My Mind

I don't really know what to blog about, but I feel the need to do it anyway in order to sort out some of my thoughts. Do you ever go through periods of time when you just feel blah? I've been feeling blah on and off for a couple of months now. The worst part is that I have no idea why! I should be happy. My life is great. But for some reason, I'm malcontent and I just don't feel like myself. This isn't to say that I never feel enjoyment, it's just that my thoughts seem to lean toward things I wish were different in my life, the lives of my friends and family, and the world. I'm sure it's my fault. I just need to snap out of it and be happy for all the blessings I am given. There are so many of them! One of the areas I have been struggling with is feeling my own worth. I look at all these amazing women around me that do home-based businesses or are super creative and crafty and are constantly making things to bless their families, or they are super moms and get their kids involved in classes and help them to develop in those ways, or who get out there and exercise and take care of themselves. I often wonder "What's wrong with me?" These women are in the same situation as I am and yet they seem to achieve so much more! If they can do it, I can do it, right? I know it's wrong to compare, but I'd really like to change myself and be more productive in doing the things that I dream to do. The other area that I've been blah about is just a general boredom. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty to do! It just gets boring to always be doing dishes, vacuuming, laundry, floors, bathrooms, cleaning up poop off Jades panties, and picking up after people. I don't do all these things alone, of course, but I am responsible for the majority of it. And it's NEVER done! By the time I'm done with one thing, the other things look awful again. Part of me feels like I would be much happier if I were a career woman... being appreciated, needed and doing something I'm good at, but I remember how wonderful it was to have a mother who was home for me, and it's the best gift I could possibly give to my children. So, basically, it's like I'm not super happy and consciously I know I should be. In my mind I know that I am in a situation that many people only dream about, but for some reason I'm not fulfilled. If you are reading this still, I apologize for such a downer blog and ask you not to worry. I'm sure if I work harder things will right themselves. In the meantime, it's nice to be able to just share these thoughts so they aren't sitting around taking up space in my mind.

My Computer is... Special

r .koobecaF ot sotohp gnidaolpu retfa resworb enilno na ni epyt ot yrt I nehw seod retupmoc ym tahwh si siht nosa emos roF

Allow me to translate:

"For some reason, this is what my computer does when I try to type in an online browser after uploading photos to Facebook."

It seriously happens every time. It's very mysterious and odd. It recovers when I restart Windows. I think my computer is... special.

Together

The wedding of Diana a Aaron was beautiful. It's good to see them sealed together forever. Ever since they got engaged and I got to know Aaron, I've thought that they complement each other very well. The events on Friday were really nice, although I have to admit that the kids were not holding up very well. They were both grouchy which resulted in Braden being rebellious and Jade being fragile. Also a well-meaning aunt at the luncheon stuffed Jade so full of cheesecake (she gave her two adult servings) that she promptly puked all over the place as we were leaving. The day was anything but dull. It made me wonder how old the kids have to be to happily endure a day of activities, photos, and fancy clothes. Maybe by the time Jennifer gets married they will be cooperative. Some of the beautiful parts of the day included the sealing, time spent with cousins, and getting to know Aaron's mother and sisters. They were a big help in putting the reception together and tying all the loose ends. It turned out very beautiful thanks to everyone's combined efforts. I wish the happy couple luck as they continue to move ahead in their life together.

Not to highlight the bad, I just had to put these two pictures on because it shows the kids "wedding dispositions" very well. This is Braden shouting "No more pictures!"

This is Jade trying not to burst into tears because she was "firsty" (thirsty)

Really Special Day

Last night around 11:30PM I got the news that my little sister was in labor. It was very unexpected and very welcomed news for me as her due date wasn't until the 27th. I was honored to be able to be there for about half of the labor and for the delivery. Special thanks goes to Spencer for taking a day with our kids. Baby Shea Adele Osborn was born at 10:36AM today and weighed 6 pounds and 15 ounces. She was 19.7 inches long. She has a full head of dark brown hair and cute chubby cheeks and little girlish lips. Her eyes don't really have a color yet, but I'm guessing they'll go blueish. She is a very sweet little thing. Not super demanding... so far, quite mild and not a loud crier. This all could change, of course, but for now she's perfect. This was a really special time for Darin and Chelsea as Shea is their first. They are going to be wonderful parents. I can't wait to see Shea growing up while also watching her mom and dad grow too. Families are wonderful inventions. As for me, I can't even describe how amazing it was to watch Shea's birth. The only births I've been present for have been my own two children which is obviously quite different. It's also a very cool feeling to be an aunt and I feel so much love for Shea already, a phenomenon I consider to be amazing since I don't instantly fall in love with most babies. I hope that I am a good aunt and that I am a good influence and good friend to Shea through her life. It's been a really special day.

Rest and Relaxation

Hello, my friends. Last weekend was a special treat for us. Spencer met the requirements to be considered a "top performer" at work and as such was invited to a summit. He was put up in a resort for two nights and the kids and I were invited to stay with him! We had a lot of fun. Even though we were still in the Phoenix metro area, it felt like we were on vacation. I just spent time with the kids all day while Spencer was in conferences and such. Thanks to a couple I photographed a while back, I didn't have to spend much money on the weekend... I just used my Visa gift card they had given me. It made it all the more enjoyable to know that as a family we were actually making money on a vacation (since Spencer was getting paid). So, what did I do? Well, on Thursday we took a shuttle to AZ Mills mall and did some shopping. I found an awesome rash guard for Braden that matches both of his swim trunks. Jade got a new skirt that is fabulous and some new white church shoes (that aren't from a thrift store!), and they both got some clearance slippers that Braden loved to wear around the hotel. We also stopped by Rain Forest Cafe and the kids enjoyed looking at all of the robotic animals and the large aquariums they have there. We wanted to eat there, but it was going to take more time than we had to get back for the shuttle. Instead, I bought them a couple coloring books to use during down times in the hotel. Ironically, the books were less than $2 for two of them, but the crayons cost like $6! We used hotel pens to color with ;) On Friday, I rented a movie for the kids to watch in the morning and then we went to the water park at the resort with Spencer during his 2 hour lunch break. It was pretty fun, but the kids didn't last in the water as long as I expected. Braden got really cold and all he wanted to do was go home. Jade is our little water baby and she did better, but they were both pretty done with it after an hour or so. It worked out since Spencer had to be back for more meetings. After we warmed up in the hotel room, I took the kids to IKEA and grabbed a few things there. Then we met Spencer at Tumbleweed park for a little power kiting and playground time. That evening, the kids stayed the night with the Lilly's so that I could attend the end-of-the-weekend party with Spencer that night. It was Mardi Gras themed, so there was a lot of gambling (with UOP bucks) and such. It was kinda fun, and also educational. I think you'd have to be crazy to think that you could make any money gambling. It was very clear that the odds were in the houses favor. There was also karaoke which was entertaining. Mostly it was just fun to be with Spencer. It was also enjoyable to sleep in, lazily check out, and get breakfast together. I was informed that the kids woke up around 4:30AM... sorry. Anyway, it was a good weekend and I'm glad we didn't have to drive far from home to experience a little rest and relaxation.

Playing in the room.

Braden was glad that the beds were spaced perfectly apart to do amazing tricks

On the balcony... ready to swim.

Paddle paddle paddle

The fossil dig at Tumbleweed Park

Spencer power kiting

Mardi Gras party decorations