What I wish for Curtis.

I was talking to Curtis the other day about the kind of Grandpa that I want him to be.  I was really trying to find the right words to explain to him everything that I hope that our grandchildren feel about him.

This picture popped into my mind.

I want him to love his grandchildren SO much that he'd be willing to wear a tu-tu for them!  The other day we had Cow Appreciation Day and Noelle's grandpa showed up dressed as a cow and wearing glitterly pink eyelashes.

(Everytime I have met Noelle's grandfather he's just doing something fun.  He's willing to wear costumes!) 

Yes, Curt. This is what I wish for you in the future. 

Glittery. Pink. Eyelashes.


Photo taken by Whitney Dibble

Greens

Hayden has a pair of flip flops that we lovingly call his "greens".  They are, of course, green.

Tonight we went to Walmart to get Curt some fruit drinks because he's heading out for a job.  As we got in the car, I saw Hayden's bare foot and asked him what happened to his green and he quickly responded that it was on the floor of the passenger side.  When we got home, I asked where his other green was and he couldn't find it.  So... back we went.

As we were approaching our former parking space I told Hayden that I'll be more mad if the green wasn't there. 

"I'm looking... I'm looking... I'm looking... I'M SEEING!!!!" 

There was the green, still in the parking spot.

I would have been mad, this was the 4th pair of greens that we've gone through in the last few months. 

Lucky Hayden.

I AM...

Horrible at keeping up with my blog.  So many apologies to my family!  I have a ton of events that have happened and I haven't been very good at documenting them.

I will be better and start with a few pictures tomorrow.

Love you all!

Spring Break: Day 1

Oh, how I love this first day of Spring Break.  As a friend pointed out, however, it's not technically spring... yet!

So, after waking up at 5 am to take Curt to the lightrail, I got back home and climbed right back into bed.  The joy of going back to sleep is something that I've missed.  I was out until 9!  I got up, fed the baby and harrassed the kids into getting their chores done.

We just goofed around until 1:30 when I remembered we need to head down to Honeyville to get some White Wheat.  (I don't want to burn through my food storage too quickly)  Sooo, anywhoo, after hanging out there and looking at all their cool stuff, the kids wanted to head over to IKEA. 

As we walked in, there was an area to make rockets for the kids.  There was also a person in a pineapple costume.  Penelope Pineapple... poor person.  The kids made rockets and since they are truly my children, they started shooting their rockets at the pineapple person.  Did I tell them to stop?  Uh, no.  The pineapple started gesturing to Aaron in a "bring it on" fashion so he kept aiming for it.  He did pretty well too!

After annoying the craft people, we headed over to the kitchen area.  People of Ikea, you really shouldn't have things unpackaged in boxes when the Mellor Clan is there.

I am a bad mother... sometimes.  But I feel as though I'm a great mother and a horrible one at the same time.  My kids and I set probably 40 timers to go off in 30 minutes.  Yes, we sat there for a bit, until we noticed an Ikea person coming into the area; then we left.   As we were leaving, Aaron started laughing and told me to listen.  I could hear  40 timers ticking down the seconds. 

We went over to the bedding and started checking out pillows and had a minor pillow fight... until an Ikea person entered the area.

We went to the kids area and I let all 3 of them run with wild abandon around the area.

I went to lighting and let the kids turn off all the lights they wanted.

Then... we got the call from Curt to get him from the lightrail.  Fun was over.

Can wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Aaron turned 13!

On Febrary 22nd, Aaron turned 13.  We took him out to Red Robin and then let him go to Target to figure out what really wanted.  Thirteen is  a diffucult age to buy for because that's when kids start to want all the expensive things that life has before them!

We checked Craigslist and found Aaron a new bike because he's had 2 stolen on the last year and I'm not willing to buy him a new one.

He's a little disappointed because I explained to him that he's a teenager now and has to start to earn his own money,  He's not liking this teenager thing so far, it's just meaning that he has more responsibility.

Positive

My husband is the only person I know that can be fine when he goes to bed, yet wakes up mad a the world.   I can be mad at the world, but if I get in a good nap, I'm happy again.   We are such opposites sometimes that we really even each other out.
I was asked recently how I can have a positive attitude when everything about me is going wrong.  Here's the answer.

Heavenly Father has given me just one more day to figure it all out.

Every morning is a new opportunity make everything the best that I can.  Not everything can change in a day, not every situation will be resolved, but He trusts me enough with "today" to let me be here.  I'm not planning on leaving anytime soon, but I want to have made an impact on those that I love.


Today, Aaron may not be friends with a single boy in the ward, but maybe one of them might have a moment together that will help them become friends.

Today, Alyssa might not become the ultimate mathmatician, but she might learn just one thing that will make it easier to get that "B".

Today, Hayden might actually poop in the potty.  Hope springs eternal for that one.

Today, Olivia might roll over, or she might realize that she has feet.

Today, I may just be able to get all the things done on my list.

Today, Curt could come home and not be exhausted.

When I was in the hospital, I was thinking about Olivia, her little brain and her surgery.  Yes, I was sad that she was having surgery, but what could I do?  I felt like I should cry.  I tried, but nothing came out.  Why?  because I am SO grateful that there was a way to fix Olivia's shunt.  Risky? Yes; I was sure of that.  Was she going to come out of it alright?  Yes; because she'd had a blessing and I'd felt assurance that what Curt was saying was true.  Do I have to cry?  No, it wouldn't change things, so why not smile?  I know the nurses were grateful.

I wake up and pray that there will always be hope.

Without hope, there's just life.

I want more than just to live.

Merely a flesh wound!

At the hospital, I mentioned that the shave would be Olivia's first hair cut.

  They saved her hair and put it in a baggie for me.