Chances

Chances are I'll get a closet cleaned today in my quest for organization.

Chances are I'll drive over the speed limit.

Chances are I'll give in to the urge for caffeine.

Chances are I'll have a good laugh with my kids.

Chances are it will rain most of the day in my zip code.

Chances are I may miss some blogging this week as it is Spring Break and we're headed up north.

Chances are we'll have spaghetti for dinner.

Chances are I'll forget to pick up the dry cleaning.

Chances are my husband and I will be in bed by 9 pm.

Chances are I'll buy more at Target than what I came in for.

Chances are my life couldn't get much better than it is right now.

Chances are this could currently be my favorite song.

Happy Birthday

When I decided to blog last Fall my husband said, "Go for it, but keep me out of it."  I've believe I've complied with his request, though I did post about puckering his pants.  And today is his birthday, so I'd like to wish him a Happy Birthday by sharing with you the words of my favorite birthday song.  I learned it from Mrs. Ord, a first grade teacher, when I worked as her aide.  She sang it to each first grader on their birthday and I loved it.  I now take the liberty of singing it to anyone and everyone on their birthday, much to the chagrin of my children.  I thought about singing it for you here in a very C Jane-ish sort of way, but my courage is not as great as hers so the words will have to suffice. 

Happy Birthday, Happy, Happy Birthday!
This is your day, so have a lot of fun (boom boom boom).
We're all waitin' for your celebration, for your celebration to begin SO
Blow out the candles on your cake and make a wish.
Serve everybody's favorite dish, favorite dish (boom boom boom).
Happy Birthday, Happy, Happy Birthday!
This is your day, so Happy Birthday to you!

HELP!

We recently got a new American Girl doll catalog in the mail.  My daughter took to circling items she wanted as if it were the giant Toys R Us insert that comes with the Thanksgiving day newspaper.  When she brought it to my husband and I, my husband said, "No, no no.  And in case I didn't make myself clear, no."  I thought that was the end of it, but little did I know we had just set the wheels in her head to cranking.

She instantly sent an email to Grandma.  Subject line:  HELP!  She then proceeded to tell Grandma how she really wanted this darling soccer uniform.  Grandma that she is, she quickly put the money in an envelope and sent it priority mail.  Later on, when I phoned my mom to check in, she told me of the darling email she had received and how happy she was to help with a new soccer uniform.  I then asked, "Do you happen to know that this soccer uniform that she's dreaming of is for her American Girl doll?"

Well, needless to say, Grandma and I had a good laugh.  We also acknowledged the ability my children have to negotiate.

DOs and DONTs (In My Opinion)

I've been around the block a few times.  Sometimes the trip was long and arduous, painful even.  Sometimes the trip was fantastically beautiful, thrilling even.  Thus, I'd like to share a few DOs and DONTs that have made the negotiation of my life a little easier.

DON'T pay for school pictures.  You are much more capable of taking a cute picture of your child.
DO buy a class picture.

DON'T buy pictures of your child's soccer team either.
DO get them to kneel by the ball and take your own.

DON'T show up at the high school to surprise your child for lunch (lesson learned the hard way).
DO show up at the elementary school with a Happy Meal and surprise your child for lunch.

DON'T sign up to help out with everything.
DO volunteer when you can.

DON'T feel like a shower is imperative.
DO take naps with your babies.

DON'T let your child disrespect you.
DO teach your child to respect authority.

DON'T be afraid to trust your child.  If they say their teacher is nuts, they could be right.
DO get both sides of the story.

DON'T overschedule.
DO make time to play with your kids.

DON'T be too busy to go to your kids games and activities.
DO make your husband a priority. 

DON'T say I didn't warn you.
DO make the most of life, as it is quickly passing us by.

Self Reliance

Years ago one of my children's teachers called me a "helicopter mom."  She suggested I swooped in to save the day with forgotten homework or permission slips.  More recently a therapist called me an "enabler."  These labels are actually pretty acurate.  My husband says I would perform CPR on our kids if they ever tired of breathing.  He's probably right.  I wish I was better at teaching my children self reliance, I'm working on it.

For this reason my oldest son, who is preparing to leave for college and then serve an LDS mission, has decided he ought to be sure he is capable of negotiating life on his own.  He has set goals like cooking dinner for the family once a week and doing his own laundry. 

We decided to start off easy.  Our first recipie to conquer was chicken salad.  My sister-in-law Megan gave me this recipie.  It's to-die-for. 

2 Cups chicken
2 Cups celery (sliced thin)
1 Cup mayo
2 Tablespoons onion flakes
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 Teaspoon Accent
1 Teaspoon salt

We like it best served on Costco croissants.  Enjoy!

Confessions

I confess. . .

• I haven't spent time with my Wii little friend, a.k.a. exercised, in two weeks.
• My house is messy cluttered.
• I like my job.
• I have had several Coca-Colas in the past couple of weeks.  
• My boys need haircuts.
• I really enjoy watching Undercover Boss.
• I'm cooking a lot of microwave meals lately.
• I could do a better job of studying the scriptures.
• I can't wait to see a blossom.
• I miss my mom.
• I love being married to a football coach.
• I think my kids are awesome.

The Way I See It

Every once in a while I see a movie that merits my recommendation.  My favorite movies are true stories that encourage, uplift or share an important message.  This past weekend I was lucky enough to see such a movie.  The movie is one made for HBO called "Temple Grandin."

Now we don't have HBO so it is very fortunate that I sat waiting in our hotel room for my husband while he spoke at the Nike Coach of the Year Football Clinic in Vegas.  I was flipping through channels when suddenly I became captivated by the amazing story of Temple Grandin, a woman with autism who has been extremely successful in life.  While watching I laughed, cried, and beamed as she triumphed over challenges.

I'm of the opinion that things in life happen for a reason.  Lives are touched.  Lessons are learned.  Opportunity knocks and doors are opened, or perhaps closed.  So I found it interesting that I posted about a charming young man with autism on Friday and was then inspired by a brave woman with autism on Saturday.  I've been thinking a lot lately about returning to school to finish my degree in special education.  Maybe someone is trying to tell me something.

In the meantime, I plan to read this book.