Pinewood Derby

This month was the Pinewood Derby.  Tyson’s first one!  It was maddening chaos there, but fun for all!  Tyson won his individual races, but his speed didn’t qualify him for a trophy.  Bummer.  He did build a sweet car! 

 

Videos of his races:

Mother’s Day note

My kids are on track break right now, which means they made their school Mother’s Day gifts early.  Emma wants to hold hers until the day, but Tyson already gave me his.  It is the note below with some coupons for him to do things.  They are really cute. 

PLEASE, if you read this, you will laugh, but PLEASE do not laugh to Tyson about it.  He is so sensitive about stuff like this and it would be devastating for someone to laugh at him, which would make it devastating to me…and you won’t like me when I’m devastated because someone wronged my child!  : )

I’d like to take a minute to analyze this.  I’m glad he thinks I’m smart and nice and that I do help him.  He is right, I do like my family. 

I look like a “red rose.”  I’m hoping it’s a thorn less red rose.  Maybe I’m red because I’m yelling too much?  Uh oh. 

I sound like “a peaceful peacock.”  Okay, this one had me so laughing.  In my experience, peacocks aren’t too peaceful.  A neighbor of my parents’ (at one of the houses we lived in as a child) had a peacock and it made noises like kids screaming.  Goodness, I hope that’s not what he meant!  If he said I looked like a peacock, I might be okay with that because they are beautiful, but sounds like?  Hmmmm…

According to “www.gamebird.com,”  Peahens are excellent mothers, so that’s a good thing, but Tyson probably didn't know that. 

This made me smile and then pause:  She smells like “fresh air.”  Well, fresh air is good, except on some days.  We don’t live terribly far from the South Jordan Landfill and every once in awhile, we have “diaper days,” where the air just smells like dirty diapers.  I HOPE he didn’t mean that fresh air.  Or, do I need to wear perfume more frequently since fresh air doesn’t really smell? I’m hoping that he just means I’m clean.  Since I do shower on a regular basis, that’s good! 

It’s funny how this simple little note totally made me question myself.  If you know Tyson, he’s not real great at emotions or expressing himself adequately, so I’m wondering if the teacher had some prompting words for them to use.  Seriously, peaceful peacock, where did that come from! 

I love you Tyson!

53- Mondays – Week 17

I’m not going to lie.  I didn’t make anything new last week.  I generally leave that for Saturday night’s when Justin’s back in town, but see below for the reason I didn’t make anything. 

I did make this in week 16, but loved the other recipe more, so I used that one last week.  Here’s the recipe.  I’m going to still say I’m sticking to my resolution, since I have used 17 new recipes now!  : )

566 Days

Yep.  I did the calculation.  Yep, I know I’m lame!  Yep, I’m TOTALLY okay with it.  Okay, so what’s with the title?  566 days…that’s how long it HAD been since I had had a night away from all 3 of my children.  Pathetic, isn’t it? 

Funny thing happens when you’re a stay-at-home mom and dad’s gone a lot and you don’t get a sitter often, you’re kids really like you, especially the babies.  I mean really like you and like being your shadow.  Thus, I don’t know if people have been scared to take my children or just me scared to ask. (For the record, I’m truly horrible about asking for help…I mean really bad. I usually only ask when there is NO other option).  So yes, partially my fault.  This one I can blame on, or thank rather, my wonderful husband for making the count stop at 566. 

April 21 was our 10-year anniversary and for the second year in a row, we spent it in different cities (different states last year).  When he told me he was taking me out for dinner, I assumed dinner it was.  It was dinner and more.  Since I had to get the kids and their stuff ready, he finally told me yesterday that he was taking me away for the night and that his mom was going to watch all the kids, to which I asked, “Is she crazy?” The answer just might be yes!  (love you debby!)

We drove up to Park City and pulled up to this: 

Justin said, “I hope this is the right place.  Did that say “Waldorf Astoria?”  I was thinking, “Oh no!  We’re in the wrong place” as they were opening our doors and getting our luggage out of the truck.  Turn out, we were in the right place and it was AMAZING.  First off, I have never been to a hotel where there were chairs at the reservation desk and they introduced you, “Mr. and Mrs. Jones are here to check in.”  Cool. 

Then we went to our room.  I seriously could go ON and ON about this room: 

 

The living room.  I seriously wanted those pillows on the couch!

The kitchen, which is amazing and had Viking Professional appliances.  Way nice.  The door on the left led to our bedroom, while to hall on the right led to a separate entrance, laundry room, and guest bathroom. 

On the bed was the SOFTEST blanket I have ever felt.  Seriously soft.  I was glad Emma was not there because she totally would have wanted that and for a mere $75, we could have taken it home.  Alas, it’s home remains at the Dakota. 

Just look at the detailing of everything, the moulding, the doors, everything.  Loving this distressed work.  It is so me.

The bathroom.  Awesome toe light under the cabinet.  The shower was awesome, but the best is right around the corner:

Why yes, that is a jetted tub you see.  But I’m talking about the TV… in the BATHROOM.  I never thought I needed a TV in the bathroom, but now I’m thinking I do!  I just took a few extra minutes brushing my teeth, showering, etc. because I had to make sure there was something good on the TV first.  I mean, I should use it if it’s there, right?  That’s what I thought!

Just a page out of the spa menu.  No, I didn’t try any of these.  We were only here overnight.  But read the “Shirodhara” if you can.  Hmmm, which prompted the question of what exactly is the “third eye?” and why exactly would I want warm oil flowing into it? 

According to Wikipedia, “the third eye (also known as the inner eye) is a mystical and esoteric concept referring in part to the ajna (brow) chakra in certain Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. It is also spoken of as the gate that leads within to inner realms and spaces of higher consciousness. In New Age spirituality, the third eye may alternately symbolize a state of enlightenment or the evocation of mental images having deeply personal spiritual or psychological significance. The third eye is often associated with visions, clairvoyance (which includes the ability to observe chakras and auras),^[1] precognition, and out-of-body experiences, and people who have allegedly developed the capacity to utilize their third eyes are sometimes known as seers.”

Yeah, I still don’t know…

I didn’t bring a camera to dinner, but I should have.  We ate at the restaurant in the hotel and it was AMAZING.  I mean simply incredible.  It was expensive, but it was a special occasion.  So yummy.  I’m hoping to get back there sometime before out 20-year anniversary.   If you head up there, I’ll give you some awesome recommendations. 

After dinner we went back to our room for some amazing… get your minds out of the gutter people, I was going to say fresh baked cookies.  I mean fresh.  Fresh like you place your order and 12 minutes later you have 3 yummy cookies!  Mmmmmmm….

The kids had a great time.  Emma and Austin were so happy at grandma J’s house .  Emma, in fact, said she didn’t even miss me and didn’t even want to come home.  She wanted to move in, but she would miss her turtles.  Thanks, Em! 

Austin not missing us at all at Grandma’s!

Tyson ended up staying at Jared and ShaRee’s house with some of the other boy cousins.  Tyson went out to Sizzler with them and tried steak, fried shrimp, cheese bread, sautéed mushroom, and Jell-O and today at pulled pork sandwich at their house.  If you know Tyson, you KNOW this is amazing.  He played with the boys all day today and came home sunburned and ready for bed!  Woo Hoo! 

Thanks to those brave enough to take my kids, Debby, Marishia, and ShaRee.  I’ll never be able to express to you how much I needed this and how wonderful it felt to know my kids were in loving hands.

I had an incredible time.  I had a taste of how the “other half” lives and man, I liked it!  My wonderful husband was so thoughtful and amazing.  It made me feel like a wife and a girl first because now I’m back to being a mom first and while I LOVE that, it was a nice break!  Thank you, Justin, for knowing me well enough to know.

P.S. Just in case you’re interested, visit http://www.parkcitywaldorfastoria.com/  to check out the place

Happy Anniversary

Ten years ago today, I was kneeling across the altar in the Las Vegas temple getting married to my perfect match!  I thought I was so in love with him (and I truly was), but 10 years later, my love for Justin doesn’t even compare.  We’ve had three kids, moved maybe five times, endured 6 surgeries between the two of us, changed jobs (me), and here we are…

I love you, Justin!  Thank you for loving me and thank you for marrying me!  You are my favorite!

Tyson is a huge Phineas and Ferb fan and every time he hears this song, he tells me that I needed to play it at our wedding.  This will have to do! 

53 Mondays – Week 16

What’s “53 Mondays” about?  See here:  "53 Mondays"

I made this for dinner Friday night, because Justin wasn’t back yet and I wasn’t sure how he’d feel about it.  He gave me “that look” when I told him what I had made, but left it up to him.  He later said, “That stuff you made was good!”  Those of you who know my beloved, the fact that he was even somewhat excited about something really means something! 

Once I had all the ingredients out and ready, this was so easy to make and really a great meal!

Book of Me Entry - Favorite Children's Book

I’m Such a Baby…..

I had my annual “women’s” appointment today.  Really, it isn’t annually for me, since I haven’t been since my six-week followup after Austin was born.  Since I don’t have a uterus, I figured I probably didn’t need to go yearly.  But today was the day…and I went. 

My doctor walked into the room and commented that it had been awhile and asked how I had been in the last 19 months.  I started telling her the craziness that my life has been and, seriously to my surprise, I started crying.  I HATE crying in front of people.  Hate it! Hate it! Hate it!  But here I was crying to my gynecologist about all that last year was, and I have to admit it was quite a doozy. 

I can’t complain too much about Justin working away, be it out of state or out of town because we did choose it.  Not that we planned it this way or even wanted it this way, but when the choice came up and the alternative was not good, we did make the choice.   True, after last year with him in Texas so much, I told myself this year would be better; it would be different, but here we are again…

I do believe I can complain about my Achilles tendon.  I think I’ve earned that.  The last 18 months has seen two more surgeries to hopefully get it back to normal with no pain (no pain = good). 

I shouldn’t really complain about my job.  I mean…I am very lucky to have a job that I can do while being at home with my little penguins.  True, it’s so hard sometimes when Austin just wants to play “bball” with me or when Tyson and Emma are just dying to go to the park and I can’t because I’m working, it’s not ideal, but I am thankful for my job.  It’s not permanent, but it is good for right now. 

I certainly think I can complain that I’m so stinking tired all the time.  On the nights when the baby sleeps great, why in the world can I not sleep for longer than 30 minutes?  I mean seriously?  I am really that used to having Justin here that I can’t sleep when I’m so completely exhausted?  Apparently so. 

If I can’t/shouldn’t complain about my life, then why on earth am I crying to Dr. Moreland, who I really like and who just sits and talks to me while I’m freezing in the poor excuse for a “gown” that I was in?  Who knows…

I held my head down and walked to the truck and tried to evaluate why I was so emotional today. I didn’t think I was.  I didn’t start out that way.  Apparently, I needed the cry, at least that’s what I was telling myself as the tears continued to flow from my bloodshot eyes on the way home. 

I told myself that I needed the cry.  It was okay.  I’ll give myself this day to reflect, to allow myself to feel, to remember that I am still a girl, a girl with emotions, even though I try desperately to hide them a lot.  So, I’ll give myself this day, this night and tomorrow? 

Well, tomorrow I’ll get up and get the kids off to school and then I’ll be right back at the computer typing away for work.  All will be normal, all will be good!

53 Weeks - Week 15

Austin 20 months

Easter 2010

Decorating the eggs was quite the challenge this year.  Austin was having SO much fun that it made it difficult to keep him from spilling the dye all over.  Poor kids had a really quick egg decorating session this year, but they were troopers!

 

Easter morning was so much fun.  The easter bunny hid eggs both upstairs and downstairs.  Austin got a little trampoline since he’s quite the bouncy kid and some toy cars.  Emma got some Littlest Pet Shop toys and a dress and Tyson got some Lego sets and some clothes.  The big kids also got “Alvin and the Chipmunks, the Squeak-quel” and a Wii game for the Wii Fit.  Austin was so excited by his cars that he wouldn’t leave them to find eggs.  That was BEFORE he discovered there was “nandy” in the eggs. 

 

Austin did not want to leave the toys for a picture, so I’m standing behind Justin while he’s taking this picture and making goofy faces at the kids.  For the record…they were NOT laughing with me! 

We went to Jared and ShaRee’s for our Jones Family Easter egg hunt and luncheon.  Since it was snowy and COLD outside, the eggs were hid indoors.  The younger kids did their hunt in their basement.  They ran around like mad, searching all over.  Austin was so easily distracted by the cat and then by Kamree’s guitar that he didn’t care about hunting for eggs (again, this was before he discovered “nandy” inside of them). 

The bigger kids got to hunt upstairs and their hiding places were more difficult (see the Elk above).  They are maniacs and managed to find all their eggs within minutes (at least we hope they found them all).  The best hiding place was an orange egg placed in a bowl of oranges on the counter.  My nephew, Kasen, looked at that bowl for a minute before he realized there was an egg in there. 

Finally, with the hunt done, we attempted the annual Easter picture of all the grandkids.  So much fun to try to get them all to look at the same camera and smile at the same time.  Not really fun at all.  It’s so much chaos (mostly from the uncles trying to get the kids to look at them and smile), but it is entertaining!

Tyson’s Baptism

Tyson was baptized a few weeks ago.  We had a luncheon at our house after and had a great time with our families.    Later in the day, we went to Jared and ShaRee’s (Justin’s brother and sister-in-law) house for dinner and to see the horses and play. 

  

   

My nephew Gavin checking out the horses. 

  

My nephews Jack and Trent having fun on the trampoline. 

53 Mondays - Week Fourteen

Do yourselves a favor and make this meal. Your taste buds will thank you! If you do, let me know how it goes!

Goodbye March--see you next year...

Amazing Women-Part One

 

In my life, I have had the wonderful pleasure to be surrounded by some truly amazing women, family included.  I wanted to take some time to talk about the wonderful women of my neighborhood who have become extended family to me and have taught me, loved me, inspired me, and supported me.  I am consciously leaving family out of this…so no one get your feelings hurt!  : ) 

Cristen:  My first friend I met here.  We were going to the gym at the same time and have boys the same age.  Our friendship has grown and our support of each other increased last year as both of our husbands travelled out of state for work (hers has traveled weekly for years, mine’s just started last year).  There is a strong support and bond between us that I know she has my back and I hope she knows I have hers.  She understands my frustrations, my complaints, my successes about being a “single during the week” mom like no one else and I absolutely love her for it!  She has a genuine strength to her that is admirable.

Dawn:  Dawn was the primary president when we moved into the ward.  I was asked to help out in the primary and I didn’t know her yet.  She kept talking to me and I kept thinking, “This woman is SO happy and SO chipper! I need whatever it is that she has!” I got to spend time in the primary as the chorister over the next two years-ish and got to know Dawn.  Yes, she is chipper, but she is so genuine.  I secretly crave her approval and want to be around her because she just makes things better.  She recently wrote a blog entry about not having control over what happens in your life.  You can only control how you react to it.  I so needed to read that.  She mentioned that she was consciously making the choice to “Choose love” in her life.  What a great example to me-to choose love and happiness.  I swear…I want to be Dawn when I grow up.

Andrea-This wonderful, amazing, compassionate women lives down the street from me.  She truly is an angel in human form.  She has 5 kids, but would never turn down a request for help.  In fact, she sometimes turns me down when I tell her I don’t need help, but she knows I secretly do.  I can’t say enough about Andrea other than that I just love her and am so honored to know her and call her my friend!

Shelby-My green-thumbed neighbor.  I spend a lot of time talking to Shelby on the phone, usually in brief sentences that start with, “Claire(or Emma) wants to know if Emma (or Claire) can play.”  Since we have just one house between hours, that conversation happens a lot.  But I usually get to talk to her for a few minutes after we set up the playdate and get my Shelby-fix.  Shelby is just so energetic and darling that she always makes me feel better being around her and she makes me want to garden (which I did start this year after taking her gardening class).  She’s so creative.  Her house and yard seem to always have an upgrade going on that’s just fun to watch!

I’m wrapping up (for today only…there are so many others to mention), because my children are begging me for lunch.  Seriously, begging….I’m going to make them wait just a few minutes more! hehehe!

Janae-I have known who Janae was for a few years, but only recently started a friendship with her because our daughters, who are the same age, have become friends.  Janae is a pillar of strength to me.  Through all that life has thrown at her, she is such a positive person who I swear could be another sister.  She organizes her closets by shirt color…she’s like my twin.  Hmmm…I need to ask if she alphabetizes her movies and CDs too?  She understands my frustrations of fashionable shoes versus functional shoes too.  She inspires me to be a better person, to be a better mom.  To take time to “enjoy the journey,” because NO ONE (on earth, that is) knows how long our journey is. 

I’ll add more fabulous women in another post.  I’m so blessed and thankful to have these AMAZING women in my life daily.  See why I love it here? 

One more Birthday post

I'm so glad I found the rest of the pictures from Tyson's birthday party. They were on Justin's camera...not mine! I was feeling pretty bad that I had only 2 pictures. Still, given the three hours that they kids were together, we didn't get much!

That kind of a day…

 

So, I’m THAT kind of a mom today.    I woke up to more snow outside than should be around on an April day.  I opened my door to see my steps completely covered and breathed a sigh of relief that the kids were out of school so I didn’t feel too pressured to clear off the steps or the sidewalk yet.   As the snow level rose, my mood dropped.  Justin’s again working out of town during the week and spring break means kids inside driving me nuts while I’m working.    When the temperature didn’t rise, but the snow did, I realized I’d be outside shoveling the snow today while trying to get my work done. 

Not a happy morning for me.  Given the fact that I had surgery a week ago on one ankle and am crazy ungraceful and damaged the other ankle, I was frantically hoping for some mad sun to melt the snow.  Didn’t happen soon enough, but I figured I didn’t have anywhere to go until afternoon so the snow could stay. 

I was NOT motivated to work so I was pretty unproductive this morning. That, and Austin really wanted to play catch and who can tell this face no?  Not me!

Come afternoon, I realized I’d better get working hard if I didn’t want to be up all night typing.  Emma found some leftover chocolate coins in the fridge and I caved.  Austin saw them and again…I caved.  Momma needed to work.  This is the result: 

Good mom, I know, but I did manage to get 1-1/2 hours of work typed in one hour.  After that, I tried to earn some good mommy points and took my kids to McDonalds to eat dinner and play in the play area.  We don’t go often and they had energy to burn.  Plus, while they played, I managed to sneak in some reading of THIS: 

This wonderful book deserves its own post so I will do so later.

The final result of my chocolate/McDonalds-filled day is this:  It’s 8:30 and all three kids are in bed, sound asleep. I, however, am still finishing up the last half hour or so of typing then I’ll catch some Tivo’d Modern Family before bed. 

Some days I’m a wonderful mom.  Some days my kids just think I am!