This and That

I woke up today...well in a daze. 


 I am sick, Handsome is sick, Bug is sick, and Noo Noo, and Mack, and Jon..It hasn't hit us all but I think the seasons are changing and it always seems to happen.  Maybe this is the reason I am thinking so deeply, so early in the morning.  Maybe it's because there is newly dusted snow covering the beautiful mountains of Utah.  It somehow quiets everything somehow...a blanket of peace.

Don't get me wrong, I love summer...I love all of the seasons but there was nothing like the hike I took on Tuesday.  The birds had all flown south for the winter and all the little critters have found their safe haven for the winter months approaching. I took these pictures with my iphone...so forgive the graininess..still worth the look!

Blogging is definitely an *extra* right now as I chase little Handsome around the house.  He loves his sisters and keeps us all a hoppin'!  This post alone *so far* has been written over three days!  


Last night I met Nie Nie.  I wasn't expecting it, which made it even that much more exciting...poor woman, I didn't want to frighten her.  I am sure she is tracked down by any and all that know of her in our community.  


We were both invited to an open house in Stone Brook.  Someone is trying to sell a house..(or should we call it what it really is).a mansion The realator had a little get together to show it.  I had actually found the house on accident a few months ago on ashlee raubach's site 


*the one that took our family pictures* 


and showed Jon the pictures of it the same night he told me we were going to an open house! We realized it was the same house we both were talking about...pretty random! 


Anyway, the house is 14,000 square feet and decorated by the owners and Alice Lane.  I also know the owners of Alice Lane, and they are  the nicest, most humble people ever.


Seriously beautiful..every detail.  

I was walking upstairs and saw Nie Nie go into the kids bedroom.  I told Jon I had to meet her because she is amazing.  We walked up and introduced ourselves.  I said, 


"I know you must get this all the time, but I read your blog and your story is amazing.  I feel like I already know you...and you have no idea who I am..". 


 She was very sweet and gave me a hug.  Jon let her know that my blog was getting pretty big..*cough cough*..I laughed.  You can't compare me to someone that has at least 200,000 readers...you just can't.  Anyway I was flattered and told her thank you. Thanks for the amazing person she is.  Her husband "Mr. Nielson" was also there and so sweet.  They are amazing people and in a wierd way, they glowed...don't take this wrong it is a good thing.  They are angels on earth :)

On another random note...a few pictures from today:

Seriously...I looked away from 10 minutes as I worked on laundry and Bug came out with Halloween painted all over her face.  Monkey painted "a butterfly".  I would have guessed an Avatar or a smurf.  I actually did and offended her....and Handsome, well as you can see he helped me with the laundry.  


Never a dull moment, never.

A Beautiful Bath

I have waited for a long time to experience the difference between raising a boy vs. a girl.  I have had many people tell me over the years what I am missing out on.  Some good, some bad.  "BRING IT ON!" I would think.  I remember having brothers and understood the differences...right?  I am sure it wasn't the same being the sister, but I remember the sword fights, bruises, physical fights between them, and the activity level.

Yes, I knew I could handle it.  I hadn't had the chance until now......raising Handsome.  I finally got my chance, my shot to see it first hand as a mother and do you know what?  We are surviving, actually loving it!  Let me list some differences I have noticed in the short time we have had him.

First off, it's the lack of general self preservation.

My girls had to be coaxed to jump off a stair to me.  Handsome jumps, climbs, and throws everything.  One of his favorite things to do it jump off his bed onto a mattress on the floor.  I have it right below his bed because he moves around so much at night he falls off.  He jumps over and over and over again.  Bug loves it also, but I don't remember her enjoying that at a year and a half old.  When my girls did something like that, it was thought out...and slow until they felt secure *they used their brain*.


Not Handsome, just JUMP!

He automatically knows that anything that is long is a sword, anything that is circular is a ball, and anything handheld is a gun. 


 Is this in the DNA somewhere?  I think so.  

He eats more than all my girls combined. He loves to try new foods and when the smell agrees with him, we hear a big "mmmmmmmm".  He actually loves to open our fridge, get out a piece of broccoli, smell it...."mmmmmm" and run away carrying it.  I didn't figure out what he was doing until about 20 minutes later when I found 5 pieces hiding in his room.  He also loves spaghetti, mac n cheese, apple sauce, yogurt and more.

He loves to make the "car sound" whenever he pushes anything!  It can't just be pushed...that wouldn't do.

He loves to figure out how things work.  Everything is about on/off *light switches*, in/out, and up/down.  The first word we really worked on was UP.  He would whine every time he wanted me to pick him up...so I would say the word and wait until he repeated it to be held.  It didn't take him long to figure out that saying "up" was much easier.

Today I took a bath with Handsome.  


Together we filled the bath with cars and dinosaurs.  I am used to the barbies and dolls, so this was a nice change.  We were both freezing from being outside getting all 5 kids to school. We had our first snow storm last night and it is cold.


  The warm water was  soothing and calm taking away the cold prickly feeling in my toes.  I was on the phone with Tiff as I started the bath and let her know I needed to go.

she laughed, "You are taking a bath with Handsome? Now you are officially bonded!"

And she was right.

We played with the toys and filled the tub full of bubbles.  "A son." I thought...once again, it blew my mind.  I was in awe at the unbelievable chain of events that had taken place in my life.  Handsome turned and smiled at me...I was in heaven.  We sang songs and drove the cars.  I was sure he was having a great time.  He usually takes baths with Bug and I have to referee the entire time...breaking up who's are who's toys.  

We relaxed for about 20 minutes, until our skin started to show signs of the shrivel.  

I stood up and started to wash off my bubble coated body.  I began cleaning out the toys.  I didn't remember that many toys being in the bath.  I kept picking them up

until

I picked up one that wasn't a toy. 

Not by my standard anyway.

Yes, boys do a lot of things girls don't.  None of my six daughters 

EVER POOPED IN THE TUB WITH ME.

 They had the decency to wait to be alone in the bath. 

Boys will be boys.

Blogging 101

It's funny sometimes how I can be so open on my blog, yet so guarded.  

Blogging is an interesting thing.  People share parts of themselves on a blog, and some people reading it think this is their whole life. It always takes me back when I hear a comment from someone like,

"Your life is perfect." or "you just haven't been through a lot...you are lucky." It's just that I have chosen to share parts of my life that are open for viewing.  

Realize, that as I type I am guarded.  It is not my place to jump on my blog and spill all.  The hardest things...aren't shared, or written about.  Maybe this is right, maybe it is wrong...but it is how I choose to blog.  The really hard "stuff" usually brings in a lot of people, people that haven't been asked to be written about *sometimes my kids*.

 SO, I stay safe...but believe it or not I have my own bag of stresses.

I appreciate the sweet words of so many of you that have written to me on the blog or by email.  It strengthens me and makes me smile, but know this: I struggle day to day just like anyone else.  I choose to have hope and try to stay positive through hard days.  Today, I am choosing to keep going even though I am having a hard day.

It's easy to look at other people and think that their life is perfect.  We don't see their weaknesses or mistakes, we just see the best parts of them.  Wouldn't it be nice if we viewed ourselves that way?  It is always easier to see the beauty in someones else than within myself.  I have spent hours talking to my daughters and trying to get them to see all the amazing qualities they possesses.  It is so frustrating seeing something so plainly and not be able to get it across to my girls...somehow transfer my confidence in them *to them*.  

I guess I need to use my daughters as an example for myself.

I need to work harder at seeing the good about myself, I need to give myself the gift of acceptance.  How can I expect my girls to do it, if I can't always find it?  

I believe that Satan wants us women to be hard on ourselves.  He wants us to get overwhelmed and frustrated.  He wants us to give up on ourselves and our families.  If he can do this, he has won.

Bottom line, I am rambling...why?  because I am not sharing what I am frustrated about and keep typing anyway.  I hope someone out there understands what I am babbling about otherwise I will feel like an even bigger looser....haha

How Old, you ask?

I just checked google analytics and had a good laugh that I had to share.  As my blog gradually grows in readership, it is interesting to watch what people search for to find me.  You know the drill, you happen upon a blog by accident and you forget the name of the website.  A few weeks later, you try and remember how you got there in the first place, so you search.

These are some of the things people are searching for to find me....

Pink Moss

Pink Moss Blog

Moss Pink

Pink by Moss

....................................

Those things all seem normal to me, but the one that just caught my attention and made me bust out laughing?

"HOW OLD IS SHMONAE AUTHOR OF PINK MOSS?"

I have had 12 people search that THIS month!  Are people really that concerned with my age?  I guess so.  I know I have a lot of kids AND don't look old enough to have them....I know.  I have heard it for YEARS!  

Think of it this way:

When I was 20 I was married.  When I was 22 I had FOUR kids when you count up my step daughter, niece, and two babies of my own.  That is young for four kids.  I would have had to have been 12 to give birth to my niece, and 16 to give birth to my step daughter....so yes, I started young.

Once Jon and I were out to a really late movie for our date night.  We decided to stop at a car lot on the way home and check out a great car that we couldn't afford. 

 *We could dream, right?*

Next thing we know there are sirens and lights pulling up to us as if something bad had happened...I looked at Jon and said, 

"I wonder what happened?  Let's go ask the officer."  

As we approached the policeman he ordered us back into our car.

"Why...??? Jon asked...."

The officer yelled with the authority he wore on his badge,

 "Because, I said so!"

I continued to walk forward and asked again what the problem was.  

The man started interrogating.

"Miss you are out past curfew!"

I couldn't help it...all respect that I should have had *by law*, went out the window.  I was betrayed by my uncontrollable laughter that eeeked out into the crisp night air.

"CURFEW? I have FOUR kids, how many do you have?"

Oh, how I wish that I had a picture of this mans face as he digested what I had just told him.

".....Four?...."

"yep!"

Jon was rolling by this time and waited to see what the man would do next.

"ohhh, ummm, I'm sorry mam...I have four children also..."

"Good" I said, "tell them hi from me."

So to all of you searching for my age...I don't hide it.  I am proud of every year I have survived and grown.  I boast of every grey hair, because they were earned.  I don't try to tell people I am younger than I am.  Isn't it a bigger compliment to say, "I'm 88 years old!" and watch every one's mouths drop?

I think so

So people....you 12 THIS MONTH searching for the answer.

I am THIRTY FIVE.

Yes, I am thirty five with a bunch of kids, and I probably started too young popping out the babies *20 to be exact*, but I enjoy playing with my kids.  I water ski with them, snow ski with them, run and bike with them...and chase them when they are in trouble.  

And guess what?  

I will be around when my grandchildren come, and my great grandchildren...and at the rate I'm going lately possibly my great great grandchildren.... 

Bwahahaha, the thought makes me laugh.

"Come ON GREAT GREAT GRANDMA! It's time to go snowboarding!!....oh look, there's even a handicapped parking stall available.  I'll grab your depends diaper and we will attach it inside your snowsuit.  I brought apple sauce for lunch, since you don't have any teeth...and your hearing aids are packed in our bag!"

Nie Nie

I'm Late

I'm late

I'm late

For a very important date

no time to say hello goodbye

I'm late

I'm late

I'm late

I am planning my annual Halloween party that is TOMORROW!

Do you think I have had time to think about it?

NO

Do you think I have had time to send out invites?

NO

Do you think I have time to sit around and eat candy corn?

NO

But guess what, the party must go on, even though I have a new son and a wedding on the horizon.

I must arrange

The Balloons

The Pizza

The cupcakes

The drinks

The fog

The lights

The games

The tables

The chairs

The confetti

The Candy jars

The Carmel apples

The costumes for 9

The napkins

The plates

The scary music

The black lights

The cobwebs

and more

For more that 100 people.

I'm late.....

Did I forget to mention that I volunteered to make two huge posters for the kids school party tonight, and bright 5 dozen home baked goods?
*Home baked in our home means, go to a great bakery and switch out the plates..."
SHHHHHHH

Yes, I'm writing about my Dog

I have a dog.

I have a fat dog.

I have a fat dog named Phylis.

I love my fat dog named Phylis.

I love my fat dog named Phylis so much, it hurts!

I didn't know that I felt so strongly about Phylis

I didn't know until she got sick.  

Phylis is not a normal name for a dog, but it fits her perfectly.

She thinks she is human

She eats like she is human

She eats more than a human

Jon asks if I feed her EVERY DAY

Every day of her ten year life

Really Jon?

Really Jon, you haven't seen how fat Phylis is?

Really Jon, you haven't noticed that she looks like an ROUS? *rodents of unusual size*

Really Jon, you think she is starving even though she looks like a hugs stuffed sausage?

I'm pretty sure she eats

I'm pretty sure she is spoiled and eats

Phylis is scared
Phylis is scared of thunder and lightening
Phylis is scared ever since lightning hit a tree by her in our back yard
Phylis runs, hides, shakes, and snuggles when there is a storm

No barking
No barking here
NO barking from Phylis *unless there is a storm*
No....she is very respectful of my sanity and the neighbors patience

Phylis knows

Phylis knows how I feel.

Phylis knows that when I am tired and have had a *too long* of a day

Phylis knows and looks at me with big brown eyes, and walks out of the room.

I believe dogs have a sixth sense

They are here to be our friends, accepting and kind

Phylis eats crazy things

Phylis eats crayons, toys, and bees

Phylis eats homework,  pink play dough "Flampsters" and fresh brownie "Atoms"

Phylis eats homework, fast and furious before you enter the room

Phylis walks slow when she knows she is in trouble

or when she is trying to hide something

Phylis licks peanut butter off my piano

Phylis hikes mountains with me, when I can lift her in the car

Phylis has been around for thick and thin, I especially held her during the thin

Phylis is a friend, that doesn't judge, talk back, disappoint, or hurt.

We love Phylis

That's why when we found out she has cancer about a month ago, I cried

They said it was good she was fat

They said when they took out the growth on her shoulder, the fat helped protect it from spreading

They said she could be fine, even after this

They said everything looked good.

She could be sick because of the unnatural things she has eaten

She could be sick because she is fat

She could be sick because she eats homework and full pizzas

She could be sick, because that's just what happens to 10 year old dogs

I don't know, but what I do know is that now she doesn't have to sneak

I know she will be spoiled 

I know that that dang dog will live it up until it is her time to go

 *even if she got into a dirty diaper the other day, AGAIN*

Yes, I'm writing about my dog.

I Was Tagged

My sister tagged me and I thought I would join in the fun because it is actually quiet in my house right now!  All of the kids are asleep and Jon is helping the kids with homework

 *the kind where you go to Wallmart late and get food stuff to make it look like an atom*

1. Your first kiss. Dish it.

ohh boy, here we go.  I was at a friends house in ninth grade and my crush walked past me and laid one on me as he was leaving the room.  He was going home and I guess decided that it was he only chance.  He half hit my lips and smeared his lips across my cheek

.  It didn't matter...I was burning up HOT, I felt like I had a fever and my heart was beating through my chest!  I couldn't believe it had just happened, so fast, so unexpected.  That's it, I was in love.  Funny thing is, I dated the same guy on and off for about five years.

Even funnier, I was invited to a birthday party for one of my guy friends I grew up near about five years ago.  None of us had seen each other FOREVER and we were all reminiscing and telling funny stories.  All of a sudden the mother of my friend said, 

"Now lets hear a story from Tyler's first kiss!"  

It was quiet, you could hear a pin drop...and I realized that everyone in the room was staring at me ME...WHY ME?!  His guy friends started laughing...I glanced over to Tyler with a sheepish look and he said, "YOU DON'T REMEMBER?" 

oooooooooooo If I could have climbed under the nearest rock and died, I would have.  He started replaying "our" first kiss on the street after we walked home from school one day.  It gradually made it back into my mind but I think I had blocked it out.  Maybe because he was one of my best friends and I didn't want it to be weird after he kissed me.  

*Definition of kiss is a quick peck my friends.  It didn't get juicier until about tenth grade*

2. What is your number one life goal?
My number one goal is to live life to it's fullest.  I don't want to be a spectator, I want to LIVE.  I love to try new things and meet new people.  I love to learn and laugh.  I love to do all of this with my family...the most important thing to me.  If I can pass on a zest for living life and finding joy IN the JOURNEY, I will have succeeded. Joy in the journey doesn't mean it is always easy...Believe me I have had my share of hard days. I had a breakdown just yesterday.  I cried.  I actually sat in my car and cried out loud, I don't do that very often and it felt weird to hear my own cry...but I felt better after.  Today was better and tomorrow will be even better.  That's what I mean about "ENJOY THE JOURNEY".  It's not an end destination, it's taking each day and being grateful for it.  Some days easy, some days hard.

3. What is the thing you are most proud of?
I am most proud of my kids.  I know cliche..but it is true.  I am proud of how they pray, read, play, fight, sing, dance, talk back, talk, laugh, tell stories, face problems, give me hugs, give me bad looks, I am proud of it all because they are learning, and I love to watch the process.  My long hours are spent in trying to help them grow...so I am the most proud of who they are and who they are becoming every day.

4. What is your favorite breakfast?
I always have a major issue choosing between french toast, or a veggie omelet with hash browns.  If I pick one, I sorely miss the other.
5. Do you want to have children and/or how many children do you want?
BWAHAHAHA.  

6. If I gave you $100 and told you that you had to spend it right now what would you buy? A haircut/color...I am passed due and I swear I see a freaking grey hair or 2 or three...

7. What would you say occupies most of your thoughts during the day?
My kids....lately juggling a new baby boy into the girl mix.  Add an upcoming marriage and business and I am pretty well using all of my brain power.

8. What is your favorite thing about your husband?
I love that he gives.  He gives fully of himself to show his love to others.  He works tirelessly to bring happiness to people around him.  He gives great bear hugs and comforts at the end of a long day.  I love it when he laughs really hard, there is nothing like it...I love that we are a team.  Through thick and thin...we make it somehow over and over again.  Sometimes we want to kill each other, but we are devoted and dedicated to making this thing called marriage work, and actually enjoy it!

Thanks for "tagging" me Camille, it was fun :)

A Boat, Bridal Fair, and Church

Truth is, I don't have much time to write these days...

go figure, right?

As I type, I have a big eyed-big smiled little dude sitting on my lap drinking apple juice and a little "Bug" poking him...as they both laugh and and testing the steadiness of my hands.  

I thought I was adopting a son, and I did, but I also gained twins at the same time.  Bug has reverted back to grunting when she wants to be held and even wetting her pants.  She knows that Handsome is getting all the attention, as much as I try to even out the holding, pictures, and special treatment he needs right now.  

I lay in bed until Handsome falls asleep, and last night laid in bed until Bug fell asleep also.  I don't want Bug to feel unloved so I walk around with a son on my left hip and a daughter on my right.  

I race against the time in the day to juggle all seven kids and their needs.  To someone visiting our home, you would probably guess I didn't do anything all day. I could clean all day...I don't.  I choose to snuggle my twins right now, reading books, swinging, and taking baths.  I have learned from the first five kids that time goes way too fast.  I have always erred on the side of a messy house to a neglected kid.  This is always a balance I am trying to make and don't feel like I can ever get it just right.  

Many of you guessed that my girl "Rooz" is getting married when I showed the pictures last post, and you would be right!  They are madly in love...young...and madly in love.  As a parent you want to give the best advice on when where and how and who a child is to marry..but ultimately it is their choice.  I would choose for Rooz to be older, but she is not.  What she is, is happy...happier than I have ever seen her in her entire life.  Their personalities compliment each other perfectly. What more can you ask for?  I was young when I was married and somehow we have made it.  We were naive, and this may have played a role in getting us through some really hard stuff.  I look around to many couples that married older and were more mature when they took the plunge, and they are divorced....so who is to say?  I give them my blessing and welcome my new *second* son into our family with open arms.  I couldn't have chosen a better husband for her myself.  Actually, the first time I met him I KNEW.  I knew before Rooz knew, so I am not shocked.  

So with a new child that needs loads of attention, and the thought of starting to plan a wedding, 5 daughters hormones and drama, and all of our business goings on...I am pretty ummm busy?  

I am blessed, and happy, and busy.  Do you sense some exhaustion and frustration?  Probably...because it is there.  I pray to rise to my everyday life, I pray for help and strength.

On a new note, we have been busy bonding with Handsome and I wanted to share some of the latest pictures!  They are darling, he is darling.  He was hand picked for our family, he fits like a glove.

~A water ski glove that is~

Rooz brought the love of her life and his beautiful sister along for our freezing cold *end of the season* boating trip.  They are darling and look like they could be twins themselves!

Daddy showed handsome the ropes of driving our Mastercraft x80.  I can't even drive the dang thing.  Two engines is beyond my personal marine skills!

No, I don't drive...I take the pictures.

Monkey brought along one of her besties!

and Sprite brought along hers...

Can you believe bug likes Salt and Vinegar chips? 

I can't!

Scottie Boy gave us the show of the day flipping around like a dolphin.  

I am glad I have another crazy one in the family now to get into the water, no matter if it is below freezing!

I thought I would end this little adventure with me in my nasty dry suit.  I look like something from a Night before Halloween with the weird seams going down my belly from my swim suit, not to mention the white stitching that looks like my 80's swimsuit cut...clear above the hip!

On Saturday we visited "The Bridal Fair". 

It was actually the one we owned and sold to a friend a few years ago, now Jon is in it for our business "Diamonds By Donna".

(See Twins!)

It's the only way Bug is good with a brother...if she is "the baby girl and he is the baby boy".

Today in the car on the way to school she said,

"Mom, this boy of ours is so cute!"

A much better statement than the one last week,

"Mom, I don't like him because I'M the baby!"

Sunday, we pulled off the church thing....somehow.

Handsome made it through about 30 minutes of sacrament.  He was content until he saw the open door on the back row of the chapel and bolted to the door.  I looked at Jon and said,

"Let's Go."

So we did.

I figure it was a noble effort for our first day with 6 kids in church!  You are now free to oooo and ahhhh with me at my darling twins and the cutest pictures ever of Jon and Handsome in their matching ties.  

I told you!

Darling.