Far Away

Whoever put this Julia Sheer song together 

with these movie clips was genius.  

Just sayin'...

Birth Stories, WHAT?

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Why do people find it necessary to share their birth stories?  And, why are they all so dang perfect and beautiful?  I'm not sure we even went through the same experience!  I mean seriously, why would I want to relive those torturous hours?  Those hours that truly were the complete opposite of beauty...Hmmm I ask you, Why? WHY?

My first son was an emergency C-Section.  Nothing spells glorious moments as when the nurse is checking your dilation and gooses a baby butt!  My second son was a normal birth, but the pain, oh my hell the pain!  Did you know that because we were military and it was "after hours" our insurance wouldn't cover an Anesthesiologist for non emergencies.  So, no epidural, thanks US Government!  AND, no one told me that I might have bodily functions while pushing that big old baby head out.  What the heck?  Baby number three, Ladybug, was another C-section.  She was a stubborn one like her older brother and was wanting to show the world that cute arse first.  Just sayin'.  You know what they try to do for those breech babies?  TURN THEM!  My doctor was pressing so hard on my stomach that he braced his foot on the wall.  Let's just say, she didn't turn and I had bruises later.  Oh and if they offer you a colon cleanse before hand,  JUST SAY NO!  Those beautiful moments after a C-section include the smell of burning flesh (mine), trying to hold a sweet infant on my chest while I'm numb from toes to chest and concentrating on taking every breath because when you are numb almost to your chest, breathing seems quite difficult.

So, let's cut to the chase...Birthing sucks!  Yes, it is beautiful to bring a life into this world, and I love all my children, but GROSS!!!!  Let's just skip ahead a couple days into the future and we'll go from there...

That is all...Amen

Always Striving

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Aren't we always striving for some sort of self improvement?  

Working towards being the best possible me!

Miguel's Missionary Moment

As you know, Miguel has been out on a Mission in the Atlanta area for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for about a month and a half.  I'm excited to share snippets and scriptures from Miguel himself.

"Dear Mom and Dad,  It's getting easier.  The nights are hard, though, when I have time to think.  I miss you all very much.  I do want to tell you about a verse that has hit me hard.  Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." The Spirit is so strong here and amazing!  Love you guys!"

Ladybug's Message of Validation

I am so grateful that Ladybug is in a school that doesn't JUST teach the academics, but works with parents to help in raising moral and caring citizens.  She goes to a Charter School that was started by parents who found the public school system lacking in those social, moral values.  I like to explain it to people like this:  Her school doesn't just teach high quality academics but concentrates on moral development in a non religious way.  If you are familiar with the YMCA and their core values (Caring, Honesty, Respect,  Responsibility, and I'm going to add here:  Leadership), then you will understand.

Ladybug came home from school recently to show me a video she watched in class on youtube.  I had to sit down and be willing to devote 16 minutes to it because it was that long, but it was easy to do because it is so worth the message.  You'll see why.  When we speak kind words to each other, we are serving our Savior and following in his ways.  As we build each other up, we are making the world a brighter place.

I'm loving this video...check it out!  And, Ladybug, thanks for sharing...

Summer Day

Source:  ME

It's a good book, cool breeze, warm sun

chirping birds, grassy toes,

diet cherry coke drinkin'

kind of summer day

Random Brain Sparks

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• Remember when I told you I needed a little break?  Time sure has flown by, hasn't it?  The first week of school is finished, and we've got 35 more weeks of school to go, so I've been told, but who's counting anyway..
• Summer is slipping away, but my brain sparks are back, at least for now, and I am grateful.
• My daughter proudly exclaimed the other day that I should be a writer.  She was quite impressed with the way I worded something.  I told her I could write, that I write on a blog, but that I just lacked ideas for a book.  She's fourteen, and her taste in authors might not be all that impeccable.  
• My bosses oldest son just left home.  I can totally empathize.  Perhaps we could commiserate together.
• This is the first time in over 4 years that I have the afternoons at home to myself now that the boys are gone and Ladybug is back in school.  
• Also, do not ever try dark chocolate covered Acai berries.  Don't say I didn't warn you.  This point and the one before it may or may not be directly related.  
• The picture above totally answers, well, EVERYTHING.
• My house is clean, AMEN!

I Regret to Inform You...

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I regret to inform you that for the next week or two I am going to be taking a blogging break.  I have headed back to work/school and am busy enrolling students in courses and all kinds of other brain consuming things to get ready for the school year.  I don't know about you, but when I am mentally over indulged, I come up lacking in the creativity department.  I just don't have enough brain sparks to go around.

Please stand by for further entertainment.  

Age Stage and All That Sass

I, as in my blog, was recently spotlighted on this awesome website.  I read through hundreds of comments, and they were so amazing.  There was this one comment that totally struck me.  It was from a sweet young mother, who wrote how she was excited to hear about someone in the "later stages" of life.  I don't remember the exact wording but Later Stages is what stood out to me...Later stages of life?  My GRANDMA is in the later stages of life!  She is 93!  Let me say, young mother, if you are reading this...I'm not upset, and if you wonder why I could possibly be upset in the first place than you are WAY YOUNG.  But, I am grateful to you, seriously, because you have given me a brain spark and fodder for my blog.  And if you are as old as I am, then you know how important any kind of brain spark is...All kidding aside though, thank you, truly.

I've never considered myself to be in the later stages of life.  But, I suppose when I was in my early 20's I may have looked at a woman of 43 with two sons out of the house and a 14 year old daughter as WAY OLD.  It's funny how things change when you get here.  It's true my skin is not as resilient as it was in my teens and twenties despite all the Mary Kay I use.  I have more of a middle than what I've had in the past... I may or may not have gray hair...that is to be determined at a much later date.  (Thank you for hair coloring and highlights)  But, you know what?  My brain and my heart still feel the same!  I still feel like that perky 17 year old inside.  Not the foot shuffling, tight permed old mama that I could be.  But let us look at the facts here, I am 43 with two of my kids gone.  My youngest will be out of the house at college in 4 years!  Let's do the math here...I will be 47 and an empty-nester.  I will be a YOUNG old...I will still have the energy to gallivant and travel and do all kinds of fun things.  Disneyland avec children?  HERE I COME!

As someone in the later stages of life let me tell you that I have more self confidence than I did in my 20's.  I can run farther and faster than I could back then.  I am wiser, I know how to sit back and laugh at the things that go wrong instead of stressing over them.  I enjoy food now instead of starving myself for that perfect figure.  These are things that 20+ extra years of life and experience have taught me, and you know what?  I wouldn't change back the clock for the world.  I love who I have become, I love where I am at, and I love my life.

What stage are you in and what do you love about it?

Small Acts of Service

Recently I taught a group of 8 and 9 year olds about service.  We read in the scriptures about following Christ's example to serve others.   And how when you serve others you are serving God. We made cookies, put them in cute bags with tags that read "You Make Me Smile".  I asked the children who they were going to give them to...One little girls, said there was a lady across the street who was older and lonely, and she wanted to give the cookies to her.  She got it!

While the cookies were baking we watched this little video about how even children can make a difference.  I believe as we teach even the youngest children to serve and love others we can make a difference in this world...One child, one smile, or one cookie at a time.

Spa Day

I often tell KT or Ladybug that I'm heading to the spa.  You know you don't have to have a lot of money to go to the spa.  After my SITS day, I felt I needed a welcome break.  You know, we famous people do need a break every once in a while.  Being famous can be so exhausting...Welcome to my spa...

1.  Lounge chair (check)

2.  Kindle or paperback book of choice (check)
3.  Icy drink (iced herbal red raspberry tea) (check)

Unfortunately my spa is only open during the Spring, Summer and early Fall months.
Today I am working another lengthy registration.  
I will be dreaming and longing for more spa days like this.