Happy Mother's Day...... And the winner is......

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE!

But first - AND THE WINNER IS.....

I know you probably think I have forgotten about the giveaway. I promise I haven't! It's been a crazy week at our house and everytime I went to sit down and post the winner, something else came up. So I have decided to make everyone who commented the winner!

So congratulations to the lucky 7:
MEG, ANGIE, JOLEEN, JILL, KARA, MINDY and KERRI!

You will all receive something from me in the very near future!

Thank you all for being a friend, example, influence and part of my life in some way!

and now - HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

My mom sent me this email to me for mother's day and I wanted to share it. Thanks mom, I love you!

I think I'm going to use the same title as the woman in the story next time I'm asked!

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself. 'What I mean is, ' explained the recorder, 'do you have a job or are you just a ...?'

'Of course I have a job,' snapped the woman. 'I'm a Mom.'
'We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it,' Said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient, and possessed

of a high sounding title like, 'Official Interrogator' or 'Town Registrar.' 'What is your occupation?' she probed.

What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. 'I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.

'The clerk paused, ball -point pen frozen in m midair and looked up as though she had not heard right. I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.

'Might I ask,' said the clerk with new interest,'just what you do in your field?' Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, 'I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) In the laboratory and in the field, (normally I would have said indoors and out.) I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.'

There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door. As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than 'just another Mom.'

Motherhood! What a glorious career!

Especially when there's a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers 'Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations' and great grandmothers' Executive Senior Research Associates?'

I think so!!! I also think it makes Aunts Associate Research Assistants.'

Want a good read for Mother's Day? Go here to read a fantastic talk about women by Sheri Dew back in 2001.

Hope everyone has a fantastic day!

Give oh give away....... and Christmas in April/May

First the give oh give away - I haven't forgotten about the giveaway, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Today I have been playing catch up all day from being gone for 4 days. I think it will take me a week to catch up!

Now for Christmas in April/May. For Christmas my sister Laura and I were given a few days off from "being the mom" by our husbands to attend Women's Conference that was last weekend. I don't think I have ever waited so long to use a Christmas present except for the time Jeff gave me a trip to Poland (where he served his mission) for Christmas that we took in May after he graduated with his MBA. Anyway, I was very excited to go mainly to have a break from being the mom for a few days and getting to spend time with my sister, which I don't get to do often enough.

I flew to Salt Lake late Wednesday night and then Thursday and Friday we went to Women's Conference. This was my first time going to WC and it was quite an experience! We actually didn't go to the opening session, but we made it there in plenty of time to make it to the first class. As we were walking across campus, I thought for sure we were going to get run over! I didn't realize how serious women take this thing! My sister tried to warn me, but I really didn't realized it until I experienced it! We joked that it was "Time Out for Women on massive steriods!" We made it into all the classes we wanted too and for the most part they were all really good. After the closing session we headed out. We were starving and I had to get my fill of Training Table. It was well worth the wait! Then we did a little shopping and headed to the hotel. It was nice to finally rest and relax and chat for a while before going to bed.

Friday we were back at it. But by 1:30 we were done and starving again. So I'll face up to it, we left early. (Sorry Jeff!) We went to Cafe Rio for lunch and then did some more shopping. By Friday night we were both exhausted from having so much fun over the two days! :-)

There were good and bad parts of WC, but if anything we definitely laughed a lot during those two days and I had a great time just being with my sister!

Saturday we hung out some more, did a little more shopping and ran some errands. Then Saturday night we went over to my brother Mark's house for dinner. It was fun to see everyone and hang out. We missed you Mom and Dad, Matt, Andrea, Max, Sam,and Daniel! After dinner we went back to Laura's house and we played a little Guitar Hero for my last night there.

Sunday morning I flew home. It was nice to have a break, but it was nice to come home too. I missed Jeff and the girls. And I think they missed me too. I loved the fact that when I pulled in the driveway Emilie and Ada came running out saying "mommy, mommy" and trying to get the car door open before I could even pull in the garage and Sarah waving to me and then clapping her hands and grinning from ear to ear. Best feeling ever! I didn't miss cleaning the house, doing the laundry and making dinner - but it was all waiting for me when I got home! Thanks Laura for a great weekend - I miss you already. See you all in a few weeks! Thanks Jeff, Emilie, Ada and Sarah for letting me go.

Love you guys!

My only regret of the weekend - We didn't take any pictures! I guess we'll have to make up for it in June!