We are getting ready to go to Salt Lake City tomorrow. I haven't been back since October of 2000. I am so excited to see the mountains, to see my family, to see my friends.
I can't help but think back to nine years ago when I found out I had been accepted to BYU. I hadn't been to Utah since I was 10 years old but the idea of BYU felt safe to me. I knew it was time to leave home and spread my wings. I spent the summer working to save money for my freshman year of college.
I can still remember the way I felt when we drove over the Rocky Mountains, and I caught my first glimps of the valley. I remember how big it looked and how I suddenly felt scared. What had I gotten myself into? I didn't even know my family that lived there. I didn't know anything about BYU. I didn't know where I was.
My parents raised us to be independent. If it wasn't for that, I don't know if I could would have made it. I remember standing outside my grandma's house and telling my mom goodbye. She gave me $20 for food and said we'd be in touch. Man that feels so long ago.
Going to BYU was one of the greatest decisions I have ever made. When I think back to my time there I feel a kind of homesickness. I miss my friends, the atmosphere and the carefree years I spent there. Now I am so grown up with bills that need to paid and kids that need my constant attention. When did I grow up? Was it really so long ago...
Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
Why I don't make plans...
I went to a CM meeting last night. While I was there a woman said the quote "If you want to hear God laugh, make plans". This could be the moto of my life. Take today for instance:
My sister Anna called to see if I wanted to take the kids to the zoo (we had planned on going on Monday but the weather was bad). Anna has a zoo pass so she can get us in for free. She had a dentist appointment, and then she was going to get us into the zoo and then go home. While she was on the way, my other sister Sendai called to see what we were doing today. I told her we were going to the zoo, and she decided to take her kids too. She also has a zoo pass so we figured between both passes we could get everyone in for free.
Anna called after her appointment to see if I just wanted to meet at the zoo. I told her Sendai was coming but wasn't here yet so she should meet me at the house. Then Sendai called and asked what I was doing. I told her I was waiting for Anna to get here. She said they were headed out the door when she discovered that her daughter Soraya had stuck a rock up her nose and she couldn't get it out. She wanted me to watch the kids while she ran Soraya to the medical clinic.
So she brought the kids over. Anna hung around for a while until it was obvious that we weren't going to be able to make it to the zoo. About five minutes after Anna left, Sendai called and said that on her last attempt before medical intervention, Soraya was able to dislodge the rock by blowing it out. They had to stop at Target to get a toy for Soraya being well behaved a tthe clinic, and then they would be back back.
So you see, this is why I don't make plans. I make generalizations about what I would like to accomplish or do in the near future. It's safer that way. And there is less disappointment. A sense of humor helps too. After all, who wouldn't laugh about a kid with a rock stuck up her nose.
My sister Anna called to see if I wanted to take the kids to the zoo (we had planned on going on Monday but the weather was bad). Anna has a zoo pass so she can get us in for free. She had a dentist appointment, and then she was going to get us into the zoo and then go home. While she was on the way, my other sister Sendai called to see what we were doing today. I told her we were going to the zoo, and she decided to take her kids too. She also has a zoo pass so we figured between both passes we could get everyone in for free.
Anna called after her appointment to see if I just wanted to meet at the zoo. I told her Sendai was coming but wasn't here yet so she should meet me at the house. Then Sendai called and asked what I was doing. I told her I was waiting for Anna to get here. She said they were headed out the door when she discovered that her daughter Soraya had stuck a rock up her nose and she couldn't get it out. She wanted me to watch the kids while she ran Soraya to the medical clinic.
So she brought the kids over. Anna hung around for a while until it was obvious that we weren't going to be able to make it to the zoo. About five minutes after Anna left, Sendai called and said that on her last attempt before medical intervention, Soraya was able to dislodge the rock by blowing it out. They had to stop at Target to get a toy for Soraya being well behaved a tthe clinic, and then they would be back back.
So you see, this is why I don't make plans. I make generalizations about what I would like to accomplish or do in the near future. It's safer that way. And there is less disappointment. A sense of humor helps too. After all, who wouldn't laugh about a kid with a rock stuck up her nose.
A Poem
Maya Angelou is one of my favorite poets. When I read her poems I can hear her saying the words. I first read the poem Phenomenal Woman when I was a senior in highschool. I love the words and I love the rhythym of the poem.
Phenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Maya Angelou
Phenomenal Woman
Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.
Maya Angelou
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Omaha Children's Museum
My mom and I took the kids to the Omaha Children's Museum. I don't know who had more fun, me or the kids.
Paxton loved the John Deere tractor. That boy is country!
Olivia and my little sisters loved the Baker's grocery store. They had a blast shopping and checking out. Hopefully they have that kind of enthusiasm when they are 16 and looking for a summer job. The museum has a special dinosaur exhibit right now that has life size moving dinosaurs. I personally thought they were a little scary. Olivia was fascinated with the nest full of recently hatched dinosaur babies.
I had to get a picture of her standing there staring at them.
You can see my mom holding Paxton and my two little sisters by Olivia. I think we all had a great time. I wonder who is more excited to go back again?
Paxton loved the John Deere tractor. That boy is country!
Olivia and my little sisters loved the Baker's grocery store. They had a blast shopping and checking out. Hopefully they have that kind of enthusiasm when they are 16 and looking for a summer job. The museum has a special dinosaur exhibit right now that has life size moving dinosaurs. I personally thought they were a little scary. Olivia was fascinated with the nest full of recently hatched dinosaur babies.
I had to get a picture of her standing there staring at them.
You can see my mom holding Paxton and my two little sisters by Olivia. I think we all had a great time. I wonder who is more excited to go back again?
 |
1. I had a great 4th of July. We had some of Pa's famous bbq spare ribs and shot off about 3 hours worth of fireworks. No one was injured and everyone had a great time. It made for a great holiday in my book. 2. Paxton gobbled up a ton of Arkansas' famous Cave City watermelon last night and even signed for more. I've been signing for the boy since he was 4 months old so it's nice to see the work finally pay off. 3. Today I took the kids to a waterpark and the Omaha Children's Museum. I was impressed with both. 4. I need a new swimsuit. I thought the one I had was okay until I saw a picture of myself in it. Let's just say it wasn't as flattering as I had hoped. My older sister is assisting me in my quest. So far it has involved purchasing 5 swimsuits from local thrift stores. Sadly, only one actually fit. 5. You would think that if you wore the kids out by keeping them busy all day, they would go to sleep easily. This was not the case tonight. 6. My mom is hosting a Get Together tomorrow night. I'm hoping to make at least $50 in sales which would double the amount I made at the last two Get Togethers I held combined. Sad, I know. 7. Yes Pa, we know tomorrow is trash day. 8. I went to three yardsales today. I found some baby girl clothes to resale and a John Deere keychain for Jody. The girls tried to talk me into buying some worthless junk. I was not easily persuaded. I told them to find something worth paying for and I'd be happy to buy it for them. They weren't too happy about it. 9. Pa brought me home a jr. banana split with chocolate and caramel from Sonic. It was delish! I hope he gets me one again sometime soon (hint, hint). 10. Pa and the missionaries went to Home Teach a man from church. Apparently he has a big hairy dog because they had to come by the house and vacuum their clothes before going to their next appointment. It was an amusing sight to see. 11. I grew up to believe that taking out trash was a man chore. My dad doesn't remember teaching us that childhood lesson. 12. I helped my older sister move some furniture today. We managed to do it without getting injured. If you knew me or my sister, you would know that that is a big accomplishment. 13. When Olivia talks to Jody on the phone, she has a tendency to have a fatigue-induced breakdown. It breaks the poor man's heart. Honest, Jody, she really is having fun here. |
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Wednesday, July 05, 2006
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