Saying the wrong thing

After reading Audra's post about feeling uncomfortable in crowds, I thought about all the times I have said the wrong thing, had the wrong thing said, or just barely kept from making a fool of myself. I also think that sometimes we all feel a little uncomfortable or unable to make conversation, so don't think you are the only one. I have definitely felt that. Just the other day we got a new missionary in our ward. I was so excited, don't get the wrong idea, but he was black. I thought, great, finally someone not from Utah. I meant to ask him two or three times where he was from by saying something like, " We need some missionaries from somewhere other than Utah, where are you from?" (Not that Utah is bad, I have a special place in my heart for Utah, but it is nice to see that there are faithful saints in lots of different places.) So I kept getting sidetracked and never asked. Thankfully! He stood up on Sunday and said he was from Salt Lake City, Aw man.
Speaking of saying the wrong thing my brother loves to make people feel awkward. Whenever someone asks about our mom he loves to say "My mommas dead." Yeah that will make anyone feel like a dirt bag. She is by the way he isn't just saying that. How mean is that though.

I think one thing to remember is that we are all human, very few people go around with the intent of offending someone. I hope we can realize this when someone says something that is a little off. I can almost guarantee they are later thinking how stupid it was to have said that. I know I do.
What is the stupidest thing you have ever said or done?

Life is beautiful

Last summer I was so sick with Adam and I will drive past places I went or think about something I did while sick and I get sick all over again for a minute, but when it is gone I am SO glad I have him and SO glad I am not sick. I am so glad I have a big family and even though sometimes I feel like people are thinking, "why does that lady have so many kids, and can't she control them," those kids make me SO happy. Even when Jane threw up the other night, I was just glad I had her, (and that Shay helped me clean it out of the carpet). I started thinking about that movie Life is Beautiful, and knew that we make life what it is. Regardless of circumstances we can choose to be happy. I hope I can giggle a little more, make a few more messes, give a few more hugs, forgive a little faster, and feel the beauty life has to offer a little more often.

Party for a ten year old boy?

Skyler doesn't really want a party. But I have a feeling he has the preteen moodies and is going to decide last minute he wants one. Or maybe my ideas just aren't that great. I had two really fun ideas that he booed. One was Double Dare, do you remember that game show? And the other was a video game adventure where you play the pawn, so it will be like an obstacle course. Give me some ideas if you have them. Thanks

Adam at 4 Months

Our little guy is HUGE. Only 4 months and roughly 18lbs, he is following in his brothers footsteps. He is the cutest thing ever and I love it when he smiles, which he can't resist to do when I kiss him no matter what mood he is in. I just love his little laugh and his fat feet. He is my baby and he knows it. I just can't seem to let him "cry it out" at all. Any fuss and I am there. I know I am spoiling him but I can't help it. Knowing he is my baby, the last of my babies, I have a need to love and kiss and hug and tickle and snuggle and sniff and squeeze all my love of babies into him. I adore him and am so glad we have him. I tell Shay all the time, thank you for letting us have him, Shay really wanted to call it quits after the twins. But he loves him tons. I tell my Heavenly Father the same, thank you for him, and my other kids as well. His little smile melts my heart. We love you baby Adam, thank you for joining our home!

Pinewood Derby-One Year Of Blogging Anniversary

The Pinewood Derby was my first blog post at the beginning of last year. It is so exciting to me to know I have gone a full year and posted so many fun things to help me remember. The only things I remember when the twins were little are things we have pictures of, or I wrote in my Journal, so I know this will be very valuable one day. I know some of you said you can get it printed out, please let me know how or where, Thanks.

Now moving on...This years Pinewood Derby was postponed a couple of times and finally they set a date. But we didn't find out about it until the day before and Shay happened to be out of town. So here I was with a block of wood and a nine year old, wondering if I could do this. Skyler and Shay placed 4th last year, almost winning third place but losing by a smidgen, it was super close. I don't know how many of you have almost tasted victory just to have it pulled out from under you, but I have (Settlers of Catan anyone?) it makes you crazy for a win. So this is the situation I was left with.

I called a neighbor who's son won last year and he kindly brought me all his tips and secrets to winning. Skyler wanted a Cheese wedge, so we painted it super cool like Swiss cheese with a mouse driver. Then we got to work on the wheels, on the axles, on the alignment, waxing and shining and sanding. Added the weight and we were ready. I felt good about it.

On the way to church I started getting nervous. I started thinking about how horrible it could be. Last year a kid had started crying and telling his dad how awful he was because his car didn't win one race. I could see that happening, "Moms aren't supposed to make pinewood derby cars, your the worst mom ever" with tears and frustration. So Skyler and I talked and he seemed very forgiving of how bad we might do, but before I felt we might do alright, now I wasn't so sure.

I started thinking about Judgement day and how I have always had confidence that I would be alright, but as I was getting close to the real judgement on my Pinewood Derby car, I realized maybe I was fooling myself. So I was not only nervous for my car, I started to worry about my eternal welfare as well.

Then the racing started, I felt nervous, but tried to stay composed. Shay had got an early flight and made it just in time. This eased my intensity some. Skyler won his first race. Phewf (that's what Elly says) That is all I asked for. I felt great. He won his second race and his third. They announced Skyler and Cam (the boy he is sitting next to) are in the finals and will compete for first and second place. What? Our car is going to take first or second...I couldn't believe it. I began thinking that maybe I am not going to be doomed on Judgement day, I just have to keep doing my best.

As you see below in the photo finish, Skyler's car took second, but it was a close second. I was very happy and so was Skyler.

Some Do's and Don'ts for Picture taking

Don't Put your child in a tree, where they fear for their lives. It doesn't make for a good picture.

Unless you bribe them with candy.

So many don'ts I don't know where to start, my g's showing, Shays huge belly with my hand lovingly placed as though he is the one carrying our child, the double chins. This whole scene, just Don't do it!
Much better although we still have double chins, only so much you can do for those.

Whoa, let the kid get on the fence already. Ask your husband not to stand like a droid.
And wala you have a nice picture! (minus the sticks in your husbands hand)

I hope you have learned some useful skills, so next time you take your family out you can have nice pictures to remember the day.

Nerdn' It Up

Skyler is a bit, well, nerdy. This is how you see him most of the time. Reading a book, asking to read a book, looking for a book to read. Because he reads so much, he has a much bigger vocabulary than I, not only at that age, but now as well. Last night he was finishing up his homework and told us about his day at school. "I was in class and got in this mathematical state, I was in it for a long time and when I came out it felt really weird."

Maybe your nine year old tells you his state of mind. Maybe he isn't as nerdy as I think. It really doesn't matter. We love him, super nerdy or not.