It Was an Accident!

I have to admit, sometimes I'm a "distracted driver." I never do anything particularly dangerous, but I confess, I sometimes do my make-up in the car. I do the stuff I have to look in the mirror for at stop lights, but I'll do sunblock and powder or even blush while I drive, because I can keep my eyes on the road.

But yesterday, I was attentive. In fact, I was being a GOOD driver. But Harold wasn't. I was approaching an intersection in the long left-turn lane, when Harold on my right (and slightly ahead of me) decided at the last minute to jump from his lane, skip ACROSS mine, and go to Holiday Oil for some gas (he was only a quarter of a tank low.) Well, Harold forgot to look in his rear-view mirror....and couldn't HEAR my BLASTING horn honking...and...he side-swiped me.

Truthfully, he got the worst of it: damage to driver door, rear door, and back fender. You can see my pain below:



So, I called the cops, then John to go and get Matthew from school (I knew I wasn't going to be out of there any time soon). Harold got out of his car apologizing. I felt bad for him, and told him everything was ok, and that "accidents happen". He told me the worst part for him was that he had just gotten his car back from the body shop 5 days ago from running into a concrete wall. hmmm....

The policeman had me draw a picture of my version of the accident. Amy, I coulda used your talent here!

So, that's it. I havent' gotten the estimates yet, but I'm guessing thousands of dollars of damage (bumper and fender both damaged.)

As I left, I didn't know what to say to Harold. The cop gave him a ticket for "improper lookout" and I felt bad. I simply told him that I hoped he had a better "rest of the day." After all, "it was an accident."

Addicted

I like lots of things. Some things I like a little too well. I've learned that I have what I call an "addictive personality." That is not a commentary about how others feel about me, rather, how I view things in my life. I think I get addicted easily to things that make me happy.

For starters, Chocolate. That's a no-brainer. Put a bag of that luscious melty yum yum in front of me and say goodbye to the bathroom scale cuz I'm not standing on it for a week. This would qualify ALL forms of the stuff...candy bars, cake, donuts, fountains, over fruit, on crackers, over ice-cream...you get the idea.

I also love computer games. I remember admitting this to another mom, and she simply said, "I can't imagine having time to even play a game." Oh. Well, I decided that I'm not so addicted that I can't budget my time, but my addiction is one of dominance. I want to play until I beat the game. I have 100% on my Spider solitaire record, for example. I've beaten Cake Mania, and well, all those other "arcade" type games available for download on my computer.

John has said that sometimes it's a good thing. For example, when I go to work on a project, I simply CAN'T pull myself away until it's finished. This comes in handy when we're all doing yard work or cleaning up the garage and basement. It's good for cleaning out closets and cars as well. Not so good when there is a big Enrichment meeting and there are tables and chairs and food and centerpieces to be put away and John is home alone with 6 kids, and I'm already an hour later than I said I would be.

And now, I'm addicted to digital scrapbooking. John bought me a program from Polaroid called "My Memories" that allows me to create pages on my computer. Then I send them to Blurb to be published. Our first book arrived a couple of weeks ago, and since then, I've published three more years of scrapbooks. Unfortunately, this addiction HAS affected my ability to budget time. I think it's because I can rationalize that I'm doing something worthwhile with my time rather than wasting time. I can turn off any computer game or put down a candy bar with no regrets, but something about scrapbooking makes me chant "one more page...one more page" while my kids run around the house with reckless abandon, pulling food out of the cupboards, littering toys around the living room, painting each others' body parts...

There is, however, one reprieve. I'm caught up. So even though the last two days were spent in sleepless hours finishing up the last book, there's nothing to look forward to for today.

And that's why I'm blogging. ;)

Maybe I'll become addicted to this, too.

Editor in Chief

Andrew makes me laugh. One year at the end of school, I had him write a note to his teacher. I made wooden boards for the teachers then wanted the kids to write messages on the back with marker. Ashley's was short and sweet...She did hers on her own. Andrew needed help, but we were trying to rush out the door, so I was calling out suggestions on what he could say to his teacher to make it personal. I told him to tell her something that he liked about her...her smile, her laugh, etc. Well, as we ran out the door, I quickly read over the message (THANKFULLY!) and it said in part, "I like your body." Now, this young girl probably dressed the way you may expect a runway model to dress, not a kindergarten teacher, so I completely understood how that must have impressed a little 6-year-old...but NOT the message I wanted to be written forever on the back of her gift!...I tried to mark it out, but he had dented the wood slightly in the process...I had him cross it out and write "smile" and sent him out the door.

That afternoon, I pulled her aside, and we both had a pretty good chuckle over the whole thing.

Aahhhh...For the first day of School this year, I sent the kids with Caramel Apples for their teachers, and instructed them to write something simple like "An apple for the teacher on the first day of school" or whatever. Well, Andrew, the free-thinker wrote the following:



Here's a closer look:



"Thank you for helping me learn what I need to know. Your reward is: (picture of a caramel apple.) You know what it is now, I hope. Love, Andrew.

Looks like I need to add "editor" to my job description...

Eight Wasn't Enough

I'm not really an animal person. In fact, I'm allergic to cats. I'm sure it has something to do with the fact that the lady who owned our condo before us had a bazillion cats, no kitty litter, and no sense of smell. When John moved in before we were married, he replaced ALL the carpet, repainted, and even sealed the concrete before laying the carpet to remove the smell. It didn't work. Well, at least, it only worked until we spilled something wet on the carpet, then the resurrected smell of those ill-mannered kitties came rushing back.

One day we visited my parents, and after holding their cat, I realized that my eyes were itchy and my nose stuffy. I started to recognize the pattern and soon realized that I was allergic.

So, when Ashley at a very young age started LOVING animals, I started feeling a dilemma. As early as 2 and 3 years old, she wasn't into princesses like most little girls. She loved bugs. She loved animals. To this day, whenever we talk of Christmas gifts, or browse a toy store, she heads straight for the stuffed animals. But I've never wanted a pet. It killed me to think that the thing Ashley wanted the most was something that I really didn't want to give her.

Rewind one year. Ashley has gorgeously thick hair, with just a hint of curl. It's a wonderful combination...if you're not trying to brush it. For years she HATED when I did her hair, trying to get through the tangles. It was bad for us both. She always left for school in tears from me doing her hair. So, when she turned 9, I made a deal with her.

I told her if she showered every single day...using conditioner and making sure her hair was silky smooth when I went to brush it, then in one year I would allow her to get a cat. It had to be a year away, because I was thinking that we would have a baby, I would nurse, and would probably have to take allergy medication for the cat...I figured ANYTHING was better than our daily hair-doing trauma.

Fast forward. She wasn't supposed to get her cat until October, but we decided to surprise her and get it earlier than the year mark...so, we "dropped in" to the humane society, and found a gorgeous, mellow, sweet little black kitten. Ashley fell in love, and now she is everyone's best friend.

So, without further adieu: Heeeeeeeeeeeere's "Shadow".

Four out of Six...ain't bad!

I went through a weird stage. This year marks the 5th year I've been going through the "school" ritual. You know, the lunches, baths, hair, clothes, shoes...the whole bit. But for some reason, this year felt strange, like I went through it for the first time. Not that it's hard, but it just felt "new" for some reason. Maybe it's because we had an amazingly fun and long summer. But all good things must come to an end.

And so, although 10 days later than most kids in our neighborhood, our children started school. This year, Matthew entered the ranks of his older siblings, going 5 half-days to pre-school. Having a few extra days to prepare for this event, I wasn't very emotional in the morning...until they drove away (with Daddy) and then I walked into a mostly silent home. Wow. I didn't realize how much "excitement" we had going on all summer until those four left. Now, it's so QUIET! And I can understand now what Jennifer, Natalie, Carrie, and Amy must feel like MOST of the time with so few children around. Amazing.

I spent my new-found freedom on Thursday cleaning. It's been a long time since I did that by myself with all the kids gone! And although I could have used the shopping experience alone with just two little ones that actually STAY in the grocery cart, I just relaxed.

Then I went to pick them up. That's when I fought back the tears. I realized how much I completely MISSED them throughout the day. I didn't want to be a blubbering mother on pick-up, so I sucked it in and forced myself to only give them monstrously and unbelievably crushing hugs (a little too prolonged for my kids' comfort) before I pointed out the waiting car...with an overly-excited Timothy inside.

And now, Monday, the third day of school, I'm back in the routine...sending very very elated children out the door to see their teachers and friends, and I walk back into my mostly quiet home, and all I can say is..."four out of six ain't bad!"

One Crazy Summer

I think most moms are smarter than I am. It takes me a while to catch on to things that have made households a success from the beginning of time. I've known for a while how to do certain things, but simply have not done them. One of those, I've neglected to do...ever...until this last May. I changed my summer. And, it was the best summer of my life (no, not the Summer of '69 for you Bryan Adams fans!) All I did was calendar. I know. Amazing concept. So, throw a bunch of fun activities on a calendar, mix in my sister, Amy and her husband and two kids visiting from Washington for the summer, and Jenn, Natalie, Tiffany, Carrie, Mom and Dad all living close, and you have SUCCESS! We visited the Library, parks, planted flowers...and so much more. Pics below, in no particular order:

What is summer without a lemonade sale?



At the Zoo...(with Hendricksons and Dad)



Liberty Park Splashgrounds (With Hendricksons and Dustins)



Ashley burnin' rubber (mommy-daughter date)



Miracles



Swimming in Las Vegas



F-16 Flight Simulator



Monterey Bay Hotel Aquarium



Just before John takes off on his F-16 flight with Derek O'Malley



Laser Tag (with Hendricksons)



Chalk Art by Ashley



Famous Dave's (With Loveridges and Hendricksons)



Father's Day (Grill surprise for both Dad and John)



A Hairy tale...Amy and Grandma



This is the Place Heritage Park (With Dustins, Dad, and Hendricksons)



Ava and Timothy Dancing



Videos in the car



Holden takes the wheel



Alpine Slide lift



Veggie abundance (Thanks, Brother Blatnick!)



Karole, our waiter on our Alaskan Cruise LOVING Bethany



Mom and Dad, Alaskan Cruise, sunset



Hiking in Alaska



hot-tubbin' afterward



goin' on a vacation



Butchart Gardens...almost as pretty as my girls



Natalie in the Gardens



butchart Gardens, Victoria, Canada



A new cousin! Gabriel's birthday!



Best friends, Lauren and Bethany



"The Eagle has landed"



At the cabin



Hanging at the park (with Hendricksons)



Timothy, dirty face, dirty shirt, perfect in every way



at the computer...again.



BYU season opener! Andrew, fully invested with friend Joseph



Ashley turns 10!!!



So, there you have it...one crazy summer. These are memories to last a LIFETIME, all jam-packed into three short months. What a great family we have to make these moments with. I love you ALL! Hope your summer was as great as mine.