Momnesia

Yes, this is a REAL term and I suffer from it horribly. (even my daily photo documenting is suffering!) I am not sure why it took my kids to be older before I actually saw the symptoms, but it is what it is. Despite my disorder I seem to be able to function on most occasions. Thumbing back through photos gives me the proof. I do, do something worth while (most of the time) here is just a taste of my life in the past 5 days.....

Thursday I received a photo traffic ticket in the mail. Ouch. I learned they are NOT cheap. I've had such a clean record in the past six years (okay we won't include the car accident a year ago), but seriously no speeding tickets!! The worst part is, there is no way out of it. I couldn't believe how clear the photo of me was driving and how sly the camera was. I still have no idea where I was going at the the time. Between Doug's parking ticket last month and now this it's enough to make us both sick! We have definitely supported our police departments this year. Ha.

This is what you do when you don't have any form of entertainment
digital cameras seem to work out pretty well!

Friday I survived Luke's well check up which included not one, but two shots. He was amazingly a tough cookie. He didn't even budge or complain after being poked. I was also informed my children are extremely short, he currently falls into the 25% for height.

Saturday was our third trek training meeting. While the men learned to butcher chickens, the women were instructed how to make the "perfect" dutch oven bread. Surprisingly, it didn't taste too bad. I'm sure it tastes even better if you are starving (which we will be by day 2!) And for the main course..........Yes we DO have to kill and eat our own chickens!! Beware below post is graphic.

I stepped over to take a peek at the men doing their manly thing. You can't really tell due to all of the hands. But this rooster was alive just an hour before they chopped of it's head, skinned and gutted it (sorry for the graphics) This was to prepare us for what we will be making for dinner on the trek along with stewed vegetables.

Two thumbs up for a successful kill. I am just glad Doug is the one doing this part and not me! 4 trek training meetings down 1 more to go!!

Changing gears, after a dance competition (in the morning and NO photo--sorry Tay!) and a basketball game. Doug headed over to Erik's house aka tool heaven to work on Jared's pinewood derby car. Once again I am not sure who cares more about the car, dad or Jared.

Tiffany, Heather, and me

And because we wanted to add just one more thing to Saturday's agenda.... The Brown's graciously invited us in on their date night with the Hunters. I was pretty hammered, but I don't usually pass up on a good movie. It was pretty intense, but I am an action movie girl. Definitely worth seeing in my book.

Our running pack

Minnie, Tiffany, Amber and I-- (looking scary!)

Today we headed East for the third week in a row to tackle more hills and add a few miles. (11.5 to be exact) Tiffany and Minnie ended up doing their longest run yet. Way to go girls!! We've come along ways since last August where none of us had ran over 6 miles ever (except Amber). I officially lost my first toe nail today (gross I know), but from what I read it comes with the sport. As our race is approaching I am getting excited and anxious. Tomorrow I will be revealing our team, our cause and new shirts.

Pass Me More Potatoes....Please

When Doug and I were first married the littlest tasks seemed overwhelming to me. After all, we were trying to juggle school, making ends meet, magnify our callings AND be visiting and home teachers. I remember a wise older woman (older to me at the time) said take advantage of this period of your life. (just picture a 20 year old straight face) Huh?

1. For the first few years of marriage time IS on your side.
2. Once you place children into your life time doesn't slow down.
3. You will become busier the older you get.

I took her advice with a grain of salt and truthfully thought she was partly wrong. At that time filling out medical school applications was the death of me. It nearly took ALL of my free time. How could I have less time when I was soon going to be graduating, out of school not having to worry about school work and staying home with a baby? Well, obviously I know full well she was completely on target. Although my life seemed complex when my children were small, and putting Doug through school seemed rigorous at times, life then was much less complex than it is now. What I would do for some of that "free" idol time I had playing on the floor when Taylor was a baby. Since moving back to Arizona I feel like I have been put on a ride that hasn't stopped. Don't get me wrong we have been blessed in so many ways. And really I am no different than half the friends I have. We all have kids and responsibilities we have to fulfill each and everyday. I firmly believe that the Lord never gives you more than you can handle, even if you fill your plate seems a little over the top.

Amongst the hustle and bustle of getting dinner ready last night we got a call from a High Councilman in our stake. He asked if he could come over and talk to us for about 5 minutes. I told him that if he came in an hour that would be fine. Hanging up the phone I went on with my kitchen tasks and really didn't think anything of the visit. Doug then turned to me and said what exactly did he say? I could see his wheels churning as to why someone from the stake would want to talk to us. He and I already have callings. It was then I felt a sudden pit in my stomach. I immediately thought of speaking in stake conference this coming weekend. Ugh. But, Doug was a little more in tune than I was and said, no I know what it's about, the upcoming trek in March.

Doug hit the nail on the head as Brother Woods said across from us taking a deep breath the words rolled right out of his mouth. Would you be willing to accept being a Ma and Pa on our stake youth trip in March? We gladly accepted the request. Truthfully, I have absolutely no idea what a pioneer trek is like. Doug on the other hand, did one in Utah as a youth. He claims that it was one of the best experiences he had as a youth and hasn't forgotten it. Perhaps this is a challenge for me since I have no pioneer heritage in my own family. Never mind I am by no means a camper. Or maybe this is a sign that I need to simply my life more. Either way, our plates just seem to be piling up as our children get older. I am honored they would choose Doug and I as leaders, hopefully this means we are doing something right. In the meantime, it looks like I will be taking a second helping of those potatoes. I guess I better eat them while their hot!