That's My Prerogative

Several times a year, Dane asks for the story of his blanket. He's much more inquisitive about that than the story of his own birth. For, it is his most prized possession, one he can't travel or sleep without. I'm pretty sure it is the source of his fascination with the color blue. And several weeks ago, I was sure "blankie" had come to the end of its bedraggled, little life. With plenty of holes and a nonexistent border, it was quickly turning into a sleeping hazard as I would find pieces of it wrapped around Dane's neck as he slept! I was about to give him the "it's time to move on" speech and prepared for the worst. His dad, however, would hear none of THAT plan! Shayne threatened to go in search of a seamstress himself if I refused to fix it. Here's the problem--I didn't know how! It was such a mess, I wasn't sure how to breathe life back into it! Finally, I asked my sweet neighbor (who is a whiz with a sewing machine) to see what she could do. I didn't even dare wash the stinky shreds before I gave it to her for fear it would never make it out of the washing machine as a recognizable fabric whole! She lovingly did her magic and voila--Dane's blankie lived on! He was SO ecstatic--it was better than a new Wii game! He continues to lovingly carry blankie all over the house, and suck those double-barrel fingers just as he's done since birth. Now, his stuffed "Jingles" has been added to his loves-list. The three are rarely without each other and I think it is incredibly sweet. Who really wants to move on in life anyway?

'Cause Every Day the Teddy Bears Have Their Picnic

Days before I turned five-years-old, my little sister, Kathy, entered the world. I remember being disgusted by the idea that another girl was joining our family. We already had me, what did we need another one for?? And for so many years, she seemed SO much younger than I. She would get into my stuff, destroy my Barbie's hair and dig out the eye shadows in my Barbie play makeup! Hmpf...I didn't have much use for her. But then something crucial happened. When I was 15, my parents moved us from Orem to Provo into this teeny, old house. The first night, Kathy and I were relegated to the freezing basement, complete with no walls and an inch of dirt on the floor. I remember crying and thinking they must really not like their children anymore. And who listened to my tears? None other than my little sister! For the first time, we were being made to share a room. I couldn't believe that my parents (who had obviously lost their minds!) were making their lovely, budding teen share her private space with an immature 10-year-old. I loved organization, and she was such a little pig. I threatened to hang a curtain, draw a masking tape line she would never dare to cross, move her bed into the bathroom...anything to keep the sanctity of "my space"! It was definitely new territory for us...and now, I couldn't be more grateful for the struggle! Fast forward a few years, a few experiences and a few shared moments: that straggly little girl with her big blue eyes and naturally curly hair is one of my very best friends. I adore her and all the amazing talents she possesses that are so different than mine! So, when I witness a moment such as this picnic between my own two princesses, my heart is warmed. The difference? My sweet Natasha has loved her Fynnley from day one. And vice-versa. They have a sweet bond that I can only pray will last for eternity. And, P.S., Kath, I love you...

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

What else does April signal the beginning of? Baseball season! And this year, we've two boys on board to play. Connor rejoined the Braves for the third season in a row and stands the tallest of his whole team! We're excited to see how much he improves this year and if he can get that coveted home run. Go, Connor!

Hey, Hey, Mama, Said the Way You Move...

Okay, I realize it's not Halloween (thank goodness--I've been waiting FOREVER for spring to make it's staying debut!) but I just couldn't resist posting this layout after finishing it today. Do Jessica and I just rock in this picture or what?? I don't know, I don't love Madonna ('though I do quite enjoy many of her songs) but I sure loved playing her for a fun evening back in October when we attended a costume party given by our mutual friends. Any excuse to dress all in black, tease the hair to great heights and wear plenty of dark make-up AND a corset--count me in! Ah, good times...

Doin' A What Comes Natur'lly

He did it "ALL BY MYSELF"! That's right--the whole book all by himself. Every night we read "critter" books (by Mercer Mayer) to Fynnley because they are her favorite (in a deep tie with Pinkalicious!) Tonight, Dane decided to show me that he knew how to read a bit of the book, or, more correctly, the whole book! I was shocked! I've been having him read me the little books they have been sending home from school with him (and not very diligently on my part, I might add) and, turns out, he is far beyond them in his reading abilities. He can pretty much read ALL the Mayer books and a whole lot of other things, we've discovered. Who knew? Yippee for Dane!

I'm a little bit country, and I'm a little bit rock-n-roll!

Dad has always claimed I am Marie Osmond’s blond twin. I’ve been tempted to photo shop myself into a picture with her just to see if I agree. After all, I spent my childhood believing I was named after her (Leslee Marie), only to discover that, lo-and-behold, it’s Grandma Wakefield’s first name! At a very young age, I remember waiting with great anticipation on Friday nights to watch the new “Donny and Marie Show”, and Mom taking me to the ground breaking for the Osmond Studios where I met Donny and Marie for the first time. I was so in awe of their awesomeness; imagine, celebrities right here in Utah county! I also remember playing with a specific neighbor girl just because she had the Donny and Marie dolls and I didn’t (p.s., why didn’t I??) Needless to say, I have followed their careers over the years with a bit of seemingly detached interest (it hasn’t always been cool to admit to being an Osmond fan!) and with a bit of fascinated horror (should I mention the renewed Donny and Marie talk show a few years back, or how about Donny in concert singing “Soldier of Love” where he couldn’t stop cracking himself up through the performance?) Oh well. I have to forgive their humanness. For when the chance came to meet Marie in person again, as an adult, I jumped. Half an hour early, I dragged Shayne and Mom to come wait in line with me at Costco for Marie’s book signing. I admit, I had some butterflies in the stomach as I approached the table. And guess what? She’s famous, she’s a woman, she’s a mom…I liked her! I think we could be friends and, maybe, even twins…

It's My Party, I Can Cry If I Want To...

I've been celebrating the big 29th for the last 7 years now. And, it's not really been a big deal in the past. But this year, I went from 29 to (okay, I'll admit it) 36, and I'm experiencing some serious inner turmoil. 36? 3 plus 6? I mean, that puts me into a new age bracket on surveys (you know, the 35-50 category!) So, am I middle-age now? Certainly that can't possibly be true! I mean, heck, when I was 15 and looking at my church leaders that were in their thirties, I thought they had life all figured out--and I was sure I was never going to be needing any of THAT knowledge! And, yet, here I am, feeling pretty unintelligent, awash and aghast that I don't have "my act" together more than I do at this point in life (whatever that means!) My body is starting to decay in ways it never has before, my ability to speak coherently is rapidly slipping away and if dinner requires more than two pans, I deem it "too complicated for life" and throw away the recipe. So, have I just become the master of simple living, or the master of laziness in my, dare I say it, middle age? It's a crisis, for sure. I think I'll have another piece of chocolate cake and ponder what else I'll lose this year...

These Are Egg-citing Times

And, now, the egg-hilerating, egg-emplary, egg-agerated, Preator Egg-Hunt!

It Takes Two Baby, Me and You, It Takes Two..

Okay, let’s see, how many hours over how many days did I spend running all over the valley in search of coordinating clothes for my four beautiful kidlets to model on Easter Sunday, only to find out we had Stake Conference and no one I knew was going to see them anyway? It would be shameful to admit. Nonetheless, I was happy with the results, even if they had to wear them two Sundays in a row for me to finally get these pics!

Here Comes Peter Cotton Tail, Hopping Down the Bunny Trail...

Easter always makes me happy! It signals spring’s arrival, it offers yummy treats for plentiful purchasing, and it reminds us of our incredible Savior and his precious Atonement. Although we had colder/windier weather than I had hoped for this year, the kids were happy with their baskets, we made it through (and even enjoyed) Stake Conference (on Easter Sunday?), and had a lovely Easter dinner. Grandma and Grandpa Keckley were also here visiting, so that gave the kids "egg"-stra cause for celebration! Grammy Su and Grandpa Bar’s traditional egg-hunt had to be postponed until the next day, but we were glad because the weather was beautiful and the company was great! Now, where are some more of those Almond Joy eggs??

No One Mourns the Wicked

Sandy, Danny, The Pink Ladies, The T-birds, the cast, the choreography, the music--I adored it all...and I was only nine. Mom and Dad sequestered everyone away from the basement, and why? Because they wanted to watch this mysterious program coming on TV called "Grease." And because it was forbidden, I wanted in on it! I couldn't quite figure out if it had to do with cooking bacon or tuning up a car...but I could hear music and singing and I HAD to know what it was all about. Luckily, I convinced Mom to cave and let me sneak in for my first viewing of the legendary musical--and I was in love! Eleven years later, after spending my adolescent life trying to determine whether I'd rather be Marie Osmond or Olivia Newton-John, I was cast in a community theater production of Grease playing Sandy (opposite of a new boy in my high school playing Danny--and he was cute!) It was a thrill for me to be a part of the only musical/movie that (to this day) I know every line. Grease was the catalyst to my adoration of Broadway productions and musical theater, a love I hope to pursue myself again someday. For there's nothing like the rush of being on a stage, singing your guts out and bringing yourself to tears at the sheer joy and emotion of the moment. I've been a part of, and witnessed, many wonderful shows over the years. I can't even list "my favorite" because there are so many: Phantom of the Opera, Miss Saigon, Ragtime, Jekyll and Hyde, Annie Get Your Gun, Les Miserables, Chorus Line, Mamma Mia, Jersey Boys and one of my newest favorites, Wicked. In the fall of 2005, on my visit to NYC, Johnny won the Wicked lottery for $25 tickets on the front row! From that vantage point (my once and only that close to the stage), I was enthralled with the beading on the whimsical costumes and fascinated by the lack of green make-up melt during an incredibly rich and emotional performance by Elphaba, the leading witch. I ate up the performance and declared it was a feast for the musical theater nut's senses. Four years later, April 11, I was able to take Shayne and Natasha to experience this fantastic show at Capitol Theater in Salt Lake City for the touring company's production of Wicked. And they didn't disappoint! Natasha was on the edge of her seat the entire performance. And I fell in love with the story and sounds all over again. Now, if I could just get cast in such a show, wouldn't that be an amazing blog post!!

You Feel Like Heaven to Touch, I Wanna Hold You So Much...

I'm not a "newborn mom." Give me a child that is nine months old on and I'll show you a rested, pleasant, happy to be mother. Not to say I don't love the tiny bundledness, sweet smell of a newborn. They are so exquisitely soft, so yummy to snuggle. But, still, I rejoice in the days my newborn sleeps through the night and is happy to roll all over the floor without my aid. That being said, what a joy it was to hold my sixth niece who made her sweet appearance Sunday morning, April 5, 2009. After finding out Kathy was serious about giving birth this trip to the hospital, I jumped in my car and drove REALLY fast to make it to the hospital in time. And I didn't--missed it by 10 minutes! I was really bummed, but, nonetheless, oh so grateful to be introduced to tiny Tienne Etoile Terry. Expectantly so, memories of my own sweet ones flitted through my mind as I gazed at her petite features and cuddled her close. After all, these angles ARE sent straight from heaven...