A mother wears a towel on her head

Waking up early if I have time, 
I hop into the shower to scrub and shine.

Dressed and ready, kids waking from bed, 
For my dripping wet hair, I place a towel on my head. 

First it's used to wipe morning tears, 
to alleviate small baby fears.

Next the tip washes sticky breakfast faces,
and gets into those hard to reach places.

It's ready in case a milk cup gets tipped,
Or when on the walls marker is script.

I know it's silly, but that towel of mine,
is needed when I'm short on mommy time.

It's ready for scrubbing,
and messy cleaning up rubbing.

To play peek-a-boo,
Or look, I see you!

It creates a pillow cushion tent top,
Or makes an emergency mop.

So at the end of the day when I tuck kids into bed.
You know why I still have a towel on my head.

Dry Clean Only

My daughter's dress tag reads: dry clean only.

Funny how clothing can be a liar. 
Laughing, I put it in the washer and dryer.

It's not that I don't care,
If it was leather I would beware.

But you see my daughter's dresses, 
Have been through worse messes. 

She's rolled down grassy hills,
Pirated ships with an Iron will.

Played the vicious Steampunk victor,
Sat and scraped it over wicker.

Traveled through a leafy forest,
Became a lovely budding florist.

I guess we'd like to imagine,
That at church she sits still as satin.

There's no need to play the sleuth.
As her mother, I know the truth.

When crayons and marker dot her gown,
I greet with a smile, instead of a frown.

Ask me why I didn't purchase a dress,
With a cleaning regime that requires less?

Do you see how much fun we're having,
Not restrained by useless tagging.

Dry clean only. I'm not sorry to say,
This dress has been through worse, and that's okay.

Cuddles in the Night

Startled awake, darkness all around,
Listening to the wails of the terrified bound.
The night consumes me, my heart racing,
Trembling, scared, alone, fear I'm facing.
Furry arms wrap around my torso,
Lifting me, consuming me ever closer!
Then comes the rhythmic creaking, 
The torturous sounds of siren bleating. 
The wails have stopped, the siren song replaces,
I slip into this monsters' embraces,
The rocking creaking fades from my eardrums,
I blink and my mind is filled with wisdom.

Lying here, in my soft crib bed,
My furry blanket by my head.
From the window cascades morning light,
I know my mom loves me, when we cuddle at night.

Nail Clippers

I have nail clippers. 
They stay in my purse, 
for when my nails need a clip, of course.

Wait...no. Now I remember! 
They're in the bathroom, 
Used before the kids bath when they needed a groom.

No? hmm... yeah...
My husband used them last night, 
For crusted toe nails before he turned off the light.

Oh look!
It's my daughter's nail polish box.
Clip your nails, paint, then put on your socks?

No... well... uh...
Are they on the living room floor?
Or perhaps they beelined under the door?

Got it! I know.
This time for sure.
Nail-clippers are for sale at the grocery store!

I am the great and powerful OZ!

Pay no attention to the blog behind this post... uh... I can fix it...

Grandma Rich

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/saltlaketribune/obituary.aspx?pid=171101557

Yesterday we attended Grandma Rich's Funeral in AF Utah. She passed away May 16th at 99 years old- 5 months shy of 100. Her son had just joined her for lunch an hour prior, they had chatted pleasantly, she ate cheddar soup, potatoes and pistachio pudding. Then the nurse took her back to her room and had her sit in the comfy armchair she had there. A few minutes later another resident found her slumped over

I love this lady.

The first time I met Grandma Rich she greeted me by asking, "What's your name again?"

I answered, "Amy Tolson." (my maiden name)

"No it's not. It's Amy Rosenvall." - Grandma

"Ha!" I laughed, she got me, "What's your name?"

"To you, Grandma."

She was unhappy when she and her husband moved from New York state to Utah state, proclaiming: "They took away my driving license."

Full of wit.

She was baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at age 89. After all her children planned their vacations and gave her the missionary lessons over the course of a year. She'd said once, "If I get baptized too soon they'll make me Relief Society President."

Andrew and I attended their sealing.

I thought I would be sad at her funeral. However, though I did shed a few tears, she lived a long full life. She was happy, only in a care center the last 4 months of life. Confined to a wheelchair- 2 days only.

We went to her graveside services in SLC with the family. Gave grandpa a hug.  Afterwards attended a luncheon at Ed and Morissa's house (Andrew's Uncle).

Grandma loved to travel. So, Andrew and I took the kids to the Zoo afterwards-- we got in just before they closed the gate no allowing anyone else in. It was a pleasant, sparsely attended day. The lions, tigers, snow leopards were out and walking around. The reptiles peeking their noses up out of their tanks. Bears rolling on their hills.

Then we took a drive through Guardsman's pass. Over the mountain down through Midway where we bought dinner for the kids and let them play at Two Tower's park in Heber.

We drove home through dusk.  As I tucked the kids into bed, I told them constellation stories and placed glow-in-the-dark stars on their walls. The boys have the constellations: Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Draco, Andromeda & Perseus. My daughter has Taurus and Orion.

Daniel's Court Day

On Daniel's adoption day with the 3rd District Court. Sarah woke up bright and early, turned on the computer and blasted "Coronation Day" from Frozen. After having the kids nicely dressed in nice street clothes. We spent several hours getting the kiddos to stay entertained at the courthouse. They ran down the hallways, splashed water from the drinking fountains, counted the number of blue or red cars they could find, ate goldfish crackers, drew pictures and the babies had a crawling competition.

The Judge complemented us on the task we have decided to take on. After a brief question/answer with our fabulous adoption lawyer - Frank N. Call. Judge James Mitchie, Andrew and I signed the paperwork. March 24, 2014.

After signing the papers, Judge Mitchie gave each of the kids a stuffed animal, Daniel picked first from the pile of stuffed animals the judge put up on his desk--he dove for this cute purple/grey raccoon. Sarah picked a bright yellow manatee, Michael a little red dog, James a green froggy, Peter a Rhino.  Their was one stuffed animal left-a pelican, it stayed for the next kiddo adoption.

Then we chased down our kids again while papers were processed, drove to Chuck-a-Rama for an adoption dinner feast. The kids were excited that we allowed them to eat at much soda and dessert as they wanted. I ate a delicious beef stew with carrots/potatoes.

Exhausted and tired, we returned home.

Having an adoption recognized by the State of Utah and in court though nice, is different from a Sealing in the Temple.