Name CHANGE! Now PLEASE!!!

Mom Mom Mom MOM MoM Mom MOM Mom MOMMMMM!

If I have to hear that name one more time... I could freak out!  

So as of today I am changing my name. I am no longer 'MOM'!  I am actually really excited about it.  That name has been completely worn out.  It is not an original name.  Everywhere I go I hear it, even if my kids aren't with me.  Let's face it, there are just too many Mom's out there.

At one time I really liked the name, in fact, I would try so hard to get my kids to say it when they were little. It seems like once they learned it, they never quit saying it!  It is all I hear, and sometimes it hurts my ears a little bit.

So I have given the kids a lesson on choosing names that sound better than Mom.  Coren doesn't get it, so I told him that he (only he) can call me Mom however it can't be just Mom.  I told him that he needs to add some spunk to Mom.  Here are some ideas that I gave him:

~ Sexy Mama              ~ Beautiful Mom

~ Worlds best Mom     ~ My Mom is better 

                                          than your Mom

~ Amazing Mom          ~ Too young to be a Mom

~ Talented Mom          ~ Your not my Mom

The good news:  If this works I am going to be really happy.  I will teach this technique to other Mom's who have annoying kids, maybe even write a book about it, and I will get really rich!  

The bad news:  As I have been writing this, I have heard "Mom" 8 times.  

Something good out of it.

Ok, so I don't know from experience, but from everything I have heard serving a mission is not only the most amazing thing that you will ever do, but it is also the hardest.  It is the time in your life that you learn the most, grow the most, and possibly set the stage for your entire life.

I hear so many people question wether they had any impact on the lives of others while they were on their mission.  They wonder if they truly helped anyone, or impacted the lives of others.  How hard would it be to spend every day of your life for two years doing something you totally believe in and put your whole heart into it only to hope that you have had an impact?  To just hope that something good came out of it.

Steve, or Elder Steve Johns, looks like he started out on the right foot.  Here is is with some fellow missionaries drinking what appers to be beer.  I know, it wasn't beer, but how great to start off the mission by wishing it was a beer.  I bet that happens a lot more than you hear about.  It looks like these boys were a little more vocal about it than most would be.  "Here's to the next two years of our lives boys... drink up!"

Then there is that companion that just loves you SO MUCH!  So much that you just stop what you are doing for a little cuddle, and look up.  Not sure what you would look up at, but in such an uncomfortable situation what else do you do but look up?  

Looking at this picture "normal" people might think it is a little strange.  What am I saying?  It's strange, and this man lover is not the good thing that came out of his mission.  PHEW!

When Steve talks about his mission, he has so many great things to say, and stories of so many great people that he met while he was in Chile.  The one name that always come up is Gilda.  She was such a great friend to him.  When his shoes were falling apart and full of holes, she bought him some new shoes.  She always made sure that the missionaries were taken care of, but he was in her area for so long that they formed a great friendship.  In fact, I think it is safe to say that they became family.  Over the years we have had the amazing experience of having Gilda come to visit us and stay with us several times.  We always have SO much fun when she is here.  She is now someone that we all care about very much.  Currently, she lives in San Francisco where she is going to school and being a nanny.  She has so many friends and boyfriends, that it is hard for me to keep current with her busy and exciting life.

The thing that I love about her is that no matter how busy her life is, she always finds time to keep in touch with the friends and family that are so important in her life.  Something that I wish I was better at.  She is full of faith, knowledge, ambition... and of course FUN!  

We all love her so much and wish that she lived closer so that we could spend more time with her.  Luckily, her visa just got extended for 3 years (HORRAY!) and that means that we will be seeing her in October when we go to San Francisco for my marathon (lucky her, she might get to see me DIE!).

Enough about how awesome she is, I could go on all day.  My point is this:  Meeting Gilda and bringing her into our family is one undeniably good thing that came out of Steve's mission.  There are more, but this one is good enough.  We miss you Gilda.  Thanks for EVERYTHING and congrats on getting you VISA!!!!

Mueller Park

We went up the canyon to hang out with family last Sunday.  The kids had a great time playing in the river, just like I always did when I was a kid!

I want you!

Please meet the new love of my life.  Well, at least I want it to be the love of my life.  We just met the other day at the shoe store, but I think that I speak for both of us when I say that it was love at first sight.

My eye met it's laces, and from there, I just couldn't keep my hands off of it.  I kept looking at it and putting it on my foot.  Let me just say that we fit each other perfectly!  We walked together and the more time that we had together, the deeper the love got.  I felt like I was walking on a cloud, or maybe even in the clouds.  I wanted to run away with it, but what would people think?  After all I was just there and brought home another shoe a month before.  Where was this beauty then?  

I wanted to take it home, but I didn't think that my husband would approve.  I was sure that I could talk him into letting my new love into the home, but I wasn't sure if he would like the financial responsibility of this high class love!  Surely once he saw how happy it made me he would surprise me with it, but that was last week, and still I wait.  I miss it.  I want to wear it again and go on a long, long run.  Just me and my love...

This story has a sad ending.  My husband refused to spare the $130 that I needed to keep this love affair going.  I am worried that some other person saw my shoe and took it home for them self, and we will be apart forever!  But, I have hope.  I know that someone out there loves me so much that they will find a way to reunite me with my love... forever.  

So... if you love me, if you want to love me, or even if you just feel sorry for me because I am a desperate fool, please find it in your heart to help me.  Maybe you were just sitting there thinking that you had some extra cash that you wanted to give to charity; well here I am.  Maybe you just won the lottery, or found some money in your pocket that you had forgotten about.  Maybe you found someones wallet, and you felt too guilty to spend the money, I don't; so bring it by.

Steve!  Remember when you got me those great running shoes for my Birthday last year and I was SO happy?  Remember how you gave them to me a little early?  I know that July is pretty early, but time goes by SO fast!  Before you know it my Birthday will be here.  Just think about it...

Someday I will have my love and we will be so happy, until then I will wait patiently.

***Just in case... Asics Gel Kinsei 2 Size 8.  I like the pink but any color would do.***  A girl can dream, right?

**** Also, if you would like me to write a love story about you and something you love, I would be happy to.  I only charge $130. ****

The zoo.

Our door is always open, and we would love to have you come by anytime, however, we may have to start to charge admission as we will soon be functioning as a fully operational ZOO.

That's right!  Not only do we have a fish, but to replace our frogs, Steve was kind enough to come home with a lizard...

Unfortunately, we do not make great zookeepers, and we were all too afraid to actually touch the lizard, so the neighbor lady offered her services and got the lizard into the cage for us (yes, the same one that caught the snake for the kids, and yes, she will be on the payroll!).

Plus, to make things more exciting, my brother Zak found a turtle in the storm drain.  He brought it home and figured that he would just give it to Makenna as a pet.  The good news (I guess you could call it good news) is that my Dad told me the turtle can just live in the backyard.  He says that it will just wander around and find a warm place to hibernate in the winter.  As he is telling me this, my cousin Kristen says that she has 4 turtles that she would love to send our way. 

Wow!  So I guess that makes 5 turtles, a lizard, a fish, and if the frog is still out there alive; a frog!  So while we are at it we may as well just get a horse (I mean that would free up the time we usually spend mowing the lawn) a cow (I do love a good steak), some chickens (we can use the eggs either for eating or throwing at mean people), an elephant (the neighbor kids would just LOVE rides), and for when the kids are bad... a lion to scare them with.  Add that to the zoo that we already have here, and I think we will be in business!

The fight of my life!

It is time.  Time for my 30 year old skin to make a choice.  To make up it's mind.  In fact, it is past time.  It is time for us (my skin and I) to go one way or the other.  At some point we are going to need to make a decision, to make a choice on which path that we are going to take. Soon, very soon, my skin is going to have to start to cooperate with me, or I might just need to find me some new skin!

You would think that at my age (OK, so I am not saying I am ancient, just not the teenager I once was) I would be past the zit phase.  And the worst part is that I was.  For years my skin looked great!  But now, they are back, popping up randomly to haunt me, and make my life difficult.  

Don't get me wrong, I would love to have youthful skin forever, and if it was just the zits I wouldn't complain.  You see, not only are the annoying little pimples making a home on my face, but wrinkles are starting to make themselves at home as well.  What is this?  Are the wrinkles little pathways for the zits to travel around on?  Is there soon going to be a little village of zit people and wrinkle roads taking over what was once my face?  Am I going to need my own zip code so that they can start to sell off my skin like a prime plot of real estate?  I wonder who would be willing to pay more to see me tortured?  The zits or the wrinkles?

I am fighting!!!!!  You should see my creams and potions...  my scrubs and my lotions...  the miracles cures galore... I can't handle it ANYMORE!!!!!  

So what do you do when your zit remover dries your skin, and your dry skin causes wrinkles, so you put lotion on the dry skin to prevent the wrinkles, and the lotion causes zits?  Do you just cry a little and move on with life?  Do you see a doctor (at this point I am not sure if I should call the Dermatologist or the Shrink) or just deal with it?

I heard a joke about a man who wanted to buy a 12 pack of beer for $15.  His wife said that it was too expensive.  Next, they went to the beauty section and she grabbed a tiny little jar of face cream that cost $30 and put it into the cart.  When he asked why it was OK for her to spend $30 on face cream when he couldn't have his beer, she replied that the face cream made her look beautiful.  He of course replied that if he drank the beer that cost just $15, that too would make her appear more beautiful. 

Maybe the answer is in a more alcholic society?  Probably not!  All I know is that I am tried of having a grocery list that looks like this:

Grocery List

Must haves:

- Eye Cream

- Night Cream

- Day Cream

- Face Mask

- Cleansing Cloths

- Facial Lotion

- Face Scrub

- Noxzema

- Acne medication

If there is any money left:

-Milk

-Bread 

-Eggs

I guess that for now I will continue to deal with this nasty mess that I like to call my face.

 

I will treat the pimples with pimple cream and hope that I don't over dry my skin causing more wrinkles.  And maybe, by the time I hit 40 or even 50 the zits will stay away!

For now I will buy all of the dumb creams.  I will keep watching the price of Botox injections, praying that they come down a little.  Honestly, I don't care if my face moves or if people can tell whether I am smiling or not... that is SO over-rated!   I just want to look good!

One question:  What do you use if you get a zit ON a wrinkle?

The flower bed mud puddle...

                                            .....better defined as
          

          Guilt: knowing you have done wrong

             Shame:  guilt, humiliation

          Trouble:  1) a problem, a difficulty 2) a dangerous or difficult situation 3) extra work or effort 4) to distress

         Mischievous:  causing petty injury or annoyance to others

              Pride:  Feeling of doing your personal best, self respect

I had a dream...

I really wish that I knew someone that could analyze dreams, and tell me what in the world caused me to have the dream I had last night.

I generally have strange dreams if I wake up and then go back to sleep, which is what happened this morning.  So here goes...

I am in a dentist chair getting my teeth examined.  The dentist says that everything looks fine, but then the know-it-all nurse butts in and tells him to look at my back teeth and points out that I have some problem going on.  

He quickly agrees and tells me, "It looks like we are going to need to take out your back teeth and switch them with your front teeth, and it needs to be done right away."

I felt my back teeth with my tongue and then felt my front teeth and got a really bad picture in my mind.  "Um, why would you do that.  That is going to look horrible!"  I said, very concerned.

He got very serious and told me that it was not an option.  "You will just need to wear a lot of make-up, and then you will look fine."  He pointed out, almost like it would make everything OK.

I asked how much it was going to cost, and was shocked to hear "$2000.00."

"So you are telling me that you are going to charge me $2000.00 to make me look horrible, and to top it off I have to wear a lot of make-up?"  I yelled.  "No, I will not do it!"  I said as I ran out of the office.

And then...........  I woke up.  What could that mean????

The frog DRAMA!

It was bound to happen.  Really, it is AMAZING that the frog lasted this long.

                      HE'S gone!  Probably forever.  No, he didn't die.  

                                                 HE IS LOST!

How?  Where?  Why?  Who?  When?  Two words:  Carson & Coren

What good is a frog if you cannot play catch with him?  Doesn't it make perfect sense to use the pet frog in place of a ball?  After all, we only have about a hundred balls to play with, and that is just not enough.

Our dear little pet frog was lost to the lawn today, and after several attempts to find him and flood him to the surface, he could not be found.  It didn't help that the boys had two totally different ideas of where he was last seen, and  it didn't help that we kind of didn't care, but what will be nasty and very sad is if I get splattered with frog guts next time I mow the lawn.

Good bye little frog, we hope you enjoy your new found freedom, and just a tip- if you see a shoe coming your way HOP!

         

Camping... again!

I survived the bears last time and I had a plan, so I figured we could try our luck at avoiding getting eaten by the bears again.  After all, my plan was fool proof!  Right?

Well, my plan of parking the car directly in front the tent was messed up right away.  The campsite we found was about 100 feet away from our car, so I made sure to have my running shoes available just in case and felt OK about it.  I have been sprinting lately, so I was pretty sure that I could do 30 mph for at least a while, especially if I was being chased by a freaking BEAR!  Positive attitude or wishful thinking?  Not sure.

Then, I told Steve that I was feeling pretty good because we were lower in the canyon than last time.  His response, "It is actually how far back in you are, not how high you are."  So that was frighting, seeing as we were nestled in the woods!  Men really know how to make you feel better, don't they?

The first night things went well.  We watched a movie in the tent, so I just kind of fell asleep without too much worry.

The next morning we went on a hike.  We ran into this ranger who was kind enough to let us know about the Bear, moose, and other sightings in our area.  I felt all warm and fuzzy inside.  NOT!

Later that night, we heard another rustling in the bushes.  Again, it was something big.  Again, Steve re-assured me that it wasn't a bear (even though he couldn't see it) and somehow convinced me that it was a moose.

I got a little bit nervous just before bed and then I was like, "Bring it on you furry large and deadly creatures!  I dare you!  I have dealt with children more dangerous than you!  Seriously.  I have cleaned toilets that could kill me easier than you could!  I have fought way larger battles than this and won!  If you mess with me then... I will run really fast and you will be messing with my husband!  So THERE!"

Next thing I knew, I was awake and alive.  I had made it, I lived!  It was time to go home and we started to pack up.  I was walking down the trail 

to the car and suddenly I was attacked by a huge snake!!!  OK, so the attack wasn't quite this severe, but it did cross the trail right in front of me!  It was big, I will not even lie, and it was close to me.  At any moment it could have slithered right up my shaking body and curled around my neck and that would have been the end for me.  People would have really missed me.  It would have been one of those really tragic and unbelievable deaths that you hear about.  I know that it would have made the evening news!!

I froze.  I tired to scream but nothing came out.  Finally, I let out a loud scream to let Steve know that I was under attack.  By this time the snake had passed and I ran to the car.

Honestly, it is amazing that I survive these trips!

No brakes allowed!!

Things I LOVE about Mountain biking:

~ The challenge:  It is such an amazing feeling to make it to the top of a big hill and know that you did it!

~ The pain (or gain):  The burning feeling that you  get in your legs and your lungs and you know that you are getting stronger.

~  The scenery:  On a bike you can see so much in such a short amount of time, and you can go so many places.

~  The thrill:  It is so much fun!  I love it when I get going fast (this is rare), or when I make it over a huge obstacle without falling.

~   The End:  The time that I make it to the bottom and I am alive and I feel so invigorated!  It is also a huge bonus if I am not bleeding! 

~My bike:  I LOVE IT!  Thanks Steve!

Things that I KIND OF LOVE about mountain biking:

~The pressure:  Keeping up with the KING of mountain biking.  I don't even try on the downhill.  I love my life too much, but if I don't slow him down too much uphill, I feel very happy!  The pressure is intense, but it drives me.

~Falling:  Yes, I do fall from time to time.  Steve says that I fall because I go to0 slow, but what does he know?  I did fall over one time when I was stopped, but that was rare!

~  My coach:  Steve has taken it upon himself to try to make me a good mountain biker.  Because of this I am often hearing things like:

    

      Pound it!  POUND IT!  You've got it!!!  

      Do not use your breaks.  I better not see you using your breaks.  Why are you using your breaks?

                             Get off the trail!

      You cannot stop in the middle of the hill with me behind you.  (I know that he secretly loves it when I come to a complete stop on a huge hill, he just won't admit it!)

After this hill it gets flat. (I am no longer falling for this one.  It is ALWAYS a lie)

It is not safe to listen to your IPOD on the downhill.  "It relaxes me"  Let nature relax you!

Ignore the rocks!   just point your tire and your bike will do the rest.

~Me sounding like this:

Help, HELP, I am going to die!

I am stopping right here!

I am going to aspirate my gum.

I don't like you!

OH NO!!!!!

A CLIFF!!!

My vote is that we are done now.

Things that I DON'T LOVE about mountain biking:

~  Eating bugs

~  Getting toasted by my husband

~  My sore butt (SO SO SO SORE!)

~  Potential animal attacks

~  Did I say falling?

~  Sore legs on the way up, and sore hands on the way down (from squeezing the brakes so hard!)

By the way, have you ever seen a stop sign in the middle of the mountains? You have now!

Sundance

We came across the most AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL place this weekend.  Sundance Utah!  This place was one of the most breathtaking places I have ever seen.  I am not sure how we have never been there but I am so glad that we found it.

It is a place that nature mixed with man to create the ultimate view.  Tucked into the woods you find a river that runs down the canyon into Sundance.

Then, they have made the river flow into a man made pond that they have landscaped all around.  It is so funny how the neatly trimmed lawn seems so natural at this quaint little ski resort.  They have amazing cabins and shops all around.  I found some great things at this shop.  If only I had brought about $1000 I could have picked up the shoes, shirt, and jeans that I had my heart set on.  Maybe next time.

Fashion Icons!

I know that you remember those ladies who would come home from church and go out for a walk.  They would wear those HIDEOUS denim dresses, you know the ones that were calf length and were like a jumper.  I always remember them having some denim ruffles up top.  Remember?  Then to make matters worse they would put on their tennis shoes and socks and stroll around.  I always thought that it looked so weird, almost like they were some strange pioneers.  I was embarrassed for them, and I knew that I would never look like them.  I mean really who wears tennis shoes with a dress?  NOT ME!  Oh wait... here I am in my dress and tennis shoes.  I didn't realize how I looked until I saw the picture.  I will never do that again!  What a sight!  Dress, tennies, and a zip line.  Lookin good!

Where to start with this one?  First... he came up with this on his own, I swear!  Orange swim shorts with a matching red shirt.  One pumpkin sock (in his defense October is just 4 months away) and one of Makenna's socks.  He also brought along the stylish pink cooler stashed with all of his treats.

Don't miss the drink on bottom of the bike.  We had to buy that special and install it on his bike for him because HAD to have a drink holder on his bike.   The important thing is that HE thinks he looks good! 

Then their is Carson.  He just got a new helmet because I ran over the other one with my car!  Good thing it was just his helmet...

The helmet however, pulls his hair.  I am not sure how, but he is very serious about it and doesn't want to wear it.

So, I told him that I could line it with something to protect his hair.  He thought that was a great idea.  So one paper towel later, he was in good shape with his hair not pulling, and ready for a fashion show.

Now the worst part about this is that these pictures were taken at the same time, so yes, we all went out looking this way.  And on the way home, Carson lost control on his bike and I had to chase him down the road.  I am sure my neighbors got a good laugh, "Hey honey, look at the weird pioneer lady sprinting after her screaming son who has a paper towel on his head.  You don't see that everyday!"

Jason or Jesse?

I am way too into this season!  First let me say this... I LOVE JASON!

I have been a HUGE Jason fan from the very first night.  He is the sweetest and most sincere guy.  Plus, I love how much he loves Deanna and gets so excited to see her.  He has tons of energy and seems like he is in the best spot to get married.  He is also really cute with his son, and his son is very cute.  I totally think he will win, if not I am going to cry.

OK Steve, he is a total stud, I said it, BUT he is not ready for marriage.  I think that she thinks he is fun and exciting, but she has said it so many times... He is just not the type of guy she usually dates and I think she is also worried about where he is at in his life right now. 

So what do all of you think?  I need to know how everyone feels about this!!!!!!!!  And if you are one of the FEW people who are not totally into The Bachelorette, you are missing out!!!  One last thing that I need to say.  Jeremy; loved him!  However, he was a little on the boring side, and if your only connection with someone is that both of your parents died, it probably won't work out.  Plus, he was a little OCD.  Did you see his super organized house, that would send me running, and FAST!  One more thing (sorry, I could go on forever) GRAHAM, I am just NOT seeing it.  Everyone thinks he is so hot, and he just isn't to me.  Do you think people were looking at his body or his face.  If it was the body, then OK yeah, I am seeing it, but his face, ummm he is just so average looking.  PLUS, he is such a JERK!  However when Graham got kicked off, he whispered in Jason's ear "you're the one" (you had to replay it a few times to pick up on it) and that made me like him a little bit more, but just a little.  Sorry for the little rant!  I will stop now.

                                                 GO JASON!!!!!!

PS- I know that I am a total loser for caring so much about a reality TV show, just another example of what a total geek I am.

The concert of the year...

The concert of the year... or should I say my concert of the year.  I only say this because on average I only go to one concert per year, so for me it is the best.

I am a lover of Snoop.  He is like a close friend to me.  We run together, he doesn't know that, but we do!  There have been many hard runs that have been conquered thanks to a little tune from my man Snoop.  He didn't let me down last night either.  He was amazing and so much fun to see LIVE in concert!  I think that Emily summed it up perfectly when she leaned over and said, "Don't you just feel joy in your heart?"  Yes, I was feeling the joy!

The other highlight of the evening was watching all of the crazy people, and they were out in abundance!  It is amazing to me to see what some people's idea of fun is.