Category: Uncategorized (Page 25 of 118)

Some days it feels like there are too many demands.
–Mom, can you drive me to school?
–Mom, can you help me make lunch?
–Mom, can you pick me up?
–Mom, can you take me to (fill in the blank)_________?
–Mom, help me with my costume!
–Mom, did you buy ______?
–Mom, did you wash my ______?

And it’s not just the kids.

–Mrs. Erickson, could you come to the school and help with red ribbon week?
–Mrs. Erickson, would you be able to organize this_______?
–Paige, would you please help me with such and such.

And then there’s the church stuff.

–Sister Erickson, how’s the primary program coming?
–Sister Erickson, please help your daughter write a talk.
–Sister Erickson, I won’t be there on Sunday, could you take over singing time for me?
–We have this little assignment, Sister Erickson. It’s not a calling, it’s just an assignment. We’re sure you’d be fabulous at it.
–Sister X had her baby. As her visiting teacher, would you mind taking in dinner for the very large family?

And then there’s the self imposed stuff. The stuff that I think I need to be doing.

–Let’s host a Japanese exchange student, it will be so good for the kids and it will be such fun!
–The PTA is run by volunteers. If I don’t do it, who will?
–My friend had surgery. I want to help ease her burden.
–The house needs to be cleaned, all sheets changed, all carpets vacuumed, all bathrooms cleaned before our exchange student comes. We don’t want him to think all Americans are slobs, do we?
–It’s a holiday! Therefore we must do all the fun holiday stuff that comes with it. Even if we don’t have the time or energy to do it.

It’s times like this that I need to step back, think about what’s important, what’s necessary, what’s essential, and what would be nice, but it’s not going to hurt anyone if it doesn’t get done. I’m reminded of Julie Beck’s fabulous talk at Women’s Conference this year, where she said,

“Sisters, you are each like the lioness at the gate. This means that there has to be some prioritizing. I was taught years ago that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. If we need power and influence to carry out our mission, then our priorities have to be straight.

“Years ago I began using a system that works for me, and maybe it will work for you. There was a time when I needed to prioritize, and in one of those sacred meetings between me and the Lord, He gave me three categories that I have worked from, and they have been a guide in my life. The categories are the essential things, the necessary things, and the nice-to-do things. I started writing those things down. I asked, “What has to go in the category of essential?” What things must be taken care of, and if I don’t take care of them, the blessings of eternal life won’t be mine nor will they be my family’s.”

What a wonderful talk she gave! You can read the whole thing here I’m going to try to remember her advice over the next few days, when the demands of the moment seem to cloud my vision and bring me down. I’m going to take care of my family, get the house in the best shape I can, and welcome our little foreign exchange student, and try to make the most of the week ahead of me. That’s all I can do, and I shouldn’t expect more.

Why does my daughter freak out if her ponytail is a tiny bit higher than her everyday ponytail? Why must she wear a ponytail every single day of her life? When is she going to grow out of this ponytail stage?

We’ve been having quite a bit of rain around here lately. When I went out to the garage, I noticed a big fat worm struggling to survive in the dry garage. Why did you even crawl in here, worm? Don’t you know there’s no dirt and water in the garage? Well, ok, there’s a puddle over there, and now that I look around, I see that there is an awful lot of dirt in the garage. It must be time to clean and organize in here–but generally there’s no water or dirt in the garage. It’s not a hospitable environment for a worm. Darn, that worm is going to dry up and DIE in here, unless I help it out. Giving a little sigh of grossoutedness, I picked up the worm and tossed him as far as I could to safety. While he didn’t quite make it to the grass, he landed in a puddle on the driveway. I walked around the car feeling pretty good about myself. I’m a worm rescuer, after all. Oh, there’s another worm on this side of the garage. But he’s already dead, so there’s nothing I can do for him. But I did save that one worm, and for that I was feeling a little bit proud of myself.

I then proceeded to get into my car, back out into the driveway and pull out into the street, when I was struck with a horrible thought. More likely than not, I just drove over the exact puddle where I had throw the worm to “safety”. Um, sorry about that, worm.

Today I’m going on a trip. Ryan’s in Atlanta for a trade show and for once it worked out that I could join him. My flight was basically free because of all the traveling he’s been doing, the hotel is paid for by work, and I was able to arrange things here at home so that I can be gone for a few days.

I’m excited, yet anxious. In my brain I know that things are going to be just fine, and that I’ve taken care of everything. The kids will be well cared for. Heck, they’ll probably have more fun than if I were here! But in my heart I still worry. I wonder how they’ll behave without me here to watch over them. And, yes, I know I’m going to miss them. I guess that’s part of being a mom.

Hopefully I’ll be able to fill you in on my fun adventure. I have made plans to meet two different friends who live nearby who have graciously agreed to come to the busy city and sightsee with me. And Ryan should be able to spend some time with me in the evenings, after work.

So…wish me luck. I haven’t been on a plane since 2005, and I haven’t traveled by myself since….well, I don’t actually remember, but it’s been more than 10 years. So it’s time to let my kids enjoy the weekend without me, and for me to be adventurous and not worry. Right?

I put the chicken in the crock pot at around 2. Yes, it was still mostly frozen, but it usually cooks up nice in the crock pot. At 5:00-ish, right before I had to go to pick up Megan from fencing, I looked in the crock pot and thought, “What the heck? Why is this chicken not cooked?” Oh, yeah. I forgot to turn it on. I guess we won’t be having chicken tonight. Oh, well. We’re going into week two that Ryan’s been out of town, and I’m getting ready to go on a trip myself, so the standards are rapidly deteriorating. Dinner plans? What dinner plans? So, on the way home from picking up Megan from fencing class, I stopped by Del Taco for 39 cent tacos. Ten bucks for dinner! And the kids are completely happy with it. Score.

So we ate our 39 cent tacos with some leftover rice and beans and corn and had a ‘decent’ dinner. Dad even called from Atlanta and talked to the kids. As we were finishing up dinner, the kids started balling up the taco wrapper papers and throwing them at each other. I tried to put a stop to it, but I was overpowered! Soon there were taco wrapper balls flying everywhere. I had no choice but to fight back. I balled up the sacks and joined in the fight! We were all laughing as we pelted each other with paper balls, running and chasing. Too much fun!

The moral of this story, folks, is that you can have fun, even if things aren’t going exactly the way you planned. And 39 cent tacos really aren’t bad.

If you read any of the thrifty couponing blogs, today’s story is that through coupons and sales, you can get practically free Nyquil. But not just any Nyquil, the NEW flavor of nyquil.

Vanilla swirl? Really? Like it’s not going to still taste like throat burning disgusting just because you put some vanilla flavoring in it?

I just gagged thinking about it.

John told me that he loves me more than anyone else in the whole universe.
“Even more than Luke Sykwalker?” I asked.
“Yep. It goes #1-Mom, #2-Dad, #3-Luke Sykwalker, and #4-General Grievus” (I have no idea how to spell that one, so Star Wars fan, please forgive my ignorance).

* Did I sign all of the papers for school – times 5? Why do I have to do this for each kid – why can’t they have it all online?
*What time was I supposed to listen for that contest?
* Does everyone have a lunch?
* I need to schedule doctors’ appointments. Three years is probably a bit long to go between “yearly” visits. And one kid needs two more fillings, and is it time to call the orthodontist?
* What is that odd smell in that kid’s room?
* Why is it so hard to work in even 1/2 hour of exercise?
* Sugar–why do I need you so much? Why can’t I give you up?
* Does everyone have PE Clothes?
* I hate calling businesses and begging for free stuff. I’d much rather send an email or a letter, but sometimes they don’t respond unless you actually call them. And I’m a chicken, and I don’t want to call them.
* The toilets need cleaning. So do the showers.
* And the floors.
* Are there really people out there who manage family scripture study together every day? I would like to meet them .
* I need to fold the laundry. Do dishes. Cook. What are we going to have for dinner?
* Things actually do seem better when I do my hair and have makeup on.
* I need more volunteers for the Hawk Walk.
* I need to have a training for my volunteer time in the classroom?
* Insurance quotes. Try insuring a 16 year old boy. He doesn’t even drive. He doesn’t have a car, but he still needs insurance. Need I say more?
* And why am I so excited to go to the grocery store for a stock up run? I must be mental.
* What is wrong with this stupid printer? Must it jam every single time I use it?
* Jillian Michaels. Does she not know that jumping jacks reveal my weakened bladder control?
* I must be losing my mind. Who knew that switching from playing F and G to playing E and F on handbells would be so difficult? It’s a test of my hand/eye coordination, and telling my brain to be flexible.
* I really just want to sit and read MockingJay. Only I should have reread the second book because I don’t remember half of these characters.
* I need a haircut.
* Fundraisers? Classroom volunteer? Me? Yup.
* A stone hit my windshield a few weeks ago. Then I went through the car wash. I’m now the proud parent of a big old crack. AND a chip.
* Homework can be completely and utterly brutal. I don’t know if I can do 39 more weeks of this. All five kids talking to me at once, everyone needed a piece of me and there just wasn’t enough of me to go around. And then there’s the new powerschool. Could they really be missing assignments?
* Today is piano lesson day. Do not forget to send a check. Again.
*I promised them birthday parties. I’d better get on that.
* Peaches. Mom, would you like to come over and bottle my peaches for me?