Continued: I'll chase after your kids, too...

Yeah...we weren't even CLOSE to being home to 8...it ended up being closer to 9. Connor's soccer game started at 6:00 so we were 30min. late! oops. Although it was over earlier we were home later.
As the game ended the kids were running around letting off some extra steam and we were slowly making it back to load up the van. Just as I put Olivia in her seat I saw a little girl SCREAMING and running after or away from/to something. She was screaming "MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY....". The only thing I could think to do was start running after her. We were parked behind the Jr. High and I finally caught up to her in the front. I think at one point she was actually running away from me. Once I caught up though I just kept reassuring her that I was going to help her. I also realized (while chasing her) that she had been left. So many things were running through my mind..."she couldn't have been left"..."OK I am the only one chasing her"..."no one is turning around". When I caught up to her, 1st I was surprised by the lack of concern that everyone around had, people were just ignoring the entire event, getting in their cars and leaving. Even while I was struggling with her, because she wanted to continue running down the street, which was dangerous for obvious reasons. Finally she quit struggling and realized I was going to help her and keep her safe. Sean finished loading the kids and hopped in his car and drove up to where we were and called the police, and then ran back and got the van. At this point it had been a while and I realized it was going to take some time for her parent(s) to come back. One other mom from our team parked near us and asked if she could help, I asked her to stay for a while in case she needed to make a statement for the officer. Everyone else had left. In the mean time I was just talking to her to earn some trust and find out whatever we could about her family. One other family from the other soccer team, stopped by to tell us her last name and offered to take her home (which I was not ok with...lost child, not leaving in a strangers car...not on my watch) when the officer explained that's not a good idea, they left. After about 45 minutes I let my girls out of the car to talk to her (at this point she told me she was 4 and I explained that I have a 4 year old, too and introduced her to Alli). We also gave her a Happy Meal toy the girls had in the car (Littlest Pet Shop are always a hit with girls). The 3 girls sat on Sean's trunk and talked for a bit until finally, her dad pulled up. He explained that he and his wife were here separately and each thought they had her and after he returned home they obviously realized the mistake. Reasonable explanation. We finally left at 8:15 pm. Moral of the story; you can never over-communicate when it comes to your kids. Now, I understand being totally embarrassed being the parent in that incident and all I wanted was to know what happened and after waiting over an hour with a strangers child I would have been plenty happy with a simple "Thank-You". Don't get me wrong I didn't do this for myself, I'm not looking for a pat on my back, high fives or an award. I did it because in a split second I was told to, in my mind and my heart I knew that I had to. I was just utterly astonished at others lack of concern. For all anyone knew I was trying to kidnap that girl but people were waving and smiling at me (it also would have been nice to have a little help, I am NOT a runner). Wake up people! Pay attention to the people around you and the "gut" feelings you have. I hope that if I make such a mistake or my kids are in trouble, or harms way that there is someone to chase them, or protect them or whatever it is. We can't always be there for our kids and we have all done thoughtless things. Our kids will all be more safe if there are other people who aren't afraid to just make sure they are ok. We can't be afraid to show concern for others. I would rather look like a complete idiot/jerk 100 times before there was 1 time help was really needed.

Naptime is Over!

For me that is. Since school started I have been taking it easy and enjoying the fact that I don't have to worry about what 2 of my kids are doing for a few hours during the day. I knew it wouldn't last long because I always find a way to be busy and when I can't? Well, there is plenty of housework to occupy my time...that's never ending. I did not know however, that my "lazy days" would end with such a BANG!
I started the day off getting the kids ready for school as usual. Last night I got a call from a Board member of the new charter school in Tooele. She asked if we could meet at noon...no problem. After I hung up I realized I had an appointment for Connor and Olivia for check-ups and shots for Olivia. The Dr. appt. was at 10am but I didn't think about the time AT the Dr as well as the drive to and from Salt Lake. I knew it would be pushing it but the matter was urgent and I knew they didn't want to wait another day to get started so I just decided to play it by ear. Anyway, I got the girls ready for the day, myself ready and pulled Connor out of school. We all rushed to the Appt. and back. To my delight I was less than 10 minutes late and they had double booked meetings so my being late turned out to work for all of us. Our meeting was supposed to be less than an hour but ended up being 2! In the mean time Aubrey and Connor were home (they walk to and from school). So I spent time juggling the tasks at hand as well as fielding phone calls from the kids (only 2 one from each, asking what their jobs were!!! I love having responsible kids!!!) but I also had Alli and Olivia (who had not had a nap all day and wasn't all amused by our need to continue the meeting...it HAD to be done, though.) Poor Alli didn't have lunch yet (it was 2 before we left) but survived on a bag of Cheez-Its and a box of crayons. She also spent time educating 2 second grade boys on the art of wearing 2 shirts (an "under-shirt" and an "over-shirt"). Finally the meeting ended and I left with my list of assignments for the next day or 2. I felt so bad for Connor and Aubrey, they of course could have cared less and were happy to get their pity drinks from Sonic. So that brings us to 2:30! So went the afternoon- Olivia down for a nap- Convincing Alli, in vain, to lay down and watch a show (code for take a nap already)- helping the kids with homework- trying to get some things done for the charter online- pick up the mess that has been stewing for the last 2 weeks-playing referee to Connor/Aubrey, Aubrey/Alli, Alli/Connor etc.- more email correspondence (I'm not going to lie there were a couple of fun ones to/from friends)-hosting an impromptu Wii party with some boys from the neighborhood- charter school phone calls- getting Connor ready for the soccer game at 6:30 (this was at a 1/4 to 6 and I realized dinner would have to wait if we have any chance of making it on time. We'd be home by 7:45, right?

To Be Continued...

A Letter to my Fellow Voters!

Dear Friends and family;
At this time I do not wish to make a political statement, however I have received many forwarded emails that raise my level of concern for this nation to new heights.
The emails I have received are regarding both McCain and Obama many of them claiming that each is a blatant liar and we should fear for our country if we vote for _____. [fill in the blank w/your most fearful choice]. The thing that worries me isn't what any particular email claims but that most, if not all of them are a spin on partial truths or that they are just plain lies meant to persuade the reader to vote for one candidate or the other. Here's the bottom line: If you are going to vote PLEASE DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH!!!! Because of the emails I have received I started checking the facts and trying to go to the place from which they originated. What bothers me the most is that one of the early candidates was Mitt Romney and during his campaign so many lies were told about Mormons. I hated thinking that there really were people out there who thought that my religion secretly practiced polygamy. That we were a secret cult trying to take power over the world and make everyone mormon. I hated that there were actually people claiming to be experts on my beliefs that knew nothing of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. There are many examples, but my point is, I am not going to make my political decisions on any email I receive but I will make them based on the facts, the debates and the research I do to find the truth. Honestly, I do not know who I want to vote for, I personally don't feel good about either candidate, equally. I will continue to research, watch the debates and interviews and look into both of their voting records to make my final decision but I will not decide based on exaggerated claims about any particular candidate. I also realize that my opinion is not a popular one. I am a Utah Mormon aren't I supposed to be a die hard Republican? (I am in fact not registered with either party which opens a whole new bucket of worms, which you can ask me about if you want to hear my opinion). In the end if I continue to feel apposed to both candidates I will choose to vote for neither candidate. (a first since the time I have been old enough to vote).
Thank you for your time!
Love, Megan

I would love to hear what you have to say on this topic!

ahhhhhh (sigh of relief)

Alpine Coaster



Alpine Slide



So Sean and I did go out for our anniversary on Saturday not too late...usually it takes us months to catch up on important dates we miss. Anyway, we went to Park City and went up to the resort where they have a ton of activities. First off we got a late start b/c I wasn't fully recovered, health wise, from Thursday. I wanted to drop the kids off by 11 am but we didn't leave the house until 2:30, not bad considering we knew we wouldn't be back until late. We got to the mountain and decided to ride the Alpine Slide and Alpine Coaster. I had the ambitious idea of mountain biking but considering the late start we opted out. Once we were there we decided that we would tackle mtn. biking next time, it looked like so much fun. I was so excited to get my adrenaline pumping. Once upon a time I was quite the dare-devil. I needed this away time SO badly. This summer has been so challenging and an emotional roller-coaster so a real coaster was a great way to just get it all out. For a moment we considered going to Lagoon, but once I realized this would probably be one of the busiest days since school started we went back to plan A. It was nice to get away from the kid responsibility for a while and be out of mommy mode. I was me, and with my husband...who I still love! We committed to do something exciting together every three months. There is something different about going out and doing something fun and exciting and doing something other than dinner and a movie. Although before that I really want to go back and do the Ziprider. I need a little more excitement in my life! I learned that we don't have to go away over night every time to get away (we really couldn't afford it this year anyway). Sometimes it can be enough just to go and do something different than the norm. Anyway, our anniversary was saved after all!

Anniversary?

So as petty as this might seem, one of the reasons I love my blog is because I can whine and complain and vent about things that may not mean anything to anyone but me. This is one of those times. So feel free to skip it if you aren't in the mood. I'll understand. Today is our 9th wedding anniversary. Please hold off on the congratulations and applause because this story only gets worse. The reasons this is so not my anniversary!!!

1. Sean is working late, tonight!
2. I had a root canal last week got an infection and went back this morning (after spending the last week in pain and hopped up on Lortab) when the dentist decides he needs to numb me up cut open the gum and scrape out the infection and stitch it back up. Trust me, this experience was even more unpleasant than it sounds and yes Sean is working late!!! Don't get me wrong on any other day I would be more than happy to endure this procedure for the sake of my dental health, but did it have to be today? I didn't make it home before the numbness wore out and I spent half the drive home holding back tears. OUCH!
3. I had a total of 20 minutes of "sleep" last night due to said infection.

Today is SO NOT our 9th Anniversary!
I'll update you when we actually have it! Thanks for enduring my complaining.

Connor's Baptism

Wow, I can't believe I haven't done this blog yet! So a month go Saturday my baby boy (who is old enough to reject this title) was Baptized and confirmed as a member of our church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The whole event was wonderful although more stressful than I would like to admit. The stress was due mostly to the unknown factors. Since Connor is our first to participate in this sacred ordinance I wasn't exactly sure how to plan. My main concern was for him. I wanted Connor to know of the commitment he was making and I wanted him to take it seriously. Which to me seemed nearly impossible, however I have learned from past experiences, especially with Connor, I need to have more faith in the abilities of my son. Connor really is a special child of God with a kind heart and a loving and innocent spirit. He might go to school with the goal of becoming the "class clown" (a high honor to a rambunctious boy) or lie in his bed and come up with such grand ideas as giant spit wads. I know deep down (sometimes not as deep as others) Connor is amazing. I know that many of the "talents" I work on reining back in this growing boy (independence, humor, invention, strength and undying courage) will one day make him the amazing man he is destined to be. His baptism was just the beginning. Today he came home and proudly announced that he was asked to give a talk in Primary (the children's Sunday school) at the last minute. Since he obviously didn't have time to prepare anything he bore his testimony. All on his own. I was so proud that he would happily oblige and that he was proud of what he did.

Thank you Aunt Laura, Uncle Jim and Grammi for traveling so far to show your love and support!

We've been on "vacation"

If that's what you call driving 26 hours with 4 cranky children who would rather be anywhere else but the car for the next however many hours. But we did have a good time while we were in Spokane, WA (where I am originally from). We stayed with Sean's grandma Clegg who was very sweet to put up with all of the rowdiness that comes along with us. Spent a lot of time with Matt and LeeAnne (Sean's aunt and uncle) and their kids Josh and Amanda (11 and 9) who by all intents and purposes are considered cousins to our kids. We also got to spend an afternoon at my Dad and Step-Mom's alpaca farm-the kids LOVED the animals as well as ladder golf. The kids also loved Dads ("Grampa Mark") silly jokes. Connor and Sean were treated to a Spokane Indians baseball game by Uncle Matt. While at the game Connor was "privileged" to witness first hand what a transvestite is. We are proud to announce that he does not want to be one when he grows up! We were also treated to lunch by my Aunt Laura who took us to McDonald's where my cousin Carson works. Carson did an awesome job and it was fun to see him in action! Later we went swimming for a bit. Hopefully next time we can make it for a trip to the cabin or at least spend more time together! While it's a long trip we are glad to make it year after year to visit our much loved family!!

While I kept forgetting my camera I did remember to bring it for swimming fun!


Olivia's Pool

Connor and Carson posing with their goggle's



Alli- the bathing beauty!



Aubrey being unimpressed with the sun-smiling anyway