Crazy For You and other Notes

We had a fun weekend in the mountains with my family. My two youngest brothers, Stanton & Lincoln, were in their high school's production of Crazy for You, we celebrated my nephew Braedon's birthday, and then my brother Buchanan blessed his new baby boy Cardsen. My grandparents were able to come from UT and we had a great time...although we really missed Colbran's & Camilla's families since they couldn't come.

Stanton was the lead in the play, Bobby Child, and did an awesome job! He had to learn how to tap dance during the past few months, and passed it off quite nicely. He has an amazing singing voice and did a great job in that area too! It was a little awkward for me to watch his stage kisses, I guess I'll never get used to the fact that my little brothers are growing up on me. :)

Lincoln was an Englishman and his first debut onto the stage was in a safari outfit, complete with too-short shorts and long socks to his knees. I didn't expect that, and it totally cracked me up! He did a great job and even had to sing some solo lines and got to sing a little duet with his big bro. The kids really enjoyed watching their uncles perform and I'm so grateful that they have such good examples for them.

In other news, my mother-in-law just told me that it used to be big to give married couples the following advice: When you say goodbye in the morning and greet each other when you come home, you should give each other a 15-second kiss. OK, 15 seconds is a LONG time for a little goodbye kiss. We've been trying it this week and it's kind of funny...I think we are both counting the 15 seconds down in our heads. BUT, it does make his coming home more exciting than ever! I will say that those high school kids have got us beat - I probably saw 10 long kisses during the play, each of which were at least 15 seconds and some were more like 30-40 (no kidding!) No wonder I was so uncomfortable!

I learned over the weekend that my blog is more far-reaching than I expected and I'm glad. I do worry sometimes about the public nature of it, but I am also grateful for the chance it gives me to keep in touch with past friends and even past YW leaders! So to all you who read and I don't know it, thanks for stopping by and feel free to drop a line any time! I'll be checking you out too!

No Pictures Today...

We have been having camera issues so I haven't been able to upload any of the pictures I've taken recently but I felt the need to post something so here's a few things that have been going on in our lives lately....

1) MADLYN celebrated her 5th birthday last week and we had so much fun. We had a total of 3 birthday parties and by the end of the week, I was exhausted. I can't believe my little girl is already 5 (although sometimes I think she is 15)...it seems like only yesterday she joined our family. Maddie is such a sweet girl and I feel so privileged to be her mom. I swear sometimes she is more unselfish and mature than I am and I love her for it!

2) I am TIRED. Like I said, last week was a busy one and I was ready to take a little break this week...but Monday brought some sick boys and a sister-in-law in town with her kids. Who can take a break with cousins in town? We had cute Anna stay at our house Monday night and she got to go to preschool with Madlyn on Tuesday (thanks Kristy)! Yesterday after music class we headed into Mesa to hang out with the family and Maddie & Cole actually braved the swimming pool. It was soooo cold that I couldn't even put my toes in, but they swam for quite a while. We are heading in again today to hang out before they have to leave tomorrow - we will miss them - we really wish all of our cousins would move back, PLEASE!

3) I am SICK. Yesterday morning, I woke up with a little cold. By the time I got home last night, the only thing I wanted to do was take a hot bath and some NyQuil and get in bed. Of course, NyQuil was out of the question since I'm pregnant but Jeff did draw me a nice bath and I soaked for almost 2 hours while reading a book. I am feeling a little better today so off to town we go but I really think I might sleep tomorrow.

4) I MISS my husband. It was bad enough that he had to be gone 12-13 hours a day for work but he recently started a class that keeps him away from home until 11pm 2 nights a week and for half the day on Saturdays. The other nights he has tutoring sessions, I have meetings, and he studies. I have a hard time going to sleep without him in bed so I keep myself up until I can't stay awake; I've been keeping busy with a new puzzle, crocheting, reading, and of course, checking out everyone's blogs.

5) I just joined COUPON$ENSE and am so excited to see the savings! I get my first batch of Sunday papers on Sunday (I am getting 5 sets) and I am counting down like it's Christmas! I am really hoping to be able to save in the grocery area so that we can put more away into our savings account every month. Thanks Deanna for the motivation!

6) I need to load my dishwasher, fold a load of laundry, and vacuum my floors before I leave in 25 minutes...do you think I can do it? On my mark, get set, GO!!!

Disney Princess

You Are Mulan!

Strong and spirited. You're no one's girly girl; actually you are very determined person with a strong sense of self. Never let go of that! The only thing that equals your sense of self is your family, but the traditions of society can always be bent to protect something or someone you love.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

My Red Letter Day!

When I woke up this morning in Madlyn's bed, I was a little worried about the kind of day I was going to have. But I trudged out of her room to begin the day and came in to check my email (I've been waiting for a special email and so I have been checking very often). I had two fun surprises waiting for me...

a good friend of mine announced her unexpected (at least for me) pregnancy. To me, having a baby is about the best news anyone can have anytime. Yay Heather!

then I got the email saying the pictures of my brand-new nephew (born Sunday) were posted on my SIL's blog...isn't Cardsen Buchanan Davis a cutie?

I had to go about my motherly duties then, so we got breakfast and got ready for the day. When I came back from taking Maddie to preschool, I checked my email, AGAIN. Yes, still waiting for the special email. It was there!!!

I got accepted as a PILOT STUDENT (open applications are not accepted yet) in the brand-new online bachelor's program at BYU-Idaho! I about cried right then and there, but instead I called my wonderful husband who, I am proud to say, is so excited for me and might even be more happy than I am (although I doubt it)! Then I called my mom, who has been waiting with me for this exciting news! I am not sure what I am getting into but I have hardly ever been so excited in my life! I have almost 90 credits already so I shouldn't have too much longer to go but I have been looking for an online program to do and praying...this almost fell right into my lap and I feel so grateful and blessed that I will finally be able to finish my degree...all the while being a stay-at-home mom, which is my first love and priority!

My day just got better as I was able to wash, fold, and put away about 7 loads of laundry (getting it all done in one day is an almost impossible feat at my house).

I spent the rest of my day playing puzzles with the kids, watching them ride bikes outside, blowing bubbles, and I hardly even lost my patience all day. Now, it is 8:30, the kids have been in bed for 30 minutes, I'm working on a project for Madlyn's room, and life is looking good. It was a good day.

Have You Ever Done This?

OK, so Jeff took the kids to Chevron this evening for a little treat. My job was to start getting dinner ready while they were gone. I came in to check my email and found myself checking blogs instead. Of course, I sat in here for more than a couple of minutes...that is, until I heard the garage door opening. I honestly don't know if I've ever moved so fast: out of my chair and into the kitchen to pretend like I had been working on the meal instead of blog-stalking for the past 20 minutes. Somehow I managed to pull together a decent meal and Jeff was not the wiser for it...uh-oh, now he knows my secret.

Beef. It's What's for Dinner.

I am not a meat eater. I eat chicken. I don't really like ground beef but I tolerate it in lasagna, hamburgers, and tacos. I will occasionally eat steak but only if it is WELL DONE. Pork is a new thing for me but I never cook it myself. My poor husband loves it when my brother invites us to barbecue because that means he'll actually get some red meat...I really hardly ever even buy the stuff and when I do, it sits in my freezer for quite some time before I get brave enough to cook it.

OK, so I'm pretty sure my baby must be needing some protein or something because on Saturday night, we ate dinner at my brother's house. We had some leftover ham from Easter and at one point (after eating several pieces already), I walked out of the kitchen munching on one piece and holding another piece in my other hand. We all thought it was pretty funny that I, the vegetarian of the family (I come from a family of hunters & carnivores), couldn't get enough of that ham. Fast forward to Sunday dinner at my in-laws' house. We were eating roast and potatoes and I was really hungry to begin with, but again, I could not stop eating the meat. I really have never enjoyed roast so much. I had just finished dishing up my 2nd (or 3rd) helping of potatoes & roast when Jeff says,

"Can you believe we're just sitting here eating muscle?"

Eww. On a normal stomach that would make you stop and think a little before taking a bite but my pregnant tummy instantly felt sick. I told Jeff that I didn't think I would be able to eat the rest of my meat and then I proceeded to start to CRY because I was so sad that I couldn't enjoy my roast any more. I have NEVER felt sad about not getting to eat red meat, I can promise you that. And I definitely don't make a habit of crying in front of my mother-in-law (not that she wouldn't understand, I just want to act tough). I sat there for a few minutes and tried to think of something else and finally I was able to eat the rest of my meat (I was really hungry), just not with the same gusto as before. :)

I am Pro-Husband

This is the part where I climb up on my little soap box and tell you how things really are...or should be. I better be careful or I may tumble off...in all seriousness though, these are some thoughts I think often but have been reminded of in the recent past.

I am well aware of the fact that there are some women out there (and I mean out there - I am not speaking of those reading this blog) who are nagging, controlling, and just downright mean to their husbands. I believe it is an easy habit for anyone to get into, including myself. I do, of course,want things done my way, on my own time, and sometimes I find myself being overly critical of Jeff when he doesn't complete tasks according to my express directions. I am also aware of the way it would make anyone feel if they were often treated in such a demeaning way, especially by the one they love the most.

I am lucky enough to be married to a wonderfully thoughtful, sensitive, and independent man. Yes, he is a grown man and while I am his equal partner in our marriage and role as parents, I am not and never will be his mother. Sure, we have to plan and coordinate our lives and our goals but there is no need for me to control his daily activities. I especially don't need to explain to him how to do such menial tasks as loading the dishwasher, changing the baby's clothes, or divvying up the food for the kids' plates.

My husband, as most husbands I know, works a busy job and spends countless hours away from home dealing with bosses, stressful deadlines, and hectic commuter traffic. He is continuing his education and spends time in classes and studying. He also works faithfully at his church calling and hometeaching, etc. What worse thing could happen to such a husband than to come home to find, instead of a loving wife and children, a chaotic, unorderly existence where more demands and expectations are placed upon him? This does not mean that husbands should come home and rest & relax all evening without contributing to the household or family in any way. On the contrary, a husband should come home and take time to be with his family and help & support his wife with the things she needs. I have found that the more peaceful and orderly the atmosphere is in my home when my husband gets home, the easier it is for him to feel relaxed and able to pitch in, play with the kids, and listen to my ramblings. Of course, there are lots of evenings when my husband can't even be home until late and so I do the evening routines on my own. It is on those days that I especially try to remember that Jeff had a difficult and busy day, just like me.

I also believe, and this is just my own personal belief, that my husband should not be expected to do my work, meaning the housework. I am lucky enough to get to be home with my children and the house all day, so I should be able to take care of it. Again, this does not mean that my husband never helps out because he does lots for me around the house. But, I do try my very best to finish my chores before he comes home...therefore, I don't have a honey-do list for him when he gets here. This is all theory though, because like I said, Jeff helps me out a lot and I really really appreciate it.

I have seen and am currently witnessing (in a very indirect way) the negative effects that a nagging, controlling, and critical wife can have on a husband. I think that even the saintliest of men would crack after a few years. I was amazed at the bluntless of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland's comments in his General Conference address one year ago: "A woman's words can be more piercing than any dagger ever forged, and they can drive the people they love to retreat beyond a barrier more distant than anyone in the beginning of that exchange could ever have imagined."


Just a few thoughts this week...