Crummy Day

Okay, I'll admit it, today is a sad day. Though it may not be the popular thing to say, I am indeed a Michael Jackson fan. I always have been. I loved him when I was little so much in fact, that at age 10 I vowed when I grew up that I'd go to Hollywood, win him over and marry him, having many baby Jacksons along the way and live happily ever after. That was, of course, when he looked more manlike, less um, Pinocchioish and didn't dangle babies out windows. I digress. It must have been the 1983 Easter when my siblings and I all got our own individual poster of him. Mine was of him in a yellow cardigan and bow-tie. Ah, those were the days. I think his childhood was crappy, the media has been harsh, and he lost a few nuts and bolts in the noggin along the way, but at least he's no longer here to be judged. Leave that to the Big Man. Any which way you bend it, the man was an icon. He sold more albums than even Elvis, his dancing was unmatched and his songs spanned through several decades and genres. Um, I thought I could maybe pick my favorite MJ song. Nope. Got too many good ones. Okay, so though very cheezy here's one of my favorite videos of his:



On my way home from my sister's house today I stopped to get a new battery because my car is wiggin like crazy. Thought the battery would cure all ails. No such luck. Only seconds after getting back on the road, feeling broke yet satisfied that I can check "get new battery" off my list of things to do, I literally found myself in the middle of this:


Here's how it happened:
As so often happens in rush-hour traffic I was stopped behind a line of cars. The lady two cars behind me decided not to. Her hard-bodied Lincoln (borrowed, mind you) slammed into the newly-purchased Impreza with such force that it rammed into me, so hard in fact that I hit the Honda in front of me. Immediately I heard the three kids behind me start screaming. I happened to be on the phone with my sis, Nicole, at the time (not against the law) and all she heard was crashing cars, me yelling and the kids screaming. The phone flew out of my hand under the contents of the glove compartment which had also flew open. Lucky for her, she heard the entire episode. Though shaking I pulled over and tried to reassure my children, found the phone and called Todd. Someone else had already called 911. As you can see, the cars behind me sustained the most damage, totaled I'm sure. As police and paramedics arrived I noticed who the driver was who caused the entire catastrophe. She was older and was walking around confused, holding the place where her hand should be. Don't know if she was born that way or lost it years ago, but she only had one hand. Sounds like she didn't have a ride somewhere and so she borrowed a car without permission. I got a phone call from her a few hours ago--not sure how she got my information, but I'm not sure she understood even what occurred today. She didn't know there was more than just another vehicle involved. I explained that there were 4 cars involved! Aside from the whiplash and back pains tonight I think we all came out pretty darn lucky. The kids were shaken, yes, but we are all okay thankfully. I even used it as a teaching opportunity for them to always remember to wear their seat belts. Truly it could have been much worse. Yes, my car will have to be assessed, bumper replaced, but it made me realize how unimportant cars and stuff really are to me. I mostly wanted to hold my children and soothe their tears. Nicole rushed to our aid at lightning speed and Todd wasn't too far behind--it really proved to me the love of family. Though I have a headache and feel emotionally exhausted from the day, I can smile as I lie down tonight knowing all is well.

Happy Birthday Kendra!

It's hard to believe my oldest was born nine years ago today! Kendra, you have been such a blessing to our entire family. Not only did you make us parents, but you continue to be a great example to your younger brothers and sister. You have a feisty, stubborn personality and you want things done JUST RIGHT and I can just imagine you forcing your way to the front of the Hillam line in heaven. I'm sure glad you did because you have helped us become better parents for the rest of the kids! Not only are you an example to them, but you are an example to me and your dad.

Thank you for being such a good girl who wants to make good choices in everything you do. I hope you will keep that innate sense to do what is right close at all times. You love the fact that you share a birthday with a prophet of God, President Gordon B. Hinckley--he is another person who always wanted to do what was right. I hope you will always keep a special place in your heart for him. Another thing I hope you keep is your quirky sense of humor and the need to laugh. Life it too short to be too serious all the time. You love to laugh. Do it. Keep close also your love of music and dance--your talents in both are blossoming each day.

You bring us so much joy and we are glad you chose us as your parents. We love you Kendra! Hold your breath, make a wish, today is your day.

Slow Me Down

Most days I feel like this and it's a good reminder for me to just slow down. Life flies by too quickly. What a beautiful song too! Okay, I totally couldn't figure out how to post the video, so just clicky on the title below:

Slow Me Down

Orem Summerfest

Last weekend we went to the Orem Summerfest. After Mother Nature dumped what must have been two inches of rain, we sloshed through mud to appease the squeals and expectations of our children. Why oh why did I wear my white flip-flops? After about 5 minutes in lines for outrageously overpriced rides, I decided I'm not a huge carnival kind of person, yet somehow we keep going year after year.
As I watched the many carnival workers, which my sis said were ex-cons (really?!), it made me wonder why people would choose to travel through city after city the majority of the year to do the same monotonous task of pushing a button to start and stop a ride. In fact, my mind goes so many bizarre places sometimes it's scary and unfortunately I allowed it wander. I watched one raspy-man-voiced, leather-skinned ride worker down her greasy burger and fries and I got to wondering just how the average carnival worker dies. Skin cancer from all those hot days? Lung cancer from all those cigarette breaks? Heart disease from all the greasy foods? Then I caught myself. Who am I to judge how this woman lives her life? Most likely she is a loving, hard-working, dedicated-to-her-job woman--maybe even a mother to someone and maybe I'd find myself in her same shoes if I had lived her life. Not likely, but still, as you know I haven't always had the most glorious jobs in my life, but that's for another post.
So I put all the negativity out of my mind and decided to focus on the smiles of my kids, because they were abundant. We ended up having a great time together and even went to the parade afterward. The sugar-high from all the candy thrown made for a long night but it was worth it. (I'd also like to note the highlight of the Oremfest for me was the Kelly Clarkson concert. Poo to all the critics who enjoy bashing on her weight--this ex-waitress knows how to rock!)

Am I a bad mom?

Although someone out there may challenge me on this, I believe I have THE MOST head-strong, stubborn, strong-willed child that ever walked the face of this earth. We are talking about my second--of course I'm talking about a girl! Don't get me wrong, I love her heaps and I'm hoping this rock-iron will sticks around clear through any amount of peer pressure, school bullies and teenage boys, BUT can't it just give a little when we are trying to lose teeth?

Alli loves getting loose teeth but loathes losing them. In fact, this is the same girl who, being the dear sweet child that she is, decided to pull her very first tooth by herself--did NOT want help from Mom or Dad. Well, I think it was the spot of blood that oozed from that one tooth that freaked her out.

Earlier this year, her other bottom tooth clung to nothing but a trace of a strand of a tiny piece of gum. Would she pull it out? Would she let us near it? She would rather be flung into a burning building than to let us even so much as an arm-length away.

Months ago she was pleased to report that her two front teeth were officially loose. We congratulated her and encouraged her to keep wiggling them, knowing full-well what lay ahead for all of us. The teeth became loose-enough to pull, and several times we asked her to pull them or if she wanted help pulling them. Once again she invited the lion within her to take over her dominantly sweet demeanor. We are talking neighbors-call-the-cops-on-us-type screams, clenched-jaw, both hands tightly over her mouth and wiggling away from anyone who so much as glanced at her mouth any time throughout the day. She knew what we were up to.

Pretty soon I noticed the top teeth coming down over the bottom teeth. Okay, now I had a shark for a daughter. Still, it didn't bother her. They started to push the smaller teeth out of the way. She wouldn't budge. Even when the baby teeth started to gray and die, she refused to wiggle or even attempt to pull them. In came the threats. I know, every parenting book I've ever read says never to threaten. So I don't deserve the Mother of the Year award. Though I hate to admit it, threats are sometimes the only things that work on my kids. I told her if she didn't pull them or let us pull them, we'd have to take her to the dentist and have him do it.

Sure enough, our 6-month checkup came due and we went into it with the same threat. After her checkup and her free-of-cavities report, the dentist came out to tell me that "those front teeth are way overdue" and they need to come out. I let her hear his words and told her I'd give her the 2 weeks until brother and sister had to come in for fillings to pull her teeth out. I don't think she thought I was serious.

Back to the parenting books. They also say to follow through on what you say.

Two weeks flew by and the drive to the dentist office was an ominous, tear-filled one. Guilt started in when she complained of tummy aches. She was that affected by what was about to happen. Brother and sister were done in a flash and after talking to the dentist and deciding that it really did need to happen, I pulled her toward the chair of doom, through pleading, crying and every amount of deal-making you could imagine. No amount of laughing gas seemed to calm her. The dentist was a genius--she cooperated much better for him than me! All it took was some numbing gel and two small pops and they were out. No shots! This was the result:


So, back to my question--am I a bad mom for making her go through this? Should I feel guilty that throughout her life and into eternity she will have to tell people that she lost her two front teeth by a dentist? Funny thing is, she was elated afterward-she loves having them out! The best part for me is the lithpt that was created in the process. I'm just wondering if we are making it worse for the NEXT go-around. I am sure about one thing. I don't want to wrestle our lion on the next loose tooth. Any takers?

St. George

We just got back from a fun, definitely-not-long-enough 4-day trip to St. George with our dear friends, the Harveys. We also took a little friend, Aubrey, for Kendra to chum with. I thought I'd put up a few pictures of our adventures there together.

Thursday we got to our condo (btw, if anyone needs a place to stay there, I highly recommend this place--it is new, large-enough for 2 families and my favorite, very clean! And fyi, the price is negotiable as I was able to get a much better deal than is posted here.) Then we let the kids swim in the pool they had there. June must be a good time to go because we saw very few people around our condo. Is that a good sign or a bad sign?

Friday we played in the sand dunes in Snow Canyon, though it may not have been the best day for it as it was extremely windy! We had sand in our ears, nose, mouth and many other unmentionables. The kids didn't seem to mind.


Jay got all the kids involved in trying to find a sand monster. I think they all really believed they were going to catch one. Way to go Jay!


Afterward, we headed over to the Washington community pool, because of the graces of Dawn's grandpa. The sweet man insisted on paying for our entire crew! Thanks again Grandpa Cowser--you are truly giving. It was nice because it was covered and with the wind and temperature being a bit cooler, it was appreciated this day.


The off-times were spent doing this. I think I like Rock Band--it was a riot!


This is Tristen jammin' to Bon Jovi or something.


Saturday was spent at Zions and I'll let the pictures speak for themselves. What a beautiful world our Master has created for all of us to enjoy. Enjoy we did. . .








The kids capped off the day with yet another dip in the pool, whilst Dawn and myself ran through the outlet stores.



Sunday we packed up, went to church and walked around the temple awhile. After a brief lunch at the park we were headed home. Like I said, the trip was too brief, but a perfect way to start the summer months! Thanks Harveys! We had a ball!

Why I'm happy this week. . . .

Because not once have I had to wake up at 3 a.m. to deliver papers. That's right folks, we quit the darn paper route and sleeping in has never felt so sweet, even when sleeping in is 6 a.m. Another nuisance of having the route? Doc said yesterday he thinks I "burned my lungs" with the cold air over the winter, with all those early, freezing deliveries with the window down. Yeah, this week, and every other coming week, life is good.