Randomness

This will be a random blog because I had some pics to share.  

Let's kick it off with a classic Aidan picture. "King of Dress Up" 

Two weeks ago I was talking to Asher and noticed this eyelash that I thought was a floater.  I grabbed it and pulled, but his eyelid came with it.  He rubbed his eye and I apologized.  Well, the other day the light hit it just right again and there is that crazy loooonng eyelash.  Check it out! (click on the pic to see it well. It's a straight one)

When I woke up a couple days ago and came down to start breakfast I was opening the blinds and this is what I saw.  I thought I should capture it to remember what a beautiful place we live and how it reminds me of Burley's fields.  Oh, and how I long for a wide angle lens.  (hint, hint)

And lastly, this picture is to remind me of why I want my kids to stay little forever.  Because some day there will come a time when they are too big and don't want to cuddle up on Mom and take a nap.  (note how Cole holds my hair/his security blanket).

THE END

Quotable Quotes

After a long run (my longest ever) I received a complimentary migraine complete with vision loss.  awesome!  So I spent some time on the couch, blinds closed, blanket over my head.  I recovered somewhat and went about my day gingerly.  Tonight is bookclub and I hadn't started the book, "I Am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson.  So, I started it and finished it tonight.  I thought I'd share a few great  quotes:

1. There are seasons in life.  Don't ever let anyone deny you the blessings and joy of one season because they believe you should be in - 0r stay in - another season. - Jane Clayson Johnson

2.  The submission of one's will is placing on God's altar the only uniquely personal thing one has to place there.  The many other things we 'give' are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us. However, when we finally submit ourselves by letting our individual wills be swallowed up in God's will, we will really be giving something to Him!  It is the only possession which is truly ours to give -Elder Neal A. Maxwell

3. The world can only value mothering to the extent that women everywhere stand and declare that it must be so.  In our hands we hold the power to transform the perception of motherhood.  We should no longer allow a mother to be defined as 'just a Mom'.  It is on her back that great nations are built. - Oprah Magazine

4.  She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserve the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, ...long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God.  In her high duty and service to humanity..., she is co partner with the Creator himself.  

 President David O. McKay

5.  I am like a pencil in God's hand.  That is all.  He does the thinking.  He does the writing.  The pencil has nothing to do with it. The pencil has only to be allowed to be used.  -  Mother Teresa

6.  If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your soul, it is not success at all.  - Anna Quindlen

and lastly, (sorry this was long, but they're all so good)

7.  Any woman who has devoted herself to raising children has experienced the hollow praise that only thinly conceals smug dismissal.  In a culture that measures worth and achievement almost solely in terms of money, the intensive work of rearing responsible adults counts for little.  One of the most intriguing questions in economic history is how this came to be; how mothers came to be excluded from the ranks of productive citizens.  How did the demanding job of rearing a modern child come to be trivialized as baby-sitting?  When did caring for children become a 'labor of love', smothered under a blanket of sentimentality that hides its economic importance?- Ann Crittenden

Not my best day...

Yesterday was certainly not my best day.  It began with me making an appt. at the dentist for Aidan.  I noticed that 2 of his fillings had fallen out (who knows when, he's only had them since last May).  His teeth kept him up most of the night.  Bad news.  He now has very bad cavities where the fillings fell out and needed caps on his teeth!  I was quite upset that 1. The fillings they put in fell out. 2. He now had huge cavities and 3. It would hurt!

He handled it like a real trooper though.  He never cries during the shots or any of it.  However, his mouth hurt for most of the day and I can see why, there is bruising all around the caps.  I tried to put it all in perspective so I wouldn't be so upset.  These are baby teeth, and this is not the worst thing that can happen.

When I got home I did the dishes.  As I reached for the dishwasher detergent it was very wet on the bottom.  Yes, there was a large leak under the sink and it had ruined the cabinet.  ARGH!!  I thought I found the culprit, the water purifier.  I attempted to tighten the part that seemed to be leaking and the top came off spraying water all over me and the kitchen.  I hollered for Aidan to bring me towels.  He brought me a hand towel.  When I finally (after about 3 minutes) got it turned off Aidan snapped this shot of me. I doesn't do justice, my pants were soaked.  

Trying to improve the day I made some homemade bread.  When the bread was finished I thought it was a fine time to self-clean the oven.  I switched it on and about 15 minutes later noticed a large blaze through the oven window.  I pulled out the fire extinguisher ready to go, but the door was locked of course since it was cleaning.  I turned the oven off and finally the flame extinguished itself.  In hindsight, this was a good lesson.  I probably shouldn't have opened the door as the air would have fueled the fire and I probably would've lost my eyebrows! (memories of mother anyone?)

Despite all this stuff, it was beautiful weather outside today and all the kids ran around with about 15 friends like it was summer.  They played in the dirt, put on Halloween costumes and played on the neighbors swingset, had foot races on the lawn, rode scooters up and down the hill, and generally enjoyed themselves.  Here's to a better today!

This Weekend was...

Insightful.  

Remember when Asher was baptized?  All in that one day Molly's baby was born, President Hinckley's funeral was given, and Asher was baptized.  It gave such profound meaning to the day with new life, baptism and death.  Well, my Dad's brother Jack passed away and his funeral was on Saturday and as we all know, today is Easter.  Scott and I were able to attend the funeral as well as several of my other siblings.  John was a pallbearer.  

This is a picture of my Dad (top, far right) with his brother and sisters several years ago.

Now that Jack has passed he has 2 sisters living and they are both quite elderly (80's).

One of the neatest things at the funeral, was hearing my Dad speak. If you know my Dad he is a man of few words.  He doesn't tell a lot of his "life stories", but when he does you soak it all up.  He shared stories of Jack's younger years and the hardships they faced. He shared stories of 2 brothers being boys, Jack pumping him on his bike through Sardine canyon, and going hunting together.  It was really great.  You got the feeling that Dad was this little tag-a-long brother (7 years younger) who wanted to do everything his brother did.  We all had a good laugh when he said, "I didn't like Madge(Jack's wife) when I first met her."  He then followed with, "Because she took away my friend".  It was really sweet.  (As a sidenote, I have a journal entry relaying those same feelings when Jen got married).  Anyhow, it was a very neat talk and a fitting tribute to his brother.  

This was one of the neatest parts of the funeral.  Because Uncle Jack served in the Navy during World War II he received a fitting burial by the Navy.  This man above, played the bugle.  It was beautiful.  Then they neatly, carefully, almost sacredly I would say, folded the flag that draped the coffin and gave it to Jack's wife.  

As we left I snapped this photo of Uncle Theone and Aunt Dena.  They were so sweet holding hands during the funeral.  They will be married 65 years soon.  When I said hello to them at the funeral home Aunt Dena said, "You don't need all that hair, why don't you give me some?"

It was a nice funeral, but then things got ugly.  You see Terri has this move she does to get in the back of minivans.  It's called "gaposis".  She attempts to keep one foot on the ground outside the van, but put her keester on the seat.  Let's just say she's gotten guff for this before and it doesn't work so great.  After she made her now famous quote (see left) her skirt ripppppped.  

And so we proceeded to bring Scott and Terri some food out to the van since she could no longer be seen in public.  You can always count on us Andersons for a good laugh. 

When we got home we had our Easter Egg Hunt.  This year we had it outside.  The kids had a lot of fun. 

We even used some new dye methods..rubberbands.  It made some cool stripes on the eggs.  

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday today.  We even went on a family walk, thanks to the good weather.  

The Blue, the Gold, the WHAT???!!!!!

Tonight was our first ever Blue and Gold Banquet as a family.  What a night.  Asher received his Bobcat badge and they fed us all; ham, jello, rolls, ham, brownies, ham...ham.  It was great. These are pictures of him getting his badge and me getting my Mother's Pin (who knew, all these perks).  They did some little skits, the flag ceremony, and we headed home.  What clean family fun.  Right? Wrong.

When we got home the kids got ready for bed.  I was putting Cole's jammies on when Aidan asked me to leave the room while he put his pj.'s on.  I said, "Why?" 

"Um, I need to put on some underwear".

Why?

"You're gonna be mad."

(oh boy, here goes)

"I kinda peed in my underwear at the church."

where are they Aidan?

"You're gonna be mad."

where are they Aidan?

"I put them behind the toilet".

argh.

gotta love that kid.

Scouting is Serious Business

I am new to the Scouting World.

When I went and picked up Asher's shirt, etc, etc, etc, the woman said,

"Are you the den leader?"

UH...No.

"How many boys do you have?"

3

"Oh, you will be."

So, this Friday is our first ever Blue and Gold Banquet.  

Asher is excited.  I'm wondering if I need to wear blue or gold?

He will be receiving his Bobcat, and a bead.  

I took him to the gym with me a month ago or so to pass off some physical fitness requirements.

I can see  how scouting helps build bonds with your boys, and helps build their self-esteem. 

Between pack meeting, den meeting, banquets, day camps, hikes, etc. he will be kept pretty busy (as will we), but I think that is probably the point.  They're giving these boys something to do that is worthwhile.  I have found with my boys, in particular, if I don't give them something to do, they will find something to do that I may not really like (ie. wrestle each other mercilessly, jump off furniture).  

So, now I have a question for all you former Scouts out there: 

What did you get out of scouting?

What was your favorite part?

I was never meant to be a fairy!

Asher lost another tooth.

He's been quite slow in this process, well, I mean he started late. 

He was very sad through Kindergarten and part of first grade.

But, he is rapidly catching up.  He loses teeth often now.

Somehow, I still haven't taken my role as the Fairy of Teeth Collecting very seriously.

I KEEP FORGETTING!

It's actually gotten so bad that this morning when "she" didn't come for the 2nd night it didn't even bother him.  He was just like, "oh well".

I  make excuses for her, I  say "she couldn't see it", "it was late last night when you lost it", "she must be super busy".  I may need to just hire someone to sneak in my house and take the tooth and leave some money.  Wait a minute.  That would be creepy.  So tonight's the night.  If anyone would like to give me a call at around 10:00 and remind me to put on my tutu and head to Asher's room, I'd really appreciate it.  

Thanks,

Fairy in Training

Amy

Like a Bad Boyfriend

These pictures were taken by Emily.

They illustrate Cole's "bad boyfriend" behavior.

While I laid on a pillow he insisted on laying beside me.

Then when Em would talk to me I would turn to look @ her and he would yell at me and grab my face.

He was insistent that I only look at him.  

Then when I looked at him he would smile and hug my face and speak softly.  

Yeah, he has some habits we must break before he turns 16!

Memories

What did you love about growing  up on Sandy Glen Lane?

I loved that it always felt safe (except for dreaded Highland).

I loved riding our bikes up and down it, with no thought of cars, on our chalk city.

I loved that there were friends all around.

I loved that we burned our garbage in a can in the backyard.

I loved the big beautiful yards.

I loved the "country" feel.

I loved night games.

I loved playing in the ditch banks (snow in winter, water in summer)

I loved having sleep outs on the trampoline.

I loved the big garden that we "worked" in.

I loved a lot of things.

What a great place to grow up.

I hope my kids consider themselves as lucky.

He Begged, He Pleaded...

The second sign of Summer has arrived... (refer to Blog on 3/5/08 for 1st sign of summer).

The kids all played outside yesterday.  They rode their bikes and scooters with friends, ran around the house (outside) and chased each other, and jumped on the trampoline.  I sat outside on my neighbor, Linda's, porch and we chatted and supervised.  Then I heard it...

It was Aidan yelling for me.  "MOM!"  There he was dragging the new Pirate Pool he got for his birthday across the front lawn, with his two excited friends in tow.  "Can you please blow up this pool for us?"  I proceeded to explain that it was too cold.  He showed me  how hot he was and made me "feel his sweat".  I explained that if he put on just a swimsuit and sat in hose water, he would freeze.  He told me he'd "put on 3 swimsuits in a row then".  OY VEY!  

There were tears, but I carried the big Pirate Pool with a water cannon back to the garage and noted that the 2nd sign of summer had arrived- Pool Pleading.

A Visitor from the North...

That's right!  My visitor was EM!  Shawn was sweet enough to drop her off at my house whilst he visited his folks for a couple days.  The thing I love about having Em around is,

A. I laugh enough to count it as a good ab workout.

B. She's fun to have an engaging conversation with.

C. She is complimentary.

D. She's easygoing. (easy to please, no high stress)

E. She's creative.

F. We get the twin comment when we're together (or sometimes the much more dreaded Daughter/Mom comment)

G. She's feisty ( and she knows it).

Anyhow, I had a lot of fun.  We went for a challenging run on Saturday morning, we had our feet fitted for running shoes in the afternoon, we had some ice cream, and she "helped" me make Scotty's video.  

It reminded me of how much I like to be around her, for the same reason most people enjoy other's company, she makes me happy.  

When she lived with us to help me out the summer Scott got out of the hospital I really came to appreciate her sense of humor and willingness to delve into the chaos of my life.  It was very difficult to let her go back to her normal life.  Anyhow, I love you Em.  Thanks for coming to see me. 

Sidenote:  The song on Scott's video is, The Love I Found in You by Jim Brickman

3 Year Anniversary of Surgery

Thanks Jen, Thanks a lot!

Ok.  Jen tagged me.  Here's the questions and answers.

Oh, and before I forget, I tag Kelly and John.

10 Years Ago: 

 I was at USU and it was one of the most difficult times of my entire life.

5 Things on My To Do List:

1. Set up ParaTransit.

2. Paint nightstands.

3. Make basement more inviting?

4. Do a blog on indexing.

5. Begin digital scrapbooking

5 Snacks I enjoy:

1. Chocolate licorice

2. Cinnamon bears

3. Chips & Salsa (Chili's)

4. Ice Cream (is that a snack.  It's a meal sometimes.)

5. Big Hunk

What would I do if I were suddenly a billionaire?

1. Pay student loans off.

2. Buy a new vehicle.

3. Buy a completely accessible home, or make changes to this one.

4.  Take all my family on an awesome vacation.

5.  Give to others anonymously.

5 Places I've lived:

1. Burley, Idaho

2. Rexburg, Idaho

3. Logan, Utah

4. Provo, Utah

5. Ecstasy (sorry, I had to)

5 Jobs I've had:

1. Babysitter (well used, probably under paid)

2. Notetaker @ USU

3. Housekeeper at the Burley Inn (yikes! too many stories to share)

4. SuperTarget Operator

5. Photographer? kinda

5 Things You Don't Know about Me:

1. I sing when I blow dry my hair. ( i think i was a rockstar in my previous life.)

2. I have gallstones.

3. I once shaved my armpits w/ Scott's electric razor.  The results were terrifying and painful. (see exhibit A at right)

4. I love rainy nights.

5. I enjoy getting to know people (the real them, not the surface them).

:) Done.

Summer Gauge

How do you know when summer is coming?  

Sweet robins chirp in the afternoon?

Daffodils heads poke up through the ground?

There are buds on your trees?

I just take a quick look at Asher's face.

He loves to be outside, and so if there is sun out

his freckle count will easily double in a few days.

I'm going to call it the frecklometer.

I might need a patent.

Cinco de Aidan

Today is Aidan's 5th Birthday.

I'm not the best w/ computer stuff, so this is what I came up with.

What a fantastic kid.

We absolutely adore him and here is a little

 collection of pictures and memories to share with you all.  

Happy Birthday Aidan,

 only 25 more weeks until Kindergarten (not like he's counting or anything!!)

(just click on document to enlarge)

Is it cool to actually just throw the stuff away?

We have faired pretty well this winter with sickness at our house.  But, it hit us on Saturday.  Chloe came home from a "late over" (21st century version of a sleep over) and had a sore throat, headache and stuffy nose.  She has wiped her nose raw and is not sleeping more than 4 hours due to the extreme stuffiness of her nose.  Thus, I do not sleep for more than 4 hours.  (I love it when your spouse is literally snoring while you've been up for 3 hours coming up with new ideas to unstuff a nose and get a kid to sleep).  Aidan's tummy has not been feeling well (see quote of the day) and has made frequent trips to the bathroom and he's been too late a couple of times.  So, I found that he had thrown away his underwear, shorts, and socks on the last mess.  He even threw them out in the big garbage can outside.  I checked it out, because after all, we don't throw away clothes!  

Wait a minute.

Maybe we do.

We do.

Saturday, it's a special day..

You remember the song right?  Saturday it's a special day, it's the day we get ready for Sunday.  Our Stake President spoke in our Ward Conference last week and this was one of his topics.  He talked about not taking Sacrament meeting so lightly, preparing better on Saturdays for Sunday, and preparing spiritually on Sunday morning for Sacrament meeting.  He suggested we kneel in prayer as a family and pray for those who will speak and teach that day.  So that's my blog today. Enjoy.