THANKFUL HEART

I've been feeling kind of down the past few months. It's been a difficult time. This past week has been better, like I'm coming out of a fog and into the bright warm sunshine. Today at church I was reminded of the many wonderful things that are around me.

For starters, these 3 are the joy of my life. I'm grateful for a son who honors his priesthood and is a great example to me. Today is Fast Sunday because next week is our stake conference. He didn't want to fast but decided on his own he was going to anyway. By the time I woke up this morning, he was completely ready to go collect fast offerings. Every Deacon in our ward (16 total) came this morning to collect fast offerings. When he came home, I found him sorting his money getting ready to pay his tithing. He touched my heart today and made me thankful to be his mom.

I am grateful to be married to a man who is my best friend.

I am grateful for a kind neighbor who came to help us shovel mulch into our yard. Daren, Tanner, me and even little Camille and Abby helped shovel. We were all so grateful for the help and kindness. I am so grateful for our ward family.

At the 6th grade graduation this week, the principal said, (I guess she says this everyday to the kids on the announcements) "Make it a great day or not, the choice is yours." This phrase has been on my mind this week and I am learning that when I have gratitude in my heart, my outlook on life seems brighter.

A few years ago, a friend of mine gave me this poem. I have treasured it through the years.

I am thankful.....

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes, because it means she/he is at home, not on the streets...

For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed ...

For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends...

For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat...

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home...

For all the complaining I hear about the Government, because it means we have freedom of speech...

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking, and that I have been blessed with transportation...

For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm...

For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear...

For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear...

For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard and using those limbs...

And finally....

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning, because it means that I am alive.

LAST DAY

Today is the last day of school. It is the last day of elementary school for Tanner. It is the last day that I will have all 3 of my kids at the same school. It is the last day of having a kindergartner. Makes me a little melancholy.
Camille was very sad to leave Ms. Jones. She has LOVED having Ms. Jones as her teacher this year. Abby is hoping to have Ms. Jones for first grade next year.

Tanner had a wonderful teacher this year, Ms. Steinberg. He said she was his favorite teacher. She made this year great for him and she is a terrific teacher! Thanks to her I know he is well prepared for 7th grade.

Abby was in tears when we left the school today. She has loved kindergarten and has loved Mrs. Ericson. Camille had Mrs. Ericson last year and we were lucky to have her as Abby's teacher this year.

Now it's time to start enjoying the summer. I am really looking forward to having fun with the kids this summer. Although, I am sure 2 weeks from now I'll be wondering when school will start again!

THE MAMA TEST

I received this e-mail today and thought it was funny.

I was out walking with my 4-year-old daughter. She picked up something off of the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that.

Why? my daughter asked. Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty, and probably has germs I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, Mama, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart. I was thinking quickly. All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mama Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mama. We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information.

Oh.....I get it, she beamed. So if you don't pass the test you have to be the dad!

Exactly, I replied with a big smile on my face.

MY STAR

This past week Tanner advanced to the rank of Star in The Boy Scouts of America. (Actually, he earned this rank in February but was invited to go to a Jazz game and sit in a suite so he missed the Court of Honor.) He also earned 5 merit badges - Swimming, First Aid, Citizenship in the World, Art and Communications. This brings him to a total of 10 merit badges.

He also has started a lawn business. He currently mows 3 lawns (well 4 if you count ours - but mama don't pay) and he waters trees for a lady who has an acre lot with fruit trees. He saves half of his money for his mission and college. He will also be paying for half of scout camp. He is turning into a good worker and I am very proud of the young man he is becoming.

SUSHI DINNER

What is up with my kids? They all LOVE Sushi!


Daren and I....not so much.


We decided to go out to dinner last night and asked the kids where they wanted to go.

In unison, HIBACHI HOUSE!!

It cracks me up that Camille, who refuses to eat potatoes, any vegetables, etc. loves Sushi. Tanner, on the other hand, will eat ANYTHING. Last time we went to get Sushi he had eel, avocado and cucumber Sushi. Even little Abby loved her shrimp Sushi.

SOCCER VS. DISNEYLAND

Abby's Soccer Team (middle)

Abby had her last soccer game on Saturday. I still cannot comprehend how much this girl LOVES soccer! I have asked her SEVERAL times during the soccer season:

Would you rather play in your soccer game or go to Disneyland?

Everytime the answer is SOCCER. And, I just want to scream because I LOVE Disneyland and I can't believe I have a child who loves soccer more. Abby enjoys Disneyland but soccer is top dog right now and it is driving me NUTS! I guess the apple fell from the tree and rolled way down the hill because I can't imagine any child of mine choosing soccer over Disneyland.

WEEKEND

Driving to the salon:

Camille: I am SO excited. I have waited my whole life to get a pedi. I can't believe this! How much longer until we are there? I am SO excited!!

We had so much fun getting 'Manis & Pedis' this weekend. After the salon we went to Zupas and then came home to watch their favorite movie - The Sound of Music.

Abby picked off all of the nail polish on her fingers because she said when it dried, it was too tight on her fingers. I was not happy about that!

ROCKET MAN

On Friday, Tanner and some of the other 6th graders made rockets to launch at school. Tanner's rocket was already on the launch pad when I arrived. It flew the 2nd highest in his group. It went so high that it landed over the fence from the school. Tanner went into the field to find it but since there was a lot of brush, it was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. He was quite bummed that he couldn't find it because he had purchased an extra motor to fly it again!

Good job on making such a great rocket!

Tanner's rocket is on the gray and orange one on the right

Also earlier this week, I checked these 3 out of school and took them out to lunch. Tanner has such great friends and I am so grateful for these wonderful young men!

FUN RUN

Congratulations to Abby!
This week at school the entire school competed in a Walk-A-Thon. I kept calling it a Fun Run to which my kids have corrected me a MILLION times. Anyway, awards were given to the boys & girls who ran the most laps for their grade. Abby won 1st Place for the kindergarten girls with 14 laps. That is almost 3 MILES! 5 laps equals 1 mile, so she was just a little shy of 3 miles. I CANNOT believe she ran that much! Camille and Tanner did very well too. Camille ran 19 laps, which is just under 4 miles and Tanner ran 32 laps which is almost 6 1/2 miles. I am so proud of all 3 of them. They all did an awesome job!

Abby running and running

AWESOME GIFT

This cute guy gave me an awesome Mother's Day present.

He bought 3 gift certificates -one for me and 2 for these beautiful girls to get pedicures.

The girl on the left asks me daily if today is the day we are going to get "Mani's and Pedi's." (Where she has heard that phrase is unknown to me - it's not like I walk around the house talking about mani's and pedi's.) Our ward has a Father's & Son's campout coming up so we will get our "Pedi" when the boys are camping.

Thanks Daren for an AWESOME GIFT!

5 THINGS

1. TODAY Daren planted our garden. He even went and bought me several different types of tomatoes, which are my favorite! I love this time of year when we can plant our garden. Daren plants one mean garden! He learned to garden from one of the best, his grandfather who was an amazing gardener. Each year and our garden gets better and better!

Apparently word got out of the planting and he had LOTS of helpers!

2. All TULIPS are in full bloom in my yard. They are my favorite flower and I LOVE them!

3. TODAY my grandmother would have turned 100 years old. I don't have a picture to post because the "Scanner" (the cute guy out in the garden) is busy, so no picture. However, she is special to me and Camille bears her middle name. She made the BEST chocolate chip cookies I have EVER had. I'm thinking about her today and she is loved and missed.

4. THE UTE trailer is back in the 'hood' after a few month hiatus. In a way, I'm glad to have it back because it gives me time to think of how it will be re-decorated in the fall. Suggestions are welcome. Don't know where it's been but we woke up this morning to this across the street:

5. What is cuter than a springtime lemonade stand? How adorable are these 3?

A VERY KIND neighbor paid $10 for a cup of lemonade and told them to keep the change for their "Tip." Thanks for making 3 little girls really happy today!

LIFE IS GOOD!

POTS

For an early Mother's Day gift, my wonderful husband bought me these beautiful pots for our front yard. I have been wanting BIG flower pots for a LONG time!

Thanks Daren - I LOVE THEM & YOU TOO!

BAD HAIR DAY

Did you hear weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth coming from my house this morning? If you heard strange noises it was probably Camille crying, screaming and carrying on about her hair.

She is growing her hair out for Locks of Love www.locksoflove.org and is only an inch or two away from her goal. In the meantime, she only wants her hair done 1 way - straight and in a headband. I get tired of her coming home from school with her hair in a headband and looking stringy. So we came up with a solution. She chooses 1 day how she wants her hair and I choose the next day how I want her hair. As you can see, today was not her day to choose!

Camille: I look weird!

Me: No you don't - you look cute.

Camille: I don't want to look cute! Babies look cute and I am NOT a baby!

Me: Well, I think you look really pretty today.

Camille: I do not look pretty. I look like I have ropes in my hair and I am NOT going to school!

Me: Get your backpack....let's go to school.

Camille: When I am a mommy I will NEVER EVER make my little girls have braids, ponies, piggies, or curly hair (a spoiled baby hair-do as she calls it.)

Me: Well the good news is that tomorrow is your day to choose how you want your hair.

Camille: Straight and in a headband!

I really admire her dedication to grow her hair out for another child even though she HATES having long hair. She's getting close!!