Miss Manners

So you know when your kids start saying things, sometimes not very nice things, and then you realize that it’s you that they are mimicking? Okay, so I know you are all very nice people and this never happens to you but it’s been happening to me A LOT lately. Here are 4 actual interactions, all of which took place today.

1. Good Manners. When Keely bumps into someone or someone bumps into her, or if she just feels like you’re in her space you don’t get a polite “excuse me.” Scenario - me passing Keely in the kitchen (really we weren’t even close)
Keely: Watch It!

2. List making. I have a habit of making lists whenever Keely asks why she can’t do something. “Well, number 1 it’s against the rules, number 2 it’s dangerous, number 3 I said no!...” you get the picture. Scenario - here is a conversation between Keely and Shawn this morning when Keely was having a little too much attitude.
Keely: Don’t talk to me!
Shawn: I wasn’t talking to you; I was talking to my imaginary friend Tiger Lily. She’s in a bad mood this morning and wanted to pull you off your chair. I told her that wouldn’t be nice.
Keely: One, she didn’t say that; two, there is no such thing as imaginary friends; and three, she didn’t say that!

3. Ultimatums. Scenario - I’m in the office responding to an email
Keely: All right, I’m going to the bathroom and when I come back you’d better be off the computer!

4. Idle threats. You know the “you do this or no more…” kind of threats? Scenario - Keely trying to get me to come downstairs and put on a show for her.
Keely: Come down here or I won’t play princesses with you for the rest of the day! (She has no idea that this is actually a very strong reason for me not to come downstairs)

Good, good parenting. Just let me know if any of you want some child-rearing advice.

What I'm Thankful For

Controversy

So, if you've been to Kristin's blog you are already aware that we have posed a very important question. Kristin and I had an intense discussion about which phrase is more common, dumb as a doorknob or dead as a doornail? Please make sure to vote on the poll at the top of the blog, my reputation is at stake!

Mr. Sub

Maybe it's just me, but I was cracking up when I saw this commercial!

New York Minute

What a great weekend! I got to go to NYC for a girls’ weekend with 3 of my closest friends, Arah, Jana and Emily S. I always love visiting NYC and always look forward to the shows, food and shopping but I have to say that my real highlights from this trip were the moments that I didn’t pay for at all. You know those moments when you’re all laughing so hard you can’t breathe? Well, there were lots of those but I’ve realized that putting those experiences down in writing does not always do them justice (and also maybe the fact that I’m not tired and delirious right now), so they will just have to live in my memory forever. : )

Here are a few highlights that I can share:

1. Food! Whenever I go to NY the food is always one of my top highlights. Some of my favorites were breakfast at Norma’s and breakfast at Maison, lunch at Patsy’s and dinner at Sala Thai. A couple of my favorite “snacks” were Pumpkin Steamers at Starbucks (try them!), Apple Strudels at Dean and Deluca, and Chocolate Croissants at Junior’s. One place to never eat in NY – Roxy’s Diner! Nasty and way over-priced (see Arah’s Corned Beef Sandwich in Slide Show- sick)!

2. The shows. I loved seeing Mamma Mia. Great cast and a lot of fun! We were singing the songs the rest of our time there. We also saw Chorus Line but definitely NOT worth the money! I was just glad we got to see 2 shows though; we tried to go to more on Saturday and Sunday but the stagehands went on strike and Broadway was pretty much shut down.

3. Shopping in SoHo. We could have spent everyday there and really not made a dent in the place, but I have to say we did pretty well even in the short time we were there. Also, thanks to Emily D. and Jana, found two cute stores, Zara and UNIQLO, very cute and not too pricey!

4. Friends. Not only did I get to go with three great friends but we got to get together with our friend Emily D. quite a bit while we were there. Emily, tell your family thanks for loaning you out for three days!

Some random highlights:

1. When I turned to this girl next to me at Mamma Mia and asked how she liked the show. She said she loved it and then said “especially the boy dancers” and then raised an eyebrow at me like, “Know what I mean??” I just had to smile and turn away, I was dying! Sorry, but boys in stretch pants – No!

2. When this guy was trying to recruit us to a comedy club and Jana wanted to go. I told her that comedy clubs in NY are not worth the risk so she went back to ask the guy how much swearing there was and if the show was degrading to women. I would have loved to see the look on his face!

3. Arah’s corned beef sandwich. We all just busted up laughing when it arrived at the table. She gave it back to the waiter and was like, “I don’t even know what to do with this.”

4. And this one’s for the girls: Jana’s Holiday Inn/Crown Plaza comparisons, the sleep CD, “Go ahead, you all look alike”, Arah’s night time bathroom visits, full beds/bed hogs (i.e. Arah the boulder), guy posing with us for Chorus Line picture, horse nails, mean taxi driver, and finally our nice taxi driver (“well do you?”).

Thanks girls - Here’s to next time!

G'Day Mates

My mom and dad are leaving on a mission to Adelaide, Australia this month which I have been anticipating for a long time because I know that they are going to be amazing missionaries. Now that the time has come though, I’ve found myself a little more sentimental and it’s really hit me how much we’re going to miss them in the next 18 months. I mean it when I say that mom and dad are two of the most inspiring people I know. And here are just a couple reasons why:

I’ve known for as long as I can remember that my parents are madly in love with each other. Seriously, their love for each other has always been evident and in turn has made me confident in their love for me and now my children, their grandchildren. Family is everything to them. There is nothing better than knowing you always have someone to turn to, someone to listen to you, someone to give you advice when you need it.

Also, my parents are both teachers by profession. I remember when I was in grade school my mom spending hours with me; working on spelling, reading, times tables. She got energy from teaching and from watching me learn. I have all my life been grateful for those hours she spent with me. And my dad, I was lucky enough to have him as my 6th grade teacher. At first I remember I was concerned because, who wants to have a parent looking over them at school?? It didn’t take me long to figure out, however, that my dad’s personality and ability to relate to people would quickly endear him to my classmates. My dad affected the kids in my class so much that he was invited to be the key note speaker at my high school graduation. That kind of teacher is one you can’t complain about, even if he is your dad.

Another thing I appreciated about my parents was their open-door policy with my friends. I can’t count how many times I came home to find my friends hanging out happily with my parents. Everyone just felt comfortable in our home, felt like they belonged and I know my parents created that.

Okay, the last thing I want to say before this becomes a novel is that my parents’ faith has always been an incredible strength to me. I never doubted their testimony so I knew I had to find mine. I watched them pour themselves into calling after calling. We had prayer and FHE faithfully despite complaints from kids who did not have the time or desire to participate. Going on this mission is just one more example to me.

As I look these things over it makes perfect sense to me that they’re supposed to go share with others. They get to share their love, they get to teach. Their natural acceptance of people along with their testimonies of the gospel will make them perfect for the tasks ahead of them. I’ll miss them everyday but I love what they’re doing! Oh yeah, and fortunately I know the Mission President and assume that they’ll be well taken care of. : )

So G’day mom and dad, we love you and will miss you so much!

We're Still Alive....Really!

I realize it's been FOREVER since I've updated but hey, we're busy around here! Really we've been in Utah the past two weeks and I barely even had time to check my email. We had an incredible time in Utah and more than ever I'm so thankful for our wonderful families! We had to say goodbye to my mom and dad who are serving a mission in Australia for the next 18 months and it was sad but also such a great experience. The slides are pretty self explanatory so I'll let them tell our Utah stories.