crazy summer

I haven't posted for a while....life is INSANE! Summer is crazy at my house. It's a series of tons of baseball at night, sleeping in from sheer exhaustion (except Jason...and me) and trying to squeeze in chores during the day.

Having two busy teenagers is busy as well. I'm ready for Katelyn to drive. (too bad she turns 15 in a few weeks) It's starting to actually become part of our decision to let them go out at night as to whether or not we are too tired to wait up for them to come home.

My Grandma and Grandpa are in there late 80's. (maternal) They are both having major health issues right now. It makes me sad. They are so wise and amazing. I can't imaging one without the other and I can't imagine me without either of them. Our family is praying for a speedy recovery for them both.

That's all for now, maybe I'll post something interesting later in the month. Happy 4th of July!

milestones

Life is measured in milestones. I had my 38th birthday a few weeks ago. Milestone.

As a younger gal, I liked the milestone of New Year's Day. I always set goals, reevaluated life, blah blah blah. I liked my birthday. I loved reviewing the year to see what I accomplished and what areas I was going to improve in the coming year.

As I got older, I started noticing Sunday as a milestone. Being spiritually fed on Sunday and carrying the feeling through the week. As the "spiritual high" would be wearing off, it was time to go again.

As I got even older, I noticed a new milestone. I found the value in taking one day at a time. Every morning, I can start with prayer, scripture study. Every night I can evaluate my progress for the day, repent as needed, and try again tomorrow to be a little better.

The funny thing about the "day at a time" philosophy is it rendered the other milestones semi-pointless to me. (Except Sunday worship, of course)

It's interesting for me to see the different changes we go through in life.

A day of Jared...

Saturday, our day started out picking up Jared's date to head with the fam up to Spring Mobile park. Herriman and Riverton played teach other. It was nice to sit in the sun, also, my nephew plays for Herriman so I got to see my sister. The little boys played with cousins and Katelyn and Sadie had been friends last year and had fun with each other. After the game we took Sadie home, and hustled home where Jared was getting ready for prom. It was a fun day. Jared had a blast on his date. Thanks always to my friend Lisl who made the corsage. She is amazing!

At the end of the week I am putting Jared on a bus to Anaheim, CA for a baseball tournament with the High School. I wished so badly that we could go (stupid budget!) but he's nearly 18 so I guess he's a big boy now. They are going for 10 days. (sigh) It will be a great experience for him, but we'll miss him. maybe I'll clean his room while he's gone......with a shovel.

I need this framed for my salon.

A well timed joke

My 8 year old's BFF is his 17 year old brother. I wished I took a picture of the things that happened tonight.

Tyler came out in some basketball shorts that used to be Jared's. They were a little big on him but if it used to be Jared's it's all good. Jared said, "hey, those are my John Stockton shorts" (meaning they would fit small and tight.)Next thing I know Jared is wearing the little shorts and Tyler is wearing the shorts Jared had on before. Jared was getting ready for an ice bath so it was time to trade back the shorts. Jared had sliding shorts on so he was going to just drop trou and asked Tyler, "what do you have on under your shorts?" Tyler paused and said," underwear.....and I think we all know what's under that." ....(sigh)He's 8.

After Jared was out of the ice bath, he asked Tyler if he wanted to get in. I jokingly said,"Ty, do you want to take a bath with Jared." He shook His little head, put his hand over his eyes and said, "mom, you don't know me at all." He can keep a straight face and be so funny...I love it!

Late night blogging

I really admire people who have the ability to write something interesting enough for me to want to read. If that's what you're looking for with post, maybe you should stop reading now.

Many people have a life that is lived in a before/after way. Whether it is a tragedy or something amazing that happened to you, your life is forever changed.

I've been thinking about a few of my before/after situations. What I notice never changes is our agency. We have the ability to let things define us however we choose. When we are sad it is easy to be really sad and not understand how to be happy again. When we are happy it is hard to believe we were ever so sad and it seems easy to be happy. Weird.

I've had times in my life when I felt I was clinging to the Gospel and other times when it seems natural and as if nothing could take the Spirit away from me. It's strange to me that the veil is so thin at times and feels like a brick wall at other times.

I have a testimony of the Plan of Salvation. I'm not surprised when a trial comes my way. Ask any 8 year old about to be baptized why we are here and they will answer to get a body and be tested. I'll be honest, I don't like trials. Maybe that's bad to say. But, I always love what I learn from each trial. Each trial (eventually....cuz I'm stubborn) strengthens my faith, and shows me the love my Savior and Father in Heaven have for everyone of his children.

I don't get yelled at very often. But this week it seems like every time I turn around, someone is yelling at me. I have been blessed with an overwhelming knowledge that the people yelling at me aren't mad at me at all. Everyone has trials. We never know who is going through possibly the hardest time in their life. I have felt compassion for them that I'm sure wasn't from me.

If you understand what I mean by you life being defined by a before/after situation I hope it has strengthened your testimony.

Random catching up with the Bartons

Jared forbid me to put this pic on Facebook.....he said nothing about my blog. I think it's cute how my boys faces are the same while pitching. Their little corners of their mouths are turned down. Cute.

Anywho, I've been having a hard time posting lately. We've been busy with semi-same-ole stuff.

Quick update on the family.....Brent turned 40. Jared is meeting with colleges, Katelyn is almost done with her YW Medallion. For part if her Divine Nature project she learned to make bread with the help of my mom (cuz her mom doesn't know how) and she used the bread she made for the sacrament. I thought it was cool. Tyler is having cabin fever. He needs to be running around outside. Jason got his alphabet crown, which means he knows upper and lower case letters and all their sounds.

I'm so proud of all my kids!They are amazing.

Brent and I went to see Jim Gaffigan for his birthday in January....we love him. I laughed harder than I have ever laughed. Brent's sister gave us tickets for Brent's birthday. We were able to go with Crapo's, Brent's sister and Brent's brother and wife. It was blast.

I am reading the Book of Mormon again at a little slower pace. it's amazing to me how the words that you need to hear jump out at you even though you have read them many, many time.

I love the scriptures.

I just learned about Josh Powell......(if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all)

Katelyn is on the 9th grade basketball team. She loves it!!! She's a good player. She's learning so much about the game. It's fun to see her grow. She also likes boys(grrr) She has for a long time, she just isn't afraid to talk to me about them any more. I'm glad she will let me know what's up in her life. I literally don't know what I'd do without her. She is amazing.

The most funny Christmas card of the season.....

Brent's sister sent my the most funny card this year, I had to share the words:

Christmas Carols for the mentally ill

1. Schizophrenia ---
Do You Hear What I Hear?

2. Multiple Personality Disorder ---
We Three Kings Disoriented Are

3. Dementia ---
I Think I'll be Home for Christmas

4. Narcissistic ---
Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

5. Manic ---
Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and.....

6. Paranoid ---
Santa Claus is Coming to Town to Get Me

7. Borderline Personality Disorder ---
Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire

8. Personality Disorder ---
You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, Maybe I'll Tell You Why

9. Attention Deficit Disorder ---
Silent night, Holy oooh look at the Froggy - can I have a chocolate, why is France so far away?

10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder ---
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells....