Out of Commission---

I have been out of commission for the past several weeks...which has given me the opportunity to think. A dangerous past time, but this time it has been different. Not dangerous. I think I have that part under control.

I have found that now I just "wonder". Let me explain.

Why do woman in Strawberry Shortcake Scrubs think that when you are in the hospital that you are going to be comforted by them. I mean, I'm there, nervous, and here you come up to me, an adult, in a Strawberry Shortcake "outfit" and really, do you think that is going to calm me down? If anything, it makes me want to ask for someone else!! Please, no Strawberry Shortcake, Snoopy, Dopey, Smurf, Hello Kitty, Just Blue, Green, Black Scrubs---PLEASE.

When going to give blood, why do they, those taking your blood, always say, "this is just going to a little bit"? I mean, it is either going to hurt or not. You have either given blood or you haven't. You know if its going to hurt, pinch or what ever, why must they tell you? In my experience, the one's that make a big deal about it are the ones that do a horrible job. That just makes it worse for you. Your there, your stuck, you have a band around your arm. There there with a sharp object and then WHAM...they either miss and do it again or jab you and HOPE they hit something close enough that blood will find it's way over to the tube.

How come, giving you a choice of flavors, suddenly makes you think something is going to magically taste better? When in reality you KNOW darn well, the more flavors they offer you the worst it has to taste!! When you are handed a gallon bucket and told to drink 8 oz every 10 minutes and what comes out of it looks and tastes like dead fish water, and by that I mean, slimy, stinky, rotten fish water that you may have if you own/owned a fish and never changed the water and the top of the water became solid and the food never sank down to the bottom because it couldn't and the smell was rancid and the fish ended up not being able to swim...THAT is what I mean. Yes, that is what I had to drink, and I'm sorry, but no amount of "pineapple, orange, lemon-lime, or cherry was going to take that forbidden flavor away!!

So...that is what I have been stewing about...among other things...

ALSO...

I have come to realize ONCE again that I have a outstanding family. A husband that I could not live without, he is forever forgiving, and loves me unconditionally!!(how I got to be so lucky, I'm still trying to figure it out!) Boys that are understanding and tremendously helpful!! Parents that I will ALWAYS need, and a sister that is (pregnant &) so amazing, cleans my house, my son, and my can lift my spirits. How blessed I am to be surround by family. I had the opportunity to receive a blessing from my Dad, Brother and Husband. It's not something that you get often, we'll I would hope not, but what a comfort to receive such a special blessing from such special men in my life. How honored I felt at that moment to know that not only was I able to receive a blessing but that they were able to present one to me. I so treasure all the men in my life both Michael's Dad and mine, my brother and all my brother-in-law's. They are all such wonderful examples to me and my boys. I am grateful for there strength and love and priesthood. I am also blessed for the woman in my life, my Nano, she is Great! and my Grandma who I wish I could see more of. My Mom and my Mother-in Law, My sister and my sisters-in law. I fell blessed to be part of such a big family. I fell that is something to be said for forever families and I am truly blessed and honored to be a part of one.

Webelos here I come!

Creighton has waited 12 months to become a WEBELO and the day finally came! He was super excited. He was super excited to get his neckerchief and book at the pack meeting. He has since earned 3 of his pins and is currently working on two more. I see an Arrow of Light in his future.

Congratulations Crate. WE LOVE YOU!!

First Day of School...Second time Around

Creighton and Ian started school one week after Baker...guess everyone starting at once would be too easy.

The boys were excited to get back to school and see old friends and and meet some new one's too. Creighton is off to 4th grade and Ian to 2nd.

And He's Off

We’ll we made it. Baker is off to 6th grade and I survived another Arizona summer at home with four boys. Who said it couldn’t be done? It probably had a large part to do with Mike being home for the last 4 weeks but none the less…we all survived!!

Mike started off the school year by giving Baker a blessing on Sunday night. It is always a honor to watch and partake in these blessings. I fell blessed to have the priesthood in our home and greatful to a husband that honors his and is worthy to hold and use it. Baker is the fist to start school this year. The other boys don't start for another week. Baker is super excited to be starting back up at school. He is very excited to have the teachers he does and be in the classes he is. He changes for every subject this year which is very exciting for him. He has to dress out for PE and has a locker to put some of his belongings in. (very grown up)

I had the opportunity to walk Baker to school on his first day, per his request. As we got closer and closer to the grounds I realized that I was probably going to be the only parent there. I kept asking him if he was sure that he wanted me to be there and his response was always “yes”. As we got to the spot he need to be there were no other parents in sight at all. I asked again, “Are you sure you want me to be here?” and he again said, “YES”. Friends came up to him that he hadn’t seen all summer; girls were coming up to him. It was a mad house as I had anticipated it being….still no parents. I asked again… “Baker, are you sure you wouldn’t feel better hanging out with your friends?” He said no. It was at this point I began feeling out of place and he was just standing by my side.

I thought back to my school days. I remember my Mom. She dropped me off every school year until I can remember. I remember High School and she or my dad taking me. Never was I embarrassed…we’ll let me rephrase that…my Mother never embarrassed me on the first day of school. She saved that for other days!! I loved them being there. It was a comfort to me. I recall them taking me to my classes. My mom and my dad. Holding hands even. I can recall my dad taking me to 10th grade in Phoenix, MD. (I won’t go into a detail…that was not a shining year for me) but I remember just knowing that he was there taking me in and that giving me the confidence that I could do it. My mom would take me to school be it I had gone there before or not. Maybe it was tradition, maybe it was to calm my nerves, and maybe it was just to let me know she loves me, as I found out on Monday that is why I did it for Baker. I’m not sure. All I know is that I was honored that he had me stay. That he wasn’t embarrassed to have me there. That among all his friends, he didn’t care that I was there. What a privilege it was to stand next to him and see him be himself and know that that was my young man. I am so very pleased with the choices he has made so far in his life and am excited to see what lies ahead for him. And like my parents, I will be there every step of the way as long as he wants me to be.

Double Digits...

Creighton has turned 10. Having two boys in the double digits makes us officially OLD! He had a week long birthday celebration and I guarantee you that the other boys will NOT let us forget that when it comes to their birthdays. When your big day falls on a Sunday and Saturday your parents are at Stake Conference meetings for the greater part of the day you tend to overdo the celebration a bit I guess. It all began Friday with a trip to CEC and movie night in the pool. Saturday we went to see a movie and had pizza. We made a stop to purchase some clothes and some ice-cream, followed by a late night swim in the dark with a game of shark. Sunday started off with breakfast and church followed by a big sugar fest with 3 different kinds of cookies and pokemon ball cupcakes and a family party. Monday was a special dinner of his choice: tacos and yes, more sugar. Tuesday he had his cousin spend the night and now I believe it is finally OVER!!! Happy birthday Creighton!!!
PS…next year…1 hour birthday celebration…be prepared!!!

Cosmic Bowling..."Soooo Totally Awesome!"

We took the boys bowling for one last summer bang before school starts with their cousins/best friends. The boys were super excited to find out that not only was it bowling but it was cosmic bowling. All the lights were turned off and the disco lights were on with music and fog. “Sooo totally awesome!” You know us…all about the awesome!! The boys had a great time.

Owen loved the shoes and Baker loved the graphics on the TV when he either got a gutter ball or a strike.
They had a blast and it was great fun to be able to share the day with cousins and even see Mike get up and try and bring back some of his own bowling magic.

Dedicated to the One’s I love…

I have been asked by a dear friend to update my blog…(because I have nothing better to do, Ya know, we are not all at the beach!!…just kidding Amber).

Summer has crept up on us quickly here and there is no rest for the weary!!! No rest for boys in general. We started off the summer with a bang and have tried to continue that way. Mike is off the month of July and I am counting down the days until I can have some reinforcement at home. But until then…this seems to keep most of them happy…

(owen)

(ian)
(mike) (owen)

**baker and creighton were @ scout camp for 3 day but i'm sure they will fall in line shortly**