Out with the old, in with the NEW!!

I saw this on my friend's fb wall and it truly fits my need of "in with the new."

Dear Diet and Exercise,
I can explain....

Wise words

O Come, Let Us Adore Him.

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve.
I am finally feeling better.
Eric is home.
We have heard and felt many prayers.
All is well.

I am sick. Crap. Figures.....

Wise words (a day early...)

I have had a mix of emotions the last few days... I have had much to ponder and even stew over a little. I feel grateful and then I feel sad. Jason was able to give Eric a blessing and he was spiritually considerate enough to bless me and the boys with peace. The funny thing is after I cry excessively or worry myself sick, I do feel at peace. I am able to sleep and keep our family together, under control and happy.

Peace. What a gift. Thank you Jason and thank you Heavenly Father. We are blessed.

A series of unfortunate events...

This is what I want to post about....our incredible experience in Savior of the World. I love this pic of Coleman and his friend Christopher.

Instead, I have this looming in our life.... a c7 fracture.

Eric was in a ski accident and is in surgery as I type. I am all cried out and the thought of a Daddy-less Christmas has sunk in and I am okay with it. I don't mean to be all "drama", but it is better than a Daddy-less life. We are blessed. I am so grateful for my family and their tender care of Eric.

This is just part two from a series of unfortunate events... Part one was the block to the head. I hope three is mild in nature. Maybe I should brace myself.... Please no!!

Seriously, stay tuned for injury details and a well thought out post of Savior of the World. It might all get put on hold for a while though. I am flying solo and .... you know what that means.

A Gabe-ism

So I am driving home from tutoring yesterday and Gabe blurts out, "I want 75."

Me: 75 what?

Gabe: I want it to be 75.

Me: Hummmm, 75 what? You want what to be 75?

Gabe: I want it to be 75 degrees outside. I hate this cold.

Me: Me too Gabe. (and thinking to myself... He is his father!)

But you know, it IS too cold outside and the wind can leave and never come back as for as I am concerned.....

Gabe is cute!

Wise words

A sneak peak...

This is it! Cute huh?

And a few honorable mentions....

I am not sure why we always leave finding and/or taking a picture for our Christmas cards until the very last minute. Next year I vow to do it differently. I won't even be able to mail them out until December 23rd... maybe... and that is too late for my blood.

This was the first year that I stopped yelling (only because I was reminded to STOP) and that Coleman did not cry (Sorry Coleman but this is a first....!!xo). Finn has that darn band aid on his noggin, but it does match so I am okay with it. I think it is a cute pic. We will send out 200 Christmas cards and I am hoping that this is the official topper. I have always sent out cards and love to do so, but I don't want the number to grow any higher. Ick!

We are on our way to Christmas bliss. Savior of the World is over and was a very special, memorable weekend. (Coleman was so good and we are soooo proud of him!!) We are 90% percent done and that feels good. But really, I am looking forward to AFTER Christmas. Hopefully it will be really W.A.R.M. (o; Shhhhhhh!

Oh the torture....

Coleman and I are currently involved in a church play, Savior of the World. That deserves a separate post and I can not believe that I have not mentioned it until this day (the day of TWO play performances). It has been wonderful and has set the tone for a good, memorable Christmas in our home.

Yesterday was our first performance. I decided to do Coleman's make up because I was unhappy with his girly make up from the night before. Pink lipstick is so not his color. Anyway, I can see why his make up was a mess from the night before.... Coleman (as are probably most 12 year old boys) was not very cooperative during the process. He squeezed his eyes shut so tightly that I swear they retracted into his head. I was VERY annoyed, but eventually I got him all made up and was very impressed with my job and WOW!!!, his gorgeous lashes. Coleman has lashes to die for!

I was downstairs in the pantry when my boys came down for dinner. I could hear them talking, but they could not see me. Tate was laughing at Coleman's make up and Coleman was still complaining about the process. Coleman then said (which really made me laugh), "I can't believe mom has to do this EVERYDAY!! Putting on make up, especially mascara is HARD! I feel bad for girls!" They laughed and was done with the conversation surrounding the TORTURE of make up.

Boys are funny. I sure love mine. I don't think make up is torture. Maybe that is why I sleep in it way to much.... Shame on me. Anyway, look for a decent Savior of the World post. I don't have many pics but hope to get a few from the "angels" that have managed to sneak down and snap a few. I have stayed in the heavens with the beasts I have been assigned to.... And that is for another day.

Oh yeah, 14 days til Christmas (including today....). Eek! I am 70% done.... it is the 30% that might kill me. I think I can... I think I can!

This DOES relate to the Holy Ghost!

On Sunday we had an excellent lesson on the Holy Ghost. It was like a big wake up call to me and my bad habit of yelling etc. I was reminded that when a person bickers, yells or does something that is negative to one's children or spouse, that it offends the Holy Ghost and He withdraws from your home and presence. I am a big contributor to kicking Him to the curb with my yelling and bad language.....I am going to change. As a follow up and apology session, I had a FHE on the RS lesson. I know my home could be more like heaven if I just chill out a bit. I have done lots better the last year or so... but, could still do even better. I want my kids to adore me ALL the time and I also want the Holy Spirit to be a constant companion in our home and in my personal life. I need Him.

So, Monday evening.....all I heard was a loud scream. I can decipher all kinds of screams and cries like most moms do and this was definitely NOT the good kind. It was serious. I ran to the stairs as Tate was carrying Finn up the stairs. All I could see was blood, EVERYWHERE and.... it was spurting (yes, SPURTING) out of his head. I grabbed him and turned as Gabe blurted out, "I am a bad boy!"..... WAIT A MINUTE..... And here is where it gets good.... A "bad boy???" this means... NO!! And instead of freaking out (like I occasionally do), my first thought was, "Be calm. This is when you really need the Holy Ghost with you. Let Him help you."

I quickly and calmly told Gabe to get ready for bed and to go to bed. I took Finn in the kitchen and put pressure on his head wound. Tate retrieved my phones and I called the Hanson's (Coleman was over there playing games. Nice huh?!) for some help. I didn't know what the wound looked like and from all the blood I thought we were in for a ride to the ole hospital.

I got the bleeding under control and took a peek..... it was small. Probably needed a couple of stitches, but I have some left over steri-strip that just might do the trick. Still calm. I take a couple of pics for notoriety and text it to Eric. Oh boy.... Matt and Natalie rush in (love them!!). All the blood shocks them as it shocked me. All is going to be okay. Natalie starts to clean up Finn while I look for the strips and medicine. Matt grabs a big meat cleaver and wants to take a pic of Finn holding it. I really wasn't in the mood, but now I secretly regret it because it would have made a perfect pic for something someday. Nice to know that my friends exhibit the same sick sense of humor that I have....Still calm, still calm.

I won't bore you with the remaining details. To sum it up, I got everything cleaned up and everyone to bed. By the time I was almost finished, I didn't have a mad bone in my body. I don't think I had one in the first place. Anger is usually my first reaction, but tonight it was action and love. I still had the task of cleaning up the blood soaked couch so I wanted to make this last "duty" short and sweet... Gabe. Of course, Gabe was still awake. We talked and I tucked him in. He wanted a severe punishment, but I truly believe that knowing you seriously injured someone you love is punishment enough. We were all scared, including Gabe. I hope he learned a lesson and that he will in fact use better self control. He is not allowed to be alone with Finn for a while and that will definitely cramp his (and my) style.... I forgot to mention that this was all caused by a block to the head. Ironically it is a small, light weight block but it has sharp sides, really sharp. Ouch!!

Eric is in Florida. He misses all the "fun". I will have to say that I am glad he was gone though. I needed to learn a lesson too. I needed to rely and call on the Holy Ghost for guidance and peace of mind. I needed to be calm, really calm during a crisis to teach my kids that this is what you do. Decisions are easier to make when you have a calm frame of mind.

Finn is fine. We all are just fine. Now for the really good part. The pictures. Finn had pooped out of his clothes so he was in his diaper only. It made for a great effect. He is such a good boy in and out. I love him. I hope this is the last of the head wounds for him for a while. It is someone else's turn. Not me though and in the scalp, please. Enough of the forehead scars for my boys!!

One last thing, I am so grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is easy to forget how important he is in my life. I won't forget. Like I said, I need Him. I am blessed.

Wise words

Darling Showby

I went to visit my Grandma on Thanksgiving morning. Her memory is fading more and more with each time I see her. She always remembers me because I am not a frequent visitor, but she definitely had a hard time with Eric and my boys. After Eric buttered her up for a few minutes, she clearly remembered him and how he makes her feel. She said to me "That husband of yours always treats me so good. He has a certain presence about him." I agree.

This visit was just me and Gabe. I sat with her in the kitchen and made her some breakfast. She told me that when she was a young girl, her siblings nicknamed her Showby. There was quite an age difference between her and her brothers and sisters. One of her brothers, Ern was very fond of Eva, his little "Showby". She told me that when he would come home from school he would fix a snack of homemade bread, jam and real cream on top (because they lived on a farm). He would always share with her and it made her feel very special and loved. Ern eventually left the house and got married. Even then he would bring his new wife and come and visit his Showby. I could tell that when my sweet Grandmother was sharing this memory with me, it was like she was reliving it. Her dark eyes were bright and I sensed that she really misses Ern and her family.

Homemade bread with jam and cream.... what a treat. Later I had some time to reflect on my child and adulthood. We live in such a world of excess and extremes. I wondered what kind of stories I would be able to tell my Grandchildren one day. I want simple pleasures like bread and jam. I know that my children will never live in the world I grew up in, so carefree and with little stress. Life WAS easier with no cell phones, internet and fast food on every corner. This visit reminded me to slow down, cherish the presence, record the past and greet the future with an apprehensive smile..... Just kidding. The future will come whether I like it or not, so I need to prepare my children and relish in the gospel and my family.

My Grandmother lost 2 sisters. One died several hours after birth, the other died several days after birth. Life was so hard. I can't imagine losing my babies. It makes me grateful to live in a time where that is rare rather than the norm. She is currently croqueting my dad a blanket for the car. I can't believe she can do this BLIND. She has a heart of gold and always does such thoughtful things for her family. Her TV is difficult to work, her radio is confusing and she forgets how to use her CD player. She can't see and lives in a quiet, lonely world.... so what does she do. Makes beautiful blankets for loved ones. I cherish my blankets because each stitch took great effort with greater love. She is the most perfect example of endurance and love. I feel privileged to be in her presence.

Gabriel walked around her house and commented on all the "old fashioned" items like the tv, furniture and beads. He was very well behaved and would come sneak in a hug or two every now and then. My boys know that my Grandmother is very special to me, but Gabe knows differently. He feels how I feel...I don't know how else to explain it. I appreciate his sensitivity. It is one of his many strengths.

When I left, she walked me to the door and I asked to take a picture of her. She turned around and smiled. I always have a heavy heart when I leave her....I know that the reality is that this could be the last time I see her. It is a happy, painful thought. I have said it before, I want her to be happy, but I am a bit selfish. I want her around to share her memories and love with me. My Aunt Julie is the primary caretaker of my Grandmother. My Aunt Julie is everything good and I love her so much. Eva shared some very sweet thoughts about my Aunt. She is another fine example of goodness, service and having charity and the pure love of Christ in her life. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful extended family.

I didn't know the story of Showby and am so glad that I do now. It makes me feel closer to her and the relatives I was never able to know in this world. I love my Grandmother. She is everything I want to be one day except, blind and 95 years old...... No thanks. I love you Grandma Eva!!

I sat on these pink chairs as a child. They weren't pink back then, but they have been around for a long time. I love them. This picure warms my heart. Maybe I will get those chairs..... and I will keep them pink if I do! I love you Gabriel!!

OMGosh!!

Days till Christmas.

I should get worried but, I'm not. Is this good or bad?

Eek!

Shake your booty!

Our Thanksgiving in Utah was wonderful. It was filled with family and fun. Eric took the 3 older boys skiing twice and they loved it. They are really getting so good which is exciting and long awaited. The second time skiing they went with Uncle Quinn, Riley and Ian. It was a great day with LOTS of snow. Did I mention my mom was there for one day. I love my mom. One day is better than no days! (O:

Thanksgiving dinner was at Dayna's. It was a delicious meal and we all stuffed ourselves. Afterward we played games, and spent a lot of the time laughing and telling stories. It is nice to know that my strange behaviors and habits are often exhibited in my siblings. See, I am not a freak! WE are freaks! My sweet nieces love the Wii game "Just Dance". It is super fun and we are bringing it to the East Coast. I think it might even become a Martinis casa favorite.

We did the typical Utah fun things like to go Jump On It, the movies (I love Harry Potter!) and I even got a little shopping in. I think one of the highlights was going to the Church History Museum, Temple Square, the Conference Center and for a treat at the Lion House. It was a mere 17 degrees as we meandered around SLC, but I don't think anyone minded the cold too much. The museum is a treasure and I am disappointed in myself for not going sooner.

Spending time with family was the absolute best. I was only able to see my sweet Grandmother twice, but it was a good visit. She is getting so old. I am just fortunate to spend time with her at all. She is special. I will do a post just for her. Gabe went with me the second visit and I am so glad he was able to spend some time with me and Eva.

Finn got really sick (Utah typical), but we still managed to have fun, be cozy, and eventually get home safe and sound. We even squeaked in a dinner with some college friends which is always a treat. I love to visit Utah, especially now that my boys are older. I love to see them bonding with their cousins and really enjoying their company. I am looking forward to this summer when we all go to the OBX together. It is going to be a BLAST!! Lastly, I was so grateful that Quinny made the trip to hang out with us and a bunch of kids. He is such a sweet, kind, fun uncle and brother. I really love my siblings and family. I am so blessed and have much to be thankful for.

Life is good. Now, Shake your booty!!