A new take on "distracted drivers"

Today I had the pleasure of experiencing a first. I was driving on the freeway this morning. I started feeling sick. I saw a cup and thought, "Okay, if I actually DID throw up, I could use that cup." I wanted to have a plan just in case I needed it. You want to be prepared for every possibility. Well, it was a good thing I scouted out the cup because it was put to use (and then thrown away with the utmost gratitude). I couldn't get off the freeway fast enough, so I actually was throwing up WHILE I was driving. Now if that doesn't take skills. As unpleasant as it was, I had to laugh, because I am now part of some obscure statistic of people who have thrown up while they were driving.

The most UN-relaxing Vacation

We stayed in a beach house in California with most of John's family a few weeks ago. Two days before we left, I got really sick for a day (throwing up). The next night, John got sick. John never gets sick. Maybe because his mom fed him tofu pancakes growing up, I don't know. Anyway, I was shocked when he threw up twice that night, he has never thrown up in the seven years we've been married. But I expected he would feel better in the morning. He didn't. I hoped he would feel better that night, because we were going to drive to Vegas. He didn't. He had me drive most of the way there, which if you know John, that says a lot. So we made it to Vegas and stayed at a hotel. We were both cracking up as we walked through te casino. John was walking slightly ahead with our bags, and then there was me: an obviously pregnant woman carrying a baby with one arm, holding the hand of the three-child train with her other hand (we had my brother-in-law's 4 year old with us). It is times like that where I can't help but think that observers must think I have no other interest or ambition in life besides being a baby factory. Anyway, we got to California the next day. For the whole week, I kept expecting John to feel better. He never did. He was sick the entire week, which meant that I was acting as a single parent in a place that was not easily equipped to entertain all the kids. It was fun to be with all of his family, I really enjoy them, but I was pretty close to losing my sanity by the end. We hung out at the beach, saw Micah and Xinru, I went to Disneyland with Carston and Avery (and yes Breanne, I still hate it just as much as ever :), and the kids got in lots of cousin time (I think there were 12 kids there under the age of 10). Oh yeah, in the first hour driving back, we were stuck in traffic and had a child throw up in the car. Just another little tidbit that made me feel like I never wanted to go on "vacation" for a very long, long time! But I shouldn't end on a negative thought. Positively speaking, John actually bought some new clothes (after countless "shopping" trips where we come back with nothing :) He looks very stylin' in them. And now that is all I have to say about that trip.

This is Macy's way of coping with stress. If she is sad or tired, she sticks her finger up her nose. It doesn't matter if I pull it out, she sticks it right back up there. It is so funny right now. It probably won't be quite as humorous if she still does it when she's 14.

Left Behind in the Exodus

In one weekend, Heather went back to Iowa, Chelsey moved to Chicago, and my Mom and Dad went to Europe. I thought I would be okay when they left because there isn't really anything I can do about them leaving. But I'm realizing I have some denial coping skills. Chelsey was the last one to leave. She came over the night before and hung out with John and me for a little bit. When it was time for her to go I gave her a hug and she got in her car. As soon as I shut the door, I started crying. Then for the next few days, I couldn't figure out why I was so down (again, denial coping skills). Anyway, Heather and Chelsey, I love your stinking guts. You guys are the best sisters I could ever have. There has never been a time where you have not been building me up, supporting me and encouraging me in whatever I am doing. I can't imagine my life without you. I wouldn't be the same person. Maybe one day, we'll all get to live close together again. And Mom, thank heavens you are at least coming back.

Official Gardener

I am now an official gardener. I tried in years past to grow something, anything, and it never worked out. Regardless of what I sprayed, the bugs always ate it in the first few weeks (I wonder if I had that Japanese Beetle because I was so close to the affected area). Anyway, this year I enlisted the help of my 90 year old Grandpa. He said he had a spray that should kill everything. He came over one day with a bottle that had absolutely no markings on it. He sprayed the garden and some parts of the grass (I just crossed my fingers that our lawn wouldn't be dead in a few weeks :) After that, I laid down the black tarp stuff so I wouldn't have to weed (I HIGHLY recommend doing this, I never once weeded my garden), covered it with grass clippings, and got my plants in. I felt like a giddy kid as I watched them grow. I planted corn, tomatoes, red peppers, and lots of pumpkins. EVERYTHING grew! When I picked the first corn and tomatoes to use, I had to get Carston to take a picture because it was such a momentous occasion :) Excuse my appearance, I think it was a throwing-up day.

Brian Regan

John and I went to see Brian Regan at Thanksgiving Point. He is definitely someone to check out if by some miracle you haven't heard of him. We saw him a couple years ago in Salt Lake. I have never laughed so hard for such an extended period of time. My face was KILLING from smiling the WHOLE time he did his comedy routine. My favorite bit is still the eye doctor. Or maybe the pop tart. Or the "Map" song. Or.... You get the picture. It is hard to find a clean comedian, but maybe impossible to find a clean one who is as hilarious as him.

RUN!!!!!

Maybe this is why whenever the kids are pretending, Macy always seems to be the character they are either running or hiding from. And yes, when she had it on, she chased them while she giggled. She knows how to play her part.

Learned it from Dad

I love, Love, LOVE that this is how my kids fall asleep every night-surrounded by their books.

P.S. The title is complete sarcasm. John is the kid who would write his book report using the back cover because he didn't actually read the book :)

No More Olsen Girls....

Chelsey and Jared got married on August 8, 2008. We started the day at Timpanogos Temple . I am so grateful for the sealing power and the privilege we all have to be married forever in the temple. I couldn't help but think of my Grandma through all the wedding events. I just miss her, especially on occasions that I know she would have really enjoyed. Anyway, they had their reception at Thanksgiving Point by the waterfall. I loved how my mom and Chelsey had everything done up. It was very classy and elegant, and yet full of spunk. Kind of like Chelsey. It was fun to see everyone all dressed up in their formal attire, although Heather and I might hold a grudge against Chelsey. I don't know who had it worse: Heather had a baby 1 and a 1/2 weeks before the wedding, and I was 5 months pregnant. Chelsey kept joking about how she couldn't have planned it better--she got to be the skinniest sister at her own wedding! Anyway, I couldn't ask for anyone better than Jared to marry Chelsey. I'm excited for them to start a life together.