Temper Momma

I had to put this photo in tonight, as an apology.

I got so mad at Talia today. Multiple times.

She was being a pill at the grocery store. Didn't listen to a single word I said to her. Then, when we got home she dropped our big gorgeous watermelon on the filthy garage floor and busted it wide open. (Right after I asked her "please, please, please" not to touch it.) Climbed all over the clean counter with her shoes on, dumped cereal in the sofa, hit her sister, littered hundreds of crayons all over the house, threw grapes, left the refrigerator open, lost my scissors, wasted tape, whined while I was on the phone, and just was a stink! Morning to night!

Oh, geesh! Have mercy on me girl.

I was in a bit of a poor mood to begin with this morning. I didn't get to sleep until 3 am this morning. Found out early that I had MORE paperwork & errands to do before I could get the Webelos to camp on Monday. (Does the BSA try to make it as complicated as possible?) I have this crazy pinched nerve in my back, right between my shoulder blades. Been there for days and I can't make it go away. Sciatic pain, heartburn from @#!%! Contractions, already.

Anyway, enough excuses. I am sorry baby girl. My temper was short today. I love you. I'll pray for the strength to be better tomorrow. Lets cuddle in my bed tonight. It's girl sleepover time.

What's Cookin'

Sometimes I like to make dinner with no recipe. I inventory the fridge, or garden, and go with what's there. Tonight I made a scrumptious dish that my girls devoured. I thought maybe I should record this one, because they are not always this successful.

First I diced a chicken breast and sauteed it in olive oil, and generously sprinkled on seasoning. Mostly, my favorite ingredient, Mrs. Dash.

Removed the cooked chicken to a platter, added a bit more olive oil and then cooked up some zucchini and sun dried tomatoes. Put in a little dab of minced garlic and some ginger.

Then I made a light cream sauce with butter, milk, lemon juice, chicken bullion and milk. Whisked this into the pan and let it thicken for a bit. I scrapped the yummy bits off the bottom of the pan and it made the cream sauce a sort of caramel color.

I put the chicken and veggies over twisty egg noodles (the girls favorite) in big deep saucer like plates, and then spooned the sauce liberally over all.

One of my better inventions. It was fresh and light and tomatoy-lemony-noodly goodness.

We girls made chocolate chip cookies tonight, with a mixture of white and milk chocolate chips. T and DJ's favorite. I am going to stuff most of them into little sandwich bags and stash them in the freezer (they are really good cold!) so that DJ can enjoy some when he gets home from camping with the Deacons, (YEAH! AGAIN.) and next week at work.

Project Runway is back. Yes friends, I love high fashion. I accept that I can wear non of it, and that's OK. Big bucks fashion trends are rarely garment friendly. I truly enjoy watching others in the creative process. I can, in a small way, appreciate the complexity of making really great clothes. Oh!! And I just love the colors and lines and details and all the deliciousness that is beautiful fabric. Yes. Yes. Friday mornings will find me at my computer watching the latest episode. Satellite down grade a few months ago eliminated the Lifetime channel from our lineup. No big loss, PR is the only thing that I have ever watched faithfully from episode one to the finale. Really true, not even American Idol can hold my attention like beautiful clothes.

Food is a close second.

A few weeks ago DJ called me on the way home from Park City, all in a rush. "Can you find a babysitter for the girls?"

We talked fast. Then he got on the line with everyone he knew (with a recommend) to see if they could help out at the temple. Volunteer time! 6:00 pm - whenever the jobs done. Everyone was busy. Except his Momma, my Momma, Jeff, Kira and myself. (2 other employees of the construction company heading the renovation were also there, already at work. See events below!)

We got to the temple and peeked in the back door. All was dark, and lined with plastic and fresh sheet rock. DJ materialized from within, then decked us out in white head to toe painters suits. We scanned our recommends at a work computer and signed in on a roster. In we went! With tennis shoes!

Our task was to caulk the ceiling of all the newly renovated rooms. Every seam, every hole, every screw. Fireproofing, by order of the Fire Marshal. No small task. Mom wouldn't see me climb the scaffolding so I navigated it around the new special events waiting room, and swept and tidied tools and taped hallway carpet while she and Kira squeezed themselves between metal ceiling supports and electrical wires with caulk guns in hand.

It was really very funny. We looked like marshmallows. How strange to speak to one another in normal tones, and lug saws and hammers and floor lights and large yellow scaffolding around inside the Holy walls. I suppose the Lord appreciates a good renovation, because the spirit was still there amidst the dust. I felt very at ease and happy the whole evening. Privileged really. Even when I cut my finger on a knife that fell out of some tool bags I was moving.

The only not so pleasant surprise was running into a certain Mike from my past, no makeup, glasses, hair in a bun and clearly pregnant in a marshmallow suit. Just the way you want to say "Hi, how's it going?" to the last guy you locked lips with before you starting dating your husband. In fact, I sort of had to dump the guy when I fell in love with DJ.

Awwwwwkward. I didn't recognize him, but he knew me. Not because of my (no doubt) lovely resemblance to my 18 year old self, but because he and DJ got to be great buddies the week before while tearing out walls and mirrors and cabinets and other serious lifting. I have no idea how it came to be known that Mike and I knew one another. I am so glad to have discovered throughout the evening that he served a mission and is married to a (no doubt) beautiful Brazilian girl and doing very well. We actually had a good time catching up and sharing tidbits about our lives, you know, after the initial "Mike who?" (I must make note that the "unpleasentness" was not in meeting this old friend, but only in my obvious goofish-ness upon our re-introduction. What grace I posses!)

I thought as we left the temple about how lucky I am to know my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. So much of the world stumbles around in the dark wondering, not knowing God. And here I was, at His very house, cleaning and caulking and basking in the spirit. Happy in my knowledge of the gospel, and my nearness to Him. The temple glowed pink and bright in the setting sun.

We worked until 9:30. Jeff asks, "Do you think we can deduct 3 hours wage from our tithing this month?"Ha, Ha. No. Better not.

Time

Last evening at Pack Meeting I heard something very moving. I have been pondering it all day.

It goes something like this, in my own words.

Our time is the only resource we give, or waste, that we can never get back. Time, once spent, will never return. The giving of our time is our most selfless gift.

Investing our time in good things will yield blessings, perhaps quickly, maybe not until the next life, but there will come a day when we may harvest and savour the fruits of our time spent. The actual doing, serving, living and spending of our time is only passed through once.

Make your time matter. Make your time good. Make time for others. Make time for yourself.

Remember.

The above photos are of sweet moments gone by this week. T made the masks herself, the whole family has matching disguises. I spent a decent amount of time convincing her to pick up all the tiny pieces of paper off the floor. I wish I had sat down and colored them with her. I think I was sorting my way through a thick stack of bills and navigating the deep waters of online bill pay while she as at it.

There are some things that we must do, things demand our time. The others are there for the choosing. Like a long and beautiful dessert buffet. I think the delicious ones are most often disguised in simplicity.

Brave Men

My big brother and nephew are man enough to play a part.

Jeff looks like Indian Jones.

Tyler helps Ruby push the handcart.

Kira (sis in law) said that Ty wouldn't take his hat off until he was getting into bed. What a stud muffin.

You Don't Have To Push a Handcart

"You don’t have to push a handcart,

Leave your fam’ly dear,

Or walk a thousand miles or more

To be a pioneer!"

"You do need to have great courage,

Faith to conquer fear,

And work with might for a cause that’s right

To be a pioneer!"

-Children's Song Book-

I made the girls skirts. My momma made the bonnets. I am safety pinned into the blue dress, 24 weeks and 3 days. We had a feast Monday evening at the Norr cabin, then took photos in the fading light. I think our ancestors would have loved a Rubbermaid cart.

I am pretending that DJ was with the Mormon Battalion for these family moments. (Instead he was refusing to join everyone in a dress up so I put him behind the camera and ignored him for about 20 minutes while I fumed. What is it with men? Like somehow their dignity might be tarnished if someone were to discover them in costume?)

Anyway. Was a fun evening. We watched the neighbors set off fireworks and ate lots and lots of watermelon.

Workin' Hair

This morning Ruby and DJ, after a swell sleep in, and a swell pancake breakfast, headed off in the big red van to the scrapyard. There they picked up Dads' big red truck, and now they are at the shop doing some Fix'in.

DJ has been talking to the girls for days about needing to fix his truck. (He goes to Elko, NV next week to do a big job for Codell Electric, so it must be done today.) Roo was SO wanting to help. She, of course, got dressed in her little red derby shirt, jeans and tennis shoes. (With help from Dad.) I gave her a grown up girl, no nonsense hair do' complete with headband to keep back the fly aways. (This is how I get ready for a serious day of work, and lets be truthful here, just about every other day as well.)

When I announced that Ruby was set to go, she looked at me earnestly and said. "Dad's ready too. He has a hat."

Me and the T-ster are going to tidy the toy room and paint the porch column that DJ repaired at last. He hit it almost 2 years ago while cruising around the yard in the skid loader and busted off the trim at the base. I also plan on cleaning the oven. The whole house smells like burnt beans and home made maple syrup. I spilled chili on the cook top while dishing up Navajo Tacos to the family clear back on Tuesday. This morning I selected a chili topped burner to put my grill pan on. Mmmm. Smokey.

Yesterday me and Kaylee hit Ikea. I got duvets and yellow polka dot duvet covers for the girls bunk beds. Some frames, some sweet little greens in pots, and a few other little do-dads that were to practical and inexpensive to pass up. (One is a dish drainer for Moose. Wahoo! Serious fun.)

Tomorrow I get to teach Tali's primary class. Pretty much I just need to show up with the bag her teacher prepared. Wow. That woman is on top of things. She makes the cutest little handouts and lesson themed projects that I have ever seen. I hope it's cooler in her little classroom than the Relief Society room. I have been sweating bullets at church each week. Dressing my round bod modestly, and staying cool in our sauna of a meeting house are not together possible. Maybe I should try wearing my work'in hair on Sundays.

Quotables

Some funny things said at this house today.

Ruby. "Where's Dad?"

Me. "Working at Park City."

Ruby. "Oh, on his derby car?"

Talia, to our neighbors at the door. "We can't come out and play just now, we are listening to Justin Bieber."

Me, to Ruby. "Your diaper is on backwards lovie."

Ruby. "I know, Tali changed me. No poops."

Talia. "Mom, can I pick this? "

Me, with my back to her. "Umm, what is it?"

Talia. "Something long and green. I think it's done."

(It was a hot pepper, and yeah, it was done.)

Ruby. "Mom. I sticky!"

Me to Talia. "Dinner is almost ready. Come in in 2 minutes."

Talia. "Ok Mom. Can I have a treat quick?"

Me. "No way."

Talia. "Why?"

Behold the Grange Family

A few of the best from the July photo shoot.

The whole crew:

Me and DJ's crew:

The boys and Dad:
The Boys and Mom: (for those of you who don't know all the D's. There's Dallan, Deven, Derek, Tammy, Daniel, DJ and Denton.)
The grandgirls: Ruby, Keagen, Talia, Kemrie

Me and my Mr. Grange:Me and my dear ones:

There are so many more.

Rock Creek Camp Out

All Talia wanted for her birthday, (Correction, the thing that we could afford to give her from her extensive list of both needs and wants.) was a weekend in the mountains. Camping in the 'Moose.'

So last Friday evening we rounded up some relations and hit the road. Of course we pulled two trailers, got there in the half dark, nearly got stuck, and had dinner about 11:00pm. That's the way we like it.

DJ and I made chocolate cobbler with raspberries and lots of whipped cream in honor of our Talias birthday. She was in a daze for joy. I had to tell her about 100 times to put her shoes on.

Saturday, we all hopped on the bikes and wheelers for a trail ride. It was the most glorious day for a 'throttle hike.' (DJ would be pleased to have me note that this is the only way he even likes to hike.) The mountains were green and full of wildflowers, the sky was an unreal heavenly blue, little streams followed us down the hills. Perfect breeze, gorgeous sunshine! We saw more butterflies in one afternoon than I believe I have seen in an entire summer. Monarchs, little blues, black and white beauties. You name it, they were out and showing us their sweet wings.

We visited Old Ephriams grave. Talia was full of information about this big bear because Grandpa Norr read her an article in the Herald Journal about him last week. She was pretty siked to look around for his cave. Bears always have caves, right?

I had a ball on the ride. All cares forgotten. (Even though I spent the night before tossing and turning on the hardest mattress I have ever encountered. Oh, my back. That will be upgrade #1 for Moose, the camp trailer. I named him that, because he is huge. And likes the mountains, not parking lots.) Tammy let me ride her Cadillac of a 4-wheeler, my belly appreciated that very much! The girls switched vehicles every time we stopped. Daddy and Grandpa Granges motorcycles were the favorites.

We were seriously grubby when the ride was through. I gave the family a diaper wipe bath. Made sandwiches and snarfed down a bag of Doritoes Nacho Cheesier chips. Then we napped in the sunshine.

There is nothing like a camp fire and smores to end a fantastic day. We had planned on staying only one night. T was heartbroken. The parents relented to another night on the mattress of doom. (Padded this time with every available extra blanket.) Roo was about giddy in her very own bunk.

Sunday was a miracle, we were up, home, bathed, breakfasted, dressed and to church on time. I taught Gospel Doctrine! The Resurrection. My heart was full of love for life, and gratitude that all the good things I most cherish shall not be done away with at death. No, No. Many happy days such as these to come, thanks be to Jesus Christ. How glad I am to know this. How wonderful is life.

Great weekend. Great amounts of smokey laundry. Happy memories.

Gimme' 5!

The T-ster is 5. A whole handful of fingers. Here are a few scenes from her big day. Well, days really. We spread the celebration out this year. Why not?

A morning at the splash-pad. Monkeying around.
Dinner at Olive Garden. (Mom forgot the camera!)

An evening with chocolate cake and squiggle candles. Check out Roo's jealous face! (I always let the all the children in attendance blow out their very own flame on a cupcake after the birthday kid gets her glory.)

Sparklers. And snappy, jumping garbonzo beans from Mexico that no doubt kept the neighbors up, and littered the patio with debris.

New night dress from Grandma Norr.

I love you darling Talia. My Goose, my baby divine, my blondie, my 'big one'. Happy 5th birthday sweet kid. I am so glad that you are my girlfriend.

KISS, KISS!

Done!

Because I know you have been dying to see it . . .

You can't imagine how much work this was. The place is sparkling. I love the new wood floor and paint color. (Thanks Mom and Dad! Canvas, by Ralph Lauren. It's leftover from their new house. A sure bet for a great color.)
I think I dropped my kids off at Grandma Granges at least six times, planning on being gone an hour or two. Mostly it turned into 4 or 5. I am weak just thinking about it. I felt bad for DJ and his labor given to the first half of the renovation (remember that I didn't have to tear any old carpet or sheet rock out) but I feel I have done my share for the second act.

See that white bathtub people? And the caulk job? Thank you very much. I don't get credit for the new linoleum in the bathroom, but I did spend at least an hour scrubbing off the over spray that the painters left. Grrr.

I love that sweet pine paneled wall. So 70's. There are two, and we kept them in original condition. I tell our tenants that they can put a nail wherever they like in it. No repairs required. Speaking of, we found a great couple and their little girl to live there. I said a little prayer over the place the afternoon that I went to do the last spot cleaning, and asked the Lord to bless this building and it's inhabitants. To bless it with peace and with life. To consecrate the hours spent in it's behalf for the good of our family, and the new one that will call it home.

Then I walked out and locked the door. DONE!

At least for a while. We have a potential project on the horizon. I am going to see a tiny little house in Providence this afternoon with our real estate go-to, Laurie. It's needs a lot-o-love. And a weed whacker. But, is in a priceless location. I smell a diamond in the rough. We are NUTS! More on that later.

A Saturday

We girls had a fun afternoon at G-ma Norrs on Saturday. After a morning of house cleaning it felt so good to linger around a picnic, and pretty much do nothing but chat. Inside of course, too hot out for a grass and blanket picnic. We did brave the heat to pull fresh carrots and beets from Ga-ma's garden and jump on the trampoline, and pet the neighbor donkey.

The afternoon brought big thundering storm clouds over the valley. Lots of rain fell. I mean lots. My garden was bowing to the pounding. The big pumpkin leaves were totally flat for at least 10 minutes. Wow! It smelled WONDERFUL and cool.

When we pulled onto the race track (one of the perks of being a derby wife; you get to park pretty much wherever you'd like) the sky really opened up and made a mess of things. DJ raced into the car to get a dry shirt and sweater. He left behind brown smears of fine race track sludge on my black floor mats. Freshly scrubbed, just last week. Grrr! Good thing he is so darned lovable. Especially when he is excited about a good bash-around in his car.

This is what the rain did to the derby arena: Go Grandpa Grange!

It was a hilarious derby to watch. Not a lot of hard hitting action, but the mud flinging was top notch. Another night with no cash prize for DJ. (And therefor me, who would straight way put it into the 'baby #3 bills fund.') A hang up in round one, and some mysterious problem under the hood during the 'Bash to the the Last.' He drove the car out of the arena at the end of the maylay, unharmed. Believe it or not, this car can take a lot more hits before retirement.


Lets' hope for as much for the fearless driver. Oh, the life.

How Time Do'th Fly

Do you think that July will pass as quickly as June? I had better pay attention.

Roo is already big enough for a real ponytail. She looks so different with her sweet, wild, curls all contained. Talia has her five year checkup next week, complete with shots for Kindergarten!

Ruby loves to be topless, Talia NEVER wants shoes on and I need to mow the lawn, again! I wear DJ's basketball shorts or my old swinging gaucho pants wherever possible. It's July time.

Scenes from a Holiday

This weekend the we packed the pillows and blankets and headed to Aunt Ali and Brady Lee's house in Idaho Falls for a big Rhodes family sleep over. I think there were about 55 of us all together!

Here is my Grandpa Rhodes with his children. They, their spouses and children, and a few of their children's children made up our big happy group.

We ate good. We played hard. We stayed up late. It was a super 4th of July.

My Uncle Brady put on the biggest 'back-yard' fireworks show I have ever beheld. Here are my girls with their Grandpa Norr on his motorcycle on their way to the spectacle. They love 'gah-pahs bike!'

We visited some natural wonders. (Including a very cool lava tube cave. I forgot my camera for that adventure. Of course we set of fireworks inside, and painted the walls and floors and several cousins with glow stick fluid.) Mesa Falls was really something. The setting is so spectacular. The air smelled like pine and moss and something else completely wonderful. Mint maybe? Heaven on a hot day. Have you ever seen the Tetons from the back? The farm land around them is almost as beautiful as the peaks.

We fed giant fish at Warm River. They LOVE marshmallows. So do little girls. I enjoyed a motorcycle ride with my DJ as pilot. One of my legs got a great tan.

We sang the National Anthem in sacrament meeting on Sunday. Everyone was standing and belting it. I was so moved I could hardly sing. We really should sing all the verses more often. The whole anthem is in praise to God. "To the power that made and preserved us a nation. . . " To me, it also sounded like a prayer for the preservation of his rightous, and a promise that the banner of the Lord will always be raised "between our homes and the wars desolation."

America is no model of perfection. But as long as it's people honor the name is the Lord he will continue to preserve it. In every home is where this is to be done. I will do my part to make sure that God WILL bless America! Happy 4th of July.