Power Naps

I think I've pretty much become the bomb at power naps-- particularly ever since Emma started kindergarten and soccer. After all, I pack lunches, I help with homework, I sit through practices, I cheer through games, I drive A LOT, I cook (well ok, that depends on your definition of "cook"), I clean A LOT, I attend church and the temple, I read my scriptures, I shop and run errands, I bathe (hopefully the kids and myself), I volunteer at Emma's school, and I try to have some time with my hubby when he gets home from school at 9:00pm. There's also budgeting and callings and paying bills and days at the park and trying to work out, and trying to remember what my hobbies are, etc.

Now I know you have NO IDEA what I'm talking about :), for such is the life of the stay at home mom. The sacrifices are well worth it, but let's face it-- it's very tiring!

I've never really liked the power nap until now. I felt like if I can't get an hour or two then I don't want a nap at all. Oh how young and naive.

Well, necessity is the mother of invention, and I'm the mother of some children who have lots of necessities, and I have the necessity to sleep. So when I can get 15 minutes, I take them. Oh yes I do.

One More. . .

Another Fun Fav: The Egg Slicer

My Top 3 Funnest-to-use Household Items

3. Apple Corer
2. Swiffer


1. Salad SpinnerI just bought one of these bad boys today. If you haven't tried one yet, you're in for a treat! It dries your lettuce super fast! Maybe I'll lose weight from eating more salads now! Yesssss!

NO TITLE

ATTENTION: All you stay at home moms: Do you ever feel tempted to settle for your mediocre self? Right now I'm fighting the slow, inevitable pull that beckons all moms to run around in holey cinched sweats, a pony tail, children in tow, with no makeup.

No makeup!? At all? I must vow never to let such a thing occur, tempting as it is. Yes, I am busy, yes I am tired,

But sweats-- holey ones? that would feel like I've completely given up on life. . .

Like I've-- dare I say it-- LET MYSELF GO. *%^#&@*^* [I can't even type that without cringing.]

Do you know what I mean? Or am I sounding totally snobby right now? I'm not saying I want to spend hours getting ready just to drive Emma to school, or that we should all be fashion models. But let's face it-- the way you dress sends a message about yourself to the world. Do I want that message to be sloppy and unkempt? I don't think so.

I CANNNNOT wake up one day and realize my clothes are from the previous decade. (Unless the goal is retro-chic, but I'm not that fashion savvy so I doubt that would happen.)

I make a promise here and now, before you, my blogging community of friends, to never let myself go. Sure, I may carry 5 more pounds than I prefer to at this moment in time, and sure I highlight my own hair, but I will not settle for pajama bottoms and a stained t-shirt.

Laugh if you must.
Call me preppy if you must. (And you know who you are!) lol!

But I will not.

And I will at least wear mascara each day. No matter how busy, no matter how tired. Yes I will.

Yes I will.

But what will happen when I have MORE THAN ONE child in school and sports? All I do is drive all day, anyway, right? I mean who cares what I look like, right?

It's creeping in. . . I must fight it.

I WILL FIGHT!!! WHO'S WITH ME?!!

Number 9

Today was Emma's first official soccer game. It was a bit of an operation to get the 4 of us to the field at 8:45 on a Saturday morning. I found myself thinking What have I gotten myself into? Does Emma really NEED to play soccer yet? Maybe I should have waited a couple more years to commit myself to several hours of weekly practice and early morning weekend games. . . But it will be worth it, I tell myself. All the friends she'll make and lessons she'll learn about teamwork, and "winning isn't everything," and all that jazz.

Soon the chaos, I mean the game, began. It felt like herding cats, no-- little kitties. And every time we gained control of the ball, one particular opponent, Number 9, who was bigger and stronger, kept stealing it. How dare she! Didn't your mom teach you-- No stealing! Wait, this is soccer. But she was dominating even our best players, time and time again!

After half time, our team was becoming discouraged. She was working them over, so she was moved to goalie.

Whew! FINALLY- we could make an attempt at scoring, for after all, she was less of a threat from within the confines of the goalie box.

And who should make the first attempt? Yep, you guessed it-- Emma. My sweet, much smaller than Number 9, Emma.

She dribbles! She shoots!

DENIED. Darn that Number 9!

More struggling amongst the cats and Emma emerges forward again, dribbling toward the goal. Number 9 is all that is between her and sweet success. Go Emma Go!!!

She dribbles! She shoots!

GOAL!!! Wooo hooo!!! And she skips happily around the field, the game tied 1 to 1.

So there was indeed a lesson. Emma recognized on her own that Number 9 was a force and that it was a big deal to have scored. She will now have more confidence in soccer, and even life. As my dad so wisely pointed out,

Sometimes there are Number 9's in your life.

What will you do next time you are faced with one?

Second Hand = First Rate!

Lately I'm addicted to Thrift Store shopping. Why? I'll tell you why. When your husband is in law school and your budget is tight, i.e. chokingly restrictive, but you still feel the NEED TO SHOP, like every red blooded American woman, you need somewhere to go that you can actually fulfill that need safely (aka inexpensively). And shopping IS a NEED my sisters, not just a want.

Right?
Right.
Working on that. . .

So you FIND A WAY. Sure it may smell a little musty in those stores, and it may not have the glitz and glam you're used to, but you use a little creativity because after all, you're meeting your NEEDS! And here's why it's worth it. . . {prepare for sheer awesomeness}:

Cute Old Navy Skirt $2.50

Tissue Box $1.50

Stylish Black Hat $2.50

Silky Pink Scarf $1.50

Funky Blue Scarf $1.50

Brooke's Chair (for Em's soccer games)
$2.50

Em's Chair (so she could have a new chair, too, cause you know how that is)
$ 2.00

And for the GRAND FINALE!
Drum Roll Please!
This quality piece of furniture was a thrift store $69.00 but yours truly got it on the Labor Day 50% off sale for
$35.00!

And that my friends, is ever so gratifying.
And that my friends, is why I am obsessed--
nay-- addicted---
to thrift store shopping.

May all your shopping be gratifyingly thrifty.

Have Joy: Giveaway: Lush Boutique

My awesome friend Nikki has this awesome blog called Have Joy that I highly recommend. She is a talented, funny, down to earth person and blogger. And it just so happens there is a Lush Boutique jewelry giveaway you can learn more about on her blog. Enjoy!

Apple Hill, High Hill Ranch

We took our 4th annual trip to Apple Hill this weekend for Cori Ann's birthday.

We went on a HAY RIDE!

AND ATE APPLE DONUTS!

AND WATCHED FISH JUMP IN THE POND!

MUCH BETTER

BEFORE

AFTER

This dresser was for FREE in someone's driveway. The paint was $11. I should have sanded and primed first so I'll have to re-do it eventually. But I felt very budget savvy. I wanted to be on HGTV.

Ode to Bishop Rich Larsen

I wrote this poem for our old Bishop in Colorado Springs before he was released not too long ago. I love it!

Dear Bishop Larsen,

You are the best

Better than the rest

You are a shining star
Our favorite Bishop by far

Through good times and not
You helped us a lot

You are so inspiring
Just like Henry B. Eyring

You serve others 24-7
So expect a fast pass to heaven

As pioneers we trekked
It was hotter than heck!

You let us stay at your cabin
Us girls stayed up just gabbin'

And when the movie got boring
You drifted off snoring

You're such a good dad
Hannah thinks you're rad

(And it's just "Hannah"
Not Hannah Banana)

Sue is one lucky chick
To have a hubby like Rick

You'll always be in our hearts
We love you Bishop Lars!

Love,
Cristi and Alan Lindsay

Here's us on the Trek in Wyoming, 2005.