The return of Ugly Frog

As these things go, kids toys tend to come and disappear. Ella can tell you all about the "green monster" who takes her toys that she doesn't pick up... Is this an effective method? No. However, I have been know to take a trash bag and sort through her toys and get rid of the ones I can't stand on more than one occasion. *The KEY is to get rid of the bag, because it's like Christmas on one side for the child who realized she missed the toys HOWEVER she becomes a bit cheesed that they were missing in the first place... Puts you in an uncomfortable position -but I digress.

So yesterday we get home from grocery shopping at Walmart (Lord give me strength) and I was thirsty. I was zooming in and out of the garage grabbing groceries out of the car trunk -and I spotted my stash of Minute Maid Light Raspberry Passion (YUM) and reached in for a can. Well, when you're feeling for cans in a semi-dark garage, you don't want to feel something SQUISHY!! I pulled my hand out VERY quickly as I screeched, dropping the can on the ground, thinking something DEAD has landed on my Minute Maid Light Raspberry Passion stash -NO BUENO! I peer in, expecting to see a corpse, but no, it's worse. It's Ugly Frog. This wretched toy has been my nemesis from day one, and now it's out to take my Minute Maid Light Raspberry Passion stash down too? I don't think so. I was so skeeved that it was actually still hard to open the can -but my thirst won. Ugly frog still resides in this box in my garage (Ella is quite creative when it comes to stashing things from the green monster). I don't think I can reach in for another can of Minute Maid Light Raspberry Passion, HOWEVER, next time the green monster strikes, the whole box goes down, baybee. Since we got Ugly Frog back 2x during our Sam's Club excursion, and since he has taken over my Minute Maid Light Raspberry Passion stash, OKAY, Ugly Frog -3, Rebecca -0, but these are battles. I SHALL WIN THE WAR!!!!

Slug Mom

YES I AM A SLUG MOM!! Yesterday was Ella's birthday -she turned 4 years old. I will do a better post when I get some decent pictures! :D Here is a picture my gorgeous mom back in the day... It's a 4-generation shot with Rachael (baby), Mom, Granny, and Great Granny.

Dave & Lex

My brother Dave and his wife Lexie are going to move. Dave just picked up a fantastic new position in SLC and is closing down shop here in Logan. These two have been through quite a battle from the beginning of their marriage. David continued school and just graduated a few days ago. Only last year, the two of them opened their own business -and worked like crazy to get it running. They welcomed baby Noah in September -and opened the business just after that. Last month they shut it down. Between school, baby, business (opening AND closing), and insane family circumstances, these two have come out of it all with such grace. I can't imagine going through what they have. I'm only grateful for their example to me of what love can overcome, and the power of faith. Congrats on the new job Dave! You'll do amazing.

Being A Mom

Being a mom isn't easy. You can prepare for sleep deprevation, you can prepare for sickness and even tantrums. I guess what I feel totally unprepared for is the heartbreak that can come from loving your children so much -and not having them get it. Can I just say: Mom, I get it. When we as mothers hope and pray for the understanding of the deepest and purest and unconditional love we have for our children -the light at the end of the tunnel is that one day they will sincerely understand it. My mom has been through some insane health issues (from open heart surgery when I was in 1st grade, to strokes, to lumps, to breathing issues -the list goes on), she's earned her doctorate in research & evaluation, she gives endless time and effort toward church, she has raised six children and was able to instill in them a strong work ethic, love for their neighbor, intelligence, and an individual compass allowing each to make mistakes -yet learn and grow and become all the better. My mom isn't your typical mom, however, without her influence, there's no way I would be the woman I am. I love you mom.

Girls, my own understanding is a hope to me that you will someday know and recognize the joy I have in being your mom. I don't know what I must have done to receive the honor in raising you, but it's the most precious gift I will ever know.

Typing!

74 words

Speed test

I'm not the fastest typer in the world, but this is a fun test I stole from my friend Ashlee's blog!

Mean Girls

Last night Ella heard the neighbor kids outside bouncing a ball around. She darted out and went over to talk to them. I stepped outside and listened for a minute. I peered around and saw the little girl she was talking to -who was about 5 inches shorter, but obvioulsy older -maybe four or five. She said "we don't want to play with you, why did you even come over here?". I was taken aback. It takes EVERYTHING a mom has to not let that mamma-bear out and let that little girl have a piece of your mind. I did keep in mind however, that it wasn't my backyard, and simply called Ella back to come inside. She didn't really understand what happened, and still wanted to go play. I don't want her to understand. Ella has such a big heart. She loves all kids, and accepts people as they are. She'll throw her tantrums, but I've never heard something so mean come out of her mouth. I've been stewing about this -and Lance doesn't want her to play with those girls at all now. After a while, I took Ella's little face in my hands, and told her how lucky the kids are who will be her friends someday.

Quote of the day

Lance called me up and told me his sad tale: as he brushed Ella's hair and got her ready for school, Ella thoughtfully observed: "Daddy, your hair is shaped like an M!" ...Out of the mouths of babes...

Ella + Lexie

Ella is a funny girl. She has decided to attach herself to Lexie (my brother Dave's wife) in a CRAZY way. First at Mia's blessing, I've NEVER seen Ella be so well behaved sitting next to Lex. I didn't even have to break out the emergency Skittles! So the other day she got to go play with Lex and go to a band concert with her in the evening. When she came home I had to leave her downstairs for a few minutes while I put Mia back to sleep. Well, I heard the front door open, but wasn't in a position to yell down the stairs and see if she was there ...then came the wailing. Lots of crying -and it was sad crying too. I decided to zoom down (and left Mia hanging, who then started to cry too) and see what the problem was. Ella was cross-legged in the front doorway crying "I miss Lexie". Man. Kids don't get that no one will ever love them as much as you do, and how hard it is to grow a thick skin that can withstand the blows that comes with "but you have mommy" then "but I want Lexie". :) I'll post a picture of them together soon. Yeesh!

Milly Kisses

Ella gave our sweet baby this nickname and I don't think it could be more perfect! Seriously folks, how stinkin' cute are my kids?!

OK! The 5-fer

Fine fine fine. For those of you who check my blog regularly, yes the weekend was originally a 5-fer.
First, David's graduation: David is my brother and is an incredible man. He has managed to finish school amidst making his own business, raising a baby (Noah), and keeping his marriage and family together amidst some very rough trials. I'm so impressed with his drive. I honestly don't know anyone with a stronger work ethic than my brother Dave and his wife Lexie. Way to go Dave! Congratulations! Second, Ella's birthday: What a fun night! She got her dinosaur cake (tasty!) -with dinosaurs that make noise (noisy toys are my nemesis -no one told me that these cake toppers were NOISY) and lots of fun clothes and shoes and even some cool toys in the deal. Ella was so sweet about it. She actually turns 4 on the 14th, but this was the opportunity for everyone to share in the fun! She called it her "early birthday celebration".

Third & Fourth, blessings: Sunday -Yes, I had pulled Mia's blessing from the list, as there were simply too many road blocks. By a very inspired twist of fate, Lance's work cancelled the Sunday shift, and it was back on. My dad blessed her -and it was amazing. Little Mia is so loved it's overwhelming. Bless her heart, she's so attached to Lance and myself that she now will hardly let anyone else hold her without her "losing it" as it's been called. We've been pretty tight this weekend. :) Fifth, Mother's day: We all celebrated our mother in the afternoon -this after a delightful dinner, buffet style (works GREAT when the numbers get this big). Mom is the keystone to this family. It's so wonderful to be able to honor her and let her know how much she means to us.
It's been a crazy and busy weekend with lots of planned events, but there were two unexpected highlights: The first is a song that my brother David wrote for his wife Lexie. They've gone through SO much, and the song tells her in such an incredibly beautiful way how much she means to him. David played it for the family -and I watched Lexie bury her head in tears. We all felt such a wonderful spirit of love in the home. The second was a very spontaneous and suprising announcement that my sister Rachael is expecting her second child! We can't believe it!! Her kids will be 15 months apart! WE'RE SO EXCITED!!! Lily will be a big sissy!
Lots of emotion, lots of love. I have an incredible family that I am so grateful to be a part of.