In Case You Think I am an Idiot...

Recently I approached an intersection where my light was green and I was turning right. As I started to turn, I noticed the vehicle directly across from me (which was turning left and thus headed the same direction as me) starting to turn also. Now, in this instant, I had a decision to make and I thought to myself...

1. I have the right of way.
2. He is not yielding to me.
3. I am a mother and have children in the vehicle.
4. I will wait.

So I stopped. Then he stopped (now in the middle of the intersection). Then he began to gesture in large movements for me to go (like I am an idiot) and when I didn't hit the gas in that 1.7 seconds he gave me a typical "you are an idiot" gesture and floored it through the intersection.

Now, I don't blame this guy for assuming I am an idiot, I just blame him for assuming anything period. I believe that he really was going to simply follow me through the intersection, anticipating that I would have gone, since it was my right. However, I chose not to anticipate that he was going to stop (or maybe more accurately, slow down and follow me), thus ensuring my safety whether he did or not. I understand his frustration--I do have a brother and a husband that are quite adept at "anticipating" vehicle movements. But as he drove by I thought, "I understand your frustration but you will never know mine. And I bet if I did actually know you, you wouldn't treat me like you just did."

And then it hit me. How many times have I treated people the same way? We allow our "friends" to be idiots, but NEVER strangers who are driving in a vehicle. They TRULY are idiots. And if one of those idiots turns out to be my friend then I must quickly repent of the names I just called them, smile big, wave, and hope that they can't read lips.

Jason's Long Run...

The guy can run 18 miles without complaint but it about kills him to sit in a ditch full of cold water. Nikell has to comfort him. Why? To speed up his recovery, of course. He's a little nuts, if you ask me.





Was it worth it? I don't know. All I know is that I had a good laugh watching his pained expression and hearing his moans of pain. Cold water must be his Achilles Heel.

Canyon Road Fun Run 1

One thing my girls wanted to do this summer was "Plan a Race." And thus was born the first ever "Canyon Road Fun Run." They made water bottles to hand out, printed up fliers, and started spreading the word.
They decided to break it up into age divisions. So this was Sierra's age group of kids. Unfortunately, Sierra didn't win. But she still had fun.
Mialee didn't win either and she complained a lot about not getting the first place prize (a balloon weight with 1st place printed on it). But she too had fun!
Aiddie likes hanging out with Chaz and they were a great audience.
Nikell did win her age group...by a long shot. She was such a trooper and the cutest thing I had ever seen runnin' around that block. Her age was first to run so she took a break when she got back. But, apparently she was ready to roll by the time Sierra's age group came up because she took off after them and ran all the way around again! It didn't even phase her that the big kids were way ahead...she just kept on running with a smile on her face.
And can you see Ian? He has a black glove on his hand. It was his choice of running clothes and the glove was to wipe the sweat off his forehead!

We all had a lot of fun. Maybe we'll do it again next year!

Fancy Nancy Pants

Jason's Mom is having a give away for her 600th post on her blog. And although I am torn about posting this, because then you can go there and be entered into her contest, I must get more entries and the only way I can do that is by telling you about it and you mentioning my name when you enter. So go. Go right now. And when you read what she is giving away...trust me...it really is that amazing. Let your mind go wild and she will create it for you! Like that cute little purse she made me, oh, and that apron, oh, and the chair covers and matching table cloth, oh, and her lovely cookies and fudge and spicy chicken, or that Halloween sign/decoration...oh the possibilities are endless. HURRY!

Fancy Nancy's 600th Blog Give Away

...and you better mention my name!

SuMMER hot dog roast

Jason decided it would be fun to roast hot dogs. So he pulled out the old grill and lit a fire. And, of course, no hot dog roast is complete without s'mores! Here's hoping that you are loving your summer as much as we are!

Losing Hope

I've been in a bit of a rut lately and I really couldn't figure out why...until I watched this video...and I realized that I have been ... losing hope.

Here's the thing: I am perfectly aware of the fact that motherhood is God's work and the it is an eternal partnership with God. I am aware that the very fact that I've been given this responsibility is everlasting evidence of the trust God has in me. And sometimes it just kills me because I fall so short. I know I can be better and I know I should be better and I can almost step outside of my body and see myself being a HORRIBLE person and a HORRIBLE mother and a HORRIBLE housekeeper and a HORRIBLE wife. It's like taking that test in college that you got a B on, when you know that you could have gotten an A with just a little more effort. And the kicker of it all is that I seriously thought I would be an awesome Mom! Ha ha.

So anyway, for the most part, I do alright just plugging along and taking note of my downfalls, praying for more help, and starting over every day. But sometimes .... sometimes ... it all just hits me at once. Sometimes I hate going to bed at night because the seriousness of the situation hits me and it hits me hard and the sobs that wrack my body are long and hard too. And I start to give up. I give up on following the babies around and picking up my house so it at least looks like I've made an effort to clean. I give up on appearing productive. I give up on doing two things at once and simply sit down and let the world go by. And when this happens ... I, for the life of me, can't figure out what my problem is.

It is then that I thank the Lord for prophets who pray for us. For videos on LDS.org that speak to my soul and whisper to my heart that all I need is a little hope. I love the promise Elder Holland gives that I will be magnified, compensated, made more than I am, better than I am, better than I've ever been... And when my days and nights are most challenging, when I have given up and lost all hope of ever being good enough, when my soul is beaten down, and my heart has no more to give then I can...

Rely on Him.

Rely on Him heavily.

Rely on Him forever.

And press forward with a steadfastness in Christ having a perfect brightness ... of hope.