Sunday, May 23, 2010

Howdy


We FINALLY traveled down to St. Johns and visit my cousin Travis and his family. After so much fun we are certain that will happen again soon and we'll stay longer too! If the kids have their way they will be sick of us. Heath was very disappointed that we didn't get to see Tyler jump with a stick (Pole Vault). His sadness was quickly forgotten once he was on a horse all by himself.
I must say it cracked me up to watch him, he would move the reigns and kick that horse was so gentle it would not run and it kept going right back to the gate! Ria's horse took off on a run as soon as she got on but she stayed on and didn't get too spooked. She REALLY REALLY wants to be a cowgirl! They rode for a few hours and I think they could have stayed on all day. Good thing Trav is so patient!
Even Brant's inner cowboy came out. He is still talking about the hamburgers they made us for dinner. Thanks for a great day!

Sunday, May 9, 2010

MOM day


Manager Of Messes
My official title for the most part I'm okay with it. I'm going to vent about motherhood, then brag about my mom's and follow it up with motherhood isn't so bad.

It is the monotony that I don't like, maybe that is why I love holidays so much it breaks up that monotony. Have you ever thought here I am again at the sink, doing the same dishes, switching a load of laundry or reminding a kid again to do something? And there it is again "MOM".
"Mom where are my " The funny thing about this question is; if I put it somewhere, it would be where it goes and if it's not where it goes well what makes them think I would know where it is?
It may come as a complete shock but while you are at school I'm not home playing with or hiding any of your things." "MOM"
"Mom Heath is in my room" or "mom I'm thirsty" While occasionally I like information, kid statements are a nuisance to me, and are usually followed with, really do you have a request?

Heath also let me know this week that dad is awesomer than me and that he loves me to infinity and beyond but he loves dad more. This display of affection was brought on because dad went on a school field trip with Ria and Heath was stuck with me.
Here is Ria on the field trip


I know it could be worse, those are just my current frustrations which led me into mother's day. Which I often refer to as Guilt Sunday.

Both my kids like to talk (I have no idea where they get that J) Heath can talk nonstop, Ria actually made a request for ear plugs this week! This competing to talk to mom has been a little draining. I can remember as a kid getting off the bus and literally following my mom around, talking and talking and talking about who knows what, I have no memory of my mother turning around and saying "Jana give it a rest" maybe she did but I don't remember it, hopefully my kids won't either. This is my amazing mother Grandma Silly Sally

I've always said if I can be half as good as her I would consider myself a success! I am amazed at her patience. On those tough mom days, I have asked her if she ever wanted a break, "I don't remember, I always enjoyed having my children around". I love you Mom, thanks for liking to have me around even when I was talking non-stop!

The other one, who after all boys took me in, my mom2. Wow, I'm sure she never heard so many details, I know I've tried talking with her boys! Here she is on a hike she is so great to get us together

Heath likes to ask questions like "if we had a nice pet tiger would dogs still come in our yard?" If I ever answer "I don't know" to any question he always suggest we ask Grandma Mary. I guess she does know pretty much everything and we do have a pile of rocks just waiting for Grandma to tell us their REAL names. She can solve any problem and gives the best advice. I usually end up wishing I would have asked sooner and listened more. Sometimes I see a little glimpse of her in me and I smile it gives me hope. I am eternally grateful she took me in, for the me she helped to discover and for the husband I met along the way. She gave me some very personal advice about motherhood and she will probably never know how many times I've come back to those words and how they have strengthened me. I love this amazing woman of Faith!

My mother- in- law is truly super woman! I don't know if I can even articulate the admiration I have for this incredible women. Not only could I live next door to my mother-in-law, I'd love to! On my best day I couldn't keep up with her, she lives the words GO and DO. She is an incredible cook. I received the greatest complement a few weeks ago when I made potato salad and Ria stated (in complete surprise) "This tastes a lot like Grandma Brown's". Heath refers to her as "the grandma who lets me climb her wall".
Here she is with Heath

I'm blessed everyday by the man she raised and I am so grateful he doesn't expect me to be like her, otherwise disappointment would be a big part of his life. No matter where we are the kids are always asking "how far away is Grandma Brown's house from here." Yes, we've even been asked how far grandma's house is if we were in a rocket ship on the moon.

These women and their mother's no matter how far away, continue to bless our lives. I hope they have the mother's day they deserve that they are reminded that all those sacrifices are worth it, we love them and are grateful for their influence in our lives every day!

Kids in the Kitchen my favorite mother moments


A couple of weeks ago I left my list at home pulled into the store and thought I couldn't remember what I needed. Heath suggested I say a prayer, I said good idea so I bowed my head and started a silent prayer only to be interrupted with a sigh followed by "Alright I'll say it, Heath prayed he asked Jesus to look on the list at home and tell mom what she forgot. It was pretty cute and I thought maybe he does pay attention, so when I remembered, I thought I would use it as a teaching moment "Heath I remembered what was on the list" to which I received "yea mom we said prayer!" DUH.
Here is Heath & I with his surf board cake
I also have some current joys of motherhood. I love to hear Heath say the articles of faith he knows 1-6. He also gave a talk today in Primary, it was so cute.
It is complete therapy to raise a daughter who I see myself in but is not me, she handles situations so much better. I love that my kids love to help, that they are independent. I must be doing an OK job, because Brant although joking said I needed to not be so good to the kids or they would never want to leave home, and said "eventually we need them to move out." I feel truly blessed to be mother and like it more than I ever thought I would!
We went hiking yesterday and we had a blast check out the kids just before we headed into the Lava River Cave.