Book Review:

Absolutely LOVED this book. In fact, I loved it so much I gave it away to friends as a Christmas gift this year. It tells you exactly how it is, (the good the bad and the ugly) and makes you feel like although we ALL have bad days- we are still good mothers. Something I am in desperate need to hear every now and then.

If you are like me, and HAVE to have the PERFECT cake at a birthday party, or the kids have to have their hair done PERFECTLY on picture day no matter what chaos this may cause the morning of, READ THIS BOOK! I swear it will make you laugh and cry all at the same time. It also has several chapters on mothers who feel like they are so much MORE than "just a stay at home mother" and redefining what that means. It talks about taking care of ourselves FIRST (what??) so that we can be the best mother, wife, sister, friend we can be. How many of us have stood at the kitchen table eating left over scraps for breakfast because we have so many things "to do", we can't sit down for a proper meal? READ THIS BOOK! It won't disappoint you.

Sugar and Spice and everything nice

New Years Resolution #47: Blog more. Keep it short and sweet.

Here we go. I thought I would share a funny story about the shorts and sweets in my life. I'm a FIRM believer that 99% of decisions made from the ages 8-18 are based purely on their level of self esteem. If girls really (REALLY) knew how great they were- they wouldn't settle for anything but the best. Hence, they wouldn't make stupid mistakes and life would be a lot easier and better for everyone involved. This belief I have is the reason I am scared to death to raise a little girl! Lots of praise going on in our house thats for sure! Any ways, while I was spending the past two weeks with my amazing nieces I was blown away by their beauty inside and out. I looked at both of them and asked- "Do you think you are pretty?" Without hesitation, they both said yes. I then asked- "On a scale of 1 to 100 how pretty are you?" Again, with the same lack of hesitation Macey says "1,000" and Cali says "1,000,000." Props to Sharalyn for raising girls who KNOW how gorgeous they are and aren't afraid to let you know it! These girls are going to be just fine!

Viva Las Vegas!

My mind and body are still on that "just went on a little trip" high that one can only get after ... well, "going on a little trip" and I just wanted to take a second to get all my thoughts out about it before this feeling goes away.... Let me just start out by saying- it was one of the most easy going (kid free) and enjoyable weekends I have had in a long time. I mean, helping Steve clean out the storage unit was fun- but nothing compared to the fun I had this weekend. Although it was a quick trip (9 am Saturday morning until 5 pm Sunday night) the weekend was packed and left me recharged for the upcoming busy months ahead! We made it to Vegas in record time (3 hours!) even with Sharalyn complaining the whole time that she had lost her headband and had to pee. As we arrived in Vegas we were welcomed by wind gust in upwards of 40 mph. Shar was NOT happy. But Co-pilot Janelle (who aslo doubled as weather girl) really sold the "It's always the most windy in the afternoon" like it was nobodys business! Sharalyn was happy with her prediction and we were off to packet pick up and dinner with the 'rents. Nothing like being greeted by your "diabetic drunk" dad who is wandering around the Mandalay Hotel looking for food. Lovely dinner (with no high chairs thank you very much) and we were off to drive the course and then go to bed. Well, Sharalyn was off to bed (thanks to a sleeping pill) - Janelle and I were off to color coordinate the map (we would make Steve proud with how organized we were) and make posters. The alarm goes off at a VERY early 4:15 am and the room was quickly filled with excitment! Sharalyn had everything she needed (including extra ipods, shorts, kleenex, gum, etc....) and we were off to the START line. Things were going like clock work! Steve and Suey (who we renamed Stuey for the sake of time) were enjoying their eggs and toast breakfast at Hooters waiting for our (Janelle and I- not Sharalyn- she was running the marathon) arrival after mile 1. After Elvis sang the National Anthem we were off running to the amazing sight and sounds of fire works for a good 10 minutes. After the first mile we had to say goodbye to her and let her run on her own. I felt like a mama bird waiting for her baby to fly. Even as I write this- reliving that moment- I get teary eyed. She waved goodbye an we made our turn on Tropicana Street to get into the heated car! Lucky us!A little mishap at mile 1 (which I will leave out of the story for the sake of everyone involved) and we got to mile 4 without a blip. Saw Sharalyn who was doing awesome and we quickly constructed our posters into a port-a-potty so she could pee in the middle of Las Vegas Blvd! Off to mile 10 without a problem (thanks to the color coded map) and she was still looking great. Suey had decorated herself in tinsel and caught the eye of a reporter from a local newspaper and was quickly interviewed and finally got the props she has deserved for so long. Mile 15 was just as good as the other two stops and she didn't even look like she had broken a sweat yet. (probably due to the 35 degree weather we were blessed with) At mile 20 there was a look in her eye of determination and heart like I had never seen. She KNEW she was going to do this and she KNEW she was going to accomplish a goal she had set such a long time before. After a few tears and hugs were exchanged it was off for the final 6. Even with her calves being "hard as rocks," her mind was focused and she was running strong! I got the chance to run with her the last 6 miles (just to keep her company) and I have to say it was such an honor! As we rounded the final corner and saw the finish line we saw Stuey and Janelle waving the tinsel and the tears were flowing....I jumped off the course and she was alone running a race that was ALL HERS! She was interviewed by a local newspaper (http://www.lvrj.com/sports/12074846.html) and then we met up with her with hugs and love surrounding! As I watched Sue kneel down and rub her legs I couldn't help but notice the father right next to them who was removing the lower half of his daughters prosthetic legs equally as proud and happy of his little girl! It was such a good day! I am proud of my sister for all that she has accomplished. She is an example to me like no one else. At the Chicago Marathon Sharalyn made me buy a shirt that says "Freakishly Strong." It is a term that she has used to describe me for most of my life but I can say without hesitation- She is the one that should be wearing that shirt today! She is the one who is Freakishly Strong.

Coming soon to a theater near you...

All things PINK! I just wanted to give a little shout to Ayla Alden who will be joining us on April 1st, 2008!! I can say without hesitation, next to having my own child- watching your sibling get ready to become a parent is the next best thing. I am so excited to hold a new little delicious baby girl in my arms, I can hardly stand it. I'm going to try my hardest not to "stop by" unannounced- but I can't promise anything. (I tend to be a little over the top when I get excited for something) I am so happy for the "father and mother to be" it's ridiculous. I have all the faith in the world that they will give this little girl everything she needs and then some. Yea for little girls and all the yummy goodness that comes with them.



Now- who's ready to try for a boy? We need a little blue around here....

Lesson: Life Teacher: Trees

I think of some pretty of the wall things while running. Some things are funny, some strange, and some of my lifes most valuable lessons have been taught to me while running. The teacher today? Trees.I thought I would share. Lesson #1 Picture this: Small-"ish" sized tree planted in the front yard. In weeks past the owners had placed some metal stakes and wires on the bottom half of the tree to keep the tree standing upright and growing strong. Then came the wonderful Santa Anna winds that Simi Valley is known for. The owners have now added some rope on the upper half of the tree and more stakes. This tree isn't going anywhere! Some might see this tree and not think anything of it. I ran by and started crying. (no surprise right) I thought about how similar I am to this tree. When I was young, my parents anchored those metal stakes and wires to me to secure my roots, and make sure I was going to stand up straight and grow strong. Then, there were times that I needed "rope" and more stakes to keep me grounded. My parents always made sure that I was supported in the right ways so that I could grow the best. Some might look at all those ropes and wires and think that they are holding the tree down. I look back at my life and know that those wires and stakes are holding that tree up. Thanks mom and dad. Love you. (I know you read my blog) Lesson #2: Next tree- I saw a huge huge huge tree growing in someone's backyard. The tree was thick and strong. But one of the branches was almost touching the ground. It hadn't snapped or been broken because of the wind- it had grown like this. The leaves and smaller branches that were growing on the outer part of the branch were just too heavy for it to stay upright. It was so weighed down from the leaves and stuff, it was growing and bending downward. Once again, I thought about my life. How often I let drama and negativity weigh my spirit (branches) down. Instead of getting rid of those things and continuing to grow upright- I bend my branch and learn to keep moving with those things weighing me down. Soon, my spirit will be so close to the ground just like this tree branch if I let it. Time to shake those bad feelings, and negativity so I can grow upright and be strong. No need to be weighed down. Life is too short to worry about the small things. I taught a lesson in YW's this last week on Optimism. The hand out that came with the lesson said- "Smile and be happy: There's no reason not to." Oh, how many times I feel like I could make a very good and strong argument with this! But in reality, I have a home, a family, and food to eat. I'm so far ahead of the game!

Gimme Gimme More...

A pencil is the

the epitomy of OPTIMISM...

can you figure out why???

The average pencil is 7 inches long. The eraser is less than 1/2 an inch. Those people at BIC have high hopes for us...

6 Random/Weird Facts about Me

So, here's the deal. I was tagged- I have to write 6 random/weird facts about myself and then at the end, I get to tag other people and then they have to write a blog of their own spilling their weird facts about themselves. I have done something like this on Myspace a while back but I was tagged by Cassaundra and for the sake of being a good sport- I thought I would oblige with a new list:
1. I have OCD when it comes to my shoes being tied. I cannot stand it when they are tied with uneven pressure. I have been known to tie, re-tie, and tie again until it feels just right!
2. Something as simple as getting Kody's clothes in the morning can turn into a full blown cleaning rampage on the closet and next thing you know- I have spent 3 or 4 hours cleaning and organizing every inch of the darn thing. I like things to be neat and tidy and when the mood strikes me to clean it- I cannot walk away until it's finished.
3. I am a CONSTANT worrier about EVERYTHING. I don't know where it came from or when it started but I can think of anything and everything that could go wrong and I will worry until I am sick about it. Sometimes Jared will be running an errand and I will hear a Fire/Police siren and I immediately think he has been in an accident. Heaven help him if he doesn't answer his cell phone after I have heard the siren!
4. I have never scene any Star Wars/Star Trek movies. When Kody and Jared quote them, I have no idea what they are talking about and I couldn't care less about it. Really.
5. I have been known to take credit for some really cute and clever things my sister or Mom have thought of first. (we have all talked about this and we all agree it's okay) Come to think if it- the whole Wright/Jones wedding was my sister/mom's idea but I happened to be their "friend" that was helping with the wedding so I got all the credit. Thanks girls for making me look so good!
6. I love love love any type of jail/court/cop/addiction TV show. I've got em all on my Tivo and watch every one of them! I don't think this is that strange or weird but when our friends are over and they see my Recorded Shows List they all laugh at me for some reason. Who doesn't love to see some WT lady with no teeth being booked for a DUI and try and hit/bite/kick the officer? I LOVE that sort of thing!!

Okay- so now it's my turn to tag 3 people. Or was it 6 people? I can't remember and I'm too lazy to go back and check her page so I am going to tag 6 people because it's more fun that way.
I tag: Sharalyn, Janelle, Robbie, Megan Hambly, GingerD, Jenn. (But, for those of you that have already done this on Myspace- you have to come up with NEW things to add to your list!) Let the weirdness begin!