Some people's children!

Yes, this mother that loves her children, is talking about HER children....Dain Bramaged children.  I cannot get over the things that transpired this morning.  Every time I think about it, I giggle.  I swear, it's a good thing I don't work (much) outside the house.  These people NEED me, I tell ya!

This post is a head scratcher.  How do it put it all into words.  There are so many details of what took place this morning that need to be included, and yet, you still might not be able to wrap your mind around it.

8:15 a.m.---Let me just start by explaining, John didn't have to be into work this morning.  At home, it was one of those we-are-running-behind-kind-of-mornings.  I made lunches for the kids and whisked Jace and Haley away to the Elementary school (driving John's car...with Riley and Brynn's lunches in hand.)  Not wanting them to be late, John hopped in the van and headed toward the Junior High and High School.  I whipped around the block, did a roll the window down, toss the lunches maneuver into the van window, John plopped both lunches in Riley's lap and away they went.  You with me so far?

So, now John is in route to drop the girls off at the schools.  First he drops Brynn off at the Junior High.  Second he takes Riley to the High School.  When she gets out, she laughs and teases John that Brynn forgot her lunch and now he has to drive back to the Junior High and deliver it.

8:30 a.m.---So John takes the lunch over to the Junior High.  He delivers it to the front office and tells them it is Brynn's lunch. 

10:00 a.m. ---Brynn calls to say that the lunch we dropped off is not hers.  She explains that she already has a lunch, and that lunch belongs to Riley.  So, now Brynn has 2 lunches! John and I are sitting at home saying, "What the crap, Riley!"

11:00 a.m.---John picks up the lunch he had JUST dropped off at the Junior High a couple of hours ago.  He explains to the office that our children are "special".  He then takes the lunch over to the High School office and tells them it is Riley's lunch.  John then heads to work.

11:30 a.m.---Riley calls me to say that the lunch we dropped off to her is NOT hers.  She said that it was Brynn's lunch.  At this point, I am thinking...I just have to say it...what the hell!?  Am I going nuts!?  Did I make 3 lunches?  Riley explained what was in each sack, and I knew then...WE JUST WENT TO THE JUNIOR HIGH AND TOOK THE ONE LUNCH THAT WAS THERE!!!  There was never 2 lunches there! 

So to recap, Brynn had 0 lunches, then she had 1 lunch, then she had 0 lunches, then she had 1 lunch.  Riley had 1 lunch, then she had 2 lunches, then she had 1 lunch.  This is like one of those annoying math story problems that you just want to blow your brains out after reading.

12:00 a.m.---I drove to the High School to get the 2nd lunch...

Riley + 2 lunches - 1 lunch = I am going to kick some butts. 

 

I took the lunch over to Brynn at the Junior High.  She is the culprit that started all of this.  She walked out to get the lunch with a sheepish grin.  How do you even get mad?  At this point, I can't stop laughing.

 

So that, my friends, was my morning.  Tomorrow they will be going to school with their lunches pinned to the front of their shirts.

Having said all that, I still love these little "toots" and would do anything for them!

 

“I try to stay in a constant state of confusion just because of the expression it leaves on my face.”
― Johnny Depp 



School Work

Oh, how I love looking through some of the things that my kids write.  Especially when they are young, and just learning to write.  Here are a couple little gems that Haley brought home a couple of days ago...

 That would have to be a lot of dimes.  Good stuff!

She loves her adventures with her dad.

Powder Puff Football

Monday night was the annual Powder Puff Football game at the High School.  The first game was the Junior girls against the Freshmen girls.  The game was a close one.  The Freshmen girls gave the Junior girls a run for their money.  (I think they were given a little help by the officials.) 

 

The second game was the Senior girls against the Sophomore girls (Riley's team).  I had heard that this group of Senior girls had never lost a Powder Puff game.  So, I was a bit nervous for Riley and her team.  I didn't want them to go out there and get killed.  One of the coached for the Sophomore girls was my nephew Stockton.  It was almost as fun watching the coaches as it was the girls.  They wanted their team to win so bad.  The final score of the game was 14-14.  Nicely done Sophomore girls!!  The Senior team advanced (who knows why...I guess because they are Seniors) to the final game---Juniors against Seniors.  I don't think Riley's team cared that much.  I think they were just glad to have given the Senior girls a good run.

Jace and his cousins Quin and Carson.

Riley holding the ball for the kick...

Stockton

 

My nephew Parker was one of the cheerleaders for the game.
He is in the white sweater with his back to the camera.

 

Riley HAD to have Peyton Manning's number.  Some girl on her team got the shirt with the 18 and Riley somehow convinced her to let her wear it in the game.  After the game, they traded shirts back.  Riley is so in love with Peyton Manning.

Stockton and Riley

 

This picture shows a little back in the day Powder Puff action.  This is a picture of my Powder Puff team when I was a Junior.  And yes, we beat the Seniors that year.  Let me just say, I don't think they were too happy. 

Grrrrrr.

For the last little while, I have felt like I want to punch someone in the face.  I can't seem to put my finger on why.  I think I have been irritated one to many times by...see even still can't put my finger on it now.

Maybe it's not ONE thing, but several things all rolled into one.  I don't know if venting would help.......or maybe I should just punch someone in the face.

Sometimes venting helps.  Other times it just fans the flames.  If I were to gripe about it all, it would be a long, boring, whiny post.  I will spare you and just give you my top 3 gripes (in no particular order).

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First of all, I can't even watch CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, or any network that is talking politics anymore.  Around every turn, half truths are being told, statements are taken out of context, and blaming is the name of the game.  There are so many dishonest people that run the country, and so many morons delivering "their news" it just infuriates me.  A little less talk, a lot more action!  Pull your head out people!

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I'm not going to talk specifics here, and I probably shouldn't even be mentioning....
There are a couple of people in my life that, I feel, are currently making bad decisions. Not my problem, you say?  I get that.  None of my business?  Yes. But, I just can't help myself.  When you see someone that you love making life changing, questionable decisions, it has an affect on you.  I guess I just want to stop them from making those choices, so they don't have to suffer the consequences.  What the H?  Why am I always getting involved and trying to fix things?

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I haven't exercised once, since my foot surgery.  I had a regular routine going and then, BAM nothing.  My foot is now to the point where I feel like I can start up again, and I still haven't done it.  Sometimes I feel like I have become the worst version of myself (what a feel good kinda feelin').  I am constantly telling myself I will start tomorrow.  In a way, I feel like a Self-Sabotager...stepping on my own foot so I can't move forward.  I have been thinking a lot lately about self sabotaging and why the crap I am doing it.  Is it Self-Sabotage, or am I just lazy?  Either way, it's ticking me off.  I think I just need to strap on my running shoes and kick my butt down the road.  (Swearing may be involved.)

Back to the grind

School is officially back in session.  It is with mixed emotions that I send my kids back to school.  There is something so wonderful about summer.  No major schedule and just the lazy, carefree days.

The popsicle stained tongues, dirty feet, sun kissed cheeks, sleeping in, baseball games, hot days/cool nights, smell of fresh cut grass, swimming, flip flops, sounds of sprinklers and crop dusting airplanes, empty popcorn bowls, etc.

Towards the end of summer, I noticed that we were all getting a little more impatient with each other... and I knew that it was time.  Time to be back on a schedule.  Time to be working, improving, accomplishing.  (That doesn't always happen in the summer).

This year, Riley is at the High School.  It just so happens to be the same High School that I went to (about 5 years ago, er more like 22 years ago...ouch that is a little painful).  But, some of the same teachers that were there (those many years ago), are still there.  This just completely blows Riley's mind.  She thinks I am like a dinosaur, so she can't even comprehend that they taught ME.

Riley is taking some hard classes.  She always seems to breeze through classes (even though she can drive me crazy with her procrastination--that may be the death of me).  She is taking a couple of guitar classes this year.  That should be interesting.  I hope she likes it because I went out and bought a guitar before school started.

Brynn is in the oldest class at the Middle School.  They changed the school from a Junior High to a Middle School (7th and 8th grades only).  The 9th grade class was moved over to the High School.  I'm glad that Riley and Brynn are 10th and 8th grades, so they were not flung into the change.  It will give me some time to prepare for next year.  Sending Brynn to the High School next year may just put me over the edge.  I get nauseous just thinking about it now.  I think I am a slightly over protective mom.  Okay, maybe I am more like a momma bear and will kill anyone that messes with my children.

Brynn is playing the violin again.  She didn't play last year because she wanted to take cooking and sewing.  I think she was a little disappointed with those classes.  She thought she was going to learn lots and lots and ended up a little frustrated.  She doesn't like to carry the violin to school.  (I so remember hating that too).  I think she feels a little nerdy or something.  I hope she will stick with it.

Jace is a 6th grader--last year of Elementary school.  I can't even believe that.  He is just a great kid.  I hope he has a great last year in elementary school. 

 Haley has the same teacher this year as she did last year.  Her teacher "looped" and so she has the same students as last year.  I like this.  Haley already knows the rules and I already know what the teacher expects and how things are done.

 I sure love my kids!  I hope we have a fantastic year!!

Youth Conference

Yesterday and today, I went to a 20 Stake Youth Conference.  It was very well attended (there was probably close to 4500 youth there).  The conference was held on the BYU-Idaho college campus.

Friday, we meet as a ward group and carpooled to Rexburg.  The opening speaker was Sister Elaine Dalton from the General Young Women Presidency.  Her talk was fabulous.

After listening to Sister Dalton, we walked to the upper fields, ate dinner, and then participated in a few activities.  Around 8 pm they had a dance outside on the upper fields.  The weather was perfect.  It was fun to sit and watch all the kids running around and dancing.  There were a lot of fun leaders there.  It was great just to sit and visit with them.  The dance ended at 10 pm and we headed home for the night.

Saturday, we left at 7:45 for Rexburg.  The morning opening speaker was Dale Murphy (who used to play baseball for the Atlanta Braves).  It was cool to hear about some of his different experiences as a major league baseball player and also a Mission President.

After listening to Dale Murphy, all 4500 of us went on a "temple walk".  It was amazing to look ahead of you, and behind you, to see mass numbers of people heading to the temple.  When everyone arrived, they had a helicopter that circled the temple several times and took pictures of everyone surrounding the temple.

After the temple walk, we ate lunch in the upper fields.  After lunch (and during lunch) you could hear a buzz of people talking about which break out session they were going to attend.  (You could choose to attend 2 different breakout sessions.)  The one that was getting all the "buzz" was for the speaker Kory Kunz (who just happens to be my brother-in-law).  Here is a picture of Kory visiting with many different people before he spoke.

 Kory's talk was well attended.  There were probably about 2000 people there.  He did such a great job speaking.

The concluding speaker was Elder David A. Bednar, from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  Instead of giving a talk, he opened it up for questions.  There were 4 microphones located in the auditorium that youth were able to walk to, and ask him questions.  It turned out really well.  The youth asked some great questions and (of course) he did an amazing job answering them.  It was very spiritual and educational.

When the conference was over, Riley and I went to Applebee's with Kory, Madi, and Isaac.

It turned out to be a great couple of days (even in spite of the fact that I had to do A LOT of walking on my stupid sore foot).

Friday Flashback....Blind Date

On Sunday in Young Womens, the lesson topic was on dating.  Riley turned 16 last week and can now officially date.  Holy crap. 

During the lesson, I shared with the Young Women a time that I went on a nightmare blind date.  This nightmare blind date is now my Friday Flashback...

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My sister Monica and I were going on a double date with two brothers.  Monica knew the guy that she was going out with, and I was set up with his younger brother.  The plans were to go swimming at Heise.  First off--swimming on a blind date, ugh.  How awkward to stand there in your swimming suit, trying to get to know someone.

Right before the date, I found out that Monica and the older brother were no longer able to go.  My date still wanted to go...lucky me.  Monica, you still owe me!

The drive to Heise was about 45 minutes from my house.  So, when you do the math... 45 minute drive there + a couple of hours of swimming + 45 minute drive home = a LONG FLIPPIN blind date!  Especially since the guy was quiet, awkward, and a little too much like Dwight Schrute from "The Office" (which just happens to be my favorite show).

The drive there was painful.  I was so tired from staying up late the night before.  He was silent and acted like he would rather be somewhere else.  (Feeling was mutual buddy.)  In our visiting, it didn't seem like we had much in common.  You can only ask so many questions before you are tapped.

Once we got there, changed into our swimming suits, and headed to the pool -- I ran into a problem.  The guy I just met is now wearing something else. How in the heck am I going to recognize him and locate him?

The next problem---what do we do to entertain ourselves for the next couple of hours. 

• Hand stand competitions? 
• Marco Polo?
• Chicken Fight with a random couple?
• Should I dunk him? 

I don't remember how everything played out exactly.  But, I DO remember one incident that was COMPLETELY humiliating. 

We swam for a little while and then went and layed out on our towels.  Next thing I know, I am waking up, yes you read that right, WAKING UP.  Ohhh man...HOW LONG WAS I ASLEEP?  Did I just doze off for 5 minutes?  Was I out for more then a half hour?  Was he talking to me, getting no response?  Was I snoring?

When I woke up he was off swimming by himself.  I didn't dare ask him how long I had been asleep.  I know that my cheeks were red, and I'm pretty sure that it wasn't a sun burn.  Ay Caramba!  Ha ha, maybe I was the nightmare blind date.

A little behind--trying to catch up. Lately....

I had foot surgery on Friday, July 27th.  Holy Helena Montana!  It was a little harder to re-coop then I thought it would be.

I was IN BED for 11, yes you read that right, 11 days.  At first I was like, this won't be so bad, I can watch the Olympics and just relax.  Holy bed sores Batman!  Every time I would get out of bed, my foot would just throb!  I had to keep it elevated and even though it was hard to stay in bed, I just had to.  That was the only way to keep my foot from totally killing.  When I did get out of bed, I had to use crutches to get around.  My foot was quite swollen.  Brynn and I kept laughing at my poor fat toes.

My house, well it was a total mess.  My kids were good to help bring me things, but lets face it---Moms just CAN'T stay down for long.  I think it was really good for my kids to have to step it up and help...makes them appreciate things more.  John went out of town 2 different times during the 11 days.  So, we ate a lot of pizza.  Luckily Riley has her drivers licence and I could send her to pick up things.

So, why the surgery???  Well, I had a lump on the bottom of my foot that would not go away.  In fact, it was continuing to get bigger.  I saw a podiatrist last year and he was not sure what it was.  So, I made an appointment with my brother-in-law Dan, who is a Dermatologist.  He was not sure what it was either.  So instead of shaving it off, he had to completely cut it out.  It was a large cut so he could get clean margins.  I have a total of 11 stitches on the ball of my foot. 

He sent the tissue off to be tested.   It took a while to find out the results.  THANKFULLY it was benign.  It was a collagenoma, which is really rare.  Just glad that it is done and I'm on the mend.  Still have the stitches...they should come out ANY day.  I am walking with a little gimp because my foot is still very sore.  Can't wait until I can up and run again.  Sooo gross...

Next recent happening--

Riley turned 16 years old on Monday.  Oh. My. GOSH!  I am SO not ready to have a daughter dating.  I hope all the boys that want to take her out are good with me giving them a full back ground check before they can take her out.  I'm not going to let her go out with just anyone.  I'm going to be like one of those TSA workers--nice and thorough.  The boys need to realize that they should be more scared of me then they should of Riley's dad....and they should be scared of him too.

I'm having a hard time staying focused on this blog post with that nasty foot in my face.  Hee hee!

Monday through Wednesday we had a "A" Family reunion.  All of my siblings were there except Lisa and Charise.  It was fun to see everyone.  We went to Downata Hot Springs and camped.  Yes, it was hard to camp with my stupid sore foot.  And I was not able to swim because of the stitches.  So, I sat out and worked on my tan. :)  It was fun to watch everyone swim and I think everyone had a great time.

Girls Camp

I am WAY behind on my blogging....because I was in bed foreeeeeeeeeever.  Stupid foot surgery.  So, this post was started before the surgery...and now I am trying to finish it, much later.  We will see how good this old woman's memory is.  I'm sure it's nice and cloudy.  Anyway....

Well, I did it!  I survived 3 1/2 days of girls camp.  There were times when I wasn't so sure that I would. 

We left Tuesday morning (July 17th) with several leaders and 27 young women.  It didn't take long for us to reach our destination and begin setting up camp.  The young women slept in 4 large tents and the leaders and Priesthood each had their own tents.

TUESDAY--
We spent most of the day setting up camp, going over rules, working on crafts, and certification.

After dinner we had a fashion show.  We paired all the girls up in groups of two.  Each girl worked with her partner to come up with an outfit for themselves.  They were each given a white garbage sack and they all had access to lots and lots of rolls of "funky" duck tap to jazz it up.  They were so creative!  While they were working on their outfits, the leaders made an outfit for Brother Hart who was one of the priesthood leaders.  He was a good sport and wore the outfit.  When the outfits were all completed, they each took a turn on the runway to show off their outfit.

Working on their outfits....

Brynn with her funky duck tape socks....

Riley is just so shy.....NOT!

The wild and crazy group!!

Later that evening (when it got dark) we had a night hike. The night hike was a short, spiritual hike done in several small groups, it was led by 1 YCL. There were several stops along the way where there was a leader that gave them a message. I think the girls enjoyed the night hike. I had to give the last message. I had to wait in the dark (with my flashlight) for the different groups to make it to my area. It was a little bit freaky. I wasn't really in the mood to be bear food.

WEDNESDAY--
Wednesday was hike day...boy was it ever hike day.  We hiked to the Upper Palisades Lake.  The hike was a total of 17.2 miles!  Many people hike in and camp there, but we did it all in one day.  We are animals!  We hiked the heck out of those girls!  We left for the hike at 9:00 and had to drive a little over 45 minutes to the hike.  We were probably on the trail for about 9 hours.  After the hike we went and got ice cream and then drove back to camp.  We didn't eat dinner that night until almost 10pm.  It was long and hard, but very rewarding.  I think it proved to everyone that we can do hard things.

By the end, Riley had some major blisters on her feet.  Check out those blisters on her big toes!

THURSDAY--
Thursday we let the girls sleep in a little after the long hike the day before.  Mid morning we got ready to go climbing.  We climbed and repelled this large mountain.  It was hard, but fun!  I was quite tired from the day before, but still didn't want to pass up the opportunity to climb.  I didn't get as high as I would have liked to...I think I was just too pooped!

Thursday night at bed time, some of the girls snuck over to the leaders tent and scared the holy heck out of us.  I was elbowed in the face by my friend Britnee (because we were sleeping next to each other).  When the girls finally left, Britnee and I COULD NOT stop laughing.  Every time the leader tent would get quiet, we would both bust out laughing.  As soon as one of us would stop, we could feel each other shaking (laughing silently) and we would both start up again.  I was afraid the rest of the leaders were going to throw us out on our cans, so I was finally able to gain composure.  I'm pretty sure I could have gone on all night otherwise.  When it's late, I get a little slap happy and cannot stop laughing.  Everytime I think about that night, I just bust out laughing.



FRIDAY--

Friday morning we took the tents down, ate breakfast, and got the heck outta there!  I couldn't hardly wait to get home and shower.  Grunge-fest 2012! 

We have such awesome girls in the ward and SUCH GREAT LEADERS!  It makes it so fun to work in the Young Womens!!