I don't wanna grow up!

Are you an adult yet? I am starting to wonder when the adult thing actually happens. I guess technically, you are considered an "adult" when you turn 18. I have heard the brain doesn't actually fully mature until around age 25. Scary thought - I had two kids by then. I am wondering about this because I have seemingly remained a mental adolescent. Last night, I ran over to Target to pick up a prescription. I had Josh and his friend Konner with me. We had some time to kill, so we started walking around looking at the stuff at Target. Josh and Konner thought it would be super fun to bounce the big beach balls around in Target while we browsed. I was sort of embarrassed, but more amused by their behavior. We sat in the garden furniture section, shooting the breeze and playing with the beach balls. Then we strolled over to the glass and breakables section to chat with some friends we ran into. While I was talking to the friends, I could hear Josh and Konner bouncing the balls through the aisles. Every once in a while, I would hear a thud or a crash or a crash and the inevitable hurried whisper and quiet laughter. I continued chatting, just sort of rolling my eyes, while the boys continued their shenanigans. After a couple more minutes I spotted a beach ball overhead and then a startling crash. Then, I heard the muted laughter and around the corner came a shame-faced Josh without his toy. Apparently, he and Konner were trying to bounce the balls high enough to land on top of the floor lamps that were on display on the top shelf of the aisle. I guess a target "security guard" caught them and confiscated the beach balls. Now, the disconcerting part of this story is that I found the whole thing quite hilarious. I laughed my guts out. What is wrong with this picture? The next thing I know, Konner is handing me a box of xtra large ultra ribbed condoms and asking in very loud voice if I would buy them for him. Josh was on the floor laughing and I wasn't far behind. I think I am appalled at my own self. I keep waiting for maturity to come, and I have realized that I am quite possibly less mature than I was ten years ago. For example; I still like a nice cold Big Gulp or cherry Slurpee, I love to listen to very loud music, I bought an issue of J-14 the other day and I have looked at it more than my kids (mostly because of Zac Efron), I still like to watch music videos, I sometimes don't really want to go to church, I would sleep in till noon every day if I could, I have read the Twilight series more than once and finally I have seen and enjoyed watching High School Musical 3 more than I care to admit. Also, I giggle with me kids when they do something not so appropriate in public venues. The only things that really have changed since those teenage days? I have gone from a size 4 to a much, much larger size, I am responsible for five or so other live human beings and instead of Coke, it's Diet Pepsi in my Double Big Gulp. The more things change, the more they stay the same, I guess.

And another thing.....

Warning: Please read below before you read above. It won't make sense if you don't.

And another thing....this "guy" on the phone was telling me that my claim was "coded" with a mental health code and that my insurance doesn't cover mental health issues. WHAT?!? I am so screwed. No coverage for the crazies? No wonder so many of us are wandering around with swirling eyes, dirty shirts and matted hair. No one is paying for our "Mental Health" issues. BTW - the "claim" that was denied was the one that found us in the ER with Erin after she fainted and had a seizure. Mental health issue? I don't think so. OH-and guess what else? The Ambulance Ride was luckily covered at 90% because it was $1469.36. Oh, and I had better get that payment in ASAP (and the guy at the ambulance place said "aaaasap", didn't say A-S-A-P like normal people.) because it is past due now, eventhough I just got the bill. I wish I could run my family like this. Passive/aggressive business practices...hmmmm...wonder if I could write a book about it and make a zillion dollars. Then Erin could have all the "mental health" issues she wanted. "Hey, I don't feel like taking my spelling test this morning, I guess I'll have a little fainting spell and maybe a small seizure. Nothing major, just a small problem" Sorry - I am just kind of bugged.

Manners...a thing of the past

Where are people's manners these days? It seems like anything goes. I guess I am not the best one to preach about this particular subject, but a recent experience prompts me to be more aware of my behavior..... So, I am on the phone with this guy at the Select Med Claims Department. I called to ask about a claim that had not been paid and he went into his very complex and somewhat intimidating diatribe about deductibles and codes and stuff that really just goes over my head. Like I care anyway! Just pay the dang claim!!!! Anyway, after about 10 minutes of this one-way conversation, I'm thinking "Wow. Select Med has really got some intelligent and well versed people on staff. This guy really knows what he is doing!" Just then, the guy says "Excuse me, I HAVE GOT TO BURP" and then proceeds to belch, if not directly into the phone, then somewhere in the vicinity. Hey - doesn't this guy realize that THIS CALL IS BEING RECORDED FOR TRAINING PURPOSES!?! Is this what they are training people to do now? This infraction should at least entitle me to having my claim paid post-haste!!! All credibility went out the window. Come on, burping into the phone? Next thing you know, he will be saying something like, "Sorry, I just threw up in my mouth." or maybe "Wow, that was a stinky one." Now, like I said, I am not really one to talk about manners; I know how loud and obnoxious I can be, however, I would never (purposely) belch into someones ear on the phone (unless it was one of my brothers on the receiving end.)! Not to disparage my children at all, but the other thing that bugs me is the public flatulence so often demonstrated in my family. When did it become socially acceptable to fart in front of others? My children are actually quite proud of their accomplishments in the gas-passing arena. My son's favorite saying is "Everyone likes their own brand." Who is his mother? What has society come to? I am seriously disgusted.

random pics

Just some random pics. I am trying to learn my camera, but it is a lot harder than it looks to take really good pictures. I wanted to show off my kiddos a little bit, too. Josh and Carley are going to complain bitterly about the lack of pictures of them when they are older. They will not let me take pictures of them! It's frustrating. Erin is starting to get camera shy now that she has her braces. I get lots and lots of pictures of Lizzy and Autumn. They are always jumping in front of the camera. Anyway, enjoy.

snow angel

This is my surprised face.

This is my sad face.

Crazy Kim and Carley

Happy New Year!!!!!

my little eskimo!

the hair - yikes

Aunt Emily and cousin Tyler (the menace)

Erin and cousin Savanna - bff's

Lizzy and cousin Colton - my personal favorite photography subjects

New Feature on the Blog

I have included a new feature on this blog. I will be listing all the books I read and some that Mike or the kids read with our insight(s). I just wanted to keep track of the time I waste reading trash. Mike and the kids are much more discriminating. If anyone has any suggestions for reads that are not to deep, yet not too stupid, please feel free to suggest...And if anyone of you says "The Scriptures" I will have to kill you. Just kidding...those are daily (or sometimes weekly) thing.

two 1/2 weeks later....

Finally - back into the routine of school. I'm truly sorry if I scared anyone with my last post. But, it was either rant and rave, or end up in maximum security at the point. Thankfully, there are those out there who commiserate. Thanks for all your support. Moving on....Guess what?!?! Mike and I were asked to be Ma and Pa Kettle for trek for our stake. Yikes! I will be suffering along with the Vaders and the Arnells, who are also going. I am already plotting some strategies as far as smuggling contraband and we have scoped out the situation with the children. Admittedly, I did squeeze some bi-ceps this last Sunday and made some mental notes as to who had really strong looking calves. The following is list of items I will be sewing into the lining of my dress - like anyone is going to question if I am following the rules:

1. my ipod
2. unisom tablets
3. toothpaste
4. heart rate monitor (I have to know how many calories I am expending)
5. feather bed (not quite sure how this will look, but am willing to give it a g0)

These are the things I cannot live without. I will even fore go bringing deodorant, if I can have my ipod. I don't think the Pioneers would even think to begrudge me my luxury items. After all, and ipod is so small...it can't weigh more than a few ounces. It's not like one little ipod will deter us from our journey. Mike would also like to smuggle, however his list is quite a lot shorter:

1. Duct tape

Do you know what can be done with duct tape? I believe someone wrote "10,000 uses for Duct Tape." They probably don't even know about the existence of Pioneer Trek! We could probably come up with at least a thousand more uses!! Maybe we will write a book at some point entitled "What You Can Do With a Roll of Duct Tape, One Hundred Feet of Rope, Four Blue Tarps, Ten Kids and the Great Outdoors" I know we would sell at least ten copies. Anyway...

Someone mentioned that we will be able to pick our family name for the trek. The person who said this had some sappy story about walking in the footsteps of this really awesome family/person and that this person was an inspiration, blah, blah, blah...I'm thinking we need to pick a name a bit more relevant to this day, to this generation, to inspire us all to continue on. The following is a list of my top five...I am taking comments and/or votes.

1. the Steelflex Family
2. the Diddy's
3. the Seacrest Family
4. the Jonas Family
5. the Palin Family

Suggestions will be considered.

Hope you are well and happy and that life is treating you well - if not, blog about it and get it off your chest. See ya!