Thursday, July 19, 2012

Swimming at Grandmas'

 We were invited to my cousins' Grandmas' house yesterday to swim in their pool.  It was so nice to have the pool to ourselves and be selfish and not share.  It's one of those things that I enjoy and do well, that not sharing part :)  There isn't much to add to these pictures other than maybe who is in them.  I do want to note that I did jump into the pool (3 times exactly) for the first time since I was in Jr. High. I forgot how much fun it is. Plus, when I teamed up with Jessie we totally splashed the boys ;)  We all had a ton of fun!!  I was also reminded that I am not young anymore and am totally feeling all that jumping today.

All the boys...Kelton, Taylor, Chase, James, Seth, Jackson

James, Chase, and Jackson

Kelton chilaxin'

Kelton and Seth relaxing by the diving board during one of the few moments it was not being used.

Chase as he enters the water.  Not the best picture but I thought it was fun seeing him just as he enters.

Seth..."I am not a crook" (Richard Nixon) jump :) Seth didn't say that, it's just what it reminded me of.

Jackson jumping in...kind of has a nice Karate Kid look going.

Chase jumping off the diving board...I can't even imagine what it felt like to land on his knees like that.  To be young again :)

Taylor catching some good air and doing a nice karate kick.  He also did a nice belly flop that has his tummy still hurting today.

Kelton catching enough air to pose as the "thinking man" before he straightened out to glide into the water.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Porch Sitting

One of my most favorite things during any weather, but snow, is sitting out front on my porch with a cold drink and visiting with family and friends. This is the first home that we have had where we couldn't sit out in a yard and have a place to visit.  These last few days with thunder storms reminded me of our last home we had in Tooele. We had a great covered front porch that we could sit out on and watch it rain.  We had a few good thunder storms where we sat out and watched the lightning and listened to the thunder. For us, that was so relaxing after a long day at work and it gave Kenny and I much needed time together to just enjoy being together.

It's kind of funny that I am thinking of this now and had just been telling my boys that this is one of the things that I remember most from my childhood.  We would go spend our Saturdays at my Aunt and Uncles house.  Our parents would sit out front under the tree in my Uncle Joe's yard and visit.  There was always a pitcher of tea sitting in the sun for my Aunt Joan. Joe usually had a beer. I have no idea what my parents drank while there but it was probably soda.  My cousins, my sister and I would run wild and play all day.  I remember those days so vividly that it could have been yesterday that we were all together.

Having that family time is something that I wish my boys could enjoy and have in their lives.  It is one of the few things from my childhood that I haven't been able to pass down to them.  We have family time for just the four of us but not with their cousins or Aunts and Uncles.  We are all so busy now that one of those bonding and sharing times that were so important to the generations before us is now almost gone.  I hope that once we are settled in Grantsville and around their cousin's we can somehow make the time to just spend time together and visit.  Those times with my family didn't always mean that anything important was discussed, it was just time together to share how things had gone that week and to basically sit around and bull shit (sorry, but that's just what it was/is). Even if it isn't time spent with our family, we have many good friends out there that are like family that I would love to share that time with.  


Here's to getting back to a simple life and bringing back one of the most basic things in life; making time for your family and friends and spending that time doing something other than watching T.V. or texting!

Saturday, July 14, 2012

The Tiger's Curse


My cousin Jessie bought this first book thinking it might be a good read for her son. After really looking over the description of the book, she thought that he might not enjoy it and that it might not really be for a 10 year old boy.  Now that I have read it, I agree with her.  I however have loved reading every minute of it and have fallen in love with the author Colleen Houck.  You fall in love with the characters right from the start and get sucked into their story.  The way that Kelsey meets Ren is so unique from most of the other books that I have read.  There is an instant connection between Kelsey and Ren and is one that I can relate to because that is how I felt when I first met Kenny.  Kelsey soon learns that her tiger is more than he seems and is soon swept up in helping him solve the riddle to remove a curse from him. I love the images that are described of India and of the culture.  I also love the details described of the outfits that Ren picks out for Kelsey.  Of course there are going to be parts that I don't like, but it's so easy to overlook them when the story is moving so fast.


 Tiger's Quest is the second in the series and keeps the adventure moving forward and you meet Ren's brother Kishan.  They also accomplish another part of the equation to move closer to breaking the curse that is on the brothers that makes them be tigers for so many hours per day.  It also adds in a new twist where both brothers are now in love with Kelsey.  It almost add a Twilight feel to the book.  I know that this author has Stephanie Meyer as one of her role models.  You see the connection in that one of the brothers is more controlling and overprotective and one just loves Kelsey for who she is and doesn't expect her to change anything to be with him.  As this book moves forward the challenges become more intense and pull you through the book. The challenge isn't just more challenging but takes longer and more creativity as well as putting Kelsey and Kashon in a situation where they get to know each other better.


In this third book, the emotions and relationships get as complicated as the quest that they are on. Kelsey has to make her decision as to which brother she wants to be with and doesn't want to make it because she doesn't want to hurt the one not chosen (I'm seeing a definite correlation here to Jacob and Edward, just saying).  The obstacles that they have to overcome for this part of the adventure are more dangerous and take longer than the ones before.  There is so much imagery and history in all of these books that it is hard to take it all in, that or I just read to fast to truly enjoy all of it.  I love how in each book there is so much added to the story by adding in mythology from many different cultures.  So many stories run within this one series. They each build on the one before and I have learned so much as I have read about not just the Indian culture and their stories but many of the Greek and Eastern Countries as well.

All three books pulled me through so fast and I enjoyed the adventure so much. Each came with a mythical weapon and help from so many characters from so many mythical stories.  I know I said it has that whole Twilight feel to it, but that only is part of the relationship drama, past that there are no other similarities. The complexities of this story are so diverse and keep you wanting more.  I would definitely recommend these to anyone who wants a good adventure story with passion and romance (clean romance which is nice for a change).  I can't wait for the next book to come out in November!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

Ducati's and Dingy's

I'm reading a book right now where the lead character doesn't know what a Ducati is.  How does someone not know what that is?  Okay, maybe it's not that obvious that it is one of the supreme motorcycles out there.  Kenny would love one and is very jealous of my cousin's "very sexy redhead".  My cousin just got his baby, a beautiful red Ducati.
Kennys dream "red head"
There was just something about thinking about my husbands dream bike and then thinking of some of the things that I dream of and it just made me realize how high I have my sights set.  I really shouldn't think of things that are so far out of reach.  Some of those things are just normal things that most everyone has and others are out there with the Ducati.

My dream car is this:

Reality:

Still a very nice car, but no Mercedes :) However, I was told that when you pull up in this car you can look very bad ass!  I'll take that.

I'm sure we all have those moments where we just dream so big that it feels like we are falling short of even reaching the basics.  There are days when my family feels more like this:

Honestly...take out the beer and cigarettes and it really is like this :)


When in reality we really are closer to normal but not quit like this:
Could you just imagine Kenny in a bow tie? hee hee :)

One of the things that I always think of is that we are all in the same boat, relatively speaking.  Some of us get to cruise around in this:


While others are blessed with this:


 For the most part, I think most of us are somewhere in the middle. I know the trick is being happy with what we have and I am truly happy with my family and the many cars that we have owned (except for the 2 minivans, did not like those).  I love having dreams and goals to reach. I love that we all have fun together as a family and it doesn't take lots of money or proving anything to anyone.  We just can love each other and enjoy.  But, there are those times when it would just be nice to pull up in that Mercedes (Maybe at Lego Land).  

I guess my point in all of this is that we all need that moment to take a step back and take inventory of where we are at and what we have.  That moment came for me and I have to say that I am really happy with what I see.  I may not be super mom with the chocolate cake (at least not everyday) and I might not get to pull up in my little 2 seat-er sports car but I do have an amazing family that I get to spend everyday with bobbing around through this life.

Monday, July 9, 2012

New Blog

This may not be new to many of you and I have been using many of the suggestions and recipes on this blog for a while, but I just added it to my list of blogs and wanted to share how amazing this woman is.  So far, all of the things on this blog that I have tried have worked wonderful and has made me excited to do laundry, has saved some of my clothes from being thrown out (which has saved me money, always a good thing) and even made me excited to try the cleaning suggestions.  I just got done going over some of the suggestions and can't wait to go scrub my bathroom, of all things!

I know that "One good thing by Jillee" is already very successful and I'm proud to help further that success by maybe adding one more reader.  She is wonderful and puts so much work into her blog.  If you don't already know about her blog, please check it out.

http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/

Story From Church

While I was at church yesterday, one of the speakers shared this story.  It really touched me and is a story that I don't want to forget.  I'm sharing it here, not only for all to read, but so that I can have it easily accessible or myself so that I can turn to it when I need a reminder of what our Savior has, and is, willing to do or all of us.


The Room – Story about what Jesus does with our Sins

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for one wall covered with small index card files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings.
As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read “People I Have Liked.” I opened it and began flipping cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.
And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match.
A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named “Friends” was next to one marked “Friends I have Betrayed.”
The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. “Books I Have Read,” “Lies I Have Told,” “Comfort I Have Given,” “Jokes I Have Laughed At.” Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: “Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers.” Others I couldn’t laugh at: “Things I Have Done in My Anger,” “Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents.” I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.
I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my short life to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my own signature.
When I came to a file marked “Lustful Thoughts,” I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.
An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them! In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards.
But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it.
Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore “People I Have Shared the Gospel With.” The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than 3 inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.
And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.
But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?
Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.
Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.
“No!” I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was “No, no,” as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.
He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, “It is finished.”
I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.


Read more at Story : The Room – Jesus and Our Sins 

Above is the link where I was able to find the story but I just looked for the story, past that I didn't look at the website.  Just so you all know.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Parking Lots

There are so many other things for me to blog about and to catch up on.  We have been working on putting in a bathroom in my Mother-in-Law's basement so we can move in to her home in a month and I have pictures and memories from Fathers Day.  It will come this week, but for now I have another, actually pointless, thought to share.

While leaving Walmart the other day I had the most random thought.  How many people leave the store and can't remember where they parked? It made me wonder what it was like during the days of horse and wagon.  I know people who have not just lost their car but have gone to the wrong car.  One instance, the person got into the wrong car and drove off before realizing they had the wrong car and returned it.

So, did anyone lose their horse and wagon? Did anyone ever load up and drive off with the wrong rig? I know the horses were branded but it was a horse...not like today where we have different styles and brands. Does anyone ever wonder about these things? 

Better yet, what about when cars first were introduced...did anyone ever jump into the wrong model T? It's not like there was much difference between those early cars.

Welcome through my trap door :)
Just a random thought for the day. Hope everyone has a good day.