Grandma & Grandpa

Saturday night we took ourselves out to Leatherby's for some serious ice cream cones. I knew it would put a dent in the 4.8 pounds I have lost but there are certain milestones that need to be celebrated with rocky road.

Grandma and Grandpa reaching the year mark on their mission is one of those occasions.

They have been serving a humanitarian mission for our church in the DR Congo, located in the heart of Africa. They have given up all the comforts of home to serve the people there. When I say all the comforts of home, I mean it. No ice cream among other things.

What would make two newly retired grandparents pack up a couple of suitcases and head to the other side of the world?

Why would they leave their family and friends and a beautiful home to travel to an area of unrest and poverty at their own expense?

This past year we have needed them. We have had to get through difficult times without them.

There has been the loss of a nephew and next month, a precious granddaughter will undergo open heart surgery. Grandma Sanders can no longer live on her own and hard decisions had to be made.

They have missed the births of two new grandchildren, not to mention all the baseball games, football season, school programs, piano recitals, birthdays and Christmas.

Rachel still cries for Grandma sometimes and just a few weeks ago Lincoln fell asleep with a picture of him and Grandpa.

Some folks might scratch their heads and wonder why they left.

Not us.

Why know why. It is because of the love of God that fills their hearts. They have a testimony of Jesus Christ, they love him, they want to do the things that He would do.

They have fallen in love with the Congolese people. They are not afraid to dig in and work hard. They are changing lives and giving hope to the weary.

Maybe the most important reason of all is the example they are setting for the rest of us. We are left without excuse. They inspire us to do better, try harder.

Our extended family has been blessed because of their faithfulness. I think we have grown closer together. We have had opportunities to serve Grandma Sanders, we have leaned on each other more, our children have learned lessons about love and compassion.

Six months from now, they will come home and this adventure will be over. In some ways, it will be hard for them to leave. We understand that. But we can't help but look forward to the day when we can pick up Grandma and Grandpa and head to Leatherby's for some serious ice cream. I think I'll order rocky road.

Wilson and the Bad Mom Day

Do you ever have one of those bad mom days?

Yesterday was my turn on the rotation.

I woke up with every good intention. Samantha and I have been walking the twins to school this week. Yesterday we got up early, ate a big french toast breakfast and headed out the door.

We were about half way up the street when Lincoln remembered Wilson. Wilson is Lincoln's trusty volleyball. Remember Castaway? Similar relationship here. Wilson goes to school with Linc often. Wilson has been kicked, thrown, sat on, left out in the elements and lost and found about a half dozen times. He is a true friend.

Traffic is busy in the mornings and I didn't want Wilson to roll into the street and cause an accident so I suggested that we put him in the stroller basket. He seemed to fit well. Lincoln kept peering down to check on him. "You alright down there Wilson?" he asked.

Things were going along fine until we reached the busy intersection at the top of the hill. We decided to run so that we could make the green light. As we were sprinting across the street I must have hit a rock, the stroller jerked slightly and horror of horrors occurred... Wilson fell out.

WILSON! We all screamed. Tom Hanks couldn't have said it with more emotion. Cars were swishing by and Wilson was rolling in between them. I had to look away, I couldn't stand to watch.

Finally, the sound that broke my son's ten year old heart. A big pop. A car smashed Wilson flat.

Lincoln's blue eyes filled up with tears. Rachel and I threw our arms around him and I apologized about 100 or so times.

"I'll buy you another one", I said with a heavy heart.

"It won't be the same", he sobbed.

I felt sick. How could I be so careless?

We finally arrived at school. I gave him a hug and sent him to class. It was a long walk home for me. When I got back to the intersection, there was not a car in sight, just poor Wilson, flattened in the crosswalk.

I parked the stroller and picked him up. When the twins got home from school they thanked him for being a good ball and we placed him in the garbage can.

Today we will go shopping for a new volleyball.

Today I will try not to be the cause of heart break for any ten year olds.

Today will be a good mom day.

Spring Fling

What to do when you realize that spring break is almost here and you have not arranged for a trip to a warm and sunny destination? Don't panic, stay home and have spring fling!

First, go to the dollar store. Buy up all the flowers, ribbons, stickers and spring things you can find to decorate with. PS don't forget bright colored shades for the lights!

Next, think up five ways to celebrate the word F-L-I-N-G.

Put those ideas in carefully crafted top secret envelopes to be opened one per day.

Now, go to it!

F: Fabulous food and fashions! Take the family for dinner at Chick-Fil-A (ok so maybe fab is too strong a word) and then it's new clothes for everyone!

L: Laughs and lunch. Lunch at Chilis and the to the Horton movie.

I: Ice cream because I love you. Sonic m&m and butterfinger blasts worked great.

N: Never a better Hero. A special family home evening lesson about Jesus.

G: Green grass getaway. Picnic at the park.

Throw in a couple of Easter egg hunts, dinners with cousins, a grandkids' party and you've got a pretty good spring break.

Vacations.... who needs them.

If the Savior Stood Beside Me

My calling (assignment) at church for the last 3 1/2 years has been to teach the children music in primary. We have one new song per month that the church asks us to teach. For the month of March we have been learning a beautiful song entitled "If the Savior Stood Beside Me".

The first two verses are questions to ask yourself:

If the Savior was standing beside me would I:

Do the things I do?

Would I think of His commandments and try harder to be true?

Would I follow His example?

Would I live more righteously?

Would I say the things I say?

Would my words be true and kind if He was never far away?

Would I try to share the gospel?

Would I speak more reverently?

I wanted the children to really feel the message of those verses so I brought them each a penny. I aked them to wear the penny in their shoe for a day and when they felt the penny, to think of Jesus and ask themselves the questions in the song.

The next Sunday, I asked who participated. Nearly every hand went up. I asked them to share some of their experiences. Here are a few:

"I was playing soccer when I felt the penny. It reminded me to be a good sport and play fair."

"My brother was bugging me and then I felt the penny. I decided to just be nice to him."

"I invited a girl to play that was feeling left out at recess."

"I told my family that I love them."

I am amazed and humbled by these little ones. I learn from their goodness and examples. Last week when they sang, tears rolled down my cheeks.

The third verse is my favorite:

He is always near me, though I do not see Him there,

and because He loves me dearly I am in His watchful care.

So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be,

if I could see the Savior standing nigh watching over me.

When we truly understand the depth of the Savior's love for us, we start to comprehend the depth of our own worth. We feel safe and warm and we know that we can get through tough times.

I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ. I am grateful that I can repent of mistakes and try harder next time.

Because I am not as Christlike as the children I teach, I wore my penny for three days. Each time I felt it and thought of Jesus I wanted to be better. Kinder, more patient, more loving.

Below is a slide show to this beautiful song. (Thanks to my Mark)

Have a wonderful Easter weekend.

JesusChrist.lds.org

Walks and Talks

Want to get in touch with your kids?

Go for a walk together.

I learned this lesson many years ago from my BFF, Kirsten's dad. They had ELEVEN kids in their family. (For my non Mormon friends who may be wondering, yes, they were all from the same mom)

Nearly every night you could look out the window and see Neils (dad) walking with one or more of his brood. Sometimes they would break into a slow jog but the key was, they were always talking.

One thing that I am pretty good at is learning from people that I respect and admire. Neils Pedersen fits that bill. He and his amazing wife managed to raise eleven outstanding kids. Every member of that family is smart, musical, creative and kind.

They really are that great.

One factor has to be all that walking.

So about six weeks ago, we started walking together several times a week. We have a two mile path around the perimeter of our neighborhood that is perfect for the occasion. The twins and I bundle up, put Samantha in the stroller and we're off. No distractions like ipods or cell phones, just raw time together.

I have been amazed at the conversation. We talk about everything from recess to the school lunch menu, to books, sports and friends.

Some of my favorite topics have been goals for the future:

(Lincoln: play for the Red Sox and Jazz, then retire and become owner and CEO of several sporting goods stores. One in each capital city, to be precise. If time permits, do a little sportscasting on the side. Get married and have five sons so that he has his own basketball team. Have two cats and one dog.)

(Rachel: be a baby doctor or a vet. Marry a man as nice and handsome as Daddy. Live next door to mom and dad, have a boy / girl set of twins and then another daughter. Good plan. Have two dogs, one black and one white. Possibly design fancy dresses and accessories and decorate peoples homes for them. )

We have talked about the birds and the bees, life and death, troubles and joys. Oh, the things you can learn from two fourth graders!

Sometimes it's cold and I'm tired. Sometimes I'd rather camp out on the sofa and turn on Oprah.

Then I think of Neils.

I find myself gathering my little chicks and hitting the trail. So far, they have been eager and willing to go. I'm sad for the day that changes.

Oprah will have to wait for another season of life.

Raw time together ...... there is nothing else quite like it.

Thanks Neils.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from Little O'Cutie

Try This!

Thank you to friends who have sent notes of encouragement and recipes!

I was on my way to a private date with Mr. Proform (not Mark, my treadmill). I happened to pass the office on my way. Since I was there I decided to check my email. (Can you sense the procrastination factor?) Boy am I glad I did! Look at the goldmine my friend Julie sent!

Easy, Yummy Cake

Just combine a cake mix, a can of soda and two egg whites

Here are popular combos:

Spice cake mix w/ diet orange
Banana cake mix w/ diet root beer
Lemon cake mix w/ diet 7-up
Chocolate cake w/ Diet coke
Lemon cake w/ Diet ginger ale
Orange cake w/diet Mountain Dew
Cherry chip cake w/ A& W diet Cream
Lemon cake w/ Diet Lemon lime
Angel w/ Diet Orange
White w/ Diet Orange
Yellow cake w/ Diet orange
White cake w/ Diet Peach
Spice cake w/ diet lemon-lime
White w/ diet ginger ale
Chocolate cake w/ Diet cherry coke
devils food w/ diet vanilla coke
chocolate cake w/ diet rootbeer
marble cake w/ diet cream soda
lemon with tangerine diet rite
white cake mix w/ diet sprite
Red Velvet w/ Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr Pepper
Banana cake w/ diet root beer
Pineapple cake w/ diet Squirt

For the frosting, Julie adds one box of SF FF instant pudding to 8 oz of lite cool whip. No milk, just the dry mix. Cream cheese is her favorite, but any flavor could be matched up to your cake flavor. One reasonable slice is about 1 point.

It just so happened that I had a chocolate cake mix, a can of diet coke and two egg whites lying around, so I tried it out. YUM! I put a spoonful of cool whip on top and enjoyed. MMMMMM, thanks Julie!

Desperate Times

Approximately 71 days until the pool opens.

Desperate times call for desperate measures.

New swimsuit taped to the pantry door.

Yep, that qualifies.

Another Long Week

Recap of week #1 on Weight Watchers:

Number of donuts eaten: Zero
Number of M&M's: Nil
Number of cookies: Zilch
Slices of cake: Zip
Bites containing whip cream: None
Handfuls of chocolate chips from the pantry: Not even one

Miles ran: eight
Miles walked: twelve
Number of times weights lifted: two (not including the 15 pounder in the pink socks that can often be seen in my right arm)

Number of support groups attended: one

Pounds lost: ZERO (as in nil, zilch, zip, none, and not even one)

Number of times I wanted to throw my hands up in disgust: 200

Number of times I fell off the wagon and drowned my sorrows in a colossal slice of cheesecake: one

Here we are back to the beginning of another long week.

Thoughts On Babies of the Family

You know we have a set of twins. You probably don't know that we also have a set of triplets. Samantha came with two pals, her pacifiers.

I don't like the things. I never allowed Lincoln & Rachel to have them as babies, not once. I took plenty of psychology classes in college. I understand the risks of becoming fixated in the oral stage. It is not good to get in the habit of having something in your mouth. Imagine the issues that a person could develop! No pacifiers, I said. Absolutely not.

Have you ever noticed how the baby of the family has a way of wearing down the parents of the family?

For example, when I turned 16 I took my driver's test in a big, blue station wagon. Yes it even had the added feature of rear facing seats so passengers in the back would have a nice view. I drove it around town and was grateful (I said grateful, not proud) to drive it. Hey, it could hold up to seven of us!

Fast forward twelve years. Mark and I are spending a quiet Saturday together when the phone rings. My dad excitedly tells us to meet him at a car dealership that afternoon.

When we arrived, all of my sisters and their families were there too. Mom and Dad could hardly contain their excitement. Guess what the big news was? We were all there to surprise baby sister, Angelica with the car of her choice. After all, she had just turned 16 and needed transportation! "My children will all be treated equally" I muttered to myself as I had a flashback of my wheels.

Nine years separates Sami from the twins. Things change in nine years. The sad fact is that Samantha is barely five months old and I have already become guilty of the same crime. Samantha loves her pacies. What Samantha wants, Samantha gets.

We have gone so far as to name and give gender assignments to the little guys. Pinky (aka Pinky Pie) and Greeny (aka Greeny Guy). They are treated like important members of the family.

We do not leave the house without them. Before we go anywhere the four of us check in with each other. "Do you have Pinky?" "Where is Greeny" "Someone go find him!" Oh the panic if one gets misplaced! We keep them clean and even pamper them with occasional warm water massages.

So here I am, turning into a big pushover, just like my parents did. Mark's parents went down the same route. It must be a natural occurrence. Babies in the family get special treatment. It is unavoidable. Today it's pacifiers, tomorrow who knows? I better start saving up.

The Long Week

I have an addiction. Addiction is a word that I do not say lightly. I know that some people have very real struggles with drugs, alcohol, smoking, etc. and I truly put myself in the extreme category. My addiction is anything sweet. I cannot stay away from candy and desserts of every kind.

I am pretty good about exercising. I lift weights regularly. Last week I walked a couple of days with my friend Roni, went for a few runs on my own and Rachel and I walked a total of ten miles together. That sounds impressive, but it is not enough to remove these last 7 pounds.

The problem is that I will run four miles and then come home and treat myself to a big slice of cake. I have no problem downing two donuts for breakfast, a brownie for lunch and several Hersheys Kisses for snacks followed by a Rice Krispie Treat for dinner. My favorite all time concoction is Cocoa Krispies mixed with Cool Whip, drizzled with chocolate syrup and topped with chocolate sprinkles. (I thought of this recipe all on my own)

Mark has that little internal switch that tells him when he has had enough sweet. I don't. My body has the extraordinary ability to consume sugar. I don't get stomach aches, headaches and I haven't had a cavity since 1994. The phrase "too rich" is foreign to me.

I have tried to cut down for years now and I can't stop myself. Don't get me wrong, I eat good foods too. I stay away from regular soda, fried foods and chips. I will have a salad for lunch with no croutons or cheese and hardly any dressing on it so that I can justify the ding dong that will follow. I only allow my family to have treats very sparingly because I know this is not healthy. I want to skip the desserts but I can't stop.

So, last week I said to myself. "Enough is enough!" There was only one thing to do. I had to find a twelve step program of sorts, so I joined Weight Watchers. I marched into the office near my home. I paid my $109.00. The nice lady weighed me. I received my booklets and I went to my first meeting.

My first weigh-in will be on Friday, so this week I have gone cold turkey. Sunday will be my free day to eat one dessert. Last night was a true test of commitment when our friends dropped off a big plate of homemade chocolate chip cookies. I had to leave the room while everyone else enjoyed them.

I am going on day two with no sweets. This is hard, really hard. I will probably get grumpy and develop a headache from with drawls. Any suggestions would be helpful. Roughly 120 hours until Sunday..... it's going to be a long week.