guess who turned 13?

August 3rd was my Trent's

13th birthday!

It's hard to believe my baby is 13- 

yet it isn't hard to believe at the same time.

Does that make sense?

Lucky for us

This MOVIE came out on that very day!!!

(I saw that it was coming out on his birthday months ago so it was in our master plan to go)

Ethan, Wende, Chloe & I all went together & it was so cute...

Love this movie series people- LOVE IT.

The second one is my favorite- but hey, how about more movies for kids/boys that are not full of violence? 

seriously!

We headed over to McDonald's for a quick lunch & this was a dilemma.

The Asperger's in Trent was quite concerned that according to the rules on the sigh- the play land was for kids 12 & younger. Gee whiz-- Only 13 for 1/2 a day & already discriminated against as a teenage male? (that was sarcasm) I assured him that since he had only been 13 for a short time I was sure it was okay.

That night we had a little family get together since Grandma & Grandpa were coming into town!

Of course... I have no photos of them.

(Oh man? What in the world? I tell ya- I've been working a lot this summer & my mind is mush- that's my only excuse & I'm aware it's not a good one. It's good to be busy but it's hard to remember everything!)

Trent was chomping at the bit to open presents ALL DAY.

To the point that Brett & I almost couldn't take it anymore!!!

We succumbed & let him open one present (a new watch- which is already broken- which is precisely why I told Brett to buy, "whatever the heck watch was cheapest"- I knew it wouldn't make it a month)

He got a new pocket knife- for scouts since the tip busted off the one he bought at scout camp.

and

he got a new wii game which he was greatly anticipating.

We had his requested 

"triple layer double chocolate cake"

to celebrate.

It came out a little lopsided which made for extreme frustration on my part...

 oh for goodness sake... but it tasted great.

Trent- what a great kid!

I can't believe he is 13 & starting the 7th grade on Monday!!!

AAAAH!

I have hardly slept all summer from nervous anticipation.

I have literally made myself sick over this for months.

GOOD NEWS- open house was yesterday. We toured the school (again) met all of his teachers, met the special ed team, found & opened his locker, went through his schedule... 

and it was 

good.

Really, it went well- deep sigh.

On the way there- we were talking in the car & I said-

"the good thing about 7th grade is that all you kids are in the same boat."

~oops~

That lead to an all day- repeated conversation- about 

NO YOU ARE NOT REALLY GETTING IN BOATS

I meant you are all in the same situation.

Clear through until bedtime he brought up the boat scenario-

I went on & on explaining until finally-

FORGET THE BOAT- NO BOAT.

He knows that I didn't mean they were getting in boats, he was just trying to figure out the simile.

 ah- aspergers when will I ever learn?

i lOVE YOU Trent

I'm so glad you are my boy

he's got the moves, alright...?

Trent: Hey mom, how do you spell jugger?
Me: You mean-- jogger?
Trent: no- jugger
Me: You mean-- joker?
Trent: no- jugger
Hailey: Use it in a sentance-
Trent: I've got the moves like Jugger.

extreme outburst of laughter.
poor trent
we get so much joy out of our conversations though- hahaha- really awesome

vocabulary lessons

months ago:
Trent: ____ said I pooped my pants!
Me: did you poop your pants?
Trent: NO
Me: what did you say?
Trent: I said-- DON'T JUDGE ME!
Me: ????
Me: Why did you say that?
Trent: Because he said I pooped my pants.
Me: When you say "don't judge me," that's the same as saying- YES I did & I don't care so leave me alone about it.
Trent: Uh oh.
Me: Next time say- NO I DIDN'T
Trent: okay

fast forward to last week:
Trent: for Christmas I want an ITouch!! I really really want one.
Me: There is NO way.
Trent: I really want one! If you get me one I will get you an IPAD!!
Me: a-huh?
Trent: Mom, I really want one. I can have my own apps I won't break it & I will be so good! MOM- if you get me an ITouch- you will never regret me again.
Me:(oh golly I gotta say this had us all laughing!) Trent do you know what that means? (I won't bore you with my explanation.)

The English language is full of so many words - with so many meanings. Oh Trent- he keeps us on our toes... and giggling... and NO I don't regret him.

a conversation

Trent: I need to start a new business.
Dad: how about washing cars again?
Trent: That didn't work out- I need to get new employees.
Dad: Well who were your employees?
Trent: Just You- You never did help whenever I asked you to.

taking matters into his own hands

Tonight after dinner the girls, Brett & I were cleaning up.

I suddenly noticed....

Hey, where's Trent?

Hailey went to check- he was in the office, on my laptop & the telephone.

Brett went into investigate.

He had called:

Apple- Customer Service Department.

background story

It just so happens that after school he had some chores to do. While he was doing his chores, his sisters were too, but with their Ipods playing in the background. This kid has many, many toys a room full of crappy old computers that he messes around with, a CD player/radio & a brand new Nintendo DS Lite from Christmas... but alas- NO IPod.

He came downstairs to complain & beg & nag me about the unfairness of his life. I went over the usual--

Ipods cost a lot of money, Itouches are more expensive then when the first came out, You have a million & one toys, You could save up for one, or maybe you could get something like that for your birthday, no kid your age needs an IPad ... yada yada yada.

NO I am not buying you an ITouch- not now- not in the near future.

Period.

Well I guess that did it.

He had had enough.

He was going to, "call Apple & insist they sell them cheaper or punch one of their employees!" Well, hello?

Threatening people on the phone is illegal kid.

Back to after dinner.

Brett investigated & sure enough he was on the phone with a customer service rep.

He wanted to know why?

Why are they so expensive & when are they gonna fix that?

The nice gentleman on the other end of the phone took him into the Apple website, talked to him for a bit then-

(trent did not think this was funny & took the matter seriously. He also didn't want hailey taking his photo!)

That's where I came in.

I got on the phone- to hear this guy cracking up. It was a first for him. No one has ever called him to complain about their prices. Well- what do you know? (I could hardly contain my own laughter) I explained that he is is 11 & not happy that all his older siblings, you know- have Ipods. He told me that he showed him where the refurbished products can be found online & that he explained that they do have sales around the holidays but they are only one or two days & the discount- maybe $20-30. He also told him he should never order something online without asking his parents first! WEll THANK HEAVENS FOR THAT.
Life is hard being the youngest in a large family.
Trent- you gotta love the kid.

a conversation

Me: Trent, all I want for Christmas is a kiss on the lips!
Trent: No Way
Me: Why not? Dad kisses his mom on the lips?
Trent: So
Me: Brian kisses me!
Trent: That just proves Brian is dumb.

a cell phone conversation

(photo from last month's Ikea trip)

mom: Hey Trent, I'm bringing you home a surprise!

Trent: what is it?

mom: it starts with a "ch"

Trent: chocolate?

mom: no - it starts with a "chee"

Trent: cheetos?

mom: no - it starts with a "chees"

Trent: cheezits?

mom: no - it starts with a "cheesb"

Trent: just tell me

mom: a cheeseburger!!

Trent: I knew it.

why dad is sleeping with one eye open...

Today Brett & trent ran some errands & went for a run together. Later they walked down to get snow cones then walked/ran 3 miles on the Legacy trail. They mowed the lawn & played some soccer. Here is a bit of the conversation.

Trent- dad, don't forget to put your seatbelt on or you might die.

dad- I might die? what would you do if I died?

Trent- thinking hard- well, could I have your laptop, blue tooth & cell phone?

later... same day

Trent - Dad, can I drive the car in the church parking lot?

Brett- Trent if a cop drove by, he would pick me up & put me in jail. Do you want me to go to jail?

Trent- thinking again- could I have your lap top?

conversations with trent

Today Brett & I celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary!

I didn't take any photos, our real anniversary is tomorrow.

I'll ask someone to take one of us.

We went out to lunch, ran some errands & did a little shopping.

Because there was a FAntastic Deal at Costco on a Clear Play... we bought one. We have been considering it for over a year now. Now Trent can watch Transformers 2-- without the inappropriate parts. He is so excited. He came into the garage to tell me about a surprise he & chloe had for us- but I surprised him- with the clear play. He ran into the house & yelled to the other kids

"NO MORE SWEAR WORDS!!"

silly me, I didn't realize swear words were in abundance?

Later we decided that maybe there needs to be a clear play for mom's mouth?

dang

Tonight he told Brett & I that he came up with a great idea on how to make money.

He is always dying to make money- for who knows what? In fact, last night while we were watching a movie & he was on this very laptop- he applied for a job at Boeing online. That's what he tells us & he was on the site to do just that...? I wonder if we will hear back from them? I told him he needs to do good in school- that's his job. He says- he's done with all that- he already knows a lot- plus this kid Brandon somebody in his class is always bugging him- a job Now- that's the way to go!?

The money making idea:

"We could turn the upstairs into a hotel!"

I asked, "Where would the girls sleep?"

He replied, "Oh they can still sleep in their rooms, they just have to pay us."

Just before bed- I said, "do you really want a bunch of weirdos staying in our house?"

"Not weirdos mom, just family- we can charge them money!"

so- if any family wants to pay to stay in trent's room

call & make a reservation today!

NOTE: These photos are from last weekend

when it was sunny

unlike this whole past week...

I NEED SOME SUN

so bad.

I have been really good to not complain, but

(notice no swear words?)

I could never move back to Seattle. This gloomy weather is killing me.

P.s. the surprise trent & chloe had waiting for us?

everyone picked up the house & chloe made banana cake- we had a banana cake with whipped cream frosting from a Swedish bakery in Seattle at our wedding reception. What a bunch of sweeties

tuesday 2x2

1. Last night for family night- we had a lesson on following Christ.

After a story, sample situations, and discussion we wrote on foot prints -different ways we can follow Christ. All six footprints are hanging around the house.

I like it.

It's a good reminder to me of how I want to be.

this pink footprint is mine. It says on the bottom, "give hugs not zerberts." Zerberts, are when you blow on someone's cheek. On Sunday I was really, really missing Charlie. I decided to give all my kids kisses & zerberts as if they were still babies... they told me during our family night discussion that it was creepy & wrong & that they don't want me kissing them all over their faces or blowing on their cheeks again.

I guess I will have to stick to regular hugs & kisses.

jerks.

Sometimes family nights are so frustrating.

Good family nights are so rewarding.

2. Yesterday a package came in the mail to me & the Webelos.

It was all I could do not to open it!

It was from a webelo scout who moved a little more than a month ago. We have been writing to him & sending packages. He sent us these treats from a local candy store near his new town in Pennsylvania. They are the best suckers ever! We really miss him in our den & neighborhood.

3. Today was a beautiful, yet chilly 51 degree day.

Chloe - the most girly girl ever- was up in a tree in the backyard.

She is very well rounded in her interests & I love that!

4. We have had some unfortunate experience with a couple of neighbor kids helping themselves to the popsicles in the freezer that is in our garage.

Last week I opened it up to get something out & found this

"thou shalt not steal"

sign posted.

haha- Chloe took matters into her own hands.

problem solved

no photo... what?

This week we got our first letter from missionary jack!
It was written the first day he got to Sao Paulo, Brazil over two weeks ago. He told us about his long flight down to South America & how he tried to give a man seated next to him a pass along card- even though he had talked to him about what he was doing - going on a mission in Brazil for two years... denied. It'cool.
Then getting off the flight he & some other missionaries (there were 8 on his flight, going down together) talked to a young man who had been in the states visiting a friend on life support in a coma. The day before his family & friends were going to- "pulled the plug"- they said a pray and hours later he came out of his coma unharmed. He then told Jack that there must be something to prayer. Quoting Jack, "we were really stunned. I ended up giving him a pass along card & told him we had answers to his questions. He gave me his business card and tomorrow I am going to give it to someone here so the missionaries where ever he lives can meet with him. It was amazing."

Wow

This past weekend Trent regressed back to begging me to watch the movie Transformers II... again. I'm pretty sure I've lost years off my life explaining that he is not watching that movie.

If I could get my hands on the writers of that movie I would strangle them!

Finally out of pure frustration, I said- Trent- you are not watching it because there is sex. in. it! Do you know what sex is? (our other kids had that talk about or before his age- but he hasn't shown signs of being ready) He said sheepishly- no. I said curiously- do the kids in your class ever talk about sex? He said- well, they did when it first came out.... but they don't anymore.

Today the blogger moms came over here for lunch & our creative day.
I was busy making 250 mini cupcakes. 100 for Karrie's stake meeting- 120 for a wedding shower sky & I put on tonight at her house- & the rest... hmmm?
Everyone helped with the cupcakes & it made for a crazy, fun, productive, exhausting, day.
but---

I didn't take one. single. photo.

This year to keep moods high & stress at bay-

personally & as a family we have been working on having things to look forward to

daily

weekly

monthly

and this year (summer vacation.)

Most things are simple pleasures like lunch with friends at school, play or ballet practice, scouts, etc. but NOT Today!

Today we indulged & went to the CHEESECAKE FACTORY for lunch.

Some people that I really, really love (who will remain nameless as not to induce extreme jealous feelings in readers)- gave brett & I a gift certificate there for Christmas & we have been dying to use it. What better way than with two darling girls & their goofy brother?

(how about this haircut?- cute huh! I told you!!)

The Cheesecake factory is notoriously, crazy, busy...

but we got a table in 30 minutes- score!

On the way to the restaurant I was commenting on how fun our family vacation was going to be this summer & how much room there was in the car with out the boys & megan. Hailey said JOKINGLY, because brett never does this- ya & if dad can control himself... no farting either! Trent piped up- hey what do ya mean?? I'm gonna be here! oops how silly of hailey to not include him in "that" category.

We ordered guacamole as an appetizer-- oh heavenly day!
I love guacamole this was so good! I haven't made it in forever but this is the time of year for it. I will be headed to costco for avocados monday morning. I make the best guacamole- I learned how to make it at a little restaurant that makes it table side on the river walk in
San Antonio, Texas.
My goal: to put that recipe on the cooking blog soon.
It's worth trying even if you are not a "guacamole" kind of person.
Chloe declared her lemonade - the best lemonade in her life- wow!!

The portions are crazy, huge here.
Lunch portions are really the way to go.
Cheaper & smaller, but still way too big to eat in one sitting.
We had a terrific time- the girls now know why this is megan's favorite restaurant. We missed her & I missed janae - this is probably her favorite too & today is her birthday!
-happy birthday janae-
I cannot wait to get together & celebrate.

We ended off lunch with the red velvet cake/cheesecake that kristy ordered when the blogger mom's were here for wende's birthday. It was better than I remembered.
Oh boy- next week we need to go for a walk/run/bike ride/something physical.
OR... back here for lunch again.
just kidding



*what do you look forward to?
* are you a guacamole kind of person?

**** update: Brett & I just finished listening to the BYU/U basketball game***
Oh my gosh- so intense! Loved it!!
I wish we could have been there & no I an not going to say anything about the punch to the face... not after that max hall comment... even though he had a point ;)

here we go again....

last night was family night.

The first family night of the year is always on GoALs-

but not this year....

Stress- Anxiety and Healthy Coping Skills

was the topic

Goals are on hold until next week.Teens are stressed- adults are stressed- apparently even kids are stressed these days. Dang- that's a lot of stress. Our family is certainly not the exception. We briefly discussed ways all kinds of people cope with stress, then listed healthy ways to cope with stress.

The boys ate cookies...
Brian stuffed one in his mouth- so Jack of course, couldn't be outdone--- and stuffed two.
I love this picture of the girls just watching them. My title for the photo-
"so this is what boys do?"

It was good timing- this family night lesson.
A new year, college, high school, jr. high, work, looking for jobs, play practice, homework, mission... there is a lot going on here! We are certainly not immune from feelings of stress, anxiety & depression. How to cope:
Reading scriptures & prayer
Being around people & not "holing up alone"
Exercise
Self pep talks- positive thoughts
service to others
laughing at yourself & having a sense of humor
relaxation exercises
memorize for times of stress- hymns, primary songs, scriptures
having daily- weekly- monthly- yearly things to look forward to
and setting realistic goals

It's a lot of options not a list of things to do...

just before family night trent & the neighbor kid were playing legos in the family room
trent: mom, can friend stay for dinner?
mom: no we are having a special family night.
trent: darn!
trent to friend: do you have family night tonight?
friend: we almost never have family night.
trent: lucky!

Today Brian & I went shopping & packed up a final load of stuff.
Stuff to take to his new apartment.
-dang-
he took some stuff down yesterday
but school starts tomorrow... he had to go.
It was weird.

Like-
shoot, he's not leaving again is he?
cause, ya- I can't take that...

so...

he's all filled up

food

gas

new sheets

notebooks, pens, paper, cell phone....

more food

class schedule.

~sigh~

Ya it's a good thing we had that lesson last night.

Welcome HOme Hailey!

This morning bright & early...

We packed up the car & headed to Utah Valley to pick up Hailey- who has been at EFY all week. It was a struggle to get down there on time- since we have been up late all summer & last night was no exception. When they say 6:30 AM pick up... they are not kidding.

We got there about 7:15 & ya-
there were 2-3 kids left out of 800 or so.

We headed off to breakfast


and had the best time!
(going out to breakfast is such a treat)
we really should do this more & don't.

this is trent's funny face breakfast-
he of course, ate almost nothing- which offended the face- or so I told him.
He didn't care.
Chloe squirted some ketchup on her shirt & I couldn't see it from across the table. When she stood up I busted out laughing... she didn't think that was funny. I couldn't help it. I could only see a tiny bit of it from across the table, when she stood up it was like 10 inches down. Poor kid- I really couldn't help it- I didn't think it was that bad- I could not stop laughing.
hard.
belly.
laughing.
Hailey then said- she missed us.
I will not be winning mother of the year anytime soon.


Next we headed down to the Springville Quilt show.
It is one of the biggest quilt shows in the state- the one WEnde & I missed on Monday-


The Springville museum itself is beautiful.
It's a Spanish style building filled with gorgeous architecture & stone floors. I loved it.
The quilts were breath taking & there were so many to see.I am posting a few pictures of my favorites.
If I can call them that- they were all stunning.
I wish the photos could do them justice!



this one- was not my favorite - although it was filled with intricate detail & amazingly handcrafted. It was made by nine different women & won in the "group effort" category.

Yes- it is a Twilight quilt- to be given to Stephanie Meyers after the show.

I'm documenting it for all my Twilight loving friends... I've never read Twilight, so therefore- I do not get it. I don't plan on reading it anytime soon. Not that I have anything against it... I'm just too busy. But a quilt...? it seems a little much- No offense-

the cheesy sayings & all- it's just not my style.

There was an opportunity to vote for a people's choice.

This was my pick-

amazing...

can you see the detail?

it was hand dyed & called...

Evening Sunset in Kentucky- or something like that- oops, can't remember.

Chloe & I were the only two who braved the show(she carried my big purse to cover the ketchup) & when we walked out of the museum...

Trent- TRENT - came DRIVING up.

Yes- brett had him sit with him in the driver's seat & he was driving around the parking lot. Steering, pushing petals... Holy hell- Men, leave them alone for a second- they buy guns, ammo, or let kids drive?

Trent- drove us over (the other end of the parking lot) to "the coolest playground ever" to show us what they found

These swirly things were really cool & fun-

until Brett started getting a little too much.

I drove home & we had to pull over, he thought for sure he was going to throw up.

funny- well not really- I think it's his punishment for letting the kid drive. For the rest of the day he has been begging us to take him driving in the church parking lot??? Give me a BREAk! He even said--- but mom--- I was born to drive!

I feel so bad for him

Do you think Hailey had fun?

This is where she landed until we headed home & Trent aka: the seat belt police woke her to get hers on- then we all came home & took a nap. Well I did, I'm not sure what the seat belt policeman did? Maybe he was driving around the neighborhood?

*have you ever started laughing at your kids at the wrong time?

*side note: with all of trent's issues... letting him drive in the parking lot isn't so bad-- brett was in control & it was a huge empty parking lot- he needs to build up confidence & this was a "boy" bonding thing... I'm just exaggerating. Still, he is not to be driving in the church parking lot anytime soon....