FINALLY!!!

I am OFFICIALLY  caught up on my blogging!!!  WOOHOO!!!  I just had to enjoy this moment while it lasts for it is probably not going to last long.  

Spelling bee.... S-P-E...

Ok.  Scott's pic is in here just so you can see how alike my two oldest boys are!!  LOL!!!

Anyhoo...  So Chris won the spelling bee at his school and went on to district.  He tied with two other boys for 3rd place after making it past the written portion.  We were so proud of him and his teacher told us that he's the first student from his school to make it past the written test in the 7 years he has been teaching there.  Congratualtions, Chris!!!  Keep up the good work!

Happy Valentine's Day/ Anniversary

So, I don't have any pics, they didn't turn out right.  But I just want to tell Scott how much I love him!!!  We don't actually celebrate Valentine's Day because our anniversary is 3 days later, so we combine the two.  He was really sweet and gave me a massage for a gift.  (Actually, it kinda ticked me off because we said we weren't going to get each other anything so I didn't.  Boy did I feel like a heel)  Then we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.  We had a great night out and enjoyed each other's company for a while.  (Then he dropped me off and went to a football coach's meeting.)

Love you.   

My Doggie...

Here is my Hershey Kisses!!!

Happy Birthday, Scott!!!

So Scott turned 37 this year.  Wow.  I feel kinda bad because his birthday is right after Valentine's Day and our Anniversary, so we never really make a big deal out of it.  That suits him just fine, but this year we decided we'd go all out.  The kids helped me decide what to make for his birthday dinner (because he said he didn't care and wouldn't supply ideas) and dessert.  We made homemade spaghetti and meatballs with french bread and for dessert we made monkey bread.  (Scott didn't want a cake and told us to make whatever we wanted.  I wasn't going to eat any of it and the kids all wanted monkey bread, so that's what we made.  FYI, Scott ended up eating a fair share anyway)  We got out my grandma's blue willow plates and our nice 'glasses' and candles.  We got him his favorite chocolate milk for a present (It is THE BEST chocolate milk, but it's expensive) and he didn't have to share any of it.  No, that wasn 't his only present- I ordered some Arizona Cardinals license plate frames for him.  So here are 10 things I like about Scott:

1- He likes to work on the house.  I don't know how much money we have saved by Scott doing all the projects himself, but I do know that we would not have such a beautiful house if not for him.  He's had a lot of- much appreciated- help, but really, the bulk of it has fallen on his shoulders.

2- He loves to cook.  Ok, ladies!!  I got the jackpot!!  He is my perfect counterpart because I HATE to cook.  What a blessing this has been.  He cooks dinner 5 nights a week.  The other 2?  Well, let's just say I've given up.  I could prepare a box of Kraft Mac 'n Cheese and the kids would still say, 'This is fine but it tastes better when Dad makes it.'  Apparently, he even boils water better than me!  Fortunately, Scott's a good sport about it.  

3- He loves his job.  Why?  I haven't the foggiest idea.  I could never be a salesperson.  I am horrible at it.  But he LOVES it.  And he's good at it.  I think it helps that people can see that he sincerely wants to help a customer find what they need and want.  

4- He is very creative.  He loves to design.  Whether it's designing a bathroom (pics coming soon) or a living room for a customer, he has really good taste.  

5- He is a good coach.  He coached Chris' football team for the first time this past season.  In all honesty, I wasn't sure how well that would work out.  He can get a little... um... weird about football.  But it worked out VERY well.  He was great with the kids, and enjoyed helping the boys improve their game.  It was also great time to spend with Chris.  He is looking forward to this year.

6- He just GETS me.  Now this probably goes without saying for most husbands and wives.  But he was dealt an especially hard hand by getting stuck with me.  This may not surprise some of you, but I am not the easiest person to get along with (please hold your comments people) and I am not a very traditional wife.  (See #2)  But for some reason, he loves me anyway.  The most romantic thing he has ever said to me was, 'So, how many days will it take you to finish your book and get things back to normal?'  My heart overflowed with love and affection in that moment when he didn't judge me for being an obsessive reader.  He just wanted to know.  Love it.

7- He makes me laugh.  Every day.  Even when I don't want him to.  Sometimes, it's the only thing that saves him.  But he is funny.  

8- He likes my friends (and my friends like him).  Now, I would love my friends whether he did or not, but he can appreciate my friends and the support they give me.  He has never asked me to stay home instead of go out for Girl's Night.  He listens to me talk about the silly things we do.  He knows that sometimes they are the only reason I am (mostly) sane at any given time.  He never gives me a hard time for texting them or talking to them late into the night if I (or they) need to.  I'm pretty sure that he knows they are the reason we don't fight very much.  So I love him for his willingness to let me be someone apart from him which makes me a better wife.

9- He takes ballroom dance lessons with me.  It takes a real man to master 'Latin (hip) motion'.  (Nevermind trying to lead a person who just does not take well to being led.)  It's HOT!!!

10- He's perfect for me.  He may not be perfect, and we don't always get along.  But I can't imagine any other person that would be willing to put up with my crap and issues the way he does.  Seriously.  Where I am weak, he is strong and vice versa.  (this is beginning to sound like a bad ballad).  We balance.  

Happy birthday, Babe.  (that'll do.... that'll do)

Happy New Year! How about an accident to start the year off right?

So I was picking Cameron up from daycare when I get a phone call from Scott and he says, "I have to tell you first, that I am ok.  I am not hurt. I am fine."  So all I can think is, 'Well, nothing good ever follows a statement like that.'  Well, he was driving to work and he was involved in a 3 car accident.  Actually, a 4th car caused it but wasn't involved in the accident.  A car (1) cut off another (2).  2 lost control crossing 4 lanes of traffic twice and then ran into Scott's path (who had luckily slowed down when he realized what was going to happen).  Then another car (3) slammed into the back of Scott.  The pics of the jeep is car 3.  Its driver side wheels were ripped off the rotors and his air bags deployed.  Car 1 got away not even realizing it had caused the accident, and car 2 had damage to its rear.  The pics of the sedan are Scott's car.  One of the pics shoes how the rear seat is pushed right up against the back of the front seats.  We were so happy he hadn't had any of the kids with him.  The rear windshield was broken and the frame of the car twisted and broke the front windshield.  The insurance adjuster called after looking at his car and said he stopped adding up damage and totalled the car when he reached 9000 dollars of damage.  So, needless to say, Scott got a new car, er, truck.  Yes, he got a man-mobile.  It's big. It's got a hemi.  It is sooo Scott.  He loves it.  Good thing, too.  It's his until the thing poops out on him.  Anyhoo...  found out yesterday that car 2 is denying liability in the accident (even though in Nevada, if you lose control of your vehicle- whether it's your fault or not- you are at fault in the accident) and is trying to get our insurance to pay for their damages.  So it automatically goes to arbitration.  So, unfortunately, we are needing the advice of a lawyer.  We were hoping to just take care of it without going this route.  Even the guy who hit Scott is willing to share liability, but unfortunately car 2 is being a poop.  Oh well.  Scott is fine.  That is all that matters and no one was seriously hurt, which is a miracle.  We'll see what happens.  Stay tuned.... 

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas!  Ok, I know it's almost March, but it's the thought that counts right?!  Well, Christmas was good up here.  We all got at least one thing we really wanted.  It was a nice relaxing day opening presents and eating and playing and sleeping, etc.  We had a really great year.  This was our second Christmas in our house, but it still amazes us at how blessed we are to have our beautiful home in a great ward and we have made such amazing friends.  We are so blessed.  

Christmas night we had some friends over for dinner and enjoyed talking and laughing over Scott's wonderful meal.  (Thanks again babe!)  We hope you all had Christmases as great as ours.  We love you and feel grateful for all of our friends, family and for our Savior and how He blesses our lives every day.  

 

(I didn't mean to post the silly pic twice, but it pretty much sums up our family the best!)

So like I said, everyone got stuff they really wanted.  Cameron got some coloring pages and markers, a Transformer, Power Ranger, Kung Fu Panda, footed pajamas, Pluto, puzzles, etc.  Max got coloring pages and markers also, Chronicles of Narnia Prince Caspian, Darth Tater, a sleeping bag, a Wall-E stuffed robot, books, etc.  Chris got a hoodie (so I could actually wash his blue one!), books, rubics cube game, remote control car, sudoku book, etc.  Kenna got an ipod shuffle, books, jewelry, socks, gift card, etc.  I got my ipod!!!  A cute orange ipod that I LOVE and use almost every day.  I also got the Tales of Beadle the Bard.  It's a book mentioned in Harry Potter 7 and since I am a bit of a nut for Harry Potter, I wanted it so Scott got it for me as well as Inkdeath, the last in a series of books I had read.  Scott got the shaft.  He is soooo hard to shop for, but he got his favorite candy that he didn't even need to share, and pjs and some other stuff.  He actually shares the sudoku book that Chris got.  (whether Chris wants to or not!  LOL!! )  Maybe he'll get more lucky on his birthday....

Christmas Picutres

Hershey's present from Aunt Liese

Kenna and her ipod
Chris and his hoodie
Max and his Power Ranger
Cameron and his Transformer

Christmas Pageant

Ok, so Chris looks a little evil in that pic.  Oh well.  Cameron's daycare teacher decided to do a Christmas pageant this year with all the kids.  Cam was less than enthusiastic, but he went along and at least stood there quietly and didn't disturb the kids that were actually singing.  They sang some primary songs about Jesus and some Christmas songs.  There was even a surprise visit from Santa who had presents for everyone.  Needless to say, Cam came alive at that point.  All the kids got something.  Kenna and Chris were especially surprised to get a present and a little embarrassed at sitting on Santa's lap.  Max was getting worried that he wouldn't get anything (he'd been a stinker all day).  He finally told me that he didn't think Santa had anything for him and looked a little crestfallen.  It broke my heart, but he had been poopy enough that day that I just shrugged my shoulders and let him sweat it out.  (no, not a mommy high point I admit)  So when his name was FINALLY called (last!  and it was not on purpose I promise!) he jumped enthusiastically up off the stool and said, "YESSSSS!" and threw his fist into the air.  Everyone laughed and you have never seen such a happy kid!  

P.S. That little scare Max had wore off about .oooo1 second after his name was called.  Business as usual for Max after that.

All Star Football

Chris had another great season playing football.  He was nominated by his coach to play on the All Star team.  The coach from the #1 team chose him and some other teammates to play.  Their game wasn't until the second week in December (a good month and a half after regular season play).  Chris played as well as he could.  The coach put him in a position he never played and didn't really like, but he tried his best.  Quite frankly, all the kids deserved medals (and some hot chocolate) for playing at all.  The game was at one of the windiest high school fields we have ever played at and it was FREEZING!!  They didn't win, but Chris didn't care.  He just wanted to get to the car and crank the heat.  My sentiments exactly.  We love you Chris and look forward to another great year next year.  

It's Cameron's Birthday!!

Posting all of these birthday blogs at one time really makes me feel like the years are passing REALLY quickly.  I can't believe that Cameron is already 5.  I remember bringing him home as one of the greatest Christmas presents ever.  It seems like just yesterday.  And then there are days (like today) that it seems like forever ago when my sweet (QUIET) baby entered my life.  What a blessing he has been.   Here are 10 things you may or may not know about Cameron:

1- He is a couch potato.  He could sit and watch movie after movie after movie if I would let him.  (Well, in all honesty, I do let him sometimes)  

2- He loves to laugh.  Tell him a joke and he'll laugh.  Tell hi the joke every day for a year and he will laugh just as hard on day 365 as he did the first time.  We can often be found giggling together- him laughing at a joke and me laughing at his laughing.

3- The boy LOVES Mamma Mia the movie.  Seriously.  LOVES it.  He watched it 2 times in 1 day and the next day, after running errands with me he checked the mailbox and saw that we were sending a movie back to blockbuster online.  He stomped the whole way into the house, marched up to me, put his hands on his hips and hissed through gritted teeth, "That had better not be Mamma Mia out in the mailbox, Mom."  He meant business.  Luckily for me, it wasn't.  And we only got to send it back (after 2 weeks) by promising to buy it.  

4- He can tell you what part of the movie (Mamma Mia again) a certain song would be playing at.  There is even a song on the soundtrack that was deleted from the movies and Kenna asked what part that song was on.  He told her it was on the deleted scenes.  She didn't believe him.  Well, he was right.  Usually is when it comes to anything Mamma Mia.  I know.  He's a freak.  Definitely my son.

5- He still sucks on the same 2 fingers he sucked on when he was 1 month old, and still HAS to have the same blanket he's had since he was a baby.  He IS to the point that he will let me take it to wash it as long as I start the wash early enough to be ready for bed.  I only forgot to dry it once.  Never again.

6- All he wanted for his birthday and Christmas was a Mickey stuffed animal and a Pluto stuffed animal.  I am not a fan of stuffed animals because my kids never really played with them.  Cam and Max on the other hand have great fun pretending and building forts with them.  So I stifled my urge to get him something practical (read- something I thought he should have) and get him Mickey for his birthday.  (Santa brought him Pluto)

7- He will take any punishment I give out.  He'll have a tantrum at first, but as soon as he realizes that he has to do X, Y, Z to get a privilege back, he has no desire to _________. (fill in the blank: play on the wii, watch tv, computer time, etc.)  He is so stubborn and can be completely content just sitting quietly.  Which of course infuriates me.  

8- He is a 'quiet type.'  He is not very talkative- outside of the house.  He has just started ordering for himself, and only because we tell him that if he doesn't speak, he won't eat.  The first appointment at the pediatric ophthamologist, he would look at me to answer every question she asked him and was irritated that I wouldn't tell her which lens let him see more clearly!  

9- He likes to make sound effects.  Normally, that would be kinda cute.  But he only makes them during my favorite show.  (You know, the show where they mumble so badly you turn the volume up just so it sounds like they're speaking through mud but the music is ridiculously loud.)  He's pretty good at sound effects too.  My favorite game that he and Max play is when they play fight using 'the force' so they never actually touch each other.  They stand across the room and each take turns choking each other Darth Vader- style.  Maybe that should disturb me more.  But it makes me laugh.

10- My favorite thing about him?  He loves to say that he loves me.  But it's not just that.  I'll tell him I love him and he asks how much. So I make up a number like 1,365,478,012 infinity billion plus 3.  He'll laugh and then say he loves me.  I'll ask how much and he'll say 100 infinity billion plus 300.  We do this at least once a day and I have to say, it makes my heart sing just as much as it did when he used to say, "I love you the biggest number mommy."  

So as you can tell, life with him has been intersting, fast- paced, and definitely NOT boring.  But he has been such a blessing.  He is a boy that reminds me often why I am done having kids, but also reinforces why I love being a mom.  Happy Birthday Cam!

Cameron gets 'patched up'

So for the past year, Cam has been in and out of one eye doctor or another.  He has amblyopia.  There is more to the name than that, but essentially it is a lazy eye.  In November '07 I began noticing Cameron's left eye would turn in.  It would look strange and then it would be gone so I thought I was imagining it.  Then it started getting worse.  Turns out that his left eye is weaker than the right so it will just turn itself off which weakens his vision and since his eye isn't working, the muscle relaxes resulting in the cross eyed look.  So we started with glasses, then bifocals (aren't they only for old people?) prescribed by the pediatric ophthamologist(sp?).  Then at his second eye appointment, his vision had weakened and he had lost his ability to see 3-D.  So the dr. suggested we try patching for 3 months and if it wasn't working he would probably need surgery.  So.... the second pic is of the patches we got him.  Kinda plain jane.  So he decided he would color them before he put them on.  He wouldn't let me take many pics of them but he got very good at drawing tiger stripes of all colors.  Very snazzy.  Then one sunday before church, he let me draw an eyeball on his patch for my friend Liz.  We had been talking about how funny it would be if he drew an eyeball on his patch.  She told him that he could sleep through church and it would look like he was winking.  So that was what prompted the 1st pic.  Pretty funny.  Now, he has been back to the dr. and he is able to see 3-D again and his vision has improved remarkable well.  She said he is no longer a candidate for surgery!  YAY!  But she wants to continue to patch for the next 4 to 6 months.  We may have to patch his eye periodically to maintain his best vision, but it is worth every penny to not have to face surgery.  He has been such a good sport and he usually doesn't need to be bribed to wear his patch.  He just gets it and brings it to us to put on him.  What a trooper.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a great day.  I did absolutely nothing.  I don't even think we got out of our pajamas that day.  I read and slept and the kids watched tv, read and just hung out.  Scott on the other hand was very busy.  He made the whole meal himself.  And just for the record, I did ask if I could help, he said no, and I wasn't going to beg.  He was so nice to let me rest because he knew that the next day was the beginning of my least favorite time of the year- the retail holiday season.  He is such a good man and an excellent cook, so dinner was- of course- delicious!  

Halloween!!

Halloween was a lot of fun this year.  Chris was invited to a friend's birthday party and went trick-or-treating with them, Kenna went with a couple of friends, and Max and Cam got stuck with me!!!  It was pretty cold and rainy.  So when Max and Cam had gone to a few houses they informed me that they thought they had enough candy, so home we went.  Max was Tigger, Cam was a cow (thanks Jenny!), Chris was a 'cereal killer', and Kenna was Elphaba from Wicked the broadway musical.  Tons of candy was gotten, fun was had, and it was a good night all around!

Kenna turns 13!!! OOOO Scary!

It's official!  We have a teenager in the house and, boy, is she making it known!  This is a pic of Kenna when she participated in a fashion show for the grand opening of the Target where I work.  I don't actually have any pictures of her actual birthday. (The pic with the ipod shuffle is from Christmas but that was part of her birthday present)  No, I'm not a bad mom- not completely at least- but I forgot to take my camera with me when I gave her the first part of her presents.  I surprised her by taking her to see Twilight.  She had wanted to go with her friends to the premiere, but she was in trouble and grounded.  So it made for a better surprise when I walked up and asked for 2 tickets.  It was a good night and a lot of fun to do something together that only she and I appreciate!  So here are 10 things about Kenna:

1- She is not all wrapped up in her looks.  I LOVE this about her!!  So many of her friends are so worried about always looking perfect and not leaving without perfect hair and makeup.  She is soooo not that way.  She can be ready in 5 minutes flat if she needs to be.  While I wish she would brush her hair more thoroughly (and more often) I love the fact that she doesn't feel the need to look 'perfect' to have fun.

2- She is good at math.  Surprising considering she is my daughter.  I tell her she's going to be tutoring me for my math classes.  She laughs but I am totally serious.

3- She is a great cheerleader.  When anyone in the house does a good job on something or conquers a challenge, she is one of the first ones to give a good 'HOORAY' for the person.  I really appreciate her supportive spirit.

4- She is not afraid to have her own opinion.  While I don't always like how it may manifest itself, she is not one to be pushed around- by anyone.  She doesn't join with the crowd just because everyone else is.  She is her own person.  I hope she ALWAYS stays that way.  

5- She is a good friend.  She doesn't stick to only one group of friends but she keeps in touch with all of them and is always ready to help if they need her.  She is learning that she may not be able to help with everything, but just being there to listen (or cry with/for them) can be just what they need.

6- She loves music.  She can always be found with her ipod shuffle attached somewhere on her person.  She loves all different kinds of music from pop to country to musicals (Mamma Mia and Wicked are 2 of her faves!).

7- She is a good big sister.  Despite what she may say (and what I may say at times) she really does love them.  She can be so patient and kind with Cameron and helpful when Max is trying to read.  And with Chris?  Well, that's a different dynamic, but as they get older, the laughing together is starting to happen more than the fighting.  It's a beautiful thing.

8- She loves to read.  Well, all of them do.  I often hear, 'We don't have anything to read' (in a whiny voice of course).  But she is often found reading quietly in her bedroom- usually instead of cleaning it- and often takes it in the car even for short trips.  LOVE IT!!!

9- She has awesome hair!  If I could have her hair I would get up at 3:30 every morning to style it before work.  She doesn't share my passion for hairstyling, but she doesn't need to much to make it look good.  Some girls have all the luck.

10- She is just good.  That is the best word to describe her.  We have our struggles and we fight like, well, like mother and daughter.  But she just wants to be good and do good.  Her heart is just full of goodness.  And it shows on her face and in her actions.  I love her and feel so blessed to have her as my daughter.  Love you Kenna.

Max turns 7!!

Max turned 7 on October 24th.  Yes, I am a little late posting but as you'll see, we have had quite a bit going on.  My sister started a tradition on her blog where she lists 10 things about the birthday person.  I love reading hers so much I thought I would start doing that too.  So here are 10 things about Max:

1- This boy LOVES to dance and sing.  He has serious dance skills- he even won a dance contest at a friends birthday party beating out the girls (he was only 1 of 2 boys invited).  

2- Max has the most tender heart.  He often randomly turns to me and says, 'I love you, Mom.'  No ulterior motive in sight.

3- He loves shoes.  When I asked him what he wanted for his birthday he told me he wanted clothes and shoes.  Kenna doesn't even ask for those.

4- He likes to help- but only on his terms.  If you ask him first, the answer is usually no.  

5- He wakes up every morning and rushes to get ready for school before Chris is even seen upstairs.  He told me he likes to surprise Chris by being ready early so they can leave as soon as Chris says to.  

6- Almost every night he asks me if the next day is my day off.  He tells me that he wants to know so he can come in and snuggle in my bed with me.  So 2 mornings a week, you can find me in bed with Max for as long as we can stay there.

7- He is a lady's man!  Several moms have told me that when their daughters have been asked who they want to invite to their birthday parties Max is the first person mentioned.  I can't blame them.  I have a hard time resisting those blue eyes and big bright smile!!

8- Max likes to ask questions during movies. (What are they going to do?  What's that?  What's going to happen next?) It's not the most beloved trait, but I laugh because I am often caught asking the same questions, but I usually have the sense to keep quiet because Scott and Chris can't stand it!!  He's working on it.

9- He is easygoing.  Then he's not.  I call him, ' The great and terrible' (like the Second Coming) because there is not much middle ground with him.  He's usually one or the other.

10- I can always count on him to keep things interesting.  He has been called 'full of energy' and 'a ball full of enthusiasm'.  Translation... a spaz.  I have gone into Primary several times and found him on the back row sitting next to the Primary President because, ' he is just so excited today!'  Red-faced I look up the row and find Cameron sitting just a few chairs down.  Well, at least he's not alone on the row for the spazzy kids.

I love you Max!  You are a joy to have in our family!!!

Doesn't he look great in his glasses!!!