jazz game and my bro.

Tonight my little bro John called us again with last minute Jazz tickets. I decided to let Jared go with Brent because he had a free night. Well it turns out that my other little bro from Texas was in town and taking clients to the game. I made Brent take a picture and send it to me, I'll admit it, I miss my brother. He was only here for a day and didn't have time to get together. :(
I love all of my siblings, they are the best! Nate is my only brother who lives out of state and I really miss his family. Thanks again for the tickets John!! I'll take them off your hands anytime!

getting back to normal....

Normal....hmmm maybe that isn't the right word.

This morning Brent started a new job. He was off of work for about 2 months during which I became used to having him around. Sure work is good, I guess, (lol) but for two months I had incredible freedom (without any cash). Throughout the baseball season Jared has needed to be picked up from school every. It is right in the middle of Jason's nap so it was great to have a driver. Also, Jared goes to school early 3 times a week for Jazz Band and Brent would drive to that too. Since Brent would get a little stir crazy he was always willing to run errands or watch kids if I needed to go out. He also would take the boys with him while he would run around. To say it mildly, I have become spoiled. Yesterday, I realized I would have to do the morning drive for school when Jared said there would be no band this week. (see the blessings keep coming) This is the last official week of the baseball season so hopefully Jason won't fully give up his naps.

Unemployment thankfully didn't last too long, although some days it seemed like it. Last week after weeks of no jobs prospects, Brent got two interviews with great companies. The job he wants most wouldn't start for a few weeks so rather than take any chances, he started with his second choice. It seems like a good company. Brent is impressed with many aspects of how they run their business.

All I know, is if Brent could be home 24/7 I would like it (most days) :)
The boys will miss having an all access pass to daddy, I'll miss having my best friend to hang out with all day, and I will certainly miss the perks of having him around. But, I will enjoy paying bills again and possibly having a little extra spending money. So I guess you take the good with the bad..... er somethin'...

For all the extra time we had together I find it surprising how little we accomplished on home projects. (sigh) Maybe someday our to do list will get done. (I am laughing)

random thoughts...

Random thoughts that I have been having lately....

-why do people say "I slept like a baby" I've had babies, they don't sleep well.
-what is the smell coming from my boys' room?
-I always have a lot of laundry
-I don't enjoy housework
-I will stop procrastinating....tomorrow
-eclairs are delicious, especially from Kneaders
-how do Tyler's socks get holes in them after wearing them once?
-I like the new law in Arizona...we need it here.
-I am tired of snow...and rain
-I need to trim my bangs
-will Jared's feet ever stop growing?
-I have great friends
-my husband is amazing

That's all for now, I hope you enjoyed a sneak peak into my mind :)

Confessions

I saw this on a friends blog and decided to try it for myself...so here goes.
I confess:

- I watch too much tv
-I started painting my family room 9 months ago and haven't finished yet
-I don't want to finish, I don't know if I like the color I picked
-on a bad day, I can drink a 12 pack of diet coke all by myself
-on a good day, I can drink a 12 pack of diet coke all by myself
-I can't say no to my kids when they look at me with their big blue eyes
-I don't want to say no
-I bite my fingernails
-take-out makes me happy
-sometimes I drive Tyler to the bus stop at the end of my street
-I will do ANYTHING to get out of doing the dishes....anything
-I don't care if my kids have messy rooms
-it makes me nervous to kneel down for prayers by my bed in the dark (seriously, what if there are spiders under my bed...or snakes)
-I stay up too late
-I sleep in too late

Well, I tried to make it interesting, not sure if I succeeded. But, maybe I can sleep now. (if I am lucky)

soccer time again

It's soccer time again! Brent coaches Tyler's team, and they are very good. Last year, we lost track of all the goals Tyler scored because there were too many. But he also would set up other kids to score by getting them to run to the goal and he'd pass it to them. Hopefully we can keep Jason off the field....it was tough last fall. It's a good thing we love sports! Bring. It. On.

night time

Why is is always hardest at night? I am fine during most of the day and when it is time for bed my brain goes 1000 miles an hour.
In FHE tonight we were talking about satan's influence. My husband said that if we sat in our family room long enough and did nothing it would get dark. Without even trying, the room would be dark. It's up to us to turn on the lights. Well, metaphorically and physically right now I am in the dark. I try not to be, but I find it harder at night. I count my blessings, I think of scriptures, I think of all the ways things could be worse. It doesn't change the fact that right now sucks.
...I'm done whining....

30 reasons I am glad to be 36

30 reasons I am glad to be 36

1. I have a 15 year old. I better at least be 36.

2. I have nearly been married for 17 years. I better be at least 36.

3. I am old enough, with careful consideration and helpful advice, to make my own decisions.

4. I am old enough to know better.

5. no expects me to get all the candles blown out any more.

6. I have learned to say no when needed, without guilt.

7. It's fun to have teenagers.

8. I'm still young enough to remember "the good ole days"

9. Since every day I have to get older, I try my hardest to get wiser.

10. Each day I am one day closer to death (jk lol..it's an "old" joke)

11. I'm old enough to realize that what someone thinks of me is none of my business.

12. Also old enough not to care too much what people think about me.

13. 36 isn't 46.

14. 36 isn't 21 (thankfully!)

15. I have learned to appreciate the different qualities in people.

16. I'm old enough to have ice cream for lunch if I want.

17. ...or dinner

18. With my new found memory lapses I never get tired of the same jokes.

19. Since my eyes are getting bad, I can't see the mess in my house as well as I used to.

20. ...or the scale...

21. My joints hurt when a storm is coming so I can predict the weather.

22. With all my gray hair, I get to experiment with new hair color every 5 weeks.

23. I am more patient than I was 15 years ago.

24. I love having "old" friends who I have been through a lot with.

25. The older I get, the more I appreciate my mom. (love you mom!)

26. With my new found memory lapse, I never get tired of the same jokes. (hee-hee)

27. I love my husband more each day.

28. I've learned to love learning new things.

29. The older I get, the better looking I am. (okay, I'm stretching)

30. I'm learning to enjoy the journey.

A long time ago I decided that the only thing that I could change about getting older was my attitude about it. I am now happy to get older because I know I am learning valuable life lessons. Sounds cheesy, I know, but it gets me through another birthday.

Name them one by one....

With all the chaos and mayhem in my home this week I decided to take a moment to count my blessings.

I am thankful for the extra time to spend with Brent. Life is moving so fast and this past year we seem to go in different directions with alternating pairs of children. So, unemployment has given me 24/7 access to the person I love and admire most in the world.

I am thankful to be married to my best friend.

We have been able to go to the temple twice this month.

I only have one sick kid right now.

My kids have wonderful friends who are good influences.

Since Brent is home, picking up Jared after school to get him to practice at the HS (while the little dude is sleeping) isn't a hard thing.

I am recognizing the Lord's hand in my life especially right now.

We have awesome friends and who mean so much to us and uplift me daily.

With daylight savings, Tyler and Jason are sleeping in until 10:00. (suh-weet!)

Jared finished the BOM for the first time this week. He is preparing for his Patriarchal Blessing and set a goal to have it read before he did it.

I feel like I have a lot of time on my hands during the day.

With Brent home, I can do hair during the day which frees up my evenings for family time.

I am thankful that things could be worse.

I will be 36 soon and am happy not to be 26.

I am thankful that time heals all wound.

I am thankful that my teenagers haven't done one thing that I (allegedly) did at their ages.

I am thankful for two little boys who drive me insane and who are the light of my life at the same time.

I am so thankful for my amazing daughter. She has a good head on her shoulders and makes good choices.

I am thankful for my sisters. I have spent some time talking to each of them this week and they are two of the strongest, kindest and beautiful (inside and out) women I know.

(I can't leave out my brothers) I am blessed with cool brothers. They always protected me as a little girl and now I turn to them for advice....they are awesome.

I have been blessed with wonderful parents. I think it is fun as an adult to get to know your parents in a new way. My dad has been gone nearly 10 years and I am proud of my mom for carrying on the best she knew how while losing him when she was 50.

Last, but not least, I am thankful for MC. She puts up with my craziness on a daily basis and she is patient with me with all my faults. She's a true friend who will call me on my crap (not that I need it very often... lol), listen to me cry, laugh with me and just help me get through the day.

I am very blessed, I am trying not to forget it. C.S. Lewis said, "When we lose one blessing, another is often unexpectedly given in its place." That is the biggest thing I have seen in my life this week.

YAY....

Try-outs are over and Jared made the High School baseball team! There games start next week and they have a tournament in Las Vegas at the end of the month. Good job Jared!

A woman's week at the gym

(a funny e-mail from my sister)
A WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM
This is dedicated to everyone who ever attempted to get
into a regular workout routine.

Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my Husband (the dear) purchased
a week of personal training at the local health club for
me.

Although I am still in great shape since being a high
school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it
would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.

I called the club and made my reservations with a personal
trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year
old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing
and swim wear.

My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get
started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to
chart my progress.

________________________________
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but
found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health
club to find Christo waiting for me. He is something of a
Greek god - with blond hair, dancing eyes and a dazzling
white smile. Woo Hoo!!

Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines. I
enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted
his aerobics class after my workout today.
Very inspiring!

Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my
gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time
he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week-!!

________________________________
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it
out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a
heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it!
My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made
the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile.
I feel GREAT-!! It's a whole new life for me.

_______________________________
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the
toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and
forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both
pectorals.
Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop.
I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.

Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams
bothered other club members. His voice is a little too
perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds,
he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.

My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put
me on the stair monster. Why the heck would anyone invent
a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by
elevators?
Christo told  me it would help me get in shape and enjoy
life.
He said some other crap too.

_______________________________
THURSDAY:
Butthole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth
exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full
snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late - it took
me that long to tie my shoes.

He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not
looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny
witch to find me.

Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine --
which I sank.
_________________________________
FRIDAY:
I hate that jerk Christo more than any human being has
ever hated any other human being in the history of the
world.
Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic little aerobic instructor.
If there was a part of my body I could move without
unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.

Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any
triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't
hand me the darn barbells or anything that weighs more
than a sandwich.

The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and
nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone
softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?

________________________________
SATURDAY:
Satan left a message on my answering machine in his
grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up
today.
Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine
with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even
use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight
hours of the Weather Channel.

________________________________
SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services
today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over.
I will also pray that next year my husband will
choose a gift for me that is fun -- like a root
canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted
me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor
with diamonds!!!

am I the only one?

Sometimes I wonder ...am I the only one?

Am I the only one who:

-wonders why they fight their kids in sacrament meeting?
-wonders why they even came to church for the fight?
-is happy to drop said kids to primary/nursery?
-gets home from church and really needs a nap?
-naps too long but hurries to make dinner to not be late for the fireside?
-doesn't want to go to a fireside on sunday night?
-was soooo glad I went to said fireside.

-doesn't want to get out of bed monday morning.
-considers a shower "optional"?
-only wears make-up if it's "mandatory"?
-doesn't make my bed because really, what if I want a nap?
-wants ice cream 24/7?
-hates to do dishes?
-likes my kids music?
-blogs instead of getting my son out of his sister's "stuff"?
-loves 4 kids more than she ever knew was possible?
-(especially one of them ssshhh!!!)
(my kids all think they are the favorite)
-loves to serve left-overs for dinner?
-hates to eat left-overs for dinner?
-would rather skip dinner and have ice cream? (seriously, it's probably the same amount in calories right?)
-finds irony interesting?
-wonders at night what I could have done to be more productive that day?
-swears tomorrow will be different?
-tomorrow is never different?
-would rather watch iCarly than most other tv shows?
-loves a mischievous twinkle in little kids eyes?
-enjoys sarcastic banter with my teenagers?

Seems I could go on forever but I'll stop now....is it just me?

Tyler's Valentines Day

Since Tyler has been off-track he hasn't been gearing up for Valentines Day like they do when they are in school. They are doing a party when they return to school next week so I had to remember to buy Valentines before it was too late. Today, we go in the spirit of the day by filling out valentine cards for his neighborhood friends. We waited until it was dark to go drop them on the doorsteps of his friends. He had fun ringing the doorbell and Jared and Katelyn were nice to help him "ring and run". On the last house, in Tyler's excitement, he rang the bell and ran to hide when he soon realized that he forgot to leave the valentine on the step. His horrified look on his face was priceless :). We had to wait for the neighbor to close the door so we could start over. I hope they weren't too annoyed. Tyler loves his friends. He was so excited to do Valentines! He made the list all by himself. I feel so blessed to have so many wonderful friends in our neighborhood. Thanks to all the mom's who are trying like I am to raise good kids. They are an amazing bunch of boys and girls.

Happy Valentines Day! I love all my friends too! So many of you get me through the days and weeks and you might not even know it. Life has been a little rough for me lately and I appreciate all the smiles and phone calls more than I could ever express. Thank you thank you with all my heart.

Valentines Day

I am lucky enough to be married to my best friend. I also am not a huge fan of Valentines Day, mostly because for many years I set myself up for disappointment. You ladies know what I mean, you envision a perfect evening where a limo driver hands you a mysterious note and whisks you away to a surprise location where you have a romantic evening (kid free) where your spouse has prepared a list of all the things he loves and appreciates about you with 10 dozen roses (ha ha) and and exquisite room where you make beautiful "music" and fall asleep in each others arms...blah...blah...blah.... Has this happened to you...I don't think so.

Reality is, we are moms. We can't even close the bathroom door. Let alone leave for an evening! Years of wisdom has taught me to lower the bar. Not in a bad way, just in a way so I focus on what is important. My husband.

Every day my sweetheart shows me he loves me by doing whatever he can to ease my burdens. He has been "called up" to take on my role many times. Like when I had liver surgery and was out of commission for many many months, or the pesky pulmonary embolism that nearly kicked my tail...unfortunately I could go on and on. But the point is, whenever I need him, he is there. And don't tell him I said this but he is better at my job than I am. There is never a doubt in my mind that he loves me. It is not exaggerating to say that every day out of the year he shows me in his own way how much he loves me. The trick was figuring out what that meant. He works hard for our family. I mean physically exhausting hard. He always puts my needs above his, and the needs of our kids. I have to be careful that I look out for him because he doesn't. He is the most unselfish person I know.

I am glad we have a day out of the year to celebrate love. I love Brent Barton. He is amazing!

So, maybe he's not a romantic.....I've realized that I don't need that. I need a partner and that is what I have in Brent. Someone to shoulder my burdens. Someone who cooks dinner when I don't feel like it, who will do laundry if I need, and takes an active role in car pool duties. All-in-all, I am I lucky woman.

I hope everyone has a great Valentines Day and is as luck as I feel.

A conversation

A conversation with my 2 year old......

Mom hears two year old crying in bed...
mom says, " what's wrong?"
2 year old says, " my hand slapped my face!"
mom says, "why did you hand slap your face?"
2 year old says, " I don't know"
....mom is speechless.
...good thing he's cute.

Ready for spring

Am I the only one dying to open the windows and air out the house, send the kids out to play in the back yard, tired of runny noses and cabin fever?!?!?!?!

What is it about the Spring that makes people feel good? Usually spring comes early for us because we head to St. George for a baseball tourny in Feb. This year is different. Jared is trying out for High School baseball and we have no St. George plans...(sigh)

....I will just start thinking warm thoughts.....

...my bare lady?

uh..uh...bridges falling down, falling down, falling down falling down falling down.....
uh...uh the sky is falling down, falling down, falling down, falling down
uh..uh...uh...bridges falling down falling down....my bare lady!!!

Jason learned a new song at nursery this week... we love it!

I blame his dad....

I walked into Jason's room to get him up for the day and he proudly shows me his arrangement of animals and HSM pillow. Really, he only has one sister but it is enough to bring out his "girly" side. (sigh) At least I have seen him take down Tyler, so I know he has it in him....

Once upon a time...

Once upon a time there was an amazing sister named Kay Kay. She was always kind to her little brothers. She loved to read to them almost as much as they loved to hear her read. The End :)

Christmas jammies

Every year my mom makes pajamas for all of the grand kids for Christmas. This year all the kids were here except 3 (1 newborn, 2 out of town) I always love getting together on Christmas Eve with our family. We feel so blessed to have family close by that we like to spend time with. :)

Someday I might blog about Christmas....we had a great one!

Build a fotrune.....I mean a Bear

Tyler got an Alvin, from yeah, the chipmunks. It has a cute sound that sings a song...love it!
Jason was a little scared of the blower....thank Heaven for Katelyn!
Jason loves the girls...
Baths for all the animals I will allow in my home.

Jason is filling up his horse. (which didn't make the pics I guess)
I only wish I thought of this! Luckily my boys like the animals more than accessories or it would have exceeded our gift cards.
Thanks to Aunt Cheryl (Brent's sis) for $100 in gift cards to Build a Bear! The kids had a blast. They got a little car too that fits the animals. It was a fun day.