I Feel...

In a perfect world, I would be just like this...
Fab, calm, skinny and yet making delectable desserts. Perfect, beautiful children. If life was perfect.



REALITY...

Just list our # as the Applegate Zoo...

You know I have three little beasties residing in my small home, but what you might not realize is we are a veritable zoo. Let's count the occupants of our small abode: The Big Daddy Love (self-named), Beasties 1 2 & 3, Mack the Monkey (little bro), Tilly the Cockatiel, Mohanna the Leopard Gecko, Chi-Chi the Dumbo Rat (yes, *sigh* I own a rat) and the newest member of the Applegate Zoo- Jethro the Catahoula Hound Dog. If you count the neighbor's cat I scare out of my yard, the 5 random squirrels skittering about, and the local lizards sunning themselves, I believe I can start charging admission. Who wouldn't want to pay to see Gunner scooping dog food into the water bowl to make "soup" or peer into a cage to see the shy *gulp* rat hiding in her shavings? Seriously, this has got to be the best zoo around!

I, as you might have noted, do not count myself among the zoo members...I am their zoo keeper- earning my living cleaning up after, entertaining and feeding the animal masses. In payment, I receive a lot of hugs, kisses, chirps and other sounds of approval.

We are actually really excited to have Jethro. He's a darling little dog and so much fun (and work) for all of us. Kit and I thought long and hard about getting a dog. We both loved our dogs growing up and think they are great for teaching kids about love, work and responsibility. However, you have to be ready to take full responsibility for the training and care of the animal. We brought home the little (barely 6 weeks) puppy to surprise the boys and they quickly fell in love. Josiah and Gavin understand it is their job to make sure he is played with daily and must be fed before they can get their breakfast. It is fun to see them act more maturely and ready to take care for another instead of being taken care of.

Welcome to the Zoo, Jethro!

I'm in the mood...

to CRAFT, that is. Do you ever get the overwhelming urge to create with your hands? I do, and the mood came on me this week. I have a few big painting projects I have been wanting to tackle and even purchased the primer and paint...just to be thwarted by the oppressive rain and humidity...blehhh! I couldn't shake the urge, however, so I traipsed all around (Michael's, Walmart, Dollar Tree and the fabulous Hobby Lobby) gathering supplies for a simple craft. But-it took so long collecting what I needed (and some goodies I didn't) that it was time to pick Jos up from school, aide in homework, cook dinner (yummy tortilla soup-Hooray for Cinco de Mayo) and bundle the kids off to bed. Well...sigh...except for the youngest one. Once he's off, maybe I can finally tap into the mood and create.

Do you ever feel in the mood? How do you make it all happen? Just wonderin'...

When I Grow Up...

Now, some might assume I am grown up. I have gone to college, gotten married, moved away from home and have 3 beasties of my own. I do laundry, dishes, yard work and aide in homework. I am an adult. You might think I am grown up...

...when I grow up, I want to be like a particular sister in my ward. She is a few years older than me, totally cute, creative, clever (sorry, out of "c" adjectives) kind, spiritual and has a fabulous sense of humor. She makes me cry when she bears her testimony and makes me laugh so hard I snort drinks out my nose (has happened) when she tells a funny story. She is wonderful. She is everything I want to be! I want to be just like her...when I grow up...

I mentioned this to my brother today, as this sister bore her sweet testimony, and he laughed at me. HE, of course, thinks I'm grown up. I don't want to be grown up...I'm not ready to be grown up. I have so much learning and growing to do. I don't want to be just what I am now...I need to be more. The best part of life is the ability to do and be more. So, I refuse to be grown-up. I will continue in my efforts to be better, stronger in the gospel and in life. I will be a better person the harder I work towards it.

Besides, how many grown ups dance around the house, read books with silly voices and laugh so hard they pee their pants? If these are things you enjoy (as I do) maybe you're not as grown up as you thought...!

GONE

I have been out of town for the last 2 weeks celebrating Josiah's spring break. I'll be getting a new post up shortly...just as soon as tackle the results of said trip! Love you all!!! I can't wait to settle in and read up on all of your news I have missed.

The Truth

I have always loved General Conference. It is the powerful spiritual boost that helps keep me on track (as close as I can get stumbling along) for 6 months at a time. Well, the love has been tempered the last 3 years or so with the arrival of subsequent beasties. It seems so much more difficult to glean the meaning and spiritual thoughts I NEED to help me grow stronger, better. However, my heart received its needed message amid the chaos of color crayons, building blocks and other random paraphernalia issued to keep my beasts quiet (at least to a dull roar). I know my Savior died for Me. I know He lives. Elder Holland's talk touched me to my heart and I wept (secretly-to avoid tiresome questions). It is the remembrance of the Atonement that helps me to plug along in life. I trudge along...seeming to never rise above my nose in the dirt, but at least I know my Redeemer knows me and knows the feelings of my soul. He knows I am often sad and discouraged at my many faults and yet, He felt it worth it to die for me. There must be hope that I will succeed with the purpose given to my life.

Another truth I managed to soak up was the truthfulness of a latter-day prophet. My heart burned with the closing remarks of President Thomas S. Monson. I knew he was the chosen prophet when he was called, but the Spirit testified again to me that it was true. How truly wonderful our Father in Heaven sees fit to bless us with a speaker of His words. I know it to be true and I am so thankful for him.

How True

"Mom, your screws are loose!"

Yes...yes they are...