Define The Space

Necessity called for this house renovation project. This is a picture of the boy's closet looking straight in. Notice there is no rod or shelf.

This is a picture of the side of the closet. The dimensions are 8 feet tall by 5 feet wide by 2 feet deep. So, this angle is the side of the closet that has a rod and shelf 2 feet long....hmmm. The other side of the closet looks exactly the same.....a 2 foot rod on either side of the closet as opposed to a 5 foot rod going across.

I had so much fun defining this space for the boy's storage. Inspired by Tiffany's (my sister's) closets in her bedrooms with built-ins, I built my own. Here is the finished project. (all under $100)

Plenty of storage options with adjustable rods and shelves.

I even ripped out the old flooring (bathroom vinyl flooring) and laid carpet.  It smells better in the closet too after tearing out the old flooring. 

Swing High

pen-du-lum /noun/  1.  A pendulum is a mass (called a 'bob') that is attached to a pivot point, from which it can swing freely. When the pendulum is displaced from its place of rest, the restoring force will cause the pendulum to oscillate about the equilibrium position.

The greater the displacement, the greater the oscillation. I refer to the pendulum a lot in life when something amazing goes great, usually something just as opposite occurs too. 

The other day after the amazing experience I had with Travis magnifying my motherhood and the Glory of God within, I experienced my pendulum make its way to the opposite side of the pivot point in total frustration as a mother. 

I don't enjoy writing about those experiences, but want to note here (for future posterity) that I experience the good and the opposite of good. 

pen-du-lum /noun/ 2. A body so suspended from a fixed point as to move to and fro by the action of gravity and acquired momentum.

My favorite church meeting is hands down the General Relief Society Meeting. I love conference, but the GRSM allows me to engage in the meeting without distractions. For me, it's like a 'Girls Night Out'. 

I'm always inspired and empowered in the meeting and this year's meeting was no exception. Pres. Uchtdorf was speaking directly to my spirit, and I was so glad I was conscious enough to experience the sweet whisperings.

He reminded me of my divinity as a daughter of the most magnificent Heavenly Father; a powerful creator and man of great compassion. Of course, I have the same abilities as my Creator. I AM a powerful creator and woman of compassion as well. 

I got excited about being creative and compassionate; what greater way to experience these divine talents than to pray to answer another's prayer (compassion) and then to create a way to DO IT.  And the greater "acquired momentum" I create, the greater I move "to and fro" answering prayers. 

Maybe the number of prayers we answer is more significant than the number of prayers we say. I loved hearing that. Swing pendulum, swing.

And He Carried Her Off The Field

These two little feet worked so hard today at the soccer game.  This weekend 5 of Makayla's 14 teammates were gone at a Girl Scouts overnighter. The girls usually play 11 on 11, but our girls were down 2 with no subs. 

Coach took Makayla out as a forward and put her in defense. All game long she hustled her little heart out. Near the end of the game, her kick got weaker and she sometimes kicked the ball out of bounds; maybe she wanted to slow the game down to give herself a break. 

Her team lost their first game 1-3. I've never seen Makayla play with such heart and stamina. After the game, Tom literally walked on the field and picked her up. (He even said he got a little teary) 

Here is her first MVP coin given by the coaches for an outstanding job. (I think she looks a little like her dad right here.)

Conversational Hearts

Just wanted to share a great moment I had today with my Travis.(3) Dad was leaving for work and saying goodbye. Travis yelled, "Bye, Dad" and then teasingly said, "Bye, Mom."

I giggled and asked if I was supposed to go to work too today. "No," silly mom. Travis was very sure I wasn't supposed to go to work today. "You're not a guy" he declared.

"Oh, is that right?" interested to see where this would go, "So, guys go to work, huh?"

"Yep" Travis said confidently.

"And what do 'geels' do?" I asked using his dialect for 'girls' for effect.

This is where I jumped for joy inside...."Geels stay at home." All of the turmoil I'd ever felt for staying home and not working, for choosing to particularly stay home with Travis during some really rough times finally vanished in a second.

That choice, which I have to admit I had to make more than once inside, actually taught him the traditional, orderly, heavenly, old-fashioned family values. And during that moment, I had a flash that he would make a great father/provider for his family one day.

"What do geels do at home all day?"now this was the real test. I cringed slightly before he answered wondering if he'd respond, read books, clean, shop, or any other activity that distracts me from actually engaging him daily.

"Play with the kids." he said as he starred at Mary Poppins playing on the television screen. Rrrrright.......and so we did!

Fist 'O Bangers

My 6 year old, Matthew, was so excited when his Dad picked him up from school on Friday. (I wasn't there, so some of this is hearsay.) His excitement was because he had 'band' practice on Saturday at Tyler's house. 

Apparently, 4 other children formed a rock band with my son. Alonzo named the band, "Fist 'O Bangers." Matthew isn't sure if he is going to play the guitar, but he is pretty certain he will be the lead singer. I guess we'll have to wait and see how this turns out. 

In all honesty, Matthew has begged for guitar lessons since he was 4 and he loves rock 'n roll. I had this impression that someday he'd create his own rock band and his friends would be making horrid music in my garage. I had no idea it would happen so soon. I'm giddy excited for him. Rock on!

She shoots, she scores!

It's officially soccer season. Woohoo! I love soccer. The hunger for the goal, the quick strategies, feet swiftly moving the ball to the net, and the sweet victory. The score was 3-3 with only a minute and a half to go, Makayla had played her heart out. 

She played forward one quarter and then mid-field for the rest of the game which made the goal that much sweeter. We had made an agreement that she would start the game with 20 chores and each time she "won" the ball or made a brilliant play I'd subtract a chore. 

One beautiful move earned her -2 chores and I hollered to her on the field. Mother's along the stands laughed and I realized the embarrassment I just caused for us both. (Isn't this about having fun? ...Uh, no, it's always a competition)

She nearly had erased the 20 chore punishment by the end of the game with only about 6

chores to go. Then there it was, the ball shot out to the center of the field, 30 feet from the goal line. Two purple poison players were determined to defend their title, (this is the first game of the season, right?) Makayla swooped in and with her right foot grabbed the ball and turned into the opening. Foot on the ball, up over the goalie's head, swallowed by the back of the net, GOAL!! 

It was sweet and I couldn't contain myself. Woohoo! After the game she told me as she was facing the goal to shoot, she thought she was going to vomit, but she kept saying to herself, "I'm going to score before this game is through." And she did.... (Of course, I removed the rest of the chores.)

Matthew missed his first game taking the opportunity to visit some old friends of his. Matthew is no longer a Jedi apprentice. He's a master Jedi with powers beyond my understanding. He salutes me as "Princess", so I guess I still maintain a sense of respect. 

The local Pottery Barn store hosted a Star Wars event inviting Darth Vader, storm troopers, and Jedi's for pictures.  Although Matthew loves soccer, he loves Star Wars more. I'm not sure who enjoyed this event more, Matt or Tom...look at that smile. 

Sooo...Big

Today begins the first day of Travis' educational career and he doesn't even know it...he's excited beyond words. Before breakfast and referring to his butterflies he said, "My tummy hurts." 

We joined a participation preschool where I can actually be in the classroom with him 1 day out of the 3 each week. Monday was his first day and mine too. After school he requested I 'just drop him off and leave and then come back and pick him up' like the big kids. So much for my youngest being shy and clingy.

We were entering the door of the preschool and I nudged him to move forward into the room. He stepped back cautiously and used his big snack bag to push my leg signaling he wanted ME to go first. 

After 2 1/2 hours of painting, blocks, sand, and snack and without leading, he declared, "That was good!" as we climbed into our car to go home. I smiled to myself and my heart leapt with joy. He's soooo....big, yet he still insists on calling himself 'small Travis.'  YES!! I'll take what I can get. 

Back to School

We get up early, pack lunches, get the kids off to school on time...forgot the camera. Who says the first day picture has to be before school? 

Matthew is in first grade and says school is a little long and he gets sweaty and thirsty. Makayla started middle school this year and said the first day was boring.

 

Makayla also said a first day of school picture is so dumb. (I'm already not cool anymore.)

Family Pictures Gone Bad

I've never splurged and hired a professional photographer to take my children's pictures. Although, I'm re-thinking it after this photo shoot.

We went to my father-in-law's garage where he has a make-shift picture studio. What I mean by "make-shift" is a green screen (sheet) hung against the storage shelves with garage clamps and a handful of camera lights with little white umbrellas for the soft effect.

My children sat on a wooden stool and we used my father-in-law's new 8.0 mega pixel camera. I really thought it would be ok. I mean...if it saves a little money and I get the kids on an 8x10 how bad can it be.

I have to wait to see what my friend can do with these proofs, but here is a real rough one of Travis..."Don't mess with me." More to come...

Annual Mammoth Vacation

Our family enjoys going to Mammoth Lakes, California usually each year. We always go on our bike ride around the town. It's a nice little bike stroll about 5 miles or so. This year I was so out of shape that I was sweating and at one point had to stop and walk my bike up the hill. 










New this year was the gondola up to the summit of Mammoth Mountain at over 11,000 feet elevation. Here is Makayla (11), Matthew (6), and Travis (3) in the cable car on the ride up.


















We got to see the local pets while we were fishing. They joined a nearby picnic. This picture was taken within 20 feet. It was a mamma bear with a baby bear near by.














Here are my three with cousin Dylan (3) by June Lake.


I think the most majestic place I've ever seen is Yosemite, but this is a close second. Here are my boys. At June Lake, we feed the ducks and fish at a small pond. Yes, I said fish. The trout in the pond are considered pets and literally will jump out of the water to remove bread off a stick. They are about 15 inches long and so fat. This always makes Tom drool and reminds him of the Provo River fishing.