"The Ring Bear"

Cherie's (Scott's sis) son Josh was married last week and he and his bride asked Luke to be their ring bearer. At first Luke said "no way!" to this task which we explained would involve simply walking down the aisle carrying the wedding rings. He had every excuse from "I'm afraid I'll fall..." and "I won't know where to go..." to "I don't want people LOOKING at me!" We explained to him the importance of the ring bearer--there must be a handsome boy to carry the rings to the bride and groom in order for them to actually, officially be married (sidenote here...lots of discussion about the differences between a temple sealing and a civil ceremony--steadfast goals are in place in our home for temple marraige someday, but we are so happy for Josh and want his day to be splendid)... Luke mulled over this ever important decision for two and a half days and finally came to the conclusion that he really wanted Josh and Michelle to be able to wed, so he would indeed deliver their precious rings on the day of their wedding. From that time on he became "the ring bear..." "kind of like the Jazz bear," he said..."but with rings..."
Luke anticipated his big day with mixed emotions. Usually those emotions were directly related to the amount of sleep he had the night before. Tired days turned out "I am NOT going to be the ring bear," but when well-rested he was quite positive and looked forward to the wedding day with questions like "will I get paid for being the ring bear?" We did have enough tired days that I had to throw in a little incentive to ensure follow-through and cooperation...a Kung Fu Panda sword awaited his greatly anticipated walk down the aisle.
Wedding day arrived and we made it special with a new haircut and tie for the big event.
The wedding was held at Market Street and the setting was beautiful! I pointed out the fast-moving creek below us at least twelve times to keep my little guy's mind occupied and away from thoughts of deserting...
Luke was a jumble of nerves twinged with just enough excitement to warrant two trips to the bathroom in seven minutes...
As we waited for the ceremony to begin, I found myself anxiously holding my breath, smiling at Luke without making direct eye contact for fear he would discern my sense of apprehension and change his mind...
To my surprise and great relief, he posed perfectly for pictures and listened intently to the wedding coordinator's instructions.
(This just might go ok...)
The ring pillow was delivered and though Luke thought it would somehow resemble a bear...he was pretty impressed that something so elegant would be in his charge.
The wedding was due to begin in three minutes when the wedding coordinator took Luke by the hand and led him to his place in line without any hesitation or apprehension--at all.
(This (really) just might go ok...!!!)

The music began and the wedding party passed without much notice as I waited for the pair who would precede the bride--the flower girl and her escort--the "ring bear..."
At last it was the moment we had waited for...Luke sauntered down the aisle looking so serious and handsome in his shirt and tie with an orange rose boutonniere pinned to his pocket and a look of confidence on his face. He made his way to the best man--hoisted the pillow perfectly then returned to his seat next to me. He never cracked a smile, but he didn't miss a step...

(It (actually) went ok...!!!)

Accolades and praise followed him wherever he made his way the entire night and he reveled in the glory of attention by strangers, friends and family members.

What a terrific experience...both for a five year old little boy and his needlessly doubtful mother!

Vacation

I have a friend who has spent the past two weeks with her family in Thailand...another friend is in Africa for three weeks. I know two couples who have gone to New York this summer...

We finished off our basement this past winter/spring, therefore any plans of fancy vacations for us are buried beneath the flooring in the kitchen and between fibers in the carpet that covers the concrete floor.

Our vacation fund may have been spent on drywall and light fixtures, but we were still able to squeeze out a quick jaunt down south to St. George. Every year we take two trips to St. George--one over memorial weekend (aka hotel St. George) and a random week during the summer where we get to live in luxury at the England house (aka house St. George). House always trumps hotel... We swim, we bake in the sun, swim some more, we go to Pizza Factory, bake some more, throw in some golf, laser tag, more swimming, a movie, and an outdoor show at Tuacahn (this year we saw Sound of Music--it was superb!) Best part of house St. George, however, is the fact that our entire family (grandpa, grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins) all live for an entire week under the same roof! I truly believe that we could vacation down the street and love every minute of it as long as the whole fam came along!

He just might land in New York...



COUSINS COUSINS COUSINS COUSINS COUSINS COUSINS



My family...



Love my sistas!!!



...and my little bro!



The kids got to meet Gretl, Maria and Capt. Von Trapp from The Sound of Music



Maybe next year...St. George and then Africa?!?! HA!

Random Bits

The second to last week of school was "Spirit Week." Each day the kids got to dress up in different garb to go along with a daily theme. Cute concept--bad timing. I lose my motivation and creativity by early May, so all projects and activities after that time are done very begrudgingly by a very burned out mom.
First day of Spirit Week was Hawaiian day...Jaycee went off to school wearing flip flops and a plastic yellow lei. Day two, nerd day--we just skipped that one. Super hero day was fun--we wrapped aluminum foil around Jaycee's wrists and threw Luke's superman cape over her shoulders--I thought that one was sort of creative...Jaycee disagreed after school as she told me about her friend's cat woman get-up and a wonder woman who wore red white and blue and over-sized silver bracelets on her wrists...
Our last innovative attempt was on crazy hair day. We twisted little sections of Jaycee's hair and wrapped them tight with miniature elastics. The next morning we released the twists and WALLAH!!! She was super happy and had the craziest hair in the whole class!



Lexi and Jaycee both take voice lessons. Lexi has been taking for three years, Jaycee for one. They recently had their spring recital which will be their final vocal performance for a while because Lexi is quitting to focus on tennis and Jaycee just can't take the strict direction voice lessons entail...there is no such thing as "creative criticism" in her mind...
They both did a fabulous job, Lexi taking on Colbie Caillat's "Bubbly" and Jaycee singing the upbeat Miley Cyrus tune "Old Blue Jeans." After the vocal renditions we went out for ice cream with the Smiths and the Woolleys. We have so many kids between the three families we filled Maggie Moos to the brink with yummy ice cream eating youngsters!
Best buds and blue bubblegum...doesn't get any better than that!




(Crazy teenagers!!!)

Summer vacation is finally and officially underway! Two of our favorite warm weather activities are Lagoon and swimming. Both of which have been postponed over the past couple of weeks due to fifty-eight degree rainy weather...But now we're in the nineties, and living it up riding the Bat, Tidal Wave and Wicked, and splish splashing in Chris's splendid swimming pool!

Oh happy day!

See Roo. See Roo jump up and down with joy. Hear Roo. Hear Roo giggling with glee. Why is Roo so happy? Roo just completed her final day of elementary school!!!

This is an especially happy day because this has been a bit of a tough year for Kelsey. We moved last year at about this same time, and with that move came a new school. We contemplated keeping Kelsey at her previous school for sixth grade, but decided--together--to make a complete change and finish out her elementary days at the new neighborhood school. The year started off well. Kelsey had a great attitude, and was determined to make the most of being "the new girl." She ran for student council and applied for safety patrol, both of which she made. She had a great teacher whom she liked and related to from the start. Unfortunately, there were no familiar kids in her class from our neighborhood, but she met at least one new friend on the very first day. We were breathing easy, feeling secure in our decision and I was letting go of some of the guilt I had been harboring over taking Kelsey away from her school andthe friends she had grown up with.
As the year progressed Kelsey had some trouble fitting in. The kids at school had been classmates since they were young. They had established very tight knit groups a long time ago that were very reminiscent of the group of friends Kelsey had had at her previous school. She learned that it's not easy infiltrating a posse of girls that have known each other for several years! The girls were not mean, just indifferent to one that was not part of their group. By mid-year I noticed that Kelsey was kind of changing her attitude and mindset. She started counting down the days til the end of the year when her status as the "new girl" would officially end and she would join her group of friends from our old neighborhood for middle school. I saw her biding her time, patiently waiting for the days to pass until she could claim her precious place as the member of a "girl group." Kelsey is a sweetheart. She rarely complains, and makes the most of every situation she is in. She did no less this year. At times my heart would break when I would watch her in her classroom--interfacing with some of the kids, without really interacting with them. We talked about her situation, but she did not seem terribly troubled by it. I found myself joining her in her countdown, encouraging her to hang-in-there and reassuring her that next year will be different. Maybe this was not the right thing to do... Maybe I should have encouraged her to pursue more friendships and not wish away her sixth grade year...but I didn't. I understood how she was feeling and I have faith in the darling group of friends she will be rejoining in the fall that they will welcome her with open arms.
So today the school year is over. Kelsey walked in the door with a humongous smile on her face, handed me her excellent report card, deposited her stack of awards and projects on the table and just sighed...

See mom. See mom smile with joy. Hear mom. Hear mom giggling with her girls as they tell stories of their final day of school. Why is mom so happy? Mom just watched her girl make it through a tough year and come out grinning!

Thou shalt not covet...except...

In the Bible it clearly states that one should not covet those things which his neighbor possesses. It is a sin, actually, to peer out your window or over your fence at the neighbor's 3/4 acre lot (complete with immaculate landscaping, a basketball court and fire pit), and wish that it belonged to you rather than them...
I can avoid coveting what those around me have. I am grateful for my blessings, and do not look at my neighbors with jealousy or longing.
With that being said, I don't believe there are any rules against coveting things that one's SISTER has.
My sister, Chris, leads a charmed life. She has exceptional children, a husband who supports her with steadfast commitment, a beautiful home (decorated to the hilt, as well as speckless, spotless and squeaky clean), and a zany sense of humor--making her the consistent favorite of any group or gathering.
I have always been happy for Chris. Pleased with her successes, proud of her accomplishments, the first to laugh at her comedic acts...
But over the past year and a half her life has become one that I envy almost on a daily basis.

First of all, almost a year and a half ago Chris and Jason adopted a gorgeous little brown baby boy named Braxton. The entire adoption process was an amazing spiritual journey unmatched by anything I have ever experienced in my life time. This scrumptious little brown sugar lovebug is a superstar in our family. He mesmerizes adults and children alike with every move that he makes and every "uuuhhh!" that he utters from his perfectly plump little brown lips. I love everything about him, and, truth be told, I wish I could have him!

Apparently having the most enchanting child on the planet isn't enough for my sister. A few months ago she and Jas put a beautiful swimming pool in their (already) exquisite backyard! She can walk out her back door, take three steps to a lounge chair and be tanning by 9:30am! No more public pools! No more lines to stand in, no foul bacterial infections to catch from leaky swim diapers, no pregnant women in bikinis or obscene tatoos to keep the kids from gawking at...
So, within a year and a half Chris has both a brown baby AND a swimming pool--how can one not be insanely jealous over such precious assets?
There is silver lining to my little green cloud, however...Chris is willing to share!
I may forever covet what she has, but at least I get my turns babysitting and lots of invites to the pool!

"Reunited...and it feels so good"

We spent memorial weekend in St. George. Every year we gather with relatives from my mom's side of the family to reunite and reacquaint as we usually only see each other once a year. This reunion has been held annually for the past thirty-nine years, and although we have missed a few here and there, for the most part our holiday weekend in May is spent at a lovely hotel in Dixie surrounded by aunts, uncles and cousins---two, three and four times removed.
Growing up, I loved the reunion. To me it signaled the onset of summer. It has always been held in St. George, and every year we would swim to exhaustion and sunburn to the point of immobility. My sisters and I had crushes on our good looking older cousins and would giggle whenever they would throw us in the pool. We loved it when they included us in their night games of tag and hide-n-seek around the hotel complex. I loved watching my mom laugh and visit until unheard of hours of the night with her sisters, aunts and cousins...
Now my kids enjoy this family tradition every bit as much as I did. To them it signals the onset of summer. They swim to exhaustion, but thanks to spray-on sunscreen they don't have to experience that seared skin feeling. They love playing with their cousins, although it's the ones they see several times a week that they run around with. They love it when I sit out at the pool until unheard of hours of the night laughing with my sisters, aunts, and cousins...
This year was unseasonably cool in St. George. As we drove south through Beaver the temperature gauge said 36 degrees, and there were tiny snowflakes falling on our car. The weather did not deter us, however, thanks to resilient and determined kids, (a heated swimming pool and thick, snugly blankets), our yearly traditions were upheld! So much fun!!!

I am a mother

I used to dislike mother's day. I always felt like it should be this momentous occasion on which I was honored and revered by my family. I had visions each year of perfectly behaved children catering to my every need and a husband tripping over the perfect children to fawn over the mother of the little angels he just tripped over...
Well, it took a few years to realize that my fantasy was just that--a fantasy--one that would never materialize into anything more than a lovely illusion in my mind. On mother's day one still has to be a mother--and being a mother does not involve anything resembling catering or fawning. I decided a few years ago to stop relying on everyone else to make my mother's day memorable, and to take control of the day, and the whole weekend for that matter and make it my own. I have to say, since taking a proactive approach to the second weekend in May I have learned to love mother's day and everything that goes along with it!

My weekend began with an early rising and a trip down to Gateway for Race For the Cure. Jennie, Rachelle and I have been doing this race since 2001, and it has become a cherished yearly tradition. The race benefits the prevention and treatment of breast cancer, and involves several thousand participants. All around us are women of all ages wearing pink hats and t-shirts identifying them as breast cancer survivors. There are many who appear to be younger than me, pushing babies in strollers, wearing scarves to cover the more obvious signs of chemo. It is an inspiring and very humbling experience.


(We took the race slowly this year--walking at a leisurely pace due to my zero energy issue. This is a change for us as we usually run the race...very fast...typically in a sprinting fashion...)


(We are part of a team called "Vals Pals." Each year we race in memory of our dear friend Valerie Ruff who passed away from breast cancer two years ago.)


(Another vital part of our yearly tradition is treating ourselves to lunch, a chick flick and loads of shopping!)

Mother's Day itself began as every Sunday morning does...chaotic and ridiculous as I rush around from room to room attempting to feel the spirit of the Sabbath but instead feeling only intense rage as shouts of I AM NOT WEARING THIS! and MY HAIR LOOKS AWWWWFUL! resonate through the house.

Church was awesome...

The remainder of my mother's day consisted of little hugs from my hubby and kids, scrubbing potatoes for dinner, receiving several fabulous gifts (self portraits, a poem, a plate, money!!! lots of cards and artwork) from my perfectly behaved children (oh, wait a second, that was the fantasy...) and their daddy. Luke gave me a card that said..."I am happy when my mom...turns on the TV for me,"(stellar mothering skills at work in my home!) and spending almost an hour chatting with the missionaries (I thought they would give us a five minute thought and be on their way--nope--) My family arrived at five for dinner--Chris, Cami and I always treat our incredible mother to dinner on mother's day. This is a highlight for us as it gives us a chance to do a little something for our wonderful mom who does so very much for us.
We rounded out the day with a lovely visit with Scott's parents, sister and fam.

I used to dislike mother's day. Now I love it. I love the traditions, the homemade gifts with little signatures forever preserved, even the chaos is a little easier to take because it defines my greatest role--the one I celebrate each May--I am a mother, this is my life, and I love it!