Thoughts of going European style tossed out!

Yep, it's true I must be feeling better because I got on the computer after the kids went to bed and here I am at almost midnight filling you in on my life as it is in reality. Today truly was a day of rest--I sent the family off to church and I sat in a chair and slept and relaxed. I actually watched the "Mothers Who Know" talk from the LDS Church General Conference to see what it was that everyone on the Wasatch front is so stirred up about--but realized I saw it the first time through and watching it the second time just reminded me that my role as a Mom is pretty important in that I have the opportunity to teach and influence 4 kids in more ways than I can influence anyone else in all my other activites. So thanks to all of you who have been exceptional models of how to be wonderful loving mothers--you inspire me in all that you do in your homes and your communities and you inspire me to enjoy the phase of my life that I get to spend as a mother of young...almost teenager children. Watching you glow as you talk about your kids and your families reminds me that I am lucky to learn how to mother from the BEST!

Okay--so onto my european fantasies-- I had the day of being royalty on Saturday --pointing here and there in the yard while my darling little helpers dug holes and planted bulbs and realized that I really am a "get your hands dirty kind of a girl"--not much of a "watching everyone else work while I sip lemonade" kind. Just didn't have that same kind of satisfaction I get from actually planting 200 bulbs by myself...but it was fun to watch my kids digging and I think it will be even more fun to have them report when "their" clumps of tulips or daffodils emerge in the spring-big thanks to Drill Sarg. Ken for rousting the troops and putting them to work so that they could still have the afternoon to hang out with friends.

So the life of ease and royalty isn't for me...and neither is the life the regular european gal...because (if you have a queasy stomach don't read this paragraph) I can't handle the itch of underarm hair!! (gross as Ryan so poetically put it!) I am learning to appreciate the little things of life like being able to shave under my arms...something I have been protesting about the inconvenience of for years! And while my showers have been seconds faster and less water wasted because if my inability to twist the right way...I'd still trade for just the simple pleasure of smooth underarms. So there you have it--I can't become a truly sophisticated European woman because of two minor details in my life...maybe I can still travel to Europe and enjoy all of the good stuff like bread and cheese and still have my razor and gardening gloves so I can pinch starts from all those "English gardens" (everyone does know that I am putting in for a trip to Europe for 20 yr anniversary that will be here in just a few years???)

Bottom line is that I have a pretty good life--Great friends, great family and hey--at least I have been able to shampoo my own hair this week...Looking forward to the other milestones of returning to good health like a nice sweat from the "Firm" weights and aerobic workout or a drive in the car that doesn't make me wince...oh...and the really good things like unrestrained, full body hugs from all the people I love. Can't wait for that!