Cont... Not just recommending

SHAME! Shame on you! All of you who read these books and didn't tell me to!

There are boys, then there are sports, then... there are their MOMS!

My son is suppose to have his first soccer game this weekend with no previous practices because we've had SO much rain. Here is some correspondence between his coach and I:

COACH:
Hello parents,
Hopefully will get a practice in this week, there's alot to do and hand out. I've just been informed that pictures will be taken this Saturday. Our game will be at 2:00pm on field # 1, they want us to be there for pictures by 1:15pm near the gazebo, by the pool. This is at the our fields, as shown on the map.At this point I would like to meet everyone even if we don't get a chance to practice, i'll set something up later on this week. I apologize for (our town) say, but this really is out of our hands, this has come down through the youth org. because of several incidents, and of course the weather. Please bear with us, we'll get this season going and have alot of fun.
Thank you for your patients,
coach

ME:
I was just sitting hear laughing with my husband that I sign my kids up for sports and then hope practice gets cancelled. Guess I'm not the die-hard kind, so here is me... "Whoo hoo!" High five! (That said, I do want them to succeed and have fun.)

Thanks for coaching

COACH:
So your the one that brought all this on us. well I hope your happy, ha ha

The Power of Friendship

My Friend, thank you so much for your tribute. I find that very selfless; to feel lonely and then give a tribute to people you hold dear. I'm so grateful for you in my life. I've gained a testimony that the Lord puts people in our lives for specific reasons and purposes and I know that's the case when he put you specifically in my life at a special point in time. No mistaking that.

There is a scripture, Alma 53:2: And Moroni went to the city of Mulek with Lehi, and took command of the city and gave it unto Lehi. Now behold, this Lehi was a man who had been with Moroni in the more part of all his battles; and he was a man like unto Moroni, and they rejoiced in each other’s safety; yea, they were beloved by each other, and also beloved by all the people of Nephi.

It was very significant to me, that their friendship was recorded. In this small little portion of one scripture, it speaks volumes to me. Friendships are very important in our lives and something to rejoice over. To support each other, endure things together, and to love each other and our neighbors.

You are beloved to me. I rejoice with you in your accomplishments, your little family, and your experiences. Thanks for sharing them with us on your blog and keeping in touch with me over the years. I bet the next time we're together, it will be like we never missed a day. I think it will be like that when we meet all our friends across the veil as well.

I'm Telling You.... Not Just Recommending

Not kidding! I just read all three of these books in three and a half days.
My house and kids? Don't ask; you don't want to know!

Happy Happy American

My friend, HsinYi, got her citizenship. She was so thrilled. I made it just in time, even though I had to stand outside with my crying daughter for awhile. Say it with me, "I'm proud to be an American!"

True Confessions

For breakfast this morning I had a fried egg, over easy, a brownie and a pepsi. Yesterday morning I had a piece of buttered toast, and again, half a brownie. Hmmmm.

It's ok to be sad...

For some reason tonight, I feel a little sad. I feel incredibly blessed and yet I feel just sad.

Two years ago, someone so dear to me was called home. I had a hard time with memories in February, but this weekend, I went to help celebrate her sweet boy's 7th birthday. We had our children together and grew in motherhood together and fretted and laughed over naps and bath time together. My boys and her boys were best buddies and she was my constant. Being around her boys this weekend and seeing a space she filled so brilliantly made me miss her so much. Those who knew her and loved her can understand when I say that words just don't exist to express how magnificent she was to us and the loss we feel without her in our lives.

I am also looking forward to my sister's little family embarking on their new adventure of living the career life. This brings on so many exciting things, one of them being, "where will we move?" She has filled a need in my life of familiarity, friendship, belonging, confidant, and validater. I'm terribly excited for her, but cannot help but feel small moments of anticipation for the loss and how I will miss her.

Tonight I'm allowing myself to be sad. I laid my head on my husband's shoulder and got it a little wet with some tears. He said, "It's ok to be sad." So, if anyone else needs to hear those words, here they are, I send them out to you.

I've Been Tagged

A. Rules of the Game are posted at the beginning.

B. Each Player answers about themselves.

C. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 others and leaves a message on their blog letting them know they have been tagged and to read your blog for directions.

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

I was finishing up my last semester of school before getting married.

2. 5 things on my to do list:

a) take some art classes and increase my learning.
b) plan more things to do with my kids
c) apply to be on The Amazing Race with my sister (One day I'll be brave enough)
d) build a house
e) go to Taiwan with my friend, HsinYi

3. What snacks do I enjoy?

chocolate, popcorn, soda-pop, chips, you name it, I'll proabably eat it, esecially with good company.

4. 3 bad habits

a) eating out (I'm getting better)
b) procrastinating (I'm getting better at this one too.)
c) Feeling shame for things I "think" I should do better.

5. What would I do if I were instantly a billionaire?

Move to live closer to my family.(Note to in-laws, I will relocate you all as well, or pay for frequent visiting) Travel, travel, travel.

6. 6 places I have lived.

Jerome
Rexburg
Salt Lake City
Charlotte NC
Cincinnati OH
Mason OH

7. 5 jobs I have had:

Pizza maker/delivery girl, Shoes/men's clothes salesperson, Administrative Assistant at Recording Studio, AA for County Agencies,

8. 5 things most people don't know about me:

a) I want to paint like my sister's mil
b) I like 4wdrive trucks/atv's/etc and going off-roading in the mud and hills.
c) I want to work at a capitol building, state or federal
d) I like fancy cheeses and fine dining (hoity-toity stuff)Isn't this opposite from #b?
e) I like having adventures.

Now it is someone elses turn...I tag: Jenny, Aliess, HsinYi, Kim, Rebec

My Smiler

He's getting too big. Just too big. Especially knowing he may be the last. That makes him 100-years-old to me. I try so hard to be "in the now" and breath in all those "moments". If I can just get them deep enough in my soul, time won't be able to find them there.

Something SO Icky is Something SO Yummy!

This is what I messaged my husband at work:
"Do you know what time you're going to be home? I have some icky, icky bananas I need you to squeeze into the bowl for me." ...which he did.

If the bananas are just ripe, I can handle it, BUT, if the bananas have been frozen... I cannot handle those runny, gooey things. Here comes the gag reflex! So, these bananas had been frozen and yuck, who knew they could be transformed into something so yummy it would turn my daughter into a little mouse.

I showed her this picture and after putting her hands out she said, "I was having a taste!"


Tanya's Banana Bread

This is the yummiest banana bread! It's pretty much a no-fail.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

3-4 ripe bananas
1/3 cup water
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/3 cup butter
1 & 2/3 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup walnuts (optional)

blend water and bananas to make smooth. Add sugar, eggs, and butter and blend. Sift flour, soda, salt, and baking powder and mix. (Add walnuts if adding them) Pour into four small loaf pans. Bake for 25-30 min until toothpick comes out clean.

I love this recipe. This is from a co-worker and any time I need a good recipe, I'll call her. I will also sneak and substitute 2/3 cups of wheat flour for white (if I have it milled). We don't even notice. I also do this with chocolate chip cookies.