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.