The Trials of a Busy Mom
Lest you think that I have an amazingly fast camera, these pictures were NOT all taken on the same swing. At Jenna’s age, they let the kids swing at as many pitches as it takes. They even bring out the “T” if they need to so that each kid gets to hit. I think with rules like that I might even try softball. I said “might”.
Let me start by saying that I love, love, LOVE my wedding ring. Really. Love it. It’s got a marquis diamond and little diamonds on the side and it’s really quite pretty. Especially when Ryan cleans it up and de-lotions the whole thing and makes it all sparkly again.
That said, however, it’s sometimes fun to have a change. So, I bought myself a couple of CZ rings on ebay, and I will occasionally wear those rings. They are silver, which matches my skin tone, and bigger diamonds (because they are fake). Ryan had mentioned that he didn’t want me not wearing my wedding ring, so I would wear them on the left hand, instead. But this time, when I decided to wear the big princess cut diamond ring, it was too tight for my left hand, so I swapped it with my wedding ring and wore it for a day or two.
This morning, as we were getting up and getting read to read scriptures together (which, by the way, we are four for four on scripture reading this summer!), I couldn’t see my ring. I left it on this little mirror that I keep some jewelry on in the bathroom. Not there. I started to panic just a little bit. Because, after all, it is a bathroom, and there’s lots of places a little ring could get lost. I came downstairs and told Ryan softly, “I can’t find my ring.” He didn’t panic, but after we were done with scriptures, asked if I wanted him to go and check the sink trap. While we went upstairs with a tool of some kind, I asked the kids if they had seen mommy’s gold ring, and if they knew where it was.
“I took that ring with the big red diamond to Hunters, and then I lost it,” John said. Um, no. I know he didn’t take it to Hunter’s, and I dont’ know what big red diamond ring is, so I will just ignore that one.
“Anyone else know where it might be?” I asked them. I told them that it was very important that I find my ring, and if they knew anything about it, I would sure appreciate their help.
Ryan soon came by and said he couldn’t find it, or he couldn’t get the trap off–I don’t know for sure. Then Jenna came and sweetly said that she had found my ring.
“Oh, thank you, sweetie! Where was it?” I was so relieved.
“It was under the drawer in the kids’ bathroom. I remembered seeing it and I found it for you,” she said.
Whatever. I don’t believe her story for one second, but I’m so happy to have it back and not have to scour the whole house for it in a mad fit of worry that I’m just going to let that one slide.
I don’t know about you, but this year’s batch of end of the school year activities really wiped me out. Maybe it’s because I had more kids and they were more involved than last year, or maybe I’m just not as with it as I was last year, but I had a hard time keeping up with all the kids and all their programs and such.
To spare you all the details, I’ll just show a random smattering of pictures and call it good.
Jenna and Natalie had a dance recital. I don’t know if they could look any more bored, but they still were cute and did a great job.
Here’s John at his pre-school “graduation”. He loved his preschool, and lucky for him, he doesn’t really graduate because he gets to go there again next year.
The boys got to go on the Fathers and Sons’ campout in Early May, and were very lucky that there wasn’t snow on the ground when they went. They had a great time, and you can see more pictures here, if you’d like.
The girls had a music festival at school, where each grade sang songs from a different musical. Here’s Jenna’s class singing about their hard knock life from the musical Annie.
I couldn’t get a decent picture of Natalie at all, since I didn’t have a close seat and she was hiding in the back row, but here she is singing a song from Hairspray with the 3rd grade.
Then the 6th grade sang songs from Grease.
Natalie nearly lost her head at a field trip to the Aviary,
and enjoyed her market day. 
Cole (that blonde boy in the middle) had some great concerts in Symphonic Band this year.
And here’s Megan at her 6th grade graduation.
And with her cupcake with her “graduation self”. Can you believe they made little graduation cutouts of every graduating 6th grader? Wow.
We’ve chosen winners, and they are Kathleen Marie for Kite Runner, and Cynthia for 8 minutes iin the morning!
I’ve got a couple of books to give away this month. Because I’ve got SO many books to read, and I’ve just got to pass a few of them on. The idea is that you, in turn, will then pass this book (or another one) along after you finish reading it. A perpetual stream of book giving, that’s what it is!
So, first is the Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. Although I thought this was an excellent book, I found it very disturbing. But I guess that’s the point. It’s supposed to upset us. You can read about it here.
The next book is 8 minutes in the morning
Yes, it’s a fitness book. I think this has some good ideas. And hey, 8 minutes? Really? If that’s all it took I think we’d all be thin by now, but maybe it’ll work for you.
So, if you would like to enter to win either of these books, just leave a comment about which book, and I’ll do a drawing on the 13th of June. Thanks for playing along!
Why on earth would I be getting email from “sisterhazel@rockridgemusic.com”?
Today, while leaning into the van to get some groceries, I banged the top of my head on the top of the van doorframe. I just didn’t duck enough. The pain shot through my head and neck, as I guess my neck didn’t like it when the body that was moving in a forward motion was suddenly stopped by a head that wasn’t moving in a forward motion anymore. It hurt so bad that I put my head down on the seat and held it while saying, “Ow, Ow, Ow!”. I did not swear, as Jenna was in the car. But I guess I wasn’t hurt enough for her to worry about me, because she just continued into the house. By the time I made it into the house, I was crying, it hurt so bad. And I was mad. Mad at myself that I would get hurt doing something so routine. And embarrassed, because I must be really really stupid to get hurt banging my head on the van, for Pete’s sake.
Megan got an award.
Or two.
Actually the really exciting one was the “Hope of America” award that the Kiwanis Club gives out. I’m really proud of her. She also got a science award and a presidential academic award.
I would tell more about it, but I’m exhausted from attending the 6th grade graduation with a squirmy John in tow, (no parking and no seats, so we stood in the back for the whole hour), the drama this morning about if she does or does not have to wear a skirt, watching Natalie’s field day, then thinking I had lost my camera, running back to the school in a panic, finding the camera in the bag, and making John lunch (I should not have let him help stir the macaroni and cheese, because now it’s all over the stove), and I get to go to Jenna’s first grade talent show in about an hour.
I’m sure you’re going through similar “end of the school year” chaos at your house, too, so I’ll understand if you don’t have the energy to comment.
Hi, this is Natalie speaking, and on the something of May, Me and my mom went to the Tracy Aviary. We saw some very pretty birds, such as the peacock, toucan, parrot, parakeet, pelican, and lots more. 
We took like a thousand pictures! One of the most exciting things is that all the people in our group had a peacock walk like, two feet away from us! 
The aviary also has a bird show, but it wasn’t open when we were around that part.(The aviary is huge, trust me.) 
Anyway, in case you didn’t know, we were there for a third-grade field trip. After we were finished at the aviary, we played in the park and took a few pictures there too! 
Then we had lunch with all the other classes and then took the long, long, bus ride back to the elementary school.
(I think Natalie did a find job with her guest post. Maybe I’ll let the other kids have a turn sometime, too.)
It’s all true Oh, I was tagged by Melissa to do this thing, and having nothing better to do on a Monday Memorial Day morning (since it’s raining and I can’t go outside and plant the flowers I was planning to plant), here I go.
Favorite person (outside family)? Well, that depends on the day, now doesn’t it? I have a fabulous group of friends who have been my friends for 30 years, and I’d have to say that they are my favorite people.
Favorite food? Oh, there are so many. I love cookies and cheesecake. But on the not so sweet side, I enjoy a good steak and baked potato. I also like a good salad with lots of good stuff in it.
Quirks about you? Quirks? I don’t have any quirks! I like to sing to my kids and make up silly songs about them, but everyone does that, right? I tend to buy clothes and then not wear them right away. I have to wait for the right occasion to break them in.
How would the person who loves you most describe you in ten words or less? “Practically perfect in every way”. Really. You can even ask him.
Any regrets in life? There were a few times in my youth that I did things that really hurt other people’s feelings. I wish I hadn’t done those things, and I still remember and feel bad for them. I regret yelling at my kids so much, and I wish I hadn’t let myself get so out of shape, but I’m working on those things.
Favorite Charity/ Cause? The LDS Church’s Perpetual Education Fund and Humanitarian Aid, and the Make a Wish Foundation.
Favorite Blog recently? Well, I just discovered Derfwad Manor, and I must say Mrs. G. cracks me up.
Something you can’t get enough of? Chocolate. And “I love you, Mom”s from my kids.
Worst job you’ve ever had? Let’s see. Could it be the cabinet shop where I worked immediately after I came home from my mission where all the people could swear with the very best of swearers? Or the pool cover manufacturing plant where I actually got frostbite on my toes and had to talk to angry customers on the phone every day and then got promoted to purchasing agent and had to order things that I had no knowledge of such as “butt splices”? Or a substitute teacher for terribly unorganized teachers where I couldn’t even find the lesson plans? It’s a toss up.
What job would you pay NOT to have? Oh, sausage grinder comes to mind. Or the guy who cleans the elephant cages at the zoo.
If you could be a fly on the wall, where? On the set of a tv show. Maybe on the ‘Lost’ island watching them film.
Favorite Bible verse right now? Joshua 24:15 “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”
Guilty Pleasure? Watching Desperate Housewives.
Got any confessions? My house is usually a mess, and my bedroom and closet are not clean, either.
If you HAD to spend $1,000 on YOURSELF, how would you spend it? I would do some laser hair removal, so I wouldn’t have to shave my legs or tweeze my eyebrows ever again.
Favorite thing about your house? Oh, I love my yellow breakfast nook, I love my cute curtains and my red leather couch, I love the porch, I love the big backyard, I love the neighborhood, and I love the neighbors.
Least favorite thing about your house? The center island in the kitchen is too big, and that makes it so there’s not enough room to open the dishwasher and unload without stepping over and around the dishwasher.
One thing you are bad at? Dieting and exercising.
One thing you’re good at? Being nice to people.
If you could change something about your circumstances, what? I would be skinny.
Who would you like to meet someday? Ellen DeGenerous, George Clooney, Thomas S. Monson.
What makes you feel sexy? My husband thinks I’m beautiful.
Who is your real life hero? Oh, I have many heros. My friend Melinda, for one. She’s always there for you if you need help, and she is the best organizer I have ever known. My freind DaNae has lost 100 pounds, and now she’s running 10K’s started a home business and it seems like she can do anything. My Mom. She raised four kids on very little money, and she hardly ever yelled at us. Now those four kids are all responsible members of society, married to good people. My sister, who has nine kids under the age of 12. She doesn’t get away much, but she doesn’t mind. Her kids are happy and get along with each other. I could go on and on and on about heros in my life.
What is the hardest part of your job? Potty training a very stubborn and funny little boy.
When are you most relaxed? At home, after the kids have gone to bed, watching tv in my room.
What stresses you out? Overscheduling. Auditioning, and performing.
What can you not live without? The Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Why do you blog? I like to imagine my blog is my own little talk show. I can talk about things that are on my mind, and really, it’s just fun. My little guy even said to me the other day, “Mom, I read your blob. It’s funny.” When he starts reading my “blob”, I’m in trouble.
Now, the hardest part – tagging others!
Melissa is the one who tagged me on this one, and while I’d love to list a whole bunch of people to do this, I won’t. If you’d like to play along, please feel free to do so, and be sure and let me know if you do, so I can come over and read your answers.
My little guy wanted to sit on my lap because he said his leg hurt. “Oh, I’m sorry your leg hurts,” I said.
We sat there for a minute while the girls got ready for school, and then he said, “Sitting on your lap made my leg not hurting anymore.”
“Oh, that’s great!” I said, relieved to have finally done something right in his eyes. He’s very critical and seems to always think he’s right and I’m wrong. “I used my ‘mommy powers’ to make you feel better.”
“Mom,” he said, “you don’t have powers. Jesus has powers.”
Well, I can’t argue with that one, because Jesus does indeed have powers.
“When the waves and wind are wild, then Jesus can say ‘peace be still’ and it will stop,” he said. I was impressed. Maybe they talked about this in Primary recently, because, I’m embarrassed to admit, I don’t think we have talked about this story at home recently.
“That’s right. Jesus calmed the wind and the waves,” I said. Not wanting to let this ‘mommy power’ thing go, I added, “I wonder if you are wild and crazy if I can say ‘peace be still’ and then YOU will calm down?”
“No,” he said, “only Jesus can do it.”
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