Sunday, August 30, 2009

You think it's easy being the tooth fairy?

 
Laila has lost yet another tooth....she has three missing from her mouth now... Light a candle on her tongue and call her MRS. Jack-o-lantern...
It is so cute... she has a checkerboard smile!
This tooth came out yesterday while she was trying to get plastic off of some sucker.... she bit, she pulled and voila...the tooth was out.  She has decided this must be the very best way to lose a tooth because she didn't even know it was gone, and it didn't hurt!
Well........she put her tooth under her pillow with the high hopes and anticipation of yet, another tooth dollar.  
Do you think it's easy being the toothfairy?
IT'S NOT!!!
I just can't remember to follow through on anything past 10 at night..... (sorry honey)
I was awakened this morning by a little brown face with a sorrowful expression holding up her lonely tooth saying, "The tooth fairy forgot."
"Crap"....I thought..... I jumped into an explanation.....
"Well honey, you know our house lights were on all night because Addison started driving home from Yellowstone at midnight.  If the lights are on the Tooth fairy can't come--- so we'll make sure all of the lights get off tonight, so she can make it through."
Laila thought about this with a puzzled expression....then walked away.  
This seemed to satisfy.
Now if the toothfairy can only remember to come tonight.
It's not easy being the toothfairy.

Friday, August 28, 2009

Monson rituals


Sumfall is here, or should I say...Sumtumn.....
(That's a new word that describes the end of summer or the unofficial beginning of fall, it is not a chinese sushi dish)
........and so is Football!
We will now have 10 weeks of Friday night football dates......and Thursday afternoon ball as well.
We will sit on bleachers in the heat and in snow storms.
We will eat our fair share of stadium food.
We will be out of control, trying to stay in control while watching the games.
Speaking of control......
Monson has begun his football rituals...
He has to make himself an orange julius.
He has to have a footlong, chicken breast Subway sandwich the day of the game.
 He has to play a little Halo and  listen to some tunes-- I don't know what exactly.  It's on his ipod and his head bounces when he listens to it.
 HE.
HAS.
TO.
I'm just glad that's all it is.  I'm glad he will allow me to wash his stuff.....jersey, pants etc...and that he doesn't have to wear the same underwear every game.
It's okay to have ritual, I tell him.  Just don't be superstitious.
You are in control, not your pre-game actions or clothing choices.

Speaking of control...I have none.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Mermaid or Whale?

My Friend shared this with me, and I loved it.....so I'm sharing too.......(I don't know where it's from originally.)

Recently, in a large French city, a poster featuring a young, thin and tan woman appeared in the window of a gym. It said:

¨THIS SUMMER DO YOU WANT TO BE A MERMAID OR A WHALE ?¨

A middle aged woman, whose physical characteristics did not match those of the woman on the poster, responded publicly to the question posed by the gym.

To Whom It May Concern:

Whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, sea lions, curious humans).. They have an active sex life, they get pregnant and have adorable baby whales. They have a wonderful time with dolphins stuffing themselves with shrimp. They play and swim in the seas, seeing wonderful places like Patagonia, the Barren Sea and the coral reefs of Polynesia. Whales are wonderful singers and have even recorded CDs. They are incredible creatures and virtually have no predators other than humans. They are loved, protected and admired by almost everyone in the world.

Mermaids don’t exist. If they did exist, they would be lining up outside the offices of Argentinean psychoanalysts due to identity crisis. Fish or human? They don’t have a sex life because they kill men who get close to them not to mention how could they have sex? Therefore they don’t have kids either. Not to mention who wants to get close to a girl who smells like a fish store?

The choice is perfectly clear to me; I want to be a whale.

P.S.. We are in an age when media puts into our heads the idea that only 
skinny people are beautiful, but I prefer to enjoy an ice cream with my kids, a good dinner with a man who makes me shiver and a piece of chocolate with my friends. 
With time we gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated, and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, ¨Good gosh, look how smart I am…¨

Monday, August 24, 2009

Tru-isms

T's GONE...... he is off to College and moving out of our home.
I can't believe this day is really here.
I've been fighting with...er, I mean....thinking a lot about Tru.......lately.
In honor of his leaving the nest, I've come up with the following Tru-isms:
T is for Talented..... he sings beautifully, makes great movies, takes great pics, is an artist and a t-shirt designer. He is also a big TEASE....and loves to have his sister screaming!
R is for Really funny...sarcastic....crazy... a Really good friend. Truman has a lot of different groups of friends he hangs out with. He is always gone doing something ...so R could also stand for Really late Returning!
U is for Urban Outfitters...one of his favorite stores...he likes the urban look, and anything D.I. and funky. Laila said U is for "u-riginal."
M is for Mission bound..... and "he looka like-a MAN!!!"
A is for Attitude...his is usually helpful and good, except when it's not ....and.....Always looking for the next greatest song, band, techno gadget, trend....etc..
N is for Nice....he likes Nice things and likes to keep his stuff "nice." He's also Nice to his lil sis.
I Love this middle child of mine!
He looks the most like me, and probably, if I step back from my mom perspective, and view him objectively, he acts the most like me.
We are all about freedom, friends, and fun!
Examples of Truman fun:
Get in Garbage bags with leg holes. Tie it up and around your head, so you can still see out.. Then ring a stranger's door bell and sit with your back to the door on a step. The stranger opens his door and sees full garbage bags sitting on his porch. "Hmmmm?" thinks the stranger.... "what's this?" As he walks towards the bags, you (meaning Tru in the bag) jumps up and runs away, scaring the stranger to death!
OR
Go to the Blvd and see a lone jogger. Drive your car the exact same speed as the jogger, with your windows down, playing some crazy cuckaracha music. Smile and nod....but just keep driving the exact same speed as the jogger, whether he slows down or speeds up..... What? It's fun!
I love Tru

Friday, August 21, 2009

Thankful Thursday on Friday

1. I'm thankful that The Beatles Bash BBQ for Adults....(sounds like it should be rated R).... was a success.
We had over 200 people in the Belnap's front yard.
Eric cooked and smoked and BBQ'd to his hearts content. He had smoked chicken and pulled pork and smoked turkey and brisket all ready to be devoured.
We had salads and desserts -- all tasty-- coming out of our ears, thanks to wonderful friends and family.
We had a great assortment of people and ages in attendance, and the Beatles Band was fun, fun, fun!
All Beatles music, all night. LOVED IT!
Most guests thought of this venue/party as a concert. I looked at it as a reason to dance.
Only about 15 other people, besides me, viewed it this same way.
Oh well.... we had a great time dancing on the sidelines, and entertaining the chair sitters with our choreographic antics.
The night got coooler, and Laura was pulling blankets and sweaters out of her house for freezing people. I, on the other hand, was working up a sweat doing my best jerk/twist/swim/pony to Paper Back Writer, Hard Days Night and Elenore Rigby.
I was hot!!! ( That's what Wayne always says, anyway)
So much fun.
The crazy thing is, we did this party on the 40th anniversary of Woodstock....we had no idea.

Anyway......we will do it again........next year--- different band...maybe country western or oldies, or big band sound, but, same idea with food, fixings and friends.

Hopefully next time we will have more dancers and not so many sitters.....but probably not.

2. I'm thankful to be back from West Yellowstone and seeing Addison for my fifth and final time I took Laila and 9 year old niece Savannah with me this time. We went to Bear Country and saw 4 Bear, up close and personal, and 5 wolves. We also went into the park swam in Firehole and hiked to Mystic Falls. At the top we all sat in the shade and listed 10 things we are thankful for. IT was a good exercise.... physically and mentally. The beauty of nature really does astound me. I'm so thankful Heavenly Father made this for us. I think it's a reminder of heaven.

3. I'm thankful for Addison and his summer stock experience at the Playmill.
Addison's knee is still bruised, but the swelling is going down, finally, and he doesn't let it stop him on stage. "The Show Must Go On." He really is such a nice, sweet, spiritual, talented guy......I'm so happy he's my son!

4. I'm thankful for school to be starting! It will be good to be back to a scripture/prayer routine. We really let this slide in the summer.... I just hope the second coming doesn't happen in the summer or the Welch's are IN BIG TROUBLE!
It will also be good to have a bedtime/routine for Laila. IT's difficult to remember in this adult household, to actually put her to bed. There are so many nights when it's 11:00 and Laila is up playing, watching a movie or chatting with us all.

5. I'm thankful that I have a wonderful husband who is whisking me away to one of my favorite cities in just ten days! "NYC.....what is it about you?" I'm looking forward to running away to New York!!!!

6. I'm thankful!

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

SMILE


Laila has a Jack-o-lantern smile.

She has been missing her front top left,tooth since April....I actually am starting to wonder if there's even a tooth there to grow in......
Anyway.....she's been missing her large front tooth and........
She pulled out her bottom right tooth at church on Sunday!!
It was bugging her, because when she would eat, it would tip into her mouth and get in her way. She would chew on it. So she was fed up with it!!!
Laila excused her self, during one of the speakers, and came back triumphantly from the bathroom, with a big wad of bloody toilet paper hanging out of her grin.
So now....she is a Jack-o-lantern.
She is begging to have her face painted orange to match.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Random Family Ramblings

I had a dream last night about the Welch family being at the cabin, although it didn't look like the family cabin, and we were laughing and playing and going on roller coaster rides?......and Wayne's dad was there. Tom was in my dream. He looked good, happy and smiling and I didn't want the dream to end.
It's August.
Tom's birthday was in August.
I love Tom!
_______________
I just hit a button, accidentally and this blog posted before I was finished....this adds to my random theme.

_____________
Landon fell asleep in his CNA class and rolled out of his desk and onto the floor hitting his face before he actually woke up. The teacher was astonished. The class laughed. Landon was slightly embarrassed and after wiping drool of the floor, stood in the back of the class for the remainder of it. I know how he feels. I fell asleep once in the front row of a church meeting. I was out of the pew and on to the floor, while the speaker droned on.

______________
Laila said she has a "talent for watching shows and going to rehearsals." I think she really does. She has been doing it since birth, and has been able to sit through plays, over and over again since she was 3. She doesn't understand why all kids don't like to do this. Why they run around, or don't want to go with her when she invites them. Yep. I would definitely call this a talent.

_____________
Truman and I have been "fighting" a lot lately. He just doesn't get "it". It being money issues and moving away and packing and playing with friends and staying up too late and getting a job!?!?! I haven't taught him enough. I am failing as a parent. Or.... My parenting skills are in tact and he is just choosing to be a teenager when I want him to act like an adult.

_____________
What's up with the weather? We have a BEATLES BASH BBQ planned for tonight......and maybe, now, we don't. It's rainy and cold........55 degrees. Our "Hard Days Night" is now a "Rainy, cold days and who knows what will happen Night."

____________
Addison got hurt in his show on Tuesday night. He is supposed to race off stage at the end of the preshow and get in his costume for SECRET GARDEN. He was doing what he always does; following his regular traffic pattern....when an actor did what he never does, and came on stage and plowed into Addison in the dark. They hit head on, full force. Addison's knee and head were bashed. He fell onto the stage, blacked out. His knee-cap felt like it circled all the way around his leg and came back on top. So much pain. Addison couldn't do the show..... he was out! So sad....the other actor was sorry, but Addison had to pay the body pain consequence. He says now his head is better, but his knee is so bruised and the size of a grapefruit. He did do his GUYS AND DOLLS show the next night, and he said it was his best so far. Good for him!
Only three weeks to go.

______________
Monson is busy trying to make it on the Varsity Football team. He has a scrimmage this morning in the rain. He really wants it. I don't know if it's better to be second string Varsity or Starter on JV? He loves football.

_______________
Wayne is a running fool!! He has his 5 finger running shoes and he is training for a 5K. This is a great accomplishment for the dizzy dude!! He goes to the BHS track and runs in circles.....I think that's why he can do it....the circle thing. He is determined to run about 7 minute miles...that's why the training takes place. I'm just proud of him for setting this goal--- you have to see his shoes......
________________
Well...it's good to clear my head....ramblings over , and out!

Thursday, August 13, 2009

100 things i love


PRESENTING....in no particular order......
Wayne
Family
Addison
Landon
Truman
Monson
Laila
Hot water
New York
Parents
Dark chocolate
Exercise
Girlfriends
Church
Parties
Siblings
Travel
Musical Theatre
Road Trips
Cruises
First Class
Good Books
Computers
Blogging
Letters
Clean House
Swimming
Beach
Bear Lake
Scriptures
My pillow
Relatives
Sleeping in
Water
Diet Coke
Slurpees
Hot Rolls
Butter
Pie
Salads
Friday night dates
Movies
Sistahs
Service Club
Lunch Dates
Scrapbooks
Reunions
Flowers
Tomatoes
Roses
Clean Sheets
Marriott Beds
Grandma B's pool
Bear Lake
Holidays
Theatre popcorn
Christmas
Thanksgiving
Halloween
Dressing up
Pedicures
Quilting
Shopping
Painting
Eating
Knitting
Teaching
Dancing
Acting
Singing
Smiles
Sunshine
Cool Mornings
Hot Nights
Birthdays
Games
Babies
Children
Teenagers
Cars
Motorcycle rides
Dogs
Frozen yogurt
Ice Cream
Snuggling
Service
Time with Family
Cookie Dough
Cell phones
HGTV
Food Network
Dance shows on TV
Prayer
Long Talks
Sleep overs
Bare feet
White teeth
Tandem biking
Life

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Wednesday Weigh in

WARNING: Don't read if you are sick of hearing about weight loss plans gone awry.
I will be complaining and comparing...... consider yourself warned.


I have been on my diet blog for almost one year now.
In that time, I have lost 11 pounds and gained 20 back.
I have exercised faithfully.
I have thought about food constantly.
I've had my good days and bad months.
WOW!
I thought if I got it down on paper or computer screen , as the case may be, it would help.

Now, I'm starting to rethink my plan.

I thought for sure, in a years time, I would be able to report weight loss success, and all sorts of food tips and life changes that would inspire other last 20 pounders.
Alas, I've failed.

I don't know what is wrong with me, what to do, where to turn???????

I have avoided the scale for 6 weeks now, with good reason . But stepping on it yesterday was a sight to behold. I screamed, then I cried. It's like I couldn't feel how tight my clothes were until I saw the number on the scale staring up at me.

Everything is tight.
I'm back to a food journal and de-junki-fooding my house.
I'm back to thinking about every bite that goes into this mouth.
I'm back to my crazy.
I guess I just need to keep moving forward..... and try to stay calm.
Maybe my weight blogging days are over.

Saturday, August 8, 2009

The Bicker Brothers

Having 4 sons all two years apart can pose it's fair share of challenges.
My boys fight over the craziest things.
I named them all the bicker brothers years ago.
We've gone through the normal childhood tiffs about toys and toughness and moved on to the teenage ones about messes, clothes, turns to drive cars and goofy friends.
They fight about who is the stinkiest, who is the strongest, who is the smartest, who is the cutest, who gets shot gun, what music to listen to, what tv shows are crap, what girls are hot.
When any wrestling happened, it was only allowed downstairs or outside; that usually put an end to it.
But verbal fighting goes on and on at my house. Maybe the word "fight" is too strong....how about....verbal one-upping?

Even though they are all growing up, they are 16, 18, 21,23, and going their separate ways, it amazes me what they will spend energy and arguments on....and enjoy doing it.

Case #1. Harry Potter....in particular, the latest movie. This is what I hear around my house, " It was a fine movie, but not true enough to book six. What's the deal with all of the snogging? Why did they cut out the major fight scene at the end of the book?"....18 is adamant about this. 21 tells him he's crazy , movies never follow the books. 16 doesn't care about this movie, but is wondering about casting choices. 23 is in Yellowstone so this bicker session is lost on him. If he were around....he would definitely participate.

It seems having an opinion and having it expressed loudly is an important dynamic of the bicker brothers.

Case #2 Avatar. 18 is a self proclaimed expert on what kind of avatar everyone is. He's named me a water bender.....and Wayne's an earth bender..... If I say I'm an air bender.....I'm totally wrong and all logic is thrown out the window and the fight begins. Well 21 thinks he's an earth bender....he's not. Just ask 18. 16 is an earth bender. I'm confused. The fight continues.

Case #3 Who is the best driver? 16 insists he is, although every time he pulls into a parking space or our drive way I scream. I'm sure he's going to hit the car in the next stall. 21 has had many issues recently with accidents, and bad eye sight....doesn't really like to drive, but he's the safest, best driver...just ask him. 18 loves to drive, just not a stick shift. His new/old car is a stick shift. He has never gotten a ticket, thus , he's the best driver. 23 only gets parking tickets at Weber. He drove to Yellowstone with out issue and on his mission. He is the best driver even though he keeps locking his keys (both sets) in his car.

Case #4. Who is mom's favorite son? They all think they are...this is good for me....but their arguments are sound. I favor and disfavor them all equally.

Anyway...the bickering continues. I don't enjoy the tone or the loudness but I'm glad they are communicating about something.

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Thankful Thursday



This week has flown by ....from last Thursday to today, I've been in Arizona and Yellowstone.. I was home a few days inbetween all of this to recover and get my boys working on the garage, but..... this week has flown by. I'm continually thankful for my life.
1. I'm thankful for airplane travel. Even with unexpected delays, it sure beats driving back from Arizona and taking two days to do it in, like the Belnaps did. They are great parents and did it to move their new daughter in law and all of her stuff and wedding things back to Utah... but I'm thankful I could fly.....in first class even. ( I just sounded like an old cartoon character, in my head....do you remember the pink lion or cat? What's his name?) but, I digress.....
2. I'm thankful I have boys painting my garage as I type. Two strong worker boys, who don't complain too much. They are getting some patching and painting skills along the way. It's good for them, and it's great to have a cleaned out, newly painted garage to begin organizing.
3. I'm thankful for my summer tomatoes. I planted 4 plants in May with high hopes of off the vine-ripe tomatoes. I have not been disappointed. Nothing tastes better. I have always loved this red fruit/vegetable!!!
4. I'm thankful for a quick trip to Yellowstone. My 4th this summer.
5. I'm thankful I didn't have to drive. It was great to be with the Si and Jacob Foster and go see how Brookie-cookie has been living and working this summer. She is great, but her living conditions are, well?, .... one word....squalor. Addison is always delightful to be with and to see perform in Guys and Dolls. It was fast, but it was fun. And according to my foodie friend, one day in West Yellowstone is enough to find out there is NO good food anywhere in town.
6. I'm thankful for a jam packed August....we definitely are spinning faster and faster as we move toward the beginning of school starting and fall. I'll have three sons all living away this fall. Only Monson and Laila living at home. WOW...things are changing at my house.
7. I'm thankful

Monday, August 3, 2009

Rich with Love

Laila always asks if we are rich, and I tell her, " YES. We are rich with love.."
This usually satisfies her.
Laila just got back from my cousin Krystin's "resort" of a house. It is an amazing place for a child or an adult to spend some time. It's so beautiful, and big with a lot to do. We love Krystin and her family and her generous heart. Laila gets to have a sleep over there, once a summer.
After being there for the past three days, Laila imformed me,
"Krystin is not only rich with love, mom, she's rich too!"
Good to know.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Why I blog....
Wayne gave me his first class seat on our recent airplane flight to Phoenix and back. He is so nice. I told him it really didn't matter to me and I was just fine in coach.
"Oh no..." he exclaimed.
"I can just see you writing in your blog about me being all comfy in first class while you had to sit with the common folk in steerage. " He smiled at me.
"What? I wouldn't do that....." I assured him.
"Oh you would, and you would text all your friends about it too."

He knows me so well.

PS
He would give me the first class seat even if I didn't blog....