Happy Mother's Day!!!

I got this as an email from my role model...my mom...Thanks Mom! It made my day. Hopefully it will make yours too!

JUST A MOM?

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerks office,

was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

"What I mean is, " explained the recorder,

"do you have a job or are you just a ....?"

"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman.

"I'm a Mom."

"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation,

'housewife' covers it,"

Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself

in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.

The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised,

efficient, and possessed of a high sounding title like,

"Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."

"What is your occupation?" she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know.

The words simply popped out.

"I'm a Research Associate in the field of

Child Development and Human Relations."

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and

looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words.

Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written,

in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest,

"just what you do in your field?"

Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice,

I heard myself reply,

"I have a continuing program of research,

(what mother doesn't)

In the laboratory and in the field,

(normally I would have said indoors and out).

I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family)

and already have four credits (all daughters).

Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities,

(any mother care to disagree?)

and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it).

But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers

and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she

completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career,

I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3..

Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model,

(a 6 month old baby) in the child development program,

testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy!

And I had gone on the official records as someone more

distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."

Motherhood!

What a glorious career!

Especially when there's a title on the door..

Does this make grandmothers

"Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations"

And great grandmothers

"Executive Senior Research Associates?"

I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts

"Associate Research Assistants."  ~ Author Unknown

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!