My Favorite Books

22. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Books, Mom's Books, Older Kid-Tween, Young Readers · Tags:

About 5 years ago I decided to spend my time reading mostly Middle Grade books (for ages 8-12) and Young Adult books.  Leaning more towards the M.G books.  I know I am not alone in reading these books—my kids like them too. Winking smile  Seriously though, for me reading is mostly an escape—and should be enjoyable.  I have read lots of horror, thriller, crime, as well as my share of ahem ‘snuggle books’, but I find that personally—I am happiest reading a good kids book. 

Something upbeat and exciting, or amusing—or both.  I enjoy the odd 3rd grade potty-humor and run-on-jokes.  Mostly I find this category of books to be CLEAN.  There isn’t tons of swearing or inappropriate scenes.  I was reading a book recently that Colin was desperately waiting for.  Book 2 in a series.  The book is a YA and starts getting a bit more ‘snuggly’ in spots—nothing graphic—just some more kissing, back rubbing, etc.  I warned him about these and shared my technique as he made a funny face “if you come to a snuggly part—turn the page and see if they are done yet—get back to the story as quickly as you can.  Colin raised his eyebrows into the ‘duh’ position and said “Uh…yeah!”  As in “duh mom, already do that”.   My boys know that if they get caught with ‘questionable’ media—well let’s say that if they need to see that stuff I have volunteered myself and their grandmothers for anatomy review questions.  Want to see a real woman’s body—here you go!  And I can start kissing on Jeff publicly anytime if they want to see a little ‘real live action’. 

*sorry moms—didn’t I mention that?

Yes I AM that mom! 

But I digress—as usual. 

I like my books fun and clean and entertaining. 

*no I haven’t read this book yet, but it IS in the house and yes I DID pay $ for it.*

When the Winds Blow

21. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Everyday life · Tags: , , ,

 

I usually don’t have TV on during the day—yesterday I was busting through a mountain of laundry and bathroom cleaning.  We spent the evening at the beach and it wasn’t until I saw a notice flash on Jeff’s phone (on the way home) that I saw Oklahoma had been hit by another tornado.  I was surprised that they had been hit again so soon!  This time so many people have lost their lives.  My heart and prayers go out to those who are left behind—the teachers who couldn’t save their drowning babies—because I know they love their students as if they were there own babies.  The parents who won’t get to have that first day of summer break with their kids.  The rescue workers who are working around the clock ever hopeful…  And also those who are injured, or who have lost everything and are rebuilding. 

We never know when our time will come.  I’m not going to say ‘eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we may die’ because that’s not the point—I am going to instead encourage everyone to make sure you share love and kindness and compassion.  Don’t let your ‘loved’ ones be unsure of your love! 

Telling Stories

20. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Everyday life · Tags: , , ,

imageI have an album, it’s simply titled Favorite Photos.  I have probably talked about it before.  Just a blank spiral bound book that I have prettied up.  I printed out some recent photos that I really love and was working on it tonight.  It’s fun to tell the REAL story behind some photos.  Probably some stories that my family would rather me not tell.  image

Like the time Nathan (as a 7 year old) fit himself into Ryan’s baby walker and was scooting around the floor.  Or how again when Ryan was a baby I posed him with one of the boy’s toy light sabers—yes I am that mom.  Or an amazing picture of Colin in the spring of `02 that Nathan took—wow I love that picture.  Or Jeff’s college graduation picture—we had been married all of 22 hours when it was taken—if that.  And then there’s K on her first day of first grade—so excited…they’re not big EVENT pictures really, just pictures taken here and there that I really love.  It is pretty simple, not a lot of pretty product and all—because for me it’s not about the product it’s about the stories.  When my kids look through the photo albums they want to read the stories, they don’t really care about the paper I used, the bling on the page, etc.  Any artistic expressions that’s in there is just for me.  So I am keeping this book simple so I have plenty of room for the good stuff. 

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Look at all those stories. 

The Blessing and the Curse

19. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Everyday life, Sunday · Tags: ,

In order to gain a real understanding let’s back up to Saturday night.

it’s 11-ish PM and we have just done our final lights, door, kid-check. 

I’m in pj’s, lights are out, I am ready to sleep.

That’s when it hits, the itchy eye. 

Just one.  The right one.  I don’t know why—but it has traditionally been my right one.  Then I remember I haven’t taken off my make-up–b/c that’s how I roll.

So…go and take off the make up hoping that it will help the itchiness.

15 minutes later it’s a no-go. Short of gouging out my eye with a spoon—the only real option is some drugs.

Zyrtec is in my bathroom drawer.  I have tried different medications and they all work about the same.  I have learned my best option is to take them at night—especially the 24 hour extended release ones.  They tend to make me tired.  Did some research—turns out chemically they are close to a sleeping pill.  Nice.

Don’t want to bore you here—but its important backstory.  Seriously.  If there’s one thing I have learned from Dr. D—it’s the importance of backstory.

So—Saturday night—took a 24 hour extended release Zyrtec. 

Sunday morning came nice and early.  Thanks to the Zyrtec I was feeling pretty mellow.  Factor 1

Today was Stake Conference.  We had Elders Cardon and Bennett from the 2nd Quorum of the 70—a real treat!  We got to church 30 minutes early and scored a pew.  It was exciting. 

I was really enjoying the service—especially since Jeff was playing referee between Nathan and Ryan. 

About 45 minutes in we had one speaker who spoke so gently and  smoothly that I started feeling that napping feeling.  Factor 2

Thankfully he didn’t speak long so I perked back up and made it thru the rest of the service. 

Came home, had a yummy lunch that I can’t even remember, but it filled me up.  Kids continued an argument that had begun in the car and before you know it they are in their rooms. 

The house is quiet Factor 3.

It was then that I knew the time had come—the Sunday Nap.

Have you ever had a nap that you struggled to get up from?  Where you can hear sounds around you and you know life is going on but you are so comatose that you can’t even roll over?

That was me. From 1-4:30. 

So here I am, almost 11 Sunday night, feeling a slight tired feeling, but not drowsy. 

Ugh. 

The blessing and the curse of Sunday afternoon naps. 

Let’s play…

17. May 2013 · Write a comment · Categories: Flashback · Tags:

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Jeff claims this is when they used to play “Cowboys and Indians” but it looks more like “Armed Robbery”.  Notice Jeff is the one in the heat with the bandana over his face and Gary is the one in the orange ski mask.  My admirable husband is holding an innocent bystander hostage even.  I love these old pictures—so much fun!

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