My Crossing Guard Tan

I am a crossing guard, and proud of it. Most of the kids I cross NEVER get run over. However, I have a favorite pair of shoes that I love to wear to cross. However, a friend recently thought my feet were dirty.

They weren't. I bought a new pair of shoes.

Movie I Watched Recently: Mean Girls -- Lindsay Lohan at her best.

Learning to say No

Jameson and I recently went to visit Barnes and Noble. This is obviously a rather dangerous store for us. Even thought we go 'just to play with the toy trains for Packer' we always end up fighting for browsing time while the other vaguely watches our son (usually reading something). We ALWAYS end up with purchases. Our home library has gotten a little out of hand. Jameson had the audacity to suggest that we sell some books. It was a short conversation, and I sincerely hope he learned his lesson.

Anyway, he put a book in my hands that was really a joke, but we ended up buying it. How to say NO without Feeling Guilty by Connie Hatch and Patti Breitman. Jameson often jokes that I have no clue how to say no. Anyway, this got me thinking about when I overload myself and why and if I feel badly about any of it.

It kind of came to a point when on a recent trip to Bicknell, Utah (yeah, I know -- could we get weirder or more beautiful Southern Utah?) and we visited a restaurant called Slackers. First, I want to say, it was AWESOME. Anyway, they had these fried green beans. They were all I wanted and I seriously had this weird battle in myself that went something like this:

Normal Katie: I really want those fried green beans.
Crazy Katie: But no one else is getting them, and that is weird. Get something else. Chicken.
Normal Katie: Well, I guess I could get that, but it is way more expensive.
Crazy Katie: WEIRDO! Who cares, look more normal.
Normal Katie: But I am not that hungry.
Crazy Katie: RED RUM!!

Remember this whole conversation happened in my head (yeah, I know, I'm nuts). I ended up getting the green beans, and guess what? No one cared, and everyone tried one. They were delicious. So I am trying to assert my actual wants and needs at least known. That way if I am a people pleaser (I am), I can be a little more aware of reining in the crazy and making sure that I say yes to what I want and no to what I don't.

I will keep you posted. (get it? because it is a blog post?)

Sountrack I Listened to While Writing this: Wicked, Original Broadway Cast

The New(ish) Aquarium

 Something I strongly recommend for any family anywhere is a season pass to an attraction nearby if possible. We have a relatively small family, so we just pick one a year to get a pass to, and we generally request this for a Christmas present. Usually it offers some sort of education opportunities for kids and a chance to get out of the house for adults. There are usually special perks for members and exclusive deals for them as well.

There is a really cool shark tube and giant auditorium/viewing area. We always end here, and he loves running between me and the sharks.

This year, we are members at the new Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Salt Lake City. And we LOVE it! I had been to the aquarium before they got their new digs, and it was pretty fun. We went to their members preview when it opened and we were left a little, well, less impressed. Most of the exhibits were still under construction so it was a bit of a let down. However, we have been back a few times since, and it just gets better and better.

Packer LOVES these little turtles that are in a small exhibit in the South America section. Once, when his Aunt Alycia asked him what a turtle says, he said 'ribbit'. I was pleased that he kept it in the amphibian family.

The penguins are a big crowd pleaser, and we are no exception, although, Packer really likes the Emperor Penguin cut out more because he loves Happy Feet 2.

Pirahanas? I want to say? I can't believe he gets to see this stuff.

This is just at the 'make a souvenire penny thing' -- nothing special. But he is just. so. cute!

Trying to see the flat turtles. So cute.

Book I recommend: Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander -- this is the 4th book in the Prydain series, and it is an excellent series for young boys to read. I would say between the ages of 10-11.

The Right Words at the Right Time

I think I was about 10 years old the first time I stayed up reading a book all night. It was a glorious experience that has repeated itself many times (all Harry Potter books, opening night).

That said, I probably haven't read a sizable book in a day in ages. I am a mom and my reading time, while cherished, is limited. I shocked myself yesterday, threw caution to the wind, and let a book carry me away until midnight. It was Forbidden Sea by Shiela A Nielson.

It was looking at me from a shelf in the library and I picked it up on a whim. I am a bit of a lover of fantasy books from the 1970s. The cover art was reminiscent of these fantasies, so that might have been what drew me to it, however it was published in 2010. The description does not do it justice, and led me to believe that it would be Twilight all over again but with Mermaids.

I have never been more wrong. The plot centers around a young girl who is in a very difficult situation, and works really hard not just physically to help provide for her recently impoverished family, but also emotionally. She is often demeaned by those around her, and her incredible determined spirit is taken for granted. She is falsely accused of many things, but continues to show love to those around her (a little gruffly, at times).

This struck a cord with me because I have never felt so spiritually and emotionally rewarded at this point in my life, but I also feel keenly the sacrifices I have made. I gave up a career to stay home with my son, and my efforts as a mother are often more of the hugs and kisses variety, and less of the golden star on my report card for everyone to see.

This book helped me remember that what I want is to be a strong person for my family because I love them regardless of what others seem to think or say. I want to be kind in the face of skepticism and hold my head high that I had the courage to make a difficult choice.

My Rule of Three

Hey sports fans! So today I wanted to just jot down a note about my personal 'rule of three'. If any of you read fantasy in any of it's varied forms you know that everyone gets three rules or challenges or wishes or attempts. Seriously, read a fairy tale. I recommend the Blue Fairy Book to start you out.

How every fairy tail should end . . .

I personally struggle to look like a decent human being most days. Although the ravages of time have not quite torn my former beauty from me, little sleep and lots of worry often do. I am of average girly-ness. My rule of three is this:

I can go out of the house if I have 2 of the following three things going for me: hair, makeup or clothing. 

First time I went to the color festival. So much fun. I didn't not hit 1 of these.

If I hit at least 2 it is a win (of course exercise is an exception) for the day, and I can feel like I am accomplished in the beauty/style department.

Obviously, I want to get all three done. But that isn't always possible. So here we are.

Beauty Product of the moment: Coola Sun Block and matte tinted skin moisturizer.

Sweet April Showers Bring Forth May Flowers

This small couplet has been occupying my mind of late. One reason is because it is raining in Utah and it is April (go figure). I think if rain sparkled like Edward Cullen's vampire chest, I might like it more. Another reason is that it is a small reminder of how to face challenges with a positive attitude.

This is a beautiful blooming bush covered in snow. It was magical.

I was going to try to post some pithy little Facebook post about it, and thought I would sound more intelligent if I looked it up on Wikipedia first. That is where I found the version that is the title for this post.

This is our little man at the park. Like a month ago. Notice, no snow.

I like this version because it says 'sweet'. In case you don't know, I overuse the words sweet, lovely, and the phrase 'for pity's sake' in my vocabulary with friends. This is partially because in collage a good friend and I decided to bring back some phrases that only elderly women say. They stuck. Another reason is that I try to focus on the sweet things in my life to avoid the existential terrors of existence.

We went to the preview day at the aquarium that is just opening in our town. I thought this should be a promotional photo for them. Again, no snow.

To get to my real point, I always refer to blessings in my life as good and sweet from a kind Father in Heaven. Whereas trials I face are an evil necessity imposed on me by God. However, trials often cultivate the sweetest, kindest and most spiritual moments in my life. Essentially, the sweet challenges bring forth the flowers of blessings.

Library fun! I totally recommend the library to anyone who wants to improve the life of their child. I go to the Murray City Library. And I love it. Those are frogs on his crown. He is a frog prince. Jameson thought he looked like a girl. He was wrong.

Good Book to Read: I am sucking my 52 book challenge up. I have like 3 make up books to get crackin' on. Any suggestions for quick reads are appreciated.