Who would've thought the love of my life would be so short?

I have had my share of great compliments in my life - let's face it, I'm that awesome! Don't believe me, I'll tell ya. Anyhow, the other day, I had the greatest compliment of my life, and I thought I would share it.

I was getting ready for going out. I had combed my hair, put on makeup, perfume, jewelery, etc. I was finishing by putting on my clothes, which were nicer than the normal "mom clothes" I wear around the house. As I'm pulling up my skirt, Mikey turns to me, and with a look of surprise - no maybe more of delight, he ran up to me, hugged my legs, and said something I had never heard him say before. "Mom is so pretty!" It made my day. I melted and realized that I have so much happiness because of this little man in my life.

If I could go back...

Last night a couple of my friends and I were talking about our high school days. As we mothers discussed how "easy" high school was in that our only real responsibility was school, we were saying how we would like to go back. We were also discussing that "if I knew then, what I knew now" I would do ______ different. That got me to thinking what I would have done different. So, here's my list:

1- I would've been more confident in myself in areas of my friendship making skills. This may surprise some people, but I am actually by nature a very shy person. It really has been something that I have had to work on. I am not shy around people I know or feel comfortable with, but others, I am, and I know that people mistook me as a "snob" because of that. But in reality, it wasn't because I thought I was better than anyone, it was more I didn't think I had anything interesting to say, or that I would be a "bother" to the person, so I wouldn't say anything (immature, I know).

2- I would've been more involved in my own ward. I was always involved in church, and kept the standards, and held my beliefs, but as far as being supportive in my own ward's Young Women's program, I was a slacker. I found reasons to miss mutual, and rarely talked to the girls from my ward at school (there was only one girl my age, who did go to a different school). Now, having a better understanding and sight of how much one person can help, I wish I would have been more involved and encouraging in my ward.

3- I would have hung out with more girls. I had a couple of really close girlfriends, but besides that, I mostly hung out with guys. Now, I understand the wisdom of this seeing that I now live with 4 boys, but in reality, I do wish that I had been better at hanging out with girls, and experiencing more "girl talk".

I'm not a very regretful person. I believe that everything we go through in this life is to give us experience that we can learn from. Because of this, I rarely dwell on past experiences and wish that things would have been different, or that I would have been different. I actually am not sad about the way I was in high school, but more because I feel like it was a successful experience for me. I think the attitude I had helped me to enjoy it by not taking it too serious. Anyhow, while compiling the list of things I would've changed, I thought about the things I did that I am grateful that I did.

1- I am grateful that I got involved. I learned so much about how organizations work, about team work, being a leader, motivating people, respecting each other, and so much more because of my involvement with different things in high school. It really gave me a good experience on how to get things done, and not worry about the little things that don't make it perfect (and no one notices anyway).

2- I have never been one who loves to divulge in gossip. Now, I am so grateful that I didn't participate in that in high school. As devastating as gossip can be, especially to young adolescence, it brings me peace to know that gossip wasn't one of my pastimes. I actually do not like to learn about other people's poor choices so that I can throw my nose up and say, "I'm not surprised", in reality I don't like to label people as "bad" or "good". I believe all people are of worth, and when I hear of people making poor choices, I sympathise with them while praying that they haven't lost hope or don't feel loved.

3- I am grateful that I tried to be nice to everyone. I never liked the whole clique thing, and often preferred not to limit myself to a group. I was friends with the skaters, the cowboys, the good kids, the bad kids, the drama kids, the dancers, and the jocks. Even though I related to some more than others, I tried to not be judgemental toward any of them.

ANYWAY.. enough reminiscing. I am actually grateful for where I am in life now. I love this stage, even though it is difficult some days, but it is very rewarding. It is nice to think back on the things I have matured on, makes me feel as though there is some progress going on.

It can get worse

So, just a few short hours after complaining about my experience with taking the boys into public, I experienced something more horrifying. I had a doctor's appointment on Friday, which I had totally forgotten about until the night before; therefore, I was left taking all my boys with me. Surprisingly, they did really well, and Michael was so excited to hear the baby's heartbeat, I'm glad he didn't miss it. BUT, on the way out of the office, as I'm getting coats on everyone and trying to keep them round up, I hear a fire alarm go off. I was confused for a second, until I looked over and realized that it was my child pulling the fire alarm. In thinking it was a handicapped access button that would open the door, Michael had pulled the fire alarm. I went to go talk to the receptionist, but she had seen it happen and had understandingly just motioned that we were free to go. So, I went outside and loaded the kids up into the car. My doctor's office is attached to a line of other doctor's office buildings. As we were driving away, I realized that because no one had informed them that it was a false alarm, there everyone was, standing outside in the cold, wondering when they could go back inside.

Bad Mom

In attempts of being a "good mom", I took my kids on a tour of the local post office. I should have known better, since it was going to be occurring during Roger's nap time, but alas, I signed up and went anyhow.


Upon arriving to the post office, I tried taking Roger out of the car. He wanted to take his toy inside, but I refused. It has snowed here recently, and is bitterly cold. So, there I am in the parking lot, with a baby and two little boys freezing, trying to get Roger to be "reasonable" so we could go inside.


During the tour, which Mikey enjoyed, but I think was a little too old for Roger, Roger spent the time hopping and entertaining himself other ways. While in the big warehouse, a spark came to Roger's eyes as he realized it would be a fun place to run. I saw this and before he could get too far, I grabbed him and had him sit on the floor. Of course he cried, and there I stood with my 3 children looking like I was had no clue to what I was doing (and I don't). After the tour I had many mothers utter to me something about how challenging it is with kids so young, and how I have my hands full, all while I was silently thinking up a plan of how I could get back at Roger (That's just a joke, I'm not seriously that mean).


When I got home I collapsed on the couch, and wondered what on earth had tempted me to take my boys into public. I will soon forget about this incident, and try to venture out again, you would think I would learn. But I guess reality is, 90% of the time, they do behave in public, but I don't notice or realize it because there are no problems, but once they do misbehave, I think to myself "never again". Thank goodness my memory is short, and just for now, I'm not going to attempt to be a "good mom", I'm just going to attempt to be my boys' mom.