ALMOST

I think it's a Utah thing. Even though Chris and his date had already talked about going to prom, they had to do the 'official' asking and answering. You know... the fun way with clues and props, etc. I grew up in Texas and never had a big 'to-do' about asking. It was pretty much, "will you go to prom with me?" But when I came to Utah, I realized that this is a big tradition here. I always thought it was fun, and I'm glad that they still do it today.

Chris decided to ask Edynn by freezing several small cups of ice, each with a different 'clue' inside telling her where to meet him, which ended up being at the junior high they both went to in Spanish Fork - the place they met each other. I was the get-away driver, which turned out to be really fun (and reminded me why my Aunt Jan thought it was fun to take us toilet papering - a.k.a TP'ing - when we were younger).

Chris took the bucket of ice and door-bell ditched her house, and we took off in a flash. I then left him at the junior high so that he (and his guitar) would be there to meet her once she broke the ice and figured out her clues. I really shouldn't have been surprised when I was asked to LEAVE, and yet I was. No fair! But I did as I was asked... I promptly left after dropping him off. I didn't get to hear him ask her. But I got to SEE it all unfold... I almost felt bad about driving away and then spying from the car where he couldn't see me. I almost felt bad because Tessa was with me and I was setting an example for her. I almost felt bad that she thought it was fun. ALMOST... but not quite.

A few days later, Edynn decided to 'officially' answer his question. This time I was the 'take-away' car, so I took Chris on a few errands while Edynn and Katy left this pathway to our bathroom:



This cute sign above the bathtub:

I'm thinking the 'planet universe' is an inside joke?

And these IN the bathtub:



I couldn't stop myself from wondering if I had a sign on my forehead that said, 'Wanted: Free Fish' since THIS GUY was free, too. I was also very overwhelmed with trying to take care of so many fish. If you know our family, you know that we tend to get attached to animals. Seriously... our little Yapper actually wags his tail at us and gets all excited when we talk to him and feed him. He's a part of family and we went into panic mode a couple of months ago when he got sick. We put antibiotics in his water twice a day for a week. Seriously. A fish. But he's OUR fish, and therefore part of our family.

So... yeah, I was overwhelmed with taking care of 25 goldfish. I went to the pet store to ask how to care for them, which turned out to be completely different than with a beta. I got them their special goldfish food and the biggest bowl in my house. I changed their water when it got dirty (who knew goldfish were such filthy little buggers?), and I did my best to keep them happy and healthy. But when they started dropping like flies a few days later, it was too emotional for the girls and me. So I called the pet store and asked if they would take them back. When they said they would, we all decided that it would be best for everyone involved - the fish and us - if we took them where they would best be taken care of.

So I almost felt bad when we took the last, living dozen fish back to the pet store. I almost felt bad that the fish water spilled all over Katy on the way over, that another one died before we got there, and that they fed it to a turtle. Mostly I was relieved. Because now those surviving fish will live forever in Tessa's sweet, animal-loving mind because she didn't have to witness them floating the next morning. Because we didn't have to have anymore ceremonies around the toilet for fish that 'get to go live with Nemo now'. Yeah, I almost felt bad about returning the survivors. ALMOST... but not quite.

Have a Wonderful Easter!

I believe in Jesus Christ and I know that He died for me. I know that His suffering was beyond my comprehension. My heart can hardly handle the thought of His body hanging limp on that cross, held only by the nails placed into His hands and feet. Tears streak my face as I imagine witnessing these events.

The beauty... the MIRACLE is that He stepped forth from the tomb. HE LIVES!

I know that I am never alone, and I will stand beside Him and be a witness of His love at all times. I hope that your Easter is wonderful and that your greatest 'find' is the joy and peace that can be found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.

It's A Date...

Chris has been madly filling out job applications the last couple of weeks. For a small amount of time, I took a little bit of pride in the fact that I've taught him well, and that he is a responsible, self-motivated teenager simply because I'm a great mom. Ha! That was short-lived! Turns out it has absolutely NOTHING to do with ME. (Why is that so hard for me handle?)

I just got informed this week by Katy that he's asked a girl to PROM and that she said YES. After I choked down the thought that I'm that OLD (to have a child going to prom?!)... I think that put me in a sour mood... and I marched straight to him and asked him if he knew how EXPENSIVE prom is? Why is it that my first reaction wasn't, "oh, how fun!"? (Although in my defense, it did run through my head, I just didn't let it out my mouth.) But seriously... I was thinking about the dinner, the tickets, the pictures, the tux (do they still wear tuxedos to prom?)... and the list goes on. He immediately took the defense (of course he did - I would have too) and let me know that THIS IS WHY HE'S BEEN TRYING SO HARD TO GET A JOB. I couldn't argue with that. I've personally witnessed his attempts... he really has filled out quite a few applications. And he has an interview next week... let's all keep our fingers crossed for him!

So my sweet baby boy is going to prom. That same teeny, toe-headed boy who was positive that girls had cooties just a few short years ago. The same one that used to lift his hands, curl his fingers like claws and sing, "Cwoo-ella Da-bill, Cwoo-ella Da-bill, if she dud-unt cawe you, no e-bill ting will!"

I don't think I could convince him that girls are scary and evil anymore. Or that they have cooties. Especially when his date is such a dolly and I'm secretly really happy she said yes, because she's a GREAT girl. And you can bet that Miss Kodak will come out on Prom Night. He doesn't know what he's in for.

In the meantime, if you need your car washed, or your lawn mown, or.... anything else... you know who is MORE THAN WILLING...

Where in the heck...

Have I been? I've been asked this question several times the last few weeks... so I'm here to tell you...
I've been eating these:
Anyone else addicted to Kneaders new cup full of goodness?


I've been breathing in the these:
Thank you, Dani and Shaunee, for giving me yet another addiction!


I've been going places like this:
And enjoying the company so much! (Sorry, Laurie... I had to steal the pic since you had the cam!)


And I've been going here:
To the principle's office, which hasn't been so enjoyable. Why do kids have to be mean? Needless to say, after visiting UVRMC with one of my children because of some meanies, I'm seriously considering changing schools next year. Very seriously.