It's been a week now..

Since megan, tony & charlie left. A week or two before they came, trent started begging me to let him bring an extra large box (we bought an exercise bike) up from the basement.

I told him he could - when they left- and he did.

He decided to make a "bed" out of the box.

Please notice- we as his parents- have provided a very nice bed for him. He chooses to sleep in the box.

With the lid shut. Every night. He has a history of getting up multiple times & has a difficult time going to sleep in general. Well, not since he started sleeping in the box. He goes right to sleep & stays in the box all night? I thought this would be a one or two night occurrence? It's been a week now. I find this disturbing... kind of? I don't know?

a whole week sleeping in the box?

In case the police come to throw me in the slammer- I AM NOT MAKING MY KID SLEEP IN A BOX. You heard it here!

sneak peak

the engagement photos are back

so gorgeous

new place in town

A couple of weeks ago-

A new yogurt place opened in our town.

(Like an In & OUt Burger isn't enough to take my rear end to new levels of hugeness?)

We have been anticipating the opening of such yogurt place with much joy!

Then- we got busy... and it took us a couple weeks after opening day to get there. Such is the good life. do you every notice how everything old is new again? Frozen yogurt was super popular when I was in college. Then it disappeared behind a sea of Blizzard like milk shakes. My college room mates & I frequented (well not really, I was pretty poor) the Hogi Yogi just west of BYU's campus. Good Times. Great memories. Well- Yogurt is back!

And I like it!

I hope it lasts.

Just to be sure...

we will be visiting regularly.

I mean it's the least we can do.

You know, to help the economy & all?

p.s. why is blogger double spacing? I hate double spacing - aargh

missing you charlie...

It's been a bit boring around here with out charlie..to keep us all hoppin'

and entertained.

Real life just isn't the same.

It was a busy weekend of getting things done:

*We bought a new suit for Trent for the wedding

*Shopped the big box Sam's Club (hello- we were out of everything!)

* I made cupcakes- key lime = yum

*I went to a beautiful baby blessing

*Went to YW conference with Chloe (it was awesome)

*Hailey had a big date! woo hoo

*I taught Relief Society

..... and it snowed- twice.... then melted.

How was your weekend?

supermen

Charlie loves Grandpa.

He would run to him & put his arms up for him to pick him up.

Grandpa has pencils behind his ear & Charlie loves to get them!

It was so fun to see them together.

It reminds me of the old days when Grandpa was Daddy.

Grandpa days = good stuff.
p.s. yes.. my blog is done being private.

Blogger saved all your addresses in case I change my mind... again. A couple of months ago, Missionary jack told me he gave my blog address to a friend in Brazil. It made me sad knowing his friend wouldn't be able to get on & it's been on my mind since. So- I'm back for the whole world to see. For now.

back to the blog

It's been a great week.

I didn't blog- read very few blogs- didn't check my email (except once)- didn't watch the news

I did spend time with my family.

Especially this guy.

and this one.

We had cake & cookies

and lots of time with Grandpa.

It was heavenly....

so sad they went home today.

But- so happy they have a good home. He is a beautiful child. He went to everyone & gave everyone love. It was healing & lovely having a little one around. Megan & Tony are wonderful parents. I came home from the airport with lots of tears. Tears of joy & gratitude.

Life is good.

Finally today is here!

Today....
Megan, Tony & CHARLIE are coming!!!!
I haven't been talking about it much because I was hoping it would sneak up on me & the time would come fast! It worked- but now I need to slow down & enjoy having them here.
I am hoping the time will go s-l-o-w, but somehow
I doubt it.
There will be
Lots & Lots & LOts of pictures to come

What have I been doing these past few days?

*cleaning up (it doesn't work... It just has to be done again?!)

*shopping for extra fun groceries (we are having corned beef & cabbage to celebrate St. Patrick's Day)

*sewing up a storm (baby stuff & skirts!)

*missing jack...

*being thankful Brett is home this week-

last with with him gone was rough. I am still recovering.

happy birthday missionary jack... updated!

{this picture was in my inbox today! he has a birthday cake... it does a mama's heart good}
My son is a missionary
What can I say?
I could not be more proud of him & the man he has become.
He is 20- today.
20 years ago we were living in Las Vegas. My water broke. I was 23 years old & I was about to have my 3rd baby. The night before I stayed up all- night- long. I'm sure I slept bits, but I stayed up & cried. I cried & cried. I was overwhelmed & nervous & sick of being pregnant. We had lost our health insurance & we were footing the bill for the new baby ourselves- praying he would be healthy & all would be well. I knew he was special. I could feel his spirit with me that night as I lay there so unsettled. It was like he was there saying - it's okay mom. The next day he came! One week early- my two previous babies had been at least a week late.
I am stunned & amazed at how far life has come since those simpler times.
I have a prayer in my heart today.
I thank my Heavenly Father for the opportunity to be a mother. For the faith & assurance he gave me so long ago to become a mother when it took a lot of faith- we were so young & such poor college kids. I know now that we did the right thing. I think I knew then too- but hindsight is 20/20 you know?
If I could go back I wouldn't change a thing...
except loving them more.
Loving you all more.
Happy Birthday Missionary Jack
I miss you more today- but wouldn't bring you home. You would be so mad at me... I know you are safe, I know you have a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know his angels are with you. I know you are a son of God and we all our His children. I know you are doing the right thing. I am so overwhelmed when I think about you preaching on buses & streets so far away. I cannot believe well I can, how strong you are & how grown up you have become.
I love you,
mom
p.s. I have some birthday gifts for you to open when you get back... there should be two years worth... plus Christmas presents! It's going to be fun... only 378 days give or take a couple?

really tired

Are you really tired?
It just hit me....
It was a very busy weekend. I was worried we would be late for church & mistakenly got everyone up an even earlier hour (so sorry guys- I didn't know dad already changed the clocks!) Then I took a long nap yesterday & couldn't sleep last night. Now breakfast & lunches are made. Almost everyone is out the door... Trent is jabbering on about his eye doctor appointment today & Chloe is laying on the couch with a stomach ache.

I think I'm going to crash.
But I have to work then drive girls to piano & the dentist & it's family night & I promised to make a chocolate cake...
It sure feels like monday.

5 minutes for friday

start:
It's been a long week without brett here.
He left on Sunday afternoon on a business trip & returns home tonight, late.
a week is just too long!
Today I put all the furniture back onto my newly painted floor. We sealed (brian & I) it with new type of sealant made to put over painted garage floors-- I hope it works well? I hope, I hope. I will not be painting this floor again- NO sirreeee. If this doesn't work it's coming up. I love this floor, so here's hoping it works! This time around it took a month or longer (I'm afraid to look at the date.) I just wanted it to be done right & last. So we let it "cure" and have been so extra careful. ahh it is gorgeous.
Trent is so much better now- He just ran outside for the first time in days- to play. AFter our BIG snow, it's been sunny & warmer... not hot but it actually hit 60 yesterday! It's in the 50's & this kid is going stir crazy. I kept him home from school an extra day to make sure he doesn't pick up anything else. There is so much illness going around our town, it's scary! megan, tony & charlie are coming to town next week (WOOO HOOO!) and I don't want anyone to be sick.
The wedding guest list is growing with lots of family- well a lot for us- planning on coming from out of town. WE are SO THRIlled!
I am feeling like an old, frumpy lady....
how is it possible I have almost 2 married kids, a missionary, nearly 4 kids out of school, and I'm still chubby? I also have almost 2 grand kids & I could not be happier- so there you go.
It just doesn't seem possible that I can be in this stage of life?
Where did my babies go?
Where did my 30's go- not that I want them back? They just slipped away.
A week before Megan's wedding I was out somewhere & saw an old lady (I'm talkin' using a walker old!) wearing the same suit I was supposed to wear for the wedding.... memories of that are haunting me- absolutely haunting me.
time's up

the best day of his life?

We've done a lot of fun things as a family over the years.

Disneyland, NYNY- just to name a few...

Last night Trent's coughing grew to a higher level.

He just didn't stop until the early hours of the morning.

I let him sleep in (7:45 AM for Trent) and made an appointment as soon as the pediatrician's office opened. I kept questioning myself- but thought at the very least we would come away with some decent cough medicine?

I'm glad we went because the doctor took an extra long time listening to his lungs & said- Trent has a bit of pneumonia on the left side. Mother of the year? NOT
We stopped at the store- and while waiting for his RX, I bought him lots of juice, frozen mac & cheese, & the ridiculously priced crayola crayon sharpener he has been begging me to buy him for over a year.

When we got home I insisted he lay on the couch. He ate lunch on the "sick tray" and watched T.V. for about half hour. Next he proceeded to talk incessantly & bug me to go play outside. I told him I needed to get my chores done & he was supposed to rest... He decided he wanted to help me & offered to clean the toilets- because he loves that job? After the morning I had had- not to mention NO sleep last night- Plus Brett has been out of town since Sunday- I just didn't have the patience for that. I told him he could wash mirrors.

Hailey got home from school & upon hearing the big, sick news- said:

"Oh Trent, I'm so sorry you're sick."

His reply?

"I'm not sick, I'm lucky. This is the best day of my life."

Well there you go!

Who knew.

Unfortunately tonight- he doesn't feel so good.

on this day

This was my view out the front door.

9 new inches of snow

Hooray- Brian was home this morning to shovel.

{7:00 AM March 7, 2011}

I made my new favorite Breakfast Recipe -

so he came in to hot muffins & fresh orange juice.

***

Wende stopped over this morning & after some other plans fell through,

we made an impromptu, long trip down to IKEA.

Lucky for us we got to drive Brett's new company car & listen to Sirius radio- the clean comedy channel- & laughed our heads off the whole way there & back. Gosh, I love that Sirius radio. After the free six month trial... life won't be the same ... because I just can't stand the thought of paying for radio?

Lunch at IKEa- mmm good

The meatballs are FanTastiC

the

Mac & Cheese

just as good!
It's been a busy, but Great day.

In case you are wondering- the sun came out & the roads were absolutely clear driving. It's very rare that the roads are bad after the snow. Here in Utah we are totally equipped for snow. It's during the snow that you don't want to be out!

I won't go into all the other stuff that I did today- I just want to say- it was a good day.

* do you have Sirius radio?

*how do you feel about paying for radio?

baby boy nine patch

On thursday I finished this quilt.

I washed it up Saturday
and put a label on it.

I'm pretty much in love with it.

It's for Marcus & Brittany.

They are having a baby boy just after graduating college & just before Marcus starts law school. I am so very, very excited for them.

and sad

Sad they will most likely be moving away.

Do you think they will take the baby with them?

major bummer

open mic saturday nite

Nearly every Saturday night

Hailey girl

Plays at

Open Mic Night

8:00- 11:00 PM in a town close by our town.

It's awesome

Anyone can come-

anyone can play or sing or read a poem or whatever?

You just sign up on the dry erase board & wah la- you're in.

There are several regulars & usually one or two newbies.

It's really fun & free (donations people?)

It's great entertainment- not to mention a wonderful venue for Hailey to play her music. Last week the director of the event had her come in and do some recording. They may even make a music video with equipment donated by a grant from Michael Jordan.

cool beans

Are you local?

Looking for a cheap date for you or your teens?

Send me an email & I will send you the details.

P.S. she won't be there next Saturday night because we have tickets to her H.S. production of

The Scarlet Pimpernel

Which I hear is INcredibLE!

TIckets to that are $5 for students & $10 for everyone else & these kids are over the top talented. SEriously--- a couple of them are going on to performance schools & dance T.V. shows etc. It's the director's last year & the costumes-- everything is over the top amazing.

again give me an email shout out for info.

gone cowboy

Brian & Jack have always been cowboys.

Trent

not so much

Until two days ago... when Brett found his old childhood cowboy hat in his closet. It fit Trent perfectly & he is over the moon for it. Lucky for him, yesterday was Dr. Seuss' birthday meaning you could wear hats to school! He was so excited. He found some boots & was ready. Then

it was time to go.

He stood at the door to give me a hug & doubt flew in.

He started to cry.

What? what's wrong?

Mom- what if the kids make fun of me?
I told him- you need to be the best Trent you can be & not worry about what other people think. If someone makes a rude comment just say-

Yep- it's hat day & I'm wearing a cowboy hat!

It's hard being a kid. I've never really known Trent to be worried like this. It makes me wonder? Wonder what his school day is like? We all live through it- it makes us stronger, right? Usually it's not as bad as we think. I KNOw the kids in his class are nice to him.

He's just growing up.

I sent the photo to missionary Jack who was SO THRILLED & excited to see it!

They now have plans of living on a ranch together in the future.

cowboys- they stick together

what I've been doing instead of keeping my house clean...

Isn't it cute though!?