Seven on Saturday - My Mom

With Mother's Day on Sunday - I thought that I would share with everyone 7 reasons why I love my Mom.

1. Look at the picture above - this is always how I see and think of my Mom. She may not have the fanciest clothes, she may wear the same shirts, cut off shorts and sneakers forever. But she is doing what matters most. In this picture she was sledding with her grandkids. The boots she has on are my dad's and so is the sweatshirt.

2. KYMS - that was and is her motto today - Keep your mouth shut and if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. She always lives these two rules. I know that if I told her something - it stays locked in the vault and nothing would make it come out.

3. Whenever I need to talk to someone, she is there for me. We don't live in the same neighborhood, city or state and some times even country, but I know that she is there for me. When I used to work full time before I got married, I would call her everyday. Sometimes just to say Hi and other times to cry on the phone but I loved knowing that she would be there for me with a word or two of encouragement!

4. Service - where it was making cinnamin rolls for the ladies in the ward on their birthdays, going to girls camp for thousands of years, doing whatever was asked of her, she did it and always gave 100%. I also never heard her complain when my Dad's callings took him away lots of the time. When they were called to go to Africa and back to New York - I have never heard her complain about serving. I have learned from her example to give my life in service to those around me.

5, Kids - I learned from my mom that it is more important to spend time with my kids that it is to worry about having the cleanest house on the block. I learned from her that it is okay for my kids to be dirty, for dishes to stay in the sink so I can go and play with them.

6, My Dad - I have seen how my mom supports my dad in everything he does. I am grateful to her for that example. That has helped me support Bryant in all of his crazy schedules and it has helped made our marriage stronger.

7, Small and Simple things - my mom is all about the small and simple things. For birthdays, my kids get a punching balloon for her - they think that it is the best present ever. She perfers to be behind the scene - rather than out in front of the group. She always is herself too. No matter what the situtation is.


Happy Mother's Day Mom! I love you and am so glad that you are my mom!!!

Ten on Tuesday (A few hours late)

1. Madi's 4th Grade Project - For the past few weeks, Madi and Bryant have been working on part of her 4th grade history project. She decided to do it on the Saguaro Cactus. She wanted to make one. Here is what it looked like before the part, flower and spines went on it. She was so excited to turn it in yesterday and do her oral presentaton. She got 20/20. She did a great job!

2. Hair Cut - after pictures. I hope you can see the differences in the hair cuts. The biggest change was Maya and it looks SOOOOO much better!

3. This past weekend was father and sons campout and Max and Bryant left at 4:30 am to go fishing. They caught 51 fish in a few hours. This is one of the bigger ones that Max caught! They both look forward to this weekend all year long!

4, Bryant's Birhtday - Part 1 - for his birthday, Bryant wanted to go fishing and try out his new fishing hat. Here is the first fish that he caught that day. I went with him while the kids were in school and I even caught 2 fishes and 5 craydads. He had a great time and it was a great day to spend together!

5. Bryant's birthday - Part 2 - Maya was so proud of this hat she made for Bryant for his birthday that I had to post the picture. She had it double wrapped in 2 towels and thought that she was hilarious! He also got some new sandals, fishing stuff and new fishing hat!

6. On Monday was the Spring Sing for the kids school. They all did a great job and Maya even got to introduce one of the songs! Next up - Madi's orchestra concert on May 17th - you all are invited to come join us if you want too!

7. Microwave - 18 years ago, when Kindy moved to AZ, we got an apartment together and it needed a Microwave. We bought one and the thing that we liked most about it was that after it was done cooking, it said "Enjoy your meal" Well, it was laid to rest last night. The light no longer worked -it took over 4 minutes to pop a bag of popcorn and I think it might be the cause of Maya's 11th toe. We bought a new one and WOW it heats things up so quick and is so much lighter (even though it is bigger).

8. Shun the Sun - in October of 2010, I ran my first 1/2 marathon and loved it. So much that I just signed up to do it again! So, any one who wants to run with me - I would love the company! It is a very very flat easy course in Mesa and the finish line is at home plate at the Cubs Stadium!

9. Clothes - After watching so many pictures of Kate Middleton the past week or so, I decided that I truly hate all of my clothes. I was tempted to throw them all away and go buy new ones - but when my senses kicked in, I went shopping with Kim instead and we each bought a whole outfit (including accessories) from Old Navy. We had a great time but found it was a little hard to really spend money on clothes for ourselves and not at goodwill or any other second hand store.

10. The Restoration - in Primary this month - they are learning all about the Restoration. I am so glad that I am the one doing sharing time this month. I love the church and I am so grateful that it was restored to the earth and I had lived in NY for so many years!!