Regardless of the mystery casserole & the piles of laundry...

I am my mother.

I didn't think this day would come until at least my 3rd or 4th child, but it's official,

I'm the Great Lady who gave me life.

As Avy & I walked to our car today at the airport, we saw swarms of soldiers outside saying good-bye to loved ones & taking roll call.

Avy asked, "What's that jammies?"
(obviously she thought the uniforms looked like awesome pj's)

I responded that they were soldiers.

And then the Mother Bird moment happened.

As I tried to explain to her who soldiers are and what they do, I started to cry.

She looked at me funny and asked again..."Soldiers?"

I started to tell her again that soldiers defend their country & keep us safe, but I couldn't control the water works! What's the deal?

The whole way home I was wiping tears as I thought about the beautiful country I live in & the self-less people who secure that for me.

Thanks, Mom, for instilling patriotism & loose tear ducts in me.

My million dollar idea.

Why has no one invented disposable clothing yet?

Don't feel like doing dishes?

check!

(paper plates)

Don't feel like scrubbing down the bathroom?

check!

(quick wipe-down with Clorox disinfecting wipes)

Don't feel like cooking dinner?

check!

(take-out...frozen pizza...cereal...so many choices!)

Don't feel like trekking to the park?

check!

(pbs kids is just as educational & mind-growing)

Don't feel like washing the dish rag?

check!

(Othello sponges...so cheap at Target)

Don't feel like washing your own car?

check!

(the local car wash does SUCH a great job in so little time)

Don't feel like doing laundry?

TOO STINKING BAD!!!

There is NO shortcut for this one.

I have arrived.

Why?

Monday night:

I made turkey pineapple meatballs for dinner.

Nobody liked them. There were SEVERAL left over.

Wednesday night:

I disguised every single one of those meatballs & a load of spinach in a mystery casserole.

Every plate was licked clean.

Conclusion?

Turning my unpopular meatballs into a new family favorite casserole...

I'm an official Mormon lady.