Good Bye Common Sense

Another goodie from my email that I agree with 100 percent!

My parents told me about Mr. Common Sense early in my life and told me Iwould do well to call on him when making decisions. It seems he was always around in my early years but less and less as time passed by.Today I read his obituary. Please join me in a moment of silence in remembrance. For Common Sense has served us all so well for so manygenerations.ObituaryCommon SenseToday we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, whohas been with us for many years. No one knows for sure how oldhe was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons asknowing when to come in out of the rain, why the early bird gets the worm, why life isn't always fair, and how, on occasion, maybe it was myfault.Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend morethan you earn) and reliable parenting strategies (adults, not children are in charge).His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place. Reports of a six-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job they themselves failed to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer aspirin, sun lotion or a sticky plaster to a student; but could not inform the parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.Common Sense lost the will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband; churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims. Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar can sue you for assault.Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. He is survived by three stepbrothers; I Know my Rights, Someone Else is to Blame, and I'm a Victim.Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.

Certificate of Merit

My darling Karlie earned herself a Certificate of Merit in the Film/Video catagory of the PTA Reflections project in her age group. She came home with a trophy, a ribbon, a certificate, and a BIG OL' SMILE along with a desire to do more next year.

Her project was based on the theme of : I can make a difference. She made a video titled: I can make a differnce by helping others. We filmed her doing different acts of service and then she ended it saying that by helping others people are happy and happy people make a better world.

She was so cute!

I'm so pleased with her effort and desire to do something MORE, the reflections projects are purely by choice...and to have done so well is exciting!!!

Lets Say Thanks

Below is a web site I'd like you to go to in order to share Thanks with our service men and women who are sacrificing time, sweat, tears, and dreams protecting us and being our "brother's keeper". The link will take you to a web site where you can pick one of several different cards drawn by children, choose a message you like or type your own, and then send it free of charge to you. Our military men and women will get a printed out card to hold and read with a thought of Thanks...wouldn't that be nice?!!! It takes all of 2 minutes--if you look at every card and read every prewritten message...please take the moment to uplift someone who has committed their life for your.

http://www.letssaythanks.com/Home1024.html

The Ultimate Gift

It finally happened! I just watched a movie that wasn’t made by a church that is decent in every way. No profanity. No sex. No suggestive innuendoes. No real violence. This is a movie well worth watching. It was beautiful, touching, exciting, and safe to watch with the children around. I HIGHLY suggest you view this wonderful movie!!

Oh, there you are...

It’s been some time since I’ve posted…LIFE…it gets in the way sometimes. Well, …Hmm, I think that sounds a bit negative…I mean, thank goodness it was “in the way”, so nice to be LIVING and DOING instead of having lots of time just clicking away to sit long enough to type out tons of things.
There, that’s better.
We’ve been redoing our living room: new paint, new mirrors and pictures, candles and sconces; I’ve been busy scraping together a mothers’ group in Ogden and in Roy; I’ve had a birth client who just gave birth to her baby on Saturday—a VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), working at really domesticating myself turning myself into a MOTHER and a WIFE instead of a woman with kids and a man.
Funny, living in the survival mode becomes so comforting when it’s actually quite unpleasant.
I love my life. I’m getting better at it every day.
I have the world’s GREATEST husband and the best bunch of children to love. I am a very blessed and grateful woman!!!

Parenting Job Description

I got this in an email...interesting and fun

POSITION: Mum, Mummy, Mama, Ma, Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop

JOB DESCRIPTION: Long term team players needed for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment.Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to workvariable hours which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. Some overnight travel required including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES :The rest of your life.Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs $5. Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as: small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets, and stuck zippers. Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of multiple homework projects. Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. Must be willing to be indispensable one minute and an embarrassment the next. Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end product. Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION:None.Your job is to remain in the same position for years without complaining constantly retraining and updating your skills so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:Get this! You pay them! Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that university will help them become financially independent and when you die you give them whatever is left. The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more.

BENEFITS :While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

Theodore Roosevelt said it a long time ago...

My brother sent me a quote for Theodore Roosevelt. The principles are simple and honorable. The are what I would expect in a marriage, family, organization and in a society. It's so simple, yet today, as was we were warned, good is called evil and evil called good. The basics of decency are being stripped away and perverted. Entitlement has become a way of thinking so many breed and spew....selfish, destructive "entitlement"!

The year is 1907, one hundred years ago...

Theodore Roosevelt's ideas on Immigrants and being an AMERICAN in 1907. "In the first place, we should insist that if the immigrant who comes here in good faith becomes an American and assimilates himself to us, he shall be treated on an exact equality with everyone else, for it is an outrage to discriminate against any such man because of creed, or birthplace, or origin. But this is predicated upon the person's becoming in every facet an American, and nothing but an American...There can be no divided allegiance here. Any man who says he is an American, but something else also, isn't an American at all. We have room for but one flag, the American flag... We have room for but one language here, and that is the English language... and we have room for but one sole loyalty and that is a loyalty to the American people." Theodore Roosevelt 1907Every American citizen needs to read this!

Maine Middle School Providing Bijrth Control to Children

Yesterday I got into my car to take my son to school, a harmless action. I’m minding my own business when I hear over the radio that a middle school in Maine serving 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students ranging in ages from 11-13 and maybe a few 14 year olds has decided to make available to the children hormonal birth control.
Think for a moment about three 11 years that you know. Are they anywhere NEAR the place of appreciating the enormity of sexual relations? Make them three 11 year old girls; are they developed? Mature? Even cycling to require hormonal suppression in avoiding pregnancy?
I’m shocked and disappointed at the lack of logic and judgment here.
Here’s another thing: How old does a person have to be before he or she can legal consent to sexual intimate activity? NOT 11! NOT 12! NOT likely 13. So, IF a young child of the ripe age 12 goes into the nurse’s office to receive a patch or a month’s worth of contraceptive pills, is there anything in place to report a child at risk for a crime? NO. One more time; is it legal to have sex with a 12 year old? NO. Again, there is no report to anyone that a child may be in danger, is probably being taken advantage of by an older person, NOTHING!
What’s the justification? They say they’re looking out for the health of the students. They also say to not provide hormonal contraception is pandering to religion for which they must stay away from. WHAT?!!! I can’t see how they should be allowed to give controlled substances to a child without a parent’s consent. How does avoiding the birth control pill and/or the patch pander to religion?
The program allows PRETEENS to walk into an office and receive for free, without a physician, without parental knowledge or consent, what normally is a controlled substance requiring a prescription.
I can’t be the only person here who sees problems of this decision.
1. Hormonal manipulation has short-term and long-term risks that an adult needs to weigh carefully and wisely.
2. Adolescents are not mature enough or experienced enough to make a solid decision about their health in this regard.
3. There isn't an actual "legal" requirement for parental consent or knowledge yet parents are held responsible for their children though the school says they will ask for a form to be filled out by parents.
4. IT IS ILLEGAL TO HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS WITH A CHILD OF THESE AGES! ...IT IS A CRIME!
5. There is no responsibility or accountability required for anyone involved.
6. The guise that this is purely a health issue is misleading. Offering condoms is still disgusting but serves to support an assertion of health due to it potentially protecting participants of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy…hormonal contraception provides no protection from infection of STD’s.

Read about it: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21358971/

Possibly the FUNNIEST email I have EVER received!

Last night my hubby and I had a conversation about hair waxing and how I am absolutely NOT interested in EVER trying it on ANY part of my body...I'm of the belief that it hurts and thus very much averted from trying it...I'll stick to shaving or leaving my hair. HERE is an example of what I will NEVER EVER have to worry about....

~~~~~~~~~ (OH, and make sure you're not reading this in the middle of the night, in a meeting, or at the library...you WILL laught out LOUD at least once!) ~~~~~~~~~

All hair removal methods have tricked women with their promises of easy, painless removal - The epilady, scissors, razors, Nair, and now...the wax. My night began as any other normal weeknight. Come home, fix dinner, play with the kids. I then had the thought that would ring painfully in my mind for the next few hours: "Maybe I should pull the waxing kit out of the medicine cabinet." So I headed to the site of my demise: the bathroom. It was one of those "cold wax" kits. No melting a clump of hot wax, you just rub the strips together in your hand, they get warm and you peel them apart and press them to your leg (or wherever else) and you pull the hair right off. No muss, no fuss. How hard can it be? I mean, I'm not a genius, but I am mechanicallyinclined enough to figure this out. (YA THINK!?!) So I pull one of the thin strips out. Its two strips facing each other stuck together. Instead of rubbing them together, my genius kicks in so I get out the hair dryer and heat it to 1000 degrees. ("Coldwax,"yeah...right!) I lay the strip across my thigh. Hold the skin around it tight and pull. It works! OK, so it wasn't the best feeling, but it wasn't too bad. I can do this! Hair removal no longer eludes me! I am She-rah, fighter of all wayward body hair and maker of smooth skin extraordinaire. With my next wax strip I move north. After checking on the kids, I sneak back into the bathroom, for the ultimate hair fighting championship. I drop my panties and place one foot on the toilet. Using the same procedure, I apply the one strip across the right side of my bikini line, covering the right half of my *hoo-hoo* and stretching down to the inside of my butt cheek (Yes, it was a long strip) I inhale deeply and brace myself....RRRRIIIPPP!!!! I'm blind!!! Blinded from pain!!!!....OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!! Vision returning, I notice that I've only managed to pull off half the strip. CRAP!!! Another deep breath and RRIIPP!! Everything is swirly and spotted. I think may pass out...must stay conscious...Do I hear crashing drums??? Breathe, breathe...OK, back to normal. I want to see my trophy - a wax covered strip, the one that has caused meso much pain, with my hairy pelt sticking to it. I want to revel in the glory that is my triumph over body hair. I hold up the strip! There's no hair on it. Where is the hair??? WHERE IS THE WAX??? Slowly I ease my head down, foot still perched on the toilet. I see the hair…the hair that should be on the strip. I touch. I am touching wax. CRAP! I run my fingers over the most sensitive part of my body, which is now covered in cold wax and matted hair. Then I make the next BIG mistake...remember my foot is still propped up on the toilet? I know I need to do something. So I put my foot down. DANG!!!!!!!! I hear the slamming of a cell door. *hoo-hoo*? Sealed shut! Butt?? Sealed shut! I penguin walk around the bathroom trying to figure out what to do and think to myself, "Please don't let me get the urge to poop. My head may pop off!" What can I do to melt the wax? Hot water!! Hot water melts wax!!! I'll run the hottest water I can stand into the bathtub, get in, immerse the wax-covered bits and the wax should melt and I can gently wipe it off, right??? WRONG!!!!!!! I get in the tub - the water is slightly hotter than that used to torture prisoners of war or sterilize surgical equipment - I sit. Now, the only thing worse than having your nether regions glued together is having them glued together and then glued to the bottom of the tub...in scalding hot water... which, by the way, doesn't melt cold wax. So, now I'm stuck to the bottom of the tub as though I had cement-epoxied myself to the porcelain!! God bless the man who had convinced me a few months ago to have a phone put in the bathroom!!!!! I call my friend, thinking surely she has waxed before and has some secret of how to get me undone. It's a very good conversation starter: "So, my butt and who-ha are glued together to the bottom of the tub!" There is a slight pause. She doesn't know any secret tricks for removal but she does try to hide her laughter from me. She wants to know exactly where the wax is located, "Are we talking cheeks or who-ha?" She's laughing out loud by now...I can hear her. I give her the rundown and she suggests I call the number on the side of the box. YEAH!!!!! Right!! I should be the joke of someone else's night. While we go through various solutions. I resort to scraping the wax off with a razor. Nothing feels better then to have your girlie goodies covered in hot wax, glued shut, stuck to the tub in super hot water and then dry-shaving the sticky wax off!! By now the brain is not working, dignity has taken a major hike and I'm pretty sure I'm going to need Post-Traumatic Stress counseling for this event. My friend is still talking with me when I finally see my saving grace....the lotion they give you to remove the excess wax. What do I really have to lose at this point? I rub some on and OH MY GOSH!!!!!!! The scream probably woke the kids and scared the dickens out of my friend. It's sooo painful, I but I really don't care. "IT WORKS!! It works!!" I get a hearty congratulation from my friend and she hangs up. I successfully remove the remainder of the wax and then notice to my grief and despair....THE HAIR IS STILL THERE.......ALL OF IT!!!!!!!!!! So I recklessly shave it off. Heck, I'm numb by now. Nothing hurts. I could have amputated my own leg at this point.

Now, you see, I just do NOT need this experience! LOL

Stomping on the Flag

Yesterday while waiting for my girls at the end of school, I watched as some children ran out of the building to lower the flag. It was the same scene as every other day until I witnessed one of the young men wrap himself up inside our flag. I don’t know exactly why he chose to do this—perhaps he thought it was a way to keep the flag off of the ground; however, it isn’t proper or acceptable and in doing so he dropped the corners in the mud and stepped on our flag. As I was witnessing this process I took notice of several so-called AMERICAN adults standing around while I was across the way in my van. I felt reasonably secure in the thought that the men and women standing within the sound of voice would encourage these young people in how to properly rest the flag, so I waited.
I sat there for a moment taking in this sight, thinking the people right there would tell the children what needed to be done, a large SUV pulled up beside me stopping for the crossing guard blocking my view, when the vehicle pulled away saw—to my horror—our stars and stripes laying on the ground while these children were trying to retire the state flag and dragging it, too, on the ground.
I couldn’t believe my eyes! At least 10 AMERICAN adults stood there while these 9-11 year olds were unintentionally violating our beautiful, sacred flag. Not one of those characters who enjoy the freedoms, liberties, and security this flag represents could take three seconds to say something like: hey guys, make sure the flag doesn’t touch the ground…NOTHING! Personally I think it’s incomprehensible.
I exited my van to cross the street, walk across the entire school lawn, and watched as I marched myself over to see one of those children picked up our flag and then—for reasons I couldn’t say or guess, he tossed it back onto the ground. He THREW Old Glory on the ground! My heart began to race; how could they not know this is not OK? Were they not instructed, reminded, and/or encouraged to honor the symbol of all that we hold dear? And worse yet, NO ONE, not one living soul had ANYTHING to say, not one of these criminally ignorant human adults did a thing.
I approached the children to see our flag carelessly folded up—to be honest, it was mostly wadded up, carelessly tossed aside atop the state flag. My heart sank. I knew it was on the ground, but I had thought they had at least folded our flag, to see it crumpled on the ground was more than I was prepared for.
I scooped up MY American flag, the flag my husband defends everyday for you and for me, along with my state flag I told the children that we NEVER ever let our flag touch the ground, not EVER. I hugged these flags to my body and took them into the school office. Does anyone remember that IF we allow our flag to touch the ground we’re supposed to burn it? Burn it because it has been desecrated?
Americans, do we no longer value ANYTHING? Are we so iniquitous, so hardened that NOTHING is sacred to us? I’m not speaking of religion, simply of honoring the most basics of goodness. Millions of men and women have put their lives on the line for our flag, hundreds of thousands of lost their lives for this flag of their own volition, our national anthem is all about this very flag, do we not care when it’s being defiled—even in ignorance. Do we not stand up for anything? Do we not take a moment to teach our young about respect, admiration, and reverence?
I am so offended, so disheartened, and utterly astonished that not one person could open his or her mouth to help these young people show reverence or esteem for that which assures our right to stand around yapping our jaws on our cell phone, protects our right to speak our minds without retaliation, allows us to choose almost anything we desire…this is Old Glory, YOUR Glory, without it you have no promise to a voice or choice or freedom. Who needs enemies? Who needs a war? We’re so self- absorbed we’re going to destroy ourselves because we can’t step out of our own little bubbles to take notice when something isn’t correct, we can’t be bothered to help. Indeed, we’re so into our own little individual lives that we’re socially suicidal.
As far as I’m concerned, if you stand around while anyone devalues our flag, you are just as guilty, especially when YOU know better, to me, you’re NO better than any terrorist bent on our destruction. Shame on You! Sins of omission are just as dangerous—if not more, than those of action…lack of action is a clear and active invitation to assault.
We complain that our youth have no values, are selfish, destructive, and have no regard or respect for anyone or for anything. Well, where are they supposed to learn that? Where are they going to see it? Until we, as adults, stop pretending that all is well, that there is nothing that actually pertains to our lives unless we intend it, until we open up our little eyes and take notice of the fact that the world doesn’t just consist of you or me, until we do and say what we complain our youth aren’t doing the children of tomorrow are doomed to self-destructive behavior, complacency, and will not be prepared to protect themselves against any number of attacks because they’re being taught to look nowhere but within themselves, their wants, and their desires…
Our Flag for goodness sake! It isn’t the fabric that matters; it’s the disregard for sacrifice, loyalty, goodness, justice, liberty, FREEDOM, family, equality, honor, all things good and proper—it’s the symbol of our right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This flag is what waves over us to say: all these things are protected and valued here. Stomping on the flag is the same as stomping on all these virtues. A child may not know better but we American Adults do, it’s our obligation to teach and display this to our country’s children, to step in and help out when something isn’t right!

Compare the price

As I said in the previous post, Shaklee has saved me a ton of money with their cleaning system. Here is a price comparison of a major in-store brand, a well known "enviromentally friendly" company, and Shaklee. You'll see why I say I save money. What's great about it is that I get the power and performance of the major brands minus the harsh perfumes and chemicals that irritate my skin, lungs, and eys, and I get the great and wonderful feel-good satisfaction of enviromental "activism"--if you will--as with the "Green" companies; with Shaklee it's all combined.

Click on the graphic to enlarge it.

Another Reason I ONLY use SHAKLEE!!!

Here we go: ANOTHER reason for my friends (you know, ANYone reading this) to join me in using SHAKLEE products. The "cleaners" I use have saved me tons of money, but this expense is one I hadn't thought too much about--the cost of a hospital trip and all the pain killers this poor little guy had to use. I have enjoyed the lack of obnoxious fumes that attack my lungs as with the average in-store products, I've liked the fact that one bottle of Basic H and Basic G lasts practically "forever", and I've had the comfort of knowing that when ingested Poisen Control said it was nothing to worry about (lets not be silly and decided to start serving it for a favorite beverage or anything though, ya know; however, you CAN wash your fruits and veggies with it), but I hadn't really put much thought on in not burning my children...BASIC H would have saved this poor little guy all the pain and agony he's suffered.

After reading this email I feel I need to take this opportunity to suggest, almost IMPLORE you to take a look at SHAKLEE's "GET CLEAN" system. http://www.shaklee.net/reginagarcia

There's a lot to be said for a company who has become the world's first Climate Neutral certified company, a company dedicated to the health of the enviroment as well as thier customers to the extent of ending production of a top selling product due to possible abuse by purchasers, a company willing to put its money where the CEO's mouth is by going without the profits of any product for a year because a crop of needed plants doesn't stand up to its high scrutiny even when other competing companies who buy from the same agricultural supplier continued to produce from that same crop...there's something to be said for SHAKLEE, go find out what it is.

You can read what happened to KOBY below and why I'm happy to know that I don't have to worry...I have nothing I need to through out.

The photo is of Kolby - 24 hours after being burned by a Magic Eraser sponge.. It was much worse the day before. Here is the email we received -one of my five year old's favorite chores around the house is cleaning scuff marks off the walls, doors, and baseboards with either an Easy Eraser pad, or the real deal, a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. I rememberreading the box, wondering what the "Magic" component was that cleanedcrayon off my walls with ease. No ingredients were listed and absolutely no warnings were on the box, other than "Do not ingest."My package of the Scotchbrite Easy Erasers didn't have a warning either;and since my child knew not to eat the sponges and keep them out of reach of his little brother and sister, it was a chore I happily let him do. If I had known that both brands (and others like them) contain a harmful alkaline or "base" chemical (opposite of acid on the pH scale) that can burn your skin, I never would have let my little boy handle them. As you can see from the picture, when the Scotchbrite Easy Eraser was rubbed against his face and chin, he received severe chemical burns. At first, I thought he was being dramatic. I picked him up, put him on the counter top and washed his face with soap and water. He was screaming in pain. I put some lotion on his face - more agony. I had used a Magic Eraser to remove magic marker from my own knuckles a while back and I couldn't understand why he was suddenly in pain. Then, almost immediately, the large, shiny, blistering red marks started to spread across his cheeks and chin. I quickly searched Google.com for "Magic Eraser Burn" and turned up several results. I was shocked. These completely innocent looking white foam sponges can burn you? I called our pediatrician, and of course got sent to voice mail. I hung up and called the hospital and spoke to an emergency room nurse. She told me to call Poison Control. The woman at Poison Control said she was surprised nobody had sued these companies yet and walked me through the process of neutralizing the alkaline to stop my son's face from continually burning more every second. I had already, during my frantic phone calling, tried patting some numbing antibiotic cream on his cheeks, and later some Aloe Vera gel -both resulted in screams of pain. The Poison Control tech had me fill a bathtub with warm water, lay my son into it, cover him with a towel to keep him warm and then use a soft washcloth to rinse his face and chin with cool water for a continuous 20 minutes. My son calmed down immediately. He told me how good it felt. I gave him a dose of Tylenol and after the twenty minutes was up, he got dressed in his Emergency Room doctor Halloween costume and off we went to the hospital. They needed to make sure the chemical burn had stopped burning, and examine his face to determine if the burn would need to be debrided (from my fuzzy recollection of hospital work, this means removing loose tissue from a burn location). My son was pretty happy at the hospital, they were very nice and called him "Doctor" and let him examine some of their equipment. The water had successfully stopped the burning and helped soothe a lot of the pain. I'm sure Tylenol was helping too. They sent us home with more Aloe Vera gel, Polysporin antibiotic cream, and some other numbing creams. By the time we got home, my son was crying again. I tried applying some of the creams but he cried out in pain. Water seemed to be what worked the best. After a rough night, I took the above photo in the morning. He was swollen and wouldn't move his lips very much. The skin on his cheeks was taut.Today he is doing much better. The burns have started to scab over, and in place of red, raw, angry, skin we have a deeper red, rough healing layer. I can touch his skin now, without it stinging. If you are a parent or grandparent, this post is meant to save your loved ones from the horror these parents went through. Please share it with other parents, grandparents, babysitters, aunts and uncles ~ anyone you know who spends time with kids.

Movie Woes

OK, can ANYone tell me WHY exactly it's so dang important to edify fornication and adultery, ignorant expressions filled with profanity, mockery of respectful and generalized good manners, and applause the intolerance of normal behavior as defined by the author and creator of this world and all the creatures herein? Why must I watch an otherwise decent movie with a nice story--maybe even a message of value, buried under a quagmire of filth and immorality? Is it really all that necessary for me to sit down with my children ready to enjoy a cute story and be assaulted with nudity and simulations of sexual encounters? Movies supposedly rated judiciously and cautiously to protect young viewers are filled with “just a bit” of violence, “just a little” profanity, and “only a few” scenes of sex or nudity. It’s utterly frustrating. Why are we advertising for our children the ridiculous notion that “free love”, openly uncommitted body bouncing is the best we can do, why the mockery o f self-respect and value, why the celebration of degradation??? I don’t understand it!!!

I watched a moving the other night where a young man brings home the woman he thinks he wants to marry, she chooses not the sleep in the same bed with him under his mother’s roof, and is jeered BY THE MOTHER who’s character claims the choice to be RIDICULOUS…yes, ridiculous. No, this girl isn’t coming to dinner wearing her great-grandmother’s underwear on her head holding tightly to the worn and torn fuzzy blanket she had growing up and sucking her thumb…no, it isn’t something “ridiculous” at all…it was the minimal thing this woman could do to show an ounce of respect to self and the family; however, instead of any type of approval, this action is shunned and ridiculed.

Today, I watched a movie that appeared to be a great movie about mother/daughter relationship wrapped in comedy. Yes, well, it was laughable alright! Mother and daughters comparing sexual exploitation, belittlement of a young woman NOT mopping up the town with her undergarments, and then the scintillating adoration of her moving along with TWO intimate relationships at the same time…the only redeeming thing about the movie is the credits. I was so disappointed. This story could have been told, with most of the same jokes, minus devaluing virtue. We did not need to see a beautiful young woman act like her otherwise high standard for life had little or no worth for her body…she, in essence, became a tourist site…she, being a rare and beautiful work of art was reduced to a piece of cheap costume jewelry one would find carelessly thrown into an old box and placed on a folding table to be rifled through in a yard sale…for what purpose?? She was hurt and left alone due to the actions so celebrated by society’s clamoring self-indulgent 30-second microwave dogma.

It’s just so tiring.

This weekend we brought home a beautiful movie, well written, well executed; yet, even this children’s movie honored the heresy of non-committed unfiltered idealization of fornication. Why in the world do we portray for children the wonderful happiness and bliss of things study after study have proven do NOT bring lasting joy, do NOT bring security, and only mockingly falsify love?

Let me clear here; this isn’t the ranting of a prude. I have no problem openly and blatantly talking about sexual relations, intimacy, body parts, etc…I’ve been known to talk about sex, say the words: uterus, vagina, and penis in church; however, it’s never with utter or ignorant disrespect.

I’m not shuttered or shut down by the mere placement of the subjects within a storyline; it’s the irreverence, the recklessness, the bold-faced deception of it all. The worst part of it all was that in two of these movies it was the MOTHER who was encouraging the foolishness…and sadly, the mother in both movies was played by a woman I had once held high regard for.

There really isn’t much a family can watch together, the standards are barely higher for entertainment of families than it is for wanton degenerates.

September 11

Today is a very heavy, yet hopeful, day. My mind is set on remembering the horrific scenes my eyes witnessed on the television of the attack on America in New York City, the visions of the Pentagon, and the stories of the Flight in Pennsylvania. My heart aches again for the families of all those amazing people who died...and my mind ponders the obvious miracle having had taken place by the intended numbers of death in the two targeted areas being substantially lower by thousands. How could anyone forget?

I've watched memorials on DVD of the Healing Fields all over the country where flags are flying, standing upright and boldly waving for freedom in the name of each and every American brother and sister who past through the veil of life into the eternities with their maker.

Today, I'm humbled to think that my husband, knowing the battle ahead, still felt led to stand up for our country, for freedom, for the people under the terrible and oppressed leadership of terroristic and lasciviousness, and for goodness when he could have understandably held back and changed his mind. I am SO PROUD of him! From the beginning 18 years ago in high school I have always considered him my hero...yeah, he really is my HERO...he’s a hero for you, too!

I am also humbled at the marvelous and compelling time and service of all the military wives, husbands, and families who unconditionally support their soldiers, airmen, marines, and seamen. I'm not as put together and selfless as they are...they are also heroes and heroines to me.

If you have the ability to visit a Healing Field near you, I HIGHLY encourage you to do so with your whole family.
Go.
Remember.
Feel.
Have Gratitude.
Become Edified.
Share in the Conviction.
Pick up the Cause.
Leave with Peace and Hope.
If you cannot visit one, go out to the Healing Field website and view the many photos...you'll be glad you did! www.healingfield.org

God Bless America!!!

BIG Lessons from Little Kids

Look what I found on MSN (ok, so I altered it a little bit and its mostly for "boys" but, in general, I think its a bunch of things we could all benefit from):

Big Lessons from Little Kids – MSN Lifestyle:Men

1. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Even when there's not a prize in the bottom of the box.
2. Sometimes it's best to be completely blunt with people, as you used to be with relatives who wanted you to do something embarrassing or tedious for a shiny quarter.
3. Asking questions is how you figure things out. Lots and lots of questions.
4. An older, wiser Gordie Lachance says in Stand By Me, "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12." Lachance is right. The trick is to try to be the friend you were when you were 12: fun-loving and loyal, with no strings attached.
5. Playing is work. Approach your downtime with all the seriousness of a 5-year-old with a secret treasure map.
6. Real guys don't dip their toes in the water. They jump right in.
7. Girls have cooties. Well, the ones you meet in certain bars do, anyway.
8. You hated it when a grown-up told you, "We'll see." It's still unacceptable. Don't say it yourself.
9. The only way to know how something works is to completely disassemble it. (This is still good advice when tackling a complex problem. Your plasma TV? Not so much).
10. There's a reason they don't give credit cards to 8-year-olds. You're supposed to save up money before you buy a new toy.
11. Your body was designed for throwing baseballs, shooting hoops, and jumping off diving boards and stuff. In the secret language of children, the word "fitness" doesn't exist. It's called "having fun."
12. Your world can be half-real and half-imaginary.
13. Homework blows. Bring work home with you and it'll ruin your night. And your marriage. And your family. And your life.
14. Too much of anything will give you a tummy ache.
15. If there's even the slightest doubt, hit the potty before you leave.
16. The coolest adults were the ones who took the time to listen to you. You still want to grow up to be a cool adult, right?
17. Treasure Island, Dracula: The best books are consumed after dark with a flashlight.
18. Use adrenaline as your drug of choice. You don't need beer, pot, or cigarettes to have a good time.
19. Kissing a girl on the cheek is a big deal. Kissing her lips is an even bigger deal.
20. Going after a target in the urinal makes the time whiz by.
21. Seeing a thunderstorm roll in is better than watching HDTV. And rain isn't something to curse, but to enjoy. Hurry up, before it clears.

Visitation Woes

So, there's a perk--or a positive--if you will, about children having visitation with another parent when you're remarried: time alone with your new spouse. It's sort of like having a long date every other weekend. But, it isn't so nice when it becomes an almost painful experience due to the fact the children do not want to go. My children want more than anything to spend time with their father, they've always looked forward to time with him--as they should. The problem is that their father lives with his parents and though my children love their grandparents very, very much, they just want time with their daddy. The trouble is that grandma and grandpa have kinda gotten the impression that the visitation is for THEM just as much as it is for daddy; not so. So, the children are frustrated becuase the fun grandparents have become something more of "step-parents" complete with lectures, consequences, and whatnot to degrees even more severe than daddy. This is a HUGE issue. I cannot seem to get grandma to understand that the children need their daddy to assure them of things, to give them the feeling of inclusion, the attention they're needing and seeking; grandma insists that they simply need to accept whatever daddy can do--or will do--whichever the case may be. True...this is true, BUT it isn't for HER to say. It's our job as parents to make sure our children feel our dedication to them, it's OUR job as parents to help our children understand the things that impede upon our time together and make a plan that they can count on to show our commitment. Children are little scientists: the proof is in the pudding and talk is cheap--just theories. Anyway, the children are a little torn--a lot torn; they want to go see dad but would rather stay here if they thnk the majority of their visit is going to be about grandma and grandpa rather than daddy.

Yesterday, it became clear that my children's grandparents think this whole visitation is equally about THEM as it is about parent and child. They are becoming hurt and offended with the children expressing a desire to be in DADDY'S focus and to have uninterupted time with ONLY daddy. In their inability to see past their own disappointment in NOT being the end-goal of the children's trek to their home, they--especially grandma--continue to push and talk and scold and lecture and on and on and on...about how dishonest they are in saying they don't get enough time with daddy and how terrible they're being.

Why can't they understand? Is there anyone who doen't know that an actual MOTHER and FATHER are THE MOST important two people in a child's life and that everyone else; including aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc..., pales in comparison? Why must they get angry? How can they not see that these children are craving their daddy and need to be supported? Why not meet the children where they are in their feelings, validate their feelings, and comfort them for their PERCEIVED losses espousing a sense of security and alligience and therefore conceiving a renewed desire to be them? I just don't get what's so dang hard about being an adult and seeing past you're own selfish feelings and do what the children need--they're children. It isn't a child's job to protect an adult's feelings, it's an adults duty to protect the child!

Every other weekend we go through this little song and dance about one or more of the children not wanting to go visit dad...not because they don't want to see dad but because if dad wants/needs to do something, grandma's all too available AND she simply cannot leave well enough alone; I guess she doesn't trust that her son can do a well enough job being a parent so she always has to put her 2 cents in--more like 5 million, but whatever.

This experience is difficult for Mark and I. Each Thursday and Friday of daddy's weekend we have to manuver through several requests not to take them. It's so hard. I don't want to force my children to be with people they don't want to be with. I know their father's family loves them to pieces. I can have some time alone with Mark...but with the knowledge of the love the other half has, the experience of seeing sad, disappointed, frustrated, sometimes angry faces; the only "perk" having my children away for 2 days is dramatically deminished.

A New Beginning

For the longest time I've been a Doula--professional childbirth support and education before, during, and after birth under the name, "TENDER MOMENTS Birth and Labor Support". I have taken time away due to the twists and turns life has thrown my way; many good, some not-so-much. I've decided to come back and really get into the business of serving women: after a ton of consideration, lots of thinking, lots of writing, thinking and praying I've decided to change my business name...it's still a tender moment, but now when a client hires any of my services she'll be coming to: A New Beginning with Regina. This suits me better for several reasons: it is a new beginning for me--Now and each time I serve; it's a new beginning for each client--good, bad, or indifferent, it's a new beginning; it can include my other love and passion--SHAKLEE, helping others find the freedom, the health, the chemical free cleaners, the savings of money, the life that I've found is truly a blessling and it lifts me up much like helping women to find their voice in childbith!

Mark has been helping my create a website...he's truly a blessing; a wonderful, fabulous, supportive partner!

I've also decided to launch a support group for Mothers: We'll be meeting in the Main Weber County library downtown Ogden on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 10:30am in the "CLASSROOM" downstairs beginning Wednesday, September 12th, 2007 AND we'll be meeting in the Southwest branch of the Weber County Library in Roy on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays at 10:30am in the "AUDITORIUM" beginning Saturday, September 22nd.

It's a support group, not a class...the goal is to be a place new moms--whether it's their firstborn or the 10th or any other number, can come had offer their experience and frustrations to help others and to receive hope and a network of friends. Ogden Regional once had a group like this; however, they ended it and now I feel the pull to offer something like to to the women in our community.

Sissy Poo #1

Yep, that's right, My sister has a blog now. Sissy Poo #1.blogspot.com

Hey Sis, I love you...can't wait to see your blog. Maybe I'll even get to see pics of my niece and nephews. :o)

Crazy weeks

Well, let me just say that it's really true: When it rains, it pours! Thursday the 12th of this month I started the day feeling fine but by the afternoon I had a headache that would drop a horse, Friday my throat started to hurt along with my head, and by Saturday I was ready to bury myself forever in the back yard...Mark carried me to the car and took me to the Doctor to find out my dear old friend STREP had come for an uninvited visit...UGH! ICK!! While I was sick on Friday, Karlie started to feel bad, too, only her illness came with vomit and diarrhea...woo hoo...and, of course, I got to clean all of that up because it was also Drill weekend for Mark leaving me alone with ALL of our children while hosting my lovely little bacteria party. Then on Sunday, after Mark left for Drill and the older children got themselves and the younger ones ready for church, my mom came to check on me to and discovered that our basement had flooded resulting in the need to pull up ALL of the carpet...UGH and GROSS!!! Poor Mark had just too much to deal with than what would have been fair.

Mark came home; started moving furniture, cutting up and removing carpet, sucking up water in the shop-vac, ripping up the stripping, while herding the children all over the place and putting out the little "fires" here and there...I felt so bad that I couldn't help. He ended up having to take Monday off of work to finish everything...I was so sick, Karlie was very sick, and our house was in serious need of urgent attention or we were going to have mold and mildew all over to make everyone else sick. Because of the problems there we had to go without internet which also meant we didn't have phone service because we use Vonage. It was crazy.

The next weekend, Karlie was still kind of sick and then Mark got sick while we were in Wyoming. I drove most of the way home because he couldn't hole his stomach and his head hurt. It sucked!

Blessedly, we're all better now and the house smells much bettter than when we had that old carpet...I think the flooding was a hidden blessing.

The Camping GOOD Story

CAMPING!! :o)
This last weekend we went camping as a great big family. I wasn’t sure if I really wanted to with Mykayela being so small and somewhat mobile. I was concerned she might be infatuated by the fire and want to get into it and several other possible traumas. In the end, we all went together anyway.
What a trial at first!! We loaded up the back of our vans and stuffed our children into them, half in each, and drove to Smith’s to pick up some fire wood and a few last minute items—everything was fine. We waited in our van—those of us in the van I was driving, and the boys went into the store with Mark—still fine. They all came out got into the van Mark was driving and then---NOTHING! Not a dang thing. The ridiculous contraption would not turn over, it just would not start. We were stuck in the grocery parking lot. Well, it wasn’t just warm out there, no, it was mind melting heat out there and out there we sat for EVER and a day waiting for something to happen with the van. Yeah, nothing happened with it and so we had to figure something else out.
We had to take two trips to the site; one trip to take half of the children and the things in the good van and then a second to get the rest of the children and things. It’s a good thing we have children old enough to legally babysit!
We got there and it was beautiful, peaceful, and quite simply wonderful.
Mykayela wondered around our area and never ventured toward the fire pit or even the area where we parked the van. It’s so nice to have angels helping!
I haven’t had real quiet peaceful time to do much of anything for a long time but while we were camping I was able to get into touch with my creative side. I painted a plaque for our family while we were up there…it was so nice, it felt good and it was quite fulfilling to hear all of our children tell me it was “really good”, “awesome” and “I can’t believe you did that”, and even “It doesn’t look like you painted it, it looks like a machine did it.”

OK, well, the cell phone pictures aren't that clear...what can I say?!!! lol
I brought body-art crayons, too. I painted little “tattoos” on the girls. It was so fun.

Whole Wheat Tortillas

Today I went to my friend Mardel's focus group at church on healthy living. Her mom, Muriel, was showing how to make whole wheat tortillas. Mmm!!! Mykayela loved them, too.

Some of the ladies brought some healthy snacks to try...I didn't think to bring anything...oh well.

We had some carrot and parsley juice...it was good; however, I like it best with apple and celery with it.

I tried a grain I hadn't had before; Amaranth...I really liked it. It's kind of like brown rice and cream of wheat.

It was a nice night and I came away with some more great ideas for yummy good food. :o)

Good Hubby/Bad Hubby

I just have to say: I'm very blessed to have the husband that I do!

This weekend while camping we had such a nice time. He was so incredible and wonderful as he always is.

I was reminded of what a decent human being he really is; what a wonderful and honorable man he is, and how happy I am to have him as my eternal partner.

In the middle of my sleep that last night in the camp area, I was awaken to a couple arguing in their tent--our nearest camp neighbors. I cannot say how it all started because that all happened while I was happily sleeping. What I can tell you is that the woman was defensive by the time I was alert enough to understand the exchanges, “…you haven’t been up with him all night like I have…” the man said something like, “so what” and a bit more; she said, “this is stupid, I should go home and come get you in the morning” (now I’m also hearing one of the two little boys they had with them; he’s wide awake witnessing everything they’re willing to visually and verbally display for him) the Dad/Husband/JERK tells her, “…just lay down and SHUT UP!”

There was more to this encounter and I was really uncomfortable having to hear such garbage and degenerate behavior…seriously, we have TEN children and those two—mostly him from what I could hear—was worse than all of them! I FELT like going over there and telling him to take his crap to the bathroom (you know, something in the realm of ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!! Be Quiet and HELP with the children you’re fathering, you brat!) I looked over to my right where my BEAUTIFUL husband was sleeping and quite loudly said, “HONEY!” and to his response I--just as loudly--said, “THANK YOU FOR NEVER SPEAKING TO ME LIKE THAT!” These people were only 20-25 paces away from us, I KNOW they heard me and as soon as I spoke those words their voices dropped several decimals and within 5 minutes they were completely silent.

Morning came and as I was milling about our site I could see their area—it’s an unobstructed view, and Mr. "Lay-Down-and-Shut-Up" was busy making pancakes while his little family was sleeping. I'm not sure if this is something he regularly does when they camp or on Saturday mornings, but I found it interesting considering the events a few hours prior. Every time he walked to the “bathroom” he had to pass our site and he’d kind of give a sheepish glance my way.

Whatever! Don't be embarrassed for ME, he should be embarrassed for his wife, for his son, for his parents and the impression his behavior shines on them...not for ME.

I LOVE that my Husband's normal behavior is what this little brat was doing to “make-up” with his woman. He blesses our home, our children, and me every day with his attitude, his words, and his actions.

And WHY she’d let him get away with that is beyond me…ESPECIALLY in front of their children.

I’m so happy that I was able to see Mark’s attributes and allow myself to be blessed by them. Why does anyone need to act like that? My husband is such a Man! He’s a Man’s Man--what a man should be: strong, sexy, smart, gentle, a Daddy 100%, a complete and total PARTNER with integrity and confidence…he has no time or need to act like a 2 year old having a melt down.

I'm also glad that I was a big enough girl to expect the best! I guess it's true: You get what you're looking for!

I Love Mark!!!

I suppose the lesson here is to look at what blesses you when you experience what vexes you or others; therein you'll find blessings to count and again feel abundance and gratitude.

July 3rd

Today we woke up to find flags flying in our front yard with a letter and a Thank You card from our local Scout Troop for Mark. As a member of the military, having served in Iraq, our scouts placed 3 large American flags in our front yard in honor of Mark's service.

It was nice...very touching. I took some pictures of the flags waving in front of our home.

Sometimes I think I need to make a special flag of service to put up for Mark in honor of all he does for our family.

I truly have the most amazing, loving, service oriented, and helpful husband around. He inspires me. I'm so grateful to have him in my life.

Mark is my best friend, a teacher, the perfect lover, my biggest fan, my counselor, my play mate, my muse, he's my EVERYTHING!

I'm so profoundly thankful for him and his love.

Just by a simple touch he makes my pain, stress, and any frustration melt away in an instant.

I love him!!!

...and Honey, Thank You for all you do for us as a family, for me as your wife, and for our country; You really are my HERO!

Hubby

Can I just tell you that I LOVE MY HUSBAND!!

I think he's just so damn HOT!!!

MMMmmm!

I am such a blessed woman!!!!!

Classified Ads. Hmmm....

I got a newsletter from the Ye Lion's Den Restaurant the other day. Inside the newsletter was a list of excerpts from the classified section of newspapers. I thought they were fun so I'm going to share with you what was highlighted inside the mailer.

ENJOY:

``` Illiterate? Write today for free help.
``` Auto Repair Service. Free pick-up and delivery. Try us once, you'll never go anywhere
again.
``` Our experienced Mom will care for your child. Fenced yard, meals, and smacks included.
``` Dog for sale: Eats anything and is fond of children.
``` Man wanted to work in dynamite factory. Must be willing to travel.
``` Stock up and save. Limit: One
``` Mixing bowl set designed to please a cook with round bottom for efficient beating.
``` For sale: Antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers.
``` Now is your chance to have your ears pierced and get an extra pair to take home, too.
``` We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it caerfully by hand.
``` Great Dames for sale.
``` Tired of cleaning yourself. Let me do it.
``` Vacation Special: Have your home exterminated
``` Used Cars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated. Come here first.
``` Wanted. Man to take care of cow that does not smoke and drink.
``` Our bikinis are exciting. They are simply the tops.

Closer to me

I am so excited! I am getting closer to the size I was when I conceived Mykayela. Monday I went into the washroom to get into my boxed clothes looking to see if there was anything I could fit and I brought out half the stash because they fit! Not only do they fit but we're looking pretty dang good together!! :o) The whole reason I was looking for something was because of the concert I was taking Catelynn and Eliana to; the Soul2Soul concert: Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. I wanted to wear something that makes me look better than frump-a-lot-carebear-mama.

It's been so easy to trim down. I don't know why in the world I took so long to do something. I held my baby weight longer than ever before and felt awful. Shaklee has this AMAZING program called CINCH which makes the losing of weight easy. To tell you the truth about the matter, I haven't even gotten all the way into it and I've lost weight and inches just doing a partical job. I love it!! I LOVE SHAKLEE!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's so exciting to fit into new clothes...or, rather, OLD clothes!!! LOL

Soul2Soul

So there really are some perks of being in a military family! lol While I don't really love the idea of sacrificing my husband to a cause for life or even for months at a time, I do have to say that I like the little "thank you" benefits. One such example is the FREE tickets for the Soul2Soul concert tour with Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. Monday, June 11, I was able to attend the concert with our two oldest girls; Catelynn and Eliana.

We stopped at Crown Burger to eat--the best food ever!--and parked there with a permit gained with our purchase. It was the first time either girl had been to Crown Burger--I know, I know...I should be ashamed, but now they can say they've been there like every other normal person here. ;o) The concert started at 8:00pm so we needed to eat quickly as we didn't get into Salt Lake City until after 7:00--so much later than I wanted, but it worked out fine. I had the Crown Burger special; cheeseburger with pastrami--YUMMY!!!, Catelynn and Eliana both had a junior cheese burger, and of course we had their awesome fries and fry sauce with a drink. We were VERY full by the time we left for the concert; STUFFED would be more like it. Yes, our mouths and our tummies were so grateful and happy with our choices!!

We entered the Energy Solutions Arena with a huge crowd and made our way to the seats we were given--THANK YOU Tim and Faith!! The stage was fun, the four different "legs" had a constantly changing display of lights and designs...it was beautiful. The place was packed and the energy was just a strong as a championship game...seriously, everyone was PUMPED.

The lights were down and then there was a wave of energy and sound, at first a dull roar and then a LOUD--and loud doesn't even come close to the level of sound there was--screaming explosion, clapping, and stomping. Suddenly the lights came up on the furthest most portion of the right "leg" (look at the picture) and there stood Faith Hill singing. The gold in her hair was washed in the light and seemed to give her a halo. She sang and we were all loving it, then the lights spill over the the furthest most part of the left "leg" to highlight the very handsome Tim McGraw. It was a very good opening.

The show was full of sparkles, changing displays, and all kinds of light that involved the crowd.

I was a bit suprised to see Faith's hair was blonde instead of the brown it has been recently. She mostly walked around the stage singing and waved some to the crowd. She said that Salt Lake City had one of the best crowds in all 7o-odd cities and 50 states that they've been to. She loved being here last year and was glad to be back. It was kind of funny, too, as she was talking she said she was glad that she had put on her underarm deodorant...stammered a bit saying, "not...that you'd know...but now you do," she giggled and then said she felt kind of like family here.

Tim had a slightly higher pitch in his voice than what I was expecting. Everything was great though...I love his music. It was super fun to stand up and dance a bit to his songs. He dances around a little more than Faith does and the crowd was CRAZY whenever he'd get close.

It was a very nice evening...a long concert--over three hours--which was awesome. As you can see from the pictures, we were up pretty high, but like I said, the tickets were free due to my sweet husband's sacrifice of service to the military. It was a fun night to spend with our Eliana and Catelynn.

Beautiful Miss Eliana at her first major concert...Happy Tenth Birthday!!!

Friends

Yesterday, while sitting in the front yard with one of my girls, I watched a brownish SUV drive past then a few seconds later the same SUV had turned around and drove toward my house. As I watched it move closer I recognized the passenger and instantly became very excited...it was Pat and Bob Young! These two people have been such blessings in my life--they have been angels of mercy inspiring hope within my heart and I've been missing them terribly over the last two years. So amazing! It was perfect timing because two of our children were sick--puking with fevers--and needed preisthood blessings, so Bob helped Mark with that and our children are feeling much better now.

```````````side note: have you notice the number of times I typed the word "TWO" in the paragraph above````````````

It's so nice to know the LORD is aware of the things we need. He sent people I needed to see for peace and hope.

I am so grateful.

Walk it off...

Sometimes we just need to get away. This weekend was one of those times. While Mark was camping with our boys, I was home with our six girls so we could have a girl party--Cookie Lee Jewelry. Two of the girls were quite frustrating and one especially irritated me beyond reason. From Friday night to Sunday I just wanted to throw her out the window. I had to leave the house a few time to walk around the neighborhood so I could think instead of simply FEEL angry. Some children process things differently than others, or more directly important to me, they process differently than I understand and know how to work with. Therefore, I want to scream, shake, stomp my feet, and just have my OWN temper tantrum but I can't because I'M the "grown-up"! It's so not fair!!! I guess this is why parents say things like: just wait, or I hope you have children just like you.

What do you do when the person you're trying to help just clams up, turn inward, and stonewalls you? Ugh!

Why is it easy to have answers when it's someone ELSE'S children and/or other people's problems?

You know the dialogue that goes on inside the head when you're having an debate; that inner voice that says: GROW UP; or ACT YOUR AGE; or WHY ARE YOU ACTING LIKE THIS; or YOU'RE IN CONTROL HERE, GET IN CONTROL; you know, things like that. Well, that voice wouldn't shut up. However; that OTHER voice--the victim voice--wouldn't stop either.

Sometimes being the Mom isn't fun. That's just the truth about it. I love being a Mom, don't get me wrong, yet there are times when I miss just being Young Regina.

On the flip side, I was able to appreciate the area we live in. I felt a peace overcome me while I walked off my irritation. It's interesting how when we feel at peace we can fill our lungs so much more easily.

Anyway, at this juncture, I'm awaiting an answer on this particular episode of frustration.

Go with the flow

At first I was so irritated that we had to go get Catelynn, Gabriel, Kaylee, and Nicholas on Sunday. Saturday is a day for travel, Sunday is for church; however, their mother said we needed to go on Sunday to meet her in Wyoming. Saturday we worked more on the house and the yard getting things ready for everyone to be together. We drove passed a sign stating someone had to move out of state and was selling some furniture and appliances...so we went to see what was for sale. There was a practally new GE Digital washer and dryer set that he was selling for an incredible price--that I'll keep a secret. It was a "miracle", we've been wanting just that for quite some time and needed a way to receive it...there it was, right before our eyes with a way to do it. AWESOME!! What a blessing. Now we have a new set...beautiful...it washes and dries perfectly, quietly, and soooo easily. The children are in charge of washing their own laundry so this is so helpful. If we'd been on our way to get our children, we'd have missed this opportunity. So, I guess the lesson is to be patient when things don't appear to be what you want them to be...they me turn out to be BETTER...or, at least, something that brings you closer to your ultimate goals. We weren't any worse for the wear traveling on Sunday; Mark and I were still able to keep the day focused on the LORD and His Gospel, and we now have a beautiful washer/dryer set that's barely used and will save us energy use, detergent, and water...as well as make it easier for everyone to reach and do thier laundry...sometimes we just need to go with the flow.

My beautiful family: I'm standing with my husband, Mark, and our children; Catelynn, Tyler, Austin, Gabriel, Eliana, Karlie, Kaylee, Nicholas, Ashlynn, and Mykayela.

Can there be any sweeter a moment than that of holding the future in your arms? Love. It's all about love and life...here is a beautiful moment of peace and fulfillment for me. Divinity.