DIP, DIP

My new secret to getting my kids to eat is to give them food that we call, "dip,dip". Anything that they can dip; grilled cheese in tomoato soup, veggies in ranch...they LOVE it.

PERFECTION

You may not tell by my abundant manners and gracious personality ;) but I am not perfect and was not raised in a perfect home. Actually is was extremely dysfunctional. I am no where near perfect as a result, with some help of my own. I have embarrassed myself on more than ten occasions. I have been difficult to be around at times and even harder to love. I am not the most spiritual person in the world and even have to go to the bishop (my papa) at times.

But...the Rowley's on the other hand are perfect. It is not some act or that they are different when others are not around. They really are good, wholesome, god-fearing, bridle their passions kind of people (with a few exceptions in a few family members at times;) If they do make mistakes they repent and repair the damage. They treat me as though the times I have embarrassed myself do not exist. They are not easily offended. They are mild, even-tempered, no guile or back biting. They are amazing and I would be even more of a mess without them.

Karen and Kim are the BEST in-laws in the WORLD!!! I loved them before I joined the family and have only been more amazed now that they claimed me fully as one of their own. They are helpful, loving, easy to be around and converse with. They become your best friends. There is no wonder why we see/or talk to them daily.

RENTER NOT OWNER

I am afraid that I am unable to remember how to be a renter. I have a hard time remembering that it is someone else's house and that they may not approve of my changes. I made a big mistake which kept me up all night.

The owner said that I can paint but I excitedly began on the baseboards and trim before I realized the work that it would take to redo it if they did not like it when we moved out.

I believe that it looks amazing. I tried to be very perfectionist and overly careful but last night I got scolded when my family found out that my landlord did not know in advance. I think that I got an ulcer worrying about it. I sent her a message to come over and I showed it to her. She was not mad but I still feel awful about it.

I have learned my lesson and will try to behave myself.

HALF MARATHON

Since I am now a runner...and feel that I deserve the title, finally...I have decided to further prove it by running a half marathon. There is an AMAZING family, with an AMAZING daughter who has been struggling with cancer. Her oldest sister put together a run to raise money for her medical bills. A 5K, which would be way too easy; A half marathon, which is doable if I train a little more aggressively; and a marathon, which I will NOT even attempt...yet.

I am VERY excited and when I tell runners that I already run 12 miles a week, they tell me I am completely capable of pulling it off. I run it on my treadmill and feel that out in the open, watching the scenery instead of the clock, it will be much easier.

SOFT PANTS

Most of Shane's childhood he was very particular. His mother complains that one of the main things he was strict about was his pants. He thought most pants were uncomfortable and spent the majority of his childhood only wearing sweat pants.

Brenna hit a new stage recently. She will only wear "soft pants". Spandex or sweat pants only, no jeans or else it is a fight. It is possible that it is because the #T are too small and the 4T are too big but stretchy pants always seem to fit.