"hate it"s

One of my biggest "hate it"s is when the kids bring home a flyer from school with misspellings. I'm not a professional teacher nor a professional proof reader and yet, I can catch those. And they bug me. It's like going to a work out class and the teacher is overweight.
I also hate it when people act like they have something to prove. Ironically enough, my sister tells me that this is one of my less endearing qualities.
I hate it when I try to finish people's sentences rather than letting them complete their thought. I'm constantly working on this.
I hate it when Dr Johnson.....breaths. :P Sadly, he's my Stake Pres. I should be working on this too.
I hate it when people disappear for a half hour smoke break.
And just to find a stopping place, I hate it when people tattle. Kids and Adults.

Mill End

Today I revisited one of the favorite stores from my youth. Mill End Fabrics. It is a warehouse of fabric. It is 32 years old. It is in a run down part of town. A part that seemed like a completely remote location when I was 7, but has now been absorbed into the city. I had to call my mom to find out what street to take, and then found it quite easily. The kids and I went to pick some fabric for Christmas presents. It felt similar to going home and taking the kids to see where I grew up. I don't really know how often I went there with my mom, but it obviously made a big impression on my young mind. I hope it made a good impression on my kids. I hope they ask to go back some day and look around some more. An entire world of fun fabrics.

travel

so, i don't usually go places but coming up, i'm going a lot. next weekend, the weekend after, the weekend after that, one weekend off, and then one last trip to vegas. it's going to be crazy. i couldn't do it without friends and family covering for me. and i'm trying not to let the guilt get to me about leaving my kids so much after working all week away from them. it means i'll have to go on quite a few bike rides to make up for it. i hope the weather cools off. ;)

druggie

recently i became a druggie. i admit this freely so other's know they're not alone. and i'm happier now. yay lexapro!!

The Best and The Worst Father's Day

Susan and I have been planning a surprise Anniversary party for my parents for a few months. She, her best friend, and my brother flew in for the surprise. Most of the people we invited were able to come. Dave made his favorite ribs and the rest was pot-luck, so that made it easier. They were genuinly surprised and it was great. The weather was beautiful (thank heavens, because it was at a park) and everyone had a lovely time.
When we got home there was an unsettling message from Dave's sister that let us know that Dave's dad had been missing all day. He was expected in Salt Lake about noon but never showed up. After church, Dave started calling all the hospitals in the area. When he called his sister to let her know that he hadn't found anything, he found out that Art's car had been found on the side of I-15 in North Salt Lake. Not long after that, we heard that his dad's body was found inside the car. He had run out of gas and it seems that the heat overcame him. It was such a shock. Dave, understandably, is very shaken and quite upset. We'll be heading to Utah soon.

service

So, at dinner tonight, my mom mentioned that yesterday was a service day: Rachel and John at the Human Society, Mom and Dad making blankets, and my reading to a guy in hospital. I just want to mention a bit about my reading experience.
This man has always been in our ward, I think. His mom used to be the RS president, so I know his parents. But he has been inactive as long (and most likely a lot longer) than I've been here which is 5 years. He and his wife have a baby girl. I'm not sure how old she is...1 at the most. He went on a diving trip about 6 months ago where he had numerous simultaneous small strokes while under water and also get The Benz (?) when he surfaced. He hasn't talked since. There was a picture of he and his wife and baby in his room and he didn't really look much like his former self. He's probably lost 50 lbs. He bit down on his lips and has some sores there that are healing now. He has a tracheotomy. I don't know how much brain function there is, but his eyes pretty much follow you. I suppose it could be a reflex, but I'd like to think it's cognisance showing through. He seemed to be quite taken by the picture of the pretty college girls I showed him. Men! :P
In a situation like that, you can't help but leave wondering what life would be like as the spouse of someone who had suffered such an injury. The terrible heartache and lonliness. And to think about having to go thru the rest of your life attached to that person, unable to hope for a new, happy relationship. Because you promised to stay.
It makes my precious moments with Dave that much sweeter and more cherished. Because now there's a comparison. And my trials are lighter. And the laughter, treasured.

Reemergence

the sky is blue. i have beautiful friends, and an incredible family. i've been coming out of my cave lately and it's a good thing.

done and done

Ian was baptised yesterday. Dave had spent the day "camping" at work but made it just in time. He was the only one from our ward and had to wait for the other four from the stake and be at the very end. He did great. (Jake was another story.) My mom gave the holy ghost talk afterwards and did AMAZING. I love it when she shines. She deserves more credit than she gets. We finished off with a celebration at Swensons. Jake kept us laughing by trying to lick ice cream off his seat, or eat dropped bits off the floor. It was so delicious, even John was glad he came. :P
This morning my dad sealed the deal in sacrament, confirming Ian and giving him a blessing. I hope he's able to stay on course and partake of those wonderful promises. A parent's truest wish.

Our April in a Nutshell

April has been wonderful for us. Many things happening to remind us of what's most important: family. From attending Dustin and Sara's wedding, to attending an uncle's funeral, to celebrating Ian's 8th birthday (baptism May 3rd @ 6:00) it all points to Heavenly Father's plan of happiness.
We had so much fun mingling with family and supporting the Jay Eves clan in Idaho and Oregon. I'm sure the wedding party didn't have as much fun as the rest of us due to all the responsibilities, but they pulled off a lovely reception with poise and grace. Being there really got us excited for the family reunion this summer.
Alexis' uncle passed away this month after fighting cancer for 8 years. Her dad gave a heart warming eulogy. And the event gave us a chance to take a new family picture (posted).
And lastly...Ian's birthday was this last Friday. We had his party Saturday night and Dave's Batman cakes were AMAZING!! (see photo for the proof!) He had his baptism interview last Sunday and passed, of course. We were a little worried when we explained the week before that he got to decide if he wanted to be baptized and he said, "I get a choice??" But he never said he didn't want to, so that's a very good sign.
(Oh, and we put vinyl siding on the house this month.)

Poof

In my last blog I forgot to tell a story. It's one of magic, hope, disappointment, and growing up. And denial. Rachel finally lost a tooth that had been giving her much trouble. The permanent tooth was coming in behind it and causing some pain. She was glad to have it out, as was I. It meant we didn't have to pay to have it pulled out...yeah! Our tooth fairy is usually late. Sometimes by a day or even two. At that point, she feels guilty and usually leaves something big like a new movie. Anyway, Rachel asked if I thought the tooth fairy would come that night and I was pretty positive she would, as the next day was Sunday and she wouldn't be able to give any guilt gifts the next night. When I remembered to check to see if the tooth fairy had made it (while Rachel was in the shower the next morning!) I found the first note of a tooth hunt. Time was short. I only got as far as the second clue. Rachel was a bit disappointed that the fairy was not able to find the tooth, but happy with the money left. Poor tooth fairy. Out-smarted by a ten year old who is still trying to believe the tooth-fairy is real.

Complanios

This is a pretty fine week. :) The days race by, but a few things of note...
Had fun at the Youth game night Tuesday. They even did some Karoke with Primary Songs. It was very entertaining. And Liz's Bowling pins are always a hit. Wednesday Rachel and I went on a date to a movie. She has been wanting to see Spiderwick Chronicles, so that's what we did. She was very excited and only hid her head a few times. ;) Thursday I was able to get ready at my convenience and stroll into work at about 10. Lucky me! Usually I go in late on Mondays so that I don't get overtime, but not this week. It worked out fantastically, I think. hehe. Wednesday morning Rachel had made my favorite Sunshine Toast for breakfast, then on Thursday Dave made a Strawberry smoothie for breakfast. YUM! It was a fun day even though I had to work, as three friends stopped by and I had several phone calls. Even Dave stopped in with an incredible arrangement of roses. I meant to take a picture, but never had my camera with me. Maybe it'll still be lovely when I get back to work Monday and I can take one then. :)
That night Mom and Dad and John came over for dinner and banana splits. DE-licious! Poor Dave, he managed to even get the floor mopped while taking care of 5 kids. What a trooper.
And then Friday, after a long day of fasting, we went out to the best sushi I've had yet. (I think I say that almost every time, but this was especially yummy. THANKS M&D) Saturday was pretty low key. Maybe a little too low. But it was a nice rest. Fabulous week, no?

Tell Us Everything...

Everything. OK! I'll talk! In third grade, I cheated on my history exam. In fourth grade, I stole my uncle Max's toupee and I glued it on my face when I was Moses in my Hebrew School play. In fifth grade, I knocked my sister Edie down the stairs and I blamed it on the dog... When my mom sent me to the summer camp for fat kids and then they served lunch I got nuts and I pigged out and they kicked me out... But the worst thing I ever done - I mixed a pot of fake puke at home and then I went to this movie theater, hid the puke in my jacket, climbed up to the balcony and then, t-t-then, I made a noise like this: hua-hua-hua-huaaaaaaa - and then I dumped it over the side, all over the people in the audience. And then, this was horrible, all the people started getting sick and throwing up all over each other. I never felt so bad in my entire life.

Starting a new journal (or blog) when you don't really have one you're continuing from is quite overwhelming. It's always a where-to-begin kind of puzzle. So, I'll start with this week. I always tell Dave, "We go from here," and I think the advice applies to this endeavor.

This was a rough week. Sick people. Some at work, some at home. It really puts everyone behind. It means I'm behind already when the week hasn't even started. Thank heavens I haven't been one of the sick ones. ;) Wednesday was the first day Dave was hit hard by the flu. I worked all day, only to have church obligations after work. It gutted me that I couldn't stay home to relieve Dave. I was able to enjoy going to the temple with the youth though. I am glad I went. I needed the little lift it gave me that allowed me to stay sane through the rest of the crazy week.
And we go from here.