Kyle says the darndest things

Low: Can't think of one. Maybe Kyle does not like to learn math. How is that for following the rules.

High: Kyle was learning why we use variables to express mathematical equations. He was "loving" learning. Ok he was complaining under his breath. The lady on his learning program was explaining that using a variable is a short cut when an item's value may change. Her example was a bag containing balls. She suggested that they use "b" to express the number of balls in the bag. She then continued to ask how would you determine how many balls where in the bag. I heard Kyle mutter, "Look in the bag." Ok then I guess we don't need a variable.

Tacos Anyone

Low: Yesterday I came home from seminary and it was obvious from the odor coming from the kitchen that someone was eating more than cold cereal. I found Kyle making food and from the array of food I thought he was making spaghetti. So I made the comment, "so we are having spaghetti for breakfast!!", trying to point out that this not the usual fare for breakfast. He replied that he was having tacos.

High: ( Don't know why I have transitioned to the High portion but I have to somehow fit this experience into a high and low and it really doesn't fit.) Anyways I figure our family usually eats non traditional foods for breakfast so why not tacos, most of the major food groups are represented. Later I walk back to the kitchen and discover that not only was he eating tacos but he was eating "Spaghetti Tacos". I of course wonder where this idea came from to which he announced that everyone who watches I Carly knows that her brother eats spaghetti tacos. Given that I sleep with the only 50 year old fan of I Carly I expect he knows about this, only to find out that Curtis has never heard of spaghetti tacos.
So when you look at the picture on Facebook and see you Dad posing with Sam from I Carly as though he is the greatest fan of the show, know that his true identity has been revealed and that he failed in identify and eating the food that the show is famous for.
On the other hand the picture above proves that Kyle and I are the only ones in the family who have lived the life of an I Carly fan. (Actually I think the show is stupid)

No low just funny

Cody posed the question today, "Do you think the chickens would eat chicken if we put it out for them?"
From the kitchen Kyle said, "If you breaded it!!"
I guess if you bread it Kyle will eat anything.

Taylor is prophetic

High: Jayson and I are working on converting all the old family videos from tape to the DVD. So I get to watch and remember. It is funny to see how much everyone has changed but actually I have been noticing how much we haven't changed; we were each born with a personality and they don't seem to have changed much. So I was watching a segment from right before Cody was born and we were debating his name. I am lying on the coach because of course I was really sick and the kids are dancing around me offering name suggestions, most of them very bizarre. So I don't know where Taylor got this idea but the name she suggested was "AbelFart".

Low: She was prophetic and that would have been a very appropriate name for Cody.

All Pooped Out (TItle courtesy of Taylor)

High: Getting a clean bill of health today
Low: The preparation for a colonoscopy...i will spare you the details but let's just say that I took 20 days worth of laxatives in 12 hours.
High: I lost 5 pounds in about 3 hours
Low: Leaving Cody and Kyle to entertain themselves while I was at the procedure. I entered the house to find 4 teenage snipers in my hallway with nerf guns aimed at me. The first words I heard were "hey guys hold your fire while my mom comes in." Needless to say they all quietly played while I recovered....OH YEAH RIGHT.

Late Entry

High: Having everyone home for Thanksgiving. I had such a good time. It is a mother's first wish and joy; to have all her family together. And we had no contentions - that was a true joy. Thank you for that gift. I can't express how much I enjoyed being with everyone.
Low: You had to go home. The boys are begging to go to Utah for Christmas because they can't stand to be here alone. Most people think that five people in a household is a housefull we find it to be empty without you all around. Having said that though we are grateful that you are off doing great things in your life.
I love you all.
The Momster

Covenants and neighbors

High: On Wednesday I had the privilege of acting as escort as Martha Blackmer and her husband received their Temple Endowment. It was really wonderful to see how excited they were. She made comments about how beautiful the ceremonies were.
Higher: The Bishop asked for ward members to join us that evening for a ward temple trip. Nearly everyone on the session was from our ward. When the Blackmers walked into the celestial room they were greeted by about 50 ward members. Way cool.
Even Higher: On Saturday I again acted as escort to Martha as she and her husband went back to the Temple with their children to be sealed. I can't even type this without starting to cry. I got to drive down in the car with them. Emily kept saying, " I can't wait to be sealed." The whole family was soooo excited. I think Dean might have even been a tiny bit excited but he is way too cool to show it. When we reached the 405 split, Emily looked out the window and saw all the signs and asked, "Are we going to Disneyland?"m
Let me first say that my own children's sealing ceremonies were obviously a way cooler experience but this was definitely a close 2nd. There were young brides also preparing to be sealed that day and it was interesting to see the difference between them and Martha. They were concerned about bridesmaids and flowers. Martha, who had already been married for 20 years instead was focused on the wonderful opportunity to be able to be finally be sealed for eternity to her spouse and her children who she loved so much.
President Brimhall officiated at the ceremony and Beau Belnap and Breck Laing, the missionaries who taught them the gospel, acted as the witnesses. I can't find words to describe the ceremony, let's just say it was awesome and I used a few kleenexes.
Highest: After Martha and Keith were sealed the Temple workers brought in their children. To see their three children all dressed in white kneeling at the altar together was one of the greatest experiences of my life. Again I just can't find the words.
It has been one of the most exciting experiences of my life to be able to work with the Blackmers and help to teach them as they have progressed in the Gospel.
Low: That I don't work more diligently to teach the gospel to more of my neighbors. The reward is so incredible. I wish I would find more ways to be more diligent in helping my friends and neighbors have the opportunity to embrace the covenants of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Back at Redwood

Low: Kyle is back at Redwood and it is the end of September, which for those of you who attended that school know means (drum roll )...................yes of course you remember......magazine sales.....did you know that if you ONLY sell 150 orders of magazines you can win a whole lot of wonderful prizes that are more commonly referred to as ....excuse the bad language......crap. So for the next few weeks Kyle will be pounding the pavement in search of the opportunity to annoy the neighbors and receive pittance for his time. Oh how I like Redwood.

Low and High: Yesterday was our Primary program. It was soooo good and also funny. Jacob Garcia stole the show by grabbing the microphone after his two word part and yelled no. It was the last primary program that I will have a child perform in. I have loved watching my kids in this annual event, especially the year Brittny put her feet up in the air and revealed an area of her body that usually isn't revealed and sucked on her socks until they were sopping wet. So now it is your turn to have children so that I can come and enjoy their program. Love you guys.

19 August 2009

High: Spending time with family. I love my kids and kids-in-law and grandbaby.
Low: Having to leave.

Family

Low: Brittny and Eric moved and we couldn't come and help them. It is hard to watch your kids work and need help and not be there to provide it.

High: Taylor and Ryan helped Brittny and Eric. Woohoo for family. Thanks Taylor and Ryan. Watching siblings grow up you sometimes you wonder if Heavenly Father just had a sense of humor when he put us all together because sometimes it felt like all we did was fight. Now it is rewarding to see you each support and serve one another. You are all great kids (adult kids) and I am really pleased that I can call all of you my family.
Love you all lots.
Mom

Aging

Low: I just got my first solicitation to join AARP
High: People keep saying that I am much to young to be a grandma. Though I am flattered to hear the compliment I am quick to let people know that I am legitimately "old" enough because the other alternative is that Brittny or I were teenage mothers. Love you all. Mom

Friday Night Loser's Club

High: Last night I met Dad after work and we went to Home Depot. We spent an hour and half and $400 on things for the house, including a new toilet seat. Hey we took about 10 minutes to analyze whether plastic or wood will show the fewest stains. The reason this is a high is that we had 10 minutes together to talk and discuss these types of things as well as the size of mesh to keep the rats out of our chicken coop. We then went to Wendy's and spent $5 on our meal that we shared(obviously waters and no soda) and ended by laying on the couch with Kyle and watching Disney Channel.
This was the ultimate Friday Night Loser's Club. But it was one of the most enjoyable evenings for me. I love just having time to work with my husband and spend time with him. No one else needed our time and we just got to be together. I am really really really glad that after 27 years that just being together is so enjoyable. That is truly a high.
Low: We now need to go work on the toilet in the boys bathroom. Yuck.

Technology

High: I bought a new carpet cleaner, it heats the water and everything.
Low: I lied it doesn't do everything....I have to push it around and add and empty the water and soap but
High: My carpets are getting cleaner
Low: Did I mention that I have to push it around
High: My arms are getting stronger
Low: I have to work to make it work
High: The stench in my car may finally be gone since I cleaned the carpet.
Low: Like I said I had to do the actual cleaning.

wedding fallout

Low: When I go to sleep I dream that I am still preparing for another reception. No wonder I am still so tired.

High: I have had lots of opportunities to talk to friends about the church lately because of Taylor and Ryan's marriage. The wonderful pictures that Tami took in the Sacred Grove convey the Spirit of the area. As I have the chance to show friends the pictures I have been able to tell them about the First Vision. I now need to make sure that I invite them to church,

Manhood

Low: This is a continuation from the last episode where Taylor gets her hair chopped right before she plans her fairy tale wedding. If you need a reminder of the nightmare go back and read the previous post. On that same day I got a phone call from Brittny and it was quite apparent that she was having a bad day...Samuel had been crying most of the night. My mom heart wanted to jump right onto the plane and race up to help her. I felt so bad for her because I know how hard it is to have an consolable baby but I was sooo busy.

High: This is the best part. So I have two daughters that are having a really hard time. What was so cool to watch was how wonderful and kind their hsuband/fiancee where to them. Ryan had to study for finals but instead he spent the evening with Taylor. I watched him comfort her and tell her how beautiful she was and then we spied (well they were in my bathrroom right infront of us) as he sat her down and washed her face and did her facial cleansing routine. When Brittny called she sounded much better. She told me that when Eric saw how hard it was for her he took the day off work and cared for Samuel and gave her a break.

They remind me of how Curtis has cared for me over the years. When it was time for Jayson to be born and Curtis was hundreds of miles away I did everything I could to wait for him to arrive. Later people told me that Curtis should be so grateful to me for holding on so he could be there. They had it wrong. I was being selfish. There was no way I wanted to go through a birth without him because he cares for me so well and I knew that he would make sure that I was taken care of.

I am so pleased that my daughters have chosen men who take after Curtis. They are really blessed to have them. As I watched Ryan wash Taylor's face I was reminded of the Savior and the care he showed to his Apostles. I am grateful to be surrounded by "real men"; those who follow the Savior and serve as He did. And I am grateful that my boys will have these men to pattern their lives after.

The Miracle

Low: Taylor came home from the hairsalon, yes we are only two weeks from the wedding, with 12 inches cut out of the back of her hair. She had asked for some layers and the stylist had whacked big uneven chunks out of her hair. Unfortunately even though it was in the back it was obvious to her that her long had been ruined and there was no way to put it back on.

High: I have been teaching seminary this week, which in and of itself is a high. I love working with the youth and testifying of Christ. (One day we had 5 non members in the class...that was a high. Actually the real high was that three came one day and they brought back two more later in the week...anyway I am digressing.) Because of seminary I have been getting up early again and having time to ponder, pray and study the scriptures. I love this time of the day but without seminary I lack the discipline to get up and take advantage of it. As I was praying about all that has been happening and the many set backs we were having with planning the wedding, I felt the impression to pray for a miracle for Taylor's hair. Heavenly Father can do anything and he can grow hair. I pondered on the faith that it took to grow hair in time for a wedding and decided to go ahead and ask anyway, even though I felt I really didn't think I had enough faith for a miracle of that magnitude.
"We" - no wait this story involves Taylor so we all know that - "I" called the stylist and tried politely to explain that we needed help. I am ashamed to say I forgot about faith and prayer for the rest of the day. We left to the salon. The stylist was defensive and I tried to be polite but firm. I then went outside to finish the sewing I was working on.
When Taylor came out her hair looked beautiful and the layers were even. I was stunned because I really didn't expect it to work. (see my lack of faith) I had looked at the chunk of hair that had been taken out and I couldn't see how it could have been repaired. We then went off to go get her make up done. At the end of make-up and hair, Taylor looked stunning.
While Taylor and I were talking about how good she looked I think I said something about how surprised I was with how well her hair looked and as I was talking the Spirit hit me and reminded me that I had prayed for a miracle, why was I surprised. I had forgotten that I had prayed for help in the morning but apparently Heavenly Father had not forgotten.
This has been a good reminder to me that Heavenly Father deeply cares for us, even when we have bad hair cuts. Yes in the scheme of the eternities, hair doesn't matter much, but it is obvious to me that if it matters to us it matters to our Heavenly Father.
I am reminded that as I encounter problems that I need to turn to my Heavenly Father and trust that he can help me find a solution and have faith that he will. I am certain that in the next few weeks we will encounter some difficulties, it always happens when you are planning for a big event. I pray, as we are all together, that you will remind me that there will be a solution, we just need to turn to our Heavenly Father.
I am sooooo looking forward to being all together in New York. I love the land of the restoration and I am so happy that we can all gather together as a family there, especially for such a wonderful event.
Love
The Momster

Mother's Day

High: Being a Mom I love being a Mom. Including being Mom to some of my adopted kids. It was very fun to get a call from Brandon Schlecht. Thanks for all your thoughtfulness today. I felt pampered and appreciated.
It was fun to work along side Taylor in the kitchen. We have similar cleaning styles. I really enjoy watching my girls embrace their role as women in Zion. I am very pleased (more like proud but I can't say that) with their desires and actions to help build families.

Wedded bliss

High: Celebrating our 27th wedding anniversary by serving in the church. There is no where else I would rather be than with my husband building the kingdom. It was fun to watch him talk to the Young Adults. He is pretty good. It was great to have some alone time.... rewind I guess it wasn't alone time, it was together time. I am happy when I am with him.

Finding a dress for the weddding....under the $345 price tag seen the day earlier.....WAY under.

Low: Not being able to take credit for finding the dress. Curtis found it. Before that I lost him in the craft store. He disappeared so I finally just went through the checkout and figured he was just searching for me. Apparently not because he never came. The store clerk thought it was funny that the husband was the one who was lost browsing in the store. You may want to ask him what he was doing.

Wonderful Weekend

High: Standing in Holy Places with the family this weekend. It has to be one of the absolute coolest experiences to escort a young couple to the Temple as they prepare to marry. Brittny has already expressed how I feel about being together with ALL the family and how much I desire that we are all together through eternity. Maybe a new family motto should be "No man left behind". As I sit in the Temple I just can't imagine not being ALL together someday.

Brittny sent me this quote which I think expresses my sentiments:

With your companion, make it a family objective to all be together in the celestial kingdom. Strive to make your home a little bit of heaven on earth so that after this life is over, you may be able to say:

We are all here!
Father, mother, sister, brother,
All who hold each other dear.
Each chair is filled—
We’re all at home. …
We’re all—all here.

-Ezra Taft Benson, “The Honored Place of Woman,” Ensign, Nov 1981, 104

The next high was witnessing the blessing of Samuel and being again together as a family. I am so grateful for the power of the Priesthood and grateful to Brittny and Eric for the opportunity to witness the growth of a new Eternal family.

Low: I was going to say having to drive back and forth to Utah so many times but I have realized that it has given me a great opportunity to be with family. So can't complain.

Its a great day to be alive....

I have a hard time posting a "low" because I want to be positive but definitely my low at this time comes from the death of my brother-in-law Jay. It is not his death that makes me feel low, because I know that he continues to live through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The low is knowing that my sister and her family are mourning. Jay truly loved being a husband and a father and I know his family will miss him.
There are so many highs I can't list them all but here are a few:
Listening to the Prophet and the Young Women's leaders speak about virtue. I am so grateful to live at a time when we can receive instruction from such great leaders. The General Young Women's presidency has challenged the young women of the church to do three things every day. I think these would be good goals for each of us:
1. Personal prayer
2. Read for 5 minutes from the Book of Mormon
3. Smile

Next high was working in our yard. I love our yard and I love how everything looks during spring time.

Going to the beach and seeing the dolphins. I love being close to nature.

Hearing or seeing in texts or emails, honestly I don't care how it is communicated, "I love you" from my family.

I feel the Lord leading and directing my life constantly. I am so grateful to live at this period when the Gospel is restored in its fullness.

I love you all.
The Momster