When Our Taste Doesn't Match Our Product

Ira Glass-- a favorite of mine from NPR gave this amazing long quote about our creative work. He was talking specifically about storytelling, but I think it applies to all creative work-- including the creation of an amazing family culture.
Enjoy!

I'm Sensing a Theme Here . . .

Yesterday our Sacrament meeting was about Gratitude.  Then Relief Society was about Gratitude.  I can no longer ignore the realization that I keep having that I am guilty of INGRATITUDE.  Additionally I am suffering from Frazzle-Mommy Syndrome.  Let's give you a little update on the last week and then I'll end with things I am Grateful for:

Wed:  Surgery-- Taking it easy, not feeling too well, even still
Thurs.- Fri:  Kids out of school
Sat:  6 12yo Boys over for Breakfast and then 12 12yo Boys over for cake and Ice cream
       Dance Carpool Driver-- Both going and coming
       Lost patience MAJORLY (No details, but it wasn't undeserved necessarily, but probably a little melodramatic on my part)
Sun:  Noticed that all the dates on the newsletter I had created were wrong.  Only slept  from 11-2 and 5-6:30
Mon:  Very early Morning dentist appointments (7:30) both of which had multiple cavities due to their inherited soft enamel ---- SSOOOOOOO Frustrating and not much you can do.
Ben's Speech Therapy where I can tell the therapist is VERY frustrated with his lack of progress and frankly, so am I.

OKAY, with all of that as background:
1.  Man am I grateful we have dental insurance.  It is what it is.  Hopefully we can kick this problem in the pants the best we can.  FYI, because we don't have flouridated water in this neck of the woods, it's best if you only spit out toothpaste, not rinse it when you're done.  News to me, but it will hopefully help my kids.

2.  I am so grateful my surgery went so well and I have had so few problems.

3.  I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve in the Relief Society and even more grateful for the understanding of my fellow sisters who all put their arm around me and say-- You've got six kids.  You're doing great.  You're family's wonderful.  Don't worry if a few dates are wrong.  That kid will talk when he wants to talk and then you won't be able to shut him up.

4.  I am grateful for Numerous stories from ward members about how this kid is amazing, or that one's a lot of fun, or this one's so smart.  Sometimes after you've torn your hair out you don't feel so great about them.  It's nice to hear not everybody's tearing their hair out over 'em.


RANT OVER.  Just had to get it off my chest.  I probably need a nap.

Touche'

The Favorite game at Chez Jensen as of late is Chess.  All except Senor Screamer are afficionados.  Tonight I assented to a match with Nater.  I will admit that there was some assistance to him by Maggie and Katie and that I was not entirely attentive to the game board and a couple of times I showed him how very advantageous the moves he had made really were.  The end result was a complete loss of all of my pieces (except for the king, of course), a pawn that became a queen and a stalemate.  All was fine-- My ego not bruised until he said:  

"Mom, you're not very smart.  You sacrificed yourself a lot."  

He's Right.  I have sacrificed a lot, but I think it's the smartest thing I've ever done.

Marathon Madness

My favorite sign running the marathon:

Because 26.3 Miles would be CRAZY.

I wanted to give you an idea of some of the signs we saw along the way and some others I didn't see, but wish I woulda!.  They just make you feel awesome.

• "On this day, you're my hero."
• "Pain is temporary, pride is forever."
• "You've done harder things than this."
• • • "It's not 26.2 miles…it's 10 water stops."
• "Last is just the slowest winner."
• "My mommy is faster than your mommy."
• "If it was easy, everyone would do it."
• The person who starts the race is not the same person who finishes the race."
• "This 26.2 is for all the girls picked last in gym class."
• • In our minds, you're all Kenyans."
  • "Your feet hurt because you are kicking so much butt!"
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  • “Mommy, Have You Peed Your Pants Yet?”
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  • “Humpy Dumpy Had Wall Problems Too”

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    Thanks to Megan's Sister Keena and Her husband Nick for the One Sign with our names on it :)  Note to self, Must take lessons from a photographer on posing for pictures.  Flattering ones happen so rarely.

    
    

    

    Before the Start

    • “Running is a mental sport.  You’re all INSANE!”
    • 
      
    • “This seemed like a good idea three months ago, didn’t it??”
    • 
      
    • "Phiddipides almost died at this point in the race" 
    • • "One foot in front of the other. That's all."
      • "You are no longer a runner, YOU are a marathoner."