DON'T (ch)EAT PETE!

I had a few minutes at work today, and made a "Don't Eat Pete" game for our Family Night.

Printed this out, got a box of "Sugar Babies" on the way home, and viola - instant FHE activity.

The highlight of the game came during Weston's turn. He one by one removed all the Sugar Babies from the board down to the very last one (that we predetermined was "Pete"). We all cheered and hollered that he won.

After a minute I looked up at him and said, "Weston, did you know that was the one we chose?" With unabashed pride he smiled, nodded his head and said, "YES!" I asked again, "Did you peek?" Happily and with great resolve he nodded and answered again, "YES!"

Too much of a Good Thing

Three months ago, I was unaware of the vast universe of blogs that exists.  I might live under a rock most of the time, and generally, I am pretty happy there.  But this blog thing has peaked my curiosity and interest and I LOVE that we are now keeping a family journal, cyber-style.  I enjoy reading my family's and friends' blogs.  I feel like I am on a kind of treasure hunt, when I jump from link to link, and stumble across a cool blog like pioneer woman or nesting place.  But the other night, after reading a little too long, I crawled up the stairs and stumbled in to bed.  Too, too tired to wash my face or care about oral hygiene.  As I scraped some plaque off my teeth with my fingernail, I realized that this was behavior of a junkie...I had gone too far. I have resolved to be better! No more reading until 2 am...the blogs will wait because, if for nothing else, I really like having my teeth!

Just another day in paradise

I love coming home from work. It used to be when I would open the door, all the kids would come screaming and running and all try to hug my legs at the same time. I would have to kiss four kids before I could even set down my computer bag.

I miss that, but it is just as great walking through the door and getting a "Hi Dad" from whoever happens to be close by (I still get a good leg-hug from Weston most days though).

Before dinner the kids wanted to ride bikes. I grabbed my camera.

Just another day in my paradise.

Moon over my Hammy

Growing up, one of our family rules was--No singing at the dinner table.   This is understandable since Mom and Dad have 10 children and imagine if more than oh, say, 3 of us had a different song to sing at the same time...goodbye peace and refuge at supper time.  Hence the creation of the singing rule.  (Note: the Happy Birthday song, on a birthday, while the lighted cake was presented to the birthday-ee was always an exception.)  Another rule I remember, but had no trouble following --Shirts were worn to the table.  My parents raised 6 boys (as well as 4 girls) and the boys sometimes needed to be reminded that dinner was not a bare chested event. 

Fast forward a decade or two and we have a few dinner time rules in my little family that have come from necessity in correcting behaviors.  The first rule emerged when Kate was about three years old--We do not shove peas in our belly buttons.  No explanation necessary, pretty clear what was going on.

Fingerfuls of pasta or other non-finger foods brought about an obvious but necessary rule--Utensils are required, especially if you are 11 years old. 

The next rule sheds light on the diversity that young boys bring to a family at the dinner table--No mooning your sister at the table, or anywhere! Brian still smiles when he thinks of the event that preceded the creation of this rule.  As I recall, he sat across the table from me, trying to hide his snickering by burying his face in his hands.  Suffice it to say, not much imagination needed to picture what was going on...I am thankful, however, we caught this one before the three year old "mooner" was much older. 

In spite of squished peas, greasy fingers and full "moons", I can't help but love "em...or maybe it is because of peas, grease, and moons I can't help but love 'em.  I wouldn't trade them for the moon (I had to slip that corny pun in somewhere, right!)

Coincidence? Or just plain Funny?

The last thing in the world I really want to do is bring attention to the fact that I watch American Idol.  However, when watching last week, I found this to be an AMAZING similarity. 

Thanks Mom.

Today is my Mom's birthday. I've never really known how old she is. I know I could probably figure it out, but to me she just stays the same.

Mom has stayed with us this past week, and true to her form, it has been a vacation for Sara and me, and a treat for my kids. Even today, on her birthday, she is playing with the kids (8 of them - my brother and his family came up last night) and doing "projects" and "activities" with them.

She always travels with two suitcases; a big one and a small one. The big one is full of stuff to do with the kids. The small one is what she needs - some clothes, toothbrush, and all the pajamas that the kids like her to wear.

My kids adore her.

My wife loves her.

I am amazed by her.

She is the epitome of generosity, and she makes it very clear to her sons that it is her privilege to serve and help them.

She is one of the smartest people I know. I rely heavily on her counsel and wisdom. Rarely do many days pass that we don't spend stretches of time on the phone (thanks to cell phones and a long commute).

She loves unconditionally, and I know that without fail I can turn to her for any reason and she would do everything in her power (and more) to help me. She laughs with me, and cries with me.

I have been called many things in my life, and I'm sure the list will be added to, but one title I proudly wear is "Momma's boy."

My wish is that I can bless my kids lives even a fraction of the amount that she has blessed mine.

Happy birthday Mom!

I love you.

... Most!

Bears are waaay better than work

Yesterday I had the privilege to accompany my 6 year old son, Keaton, on the Kindergarten field trip to Stuffington Bear Factory. I went with Katie on this field trip five years ago and had a great time with her. This year was just as fun.

As we were standing in Keaton's class waiting to go, the morning announcements were playing over the TV monitor. I wasn't really paying attention to them until I heard, "Shelby Steck." They said that the joke of the day was submitted by Shelby! I thought it was so cool that I was there to hear it when they chose her joke. Here's the joke (which I absolutely love by the way):

Have you ever heard a joke about a skunk?

No.

Never mind, it stinks.

Keaton is so fun to do things with because he loves new things and is so excited to be doing them. I was a chaperone, my "group" was Keaton and his friend Treyson.

I loved riding on the bus with him. I loved seeing him wide-eyed as they showed how they get the stuffing in the bear. I loved how he refused to plug his ears when the worker said it would be really loud. I loved that be picked out a blue teddy bear and named it Sno-Cone. I loved that he answered questions. I loved eating lunch with him and his friends and that I was able to join in the ritualistic bartering for better food ("Hey, are you done with that pudding?").

I loved just being with Keaton.

From the Mouth of a Babe

A conversation between Weston and Grammaline (Grandma Murline - but that's a different story):

Weston:  You have a big belly.

Grammaline:  Yeah, well that happens sometimes when you get old.

W:  You're not old.

G:  Yeah, I'm pretty old.

W:  You're not pretty old.

[pause]

W:  Well, you're a little old.

Yeah... I've got nothin'

As I walked past the girls room this morning I saw Katie sitting on her floor.  I went in and asked "What's up?"  "I don't want to go to school."  I thought about that for a second and honestly replied, "Well, I don't want to go to work."

Katie happily said she would go to work for me, and I could go to school for her.  Man - would I love that.  I told her that yesterday I had to give a talk in front of a big audience.  She didn't really like the sound of that too much, and said, "So what do you have to do today?"  "I have to teach/talk with two of our customers about a certain technology."  Kate thought about that for a second and then with a big sweeping wave of her hand she said, "TECHNOLOGY..."  It trailed off for a second, she put her hand down, looked at me and said, "Yeah... I've got nothin'."

Sometimes I feel the same way.

Easter Sunday 2008

 

 

 

 

What makes a house a home?

Sometimes I think about moving.  There are things I would like to have in a house that we don't currently have in this one.  For example: I would like to have a basement.  However, we like our neighborhood, we like our ward, we have great friends here.  BUT, the thing that anchors me to this house is a small section of wall in the garage that I see every day as I come in and out.

Posh Steck?

Does anyone see a resemblance?



While browsing in one of the fine souvenir shops in downtown Sedona (you know the kind... the hot items are bags of rocks, wolverine blankets and little bottles of gold floating in water) I was stopped by the lovely shopkeeper--she matched her store--to inform me that I looked just like "one of the dixie chicks, Posh...you know...the one married to a tennis player."

Startled, (because I was seriously expecting her to say the girl on 'Saved by the Bell'..I got that a lot in Jr. High), I replied, "You mean Posh Spice married to that Beckham guy?"

She affirmed, "Yep, that's the one...you look like Posh Spice."

Now, the only reason that I knew who she was talking about, even though I am a bit embarrassed to admit it, is because Posh was one of the guest judges on Project Runway this season. Otherwise, I would not have had a clue as to which "Dixie Chick" she was comparing me to.

Laughingly I responded, "Wow. No one has ever told me that before." Then I quickly skeedaddled away before she tried to sell me an plastic entombed scorpion.

My favorite part has always been...

... dropping the tablets in the vinegar.  I love how they fizz.  I love how the color of the tablet is not always necessarily the color the dye ends up to be.   I have always loved the colors.  I have always loved hard-boiled eggs with salt.  I have always loved the little copper wire egg holders, and the clear crayon to write on the eggs before you dye them.

As much fun as I have had dying eggs - it is so much better seeing my kids do it.  The wrinkled noses at  the smell of vinegar, the "cool!" from dropping in the tablets, to the "oohs" and "aahs" at the eggs being brought out of the dye.

I love this tradition.  I love what it represents.  Tomorrow as we are eating some deviled eggs, we can talk about the resurrection of our Savior.  We can remind them that because He loves Katie, Shelby, Keaton, and Weston so much, He chose to die for them.

That is my favorite part.

The fun of Vacations

The last few days we spent in Sedona.  The kids loved the fact that we let them eat in front of the TV, or on the couch, etc.  As we were getting ready to leave Katie said, "Funny that we haven't eaten once at the table" as she pointed to a dinning room table that, in fact, remained untouched for the duration of our stay.  Well at least I thought it remained untouched until I heard Weston pipe up with, "Yeah, but I standed on it!"  

I have So much Laundry to Do

Piles and piles of it.  I know it will not just magically go away.  I know I cannot ignore it much longer or it will end up as another life form in our home.  But I here I sit, at this computer...looking at blogs and dreaming of piles and piles of clean clothes, folded, and being put away by clean, obedient children.

 

It's 6:00pm in Sedona...

... and Weston is sawin' logs.  Not too surprising, we've had a fun day.

Started off with some swimming in the resort pool. 

Weston remembered that he knew how to swim and reveled in the water.  Everyone eventually got in (thanks to the heated pool).

 

After we had our fill with swimming, we went and walked around Main St.  It is a quaint, cool little town.  We found a good Mexican place to eat lunch, found some cheesy souvenirs, and some Sedona famous fudge.

After lunch we explored Slide Rock.  It was great.

     

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most fun days we've had in a long time. 

I think by about 7:00pm in Sedona I may be joining Weston.

March uh... Madness?

It's March 17th...the air is just getting warm, and the water is still cold. I guess my kids have gone mad.

When I Grow Up

Sunday evening, Dad was sharing with us some of his favorite songs from his extensive i-tunes list. I was impressed with the variety of music genres. He loves classical, country, oldies and some contemporary music. He would click on a song, then his laptop would start bouncing and his tongue would start clicking to the beat.

He played several old love songs in a row, commenting that each song reminds him of his wife. Mom would look over, pink cheeked, eyes twinkling, softly smiling, like a woman loved. Dad clicked on "Misty" and Mom hinted, "If I hear much more of these songs, I am going to need to dance." Dad was up in a heartbeat and pulled Mom to the "dance floor."

They held each other and danced, while Johnny Mathis crooned,"Don't you notice how hopelessly I'm lost? That's why I'm following you." Now, Mom's balance is not as good as it used to be and Dad never was much like Fred Astaire, but it really didn't matter, they still danced. I saw, that night, what I want to be when I grow up.

Loathing...

I kind of liked the topic on Rachel's and David's blogs on this, and thought I'd add my own to this one.

When a retail clerk hands you back your change bills first and then puts the coins on top.  What are you supposed to do with this??  The only thing you can do is try to curve your hand to create a make-shift funnel with the bills and then hope that you can slide the coins (without incident) into your other hand.  When they hand you coins first, it is easy to quickly slip them in your pocket and have your hand back at the ready for the bills.  (After writing this, I think this one may be more of a "quirk.")

When I can't find my red pencil.  Grrrrr.

When someone tries "sell" you something.  Some examples:  "What do I have to do to get you to drive a new car out of here today?"  "Isn't $5,000 for your families health worth it?"  "We're having a one time special for today only."  I am 100% ok with people telling me about their product, what I am not ok with is someone using a "sales tactic" on me.  If I do not want something, no tactic is going to change my mind.  Sheesh - I really do loath that.

Having to play the political crud in the work place.  I could go on and on with this one, but I don't want to swear.

US-60 & I-10 and the fact that it takes 90 minutes to go 18 miles anytime even close to rush hour.

Loud phone talkers.  Are you trying to show-off?  Let's just get this out of the way once and for all - WE ARE ALL VERY IMPRESSED THAT YOU HAVE A PHONE AND A FRIEND. 

There are a couple other beefs I have with phones too.

1. Blue-tooth headset in 24x7.
2. When someone you are actively talking with answers their phone and has a conversation.
3. When ringers are not silenced at a funeral, etc.

There will always be the things that teeter our totter (to steal a phrase from my sis-in-law), but as I look at my life - I could not ask for anything more;  the greatest person I know still puts up with me as her husband, four angels call me "Dad."  I am truly blessed way beyond what I deserve.

No kidding! What else is there?

My brother-in-law made a good comment on his blog about TV. As we were both trying (but failing) not to be admitted fans of American Idol he said, "Yeah, but what else is there on TV?"

Good question.

DVRs are a great invention in my opinion because when you do get the chance to sit down and want to watch TV you can watch what you want instead of what is on.

Here is the list of what I choose to record:

1. 
   Mythbusters - ever since Junkyard Wars left the airwaves this has been my favorite. Not only do I like it, but this something that my wife tolerates and my kids will watch with me.

2. 
   LOST - the show I hate to love.

3. 
   Joy of Painting - I have liked this one since I was a kid. Bob Ross is classic. Best 'fro I've ever seen. It doesn't even matter to me that he uses the exact same lines every episode. He amazes me with his ability, and watching him is totally therapeutic.

4. 
   Good Eats - Alton Brown... man, you can't really go wrong when you mix science and food.

5. 
   American Idol - as much as I really don't want to admit it, I'm hooked.

If anyone happens to read this, consider yourself tagged - I'm curious to know what else is there?

Work It Girl!

I have been going to the gym, somewhat faithfully, for about six months now. I have yet to experience the rush of a good workout. Maybe it is because my workouts aren't good? I don't know if they are or not, but I think it is because I am not really a "gym " person. In fact, there is about two things that I like about going to the gym and neither of them have much to do with the actual facility.

First, I think it is fun to be with Tina, side by side, on the elliptical machine, so we can talk, chat, catch up, philosophize, joke, laugh, brainstorm, and sometimes complain. I could not imagine doing that alone...I would get some weird looks.

The second, and last, thing I like about going to the gym is that it has provided me with a new genre of clothes to buy. Seriously, the first time I went, I dressed in some lounge/pajama pants {I think I wore them to bed the night previous} and an old t-shirt that had been relegated to the pajama drawer, the one and only pair of sporty type socks I owned, and lastly some cute tennies--not athletic footwear--I think they were Rocket Dogs. Once at the gym, I realized that my outfit would never do! Since then, I have discovered that I love gym pants, the comfy loose fitting ones with stripes down the side. I have bought about seven pairs of those and some New Balance tennies and, of course, some more sporty socks.

So, I realize I am not a typical gym person. I suppose I am more of a person who dutifully goes to the gym, looking to fashion and friendshipping to get me through resistance 8 on that blessed elliptical machine.

Feel the Love

Last night Keaton unloaded his backpack on the ottoman so we could work on his homework together.  He said, "Mom, just tell me what to do first and I'll do it."  Wow! Wouldn't that be great if we could tape record that and insert it in the conversation every time I ask him to do something?  I started perusing through his schoolwork when Keaton, then, said, "Mom, I like it when it is just you and me."  Once again, I could hear those words over and over and never get tired. I hope he always likes me as well as loves me.  He is a great kid.

The distance from point A to point B...

I slept in this morning.  When I woke up I saw Weston on the opposite side of the bed from me (point A).  I said, "Hey Westo, come cuddle with me for a minute" (point B).  His back was toward me, and I heard a small gravely voice say, "ok."

I expected him to just slide over to me - the shortest distance from point A to point B.  However, this is the route my sleepy little son choose to take: