Quoteable Quote

I was reading a short book my Mother in Law gave me for Mother's Day. It's called Women of Light by Jack R. Christianson. There are lots of great quotes and stories in it. I would recommend reading it as it's only about 25 pages. The following is an amazing quote in the book:

"I don't want to drive up the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully tailored clothes, with my hair expertly coiled, and with long perfectly manicured nails. I want to drive up to the pearly gates in a station wagon {or minivan!} that has Boy Scout equipment in the back seat. I want there to be grass stains on my shoes from mowing Mrs. Schneck's lawn. I want there to be a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbor's children. I want there to be dirt under my fingernails from helping 4-Hers plant a garden. I want there to be children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want God to know that I was really here and that I really lived."

I write this as I forewent putting on makeup and doing my hair so I could talk to a friend before going on a lunch date with Steve and my children have black dirt under their fingernails. There's something to be said for putting others' needs before our own. It just feels good!

Another Hale Favorite

My neighbor just loaned me the last Bayern book by Shannon Hale called, River Secrets. Another page turner! I can't wait for the last book to come out about Razo's sister. Does anyone know when it comes out? I haven't read, Rapunzel's Ravenge written by Hale and her husband yet, but I would like to. It's on my request list at the library. Has anyone else read it? What did you think?

Lambert v. Allen

I was pleasantly surprised last night when Chris won American Idol! I was getting a little creeped out by Adam the last couple weeks. I love it when the underdog wins too! Chris genuinely looked surprised himself. I bet all the 6 year olds that are in love with him are happy too. Did the fact that his fans are so young stun any of you like it did me?

I liked the whole show last night. It was a good finale except for those obnoxious boots the band "KISS" was wearing. Adam included... they gave me a good laugh.



This was the best picture I could find, but those 12 inch platform boots were stylin'. I wish I had some. Kiss scares me, talk about creepy!

Dance Recital 2009

My girls just had their annual dance recital. It was so fun to see them improve from last year and they did a great job, even in front of all those people which is a daunting task for my shy kids. It was a grueling day of makeup, fixing hair twice and chaperoning to and fro from event to event. Here's a photo of the both of them. Yes, those are Little Adventures dress ups. Their teacher, Miss Kim bought them independently and then found out later that I sell them!

AustenLand

I know reviews have been less than kind with this book. But, I am a huge Shannon Hale fan and have read all of her books. I actually liked this one and thought it was interesting. However, I found it to be quite unrealistic compared to her other books (funny that I can say that about fantasy books starring teens with special powers) and felt like it was slightly disjointed. It still was a fun read. I was actually pulling for the gardener!

Elaines French Bakery

My sister in law told me about a bakery by her house that is really great. I really can't pass up a good bakery, so I went to check it out. I had an excuse, though, I needed an inexpensive "gift" for Kaylee's preschool teacher for Mother's Day. I am so glad I did.

It's called Elaine's French Bakery. I can't believe how amazing (and reasonably priced) this place was! I really am not kidding, they had the most beautiful eclairs, pastries, cakes, and tarts that I have ever seen. Just walking in there, the smell was amazing and the service stellar. It's a family business and the owner is a French man who is really nice, and speaks FRENCH! We kind of struck up a conversation and he said he and his two boys (ages 10 & 12) wake up at 2am so hand bake everything in the shop.

I ended up getting the Raspberry Charlotte for $3.50 and it was quite impressive looking with a ribbon around it and fresh raspberries on top. Her teacher was pleasantly stunned and I was a little bummed that I didn't buy 2. Girls night out anyone?!

Check it out. It's by Xpedx in Orem.

My issues with time...

With Mother's Day arriving in a couple days, I have been thinking back on all the cute things my kids have done over the years and their unique personalities. Megan is the independent one who achieves anything she puts her mind to, Kaylee is a dreamer and the one who makes us laugh, Matthew is our sensitive and cuddly one who is always tagging along with Mom.

Anyway, with that in mind, I feel like lately I have been so worried about time and never having enough of it that I made a bold statement to myself.... I stopped wearing a watch! I guess it is kind of a symbolic step that time no longer rules me. I control what I do with it! There are still times I have to be somewhere at a set time, and we have clocks in the house and one in the car, but I don't have that reminder attached to me at all times. It's pretty nice. Don't hate me John B. (who works for a watch company)!