Chicago

We went to Pleasant Grove, UT to visit some dear family friends today - The Wells Family. It was such a treat. I have to tell about a funny thing that happened while we were there . . .

Braxton (8 years old) was chillin in his pajamas this morning. Kaylene (mom) wanted to go do something with the day and asked him to change his clothes. There was a little struggle and he came out of his room with a backpack. Kaylene intercepted the backpack as Braxton continued out into the garage.

We were all sitting in the room with her as she gracefully started unzipping the backpack and observing the contents. Braxton was planning on running away!! She pulled out a stuffed tiger and said, "Braxton, you can't take this tiger (and then she smelled it) because it stinks!" as she gently tossed the tiger across the room.

Kaylene then examined the clothing he had packed and said, "Braxton you can't run away with these clothes! They aren't the right size for you."

At this point I'm pretty hysterical. I mean, who says that! Okay, so then Braxton comes out and grabs the backpack and says, "I'm running away now!"

Kaylene says, "Where you going, Brax?"

He then responds with, "I'm going to Chicago!"

Wtf?? He walked out the door and was back within five minutes. I asked him if he was back from Chicago and he looked at me like I was daft. "I haven't left yet!"

Duh!

For the Cats!

This is just too funny to pass up. . .

I'm up here in Rexburg visiting with Dave and Brandilyn. We went to the grocery store last night after dinner to pick up some stuff for tonight's big family dinner that they are hosting. The three of us were brainstorming and trying to come up with all the things we needed (Joseph Reed had given us a shopping list because he's doing the cooking - go Reed!!).

At one point Brandilyn pauses and is pondering over a display in the middle of the aisle. I didn't take much notice because I was off in my own selfish world. Then I heard Dave say, "Hon, what are you doing?"

Brandilyn said, "Well, this is just such a great price for cat food. It's $2.50 for 12 cans of food!"

"Uh, we don't HAVE a cat", responded Dave.

"Well, we might get one some day and then you'll be sorry that we didn't take advantage of this sale!" defended Brandilyn.

From my perspective this exchange was absolutely hysterical. I know it's a "had to be there" moment but I'm telling you those two had me rolling. Needless to say, they didn't get the cat food.

From Robbie

Dear Mom:

Thank you soooo much for staying up with me all night to help me complete my geometry project. I know that I procrastinated until the last minute when I could have done the project two weeks ago. You were great the way you didn't complain. You just dived right in and helped me and now I have a beautiful poster to turn in today. I know that you have to get up really early every morning and that late nights are just not your "thing" so this was a really huge sacrifice.

Mom, you are always there to help me and I know that you love me a lot. I really appreciate all that you do - especially when you just keep loving me even when I'm a jerk.

I'm really glad that you get to leave today and go visit Brandilyn. You so deserve the break from all of us here at home that make so many demands on you. Please enjoy your trip and know that when you get back . . . I will probably have another emergency that I need you to help me with so come home really rested.

Love, Robbie


Hahahahahahaha!!!!! Like this would ever really happen! (The letter)

Daddy

I read a lot where some girls gush and goo about how wonderful their dad is. While that may be true, there are a lot of us who also feel the same way. This is my dad. I love him to pieces! My dad has had his fair of really bad days and he always maintains his positive, upbeat attitude. My dad is kind to everyone that he encounters and ALWAYS sees the good in others.

In addition to being an awesome dad, my father has always been a pretty good grandfather too. He is a lot older than most grandfathers because he started doing the dad thing pretty late in life (he was 36 when I was born and I was the oldest of his five children). He has always supported me and encouraged me in all of my weirdness that I have chucked his way.

I had the opportunity to go up and visit him yesterday and the day before. I got to zone him and my step-mom's feet. They were so cute. They had an open mind and were so receptive to this unique modality of healing. I zoned them on Saturday night and then again on Sunday morning. I was amazed to see the difference in one day with BOTH of them. These are the kind of people that will see such amazing results with zoning.

I am grateful for everything my dad has given me and taught me. I consider myself to be pretty upbeat and positive and strive to be more accepting of people the way my dad is.

I know the last thing anybody wants is to read a bunch of gooey, mushy dribble about someone else's kids and family but I really wanted to write this for ME.

I love you, daddy and will always remain . . . Daddy's little girl!!

Idaho

I'm pretty excited. I get to leave in just a few days and go see Brandilyn in Idaho. It's so pathetic that we can't seem to go more that just a couple of months without a visit. I miss her so much and it's amazing what a wonderful woman she is turning into. I know she has school and work but just being in her world for a couple of days is bliss.

Another cool thing about my pending visit is that Mr. Dave has been busy online looking up wild steeds for my viewing. I am packing up my boots and jeans so that I can go try out these magestic beings to see if one of them would like to come home and live with me here in California (I can provide a warmer setting which might make me more of an appealing choice as an adoptive horse mom).

Also, I THINK I might get to see Jaybee and her new digs. I haven't gotten to see where she calls home yet. For that matter, I haven't seen much of that girl in the last couple of years. She's been so busy falling in love, getting married and setting up the perfect home for her and her new husband. Plus, while I'm up in Rexburg I will definitely be visiting with Derek and Janalee and Shauna Leigh and Josh with their families. Oh, the fun just never ends. Babies to look at (you know me, not the "hold baby" kind of Grandma) and then I get to kiss them good night when I've had my fill. Definitely the perfect situation.

But wait . . . there's more! I get to maybe see Kaylene and Maddie too! There was talk of this and I'm still keeping my little phalangees crossed that it's still the deal. Those two girls maketh me to laugh a lot (well, I kind of do that anyway, but they ARE hecka fun!).

Oh, and dang, I almost forgot! Hailey Wetherbee! One of my favoritist people to see. That will undoubtedly be a highlight. That girl is pretty righteous!

So, yeah, this is going to be a stellar fun trip. About a month's worth of fun packed in a little four day adventure. Sweet!

Mouses Rule!

My sister, my daughters and most women that I'm close to are pretty handy and actually enjoy the kitchen. They like to cook, create, bake and do whatever else goes on in that area of the house. Me, not so much. I NEED a recipe for everything I create and it's like pulling teeth for me to cook dinner each evening (we pretty much live on leftovers but then the problem with that is that you actually need to PREPARE food somewhere along the line to end up with leftovers!)

My family accepts this part of me (with some reluctance) and we work around it somehow. So that brings me to this morning. I'm assembling lunches for the team and throwing things into the blender to make some semblance of a healthy concoction to send the boys off to school with. I hear this noise coming from the sink area and it keeps getting louder and LOUDER! Wtf??

I go outside to see if the dogs are scratching themselves against the side of the house. No dice. Okay, so the noise MUST be coming from within. Apparently the mice have figured out the game plan (it only took them 12 stinkin years). Yup, that's right. They have moved in and taken up residency inside of the walls of my kitchen, for crying out loud.

So there we have it . . . if I want to reclaim that which should rightfully be mine, I need to be proactive. I need to actually figure out a way to generate activity in this scary place I call my kitchen!

Butt Call

Robin is Jacob's aid at school. Her and I have developed a pretty awesome friendship over this last year or so. Every morning I drop Jacob off, they put a cone behind my car (it makes me feel important) so that other cars can go around me while I chat with Robin about official business (like what she did last night or what kind of trouble our teenagers are causing us etc.).

It's really great because she also communicates Jacob's activities (good and bad) to me each day. I get a written report of his day as well as a verbal. Robin seems to be really fond of Jacob and is really good to him. I am so appreciative of her and all that she has done to help him along.

Okay, enough sappy drama crap. Here's the story of today. So, like Robin calls me to see if I can come in for my IEP at 2:30 in lieu of 3:00. IEP meeting? WTF???? I didn't have that on MY calendar. She says, "I'll get back to you." She does and it's her bad (whew!) my meeting isn't until June 4th. Thought so. So that's that.

A few more hours go by and I happen to look down at my phone. I have a missed call from Robin. "Oh crap", think I. Jacob is having another "episode". I quickly listen to my message only to hear that my phone had called her phone and she wanted to know what the heck I wanted.

For those of us who carry our cell phones in our back pockets a lot, we know exactly what was up . . . IT WAS A BUTT CALL!! Sorry Robin!