Memorial Day

On Monday, Chuck and Christy, Nora and James and family, and John and Heather and family came up to the cabin.
One of the many perks of living at the cabin is that we get to visit with family a lot more than we have been able to in the past. It's also nice that we get to be in on most of the family activities without having to drive long distances. It was so fun to see everyone. Even though it was raining most of the day, we still got in a little hiking. Tom made dutch oven potatoes in the oven because there was about 6 inches of water in the fire pit:-) Nora and James BBQed some awesome chicken, and Christy made some delicious pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. I seriously have no self control when it comes to pumpkin chocolate chip! She also brought individual bags of chips that the kids loved (see picture of Paige (my niece) above... with quote from Nora (SIL) (I hope you don't mind me quoting you): "Happiness is my own bag of chips."
All in all there was great company, great food and just great times.
A little moment from that evening kinds of sums it all up. After everyone had left, Tom and I turned to each other and basically said, "That was a fun day!" And it was... Thanks to everyone who came up!

72 words

Speed test

Happy Birthday Tom!!!

Although its a little late (five days, but who's counting), I couldn't continue without 'publicly' wishing my fabulous husband a Happy 31st Birthday. Wow, that sounds old;)

Tom is such a fabulous dad and husband. I am so lucky to be married to such a kind, sweet, and wonderful man. Thanks Tom for all you do, and here's hoping that your day was a great one.

Don't think we don't love you;-)

Because we do!!!

What a girl needs

So I wasn't tagged...
Is it poor blogging etiquette to complete a tag you didn't get. Maybe its like playing tag on a playground and just suddenly declaring that you're 'it'. I guess that's not how the game works, but this made me laugh so hard I was almost crying. It is therefore a) extremely funny, b) extremely late at night, or c) both a and b... Either way, it's pretty cleaver. What you do is google your name and the word "needs". This is what, according to google, I need...
1) to take off the gloves
2) some Guinea pigs
3) to eat something and shut (my) ugly mouth
4) to focus on (my) kid
5) to get out of jail soon (again with the aggressive driving?)
6) to get your attention
7) to talk
8) to mind (my) own business
9) some hints
10) a refreshment
So there you have it. I tag anyone who tries it for themselves. If you google your name and "needs" then you're officially tagged and don't have to break the rules like I did:-)

Now aren't you just dying to know what you need?

Sick

When I was in kindergarten I recited this poem by Shel Silverstein.

SICK
"I cannot go to school today,"
said little Peggy Ann McKay,
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash, and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry,
I'm going blind in my right eye.
My tonsils are as big as rocks,
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen,
And don't you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut, my eyes are blue--
It might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and gasp and choke,
I'm sure that my left leg is broke--
My hip hurts when I move my chin,
My belly button's caving in,
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb,
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is stiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's bent, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
There is a hole inside my ear.
I have a hangnail, and my heart is -- what?
What's that? What's that you say?
You say today is -- Saturday?
G'bye, I'm going out to play."

If only it were that simple...








Ali has been boasting a fever that peaked out at 105.5 and resulted in a trip to the ER on Friday night. That was after visiting the doctor on Friday and starting her on antibiotics for ear infections. Then we decided to stop by on Monday when the fever hadn't subsided. The doctor concluded that it was a mean virus and said we'd do blood work if she was still fevering in another 24 hours. Then finally on Tuesday she didn't warm up in between doses of Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Yea!!! She is still not quite herself but at least she's improving:) I've said it before, but I'll say it again... enough already!!!
- And -
Just to nail in the coffin...
As we were in the doctor's office on Friday, I was saying how Emma had the stomach bug three days previous. She was still not herself, and then that morning had broken out in a rash... Upon inspection of the rash, she was swabbed and tested positive for Strep! Who knew.
One more time... enough already!!!

Last Day of School!

Bentley's last day of Kindergarten was Thursday the 15th. I can't believe how fast he is growing up!






I let the kids watch Sleeping Beauty and just had to take a picture as they were so cute all snuggled on the couch. Having Bentley home in the mornings has been a joy! He and Emma play so cute with each other. One of their favorite games is to battle. Emma gets both the swords, and Bentley gets the shield. Then Emma gets to pummel Bentley with all she's got, and Bentley takes it like a champ. Surprisingly he's the one that is constantly asking her to play...
observe :-)

A Day At The Zoo

Year after year we choose to go to the zoo on what has got to be the hottest day of the summer! We usually talk about going but put it off until August and then swelter in the 100+ degree heat. This year we decided to break the tradition. We joined the crowd for the "Mom and Me at the Zoo" day; only we found out that it was a special day after we arrived. We started to wonder what was up when we saw the line of cars parked on the road. We had to park in the South Parking lot and were able to squeeze into the very last stalls. As we were leaving the cabin, we wondered if it would be too cold; it was cold there, but the weather was perfect at the zoo.
Britta, my sister, was able to come with us! It was so fun to have her. Emma especially enjoyed her. She wanted to be with only Britta. I'm afraid she probably go quite the work out as Emma likes to be carried way too much.









I think we have finally mastered the method for a productive zoo trip. We pack a lunch and lots of drinks and snacks of course, then we eat very first. That way, as we start off with everyone well fed and hydrated and in a cheerful mood. Then we break out the snacks every couple of hours, and we have very few meltdowns.

The only meltdowns we had this trip was by myself when we entered the small animals house. I could only handle so much of the wall to wall people and the smell before we had to make an orderly exit from the building:)










Other than that, we had a great visit! We rode the train of course.







Bentley would not let us pass that by.
Then we ended the trip with some fun at the playground.








It was one of those trips that make you think, "Hey, maybe we should get a membership!"... nah.

Keep your hands and arms inside the car...

On the Friday before last, my mom and sisters, Britta and Kenzer, came to visit and watch the kids while I went to a meeting in SLC. They took the kids to Park City, and I met them there on my way home. We did some fun shopping, but the highlight (for the kids at least) were the rides. So we haven't been to Lagoon this year... who needs it?

Happy Mother's Day!

Being as it is Mother's Day, I'd just like to say thanks to my mom for being the best mom in the world, for loving me when I am hard to love, for always being there for me, and for blessing my life in so many ways.
I'd also like to thank Christy for raising such a wonderful son. I am blessed every day because of your efforts as a mom.

I am also so thankful for three fabulous children that make this day so special to me. I sometimes stop and wonder why I'm so lucky to have the best kids in the world, and no, there is not a bit of bias here;)

My favorite quote/moment from each child today:

Bentley being so excited to give me the art he'd worked so hard to make.

Emma (whispering to me in chuch): "Mommy, my teacher told me when I get home to say I love her."
(later at home): "Mommy, I love you"
Me: I love you too.
Emma (evidently put out): "No Mom. My teacher said just me to say it."

Ali (while pushing at Tom's leg): "Move Daddy"

This is a poem that is in Bentley's baby book. (Emma and Ali's books are scheduled to be completed this year;) I thought today of all days would be appropriate to share it. For those with young children, I think you'll probably relate.

BEFORE I WAS A MOM

Before I was a Mom;
I made and ate hot meals,
I had unstained clothing,
I did my hair every day,
I had quiet conversations on the phone,
I slept as late as I wanted and I slept all night long.
Before I was a Mom;
My house stayed clean for more than five minutes,
I never tripped over toys while walking in the dark,
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous,
I had never been puked on, pooped on, spit up on, chewed on, peed on, or
pinched by tiny fingers.
Before I was a Mom;
I never thought about immunizations,
I never held a screaming child so the doctors could give shots,
I never looked into teary eyes and cried,
I never felt my heart break into pieces when I couldn't stop the hurt,
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
Before I was a Mom;
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put it down,
I never sat up late hours of the night watching a baby sleep,
I never got up in the middle of the night to make sure everything was okay,
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
Before I was a Mom;
I had complete control of my mind, my thoughts, my body, and my mind,
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside of my body,
I didn't know that having something so small could make me feel so important,
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment, or the satisfaction of being a mom.
Before I was a Mom;
I never knew that something so small could effect my life so much,
I never knew that I could love someone so much,
I never knew how much I would love being a Mom.

Back to Logan

Last weekend, my little sister, Brittani, graduated from USU! She majored in Communicative Disorders and is set to start her graduate work in June! Go Britta! And go COMD department. No, that's not Comedy; it's communicative disorders and deaf education. (Just had to throw that in for old times sake:)
It was so fun to see her walk and brought back many memories from six years ago when Tom and I graduated together:-)
















I hadn't been back to visit since we moved from Logan four years ago, so excited to visit would be an understatement! Brittani and Keenan were nice enough to let us crash at their house. You can see from the pictures below we literally did just that.



































There was a luncheon held at the COMD building before the ceremony. It was fun to see many of the professors who taught me so much.















Thanks Britta and Keenan for letting us stay with you and giving us a reason to come, and thanks to such a great faculty at USU who care, teach, and inspire!
We love you!

One Word

I read this on Liz's blog. It sounded fun, but was more difficult that I thought. On almost every one I wanted to put at least two words. My mind was craving modifiers. Still, here it is, the short and somewhat simple.
1. Where is your cell phone? here
2. Your significant other? Tom
3. Your hair? curly
4. Your mother? amazing
5. Your father? wise
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? strange
8. Your favorite drink? OJ
9. Your dream/goal? success
10. The room you're in? dinning
11. Your hobby? books
12. Your fear? spiders
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Heber
14. Where were you last night? Logan
15. What you're not? alone
16. Muffins? cinnamon
17. One of your wish list items? house
18. Where you grew up? Price
19. The last thing you did? snack
20. What are you wearing? sweats
21. Your TV? storage
22. Your pets? none
23. Your computer? connector
24. Your life? temporary
25. Your mood? inspired
26. Missing someone? yes
27. Your car? filthy
28. Something you're not wearing? shoes
29. Your summer? anticipating
30. Like someone? Mom
31. Favorite color? blue
32. When is the last time you laughed? today
33. Last time you cried? yesterday

The Three Piggy Opera

As Bentley's year in kindergarten is rolling to a close, we got to attend his kindergarten program. He did a great job singing and reciting his part. However, when I picked him up from school and asked him how it was, his reply was, "Brutal". It caught me off guard, and it was really hard not to chuckle. I asked him more, and he basically said that he didn't like singing about pigs... This is a little strange because not too long ago he was infatuated with pigs. He really liked pork chops (had it for his birthday dinner), bacon, ham... you name it, and he and Emma would play pretend games in which they would slaughter pigs and cook them for dinner. I guess he's entitled to a change of mind, but "Brutal?" I wonder where that came from.

When to go in... when to ride it out

I have to say that I extremely dislike going to the doctor's office. First of all, I aways have the internal debate... Should I take him/her in? Is it just viral? Should we wait? There's nothing worse than going in and its a false alarm. OK, there is one thing worse, and that's when there is something wrong and you don't take them in soon enough. Nothing like needless suffering of children to make a mom feel guilty. Well, yesterday we were back at the doctors, and it may have been the later. Ali has conjunctivitis, which is much better now after just one day of drops (...guilt, I should have taken her in sooner), and she has ear infections... again! Who knew! Anyway, it just so happened that our doctor was on call in the ER yesterday, so we had to wait, and wait, and wait... It's amazing what you can come up with when you've got three small children in an area with things that they can't touch for two hours. We played games, read stories, ate pretend snacks, then found some real treats left from the soccer game and ate those too. Finally we resorted to theatrical performances. The camera can be a lifesaver in certain situations. It does make me wonder how much the nurses in the hall could hear. Just how sound proof are those doors...











Well, there must have been an emergency because finally the PA from another office came in, and we got our prescriptions and left. That doesn't mean that we get to go home... oh no, after all that its to the store with three kids to pick up the prescriptions. Am I complaining? Oh well, truly the afternoon was - exhausting.