The Day Before

What a day yesterday.  Back to School Eve.  Not exactly a National Holiday, and usually a day I'm not excited to repeat.  I am certain I could have crammed in a few more things if I would've tried a little harder or lost a little more sleep, but I was pretty much wiped by a quarter after midnight and finally had to give it up sometime close to 1:00.  Actually, I was wiped by 4:30 in the afternoon, but I still had 8 hours to go.  The affirmation of my exhaustion was provided courtesy of the ever-so-gracious Walmart checker who probably innocently asked, "Are you ready for the kids to be back in school?"  When I said, "Yes, I am," she replied with, "Yes, you definitely look like you could use a break."  Hmmm...thanks.

But even though the day seemed eternally long, so much was good:

• Great 5-mile early morning run with slightly overcast skies (love that)
• Meet the teacher with the 3 youngers (all of their teachers are young and hip and cute...and hopefully good educators:)
• Meet the locker and tour the Stapley Junior High campus with Barrett.  She's so excited for today! 
• Impromptu run-ins with Katy Vermillion and Uncle Dale (both teachers at Stapley and fellow Grand Canyon hikers)
• Indulging in mini-gourmet cinnamon rolls during my quick Sam's Club run (which we enjoyed this morning along with our fruit shakes for breakfast)
• Having the kids sort through all of the remants of school supplies from years past and realizing that we already had more than half their lists checked off
• NO MORE dark roots (woot!  woot!)
• Haircuts for all 6 of the Brown family peeps
• Seeing all the backpacks & outfits layed out on the ledge before bed
• The first night all summer with 3 of 4 kids tucked in bed by 8:40 (I was only 10 minutes off goal, which was a success by my books)
• Finished making DVD for tonight's scout court of honor (a recap of all the 2011 outings, hikes and scout camp)
• Chalking up 2 days in a row of our new "streamlining life at the Brown house" system - a whole other post in itself

Tuesday's not-quite-as-good parts:

• Dropping off suburban at Sherwood's for a whole laundry list of little repairs/maintenance that add up to a lot more than a little
• The call from Sherwood at 5:00pm that they still have another day to finish it all up (taking it back in Friday I think)
• Sweating like a pig as we walked all over both school campuses
• Getting super disappointing news from the jeweler that they can't size my new anniversary ring down that far (my ring finger is tiny) without compromising the ring quality and potentially loosening up the bagettes.  Whaaa...whaaa...I know.  Give me some cheese with my whine.  So I had to do the special order thing to get it in a petite size and it won't be ready for 8 weeks!  8 weeks!  Nothing like delayed gratification :(  Ryan was bummed too since we thought it would be done by our anniversary next week.  But I know I'll be thrilled when it arrives.
• Toting 4 kids and a cart to fight the mob at Walmart who, like me, all decided to wait until the afternoon before school to get the ever-so-important school supplies since we just had meet the teacher and got the supply list hours before.  Super insane.  Like crazy masses of insanity in the school supply isle.
• Rushing our crew like a mad woman through our lighting speed dinner that I wonder-womaned to the table (thanks, Sam's Club, for the pre-cooked rotisserie chicken, french bread and salad in a bag) so we could make our hair appointments.
• Staying up way too late doing the audio selection and editing on the DVD and making all the last minute tweaks.
• Waking up too early with a dim headache and an aching for just another hour of shut eye.

But we survived it all.  That's just what we moms do, right?  Just keep swimming...just keep swimming...What would I do without my Dory inspiration?

Good thing my kids are fantastic.  I love them more than anything and am so excited for them to have another great year.  Can't wait for the first day of school reports back from the kids - especially Easton who's doing his first full day of school EVER and who was totally stoked that he had 2 recesses and PE on his first day - and also Barrett of course, to hear how her junior high debut turned out!

Carlsbad 2011

Last week I was reminiscing with my cousin, Julie, about so many funny things from our lives growing up. We have a zillion memories together for sure. We were pretty much inseparable during the summer time. Our MO was basically the same most days: wake up, do chores, lay out by the pool, watch Young & The Restless over lunch, lay out some more, go to work at Dairy Queen for the night shift, go to a ball game, or hang out with friends. When pay day came around, we loved to cruise to Fiesta Mall (before it turned Ghetto) and shop for a new item or two to add to our wardrobes. We shared clothes all the time and thought we were pretty hot stuff since we had double the wardrobe of most kids since we shared. Jules is 2 years ahead in school although we are only 13 months apart.

Anyway, we started talking about our summers and beach camping and all the fun we have and the fact that we just happen to have an open spot for our upcoming fall break beach camping and voila! Julie & family are coming beach camping with us this year. Yahoo! We're excited. Anyway, I was thinking about the beach and realized that I've never posted our beach camping pics from this summer.

So here they are...many photo (in the singular, Jules, in honor of our cooky dads who long ago started the "no pluralizing" thing - one more funny thing we laughed hard about last week - and something that we all have just come to accept as normal in the Goodman world.) Many photo indeed (and this is just a handful compared to what I took).

Is he awesome or what?

Grandpa Steve & Grandma Cindy always love spending time with us down at the beach and at our campfires, but then they retreat back to Camp Hilton for the night. Nice.

Barrett riding the waves

Not-so-happy Boston (my nephew)

Rowan & Lainey loving the ocean


Sassy beach babes: Randi & Barrett

Makeshift volleyball net (sticks & string) courtesy of Bryant


Easton has more fun than any kid I know. I love it!

Michael with brother-in-law, Jeff Lee. Way to suck it in, Jeff!

Barrett, Randi & Sammy heading out for the waves

Randi & Barrett

I love this pic of my girls. They don't always get along like I wish, but I never doubt that they love each other and will always look out for the other.

Ryan & Barrett heading back out for more waves

Rowan & Tallin

My cute little niece, Eva, sacked out on the beach

A few more Carlsbad pics

Rowan & Lainey

Give the boy a little dirt, a little water and a shovel and he's in heaven.

Tallin rocked his wetsuit most of the week we were there. I can't believe I actually caught a picture of him without it on!

Avery & Afty Cakes

My two handsome nephews, Trey & Chase heard there were 'smores so they crashed our camp too.

I think we had 'smores three nights in a row (until all the graham crackers, chocolate & marshmellows were consumed by all the kids). They love that!

Our friend and Shari's brother, Dave Lee, who lives in San Clemente came and beached with us one day with his family. It was good seeing him again for sure.

Cousins Avery & Afton getting a tan (10 years old and fabulous!)

Cabin Summer Finale

We were on the schedule to spend one more summer weekend at the cabin before school started (July 29-31). But for some reason, I was having a hard time committing to go. Maybe it was the fact that Ryan wasn't going with us (he was still on his boys backpacking trip), or maybe it was that we'd been in limbo with my Grandpa Harry for a couple of weeks, not knowing how much longer he'd hold on. Or maybe I was just "tripped out" from all the packing and unpacking and laundry, etc. from the summer travels. I don't know. But I am so glad that we went. So glad. It was really a nice, relaxing weekend. Fantastic weather. Great family time. And the kids had a blast with their cousins, as always!

Barrett, Easton, Molly Johnson, Rowan, Afton, Avery Brown, Lily & Ella Berrey, & Lainey Brown playing down at the creek. Rock hopping, bug collecting, exploring, dreaming...Just like I used to do. But many of the Pine Creek memories of my youth revolve around water. Too bad it seems like the creek is dry so often these days. Every time we round the bend just before the big tree with all the family name signs leading to the cabin, my kids excitedly ask, "Is there any water in the creek?" They love that creek, wet or dry, and seem to find countless hours of joy down there every time we go. Reminds me of someone I know...

I'm not sure what Buddy was spitting at - maybe a butterfly or june bug or just a little old fly. He cracks me up.

Tough duty being a kid...

My cousin, Corinne, with baby Reid (named after my Grandpa Reid of course), strolling down Walnut Lane in front of the cabin. We love the Berreys and are so glad they came up to play with us.

I took the kids up the mountain to hike the trail on Saturday afternoon. They all did great (well, except for the two that decided to turn around and come back before we really even made it 100 feet).

(Avery, Lily, Afton & Riley)

Afton & Avery with the snail collection. I'd say it was cool, but honestly, I think those little suckers are just super gross. The kids were loving the rain we had, since it made the ground nice and juicy and ripe to dig up slugs and snails and worms. Pretty much kid heaven I suppose.

Easton & I had fun making a domino trail after we played a game of Mexican Trains. He's actually pretty good for a 5-year old. And too funny...his giggle is truly contagious.

Grandpa Steve made his famous home made ice cream again (both Friday and Saturday night). I think we should make that a cabin tradition (hint, hint...) After busting out the ice cream maker over the July 4th weekend, I've been thinking about that delicious homemade concoction a lot. There's nothing quite like homemade vanilla. Grandma Cindy whipped up the delish recipe and Grandpa did the churning. Well, it wasn't hand cranking like in the olden days, but he babysat the batch, kept it iced up, and gave Easton a chance to work alongside his grandpa. I loved having home made ice cream growing up - especially with the Mexican vanilla - and nothing's really changed about that. My mom & dad are still pros.

Good times at the cabin...once again! I'm not sure if we'll make it back over Labor Day or not (we may take the kids camping) and since Fall Ball is starting in a few weeks, our Saturdays will be busy for the next couple of months. So I don't know when we'll be back. Hopefully soon.

Fishy Drama

I came home from my run this morning and headed up to the shower, as usual. I turned on the water to get it warmed up and then sat down on the deck of my tub to unlace my shoes. And then I saw this...

Yes, it's a little "to go" cup of fishy crackers. Right by the tub...just where you'd expect them to be, right? Hmmm...were they strategically placed there for me as a symbol of rebellion? Or perhaps just emptied from a pocket the night before as showers began? I had to smile at the irony as I remembered a recent conversation I had with Rowan about the ever-so-controversial fishy cracker:

It was almost two weeks ago now - the day before Ryan was leaving for his week long backpacking adventure outside of San Fran. Rowan was being particularly...how shall I put it...um, let's just call it "spicy"...and I was on the verge of sending her away for a while until I collected my nice-ness again. I can't even remember what triggered her that day (it doesn't take much), but the part I remember was this:

Rowan: "I wish YOU were going away on the backpacking trip and Dad was staying home."

Me: "Hmmmm...is that so?"

Rowan: "Yes, Dad always says yes and you always say NO, NO, NOOOOO!"

Me: "Well, that's interesting. What is it that Dad always says "Yes" to?"

Rowan: "Everytime we go to Sam's Club and I ask you for fishy crackers, you always say NO. But the one time that Dad took us to Costco, we asked him to get fishys and he said "sure." And when I ask dad if I can sleep on the floor or with Afton, he says I can sleep whereever I want. You always tell me to sleep in my bed."

Me, thinking: Yes, points well made, Miss Rowan. Indeed, I do always say no to the fishys because, although delicious, they are full of crap and soooo not good for you. And yes, I'd prefer it if you would sleep in your bed so that I don't have a floor full of blankets to fold the next day and an extra load of sheets to wash since you usually conveniently avoid the mess.

So, in my infinite wisdom as the mother of four :), I come back with this as I try to deploy the gems I've gleaned from my good "Love and Logic" parenting book (which I love):

"Rowan, I can see that you're really upset about the lack of fishy crackers in our house and the fact that I don't let you sleep wherever you want. I'll try to work on saying "yes" more when I can, but I'm still not going to buy anymore fishys. Once this box that you bought with dad is gone, that's it. They're just not good for us. But more importantly, I am really concerned with the way you are speaking to me. That is not how we talk to each other in our house or anywhere for that matter."

Rowan: "Fine. But we will get more fishys!"

Then she stomped away, presumably feeling victorious that she'd "won" the argument, only to come back into my bathroom about 10 minutes later with a big leg hug and "I love you" as if it never happened. Which is typical. My little Miss Rowan is quick to trigger, but also so quick to love. I guess she's got a little Jeckel and Hyde in her, but then again, I'm sure we all do. She's just wired to make the switch in lightning speed...and with the intensity of thunder.

Oh...and one more thing. Before I left for work this morning, the mysterious "fishy's to go" by my tub were all gone...devoured as a pre-breakfast snack by my 7-year old wonder.

Until We Meet Again

Our bodies can be so, so tired, but sometimes we just can't shut our minds off. I wonder if that's how it was for my Grandpa these past few weeks. I've been wide awake since 4:30 this morning and I just can't stop thinking about him. I can't get that last image out of my mind. Our dear, sweet Grandpa Harry passed away last night at 7:10 pm at the ripe old age of 95 (November 11, 1915 - July 27, 2011.) I was lucky enough to be there at his bedside when he took his last breath. I'm not sure I've ever felt so helpless. He sounded like he was drowning with his lungs so full of fluid, and then it just stopped. He took his last breath and my grandma was sobbing. "Oh, Harry!" And another sob. All of us were crying hard. A few seconds later he was gone and suddenly his countenance looked so peaceful. All his kids were there...Katrina, my dad, Dale & Jim... along with Aunt Diane and my cousin, Rita, Aunt Nedra, my cousin, Kristi, Stacy the caregiver, and me.

(Grandpa Harry and me)

After a few minutes passed, we all gathered around the bed and my Uncle Dale offered a very sweet prayer of thanks for the wonderful life he led as well as a blessing of comfort on all of us still here on earth. Bishop Uncle Jim shared some words of comfort with us and with his mom about how he had just been called home on a mission to serve...just like Van had been called to serve a mission in Atlanta. He reminded us that Grandpa was "home" now, reuniting with his parents and 11 other siblings who were surely waiting for him with open arms.

For the next hour, Grandma & Grandpa's house filled with family coming by to pay their last respects and give Grandpa's head one last rub. He always loved the head rub. And the sweet kisses. After some time had passed and we gathered our emotions a bit, we were joking lightly with the cousins about the musical talent (or perhaps lack thereof) in the Goodman family. We all conceded that the athletic talents in our genes far outweighed the musical ones. But as we talked about the music for Grandpa's funeral services, Dyan joked that the brothers should sing their traditional "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas." Hence the picture above. It was an annual tradition for years and years and years when we were growing up. We'd gather at Dale & Ned's for the nativity and a little program, and the 4 Goodman boys (including Grandpa Harry), would always entertain us with that same number. It's one of my cherished memories.

Growing up just around the corner from G&G brought countless blessings to my life. They were there for everything...all my church talks, all my life events, all my ball games (and all the other grand kids too). They sure loved their ball! They'd even go in the older years to support Mtn. View when my Uncle Dale was the girls varsity softball coach. Really, I think any excuse to watch a game would do. They were amazing. And I have so many memories of Sunday dinner with them...eating together with my other grandparents, Reid & Sue, over at my mom's house. My mom always loved to cook for us (and still does) and we'd all get together often.

I

Rowan has a special place in Grandpa Harry's heart and always will. She was our little miracle baby, and Grandpa had a choice dream about her before she was ever born. His mother, Annie, appeared to him in a dream one night and told Harry not to worry...that Rowan was going to be perfectly fine, and that she had "picked her out special" to come to our family. Annie told him that Rowan would not only be a blessing to Ryan and I, but also to our whole family. Every time we'd go visit Grandpa, he'd perk up a little extra and give a little extra tight squeeze to Miss Rowan. He must have told Rowan that story 10 times. She was such a fan...and had the hardest time last night of all my kiddos when I told her that Grandpa had passed. She had just been there a few hours earlier and was there with me the day before for our visit. Little Rowan, only 7, cried and cried last night, even though she knows that he is in a better place now.

Grandma Rita and Grandpa Harry...sweethearts forever!

This is Barrett's favorite picture. I like it too. It brings back great memories of my youth without a doubt. I spent 5 1/2 years working at DQ growing up....I thought I was hot stuff having a "real job" at the end of 7th grade (only 13 years old and probably not legally old enough), but hey, the place was owned by Grandpa & Grandma, Uncle Jim & Dale. I spent so so so so many days and nights at the DQ during those years. So many of my cousins worked there too - it was really too much fun. My cousin, Julie, and I were a mean duo on the drive through. We whipped those cars through like nobody's business. We learned all the essential Spanish words for our DQ Brazier menu items so that we could communicate with our cooks. We had slang names or abbreviations for everything else. I still remember laughing so hard one night the first time we started calling our banana splits "BS." Jules was my best friend on the planet during those years and I still love her to pieces. I just wish I'd see her more often. I did get to see my cousin, Kathryn, last night as I was leaving. We see each other so rarely these days too...living across town from each other and just busy with our mom lives. She and I also had some great times at the DQ...and Craig, Dale Jr., Kimmie, Laura...Good times for sure.

Well, the day dawn is finally breaking and I must move forward. I love you, Grandpa Harry! Thanks for a life full of fantastic memories and unending love. Thanks for all you did to help everyone out all the time...for your service as a temple sealer and for sealing me to my eternal companion forever and ever. Thanks for donating the land where our ward building stands today. Thanks for being such an active part of my life and most importantly, for raising such a great son, my Dad. I love him with all my heart and am lucky to live just down the street from him too! I'll see you on the other side...

Flying High

I think that's a good theme for our last cabin weekend. Flying High. Or in my case, maybe just flying. I figured I'm was still so young at heart...never too old to give the tree swing a whirl, right? I guess I forgot that it's different swinging from a tree when you're not 60 pounds and on the elementary school playground. I thought my arms might come out of their sockets. But it was still super fun. Thanks, Mike, for rigging it up for us. Hours of fun for the peeps for sure!

My super cool 17-year old nephew, Bryant

My other super cool 11-year old nephew, The Tan Man

Afty Cakes

Buddy Boy

Oh, and then there was the rope swing at the Verde River. Go Tanner!

And then there was the flying off the rocks...this is Hallie & Barrett

(Barrett & Tannerino)

Afton & Syd

Afton, Hallie & Syd Bauer, Amy Garner, Barrett, Tanner & Drew

And then there was more flying high when Uncle Mike hooked up the tree climbing harness. Rowan loves that thing and is usually the first to head up as the "test" climber since she's still such a peanut.

Love this place. Such good times. Can't wait to see you again this weekend!