If I Had Time...

I'd complain about how frustrating the Raingutter Regatta is (really, isn't the Pine Wood Derby torture enough?)
I'd complain that it's near impossible to clean a house for company when a crying two-year-old wants me to sit right THERE! No. Right THERE!
I'd also complain about how hard it is to have a church meeting when previously mentioned two-year wants to read a book.
But, I have no time, so "everythings fine, thank you."

The Host

For all those fans of the Twilight series, Stephenie Meyer just came out with her new book The Host. It reads just like Twilight - fast and easy. For those of you who haven't read Twilight (gasp!) Meyer's writing style is similar to John Grisham in that it's really compelling and quick. I was up until after midnight a couple nights, unable to put The Host down.


The Host is much more science-fiction than I would normally read. Here is how Meyer's site describes it:

"Our world has been invaded by an unseen enemy. Humans become hosts for these invaders, their minds taken over while their bodies remain intact and continue their lives apparently unchanged. Most of humanity has succumbed.

When Melanie, one of the few remaining "wild" humans is captured, she is certain it is her end. Wanderer, the invading "soul" who has been given Melanie's body, was warned about the challenges of living inside a human: the overwhelming emotions, the glut of senses, the too vivid memories. But there was one difficulty Wanderer didn't expect: the former tenant of her body refusing to relinquish possession of her mind."

While it is Sci-Fi, Meyer's develops a story that focuses on the relationships, with a love story at the heart of the novel. There are no vampires and no stupid teenage girls, but there is also less suspense. I was more impressed with both Melanie and Wanderer from The Host than I was with Belle from Twilight. I can't see Melanie ever wanting to become a vampire... The basic premise is really interesting and it's easy to get lost in the story.

Overall I'd describe it as a great, light read. I'd definitely recommend it.

Dentist

Why do I always feel like the dentist is grading me as a mother? I think it goes something like this:

A: No cavities, no tartar buildup.
B: No cavities, minor tartar.
C: No cavities, lots of tartar.
D: Cavities, lots of tartar, some plaque.
F: Cavities, tons of tartar, tons of plaque.

Guess what grade I got?

My dentist is as nice as Mr. Rogers. He hugs me and the boys every time we go in for a visit. (If he weren't so stinkin' nice, it might be creepy.) So, maybe I'm a bit crazy, but I swear they speak in code:

Dental hygienist: "They need to brush their teeth better."
What I hear: "What in the world are you doing wrong, that your children don't even brush their teeth right?!?"
Dentist: "Yup, we've got a cavity."
What I hear: "You are a grossly incompetent mother."

Upon hearing that he would have a filling, Big Boy #2 said "Can't they just let me off with a warning?" Don't I wish...

***********************************************************
However, on a more positive note, I thought I would include pictures of today's Field Day. The boys had a ton of fun - and we all ended up sweaty, dirty and tired. (A great beginning to any dental visit, I might add.)

Trees!

We started a tradition at our old house where we planted trees on the boys' first birthdays. It was always so much fun to watch those trees grow - and see the boys grow up alongside their trees. The boys certainly knew which of all the trees was "theirs" and they loved to sit beneath those branches. One of the hardest parts of moving was leaving those trees.

















Well, we have spent the last few days planting new trees for the boys. They both wanted the exact same type of tree. BB#1 has a Fairview Maple, and BB#2 has an Autumn Blaze Maple. (We're going to get the Caboose a Purple Ash. ) The trees are much smaller than what we left, but they will grow - as will the boys.



















So I figured a little looking back was in order. On the left, the pictures of the boys with their new trees, on the right the boys on their first birthdays planting their original trees.

Partly Cloudy with a Chance of Rebellion

Yesterday, as the boys were getting ready for school, Big Boy #1 came downstairs wearing shorts and a t-shirt. Seeing that it's the middle of May, one would expect that shorts and a t-shirt would be appropriate. However, given the bi-polar nature Colorado weather, the high was only expected to get into the mid-50s. So I asked BB#1 to change into something warmer.

Suffice it to say, he was not real happy about having to change his clothes. But, using my mom-powers (i.e. telling him that if he didn't change, he would miss the bus. And if he missed the bus, I would have to drive him. And if I had to drive him that would make me a taxi. And if I was forced to act like a taxi, I would certainly expect to get paid for my service...) He finally changed into long pants and a sweatshirt. Fine.

Then last night as I was getting things ready for the morning, I noticed his pants wadded into a ball at the bottom of his backpack. What? I started thinking back - he was wearing shorts after school. Huh?

OH MY GOSH! The child put shorts in his backpack and changed at school!

When did my nine year old boy turn into a fifteen year old rebel?

Did you know...

that for just a couple extra bucks, the people at Mrs. Field's will completely cover your giant cookie with chocolate frosting???

.

You have to love that Diamond gave me an enormous chocolate chip cookie slathered in chocolate frosting for BREAKFAST on Mother's Day! Does this man know me or what?

Mother's Day

I've decided that men fear Mother's Day.

The proof is everywhere. When you can buy flowers at Home Depot, something has to be up. It's like all the men got together to say "Psst! Buddy! Tomorrow's Mother's Day. You know to buy these flowers, right? 'Cuz if you don't.... Well, you just don't even want to know what will happen then!"

On my first Mother's Day no less than five different men pulled Diamond aside and told him; "You know that this the one day of the year you can NOT forget without paying severely!" Forget chocolates on Valentine's Day? She'll be hurt, but it's livable. Spend your anniversary at a Nuggets game? (cough, cough) She might not mind. But Mother's Day? You CANNOT FORGET Mother's Day.

As a Mother's Day gift for the women in my ward, we decided to put together envelopes full of 3x5 cards for each woman. The cards would be from each woman's husband and children, acknowledging something "small and simple" that the mom/wife does that is really appreciated. I asked a friend of mine to hand out the cards during the announcement portion of the men's meeting. At first the response was lack-luster. Then my friend said "You don't want your wife to be the only women who doesn't have a card from her husband!" Next thing you know, the men were anxiously scribbling down all the wonderful things their wives do.

Fear I tell you. It's all about fear.

Scared

As I was checking the mail today, I noticed a flier taped to the side of the community mailbox. Hoping for some information on garage sales, or maybe some information about the new school, I looked closer only to find that it was a notice to the community that a CHILD MOLESTER had moved into the neighborhood.

As in MY neighborhood.

He apparently lives at the end of my street, is 5'11, Caucasian, and drives a white truck.

Thing of it is, I already live my life with the assumption that everyone is a predator until proven otherwise. As a rule, I don't trust the people in the bathroom at McDonald's, the guys building homes around the corner, or even the people at church. My kids don't play out front unattended and I wait outside the door of public restrooms. If I let you watch my kids, or let my kids play at your house, it's about the greatest compliment I can give.

So why would this news freak me out, when I already live in a world of fear and mistrust?

Because now it's real. It has a name. It has an address. It drives a white truck, and lives at the end of my street.

Success!

My plan actually WORKED!

Today I was surprised to find a comment on my last post from a very dear, old friend Danae. I have know Danae since she was a young teenager and was lucky enough to be one of her youth leaders in church. Now she's all grown up, married and has three little kids of her own.

Here's her entry: "I googled you today and you would be happy to know that this site is the first thing that came up! "

HOORAY!!! When she searched Ganelle Smith, there was no BYU Alumni magazine! No awful picture in a sweater vest! No cheesy update about quitting teaching to stay home with my boys! Finally there is something on the net that is more flattering than the remnants of a practical joke from Vern! VICTORY! Someone was wondering what I was up to and found me, HERE!

I knew this whole blogging business would pay off eventually!