My Long Time Friend

I have a good friend that I met about seventeen years ago.  The first time I saw her was at church.  She had a new baby and she looked beautiful.  Her hair was done just right and her makeup was perfect and I thought "Wow, we would not have anything in common."  I was thinking (in a sadly judgmental way) that I, who didn't wear makeup and combed my hair once a day and called it good, would just not know what to talk about with someone who did.  Silly me.  We ended up working in primary together and became fast friends. 

We are both Moms with good families and good extended families.  We both like to chat and we didn't have (and still don't have) any trouble coming up with things to talk about.  Back then we talked almost every day.  I would hop her fence (or she would) and we'd make fancy meals of macoroni and cheese or quesadillas and our kids would play while we talked.  Because of her those years when it was just me and little girls at home during the day were a whole lot more fun than they would have been.  We went places and, even though it was always a bit crazy, we went again and again.

We may not have everything in common, but we have the important things in common.  Yesterday I got to spend another day with her.  We got to chat and help her sister with a painting project.  My first thought 17 years ago came when I made the mistake of comparing myself to her and being intimidated.  I still think she's a bit intimidatingly beautiful but she's also compassionate, and kind, and fun, and generous, and thoughtful.  Many of you will recognize the fact that I'm describing my good friend Shannon.  It's her birthday soon so she will be as old as me:).  I hope it is the best birthday ever.  Time has a funny way of speeding past at alarming speeds and before we know it days and even years have gone by.  I am thankful that I have had, over many years, the blessing of having Shannon as my long time friend.

You're as Handsome as a Cactus

We have a Grinch ornament at our house that sings a part of the song that was in the original Dr. Suess holiday special (animated) sung by Thurl Ravenscroft.  The words the ornament sings are these:

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch
You really are a heel,
You're as cuddly as a cactus,
You're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch,
You're a bad banana with a greasy black peel!

Dan loves this ornament and presses the button to make it sing so often that his brothers and sisters keep trying to make him promise not to do it again until next year (much to my amusement).  Dan sings along with the ornament with slightly altered words.  He sings:

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch
You really are mean,
You're as handsome as a cactus,
You're as charming as an eel, Mr. Grinch
(Then he starts to mumble because he doesn't know these words yet).

When he first started singing it was something like "huggy as a cactus" and then it changed to "happy" as a cactus.  Now Mr. Grinch is as handsome as a cactus.  I like it when Dan pushes the button because he sings with such enthusiasm.  When I get tired of it I won't try negotiating, I'll try hiding the ornament up high in the back of the tree!

Other happy things I haven't reported:
1.  I got to spend time with a long time friend.
2.  I watched last years Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas Special.
3.  I got a new Christmas CD (Motab again:)
4.  We got to go to the extended family Christmas party and enjoy seeing the nice people we're related   too.  Derek didn't entirely lose his voice being emcee.
5.  Derek and Jake had a good time at the baby blessing for cousin J.D. and got home safely.
6.  I got to talk to a good friend on the phone today.

Superwoman and the Rock Star

Yesterday was a great day.  I was feeling like Superwoman all morning!  I had this incredibly long list of things to do and I was done with all but two by lunch time.  It was great.  Of course, my head could barely hold itself up by 9 o'clock but still -- to be Superwoman for half a day was worth it.

While recuperating from all of my super activities I was sitting on the couch with Derek when our rock star made an appearance -- for real!  Here came Dan who ran down the hall with his black hair looking just like that hair he created for the Wii.  It was, of course, a wig from the Halloween box.  We cheered for our rock star and he took the wig off to show us that he was really Dan.  He's always a little worried that we'll forget who he really is when he's dressed up like some character or another.

His fears might be well founded!  This morning I went to get Jake's backpack, shoes, and coat.  I came back with his coat and backpack and could not find his shoes, which I could have sworn I had just seen, anywhere.  We both looked and looked.  Finally, an odd thought occurred to me and I looked in his backpack.  Sure enough, when I had put his lunch in, I had also deposited his shoes.  At least, though his feet might have frozen, he would have gotten to school with dry shoes!

Other things I am thankful for from yesterday:
1.  The music on the album Ring Christmas Bells by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  In particular, the song Processional on "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman".  I had forgotten about this song -- which I love.  When we listened to it in the car Dan somehow thought they were saying "tiny Christmas" instead of "tidings of comfort and joy".  He laughed at the words that made no sense to him.
2.  Trisa called and shared all of the funny stories from her life.
3.  I actually got to see Tia and talk to her for a few minutes.
4.  Kayli got a new haircut and loved it.
5.  Texting.  Derek doesn't mind if I text him at work whenever I want (within reason).  It's great!  Also, I was able to get in touch with a hard to get in touch with friend that way and I get to see her today.
6.  Connor babysat without complaining, did some work on a merit badge without complaining, and in general was happy.
7.  Jake helped out with Dan when I went to Jake's school.  Dan, who didn't "need" to go potty before we left all of a sudden really  needed to once we arrived.  Jake took him.  Hooray for good big brothers.
8.  My comfortable bed.  Nevermind that it was a jack-in-the-box type of night.  The bed was comfortable anyhow.
9.  I'm thankful that, even though it's fun to be Superwoman, I don't have to be her everyday -- sometimes I can me just regular me -- the rock star's Mom.

The Joyful Season: Mustache or no Mustache?

I can't resist choosing this as my thing to be thankful for -- even though the day isn't over.  I'm thankful for all of my children -- but today I'm thankful that Dan is sometimes really funny.

This morning at family prayer Dan propped up his stuffed animal bunny into the praying position and then knelt beside him.  I wished for a camera.  I thought it would be inappropriate to go and get one during the prayer.

Then it was time for an after breakfast game on the Wii.  Well, sometime this weekend Dan's Mii (the character you can create who represents you in all Wii games) got changed.  He threw a fit about it yesterday and so I thought he should fix it today.  His character is called "Sweet Boy" because that is what I've called him since he was a baby.  His Mii used to look like him a little -- blond and cute.  Someone switched it to a chubby looking dark haired man with glasses.  I naively thought Dan would turn it back to how it was -- or something close.  No.  After going through every possible feature he changed the glasses (but he kept them), added a mustache (said moo-stash) changed the mouth, changed the eyes and the nose, and changed the hair style.  Then he went back and decided against the moo-stash.  The outfit stayed black. The hair also stayed black -- just in a shoulder length style that is apparently "cool".

So Dan, with no mustache, began playing and he said to me "Mom!  Look at me!  I have cool hair.  I'm a rock star!

My reaction?  I chuckled and wondered where my four year old learned to like long hair and where he learned about rock stars!  He said another funny today too but it is as inappropriate as getting up during the prayer to find a camera. 

Hooray for funny boys and no mustache!

The Joyful Season: Visiting Teachers and Good Sports

I think for the Christmas season, whenever I decide to blog, it will be about something that happened that I am thankful for that day.  This will help me take the time in all of the busyness to notice blessings.  So for today I am thankful for Visiting Teachers (two women from our church congregation that are basically assigned to be my good friends) and for a family full of good sports.

Today I got a visit from my new visiting teacher (singular because one had a sick child).  She took the time (since we had never met) to learn a little about me.  We even discovered that we are reading the same book!  Then she left me with a lesson and a prayer.  I am happy that she came and I'm already looking forward to her (and her companion) coming again.  Shortly after she left one of my former visiting teachers stopped by to give me a gift and to tell me that she loved me and would miss being my visiting teacher.  Wasn't that nice?  Some of my very best friends have come through visiting teaching.  It is an inspired program.

For family home evening (that thing us Mormon's try to hold on Mondays) we worked on service ideas and then we put together gingerbread houses.  They were tiny, and some were broken, and the frosting stuff was frustrating, and we only had one tube which we had to share.  Aside from one comment that making gingerbread houses is stressful (which is a very true statement) there was no complaining, or whining (well except at the end when Dan wanted something and we weren't quick enough on picking up on exactly what it was).  Derek mixed up the frosting and helped with Dan's house and Jake patiently put up with my attempts to "glue" his house together.  Nobody even said what maybe everyone was feeling.  "Wow, I'm glad that's over!"  I was really impressed.

I should quickly add that Thanksgiving with family was fun.  A trip to Trisa's turned out well and on the actual Thanksgiving we got together with some family from around here.  I was kind of tired and had a bit of a rough morning, but when everyone came I just was so Thankful that everyone is so fun, and nice, and easy to be with.  Erin planned fun activities and I really enjoyed the day.

With Thanksgiving: Jesus the Atoning One

Atoning One

With joy and happiness we sing

Our praise to Christ the King.

He gives us life. He gives us love.

We sing our thanks to heav’n above

For the Atoning One.

He came to earth, a tiny son

Of The Most Holy One.

He learned like we do, grace by grace

And soon He knew His special place

As the Atoning One.

The time was near when He must die

“Remove this cup” He cried.

But knowing that we needed Him

He took our punishment for sin.

He’s our Atoning One.

So from His sorrow we are saved

The pathway home He paved.

And if we will repent we’ll find

An inner joy, and peace of mind

From the Atoning One.

And with this new peace we will sing

Our praise to Christ the King.

He gives us all He has to give.

If we will follow Him we’ll live

With the Atoning One.

by Sher

With Thanksgiving: The Heart Doctor

Yesterday I opened one of our daily newspapers (yes, I was a sucker and bought another one from the salesman outside of Walmart -- but it was a good deal!) and there was a picture of Jake's heart doctor.  I was surprised by how pleased I was to see him there. I am very thankful for heart doctors.  Seeing this particular picture reminded me of when this doctor called us personally on the phone to tell us that Jake didn't need to be on oxygen anymore.  We weren't home when he called, but we were all so excited about the message that we jumped around the kitchen cheering.  We were rather tired of "tank" -- which is what we called Jake's oxygen tank for the almost 4 months it was with us. 

This same Dr. gave us the good news that, if Jake didn't have his scar, not even a heart doctor would be able to know that anything had ever been wrong with Jake's heart.  His repair worked.  This doctor was there when Jake was three days old, being impressed with how well Jake did during and after surgery and has been Jake's heart doctor (cardiologist) for the almost 9 years since then.  Jake had two very excellent heart surgeons also.

I do realize that we are very blessed.  Not all parents of heart patients get good news or have their children do so well.  Some hearts cannot be fixed.  However, all are blessed by these people, who decided to study for years and years so that they can fix many of the hearts that come broken in some way.  Because these doctors, and others before them, chose to do that, I got to keep my little boy.  I am very thankful for that.

With Thanksgiving: My Family

I love my family. They are so good to me.

I think of them when things seem bad and a smile comes to me.

My Grandma’s all have blessed my life in many different ways –

Now gone from me, but remembering them brings smiles to my days.

The Grandpa’s I’ve been blessed to know were good men to the core.

And when I went to visit they would greet me at the door.

They seemed so glad to see me, and so sorry when I left.

I like to just remember and it leaves me feeling blessed.

My parents are my heroes. I know their love is true.

They have shown me this in everything they say and that they do.

My brothers and my sisters give me their love, and more.

They’ve helped me up when I felt down a thousand times before.

Their love is always constant and I count on them a lot.

I know from past experience what a treasure I have got.

The nieces and the nephews, that I am blessed to know

Bring moments of enjoyment and I love to watch them grow.

I’ve been blessed with a husband, who’s unfailingly kind,

He’s thoughtful and compassionate and he’s my most brilliant find.

My children each are precious. I’ve loved them from the start.

And thinking of the good they do can always warm my heart.

My Aunts and Uncles, kindly, have loved me very well,

And my cousins have some stories that I’m sure they’d love to tell,

Of childhood adventures, and moments here and there,

When we’ve been blessed to have a little time that we could share.

I was married to a good man with a good family

Who have treated me so kindly, that I could clearly see

That to them I am important, and loved in every way,

And for this I am thankful, every single day.

Each member of my family is a blessing sure and true,

And for Thanksgiving you should know that I love you.

Zombie Mom versus Thanksgiving

I confess to feeling like the Zombie Mom today.  In fact, I think I've been feeling like a Zombie Mom for a while.  What's a Zombie Mom?  It's someone who is giving a few too many blank stares and sitting in the chair almost every time they walk by it.  It's me walking like a Zombie around the house (slowly -- but with hands hanging down instead of out in front of me -- unless it's dark).  I whine.  And frown.  And I moan about the messes.  I just want to go somewhere dark and curl up in a ball -- maybe for a whole day.  So, am I stuck being a Zombie Mom forever?  How will I cure the sad case of Zombi-itus?

Well, this morning early when Derek was supposed to be playing ball he threw the door open and in a less than cheery voice said "The house is flooded".  The zombie climbed out of bed and went to work. But, in an attempt to send the Zombie running, I did notice that when we woke up the children they pitched right in and helped and when we called the neighbor (and maybe woke them up too) they came right over with their handy water sucking vacuums and even offered to stay even though it was time to get kids ready for school.

Other events have brought out the zombie side of me this week.  Sick kids, (but now they're well -- mostly), van brakes needing repair (but they are fixed), the van window getting stuck down (but it miraculously recovered before a trip to the shop!), Dan being naughty (but he had to go in the tub because of it which allows me to type), the house getting messy (but  -- well it's still messy), dinner needing to be cooked --every day (but I've done pretty well for me).

Today the Zombie is fighting hard to stick around.  I've got to go use that vacuum again, and rescue Dan from his de-smellifying bath.  There are a thousand and one things to pick up, clean up, and put away.  But, I am determined to remember that it's November and that there are lots of people and things to be thankful for too.  So, with Thanksgiving in mind I'm off to fight the Zombie.

Puppets, Pictures, Pies, and Precious People

Jake and Trisa at Trisa's early birthday celebration.

 We celebrated Trisa's 20th birthday on Thursday -- a few days early.  We bought her a cake to share with roommates, and took her some presents.  I think we forgot to sing to her.

She liked (or pretended to like) all of her presents.  She liked us coming to visit.  She loved the complements Dan kept giving her such as "Trisa, your ground here is really nice".  Or "Wow, what a nice table -- it's square and soft."

Kayli, Sherie (that's me!), Derek, Jake, Trisa, Connor, Tia, and Dan

Here we all are in her new apartment.  Trisa is a beautiful girl (as you can see!) who we love very much.  She knows how to have fun and to include everyone.  She cares about people and tries hard to help them.  She knows what is right and does her best to do it.  She has musical talent and sports skills.  She likes doing the movie quote game with her Dad and laughing as much as possible. We are really happy that she is enjoying college even though Dan has a point when he complains that college takes a "long, long, long, long time".

Happy Birthday Trisa!


Before Trisa turned 20, I turned 20 plus some.  Because of all of the thoughtful, incredibly fun, skilled, nice people in my life I had a fabulous birthday.  I asked my husband to get me puppets for my birthday.  I like to be silly sometimes and it seems easier to do this with a puppet on my arm.  So, he got me a princess and an Oscar the Grouch (to match my Oscar the Grouch shirt that I already own).  What fun!  Dan renamed Oscar "Silver" because I was rather paralyzed by the fact that I don't do a good Oscar the Grouch voice and so he needed a new name.  Dan usually is Silver and I'm the Princess.  You know we have fun because Dan requests that I make the puppet come to life quite regularly.  A few days after my birthday I got another nice surprise.  A friend of mine remembered me telling her how much fun I had being "Mange" and "Sunny Sunshine" for a family reunion with some borrowed puppets.  She sent me a Lion puppet.  This one has a mane a lot less mangey looking than the last puppet I used so I'm still debating on a name.  There is a picture below and some suggestions.  Feel free to vote!

Everyone was super nice on my birthday sending me greetings by phone,  facebook, nice notes, or even in person.  I was taken to lunch on my birthday and a few days later.  One friend gave me a drawing of my husband and me.  What skill!  Another friend made me a yummy pie.  My kids made me nice notes and pictures.  Mandy tended at the last minute.  So many thoughtful people made for a super happy birthday.  I didn't stop to feel old on my birthday.  I was too busy enjoying the fun.  Thank you!

Pincess Catherine Castlehoff, Lion (Spike, Elvis, or the new Mange?), and "Silver" the Grouch

Bonjour Paris

It seems that when I talk to people about the fabulous trips we go on, many feel that the trips are wasted on me.  I have to disagree.  I might not do the same things that you would do, or enjoy the same things that you would enjoy.  It is extremely likely that I would not try as many foods as you would try.  However, I enjoy seeing historic places, walking with Derek for miles and miles (I enjoy this until my feet hurt), and spending time with friends from Derek's work.  And then, after appreciating it to the best of my ability, I gratefully come home to the country and the family that I love the best.

Paris is a very large city.  2 million people live there.  2 million more come to work there every day.  More millions live in the suburbs and lots and lots of people visit.  Paris is crowded and loud.  There are cars, scooters, and motorcycles.  There are buses and the rumble of the metro.  There are sirens and the constant sound of horns blaring.  The streets are full of people driving in the most dangerous looking fashion I've ever witnessed.  It was fascinating to watch.  The sidewalks are full of people walking every which way -- and often smoking as they go.  There are the constant smells of tobacco and exhaust -- mixed in with the occasional smell of food.  It is all a bit overwhelming for someone who has lived in small towns her whole life.

Paris is also fascinating.  There is something historic to be seen almost everywhere you go.  There are fabulous churches and monuments.  When you walk around you get constant reminders of the people who once lived there, and who shaped Paris, and the country of France, into what it is today.  You also discover that their blocks are triangles and it's kind of easy to get a little lost.  You also get constant reminders that their sculptors didn't like to put many clothes on the statues.

What did I enjoy?  I enjoyed watching the wild traffic.  I enjoyed walking the gardens of the Louvre with Derek and then sitting and watching the Plaza de la Concorde as people came and went.  I enjoyed walking under the Eiffel Tower at night and then walking along the river Seine on the way back to the hotel.  I enjoyed the dinner cruise on the river Seine -- except the smoked salmon that looked raw and the smell of deisel fuel.  I was impressed with the expansive gardens at Versailles.  Our trip to the Loire valley was beautiful and the castles were impressive.  I enjoyed visiting with people from work who appreciate Derek and his humor.  And, I even enjoyed the fact that the grocery store we went to was named "Ed".  We visited Ed twice.

If you are one who still thinks the trip was wasted on me it is probably because you wish you could have come-- and if you had -- then I would have enjoyed it more because it would have been more like home.

Pictures and big events.

Arranging pictures in a blog is apparently not my talent -- yet.  The first picture is Jake on his baptism day.  He was baptized March 7th and it was a very nice day.  Our boy who has thought church was "too long" for as long as I can remember was excited to be baptized and it turned out to be a really happy day.  Lots of family came to help celebrate the occasion and Jake was happy will everything.

The second picture is Jake receiving his bobcat award in Cub Scouts.  The new bobcats get to hide and the Webelos find them and carry them in on a stick.  Jake has loved Cub Scouts so far.

This next picture is Connor at that same pack meeting with his friend Kevin.  They were the clowns and told lots of jokes.  They did an excellent job and seemed surprisingly comfortable in front of the crowd.

These next pictures, including one of the ones above are of the anniversary trip that Derek planned for us.  We went south to Zion National Park.  It was our 22nd anniversary and this was a fun adventure.   We visited the St. George Temple, had dinner with Quinn and Tonya, laughed at Brian Regan (he wanted us to -- we weren't being mean), and hiked a lot.  It was all fun. The first picture is on the way to Hidden Canyon and the last two are actually in Hidden Canyon.   There have been other big events that I haven't recorded.  Tia had a birthday in April and we had a good trip that week too.  Derek had a birthday too.  Connor started playing ball and school is almost over.  Besides that -- Dan has eaten lots of snacks and he needs another one right now.

Good Christian Men --- Rejoice!!

As the mother of girls who are grown up -- or almost grown up -- I have had the chance lately to be extremely grateful for the good Christian men in my life and in the lives of my children.  It's a new kind of terrifying to have a daughter old enough that she could choose to get married if she wanted to.  It's less terrifying because she's smart and even less terrifying because she has good Grandpas, a good Dad, and lots and lots of good Uncles to look to as a guide for what a good Christian man is like.  So today I want to say a quick thank you, thank you, thank you to all of the men who know how to live the gospel in such a way that my girls look up to you and enjoy your company.  I have hopes that my girls will find someone like you.

To all of the wives of those men -- give them a thanks from me.  Because of them I can be more hopeful than terrified.  My girls will, when the time is right, find good Christian men -- and then we can rejoice!