serious contemplation on a monday morning

A or
B or

C,D,or E

tag

I was tagged by my real life friend, and this was a fun one so here goes :)

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friends: my sisters Anna and UTMommy
C-Cake or Pie: cake, I have to be in the mood for a fruity dessert but chocolate any time!
D-Day of Choice: Sunday, a day of rest. A day to hear hymns and think of the Lord.
E- Essential Item: toothpaste, I have to brush my teeth every time I walk out the door.
F- Favorite Color: Green and Red
G- Gummi Bears or Worms: Gummi bears
H- Hometown: Lancaster, CA although I was born in San Fransisco and now consider Ft Worth home.
I- Indulgence(s): I love browsing stacks of books for the perfect next read, chocolate
J- January or July: July, I love summer
K-Kids: 1 handsome boy, 5 beautiful girls
L-Life is incomplete without: my family and the Gospel
M- Marriage Date: D- day 1998..come on history buffs when is it?
N- Number of Siblings: 2 brothers and 4 sisters
O- Oranges or Apples: clementines are my favorite but I like apples too, just not the red delicious, or the Fiji
P- Phobias or Fears: water.
Q- Quote: "Children should have the best of their mother, her freshest, brightest hours." -Charlotte Mason - Totally stole this from Michelle's blog, it's a good one
R- Reason To Smile: when my kids do cute or sweet things.
S- Season: summer
T- Tag Six: Joy, Dani,Emers, Makiah, Yvonne, and Tiffany
U- Unknown Fact About Me: I hate the sound of styrofoam, can't spell worth a darn and failed (almost) algebra in high school. (in my defense I got an A in it in college)
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: haha, carnivore
W- Worst Habit: too many chocolate chip cookies
X- X-Rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds- I love that first view of a new baby on the way..duh
Y- Your Favorite Food: hmmmm, how to pick?
Z- Zippers or Zebras: Zebras

a tragedy

A young man who is in our ward, well his mother and sister are, he grew up here and doesn't live far away, was shot in his yard early this morning; and killed. He was handsome and adventurous and a nice guy. A couple years older than Dani. I feel so sad for him mom and little sister. What a terrible waste.

I never know quite what to do. We'll bring dinner in on Monday and help with the funeral. S and J will be good friends to Megan and we'll pray for the family.

Two thoughts, you just never know what will happen from day to day and it's so important to live your life with purpose. Doing what is most important first. Letting your priorities guide your actions and not just the ease of the way.

I thought of his mother, did they have a nice visit recently? Did he tell her he loved her, did she? Hopefully, I don't know although I have no reason to think not. I just need to remember to tell my children and husband. Whenever it's my turn, or the turn of someone dear to me to pass on I want to leave with good relationships, with my life in order.

keeping quiet

Keeping quiet has been the theme of our week. It's been a little inconvenient. I know it's been a lot inconvenient for DH. I don't know how families do it who always have a night shift. I don't say that to complain, it's something we need to do for the job and that's okay. I am grateful that it's short term for us.

Yesterday we left that house at about quarter to eight and came back at three. DH actually slept another hour or so after we got home so I was glad about that. Lu and I went to the rodeo, then to iHop for some yummy pancakes. 75 min. and 60 min. respectively. Next we went to the downtown library and stayed there for 2 hours and 15 mintues. You get 2 and a half hours of free parking :) It wasn't bad. We had fun reading and doing puzzles and it's a great library. We also spent an hour at Wal-mart. The rest of the time was taken up in travel from spot to spot.

The kids had friends over after school. E had Gage. They played outside for the first hour then came in to play. H had Alexa. She got to stay until 10pm (an unsleepover) We made homemade pizzas and cookies and everyone had fun.

Today I decided we needed feild trip. Something we'd never done before. So I got mom and dad and the littles and we went to the Dallas Zoo. It was lovely. I don't know why I've never been before. It had lots of nice habitats, fun things to do at the children's zoo and a monorail ride.



J didn't want to come and went to her friend's house instead. S had the ACT today. That was a mess. Last night we looked up on line the calculators that they allow and hers was not on the prohibited list. It turned out when she got there that it was though and she didnt' have time to answer all the questions, as a result. I wasn't very happy about that, nor was she. Luckily she still has time to retake it but still.

Tonight we drug the mattress upstairs and got it all set up for DH. He's going to try and sleep there tomorrow. And I will take him to the Dallas Zoo before we leave TX, it's worth the effort.

rodeo day 2005

Rodeo Day

One of the most exciting days in Kindergarten is rodeo day. All the kids dress up as cowboys and they have a parade and then have rodeo activities in the gym.
Lu and I went to watch. Brother was very excited. All the kids looked so cute. The roped steers, ran barrels, threw "cowchips", danced, and walked an balance beam. E and his teacher.

brother is a dancer

He always loves to dance. Today was rodeo day and this was one of their stations.

The year of the rat

Today is Chinese New Year. We went out for Chinese food to celebrate. The little kids wanted to buy fans, for a quarter, so I gave them each 25 cents. Somehow on the way to buy them they got sidetracked by the gum ball machine and each ended up with a huge gum ball instead.

The night shift is not an easy thing, for any of us. Poor DH came home so tired today. Unfortunately for us he is a very light sleeper. For example, at night if the girls have homework late and he goes to bed the sound of the keyboard on the computer keeps him awake. So does the sound of the refrigerator making ice. You can imagine the problems. We have been trying to stay out of the house for most of the school day, and not run the washer or anything. We have some mattresses in the garage and it hit me today that we should drag them upstairs and set up a bed for him there. It's well insulated and mom and dad say they can't hear anything that goes on downstairs from up there. We'll see if he thinks it's a good idea.

Last week I went to the doctor for the annual adjustment of the medications appointment. I have had this weird chest pain for about 7 years. It comes and goes; sometimes it's really bad, other times almost not noticeable. Anyway between that, my high cholesterol, history of heart disease, age and weight he wanted to send me for a stress test. Which I was not stressed about. I went today and it was very interesting. By the end I was "running" 5.2mph, on a 14% grade incline on the treadmill (can we say out of shape) Sheesh! I won't get the results for a week or so but I did last 9 minutes and the tech said that 6 is the average and my heart was still beating at the end so I take that as a good sign.

10pm and the house is quiet...how'd that happen?

It's been hectic around here, but tonight it's quiet and no one is on the computer (shocker) :)

FHE on Monday was "wholesome family recreation" We danced and ate ice cream. John Denver, Jack Johnson and the Pride & Prejudice soundtrack were the music choices of the evening. It was fun.

After school on Monday I went with S to do a bunch of car errands. We had a fun time and got a lot done, which was good.

Tuesday Lu had preschool, I went to help in E's classroom, DH and H had karate, J had piano lessons, S had work. I also made pajama pants.


Today I had more things to do than time to do them, and felt kind of badly that I couldn't get everything done. Yesterday Mrs. Torisk asked if I could come help with 100's day, which I was very happy to do. I told her I could only stay until noon because I was going out to lunch with Joy and Tori for T's birthday. The problem was it was also playgroup (which I started and now have missed two weeks in a row). Well, I thought helping out was more important and I hope, hope, hope someone went to playgroup. 100 day was very fun. When I was done helping I had a little bit of time so I went and got my suburban registered and went to get brother a western shirt and hat for the rodeo on Friday.
Then I met J&T for lunch, we went to Ghengis Grill and had fun time. It's a fun treat for me to meet with my friends, without kids, for a lunch.
Then I picked everyone up from school , came home and made cookies, went to be the mother helper at Activity Days, came home and made dinner, DH left for work (he has the night shift for the next two weeks 7pm-7am 7 days a week, while they test the plane), got homework and reading done, sent the big girls off to Mutual, was here while our piano and mom's entertainment center got picked up by someone who bought them off Craig's List, cleaned the porch, cleaned inside...and now here I sit :)

a new prophet

President Thomas S Monson. He'll be awsome.

I am so grateful for revelation real time...can you imagine voting on who "the Lord" wants to lead the church? It is such a comfort to me to know that He has a hand in our lives and that we can know His will and commands.

thought

I was reading my cute cousin's blog this morning. She is expecting her fourth baby and was talking about how exhausted she was and cranky. She said she asked her husband to remind her that she was not normally like that and then said that she was worried that in another month he would forget she wasn't like that too and then they'd really be in trouble. I thought about that a lot through out the day. A) he never would, he is the kindest, sweetest, guy ever. And more importantly B) Isn't that what we all wish for? Someone who knows our hearts and the best of us and then reminds us of that all the time. Someone who loves us and even when we are not acting our very best at the moment still sees the best in us. What a wonderful gift to give to the people we love. It made me think how I would treat my children if I always saw them as the wonderful, special, talented, awesome people that they are. Or my spouse, or anyone around me. What if I always remembered the best about a person and treated them like they were the best ever? What if everyone did? We would have a wonderful world, and happy homes, and successful people.
February is the month of love. So for my little valentines this month I am going to try extra hard to remember who they really are and to treat them that way, and hopefully when they are with me they will see that in my eyes and feel that every day.

Someone who sees who we really are, even when we ourselves forget.

it's really all about the cake :)

2003
2004

2006

superbowl Sunday

Every year I make this super bowl cake, not that we are even big football watchers. This year the top wasn't flat and it had a big split, still it tasted good. Next year I might try a different design.
We got some fabric in the mail from Nana this last week and we decided that H's new hobby was going to be making pajama pants. This is her first pair. She did a lot of the work herself and was happy with how they turned out. Now brother, DH, G and J all want some so tomorrow might be grandma and mommy sweat shop day as we quickly make up a few more pairs. H wants to make another for herself and then some for her AG dolls. I think by the time we get to the doll ones she'll be able to do the whole thing with only a little verbal direction.

saturday

Busy Saturday. The kids had a primary activity this morning. They were excited to go. I got brother some new church clothes this week and he looked so handsome however he did not want me to take a picture. So here is a picture of a nice outfit and a grouchy face.

As soon as it was over S took E and G home, by way of McDonalds, and I got H changed and ran her over to karate. DH was at a soccer coaching meeting and he went over as soon as that was done. Then I went back to the church for President Hinckley's funeral. Which was so beautiful. I really "enjoyed" it and felt the spirit.
Then as soon as the closeing prayer was said I had to run out and go get J, who was spending the night with Siera and Sophia and take her to piano lessons.
After her lessons we went to the park and then to Albertson's.

I came home quickly so DH and I could go on a date, but he was at our neighbors helping him with his bathroom repairs. In his place were the missionaries. One of them is getting transfered so they came over to take a picture and have a last visit. When they left I had time to read and to fix the kiddos dinner. We had to change our plans and not see a movie (which was fine with me~ David helps DH out a lot and it was nice for him to reciprocate).

Tonight we went to dinner and to Blockbuster and to Wal-mart. We saw Willy and Rhonda there and had fun chat in the aisle :)

And when we got home this was the cute sight that I found. I don't know why but I think they are so adorable sleeping together on the bottom bunk.

Elder Robinson

dance

Friday night

We ate a rainbow for dinner tonight. This is one of our favorite dinners, black bean burritos with clementines and sauted peppers and red onions.
Tonight the JV drill team had their first performance. They did awesome. It was really fun. They danced at the varsity basketball game. I, and J and many of her friends, hated the biker babe outfits they had to wear, the dance was cute though and for their first time it went well. I did sent Ms Rogers an email telling her I thought the dance was cute and the girls were having so much fun and she was doing a good job but the costumes were a little trashy...sadly I am sure it won't change the costumes any but it may ruin J's chances of making varsity for next year. I guess we'll see. It's really a tough call for me. I want the girls to be involved and participate in things, but it seems like there is always something in the way, whether it's the uniforms, sunday meets, or money or fill in the blank.
I got brother a bag of guys at the dollar spot in Target the other day. They had a battle in the living room this evening. Tonight after I was cleaning up I spotted these "scouts" on the hutch. He's fun to watch play, he likes to set up these very elaborate battles and divide his guys into platoons and formations ect. Today he was mad at Millie because she ate one of his captains. That made us laugh.

i'm dreaming of warm summer days

wishing for weather like this....

instead of freezing winds that do this to my roof.

I can not emphasis enough how much I hate to be cold and how I always look forward to summer. I love 100 degree weather.

And it's just a teeny bit annoying that our new roof, put on in Oct of last year, blew off yesterday. We lost about a third of the shingles on the north side of the house.

misty water color memories

The other day after FHE, E wanted to keep his list of nice things about him the family wrote so I told him to put it in his baby book to keep it safe. "My baby book??" He said, "I didn't know I had one." Of course he wanted to see it right away and so after being jammied up we pulled out the baby books and read them. Luckily only H and E were interested because the big girls have much more detailed ones and it would have taken all night. Point of the story is his book was kind of empty so this week I have been searching through the archives looking for great pictures of him and filling in the details, while I can still remmber :)
It's been fun to look back even over the last 7-8 years (The digital era in our house) and see photos.
Some are funny, some are sweet and some make me a little sad. Like this one. This is Easter 2003. We got together with some of our firneds at the Stirks home. It was a lot of fun, but when I looked at the picture I realized that everyone has moved away from TX except me. Sandy and her family moved to Utah the beginning of last summer. Dani lives in Utah, Krista lives in Indiana now but moved to Georgia in the middle (we saw Chris a year ago or so when he was here on business) and Sheila moved to Utah by way of a year long fellowship in Ohio.

So it's kind of sad when friends leave, luckily I'm old enough to know it's a small world and many people we'll bump into sometime again. Thank goodness for Christmas cards so we can keep in touch :)

In other news I had my annual dr visit this year to renew perscriptions (another sign that I am getting old) and he told me I should weigh 115! What?!? Maybe I'm not done growing tall yet? And I got a tetnus booster (ouch).
Yesterday we also went to the doctor. J got her shots (same booster) and E has an ear infection. He is still home from school. G got to go to preschool today, she feels better and had a much shorter go of the ickies. Mom is still sick though and for some reason I can't figure out my spell checker isn't working, which I hate. And Poor DH is now sick, but they are testing so he has to go to work.

poem

Prophetic Passing

I imagine he's running to Marjorie now,

Yes, running, not waving his cane.

I see him embracing his father and mother

While they keep repeating his name.

I see him now meeting his forebears,

Brother Brigham and Joseph are there.

Sweet reunion of prophets,

united by service

That only such noble men share.

I see him embraced by the Savior

While Father says, Good and well done.

So faithful in stalwart endurance,

I welcomeMy noble, most excellent son.

I then hear the ripples of laughter

As he says the reception's just fine,

But he hopes that he'll get an assignment or two

Since theres no need to waste any time.

I can hear his clear voice in the stillness

At the close of this sweet Sabbath day,

Have faith and move forward

- there's work to be done.

President Hinckley would want it that way.

Anna M. Molgard

January 27, 2008

I saw this beautiful poem on Lei's blog and wanted to remember it. It made me cry, not for saddness but from a sweet joy that filled my heart as I invisioned the scene.