That Little Red Car

Shortly before Miguel left for his mission, he was pulled over yet again....merely for driving a suspicious looking vehicle.  The police officer asked for his ID and the ID of his passenger which was his sweet girlfriend.  Sweeping his flashlight around the vehicle then into the eyes of it's passengers, the officer handed the ID's back.  Satisfied that they weren't carrying drugs or alcohol, they were sent on their way with Miguel anxious to share his latest run in with the police.  You see, Boise Police shoot to kill and Meridian police pull over and intimidate.  They were doing their job, but when your child is the object of the pull overs and intimidation because of your poor vehicle choice, it is frustrating.

I remember the time Miguel was randomly pulled out of class in High School by the principal who had him meet with police in the parking lot.  The police wanted to drug search HIS car.  With student's peering out the windows the police dog hopped in sniffed around and sat down.  He had found nothing.  The Principal called me at work to tell me what happened and to apologize.

There have been several times over the last couple of years that Miguel has had some sort of run in with the police in that car.  There was that time he was pulled over for suspected Drunk Driving and, of course, Police Practical Joke.    Even though these pull overs did not result in fruition of what the officers "suspected" and Miguel was innocent every time, it is still stressful for a mama. So when I tell you that we sold his car within 12 hours of his leaving for his mission, please know that I was not heart broken.    

Goodbye little red pain in my.............

Serving God and Country

No words can describe the pride and happiness these two sons bring me.

Miguel is Serving God through serving his fellow citizens in Atlanta.

Military Man is Serving his Country in the United States Air Force.

I love my boys. 

Dear Teenage Girl

Source

Dear Teenage Girl outside my bedroom window, As you loudly whisper after 12:30 am when TJ was home for a visit, it was not his bedroom it was mine.  As you peered through my living room window, you quickly attained creeper status.

Dear Teenage Girl's Mother, who drove her teenage daughter over to my house after midnight to peer in my windows and call to TJ outside my bedroom trying to get the attention of my 20 year old Air Force son,

What the heck were you thinking??!!

I quickly texted TJ letting him know he had visitors since I was not necessarily dressed to receive company and with eyes looking in the windows a text seemed most discreet.  He said that he was in bed and trying to sleep and to tell them to go away.  With a sigh, I just ignored them, climbed back in bed and eventually I heard the engine rev and mama in her SUV with her 15 and 17 year old daughters sped away.  

No Joke, this really happened.  You would not believe the peace and quiet that has prevailed at my home and the solid nights sleep I have had since my sons have left.  In two years Ladybug can date, then it will be teenage boys peering in my windows.  But, then I'll send her daddy...

It's my SITS Day!!

Finally, the time has come for my much coveted, long awaited SITS Day.  If you don't know what SITS is (aka The Secret is in the Sauce), it is a blogging community of a bunch of awesome ladies (approximately 40,000) The SITS Girls.  Today is my day to be spotlighted.  So if you are new to my blog, Welcome!  I'm so happy to have you.  I like to keep my blog posts short and to the point, so without further ado, here is a brief description of me and my blog.

I am a Mama of one Ladybug, One Air Force Man, and One Missionary Man.  My husband, KT, of 23 years keeps me on my toes, even still.  We have one dog, Sydney, and one fat, lazy cat, Milo.  I am a diet cherry coke drinkin', VW bug drivin', country music lovin' daughter of God who works as a High School Administrative Assistant/Registrar.  I love life and try to find beauty and humor along the way.  My blog is a dichotomy of Spiritual and Sarcasm and writing or photography.  Basically whatever catches my fancy that day.

Let's get to know each other, and thanks for stopping by!

Here are a few more posts you might enjoy...
(With over 670 in my archives, it was really hard to narrow it down and choose)

My DIY Ribbon Border - This one has gotten a lot of attention on Pinterest

My Brush with Karma - my attempt at some self-depreciating humor

A Pocket Full of Pasties - an account of the time we met an old stripper in Grandma's assisted living

Sunday Inspiration

Have I Done Any Good?

In keeping with lasts week theme of the Kindness Experiment and in serving others, I was totally inspired by this song.  I couldn't have been more inspiring than these two beautiful singers, Carmen Rasmussen Herbert & Alex Boye.  If you want to skip right to the music video portion skip ahead to 2:42, and then go out and do some good.

It's All Good

Miguel left on June 27th to serve a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He will be serving, aiding and helping those in need in the Atlanta, Georgia area.  In addition, he will be sharing a message of Christ to those are are interested in listening.  He is not paid, he is not compensated, and, as his family, we support him spiritually, emotionally and financially in this endeavor.

I have watched stalwart ladies in my church who have sent off their sons and daughters on similar missions.  They seem so strong and make this look so easy.  No one told me how hard this would be.  I will not see my son for two years, and this makes my mommy heart break.  My consolation is that I feel the spirit testify to me that it's all good.  He is doing good, and I should in no way begrudge that.  I feel comforted.

He spoke on Sunday in Church, and I cried a little.  We had a goodbye party for him, and I cried a little more.  He said goodbye to Ladybug before she left for Camp and I cried a lot more.  Then the night before he left, I cried again.  Who knew I had so many tears inside me.  But, when we took him to the airport at 5:00 am and said goodbye, I did not cry.  I felt stronger and I know my Heavenly Father was with me.

From the moment I Pressed Submit on his Mission Papers Application, to my Thirty-TwoSteps, I knew this moment was coming.  We loaded up the family, minus Ladybug who was at Camp, plus Miguel's best friend, BLT, and Miguel's sweet girlfriend, Jenny, and headed to the airport.  This whole experience has left me feeling a little bit like Abraham, and Miguel is my Isaac.  Although I am not literally sacrificing Miguel in obedience to the Lord, I am sacrificing my time with Miguel for two years and hopefully honoring the Lord in the process.  This is my test of faith, and It is all good.  See you in two years, buddy!

Mosiah 2:17 "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God."

Hospital Swag

I mentioned that my mom was going through a fairly serious surgery.  On the way to the hospital, she got a call postponing it for a week.  It was rescheduled for the day before Miguel's mission departure.  We loaded up the kids to go visit her in the hospital.  The boys wrote some goals on her white board...

1.  Don't Die and
2.  Get out of here.  

I hear it made quite the impression on the nurses and doctors.

Bryce (aka BLT) and Miguel thought it would be fun to don some hospital swag...

Then all three boys wore that swag home in the car.  Windows down, they were trying to speak in British accents to the other drivers with their hospital swag.  They had me laughing so hard....

I'm going to miss this...

The Kindness Experiment

I shared this experience with my husband recently and he said, "Oh gosh, you aren't going to blog that are you?"  He thought my story was cheesy.  But not only that, I don't like to talk about good deeds.  I have stopped following people on facebook or blogs because they are overly braggy about their good deeds.  In my book, that kind of detracts from the acts of service if you have to toot your own horn.  Ultimately the only person who matters in knowing how you treat others is our Savior. Hebrews 6:10 "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister."

I recently read on Positively Alene that she wants to do a Friday link up of kindness acts to inspire each other.  I think the difference between inspiring and bragging is all in the wording.  So in order to participate in her link up, I am going to concentrate on my wording here as to be inspiring not braggy.  Getcha?  Gotcha?  Good!  

When I was a little girl, I learned this catchy little song at church.  It went something like this...

♫♫I want to be kind to everyone, for that is right you see...

So I say to myself, remember this, kindness begins with me♫♫

I loved that song and would sing it to myself sometimes to remind myself to be kind and helpful to others.  

Source

I was at the grocery store recently, and let me preface that I HATE the grocery store.  People are in a hurry are generally rude, and personally I can't get out of there fast enough. There was this woman and her friend/sister I'm not sure, but as I passed them down the aisle of the store their carts were doubled up taking up so much of the aisle that every time they came toward me, I would have to squish myself up against the canned goods or whatever.  It was one of my invisible moments, I assure you.   I found myself feeling ugly inside.  My rude thoughts consumed me.  I was frustrated, that they were in their own world and did not see me!  As I was approaching the last aisle of the store, I turned the corner and there they were again. It was then that the words to this childhood song came back to me, ♫Kindness begins with me♫ This time I decided to change my attitude.  I looked at woman who was smack dab in the middle of the aisle right in the eye and smiled real big at her.  I tried to look at her with love. And do you know what happened?  She smiled back and moved out of the way!  

This isnt' groundbreaking or earth shattering but it's implications and lesson in my life can be life changing.  It's that even the smallest acts of kindness can reap huge results.  In my case, a small smile from me, reaped the result of being seen....of the woman in turn moving out of my way instead of the other way around.  This was my experiment in kindness.  

How have you seen kindness work in your life?  

Goodbye Party, and a Photo Shoot

Miguel invited lots of friends and family to come over for a send off party before departing for his mission.  We kept so busy that when it would be finally time for him to leave, this mama would be too exhausted to cry.

Then later we dressed up for a photo shoot.  

Last family picture with us all together for two years.

Cliff Jumping

While boating about the lake, Military Man pulled up near the side of some cliffs and stopped the boat.  Then, he dove off.  Yes, you read that right, he dove off the boat, swam to shore and proceeded to climb the cliff barefoot in a swim suit.  Once he reached the top, he jumped.  There isn't too much counsel you can give a 20 year old who doesn't want to listen.  So, I pulled out the camera determined to document either a successful jump or his death.  He is certainly addicted to the "rush" and that scares me.  I only raise them slightly psychotic.  As you can see...his jump was successful.

How does this thing work?

On this day I have been married for 23 years or in September I'll have been married for 17.  I've married this man twice.  However you want to look at it....23 years?  17 years?  Pish posh! I'm still trying to figure out how this thing works.

KT is loud and opinionated while I am quiet, introspective and often shy.
KT likes to watch sports while I am more of an HGTV girl.
KT loves movies where things blow up, I prefer a romantic comedy.
KT likes to play golf, I like to run
KT can't stand it when the house is quiet, he has to have the TV on.  I prefer a bit of quiet solitude to buoy up my spirit.
KT drives fast, I keep the speed limit
KT prefers Diet Mountain Dew, while I enjoy Diet Cherry Coke.
KT likes cake, I like Ice cream
KT loves to discuss politics, I cringe at the idea.
KT likes Classic Rock, Dance tunes and Rap, I'm a country music girl

What is the glue that binds this thing together?  Sometimes our differences far outweigh our similarities!  But, we share the same religious and political views and that is so important.  (Fewer arguments in my estimation).  And, he makes me laugh.  Boy, can he make me laugh!  We share three children together.  The fruits of my labors, if you will....

What is the glue that binds your marriage together?

Boating with the Monkeys

I so much enjoy spending time with my family.  My WHOLE family.  When all the kids are together it is pure bliss for me.  Although Miguel was pretty grouchy because his girlfriend wasn't there.  But we found some cell coverage, called her and she met us at the lake.  Miguel knew the time was dwindling down that he could spend with her since his departure date for his Mission was fast approaching.

I ♥ America!

I ♥ America and this is why...

A Cub Scout flag raising

Church Breakfast with family and friends

KT Speaking on Patriotism at Church breakfast

A barbecue and homemade ice cream

Boise Hawks baseball, free hats and fireworks

What did you do for the 4th?

Boise Aquarium, What?

Happy 4th of July!  It is my most favorite holiday of the year.  It truly is!  Anyway, I made a post on Sunday in tribute to the 4th.  The following is something entirely different.  Catching up with the fam...

Yes, it's true!  Boise has an Aquarium, and if you are asking yourself, what?  Don't worry, I was like "What?", too.  I mean we are 12 hours from the Pacific ocean logistically it just doesn't make sense!  It is small, but still a fun place to wander around and feed the fish

and spend an afternoon with the kids.  

Then afterwards, we went to the mall and I found my FAVORITE frozen hot chocolate mix from Serendipty at William Sonoma.  Oh my!  Guess what we had that afternoon? And we didn't even have to go to Vegas to get one!

He Came Home

The beginning of my marathon week included welcoming Military Man home.  I have decided that welcoming a son home is a little like what Heavenly Father must feel when he welcomes us home with open arms.  I was so excited I was jumping out of my skin.  When I saw TJ, I ran to him and gave him the biggest hug.  It is so difficult to send your children out into the world as adults, but so satisfying when they come home.  

Patriotism

Patriotism is so much more than flag waving and fireworks and politics.  Patriotism encompasses the entire spirit of this great nation.  We honor that spirit by serving and sacrificing for our fellow beings and citizen. As we approach this weeks, barbecues, camping trips and festivities let us remember,

“The scriptures remind us that nothing we do is truly worthy, 

whether it be serving the poor or seeking elected office, 

unless we are motivated by charity, the pure love of Christ.” 

~Sue Bergin~