Pink is my signature color...

Macy Marie Tidwell

Our household has been taken over by all things girlie.  Everywhere you look there are tiny purple socks, large hair bows and flowers, pink bouncers and swings, floral burp rags etc etc etc!  And we are loving every minute of it.  Macy Marie graced us with her presence in a wild manner August 5th about 9:30 am.  She was a "healthy" sized little girl (nearly 21 inches, 9lb 3oz).  I went in to be induced at 12:30am, received my much desired epidural about 6am, they paged the dr about 9am and suddenly the nurse found herself shouting at Scott to pull the emergency cord, put gloves on her hands and yell out the door that "nurse Carrie needs immediate assistance"!  Apparently Macy didn't want to wait for dear Dr. Harter and decided to show up unannounced.  Sooo, nurse Carrie did a fantastic job delivering her, the peds nurses whisked Macy away for checking and cleaning and Dr. Harter came to visit and check up on us a few hours later!  We joked with the nurses that they deserved a bonus for doing the M.D.s job :-)

She is a beautiful little girl--mild mannered, fantastic eater, and has been sleeping 5-6 hours at a time for the last few nights.  I don't even mind the occasional throw up--it's just an excuse to try on a new outfit!  The boys can't get enough of her and neither can Grandma or Aunt Mimi (both came down for a visit right after Macy was born.)  My mom is a SAINT--I don't know where she gets all her patience or energy from (years of practice I suppose) but I hope when the tables are turned and it is me doing this with my "little" girl, that I can be just as selfless, energetic, helpful, patient and on and on, as she is!

When Scott asked if there was anything special I wanted for my birthday, the only thing I could think of was a hot fudge sundae (with extra hot fudge of course!)  I have everything else I could desire and am feeling very blessed!  We love this little girlie and have waited A LONG TIME for her--she's the best birthday present EVER!



The boys paying us a visit at the hospital




Big brother Ryan




Jason--who also LOVES to help Macy accessorize!




My beautiful Mom--she's not old enough to have 5 grand kids, right?



Easters...

Every time I say the word Easter I think of Nacho Libre and start giggling to myself.  Anyway...just a quick post about our Easter weekend (and no it didn't involve diarrhea).  It was nice to focus on the "bunny" side of things Saturday and the Gospel truths on Sunday.  My mom even mailed us the BEST FHE lesson that went along with the Crucifixion and Resurrection stories from the Bible.  Thank goodness for Grandmas with a little time and love on their hands! 

One of my favorite parts of Easter is making Grandma Ahlstrom's famous Cream Cookies and letting the kids go crazy with the frosting, sprinkles, green grass coconut etc!  They were on a sugar high for several hours!

We had a campfire in the backyard and roasted marshmallows with their new camp chairs.  The boys built bird feeders at Home Depot and had a blast--the Easter bunny even visited and brought a few goodies! I always received a book in my basket so we've kept that tradition too!

We even did the traditional egg hunt in the backyard with friends--but had to put all their eggs in the freezer for a few minutes before they could enjoy the goodies inside--everything had MELTED!

   Hope you enjoyed your Easter as much as we did! 

Birthday Fun!

Jason turned 6--seems a little unreal but it happened just the same.  No sense in trying to stop time, better just enjoy it right?  He wanted a "sports" themed party where everyone could earn trophies so what better way to celebrate than take 12 five and six year olds to the park, play games, eat treats and run wild!

Jason kept insisting on a little bling for his cupcakes--the ring suckers on top were a HUGE HIT!

They all got to make their own jerseys--I ironed on numbers before hand, let them go to town with fabric markers and viola!  Our good friend Kim stayed with her 2 boys to help manage the chaos.  I think I need six arms instead of just 2!

His friends were very generous and managed to guess all the things a little 6 year old could possibly desire!

Then, being 96 stinkin' degrees outside, it was water gun time!  Even Scott got in on the action.  Pretty soon they were just dumping bottles of water on each other--and random kids at the park--we had to reign 'em in a few times!

All in all--a blast of a day but boy were mom and dad tired when it was over.  Kids have no idea what their parents go through to put on things like this.  I think I should be calling my mother to say thanks too!  Happy 6th Birthday Jason!

What were they thinking...???

We are in a mad search for baby girl names.  It is crazy that I can still come up with more boy names I LOVE than a single girl name that I even remotely enjoy--it is like a 4/1 ratio!  Hunter, Travis, Dylan, Jake--LOVE EM but girl names are where I'm drawing a total blank.  While perusing for baby names I came across an article published annually in Rexburg all about the "worst baby names" of 2011 and my mind was BLOWN.  Now you know that I LOVE Idaho--I'm a die hard Idaho girl but I'm always willing to admit that you can find a few weirdos no matter where you look--even in good ole Idaho.  Take a look at the list and tell me I'm wrong for wondering WHAT WERE THE PARENTS THINKING??? 

*just a side note--I got the following from this blog post and have to totally give the author credit for her witty commentary!  (before you read--just a brief caveat, I have heard a few of the more "original" names out there and really liked them, they aren't all goofy--so just know this isn't a personal attack on any family or friends that may or may not have chosen a more "unique" baby name--I still love you immensely!)  And I quote:

"Up first, as always, is the Mix-N-Match category. Choose a first syllable that suits your fancy and pair it with an incompatible second syllable! It keeps people guessing! Everyone will admire your ability to string together random sounds!


Rhyelle

Taylee

Brenley

Lynlee

Braedyn

Raylee

Ryken

Maeleigh

Next, the Sound-it-Outs. Do these resemble real names (or cities) phonetically? You'll have to sound-it-out, and sometimes bend pronunciation rules, to see!
Aydyn

Izibele

Lyncoln

Ayva

Gavyn

Gracee

Londynn

Maddilyn

Wiliam

Lynzee

Arryana

Ella Jaculyn (Jack-ewe-lynn?)

Invasion of the Ks (continued from last year):

Kellen

Kaimen

Kasten

Kayson/Kasyn/Kasen

Kayrie

Kenadee

Kimbree

Kaydee

Khloe LoAnn

Her mom's a 'Bachelor' fan!

Tenley/Tenely (yep, two)

Hopefully just a typo:

Sebastain

Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose:

Riggins (middle name Klyde)

HEE-HAW!!!!!!!!!!11

Brayah

Aaaaaaaand, the "What the *%# ??????s"

KeiseLyn

Tytan

Reggie Tayzlie

Zavan

Acelyn

Skylee

Auree

Razdyn

Jenikka

Paizli

Loey

Jerrick

Arkadian

Point 1: One of my favorite parts of doing this each year are the anonymous comments I get from disappointed people outing their friends and family members as terrible namers. Keep doing that.

Point 2: I just thought of a possible inherent perk of invented naming - in five years, when little Razdyn wonders the meaning of his name, his mom gets to make THAT up, too!

Point 3: I feel sorry for the grandparents. A few months ago I sat in front of an older woman on a flight who was cheerfully explaining to her seatmate that she was on her way to visit her new grandson. When the lady asked what the sweet little dear's name was, the grandma clammed up and replied reservedly, "Slate". To some degree, his name diminished her joy. (It came out later that Slate was the younger sibling of Crimson, Indigo, and Sage.)"

End quote--this is me again.  I just have to add that I just met a few little boys/girls that I'd like to add to the list, namely: Diesel, Dax, Braecy (Bray-C), Kaizen, Brantley among others.  So when I search for baby names and think, I really like Alice Jane, Ava or Megan---don't judge me for being totally ordinary.  At least my kid will know how to spell & pronounce their own name, won't get called the wrong thing at the beginning, middle, end and everywhere in between of each school year and their name will actually have a meaning and hopefully sentimental thought behind it.  So to all the Tommys, Brittanys, Mathews and Emilys out there--I salute your parents for maintaining some semblance of normalcy and sanity amidst a world of "originalists for the sake of being original (i.e. weird, stubborn, uneducated, sporadic, down right crazy etc).  Cheers to all the common baby namers out there!

And the winner is....drum roll please...

Thanks to everyone who participated in March's recipe contest.  We had a WIDE variety of CINNAMON ROLL recipes submitted, everything from caramel pecan rolls to some made with whole wheat flour.  This month was telling--for me anyway--of how cooking usually goes.  I liked certain aspects of A LOT of the recipes and so there is a TIE.  The winners are...Roma Tidwell (my adorable sister in law who didn't even know her recipe was entered) for the roll/dough portion and my cousin Amanda Reynolds for the filling & frosting portions.  They will each be receiving a gift card to Cold Stone.  I will post the new category for the month of April in a few days.  If you ever have a topic suggestion, let me know!

The hybrid recipe is as follows:

2 C warm water, 2 1/2 Tbs yeast, 3/4 c sugar--allow to proof for 10 min.

Add 1/3 c oil, 1 1/2 tsp salt , 2 beaten eggs--mix well and slowly add 1 small pkg vanilla pudding and 7 C flour.  Allow to knead for 7-10 min with dough hook & rise until double. 

While rising, mix 1 C softened butter, 1 1/2 C brown sugar, 6 Tbs cinnamon, 3 tsp cornstarch.

Roll out about 1/4 inch thickness and spread with filling leaving a 1 inch unfilled portion at the bottom of the dough.  Roll tightly, brushing the clean strip of dough with a little water to help seal the edges.  Using floss or string, cut rolls about 1 1/2 - 2 inches thick.  Starting in the center of a cookie sheet, arrange the rolls so that once risen, the edges will be touching--keeping them thick and fluffy during baking.  Allow to rise until almost double (approx 30 min).  Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 20-25 min.  Cover with tin foil if they begin to brown too quickly.

Frosting: 1/3 C butter, 8 oz cream cheese, 1/4 tsp salt, 3/4 tsp vanilla extract (pure Mexican vanilla works best), 1/8 tsp lemon extract, 2 C pwd sugar (or until you reach desired consistency).  Whip and frost warm rolls. 

Happy eating & thanks again for all your submissions!

Baby Names

Me: Ryan, what do you think we should name your new sister?
Ryan: (finger tapping on the side of his mouth/chin) Hmmm, let me think.
Me: (2 mins later) Come up with anything?
Ryan: (finger pointing into the air with excitement) I gots it.  Her name is Mrs. Underwear!

we're having a...

Conversations with Boys

The other night while tucking the boys in bed...

Ryan: Mom, I'm a little scared.
Me: Scared of what?
Ryan: The big bad wolfe!
Jason: Ryan, don't be scared.  Dad owns a gun and he will shoot that wolfe!
Ryan: Thanks Jason, I'm not scared anymore!

Monthly Recipe Contest. It's CINNAMON ROLL TIME!

It is a well known fact that I love to cook, especially bake, and OBVIOUSLY EAT!  Soooo, I've decided to do a monthly recipe contest.  For the month of March I'm searching for an AMAZING, FINGER LICKING, MOUTHWATERING cinnamon roll recipe.  I am especially interested in ones that are chewy--more like Cinnabon or danishes--less dry/bready than typical rolls out there.  Also, there will be a gift card in it for the winner--or if you live in Vegas, I'll just bake you something tasty myself!  Have the recipes to me by the 15th and I'll announce the winner by the end of the month.  Can't wait to see what is out there.  Happy baking everyone!

Time Marches On

Thanksgiving & Christmas have come and gone and frankly I don't have the time or energy to go back and chronicle those--maybe pics later but no words. At least we're alive & happy and will keep posting future events. I'm finding that whether I blog or not, the clock keeps ticking so here's a little summary. Jason is 5 turning 6 in April. He's missing 2 teeth and each day he comes up with a new idea for his birthday party--pirates digging for buried treasure, cowboys at a rodeo, he wants to go ice skating, bowling, to chuck e cheese, and even wants a pokemon party. At least we have a few months! Ryan is 4 1/2 and loving school--bus bus picks him up each morning, he bops off not a care in the world, and bops back a couple hours later. His bus driver is a loud black  lady who cracks up every time she sees him--and greets him with a "honey, climb on up here and give me some sugar" which pretty much interprets to a high five or little hug before they take off! Collin is every day of 18 months, is cute as possibly imaginable, and has a streak to him that could scare off the toughest bully! Don't let his smile fool you, he is always planning his next move--just waiting till you let your guard down before he grabs a step stool, scoots it over to the counter and dumps the Costco sized tub of nestle chocolate powder all over himself--just to give you an example! Life wouldn't be the same without them (not by a long shot i.e. lots more money, freedom, less stress & definitely less mess :-) but we can't complain!

I'll just end with a favorite quote as of late: Sometimes courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says 'I'll try again tomorrow'. Thomas S. Monson

I think that pretty much sums it up for us in this phase of life. Do the best you can today and try to get better tomorrow. xoxo--Nats

Ten Thousand Hours

When writing his latest book The Outliers, Malcom Gladwell developed something he likes to call the "ten thousand hour" principle.  The whole book discusses ridiculously successful individuals i.e. Bill Gates, Bill Joy, The Beatles etc.  He delves into what attributing factors have influenced their success aside from natural talent and sheer interest.  It is an intriguing book and I LOVED every second of it--please read it.  Your perspective on talents/success/hard work/heritage etc will completely change!  As he studied these people he found that by the time they had achieved their most renowned work, they had "practiced" whatever their craft was for at least 10,000 hours.  Bill Gates/Bill Joy had been programming for at least 10,000 hours by the time they developed software that became worldwide successes.  The Beatles best albums came after over 10,000 hours of playing live together and so on. 

As I read this book, I began feeling slightly mediocre, realizing that I had become a jack of all trades, master of none.  A little piano here, some ballroom dance there, some baking and cake decorating on one side, a little writing on another but nothing that truly defined me.  An in-tune soul at book club a few nights later pointed out (as my same sentiment was shared among most of us "house wives") that if we added up the hours invested into our families, we accumulated WELL OVER 10,000 hours in a much faster time than all those other uber successful individuals in Gladwell's book.  We women are investing time into what is most important and with that said, I suddenly felt more at peace with having many small talents and one major success--my family.  Hopefully when this life is all said and done, I'll have wiped enough tears, hugged plenty of little bodies, told enough scripture stories and clocked enough hours that my most "successful" work of art will be my children.  Women, when you are tired, lacking patience, feeling overlooked and outdated, just remember that the most important work you are doing will add up, minute by minute, hour by hour and the real people--the most important people--appreciate and understand the value of your "10,000 hours"!

The Cake

Lisa and Matt asked me to make their wedding cake.  It was a TON of work but so worth it.  I think everyone liked it and more importantly, I achieved my main goal of it NOT tasting like an ordinary wedding cake but more of a gourmet bakery product.  I'm a firm believer that wedding desserts & specifically cakes, can and should be a unique gourmet experience that reflect the tastes and personalities of the bride and groom--not some generic pulled out of the freezer, from a box concoction that so many  cake decorators pass off as wonderful because of a nicely decorated exterior.  (ok, I won't rant anymore!) 

The bottom tier (14") and weighing in at 47.5 lb (yes I weighed it on my sis-in-law's scale before hauling it to the reception center) was made of dark chocolate cake with a dark chocolate orange ganache between the three layers.  The middle tier (10") and around 28lb was a moist pumpkin coconut with a whipped cream cheese filling.  And last, but definitely not least, was the top 6" tier--three layers of lemon poppy seed pound cake with a lemon cream filling.  Although I'm a chocolate lover at heart, the pumpkin was my favorite.  Lets just say I buy cream cheese in bulk at Costco and any occasion to add cream cheese to ANYTHING is fine by me!  The icing was a white chocolate butter cream.  For you cake connoisseurs out there, it was a basic Swiss mmeringue butter cream with added Guittard white chocolate for a better, less greasy, less buttery flavor.  It also helped stabalize the butter so that even in a warmer indoor climate, there wasn't a risk of the frosting softening and falling.

Moral of the story--cakes take a lot of time--especially with kids and trying to make half of it in Las Vegas and transport it to Utah to finish it up for the reception AHHHH.  The hubby was a single dad for about 4 days and is glad I don't have another sister getting married anytime soon :-)  I'm hoping it will be like labor and delivery--where you remember it not being pleasant but the specifics are dulled enough that you are willing to do it again and again (for his sake).

My Sister is Married!

So Scott and I have spent almost 8 of our almost 10 years of marriage as the ONLY marrieds in my family.  I am the oldest, got married young (20) and waited nearly 7 years before my brother David and AMAZING wife Summer joined the club.  I have been praying for this, crossing my fingers and jumping up and down, biting my tongue in dissension or approval at the various dates who've come and gone and now my little sister Lisa just married Matt in the SLC Temple and we have added yet another sibling to our wonderful little clan.  I can't wait to begin doing married things together, trips or retreats, date nights  etc.  I can't wait for them all to be married, to hurry up and have kids so mine can have cousins and for us to have reunions--you know, the kind where we all dump our kids on Grandma and Grandpa and head to Hawaii......those kind! 

The whole weekend was wonderful.  Matt's family is gracious and kind and fits Lisa perfectly.  She was the most beautiful bride--gorgeous dress, brilliant smile, patient as can be.  She let us all be involved as little or as much as we wanted, which meant a lot!  We had a family dinner Friday night in Provo--so fun to spend some "catch up" time a little more intimately before the throngs of excited family, friends and kiddos descended upon the occasion.  I even met one of Matt's sister-in-laws named Natalie who is completely adorable, loves to write and even has a brand new baby boy that I held for a few minutes and now I want another of my own (Scott you can blame it all on her!)  We headed to the SLC temple Saturday afternoon for the ceremony and it was perfect.  I love being in the temple with my family--I especially enjoy seeing the joy my parents get during occasions like this--gives me so much to work toward and look forward to.  That evening we went to a beautiful reception at the Highland Gardens in AF.  Lisa let me make her wedding cake and I LOVED the opportunity.  Scott was amazingly supportive and pretty much flew solo the whole week so I could work on the big project.  It turned out better than I imagined and was totally worth the long hours and late nights.  The happy couple are now living it up in Hawaii for a few days--lucky stinkers--and I expect a full report, pictures, pineapple and all when they return. 

Congrats little sister, I'm so excited for you! xoxoxo

Cha Cha Cha Changes

My little boy isn't so little anymore.  I'm sure that is a phrase uttered by millions of parents, millions of times over the span of millions of years.  And whatever occasion that brought about those few little words is backed up by weeks, months, even years of little tiny moments, growths, differences that went overlooked until one day WHAM--your five year old looses his first tooth.  Suddenly you realize it is September, he has started Kindergarten, is so tall he needs all new pants and is MISSING HIS FRONT TOOTH with another one loose and on it's way out.  Where oh where did time go?  On top of it all Ryan just turned four and is now going to preschool.  He bops down the stairs, happy as can be, gobbles down his breakfast, throws on his backpack and bolts for the sidewalk where he waits excitedly for "bus bus" to come.  His teachers love him and the bus drivers love him even more.  Last but not least Collin is one, his 4 molars are coming in at the same time, he's walking everywhere and I just gave him his first real hair cut.  The strawberry golden curls are gone and along with them go my three little boys.

And yet....yes there is an "and yet" to this story.  And yet the same time that takes away the golden curls brings other "firsts" for my little boys.  Firsts--like first day of school, first loose tooth, first part in a primary program and so much more.  So I guess as time changes one thing and I feel the loss of little boy smiles & scrapes it also brings big boy events for me to look forward to.  Because as we all know, moms can do a great deal but we can't stop time!

Busy Summer--playing catch up...

Seems like I'm never as on top of this blogging thing as I'd like to be.  Here's what we've been up to lately--in no particular order because I can't keep track of what's coming up let alone what has already happened!

1. Headed to Idaho for my Grandmother's funeral --nice to be with family and celebrate a life well lived!

2. Jason & Ryan had their first session of Swim Lessons--EVER.  They loved it.  Ryan of course struggled with staying on task and following directions.  Jason is a total fish and can't wait for the next session in August.

3. Headed back to Idaho for my Ahlstrom Family Reunion--which was a BLAST.  Lots of golf, swimming, food, a bouncy house for the kiddos, an old west dinner & show, 4th of July parade and LOTS AND LOTS of family (I have 60 first cousins and there are 90+ Great Grand kids already--to put in in perspective)

4. Got a visit from our best friends from Kingman--who now live in Kansas so we LOVED having them stop over on their way from the Vegas airport to St. George where she is from.

5. We hit up our friend's cabin in BEAUTIFUL Duck Creek.  We go a couple times a year with 3 other families--besties from our old Fort Apache Ward!  It is a perfect place to get out doors, let the kids run around, eat TONS of good food and catch up on each other's lives.  If not for this group of friends, I couldn't have survived Vegas as long as I have!  They are the type where years could go by and I know we'd pick right up where we left off.  They are amazing friends--we'd do just about anything for each other!

6. We hiked Cathedral Rock with the kids (a scenic peak that's part of Mt. Charleston about 45 min from our house)  It was beautiful, not too hot, and great for teaching your kids to finish something tough!  I still can't believe that my 3 year old Ryan busted out that 2 mile hike (never once being carried) when some of Scott's Scouts quite less than half way up.  Nanner nanner to you big 12-18 year old sissies!

7.  Celebrated Collin's first birthday--we were at the cabin on his big day so we had a combined celebration with our friend's son Isaac who turned 8 and will be getting baptised next month.  So much fun!

 

I know there's stuff I've missed & pictures will follow (don't worry Grandparents, I'll get 'em posted!)  Now on to the Tidwell reunion, more swim lessons, karate class, gymnastics, birthdays and on and on...

...having been born of goodly grandparents...

Some would say I'm lucky, others sheltered, I say I'm blessed--undeservedly so.  I "happened" into an amazing family and my life is so much better for it!  My Grandmother Betty Ahlstrom--my Mom's Mom--passed away in June and I've had many opportunities to reflect on her life and how much my Grandparents (on both sides of my family) have molded and shaped the person I am.  I'll let them claim the good things and won't hold the terrible parts over their heads for too long :-)  Grandma had 10 kids--my mom was the 9th/10th (a twin no less)--and those 10 children resulted in 60 grandchildren.  I think I'm somewhere in the 30's.  So far, 3/4 of us are married and over 90 great-grandchildren have joined us.  It sounds like a lot, I know, but it is normal for me.  And we aren't just a bunch of strangers that see each other every 10 years.  I know my cousins well, I know their spouses, their children, and in a few short years, their children's children and I wouldn't have it any other way!  We would do just about anything for each other.  We each have had our struggles, some significantly more trying than others, but every single one of us is married in the temple, active in the church and are working hard to raise good families that will continue to do the same.

I've wondered what made my Grandparents so special--mine were story book Grandparents (always glad to have a house FULL of kids, Grandma always had homemade cookies ready and Grandpa would sneak us treats from his study.)  I think the bottom line is that they got IT--they understand that life is all about family and that as long as their family was around them, they were happy.  And they passed that sense of family unity on to my parents and now on to me and my children.  There is a lot I want out of life but it all boils down to doing what is best for my little family--both temporally and spiritually.  So thank you Grandma and Grandpa Ahlstrom, for setting such great examples, raising wonderful children and sacrificing so much for your family!                            

The 2 photos are their engagement picture in 1941 and Grandpa's Army photo (isn't he dreamy :-)

I Couldn't Be More Proud

While hitting up the Bath & Bodyworks semi-annual sale yesterday :-) and using Jason as my giant bag carrier while I pushed the other two creatures in the massive double stroller, Jason struck up a conversation with another poor male soul who got roped into being a bag holder for his own mother.  The conversation went like this: 
Jason: I got to see Kungfu Panda 2
Other Boy: Well I'm going to see Mr. Popper's Penguins
Jason: Ohhh that's so cool
O.B.: I'm 6 years old
Jason: I'm five
O.B.: I have a swimming pool at my house
Jason: I wish I had a swimming pool at my house
O.B.: I have a four wheeler I can drive on the road
Jason: Wow, I just have a bike.  But it's new, I got it for my birthday.
O.B.: I just got a BRAND NEW XBOX
Jason: Well I have my very own LIBRARY CARD!
O.B.: No way, my mom says I'm too little, AWESOME!

I could have jumped up and down and done the Rocky Balboa cheer---hands above my head and everything--right there in the middle of the store.  We had just finished at the library (ALWAYS a stressfull time trying to use our "inside" voices) and stopped by B&BW on the way home.  Nice to know something is working!  Chalk one up for momma, the library, and a house full of reading time not video time! 
Mom: 1
Mushy-Video-Game-Little-Boy-Brain: 0

Hello Santa, It's Me, Natalie

Dear Santa,
You may think this is a little premature considering it is only May or even strange since I am a 29 year old mother of three writing a letter to you.  However, I have exhausted all options. I really really really really (ok you get the picture) would like something but no one is listening to me and I am desperate and have nowhere else to turn. I'm writing early because my birthday is in August and I'm hoping that in order to make your holiday less stressful, you could just give me my gift for my birthday instead. I'm not asking for anything too tough; not world peace, not my "pre-baby" body back, not even kids who magically clean up after themselves and potty train themselves as well. I am asking for one teensy tiny, itty bitty, magic machine found at any JoAnne’s, Michael’s or even Ebay (soooo much less expensive on Ebay!) I would like a (drum roll please.....) CRICUT CAKE MACHINE! I have drooling over this thing for a year and a half; I have been a very good girl and promise to be a very good girl FOREVER if I could just have one for my birthday.

My husband says it is totally unnecessary and says "it'll never happen". But I thought his golf clubs, shoes, nice golf bag, golf clothes, constant golf outings with friends, lost balls/broken tees and buying replacements for all of the above seem UNNESSECARY and yet he still owns them, still plays, still replaces and does all of this generally unhindered and supported by yours truly! Now that I think about it, he went golfing Wednesday night and is going again for 5 hours Saturday morning! So if the world of golf can eat hundreds of dollars a year for my dear sweet supportive husband to have a relaxing, enjoyable, usually peaceful hobby which I totally support, I would think that I could have one little $150 Cricut Cake Machine that will make all my wildest dreams come true.  That's just five or six golf outings--certainly fair under the current circumstances right?  I promise to decorate cakes and cupcakes for the poor and needy—you can even stop by for your birthday and I’ll make a cake just for you!

Thank you for granting me this one small, insignificant birthday/early Christmas wish that will benefit those around me for years to come. And just in case you are REALLY busy and forget, I'll be sure to have all my friends and family remind you the closer it gets to my birthday...August 15th...I'll be 30...I'll be really good I promise......Thanks!

Mothers Never Sleep

I have to attribute this adaptation to my cousin but it was too perfect not to pass along. I love my mother and grandmothers--all women to aspire to be like (clean homes included :-)

You may be familiar with President J. Reuben Clark’s notable quote on how interest on debt never sleeps. I believe that there is a parallel with Motherhood:

"Motherhood never sleeps nor sickens nor dies; it never goes to the hospital; it works on Sundays and holidays; it never takes a vacation; it never fails to visit or travel to you; it is never laid off work or discharged from employment; it never works on reduced hours. [. . .] Motherhood is your companion every minute of the day and night; children cannot shun it or slip away from it; they cannot dismiss it; it yields to polite entreaties, but not to demands or orders; and whenever you get in your Mom’s way or cross her course or fail to meet her demands, she crushes you with love."

Motherhood may not yield monetary rewards. But like the compounding power of interest, one day moms will turn around to see what their children have become. Sister Hinckley said that:

"Being a mother at any age is a blessing, but as we age and our children become interesting and productive adults we really begin to savor the joys of the harvest, the fruit of our labors. How could we have known when they were young and the demands so constant that we would ever have the luxury of simply enjoying their loving companionship?"


I loved this Mother's Day most of all--I think it will continue like that, each one better than the last as my children learn to create, serve and express their love for family. Thanks to the preschool and Primary teachers to went above and beyond, helping them make adorable cards, taking pictures and printing them and teaching cute songs to sing to me. Thanks to a great husband who is appreciative, gives me flowers, cooks me bacon just the way I like it and knows that the way to my heart is through gourmet food!

Noteworthy: "Parents, don't dress your girls like tramps"

I read this one and think it speaks volumes. Read it & pass it on--women everywhere (mothers in particular) need to see this!

Parents, don't dress your girls like tramps
Grand Rapids, Michigan (CNN) -- I saw someone at the airport the other day who really caught my eye.

Her beautiful, long blond hair was braided back a la Bo Derek in the movie "10" (or for the younger set, Christina Aguilera during her "Xtina" phase). Her lips were pink and shiny from the gloss, and her earrings dangled playfully from her lobes.

You can tell she had been vacationing somewhere warm, because you could see her deep tan around her midriff thanks to the halter top and the tight sweatpants that rested just a little low on her waist. The icing on the cake? The word "Juicy" was written on her backside.

Yeah, that 8-year-old girl was something to see all right. ... I hope her parents are proud. Their daughter was the sexiest girl in the terminal, and she's not even in middle school yet.

Abercrombie & Fitch came under fire this spring for introducing the "Ashley," a push-up bra for girls who normally are too young to have anything to push up. Originally it was marketed for girls as young as 7, but after public outcry, it raised its intended audience to the wise old age of 12. I wonder how do people initiate a conversation in the office about the undeveloped chest of elementary school girls without someone nearby thinking they're pedophiles?

Push-up bikini controversy

What kind of PowerPoint presentation was shown to the Abercrombie executives that persuaded them to green light such a product?

That there was a demand to make little girls hot?

I mean, that is the purpose of a push-up bra, right? To enhance sex appeal by lifting up, pushing together and basically showcasing the wearer's breasts. Now, thanks to AF Kids, girls don't have to wait until high school to feel self-conscious about their, uhm, girls. They can start almost as soon as they're potty trained. Maybe this fall the retailer should consider keeping a plastic surgeon on site for free consultations.

We've been here with Abercrombie before -- if you recall, about 10 years ago they sold thongs for 10-year-olds -- but they're hardly alone in pitching inappropriate clothing to young girls. Four years ago the popular "Bratz" franchise introduced padded bras called "bralettes" for girls as young as six. That was also around the time the good folks at Wal-Mart rolled out a pair of pink panties in its junior department with the phrase "Who Needs Credit Cards" printed on the front.

I guess I've been out-of-the-loop and didn't realize there's been an ongoing stampede of 10-year-old girls driving to the mall with their tiny fists full of cash demanding sexier apparel.

What's that you say? Ten-year-olds can't drive? They don't have money, either? Well, how else are they getting ahold of these push-up bras and whore-friendly panties?

Their parents?

Noooo, couldn't be.

What adult who wants a daughter to grow up with high self-esteem would even consider purchasing such items? What parent is looking at their sweet, little girl thinking, "She would be perfect if she just had a little bit more up top."

And then I remember the little girl at the airport. And the girls we've all seen at the mall. And the kiddie beauty pageants.

And then I realize as creepy as it is to think a store like Abercrombie is offering something like the "Ashley", the fact remains that sex only sells because people are buying it. No successful retailer would consider introducing an item like a padded bikini top for kindergartners if they didn't think people would buy it.

If they didn't think parents would buy it, which raises the question: What in the hell is wrong with us?

It's easy to blast companies for introducing the sexy wear, but our ire really should be directed at the parents who think low rise jeans for a second grader is cute. They are the ones who are spending the money to fuel this budding trend. They are the ones who are suppose to decide what's appropriate for their young children to wear, not executives looking to brew up controversy or turn a profit.

I get it, Rihanna's really popular. But that's a pretty weak reason for someone to dress their little girl like her.

I don't care how popular Lil' Wayne is, my son knows I would break both of his legs long before I would allow him to walk out of the house with his pants falling off his butt. Such a stance doesn't always makes me popular -- and the house does get tense from time to time -- but I'm his father, not his friend.

Friends bow to peer pressure. Parents say, "No, and that's the end of it."

The way I see it, my son can go to therapy later if my strict rules have scarred him. But I have peace knowing he'll be able to afford therapy as an adult because I didn't allow him to wear or do whatever he wanted as a kid.

Maybe I'm a Tiger Dad.

Maybe I should mind my own business.

Or maybe I'm just a concerned parent worried about little girls like the one I saw at the airport.

In 2007, the American Psychological Association's Task Force on the Sexualization of Girls issued a report linking early sexualization with three of the most common mental-health problems of girls and women: eating disorders, low self-esteem and depression. There's nothing inherently wrong with parents wanting to appease their daughters by buying them the latest fashions. But is getting cool points today worth the harm dressing little girls like prostitutes could cause tomorrow?

A line needs to be drawn, but not by Abercrombie. Not by Britney Spears. And not by these little girls who don't know better and desperately need their parents to be parents and not 40-year-old BFFs.