Grow Garden Grow! Stop Garden Stop!

For some reason it is really easy to have a garden here in Arizona. Typically I have a brown thumb (the opposite of green) but each year we have a lot of fun with growing a garden. Last year it was tons and tons of broccoli and some skinny carrots and over-ripe cantalope. This year we went for sunflowers, watermelon and cucumber, and oh did we have success! One thing I am going to do differently from now on is limit the number of seeds that go in to the ground when the kids plant. Historically they plant the whole package of seeds regardless of the amount of space we have and I've learned that's not so smart. But it is exciting! Here are a few of the cucumbers we've harvested... little beauties aren't they?!

And call me crazy but I truly never knew how sunflower seeds were made. Our sunflowers went up like shots, about 10 feet tall, and I think that is where the story "Jack and the Bean Stock" came from. All we could see out the kitchen window were these big green shoots... But when I noticed the middles of the flowers turning into seeds I was shocked! Probably 1000 seeds per flower!

As soon as I found the seeds beginning to fall to the ground I sent Luke out with a wooden ax and told him to take care of the things... he imagined the Giant coming down the stock for him and had a great time cutting them down! It was cute.

First Solar

Many people are unfamiliar with the company that Tyler has gone to work for and what exactly First Solar is or does. He had me read a couple press releases tonight and I found a good summary paragraph that I wanted to share. I found it informative for me, at least.



About First Solar
First Solar, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSLR) manufactures solar modules with an advanced thin film semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive PV solutions that significantly reduce solar electricity costs. By enabling clean, renewable electricity at competitive prices, First Solar provides an economic and environmentally responsible alternative to existing peaking fossil-fuel electric generation. First Solar PV power plants operate with no water, air emissions or waste stream. First Solar set the benchmark for environmentally responsible product life cycle management by introducing the industry's first comprehensive collection and recycling program for solar modules. From raw material sourcing through end-of-life collection and recycling, First Solar is focused on creating cost-effective renewable energy solutions that protect and enhance the environment.

Prison

I spent last evening at a local prison called traffic school and had quite an interesting time! Upon entering the 20 year old hotel-turned-traffic school building, I noticed that the air was warm and smelly and that there were way too many people in line than should have had to stay in such close quarters for so long. We began at 4:30 and were't supposed to end until 9:30. The instructor was about 70 and on a major power trip, but he had to be because most in the room were thugs who were giving him lip and he had to make sure we all knew he was boss. Lots of rules were given, NO cell phones, NO other reading materials, NO getting up except to use the bathroom ONCE and NO talking to your neighbors. I was smiling inside. I felt like this guy was a jailer.

Long story short some lady choked on her water about two hours in and got up to step out the back door because she was coughing so much. He chased her down with his finger pointed and said "Uhh.. unless you want to retake this class I suggest you step back inside NOW!" Everyone started looking around like, "you've got to be kidding!" After hashing the details about DUIs for about an hour (which is so applicable to me)we had break at about 7:00pm. Many went out for a smoke and I got the only thing I could out of the vending maching, Rootbeer and fishy crackers. It was a treat.

We resumed 10 minutes and not a second later, and soon heard a huge monsoon rolling outside. Before we knew it rain, wind and hail were coming like crazy! A tree had uprooted outside the door, water was coming in through the doorways, and the power went out! But we weren't to move. "If anybody chooses to leave this building they are looking at paying another fee and taking this class all over again!" The man was nuts!

We sat in the pitch black, 100 degree weather, parking lot flooding as we went, and learned about tailgating, HOV lanes and checking tire pressure. Classic. I couldn't believe what I was sitting through. The best part was that everyone started pulling out their cell phones to text or use the light and our instructor was clueless. At one point he saw a guy with his phone and said "oh, now don't think that just because the lights are out you can start using your phones again!" We all looked around like, "is this a joke?! Everybody is using them!" I guess he thought we all happened to have flashlights on us!

When we left at 9:20 (he let us out ten minutes early) I felt like I had tasted a prison for the first time: Treated like a number who was doing time for a crime I shouldn't have committed. 55 in a 45. I wish I could tell you that I won't be doing that again...

Fun Friday nights

Recently Tyler and I came up with something really fun to do with our family on Friday nights. With temperatures at 110+ these days our outdoor options are limited, so we've been going to the recreation center. For a couple dollars each we can put the kids in the kids club, which they like, leave them for an hour and a half and enjoy some time together, which we like! Lately we have been playing raquetball (I'm sure very amusing for those who see me "play") but this Friday we played one on one basketball and worked out a bit. The kids club closes at 8:00 so we usually get them and stay to climb the rock wall or run the track for a while. It is so cute to watch the kids run with each other. All in all it is about a $20 night after going out for ice-cream and it makes everybody happy...the kids get out, we do something as a family and Ty and I get some time hanging out alone too. I recommend the idea to friends here in town and let me know if you want to join us. We are looking for a few couples to try walleyball with us! :) You know you want to.

Back to Life, Back to Reality.

What's that song, "back to life... back to reality..."? I have been singing it to myself now for days, ever since we got back home. We arrived home about 2am Sunday morning and noticed upon a quick check of the place that our pool was half empty! In the dark it was hard to tell, but when we stepped outside we saw water all over the yard and knew something bad had happened. We still aren't sure exactly what went wrong... we are working on that. But that was a little nerve-wracking to think that if we'd chosen to come back Sunday the whole thing might have drained... Yesterday I came down with an UTI and it killed me last night. These things are miserable. We did get our new patio cover built today and it looks great. I will post pictures tomorrow. And poor Jakey keeps asking for "Damma" (grandma) and "Shelly" and "Maddie" and "Riley". He woke up from nap today "Damma, where are you?!" It is cute, but sad that we can't see them more regularly... Oh well. Someday maybe. It was such a fun trip.

Timpanogas Caves

Michelle and I and our cousin Mikey hiked to the Timp. Caves yesterday. I had debated about taking Luke and Ashley but was very happy I chose not to. I came to find out that the hike is 1.5 miles long but that the elevation increase is 1,065 feet. It is pretty much up, up, up. At the top they compared it to climbing the stairs of a 100 story building. It was really fun though, and I am SORE today. I was glad to have some time to spend up in the mountain air doing something active. The cave was pretty cool too - cool to see all the stalagmytes and stalagtytes (now I know cave talk)and cool to the touch at only 43 degrees. I had done this once before about ten years ago when I came to BYU for Cross-country camp and I hope to do it again in ten years. Then I will bring my older kids with me - Luke will be 15, Ashley 14 and Jake almost 12. That's fun to imagine. Me, Mike and Michelle at 6,738 elevation
It's hard to tell but the top of the mountain behind me is far across a valley.. this just shows how high up we were.
One area of the middle cave.
They call this stalagtyte The Heart of Timpanogas because it looks like one expecially when they dim all the lights and show only a red light behind it.

"Diet Coke Mode"

I'm coining the phrase 'diet coke mode' this summer because it has good meaning in my life. It seems whenever life is great, I am on vacation, doing something fun, or spending time with people I really like I am sipping a diet coke. Were I not Mormon it might probably be something else, but for me, a refreshing 'D.C. on the rocks' is all I need!:) So I have been in Diet Coke Mode -and still am- for over a month now. Really since June 5th which is when Tyler had his appendectomy and Shauna came to town. It has been tons of fun... but I am beginning to feel like it all may be a bit over-indulgent. We all know how it is: eating out, staying up late (it isn't dark here until 10 so we are all up very late), enjoying a treat here and there and everywhere and spending money every hour...
I think we all have times where life seems challenging and mundane and its tempting to blow our brains out (figuratively, not literally) so its nice when there are occasions like this. But its a good thing this doesn't last forever.... because if it did I would weigh in at 3hunskey and my kids would be under-nourished, overly tired messes...

So here's to enjoying some great Diet Coke time - but never having too much... I'll be home in a week.

Our Big Summer Vacation

This week we have been in Utah surrounded by family. I have barely had a moment to relax, let alone think much about the computer. The 4th of July festivities are over now and things are settling down. For my sake, I want to jot down the highlights of the past seven days...

Friday- Tyler and I loaded up and headed out. We set a record getting here.. 11.5 hours with only one stop in Paige. The kids were great and we were all happy that Jake was not in the car with us (he caught a flight with grandma a few days earlier!)


Saturday- We had the 'Mugleston Family Reunion' kick-off at a park. Lots of good food and fun getting reacquainted with my dad's side. I felt very happy that we were able to get such a good turn out with people coming in from Denver and California.


Sunday- We had the second day of the reunion at a beautiful home in Park City. My aunt Shonnie had a family name questionnaire prepared with questions like "where does the name Mugleston originate?" and "what was grandma's nick-name in high school?". It was great. Then she had us all draw a name of a family member and share a favorite memory or story about that person. It was wonderful the way it brought a sweet feeling into the room. We took a big group picture afterward and ended the reunion without a hitch (thankfully!).
The red-head cousins!
The toe-head cousins!That night I returned home to the Hillstead's for a girls night, dinner and games while the boys went up to the mountains.

Monday- I went on a morning run with Heidi and Ali... and laughed at how times have changed! Headed up to the mountains for the second annual Hillstead/Mugleston campout. Foil dinners, smores, a little bit of cool rain ... and a LONG night sleeping with Jacob in the front seat of my car (3:30 on). At times I felt like camping must be a form of torture for mothers and children, but when the sun came up all was well. Another fun memory.

Tuesday- A necessary regroup morning. Everyone napped as much as possible that day and Nana took the cousins to ice-cream. Some went off to Lagoon, an amusement park, that night, but we didn't. Ty and I got the kds down early and had a nice quiet dinner over at Todd and Natalie's. It was a treat to have them to ourselves, which happens rarely.

Wednesday- Shauna took all the girls to breakfast and a pedicure, her treat. We love every chance we get to dash away together and missed Katie!!
We had a good time relaxing and chatting while the boys at home hung out with the kids. Came home and sent them off for a game of golf when we got back. Everyone was happy then. We went swimming that afternoon and I we couldn't get over how my little Jakey is swimming. He is crazy in the water, and even tries to dive! I wish I could get a video on here...

Thursday- We packed up from Shauna's house and headed down to my mom's which is about a half hour away. Geared up for the second family reunion planned for my mom's side this time- 'The Goesch Family Reunion'. We held the kick-off at the same park as last week. This time there were T-shirts, different faces and wiffle ball.

Friday- 4th of July 5K Freedom Run at 7am. A big group of the family ran... it was a beautiful Utah morning and I am happy we did it. Finished up with a sprint to the finish with Tyler, my uncle, and cousin... I about passed out in the shoot. :)
We all went back to grandma's for her famous Swedish pancakes breakfast and then off again to Seven Peaks water park. Spent the day there, few crowds surprisingly, and the kids thought they'd died and gone to heaven. Lots of fun slides and things to do. Came home for naps and later enjoyed a 'Hometown USA' street fireworks party... Luke was happy lighting them, Ashley was happy tasting all the snacks and Jacob was a little nervous and clingy.

The show was great until the police came about the neighbor's illegal fireworks that had been purchased in Wyoming. Shucks... sometimes simple is better.

Today- Today we are relaxing and going to have the last day of our reunion. Grandma is taking everyone to lunch at Brick Oven and tonight we are having the family talent show. Tyler and I have a little lip-sync up our sleeves which is all we ever do. I am looking forward to it, he's not so much.
People start heading home Sunday and the fun will come to an end. Only a month before school starts again in Arizona. It's been a good summer.
Update: This is us in the big show singing and dancing to Sergio Mendez. We are the biggest dorks in the family but good for some laughs.

What could be more precious?

Last night I climbed into bed and found a letter tucked under my pillow from Lukey. It was the cutest thing ever:

Mom and Shelly have a blog.

Just wanted to let my friends know that my little sister Michelle has started a blog for herself and my mom now. She has a great sense of humor like my other sister Maddie who also has a funny blog. Her are the links if interested:

www.muglestonpaige.blogspot.com

www.maddiemugleston.blogspot.com

Elder Mugleston - Five months out

I just received these pictures in the mail from my cute brother Drew. He has been serving in Baltimore for three months now, on his mission since February, and has already gained 28 pounds!! Doesn't he look like a hunk of burning love?! Seriously, I think he looks more like my dad than ever now!
The weight gain is a good thing, he was too thin when he left home... he is so happy and healthy out there. His spanish is coming along and he has met so many wonderful people.

Got myself a ticket

My recent luck continued last night when I got myself a ticket for going 55 in a 45... I'm out traffic school and $120 bucks now and hate to think about what I could have done with that money if I was going to be completely irresponsible with it. Half a plane ticket to Seattle... clothes for our upcoming trip.... a pedicure and haircut...who knows. My mom (who has already attended traffic school in many areas) was there by my side during the citation and told me not to think about it that way, "It's too painful" she warned. We were on our way to Baskin-robbins when the cop got me. It was 111 degrees outside and I was almost there. I should have tried to pay him off with a double scoop, my treat. Shoot.

Brave little Ashley

Ashley had her colonoscopy Monday and I am telling you it was horrible. The procedure is really not that big a deal but the prep for it of having to clean one completely out is tough, for an adult, let alone a four year old. Like I mentioned before she hadn't eaten since 5pm Saturday night and her procedure was at 11:15 Monday. I was dying... A mother cannot watch her baby starve!!

All went well and they got a couple biopsies to test whether she has a food allergy or anything else that we need to look into. Basically we are trying to make sure nothing is wrong because she hasn't put on weight in about a year (she has grown taller but not wider!) and she goes potty several times a day. So...The top two terrible moments of the day were 1) waiting to be admitted took forever and every minute seemed torturous with how hungry and weak she was at that point and 2) when she came out of anestegia and was so hungry and thirsty but kept throwing up whenever she drank something. I felt SO bad!

The top one (and only) good moment of the day was 1) while waiting in pre-op I heard all the nurses trying to get their post-op patients to "give me a little gas!".... It was like, "Bob?! You got some air in there for me?! Come on, hold your breath and push push push!" I was dying and hoping so much that I would not hear what came out. It was bad... who would ever want to be a doctor that works with that end of the body??! It seemed everyone there was either a child or OLD!

At this point Ashley is back to her usual self of turning away food and taking little bites of everything. The weekend was probably harder on me that it was on her. We should have some results in a couple weeks.

Father's Day 2008

Father's day was special this year because Tyler's parents were in town. It was very nice of his dad to come, even for the short weekend so that we could celebrate with him in person. We got Ty an out door speaker from Brookstone for the pool when we have our family swims on Saturday and stuff. Tyler is SUCH a great dad (and being a great dad also makes him an even greater husband!)... we are very lucky! The card I got him says it best:

The world needs more daddies who nurture and care,
that families can count on to always be there...
That mommas can love on when living gets stressed,
that babies can cry on when mamas need rest...
That daughters can call on to share tears and laughter,
that sons can fall back on, respect and take after...
The world needs more daddies with hearts good and true.
The world needs more daddies exactly like you!

HAPPY FATHER' DAY!

Liquid Diet Woes

Poor Ashley is on a liquid diet for 48 hours right now. Her gastroenterologist wants to do an upper and lower GI scope tomorrow morning to make sure all is well in the digestion department. So she has been on all clear fluids since last night, plus the laxatives and it is just SAD. She is so hungry this morning, it hasn't felt much like Father's Day. Tyler is more concerned for her than himself...

She is a trooper and will go under general anesthesia at 11 in the morning and be home and eating by dinner time! What a seriously weird week it has been for me, an emotional roller coaster with Tyler's surgery, the dumb kittens and this... I hope next week is more normal.

Movie at the Park

This Saturday, June 21st Tyler and I are in charge of a ward activity, movie at the park. We've got the screen, projector, popcorn and icee machine, etc arranged, but I am having trouble deciding on a movie! I have a list here that I want my mom friends (or not) to vote on for me in the next couple of days. The movie has to be "G"-rated and maybe animated, maybe not.

The Parent Trap (the original version)
Pinocchio (original)
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (original)
American Tale
Charlotte's Web

I'm trying to go for one that everyone does not already have embedded into their brains (ie, toy story..) If you have another suggestion, let me know. Thanks!

A Shutter at the Shelter...

So last night as the evening drew on we slowly got closer and closer with the kittens. We watched them play at a distance, then began to pet their backs, and by bedtime we were wrapping their little fuzzy bodies in hand towels, holding them like ice-cream cones and petting them in front of the T.V. With every passing hour they were getting more accustomed to us.

This morning the kids played with them and then we packed them up to go (again) to a shelter. After driving around looking for the place and with gas prices the way they are I pulled into the parking lot saying to Shauna, "this time NO is seriously not an option for me!"

They told me they were accepting kittens but said, when I asked about their fate, "you can do the math... we get 15 adoptions a day and between 50 and 100 cats dropped off everyday..." Ugh. We waited in line to drop them off at the garage there and started getting some serious second thoughts. This was terrible! I asked a staff worker if she thought they were unusually cute and wanted to hear that they would be adopted but she looked at them and said, "Actually, they are probably going to be put down today because they don't weigh enough to be neutered and adopted out. I about died. It's not like I like cats AT ALL, and I just kind-of started liking these kittens, but dropping them off to a certain death?! I may as well have left them on the side of some road.

I marched in to talk to another lady and told her my feelings on the situation... She happened to be in charge of kitten fostering or something and said she would take our kittens home today to be fostered for a couple months, until they get bigger to come back. Maybe she was lying, maybe not, but I will never have to know. So after some tears of joy shed, we watched them be vaccinated and kenneled then off we went to meet Ty for lunch feeling very relieved.

Talk about draining! I guess to appreciate any of these details you have to understand the problem we've been having in this neighborhood with stray cats and too much reproduction. It's sick and it's a serious problem. So let's hope our kitties 'boots', 'smokey', 'little sugar' and 'spookey' (naming them was our first mistake) are still alive and well tonight. Shauna is a saint for doing all this with me.

Kitten Kraziness

Yesterday morning while Shauna was doing some weeding in our garden (she is one amazing woman, all that she is doing for us this week!) a little kitten came out to her from behind our shed. She held it and later told me how cute he was. I couldn't believe it because I have put the fear of death in my children about the wild cats that live around here. I said "you touched it?!"
She quickly convinced me that I could easily catch the little guys and take them to a shelter so that they would be out of my yard and neighborhood for good. So this morning we set out on our task with a can of tuna... and had success. I was totally surprised at how cute and sweet the kittens were, and that the mother was no where to be found.

After spending an hour or so with them we loaded up the car and took them to a near-by animal shelter. I was feeling so great about the process at this point, but was told by the lady at the shelter that they were full and they would not take the kittens. What?! This was not an option for me. 20 minutes later I was driving away with the four kitty's, a new carrier, cat food, and a litter box that they gave me. Totally Unbelievable. I came home about in tears not knowing what to do with them and NOT wanting to let them go outside again (four cats multiply into 20 cats before you know it)... but Shauna got me through it. A little Chipotle for lunch and a sense of humor can go a long way.

At this point I have them in the laundry room and we are going to take them into the Humane Society in Phoenix tomorrow morning... unless any of my readers want a new pet between now and then. I know my friend Jill really wished she could have taken one or two home, she is such a cat lover... Kidding. Tyler is such a great husband. He definately does not like the idea of the cats but he has been supportive to me in my effort to make this happen today and has been fine with having them here.... At a distance that is!

It seems like it's always something new with me... sometimes I feel like Amelia Bedelia.

Today

Luke had another swim meet today and did just what he wanted... received second place in the freestyle and third in the backstroke! His ribbon collection is hanging in his room now with Blue, Red and White! Very good.

Yesterday things were much improved around the house. Shauna has been so helpful with the kids and house, she even let Tyler and I score a two hour nap in the afternoon. Wow. For dinner, my visiting teacher brought us a great dinner of fruit, chicken salad, croissants and warm chocolate chip cookies. I couldn't have asked for anything better.

Tyler is still really sore and moving slowly, but recovering well. The kids and I just aren't used to him having to be so hands-off. The boys keep wanting to jump all over him. This week has made me so grateful for our usual good health! Health is everything in life.

This afternoon we went to see "Kung-Fu Panda". It is GREAT! Entertaining for both the kids and us, funny and clean! I do highly recommend it to those with kids like mine.

And lastly, sorry, I had to add it... my favorite David Archuleta song from the AI finale. Hope ya'll don't think I am too dumb. Good night.