The Kids Keep Getting Older but I Don't

It's time.
I have a child that is almost 20.
That's all your fingers and all your toes put together.
We won't talk about how many fingers and toes I need for my age.

And while my children continue to grow up and try new things and move on with their lives, I'm still here. I 'm not complaining, not at all. This is where I want to be and doing what I've always wanted to be doing. It just seems that my accomplishments and my identity are in relationship to theirs. To explain myself, I tell what my kids are doing and what they're busy with. Erin's almost a junior, she's got a phonetics class and is swimming--she's got a great butterfly stroke. Cait's just finished her college apps and she's still working at the bookstore. Stef's going to New Moon tonight. She got Embry's autograph. Jace is getting a root canal on Monday and wants to take piano again. Benj is playing basketball now and he's read 3 big chapter books in the last few weeks.

Oh, did you want to know what I've been doing? I'm still being a mom, chaperone for activities, still doing lots of laundry, pack meeting tonight. Hhmmm--that's still in relationship to the kids, isn't it? OK, how about--I teach preschool, read, quilt. Isn't that what I've been doing for the last ?? years?

I had a physical a few days ago--I've been trying to do that annually so I can stay up with my health. I complained of memory loss. I mix up my words and forget where I put things. Sure, typical stuff for a busy mom who's always on the go. He asked how much sleep I get. I asked him how much I need. He said 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours. I said 5 or 6. He said that we can adjust to less sleep, but we suffer--mainly our memory (and we also get the mid-section pooch which, I will admit, is apparent on me). Shoot. I was hoping there would be a magic pill of some kind for my memory. Ginkoba? or fish oil? or what's that red fruit? I can't remember. The kind with the little juicy seeds. We planted one in our yard last spring. . . Pomegranite! He said fish oil will help, but I need more sleep, I need more exercise and I need a NEW activity. He asked if I did puzzles. Only the crossword and sudoku almost every day for the last 15 years. He said I need a NEW activity. He asked if I played a musical instrument. Piano, the same songs and hymns I've played for the last 25 years. He said I need a NEW activity! So, I'm looking for something new to do--throwing ideas around in my head. Maybe I'll get back to my book I'm writing (Isn't everyone writing a book?) or buy a Harley or learn to . . . I don't know. Something is out there waiting for me. I've got to get out of my rut!
So, that's me. Identified by my kids, but I'm also someone in search of a new activity just for me. Any ideas? And, I'm trying to get to bed earlier. Like that's going to happen.

Here are some pictures of the birthday girl--She's doing lots of new things and has been learning and growing for 20 years now!

5 generations--all oldest daughters

Erin on her blessing day, me, her Grandma Miller,

Great-Grandma Doxey, Great-Great Grandma Winegar

(she's in a short white dress 'cause she had a blow-out in her long, pretty one)

3 years old--her first fish

3 years old, cuddled up with Uncle Steve who was living with us at the time.

7 years old with Caitlin

Going to prom! 2008

Halloween 2009 up at BYU. (yes, I copied this from fb)

Cute girl!! Happy Birthday Erin!

What we Remember from Conference

I wasn't going to post this story (don't want to embarrass the boys any further), but I think it's just too funny to pass up.

We were playing Conference Jeopardy for Family Night right after conference. The game was emailed to us from a friend and even though there were a lot of questions, you could use your notes and the scriptures to answer them.

It was boys (Chris, Jace, and Benj) against girls (Katie, Caitlin, Stef) with me moderating. The question to the boys was "What was the name of the item that primary kids put into a jar to count their service in celebration of President Monson's birthday?" The answer was "warm fuzzies" and everyone thought it was very easy but Benj and Jace had never heard of warm fuzzies before. It was Benj's turn to answer and since he didn't remember that talk, Jace whispered the answer into his ear. Benj looked a little uncertain but repeated exactly what Jace had whispered, "worm feces." Yes, Jace had thought (and wondered why) primary kids were sending President Monson worm feces for his birthday.