A little crazy.

So some days I go just a little crazy.  I know, shocking!   My first instinct is to complain about it.  Pretty much to anyone who will listen.  HOWEVER, I hate to be a complainer, so by default, Steve gets to listen.  He is obligated by marriage, poor guy.  So, in the midst of my insanity I sit down and send him an email.  It is a great way to vent.  Generally I get a concerned phone call, asking if I am OK, and if the kids are OK.  (I would never kill them, just injure them... what kind of animal do you think I am?)

When he doesn't call, I get an email back.  They always make me laugh, and because of them I can generally go on with life until he gets home to rescue me.  

Here is an example of my rants:

Steve,

I am writing to let you know that I am heading for a breakdown.  Here are a few reasons why:

-You think that Amanda is more beautiful than me. :)

Inside joke about a TV show girl who says "LIKE" all the time

-You refuse to admit that I am fat

-You stink                             

I threw that in there to scare him!

-Makenna has stinky feet that make the whole house stink

-I can't keep the house clean

And last but defiantly not least..........

Your charming sons cut up their new pajamas last night...YUP, they just took scissors to them and started cutting.  Coren even has a cut on his stomach!

They are in deep trouble.

So as you can see, it is a dang good thing that I am getting a break tonight.

I love you,

Crazy

Here was my response, which of course made me laugh!

Dear Crazy,

We all have hard times.  Amanda is equally as beautiful as you, not more beautiful than you.  And you, like, are so much more personable than she is.  I refuse to admit that you are fat because I refuse to jeopardize my morals by lying.  I don't know why I stink.  Can you elaborate?  Is it B.O.?  Swass?  Makenna does have some rank feet.  Can you get her some anti-odor stuff?  You do a great job keeping the house clean.  Especially considering you have four tyrants to stay in front of.  Lastly, pajamas can be replaced.  Pictures of the evidence of their mischievousness cannot, so just smile it off.  You will survive today and have fun tonight and be able to get right back to it tomorrow.

Somebody loves you crazy... remember that.

So the moral of my story.  If you, like me, are headed for a breakdown... find a reason to laugh, and you will feel so much better.  THE END!

The Reward

Saturday I had to do my highly dreaded 20 mile training run.  I have not been looking forward to it, but was anticipating the day that it would be behind me.

My friend Heather (who is a much more experienced runner than I am) told me that I needed to have something that would be my reward if I made it through.  Something that I could look forward to on the run.  I thought about it, and the only thing that I could come up with was that having it done would be a huge reward.  But, I was hoping for something amazing.

The entire first half of the run I was racking my brain.  Nothing!  Then, all of the sudden while running around this amazing lake, I came across a chair.

THE CHAIR!

I saw this chair and it was like a light bulb started to flash.  This was it!  The chair looked so comfortable, and it overlooked an amazing view.  I wanted to go and get my kids and bring them to this exact spot and watch them play on the rocks while I rested.

I arrived home, alive, which was a huge bonus.  Steve had the house clean, the kids fed and dressed, laundry and the dishwasher going!  I went around telling everyone how great the run was and that I was so happy to have it done.  I felt so relieved.  I hurried and took a hot bath to calm my sore legs and then I got the kids in the car and told them that we were going to have a picnic by the lake.  They were very excited.

We got to the lake and my butt sat right in that chair.  I put life jackets on the kids just so that I didn't have to worry about anything and they played for hours.  They had so much fun!

THE VIEW!

Makenna immediately went out into the water, even though you can't swim in it (so we got in trouble by security, but who cares?).  She spent the rest of the time freezing, but happy.
Coren brought his caps and cap gun and was shooting at everything and everyone.  He was having a blast!
Sunday I woke up feeling pretty good.  In the afternoon Steve 

told me that I really needed to do a recovery...something.  Either bike or run.  I snapped back that I WOULD NOT be running!  I said that I would be taking a recovery NAP!  So I got a few pillows and a blanket and laid down.  Coren came in with his favorite puppy and gave it to me to sleep with.  He made my day.  It was so cute.  Steve let me sleep for 2 hours (longer then he was supposed to let me sleep), and then when I woke up made me go on a bike ride.  It was for my own good, and we had tons of fun.  We went back to the lake, and the kids loved it.  Again!

Shopping early.

I don't want to do it, but I am going to have to.  It is that nasty word that no-one wants to hear.  Christmas Shopping!!!!  EWWWW, just the thought!  It brings tears to my eyes... usually.  Not this year.  I was just surfing the web trying to find the PERFECT gifts for the ones that I love (and don't love, but am obligated to buy for) and I found the best website.  I got all of my shopping done in one place, and I am SO excited for Christmas morning.  I cannot wait to see the look on their faces when they see what I got them.  To say that I am excited is an extreme understatement.  First, everything is handmade.  How many people can say that?  Not many!  Also, all of the proceeds go to help large families who are struggling to pay legal fees.  It really makes me feel like I am helping those in need, as well as getting some great quality items.

Now, if you do not want to see what I got you... STOP READING NOW!  But if you would like a sneak peak, so that you have something to get excited about.. read on.  

I got these AMAZING aprons ($23.45) for all of my sister-in -laws and even my own sister Brooke.  Think of how cute we will all look cooking our Thanksgiving Feasts together in these.  I cannot tell you which colors you are getting, that part will need to be a surprise.  Get excited girls, you are going to look great.

Friends... I got hair endies for everyone!  I may surprise you with a book on braids to go with it, but I need to check the budget.  So, if you know me but are not related, you are for sure getting one of these.  I was thinking that it would be so fun if everyone got together and we all wore matching endies and had matching braids.  Just an idea... I will let you know a date when I figure it all out.
All of my nephews... TA DUH!  Look at these hats.  I have never seen such cuteness.  I hope that I can get everyone together for a picture.  ADORABLE.
For my Mom and my Mother-in -law, nighties ($50).  These nighties will not only be comfortable, but really pretty sexy.  Don't tell Steve, but I got one for me too!  He won't be able to keep his hands off of me!
So needless to say my shopping is nearly done.  What a relief.  This is going to be a great Christmas.

Get your gifts at www.fldscrafts.com

Tongue=Brain?

There must be something about working hard and having your tongue sticking out, because several of us in the family do it.  I guess that it gives you more brain power.  I caught Carson doing it while he was working on his homework, and I guess it helped because he did a great job.

My baby turned 4

I cannot believe that Coren is 4.  It seems like just a short time ago he was born.  A lot has happened between then and now but he continues to grow and surprise us every day.  He is such a cute little guy, and I hope that he let's me call him "my baby" for another year or two!

Coren got a bike and skateboard jump for his birthday.  He was pretty excited to try it out.  He got on his bike, started to peddle, and went right off it.  Honestly is a pretty dumb jump, but he likes it.

He crashed on it a few times, which he wasn't very happy about, but he has gone off it many times since then.  He is pretty good at it.  It is like going over a giant bump, there is no 'catching air' involved, so it is funny to watch.

Makenna went off it too.  She was nervous and very intense, but she did it.  It was really funny.

The game for the night was created by Steve.  Attach bungie cords to the kids and make then run to Brad.  It was NOT a very good game and ended with Makenna's pants ripping and Carson getting smacked by the loose bungie.  Poor guy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIDDLERS!

High School

The other day wen I was running I heard this song about High School.  It made me start to laugh because it was SO TRUE.  It talked about what mattered in high school, and I started to think about how funny we really are during that time.  And, how it would be so nice if the worries that we have in life as we grow up were as simple as these:

Transportation:  You are only as cool as the people that you drive with.  How HORRIBLE would it be to be seen driving alone?  Or worse, to have a piece of crap car or none at all.  Of course, you NEVER want to be seen walking to school, especially alone.  Nothing is cooler than someone who has a really nice car.  In fact, if you have a nice car you are known for it.  "You know, that guy who drives that really nice convertible!  He is like SO cool!"

Notes:  Remember the notes.  Man, the more notes you got the more popular you were.  There were just so many things to say to people, and it had to be said in a note.  So, instead of paying attention in class, you spent all of your time writing a note to someone that you would see in about 40 minutes being really careful not to let the teacher see it.  Then you would decorate it up really cute, and then fold it with your coolest note folding technique.  Then, as soon as the bell would ring you would pass that person in the hall and give them their note.  The note that took all of class to write and really said nothing.  So instead of just saying, "Hey let's ride home together!" you asked them in a note.  Then, they would spend all of the next class writing their note that basically said "OK, Sure, SO FUN!"

Clothes:  DO NOT come to school in clothes that are not from the Gap.  If you do, you are truly a loser.  And please, if you wore that last week, do not show up in it for at least two more weeks.  That is just NOT OK!  You better be wearing those Guess jeans, or your family is poor.  Even if they aren't poor, they are poor.  Either that or they are just totally rude and probably hate you, so everyone else should hate you too, right?  And if you happen to have a Letterman's jacket because you are just a TOTAL JOCK STUD, wear it daily.  It doesn't matter if it is burning hot out, you can cool off later, just WEAR THAT COOL THING!

Lunch:  You cannot sit alone.  In fact, if you do not see a familiar face, you are better off locking yourself in a bathroom stall pretending to pee so that no-one sees what a LONER you are.  PLEASE, get some friends.  Even if you don't know someone, act like you do.  Being alone is just NOT cool.  And really, eating in the lunch room?  Don't you know that you can go to Arby's?  I mean, this is high school.  We DON'T eat in a cafeteria.  That is so sick.   BUT, if you do eat in the cafeteria you have some choices to make.  See that table with all of the "cool kids"?  Are you cool enough to sit there?  I mean you know them, and they say HI and stuff.  But, are you at that WAY COOL level that you can SIT next to them?  If you brave it and sit there once, then you are in.  You can now officially sit there every day!

Dances:  You better get invited or else.  And, the sooner that you get asked the better.  Then, if you do get asked (YOU BETTER GET ASKED) you need to go and spend at least $100 on a dress.  And, you can NEVER wear that dress again.  Wearing it for 5 hours just make it so OLD and if you are ever seen in it again, well, you will probably NEVER get asked to another dance again!  Then, get a fun group together, and get you hair done really nice.  You may want to even go and get a MAKEOVER.  OH MY GOSH, they make you look SO HOT!  Then comes the dance.  You go to a really nice dinner, and then show up and dance one or two songs and then move on to your next activity, after the pictures of course.  After all, the picture is what the dress and the hair and the makeup was really for, right?

Boys:  We need boys every second of every day.  You arrive at school, and immediately start looking for that boy that you are "IN LOVE WITH".  How great is it to actually be able to see him before school and walk around holding his hand.  Then you have to part ways (it is SO SAD) and go to class.  You BETTER write him a note, after all, he needs to know how much you miss him and how hard it is to be away from him.  Then the bell rings, and you are on the hunt.  You know HIS schedule just as well as yours, so you know that he will be walking down the west hall.  You charge towards the west hall, passing notes on the way.  Then you see him.  Finally, after what seems like years you re-unite!  You hurry and hold hands and then run off to your next class where you read the note that he wrote back to you.  You write back and remind him about the dance coming up.  He better ask you!  FAST.  Soon, people are going to be asking if you were asked to the dance yet.  After school, you go and find your man.  Then once you get home you call him.  The next week you realize that you hate that guy, and so you have a new man.  Hopefully, this doesn't mess up the dance.  If so, wait to break up until after the dance (or after Christmas, you know he got you something!)

Grades:  NOT IMPORTANT.  Do what is necessary to get by.  As long as you don't get grounded from your man and your girls, you are one happy chick.  Writing notes is so much more important than an A, right?

Football:  The big event.  Show up to the games, because that is where everyone else is at.  Cheer, even though you have NO idea what is going on.  Just BE THERE.  It is the place to be.  Boys, if you can, wear a Letterman's jacket.  Even if you don't play football, you need to show that you are good at something else.  Plus, it attracts girls, and let's the guys know how cool you really are. 

Girls, please tell me that you are either on the drill team, or a cheerleader.  After the games you need to spend lots of time in the locker room getting yourself looking HOT!  You know you worked hard, and everyone needs to know.  When you come out, please come together.  It looks WAY cooler.

Gossip:  The more you know, the more you are needed.  You need to know what is happening, who is happening, and who are together or not together anymore.  Tell everyone, and then they will tell everyone, and then COOL, the whole school knows.  To bad it was all a lie!  OH WELL, you better hurry and re-apply your lip gloss, the bell is about to ring.

Sluffing:  OK, at least sluff seminary.  And when you sluff and risk your life (my parents are going to kill me, OH WELL LET'S GO!) just go and drive around or something.  I guess if you are a rebel, you could go and get high.  If you do get high, please tell everyone.  They will think you are cool and really brave.  Maybe they will even call you a "druggie!"

So high school, man those were the days!!  What would I do if I had to do it over again?  

***PS- I didn't do those things, just the other stupid girls did.  OK, I did a few things, but don't tell anyone.  You are the ONLY one that I am telling, I swear.  I can trust you, right?*** 

***PSS- I would love it if someone wrote me a note.  I will write you back, I promise.***

*** PSSS- I totally LOVE you and you are my BFF!***

*** PSSSS-  I am going to learn origami so that I fold notes really cool, so if you want one, write me a note next period and I will write ya back!***

***PSSSSS-  I put a note with this one for my boyfriend.  It is a love letter with some juicy details.  I know you have math with him, so give it to him for me.  Don't read it, ya swear?***

                                         -K- BYE!

Wait!  The most AWESOME thing just happened.  My neighbor just brought me some tomatoes.  She could have given them to anyone and she chose me!!!  I think I am going to make her a note and pass it to her in Relief Society!    I think I will use my favorite scrapbook paper!  You know what this means don't you?  Don't you?  I am popular here!  OH.....  I am so excited.  I hope she writes back!

All of the sudden I hear someone outside yelling...

   "HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT, HOLY SHIT!"

I run outside and see Carson spinning around in the rain.

"Carson, why are you swearing?"

         "Because it is raining really hard," he says laughing.

Utah on a box

Makenna came home from school and told me that they were doing a project with salt dough where they would make Utah.  She said to get her some cardboard.  So, I spent all of this time cutting the cardboard perfectly, and then even wrapping it in foil so that it would look nice.  I made it so that there would be about 1 inch on each side of Utah.  I told her to be really careful with the cardboard so that the edges didn't bend or so that the foil would not tear. 

The next day I pulled up to the school excited to see her project.

She walks up with this:

"Makenna, what happened to the cardboard I gave you?????!!!!???"

"Some kid had this and said I could use it."

"Well, does your teacher know that I sent you with cardboard, or does she think I am a big loser?"

"She knows."

"Well, that would have looked better on my cardboard you know?"

"What?  I like this."

"I don't.  I like the Utah part, but I do not like the cardboard at all!"

"MOM, you are so RUDE!"

"You are so rude not to use my cardboard.  That took tons of time, and looked really good.  Unlike the beastly box you have that on."

"Well, we could cut it."

"I decided that you are grounded."

"For a box?"

"Yes, for a box."

"NO!  Gosh, you are crazy.  Seriously."

Then we made up, and she got un-grounded.  Man, reading that makes me realize how mature I am. **However, just think of how nice it could have looked.  What a shame.**

HWIT

Housewife in Training...

I used this week as a training course for my little slave Coren.  I told him that he needed housewife training and he agreed.

He does dishes. 

Cooks me Meals.

And talks on the Phone.

He is a quick learner and was doing a great job until the next day...WHEN HE QUIT!  He is now back to being a kid, and said that I can just do it.  What is IT? "Everything!" 

Too funny!

The other day Coren and his friend William were telling me about William's Grandpa.  It started out that his Grandpa is Jesus (The Jesus)... and well it just got funnier from there.  I ran and got the camera to record them, but my battery was nearly dead... so I have a partial clip.  Watch them scramble to get their story straight.  It is funny.

What a world we live in.

Carson arrived home from school.

               "How was your day?"

"It was good.  We had a lock-down drill!"

                 I felt sick!  "What's that?"

"We lock the door and we all sit on the rug.  Even if someone knocks on the door and says to open it we can't.  We have to stay very quiet.  Then when the Principal says it's OK, we can get up again."

I received the following email from the school.

I just wanted to let you all know that we held a lock-down drill at our school today.  A school lock-down is the procedure taken if there is a serious safety concern in the school such as an active shooter.  We did not go into any detail with the students as to why we practice this drill as we don't want to frighten them unnecessarily.  I don't want your students to be alarmed or worried.  We don't expect any problems like that, but it's always best to be prepared...

NEVER did we (us older folk) have to worry about someone coming into our school and shooting us.  Never.  It is so sad that we live in a world that this is a concern.  Such a big concern that they do a drill at the beginning of the school year.  While I am VERY glad that the school is taking these precautions, it makes a Mother feel sick inside.

SiCk!!!

He has another (dangerous) obsession.  He is now the proud owner of a skateboard (thanks Brooke) and he is LOVING it!  The fact that it says 'sick' on it makes it even cooler.

In true Coren style, he got right on and was ready for hills and tricks.  Forget the basics.  I am sure that he will have it mastered in no time.

BUSY BEE'S

We have been waiting and waiting for this day to come.  Finally, Coren had his first day at

Busy Bee's Preschool!

He has been so excited and we have been counting down the months, weeks, and days.  He was of course ready to go first thing this morning, but we had to wait until 11:45.  Finally it was time to go and he was all smiles.

He had a great first day of school and can't wait to go back tomorrow.  I am SO glad that he loved it.

His favorite thing is that the school is just down the street and so he gets to ride his bike.  He looked so big.  My baby is now a big boy.  Sad!
Today was just BUSY in general.  I have been dreading this day because I knew that it started more craziness in my life, but excited because I knew it would open up a few hours just for me each week.  Last night I laid in bed and thought of all of the things that I had to do today.  I barely found a way to fit it all in.  I forgot to plan for the unexpected, so imagine my surprise when my day ended up going like this.

7:30- Alarm goes off.  I was already awake and laying there lazy (as usual) and so I got out of bed.  I made sure that Kenna was up, and she was.  She was dressed and on her bed reading a book.  The one about the vampires.  I tried to get her to eat, but she wouldn't.  "You don't understand, Alice came back."  I went into the kitchen.  I glanced over at the brownies sitting on the oven.  MMMM, I cannot resist brownies.  I figured it was early in the day for brownies, and amazed myself with my one-time will power.  I passed up the brownies and went to the fridge for a glass of orange juice.  Sadly it was warm, which meant that the fridge was not working.  I didn't have time for this.  I took a deep breath and left to wake up the boys.

8:00- Finally got Makenna in the car.  Went and got the kids and drove the carpool to school.

8:30- Home.  Filled some bags with ice and put them in the fridge.  Felt the new thing of milk.  It was warm.  Took another deep breath.  Called a repair man.  They can come TOMORROW.  Another deep breath.

9:00- Started my run.  My leg has been hurting so bad.  The first two miles were so painful.  Then it went numb.  Last 4 miles were fine.

10:00- Finished eating a green pepper (yeah, I know, YUM) and jumped in the shower.  Got the boys in with me so that we could make it speedy.

11:00- Fed the kids and thought about how I could eat more bananas to help my leg.  Only problem is that I HATE bananas.

11:30- Time for preschool.  Took some pictures and then dropped him off.

12:00- Took Carson to school.  I told him that it would be fun to have some time with just me and him.  He told me to turn on a movie.

12:20- Arrived at WalMart to buy ice for the fridge.  Picked up some fruit to add to my bananas to make a smoothie and went to the car.  Realized I forgot the ice and went back in.

1:00- Got home with the ice and put it in the fridge.  Ate a smoothie.  Did some laundry.

2:00- Left to get Coren.  He came out and told me all about his wonderful day and how much he loves it.  That made me happy.

3:00- Left to pick up carpool.  Carpool kids said that they are going to a new school.  Great more driving for me. Hoped they were wrong.  (Luckily there Mom confirmed that this was a lie)

3:50- Finally got home and started homework when the phone rang.  It was Steve telling me that he might get transferred to Price because the Superintendent out there just found out that he has cancer and one month to live.  So, he may have to work out of town for a while and just come home on the weekends.  Deep breath.

4:30- My headache is getting worse.  The kids just went to play with friends, and I am finally able to have a minute to breathe.  What a day.  Now, I will go and make dinner and get the kids to bed because Steve has to work late.  

We are indeed busy bees!

And then, they ate!

I arrived home from a very long and exhausting Saturday morning run.  It was pretty early and I was amazed that the kids were already up and at it.  Little did I know, they had already made breakfast!

Makenna greeted me and let me know in her most excited voice that she had made breakfast for her and the boys.  A little panic set in when I pictured the kitchen, but I was way too tired to care.

She proceeded to tell me that she made a giant pancake, and then I saw the kitchen.  It just so happened that the kitchen also looked like a giant pancake.  She even took pictures of the entire event so that I could see what they had done.  Brave if you ask me.

She continued. "Once the batter was made we poured it on the skillet until it was all of the way covered.  We realized that turning it would be impossible, so we cut it into a bunch of pieces."

I was a nice Mom that day and told them all that they had done a great job.  I didn't even make them clean it up.  Looking back, they probably were incapable of cleaning the disaster up anyways!

Then, it was time to see the actual meal.  "UM WOW, YUM!  IT IS FLOATING..." was all I could say.  It was a really sick sight.  I think they all gained 20 pounds that meal.  By some miracle, no one puked!

Surprise.

This morning I woke up and I was all cuddled with the cutest guy.  It wasn't Steve.  I had no idea how he had gotten into my bed, but I didn't care.  Although I was laying on the very edge of the bed, nearly falling, I was still very comfortable and warm.  Maybe a little too warm.  At first I welcomed the heat as the air was chilled from the crisp morning air.  I snuggled closer to him only to realize that the heat I felt was a strange heat.  A wet heat.

It had been so long since I had woken up to a puddle of pee, and yes it was happening again.  It wasn't the best thing to wake up to, I will just say that.  What I did love to wake up to was a cute little face, and memories of when he was smaller and would climb into bed with me almost every night.  I miss when my kids were so little.  I don't miss them peeing on me!

We will always remember.

September 11, 2001 

Terrorists attacked and thousands of lives were lost.

The nation watched in horror as planes struck the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington D.C.

Other planes were intentionally crashed by hero's who sacrificed to save others.

Bodies fell, buildings collapsed, and right before our eyes Fathers, Mothers, Children, and loved ones were taken.

Our nation was forever changed.

Once airlines began to fly again, Steve and I bravely boarded a plane for New York.  We wanted to see for ourselves what devastation had been caused.  We safely landed and walked towards the subway.  The city was very sober, unlike New York on the typical day.  The air was thick with smoke, and you could feel death.  It was like anything I have ever seen or felt.
We made our way to 'ground zero'.  As we walked, we saw broken windows blocks away from the World Trade Center.  Windows were covered in a thick dust of ash, and people were carefully writing messages in the windows to those that were lost and to the terrorists who did this.  Some messages were full of hope and inspiration, other full of anger and hurt.  We didn't know what to write, and so we left our names.  We left our names as a way to say that we were there and that we felt the pain of all Americans.   

We were very surprised at how close we were able to get to the site.  Fences were still going up, and volunteers were still searching for bodies.  Hope was fading, people were searching, and memorials were going up.

Steam was coming up from the sewers.  It was very hot air, and unlike anything I had ever smelt.  The air smelt of dead bodies and fire.  It was hard to imagine that people were smashed under the rubble, or that just days before this area was business as usual.Some knew that their loved ones were gone, others were still hanging on to the hope that they would be found.  Missing posters were hung on every pole, and flowers and tributes lined every road.We saw people crying, praying, and saying good-bye.
Cranes moved rubble, and more smoke would enter the air.  11 days later, the fire smoldered.
Everyone cried.  No-one smiled.  This was something that should never have happened.
My tears flowed when I saw cars still in the parking garages.  It was the reality that these people arrived at work, and never went home.  In the days to come, someone would have to come and retrieve their cars, and leave behind their family member or friend whose body would likely never be found.  They were gone forever.
I hope that I never have to see such a horrible sight again in my lifetime.  I am glad that I was able to see it, because the reality of how bad it was will forever be in my mind.
7 years later we have rebuilt and cleaned up the mess.  Families of the victims have gone on with their lives.  The tragedy of that day will always be very real, and will never be forgotten.  We will always remember.

My peeps!

I have followers.  I am popular, HORRAY!  Mornings around here I have two little studs that stalk me and follow me everywhere I go.  If I run on the treadmill, they run when I am done.  While I am running, they sit on the bed and watch me while they eat their cereal.  If it is a day that I do not run, they grab their bowl and follow me everywhere I go.  I can see why they like me so much, after all I am pretty exciting! 

The things we love.

All of us have our 'favorite things'.  For some of us it may be a vehicle, jewelry, our home, a favorite vacation spot, our computer, or any number of things.  Coren loves his bike.  He loves to ride it, he smiles when he looks at it, and he takes great care of it.  At the end of the day, his toys and clothes lay on the floor.  His room is a mess, and he doesn't even bother to put on pajamas.  

His bike however is carefully put away in the bike rack in the garage.  His helmet hangs from its handlebars, and he leaves it ready to go, so that next time he chooses to ride it the bike will be ready and in good condition.
Coren loves to wash his bike.  He likes it free of dirt and wants it to shine.  He takes such good care of it because he loves it so much.  Other things that are not as important to him can lay messy and unorganized, but not his bike.

Normally, Coren would find a puddle and play in it.  This time, he is collecting the extra soap to use to make his bike look extra nice.

As I watched Coren take such pride in the cleaning of his bike I wondered why he is not like this in all aspects of his life.  Why does he take so much better care of this one item?  Does his love for this item completely change his behavior?  After all Coren is not a clean person.

I decided that there are certain things in our lives that mean so much to us that we need to give them all of our attention and dedication.  If we spent equal time and energy in all things in our life, we would never have a special connection to that one thing that means the world to us.

My family means the world to me.  I do not care if I am rich, or if I am famous.  My house may be a mess, my car may not be my dream one.  I may forget to do things, or run late sometimes.  The one thing that I will always take care of is my family.

I want my family to sparkle with joy and love.  If we run out of 'soap' I will always chase it to the end of the driveway and bring it back to them until they have everything that they need.

Like the bike of a 3 year old, I know what I love and I want to take better care of it than anything else in this world.

I am glad that Coren was able to remind me to love the things that are special to me above all else.

State Fair.

It was time to make our annual trip to the Utah State Fair.  We love it.  Not sure why, but it is something that we look forward to all year.  I was very excited to hear that on opening day admission is only $2, what a bargain.  Once you get there everything is a huge rip-off, but at least we got a deal going in.  I always love a great deal.

We were all looking forward to different things.  Coren was very clear on his faves.  He wanted to see the animals and ride the ponies.

He was so excited to finally find the pony ride, and was really proud to ride "Rocky."

I love to go and do some people watching.  It is always VERY interesting to see and always makes me laugh (or cry).  I also love to look in all of the booths and see what crazy things people are selling.

Me and Coren found someone selling carmel apples, and of course, had to support them.

Makenna is our little artist, and she loves to see all of the painting, crafts, and other artwork.  They found some little guys that they wanted to bring home.  They look like a great addition to the family, don't they?

The kids love to touch all of the animals and get as many germs on their hands as possible.  Then, they love to touch me.  It is my favorite thing.  NOT.

Little PIGGIES!

Carson was very brave this year and was feeding and touching everything.  We were proud of him.
Kenna made some new friends.
Coren was way into the piglets, luckily none of them tried to bite him.
We had a great time and we will be back next year.  Or maybe even again this year!