Happy Birthday to…….Kelly!

 

We got together to celebrate Kelly’s big 3 o!  She is the only September birthday, so it was all for her!  An added gift she has this year, is she is expecting baby number 5!  Hard to believe!  Well,  I guess, not really…… :)  She will be having this baby in May some time.  Maybe we will finally get another baby girl in the family!?  We’ll see if it’s Luke or Lola….just kidding, not sure about her baby girl name option, but I know she would like it to be Luke if it’s a boy!

A Day In The Life….

When I have these patches of lulls in posts it’s because I’m just trying to survive our routine!  So far our typical week consists of  school, running the house, a 5th grader struggling with math whom we stay up with until up to 10 pm some evenings, two kids working on memorizing recital pieces and their piano lessons, 3 kids with 3 different soccer practices at 3 different parks mid-week, 3 different soccer games every Saturday at 3 different schools, being room mom for all 3 kids’ classes – had to line up helpers and already organize a homework party, and two boys that meet on separate afternoons for Scouts.  Oh, and did I leave out an average of 2 loads of laundry per day (unless someone is sick, then its more).  So, yes, there’s been a lull…..I’ve been a bit overwhelmed and haven’t been as “fun” lately! :) 

I try to put a smile on in the midst of it, but some days are really hard.  Lately, that’s when I’ve tried to find someone I can do something for…..it seems to take my mind off being overwhelmed.  And sometimes, it’s really fun!

Brigham City Temple

This weekend was the dedication of the Brigham City, Utah Latter-Day Saint temple.  It was kind of fun this time; both Jared and Gavin were able to come with us.  They let anyone who is a baptized member of the church come to the broadcast if they came with a “recommend” for the dedication.  The kids said they enjoyed it and they were pretty proud that they were able to get a recommend.  I was proud of them too!  It was nice to chat with Gavin, in particular, about what he saw and how important temples are to us.  Jared rode with his Dad, so I  only had alone time with my #2.  He is such a smart boy, and he understands. 

Photo Shoot

 

 

This last Saturday I took my family over to a local apple orchard to take some pictures.  My intent was to take a family portrait, which was totally unsuccessful!  We asked my parents to come with, figuring I could pose pictures and set up the camera on the tripod and all should flow….right?  Um….wrong.  The kids were everywhere.  No one was looking at Mom.  She was too busy trying to get the camera just right that the kids would then goof off.  It wasn’t her fault; just too much to do at the same time! 

Michael ends up gritting teeth and grunting the words, “smile now.”  Yah…..defeated the purpose.  Look at our happy family….not!  It was awesome  (smell the sarcasm).  I came home with around 600 exposures and maybe 12 prints to work with that I like, which came from it!  Oh well!  So much for trying to rekindle my talents.  Maybe in another 5 years!

 

 

I will try to post them as I have time to attack them with Photo Shop.  OK  I spent time tonight playing around with some of the pictures and this is what else I came up with for now:

 

 

 

I like this one of Jared with Michael.  It’s funny how as Jared gets older, I can see more of his Dad in him.

And, I really like this one……of course!  Me & My Love XOXO

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I Really Have The Sweetest Kids

It’s true.  Despite how high strung they are and how much I complain, I think my boys are the sweetest boys I know.  This morning Jared woke up and asked if he could make breakfast for everyone.  We were pressed for time, so I told him we couldn’t do anything big, so he opted to make everyone toast.  When I came out from getting ready, there was a plate with cold toast (butter not melted) and a scoop of jam next to it with a banana that had turned brown, which he sliced into pieces for me.  Michael still wasn’t home from his early church meeting, and it was very cold, but he was so sweet to think of us.  He also was sure to pour his Dad a glass of Almond milk instead of regular, because he can’t drink cow’s milk.  Stuck to each glass was a post it with the menu listed and separate, he left a post it with his candy from the school carnival, just to be sweet.  He’ s a very thoughtful boy.

During church today, as with most sundays, Gavin had a bad case of the wiggles and when he’s bored he becomes what you might say….is….precocious.  I told him to settle down and asked if he needed some snuggle time (AKA time in his room with Jared to get along), and he came over and asked to sit on my lap.  And I got snuggle time!  He has such a tender heart and those brown eyes always make me melt…..

This afternoon, Scott was playing games with Jared & Gavin downstairs while Mason and Michael took naps.  The big boys must’ve not been so nice to Scott as he came upstairs pink nosed and crying, saying that “brothers are being mean.”  I heard them calling to him to come back and that they would be nice, but he kept coming up the stairs.  I met him at the top and told him that his brothers were sorry, so he should go back and play some more with them.  His response was, “No.  I’m going to my room so I can say a prayer,” pink nosed, blotchy faced and weepy eyed.  I thought, “is he really going to say a prayer?”  I couldn’t help but be nosy and I listened at his door and sure enough, he was praying out loud to Heavenly Father.  This makes me proud.  Maybe they are listening?

I can’t leave out Mason of course.  He’s a sweet baby too!  Any time I tell him to say goodbye to someone, he’s always saying, “Muuaahh!  Wuh Yoo!,”  as he blows people kisses.  It could be anyone and it’s everyone.  Yesterday it was Marsha nextdoor, last week it was Wes who holds him all day in nursery so he doesn’t cry.  He’s a sweet baby. 

I LOVE MY SONS!

Another Long Week….

from you know where!  Not really, but yes…it was a really long week!  Michael went to Boston for work again.  The time he has spent traveling for this account has been really taxing on all of us.  Whenever he heads out to Boston for this account, he usually leaves Sunday morning and comes home Friday night. 

Our week was filled with various school, scout, soccer and piano activities.  Jared has been struggling a bit in math, so when he comes home and we have to spend about an hour or pretty close to it, to re-do problems and that takes up a big chunk of time.  Wednesday was probably the most overwhelming day for me….and it was hump day.  As soon as the boys go t home it was 3pm piano, 3:30 piano, 4pm Scouts (Jared), 5pm soccer practice (Jared), 5:30 soccer practice (Gavin) and 6pm soccer practice (Scott);  all soccer practices were  at different parks and were held for an hour.  I had Amy come paint toes with me that evening too at around 8:30, so I had to hurry and get dinner and straighten up…all by that time!  It was very crazy.

We had the school carnival on Thursday.  I think the boys had a great time.    One of the activities the boys love is the little “train” they have that they drag with a quad around the grassy yard.  Somehow, it managed to break while the boys were on and Scott went flying….in the cart (thankfully).  New this year was a camel.  Random, but fun.  I know that during the Christmas season they have live Nativities, so I’m guessing that’s where they got ahold of one of those!  It was pretty cool to see in person.  The boys were a little skittish, but they ended up warming up it.  They also had the "6th grade Science Demo team demonstrating a “wind vortex” which was really cool, where they aim the can with the vortex and a stack of paper cups and the force shoots it down. 

Scott was so excited for this one to be his very first “real carnival.”  He kept wandering over to the bounce houses and slides.  They were definitely his favorite, Jared loved wandering from game to game and guessing the amounts in the candy jar, and Gavin loved flocking to any stand where he noticed they were passing out candy for an incentive.  I affectionately call him “sugar tooth.”  They were all begging for cotton candy and when I gave some to Mason, he actually just pulled a funny face!  I was a little surprised!  I don’t think he loved the texture!  They also had a guy there DJing and once Scott heard the music, there was no stopping that kid from getting his groove on!  He has some serious dance moves!

Here’s to hoping next year Michael can join us!  He’s missed the last couple of these!

School Carnival 9-15-12 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

First Day of Kindergarten: Round 2

Well, while our trip was lovely and I had a great time, it sure was a bummer to get home to find a balloon and letter on our door handle.  Let me explain……before we left on our trip, there was a voicemail from the principal; she had called all kindergarten families to let them know the school went ahead and hired another new teacher because of how crowded their classes were ( I think somewhere around 34 in each class).  I thought for sure we wouldn’t be getting moved since I’d signed up to help out with half the class activities and to be the room mom.  Guess I was wrong. 

Basically, I had a meltdown ( as I regrettable tend to over anything I cant control….I know, personal issue….. but, it’s who I am), and after two nights of insomnia, I went to the principal, determined to put Scott back in Mrs. N’s class the following Tuesday.  The reason I was so worked up was because I found that out of about 24 neighborhood kids, Scott was the ONLY one who was put in this class.  It was such a bummer!  He was excited to be with his friends and I didn’t want him to be left out.  When I spoke with the principal, she played up how great this other new teacher is; Mrs. Z.  Well, then I was really confused.  The principal said that if I wanted him back in Mrs. N’s, she would move him back, no problem……..because people were actually on a WATING LIST for the new Mrs. Z!  So, of course, this made me overanalyze.   I know….shocker.

Well, long story short…….I kept him in this new Mrs. Z’s class, despite the fact he would know no one.  Scott is so friendly, he makes friends so easily.  And, I thought, “I was raised in L.A. and I never had the luxury of knowing everyone in my class, not to mention going to church with half of them, like my kids do here, in Utah.” So, we embraced the change.  So far, I’ve been really pleased.

She has already sent homework with Scott, she let me be the room mom ( for which I am grateful), she is involved in Reading Recovery and says she will personally be testing the kids and not limiting the level he can go up to, he comes  home skipping off the bus smiling, and to boot…….every day since he started attending her class, he has come home telling me he didn’t “get put in time out and got to go to recess!”  Sweet, but kinda sad it’s even been an issue.  I’m glad he’s happy and that makes me happy.

Time Away

It’s been awhile…..a little too long!  Michael and I will be celebrating 14 years of marriage this Christmas and our last (and only) getaway was to Mexico for our 10 year anniversary.  Michael has traveled a lot for work and the routine and extra strain when he’s gone has been wearing on me.  ( I know….sob, sob,  think of all those single Moms and any sympathy for me goes out the door), BUT, it’s true.  It’s so hard!  I have nothing but utmost respect for those women!

So, Michael, knowing how much I love Disneyland, agreed to take us out to Anaheim for a couple days!  We flew out last Thursday and spent half that day at Disneyland.  We stayed at the Anaheim Marriott Suites; a pretty nice place!  I told the girl at the front desk that this was our early anniversary celebration and when we came back to the room that night, we had a bottle of wine on ice and chocolate dipped strawberries waiting.  Well, we enjoyed the berries…… the wine was a nice gesture, but for obvious reasons, we passed on that one….maybe someone from housekeeping benefitted from that!  On Friday, we got into the Parks early and didn’t wait in line all morning until early afternoon!  We rode everything we wanted to – even a few times.  It was great!  By about 4pm that day, Disneyland was pretty crowded and after waiting in a couple 30 minute lines, our enthusiasm slowed!  We had reservations to eat at the Blue Bayou Restaurant in the Pirates of the Caribbean Ride.  It was fun!  You pay for the dining “experience,” not necessarily the cuisine, but we liked it nonetheless.  After dinner, we rode a few more rides (all the roller coasters, since we saved them for the end of the day because after Michael rides them, he feels like crap).  It kinda takes the fun out of having “fun” when you’re worried about your best friend not having any and not feeling well.  He was a good sport though and tried to have fun, despite his equilibrium issues with fast rides, and I’m grateful.  We went back to our room a little earlier than we had planned that night, so we could swim in the pool.  The water was cold enough we opted instead, to soak in the spa.  It was nice and relaxing.

Saturday we slept in a bit and then headed off to Huntington Beach.  There was  rip tide warning and even 11 foot swells.  The waves were incredible and some crazy people got out there for some surfing.  That was fun to watch and to walk along the shoreline with my sweetheart.  More than anything, I think I loved the most that Michael was equally as good as I was at putting all the technology away and just enjoying each others’ company.  Seems like we spend most of our days inundated with our children (despite how much we love them) and then as an “out” we bury ourselves in our laptops on Facebook and other apps on our phones.  It made me realize how much I’ve been missing my love.  We went back to our room to get ready to go to the temple and caught an afternoon session at the Los Angeles LDS Temple in Santa Monica…..with his parents.  We got to see our sealing room too, where we were married and that was fun.  Afterward, we took his parents out to dinner.  It was nice to see them and we stayed at their house that night so we could go to church with them the next morning. 

Sunday we went to Michael’s home ward for church services and left a little early so we could get out of our church clothes for the plane trip home and we made it back to Utah by 4:30 or so.  Michael’s sister Julie and her husband Hank, watched our kids for us and everyone on Michael’s side that lives in the area was going up to his other sister’s house (Maren) to celebrate his brother (David)’s birthday.  Wow that was a mouth full!  We were excited to see our kids that night and that’s exactly what I needed; to be gone long enough to want to be “Mom” again. 

So grateful for a sweet hubby and a fun weekend away with him!  I LOVE YOU MICHAEL!  XO