RNC

Most you know that Freeman, the company I work for, produces the Republican National Convention every four years. In 2000, I spent 2 1/2 months working on the RNC in Philadelphia. It was some of the longest days & weeks I have ever spent working in my life. In fact, the week of the convention, I logged 108 hours . . . really ridiculous! But, I enjoyed being in the thick of it, working with great people, the secret service and of course meeting a lot of politicians and media people.

Our company produces what you see on TV and what you don't see on TV. Including the stage, rigging, electrical, all the media booths that you don't see out side, even the bathrooms that Laura Bush and her parents used to get ready in prior to coming on the stage! Locker rooms in the stadium have been converted to offices for the secret service and media. Tunnels have been created for secured entrances. Huge banners have been created to hang on the outside of the buildings. Curbs have most likely been taken out for buses to get people in to the facility. Rows of chairs have been removed along with walls and glass for the media rooms. It really is quite an amazing accomplishment to see this come together. If you ever want to see pictures from Philly, just let me know!

I have been anticipating the RNC and was excited that I got to watch a great deal of it last night. I know not all of you are supporting the Republican ticket out there but, I was excited to hear the speakers last night. I really enjoyed Fred Thompson's speech! I'm excited at the thought of a female Vice President and one that even represents the great state of Alaska where Mark grew up!

For those who may be interested in seeing a week of "set-up" at the convention hall, check out the following video I found. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qzsfpBLN3A

For those who would like to keep updated on the GOP convention floor check out www.gopconvention2008.com.

I certainly hope you will take time to learn about the candidates and think carefully about who we elect as our next President and Vice President!

Painting Complete

Tonight I am happy to report that our painting project was completed by 4:30 pm today. Both rooms have even been put back together again with all the window treatments and furniture in its right place. With the bribery of lollipops for Max for being a good listener and helper ... along with going to the park, we were able to keep the paint splattering to a minimum! Mark and I really love the rooms and we are glad they are done. Hopefully we can get some pictures of them up soon. So much for resting on "Labor Day".

Just an update on what you may hear Max saying these days....

Getting in to the car - Mom: Max get in your car seat
Max: No, I want to drive and go find a snake
Mom: What? No we are not going to go find a snake - get in your seat!

Sleeping - Mom: Max go back to your bed, its 1:30 in the morning
Max: No, I want to sleep in Kiley's bed (guest bedroom-Kiley was our last guest)
Mom: I give up . . . I'll help you sleep in Kiley's bed . . . .ughh

Painting Underway

Well it is Labor Day weekend and we have decided to take on some painting. We are in the midst of painting our dining room and living room. We picked taupe as the color and it is really showing off the white moldings. Mark is really a perfectionist when it comes to painting. The dining room is down to touch ups and we will start the living room in the morning.

Max of course is in the middle of all the paint, tape, tools, brushes, electrical plate covers, screws, ladders and having a grand time. All of his help is making the weekend memorable! Hopefully we'll be able to post pictures when it is done. We are still saving up for a new digital camera. Big bummer on the old one.

Serving is a Good Deed

Today Max and I had the opportunity to help another family who is in need. We spent several hours with children who needed extra help. We made cupcakes with these kids (not good for the diet - I only had 1 and about a 1/3 of Max's) but the feeling I got from helping others was wonderful. I do enjoy service and feel as though that is really what we should be doing - to help others as we can is really what the Lord would want us to do. Plus the added bonus is that I did not think about our problems or frustrations for a good three hours . . . . a nice break. I should of stayed all day and night! But, when I did get home, Max took a wonderful nap in HIS bed and gave me some time to be inspired about our dilemma's.

The shower did not give me any problem this morning . . . whew!

Gas prices are down to $3.39 a gallon!

The temperature outside this morning was in the low 60's - perfect for walking. Although about 10 minutes in to our hour walk - Max announces he is cold! It was a little chilly so we did cut the walk short so we could keep our morning moving.

Tonight, I am grateful for my family and the ability to share, help and be inspired.

Pray for the Pipes!

This afternoon Max decided to provide us a little more excitement than normal. Currently for Max to go to the bathroom he feels the need to strip down even if he is just going pee. This afternoon after going pee he picked up his underwear and as the toilet was flushing I saw him set his underwear free down into the toilet bowl as the water was swooshing in a circle! I gasped and said, "Max what are you doing? Are you crazy?" as I was practically doing a head dive into the toilet to retrieve his underwear out. As gross as this sounds to dive after your kids underwear, I was also thinking to myself, the last thing we need right now is a plumbing bill.

So no worries . . . the underwear was retrieved.

When Max gets finished with his dinner, if his tray is not removed right away, he will then get bored and start using his food as shampoo in his hair. We've had everything from syrup, to mangos, ranch dressing, etc. end up in his hair. This is his way of requesting a shower in mommy and daddies bathroom. Our bathroom is much easier to shower in then his. Although we do wash his hair in his tub just fine. So every now and then we let him shower in our bathroom. Today he did get a shower in our bathroom this morning as he claimed he too was sweaty from our walk. Tonight, after dinner he got another shower to clean out rice and smashed mango.

Mark took him up to shower while I attempted to make a couple of work calls. Then . . . I heard the screams from Max - "I want my mommy" "Mommy will fix it" . . . . Max had opened the small plastic drain cover (which he has done before) and shoved his baby wash cloth down the drain. Mark was working on retrieving it out with coat hangers but, the wash cloth had made its way past the initial 2' straight drop and down the elbow of the pipe. Mark and I both attempted to retrieve the wash cloth but, with no luck. We then called the handiest people we know, Danny and Jo Greene, who have every tool in the world. They proceeded to come over and help us retrieve the wash cloth. But with Danny's "snake" we still could not retrieve the wash cloth. We decided to run the water for a bit and the drain did not back up. We'll see how the shower looks after our morning showers but . . . I really hope the wash cloth has made it through the pipes and into some large plant that has received more than one baby wash cloth from a 2 year old!

May our pipes be blessed this night and for many more nights to come . . . that they too will survive a 2 year old!

On A Roll with Canning

Our Relief Society has focused in on gardens this summer and we have worked on learning how to can various things from our gardens. To date, I have canned 9 pints of green beans, 18 quarts of peaches and 4 quarts of tomatoes. The tomatoes came from our garden and I have been able to get green beans from another members gardens. The peaches came from a local farm market. I have really enjoyed learning more about canning and adding to our families food storage.

I Have a Meeting ...

Mom: Max, what are you doing?

Max: I'm getting ready for my meeting.

Mom: What is in your bag?

Max: Everything I will need for my meeting.

Mom: What exactly is in your bag?

Max: My cards (playing cards or old hotel keys that I bring home for him), my zebra, my wallet, a tissue, some cars, a computer cord, random church magazines or pamplets (he has no doubt found in a non-secured area).

Mom: Where is your meeting?

Max: At Sacrament meeting.

Mom: Who is going to your meeting?

Max: Dallin & Josh (friends from nursery and playmates)

Mom: Ok, well let me know when your meeting is over with ok? Did you take any snacks for your meeting?

Max: I need to get some . . . . (now digging through the pantry for pretzels or teddy grahams)

Pretty soon I see him set up shop on the landing of our stair case. Everything is now out of the bag and thrown in various directions.

Max: Mom, my meeting is over with now. I need to go to work.

Mom: Where are you working today?

Max: Las Vegas

I've tried to tell Max over and over again that he will have plenty of time for meetings and work. Just sit back and enjoy your juice and chocolate milk for a little longer. Pretty soon he'll be off to college and on a mission!