The Good Ol' Days

I always get reminisant (is that a word?) when I get together with friends from my past. The other day I had lunch with my oldest friend.(she's not old, we've just been friends for 40 years, Oh, I guess that makes us old) There are certain things you just never forget. Do I remember what I ate for lunch yesterday? No...do I remember the first time I met my friend when I was only 3 years old? Of course...we had just moved into our new house on Elaine Drive in Bountiful, I ventured down the street aways, 2 doors down another little girl about my age was riding her tricycle in her driveway. I asked what her name was. "Melinda" she told me. Well, to a couple of 3 year olds, that was proof enough we were destined to be best friends. So, the life-long friendship of "Linda and Melinda" began. I think we were pretty much inseperable back then. I remember our clubhouse underneath her stairs, where we would play dolls up until about 5th grade, telling ourselves we weren't too old for dolls, we were just preparing ourselves to be really good mommies. I remember our coloring contests, playing Yahtzee, making crazy concoctions of ice-cream, mud and grass and trying to convince her sister (sorry Michelle) that it was really yummy! I remember taking gymnastics lessons with her, and skiing lessons. Everytime I eat Smokehouse Almonds I think of us eating our lunch in the cold bus after our lessons. She was a much better skier than I was and got off the bunny hill faster than me, but she guided me down the hill like a true friend.
I'll never forget the time we were sledding down the big hill at the school, Mindy in the front, Lisa in the rear, I was sandwiched in the middle. We collected great speed and was heading for the school doors, unfortunately they weren't opened. Mindy's outstretched leg slowed us down as it took the brunt of the hit, and broke it. I gave Lisa a bloody nose with the back of my head, and I ended up with a headache. Good times. Our winters were full of snowman building, sledding down our neighborhood streets, and skiing. Our summers were full of 4-H, jumping on trampolines and sleeping under the stars.
Then the unthinkable happened...our Ward split! I cried because we wouldn't be in the same ward anymore, she cried because she wouldn't be in the same ward as my cute neighbor, the boy she had a crush on. Junior High and High School brought on new changes as well. We gained new friends, had different classes, but for the most part stayed good friends through it all. College and marriage, kids and husbands. Life went on for each of us, but when we run into each other at the park for the fireworks, or take the time to meet for lunch, it's as if time stood still.
Were just 2 little girls, having a tea-party, talking about mommie things and agreeing that playing dolls, really did make us better mom's!
Love ya Mindy! Let's do it again soon!

Faun'd Memories...

A couple of years ago when my Dad was retiring, we wanted to make a video documenting his life. When my brother Gerry asked his son Michael what his favorite memory of Grandpa was, after a pause, Michael asked, "Why, is he dead?"
I'm happy to report that like my father, Faun is still with us, but her birthday causes me to reflect on the impact her life has had on mine and the great memories we share. Come along with me while I take a sentimental journey.
For those of you who don't know, Faun is my cousin and 2 years OLDER than me, (sorry, had to rub that in) but she never treated me like the little nuisance that I was, although I tagged along with her and my sister Ronalee everytime we went to visit Grandpa and cousins in my Mom's old homestead in Lyman. Although I loved my Grandpa dearly, for me it was always, "We're going to Faun's house" when we packed up the old station wagon the day after school let out for summer vacation and headed down for Memorial Day. You wouldn't think a small town that didn't even have a McDonalds would have so much to offer, but the great outdoors was our playground. We were always finding or creating fun things to do. Some of my fondest childhood memories were the times I spent with Faun.
Picking dandelions and playing 'mommy had a baby and the head popped off', then spending the rest of the day laying down with a wet washrag over my eyes cuz they were swollen shut. Apparently I'm allergic to dandelions, but that didn't stop me every year from doing it again. I remember building forts in the hay, then spending the rest of the day with a wet washrag over my eyes, cuz apparently I'm allergic to hay too. I have alot of fond memories...me, Faun, and my washrag.
I remember going down the canal on intertubes, hunting for arrowheads in the hills, walking to the little store to buy penny candy! That was a big deal for this city girl who had to walk 2 miles down a big hill to reach the nearest 7-11. On rainy or cold days, you could find us inside playing ROOK with Aunt Owena or Faun's older sister Charmaine, we could play that game for hours! Or we would play 'hit-the-target' with a pair of socks and shampoo bottles lined up at the end of the rug, or doing gymnastic tricks in the living room. It didn't take much to make us happy, we were just happy to be together.
Here's a little fact you might not have known about Faun, she sleepwalks. One morning we woke up to find my shirt that WAS laying on the floor next to where I was sleeping, on Faun. I'll never forget seeing my favorite red and blue rugby shirt on Faun. It was on upside down, twisted, and contorted so badly I don't know how she didn't lose circulation in her arms. As I recall, it was on her body in such a weird way we had to cut it to get it off of her. Funny, funny Faun. She was, and still is, always making me laugh. I can't count all the hours of lost sleep, staying up late at night, telling scary stories, or giggling the night away.

We've grown up together, been there for each others weddings, we've been pregnant together, we've laughed together, cried together, and even though the miles and our busy lives separated us for awhile, fate was kind and brought us back together for a season. And since we've reconnected, we've come full circle again. Faun lives once more in the same little town she grew up in, and the trip that used to seem to take forever when I was a kid (4 hours) I can now make in 3, but the flutter in my stomach is still there as I turn the final bend in the road, and descend upon the beautiful valley that is my second home. The place I can go to and revert back to my childhood. And although their little country store doesn't sell penny candy anymore, and Grandpa's house has been torn down, nothing much has changed. Faun and I still stay up too late talking and laughing, we still like to roam the hills, usually with camera in hand and kids in tow. We still act like giddy school girls when we get together, while our husbands just roll their eyes and wish (we know you do) that they had a relationship like ours. Someone you can call and cry too when a favorite character in your book has just been killed off, someone who appreciates a great bargain and isn't afraid to brag about $5 shoes. Someone who can relate to mood swings, and weight swings. Someone who brings out the best in you but loves you even when your not.
Yes, everyone should have a little Faun in their lives. And if your fortunate to know her, I'm sure you'll agree, she brightens up her little corner of the earth. Her goodness and laughter spreading to those around her, like sunbeams breaking through the clouds. You just can't help but smile back and be grateful to be touched by her warmth. Love ya Faun! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Kayla!

18 years ago our little girl, Kayla Nicole was born! Dark curly hair with the prettiest blue eyes you ever did see! She was, (and still is) the sweetest little girl in the world. I can't believe how fast the years have gone. Let's take a stroll down memory lane, shall we?
By the time Kayla was 2 years old she could recognize letters in the alphabet. I remember pointing to letters on the newspaper and her shouting out the letters, she was a smart little thing, and still is. A cute little quirk she had when she was little, she used to hum while she ate, not a tune or anything, just kinda a monotone melody. We're kinda glad she broke herself of that habit, would have been embarrassing on her first date to hum all through dinner, but it was cute while it lasted.
When Kayla was around 4 years old, I was painting her face for the 4th of July, putting some fire-crackers and fireworks on her cheeks. It wasn't as easy as I thought it would be and had a disgusted look on my face as I examined my work. Kayla asked, "What is it mommy?" "Oh, it's a mess!" I proclaimed. She thought for a moment, gave me a funny look and said "It's my room?" Everytime I need a good laugh I think back on that and it cracks me up all over again.
When she was in kindergarten and just starting to read, her Dad was on the computer playing a game of Wheel of Fortune. Kayla was standing near him, trying to help him solve the problems. Everytime her Dad would solve one of the puzzles Kayla would say "Applesauce, Applesauce!" We didn't know why the random craving for applesauce until we noticed at the top of the screen, flashing, were the words "Applause, Applause". So, if you ever play the game Taboo with our family and the word is Applause, now you know why with one word, "Applesauce" we are able to guess that word so quickly.
Growing up with a older sister has had it's advantages for Kayla, she let Chelsea be the teenager we practiced our parenting skills on. I can say this now that Chelsea is a responsible married, young woman and turned out just fine, but when she was a teenager and did things that drove me crazy, as she stormed out the door, I would turn to Kayla, make her raise her right arm and make a pledge that she would never behave that way, that she would be a good teenager and never drive her mother crazy. So far, Kayla has lived up to those promises. She's a great kid, I never worry about her (just her driving) cuz she has great friends, and she tries hard to do the right things. It must have been a fore-shadow of things to come all those years ago when I looked upon Kayla's face, because the only thing that drives me crazy about Kayla is...you guessed it, her MESSY ROOM! Love ya Kayla!

A New Year...Same ol' Me

This is not, I repeat, not a list of New Years Resolutions. I have resolved to stop writing them, they never work. The 5 pounds I resolved to lose last year have now doubled to 10 pounds. The scriptures I resolved to read BEFORE I read anything else have stopped in 2 Nephi, but I did manage to read my favorite sequels "Odd Hours" and "Breaking Dawn". My journal, that I was going to faithfully write in, only one got entry in it last year, Chelsea's wedding, and that was WAY back in January. My closets are still not clean, my storage room still not organized, my Kohl's card still not paid off. So this year, I'm going to set goals that I know I'll be able to reach so I don't feel like such a failure at the end of the year.
I am going to eat any left over cake, one fork bite at a time, everytime I walk past it.
I am going to read books that have no eternal value, but take me to a happy place.
I am going to overstuff my closet with clearance clothes from Kohls.
I am going to stop weighing myself.
I am going to hug my husband and kids everyday and shower them with kisses, while they still let me.
I am going to learn to master a musical instrument, on Rock Band.
I am going to become a professional singer, on Sing Star.
I am going to learn a new joke, and remember it long enough to repeat it.
I am going to laugh a little more, cry a little less (yeah right) swing dance on the kitchen floor to Michael Buble, and learn to take pleasure in the simple things of life.

Wow, this non-resolution goal setting really works. I have already accomplished 4 of my goals. I'd be feeling pretty good about myself, if it weren't for that darn cake!

BLAH-HUM-BUG...

I think I caught a bug this weekend. Not the cold bug that my husband got on Christmas eve, or the love-bug that my daughter seems to have caught recently. No, the bug I caught usually only comes around once a year, and always the same time too, it's the BLAH-HUM-BUG! I try to avoid it each year by eating healthy. I eat from all 4 food groups, by that I mean chocolate, carmels, nuts and toffee. I try to stay in shape by running around from store to store, I do aerobic wrapping and hiding before the kids get home. I try to supplement my 6 hours of sleep each night by sleeping in church, while waiting in long lines or while stuck in traffic. Symptoms are usually extreme fatigue, followed by crash and burn, extra hours in the day you don't know what to do with, followed with boredom and laziness. It usually comes after I've experienced a wonderful Christmas, a jam-packed December filled with work and church parties, choir performances by my daughter, school programs for my son, get togethers with family. Baking, candy-making, quilt making, gift making, and not enough time-taking! Seriously though, Christmas was great this year. I'm just grateful the snow storm held out long enough for us to travel to Bountiful for our traditional Christmas-eve party at Mom and Dad's. It snowed us in Christmas day, so our dinner party was small this year, just us and lot's of left-overs. What takes a full month to prepare for, within a few hours it's all over. Just empty boxes and torn wrapping paper left under the tree. The games have all been played, the movies have all been watched, the toys assembled and broken. The work day awaits, the laundry piles up, the storage room still needs organizing, and the family still needs to be fed dinner, everyday, for the rest of my life. Is it any wonder I love December so much? It's a light at the end of a dull-drum tunnel. It breaks the monotomy of everyday life. For one month we think less of ourselves and more of others. We create, we inspire, we share, we give, we dream, we hope. And if were lucky, we make it through the season without catching the BLAH-HUM-BUG...

My Favorite Things...

So as we've already established, I love Christmas Music. It's on every minute that I'm in the car or at home. But there are a few songs that just make me wonder why they're considered Christmas songs. Just because Dan Folgelberg meets his old lover in a grocery store when the snow was falling Christmas eve, doesn't make it Christmas song worthy. And do the words 'Snowflakes' and 'Sleighbells' sung once in the song carry enough weight to make "My Favorite Things" (sung by at least 3 different people I've heard thus far) also a christmas song? Well, who am I
to question why, it's a good song from a great movie that I just happen to not have and would perhaps love as a christmas gift, hint hint, and it's also caused me to pause and think about the things I love at Christmastime. So, put the tune in your head and sing along to "My Favorite Things"

Snowflakes on white trees and whiskers on Santa,

temple square lights, time with poppa and nanna,

bright christmas packages, smiles that they bring,

these are a few of my favorite things.

Cream colored fondants and crisp peanut brittle,

carmels and turtles, we snitched just a little.

Time spent with sisters, it makes my heart sing,

these are a few of my favorite things.

Gifts that are homemade and fun decorations,

music and choirs make for great celebrations,

Christmas Eve dinner, acting the na-tiv-i-ty,

these are a few of my favorite things.

When the snow blows, when the cash goes,

when I'm feeling stressed,

I simply remember my favorite things,

and then I will feeeeel....so BLESSED!

21 years ago...

I was in the hospital, having my first child. We didn't know what we were having, a baby of course, just didn't know what kind, and were pleasantly surprised when out popped a little girl! Our little Chelsea Breann. It's a good thing she was a girl, we didn't even have a boys name picked out, but ever since I was a young girl and saw "On Golden Pond" with Jane Fonda, her character's name was Chelsea and I fell in love with it, I knew I wanted to name my little girl Chelsea. Her middle name came from a song I liked from Fleetwood Mac. It wasn't until years later that my husband clued me in on the fact the song wasn't named "Brianna" it was "Rianna". Huh, not my fault you can't understand those dang rock singers half the time. Besides, Chelsea Riann doesn't sound as good.

Hard to believe it's been 21 years. Am I that old? Funny how I can remember that day like it was yesterday, but have a hard time remembering what she was like when she was little. Good thing for pictures to help us remember. I wish I had a picture of the day she decided to finger paint, with DESITIN ! Have you ever tried to wash Desitin out of carpet, clothes, toyboxes, the wall, her hair! It's waterproof people, it doesn't wash out! I also wish I had a picture of the day she decided she wanted to become a hairdresser, she practiced on herself, and boy was she proud! She cut her bangs all the way to her scalp! Rest assured, she's much better now.

So, listen up all you mothers out there with young girls...if they're driving you crazy cuz they change their clothes 5 times a day, or leave barbies all over the floor, or bobby pins, or spill make-up all over the floor, and they're moody and sulky, or giggly and silly, and you just can't wait for them to grow up! Well, they will, and they do. You'll wish you could go back and dress them in frilly dresses, cuz now it's t-shirts and flip flops. Instead of sponge curlers saturday nights, now it's flat irons and hot dates saturday nights. Instead of barbies and dolls, it's IPods and Guitar Hero. Instead of clothes and stuffed animals all over the floor, well, it's still clothes, and stuffed animals all over the floor (somethings will never change). If there's one thing I've learned in the last 21 years its this: Kids do grow up, faster than you ever expect them too. And one day you'll stop and realize, did I teach them everything they need to know to survive in the real world? Does she know how to make gravy from scratch or cook a roast (ok, still learning that one myself). You just hope that somehow along the journey, they watched, they paid attention, they will want to have a child of their own someday, and when they do, they'll finally realize how much they were loved by you...

I remember when you were my little girl,

as much a part of me as my right arm.

My every breath and step

held you in my mind.

Then suddenly, one morning, you were grown!

I was not finished with you.

But we must love our children

enough to let them go.

But in my heart, you'll always be...

...my little girl!

Happy Birthday Chelsea! I love you! Mom