Have you hugged your Hubby today?

I worked at the gym this morning. I was there for the 5am-9am crowd. Now before you go feeling sorry for me, let me tell you something. Even though I have to get up so dang early to beautify myself and get there on time, I enjoy my 5 am (etc) crowd. They are fun and friendly.

Some of them I have gotten close too like Doris who is in a bell choir at another church that is putting on a performance this Sunday and has invited me to go. Or the Sanders who invited my family over for a little Saturday pre-Easter fun a few weeks ago. Or Carolee who is so incredible because she has lost almost 100 lbs and I am so PROUD of her. And Carolee's grandma, Vonda, who comes just to support Carolee. There are many more that bring a smile to my face, but today I had sad news from one of my regulars.

Vernon Jones came to check in and asked me if I could help him because he didn't know how. He said that he just lost his wife, Charlotte, on April 12th and checking in on the computer had always been her job. He was so sad, but was trying to get his life back to some what normal by coming into the gym. As we talked he teared up several times and I had to take some cleansing breaths to keep from breaking down right then and there. They were married 54 years and today happens to be her birthday. We spoke several times during his workout and I (almost) pleaded with him to come back often to spend time with us. He said that he might as well since he had nothing but the dog at home with him now.

Charlotte went very quickly and unexpectedly with problems concerning the gallbladder. Vernon told me that it wasn't suppose to go this way. He was supposed to go first because he is the weaker one of the two. It almost broke my heart.

After he left, I got to thinking about my spouse and how it would be if he were suddenly gone. I would probably NOT be back at the gym a mere two weeks later. I would still be in a puddle on the floor. My hat is off to Vernon for being there - anywhere but home where he told me that everywhere he looks she's there.

I thought about how I treated my husband the last time I saw him. Lucky for me I just saw him at 4:30 am this morning and left him with a quick kiss and an "I love you", but it isn't always that way. Sometimes I can be curt and (dare I say) downright rude to this man who still comes home to me every night. Sometimes we are in the same house, but not on the same page. I take him for granted and that needs to stop. I need to let him know how much I love him every time I get the opportunity because who knows when that will be my last time? I don't want to be saying, "I sure wish I had said or done this before this happened." I think something like that would stay swimming around in my head for quite a while. Regret has a way of doing that you know.

Don't get me wrong, I am so grateful for my knowledge of the gospel and the fact that I belong to a forever family, but I definitely need to make the most of the time that I have with him here on earth with me as well.

Just so I make myself clear (and it's down in www history) I LOVE MY HUBBY! I love that he loves me no matter what mood I am in. He keeps coming home every night and tells me thank you for little things that I do daily and tells me that I am beautiful. I love to hear him pray. He always thanks our Heavenly Father and asks Him to bless me for some minor little thing that I took effort on.

He doesn't have much time to "jaw" with my while he is at work, but I know that it is because he has great integrity and works for the company when he is at work. That company is lucky to have him. If more employees were like him, there wouldn't be any bad employer/employee relationship because there would be trust.

Just to sum it all up, I trust him with my life, my children and my heart.

I have to go hug my hubby now. I suggest you do the same!

Gettin' Trunky!

Only 6 more days until I leave my lovely little family and head to Zion (Utah) for a little girl time and spiritual uplift at Women's Conference. I remember a few years ago when that BIG group of us went down to Women's Conference. It's counted as one of those really great "girl's night(s) out" memories.
I am looking forward to hearing Sherri Dew, John Bytheway, Mary Ellen Edwards all speak and nobody saying "you're a jerk!" and (my all time favorite) "STOP!"
I am headed down with only one other girlfriend, Marci Christensen. We will have a lot of fun, but a bigger group would be so much more giggly! I guess Marci and I will have to just giggle it up enough to cover the ones that aren't there!

My Conference Experience

Mike and the kids have been making the annual general conference/snowboarding trip to Utah for years now. This is the first year that I was able to go with them. It was truly a WONDERFUL experience for me. For those that are interested, I will give you a play by play.

First, Mike drives around everywhere passing people in their "Sunday Best" who are walking to the Conference Center while we are getting ever closer looking for a parking place. I kindly suggest that maybe he could drop me and the kids off and he go looking for a parking place. Wasn't that nice of me? Well, if you had the shoes on that I had on, you'd want to avoid a 20 minute downhill walk yourself. He drops us off and Jeremy, Mykie and I bail on he and Tyler. We start to walk the short way to the huge long lines in front of the Conference Center. On our way in, we pass a protester. I forgot that they eagerly come to the Conference Center on this special day as well. I was so shocked to hear the filth and obnoxiousness that was coming out of this guy's mouth. His ignorance of our religion was so sad. His pride and arrogance was evident. I even moved the kids to a different line further away from him to try to drown out his mouth.

The kids were effected as well. It bothered them, but this protester reminded me of a past experience I had had when I was about 8. My parents had taken my older brother and me on a 3 week vacation where we drove across the US from Utah to Maine. One of our stops was at the Hill Camorah Pageant. I remember the protesters out on the line between the parking lot and the seating for the pageant. It was raining as we passed them and went to our seats (this is an outside pageant). I thought how miserable this performance would be in the rain. I guess the protesters were thinking of their comfort as well as they packed up their signs and selves and left the performance. As soon as they left, the rain stopped right as the performance was to begin. I was only 8, but this left a great impression on me. Just to let you know this wasn't a fluke, on our way back from Maine towards home, we stopped by the pageant to see the performance for the second time. Again the protesters, again the rain. Again they packed up and as soon as they were gone, the rain stopped for a second time. It was a testimony to me that our Father wanted nothing to distract from the wonderful message that was to be shared through that marvelous performance.

It was great to be able to share this experience with my children and to notice that we could no longer hear the obnoxious protester while we waited in line. We were able to prepare ourselves for the wonderful experience we would share that was ahead.

At the doors, we went though a metal detector and our purses were searched by kind ushers. It was sad to realize that this security was a necessity, but I felt safe knowing that we were protected.

When we found our seats, we realized that they were GREAT (thanks for the tickets Bro. Butterworth!) We were on the first tier smack dab in the center of the Conference Center. What great seats! We sat down and realized that the choir that was singing was not just any choir, but the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Now I have heard them sing on the TV, but never in person. They really are incredible. For me, it is indescribably beautiful.

Everyone was visiting among themselves as those that were to be on the stand filed in. At about 5 minutes before 10:00, the crowd quieted and rose to their feet. President Monson and his counselors were walking out to their seats. What an incredible feeling it was to be in the presence of the Prophet of God and in the midst of all those LDS members. Mykie said, "Wow, there are so many Mormons and this isn't even all of them because they are all over the world."

The choir opened the session by singing Lead Kindly Light. After hearing them sing it I believe it is a new favorite of mine.

I was already emotional at the gratitude I had that I could be there at this special General Conference, but when the opening prayer was said, it was a reminder to me that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me. Just that morning I had prayed for help in being a good mother to my children. The kind of mother that He wants me to be. The opening prayer also asked our Father to bless us as mothers to do this very thing. Um, why does a prayer make me tear up?

Then President Uchtdorf started the special Solemn Assembly. He had told us that the only people that could sustain were those that were asked to stand and when he asked those to sustain President Monson as Prophet, Seer and Revelator (only our Prophet and his two counselors were standing) EVERYONE in the conference center sustained him. He had to remind us that those to sustain were those that were asked to stand. We all had to wait our turn to say "YES! WE WILL FOLLOW THE COUNCIL YOU TELL US!"

When we were finally involved, Mike stood as a member of the Melchizedek Priesthood and Elder's Quorum, then Tyler and Jeremy stood as members of the Aaronic Priesthood, I then stood as a member of the Relief Society, then we were all able to stand (including Mykie) as members of the Church to sustain our Prophet. What an incredible experience to be there at that conference.

I thought that Elder Nelson's talk was great help on child rearing. Then we heard from the Mormon Tab again. They sang Praise to the Man and it was AWESOME. Jeremy leaned over to me and said, "What if that was your alarm in the morning? THAT would wake you up!"

Then we heard from Ronald Rasband who taught us that life experiences give us opportunity for personal growth. Trials are good for us. Special experiences give us conviction and reassurance of our faith.

Then it was Cheryl C. Lant (Primary President). She spoke to us about the traditions we have right now in our families. Are they mostly material or spiritual? We need those righteous traditions to raise our righteous families.

Then we sang We Thank Thee O God For A Prophet as a congregation. Singing with that many people at one time with one song was just about overwhelming for an emotional case like me. That felt like heaven. That was pretty powerful hymn singing to the Lord.

Kenneth Johnson spoke to us about faith in the family. He spoke about having an atmosphere of love and examples of goodness in the home. He spoke of the things he learned in his home - loyalty, integrity, selfless service, honor, respect, accountability, work, practical skills, etc. He spoke of the acts of service actually give us satisfaction. Then he said that Christ came not so that we could just have life, but that we could have a more abundant life.

Joseph B Wirthin spoke to us of looking out for the one. We need have compassion for those that are different than us. Some are bothered by doctrine of the Church. He said very clearly, "We can't apologize for the truth."

President Monson got up for a minute to tell us who was next on the program (Mormon Tab)with "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go" and then Henry B. Eyring would speak to us. The really great thing about that few minutes of conference with President Monson was when he said, "Thank you Brothers and Sisters." The look on his face right then at to me said more than just a simple "Thanks for being here", but more about being so easily accepted as the new prophet. That he truly felt gratitude for our love an support.

Elder Eyring bore strong testimony of the truthfulness of the true church of Jesus Christ. He also told us that faith sustains those that are called to serve. Prayers of those that we don't even know sustains us.

The closing song was Come Follow Me which happens to be the only hymn that I learned in my piano training years.

It was a great conference and experience for me. I really am so grateful that I made the 10 hour trip with 4 children in a Pathfinder with a car-top carrier and a hitch hall to experience all of that.

After the 20 minute walk uphill to the car, we went to the great Training Table for lunch (Can you say cheese fries and a salad please?) Spiritually fed and physically fed. What more can you ask for?

How does your garden grow?

OK, this will make my dad and mom proud. We've decided to utilize the garden plot a bit. OK, it was ME who has decided this. I've also decided the the kids will be gardening as well and told them they could each choose something to cultivate in the garden too.

I choose PEAS. I understand that I need to get them in the ground like NOW! I also want to do a couple of tomato plants. Love TOMATOES from the garden.

Jeremy choose CORN. That will be fun. I am going to love to see him put seven on the silk of the corn so that bugs won't get in the corn. He has something with getting his hands dirty. Won't gardening with children be super fun?

Brigam wants to grow PUMPKINS. That is always fun and successful. Good for him! I hope he expects to share.

Mykie wants to grow POTATOES. I had no idea how to do this. Luckily we have an experienced potato farmer in the ward that is happy to speak potato with any and all that are interested. I pointed him out to Mykie and she'll take it from there.

She'll get all the details, but when I spoke to him he told me that you just cut the potato into thirds and bury it. Humm, sounds interesting. When I tried to explain it to Mykie she told me just to go to the store and get potato seeds. I told her there wasn't any. She asked me if I was looking for them like a man or like a woman. I told her that NO there really isn't any potato seeds. She said, "That's OK, because if we don't grow potatoes, I'd always be happy to grow NOODLES."

OK - noodles. Does my daughter really think that noodles come from the ground? Some curly and some straight? Some elbow shaped and what about those spiral colored ones? Are they fed colored irrigation water?

IS MY DAUGHTER BLONDE?

As I turned around to face her after this conversation, I could see that familiar twinkle in her eye as she collapsed into a fit of giggles. My daughter isn't blonde - SHE'S FUNNY! Growing noodles. Good one, Mykie!

Anyhow, wish us luck in the dirt! Now where did I put my overalls?

One for the Record Books

Guess what I got to deal with on Monday (and it started out to be such a good Monday)? One of my precious little angels got SUSPENDED from their educational institution.

And the offender is........(I was going to say, "suspender", but I thought that might confuse some and make them start thinking of clothing items taking them completely off task of reading my blog)

JEREMY

Yeah, I know. Strange, but true. I was down at the court club trying my best to not be smeared all over the court during a game of Squish (if you haven't played, you're missing out) when the offender did the deed. When I came out my cell phone was ringing and it was the Bear.

He asked me if I had heard my messages yet.

No.

Ok, well listen to them.

Humm, wonder what that is about. Will it be messages telling me that as a mom I should have been home waiting at the door for my student-athlete to walk over the threshold and rehearse his whole day with me? My answer, I USUALLY AM, just not today.

On and on my mind went to defend my squish position while the phone dialed voicemail. But, what's this? Not Jeremy's voice on the line, but the princiPAL of his school.

"Mrs. Nelson (love that greeting! Great for a 28 year old). This is Principal Parker. I'm calling to let you know that I have had to suspend Jeremy for two days today because he was involved in a fight in the halls after school today. He will be able to come back to school on Thursday. Please give me a call when you can. Thank you."

Um - WHAT?????? Suspended????? My straight A, funny, feeling the love of his many teachers child suspended?

I called Mike and let him in on the news. (By the way, have I mentioned that I LOVE that Mike works an hour away and I am left to deal with all the many doctor, dentist, teacher, school needs all by my big girl self? I DO!) I told him what I knew and that I was wishing he was here to take care of the situation. I also told him I was not going to freak out. I knew about an altercation that Jeremy had had last week with a boy, the boy's group and a football. He came home with a mark on his head from that one. I was actually worried that he could be "jumped" on his way home from this group.

Then I remembered about another altercation Jeremy had with a different boy in the hall where the boy was pushing around a girl and Jeremy stepped in (or should I say shoved in) and told the boy to see what happens if he trys to push a girl around again (yes, I was the proud mama that day. Do you know that he still opens every door for me when we are out running errands etc. What a good boy).

I called Jeremy and he was totally freaked out and on the verge of tears because he had been suspended. I told him that I need to know every little thing that happened - THE TRUTH - because I know that a fight didn't happen because you offered to give this boy you fought with flowers and candy!

He did tell me. There was this boy in the hall (the one that pushes around girls) that threw a pen at one of Jeremy's friends. He missed, but Jeremy felt the need to say, "Wow, you are really a bad aim." The boy tried to explain to Jeremy that he was aiming to hit the other boy in the head. Jeremy again felt the need to inform him, "Then you really are a bad aim." Then the boy shuts Jeremy's locker for him forcefully. So Jeremy feels like he needs to repay the favor and shut the boy's locker. By now, Jeremy opens his locker again and reaches in to get stuff out when the boy kicks his locker shut - ON HIS HEAD! Ouch, that left a mark and that was all the boiling Jeremy's blood needed to start the fight. Jeremy really did start the physical stuff (jump on your back) first and one of Jeremy's friends came and pulled one boy off the other while a girl ran to get a teacher.

So that's the story. I called the principal and he explained the same situation, but he felt that Jeremy was more of a victim here (hummm, maybe Jeremy should have kept that "bad aim info" to himself) . There is a no tolerance fighting policy in the district and the principal had to dole out punishment to both students, but because Jeremy is a good student and wants to be at school and the Principal felt the way he did about the situation he gave him a break. Usually it is 3-5 days suspension for fighting. After it was all said and done, Jeremy got 2 days and I am sure the other boy got 3-5. The principal informed me that the other kid was somewhat a troubled kid and doesn't seem to have much of a positive attitude about anything.

He didn't get grounded or punished for this. That was originally why he was so freaked out. He thought he was in super big trouble. I don't let him on the computer or TV while school is in session. He has to wait until after school for his hour of computer and the no TV rule until 5:00 pm is still in affect.

I totally understand why he has to be suspended. There is a NO TOLERANCE policy for fighting and he was involved in a fight. I've always told my kids that when we are a part of a group (school, work, etc.) we follow the rules of the group. If we disagree with the rules and consequences, we don't blatantly disregard them. We get signatures, we talk to those in charge, we communicate why we think the rules need to be changed. Until that happens we either follow the rules or leave the group. That is why he is suspended. Rules of the group he belongs to.

So that is why Jeremy was out of school yesterday and today. He had to go on errands with me all day yesterday and play Squish with me at the court club too. That one was a bad move on my part. My arm is killing me!!!!Today, he'll go to work with me and read a book and hang out at boring, old court club for 4 hours straight! Fun for all! Man, this mom thing is fun to wrestle with sometimes!

April Fool's at the Nelson Household.

Nelson Headlines for Tuesday, April 1st

Head of the Household Has NO Funny Bone,

Mom Serves Dessert For Dinner

Which of these are true on this day of fools? BOTH OF THEM!

Let's go with the most acceptable and believable one first - Mom Serves Dessert For Dinner. This was to celebrate the first day of April in fashion.

You know, I think after doing this type of thing for a decade or so, I tire of it a little and think that the family does as well. Unfortunately, it is Brigam that suffers. How rude of me to think I could let this day go by without trying to trick Brigam with our annual April Fool's Day dinner. What finally brought me back to my sences was when I was hidding from him when he woke up this morning (I do that sometimes. I guess it's a weird little thing I do. Maybe I didn't get enough "hide and seek" action when I was younger) and he went into Tyler's bathroom - to find me????? Anyway, I overheard his conversation with Tyler. He wanted to know why mom didn't make the April Fool's Day Breakfast. OK, just for the record, I have NEVER made an April Fool's Day Breakfast. In honor of Dr. Suess' birthday one year I did try my hand at green eggs and ham, but because scrambled eggs should be yellow and not greeeeeeeeen - only the garbage had a hot, nutritous meal that morning. Anyway, I knew that my "day off" would be spent searching for just the right "Tom Foolery" for dinner.

Needless to day, Brigam was tickled with tonight's dining choices. For the main course we had CUPCAKES (ie - meatloaf covered in blue tinted mashed potatoes complete in muffin cups). Apparently Mykie remembered the Dr. Seuss B-Day Breakfast and promptly scraped off every ounce of blue potato.

Then we had MASHED POTATOES AND GRAVY. Thanks to good old vanilla ice cream and the "magic shell" ice cream topping, it almost looked real. No one seemed to mind eating cold potatoes.

Just to make sure you know we love our greens, we had PEAS made from Jolly Rancher Chewy green apple candies. Jeremy and I took about an hour to create over 100 peas. It was worth it. For once EVERYONE finished their peas.

We washed it all down with PUNCH which was actually set Jell-o with a straw sticking out of it. The only one that utilized the straw was Jeremy. He said his tongue was hurting from all the sucking. Weird child.

Now I did throw in some dino shaped chicken. Who knew that chicken grew in dino shapes? That truly was an April Fool's joke on me!

Now on to HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD HAS NO FUNNY BONE. Of course, we're talking about Mike. I had the perfect funny to play on him. Mike is going to be at a conference in Nevada in June. I called him and told him that he'd gotten a phone call at the house from a guy concerning the conference and he needed to call him back at this number 702-###-#### and ask for Mr. Lyon. After a reminder call, Mike called the number and immediately called me back. Conversation:

Mike: Do you have the caller ID number of the person that told you to call me?

Me: No.

Mike: Because it's an April Fool's joke. That number is to the NV Zoo.

Me: (laughing hysterically, because it is so funny) I know! That was me!

Mike: (still not getting it) So if you have the number they called from, I can call them and let them know I know about their little joke.

Me: (a little perturbed now because, let's face it, I AM FUNNY!) Mike, it was me. I called you and told you someone called the house. I know it was the zoo. You calling and asking for Mr. Lion at the Zoo. THAT is so funny. There was no one that called the house. It's my joke on you.

Mike: (small pause) Some of us have to work while we are at work.

See what I mean? No funny bone!

When he got home, the kids asked him what the zoo employee said when he called there. He said that the person that answered the phone spoke so quickly that he thought he heard her say "zoo" at the end of her greeting, but he wasn't sure so he said, "Where am I calling?" She said, "Oh, you must be looking for Mr. Lion or Mr. Bear. We've had a lot of those calls today." Now, that was funny!

I hope your April Fool's got you

a giggle or two. I know mine did!

The Challenge

It has taken me 2 weeks to be brave enough to take this challenge from Lovely Lindsey . It was a bit difficult for me (as it seemed to be for all of you) because I believe it is so hard to toot our own horns. I wonder if I would find it easier to toot my own horn if I was consistantly busy tooting other's horns for them too? It's a thought.

Although I do compliment others for their talents on occasion, I believe that I should do it more, more, MORE so that those are the thoughts that are constant in my head instead of some other ones that are running around in there. So, in keeping with that thought, good job those of you who did the challenge! I am so proud of you!

Anyway, here it goes for me:

5 things I like about me:

1) I like my blue eyes. They are dark and sparkle in times of shear joy and even when I use my "angry eyes". One time, I even tried to get them to be even darker! I wear contacts anyway, so I decided that I might as well get some colored contacts. I went to the optometrist to get some dark blue colored contacts, but after trying a bunch on they came to the conclusion that they didn't have ones dark enough to make much of a noticeable difference on my eyeballs. It made me feel great just like the time when Mike had to get a tooth replaced in the front and they had a tough time matching the "white" of his enamel. And he doesn't even use tooth whiteners!

Natural blue eyes that man-made stuff had a tough time improving on - Bully for my peepers!

2) I like my hair. Of course, I LOVE THE COLOR OF MY HAIR because it comes from a bottle (there is no red in my hair naturally), but I love that my hair has always been something I have loved on me. Whatever style I invoke on it (yes, even that "look" in the 80's WAS considered style) it continues to work for me. I still have bad hair days especially when I REALLY need to see Sonya to tame the uprising of the hair follicles (see you Tuesday, Sonya), but most of the time my hair works for me in anyway I ask it to. It has always been soft and touchable. OK, not so touchable in the Permed 80's look, unless you like a CRUNCHY sort of feel, but it works for me!

3) I like that I can fix stuff. Even though I am definitely NOT a deep thinker, I can fix stuff. I can fix lots of plumbing problems, some computer problems, the budget (although, sometimes that does require deep thinking), I can install light fixtures, I can even program my VCR, etc.

I know that all this might not sound so very impressive, but I like the fact that I don't always have to wait to have Mike help me fix something. The exception is when I really need that extra muscle on a project and we ALL know that Mike has the extra muscle for me to utilize!

I can look at a project or (I know this sounds foreign to some men) read directions and get what needs to be done DONE.

4) I like that I am organized. Maybe my organizational system is a little confusing to some people, but I love that someone can ask me where something is and I can say, "Try on the left hand bottom shelf about 1/3 of the way in from the right" and they can find exactly what they were looking for. Maybe this is just a woman thing. I constantly tease family members when they can't find something and say, "Where you looking for it like a man or did you look like a woman?"

I know for a fact that my organizational abilities have crippled some in my family. They choose not to expend the effort in finding things themselves because it is so easy to be lead right to it by me. In fact, Mike (on occasion) after "looking" for something himself comes to me and says, "I swear I tried to look for it like a woman, not a man, but I still can't find it!"

5) I think I'm funny. OK, I might be the only laughing, but sometimes I am so dang clever! My goal is to never offend, but to bring a little humor to the conversation. Now I'm sure that when I am dying and my life is passing before my eyes, I will know I probably DIDN'T reach this goal, but for now HUMMMM. I can be witty and enjoy myself with others all while looking a little goofy. I mean not Jenny McCarthy funny, but I can hang.

I did have at least one other thing "I LIKE ABOUT ME", but I am not nearly as brave as the movie queen is to write it out loud, BUT I DO! Oh yeah, I am proportioned! Lucky me!

That was refreshing. I am sure that the girl in the mirror thinks so too. She too often gets trashed on a daily basis (maybe even more often than that.) I think because I did this list I might be able to look her in the eye today and smile - and really mean it!

Thanks Lindsey for the Challenge!