Avey Family

Sweet Little Blessings

2012-02-13T08:50:00.000-08:00

Thursday of last week was just one of those days. I don't even really remember what made it that way. Lots of little things. I feel like I should know exactly why I was feeling the way I was feeling but I can't really remember. I just know that when Seth got home I was DONE! I made pancakes for dinner because that's what Luc wanted for his birthday but didn't get the day before I'm guessing because that was one of those days too. But nobody really wanted to eat the pancakes and I was feeling defeated. Seth said "when do we get a date?" I looked around at my messy house, my crazy kids, the uneaten meal and replied "probably never."

I plopped myself down on the couch having no desire to even think about tackling bedtime. Seth was playing a game on his iPhone and got a phone call, he grumped "ah Christian (his friend who was calling) you just messed up my game" then answered the phone. I tried to figure out the conversation (because that's what I do, I am shamelessly nosey) but had no idea and couldn't have hoped for what was to come.

Christian was delivering the sweet little blessing that I needed so badly! He had just been handed 2 tickets (13th row) to the Phoenix Suns game and he was stuck at work so by default (and some act of God I believe) we were the lucky couple! Thanks to Christian, our exchange students (aka last minute babysitters) and sweet children who jumped in jammies and got ready for bed lickity split, we got to enjoy a perfect impromptu date! And Nash got to attend his 3rd professional sporting event in his short little life.

No time for make-up or cute hair but it didn't matter!

Luc-ee Ba-Duke-ee

2012-02-08T15:02:00.000-08:00

Four Things I Love about Luc

(on his 4th birthday)

He is super-duper cute. He has this way of shaping is upper lip like a turtle and it used to drive me nuts because it looked nerdy, now it's just Luc and I love it.
He is quick to say I love you. He has night terrors and I know that if I can just get him to respond to me saying I love you Luc than he's woken up enough to go back to sleep and be ok.
He loves his little brother. (and his sisters but mostly his little brother!)
He wears cowboy boots and shorts. Or rain boots and shorts. Its adorable. Totally nerdy but so cute.

SLEEP...

2012-02-06T10:06:00.000-08:00

Nash is cute. Super super cute. He's fun. He's a joy to have in our home. Nash however is NOT a good sleeper. In fact he is a crappy sleeper. From about 3-6 months he was pretty good. He would wake up once in the middle of the night, eat for about 5 minutes and go right back to sleep. That I could deal with.

Up at 1:30, 3:30 and 5:45 I cannot deal with. And when he wakes up he wants to be fed for at least 15 minutes, then you have to stand up and hold him and he might go back in his crib asleep IF we're lucky and lay him down just right. *We have tried making him cry it out. Actually we are still trying but he's not catching on. When we lay him down for the first time at night he does great, cries for 15 minutes at the very most and then goes to sleep. Not so much in the middle of the night. He screams for-ev-er! Not sure what to try next.

All of this was just to say one thing. I'm tired. And when I'm tired I'm grumpy. And when I'm grumpy it seems the whole family is a bit grumpy. So if you were thinking of just popping in for a visit... you've been warned.

*We = Seth and I. Let's give credit where credit is due. Seth is up just as much sometimes more than me. If it weren't for him I would be in my bed crying in the fetal position.

BuSy BUsY bUsY!

2012-02-02T12:52:00.000-08:00

My life has gotten seriously busy lately. And not like I-have-4-little-kids-and-have-to-clean-up-all-day-and-night-to-keep-up busy, but like I-don't-even-have-time-to-clean-up-because-I've-been-running-around-like-a-crazy-lady-since-9am busy.

Is this what life with 6 kids is like? Because if it is, it's exhausting and I love it. My house is not "loving" it quite so much and I am about a week behind on laundry at all times but if I'm never home to have to look at it then it's all good. I am a super social person (for those who have some how missed that part of my personality.) I love being busy, I love having somewhere to go and things to do. And I've found that being this occupied has helped me truly appreciate the quiet moments when I can just sit and hold Nash and read my scriptures or listen to a conference talk (and sometimes if I'm lucky doze off for a few blissful minutes.)

So why so busy you ask? Well 2 teenage girls can really fill in those empty slots on my calendar. This is our first time having girl exchange students ("the teenagers" as Luc likes to call them) and it is a whole new world. It's been a great experience and we've bonded with them already (girls are more emotional and I think that lends to a quicker attachment maybe). But they also need to go shopping and need to have sports physicals and need a new phone and need to go shopping some more. You get the picture. BUT they also tend children very well. Which makes my busy life a little less hectic at times. It makes it possible to run to the store with only 2 children instead of 4 and allows for sweet little moments like going on a quick jog with Seth. So busy is ok.

This week's busy has meant dr's appointments. Too many dr's appointments. I can do without that type of busy for a while. It's the hurry up and get to an appointment so I can sit and wait that drives me nuts. On Monday we found out that Nash has a bit of an egg allergy (which he will hopefully grow out of) and Luc has asthma. Ugh. One of the kids was bound to have asthma with our family history but with an almost 4 yr old it's scary, annoying, expensive and quite frankly a bit of a pain in the kiester. But I feel blessed that we have insurance and were able to diagnose it before anything too scary happened.

And to add to the busy I have been able to start tutoring Spanish. Just one sweet girl and just once or twice a week but I love it. It's been a long time since I've been able to "practice" my Spanish and it feels good to help someone out. No big deal that we need to get through 2 semesters of Spanish in 4 months so she can graduate. Sounds a lot like someone else I know. (me)

So after all that here is a super quick synopsis on the rest of my life/family:

McKay is doing awesome in school. She amazes me with her reading (and even more since I don't feel like we do nearly enough to help her at home.) She's playing soccer and has scored a few goals this season. They are undefeated and having a blast.

Kimball got glasses a couple weeks ago. They are adorable and she has been really good about wearing them. Most of the time. She's playing soccer too and has a lot of fun. We are trying to teach her to use a little bit of the aggression she has at home with her siblings on the the field but she'd rather dance around and look cute out there. (also sounds like some else I know.)

Luc is working hard on mastering Mario Kart and begs me about 12 times a day to play with him. It's a good thing he has preschool.

Nash is all over the place. Not walking yet but working on it. I'm trying not to encourage it because I know how crazy life gets when they start walking. As I type he is under the computer desk trying to pull the keyboard off and unplug all the cords. Time to be done.

This has turned into a novel for goodness sakes. That's what happens when Luc has a friend over to play Mario Kart with him. I can sit for 20 minutes. Now its off to pick up "the teenagers".

Catching Up...

2012-01-20T08:02:00.000-08:00

The problem with not blogging is that it makes me want to not blog.... The longer I go without updating the more daunting it seems and so I put it off until I have a few free hours to sit down and get all caught up. (yeah right, if I had a "few free hours" it wouldn't be spent blogging) I have the same problem with laundry. So basically in my brain there is this HUGE pile of blogging laundry and I just ignore it hoping that it will go away and I will be able to just start fresh. Problem is, just like the laundry it doesn't just go away and now it feels like it's starting to over take my mental abilities. So here I am emptying the laundry baskets.

Since my last post:

Our exchange student from Brazil left. He went back to his beautiful and apparently superior homeland. We enjoyed having him here but I am quite sure he was very ready to go. It was a good experience and we love him but I don't think he ever really felt at home here (and by "here" I actually mean the U.S. not our house.)

We had a wonderful stay-at-home Christmas. My parents are now in Washington and Seth's were visiting his sister in Utah so it was just us and it was nice. We had Seth's other sister and her family over for dinner and it was just perfect. I don't think I would love it every year. I am a big-family-party type of gal but it was a nice little quiet Christmas.

New Years Eve weekend our two new exchange students arrived! We are crazy I know. Four little kids and two teenagers, what are we thinking? But honestly we love it. Hailie is from South Korea and quiet as a mouse in groups but delightfully talkative and curious when it's just us. She will be staying for a year (except she gets to go to Vancouver, BC for June and July). Luise is from Germany and completely opposite of Hailie. She's loud, outgoing and super social (she reminds me a little bit of me in my younger less reserved days). She is also very fun to have around. They both love the kids (or at least pretend very well). And the kids absolutely adore them. I'm not sure what my children will do if we ever stop having "extra" siblings around. They love it.

We quickly realized that having to take 2 cars everywhere is a bit of a hassle and uses a LOT of gas. We also had a bad feeling about the health of our little minivan. It needed new brakes, the transmission was doing funny things, there was a serious oil leak, two brake lights were out, both the maintenance and check engine lights were on and the automatic doors and locks were giving out on us. On a Thursday afternoon I emailed Seth and said "I think we should maybe start test driving some cars to see what we want." By Saturday afternoon we were driving a new (to us) 2007 Ford Expedition which comfortably fits all 8 of us. It's pretty. And it's big. And I love it. I am spoiled.

That should pretty much catch me up and empty my brain of all excess blogging thoughts. Oh and it might quiet that little nagging voice that keeps saying "have you blogged yet" or "so are you going to blog today?" and "you really need to update your blog." (little voice also known as Seth)

Husband of the Year (every year)

2011-12-07T20:05:00.001-08:00

It's been a while since I've praised my husband. (here on my blog that is)

I honestly believe that he is quite possibly the world's best husband.

I have become extremely dependent on him. Without him I am a mess. Without him while being sick I am pretty much useless, which is what the past 48 hours have been.

He came home today, scooped up the baby and just basically took over. I needed that. He is almost always exactly what I need when I need it.

I am truly blessed.

Today...

2011-12-06T13:32:00.001-08:00

I ate chicken nuggets for lunch. Not just any chicken nuggets, dinosaur chicken nuggets. Laziness. Pure laziness.

Seth is "out of town". Less than 10 miles away. Apparently good team building requires staying the night together. A work "sleepover" if you will.

Nash crawled in to the shower this morning while I was washing my hair. He scared the poo out of me. My eyes were closed and I felt something touch my toe. He is way too mobile way too soon. But he's super cute so I guess we'll keep him.

I went to Target and they handed me a coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase. So instead of spending $10 on the things I needed I spent $37 and that was with the coupon. They are so tricky! I'm thinking of going back to see if they will give me another coupon.

Luc had a friend over. I used to dread having other kids at my house. I think I was a little intolerant. I love it now. Nothing like some one else entertaining my kid for a couple hours.

While Luc was being entertained I finally cleaned out the front coat closet and turned it into the vacuum/storage closet. (only took me 3 years of living in this house in the middle of Phoenix to realized that we don't really need a coat closet.)

That's what's going on around here today.

Be Patient with Yourself

2011-12-03T10:14:00.001-08:00

Just watched this and loved the sweet message from a disciple of God. It's 3 minutes and will bring peace to your soul. A good reminder to be patient with ourselves.

Coming To Terms

2011-11-30T13:18:00.001-08:00

There are certain things in my life that I have come to terms with and accepted as reality, just a part of life, no big deal (nbd if you're "cool").

For instance, I know I will never again be a size 6. Not because it's impossible but because I am just fine being an 8/10, I don't love exercising and I do love food. So that's that. And it's ok. nbd

For every one of those there are 5 more that I am not ok with and either need to come to terms with or change.

Here is my current "issue":

1. Laundry. I just don't like it. I don't like doing it, I don't like thinking about it, I don't like seeing it. It's my enemy in this house. It's never ending and no matter how I try it just never gets any better. I spend 2 days getting it all done and put away and within 24 hours it's back, staring at me, taunting me.

Five minutes ago I changed Nash's diaper, stood up and said "I am going to go finish folding that laundry" and then promptly walked to the computer and pulled up the blog. I would rather do most anything than laundry yet I hate that it's not done just as much. To quote a favorite movie (name it if you can)

William: [Spike wearing Will's wetsuit] Can I ask you why you are wearing that?

Spike: Combination of factors. No clean clothes.

William: There never will be unless you actually *clean* your clothes.

Spike: Vicious circle.
I agree, vicious, vicious circle!

First 5 Thoughts

2011-11-22T20:13:00.001-08:00

My mind has been bogged down with all sorts of half-posts lately. Like the first sentence of a post and then nothing more. So here is my mind-cleansing post that will hopefully lead to happier more productive posting in the near future.

1. I love my little Nashy-Baby. I don't think I love him any more than my other kids, that is pretty much forbidden right? But he is a baby and he is superly-duperly cute and cuddly. Loving him is just so easy.

2. I am ready for the holidays. Not like ready-ready. Just ready for it all to get going. Tonight I was actually wishing it was tomorrow night because I am ready to cook/bake. I'm making 3 pies. All new recipes. I hadn't realized that until I just typed it, I hope at least one of them turns out. (super high expectations for myself, huh?)

3. I have become addicted to pintrest. Is anyone else having the same issue? I love it. I mostly just look at stuff and hope that I will one day try/attempt one or more of my "pinned" ideas. I have tried a few recipes and I made this for my sister-in-law for her birthday (I'm like 90% sure she doesn't read this, if she does, well Happy Birthday Carmen!!)

and I put together little Turkey Tom here for McKay's class "Friendship Feast". He was definitely cuter on pinterest but still a hit with the 2nd graders.

4. I have been battling whether or not to blog about "x" and for a while I thought I had jinxed "x" because I hadn't mentioned it yet but now "x" is doing a lot better and so now of course I'm worried that if I do blog about it then I will jinx it. So I won't. That's all I'll say about that.

5. Now I feel guilty for saying how much I love Nash without saying anything about the other four. I am such a woman/mom. Well I love them all. They are all adorable and sweet (most of the time.) Any advice on a 7year old growing up too fast, a 6 year old who can go from happy to complete melt-down in 2.8 seconds anytime after 7 pm and a 3 year old who cries about everything, would be greatly appreciated. Did I mention how much I love each one of them? I do. And I love being their mom.

Costco

2011-11-19T14:05:00.001-08:00

I am trying to figure out if I am overly sensitive (not a normal "Denise trait") or if people at Costco (more specifically our Costco) are intolerant of children. Once in a while I am brave enough to venture in to Costco with 2 or more of my children. I always talk to them first about proper store manners. "Try not to walk in front of people." "Be careful not to bump into people's carts." "No running and no yelling." Just the basics. And for the most part they are fairly well behaved.

Inevitably someone will comment and/or glare at us. Last time we were there (and by we I mean all of us, including Seth) a lady turned the corner, quickly took a mental count of my 4 children and then audibly gasped before rolling her eyes. Seriously? Is it all that shocking to see a family with a whopping FOUR children.

A year or so ago a lady in her little motorized cart nearly backed right over Kimball and then huffed at me and glared at my then 5 year old as if she were a total nuisance. Excuse us for walking behind you in a store and then not moving fast enough when you started "back-up beeping" at us.

Then of course there was a few weeks ago when Seth was out of town and I dared to go with my children AND our exchange student. That nearly blew people's minds. What kind of strange family is this and why are they disturbing our peaceful Costco Food Court meal? (I do have to admit that Luc did have a full-fledged 3 yr old breakdown during this particular trip but old lady sitting across the way glaring at me did not help the situation.)

And while I'm up on my Costco-sized soapbox let me just pose this last question; why in the world are you shocked and annoyed to see a *big family in a store that specializes in large quantity items? It's not like we're taking a family trip to an upscale fancy shmancy art museum.

Just Sayin'.

*Just to clarify, I personally do not consider my family BIG.

A Walk Through My Phone

2011-11-07T15:02:00.000-08:00

My phone keeps informing me that I am "out of memory space" and I need to delete some pictures in order to save more. But I don't want to delete them. They are precious little memories. So I finally sat down and emailed them all to myself. I'm sure there is an easier way but it probably would have required finding some sort of cable/cord thing and actually attach my phone to my computer and that all seemed so complicated.

After much hard work, I present A Walk Through My Phone (I am sure there could have been a wittier, cuter title for this but that's all I've got for you.)

It doesn't seem like that long ago that I was constantly telling my kids not to climb on the waterfall rocks now they are big enough to do the simultaneous jump.

Every time Luc sees masks like these in the store (almost always Target) he begs me to put it on him and take a picture. I inevitably pretend to take a picture and then he asks to see it. Ugh. But then again look how cute he is and how happy it makes him.

6 months old seems too young to be ending up under my feet while I try to do the dishes. When did he get big enough to be crawling around?

My Boys. Every time I put this shirt on either of the boys Luc begs to have them be "twins." Makes the $4 (total) I spent on them worth it.

My Sweet, Sweet Kimbalita. She almost always looks disheveled. She can't make it out the door and to church without looking a mess when she gets there. Good thing she's cute. This is at my nephew's soccer game and I swear I did her hair 20 minutes before this.

This is a dress McKay begged to try on and then cried when I wouldn't spend $30 on a dress that is way too mature for my little girl. She made me take a picture and bring her back to get it once daddy saw it and said she could have it. The dress is still in the store. Daddy agreed with mommy.

Family Home Evening. Note Luc's ability to sit and listen. I saw a poster/quote today that said "FHE would be so much easier if we didn't have to involve the children!" So true!

These girls LOVE their baby brother.

Oh the joy that can be bought for 50 cents!

Lunch with Nana. One of our all time favorite activities.

McKay takes Nash and reads to him nearly every day. Too cute. He's getting a little big for her lap though.

80's Day at school. I found out about it the morning of. The girls wouldn't believe me that I knew what 80's styles looked like. They kept wanting me to google it. Then when I did Kimball's bangs, she was too embarrassed to wear them that way to school she made me "put them back down."

Our Halloween project. They were for outside but Nash enjoyed them before I put them out.

Hero Day. They are dressed up as "mommies." McKay's baby is either nursing or about to fall on it's head.

My Hero

2011-10-26T14:13:00.000-07:00

As we were preparing for Patriotic Day at school this morning (dressing the girls in any red white and blue combos we could scrounge up) Kimball informed me that tomorrow is "Dress like your favorite Hero Day" Oh crap, on top of Halloween costumes for the weekend now I have to come up with a Hero costume. Ugh.

Then she said "mom, I want to go as you."

Oh, for the love of all things holy, if she didn't just make my year. *sniffle, sniffle

I guess I better get busy finding a very "motherly" looking hero costume.

1/2 a Year!

2011-10-19T13:06:00.000-07:00

My baby is very nearly one half year old. He is growing way too fast. (I know that phrase is way over used but it's so true this time.) He is getting too big too fast and I just want my little baby to stay a baby for just a little longer.

He thinks he's so big.

His favorite toy is my phone or my ipod, definitely a 2011 baby!

He'll eat pretty much anything he can gum to death.

Luc can make him laugh at any given time.

He's learning to crawl and sit.

And he's cute. Super Cute!

He's gets "out" quite a bit. In his first 5 months he went to Utah and back, to Las Vegas (2x) and California, a NFL football game, a MLB game and to the zoo 3 times. No wonder he's growing up so fast!

His first experience with Utah... Not sure what he thinks of that.

He got to meet his Great Grandma Avey (aka Gma Vegas) just a couple weeks before she passed away.

The Cardinals/Chargers game was a little loud for him but he was a good sport.

He loved the Dbacks game but that might of had something to do with us being in an all-you-can-eat section where we didn't have to sit the whole time and all of Seth's co-workers could pass him around.

Plus 1

2011-10-17T17:10:00.000-07:00

In case 4 young children wasn't enough we have once again added a teenager into the mix. Heaven forbid we would actually plan for something like this. Not us. We just jump into things at the last minute. Last year it was all my idea and it took some convincing to get Seth to agree to it but with about a week's notice we took in our first exchange student. Killian became one of the family with little effort. After he left it felt like we were always missing someone. But then we had Nash and our house was crazy and crowded and it felt normal.

Two weeks ago we got an email from the director of the exchange program saying they were in desperate need of a host family for a Brazilian student that had arrived the week before. I called Seth "knowing" that he would be my voice of reason and say "absolutely not." Level headed, practical Seth was nowhere to be found. And now life is again crazy and crowded. And of course we love it.

It's been an adjustment, it always is when you add another one to the family but we are so happy to have him with us. Poor kid got to live in a house with 2 other exchange students (1 who is also from Brazil) for the first week and then he was thrown into our house with 4 little kids and no other teenagers in sight. I think it has been more of an adjustment for him than for us.

Soccer Chicks

2011-10-10T10:29:00.000-07:00

Seth is coaching McKay and Kimball's soccer team this season and it has been so much fun. The kids are having a blast and playing really well. They don't keep score in 5-6 year old soccer. The kids aren't supposed to know if they win or lose. But let me tell you something. They do. The parents (including me) totally keep score an the kids know who won. Last season we didn't win any games. Not one. And the kids definitely knew it. It's been fun for them to be on a little better team this year and to actually score some goals.

Isn't she cute?

Kimbalita

2011-10-05T07:28:00.000-07:00

My little Kimbalita turned SIX on Monday. And in true Avey fashion we partied all weekend long. Birthdays last for days here in our home and I think that's how it should be. It only comes around once a year so we might was well get the most out of it.

She had a birthday party with friends. I keep saying that at some point we are only going to have a friend party every other year but as their birthdays get close and they start telling me about their "plans" I always cave. Maybe next year I'll be stronger. Here's how the fun went down.

Kimball's Rainbow Splash Party

Pin the Cloud on the Rainbow

(Kimball's idea)

Rainbow Cupcakes

(the inspiration behind the theme)

Rainbow Drinks with name labels

(my very inexpensive excuse for a party favor, there were also

rainbow candy bags but I forgot to get a picture of them

A Borrowed Water Slide

(fits right in with the inexpensive part of the theme)

We continued the weekend of celebrations with a party at Nana and Papa's with her cousin Sloan who was celebrating her 10th birthday. Kimball wanted salad for her birthday dinner and Sloan wanted Tacos so they compromised and we had taco salad. What 6 year old wants salad for her birthday dinner... she is a child after my own heart.

Then we finished off the celebrations on Monday by going to IHOP for dinner (kids eat free!)

All in all a good weekend. Kimball's birthday always falls right around General Conference weekend so she is blessed to have a mother who has it fresh in her mind that being a mother and loving her children is a top priority. I love General Conference.

On side note, this is my 5 month old. Is it just me or is he attempting to crawl? Please no. I'm not ready for that!!!

Hodge Podge and A Couple of Cute Pics

2011-09-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

Just one Lesson I've Learned for today.

Oatmeal when left in the bowl, on the spoon or on the table or floor will turn to a substance similar in strength to concrete. This does not mean that I always get it cleaned up when it first spills, I haven't learned that lesson yet but I do know what to use if I ever need some concrete and don't have it on hand.

I love the things I overhear when my kids don't know I'm in the room. Luc was watching Blue's Clues the other day (which he does everyday) and Steve (or Joe?) asked "what are you grateful for?" and Luc promptly answered "my whole family." Too cute.

Speaking of things kids say this is a dialogue between McKay and I the other day:

M: Mom what is glee?

Me: It's a TV show

M: No what does it mean?

Me: Happiness or joy.

M: Oh I thought it meant when boys like boys.

Me: No, that's gay.

M: Oh, so Glee isn't gay?

Me: um...

2011-09-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

Part I:
I love lists. I make them all the time. Lists of things to do, lists of Christmas ideas, lists of thoughts for blogging, lists of groceries (that I normally forget to actually take to the store with me), lists of things I want, lists, lists lists. (now the word list is starting to sound funny)
Here is my list today. There are two things I love about this list. First that I had to put shower on my to do list and second my exaggeration about feeding my baby 17,000 times a day! Dang I'm funny. Even in my lists.

Part II:
I am trying really hard to get the kids' Halloween costumes figured out early this year. McKay wants to be Mary Poppins. I think that is so cute and if I had it my way I would figure out how to make all four kids be something from MP so I could have a cute little coordinated family. But that will never happen. Kimball wants to be Little Red Riding Hood (careful when googling "Little Red Riding Hood Costumes" apparently that is a very popular hoochie mama costume and you might not enjoy some of the images that flash before your eyes.) Luc wants to be either a Blue Bakugon (sp?) or a train. Ugh. I am working on convincing him to be a cowboy or Darth Baber (that's how he says it). But so far he only wants to be inanimate objects that will require way more time and effort than I will ever be able to muster up. Nash will be a chicken, I think. We already have a chicken costume and it will be the perfect size. Although if I were more ambitious I would have him be a Phoenix Suns basketball player. Get it? Like Steve "Nash".

I wasn't planning on giving so much information on our Halloween preparations. Really I just wanted to know if this hat could pass for a Mary Poppins' hat if I spray painted it black? And if so, can I spray paint it or do you think there could be an easier or better way to make it black?

Side Note: Thanks so much for all your encouragement and understanding on my last little break down post. I am feeling much better. Just one of those days (or 2 or 3).

2011-09-12T08:40:00.001-07:00

I'm in search of a little therapy. Blogging is usually therapuetic for me. But I'm not sure that I want to vent all my frustrations about me to the world lest you all think I'm failing at my jobs as a mother and a wife. I'm guessing that most moms have days like this. Days where you just think "why can't I figure this out? why am I still struggling with ________?" Tell me I'm not the only one? Deep down I know I'm not but it sure feels like it sometimes.

Baby crying. Gotta go. Here's hoping for a little more confidence and self-assurance tomorrow.

A Thousand Words...

2011-09-09T10:30:00.000-07:00

"They" say that a picture is worth a thousand words. What do they say about school pictures? Are they worth the arm and leg they are trying to charge me? I am boycotting school pictures. I've never been a fan in the first place but now that there are two of them in school (and someday there will be four) I am officially refusing to pay for a bad picture with a cheesy background and fake smile. I did doll them all up and put them in cute clothes so they wouldn't feel left out at school and I snapped a few pictures myself and I will even photoshop them (to the best of my limited ability) and add a little "2011-2012" on the bottom corner but I will not order them this year. (or next unless of course we come into some serious money and there is absolutely nothing else to waste it on.)

McKay chose this pose. Shocker.

Kimball lost her first tooth last week. The tooth fairy forgot to come the first night, then her tooth disappeared the next day. Good thing the tooth fairy can find teeth even if mommy can't.

My beautiful sweet McKay

And as long as we're snapping pics... my boys! Luc can't seem to look at the camera. Ever.

I wish I knew how to take baby pictures. He is super cute.

Even when he's ticked.

Luc started preschool and apparently its exhausting because he crashes like this at least once a week. This was at like 5pm in the middle of dinner.

Arizona Cardinals vs SD Chargers Preseason Game

The noise was a bit much for Nash.

3 Bullet Day

2011-08-29T15:51:00.000-07:00

It's a "Bullet Point" day.

We went to our very first NFL game this weekend. Pre-season, because who can afford a regular season game. And regular season games are almost always on Sunday, except when they are on Monday and then the tickets are even more expensive and harder to come by. It was so much fun. Total nose-bleed seats ($12) but it didn't matter. Check it off my "bucket-list." (at some point I should actually make a "bucket-list" except I don't like that name for it, a to-do before I die list? No that's even worse. I'll have to brainstorm on that.)

My best friend is moving today. Not far just a few miles but out of our ward and out of our stake and definitely not "just up the street and around the corner." I was fine with it, dealing it with just great, until church yesterday when Luc said "can I go sit with Krystal?" which he says almost every week and it hit me that she won't be there anymore. Not just for Luc to sit with but for me to talk with and laugh with and understand my frustrations and all of those little things that make life just a tad bit easier. I will definitely miss her.

(Saving the best for last...) Luc is constipated. Chronically. And I know what causes it and yet I have not learned. He LOVES cheese. Which I can completely understand. I mean really, what's not to love. He also LOVES chocolate milk. And again, understandable, right? He does not on the other hand love fruits and veggies. So you can see where this may lead. And it does. Except, for him, instead of manifesting itself by him sitting on the toilet not being able to go, he pukes. It gets so bad that he can't keep anything down and he just ends up puking all day until I can get enough apple juice in him to "loosen" him up and then we're all good. (how many of you are still reading? you are officially counted as good friends!) It happens about once a month. So this begs the question: why don't I change my ways with him? Why don't I force some fruits on him and limit his cheese intake? I DON'T KNOW! I do for a week or so and then everything is ok so I gradually fall back into the all dairy no fruits and veggies routine until we end up with Pukey Luc-ee again. Ugh. I am learning. Slowly but surely. Admitting my problem is the first step right? We'll see how well I do this time.

Learning Patience

2011-08-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

I'm wondering if I will ever master this one. I've learned not to pray for patience but to pray that I can "show patience." I don't need any more lessons in patience I just need to figure out how not to blow a gasket when my 7 year takes a spoonful of Nutella into the living room and actually sets the spoon down on the carpet. What about the rule "no food in the living room" is difficult to understand. So not yelling at her was my big accomplishment. I did go on a 5 minute rant about rules and why we have them and what we should be doing differently to ensure that they are followed. But I didn't raise my voice. I'm sure she quit listening after 30 seconds but it felt good to get it out. Next time maybe I will actually sit down and talk with her instead of at her.

Right now I have loads and loads of patience. It's 11:30 and I am enjoying my quiet time at home with just one napping baby. Ahhhh. It feels good. And I love that I am happy and ready to see my kids when they come home. Oh and I've started cooking dinner again. But not tonight because it's supposed to be 116 today and I refuse to even use the microwave in this weather.

Too Far...

2011-08-22T20:05:00.001-07:00

McKay and My Dad 2008

My parents have left me. They are now far far away. The more weeks that pass the more real it becomes. They have lived just down the road (1.5 hrs) in Tucson for almost 6 years and I have become accustomed to having them close by. We live near the temple and they were right by my brother and sister so there was always a reason to get together.

My dad got a job up in Washington and I was so excited for him to be close to my other two sisters (and to have a job) that I really didn't even think twice about them leaving us. Until they were gone and now I (selfishly) wish they were still here.

Washington is a very long drive. 1200 miles. 21+ hours in the car or 5 plane tickets! Needless to say we won't be visiting real often. I'm hoping we'll be able to get up there next summer. NEXT SUMMER? That is so far away. I think we need to get a computer camera thingy so we can skype. My kids need to see Nana and Papa more often than that.

Anyway, mom and dad, you are missed. By me and by my children. (and by Seth I'm sure!)

Today I Learned...

2011-08-17T08:58:00.000-07:00

that I should always wear shoes to the bus stop (directly across the street from our house, we ran out in a hurry and I skipped the flip flops.) - because I never know when I will have to chase my 5 year old around while holding a (almost) 4 month old and threaten her with all manner of punishment and loss of privilege in order to get her on the bus. I'm hoping somebody got a glimpse of that out their front window because it would have been a good laugh first thing in the morning.

BACK TO SCHOOL 2011

Lessons Learned (and/or learning)

2011-08-15T09:24:00.000-07:00

After 35 years of life, 17 years of school, 8 years of marriage and 7 years of mothering I have come to realize that life is all about the lessons I am learning. Some lessons are profound others are simple but they all help me to be a better person (eventually.)

This morning I was thinking about some of these lessons and I've decided that this will be a recurring post on my blog. Something for me to look back on and see where I've come from and how far I've gotten. Hopefully it will inspire me to keep learning and surely it will remind me of lessons that I thought I had learned but still need some work.

So after a fun (crazy) summer and 3 road trips with my 4 beautiful energetic children here are a few of the "lessons I've learned":

If I don't get it done while the baby is sleeping it will inevitably take twice as long and be done with one hand and/or while listening to crying.

If McDonald's forgets to give me caramel with the kids' apple dippers... DO NOT go back for it. The whining is much easier to listen to than the mess is to clean up! (especially in 100 degree weather)

I can be both elated and sad about my kids going back to school.

Elation tends to last longer than sadness.

Having half as many kids at home means things get done twice as fast and I have to redo those things half as often.

When picking my battles with our children it's just as important to consider the when and where as it is the what. (ie. the beginning of a 4 hour car ride after a very crazy 2 days is not the right time to teach my 7 year old to "buck up and quit crying." Loving her and worrying about that lesson later is a much better idea.)

No matter how many times I see my husband finish a race (1/2 marathon this past weekend) I will always cry. The first race I watched Seth run was the Ogden Marathon the week before we got married and I just figured it was fatigue and hormones that caused the tears but I've cried at every race since then so unless I'm chronically fatigued and hormonal it must be more about being a proud wife.

The junk drawer is not the best place to keep a rotary cutter that doesn't stay closed. Ouch.

I could go on and on but I currently have only half my kids home so it's time to get some stuff done.

2011-08-09T09:07:00.001-07:00

Wow what a month. I had such plans for keeping up on things and that has all been shot to...

Our foreign exchange student/German son, Kilian is back for a visit. He got here on July 23rd and Seth's grandma passed away on July 24th. So we made a quick little trip to Vegas for the funeral and then over to California with Seth's mom to see his other grandma who has alzheimers and is not doing well. It ended up being 1100 miles (18 car hours) and 3 hotels in 3 days. The kids did awesome and it was actually a lot of fun. (minus Luc pooping his pants while in time-out in the IHOP parking lot, that wasn't so much fun)

But the beach was fun. It was windy and a little chilly but the kids didn't care. I wish we could get to beach more often.

Seeing Grandma Sloan was such a blessing. It was awesome to see her hold Nash and play with him just like a (great) grandma should. Her disease hasn't allowed us to see that side of her and for 20 minutes it was like Alzheimers hadn't taken that from us. It was amazing.

Now we're back and of course finally for the last week of summer my children have figured out how to sleep past 6:30am just in time for me to have to start waking them up for school. But I'll take it. I am ready for school. I'm ready for a schedule and for a little separation. I love my children. I love being able to stay home with them. I love that there are 4 of them. But 4 of them staying home all together all day every day is over-rated. Home-schooling would do me in for sure. I don't know how mothers do that. And I feel awful when I hear people say "I'm so sad summer is over, I'm going to miss having my kids home all day!" What? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy summer but in the end I need some quiet time and a little more lag time in between messes. I'm excited to have some one on one time with Nash and possibly get him on an actual nap schedule.

School starts in 2 days. My little Kimball starts kindergarten, McKay will be in 2nd grade and Luc-ee is off to preschool. But not without one last little excursion so finish off the summer adventures. Seth is running a 1/2 marathon in Flagstaff Saturday morning and then we'll drive up to the Grand Canyon for the day. We neglected to get Kilian there while he was here last year so it's a must this time. I've only been once and it was 8 years ago. Should I be nervous about taking my kids there?

Summer Vacation Avey Style (part 1)

2011-07-15T16:07:00.000-07:00

When I was growing up I hated Utah, or at least I thought I did. I had never been there. I can't even tell you why. I just thought it was over-rated and got sick of people talking about how great Utah was. Then I went to Ricks and prayed that I wouldn't have all roommates from Utah and Idaho. And I didn't. My first year my roommates were from Canada, Mississippi, Kansas, Idaho and Michigan... and I hated it. It was awful. I didn't really get along with any of them and I just wanted to go home. Then I met these girls from my brother's ward and I started having so much fun. I ended up living with them the next year... 1 from Idaho and 3 from Utah! But don't you worry on our rental application we requested NOT to be roomed with any Return Sister Missionaries! We got a cute little valedictorian from Burley, Idaho. (4 out of 6 of us ended up going on missions! Serves us right for being so judgmental.)

Anyway the point of all of that was, I now love Utah. I love visiting Utah. And I actually rather enjoyed the 6+ years that I lived there. And as most everyone knows I love my alma mater the University of Utah! So our summer vacation this year was perfect. 10 days in Utah. The weather was beautiful and we managed to miss the 118 degree day here in Phoenix.

Souvenirs

Want to know what I don't love? Trying to put pictures in order on blogger! It's such a joke. So I give up. I'm just throwing them up there and it will be a fun little travel log that is in no particular order.

Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point

Cutie-Pa-tootie

Fireworks on the 4th with good friends

(not to mention Utah is one of those crazy states that lets you light off any type of firework you want, madness, pure madness but lots of fun too)

Legacy Pool in Lehi with my cousin Sarah and her cute little family. That's her son Jake, under Luc, I'm not sure how much fun he had but he was a good sport. I am still trying to figure out why we don't have pools like this in AZ. Indoor/outdoor with slides and water features and toddler area and lazy river... seems like something we should definitely have here. It was a ton of fun.

Soccer with the Skyline Crew. Dads vs. Kids. Seth has a group of 4-5 friends from high school that we always get together with when we're in town. We actually got to hang out 3 times this trip and it was so much fun. They are part of the reason I would consider living up there.

Check out Seth rubbing it in McKay's face that he scored a goal... I think McKay was the oldest one on their team.

This was completely spontaneous. Too cute.

We stayed with the Jensens and other than a couple of bossy gusses that had a hard time getting along (Kimball and Aaron) it was perfect. We love having a place to stay where we feel right at home. I'm not sure how much the Jensens love that we feel right at home but oh well!

Aaron and Luke lovin' Nash

Seth has his high school friends and I have my Ricks College friends. My sweet roomie Amy invited the gang over for a bbq and things got a little crazy (they always do).

We never take just a normal ol' head shot photo! It spells LOVE if you can't tell.

Petting Zoo and Wagon Ride at Thanksgiving Point... McKay pretending to kiss Aaron.

Quickie...

2011-06-29T15:46:00.000-07:00

I have been reprimanded. Seth told me that if I'm "going to use my blog as journal" than i need to be better about updating it. Ya ya ya. More like if WE'RE going to use MY blog as a journal...

But he's right. I have missed a couple big events over the past month or so. Summer + 4 kids has taken it's tole on me. Blogging has been at the bottom of the list. We're heading off to Utah for a little vacation so I better get semi-caught up before we leave.

Nash's Blessing:

Precious. He is such a good baby. Not perfect. Not a great sleeper, yet. But he's just so sweet. His blessing was... great. The blessing part was fantastic. Seth is an amazing father and we were blessed to have Seth's dad, my dad, our brother-in-law Brandon, my brother Bj, and a few friends (Christian Newitt, Steve Harper and Ben McAvoy) there to stand in on the blessing.

The stress and drama that seems to go with having large family get togethers is almost not worth the effort some times. I love my family very much. I love Seth's family very much. Both families in my house at the same time is overwhelming to me.

So overwhelming that the only pictures I got were of him sleeping in his car seat (before all the family arrived). I need to get the good pictures from my mother-in-law. But this will do for now. Isn't he adorable. I made that bow tie. It was super easy. Well super easy once I got the size figured out. I made about 6 of them in the process.

Miss McKay Turns Seven!:
I can't believe my baby girl is 7! Not sure why that is shocking seeing as how I've only been married for just over 8 years and we just had our 4th child but its still crazy to me. She has been my challenge the last few months, my sweet little girl has started to develop some serious attitude. She reminds me a lot of me at about 12... that's 5 years early but maybe I just don't remember me at 7. She's still a great girl. She loves her baby brother and will be a great mommy some day. She's a great mommy right now, only problem is this family can only handle one mommy at a time. Seth and I were sneaking a quick, innocent kiss in the kitchen the other day and she told us to "get a room." I'm pretty sure she doesn't really know what that means but it's so par for the course with her, always reprimanding and correcting us.

For her birthday we took her and 3 friends to the drive-in to see Kung Fu Panda 2. It was kind of a good idea. They all got tired about half way through and half of them were sleeping by the time we got them home. But it was fun. And way less expensive than taking them all to the actual movies.

Quatro!

2011-06-24T10:41:00.000-07:00

Four is harder than I thought it would be.

I can leave the house with them and I do pretty good. As long as I'm not in a hurry that's not too bad.

It's staying home and getting anything done with all four of them here that is difficult.

It might have something to do with it being summer and there's no school/preschool to send them off to.

And lack of sleep. That could be part of it too.

Bless me with patience this day! Don't teach me patience I've had plenty training in that just help me to show the patience I've already been "taught".

Kids are a little too honest sometimes...

2011-06-07T08:18:00.000-07:00

We had a very fun day on Saturday as we celebrated McKay and her cousin T.Jay's birthdays at Seth's sister's house in Chandler (I cannot believe they are both 7). The kids played games, cracked open a pinata (after many, many hits with the wiffle ball bat), ate dinner, opened presents, and ate cupcakes and ice cream. After all of that fun you would have thought that the kids would have been full of praise to their loving mother for all I do and have done for them. Not so. Here's the conversation we had as we drove away from their house:

Me: Everyone be quiet because I'm going to sleep and Dad is going to carry me to bed when we get home.

McKay: Then Dad will faint.

Me: That's not nice. Are you saying Dad isn't strong enough to carry me?

M: No, I'm saying you're too heavy.

Me: Hey, that's not nice.

M: I'm not saying you're fat.

Me: Thanks

M: I keep talking and I'm making it worse.

Me: Yeah, maybe you should stop.

M: Well it's true...not that you're fat. I need to just shut up.

Me: That's the best idea you've had all day.

I didn't actually say that last one, but I wanted to. Kids definitely keep us humble.

Hot Date at the Hammered Hog

2011-06-03T16:26:00.000-07:00

In the last couple months my wonderful husband has been really good about making sure that we get a date night every week. It's the best. There's nothing like kissing the kiddos goodbye and just getting out of the house for a couple hours.

We haven't always been good about that. We haven't always had the money to pay for a babysitter on a weekly basis. For a long time our dates seemed like they were monthly and they always involved going to the temple. Which isn't a bad thing. I like going to the temple and we try hard to get there once a month but there is something refreshing and renewing about spending some alone time out of the house every week. By the time we get back I am ready to love my kids again. Especially when they are snuggled sweetly in their beds snoring.

My advise to all newlyweds would be "go on dates." Not so much when you are first married and all gushy-in-love but after the children have come and you've stopped kissin' on each other every 5 seconds because the kids are always there making gagging noises when you do. Go on dates then. And kiss on each other. It will make a huge difference.

So with that we are off. Ready to be refreshed and renewed... and to eat some deliciously messy BBQ. (we hope. we've never been to this particular establishment so I'll let you know how it is.)

Memorial Day

2011-06-01T09:07:00.000-07:00

Sometimes when I'm perusing other peoples' blogs I see their blog list on the side bar and it says somthing like

Avey Family

6 days ago

And I'm like "nu-uh!" And then, as if the great blogger calculator must be on the fritz, I run back over to my blog to check. Because there is NO WAY it's been that long since I blogged. I blog like every other day I swear! But alas, the blogger calculator is always right. It has been 6 days. And sometimes it's been like 6 weeks then I get that dreaded 1 MONTH calculation and I feel bad because I missed a whole month of our lives. Or at least missed writing anything about it.

So here I am blogging about blogging no it's worse than that I'm blogging about not blogging. Which pretty much makes this post null and void because it has no point. Ugh. It matters not how I try!

So lets make this worth something.

MEMORIAL DAY WITH THE AVEYS!

We took the girls to Nana and Papas on Sunday night and "let" them have a sleep over with their cousins. Luc was so sad. Not that he wanted to stay he just wanted "KayKay and Kimbo" here with him. It was sweet.

Monday morning we went and cleaned my car then headed up to Nana's for a day of swimmning. It was beautiful. A high of like 87! Which is unheard of in Phoenix, it's usually in the 100s by now.

We bbq'd. I think that's a requirement for Memorial Day

In the afternoon we took the kids for a drive through the National Cemetary. It was very touching to see all the flags and take a moment to remember those who have gone before us. Mckay begged us to take her back when we could get out and walk around. A girl after my own heart. I love cemetaries!

Dinner at Culvers! Which I thought was delightful but Seth thought was a bit chaotic. I think after 4 days of being home with the kids he was ready to head back to the quiet confines of his cubicle. I would like a cubicle sometimes too. Would that be weird to put up a sound-proof cubicle in my home?

Phew! Now this post counts. Awesome.

*Warning: spell check must not be working because it says I have no misspellings and it always picks up on Luc's misspelled name. So excuse any misspellings.

A post from Dad

2011-05-25T12:30:00.000-07:00

One of my good friends, Ben, said that I should post something from Dad's perspective so this is a post from Seth and not Denise and I can pretty much guarantee that it will be random. (All opinions expressed in this post are those of Seth and do not necessarily represent those of the blog owner).

Like Denise, I am extremely thankful for our wonderful kids, especially our newest little monkey, Nash. We are so very blessed to have 4 kids after just 8 years of marriage. Whenever we decide it's time to try to get pregnant, we get pregnant. I am not trying to rub it in anyone's face who struggles or who has struggled to have children. I think that would be one of the hardest things to deal with and my heart goes out to those couples who have that trial. Our trial is not getting pregnant, it's dealing with the kids when we have them.

Parenting is pretty different than I expected. My little brother was born when I was 14 so I experienced a lot of "parenting" as he grew up. I changed diapers, babysat, took him to hang out with my friends and bought him some sweet little Air Jordans. With all of this experience I thought I had a pretty good handle on parenting. I was wrong about a lot of it.

The thing I was most surprised about was how some people treat families out in public. We get some amazing looks while we struggle through stores. Many people are sweet and they comment on how cute our kids are or how blessed we are. Some people are not sweet. Denise almost went to blows with a lady who got frustrated with my kids in the aisle of Walmart because they were not getting out of her way fast enough. Dude you're shopping at Walmart, there's going to be moms with kids who like to save money so deal with it. Denise also tried to get a lady fired at Hobby Lobby when she was rude to our kids after they dinged the bell a few times. Hey, if you don't want us ringing your bell turn around and help us when we ring it the first time. Some people are not trying to be rude, they just make funny comments or ask amusing questions. Below is a list of comments/questions that we get almost every time we go out (followed by what I would like to say in response):

Wow, are they all yours? (Nope, we stole them from a couple that looks just like us. Did you not notice how all of them are carbon copies of us? Yes they are all ours and we chose to have all of them. And yes we know how contraceptives work.)

Well you've got quite a handful don't you? (Nope it's easy managing 4 little kids all under 7. Why don't you come over to my house sometime at around 6:00pm to see if we have our hands full)

Oh, you're little girls must be twins! (Nope, we had them 16 months apart; on purpose. And we had the other two on purpose as well)

Is this your first time taking that little one out in public? (No, you might be shocked to know when we first brought him "out in public")

I realize that not everyone who makes one of these comments are judging us, but it sure seems like it. (Have you noticed that I have an attitude? Have you asked yourself how Denise can stand being with me? I have asked myself that same question.) I love it when we walk down the aisle in the supermarket and see another mom or dad struggling with their kids. I am not happy for them and I don't judge them, but I am happy to see that we're not the only ones struggling with our kids.

Random thoughts that I have about parenting:

Denise and I decided early in our parenthood not to hit/spank/slap/punch/kick/etc. our kids.

I never knew how hard it would be not to hit/spank/slap/punch/kick your kids.

Sometimes I flick my kids in the mouth when they sass or yell or say something inappropriate. And I justify this as not hitting how?

Why do kids wake up screaming in the middle of the night? I didn't do that, did I? I thought screaming at night ended when they turn 3.

Hey McKay when did you decide to get an attitude? You're 6 years old and for the past 5.5 years of your life you were the sweetest thing ever.

I never knew how much liquid 3 kids could spill. I have to think about "not crying over spilled milk" all of the time and I often fail. Except I don't cry, I yell.

Don't pray to ask Heavenly Father if you should try to have a baby unless you're ready to have a baby because the answer is almost always "Yes".

I thought all new parents worried about germs, but Denise and I never really have. There's a list out there about your first baby versus your third. I think one of them talks about sanitizing the binky with the first baby when it falls on the floor versus picking it out of the dirt and putting it back in the third baby's mouth. Well, we've almost never sanitized anything after it falls on the floor and our kids have been very healthy (knock on wood).

I know this post does not hold a candle to my wonderful wife's posts and I promise not to impose on her blog too much in the future. I am very grateful for our life. I have an incredible wife. She is very patient with me. She lets me do pretty much whatever I want. She loves watching sports and cooking and taking care of my kids. She is the greatest wife/mom combo anywhere (no offense to you other mom/wives out there).

And after reading Denise's last post I will plan a nice long nap for her when I get home. Babies are very tiring...

Honesty

2011-05-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I absolutely adore my new little guy. I also love my 3 other children. They are precious and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

That being said, I cried this morning when Nash woke up ready to eat, again. I was so tired. It was 6am and it was the third time he was needing to eat since going to bed at 11 last night. I cried, knowing that by the time he was done eating the other 3 would be up and needing their mom. This is what lack of sleep does. It makes you cry when faced with everyday life. A life I have chosen. And a life I love. With sleep. Everything goes better with sleep.

Adages

2011-05-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

You know the old adage "if mama ain't happy ain't nobody happy?" Well I've decided that's not exactly true or correct. The truth is "if baby ain't sleepin' well, mama ain't sleepin' well and if mama ain't sleepin' well then she's grumpy and so is everyone else!' Maybe that one is just too long to be classified as an adage. But that's the story at our house.

Along with that goes this little "note to self" - although its nice to have a quiet evening where ALL the children are asleep at 8 pm, a newborn who goes to sleep at 8:00 will most likely be up from 12-2. Please remember this for future "quiet" evenings. It's not worth it.

I have debated posting the following picture. It's graphic. It's sad. It will surely be humiliating to my little love bug. And it's how I first fell in love with little Nasherton. Consider yourself warned. Viewer's discretion advised.

Here's another adage for you "a face only a mother could love"

and here's a little something to "cleanse your palette."

Family Friendly Fridays!

2011-05-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

Seth's company has one of the best perks ever. If he ever decides it's time to move on I may be in for a rude awakening. His company has this sweet little thing called Family Friendly Fridays - which means they only work half day on Fridays. Not once a month or every other week but every Friday and he doesn't have to work extra hours during the week to "make up" for it. It's so nice. I feel like I get an extra day in my weekend. So Thank You Seth's Work. Thank you for being so kind and considerate and for being smart enough to know that nobody gets anything done the last 3 hours on a Friday anyway.

Our Story

2011-05-18T13:21:00.000-07:00

I was almost 27 when I finally found a man that would not only date me but agreed to marry me. Which I realize by normal American standards is not old but I lived in Utah. And, even in the ultra-liberal (ha ha) city of Salt Lake, any unmarried woman over the age of 23 is considered an old maid. Add to that the fact that I had served a mission and therefore bore the unsavory classification of "returned sister missionary" and I was pretty much out of luck.

I dated, very briefly, two different guys from my mission, one guy who knew way too little about football and went on one really bad date with a guy who had a really big head (literally, like the thought now of bearing his children makes me cringe. We nicknamed him Head, pronounced with an Irish accent like Mike Meyers' in So I Married an Ax Murderer.) Other than that I went on very few dates and had even fewer actual relationships.

At 26 I was seriously considering going to law school. I had decided that my life was pretty good. I had great friends. I loved being a legal assistant and my boss had told me if I went to law school he would let me kind of "take over" his practice (at that point I was basically running his practice anyway) so why not make some real money and secure my own future. Especially since it appeared that I would be single forever.

So you can guess what comes next... then I met Seth! Ahhh, so sweet. Not really. Seth was nothing like any of the guys I had dated. (My best friend later pointed out that that was probably a good thing since none of the other guys I had dated had worked out all that well, maybe it was time to try a different kind of guy.) But Seth was young. Over three years younger. The first time we met I told his best friend that he had "nice soccer legs." I'm sure they both thought it was some kind of "line." But really I just appreciate sports and could tell he must be a soccer player with legs like those. I guess I missed the fact that Seth had some nice marathoner legs... or maybe I didn't appreciate marathoning at the time. Along with his age I soon found out that Seth was not only just getting out of a long term relationship but he also had a thing for 18 yr olds (must be a Utah thing.)

So we became good friends. We hung out a lot. Watched sports together. Sat next to each other in church and talked about scriptures and doctrine. We went to football games with our group of friends where he would slyly move away from the young 18 yr old he had invited and stand next to me because her lack of sports knowledge was more annoying than cute. He would ask me about all the new girls in the ward and I would warn him that they weren't quite yet legal so he should wait a few more weeks until they actually graduated from high school. We had a blast together. But we were just friends. He had sworn off sister missionaries and I was determined that if and when I met the right guy he would be graduated and fully ready to support me (financially.) None of this putting my husband through college crap.

Then something happened. It was really all a big misunderstanding. See he put his arm around me at a fireside and then his hand kind of touched mine and I thought "oh, hmmm, he wants to hold my hand. That's weird. But cool." So I let him. His story is I grabbed his hand and he almost had a heart attack. Apparently in the "world of men" holding hands is way more serious than putting your arm around somebody. In fact, you could even kiss a girl and it's possible that it doesn't signify the seriousness that hand holding does. I still think that's the silliest thing I've ever heard but it has been confirmed by other men, so whatever.

After that there was a first date. And then a first kiss (while watching General Conference of all things!) Followed by a very short courtship that almost ended when Seth decided that we should either decide that we were supposed to get married or break up. He had a harder time getting his answer than I did. But then again I was more mature and "in-tune". (Not true. I think I was just more ready to hear the answer, after all I was very nearly an old maid.)

So my thoughts of becoming an attorney were quickly put aside and we started planning a wedding.

Our 8 year anniversary was last week and I've been keenly aware the last few weeks and months that I have so much more than I ever thought I would. I had no idea what an amazing man I was getting. I knew I loved him. I knew we had a lot in common and that we had a lot of fun together. I knew I was definitely marrying "above myself" but I had no idea how much more was in store.

He is my everything, my best friend. I love him more than I ever imagined possible. I could go on and on but I don't want to gag when I proof read this. So that's my version of "Our Story... Thus Far."

2011-05-17T14:19:00.000-07:00

THINGS THAT I'M FEELING GOOD ABOUT:

(besides how cute this little guy is!)

I am almost caught up on laundry.

I got a shower before noon. (yesterday I didn't get one at all)

Kimball (5 yrs old) finally went to the dentist for the first time.

I made dinner last night.

I am going to attempt to go to RS tonight.

I have a beautiful little newborn who only wakes up once a night. (not that that has anything to do with me but it still feels good.)

I painted my toe nails.

Mother's Day

2011-05-09T20:19:00.000-07:00

I'm typing with a newborn laying in my lap. It's precious and sweet. He is precious and sweet. I could put him down or give him to Seth but I'm loving him. Seth just said "do you want me to take him so you can blog?" Um, no.

Yesterday was an amazing Mother's Day. Not so much because of what happened or what I got or how I was treated, although all those things were pretty awesome too. I just had a sweet day, a day where I really felt like all I do as a mother is so worth it because I have this amazing family and I get to watch these sweet little angels grow up right under my feet, albeit literally. I felt so proud yesterday. Not proud of myself but proud of what I have. (That's OK right, to be proud of the things and people that I am surrounded by? I think it is.)

Nash has been such a blessing. He's really made me stop and think about how fast they grow and how much I miss out on when I spend my days worrying about the "little things." I'm trying to be better about that. So what if the house is a mess all day (I usually try to get it picked up and looking "better" before Seth gets home.) Sitting and reading a book to Luc or watching CakeBoss with Kimball is time well spent. It means more to all of us than a spotless living room.

I have been blessed with really good kids. The older ones have just been amazing with Nash. (can I call 3, 5 and 7 "older ones"?) Kimball holds him for hours everyday and will do anything I ask of her if it in any way benefits her "little buddy". It's so sweet. Luc has a new-found freedom. It's called "doing whatever I want because mom is busy with that new little baby." He loves it. I sit and nurse while I listen to him playing dinosaurs or cars or whatever and his imagination is hilarious. McKay has been a little less affected by him. She loves him but not for as long or as intently as Kimball but she's great with him. She tells us she wants to be a mommy someday but only if she doesn't have to get married or kiss a boy... We'll talk about that one in a few years.

Anyway, I was just feeling extremely blessed and wanted to make sure I put it all down "on paper" lest I forget how amazing my life is. (I might need to come read this after a 3 am feeding when Nash is more awake than he is all day or when Luc screams out nonsense in the middle of the night and can't be consoled. That's when I will need to be reminded that all of this is such a sweet blessing.)

Nash Ryan

2011-05-01T11:02:00.001-07:00

These first few pictures are meant to be at the end of this post but I am too tired of trying to move them around. So just pretend. Or don't. Whatever.

Nana Laura and Papa Craig's 21st grandchild!

MY BEAUTIFUL FAMILY! 4 KIDS! WOW. CRAZY.

Just a quick summary of Nash's glorious entrance into our lives

Thursday, April 28, 2011

3:00am - phone rings... seth stares at the phone for 2 full rings until I say "seth either answer it or hand it to me" (he was a little confused.) They (the hospital) tell us that they have room for us and can we come in now.

3:55 am - stop at mcdonalds for a power breakfast but they don't serve breakfast until 4:00am so a cheeseburger will have to do. (note the time, and they had to make our fries and burger, heaven forbid they make a sausage mcmuffin pre-breakfast)

4:05 am - check in and put on the stylish hospital garb then try to nap until they are ready to get this all going.

5:30 am - pitocin started.

6:30 am - water broken.

7:30 am - contractions getting "fun."

8:30 am - EPIDURAL!!! Nothing better. Time to nap.

11:00 am - blood pressure too low (low blood pressure feels SO good, its super relaxing and comfortable to me. I only experience it during labor but I rather enjoy it.) Ephedrin (sp) added to IV cocktail. Racing heart and shaky hands not as relaxing but more productive apparently.

12:20 pm - Dilated to an 8 and sleeping. (like I said "gotta love a good epidural)

12:36 pm - Nash finally arrives! 7lbs 7 oz, 21.5 inches long and SPITTING MAD!

Newborns are not the most beautiful sight but they get cuter and cuter with each minute.

Can you believe I am posting not one but two pictures of me in the hospital... I know pretty brave, huh?

He has such big bright eyes. I wonder if he'll be as serious as he seems right now?

FINALLY! They have been so excited. And they are so good with him. Kimball holds him every chance she can get and will sit there for as long as you'll let her.

Proud Nana... Nash is her lucky number 13!

So there you have it. My beautiful baby is here. He is a sweet little angel. He sleeps a ton and only eats when he is good and ready (every two hours is just not his schedule. More like every 3-4 and sometimes more like 5-6). So far so good. I'll let you know how things are next week when my mom goes home and Seth goes out of town for 3 days. Ugh. I will be strong! Hopefully.

Easter 2011

2011-04-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

(This is not an amendment or contradiction of my last post. Just an addition and clarification of the rest of the day)

I honestly thought I would be spending my Easter either in the hospital or on my couch cuddling my new little angel. Not to be. Which is fine. Easter was wonderful and I felt great so I can't complain. In fact I am sleeping so well I almost want this baby to stay in a little bit longer... almost.

I curled the girls hair all cute. They barely made it to church in tact. Kimball cried the whole way there because Seth wouldn't' let her take her stuffed penguin. By the end of Sacrament they looked like they'd just gotten out of bed and I'd thrown a bow in their hair. Boys are so much easier.

We got to Skype with Kilian, our exchange student and the kids were so excited. Aren't their little faces just precious?

Then I tried to take pictures. This is what we ended up with:

Not exactly a success but definitely an accurate portrayal of the moment.

Yesterday my sweet friend dropped off this adorable diaper cake. My friends had thrown me a "football" baby shower. She couldn't make it but she made this anyway. So cute. Okay, Nash, we're ready for you!

Happy Easter!

2011-04-24T09:05:00.001-07:00

Seth doesn't have meetings today!

I made crepes. The last 4 were really good. The kids thought the first ones were good too.

Seth is cleaning the kitchen.

We're listening to conference on my iPod. I love technology.

The kids are reading books together. And only fighting a little tiny bit.

Max:4 is written on our little chalk board. (Seth's sweet subtle way of reminding me the maximum days I have left of pregnancy. Induction scheduled for Thursday)

I have such a blessed life. And today more than most days I am reminded how very much the Lord has given us. What an amazing blessing to know that our Savior came and gave all for us. That he lived and died for us. I am so grateful for that knowledge.

Happy Easter!

Hum Dee Dum...

2011-04-18T14:55:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned that I'm ready for a baby? So we're 10 days from my due date and regardless of how I keep telling myself to just be patient and let it happen, I'm starting to get very antsy. I need to find things to keep myself busy so I don't think about it so much. Oh wait, I have a TON of things to keep me busy I'm just ignoring/neglecting them.

I do have a good little cleaning schedule for this week. I just finished my Monday Laundry Day duties and now it's on to getting as organized/picked up as possible before Friday. Why Friday? Well because I have the best husband EVER! For an early Mother's Day present he got me a house cleaning! Yep someone is coming here to my house to do all the deep cleaning. I am SO excited. I do realize that it sounds a little insane to say that I am cleaning to prepare for the cleaning lady to come (I never understood that growing up, I had lots of friends with cleaning ladies and they would tell me "I can't come over today I have to clean up because the cleaning lady is coming." What?) Now I get it. You are not "cleaning", you are picking up and organizing so that she can "clean." So that's what's on my to do list for the week. Clean for the cleaning lady.

I tried to put myself in labor this last weekend by helping with our latest project. Putting in 5 tons of river rock next to our driveway... it didn't work. It just made me hot and tired. But it looks good. If Seth, his dad and his brother weren't doing most of the work maybe it would have jump started things.

This is actually 2 Saturdays ago, I think it took 3 hours to get this stump out. The guys are in sweatshirts and jackets which is hilarious because this week it was like 93 degrees. What a difference a week can make.

Seth worked all week to clear all the weeds and grass out. Now if we could just get our neighbors to do the same.

The boys

About half way done. It was a long hot afternoon but it looks great now. Too bad I haven't taken a final picture and my camera is out of batteries and apparently charging the battery is just too much to do right now!

I think I'll go for a nice long walk tonight. Any other suggestions? (no need to suggest the one very obvious one that every one suggests, including Seth.)

Ready for Four

2011-04-11T08:06:00.001-07:00

T minus 16 days or so. I am ready for a new baby. I may not be "ready-ready" but I am definitely ready to meet Nash, to see his cute little face and hear his sweet little newborn cries. I can't wait to meet him. I feel like this pregnancy has been so different from the other 3. Not in the sick or not sick way or carrying him high or low type of discussion but just in my ability to cope and my being ok with the whole thing. Hmmm, not that I wasn't ok with the other 3, each of them was planned and expected. So what am I trying to say? Maybe I'm a little more mature now. Maybe I understand the enormity of it a little better. I don't know but it feels different.

My best description would have to be that with my first, well it was my first. I knew how far along I was by the day on any given day and pregnancy consumed my life (reading books, surfing the net, discussion groups, etc, etc.) This one has been more like "um, I think I'm like 22 or 23 weeks, I don't know somewhere 5 months." And for months I would think "why do I feel sick or why am I so tired? Oh right, I'm pregnant."

Then with Kimball, McKay was only 8 months old when we found out I was pregnant and even though it was planned it was still a little shocking to digest. Plus, who has time to focus on number 2 when number 1 is barely learning to walk.

With Luc, oh boy. I thought I was ready for number 3 and a gap of over two years seemed huge. But once the pregnancy really hit, I was exhausted and nervous about my mothering abilities. Plus, he was a boy and I was scared. I thought there was no way I could love a boy like I loved my princesses. (I was so wrong.)

This pregnancy has just felt... right. I know, I know, I've complained about nausea and fatigue and all the rest but I haven't really felt stressed. I've felt like "it's all good." And it's been a nice change. Not to mention I've felt super comfortable in my pregnant body this time, which has been a welcome change. (except for that one week when the nurse told me that I had gained 17 lbs in one month... someone needs to teach her how to read a scale or maybe they should invest in a digital one, for all of our sakes.)

So I am ready. Today I bought a Boppy and a diaper bag (which isn't really a diaper bag but just a big purse because I just don't want to lug around a quilted bag with little teddy bears on it this time, been there) and I picked up his car seat and stroller. His crib is up. His clothes (95% hand-me-downs - which I love) are all in his dresser and closet.

AND, his newest cousin was born today!!! (my sister Dani had Taryn Juliet this morning.) So we're ready whenever you are Nash.

(Diana- this is for you, it's the only pregnant picture I could find of myself. I'll have to snap a few more in the next couple weeks.)

Horseback Riding

2011-04-04T19:54:00.000-07:00

Kimball has been asking for months if we can go ride horses. I have repeatedly told her that I don't know of anyone who has horses, to which she would say "let's go to Uncle Dale's house, he has horses." Uncle Dale lives in Alberta Canada. She didn't care. She was more than willing to make the 1400 mile drive as long as it meant riding a horse. Luckily when Seth's mom heard about her "dream" she came to the rescue. She has a friend (Billie) with horses and arranged a riding time.

We made McKay go first because Kimball looked nervous and well Luc is only 3 so shouldn't his oldest sister show him the way. Mistake. She was terrified. She didn't want anything to do with it until Billie offered to ride with her.

Luc went second because he could hardly control his excitement and we couldn't hold him back a minute longer. He LOVED every second of it. It was super nerve-racking for me. He kept sliding to one side and turning around and saying "yee-haw" and I was sure he was going to fall off. And look at him, he's tiny. That horse is huge. He didn't seem to notice.

Kimball was in heaven. Billie told her she was a "natural" and even let her steer BJ all by herself. She grinned from ear to ear the whole time. I felt like a super good mom for making this happen. Oh wait, I didn't make it happen, oh well, it still felt good to see them so happy.

McKay did end up getting on by herself and while she didn't love it as much as the other two I was proud of her for conquering her fear.

So here's to horseback riding! Look at my little Rodeo Princesses, they are too cute!

Soccer Day 1

2011-04-04T19:50:00.000-07:00

I have entered the world of soccer-mom-dom. I have had the minivan for 3 years but now that we finally signed the girls up for soccer I'm feeling official. McKay is a trooper, loves the competition of it and is actually a fairly good goalie, not afraid to attack the ball. Kimball is also a trooper but more of a "supportive" trooper. She runs up and down that field like nobody's business and comes with in inches of the ball quite often but she has yet to attempt to touch the ball. At her first practice after being (gently) told she was going the wrong way she stomped off the field and declared for all the other experienced and seasoned soccer moms to hear "I HATE SOCCER!" So honestly we were just proud of her staying on the field at the first game. Luc thinks he should definitely be allowed to play. But for now he'll be their little cheerleader.

Arriving a full 10 minutes early! (the games are at 8am every Sat! good thing I didn't know that when we signed them up I might not have done it.)

There were no subs so they played the whole 40 minutes!

I forgot to buy them soccer shorts... McKay is wearing Luc's shorts! And they totally fit.

Zoo Day

2011-03-23T18:15:00.000-07:00

After that last little vent of a post I uploaded my pictures (or downloaded or however you say it) and thought I should share a little bit of the fun we've had this week.

Kimball's preschool goes to the zoo every year and it's always a lot of fun but I think this year was the best so far. (this is our 3rd year with a child at my friend Laura's preschool) Other than being pregnant and very short of breath it was a perfect day.

My parents joined us which meant very little stroller pushing for me and a lot of "experiencing" my kids' joy with them.

Debated bringing the stroller... so glad I did. Luc spent most of the time in it.

Isn't Kimball's new haircut adorable? I love it!

Another benefit of having my parents, I could not handle the smell in the petting zoo... I blamed it on the pregnancy but I'm not sure I could have handled it not pregnant. Imagine putting your nose in a wet diaper and trying to breath. Ugh. But the kids didn't' seem to mind.

Most of the time Kimball didn't even know we were there, she spent the day as teacher's pet... which she is.

I didn't even realize he was scared when I took this picture. I swear he was having fun, I think...

Luc loved "reading the map." He kept saying "where we going next? To the raccoons?" Are there raccoons at the zoo? We didn't see any but he was sure that's where we were headed.

Luc and Nana. I guess that visor isn't really doing it's job.

All in all a great day. And since I bit the bullet and bought a year membership I guess we'll be headed back soon and often. Good Times.

Lovin' Life... on the weekends

2011-03-23T17:43:00.001-07:00

Why is it that whenever I've had "a day" I feel like blogging? Why can't I blog about how wonderful my life is? I need a private-just-me-venting blog. That just gets it off my chest without everyone having to read about it. With that being said I'm not going to blog about my day.

My dad fixed our fence. It looks really good. Almost too good. The fixed part almost makes the old part look even older. Once again I didn't take a before and after picture. Just after. And it's on my phone so I'll have to get around to posting that at some point. Anyway, it is beautiful and wonderful and makes me want to do the rest of the fence... er makes me want to have my dad do the rest of the fence. Someday.

(I got around to the picture much quicker than I thought I would)

Hey how 'bout some flowers in that pot?

I have constant heartburn. People tell me it's not only because I'm pregnant but because I am short. Is this true? I'm 99% sure that it's NOT because my baby is going to come out with tons and tons of hair. (an old wives' tale about heartburn) My babies come out with no hair.

I just told Kimball to "go breath some where else." Stellar mommy moment!

McKay is standing next to me huffing and puffing and sighing, wanting me to ask what's wrong... I know what's wrong, she's fighting with Kimball and Luc but I just don't have the energy to listen to it or come up with a solution. I wonder how long I will have to ignore her before she gives up?

Ooops I'm starting to blog about my "day" aren't I. Ok no more.

Seth is the best husband in the world. He is overly helpful and involved. He does more than he should and spoils me to death. Which is exactly why I am having a day. We are on week 3 of 5 weeks of travel (not 5 weeks of being gone just 5 weeks of being gone for a few days each week.) I'm pretty sure I can't blame my amazing husband for my inability to care for my children on my own. I am so grateful for him. And in this case absence does indeed make the heart grow fonder.

I will be so happy to see him tomorrow and for 4+ days my life will be blissful again. Someone remind me to blog in the middle of that please. Thanks.

Can I Be Done Now?

2011-03-16T10:46:00.001-07:00

This nesting stuff is going to do me in. I just started a project that Seth strongly advised against. It's not a big deal. Just painting the crib black so it matches Luc's bed. But I'm not even half way done and my arms hurt and I'm light-headed. Problem being I have to bend in half (meaning even less lung capacity.)

It will look so much better when I'm done BUT it may very well be my last little project for a while. So much for painting the bathrooms and finally finishing the last wall in the living room. I guess I'll just have to resort to organizing some closets and maybe recovering the dining room table chairs.

** Let me make myself clear here. Seth is not to blame for my inability to finish a project. He would gladly do these things for me but by the time he gets home from work I have no nesting nerve left in my body. In fact he usually comes home and ends up cleaning my house because I have been busy making a mess all day. I'm pretty sure he would rather do these projects himself and not listen to me complain about them but I don't really give him a chance to do that. He just has to make it all better after I mess it up. He puts up with a lot. I should try just being patient and let him do some of this on the weekends. I'll think about that.

Luc and I went to Ikea yesterday. Look how cute he is. I am so excited to have another little Luc around. Boys are fun. Way more fun than I thought they would be.

Rope...

2011-03-15T16:22:00.000-07:00

I'm at the end of my rope today. Not sure where the rest of the rope went but it's gone and I'm about to lose it.

Luc has been the whiniest, cryin'ist, tattle-tale'nist little monster ever.

McKay got off the bus and said "I only had water for lunch because you know I don't like that kind of yogurt and I never eat those peanut butter crackers." (both news to me) Then when I tried to tell her it was her own fault that she was hungry and she that she was the one that chose not to eat she said "mom, I'm not talking to you right now." Good idea.

Seth is off being a traveling business man and I thought today would be a good day to put together a new Ikea desk and chair and then move the computer from one end of the house to the other. (I have no one to blame but myself for that one.)

Some times I kind of sort of dread going to Relief Society activities, I think mostly because I like spending my evenings with my hubby but tonight it is the light at the end of the tunnel. I'm taking the kids in jammies and not coming home until at least one of them (meaning Luc) is crashed out asleep in his car seat.

Oh and now (4:30 pm) I am going to go take a shower. Maybe that will add a little length to the end of my rope.

My Monday

2011-03-14T20:32:00.000-07:00

8 loads of laundry.

That's what my Monday consisted of.

My sister was here last week and convinced me to at least try out her "Monday Laundry Day" method of living. So I'm giving it a try. It took me about 6 hours to get it all washed, dried and folded. I enlisted the kids and Seth with the "putting away."

The girls thought they would die having to put a whole basket of laundry in their appropriate drawers. It's not like they don't have chores or aren't asked to help out. Will the day come that they don't complain about every little duty?

Anyway, we'll see how Monday Laundry Day works out for me. At least for a few weeks until I give up on chores all together. But for this week I think it will feel good to know I'm starting out the week all caught up on one of my duties.

Less than 7 weeks until baby Nash arrives! Let the countdown begin.

Quick Fix

2011-03-08T12:08:00.001-08:00

Along with all my nesting has come a deep desire to get my house "updated" a bit. There are some major things I would love to do (new carpet, gut the kitchen, take out a wall, completely re-landscape the backyard, etc.) but am too cheap and unwilling to pay for right now so I have decided to do what I can with as little out-of-pocket expense as possible. Seth loves it. Ok, he doesn't. He's not a "handyman." And I'm pretty sure he has little desire to become one but he loves me and therefore puts up with my little projects.

This one was a one weekend deal. (Although for how exhausted we both were you would think we had worked on it for 10 days straight.) We gave the kitchen a face lift. It was much needed. My only regret is that I didn't take any "before" pictures. Close your eyes and imagine cream colored-paint peeling-dingy-dirty cabinets with "copper" knobs that we're so tarnished and old they looked like they were going to decompose in a matter of days. The walls were a boring tan that really just looked drab and tired. The dining room was burnt red below the chipped and peeling chair rail.

After trying a number of shades of brown for the walls (in an effort to coordinate with the tile counter top) I decided that they all looked like poop to me so I finally went way out of my comfort zone and tried a light/pale blue. We painted the cupboards a bright white. I love it. (We got a killer deal on the paint. HD was closing out some of their paint and we got it for $14/gallon. I want to go get more for our bathrooms but need to give Seth a few days before I even suggest more painting.) I scrubbed the knobs and then spray painted them black. I also bought (on clearance of course) some pulls to give it a little variety. It doesn't look like the new kitchen I am dreaming of (2-3 years down the road) but it's so much better than it was. I used to hate the tile on the counter tops (I still wouldn't choose it) but now it's bearable. And the whole kitchen is so bright. I can't believe how much lighter it is in there. So here is our weekend update.

So this begs the question... What next? I have 7 more weeks to get things done. I guess putting up the crib should be a priority but that's not so much fun. I doubt I can convince Seth of any more painting. Hmmm. Maybe some yard work?

Tucson

2011-02-23T08:36:00.000-08:00

We're headed down to Tucson this weekend for my dad's birthday. We don't seem to get down there as much as I think we should. Seems like our lives have gotten busy way too early in our family's life. We still have such young kids and it doesn't seem like we are even involved in much so I don't know how we end up filling up our days and weekends with "must do's" but we do.

I am excited though because I get to work on Nash's quilt. I haven't actually told my uber-talented sis-in-law that she will be assisting me in this but I assume since I call her every other day with questions that she has probably guessed that I will be showing up at her door step with my half-finished project and beg for her expert help. If not, she knows now. (thanks, Sarah, you're the best!)

This is what I have done so far (pic taken on a cell phone and the colors are really bad but you get the idea) Hopefully it will be complete this weekend.

We'll be staying with my oldest sister and her 5 kids. This will be a first. We always stay with my brother or my parents but Dawn put her foot down this time and stood up to those bullies (not really bullies just more assertive) so we'll be partying with the Gilmans. Should be fun.

It's Rodeo Days down there. Which apparently is a big deal. I thought about taking the kids, then looked at the prices and changed my mind. I'll take them to Eegees instead and they'll be perfectly content.

So anything else that is fun and exciting about Tucson that I don't know?We rarely actually make it into Tucson since all my family lives on the outskirts and I wonder if there are wonders that I'm missing out on. Let me know.

Carpet Envy

2011-02-18T12:38:00.000-08:00

I am sitting at my in-laws just kickin' it. We came up to grab a sewing machine (10 weeks before Nash is due and I am finally starting a baby quilt for him.) We are still here because Kimball and Luc just want to roll around on their new carpet. It is luxurious. Kimball said "it feels so good I just want to fall down."

Carpet is one of my big huge "wants." But its also one of those things that you think "why do it now, the kids will just ruin it." Right? I mean what's the point in replacing our nasty old stained carpet when they still spill on it pretty much every day. It would just stress me out, right? I'd just be mad at myself for doing it and wish I had waited, right?

For now I'll just have to come up here and wiggle my toes in someone else's luxury. Someday, Denise, someday.

Avoiding Life

2011-02-14T12:18:00.000-08:00

I have no idea what I am about to post. I just don't feel like cleaning the living room and/or doing laundry so this is a mode of avoidance.

It's Valentine's Day so I should probably post something mushy and lovey-dovey but I'm so far from romantic that I can't even begin to think of how I would do that. I'll give it a try.

I have an amazingly wonderful husband whom I love very much. He is more than I could have ever hoped for and nothing like the majority of the guys I dated. Speaking of dating, I am extremely grateful to have completed the "dating" period of my life because that was just awful and I never want to go through it again.

I love my children and even though my son just threw the world's biggest and longest tantrum somehow I still adore him and his beautiful sisters (who can rival him in their sassy-ness and fit throwing abilities.)

And on to my next thoughts. I am nesting. In a serious way. I have never experienced nesting to this degree. And while closets are getting organized and junk drawers de-junked, I'm tired. Why in the world would my mind decide that I need to move furniture while my body is barely keeping up with normal daily duties? So many aspects of pregnancy make no sense.

Speaking of child-bearing, 10 more weeks. This pregnancy has gone by so fast and I know that in just a few short weeks I will be screaming for it to be over but for right now I'm feeling like it's been really quick. I am trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

My sweet, adorable children that I love so much are currently "making valentines" complete with glitter and glue which means my "avoidance" blog should end I should get back to nesting (or at least damage control so I don't have a break down when it's time to clean it up.)

TRES!

2011-02-08T11:26:00.000-08:00

My third is three. Can't believe it. He is such a joy. I'm not sure if it's me being more laid back (wasn't sure that was possible since I've always been pretty lax) but I feel like I've allowed myself to really enjoy him. More than I did with the girls. Not that I didn't enjoy them but it's definitely different with this little guy.

For prosperity's sake here are a few things about our little Luc-erton:

He's super tough. Way tougher than the girls and it's awesome. Very little phases him (ie. running into walls, falling down stairs, whatever) and if it does phase him it's not for very long.

He's so quick to say thank you and sorry. He's got those two down pat.

He loves his Uncle Tate. He couldn't care less who else will be in attendance at family events as long as Uncle Tate will be there.

He's funny. He takes after Kimball. If he sad or grumpy just say "bum" and he can't help but start laughing. It's funny most of the time.

He's got a speech problem. Not like diagnosed or anything but I think we may be headed that route because it's more and more often that I am realizing that Seth and I are the only ones that understand him

He's my little buddy. He HATES shopping but with the right bribes he will appease me for the whole 2.5 hours that Kimball is at preschool. Such a trooper.

He loves the color BLUE. Ugh. Being an avid Utah fan I am not fond of the color blue. I think my children should all choose red as their favorite color. But Luc may be a wayward soul, he insists on things being blue, to the extent that he wants the heat dial in the car turned to the "blue one" and he only uses cold water in public restrooms. Is he destined to go to that other school? Please, no.

He is all boy and I love it. He can make car noises and gun noises and likes to tackle and wrestle and get nice and grubby dirty. Its a nice change from pretty little princesses.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY PUKEY LUC-EE! WE LOVE YOU!

One Week

2011-02-01T08:46:00.001-08:00

One week is better than a month or however long I went in between posts last time. I keep forgetting that I have a computer that works. Seth just asked me to find a cd with our loan docs on it that he needs to finish up our taxes, I asked him if he wanted me to drive it over to him. He was like "um no you can just email it to me." Duh.

(Subject change)
During the week of MLKjr 's bday McKay talked about him nonstop. She shared everything she learned and told us stories I'd never heard and this was her final summary to her little sister:

McKay: Kimball do you know who Martin Luther King Jr is?

Kimball: Yes, you've been talking about him all week.

McKay: Well let me tell you, Martin Luther King was shot by a guy who didn't believe in love.

I try not to laugh because she tries to be so grown up and serious but that girl is just funny. But not in a "look at me I'm being funny" way. More in a "I'm blond and I can't help it" way. Kimball on the other hand knows humor and she can make us laugh with her at any given second. They are so different.

Luc is literally begging for juice and about to lose it so I better go do what I said I was going to do an hour ago. No wonder he hates it when I say "just a second." My "seconds" are more like hours. Just teaching him some patience like he teaches me everyday.

Updating...

2011-01-25T14:43:00.000-08:00

I'm BACK! At least for today. I have been without a home computer for the last several months and while I can do most of what I need to from my iPod or Seth's laptop in the evenings I just haven't been good at blogging with those options. So hopefully I can get caught up and be more consistant now that we are up and running again. (in reality the computer has been semi-functioning for the past 2 months but just too slow for my patience level.)

So what's new? I'm starting to feel pregnant. I have loved the past 2 months of no "morning" sickness and full mobility but the third trimester has crept up on me and all of the sudden I am starting to feel uncomfortable, battling the heart-burn/hunger balancing act and wanting a daily afternoon nap. With 3 months left I feel like it's a little bit early to be feeling any of this so I am trying to focus on other things. Which lately means lots of nesting and honestly I kind of like it. My cupboards and closets are starting to get organized and I feel like I'm being fairly productive at least until about 2pm when I feel an overwhelming urge to just lay down and rest.

I can't complain though because for the first time in 6+ years I feel like I am actually getting good sleep. Luc sometimes wakes up in the first couple hours of sleep but the girls are sleeping really well AND they get up on their own in the morning and don't usually wake me up until after 7. Who knew 7:30 could feel like sleeping in but it does.

Our exchange student went home the beginning of this month and while we loved having him here and the kids really miss him it is nice to be back to normal life. At times I felt a bit like a taxi driver/bed and breakfast owner. We do miss him and are excited to have him come visit for a couple weeks this summer.

What else? Seth got a promotion at work!! Yay. He so deserves it. He is such a hard worker and I think this move will help him feel more appreciated.

Speaking of my amazing husband, he will be home shortly and I think he deserves to come home to a semi-clean house so I better get at it.

My Guy

2010-12-13T20:12:00.000-08:00

Cheesiest picture ever!

I really do have the best husband ever. This post has been in my head for months and it's finally time to just put it down on "paper" so that the "world" knows. I'm not a frilly, romantic, sweet kind of girl so I'll just list the characteristics that make him so "perfect." (and that will be my last use of quotation marks, which reminds me I need to post on my girls' incorrect use of air quotes... but this is about Seth not the girls so it will have to wait.)

Seth washes dishes, vacuums, cleans bathrooms (including toilets), sweeps, mops and whatever else needs to be done that I haven't gotten to on any given day. (and no I don't ask him to, he just does it.)

He gets up with kids at night. On a regular basis. He never complains or pretends to not hear them. If it's been a long night and I'm sleeping through something he may gently nudge me and ask me if I can get up because he's getting frustrated but that's it.

He tells me I'm beautiful and that he loves my pregnant belly, when I know it can't possibly be the full truth.

He puts kids to bed.

He lets me go to the store all by myself.

He plays with the kids. He can make them laugh like nobody else. And while I pretend to be annoyed because it's usually right before bed who can really get mad when their kids are rolling on the floor laughing?

He never complains when I underachieve (which is basically everyday.) He simply steps in and picks up the slack.

He gets my sense of humor. (that's big, not many people think I'm as funny as I think I am but he at very least pretends to think I'm funny!)

I could go on and on but I won't. I just feel extremely blessed to have such an amazing man. And it's his birthday this week. Happy Birthday, babe. I love you.

Hot Date

2010-12-10T12:45:00.000-08:00

I get to go out with my husband tonight.

That makes me SO happy. We used to be really good about going on dates but lately our monthly trip to the temple has been our only escape. It's expensive to go out. Even if we don't spend any money on our date we still have to pay a babysitter. Plus, with Kilian here it's a little weird to get a babysitter unless we know for sure that he has plans and won't be home.

Anyway, I just wanted to share my joy of going on a date with my hubby.

Shopping

2010-12-08T19:59:00.000-08:00

The older they get the harder they are to buy for. That's what I've decided. I try really hard to start getting "little" things for Christmas starting sometime in the summer. If I see something on sale I'll grab it and store it away. Well I just got down the box of treasures and guess what... Luc is spoiled and apparently super easy to please. On the upside, he's done. I don't need to buy him anything else. On the downside, the girls have just a couple things and Seth and Kilian have virtually nothing.

By the end of the Christmas season I am just tired of spending money. I'm such a "frugal" person that all this shopping is exhausting. Don't get me wrong I like to shop now and again but this is too much all at once for me.

I guess what this probably means is it's time to increase my focus on the real meaning of Christmas.

Evening the Score

2010-12-04T21:37:00.000-08:00

Seth was wrong. It doesn't happen too often. But this time I was wrong too. He and I were both completely convinced that baby #4 is absolutely a girl. We were absolutely wrong. And with that we are even, 2 girls, 2 boys. Yay.

It's taken me a few days to get used to the idea since I was so sure it was another girl but now it all just seems perfect.

We've almost decided on a name. (I've decided. Seth just doesn't know he's decided yet.)

The boys can share a room (and as soon as Kilian leaves I will start getting all the rooms rearranged, ie. nesting)

Luc needs a brother. Kimball is quickly tiring of all the tackling and karate chops.

I still have some boy clothes left. (I have NO baby girl clothes.) I wasn't great about holding on to most of it but I saved most of the good stuff.

There was more to the perfection of the situation but I can't remember now.

A Day at the Beach!

2010-11-22T18:55:00.000-08:00

Friday we spent hangin' out at the beach. Thanks to our awesome friends the Gilberts we had amazing accommodations. The house is absolutely gorgeous and perfect for families with a little beach for the kids to play on and big windows for parents to watch them from inside (or a hot tub depending on your mood.)

It was chilly but sunny and the kids had a blast. McKay was soaked from head to toe after losing a game of "run from the waves." She didn't care in the least. Luc took a little while to warm up to the idea of all that water but he loved chasing waves as long as daddy was holding him. They also built a nice little sand castle. Still no pictures because my computer is not working and Seth's laptop won't read my card reader. I think I may have to just go make a disc at Costco.

Kimball was quick to let me know that she thinks it would be "way fun to live at the beach." By the end of the weekend after telling her multiple times that we aren't moving to the beach anytime soon she was willing to settle for "staying here until next Christmas." Me too Kimball, me too.

While playing in the sand with Kilian and the other kids McKay had a little accident. They were playing tug-a-war with a rope that conveniently had a brick tied in the middle of it...? Jenna and I stood back watching and commenting that this probably wasn't a good idea but... oops too late. McKay ended up landing face first on the brick. She was such a sport. She cried for about 2 minutes and then was almost proud of her latest battle wound. She kept asking to look in a mirror and I'd change the subject. About 10 minutes later she walked by me and said "you were right I shouldn't have looked!"

Seth and Chad ventured out in the kayaks. It was crazy cold. I personally never even touched the water. I could feel how cold it was without getting wet, thank you very much.

That night we went out to eat with 5 tired, hungry kids and waited almost an hour for our table. Enough said. Next time we go to the beach with our friends I will seriously consider leaving my kids with grandma.

PS. Totally off subject but I did finish that quilt I wrote about a while ago. Check it out over here -MilkandHoneyDesigns- on my sister-in-law's blog

DISNEYLAND!

2010-11-18T21:43:00.000-08:00

At the urging of my wonderful husband I am again posting so that these sweet memories won't be lost forever. I feel them slipping away into the depths of my exhausted mind at this very moment.

We hit The Happiest Place on Earth today and it was awesome. Minus the constant reminders that crying/whining/pouting are not allowed on such hallowed ground it was a great day. Oh and despite Luc having an accident while waiting to get on Dumbo (to his credit he did say he needed to go but there was literally no way out... until he started to actually pee and then miraculously we found a way out.) And... scaring McKay on multiple rides until she has lost all trust in us and thinks we are determined to ruin her life by forcing her on rides that we promise are not in anyway scary only to realize that we are completely wrong and that to her (slightly wimpy) 6 year old little soul they are her worst nightmare. Other than those few things it was a grand day.

I don't know how people start at 8am and go 'til midnight. When I first realized the park would only be open from 10-8 I was so disappointed. Now as I sit here completely wasted I am so glad, it was really all the fun I could take.

So in an effort to get my tired body in bed I will just bullet point the rides we made it to, our favorites, not so favorites and the tidbits of happiness that sum up our day.

Snow White - first ride of the day and gratefully there was absolutely no line - all three children exited the ride sobbing. It's not called Snow White's SCARY Adventure for nothin'!
Dumbo - (Luc missed this due to the above mentioned accident) we redeemed ourselves and the girls started to think Disneyland might actually be fun.
TeaCups - This was one of the first and the last. Dumbo and the Tea Cups have no lines after dark. The kids loved going back to them. Luc pleaded to go on the Tea Cups over and over again. Seth obliged, three times in a row and they were rewarded by being able to watch the fireworks show right over their heads while spinning into a nauseating stupor. It was Luc's favorite part and the only ride he asked for over and over, "Pweese mommy can we go again pweese pweese pweese?".
Small World - Not normally my favorite ride but it was awesome. From Nov. 1 thru Jan. 1 all of Disneyland is Christmas-ed up and it was really cool. The kids loved it.
Space Mountain - Well now that the kids are trusting us and thinking we won't lead them astray lets take them on a roller coaster in the dark. McKay never really trusted us though and then we ended up in the front car and she cried the whole time and told me I was a rude mom for doing that to her. It wouldn't take much to gain her trust back.
Buzz Lightyear - Mostly enjoyed by all. Except Luc who wasn't so sure of it even though it was the one ride he talked about going on for weeks beforehand. He also refused to stand by Buzz.
Lunch - PB&J's that we brought in and 2 sodas that cost $10! FYI - Even though their website says you can't bring outside food into the park they really don't care. We had a loaf of bread, PB and Jelly all in plain sight in the stroller when they checked us through and nobody said a word. It saved us so much money.
California Adventure - we headed over for just an hour or so. I am more of a Disneyland purist but we figured there were a few things Kilian should experience.
Soaring Over California - One of my absolute favorite rides. I love it. And it is in no way scary. Completely relaxing and fun. That's how I remembered it and that's how I explained it to McKay. Ooops. Trust gone again. How many times in one day will I break my poor daughter's heart. Kimball loved it. I tried to buy back McKay's love with cotton candy. It worked.
Bugs Life - Lame for adults but a blast for the kids. Jenna and I took turns with the girls and Aaron while Luc and Luke slept in the strollers and the "big boys" went and rode California Screaming. Then we headed back over to Disneyland.
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - By this time Kimball was completely into it. She was willing to try anything. McKay and Luc and I went to go find some Mickey Ears. Kimball hated it and tried to get Seth to get them to stop the ride halfway through. Luc got the cutest Mickey Ears ever made. I will post pictures when we get back home.
Pirates of the Carribean - The rude parents that we are we forced McKay to go on it completely against her will. She wanted to wait for us by herself. She covered her face and ears for the first half and then actually got into for a little bit and in the end decided she wanted to go on it again. Kilian declared it to be "lame." And Kimball thought it was just ok. Luc was unimpressed.
Mickey's Toon Town - The kids mostly loved it until we took them on that little roller coaster then they hated it for a few minutes and liked it again after getting to meet Minnie.
Dinner - $50 and we ate pretty much every last bite of it. It was mostly worth it just to sit down for a few minutes.
Dumbo and Teacups again! (and the fireworks show)
A little last minute shopping. Kimball had to find her Mickey Ears. She's a purist like me. Cute little original ones but pink instead of black.
An exhausting walk back to the bus and then car.
Back to the hotel - all of the kids were asleep and we were so tired - thank goodness for Kilian or carrying them up would have been impossible. We barely made it to the room and then of course our key cards wouldn't work. I ran back down to get that fixed and when I got back up Seth, Kilian, and all three kids were laying/sitting in the hallway unable to move. It was a great sight. Summed up the day perfectly.

Best part of it all was there were virtually no lines. I think the longest we waited was probably 15 minutes for the Dumbo ride the first time. Other than that we probably averaged about a 5 minute wait. And it was 75 and sunny. I officially declare mid-November the best time to visit Disneyland.

California Day 1

2010-11-17T20:45:00.000-08:00

Too much happened today to not write it down before I forget it all.

We left Phoenix at 4:00 am in an attempt to get on the road with sleeping children. They slept until we made it to the gas station where I realized I had forgotten the RedBox dvd I had rented specifically for this trip. So we went back home where I realized I had not forgotten it and it was in the van all along. By then of course all three kids were awake. So off we went, again.

The kids slept off and on for the first few hours.

We stopped at the General Patton Memorial Museum. It's about 20 miles outside of Indio California, literally in the middle of nowhere. It's a little dirt road with about 15-20 tanks behind a chain link fence. We showed our respect by letting Luc pee in the dirt next to road (the real reason for our stop in the first place) and then I enjoyed a moment watching dad and son ooohing and ahhhing at the sweet tanks while the rest of us waited in the car.

About 30 minutes outside of Anaheim Kimball cried out in frustration "where are we going and when will we be there!" Then she fell asleep. We got here about 3 hours before we had planned. I'm not sure if we thought it would take that much longer or we just didn't do the math right, but we drove in to town at about 9:30 am and had no plans until it was time to check into the hotel. A traveling husband does come with it's privileges. We called the hotel and after checking our reservation (seeing Seth's "status") they said our room would be ready for us as soon as we got here. And this has got to be the most kid-friendly hotel I've ever been in. Could have something to do with it being a couple miles from Disneyland but the staff has been amazing.

We got into the room and you would have thought that the kids were already at Disneyland. They opened every drawer and closet and were amazed by it all. It was so much fun to watch them be so overjoyed by such little things.

Only problem with hotel is that the pool is closed until tomorrow or Friday and that was a major part of the day's plans. But not to worry the staff assured us that we could just go across the parking lot to the Hyatt and use their pool. We were promised it was all worked out. So off we went. Us and our 3 kids plus Kilian (our exchange student) and our friends with their 2 kids all decked out in our pool gear and the kids all hyped up and ready for some pool time fun. We walked across the parking lot and could almost feel the air change. Posh. That's all I can think of to describe this hotel. We asked the bellboy about the pool situation, he had no idea but suggested we check inside. In we went. Oh boy, I felt like I'd just walked into another world. Business men/women everywhere and it was quiet, really really quiet, until we got there that is. I think we talked to 5 different people before anyone knew about this little arrangement. We finally got a key and feeling seriously out of place went in search of the pool. McKay tugged on my shirt and said "mom, I kind of feel bad that we have to borrow their pool." Ya me too. Then Luc tried to pee right next to the hot tub. I'm pretty sure the Hyatt is no longer offering their pool to the Marriott's guests after today.

We spent the afternoon "resting" and just hanging out in the hotel. We decided to go to Downtown Disney for the evening. Seth and Kilian took Luc and McKay down to the lobby with our friends' kids and I ran back to the room to get my purse. As I was waiting for the elevator I hear screaming and thought "oh please don't let us get kicked out of this hotel, my kids are SO loud." When I got down to the lobby McKay is crying hysterically and surrounded by staff and guests while Seth is trying to comfort her. She had her hand on the elevator door as it reached the lobby and as the door opened it kind of just sucked her hand in with it and then got stuck. Seth had to pull her hand out to get the door to stop opening. She was not only in pain but traumatized by the fact that she was stuck there. Poor thing. Her hand is still swollen and red but she can bend all her fingers and I think she'll be ok. The staff doted over her for the next 20 minutes giving her soda and chips and ice and basically everything she could need/want. Then they had to fill out an accident report. We left and on the drive over she asked about why they had to ask questions and write it all down. We tried to explain liability and all that jazz. She started crying again "oh mom I don't want them to have to waste their money because of me." Oh sweet, sweet McKay. They aren't wasting any money on you because they don't have to pay for anything and besides that, Marriott has lots and lots of money. "Oh they're rich, ok." Then she was fine.

Downtown Disney was really fun. Just shops and really expensive food but the kids loved it. There was a live band and McKay danced the night away. Literally. She danced and danced and danced. It was really cute.

They all fell asleep on the way back to the hotel and are sleeping like babies as we speak. And tomorrow, DISNEYLAND!!! (or Disney Channel as Luc likes to call it.) So excited.

My goal for tomorrow: actually take the camera out of its' case!

You Know What Sounds Really Good?

2010-11-03T20:14:00.000-07:00

At 15 weeks I am starting to transition from wanting to nothing to do with food to craving things and needing them as soon as possible. I'm not a crazy-craver. I don't crave pickles and ice cream or anything. But I think it's been funny to compare my cravings from one child/pregnancy to the next.

With McKay it was tomatoes. Fresh tomatoes with salt. We were in Las Vegas when I was about 12 weeks along and went to In-n-Out. I ordered a side of tomatoes with my burger and just at the tomatoes. After that I always had tomatoes in the fridge.

With Kimball it was a slightly less healthy addiction. McDonalds' cheeseburgers. No onion. And I could hardly drive by a McDonalds without stopping in for one, or two. Ironically, or coincidentally, Kimball loves hamburgers but not McDonalds.

Luc brought on the good ol' chocolote cravings. And I have never been a chocolate fanatic. I grabbed a snickers pretty much every time I checked out, anywhere. Luc eats chocolate every chance he gets. He can't get enough of it.

This one is a mixture of sweet and salty/spicy. It started with PowerBars and they still sound good but they're super expensive (usually) and I'm cheap. My salty satisfaction comes from nachos. Like the kind you get at the movies or sporting events. With jalapenos. Lots of jalapenos. Mmmmm. I'm drooling on my keyboard.

Do you have pregnancy cravings? Or non-pregnancy related cravings for that matter? Please share. I'd love to get some good ideas for new things to try.

2010-10-17T18:44:00.000-07:00

Quick story from our everyday life.

Saturday morning we were driving to the church so the girls could practice for the upcoming primary program. There had been a little bit of a wind storm the night before. All of the sudden McKay gasps and yells out "oh no, there are dead ducks all over the road!" You could hear the horror in her voice. She quickly covered her eyes (partially) and tried not to look. I wanted so badly to comfort her but I was laughing too hard to even say anything. This is not the actual picture of the road but it looked something like this...

Then to make the situation even more comical Luc says "oh, I see a tiger over there!"

Kids are the best!

Sleepless Nights

2010-10-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

A couple nights ago I couldn't sleep. I did bills before bed. Bad idea. That just gets my brain going and then it takes me hours to settle down.

In the midst of my non-slumber I had this whole blog post go through my mind. It was awesome. Perfect actually. I didn't dare get up and write it though, I thought it would just make falling asleep even harder. And it was so clear and complete I convinced myself it would still be securely fixed in my noggin come morning.

I'm guessing you can see where this is going...

I have retained just a portion of it. And even what I can remember is nowhere near as interesting or eloquent as it seemed to be. So be it. This is all I've got for you.

Things I was completely unprepared for when I became a mother:

1. The messes. And I don't mean like spilled milk and dirty faces. Nor am I referring to the toys strewn throughout the house. I'm talking the dirty things I don't ever remember my mom having to clean. Like walls. The walls are always dirty. Doors too. Who has time to wipe down walls and doors, let alone the baseboards and corners that I don't see on a regular basis. Am I the only one who sits on the toilet and stares at the floor and thinks "gross, how did that get like that again?" I have also been known to grab a rag and wipe down counter top while sitting on the pot. That I was not prepared for.

2...

See what I mean, at 2 am the list was like 7 items long. I guess add to the list not be prepared for "mommy brain" that leaves me without a coherent thought or sentence at any given time.

I love it though. I love having sweet little angels surrounding me all the time. Even when I'm sitting on the toilet.

I better love it since number 4 is on the way.

When Life Gives You Limes...

2010-10-11T19:21:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few weeks. Don't worry I won't bore you with all of it. Just some of it.

Kimball turned 5! My (sometimes) sweet and (always) cute little spitfire is growing up too quickly. She is so independent. She's working on teaching her big sister to be a little bit more so. She had a very fun and tasty cupcake themed birthday party. Once I get those pictures loaded I'll share. I got a little ambitious and made cute little aprons as party favors. They were adorable (slightly amateurish in quality but they were 5 year olds so I doubt they cared.)

I also started and am working on finishing a baby quilt. My first quilt in many years. I'm using a pattern from my sister-in-law's book. It's been fairly easy and it's going to be super cute. I'm trying to document it's progress for a future post... promises, promises I know.

We had a really nasty storm here in Phoenix last week. Well as nasty as they get here. It still only lasted a couple hours and even less than that at our house. It did quite a bit of serious/expensive damage in the valley. Ours was not so expensive nor serious but it did break my heart. I came home to find this:

My precious lemon tree snapped right in half. I cried. Is that pitiful? I don't care. I was so sad. It still tears at my heart just a little bit when I look at it. We probably lost 100 or so not-quite-ripe lemons.

When we first moved in I swore that it was a lime tree (probably because I LOVE limes and so I saw all these beautiful green little lemons and I assumed they were limes.) I even squeezed them and made "limeade." Until about a month later when all of the sudden they started turning yellow and a little more oblong. I still thought they were limes, I just thought they were going bad. Then our neighbor asked if we were going to give her any of our lemons this year and we were like "lemons?" And Seth and I looked at each other and were like "Ohhhh Lemons!"

It was funnier in real life. And now it just seems sad. I guess we'll have to plant a lime tree now.

Here's a quote/story to lighten the mood.

While grocery shopping last week Kimball asked me if we could get some SpaghettiOs. I haven't bought them in a really long time, I think she must have seen a commercial or something because I'm not sure if she's ever had them. We bought a few cans and she talked all morning about how she was going to have SpaghettiOs for lunch. I was happy to whip up an easy lunch for my little gourmet who normally passes on all things quick and easy. I served it up and she took 2 bites before bringing me her bowl and saying "hey mom, did you know that SpaghettiOs taste like throw-up?" Needless to say, we haven't had spaghettiOs since.

Fall...

2010-09-25T22:09:00.000-07:00

I have been patient. I haven't griped or complained. I've left my jeans neatly folded in the closet and while I've looked at them longingly I have patiently awaited their proper season. I really do love Phoenix and I often sing her praises to my frozen friends in the north. But I am DONE. It is very nearly October and I cannot bear the scorching heat any longer. I just saw the forecast for next week and I very nearly cried. I'm not asking for crisp 60s or 70s, just some nice 80s. I'd even take some low 90s. Please. Pretty Please!

Diaper-less, mostly!

2010-09-16T21:26:00.000-07:00

After 6+ years we are finally out of diapers. That's right SIX years of non-stop diaper changing. Someone find me an estimate of how many diapers that would be. My fingers are too calloused from all the changing to use a calculator and figure it out myself.

Luc is still in the transitional stage of the diaperless phase of his life but he's doing pretty well. I never had to "night train" the girls, it just happened along with the regular training. Not so with him. So I have given into the pull-up peer pressure. But other than the nights and an occasional "not quite quick enough getting the toilet" he's got it down pat. So proud of him and so happy to not be wiping poop off his bum anymore. And honestly what's cuter than a little mini-bum in tighty-whiteys. Honestly pinchable. So adorable.

As Luc says after a successful potty moment "YAY ME!" (us)

Better Blogging 101

2010-09-11T08:17:00.001-07:00

Here I go again. This is "being a better blogger" attempt number 36. I have so many really good excuses, want to hear them? Okay. Busy, tired, writers' block, broken/slow/old computer, company, trip to the mountains, back to school, a cold, been husband-less too often, a foreign exchange student. Pretty good excuses, huh? Looking at that list though it could also double as a list of topics for blog posts so maybe I should quit making excuses and start "journaling" my life again. No promises on frequency just an added effort to be better.

School started and for the most part it's going very well. McKay loves first grade and Kimball has started to relish in her role as oldest/leader of her little preschool group. I should be enjoying the one-0n-one time I get with Luc (or spending it working on potty training) but it seems like those couple hours just go so fast and I barely even notice that it's just been the two of us. Something I need to work on.

Kilian (our newest addition/foreign exchange student) has been here for about a month. He is a really good kid. He helps out around the house and is constantly asking what he can do to help. It's a little weird for me because I'm so used to my routine but it's been good. The kids love teasing him and he is getting used to being around little ones. I am getting used to having a teenager around. Did you know that teenagers know everything? Well they do. Just ask them. We have had a lot of fun little "cultural moments" with him but my favorite was a couple nights ago when I was not in the mood to have a sit-down dinner and so we all just kind of filled up our plates and sat down in front of the tv. Seth grabbed a tv tray/table for Kil and set it in front of him. His jaw literally dropped. He watched as seth opened it up and stood it in front of him. With pure amazement in his voice he declared "we don't have anything like this in Germany!" Lazy American culture has its perks.

Seth has been traveling a lot. I'm not complaining. He has a good job and his bosses value him. Every time he leaves I just try to remind myself that he's racking up the frequent flier miles and someday he'll take me someplace fabulous! Plus, did you know that if your hubby is gone you can feed your kids cereal or oatmeal for dinner every night. Perk.

Back2School

2010-08-15T20:52:00.001-07:00

YAY! I love my kids and we have had a really fun summer BUT school starts tomorrow and I am so ready.

McKay starts 1st grade! She is so excited but did mention that she's a little "not sure about it." Translated as nervous. I feel bad because her new school shoes that we ordered will not be here in time for her first day. I'm sure she won't ever know the difference. Besides, we have to teach her to tie them before she can "legally" wear them to school anyway. What age to kids learn to tie their shoes? Are we behind? I think I know the answer.

Kimball will be going to one more year of preschool (she misses the cut off by a month.) She is excited but not overjoyed by the fact that ALL of her friends are going to kindergarten without her. She'll love it once it gets going. Her teacher says her goal is to "get Kimball to not fall off her chair by the end of the year!" Pretty lofty goal. The girl does NOT sit still and always ends up on the floor.

Luc will spend his days with his mama and we will attempt to teach him how to pee/poop in the toilet. He is definitely ready. Wakes up dry, tells me the second he pees or poops and wants a dry diaper immediately. Just not sure if I'm ready for the process.

Kilian (our exchange student) starts his junior year at Shadow Mtn. He is such a good kid and has been just a joy to have around. (that sounds like something my mom would say, "a joy to have around")

As for me, my school year goal is to get back in the gym. This summer was a completely failure as far as the gym goes but I have full confidence that going with one child will be much more likely than with three.

Life

2010-08-03T22:11:00.000-07:00

Saturday:

Waterpark for 6+ hours.

A little cleaning.

Some laundry.

Whip up some delicious cupcakes.

Quick grocery shopping at 9pm.

Move the fridge.

Scream and scurry while Seth catches the snake behind the fridge.

Sunday:

Go to church.

Throw some dinner in the crockpot.

Nap "with" Luc (me napping Luc putting together train tracks.)

Crack my head open on a kitchen cupboard door.

Lay on the couch and whine about my head.

Monday:

Take the kids to the library.

Clean out the desk.

Fold laundry.

Talk to my best friend on the phone and wish she lived closer.

Send the girls to a friends house.

Hit Target with Seth and finally find bedding for our exchange student.

Family Home Evening.

Tuesday:

Last summer movie. (reminded how much I don't love the Muppets)

Come home with a couple extra kids.

Referee Luc and his "best friend" (it's a love/hate relationship)

Clean out the fridge (ahhh! that felt good)

Fail at getting Luc to take a nap.

Drive to south Scottsdale for a boxspring.

Stop for groceries.

Feed the kids cereal for dinner.

Back out for more groceries. (Last night for 88 cent choc milk at Frys)

Ready for bed, waiting for Seth to get home from bball.

6 days until our teenager shows up. So much to do.

Savvy and Sweet

2010-07-29T08:52:00.000-07:00

My sweet mother-in-law gave me her practically unused iPod touch for my birthday. I'm just trying to see of I'm savvy enough to post using it since my computer has been out of commission for almost a month.

One of my favorite parts of being a mom are the things kids say.

I just heard Kimball say "because McKay that's just the way I roll." Awesome!

And another gem, McKay came running in to our room Sunday morning nearly hysterical and said "there's a dead echo in the kitchen". A dead echo? "You know one of those little tiny lizards."

They're so cute. My kids that is, the dead gecko was not so cute.

Summer Lovin'

2010-07-27T21:42:00.001-07:00

Today we left the house at 9am and came home at 4pm.

My legs are sore and my feet hurt.

We went to the summer movie, Tale of Despereaux. Not my favorite but the kids liked it.

Then we were off to swim lessons. The girls are working on "chicken, airplane, rocket." If I knew my swim strokes I'd tell you what that is but I don't. All I know is it was hilarious to watch. Luc ran around like a maniac and he was a sweaty little mess when we left.

We had lunch with Seth and a friend of his from high school. Usually In-n-Out is a safe bet with the kids but they were a little wound up today. I'm pretty sure our 3 children convinced Seth's friend that his one 3 month old little angel of a daughter is all he needs or wants. Oddly enough even with all the craziness and madness I still want more.

From there we went shopping. Killian (our exchange student) will be here in just 2 weeks and we really need to get his room ready. After 4 stores I have realized college girls must care more about what they're dorm rooms look like than boys. All those perfect little "Bed in a Bag" sets are girly. There are 8 girly ones for every 1 boy one. I'll keep looking.

We came home and crashed. Then I went back out and returned the one major purchase I had made. An area rug for the living room. It was WAY too big.

We finished off the night watching the kids ride bikes in the front yard. It was really nice out. I don't want to jinx this summer weather and while I know it's been a bit humid here, at least we have yet to see 115+ temps. This week it's only been in the low 100's. That I can handle.

Now I'm watching Food Network. Seth is off playing basketball. I'm getting hungry and Seth's off exercising. That pretty much sums up the two of us.

20 days left of summer. Let's count it down together.

Catching up

2010-07-24T08:48:00.000-07:00

I have some serious catching up to do. This little blog is supposed to act as my journal, I'm not doing so hot at keeping up with it. The main problem is my computer has been invaded by some nasty virus and it's been in the process of getting fixed for like a month now. I think it may be a lost cause. The second issue would be that it's summer and I spend my days entertaining and cleaning up after the kids. By the time Seth gets home I haven't a creative thought left in my head. So no blogging. Oh and the fact that I'm just not good at keeping up with things like that.

I'll just highlight the past month to get myself caught up.

Kimball has spent the month either as happy as a clam (not sure what that saying means but you get my point) OR in timeout screaming that she never gets anything she wants and this is "the worst day ever." Interestingly enough "the worst day ever" can happen multiple times in the same day AND can occur on the same day that she proclaims this to be "the best summer ever." Go figure. I hope it's a phase and that the start of preschool will bring a little more sanity back in to all our lives.

McKay spends each day mothering all of us. That of course can be good and bad. As you might guess there are times when Kimball has no desire to be mothered, not by me and certainly not by her big sister.

Both girls are swimming like fish. (let's see how many cliche phrases I can fit into one post.) They are in Level 3 lessons right now and absolutely loving their 2 (male) swim teachers. Lessons are at 12:15 which gets a little hot but Luc and I spend the 45 minutes dousing each other with a quickly melting frozen water bottle.

Luc is talking more and more. I am nearly convinced that he won't need speech therapy but the jury's still out on that one. (cliche phrase #3) I need to potty train him but have decided to wait until the girls go back to school. (that's really just an excuse not to start yet)

I had my 34th birthday a couple weeks ago and continue to be completely unfazed by birthdays. My thought on the whole thing is "we all have them so what's the big deal." When I turn 40 I may have a different outlook on it but for now I just enjoy getting gifts and eating cake. And I totally scored this year, new clothes, new shoes, an ipod touch, opi nail polish, and the best birthday cake I've ever tasted. I ate the cake for the next three breakfasts and lunches. I had my cake and ate it too. (#4)

Seth is working like a dog (#5). He has been home most of the summer but his travels will start up again in a couple weeks. We'll miss him and appreciate him more when he's home. He really is an amazing father and husband. I swear some days he does more around the house than I do. I am spoiled.

For those of you who have stuck around this long a special little announcement. No not that. We are 90% sure we are getting a foreign exchange student in a couple weeks. We are so excited to have a teenager in the house for 4 months and then send him home to his own parents. More to come on that little endeavour.

Boy Crazy, Already?

2010-06-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

We are in Tucson with my family. Well the kids and I are, we're headed back today, we've missed Seth and Luc keeps telling me he wants to go to Luc-ee's house. It's been a nice little break though. It's been so relaxing to not worry about how messy the house is getting and/or how many dishes are piling up in the sink. The kids have had so much fun playing with their cousins. McKay has REALLY enjoyed herself. Maybe too much.

We were in the pool last night with my sister, her kids and a friend's kids. At one point McKay was the only girl in the pool with 8-9 boys. They were playing basketball, she was swimming right through the middle of all the chaos and I kept thinking "she is going to drown in the middle of all those boys." A few minutes later she came over to me and whispered in my ear "mom, it's just me in the middle of all those boys, it's like being surrounded by boys... mom, I LIKE IT!"

Oh boy. Maybe I should be worried.

Summer 3 weeks later!

2010-06-21T08:54:00.001-07:00

Ok so it hasn't been quite as bad as I thought it would be. I am learning to be a better mom. It's easy to be calm and patient while they are in school and preschool but when they are home all day it takes a bit more effort on my part. We've been swimming a lot and watching way too much tv but I refuse to beat myself up over that.

McKay turned 6 a couple weeks ago. SIX! My baby is not so much a baby. She is such a sweet girl. She loves making people happy and most of the time goes out of her way to help her brother and sister. (Luc she spoils, if he wants what she has she gives it to him. All my efforts to curtail his fit throwing are being underminded by his big sister.) She hates being alone. And by alone I mean like 15 feet away from us by herself. It's like pulling teeth to get her to go get something out of the other room without Kimball or Luc going with her. She is so much like her Aunt Dani was.

I'm rambling. It's what I'm best at I guess.

Seth and I got new callings. I cried. Not because I'm not excited about the new one but because I LOVE my current... er previous calling. I was in the RS presidency and love the ladies I was working with. Not only do I not get to work with them now but they all get to stay together. I kind of felt like throwing myself on the ground kicking and screaming "it's not fair!" (don't worry I didn't). Seth is the new Ward Mission Leader and I am a ward missionary. It will be fun to work with him in a calling. We are supposed to go on visits together once a week. Now to find a weekly babysitter who doesn't mind doing it merely for the blessings.

What else? I'm sure there is more but Luc is at my side crying that he wants "cochett mook." (chocolate milk) So off I go and if you're nice I may post some pictures later.

Summer

2010-06-01T08:24:00.000-07:00

Well it's here. Whether I'm ready for it or not, summer has officially arrived. Both girls are done with school and the bickering has begun. I have grand ideas for how to keep them occupied and happy but I have doubts about my abilities to accomplish it all. We have no vacation planned, no escape from the heat. I am hoping we'll fit in some camping at some point. Any suggestions for great camping sites are welcome.

Here's the girls plans/wants for the summer:

McKay want to learn to read, ride her bike without training wheels and learn Spanish.

Kimball wants to learn how to jump rope, learn Spanish and learn to drive a car.

I want Luc to learn to pee and poop in the toilet.

And I want to remain sane. I love my children, they are wonderful and loving. I think I will also love when school starts again in the fall!

Pain in the ...

2010-05-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

Oh my achin' back!

My family is getting pretty sick of me saying that. It's my playful non-whining way of letting everyone around me know that I'm in pain without being too much of a pest about it.

All I want is a way to fix it without spending $75-$100/week (chiropractic) or having a million tests and/or surgery. Is that so much to ask?

Thus far my solution has been ibuprofen and ice packs. It's not working so great.

Let the chiropractic vs. traditional medicine debate begin.

Inspiration

2010-05-12T15:06:00.000-07:00

I think I should move my computer into my bedroom. It seems like the only time I can come up with things to blog about is either late at night when I'm almost asleep or in the middle of the night when I have been woken up by a crying child and I can't get back to sleep because I feel guilty that Seth is up with them, but not guilty enough to get out of bed. (that my friends is what we call a run-on sentence!)

So in search of inspiration I decided I would look in my 5th photo folder at the 12th picture. (it's 5/12 today... see how creative I can be!)

Here's what I found.

There's so much to say about this picture. First off, look at that adorable little face. She's concentrating so hard on stirring, too cute. Kimball loves to cook/bake. She says she wants to be a "maker" when she grows up.

Next I am looking at that cute little apron thinking "where did that go?" Which leads to "is there a basket of hidden laundry somewhere?" and then of course "oh I should really get those tablecloths from church in the wash so I can take them back before the next activity when someone says -hey where are the tablecloths- and then I have to admit that they've been laying on the floor in my laundry room for 2 weeks." I hate laundry. But let's get back to picture.

Speaking of hating things, I hated the counter top in that kitchen. Who puts white counter top in a kitchen? It never looked clean. Which makes me grateful for our new little house. We've been here for 9 months and while there are a hundred things to do/fix I still love it. I love that it's ours. I love that there's a backyard that the kids can play in and I absolutely love our neighborhood. I even the old lady next door that I have to hide from sometimes because I don't have an extra 30 minutes to talk about her brother's anal tumors. (true story)

If you have endured my ramblings this long than here's a little bonus for you. Head over to my sister-in-laws blog milkandhoneydesigns for a cute little giveaway.

Time Flies!

2010-05-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

I posted a few weeks ago about celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary - but today is the actual day. Seth is in Georgia so we were celebrating a little early and just crossed our fingers that we really would make it to 7 years... kidding, of course we'd make it to seven.

7 Major Events in 7 Years...

- Child number one born 13 months into our marriage.

- Seth graduated from the University of Utah (go Utes) right before our 2nd anniversary and I was pregnant with number 2.

- Number 2 born 16 months after number 1.

- We moved from bitter cold Utah to sunny Arizona a month after #2 was born. (we've moved 5 times in 7 years)

- Seth started working for the same company as his dad. (and his dad is now cancer-free and doing great - well mostly cancer-free if you don't count the occasionally skin cancer he has removed but cancer-free most of the time)

- Baby number 3 arrived before baby #1 turned 4! (I got married a little later than the average Mormon girl so we kind of rushed through the first 3)

- We bought our first home and can finally say goodbye to the moving boxes for a little while.

(don't worry we don't actually call our children #'s 1, 2 and 3)

Look how young and naive we were. Good thing life has turned out even better than I could have hoped. I am so blessed to have found such an amazing man. I fall more and more in love with him every day.

(ok you can stop gagging now, I'm done.)

Chair Re-do

2010-04-27T19:16:00.000-07:00

My blog is turning into a bargain bragging session. But I just have to share the little make-over our dining room got this week for under $20.

Before:

After:

30 Hours of Bliss...

2010-04-26T09:31:00.000-07:00

Seth and I celebrated our anniversary(#7) this last weekend. It wasn't exactly our anniversary but we were silly and in love and got married on mother's day weekend so we seldom celebrate on our actually anniversary date. We normally just go out to dinner and splurge by going to see a movie but this year we made BIG plans.

My amazing friend Kelli offered to take the kids over night on Friday so we "went all out."

Here's where we went:

(approx. 13 miles from home)

Here's where we stayed:

We ate here:

and here:

and here: We also went to see this:

and ate some of this:
and all of this cost us $55!!! Can you believe that?

My Assumptions

2010-04-02T09:10:00.001-07:00

For those who were wondering. Here are MY explinations for the past two posts.

Luc bit threw his lip. Thus all the blood. I think he probably bonked his chin on the cart causing him to bit his lip. It was nasty. Should have taken a picture but at the moment I wasn't feeling like whipping out the camera.

As for my martini glass... McKay's explanation was that it's my "special" drink that I get when I get to go on dates with Seth. My assumption is that she has watched Enchanted one too many times. That's the only thing I can think of where she has seen a martini and they do talk about being on date during that scene. I do not nor have I ever drank a martini.

Day 4

2010-04-01T10:39:00.001-07:00

It's day 4 of spring break and it has been much better than I expected. I think I was preparing myself for it to be really hard and stressful and so far it hasn't been TOO bad. That being said I have to share the pictures McKay drew for me yesterday. She said there was one for each of us and it was a picture of something that had to do with us. So here they are.

Wearing a onesie and a bib and the bottle has numbers for ounces... so cute. He doesn't wear onesies or bibs or drink out a bottle anymore but still cute.

Apparently Kimball just likes big black flowers.

McKay of course wearing a dress and looking "stylish" as she would say.

Dad got the already used piece of paper and a football. Appropriate.

And then there is mine. Take it as you will.

Costco

2010-03-29T15:10:00.000-07:00

Seth requested that I cut and paste this email that I just sent him. He says it's funny. I'm not quite there yet.

I went to Costco fully prepared for whatever might happen. I promised the kids pizza if they would be good and they readily agreed. We made it all the way through the whole store without any major break downs or tantrums. Then we got in line... Luc was sitting in the basket with both girls, they were all sitting on the box of diapers. I see some lady pick something up and give it back to Luc. I quickly (but not quickly enough) realize that Luc has a golf ball, how he got it I have no idea, before I can get it from him he chucks it (at this point they are right behind the checker who is scanning my stuff) the ball goes flying and bounces about 10 times before the assistant checker guy can get to it... luckily it didnt' hit anyone. So I take it from him, put it in my purse and calmly tell Luc to sit down for the 15th time in 10 minutes. I'm not exactly sure what happened next but all of a sudden Luc is screaming bloody murder and holding his mouth. So I try to get over to him but have to wiggle through about 10 people and their carts to get there. By the time I get to him his mouth and hand are full of blood and he's hysterical. I grab him and calmly try to get back over to where the cashier is waiting for me to pay and at the same time try to avoid getting blood on my white shirt. I go to pay and can't find my wallet. The lady checking out behind me quietly reaches down grabs my wallet off the ground and hands it to me. Meanwhile the girls are upset because they want to see if Luc is ok (and I just want to be at home curled up in a ball on my bed.) Another Costco employee has gone and got ice and a wet paper towel and sweet little Luc is letting her hold it to his mouth. By the time I get my receipt Luc's diaper has leaked through onto my shirt and I'm ready to just book it out of there but I promised pizza so off we go covered in blood and pee to have a nice little lunch with my kids.

Oh the joy. I think we should have another one. Oh and I think I want to home school them.

Back at it... Kind of.

2010-03-29T08:15:00.001-07:00

I keep wanting to sit down and blog but I can't seem to get my brain and my kids on the same schedule. At those rare moments when I have something witty and creative to blog about my kids seem to be overly needy and unwilling to share me with my blog. And at the even rarer (more rare?) moments when I feel like I have time to sit down and blog my mind is blank. But it's spring break now so while they are glued to the tv this morning and I'm not having to chase them around to get them ready I will sit and come up with "something" to share.

Ok I'm blank again. I can't think of anything but snotty noses and kids peeing on the floor. Neither of which seem like good blog subjects.

How 'bout you all give me ideas on what to do with my kids over spring break so I don't end up screaming at them all week.... That's a good idea. Oh and it has to be cheap.

Sports Princess

2010-03-09T12:11:00.001-08:00

Another great book to check out! My friend's sister is publishing this book and it looks really cute. And of course because I LOVE sports I think it's perfect for every little princess. Check it out here ---> Sport Princess

TWO!

2010-02-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

I totally missed Luc's Birthday Blog. So two weeks late here it is.

My baby boy turned TWO. So here's what he's been up to.

Luc is so much fun. He makes us laugh all the time. Usually when we're trying hard to be serious. And he loves his sisters. He shows them how much he loves them in typical boy fashion, by pestering them. Constantly.

He talks very little. He says cars for everything. "Luc say nana" "CARS!" "Luc say thank you" "CARS." He is obsessed with cars in general but overly obsessed with Cars the movie. He would watch it 7 times a day if I let him. (but I'm a good mom so 6 times a day is our limit.)

He also says Porter and Mater. It's the cutest thing ever, I swear he says them with a french accent. I need to video it so you can all experience it. He pronounces them Po-Tare and May-Tare. With an accent on the "tare." Hilarious.

Luc and Porter (his best friend/enemy)

He jumps off everything he can. And is so much tougher than my girls ever were (or are for that matter)

He LOVES his daddy more than anything. It has quickly become the hardest thing about Seth traveling for work. About 4:30 everyday he starts whining and crying for da-dee. And, not that I'm complaining, but when he wakes up in the middle of the night only daddy will do.

He has just recently started to eat everything in sight. And lots of it. But only on his terms. Just set it in front of him and walk away because if you tell him to eat it he'll tell you "nope."

He falls asleep on my lap every night and most days for his nap. I never "allowed" that with my girls. They both fell asleep in their beds. It was a pretty hard set rule. I'm not sure where the rule came from or why I was so adamant about it but with the events of the past year and realizing how extremely precious life is, I've decided it's not that good of a rule. I snuggle him to sleep and cherish it.

Bella the Great!

2010-02-15T14:27:00.000-08:00

I know times are tough. We hear it all the time and personally I am constantly thinking "what can I do to help someone." We aren't living in the lap of luxury or anything, most weeks and months the finances are pretty tight but Seth has a good, secure job which is more than a lot of people can say these days. So, when I heard that a good friend of mine (I think of him more as a brother than a friend even, he's part of our family) when I heard about his struggle and subsequently his creative and intuitive way to make ends meet I was grateful for the opportunity to help in a small way. And hopefully sharing it with my friends will help just a little bit more. So...

Please go to this website Bella the Great and read my good friend Derek's story. Then spread the word. Thanks.

18 kids and counting...

2010-02-15T11:58:00.000-08:00

We had a family reunion this weekend. It was totally kick back and under-planned but it was great. Very little stress. (well as little stress as can be expected with 18 kids under 13!) My only regret is that I was so busy trying to get houses ready for all the guests and making sure that everything was OK that I completely neglected my camera. I have no pictures. But with 4 siblings clicking pics all weekend I figure there should be plenty to go around. For now I thought it would be fun to post a "then and now." So here it is. Feel free to dissect and analyze the "then" picture... leave "now" alone. You can poke fun at it 25 years from now.

Bisel Family circa 1985

Bisel Family 2010

FAMILY FUN

2010-02-04T13:03:00.000-08:00

Two days in a row was all I could muster? Pretty pathetic. I have a really good excuse though, we've had a little family excitement and on a whim we're throwing together a make-shift family reunion for next week here in Phoenix so I've been busy worrying about how we're going to make it all work out. My 4 siblings, their spouses, my 18 nieces and nephews and my parents will all be coming so I'm very excited.

So this is a question I meant to ask you all about 3 weeks ago when just my one sister was coming now it's even more needed; what are some of the things that make staying at some one's house more comfortable/enjoyable for you?

5 More Minutes...

2010-02-02T13:28:00.000-08:00

I had like 12 ideas for a post while I was at the gym. I can't think of any of them now.

Speaking of the gym; what's wrong with just running 2-3 miles? What's up with everyone being obsessed with running marathons or even half-marathons? I feel like a loser because I only run 2-3 miles. I feel like I'm not doing enough, underachieving. It's lame. When I finish a 3 mile jog I feel great, like I've accomplished something but then someone says "how far'd you go?" and I'm embarrassed to say 3. So what's up with that?

I was just watching Dora with Kimball, I answered one of Dora's "questions" out loud and Kimball said "mom you don't have to really say it. She won't get mad if you don't answer." Good to know.

5 Minutes...

2010-02-01T06:57:00.000-08:00

What can I post in 5 minutes? I am way too long winded for a 5 minute post but that's my goal this week. 5 minutes each day.

Parent/Teacher conferences last week and I feel like I must be an unconcerned/under-worrying mother. I never know what to say or ask. Her teacher probably thinks I don't care. But it's kindergarten for goodness sakes. I do have one concern but it's more of a parenting concern than a school concern. So rather than pose it to her teacher I will pose it to all of you experienced and talented parents.

How do I help McKay feel good about herself and ignore bratty little kids that say things like "you look like a baby" and "your hair is funny today"? I don't want to be a doting mother who goes to the school and confronts the 5 year old bully but I do want her to be able to stand up for herself and more importantly be able to let it all just roll off her back. How do I protect my baby with out babying her?

Ok 5 minutes almost up.

To Do Today: (in no particular order)
Clean bathrooms
Make bed and put away the piles of laundry on my bedroom floor
Sweep and Mop
Read scriptures
Make Valentines for RS
Love and cuddle my little ones

Happy Birthday!

2010-01-25T07:34:00.000-08:00

Today is Emmett's first birthday. And even though he's not with us right now I hope he knows how much we love and miss him. This is a song that my sister's friend wrote for her. It's perfect for celebrating his perfect little life.

Check!

2010-01-21T16:22:00.001-08:00

I have decided that I need to write my to-do lists on a monthly basis rather than daily. If I plan to do something (or a number of things) on a certain day it seems like it rarely happens. Somedays I get one or two of the listed items done. Somedays I end up with a checkless list staring back at me. Those are the days when I sit down and add all the other things that I did get done and put a nice big check next to them. That tends to help me feel validated in my day's accomplishments. And it's not just mundane things like folding the laundry or unloading the dishwasher, quite often it's things like getting to the store or going to the gym. At the start of the day I have every intention of doing those things but at the end of the day the minutes and hours have all expired and the cereal I was planning on buying is still sitting on the shelf at Fry's waiting to be bought. So today I will add "make cookies with Kimball" and "put new pictures in the frames" to the list just so I can check them off and "clean out the pantry" will be moved to tomorrow's list. And that's ok. Because eventually it will get done. Even if it is on a day when it's not actually on "the list"

2 Clarifications

2010-01-13T11:47:00.000-08:00

Just to clarify - I have not committed myself to quit soda forever. Seth and I have sworn it off until February. I know, big deal right? One month. But I think I will try to stay away from caffeine after that and I will definitely try not to drink as many sodas as I was. Maybe just the occasional one when we go out to eat or we're on a trip.

One little Quote from McKay to brighten your day:

(very angry and upset with me about something... not sure what)

"YOU ARE A FAIRY GODMOTHER!!"

(Pretty sure she meant to call me a wicked stepmother.)