Have You Ever...

Have you ever been able to look back and see that you were prepared for something? 

I look back over my young years and then moving away from home right after high school and then moving back home and then ~viola~ I go on a mission.  And I had been prepared for it.

I look back over my single years.  I was in a singles ward, I went to school, I worked full time, I had good friends, I traveled, I wanted to get married.  Then I dated a couple of, well, strange-lings, and I decided that I would always be single if that's what was left for an almost 28 year old.  I told my parents that I was finished with dating and began making plans for going back to school, changing my job and working in the temple.  Then I met Daniel and I married him.  And I had been prepared for it. 

I look back over the time we were having kids.  The pregnancies that could have taken my life.  I know it sounds dramatic, but pregnancy and I are literally mortal enemies.  Then my OB said that if I had another pregnancy Daniel's second wife would be raising my kids, so I had a tubal ligation. Then I found an adoption agency.  And I had been prepared for it.

I look back over the time we spent looking at the Marshall Islands to adopt the rest of our family.  Everything we did, everywhere we went, everyone we spoke with, led us to the Marshall Islands.  While we waited for our US approval to adopt an orphan from the Marshall Islands, the Islands shut down any further adoptions from their country.  Our agency suggested China.  Then we got to go and adopt our daughter.  And I had been prepared for it.

I look back over the time spent with my brother Aaron.  He was my little buddy.  We spent so much time together before Daniel and I met.  When Sam was born, he came to the NICU with my mom and dad to see Sam.  We have video of him standing at the window and waving to us.  Then 16 days after Sam was born, Aaron died.  And I had been prepared for it.

I look back over the many years we spent waiting and longing for another child to join our family.  Priesthood blessings, time spent in the temple, pleading prayers, never knowing when, experiencing a failed adoption and then, in answer to our pleas, we pulled paperwork from both agencies and chose to be parents to 3.  Then we have been able to focus so intensely on our 3 during some rough patches in each of their young lives.  And I had been prepared for it.

I look back over people I've met, friends I've made, callings I've had and decisions that have needed to be made.  I had been prepared for every one.  I was just called as the Relief Society President in our newly made ward.  I am looking forward to serving such amazing sisters.  I met many yesterday and am so so so excited to get to know them all and serve them!!  Then I will experience sorrow, joy, hope, frustration and I will laugh, I will cry and I will grieve.  And I know that I will have been prepared for all of it.

Have You Ever...

Have you ever had kids come running to you to say there are bubbles in the toilet?  I just assumed someone forgot to flush.  Which shouldn't be happening anymore because I told them all that if they wanted to save what they put in there I would grab a bowl and dip it in and put it in his/her room.  I'm all for saving special things.  But they weren't trying to save it.  Nothing special there.  So they are flushing on a very regular basis.  Now I have no idea how regular my kids are.  Hah!!  Anyhoo, back to the suds.  Yes.  I said suds.  I told them to flush it because I didn't have a clean bowl to get any into.  Not that a clean bowl would matter.  I just didn't want to do it.  You know?  But Ruthie and her friend were adamant that I should come and see.  And then Sam started in on it.  "Oh My Gosh Mom.  There really are bubbles in the toilet!"  So I went.  I looked.  I saw.  Suds.  Real, honest to goodness suds in the toilet.  I tried flushing.  Did you know that if you flush suds they bubble up even more?  I know now.  It took a few flushings and telling whomever put something sudsy in the toilet to never do it again.  But now the toilet is back to normal. 

Today is our last Friday before school begins.  I was talking to our RS president a couple days ago about people my ward missionary companion and I have visited and she asked what she could do for me.  I said.. I need one more week of summer.  I'm not ready.  I just need one more week with them home.  But, alas, we go back next Tuesday.  Isaac is really excited about his schedule.  Sam knows his teacher because I requested and Ruthie is excited that she may be in the split 4th/5th grade class.  But they are nervous to begin a fresh school year.  I'm not nervous.  Just not ready for summer to be over.  When do you start school?  And, are you ready?

Have You Ever...

Have you ever passed that person on the road going 30 mph when the speed limit is 45 and you are in a hurry and have to go to the bathroom and you're tired and dang cranky and just spilled something on your pants and your kids are arguing in the back and the slow guy in front of you is actually slowing down even though no one and nothing are directly in front of him and you wonder how he manages to drive and breathe at the same time and if the car who is going 38 mph next to you would just speed up or slow down you can pass that other car and get on with your life?? Neither have I.

Have you actually been that slow car? Never mind, don't answer that. 

This morning as I was driving home from Costco, there were a few cars in front of me and the front car decided to hang a left without moving out of the lane which takes like 10 points from the guy's life in my book.  He did turn his blinker on.  Gained 1 point.  As we all slowed down, the guy behind me slammed on his brakes, 3 points off for not being a defensive driver.  Then the winner blammed on his horn.  At me.  At me because I was right in front of him.  I automatically deduct 15 points for honking at old ladies.  Not that I'm old.  Or drive slow.  But I did have a good 20 years on him. And I'm a lady.  As the front guy hanging a left slowly moved out of the lane and out of our way, we got on our way.  Then the psycho winner horn honker behind me trails me so close he can see my groceries.  He is also breathing directly from my tailpipe.  He's losing points so fast he's falling off the planet here.  As we pick up speed, he proceeds to change lanes.  Eek.  The car next to me slows down (hardee har har on you!) and then he hits his breaks and I see that the guy is bald.  Maybe all the hair off his head has made him loony!  Loony! And a horn honker at old ladies.  Not that I'm old I tell ya!

Then, like magic, a third lane opens up and the guy who is in the negative when it comes to points in my book, has moved over to it and sped right passed everyone.  Only. To. Get. Stopped. At. A. Red. Light.  And that, my friends, is when I begin to see life fairly again.  I laugh hysterically to myself to the sounds of REM on the radio and a sweet taste of diet something on my tongue.  Because I'm back on the stuff people.  Why??

Because I am that lady who loses 50 points when I follow so close to you I can see your groceries.  Because I am the one who would like to honk the horn at you for going 30 in a 45 zone but I choose not to because I don't want to lose those points too.  I am the one who has to pee and has kids arguing and just spilled something and is boxed in by people who can't seem to go the speed limit.  I'm not asking that you go a zillion miles an hour.  Don't hurt yourself!  But the speed limit is more than a suggestion.  It keeps you safe.  Can you hear me?  Please go 45 in a 45 zone.  And also let me add, when going through a school zone, go 20.  I tend to go about 18.  They double those fines and kids are hard to replace if you hit and kill one! 

The problem is, you can't get caught at a red light after you speed past everyone who refuse to go the speed limit, like the guy up there.  It's just embarrasing and people laugh at you for being a jerk who didn't get far.  So when I pass you and speed along at the speed limit or slightly above (slightly, because I don't want to lose too many points) I must make it past that first light in order to make it worth it.  If I don't I will go a bit faster to make it past the next light.  It's an illness.  I know.  Although I have noticed that I drive slower many more days than I drive fast.  I guess I am just getting old. I also like watching the jerks who pass and then get caught at the light.  Mwaa haa haa. As long as I'm not that jerk.  Anyway, if it were all about the points, it is my book.  And that's just fine with me.  Just don't get in my way!

Have You Ever...

...felt like you were being watched? That was the point of today's April Fool Fun.

Googly EyesIn many placesEverywhere you looked You were being watchedNo where to run, no where to hideThey were a bit freaked out by all the eyes.

I must admit...No fools at my house.

Have You Ever?

Have you ever had to patch a fitted sheet?

Um. I have.

But then I got new sheets for Christmas.

I love new sheets.