Farm Country

I've been hanging out with an old friend from my growing up days. It is awesome because I just never thought that our paths would cross again, especially since she has 4 young kids and I've only got the 1 little guy. But it has been beyond wonderful for me to have a familiar face to get together with on occasion. She said it best, the kind of friend that you don't feel you have to clean your house up for. It's awesome.

A few weekends back, we met up at Thanksgiving Point's Farm Country and took a stroll around the little animals. Cameron LOVED it. I got him on the little pony walk, which he wasn't too sure what was going on but it made a cute photo. He loved looking at the little chickens and Di's girls just loved showing him all the other animals. It was so cute to watch. There was a horse too that came right up to his gate, and Cameron pet his nose! It was so cute. We rode the carriage ride and Diana told me all about the Fall festival that they do there. I am so excited for THAT for sure.

Cameron has had a few run-ins with some puppies as of late as well. And I'm getting the jist that he like animals. I would have had a melt down if a dog came close to me and licked my face - or a horse tried to eat my hand. (Let's be honest, I still do. Me and animals are not really friends). But Cameron eats it right up. So there you have it. Done and done.

13.1 Miles

 Moving here to Utah has brought a whole new freshness to my running life. I can't really say that I am a "runner" by any definition, but I do like to run on occasion. One of my dear friends here has really set the pace as far as involvement in local races. After I ran Long Beach's Half, I thought I had sworn off the long runs forever. But alas, I lied. Shortly after moving here, Katie had me registered for the Provo City Half Marathon.

The only races I have ever been involved in were in California, where you just show up at the starting line and wait for the gun to go off. So you can imagine my surprise when I was told I needed to board a bus 3 hours before the race started! The bus experience wasn't all that terrible, but the chill in the air up at the starting line was frigid! Waiting for "go" was just awful. After huddling around for what seemed like forever, and making 2 stops at the Hunny Buckets, we finally lined up and were off down the canyon.

I started off at quite the pace. I followed the 2:10 pacer for about 8 miles, which I thought was quite the feat. The last 5 were much slower, but I was surprised to see that my final time was only 5 seconds slower than my last race. Consistency, that's how I role.

Nothing says triumph like a medal and a finish line. My sweet husband came out to support me with the lad. Knowing he was at the end of the race really helped keep me going. He has always been my cheerleader, and I so appreciate him for it. And - as a big bonus - I didn't feel like I was going to throw up when the race was all over! "No cookie toss" is always a victory.

I can't say I'm addicted, like a lot of the girls I run with feel. But they have got me roped into a Ragnar Race next month. I didn't even know ragnar existed in my California life. And now I'm on a team. Wish me luck.

Dear Ol' Dad

My dad was very much a typical small town high school boy. He had a few good stories, about he and his buddies, doing wild things that just make me laugh to think about. I remember a story he told about one of his high school teachers who had a paddle. A paddle that my dad was somewhat familiar with. At the end of the year, dad and his buddies made a new paddle for this teacher, with bottle caps and nails and shards of glass sticking right out of it. He said the teacher laughed and laughed, and then hung it in his classroom for years to follow.  Another story that sits in my memory is one when Dad was in High school. His buddy decided that he was going to ride his motorcycle through the main hallway of the school; a strait hallway that ran from one end of the building to the other. Dad's job was to open the first door at a particular time while another boy opened the exit. So - at his appointed time, he asked to use the restroom, walked to the entry door, opened it right up as the bike went barreling through the school. He then shut the door and returned to class. I don't recall the end of the story, perhaps dad never told it. But it sure makes me laugh to think of him doing it. Funny guy.

It's been 4 years today for those who are counting. I feel like it's been forever since I've had a good sit down chat with my dear ol' dad. He could always get the room rolling in laughter. I still wonder a lot about his life now. And somedays I just miss him. Today especially. I know there is a lot of time left before we can be together again, but it is the 'again' that makes the time more bearable. Love you dad.

An evening with the Mother of the Year

I had quite the amazing opportunity this week! I attended a small Relief Society meeting where the invited guests were the 2013 and 2011 National Mothers of the Year as well as the 2013 Utah Young Mother of the Year. Crazy right? The 2013 National Mother of the Year is a woman in my ward. At first I poked fun at the title, thinking "how do you choose the mother of the year?" It seemed so far fetched. But I went to the meeting anyway, with pen and paper in tow, knowing I could use any counsel I could get. It was incredible. I love those meetings where you leave feeling motivated, encouraged, and just inspired to be better. It was great. So I wanted to share a few of my notes for my memory's sake. And if you're in need of a little pick-me-up; help yourself.

(Top: Judy Cook - 2013 National Mother of the Year

Bottom: Sally Olsen - 2011 National Mother of the Year)

Thoughts on Motherhood: (we talked about a lot of things, I've just tried to summarize a few)

10 Lessons to Motherhood:

(1) Loose yourself. This was a great little bit. She explained about how she did loose a bit of herself in giving everything to her kids, but the woman she found she liked a lot better.

(2) Learn to Eat Humble Pie: Every mom knows you can never say never, because as soon as you do, whatever it is you said would never happen - does. They are still in diapers at 3 and they poop in the corner. You take them out of church and sit in the foyer while they scream. You are late to church, because of the kids.

(3) It is not a competition, it's a commitment: It's not about who bakes the best cupcakes, or who goes to the gym the most, or who has the best Mommy School. Save your energy for your family.

(4) I don't own my children: yes I had them, and I am raising them. But they are their own identities. I can't force them to become what I want. Allow them room to grow.

(5) It's about progress, not perfection. Continue to refine, hone, improve, and work on your skills as a mother.

(6) It's better to laugh than cry. (or scream). Motherhood has got to be the world's most aggravating and frustrating jobs at times. The relentless nature of the work can drive a person to tears. Laugh instead. 

(7) Today is not forever. She had a cute quip here. Remember-it came to pass, not it came to stay. 

(8) The best things in life really are free. So many good examples I could fill in here with my own little buddy.

(9) Families make messes. Just go with it. Sally talked about having a closet specifically to just throw things in so the house looked clean and she could think. 

(10) Every cliche about motherhood is true: The joy is in the journey. You’ll never do anything so hard and yet so gratifying. The greatest work any of us will ever do will be within the walls of our homes. They grow so fast. Enjoy every moment before the moment is gone. 

-- Discouragement is a tool of the devil. Choose not to be discouraged in your abilities or performance. Ask yourself as many times as you need to: "am I doing (or have I done) my best?

-- Let something else go so you can be your best self for the kids. Sometimes life can be too overwhelming. You need to be wiling to let something go so you can be more present.

-- Read the talk "To the Mothers in Zion" by President Ezra T. Benson.

-- When you love doing something; anything, if you love it - it is successful. If you love your job as a mom, really truly love it, then it makes the tasks so much better.

-- Service helps a lot. Teach your kids to have a servants heart. Soup Kitchens, Ward services, within the home. 

-- Follow through in everything you say.

-- Ezra Taft Benson gave the answer to how to give your child self esteem. He said (paraphrased) If we love god, keep his commandments, and fear His judgements more than man, we will have self esteem.

-- While your children are in your home, make them the highest priority.

-- Family Gospel Study is so important. Sally bore testimony multiple times of the importance of this for her family. She would have family study time on Sunday. Starting small, then as the children grew, spending more hours in gospel study. Separate from FHE, daily devotions, family scripture study! Fight to keep your meeting for church either early in the morning or late at night (or not on the Sabbath) to make sure the whole family is together on Sunday. This particular bit of advise really struck my heart. How to go about implementing it in my family is still a mystery, but I will be praying for some support and trying to give it my best effort.

-- Read President Hinckley's talk "To the Women of the Church"

-- The underlying theme to the entire evening was to use the Lord as you raise your children. The Church has a plethora of materials that will aid in this great role. Look up all the quotes that the Prophets and apostles have ever said about the nobility and role of women. It will strengthen your resolve to live to your great calling and responsibility in life.

Footnote: Judy is mom to 8 kids. Sally is mom to 12 kids. And the 3rd lady is mom to 8 ages 3-16.

Pinspiration

How ever did I survive without Pinterest? And why did I fight it for so many months? My pinning habit has been really good to me this last month - so much so that I felt a need to share my pinning pleasures.

First off, we have my Visiting Teaching gifty - by far my favorite yet. So cute in fact that I doubled it up for my YW lesson handout. It was just so cute. General Conference Preserves with all the cute printables that creative people make and post for free downloads. I got about 12 or so of them, printed them off in small versions, and then stuck them in the jars. For my YW lesson on listening to the living prophets, I also added several white strips of paper for the girls to add their own quotes during their conference studies. Cute right? Whipped up the scalloped tag with my Silhouette machine and bam! Loved!

Next up was another Visiting Teaching gifty. (It's really how I do a lot of my VT assignments, mostly because it give me more purpose to getting out there and doing it). This one I have done once before, inspired by my last VT lady. She loved soda so it fit her personality great. This time around, I just got fancy root beer with the tag for a swing by hello. It worked great in breaking the ice and I'm pretty proud for jumping in and starting the first month I got the assignment.

 Then I got all Betty Crocker on myself and whipped up a few celebratory cupcakes. Although the cake was from a box, the buttercream frosting was home made. Pinterest said it was "the best cupcake frosting" and that they "were always getting requests to make it for everything". So I gave it a whirl. It got good reviews, although personally, I think it tasted like Crisco. Just me. I can't say that they look professional, but they were pretty dang cute, and the birthday ones were consumed instantly by the kiddos of that family. So - at least they passed that test. The graduation ones were for my BIL's, and they were complimentary, so I guess it was a win-win.

 I really love being creative and putting things together. I especially love showing off my cute creations. Don't worry, I always pay credit to Pinterest - I know I'm not cute and creative, but some ladies out there are and I LOVE that they share it openly with the world.

10 Months

If you're tired of the monthly baby updates, have no fear - I will not do this his entire life. Just the first year. So you've only got 2 update posts left. Also, my new step-cousin (?) Tara took this picture of our wee one while at the wedding get together last month and Hot Dog is she amazing. (holy run on sentence batman) I am sure that there is no relation between us but I'm throwing in the "step" term in hopes that it brings us closer together as friends. She is not only an amazing photographer, but she is hilarious, witty, and just fantastic!

-- This kid has 6 teeth coming in all at the same time! 4 on top and 2 on the bottom. I won't lie, it's been a bit of a nightmare in the sleeping area, the diaper regions, and the nose runs. Not to mention the cranky pants that comes out more often these days. BUT-dispite all that bad going on in his gums; he can be the heart melting happy baby when the timing is right.

-- Scoots horribly; but does scoot in that I'll put him on his bum here and he'll end up there eventually. He still has no interest in being on his knees. He does understands that he can get from his bum to his belly; but this usually results in a face plant to the floor and glass-breaking squeals after. Rolls really well; totally understands how to get his body around in that regard. 

-- Not really a picky eater, but he does have his likes and dislikes. I think that is so interesting how at such a young age he knows what foods he wants. I'll put a variety on his tray, and he'll pick out what he wants and leave the rest. 

-- Big and Tall. I realize all kids are different, but he is much heavier than other kids his age. (I think this is why he moves less) We're talking 10+ pounds heavier. He is tipping the scale at 30 lbs these days. Solid would be the word that comes to mind. He also has some height on him. I haven't measured him (but should have for this post) but he was taller than the 17 month boy in church yesterday. He wears 18 month clothes usually. Sometimes I can get away with a 12 month pair of pants, but only when I'm tired and don't care that he has high waters on. He put a hole in the toe of his 12month jammies a few weeks ago - so I get the impression that he is just tall.

-- Has a tiny thread of stranger danger. He'll flirt like a king, but doesn't want to be close to them or have them hold him. He knows his Mom and Dad (which warms my tender heart). I love when he reaches to be picked up or whatever. I know seasoned mom's will tell me how it'll get old, but I just love it.

-- Has a few cute things he does when he plays. He has a few colored cups that he always is putting things into. Especially balls. He'll put the ball in the cup and then try to swirl the cup around so the ball rolls around the edges of the cup. Super cute. He also likes to put things into and out of old kleenex boxes. Doesn't totally understand books just yet. LOVES his Lamby (lambie?) that was given to him during our last disney trip. He'll snuggle with that thing at night - about melts my heart on the spot. And now the movies in the movie cabinet. That's a pretty big hit until either Mark or I have enough of the banging of the doors or the mess of movies in his lap.

Mother's Day

Being a mom is everything that I expected it would be. It is easy yet hard; it is natural yet new. And it is just everything that I have ever wanted. Having to wait so long, and work so hard to get Cameron, I can't help but be thankful to my Heavenly Father for allowing me to be a mom; and to give me this darling little boy. Listening to others who have older children makes me curious about what Cameron's personality will be like as he grows older. I just couldn't have dreamed of it being any better than this. I am certainly lucky to have been blessed with a marvelous example in my own mother. All I am today I owe to her. Most of my daily routines are patterned after what I watched her do for years and years.

Thanks Mom, for the perfect example. I love you!

Mike's Graduation

It's graduation season here on University Avenue, and the Morrell's are representing this year around. Both Mike and Tom graduated this spring and we all gathered in the Marriott Center to watch the ceremonies commence. I especially loved being there as this was where I walked back in '06 when I graduated from this institution of higher learning. Go Cougars. Sadly, Graduation Ceremonies are only fun for about 10 minutes, until you remember how excruciatingly slow they can be. But alas, we eventually found Mike in the sea of blue, and beamed with pride as we watched him cross the stage.

 We skipped out of the last little bit of the ceremony, blaming it on the baby's attention span. Luckily Julie had brought the toddlers which gave us a more legit excuse. I guess we didn't miss out on much. No graduation song, no tassel swap or cap toss. So - we settled for a simple photo op outside the building. Love that nobody told me I was right in front of Cameron and am slouching terribly. Smooth move mama. I especially loved the self portrait the boys were taking too. Just seemed like a fun moment.

We made our way over to the cougar eat for lunch, and the Bookstore for old times sake. Although it took 30 minutes for Taco Bell to complete my order (really people?) I always take advantage of an chance to hang out at my alma mater. Ra Ra Ra. Congrats to Mike and Tom. That makes the Morrell's 7 for 7 College Graduates. Nicely done Granny and Gramps.

A Tid Bit or Two

1) I am on a kick of Peanut Butter and Jelly. Not sure where it came from, but it has hit me full force. Especially now that we live in Utah where they sell Grandma Sycamore's white bread. It is the best and I consume it every. single. day. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and go to the pantry for Breakfast options and think, "Can't wait for lunch today". Delicious & Cheap. Done and done.

2) When I first got here, I was having really warm and happy feelings about the pantry life. Then we went grocery shopping a few times, and got the reunion leftovers, and now I hate my pantry. It is disorganized, and cluttered, and obnoxious. I have a few box-thingy's that they've recommended on Pinterest, but I guess I haven't invested in enough. And am having trouble getting the right sizes. And what to do with the onesie, twosie things that you buy. It's a project I need to just buckle down and do.

3) I've read a few really good books lately. I surprise myself really because I was so not a reader, and now I sort of like it. The book I most recently finished was City of Ember. Awesome. Good speed, good characters, not terribly long so I didn't have to renew it 3 times at the library. I recommend it. I also have read Divergent this year, and just now starting Insurgent. Also good books, but they are a little on the long side so it takes me forever to get through them. But they're good so I like that.

4) I am lacking in my routine life. I really thrive on routines. Probably why school was such a good career choice for me. I've tried to set one a few times but then get jostled with one thing or another. Sunday is always a great day to rejuvenate my spirits and get me to write down the next week. Then Monday hits with full force and it wipes me right out. By Friday I'm a mess and just can't wait until Monday again to start over. Wild.

5) I have a few guilty pleasures. One of which is the Duggars. (TLC's show 19 Kids and Counting) I can not get enough of it. If I don't hear every word, I rewind the 30 seconds to watch it again. I save every episode, and when I feel like my day is too hectic or I haven't got enough structure, I flip on an episode and relish in the goodness that it is to me. An impossible wish of mine would be to sit in their house for a week (a few times a year) and just watch them live. It would be utterly fascinating to me!

6) I still am in love with Cafe Rio. I am a little worried that I'll get to the point in life where it just isn't that interesting to me anymore. That happens sometimes ya know? It would not be an unusual thing for us to go every week and not even realize it. Their pork burrito - enchilada style - is divine. Amazing.

7) Daily, as a past time activity just to get out of the house, I walk around stores. It is nice to have the mall here because an occasional mall walk is nice. We go to Target often, and sometimes Costco will do the trick. Usually I have a thing or two to buy, but sometimes, it is just a chance to do something other than sit at home. I know that i get a little stir crazy, and Cameron does so much better when his day includes a little time out of the house too.

8) Laundry is my nemesis. I feel ridiculous admitting this, but on the rare occasion that I can get ONE load of laundry washed, dried, AND folded in one day, I am really proud of myself. Usually, a load will sit in the washer long enough that I feel like I need to wash it again. And I live out of the dryer more than I care to mention. And let's not even talk about the pile of clean laundry that makes it onto the bed...until bedtime...and then is scooped onto the floor for at least a week. What am I, a teenager? Whatever will I do when my children are grown? How did my mother do all our laundry in one day, and then have it all folded on her bed for us to pick up Monday evening? I can only hope.

The Wright Genes

 After the wedding festivities, the Wright's and a few of the Cheney's made our way up to Eden, Utah where Worldmark has their Wolfcreek Resort. Right after the wedding ended and Mom and Joe left, we jumped right into the clean up. Thankfully, lots of people stayed behind to help us fold the linens and clean up the gym. The dishes, vacuuming, and sweeping would have gone faster, but we had to wait for the garden to be disassembled first which was no small feat. It felt like days before we were cleared to leave. We swung by and picked up Grandma Portlock, and then made our way to the grocery store to get the week worth of food. And let me tell you, that was an experience. We loaded my already packed to the max car with another 10 bags of groceries. We had them at our feet and on our laps and hanging out the windows. It was a long 20 minutes to the condos. But we did make it, unloaded the food, and had some dinner to rejuvenate our energy.

That night we played games with the Cheney families and Grandma. Because there were too many bodies to play any of the board games that I had brought down, we got creative and ventured to our teenage days with the Name Game and Signs. I was impressed how quickly I remembered how to play, and how quickly Grandma Portlock caught on. After several rounds, we remembered that staying up all night was more fun without kids, and all went to bed.

We spent the rest of the week just playing games and hiking in the nearby area. Mark made a game for all the boys - finding golf balls - which really was just a way for him to hire help to save him money later down the road. It worked and he got a good 20 balls or so for his golfing hobby. Nice work. 

And just for all the old friends out there who follow the blog, here is a photo of the Wright kids' kids all lined up on the couch. Trenton's 1, Tessa's 3, My 1, and David's 2.

I just love spending time with my family. I am reminded how funny Tessa is when she gets going. I think my brother Dave can tell a story about dirt and I'd be riveted. Jennifer inspired me to get going on my blog book again with her darling book she brought me to gander at. It's always so sad when we all have to separate again. Sad.