The Last of the Firsts **July Fourth**

Today, we celebrated the last holiday in our first year here in Rigby, Idaho! Our year mark is rapidly approaching!





***Happy Birthday America!*** I absolutely LOVE Independence Day! I'm not sure if it's the bright colors; red, white, and blue, or the patriotism and pride in our beloved country (in spite of it's current difficulties), or that it's just a good excuse to enjoy being with people we care about and eat LOTS of yummy food, that makes it such a special day for me. Granted, I do love all holidays, and this one is definitely one of my tops! I love seeing the flag waving on people's front lawns. I love seeing little children all dressed up in patriotic colors including matching ribbons in their hair. I love seeing old people in old-fashioned cars driving carefully in parades, and I love hearing the marching band playing (even if they aren't so good).


It's really amazing how the Fourth of July is commonly celebrated from Sea to Shining Sea! No matter where you are in America, you can see and feel people's love for their country! This year I really wanted my children to understand that the Fourth isn't just for fireworks, but it's our country's birthday. I told the little boys that today is America's birthday, and they just looked at me with Awe and Wonder. They were a little confused at first, since our cat's name is America, but I quickly explained that it is the country in which we live that is having its birthday. I want them to learn to be good citizens. I want them to learn what opportunities can be theirs because they are citizens. I want them to learn about all of those who died for our Freedom and that Freedom is not free! Our children must be taught these things. They cannot grow up thinking that Freedom was handed to us on a silver platter and that this day is only for buying expensive fireworks and blowing them up when the sun goes down just for our pleasure. They need to know more. I think perhaps that living near our nation's capital for nearly 9 years has ingrained in me the importance of liberty. I loved living near all of that history! I loved having my children so near it that they could see it, feel it, taste it! I just hope that now that we are 2,500 miles away from where our country began, I will be able to express to my children the importance of this occasion and its true meaning.

Last Sunday, James and I were able to sing in a community choir at the Celebration of Liberty. During the program, we were able to see a reenactment of the Patrick Henry speech "Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death." It was moving and inspiring. The choir ended the ceremony by singing Battle Hymn of the Republic. I had chills as we sang about God's hand in creating this land of Liberty. It was a wonderful reminder of how we got to where we are today. I love America, and I'm grateful that this day is set aside each year to help us remember the sacrifices made for our Independence.















On a lighter note, we did have a lot of fun today! It was significant that we started our day with the old--as our first year here comes to a close: Our friends the Ransoms paid us one more visit before heading back to VA. We said goodbye to them this mourning. Then, we turned our hearts and minds forward to say Hello to our friends, the Buskas. We spent the day with them as well as our new friends, the Leggs, in the tiny town of Menan. We ended up arriving just in time for the parade. We had not intended to watch the parade, so we started heading to the fair grounds. We were hoping to take advantage of the fact that the majority of the crowds would be lining the streets and we would experience shorter lines at all of the food and games stands. A man driving a kiddie train drove past and stopped to invite our children for a ride in the train. Of course all of the children ran screaming and got into the train. They were wisked away, to our surprise, to become PART of the parade. We didn't see 9 of our children for the next hour and a half! That POOR train driver! The adults and remaining teens and infants headed to the food stands! The food was yummy and by the time our children came back, we had snow cones in hand for the poor hot and thirsty little ones. I think we had more fun than they did!

The rest of the day was filled with watermelon eating contests, funnel cakes, dunking machines, and the best part; the new swords!

Proof that Alex DOES eat!
He almost won the contest, but became sick right at the end!

The Elders getting into it with Connor and his swords!
Emily decided to get DUNKED!
Alex goes next, then poor little Hunter gets slammed by Emily. Finally Hannah decides to cool off! What fun!

We then went to the Buska's for a fun BBQ. Then headed back to Menan for fireworks. We ended up parking next to a field to watch. We could see the fireworks all around the surrounding area! It was a great time and we all went home happy and exhausted!



Shooting off Hydrogen Rockets at the Buskas.

Family

We joyfully cram-packed the last half of our week with friends and family. Since my parents and some of my siblings headed on a cruise for Alaska and left Josh and I and our families behind, we decided to have a celebration of our own. Josh and Susanna and the kids came up to spend a couple of days with us.
We went to the Riot Zone and let the kids play on inflatables on Fri.

Then had a picnic at the park while Hunter had his first soccer practice.
Yummy cupcakes. I agree with
Phebe, the frosting is the best part!

Hunter's uniform is so bright, you gotta wear shades!

On Saturday, we decorated the wagon and bikes and the kids got to be in the local parade. They were all so cute and really enjoyed being in the parade. Connor asked how he was going to be able to throw candy while he had his hands on the steering wheel! It would have been impossible coordination for him. As it was, he ran over my feet several times! Crazy Driver! Keep both hands and both feet on the bike! Luke and Liam sat so still in the wagon waving their little flags. They were so cute.
After the parade, we had Popsicles at the park. Ahhh, Popsicles are so good after all that hard work of pulling the wagon through the streets of Rigby!
Yes, even Superman got in on the fun of the parade!

After the parade, we just hung out at the house and played in the pool and on the tramp.

I gave Phebe her birthday present, one that brought me so much joy to give her! I made her a white tutu and bought her all of the princess loot to go with it! It's so much fun having a baby girl to spoil again! She makes the sweetest little princess.

I love that Josh and Susanna are so close to us now. We love being with them. It is wonderful that my kids can get to know their cousins! What a fun whirlwind of a weekend!

FRIENDS!!!

It's a wonderful day when good old friends come to visit!!!

Marcia and I spent our time with each other talking non-stop!

The Ransom's came to visit us all the way from VA on Wed and Thurs. We had the best time! It shows true friendship when you can just hang out at home and have the greatest time. The kids got to run around and swim in the backyard pool. They also rode bikes and got in some game cube and TV time.

Jason and Connor have been begging to get together since they saw each other last year. It's difficult for 4-year-olds to understand the concept of 2,400 miles! When they are here, the gap is closed.

Best Friends!

Jenessa got to go to camp with Hannah. It was the best gift we could have given Hannah. You should have seen their faces when they saw each other--pure JOY!

Here are a few quotes to celebrate our dearest friends.

"A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." - Sent by Donna Roberts

"It takes a long time to grow an old friend." - by John Leonard

"The better part of one's life consists of his friendships." - Abraham Lincoln

"Friends are God's way of taking care of us."

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to wish my Dad a happy Father's Day! I took this photo of him in 2004 and decided to frame it and give it to him today. I had to edit out the people that were standing around him. A so-so job, but it was really my first time doing it.

Since moving to the west, I have really enjoyed spending time with my Dad and really getting to know him better. He is a great dad and a terrific grandpa! Happy Father's Day!

And of course, James being the father of my children, I have to honor him! He's had a great day of being treated like a king (right now, the girls are massaging his feet!). He is a wonderful dad, and I love to watch him with his kids. Happy Father's Day, James, I love you!

DRUGS!

I don't really consider myself a hypochondriac, but I must reconsider my position after visiting the doctor today and coming home with SIX prescriptions! I think with most adults, it takes a lot to get to the doctor. I am no different. I have been putting several petty issues off for quite some time now, but this morning, after suffering with a very bad headache and sinus trouble for a week, I decided that enough was enough! I made the call and scheduled myself an appointment. I'm sure it wasn't the first time that an adult went in and unloaded years worth of problems in 10 minutes! I am happy to say that for some of my issues, I am well on my way to recovery!

So it makes me wonder why we do it. Why don't we take care of ourselves? I knew that if I went to the doctor, I'd be able to come up with some solutions, some ways to make myself feel better, yet I delayed until I really couldn't function.

I guess as a mother and wife, I like to make sure that everyone else is taken care of, and my own problems can take a back seat. The time it takes, the money it costs--it's more important for the family and not me. Maybe it's also a little fear of opening myself up to some strange man (the Dr.) that I've never met before. Or even worse, that the Doctor will say that it's all in my head!

Whatever the reason, whatever our excuses, we need to shift our paradigm and make some changes and take care of ourselves so that we can better take care of our families! It's much easier to be supermom when we feel great.

So my advice to you all reading and lurking, is to get out there and get those little issues taken care of before they get big so that you can feel great and enjoy taking care of your family!

The Return of the Girls June 1

The next chapter of my life has no photos for some reason. Actually, I think I did take a photo with my phone of the Logan Temple, but getting that photo from my phone to my blog is way beyond my skill level. I can only be so savvy.

Like I said, the week was so peaceful! I love my girls, but just the sheer number percentage alone means that there will be less chaos in my home without them.

I think the girls had fun at Grandma's house, but when Grandma said that next time they can each come by themselves, I knew what had gone on. My poor mother. She said she finally realized on the last day that one of them (who shall remain nameless or die of embarrassment) must have had PMS. Let me repeat; POOR MOTHER! I know I should feel horrible, but secretly inside I'm sighing with relief that I missed that week in my sweet daughter's life! What's worse is that we usually both have it at the same time! Bring on the B complex and the calcium and the dark chocolate and whatever else helps!

We decided to meet in Logan for the hand off. It is so convenient that Josh and Susanna live at the halfway point.

Since they were getting a foreign exchange student for a week, my mom and I decided to get a hotel with the girls so we wouldn't overwhelm poor Saki.

Also since getting a FES (see above), Susanna bailed on our girl's day at the temple, and sent Josh. That's okay, but Susanna is much cuter, more stylish, and all around more interesting to talk to (just kidding, Josh, but you are a rocket scientist!).

I had never been to the Logan Temple before. It is such a beautifully unique temple. It's much different than all of the other temples on the outside. I found out that the inside used to look similar to the Salt Lake Temple with its elaborate gold trim and sculpturing until it was renovated many years ago. Unfortunately, the new design was much plainer and simpler. It would have been grand to see the original. But, the reason for the temple isn't to dazzle us, it's for us to just get the work done! And work we did.

During the meeting, I couldn't look at the curtains. They were scalloped all the way across and they hung from ceiling to floor. Each time I glanced at them, I felt a migraine coming on. It was the strangest and most horrible sensation--like strobe lights. Later my mom told me that images like that create that feeling for anyone who frequently gets migraines. She told me that it gave her the same sensation. So strange. Later that night, I did get a migraine.

We went swimming in the hotel's pool after a fun dinner at McDonald's (woo hoo). It was so fun interacting with Luke and Liam. It is so difficult for me to tell them apart since I haven't been able to spend a lot of time with them. But after spending one on one time with each of them in the pool, I was beginning to differentiate between them. Their personalities are very different. They are great little boys, and I can't wait to watch them grow!

After taking Excedrin PM for my head ache Sat. night, I couldn't keep my eyes open during Church on Sunday. That stuff is wicked and I'm usually hung over the next day! It is seriously the only thing that works for my migraines.

After church the worst thing imaginable happened! Emily and I went into the bathroom to change clothes. I flushed the toilet in my brother's new house and the toilet started flooding over! I immediately turned off the water, but not before it flowed over onto the floor! Poor Emily had to run out into the hall with no clothes on! I sopped up the water and sanitized the floor. I was feeling pretty good about my cleaning job until we heard the girls in the basement yelling that water was dripping from the ceiling!!!

Water was pouring from the duct work right onto poor Saki's bed! She must have been horrified, but acted pretty calm. Water was also pouring from a light socket onto the wood floor (thankfully missing the couches). It was a mess, but Josh had quick reflexes, and got everything taken care of quickly. It brought back horrible memories from our home in VA. We had just repaired an 8 foot section of the ceiling, when the toilet blew a gasket and flooded all night long right after we installed hardwood flooring. It was heart breaking, but we caught the ceiling before it hit the floor. It was bulging and getting ready to burst. I'm hoping that there won't be any more damage to Josh's house than a few holes drilled into the duct work. I'm so sorry Josh. I feel so bad!

We finally hit the road for home. We listened to a book on cd--The Survivors--which made it quite the enjoyable ride.

Phew, what an exhausting beginning to summer--only wait, it sure doesn't feel like summer yet!

Memorial Day 2008

So, Connor has been begging and begging to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house. It strikes me as funny that he is so obsessed about it. We are definitely going down to Utah for the 24th of July celebration, but that is a VERY long time for a four-year-old to wait. So, my mind started searching for a good time to go down, and POP--into my head shoots Memorial Day. The kids will be out of school by then, and James will have that Monday off. It would also be good to teach the children about the true meaning of Memorial Day; that it's not just the kick off to summer's fun, but a day set aside to remember those who bravely fought for our country, as well as those who have gone on before us. Perfect. But then we started thinking about gas prices and watched them soar higher each day. And would our poor old van make it, or would we be stranded in Idaho Falls? I started hemming and hawing and wondering if it was such a good idea after all. We decided to go for it.

The weather didn't seem to want to cooperate, but Saturday wasn't so bad. We went swimming at the rec center (Alex couldn't swim on account of his hair, so he sweated pink sweat in the weight room). Then we ate a YUMMY lunch at Dick's Drive Inn--Home of my first real employment and the best footlong in the world. It's also up for sale! We toyed with the idea of buying it and moving to Kamas, but it was just a fleeting thought. After lunch, my mom and I sat in the car in her driveway and talked for about an hour while the kids jumped on the tramp and James napped. My Dad was digging up everything in his yard to send home with us!

Then we headed to the local movie theater to watch the awesome The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. The movie theater was once owned by my Great Grandfather, Douglas Thurston Simpson. I think they still have the original seating! We had such a fun time. The popcorn there has got to be the world's best, and they always have a drawing for $100 from the ticket stubs! I love small towns!

I was able to attend church with my mom on Sunday and got to see her nervously give her lesson. She did a wonderful job and really allowed the spirit to teach the sisters.



We heard that the weather wasn't going to be good on Monday, so we decided to head to Coalville to put flowers on the graves. I had forgotten that my Grandpa Dean was buried there. Wow, I can't believe that it's been 6 years since he died. My mom showed us where our other relatives were buried and then we had to search to find Alexander Black. Alex was able to get his picture taken with him. Truthfully, I didn't know I had an ancestor with that name until after I had named Alex. I'll have to do some research on him!

Monday, we were able to attend a Rodeo Queen Contest. My cousin was a contestant. It is amazing how professional these young 13 year old girls are! They memorized very engaging 5 minute speeches and wore $500 outfits, not to mention learned a rodeo pattern which they performed with their horses. It was very fun.


My amazing and dear friend Betsy happened to be in Utah the same time we were! It is so funny how we found out we each would be there. Betsy told her dad that she was coming to visit. Her dad told my dad and my dad told her dad that we would be there too! She finally texted me and we made plans to hook up. We thought it wasn't going to work out, but we agreed to meet halfway in Park City for a late lunch. We saw her for about 20 min and she had to rush off to the airport to catch her plane. I'm so glad that I have Betsy in my life. She is a great friend!



Some cool recycled art statues in Park City.


We headed back home and met up with my brother Josh and SIL Susanna and their darling kids. It was so fun seeing them, but the best part was watching the little cousins interact with each other. Emily absolutely loves the babies and she was so good when any of them needed a little extra TLC! I could just eat little Phebe up! She is so adorable!


We got a picture of all of the grand kids together! The little bunch is growing. My parents now have 9 grand kids!

Josh and Susanna, I hope you don't mind, I had to nab these photos from your blog. They are too cute!




Oooh, that little Phebe is yummy!

We decided to leave the girls with Grandma for the week and the boys and I headed home before dusk, and that amazing little van made it all the way home once again! It was a great trip and I'm so glad we sucked up the $3.75 a gallon and went!

For some reason, we had the most peaceful week!

Last Day of School--May 23

Alex, my future rock star, on the last day of school!

The end of school came extremely fast this year! Before it was warm outside, practically before the snow melted, the kids were having field day, the concerts were being held, and the awards were pouring in. It just felt too early. I have always been one to say that school should be finished by Memorial Day. Well, this year, my wish came true. Now I'm thinking, "WHAT was I thinking?"

We've been out of school for two weeks now, and I'm now starting to settle in to the idea that all of the kids will be home all day long. Phew! It's tough keeping 5 kids entertained with wholesome activities all day long without killing each other!

Ah, Summertime!

Alex had been telling me since before the last month of school that he wanted to dye his hair pink for the last day of school. Well, since my good friend Susan Tietjen lets her girls dye their hair with Koolaid on the last day of school, it must be an okay thing for good parents to do, right? Besides, I figured he'd probably chicken out. Well, two days before school lets out, he's begging me to take him somewhere to find pink hair dye. I'm thinking Koolaid, but no, he's thinking official dye! James finds a kit at Rite Aid for $10. There is no way I'm paying for that, and I figure there is no way Alex will pay that, but I was wrong, and he used his hard earned and quite skimpy allowance to pay for it!

Alex is so lucky to have such a GREAT dad! James dove right in and opened the box and started on Alex's hair. First it had to be bleached. Then carefully dyed.

It turned out to be exactly the same color as my cell phone! Since pink is my favorite color, and I tried to color stripes of pink in my hair when I was a teenager with magic marker, I kind of liked it. And besides, when I was a baby, I had a pink blankie that I named Pinkie. Pinkie mysteriously disappeared when I was about 10. Now I have my own Pinkie again!

It was also so soft, I couldn't keep my hands off of it! The girls at school felt the same way! Alex said that all of the girls had to run their fingers through his hair. Surprisingly, it is quite the babe magnet! Everywhere we go, teenage girls come out of their shells to comment to Alex about his hair.

The color is now starting to fade to a bright pinkish orange and the roots are growing out. I haven't said a thing about his hair to him, and low and behold, the other day he was in the grocery store looking for products to take the color out of his hair!!!!! I think he's all pinked out! I told him we already have something at home that takes color out of hair. He was all ears until I told him that all you do is plug it in and buzz it over your head. Instant color and hair removal! He didn't like that idea at all. He's decided to grow his hair out and not cut it. We'll see how he feels when he has orange tips with platinum in the middle and dark blond roots!

I really love having a teenager. It is so much fun. It really does bring back a lot of good old memories!

Step One: Remove Color.

Step 2: Keep bleach moist and look foolish!

Step 3: RINSE. Ooh, la, la!

Step 4: Color PINK!

Step 5: Oh, yeah, who's cool now?

Moore's Folley at the Teton Dam May 5

I am so behind in blogging, but I have a good excuse. I moved my office / scrap room downstairs, and I wasn't able to upload my photos onto my computer because the cord that usually sits next to my monitor wasn't there anymore. Tonight I had James plug it in for me. I know, it's pathetic how helpless I am when it comes to the computer, but I think secretly James adores that I have to rely on him so much. I couldn't live without him!


This was a good one!
See that teeny tiny red dot? Our fun's motivation!

We decided to go visit the Teton Dam Flood Site one nice Sat afternoon after Emily's final volleyball game. It was an unusually nice day. We drove to the lookout spot and noticed that a van had driven ALL THE WAY down to the water. The kids asked Dad if we could Please do it too. Well, I said that I didn't think the old van had it in her to make it back up, but against my better judgement, we headed down the steep, windy dirt road (what man could resist?).

The boys were so scared that we were so high up.
I had sandals on, so I pooped out and stayed in the van while James took the kids for a hike down a rock slide and over to what remains of the water in the dam. They spent about an hour throwing rocks into the water and exploring. They had the greatest time. While they were gone, my imagination got the better of me. I was watching the two men in the other van and wondering what they were doing all the way down here in this remote location with no one else around for miles. I wondered what I would do if they approached the van with a gun and tried to steal it or kill me. One man got out and started milling around. I sunk down into my seat and my heart began racing. I spied over the dashboard. He appeared to be looking around for something (a better fishing spot, probably, since his previous one was now ruined by kids throwing rocks). At the height of my worrying, I heard a loud gun shot!!!!! I about had a heart attack! I ran to check on my family to make sure they weren't dead. Well, James got the message that these people were hunting, so he decided it was time to go so that we weren't the ones being hunted.

Rock Slide.
Exploring the flora and fauna.
It doesn't look that steep in the pic, but take my word for it, it's Mt. Everest!






To my great relief, the two men packed up and started to leave. They got turned around and began the steep climb to the top of the hill. They started spinning out a short way up and had to back all the way down and try again. This time they made it, and we never saw them again.

James and I began to wonder if their full-size van had 4-wheel drive.


We then began our own decent to the top of the hill. We made a go at it and got stuck in the same place the other van did. We backed down and tried again. We backed down and tried again (a third time). Then James hiked up the hill and cleared the rocks out of the road. Then tried and backed down again. This time, all of us got out and climbed up the hill to clear rocks out of the way. The kids thought it would be a good idea if they pushed behind the van. Aw, aren't they cute. They would have been pancakes! The kids and I stood out of the way and James tried again really punching it. It was frightening because the road was fairly narrow and when you punched it, the van was all over the place. On the sixth try, I yelled at the kids to start praying for the van to make it. James made it to the spin out spot and kept barreling through. I yelled "don't stop, keep going!" and he zoomed past us. But then he kept going about another mile up the mountain. He stopped and waited for us. We started hiking up the hill. Okay, remember why I stayed behind before? Sandals! Not just sandals, but the kind your foot slides into with no back! I climbed that puppy like it was nothing. I don't know if my shoes will ever be the same.


By the time we made it to the top, an entire hour had passed by. I am so grateful for prayer because I KNOW that is the only way our old van made it to the top of the mountain! It was threateningly close to overheating, but she made it none-the-less. I am so proud of the old girl. It makes me want to keep her forever! I don't know how the underside of her fared. We don't dare look too closely.


THAT was one unforgettable Moore family outing!


Unfortunately Alex had to miss all of the excitement since he had to go to Saturday School (tee hee).

Mother's Day 2008

This year was so much fun! My kids are really starting to get the hang of this Mother's Day thing. I have a great husband who always spoils me on Mother's Day, but this year, the older kids especially tried to make it a special day.

James took the kids shopping all day yesterday (poor guy) except for Emily who stayed home with me to work on the garden (an amazing gift in itself). James searched high and low for the items he had been collecting on his list (he's so good and clever that way). Then he took the kids to his office to play Battlefield 1942. They didn't get home until around 8:30 which gave Emily and me lots of time to enjoy being together--a rarity! After slaving (and I do mean slaving) in the garden for about 4-5 hours, we rode our bikes into to town and got a hot dog and a shaved ice. We ate it outside, and I almost froze to death! Then we went home and watched Enchanted. It was so fun!

This morning, everyone got up early (except for Connor who was up half the night). They brought me breakfast in bed; cold toast and luke warm eggs over-easy and yummy, crunchy bacon and orange juice. I haven't decided if I'm in love with breakfast in bed yet, or not. This year it wasn't so bad. The food was my request. They didn't jump so much on the bed this year, and I wasn't too groggy when they came in ( I know I sound somewhat ungrateful, but I put on my happiest face and looked like I loved it). Then I started with their handmade cards and pictures. I LOVE getting these! Then the presents started pummeling me and I had to cover my toast and eggs! I was surprised by the DVD of the history of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I had forgotten about casually asking for it when I missed watching it on BYU TV a couple of weeks ago. Then I got two dozen Marigolds for my garden, YEAH! It helps keep the pests away, while looking pretty. James, later in the day, tried to throw some laundry into the basket, but missed and sheared off a few of the flowers heads! I also got a hoe and some knee pads to save me while pulling all of those weeds! Lastly, I grabbed a Bath and Body works bag and pulled out--not lotion--but a brand new pair of baby pink CROCS!!! My first pair. I'm so excited. They look like tiny ballet slippers. I actually wore them to church and they were so comfy!

The younger kids each gave me flower seed packets and a watering can card from primary--very cute, and I got a begonia from the ward and a rose from my team teacher in Sunday School. After church, I hadn't left the RS room yet, and a handicapped woman from the other ward came up to me (among all of the other 50 women with flowers) and said "I want a flower" I gave her my rose. She was SO happy. As I walked out, she had given it to the woman with her--could have been her mother. It warmed my heart a little.

The girls had run home before me, and they wouldn't let me come in the house. I promised I wouldn't look and they let me close my eyes and go to my room and cuddle in my bed until lunchtime (or luner as we call it on Sunday). Hunter came with me and showered me with kisses and snuggled with me until it was time. When it was finally ready, I had to close my eyes and sit at the table. I opened my eyes to a beautiful spread; a white table cloth with the nicest dishes and the table perfectly set! Hannah even told Emily not to put her elbows on the table! I wonder where she learned that! The best part was, the kitchen was clean! The food was amazing. I have never made a pot roast like that before! I told James that and he said that he had done everything totally differently than I do it! I didn't know whether to be offended or not, but I was so grateful to have a day off that I just feigned hurt, but smiled inside.

James and I called our mothers and took a wonderfully long nap. We didn't hear a peep from the children! They were all trying extra hard to be kind and sweet and quiet. When we awoke, we ate pie and ice cream! Then I got to read my book while everyone (but me) cleaned the kitchen again. We played a little Sorry, then James put everyone to bed! It was a perfect day!

So, I was thinking about what makes the perfect Mother's Day. I always feel a little guilty, as I think most moms do, on Mother's Day. I guess we wonder if we are worthy of such an honor. Those poems can get pretty sappy and hard to live up to! But, of course we deserve it! And I have come up with a plan to have the best Mother's Day ever:

1. Make sure you very subtly let everyone know exactly what you expect to happen on that day. Say things like, "oh, I love it when you . . . " My kids know I love peace, quiet, and clean.

2. Several weeks before the event start hinting about what you would like. You can even go as far as cutting out photos in magazine ads and putting them on the fridge. Kids are savvy, but make sure the hubby is keeping track. It may sound like it takes all of the romance out of the occasion, but in the end, everyone is happy.

3. Casually go grocery shopping a day or two ahead and conveniently have all of the ingredients needed for your favorite feast. Don't forget to mention it to the hubby, or even have the kids tell the hubby.

4. Pray you don't have PMS when you wake up Mother's Day morning. Then all of your planning will have been in vain.

5. Don't forget to be the world's best mother throughout the year to eliminate any guilt that might transpire the morning of.

My own dear Mother always gives me hope by saying how wonderful Mother's Day is when your children are grown up! I'm looking forward to that time, but for now I'm very happy with the fun and wonderful creations my little ones (and big ones) come up with, and very happy with the effort my husband takes to make the day so fabulous! All I can say is that it's a very good thing that Mother's Day comes before Father's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

I wanted to take a moment to pay tribute to my mother and mother-in-law today.

I have been blessed to have a wonderfully caring and loving mother. My mom has been so supportive of me throughout my life. She is also supportive of my other 8 siblings and all they choose to do. She has so much love in her. I have never seen such a compassionate person in my life! Mom, thanks for being such an amazing example to me of Christ like love! I love you and I'm so glad you're my mom!

I am also blessed with a wonderful mother-in-law! How many people can say that? My MIL is also a very loving and supportive mother. She, too, has had 9 children! She supports each one of us and our children by attending each special event. She always gives love and encouragement. She did an amazing job of raising her sons to be excellent husbands and fathers. She has been such an example of faith and enduring. Miriam, thank you for being you and for being such a wonderful person! I love you and I'm so glad you're my mother-in-law!

Congratulations

On a lighter note, my sister, Shirlee is getting MARRIED!!!! I am so happy for her and I wish her every happiness! (I wonder if she'll ask me to make her cake again :) Way to go Shirlee!

An Angel Has Passed Away

Susan Metzger died in her home today, May 7, 2008.

My first memory of Susan was shortly after we moved to Idaho. She was riding her Roadster bicycle down our street, that pure white hair blowing in the breeze and her beautiful smile. She waved and said "Welcome to the neighborhood!" I knew at that moment that she was a special person.

Susan was one of those people who just drew people to her. She was Emily's Activity Days leader. She made us all feel like we were the most special people to her. I immediately wanted to adopt her as a "significant person" for Emily. She just needed someone to give her some extra attention.

We invited David and Susan over for crepes one Sunday night. We found out later that Susan had served her mission in France and she LOVED crepes (Pronounced crepes with the short e sound like in eggs). She probably ate 7 or 8 of them! I was amazed that such a tiny person could eat so much. They brought their own sweetener: stevia, because they didn't eat sugar. We had no idea at the time that anything was wrong.

It must have been a couple of months later that she developed breast cancer. They told no one. She may have had it before. They tried to treat it naturally, with diet and other means. The doctors gave her 6 months to live. It must have been in February. The cancer spread quickly, and she passed away today.

When I left for Virginia, I called Susan and asked if Emily could visit her each day after school for an hour so she wouldn't be alone. She said it was fine. Later, someone at church said that Susan was sick and that she wouldn't be singing in the choir anymore. I questioned them, but they just said she was sick. The way they said it clued me in that it wasn't just a sore throat. When I got home from church, I asked Emily if Sister Metzger was sick. She said she was and that she had oxygen in her nose, and that her daughter, Emily was there doing the dishes. I KNEW something was wrong then. I couldn't stop crying. I called her later and asked what was wrong. She told me that she had breast cancer. I cried on the phone and apologized for sending Emily to her when she wasn't well. She told me how wonderful it was having Emily there with her and about all of the things they did together. She told me how special and sweet I was. I begged her for some way that I could help. Thankfully she asked me to make 15 thank you cards for her. I quickly made them knowing that her time was short. I realized the significance of her writing her last messages on those cards. I put the cards in a basket and took them to her house last Sunday, a week and a half ago. I don't know if she was well enough to write any messages, but it feels so good knowing that I was able to do that for her and that I didn't wait too long, and that maybe I helped make her last days a little happier.

I don't know Susan's exact age, but she was in her 50's and was very young at heart. I was so angry when I found out she was dying. I knew what it would mean to Emily to lose another person in her life. I didn't think it was fair that we only got to know her for 10 short months. She was one of those people that you want to sit down and have them teach you EVERYTHING. After the anger came peace and gratitude for the gift of knowing her for any amount of time--short as it may be.

Our ward and neighborhood will be grieving the loss of this wonderful woman. She will be greatly missed. I'm so happy to know that I will be able to see her again someday. I'm sure she was catapulted into the Celestial Kingdom. That's the kind of person she was.

Good Bye, Susan. We love you!