I couldn't resist posting this great poem. It is just too true. Although, I have to admit, I think I know a couple of these women and I can't figure out how they do it, but I do admire them.

Remember when we really thought it was possible???



Remember when we really thought it was possible?
Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
It's easy!" she said and then she dropped dead.

We took these pics the other day at a park. Chloe is the most unparticipating pictureee I have ever known. I finally got this fake smile, but only because Jeb did it first. We also fed the ducks until some cranky old lady pulled over and told us we weren't supposed to do that. Blah, Blah, Blah. What a miser. There were a whole bunch of new baby ducks and Chloe just about went nuts.

What kids think they know

Last night around the fire Craig and I were talking to Jeb about what to do if he got lost, actually Craig was telling Jeb what to do if he got lost in the wilderness and how to follow the norht star. What I wanted to know is what Jeb was doing in the middle of the wilderness by himself being five and all, but I was just looked at like and idiot to have asked such a silly question. Anyway, the conversation shortly moved to town, Walmart in fact. Craig was asking Jeb what he could say to someone if he was lost from his mom or dad. The conversation between the "policeman" and Jeb went like this.
"I'm lost, could you help me find my mom/dad"
"What is your mom's name?"
"Valerie Broyles"
"What is you dad's name?
"Uncle Craig"
"No Jeb, what is your dad's name, it's not uncle craig?"
"Umm, I don't know"
"My name is just plain Craig"
"What is your phone number?
"I know that it's easy (like why are you asking me such an easy question)."
"Well?"
"2"
"No, that only works on our phones"
"What, that's dumb."
"Where does your dad work"
"Where he takes his gun and laser."
"No, but where does he work"
"He fights and hunts bad guys"
"Who does he work for? BBBOORDDD"
"Border Patrol"
"Where's do you live?"
"From the park, you go this way and that way and this way (while waving his arm from side to side)"
"What street?"
"All I know is Kachina"

As you can see we have not done a very good job preparing our son for kindergarten or walmart shopping for that matter. I'm sure glad we asked.


Now a funny little story about Chloe. She wanted to go swim with Jeb and his friend, so she brought me her swimming suit and I was playing with her so I just put the staps on her shoulders so her suit was just hanging down her back. She said thank you and started to walk away when she realized it wasn't quite right and she says "oh, man!" and comes back. So I took her suit and put her arms through the straps again only this time on the front. Again she started walking away and again turned back and said, "oh, shoot" and patted her head to show me I needed to put it on the right way, so I turned it upside down and put it on like a hat. This time she looked very seriously at me and said "mom, top it(stop it) and proceeded to tell me in chinese that it needed to cover these pointing parts of her body. It was quite the discussion. What a cutie.