Sad

A good man who should be living life and being happy with his family is not. Because he is lying in a hospital room right now dying. He is a long time friend of Danny's family, he was there when Danny was born, he was a youth leader of his and quite influential in his growing up, he is a bishop in his Church, he has a wonderful loving family and now because of some stupid, idiotic, impatient driver, he is dying.
G. came down from Idaho to visit Danny's family. He went to see my FIL and after he left while driving on I-15 he was smashed into the side by some moron whizzing through all 4 lanes to make his exit. G.'s car rolled down the embankment and smashed into a thick concrete poll. He was lifeflighted to the University hospital. The doctors say if he was younger and didn't have the preexisting health problems he had he would of made it. Unfortunately his body could not sustain the injuries. So now because of some stupid, moronic, impatient prick, G. is lying in a hospitable bed dying.
I do not know G. personally but Danny does. So therefore I feel I do. I am very saddened for G. and his family and all the lives he has touched that will mourn his loss. It is very hard to undertand why things like this happen.
I cannot help but also feel a little (very little) saddness for the poor shmuck that did this. He is not a malevolent, evil person. He is just a selfish jerk who doesn't think before he acts. Now he has taken an innocent human life. He will have to live with that regret for the rest of his life. I sure wouldn't want that.

I wish I could of known you G.
I pray your family will find peace
I know you will.

Camping

I don't have just one camping story to recall but I have many fond memories of camping growing up. I was quite young so the memories are a little foggy.

My Dad was the one that would always take us camping. There was one time we went with my uncle and aunt and their dog max. This is probably the one I remember most. I think I was about 6 yrs. old. Here's what I remember:

-Max gets into a fight with a horse and gets a bloody nose (Max was a Doberman and the biggest suck of a dog you ever knew....why he would pick a fight with a horse is beyond me???)
-I'm fishing while my aunt and her friend are soaking up some rays, fish hook gets stuck in my sundress (I ALWAYS wore dresses when I was younger, even fishing)
-My aunt tries to get it off but it is so tangled that she asks me to take it off so she can untangle it
-Little modest 6 yr. old me says "someone might see" (ya we're in the middle of nowhere and someone might come walking out of the woods to see my bare 6yr. chest with my little boobies the size of marshmallows)
-Showering from a makeshift shower in the trees
-Digging potty holes (the one reason I never wanna go camping in the wilderness again)
-We find a log boat or somthing on the brown creek river that we sit on and have a little "partay" (ya I'm 6)...well the adults
-The warmth of the sun in the tent in the afternoon
-Sitting around the campfire looking for falling stars
-S'mores!!

A few other memories from other camping trips:

-My brother falling off the shoulders of this guy (who's relationship to us would just be confusing :)) causing him to lose his beloved sunglasses
-Then my brother calling him his hero for the rest of the trip
-BACKGAMMON!!!!! WooHoo
-Everything in the tent getting wet because it was touching the tent when it rained
-My Dad killing a squirrel by throwing an apple at it (no he did not mean to kill the squirrel)
-waking up to snow in the summer
-FISHING!!! lots of fishing
-coming home once and having to pull over because the rain and hail were so bad; cars were hydroplaning and visibility was pretty much zero

Fun times!! Fun times!!!

Thanks to Mama Kat for great prompts.

PYHO-????

I've been thinking and thinking today about what I could write about but nothin'. I really want to write something because I feel so disconnected from the blog world that so warmly received me 3 months ago. This wonderful meme by Shell was probably the biggest persuasion for me to start my blog and I would like to thank her for that.



I have read so many wonderful PYHO posts that I can relate to so much. Why can't I write that eloquent when I'm feeling down? I want people to relate to me to. I need support just like anyone else. But I feel as if if I don't have ideas for writing and only post once in a while that I'm left in the dust. I've felt that too much in my life and I don't wanna feel that way at 32 for goodness sake!!! I know I need to participate in things and share myself if I want reciprocity so I don't wanna sound selfish or anything. I have done that and many times got nothing in return so it's kinda hard to put your heart out there.

I am down.
I feel like we're in a rut.
The economy is big time kickin' our butts.
We need a change. a BIG change.
We need to find us again.
I want to be stronger for my kids.
I don't want my kids to have an insecure mom.
I don't want my kids to be insecure.
I want to be able to be assertive for my kids.
I want to be able to be assertive for me.
I hate mom guilt. but I don't know how not to feel it?
I want to be nicer to my kids.
I want to cherish this time of innocence with them.
I. Just. Want to be Happy.

Mommy and Me-Pioneer Day

Hosted by Krystyn at Really, Are You Serious?

Pioneer day (July 24th) is a pretty big deal here. Almost as big as the 4th. It commemorates the date that the pioneers settled this valley. It is hard to believe that so long ago this beautiful valley was once a dry, inhospitable desert. It is amazing what these pioneers accomplished and we are truly blessed to be living in such a beautifully diverse state. They literally walked across most of the entire United States forging through mountains, valleys, and streams in all kinds of weather. It was truly a miracle.

Butterflies

My kids adore bugs!! What kid doesn't? They would absolutely love this butterfly kit giveaway at Serendipity Mommy from Insect Lore. This is such a cool website! If your kids are into bugs they have tons of fun items and activities and anything bug related!!

Mommy FAIL

When my son was first born the very first night we brought him home we tried to have him in our room like good first parents right? Ya well that lasted about 20 min.....before I pushed his bassinett into his own room. (details are a little blurry so they might be off a tad here) After about the first couple of times I got up my husband barked I'm never gonna get sleep which of course being a new mom and all hormonal almost made me cry so instead of yelling ya you try getting up every hour and latch a vice grip on your nipple for 30 min. and see how you like it! I calmly took my pillow and went into baby's room to sleep on the spare mattress. Well said baby was not sleeping much either and was very fussy or hungry or I don't know. You know why I don't know? Cause I physically could not get myself up! Oh ya! I heard him but couldn't make myself open my eyes! Poor little man! He coulda been hungry or just scared and wanted to be held and comforted.
Oh I hope God wasn't havin' second thoughts.

MOM FAIL!

I got the jealousies...

Bonus points if anyone knows where that comes from :)

...of my kids? Bad mom!

Granpa and Nana Barb and Brother I mean Uncle Drew took Ethan and Aria up to Lava Hot Springs for a couple days while Mom and Dad could chill out here with only little Angel.
So this morning when they left as soon as the door shut something felt different! Two whole days of peace!! I should be jumping for joy right? Instead I just don't know what to do with myself? It really feels weird. I mean I have all this time to myself where I could do this or this or that but part of me just wants to go outside and sit on the kids swing and have a pity party. My kids are 6 and 4 and they have never spent one night away from me. With their outgoing personalities I know they'll have a fabulous time and probably won't even miss mom but mom will miss them and will miss seeing their happy faces swimming in the pool and doing all the fun things they will. :( boo hoo Ok really I'm not THAT selfish....I am glad they're gonna have this fun experience. But what do I do???
Well like a good mom I'll clean their beds and sheets and room and build a new fort for them downstairs. Hmmmm ya....that only takes so much time....What now? Maybe I'll go oon my eliptical machine (which is sadly being neglected) and jam with MJ (ya don't laugh) Maybe a little scrapbooking? Too bad we don't have anymore Lost to watch right now or we could have a Lost night. :) (the sixth season isn't out on NetFlix yet! Im lost without my LOST....lol *snort*)

How do you spend your "me" time without the kids?

Fiber and Lip Gloss

Who has kids who get the proper amount of fiber in their diet? I'd sure like to know that mom's secret. Well if you're like me your kids don't! So these fiber gummies would be a great way for kids to up the fiber in their tummies. If you wanna enter for a free bottle check out Serendipity Mommy

Candace has also hooked up with SoftLips and they are generously giving one of her readers an awesome softlips pkg. of their new "PURE" line on products. (I kinda feel like I sound like a commercial here) Check it out: HERE!

Win a Savvycents Wallet with Menopausal New Mom!

Menopausal New Mom is having an awesome giveaway for TWO fabulous Savvycents wallets! These wallets are a great way to organize all your cards, cash (if you have it), loose change, pictures, whatever! And if you don't wanna carry a purse just carry your cool looking wallet!

Bob the Builder!

My kids are crazy for Bob the Builder! Hey who wouldn't love a short pudy adorable fellow in a tool belt. It teaches good lessons too like working together. Frugal Mom knows Best is having a giveaway for a Bob the Builder DVD! Don't enter cause I want it! :)

PYHO-don't get your hopes up!

Ya well it's pretty hard to regulate your emotions…..especially if you're a woman!

My husband has been unemployed for 6 months now and it sucks big time! Recently he's had this amazing job come possibility come up in Idaho Falls of all places. Who would want to move to Idaho Falls you ask? Well yes us. We have actually been up there once for an overnight trip…..what made me think of going up there?.....I don't know?......maybe it was foreshadowing……."insert creepy music". No seriously it was a beautiful area and we have always wanted to move somewhere smaller and I even actually proposed the idea of living there someday. Soooo…back to the job.
I've researched a bit about it and asked some questions to others who work there and honestly the company sounds too good to be true. But Tylaine…..don't go getting' your hopes up! Ya ya well it's pretty hard when it's something you really want. My head certainly understand that this could very well be another disappointment in our lives but we all know women's heads do not rule the game, right?
So where is this going? I dunno. We just really need something right now. I feel like we are in a rut and we need a change, BIG change and I'm hoping this is it!

I am Mommy of the Year because I'm NOT Mommy of the Year

Let me tell you I am soooo Not mom of the Year:



A day in the Life of "Not" mom of the year (a.k.a. me)

I wake up in the morning at 6:28 and think to myself "hmmm I could either sleep for an extra 20 min. before the kids get up; oh but I really should get up and shower before all the chaos begins so I can devote all my energy to my darling rugrats; nope I'll go for the sleep….(two more min. of self debate)….oh dang the kids are already up! There goes either choice". Now the Mom of the Year would have no quams about what to do and would just jump out of bed, quickly shower, doll herself up and have warm pancakes ready and waiting for the kids when they got up. Cold cereal is our breakfast of choice.
After a few hours of our beloved Netflix (oh what we do without you!) and the totally awesome care bears (and of course Mom of the Year would never let her kids watch anything but the most educational programs for only 30 min. everyday) Ethan and Aria have a yummy lunch of "make-your-own-pizza" (let me assure you this is not the norm; microwaved hotdogs, peanut butter sandwiches, and dinosaur chicken are a MUST in our house) while Emma downs her store bought, processed lunch of chicken and pasta and mom gets to enjoy her leftover spaghetti standing in the kitchen. Now the Mom of the Year would be able to feed all three kids at the same time while sitting down herself to a wonderful homemade lunch and would never feed her 18 month old anything but homemade lunches made from organic ingredients.
Ethan (my oldest) has been wanting to make a tent/fort for about a week now and has been put off by mom for somethin' or other. No more excuses, here we go. When the tent is done mom crawls inside and has a rest from all the laborious work while the kids run around and make a mess in the kitchen from eating muffins on the counter (at least Emma is accounted for :)). Now mom of the year would never get tired during the day and would spend hour upon hour playing with her kids to their hearts content.
"Ok what ya wanna do now kids, mom is gonna write a blogpost" Ethan and Aria got into Dad's office downstairs (which is supposed to be locked but mom forgot and left it open) and brought up their playdough. Now Mom of the Year would ofcourse be actively playing with the kids and not getting a little short at the "mommy look at this's" every 2 seconds but would joyfully relish all their wonderful playdough creations.
The witching hour is nigh and the kids are going crazy. I'm thinking to myself "Danny you better get home soon!" while I throw a stroganoff into the oven for dinner. (at least we have some good home cooked meals thanks to my mom and Stouffers) But I must admit it's not that bad, I do actually cook once in a while. :)
Now Mom of the Year would never get the least bit irritated with her kids and would have fun, educational craft activities ready to keep the kids busy while she prepares her 4 course meal for her husband which will be on the table as soon as he walks in the door. They eat like this every night with the kids sitting properly at the table using their utensils and having perfect manners (certainly not throwing food or the 18 month old eating on the table since the chairs are being used for previously said tent)
After dinner it's a free for all. Kids play some more in the tent while mom and dad try to have some uninterrupted conversation about the day. They weren't outside today so we'll skip bath tonight and just put em' in bed early. Peace and quiet. Now Mom of the Year would never let her kids have a free for all but always have structured fun and safe playtime (with of course mom crawling on her knees having "fun" with the kids) Bath would never be skipped. Teeth brushing would never be skipped. And 20 minutes of educational reading before bed would never be skipped. She would not let out a sigh of relief either when the kids were in bed and quiet because she would have no stress to get rid of. :)
Mom of the Year would also never feel mom guilt (because ofcourse there's nothing she does wrong with the kids)
Mom of the Year would never judge another mom or herself (because she is perfect and ofcourse has the sweetest and most understanding heart)

But I'll let ya in on a little secret……Mom of the Year does not exist! And we're ALL "NOT" Moms of the year! Yep every one of us. Every mom that loves their kids more than the sun an moon an stars (my saying with my "NOT" mom of the year) and would stick a safety pin in the eye for them. Every mom that puts their happiness and fun above that of being a perfect chef and keeping the house spotless. Every mom that has stepped on legos and tinkertoys multiple times, or had a baby head butt them in the nose and never complained about the bruises all over her feet or her nose bleed. Every mom that has been thrown up on, peed on, pooped on and simply gone and changed like it was no big deal. Every mom that believes in letting kids be kids; wear their pj.s in public and dress themselves in ridiculous clothes because this is the only time in their life they can pull this off; because they will grow up far too fast. Every mom that her heart breaks when her children are sick and there's nothing she can do but would take it upon herself in a second if she could. Every mom that sacrifices things for her kids that only another mom could understand. Every mom that is a "NOT" mom of the Year.

Mommy and Me Monday

Hosted by Krystyn

Thanks to Krystyn for this fun meme that lets moms get precious memories with her babies. :)

Me and my pasi girl!

Friday Confessional

-Today Sucks!

-My mom who visited for a week went home today

-It was a wonderful visit (mostly)

-We did some great shopping (I wish we had money though :))

-Now she's gone and it sucks

-I feel like I'm 13 crying for my mommy

-What's the deal!?

-Arn't you supposed to grow up at 32 with three kids of your own

-I know how hard it is for her to leave the grandkids and that sucks even more

-I know she has to go home to a job she doesn't like (ya who wants to be working at 62) and that sucks

-I already miss her

Mommy and Me Monday

I'm sure all kids look forward to July4th and my kids are no exception. They talk about it all year long. Looking forward to the pool (which is like a bath because we hook it up to the faucet and use hot water), and the bbq, and eating junk food and ofcourse the fireworks!