ultimate boy party

My youngest child, my baby, turned 10 years old last week. To a child this age, birthdays cannot pass without flare. A big boom. A blast. A bon fire! Well, that is, according to Jeffrey. While mom was out of town doing girl things with sisters and friends, Jeffrey and dad were home doing guy things like.........

collecting wood in the canyon

chopping wood

eating steak

ditchin' school

searching for bmx bike

eating burgers and shakes

planning the ultimate boy party

that's what I call quality time!

As soon as I arrived home the party began. fire and apple pie...... friends and presents.... little smokies and marshmallows. the end

They serve us in return for scraps

All is Quiet while mom does the dishes.

everyone has vanished.

dishwasher humming.

warm soapy water

one last bit of casserole for Gus Gus.
what a good helper!

"Dogs have given us their absolute all. We are the center of their universe. We are the focus of their love and faith and trust. They serve us in return for scraps. It is without a doubt the best deal man has ever made."

~Roger Caras

Stop this train

Today I am 39. Yesterday I was 29, preparing to give birth to my last baby. Two days ago I was 19 and engaged to be married to the man of my dreams. The day before that I was 9, in the fourth grade adjusting to my new school and new home. And the day before that, I was born on my mother's 27th birthday. Tomorrow I will be 49. Won't someone stop this train?

Next month my dad will be 69. My grandmother will be 99.

I love John Mayer. His song sums up exactly how i feel these days. Time is traveling too fast for me. I'm a passenger sitting in a window seat watching life pass before my eyes in a fast motion. Life......please slow down. I love watching my kids learn and grow and experience new things. But at the same time i want to push the pause button, pull the brake, lock the door, stop feeding my children milk! I know that one day my children will be grown and out of the house. I remember my fasination with my first newborn baby in my arms. I wanted him to stay a baby. I called my mom and asked her if she misses her babies. She told me that she still has them, but in a different form. She said that the joy never ends as they grow and become adults, having babies of their own. I said "ok" and hung up the phone and had a good postpardom cry. Don't stop this train. Don't for a minute change the place your in. she seemed to say.

i love President Monson's talk on Finding Joy in the Journey. I really needed to hear his words and sweet reminders.

"There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today."

The most important part of my day are the people in that day. My husband and children, family and friends.

"My sincere prayer is that we my adapt to the changes in our lives, that we may realize what is most important, that we may express gratitude always and thus find joy in the journey."

So what. I'm almost 40. I have so much to be grateful for. Everyday blessings fill my life. I have joy and love. Now i see i'm never going to stop this train.

Happy Birthday MOM!! don't get any older....i don't want to celebrate without you.