t-bone & me

Trent stayed home for good today- no matter how well he seemed, I was not sending him again. So, since he seemed fine to me... went to get some wedding errands done together!

1st, we need to buy trent clothes for the wedding. I know, I know, nothing like the last minute. My theory was that if I let him help pick them out then maybe I would have success getting him to wear them. With all the busy things going on I just hadn't gotten around to it. We went to our new Kohl's- my favorite family shopping place- which just opened a couple of weeks ago in my town- woo hooo!!

Sandals were on sale plus I had a coupon for an extra 15% off anything in the store- we both need them so there you go. Trent's sandals happen to be very fast- his true test of a good shoe. Luckily in the testing process he didn't run into anyone.

At this point it got ugly.

You see, besides the cell phone obsession trent has an obsession with tennis shoes. He loves new shoes, especially sketchers because they are fast. He says his old shoes are junky and worn out.

He got really mad even though I explained I don't have money for new tennis shoes. We have to buy wedding clothes & sandals because someday it's going to get hot (maybe.) His shoes are not that old or "junky" anyway.

Now the fits started. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate to go shopping with trent? Really it's a nightmare. He folded his arms & said- I am not leaving until you buy me a new pair of shoes! oh brother. He forgets that I am a seasoned mother, he is my sixth fit thrower. I have been completely humiliated in stores for a good 20 years now- bring it on baby, bring it on.

me- fine I'm leaving you here because I've got to go find wedding clothes so you don't have to go to the wedding in your underwear.

trent- you can't leave me here & I'm not moving & I'm not going to the wedding in my underwear.

me- (walking away) living at Kohl's would be really fun they've got beds & everything.

trent- I'm not living here! I would starve! Stop taking my picture!

Unfortunately procrastination didn't pay. There was literally not one pair of pants or one shirt in the right color in his size. I finally found an employee who went into the back & found a couple of possibilities that were on clearance. I guess it's a state law that no "clearance" items can be on the store floor until after the store has been open at least 30 days. We found something that worked & after many stern words tried it on & got outta there.

Later we went to Chloe's DAre Graduation.

Dare Graduation is a big deal at our school. The mayor, police chief & dare officer spoke. Plus 3 essay contest winners & the principal. Trent was actually really good & sat through the whole thing.

Way To Go Chloe!
My in laws got here for the wedding & we went to watch Jack's rugby game.

Yep, it's been a week since the neck injury & he's been given the clear to go back on the field.
His team won. hurray. I didn't miss it, just in case he broke his neck for good this time.

*do your kids throw fits in the store--- STILL?
*do you think Trent will ever stop?

it's all gettin' to me

It's been one of those days. Trent came home early from school yesterday coughing. I really was going to keep him home- really. But at 9:00 when I went to the school to make some copies for teacher appreciation week- he seemed totally fine & wanted to go. About 10:30 I got the call from the office- he wasn't coughing he just didn't feel good. He has hay fever so I knew that was it. I was at Costco, so quickly made my purchases (we have tons of company coming and NO FOOD in the house- not a good combination) then went & picked him up at school. I'm so embarrassed I should have just kept him with me for the day. I truly thought he was fine, we went on tons of errands, cleaned the car, he helped me all day. When we got home he had 100.2 fever- oops I did it again. Well I blew it. The stress is kicking in. I've eaten 5-6 of these today. Chocolate covered marshmallow cookies. Since I thought it was going to be kind of a Trent day I took him to walmart & they are only a dollar & change for a package. Big mistake- I love these babies- they make the world a better place, except for what they are now doing to my back side.

Anyhow, trent has be BEGGING me in the most annoying 8 year old way for what seems like eternity to go there. someone I think Brittany (brittany if it was you, you are in so much trouble-jk) told him cell phones are free there. He is obsessed with wanting a cell phone. For weeks cell phone this, cell phone that. Life's not fair because he doesn't have a cell phone???

what in the world!!??

You cannot reason with him- for real.

I took him to Walmart & showed them that yes they have a free cell phone if you buy a cell phone plan. He assured me he does not need a cell phone plan because he has a plan in his head. Oh my- we have spent hours explaining what a cell phone plan is to no benefit.

When my sugar rush wore off I took a nap on the couch. Interrupted incessantly by the cell phone obsessed. He had found our old cell phones, cell phones on the Internet at walmart.com and of course was dying to show me. Mom, mom get up you've gotta see this cell phone- Hey mom get up I found brian's old cell phone. oh my gosh, someone shoot me. We went over the "cell phone plan" concept AGAIN.

I swear this video is nothing compared to what we are living through.

Who has time to do a wedding?

UPDATE

** I found out who told Trent cell phone were free at walmart- it was the same kid who introduced him to WWF & taught him some other choice things-- in his class at school.

I should've known! so sorry brittany- I think i thought of you because of the talk about cell phones you & trent were having the other day.**

wedding count down

The wedding is four days away people--- four days away!

Oh my, I am so busy with details, running errands- oh man- I hope I don't forget anything.

This morning I drove morning piano lessons, school, sent kids to school, showered, went to the doctor with brett (long story-it's cool), picked up some stuff for megan, picked up Sky, bought one more vase for the dinner (we need one more table), went to a quick lunch

Then...

before we went to the florist, party store for a card board cut out of President Bush- we are putting a blown up picture of the missionary's head over his head so that brian can "be" at the wedding....

we picked up her new puppy pete who just had surgery today. He was "fixed" or as the missionary called it when the procedure was done on Max... "no dos huevos."
He was so cute! He got so excited to see his momma I had to take a video. He was numbed up & all loopy- he really isn't in pain- (sorry about the side ways shot.)

When I got back Hailey had a dentist appointment. I picked trent up early from school, his allergies are off the chart so we went & got more allergy meds. I drove ballet carpool. Thank goodness for a crock pot recipe because I didn't have time to really make dinner.

Then- Jack gave our family night lesson- very good by the way-

and most importantly- we went to DAiry Queen. I love my little town's DQ. It's owned by the thompson's & they are the greatest. Monday night at dairy queen is quite the experience. Just about 1/2 the town shows up. There were literally 12 cars in line at the drive threw & maybe 3 parking spaces empty. The place is hoppin I tell ya!

Brett didn't want me to take his picture- coward.

He & jack are party poopers on the photos.

Chloe wanted me to document the most perfect twist cone ever.

And look at this guy- he is so funny he was licking his starkiss while falling asleep.

So funny!!!

well sorry all I ever write about is the wedding.

I am losing commentors- is it getting really boring?

by the way...Saturday I just about had a heart attack after seeing a 75+ year old woman wearing what I am wearing to the wedding Saturday at the temple... crap- should I go out & buy a new outfit?? Please give your opinion on this- I don't know what to do!

what would you do?

Big Day #2

All you younger blogging moms - this blogs for you!

You know all those FHE lessons you've been coloring & working on? All the fighting through church, nursery & general fussiness of kids.

Well - you're pay day is a coming- and yesterday was mine.

Yesterday Brett & I took our daughter to the temple for the first time in preparation for her temple marriage next Friday.

It was a great day.

Kind of like this one.

megan & tony
April 26, 2008
I feel so overwhelmed with joy to know that my children are making good decisions in their lives. I can't wait for the day when we can all be in the temple together.

I hope & pray that day comes.
That will truly be the biggest pay day of all.
I love the temple- I love my family- I am grateful.

*today Brian's last companion elder Cuevos (the bird catcher) called all the way from Santiago, Chile. He is home now & wanted us to know that Elder messer was his last & best companion. He said, your son is a great missionary. This is the missionary who the Mission President told Brian before they met that he was struggling with being obedient to the rules. When Brian met him he walked up, shook his had & said- Hi- I'm Elder Messer. I hear you are having a hard time with the computer & following the rules. I just want you to know I know about it & I follow the rules.
He said they got along great. After the first night- they were walking home, were going to be late, so brian started running. Elder cuevos was huffing & puffing behind brian, when brians said - WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE LATE GETTING HOME.
(when I read this in his email I just about passed out)
Girls could never get away with such a thing!
Anyway a couple of weeks later Brian emailed & said that Elder Cuevos went home & the day he left- he cried.
It was so nice of him to call! Brett got off the phone & felt really bad. He heard the accent & thought someone was pranking us- He kept saying... is this my cousin Mitch? Who is this? Finally it dawned on him- this is one of Brian's companions from Chile!!!!
He said that poor guy probably thought --Americans are so rude.

friday wedding prep

I'm up late & just don't want to go to bed without posting, since I had such a great day. I've been up scrubbing the painted floor since megans fiance's parents are coming over for dinner tomorrow. I don't want them to think she grew up in a house of filth. My own family is coming into town soon, but heh- it's way too late to con any of them. Thus- this is the only time I will be scrubbing the blankety, blank painted floor before the wedding.

Today:

I got up early, made breakfast- I have really been slacking off on that lately, put in two loads of laundry, drove jr. high carpool, showered, made chloe's lunch, got elem. kids off to school,unloaded & loaded the dishwasher, dressed, gave instructions to the stay at home neck brace wearer/ex rugby player, went visiting teaching, then at 10:00 AM headed for Provo.

Pretty impressive- I know.I stopped at the photographer's studio & cried... these bridals I picked up are PERFECTION! I love them.
Then picked up Megan & went to lunch at Jason's deli.
Why, why don't they have one of these places near my house- this and a sonic??
I didn't eat breakfast so I was starving. It felt good to be hungry after the eating festival I've been on in the past few stress filled days.
I have confirmed I am a definite stress eater.


(can you believe how cute this little apron kiosk is?)
We ran to the mall to get a book for guests to sign. We bought the most beautiful wedding scrap book at Archivers- love that place. It's for her to have her guest write a message in & then scrap all of the showers, & wedding snapshots etc. She isn't really a scrap booker- like mother, like daughter- but for some reason her almost in laws think she loves it? They keep giving her scrap booking stuff?? She hasn't had the guts to tell them she has never scrap booked before. Can't say I blame her since they've spent so much money on things they think she'll love. She promised me she would put this album together this summer though.
After the big day... all you have left are the memories.

We ordered 85 little boxes of chocolates from See's our favorite (again- like mother, like daughter) for wedding favors. Megan picked out four different chocolates- scotch mallow, wedding day mint, milk Carmel almond, and a milk truffle. We are tying them with a cream colored bow & attaching a little pink tag that has their names & the wedding date. So cute I know- it was my sister's idea.

We went shopping for her big day tomorrow (she's going to the temple)- then I headed out of town. It was crazy down there- I didn't realize it was college graduation day. Holy moly, that town was crowded. It took much longer than anticipated but it was so much fun to spend the day with megan.
On the way home I was supposed to stop at the florist to drop off the table vases. The wedding is only one week away but when I called on my cell the lady on the phone insisted I not bring them until Monday- ? It was way too soon she said- I checked the date with her- NEXT FRIDAY-no problem I was ready to come home anyway. I thought I would be home by 2:00 but it was 4:00. I stopped by target & bought a birthday present for the party trent was at (what a blessing on a busy day) then picked up chloe at her best friend's. The ex rugby player was already at rugby practice watching from the side lines & hailey at lacrosse.
Crazy good day.
I'm going to bed.

*can you believe the wedding is only one week away?

never a dull moment

Let me just begin this post by saying I picked the wrong day, month.... year to stop complaining, start a diet & quit swearing.

(the picture behind him is titled "100 elephants & a mouse"

- I am calling my photo,

100 elephants, a mouse & a turd)

Last night jack came home from his rugby game with a neck injury. I know he looks pretty innocent in this picture of him in the waiting room of the instacare, but he was truly in a lot of pain. The people at instacare put a neck brace on him & sent us straight to Primary Children's Hospital in SLC. The last time I was in Primary Children's ER was 4 years ago when the missionary got shot in the eye with an air soft bee bee. That's another story, another ugly story.

When you have a neck injury, they take you right back. No waiting-

When you've got a neck injury, neck brace, you're wearing a rugby uniform, & you have grass stains on your knees everyone in the waiting room looks at you. I knew he was okay when he said- why is everyone staring at me, do I have something on my face?

Waiting in the emergency room, I decided this was the perfect time to get some clarity on the whole rugby issue.

If there was ever a time for diet coke, this was it. The nurses & staff were so great.
After getting him evaluated they took him in to take some x-rays.

(By this time we pretty much knew he was going to be okay- in a lot of pain- but okay.)

Right next to the xray room was a HUGE cork board full of comics. I know it's not right but as I stood out there reading them I was laughing & laughing. Jack's dad- who is out of town on business, of course- really would've loved this wall.

I took pictures of my favorites.

I think some of the people there thought I was a terrible mother, laughing & all. But, look at this guy's face as I showed him the pictures.

Down the hall from the x ray room was a vending machine, with mood rings for a quarter- man they've really got this place set up right.

Jack reluctantly let me "test" his mood, which was - relaxed. He said I got ripped off, I think they are rigged.

I offered to read him a book,

Did Patrick impressions (from sponge bob) with a rubber glove,

thought about putting on a mask- but I chickened out. There was a security guard right outside our door...? I started a conversation with him, really nice guy. He was from Columbia & had a thick accent. We talked about the missionary being in South America & he assured me that Chile is the most stable country down there. He told me how he ran the SLC marathon last Saturday- this guy was a stud & very nice. He played soccer all his life so he said he related to Jack's injury...? whatever


They decided he could sit up now. The xrays came back looking really good. So this is a muscular injury not spinal cord injury- oh man, oh man, oh man- thank the heavens.

So after a RX for valium which he says he's not taking- so don't even pick it up mom, 6oo mg. of ibuprofen, a neck brace that has to be worn for 7-10 days & cannot be taken off until he is evaluated again. We headed back home.

The kid hadn't eaten since 3:30- it's now 12:00 midnight.

Hello Wendy

by the way- I'm not a real ice cream eater, or shake drinker for that matter, but they have a new strawberry shake, which jack ordered & I tasted it- the best strawberry shake I think I've ever had. Dad you should go get one- today.("mom, please stop taking pictures of me")

This photo is for posterity.

This photo is jack without broken neck & mom who will never miss another game when dad can't be there even if she does have to get chloe to ballet & hailey to lacrosse. This photo is a reminder of the lecture he got on the way to the hospital after saying - at least I got hurt doing something cool, something I love-

My loud & forceful reply to that.... you know what's really cool, WALKING, living in a home that doesn't HAVE to be wheel chair accessible, NOT eating out of a tube!

Call me old fashioned but... THAT'S COOLNESS TO ME.

* due to injury jack will be out the rest of the season

*don't tell megan, but we are gonna tell her this afternoon jack has to wear the neck brace in the wedding photos- hee hee hee.

*did you get any sleep last night?

missionary photo

In this week's missionary email-

Look what came- a picture!

This is Brian with his most recent companion Elder BAscar. Elder BAscar requested Brian send this picture home to his friends- who are girls. I guess he really likes American girls, thus the look on Brian's face. To quote my missionary- "Elder Bascar looks a little like sylvester stallone, when he saw me in pictures from home he nearly flipped over my friends who are girls. He likes blondes, he's a real goof ball."

so there you go... funny huh?

disappointed

Last week I started on a downward slippery slope that increased speedily until I totally crashed this afternoon. You see I come from a long line of complainers, sorry family, but you know it's true. I've been trying not to complain as much as I normally do (much, much harder than it sounds.) So in my attempt to be positive, look on the bright side, be like sis. monson & sis. hinckley-- I just made things worse for myself- oh what was I thinking? (I am really good at complaining, maybe I should just learn to embrace it.) Hearing how they never complained a couple of weeks ago at conference has really done a number on me. I keep comparing myself over & over in my head- then worrying about my list of to do's, etc. I just need to face it, I just have a lot on my plate. I guess feel so blessed that I don't want to be ungrateful.
Anyhow- last week I had a doctor's appointment. (The start of my downfall into my sad state.) I don't go to the doctor unless I really have to- not my best trait- so you know it was getting pretty bad. You see, I have been having pain in my hands off & on for years. They swell, or hurt in the mornings, or on cold days, after big sewing projects, etc. Well, lately they just hurt all the time and they hurt a lot. I can't sleep at night, favor my right hand & avoid jobs where I need strength in my hands. So I went to the doctor & ya she told me I have arthritis & gave me anti inflammatorys. She told me I need to take them everyday for a month with food, then we'll see if that helps. That should help for a couple of months & hopefully I will just have to do this monthly RX only a couple of times a year. I guess she didn't know that I have been going to Weight watchers for 7 weeks, have been really careful & lost 11 lbs. She obviously didn't read my mind to know that I am in a fragile state, any minute just about anything could set me off. Something inside me just snapped. Of course I didn't want to complain- but honestly it scares me to think as I age it might get horribly worse.... so I just started eating.
Yep, the old cooking me & over eater me came back- thinking she would make me feel better.
If it's possible to gain 11 lbs. in 5 days I just may have done it. Tomorrow I have a weigh in day but I am taking a pass & starting over. I hope. Maybe.... oh boy- I feel sick.

birthday boy

Last night we had a little birthday party for my nearly new son in law, Tony.

(10 more days until the wedding!)

Tony's birthday was last week, but because of work & finals we celebrated a little late.
Megan says tony is a meat & potatoes kind of guy so we had roast, mashed potatoes & roasted asparagus. he also loves chocolate- my kind of guy- so we had a layered chocolate dessert. Megan made him a chocolate cake last week.

Twenty four!

Oh, to be young again.

Tony is a great guy. We are so happy to be adding him to our family!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TONY

*would you want to be 24 again? Not me...

blogger moms cook

If you haven't yet... check out blogger moms cook.

I added this recipe today!

Tomato Basil Soup- Yum

a really long post... about a beautiful day

A couple of weeks ago, my sweetheart called me & asked me what I was doing on April 19th. He then suggested we come here-so we planned a special day away to enjoy the gardens & spend some time alone in the middle of our very busy month.Because of our wild spring weather, the tulips were not all up. The daffodils were & some of the tulips. It was all beautiful none the less.

Here are some - aren't they gorgeous?!


After walking part way through the gardens we stopped & laid on the grass. It was a very windy day but warm & it was nice to be outside without freezing.

While we were sitting in the grass talking this little boy ran over & was so delighted to find a patch of gravel. He started playing & throwing it. It was so funny to watch from a distance. Brett said- laying on the grass without our own kids throwing rocks was worth the ten dollar admission. Agreed.

I am sad to say that living on the opposite end of the valley, this is the very first time I have been to the gardens here. I loved it. There is so much to see. These fountains were one of my favorite spots.

Brett was so curious to know if anyone has ever jumped right in on one of the hot summer days we get in July? Tempting, I'm sure.

It's amazing.

I have always wanted to be a serious gardener. Being allergic to just about everything outside- has made that difficult.
Not to mention...

I don't really ever go into the sun. Maybe that's why some of you say I don't look 40? I really avoid sun. It bothers me. I swear I can feel sun wrinkling my face after just few minutes. Even with sunscreen & sunglasses I am miserable in too much sun. I guess it's my Seattle upbringing.

The mother of the gravel lover offered to take a picture of us. She was really cute like her little guy.

Chloe would love this a little secret garden behind doors.

Here is what was inside.

I loved the daffodils- everywhere. They have just about always been my favorite flower.

The waterfalls - stunning.

My next favorite place-

Beautiful.

We ate lunch at the restaurant there.

Tomato basil soup & bread.

Chicken fried steak with garlic mashed potatoes & grilled vegetables. A turkey, bacon, avocado sandwich with marinated vegetables. Oh my goodness - the food here was amazing!

Luckily we got dessert in the deli to go. About 2 hours later I was so glad!

After our adventure at the gardens we went here.

Male paradise.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of all the guys at the gun counter. It reminded me of ladies waiting at the fabric cutting counter at JoAnn's fabrics.

This place is a serious haven for the outdoors man in your life.

They sell about a billion different fishing poles.

My favorite place in Cabela's is the aquarium full of native Utah fish. My kids love this place & will be so disappointed they couldn't come.

On the way home we went to visit a couple Brett home teaches who is in the hospital recovering from back surgery. We looked around for my very favorite bakery in SLC & found it. I hadn't been there forever & couldn't remember where it was. Brett of course knew where it was.

Can you believe this place?? Oh my gosh- It would've been better to never find it again.

We went in to get the sweet couple a treat.

I was dying... wishing I wasn't full or on a diet - HA -

After taking a couple of pictures, Brett remembered the gentleman, who just had surgery, had diabetes. We decided we better not get anything.

I'm sure the people working there were thrilled to have us come in, take pictures then leave.

WEll it was a great day!

When we got home- the house was still standing, the kids had done all of their chores... it's a modern day miracle.

I really want to go back when the roses are in bloom.
*do you love gardens?

*and bakeries?

*what did you do today?