For my wife.

Thanks for all you do!

Invisible Mother

It all began to make sense, the blank stares, the lack of response, the way one of the kids will walk into the room while I'm on the phone and ask to be taken to the store. Inside I'm thinking, 'Can't you see I'm on the phone?' Obviously not; no one can see if I'm on the phone, or cooking, or sweeping the floor, or even standing on my head in the corner, because no on can see me at all. I'm invisible. The invisible Mom. Some days I am only a pair of hands, nothing more: Can you fix this? Can you tie this? Can you open this?

Some days I'm not a pair of hand; I'm not even a human being. I'm a clock to ask, 'What time is it?' I'm a satellite guide to answer, 'What number is the Disney Channel?' I'm a car to order, 'Right around 5:30, please.'

I was certain that these were the hands that once held books and the eyes that studied history and the mind that graduated with honors - but now they had disappeared into the peanut butter, never to be seen again. She's going, she's going, she's gone!

One night, a group of us were having dinner, celebrating the return of a friend from England. Janice had just gotten back from a fabulous trip, and she was going on and on about the hotel she stayed in. I was sitting there, looking around at the others feeling pretty pathetic, when Janice turned to me with a beautifully wrapped package, and said, 'I brought you this.' It was a book on the great cathedrals of Europe. I wasn't exactly sure why she'd given it to me until I read her inscription: 'To Charlotte, with admiration for the greatness of what you are building when no one sees.'

In the days ahead I would read - no devour - the book. And I would discover what would become for me, four life-changing truths, after which I could pattern my work: No one can say who built the great cathedrals - we have no record of their names. These builders gave their whole lives for a work they would never see finished. They made great sacrifices and expected no credit. The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

A legendary story in the book told of a rich man who came to visit the cathedral while it was being built, and he saw a workman carving a tiny bird on the inside of a beam. He was puzzled and asked the man, 'Why are you spending so much time carving that bird into a beam that will be covered by the roof? No one will ever see it.' And the workman replied, 'Because God sees.'

I closed the book, feeling the missing piece fall into place. It was almost as if I heard God whispering to me, 'Isee you, Charlotte. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you've done, no sequin you've sewn on, no cupcake you've baked, is too small for me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can't see right now what it will become.'

At time, my invisibility feels like an affliction. But it is not a disease that is erasing my life. It is the cure for the disease of my own self-centeredness. It is the antidote to my strong, stubborn pride.

I keep the right perspective when I see myself as a great builder. As one of the people who show up at a job that they will never see finished, to work on something that their name will never be on. They writer of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals could ever be built in our lifetime because there are so few people willing to sacrifice to that degree.

When I really think about it, I don't want my son to tell the friend he's bringing home from college for Thanksgiving, 'My mom gets up at 4 in the morning and bakes homemade pies, and then she hand bastes turkey for three hours and presses all the linens for the table.' That would mean I'd built a shrine or a monument to myself. I just want him to want to come home. And then, if there is anything more to say to his friend, to add, 'Your gonna love it there.'

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we're going it right. And one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built, but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible women.

Decorating ideas: Bathroom

If you're in need of decorating ideas for your bathroom and have these lying around - you're in luck! Don't throw them out - functional yet perfect for the beach/water themed bathroom. :) This bathroom is at my parent's house and I'm not sure my mom was home while my dad was "decorating". I can only imagine her reaction was a small chuckle, roll of the eyes and "Oh Gerald" and away she walked shaking her head in disbelief. All the while my dad laughing at his creative decorating. :)

The picture on the wall is the sunset at Twin Lakes, WA (this is the place our family goes every year, same time, same people - best vacation ever!) And yes that is an actual ski-rope used as a dual toilet paper roll. :)

Lea-isms

She came home one day from school singing this little song from music class. "This is the song that never ends. Yes it goes on and on my friends. Some people, started singing it not knowing what it was. And they'll continue singing it forever just because.....(repeat)" (repeat) (repeat) and (repeat)....... Her teacher called it the "Drive you crazy song". A couple days later Lea said "I can't remember the words to the "Drive you crazy" song - do you remember mom?" Ummmm, yes, but I'm not telling.. No Lea I don't. :)

Wednesday was a half day and we planned to go to the park with friends. The Findlays take Lea to school and Miss Leslie asked if we were going to bring our bikes. No - Lea is the only one who has a bike. I think it was Hugh (Lea's friend) - "Does Lea still ride with training wheels? Because I don't anymore." (Something like that). Lea said "Yes I still have the training wheels because I'm scared." Lea the daredevil.

"When I'm 12, I'm going to get my ears pierced." Sure go ahead - you'll be 7 years ahead of me Lea. More and more things will happen for her when she turns 12.

Today we're watching our Sorensen cousins: Ashley asked "What days do you feed the pig?" Ummmm.... we don't. Lea walks in and casually says "We don't, cuz we already ate it." yep.

Jeff and His Random Mind

As was promised here are Jeff's 25 random things. I know I just wrote in the third person, which is weird, but so am I, so who cares. To begin with I have read many other 25 random things from people and have seen several state it was hard coming up with the 25 items. Whether or not I'd like to admit it, this was not difficult for me. Maybe I have a random life, but most likely its because I have a random mind. Alison would probably agree with the later. Many a time I have started a conversation with Alison, only to find her looking at me like I'm growing a third eye (really I could have said growing a beard for that is just as unlikely... see below) as she has no idea what I'm talking about. I of course am seriously irritated she can't read my mind and can't pick up my train of thought to find out how or why I would start a conversation in such a way. I then have to explain my mental process, which leaves her in wonderment on how I have managed to make it through life without finding myself on the pages of darwinawards.com. I often ponder this as well, but I'd better not push my luck tonight and ponder this any further or soon I'll find my mental progression move from pondering darwin awards to Jessica Simpson's recent weight gain, and then I'd never get this done. And please don't get caught up on the last sentence, as I don't understand how such a progression could occur, but it happens. Really its best to ignore it and pretend I'm normal. On that note, I'd better get to the list.

Supposedly their are "rules" to this whole thing, and is kosher to post the rules with this as its the thing to do, so here they are: Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you.

1. I like to wear speedos
2. I've failed at this because Alison told me to keep it clean, and that is a really unpleasant image
2a. I tend to do things people tell me not to do.
2b. I think it is funny she has to tell me to keep it clean
3. I like to exercise but don't
4. I did a triathlon in 2008 and almost finished last
5. I sleep 4-5 hours a night just because I don't want to sleep more
6. I am a CPA who knows nothing about taxes
7. I love football especially the NFL
8. I turned down a job to work for the Arizona Cardinals
9. I hate the sun, but live in Arizona
10. A doctor once laughed at me because of my medical history
11. I have had more than 7 concussion
12. I can't remember people’s names
13. I can't grow a beard
14. I used to be part of a singing group called the Spuddies
15. I once had a 30 minute phone conversation with a wrong number
16. People think my wife is a single mother
17. I have been hit by a car twice while riding my bike
17a. I did more damage to the car than it did to me
18. I use an iron more than my wife
19. I have ridden an electronic bull
20. I have ridden a real cow
21. I am not good at finishing home improvement projects. I'm really not good a finishing anyth...
22. I don't like to dress up for Halloween
23. I was caught by the police in the street holding an illegal shotgun - they took it away and told me to have a nice day
24. I was once a suspect in a kidnapping investigation
25. I wish I could play the guitar
26. Christmas trees make me sick
27. I don't like to follow rules

a child's prayer

After a rough sacrament meeting (wiggly, grumpy, tired, etc), we finally made it to Primary. Lea had been asked last week to give the opening prayer. It didn't occur to me to stay and listen, but Candace asked if I was - sure why not. Lea stood at the microphone, looked to the back to see if I was still there, and gave this sweet prayer: "Dear Heavenly Father, Please help us to feel safely. And...please help us to have a good time at Church. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen." I was so proud of her. After church I told her how great she did - she said: "I only said two things." Me: "That's okay - you did it by yourself and that's so great!" I was humbled by her simple prayer and all the stress of sacrament meeting disappeared and I enjoyed the rest of church. I love you Lea! :)

1st Sunday of the year: Lucas is pre-sunbeam; Lea - CTR6

Me, me, me! :)

For those not in the Facebook world - I originally posted this there. Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits or goals about you. These are about me - Alison. Stay tuned for Jeff's list. :)

1. I'm the baby of my family and I love it! 2 sisters and 4 brothers.
2. I was an aunt for the first time at the age of 7. I remember taking my nephew to 1st grade for show-n-tell.
3. I lived in the same house until I went to college - my parents still live in that house.
4. I've had 4 surgeries in the same spot. Once when I was 7ish and 3 more in the past 6 years.
5. I've never broken a bone.
6. I knew 2 of my brother-in-laws long before I ever met Jeff.
7. I love to play sports and am very VERY competitive. (Bowling is my secret talent - I can even beat Jeff)
8. I'm not a dare devil - I'm afraid of heights.
9. I don't like new places or environments.
10. Large groups make me very uncomfortable and I only talk to people I know very well. Not exactly what you would call a social butterfly.
11. Have been called snobby or stuck-up because of #10.
12. I prefer to be at home - are we seeing a pattern here?
13. Animals make me nervous - horses, cows, dogs, rabbits, etc.
14. I won my class Spelling Bee in elementary school - not sure which grade (3rd or 4th), but was able to compete for the grade level in front of the whole school.
15. I know just as much and sometimes more than Jeff about football - NFL, college, player stats, etc. I've watched more football games in my life than I care to count. From Gridkids to college I watched my brothers play everywhere.
16. I have an autographed picture of Ty Detmer's (BYU quarterback) Heisman photo and met him in person to get it.
17. I can fall asleep in 20 minutes or less in the car no matter where we're going. I don't drive very much on our long trips and if I can make it an hour, it's a proud moment. :) Jeff does all the driving.
18. I like to watch "nerd" tv: Numb3rs is one of our favorite shows.
19. I have a major sweet tooth - favs are Reeses peanut butter cups and snickers - especially the snickers ice cream bars......yum! Also a big Dr. Pepper fan.
20. I don't like to try new things at restaurants - I have my favs and stick with those.
21. I taught preschool one year for Lea and 2 of her friends.
22. I learned to water-ski at a young age and hated it - I now enjoy it.
23. I have two kids named Lea and Luke (Lucas) and NO I don't like Star Wars. We moved away from the L names and the Star Wars theme for #3 - Abbey.
24. I currently own 9 pairs of shoes - until Christmas I only had 7.
25. I love my family and I love my life.

Me and my hubby