For Keeps

Every time I go through the house looking for items to donate I inevitable peruse my children's books.  We have about twenty two million so you'd think it would be easy to find some we can give away.

The Berenstain Bears are non-negotiable.  As are the Arthur, Franklin and Little Critter books. I come across ten Patricia Polacco books and I can't help but open them up and feel the love that emanates from those pages. If you give a Pig a Pancake, Rainbow Fish, the Charlie & Lola books, oh and there's no way I can part with Ethan's beloved Froggy books.

I think about reading all these books to my Grandchildren. I'll draw out "Frrrrroooooggggyyyy", just as I always did when I read them to Ethan.  I'll laugh every time Arthur has a problem with Binky Barnes or Mr. Ratburn.

I love these books and I feel like a fraud when I tell my mom she has get rid of 'all that old stuff she never looks at' when I am hoarding children's books years after my kids have moved on to chapter books.

I am pretty good at parting with stuff, just not when there are so many memories attached to reading these stories with one, two, or three little ones on my lap.  I've read them all hundreds of times.  There was nothing more important, nothing that needed my attention more & nothing more fun than finding out if Brother and Sister did the right thing, if Franklin was going to tell the truth & for once and for all finding out if Go Dog Go liked her hat?!?!

To this day whenever we get a McDonalds cone inevitably one of us will say "soft serve ice cream is soft serve ice cream"  quoting Mama Bear talking to Sister, and we'll smile and relish our shared memories.

Garage Sale Saturday

I woke up early Saturday ready to Garage Sale.  I haven't hit a garage sale in months, maybe a year, and I needed to find Ethan a helmet. I nudged Emry awake cause what fun is shopping without a partner in crime?

(Above) Okay, can I wax poetic about this skirt?!  My sister has a similar one and every time she wears it I think "that skirt should be mine, I love it way more than she does". I am not sure if this crazy line of thinking is specific to me, but I was beyond excited when we found this skirt for $2.  The only problem is Emry found it and she loves it and it looks perfect on her which means it probably wouldn't look so perfect on me.  We'll see.

I found this helmet for Ethan and shockingly enough they were only asking 50 cents for it.  I loathe skulls on any type of clothing, especially for kids, but for 50 cents you could say I sold out.

The Garfield books were $1 each, not the best deal, but my kids LOVE em'!!!

(Below) This super soft grey O'neill sweatshirt for Lila was $1, Emry's sweatshirt was $1, Lila's tank set was $1, and this cute hat that I am glad Emry talked me into getting was $2.

Emry's fur vest 50 cents, bag of Polly's $2, five cans of silly string $1, & storage boxes (for my closet) $8 for all.  I realize that's not a steal for the boxes, but I wanted to get some anyway and they were in 'like new' shape so I got em'.  Probably could have haggled down 2 bucks or so, but I hate doing that.  Sometimes I'll ask my kids to do it for me, Emry's super good at it.

That $2 bag of Polly's kept the girls entertained ALL day long.  They had a photo shoot with them all and then made a fashion magazine that took them about 4 hours.  Creative outlet I say. I also say $2 well spent.

Grand total - $21 even.  Nothing I love more than a good deal, makes me feel like this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blankies

Every few months for the last year or so when I'd tuck Lila in for the night I'd say "Lila, how about we get you a new blanket?" 

The answer was always no, as she held her blanket, the same one she snuggled up to as a baby, tighter.

Then it turned into weeks, then every few days.  It got to the point where I would tuck the covers up to her chin, give her a kiss, then say "Lila" and she would say "NO!"

The blanket was a mess.  It was paper thin, tearing in parts, missing material, had stains and was mended by me in other parts, which means I folded it over and did a really bad job sewing it up.

Emry had no problem giving up her dee-dee.  But then again Emry is more rational and no-nonsense.  I dangled a fluffy new blanket in front of her, promised I'd pack dee-dee up safe and sound in her box, and she was right on board.

Ethan still has his baby blanket, after 8 years it's in surprisingly great shape.

But Lila.  That girl was not letting go for nothing.

Last night I was putting some old but loved clothes of Lila's safely in her storage box and came upon another blanket of hers that my Aunt made years ago.  I had used this blanket when she was a baby but had forgotten all about it when she got older and only needed one blanket. I was so excited to tell Lila that she had another special blanket just waiting to be loved by her.

Of course she made sure her old blanket was washed and put away in a safe spot.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised by their loyalty.  My kids never had binkies or bottles, so their blankets were all they had to soothe them to sleep.

She may be 10 and growing up fast, but seeing her sleeping with  her new blanket snuggled up right in her face every night reminds me that she's still so little.

For now.

Mothers who Know

Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord’s kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power.        Julie B. Beck     Mothers Who Know

I have lots of changes going on in my life.  All Good!!!!  I've had the best most wonderful summer filled with so much love it was almost too much.  Spending every waking hour with my children didn't make me tire of them, just the opposite.  I love those kids dearly and want to be the best Mom I can be so............ I am making changes, because really isn't that what life is all about?

-Glenn is a little more than halfway through the Academy.  He's in the best shape of his life and doing great on all tests, including physcial and shooting, but is anxious for it to be over and see what his life as a Sheriff will look like.

-My oldest daughter Emry was accepted into a very prestigious Prep School in a town close to us.  The commute is a sacrifice but it won't be so bad once the other 2 are accepted and they're all on the same schedule.  Although I am excited about her rigorous academic work, there were a few days my stomach was in knots, questioning if this was the right decision.  Now that she's settled in and is getting to know her teachers and make friends and familiarizing herself with how the school is run, I am at peace and happy.

-As of last night Lila is on the Pre-Team in Gymnastics.  She is beyond thrilled and is ready to learn all the new tricks of the trade.  She works really hard at Gymnastics and takes it very seriously.  One of her dreams came true last night and seeing her excitement makes my heart burst.

-Ethan is busy being a kid.  Reading, playing basketball, starting school, passing off scouting goals, kinda the same ol' same ol', but honestly it never gets old.  Seeing him immersed in a book, or feeling proud of himself for making a basket. It's so fun being his mom, I adore that little boy.

-As for me, it seems ever since the kids started school my job has been taking care of MYSELF!!!  I've spent 3 consecutive Mondays at the dentist, had a Cyst removed for the 3rd and what better be the final time from my leg, getting an eye exam and new glasses because my old ones broke and wearing crooked glasses is no fun and somewhat embarrassing and..........the big news is I am starting school in a few weeks.  I am taking online classes to finish my Bachelors degree started another lifetime ago.

So is my life CRAZY busy?  No.  My life is great and full, homemade dinners are eaten and the dog is fed.  The children have clean underwear and fresh fruit in their lunch.  We have time for silliness and laughter, chores, homework and peaceful nights.  It's just how I want it.

That leads me to the excerpt from Julie B. Beck.  She is a Leader in our church and her talk is so touching.  It makes me want to be a better mother and in order to do that I need to constantly be moving forward.  Making sure GOOD change is happening.  Checking myself.  Am I patient, am I teaching, am I kind and loving, am I the person I want and expect my kids to be? 

That said there will be slight changes in my blogging format, but I am not stopping, no way!  Shut my mouth about those incredibly genius kids of mine?  Impossible.  But I do need to streamline my life in order to make the best possible use of my time. 

I love my life right now.  I am grateful & humbled.  I have more love than I know what to do with.  Thank you to all who are a part of it.

I

I took this picture in L.A. I feel it gives me the street cred I've lost since living in Utopia.
I didn't blog once this summer.  I didn't want to.  I didn't miss it.
I applied sunblock to kids like it was my job.  My job location being the beach.
I saw all of my brothers, sisters & tons of family and friends who are close to my heart.
I visited L.A. and S.F. and would be happy to never return to either.
I didn't get enough sleep.
I watched my kids ride horses, go on roller coasters, surf, explore, laugh and exhaust themselves daily.
I drove to Utah for my cousins wedding and danced all night.
I made tons of crepes & waffles.
I hardly saw Glenn.
I found our swing set covered with graffiti.  My kids did it.  They're looking for their own street cred.
I went weeks without exercising.
I watched my kids fall more in love with their cousins.
I fell more in love with family.  The word, the people, everything it means and everything I feel.
I loved & felt loved.