Young Women Camp 09 Song!!

This is a slide show of Relief Society activities but our Young Women sang this today in Sacrament Meeting. The song is so beautiful but what made it even more beautiful was seeing so many young girls with such a sweet, unified voice, filling the chapel. I can't believe Whitley is fourteen!

I totally hate her

If you've ever wondered about how Pdub is coming along with his speech therapy, this gives you a pretty good idea.

Since we had company, Max and I gave our bedroom up and took over the boys' room. We moved Truman's crib in there and shared the full size bed. There is a twin bed over us and one of the boys would end up sleeping on the couch or on a palette on the floor. Unfortunately, we would end up with Truman AND Porter crammed into the bed with us each morning. That is a entirely different story.

Porter had got in trouble for acting up. He had made a mess and worse, his attitude was more than I could handle. I sent him to his room to give him a good talking to. I was upset, he was upset, and we had guests. I was getting frustrated and asked Max to come in and follow through with the consequences. I was so irritated and when I left the room, Max was sitting next to him with Porter resting his foot up on his other knee. He looked like this tiny adult. I turned and left and got down to the landing in the stairwell. Porter leaned forward watching as I left. Once I was out of earshot, he rolled his eyes, looked at Max and said with disgust, "I totally hate her. She needs to get outta here. She needs to find another place to stay. You can stay in here, because you're pretty nice. But, Mom needs to get out. I don't want her sleeping in my room."

I have no idea how Max was able to keep a straight face. When he came downstairs to tell us all what had happened, I couldn't stop laughing. Pdub is doing an amazing job at expressing himself. I LOVE IT!! Everything he feels is coming out in such typical ways. He is such an amazing kid.

Winter Vacation

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Hiking...I mean shuffling...up the mountain!

The sign at the falls that reminds us how far we have to walk.

It was so beautiful too!

Porter's expression is awesome. "What!!! You're tired?!!"

Before this visit, Payton had asked if we could take Janet & Don on a hike. I know what they do have an abundance of in Texas (horrid heat) and what they lack (MOUNTAINS.) I tried explaining to Payton that it wasn't going to be a good idea. Considering their ages, agility, and the fact that they DON'T hike, I didn't think it should even be attempted.

If you don't know Payton, understand this; No one tells Payton what he can and can't do. It's just not possible. Reverse psychology works, but because of his amazing memory, be aware that you'll probably contradict yourself at some point. I've always wondered where his stubbornness comes from. I think I found the source!!

After trying to convince him a hike was not a good idea and telling Janet that we didn't need to go, I was still going to lose this argument. I was relentless with the teasing. Janet thought that hiking to the Timp caves proved that she could handle this hike today. What she failed to recognize is that she hiked the Timp trail 19 years ago. I'm sorry, but you can't put that on your resume anymore.

So without any preparatory exercising or stretching, we headed off to Sundance to hike to Stewart Falls today. I clarified that this would be a LEISURE hike with lots of stopping and resting. Only once did I take some outta-towners on a hike and just about killed 'em. I wasn't about to make that mistake again. Payton didn't know exactly what that meant as he and Porter kept darting off ahead of us. I didn't count how many times we stopped but as we approached the falls, we were watching Janet & Don take steps that were about 5 inches in their stride. I know that they are going to be in pain tomorrow. It was hard and I was feeling worse after each painful step.

There were so many times I kept telling them we needed to head back. OH NO!!! "I never get to see my grandson and he wants me to go hiking with him!" is all I'd hear from her. Max would joke that this might be the last time he sees her at all because she'll end up having a heart attack from the strenuous climb.

Well, I was surprised that we made it. It took a couple of hours to make the three mile trek. It'll take lots of ibuprofen and icy hot to recover too. I'm still not sure if this was to prove a point, lay claim to great stamina, or cutting ones nose off to spike ones face. Either way, I think it was a great learning experience for everyone.

SEE MORE PICTURES!!!

I don't have THAT much gray hair

I was pulling away from the convenience store and had Payton ask me a question. He had been watching a teenager walking alongside his bicycle. The tire had gone flat and he didn't have a way to pump up the tire. We were in a hurry to get home and as we're leaving, Payton said, "He's just like you were Mom." He's referring to the time I lived on my bicycle. Loved it, totally miss it, and I WILL take it up again this year....after I find a good training bike.

A short pause after his comment (he's thinking) then prompted the question, "Were there cars?" I chuckled and asked, "Do you mean to ask if cars existed or if my family owned a car?" He looked at me oddly and said, "Both."

Do we all do this as children? I mean, think our parents are as old as time. All I could do is laugh. He's such a bright boy so I wonder what his train of thought must be like. My only solace is knowing that even Einstein had these moments ;)