It happened. It happened today.

After school conversation with Master
Master: Guess what.  Do you remember when Ryan said that if I started getting buff the girls were going to notice me?  It happened.  It happened today.  Two girls talked to me.
(insert here a silly little grin on his face - that I wish I had a picture of)
I am so not ready for this!

4th Grade Hike

This hike 'Big Mountain' is an old pioneer trail.  Sport is not much of a hiker.  He made it about a mile.  I made it another 1.5 miles with him on my shoulders.   This very good dad that was also a chaperone did the last 1.5 for me.  LOVE good people like that.

Flash back to summer - Random Saturday with Uncle Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shiny happy people and feedback

I'm not even sure where to begin with this one.  Doing what I do for work and even in my job as a mom I feel like I am getting constant feedback.  Typically I am the hardest one on me.  I can give you a list longer than my arm of all the things I could do better.  Now when it comes to constructive criticism or negative feedback from others, I really try to process before I decide if they are correct and I need to make an adjustment or if they are SMOKING CRACK.  In an effort to save you a super super long post...the short version is this....apparently if you didn't know me you would hate me, I'm too controlled and don't show enough emotion therefore I give off the message I don't need anyone because I've got it all figured out. And I talk at people instead of talking to them. HOLY SHIZ are you serious?  It came from three different sources within a 4 week time period so I thought I better sit up and pay attention. And the last fragmented piece of feed-back came today through a friend of a friend who didn't want to say anything directly to me, but she thinks the above pictured child is always screaming and has a runny nose, because he has food allergies, and I should really work on that.  Things that make you go hmmmm. After thinking and thinking and thinking about this...and a really great conversation with my husband and another great conversation with my sister.  If you think any of the above and you are reading this blog you can go STICK IT....
 ha!!!

 no really I am kidding.  

I'm ok with feedback, but I am also wise enough to know that feedback is coming through THEIR filtering system which is based on THEIR life experiences.  My life experiences have made me who I am.  I grew up with an alcoholic father that put us in some super crazy situations.  I don't know many others that can say their Dad has pulled a gun on them, tried multiple times to commit suicide, been in and out of jail, cheated, lied....like I've said in previous posts, the man had some good traits but lead a scandalous life. Then to top it off I landed myself in a relationship with a gay seminary teacher that told me every day he didn't desire me,  that's not only a whole blog post by itself, it could be a small novel.  Then I put together a somewhat normal life and along comes Sport.  How many ER visits?  How many surgeries...and still health problems I don't have answers for.  All of which equals, OK I'm a control freak, I've had enough out of control, that when CALM comes along I am going to milk it for all it's worth.  As for having "it" figured out.  I have moments where I don't have anything figured out, but this I can say, I am happy, I am at a spot in my life where I am really really happy, and I hope it goes on for a long long time.  I have been blessed with the best partner, companion, aka husband I could ever ask for. I think He is my best decision EVER.   I have really great kids, and family and even friends who usually like me.  The one adjustment I will make is that I am NEVER going to give advice or FIX  or give FEEDBACK unless the person asks for it. (immediate family exempt)  And the next time you see a shiny happy person, cut them some slack, know that there is a real person under there with real feelings, who has probably been through some pretty REAL stuff, don't hate them, get to know them.

AMEN

I gotta go do my kids homework now.

If you actually read this far...you're the bomb and I love you!

They crack me up

Showing the love

Labor day weekend

Last hurrah for summer.

Boy mom

I love being a boy mom.

Trouble

It's all in the eyes.

Therapy

In order to prep for ski season we need to get these skinny little legs stronger. Indy suggested Sport ride his bike to school. Helping him ride to and from school is like full scale cardio for me. But he loves it.

Happy Back to School

Love Nana

Go UTES!

Utah vs BYU. Seriously what a game!
At one point Sport said he wanted a hot dog.  Indy went to hand me the money, Sport snatched it up and says, "I got it", and starts heading off on his own.  Ya buddy not quite yet.

Let me introduce...,

Do you remember Beevis and Butthead? Let me introduce Brief and pull-up head.

Boating with the Dougalls

Master kneeboarding

What's a girl to do when her BFF moves out of state.

Thank heavens for free long distance, email and blogger!

Kath and I have been friends since English class of 8th grade when I told her I liked her coca-cola watch.

What can I say, we've been best friends ever since.

Love this girl!

I love that on her list of people to visit on the vacations back to Utah

I'm still on the List!!!

(Better be for a long time too!)

Super fun day of boating and enjoying the kiddos.

Come back soon 

real soon

like maybe even move back soon !!!

(that last line was for Rich)

Happy Anniversary

I got you babe. Lucky #13!
On the actual day of our anniversary (the 7th) it took until about 10:30am for us to both remember what day it was. So sad!!!! But if you're going to forget at least we forgot together!

2nd degree black belt

Master had to do two different weapons presentations for his 2nd degree test.

Shasta 2012

Our friends the Kings invited us to Lake Shasta in Redding California.  Beautiful weather.  Great Food.  Awesome boating and fun new friends!!