This blogging thing has already done something good for me. It has motivated and reminded me to take more pictures. I know that anyone visiting this site will care a whole lot more about pics of my kids than about what I have to say–so it is of little consequence that I never have anything good to say.
Yesterday was a good day. Sundays are almost always good days–a day when we have a big nap, followed by a big dinner–a day when Brian is home. What could be better? But yesterday was especially good because it followed a really crappy day. On Saturday, I was a crappy mother and a crappy wife, so I had a crappy day. My uncle (and bishop) counseled us that saying words like “crap” show a lack of style, but man, my family was sustained on the word “crap, ” so it’s going to take some work for me not to say it.
Anyway, I had the baptism of one of my young women to go to in the afternoon, and Brian wasn’t home to help me, so the whole experience was not a delightful one. Camp had a birthday party to go to. I went with him for a couple hours, but the party was still going when I had to leave to go make the cookies that the Elders had asked me right before the party to make for the baptism. So I left Camp at the party and made as many cookies as 40 minutes would afford me. I had put Jane down for a nap when I got home so I just grabbed her out of bed and threw her in the car to go pick up Camp and head to the baptism. When I got to April’s house to pick up Camp, he had wet his pants and soaked his shoes. Luckily, April had a spare pair of his shorts to put on him, but we were out of luck in the shoe department. So I showed up LATE to the baptism (at which I had been asked to say the opening prayer) and I had two raggedy-looking kids with no shoes on. They had someone else give the opening prayer while I fought with Camp to stay in his seat and be quiet. You may be thinking, “Ann, all that doesn’t make you a crappy wife and a crappy mother.” But, you see, I have skillfully neglected to tell you about the way I reacted and dealt with all of these scenarios. Saturday was a terrible, horrible, no good, very crappy day. I feel your pain, Alexander.
OH MY CRAP! I can’t believe you are blogging. I am very excited that you joined the club. Another advantage to blogging is that you can actually have your blog pulished so it can act as a journal or family history. I think the site is blurb.com and it will upload your entire blog for you and you can pulish it in soft or hard bound book style. My idea is that on Dec 31 of each year I will upload my blog to the blurb and then publish a volume for our family history. Not that we are that important but the prophets do say keep a journal and this is as close as I have been able to get and it is fun. At the end of the year it will be like a big acomplishment. Keep the posts coming…
I, too, am so glad you are blogging. I never hear much about how guys are doing except occasionally from Justin and even then it isn’t a wealth of information. Your kids are adorable and I am happy to hear that all is going so well. You can check out my blog if you wish… it will be like we are communicating in a very new age, technological way. BTW, crap is a good word. And you aren’t a terrible mother. We all have bad days. Tell Brian I say hello.
http://nixmusings.blogspot.com
Ann! By the way, this is Heather! I just use the internet name “Asia” to avoid any possible wierdos knowing who I am. Perhaps I’m probably the wiredo for worrying about it. but I do feel comforted in knowing that I’m not alone on having difficulty managing my time at times. I love you lots and think you are the most capable person I know! Keep up all the great work. You are building the kingdom up strong! Thank you so much for the fabulous evening at your house after the farewell! Your home is so lovely with all the finishing decorating touches, but what makes it so nice to be in is the peaceful feeling there. Thank you and Brian for living the life that invites the spirit to attend or rather lead.
I would have to agree with Niki in that I doubt you are a “crappy” mom but I tell you sister, lately I feel like “Mommy Meany”. I hear you and many others say that they love being a stay at home mom and I feel so guilty. I absolutely love my girls but I worked until I was midway through my 2nd pregnancy. When I quit to be a stay at home Mom it was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I am so grateful that we are blessed enough that I can stay home because I know that is where I am supposed to be but some days it is very challenging. More so since I had my second child. That is why sometimes I feel like “mommy meany”. It is nice to know that I’m not the only mom that has those “crappy” days.
Hi Ann. I don’t know if you remember me or not, but I saw your blog on Lila’s site and wanted to say “hi”. It’s Nicole Cave (Bandley). What I remember of you is that you were probally the only one in Ms. Garza’s Spanish class that learned anything. Maybe just cause you were smarter than the rest of us. I wonder what happened to her. I always felt bad that everyone was so mean to her. Anyway, just wanted to say hello, you can be nosey and check out my site too if you want. It’s kinda fun seeing what people are doing with their lives. Bye!! By the way I just started blogging a few months ago and am definately hooked into the maddness. It is a great way to talk to your friends.
So, I got your message, and it made me laugh about Spanish!! I am going to post you on my site, so I can drop by every now and then…and not have to go to Lila’s site just to check in with ya. Yes, I do talk to Jolene occasionally. She is living down here with her parents for now. She has applied for some teaching positions, so we’ll see what happens. I think she is going to teach High School. She does look good. She takes better care of herself. A couple of her siblings are in my ward too, so I do keep track of her.
It was fun seeing your family too. Ashton said he knows Brian a little from wrestling. Talk to you later.
Hey Ann, how are you? I found your blog on Nikki’s! Are you guys loving Oregon? How far are you from Portland? I don’t know if you remember, but my parents live up there (they moved up there in ’99). I just wanted to let you know I enjoyed reading this! I had a really bad today with my little two year old monster, I mean boy. One of those days where try as you might, the temper gets the best of you! And then you feel like a horrible mother! Anyway, Aaron and I say hi to you guys! I’m going to add you to my blog so I can check in and see how you are doing! Take care!
Hey, thanks to all of you girls for leaving me a note. I feel like I’m watching one of those commercials where it gets all sentimental and shows people being linked all over the world via telephone or computer or whatever. I’m so happy to hear from all of you. Nikki, I have loved reading your muse. I’ll post you a note soon. Nicole, I’m really glad Jolene is doing well. I hope she does find a job. She would be a fun teacher because she is so funny. I remember that one day in P.E. she pointed to a handicapped person and asked me if I would still be her friend if she walked like that. I assured her that I would. Then she told me that she wouldn’t be my friend if I were to walk like that. She was so funny.
Hi Lindsay! We are only three hours from Portland. I actually saw your dad seeing your younger sisters off at the airport there a couple years ago. Crazy! I recognized them and was able to talk to them briefly. We got Preston’s wedding announcement! Tell him congrats! I was able to meet his fiance a couple years ago at Larry’s house. We’re really excited for him!