The Festivities Begin

The Linford Family festivities have begun. Megan and Blake are getting married in 11 days and the first of the family is here. Laurie and her kids arrived in Dallas over the weekend, and then arrived in Houston last night. The kids are having a ball - Allie and Jonah are like two peas in a pod. Of course Hannah and Kelsey (and Sophie) have been hanging out and being the teenagers (or pre teens) they are! It should be a fun couple of weeks.

I will get some pictures and post later!

I'm Done

It was good (Harry Potter of course). I won't say anymore to give anything away. Worth the read for sure.

Happy Monday!

Do You Believe In Miracles?

Here is one for you.

Wednesday morning, I got up, took a shower, actually did my hair (no, that is not the miracle), did some work, took Ryan to Driver's Ed, went to Costco, came home and unloaded, picked Ryan up and took Kelsey and Caroline to Justice to look for first day of school outfit and some shorts my niece Hannah needed. (this was by noon BTW).

So, we are working our way through Justice, trying to get Caroline away from the toys and look at clothes, and I look down and my wedding ring is gone. Now, it is my routine to take my ring off at night and loop in on my watch band. Each morning I put the two on. But, I was doing alot that morning and I thought, who knows. I am sure it is at home.

I called Ryan at home to see if it is on my dresser. Nope. I put it out of my mind, because I am sure it is just been misplaced somewhere. I come home and rip apart my room. No ring. I get all the kids to help me. No ring. We say a prayer. No ring.

I keep thinking, I know it is irrational, but did it fall off at Costco? I have had the ring for 19 years and it has never just fallen off somewhere, but who knows. Caroline and I go back to Costo, get on our hands and knees and search. (BTW - Costco floors really clean). No ring. I ask if someone had turned it in. No.

At this point I am sick. Where could it be? How could it be gone? I try and push it to the back of my mind, but it keeps popping up. I keep looking. No ring.

Eric and I were going out on Saturday - my night to eat whatever during the week. Before we left I was talking to Kelsey about the ring. I was thinking out loud that we should call Justice and see if it is there. Maybe that is why I noticed it at Justice because it had fallen off. Well, another day. Eric and I head out.

I get home, and I am settled down with my friend Harry Potter, I am about 1/2 way done, and the phone rings. It is Justice. Kelsey had called while I was gone to say I was looking for a lost wedding ring. Just then, 9:30 PM whe they were sweeping up, they found it!

Can you believe it? I lost it on Wednedsay, and it was not found until Saturday after Kelsey called. It was on the floor of Justice the whole time! I got the ring, and thanked them profusely. Came home and thanked Kelsey - our hero.

The best part of the story? Kelsey's YW advisor (or SS teacher) Sis Grover had given them a lesson on Sunday and asked them to pray and see if Heavenly Father is really there. She had been praying, and felt after we went out she needed to call Justice. This is an answer to her prayer - HF is there and listens.

So, I am grateful for kids who listen to the spirit and people who teach my children to have faith and ask questions. It was worth the frustration for me in losing my ring to have Kelsey walk away with a knowledge that her HF listens to her and knows what she needs. Oh, and I am grateful I found my ring!

Off to finish Harry Potter (you have to say that with an English accent you know). Happy Sunday.

It's Here!!!

We are a Harry Potter Family. It is true. Ryan read the first few books, and tried to get me to read them, and I thought, "Why would I read a children's book?" Then, for book club once we read 1 and 2. I was hooked.

So, now we have number seven - the last installment. I am not crazy enough to have gone out last night at 12:01 am to get it. After my workout this morning, I headed to Wally World and there they were. I know getting two is a bit... overkill. But here is the deal. I don't want to share. We have three people here who are ready to read, and I don't want to wait. Selfish, yes. I don't care. We can always donate one of the copies to the library when we are done. They like that kind of thing.

So, if you need me today I will be curled up with Harry and hoping beyond hope it is Voldemort who dies and not Harry. I don't think I will forgive JK for killing Dumbledore (and I am hoping he comes back alive in this one). But, if she kills Harry... It will be worse than Bambi's mom.

Happy Reading!!

What's A Mom To Do?

Kelsey has a new hobby. It is really an old hobby, but she has been hitting it hard lately. She loves to hussy up my little babies, and take their picture, do a fashion show, and turn them into little "divas".

She asked me for a little 1/2 inch diameter curling iron. It seems in CO, she decided she likes the curled look. She has been curling everyone's hair including the neighbor children who come to play. I had to put my foot down when the little brother of one of the twins friend wanted his hair curled. I am guessing that would not go over well at home.

So, while I don't like the Jon Benet type pics, I guess I can be happy everyone is getting along and the babies are happy. Just one request. Next time wash Caroline's face first!

(Do you love the lipgloss pic? I am not sure we are going to be prepared for that one in her teen years)

I ran FOUR miles!

OK - in the last seven months the most I have been able to eek out is 3 - and that is with some serious walking along the way. But, this morning I went out with Eric and one of his running groups (which today consisted of two other "coaches" and me) and I made it four miles. The guys were nice enough to stay with me - I am sure they wanted to go out and jump ahead, but the didn't. And BTW - the only reason Eric stayed with me was those two guys.

I think starting up with the Champions group has motivated me. I really like the Champions Fit group. Last week we had 190 runners (and some joggers like me) and you get a real enthusiasm by running with them. Eric is also "coaching" the green Champions group. This is the really fast people who know what they are doing. I am in the blue group - those who want to run the 1/2 marathon. Some of us are brand new. Some have run before. All need help to keep motivated.

So, if you are looking for some running motivation join us at the YMCA on Saturday at 7:00 am. It is quite the scene. Maybe you too can get motivated!

Some Pearson Family Fun

Over the weekend we had lots of Pearson Family fun. Friday night Bart and Amy came to stay with us in preparation of the trip to Athens to Aunt Karen's Farm. I suppose it is Uncle Steve's Farm as well, but to my kids it is Aunt Karen's Farm.

The kids had fun playing with their cousins, and then had to go to bed early for the trek to Athens. It took us about three hours. Once there it was fun, fun, fun all day. Karen and Steve have a new pool, and the little ones swam in the pool all day. Aunt Vickie offered to watch the little girls so Eric, Ryan, Sophie and I could go out to the lake on the boats.

We had a blast - tubing, wake boarding, and enjoying the FIRST day with no rain in a long time. Sophie came so close to getting up on the wake board. If we had more time I am sure she would have.

We had to turn around and come home that night so Eric could go to work on Sunday, so it was a long day - but it was fun! We do not always get to see all the members of Eric's family very often now that everyone is living all over the US. It is nice to come together, and the farm is a great place to gather. Thanks Karen!

Why I Feel Stressed All The Time

This morning was a perfect example of why I feel like I am at the end of my rope all the time.

Ryan and Kelsey had a dentist appointment, because they were not here when the other three went and since I had forgotten when the other three were going, it was not good. I was lucky to get them in.

I also had a conference call with a library board president in which I had to answer questions, and try and close the business. At the same time.

Oh and all this needed to be done in one hour so I could get Ryan to driver's ed on time.

I am flexible. I sent the kids in to the dentist, and waited for the call. While I was on the phone, Ryan came back down. Why you ask? The dentist office needed my signature before they could start. The clock was ticking down... I finish up as soon as I can, run upstairs and sign the documents, and step into the hall to call the office so I can get the contract started. (yes we did get the business) While on the phone with the office, Ryan comes out with another question - do we want x-rays to look at wisdom teeth?

Now, while works knows I have five kids and I am trying to work around them, I don't think they know the extent to which I am multi-tasking. So, while trying to cover the phone, I tell Ryan yes, get back to contract stuff, and get off the phone just in time to have the dentist come and check Kelsey.

We finish up at the dentist, check out and I have three minutes to get Ryan to driver's ed. He can be up to ten minutes late and still count the class as good, so I demonstrate BAD driving skills to get him there.

I then need to go home, do some email for said contract, go to Costco and get food, all before I am due back to pick up Ryan at 12:00.

See a theme? I am losing my mind here folks! And Eric wonders why I can't be better about monitoring how much soda the kids are drinking each day. Are you kidding me? I am glad if everyone is alive and kicking at the end of each day!

All I can say is good thing I am a woman because there is NO WAY a man could do this much multi-tasking... (hence the Rosie picture)

Uncle Steven, The Permit and Finally a Slurper

OK - I took some pictures, and I don't know what happened. I thought they were loaded on the computer, but no. When I downloaded the photos from Aunt Karen's Farm, post to follow, the photos were gone.

So, you will just have to use your imagination to picture Uncle Steven playing with kids. It was fun to have him here for a few days. He and Ryan went and stayed in the "bachelor pad" of Uncle Mark on Wednesday night. They were front and center for the big fireworks. Ryan had fun with "the guys".

Momentous occasion. Ryan passed the test and got his permit (I even made him pose for an embarrasing picure in front of the DPS building, but it is gone). He can now start some behind the wheel, but we need to hit a parking lot first so he can get a feel for the big car.

For those who think I am getting soft because we have no Eagle Project done I say, "This is just a permit." There will be NO license until the project is done. Since all the merit badges were done, we are letting him get the permit.

And finally, I found a service that will slurp blogger. Most of the commercial slurpers out there would not work on blogger. But, thanks to Stacey, I now have loaded blurb booksmart and it seems to work. The act of getting your blog ready for print is not as easy as I would have liked. You still need to go in and mess with layouts, etc. But it will work, and after I get the book I will comment on the quality. For more info go to http://www.blurb.com/.

I am now late for church - gotta run. No one is showered, and church starts in one hour!!

I Miss Kelsey

Kelsey has been in Colorado for a week now, and I really miss her. She was gone to camp, came home and then I left for ALA. I came home, and she left the next day. So, all in all, it has been about three weeks since I have really been around her!

She comes home on Monday. We miss you Kels!

Happy Birthday Crazy Uncle Patrick

Oh how time flies. Patrick was born the summer before my senior year of high school. He was huge - 11 pounds or something. He was a bit trying as a little one. He would strip naked in his crib, poop, and then play in it. We had to safety pin his PJ's together many times. I am sure he would love me telling the world that story.

From a crazy boy, he has turned into a wonderful crazy big boy. Even though Patrick deemed himself Crazy Uncle Patrick, it stuck, and that is his name. (he said he was just preparing us for when he returns from Iraq and is a little looney toons).

So my dear little brother, Happy Birthday.

Crazy Uncle Patrick and Rich Uncle Mark

We were blessed to have a visit from two of our favorite uncles on Sunday. Patrick and his girlfriend Quinn were in town for a visit and they came to the funny farm - Oh I mean the Pearson House. Uncle Mark also conceded a visit to the suburbs to see the crew. It is hard to leave the lovliness of "downtown" for the throw down burbs, but he will do it every so often.

The minute Mark walked in, he was attacked by Allie and Caroline. (I did not get a pic of that). They love him. He throws the up in the air and will wrestle with them. Once Caroline wanted him to play with her. He asked her what she would give him. She looked around, and said, "that boat over there." She gave away one of our display type knick knacks. So now, it is Uncle Markie's Boat.

When Patrick and Quinn arrived it was pretty much the same thing. I took the pic as he was leaving. You can see Allie did NOT want him to go.

We had a good meal, played some bones, dominoes, and had fun. (we even got an extra visit from Erica and Hyrum and they brought brownies. I of course did not provide a great dessert. If I can't have it, I am not making it. Is that wrong?) I hope we did not scare Quinn too much. We are quite a crew.

It was a fun evening. I don't know if two 20 something men, can I refer to my brothers as men, appreciate how much the Pearson Girls love them. But, thanks for putting up with it!