So long, Geo

Strider's little Geo Tracker finally met its end last weekend. 

It didn't quite make the trip to scout camp and back still alive.

We decided to retire the 21 year old thing and get Strider a real car.  As the tow truck loaded up the tracker, Rosebud was VERY upset, and kept repeatedly yelling at him to stop and screamed at the window.  Holy cow; it was as funny as it was upsetting.  She just didn't understand that it was broken.

Here's his new (used) little cutie.  An '03 Dodge Stratus. 

New Mission

My parents are called to serve!

My dad was put into the presidency of the new mission in the SL Valley - the Salt Lake City West Mission.  He will be 1st counselor to President Swain from Taylorsville.  2nd Counselor is Brother Campbell from WVC.

Left to Right is:

Elder L. Whitney Clayton (presidency of the seventy), Dad, Swain, Campbell, Elder Crittendon (area seventy)

My parents joined the church when Dad was already a husband and father.  He's always felt like the mission experience was missing from his church service.  We're very excited for them and this new opportunity.  Missionaries, but they get to live at home!

July 4th

Even though our day was nontraditional, here are some pictures of the parade and other things:

Bugs is on the far side, looking at us in this pic :)

After the parade, I finally got to meet back up with the family.  We had a delicious bbq and enjoyed being together.

Our red/white/blue fam

We finished our night with fireworks.  My numbing injection had worn off by then, but I tried to ignore the pain and count my blessings.  I hope you all had a great Independence Day!

One nation under God

Last night I asked Rosebud to say the family prayer at bedtime. She said "we thankful for the surpees (free 7-11 day) and one nation, under God, invisible, with liberty justice for all."

I get a kick out of her! Something I am thankful for today is that our wireless is up and running after a day outage. That wasn't fun.

Knee is getting slowly better. Thanks for all your concern!

5 years!

Yep, I started this blog 5 years ago today.  FIRST BLOG POST


I began with fireworks, and yesterday's post was, again, about fireworks. Kinda.

Last week I felt it was time to freshen up around here.  If you read this blog in a reader you might not have noticed, but go ahead and click over to the full site.  You'll notice:

*a lighter, cleaner background

I want the focus to be on the posts, not the fluff.

*a new sponsor

I want to print my blog into books. In other words, I'm a bad journal writer.  I decided to accept a sponsor request for answers.coupons.com to make that a reality.  They are a legitimate coupon deal site.  Feel free to search there before making online purchases (I do not get paid for clicks, but I do recommend the site).

 *new tabs above, including information on my LDS beliefs

*and most exciting for me, I now have my own domain!  www.magnamom.com/

Go ahead and change your links (you'll be redirected either way).  Easier to find and search for now :)

Happy 5 year anniversary to me, and happy reading to all of you!

All the king's horses and all the king's men

All you regular readers know my passion for the 4th of July and the big celebrations in my little town. It's one of my very favorite holidays.

I think Heavenly Father wants me to be more humble. Another holiday I adore is Mother's Day - I was sick this year. Well, 4th of July also got majorly rearranged (just after I went on and on the night before to family members who weren't 'parade people' that they should really go and enjoy it because it was awesome).

We spent July 3rd making ice. I had drinks bought and ready. Strider got out the cooler.  I bought our traditional Monster Snaps for the kids to throw from the curb. I bought special tees for the girls to wear.  We got up early to set out chairs and secure our spot at the parade I have been attending for nearly 20 years.

Then life happened.

I got in the shower, and after shaving and washing my hair, somehow slipped and had a nasty fall. I tore up my knee and needed a trip to the ER pronto. My Bugs was a trooper and took care of me until help arrived. He was responsible and brave. I went into shock and my dear hubby got me dressed while my parents flew to my house to take me. I was devastated not only over the injury and anticipated recovery time, but over missing Bugs' first performance in the jr high band as they played 'This land is your land' in my beloved parade.

I am hosting photos elsewhere, so that if you are uncomfortable with wounds, you don't have to see them here.

When you see the extent of my lacerations you'll know why I chose this post title.

Photo 1 - arriving at emergency room
Photo 2 - cleaned and prepped to suture
Photo 3 - closed up! 17 stitches, 5 inside and 12 outside (large wound is 10cm)

My list of people to thank for their help this last week is long. A lot of people have helped "put me back together again". 

I appreciate the dedication and expertise of my personal nurse, my mom. Glad she doesn't charge by the hour :) I am thankful for my dad and Strider who administered a priesthood blessing before I left home. I am thankful to my parents for hosting a BBQ to end my 4th so that I could still feel like it was a special day (they even made me favorite burgers with the onion soup in them). I'm thankful to Strider for so many parts of this, but one of the best is that he went on to be Mr Mom that day, and not only videotaped Bugs passing with the band but he took 17 additional videos of the parade so I could feel like I was there.  I am thankful for the food so far from Ash, Rebecca, Danika, Char & Kimmy and those promised later this week. It is so nice to think about healing and not about cooking supper. I am thankful for the beautiful flowers from Rebecca and Renae. I appreciate the texts and calls checking up on me. Thank you for the special accommodations and for so many who have contributed to my comfort.

As always there is a lesson in all of this. I have learned:

Patience- the speed of everything I do has slowed w--a--y down
Acceptance- can't drive and can't flex my knee for 2 weeks and I can't change that
Love- so much support and love from so many
Charity- my kids have shown kindness and been worried for me in ways I have never known before
Strength- getting back into the shower for the first time post-accident was one of the most traumatic things I've experienced (and I was using a shower chair, even).  But the next time I did much better.  I'm a big girl now!
Gratitude- it could have needed surgery, I could have been alone, and on and on 
Humility- let's face it, when your 12 year old son is dragging you out of the tub, all pride is swept away. Likewise, having your husband hold your leg horizontal as you sit on the toilet? It messes with your dignity a bit.


I hate appearing to be weak or needy, and for that reason alone I wish for quick recovery.  But the lessons already learned in 6 days have brought me gratitude, understanding and perspective.  Here's to a July filled with healing and strength!

Rosebud's fall

In the early morning hours of June 1 (yes, still catching up), cute little humpty dumpty had a fall.

 She smacked her face into the edge of her bed and got a puncture/crushing wound that needed a couple stitches.  We went to Primary Childrens and they took great care of her. 

Fast forward 36 hours later and her cheek was looking like this.

Hmm, not good.

I knew she needed an antibiotic, so we got ready for church and headed back to the hospital for meds 2 hours before church started.  I figured we'd at least make it to half the meeting block.

Hold that thought.  10 min after the previous close-up picture was taken she had been seen by the attending physician,  determined to have cellulitis and would need 12-24 hours of IV antibiotics, had the two sutures removed (for drainage) and had an IV placed in her hand.

Are you kidding me?  It was eerily similar to this incident with Princess.  Stop at the hospital for something routine - end up admitted.

Poor baby.  I had waited longer than I should have, and her infection was bad.

She kept busy with activities and stayed on heavy antibiotics.

Here is an ASL "love you" to daddy.  She missed the family so much.

12 hours became 24, became 36+.  After two days we headed home. 

The kids had made loving messages in the driveway and all over the kitchen table.

And a dear friend brought her one request that the hospital cafeteria could not fulfill for her - fruit snacks.

I am thankful that she could heal quickly.  Now the only issue is the scar that I have to be so diligent about (sunscreen, etc).  What is with my girls being the ones to bring me to the ER? 

Yankees!

My Jedi took a leap this year and dove into little league.   He had a talented team, a kind and patient coach, and a whole bunch of family members by his side.

As we got ready for our first game, Strider surprised me with my own Yankee cap.  It was so sweet!  I was giddy with each game, and quickly grew to love being at the ballpark.  At the end of the season I wanted another month :)  All the grandparents and some aunts and uncles were regluars at the games too.

Starting at almost 10 years old, he had a lot of catching up to do.  After working really hard and improving his swing, he had a couple hits in one game and was given the game ball!  That was one happy kid.

He improved a bunch over the course of the season.  And thanks to the great veteran members of the team, they headed into the playoffs undefeated...and won the championship!

The winning team

Go Yankees!

On my mind Monday

A few thoughts today.

1.  The public library is severely underrated.  It is one of the most glorious places.  Free books?  Love of my life.

2.  We've been challenged by our new mission and our bishop to visit every home in our neighborhood this month.  I'm getting tongue tied already.  But I am going to do my part.

3.  Taking the kids swimming by yourself is a nerve-wracking experience.

4.  My husband is the very very very best man for me.  I'm so blessed.

5.  I am super excited about the olympics.

6.  All the wildfires across the state are scaring me.

7.  The 4th of July is more important to me than most holidays.  It is thrilling and emotional to me.

8.  My mother in law turns 60 tomorrow.  Wow.  She gets better with age, too.

9.  I need new contacts asap.

10.  It is very hard to book a hotel room for 7 people.

11.   Kids, during the summer, never. stop. eating.  Ever.  Can you imagine students in school eating every 30 min?  I can't either.

12.  Potter begins Eagle Project plans this week.  Finally!

13.  How did we ever survive without cell phones?

14.  There was a moment last week (when Strider was out of town for work) during which I was actually caught up on laundry.  Yes, I'm serious!

15.  Potter can almost beat his dad in arm wrestling.

Bye bye June

Is that all I have time for anymore?  Catch-up posts?  They sound so obligatory, but maybe at least my sisters have a reason to care about the halfway checked off giant to-do list that sums up my life.

I thought about just posting pictures and adding a few captions. 

Truth is, I have taken nearly no pictures this month.  For real.  But it's not so bad.  I've enjoyed my kids.  We've fallen out of routine.  We've stayed up too late.  We've bothered Strider as the kids and I carry on when we should be having family prayer and instead we're popping our toe knuckles and piling on our bed and laughing and giggling.  We've had a mostly clean house.  We've had lots of camps and band practices and conferences, with more to come.  We've done lots of playground time and lunch at the park.  We've gotten super excited about planning a road trip vacation back east, and spent countless hours researching our itinerary and the best deals.

It's hot outside, there are lots of otter pops in the freezer, and we're doing great!

Happy summer!