20 of 30: 3 Significant Memories

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Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

1. As I have blogged before, one of the first memories that I can clearly recall is of a tree. The crabapple tree in the yard of my first childhood home was my first great mountain to conquer. When I finally did surmount that obstacle, it became the place where my imagination grew and bloomed. Playing games and feeling invincible were part of being up in the highest reaches of that tree.

2. I remember the day my mother approached my sister and me about homeschooling. It was about half-way through fifth grade and she asked the two of us if we would like to be homeschooled. She didn't TELL us what we were going to do, but ASKED us if we would like to. I remember that I nearly screamed, "YES!"
I loved homeschooling. I loved the individual attention and the freedom of going on field trips whenever we wanted to. It was a great experience for me and I know I learned a lot more than I would have in a traditional school setting.

3. I remember telling stories. I don't remember when I started doing this. It was just part of who I was. I think it was in Fourth Grade that I was voted best story teller. I find it funny, now, that I never wanted to be a writer when I grew up. It was always something else: Veterinarian, Movie Star, Singer, Dancer, Zoo Keeper, etc.
Funny how things just line up and present themselves. I had a "duh" moment in my early twenties.
Now, if I can just finish a writing project... ;)


Next Time: If you could have one superpower, what would it be and what would you do with it first?

19 of 30: Live Anywhere

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If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

I have so many places that I dream of living, but when I envision my home, it is always in the country. By that, I don't mean anything having to do with country music, cowboy boots or rodeos. I do not, however, rule out barns, animals or expansive vegetable gardens.

I envision a place where the neighbors are not visible. Where peace and quiet and room to roam are the reality. Where mornings are warm and afternoons are punctuated by a light, cooling rain just at the hottest part of the day. Reality often does not fit the bill, but the romantic in me believes I can find what I want in the English  Countryside or somewhere in the Kentucky Bluegrass region. Oh, and there are never mosquitos in these dreams.

Until my visions become a reality, however, home is always with my family.

Next: Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood.

18 of 30: Difficult to Forgive

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What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?

I cannot be too specific with the details of this. I believe that if you have forgiven someone, even yourself, of something, the gory details and specifics should be left alone.

Several years ago, someone betrayed my trust. Everything that they had told me or done for me instantly became a lie. What made it worse was that they didn't even come out and tell me, themselves. I found out about it myself and then had to find a way to confront them about it. I was angry and hurt. More than anything I was completely crushed.

I started to wonder what I had done that would make them hurt me like that. I must admit that I allowed a few seconds to blame myself before I realized that nothing I could have done would have driven them to hurt me. What they did was their own choice.

The next few months were a haze of depression and anxiety. My emotions were tender and I felt that anyone who looked at me would know that there was something wrong. It didn't take much to make me cry. I often wondered if my relationship with that person was over. This terrified me. I choose carefully who I am close enough with to love. I don't make friends easily and each loss is like experiencing a death.

I did start to heal, even if it was slowly. My healing process was hindered, however, by what felt like a domino effect of painful revelations or experiences in the lives of many people who were close to me. I felt that every aspect of my life was falling apart and there was nothing left to hold on to.

Now, years later, I am still healing. I forgave this person relatively quickly, but I could not forget. I don't use my memories against them, but I am always worried that it could happen again, or something even worse. My guard is still up and I don't know when I will be able to let it down.

My relationship with this person is nowhere near perfect, but it is stronger. I know it could only get stronger by going through something so difficult. I also know that it would not have gotten better if both of us hadn't wanted to make it so.

I can only attribute how far I've come in this process to my Heavenly Father. He has helped me to heal and rise above the depression and fear. Prayer is incredible in its healing and calming abilities.
I could not have come through this without faith or my family.

Next: If you could live anywhere, where would it be and why?

Mother's Day Message

My sweet little family made me a beautiful little message for Mother's Day.

Transcribed for those of you hard of hearing or who just can't understand my kids. ;)

Ben: Audrey, what makes Mom happy?
Audrey: Being kind.
Ben: Henry, what makes Mom sad?
Henry: Uh, not giving her stuff.
Ben: Henry, how old is Mama?
Henry: Thirty-three.
Ben: Audrey, how tall is Mom?
Audrey: Thirty-three.
Ben: What's Mom's favorite thing to do?
Audrey: Uh, go out to eat.
Ben: What does Mom do when you guys aren't around?
Audrey: She finds us.
Ben: Henry, what does Mom do that makes you laugh?
Henry: Tickles me. *Giggles*
Ben: What's something that Mom always says?
Audrey: Be good.
Henry: Be good.
Ben: What is Mom good at?
Audrey: Umm, writing stuff.
Ben: What is Mom not so good at?
Audrey: Uhh, playing golf balls.
Ben: If Mom was a cartoon character, who would she be?
Audrey: Our Mom.
Ben: But if she was a cartoon character, who would she be? What kind of cartoon would she be?
Audrey: Spongebob Squarepants!
Ben: She would be Spongebob Squarepants?
Audrey: Mmhmm!
Ben: Henry, why do you love Mom?
Henry: Because I want her.
Ben: Because you want her?
Audrey: *Giggles* Nooo.
Henry: I want her.
Ben: Audrey, why do you love Mom?
Audrey: Because tomorrow is Mother's Day.
Ben: And that's why you love her?
Audrey: Mmhmm
Henry: He has sharp teeth.
Ben: Can you say Happy Mother's Day to Mom?
Audrey: Yes
Henry: Yes
Ben: So, say Happy Mother's Day to Mom.
Audrey: Happy Mother's Day!
Ben: Can you say Happy Mother's Day, Henry?
Henry: Happy Mother's Day!
Ben: We love you, Mom.
Henry: Love you, Mom.
Audrey: Love you, Mom.

Happy Mother's Day!

100 Books before Kindergarten

This summer, in anticipation of Audrey going to kindergarten in the fall, we are taking a 100 picture book challenge:

"Experts say that children need to hear at least 1,000 stories before they begin to learn to read.
GVPL’s Children and Family Literacy Librarians have selected a list of 100 exceptional picture books
which will entertain, educate and inspire young children again and again. Make time to snuggle up
and share these books with the children in your life."
http://gvpl.ca/assets/PDF/Interests/Parents--Educators/100-picture-books-booklist-for-web.pdf

We already own, and have read multiple times, several of the books listed. Just to make my summer more manageable, I will be checking those off automatically and will move on with the books we have not read.

UPDATE 7/19/2012: I put in links to the reviews I wrote on the books we read this summer. I'll add more as we finish the list! Just click on the number next to the book and it will take you to the appropriate blog! See, I'm so clever. ;)

1. Abuela by Arthur Dorros
2. Actual Size by Steve Jenkins
3. Bark, George by Jules Feiffer
4. Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson
5. The Best Pet of All by David Larochelle
6. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?  by Bill Martin Jr.
7. Bunny Cakes by Rosemary Wells
8. Caps for Sale: A Tale of a Peddler, Some Monkeys and Their Monkey Business by Esphyr Slobodkina
9. Caramba by Marie-Louise Gay
10. The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss
11. Charlie Cook’s Favourite Book by Julia Donaldson
12. Chester by Mélanie Watt
13. Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr.
14. Chicken Little by Ed Emberley
15. Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
16. The Complete Adventures of the Mole Sisters by Roslyn Schwartz
17. Corduroy by Don Freeman
18. Diary of a Wombat by Jackie French
19. Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! by Mo Willems
20. Duck on a Bike by David Shannon
21. Eddie’s Garden: And How to Make Things Grow by Sarah Garland
22. Elmer by David McKee
23. The End by David LaRochelle
24. Epossumondas by Coleen Salley
25. Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor
26. Fire Truck by Peter Sís
27. Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
28. Froggy Gets Dressed by Jonathan London
29. George and Martha by James Marshall
30. Go Away, Big Green Monster! by Ed Emberley
31. Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
32. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
33. The Gruffalo’s Child by Julia Donaldson
34. Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard
35. Guji Guji by Chih-Yuan Chen
36. Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
37. Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion
38. The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster
39. The Hoppameleon by Paul Geraghty
40. How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long
41. I Will Never Not Ever Eat a Tomato by Lauren Child
42. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Joffe Numeroff
43. If You’re Hoppy by April Pulley Sayre
44. I’m Not Cute! by Jonathan Allen
45. The Imaginary Garden by Andrew Larsen
46. In My Backyard by Margriet Ruurs
47. It’s a Secret! by John Burningham
48. The King’s Taster by Kenneth Oppel
49. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
50. Kitten’s First Full Moon by Kevin Henkes
51. Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Tale by Mo Willems
52. Ladybug Girl by Jacky Davis; David Soman
53. Lemons Are Not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger
54. Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
55. Llama, Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney
56. Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans
57. Madlenka by Peter Sís
58. The Mightiest by Keiko Kasza
59. Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton
60. Moose Tracks! by Karma Wilson
61. Mr. Gumpy’s Outing by John Burningham
62. Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming
63. My Friend Rabbit by Eric Rohmann
64. My Garden by Kevin Henkes
65. No Sleep for the Sheep! by Karen Beaumont
66. No, David! by David Shannon
67. Olivia by Ian Falconer
68. One Some Many by Marthe Jocelyn
69. Owl Babies by Martin Waddell
70. Pancakes for Supper! by Anne Isaacs
71. Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle
72. The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
73. The Perfect Nest by Catherine Friend
74. Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
75. Princess Pigsty by Cornelia Funke
76. Rain by Manya Stojic
77. Rosie’s Walk by Pat Hutchins
78. Scaredy Squirrel by Mélanie Watt
79. Silly Suzy Goose by Petr Horácek
80. Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
81. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
82. Some Dogs Do by Jez Alborough
83. Stanley’s Party by Linda Bailey
84. Stella, Star of the Sea by Marie-Louise Gay
85. The Story of Ferdinand by Munro Leaf
86. Strega Nona: Her Story by Tomie dePaola
87. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
88. Tacky the Penguin by Helen Lester
89. The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
90. The Three Pigs by David Wiesner
91. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka
92. There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Pam Adams
93. Tuesday by David Wiesner
94. The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
95. A Visitor for Bear by Bonny Becker
96. Wheels on the Bus: A Book with Parts That Move by Paul O. Zelinsky
97. Where Is the Green Sheep? by Mem Fox
98. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
99. Where’s Spot? by Eric Hill
100. Yoko by Rosemary Wells

We only own 12 of these books, which I found slightly disappointing. We DO own other books not on this list that are by some of these same authors. I figure it probably counts toward the 100, but we will stick to the list anyway. The real trick will be whether or not our local library has all these books. We have about 14 weeks until school starts in the fall, which comes out to 6 or 7 books a week. We anticipate a move sometime in the next month or so, which may put us a little behind. Imagine accidentally packing up library books! What a frightening prospect!

Who would like to take this challenge with me? I think it will be a blast! ;)

17 of 30: Wish I was Great At

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What is the thing you most wish you were great at?

I've been steadfastly ignoring this next posting in the 30 Things series, thus proving what I shall write next.

I wish I was great at (heck, I wish I was even slightly better at) finishing projects. If I could stack all my projects in a pile, it would avalanche over the top of me and bury me alive. Of course, such an attempt on my part would be ill-advised and quite impossible as many of my projects don't have a physical manifestation (yet).

At the time of this posting, I have no less than five novels waiting to be finished and, quite literally, dozens of other writing projects waiting in the wings.

I have dozens of craft projects in various stages of completion. My Pinterest account has dozens more. It seems that the moment I finish one craft, the ideas, supplies and angst of six more invade my home and stare at me belligerently until I do something about them. Unfortunately, what I usually do is tuck everything away until that spot is threatening to explode.

I have a filing box that is overflowing with records, receipts, important documents and save-worthy art projects from my children.

When I talk about craft projects, I don't include my sewing projects. Those fall into a category all their own. From jeans that need patching to tiny doll outfits that have lost buttons, they are all in the periphery of my vision, taunting me with their unfinished-ness.

I could even extend my lack of finishing abilities to games. As an example, I have three Nintendo games that have been left by the wayside because it became too difficult or scary to go on. You can't tell me that the redeads and eyeball monsters in Zelda are NOT scary.

And, of course, my problems in this area do not exclude my attempts to lose weight. How many times have I restarted my exercise regime? How many days do I wake up to my alarm just to turn it off and go back to sleep? I tell myself, I'll start again next week. But do I? Maybe next week.

I often question why this is a problem for me. I love finishing projects. I love how great it feels to complete something. Why do I delay it?
I think it comes down to whether or not I HAVE to do something. I think I still childishly enjoy the option to choose whether or not I do something. If I have a deadline which I have no control over, I never have trouble finishing something. Self-imposed deadlines are another thing altogether; I can always change my own mind.

So, now that I have examined my own psyche and determined where my problem lies, can I combat it and do better?

Let's just see if I can finish the 30 Things...

Next: What has been the most difficult thing you have had to forgive?

Birthday Catch Up

The last couple of weeks have been a little stressful for me... "What?!" you say? "You? Stressed out? The Super Mom?" Tee hee, I say! You are too kind for words!

Okay, I'm done now.

Looking at my blog postings, it seems I fell off the face of the planet right after Miss A's birthday. In a way, I suppose I have. I got caught up in a roaring whirlwind of birthdays, bikes, party planning, Diablo III ordering, visiting family, a  factory tour, decadent gourmet cookies, a graduation ceremony followed by a graduation party and a surprise visit that had been planned since January.

I will get to most of those later.

Today, I will finish what I started and share the birthday fun.
I posted last time before we had taken pictures of the birthday girl blowing out her candles.

She always feels shy when she's sung to.

She blew out her candles on a small cake, but...

It was the Cupcake in a Cone that really did it for her. She had been concerned earlier when she caught a peek of them. She thought they were really ice cream and that they would melt.

Little brother!

Frosting on the nose! What a happy girl!

She got a bike for her birthday, and we will post on that soon.

Now, on to Henry's birthday!

Just as I did on Audrey's birthday, I asked Henry 20 questions on his birthday.

Henry's 2012 Birthday Questionaire

1. What is your favorite color?  Orange
2. What is your favorite toy?  Ball-Popper
3. What is your favorite fruit?  Banan-ies
4. What is your favorite TV show?  Spongebob Squarepants (I think he has watched it only once or twice.)
5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  Sandwiches
6. What is your favorite outfit?  My bike  (I guess we'll have to work on his vocabulary so that he will understand what an outfit is by his next birthday. ;D )
7. What is your favorite game?  Bingo  (I didn't quite understand this answer at the time, but I now remember that we played Bingo on St. Patrick's Day. What a memory!)
8. What is your favorite snack?  Fruit Snacks
9. What is your favorite animal?  Duck
10. What is your favorite song?  Barbie Song (Aqua - Barbie Girl)
11. What is your favorite book? Cookie  (Cookie's Week - A story about a cat that gets into a lot of trouble)
12. Who is your best friend?  Audrey
13. What is your favorite cereal?  Honey Nut Cheerios
14. What is your favorite thing to do outside?  Play with bubbles
15. What is your favorite drink?  Milk
16. What is your favorite holiday?  Halloween
17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Squacky and MingMing (His two stuffed ducks)
18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?  Honey Nut Cheerios again
19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Spaghetti
20. What do you want to be when you grow up?  A grown-up

Henry had a great birthday. Nanny and Grandfather came into town and spent the day with us. We drove up to the Sweet's Candy Company factory in Salt Lake and took a tour of the place. It was a lot of fun, though Audrey was disappointed that she couldn't go into any of the really interesting rooms where the mixing and cooking were going on. Everyone liked the candy samples we got along the way, however. I'd share pictures but we weren't allowed to take a camera in; not even our phones if they had cameras.

After the factory, Nanny and Grandfather directed us to a little cookie shop they had discovered the day before. Rubysnap is a wonderful gourmet cookie shop in downtown Salt Lake. The cookies all have women's names. I had Judy. The moment I finished it, I wanted another. I've been fantasizing about this cookie shop ever since.

Henry also got a bike for his birthday. He has yet to work out how to pedal and steer at the same time, but he'll get there.

Instead of birthday cake, we had waffle bowl sundaes. YUM!

Just in case you were going to call Shenanigans, we didn't do the candle-blowing ceremonies for our children on the same day. Henry just likes that shirt.

As for the rest of the craziness of the past couple of weeks, I'll get to that... tomorrow... maybe.