Only Good Things Happen At Target

Okay, I know my last post was a downer.

Quite frankly, I'm SICK of feeling down. (And I'm sure everyone around me is sick of hearing about it! Sorry.)

So, I figured out that I just needed to get out of the house for a while. It's just not good to stay home all the time.

I tried going on walks, to the grocery store, but that wasn't the answer.

Well, my mother-in-law asked me to meet her at Cafe Rio in American Fork today.

Of course I said yes and enjoyed a DELICOUS Cafe Rio salad. (looking forward to the left-overs sitting in my refrigerator as we speak!)

That boosted my spirits some and so I was thinking to myself,

"I don't want to go home just yet. Where can I go?"

Just then I looked up and saw Target.

Ahhh, Target!

So, Emma and I wandered around looking at all the beautiful things for about an hour.

Emma found the cutest bunny barrettes ($1! Gotta love the $1 section!)

and I found a purple notebook to house the information for my new calling.

It was so fun to walk through the magical isles of Target hearing Emma yell out,

"Ohhhh! Cute!" or "We get that!"

(She's got great taste for someone so young!)

When we were looking at the notebooks, I noticed a lady with her two children. I thought to myself again,

"She looks so familiar."

But, those of you who know me know that I'm not the real outgoing type so I just smiled

(hoping she would recognize me and say something but she didn't)

and I went on my way.

Well, somewhere in the Easter candy section, it donned on me who she was.

Her name is Mariellen and she was a friend of mine from way back when we lived in Mission Viejo, California. She had a daughter the same age as my Elisabeth and we used to do all kinds of things together. We lost touch sometime between our moves to Utah but then hooked up again about 10 years ago when Lee was her son's and Jake's T-ball coach. We kept in contact for a few years but then, we lost touch again.

Anyway, I was kind of getting mad at myself for not saying something until when I saw her in the parking lot. I got the guts up to approach her and sure enough, it was her! So fun to see her again! She's got 6 kids -- the oldest at BYU Idaho and her baby is almost 1!

It made me so happy to see her! Can't wait to talk to her again!

So, I can honestly say,

I know where to go to chase any blues away...

Magical Target!

The Grass is Always Greener...

I've been feeling down again.

I hate this feeling!

Today, I talked to a very good friend of mine from California. We've been friends since we were probably 7 years old. I can always count on her to make me smile.

I was telling her that I sometimes envy her because she is single and has no kids and can do anything she wants whenever she wants.

She responded by pretty much telling me how ungrateful I am for what I have.

(I really didn't mean that I don't appreciate my family--because I DO. I just wish I could do something I wanted to once in a while.)

I know what you're thinking...I am not whining!

Well, we just kind of laughed because the grass always seems greener on the other side.

Then she said,

"You know, Cari, the grass is only greener because of the manure!"

How true! Thanks Soni!

My Not-So-Subtle Son

This is my son,

Scott.

(handsome little devil huh!)

Scott will be turning 14 soon.

I received this not-so-subtle hint from him today on his blog.

It just made me laugh so I thought I'd share.

(You have to read this comment from "Dr. Phil" regarding his post. I had no idea Dr. Phil read his blog. Wow!)

We'll see.

Didn't you hate it when your mom said, "We'll see!"

Just Remembering...

I was just remembering today

(I'm not sure why)

how funny this was.

Lee's sister, Cristina, made him this cake for his 40th birthday

because, you know, it's every man's dream to have a woman jump out of his birthday cake!

Too funny!

It still makes me laugh!

Just a Party Girl, I guess

We don't get to pick our callings...

(but this time I feel like I kind of did.)

A few weeks back, a councilor in the Bishopric asked my husband if he thought I would accept the call to be Activity Committee Chairman. He said that I would if I wasn't in the Primary Presidency. You see, I was in the Primary Presidency and the Activity Chairman already for I think almost 4 years but it got to be WAY too much so I was released as the chairman. Then a few months after being released they asked me to be a committee member. That seemed to be a little more managable until the new committee chairman became ill and they needed to replace him. Well, they were having a hard time finding someone to fill this position so I told the councilor that it wouldn't be horrible if they thought I needed to be the chairman but I couldn't do both Activities and the Primary Presidency again because it was just too much on my family.

Well, they decided to take me up on my offer and today I was released from the Presidency and sustained as the Ward Activity Committee Chairman.

(Also, I was called as the permanent substitute in the Primary, thank heavens, because I just don't think I can sit through Relief Society after being in Primary so long! I'm not used to sitting and listening! Maybe I have A.D.D.?)

So, I can't complain because I sort of asked for it!

I'm actually looking forward to the change.

But everyone today kept teasing me about being re-called to Activities Chairman saying things like I can't stay too far away from the parties.

This one guy told me today,

"You're just the Ultimate Party Girl!"

Now that's something I didn't think I'd ever hear!

JUST WONDERING...

Do you have any ideas for Ward Activities?

What has been a fun activity you've had in your ward?

(you know...for future reference!)

She's HOME!!!!

Our Elisabeth is home!!!

Even if it's only for a week...I'm shouting for JOY...

Hip Hip Hooray!!!

Post #100!

I was going to write a post about how upset I am that a woman in my ward (who shall remain nameless) brought her sick daughter to Primary on Sunday (with a fever and all!) and also brought her (still visibly sick) and all her other germ-carrying kids to play group this afternoon and now Emma has thrown up twice but then I realized that...

This is my 100th post!

So, instead of griping, I'll write about my wonderful day with my awesome mom. I've been feeling really down lately (I won't get into why) so my mom decided I needed a shopping day. She always knows what will make me feel better!

We spent a couple of hours at Target and found just what we were looking for so we went to lunch and just talked.

I love spending time with just my mom. She is so knowledgable and gives the best advice. She knows exactly what to say--always.

I wish I had that gift.

I love my mom!

I just wish I could be half as good of mother as she is.

One of Those "Whatever" Moments...

I came home from shopping on Saturday

and found this in my front yard...

Yes, he's really asleep!

Sometimes, I've learned, you just have to say

Whatever.

P.S.

My self-portrait for cjane.

And only 4 more days till Elisabeth comes home!!!