The "What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?" Game

Recently, Missy came with me to Walmart.  As we were driving there, she brought up something that I didn't want to talk about (I can't remember what now; if it was sad or upsetting or gross...haaa...) and I told her so.  She readily said, "OK...then let's play a game......let's play the 'What Do You Want To Be When You Grow Up?' game!"  I was a bit leery at first, as I wasn't feeling 100% and I was distracted by some issues that were plaguing Mark & I, but since she seemed so eager and was already diving into the rules of the game while I was mulling over my hesitancy in my mind, I conceded.  We then took turns thinking of some job we wanted to have "when we grow up" while the other made guesses and sometimes gave clues (she, only having the patience of her age--and sometimes less than that--offered up clues to me whether I wanted them or not!).  She went first, of course, and thought while I guessed.  If I remember correctly, I figured out veterinarian pretty quickly from a clue she gave me.  She said, "I will be good at that because I love animals so much and I want to take care of them."  Then I thought while she guessed, and she must know me well because it didn't take her too long to guess photographer.  She said, "You want to do that because you LOVE pictures so much, don't you..."  (Missy was paying attention to my grief & frustration over losing all those pictures, bless her heart...!!)  It took me a little longer to guess that she was thinking artist on the next round--I don't recall why now.  She mentioned something along the lines of liking to create or it involving color; whatever it was, I remember it was a kind of an interesting, possibly even mature hint.  She must have taken two turns of thinking in a row, because we were getting off the freeway when I was trying to guess her next one.  She told me she wanted to be a worker at one of the restaurants we go to often.  I listed off several places (we love to eat out) and she was saying no to all of them.  She finally told me we went after counseling, and while chuckling I said, "You want to work at the Creamery??"  She said, "Yeah, I want to be a BYU Creamery worker!"  I thought that that was random and amusing! :-)  During my next thinking turn, she actually guessed that I'd want to do the Biggest Loser--hahahaha!!  She knows I love the show and I did a couple of community BL sessions, but I am not sure if she meant that I want to be a participant or be one who works as a helper of sorts...!  I told her it was before Brandon was born but after going to Ricks.  She asked, "Do you want to go back there?"  Ahhhh...again, bless her heart! ;-)  I told her I would love to go back there.  I think I finally had to tell her I was thinking trainer, and had to describe that for her.  When it was my turn to think again, we were actually nearing the sports section of the store, so it worked to my advantage. With my hint, she guessed basketball player, but after my comment about it being a sport I play on occasion, she immediately exclaimed, "Tennis player!"  By that point, her enthusiasm for the game was waning and she was paying more attention to what we were seeing as we shopped, so the game ended.  Though oh-so simple, I am so glad that she suggested it and started it up with me, because it perked up my mood and kept my not-feeling-good feelings at bay, even if only for a brief time.  For the 3rd time...BLESS MY MISSY'S HEART!!!!!!!        



                                                                      

A Post To Begin And End My Posts In 2012

After getting caught up on my sister-in-law's new blog, and before this year is completely over, I decided it was high time I look at my blog for the first time in 2012...  
A lot has happened since I last posted, but then again, not a lot has happened.  Life continues on in its generally simple, mellow way.  That's not to say we haven't had our share (and then some) of adventures--fun and not so much so. 
I'd really like to be able to say that I am going to pick up where I left off in my blogging and bring y'all up to date, but most of my pictures for 2011 & 2012 were recently lost. :(  Words cannot fully describe my grief & frustration over this!  It literally makes me feel sick.  I am so glad I am one of those people who generally posts a lot of pictures in fb-land, so I at least have those.  Perhaps I can figure out how to save them out of fb-land and into my pictures again--then I can share them with you here.  (I'll have to remember to look into that...) 
I am ready for this year to end.  Though I was extremely blessed to remarry in July, and I am blessed to have so much time with my wonderful children, it has been a challenging year.  I'm certainly not saying that I expect 2013 to not be challenging, but I am ready for a new beginning and a fresh start in a more grand way than with what comes with each month, each week, each day, each hour, each minute.  I do hope & pray that I can implement in the new year what I have learned in the face of my difficult times in this year. I'd like to do better with this blog o' mine; I am not making any promises, but I know I don't have to do too much to do better than I did this year...HA! ;-)  

Spring Break

the kids & i went to my parents' for a few days...  it was good to have a change of scenery and spend time together!  celebrated my birthday there too.  here are some of the photos i took:

well.  i didn't take this one.  :-]

Paul Revere

for a school project, B chose to 'be' Paul Revere...  in addition to writing a report, he had to give a brief spiel about "himself" in their class "wax museum" when other grades "visiting" would 'press his button'...  considering our lack of supplies, i think his costume turned out rather well! ;-)  the photos below are priceless...!!

March 21, 2011

E is holding up his "Press Here" tag that B had to wear for day of the 'wax museum walk-through'

frozen leaves & sick Missy

taken on January 19, 2011

so sick, yet so stinking adorable!  2/9/11

my trip to Moab 2

Canyonlands

back at Arches before driving home

my trip to Moab

since i was going to be kid-less for 7 days and i still hadn't found a job, i planned a little getaway for myself.  i had a little bit of money saved for just such a thing.  i decided to go to Moab since i had never been, and i've always wanted to go to Arches National Park and check out Canyonlands National Park.  i stopped by my friend/old roommate Melinda's house in Ferron on the mostly snowy drive down.  i even got to ring in the new year in Moab.  it was a much-needed, soul-searching, peace-reaffirming two and a half day/two night adventure!!  .....below are a handful of the hundreds of photos i took...

Melinda's backyard

me at Melinda's

near Melinda's land that they'll be building on

i've always wanted to relax in a hot tub while it snowed...

a view of the B&B i stayed at; will definitely recommend it!

sunset on New Year's Eve

this was my favorite arch...