Saturday

Saturday we were so excited to take advantage of the beautiful weather and took one of our Saturday trips. This time, we took the kids out by nutty putty caves and let them climb the sandstone formations. Even Eli enjoyed climbing all over. We ate, climbed, found lizards, saw beautiful country, and generally enjoyed ourselves. The kids covered themselves in sand, strawberry juice, and wildberry cream cheese. It was a great day.






I got out of the shower today and this is how I discovered Eli. He was really proud of himself.

A Few Random Ideas

First of all, I suffered the dreaded but yet necessary yearly trip to the ol OBGYN. I really like my doctor, in fact, I wish I would have discovered him years ago. He remembers who I am and relevant bits of information. He remembered my husband's name and things about me a year later. (Even if he only remembered because he wrote notes down in my chart, I'm impressed because he took time to write the notes down in the first place. ) Anyhoodle, while in the waiting room, I had a revelation. BING! I am so DONE! I sat there looking at the mountain of magazines on the table next to me and realized, not only was I apathetic to reading one (they were all parenting or baby magazines) but I really would rather sit in SILENCE and watch the boring and depressing news on the tv than ponder about what those incredible first few weeks of life. Or which stroller will I get (no reference to you, Amy, I'm excited for YOUR stroller. I just don't need my own!) I like the idea of buying ridiculous amounts of adorable clothes for my nieces and nephews. I like knowing that my kids are all moving on to new stages. At first, this idea saddened me but now I'm excited and embracing it! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. SOMEDAY, I WILL sleep through the night again. We WILL go to Disneyland when the youngest is 5ish. Camping as a family is no longer impossible. Getting kids in and out of the car WILL become easy. At some point, I WILL be able to say, "Go to bed," and my children will be capable, if not entirely obedient, of doing so! My children will one day, and this is a big one, be able to BABYSIT THEMSELVES!! I even type the words with relish! HAAAAAAAA! Free babysitting and a date every week?!! It's not only possible but highly probable!!!

I suddenly realized the other day that General Conference is only a month away. I'm so excited! I love conference time. I have so many good memories of spending time at the cabin, working in the yard, lazing on the couch, crocheting, etc while listening to prophets. I love spending time with my family this way. Last conference the kids sat quite well through all of Sunday and we enjoyed the day. BRING ON THE PUZZLES AND THE HOAGIE SANDWICHES!

Electric blankets: I Love Them.

I'm finally making a quilt for Eli. My mom made him a beautiful one with a cowboy theme. I like to make them too and since all of my other kids have a baby blanket that I made, I thought I'd better make him one too. I decided to keep with the cowboy theme and found some adorable fabric. I love fabric. I think I might possibly like to shop for it even more than shoes. I would probably spend more money on it than shoes as well. A girl only needs so many pink shoes, but pink fabric?! You can NEVER have too much pink, purple, or any color of fabric.

The Ladies and I are performing at the SEVILLE (swank, right?) this month. We need groupies. Anyone interested?

To encourage feedback, I'm going to ask a question at the end of posts. Today's general inquiry is what is your favorite conference memory?

A Grocery List of "Essentials" - author unknown

To my delight I discovered another little note this morning.  I would have scanned it but it is on a small notepad paper of approximately 3 inches by 4 inches.  However, it's content I feel is worthy of internet recognition.  Hence I have transcribed the note as you see here.  (Please note that no spelling has been altered.)

cack
bred
appl's
allmins
4 Luchubl's
Par's
Bagl'se

It is also worthy to note that next to the "Bagl'se" item on the list is a small circular drawing with little black dots on it that is unmistakably - a bagl.  I knew you'd all be as pleased as I when you read this list.  Please don't hesitate to spread the joy and laughter that has undoubtedly filled you very existence upon reading such a fine display of childhood's most esteemed grocery items.

HOT DATE

My recent conversation with Liam:

L: Mom, did you know I have a girlfriend?

You have a what?

L: A girl friend. And she has magical powers.

Oh. Ummm...what's her name?

L: Uh-I don't know. I can't remember.

Oh. Where does she live?

L: WEllllll...you go across the street and then turn and then turn and turn again.

Where did you meet her?

L: Well, sometimes she comes in my room and sometimes we just play outside.

Okay, what do you do together?

L: We just show each other our Christmas presents and just talk.

Wow.

L: Can I call her now?

So what do you all think? Should I let my 5 year old call his imaginary girlfriend or should I make him wait until he is 16 to call his imaginary girlfriend?

I'm IN, I'm IN!!

I have to do a short-and probably sappy- post on the music group I've gotten involved with. It's a sextet (currently, though we're looking for a strong ALTO,) of women- and I am lucky enough to be the accompanist. We meet after kids are in bed so we have all the time in the world. These women are A MAZE ING! Every single one of them is unique and incredibly strong, spiritually and physically! Every week, I find myself in geek mode around them. I say stupid things that I think about later, blushing of course. I feel like the most nerdy girl in the high school that somehow, inexplicably, got accepted into the popular crowd. But I've learned so much from their testimonies and life experiences. I've really enjoyed getting to know them and I hope we'll keep meeting for a long time.