What I want for Mother's Day

Cub Scout day camp is over the next two days.  I didn't quite volunteer to help out, but I did agree to it.  I thought I would do my token two hours and then have date night with D.  I was asked, okay a few times, for all my paperwork, insurance cards, and if I had watched the Youth Protection movie online to register as a volunteer.  I hummed and hawed at the thought of so much stuff to gather and fill out.  Then, I found out that I would be helping out at the "Tot lot".  The WHAT lot?  I agreed to help so that I could do something with J, and now I was babysitting for someone else while they did something with J.  So, I got a little rebellious and wasn't in any type of hurry to turn in all my paperwork.

D was asking me what I wanted for Mother's Day yesterday.  I really couldn't think of anything.  Just a nice card.  You know the kind, where it goes on and on about how amazing you are.  That's what I want.  That's what I wanted.  I then told him that he could work at the "Tot lot" for me.  He asked if that's what I really wanted.  I told him, "Yes!"  I made a phone call to see if it was possible for him to be a volunteer in my place.  The answer came back, "Of course".  But then I felt dumb, feeling as though I had sold my soul by not wanting to babysitt.  The lady on the other end of the line was shocked that I would want that for Mother's Day.  She would gladly work in a tot lot for two hours than have that for Mother's Day.  She saves up all year for her Mother's Day.  I giggled and said, well, that's what I want and we're in different stages of life.  And it felt good!

I was giddy once I hung up the phone and with a somewhat mischievous voice I turned to D and said, "Guess who's working in the tot lot?"  I told him that he was the best husband around and that he was so good to me.  He is! You know why?  Because he really wanted to do that for me.  He didn't try to invalidate (is that a word?) my feelings or my request by just wanting to run to Bath and Body works for a real gift.   I suppose some might think he got off easy not having to go to the mall or deal with expensive requests.  But....he knows my language of love.  I'm about acts of service and I only see it as him being so sweet to me and really making me happy.  So see, it's perfect for me.  It might not be what anyone else in the whole entire would like, but it's what I want for Mother's Day.

And.... to talk to my missionary.  And.....to have the house clean with no bugging or teasing.  And....I'd be lying if I didn't admit I'd still like a nice card telling me how amazing I am.  LOL

I'll talk to my missionary and I'll go into Sunday not having a single expectation of what the day "should" be like.    Come on, you know what I'm talking about.   Sleeping in, breakfast in bed, the kids sitting on the couch singing hymns with their arms folded, and not a single talk about how wonderfully perfect mothers are.  I know better than that.  But, I have come to love my yearly tradition of taking pictures with each of my children.  We will do that.  And with my invisible clicker that hasn't arrived yet, I'll be clicking when I make breakfast for the family  because I have one.  I'll be clicking when I'm running around trying to find the lost shoe before church, grateful that my family wants to go with me.  I'll be clicking as some of my children pull faces and are ornery when taking their pictures with me because I too was like that once upon a time.  I'll be clicking when I call my mothers and grandmothers thankful for their influences in my life.  And, I'll be clicking as I kiss my hubby D for the perfect Mother's Day gift that he gave me.  The fact that he knows me and loves me.  And that card...  I should be getting that around the middle of June seeing how D just read my posts about Easter today.  I love you D.

D's cute offer makes me think about Father's Day and what I can do for him.  He's not a "gift" person so I guess I can hold off on more cologne.  I can follow his lead and see what he wants and make it happen no matter how small.  It might be huge in his eyes and make him happy.  I can do that.  After all, he's giving me what I want for Mother's Day.

I'm a romantic and I like traditions

Happy Valentine's Day everybody!

It was the perfect day.  The kids awoke to Valentine snowflakes and hearts cascading down from the ceiling, heart pillows filled with treats and sock monkeys, dishes full of gummy cinnamon lips, cherry hearts, and suckers with pop rocks speckled on them.  The kids also found a cross word puzzle with clues about themselves and each family member including me, the Valentine Fairy.  My way of saying "Happy Valentine's Day and I love you".

D was greeted with a Cherry Chocolate shake for breakfast this morning.  He thought it was pretty neat.  I thought it was rather romantic.  ;)  He headed off to work with his newest little treasure.

The kids raced off to school with their Valentines for each classmate and their bags and boxes ready to collect their received Valentines at their class parties.

The girls and I each wore our Valentine shirts.  We felt rather festive.

I worked so hard today on D's last gift.  I wanted it perfect.  Ha.  That whole thing of taking a picture of yourself with your arm extended.  What a joke.  My head was everywhere.  Half my head.  One eyeball.  Yesterday's mascara.  I had to wear makeup....just to get a lip shot.  But, my lips aren't perfect.  So, the picture got bigger and bigger.  And still no perfection.  Right when I thought all was lost, I got it.  I got me.  Me at 40.  Not me at 40 airbrushed to death trying to look 27.  So, it did turn out perfect.  Even with the paint in my hair.  Because that is so me.  I threw in a few words that I thought were kind of sexy.  My kids will die if they see that I wrote that word.  They're not allowed to say it.

After running the kids to piano, dinner to a sick friend and then to piano again, I returned home to these beauties in the arm of a really handsome hubby.  I may have sent a little text to him today saying that it was not a hint at all, but that Trader Joes has the best flowers just as a little piece of knowledge.  He texted back saying, "Thanks for the knowledge".  I felt a little sheepish, but I'd rather have a little input than having Albertson roses walk in.  I love you D.  :)

I was so excited to show D my efforts of his last gift when he got home.  He read it and began laughing.  He said, "Did you tell everyone that you hate when I take control?  That you would never let me pull your body in closer?"

Well, I'll have you know that no matter what it said, or how true he thinks it is....we were kissing.  A lot.  He he.  Makes for an awesome Valentine's Day.

I know there are those out there that believe we should love each other every day of the year, not just on Valentine's Day.  True.  But I'm a romantic.  And I like traditions.  They make me happy.

Smooching the night away

I rounded up some couples for a Valentine's Day party on Friday.  I promised everyone that if all went well, they would be smooching it up all evening.  Last I heard, it did just that.  ;)

As the couples arrived, we had them "carve" their initials in the tree by signing their names together on a huge tree I had drawn.  Then they wore name tags on their sleeves.  We ate a yummy dinner that consisted of rice with Italian creamy chicken, mixed greens salad with blueberries, granny smith apples, seasoned sliced almonds and poppy seed dressing, potato rolls and chocolate dipped strawberries.  Oh, and everyone had their very own bottle of "love potion no.9" to drink.  (I down loaded the wrappers off of a website) Then it was time to get down to business.  

Did you know that a long time ago people would pick a name out of a bowl and then pin that name on their sleeve for a week?  That person would be their Valentine.  Thus the phrase, "Wear your heart on your sleeve".  

We had a lot of fun playing some clean adult games.  

I took the women in another room where they each applied red lipstick and kissed a poster board with hopes of their spouses recognizing their lips.  There actually were a couple men that guessed right.  

D had the men draw pictures of how they proposed to their wives.  When we met up with each other, the women had to recognize their picture and then tell the story.  There were a lot of "Awes" and laughs.  Funny stories.  Here's mine.  I recognized it instantly with those fireworks going up my parent's driveway.

Then we did a "The Not So Newly Wed Game" game.  These are the questions that we came up with.

1.  What song would your wife want you to dedicate to her and then sing in her ear while dancing?

2.  What is the most romantic thing you have ever done for your wife?

3.  What is the last movie you went to see together?

4.  What is your husband's favorite breakfast?

5.  What is your favorite vacation you've been on together?

6.  What is your wife's favorite movie?

7.  What is your/their love language?

     a.  Words of Affirmation

     b.  Quality Time

     c.  Receiving Gifts

     d.  Acts of Service

     e.  Physical Touch 

8.  What do you find most attractive about your spouse?

That game was hysterical.  Let's just say that some people need to go on a vacation, some need to do a little more in the romance department and all men but one love personal touch.  Funny!!

Then we played a game where the women pulled out their lipsticks again and gave as many kisses as they could to their spouse in thirty seconds.  How some got over twenty and another planted just six is crazy.  Plus, the six were on the forearm not the face.  haha

Up next?  The clothes pin game.  All men were blindfolded, well, I forgot that detail so they just closed their eyes.  The women placed twenty five clothes pins on themselves.  The men had to find them while keeping their eyes closed.  It was funny being on the camera side of things.  I heard little, "Oh"s every once in a while with little giggles.  

We served up dessert afterwards, pointed fingers at each other's wedding and engagement photos, and then called it a party.  

I collapsed in bed afterwards happy that I had finally had a party.  I'm a party person and it's been waaay too long!  Now to finally try these neat kisstixx that I ordered.  They're called fire and ice.  Cinnamon and Vanilla.  Supposedly they go well together.  Can't wait to find out.  D, bring your cinnamon lips over here and let's get smooching the night away.  XOXOX

I love you D

Just because I've got romance on the brain for the next month, here's a little something for D's office right next to my kiss from last year.

No matter the language, I love you D.

20 Years

D and I spent the last few days together.  Just the two of us.  It was quiet.  I liked it.  I liked being with him.  I even liked watching football with him.  Actually, he watched football as I wrapped myself all around him.  I don't watch football.  We spent our time going on walks, taking pictures, shopping for right hand rings (I'm a little giddy), eating out without children, Black Friday shopping, ordering movies, romantic ride on a gondola, buying chocolate in a chocolate shop and eating it in bed, and all the normal getaway stuff.  ;)

Check out this stud muffin.

This little French restaurant reminded me of the movie, "Ratatouille".  The French music was playing and I could just imagine the little chef and the mouse working together.  Yummy food.

Two Asian guys commented about how cute we were as a couple and how we interacted with each other. They had been watching us take our "kissing pictures" on time delay with my camera.  What they didn't know was that I was trying out the "Bachelor and Bachelorette kisses".  Have you seen how they hold each other's faces every single time they kiss?  I've been kissing D wrong for 20 years!  LOL  It is kind of sexy in a picture though.  We'll have to try it again for a really good Valentine's Day picture for D.  (D, forget you just read that part.)

Our gondolier was excited at the thought that we were still together after all those years.  The fact that we gave him hope for his generation.  Kind of fun.

D was cute to meet every need I had and a desire to make and keep me happy.  He bent over backwards for me doing things that weren't always convenient or fun.  I'm grateful for the time that I had with him.  For the inside jokes that we'll have from this time together.  Boy do we have some.  :)



So grateful for D and all that he is.  He's not perfect.  Neither am I.  Trust me.  I despise laundry.  And the fridge can get gross.  But, like Celia's grand-dad said, "I'm grateful for....".  Lots to be grateful for.  And I'm grateful for D.  I love you.

Thank you HHS

I'm married to a guy that "likes" sports.  When we were dating he asked me if I liked sports.  Oh sure.  I played sports and had an amazing pair of black Nikes. (Before everyone else did)  At that point in my life, I didn't even know who any pro teams were except the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys thanks to Justin Matheson and Wes Baker in my fourth grade class that went on and on about them.  Or their cheerleaders rather.

Well, D loves sports.  Loves to watch them.  Keep stats on them.  Should have ESPN calling him up any day offering him a job.  He knows that much.  But, he wouldn't be good on ESPN because he'd say way too much about his teams.  He'd be the best coach and referee out there too.  ;)  You know what I mean?

I thought I'd shock him yesterday.  Kind of like, put him at the top of my totem pole kind of a thing.  See, his high school team was playing in the state football championship game last night.  They play in it every year.  Seriously, this is the fourth year in a row.  But, they never seem to pull out a win.  I kept hearing about this team they lose to every year.  Well, when that team was beat a couple weeks ago, there was a glimmer in his eye and some hope that his team might win their first state title.  I talked a lot of smack about my team beating his team, but I really didn't even care who won or have any allegiance to my own high school for that matter.  I'm gone, by dad isn't there, and my children aren't there, so it's just a school now.  We're different like that.  We keep laughing at each other and how differently we think.

When D was a kid, he would hold his Dallas Cowboys garbage can while watching them play for good luck.  He needed something like that for today's game.  A good luck party if you will.  Because I couldn't live with him another year after another possible championship loss.  It was time to intervene.

When he got home from work yesterday, he was greeted with a sign and balloons in the drive way.

"Eye of the Tiger" blaring as he walked in the door on the ipod dock.  A "good luck" spread to wear while watching the game.

An arch of balloons and a note I wrote to his high school team awaiting him on his computer screen.  Which read:

3A State Football Championship Game

November 18, 2011

HHS vs DHHS

Dear HHS football team,


Please win tonight!!  I'm not especially fond of your team seeing how I was a _____ and the CHS _____ rock!  But...I find my husband sobbing in "his" room every year after you've been defeated in the last three State Championships.  Our 20 year anniversary is next week and I would like my husband happy and in good spirits for our weekend getaway.  So, just because I love him so much, I'd like you and your "Eye of the Tiger" team to tear it up out there.  


Thank you.


He was like his eight year old self all over again wearing his beanie, shirt and gloves for the entire game hoping they were good luck.  Must have been, because his team took state.  Thank you Tigers!!    He was all smiles and took the family out afterwards to watch Happy Feet 2...in his beanie, shirt, gloves and cupid pajama pants.

Now there's the sports fan I fell in love with.  And the perfect situation to be "festive" D.  Seriously, black and red look good on him.  You're looking pretty hot D.

D's feeling festive

So, D told me that it's National Mustache Month.  I don't know about that, but C told me that it's No Shave November.  So they may be on to something.

D said that he was feeling "festive" and was growing out his mustache.  But, after reminding him that our 20 year anniversary was this month and we'd be on our getaway together and I didn't exactly find it super attractive...

He shaved it off.  I love you D.  Let's be festive doing something else okay?

Happy Birthday D!

Happy Birthday to the most handsome hubby ever!

Turning the page

What a fun day I had today. A birthday lunch with one friend and a birthday dinner for another. It was a rough life indeed. :)

Have you ever really felt the power of others praying for you? I have. All week. Every time I turn around there's more evidence of a loving Father in Heaven that wants me to succeed and be happy. For lunch I took a friend out for her birthday. It was after we had talked for over two hours that we realized we had become friends during that time.

She shared different experiences that she's had the last three years. She then said that just this past September she decided to "turn the page" and move on. My desperate ears heard those words and knew that once again Heavenly Father was aware of the secret pleadings of my heart and prayers of my parents. Just a couple hours prior to that I had made a decision that I no longer wanted to think or speak about the feelings and emotions I've had the last week. Good riddens. Bye bye. Hasta la vista baby!

I left excited for the day and looked forward to returning home a new me. The old me. Page turned. Once again, another friend, heaven sent.

I spent this evening with a bunch of girlfriends. We laughed and laughed and laughed. Oh I do love feeling like me again. There I am! That's me! The real me! Oh I do love my hugemungous laugh/smile! Makes me happy.

Now I'm off to give D a backrub for being so cute to me today. It's only fair after spending his day off watching the kids all day. Have I said that I love that man?

Practice makes perfect

So, D told me that he liked looking at his "kiss" all day. Made me happy. It got me thinking...now that I've done all that practice getting my kiss just right, I might as well show off what I'm good at. After all, practice makes perfect. So, I kissed to my little hearts content for 30 seconds.

I'm pretty sure D approved of the whole thing. I mean really. Look at those eyes. He totally digs me. Can't help but think he likes the new red lipstick too.

How many kisses can you give in 30 seconds?

Girls, what are you waiting for? Valentine's Day is in six days! Get your shoes on, run to your local drug store and pick up some red lipstick. They have fun names. Mine is "Misbehave". Brought out a whole new side of me. I mean seriously now, lip gloss couldn't do half of what I've done in the last two days!

Your sweetheart will thank me. I mean you.

Giving him a kiss

Do you have any idea how hard it is to get a kiss right? It takes a lot of practice. Tehe

After applying several coats of my new red lipstick (it's the new thing this season), puckering up and kissing the paper over fifteen times, I finally got it right. FYI, press your lips in the center and then roll side to side.

I love kissing D, so it only seemed fitting to give him this larger than life kiss just because it's romantic and Valentine's Day is coming up. Oh, I do love me some Valentine's Day!

Here's to giving him a kiss. My kiss!

XOXOX

Love you D

Wishing I could do the "Rocky"

Remember this picture?

What about this one?

Know what they have in common? Nothing! But I feel like running up the Pyramid of the Sun again and doing the "Rocky" thing. Or even the Philadelphia steps and doing the "Rocky". (How come no one ever does it with me? lol)

As for the big laughs with my sisters and mom... it's going to be even bigger now!

I made the climb. I made it to the top. I've faced my fears and got my mouth caught up on all my dental work including NO silver fillings anymore. Sound simple? Not for someone that has had dental anxiety since she was a little girl.

As I sat there in one of D's chairs today, I couldn't help but think back fourteen years ago when I first sat in one of his chairs at the dental school. It was a loooooooooooong process. Every step had to be passed off by an instructor. I thought of the stories that I would hear every time we were with other students back then. One friend didn't want to mess up on the dental board so he hand picked the ENTIRE filling rather than using a drill. Remembering stories of all the first year dental students learning to give shots by giving them to each other. Stories of trench mouth, green fur growing on teeth, and a friend spraying on cold to see which tooth was sensitive rather than touching it with a q-tip. Oh those were fun years. Then! I'm glad we're where we are now!!

D, thank you for being patient with me all these years. Thank you for letting me run to the restroom four times per visit due to nerves. Thanks for giving me kisses right after my numbing injections. Who else can say that? Well, not many.

I kind of felt bad having you remove my last "silver" today. I know it represented all your hard work to getting us where we are today. (I was one of his board patients for the state he's practicing in.)

You've come a long way baby! Although my nerves were still all over the place, I knew you would take good care of me. And you did. Maybe it was that kiss in between. Maybe it was the smell of your new cologne on your neck. Yes, I'm sure that was it.

What ever it was, or how ever I did it, I DID it! I'm going to bed smiling, grateful, thankful and happy tonight. Dr., care to join me?

My birthday boy

Oh I do miss my birthday boy. He's at Magic Mountain with the boys. Happy Birthday to him. lol Oh there's definately some sarcasm in there. he he

I did have fun at Ulta yesterday as I sniffed, spritzed, and sprayed all kinds of yummy colognes as I was hunting for the perfect smell for D. Nothing in the world better than a clean guy with amazing cologne on. Oh, if I could just park my little nose in the nape of his yummy smelling neck. Mmmmmmm.

Just two requests he had for today. New cologne and his mom's carrot cake. Her cake really is the best carrot cake in the world!

Actually, I just got a text requesting a dvd with John Stockton and Karl Malone's greatest hits. So I'll be looking into that.

So D, my birthday boy, Happy Birthday. I love you. Have a safe trip home. Can't wait to spray your neck, burrow my nose up close, and give you a birthday kiss or two.


Now that's what I'm talking about.

I love this man

I love this man's ocean blue eyes.

I love when he dresses up for me.

I love going on dates with him.

I love a lot of things about this man. But the thing that is MOST attractive about him is when I see him reading the scriptures, teaching my children, praying for our family, or testifying of the things that he knows to be true.

Oh, I love this man.

Learning his language

Following the post I did last Sunday, I found myself not really going to bed that happy. I woke up the next morning only to bawl my eyes out to one of my friends. I had really convinced myself that I wasn't a good mom and that I couldn't do it. She was cute and told me to think about what I had just taught in Relief Society on Prayer. I listened and continued to sob even after she left my home. I was in such despair that I disregarded everything she had said to me and was sure that I truly was the loser mom.

I woke up that morning only to read a post by a friend about her bff starting a blog to record 1000 moments of joy in the next year. I was sceptical. In fact, it lasted for days. All I could do was find myself taking pictures of the edamame scattered all over the table, the bathrooms not thoroughly cleaned, toys everywhere, chalk in the grout lines, etc. My anger continued to grow. I knew that that wasn't a good state to be in. I needed to make some changes. My attitude needed to change.

I found the book, "The Five Languages of Love" at Savers this week. I've heard about it for years. I couldn't wait to get home and glance through it. Well, I quickly took the test to see which language I was. I am acts of service. All of a sudden, I got even more ticked off. "No wonder I'm always ticked off! I don't feel like anyone is speaking my language of love." At that point my thoughts were totally irrational, convincing myself that I never got help. Which is stupid because the kids and D really do help me. In fact, I can't say enough about how good D is to me for letting me go on all my trips, mopping and doing the dishes often, helping with the girls, etc.

As soon as D got home, I asked him to take the test to see what language he was. It turns out that he likes the language of physical touch. I got thinking..."I know dang well that I don't speak that language to him nearly as much as I should, yet, he's not walking around all ticked off." All of a sudden a light went on, (of course I really know what it was) and I decided that rather than getting resentful about my own language, I would give D more of his language. It's been fun. It's made me happier knowing that I'm making him happy and showing him that I love him in the way that he speaks love.

That was a wonderful thing, because not only did I snap out of that, I snapped out of the loser mom thing too.

I looked up some things and found some words of encouragement along with some scriptures. Here's one of them...

"Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones." -- Jeffrey R. Holland

Isn't that beautiful?

I took the 1000 Moments of Joy challenge and it's already making a difference. I enjoy what I see because I'm LOOKING for the good that brings me joy. After all, there is Joy...It's all around me! (check out my new joy blog)

D's "Christmas"

Yesterday D woke up to the smell of bacon cooking and followed the scent downstairs. He then found himself a plate heaped full of bacon, runny eggs, grapes, toast, potatoes and orange juice. It's his favorite breakfast in the world. He thinks the combination of the toast, runny egg and orange juice together in one bite is about the best thing ever. (I gag when I think of it, because eggs are about the most vile thing out there! But this is about D, not me).

As he was eating his breakfast he discovered a stocking stashed full of his favorites. Pistachios, Reese's, berry gummy lifesavers, Hot Tomales, Black licorice and some gum. You know it has to be "Christmas" if he's getting gum. No other time in my life would I give that guy some gum. He can chomp his gum better than anyone I know!! He's usually forbidden to chew gum because he's so out of control with it. Anyway...

He was geared up, had taken work off, had his comfy clothes on, brackets all filled out and was ready to sit on the couch for the next few days watching the NCAA basketball tournament. It's actually called March Madness, but in our house we refer to it as D's or dad's Christmas. He loves it. It's his time.

I used to get aggrivated how he would take work off to watch games. I thought of all the things we could do with the money he would have made, or the vacations we could have gone on. I'd get huffy over the fact that he would just sit on the couch all day and I would still be a mother cleaning, caring for, driving around, etc. But, over the years I've grown up. I've realized that he's a good provider, he takes care of our physical needs, and he has always been good to me letting me do things. I've gone to lunch, dinner and movies with my friends, I've gone on several spontaneous trips, I've had family stay to visit, sisters that have lived with us, he's hired two different sisters as nanny's, I've been to girls camp twice, I play volleyball twice a week, I left the country for 8 days, and I met with someone about my anxiety.

So how, HOW in the world could I not give this man I love his "Christmas"?

I'd be an ungrateful fool.

Plus, if I win on one of my brackets, I smell a basketball court coming soon. lol He always gives prizes, dinner, or money to whomever wins the brackets in our family. I won two years ago and said that I wanted my paver patio done. I was joking, but there's always a little truth in it. After teasing him about it for awhile, I got it. I'm crossing my fingers.

Merry Christmas honey. It's good to have you home.

Still got his moves

D and I went out last night for Valentine's Day. We had a good time dancing and laughing. He danced while I laughed. That's how it usually works with us, although that hasn't always been the case.

He can let his hair down and be the craziest dancer out there, while I on the other hand, am a little timid and I rock from side to side. I used to be too self conscious out on the dance floor and I would get mad that he was so animated. I'm serious! He doesn't just dance. His entire body dances! His eye balls about pop out of his head, he mouths the words to every song, (That's not correct. He sings the words to every song. How does he know every word to every song?) his neck moves all kinds of directions, he does the Van Halen "jump", he does break dance, he pantomimes, and he flings his arms in every direction similar to the scarecrow.

Thing is. . . I love it now! I have a huge grin that goes from ear to ear knowing that he's with me and that he's mine. He draws a lot of attention out on the dance floor. I think he likes that. I just smile at everyone that is smiling at him while he dances the way that I wish I could.

From time to time I have to pull him back in so that he doesn't plow someone over. It's all good.

His dancing makes me happy. He makes me happy.

He wrote a note to me today telling me all the things that he loves about me. I loved it! I returned a note back to him saying that not only did I love him, but that I was in love with him.

Thanks for a simple yet Happy Valentine's Day honey. You've still got your moves.

Now, I'm going to slip into something a little more comfortable like my vest and boots. ;) he he

I love him

Just over a month ago I was invited by a friend that I had just recently met to go to Mexico with her. I mentioned it to D, and he quickly told me that yes I could go because it was going to be a once in a lifetime trip. Within the next few days I applied for a passport not knowing when or where exactly I would be going. A couple weeks later I found out that we would be going just after Thanksgiving and to Mexico City. I was thrilled.

I made arrangements for the kids, had/paid my sister to come help for a few days, bought the entire freezer aisle, and was ready to leave.

Just before the trip, D and I celebrated our eighteenth anniversary. We didn't do much. That will come later when we go to Bon Jovi. :) He came home that day with tulips and told me that he wanted his "two lips" all over me. He's so cute. It made my day. Then he handed me a bag. I was anxious to see what was in it, because I don't usually trust his taste, but...I was pleasantly surprized when I found a gorgeous black leather purse and gloves for me to take on my trip. I hugged him right away and thanked him for the amazing gifts. I love how he put the tulips in the pitcher. I love him.

Rather than focusing on the fact that he would be home with seven children for eight days without me, he was excited for me. Not once did he ever say that he wished that he could go. Not once did he ever complain about all the arrangements or the expense of it all. What husband would do that? If you don't have seven children at home, you can't answer that. I love him.

My flight left early in the morning on the first. At four o'clock that morning, I asked D if he would give me a blessing. It was beautiful. I wept as I heard him bless me that I might have angels on either side of me. That was a strong statement. I wondered why he was impressed to say that. But rather than worry like I would have a few months ago, I felt safe and knew that I would be protected and would return to my family. I love him.

One morning, my friend, her aunt and I were on a bus headed for the Mexico City Temple. At one of the bus stops four young men jumped on the bus. One of them started shouting. I, not understanding anything that he was saying, smiled at him thinking he was telling everyone to have a good morning. I never thought anything about it. Next thing I knew everyone on the bus was handing him their money. I still thought nothing of it. There was a big telathon going on down there, so I thought perhaps he was taking collections for it. The four men got off the bus right after that. My friend said nothing. A few minutes later she poked my leg with her finger and still remained silent. When we arrived at the temple, she could barely speak. She was shaking and very scared. A few minutes later she told what had happened. The man shouting on the bus had told us that they weren't robbers but that we better give them our money. There were men at both the front and back doors so nobody better try to leave or call out for help. After she told me that, I knew that I had been blessed. I couldn't stop crying knowing that I had had angels on either side of me. I had smiled at the man and had given him nothing. I was so grateful for D and the blessing that he had given me. I love him.

While on my trip, something came up. I was in tears and the physical traits of anxiety started showing up again. I longed to be home in D's arms where all would be okay. I was able to speak to him one day and he told me to enjoy my trip. He told me that he loved me and thinks the world of me. I trusted and needed to hear those words. I love him.

As I spent those eight days in Mexico, I learned that I'm very fortunate. I saw people and heard stories of relationships and marriages that had crumbled. I kept thinking back about my good husband that was home with our seven children. My husband that thinks the world of me. The night before I returned home, I sent D an email telling him that I was giddy at the thought of returning home. I couldn't wait to hug him and kiss him again. I told him about my new found appreciation for him. I knew that I had it good, but now I know that I have it great! I love him.

As I stood outside the airport waiting for D to pick me up, I was watching for his small car. I couldn't believe it. There my suburban was pulling up to greet me. I could see all the car seats full of children. He, my husband, had loaded up the three little kids and had brought them to greet me. I was in tears at the thought of returning home to my Heaven on earth. I hugged him, touched each of my children, and held on to D as we drove home. I love him.

I had only told a couple of people that I was even going to Mexico. They laughed at the thought of D home alone with all seven children and were sure that he would learn to appreciate me more. Maybe so. But, like I told D, I have gained a new appreciation for him. I have returned more grateful for the life that I have, the relationships that I have, and all the Lord has blessed me with. Having said that, D, I'll do better at keeping up on laundry, your laundry, less wasted food, and meeting your needs. D, you mean the world to me.

Happy and grateful and going to do better because I love him.

A successful hunt!

I could barely sleep last night anticipating the first day of the hunt. I got up early, got dressed, gathered my equipment, and loaded the car with my hunting buddies. We were off.

Not long into our trip I spotted something. Yes, it was a buck. I carefully stalked him as he roamed from location to location. Once I was sure that I could get him, I grabbed him and tagged him.

Isn't that how you hunt?

Did you seriously think I would go hunting? Like shoot an animal, and then cook him in a crockpot for dinner? My eyes were huge and I was laughing my head off at some of the comments about the up coming hunt. I HATE venison, elk, meat you have to chew, meat you can taste, meat that swims, basically all meat.

But I did do a little hunting for fun. D called me this morning in a panic wondering what this hunt thing was all about after seeing my blog. He even thought I really drew out a tag and was going hunting. I pointed out that I just drew a tag. I told him to calm down and play along.

I really was excited for today. I got out one of D's old camo hats and put it on, and sprayed myself with my perfume (have I said how good I smell?) with hopes of drawing him in.

The kids and I got some Reeses cups for him and made a trail in his office so that we could track him. He loves those things so it would be easy.

After following him around awhile I grabbed him and put my tag on him. He was a sport and his employees loved it. He wondered what I was doing. I told him, "I'm Dear Hunting".

I've never had a 'rack' to brag about before, but now, now...I've got a rack with a tag from a buff, handsome, strapping male buck.

Tatts,crack and laughs

I made pumpkin chocolate chip pancakes for breakfast this morning. They were yummy. D was cute and cleaned up breakfast for me. I always tell him that he's extra "hot" when he's helping. He likes how I flirt with him when he helps around the house, especially while doing the dishes. While he was standing at the sink I caught a teeny glimpse of his crack. I then had to tease him that he was "doing crack". Then. . . I got this great idea to put a fake tattoo just above his rear end to tease the kids. I got out the sharpie and told him to lean over. I wrote my name with a heart as the "o" in my name. I then instructed him to go lean over while picking something up in front of the kids in the next room. (I'm giggling right now)

He marched in and picked up a pillow off the floor with his rear end facing the kids on the couch. A instantly said, "That is the fakest thing I've ever seen!" Some thought it was gross. I'm not sure if that was the tattoo, the location or the fact that their dad was "doing crack". J pointed out that it should have been blue not black. G was really concerned that D had one.

It was really funny. Not that D ever would have a tattoo. But it sure as heck wouldn't be above his rear end. Maybe a barbed wire around his arm. he he

I admitted to D this summer as we were headed for Yellowstone that I liked tattoos. He was shocked.

I like the stories behind the tattoos. I'm amazed at what an art they are.

I just like 'em.