Kacey got a letter ...

She's been waiting ... and waiting ...
for her letter of acceptance to
Arizona State University.

I knew she'd get in ...
but apparently she was getting a little worried.

So when she came home screaming
"Mom! Mom!" ... we grabbed the camera!

... and read the good news.

She stood there and exclaimed
"Mom, THIS is MY UNIVERSITY!"

You go girl.
Aunt Kristi must be very proud.

Text Messages from High School ...

Keaton: Mom I'm so sick.

Me: What's wrong?

Keaton: I can't even swallow. Megan (Prom date) is being tested right now for Mono or some Mexican Flu that's going around.

Me: SWINE FLU????

Keaton: Ya and I shared her drink of water.

Me: Turning pale, feeling flush and having visions of burning down the house to save my family from a pandemic ... since Keaton was in Mexico a few weeks ago.

*****

Me: Gary, Keaton's Prom date is being tested for Mono or Swine Flu and Keaton is now sick.

Gary: Start bleaching EVERYTHING!

Me: Turning pale, feeling flush and dreading all the work - very aware that this is bigger than bleach ... now my throat hurts.

*****

Keaton: Mom, Megan says it's just Strep Throat.

Me: You are to breathe on NO ONE!

At least it's not Swine Flu.

Keaton's first Prom ~

Well I went with Paula Deen's recipe for the Lemon Bars, because I thought anything with that much butter HAS to be great!

They turned out delicious ... but I recommend letting them refrigerate for longer than I did to let them set up a bit more.

When all is said and done, nobody is going to care about my Lemon Bars. There are way too many other things to worry about ... it's PROM! I missed Kacey's photography (she's hiking with her Biology class at the San Pedro River ... ha ha, she's in a van down by the river), but Keaton and his group looked mighty handsome.

QUICK!

I need a super fantastic ...

FOOL PROOF

& lovely

recipe for Lemon Bars -

for Keaton's Prom dinner on Saturday!

HURRY PLEASE!

Happy Birthday Jake!

I can't believe this little man is 13 years old.
Alas, another teenager on the loose!

Christmas in April -

Well that was fun ... I should beg more often! Thanks for the motivation and fab topic ideas. I'll be using those soon.

BUT FOR NOW ...

For over 20 years, I've had a love/hate relationship with Santa Claus. The big guy creates a whirlwind of emotions for me that are not always very jolly.

Every year, I methodically make equal lists of desired objects that will bring smiles to the faces of my wee ones. I fight the crowds, spend the money, stay up all night on Christmas Eve preparing the best possible exhibit upon entry ... and give St. Nick some of the credit!

Occasionally, the choice is placed before me in the form of a question of whether or not to continue the bold-faced lie. As they grow older and have logical questions about fireplaces and reindeer, they begin to inquire. The appropriate age has always been a quandary to me. When exactly are they old enough to be told that we've lied to them since birth?

I guess since the answer to this question is a bit fuzzy ... I've never REALLY answered the question ... to any of my kids ... EVER!

This week was no different.

Jake: "Mom, Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny aren't really real, right?"

Me: Dead silence.

Me, a minute later, as I pondered what the Super Nanny would tell me to say: "What do YOU think?"

Jake: "I don't think they're real."

Me: "Well, you'll still get gifts."

Jake: "Ya, I know."

So there it is. A deep conversation with my son about the truths of the universe!

I have no problem talking to my kids about ANY other topic. I am the parent who talks to them about body parts and functions. I talk to them about boys and girls. I talk to them about EVERYTHING! So why is this such an uncomfortable thing for me?

The bottom line here is that I only have one child left to lie to. Truth be known, he already knows the facts of Christmas. But for now, I guess he still enjoys living the adolescent dream ... anticipating what tricks we will play to continue the story on his behalf as the scene is created Christmas morning.

Does anybody else have a hard time telling their kids the truth???

Help me ... help you.

I need to be BEGGED!

I'm worn out.

I'm TIRED.

I'm a bit LAZY.

I don't want to blog.

If you REALLY want me to ...
then come out of hiding and tell me you care!

Do you WANT me to update this blog?

TELL ME SO!!!

Life goes on ...

Life continues to go on without Gary at home.

My roses have started to bloom. I LOVE that!

Jake is still a chicken "farmer". He LOVES his rooster (Big Tom) and carries it around with him every chance he gets. Don't worry though, he makes sure to wrap it up in one of my good towels ... just in case.


And Keaton continues to amaze us with his athletic ability. Today he brought home a trophy from football practice. It's actually a Softball trophy (he doesn't play softball) ... with a girl on it (he's clearly NOT a girl) ... awarded to somebody in 2007. But when he saw it in the trash can, he just couldn't pass it up. Atta boy Keaton ... you make us proud!

LDS General Conference Weekend -

Remember back when we had cool prophets on the Earth ... like Moses? Well guess what! Our current prophet, some apostles and other inspiring church leaders are going to be speaking to us this weekend! Yep, it's super cool.

If you aren't Mormon, and you're curious about what a Prophet looks like and what he might say to us during some ridiculously tumultuous times ... look here for a schedule of opportunities to tune in and listen Saturday & Sunday ... in the comforts of your own family rooms! You can even watch it on your computers ... here!

Open your hearts & your minds ... and let me know what you think about it all.

I LOVE conference weekend! Boo yah!

My plumber is gone -

About eight minutes ago, Gary left. In this economy, when a plumber is offered work, you get in the truck and drive ... even if it takes you to Wichita, Kansas. He'll be gone for several days and I'll be here. I love his work ethic and I'm trying to stay positive. So here are some things that might make the distance work for me.

1. I think we're going to be eating VERY simple meals.
2. I am going to be sprawling out and taking up the entire bed.
3. I'm not too worried about lipstick applications.
4. Wait a minute, I never really do #3 anyway.
5. The bathroom might stay a bit cleaner.
6. Wait a minute, I'm the dirty one.
7. At least I have #'s 1 & 2.