Driving Miss Daisy

Or Missy Daisy Driving? Since when did my "baby" start driving the 4-wheeler? This is strange to see for several reasons: 1- she is not supposed to drive, 2- they are not wearing their helmet(much to Mom's dismay), 3- Maddy is a total "girly" girl. She loves anything that sparkles, glitters, or shines; anything that is sweet, fluffy, cute, or has pretty colors. She is all about cupcakes and ice cream cones right now (as reflected in her art work.) In fact, she just started her own blog , calling herself Sugar Daisy. She is truly "sugar & spice, and everything nice." So to see her with this big of a smile on a 4-wheeler (dirty, loud, stinky fumes, etc.) surprises me, even more than the fact that she's driving. She is growing up!

It's amazing to me how I can see the changes of life in our family through a 4-wheeler. We started buying 4-wheelers about 7 years ago because after buying one, just to plow the driveway, Josh fell in love with them. So we thought with 2 boys (and a Dad that loves anything with a motor) that it would be a fun family activity to spend time together. Now, I can look back over the years through pictures and see the stages of my children's growth. First- Josh driving with Jake on back, then Jake graduating to be a driver, and now by girly-girl, Maddy, at the wheel. How time flies! Life motors on. I am so blessed to be the mother of these amazing kids!

To me, this has been a perfect Friday afternoon. I snuck (is that a word?) home from work a bit early, it's 50 degrees outside, and I walk in the door to find my 14-year old doing his homework. Did I mention it was Friday? I can't tell you the peace that brings to this Mom! I never have to worry about this particular child getting his homework done and consequently, he always gets awesome grades. I am so proud of him and the choices he is making. He really brings stability to my life - Jake is unwavering in his resolution to do his best. It has been so fun to watch him this year as he continues to work hard, read his scriptures daily, and constantly try to do the right things. For this reason, I know he will be successful and hope he feels the benefits of his hard work.

Like I said, between this, seeing the two 4-wheeling buddies enjoying some time together, and knowing that my oldest son is working hard to serve the Lord on his mission, I am feeling like one lucky Mom. Today, I am enjoying every moment.

Go for the Gold

In honor of the 2010 Winter Games, we thought it would be fun to have an Olympic-themed Family Home Evening. After learning about doing our best, we held several winter events.

As hard as it is to see, this is Maddy racing up the stairs to begin the Obstacle course. (Okay, I know that is not a winter sport but we improvised.)

For this part of the course, they were required to do different "stunts" on their bed.

Jumping jacks in the hall were yet another part of the course. Mom was getting tired just following them around with the camera. Dad was in charge of the stop watch.


They had to finish the obstacle course with a scripture chase on "Faith." They both did awesome and had so much fun that they each wanted to try it twice. Interestingly, they both increased their times and improved their score, achieving their "personal best."

Other events included races, in which we had to "handicap" Jake so that we wouldn't have too much of an advantage. It also included the bobsled but that didn't go too well considering we have NO snow right now. Oh well, we tried. We also hope to go "figure" skating this weekend since neither Jake nor Maddy have ever been. Jake thinks it looks easy so that should be a fun event to video.

Although Family Night never goes as well as I envision in my mind, I think the kids had fun and it's one they will remember for a long time. Hey, at least we were together as a family, right?

One word

I was given an great idea-instead of overwhelming yourself with numerous goals to follow throughout the year, decide on a single word that describes what you would like to focus on for that year. in my constant quest to do more, be better, accomplish goals, and yet simply my life, this was the perfect solution for me. i will, no doubt, still have specific items i want to accomplish along with lists to help me do that but for now, i will focus on a yearly "theme."

The word i have chosen for 2010 is PROACTIVE. So many things have led me to this word but particulary, a women's conference that i went to that made me realize even more, that i want to be the best mother and best person that i can be! So much of my life to this point has been been "putting out fires" and just "getting by." I have decided i want more. I don't want to wait until i have more time to do the things i want to do and be the person i want to be. The time is now. With my crazy life - working full-time, chasing (and driving) 3 kids around (well 2 now), church work, family time, piano lessons, ballet, football, soccer, dentist appointments, helping at school, etc., i realize that this will take planning on my part. i don't want to wait until the fires are burning. I want to be proactive, not reactive, so that life does not pass me by. I want to have time to actually enjoy the ride!

40! And beyond

Believe it or not, I am finally starting a blog! Turning 40 this year has made me realize how short life really is. I heard a great quote that I absolutely love - "The days are long but the years are short." Where does the time go? I still felt like a relatively young Mom when I realized I am officially in middle-age!! My oldest son is away from home, serving a mission. My second is over half way through Junior High and my "baby" is soon to hit double digits. These 3 facts alone mean the days of my "youth" are long gone. But I think it is when my husband and I started "borrowing" other people's children to hold at church, that I realized that I am in a whole new phase. When you are the age that you remember your parents being, it is time to become who you really want to be. Don't get me wrong, I have loved every minute to this point. I have treasured each stage that my children have passed through. My only regret is that I have not documented the memories as well as I should have. When you are living through it, you think you will never forget who said or did what. But the years make the memories fade. I don't want to let that happen. I want to remember every wonderful step they take so that I can hold on to it and cherish it long after they are grown. I've always told myself that when I had more time, I would do this with my kids, or I would go there, or be that. I have come to realize the time is now. There are so many memories that I wish I would have captured, so many good intentions that went by the wayside, so many things I wish I would have done differently. But life is a journey and I am still learning as I go along. So I invite you along for the ride. Although I wish I would have had this blogging tool when my children were younger, there is no time like the present. Although I missed documenting their first steps, their funny comments, and all the tiny miracles in between, it is my hope that I can capture the magic of every day moments from this point forward. Although I feel like I their childhoods were gone in the blink of an eye, I don't want to miss one more minute of documenting what wonderful spirits are unfolding right before my eyes! To those of you just starting out I would say enjoy each moment, no matter how tiring. The diapers, spitting up, runny noses, lack of sleep and even fighing with brothers and sisters, lasts only a moment. You will never regret the time spent with these little angels. Even your hardest challenges will become wonderful memories. To those of you like me, who long to turn the clock back- make the most of your time now. Become who you have always wanted to be. And remember, that true happiness comes in the journey, not the destination.