Summer Fun

Growing up, I spent most of my summer days here.
Especially as a teenager. Life wasn't complete without a season's pass, and I have many fond memories of riding those roller coasters, eating pizza, watching fireworks, going to concerts with friends & riding the bus home. My first kiss happened there! Canada's Wonderland is a seriously awesome theme park. Utah doesn't have anything that comes close to being an equivalent. It just doesn't. There's Lagoon, but you can count on your fingers the number of decent rides there, and can walk the place in an hour or so. A little disappointing, but considering that Vern doesn't do rollercoasters, and my kids are mostly too young for them I'd probably be missing out anyway.
That's okay. Some things change, some things stay the same. We used to have fairs throughout the summer in mall parking lots in Toronto. Just some midway rides & games - but always fun to hang out with friends anyway. That's where my other summer love comes in...

Serena, Denise & I would go to the fair at Yonge & Steeles & ride the Zipper over, and over, and over again. I vividly remember the year when Serena was wearing her fgth relax t-shirt & I felt all cool because I bought a new anklet & lip gloss at the mall before heading out to the parking lot to ride the rides, eat our cotton candy & (hopefully) meet some boys. I don't remember meeting any boys that year (or any year for that matter) but man, do I still smile when I see the zipper. Maybe they'll have it at Riverton Town Days this weekend. If not, they'll for sure have it at the State Fair later this summer. I wonder if my stomach can still handle it. I tried to go on it a couple of summers ago & they wouldn't let me go on alone, and none of my family were eligable/willing to brave it with me. I think I could convince Brandon now. I'm hoping so. There may not be a Wonderland here in Utah, but where there is the zipper there is some summer fun!
*I'm not sure why when you first use my link to the Wonderland web site the pictures don't come up (at least for me) but if you click on overview it refreshes the page, pictures and all.

My List

Tired April = List time!

Instead of following one of the ones I've seen of late on other people's blogs I'll create my own. (Mostly because I feel like on some of those I have "wrong" answers when compared to my friends. (And I can't say I didn't inhale, but I can say it just made me feel way sick & I never EVER did it again. Ickorama.) There are other oddball answers, but we'll not go there. I don't want to become known as the naughty squirrel. lol

I'm listening to: Rob Thomas (...just another heartache on my list. I don't wanna be angry no more...)

I'd rather be: In San Francisco!

I'd like to shop at: IKEA (It's all Mary's fault.)

I need to improve: Lots of things. Lets go with pepsi consumption. I drink way too much pop. Need to work on that.

I like my: Feet! Only because I just painted my toenails pink. I like pink.

I melt when: Vern smiles. Love his dimples. And his blue eyes. Mmmmmm...

I've never tried: Sushi. Don't plan to either.

I'd like to try: Scuba diving!

I like the sound of: My children giggling. Heaven.

I like to look at: Will Smith! (Need a different answer from me for variation? How about house plan books/mags - I love to look at those.)

I cry when: Other people cry. During sad moments in movies too. Especially when it involves a mommy or daddy and child. Wah.

I look up to: The men & women who serve in our military. And their families. Absolutely admire them & am grateful for them.

I dislike: Chewies in meat. Feeling sticky & sweaty. The smell of fish.

I want to be seen as: A sincere person. A loyal friend. Someone worth knowing.

I wish I wasn't: Impatient.

I wish I was: 20 pounds lighter. Working on that.

I sing along to: Everything! My poor family...

Um, yeah. So I'm out of ideas. That took longer than I planned. Maybe next time I'll suck it up and answer one of those other questionnaire-type dealies going around on blogs. I guess I could just plead the fifth with some questions. ;)

...of the day

Quote of the day: "I don't feel old. I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap." Bob Hope.

Word of the day: Squishy. I don't know why I like it but I do. Squishy squishy squishy.

Song of the day: As good as I once was by Toby Keith (Why, you ask? Because I love this line: "I'm not as good as I once was, but I'm as good once as I ever was...)

Flavor of the day: Pina Colada Mmmmmmmm... (We have these yummy popsicle things & I have informed my children that the pina colada ones are mine all mine. Yummy.)

Photo of the day:

If it sticks, write about it.

Have you ever had a thought come to you, and hit you right in the heart so clearly that you couldn't let it go? That happened to me today. It prompted a train of thought that has followed me all day, so here I sit writing about it long past my bedtime.

This is the face that I was looking at today when I had the thought "I don't deserve you." And I meant it, but not in a negative way. It's just an understanding I have come to that there's an awesome privilege granted when a woman becomes a mother.
Elijah was cooing, smiling and gazing up at me when I said those words to him. It hit me solid, and I said it out loud. "I don't deserve you." This beautiful little human being was entrusted to me. Isn't that the most amazing gift? I think so. But as I enjoyed his innocent perfection I also had the feeling that I needed to be a better person in order to do right by him. Not that I'm a bad person, but I've been tired, full of excuses and well, just not 100% there, you know? Feeling like I'm not giving everything that needs it the attention & effort it deserves. Okay, so I know I'm not. I can do better. In many facets of my life. I may sometimes be able to be tired, overwhelmed or even just plain lazy on my own behalf in some areas, but my family deserves better from me. I would be happier too. And they benefit from that, believe me.
So I'm going to admit to you that I don't deserve him. BUT I am also going to admit to being so thankful for the opportunity I have to change that. And for those moments I have with my children where I see the purity and sweetness that we all were born with that sometimes we forget is inherent in everyone. I'm realizing it's time to wake up from whatever sort of funk I've been in and be the mother, the wife, the person that those around me deserve. And they deserve the best.

Fast-Forward

It's already Tuesday of this week? Unbelievable. Last week flew by too fast for me. I could swear I was just sitting outside watching the carpet guys put our new carpet in. That was Tuesday of last week though. I guess I lost a whole week in there somewhere. That does explain why the sunburn I got while sitting outside watching the carpet dudes do their thing is now itchy & dying to peel. Yep, a whole week. Poof. Part of me wants a rewind button, so I can see where the time actually went, and another part of me says no way - that'd only confirm I didn't accomplish much in the last 7 days. Makes me want to vow that I'll do more than just keep my head above water this week. That I'll excercise & spend quality time with my kids. That I'll take a few photographs just for me. That I'll get caught up on the ever-growing pile of laundry. I'd like to make that vow, but whoever it is with that finger on the fast-forward button had better be kind and give me a fighting chance. I mean, it's got to be their fault, right?

Happy Father's Day!

 Vern is a great dad. It's one of the things I love about him most. He does diapers, late nights, & early mornings. He's good to our kids. He provides for them, sets an example & teaches them. I think they appreciate him. I hope they do. They're lucky to have a dad that's as interested & involved in their lives as Vern is. I hope he has a great day. :)

Time Flies

My sweet Elijah turned 3 months old today.