blogger's block

Typically if I am not blogging....
things are not going to well with my mood or just in general.
**
But not lately....
I just am burned out/blocked/can't think of what to say
and
very busy!
It's the very end of summer this week for us, ya know!?
**
Here are a few things we have been doing:
Chloe earned her YW medallion!!!
(big celebration & big post to come on that - I am waiting for pictures)
We took a little trip up to my sister's town & stayed overnight in a fabulous hotel
(thanks to hotel points)
While there- we visited with her family & my parents, who were there. We went out to dinner & the kids went swimming. It was super fun & nice to get away for even just one night!
**
Yesterday
Besides hitting the refresh button on my email over & over
(I was waiting for the missionary to write- which he did - which = happiness)
my sweet girls & I
cleaned closets, bedrooms & took a big load of stuff to the local thrift type store.
It felt so good!!!
I went through & organized (purged out junk) from every kitchen cabinet!!
**
Today
Besides driving Chloe to ballet-
my parents are stopping by on their way home
I am hoping to clean out:
my laundry/sewing room & trent's room...
pray for me.

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.

thursday, friday & saturday

Thursday Brett & I took these two to see this- Ramona & Beezus. Beverly Cleary books were the only books I loved as a kid & I was thrilled to take the kids to this movie. Last summer I read Ramona to these two out loud. I fell in love with her again.

Friday...
OH FRiday
Trent was over the top excited to go on his very first scout camp out!

He packed a day ahead, then put on the pack 2 hours before it was time to go, then told everyone to say hurry & say goodbye- he was leaving... in 2 hours.

Brett was the lucky one & got to go with him.
There was thunder, lightening (not near by but a good showing) rain, wind- just enough to keep them awake most of the night.
It's been 3 days- Brett is finally starting to recover.

Saturday morning Chloe & I got up early to drive to Provo & pick up Hailey at EFY.
She had the "best time ever."
She became an instant celebrity after the variety show where she wowed them with one of her original songs- I didn't take any pictures of us because I'm an idiot, but we had a great time. I'm so glad she got to go- we were not going to send her, but a couple of weeks before- we went on line saw one open spot & signed her up. It was meant to be!
We went out to breakfast & shopping with Marcus & Brittany- then to see this exhibit at the BYU art museum. IT WAS AMAZING. I highly recommend it.
more to come...

it wasn't supposed to be a party......

This year -

we told Trent (Brett & I) that

because he was getting a cell phone & expensive scouting stuff for his birthday.

We would not have a big party.

He was totally fine with that....

until last week when he I told him he could invite a couple of friends over for dinner on his actual birthday. I knew we were celebrating as a family earlier, that the girls & Brett would be gone- so what the heck? Invite a friend or two & I'll order pizza. I'm kinda nice that way.

Then- in the Sunday paper I saw the Diary of a Whimpy Kid movie was being released on DVD -on his actual birthday, so I thought- hey we can have dinner & a movie- no sweat right?

then-

he started inviting people

anyone walking down the street basically.

I cut that list to the basic friends he had asked & told him at least 1,000 times-

Trent, this is NOT a party.

we had no invites- just phone calls- no gifts- just dinner & a movie!

I don't know why i was so insistent?

I guess I feel like he is so spoiled being the youngest, getting a cell phone (it's ridiculous if you ask me) etc?

Then in the car, late in the afternoon, on the big day.

I repeated again- this is not a party just pizza & a movie.

He said-

"mom, that's a party to me."

my heart sank.

I'm such a loser.

he's a little kid for heaven's sake!

I took him to Dairy Queen & we bought an ice cream cake.

I felt guilty the whole night for not inviting his many other friends.

What would it have hurt to invite a bunch of boys over?

At least his cub scout troop?

I could have spent a few more bucks on pizza?

I felt like dirt.

After the kids left I was about to apologize when he ran up, hugged me & said

"mom that was the best party ever!"

note to self:

life is short

Trent is already spoiled

the youngest of six- he should be spoiled, poor kid

next time - have the party - have fun.

it doesn't have to be a big deal

lesson learned

I hope

happy birthday trenton!

It's absolutely impossible to believe...

that my baby turns 11 years old today!?

Using his favorite words.... WHAT the HecK?

We celebrated last Friday night with Grandma & Grandpa Messer, plus Megan & charlie. So much fun- We also celebrated Megan's birthday which was Sunday--- but that is a post for another day (I'm so behind!)

I have learned so much being Trent's mother.
He was surely sent to our family to teach me many things.
I can honestly say- I am learning.
11 things I love about Trent:

1. Trent hugs me many times throughout the day- I think his love language is physical touch.

2. He always tells me he loves me & thanks me for things I do for him.

3. He likes to help & is working on helping more- which is part of being in a family (something we are working on.)

4. He is very literal- (probably the aspergers) we joke around too much in our family, so he is continually learning that not everything is for real, or serious - which keeps us/me on my toes & make him extra fun to tease... sorry buddy, but ya know I love to tease ya.

5. Because he is so literal- he never lies or keeps secrets well. This is very convenient & helpful for mom.

6. He likes to play with friends no matter what their age & has several good friends much younger than he is & older than he is. Still- he has friends his own age too. He is just friends with everyone!

7. He gets his jobs done every morning without complaining.

8. He is tall for his age- which is a big deal at our house!

9. He likes to stay up late & get up early (I'm not sure I like this... but it does keep us moving!)

10. He is a FANTstic Speller- spelling is his best subject in school.

11. He is adorable, says the funniest things, has the world's best freckles, is a good uncle & brother & son, tells jokes, is great at fixing things... I could go on & on & on.....

PLUS

He got a cell phone for his birthday!
If he has your number- you can bet you'll be getting a call soon!

last week

last week was

WonDERful!!!

Why???

megan & charlie were here

We had the BEST time!

Playing with Hailey....

and Trent ...

and Chloe!

We had so much fun & did so many fun things together-

I just don't know where to start?

Charlie spent a lot of time-

shyly smiling, then rubbing his face on his mom's shoulder.

so cute!

He loved his aunts & uncles,

Grandma & Grandpa (0f course!),

and even the dogs!

I have loads of photos

These are just a few.

They are back home now-

we miss them.

But, we are so happy they got to come-

and so happy they have a good home & could go back to their sweet Tony/Dad.

Love you guys!

a lazy monday morning

sunday

Brian & the peanut became friends... Charlie discovered whipped cream....

he likes it!

and ruthie's kids discovered sprarklers can be fun!

another great daY!

charlie's here!

Today...

is a really great day!

BECAUSE
we picked up Charlie at the airport!!!!

We picked up Megan too.

they are kind of a package deal-

but we wouldn't have it any other way

a grand opening

Today was an extra special day for the scouts in my neighborhood!

It was the opening day of the new-

(the old one was torn down & rebuilt)

McDonalds

We were lucky enough to be asked to do an opening day flag ceremony.

This would have been a bit much for just the cubs so the Boy Scouts got involved too.

There was a ceremony

and three flags.

A McDonald's flag, the Utah State flag, & the U.S. flag, of course.

The boys did a great job & they looked great too!

This is not your ordinary run of the mill mickey d's---

Oh NO

It is SOO fancy, schmancy, nice.

It's a McCAfe.
It has a coffee shop feel.

It's beautiful inside & out.

Their are 4-5 water falls throughout the landscaping of the drive- thru!

A waterfall fountain, fireplace, and big screen t.v.s throughout the inside!

Black leather seating & mod colors.

there is even Wii Fii & a printer for use... free

you know... if you need to print out anything while eating your McChubble.

McChubble=

a McDouble + a McChicken sandwich.

the recipe

Take the top bun off the McDouble,

place the chicken sandwich inside then place the bun back & eat

scary yes- but Brian invented these when he got home from Chile.

No I have not tried one- thank you very much.

The people at McDonald's could not have been sweeter!

they gave us a donation for our troop

then told the boys to order anything they wanted on the breakfast menu

FREE

This proved to be overwhelmingly awesome for some of the boys.

tough decision!!

It was pretty much a gREat morning!

I don't mind it.... updated!

I've been singing this to my kids for years- I changed the words to
"that's what moms are for."
this morning (while singing it yet again) I realized... they may not know where it came from?

because: If you want to know, really want to know. Then I don't mind if you really want to know. If you want to know... I don't mind it, that's what moms are for.
do do to do, do do to do-
MOms always lend a helping hand- do do to do, do do to do...

aaah- I love sesame street.



*UPDATE--
It's really crackin' me up that you guys think that this is some kind of sweet thing I do...? because you can ask my kids... the whole purpose of this song is that ernie is annoying bert. Do you get it?
You don't want to do your chores.... but I don't mind it- you are sleepy I don't mind it.... that's what chores are for.. dodo to do- dodo to do!

ahh- sarcasm

guess who's coming to my house...

this guy - this guy right here...

Charlie

In about 55 hours from right

NOw.!!

megan is coming too.

we will miss you tony...

while we

1. go for walks

2. eat spaghetti

3. play with toys

4. blow on bellies

5. patty cake

6. tickle

7. giggle

8. shop with your mom

9. pass you around

10. avoid two dogs (this could be their demise?)

I CANNOT WAIT

a birthday list

1. I have not taken any pictures of myself this past birthday
2. I feel great-
3. but, look worse than ever - in my 43rd year...
4. I guess you can't have it all?
5. I have added some new things to my
6. "100 things I want to do"- list
7. just mentally- I need to really write them on there so I don't forget!
8. I want to go to Mt. Rushmore.
9. and Hershey, PA.
10. I want to go on a Mediterranean cruise.
11. and get a necklace with my grandchildren represented on it.
12. you know, the kind you can add to when you get a new grand baby- not that I have any on the way... no- bummer.
13. Next year, I want to enter a quilt in the 4th of July quilt show.
14. I want/need to go back to-
15. sending everyone in my family a birthday card on their day.
16. This year I did not have that as a goal at the beginning of the year-
17. and have not been doing that.
18. I feel terrible about it...... really guilty
19. Happy Birthday Johnna (my sweet sister)- sorry there is no card in the mailbox today!
20. I hope you have a good day, I love you.
21. On my birthday I had my usual breakdown & asked brett over & over why he was married to me & gave him permission to get a divorce so he could be happier?
22. Poor brett.
23. note to self: add to list asap- don't have weird breakdowns on your birthday
24. that only brett can fix.
25. I sure love that man.
26. Not just because he puts up with my insecurities
27. and not just because he bought me this for my birthday.
28. he had to order it since I had a crying fit & wouldn't let him buy it on time, to give it to me on time. I can't wait for it to get here!
29. again- poor brett.
30. lucky me

hamburgers & hot pants

look at this!

NO REAllY...

look at this?!

this is going up... being built as I type... just .7 miles from my house.

I know - cause I clocked it last night.

NOw

Look at this...

The hot pants from Jill's carnival were at my birthday dinner.

Luckily, baby Owen was at my birthday dinner too (& not old enough to notice) so I could use him as a picture decoy & get a shot of this!

The really nice thing about hot pants is that when they walk by- butt cheeks peek out & say hello to everyone. It's just so lovely!

(the big ol' stack of good mail I sent yesterday)

NOw... QUESTION?

If I ran- like really sprinted - .7 miles

ate a burger- than ran back...

do you think I would have legs like that?