Going Old School

Ever watch the show "Cake Boss"?  I swear that you can depend on Buddy (the owner of the bakery the show follows) to use the term "old school" at least once an episode. 

It's time for me to go Old School.  It's time for some pictures chronicling our lives.

We spent last Tuesday in St George, UT, with my sister Tara and her family as they became an eternal family.  The St George temple is oldest functioning LDS temple in the world.  It is amazing to think of the craftsmanship that went in to building this temple over 100 years ago.

We got no good shots of Tara and Jabon with our camera, but I loved this one.  It looks like Ashton (the little guy at the bottom of the pic) is telling the paparazzi, "No more pictures, please."

The kids and I had spent the previous five days with our friends.  Here are our children trying to pose for a picture together. 

Trying to pose again.

Trying to pose again.

Thanksgiving morning my sister and I participated in a 5k.  Yes, my second one is less than a week's time.  I'm already becoming a seasoned racer.  Ha ha.  The proceeds from the race went to benefit a young woman we happen to know from church who is fighting a rare form of leukemia. 

Styling.

Josh was so nice to take pictures of us along the way.

I look like I'm walking, but I'm really not.  I promise.

At the end of the race we saw the finish line and I asked Tara if she had enough left to really run to the end.  She said she didn't.  Then we rounded the corner and the girl took off.  Of course, I did what any normal sister would do.  I called her a big liar and then sprinted to make sure she didn't leave me in the dust.  We crossed the finish line together.  And only 49 seconds slower than my brother and I had done just a few days before.

If you can just imagine a bunch of chaos, driving hundreds of miles, some antibiotics, lots of food, and plenty of extended family, then you can grasp an idea of what all the details in between the pictures are. 

It's been a fun and crazy holiday.

#20 I'm Thankful For.....

Today was the 5k for Chloe's Sunshine Playground.  It was my first actual race.

My friend Cindy and I had agreed to participate together.  As I was talking to my brother Peter about it, he thought it would be a cause worth joining in as well.

So at 7:00 this morning we loaded Emma and Abby into the van and the four of us (we met Pete at the race) took off.  Cindy's husband was kind enough to keep Matt and Millie with him and their boys.  We got our snazzy t-shirts and race numbers and timing chips.  We stretched and got ready to run.

There were some major concerns I had coming into this:

1.  The elements.  It was a bit windy this morning and it was about 50 degrees.  That doesn't sound too bad, but it was cloudy.  And I'm ashamed to admit how cold I actually was. 

2.  The altitude.  There's an elevation difference of 2855 feet between my home and Syracuse, UT.  It's not much of a difference, but it's enough of one that I knew it could really hinder me.

3.  Out of shape.  I haven't done very much running in the last several weeks.  I completed the c25k program with perfect attendance.  I didn't miss a day.  As soon as that tenth week came, I was lucky to run two days a week.  That went on for a several weeks and then when I miscarried I took an several days off from running.  This week I ran/walked 2 miles on Monday and ran 2.6 miles on Wednesday.  I wasn't sure how I'd do today.

4.  Headache.  I suddenly found myself with a major headache around the 2k mark, despite my efforts to drink lots of water yesterday.

But I am absolutely thankful for my goals and my ability to accomplish them.  A couple of times I actually considered suggesting that Pete and I stop and walk.  But I didn't want to.  I wanted to run.  I had things to prove to myself.  We were some of the slower starters.  Lots of people ran quickly ahead of us.  But we stayed steady and around the 4k mark we picked up the pace. 

When we saw the stop light next to the finish line we picked it up even more.

We rounded the corner to the last several yards to the finish line and picked it up again.  Then Pete and I began sprinting.  At least I did.  Pete was very chivalrous and allowed me to pull ahead of him.  I barely made it over the finish line before him.  But the main point is.....

I made it.

Pardon the blurriness.  Abby was our photographer! :)

I ran the entire 5k.  33.55 minutes.  Despite the elements, the altitude, the headache, and the near depression of the last two weeks I accomplished my goal. 

Crossing the finish line was like crossing a line in my life.  The line indicating my first step to move on.  I ran a 5k on sheer will power.  And now life has affirmed that I can use that will power for anything.  And becoming a stronger person is Step 1. 

I'm thankful for my first 5k race today.

(I'm also thankful for my friends that stopped by and said hi this afternoon.  I loved seeing you and can't wait to do it again sometime.)

#11 I'm Thankful For.....

I think it's very convenient that Veterans Day falls in the middle of my Thankful Project. 

I'm an Air Force Brat.  Yep.  Moved a lot.  Met a lot of people.  Switched schools fairly often.  Although, most of the moving occurred earlier in my life when Dad was not active duty.  Dad had been in the ROTC and served in the Air Force Reserves.  When I was in 2nd grade he became a recruiter for the Reserves.  His first assignment sent us to New Orleans, Louisiana.  Then we hopped over to Idaho and Utah, where we were able to stay for several years since Dad was able to promote within the same office. 

After I graduated from high school, Dad was transferred to Colorado Springs, Colorado.  It was at this point in my life that I seriously considered joining the Reserves myself.  I didn't really know what I wanted to do with my life.  School didn't interest me, but I knew I didn't want to work at the gas station for much longer (hated that job).  My only other option seemed to be joining the military. 

I told Dad about my decision and he sat me down, as if I were one of his possible-recruits.  He looked me in the eye and told me, "The reason you join the military is because you love your country and want to serve it.  If the only reason you want to join is for the benefits, then you're doing it for the wrong reason and need to think about it more."

I learned something from my dad.  My dad who loved his career in the Air Force Reserves and came from a long line of honorable veterans, including both his mother and father.  Serving the nation of the United States of America is not a benefit.  It's an honor.  One that cannot be taken lightly.  Soldiers serve because they love their country.

I remember when I was 12.  I was watching TV and the announcement came over the airwaves that the Gulf War had begun.  I began to cry.  I was so worried that my dad would have to leave us to go fight.  After all, his father had fought in Vietnam and Korea.  I'd heard the recordings Dad and his sisters had made that they sent to him.  I'd heard Grampa's stories.  It didn't matter that most of his stories revolved around him being in bar fights with his buddies.  I was still scared that Dad would have to leave us to be put in harm's way.  He found me crying and asked what the matter was.  I told him and he reassured me that as a recruiter he was needed much more on the home front than out in the fields. 

Those couple of moments of fear are the closest I'll ever know of what it is like to have a close family member away at war (I hope).  I'm so grateful to those that serve and sacrifice their lives for us.  It's not just the overwhelming sacrifice of possibly never coming home.  It's the sacrifice of missing time at home with their families.  The days and months spent in a foreign land protecting people they don't even know.  Missing holidays and birthdays and milestones.  And, of course, the families that support them without question.

The members of the military and the veterans that previously served are incredible.  True heroes.  People to look up to and admire.  I love my dad and his service.  I love my grampa and his long career of being in many battlefields (beyond the bar fights haha!).  Our family history indicates our family's dedication to this nation from the Civil War to the Revolutionary War.  I'm thankful for their service and love that I have this heritage.

Thank you, all members of the military both active duty and veteran.  And to my brother, Peter, just beginning his Air Force career: God be with you.  I love you, little brother.  You are already one of my heroes.

The Shawshank Redemption?

My parents are moving to Arizona.

Did I tell you this?

My dad is currently working his new job with the Border Patrol and my mom has been waiting for the house in Montana to sell (anyone looking for a home in Great Falls, let me know).  She'll be making the trip down with the rental truck loaded to the brim in just a week and a half. 

I'm so happy for so many reasons.

First off, Montana is a two full-day drive from here.  And it seems that something goes wrong every time we drive from Arizona to Colorado (or vice versa).  And I like driving through Utah, but I'd like to stay for more than 11 hours as we sleep, so that's always difficult when we're on a tight schedule.  Having Mom and Dad only 2 1/2 hours away will be a welcome change.

The second reason is pure selfishness.  I left some things at Mom and Dad's and I'm looking forward to getting them back.  I left my music stand.  Emma needs this.  Her school has no music stands for the band kids, so she has to carry her music stand back and forth on the days she has band.  Not cool.  When I get my stand back, she'll just keep it at school and won't have to carry hers around anymore.  Mine is old and cheap.  If it gets lost or stolen, it won't matter.

I know, you're thinking, "But Shelly, that's not selfish!  That's being a good mother to your daughter!"  I know.  I know.  I rock the "Good Mom" role (excuse me while I laugh).  But that's not the selfish part.  The selfish part comes into play with wanting my 5 lb weights back.  I left them behind and tried using my bigger 8 lb weights, but they were too big.  The more weight you lift, the bigger the guns.  My mouth is big enough to compensate for small guns. 

So in the mean time, I'm pulling some "Prison Break"/"Lockup" substitute.  I've got 2 gallon jugs that I've half-filled with water and those are my current 5 lb weights.  Oh, I'm sexy.  I've got my exercise gear, my bodybugg, my cup of water, and my jug-weights.  Man, they suck. They're awkward, they are hard to stabilize, they're beginning to leak.

Remind me to never go to prison.  I don't care for their make-shift ways.

The Third 11th Birthday Bash

I had a really wonderful birthday weekend. That's pretty much what it was: a weekend of PAR-TAY.

In case you wanted to be a part of the festivities (or want to relive them), here is the recap......

Wednesday

I share my birthday with my sister Tara. So we went and had lunch together. Of course, we brought Josh, Millie, and my nephews Brett and Ashton with us. We headed over to a local Mom-and-Pop place. It was pretty good food, but the service lacked. Because the waitress's flirting wasn't enough to warrant a decent tip from us, I'm not sure if we'll go back.

It was later that day that I couldn't take some respiratory problems I was having (full story HERE) and went to the ER. After the fact, Josh and I both admitted that we were so worried that I was about to discover that I had lung cancer or something horrible like that the day before my birthday. Luckily, I just needed some oxygen and more calories. I'm much better now.

Thursday

My actual birthday. It was a pretty nice and quiet day. Josh spent the morning making me a MOUNTAIN of a cake. Seriously. It was a double batch, complete with a homemade chocolate glaze. He called it, "Death By Chocolate." It nearly was. Seriously.

He also made me some chipotle chili lime fried chicken. It was very, very good.

We ate the cake (I got sick, remember the cake's name) and had some great frozen yogurt. It was a nice night. I had already opened my present (my new running shoes) so it was a nice and simple party.

Friday

Our date day. Josh grabbed his cousin's daughter to watch the kids before they ever even got home from school. He took me to Scottsdale and surprised me with a facial. While I was being massaged and cleansed, what was Josh doing? Sitting in the lobby watching a dumb Fred kid on iCarly. That's how much he loves me.

Then we went further into Scottsdale to a restaurant called Maggiano's Little Italy. Here's something you may not know about me. I have a major weakness. It is Italian food. It's a good thing I had a big reason to eat more calories. Because I think that dinner alone took care of my ketoacidosis. And it was a pleasure to allow it to heal me. Oh, was it good food. And you'd expect a restaurant in Scottsdale, Arizona, to be expensive, but it really didn't cost much more than Olive Garden. But sooo much better. Mmm. I'm drooling just thinking about it. Mmmm....

Afterward, we went to see if any movies were playing, but there really wasn't anything out that sounded interesting. We grabbed a Redbox movie and relieved the babysitter early.

Saturday

Tara's SIL Carina invited Tara and me out for lunch for our birthday. I thought it was really sweet that they thought to invite me as well. We had a good lunch and checked out a new pottery painting place nearby. It was fun to hang out with the two of them.

Sunday

We had a nice BBQ at Tara's house. Carina and her husband Jershon came over, as well as my daddy. We had a delicious dinner, Carina made a yummy lemon bundt cake, and we rocked out to a little Beatles' Rockband.

There's a tradition in our family that the birthday person gets blasted with the Beatle's Birthday. This year it came in the form of Tara, Cody, Jershon, and me rocking to Rockband.

If you notice, most of my birthday revolved around some sort of meal or food. Yep. The food journal started again today!

Oh, I nearly forgot to explain the "Third 11th" comment. Josh called this birthday my third 11th. My first 11th I turned 11. My second 11th, I turned 22. Now, for my third 11th, I've turned 33. Isn't he clever?

I love you, Josh. Thanks for taking so much time, money, and effort to make it a special birthday bash weekend!!

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Football season has begun. Actually, for all I know it began a month ago. I really have no idea. But today was the first game for my nephew's Pop Warner team.

I enjoy going and supporting Cody. It's important to do that. He practices in full pads in Arizona. Have I mentioned how hot it is here? Plus, he's a good kid and I love him.

As we sat there trying to watch his game I realized that my passion for football has waned a bit. I used to love going to the football games in high school.

But today it was kind of hard to enjoy the game. Maybe it was because it was 108 degrees and we had no shade. Maybe it was because there was no score board or announcer telling me what was happening so I had to pay attention. Maybe it was because I had a cranky 20-month-old that was trying to roam around on bleachers and I was just waiting for her to fall and break her head.

I'm thinking a lot of the reason why I enjoyed football in high school had very little to do with the game itself. I think it was mostly because of the beefy, muscle-y players wearing tight pants.

But despite the lack of announcers or hot players, I still hope to be able to rally and support Cody throughout his season. Even if it will be from my house with a baby in her bed sleeping during naptime.

If I stand on my front porch and yell really loud, maybe he can still hear me.

GO EAGLES!!

Boy Colors

Today I revisited my childhood. It was my own fault. I let myself get sucked in.

I love my nephew Brett. He's a good kid, he's pretty funny, and he seems to be somewhat fond of me too.

Brett and me, the first time I got to see and hold him. 2005.

I was helping him with his homework today after lunch and he made the comment that he used his green crayon a lot at school today. But he assured me that all was well since he likes the color green. I told him that I like it too.

Here's where it began. "No, Shelly, it's a boy color. You can't like it."

It was like a time warp had just pulled me into the past. I was four or five years old and arguing with my cousin Eric. Evidently, Eric and I always argued. But this argument will always haunt me.

According to my cousin, I was only allowed to like red or pink. But I didn't like red or pink. I liked green. No, I couldn't like green, it's a boy color.

Here's a hint: when trying to convince me to do or like something, don't tell me what I can't do or like. I will fight you. I will fight you and do or like that thing FOREVER.

Green has been, and always will be, my favorite color.

So, I immediately came back to the present as I heard Brett tell me that boy colors are the best colors.

I could agree with him on that. Green is one of the best colors.

Extra Kids Thursdays

I've begun watching my nephews on Thursdays. It's been pretty fun. The cousins all get along (for the most part) and the only real challenge is driving anywhere to do anything. We only have 7 seatbelts in our van, so when I have 7 kids it just doesn't work. Josh and I both have to drive when we run errands on Thursdays.

Last Thursday I got a taste of what a *large* family deals with. Josh and I needed to get some things done and decided to try doing them with all the kids in tow: Cody (11), Emma (9), Abby (8), Matt (6), Brett (5), Ashton (20 months), and Millie (18 months). Josh took Cody and Emma with him to Walmart and started the errands there while I took the other five kids to check out what we needed to register our vehicles. Over by our former rental house is a third-party office where you can do your vehicle registration and so I went there. I just left the kids in the air conditioned van and ran inside the deserted office. I found out that I could easily register the van right at that moment, so I told the lady that I had a bunch of kids in the car and would go grab them and we could start on my paperwork.

When I re-entered with the five youngest kids, man, I got some looks. The lady said something along the lines of, "Wow, you weren't kidding when you said a 'bunch of kids'!" I told the kids to sit quietly and then I bribed them with candy. The kids were also offered suckers from one of the other ladies working there for being so good. And the kids really did a good job of being good and cute and helping me out. I got my van registered and there wasn't a single growl from any of us for any reason. Amazing!!

Then we went to Walmart and met up with Josh and the other two kids. We had one cart with Ashton in the seat and Millie in the basket and then the five bigger kids mulling around us. And we got looks and stares. I couldn't help but laugh. We were stopped by one guy who said he had to ask us if they were all ours. We kindly explained the situation. And then it turned out he was hitting us up to be our new financial advisor. Hello! We're in WALMART. We have no finances to advise.

Another guy asked if we'd had all these kids to get on tv. I explained that only four were ours. He kind of blushed and said that he just wondered since there are so many reality shows about big families these days. I told him that my husband and I value our marriage too much to do that. (Although I do like watching some of those families.)

Josh and I have always wanted to have a big family. If we can have days as good as last Thursday, I think I could handle a large family. Unfortunately, today Josh is recovering from working last night and it's 115 degrees outside (literally) so we're having a harder time staying home and staying quiet. I'm thinking I'm going to have to come up with something creative to remedy that.

Monkey See....

.....Monkey Do.

The monkey in this cliche is our little Millie.

The big kids played on the Slip 'n' Slide.


And after Josh lovingly threw Millie down the slide, she decided it was actually fun.

Millie also played "Monkey Do" after watching me work out yesterday. We'd tell her, "Go exercise!" and she'd run forward five or six steps, stop, and do a squat. Then she'd run another five or six steps, stop, and do a squat. It was the funniest thing ever.

I'm pretty sure she learned to Monkey Do from her mommy. Tara is exactly three years younger than me. She copied me when she was born on my third birthday. She just had to have my birthday. And now I'm paying her back. A couple years ago Tara got new couches and so did we. The same style from the same company. Of course, this was a huge coincidence since we were living 1800 miles apart and had never been to each other's new houses. Then we bought a house in Tara's neighborhood. When you stand on the street facing our two houses, Tara's is the second house on the left of the vacant lots. Ours is the second on the right. And the final straw: I bought the same style of kitchen garbage can. Yep. Copying my sister.

Monkey See, Monkey Do.

The Next Project

Life is slowly getting back to normal. I've got a living room full of boxes to unpack and put away. I took them out of the garage to force myself to face them and do something about them. Yeah, that worked. It seems that I always have excuses to not work on them.... doctor appointments, projects with the kids, the need to sleep. But I digress.

I'm almost ready to allow my creative side to work again. I was working on a new story before the move, but I think I'll put it on hold. I'm thinking I need to explore a more personal journey. One that cuts to my soul. I think I'm going to entitle it Foibles of the Mormon Momma. All about a woman who recognizes her inability to be the perfect and ideal mother.

I thought of this as I was speeding to church on Sunday and showed up only five minutes late for the meeting. This is an accomplishment for me. I only broke one law (speeding -- I did make a full stop at the stop sign along the way) and I got there before the blessing of the Sacrament. Score.

I was thinking about my achievement and thought of my imperfections. I've noticed that so many of the mothers I know have at least one talent that they do so very well that makes them a good mom.

For instance, look at my sisters. Tara "goes and does." I've never known Tara to give up on anything or anyone. If something needs to be done, she does it. If something needs to be addressed, she does it. If someone needs to be loved, she does it. She can be aggressive (that's a compliment, Sis) when needed and is always determined. Her boys are learning to do this. She works for them and handles all of her responsibilities very well. She doesn't quit.

Lori is probably the quietest of the Williams kids, but she's also got the biggest heart. She's always there for everyone around her. She was only 24 (I think) when she was called to be the Primary President at church. This means she was responsible for the local organization of all the children's activities at church. She's so reliable and steady. She's a rock and is always there for her boys.

So my main character is going to discover and recognize those around her with the different talents. Of course, along the way she's going to learn more about herself and that she doesn't have to be the perfect and ideal mother. She just has to be confident in her own talents and she'll find more satisfaction in her calling as a mother.

I'm actually looking forward to this because as my character discovers her abilities, I think I'm going to have to find my own. After all, this is going to be a very personal story. A journey, if you will.

Music To My Ears

It's the last week of school. So, there are lots of end-of-year events. Tonight was my nephew Cody's band concert.

We got to go to Cody's concert back in December and their band has made some great improvements. It's really very fun to be able to go and watch my nephew's events. We've been to his football games, saw his US state display at school, and his band concerts. I love that we are here and can do that.

So please understand that the rest of this post is written in love.

I think it's impossible to listen to beginning musicians and not smile. They try so hard and come a long way in a short period of time. But they are still beginners. Of course, Cody rocks. He's related to me, so he has musical talent out the wazoo.

I never really knew that listening to beginning musicians could be so.... interesting. I began my musical endeavors in third grade. I played flute and joined the school choir. I loved it all. My band class was too slow for me, so I went ahead in the band book and taught myself. My choir teacher discovered that I was a decent alto. I thought I was pretty hot stuff.

Then, about six years later I was watching an episode of The Carol Burnett Show with my parents. There was a sketch showing a close up of a few parents in the audience of their children's band concert. The lights dim and the band begins. Listen with me: the flat notes, the off rhythm instruments, the squeaking clarinets. All the camera shows throughout the entire sketch are the faces of the parents with their plastered-on smiles and shudders as the music plays. Hilarious!! However, I was crushed when my parents revealed to me the truth that the sketch was actually very, very real. And here I'd thought I was an incredible musician.

As I listened to the concert tonight, I really loved being able to see the improvement from the band. They obviously worked hard and did a great job.

And in the back of my mind, I tried to suppress the thought of Carol Burnett.

The Good With the Bad

The Good News: We have a good shot at signing the final documents tomorrow. It's just a matter of a phone call to tell us to come sign.
The Bad News: We could be called at anytime to head to the office about 45 minutes away. To complicate matters, the girls have early out tomorrow, so we'd probably have to check them out of school so we can bring them with us.

The Bad News: Our tax refund, which we planned to use for most of our clean up of the new house, is currently being held until we send the IRS some information. Because they won't tell us over the phone what they need, we have to wait for a letter. It's been 8 weeks since we filed our taxes. Not cool.
The Good News: We should be getting back most, if not all, of our earnest money. Not as much as the tax return, but still it's money.

The Good News: Dad is coming back to town tomorrow.
The Bad News: He has to go almost immediately to report to his new job. Just a tiny, short visit.

The Bad News: The car died on Josh this evening before he headed off to work. Don't know if it will start for him in the morning.
The Good News: We have a large, shiny, vehicular target to site our guns on.

The Bad News: I have a lot of things to do around this house -- cleaning, packing, sorting, scrubbing, etc.
The Good News: I can get off the computer and do some of that stuff tonight. And I think I may actually do that.

The Bloggest Loser -- Week Two

Last week Josh won the week in weight loss percentage. We've got to be careful, girls. His body can drop pounds like nobody's business. He'll win if we let him. (It's okay if you win, Honey. I love you.)

So, ----> check your percentage for this week. Remember your original weight because you'll need that for future weigh ins, but for now your Start Weight will be your Current Weight from last week and your Current Weight this week will be whatever you weighed in at this weekend. Get it?

I lost nothing this week. Nothing. Nada. Zilch. Zero. Zip.

I'd be upset, but I'm still trying to recover from this week!! I ate better (except for yesterday's trip to the Chinese Buffet -- oh, but it was good) and I exercised. But my stress level was so high, I don't know if I could have lost any weight without a Bob or Jillian to be here and kick my butt. And without a second me to take care of everything that needed to be done.

"Let me e'splain. No. There is too much. Let me sum up." (Name that movie.) Emma had a huge research paper and project due yesterday. The teacher told us Monday. 3rd grade + Research Project = MAJOR PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT. She also had rehearsals for the talent show auditions that were also yesterday. Dad came to town. (The secret is out..... he got a job in Ajo, AZ, for the Border Patrol. He reports May 10, and Mom and Dad got a contract on their house in Great Falls last night. Things are happening fast for them.) Dad came to town a day earlier than I expected, so I was out running around with kids when he got into town and things just seemed to go downhill from there.

Friday was not your typical "Freaky Friday." It was "Freakin' Friday." It started around midnight when Dad finally got home from being stranded in the desert for a couple of hours. Then we slept. Then we all woke up and discovered that the game board Emma had made for her project had gotten into some water and was ruined. Then I fixed it from scratch in 17 minutes. The girls were late for school. As I checked them in we discovered that we had forgotten all the game pieces for her project. The second I parked in the school parking lot for the second time that morning I realized the girls had forgotten their lunches. I went home and tried to do school with Matt before the girls' lunch periods, but he didn't want to, so he sat in time out for about 20 minutes. The mortgage people called wanting more info and said closing will hopefully be next Wednesday. We finally did a little school. I took the girls their lunches. I got back and finished school with Matt. Then we waited for Dad, his buddy Ron, and Jabon to fix Dad's truck. We went to lunch. We went to Emma's audition (she rocked, btw). We went to the store. We went to Tara's house for dinner. I began making guacamole. I went to take a pit out of an avocado and chopped into the tip of my finger. It bled. Tara fixed me. I nearly fainted. A few times. We had dinner. Finally, we played some Rockband.

So, yesterday wasn't the best day. It pretty much summed up the way I've been feeling all week. If I can get through this weekend better than I did last weekend, I may actually have a good start to next week.

On to The Biggest Loser. I just love this show. I was so moved by the stories of the people in Texas at the 5k. Both of my parents have Type II Diabetes. I know I'm at risk. Ironically, they were living in Texas when they were both diagnosed. And at the weigh in, I actually was feeling so bad for the underdogs: Daris, Mike, and Ashley. It's not that I wanted Yellow or Grey to go home, I just wanted the individuals to do really well. I wanted Daris to win the challenge since he was working so hard by himself. We'll see what next week brings, eh?

Now tell me. How'd you do? Don't forget your weight loss percentage and tell me how your week went. Inquiring minds want to know!

It's A Small World After All

Tonight I took the kids to the Groom's/Rehearsal Dinner for Josh's cousin. His cousin Breanna is getting married tomorrow in the Mesa AZ Temple.

It was a great reunion, although Josh had to work. We saw Josh's mom, his aunts and uncles, some cousins. It was fun. Millie was introduced to everyone and several people recognized the girls from their pictures well enough to tell them apart in person. That may not seem like a big deal, but you'd be surprised how often the two of them are confused. I was impressed.

I was also reunited with my former Visiting Teaching companion from about nine years ago. Josh and I lived in Mesa not long after we were married and that's where I met Michelle. Like I said, we were partnered together to visit certain sisters in our ward. She had just had her third child and I was pregnant with Emma. I approached her and we visited for a minute or two. She said she remembered me, but I'm pretty sure she was just being polite. But it's funny to come across someone from the past.

Oh, and just an update on my nephew Brayden. Thanks for all of your prayers. My SIL reports that he's doing much better and eating well. He should be able to go home within the next few weeks. Hooray!!

Urine Good Company

Yesterday I got to talk to my brother JC for a while. He and I can speak for hours at a time. We have a special bond, one that began, and is often fueled, through theatre. JC told me about his plans for this summer, which include an audition for a nontraditional musical. It's dark and a bit freaky, but because it's a musical, the music counteracts that blackness a bit. I told him it sounded a bit like the musical Urinetown, which we watched at the Grand Street Theatre in Helena, MT. (If you're ever in Helena, you have to stop and see a show there.) He said the shows are along the same lines.

What? You haven't heard of Urinetown? You think it sounds a bit juvenile or even gross? To an extent, you're right. But it's HILARIOUS!

Urinetown is about a time when a drought has depleted most of the water supply. Private restrooms are banned by the government. People are only allowed to use public fee-based toilet systems. Anyone who contradicts the system is threatened to be sent to Urinetown (the secret is that Urinetown doesn't exist---the people are just being killed!). Of course, a hero finally emerges to save the people from constant fee-hikes by the overruling body, Urine Good Company. Urinetown fights against nearly every traditional expectation of musicals. Its social-political message can be used as a great argument either for or against a heavy-handed government involvement. It just depends on your angle.

It's a good one.

So, I've realized that I really need to get out and see some theatre. I miss it.

Tax Evasion!

We've begun watching "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader" in the evenings. It's a somewhat educational show that is family friendly and it comes on the same time Monday through Friday. I've figured out that there are some subjects that I can get right most of the time: spelling, literature, music, grammar. The subjects that often get me: sciences (any and all), math (the definitions, mostly), and history. I get some of the history questions right, but some baffle me and I have no idea what the answer is. Today I got one right.

There is a running joke in our family. When I was about a sophomore in high school, I was in the family room with my dad and probably some of my siblings. There was some history show on (as there often was when Dad was home) and it mentioned Al Capone. Dad looked up from his newspaper long enough to inform me that when Al Capone was finally arrested, it was not for his gangster activities. Al Capone was arrested for tax evasion. I slightly nodded, but didn't say anything. Dad mumbled to himself, "Ah, gee, Dad, that's interesting. Thanks for telling me that." Dad often mumbled stuff like this to himself, a habit I seemed to have picked up.

Anyway, a few weeks went by and the TV mentioned Al Capone again. Dad, thinking he was going to educate us, said, "Do you know how they finally caught Al Capone." I looked at him, at first thinking he was joking, but then realizing he didn't remember the situation from a few weeks earlier. I happily answered him with a confident, "Tax evasion!" Dad was so impressed that I knew the answer. He began praising me and asked me how in the world I knew that. I told him that I'd learned it from him a few weeks ago. He controlled his beaming as he said, "I'm glad you were listening." So now, anytime Al Capone is mentioned, someone will generally call out, "Tax evasion!"

So on today's episode of "Fifth Grader" when the question of "What was Al Capone arrested for?" I gleefully shouted, "Tax evasion!" Of course, I was alone in the room, so it was more of a pathetic moment, but I knew the answer!

Happy Tax Season, everyone. Hope you've filed yours.

Spring is Blooming

Today as we passed what happens to be my grandmother and uncle's subdivision we were bombarded by the perfume of citrus blossoms. Oh my goodness. It was heavenly. We were driving with the windows down (it was only 80 degrees outside, jealous much?) and the kids and I nearly freaked out. If you could bottle that scent and be able to avoid the tint of alcohol that most perfumes seem to possess, you'd make millions.

It reminded me a bit of my great-aunt's home in Mississippi.

(This isn't really a pic of her house, but it's a close comparison.)

She passed away in 1999. But in about 1989, we went to her house and I remember her front yard was comprised almost completely of wildflowers. She had ivy growing along trellises and up the side of her house. It was beautiful. I loved it so much that she gave me some seeds from her flowers to grow my own garden.

I also remember my great-uncle going out to his watermelon patch, taking one into the nook of his arm, thumping it, and after finding just the right one, he picked it and we immediately cut it open and ate it. There isn't anything much more refreshing than a freshly picked Mississippi watermelon. (Okay, that one's a memory of summer, but if you've never noticed, I function in chains: this made me think of this, which made me think of this.... you get the picture.)

Nephew Number 8

Today my baby brother Peter and his wife Genica welcomed Brayden Michael Williams into the world. And if you pay attention to initials, you will discover that Brayden's are BMW. That is not a coincidence. Some people's brothers are weird. But, he was born today (February 25) at 7 lbs 8 oz and 19 1/2".

I don't have any pictures of the new bundle of joy yet, but can I just say...

I'm So Happy!!!

I love my brother and I love my SIL. They are such good people and will make incredible parents. They've been given an incredible gift with this little boy. They also have some major challenges ahead of them. Brayden has Gastroschisis. That's where some of his digestive system grew outside of his abdomen. Until he was born no one knew to what degree he had it. From what I've heard, it's a bit more severe than we all hoped, but with a surgery or two (hopefully) he'll be put together and will be able to come home within about six weeks after his final surgery.

If you have any extra prayers laying around, I'm sure they would be happy to accept them. Both Pete and Genica are enrolled in school this semester. Genica has online classes, so she will be able to complete them as she stays in Salt Lake City with Brayden. Pete, however, will have to go back up to Logan to finish his classes at Utah State University. He'll have to be away from his wife and son during the week and only see them on the weekends. My heart is heavy for them, mostly because I have an inkling of what lays ahead of them: hospital living with a baby in the NICU is NO FUN! And being separated because life doesn't stop is difficult. And living with the guilt of "We live in a town not suited for my child's health problems so I can finish my degree" is extremely rough.

Luckily, both sets of grandparents are there to make immediate life easier for Pete and Genica. But if you happen to think of them, please say a prayer for them. The next few months are going to be challenging, to say the least.

I love you, Peter, Genica, and Brayden!! Wish I was there to hold all of you!

A HUGE Thank You!

Some people's sisters marry real idiots. Thankfully, mine haven't. In fact, I really like both of my brothers-in-law. They are great men and they take good care of my little sisters. Okay, I'm shorter than both of them, but you know....


Anyway, my BIL Jabon has been incredibly helpful to our family. Not only did he allow us to live in his house for 2 1/2 months, but he's done all sorts of things for us. His latest achievement of the "Brother of the Year" Award happened just the other day.


Jabon built us a computer.


Yeah, read that sentence again. He built us a computer. I know a lot about using computers for lots of different reasons, but the mechanics of it all baffles me and I am amazed by people that can just grab a few extra parts laying around their house and create a desktop computer for their family to use. Hello???? Can we say "OH MY GOSH!"?


Jabon's goal was to allow us to do school a lot easier. I had no idea how badly we needed a second computer until we had one to use. The ability to multi-task has increased by a hundredfold. I can tell Emma to take one test while I work with Abby on an online assignment. It's amazing. We've shaved a good three hours off our school day.

Emma using the new desktop computer.....

....while Abby uses the laptop.

The blur back there is Matt. That's a pretty realistic shot.

And Millie hovering around the computer, that's pretty realistic too.

And so, to Jabon I want to publicly say Thank You SOOO Much! You're amazing and you totally ROCK!!

The Skinny on Millie

Today is Millie's birthday! Can you believe it? One year ago I was hospitalized with my new baby on one side of me and my big baby on the other side. This has been a long year. So much has happened. Some happy. Some very not. But, this post is to celebrate the greatness of my baby daughter--Millie Marie!!


We had Tara and Jabon and their boys come by for some cake Monday night. I took this opportunity to borrow their camera to take pictures of Millie's party and some of my decorating. Here is our Christmas tree, complete with gate to keep babies of all sizes out of the present. And, man, that Jabon in the middle of the floor took me forever to place just-so!




Some more Christmas pictures, but this one also features my old rocking chair. I loved this chair. Now, it is the first place to look for Millie if she's not directly under my feet. She loves this chair. It doesn't matter that she's stood in it and fallen on her head, she still happily sits in it all the time.


Millie opened her presents. We hoped it would help her prepare for Christmas morning. I don't know that it did, but she still got some great gifts. Aunt Tara and Uncle Jabon gave her a cute outfit that she looked adorable in today. Emma gave her the rattle in the picture above. Millie really loved it. Probably because she's played with this rattle since she originally received it last year.

The kids each gave her a card of some kind. They wrote her poems, drew her pictures, wished her a happy birthday. It was so cute. Especially since Millie is smart enough to read them by herself. That's what it looks like, doesn't it???

We made sure to start the habit of not associating Millie's birthday with Christmas. We wrapped her presents in Hannah Montana wrapping paper instead of snowmen and Santas. And you probably guessed that the Hannah Montana paper was left over from one of her sisters. I said we wanted to keep her birthday and Christmas separate, not her birthday and reality hand-me-downs separate.

Mommy and Daddy gave Millie a Fisher Price Little People set. I need to go search for the picture of me on my first birthday opening my first Little People set. But, for now, just imagine it. As soon as I saw this in the store, I knew Millie was going to have it. Josh saw another set, but it had some weird looking girl in it, not the blond girl with the blue dress or the dog. Hello!! You have to have the retro stuff. Then I turned to Josh and asked him, "When did our stuff go 'retro'?" He told me it was when we got old. If someone would like to smack him for me, I'd be much obliged.

I decorated Millie's cake. I originally made her a 9"x13" cake, but that seemed boring, so I decided to make two smaller cakes. One cake was a picture of Millie. Striking likeness, isn't it?

The other was a more Christmas themed cake with candy cane stripes. Yes, I dotted the I's with hearts. I'm corny, but I the mom. I can do what I want.

I realized that I am a genius as a mother. I made Millie the same Funfetti cake that I love and it proved to be so much less messy than a chocolate cake. Genius, I tell you.

This is the most smile I could get off of her. The girl refuses to smile for the camera. Get her sisters to mess with her in a restaurant or store and she shrieks with laughter. She's a tricker.


Some of Millie's milestones:

• Eating big people food. Her favorite thing is Mandarin oranges.
• Almost walking. I've been convinced for the last two months that any day she'd begin taking steps. I thought for sure she'd be my first child to walk before she was one. Not quite, but she could if she tried. Soon.
• Six teeth. Most babies get four teeth on top, two on bottom or vice versa. Millie has her usual two front teeth on top and two on the bottom, but she also has a tooth on the right bottom and one on the right top. Symmetrical still, just in her own unique way.
• Talking. Okay, not really. More like squealing for two seconds at a time every two seconds for several minutes at a time. Oh my gosh! Wanna watch tv? Sorry! You only get to hear the tube for two seconds at a time. And it's mostly just to hear herself. If she wants to make a point she sits at the base of your feet while you're trying to cook or do dishes. Then she screams.

Some of Millie's favorites:

• Person: Daddy. Oh, how she loves her Daddy! To see her eyes light up when she sees him makes your heart melt!
• Food: Mandarin oranges.
• Place: The rocker.
• Color: I don't know. She's one.

So, that's Millie. My baby is getting so big! Happy birthday, Sweetheart!!