Does anyone know the Heimlich? and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JACOB

BITE,CRUNCH,CRUNCH...MUNCH...cough...crunch...
Crunch...cough...Gag...Gag...cough...cough...
crunch...gag...plbtt!
That would be me biting off more than I can chew this last few weeks. I have started two big projects in my house, my husband is panicking right now because he only knows about one. So while I've been trying to finish one the other keeps staring me in the face, saying finish me FINISH ME... and it's spring break. So all the kids have been home. They have watched all 6 Star Wars movies over the last 3 days. and the boys have their first sunburns of the season from playing out back with their shirts off. The house is reminding me of different parts that need to be cleaned. and I think I have a small cold, of which I am refusing its desire to turn into a big one. Oh yeah and it was St. Patty's day on Monday, Jacob's birthday on Tuesday and it will be Easter on Sunday. For which I still have some "shopping" to do. And I need to memorize a little script for Primary Sharing time where I will be Mary Magdelene, that one is enjoyable for me if my brain holds out. I thought I would be blogging like crazy this hitch. (A hitch is a work rotation for the oil field. So when they go out to work for their 3 weeks it's called a hitch. with me?) but I guess I was wrong.
Oh well...
Sibling Rivalry? Or just a normal ordinary day at our house?

Jacob was trying to *saw* off Caleb's head.
Fortunately it was all in good fun.
HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY JACOB!
We didn't do a *real* party because the ward Easter egg hunt/picnic was that night and we figured that would be enough eggcitment for one day. Besides this will be the last year I can get away with him not noticing his party wasn't like Gabe's.
We had our cousin, Sami, come over for cake and she brought him a present.
He LOVES "CARS" it was Lightning McQueen all around.
"Thank You Sami"
He also got a CARS mini set. Of which 3 pieces were missing. So I had the pleasure of calling Matel. They will be sending a voucher to buy another one. 1-800 numbers are cool.
I tossed a "Mater" and another "Lightning" on his cake, and gave it a theme. Saved $4 dollars on the cake.
Things went well, over all. We went to the ward activity. It was OK. It rained so much that they moved everything inside. Which just made it a little chaotic for me. My friend Stacey commented that I must feel OCD. She noted that I kept counting....1,2,3,4,5,6,7,...1,2,3,4,5,6,7 etc. I just have to make sure my kids are in sight, in mind and not annoying, hurting, being, rude to or in the way of anyone else. At one point Gabe had wrestled Jacob down to the floor right in front of the serving tables set up with all the food. He was attempting to keep him from leaving the gym. But with the screaming and then the sprawling on the floor it just wasn't worth it. It's a good thing my husband wasn't there, I don't think we would have made it past the opening prayer before we left. I have to admit I didn't stay and help clean up. I have, in the past, felt obligated to help clean after most activities, mostly because it's a nice thing to do. Even being hugely pregnant pushing around vacuums, folding tables and chairs. But not that night. I ran out of there as fast as I could (ha ha still took three trips) and just hoped that the pile of potato chips dumped under the serving tables wasn't caused by one of my kids. So my apologizes go out to all those who had to clean up without my help.

Things will calm soon. and as soon as my head unstuffs I don't think I'll be as bothered.

good day to ya.

Becoming a Butterfly

This idea has been bouncing around in my head for a few weeks now. Not wanting to paint half a picture, I am taking my time with this particular post.

There is a misconception in the world of metaphor, it's a misconception to me at least. And because I am a "picture" thinker I feel the need to dissect an idea to the point that I can see every detail from every angle, even though every angle isn't always necessary to explain. I promise, I think about them all. Whether or not these pictures come out clearly as words, well that's a different story. But like an artist I come back to these ideas over and over again and touch up until I'm satisfied with the total "picture." And so you will now be privy to one of these pieces of art.

There are many comparisons for girls turning into women. Flowers, butterflies etc. My thing is butterflies. The saying goes "If nothing ever changed, there'd be no butterflies." Now I believe most people think that young women bloom into roses at 16 and morph into butterflies at 20. I would disagree. I think that teenagers are grubs that turn into caterpillars and stay caterpillars until much later. Now most of you may have gotten a chuckle out of that little thought, and no I am not irritated with, nor do I have any issues with any teenager currently. It's just an analogy that, as I said, has been bouncing around in my head for a while.
Teenagers are constantly feeding, not literally, (well OK some do but that isn't where I'm going with this... FOCUS people) I'll do this from my own self-analyzing perspective. As a teenager my focus was ME. Of course. Everything I did, saw, said, experienced was all about me and how it affected me. Everything I did, saw, said, experienced was feeding me. Not unlike the little caterpillar who spends its whole existence eating everything in its path. Not with the intent of doing damage, but with the purpose of growing. Growing in preparation of change. Now I am almost positive that there is not one young caterpillar who is munching through a tasty green leaf thinking "I am going to become a beautiful butterfly, therefore I must eat...everything" I think it is a matter of survival, for young caterpillars. As my analytical caterpillars grow they become more careful with their choice of food. They don't eat as often or in the same panicked manner as the youngin's. They are wiser in general and are often filled with interesting perspectives that they gained from eating so much when they were younger. The next step in *real* caterpillars would be to build a cocoon. (actually moths spin cocoons, butterflies are called a chrysalis in the pupa state. But for the sake of the *picture* I am trying to portray we'll call it a cocoon. Nobody wants to be a moth...) Now here is where the metaphor in my mind differs from what would be expected. Some would say that this teenage caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly because she is in her 20's or somewhere close. No longer a child and not an old woman. She gets married to a nice monarch, they have eggs. Then her life is over and there you go. I don't think it works that fast in that way. It has taken me almost 13 years to realize that all I have been doing is spinning my cocoon. Each child has created another protective layer, inside of which I am growing and changing...into what? I hope a beautiful butterfly. The most beautiful butterflies I have ever seen are not 20, they're not even 30. They are the *mature* butterflies that have shed their cocoon (their children have grown and some have gone.) And they are left to show the beautiful colors they grew inside of that cocoon they were in for so very long. They are the ones that have learned from experience about babies and bumps and bruises and broken bones and broken dishes. They have cleaned and groomed, hugged and loved, birthed, breathed and some have buried. They know that maternal heartache that comes only from motherhood. That fierce love and devotion and need to protect. They have wisdom beyond this world. A wisdom that speaks to our souls and reminds us, very reverently of truths past, present and future. They remind us that there isn't just one watching out for us...but two. They are the butterflies that know it's OK to pick up someone's crying baby while its mother's arms are busy with someone else. They know how to survive. They know what it's like to need to lock yourself in your bedroom because "mommy needs a time out." They have prayed for, bled for, sacrificed all for. And even after they have shed their cocoon they are still sacrificing for others. But at this stage it doesn't seem like a sacrifice to them. They spread their wings and show their colors with grace.
I have been struggling with my position in life. I have been a professional child bearer for 13 years. It was my job, it's what I did. I was good at it. Not being pregnant, I was terrible at that. Much to whiny. Much to uncomfortable. I'll admit that I loved feeling those babies move. And the closeness I felt to their daddy. We're finished though. I have been released from that calling. I am very grateful for how gracious Heavenly Father has been with me. And how patient he has been especially when I was a young caterpillar. I am grateful for the lessons he teaches me through the raising process of these children he has given me charge over. There is a perspective that can only be gained from being a parent. It's in part, His perspective.
This little analogy is one of those perspectives. As young women and even not so young women we often observe these older women as being tired, or uninteresting, or old, or rambly(some do ramble, but so do I, have you noticed?) It's not until we get past our young caterpillarness that we can see these gorgeous butterflies for what they are. And we have to pay close attention to see their colors. Some may seem faded but that's because we're not looking at them in the right light. I know there are caterpillars out there that know and appreciate these butterflies. I didn't, however, until I was almost finished spinning my cocoon. It wasn't until I asked "Now what am I? What do I do? What do I become? and how?" The answers are there in these butterflies.

Now so as to not offend, I must address the issue of those older caterpillars. Some of my very good friends and relations are still caterpillars, some by choice, others by no fault of their own. I love them all very much, no less than these butterflies I've been watching for years. They are just in a different stage of progression, and that is OK. I am grateful to know that they will all have the opportunity to build their cocoons and become butterflies, too.

It's been an interesting little picture that has been derived from the deep recesses of my head. I think the little lady had to dig a while for it, but it is out now. And I think I am satisfied with how it all came out. I may make some amendments later. But for now...

Good day to ya.

I'm still here, just busy putting together furniture. I'm trying to not let the nursing ADD take over. One thing at a time...must focus...must...stop...typing...must pry my fingers...off...key...board.

That name thing

What Naomi Means

You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. I like to think I know a little somethin' about a little somethin' You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts.absolutely true. one time I was on this roller coaster... You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy.did you hear something? Leave my friend alone I found her first! You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals.are you turning left or right? dang it man I don't know what that means. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. I wish I were better You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. grrrrr You have the classic "Type A" personality.wish I was but I'm not. You are well rounded,with 7 kids what other shape is there? with a complete perspective on life.I've been around for a million years You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. yes At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself.I'm trying to lighten up. my back hurts You are confident, self assured, and capable. You are not easily intimidated.this is true You master any and all skills easily. You don't have to work hard for what you want.oh no not true You make your life out to be exactly how you want it. And you'll knock down anyone who gets in your way!I'm working on it... and I'll try not to step on you after I push you down You tend to be pretty tightly wound. not true. If I were type A then maybe. But I'm like type Z. internally very laid back.It's easy to get you excited... no it's not. which can be a good or bad thing. You have a lot of enthusiasm, but it fades rather quickly. You don't stick with any one thing for very long.ADD anyone? You have the drive to accomplish a lot in a short amount of time. Your biggest problem is making sure you finish the projects you start.how did you know?

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?


So everybody did it I guess I didn't want to be left out. I added my own comments in red. I'm impressed with somethings. Others were way off. It's fun you should try it. Come on do it, you know you want to. Just click on it. No peer pressure.

Miscellaneous

You would think that in a place where it rains more than 50 inches in a year, rain gutters would be standard issue on all houses.

Not ours. We had grass all over the yard when we first moved in. Almost 4 years later...still no gutters and a nice big mud hole. The fact that we have a 52lb dog running a trench doesn't help matters.If you couldn't tell it rained today which is fine by me because rain is my favoritist weather. The boys got to go out and play before it started. I figured it was safe because the mud hole was mostly dry at the time... WRONG


Caleb admitted to helping *paint* Joey with the dirt
One of my favorite quotes is ... "We're not raising grass. We're raising boys."



Jason and Elizabeth go to the same hairstylist.


I'm so glad all that pilates is paying off



Gorgeous girl! (sigh) I remember when she was putting her feet in her mouth too. Where does the time go?

I'm working on something that I'll post later. And I'm also doing a project in my house that I will also post about later. So until they're finished...

Good day to ya.

Pink hearts, Yellow moons, Green clovers...

If he weren't already dead I would say that Benjamin Franklin should be shot for inventing "Daylight Savings Time." I'm not typically prone to saying mean things about our Founding Fathers but COME ON! Apparently old Ben didn't have 7 children to get ready for church an hour earlier, all by himself...I think this country would be a lot less grumpy if we got to stay on a regular schedule and not jump around an hour every few months. Just when I start to enjoy waking up with the sun, the government is gonna make me wake up earlier and in the dark. (not like I really get to sleep anyway, I just like to pretend) And it's not like this is something you can just decide to 'not do.' "No, I don't think I'll participate in D.S.T. this season. Therefore, my children and I will be functioning an hour behind all of you." I am grateful, however, that we don't have church at 8:00am. I must say that I don't think I'd be quite as cheerful.
So here's a question...with Easter and St. Patrick's Day being so close this year, should we decorate with the leprechauns wearing bunny ears? Or do we dress the bunny in green?

Good day to ya.

We, as in all of us and the dog, took Jason to the airport this evening so that he may return to work. I expect my blogging to pick up with raging speed in the next 3 weeks, and then come again to a screeching halt when he returns.
My brain gets to rest while he is home. I don't have to be hyper-vigilant when he is here. I must admit that I probably 'vacation' a little too much when he gets home and I know it drives him nutty. But I also know he would rather be home. And I would rather have him home. But he is fulfilling his duty to provide for this family. And I am very grateful for that, and very grateful for him. If there were more men in the world like my husband, this world would be a much better place, with a very dry sense of humor.