Mom's commercial wish list

Should anyone ask, these are the items I'd like to see cross over from industrial use to the home:

1. Lockable toilet paper dispensers. You know, like the Cormatic boxes you see in public restrooms everywhere? (Yes, I know the brand name!) I'm the only one who replaces toilet paper anyway and having the white stuff under lock and key would greatly help my sanity. My home is filled with little Robin Hoods taking from one bathroom to another. One (make that I) can stock a new roll in the morning, only to sit down later and too late find it gone. Hmm ... I'd even settle for the Forest Services style of a big metal bar and deadbolt.

Other items for the bathroom:

2. Sensor flushing toilets.

3. Automatic faucet shut-offs. 

4. Car-wash showers. Take clothes off at one end (naturally equipped with strongly magnetic hampers), proceed through water cycle, then buffing and air drying. Exit. No towels to pick up.

5. But if I can't have a car-wash shower, a towel check-out would be the next best thing. You know, like at the gym (well, at least the gym of my college days -- I haven't been since). Or, like the way doctors get a new set of scrubs from a machine after depositing an old pair. 

6. Speaking of college, I'd really like a milk dispenser from the cafeteria. If I rigged it just right maybe Samuel couldn't lift it up to his mouth the way he does gallons from the fridge. ("Don't look at me, Mom.")

7. Pens on chains at the bank. My home is the Bermuda Triangle of writing utensils. I'd attach a unit (with extra long chain) to the piano, forever banishing the maddening task of finding a pen before my students arrive. But pens needn't be the only chain gang. How about a chain connecting my hairbrush to the bathroom counter, and scissors to the desk drawer? Oooh, the possibilities are endless!

8. Automatic sliding doors. Why should grocery stores have all the fun? If I had a nickel for every time I holler "Shut the door!" I bet I could afford this.

9. Specialty adhesives. How about glue that sticks to every part of a child's art project but the child? While we're at it, how about fruit stickers that stick only to the fruit, or at least do not stick to the floor, where they invariably land sticky-side down. Better yet, how about a populace that knows a pear from an apple so we don't need fruit stickers in the first place?

10. Windshield wipers for windows, complete with cleaning fluid dispenser. Ooh, yeah.

11. Conveyor belts. Everywhere!

Well, I probably could think of more, but I'm off to clean up after my family (a quip about ovens could fit here nicely).

Tell me, what industrial items would you like to have in your home?

Happy Mother's Day to all the women who inspire me!

How do I help my scared little boy?

I have a problem I didn't even know could exist.

My 4-year-old seems afraid of Jesus.

It has been hard to get Samuel to church ever since we switched to the 9 a.m. schedule (he is NOT a morning person), but this last month has been especially trying. On Easter he got quite scared when his Primary class watched a video about the Crucifixion. A Primary leader brought him to me during the class.

Shortly afterward I saw firsthand how fear affects his little body. His preschool class went to a field trip to the fire station. Once we entered the fire engine bay, Samuel was so scared the sirens would go off, that he became rigid and shook uncontrollably. I took him home right away.

Then, our home teacher came to visit. He opened up the Ensign to start his message. Samuel was on my lap. I felt him immediately stiffen when an image of the wounded, but resurrected Christ peeked through the home teacher's fingers on the page. Samuel ran into his room.

The next night for family home evening I thought of how I could help Samuel. I found a picture depicting Jesus using carpentry tools alongside Joseph. I found another picture of Samuel doing the same alongside his father. So I started our little lesson. Samuel was on to me right away and bolted into his room. Jeff and I talked to the other children in Samuel's absence, explaining his challenge and asking them to be sensitive and pray for Samuel. Someone thought it would be good to nonchalantly put many pictures of Jesus throughout the house where Samuel could see them. "Like by the milk," James offered. (silly boy!)

Emma and I went to Samuel's room to tell him family home evening was done. He visibly relaxed.

Samuel can't articulate how he feels. I have really tried to not ask him leading questions such as, "Did that scare you?" He was obviously very, very affected by the video. Later witnessing his similar physical reactions at the fire station and with the home teacher is quite telling. Yet for all the tenderness in his heart, Samuel can't separate the two: his fearful response to what happened to Jesus, and Jesus himself.

I credit Jeff's blessing to Samuel with helping our little boy do better at church Sunday. I was encouraged.   Today, however, I took Samuel to Deseret Book because I thought it would be helpful if he chose a new picture of Jesus for his room. He turned his head away from the display. He didn't want anything to do with a picture of Christ. He did choose a picture of the temple, however, and I hope I can eventually help him associate Jesus that way.

I know this is something that will take time. But it absolutely breaks my heart that he is going through this. He is too young to bear such a weight. Please, if you have any thoughts of how I can supplement my prayers to help Samuel, I would be so grateful.

Seeing Red

(with apologies to Jack)

1. This 

is the quilt that I doubted.



2. These

are the scraps all tattered and torn
from 26 prints
in shades of orange, pink and red

that

became the quilt that I doubted.



3. These

are the tools with edges worn
that I used to cut 271 pieces all tattered and torn
from 26 prints
in shades of orange, pink and red

that became

the quilt that I doubted.


4. This

is the thumb of crumpled form
that caused subconscious delays
and visited three different orthopedists,
with each his own say
of why it hurt the hand
to grip the tools with edges worn
that cut 271 pieces all tattered and torn
from 26 prints
in shades of orange, pink and red

that became

the quilt that I doubted.



5. These

are the notes from memory sworn
after I lost the magazine pattern not once but twice --
and, unable to find it at the library anymore --
had to guess
what dimensions to
guide the tools with edges worn
to cut 271 pieces all tattered and torn
from 26 prints
in shades or orange, pink and red

that became

the quilt that I doubted.


6. This

is my workplace forlorn:
a typical scene that I had to clean
before I could set up my sewing machine
and stitch 271 pieces all tattered and torn
from 26 prints
in shades of orange, pink and red

into

the quilt that I doubted.


7. This

is a card with pictures adorned
from my dear daughter Elise
who made a little booklet all about me,
(now destined to become family lore)

that made me wonder exactly what vibe I gave off
as I assembled 271 pieces all tattered and torn
from 26 prints
in shades of orange, pink and red

into

the quilt that I doubted.


Hmm ...

But!

8. This

My family with Brooklynn and my brother Matt on their wedding day, Sept. 30, 2009. My parents, Kyle, Brooklynn, Matt, my brother Jeff holding 2-week-old Greenliee, Madison. Front: Samuel on my lap, Elise, James, Emma. Not pictured are my brother Josh and my husband Jeff (on a business trip), and sadly, my brother Ben who died earlier that year. 

is the couple in matrimony formed
who inspired the quilt

and who, in the 32 months it took me to complete their gift (so pathetic!),
celebrated their second anniversary
and a sweet baby born,

her name Ruby Rose itself shades of pink and red,

a baby girl blessed to come 

to a wonderful couple

whose love for each other

I have never once doubted.