A day in the life

Camri is two, which means she is a princess, which means she likes to dress up. In the past, that meant she only wanted to wear dresses. Lately, though, it means that she has to CHANGE dresses several times throughout the day. I decided to document a day in the life of Camri:

She woke up in this (she wore it to church yesterday and insisted that she sleep in it):

As I was getting the other kids ready, she changed (with Colin's help on the zipper) into this:

She quietly pulled the chair over to the pantry and was busy eating jelly beans.
Next, she added an polka dot shirt to her polka dot dress:

Of course, I was doing laundry so she found lots of dresses laying around ready to be washed. This was one of them:

That didn't last long. Back to the pink dress, this time with a tutu:

Lose the tutu, add a princess dress (OVER the pink dress, of course):

She helped me fold laundry and found this beauty:

Which lasted until she found one of her favorites:

Just before dinner, she decided to be a cheerleader:

Until she found her leotard. Whenever she wears the leotard, she's gotta wear a baseball cap. I don't know:

Bedtime at last:

She changed more times today then I do when I'm trying to find something to fit right after I have a baby. That's a lot. My princess has a mind (and fashion sense) of her own.

I'm okay, you're okay...

I went to the General Women's meeting tonight. I have heard in the past (and I believe) that if you go in to General Conference looking for a specific answer, you will get it.

I anxiously awaited the speakers. First, Sister Beck spoke. Then, both of her counselors. Great talks, very well done, very inspirational. But, I was still needing something.

Then, Elder Uchtdorf. He was the Western European Area President when I was on my mission in France and I was able to meet him and speak with him briefly at a meeting once. I have always admired and respected him, and I'm pretty sure if he saw me now he would recognize me immediately.

Anyway, I was thrilled that he was going to speak to us. I was more thrilled when he began to speak. He pointed out that men and women are different. See? Inspiration! He went on to compare how he and his wife cook. His wife meticulously prepares her meals with the perfect ingredients and presentation. Even then, she always feels like she could have done better. A dash of this, a pinch of that. When Elder Uchtdorf cooks, it's fried eggs and toast. And even if it's not perfect, he says, "I feel heroic!"

This is what we women do: Everything. And then we think it's not enough. We serve our families, our neighbors, our friends, even strangers. We fulfill our callings, we raise our children, we do our jobs, and we even attack laundry on occasion. All the while, as we run to and fro, we are berating ourselves for what we DIDN'T get done. We need to take a page from man-thinking and feel heroic about what we DO get done.

He went on to talk about the inherent need we all have to create (def.: make something that wasn't there before). This is why we blog. Or scrapbook. Or garden. Or clean. Or write. Or draw. Or sew. Or read to our kids. Or have family prayer. We are constantly seeking to create a better space, a happier home, a lovlier environment.

I guess sometimes it takes a gentle reminder to tell us ladies that we are okay. No, not okay, FABULOUS! That is what I needed to hear. Above the noise of 5 dependent little kids, keeping the house in order, taking care of my husband and myself, no sleep, and all of life's demands, I just needed to know that I am doing a good job.

Now, THAT is the answer I was looking for.

Grandpa

I was thinking about my Grandpa Pulsipher today. I never met him in this life but I am convinced I will recognize him in the next life. He seems very familiar to me through stories, pictures, and experiences. I believe that our guardian angels are those who have already love and care about us. Who better to do that then Grandpa?

Grandpa owned a small farm and people would often ask him why he didn't expand and buy more land to cultivate. He would respond, "I am not in the business of raising crops, I am in the business of raising sons and a daughter."

Quiet and powerful. That's Grandpa.

Two things I know for sure...

Number 1: Beau loves his big sisters and brother.
Number 2: Baby laughs are the cutest sound ever invented.

Weekend Highlights...

What a great weekend! It went by way too fast, it was really busy, but it was fantastic. Here's my weekend top-ten:

10 - Friday was early day and I didn't have carpool:) Just for fun I picked up some baby pumpkins and let the kids decorate them. The little ones had (a lot of) help, and I think they all turned out pretty cute.


9 - Cheryl's family came over and we had chili (with fresh cilantro on top - you have GOT to try that!), looked at some pictures (they wanted proof that Joe used to have longer hair), and played a little American Idol on XBOX. Let's just say my niece has got some fierce talent and you should watch for her in the future. It came down to her and Joe (he's really good), but she walked away with the title.


8 - Colin had a 9:00 game on Saturday, which was not so easy after going to bed late the night before. It was a close one. They lost to the Green Machines 9-1. At least the crackers and kool-aid were yummy.
7 - It was our Ward's Super Saturday, so I came home and picked up my half of the kids (Colin, Camri, and Beau). I grabbed the soup I had made and we headed to the church. I made my sister's Christmas gifts - so cute! - and had lunch with the fabulous women of our ward.
6 - Joe took his half of the kids (Koko and Emma) to the BYU football game where they watched the 44-0 slaughter up close. They took Joe's cousin Rachelle and she assumed bathroom duty for the girls - Thanks Rachelle!!


5 - I watched the game at home and ---wait for it--- I took a nap! I couldn't fall asleep until after the game was over, though, so it was short but very sweet.
4 - We went to a neighbor's house to celebrate her MBA graduation. They are a great family and there is a lot of love in that home, you can feel it. They had giant pizzas from The Pie Pizzeria - almost two feet in diameter, they were awesome!


3 - We got to church early enough to sit on a padded bench and we didn't even have to take anyone out until after the sacrament was finished. After that, it kind of went downhill...
2 - At home, we made some popcorn and watched a movie with the kids.
1 - I got released from my calling as a Primary teacher. Yes, I got a new calling. No, I won't say until it's official. You'll just have to stay tuned...

I have arrived!

Yep, I'm offically a soccer mom. Colin had his first game last night and I don't think I've ever laughed so hard in my life. Imagine 10 little four-year-olds running around kicking the ball in whatever direction it is already going. That is, if they are paying attention to the ball at all :)

We did win 8-5, but the other team scored two for us and we scored 1 for them. It was awesome. They were mostly excited about the granola bars and Capri Sun they got at the end of the game.

Of course, we brought our own cheering section and Joe even helped out with the team for a minute (mostly because Colin wouldn't go without him at first).

He got a couple of good kicks in, I was proud of him. His team is actually pretty good, thanks to D.J. (he was adopted from Ethiopia about a month ago and his mom told me they played soccer at the orphanage. He is a very darling boy, and man, can he kick!)


So, there you go. After all the ballet and tap dancing (which you only get to see a few performances), I finally get to be a soccer mom and watch every game! Go Red Foxes!! Go #6!!

Groovy, baby.

S - A - TUR - DAY ..... NIGHT!
S - A - TUR - DAY ..... NIGHT!

This weekend we went to a very-well-planned-out surprise party for Joe's cousin, Rachelle. Of course, it was Disco themed! Outta sight! Everyone was invited to dress up (or pull out their old clothes from that era to relive the glory). This was WAAAAAYY before my time, I'm just a young 'un - that's my story and I'm sticking to it :)



It was very fun to see everyone. Rachelle was truly surprised, which made it even more fun. Her family truly loves her, as evidenced by the huge gathering that came just for her. Her sisters are the best kind of sisters - best friends forever. I always feel like a better person when I have been around Rhonda, Dennis, and their kids. There is a sincere love within that family.



The music was fabulous, the food was amazing, and the night was a perfect fall temperature. The kids had a blast, almost as much fun as the grown-ups!
Thank you Scott Family for a wonderful night! We love Rachelle and we love you all!

I love these jammies...

When our oldest, Dakota was born, we decorated her room with Winnie the Pooh stuff. It was really cute, you'll have to take my word for it because naturally we didn't think to take pictures of it...

Anyway, we got this pair of Winnie the Pooh jammies from someone (sorry, friend, I don't remember who gave them to us!) Because they are pretty gender-neutral, we have used them for each of our kids. This is the only thing they have ALL worn!

Beau was wearing them the other day, and I caught a glimpse of each of my kids in him - his expressions, his movements, and yep, his jammies. These jammies will be going in the vault someday...

It's been 7 years...

Seven years ago, everything changed. I had a doctor's appointment scheduled for September 11, 2001, it was a fertility consultation. We were anxious to have another child and wondered why that wasn't happening. On Sept. 10, I took a pregnancy test - just in case. Well, it was positive!! I was so thrilled! It was a miracle! Little Emma was on her way to our family! It was truly one of the best days of my life!

The next day, Joe left to work and I got a phone call shortly after he left. "Turn on the T.V.", he said, "America is being attacked." What??? I turned on the T.V. and watched as one of the twin towers was burning. Suddenly, a second plane flew right into the other tower. I gasped in disbelief! I couldn't move off the couch all day. I watched as the buildings burned. I watched as they crumbled. I was in shock. Who would do this? I watched as they reported on United 93. I watched as they reported on the Pentagon. I called Joe and demanded that he come home. What if all the major U.S. cities were being attacked? He worked in downtown Salt Lake and I was terrified that something would happen. My brother lived in Manhatten - was he okay? Was he alive?

It was the worst feeling. Sick. Helpless. Dazed. It was the same way I felt when the Alfred P. Murrah building was bombed in Oklahoma City. It was the complete opposite of the euphoria I had felt just one day earlier. I watched as people covered in dirt ran down the street, covering their mouths. I thought, "People are losing their husbands, wives, moms, dads, brothers, and sisters." The sadness was overwhelming.

In the following days, everything changed. I cringed every time an airplane flew overhead. The tone of the country changed in the face of this tragedy. We became more united, we became more patriotic, we became more caring and kind to one another. We all wondered what was going to happen next. I remember watching as firefighters and rescue workers wrote their names and Social Security numbers on their arms before going to work, just in case they needed to be identified later. We all pulled together and cheered each other on, sincerely and selflessly.

I hope today, on the anniversary of that awful day, that we don't forget how we felt. Let us not become apathetic. Let us not get mired down in political sludge. Let us simply remember that we are all in this together, just trying to do the best we can. God bless America!!

On the Farm

We took the kids to Wheeler Farm this weekend. It was so fun, even Joe liked it. :) We took some pretty inspirational photos, too. Imagine hanging these on your office wall...

If I only had a brain....

--------------------------------------------------------

Whatever be

your path in life,

make it a good ride,

cowboy!

-------------------------------------------------------

Be smug, and the world smiles with you!

----------------------------------------------------------------

Follow in the footsteps of greatness....

--------------------------------------------------------------1, 2, 3, 4, That's what brothers and sisters are for!

----------------------------------------------------------Don't fall off the wagon!

---------------------------------------------------------------I looked out the window and what did I see? A sweet little cutie looking back at me!

-------------------------------------------------------------Don't forget that Daddy loves you.

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Slow and steady.......wins the race.-------------------------------------------------------

FATHER OF THE YEAR!!

Work it!

This has been a busy morning and I guess I've been working Colin too hard. Here's a recent conversation:

Me: Hey buddy.
Colin: Mom, I'm really tired. You wanna know why?
Me: Why?
Colin: Because my body just ran out of batteries.

Once upon a time...

...there was a handsome man named Joe, who was patient with a young maiden named Marci. Here is how their story began...

I was going to school at BYU and had only been living in Provo for a week. On Friday, he came to pick me up for the weekend. It was September 4th, the first day of football season. We stopped on our way home to go to a Timpview game where his cousin,Lance was playing. We only stayed for a little while, then headed home. Joe stopped at the grocery store to pick up some things for dinner and we went to his house. He grilled steaks, made baked potatoes, and salad - a sure way to a girl's heart!

When we were done, he told me he had a surprise. He blindfolded me, and by that I mean he wrapped a huge red scarf around my whole head. We got in the car and took off. I tried to determine where we were as he drove, but I was concentrating on getting enough oxygen. When the car stopped, he came around, opened my door, and got me out. "Don't move", he said. Well, I couldn't see anyway, so I stayed put. About 15 seconds later, the sprinklers came on and I started to get wet. "RUN!", he yelled. "I CAN'T SEE!", I yelled back. He came and got me and moved me to dry ground.

We walked together for a minute, then he asked me to kneel down. I did. Then he asked me to put my hand out like I was holding a flower. I did. He handed me something, then took off the huge red scarf. It was a porcelain rose - so beautiful!

I noticed -now that I could see and breath freely- that we were on the 50-yard line of Alta's football field. We were all alone, except for some guy jogging the track. Very romantic. Joe had a candle lit and everything.

At this point, I was thinking that was it. Joe was always doing nice things for me and I figured he got me this cool rose and that was his surprise. So, I got ready to stand up and leave. He stopped me and told me to put out my hand again. He handed me a box - it looked like a music box, so imagine my surprise when I opened it and saw a ring box inside. I speechlessly opened the ring box and saw the most beautiful ring ever! He showed me the engraving, "Ensemble a jamais" - Together Forever in French. He said, "Marci, I am asking you to marry me."

I started to tremble a little bit and leaned over to kiss him. Of course, long hair and open flames don't mix and we had to take a second to put out the fire in my hair. We kissed. I was ecstatic. I was shocked. I was getting married.

After a minute, Joe said, "Um, you still haven't answered me." Oops. "Yes, yes, yes". I kissed him again.

We gathered our things and left to tell our parents, and we have lived happily ever after....

Happy Anniversary of our Engagement, Darling!

Top Ten List

Here is the top ten list of my day:

10- I got out of my pajamas before 10:00 a.m.
9- I went to lunch and Walmart with Joe and the three young 'uns.
8- I forgot to buy milk while we were there because we had a bit of a meltdown (I won't mention names, but he's 4).
7- I finished making the video of the ward summer party, only to find out that half of it didn't burn onto the DVD. Any experts on Pinnacle out there? It's like it only works if it feels like it.
6- I talked to a friend that I haven't talked to in 10 years. Even though we're grown-ups and we haven't seen each other in years, it felt as normal talking to her as it did in high school. I love it when that happens.
5- I did three more loads of laundry, cleaned the upstairs (including bathrooms), and ironed about 6 shirts.
4- Camri burned her finger on the iron and I felt horribly guilty for not preventing it.
3- Emma ate the lunch I sent with her instead of school lunch (like she did yesterday). I forgot to pay for yesterday's lunch and now I am delinquent.
2- Colin cut his face - right next to his ear- with a sharp knife. Joe wasn't home, so I put some steri-strips on it and will check it tomorrow. Hopefully we can avoid stitches.
1- Koko was voted to Student Council for her third grade class!!

It was a crazy day. I could probably add more, but after all this is the TOP TEN!!

Hmmmm...

We were watching coverage of Hurricane Gustav this morning on CNN. There was a lot of preparation - boarding up houses, evacuation, etc. The hurricane hit Louisiana this morning, and so far it looks like the preparation has paid off. Only time will tell if the reconstructed levees will hold or if there will be flooding. The lady reporting the news said, "Now, all we have to do is pray."

I wondered what that prayer would sound like.

"Dear God,

As a country, we have embraced immorality, immodesty, and profanity. As a country, we have removed your name from school or any public forum. As a country, we have legalized marijuana, gay marriage, and abortion. As a country, we have stopped celebrating "Christmas" and now we are politically correct and celebrate the "Holidays". As a country, we spend billions of dollars on pornography and call it free speech or even art. As a country, we mock religion and call those with values intolerant and holier-then-thou. As a country, we would like to eat, drink, and be merry (and start drinking at age 18), with no legal consequences. As a country, we encourage violence and promiscuity by paying millions of dollars a year to see those movies and television shows. As a country, we have grown entitled and get angry when things don't go our way.

And now, as a country, we pray that thou wilt help us in our time of need.

Amen."