To ride or not to ride...

I love a good amusement park. I love fast rides and slow rides, and rides that take me high above the crowd, and rides that keep me close to the ground. Given a choice however, I will pick a bumpy, heart pounding rollercoaster every time.

My favorite is the old wooden rollercoaster. While waiting in line you wonder how it is still standing and will it hold up through your ride. I enjoy the modern rollercoasters as well, the ones that take me on fast, tight turns with long drops and the endless loops. I love the twinge in my stomach while we hang over the edge waiting for the drop, my body slamming from side to side with each turn and finally floating in every loop. To me the roller coaster is the ultimate thrill ride.

I have also been known on occasion to enjoy the Ferris wheel. The smooth constant turn of the wheel giving all its riders a chance to catch their breath, talk, get away from the crowds, and enjoy some nice views.

When I was twelve years old my soccer team won a tournament. Each player was given a ticket to the grand opening of the new rollercoaster at Lagoon. My team was excited because we would be the first to ride the “Colossus”. On the day of the opening our coach promised $10 to the player who rode the “Colossus” the most times in a row. I was up for the challenge, and for awhile many of the girls kept up. Around the 10^th and 11^th ride, one by one each girl dropped out of the competition. Ride after ride I was ready to go again. Finally on the 24^th turn I sat alone on the ride, I won. With $10 and a headache I met up with my team at the Ferris wheel.

You see life right now is a bit like an old, bumpy rollercoaster; the climb to the top is slow, the thrill of the drop is small, bumping from side to side is painful, and the ride can give me a headache. I catch myself longing for the smooth, constant turn of the Ferris wheel, for its even course, and I wonder if I’m on the right ride.

Then suddenly a small drop or a new loop lets me float above the crowd and I’m reminded that I’m pretty sure I’d miss the ride.

The Ferris wheel will have to wait.

Sometimes I need a little reminder...

"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."

-Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Two Blondes, a Football Player, and Princess...

...all had a birthday. 

 Once again life keeps moving and somehow I am suppose to keep up with it.  I do, just a little late at times. 

A big belated happy birthday to the two blonde, blue eyed kids in our family.

Both are still willing to hug me in public.

Both are picky eaters.  One only eats fruit and cheese, and the other one won't touch fruit or cheese unless forced upon.

Both make me smile.

Happy Birthday Masers and Marra!!!!

Mason our mad scientist turned twelve in November.  As tradition would have it he received a laundry basket for his birthday and now does his own laundry.  It was a great birthday for mom.

Mase has many friends, but wherever we have lived he always has a best friend and Vegas is no different.  Kahlil and Mase love all things sports and being on the winning team.  This year they lead their flag football team to victory, and played side by side on their tackle football team.  "Go Cowboy"!

Now that football is over they have joined the schools all boy hip-hop club.  Should be fun to watch.

Marra is our three year old princess.  The only girl after four boys.  In a word she is spoiled, and we wouldn't have it any other way.  She loves to play "mommy", "princess", and whenever we can find it...

...dirt. Daily she is a princess with a little dirt under her painted finger nails.  She is keeping it real.

Happy Belated Birthday...

I tried to post yesterday, but it would not work so we are a day late. 

 He still had a great day minus sitting in the urgent care with Nate for 2 hours.  All is well and every one is whole, minus a toe nail.

Here a few of the highlights, breakfast in bed, lunch date with his two best gals, french bread pizza for dinner, books, and homemade cheesecake topped with fresh raspberries, bananas, and homemade caramel sauce.

So here is a late Happy Birthday to my scrabble playin, sports lovin, trivial pursuitin, book readin, father of five, and fabulous hubby. 

 

38 reasons to love or hate me... You decide.

... normally I do not like to talk a lot about myself, lets face it there are 7 of us here and most are more interesting than I.  However, in light of tradition and because it was my 38th birthday I shall write about myself.  

Consider yourself warned.

1.  I am a mother to five fabulous kiddos.

2.  I am VERY conservative.

3.  I called the school district to find out about Obama's speech.  Pretty sure they changed it after I called.

4.  I graduated from the University of Utah and cheer for them when they do not play BYU.

5.  I have been happily married for 15 years and still pinch myself wondering how it happened so well.

6.  I have lived in four states:  Utah, Texas, California, and Nevada.

7.  I lived in Utah for 26 years before living anywhere else.

8.  I love to sing and have sung in choirs, ensembles, and even solo.  My husband thinks I should do it more often.

9.  I once swore I would never marry a sports fan.  Now not only do I have a sports fan husband, but I also have 4 sons who have followed in his footsteps.

10.  I worry too much about my weight.

11.  I am halfway to my weight loss goal.

12.  I believe in choices, but I also believe in consequences.  Don't complain to me about a consequence when you made the choice.

13.  Sometimes life just sucks.  That is when you "suck it up" and keep moving forward.

14.  I love most country music.  Steve is not so much a fan but my kids know most of the lyrics.

15.  I love to read.  I am currently reading 4 books.

16.  I should stick to one book and finish it.

17.  My favorite novel is "The Good Earth".

18.  School is only part of Education.  I will do the rest at home (i.e. correct what was wrong).

19.  I don't care what Hollywood thinks.  They should just be quiet and sing.  I'll listen to your politics when you read my book and see my movie.

20.  I don't want a "public option" for health care.  I will pay for mine and you can pay for yours.  

21.  I love my SUV.

22.  My Suburban can drive over any "Smart car".  So don't tell me what I should drive.

23.  I miss my Grandma O.

24.  I have had stitches 9 times.

25.  The stitches I remember the most were in 5th grade when I was in PE and a boy taller than me ran into me.  His buck teeth hit my head.  I just remember lots of blood (mine not his).

26.  I'm not really a shopper, unless I'm at a bookstore.

27.  I love high heels.

28.  My hair is all grey.  You would never know because of a wonderful person I call Megan who makes the grey go away.  Love her!

29.  I never thought I wanted a daughter, but I am so glad to have one.

30.  I love reading with my kids.  We are reading "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" (with Peyton and Marra) and Cam and I are reading Harry Potter.

31.  2 of my boys are taller than me.  Not really much of an accomplishment I know, but they love it.

32.  I love to write.  I have hundreds of stories and thoughts written down, just waiting for me to do something with them.  

33.  I love to try new recipes.  Can't say my family loves them all, but some become keepers.

34.  I love to watch the Food Network and make up my own dishes.  My family usually likes these.

35.  Give me a new recipe book and I will hide away for hours planning and dreaming.  My favorites are church and family recipe books.

36.  I love to read the Book of Mormon and conference talks with my husband.  He sees things differently than I do and it is nice to compare the two perspectives.

37.  I am a Christian.

38.  I have a testimony of my Savior Jesus Christ and the Peace he brings to the world around me.

  

... So right, wrong, or indifferent that is part of who I am.  Proud to be 38 because life just gets better and better.

Happy Birthday...

Curious about all the world around him.

Awesome (I really love this kid).

Masters all he tries.  Math, reading, and always science.

Energetic.  It is sometimes hard to keep up with him.

Running all day and night.

Outrageous. Keeps me on my toes.

Non-stop. He crashes at night and doesn't move a muscle until morning.

From the moment he was born I knew that our life would never be the same again.  He has brought joy and energy to our house and it doesn't show any signs of stopping.  I love the way he looks at the world and all the adventures he brings with it.

He wears me out, but it's always better then bored.  I can hardly wait to see what the next eight years bring.

Have a great day Cam!!!!

No one is listening...

...apparently I am not going along so he is trying to teach me through my children.

...Stay out of my housing.

...Stay out of my cars.

...Stay out of my health care.

...Stay out of my children's' education.

I will teach them to be self reliant. You know save to buy their own house, their own car, and their own health insurance.

I will make sure they get a good education. Teach them to think for themselves, and research what is being taught.  Why do you think I took the youngest out of public school?