Small Mercies

When September hits here in the St. G people like to pretend that it is actually time for autumn weather. We pull out our long sleeved clothes and admire them longingly. Our bike riding children think they need a hoodie to ride to school in the mornings (never mind the fact that they come home from school with sweaty, beet red faces). We start sorting through all those wonderful fall-esk recipes, maybe even put a pumpkin spice smell in the old scentsy.

People even attend parades held at 5:00 in the afternoon. That's right, the very hottest time of the day. Not just any old parade, the rodeo parade. That means that there are people dressed to the nines in all sorts of cowboy attire. H-O-T. Hot.

Now, we all know that I am not a native to the extreme temps of the St. G. I am not crazy enough to take myself and the chitlins out to battle the heat to watch the rodeo parade. Especially not when we have already experienced the REAL Rodeo Parade in Preston, you know-- That Famous Preston Night Rodeo. That's a parade.

Certainly I wouldn't go to the parade and stand on the sunny side of the street, finding my only form of relief is to stand perfectly still in the blissful shade of a power pole. Dragging children with me, one of which has absolutely NO stamina for discomfort of any degree. That's crazy, right? Well, not if you are attending the parade in support of your children. One handing out fliers and the other one in the marching band, marching -of course- on the sunny side of the street. I'm a good mom like that.

Now, what do we get when we go to a parade?? What's the draw for all children ever where?? The candy. We did come home with candy. Candy that was sorted in the family room and then eaten in the family room. Good thing I have the whole No Food in the family room rule, huh? After the candy eating fest some (surprisingly enough) ended up smooshed into the carpet.

I tell you all of that to tell you this...
the real reason for this post.

But first, a
Side Note:
My children are their father's children. We all know this.
They look like him. Hello? All blond headed people.
They act like him. Teasing galore.
They talk like him. His crazy slang words for everything known to man.
They work like him. When they really concentrate, the tongue is really working. Weird, but true.
They like what he likes. Music, food, movies.
Don't get me wrong, I happen to really like the guy- but, c'mon throw a gal a bone!

Enter: The Small Mercy.

Just when I am beginning to think that NO ONE has picked up on any of my traits--when I am thinking that not one of my off spring have been blessed with the cleaning gene. The heavens parted and a miracle occurred...

Of her own free will and volition, my daughter, the fruit of my loins, without a word from me
saw the above mentioned carpet candy culprit, went and got a knife and attacked!

This is what these tired, work and care worn eyes of mine beheld...

This blessed, beautiful girl taking initiative and cleaning something. Seeing a need and filling it.
There is hope!

And here we are, her wondering why I am photo documenting such strange things and her sister unable to miss out on any photo opportunity.

You know friends, I am wanting some big things in life. Wanting/Needing. I get myself all down in the dumps sometimes just waiting and wanting something to happen, something to change. I need to remember in my busy life of waiting, working and wanting not to miss the small things. The small things like a girl seeing a simple thing like candy on the carpet and cleaning it up.

da-boyz

When Grant was born I had a few people comment to me

that while it would be fun to have another boy,
they would be too far apart to really do anything together.

They were dead wrong.

Adam has the whole
"best brother" status in the bag.
(competition there is not too steep)
He made a $5 garage sale purchase for his little buddy that
may have moved him into "rock star" status.
Behold....
The Big Tractor.
*back story*
I was gone when this new toy was acquired.
I had only seen it in action in the backyard,
in the backyard on the patio,
motored by Grant's own two little feet.
It can do more.
Much More.

This evening I looked out the office window to witness this...


Adam helping Grant load a big rock,
maneuver it across the yard,
and dump it.

Isn't that so sweet?

Ya, well--
After that was over they decided they needed to show
me what The Big Tractor is
really capable of.
This....
And this....

And this...



Ohhh, these crazy boys of mine...
I sure do love them.

P.S.

It's a darn good thing their
father wasn't around
or the adventure
would have been
taken to a whole new
level.
It kind of scares me a bit
to think about what that might
have been.

Reasons not to blog-

• Still feeling like school has just begun and I am not accustomed to the change yet: translation......I am still giddy every day when the house empties and I am free to clean mostly unencumbered, therefore I take that option instead of blogging.

• Took a little long-weekend trip. You know, the kind that involve a week and a half prep time and a two week recovery time.

• Change of church calling. Switching gears from Young Women's back to Primary Presidency. My absence from Primary was short lived, very short lived.

• Can't recover from the shock of a few of my children's milestones enough to really want to document them.
  

• Did I mention something about milestones? Things like this...

Yes, that's my little buddy all geared up and ready to head

off to Miss Debbie's preschool.

This picture really documents what I was thinking,
which was,
"Ex-Sqeeze Me,
Tell me again why I agreed to this?!?
I CANNOT send my baby away!"
It also documents what he was thinking,
which was,
"For reals Mom, let me go in already!!
Gil and Miss Debbie are waiting."

• On that very same day, in my very same life....this happened-

This guy had the nerve to have another birthday
and went ahead and turned
15
on me.
Rude, right?

• It was a day. What a day Mom had!

• Not wanting to come to grips with the fact that that very same 15 year old came home today with a drivers permit. WHAT THE WHAT!?!

• I'm sorry, did you read that right....? Read it again. I have a child with a DRIVERS PERMIT. See if you can sleep tonight, I know I won't be. This freak out will last well into tomorrow.
  

And so, as you can plainly see....
There are a multitude of reasons for me not to blog.
But,
I did any way.
Doesn't that just thrill you all right to pieces?
Just right down to your very core?
Ya, I thought so.

So apparently......

Less anxiety doesn't necessarily mean more blogging.
My anxiety level has been purty durn low this last week and, well, ya--
still haven't done much with the old blog.
It may not make all the rest of you feel a whole lot better about the sitch-e-a-tion,
but I have cleaned and organsized a heckuva lot the last two days.
Oh....it brings me much joy and contentment.
And I am no where near done.
I know I am so weird, But,
I LOVE TO CLEAN MY HOUSE.
MOSTLY,
I LOVE TO CLEAN MY HOUSE
WHILST MY CHILDREN ARE TUCKED AWAY AT SCHOOL.
Okay, that's all for now.
Time for me to go be a mother.
I really do have some posts rattling around in this head of mine and at some point they will make it out.

Reality Check.

Or, in my case Checking Back into Reality.

Uh-huh, that's what I will be doing tomorrow.

Did I fail to mention that I have been hanging out here in farmland for about two weeks now?

I really can't put it off my return much longer.

School starts back up in a week.

A week. Crazy, eh?

So...I guess it's time for little old farmgirl to put on her big girl panties, pack up the kiddies and head on back to the St. G.

Let's face it friends, I have pretty much been avoiding my regular life all summer.

Of the 11 weeks of summer I have spent a grand total of about 3 1/2 at my residence.

Now, please do not forget that I spent 4 days at youth conference and 5 days at girls camp and that Mike spent a week at scout camp (who wants to be home in the heat with the hubby gone?) and that both of my Idaho trips have revolved around events ie. the Wasatch Back and a family reunion.

So there, that's not so bad--right??

Tell me it's okay that I have been visiting not only my home state of Idaho but a familiar little state called Denial.

Life has been, well, let's just say I'd be okay not having an instant replay of the last 9, 10, 11 months or so. Not complaining--just sayin'. Many, many valuable lessons learned. Here's to hoping I have learned them well and am ready to move into another of life's classrooms.

Want to know one of the perks of my life with a little less anxiety???

I. blog. more.

And, helloooo, who doesn't want that???

Onward and Upward!

Yo-Ho!!

Good News/ Bad News

Good News:
I have officially passed to my offspring the joys of baking and enjoying all the delicious rewards.

Bad News:
This means I have to share the kitchen.

Good News:
My children are turning into fantastic little bakers.

Bad News:
I have not yet passed on the joys and art of cleaning to the level of a Mom Job clean kitchen.

Good News:
I have three busy bakers at my house.

Bad News:
We are flying through ingredients around here.

Good News:
It entertains the baking child for a good chunk of time.

Bad News:
They each want the kitchen and surrounding area cleared of all siblings while they create.

Good News:
They each want to make something often. Like every day often.

Bad News:
I enjoy their creations. A lot.

Good News:
One day they will all have families and kitchens of their own to create for and destroy in.

Won't that be nice?
I will visit often.

:o)

Wasatch Back. -take two-

Here we are again, another Ragnar Relay under my belt.

That's three now:
Wasatch Back 2009, Vegas 2009, and Wasatch Back 2010.
Remember that crazy sister of mine that got me involved in all this?
Yep, this girl right here. This year was a little different....
this year she looked like this:

That's right, 30 weeks pregnant.
Do the math, peeps. That's 7 months.
Actually, I think if she would of done the math
she may have reconsidered.

But
she is a dutiful team captain...

And, really, with a team like this???Who could pass it up???

Not just a team as awesome as ours--
(Shout out to all members of
We Need More Cowbell)
--But, a van load like this....
Hello?!? We rock.
In this amazing van we have a slew of Nelson folk.


Richard, Amanda, Sara, Me-farmgirl, and Jonathan.
5 out of 8 siblings, not bad at all.
:o)


And the honorary Nelson we rounded up to finish the van off.....
My good buddy, and long lost pal
(thank you facebook)
Justin.
We go way back. Way, way back.
We were biology partners in high school.
We hadn't seen each other in
many moons.
He was a great sport to hop on board with the
Van-O-Nelsons.


So, this Ragnar round was a little different this year.
What with the life of the party growing a baby and all...
there was a little less craziness and picture taking and a little more of this
type of behavior than usual.


When it came time for our night runs and I found myself with a van full of zombies
I thought it would be a great time to whip out the old camera.
These night pics were snapped all during the night running extravaganza.
As you will see, I think it was appreciated by all...
(Now, as you view these--please try to control your insane jealousy over my
supreme amazing good looks during the hours of 2-5:30 AM
And, please, do remember and take into consideration
that I had just run 7 miles.
K?thanks.)


Me and Justin. He LOVED the flash photography.

Me and Sara. She was doing her best to ignore me, I think.
Weird, huh?

Me and Jonathan and Richard.
They were cooperative...
Well, sort of.

Who's missing?
Oh, that would be sleeping beauty.
I couldn't contort my body from the front seat to get a self portrait with her,
but if you look real close,
under that massive pile of blankets, pillows, missing sweat shirts, and my long lost yoga pants
you will see a little tuft of hair...
ya, that one kind of on the left...
that's all we saw of Amanda after she finished her run.
all.night.long.

She was one tired little lady.
But when it was all said and done...
at the completion of her last leg and the beginning of mine
I couldn't help but take a moment and give her a squeeze.
Now, before you get all misty eyed...
why don't I give you some behind the scenes info:
First of all, she nearly bowled me over (this girl was pooped),
it was all I could do to keep us standing.
Secondly, she later told me that this was not in fact a tender moment for her,
rather that she just wanted me to leave because I was going to make her cry.
She is such a sweet thing. ;)

One final look at
Da Boyz.

and
Da Girlz.


So, 16.5 miles later...

(Which, I thoroughly enjoyed running.
No, really, I did.
All that worrying I did? Silly, really.
In the end
I just decided to go out there, enjoy the scenery and have a great time.)

A good time was had by all.
Well, by this girl at any rate.
:o)

Where to begin?

At the beginning?
Seems logical.
One might think so...but, not for me.
I think I will just spew a blog post here and there and eventually I will cover the Idaho trip.
When last I posted I was feeling a wee bit melancholy---things turned out all right in the end.
A good time was had by all.
All right, so let's get crackin'
What do you want to know about first????
How about I tell you about me really getting in touch with the old farmgirl roots?

Here's the story:
Pretty much every visit home includes at least a couple of cow chasing episodes. This one did not disappoint. I actually don't mind getting the cows in. There was one instance that I didn't get the heads up to head on out....something about my parents thinking I was already asleep and letting me be--c'mon guys--I'm am good to go any time!! It always makes me feel farmgirlish to get the cows in, a little nostalgic I guess.

In fact, even my running was cow related this year. (besides the fact that our team name is 'We need more Cowbell') One morning I was heading out for a run and those crazy beasts were out so after running down to the state line and back twice, I called it a workout.
I did my last long run before the race with my brother, Richard and sister, Sara. Richard picked the location--Giraffe Hill. We drove to our starting point and ran about 6 very windy, but very beautiful miles. After we were done, we climbed back in the truck to head home. Long story short: someone was taking their cows out to range and we were stuck in a 'cow parade' for about 25 minutes. Good times.

Wanna know what the very best farmgirl thing was? When my dad asked me to stay a few extra days to help swath the hay. Need to see pictures to believe it??? Okay, Lucy was my trusty photographer....

Yep, this crazy girl right here.

There I am, in all my swathing glory.
You may not be able to see it very well, but that is indeed me behind the wheel.

Here's my view, not too shabby 'eh?

Have I ever told you my parents live in just about the most beautiful place on Earth?
No??
Well they do.

Goose took a self portrait of the two of us.
I'm a beauty to behold.
How do you like my googly eyes?
I like to refer to them as my swathing eyes...
one eye on the camera and one eye on the field.
(okay, so maybe not so much one on the field and one on the camera
as two eyes just plain going in two different directions)
That's how I roll.
I'm gifted.
Can you do that??
Ya, I thought not.

They keep a bean bag in there for the kiddos to sit/sleep on.

FYI the swather is pretty much the best nap spot ever.
Grant got some good zzzz's out there with me.
This is my view of her.


And this is her view of me.

There you go...farmgirl the swathing fool.

And while we are on the subject of Goose...
That girl of mine asked me a few weeks ago how long her hair would be if she cut 10 inches off.
I donated my hair a few years ago and she wanted to do the same.
She is a sweet girl, that one.



Her hair was really long.


Of course, she wouldn't dream of making such a change without the beautiful
Aunt Amanda behind the scissors.


I know my fancy camera work did not capture the moment...
but the look on her face was classic.

Such a cute, sassy new do.
Very, very Goose-esk.

Truth is....

I am still alive and have not fallen off the face of the Earth.

Truth is...
I am in Idaho.
I am in Idaho attempting to enjoy some R&R.

Truth is...
Normally when I am in Idaho I don't give the rest of my life much of a second thought, I unwind with the best of them. I soak in the scenery and recharge my farmgirlness.

Truth is...
That plan isn't working so well this year. There are people, important people, coming and going back in the St. G in the next little while. Specifically a baby coming and some besties going. I'm not a huge fan of missing any of this. And so--

Truth is...
I feel like I'm here but a big piece of my heart has been left behind. And I'm not used to that. As a general rule I like to keep all of my internal organs with me. However--

Truth is...
I better get it back together because I'm gonna need a lot of heart to run this race. That's right, the race that is happening Friday. As in, the day after tomorrow. The Wasatch Back is here again. I'm running with four of my siblings, that fact alone makes it all worth while.

Truth is...
I'm not feeling as prepared as I was last year.

Truth is...
I think I will be just fine any way. !st run-- 3.4 miles. 2nd run--7 miles. 3rd run--6.1 miles. Total milege--16.5 I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. I can do it. See a pattern?? Ya, I can do it.

Truth is...
It is now 10:57. The latest I have been awake (by a good 45 minutes-and even that was only one night and kind of a fluke) since my arrival here. And I am starting to feel it.

Truth is...
I took a Tylenol PM before sitting down to write this.

Truth is...
I think the drugs are catching up with me....
:)
Peace out.

Dear Diary,

Day five of summer vacation. So far, so good.
Currently listening to two oldest children fighting, like to think of it as our summer themed background music--it plays a lot. After a while it's like elevator music, hardly even notice it.
Quite enjoying the lazy mornings. Lazy meaning still up at 6:15, just enjoying not going from sleep to fifth gear in 60 seconds.
House cleanliness: approximately 67%.
Okay for now, cannot maintain sanity and 67% cleanliness for extended period of time.
Leaving for three days to attend Youth Conference in mere 36 hours, taking oldest child.
Expected house cleanliness upon return: approximately 38%.
If house is still standing, and all four remaining children are unscathed- will accept 38% happily.
Hoping to ban entire family for minimum 4 hours from house for recovery mission.
Clean House = Happy Mama
Clean House cleaned by Mama = Even Happier Mama
Happy Mama = Happy Family
:o)