Clean Windows

"Clean windows."
It really is lovely sounding ....
It's probably even better looking.

TRUTH or DARE?

Dare I confess this?
Truth:
I haven't cleaned the outside of my windows since we moved into this home 18 years ago. (I have cleaned my windows around my front door and my sliding glass door windows, but seriously, nothing else.)

GROSS.

Icckkkkk!

Two words - Dir Tee

28 non clean windows!
Anyway.. I always thought we were going to change our windows out, so why clean them?
Our windows are paper thin and falling apart....
Through my windows I can hear morning high schoolers racing to beat the 7:30 bell.
I can hear birds chirping, Dogs barking, Horns honking, Garbage trucks, garbaging.
When it's windy, it sounds like they are whistling.....woooooooo, woooooo. Or maybe we have ghosts.
I keep telling Monson and Laila how "Cool" it is. Not every house has singing windows. We are special.

I had new windows priced out to change a number of times, then something happens, and we don't change them.

So now I'm wondering if, after 18 years, I should just break down and clean them? Well, maybe not ME clean them...but have someone clean them.

Hey... Don't you judge me.

Maybe this is the summer for NEW windows after all.

So thankful Thursday

1. I got to go to the zoo today as a parent chaperone for Laila's first grade class. I was only in charge of three little girls. You think that would be easy, but they were all different personalities. One stayed right by my side and read the map and decided where we should go next. One was always lagging 20 feet behind....distracted and tired. One was always running ahead shouting, "Hurry up....come on!"
Guess which one is Laila?
Laila is not much of a hand holder. She loves life and jumps in with two feet and then some. She ran from animal to animal and only stopped when a shiny water ball offered a bit of fun, or a drink from a lion's mouth, or a spray from an elephant's trunk. She giggles and laughs and runs. I love this about her. I'm thankful she is not afraid. I'm thankful she doesn't "need" me.

2. I'm thankful Laila let me know, in a note, what to pack us both for lunch today- she didn't want me to "wing" it.

Zoo lunch list
2 water bottles
2 sandwiches
2 apples
1 yogurt crush cup
1 brownie
82 grapes

Laila is very much in charge.

3. I'm thankful for sunny days and Grandma Butters pool!

4. I'm thankful Truman loves to sing-- The Choir Concert was great. So awesome to see the kids and hear fun Disney music. It was a little sad to think this is Truman's last choir experience.....

5. I'm thankful for friends who like trying new restaurants and love to eat.

6. I'm thankful my teenage sons are okay with having me at the high school doing choreography and hanging around their friends.

7. I'm thankful I'm running away to Yellowstone to see my Addison for his 23rd birthday!

8. I'm thankful for summer!

9. I'm thankful

Lost

I lost my Prius key
I lost track of time
I lost my calendar
I lost my phone charger
and I lost 5 ounces.....
the Wednesday weight saga continues....

Sugar

My Tru was in charge of getting the thank you gift to give to his SBO advisor.
She is a great lady who spends tons of time at activities and games, helping the kids stay involved and focused. "V" is at every dance.
I got to be a chaperone at the dances this year too.
There is one song that V will always dance to, it's called "Pour Some Sugar on Me" by Def Leppard.
She loves that song, and the officers love having her on the dance floor, dancing with them to the sugar song. It's a kick.
T went on line and found really cute t shirts with cereal bowls or grape fruit on them that said, "Pour some sugar on me." He presented the idea of getting this shirt for V to the other officers, collected the money and was ready to order the shirt. These were all sold out. He found another design with a ladies outline and a microphone. He ordered it.
The t-shirt came today, just in time for his end of year party.
He was so excited as he ripped open the packaging. He showed me the shirt. I asked him what the design was supposed to be...I couldn't see a lady with a microphone at all...
It's actually a lady pole dancing with the words Pour Some Sugar on Me , on and around her figure.
POLE DANCING
I haven't stopped laughing.
I have tears rolling down my face.

Tru is so embarrassed.

I told him, " maybe it's a lady with a really big microphone between her legs."

Oh, it's too funny.
I love my naive children.
I hope his SBO advisor likes her shirt.......she's getting it anyway.
Hopefully she'll remember that it's the thought that counts.
Sugar anyone?

Memorial Weekend

Memorial Weekend and it's raining again!
I'm always sad when it's a rainy on this weekend. I think its heaven crying for all those who have left this world.....or maybe crying for those of us who are still here.

I miss my Grandpa Butters. He was a huge influence on my life. He passed away when I was pregnant with Monson, 17 years ago. When my Monson was born a red-head.... I just knew Grandpa had something to do with that and was smiling down on me.
Grandpa Butters was a member of a self appointed "wonderful" committee. He worked as a hair dresser for 40 plus years, so he really knew how to shmooze the ladies. He always said and did the right thing, making everyone feel wonderful. I always felt special in his presence.
I loved working along side Grandpa during the summer. He let me help him with his yard work and some pool painting projects. He could paint and not get a drop on him. He let me paint and get messy. Maybe that's why I like painting still today.... it reminds me of my dashing Grandfather. Queen Elizabeth Roses, Mint Milano Cookies, "As I have loved you , love one another" and black combs all bring back sweet memories of my wonderful grandpa.

I miss my sweet father in law Tom. He died 5 years ago. We went to his grave side tonight as the whole Welch family and sat in a big circle and shared memories and feelings about this good man. He was such a good man. Such a hardworker and really genuine. He cared for so many people and worked so hard. He had large, caloused hands-- never soft-- because he was always working. He left a legacy of work with all of his children.
When the going gets tough the tough just keep on working.
I met him when I was 15 and couldn't believe that he was a high school Auto shop and Math teacher, and worked at the Wonder bread bakery at night and took care of church yards. He always had three jobs going to support his family of 11. Amazing!
Tom was always after the good deal, and would call me up and share where I should be shopping this week. He loved driving up to the family cabin and fixing things up. He was so talented with cars, and always there to help when something went wrong.
Laila got to know her grandpa when she was a wee babe. Wanee had her every other day while I was working at the High School. I'm glad Laila has fond memories of Grandpa Welch singing "Here's a ball for Baby", playing dolls with her and helping him/her walk around the living room.

There are other great people I miss too. Danny Black, Bubba Belnap, Mike Sant, Greg Alsop, Lamont Erickson, Kim Madsen, Ashleigh Leger, LeGrand Richter, Sarah..... all people who left my world much too soon. I miss them, and the sky is crying.

Thanks

My little monkey swinging in a tree.
She's as happy as can be.

This makes me smile......
I'm thankful.
(Truman did this pic for a class project....he's so clever!)

TV life.....

my AMERICAN IDOL is over and I'm sad.
I loved the finale.
So great to see and hear all of these MUSIC legends singing with the idol kids. A ton of unexpected laughs and great tunes! I cried. I didn't care who won, although I must admit, I thought it was going to be Adam over Kris.
Now it's over.
What am I going to do with my tv nights now?
Not only is IDOL over, but so is BIGGEST LOSER and DANCING WITH THE STARS. I am a huge fan of all of these. They fill my winter/spring nights with joy.
Now what am I going to watch?
It's a good thing my friend Kimi reminded my about my summer fave that's staring soon....
SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE......
okay, okay
my tv life can go on.......

Wednesday Weigh in

160.8
That's what the scale reads this week...so atleast I'm going down instead of up.

I walked to lunch today. My crazy exercise buddy suggested we walk to Plate and Palates and get someone to meet us there, and then drive us back home. Walk 3 miles so we can eat....sounds like a plan.

We switched gears a little bit in an effort to get someone to pick us up....we ended up walking to Wingers instead, and then walking back. Not up the hill, just to BHS. It was still a great plan. Si was actually so starving by the time we got there, that she "found" something to eat at Wingers besides just the popcorn.
It was awfully funny... Si and I were sweaty and parched when we showed up to lunch. We usually are glamorous and beautiful.....or maybe that's two other chicks. I get confused and delusional in the sun.
Hmmmm?

I'm thinking of mapping out how far each Bountiful restaurant is from my home, and walking to each of these, and having lunch, once a week.
It's just like parking really , really, really far away in a really, really, really big parking lot.
If I lived in NYC...or when I'm on vacay, I actually walk a lot. I wouldn't think a thing about walking 3 miles to lunch....but I'm in Bountiful.
I have a car.
Maybe I'll call this my effort to be more environmentally aware. Save on gas and all that....

When you live to eat....then walking to eat isn't that bad.

Notes

I get a lot of flyers, business cards and notes anonymously placed at my door.
They say things like, "Have the best looking lawn in the neighbor hood." "Need help with your yard?" "Tree pruning call...." "College students will paint your home" "New windows will save you money" "Over grown yard got you down?" "Lawn mower...reasonable rates" "Child Care... I want to tend your child" "Spend your time doing valuable things....let us clean your home."
What?
How did they know I need all of this?
Am I being punked?
Am I entering the Twilight Zone?
I think I'm being stalked.
These "people" are watching my house and realizing what a neglected state it's in, and offering their services without my even asking.
Weird.

Doctor, Doctor....

I love this Doctor

Q: Doctor, I've heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this true?
A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that's it.... don't waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up your heart will not make you live longer; that's like saying you can extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer? Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?
A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system. Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass (green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: How can I calculate my body/fat ratio?
A: Well, if you have a body and you have fat, your ratio is one to one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating in a regular exercise program?
A: Can't think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain...Good!

Q: Aren't fried foods bad for you?
A: YOU'RE NOT LISTENING!!! ..... Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil. In fact, they're permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be bad for you?

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the middle?
A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?
A: Are you crazy? HELLO Cocoa beans ! Another vegetable!!! It's the best feel-good food around!

Q: Is swimming good for your figure?
A: If swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! 'Round' is a shape!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had about food and diets.
AND.....

For those of you who watch what you eat, here's the final word on nutrition and health. It's a relief to know the truth after all those conflicting nutritional studies.

1. The Japanese eat very little fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

2. The Mexicans eat a lot of fat
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

3. The Chinese drink very little red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

4. The Italians drink a lot of red wine
and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

5. The Germans drink a lot of beers and eat lots of sausages and fats and suffer fewer heart attacks than Americans.

CONCLUSION

Eat and drink what you like.
Speaking English is apparently what kills you.

Breaking the Bank

Laila has a field trip to the Zoo….

She wants me to go as a chaperone. I checked the calendar and gave her the all clear.

This morning the money was due. As she was heading out the door, she reminded me and showed me the permission sign up paper.

I owe $6.00 to be a ZOO-parent.

I check my wallet…no cash….only change. With Wayne out of town, my personal cashier isn’t around. It’s amazing to me how he can always pull hundred dollar bills out of his wallet,, yet I can only scrounge up 54 cents. Hmmmm?

I pull out my check book, to write a six dollar check. Laila goes APE….CASH ONLY…. the zoo paper says.

I try to convince her that a check is just like cash. She laughs like a hyena and adamantly says…..”it must be cash , or you can’t go.” Elephant tears well up in her eyes. I consider emailing her teacher and explaining my lack of cash dilemma. NEW IDEA! Quick as a …..what animal is quick… a fox? Instead…. we head for our change jars. I count up $6.00 using quarters, nickels ,dimes and 10 pennies. Seal it in an envelope and proud as a peacock I hand it over to my cute little monkey.

Crisis averted.

I thought about her handing over the bulging change envelope to her teacher with a smile.

It really looks like the recession is hitting the Welch home big time.

We are breaking open piggy banks just to go to the zoo.

MAY be it's .....Thankful Thursday?

I can't believe we are at Thursday, again.
Where does the time fly?
We are half way through May!!!
WOW
Okay.....what am I thankful for?

I'm thankful for my new Mac computer....huge screen, cool apps, a lot of fun....and it WORKS-- with no viruses!

I'm thankful to be going to Truman's end of year A'capella Concert at the U of U's Gardner Hall. I love how the choir sounds in that setting. I have been to 2 other concerts there, with older sons, so I know what a treat it is.

I'm thankful I can move and exercise and walk...all without pain.

I'm thankful that I finally bowled over a 100 on family night. I didn't even use bumpers! This is huge! I should join a league...ha,ha.

I'm thankful my school work is almost at an end. Half of my phone calls are complete.... only nine more days to finish up!

I'm thankful for my mom. She is an amazing woman! Anyone who knows her will tell you that. She celebrated a BIG birthday a few days ago-- she looks twenty years younger than she is. She always has ten things going on and has the energy and talent to accomplish it.
Sheri is beautiful, inside and out. She has a huge heart and is very inclusive. She brings in the straggler and makes everyone feel wonderful. I can't believe I'm so lucky to be her daughter....and to work with her. So.....just thinking about my sweet mom and what a blessing she is to me.


I'm thankful

Laila-Attitude

"No you di n't" (z-snap)

"No you di-n't eat all that food, girrrl"
"No you di-n't join a try new restaurants club"
"No you di-n't lose weight."

No, I didn't lost weight......
okay
1 pound.

Looking forward to Next weeks Wednesday weigh in.

(This is a picture of Laila that Truman photoshopped)

FREE CHOCOLATE

Free Chocolate!!

This has to be the greatest thing ever. (I might even put it ahead of sliced bread...) For real. I found it on another blog and had to share

The Mars Chocolate Relief Act

Times are tough and we at Mars want to help. How, you ask? Every Friday through September, Mars will give away FREE* real chocolate to 250,000 people. That means you can enjoy your favorite Mars candy brands—M&M'S®, SNICKERS®, TWIX®, 3 MUSKETEERS®, MILKY WAY® and DOVE®— for free*!



*Limit: 250,000 Coupons per Friday (9:00:00AM ET to 11:59:59PM ET).

Simply go to their website EVERY FRIDAY from now until the end of September and print off your coupon for some free chocolate!

Limited to the first 250,000 people, so go early!

Mother's Day Confessions 2009

I actually love Mother's Day. I have never really thought that it's about me….which is weird, because most things are all about me….but I have always thought about my mom and Wayne's mom and how awesome they are.

It's a day to rejoice in being a mother and mothering , and enjoy people who care for people.

It's a day to get gifts….which I enjoy….. flowers, jewelry, cards and hand drawn pictures.

Anyway, I just really like it.

I love the Primary children singing "mother I love you…" and the Neilsen's custard coupon my ward always passes out.

I love hearing wonderful talks about mom's and being with my family.

I love the obligatory Mother and Child pictures that I make my children take with me every year. I demand they hug me and look like they like me, while I gaze adoringly at them…and shout for Wayne to "take the picture, take the picture." I almost made the tragic mistake of wearing the same dress today, that I wore Last mother's day…..then my yearly pictures would have been confusing…..good thing I caught myself before this happened.

It's a great day.

I actually don't enjoy breakfast in bed…. it's awkward and lonely and the kitchen is a mess afterwards…. NO THANK YOU

I actually cook on Mother's Day.
Most people have their children or husband do this…but … it's my one day a year to prove I'm the mother and I can cook. Once a year is all it takes. This year I thought I would tackle sweet Si's Marinated flank steak, Baked potatoes, Spinach Salad and instead of a decadent dessert--- watermelon. Okay. It took two trips to the store just to remember all of the marinade ingredients. I wanted to buy fresh garlic, ginger and rosemary, because Si assured me it would taste better.

On Sunday morning, Wayne asked what he could do to help… I told him have the grill hot ½ hour before eating time, otherwise, just get out of my way. I pulled the recipe up on the home computer, not really close to the kitchen, and had Tru and Mons read me what was included in the delicious marinade….they cheered as I got the ingredients all together. I was chopping onions, crushing garlic, micro planing ginger (and my thumb)—stirring in orange juice and soy sauce and honey….you name it ….we were on fire.

Julia Childs eat your heart out!

It was a joy to behold.

I went to lightly criss cross score the flank steak before marinating. Thought I was doing a bang up job, but ended up scoring through the flank and making big holes in the meat….. "all the better to marinate you," I said to myself. It looked like lace as I put it in the ziplock bag. But it marinated and cooked up beautifully….rare on one end, well on the thin end for Tru. Perfect! The boys did the dishes and I got the praise for a wonderful meal. My thumb was bleeding, but all was well. What's a little blood on Mother's Day anyway?

Now I don't have to prove myself again as a cook for another year!!!!

Thank you Mother's day!

Mom's program

The First Grade Mother's Day program was such a treat. 

 I sat on the second row, proudly with my crown/hat on my head.  Laila made it for me , as did all of the other first graders for their moms.  It's a beautiful thing.

I went early with my two dozen cookies in hand, in an effort to get a good seat.   There was a wall of big people on the first row, but I thought in the second row I would be able to see her.... I couldn't.   Laila was on  the front row, smallest girl in her class.  She stood up and I still couldn't see her.   So I moved to the back and stood through the program.  It was better.   I had her beautiful face in my sight the entire time. 

 I was/am mesmerized by her. 

 She sang every word.  Did every huge action.  I don't recall if there was any one else even singing with her.....

 I began crying in the first song--"Mother when I see you smile, the world is such a happy place..."  

 I saw her look at me with that pleading, rolling of the eyes that means," Oh brother....she's crying again?" 

 I gulped in some air, looked heavenward, grabbed a napkin from the treat table and wiped my tears.  

I cried full-on in the second sweet mother's song that had sign language in it.  I just loved it.  Laila didn't take her eyes off of me the entire song.  She was heart felt....  and I felt her love in the song. I had tears falling off of my face.   (A soggy bra cry, my mom always called it) .....I grabbed another napkin and got my act together for the rest of the program.

After the program the first graders went to the treat table to choose a treat for their parent and deliver it to them. I got a beautiful iced sugar cookie that pronounced, I am "the best." 

On this day,  I felt like it.  

I loved the cookie and the hug and the darling homemade locket out of a matchbox with Laila's picture  in it. And,  Laila knew  I loved it because, "it made you cry, huh?"

Fretting again about... what else..... oh yeah, my chub!

My sister Marcie does Wednesday Weigh in on her blog......I like that idea!

So today is Wednesday weigh in on  Friday for me.....

I'm going to weigh and declare what's going on with my body once a week.

I usually live in a state of denial...it's right next to la-la land.

But, it's time to face up to the mess I've made this past winter/spring. 

My clothes are tighter, my pudge is showing more and more....I'm running out of pleasant options.... 

Since starting my Gold's Gym membership, in January,  I have actually gained 8 lbs.

I'm not talking muscle weight either .....I'm working out and then going home and feeling like I can eat any and every thing I want..... and I do, did, done!

So.....

Today is a new day.

I have some resolve.

I went to the gym this morning.

I can be aware of what's going into my mouth....and decide to think thin.!

Weight this week:  163

Thankful Thursday

I am thankful that the Lord saw fit to give us our days in 24 hour periods.  Nice little boxes.  No matter how bad it gets .... I get to go to sleep, gain some perspective and  start again. 

I am thankful for the beautiful weather to walk in this morning.....thank you Spring!

I am thankful for my new MAC computer that Wayne so generously got me, after my 6 year old DELL crashed big time...."the blue screeen of death" they called it.   So much to learn about this MAC computer ... I can't wait for summer when I should have more time!

I am thankful for car insurance.   Landon's Sunday crash would cost us a pretty penny with out it..... can you say,"cha-ching".......now I'm just without a car for 10 days..... 

I'm thankful for Mother's day....I love thinking about my mom and Wayne's mom and all they mean to me and my little family.   Such wonderful examples of faith and happiness through trials.  Plus,  I get to go the first grade Mother's day program today.  I'm really looking forward to this!

I'm thankful.

People ask…

How are you? How are things going? How's Wayne?

I answer

We are all good. Things are fine.

Then I go into my kitchen and eat , eat , EAT!

I'm a stress eater….remember….? I've had a bit of stress lately.

I have now eaten myself into a state of pain....

I started my day full of hope and ready to eat healthy with my Wayne.

Yogurt at 8:00--- I like yogurt...
A brisk hour walk with Si.....and all was well.

I even mentioned to her how my head works....
How I make fake deals with myself in trying to eat better....
I say, okay your kids will be taken away if you eat sugar today.....
or Your husband will leave you if you eat flour today....
Basically for weeks and months now, I've had no husband and no children...
I'm failing miserably!!!

I did good til 10:15…that's a.m..

Then food just kept flying into my mouth…including a bucket of popcorn at Heidi's Movie Birthday extravaganza, Si's choco chocolate cookies, Mel's peanut butter bars, and a huge container of Costco's chocolate covered Almonds….Great Harvest Cinnamon Bread….with Peach jam…., handful of Doritos that Truman was munching on, soup from JoAnne…more choco covered almonds…you get the idea….not a fruit and barely a vegetable in the bunch.

I'm sick and I'm sick about my self…

I can't seem to get it….

Tomorrow's another day….of making deals, and trying to eat good past 10:15.

Breathe

And

Pray

Bring it on!

How a typical Welch Sunday should run--
Wayne get's up at 5:45 and gets in the shower and quietly gets dressed and leaves for his Stake meetings by 6:15... He is in stake/ward/high council meetings all day til around 5, when he comes home to have a traditional roast beef and mashed potato dinner as a family.

I usually sleep in til nine. I'm trying to teach Laila about sleep in Saturday and sleep in Sunday....nine is the magic waking hour. She can't talk to me until then.
THen we watch spongebob square pants, eat some breakfast, and get in the tub or shower to clean up for our day. We put Mo-tab on the stereo. We wake the boys up around ten, and then head to Choir practice at eleven. Prep for my sunday school lesson. We get dinner started in the oven, then go to church at one.
We LOVE church..... seriously, we do.
Home by four and dinner at five.....
We visit our grandparents from six to eight and then come home for family game night...bed by ten.
Sunday's are lovely!

MY SUNDAY YESTERDAY WAS NOT LOVELY!



Wayne woke me up at 5:45am, screaming in pain and holding his chest. He was doubled over in pain and couldn't breathe. I threw some clothes on, left my sleeping children, and raced Wayne down to Lakeview hospital. He was having major chest pain....a heart attack? Wayne's pain was immense--- an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10.....
We got checked in, the bishop was up early to give Wayne a blessing and tests began ....he had multiple EKG's, blood tests, Kat scan, chest xray, gamma-ray nuclear imaging test--more blood tests....and finally an Angiogram around 4 in the afternoon. The doctor went in with the idea of a possible angioplasty..... She found a good, healthy heart with only one left artery that looked a little constricted, but still had good blood flow.
Wayne was(is) still in a lot of pain....what's causing it?
The problem with all of Wayne's tests were they looked great.... then his blood enzymes would spike, then the next test looked a bit funny....then the next test looked great.... as a result Wayne had to stay over night for more blood tests and an ecocardiogram this morning.

His chest still hurts.

The doctor's have concluded that a viral infection in the lining of Wayne's heart is causing the pain.

We had many family and friends stop by to check on Wayne and see how he was doing, and see how to help my little family. I'ts great to have so much help. Truman, Monson and Laila were pretty much on their own all day....good thing they had multiple dinner offers, and got to eat at the Farley's with Laila enjoying a sleep over there , as well, so she could get off to school this morning.

(I was supposed to take off around 2 to head to St. George for another three days of testing for my job.... sun, fun, work, sun, you get the idea....no can do.... that got canceled pretty quickly.)

The boys brought Laila by last night to see her daddy...she was very concerned. She quietly approached Wayne in his bed and asked what the doctors told him, and then whispered, with elephant tears in her eyes..."you could have died."

While all of the trauma of Wayne and his heart is happening, Landon called around 4:30 and reported (cried) that he had gotten in another car accident. This time in my Prius. He was coming home from following Addison up to West Yellowstone....the rain was coming down, and Landon hydroplaned and spun around twice, flew off the freeway and into a muddy ditch. The back bumper of Master P is off and the windshield is cracked. Landon is unharmed. He is majorly shook up and is wondering about his relationships with cars, but okay-- the car is a mess. A tow truck had to pull him back onto the freeway ( cha-ching) and then he limped the car home.

Adversity...... you gotta love it baby!

After a good night's sleep, I'm ready to face all of the "mess" that was my yesterday. What a difference a day makes...

Laila conversation

Friday morning.
It was a little rainy so Laila wanted to take an umbrella to school.
She got out her new long handled Primary one. The primary Pres gives one to each child on their birthday...it's something about being protected and watched over under God's umbrella...you get the idea....but I digress....
Laila took the umbrella and immediately placed it behind her neck horizontally and hooked her arms over each end.
"Look mom, I'm a slave!" She smiled at me proudly.
I kind of looked at her quizzically. I didn't really know where this comment was coming from...I wondered what she had seen or heard of recently that would prompt this.
Then she said, "You know..... HEBREW?!?"
Ahhhhh..... too much Moses and The Ten Commandments. HEBREW SLAVES!

Then she paused and asked, "What am I? I know I'm not African , but what am I?"
I told her she had Latin heritage with roots in Puerto Rico.
"If you were a boy, I would call you Latino, but you are a girl so you are Latina."
She smiled at this.
"I like that. That's so pretty!" she said enthusiastically. "When I'm a mom and have a little baby girl, I'm going to name her Latina. How do you spell it? It's so cute!"

Laila went off to school smiling under her umbrella.

We've had other "I'm different" moments in our home. I remember times when Laila put lotion on and didn't rub it in all the way so she would appear white. Times when she put on my make up base to be lighter skinned. All of this, and she's only seven.

When her "What am I?" question happened, I kind of expected the worst...I was wrong. She ended up excited and pleased with herself.

I'm sure we'll have more conversations and moments of "different" through the years, but this one was a good one.

Latina, what a beautiful, beautiful word.