Tangled

Courtney has been beside herself waiting to see Disney's Tangled. We were going to go last week, but Courtney and Chris went to the ASU UofA Football game. So yesterday morning Court asked if we could go and we did. Michael R. (Court's friend from school) and his mom joined us. Driving to the theater, Courtney realized she left her brush home (after brushing and brushing her hair to get ready to see Rapunzel) and said "Mom, my hair will be tangled and the movie is Tangled." Walking into the theater, Courtney was so excited she was beside herself. She kept saying, "Okay, I can do this."

Including Courtney and Michael, there were only 5 kids and their parents at the theater. The kids thought this was great! Courtney and Michael laughed a lot during the movie and seemed to really like it. At the end of the movie, Courtney at first said she loved the movie and then said...."I liked it a little." Courntey does not like conflict in a movie and gets sad when the "bad" people do things to the "good" people. In traditional Disney style, Tangled had conflict with good conquering evil and this was the problem.

She still loves Rapunzel and gave details of the beginning and ending to Aunt Richelle this morning...so I think overall it was a hit.

I thought the movie was great. I laughed and I cried and thought it was great!

Only Wednesday and already what a week:)

To date, this week has been just a little crazy. I have so far stayed on track with my running. So far so good - 3 days in a row and hating every minute of it:) Everything right on track there!

We are helping out with an Adoption Academy tomorrow night through LDS Family Services. Love this and Love getting to be a part of this. Adoption is one of God's greatest gifts and we love being a part of it:) Brain is going crazy trying to think and find all the things we think are important to share with these sweet hopeful adoptive parents. We want them to leave feeling blessed to be a part of this miraculous life. Sometimes you feel like your heart is going to break on your journey to finding your birthmom and child. But how sweet it is when you feel so strongly the power of God when you are all brought together through His guidance and His love.

Just a few short days out from Brittany's baby shower and I am one of the hostesses with the mostesses - yea whatever (mom and Stephanie are co-hosting and Carrie is graciously helping with food). Can't wait and super excited. However, I have left just a few too many details until the last minute:) I keep forgetting I am no Martha Stewart (or Barbara Ball for that matter:)) so my list is Ridiculous (note the capital R) So right now I am writing this message on this computer while I have my other computer set up to work on baby shower stuff. Just crazy. But thanks to Brittany and Mom for coming in and helping out for part of today.

And lastly, I am feeling a little out of sorts as Courtney went home with Nana to spend two nights and hang with her cousins. She loves it and I am excited that she gets to do it, however, I miss my sweet goodnight prayers, hugs and kisses. Sweet Dreams Little One! Mommy Loves You!

Jesus wants me for a Sunbeam....!!!!

Last week I was released from my calling as secretary in Relief Society. Although far from the best secretary (and sometimes a big whiner), how I loved working with the sisters. Debbie, Alison, Irene taught me so much and I will miss working with them and having the sweet spirit that comes by being side by side with such wonderful servants of Christ. How quick they were to "throw themselves into service" of the sisters in the ward they loved so much. Thank you to them for making me better! I will miss hearing Donna's lessons and feeling ever inspired to try to do better and be better. Thank you Debbie, Alison, Irene, and Donna!

But the Lord doesn't leave you idle for long! I was called today to serve as the Sunbeam teacher in Primary. I am excited to work with Margret again. But mostly I am excited to be back in primary. I am excited to get to teach the sweet 3-4 year olds about Jesus and His Gospel. I am super excited to get to spend Sharing Time with Courtney:) But I am mostly excited to have the sweet primary children teach me more about Christ and ever increase my faith. Is there anything sweeter then the complete faith of little ones in our Savior and His love. He Lives and they don't question it. It just is and that is such a privilege to get to experience every Sunday:)

Fish Adventure and Goodbye Poor Crystal the 1st

For Courtney's birthday she decided one of the things she really wanted was a fish. I think this desire came from dear sweet Emily (Court's babysitter) who recently got a fabulous fish tank filled with tropical fish. We decided to start small. Courtney chose out a lovely male Betta fish who she named Crystal. Crystal truly was a wonderful pet. However, the dear sweet less than educated Steven from Wal-Mart did not properly equip us with the essentials to keep Crystal alive. Like, for instance the right food. He handed me food (tropical fish food) and said with great conviction that this is the food he fed his Betta while only cleaning the tank every other week. I embraced Steven's enthusiasm and apparent knowledge and happily made my way home with Crystal and food and tank. Oh what fun Courtney and I had making a cozy little home for Crystal with plants, rocks, and fake sea anemone.

Short of calling Steven less than truthful - let's just say that he must have one strange Betta because come to find out......Betta's don't really like nor enjoy tropical fish food. This food makes their tanks nasty and truly not livable. We couldn't figure out what was wrong with poor Crystal as we were having to change his water daily because it was filmy and gross. Knowledge, however, came to late for poor Crystal as he didn't last a week and died. Oh the sadness and tears from Courtney (which went on for minutes) - however, we were able to quench these with a promise of a trip to PetsMart and the purchase of a new fish.

We fell in love with PetsMart and sweet Carrie who new exactly what we needed and guided us in the right direction. Courtney decided that two girl (although not as pretty as the males) Bettas where better than one boy Betta and so we now have Rosy and Crystal the 2nd.



So in short - farewell sweet Crystal the 1st. Thanks for the memories.

My running companian

So I have a new running partner - Courtney:) On the last few runs, she announced she wanted to run with me. In all fairness, this just didn't seem plausible - because although I may not be fast and furious on a run, I can at least outrun and outdistance a 5 year old. So we made a compromise. I will still push the dreaded jogging stroller for our daily run, however, Courtney will get out and run as she sees fit and then hop back into the stroller when she gets tired. So far so good as it only takes a second for her to hop in or hop out and I can jog in place while she is making the transition! The looks I get by the people passing by us as we run together are priceless!

Today, Courtney added a twist - she decided she wanted to take her bike. This was immediately vetoed as I didn't want to add any additional time or effort on this 4 mile run when she got tired and we would need to either 1) bring her bike home or 2) I needed to push her bike and the stroller with her in it while bringing the bike home:) So, again we came up with a compromise. She agreed that her scooter would do as a good alternate to her bike. I have a spot in the jogging stroller where we can store the scooter when not in use. Now the problem - breaking the scooter down to fit in the stroller requires that I stop running for a few seconds. The problem isn't that I have to stop running - but that I have to start running again after I get the scooter broke down and stored:) Fortunately, this morning we only had to break the scooter down twice as she was very content the rest of the time listening to Justin Beiber and singing to all who would listen (mostly birds, rabbits and lizards - with the occassional bike rider)! This just might work.

So today's run went well:) I have moved from tracking time to now tracking distance. I have mapped out a good 4 mile run that I am now going to do 5-6 days a week (fingers crossed). I will not share how long it took me today to run these 4 miles because it is just sad (in fairness I did have to stop three times (twice to break down scooter and once to set up scooter)! But at least I finished and even had moments of running bliss:) 4 miles closer to becoming one of those runners that we all hate because they run with a smile and take their running shoes with them everywhere so they never have to be without their runners high. Can't wait:)

Running

While on our Memorial Day trip to Mexico, it became very clear to me that status quo was just not going to cut it. Everywhere I looked there were fit women running around in bathing suits while I, not nearly as fit, tried to cover up my less than fit body. So, upon my return (June 4) I immediately began running (okay started off with more walking than running but whatever it's my story). It is now July 7th and I am still running (for some it might look more like a jog but for me it is running and running for at least 30 minutes straight). I hate every minute and it takes every fiber of my being to force myself into my running shoes but visions of myself in a bathing suit keeping replaying over and over in my head and so I tie up the running shoes and with heavy heart start off.

This morning I actually noticed a little bit of difference on my run. My time is improving and I had a moment (although extremely brief) of contentment on my run. I didn't hate it! I still disliked it and would rather have been on my couch eating a brownie but the moment helped me see that someday I just might reach a point where I actually look forward to running again (There was a point long long ago when I did like it a little).

So my quest is on to see how long it takes to get to where I am acutally looking foward to a run.....

Sometimes a Smile just isn't enough!

I have had this phrase lately that I have been using to help de-stress: "Just Smile Through the Torture. Everything is better with a Smile." Well, maybe a little but sometimes seriously - I really just want my life to get back in order. My To Do list is a mile long - I am behind on everything from toilets to mopping to laundry to this blog and just can't seem to get caught up. I can't wait until I can load my pics on the computer and blog about fun with Courtney, crafts, our Disneyland trip, my birthday fun, the Bon Jovi Concert and all the other exciting events that have gone on among the disfunction. I am so looking forward to cricuting and getting some photo albums together. I want to finish decluttering and, yes, even eventually find the next to perfect home so we can move forward. The "I want to do.....or finish....." lists are many and yet instead of getting checked off they seem to just gather dust and haunt me daily. Even this minute I am feeling a little stressed about the things calling my name (the toilets and floors for instance) that just won't clean themselves. Uhgggggg! Repeating "just smile" isn't working as well lately. Mostly its just making me laugh a hysterical hyena type laugh which really makes me think I might need to be heavily medicated!

Well I am off to attempt to gain control and order. Hopefully very soon I will claim victory and finally be master of my To Do list - maybe even with a Smile!

Reflection

I am sitting at this computer the last few minutes of my 30s, dreading turning 40, having just spent the last few minutes crying, wondering what the heck have I done with my life. As I spent some time today, my last day in my 30s, thinking back over my life, I began to focus on so many things that left me feeling frustrated, sad, sorry and even ticked off. I felt a failure in so much of my life. And then, as I began to feel overwhelmed with the horror of turning 40 and this wretch that I had become, I began to see the truly shining blessings in my life. Guess what! I made it to 40! Me! Who knew I could do it and all in one piece:) I have lived (some of it bad, some of it sad, and some of it glorious). Much of my first 40 years have been lived less than gracefully (I have the bruises to show for it), however, I have also been blessed with true miracles, more than I can count and even some I am still unaware of.

The most important gift I have gained is the knowledge that I have a Father in Heaven who loves me! He has walked with me, held my hand, carried me, forgiven me and truly helped me to know that even I am worthy of His love. I have been blessed with an incredible family and true friends who have laughed and cried with me. I have a husband who has stood by me even when it was hard. And I have been blessed to be a mother! The single greatest gift and the most incredible thing to have happened to me.

I am sure that I will probably spend part of my day tomorrow curled up in a fetal position, however, as of this minute all I want to say is - Bring it on 40! Let the next part of the journey begin!

Bon Jovi still Rocks!

I am currently sitting at the Embassy Suites this morning and I am still glowing after last night with Bon Jovi! Chris took me to the Circle Tour concert last night for my Birthday! It was AWESOME!!!! FABULOUS!!!! ROCKIN!!!! The best birthday present ever (only backstage passes could top this - hint hint for future birthday:)) I almost forgot I am turning 40, almost. I have the best husband ever!

What Blog????

So I have been either super busy or have just enough energy to push the remotes on the TV to change channels. But all of it has been fun. Right now, I am helping put together Brittany's Wedding - in 3 weeks and her wedding shower in 2 weeks. Not sure how we are going to get it done.....but somehow we will manage.

We were at the mall yesterday looking for dresses, etc. for Britt's wedding and Courtney was with (she is super excited to be a flower girl). While we were walking out of the mall Courtney started singing "I am a Child of God." For some reason, my first instinct was to think, "I hope she doesn't sing too loud and all these strangers turn to stare at us." And then my better side took over and I thought "Why would I care whether or not all these strangers hear a sweet little girl singing a song about being a Child of God. I should want her to sing loud enough so all these strangers hear her sing. Maybe they will feel something from her sweet little spirit!" As these thoughts were going through my head, she just sat in her stroller singing away-asking for help with a word here or there- and I couldn't have been a prouder mom. Once we were in the car, she wanted the windows rolled down so she could sing loud enough for the people who were walking to hear her. Oh to be more childlike - to have that kind of faith and courage. To be completely free in the expression of your faith.

I am a super proud mom and very grateful for her strong spirit. Matthew 19:14 "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

A New Year

Christmas is over and a new year is here. What a wonderful Christmas we had. I am going to post pictures soon, however, life has been crazy trying to get back into the swing of things. Spent today re-arranging Courtney's bedroom. She wanted her bed moved and it took us all afternoon. I am not thrilled with the results, but.....I think I am going to start hitting some thrift stores for some ideas! Hoping to post before and afters soon that are amazing!(But I am not holding my breath) Almost have Christmas put away and have started running again. Ran Monday and Tuesday and took today off as a recovery day. Muscles are screaming!!!

Hunting season is over for a while. Sadly the hunters came back empty handed, however, I think they had a good time just getting to hang out and roughing it.