Maybe there's a shark in the water

Last week was sorely difficult.

I feel tired.

I feel emotional.

I feel ornery.

I feel crazy.

I feel slighted.

I feel depressed.

I feel fat.

I feel tired. {yes, I already mentioned that; but seeing that it is quite to the extreme I deemed it worthy of a second mentioning}

I feel moody.

I feel lonely.

I feel sad.

Please don't send the crazy squad to retrieve me just yet. I didn't expect to have these feelings so strongly with family around. But it seems that even they can't keep the "shark" away.  This is all to be expected and shall pass soon enough.

I just thought I would mention that in addition to my stressful life this little boy can now escape from his crib in 0.2 seconds flat:

*this picture could not be more ironically perfect for this post*

{picture taken by Shelli Cluff at the Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum}

This is exactly the look he has on his face as he's connivingly swooping out of his bed. 

The shark is symbolic in so many ways. 

Mainly 

A: That is me; waiting in the background to throw him back in his crib. 

{yes, my teeth and posture also resemble the resin shark in this given situation}

&

B: This could be the imaginary shark that has so uninvitedly tortured me all week long. 

YES, there are two words I made up in this post. 

Sue me. 

{I've got a good lawyer} 

So my sweet friend Virginia Blue gave me an award: 

She's the sweetest, most generous blogger out there! 

She's given me an award before {a long time ago} and I put it off...

 then forgot about it, so I promised myself I wouldn't do the same this time. 

Now, I'm supposed to tell you 7 things about myself that you don't know:

* Coming up with 7 things about myself almost causes my brain to explode. 

* I learned to ride a motorcycle at the age of 8 and drive a dunebuggy at 12.

* I am naturally VERY flexible...so much so that my physical therapist told me not to stretch anymore. 

* I think I have a hypothyroid and am waiting for an appointment with a doctor to tell me that I'm just crazy and possibly a hypochondriac.

* I don't mind cleaning toilettes, but I absolutely hate mopping floors.

* Now that I look back, I think I was quite a pretty girl in high school, though at the time I thought I was hideous. I'm trying to use this information for my present {25 lb thicker} self image {with little progress}.

*  Oh my gosh...it's been 10 minutes and I can't think of one. more. thing.

Now, I must pass off the blog to some beautiful bloggers:

Lindsey at Lindsey Shaun Photography ~ I love her style and she's so inspiring. I covet her photographic talent. 

Shelli at K & M Cluff ~ my best friend since the age of 8 and she's totally talented, funny, and creatively inspiring. Her view of life as a mom is so entertaining.

Jill at Creative Musings and Such ~ I don't know her, but she is awesome. 

Jessica at Hunduddle Hussy and Lowe Family News ~ This girl says everything that I think about but am too reserved to actually say it. I know I can count on her if I need a laugh.

Stop by and check them out, you'll fall in love with them too!

A Golden Springtime

Last week for FHE I let the kids plant some seeds  in some little indoor starter pots. 

I don't think I've ever planted seeds. I've always let that miracle happen at the greenhouse and get transfered to the garden shoppe. 

I've taken good care, and Gracie makes sure I tell them I love them. 

I do love them...each and every little seed. 

Wow.

What joy I feel from watching a tiny green stem poke it's fragile self out of the soil. 

I keep having a little nursery song pop in my head:

"On a Golden Springtime, underneath the ground;

a tiny seedling lay asleep until the sun shone down.

Awake! Awake, oh little seed. Push upward to the light!

The day is bright, with all your might, push upward to the light!"

Somehow I find a little voice in my head telling me to take the same advice as the seed. 

"With all your might, push upward to the light"

For Scott

I have been scolded for not posting more pictures of our children. 

Therefore,  here is a rundown of our afternoon:

Helping Grandpa fertilize the neighborhood park:

Getting use to the trampoline:

Getting use to the grass:

And the rocks:

Oh the rocks:

Rocks are a little boy's best friend.

Random trail of thoughts...

You know...

I didn't picture myself being this slothful with my blogging when I pictured my plight in Utah.

I have lost roughly 85% of my desire/need/joy/creativity/etc. for blogging.

This week has been spring break for Gracie. I've tried to keep busy with things like buying a new car, going to lots of museums, playing with friends, aunts, cousins, etc.

Have I taken any pictures? Nope.

My daily computer time is usually spent skyping with Scott. It's hit or miss. Most of the time we just end up instant messaging, but when the video does work my heart melts.

To be able to see him move, smile, laugh and cry.

I'm not sure if it makes being away from him harder or easier, but I'm grateful.


Being in Utah has opened my eyes to some personal failings/weaknesses I've always known about. Yet somehow I'm more apt to releasing those issues when I'm with my mom and sisters. I guess there can be problems in being  "too comfortable". I've noticed my pride and slothfulness jumping out when I least expect them to. It's easy to be slothful when I have 5 other adults around me at all times.  It's easy to pass on the responsibility.

Last night I offended my mom and sisters. I didn't mean to...I was trying to help but they didn't see it like  that.  Then as I was reading the Book of Mormon this scripture hit me like a ton of bricks:

"See that ye are not lifted up in pride; yea, see that ye do not boast in your own wisdom, nor of your much strength. 
Use boldness, but not overbearance; and also see that ye bridle all your passions, that ye may be filled with love; see that ye refrain from idleness."     Alma 38:11-12

This is only the beginning:

Apparently, my mom thinks that because I'm in town, it's time for her to volunteer to be the "shower throwing chairman" of  our area.

Last night was the beginning of our bridal/baby shower  marathon.

We have 3 more to go in the next month.

At least it's keeping me busy, I can't complain.

Katie was the lucky girl of the night.

Here is the greeting table:

The party favors were wrapped candy bars. 

The Food:

Oh the food! 

All these showers may be a stumbling block in my trek for weight loss and 1/2 marathon training.