I'll be honest...I'm not sure how to title this post

When I was in Mesquite we went to the ring ceremony for one of my cousins on my dad's side. It was nice and we saw family we hadn't seen in awhile. This is my half brother Cesar. He lives in town (Mesquite, that is). When we were kids my dad dropped a bomb on us that he had other children. That was interesting. We met Carlos first, who didn't speak english at the time, and years later, Cesar. It's very wierd talking about him because I don't know what to say. We never developed a relationship with them, it's not our fault, that's just how it was. We were just kids, there was a language barrier, years differences in ages, seldom saw each other, and complications that we had no control over. So now as adults it is very awkward. I can only speak for myself but I think my siblings feelings are similar. We love our half siblings. It's hard to explain why but there's a force beyond explanation that binds blood relations. And yet it is so awkward. Painfully awkward almost. I can't explain it. It doesn't help that dad has left messes behind him everywhere he's been in life awhile. Dad created an environment that made healthy relationships very difficult. So I guess I'm not surprised that it's hard to have much of a relationship with our half brothers as adults. We were all victimized by dads poor choices and now as adults I guess we should feel contented with the friendly awkward relationships that we have.

Flashback Friday

okay, Maggie gave me a jar with Flashback Friday questions I'm supposed to answer. So here I go...opening the jar....pulling out a strip of paper....and the question is.....

WHO WAS YOUR FAVORITE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEACHER?
hmmm.... I'd have to say Mrs. Bearden in 1st grade. We earned stars for good behavior, good scores, etc. on a chart and then at the end of the year we used those stars to buy things from her store. She filled a long school table with all kinds of prizes like toys, inexpensive jewelry, notepads, candy, bubble gum, etc. For whatever reason I was the last or almost the last person to go. Probably because my last name started with Z. (Darn that was a curse) But I managed to score something I've never forgotten! I picked a set of erasers that looked and smelled just like oreos. People that have lived with me know that I have always loved playfood, tiny food, anything like that. So it's no surprise that in first grade that's what I picked. I remember stressing over whether someone would pick those but apparently no one shared my zeal for fake food. I still remember how they felt in my hands, how they smelled, how I loved them. Strange I know, but hey, that's me! I think I also picked up a package of grape hubba hubba which besides being my favorite flavor was especially cool because mom didn't allow us to have gum. Side note: Purple is still one of my very favorite colors because it reminds me of grape hubba bubba. I even have a "grape" colored kitchenaid mixer.

kids are funny

Tonight is the father and son campout. Nephi is exhausted so he decided he would go for the campfire time and then come home before the actual camping begins. He should be home anytime. Anyhow...when I was in the car with the kids earlier today Brigham said he was scared to go camping. This is what he said (I'll try to remember how he said it):
"Mom, I'm scared to go camping."
"Why?"
"Because on that show 'Animals Worst Attacks', Deers beat up people."

ha ha! I think he was thinking of moose but the mental image that conjured up was hilarious. Of course I assured him that 'deers' would not beat him up.

Wow, I sound illiterate when I write (type)

I just have to tell anyone reading my blogs that I'm fully aware that the way I write makes me sound unintelligent. I think it's because when I type I'm concentrating on a sentence at a time and it just doesn't flow out of me naturally. My last sentence is a good example. It goes on way too long. oh well, hope you can put up with it.... :)

Nephi's race

Nephi ran in a 50k this weekend. I'm spacing the name...Red Rock 50k (or something like that) It was down in Ivins (by St.George) so we were in Mesquite for the Memorial Day weekend. He did really well. He took 3rd overall. This picture was taken by the newspaper there. I actually liked this picture since it's pretty scenic. Ususally his race pictures are close ups of him running past the photograper soaking wet sweaty so we never buy them. He runs so many races that those generic sweaty photos are not cool. This one has great scenery and you don't have to look at how sweaty he is, I'm bad I know, so we actually ordered a print that we'll frame.

Joy School Graduation

We just had Joy school graduation tonight for Laci. It was a fun way to end the year. I can't believe it's really over though. Laci will really miss it as it gave her something to look forward to. The girls sang some of their songs from class. Laci refused to sing but she did stand with the girls. They also recieved "report cards" and graduation certificates. Laci plays like she's miserable but I think she enjoyed it a little. Laci's growing up. sigh.... well, she does have one more year of joy school.

Kindergarten Graduation

Brigham graduated from kindergarten yesterday. It was really sweet. I've been going in every other week to help so I knew all of the kids a little. His teacher was Mrs. Briggs. Brigham did great this year. He had perfect scores on his report card so we are proud of him. He can't wait to be finished. He says he won't miss school. I'm not sure how we'll keep busy this summer.
Here's what Brigham says about school:
Favorite part of school: "going out to recess"
Least favorite part of school" "doing centers and math."
Riding the bus: "A little bit fun"
Longfellow: "I liked it"
Best friends from school: "Bracken and Liam" "and Ashton"
my teacher: "I liked her a little bit"
What are you excited for in 1st grade: "getting two recesses"

I've been wanting a firebowl for a few years now but have kept putting it off because of the prices. Well, last week Kohls had these cute little ones on sale for $39.99 and I could not pass them up! It is quite small but I think it will serve our needs well. I also thought my kids might enjoy it a little but I was shocked at HOW MUCH they loved it. Their enthusiasm far surpassed mine. I had bought hot dog and marshmallow roasting sticks so we had a full on cookout. Nephi was at scouts so I was on my own. It was borderline out of control. I wasn't prepared with good chopped wood. Nephi had managed to split a few skinny branches before he had to leave and I had a big old log. It was so smoky and newspaper ash was blowing everywhere. I needed John at that moment. But hey, the kids were loving every second of it and as they were roasting their ash covered hotdogs over a lukewarm fire they kept exclaiming that they couldn't believe they had a campfire. All night long they marveled over that fact. When it was time to eat the hot dogs I zapped them in the microwave when they weren't looking. I don't think they even actually like hot dogs really but they were eating them with their camper enthusiasm. Before we do this again I need to have Nephi split me some wood so I'm prepared. It was fun!

Happy Mothers Day to me!

Nephi was out of town the four days leading up to Mothers Day so on Saturday, in an effort to do something fun with the kids, I took them to Fred Meyer to decorate a cake. They do this every year. You pay $3 for a cake and they have a table set up for the kids to decorate them. They thought it was really fun and you can tell from the picture they're proud of it!

Laci hamming it up

What can I say.....

We live in a zoo

Tonight when the kids and I got home there were ducks sleeping in our front yard. A mallard and gray one ( I'm not educated about ducks). The kids were pretty interested. Brigham had to chase them up the street a little bit just to check them out. After Brigham returned they turned around and waddled all the way back. They stayed in my yard for some time. I think the main attraction was the fallen berries I have in my yard.
There's also about 20 vultures that are in and around our neighborhood. When they first arrive it is very exciting. The neighbors all get out their binoculars and we watch them land high in our trees and circle above our heads. They are very large so it's quite spectacular. Apparently they come through for a few weeks in the spring and then come back through in the fall.
We also watch 4-5 rabbits that roam the connected backyards. They don't really belong to anyone and they have survived 2 winters now. I had no idea that rabbits were so social. They run and chase each other all the time. I feel bad for all the rabbits that are caged in the world because when they're free they are very happy and playful animals.
On nice days we can often hear monkeys. That may sound strange but the zoo is close by and monkey noise seems to carry very well. I get a kick out of it.
Our next door neighbor swear they had a porcupine in their backyard last fall but Nephi doesn't believe it.
Last of all, birds and chipmunks are our constant companions. Birds of course are always fine, but those pesky chipmunks drive everyone a little crazy. They are a little agressive when they want something and they're noisy little things. Oh well, I wouldn't give any of it up, I love our little wild kingdom.

Laci making her daily visits

Laci has begun making it a daily ritual to go across the street to our neighbors, David and Karen. She likes to go and "visit". If they're outside she just hangs out with them and if they're not she stands at the door and knocks. She will stand at the door until they come. I mean that literally. The other day nobody was answering and I started feeling sorry for her so I started to shout to her to come home. She shouted back that she was just going to keep knocking. And that she did. For some time. Eventually the garage opened up and they came driving home. I think they played frisbee with the dog, Jack. Today, I was doing lawn work in the back yard and she left to go visit. Brigham was at school. She went in their house and was gone for some time. It was so long that I started to feel guilty about it. Just as I was about to head over, out comes Laci with souveniers and all. She'd had a great time. I always feel a little guilty but I know they like my kids. They have no children of their own so obviously no grand kids. Maybe Laci and Brigham actually irritate them and I'm clueless but I don't think so. David got my kids a bird feeder, filled it, and hung it up in the tree for them, and when they went on vacation they brought my kids money and souveniers for "picking up the mail". (I mostly did it) So I think it's a genuine affection. Thank heavens for good neighbors. They make life for young families at home so much more enjoyable.

Twilight

This is a little long, but if you're interested in Twilight, this is fun to watch. I can't wait! I will actually pay for a full price movie ticket to see this. Now that's unusual....

Oh yeah, I'm all over this...

I'm pretending to be a photograper

Jake gets married.

Jake is Nephi's cousin. We went out to Gooding to attend the wedding. It was nice and Jake is clearly in love!

Laci's half birthday (Joy School)

Laci's birthday is in June so she got to celebrate her birthday in March, not exactly half way, but close. Only one girl had her birthday during the school year so the rest of them took turns having what they called their "Special Day". The girls loved it! Pictured left to right: Brillan Laird, Ella Shirley, Sydney Sleight, Jennalee Lewis and Laci!