Home again, home again, jiggity jig! And a book you must read!

Well, it is always soooo fun to go visit my kids and grandkids, but as I rounded the bend and the ocean popped into view, my heart was ready to be home. I love my hubby, and we have our routine, and routine feels good.

I had a great trip, we had so much fun. Tanner and I made the car cupcakes and vehicle pancakes twice. The second time we used a yellow cake recipe and I forgot the sugar!!!! Needless to say they tasted like very okay muffins. Even Tanner didn't like those. The bonus is that Lizzie and I weren't tempted at all!!! Plus I hope Lizzie blogs at least one of the pics of the colored cars, because they were gross looking, they looked like playdough, so like Lizzie said it made you not even want to try them! I didn't bring my camera, next time I will! I am more comfortable with my camera. I think that Tanner thought they were cool, and I think most boys would. I think they would be popular for a long time, as the boys got older they would just get more intricate with their decorating. Great party idea!

We sat in the back yard while the kids played in the sandbox, and it felt soooo good. There is nothing quite like warm air moving softly with tropical plants around. The only thing that could have made it cooler is if the citrus was ripe on the trees. Someday....

Kate came to me a lot and that was fun, Lizzie said that wasn't normal for her. I got to see her taking some of her first steps, that was cool. Tanner and I built tower after tower with his blocks. He would pretend to be a monster and chase me around the house. I think I burned a lot of calories, at least I hope.

We went shopping also, have to do that when I'm with Lizzie, cause she always helps me to choose clothes. You'd think at 51 I could do it by myself. I buy clothes on my own more now, but it always helps to have Lizzie's honest and good taste. As Rebecca used to always say, "Lizzie always knows what's coming before it's in!" We also hit Williams Sonoma, have to say one of my favorite stores. I think I finally found my dishes. I don't have china, and have decided to spend a little more than I planned since they will be my "good dishes" and my everyday dishes. They are really beautiful in person. They look really cool with the other white dishes they have in the store, so I can use the other white dishes for the serving pieces. This particular set doesn't come with serving dishes. Because I am going to Disneyland with Rebecca and the girls, I probably won't buy them right away. I'll have to save for these!
The only sad thing this last week was that they were sick, and then I got sick. But at least there were fun distractions. On the way home even though I did everything I was supposed to on the last descent on the second flight I thought my eardrum was going to burst. It hurt and felt plugged until this morning. On the way to California I had a layover in Salt Lake, I knew I had a layover, but never really looked to see how long it was. When I landed I discovered it was 4 HOURS!! When I had little kids at home I would relish layovers, now its just annoying. Because I hadn't planned on that long of a layover, I didn't have enough to read, and I wasn't in the mood to do internet stuff, sooo off to the book store I went. Purusing the books is always a scary propisition. I don't want to spend money on a book that I will have to throw away before I even get very far into it. So I was milling around, and saw a Nicholas Sparks book. I thought, well he is probably safe, so I picked it up. It was non-fiction. I thought that was odd. I read the back and it sounded really interesting. It is one of the more thought provoking, entertaining books I've read in a long time. I want everyone of my kids to read it. It has all the elements of a good read- funny, sad, true, and teaches great life lessons. I think we all look at others and think there life is so easy. I've decided that just isn't true, and this book really teaches that. Also it talks a lot about choice and being too busy. I think it would do me some good to read it over several times! I left it with Lizzie. If you finish it Lizzie I'll pick it up at Easter and loan it out to some of your sibs. Anyway, I was reminded of how much I love to read, and that I need to always have a good book nearby!

Well,it is late and just a note to my kids and their spouses, thanks for fasting as a family for Danielle and Clay. I feel truly blessed to have kids that love and support their family like you all do!!!! I always know I can count on you when I need you! That is very comforting!

Love to all!!!!