Not answering my phone

So....a few days ago I posted a status update on my facebook about my tendency to frequently not answer my phone and my lack of caring about it. Answering the phone has never been a priority in my family or life, and I was feeling frustrated because sometimes I feel that people expect me to change that aspect about myself. So, I will try to explain that here. The only person who depends on me right now is my son Adam.....the only other person I'm accountable to is my husband Mike. For those people, I must always try to be available....so they don't count in this explanation. For everyone else, I feel this.....there's always someone else that can fill in the blank. That takes away a lot of urgency to constantly have the phone at my side. I don't like being subject to the little devices and quite honestly feel that sometime they are rude or present us frequently with the opportunity to act rudely. When I'm talking to someone, unless it's important, I won't answer my phone to interupt that conversation. That's what voice mail is for, etc. And yeah, I don't get back to people who leave messages that well either....that's something that I realize I should work on, but again, I don't hover over my phone....it takes time to get the message (if you even realize one's been left) and then make the moment where it's good to call back....but I'll try. Now, there are those who are exceptionally available to the phone and are excellent and getting back to people and their lives aren't any less busy than mine. That's great! They've chosen that to be something they care about....I don't. Then there are just days or hours in a day where I don't want to talk...on the phone or anything else. So, why should I answer the phone if I don't want to talk. 99% of the calls I get are for just that reason, to talk. It's great on days I feel like doing it, but other days when I don't, I'm fine to not compromise that time to myself. Then there's just the consideration that I may be changing a poopy diaper and can't leave my son hanging out on the dresser to answer the phone, or am sitting on the throne and certainly am not interupting that to answer the phone, or am outside and don't have the phone with me, etc. etc. I just don't feel the need to always have the phone with me at all times in all places. So, joke all you want and say what you will....I'm not changing this about myself right now. Maybe someday the needs will change and that will cause an alteration in my habits....but for now, be content with the fact that I'm okay with not always being available and I don't mean it to be anything but that....I'm just not always available. And I never expect that from anyone else either.......not even my husband who literally has the phone glued to his ear 98% of the day....it's just not realistic to think that he wants to always talk to me when I want it. So, don't take offense or be disturbed by my behavior....it's just a quirk about me that I'm at peace with right now ;) (or course I take into consideration special times and needs when I do need to bite the bullet and be johnny on the spot with my phone). Thanks!

MOM

Well....5 years ago today on a sunny Sunday afternoon my dear mother Joy McLaws passed away after enduring 6 difficult months in the last stages of breast cancer. She found out that she had cancer when it was really too late to do much about it. Each year, my dear friend Hopie Clyde and I go to lunch (her treat) to remember my mom together. Hope knew my mom in a very personal way, practically like a daughter, so I enjoy this time we spend together sharing things. Since it fell on Sunday this year, we went to lunch yesterday. Hope always gets me a gift as a reminder of my mom. She's given me a bracelet, an ornament, a shirt, and other things usually related to breast cancer...and she always puts a lot of thought into it. This year, she again got the perfect thing and donated money to the Huntsman Cancer Foundation (yes I cried). I know she does this to honor my mom, but it is such a display of her great capacity to love others and care about them. Thanks Hopie! As I have reflected today on my mom's life and influence I have had my heart warmed by the fact that I truly had an amazing mother who taught me so much. Some of the many things she taught me were: how to be graceful when I need to be, how to laugh at myself, how to love and be loved, to enjoy beautiful music and experiences, to allow myself the opportunity to do better...hopefully I've encorporated some of this to my life. My mom really was an amazing woman to me in so many ways....talented, graceful, funny, forgiving, beautiful. I really could go on and on about her. Truly I was a blessed daughter to have her and my dad. When I asked her one day while taking care of her needs towards the end what she would do differently in life, she simply told me that she would worry less and that she would have spent more time playing with her children and not washing walls. I've tried to remind myself of these things often....hence, my home is often in disarray....but hopefully for the right reasons. I miss her being accessable, I miss her wisdom, but I know she is still very much a part of my life. One of my favorite memories of my mom was when she discovered the "butt bread" one night and how she started laughing so hard that she nearly fell to the floor....and then how she kept that piece of bread that resembled a butt and promised to preserve it and display it somehow as a funny reminder. She never got that far, but she did keep it and I found it preserved in a box of stuff while going through things one day....oh how I laughed. My mom brought such Joy into everyone's life....her name said it all.

So, my husband and men of my family have made it some kind of a tradition to go out Thanksgiving morning and shoot guns, blow stuff up, wreck old cars, etc. It's quite the display of redneck humor and fun (fun for them, humor for the rest of us). This year, however, looks like it will be a dud due to wet weather, but who knows? Anyhow, I wish y'all a happy Turkey day and hope that wherever you're at and whomever you are with, that you enjoy the time!

Good quotes to live by....

"Let us be a people of honesty and integrity, doing the right thing at all times and in all circumstances. " —President Gordon B. Hinckley

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." --Martin Luther King, Jr.

Express yourself...

So, I've spent enough time and wasted energy on others sites expressing my thoughts and opinions lately, and it has gotten me in trouble. So, I've decided to save my thoughts and opinions for those who can handle them, whether they agree with me or not, some people can actually handle not having me blow smoke up thier butts (metaphorically speaking of course). There are some things in my life that I just won't bend in, mainly my faith based belief system and that has lent me to some persecution from friends and foes in life....of course, I've never been popular so why start now. Anytime I have bent on these things, it has turned out to be a bad decision. Yes, this is a vent post...but I just want to put it out there that just because I choose to do things a certain way doesn't mean I'm just doing it because I'm not aware, or educated, or experienced, etc. I choose to live my life the way I do and believe the way I do for reasons that I have given much thought to and have had experiences to back up. Thank you very much!

The Tao of Poop

I'm reading this book right now and must say that it's a definate good read for moms. I find it funny and full of good ideas and wisdom to help us keep our sanity during the thick of things. Plus, the chapters are short and she shares some funny stories so it's entertaining too. If you get the chance, read it.

A little humor never hurt

This was sent to me, and I thought it worthy enough to share here...kind o' funny. There pretty much is a song for everything in life I believe, though.

Perspective changes everything

I've had a few opportunities this week to hear from some wise people in various ways. One of the best reminders I had this week was about perspective and that if we keep the right perspective on things it makes all the difference in our ability to learn from and deal with situations. I'd like to share the analogy:

An avid football fan was on a flight back home during his favorite team's big game that week. Unable to access the game while in flight, the fan quickly found someone upon landing and leaving the plane that could tell him the outcome of said game. He was relieved and happy to discover that his team had, in fact, won the game. Being the great fan that he was however, he had arranged to record the game so that he could view it when he arrived home that evening. While viewing the game, his family noticed that the fan's behavior was drastically different than other times. Usually, the fan would yell at bad calls, get overly excited at good plays, and generally over-react to many of the happenings during a game.

The speaker went on to point out that because the fan had learned of the outcome of the game before watching it, he was able to relax and not over-react. No matter if a referee made a bad call against his team or someone fumbled, no matter if the other team scored, the fan was able to keep it cool because he already knew that in the end, his team would win.

Life application :

If we are able to maintain a perspective that extends beyond the "here and now" we are able to respond better to situations (good or bad) in the appropriate way that will allow us to learn and grow from the situations rather than have it tear us down or destroy relationships and faith. And religiously speaking, we know the outcome of this life's game. If we keep that perspective and live accordingly, we don't need to overreact to the day to day challenges.

I thought this was worthy of posting...obviously....so I hope you find it worthy of reading. Cheers!

There's nothing like a sleeping baby...especially when it's yours. This is how we found Adam when we got home from grandma & grandpa's last Sunday....funny boy!

Just some random photos from the past month...I haven't figured out how to do a collage yet either.....Lindsay I need you to educate me. Decriptions are as follows: Adam multi-tasking with his toys, grandma & 'A' at fish pond, dad feeding Adam yogurt bites to get a kiss (Mike HATES yogurt too), Dad & 'A' chillin'. Yes...I do love being a mommy!

Sgt. Pepper

I've been in denial that I have a garden the past 2 weeks or so....so when I went out today I fully expected dead plants. Instead, I got full plants....full of peppers! These are the 2 big tubs I filled from picking. Big Jims and Bell peppers mostly, with an eggplant or 2. So, if you want some, call me or come get them before they go bad this weekend. I also audibly gasped when I saw 2 little tomato buds growing on one of my 2 remaining plants (I planted 14 tomato plants this year....*sigh* only 2 remain and have produced zilch). Needless to say, I feel very blessed today from my spot of dirt. *disclaimer* only 2 tomato worms were harmed in the processing of these peppers....but the chickens are happy now ;)

Adam's freakin' cute!!!

Adam has been developing his sense of humor. One night while eating he decided this was funny. Of course, as his mom, I did too.

Obsessed

Ok, so a few months ago my friend introduced me to the "Twilight" series....with the added warning "it's about vampires but it's really good." This being the first time I had ever even heard of it (I know...I know....where have I been?)....I thought "vampires...hmmm....ok....well, I'll try it out." I'm not much of a sci-fi type person to say the least, but out of courtesy I started reading the 1st book. Exactly 5 days later I finished that book....and it's not a small one if you didn't know. And thus began an obession. I find myself craving even the tinest bit of info. about the whole series....feeling completely idiotic at the same time. Luckily, since I was fairly late on jumping on the Twi-wagon I was able to go from book to book without the dreaded wait so many others experienced. I breazed through all 4 books within a month and half's time (and that was using self-restraint to do other things as well). and now I'm reading the Edward-side of thing via Stefanie Meyer's website (yes, I couldn't resist). I just have to laugh at myself because from a distance this seems completely silly....but if you've read the books you'd understand. They are intriguing for some reason and I can't help but wish my husband was an Edward sometimes....ha ha ha ha. Well...I will be going to the movie when it comes out. I've watched the trailer a dozen times already. So, if anyone else is interested, we should make it a group effort when that blessed day comes. Yes, obsessed is the right word right now.

Simple life

I love how our lil' 17-month-old Adam takes joy in the simple things of life....he reminds me to stop, breath, laugh a little more, and enjoy my simple life just by being himself. What a great blessing he is in our lives!!! I LOVE YOU ADAM!

Reunions

Oh what do you do in the summertime when all the world is green? Visit with family of course, and catch up on eachother's lives. We had the McLaws reunion at Jacob's Lake (the usual) towards the end o' July, and the Austin reunion (Mike's mom's fam) last weekend in Ogden. It was nice to catch with all who could come. Here's a few token shots.

Little Shi Tzu

We got another puppy from our neighbor Ray. A little Shi Tzu like the last one. Her name is Sadie . Everyone say "Welcome Sadie"

Adam like to get into her water and food dishes.....hence, his first experiences with "time out".

The land of the techno advanced

I'VE JOINED.....

Mike got me an Ipod fer me birthday......now I can really ROCK ON WITH MY BAD SELF!

Adam's 1st birthday

Soooo....I've been meaning to catch my blog up. Adam turned 1 in March, and I realized I hadn't posted anything about it. He was sick for his birthday, so we ended up celebrating it two weeks later. By that time, we figured it would be best just to do the cake thing at Grandma's and not make too big of a deal about it. He loves the gifts from his aunts and uncles Bud/Lindz & Mark/Jen. Thanks!

Adam's way of communicating....Speakadah English?

Adam likes to do this growl thing......one day he was doing it for a long time, so I videoed it.......Is that how you spell videoed? Anyhoo.....I think he is very expressive when he wants to be....but he gets this from his dad I'm sure. What a nut!

I'm so vain....I probably think this blog is about me

Ok, so I'm new at the whole short hair thing....so don't judge Angie's haircutting abilities by my lack of styling abilities......(she does an awesome job), but I thought I'd post better pictures of the short hair since people have told me to. I am really liking the short thing....it'll probably be awhile for me to go back to long because I never do anything with long hair. Anyhoo.....enjoy these cheesy pictures and ignore the kissy face, it's a bad habit I'm trying to kick. LOL

ELLA'S A SUPERSTAR!!!!

Check out my niece Ella Grace....she's flippin' awesome on the piano (and cute too)! ROCK ON WIT' YOUR BAD MAMA SELF!!!! She's going to be famous someday....just you wait and see.

just Chillin' @ the homestead

This face says" hey baby, whatcha doin'?"

THE McLAWS TONGUE THING.....HA HA HA -------------------SUPERMAN.....


Soooo Happy.....new haircut!

B.F.F. - ADAM & MOM