Can you find the sleeping princess?

Though she cannot yet read, this little two and-a-half year old (she'll correct you if you forget the half) completely obsesses over books.


LOTS of them. Big piles all over the house and Suburban. And she screams rather loudly if you try to empty her bed so she'll fit better. Tonight, she even discarded her comforter in lieu of another pile.


And she likes Barbies too, both dressing and undressing them. Unfortuneately, she has only mastered the undressing part.

Fingers crossed that these early signs lead to college scholarships and an A in anatomy rather than a starring role in an episode of Hoarders.

Ten by the Fourth starts tomorrow...

If you're on the fence, I say go for it!!! We'll let you join up to a week late, but why not start tomorrow? See the details in my previous post, with one amendment: if you would prefer I hold your cash rather than a check that works too!

Ten by the Fourth

I feel like Oprah's soul sister with our public ups and downs of weight management.

One year ago I ran a marathon.

Then I stopped running much.

Then I started eating more.

And more, as some rough things happened for me and I ate my way through them.

And now I'm back to square one again, almost. Bummer. I don't have any summer clothes in this size.

I need a little jumpstart to get on track and I thought maybe some of you do too! So I am inviting one and all to participate in the Ten by the Fourth Weight Loss Challenge.

Rules and fine print:

1. The challenge lasts eight weeks, beginning Monday, May 9th and ending on Monday, July 4th.

2. You must weigh in every Monday morning of the challenge in approximately the same weight of clothing. Meaning, if you do your first weigh-in with exercise clothes and running shoes, dress in like manner for future weigh-ins. If you do your first one in the buff, don't add clothing to later weigh-ins.

3. Your goal will be to lose 10 pounds or more. If you don't have that much to lose, congratulations!! Feel free to cheer me on if you see I'm exercising. If we're out together for dinner feel free to "accidently" knock my fork to the floor if I am reaching for a bite of dessert. I don't need it. (Then duck as I might be upset. :)

4. To participate, you must send a check to me for $20 and I must receive it by May 23rd. I will hold all checks, uncashed, until July 5th, and I promise not to lose them!

5. If your final weight is at least 10 pounds less than your starting weight, I will not cash your check. I will shred it.

6. If you do not succeed in losing at least 10 pounds, I will cash your check.

7. The top one (or two if it is reasonably close) weight loss champions by percentage of weight loss will receive the value of all checks cashed. They'll be skinnier AND have some extra money. Win win!!!

8. The challenge is open to my friends, and friends of my friends...feel free to pass the word along. Email me or facebook message me for my address if you need to mail a check.

Hoping for great participation!!!

The best show and tell ever!

At the preschoolers' school, it is a special privilege to be the snack person. Not only do you get to bring snack, but you are first in line for everything AND you get to do a show and tell.


Since they only attend three days per week, and each kid has about 18 students in their classes, it can be tough to wait the long days until one's turn comes around again.


Last week Little Mommy was the snack girl.


She and the Artist have had some wonderful bonding time recently playing Barbies, and what Little Mommy most wanted to share with her class, was how special that time playing Barbies with her big sister has been.


She asked if I would take some pictures of them, and happily took two Barbies and a photo to school.


If only they would always get along like this!!

My son the thug

A friend of mine asked if Max was dressed up as a thug for church today.

What do you think?

It was chilly today, and this responsible guy retrieved his own hat and gloves from the bin without being asked. Am I complaining? No. We had to be there early to rehearse with the choir for our family's part in the Easter service next week and I'm just grateful for any help I can get from the children.

Mr. Bloomers has to be at the church three hours before our services begin for meetings, so I'm on my own getting us all ready week after week.

Max insists that it is better to wear the tie on the outside of the vest so people can see it better.

I think he's a handsome guy either way.

Even if he does look like a thug.

And I know I'm lucky to be his mama.

It's been one week

since Grandpa passed away.

Last Sunday morning my mom and I got to the care home around 8:15 AM. I held Grandpa's hand while Mom and I visited. A while later I reread the cards from our family to Grandpa. Then I shared some of the notes from members in his church congregation as part of a birthday surprise sent last November. I was touched by their love for him, and by the great impact he had made on so many through a life so well lived.

His breathing had continued to slow down and become more irregular. And then suddenly I looked at him and saw his color change.

I whispered, "Mom, I think he's going."

She rose from her chair across the room and drew close to his bedside with me, stroking his remaining hair while I held his hand. We told him again how much we loved him.

Mom requested, "Say hi to Grandma for me, and tell Kathy how much I miss talking to her." Mom's younger and only sister Kathy died about a year and a half ago of cancer.

We reminded him yet again of our love, as if he could doubt it, and watched as he took his last breaths and the pulse in his neck weakened and then ceased.

Time of death: 9:25 AM.

I continued to hold his hand as we waited for Uncle John, Mom's only brother, who was on his way. A very long fifteen minutes later he took a turn by the bedside to say his goodbyes. Though Grandpa's spirit had left his 95 year old body, I know his spirit remained until John had come. John has been an ever faithful son and brother and I would be thrilled if Max grew to be like him in showing such pure love and care for his family.

The rest of the day was a bit of a blur. The hospice nurse came to pronounce. Two of Grandpa's dearest friends and his Bishop came to the care home. We reminisced about Grandpa's amazing life, and his tremendous Christ-like qualities. The mortician, who had known Grandpa for decades, arrived to lovingly take his body away.


I flew home Monday to be with the children and began preparations for a return trip to California, Thursday-Saturday, so Mr. Bloomers and I could gather with family and friends for Grandpa's funeral on Friday.

I was one of the speakers. Just as I have put off this post, I put off writing the talk until the middle of the night before the funeral. I finally got to bed somewhere between 4:30 and 5 AM Chicago time. I think somehow I wanted to believe that if I didn't write about Grandpa's death, that it wouldn't be real.


Grandpa has been the rock of our family for 95 years. He made us all feel like we were his favorite. He reached out in love and took a genuine interest in all people: family, friends, and strangers. He accepted and loved us for who we were, but yet encouraged us to be better and empowered us to believe that we could be.


Grandpa lived his life as a true disciple of Jesus Christ. I know better what it would be like to be in the presence of my Savior and feel of his love, because I know how Grandpa loved me.

And I know he still does.

Though my heart aches knowing that I can never again call his home and hear his cheerful and enthusiastic greeting, I am filled with joy to know that his mother and father finally have their eight children gathered with them again, that Grandma has her husband of 72 earthly years together, and that Kathy has her parents to be with her.


Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, his resurrection and power over death, and the Priesthood, families can be forever.

This I know and do not doubt, but though this knowledge eases the pain of loss it does not take it away.

Keep the faith

Tuesday night my Mom called to let me know that Grandpa was in the hospital.

Wednesday I booked a flight.

Thursday afternoon I left the kids at a kind friend's home, got a ride from the next-door neighbor to the airport, and came on my way.

I spent much of Friday in the hospital with Grandpa.

Today he moved back to the fabulous care facility where he has been since November--the same home in which Grandma spent her last year. Hospice came in. They've been so kind. And the people who work in the care home love Grandpa too and care so lovingly for him.

The hospice nurse let us know at about 11:30 this morning that she felt he probably only had a few hours. Yet he hung on all day. Tonight at 9 PM we held family prayer and left. He is comfortable and peaceful, and though I wanted to stay with him to hold on, I think he would have prefered to have a bit of space.

I know he's not alone, not just because those in the care home love him and will check in, but because I know Grandma, Aunt Kathy, his parents, and his siblings are all looking forward to having him with them again.

But I'll still miss him. I can't imagine him not being just a phone call away, to listen to all I have to share, provide encouragement, and remind me to "Keep the faith."

I love you Grandpa, and I'm deeply grateful that I could be home to hold your hand, even if you couldn't tell me that you loved me too. After a lifetime as your granddaughter, I know without words how you feel about me, and I'll make you proud.

I'll keep the faith.