Sunday Mornings in Spring . . .

It looks like spring may have sprung here in Utah and WOW does it feel GOOD!

I'm going to take my mom's line and just say, "If we were bugs, today would be a good day to go out and fly around."

So TRUE!

Here's what we did this weekend. Nothing fancy, but it sure did feel good to just BE . . .

and bake bread, make granola, bake bread, celebrate Jen's bday, bake bread, go to church, bake bread, ride bikes, bake bread, have dinner with friends, and . . .

BAKE BREAD!

Local peeps: please call me if you are up to trying the bread. I love making it so much. And it's literally 40 cents a loaf (materials). I'm dying to share it. It's so fun to make. (And at this rate, we're set to pop, hun. Name the movie. Anyone?)

Happy Birthday Jen(n)!

Happy Birthday Jennnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!

I love that I have a friend MY age. Had we known each other in 1988, we would have RULED THE SCHOOL. Actually, we might not have. BUT, we sure would have been good friends.

I just have so much love and respect for you Jennnnn (notice that my respect does not come with an ability to spell your nickname?). Thank you for being so caring, loving, positive, and inspiring. I love ya sistah!

I hope you have a great Birthday!

XOXO!

And now, in honor of your BIRTH, a Birthday Acrostic:


Just about the most fashion-forward friend I have.

Every time I see you, I smile.

No one can pick paint colors like you!

Nurse of the Year 2014, baby.

I love that you love bundt pan displays.

Forever learning, reading, growing, smiling . . .

Elephants adore you!

Revolutionary, respected, real, runner, rare-find, rosy, and royal . . . really!

One of My Most Favorite Things to Do

A about 8 years ago, I went to an "Enrichment" class at church in California. The class was taught by our bishop's wife, whom I absolutely loved.

I signed up for the class because SHE was teaching it. I really didn't know what we'd be learning that night (these monthly classes run on all kind of topics--service auctions, birthday dinners, game nights, etc.); I only knew that I needed to bring a pie-tin if I wanted to participate.

And so, I went to class pie-tin in-hand--and learned to bake bread.

And the rest, as they say, is history.

What I mean to say is, that night really changed my life.

And I'm not exaggerating.

To date, I think I've made bread--rain or shine, feast or famine, sickness or health--at least once a week EVERY week for the last 8 years.

Learning to make bread was like a revelation to me.

I love love love the process of making bread . . .

* I love the mixing the dough.
* I love kneading the dough (which is like a major stress reliever and a workout!).
* I love the way the dough gets big and puffy when it rises.
* I love the smell of it when it bakes.
* And most importantly, I love to EAT it (and share it).

In fact, I don't know if there's anytime I feel more happy than when I'm making bread. Isn't that silly?

Funny now that I think about it.

Sister Tanner taught me one of the most valuable skills in my life.

It's a skill that I've used probably as much as my times tables OR driving instruction.

I should write her a note and tell her.

In fact, that's what I'm gonna do right now. (While my current loaf of "artisian bread" is rising! See photos above.)


***********************

(PS: We call each other sister because we're all brothers and sisters on Planet E--not because we're sister wives on Big Love! LOL! That's another group; not ours. And I'm not judgin', I'm just sayin' . . . .)

(PSS: Thank you HULU for giving me access to Glee and Lost!)

Things that Make Me Smile

This was kind of a rough week for me. It's crunch time for work, the kids seem to have a lot going on with school, AND I've been battling some gut problems (which I fully intend to connect to my Grandma Dotty--inheriting her faulty plumbing).

Anyhoo, it's not a big big deal.

And I'm not blogging to vent about all of that hoopla.

I'm blogging today to talk about how incredible some people are at making you feel better--even when you don't feel good.

It's like there are certain people who have the ability to really lighten your load. And it's something I so so so appreciate. (And hope to do in my own life.)

So, here are a few of the people/things that made me smile this week:

1. The owner of the Papa Murphy's in our neighborhood--she NEVER forgets my name, my family, etc. She's fully of energy and enthusiasm. I think we've stopped eating pizza at any other restaurant SIMPLY because this woman makes the whole experience so worth while.

So, thank you PM Owner! (Oh, and right now their special is ANY PIZZA ANY SIZE for $10.00. YUM!)

2. Jonah--he has the most dry sense of humor. The other day he asked me to show him my muscles--I think in part to make fun of me. But for some reason, I actually have muscles in my arm (these are the good genes from Gr. Dotty. Take the good with the bad. LOL!)--and he nearly died when he saw me flex. So of course, that wasn't enough embarrassment for me. He had to make the sign below. (SCROLL--I'm having posting issues.) Thanks, Jonah. You make me laugh. (*It says, "tickets to the gunshow"--get it, guns?)

3. Chase the cat--that cat sits at the counter waiting to be served. It's the weirdest thing ever. It makes me smile. Thanks, Chase.(Again, SCROLL--posting issues.)

**Stay-tuned for MORE. I have to get photos for the other people.

Good Things . . .

It's official: we have two teenagers in the home! Eeek!

I know this is the time when, as parents, we are supposed to put our arms and legs inside the tram and hold on for dear life, but I'm actually really really really loving having teenagers. The kids are so much fun to spend time with. It's not all sparkling cider and caviar, but in many ways, I think this may be more fun than when they were itty-bitty.

Anyhow . . . enough deep thoughts! Onto the bday . . .

Camry had a great Birthday! (Thank you to our friends and family for phone calls, cards, and fun presents! Love you!)

Here's how she celebrated :

* cheesy cardboard banner "Happy Birthday" on mantel (cheesier sign in yard)
* favorite breakfast (bacon and scones)
* presents in the morning
* lunch with me at favorite "out to lunch spot" (Panda Express for Cam)
* no jobs/chores the whole day
* one mylar balloon (fun, but not over the top!)
* birthday burgers, soda and chips (made by Jonah or Kaya, served by the rest of the gang)
* homemade cake, ice cream (not homemade) and singing


(Sidenote: This is how 2010 birthdays roll at our home. We realized in '09 that with 6 kids it's super important to be consistent with bday celebrations. So, we decided to have a pattern/routine for celebrating. It seems kind of WAY organized to me, but it has made it much more fun AND easier to celebrate each kiddo with the same love/energy. Translation = Nobody can complain that another sibling "got more." Tee hee.)

Camry and Kaya at Panda Express (can you say Orange Chicken?).

THE cake. Funfetti by Dawn.

Ozzy models a present--backpack made from recyclable materials . . . a Skittles bag.

Jonah and the Camster. AKA: THE Teenagers.

Cam and the cake--and her new glitter eyeliner.
(Which I love. Hard Candy products are so fun!)

Breakfast scones (or, "Fried Rhodes Rolls"--add toppings).

Oz-Dog, sideview.

Birthday sign for the yard. (Just when she woke up. No sleeping in for this teenager.)



************************


PS: I followed my own advice and got the Glitter Toes AND the blue bundt pan!

I'm ready to hit the pavement running. I can't tell you how good that felt to get those two things "done." I feel like a reformed complainer (no more, "woe is me"--everyone else has all of the fun).

(And I've already made 2 bundt cakes. Woo hoo!)

Happy 13th Birthday Camry!

Happy Birthday Camry! 

We love you so much and hope you have a SUPER Birthday. 

You deserve a day filled with love, smiles, and lots of orange chicken!

And now, in your honor, a Birthday Acrostic:

Can't stop smiling.

An answer to our prayers (a sweet baby girl!!!).

Makes the cutest clothes for Barbie, Harriet, and Ozzy.

Ready for fun--no matter what day/time/activity.

You are great with little bambinos and animals!

Creative (sewing, adding glitter to everything, wearing funky bows).

Happiest when she is with Ozzy OR eating chips with ketchup (just like Aunt Christine!).

Really patient.

Into music, movies, and books!

So generous.

Totally loved by Oz-dog (I'm convinced he'd guard your tomb if you were Egyptian.).

Inspiring. (You are always dreaming BIG--and it makes me want to dream BIG too!)

No one can talk as much as you. (Well, mom runs a close second to you.)

Everything gets happier when you're around!

We love you, Camry!

AND . . . Bella K.--happy birthday to you, too--soul sistah!

It's a Bundt

I've been thinking a lot this week about NEEDS vs. WANTS.

You see, for a long time I've felt like it made most sense to put my NEEDS/WANTS to the side and focus on my kids' or other peoples' NEEDS/WANTS before my own. (Now clearly I'm not doing without running water, dr. visits, shelter, etc. But you get my point.)

I think I've done this primarily because it's a mom-thing to do. It's kind of part of the job description (sacrifice).

But I think I've also done this because my all-time pet peeve is selfishness. I can't stand it. And I think I often equate selfishness with putting yourself BEFORE others. 

(You know what I'm talking about? Those people that are okay putting their own happiness before the group's happiness: "One hot dog left? 12 people at the BBQ need to eat? That hot dog is all mine. Up yours 11 other people.")

Anyhow, my point!

This past month I've started to revise my thinking on this notion of self vs. others and needs vs. wants. 

I'm beginning to realize that there is value to taking care of our personal needs/wants from time-to-time--and in fact, there are times when we have to put ourselves first.

Why?

Because the lifeguard can't save a drowning person unless they (lifeguard) are strong, fit, alert, and prepared.

Translation =

If you are not well, prepared, happy, fill in the blank, you are NO GOOD to others/society/your family/etc.

Now clearly I'm not a lifeguard, but there are lots of other metaphors that clarify my point:

* A dull saw doesn't cut wood (well).

* A pencil without an eraser can't erase.

* A lamp without a lightbulb doesn't light the room.

* If momma aint happy, then nobody's happy. (Not a metaphor, but good point.)

You see, we are MUCH better at loving other people and tending to others' needs when we have a full charge on our own battery. (I'll stop with the metaphors now. I'm beginning to think my kids are going to go out in the world and think their mom was literally a lifeguard or pencil or a saw.)

But again, my point (eek--focus, Dawn):

Moms and caretakers out there, TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Don't wait another day. Take today and do something for yourself:

* Get the glitter toes. Happy toes make for 3 happy months of open-toed shoes.

* Make the casserole with onions--even if you are the only one that eats onions. Heaven knows you've been accommodating tiny people's dietary restrictions for years now.

* Let the kids walk home from school for a whole week. We don't live on a farm. The red school house isn't 2.7 miles away. Half-Pint and Nelly can walk for a week and help mom save some gas AND sanity.

* Buy the blue bundt pan at Target. It's only $10.00 AND you've looked at it every week for 4 months. Go home, make a dang bundt cake--AND EAT THE WHOLE THING SOLO. With a coke if you want. Whatever makes your heart sing.

Now clearly these are just hypotheticals.


But you get my point.


And I do have one.

Or two.

PS: 

Happy almost birthday Camry! Last weekend as a 12 year old. Woo hoo!