Race for the Cure ... I love this Race!

Lauren and Me... before the race ... she was too fast for me to run with!

Some of the kids!

Kylee and Lauren

Barton Creekers and Friends

Sarah and Lauren

Cam after hitting the "stuff booths"

The Russells and Hess'

Kenzi putting our race stuff on Grandma's grave

I love the "Race for the Cure" 5k. My sister Jenn and some of my nieces started doing it several years ago in honor of my mom. Lauren and Dave joined her the next year and Lauren has been doing it ever since. Last year I decided I needed to do it with my family and some of my friends joined in the fun.

Today was the big day today and as always despite the chaos and crowds, there is just something amazing about this race. I start the morning in tears thinking of my mom, watching the funny shirts and sweet "in memories of" and am amazed at all of the women in pink who are survivors or currently going through breast cancer. There are young and old, big and little and a sea of pink all together for a great cause.

Lorie and her family were there today, Dave's sister and Trev and Katie and about 15 of us from church, neighbors, friends, etc. The weather was perfect and everyone was smiling. As I ran/walked/jogged I was inspired by the people, the great slogans and the fact that in this crazy, screwed up world we live in, there are just a lot of people that want to support and love other people.

Thanks Jenn and Lauren for starting this great tradition. And mom... Happy Mother's Day!

"I said a little prayer and..."

I know we've always been told we need to have the faith of a child and I've definitely seen that incredible faith in my children. Each of my kids seem to have a spiritual gift and goodness in differerent ways, but my sweet little Kenzi's faith never ceases to amaze me. Her unwritten "motto" (which she doesn't even realize she has) is to pray and have faith first, and then go on from there. But always, always, always pray first.

The other morning she woke up with a headache and feeling like she was going to throw up. Lauren had been sick for two days earlier in the week so I assumed she just had that. She went back to bed and said she didn't think she could go to school that day. (And... Kenzi isn't one that pretends she is sick to miss school... she'll pretend she is sick to get out of housework, but not for school.) I told her to rest and we'd see how she felt at lunch. I then told her I was supposed to "substitute" (just for 15 minutes) in her class that day before lunch.

About 20 minutes later she came downstairs and told me she was feeling better and that she could go to school. I was surprised, but glad that she wanted to go. She got dressed and we were getting ready to take her to school. Before we got in the car I asked her if she was sure she felt good enough and was she sure she wanted to go to school. She assured me she was fine and then said, "Mom, I said a little prayer to Heavenly Father and he answered it because I feel better!"

And unfaithful mom thought "oohh, I hope she doesn't get sick at school so she will know her prayer was answered." I think my faith was hope for her faith not to be disappointed, not really faith that a little prayer really had made her feel better in 15 minutes.

Ever since she was old enough to talk about Heavenly Father and prayers and faith, she has been like this. If I had a dollar for every time she has started a sentance with "I said and little prayer and ...." I'd be a millionare. When she is about to perform a song and is nervous, when she is sitting in the bathroom throwing up in the middle of the night, when she has just gotten in trouble and is feeling bad, her first words to me are "Mom, can we say a little prayer so Heavenly Father will help me not be nervous, or stop throwing up, or forgive me." She melts my heart and makes me want to be more faithful.

I remember my sister-in-law (who is really faithful like Kenzi) told me one day when she was holding Makenzie as a baby that there was just something special about her spirit. I think she was right! I often remind myself to be more like Makenzie. Thanks Kenzers!! You really are an amazing example to me.

Why I Still Ski...

Ok, so these posts are a little dated, but I'm a little behind on the blogging.

I love to ski! Not because I come home at the end of the day and my legs are like jello and I did great runs all day long... (those were the great high school and college days) because except for the yearly Oracle Deer Valley Ski day I'm generally on the beginning/intermediate runs with my kids.

But there is nothing more beautiful than the mountains in Utah... especially when there is an inversion in the valley.

These pictures were taken on an icky, January inversion day. It was 20 degrees in the valley and we were surrounded by "soup." As we drove up the canyon the inversion cleared and we watched the thermostat hit 40 degrees.

My cute kids and friends and hubby, great snow, beautiful mountains, fresh air... why wouldn't I still ski?

One of my favorite places ... two of my favorite times!

I love the cabin -- there is something great about every season. But I think two of my favorite times are New Year's Eve/Christmas Break and Conference.

1. New Year's. What could be better than tons of snow, jumping off into the deck onto snow piles, sledding up and down the roads, skating at the outdoor rink, eating all evening on New Year's (not worrying about driving around on the roads... once we make it to the cabin through the snow), banging pans at midnight, popping bottles of sparkling cider and laughing at those who snored their way into midnight (Cameron and Dave this year!) with the cousins and family ranging from 5 - 82! I love this family tradition and hope my kids think this is a great way to spend New Year's for many years to come.

2. Conference. There is no way I could get my kids to sit down and listen to all 4 sessions of confernence if we were home, but for some reason at the cabin they do. Well.... sit down, I'm not sure always listening. Usually we are up there with just our little family on Saturday and then Saturday evening other family members join us. We always go out to dinner or to take out after the priesthood session and start Sunday morning with a yummy breakfast (french toast with homemade hot buttermilk syrup this year). There are Conference bingo games, note taking, coloring contests of the picture that best depicts conference, some napping, some shushing... a short hike or trip to feed the ducks betweeen sessions ... I LOVE IT!!! (Oh and lots of snacks!) I love conference anyway, but being up there with my family and snuggling on to couch in such a beautiful setting makes it all the more wonderful.

Finally ... April 1st is almost Over!!

Don't get me wrong... I love April Fool's Day! (Especially now that Misty Mayfield did one of the best tricks ever with the EPT test.) I started the day with fooling Lauren and fascinating Sarah Gould and Kenzi with food coloring at the bottom of their cereal bowl.

However... Lauren has taken after Aunt Jenn and cousin Adam a bit too much. Listed below are a few of the pranks she has done throughout the day. A few more minutes and she'll be in bed and I'll be safe until next year.

* Powdered donuts rolled in baking soda. (Given to friends -- fortunately not to me.)

* Fake brownies with cocoa.

* Eyeballs in the ice.

* Toilet paper messages in the toilets and sinks -- Kenzi and Cameron both fought over who got to go potty on her cute messages.

* Saran wrap on the other toilet (that is such an Adam prank)

Kenzi is upstairs screaming right now -- so who knows what else she is up to!

Can We Feed Them Omelets? Multiplication for Icecream and S-P-O-T spells SPOT!!!! .... Why I Love My Kids

I'm always fascinated by my kids ... sometimes good fascination, sometimes not so good (like the musical bed routine they all played on Saturday... everyone switched beds at least one time during the night!) But I digress -- I noticed something wonderful about all 3 of my kids during the past couple of weeks and I want them to remember this someday.

LAUREN -- CAN WE FEED THEM OMELETS? -- LOVE COUPONS -- A RACE AROUND THE CUL-DE-SAC
1. The next-door-neighbors were moving out last weekend. It was Sunday morning and I had just gotten home from a meeting. She was concerned that as they were packing up they had nothing to eat. "Well... go ask them if they want some omelets," I said half-joking. Before I turned around she was out the door and back and said "They'd love some!" So she helped me make two huge omelets, made a bunch of toast, poured grape juice into bottles and wrapped everything up on a plate covered with foil. To top it off she took plastic forks and taped them to the top, grabbed a bottle of ketchup out of the fridge and headed next door. I love that she thinks of other people and isn't embarassed about wanting to do something nice.

2. A few weeks ago as I went to get into bed I found a coupon on my bed "Good for 2 10-minute back rubs -- Love Lauren." She had done the same thing for everyone -- doing the silverware and garbage for Cam & Kenz and going to donuts with Dad. No reason, just random nice Lauren!!!!

3. We have new neighbors moving in next door -- with 5 boys!!! The kids are so excited. They were over cleaning the house the other night and Lauren, Kenzi and Cam got out a bunch of balls and things and started playing with them. The oldest boy who is 11 was just sitting back, not playing. I went over to meet the mom and she told me the oldest was a little sad about moving into a cul-de-sac with mostly girls. I assured him that my girls were pretty tomboy'ish -- as were the others in the cul-de-sac and he would probably be ok. The next thing I know I look over and Lauren and the boy were lined up for a race around the cul-de-sac. Lauren is a really fast runner... but this kid is pretty athletic. I laughed as they ran around neck and neck the first lap and then the 2nd lap he just didn't have the endurance and she beat him. Within moments they were playing one-on-one basketball (he beat her this time). I was so happy she was willing to go out of her comfort zone and get him to play!


KENZI -- CAN YOU DO MATH FAST ENOUGH TO EARN A BIG MILKSHAKE?
Kenzi does very well in school, but has been struggling a bit with multiplication and division. She took a division test a couple of weeks ago and got 50%. I talked to her teacher and we were both concerned. The end of the term was in two weeks and she needed to get all of her multiplication and division passed in under 10 minutes before the term ended -- and she wasn't close. She generally doesn't get down on herself but she was definitely feeling like she wasn't smart enough and getting discouraged.

Kenzi and I searched for some good ways to help her. (She doesn't think or learn like I do so it is sometimes hard for me to help her.) We checked out CDs, videos, games from her teacher and then finally found this great online game. It does little 60 second test with a digital egg timer and counter to show you how you are doing.

Every night we would sit down and begin testing. One night we were about the make chocolate malts for dessert. I told the kids that for every number Kenzi got within the 60 seconds, we would get 1 scoop of icecream. The test was on. Lauren and Cameron were cheering her on and Kenzi was screaming. The first night we got 3 scoops (and I let Lauren do two tests to add a couple more on.) Night after night we worked on this until.....

She came home one day and had made it to the 3-minute club Division and 2-minute club Multiplication. The mom that had tested her couldn't believe it -- she wasn't even close the last time they tested. We celebrated and cheered (I teased her and made her think she was in trouble cause I found the certificates -- she had forgotten to tell me.)

But it gets even better. On Friday I got an email from her teacher. They took the end of the term multiplication and division tests and Kenzi was the FASTEST IN THE CLASS on both!! Her teacher thought she was kidding was she shouted done so quickly and before anyone! I can't begin to tell you how excited I was for her. She had worked so hard... and then when it came it was so easy for her.

After some much deserved celebration, I reminded her of two lessons from this. #1 -- she can do hard things and can accomplish anything. Going from 50% 2 weeks ago to being the top in her class this week. #2 -- She can never say she isn't smart enough to accomplish something. Everyone learns at a different pace and in different ways and you just got to keep working until you know how you learn! LOVE YOU KENZ!!!

CAMERON -- SPOT .... SSS...PPP...OOO...TTT -- SPOT!!!
I remember the excitement my girls felt when they first learned to read. Putting those sounds together and discovering they made a word was awesome to them!

However, I think Cameron has been the funniest, most excited and most obsessive of the three. He is always wanting to do homework (with the girls) and loves doing things with letters and sounds. We had some fun letter videos and he had a great computer game with phonics he loved, but I didn't realize he could read words right now.

Several weeks ago we discovered this with a little book in church and he was so excited! The next day I wrote up a list of 3-letter words and he started sounding them out. If you've watched a child learn to read you know what I mean... but it was so funny. He would say "Hhhhaaaammmm -- Ham, Ham, HAM!!!" (It would take him 3 or 4 times of saying the words to realized HE WAS saying the words.)

Since then it has been non-stop spelling. In bed at night, on walks, in the car or wherever -- he wants me to give him 3 or 4 letters and have him say the word. If he recognizes a word on a sign on the street he goes nuts and is sooooooo excited. I'm amazed at brain development (I love watching babies learn to speak, take their first test, feed themselves for the first time, etc.), so happy at his excitement about learning and so entertained by the obsessiveness of this newly developed skill. Good job C-A-M ... Cam!!!!

My Mom!

Somehow 14 years have passed since my mom died. A day hasn't gone by that I don't miss her ... and the older my kids get the more I wish she were her to be a part of their lives. (Lauren commented at her New Beginnings the other night that she thought Grandma's spirit was probably there and watching...) I always knew she was the best mom and an amazing person (just ask all of my friends and boyfriends who dated me just caused they loved her), but the older I get the more amazing I realize she was.

Patient, loving, selfless, giving, kind are the first words that come to mind. At times when I think about what a good mom she was, I kind of feel bad for my own kids... I wish I could be more like her.

Thanks Mom -- I love you!

I Love You!!!

"I Hate This Leg!!!" ... or our own personal Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

Ok... if you've never had a child with night terrors or nighttime leg aches, you may not appreciate this... for those of you who have I know you can relate.

I've not slept through the night for more than a few nights in a row since Cameron was born. He was Mr. Piggy the 1st year and I had to nurse him once in the middle of the night until he was 1 (which by the way I loved my quiet nighttime with him). After he turned 1 he turned into a terrible monster at night sleeping on the floor for 6 months refusing his new big boy bed and on and off for the past 4 years Cameron has night terrors or nighttime leg aches. (Thankfully, in the past 2 months the night terrors have drastically reduced.) However, last night we had one of our funnier leg ache episodes.

2:30 am -- Cameron slips in to bed with us moaning and growning.

2:31 am -- Kidney punch with the right leg

2:32 am -- Stomach kick with the left leg

2:33 am -- You get the picture -- he always stays on Steph's side of the bed.

2:53 am -- Steph -- "Dave I'm going in Cameron's bed, if I get kicked again I'm going to die."

2:53 and 1/2 am -- Cameron flops himself to the floor and starts moaning there.

2:54 am -- Steph climbs back in bed thinking "I may hear him, but at least I won't get kicked."

2:57 am -- Cameron climbs back in bed moaning/crying.

3:03 am -- Steph goes in Cameron's room.

3:15 am -- Uncontrollable screaming from Cameron. "Make it stop mommy! Mommy make it stop!!!"

3:16 am -- Steph hears Cameron get out of bed and start wandering around the halls.

3:16 and 1/2 am -- Steph gets up and finds Cameron in the hall hitting his leg, screaming "I HATE THIS STUPID LEG, I HATE THIS STUPID LEG."

3:17 am -- Dave and Steph laugh out loud and say "at least he isn't walking up and down the hall making up swear words like he did last time he had a night terror." Grushin, bookin, japajs -- etc. at the top of his lungs.

3:18 am -- Steph finds Ibuprofen and heats up a corn pad and walks Cameron to his room.

3:21 am -- Steph sits with Cameron on his bed rubbing his leg laughing at his totally out of control behavior... thinking "good thing you aren't a woman -- you'd never be able to deliver a baby."

3:22 am -- Kenzi from across the hall "Mom, Mom -- make him stop! I can't sleep!"

3:23 am -- Steph goes into Kenzi's room, starts a tape and pulls the door shut.

3:24 am -- Steph goes back to Cam's room and tries to rub his leg. Cameron continues screaming.

3:25 am -- Steph gives up, pulls Cams door shut, goes back to bed and comments to Dave on an old "pre-pregnancy" joke that I won't share here.

3:45 am -- Ibuprofen kicks in and Cameron falls asleep... Dave and Steph finally fall asleep too!

8:30 am -- Cameron wakes up -- sweet, kind and cuddly.

9:45 am -- Mom writes in blog and teases Cameron and he walks over and give her a great big kiss and snuggles on her lap.

It is hard to stay made at the world's huggiest, kissiest kid -- who by the way starts every request with "Please beautiful mamma ... can I have a drink of water or can I have a snack, etc." I guess if that is what I get all day long I can handle the occasional pyschotic night son! I love you LM (little man.)

It's Maturation Day at Valley View... You've gotta love it!

Ok... so we all remember our 5th/6th grade maturation. I remember going one evening to the lunchroom with my mom and watching this totally corny movie, being so embarrassed and laughing at the little kit I got.

My mom had already had the "talk" with Jenn and I -- but honestly I didn't understand one word my mom was talking about and I was too embarassed to tell her I didn't know what she was talking about. Cheryl Pope and I used to compare notes and between the two of us talking I think we finally figured out the real story. (That definitely changed later -- my college roommates and I used to call my mom when we had any questions -- I know I totally embarrased her sometimes but I was really glad I knew I could go to her with our questions.)

I went to Maturation with my niece Kerri (cause Lorie couldn't go that day) and remember just laughing at the girls and their moms.

Well... Lauren and I had our turn today. Those of you that know much about Lauren and I know we are both pretty open (ok... so maybe a little too open). We have had multiple discussions already about this topic -- funny ones, spiritual ones, and teary/spiritual ones when they involved adoption.

Between she and Kenzi I've had multiple discussions and nearly every question possible already.

Kenzi is quite fascinated by everything, very practical and asks some incredibly deep questions about it. Lauren on the other hand asks lots of questions but gets very embarassed. She was really nervous this morning.

My observations after attending this morning:
#1. The lady that did it was hilarious, very open and did a great job... I would love to have heard it explained the way she explained it. And I think every newlywed man/husband should hear her explanation of mood swings around PMS.

#2. The movies they use now are way, way better than the one I saw.

#3. There is nothing funnier than watching the girls (and moms) squirm, giggle, turn red throughout the whole thing and then taking their little "sample bags" back to the room after.

#4. Although Lauren was embarrased, and she and her friends were so funny after, I'm so glad I have an open relationship with her and we've already discussed this many, many times. Lauren is really easy to talk to and althought moving to these next "steps" as a mom makes me teary (yes she told me that I was totally lame this morning when I teared up at breakfast and told her there was no way she was old enough to go to maturation) I quite enjoyed this new phase of parenting this morning.

Annie ... not sure who misses it more, Cam or Kenzi

Kenzi had the chance to be an orphan in Bountiful High's Annie in January. As with Les Mis she loved it and the high school kids were so great with her. Although she was a little sad that she didn't get to sing a solo like Les Mis or Power in His Touch -- she loved the play and had a lot of fun learning all of the dances and songs. As far as "having fun" goes -- I think this was her favorite play so far. She even got to have her blanket and toys on stage and had several scenes where they were just supposed to play and talk on stage... what could be better! Because they were supposed to be acting like little girls, no one even knew it was real when she and another little orphan girl starting sweetly fighting on stage over one of the presents.

They had a read dog as Sandy and the little orphans loved her! The 2nd the curtain call was over she and another little girl would run to see the dog.

Cameron loved it as much or more than Kenzi I think. I believe he has his 2nd crush (his 1st being his preschool teacher Mrs. Wing). He LOVED Annie -- the music and Annie herself. We had a poster at our house and he picked it up one day and starting kissing it saying "I love, love, love you -- you are so cute Annie."

Whenever he went (which was 8 times) he would sing out loud -- it actually got a little embarassing and we had to "sush" him several times each night. "The sun'll come out tomorrow..." and his other favorite songs were definietly loud enough people around us could hear.

He loved Waggy the puppet in the radio show and walked around repeating his lines. The last night Kenzi took him over to meet the guy who played Waggy and he was speechless. He couldn't even talk he was so excited.

Cameron has always adored Makenzie, but Kenzi being in Annie has greatly increased his adoration for her.

Great job Kenzi -- cute as ever!!!

The Hess Family's Contribution to Stimulating the Economy and... Goodbye car from Well... you know where!

After 3 1/2 years of way too much money spent... Dave traded in his Audi and bought a new car! Don't get me wrong, I loved the Audi. Ok... that isn't true, but when it wasn't in the shop it was a great car. It felt nice, drove nice and was fabulous in the snow. We generally have great luck with cars -- my niece still drives our 1994 Honda and my dad still has the 1995 truck... not sure what happened here.

My disdain for this car started 2 weeks after we bought it on Ebay and I received a call at 8:30 am in the morning.

"Is this Mrs. Hess? This is Bob Smith from the car transport company and I was parked in a lot last night to get some sleep in Ohio when a fluke hailstorm hit. Unfortunately your new Audi was on the top back of the transport and received the worse damage."

"Excuse me... is this a joke... is this a radio show?"

"I wish it were ma'am. The back windshield was blown out and there are 1000s of dings all over the car."

When we finally saw the car 2 days later the entire inside was covered in shattered glass, the back was covered with duct tape and cardboard and yes there were 1000s of hail dings all over the car.

Because this was "an act of God" the cost was not covered by the transport company.

One month and $5000 later (fortunately our insurance paid for most of that) Dave got to drive his new car.

When the engine check light wasn't on (which was probably 2x during the 3 years) it was great! We had two fun road trips to the Las Vegas Bowl in it and Dave did like driving it around.

I can't even remember all of the problems but after being the in shop this summer for over a month to do the most extensive repair possible, two other 2 week repairs ... several thousands of dollars (I'm not even going to admit how much) it finally passed emissions in November and we decided it was time to say goodbye.

We decided to trade it in -- to avoid a repeat of the used car stalker guy from our BYU days (yes... he did stalk me at my office and showed up at our apartment in tears at 11:30pm one night and said his wife would divorce him if we didn't buy our car back) we traded it in.

So -- goodbye Audi and hello Maxima (with the heated seats that I LOVE)!!! Let's hope we have better luck this time.

25 Random Things

Thanks to my friend Becca my blog is my journal to be printed once a year... so although this is on Facebook, I thought I'd add this to my blog as well.

1. I cry when I’m happy – I cry when I’m sad. I believe that no one should ever cry alone so I also cry when anyone else is crying.

2. My favorite vacation in the whole world is a week on a houseboat at Lake Powell. Unfortunately I haven’t done this since Lauren was one. Our family got a little too big for 1 houseboat – someday we will go again though.

3. My new favorite vacation is anywhere we go as a family. We love our St. George trips, Disneyland/San Diego/Aunt Cathy vacations, road trips to see Nat and kids and anyplace we go together. Hawaii last December will definitely be one of our best family memories – surprising the kids like we did was soooo fun!

4. My favorite weekend getaway is definitely the cabin in Midway. I love biking Provo Canyon in the spring or fall and then BBQ and sleeping on the deck with the kids -- nothing is better than falling asleep watching the stars. (I also love watching Dave long board up and down Provo canyon. All of the other long boarders are teenagers who look the part and then there is Dave… with his wife and kids following him.) In the winter I love to sled with the kids, watch them jump off the deck into the snow and over eat and play games all night. I love New Year’s Eve at the cabin with all of our cousins!

5. I am a hopeless romantic! I love Hallmark Hall of Fame sappy movies and have watched my favorite love stories too many times to mentions… Roman Holiday, Sabrina, While You Were Sleeping, You’ve Got Mail… you get the idea.

6. One of my favorite books is Pride & Prejudice and I love every version of the movie out there – A&E Pride & Prejudice and the Bollywood Bride & Prejudice are my two favorites.

7. My niece and sister-in-law and I have a thing for Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight.” If it ever comes on the radio I have to call and sing to Cathy and Katie. Rarely in my life do I laugh as hard as I do when we “re-live” the funny story behind this song.

8. I love NPRs “This American Life” radio show. If you’ve never listened you’ve got to tune in one Saturday. It definitely has some liberal leanings (it is NPR…) but I love the stories they tell. (One of the greatest stories I’ve heard on this is the Phil Collins love story segment – part of #7 above.)

9. I always wanted to marry my best friend… I wanted to be walking down the street with him one day, look over and realize I was in love with him. That is exactly what happened with Dave – except we were up at a snowy cabin, with a full moon at a work party.

10. Dave and I talk about a hundred times a day.

11. My kids mean everything in the world to me! They were all miracles and the results of lots of fasting/prayers/tears -- I get sick at the thought of what I would do without them.

12. My mom was the most amazing person I know. She was my best friend throughout my whole life. When she died I really didn’t think I would be able to go on. I take comfort in knowing that she did have something to do with getting my girls to me so for that I am grateful. I can honestly say even after 14 years a day doesn’t go by when I don’t miss her.

13. I think all of my boyfriends kept dating me because they liked my mom so much and wanted her as a mother-in-law. Although I have the worlds best/funniest/kindest/wackiest dad – I think some of my boyfriends just about stopped dating me because of my dad. He always told us “All a boy will ever want you for is your body!” He never trusted anyone we dated and was out on the front porch in his robe if we were in the car in front of the house longer than 10 seconds!

14. I’ve excercised since I was about 12 years old. My mom started taking me to a Jazzercise class at twelve (I remember dancing/excercising to the song 9-5) and I’ve always gone to aerobics/walked/lifted weights ever since.

15. When I was growing up my mom would always have my dad stop and drop us off about ½ mile from home after we went out to dinner so she and I could walk home… she said there was no way she could go home or sleep being so full. I’ve carried on this tradition thanks to my friend Val. We take late night walks on weekend nights in the fall/spring/summer since one of us has usually gone out to dinner and overeaten. It isn’t uncommon for us to go out at 10:30 pm when it isn’t so cold out. (We actually did a late night walk last Wednesday after our families went out to dinner together and I was so full I thought I would barf. It was a little cold but I felt much better.) Sometimes we get other people or our girls to go with us and I can always count on Lauren running out to the middle of the cul-de-sac to greet us when we get home even if it is 11:30 pm!

16. I’ve always been blessed with great friends! I had good friends growing up and in High School, I had the world’s best roommates at BYU and great friends who helped me make it through Business School, and I’ve always worked with wonderful people who became lifelong friends. And now as a mom I couldn’t ask for better friends for me and my kids!

17. On any given night your guess is as good as mine as to where my kids will wake up the next morning. Tonight they are all in Lauren's bed, last night Cameron started in Lauren's room and ended up on our floor, and sometimes they all sleep in Makenzie's bed. Last week Kenzi was in her bed and Lauren slept on the floor of Cameron's room. If Cameron is having a night terror and comes in our bed I sometimes leave him with Dave and go and sleep in his bed. And unfortunately there have been a few times when I wake up and find all 5 Hess family members in my bed!

18. I love all four seasons – including winter... who doesn't love driving in the piles of snow on the side of the street? I love the changes in the weather and I love the activities that come with all of the seasons.

19. In a weird way I even like the inversion… ok only because I love to go skiing when the inversion is in the valley. There is nothing better than being in the gunk, driving up one of the canyons and about ½ way up breaking out of it and seeing beautiful blue skies and the thermometer jumping up 20 degrees. That is one of the reasons I plan to ski until I can’t walk anymore.

20. When I have PMS I can’t decide if I need salty or sweet… so I generally just go back and forth and back and forth until I’m so sick I have to call Val and Lisa and go for a walk. (In college my good friend introduced me to Peanut Buster Parfaits at Dairy Queen and that became a winner for lots and lots of years. Dave could always sense when it was time to take me to Dairy Queen.)

21. Dave is a better cook and cleaner than I am. He makes the best grilled Turkey at Thanksgiving, the best ceviche and gazpacho and mastered curry a few years ago. He can get any stain out of a kitchen sink and at least once a quarter I like him to clean the bathrooms. I’m not sure what he does but when he is finished it looks like the entire bathroom went through the world’s best carwash.

22. I love going to BYU football games. This started as a family tradition when I was growing up and I married someone who loves it as well. Some of my best road trip memories are me and Dave and various family members heading to the Holiday Bowl, Vegas Bowl, BYU/U of U games (except when Toph and Dave about got me beaten up – I think I’m done with the U of U/BYU games at the U thanks to them.)

23. I have the best brothers and sisters. Although we are all really different, I have a great friendship with each of them. One of the reasons I made it through Jr. High and High School as smoothly as I did was because of my brothers. Although I don't think I realized it at the time, they had a tremendous impact on how I felt about myself.

24. A professional massage, a late night walk or a candlelight bubble bath while watching a sappy romantic comedy are my 3 favorite ways to relax.

25. Although we don’t camp much (ok… so hardly ever… once we got the cabin Dave decided that the days of tent camping were over) but I love campfires. I love to watch the flames. Dave built a fire pit last summer and although I’m a little freaky about the trees around it catching on fire, I love having it. (I am going to plan a camping trip this summer. I get to still enjoy camping at least at girls camp, but my kids are missing out!)

Wear Sunscreen

I love this column by Mary Schmich -- written in 1997 and incorrectly attributed as a commencement address. I found a copy going through some old pictures of Lauren as a baby. Love the words of advice, love the memories it invokes (I guess I'm getting to the age that I wish I could go back and follow some of the advice that was given) and advice I would give to my kids!

If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience. I will dispense this advice now.

Enjoy the power and beauty of your youth. Oh, never mind. You will not understand the power and beauty of your youth until they've faded. But trust me, in 20 years, you'll look back at photos of yourself and recall in a way you can't grasp now how much possibility lay before you and how fabulous you really looked. You are not as fat as you imagine.

Don't worry about the future. Or worry, but know that worrying is as effective as trying to solve an algebra equation by chewing bubble gum. The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind, the kind that blindside you at 4pm on some idle Tuesday.
Do one thing every day that scares you.

Sing.

Don't be reckless with other people's hearts. Don't put up with people who are reckless with yours.

Floss.

Don't waste your time on jealousy. Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind. The race is long and, in the end, it's only with yourself.

Remember compliments you receive. Forget the insults. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.

Keep your old love letters. Throw away your old bank statements.

Stretch.

Don't feel guilty if you don't know what you want to do with your life. The most interesting people I know didn't know at 22 what they wanted to do with their lives. Some of the most interesting 40-year-olds I know still don't.

Get plenty of calcium. Be kind to your knees. You'll miss them when they're gone.

Maybe you'll marry, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll have children, maybe you won't. Maybe you'll divorce at 40, maybe you'll dance the funky chicken on your 75th wedding anniversary. Whatever you do, don't congratulate yourself too much, or berate yourself either. Your choices are half chance. So are everybody else's.

Enjoy your body. Use it every way you can. Don't be afraid of it or of what other people think of it. It's the greatest instrument you'll ever own.

Dance, even if you have nowhere to do it but your living room.

Read the directions, even if you don't follow them.

Do not read beauty magazines. They will only make you feel ugly.

Get to know your parents. You never know when they'll be gone for good. Be nice to your siblings. They're your best link to your past and the people most likely to stick with you in the future.

Understand that friends come and go, but with a precious few you should hold on. Work hard to bridge the gaps in geography and lifestyle, because the older you get, the more you need the people who knew you when you were young.

Live in New York City once, but leave before it makes you hard. Live in Northern California once, but leave before it makes you soft. Travel.

Accept certain inalienable truths: Prices will rise. Politicians will philander. You, too, will get old. And when you do, you'll fantasize that when you were young, prices were reasonable, politicians were noble and children respected their elders.

Respect your elders.

Don't expect anyone else to support you. Maybe you have a trust fund. Maybe you'll have a wealthy spouse. But you never know when either one might run out.

Don't mess too much with your hair or by the time you're 40 it will look 85.

Be careful whose advice you buy, but be patient with those who supply it. Advice is a form of nostalgia. Dispensing it is a way of fishing the past from the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly parts and recycling it for more than it's worth.

But trust me on the sunscreen.

Remodeling 101

So last August for Kenzi's birthday she got a new loft bed with a desk. Of course she really needed new carpet so we didn't want to put in the bed until we painted, put in new carpet, etc.

Long story short, 4 1/2 months later RC Willey will finally get me to pick up the bed.

We decided to switch Cameron and Kenzi rooms, repaint, patch some holes (ok... so it ended up being a drywall project as well), fix a door frame (thanks Barrett!!!) and we might as well get new blinds too!!!

The beds and dressers and mattresses are scattered throughout the house, Cam hasn't slept in his bed for a month (the other night I walked out of my room at 11:30 pm and tripped over something -- Cameron asleeping in the doorway of our room).

The carpet comes tomorrow so we can start to put it back together!!!!! Lauren asked if we could have a little fun with the carpet before they take it out.

Here are some pix of the kids "Plan of Salvation" drawings... it is Sunday so we thought we'd tie in the carpet destruction to our FHE lesson for the week. We jut traced their bodies and they are doing self-portraits now... I'll have to add those pictures later.

Happy New Yearzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Along with everything else this year, Cameron was so excited for New Year's Eve. He has seen all of the past pictures at the cabin with games, hat, jumping off the deck, etc. but he always sleeps through.

This year we went to the cabin with Grandpa and the Walls. With tons of snow and lots of games and treats we were ready for the big night. Lauren picked out blowers and party hats for everyone.

We played Mario Cart, ate pizza and played game after game after game. About 8:30 pm Cameron said, "Mom when does the party start." I explained that the party was already going and he was not happy. "No, this needs to be like a birthday party."

So he made a dart game with our party hats, set up a football game and added some zip to the party. With a wild candy bar game Cameron was finally convinced the party was underway... but he couldn't wait until we "shot off the guns."

About 11:45 pm he came and sat on my lap and within 10 seconds -- literally -- he was fast asleep. At midnight I tried so hard to wake him up. I stood him up, opened his eyes, walked out to the deck... nothing. The girls all ran outside banging pans, jumping off the deck into the snow, letting off poppers... still nothing. I finally handed him to Grandpa and he slept on his lap until I put him in bed about 1:00 am.

The next morning he came into my room and with big tears asked why we didn't finish the party. I explained that 15 minutes before midnight he fell asleep and that we tried and tried to wake him. He burst into tears and everytime anyone mentioned it for the next two hours he would burst into tears.

I told him when the Cottles came up he and Rachel could pop the poppers we saved him and he could do his celebrating.

There is always next year Cameron!!!

New Year's Day was packed with more food and hours of sledding. The Cottles brought the 4-wheelers so we went up and down the mountain for hours -- I think Jana and Lauren were out there for 3 1/2 hours before they finally came in. As usual, Rob hooked up a great rig and 6 or 7 of us would go up and down each time. Even Grandpa joined in the fun.

Kenzi, Cam, Katie, Rachel and I went iceskating and then we had a great time playing more games all evening. I think we had 17 of us at the cabin last night -- which lended itself to not a lot of sleep, but a lot of fun.