To Everything...

"If you Give a Mouse a Cookie, He's going to ask for a glass of milk.
When you give him the glass of milk, he'll probably ask you for a straw." - Laura Joffe Numeroff

While we love all of Numeroff's books, I can't help but reflect on how my children are like the mouse, pig & moose. This week we have enjoyed wonderful spring weather. I've felt a need to be outside, enjoying the 'lamb' days of March. Yet, at the same time I have struggled with balance.

If I were to write a book about Max, it would go a little something like this:
If you take a Max to the park, he's going to ask you to push him on the swing.
When you push him on the swing (for 30 minutes) he'll want to get off the swing and roll down the hill (with Mommy). Once he rolls down the hill, and Mommy feels nauseous, he'll want to do it again (with Mommy) and again. When he rolls over a rock, he'll probably want to stop rolling and start sliding. When he climbs UP the slide and is very proud of himself, he will want you to clap for him (which you gladly do because you are so proud). When he slides down the slide, it reminds him of how he loved rolling down the hill, and he'll want to do that again (now that his head is better) with you. When you tell him you can't roll down the hill again (for fear you may loose your lunch) he cries and cries. To make him feel better, you push in on the swing. After he swings for awhile, he'll want to go down the slide. When you tell him it's time to go (because you have to pick up Rosie from Preschool) he’ll be very mad and will try and run away. When you run after him, he’ll think it's a fun game and will run around the park. Finally you will stop him on the top of the hill, where he will gladly roll down again.

The same could be said about each of our children. I love having fun with them. I hate telling them the fun must end. Frustrated by all the tears when a particularly fun day had to end, I turned to Nana. "Am I not spending enough time with them Mom?" I asked. "No!" she replied. "That’s just the nature of children. They don't understand balance" she explained. "It's up to you to teach them that there is a time for everything."

I think she's right. But, when I explain to them about time, will they then want a new watch to go with it? Just wondering.

I'm RICH!

Inspiration lead our Primary to create Family Temple Time Capsules.
What is this you may ask? A time capsule made out of a food storage can filled with family photos, special mementos, letters, fact forms, current event lists, etc. These cans were filled and sealed on March 10th, not to be opened for 10 years. Our capsule has been placed high on a food storage shelf, waiting to be re-discovered (I know time will fly).

One requirement of each family was to collect letters from older relatives (grandparents, great-grandparents) to be read in ten years. Our children have 5 living great-grandparents, of whom I received letters from. Looking at the letters, I realized one very important thing: I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A RICH HERITAGE. Growing up, I was closely nurtured and taught by 2 sets of loving Grandparents. My beautiful Grandmothers (Rosie & Louise) trained me in the ways of being a Lady. At the same time, my Grandfathers (Paul & Stan) loved to have fun and graced us with their wisdom in most things. Kelly was also blessed with loving Grandparents, all but one have passed from this life. When I received each precious letter, I knew great wisdom would be imparted to my children and I felt their abundant love seeping from the sealed envelopes.

Warm tears streamed down my face as I drove to this activity. The knowledge of their mortality has never been more clear. The guilt of taking these precious times granted, immense. I promised myself to enjoy the twilight of their lives more fully. I'm very lucky to have these wise spirits pave the way for me. My children are beyond blessed to have come to love, and be loved by so many 'GREATS'!

A Constant

One thing in my life has been certain:

I have always been blessed with wonderful friends.

As a child, those friends were three little brothers and a blond haired girl cousin named Romney. Luckily, those early relationships have matured into life long friendships.

In school, there were many friends at times and just a few at other times but, there were always fun times in those days! One friend stands out amongst the crowd of childhood playmates. The first to visit me during my 3 week stay in the hospital at age 11 (thats another post), the girl who passed notes from me to my 9th grade crush Ted, the one who got her driver's licenese first & with it came a CAR sophomore year, the first shoulder I cried on over a dumb high school boy, who's Mother felt like my Mother, the girl I introduced to her future husband, the one who watched me mature and fall in love with a boy named Kelly,.......the list goes on and on. Brenda is a friend who is more my Sister.

San Francisco's treat to us was forever friends. Some who were more than twice my age! Women who jumped in to be my Mother, turned out to be my closest friends, still. It was there that I met Phoebe. A beautiful, stylish pregnant girl in water aerobics. We became instant friends and I have loved her ever since. Time, Miles and Babies have not come between our friendship. I relish in her style, wisdom and humor and wish we lived closer. She has taught me in the ways of being a good friend.

Back in Salt Lake, I turned to friends to help see me through my days as a new mom/apartment manager/residents wife. There I met a pretty red-head, also pregnant. Beth's practicality and kindness became a life saver to me during hard times. Hearts were shared, and I appreciate her candour and advice still. She has watched me raise our 3 babies, and I her. She is a source of encouragement to me I can always count on. Happy Birthday Beth!

Now in present days, I am surrounded by wonderful friends who I have learned so much from. I feel blessed to be among them. They have selflessly gave of their time to me and have made me feel so loved here. As this post is getting lengthy, I will have to save my ramblings on this subject for another post.

Thursday I will be reunited with my Phoebs. She has not come to visit for 2 long years. We have much to talk about, shop for, beautify and laugh over. Time will fly by, I must make the most of it. So, with that, I sign off for a few days, fly under the radar so to speak, to enjoy one of my lives constants.....a close girlfriend!

Say It Ain't So!

Exhibit 1-

Exhibit 2-
Exhibit 3-

Exhibit 4 (a,b,c)
a-

b-

c-

Last week I received some NEWS, of the big kind. Big enough that is, that multiple people called, e-mailed or stopped me at the grocery store to tell me or to get my reaction. Here's the scoop:

OUR VERY DARLING NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL IS GOING FROM A YEAR ROUND SCHEDULE TO A TRADITIONAL SCHEDULE IN THE FALL.

I know it doesn't seem like that big of deal but I happen to LOVE year round. Which is really quite amazing for because we almost didn't move into our home based on the fact that it was a year-round neighborhood school. Thankfully, we gave it a try and it has turned out to be so much fun.

The other funny thing is that I am one of the only if not the only person I know who is SAD about it! I just don't get it. Having more breaks during the year has so many advantages:

Exhibit 1- Going to Disneyland during September.

Exhibit 2- Meeting up with 'Best Best' for a fall friend fest (in the lovely Boise Idaho)

Exhibit 3- Skiing in the middle of the week.

Exhibit 4 (a,b,c,) Flying south for a warm winter get-a-way (our most recent adventure!).

These would not be as do able without the perks of year round. Now, it must be said, it's not perfect! Going to school in June is AWFUL! I hated it! And our summer did feel a little short. But, all in all, my vote is for year round school......not that it counts for much!

Party Time!

So, I was looking for something for Lizzy and I to do while she was off track, and came up with this:

Let's Learn How to Plan A Party!

We first needed a THEME (I just don't know how to plan a successful party without one!)

We all agreed that "Cele-bake" Valentines Day would be the most fun.

Next, we learned how to create a guest list & make invitations.

This was hard because Lizzy wanted to invite EVERYONE.

So, to make it easier on her, I limited it to those who went to her school,

and who were also out for Valentines Day.

Then there was Decorations to be made and
APRONS to sew,

(thanks to my neighborhood apron exchange,

I already had the perfect apron for the occasion).....

And fun to be had!

Was this an educational experience for Lizzy? Maybe a little bit.

Was it fun and memorable? Definitely!

Would I do it again? Yep. In a heart-beat!

Little Things

It's the little things that make me love this child so so much. The fact she always takes Lucy Sofia (her bitty baby) to Costco, wrapped up with several blankets, a bottle, a burp cloth, a few toys and a snack. Rosie proudly pushes her pride and joy up and down every isle, in the coolest baby buggie ever (thank you Pottery Barn Kids and Nana). Many People stop and comment at how darling the whole affair is, we so agree.

The fact that during family game night she enjoys setting the pins up more than playing, and is the first to jump up and down cheering when we have bowled a STRIKE!

She is the first on the scene when someone needs help, the easiest girl to entertain and is the saddest to go to bed each night. As Kelly and I lay in bed, I recount the day play by play to him, it seems we both have a Rosie story to share and we congratulate ourselves for producing our "middle" child, who seems anything but forgotton.

Twist of Fate

Kelly: I want to take the kids sledding today!

Sarah: Awesome! I'll stay home and get "Things Done"

Kelly: O.K., but are you sure you don't want to come?

Sarah: YEP! Have Fun!

Picture it:

We get all three children dressed and bundled from head to toe, they are getting in the car, I am in the kitchen preparing to "get stuff done" when I hear.....

Kelly: AHHHHHHHHH!! CRAP!!

I run to the garage and see Kelly grabbing his nose while blood is streaming down his face.

Kelly: I think I'm going to need stitches!

Lizzy: DOES THAT MEAN WE CAN'T GO SLEDDING??

In my mind I hear the theme song from Indiana Jones........

Sarah: Don't worry Lizzy....Mom will take you while Dad goes and doctors himself up!

And The Crowd Goes Wild!

In the end, I think I had the most fun sledding! I don't know what I was thinking wanting to stay home. It was much more rewarding watching my girls shred the sledding hill and cuddle with Max as we went "Fater" (Faster) down the hill. Of course our super hero Dad joined us at the end, band aide and all. It was Time Well Spent! I love January!