Playing Catch-Up

Heather has been pestering me for new pictures. What can I say, life is busy. I keep thinking, "Okay, this week is pretty full, but if I get through it, then next week should be a little more laid back." That doesn't seem to be happening. I'm enjoying it though, so no complaints. Here are a few of the things that have been keeping me from blogging.

1. Our friends Todd and Gina, who have been in Alabama for the last three years, came out to visit. We had fun hanging out with them whenever they could. We had a bunch of people over for the day, set up two Wii game systems, and just kind of went crazy. This is John doing the hula hoop on the Wii Fit game. I totally could have beat his record if I didn't have to stop because of all his cat calls when I started swinging my hips. It was totally a plot to take out the competition :)

2. Carston FINALLY started T-Ball. He has been looking forward to this for years. He is obsessed with baseball. I was the big nerd mom who took my camera and video camera to his practice. That's right, it wasn't his game, but his first practice :) John is his coach, so there is an added bonus of something fun to watch. If you haven't been to a T-Ball game, you are missing out. All the kids race to get the ball, form a big dog-pile, and then fight to be the one who throws it to first base. They all hit the ball, and then move a base with each hit. Carston was disappointed with that part because that means he can't hit a home run :) Everyone was so nice to come to his game. Oh yeah, when they were getting ready to go to practice, Carston asked John if they were going to be on TV :)














3. Carston turned 5! I feel so old. There is something about that age that just officially turns your little kid into simply a kid-with no little attached. He wanted a pirate party so that is what we did. John and I really got into planning the party. I went dumpster diving for the first time so I could get the boxes to make the boats. I told John I needed something to put the sand in (digging for chocolate coins) so he made a sandbox the night before the party. We are a little silly, but it was fun to do it. I guess I'm feeling creativity withdrawals since most of the projects in the house are done :) So, we dug for treasure, had cannonball fights, walked the plank,did pin the treasure chest on the "X", and had a treasure hunt with a pinata at the end. It was a pretty fun party. Much better than the last one I did (which was a total bust!)

How old is she?

Avery asked if she could play the Leapster, but I told her it was time to go to bed.
"Well, then I want to play it tomorrow."
"Tomorrow is Sunday, so you can't play tomorrow, you'll have to wait until Monday."
"Well, if you don't let me play the Leapster, then I'm not going to live here anymore."

She is TWO! Where did she even come up with that????

Graduation

Carston had his preschool graduation last night. It was so fun to watch him. I felt a little silly over how much I enjoyed watching his every move. He was very serious about the whole thing. He tried so hard not to laugh during the "Apples and Bananas" song even though he thought it was so funny! The best part though was the unique award that his teacher gave him. She thought of something special for each kid. Some got "Friendliest" or "Good Leader" or "Always Smiling" I laughed out loud when she read Carston's....."Overcoming Fears" It was totally perfect! The day before she had sent home a paper with two columns. One indicated their initial assessment when preschool started, and the other one was for what they knew now. All of Carston's for the initial assessment had a question mark because he wouldn't say ONE word to her when we went. So I guess he overcame his fear of talking to his teacher. He also went through a period where he didn't want to go to school because of the wind. So that would be fear number two. He also had to learn to go to preschool even if his cousin we carpooled with wasn't going. Number three. He also started out with a fear of not being able to write his letters exactly perfect, to the point where he would start to cry and give up (example being the lines on a "E" all had to be EXACTLY the same length). That would be number four. I'm sure there were plenty more, but those are the ones that come to mind. Carston is such a great kid. I love being his mom, and I am so proud of him for all that he has learned from preschool!

Am I really THAT old?

So this post is all about me. I got a new calling on Sunday. I was the Beehive Advisor for the last few months. When the Bishop said he wanted to meet with me, I thought I was so smart and I knew what calling he would give me. The 1st counselor is moving next month, so I figured that would be the new call. So anyway, he came over on Monday night, and when he said the call was about the Young Women's, I couldn't help but blurt out, "Oh, I totally called it!" with a big stupid grin on my face. He looked at me a little weird, and then he asked me if I would be the President. So of course I had to ask if he was joking. He was kind 0f nodding his head, so I thought he was playing a cruel joke. But he quickly realized what he was doing and shook his head no to indicate he was indeed serious. So now I have to ask, am I seriously THAT old? I really feel like I was in Young Women's just a few years ago. I guess I like to think of myself as a young newlywed, but apparently I've been living a fantasy. So yeah, I'm old and mature. And I felt like an imposter whenever I have to stand up and be in charge. Seriously, I still buy my clothes in the same section as all these girls. I might accidently show up for an activity with a matching outfit and completely traumatize some poor young woman who will be so embarrassed to be wearing the same thing as some OLD LADY!

On a more serious note, I am very humbled to have such a responsibility. I kind of broke down the first few days as I struggled to find counselors and thought about the great leaders who served before, and all these sweet girls for whom I am in some way responsible for. In Jacob 4:7 it says, "Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things." I know better than anyone else that by myself I am not capable of doing what is required of me. But I also know that if I do the things that will bring the Spirit into my life, and take my concerns to the Lord, and follow the directions I am given, he will magnify my efforts and miracles will happen. He has done it before. And it will serve as a further testimony to me of his power and his ability to work miracles regardless of how inadequate his servant is.

Big Girl

Macy is so stinking cute. She got her first tooth and her first ponytail on the same day. It is crazy how you can't wait for their hair to be long enough to stick a stupid rubber band in it. I love how she has started pointing at things and people, and I love the way she tries to make conversation with her little noises. I love how she always smells like food. Chelsey is always a little grossed out if she has a touch of food in her hair, but seriously Chelsey, do you see what I'm dealing with....at least four or five times a day? When I finally get her all cleaned up, it's just about time to feed her again! That is the story of motherhood (i.e. dishes, laundry, cleaning, cooking...as soon as you feel like you got on top of everything, it is ready to be done again). Anyway, she is so sweet. Yesterday when I got her up from her nap, she just hugged me and gave me loves for about five minutes. It was the best part of my day. I love being a mom.

It's Been Awhile

So it has been awhile since I've posted. I blame it all on my Ho (my sister Heather). She flew out here last minute and spent two weeks hanging out. It was so much fun. My heart always goes out to those sisterless people in the world. I try to tell myself that I won't get my hopes up that they'll move back here for residency, but who am I kidding. If they decide to go somewhere else, I will definitely gain 20 pounds from all the chocolate I'll need to console myself. Especially now that Chelsey is moving to Chicago with her soon-to-be HUSBAND (yep, she's officially engaged)!

Anyway, we all had lots of fun with Heather and her little Hallie. This was the first time that the kids have all been able to have fun playing with each other. Hallie especially enjoyed MAY-MEE (Macy). She would wake up saying her name. Avery also apparently taught Hallie to be a kitty, Heather said she crawls around at home now saying meow. Way to spread the World of Meow Avery (we always did encourage our kids to dream big).Grandpa being crazy at the Children's Museum! Everyone snuggling up in Avery's Toddler Bed

Heather and I were also able to go with my Grandma Janice to her line dancing class at the Senior Friendship Center. It was my favorite event of the week. It was fun to see my Grandma doing something that she enjoyed (and she was the best one there). She kept requesting the songs that were a quicker pace, and I have to admit that I was seriously concerned that the 80+ instructor was going to have a heart attack (apparently he just got out of surgery)! I just like really getting into people's lives and understanding them on a deeper level. And hey, after not being able to get into a dance class for several years, I can appreciate any opportunity. So thanks Grandma for inviting us. It's too bad I can't get to your yoga class!

Before Heather came, I was working on a project, and I really wanted to do a post about it because I was so proud (also because it had nothing to do with my kids!) When my mom was a little girl, my grandpa made this kitchen cabinet for her to play with. It was passed down to her kids when she had them, so I also played with it when I was little. To make a long story short, I came into possession of it just recently. I decided to refinish it and make it look nice for my girls to play with. I'm pretty proud of how it turned out, and I love the fact that it is a special heirloom that holds so many memories and love. So here are some before and after pictures.

We're nervous for her teenage years...

These are the latest treats that have come out of Avery's mouth:

But, I'm...but.......um.......But I'm awergic (allergic) to people!
(First thing she said when she woke up grumpy)

But I don't WANT to have a good day!
(What she told me when I asked her if she could please stop whining because she had been whiny the whole day)

Nine-Month Macy

Macy, you are adorable. You make me smile everyday. I have to laugh as I try to imagine the thoughts that go along with your behavior. You are obsessed with standing up. You go around the house and I imagine that you think, "hmmm..... what is this thing, I haven't stood up with it before, I better try it." You stand up with the bed, the couch, the piano, any decent-sized toy on the floor, the garbage can, the potted plants, the base of the kitchen table, the dresser, the sliding door, your siblings, the fridge, etc. It seems like you enjoy a good challenge, although it often leaves you in a precarious position. You're tough though.

You enjoy your brother and sister immensely. You already like to wrestle with them on the floor. I can't get you to give me cuddles on demand, but you are obsessed with giving Avery loves in the morning. You still follow them into whatever room they are in.

At least once a day, I think about how similar you are to a puppy. If I ever find that you have disappeared from view, I know right where to find you: in my bathroom getting into the garbage. It doesn't really matter if we try to block it off, that just becomes an added bonus of fun, a new obstacle to conquer. You also are slobbering very well. We'll say you're getting teeth, but who knows for sure. You like to eat paper. And chew on anything else you can find. I'm often cleaning up your bodily functions that didn't quite go where they were supposed to. And you are lovable, just like any puppy.

I like the way you smack your lips, your determination to succeed in whatever you are doing, the way you try to hide your smile, the way you raise your hand in greeting, how you always reach up and grab my face when you're eating, that your legs still twitch when you get excited, the way you nuzzle your head into me...I love you. I am grateful for every minute you are a part of my life. It brings me joy to be a witness of you.

A Lesson...

This is a lesson that you should always read things completely. Half of you saw the "April Fools" at the end of my post, and half of you missed it. I am NOT PREGNANT! But I am good. I am really good. I had everyone believing me: John, my mom, my sister.... Even after they had tried to pull one over on me. Anyway, I thought I better make it blatantly clear that I'm not pregnant before the news spreads too far!

And let me just say one more time-----I Rule.

For All You Doubters

I wasn't really ready to announce this to the world, but SOME people don't believe me (understandable considering the day), so my only solution was to post a picture of my test (since Iowa is far away). I know the second line is hard to see, but it is there. So there it is World. I am pregnant. I'm a little concerned about how close the kids will be in age, and whether I can make it through another pregnancy with my sanity intact, but I believe that things happen when they do for a reason. I am excited to have another baby. I like babies and enjoy children, I just really struggle through the pregnancy. And that means John and my kids struggle through it too. So I probably won't be out much now. I will plant myself on the couch with my saltines and Ginger Ale, plenty of books and movies, and be grateful for the medication that keeps the nausea and vomiting at a more manageable level.




April Fools