Solving Life's Mysteries

I am home from Young Women Camp. It was AWESOME! I came home with a suitcase overflowing with spiritual experiences and self-discovery. More on that later. In another post.

I had a wonderful reunion with the children and husband. I am ready to bet money each of my children grew 2 feet while I was away.

This evening I tucked the children in bed and I shared a few camp stories with them and then told them the story about Lehonti and Amalackiah- which can be found in the Book of Mormon in Alma chapter 47, or just click here. (I love this story, by the way.)

The husband was working on a last minute demand from a client, so I got on the computer and caught up on a few things.

While I was reading some emails, oldest daughter came into my bedroom multiple times, explaining that it was impossible to fall asleep. So, I used the mommy tomfoolery (also known as momfoolery) for which I am so famous. I told her that she didn't have to fall asleep, she just needed to be in her room. And then I mentioned she might possibly perhaps maybe try reading a book to help her "pass the time."

About 10 minutes later, she came downstairs to let me in on a little secret. For the past few weeks, oldest daughter has been trying to solve the mystery of what the Tooth Fairy does with the teeth she collects from little children who lose their chompers.

Lo and behold, right there in Junie B. Jones Toothless Wonder, the answer was given. (Next to the Book of Mormon and the Bible, Junie really does have all the answers, you know.)

Oldest daughter proceeded to relate the following, (paraphrased to the best of my remembrance)

"Mom, I know what the Tooth Fairy does with the teeth she gets from kids. I found it in Junie B. Jones. Junie's brother Ollie was growing a tooth and Junie B. Jones lost a tooth and so Junie says that the Tooth Fairy got Junie's tooth out from under her pillow and put it in Ollie's mouth. Mom, Junie is SOOOO smart! I'm so glad she figured it out!"

Mystery solved!

And then she committed me to read the book. Just like a little missionary.


I'm so glad to be home...

I Do

In the midst of all my camp preparations,

(camp is in two sleeps you know)

I took a little time out to attend a wedding this afternoon.

I'm so sorry the husband couldn't be here to witness

the nuptials of his first born.

She was beautiful in vintage Belle.

She married the principal of her daughter's school.

Her daughter just so happens to be clergy.

And so, I'm sorry the husband couldn't be here to witness

his second born officiating in her first marriage ceremony.

She was distinguished as ever in light tan camo.

And, of course, I am extremely sorry the husband was not here to witness

his third born, the principal of the school.

Who really makes a handsome groom.

The husband would have been so proud.

So proud.

Super Dad!

I have the most brilliant sisters in the world. Every Friday during the summer, they plan Friday Fun Days. It's a day where we get together with each other and our children and, well, have a lot of fun. (It is called Friday Fun Day, after all. See how that works?)

This past Friday, the vision was to get together and sew superhero capes for our dads. Well, our kids' dads- our husbands. And there was an emergency that came up that prevented me and my little flock from traipsing across the desert valley to convene with the cousins. Oh, the pain.

Instead, we stayed at home, tended to the emergency and sewed our little daddy a cape- all by our very lonesomes.

And there was excitement as we cut and schemed and warned about the secretivity of this project. Although, as soon as the husband walked in the door from his trip on Friday evening, little son couldn't contain his excitement and told the husband about his superhero status.

I do believe I am married to a superhero! How lucky can one girl get?

Doesn't the husband look smashing in his cape?

Oh, yes, we added a bow tie for extra beauty.

Happy Father's Day to the fathers in my life! I love that there is even such thing as fathers. Aren't we all so lucky?

Support

I accomplished much today.

A friend watched the children so that I could do all I needed.

I had a long list.

I checked off items.

One by one.

Among my list of accomplishments was the purchase of 3 new bras.

The husband will be interested to know this.

Too bad he is in another state tonight.

Far, Far Away.

The Giving ME

Today was my sister's birthday. The one on the far right. She is old now. I am the one in the middle on my mom's lap- doesn't she looked thrilled? The sister on the far left is our oldest sister. This is when there were just the three of us girls. Now there are two more girls and two more boys, two sisters-in-law, 5 brothers-in-law, 11 nephews, 9 nieces, and a niece on the way. We could not have all fit in this bedroom for family prayers.

But, that is neither here nor there. I was telling you about my sister. And her birthday.

I spent the day at her house. We celebrated her birthday by working on MY camp stuff. I know. I am a giver. I wondered and wondered what I could give her for her birthday. And I came to the conclusion that the best gift I could give her would be the opportunity to serve ME.

And she went right along with it. SHE is also a giver. We gave to each other. Gave and Gave. And it was a birthday well-spent. I recommend this little "Serve ME" idea to anyone looking for the perfect gift for a loved one.

Seriously, they are so right when they say that you get more out of giving than receiving. Because, when I gave her the opportunity, I really feel like I was the one who got the most out of it. A lot.

I think she really liked this birthday gift. I could tell she loved calling her friend and asking to borrow a sewing machine. And then, when we ran out of supplies- I just knew she was totally excited about hopping in her car for a quick trip to the store for more of what we needed.

She didn't have to tell me that this was the best birthday present- EVER. I could see it in her face.

Let's face it, when you got it, you got it. And I do believe that I have a knack for giving.

States

I think there are only two things to talk about today.

One: the state of the Union.

and

Two: the state of my house.

Since we can pretty much all agree that the state of the Union is something we can Google, I choose to concentrate the state of my house.

And it is thus: really really scary and neglected. For a number of reasons.

I am in the midst of preparing for YW Camp.
Our family returned late Saturday from camping.
Before we left for camping, we had to address a refrigerator that was on the brink of retirement.

I don't know how other people do it, but when I am concentrating on something pretty big- such as girl's camp- my house seems to be the last thing on my list. And, my kids do an amazing job at keeping it pretty much, well, a mess. However, they are usually pretty good about helping me clean it up when the time comes.

Throw a ward campout in the mix, with a refrigerator malfunction hours before leaving, and it is like we have passed the point of no return.

Camping was a blast. We had a great time with our family. And messy houses can keep. Believe me.

But now, here I am, in the midst of disorganization and chaos. And it can probably wait until I complete my big projects. At which point, I plan on having an all-out cleaning blitz.

And I'm afraid I am prepared to throw many things away.

Which may or may not improve the state of the Union.

a couple of randoms

as we all know, summer is here. and i love it. i love having my kids close to me. i am not looking forward to them going back to school- on august second. that is a short summer.

what i have to report is that our summer is turning out splendidly. i have implemented the 3 otter pop plan. have you heard of it? probably not. i came up with it out of necessity on the first day of summer break. it goes like this: the children may have 3 otter pops everyday. they can eat them all at once, or spread them throughout the day.

here's the beauty part: they may not eat any otter pops until they are dressed, their beds are made, their pajamas are put away and we have read scriptures. and this all has to be done by 10:00 a.m. or no otter pops.

it is working beautifully. it motivates my children. they have earned their 3 treats everyday so far. one of them eats all her otter pops at once- sometimes even right after breakfast. *gasp* one of them may not even eat an otter pop at all, but her stuff is always done. and the son will usually have one or two. and it makes us all happy.

***********************************************************************

my phone has had no dial tone the past two days. for whatever reason. i only found this out after my sister called my cell phone yesterday morning to ask me what was up with my phone. it just gave the message that our line was being worked on. whatever that means.

so, after a few more calls on my cell phone from concerned citizens, i finally decided to place a call to the phone company to see what was up. and the customer service lady called my home and got no such message that our line was being worked on. but, she graciously agreed to send a technician out to see what the problem was.

the technician came today. while he was working on my line, my mind drifted back to my childhood best friend and all the hours we would spend placing prank calls to various homes in rifle, colorado- the town of my youth.

there was a pizza parlor we would call and ask for ree-ro ree-ro. seriously. a couple times a month.

then, we did the traditional- "this is the phone company. we are working on your line. if anyone calls, please do not answer or it will harm the technician."

of course, we promptly called the same number again and screamed as loud as we could into the phone.

oh, how i feel sorry for my children. caller i.d. has ruined all the fun they never knew they should be having as kids.

anyway, i am off to enjoy an otter pop- i am dressed, my bed is made, my p.j.'s put away, and scriptures read.

i think i am in the mood for louie blooie. what's your favorite? and how do you motivate your kids? and what is your favorite prank call?

p.s. my phone is working again. in case you wanted to call. or prank call. whatever.

Today was Stake Conference. It was wonderful. The talks were amazing. The spirit was strong. I have made some new resolutions. And the closing prayer especially touched me.

But, most of all, I loved that the husband got to sit with us.

And I blissfully ignored him and pretended not to notice as the children climbed all over his lap and invaded his personal space.

*Sigh* What a difference a week makes.

I'm pretty sure you didn't know that the bug man was here this morning. He sprayed some bugs outside and then came inside and took care of the interior.

I look forward to his next visit. In two months.

The bug man.

Just one thing I am thankful for today.

Ten Things I've Learned From Owning a Smart Car

today's post provided by the husband

10. Owning a Smart Car hasn't necessarily made me any smarter, but getting 40 miles to the gallon is very satisfying. I am happy. Does your car get that? Neener-neener-neener...

9. Everyone stares at Smart Cars and the people that are in them. Privacy is a thing of the past. So much for nosepicking in the car - good thing I drive the van a few times a week!

8. Cars ARE fun to drive. They aren't just tools. I can actually come home unstressed from the commute. Now if I could just leave the stress of work at work...

7. People stop laughing once they sit in a Smart Car. But they never stop laughing at someone who is 6'6'' standing by one.

6. People actually still wave, smile and even talk to strangers if they think you have something in common. Either there are a lot of closet Smart Car owners, or adults still collect Hot Wheels. How else could you explain how much I have in common with these people just because I have a cool little teeny-tiny car?

5. Going places now takes extra time as I have to plan to answer the same five questions each time I get in or get out of the car. However, I never have to worry about forgetting where I park in a parking lot. I can simply look for the gathered group of people staring in my car windows.

4. Drivers of big trucks, lowriders and sports cars feel that they have something to prove or are compensating for something...ummm...like gas mileage. They can't stay behind me, even if I am going 80 mph. It is simply amazing how many people have to rev up and speed past me between lights, just for me to pull up next to them. They then make themselves feel better by rolling down their window to ask me if my "car is powered by squirrels."

3. Believe it or not, women are more likely to ask about cars than men. I guess cars are chick magnets. Sorry ladies, I already found the woman of my dreams.

2. Being seen with my lovely wife in our "date car" is awesome. Woot-wooo. What a babe! (The wife, not the car.)

1. "Death trap" is much manlier sounding than "clown car."