Befuddled

Befuddled. Now that's a mouth full. It's the word that I have chosen to describe my current state. Being that it's summer and I don't really have any pressing requirements on me every day, I'm feeling a little out of sorts. I don't have much to do, can't decide on what to do, and have no desire to do anything. Nothing seems uber important and everything is kind of just there.

I've started taking the kids to the library once a week to get enough books to occupy them for the week. They love it. The problem is, is that I find myself getting books for me and that's all I end up doing. Reading all day long. It's wonderful and I'm not complaining about being able to read books all day, it's just that I feel like I should be doing anything else.

The laundry, the park, the bathrooms, dinner, anything. But I just can't muster the energy or will to do it. I'm not sure if I'm a little depressed or lazy. I'll cook a fabulous 3 course meal for dinner one day, and then won't cook for 3 days after. We have run out of leftovers by then too and my husband is not a cereal for dinner kind of guy.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm not feeling myself. My life seems to go in cycles. One minute I'm super busy with kids, friends, and family, and I feel like I can't keep up. The next minute the phone is totally dead and there is nothing going on at all. I don't exactly know what do to with myself. THe good thing is that I know that it won't be like this forever and I'm trying to enjoy the quiet and tranquility before the crazy comes again. I just feel a little lost right now.

Befuddled words from a befuddled girl.

I can't believe it!!!!

Last Saturday I happened to be "in town" near the Mesa temple and had the genius idea to take my 7 (soon to be 8 year old) there and take some pictures for his invitations.  What a fun day. It was hot. Real hot. And the poor little guy was sweating to death in that great looking suit. I felt like we got some really nice shots. There were 4 weddings outside at the time trying to take their pictures so the locations to choose from were slim. Apparently Saturday's are not good days to take pictures at the temple. Just saying.

I got home and was so excited to print them off and low and behold, almost every picture we had taken makes him look like he's in pain. This particular child is not a fan of the sun. He hates it in his eyes and then they water and he looks like he's crying. I tried to find as many shady spots as I could but like I said, locations were slim to none. I really wanted to get him by the awesome fountain that they used to have by the reflection pool by the visitor's center. Guess what? It's gone. There a historical log there now. I was a little disappointed.

So this is what we are left with. And I can honestly say I think he looks adorable. I love you dearly and am so proud of you and the great little man you are becoming. Happy 8th birthday!!!!

Alone Again.......Naturally

For the second time in two weeks I am a single parent. My husband was gone at scout camp for an entire week. Now I think that is just ridiculous. When you are leaving your wife and three small children home alone for an entire week with the responsibilities of maintaining a 3 acre parcel of land and countless numbers of animals to care for, the camp should only be 3 days long!!!

This next trip that he is on is one he chose to participate in. He and a buddy are driving to Oregon to pick up 6 Dexter cows. It's going to take 3 days of non stop driving and I worry. They already had two flat tires on the horse trailer, the exhaust clamp break, and they picked up a guy on the side of the road that had run his car off of the road. Too crazy.

My dear husband also decided to skip Father's Day with his children. That one bugs me a little. The kids were looking forward to making him breakfast and coloring pictures for him. Sigh. Oh well. I married a man that grew up in a family where his own father took off out of town on birthdays and Father's Day. What else should I expect?

So for now I'm on my own with three rowdy kids. Hopefully things calm down a little bit and I can get something done before my husband gets home.

Baptism invitation pictures to come!!!

Music

Music has always had a profound impact on my life, moods, and outlook. I can remember sitting on my bed  when I was in High School mourning the loss of another boyfriend and listening to U2 or Toad The Wet Sprocket. It's hard to explain but it helped me feel better. Music has always been able to do that for me.

Now I understand that music doesn't always have the same effect on different people but I'm grateful to know that it does have an effect on me. I always know that when I'm feeling sad, mad, funny, crazy, or whatever I'm feeling, I know there is going to be a song that is going to go right along with how I'm feeling.

I love being with my friends and having an awesome song come on the radio and cranking it up in my car and singing along. It's amazing. I love hearing the song that my hubby and I danced to at our reception come on. It takes me back and brings back all of those feelings again. I look at him for a moment, the way I used to when we were just starting out together.

I love hearing the Louis Armstrong song that I used to listen to when I would rock my babies. It has such an optimistic message that is so sweet and tender. Music has a way of taking me back to memories , places, times, and people that i don't think about all of the time. I love that. I don't hold on to material items. I never have. I rented my wedding dress.

But I do hold on to music. Old and new and I love it. Always.

Girl's Just Wanna Have Fun, Right?

Mr. D has been out of town for a week. I think that is the longest we have ever been a part. I think I can handle it. Just not too often. I love Mr. D but it's nice not to have to make everything work with 2 adult schedules all of the time. It's been strangely relaxing. Hmmm.

So the other day a thought popped into my head. Why don't I have a bunch of my girlfriends over for dinner and a fun game of mexican train? So I invited them and they are coming over tonight. Yay!!!! I making the Cafe' Rio Sweet Pork salad. Yummm. And then we are going to have blueberry cobbler with whipped cream on top. Yummmm again.

The friends invited are limited because I don't own enough chairs for everyone. I hope to remedy that soon. I have so many wonderful friends. It was really hard to choose who to invite. I think this group will be light, upbeat, and lowkey which is something that I think all of us could use right now. :)

Gotta clean the house, do my hair, make the food, and get it all displayed. Hope everyone loves it!!

Good food, good company, and a good time to be had by all. So looking forward to this!!!

Spoiled!!!!

I just wanted to say a wonderful and large thank you to my amazing mom!!! She had myself, my aunt Daline, and my dear friend Sonja up to her cabin this past weekend for a seriously desired girls trip. My mom and I and our families had already been up there the previous weekend for my birthday. These trips have been a lot of work for her!!!

We went shopping, ate delicious food, watched a great movie, and played my all time favorite domino game Mexican Train. What a delightful time.We rested, read books, and visited. It was just the upliftment I needed for my Spirit. These women are of such a high calibre that I felt a little super ceded, but happy to be in there company nonetheless.

They are fabulously talented and creative and choose to seek answers for questions, problems, etc. They are curious, well spoken, and intelligent and I count myself blessed and fortunate to be counted one of them. I love being around my family and friends that truly understand me and my personality. I feel special and loved and I truly believe that is a gift that only they can give to me.

Thank you mom for thinking of all of us the recipients of this wonderful gift that you gave. I feel blessed and rejuvenated. I love you dearly.

Elise