meets a man who loves her independence, her quick wit, her fierce defense of those she loves and ideas she loves, well he will not be "scared", but rather he will appreciate the greatness that is Hannah. So today, I give thanks for my beautiful brown eyed baby girl. She truly is a gift from the Lord.

Two on the thirteenth.

I was going to title this number two on the thirteenth, but that just didn't sound right!
Today I am grateful for Porter. I always say Bear made me a mom. But Porter made us a family. I was so excited to have another son, a friend for Bear. Porter was 9 lbs 14 oz and 24 inches long. Yep, that's two feet people! He had brown eyes from the beginning, never blue. He was calm and rarely fussed. He was also a champion eater. He would eat 8-12 ounce bottles at a time. Which meant we had to make two because eight ounces was the biggest we could find. By his two week check up he weighed 12lbs 3 oz. He was HEALTHY! He has always been a joy. Always very obedient. And I appreciate that. I am thankful that Porter has always seemed to have a strong sense of himself. He is not influenced by others and I wish I was that brave. There is NO greater BYU fan than him! I am thankful for his amazing sense of humor, he makes us all laugh, even when we might not want to. So on this 13th day of gratitude I am grateful for number two!

Sad day.

This morning I heard one of the teenagers from here was killed in a car accident early, early this morning. He was 17. He was amazingly bright, in fact he graduated a year early and was going to college. I have known him since he was in kindergarten and I was proud, everyone was proud that he was going to college and was going to do great things. I am so sad tonight. For his family, his friends, the girl who loved him. And for a promising life, cut way too short. I am grateful for the plan of salvation. I am thankful families can be together forever. Hopefully his family will find this truth someday. I am going to hug my kids longer and pray for their safety a bit more tonight.

11/11/11

My great uncle, Dr. Jack Comstock served as a doctor in World War II. He marched in the Bataan Death March. He lost most of his eyesight and his ability to practice medicine. He was a hero. My grandpa, Al Comstock believed in peace, but joined the Air Force to support and honor his MIA brother. Gary's uncles served in World War II also. Today I am thankful for my heritage of honorable service. And I am deeply grateful for the service of the men and women who serve our country. And I honor their families, they keep it going at home. They carry burdens I can hardly imagine. They are the unsung heroes. I am also thankful that the only time I fought in a war I chose the winning side. Because you see, we are all veterans of that War in Heaven and we all chose the winning side. Thankfully I can't remember that war. Porter was given the Dustin Birch scholarship and we all consider that a huge honor. So thank you veterans and families! God Bless the USA!

Ten, TEN, ten, 10.

I am grateful for humor. Especially smart humor, I like to laugh at something that is subtle. But I also like to laugh at my kids jokes. Or my seminary teaching husband's lame jokes. I think they have secret meetings to teach those jokes. Isn't fun to think back to something funny from the past and just have a good laugh? Even if those around you look at you strangely, and perhaps a bit fearfully? I am thankful that in my home we laugh at each other, but only with love! And we laugh with each other. We have a lot of fun here, and I appreciate that!

9

I went to Parent/Teacher conferences. I am grateful I only have to do four kids now, not seven. On a related note, I have a migraine. So I am thankful for my bed. And that's a wrap.

8 Days and counting.....

Hmmmmm. I am grateful for repentance. Does it ever feel like no one needs repentance more than yourself? And yes, I recognize the utter self- centeredness of that statement. Last night we had a FHE lesson from a talk by Jeffrey Holland. It is in a Mormon Message and in it he says "Don't you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying." When I read those words, I hear his voice and see his face. So I will keep trying. And maybe tomorrow I will be better and not make so many mistakes. Like I said, I am grateful for repentance.

Day Seven

Today I watched the end of a movie about the holocaust in one of the classes I subbed in. And I am deeply, profoundly, seriously grateful I am not a Jew in Hitler's Germany or Poland. It was such a sobering story. I am just as grateful that I live in America, where I can belong to any religion I choose. And so can my neighbors. That we can criticize our leaders without fear of jail or death. We can run for public office just because we want to! In theory we don't have to be wealthy or highly educated to hold office. We just need to run, oh and get more votes than our opponent. Tomorrow I am going to express my gratitude and VOTE! God bless America.

An attitude of gratitude day 6

Today is Bear's birthday. So, today I am thankful for him. From the time I can remember (and I have a freakishly long, good memory) all I ever wanted to be was a mom. I played with baby dolls, my Barbies were arranged into families, I loved babies, I wanted 8 kids! So when Gary and I got married we decided to have a family RIGHT away. Well, it actually took about a year, but finally we found out we were going to have a baby. It wasn't easy. I was SO SICK. It was challenging, I knew where every bathroom in every building on BYU campus was. Which ones were more private than others. That was a time when ultrasounds were not common, so I didn't know what we were having, but I REALLY wanted a boy. I loved being pregnant, except for the constant throwing up. It was amazing to feel that baby move and kick. And finally the day came and that baby was born! My dreams were coming true. I always tell Bear he was the one who made me a mom.
He has been a joy. Ok, the teenage years were not always joyful. But he is so much fun. Bear has the ability to fit in anywhere, I am grateful for that. I am so tha kful for his sense of humor, his weird voices and random stories. His big sensitive heart. He has a fabulous voice and I love to hear him sing. I am anxiously watching him navigate this grown up life. It is not always easy to be the oldest, to be the one that blazes the trail. We all love him, I love him the MOST of course. But look forward to the day some awesome woman takes that place. So today I am thankful for Gary James Chelson III, aka Bear. He made me a mom, my dream job!

The ransom was paid.....I have been released!

So would you believe scary anti-blog ninjas kidnapped me until a ransom of all of Brigham's Halloween candy was paid? Hmmmm, no? I won't even attempt to catch up the month of October. Lots of trips to Utah, potatoes, games, Booster club stuff. Just the regular mom happenings. I am going to jump on the bandwagon, or would that be the Mayflower? Anyway, it seems there is a gratitude trend going on. People posting each day something they are grateful for. I am going to try that and since I am behind I will catch up! So here goes:
1.I am grateful Gary made me an appointment in May 2010 with Dr. Evans, they were able to find the ovarian and uterine cancer in time.
2.My warm house.
3. My Suburban, sounds materialistic, but I love it because it is big enough for all my family. And it is safe. And it tells me the temp outside, I LOVE it!
4. Good friends who listen to my crazy rambling thoughts. And just love me anyway.
5.THE SNOW!!!!!!!!!!

And now I am caught up, so the next several days will be easy! And I will elaborate more. I know what you are thinking....oh goody, just what we all need Shannon elaborating! Nevertheless, elaborate I will.

Not another one???

I go two weeks without blogging and here I am posting two days in a row. Not much else to do here in the office today, I got everything done that a fill-in can do. The women who work here have a LOT to do, glad I am only temporary.
Last night I was able to go to a meeting with some friends of mine, it was so good. Every now and then it helps to meet with other moms and find out everyone struggles and everyone succeeds too. We really share a lot of similar experiences in this life and world. The topic was keeping our homes clean, learning to work with our families, teaching them the value of work. Of course I am over simplifying things. And maybe some would say the topic of housework is frivolous or cliche'. But I think our homes are the training grounds for life, which is a scary thought for my poor kids! We discussed so many ideas, I came away with some specific goals I want to implement. Like it or not, I think the feeling and mood of a home starts with the mom. We are important aren`t we! That is a big responsibility right there.
In other ground breaking news. One of my college kids went on a real date with a girl he hasn`t known his whole life. He called to tell me about it but then cautioned he wouldn`t always be calling and giving me details. I laughed, but like I have said before, this is a good time of life. It is wonderful to become friends with your kids. You can`t do that as much when they are young, they need parents more than friends. Now we can be friends, the parenting is different. Now, did that make sense to anyone at all? One thing I miss with all of my kids is bedtime, nothing is better than putting a freshly bathed toddler to bed at night. And than sneaking in to watch them sleep. Now I go to bed before everyone but Brigham, and sometimes we go at the same time! Maybe I shouldn`t admit that? Oh well, life is pretty good, well rested or not.

Good Intentions.

I started this blog thinking I would update at least every other day, how hard could that be? Ummmm....HARD! I can`t believe it has been 2 weeks since I posted. And really I have no valid reason, just tiredness from school starting.I have only subbed a few times.And I think a fear of realizing I am boring and really have nothing great to say!
This week I am filling in at our city offices. The 3 women who work here are in Boise for training. People are so rude to me, I don`t take it at all personal, but it makes me wonder and cringe at the times I have lost patience and/or my temper with people serving the public. A common complaint here seems to be that their utility bill is too high. Well, I know that no one is cheating them, and I know no one is singling anyone out to pay an extra high bill. But I am not sure many in the public realize that! So I am going to work at being kind and grateful for the office staff, the front desk person, the guy on the phone. Chances are they are trying to do their best and hoping people understand.Of course we have the right to question our bills and charges, but I am going to work at being kind! I have also learned that filing is just awful. Didn`t like that at all. I did like the hugely satisfying feeling of accomplishment I had when it was finished. But I am grateful it is not my full time occupation.
Our 3 college kids seem to be adjusting quite well. They call me quite frequently, I LOVE that. I try to remember they are adults now, and to treat and speak to them as such. Probably need to work harder at that.One of my wishes for my children has always been that when they grew up and left home that they would be friends and communicate independent of me. And they seem to be doing so, it makes my heart sing. In fact, they went to the BYU-Utah game together, there is a picture of the 3 of them on Facebook that I HOPE they will frame and give to me for Christmas. HINT HINT,actually no hint, outright telling them. I am excited to watch them become adults. Ok, there is some fear too, I am not sure I taught them all they need to know. But too late for that I guess. Anyway, it is a rewarding time in our relationships.
The crew at home is good too. It is strangely quiet at our house. Not sure how I feel about that.When they are home it awesome. I love having teenagers in the house, mine and any who wander by. I am trying to get used to feeding 6 instead of 9.And everyone has their own room!
Well, I have fulfilled my duty to blog, I am not sure if anyone even read this? But I know Porter and Hannah will, so that is enough for me I guess. Love you two!

And now what?

School started today. Last night we had Family Home Evening. I gave one of my "go and learn and work hard and do your best and set goals" lessons. Even if they never seem to listen I always hope on maybe a subconscious level some of it is sinking in.Maybe even a little bit? At the very least they will remember I did try to inspire them to greatness, so I did my part, right?
I went in to the high school this morning to help with registration. My job was to take the fees. Nathan spoke in the assembly but I was too busy/nervous to go in and listen. So, anyway, now I am home alone for the first time in 3 months. I have HOURS of peace and quiet stretched out in front of me. And I gotta clean the house! One thing I have learned the past two days is that Hannah was definitely the housekeeper whenever I was gone. I didn`t know this til we returned home Sunday after taking her to SLC. But WOW. She always made sure it was clean when we got home. When I mentioned this Emily said all sad like that they had done their best. Well, their best was not good enough in this situation!!!! So, I have lots to fill the hours today. Not to mention a lot of lessons to give on how to keep it clean. One of the jobs Emily and Natalie had was to keep the laundry going and to fold that laundry. For some strange reason I keep finding piles of clean laundry in various rooms. In no discernible order. It will be a little like a scavenger hunt. And if you wonder why I did not do this yesterday it is because we spent the WHOLE day cleaning out Hannah`s room and moving in Natalie. That was an adventure in itself.
So, I`m going to turn up my music, fill my mug with ice water ( oh yeah, that reminds me, the desk clerk at our hotel had a 100 oz mug! Never saw one that big) and get to work! I figure to be done about 3 o`clock.......Thursday!!! Happy New School Year to everyone. If you need a good motivational lesson, I got one for you. Results NOT guaranteed!

Has it really come to this?

We brought Hannah to Utah this weekend. More about that in a minute. Earlier today we picked Bear up at his apartment and drove down to Provo to watch the BYU-Ole Miss game. They have it playing on a movie type screen in the Wilkinson Center, kinda like the student union building. It is fun to see all of the students wearing their game day shirts and cheering. My head hurts, it COULD be from crying, so I am sitting in the Memorial Lounge. This was here when I was at BYU. And as I watch the students come and go I can hardly believe it has come to this day. The day I have 3 children in college. I sat in this lounge a LOT because it has an awesome bathroom nearby. Important because I threw up multiple times while pregnant. Both Bear and Porter were born while we attended school here. As I watch the students I notice some things haven't changed. They all look squeaky clean, even the wanna be rebels with their saggy pants. Sorry boys, the clean cut face and haircut give you right away! The girls are all "shiny"---- that is how my mom described the sister missionaries on Temple Square. There are a TON of pregnant people here! That hasn't changed a bit. And lots of very young very lovable couples. And I swear that was just Gary and me. Some things have changed. The CougarEat is now vendors, kinda sad. The step down lounge where many of us gathered every day at 3:00 to watch Days of Our Lives is gone. Every one has a laptop and cell phone. The freshman look waaaaay too young to be in college! But it still feels like BYU. I think everyone loves their alma mater, I know I do.
This weekend has been something I have been dreading. Bringing Hannah down to Salt Lake to start at the LDS Business College---LDSBC. In fact I have shed many tears, and probably will continue to do so. It is so hard to let your children go. Admittedly some days seem easier than others! As we were packing her 18 years of existence up I kept thinking about the curly haired little baby girl and toddler. And the little grade schooler who struggled in math and reading and speech and then overcame it all. And how mean the other girls were in junior high, those were tough years. I always wanted my daughters to be strong and opinionated and able to stand up for themselves and what is right.Well, I got that! But I worry I haven't taught Hannah enough. Does she know how great her worth is? To both her earthly and Heavenly parents? How to depend on prayer? Not to walk alone after dark? I think she knows how to clean a toilet? No one tells you, or at least I didn't listen, that from the very minute they place that innocent infant in your arms you start to prepare them for the day they leave home. Maybe I should have read the fine print! I am so proud of her and while I joked that she should consider that online Stephens Henagar college and we could spend all of our days together I am excited for her opportunities. The great fun and learning ahead. I am relieved she has at least one nice roommate. We have only met one. I can't begin to express how grateful I am we won't be leaving her alone. She has big dreams and big goals. It is just a little sad she will be calling me to share them, instead of me living them right next to her. But as Disney has taught us, it is the circle of life! So I will tell myself hakuna matata,wipe my tears and let her go! But I ask again, has it really come to this?

Blah, blah, blah!

I have been meaning to post for several days now. But it has been crazy around here. In one week we fed the senior class seminary students, the girls soccer team, the freshmen seminary students and the student council. In between all of that we got Porter packed and ready for BYU. Gary took him down, watched some awesome soccer! GO COUGARS!! Painted cougar paws...and then repainted some cougar paws. Thanks Tazie, McKenna and Seth! I went to a fantabulous Relief Society sleepover/retreat in a cabin nicer than my house. And did all the other stuff life demands.
Tonight I have time, but am feeling kinda blah. I think the heat is zapping my energy. And last night at the football game I pulled some weird muscle.....I know! a muscle?....in my side. And it hurt, a lot. It still hurts.It is hard to smile and be happy. Not to mention the laundry and shopping and so on. All this whining is getting old. So as soon as I can I am going to bed. I am praying for all of those in the path of Hurricane Irene. Gary`s sister lives in Maryland, but all seems to be well. Tomorrow will be a good day! Sundays usually are. So tune in all 5 readers, things have to be better!

The hardest part.

I think trying to come up with a title is the hardest part of this blogging business. (I am not counting the trying to get a cute background and font part.) The title should be a clever witty sentence that draws in readers and showcases my great sense of humor. Couple of problems, I don`t really have that great a sense of humor, I just talk a lot and I am not really clever.
I am enjoying the last few weeks of summer, desperately hanging on to them actually! August is like the Sunday of the weekend, you don`t have to go to work or school, but you KNOW Monday is the next day and it takes some of the joy out of it. This summer is the first since we moved here,in 1990, that our school district isn`t starting in August. I LOVE it!! Most of the schools in this area have already started and for some reason that makes the last few weeks of summer even more enjoyable! Not very Christian of me, eh? This year I am not even looking forward to returning to a regular routine or the excitement of new clothes and classes and school supplies. I want my kids to myself just a bit longer. To sleep in and stay up late talking after a swim in the pool. To have ice cream for dinner and not worry about not nourishing their learning minds.Or not having a bajillion games and practices or homework to deal with. Maybe it has something to do with 3 of my kids in college and moving away from home.
Weren`t they all just little boys and girls? Time moves so quickly. Sometimes those days just drug on endlessly, but the weeks and months fly by.Those little kid day were so difficult, I wouldn`t want to return to them, but every now and then I would like a one-day pass to visit them! At the same time I realize I look backward with rose colored glasses. Forgetting the seemingly endless sleepless nights, or that time that I had 3 children in diapers. Or the days spent entertaining and corralling Emily---man she had bundles of energy. Maybe this is why grandparents are so awesome, they understand better than most how quickly time passes and to enjoy the ride!!!
Well, so ends another random post. Maybe that is why I can`t ever think of titles, I never know what I am going to write about. I do know it is never as profound or soul searching as I wish. Sigh....but I am happy to be a part of this great blogging neighborhood. So, until next time, enjoy the last bit of summer. And oh yeah kick some trash tonight Cougar football!!!!!

Do you have the time for this???

Just warning you....this could be a long rambling post. Do you have the time?
I just spent about 40 minutes trying to make my blog cute. I can only get half of it in the paisley design I like. Any advice out there? Now I am afraid to even try to get a cute font. If any of you 2 or 3 people who read this can help,let me know. Hannah put our family picture up, we did add my picture next to my profile, but it was HUGE. And I am not exaggerating that. HUGE. And I don`t want to scare anyone out there with my HUGE face.
We have had a crazy week and a half of travel. Colorado was wonderful,I hope to take my kids there more. My mom is remodeling their cabin so it might be easier to haul the troops there now. And 3 of them are leaving home, maybe 4 kids will seem less overwhelming than 7. I look forward to more trips out there. On the flight home we didn`t have a full plane so we were able to spread out some, it involved me putting my purse and jacket on the seat between us and then avoiding all eye contact. It worked, I felt rude, but oh well! I find myself highly competitive in the whole security check/boarding process. We flew Southwest and I paid a bit extra for early bird check in. So 36 hours before our flight we were assigned a letter and number. And we didn`t have to check in. We were A 26 and 27. That meant we were among the first 30 to board. In the past you just were assigned a letter, A,B or C. Obviously A went before B, B before C. But there were no numbers, so I always got this weird need to be as close to the front of the line as possible, which meant checking in via computer as close to 24 hours before takeoff as I could. Then arriving early enough to get a spot close to the beginning. And then looking with suspicion at ANYone who might try to budge. Weird I know, but it was intense. And check in is a whole other issue. It is always my goal not to set off the alarm, and to not hold up the line. It isn`t like the TSA agent is going to commend me on a flawless security check or anything! So I am not sure what my deal is? Both going and coming home I failed. Forgot my cell phone was in my pocket in Salt Lake. And in Denver forgot to put my travel spray and lotion in a baggie. DANG IT!!!!! I wasn`t perfect. Gary just laughs and shakes his head. This time in Denver the 8 people in front of me had to have a full body xray scan, as did the several behind me. But not me! They just motioned me through the metal detector, don`t know whether to be offended or happy!
Less than 24 hours after we got home from that trip we were on to Oregon for our niece's wedding in the Portland temple.Everyone but her sister on a mission was there. That made 21 grandchildren and Gary`s brother and 4 sisters and spouses. That is a lot of people. Tashya is the 1st grandchild to get married, it was amazing to be at her sealing. It feels like we were all just there making our own covenants, and now our children our growing and going to the temple. It was a sweet experience to be had. We swam some....after the wedding of course....visited,sang,shopped, ATE a LOT. It was good to be together, don`t know how many more times that will happen. All of the kids are growing and moving on with their own busy lives. We drove the whole 12 hours in one trip coming home on Sunday. We were packed pretty tight into the Suburban. And we didn`t leave Oregon til about 11:30. So we didn`t get home til about 1 or 1:30 in the morning. Glad I don`t have to do that again soon.
We are in the process of preparing Hannah and Porter to move out and go to college, Bear is already there. I am nervous and excited for them all. Mostly nervous with Hannah. When Porter and Bear graduated from high school, they went right out on a mission. I didn`t worry about them....I really didn`t! But it is scary to think of sending my little girl out into the world. She only knows one other person at the Business College, her brother. I hope and pray she will be ok. I admire her bravery, I certainly wasn`t that brave! And I hope she has all the fun and learning and growth college can offer. I have decided to have a send off family ceremony for each of them. I will report how it goes. We take Porter on Monday! I have loved having him home this 6 weeks, but it is time for him to go and make his way in the world. But can`t we keep Hannah just a little longer????
If you have read this far and are still awake, well you are awesome! Remember, if anyone can help with my design issues let me know!

Home.

Is there anywhere as wonderful as home?

How sweet it is.. And has been.

Well thanks to my friend Christine Poulsen I know how to blog from my iPad! So I can post from the comfort of my hotel room instead of the lobby. Thanks Christine. Although I am a bit nervous to attempt a new paragraph because it could either do that OR post to my blog unfinished. It has been wonderful being here and being with my parents and Shawn and Chris. I miss my kids,I think! It looks like from Facebook that there was some kind of fun at our house Saturday night, all good and clean, but a bit unsettling when we aren't there.
Anyway, today was my grandpa's memorial service. Gary spoke, he was wonderful. He was very close to my grandpa. In fact his doctoral dissertation was about my grandpa and my grandparents marriage. He said many sweet and tender things. And my mom gave him permission to dedicate the "niche" that holds their ashes. I am grateful for that. We have done many of the activities from my childhood and eaten at a few family favorite restaurants. We have even made some more memories. There is a great mexican restaurant near our hotel, the 3 Margaritas. My sister, her husband and Gary and I ate there last night. It was so good and extremely filling. It was rough walking back to our rooms last night. We ate there again tonight to celebrate our parents 48th anniversary. It was hopping tonight! Crowded and with a genuine mariachi band. Great fun, new tradition.
Tomorrow we fly back to Salt Lake. I hate flying. A whole lot. It is always good to be on land. Then we pick Bear up and head home. We leave Wednesday for Oregon. Poor Gary has had multiple calls from students in his ward, he will be doing interviews Wednesday morning before we leave. I get the feeling it may be more difficult for him to get away for a few years!
I have decided I am the boringest blogger on the internet, but oh well! Hannah is going to help me figure out how to jazz up the appearance, unfortunately she can't jazz me up! But oh well, right!!??? If we don't crash between Denver and Salt Lake I will update later.

Let the fun Begin!

I tried to blog yesterday, but for some reason all I can do on my ipad is write a title. Nothing else, so
I missed yesterday. Gary and I are in Colorado til Tuesday. Then we leave with the whole gang Wednesday night for our niece`s wedding in Portland on the 12th, a Friday. We come back home that Sunday. A few weeks later I move Porter down to Provo so he can start at BYU. At the beginning of September we move Hannah to SLC so she can start at the LDS Business College. Also where Bear will be attending. So we are at the start of a lot of traveling and changing. As soon as I turned on my phone after we got off the VERY turbulent flight to Denver (have I mentioned how much I despise flying?) I saw
I had missed several calls from home. Now, back in Salt Lake I had already fielded many calls and texts about how every other child but the one I happened to be speaking with was a jerk or not doing there chores or many such similar statements. So, with trepidation I dialed home. Turns out Brigham needed to share the news that someone on the show Phineas and Ferb had kissed someone else. Not sure who did it! Gary was slightly, and by that I mean VERY, annoyed with the amount of phone calls, and while they do tend to call a lot, I am so grateful I can be a billion miles away and still be in contact. In March we were in Arizona, man it sounds like we travel a lot, we don`t. Anyway, we got a call from Brandon Moon informing us our van had apparently slid off the road to Parker. A whole other story. After we determined Nathan was just fine and handled the situation we laughed to know we knew within minutes what had happened even though we were miles away! I love cell phones. Seriously I do.
Well, shortly my parents will be here to meet us and we will be going out to dinner. We are here for my grandpa`s memorial service. My sister Shawn and her husband Chris are here also. We are going to spend the next 3 and half days doing many of the things we did during childhood summers we spent out here in Colorado with my grandparents. A fitting tribute I think. Most of my fond memeoris from growing up are here. Every summer my mom and dad would pack our van and bring us all here. And by all I mean me, my sister and my mom and dad. Good times, good memories. The four of us are all that is left now. Well, unless you count our husbands and combined 9 children! I am going to enjoy the trip down memory lane, probably talk to my children LOTS of times! I LOVE COLORADO!!!

I have stalked long enough!

So for about 3 or 4 years I have been stalking many, MANY blogs. My daughter has one, many of her friends and my friends have one, so I am joining the blogging world. I don`t imagine to have many readers, but that is ok. I guess now I can stalk myself! Anyway, as everyone says, it will be good to keep kind of a semblance of a family journal here. At this current time our computer seems to be stuck and I can`t get the CD thingie to open so that I can add our FABULOUS family pictures. Really, they are amazing, thanks in great part, no ALL part to Jenny Cook at Jennifercook Photography. And Kelsey at Charizma who did my hair!!! So hopefully one of my children can figure it out for me.
I have been married to Gary for just about 24 years. We have 7 children, the lineup is Bear 22, Porter 21, Hannah 18, Nathan 17, Emily 15, Natalie 12 and Brigham 10. Wow, they are all in double digits!! Gary teaches seminary and I sub for our local school district. Porter asked me if I planned to write regularly on the blog. And I do. So let`s see if I really do!