All Tylor

I would like to be able to say that Tylor was overtly excited about his baptism, but I can't. I would like to say we started on time, but I can't. I would like to say that everyone forgot about the announce last week in Sacrament meeting, but I can't.

What I can say is that it was a beautiful day. We started 4 minutes late - not too bad considering the pianist walked in at 3:03. Tylor said he was excited and if that's all the indication of his thrilled-ness I am going to get, I'll take it. And as expected I cried, not too much just one tissue worth.

Tylor was ready to go and when Brother Carruth finished the prayer Tylor almost dunked himself he was that eager. I thought, "Quick! Before Dad changes his mind!", was going through his head. I smiled at that one.

Almost as promised there were no talked scheduled but the bishop felt the need to inject a bit of spiritualness - and comment on the speed and efficiency of the program (maybe I'll be called as the "quick baptism coordinator"?), I had to smile at that one too.

Then we headed back to our house for pie - Sweet Cherry, Key Lime, Spiced Apple and a Cheesecake Tylor made by himself. It was lovely and perfect weather and perfect time of day for the event.

Heart is beaming full

Spiritual growth of child to more

Sum more than love, desire

Whot? Whot?

I am wondering, after watching The Madness of King George a few nights ago, if the mad, demented, or depressed see it coming? I wonder if my father-in-law knows how disconnected his conversations are from what the rest of us? I wonder if it all seems perfectly natural?

I have been depressed just once. It lasted about a week. It came on like a ton of bricks. I did not see it coming but it was a dramatic event (only for me) that triggered it. Once there I felt like I was scrambling up a wet well wall trying to get out. I could see the light but I couldn't get to it. I called my sisters looking for support (which they were), I reached out to my home teacher for a blessing: and lots of tearful prayer. I was on the verge of actually calling our GP to get a referral when suddenly it was gone. Nothing monumental happened to make it go, it was just gone.

I injured my hip earlier this week and haven't been able to run for the last three days. I have felt my attitude and outlook slipping into dark places that should be left well enough alone. I'm not depressed I'm just not thrilled with things. I wonder if my endorphin craving comes from me needing to keep myself healthy? I wonder if there are any others in our family and extended family that have similar issues and what do they do to keep themselves healthy and happy.

Good Will

Creating good will requires some effort. Good will can be accomplished with people who are willing to agree with me. Let's agree on the following:

1. The bear you got from your aunt - that you don't remember - isn't a "sentimental" item.

2. The sleeping bag you used when you were 5 isn't precious.

3. The clothes you have NEVER worn and have now grown out of are of no use to you.

4. The games that you no longer play because you are over the suggested age can be donated.

5. You will never use the PS-whatever it is again because you have a new PS-whatever.

6. Crunchy pillows, no matter who gave them to you, should leave the house.

Now if I can get my husband to realize that he will not be wearing those '90's suits or plaid slacks ever again we will be in great shape.

(Filled up the back of the Suburban and made a Goodwill run today!!!)

Moments of my life I will never get back

Time spent:

1. Spackling - If done right no one knows or appreciates it.

2. Sanding - See above.

3. Trim work - See above above.

4. Cleaning for painting - Can't I just paint over the snot, blood, hand smears, etc.? No. SAAA.

5. Negotiating for things not to be put back in a fresh clean room. Well worth it but SAAAA.

I may never get this time back but as I pause at the boys bedroom door to admire the work I will think to myself only about 7 years and I will have to do it all again.... :-)

Why ...

... do important conversation happen late at night? What makes it necessary for people to "open up" when I'm trying to sleep? Don't people know by now that I am a morning person? I'm happy to discuss anything first thing in the morning!

Last night Lauren felt compelled to unburden herself of a few items that needed to be discussed for over an hour. Exhausted, I sent her to bed - finally - and was going to try and do the same. Nope. Jim enters and asks why Lauren is up and then I have to give him the condensed version so I can slip into sleep... not happening.

11:30 p.m: "Sherri?", "Mmmm.", "Tylor talked to me about baptism a couple of times.", (groggy) "Uh, okay.", "I'm saying I think he understands.", "Okay. Are you saying he can get baptized?", "Yes.". (end)

Now I'm wide awake wondering what just happened but not willing to jinx it by talking about it more. Did that really just happen? I woke up at 5:30 and it seemed still true so I'm running with it.

For Keira

Lego Star Wars

New Display at Legoland. Star Wars is AWESOME!

(Even for those who are not 10!)
And to make it AWESOMER (Yes, it's a word now!)

they added a sound track to certain areas!

Wrong in so Many Ways

This was Jim's shirt choice for the 4th of July.

I made him change before leaving the house.

Dork.

When I was 14 my mom and dad told me I had to sew a dress before I could get my driving permit. I really wanted to drive because my stepsisters (Okay, they were my real sisters but at the time I thought they were very mean - not ugly unfortunately because then I really would have been Cinderella-esque.) because they wouldn't take me anywhere! Mom took me to a fabric store and I picked out a pattern and some tube-top type dress material to make a sundress. I only had to do two seams, make four straps and hem it, how hard could it be? It took me over a month to get it done and I HATED it by the time it was over. And I hated sewing. To make it worse I had to wear the stupid thing. UGH!

Time warp forward to last year. My nine year old tells me she wants to take a week long sewing class. I'm thinking, "WHY?". Then, "Don't project your fears or failures on your daughter!". I signed her up. Lauren loved every minute of it. She learned so much that she ended up taking another week long class plus 4 other single day classes last year. Since then she has taken on her Halloween costume - a difficult gypsy pattern - and helped me with the 4th grade play costumes. The kid is good and getting better all the time.

The above pic is from her class two weeks ago. She made the blouse and the block tote bag. I'm so proud and happy she can create things she loves to wear.

Vacation - Day 5

Legoland is awesome. Awesome for 10 year olds. It was awesomely hard for me. After spending the previous 2 days in Disneyland that is completely flat having to walk hill and dale was hard. My dogs were barking and I was drooping to say the least.

Emma, Lauren and I teamed up on the fire engine race and had to be helped to the finish line. The kiddie log ride was cool but Tylor kept trying to tip us over - he really almost did it too - but the best part was the acres of shade. Disneyland is great but it really has limited shade whereas Legoland has all the shade you could ask for.

The line was so short for the self steering boat ride we decided to jump in. Somehow Danny got turned around - might have been Suzanne bumping him right after we zipped (at 3 miles an hour) past him - which cause some commotion from the teenage operators. When I said Danny may need to have a GPS installed they did not seem as amused as I was. ;-)

Vacation - Day 4

LOST BOYS

We lost three boys today. Not for that long - about 35 minutes - but it was scary none the less.

Tia decided Tylor was too cute to leave behind when his mother wasn't in sight.

After looking for Tylor for 10 minutes but finding Keira - we had Spencer with us - I told Danny to walk him to her. I went to the car for literally less than a minute I walked down to Keira and asked where Danny was and she said not there. Uh, what? We spent 10 minutes looking around the hotel for them, then I called Tia who told me she had Tylor (1 down) but no sign of Danny or Spencer. Keira headed off to walk the 1/4 mile to Disneyland with Connor on the lookout for the others. I had the hotel staff do a top to bottom (It must happen often because they were fast!) and then Danny called me back (I had called him 3 times, then called Deb to confirm the number and called again.) Danny had taken Spencer to Disneyland. I told him to stay where he was and called Keira to locate him. By the time I got there 10 minutes later I wasn't fuming (thanks Deb). When I took Danny aside and asked him why he had taken Spencer to Disneyland and not to Keira who was 50 feet away he said, "I don't look up." I had to laugh. Really laugh. It was so very teenager-ish.

We ended up having a great day at California Adventure so all was well and good!

Vacation - Day 3

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!

Lily and Cameron think I am the best aunt ever. I LOVE kiddie rides at Disneyland for the following reasons: 1) No adult looks stupid going on them with or without kids, 2) You can yell and scream and no one cares, 3) When you ask for the outside pony on the carousel kids will give it up for you 'cause you look old and pathetic, 4) 5/6 year olds think you rock when you want to do the rides as much as they do. So, Lily and Cameron and I did most of the rides together. (They both gave in to whining parents that were pouting about "not getting their turn" ... whatever!