In A Quandary...

So I have let myself get wrapped into the whirlwind of looking for a house before this one moves...I knew better! I have done this off and on the past 2 years and felt like I had learned my lesson. BUT this month we felt like if maybe we acted like ours was going to sell...it really would. So we went to the bank...are pre-qualified...have a real estate book filled with dog eared pages and have burned more than a little gas starting and stopping through out neighborhoods...picking up flyers. Well I have found.the.house I want.  A week ago we walked around the outside and peeked in the windows...this Sat we called our super nice realtor and we walked through it. I smiled the second I walked in...my kids were giggly happy, claiming bedrooms, my good husband was happy to see us happy even though I know the space outside isn't sufficient for his wants. But this house is new, it has inside space, it is in a good school district, it is in the town we wanted to live in when we moved here, did I mention the space?..oh...the closet space in this house...! It is the RIGHT house....wrong property if you ask my husband. It is in town on a lot, not in the country with acreage. BUT the price is soo right and it would be a great stepping stone. I lie awake at night envisioning putting my children to put at night...which couch will go where...what would look great here and there and on that window, last night I caught myself going so far as picturing a Christmas Tree in the front window! I am in soo deep! Oh the torture I have put myself in!

I want this house badly...Then the guilt trip sets in...am I tripping over a worldy stumbling block? Am I being ungrateful for what I do have? Am I complaining about the manna? (Can you tell I taught Sunday School this week????) I am very thankful for what we do have. We live in a beautiful home. We have lived here since it was new...it is ours. It is warm, it is cozy, it holds many beautiful life moments for our family. We are surrounded by good friends and good ward members.  It is home.

Yes, we have it good in this little house. We are just a little cramped...but not to where we couldn't survive if we had to. We love having family come but it stinks to have no room for them. We used to have freinds over all the time...we don't entertain anymore because we feel like we would be sitting on top of each other. Wrong attitude but it is what it is.

The biggest perplexity I have is the school issue. Like all parents we only want what will be the best for our children. Our oldest 2 seem to think they are in the best place for them. They both love their schools and don't want to change. Our younger 2 the school thing doesn't apply to them yet...then the kid in the middle. Oh how I love that kid. Oh how I worry about that boy! Trace has always been my non-stop, don't blink you'll miss something child. He hasn't been real happy in school this year. He goes to a school that has kind of a bad rap. But Megan & Chase went there and have done fine. (I think...I hope! ) Trace wants to go to a charter school next year. But he's on a mile long waiting list...and I hear good then bad then good things again about it...Moving to my new dream house would solve his school issues...he'd go to a great Elementary School. Megan is convinced she would transfer in to Canyon Ridge High no.matter.what! Chase thinks he wants to transfer to Stuart no matter where we go.  I have convinced myself that I would let Megan transfer wherever she wanted. Chase...not so sure about. I mean he is only in 6th grade. That kid eats, drinks, and breathes football...and he's good! I'm thinking he would do fine once football started wherever. But I'm not sure what is best! Is this the reason my house doesn't sell? Heavenly Father knows what is best for my kids and is this it?

What it boils down to is this...there is good and there is bad in every school...neighborhood...town...you name it. I pray we...my children...will gravitate toward the good no matter where we are. We are pro-actively trying to sell our home once again...we took a 6 month hiatus when the baby was born last fall.  It is priced right. We have an agent that I do believe is working hard and is good at what she does. Heavenly Father knows my hearts desires. I think I am ok in desiring my kids to have more space to grow up in...I hope that's not being too wordly. This whole house thing is in his hands. After 2 years of trying to sell a home you have to leave it there. I believe we are where we are for a reason. I don't know what that reason is...but my whole attitude has got to be when it's right it will happen.

In the mean time...each day brings a little bit of wonderment....will an offer come today? Till then...I am thankful for this here little casa...enjoying the little moments, and hey...a little house dreaming is good for me...maybe??! I promise myself to keep it all in check...have to!...my luck...someone else is going to snag this gem before mine moves!

Merry Go Rounds & Good News!

Last night as I was drifting off to sleep, I marveled at the peace I felt. I had my husband back home beside me and my littlest was asleep in the crook of my arm. As my breathing slowed to match that of my sleeping baby...my mind wandering in between sleep and consciousness, I thought of all things...merry-go-rounds! My mind was back at the Pleasant View Elementary School, at recess amongst childhood friends. As the merry go round went around I remember seeing a blur of excitement. I remember trying to focus on one object and with each round and whir that went around that object was what I looked for. A bright shirt, a tree, the back stop on the baseball field, the red brick of the aged school house, the white room out back that was the music room. Around, around I went just catching a glimpse of that object. The sound of a bell ringing brought kids running off of merry go rounds like dizzy ants. Legs that felt like jelly and that feeling in the pit of your stomach that you were sure you were going to hurl all over. My hubby turning off his reading light and leaning over to kiss me brought me out of my childhood trance. As my baby wiggled and snuggled closer to me...I couldn't help but smile at the perfect peace.

This morning in the shower my mind once again returned to the merry go round. Not quite as peaceful as last night. I seemed to relate my life to the merry go round. Fun, exciting and passing my by in a blur! There are so many objects in the distant that I try to focus on but as my merry go round of a life goes by in a whir it seems only once in a while can I actually get to those things. Things like...getting pictures on my blog, scrapbooks done, crafty things like hair bows for my little girls, the want list goes on amongst the daily necessities of laundry, cleaning, cooking, taxi driving, keeping my house in show worthy condition (almost an impossible task with 5 children!) But I was convinced this morning in the shower to grab onto some of these things and bring them in to focus. Oh and then the bell ringing moment...my new calling is screaming my name....Gospel Doctrine...teaching the Old Testament....seriously???? Yep that's the pit in my stomach, surely I'm going to hurl feeling. None-the-less it's a calling and it is Thursday and even though I have put hours into the lesson I feel it needs hours more. But right now I am trying to focus on the blog, no time for pictures right now but a good news update after my merry go round ramblings!

Good news moment....the week it has been 9 years since Steve's diagnosis of leukemia. 9 years! The sharp edge of that knife has never disappeared but this week as I thought of the raw pain of those horrible first days my feelings are bittersweet. The memory of that searing pain will always be there, but my heart is filled with unbelievable feelings of gratitude. 9 years ago this week a Dr in Stillwater, Oklahoma told me I would only have my husband at best for 3-5 more years. We would not have any more children, in fact I needed to prepare to raise the two we did have by myself. Steve could continue with school but it wouldn't do him any good...blah, blah, blah. Basically gave him a death sentence that day. Thankfully our dearest family and friends came to our rescue; which I can never fully thank them for and helped us get him into MD Anderson in Houston TX, and get a second opinion. What a difference that second opinion was!! Dr. Andreeff handed him a prescription and said take these and I will see you in 30 days. That 30 days went to 3 months then 6 months then annual visits to Houston. All the while a  remission by just taking 6 golden pills every day. Yesterday Steve visited Dr. Andreeff for his annual appointment, he was told he had done so well that in 1 year he could just get a CBC done here with our local family Dr and as long as that went well...he could wait 2 years before going back to Houston! Oh Happy Day!!!

I will be forever grateful for Dr's and scientists that developed this medicine, family and friends that helped us get to the Dr. that would give it to us, a strong husband that never once doubted he would be fine, and now a job that provides the means to pay for that miracle drug. Reflecting back over the past 9 years how grateful I am to a loving Heavenly Father that has answered so many prayers for this here girl. Priesthood blessings, an amazingly strong husband that in the midst of it all finished Graduate School and never even missed a beat! and our 5 beautiful kids...all of which are daily proof to me that God hears and answers prayers.

Enjoy the moments...now back to the whir of life...realtor just called wants to show the house in an hour!
UPDATE:  Story of my life...got house sparkling clean for nothing...stood up once again!

Glamour Girl!

Charlee had her very first visit to the salon yesterday. She looked so pretty!

Glamour Girl!

She was so funny...all day she would "check" on her curls! They stayed so nice. When I curl her hair it just falls out. We got some "good" hairspray so hopefully we can re-create the look at home! The pictures are tiny because they were taken on my phone. When I get another minute I will get pics off my camera.

Trip Down Memory Lane

Megan's YW leader asked for a pic. of her at her baptism the other day. I dug out the disk with those pictures on it so I could email it to her and I can't believe how small my kids were then! This was only 7 years ago. Couldn't resist putting them up...

January 2003

Chase 5...Megan 8...Trace 2 months...

When I first saw Dallee I could see Trace. Seeing this picture I can definately see the resemblance between Trace & Dallee.

With our Bangerter Cousins...

L.O.V.E how sweetly Megan is looking down at Trace...boy that N.E.V.E.R. happens anymore!!!

Uncle Shane, Steve, Megan, Grandad Eddie Oliver, Our Bishop at the time...

(Grandpa Mayo was working and couldn't be there...I think he retired after this so he didn't miss anymore of these events)

Grandma Glenna Oliver, Megan, Cousin Stephanie Bangerter, Grandma Diana Mayo, Aunt Julie Oliver (was hurt playing Basketball)

F.U.N.N.Y...Megan is now taller than all of these peeps...yes even her Aunt Julie!!!

Trace's Blessing Day

Look how small our family was...such tiny little girls we have added but what a huge presence they make in our family!

O.T. what a bad hair day I was having!

Part of our Wonderful Extended Family...we love so much!

Everyone was in town so we doubled up the blessing/baptism.

We seem to do that alot...Trace was blessed when Megan was baptized, Charlee was blessed when Chase was baptized, Dallee was blessed when Chase was ordained a Deacon.

What a trip! L.O.V.E. it...When I first started this post I was thinking look how much things have changed in just 7 years b.u.t. really Megan is almost twice as old now as she was then and the then baby Trace will be baptized late this year...

Calling Any Super Coupon-ing Mamas Out There

Ok so it seems the new big thing is super coupon-ing. (maybe not new, I'm usually behind the curve) but it seems I am seeing more blogs and columns claiming that super couponing or stacking coupons have saved family budgets $800+ a month. Average food budget is around $1000 and I have read claims of dropping that to $200 or less while building up food storage. Seriously?? I usually brush it off and think ah that's nice, but today I've been thinking...does it really work? I just came across coupongals and it sounds almost too good to be true. So I want to know if there are any real life super couponers out there. I think someone we know at least started this because a while back my husband came home saying something about someone getting a load of groceries for $5.47 (or some unheard of amount) and that there were actually sites you could subscribe to that would tell you about coupons or something. I can't remember who it was though. So if you have tried this-successful-or-not, I want to hear!

• can you really save that much money?
• is it worth the amount of time it would appear to take?
• do you save enough to pay for the newspaper subscriptions?
• how many papers do you subscribe to?
• how to you even start?...it looks so overwhelming
• do you run into problems with the stores not taking the coupons?
• are coupon subscribing sites worth it?
• is it possible to process all those coupons in line with a baby and a pre-schooler or heaven forbid all 5 children in tow!?

I just want to know if you have tried it and been successful or not. For those of you that don't leave comments, email me sj_mayo@msn.com Thanks!

I Need A Break

Uggh...I am in the middle of a project that I really wish I could just run away from! I had this brilliant idea to swap the boys and girls rooms. When we moved here...Megan was our only girl (hard to believe now that the girls out number the boys) so Megan got the smaller of the rooms. Well now that we have 2 girls in that room (Dallee is in our room). Megan and Charlee seem to have more junk than the boys so I thought we'd swap out the rooms in the hopes of finding more blessed space. In the process I thought we might as well refinish the dressers. Soo now we have 2 rooms in total disarray, sanding down furniture, Charlee going through DI bags and totally throwing a fit that I am throwing out her "favorite" stuff and I've completely lost my motivation. We'll survive but not a fun spring break. Megan is feeling quite abused that this is the way she is spending her spring break. Oh well...we have been talking of putting the house back on the market so hopefully we'll do all this and then just get to move this summer...ok wishful thinking...but more space would be so welcome!

On another note...today Megan had her first drive with her drivers ed. Sounded kind of interesting. She almost side swiped a car while making a left hand turn. Almost rear ended a pick up at a stop light and the teacher had to use his brake in the parking lot so she didn't run over the parking stopper thing (what's that called???) anyways hopefully she gets these near misses out of her system before she starts driving our vehicles!! PS watchout on Blue Lakes!!!

Well back to my not so fun project!

The Beauty of Everyday Moments

Life's moments are beautiful. Life's moments pass me by in a blur. Lately I realize sometimes I let the most beautiful moments pass by without sucking the joy completely out of them. This little person has brought 5 months of pure, blessed, incredibly joyous moments. I feel those moments slipping through my hands like sands through an hour glass.



What can I do to hold onto them? We are already through the newborn phase, the baby stage is in full fledge. We giggle, we have found our voice, we roll over, we are a supported sitter...so much accomplished in such a short period of time. I had one of those "ah ha" moments early this year. I was rearranging my blog layout and off came the "baby ticker" you know the ticker that says you are 16 weeks...256 days to go. That ticker? It seems like just yesterday I put it up. Yet here each one of those blessed moments have ticked by...plus 5 months! Ticked by in a blink of an eye...just like the past 15 years!



Yes, 15 years...my oldest turned 15 years old on January 24. As I took the ticker down I actually caught myself wishing for something to "countdown" to this year. I stopped myself short and thought what? Countdown to another pregnancy?...out of the question. Countdown to a wedding day?...once in a lifetime moment. Countdown to a graduation?...biggest graduation happened 1.5 years ago when that beautiful M.S. degree arrived from O.S.U. next graduation date...Megan's....can't fathom that one. So what big thing do I want to countdown to this year? It has taken a while of me thinking of this to come up with my answer.



I want to count the Beautiful Everyday Moments of Life. You know the ones that fill the majority of our days...I in my running pants, hair in pony tail, Dallee in her pj's, Charlee's hair a mess and in mismatched clothes. Yes those moments that are also filled with computer work, cleaning, laundry. But those moments that are also filled with moments I get to sit, hold, rock, and nurse my baby. Listen to Charlee make Dallee giggle. Listen to Charlee as she talks about how she will be this and that when she grows up.



You know these moments...dull, peaceful yet the most beautiful moments in time.



Then the moments of our day when the house in clean (ok sometimes all we manage is the "quick" clean stage), laundry is going, our hair is combed, teeth brushed, clothes on and we are ready for the day. Lunch, nap, playtime. Before we know it is time to get kids from school. Then we get the moments of hearing about school days, the good and the bad. The recess and the lunch stories, the tales of friends that made us giggle and also those that made us cry. You know the moments that make up childhood. We drop kids off at practice. We may watch them play or we may watch Charlee in swim lessons. Then its time to all go home and meet daddy, fix dinner, and have our evening moments.



The moments where we do homework, share more of each days events, sit down at the table to eat and then bedtime. The moments we say prayers and I Love You's and Nighty Nights. Those are the moments!



I have realized the Biggest Moments, the ones I countdown to, well those are just moments too. They pass just as quickly as the everyday moments. The moments that nothing exciting may be happening but they are the moments that make up life. I have spent many moments of the past years "counting down" to the time when we built a new house. There was a time that I actually felt that was just around the corner, I poured over house plans, picked the best of each and combined them into the "house" I wanted. I counted the days our house was on the market with no counts of offers. Those moments turned into long months then years. Yes I would love to still build that house, but reality says it probably wont happen anytime soon. How many of life's beautiful everyday moments did I let slip by while looking for the day when that house "might" happen. Too many I am afraid to admit. I use the example of the house but how many other times have I waited for "something" big and forgot to see the beauty in the "small" things.



Yes, this year I am going to count the best moments of all...the "couch" picture moments. Those moments that may not have all the glitz and glamour of the action moments but they are "life's" moments. The moments that my fetus' turns to newborns...newborns to babies...babies to toddlers...toddlers to preschool...preschool to elementary...elementary to middle school...middle school to high school moments. The everyday moments that slip by all too quickly. I will still look forward to the "big" moments but I am going to drink up the everyday moments, the small things, the dull no...the beautiful moments.



Life is what I make it and moments are going to happen whether I am paying attention to them or waiting for the next "big" moment. I want to Enjoy the Small Things. I happened along this blog a while back and I find it so intriguing. This lady can write in such a beautiful way she makes her everyday moments sparkle. She also recently had a baby with down syndrome that they didn't know of the condition until she was born. Her entries are riveting and so full of emotion and honesty, it is incredible. To top it off, she is a photographer and has beautiful pictures. Reading her blog makes me realize, (of course our stories are all different), but all in all we are all just mamas making the best of the time we have with our little ones and tackling the curve balls life throws at us. She has inspired me to capture life's little moments. I want to see the beauty in all my moments...big and small. I want to see the magic of little things come alive in my children's eyes.

Thanks Jen for this beautiful quote on your blog..."This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now." Thomas S. Monson

Now what moments are you counting down to this year?