rugby jack strikes again

Last weekend Jack played in a rugby tournament.

Didn't I mention jack was going to play in a rugby tournament?

I don't tell you guys everything, ya know.

Anyhow- he said they won third place & were getting trophies & t-shirts tonight at a little practice they were having. Imagine our surprise when he came home with this?!!
(photos courtesy of chloe)
Ya, he was pretty excited- he took it to the H.S. today to show the athletic director & see if they can put it in the trophy case.
Amazing
maybe we should've gone to one of the games?
rugby in 100+ degree weather with an eight year old hyper boy?
well- just in case you are wondering - none of the other parents showed up either
*how hot is it at your house?

blah, blah, blah

Last night we went here to check out the go carts.

Brett is taking the young men in our congregation (maybe) next month. It's still debatable- my opinion & his differ...

of course I really don't have an opinion... whatever.

anyway--- there was this tanker rollover accident on the freeway so 1/2 way out to the city we decided we had better find something to do for a while- it wasn't going to be quick getting home.

After our dinner out on my birthday (trent doing so well & all) we went to dinner & then out to the race track. $15 for 15 minutes- hmmmm? Pretty pricey if you ask me, but it looked like fun.

There were two pool tables set up & while we waited for the only 4 people we saw while we were there 1. to suit up 2. watch the training video-- then finlly get into the gocarts...

we shot a couple of games.

Hailey had never played before & neither had chloe so Brett & jack taught them a few pointers.

Trent of course thinks he can do anything so he was all pro. Right after this photo my camera battery died- aargh!!

I don't know what your family is doing this summer- but I am really starting to feel like a loser. Between a wedding this spring, a missionary, and school registration fees- we just aren't going anywhere. The one trip we planned is canceled. June was really busy & the beginning of July. Now I feel like our summer is a bust & I should've just sucked my fat rear into a swimsuit & got a pool pass or something. I have a headache- I feel like a boring mom.

This morning I had a council PTA training to get ready for the local PTA trainings us council presidents are supposed to do. Wow that should be some real summer fun, putting on a pta training day.

Can you tell- I'm not having a very good day?

working men

Saturday night brett & I took chloe, trent, & max to his office to print out the missionaries out/inbox of emails. (brett got permission from his boss) Brian's inbox/outbox of email was getting so full he was worried he wouldn't be able to get messages. What would've taken 1/2 a day at home only took 45 minutes on a high tech office computer. Why did two (overly experienced) parents take two kids & a dog to the office on a Saturday night?Pure stupidity, I guess. Anyhow- one of brett's co workers was down the hall working on a problem- I apologized profusely about all the running & noise- she was really nice about it.
Brett was busy printing & deleting & I got out a notebook & wrote down every funny thing trent said while we were there. I was writing as fast as I could. I'm sure it's all funnier in person, but if you know trent or have read enough about him... you'll understand.

1. trent - (with phone headset on) "why don't I ever get any business calls?"

2. "can I make a few calls?"

3. "dad, I have a job here- I actually have a job here! I can come to your office on monday, tuesday, wed, thur, fri. for all month- all the months in a row." (the mental picture made me laugh)

4. pointing his finger-"dad, I have a job here & I don't want to get fired!"

5. after bringing in a can of rootbeer from the break room & setting it on the desk. Dad- no thanks trent I don't want any soda. trent-"are you crazy? do you think I can read your mind? this pop is for me!"

6. "dad, I accidentally spilled water all over the carpet- (under his breath... ) they'll never know... mom I'm I gonna get fired?"

7. "Can I call home & say hi to everyone?" dad- no one is home.

8. chloe- trent they are going to fire you & hire me because I am soaking up all the water you spilled- trent-"be quiet"

9. chloe- trent just punched me... again!

10. "dad- I need to download some stuff"

while playing hide & seek:

11. (trent is supposed to count & chloe runs to hide) trent- "great, she's gone!"

12. MOm- trent don't you know how to count to 45? trent-" mom I got drunked!" mom- you got drunked? trent- "ya 5 years ago"mom- you were only 4- trent-"I know!" mom- that's not funny.

13. while hiding under dad's desk- "she'll never find me here! hee hee hee hee hee" after she found him immediately- "I'm done now"

14. On the way home in the car. Dad- trent when we get home you have to go straight to bed it's after 10:00- trent- "can we stay up later?" dad- trent I have a meeting for church at 7:00. Trent- can I come? dad please I'll behave (the thought of trent going to ward council... hee he :)

Just had to post this beautiful picture of all the jam chloe & I made yesterday!! thanks for your help chloe.

week in review...

I have to seriously fight to get my time on the computer these days. I am not blogging much because some days the fight is just not worth it. So I am starting to be crabby -- A Lot. It's not good- I'm ready to snap at the next person who even looks twice at me on the computer... watch out- mom's in crazy mode.

This is a little bit of what happened in my life last week.

Sunday night at the movies.

MOnday I went to lunch with Karen & Linda. Then as part of my birthday present, Karen brought us an amazing dinner (it was so good) before the peanut got here.

Monday night until wed. afternoon I bbsat the peanut and my niece & other nephew.

Wed. after the peanut left (I really needed to get out of the house) I went shopping with sky & then we went to dinner with our husbands.

Somewhere in there I bought a panini maker!

We have had paninis everyday since. YUM! But even better than that- last week Kristy's husband picked me up one of these-

a blendtec blender. Oh my gosh- who knew a professional blender could be so life changing?

This is one of those blenders that can literally blend anything. It's like having jamba juice & orange julius in your kitchen. Love it.
This smoothie is frozen strawberries, strawberry yogurt, a banana & mango juice.Are you drooling? Ya it's that good. I feel like I could do an infomercial on these babies.

(before)

I cleaned out my kitchen pantry to make room for the new appliances.

(after)

I have a real thing for kitchen appliances.

I had the best day Friday. It was Karrie's birthday & we went to lunch & to

Mama Mia

I've had Abba running through my head ever since.

We laughed like school girls the whole movie. I wasn't sure I liked it at first but ended up loving it. Now I really, really want to see the Broadway show!!

ps. Meryl Streep & the other stars- amazing. She makes 59 look so good!

Afterwards Karrie had a surprise party at her house. Well, she didn't know about it... of course. It was great fun though. Her husband made the most darling little movie of her life & her family was there. Here is a picture of us right before we left watching the movie.

Saturday- I cleaned out & vacuumed the car. and hey- look at this- I have apricots this year!

I made a batch of fruit leather out in the sun. It's so so so hot here!

I did that amongst other things & now it's another week...

does it feel like summer is flying by? It sure is for me!
*do you have a powerful blender?

*do you like kitchen appliances?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KARRIE!

WHY I am so glad today is karrie's birthday.....
1. NOw I'm not the only blogger mom in her- eek- 40's.
2. we are taking her out for the day & I can't wait- only 2 1/2 hours until we pick her up!
WhAt makes Karrie so great.... Everything- duh-but especially-
1. her adventurous spirit
2. she water skiis like a pro, plays tennis, travels, loves to go boating etc.
3. she owns several swimsuits. We were shopping once & saw some on sale, she stopped and said- "no I can't buy another swimsuit, I have way too many"- what the hell? I can not relate to that at all. I love that about her.
4. she's a very good/involved mom.
5. her kids have that same adventurous spirit- & so far it hasn't gotten them in too much trouble- hee hee.
6. she is very thoughtful and has dropped off loads of good mail at my house- thanks :)
7. she saved my butt during community council this year & took over the concert when I had a wedding & too much other stress on my plate- that was the best/kindest gift you could have given me this year- thank you.
8. she's a very good daughter. I sat behind her at chili's one day when she & troy were out to lunch with her dad. She is so good with him. She is constantly taking one of her parents to the doctor or shopping. It's truly amazing & so charitable- such an example to her kids & the rest of us!
9. she is very dependable! someone you know you can count on 100%. don't you just love those kind of people!?
10. she's real & is a great friend & fellow blogger!

the peanut left

The peanut left yesterday afternoon. He was really good- better than I anticipated. He took 2 long naps a day... slept all night. We carried him around mostly, but here's the evidence he played & was happy, sort of... he's such a serious baby.

For some reason, whenever Jack was around he just couldn't stop staring at him. It was really funny to watch him- watch jack. He nearly twisted his head around several times to keep his eye on him. I think Jack liked it.

Cory the missionary-

stopped by Tuesday night before he went into the Missionary Training Center Wednesday morning. He told us the mission he is going to is known for being in the jungle. Lots of humidity, shacks, monkeys... wow.
So we're back to the old regular life- without a baby & two extra kids around.

Life seems so much more simpler now.

the peanut's visit

(sorry about the side ways video- when will I learn?)

This peanut (I call him peanut because he was so small when he was born & had a tough time gaining weight-not an issure anymore) is so funny. If I am holding him & he can't really see my face he's totally fine, even cooing & babbling. As soon as he sees me or if I talk to him... cry baby. A girl could get a complex or something. I am bbsitting him & his 8 yr. old brother & 12 yr. old sister while my sister & her other two kids & husband go on a pioneer trek with their congregation. Just for 2 nights so it's not that bad.

Shhhhhhh... the peanut is here

I just have a minute... the peanut got here last night about 9:00.

he came along with 10- yep 10- bags. Hmmmm that's kind of a bad sign wouldn't you say?

He had a really rough time right after his mom left- he thought he was going to die- false alarm- he's makin' it so far. He slept good-- 10:00- 5:30 when he got up he peed on me while I changed his diaper, then I gave him a bottle. Back to sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzz. So our house has been over run...
And I have been seriously reminded of the old days- when I had little peanuts.

Oh boy- this is gonna be fun!?
:)

missionary update

Well, I promised a missionary update...

first off let me explain- when I say I am missing brian- somedays I just really miss him- let me just emphasize-- ya I miss him now & then, but I am really good with him being gone. the first six months were tough true, but I really am happy he is there & doing well. I wouldn't trade this experience for the world. I am proud of him! I am glad he is a missionary! i know he is doing what he should be & what is right! I love being a missionary mom!!

Here is what he has been saying...

"To answer a few of Dad´s questions:Is our apartment cold because it is winter... YES! Here they don´t have heating systems etc so we heat our house with a wood burning stove. It is actually really cool and I like to have it here. It gives me something to get all of my frustrations and energy out on... chopping wood. I actually love it (: Whenever we do service we are chopping wood as well so I have gotten quite good at it, I must admit... (: also my fire building skills have increased quite a bit. I woke up cold last night at about 4:30 because the fire had completely died and my companion had slept through the alarm to put more wood on so I got up and made a new one. It only took me about ten or fifteen minutes and I was back in bed ¨calentito¨ (: But that is something that I have really liked."

"This week we were sharing with a guy named Hugo. As we were sharing about the restoration and leading up to teaching about Joseph Smith he came popping out with doubts and questions. I really felt the spirit and felt awesome resolving his doubts and questions. I love to bear my testimony when I feel that the spirit really is taking it to the heart of the person. Although it can´t force the message to the heart it is something really rewarding to see the difference in the person when you can see that they really feel edified or you can see that somewhere deep inside the lights have turned on. I really love those moments when you can see and feel that they are flipping that switch and putting things together on their own. I love the Holy Ghost, I know that he is the messenger of God the Father and his son, Jesus Christ. I know that they live and that they love us. Something interesting that we teach in the first lesson is that God is our loving Heavenly Father and that he cries with us when we cry and is happy when we choose wisely and thus feel satisfaction and joy. I know that we have a relationship with our Father in Heaven and that he is not too far from us. He is in a stationary place but sometimes we walk away and leave him there waiting for the moment when we feel that he is necessary. HE IS ALWAYS NECESSARY!"

I wish I had pictures to share...

thank you readers for being interested in my missionary boy.

Where is Brian?

He is in a little mountain town in Chile (I can't find the name of it- we send all his mail to Osorno) on the boarder of Argentina. Obviously it's winter there. He is about 600 miles from the bottom of South America which is about 300 miles from Antarctica. so, when he says it's cold- ya it is & humid too.

Corn chip

This is Cory...

(photo taken by Brian on the trampoline last summer)

Cory & Brian- aka the missionary- have been friends since the 5th grade.

Cory goes by corn chip at our house.

Cory & Brian were locker partners through jr. high.

Cory & Brian have been in 5-6 music theatre shows together.

Cory has a beautiful tenor voice- brian is a bass. I love when they sing together.

Cory has spent many a day & night here with our family- before the missionary left.

( Brian, Cory & Spencer outside David Letterman last spring-

spencer is now on a mission in Leeds, England)

A couple of months ago we got a much anticipated phone call from Corn chip- he had received his mission papers... and excitedly told us he was being sent to Guatemala. he said he & brian would be speaking spanish to each other forever more.

Today we went to Cory's sacrament meeting service to hear him speak. Listening to him talk about choices, obedience to the commandments, love of family & church melted my heart. Hearing him bear testimony of a living prophet, Christ's atoning sacrifice, & his desire & faith to bring other's unto Christ on his mission... oh boy. Man, I love these kids.

Seeing Cory & some of Brian's other friends around town (but especially cory) was kind of like having a little bit of Brian around. A couple of months ago I saw Cory at the theatre & ran up to him to give him a hug. I asked him if he was a little creeped out having his friend's mom always wanting to hug him- he said I can hug him anytime...
Today I am so thankful for my children's friends. Nothing is more important when you are a teen than having good no great friends. We are truly blessed with an amazing generation coming up behind us.

during the sacrament service I sat next to Jack- it dawned on me for the first time... in two years guess who will be gone on a mission then? DAng it- these darn kids!

I'm missing Brian really a lot today.

Tomorrow he should email & I will write an update.....

really long day... apartment update!

Yesterday sky & I went to Provo/Orem & drudged through some REAL crappy places until we found an apartment for the newlyweds!! WOO HOO- I knew we could do it!! Ya I was a little nervous at first... I didn't take one picture- I was a lot nervous actually, after our first stop. A TOtal dive that my daughter- married or not- was not living in. we didn't even go in- one look & walking to the front steps was scary enough. What is the deal with college housing.... I guess the kids trash the places or the landlords want single kids. They can pack in the single kids & get more money I guess. Well, sky is a great friend to go with me- it was so much more fun having her there!

We did go to lunch midway between dives & then on the way home stopped at archivers, nordstrom, & cold stone!! Cold Stone has a new blueberry muffin mix ice cream- oh boy- you know how I love blueberry!

thanks sky for going with me & ya... megan & tony are coming home in less than a month--

I can't wait

field trip - sort of

Today we finally went to go see Kung Fu Panda.

We've been trying to get out to see it for a month now!

It was a darling movie & did not disappoint. This is a big deal in our family, because for years taking trent to the movies was absolutely out of the question. He was miserable- just couldn't sit for it. He did so great & he loved it!

Afterward we went to McDonalds to get happy meals because hey- happy meals right now are featuring Transformer & Littlest Pet Shop toys! Trent is over the top for transformers & this is a great way to get some cute little ones, plus lunch. Chloe & I sacrificed our toys for two more transformers, then we stopped at two different McDonald's on the way home and traded them for other models. He is thrilled to now have four different transformers- he got one last saturday with his dad. He has some of the big regular ones, but these little ones... they are so cute.

Before our Mcdonald stops we stopped by dad's office to take him a piece of his favorite candy. Rocky Mountain chocolate, milk chocolate, rocky road. Its marshmallow & walnuts covered in rich milk chocolate. As you can see- trent fits right in here at the office.This past week trent has been going to "kids camp." A day camp for kids at the park put on by the parks & rec department. Tonight was a special program with skits & songs for the parents to come to.

Trent is in the orange group. Unfortunately in typical asperger fashion he chose not to participate in the skit or song- or watching any skits or songs. Night time + long day+ large crowd+ public performance= not cool, if you know what I mean?

As you can see he was just a little crabby & not willing to be reasoned with.

It's okay. He does great there for his couple of hours a day. His counselor called him a "free spirit" I think that was a nice way to say rowdie & not always willing to participate, hmmm.

Baby steps.

It's a good experience & he really does love to go.

*have you seen Kung Fu Panda?

*do you like McDonald's, transformers & littlest pet shop toys?

desperate

Wanted:

Young newlywed couple seeking housing for the fall/winter semester at BYU.

I had totally forgotten how hard it is to find

housing in a college town.

megan & tony are coming back to Utah after their summer internship in Arkansas & they have NO where to live. Ya, they could live here.... but we're a good hour or more away from work & school- not good. Not to mention- who wants to live with their mother in law??

So- if anyone out there knows of any married housing in the Provo/Orem area

PLEASE

let me know ASAP!!

I think I'm going to be down there tomorrow searching for -

for rent signs!

a really "pink" day- revised edition

Well, my birthday may be over but all the warm feelings are still lingering.

I had the best day!

I went to lunch with the blogger mom's minus Karrie who is at girl's camp. I had breakfast plans that fell through. I really had no plans for the day until these smart gals put this together. I was really glad- I started out the day thinking- uh oh... my plans had fallen through & I started feeling a little bummed out. I should've known these guys wouldn't have let that happen. I have this phobia of being forgotten on my birthday. mostly because - it usually happens. I remember last year (I had just started blogging) thinking- I'm never going to have another "bad" birthday. Life is too short. Thanks to all my friends for remembering me on my birthday & making me feel - worth it.

Brett took us all to dinner - after a slew of presents were dropped off at the house by so many of my dear friends. I am so touched & amazed by all the many gifts & thoughtfulness that has come my way. Thank you, thank you for making my day!

Each of the kids chose an entre at one of our favorite restaurants ever. It was so funny because trent insisted on ordering Char Su Soup? It was really good! We all had some & he ate every bit of his. Bonus: he was so good. We honestly have avoided restaurants for a while with this little guy. Asperger kid's + restaurants= disaster most of the time. Not today- Way to go TRent!!

p.s. he wants everyone to know - he did not slurp his soup.

some days I think our hard work is paying off... then I remember- don't get cauky- it always comes back to bite me in the butt.

the food here is amazing & so well prepared.
Jack -ordered Mongolian pork with noodles
Chloe - General Saos chicken
me- beef & green beans

(the green beans are from local gardeners-mmm)

We of course had dessert & Chloe is officially a creme brulee lover- like mother like daughter!
We came home & had the best game of scrabble ever on my new scrabble travel board. I'm a real scrabble lover. Not crazy over the top scrabble lover- just a fan. Brett of course won, after whining like a baby because I was WAY ahead the whole game until he made an excellent 46 point play at the end & blew me out of the water.

men?

I also got PHOTOSHOP!! WOO HOO- thanks sweetie!
I feel like the last blogger on the planet to have this.

Now that it's mine...
I'm really nervous I won't be able to figure it out. I'm so scared of it I think I may wait until school starts to try to use it???

*do you get nervous everyone will forget your birthday?
*have you had a pink day in a while?
*do you have any photoshop hints?????

*I feel like I need to explain- I didn't mean to hurt any one's feelings saying I get nervous my birthday will be forgotten. Many years ago- soon after having Jack I had post partum issues, we had moved to the desert- not my favorite, it was a very difficult time for me... anyhow it was my birthday & no one remembered. I got no phone calls, cards or presents. I had 3 kids under 4, brett had just started a new job out of college & we had NO money. He came home & hadn't had time to do anything either. I sobbed & sobbed- it was a terrible day made worse by hormonal imbalance. Unfortunately, bad days stand out sometimes more that the good ones. It's sad- yes- that I've had loads of other birthdays but that one sticks in my memory.

Anyhow, there's the explanation.

41

Today is my birthday.

I don't know who did- this but some very thoughtful person put this balloon on my mailbox.

I am so touched- thank you whoever you are.

Already I have gotten a birthday phone call from megan,

a package in the mail from Jill- she's amazing,

two birthday cards in the mail from mine & brett's parents,

and last night I got this little message from the missionary.

"happy birthday mom! I love you. I wish I could be there for your birthday but I know that we both know that this is super important. When I finally get my debit card I am going to send you something super awesome. (brian's wallet was stolen 3 weeks after he got to chile) But most of all, happy birthday. just think how the lives of our family would be if this day hadn´t been your day about 23 years ago (:I love you mama and papa!!!"

He sure knows how to schmooze his mom-

(23 years ago.... ha ha ha.)

41?

how can this be possible???

I hope I live another great 41 years at least- It's a wonderful life.

more birthday thoughts to come...

gettin' it done

Well, I finally did it-

took a break from blogging to get some work done around here!

I'm not going to mention all the things I've been doing,

but I am going to list a couple.

I made this flag in a window frame. I had an old flag & bought this window frame about a month ago hoping I could put them together. It's going to hang on my front porch. I saw exactly how to do it on Joys Of Home! I love this blog... it's fantastic. Check it out if you haven't!!

I totally cleaned the bathrooms & re caulked the downstairs bathroom sink & cabinet.

We invited company over for dinner...

(we had more than this, but I won't go into it)

Jack came back-

he went overnight to Helaman camp- an over night camp about going on a mission.

Before he left he & hailey had a melt down over who got the "new" free phone available on our cell phone plan. Jack won, being the oldest & serenaded hailey on his guitar with a new song he wrote- I get the new cell phone... hailey doesn't... to the tune of Adam sandler's Hanukkah song.
I tried to get a video but hailey was ticked & jack wouldn't have it-
I of course couldn't help but giggle- sorry hailey. Today sky & I took these four goof balls to EFY & dropped them off. Because of a mix up in room assignments it took forever- we got home 6 hours later. It was a little (a lot stressful) but it all worked out- fewww. Hailey about had a nervous breakdown.... it's all good- I hope they have fun.

I dropped off a dozen cupcakes at Karen's house & a dozen to Jill at seven peaks. Jill has never had a "good" cupcake so I am hoping she loves them. Chocolate fudge cake with chocolate mousse filling, vanilla butter cream frosting with sprinkles- Chloe kept making sure I didn't leave out an ingredient & ruin them- she was worried. I know Jill will love them no matter what- she's just that kind of gal.

So I'm home- with one less teenager in the house.

Wow- I think I'm missing her already...

*what have you been doing?