Category: Uncategorized (Page 85 of 118)

It’s UEA, the kids are out of school. We aren’t going anywhere on vacation like the other 50% of Utahns, so we’re going to try to enjoy our time here at home. Field trips, play with friend, weed the flowers–you know, stuff like that. My goal for the day is to not yell at the kids AT ALL today. No matter how annoying they are. It’s their vacation (not mine), and I’d like for it to be fun and not a big long weekend of grumpy mom (even though my period just started in full force and I’d like nothing better than for all these loud kids to go and play with friends so I could take my shower in peace). I’ll have to let you know how I do on the no yelling thing. Wish me luck. I’ll need it.

I just found this picture. It’s me, if you can’t tell, and I’m about 14, I think. We took a family trip to California and went to Universal Studios. This was me and my good friend, Frank.

My Freezer looks like it has OCD. Or I do. Or someone just loves to organize their freezer. I should have taken a picture of it before the big clean out, but why would I have a picture like that around–yuck!

We did the freezer clean out and defrost yesterday (Sunday, I know!) because our friend came up to us in church and said, “are you going to be home tomorow around 4 or 4:30?” When we said yes, he said he would be bringing our side of beef over, and just wanted to make sure we’d be home. Well, sure I can be home, but will I have any place to put said side of beef? Not likely. Actually we’re splitting the side of beef with some friends (that makes us “beef brothers” as Ryan puts it), so I won’t have to fit the whole thing in the freezer, but 1/2 a side of beef will still take up a large amount of space, right? So, we had to empty everything out into coolers (two of which I had to borrow from the neighbor), then turn off the freezer and thaw out of the inch of ice that had crept in there. I did the unloading, and Ryan did the thawing, then I loaded back up again. I also threw a bunch of stuff away, brought a lot into the inside fridge and freezer, and generally organized. It’s probably something that should be done once a year, if you are Martha Stewartish. For me, I only do it when it’s an absolute neccessity. It looked like this all nice and organized

And after the meat arrived, it looked like this:
So we are pleased that everything fits. Maybe I can take some of the things I stuffed into the fridge back into the freezer, now. And if you need hamburger, I’m the one to call.

Happy Birthday to Ryan!

If you’d like to send him a birthday note, please email him at: birthdayboy@ericksonfamily.com

I have never…broken a bone in my body.
I have never smoked a cigarette.
I have never had a bloody nose.
I have never been to Oregon.
I have never rollerbladed (what a chicken, I know.)
I have never had surgury (in fact, I’ve only stayed in the hospital for childbirth.)
I have never drank beer (unless you count apple beer.)
I have never had a turtle for a pet, although we may soon get one if my son gets his wish.
I have never been to Alaska.
I have never had wild unprotected sex with anyone other than my husband.
I have never been scuba diving, sky diving or practically any other kind of diving.
I have never worn acrylic nails.
I have never gotten a tatoo.
I have never had tequilla.
I have never sung the national anthem solo at a baseball game.
I have never run out of gas.
I have never pulled out any of my kids’ teeth.
I have never taken a drain apart.
I have never used a chainsaw.
I have never been a circus clown (or circus perfomer of any type).
I have never (and hopefully never will) put contacts into my eyes.
I have never eaten squid.
I have never been to Japan.
I have never met Donny Osmond.
I have never been in the Relief Society Presidency or the Primary Presidency(knock on wood.)

Pretty boring, aren’t I?

I was going to stop there, but then I figured I should throw in some things that I HAVE done, so as not to look like such a boring person who never does anything. So, here are some things I have done that may (or may not–probably not) surprise you:
I have had 5 children.
I have had at least one child in diapers for the past 12 1/2 years.
I have been to the David Letterman show.
I have been to Germany.
I have been on two Disney Cruises.
I have gotten the Norwalk virus.
I have been on National news (see above.)
I have been a clown.
I have gone river rafting.
I have won a $1000 gift card to Toys R Us from a local radio station (I still have $300 on that card.)
I have done dishes today.
I have been to Niagra Falls.
I have been on Music and the Spoken word more than once.
I have sliced my finger on an orange juice can.
I have known some of my friends for over 30 years.
I have sung singing telegrams to all the teachers in my kids’ elementary school.

Yes, it’s quite an exhaustive list. If you know of other things I have or have not done (my memory’s not what it once was, you know), go ahead and add them. And what have you done or not done that’s unique?

Lately I’ve been going to two great exercise classes that are being held at our church. We’ve got a “turbo -jam” type kick boxing class on Tuesdays, and a yoga/pilates class on Thursdays. I enjoy the classes (when they are done, at least), although there has not been any weight loss from this increase in exercise (not like on the biggest loser, where people lose 10 pounds in one week! I guess if I worked out three or four hours a day with a trainer and only ate 1200 calories I could lose a lot in a week, too. But alas, I live in the real world, not a tv show.) I’m just experiencing sore muscles every day after. I feel very old and rickety as I walk down the stairs first thing in the morning. But I like that feeling that I actually worked some of my lazy muscles. Some of which, I’ve never really known were there, even.

The only problem I’m having with these classes is….well…..my underwear. Don’t laugh, I’m serious. After a couple of classes of sweating profusely, I decided I was going to have to change out of the special mormon underwear and avoid the extra layer of clothing that is getting soaked with sweat. Lots of the others (not everyone, but most) are in their cute sports bras and fun little layers of tank tops like they actually work out more than once or twice a week. Not that I have to dress like they do to fit in, I just think I’d be more comfortable in some more supportive and less sweat inducing underclothing. I have a sports bra that smashes everything in. Not very comfortable, though. I’d like to find a new one but haven’t wanted to take the time to try on multiple sports bras. It’s like getting into a straight-jacket trying those things on, don’t you think? But I realized I don’t have any actual undies. I had to go and buy some underwear. Oh, the choices. There’s tons and tons of colors, styles, and what’s with the sizing? I was overwhelmed and frankly, I just didn’t want to sift through all those panties to try to find something to wear to work out. I bought some that I hoped would fit and brought them home. I wore them this week, and felt a lot cooler, but weird. I guess it’s just something you have to get used to again. Like when I first started wearing garments, that felt funny, and now it feels funny to not wear them. But I guess if I’m going to make exercise a habit, I’m going to have to adapt to the exercise wear, underwear included.

A very long time, indeed, when you’ve got six 3-year olds at your house for playgroup. But if that’s the price I have to pay for 5 other week with two hours of freedom, then I will suck it up and host playgroup.

But, we survived intact. No major injuries to speak of, and all the children left happy (returning to their happy refreshed mommies who also enjoyed the last two hours.

—–

And on a completely unrelated topic, I have a special talent. When I’m feeling down about myself and can’t think of anything good to say or think about me, I will remember this talent. When people are talking about unusual skill or talent, I can now pipe right up. My talent? I am an exceptionally fast showerer. I know. You are so totally impressed! Yesterday, I got out of exercise class at 10:40. John’s preschool ends at 11:00. I had 20 minutes to run home, strip out of my sweaty clothes, take a shower (I even shaved my legs), dry, get dressed and get back to pick up John by 10:59. Yes, I was impressed with my abilities, too. No, I didn’t say my hair was dry or my makeup was on, but I was dressed in something other than a bathrobe, and I made it there ON TIME to pick him up. I know you wish you were as talented as me! What secret talents do you have?

Today my Natalie is 8. I can’t believe it. How well I remember when she was born. Just a couple weeks after a fun road trip to Ger’s wedding. Mich, Mel and Sharm hauled their fat pregnant friend to Tahoe for a fun weekend. Then, on her due date, Miss Natalie was born. All 9 pounds 13 ounces, posterier, no epidural, 20 minutes in the hospital until her birth of her. My unplanned natural birth. How could I forget? She’s a joy to have in our family. She’s a singer, an actor, a fun little spunky kid.

The kids and I just gave her breakfast in bed–a tradition around here–and gave her her presents. She was thrilled with a new tomagatchi, pink soccer chair, scripture case for her new scriptures that Grandma gave her, and shoes. Megan gave her a 24 inch doll that she’s had in her closet for a long time but doesn’t play with it, and she knew Natalie wanted it, and Cole gave her all his Amber Brown books. Recycled presents are still presents.

On Saturday we had a “small gathering of friends”, and I took the girls over to my friend Kathy’s to ride horses. They had a great time!

They were all decked out in their bandanas and hats (party favors) and each got a turn on a horse.

Even Mom had a turn. I think they all had a fun time!
(other than Ryan, who says our horsiness affected his allergies and made him miserable for two days)

So, Happy Birthday, Natalie! We love you!

Since today is General Conference and we don’t have to go to church, it’s sleeping in day around here. My sleeping in goes something like this:

5:30-Ryan gets up to get some cough medicine. Why he had to tell that, I’m not sure. I’m not sure if he was coughing or just couldn’t sleep. I’ll ask him when he gets up. At this time, since I’ve been woken up, I realize I have to go to the bathroom, but I don’t want to get up, because then I couldn’t really pretend I was sleeping, so I just ignore it and go back to sleep.
Sometime in here I dreamed the entire production of “Once upon a Mattress.” Having never seen that show, my subconscious made the whole thing up, but still it was nice to see a play, even if it was in my sleep.
7:02-Cole comes in and whispers “Mom,” (do they think it won’t wake you up quite as much if they whisper in your ear progressively louder until you answer?) “Can I play on your computer?” Not wanting to think of reasons why not, I say yes.
7:29-John comes in and climbs in our bed, wedging himself between us so he can get a handhold of my hair. Since I REALLY have to go to the bathroom by now, I get up and do that.
7:31-When I come out of the bathroom, John jumps up out of bed and is very happy that I’ll get him breakfast now.
7:32-We mosey downstairs and get John some breakfast–Captain Crunch is the cereal of the day.
7:34-I drag myself back upstairs and into bed. It’s sleep in day, for heaven’s sake.
7:45-John is back, and wants a drink of milk, he says. He climbs back into our bed and says he’s cold. He’s probably cold because his pajama bottoms are wet, from a diaper that needs to be changed. I ask John to go and get me a diaper, which he does, an then I change him. I take off his pajama bottoms and off he goes to find new pants.
7:50-John comes back with pants and wants me to help him put them on him.
8:10-John comes back and asks if he can play with Natalie’s new Bratts pony car. I tell him he’ll have to ask Natalie.
8:20-John climbs on me holding the new Bratt’s pony car, which is stil halfway in the box (darn those silly twist ties!) and asks Dad if he can get it out of the box. I tell him that dad is still sleeping and I can do it. So, I undo all those twist ties and get the silly thing out of the box.
8:30-I must have fallen asleep again sometime in here, and I dream that I’m driving to meet my parents at some reservoir around Heber. But my brakes are bad and I’m having a hard time driving. I finally call them to ask where exactly we are supposed to meet, because I’m there at the lake and dont’ see them. Weird dream.
8:55–Jenna comes and asks me if she can have a package of care bear fruit snacks since in her words “Nobody has even made me any breakfast!”. Ugh. I guess it’s time to get up and make the pancakes and eggs that I promised them.

And I’m well rested because, as anyone can see, I slept in.

A song came on the radio today that I’ve heard hundreds of times. It talks about if he had one wish, he would wish for one more day with “you”–his wife, girlfriend, true love–we don’t really know. So, it got me to thinking..what if I really had a wish. One wish. What would I wish for. The first thing that popped into my head was to lose 20, 30, maybe 40 pounds. I’ve struggled with my weight forever, and I’m constantly trying this or that and joining and rejoining Weight Watchers and not having the best success with it right now (it doesn’t help that we had pizza last night and Ryan decided to stop at Arctic Circle for ice cream on the way home last night). Wouldn’t it be great if I could wish for it and be thin?

What would you wish for?
That your annoying ex-husband would be hit by a car or die in an airplane crash?
Would you wish for a million dollars? Or to have your house paid off?
Would you wish to fall in love? Or to rekindle the love you have?
Would you wish for a new job? A new car? A new computer?
Would you wish for a talent that you currently do not possess? A personality trait? Patience, maybe?

As I thought about it, the thing that I would wish for is continued health for me and my family. Right now we’re all relatively healthy, and I just want to keep it that way. I’ve seen a friend deal with countless surguries and hospitalizations for one of her children, and I don’t know how she has the strength to do that over and over. I have friends who have lost children, and I honesltly don’t know how they got through that. I know people who have gone through breast cancer, and although they didn’t enjoy it, they’ve made the best of it, and are going on.

But my wish would be to not have to go through it. That’s my wish. Good Health for me and my family. So, wish fairy, if you are out there and if you read blogs, make a note of my wish.

What would you wish for?