My Dad

This morning I got an a-mail from my dad that said my blog was too cooool. This meant a lot to me. I don't think you can really appreciate a dad until you get old and wrinkly, as I am now. When I was growing up I spent lots of time traveling across the country with my dad in a diesel. In fact even to this day after I have had a baby or I am sick I just want to be curled up in my dad's sleeper sleeping. I can still feel the leather buttons on the walls and smell the yummy smell that is my dad (jasmine, diesel, cleaning products). He would listen to me rambling incessantly for mile after mile, listen to all of my hard rock tunes (plus introduce me to some of his hard rock tunes), and wake me up when we hit the lights of a big city! I also didn't realize until about a week ago (I know I am slow) that when he would rile me up he was just doing it for fun. He loves to make a comment that gets fire under my behind and watch me blow! Who knew? My son Jamen is the spitting image of this man (plus likes to start things on fire just like his grandpa). It makes me love my dad all over raising him. How can you not appreciate a teddy bear like person who likes to make you crazy! I love you dad-thanks for a great life.

My Delight

This is Micah-He's waving hello! He fits into the category of something that I did that wasn't necessary advisable by the masses or my doctor! If this isn't a perfect example of why you should listen to the Lord instead I don't even know what is!

Tigger and Me

I have to admit a million things are running through my mind on what I should say with my posterity in mind as I write. So let it be said almost from the very beginning that I am married to the greatest man. This picture is taken around 11pm on new Year's Eve a few years ago. This was going to be the year of the marathon for me and so I decided that I wanted to run the Midnight fun run on New Year's Eve. It was a little 5K set to end around midnight to celebrate a new year. Now lot's of hubbies would say, "good for you and I will watch the kids." Mine found a sitter (thanks mom) suited up and got ready to go with me! We even watched Prefontaine until it was time to go. Now let it be said I had been training for months and this was my first 5k. Lyndon hadn't been training at all but he was still gung ho. So we ran-him cheering me on and singing to me the whole way (of course he wasn't even winded!) When we got to the pool-dead last I might add, someone dared him to jump in! Of course he went right it (shoes and all). Once he was in he lost his glasses, needless to say he is legally blind without him so he was in a bit of trouble. What else could I do but jump in (shoes and all) after him! We squished home at one in the morning still giggling (and freezing). At work his nickname is tigger, this because of his boundless energy. Stealing from Shannon let me tell you the reasons why I love Tigger:
1. He uses phrases like "yippee kiay!"
2. Even when he sweats he smells nice
3. He makes a heck of a horsie for all the little cowboys around here
4. When it's time to buy gifts for me he acts like a kid at Christmas waiting to give it to me
5. He knows his way around a kitchen (and let's face it has to be in there a lot)
6. He kisses like a soap star (you know cute, sweet, makes you swoon!)
7. He loves the Lord and never ceases to show it by serving everyone-I mean everyone!
8. He loves me. If I took his word for it I would be convinced that I should be a super model, the poster mother for all mothers and super woman!
Believe me I could go on and on. But, the people that are half his are not so interested in this blog and more interested in why I think it is important that they not go outside naked....

You Approve Right?

I have always been someone who thought it absolutely necessary to have everyone's approval. In fact I have taken it a step further and wanted not just approval, but that people would be so inspired by every little thing I did that they wanted to implement everything I do into their lives! I think maybe I would make a great communist! The funny thing is I really do believe in freedom and I really believe that Heavenly Father made us unique and special in our own ways.
So one of this year's goals for me is to be OK with being me and not be biting my finger nails waiting for people to pat me on the back and say, "way to go!" When you spend your life trying to please people you really set yourself up for a lot of misery because you can't please everyone. I also believe that we would be unwise to try to please everyone. I read a quote yesterday that I loved it said, "If you truly expect to realize your dreams, abandon the need for blanket approval. If conforming to everyone's expectations is the number one goal, you have sacrificed your uniqueness and therefore your excellence."
I don't know that I have an ounce of excellence, but I think it is safe to say I am unique! If nothing else as you can see from the top of my page I am surrounded by men and men in training! And since much of the training is my responsibility I think you will understand why I find it so important to learn to do a little less hoop jumping!
There haven't been a lot of times in my life when I have had to say, "I'm sorry you feel that way, but this is right for me." However, the few times that it has happened, when I went ahead and did what the Lord inspired me to do, I have sure been blessed. So this year I will try do what is right for me without waiting for my atta girl's. That sounds like a good idea to you right?

In The Beginning

I will say right out loud-never in all of my life have I wanted to do a blog. In my opinion who really wants to hear my opinion! However, I need to speak truth and say I have a few pleasures that are all mine. First, I love books-love to read them, buy them and just look at them. Second, I love ice cream, this will be clear and obvious to you by the size of my gut, but there it is. Third, I LOVE to read my friend Shannon's blog. This is something I have come to look forward to and feel inspired by. It occurred to me as I was reading it today that even if no one in the whole world ever reads it it is a fun way for me to get some of the memories that I shouldn't be forgetting anyway written down. So if you do check in, thanks. For those of you who love my kids, I am sure that's every last one of you, there will be pictures as well! So this is me. Heather Lynn Poulson Friant mother of five sons, wife to one amazing husband and reluctant owner of a dog named Snoop and a fish named Ella (both girls though, so I really should appreciate the added femaleness...)