Just Learning

Last night, Braxton drove he and I to Uncle Brandon's office, then he dropped me off at the gym - with the understanding that he would come back and get me when I texted him. So, when I was done with my workout and tanning, I texted him to tell him that I was ready. I had pre-paid for my protein shake prior to my workout and when I went to leave, the nice man at the nutrition shop was in the bathroom. I saw Braxton pull up and gave him the one finger signal (not flipping him off, but telling him one minute). Just clarifying. Then, all of a sudden I see him go by the front doors and I see the truck lunging over and over and over again. There was a guy in the lobby with me and another one coming in from the outside, laughing. I said, "That would be my 15 year old learning to drive a stick." The guys just said, "That is awesome. Completely awesome."

Oh, that Peanut of mine.

GF

Yesterday morning, when I woke up, I checked Facebook. I saw this:

"Oh! Well, congratulations??," was my response. I guess that nowadays we find out about our children's relationship statuses on social media...

How We Roll

I've had people ask me how I get the crew to school each morning in the matchbox. This is how we roll!!

Braxton sits up against me with his legs spread so I can shift. Kaydon sits against the door and Colton sits on his lap. Most mornings it is chaos and yelling, "Don't fart on me!" "MOVE!!!" "Don't breathe on me!" "Don't touch me!" "Braxton, I can't shift!!!"

But, it's memories, right?!

In other news, I got my very fits Minky Couture blanket last night. It's heavenly! Mr. Eric gave it to me last night and I am SO excited to cuddle in it for hours on end!

Gettin' There

So, it was a verrrryyy long two weeks. I have never been out of work for that long. I was so, so sick. There were a couple of days that I was able to get out of the house, though... besides going to the hospital. On January 13, Eric came and got me and we went to a Jazz game. He was given tickets on the 20th row and he just knew we couldn't pass them up. He had pneumonia and my kidneys were trying to kill me, but it was really fun. We ate dinner, then hitched a ride with a guy on a ten-speed bike, pulling a buggy behind him. It was one of the funnest things I have ever done. I just sat and enjoyed being at the game, drinking Gatorade.

Last Friday, he called and told me he was getting me out of the house and it was time to eat real food. We went and got lunch, then he started driving south. I asked him where we were going and he said not to worry about it. We ended up at Farmington Station. I was able to walk around a little bit and get some fresh air. There were not many people there, so it was just fun to be out and about. I was so slow, but he is super patient with me so that was very, very helpful. It was just what I needed.

This is me this morning:

I am getting there. I am not as slow mentally and physically as I was. I am still drinking 100 ounces of cranberry juice a day, which is not my favorite but I'm doing it. I was able to go to the gym last night for the first time in weeks. Although I feel like I'm starting all over again, it was amazing to be back, trying and doing.

I made my babies dinner last night, which felt great. I am back at both jobs, and doing my best to do it all without over-doing it. Here's to no more infections that try to kill me!

I'm Back

I'm back. I can't see my desk at work and I have about 300+ emails to go through, contracts to write and route, employee issues to deal with, resident complaints to take with as much patience as I can muster, bills to pay... you get the picture. It's been two weeks since I've been at work. It's so good to be back. I am extremely slow, mentally and physically. But, I'm here and I'll get back to me soon.

For now, enjoy one of my favorite quotes. It's funny. And, it's actually pretty dang true!

Just Laugh Out Loud

The last two days have been rough! Somehow, our friendly residents in Utah seem to forget that they live in a location where it is cold and it snows. They seem to believe that they are the only residents in the entire city. Then, they seem to think it is completely appropriate to call me and my staff names, throw shovels and other things at my drivers, call them names, flip them off, and stand in the middle of the road to block them from plowing their street. I can only handle that behavior for so long. I believe my record of handling that behavior is approximately 27.9 seconds. Then, I flip a lid.

The last two days, I have flipped my lid more than once. I have reminded people that they are responsible for their own behavior and that I would like to remind them that my guys missed Christmas, New Year's, and the last three weekends to be in their plows - ensuring that they have the opportunity to get to where they want to go. Then, I was called a "bitch." Ba-bye.

Luckily, I have these great reminders that surround my desk. My positive affirmation for today is "laugh out loud." And, I have. And, it helps. I have another sign on my office that says, "Today I Choose Joy." When I laugh out loud, I am choosing joy.

Please, Dear Lord, let Spring come about three months early.

Busy, Busy Life

There was a time when my four boys were all so little and so dependent on me. Now, they are so big and doing their own things. This mama heart is so grateful that they have much to do with friends and loved ones. However, this mama heart sometimes longs for the times when I had them all to myself, too. I can't remember the last time all five of us were able to have date night. Jackson is working or with friends. Braxton has a girlfriend. Kaydon helps Bert often. Colton is my home-body. Saturday night, after I had been at work all day, I told Kaydon and Colton that we were going to dinner when I got home from the gym. And, off we went to Garcias.

In the middle of eating, Colton (with a completely straight face) said, "Mom. Did you know that your mama got locked in a grocery store and starved to death?" Kaydon was like, "UH! Colton, you aren't supposed to tell mama jokes to Mom!!" Colton didn't realize it was a joke! It was so funny. I was snorting!

I love these boys of mine. They are growing up so fast!

Thoughts to Begin the Year

Let's have a year of positive vibes. Let's have a year where our personalities are just fine the way they are... even if we are super sassy (like this girl). Let's have a year where we are a little kinder and more aware of the people in our world.

Here are a couple of thoughts that have been swirling around the head of mine:

1. Let's be a bit more aware of what we are saying and to whom we are saying it. I grew up hearing that I was overweight, that I should lose some weight so that I would fit in to cuter clothes. I was told to watch what I eat, to be more active. Now, the person who made most of these comments had no intention of hurting me. This, I do not doubt. However, they did! In fact, they just about killed me! I went through a stage where an eating disorder just about took me. After an in-patient stay in the hospital, I was all but cured of that disorder. Seriously, People, you should see me eat! I work out four days a week - not to lose weight, but to be strong and to not harm my children! I have been struggling, however, with maintaining my weight. I have been losing weight, which is not what I want. Well, yesterday morning a nice lady came to the counter. I was eating my oatmeal, talking to one of my assistants. The lady promptly said, "Well, it looks like you need to do more eating than that." Here's the thing - that didn't need to be said. Some might take that as a compliment, but not this girl. Why can't we just tell everyone who crosses our path something amazing about them. Find something: I love your hair, I love your eyes, your skin is amazing, that color looks fantastic on you, your smile just made my day... Let's not focus on anything else. Please.

2. As I begin to navigate the strangest world of dating, it is indeed STRANGE. When I go on dates at night, which is rare, I do tell Jackson what I am doing, the name of the person I'm going with and where we are going. Then, I proceed to lie to my other three boys. I tell them I'm going to run errands, or going for a girls' night. They would not be able to emotionally handle mom going on dates. So, I lie. Is that the right thing to do? I don't know, Folks. But, it is what feels right to me right now.

Rock told me this: first, I have to text him every time I get home to tell him I am safe. Second, it's my time. It's my time to be spoiled, to be pursued, to be impressed, to be taken care of. He told me that settling for anything different is unacceptable. I remember that everyday and it's such a relief, and such a good way to measure people, too.

3. This is going to be a great year of new opportunities and new challenges!

Kaydon and Bert Go To Temple Square

Kaydon and Bert spent all day Friday at Temple Square and the Conference Center. Kaydon had the best time. He was able to see the ins and outs of how things work. Bert is so great to take Kaydon on these adventures! I especially love the note that a cute girl handed to my handsome KK!!

Floods and Such

I worked a 12-hour shift on Saturday. Happy New Year's to me. The boys had already pulled the carpet pad out and thrown it away and the carpet, itself, was pulled out and drying. Mess. Nightmare.

I figured I had a choice. I could look at it, cry, and ring in the new year with anxiety. OR, I could get a large bowl of ice cream, go to my room, put a movie in and go to dreamland. Option B won.