{Dead End}

Needing a little family fun, we decided last minute to find a corn maze or its equivilent, and let Tanner run like mad...

We found the most fun maze, EVER!!! Usually there's a local corn maze next to a haunted house and fun play-place, but I had heard that their corn only grew to be about 4 feet high - not very high for a successful cornmaze. So, in hearing from a friend at work, who she and her husband took their two-year old and they had a blast, we took their word for it and headed out of town.

We headed to the STRAW MAZE! I wasn't sure how Tanner would react, but he LOVED it!!! We found MANY dead ends, but we found the END in about 30 minutes. We let Tanner tell us where to go, and he really enjoyed telling us what to do. Taylor giggled and laughed at every turn, where Ryan would slip ahead and 'scare' us.

After our first round, we turned around to find our way back to the beginning...Ryan and Taylor got separated from Tanner and I, and Tanner about fell apart. He was so worried about Daddy and Taylor being lost, and he kept saying he was sad they were lost. Little did he know, Ryan and Taylor had found their way out, and WE were the lost ones!!! It was fun all the same, though! Tanner was able to fit between a few bails here and there, which created a problem for his bigger mama, but because Ryan is more thin that mwa, he got to chase him!

Here's a few pictures...We found a fun dead end with a lot of straw and thought it an opportune moment to click our camera (the one that's been stashed in the jockybox of our car for over six months). It had been so long since I used our PAS (point-and-shoot) camera, that I got kinda frustrated with it!!! But we came out friends, as you'll see below.

(While we were taking pictures, a lady dashed around the corner and gave us a startled look, to which I replied, "Just taking some pictures!" with a big smile...She quickly turned the other way, blushing...the boys were out of her view, back in the dead end. Because Ryan and I had backed up to take the pictures, and I made such a general comment, I hope she didn't think we were too weird! What I should have said was, "Don't mind us, just making-out in the straw with a camera!" and then smiled sheepishly. HA!)

My man and our little men.
I love Taylor's look...so...Taylor!

Can you see the joy on this little boy's face? He was in little boy paradise...getting lost, tall, ten-foot walls, dirt, and a little brother to laugh with, and parents to run with.

We absolutly and positively enjoyed ourselves. {{sigh}}

Sweet Talkin' - Sleep Talkin'

So I know I just posted, but wanted to share this little tidbit about Tanner.

I'm sitting here at the computer, catching up on Idaho news (what news there is) and I can hear Tanner talking himself to sleep. It's sounding something like this...

"One, two, three, four, five, six, seben, eight, (pause) four, six, Hey! Look at me! Ten. Now, seep! Taywor is seeping. Four, five, six." Silence. (precious silence)

I've never heard Tanner count to ten on his own before...without being prompted. I am trying so hard not to bust a gut laughing! At the end of each number, his little voice inflects upwards. When he's saying, "look at me" I picture his serious face. I've got to get that recorded for ya'all. It sounds like me! No wonders where he got that phrase from!

I love my boys so much! There are good days and bad days, what am I talking about - Ryan has good days and bad days, and I 'pick up the pieces' when I get home...or look at the lovely picture. I miss being home with my sons, and am already looking forward to when I'm done working...for pay, anyways! I can hardly wait to have adventures, trials, memories, and all those things I'm missing out on. On the other hand, it is nice to get out...last week I got to scrapbook for a whole afternoon, and get paid!!! How's that for hard work?!

Anyhoo, just a small and short post of reflection.

We're ALIVE!

SIGH of RELIEF!!!

I arrived home from Montana this afternoon at 2:30 - right on schedule, and couldn't wait to see my boys!!! All three!!! I walked into work, gave them the keys to the county car and waved goodbye - said I was takin' the rest of the day off!

Ryan and the boys did really well. Tanner made it to bed one night with a Little Debbie's swiss-roll...so Ryan had to wash sheets, etc, but nothing changed colors! They were alive, fed well, slept relatively well, and got along! I missed them a lot!

Tuesday we lifted weights from 8:30 - 4:30 (technically, intermittently lifting, only two 1-hour sessions and an aerobic workout afterwards). I learned so much when I was awake!!! :) Really though, I dozed off, and kinda felt bad, but when she asked for someone to demonstrate and lead the group of 40 women in an exercise, I volunteered, and knew what to do! It was great! As I always say, "Fake it till you make it!" Okay, I don't always say that, but it worked out for me in this instance! I just hope I can actually do the exercises so I can TEACH the class in January.

Tuesday evening I had the wonderful opportunity to visit with some good friends...There's nothing like a good phone conversation when your back muscles are sore from lifting weights you powerhoused through...I sure enjoyed visiting with your family...you know who you are!!!

To everyone making your kids' halloween costumes, you've got 8 days left. Best wishes to you all! And for my wish I wish my costumes would sew themselves! AAAAAHHH! Can we push back Halloween a week or so?

Tootles!

"Strong Women Stay Young"

Tomorrow at noon, I am embarking on a huge journey...okay, for a stay-at-home-mom-gone-breadwinner for a time, I'm taking my first "BUSINESS TRIP".

Nothing too big, but honestly, it's a tad bit out of my comfort zone!!!

In order to be able to teach the 'Strong Women' program in my county, I must be trained...no biggie. I'm driving six hours to Billings, MT, to lift weights from 8:30 - 4:30 on Tuesday...And driving back home Wednesday. I'll let you know how it goes...If I can even lift my arms to drive us home safely!

I'm driving with a woman from the Bear Lake County, and it should be an interesting drive...I hear she has never been married, has no children, but a house full of cats. Nothing wrong with that, but it should be an interesting ride. I've actually met her once, and she is really nice...she was so kind to as ask me what kind of music, books on tape, etc she should bring...or we could visit...whatever works for her! I'd love to listen to a few books on tape/CD, but I think I'll stay awake easier if she talks...so tonight I'm 'composing' a list of 'getting-to-know-you' questions.

Stay tuned to see if I survived this training.

P.S. Keep a little prayer in your heart for me to be able to deal with being gone from my family!!! I've never left Ryan AND my boys for longer than about 4 hours...I have no doubt that they'll do fine, I just hope I can focus while I'm gone!

BAAAWHHH!

Any of you have moments like this? I do. Ocassionally. Not often, and not always, but sometimes. I have a tendancy to drag it out, but for a few brief moments today, I felt defeated. I got over it, but it came back...to bite me!

It's not important what I felt defeated about, and quite frankly, if I tried to explain it, you'd probably all laugh! Anyhoo, it's been a long day. It's going to be a long month, and I'm tired.

I decided I wear myself out stressing over things I have no control of. I stress about events that aren't even going to happen for two weekends, and end up wasting this weekend...it's driving me crazy!!! I've no recolection to having this 'problem', but it's so odd!

I'm looking forward to:

Throwing away my alarm clock. I've had it since I was seven (I got it for Christmas so I could 'wake myself up' to practice the piano before school - and my dad STILL had to get me out of bed because I would sleep through the blaring alarm.) and it's sentimental, but I just read a letter that came with my utility bill that says it's using electricity. Who wudda' thought! Since I only use it to guage how much time I have left to sleep every time the kids wake up, I'm tossing it. I have an alarm on my cell phone anyhow.

Sewing this weekend. At enrichment tonight we made dresses for Humanitarian Aid. It was quite a fun evening, with sisters cutting, pinning and sewing. I haven't sewn in months, and it was quite nice and relaxing...until Taylor woke up crying (sorry everyone for the disturbance) and Tanner miraculously escaped from the nursery. Go figure! I am looking forward to finishing up the dress I started and completing a few more, and maybe sewing Tanner's Halloween "Super Tanner" cape...we'll see.

Pay Day. Every two weeks money appears in my account, and the next day it is gone. How does that work? Just kidding. I know how that works. I'm not that dense, but sometimes I have to wonder (I know Ryan does!). I am looking forward to buying diapers and wipes, and some much needed groceries!

Tanner being potty trianed. I definatly jumped the gun in like February, when I 'knew-Tanner-would-be-potty-trained' because he peed in a little potty by himself. Maybe I really am dense! Who knew! I think he really wants to, but "why?" if mom and dad will change your bum and let you pee in the bath water...that's fun, right?

Bed. I'm on my way. My boys are all tucked in, so after I put the washed clothes in the drier, I'm hittin' the sack! I'll have to unplug the alarm clock in the morning...its plug is BEHIND the matterss!!! What a dumb place for a plug. :)

I feel much better. Thanks for reading my vents, if you got this far! You're troopers!

{Success} amid {Trial}

Despite various mishaps this week, most not worth mentioning, because I know you've all been there - you know the kind - blowouts, too-early mornings, too-late nights, failed meals that nobody eats, hamper full to the brim and out of detergent, get in the shower to find no shaver or shampoo and no towel when you're done - Yeah, you've all been there!!!

On a side note, I have a few successes...

{one} Tanner and I share this one: eating a plate of cookies within ten minutes of them coming out of the oven...Thanks Stevie! This is a picture of "The Last" cookie (two points to whoever knows what movie!) They were the most 'yummiest' pumpkin cookies I've had! I'm looking forward to that batch I can pull from my freezer and bake...Thanks for having my rambunctious crew over to eat cookie dough and play in time-out!

{two} Making relish to relish! Ha-Ha! It sure was a blast! Tricia and Keith came up for the weekend, so we decided to go down. Mom taught us girls how to whip up a batch or FOUR of relish with the greet tomatoes I grew in our garden (60+ pints)...never mind I had to buy the onions, cucumbers, vinegar and other various ingredients...I should have grown them, but ran out of steam! We were laughing so hard, we forgot how much of each ingredient we put in each pot - which made us laugh even harder.

***The story behind why it's called Johnny Relish***

In the words of my father, and I quote, "This isn't a very pleasant story, but I'll tell it. My grand-daddy had sheep. His sheep herder, being a sheep herder, was of humble means. This sheep herder, named Johnny, Johnny Cox, lived in a little sheep camp. He had some teeth, but the teeth he had weren't very good. The relish looks like it was chewed by Johnny, hence, Johnny Relish."

***Should you be at our house for breakfast and have relish on your eggs and hashbrowns, know that we used a grater, and not our teeth to make the relish!***

{three} Singing Time is ready for Sunday! Our Primary is doing their annual program on November 9th, and because I'm the chorister, the music responsibilities sort-of fall on me. I say sort-of, because I have the wonderful help of my Primary Presidency and our pianist, not to mention the teachers that keep their classes in line. It was suggested that we have a Singing Time Olympics. We're doing it a tad bit differently than I'd seen it done, but I think it will work. I purchased some paper mache round ornaments and painted them Gold, Silver and Bronze, then attached these fun red, white, and blue ribbons (I would have used red, yellow, and blue, but couldn't find it...). These 'medals' are about four inches in diameter, and are huge! As it stands, each song will have its gold, silver, and bronze singer, which will be able to stand during our national anthem for a brief moment - then those children will receive a badge that says their singing was 'noteworthy' to take home...the medals are then 'reused' for each song...I hope the children are motivated to sing!!! After yesterday, I was wiped out...and felt a bit defeated...but I'm determined to get those children to understand the importance of singing with their heart, and not goofing off! (This is a test, this is only a test, but is it?)

It's nice to have little accomplishments to balance the 'failures' - or better said, learning experiences!

{four} and final - Ryan and I managed to re-arrange our living room in less than three hours and broke only one sentimental object (I keep telling myself it's just that - an object) and destructing one very large and cumbersome piece of furniture (I've hated that lateral file since the day Ryan brought it home - he started wrecking it first, so then I just helped! Now I've got to find a place for all the stuff it held! Good thing it's just stuff, and the garbage is taken twice a week!) and kicking one nasty piece of purple underwear of significant size from our side of the gutter to the other side. I know, I should have been the bigger person and put it in the garbage, but it's been frozen to the street for awhile...okay, two days. But I feel a lot better! Now that it's dark outside, maybe I'll go pick it up with my nifty claw-grabber I use to pull hair balls from the sink drain...that'll do, that'll do. (three points to whomever can name that movie - quick! - there's actually two options for this one!)

Anyhoo...

For those needing an update on the Mr. Mom situation, Ryan is 'winning', and I'm surviving. I sure am glad Heavenly Father decided what roles men and women would have in the family, because I will be glad when we can get back to 'normal'. I've had today, Columbus Day, off. I've been able to spend time with my boys, and I really do miss it. I think Ryan misses getting out of the house and being the bread-winner, too, but hopefully with his Masters, he'll have more opportunity to have a more substantial career...Here's to EDUCATION! HOO-RAH! HOO-RAH! HOO-RAH! (four points to whomever know this movie!)

Okay - I'm done with my public thoughts, and I'm done with the movies! I'm serious - I'm keeping score on this one! Good Luck!

Pullin' yer leg!

As snow was lightly fluttering to the ground this morning, I made an executive decision...I'm picking my tomatoes today, come winter or high water, and making Johnny Relish...with my mom. I kindly offered her kitchen to do the dirty deed, and will bring all the produce, spices, pots and pans...She is 'so excited', according to my dad...we'll see how excited she is tomorrow night when I show up with two laundry baskets full of cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, vinegar, tumeric, cloves, a canner and a few cases of jars (just a few, mind you!).

I am THE ONLY ONE in my house hold (of Ryan and our sons) who will eat relish, but my family loves it...and it's Keith's birthday on Friday, so I figure after spending some hard-earned cash on some too-expensive produce, he should have a nice little gift to return home to in Provo.

Tricia - if you're reading this, we're going to really initiate you to canning this weekend! The only thing worse (read: more work) than relish is salsa, and we'll spare you that treat!

Keep a lookout for some photo's and a story of our Johnny Relish! Yumm!

And I thought I was done canning...HA! Maybe this is like parenting...it's never ending! Ahhhh! I'm melting! I'm mmm-eee-lll-t-ing!

Tag {You're It!}

I was tagged by Megan. Here are the rules:

• Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours.
• Tag 6 fellow bloggers by linking them.
• Leave a comment on each of the tagged bloggers' blogs letting them know they’ve been tagged.

Quirk Numero Uno: I get annoyed when I call my bank, or any other business establishment in the United States of America, and the first thing said on their automated system is not in English. (I'm not racist, and believe that many people from Mexico and South America are very productive individuals - but we are in America, where our National Language is English, so why are we catering to that? - on a side note, if Ryan were ever to drag me South of the boarder to visit some wonderful places, I would wholeheartedly expect to speak their language...not that I even know two words in Spanish or Portuguese, but I would at least listen respectfully and nod. My intention was not to offend with this quirk...it's just that...an odd quirk.)

Quirk Number Two: I love to Iron...I really enjoy the 'task' when I have the time; the ironing board, starch, iron and spray bottle are ready to go, and I have no distractions. Because that rarely happens, I rarely iron. (Deep down I know I'm not a bad wife for not ironing, but it does annoy me...weird, I know.)

Quirk Number Three: Before a hymn or any other song is sung, I have to read who wrote it, the year, and what tune it is to. Stuff like that is interesting to me.

Quirk Number Four: Even if I just posted moments ago, I have to check my blog to see what it looks like if someone else were to look at it...and even if I don't think someone else has posted, I have to check their blog, too....I guess you could say I have an addiction. (I don't think my insurance covers that kind of counseling. Does yours?)

Quirk Number Five: I call my mom at least twice a day - even if I have nothing to tell her, or no questions, I have to call - just to talk, I guess. Good thing we have 'free' mobile-to-mobile.

Quirk Number Six: I prefer to type rather than write...It just looks more neat. Maybe that's my issue. I'm a perfectionist...in some things. (definitely not getting my dishes done - although when I do get them done, I have to wipe all the wet spots down, and sometimes even get out a towel to dry off what I just wiped off...like the counter or the sink...I despise water spots!)

I tag: Tiffany, Rachel H., Heather, Lindsey, Linsey, & Cherisse