Wednesday, February 29, 2012
not-so-favorite parent
My children love their dad! A lot! I am pretty sure he is their favorite. I don't know if this is because he's not always home or if he's just a lot nicer than me (probably both). I try not to think about why and just enjoy the fringe benefits.
You see, not being the favorite gets me out of work. When they were younger, they would wake up Kevin if they threw up during the night. I could say, "I'd do it but the kids really want you" and then roll over and go back to sleep leaving Kevin to deal with it.
Now, they want him to be the one to drive carpool if he's available. Gee. Golly. Gosh darn. "I really, really wanted to face the awful parking lot traffic and fill my car with noisy kids but they want you, dear." Fake heavy sigh, push Kevin out the door and then pick up my book. Ahhhh....
That is why when Kevin made homemade WHITE bread (I only allow wheat which the children do NOT prefer) this week in a not-so-subtle attempt to curry favor with the kids (?), I just smiled and went along with it. Whatever, dear...enjoy that next 2 am vomit clean-up!
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
it's that time again
Menu:
Taco Bar
- hard shell corn tortillas
- soft shell flour tortillas (cooked on the scene)
- hamburger taco meat
- chicken
- black beans
- refried beans
- rice
- tortilla chips
- lettuce
- cheese
- tomatoes
- olives
- corn
- salsa
- sour cream
- guacamole
Desserts:
- orange zest cookies
- peanut butter bars
- red velvet cream cheese brownies
- strawberries and angel food cake on skewers (drizzled w/chocolate)
- chocolate chocolate chip bundt cake
- marble bundt cake
Drinks:
- water
- cucumber limeade punch
Monday, February 27, 2012
Pinterest projects
- chicken-lime-avocado soup - I liked a lot, Shanley and Chandler thought it was okay, McKayla didn't like, Kevin wasn't home to try it
- Weight Watchers type Butterfinger pie - Kevin really liked and I thought it was okay
- burlap wreath - love it!
- St. Patrick's Day subway art - cute
- McKayla did newsprint fingernails - cute
- easy crockpot chicken for burritos - okay
- cookie dough dip - yum! (though name is a misnomer - s/b choc chip cheesecake dip)
- crockpot Ranch pork chops and potatoes - yum
- moldable ice bag - worked great and I've enjoyed using it on my still sore hip
Sunday, February 26, 2012
At times, I have found this difficult because my children are so much MORE than I ever was/will be. They are:
- MORE spiritual
- MORE popular
- MORE athletic
- etc
One of the best ways I have found to not live my life through them and their achievements is to not always be a spectator in their lives. Not that I'm not always on the sidelines cheering them on, just that I try to not let my life be ONLY a spectator sport. I try to live. I try to have my own growth/goals/achievements/activities/successes. I like being able to have something to share with my children about what happened in my day as well as listening to what happened in theirs.
I hope this has helped me in the parenting department. I also hope, as I watch my children get older, that it helps me deal with everything when I become an empty-nester. I can honestly say I am not really looking forward to that stage of life. However, since it is inevitable (well, maybe not, due to Alec) I hope I am prepared for life after kids.
I'm probably thinking about this right now because a week ago I stayed with my cousins. They are the exact ages of Kevin and I, have 4 children, and are already empty-nesters. Time flies. Thank goodness I still have at least 8 more years!
Saturday, February 25, 2012
currently
Feeling - sleepy and hungry
Thinking - about the meal I have to prepare to serve 80 teachers next week
Wishing - there was something exciting going on/planned
Missing - my parents. I'm glad they'll be home soon (2 weeks)
Friday, February 24, 2012
dance pics
Thursday, February 23, 2012
funny kids
Chandler: "Apparently."
________________________________________________________________________
Alec: "Phew. It smells like llama!"
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
a little pathetic
Believe it or not, this will be my very first ever midnight opening day movie. Don't get me wrong. I am not so pathetic that I've never been to a midnight movie. When I was in college, I loved to attend the midnight movies. Now, it's a different story. I like to be sound asleep at midnight. Even on weekends. Pathetic, right? I'm just too old and tired for that. And, I've never wanted to see a movie badly enough to go to the very first showing. Until now. I really want to see this one!
Still, I don't know if I would have gone for it if it weren't for one thing -- McKayla asked me to go with her. Yep! Great movie that I'm really looking forward to and I get to go with one of my favorite people - my daughter.
Can't wait!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Simplot Games
Both our mens' and womens' 4x400 relay teams made the finals. The girls placed 6th overall. The boys suffered a sad break. They ran the first 2 legs in record-setting time. The 2nd runner took 2 seconds off his previous best time. Then 150m into the 3rd runner's time, he got cut off and tripped up and went down. Hard. He got back up and finished running and they ended up 4th overall. I think it's amazing they could place 4th with a fall but they were all so bummed about not getting 1st and the record.
Three individuals made the finals as well. Cole Lambourne not only qualified for the 400m final but won it! That was awesome! Courtney Paddock qualified for the 200m final and I'm not sure how she did overall. McKayla qualified for the 1600m final and finished 14th overall. It was a PR for her with a time of 5:25:35. She was happy with that! Actually she PR'd in both races. In the qualifier, she had a PR of 5:26 and then in the finals 2 days later she took another second off that. Her previous best was 5:31. McKayla is the one in all black.
Monday, February 20, 2012
sorry gals, he's MINE!
He got me a dozen beautiful red roses and a bag of Lindt milk chocolate truffles.
That alone would have made my day. However, he didn't leave it at that! I found gift certificates all over the place. He left a gift certificate for a pedicure inside my running shoes. He left one for a hotel get-away on my pillow. I got certificates for a day to do nothing but read, one night of him doing the cooking, dishes and clean-up, and one-hour of foot massage.
It was a lot of fun finding the certificates throughout the day. I seriously have the very best husband!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Pinterest Projects
*Cinnamon chicken - nah. It was okay but was nothing special so that pin got deleted.
*Lasagna soup - yum! Definite keeper!
*Dr. Oz' Weight-o-rade - jury is still out. It boasts to speed your metabolism by 12%
*Chicken bacon alfredo - yum! Definite keeper! So, so good!
*Homemade Frosty's - my kids have been on a Frosty kick lately and they loved the homemade ones
*Breakfast cookies - super healthy. Kevin & I liked but the kids wouldn't eat so I'll probably delete this pin
Saturday, February 18, 2012
insane
Can everyone just say "freaking long nap tomorrow"?
At the very least I can dream....
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Merriam-Webster
blog-block (n) - inability to come up with anything interesting, funny, or insightful to blog about (i.e. Today I suffer from blog-block.)
Monday, February 13, 2012
what was I thinking?
Sometimes I really don't know what I was thinking. Like when I signed up to do a marathon this year. Really? What was I thinking?
It's not that I don't like to run. I do. It's just that marathon-training takes up a whole heckuva lot of time. Way too much time. To quote my cousin, "Running is running my life!" And it's not like I haven't already crossed "run a marathon" off my bucket list. So, what was I thinking? I think the answer is usually that I wasn't thinking.
Please, please, please remind me to never do another marathon. Ever! Half-marathons - okay. Full marathons - NO! Don't let me lose my head again and sign up for another one. Please. I'm begging you. Do my thinking for me.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Sweetheart's Dance
McKayla said her group of 6 just hung out together talking and laughing and really enjoying each other's company.
L-R: McKayla, Jesse VanValkenburg, Clay Lambourne, Val Ashley, Reed Dudley, and Kaitlyn. This was the first time I'd met her date, Jesse, but he seemed very nice and friendly. He was also very enthusiastic when I asked if the dance had been fun. McKayla is very good friends with the other two guys (in fact, both were at our home Friday night) and the one in black was her date to Boys' Pref. Clay, Reed, and McKayla hang out in the same group and are together nearly every Friday and Saturday night - probably why she felt so comfortable all night.
Pinterest-obsessed
A few weeks ago I finally requested an invite and got all signed-up. Now, I've become a monster!
The list of Pinterest-inspired projects/recipes/etc for just this week alone:
*made a drip-catcher for my 5-gallon cooler out of a 2-liter soda bottle
*made Red Velvet cheesecake brownies
*used a slit toilet paper roll (empty) to hold wrapping paper in place
*made Tikka Massala (family liked)
*made Honey Sesame Chicken (recipe is now deleted)
*made pizza grilled cheese sandwiches (kids will probably make for selves when I'm not cooking)
*made "52 Reasons I Love You" deck of cards for the hubs
*made punch for Chandler's birthday (I have a better recipe I'll stick with)
*made Dr. Oz' sleep smoothie for 4 nights in a row to see if it worked (didn't - I'm still not sleeping)
*bought tic-tacs so I can use the container to hold bobby pins
*made my daughters a ruffled skirt out of old t-shirts ($4 for cute skirt)
*made crockpot breakfast casserole
*made peanut butter truffle brownies (for a party tonight - haven't sampled yet)
*made Snickers popcorn for my sisters-in-law
*and will probably make orange zest cookies for the party tonight as well
Can you say "OUT OF CONTROL?"
Friday, February 10, 2012
embarrassing moment
We've all had our share of embarrassing moments. I sometimes think I've had more than my share. This past Wednesday was McKayla's turn.
Last weekend a picture was taken of her and Michael (the two of them like each other). I haven't seen it but McKayla says it is probably the worst picture she's ever seen of herself - way worse than her driver's license photo!
Of course, that's not the embarrassing part.
On Wednesday, 2nd period, she walked into her Health Occupations class only to have her teacher tell her that her track coach wanted to see her. McKayla walked across the hall to his classroom only to see the photo of Michael and her displayed on the projection screen. She made the classic-teenage-sound-of-disgust and walked out. She didn't realize her track coach followed her back to her classroom but she got back to health and her teacher told the class "Today we're watching a movie" and when she turned on the projection screen, there was the picture of Michael and McKayla. Her track coach started laughing and McKayla turned to him and said, "Oh, I hate you!" (though she was laughing)
Then comes 4th period Spanish and her teacher starts off class by turning on her projection screen to...you guessed it! Michael and McKayla! She had several students comment to her throughout the day so she was about ready to kill her coach.
(Please don't take me literally - that is NOT a death threat against a teacher! McKayla really was laughing as she told me all of this. Her coach just really enjoys giving her a hard time and she really is able to take it.)
Makes me laugh!
Thursday, February 9, 2012
hot and cold
Sweetheart's is a girls' choice, semi-formal dance. Most of the girls asked weeks ago. But not McKayla - she waits until 5 days before the dance.
So, first things first, she actually has to ask him. So Monday night she buys a half-gallon of ice cream, pokes holes all over it and puts her name in one of the holes. Then delivers the ice cream and a note reading something like, "don't leave me out in the COLD, say you'll go to Sweetheart's with me"
I thought his answer was perfect! He gave her a jar of HOT tamales with one red Mike and Ike mixed in. His answer read, "This jar's full of HEAT but if it contains something sweet then on Saturday we will meet."
Clever!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
the results of "THE STRIKE"
They didn't miss me cooking breakfast for them in the morning because Chandler took over that duty. He made pancakes and coffee cake and eggs. The rest of the kids were in heaven!
They all really missed homemade dinners and were ready for me to cook for them after my week off. So far, they've eaten fine but it's hard to know whether that's due to the strike or whether I've just made things they like. I guess time will tell.
If nothing else, when they do complain about what I fix, I can always threaten to go on strike again and they'll know I'm serious. Maybe that will make them think twice.
Monday, February 6, 2012
when I was young...
Fast forward to trying to figure out McKayla's schedule for the next 2 years. It definitely involves some planning. We met with a counselor last Friday for 45 minutes to sort it all out. Of course she has to meet graduation requirements. She wants to do the CNA (certified nursing assistant) program at the Tech Center. She also has to meet NCAA clearinghouse requirements since she's hoping/working for an athletic scholarship. In addition, she'd like to graduate with as many college credits as possible but some schools don't accept all concurrent enrollment classes so she needs to know which ones to take. Then there is weighing the benefits of AP classes over the stress of an already busy schedule (soccer and cross-country both in one season which means 5 nights a week of not even being home until at least 7 pm if not later). Whew!
Good news - I think we've got her all figured out for the next 2 years. Fingers crossed. Hoping.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Dear Chandler
Today is your 11th birthday. Wow! I know you're getting older but to me you'll always be "my baby" (I know you hate that). I struggled with the idea of a 5th child but I love you so very much and am so happy to have you in our family! We need you!
You are a good student - especially at math. Your teachers always love you because you are a hard worker, you pay attention and you get your work done. You are sometimes a bit too competitive though since you race to get your work handed in first.
You are also a good athlete. You would rather be outdoors at any time and in any weather. You don't like to sit still. You are a good cook and I am constantly amazed at how proficient you are in the kitchen. You are creative and build wondrous things with your Legos, and the fort in the backyard also exhibits your creativity.
You tend to worry and stress quite a bit. You don't like to be late. You like everything to go according to plan and you want everything planned well in advance! You want to know what is going to happen and when.
Like your siblings, I believe you are part fish. You are so comfortable in the water. You like vacations where you can play in the water. If we are at a hotel with a pool, you spend every possible moment there. One trip to California you begged not to go to McKayla's soccer game. You said, "just leave me in the pool."
You are the best helper anywhere! You are always willing to lend a hand. You have a great curiosity about how things work. One of your favorite things is helping Dad fix the cars or fix things around the house. You even love to help the neighbors with things like cement work or unloading groceries. I think you are a favorite among the neighbors.
Thanks for 11 great years! Happy Birthday!
love,
Mom
Saturday, February 4, 2012
run, Kaya, run
Needless to say, she was a wreck and lots of tears were shed. Still, she managed to finish in 5:33 which was 17th overall out of 172 runners.
Today's 3200m run went better (but only slightly). She almost got disqualified for having her IPOD in the bullpen (she didn't know). Then she realized she didn't have her shoes. Luckily they were in the car so I raced to the Suburban and made it back with about 30 seconds to spare. Yikes!
She managed to finish 7th out of 76 runners so she at least scored a couple points for her team.
She did have a couple of highlights. A college coach asked her coach about her although he had to walk away when he found out she's only a sophomore. Also, the sprint coach asked her to please try the 4x400 relay. He thinks McKayla might do better than one of his current runners. She decided to focus on those 2 things since neither of her races went as well as she wanted.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Oh Canada!
After a few hours, I said goodbye and headed to the temple. It is under some sort of construction so the outside isn't quite picture perfect. I believe the layout is the same as the Spokane Temple.
After the temple I was on my way to the hotel when I passed the West Edmonton Mall. My curiosity was up since I'd seen signs EVERYWHERE for the mall and my hotel boasted its proximity to the mall. I needed to eat anyways so I decided to check it out. OH MY GOSH!
Let me repeat - OH MY GOSH! I've never been to the Mall of America so I don't know how this compares but it was pretty incredible! However, first things first - I needed food. The extent of my eating for the day had been a bagel, a candy bar, and the tomato juice served on the plane. I walked into one of the mall's food courts and noticed this:Yes - POUTINE! It caught my eye because on the flight there I was reading a novel where much of the action takes place in Canada. The main character eats Poutine a couple of times and describes it quite well and even mentions it is only a Canadian thing. So, when I saw it in the mall I just HAD to try it (even though I am really not much of a fry fan). Poutine is fries sprinkled with cheese curds and topped with gravy. It was pretty good (high praise indeed coming from a non-fry person). I will also admit to having a nanaimo bar (chocolate coconut crust, cream cheese/pudding filling, and ganache topping). It was NOT a good diet day (most unhealthy eating I've had since New Year's). But YUMMY!
Then I set out to explore the mall. Let's just say - I got lost! To those who don't know me that may not be of interest but I have an excellent sense of direction and can get around well. Not so in this mall. I explored for a while and then couldn't find my way back out - I had to go to the information desk and get a map to get myself out of there.
The mall was huge - containing over 860 stores. But that's not all. It contained a waterpark with slides, a ropes course, a miniature golf course, an indoor skate park, an ice rink, an amusement park, a shooting range where you could rent guns and practice, a dinner theater, bumper boats, an aquarium, movie theaters, and this replica of Christopher's Columbus' ship that you could explore. I've probably left something out.
After about an hour of wandering around I finally left for my hotel. I checked in about 7 pm and immediately headed to the fitness room to ride the exercise bike (an injury sustained running on Monday prevented me from using the treadmill - still haven't been able to run since). After a workout and a shower, I was ready to turn in by 9:30 so I could be up by 4:20 to catch my flight back home.
Whirlwind trip but mission accomplished with a bit of fun on the side.
books I read in January
"Girls Don't Fly" by Kristen Chandler
"The Silent Land" by Graham Joyce
"Carrots" by Colleen Helme
"Assault with a Deadly Glue Gun (Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries #1)" by Lois Winston
"Simply Sane: Living Outside the Fast Lane" by Debbie Bowen
"The Litigators" by John Grisham
"Before Ever After" by Samantha Sotto
"With a Name Like Love" by Tess Hilmo
"The Cost of Winning: Coming In First Across the Wrong Finish Line" by Dean Hughes
"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" by John Boyne
"Learning to Swim" by Sara J. Henry
"Lost in Shangri-la" by Mitchell Zuckoff
Probably the "Lost in Shangri-la" was the best of the lot.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Resolution Check-Up
Home Improvement
1) Build shutters for the windows in the front of my house - waiting for warm weather
2) Paint the shutters, outside trim, and outside doors - waiting for warm weather
3) Plant lavender in front of the house - waiting for warm weather
4) Do window treatments for family room, dining room, kitchen, Shanley's room, and the master bedroom - I took all the window measurements and have browsed curtain sections of stores a few times
5) Paint/stain the back deck - waiting for warm weather
6) Paint the master bathroom - no progress
Family
1) Plan a special date with Kevin once a month - did in January
2) Spend one-on-one time with each child every month (away from the home) - did in January
Social
1) Have 2 game parties for adults this year - have planned a party for February
2) Host 2 special FHEs with other families this year - did one in January
Physical
1) Lose 20 pounds - I lost 7 pounds in January (I was down 8 and thought I could make 9 but then went out to eat Jan. 27 and gained 3 pounds eating fajitas. Who knew they were so fattening?) Still, I'll take the 7.
2) Climb Mount Timpanogos - summer
3) Run a marathon and a half marathon - I am registered for both races. The training has been going well (up to 11 miles) but I pulled something on Monday. It is healing but still having trouble moving. I am hoping to be able to run tomorrow but we'll see
Mental
1) Make sure 1/3 of what I read is uplifting (spiritual, classical, best-book type stuff) - have done this
2) Write a book - I've written 5500 words
Spiritual
1) Spend 1 day a month in the temple - did in January
2) Go to 3 new temples - I've already been to 2. In January the family went to the Winter Quarters temple and 2 days ago I was able to go to the Edmonton Alberta Temple.
3) Read the New Era and the Ensign every month - done in January
4) At the end of every day, record the hand of God in my life for that day - this started out being very difficult for me but as I've persisted it has become easier. Now I sometimes has 2 or 3 events each day to write about. I truly feel this is helping me recognize God's hand in my life
Overall - I am doing very well. I have several things that I can't work on until summer months but I am making good progress in most areas. A lot of my goals are continual so I will have to keep up the focus each month and not slack off.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
just call me "Hildy"
I got up at 4:20 to make the early morning trek to the airport. I couldn't get my pass to print at the hotel or at the kiosk so I had to wait in line for a ticket agent - LONG line! My eyes were probably blurry from lack of sleep (I got up at 3:30 am the day before to catch the flight to Canada) and I guess the ticket agent's eyes were too because...
Anyway, she gave me my tickets and I got in the super long Customs line and waited. After a while I took a closer look at my tickets and noticed the first one was going to San Francisco - check! But the 2nd one had me going to Maui. What? Huh? As tempting as that was, I certainly wasn't prepared to be shipped off to Maui. I looked closer and saw that I'd been given tickets in the name of Hildegard Morisette. Who?
I went back to the ticket agent (walked straight to the counter) and explained the problem. She snapped, "Well, it's the same last name." Again, what? Huh? Morgan and Morisette are NOT the same last name. How does this happen when she had scanned my passport?
Finally got the right tickets and went back to the HOUR-LONG Customs and Immigration line. Got through and got on the plane only to have the pilot tell us that San Francisco airport was closed and we all needed to get back off the plane. After 1 1/2 hours we got back on and took off. Circled San Fran for 20 minutes and then finally landed.
Of course, I'd missed my connecting flight to SLC. The next United flight wasn't until 3 pm so I switched airlines and found a Delta flight at 1 pm. By the time I took the train to the other terminal and got through security again, the flight was reported as being delayed. Yep, it didn't leave until 2 pm.
I am now safely home and I am certainly hoping Hildegard is enjoying her trip to Maui!