My ManCub Isn't a Cub Anymore.

My kiddo isn't a kid any more! Twenty years ago he came into the world and I became a mother. He has blessed our lives with his happy and calm spirit every day since then.

He is hilarious, handsome, kind, intelligent and weirdly wise for a young man of his age. 

Tanner is an old soul.  His spirit sees and understands things far beyond his earthly years.

He's a deep thinker, this one. And those thoughts can lead to some pretty profound conclusions sometimes.

His capacity to love and forgive make me try harder to be a better person every day. Most days I feel like parenting through the lens of trauma that I still work through has wrecked my boys.

But then my oldest - my Golden Bear - he shows up with his kind and gentle ways and I get to see that, despite my messy guidance, he's growing up to be a really amazing person. 

And I feel some redemption. Happy Birthday, Tanner! Thanks for 20 years of unconditional love and joy! ❤

You Are a Mother to Someone!

It's Mother's Day. Lots of family dinners and pictures of our moms to celebrate the women who birthed or raised us. But as the saying goes, it takes a village.

Yes, we do the hard work of raising ourselves and our kids in our own homes. But there are other women in our lives who also nurture and support and help in whatever way they can. Whether they mother us, or help us mother our kids, they make a difference in our lives.  The don't always get the recognition they deserve for their nurturing and mothering instincts. I hope you will realize the influence you have on those around you. Those gestures of love and support that you instinctively offer that you don't even think about? They make you your own perfect version of a mother to the people you nurture every single day.

I'm talking to you, Cool Moms of our Kids Friends! The ones who include our kiddos in your family activities and love them as much as we do, who celebrate their successes and worry about their trials, who  listen and encourage and offer the same advice we would offer, but in a totally non-parental way, so our kids sometimes actually listen.

We're waving to you from our cars, Crosswalk Guard Mom, who knows the name of every kid whom she helps across the street. They know you'll know if their friend has already left school without them and that you'll make their brother wait for them if he's supposed to, even if he doesn't want to. They love when you notice new clothes or a new hairstyle. Our kids start and end their school day knowing they can count on you for a hug, a smile, and a kind word, regardless of how bad their day was.

I'm throwing some love to the Grocery Store/Church Pew Mamas. The ones who head off a toddler meltdown in the Grocery store with a hard candy or a game of peek-a-boo in the chapel from 3 rows back because an exhausted mother can't find her coping skills.

How about the "Mom" of our best friend's group? The one who thoughtfully remembers everyone's birthday and who knows everyone's favorite food, color, celebrity crush and shoe size. The one who instinctively knows when we need a break from life and comes to scoop us up for a girls night out. Or who simply checks in with a text or a PM to let us know she's thinking about us.

Shout out to all the Work Moms in our offices. The ones who adopt their work families and find ways to care for their coworkers each day. The ones who bring food. Who offer advice and counsel about personal and work-related issues. The ones who recognize when work is hard and we are tired, who stop by our cubicles with a treat, a funny meme, or a Post-It with a kind thought. The ones who think to check on us when we're not at work, to make sure we're okay.

There are so many more examples of Momming that I am missing, but you get the picture.  As women, we all fill that role somehow, somewhere as we go about the daily grind of living. Whether you realize it or not, you fill a void for someone who needs a mothering influence in their life.

So to all the women in my life who provide support and care in so many different ways, Happy Mother's Day! I hope you all feel loved and appreciated for the unique and necessary support you each bring to the world on the daily.  You make a difference. ❤❤

Parent Transitioning Is Hard

Sitting in church and watching the families around me interact. So many little boys hugging their mothers, playing with Mom's hair, laying their heads in Mom's lap, stroking her cheek with grubby, chubby, toddler hands. 

Looks of love and giggles shared between a mother and son, as all of them work to keep their little dudes busy, while also trying to gain some spiritual nourishment. That bond between mother and son is so strong!

And then, as I sit there feeling a twinge of sadness that I don't have those little moments with my little boys anymore, my 18 year old son puts his arm around my shoulder and my mama heart melts. The bond has grown even stronger. The moments of toddler adoration may be gone, but the love is still there and sometimes they remember to show it.  

 #boymoms #theysmellbetternow #hestillsplayswithmyhair #theirstronghugspopmybacksodoublebenefits

When One Door Closes...You Go Home and Cry and Then Watch Friends for 2 Days While You Reevaluate Your Life Choices

Do you remember that time when you thought your life was really starting to take a turn for the positive and then the world slammed that door shut right in your face? Yeah, me too.  Sigh.  Good times.  Gooood times.

Except you know what? I'm weirdly okay.  I mean, yeah, I did have a big cry session and got really depressed for few days. But overall, after the initial shock, I don't feel as horrible as I thought I would that I was laid off after 5 months. It's a start up company.  There are growing pains. Like budget cuts. And I was a casualty.  But I put everything I had into being successful there and I made really good friends. So, I really don't have anything to feel bad about with regard to my performance there, other than I should have stepped out of my comfort zone a little quicker to learn the job functions of other areas in the company so that I had more value. But honestly, as jobs go, I worked my butt off at this one. And it just didn't pay off this time.  What can you do?

But I wasn't prepared for the end, so I have found myself struggling to regroup in terms of next steps. Mostly because I'm not in the mood to go back to the traditional working mom role again. The one where I leave for 12 hours a day and give someone else everything I have to give so the company can make a lot of money and then come home exhausted, with nothing left to give to my family.  I don't like that kind of existence. I don't mind working.  I love using my time and talents to help a company grow! I'm just really ready to do something that's fulfilling with a company that really, truly recognizes that I can't leave every ounce of my being on the work table, because I have to have some left for my family. 

So, while I have spent the last month and a half looking for a job that's a really great fit, I am also trying really, really hard to enjoy the time I have to think about what will make me whole and happy.  I've also tried really hard to enjoy my boys and savor every unhurried moment I have with them, because they will be gone in a few short years and I won't get this time back. I'm trying to make sure we talk about exploring their options after high school and spend lots of time talking with them about dreams and ambitions.  That way when life gets hard for them after they leave home, I can recall with them our little day trips and conversations and remind them that they have a plan. I can bring back the memories we are making right now to encourage them to stay focused on goals, so they CAN create the kind of life they want. The kind of life that makes them feel whole and happy and fulfilled. The kind of life I have struggled to create for myself for the last 50 years.

And as I write this, it occurs to me that I think I have actually found a job that is the perfect fit for me right now. I get to be a tuned-in, focused mom again. Sometimes the door closes and things come to an end for a reason. Until this very second, I didn't grasp the fact that I'm where I need to be, doing exactly what I need to be doing at this moment.

Also, I have more time to binge watch FRIENDS. Because honestly...how can this not make you feel better?

via GIPHY

Back to School: the High School Years. Reality Hits You Hard, Bro.

First day of school is in the books.  Some mild complaining about schedules and how everyone in the entire world who is worth knowing is in the same fun class with the best teacher in the entire universe, who is actually a stand up comedian that just teaches because he/she got tired of being famous - EXCEPT for my kids, who of course ended up in classes taught by Satan's 8th grade math teacher in rooms where each seat taken by one of their nemesēs from the last 5 years and they have to sit next to the talkiest, lamest, smelliest one that they hate the most, but have to endure because mom taught them to be nice, even to people who make their heads want to explode. Ah, the cruelty of high school.

Apparently it was all too much as everyone was in bed before 10 pm tonight.  Last time this happened?  About 3 months ago.  Feels good to be back on schedule again, dealing with real world problems...like schedule changes and 8000 parent signatures and smelly gym clothes.

3 Secrets to Cooking the Tastiest Food You've Ever Eaten

June is a busy month, full of fun and memories!  It marks graduation, the start of summer, weddings, vacation season.  But did you know that June is also National Dairy Month?  While we fire up our grills in preparation for the summer cooking season, June is the perfect time to incorporate a food group that tastes great and is great for us:  dairy.

Many of us (my family included) eat butter and cheese as part of our weekly meal rotation.  But we often forget to consider that many butters contain additives (such as growth hormones, preservatives, and dyes) that can be harmful to our bodies.  What if I told you there was a way to sidestep those potentially dangerous chemicals, embrace all-natural great taste, and take your baking and cooking game to the next level in honor of National Dairy Month?

I recently discovered Finlandia Cheese [https://www.finlandiacheese.com/]—a brand that has been crafting some of the highest quality cheese and butter for over a century.  We had a great experience putting Finlandia ingredients to the test this week!  Here's how my samples arrived, all sealed up in a cool pack so they stayed nice and fresh!

We were going to make a yummy dessert, like pound cake or banana bread, but the end of a long week found us hungry for something more savory and substantial.  The boys voted for grilled ham, turkey and cheese sandwiches!  Finlandia Swiss Cheese (#finlandiacheese) slices are the perfect choice for this quick and easy snack/meal! 

Construction was pretty basic, we added just a little bit of horseradish and mustard spread to the bread to give the sandwiches a little kick.  Findlandia Salted Butter (#finlandiabutter) spread on the outside of the bread added a nice buttery taste and helped the bread toast up rather nicely! 

The end result?  I think you can tell my boys were super happy and full! 

The easy meal prep and gooey, stringy deliciousness of the grilled cheese sammies inspired me to try some new recipes (I'll post pics later) and share a few secrets to help you create some of the best-tasting food you and your family have ever eaten!

  

SECRET #1:  USE ONLY HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS 

Great dishes are a sum of their parts.  I used to go for the cheapest brand of everything. I am learning that in order to create really great dishes, all parts should be delicious alone AND in your culinary creation.  When I tried Finlandia for the first time, I was really surprised!  Not only are their cheeses and butter all-natural and hormone-free, but they taste incredible.  Seriously.  You can taste the difference. Imported from Finland using milk produced by well-cared-for cows, Finlandia Butter is rich and creamy.  It tastes so much better than any butter I've ever tasted.  And you could eat Finlandia Cheese straight from the package—no crackers needed.

SECRET #2:  CARE ABOUT THE SOURCE OF YOUR FOOD

Life moves fast, and most of us don't have time to research every single product we consume.  Which is hard for me, because I like to research things.  Even when it's not necessary.  I have this thing about fact finding.  However, when it comes to products like cheese and butter, which we eat almost everyday, it's important to be aware of what we're putting into our bodies.  Finlandia Butter is made from pure, hormone-free milk, which comes from happy cows that live on family-owned farms in Finland—the greenest country on Earth.  No hidden chemicals, no factory farms—just pure, creamy goodness.  I love this!! It makes me want to meet the cows and farmers and thank them for caring about us!

SECRET #3:  GET THE WHOLE FAMILY INVOLVED

Getting your family involved in the kitchen can help create lasting memories and start an important conversation around nutrition and health.  We don't do that enough at my house. But now that my boys are getting older?  I realize they need more practice so they can eat something besides cereal when they go off to college.  Baking sheet cookies?  Get out the cookie cutters and let your kids create the shapes.  Cooking a grilled cheese?  Let your significant other butter the bread.  If you're in need of some culinary inspiration, check out the Finlandia Cheese Facebook page.  Good stuff there!  And if you need to know where to find Findlandia products, you can go here: https://www.finlandiacheese.com/product-locator/

Got any baking secrets of your own?  I'd love to hear about them!  Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.

**Disclosure:  As always, this review is based on my own honest opinions.  I did not receive compensation for this post, but did receive Finlandia products to help facilitate the review.  Just keepin' it real, Y'all!***

5 TIPS TO BECOMING A COCONUT WATER CONNOISSEUR

With the arrival of warm weather and rising temperatures, many of us are spending a lot more time outside with our kids.  For those of us who endure cold winters, it's easy to be so excited about the beautiful weather that we forget to be mindful about staying hydrated.  Doing that in a healthy way isn't always easy.  So I am excited when my family finds an alternative to sugary drinks that are full of harmful preservatives.

  

The key is to find something that, in addition to being healthy, also tastes good, right?  We started looking into all of the sport drink alternatives and discovered a way to provide the same (or better) hydration from something natural, organic and packed with loads of nutrients!

Coconut water! I know, it's been around awhile.  I'm on the late train this time.  But seriously, do you know how good coconut water is for you?!?  It's all-natural and loaded with super-food powers, so it should be a no-brainer, right?  But what I found is that there are sooooo many different coconut waters out on the market that I was confused about which ones were best for my family.  Not to mention that some of them don't taste very good, so I had to do some homework to find one that my family would actually drink.

I recently partnered with Harmless Harvest, the first ever Fair-For-Life certified coconut water, to share insights on how to distinguish a premium coconut water from the rest. Here's why I think Harmless Harvest reigns supreme:

• It maintains its unique, 'straight from the coconut' flavor thanks to its multi-step micro-filtration process 
• Has a longer shelf life without extra additives or preservatives 
• Is a hydrating all-natural alternative to sports drinks and juices
• Contains vital nutrients that occur naturally in Harmless Harvest's specific young, green coconuts

The Taste Test Results

When I located the Harmless Harvest Organic Coconut Water in the refrigerated drink section at my local market, I was surprised to see that the liquid inside was pink!  Then I read the label, which explains that coconut water contains varying levels of antioxidants, which can sometimes account for the pink color.  Who knew?  

Upon tasting Harmless Harvest, I was surprised to find the flavor was actually different and sweeter than other coconut waters I have tasted. It has a "toasted coconut" vibe that made it more flavorful to me.  It definitely tastes better cold than it does at room temperature, at least to my.  The boys didn't notice a difference one way or another.  One of my sons liked it enough to drink the whole bottle and is looking forward to using it as a replacement for Gatorade for his games and sports activities.  The other didn't seem overly impressed.  He didn't hate it, but he didn't love it either. The Husband liked it a lot and thinks he will be using it in his smoothies! 

To help my readers become coconut water connoisseurs and pick the best product available, Harmless Harvest [www.harmlessharvest.com] has shared a few, expert tips:

*  INSIDER TIP #1:  YOUNG AND BEAUTIFUL (AND NUTRITIOUS TOO!)

Age is nothing but a number, right? Not in coconut terms. As coconuts mature, the essential nutrients found in their water begins to seep into the meaty white layer, depleting the coconut water of it's rich contents. Mature coconuts are great for making coconut oil and other coconut products, however, the young coconuts are the ones which have the most nutritious coconut water. Many companies sell you the water from mature coconuts. At Harmless Harvest, they use only young green coconuts which are loaded with the nutritious water that benefits our health.

*  INSIDER TIP #2:  WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT ALWAYS WHAT YOU TASTE

Doesn't all coconut water taste the same? NO! There's no need to add any sweetener to the already delicious flavor of young coconut water. Many companies will add a flavor or sweetener to mask the dull taste of mature coconut water.  If there is an acidic taste to the beverage, chances are the preservative citric acid was added.  A fresh batch of organic coconut water has a distinct taste, a slightly vanilla-almond flavor. So remember, just say no to that citric taste.

*  INSIDER TIP #3:  IT'S GETTING HOT IN HERE

Fresh coconut water reacts delicately with sunlight and heat, this is why it must be kept cold at all times.  Many companies will use extreme heat to kill natural bacteria (which also kills the good enzymes) to extend shelf life. Instead, Harmless Harvest uses their proprietary Multi-Step Micro-Filtration Process to avoid the use of heat or citric acid additives, preserving the optimal flavor, fragrance and nutrients of their critically acclaimed coconut water. So note, if you see a coconut water hanging out in a non-refrigerated aisle, turn back and walk away.

* INSIDER TIP #4: IT'S OKAY TO DRINK PINK

Did you know coconut water can naturally turn pink? Coconut water is clear when bottled but contains a variety of antioxidants which can turn pink once they interact with sunlight. Harmless Harvest could mask the color change— but instead, they fully embrace what naturally occurs in their coconut water. Go ahead and drink pink!

* INSIDER TIP #5: SHARING THE WEALTH

Truly great coconut water is found in rural tropical areas, which are vital to the future of our planet. Harmless Harvest's ecosystem based business focuses not only on delivering the best organic products to consumers, but also cares for the welfare of the farming communities at the source of the product, and uses sustainable farming practices to ensure a better tomorrow.

For more information on how Harmless Harvest became a leader in this industry revolution, check out their recent article in INC. Magazine below:

INC. MAGAZINE ARTICLE: 'Winning the Hyper-Competitive Coconut Water Wars'

>>http://www.inc.com/magazine/201606/liz-welch/harmless-harvest-coconut-water-sustainability.html

I'd love to hear your experience tasting different coconut waters, and which one you absolutely love! Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

How Geri Got Her Gratitude Back

My heart is full tonight and I want to share. It will seem like a tiny event to most of you, but today something great happened to me and I just want to tell someone about it!

So my washer broke last week. What I found in my life about broken washers is this: they always break when they are full of water and wet clothes. And they never break when you have money or time to fix or replace them. A broken washer is a huge inconvenience. Huge. Huuuuuuuuuuuge (Say that in your best Donald Trump voice).

As per broken washer rules, mine broke true to form when I was awash in worry about hormonal imbalances that are wreaking havoc with my body, financial issues that make my head hurt, work schedules that do not accommodate my family needs and various other concerns that have me feeling overwhelmed and less than able to cope. So yeah...it picked the perfect time to break if its goal was to push me over the Cliffs of Insanity.

After a few moments of troubleshooting and a call to two different repair guys, the consensus was that I needed to get a new washer. Great. A $500 hit to our pretty much depleted budget. With that dose of reality came copious amounts of stress and worry, because that's how I roll. Soon I found myself near tears and on my knees, praying for help, relief, strength, anything as I searched for non-existent coping skills that would not kick in. Then we ran out of clean towels and underwear so I started looking at new washers.

There were lots of new, shiny washers to look at, so I should have been excited about finding something awesome that would make my clothes come out cleaned and neatly folded. But I didn't feel excited. I felt anxious and frustrated and out of sorts and worried about making the purchase. And always, every time I started to shop, I kept having this feeling that I should try to fix my old washer. To which I replied, "Ummm, NO! Too hard, too much time, too old (me and the washer), just no." To which the feeling replied, "It will be okay. You can do this. It will save you a lot of money. Seriously. You should just fix it." To which I replied, "But I don't want to fix it, that option seems really hard and time consuming. Plus, I slammed my thumb in the car door three days ago and it still hurts and the cuticle is all mangled and I don't want to hurt it more. So no" To which the feeling replied, "I think you should think about it. It's a good way to go."

So I thought about it for two more days. And while I was thinking another hard, stupid thing happened and the stress and worry about everything that had occurred over the last few weeks came crashing down. My co-workers were awesome and helped me keep it together when I was on the verge of tears at work, but when I got in the car to come home, I broke down and sobbed. I cried all the way home. And while I cried, I prayed. I prayed for peace, for money, for wisdom, for strength, for love, for hope, for insight and understanding, for someone else to cook dinner and for help with that stupid, stupid washing machine that I loved and needed so I could wash clothes. And after I prayed, the feeling said "You should fix it yourself." To which I replied, "You know what? Fine."

Now you probably know this, but something happens when you finally give in to a feeling or a thought that has been bugging you for awhile. Things just start to fall into place. I came home, googled the problem and darned if I didn't find a whole new forum that had every answer I needed to fix the washer. Why do you suppose that answer never came up the first 6 times I scoured the internet for answers? Then I tore into the washer, found a parts store today that had everything I needed and $100 later? My washer is fixed. I'm washing towels in it right now. Okay, so I forgot to check the belt and found out it has a big tear in it, so I will have to replace that tomorrow, but for now, the washer is working. And I am overjoyed! I am also pretty freaking awesome!

While I was watching my handiwork on action, I finally stepped down from my fix-it high for a moment and realized something. That feeling that I had been fighting all week? Was the help I had been asking for. And in my typical child-like fashion, I was too busy having a meltdown to stop and think about where the thoughts and feelings were coming from long enough to calm down and accept the help that was being offered.  Because that's how I roll. I'm all about the brick wall experience.

Maybe this doesn't seem like a big deal to people. That's okay.  I get it.  Lots of drama over nothing.  But to me?  It's HUUUUUUUUGE (Trump it up)!  Having this one thing off of my plate took just enough weight off of my shoulders that I can think and breathe again. I sooooo needed this break.

So tonight, I sit here at my computer filled to the core with gratitude for the answer to my prayers. Some of you may call what happened intuition or coincidence or something completely different and that's fine with me. I call it divine help from a loving Heavenly Father who heard His daughter's plea for relief. For the first time in weeks, my soul feels peace. How can I not love a Father who extended His hand to lift me up and help me in a way that not only shows me his kindness and concern, but also gives me confidence in my ability to solve problems and overcome challenges? I feel so blessed to be the Child of God. He took this:

 (No idea who this poor little "Snot Baby" is, but I was so feelin' it!)

And turned me into this: 

YESSSSSSSS! 

My October Dream: 2015 Beaches Social Media on the Sand Conference

I have been blogging since 2008.  When I look back at the difference between my posts when I first started and my posts now, it's obvious that life has certainly changed!  And I am sad to say that some of those life changes have taken me away from things I truly love!  

Writing has always been an outlet for me and blogging came along at a time when I felt lost and confused about my role in my family and my role in the world.  Blogging provided a venue for me to vent, to laugh, to share and to meet other people in the world at a time when I really needed to feel connected. Blogging became a lifeline that gave me hope and that helped me learn more about my strengths and talents.  Blogging gave me a network that allowed me to tap into an amazing and supportive group of women from all walks of life and from all over the globe. I have internet friends that feel like family because of blogging and social media!

Since the day I started blogging, it has been my greatest desire to attend a blog conference. I've had a few opportunities, but have never been able to take advantage of them due to bad timing or bad finances.  It occurred to me a few weeks ago, that had I worked harder to make one of them in particular happen, I think my life would be very different today.  I think the networking, the learning and the friendships I would have made there would have helped me have more confidence in my ability to earn a living pursuing my passion.  I would have had a bigger group of friends and associates to lean on when I was feeling overwhelmed and in need of support. I would have been surrounded by like minded women who find ways to overcome obstacles and make what they love become what they do. I would get to sit at the feet of Social Media Mavens like Maria Bailey to better learn the craft. It makes me sad to think about how much time I have wasted trying to convince myself that what I love has value and worth because circumstances in my tiny world try to make me believe otherwise. 

I know, sitting around and feeling bad does nothing to change my circumstance.  Which is why this year, I am committed to attending at least one conference!  Last year I was invited to attend the
Beaches Social Media on the Sand Conference.  I had to turn it down because it was financially impossible at the time. I regretted not trying harder to find a way to make it happen.  My family was sorely in need of some bonding time and I was sorely in need of being with a group of people who get why blogging is "my thing."  I applied again this year and nothing would make me happier than to have the opportunity to attend the 2015 Beaches Social Media on the Sand Conference!  I heard and read nothing but amazing things about it! From the phenomenal accommodations and staff to the engaging and relevant content, everyone who attended raved about the conference. 

I want to rave about it too!  So I hope I make the list this year.  I pray that the blogging gods will smile kindly upon me and give me and my family a chance to experience the beautiful Turks and Caicos Island together while I learn more about how to be a better blogger. My kids and husband need to see how happy mom is when she's in her element and I need to help them see the world can be so much more than struggling to pay bills in tiny Idaho. 

So I'm just putting this out there for the Universe to hear and see!  I'm ready for some Social Media on the Sand this year! I'm making my plans for October and trusting that you are hearing this, Universe! My family needs to spend some time together this year looking at this:

(photo courtesy of Beaches Resort)

I'm doin' my part, I'm putting out positive thoughts and working hard to make sure we can make it happen on our end, so don't let me down, Universe! You and me, Uni. Working together.  We got this!

I Am Boymom...and Mrs. Fix-It

Being a Boymom means learning how to fix things.  Lots of things.  Like broken toys, broken bed frames, broken bikes and sometimes even broken hearts.  I'm super happy that I have to fix broken "things" a lot more often than broken "feelings."  Broken feelings are much harder to fix.  You can't use super glue and duct tape and staple guns to fix broken feelings and broken people.  I'm pretty handy with super glue and duct tape and staple guns and small power tools.  I'm not always as knowledgeable about how to mend feelings. 

But back to my awesome and amazing skills as a repair woman of appliances and toys and electronics!  I'm not bragging.  Okay, kind of I am bragging, because I'm on a high after fixing the baffle on my dryer.  You know, one of those fin things that flip the clothes around while the barrel spins?  Yeah.  That. The thing that no one realizes can come loose until it actually does.  Well, mine did.  And I fixed it.  And okay, it wasn't super hard, but it felt really good to know that I could take my own dryer apart and put it back together and have it work!

After the dryer, I sat down and started thinking about all the things I have fixed or replaced with zero assistance.  Among the numerous items I have repaired are BB Guns, Nerf Guns, Hexbugs, Blow Dryers, Matchbox Cars, Sneakers, RC Cars, Radios, a 42" Flat Screen HDTV, 2 different washers, a dryer, 3 broken bed frames, a broken sofa, a Lazy Boy recliner, a broken cable on an electric car window,  a VW carburetor, a toilet, a garbage disposal, bike tires, broken bike chains, a water heater...so many things!

What is the point of all this?  I don't know. It just hit me that I have fixed a lot of things. And that maybe I should take the time to appreciate my ability to dive in and repair something that is not working. It's not a bad skill to have. It certainly comes in handy in a house full of boys. Maybe the Universe is trying to tell me that I need to open a repair shop.

When Good Kicks Go Bad

I am not trying to outdo my friend Megan​​.  She just posted a photo of her own foot on Facebook. Her beautifully painted toenails are much nicer than my chipped paint and flat arches. Just wanted to show everyone what a Boymom's foot looks like after trying to do the Chris d'elia kick thing from the UNDATEABLES commercial. (Have you seen that commercial?!? "Best (kick) Day (kick) in the History (kick) of All (kick) the Days (kick)." Pretty freakinghilarious!) My boys said I couldn't do it. But I did. Cuz I'm awesome. And attractive. 'Cept for the foot. Which is very unattractive. And bruised.  Oh.  Did I forget the part where I kicked the coffee table?  Yeah.

My Life Feels Like the Great Llama Escape

I watched this video today and laughed so hard I hurt myself!  The entire time I was watching, I was armchair quarterbacking and telling the people in the video who could not hear me how to catch the llamas. Honestly, it looked like a Keystone Cop movie for a while there! Having been raised with and among cowboys much of my life, I kept wondering where the ropers were!?!  It's Arizona, right?  No shortage of ranch hands and cattlemen and horse trainers there, so surely someone in the area had a rope and could use it!

(video courtesy Fox News 10)

Then, like magic, right at the end of the video the cowboy comes to the rescue!  He didn't ride up on a horse with a big ten gallon hat.  He actually arrived in the back of a work truck wearing a ball cap and a tee shirt. But you could tell by the way he swung his lariat that this wasn't his first rodeo. Just a few turns of the wrist, a quick flick of the rope and the loop landed right over the top of the llama's head.  Cue fist pumps from his buddies (and probably half of the citizenry of the Valley of the Sun) as Dude leaps out of the bed of the truck to hold the rope so the llama doesn't run off.  It was a triumphant, albeit humorous live TV moment that made me and the boys giggle and cheer!

After the boys went to bed tonight, I started to think about the chaotic, traffic stopping scene that had unfolded when the llamas escaped.  I feel like one of those llamas right now - actually, ever since we lost our home in Phoenix and ran helter skelter to a new home in Idaho. I thought it would be a good move for us. I pondered and prayed about the move for 6 months before we left and felt in my gut that this is where we needed to be.  So we took off down the highway like the streaking llamas and landed here in Boise. That was almost 4 years ago.  And I don't feel like we've actually ever settled down to live here since we arrived!

Instead, I feel like I'm the crazy llama in traffic, running full speed while dodging cars, spin moving past people who want to get to know me, and wildly darting from one street to the next, all while looking for a place to rest for a few minutes until I can figure out how to get home. Or at least get to a nice patch of grass where I can relax for a bit.

I don't want to be trapped by someone or something I don't know, but I don't want to run around in traffic any more either. This lost llama needs to find her her family's place in the world.  Running through the streets without a plan isn't fun and it isn't getting my family anywhere! And while it may look like an adventure for some, right now it feels like a freaking circus to me!  I need a good roper to ride up (or drive, or fly, or even appear out of thin air...I really don't care how they arrive or if they are human or angel or an inanimate object!)  and toss the lasso of stability and calm around my big, fat, mama llama waist so I can stand still long enough to figure out where home is and what the hell I'm supposed to be doing right now!  The grandiose escape isn't fun anymore!

I hope the llamas go home and laugh about their "Big Day in Town!"  I hope when they get back to their green field that they recognize the blessing of having a nice home where they can chill and eat grass and hang out with their llama buddies.  Because as this Mama Llama is finding out, while adventure and escape adds variety to life, there's a lot to be said for a tranquil life of peace and stability.