ICE!!!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I'm having the best time having another adult around the pad during the day. Angey is so so helpful, more to come later about our adventures but here is a slideshow of our day at ICE! Angey was sad to see that there were no gold coats this year but only blue. Mallory came with us and was a trooper, she was all bundled up and snoozed away. I did give her the grace of sporting the blue coat on top of her stroller so she wouldn't feel left out. This is my first experiment using smilebox. I'm not sure how it will work. I only wanted a free design so you get the advertisement plug on the side and a neat snowman show at the begining.

I'll paint you a picture

It seems to be the most exciting times in my life are never captured with the camera because I lack the third hand to capture the shot. So instead I'll try to describe three times in the last week that I wish I had a picture of. Not because they were positive or glorious but so that I can remember that hard(or embarassing) times always pass.
Scene 1: Thanksgiving morning. Chris leaves for the Turkey Bowl early so that he can grab the donuts on his way. A quick kiss on the cheek, an I'll see you soon and a be sure to dress warm it's cold outside is what I get from him. Fast forward 30 minutes: Me and the kids unload, they take off running to cheer on their dad, I lag behind with Mallory in tow. We get to the game, I sit down catch my breath and realize that there are no other wives, there are no other children and that it's not very cold outside. I guess nobody here goes to watch, unlike other places I've lived. Did I really want to go, no, but I also didn't want to be the only unsupportive spouse. So there I sat with my children all dressed in our abominable snowmen outfits like the little brother in the movie "The Christmas Story" in the very nice and warm weather outside. At least we got a donut at the end.
Scene 2: Monday morning Mason starts with some non-stop coughing. It never ended. His nose was running non-stop, he had a fever and I had to make a trip to Wal-greens to stalk up on our cold supplies. The Dr. suggested a cool mist humidifier and in desperation to avoid taking him in for a breathing treatment I decided that after 4 kids it was time to buy one. While Charlotte was at piano I decided to make the trip since I'd only be outnumbered 3:1 instead of the normal 4:1. I can't convince Mason to walk (he really was feeling crappy) so in the little drugstore cart he goes. This only means that I have to carry Mallory in her lug-a-dug carseat, push the cart with 1 hand, and hope Rozlyn (dressed in her ballet clothes with tap shoes on) stays right besides me. So there we are making a huge scence, loading our cart with a humidifier, some otc drugs, a few boxes of tissues and a package of pull-ups, with Roz tapping every step of the way.
Scence 3: I'm at Hobby Lobby. You'd think that after my Wal-greens trauma that I wouldn't have left the house again for a week but I only lasted two days and I had to get back out. I thought that with Pet-Co next door as bribery Mason was sure to behave. We had the double stroller with Mallory and Mason and I had to carry one of those little tiny baskets. This should have really limited the amount of stuff I could buy but it didn't. Then I saw the garland I'd been wanting was on sale. My lucky day!! Why I thought shoving 27 feet of thick garland in a little tiny basket would work is beyond me but it doesn't mean I didn't go after it with a valiant effort. After failing miserably, I had an overfull basket, some stacked on top of the stroller so I coudln't see my children or the path ahead and an armfull as well. By a miracle I made it through checkout. All I had to do was load the van, to bad there was so much wind. Mallory's blankie blew away twice, and Mason's coat flew away once, all three times I abandoned kids and merchandise to chase after them. Every time I look at my beautiful stairs I'll remember my Hobby Lobby moment and the garland that was on sale that couldn't wait. (and also, the bribery didn't work, we had plenty of tantrums in the store to deal with as well)

30 and 2.5 weeks!!

Me with my kung fu face and Po, in the driveway, when I drove up I thought I was coming to collect him as a birthday present.
Finally 30!! Now 30 and 2.5 weeks since it took me so long to post about this. So far in life my age hasn't bothered me. In fact I've always looked forward to getting older like I did when I was a little kid. I've always been immature, so a bigger number has to help my cause. Or maybe it's because as a youth leader I'm often mistaken for one of the youth (like being asked to dance when I was chaperoning).
Anyway, my birthday was the best, so much fun!! I'd been showered with presents all week, that had to stay unopened but that I could look at to get me excited. On Wednesday, two days before, one of my presents went missing. It ended up being a real scavenger hunt, better then Chris could have planned because Mr. Mason put it in an unknown spot and wouldn't offer us any clues. We searched all night, everywhere, before giving up. I could see the panic in his eyes. It was found late Thursday afternoon in the bottom of the toy cabinet.
Birthday day started with the usual breakfast in bed. For lunch I went to Papa Murphey's and got myself two large take-n-bakes to eat by myself. It seems so glutinous, but I couldn't decide which kind I wanted so I had to get two and heck, it was my birthday. Chris then called and told me he was taking a half day and on his way home. Happy Birthday to me! I got to go out alone, he picked the kids up from school, decorated the house, made me a cake, etc. I told him that if nothing else happened the rest of the day that I'd be perfectly satisfied, I really was having the best day!!
Thursday night he started his quest to find a babysitter so he could take me out Friday night. He called alot of girls who said no. I coudln't watch the rejection any longer so then I called a few. I started to get angry because no one was available and I felt like telling people it was my birthday and guilting them into it, but I didn't. Come to find out all of the babysitters were busy watching my friends kids so they could come to my big SUPRISE party. Friday he found a sweet lady from the ward who he said called and offered because she saw it was my birthday. He told me he had a fun place to take me and the only clue he'd offer is that there'd be people we knew there and that we were going to get our pictures taken. I guess he knew how mad I'd be if I showed up in my sweatpants without makeup to a house full of 30 people for my party looking like a slob. Well played Chris.
The suprise really was a big suprise. He was so tricky. It was so much fun to see lots of friends, eat really good food. Chris was the star party planner covering every detail, keeping it hush, ordering the cake. Should I be worried about just how deceiving he was?? The suprise made me feel so loved, to know that he wanted my day to be special and was willing to go through all the effort to make it happen, having to think way ahead of time. Thanks to everyone who contributed, to those who stole every possible babysitter so they could make it, I'm sp glad you were all there, to Amy for being the most excellent hostess complete with delcious food(I even showed up to her house during my alone time and she had to clear everything out, the cake, balloons, food, I even opened her fridge wandered around, went into the garage and she showed no signs of panic), to Jon for sacrificing your driveway so Po could join us, to Sarah for being the photographer, for all the gag gifts and good gifts alike, for the well wishers that couldn't make it, and mostly to Chris for making it all happen, you win husband of the year - hands down!

Busted!!

Still suprised!!

Embarrassed that there was a montage of old pictures and scrapbook pages on display. This was Chris's idea and he had rounded them all up, I didn't even know that he knew where I kept the stash.

Chris posing with his decoy he used to get us to the party.

Halloween, Airplane Ride, Daylight Savings Rip-Off

Halloween was so fun. I'm feeling sad that it's already over and that we don't get to celebrate for another 363 days. I almost took the decorations down this morning but decided it could wait a few more days. We had so much fun dressing up and got alot of attention out trick or treating. Let's just say that we got the star treatment and our friends, not so much. We made many poor political jokes along the way, (i.e. re-distributing the candy when we got home), even posed for some pictures and shook many hands. So the long awaited pictures.

From left to right: Joe B. - Liz (she was Barack and looked awesome but got to hot in the mask) Barack - Clint, John - Chris and Sarah - me!

I don't know if I like the kiss, the thumbs-up or the inappropriateness of it all better.
Saturday morning Chris was out helping a family move when our friends called to ask if he wanted to go on a "joy" ride. Private planes really do scare me, I've heard so many stories about plane accidents. I asked him not to die, gave him a kiss and away he went with a smile on his face. When he came home (yea!!) he showed me some pictures and video of the landing with that fancy newly discovered record button. Chad, his friend, was in the pilot's seat. What?? This was his friend whose previous flying experience involved a remote control airplane that he managed to crash into a lone standing tree in a large field. Chris could see the look of panic on my face. He's such a dare devil who thinks he's invincible and only fear in life is being buried alive. Completely the opposite of me, I could go on the Dr. Phil show for all of my worries. I'm glad he had fun and survived!
I'm still filling ripped-off by dalight savings. The one free hour of sleep I'm entitled to a year was overshadowed by Mallory's baby blessing, company in town, and getting four kids plus myself ready for church by 9:00. Did we really get an extra hour, because I totally missed out. I didn't even get to look cute for my big comeback, I looked gross. I wish we could re-do this next weekend. Mallory on the other hand looked beautiful and Chris gave her an awesome blessing.

My Record Lengthy Post

Go ahead and skip to whatever is of interest to you

Good laughs from Roz (1st - I'm starving her, 2nd - Not everything with nipples can be milked)
Cleaning with newspaper
The record button
I get by with a little help from my friends
Halloween
I voted


Good laughs from Roz:
1st - Rozlyn has turned into a new kid since starting school. She has always been so sweet and helpful around the house. Let me just say that someone else is currently living in her body. Where did my Rozlyn go?? Please, please come back!! Until then I guess I can amuse myself with her stories. Yesterday morning she refused to eat her delicious breakfast of cream of wheat because it wasn't what she wanted. She does like it and eats it all the time but was being so stubborn. After school she told me how hungry she was because she missed snack. I ask where she was during snack to which she replied - the nurses office. I guess she went for a stomach ache, the nurse asked if she was hungry, Rozlyn said "Yes", she asked if she ate breakfast, Rozlyn said "No", she asked what was for breakfast, Rozlyn said "nothing", did your mom give you breakfast, "no". You get the idea. Thanks for painting a sweet picture of me.
2nd - My friend called after dropping off Rozlyn to report a funny story. Poor Chris is kind of the victim in this one. Rozlyn was talking about how Mallory takes a bottle from Chris. Since she's such a chatterbox you always get alot more information then necessary. She said how Mallory doesn't like the milk from Chris because it's so hairy. Liz was confused and tried to clarify the "hairy" part, to which Rozyn summed up "You know hairy, because he's got hairy boobs" Contrary to Greg Faulker in Meet the Parents Rozlyn has yet to learn that no, you can't milk everything with nipples.

Cleaning with Newspaper
Cleaning glass/mirrors with newspaper really does work the best. I've heard this a million times but have never tried it. I always stuck with my paper towels and always had streaks no matter how hard I tried. I'm the biggest fan of the newspapers, it made me so happy, I'm so glad I tried it. Just windex, wad up some newspaper and away you go. It's amazing.

The record button
My handy dandy digital camera takes video. I know I'm Wilma Flinstone when it comes to technology so I'm strictly a point and shoot kind of girl. Who cares what all those buttons are for, I'll never need them because I'll never know how to use them. Each time I get a new "toy" I have great intentions to read the users manual and get full use out of the product. So today at Mason's Halloween parade, he was being hilarious. He was walking so so so slow, with his eyes closed. I guess he thought that if he couldn't see us we couldn't see him. He was the leader of the line and that line wasn't going anywhere! He kept walking in the wrong direction and crashed into a chair before being redirected. He even was waving with his eyes closed. I was dying of laughter watching him and wishing so badly that I had brought a video camera to capture the priceless moment. When I mentioned this to my friends they told me my camera could probably do it and voila, we've got video. It didn't start until they were making their third loop, I also let it run to long and ignore my voice of excitement at my newly acquired skill. Mason is the "grazing" giraffe in front with his eyes closed and being held by the teacher (to speed the parade up).


I get by with a little help from my friends:
Or alot. I am surrounded by the best friends. They have been so generous of their time in helping me before and after having this baby. I've always been a social girl and depend more then my fair share on the friends. I really didn't see my kids for two weeks after I got home. My friend Liz who carpools with me refused to let my drive or pickup for three weeks, I was granted privileges back only after begging, I didn't cook for a month and the list goes on and on.
Today my car wouldn't start and of course I freaked out because I thought the world might end if Mason missed his Halloween parade. My friend Heidi graciously packed up her son, came way out of her way and hauled me, Mallory, car seat, car seat base, huge diaper bag, Mason, booster seat, huge school bag with lunch box and nap mat to his school which was way out of her way. She knows I'm crazy but never mentioned it once or made me feel bad. (She also took Mason last Friday so me and my girls could go to a birthday party and see the topless Zac Efron in HSM3. It went long and she kept him for an extra hour hauling him around on her errands.) I digress...she dropped me off at his school and even offered to come back and get me when it was over. I passed because how much can I put one person out in a day. So there I was with all of my gear on the sidewalk looking like a hobo because I knew Tanya was inside and without asking her knew she'd be willing to take me home when it was over, because she does anything and everything for me whenever I need it. She even boiled chicken for me once because she knew I prefered it over canned. What a friend!
Fall is my favorite time of the year. Since Mallory was brand new when the season started Debbie hooked me up with loads of cute Halloween things so my home could be festive when I wasn't up to it. If there is anything cute or well decorated in my house it is because Debbie has held my hand and performed a rescue mission to help me along. She's amazing, you can check out more of her stuff on her blog and just look at my entry way, I'm in love with it!!

There's a million more kind stories not listed here. So to each of my friends those mentioned, and so so many more, I say thanks. I've been brought to tears with the kindness you've shown to me.

Halloween:
Speaking of Halloween, just look at these adorable kids. Charlotte was Fairy Vidia. She was so happy to have sparkly hair and high heels. Rozlyn was me, a mom. I love making the kids costumes but couldn't commit this year. I told Rozlyn I'd buy her one instead and gave her a million choices. She just kept saying she wanted to be a mom. The good news is that it was totally free!! We were also all glad the Mrs. Brady wig made a comeback for a 2nd year. Mason saw this Giraffe costume in Babies R Us back in August when he had his pictures taken. It was love at first sight. I tried to distract him with many other possibilities but with no success. Why?? I don't know but I think I'm the nicest mom in the world for buying it, I mean really a giraffe, why??


I voted:
I did it!! This was such a hard decision for me. It seems like such a no-brainer for everyone else, they love Obama or they love McCain. I myself was more of a fence sitter, unimpressed with either candidate. I knew I wanted to vote and needed to do it early but couldn't find the motivation to do it. McCain is certain to win Texas so why go through the effort when I have little love for both men. If I keep my vote secret then it really won't make a difference but if I share who I picked and why, put a sign in my yard then maybe it will. In the end, I voted for John McCain. I was a little emotional in line to vote, I felt a great deal of grattitude for this nation and that we all get the right to vote. Democracy is a blessing and I'm proud to be an American, there's no fence sitting on that.

My troubles

1. Why am I wired and wide awake all morning when Mallory is sound asleep and I'm home alone and when it's 3:00 and on, all the kids are home, I'm dead tired and really need a nap. I even just laid down buy Mal because I know I'll be exhausted later on but got bored because I'm not sleepy right now. Any really boring books to recommend those usually put me to sleep no matter what time of day it is.

2. I've given up my #1 BYU fan status for the night. They're in Fort Worth and I'm not going. I never thought the day would come. My world's greatest husband even offered to go with me, sit in some parking lot with Mallory and text me when she got hungry so I could run out and feed her. Can you believe the sacrifice he was willing to make for me? To ease my sadness I'm enjoying the game in the comfort of my own home and treating myself to some pizza. The trouble is I can't decide if I should just do pizza or get some wings to go with it and am not sure where I should order it from. Seems dumb but honestly I've been thinking about it all morning (every time I remind myself of the game).

3. Should I vote for Joe the Plumber or Joe Six-pack?

I do realize that I have a really really great life for which I feel extremely blessed when these are my top three problems for the day.

Funny Journal Stories

I have a little journal I keep for each kid where I write down all the funny things they say and do and big life accomplishments. We spend lots of Sunday's reading them outloud and laughing about the crazy things they've done in years prior. Here are two recent Roz stories that were to good to not go public. (and not very PC)
#1
Roz - Mom, if my friends have brown skin does that mean they were born in Mexico??
Mom - Maybe
Roz - so do you think it's a good idea if I see someone with brown skin to say "hola"?
(it made me smile and wonder what her definition of brown skin is, she has every ethnic group in her class and all of their skin is brown, so who knows, there's going to be some confused little cute Indian girl when Roz says "hola" to everytime she sees her.)
#2
Sunday night we were going over the 4th Article of Faith and trying to help the kids remember the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel. They guessed faith, repentance and baptism by immersion but were hung up on the fourth. Chris and I tried to prompt them by singing the song and seeing if they could fill in the blanks. As soon as we got to fourth, laying on...Rozlyn interupts with "a seed" and Chris and I keep singing the right words, laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost. Rozlyn said in an excited way "oh I was so close, I guessed laying on a seed, but it was really laying on a pan for the gift of the Holy Ghost". Apparantly her whole life she's heard and thought you had to lay on a pan to get the Holy Ghost. She was sure going to be confused in March at Charlotte's baptism, good thing we could clarify. I now can't get the song out of my head, and of course I have to sing "laying on a pan" because it makes me laugh.

Charlotte now has a journal of her own and those entries are precious as well. Here's what she wrote on Sunday. (I left her spelling and grammer unedited, including her lack of periods, I know she inherited these weaknesses from me)
"Mom had a baby it was a girl her name is Mallory Jane Graham she is adorabel she has a breathing whisler in her throght Dad dosen't like it he said it was to sleep wit her doing it mom loves it she said she always falls asleep with her diong it. she was the tallest one and the chubbiest one dad called her chubs in the hospital. then he stoped and strted calling her malpal thats her nickname now caus every buddy in her family calls her that sometimes I call her Malls but not often"
Maybe I need to get out more but it totally cracked me up.

That tricky husband

Yesterday we were hanging out in the kitchen and Chris pulls out an envelope and asks me if I wondered what was in it. Way back when we got our 20 week ultrasound I begged and pleaded to let this baby be a suprise. I'd always found out in the past and knew this might be my last chance to have the suprise. I tried to convince Chris for the 20 weeks prior but he never consented. A week or so before the ultrasound he realized I'd given up my fight to convince him of how fun it would be and he came up with this plan. We have the ultrasound, the tech writes down what it is with a picture and puts it in an envelope for us to take home. This way he could look if he "needed" to and I could be suprised. Part of the deal was that I couldn't know where the envelope was and I couldn't know if he knew or not. A month later I found the envelope, in a drawer all sealed up. I was proud of Chris that he hadn't looked and I guess I convinced myself that he wasn't going to look and kind of forgot about it all together.
So he looked!!! He knew what it was a month early. That rascal, I'm so proud that he was able to know without me ever finding out or leaking any clues at all. The poor guy had to spend many nights up late discussing the impossible boy names. I'm so happy that he was able to know and that I was able to be suprised and it worked out for both of us. What a tricker!!!
Here are some more picutres just for fun. I can't believe it's almost been two weeks!

Presenting Mallory Jane

Here are lots of pictures to introduce you to our newest addition, Mallory Jane. She made it to earth healthy and happy on Monday Sept. 15 at 3:36 p.m. weighing in at 7lbs 14oz and 21 inches. My heart was so full holding my little girl for the first time. The fourth time around was as emotional as the first, probably more so. I got choked up when it was time to start pushing, just knowing I was about to have my baby, that she would soon be safe in my arms. The delivery was the best, I'll share in greater detail in the future. For now here are pictures of what went down.
Pictures taken right after church, before we went to the hospital. (We had a special meeting with President Uchtdorf that day, amazing!!! I was so glad labor held off and I could attend)

Holding Mallory I wondered how she could all fit inside of me and then I see this picture and can see there was plenty of room

Me and my coach. Being induced is such a date!! When else have we had 12 hours with no where to go but to sit there and hang out together? I love this guy!

Our newest arrival all cleaned up


Dr. Leveno with us, he honestly was the best Dr. I'm so glad I found him. (Thanks Amy!)

I love the chubby belly, we were all laughing at her rolls, and check out the size of her extra large juicy cord

The whole gang, it seems like so many people, and they're all mine.

Home and happy.

There's a brief sampling of our joy. So many more to come.

Houston we have a problem!

Hey Houstonians, if any of you need to get away our house is just a short 4-24 hour drive away depending on conditions.(bad joke) It looks like they're telling everyone to hunker down but if you lose power and want to get away you're all more then welcome. We may not be the Holiday Inn but we have clean sheets, warm showers, cold cereal, lizards in our guest bath, air conditioning, clean water, Blue Bell in the freezer and Sprinkles cupcakes close by. So come one, come all and don't hesitate. My big belly is seriously the hurricane tracker, if you want to know when the next big one is going to hit just check out when we're expecting next. My births more accurately predict the hurricanes then those weather guys. Good Luck friends!

Family Pet

So anyone who knows me also knows my fear of all living things other than people. For some reason animals just really scare me. I'm afraid of anything unpredictable startling me. One of my cute friends who I was walking with 6 years ago still has the dog she chased away for me to this day. I know there are many more of you who could tell stories about defending me from the "wild". You're all really better friends because of it! Chris likes to harass me with some article that was in the Ensign a few years back that talked about how we need to learn to love animals on earth because the celestial kingdom will be full of them. I have no comments on that. So a few years back we had our first pet, Vince the goldfish. I'm amazed that I came to love him so much. I don't know my fish well but he had a great personality and we all loved him, even me. The day he died was such a sad one, I didn't know how to tell the kids and how to pay an appropriate tribute to the little guy. It's been a few years since then, the kids continually ask me for a dog, bird, cat, anything. It's funny how kids change you because I've already made an agreement with them that once we're done having babies and everyone in the house is potty trained we can get a pet.
So last Thursday I'm in one of our bathrooms and I see this:

I didn't know what to do with him. Today is his one week birthday of being a member of our family. The kids run in there every day after school to check on him. He only runs down the drain if a shadow crosses him or he hears a loud noise. But don't worry, he soon makes his way out. So while I felt so humane in not closing the drain or turning the faucet on I need to do something more accomadating. Right now he has Mason's toilet seat as his only toy. At some point we'll have guests that need to use that shower. I'm sure at some point the little lizard will need some food. Should he become a part of our family or should Charlotte, not me, find a way to get him outside??

The Proof is in the Pics

It's the final countdown!!! 10 days!!! My emotions really are mixed, there's a part of me that loves being pregnant and I really feel this emptiness when it's over. Of course I'm so thrilled to hold my little one, see what they look like, how they smell, hear their cry sound, look at all their features and assign them to a parent and most of all know what sex it is!!! This really has been so fun keeping it a mystery. I'm glad I did it once. I don't want the baby to be in neutral green/yellow/brown everything so I've resisted shopping beyond the take home outfit (one for each sex). Yesterday I went a little crazy, (remember I had no kids from 9-2) and found myself in the Gymboree Outlet. I guess I accidently stumbled upon it, oops! I now have many neutral items, but still cute, in my possession. When I showed Chris my great finds, I was told to hold onto the receipts because they were fine for a girl but no son of his would be aloud outside the house in them. Why are there such strict rules for boys but we don't care about girls?? It goes beyond clothes and that we dress our girls in blues, it even applies to names, girls can have boy names, but boys can't have girl names. Why can girls be tough, sporty and masculine with low voices but boys can't be wimpy with high voices. I'm off on a tangent now.
Back to names, if you have any suggestions we'll welcome them gladly. Also we welcome any opinions on names we should definately avoid. (and if you feel inclined go ahead and guess the sex, date, weight and any other opinions you have on our newborn)

For documentation sake

It's hard to believe that I have two kids in school. Even though Rozlyn was ready two years ago to go with Charlotte I still had a hard time letting her go. I don't know which would make me more weepy, if they were holding onto my leg, crying and not letting go or if they ran in there as confident as can be waving goodbye without looking back. Rozlyn was definately the latter of the two options and I was definately weepy.
Here's the big girl!!

The PTA threw a "Tears and Cheers" party to cover any emotion a mom might be feeling on that first day. I took home a souvenir of tissues with a poem that said

"It's my first day of kindergarten and I'm excited, aren't you?
I'm going to be just fine Mom and Dad and hope that you are too.
But if you find you're missing me and start to shed a tear,
Take this tissue and remember that 2:55 is near!

I thought it was so cute.
Here's Charlotte in her classroom with a real desk!! She feels like a big kid on campus and had no hesitation about walking herself to class (big stuff I know!). I'm pretty sure she was embarassed that I was snaping photos from the hall.


Day 1 complete!!

On My Own

Here I am sitting at the computer all alone in the quiet of my house. I just went to the store to buy two things, conditioner and trash bags, it took all of five minutes. I should have spent a little more time in the aisles doing something crazy like buying something on sale just because I could. It's been over 7.5 years since I've enjoyed this kind of luxury/lonliness. It's only been an hour and twenty minutes since I dropped Mason off, I still have 3 hours and forty minutes left. Last week when I took the girls to school I was all sad and emotional. Today Mason distracted me by wetting his pants on the way. It offered a little bit of comic relief and feelings of I can't believe this just happened to distract me a little bit. I quickly stripped him down, wiped him off the best I could and pulled out the handy spare clothes in the van. I guess we'll fake it til we make it or he gets kicked out of school.
Here are some pictures to celebrate my guy, my buddy, my comic relief, my sensitive son who is always showing concern for him mamma. Lately I've been taking lots of deep breaths, not because I'm tired or frustrated but because I can't breath. It never fails that he asks me "mom, are you o.k?", "mom, why did you make that sound?" "mom, whats the matter?". Oh how I love him!!!

Here he his playing in his wrinkly shirt that's been shoved in the corner of the van for a few months waiting for an emergency like we had today.
Here's one more cute picture from his birthday, he was very into making his wish. He was very serious when he told his sisters that they couldn't have a wish, only the birthday boy got one. In case you were wondering what the wish was...to go camping. Would I be the world's best mom or what if I pulled that one off at 9 months pregnant?

Potty Training

Here we go again. I'm sure I'm making all of you jealous of the fun that's about to take place in our house. The sad part is Mace was fully trained 4 months ago, in undies, doing all of it. Sometime after Disneyland and spending a week in pull-ups so we wouldn't have to leave long lines for him to relieve himself we went through relapse. It started out slow, a few accidents here or there until eventually there was poop in his pants daily. After a few weeks with my pregnant brain I accepted that he was no longer trained. He was so easy that I never had to bribe him, reward him, punish him, any of it, at first. When he started having accidents, I knew I had to give him treats to intice him to never have an accident again. He really got clever when he'd poop in his undies, dump it in the potty and say "look mom, poop in the potty, can I have a cookie??" What a tricker. Tomorrow I'm committed 100%, with a bucket full of prizes and all - here we go!

Happy late 4th! (but it's still July so it kind of counts)

I love that picture of my four favorite people. blue faces, teeth and all. I just have to express that I'm proud to be an American and there's no place else I know of that I'd rather be or live. Every time I see fireworks and hear patriotic music I'm filled with emotion and grattitude for the opportunity of being born in this country and for all of the service men both in the past and in the present that have sacrificed oh so much!! I'm so glad my kiddos were born here, into a life of prosperity, freedom and opportunity. This will conclude my soapbox for the month of July.

A visit to my past

We just back from Utah/Idaho for Chris's family reunion. I always get excited landing in SLC and being surrounded by the mountains. My kids are starting to appreciate them as well. I feel like the west is so much a part of who I am and that no matter how long I'm here, Utah and Idaho will always feel like home.
We took the kids to Provo and showed them our old stomping grounds. We went to the hospital where Charlotte was born, found our old apartments, found all of our favorite places to eat, shop, go to the movies and walked around campus. I really was emotional - I love Provo, oh so many memories. Charlotte has a favorite picture of her on Chris's shoulders cheering while I'm kissing him behind our old apartment before she turned one. We went to recapture the moment - it didn't turn out so great because Rozlyn was our only photographer available and I couldn't get the timer to work. When I scan in the old one I'll post the before and after.
We visited Chris's sisters over the weekend in Utah and stayed a few nights with my sister in Idaho Falls.
Chris's reunion was great. The kids LOVE their cousins and played so well, nonstop. I don't think anyone was ever asleep before midnight (including Mason) and we all took our sweet time waking up and getting ready each morning. True vacation.
In Rexburg we ate at both restaurants we used to work at, Frontier Pies and Gringos. Did I mention we revisited our past?? We took the kids to BYU-I, showed them Grandpa's old office, ate doughnuts, and saw where dad asked me to marry him. There was also Heise, Civil Defense Caves, ice-blocking, sand dunes, four-wheeling, the Rexburg temple and eating snow shacks once a day.
Now we're home, all spread out around the house, suitcases filled with laundry and it seems so quiet. I really wish we didn't live so far away from everyone and that every memory wasn't crammed into a 7-day period once or twice a year. So today I'm feeling homesick with a list a mile long of things to do. I better get on that before quiet times over. Here are a few cute pictures.
Mason rocking out on his "guitar" in the caves.

The gardens at the college.

Mason's new best friend, Teddy. They played nonstop the whole week!

Our rental car that had the kids waayyyy to close to each other - we're so happy to be back in the mini-van where no one is touching.

With all good intentions

So Charlotte has turned into quite the writer. She loves writing letters, addressing them and putting them in the mailbox. We have a new rule that I have to approve before giving her a stamp because she was using them all up on sealed letters and who knew what the contents were. When the mail comes each day all the kids rush to the pile to see if any of them got any letters. Grandma Cheryl is the best at always sending Charlotte mail and the two of them have become quite the pen-pals.
At the begining of the summer we got some chain letter about a sticker club. You know how it goes, send this to six people, make two copies, send a sticker to the name on the top, don't break the chain or your family will be cursed and in two weeks you'll get 36 new packets of stickers!!
I remember getting some of these when I was a kid but never participated, it's really not my thing and apparantley my mom was wiser then me to never fall for it. Thinking of the joy in her eyes as letter after letter poured in for her was a risk I had to take. There were only two spots for names, #1 & #2 so it only had to go through two people, one out of the six had to respond and one out of thier six had to as well - so I made my debut journey as a chain letter participant. I really thought I was the only one who had never done it - not true. It's probably been a month and no stickers in the mail. Don't think she hasn't forgotten about it either - she keeps asking when will my stickers come?
I feel like making up some fake names, putting some stickers in and sending them to her myself but I guess it's just best that she learns the lesson early on in life, 22years sooner then I did. It also reminds me of a time when I was down about something in high school and I received balloons, flowers & a card signed "from your secret admirer" - my lucky day!! Who could it be - I felt like being admired, he probably was hot & it really killed me to not know. I decided to be Nancy Drew and call the flower shop. Somehow I asked who had paid on the last order to which some dumb employee looked up the record and gave me my own Mom's name. It really was devastating. It still makes me laugh when I think back on it. The things we do for our kids and always with the best intentions.
So if anyone else has a small one as obsessed with letter writing as I do let me know and they'll have a pen-pal for life!!
(and I'm sorry to any of you we sent this to and made feel guilty - you're all wiser then me!)

My bad attitude

I'm so emotional - out of nowhere - and I'm blaming it all on being pregnant. Thursday I shuttled sick girls home from girls camp. I had to stop the car 4 times for vomiting on the side of the busy freeway. One time was in a Hobby Lobby parking lot.
Friday I got in a tussle with a park worker (way to long and boring of a story to tell you why). When he was done talking to me he said "your welcome", it really startled me and so I replied back with "I never said I was thank you". I often think rude things in my head but rarely do they come out.
Saturday our friends gave us their VIP tickets to the city 4th of July celebration. As we were entering they turned us away because of a huge storm rolling in. I was so looking forward to being a VIP and I lost my chance, good parking, free food and all.
Today I had to teach my lesson on overcoming opposition. I know my little trials are so lame, but still, it seemed a little ironic. My life seriously is a cake walk which makes me feel even worse about my bad attitude.
On a funny note: tonight when I put Mason to bed I told him I had three words for him 1- I, 2- Love, 3- You!! He replies with "Mom I have four words for you 1-Fireworks, 2-Poptarts, 3-(something I couldn't understand) and 4-tent". So maybe he didn't get my point but it really made me laugh, just like he does so many times everyday!

Florida, Swim Lessons, Six Flags

So if you found us you've realized I've delayed way to long again to blog and that we're now private. I hope you feel honored to have been invited. I really have to catch up on the past little while in a long boring layout and then maybe someday I can post something interesting again. It really is so much more fun to read everyone else's posts that I get carried away and run out of time to put anything down.
So here is the fast run down of the last month.
Florida - Chris and I took a premature 10 year anniversary trip to Florida. It was the most "real" vacation I've ever been on. It was the first time I've been somewhere without any agenda, no schedule, no one to meet up with. It really was the best!!! We stayed on a resort right on the beach, rented a convertible, drove down to the keys, went snorkling, ate delicious food and just relaxed.

Swim Lessons - Charlotte and Rozlyn just finished up a few weeks of lessons. My kids might be the slowest learners ever when it comes to swimming. This time around we made huge strides! They both are now comfortable going under for a long period. Actually swimming will be our next step. The pool has been my escape from the heat so far this summer. Our community is the best with the max depth at 3.5 feet. Our friends pool is almost like a big splash ground with the max depth at 1.5 feet. This way they have fun playing around and I don't have to worry so much about anyone drowning. I also enjoy my browner then ever skin I have. I really think tan skin automatically makes me look 10 pounds smaller which is a real plus in my third trimester state.

Six Flags - Yesterday we braved the heat and took the kids to Six Flags with their cousin from Palestine, TX. It was so hot and there were so many people. My kids loved it and had a great time. Each time the kids went on a ride that Mason and me couldn't go on we got to go eat as many treats as we possibly could and hide the evidence before they returned. Another highlight was the streaker that was arrested right in front of our eyes. We were walking along when some police stopped the traffic to escort a man out of a theatre wrapped in a small sheet into the police car. The man next to us explained that he stripped down in the theatre, made a huge scence, kids everywhere, not pretty, you get the idea...one police man was carrying out the shed clothing. Chris offered understanding for the guy by reminding us all just how extremely hot it was outside.
Here are some pictures. The whole gang.


My two favorite boys in the world!!!

I'm loving this summer. I can't believe it's already the last week in June. Slow down time, I'm not ready for a regular schedule anytime soon.

Weekend Hangover

Really this post was for yesterday but the system was down. Chris was out of town for his nephews baptism which left me on weekend duty. It used to be when he was gone I loved putting the kids to bed early for some "me" time but the older they get the funner they are to hang out with so it was the opposite this time around. On Friday we blew up the queen size mattress and did most of our eating, playing, movie watching (and a little bit of sleeping) right there. Mason was the last one to sleep both nights. That kid is going to give some boy scout leader nightmares in the future. He really could pull an all nighter if someone stayed up to talk to him. When we were just in Disneyland he usually was the last one to sleep in the hotel, occasionally poking and pushing on me and Chris.
Saturday's agenda was as follows:
1. Sleep in
2. Breakfast at McDonald's - play a long long time
3. Target for fun swimming toys
4. Swimming with the Marsden's
5. Swimming at the Twin Creeks Pool
6. Bath's, Dinner, Jammies, Movie Party
We had so much fun!!! It really makes me look forward to summer, only two days left!!! I'm really sick of the routine, getting the kids to bed each night and getting them up in the morning when all any of us want to do is sleep in, eat late and swim all day.
Of course we were so glad to have Chris come back and since he feels like he missed out on all the fun we're blowing the air mattress up one more time for the last day of school and he gets to join in on the fun.

Plumber anyone??

So my wonder husband Chris rescued our family again with his amazing plumber skills! On Monday he made his trip to Home Depot, purchased the goods and took apart the toilet for the second time this month! I never knew he had these handy skills, we also never had a need for them until Mason came around.
A few weeks back we were out on a date. I went through the routine call I always make a half hour or so after bedtime to see how everything went. In all the times past there is only silence in the background, the babysitter tells me how fabulous the kids are and that everyone's sleeping soundly. Chris and I can then go on to have a worry free, enjoyable night. On this night it sounded like the babysitter was throwing a party, I was immediately annoyed, asked why all the kids were screaming and wide awake. She told me there had been a little problem. More like a HUGE problem. Apparantley (after everyone WAS in bed) Charlotte had to use the bathroom, it started to overflow. The babysitter found a plunger, started plunging away with no relief in sight. The babysitter proceeded to plunge while she instructed Charlotte to flush and the water kept coming out. When I took the babysitter home I asked her to guess how many times she thought they flushed it, her estimate was 15!(The following Monday's FHE was on toilet emergency's, particularly never flush it twice if the first time didn't work!) Rozlyn was then assigned to grab every towel she could find in the house, since there was a river now running into each girls bedroom. The babysitter then called my emergency contact friend, Tanya and she came to the rescue. Can I add that only true friends come over late at night, stomp through flooded toilet water, clean it all up and do all of your laundry (the 50 thousand saturated towels)! Tanya, you're the best ever!
Our date night ended with us rushing home, pulling up carpet, ripping the soaked pad out and running a bunch of fans. I was so bitter that we didn't get to ever have dinner that I got some fast food at midnight, set a blanket on the floor, washed our hands really really good and ate our greasy hamburger and fries.
Tanya told us she plunged forever without progress. Chris had the same luck. He ended up taking the toilet apart and found a plastic waffle lodged in there. The perfect storm!
Our toilet in our master bedroom stopped working about a week ago. Chris once more removed the whole thing, turned it upside down.
Here were the latest casualities


We just bought these toys for the airplane ride on our trip to Disneyland. They were his favorite!! Mickey is also missing, we think he might have gone all the way. If it wasn't for Goofy's large bottom, they probably would have all cleared nicely.
Here are items that have been lost and found, four different race cars, including his favorite lamborghini, my credit card, car keys, plastic food, toothbrushes, washclothes, handsoap and now these guys. We don't have an account of whats made it down the shoot.
I have no idea how to solve this problem. We only wish his poop made it in as frequently as his toys.
Should you have the same bad luck you can call on Chris, he's extra helpful, really good looking and even applies brand new clean white grout around the toilet when he's done. I have a super plumber for a husband!

So Long Best Friends Wallpaper & Diamonds

We are undergoing major home repairs as we speak. It all started because Mason is about to say so long nursery, hello big boy room. The girls will begin sharing as soon as schools out. (8days!!) Then Mason gets his own pad. It currently has purple diamonds on the wall and pink wall paper that's border says "best friends" all over on it. Chris tried to convince me that we could move him in, in this condition and eventually paint it. My present to myself and our marriage was to find someone else to strip the wallpaper, re-texture and paint. I had to take pictures before it's all long gone. I loved the diamonds that were only with us a few short monhts. It was one of my funnest painting projects to date. I will miss you!!

Graduation!!

It's official, Roz is off to kindergarten. I shed a few tears at the ceremony. The presentation was darling and she made mom and dad very proud. Why do they have to grow up so fast?? I wish I could freeze this little phase she's in right now.

More then just a .

I'm making my way back into the blogging world. To kick this new debut off in style I decided to change things up & create a new fresh look. It's really the thought that counts right? It shouldn't matter that my title is just a "." and nothing else. When I get to heaven I'm for sure requesting some magical technical power that I wasn't granted during this life.
Thanks for the concern from some of you on my behalf. I really didn't fall off the face of the earth but am flattered to know that if I did a few of you would notice. My big news for any of you who haven't yet heard is that baby #4 is well on the way. I'm due in Sept and more excited then I can express. I feel so blessed. We aren't finding out the sex of this little one and even that is making this pregnancy so much fun. In the process of being sick and chasing around 3 kids five months have somehow passed me by.
So here's to a new try and a small dot for a title.

More Christmas and Gold Coat Explanation

Happy 2008!! We had such a fun time ringing in the new year. We got together with some friends played games, ate lots of food, wore the party hats and watched our own ball fall at midnight. I wish I had some pictures, I'll try to sneak some from my friend to show you just how funny it was. Our friends had no T.V. so a volleyball adorned with some tin foil patches around it hanging from the 2nd floor did the trick. There were a few flash lights on the sides shining on it for added affect. I'm sure it was much funnier then I can describe. Even little Charlotte stayed up til midnight. All together a very fun night.
Here is another picture from Christmas at our house.

I was very proud of myself for putting up this arch of lights. I hot glued it, got burnt in the process, but was so happy at my effort everytime I saw it throughout the month. So since so many of you seemed concerned about the gold coats I thought I'd better explain. We went to this awesome display of ice sculptures. It really was amazing. I loved it! It's in this huge hotel with a million Christmas decorations, a life size gingerbread house that you can go in, etc. The whole experience was fabulous. When you check in they provide everyone with those huge Gold Coats. I guess here in Texas they figure people don't have their own warm coats. I'm dissapointed that you all thought that I would seriously buy those for my fam. This is a must do every year for us now. This is the real picutre of all of us waiting to go in.

.....and a final picture of my favorite Christmas present. I might just leave it up until next year I love it so much!

Chris went to work today, the kids go back tomorrow. After this long month of fun we are about to be back on the regular schedule. I've loved our break and am a little sad to see it all end. It should be a good year though because I convinced my kids of some good resolutions to make (obey quickly, listen to mom, help my siblings, do chores without being asked) I'll let you know how it goes.