Spring Break Survival for the Not-So-Faint-of-Heart

It is almost here.

There is no plan, but we will work it out as we go.

Gear up.

It has come.

Pick the children up with a smile and shout, "School's Out! ...For ten days!" Turn up the radio and have a treat at home.

Don't be nervous for long days without a schedule, comparisons to their friends who left on big vacations, Dad still has to work a lot, more food to stock up on, keeping everyone busy, etc.

Make it through the initial first party and relax day.

The next few days begin to unfold. No schedule. Whining at job time (because it is coming twice as often).

Boys don't like to clean all day. Mom does.

Day four. Time to figure out a game plan. Boys chasing in circles. One with a sprained toe, two with bloody noses, three teasing the youngest brother, and four wishing that there was somewhere to go.

Refuge during a fun weekend trip.

Back home. Starting to get the hang of this no-school thing.

Jobs getting done once, mostly in the morning.

Scriptures, cooking, afternoon activity. Creative juices are flowing. Teach 'em to do this or that. Occasional squabbles but less blood.

Book reading quiet time and late night movies. Laughing together. Enjoying late morning wake up.

No more injuries, except from dog.

Day 9. Night before back to school. Sad to see it change again. They are leaving me. During the hours I have loved having them here, my little best buddies. Bottom line: IT IS NEVER LONG ENOUGH.


***But it wouldn't be real life without one more thing. When it gets too good and there is peace abounding, count on the whole family getting the flu. Pots in every room at every bedside.

Yep.

Day 10. School tomorrow?!

Kelly's house, Wedding Dresses, and Guitars Unplugged

We decided on a last minute whim to jaunt over to Eastern Idaho for a fun weekend at Kelly's. Look at the this awesome view outside of her house looking over Ashton! We've decided that there is something therapeutic about going to her house and it shall forever be the Draper family's favorite Resort. Thanks Keith and Kelly for letting us just "vedge." With Tom's broken cell phone while being miles away from the lot, all the movies and games the boys could ask for (away from Middleton Unplugged), and snowball fights-- it was just what the doctor ordered.Complete with a big breakfast And an adorable little sweetie that was the only female cousin around

Then, Megan, Kaylee, and I hit the town running on the hunt for the perfect wedding dress for Megan's big day. A lot of this...

And a little of this...

and we found the perfect one! Sorry, Joseph. Can't post the pictures yet, but you will just melt when you see her. It was special after all these years to go back to the store that I bought my dress 13 years ago. After being around boys for all this time, I sure felt like a fish out of water looking at all the floofy, sparkliness.

On Saturday night, we were able to watch Scott, Meg, and Joseph perform with their band at BYU-I Guitars Unplugged. They have performed a number of times before and we have wanted to be there watch them! Since this is Scott's last year because of graduating, we knew it would be worth the drive to have Kaden and Zach see them. Here is a pre-show pic

and at soundcheck in the afternoon.

They did incredible! Way to go guys. I was so proud of my bro, sis, and soon to be bro-in-law. They are so much fun to watch.

***Side note to all of the old Ricks College friends who read this: Holy Cow. Guitars Unplugged is huge compared to when we started it 14 years ago. Memories of Troy, Kelly, Ken, and I judging the auditions in the MC and then watching the little show in the Kirkham---totally different now. It is big.***

Thanks Eastern Idaho crew for the memories!

Pucker Up!

Ryan: (3 years old) Mom, kiss me.

Mom: Ok. I love you, cutie pie. (Kiss on the cheek)

Ryan: No, Mom!!!! Like this.

(Hands on both my cheeks and tilts my head. He proceeds to give me a full on smacker right on the lips. Straight out of the movies!)

Mom: Wow. Thanks, Rye. That was nice.

Ryan: More, Mom!

(I quickly distract him with closest handy item).


I don't know exactly when it happened, but Ryan has discovered REAL kissing and he is anxious to try it out on yours truly. Maybe it was a watching a Disney movie or just seeing Daddy kiss Mommy after work (yeah, it's that good!) but he is set out to try repeatedly on me all day even when I am not looking. He landed a big one on me this afternoon while I was deeply involved in something else and not paying attention. Wet and slippery!

Until he figures out how much he really doesn't want to kiss his mother, I will just enjoy being shown that he only has eyes for me. I'll take some more big smooches--

A Terrible Accident

It was a tough day for Tom as he eyewitnessed a terrible accident in Caldwell. He was outside at work when it happened and will never forget the images he saw. Our thoughts and prayers tonight are with all those that have lost loved ones. I would not normally post this type of blog, but there are some requests from friends and family to see it.

Weekend Party

Kaden is 12! We had a great time with everyone who drove over for the weekend and celebrated with us. We used up every square inch of carpet space with air mattresses, had a dance party complete with a dollar store strobe light, went to Sunrise Cafe for a breakfast of giant waffles, and got to hear lots of guitar jamming with the many talented players that were here. Thanks everyone for making it so special for us and if you weren't able to make it over, have no fear-- there will always be another fun party around the next bend at Draperland...

January Fantasy

Ok. I am not going to skirt around it. I MISS THE SUN! Just thought I would put your minds in another place with some tempting pictures of where I would like to be at this very moment... I had better find a really bright light bulb somewhere to ease my pain. We have not seen the sun here for weeks while this crazy inversion has settled over and I can really feel it. Kinda like a heavy backpack is on, or you feel half asleep all the time, or like the ceiling is really low. Anyone up for a trip to Hawaii or Mexico?? Happy January...I had better get on the treadmill to work it out of my system. Hey, at least it gets hot.

New winds

Do you ever have that feeling that new winds are coming? Either for better or worse, but that is when I get book crazy and looking for quotes.

Call it soul searching or looking for help from someone who has been there. Reading is the lifeline of knowledge for me. Lately it is all about parenting books and ways to learn from others on how to raise a family and do it peacefully. (Help?!)

The funniest habit of my reading is that I rarely ever finish a book before starting a new one. At any given time, I may be in the middle of four or five books and the stack of books next to our bed has bookmarks almost halfway in all of them. I do finish all of them at some point, but just not in order. I guess I am always looking for the next great book and can't wait to finish the other one before getting started. Can anyone out there relate?

Anyway, winds of change. New year, new goals, new experiences. This year it is all about just becoming better. A better wife, mother, friend, listener, cleaner, sister, etc. More than better hopefully.

You would be surprised how to I look to so many of you as my examples on this...