Thank God I'm a Country Boy

Got to love this pic we took with cousin S. right before we moved. You can just tell the boys love him. :)

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The other day, we were watching a PBS special on John Denver. My kids love "Thank God I'm a Country Boy". We used to listen to it in the van on the way to school and whenever someone was grumpy or irritable on car rides. They were really interested as they watched the special. When the kids asked about all the old footage I had to explain that sadly, John wasn't alive anymore. After watching a bit more, G. says "I'm one of his fans, right Mom." I don't know that G. considers himself a fan of anyone else. I don't really know where he learned about "fans", but yes, John, a whole bunch of your fans live at my house. :)

This Joke's on Them

So in Arizona, they start school really early. REALLY early. Beginning of August early. They make up for it by having a full week off for fall break and we usually get out before Memorial Day. My youngest sister who will be teaching her own 2nd graders this year (shout-out to the newest teacher I know!!), told me that my children have been tricked into thinking this is OK.



Today my boys completed their first week of school. No tears, no visits to the principal. And we have done pretty well at bedtime. We have even been reading the New Testament and having family prayer before school. The bus situation is great. I am not going to love picking up G. in the middle of the day this year, but what can you do? It would have cost us $180 extra dollars a month and I can think of LOTS of things I would rather spend that money on...

I sent G. to kindergarten. So far so good...

Growing up!!!

A. is in 3rd grade this year. He loves his teacher. He is kind of bummed that she is only substituting for the month until his real teacher comes back from maternity leave. I am sure he will like her too, but he just doesn't really know her yet.

G. has been posing a lot for photos lately doing "Walk Like an Egyptian". Not sure where he got it, but as you can see, he thinks he is quite clever.

I hung back to snap this of G. doing his self-starter work. Just a snapshot into his new world. He keeps asking me how many more days of school, to which I chuckle inside knowing this is only the BEGINNING of his educational YEARS. Especially if he wants to follow in his daddy's footsteps. LOL

And this guy. Glad that K. is around to keep me company. :o) We are having a lot of fun. He loves to play more than watch TV. I bought him new crayons and he has used them a lot this week. And he is entertaining. Yes, that is a cereal bowl on his head. LOL

Funny Boys

So K. today said two funny things that I had to document. We were walking past a Jeep and he called it a truck. I told him that it was called a Jeep. He asked me why there was a mouse in the Jeep. I laughed and explained to him that that was not a mouse, but a chihuahua. :)

Then later he was looking at a magazine at Andy's office. There was a bunch of well-dressed people posed on a two-page spread. K. asked me if they were vampires. I guess even he has realized the overabundance of vampires in pop culture.

Oh and Sunday, we were driving past a model home/ office to get to a friend's house. The kids were asking what the building was. I told them that it was where you go to buy a house. G. asked how you were supposed to take your house home after you bought it. Good question G. LOL

Five Awesome Years (sung like "Five Golden Rings")

Five years ago today, this little guy came into my life. He is our Washington baby. I can't imagine our family without him. He is completely devoted to his favorite color- orange. He loves Halloween. If there is a library book about it, we have to get it. He loves superheroes especially Spiderman and he has loved them since he was tiny. He comes up to me about 5 times a day to tell me he loves me, but is already anti-kisses. He loves science and always asked his preschool teacher to bring home extra supplies so he could show me how it worked. He is always asking to help me cook, especially if we are assembling pizzas.

He always seems to have a twinkle in his eye. Usually because he has something up his sleeve, like a way to hassle someone, or a button to push. He always likes to ask what is coming up next. Last night, he asked me what was for dinner today. I had to tell him that I didn't know yet. I can't look at a picture of him without breaking into a smile.

He is our roughest, toughest boy. (Of course his little brother is his disciple, so isn't far behind.) He loves to wrestle, even when other people don't really sign up for it...

G. Have a super birthday! We are so glad that you came to our family. You are definitely an original and you bring our family a lot of joy. Enjoy being 5. You are definitely not a little boy anymore. We love you and can't wait to see what the next year will bring.

Some Sappy Public Appreciation

I'm not sure how to start this post... It comes with tender feelings, happy feelings, but "ending" feelings. Not sure I am wild about those "ending" feelings.




You know how sometimes you have things that are your responsibility and you have no clue how you will do it... And how sometimes, you just need the right people in your life to help you... Like God sends you those people...

These ladies were those people.

When I was called to be the primary president, I was more overwhelmed than I had ever been. But God sent Shannan, Kim, and Karin to help me. And truly, there is NO way I could have done it without them. They were so reliable, willing, helpful, creative, and positive. And they always knew when to jump in and take a load from me, sometimes when I was hesitant to give it.

We were responsible for an average of 150 children, ages 3-11 and between 20 and 30 toddlers at church. I told people that it was like being the principal of a small school. I never realized how much goes on behind the scenes. How much there was to do on Sunday and during the week. How much there was to plan and just ponder. There were things to actually do and things to coordinate, and things to be sure someone else was doing.

During the almost 2 years, we had 3 pregnancies, lots of vacations, one deployment, lots of husbands working late nights, several running/swimming races, and 12 hours of college credit. And there were many moments where we were in survival mode. But looking back, I think we not only survived, we really meant something to those kids. We did what we wanted to do. I feel that we pleased Heavenly Father. I think the children and our teachers learned from us and knew we loved them.

We also learned a lot together. And I think until recently, we under-appreciated how well-oiled our "machine" was. How lucky we were to get along so well. How easily we were able to do it all and accomplish so much. There is no way I could ever thank them for all they did and all the support they were. But I hope they know.

It was truly a pleasure. And a chapter in my life that I will cherish. I am truly blessed to call them friends. Hugs, girls...

Home Sweet Home- Sometime Soon...

K. enjoying our new backyard! This one puts our old one to shame. :)

The playhouse.

A. had written on a paper for school that he was an "indoor kid" as opposed to the other choice of "outdoor kid". This made me sad. Was it because we live in Phoenix where it's too hot to go outside in the summer? Was it because we currently have a totally lame backyard? Was it my fault? Or is this just how he sees himself, his personality? I just didn't want him to be an "indoor kid" unless he WANTED to be one. This backyard I think will change all that. We spent the day waiting for the gas man and 80% of the time, this is where you could find A.! Having a ball, enjoying the sun. :) This move is going to be a good change for us.

I'm going to have to get used to the orange-ish paint in the dining room and kitchen. And the yellow-ish paint in the master bedroom. But everything else about this house is great! We will be totally living in it in about a month. Still in denial about the packing/cleaning part. ;)

Motherhood- The Greatest Job (A Late Mother's Day Post)

Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers I know. Sisters and Sisters in-law. My mom. Andy's mom. Our grandmothers. Women I have known in all the places we have called home. Your examples and influence have been powerful for me. Did you know that when Mother's Day was founded, they purposely put the apostrophe where it is to note that the day was for each INDIVIDUAL mother? Below are some powerful thoughts on this sometimes thankless, neverending, touching, and sacred job we have. I know that we are agents for God when we train up our children to become compassionate, responsible, and independent adults.

I type this as my 2 year-old throws a temper tantrum in my lap... He hates me now, but will undoubtedly come seeking a magical healing Mommy kiss before too long. It isn't easy. But it is worth it... And I am grateful for the journey and for these little people that call me "Mom".



Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother's image is the first that stamps itself on the... young child's mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss, the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness, the first assurance that there is love in the world. ~David O. McKay

For the mother is and must be, whether she knows it or not, the greatest, strongest and most lasting teacher her children have. ~Hannah Whitall Smith

No job can compete with the responsibility of shaping and molding a new human being. ~Dr. James Dobson

The most important work we will do is within the walls of our own homes. ~Harold B. Lee

One of the ways we can prepare to be in the family circle of God's household is to establish a home as nearly like his as we can. ~Barbara B. Smith

A true Mormon home is one where the Savior would love to linger and rest. ~David O. McKay (This one makes me smile... Hope my home can be that.)

Keep the fire of your testimony of the restored Gospel and your witness of our Redeemer burning so brightly that our children can warm their hands by the fire of your faith. ~Boyd K. Packer