Who knew that fruits and veggies could be so much fun?

We have a new store that opened in Colorado Springs this week...Sunflower Farmers Market. They were having their grand opening this weekend, so I took Paula and the girls to buy a few things. Paula had Carissa strapped to the front her in her pack and she immediately fell asleep. I put Lexi in the shopping cart and buckled her in, and it was like taking her into a candy store. She got very excited and the next thing we knew she was pointing and shouting "tomatoes, apples, bananas, strawberries!" Who knew she could have so much fun with fruits and veggies? She tried grabbing for a tomato (she loves tomatoes) and a cherry. Finally Paula got her preoccupied with a free sample of "natural chocolate pudding"...yumm...in a mini Dixie cup. She was a happy camper. On the way home, I gave her some pretzel balls that I had purchased, and she was good with those until she fell asleep in the car seat. I carefully took her out and put her in bed for a nap when we got home, so she could dream about the fun time at the fruit and veggie store.

Why we live in Colorado...

Bruce had an inspection last weekend up in Woodland Park, and he shot these pictures while he was there. Is there any doubt why we live in Colorado? It is truly God's country. Springtime is finally here and today we enjoyed a nice mid 70 degree day, so spent time out working in the yard. In contrast, we heard it was 103 degrees in Phoenix today. Any visitors for this summer?

On Losing your memory...

One of the benefits of getting older is that you start forgetting things--like where you put things, or things you need to get at the grocery store (this is why you need to make lists-if you can remember what to put on the lists). Since there are only two of us in the house, sometimes we try to blame the other person for misplacing something, and if that person doesn't admit putting it somewhere (or can't remember), then there is nobody left to blame except yourself. For example, last Saturday Bruce was paid for a small inspection he did in cash. He laid the money down on the desk upstairs, and then he couldn't remember what he did with it. So, when we figured it out that he must have put it in our cash pouch with the other cash we had, he checked there and the other cash we had in there was gone and then I couldn't remember taking it out or using all of it, so then we were trying to remember what we had spent cash on ( which we couldn't do). Then, the same day we went to Target to buy a few groceries. We went over what we needed before leaving the van, and then when we got in the van again to come home, we realized that we had forgotten something. Then yesterday, Bruce put the tithing envelope in his pocket to pay tithing (so he wouldn't forget). I asked him before Sunday School if he had paid tithing yet, and he said no and that he would do it. Then, when we got in the van to go home, he realized that he had not paid the tithing yet, so had to go back in the church to pay it. Then, there is the case of the "missing glasses." Bruce cannot ever remember where he puts his glasses (because he puts them in a different place each time), so has to spend extra time looking for them whenever he needs them. Sometimes he also has to hunt for his wallet or keys. I find myself putting things in places so I won't forget where I put them, and then I forget where that place was. It happens over and over. So I guess this is my reason for not exercising...I just forget to do it. Yeah right.

Reflections on Mother's Day and Mothering...

So, today being Mother's Day, I find myself reflecting about mothers...my own mother, and being a mother and some of the many memories I have of both. The most recent memories I have of my own mother are not very pleasant, so I like to remember some of the earlier times with my mother. One memory I have of a specific Mother's Day was when I was a college freshman attending U of A in Tucson. I called my mother up to wish her Happy Mother's Day and she started to cry. I asked her what was the matter, and she said, "This is the first Mother's Day that I haven't had one of my children home." I don't think I really understood that until it happened to me...then I knew how she felt. I loved my mother, even though sometimes she made me crazy. She always had faith in me that I could accomplish anything that I wanted if I put forth the effort. That always gave me the self-confidence I needed to do my best. I hope that I have somehow instilled that in my own children. It breaks my heart to see one of them do less than their best when I know they are capable of more.

As I think back on some of my favorite memories of my kids, I have to remember my two little "black boys." Black because they had both stripped down to their undies, and then covered themselves entirely with mud from a mud bath that they had made under the lemon tree in the back yard. The only thing I could see was the whites of their eyes. Of course, not all memories were pleasant, as the "garden" and "poop" episodes with Brent. He's lucky he's alive today. I think Heavenly Father blessed me with Tom, so I could have some peace in my life after Brent and before Paula. Paula was a difficult baby and child, but I remember how excited I was to finally have a little girl that I could dress up. I just think she had a very determined personality and strong spirit. It is that same spirit today that makes her such a good mother, a wonderful sister, and loving daughter. Paula is the "brains" of the family, Tom adds the humor, and Brent keeps us wondering what's next.

One of the hardest things that Mormon moms have to do is watch their sons leave on their missions, and one of the greatest joys is seeing them come home. Another difficult thing is seeing your baby girl get married. However, the joy comes when you are with all three of your children in the temple when that happens.

These are just a few random thoughts I had on this Mother's Day. I am grateful for each of my children, for the principles they live by, and the love they have for us. Thank you Brent, Tom, and Paula for being all this mother could ask for.