Stuck In An Elevator

I am in the process of exiting the restroom at the mall with my three children. Isaac is in the stroller and the restroom has double doors which requires some maneuvering. Levi is bouncing off the walls, tired of waiting. He runs ahead, then comes back. I scold him saying, "Stay right here!" Off he goes again. Daisy holds the door so the stroller containing Isaac and I can finally be set free from the bathroom. As we proceed down the hall I hear Levi scream, "MOM!" I round the corner just in time to see the elevator door close with my three-year-old inside. I find myself in panic mode. I am searching my mind frantically to know what to do. Levi is gone. I can't take the stroller on the escalator to go down and meet him. Will he be kidnapped? Will they call security? Will they call DCFS...'mother of three charged with neglect after three-year-old boy is found abandoned on department store elevator.' I can hear him screaming. His voice is faint and distant, but I can hear him. I conclude that I have to meet him at the bottom. I crouch down to look Daisy directly in the eye as I talk to her. I instruct her to sit on the chair with her hand on the stroller and to not let go or move no matter what. As I start off toward the escalator, Levi's screams become louder and I realize he is on his way back up the elevator. I turn around and the doors begin to open. He sees me and squeezes through. I pick him up as he reaches me. He wraps his arms around me and sobs, "mommy, mommy, mommy." He is trembling and holding me so tight that I am surprised at his strength. I am so thankful to be holding him in my arms, thankful enough that I decide not to injure him on the spot for causing me so much grief. On the drive home as I contemplate the evening's events it occurs to me that some of my emotions must have been similar to the Father of us all. He has given us the agency and ability to choose. As we make poor decisions He has to watch as we suffer the consequences. How He must rejoice when we come back to Him again. And yes, Levi and I have a long talk about listening when we get home.

Fall About You

Haven't seen one of these in a while....

1. Favorite season: summer

2. Favorite physical feature: yikes! do wrists count?

3. Chore you most detest: cleaning out closets/drawers. My kids grow out of their clothes too fast!

4. Color your hair regularly? no

5. Top item on your wish list: piano

6. Favorite way to 'scent' your house: plug-ins

7. What are you eating for dinner tonight? don't know yet...

8. Are your toenails painted? no

9. One thing you splurge on even if $ is tight: going to the movie!

10. Post the most recent photo of you

11. Tag 8 friends: Brandi, Jana, Christel, Lindsay, Rachel, Chelsea, Laci, Emily

Wallet Woes

If you recognize the big black rectangle in the photo it is a sign that you really know me. I got this wallet in the 8th grade. It has two zipper compartments. One is the wallet part, which has more than enough room for my coupons, checkbook, club cards, money, business cards, etc. The other compartment is one of those old school planners. You know, the kind where you write down your appointments on the dated calendar pages. Yeah, I almost have to special order the refills since nobody uses these dinosaurs anymore...except me. That's the section where my kids' photos live and where I have paper to write down everything I need to in a day, like how I want my meat cut at the deli counter, or a note to leave on the windshield of the lady I visit teach. This wallet is a monster. It doesn't fit in a purse. It is a purse. I love it. Here's the really bad news. My wallet died. The zipper finally broke to a point beyond repair.

Since a person cannot be without a wallet I went to the dreaded Wal-Mart and bought the biggest wallet I could find. It's an ugly sucker. And it's too small. It's a wrestling match to get my coupons out at the grocery store. I am accumulating coins because it is too complicated to fish them out and use them. I don't have any room for note paper! I'm soliciting advice. What do you carry all of your essentials in? How do you fit everything? Help!

Sisters in Zion

So, in case you didn't already know, I basically have the coolest family ever. Last weekend my sisters and mom came to visit. My youngest sister is getting married so Friday night her fiance came over and we were up till 1:00 in the morning talking and laughing in the midst of which I endured a hair styling session from Daisy. I don't think I've been up that late doing nothing since the old college days! Saturday morning we were off to do wedding shopping. Then, one of the best parts about going shopping with the girls: lunch! This day we chose Red Robin.


After lunch we dropped the kids off with Jeff, who was on campus studying, and headed to Temple Square for the General Relief Society Meeting. That's right, I scored us tickets and we all got to go together! This is us on our way in. Oh, and if you're wondering if we changed into dresses in the parking lot (you weren't wondering?) yes, we did.

...and on the way out. The meeting was fantastic. The choir was amazing live and each of the speakers was inspiring. Just being there with so many other women was inspiring. And yes, my sister is holding her blister-inflicting shoes.
And a GNO would not be complete (and neither would I) without Cold Stone. It was divine, celestial, heavenly, all the things ice cream on a spiritual night should be. I think ice cream by nature is spiritual...which is why my baby weight has now turned into Cold Stone weight.

I absolutely love spending time with my mom and sisters. I am a better person just by being with them.