Playing grown-up

Today, I was washing the dishes (again... sign me up for the kind that wash themselves, eh?) and as I put the clean ones away, I began seeing what is in my cupboards. (Probably this post or maybe this one got me thinking about it) As I surveyed all that I had and I started thinking,

Holy cow. I have as much stuff as my mom. (or just about)

And for some reason, I thought

I guess I'm not just playing grown up.

Do you ever think that? That we're all just pretending to be grown ups, parents, responsible adults? I've been married 6 years, a mother for almost 4 (can you believe it?? Lainey's 4 in November), and away from home for going on 8 years. I look at my car, and think,

I drive a minivan. Only grown ups with multiple children drive minivans.

And I sit down to pay bills and I think

Only grown ups have bills to pay. I have to pay for the utilities I use? I thought water was free.

Lainey and Brady get hungry and I think

I'm suppose to feed them? Really? Not only do I have to feed myself, but I gotta feed them?

And I watch Lainey get frustrated and I think

I have to teach her patience? But I don't have it. How am I suppose to teach her to have it?

And if I let the grown up stuff get to me, I realize that the magnitude is far reaching, even eternal. And its overwhelming, right? I'm not the only one, right? And then, I do something so un-grown up like.

I make googly eyed monsters with play dough.

I have tickle fights with the cutest little boy.

I paint stick figures and shapes with watercolors.

I play Barbies for the tenth time that day.

I have entire conversations uttering sentences that are mostly syllables and impossible to understand.

I giggle at the dinosaur nuggets fighting an epic battle on my lunch plate.

I watch Disney movies that make me happy!

I swing the highest at the park.

I race the car shopping cart at the grocery store and eat the free cookies.

And then I think, Maybe I'm not so grown up after all. I mean, does a grown up do that stuff? I don't think so.

Read all about it!

Are you looking for a good book? One with intrigue, deception, romance, and some exceptional violence? I've got one for you. The Old Testament. I just started going to our stake's Adult Education class and we're reading the Old Testament. This year has been the year of discovering the novel-ness of our scriptures for me. Maybe this isn't a new concept for you, but I was amazed as I read through Mosiah earlier this year how the story takes off, off the pages and develops into this tale of escape, survival, plotting, and, of course, good versus evil. And then I started the OT and, boy, the literary escapist in me has NOT been disappointed. A little slow, but not disappointed. There is some serious plotting and scheming, and, one thing I forget until I read Genesis again, love. A great example, Genesis 29:20:

"And Jacob served seven years for Rachel; and they seemed unto him

but a few days, for the love he had to her."

Collective aahh, right girls? I love the last line in this one, Genesis 24:67:

"And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent....and he loved her:

and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death."

I've really enjoyed filling 'my cup' once a week without distraction. I can be heard at church many Sundays, handing Brady to Tyler while saying, "Take him, I need my cup filled!" and walking into Sunday School. (Brady only has 6 or 7 weeks till Nursery, yeah!!!) The 1st counselor in the bishopric heard me once and laughed. I've always wondered why. I once had a sister ask me if I really did enjoy Relief Society lessons and I was shocked. My immediate reply was, "Yes, I really do. I almost always get something out of it or at least feel the spirit." Now, in our ward we have the best teachers I've ever had in Relief Society, but she wanted to know how I could actually enjoy RS. I told her I go prepared when I can (read the lesson material) and I go needing to feel the spirit. I'm not more righteous than anyone, if anything I'm playing catch up on time wasted not being gospel oriented, but I love going to church, usually.

What about you?

How do you get the most out of Sunday lessons?

And what do you do to fill 'your cup' when church with kids is too difficult?

(And how excited are we for the RS Broadcast on Saturday??)

I miss him!

I do. I've slept next to him every night this week. I've even talked to him briefly. I see him every morning, but I still miss my husband! We've hardly spent any time together this week between church meetings and other random things. Even though I've seen him, I haven't got to hang out with him all week. I want some quality time!!! AAAGGGGHHHH!

Random thoughts...

While Lainey was at preschool this morning, Brady had his first haircut! Daddy was very upset that I snuck off and snipped his golden locks. He preferred the messy, long, ratty hair he had been styling before. Here he is getting all spiffed up:

Can you see how LONG that hair is? Someone told me it looked like he had a comb-over. I knew it was finally time for action. His curls are gone, but then again, they were mostly a figment of my overactive imagination anyways. This is the best after shot that I got. Sorry.

It really is much cuter than this picture, I'll have to do better tomorrow.

Other random thoughts:

• Our little neighbor friend showed Lainey how to unlatch the gate in the backyard this afternoon. If anyone is wondering why this would worry me, please click here.
• If you need a good laugh, I can almost guarantee one here. I was having difficulty breathing I was laughing so hard.
• For all of those who read this book, I have to say, NOT my favorite of his. All I'm gonna say is there better be a sequel. It just can't end this way.
• And for some sympathy, I just want you all to know that I know what its like to feed 5 children on my own. Two three year olds, one autistic two year old, and two just over 12 month olds (two of said children were of course my own). I babysit for a friend, and this week I had to feed them dinner three times. Luckily, it was unusual circumstances that led to this predicament, circumstances which hopefully will not be recurring any time soon. Tyler, fortunately for him, was working late 2 of the 3 days. I spoon fed 4 of the 5 kids. I've had a long week.

And now I stumble to my bed awaiting a calm night of blissful sleep. We'll see if I get it...

Wahoo!

So I don't know how many of you have seen this movie:





But I love when Tim Robbins asks Meg Ryan, "When was the last time you went 'Wahoo!'?"


My friends, that would be yesterday! This little girl had her first day of preschool! WAHOO!

It was a glorious 2 and a half hours. I even mentioned to my piano teacher while Lainey was at preschool that it was so nice not to have kids to worry about. Then I remembered Brady, who happen to be on my hip... whoops.

And I can't tell you how excited I am to watch Lainey learn new things. This morning she informed me that right now is the year 2007. I never would have thought to teach her about that!

So WAHOO for preschool!

WAHOO for semi-free time!

Now, I'm wondering...
When was the last time you went'Wahoo!'?

If only life were an Austen novel...

Take the Quiz here!

I was really hoping to be my personal fav, the lovely Elizabeth Bennet, but I'll take Elinor any day! Which heroine are you, my friend?

Lainey said...

Daddy: Hey Lainey, is Mommy going to come push you on the swings?
Lainey: No. She said just a minute.