To My Sweet Friends (but not to imply that my other friends aren't sweet...) ;-)

Ok, so I just decided to share a reflective moment of humor a few days ago, and suddenly THE TROOPS have come out to save me from my perceived self-deprecation. Oh you guys... I don't even know what to do with all these comments! You are all so sweet to try to make me feel better. I really was just trying to share some humor about myself--and possibly make anyone reading it feel better (since that's what I'm here for). =) I really should email all of you individually...

Anyway, you guys really are great friends.

Jessica, anyone who can handle having 6 children under age 8 HAS IT TOGETHER! I honestly can't even imagine...

And Wendy... you've always seemed to have a "what really matters" perspective on things--you teach me something valuable every time I'm around you. Thank you for the reminders. =)

Shari... I've figured out YOUR life's mission: You must have signed up to be my cheerleader. You always make me sound much better than reality! I'm so glad to be in a family who knows me so well and loves me anyway. Please don't tell people how much I pay you. =) Seriously, though, you're so great at giving others a boost when they need it! Thanks for being such a great sis-in-law!!!

Crissie, you're so sweet, and I'm glad the story went over well. =)

Crystal, you have a newborn, for crying out loud!!! (I really didn't do that on purpose--but I'm leaving it now, since it fits so well... although your little one is so sweet, she probably never cries.) Anyway, your home is supposed to be upside-down when you have a new little one! I don't know what mack truck you were talking about--your home looked like a perfect place for a family to be comfortable and happy. I should tell you that I feel the Spirit every time I'm in your home. I really do. I'm glad you felt loved and cared for--because you are!!!

And Melody... I truly miss our Primary days. You guys were always so patient with me! Thanks for overlooking so much and teaching me more than I could ever put into words. I love your quiet, humble, yet so capable way! I really miss you!!! =(

I have the greatest friends and family!!!!!!! But please don't think you have to tell me I'm wonderful every time I feel the need for some honest reflection. It will wear you out!!! ;-)

I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!!!

Passing Along the Joy

Just thought I'd pass along a couple of good book suggestions. Awhile back I read these books to my kiddos, and we had some really great times in the process. Over the summer we read Goodnight Mister Tom, by Michelle Magorian, and before that we finished The Miracle of Miss Willie, by Alma J. Yates. My goal is to always be in the middle of a good book with them--but I fall far short of that. I don't know why I don't make it happen every night, since I love it so much! These moments are what mommyhood is all about!
Anyway, these books are SO GREAT--we laughed, cried, and had lots of discussion on topics that never would have come up otherwise. The reason these two books were especially good were that my older kids liked them. The younger ones are always up for a story, but the older ones often have homework or other activities going on, and have to be "persuaded" (and yes, sometimes forced) to sit down and listen. My kids know that one of my rules is that "you're never too old to be read to."
As is often the case, the first few times we opened these books the older kids grumbled and said they didn't have time. I have to admit that even I questioned myself a couple of times as I made them join us, knowing they really did have homework that was going to keep them up late. Sometimes I just told them to work on their homework while I read. I was only asking for 10 or 15 minutes--and I knew it could possibly be the most worthwhile few minutes of their day.
We didn't have to get too far into either book before we began to see some changes in attitude. The kids were gathering faster than they had at first. We had comments like, "Don't read Miss Willie while I'm gone!" as they headed out the door to mutual. And my favorite was one night when we started reading Mr. Tom and Ashlee popped her head up (from her pillow) and said, "What's going on?!?" (She had fallen asleep during the story the night before.) The other kids started filling her in on what she had missed. They were all trying to talk at once, and Ashlee was just as caught up in listening to them as I've ever seen her watching American Idol. By the time they finished telling her about what she had missed she was sitting up, ready for the next chapter. Actually, my ultimate favorite attitude change was the one that happened in Rob. He's always been a TV kind of guy--(why spend days or weeks reading a book when you can watch the movie in 2 hours?) But after overhearing us a few times he actually started joining us, especially toward the ends of the books--and even doing the reading some nights!
There's nothing quite like the excitement of a good book--and reading as a family just makes it 100x better! I can't wait to find our next good read! Any suggestions???
Oh, one more I just thought about: That Quail, Robert, by Margaret Stanger, is a really great book for all ages too. Especially for animal lovers! Your kids will start begging you for a "Robert."
Goodnight Mr. Tom has some hard issues in it, so if you're concerned you can pre-read it before reading it with your kids. And FYI--you'll need tissues for these ones...

My Life's Mission

Someday I'll write another post that includes pictures. But not today. =)

This title might have led you to believe that this would possibly be a deep and uplifting post. If that's what you're hoping for, you might want to look at someone else's blog this time--I'm in more of a silly mood today. =) My thoughts are real, and I mean what I'm going to say, but there's a lot of humor to be found in all of this as well.

I discovered my life's mission years ago. At first I wasn't too thrilled about it, because it required me to go through many, many humbling moments. But once I came to grips with it I decided I could and should go ahead and embrace it. Some of my friends have already heard me say it, so I'm going ahead and sharing it publicly:

I was put on this earth to make other people feel better.

It's true, and I've proven it time and time again.

If your house is a mess, come over to mine. You'll leave feeling better. Guaranteed.

If your child's hair hasn't been combed yet today, I can top your story.

If you arrive late to a function, you can count on me to be just a few minutes behind you.

If you made a stupid comment that is horribly embarrassing to think about, give me a couple hours of your time and I'll share a few of mine with you. Maybe I'll just go ahead and post them sometime, for the whole world to enjoy....? =)

I could go on and on with examples, but what it comes down to is:

I'm perpetually a day late and a dollar short.

per·pet·u·al (pr-pch-l)

adj.

1. Lasting for eternity.

2. Continuing or lasting for an indefinitely long time.

(Just decided to throw a quick definition in) =)

I've worked my whole life to try to dig my way out of being the way I am. I've read books, I've devised new strategies, I've prayed, I've tried to try harder. Sometimes I can "get it together" for a day or two--even up to a week!--but sooner or later I'm back to the same old me.

But just this morning a friend called me and said she just needed to talk to me because I always make her feel better. She said she can always relate to me. And I was reminded about my life's mission, and the fact that, in all my moments of embarrassment and even deep humiliation, I've had opportunities to make others feel better. I really think that I'm one person no one has to feel intimidated by. And maybe in all my struggles there's a hidden gift underneath it all, that has given me the ability to relate to the things others are dealing with. I have no room to ever judge other people who can't seem to "get it together." And I hope that they feel that, and know that I understand.

So for today I'm reminded that I need to embrace what I've been given, and to view it from a different angle. For me, life will probably never consist of looking my best, being organized, saying all the right things in just the right ways, and inspiring others to want to be like me. Instead it will be a series of opportunities to show others that life is about continuing to try, and that a perpetual ;-) sinkful of dishes doesn't mean you can't still have fun.

So the next time you need to feel better, give me a call. I'll have a story ready for you! =)

Murmur, Murmur, Murmur

A couple weeks ago we were gathering at the table for dinner one night, and as the kids sat down, one by one, the comments started: "What is this?" "Why does it look like that?" "I like it with more sauce." "Why didn't you keep the noodles separate?" I don't know if everyone was lacking sleep or what, but the grumbling was unbelievable!

Just as a rude comment was developing in my mind, Chase said, "Well, it's better than nothing!"

The laughter got us all through the moment, and--miracle of miracles--everyone even survived eating the sub-par meal!!! In fact, by the end a couple of them even called it "yummy."

Thank goodness for five-year-olds to bring us all back to reality and help us remember how much everyday life requires a sense of humor.

;-)

Just have to post a conversation that took place in the car the other day:

Kaybree (in a sad tone): Mom, are we REALLY not going to have any more babies?

Me: Yeah, I'm pretty sure we're not having any more babies.

Emmalee: Oh, that's so sad.

Chase (in a very serious tone): Mom, ALL I've EVER wanted was a baby, or a Webkinz.



(Maybe it's just me, but one of those choices sounds much easier than the other!) ;-)