Halloween

Who keeps a blog and never updates it? How can you keep the people coming back if you never offer new and exciting menu options? These are the important questions that keep me up at night. So..here is me catching up. Here is you bored silly!

Bucket list

Does anyone really have one of these? IDK, but I was thinking about some of all of the things I want to do...
1. I want to be in a dance crew that battles.
2. I want to learn to play the piano. And not just chopsticks.
3. I want to be organized. I mean, really organized.
4. I want to learn to sing. For real.
5. I want to travel more. I have been to Europe, Mexico, Hawaii and lots of other states. I want to go with a load of money so I can do and see everything or nothing if it is lame.
6. I want to be able to run and like it.
7. I want to speak fluent Basque.

There were more things the other night, but I forgot them. This isn't a wish list because that would be waaay different. Like, I would want time travel abilities and whatnot, but these are things I could do.

Lub me?

Sweet sweet Maren. She knows how to say "dietcokemommy" and "Sonic" and still uses "no" for "yes" and that is only confusing for the uninitiated. She jumps up in the morning to declare, "Goo morning...mishyou mommy!!" She is very charming and full of love and is my only baby who hugs me tight around my neck. By far the cutest thing she does is this:
I tell her "I love you!" and she replies half-exclamation/half-question, "Lub Me!?" "Yes, I love you!" "Lub me?!" Over and over we go until she wants a "beedo" from Del Taco and who can say no to that?
Yes, Baby Maren....I LUB YOU!

Mom O' the Year Part 2

We were so bored at home so we went to the zoo! My kids love them some zoo!! I only had to pay for me since someone else left a coupon at the ticket window! Booyah! That's what I call clean living. Like when the guys at Sonic give me free drinks. Those are some hand-me-downs that LG is sporting. I think she is also wearing sandals and socks. She likes used clothes way better than new ones. Well, I think she likes having things her friends have had. I digress. There was a Wallaby Walkabout open when we were there. Now you can't feed them. Or touch them. And they are not afraid of people, so if they approach you, you have to just stand there. You just have to kick it on this little walkway. You might as well stay outside the cage and save yourself the trouble of having the zoo volunteer reading the posted signs to you. "The wallaby is related to the kangaroo". Yes, thankyouverymuch. I hope that didn't sound harsh but I do not have time to stand there looking interested as she tells me the things I JUST READ. I felt like we were trapped. Well well. Nicely played zoo. Maybe they were trying to get us to feel for the animals.
Anyway, LG was awesome and loving the ANIMALS! ANIMALS! She liked the "Hy-heena" since he was napping in the sun. It was a gorgeous day and we had so much fun...just me and my little girls. And the wallabys. And the zoo volunteer.

Mom O' the Year Part 1

Lauren's first day. She was ecstatic!

Maren was very sad that she didn't get to stay with Lolo.

My boy! And his hair is looking kind of red in this picture. I love this guy.

And wow. Would you quit growing up so fast already?! please.

Mom O' the Year! I took pictures on the first day! Sorry M.E. you can be in second place this year. I did not even cry when I sent that beautiful girl to middle school. I was super surprised because I am a total boob and cry all the time for nothing (including after the start of her first cross country meet because I was just so dang proud of her for trying something new). They are loving school and she is loving middle school specifically. I am all up in their grill as part of the PTSA. I just want to know what is going on....sue me. My Maren Bear was all over me on Monday. "Uppy! Uppy!" and you best believe I carried that baby all over the house!! Because in like 4 seconds she's going to be the one going to middle school and that beauty right there will be in college. *and I'm crying. See? I told you. Total boob.

8-9-10

I'm on a boat!

Looking good Hollywood!

Never miss a photo op!

Thanks for the sun screen in my eyes Mom.

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale....

They look happy, but Nate was quizzing me on waterfalls. And sharks.

We're all Basque and stuff. Don't be jealous.

Nathan's got a gun....

Check that out! That's cool, right? Eight, nine, ten.
Well, I would have probably called you today to tell you I got my cell phone wet on Saturday and I couldn't use it. You would have thought that was awesome since you know I talk on the cell phone too much. Speaking of Saturday, we went floating on the Boise river and you would have loved it. We made mom and Jim go...something we would have made you do, too. You would have grouched about it and tried to smoke the whole time...but in the end, like always, you would have had a blast. We also made them go to the water park and ride the rides...again, you would have liked it in the end!! See? I always knew what was best for you! Ha!
The boysenberries are amazing. Thanks for giving me 3 rad plants. The yard is a fun project, but the kook neighbor cats dug up my watermelon. Losers. Princess would have never done that!
So, I had my 20 year high school reunion and I thought about you all day. Darvel gave me some pictures of you from my wedding day. It was a little bit of a buzz kill, but it made me know you were looking in on things. I know you would have been digging the UHS vibe and me being on the reunion committee. You also would have been impressed with my $15 dress and $13 shoes and $4 purse! Booyah!
I missed calling you from all over the U.S. as we drove to Egypt and back. And you would tell me to slow down and drive carefully. And I know you already know about my ticket...but that doesn't count because I was arguing with Craig. And it was in Boise.
The kids danced at Jaialdi and Craig took Nathan shooting. The gun he loved best was the one Mike fixed up from your house. I bet you shot that gun, too.
I miss you loads. Sometimes a lot. Every time mom calls, your name shows up on caller i.d. That is kind of trippy. For one, she never took your name off the phone bill....since 1983! And I like seeing your name on my phone!! :)
BTW, I am going to be a bridesmaid again. I know you are rolling your eyes and shaking your head. I would have liked to dance with you at the wedding...oh well, some other time.
So...to sum up: I love you and I miss you daddy!!!

Handy Hands for Hospice

So, someone asked me to make scrapbook pages for people in hospice (on hospice?) care. This group provides people who are dying with scrapbooks. I don't know much about it, but I like to scrapbook and this seems like a guilt-free way to help someone else. If you are interested in donating to the fabulous scrap-a-thon, you can e-mail me and I will hook you up.
I don't know much about knowing you are going to die. What would that be like? What would you want to say? I do know I wish I had a scrapbook of what my dad was thinking as he knew he was dying but didn't tell me (dirty rat!). With those thoughts in mind, I will go next week and make some stellar pages for someone nearing the end of their earthly journey. If you're so inclined, I'd love your help!

We mildly enjoy running!

Me and Riley killed it at the Hornet Run! Well, we ran and didn't die and didn't come in last place which everyone knows is the only important thing! I am so proud of her. She beat her best time and ran with the fast group from our Girls on the Run site. I hope she enjoys running. After all this time....I still just say "jeeesh" to running.

It's My Party!!!

You gotta break dance at the mere thought of the Chuckster!!

Shake it!

So, if you sang the title, then you know what I am talkin' about. Chuck E. Cheese's....where a kid can be a kid. Also, where kids play and moms relax. My best and favorite son has memorized all these clever marketing ploys and repeated them to me ad nauseum so he could spend his 7th birthday in e. coli, I mean flu, I mean fun-ville. And you can't buy happiness. Well, I take that back. You can if you buy an inflatable crown WITH TOKENS IN IT!!!
He had the best time. He took a friend and had to bring his sisters....and his favorite babysitter. And his mom so she could pay. I love this little guy. He promised he would not turn 7, but he did. Dang it. The time just goes by too fast. He is my ham and my funny little man. He loves to tell jokes and likes for me to camp on his floor in his room. He makes me happy when I see him.

Happy Birthday Tator Tot!!

We do go to church, right?

I was driving my angels around today and LG was being particularly sassy. I was explaining to her the she would need to finish her jobs and be nice to earn her treats from the Lollipop Stop (please please please don't judge!!). This is her reply:
LG: Well, Satan makes me do bad things with his sneaky machine always trying to get me to choose wrong.
Me: Then you just tell Satan that you will not follow him and to quit bugging you.
LG: I will pray to him and tell him to stop.
Me: We don't pray to Satan.
LG: (whispering and praying) "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day. Please make Satan stop bugging me with his stinky old machine always trying to get me to do bad stuff".

What do I say to that? Have I not instructed this child in all things gospel? Apparently not. She draws pictures of Satan's mom. Tells me I make all her choices, but if you've seen how she dresses you will know that is not true. I think I know a little about what my other kids are teaching me, but she is still a mystery. A happy, nutty, crazy, sassy, genius mystery.

Did you get gastric bypass surgery?

So, we all know people say weird things. To me, I think people say way more than my fair share of weird things. For example:
I saw a trainer at the gym yesterday who was looking at my file. I have lost over 60 pounds in a year. That is not that big of a deal....that is one whole year people. He looks at my file and looks at me and says, "Did you get gastric bypass surgery?" What the what? Let's break this down.
1. None. of. your. beeswax.
2. If I am going to drop that kind of coin, I am going to spruce up the outside of me before I go shredding up the insides.

I have been a "fat girl" my whole life. By this I mean that even when I wasn't fat, I thought I was. I have a poor body image (boo hoo). I've never, ever been tempted to wear a bikini. Modesty in dress is not a problem. But seriously, if he wasn't cut and buff, I would have taken him down.

Next stop on the tour of bizarre: a woman told me last night (2nd conversation) about her break-in and sexual assault. What do you say to that? She did say, "I can't believe I just told you that!". (me neither!!!) So, I tried to say comforting words and when I left I told her to "Be Strong!". (that was lame). I had been sitting in my car waiting for my kids when I decided to go in. Was I lead to her? People tell me the most private things. Really. Things that make me want to put my fingers in my ears and go "lalallalalalalalala". Craig says I have a way that makes people want to tell me things. (Like a CIA interrogator?). Is this a spiritual gift? What do I do with it? I have thought of sending her a card saying I am thinking of her and wishing her well....is that even weirder than her confiding in me in the first place?

Now you tell me: do I or do I not get more than my fair share of bizarre comments?

My baby turns 10!

Here is baby Maren drinking all of Riley's shake. She was not happy after taking pictures in the freezing wind. The shake seemed to help.

Riley invited friends to our favorite pizza place here in town and they got to make their own pizzas and take a tour of the place. It was awesome!
On her real day, we took family pictures...so afterward, we went to Red Robin and chowed down. I will look for a picture of Maren hogging all the shake.


Breakfast in bed. She has been DYING to do this. So, her sweet daddy got up early to make it for her. I managed to get up in time to take a picture. Everyone says the time goes by so fast and it is true. I am glad Heavenly Father sent me Riley first. She has always been such a joy in our home. She is good-hearted, funny, faithful and loving. One of my favorite things about Riley is the way she plays the hymns on the piano and brings the spirit into our home. I love to do things with her or just sit and talk and rub her back. She is helpful to me, not just with her siblings, but in her good example to me. I love love love you Riley. Happy Birthday!

Look what I did!!

We finally brought my dad's dining room table and chairs up from California. The set is from before 1964 and it has definitely seen better days. We cleaned it up and recovered the chairs. I have no experience, but this has never stopped me before. I am sure I watched some show on HGTV and thus felt qualified to take the chairs apart. My mom and I found fabric on clearance for $3 a yard and did all of the chairs (6) and made a runner and a tablecloth for less than the cost of one chair cover at K-Mart. Thanks Mom and Jim for all your help.

Really? That long?

I am so behind. Behind with housework, scrap booking, scripture reading, exercising, journaling....waaaah! And so behind on updating this awesome blog with fab pictures of our rad family and our hilarious shenanigans. I am catching up on housework now (fake trees are soooo sooo sooo lame and shed their lame plastic "needles" all over the carpet and don't smell good at all) and when I am done de-needling the carpet....on to the blog! To make merry! To make Heather and Joneel and maybe even Cindy so happy! See you in a few!

Sometimes it is better not to ask.....

Can't be mad at that face!!
Lauren's pre-school went to the pumpkin patch and she got to pick out a pumpkin! So fun. We got to tag along. I love being able to do that.
Nathan's front tooth is trying desperately to fall out. He wants it to fall out at school because you get a treasure chest to put it in. Everyday when he comes home, it is a chore to make him eat since we can't have the tooth fall out at home!!! Excuse the dirty face...it was half-price Happy Meal night.
Cute baby plays in leaves. That is all.
Hmmm....Lauren made a cake? Pie? Pizza? No one knows for sure. What we do know is that it needed to be refrigerated.

I ran 3 marathons. What?

Well, technically I ran, walked, and cried through 3 marathons. But, I did it! I ran the St. George marathon in 1998 when I determined that being 26 and not being able to run was lame. Then, I did it again in 2000 after I had my daughter. Both times, my dad was there. The first time in 1998, he was at the last turn with this huge mylar balloon and he was crying and I was crying. It was kind of a big deal. He took me and Michele up in 2000 and put up with us on the loooong car ride there and back. He took us to Las Vegas and we ate at the Venetian. Good times!
So, everyone here already knows my dad died last year 4 weeks after I had Maren. I got this genius idea that if I ran it again, my dad would somehow be there with me. I started training in January and then I entered the lottery to get a spot in the race. I didn't think I would get in, and was surprised to find out that yes, I was in. That meant I had months of training ahead. Boo.
Craig and the kids and I met my mom and Jim in St. George. I stayed the night before by myself and went to the buses alone at 4:30 a.m. The ride up the mountain is long and cold. It gives you lots of time to think about the folly of it all. Once I was up there, I realized there was only one way down for me. Boo. I figured I had done all I could to prepare...the rest I just asked Heavenly Father to help me with. Mostly my pride, because as one dear friend put it: I am one stubborn broad!
My watch died the night before so I didn't have a pace. They ran out of toilet paper in several places and we faced a head wind coming through the canyon. I called Craig and the kids at mile 15 and told them I wanted to go home. Craig was savvy and told me I could go home as soon as I finished. I was too delirious to realize what he was saying, so I just kept going. I had some rocks in my right shoe. I didn't have anywhere to lean to take off my shoe and I knew if I sat down, I would never get up.
All along the way, there are tons of volunteers cheering you on. And lots of people who live up there come out to yell for you. And then there are jillions of signs.
"In our eyes, you're all Kenyans"
"Any idiot can run, it takes a special kind of idiot to run a marathon"
"Your feet hurt because you are kicking so much butt"
It made me think about life and how we all "chose" the marathon and it is hard no matter how well you've prepared. And some things just "happen" on race day. A broken watch, rocks in your shoe, no t.p. Some things you can overcome...some things you can't. And all the way there are people cheering for you. With their voice, their sign, or just their face...they tell you that you can do it. And you can.
So, was my dad there? Yes he was. He held my hand for part of it. Told me I was a Pace so I could do it because I was tough. He also told me I was crazy, but that is a well-established fact.

I made it to the end. I could see Monique and Craig and Riley. And then my mom and Jim and Nathan and Lauren and Maren. And then....3 friends from home that had driven all day to be there. So, another lesson learned. People are pulling for you even when you don't expect it! It was a thrill and a treat to see them there.

I think Eleanor Roosevelt said, "We must do the thing we think we cannot". Maybe she didn't say it. I don't know. I do know we need goals and things that challenge us. Something to work for...something to be proud of.

And btw, I am sooo over running.

Obligatory First Day of School Post

I just want to mention how much I love being a mom. When older women tell me how they miss this time, it breaks my heart. I mean truly. I love it. I was with some professional women the other night and one asked me what I did. I told her I stay at home and take care of my children. She closed her eyes to show me she really meant what she was about to say....
"I soooooooooooo admire that. I really do."
Well. To be honest, it seemed like she doesn't know many of my kind and was trying to be nice.
She asked how many I had. Four. Wow. Aren't you busy.
And I am. I was so busy that day, in fact, my hair was in a wet pony tail because my eye doctor appointment had run long and I didn't have time to get ready. Those ladies were lucky I had a shower!!!
Oh well, in the circles I run in, I am no where near the busiest. But I am the luckiest!!! And to prove it....I provide the following. Or the former....depending on how these pictures load!!!

Are you gettin' some tacos and goin' home?

Today has been a weird day. Example one: Maren almost drown in the pool with me in the pool. She slipped out of her starfish and went under water. I rushed to get her above water and she was flailing so much, I dropped her into the water again. I could feel my Mother of the Year award slipping out of my hands.
And then I took the kids to the 9 p.m. showing of "UP" at the dollar theater. They spilled the nachos and the caramel corn. And I guess LG got enough of it in her, because she promptly threw up on herself about 10 minutes in. I have already mentioned here that I should not take my kids to the movies...but I keep thinking, "This time will be great!!!" HAHA. :(
Since I had already paid for the night and she had mostly aimed on herself, I took her to the bathroom and we STAYED! We just changed rows due to the nacho cheese on the seats.
Realizing on the way home that my sweet children were lacking in the dinner department at 11 p.m. I decided to get them cheap tacos at Del Taco.
I pulled in the drive-thru and looked in my side mirror to see a police car with flashing lights and a huge white light blinding me. I actually had to turn my mirror because my retinas were burning.
He comes to the window. (As an aside, I am in my super fancy 1996 Ford Aerostar this night).
"May I see your driver's license?"
I hand it to him.
"Have you been drinking?"
(What the what? I have a van full of kids and one in her jammies....)
"Um, no. We're just coming back from seeing "UP" at the dollar theater."
"Are you gettin' some tacos and goin' home?"
"Yeah. Did I do something wrong?"
"When you made that U-turn you went about 5 feet on the shoulder."
"Oh sorry. I didn't mean to." (In my defense, the Aerostar takes a mile to turn.)
"We're just out looking for drunk drivers."
"Oh good. I am glad you are doing that."
"You drive safe now."
"Thanks Officer."

And he got back in his car and I pulled up to order my tacos.

What have we learned here people?
1. Nutty things happen to me in drive-thrus.
2. Idaho Police are rad.
3. I really need to work on the responsible parenting thing.

Last Summer Smelled Different

Last summer smelled different. I wish I had words to make it more real for you, but that's what I've got. The sun was brighter, too and it was streaming through my kitchen window on Saturday morning as I ran to get the phone. "Carrie". It was my mom and by the tone of her voice, I knew something was wrong. "I'm so sorry". I already knew it was about daddy because he hadn't returned any of my phone calls. Craig and Riley were camping, Nathan and Lauren were playing, my brand new baby was sleeping...what could I do?
The phone calls started right away. The police: can we search the house? The funeral home: Let's chat. The friends. The family. What do you say? And the questions. Where is he? What is he wearing? Who saw him last? What was he doing? What would dad think? I want to talk to my daddy!
We had been planning a most excellent trip to Minnesota, so we just adjusted course and headed south. We arrived Monday morning and I drove by his house to see his rocking chair rocking on the porch. He kept telling me, "I'm sorry babe". And I knew he meant it. Plans. Plans. Make some plans. Find his bag with his jeans and his Pepsi and his coffee. I never could return those jeans...even though I had the receipt. The gun he bought Craig sat in a box waiting to be mailed. He was making plans, too. Where to be buried? Who to invite? What to keep in the house? Bills? And the car? What would dad say? I want to talk to my daddy!!

And so, a whole year goes by in the blink of an eye. And you remember. Things he said. Things he did. And the pictures! Oh the pictures! Remember the time we.....? And all the new things you want to show him and tell him. Look at Maren! What would dad say? I want to talk to my daddy!!

And I do. Everyday. "Daddy, did you see these boysenberries?" "Look at those kids!" "I'm sorry too, Daddy". "Help me run this dumb marathon because I HATE running."

I think you're watching. I hope you are. I wish you were here. Just so you could shake your head at me or call me Godzilla or to tell me to be nice to my mom or tell me I talk on the cell phone too much or make fun of me for going to Sonic Happy Hour. The kids miss you. Lauren is sad you "ate smoke and alcohol". I bet you'd think I told her to say that...but I didn't! But I am telling them all kinds of great things about you...so they'll already know you when they see you again!


I love you Daddy. And I miss you every day.

On the road, again.

Craig and I have this uncanny knack for traveling on our anniversary. Tomorrow, August 3rd, marks our 13th anniversary and we will be tightly packed in the expo on our way to MN. Again.
To celebrate our 13th year together, this brave man went 13 miles with me on the greenbelt to help me prepare for my marathon. That about sums him up. He would do anything for me. ANY. THING. He's good like that.
Happy Anniversary Honey. I promise to do some driving this time (I will not commit to how much, though). Thank you for 13 years of wedded bliss. Te lovo mucho!