Scout Trip to Strawberry

Todd's scout troop went camping and fishing at Strawberry Reservoir this weekend. I (Brent) went with them. The cold made me wonder how humans survived before central heating, but the fishing was good and we had a lot of fun. Todd caught the biggest fish of the boys--a 23" cutthroat trout. He was very proud of himself.

Autism Follow up

My friend posted a link in the comments of my last post. I wanted to put it on the page just in case it wasn't seen. It's great. This guy has written a book about exactly what bugs me about people speaking out about disorders they know nothing about. Check it out.

Autism's False Prophets

So Wrong

My friend posted a story about how PETA sent a letter to Ben&Jerry's requesting that they start using human breast milk in their ice cream instead of cow's milk. It reminded me of their latest publicity stunt--a billboard attempting to spook parents into believing that milk causes autism. So frustrating to me as a mom, school psychologist, and, oh yeah, a person with a BRAIN.

Autism is so difficult for parents to accept and understand. I'm working with a family right now that are in such a cycle of grief and denial about their kiddo's significant problems that they are refusing valuable treatment services and wasting precious treatment time.

The "immunizations cause Autism" issue continues to lurk and scare parents away from protecting their children from other PREVENTABLE diseases. The study that made that claim has been rescinded, dismissed, and proven incorrect numerous times but it remains in the hearts of those who cannot face that maybe their hurl of the biological dice didn't go their way.

Jenny McCarthy is making me nuts with her claim that she "cured" her son of Autism. She could be such a strong voice for early intervention, parent education, loving your child no matter what, etc. but she insists on spouting non research-based information about something I'm pretty sure they don't teach Playboy bunnies.

My Favorite Word

During the summer I agreed to an additional school assignment. My supervisor was so wrong when she assured me that it wouldn't be too taxing for my 2.5 days/week. I'm behind and stressed. The larger caseload is a factor but the main reason that I am struggling to keep up is because my disease to please has turned VIRAL. I am taking on a lot of assignments that aren't part of my job in an attempt to be all things to all people.

I know that this is as common for women as monthly cramps and I need some advice. However, before you get all Nancy Reagan Just-Say-No on me, let me note that I stink at direct refusals and that this is a deeply-seeded problem. Here's an issue summary:

I am a RESCUER at heart. I know that most people will benefit from a natural consequence of their situation but I like to help people avoid even mild pain.

I am thankful for my many blessings. Most of what I do is in the spirit of "where much is given..." I think that every opportunity to say YES is just giving back for what I have been given.

I feel able. I have a lot to give and some of what I do takes on an egotistical flavor. It makes me feel stronger, smarter, better than what I really think I am.

I am last on my priority list. I will rearrange my schedule and neglect even important things to indulge someone else's request.

I love the rewards of saying yes. I am totally addicted to sincere thank yous and statements of awe. "Thank you so much. You really saved my life today." "Wow. I don't know how you can do so much for other people and still take care of..."

I learned from the best. Sometimes my mom would tell us not to answer the phone or yell, "I'm not here!" when it rang because she could not take the chance of having to say no to whomever was needing at the time. She often ran herself ragged doing for others.

I am disappointed in a neighbor who has the opposite problem. She NEVER says yes! She hoards her service for things she wants to do or feels are worthy of her contribution. "I just don't have the time/energy/resources to..." I don't buy it. She has a lot to give.

So, loyal friends and readers, FIX ME.
How do you choose what to say yes to?
When and how do you say NO? How do you resolve or avoid guilt feelings when you do say no?

Happy birthday QUINCEY!

If I didn't love you, I'd hate you...for being so
talented, centered, witty, confident, intelligent, and fun. I adore you and I hope that your birthday was everything you deserve complete with good food, music, and relaxation. I'm happy you're my friend. (...and that you're as old as I am now!!)

So Proud

This is a picture of my ever-maturing husband. This morning when Brent got out of bed at 11:30a.m., he completed and mailed his own car registration. I only assisted by reminding him to add an extra 1¢ stamp to the envelope. It seems like only yesterday he learned how to operate the toaster. Next thing I know, he'll be buying and washing his own clothing. They grow up so fast.


I'm extra proud of myself for resisting my uber-responsible, anxious, controlling urges to complete this task for Brent even though it was due September 30th! It took A LOT of effort.

Quote of the Week

Today Kenna brought home a fortune cookie from Primary Sharing Time. Inside it said:

Never mess up an apology
with an excuse.

I loved this and I'm going to try to remember it the next time I blame fatigue for my grouchy actions. I either need to choose to be positive or take responsibility for my negative attitude. I hate being a grown up sometimes.

Side rant...How exactly does that qualify as a fortune? It's a great thought, motivational words, phrase to live by, etc. but it is not a fortune. Anyway, it bugs when our culture tries to adopt something from another and messes it up. Descending soapbox now.

Weekend at Stephy's

...not to be confused with Weekend at Bernie's--quite possibly the stupidest movie EVER.

Okay, okay. Sorry for the distraction. Kenna, Alec, and I went to see my sister Stephanie in Pocatello, Idaho this weekend. Stephanie is my soul's other half--the cute, creative, funny, daring, awesome half. I adore her. We couldn't be more different or more perfectly matched as sisters. Here are some of our weekend's adventures...some pictured, some not:

* We attended the Idaho State University homecoming parade. Three words...LOTS O' CANDY! The kids had a blast building their stashes while dodging horse poop and old men in fez hats driving antique fire engines.

* I told Stephanie that my day's goal was to score a T-shirt from some float. I worried that my mission would fail when I had my fingers on a Gold's Gym shirt but ceded to the cute, blonde teenager I'm sure it was intended for. My second opportunity went better. I winked at and pleaded with the skinny, mullet-sporting DJ driving the K-Bear 101 van. He must have spotted the 80's hardrock fan lurking inside because he handed his LAST shirt out the window to little 'ol me.

* I was exhaused after flirting with so many parade guys and from being kicked in the face all night by my bedmate, Alec, so I decided to take a little nap. My one-year-old nephew, Kasey, was tired too. He snuggled with me until we both fell asleep. I love being an auntie.

* The kids enjoyed each other so much. They played a game of baseball until Alec smacked one over the fence, spent hours sifting pea gravel, and wrestled until each had his/her fill of injuries. We visited a nearby hollow with a tire swing and no one suffered an impaling with a dead branch or palm-ripping rope burn .

* When I told Alec that we were going to Idaho, I named everyone in Stephy's family. I obviously left out some important information since he shouted his inquiry, "And Cocoa too?!" Cocoa is Steph's shihtzu. Alec and Kenna were so happy to play with Cocoa and the other neighborhood dogs that congregate at Steph's house. Yeah, not me so much--not an animal gal. If you can't count it as a tax deduction, I'm not cleaning up after it.

* Some guy with a lot of tattoos flirted with me while we were stopped at a traffic light. Good thing I was wearing sunglasses to hide yesterday's mascara and had tinted windows to hide the FIVE kids in the back seats. Can you sing Desperado? My favorite of his body drawings was a swirled design on his pointer finger that he held up underneath his nose to make a mustache. Awesome.

WORDLE.NET

Click on this graphic to
make it bigger and then
go waste some time making
your own wordle.
Kind of fun...(Beats cleaning
the house!)

I am TAG.

My sisters-in-law have been filling out this cute tag list. I guess anyone who blogs has at least a subconscious desire to self-disclose so if you read this, I tag YOU and want to see your list soon ;)
I am...spread too thin.
I think...I should re-prioritize.
I want...to have my house clean.
I have...everything I need to be happy.
I miss...my Grandma Pilling.
I fear...that my kids will grow up and hate me.
I feel...fat.
I hear...Alec talking to himself.
I smell...my Bath & Body Works Coconut-Lime Verbena wallflower. Love it!
I crave...linguine with creamy pesto sauce and a giant breadstick twist from the Pizza-Pasta Factory.
I cry...a lot lately. My *happy* cry is for Todd being ordained to the Priesthood and for my in-laws leaving on their mission. My *irrational* cry is for recognizing that very few of my life expectations will be met.
I search...for ways to serve others.
I wonder...when Brent and I will ever see anything of importance in the same light.
I regret...being snotty when I was a teenager.
I wish...I had more willpower and a better self-image.
I love...to be a *snuggle buddy* to my kids.
I care...about being dependable.
I always...wonder how I got such smart, cute kids.
I worry...a LOT.
I am not...an optimist.
I remember...playing Charlie's Angels with my sister and cousins.
I believe...that Heavenly Father knows who I am.
I sing...silly variations of Primary songs and nursery rhymes to make my kids laugh.
I don't always...recognize the miracles around me.
I argue...with my heart.
I write...to-do lists by the mile.
I lose...perspective when I am tired and discouraged.
I listen...with my heart.
I can usually be found...sipping a giant cup of Diet Dr. Pepper.
I need...too much validation from other people.
I forget...how old I really am.
I am happy...when I am doing the things I know I should.

Happy Thanksgiving, eh!

Today is Canadian Thanksgiving. Every year, I intend to do the whole shebang--hang a flag, cook a turkey, make a pie (okay, BUY a pie...or two or three), force the kids to say 5 things they are thankful for before they dive into the jello, etc.--but the day sneaks up on me and I am unprepared and unmotivated. Today followed the same pattern but I am thankful that you can order Pizza Hut online (avoiding the 16-year-old who is trying to text her boyfriend while she takes your order) and have it delivered for a modest $1.75+tip. Tonight I even splurged and got Hershey's Chocolate Dunkers. (Honestly, you MUST try them.)

Other things I am thankful for today:
* My mom and dad called me tonight. I love them.
* I'm going to visit my sister on Thursday. I can already feel a belly laugh coming on.
* I've got Thursday and Friday OFF.
* I cleaned out a few kitchen cupboards tonight. Love that.
* My kids are great. I had a rough spell with them today but they still love me and I still like them. They make a lot of things harder but everything worth it.
* Sweet Brent keeps trying to keep me level. It's a hard job!

Pumpkin Patch Partyland!

Last Thursday I was able to go with Alec and my niece Skylar on a Jelly Bean Junction (or as Alec often calls it, Belly Jean Dunction) field trip to a pumpkin patch. Sky and Alec enjoyed a tractor-trailer tour to view rows and rows of growing veggies, choosing a perfect pumpkin, slipping down giant haystack slides, riding on a cow and pig barrel train, playing in a corn kernel (in lieu of sand) box, and running around like crazy.

Alec is such a fun boy. His exuberance for life is unmatched and Brent aptly calls him a 'good celebrator'. His characteristic fist pump and exclamatory "YESSSS!" are my favorite. I chose between getting a pedicure for my sore marathon feet or going with him on his field trip. My toenail polish is peeling, my heels need scrubbing, my feet are still sore but my spirit is full. Time and energy well-spent.

Weekend in St. George

Here are the promised pics from our fun marathon weekend in St. George. (Two of them have numbers on them because I snatched them from my sis-in-law's blog.)
Top to bottom, left to right:

• A cute little lizard we caught in the garage--quite a project for 11 minutes of admiring it in a plastic cup before letting it go.
• Alec, cousin Sky, and Kenna ready to go swimming in the clubhouse pool. Sky and Kenna are sporting free sunglasses I snagged from the SGM Expo.
• 12-year-old Todd ready to go to his first General Priesthood session. He was given two assignments--stay awake and keep Grandpa Z. and Brent awake! Mission accomplished.
• Alec and cousin Skylar sporting the awesome rubber boots we bought at Target. He's loving them and wears them all over the place. They're good conversation starters.
• The marathoners PRE-race...hence the SMILES.
• The marathoners POST-race...hence the SMILES. (The during shots were a different story!)
• Todd's family birthday celebration. He's blowing out candles on the delicious frozen Oreo cake from his grandparents. Mmmmm Oreo cake.
• Three generations of Zimmerman Priesthood. (...and big brains, corny jokes, obsessive computer hobbies, etc.)
  

Family 5K

In spite of the cold intermittent rain/snow, our little family trekked to Hill Air Force Base for a free (with canned food) run. Alec and cousin Sky ran a kids K. Alec only walked once and told me 2/3 the way through, "I think I'm gunna win." He came in 2nd to last with raised hands to the cheers and told me, "I winned!!...And you losed." Nice.

Todd ran the 5K with Brent and bested his previous record by a minute. He was pretty happy about it. Kenna ran her FIRST 5K with me while I pushed Alec in a stroller. She had a great attitude all the way but admitted that it was longer than she expected. Her sprint to the finish was beautiful.

Exercising are not habits that I developed when I was young. I still struggle to get going in the morning but am happy during and after a run. I hope my kiddos learn to love using their bodies and staying active.

Cute Blog Backgrounds

You may have noticed that I have changed my blog background yet again. My sister-in-law turned me onto a blog that posts template codes. It's darling. Check it out.
Delightful Dots.

I also just learned that if you post about her site and designs, she'll make you a cute header! Mine is on it's way!

Halloween's Coming!

We're getting excited.
It took me a few years to learn to wait until the day before or even day of Halloween to purchase treats. One year we polished off 3 batches of candy before we even chose costumes!

Todd was too cool and 'grown up' to go last year so I'm guessing he's not going this year either. If he were a candy fiend he'd realize the joy this holiday brings. Kenna's still deciding. I'm crossing my fingers that she'll choose Todd's old astronaut costume...She's cute in anything and I'm going for a subliminal prod to for her intellectual self-image. Alec is borrowing a fire-fighter costume from my sister-in-law. He's wasn't really game until I told him our potted flowers were on fire and he needed to put them out with the hose. He loved it.

I Love Your Blog Award

A cutie-patootie friend and knitter extraordinaire was kind enough to give me this sweet award with the instruction to pass it on to four other people. It was extra hard to choose from among the blogs I frequent actively and as a lurker. Here are the ones I cannot overlook:

1. Atkin Misadventures
Quincey and I have been friends forever. She is crazy funny and can always make me smile. She is the picture of acceptance and peace. She parents her two boys with grace and a sense of humor and should be in the running for wife-of-the-year. I love reading her blog because I love her.

2. Living the Dream
This blog was belongs to a smart, talented, sporty girl whom I met while I worked with the Young Women in my church. She is a good example of seizing the moment and daring to try new things. Reading about her activities and life reminds me of how fun your early 20's are. I'm glad she's livin' it up!

3. Seriously So Blessed
I can't exactly follow the instructions here because I don't even know who writes this hilarious blog. It is borderline sacrilegious so I apologize if I offend anyone with my recommendation but my sarcastic side thrives on a little dose of this blog each day.

4. Kenna
Let the nepotism roll. This is my 8-year-old daughter's private blog. She is the princess of creativity and this is a great outlet for her. Kenna started her blog and learned how to use the PhotoScape software to fancy up her pictures before I did. Her last post was using the letters of her full name to describe herself. Here it is:

kenna marleen zimmerman
artsy Kid
dEll compter tech
bedtime Not too late
Nerd--it's a good thing
Alec my brother

future moM
getting smArter
going cRazy
Looking up to mom
getting brightEr
2 brothErs
No sisters

kenna marleen Zimmerman
stIll livin'
one awesome faMily
same Middle name as mom
8 years alivE
famous in the futuRe
one awesome Mom
Awesome grades
3 Names

If you are one of the aforementioned winners of my affection and admiration, here are your instructions:
1. Post the "I Love Your Blog Award" blue ribbon.
2. Add a link to the person who recommened you, and say something nice about them.
3. Name four fellow bloggers for this award.
4. Add links to the recipients.
5. Let the people that you name know.

It's kind of like a chain letter but in a non-you-will-have-bad-luck-and-die sort of way. :D Enjoy.

St. George Marathon Summary

26.2 miles (42+km for you Canadians) is a long way to run. I read two posters along the course that summed it up:

"Running is a mental sport..."
"And you're all insane."

Today was unexpectedly cold which would have been a giant blessing for running in St. George but the cools temps were caused by constant rain and wind.
Too much RAIN
+ too much weight GAINed
+ not enough TRAINing
=one hard day!

I owe the idea for this post (and half the entries and jokes) to my sis-in-law and partner in CRAZY, Andrea. I love her.

1-beautiful medal.
2-(+) hours too long to qualify for the Boston Marathon--not that I will ever be nuts enough to attempt that.
3-masochistic runners--Brent, Andrea, and ME.
4-in the morning we woke up to participate in this torture.
5-anxious kids waiting (a loooong time) for parents.
6-blisters on my feet. Ouchy.
7-areas of my body that are chafed.
I'll spare you a more detailed description.
8-times I remembered to look at the incredible scenery.
9-times I laughed at Brent's joke. "This is the longest I've been this wet since I was in the womb."
10-items of rain-soaked clothing.
11-popsicles we snagged for the kids afterwards. Turns out they had lots of left-overs...
possibly because it was raining, windy, and cold.
12-soaking socks and shoes.
13-Forum Flyers I saw. (Friends I know from a running forum that Brent's dad sponsors.)
14-mph head wind the WHOLE way.
15-minutes in the HOT shower, but I'm still freezing.
16-weeks of training (that I was supposed to do but obviously didn't take very seriously).
17-pounds I need to lose before I attempt this again.
18-sore body parts.
19-family SGM finishes...for now.
20-miles in the pouring rain. No, not sprinkling, POURING.
21-high fives from cute spectator kids.
22-times I thought I might die.
23-times I wanted to die.
24-drinks along the route.
25-minutes spent at the Expo.
Todd won an awesome watch with the SGM logo on it.
26-songs I heard on my mp3 player. I didn't use it much and was extra glad that it didn't short out with all the rain.
.2-seconds to decide to run another one sometime.

I'll post pictures when I get home...and after I photoshop a smile onto my pained face.

Todd Turns Twelve Today

12 years of marveling at the first miracle in my life.
11 slides in the PowerPoint presentation of your District
prize-winning Science project.
10-ish bedtime. Waaaay too late!
9 items of clothing on your bedroom floor right now. Arrrgh!
8 years-old when you started consistently
beating me at Mario Kart Double Dash.
7 days between your and Davion's
(best friend and cousin) birthdays.
6 grades in school winning the hearts of all some
of your teachers.
5-5K races run.
(I forgive you for sprinting past me at the end each time.)
4 years of piano lessons. Keep it up, Kid. Chicks dig musicians.
3 terms of perfect grades last year! WOW!!
2 siblings that want to be as cool as you are.
1 Great kid. I love you, Todd.