Self Diagnosis

I feel as though I am highly qualified to diagnose myself because all of the medical professionals on Oprah & Dr. Phil tell us to "listen to your body". Oh, & by the way, I would jump at the opportunity to do the same for at least half of the general population.....of the world. Anyway..... So...I've decided that I suffer from (wait for it....you're gonna love this)......Body Dysmorphic Disorder. I believe that I suffer from this condition because I quite honestly believe that my body is smaller than it actually is. Now, don't get me wrong....I don't think that I'm a size 2 (or 4 or 6 or 16 or even 18) but seriously when I pick something up in a store that I think might fit....it very rarely does. There.....hopefully by me sharing my "problem"; I can help others out there.

Thieving Bandit in the House & Pic-Pocketing Bums in Walmart

I find myself singing in my head Cher's, "Gypsys, Tramps & Thieves". This morning when I went into Chayse & Brigham's room to wake them up for school, I noticed that the clothes that I have been telling Brigham to put away for 3 days, were still on his dresser. Normally I would have just screamed (again) for him to "Do it...RIGHT NOW!!!"...resulting in it still not getting done....so I did it myself. DUDE.....I SERIOUSLY HIT THE MOTHER LOAD. I just happen to see a baby shoes charm in his drawer. I felt a heat wave rise over my face. At that split second, Brigham sat bolt straight up with absolute fear in his eyes. I franticly started raking through his drawer, freaking & screaming the whole time. When I was finished destroying his drawer I had recovered a "Promise Ring" from Monty, my Engagement Ring & one of the side rings that goes with my Engagement Ring, a 4 garnet ring from my Mom for Graduation, a gold ring given when my Dad had his 1st Heart Attack, a gold ring with 3 crystals, a gold & diamond heart pendant, a pearl ring that I personally fished the pearl out of tank in San Francisco @ Fisherman's Wharf, Monty's School Ring, Monty's original Wedding Band, a watch face (that needs a new band) & the baby shoes charm that started the rampage. I could have quite easily killed him...& he knew it...& more importantly I knew it....so I walked away. THEN.......................................... After spending only an hour in Walmart I headed for the check out. Keep in mind...I am aware that I probably look like Freak Show with all 4 kids with me. Today I only had (afformentioned thief) Brig & Slade in his carseat on the end of the cart...so to be told "You look like you have your hands full." by the grubby, (not just smell but) reak of smoke & alcohol bums behind me in line was a total bunch of crap. Shortly after that comment was made, the woman of the pair started handing me things to put up on the till from my cart...all in the name of "help". Instantly, I felt weird & stressed. I didn't step away from my cart to put the stuff up that she was handing to me. I just took it & threw it over Slade onto the till. I was gracious & thanked her. The whole time she was handing me things; she & the long bearded man with her were asking me questions about the boys & commenting on my items. I knew when she handed me the last thing that it was the last thing & that she had no reason to reach back into the cart, so when she did I went on guard. In the blink of an eye she had my wallet; straight out of my bag, in her hand. In a fairly loud (loud enough that the Cashier heard me) & very stern voice I offered my opinion to her on the matter. "You might want to put that back before I start screaming for Security." She looked me straight in the eye, swallowed really hard, lowered my wallet back into the cart & she & her cohort backed away from my cart as I reached in for my wallet & bag & allowed me to push the cart through. I paid for my crap, turned to the couple & thanked her again for "helping" me & left. Just as I was loading my stuff into the van; 2 Security guys stopped them. Once I was in the van, my heart started racing & I felt mad & frustrated. I must have had "Easy Target" on my back today. NOT!!!!!!!! NOTE....Brigham is Grounded to his room every afternoon for 2 weeks. Might be tough for a 5 year old, but next time your jewelry box is cleaned out by your kid let me know how you feel.

Counting Down the Days...

So....we've had a really busy Summer...what with 4 trips down South which include 3 trips to the Temple which include 2 Weddings. Then of course, there has been extra stuff...a funeral & a graduation. We moved in the middle of July which we had been preparing for for about a month prior to happening. Allllllllll along I've been counting down the days until the boys go back to school. We are now officially down to 3 days until the boys not just start school, but start at a brand new school for all of them. I'm glad that they are all on even ground in that respect & that none of them will be "the new kid" 'cuz everyone will be new. I remember a day back last November when I was parked by the school, waiting for the bell to ring. I watched Chay standing in line by the door. I couldn't help think how fast the time is going. Haiden was in Grade 3 & Chayse was in Grade 1. At that very moment, I couldn't even imagine Brigham standing in line. I think he's small for his age, but he's soooo smart, busy & imaginative....He'll do fine!! 3 DAYS!!!!! YAAAAAY!!!!!

Wedding-ing Again.....& Again

*sigh* On Friday, we were honored to be in the Sealing Room of the Cardston Temple when Monty's nephew, Todd, was sealed for all time & eternity, to his beautiful bride, Becky. It was so strange to see the man; that used to be a 3 year old little boy (when Monty & I started going out in 1991) get married. He looked quite dashing in his dark suit & purple rose pinned to his lapel. I had a total blast taking pictures of them. Their photographer was really really great & allowed me to stick my camera over her shoulder & at her hip. We were so happy that the smoke that we drove alllllll the way down in, cleared just before we arrived in Cardston. It turned out to be a beautiful day. We love you a bunch Todd & Becky....Congratulations!!! *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Then....On Saturday we were excited to attend Steven & Amanda's Wedding Ceremony. She looked absolutely stunning in her simple but lacy, straight wedding dress with THE most beautiful red roses. Steven could not get his adoring eyes off her as she walked down the aisle with her Dad. We also went back that evening for the Reception. Lots of Love to you both Steven & Amanda!!! Phew....I'm Wedding-ed out....& they weren't even my weddings.

Note....& Also Note

NOTE...... If you are a first time reader...I STRONGLYsuggest that you look up & read (as I call it) my "Disclaimer" under the title of my blog. If you know me.....I STRONGLY suggest that you look up & read my "Disclaimer" AGAIN & remind yourself who I AM & how long you've known me. ALSO NOTE...... This is not a criticism of the Church....it's simply a bash on some of the people in it. So I don't want to hear from ANY OF YOU questioning my faith or reprimanding my observations.

I wish I had had.....

So we've been HERE for 3 weeks. We went to our new ward for the first time this Sunday. We arrived about 10 minutes early. We sat in the middle of the Chapel..... ......ONLY 3 FRICKIN' PEOPLE GREETED US (after Sacrament Meeting).....And not a single one of those people was a member of the Bishopric. I guess the reality of that is that we have been absolutely & truly spoiled when it comes to great & loving Bishops. (Please allow me to name names....Bishop Mayne Root, Bishop David Bly, Bishop Geoff Grunewald, Bishop Dean Crapo & as of late Bishop Jerome Wigg.) I really do hope that our new Bishop (& his counsillors) turn out better to be than what I think he (they) is (are) right at this particular moment....'cuz they are seriously not lookin' to hot right now. The Relief Society President was great great great. So Rebecca, if you EVER read this...You Rock!!!! She greeted us the way that I greet most, if not all, new members....with enthusiasm & interest. I wish I had had ME to welcome us.

Moved on Up...Down South-ish

The day finally came!!! We took possession of our honkin' big house down south-ish on Thursday, July 15. It was just like having a new baby...except we actually had the much needed "instruction manuals". We totally couldn't believe when our Realtor just walked out the door...leaving us in the house....ALL ALONE!!!! *~*~*~*~*~*~* Monty took the week before & the week after the move off work which has proven to be a very good thing. Clearly, I have no idea how to pack to move. It was stunning to see how much crap....I mean...stuff we have accumulated over the 13 years 9 months of living in an 1,100 square foot condo. We have more than doubled (& some) our living space. It Rocks!!!! I dropped Monty off at U-Haul at 8:45am on Saturday to get the truck, then I took the 3 oldest boys over to the FABULOUS Marni & James' house to hang out until we finish packing up. We officially started lugging everything into the U-Haul at 10:00. We had major help from Calvin, Clyde, Lucas & Jon. It was like a life-sized game of Tetris for Monty arranging everything in the truck. I had that Russian music going through my head all morning. We were done by 12:30. So I went over & picked up the boys from the FAN-TABULOUS Marni & James & we headed down to Evergreen where we were met by Calvin (again...because he is an amazing AMAZING brother-in-law for doing both ends of our move), Monty's parents, Jackie & Roger, Briony & Nathan & a bit later Twila & Matt. Everyone thinks the place is great. They can join the club. All the furniture is in & we are (a piece at a time) filtering the boxes in. OH MY HECK...I'M SO HAPPY TO BE HERE!!!!!! Last night, we loaded the last couple of things that we didn't want to put in the truck, & brought them down. I walked through each of the empty rooms of our sweet, little "love-nest". I cried & cried & cried. So did Monty (a tiny bit). It's seriously bitter sweet. So here we are....Feeling so absolutely & incredibly blessed at this time in our lives. Monty has worked sooooooooo hard to get here & he has been gracious enough to bring me with him for the ride. I love you baby...thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!