Things that go bump in the night--

or, in this case- they eat small children and kick butt!

1) Baylie has lost her amazing appetite. Right now she is just eating like a normal person, and this seems to really bothering Jayce. He had a nightmare that Baylie ate all of his toys and she still was not full so she began eating him. She started with his feet-- Yuck! But he was visibly shaken by the whole thing- so I hope when Bay gets her appetite back, she craves normal food- not in the form of humans!

2) My sweet, precious sister is having some rough times! I am one of those family members that believes that if I worry and stress enough over everything- it will somehow make everything better.
Generally speaking, I do not handle stress very well. (I can't believe I just admitted that.) In particularly hard times I have been known to get a very stiff, sore neck which is always accompanied by a migraine and some serious vomiting. That's just the way I roll! But as I get older I have tried to worry less, laugh more- and sometimes it works.
Back to my sweet, precious sister. (Someone) is hurting her, badly! So I took matters into my own hands (or into my own dreams:) and I kicked (someones) butt! I hope he is in as much pain as I am in! Its been nearly a week since I had that stupid dream and I still have terrible back pain!

My battle with PANTYHOSE!

And this time- I think I won!
I have owned pantyhose in the past. Sure its been a few years, but I've tried them all- the Sheer To Waist, Control Top, Ultimate Control Top, No Nonsense- in beige, black, off white, white, nude, suntan.
I abandoned them a few years back. I just got tired of the expense of replacing them. In the winter I wear my boots with my knee highs and in the summer I wear (GASP) my own skin! I had not really spent a lot of time stressing over this until recently when the subject came up in a Presidency Meeting.
The R.S. handbook does not state that we must wear pantyhose to church. Some cultures and countries don't even know what pantyhose are. The women that I am serving with in the Stake Relief Society seemed to feel that it is a complete disgrace that women do not wear them to church. I was speechless! I don't wear them. Am a wicked person because I don't love pantyhose? It really got me thinking about how I dress. The next day I stopped and bought a pair of pantyhose on my way home from work. I didn't love that these women that I adore would think less of me because I don't wear the silly things! I was determined to wear them to our Leadership Meeting- just so they could see that I am a good lady.
I put them on- I took them off- I cried- I put them on again- I really dislike them- I took them off- I did not wear them to the meeting! Couldn't do it!
Maybe they noticed- maybe they didn't.
But what I learned that night is that I care way too much about what other people think! Period! I do!
But should I care so much about what others think of me that I will change who I am?

In the end I guess I am just not ready to change me!
I am not a pantyhose wearer!
Pantyhose will not make me love and care for my family, friends and ward members any more than I already do!
Pantyhose will not change my testimony of my Savior, or my love for the scriptures. Pantyhose will not make my prayers more sincere.
I am okay without them!

Smash and Grab!

That's what they call it when someone smashes in your window on your car and grabs your purse! Interesting that they have a name for this- like its an everyday occurrence. The police officer was completely calm about the entire incident, as if it was no big deal that someone now has my credit cards, debit cards, drivers license and social security card. He didn't bat an eyelash when I complained that they had my temple recommend, my favorite lip gloss and the bag of beads that I had just purchased the night before- not to mention my hand lotion and the bag of change that would have bought me a diet coke- and my cute little bag stuffed full of......stuff. Not to mention the two un-cashed pay checks and the $15 bucks cash....... and that purse- I never purse shop- ever! I finally broke down at Christmas time and bought me a cute silver bag with a little bling- spent like twenty bucks on that thing- and now some punk teenager gang dude is probably strutting around with my cute purse on his shoulder. GRRR! The officer seemed to be shocked that the Smash and Grabber didn't take my scriptures and my church bag. He kept asking me "Now why do you think they left these two bags?" Sir- I am thinking the Smash and Grabber was not all that interested in the church stuff- and must not of wanted to educated himself either, since he left Baylie's Algebra book- Oh well. Enjoy my cute purse. I found a bargain bag for $3.80 at Shopko- It suits me just fine. Got myself a new window in the car, some new lip gloss. Life is good!

Martin Luther King

"Mom, Mrs. Birch told us that Martin Luther King was assassinated.
Why would she lie to us?"

I explain that she was telling them the truth- he was really assassinated.

"Doesn't that mean he was killed- so he is dead?"

Yes Jayce- it was a long time ago and he is dead.

"Well, now I think your lying because I just saw him walking down the street with a missionary."

Hallelujah! Martin Luther King has returned from the dead and is serving his mission right here in Murray!- Good grief!

It's a BOX!

Valentine's Day finally crept closer and closer- so late Saturday I set my mind to doing the thing that i had put off for at least a month- decorate Jayce's Valentine Box.
It's not that its a terrible project- its really just that I didn't want to drag the junk out and do it.
As we talked about it on Friday (I was working myself up for the FUN!) Jayce said "Don't worry mom, I already know that I need a shoe basket to make the valentine basket."
Its a BOX Jayce-a shoe BOX. It will be a valentine BOX. Only, of course you know that wasn't the end of that conversation- the difference between baskets and boxes can go on and on and on.
And into the next day-- jeez, kid. Its a BOX already!
We finally decided on a rocket for the the valentine basket (I gave up) and it turned out to be a very nice looking rocket!
So Sunday as we are talking about getting the Valentine Basket to school with limited damage- he says to Ross- "Dad. You should probably just leave early in the morning because me and mom already know how to handle the Valentine Case. We don't want you to break it."
Oh, so now its a Valentine Case? What happened to the basket? Really?
At the end of the day I guess I just cant get worked up over the small stuff. I can, however, get a very big head ache. Do you have any idea how long I listened to the chatter about boxes and baskets? GRRRR!

Hi Mrs Fowlks,

This is Principle Dean over at the elementary. I am just calling to let you know that i had Jayce here in my office today for a little chat. It seem that he took his potato chips from lunch with him to his library time and proceeded to crush them onto the carpet. I had him go to the library and apologize to Mrs. Campbell. He then had another moment, when he was asked to put something away during class, he yelled out at Mrs Van, telling her that he was going to put it away, but not with a very kind voice. He spent his first recess today on the bench outside. Like I said, we had a great chat and I think he will do better next week."
Funny thing is that when I asked Jayce about this his story was completely identical to Mr. Deans- little stink!

The CHAOS that clutters my mind....

I began a temporary "Seasonal" job in late November, just to help out with Christmas. Its not so bad- just busy. I miss my gym time every day. I miss having the luxury of eating when I am hungry or having a nice cold Diet Coke when I am thirsty. I miss having a clean house- although I must say that Ross is helping out a lot (could have something to do with the melt down I had the other day)- whatever the reason, I am grateful for his help.
To be completely honest- my mind is constantly cluttered with thoughts of "what I missed today because I was working" Like taking Jayce to piano lessons- the first week we left that job to dad he totally forgot about it- the boys went to the office instead. And then there is picking him up from school- sweet Baylies Futsal games- making dinner every night, kissing them goodnight when they are still awake, long talks with someone that I love, bath time, movie night, homework.
I am missing out on all of it.
Will they someday hate me and live miserable lives because I left piano up to dad, or because dad picks them up from school (I get to drop them off, but still, shouldn't I get to pick them up too?) And I live for futsal, soccer, all of that! Will she forgive me for missing a game? Will she feel like I was never there for her? And dinner wise- sure, Ross may be a better cook than I am but still, shouldn't I be here to supervise? I love homework time! I love our little talks. I love being with my family! Will they forgive me for missing 3 PTA meetings in a row? Not to mention Community Council Meetings- and Power Hour- Oh the list goes on and on and on!
Well, I am glad I got all of that off my chest! I feel a little better. Now- if I can just get through tomorrow! Sweet Kelcey is having a baby soon and the Fowlks/ward baby shower is all planned to happen at my place- problem is- I wont be here! Have to work of course! Thankfully Whitney and Amy and Kelcey's mother-in-law are stepping in to pull it off. Still, it stinks! I should be here! BOOOO HOOOOOO!