How many books is too many to take for a week in Mexico?

I've decided on ten, plus the scriptures and a Spanish dictionary.

On second thought, I think I'll leave The House of the Seven Gables for when I get home.  It looks like the cover may fall off. 

The Worst Feeling in The World

is yelling at your kid just before they go to school.


And It's Worser

to yell at them in public just before they go to school.


And It's the Worstest

to find out when they come home that they are sick and were probably acting like rotten kids because they felt crummy and that that's probably why you were acting like a rotten mom, too. 

He's got fame.

Now all he needs is fortune.

(see my 13 year-old husband in this video:)
http://www.woodbusiness.ca/component/option,com_seyret/Itemid,143/id,78/task,videodirectlink/

A van with bald tires

and a dented back panel
that is three months overdue for an oil change
on which our (middle-aged) friend wrote "wash me please"
that has leftover lunches
and forgotten school notices
and almost every jacket we own strewn all over the floor
(and probably all of the lost soothers too)

can still be home to a rockin' dance party
consisting of one six year old
his laughing baby brother
and the mother he still thinks is pretty cool.

Rock on.

When you ground a kid for a week

does it include church activities? 

Any thoughts?

the Baby woke up at 2:30 in the morning

ate some yogurt
and spaghetti
lay back down in his crib
and pulled his favourite yellow afghan over his face

then as I tiptoed out of the room
he pulled the afghan down and
asked in one pathetic syllable
whether I was leaving

"Shhh.  Mommy's still here,"
I said
and up went the afghan again

every two or three minutes
down came the afghan
and out came the plaintive cry

"Mommy's still here."
and up went the afghan again

he couldn't see me,
but checking in every few minutes
he learned to trust that I was still there

at 3:00 in the morning
I was very grateful to be someone's mommy

I wake up all through the day
fold some laundry
wipe a counter
and send my pleading cry

faintly I hear,
"I am still here"

I can't see Him,
but checking in every few minutes
I am learning to trust that He is still there

at 3:30 in the morning
I am very grateful to be Someone's daughter

once you've waited in line

paid your money
buckled your seatbelt
and been told to keep you arms and legs inside

you're in for the ride
like it or not

let me know when this ride's over

i want to get off

either we are becoming better friends,

or I am becoming a worse housekeeper

because everytime you come to visit
my house is at a lower standard of "clean"

I'm glad you're coming.
Please don't wear your glasses.

I used to believe

that babies were blank slates

that anyone could learn to play the piano

that everyone could carry a tune

that I wanted to be a farmer

that I liked animals

that I was organized

that I would have a clean house


I guess I was wrong.  Shucks!

"The gospel of Jesus Christ matters more than anything else."

"We value you as an individual, not just as one of the pack."

"We adore you whichever way you are, you don't always have to be easy and lovely and cheerful and helpful and peaceful (although, we love you that way too.)"

"There is a living prophet."

"Following his counsel will make our lives happier."

"Your decision to be baptized was a critical, wonderful step."

"Stay on the path forever and ever because it is so much easier and happier than all the other alternatives."

"We would give you all the money and time in the world if it were possible."

"Keep up your dilligent music studies--you'll be so glad you did."

"We are proud of you."

"We are grateful for you and the long road that brought you to us."

"Don't be so quiet that you get lost." 

"Please be quiet enough to keep setting a good example for the rest of the firecrackers in our family."

"Don't do drugs.  Don't drop out.  Don't date until you're 25.  Don't live in our basement at 30.  Don't move too far away.  Marry someone wonderful in the temple.  Accept callings.  Let your talents bless all the people around you."


Eliza, you had 72 hours.  Did you get it all?  Because we tried to cram it all in.  That and much much more. 


Please don't forget.