homemade croquet

I have lots of other pictures to post, but I just don't have the stamina for that kind of blogging tonight. I have a sick toddler who has thrown up a dozen times (and has had at least that many runny diapers) in the past 24 hours. I've spent my day cleaning carpets, washing bedding and giving cool baths to a really warm baby. Luckily his temperature was down to 101 before he went to sleep tonight. Anyway--

Family Home Evening wasn't very exciting... until we came up with our own version of indoor/homemade croquet. We made a course out of butter knives, each decorated our own tennis balls with markers and used spoons as mallets. It was a huge hit!

(yes, my ball has red hearts all over it. Someone needs to represent the girls in this house.)

Simon wasn't a good sport. For starters, he wasn't feeling well.... he just ruined the course and kept throwing our balls-- so he had to go to bed without any dessert (which was a good thing because he would have chucked it up later anyway.)

happy father's day

We made breakfast in bed for Aaron today... he opened presents at 7 AM. A new wallet, a couple of dress shirts and ties, new boxers for playing sports, several cards, a homemade statue of Chewbacca... you know, the usual.

We had a nice family dinner and pulled out our champagne glasses and toasted to the best Dad in the world with cold sparkling cider. Then we went around the table and each said something we loved about Aaron. Ben said he's grateful for Daddy because he wouldn't be alive without him... and that he works hard so our family can spend money. Luke said he loves playing soccer with Dad and he's grateful that he fixes everything around the house. Zack said he loves Daddy because he knows Daddy loves him. When I asked how he knew Dad loved him he responded ever so sassy, "Because he's told me like 5 times!" I told the kids that without Daddy around I would be a lonely librarian-- without a home of my own or children to call me Mommy. There is no doubt in my mind that I wouldn't be married if he didn't make me do it. Everything in my life that brings me happiness and joy is because of him. I am so grateful to have chosen a man who is such a great father.

My husband was raised by a great man who is passionate about everything he does. I love my father-in-law very much and I am so grateful for the example he was/is to my husband. My own dad is one of the most selfless, smartest, stable men I've ever known. He has always been there for me and I count myself very lucky to be one of his ten children. My little family is so very blessed to have the men in our lives that we do. Happy Father's Day.

sad the weekend is almost over.

recipe for a perfect Saturday...

• wake up next to your handsome husband in a fancy hotel without any kids.
• eat a yummy breakfast.
• take a long walk around a beautiful lake.
• end up at the hotel fitness room to see who can bench press more weight.
• swim a few laps at the fancy pool (the same place you were last night, until they kicked you out because it closed.)
• lay out by the pool and feel grateful that the crying children nearby aren't yours.
• shower and take all the time you want to get ready for the day.
• check out of your hotel.
• pick up cafe rio for the family who watched your kids last night.
• say hi to the boys who didn't miss you one bit.
  
• eat yummy food with great friends.. it means so much when you don't live by family!!
• take the kids home.
• feel grateful you washed all the sheets and cleaned the house before you left.
• put the crazy toddler down for a nap.
• read the first chapter of "Wind in the Willows" to the older boys (while they rotate giving you a foot rub.)
• take a 3 hour nap. yes, 3 solid hours!
• go shopping for Father's Day.
• Get ready for Sunday...

Coming soon: pictures of our adventure to the Circus & the romantic getaway Aaron and I had at THIS resort in Lake Las Vegas. it was just what the doctor ordered. I love anniversaries!

happy 11th to us.

I can't believe I had time to post a gazillion anniversary blog entries last year. I can't even sit down to write a few simple lines this year. That's what pregnancy has done to me... and the fact that last year I had a sister living with me who was a HUGE help... and the fact that I spend 99% of my day chasing a busy, messy toddler.

Anyway, today Aaron and I celebrate 11 years of marriage. Last night we stayed up late talking about the night before our wedding and how nothing was going how I wanted it to go. The next morning, June 16, 2000 we woke up too early (5 am) to be the stars in our own wedding. Looking back, there are so many things I would have done differently, but it was a beautiful day. And the only thing that really mattered was that we made it to the temple and that we were surrounded by all our loved ones.

Just before our year anniversary, we took a trip to California (to visit my friend Karlin) and stopped in Vegas for a couple of nights. It was bloody hot and I was 8 months preggo. As we walked around the strip I remember asking why ANYONE in their right mind would live in such a city. Here we are, 10 years later, living the dream.

Today Aaron went to work without breakfast. I didn't pack him a lunch either, but was sweet enough to print him off a coupon for Quiznos. Simon was running around naked because he can't seem to keep clothes on anymore. I spent the morning cleaning my cluttered house, wiping up dog puke, reading to my kids, trying to keep a 1 year old out of the toilet, out of my makeup bag and away from the dog food, washing and folding laundry, vacuuming, dusting filthy blinds, and changing a few diapers.... oh and I fed my kids too.

I was exhausted by lunch time and sat down with the boys to eat. Ben was having a turkey sandwich on a hot dog bun. Luke was eating a sloppy joe. Zack had a bean burrito. Simon ate a couple of hot dogs without the buns. And I had a salad with yummy grilled chicken that Aaron made earlier in the week. It just made me laugh sitting with all these boys, everyone eating something different. I wondered if I would have believed THIS was my life if someone would have shown me a glimpse 11 years ago. Sometimes I don't even believe it when I am living it every day. Time goes by so fast. And yet, it seems like I've been wiping bums forever.

It's now 5 pm. I was able to shower and dry my hair this afternoon, which is an anniversary miracle. The boys are dressed in cute matching clothes and are excited about going to the circus. About an hour ago, Simon took off his diaper and pooped on the floor. It was creamy and such a treat to clean up. But it's clean now and we are ready to head out the door and meet Daddy for a fun night out on the town. It's going to be bloody hot, I am sure. But we'll be together-- something that makes us all happy and that's all that really matters.

If I was on the ball, I would upload pictures of our wedding day- or our trip to Vegas when I was pregnant with Ben- or least of all- a shot of the creamy poop smashed in the carpet. But I am not on the ball. Not today. Today I am just grateful to have survived thus far... grateful to be a mom to four handsome, busy boys...grateful to be expecting a baby girl who, I am sure, will make our lives even more chaotic when she arrives... grateful to have married the man I did 11 years ago. None of this would be worth it without him by my side.

Now if only he would hurry home and take us away from all our troubles!!

mother dear, I love you so.

My mom celebrated her birthday in Chile today. It's hard to know what to get your mom when she's so far away. We decided instead of buying her any gifts (which we wouldn't want to send overseas anyway) as her children, we would SERVE someone in her honor on her birthday. If there is anything my mother is a great example of, it's service. She is always thinking of something she can do for someone, always putting others needs before her own. Today she spent her entire birthday as a missionary in a foreign land-- and she said it was a perfect day. Of course she would say that.

We were able to talk to her for a minute before she fell asleep and we told her about the nice things we did for our neighbors today, although none of them were life-changing acts. My mom never spent tons of money on others. She wasn't usually making goodies and delivering them (although her bread was famous in the neighborhood). Instead she taught us, by example, that it's the little things that matter. She doesn't have a long list of talents that could be performed on a stage, but she is the best listener. She doesn't judge or criticize. She is always there for you when you need her, giving of her TIME, which is the hardest thing to sacrifice. She is the most uplifting, faithful, encouraging, strong, hardworking, fearless woman I know. I am so proud to call her mom.
This picture might not mean anything to you, but it's dear to my heart. On the day of her mission farewell, my little family said our goodbyes right after church. Everyone was in the house mingling & eating and Bev was no where to be found. It took me a minute to realize that Simon was also missing. I looked outside in their driveway and found both of them in my car. While Grandma Bev was giving Simon his last few kisses, she noticed his diaper was smelling ripe. Instead of handing him off to anyone else or even telling me that it was time for a change, she headed straight out to my car, found my diaper bag and changed him herself. This is SO typical of my mom. Had I not caught her with poopy wipes in her hand, no one would have ever known! She is quietly serving behind the scenes and never expects any credit for any good she does. And she is always doing so.much.good.

This picture I love too, although I can't remember what was so funny. Our last conversations with her weren't teary in the least. We were laughing and hugging and wishing each other the best of luck. She is SO HAPPY to be where she is doing what she's doing... that is also very typical of my mom. She lives in the present and is genuinely HAPPY to be exactly where she is, no matter the circumstances. I hope I can grow up and be just like her someday.

The kids drew birthday pictures today and we emailed them to her. I thought I would include them on our blog for family history's sake... We're thinking of you today, Grandma Bevie! Work hard, be safe and never forget how much we love you!