SPRING

I think I can officially switch the thermostat to the "cool" setting. Spring is here to stay; no more snow, I hope. The Mack house is getting ready for the end of the school year. Heather's graduation will be on Friday the 28th at 4 pm in the SUU Centrum. We are planning to have drinks and refreshments at our place after the ceremony. Heahter is having her senoir pictures done soon. She is at the state track finals this weekend--we will find out tonight how she did (Go Cedar Redman!) Theresa got all of her AP art turned in, now her portfolio is being reviewed to see if she will get the AP credit. Her pieces were wonderful; so full of talent! She drew a great elephant picture for me for Mother's day. Drew got 100% on his geography test, his grades keep getting better and better. He kicks Dave's butt on the XBOX--funny to watch. We are excited for Summer to begin. I am trying to plan a few family hikes. We have been waiting for warm weather to go on the Kanarraville Falls trail, as it is mostly through the stream that goes up the canyon. I can't wait. Hopefully we will get up to Bruce Canyon this year, too. I am also hoping to get up to SLC this summer to see everyone. I will keep you all posted.

I heart cheap produce

About a month ago, Dave and I ordered a basket of fruits and veggies from Bountiful Baskets.org. One of my co workers told me about it. Bountiful Baskets is a food co-op that buys produce in bulk and then sells it at a very discounted rate. You need to register on their website, order your basket on Monday evening, and pick up the basket at various locations on Saturday morning, but you get a laundry basket (literally) full of fruit and veggies; all for $15.00 I think there is a pick up site in most communities around Utah. All they ask is that you volunteer for them 4-5 times a year to help keep costs down.

We have recived tons of apples, pineapple, clementines, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes and carrots. We also get some exotic items such as mangoes, swiss chard and eggplant. Every week is a little different. We liked it so much, we started ordering 2 baskets every week. We have never bought this much produce because it gets so expensive. Now I am begging the kids to eat more apples and bananas. I have fresh fruit in our freezer for smoothies, as well as in our fruit bowl for snacks. We always have a fresh veggie for dinner. We had never tried swiss chard, but Dave and I both like it (kind of likes beets mixed with spinach). We also have broccoli, carrots, celery and onions chopped and stored in our frezer to add to whatever Dave is cooking.
We feel better, meals are more exciting and we are saving a ton of money on our groceries. We have just had to by a few cuts of meat, dairy, a few pantry items and a few side dishes. It is great for me, I have found it easier to maker better food choices with fresh produce always around. (I am down a total of 32 pounds as of today). You have gotta try it!

Lessons from Geese

SO my weekly blog post has bee bi-weekly as of late, but I have been busy. I ran across this article in a text book and I liked it so much I thought I would share. Enjoy!










Lessons From Geese

Fact #1: As each goose flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the birds that follow. By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds 71% greater flying range than could be achieved if they flew alone.

Fact #2: When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of flying alone. It immediately moves back in formation.

Fact #3: When the lead goose tires, it rotates back into formation and another goose flies into the front position.

Fact #4: The geese flying in formation honk to encourage those in front to keep up their speed.

Fact #5: When a goose gets sick or is shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it untill it can fly again or it dies. The 2 geese then launch out with a new flock or catch up with their old flock.


Amazing what we can learn from a few birds.

Rose-colored glasses

I have been guilty of seeing the world through rose-colored glasses. I have even called myself a hopeless romantic on occasion. When I married Dave, I had a pretty good idea what it would take to have a happy marriage (only a few of my theories on "What marriage should be" needed to be adjusted). It is not always easy, but it is always worth it.

The reason for this rant is that I keep hearing about people, right here in Cedar City, having affairs on their spouses. I don't get it. I try to understand why people feel that they need to do this. If you are so unhappy, get a divorce. Divorce--that also make me sad. When I hear about couple who have decided to end their marriage, my heart sinks.

As for me, when I stood before my family and friends with our kids at my side and promised to love Dave (through thick and thin, for rich or for poor, etc) it was a promise that I took very seriously. I admit that I had told Dave before we got married that the only thing I would not forgive him for is adultery. And, I don't mean to say that I think divorce is the wrong thing to do in all situations. I just feel that people take the easy way out too often.

I think that couples get married too young. They have an unrealistic, media-fueled idea of what marriage should be. They have no idea what the reality of it is. It is hard work. It is even harder when there are kids that depend on you. It takes a commitment, every day. It takes time and affection, communication.

I have a happy marriage. Dave is my soul-mate. I love him and our family more than anything. Nothing is worth giving that up. I work on our relationship. Dave works on our relationship. Together we try to raise our children and make our way in this world. We laugh every day. We support each other. We argue about some things but we always find a way to compromise. We spend time just talking, even if it is for only 15 mins.

The good times far out weigh the bad times. I can't imagine finding comfort in another mans arms. I don't see how I could ever give up on the life we have together. We have been through the hardest of times (custody battles, college, job loss, teenage kids). The fact that we made it through only makes me more committed to our marriage.

We both brought in the lessons we learned from past relationships. I knew what I wanted out of a relationship and I made sure that I could get that from Dave before I married him. He learned from his first marriage what he valued in a spouse, and he made darn sure that we were compatible before he popped the question. We lived together for 5 months before we got engaged, but I knew that when I moved in that I was going to marry him. We just wanted to make sure that it was all going to work out before we made that promise to each other. I have no regrets.

Cheating on your spouse is not an option for me. Getting divorced is something I can't imagine. I am in this for life, through thick and thin. My family is more important then the temporary solution of infidelity. If I am not getting what I need from my spouse, I tell him so. If I am unhappy about something, I take steps to fix it. This is what is right for me. Maybe I am being too judgmental of these people that feel that adultery is an option.

I know that I have to take my rose-colored glasses off sometimes. I still like what I see without them.

Short and Sweet.

It has been so busy! I totally avoided school work during spring break, and now I am paying the price. But, there is only another month to go until the semester ends. Dave has put in a few more applications; we are praying for something to work out. The kids are busy with school. I can't believe that Heather will graduate in 2 months! Life for me is going to work, coming home to eat dinner, watching some TV, doing more homework.........over and over. All this hard work will pay off, right?????

Dave has been a great help---making dinner, buying groceries, working on the never-ending honey-do list. The kids keep on top of the housework, and that helps me more than they will ever know. We will get through it, with faith, love and support. We will make it. Love to you all!

Ahhhhh

That's my dad, as a little boy. I can see the family resemblance in me and Drew, especially Cris. I am inspired to find some more old pictures.......need to raid mom's picture boxes!

guess what came in the mail?

So, I did find another pair of jeans on the Old Navy website, and they were only $19.00
instead of 32.50. Honestly, what else could go wrong? So, I ordered them (in the right length and the right size) and only had to wait for 1 1/2 weeks to get them. On line shopping is not for the impatient. But, despite all the problems, I will probably do it again. And, I looked super-cute when we went to the grocery store; what can I say, I find pleasure in the little things.