couple more random birthday shots

*i think i might need a new camera, mine is often fuzzy for some reason

just like one of the big girls :)

Party Fun!

This morning the kids all woke up early, in fact E was so excited for the big birthday that he opted to sleep in a sleeping bag in the girls room so he wouldn't miss any fun.
They came to my room early and H got to open some cards that have come in the mail the last few days. She was very excited and happy to receive each one.

Then I started breakfast. While I was cooking there was a knock at the door and her surprise was here! Rebecca and I threw a surprise party for H and Sara (who share the exact same birthday!). Both girls were completely surprised and happy.

We ate pancakes and bacon and then the girls had a craft to do. We had wooden initials for them to paint. They worked on those for awhile and they turned out cute :)

After that we went swimming. I was worried because a big storm came through last night and it was raining and the temp dropped quite a bit but the girls still braved the water.
After swimming we had cake and ice cream and they played Wii or finished their letters.

Around 11:30ish the sun came back out so we headed back to the pool for some more water fun!

Now all the girls are gone and we're going to go to the museum (H's original plan before she knew about the party) and tonight H gets to go on a date with DH and I. She is very excited.

H's 9th Birthday!

August 15th

This cute two year old (on her birthday 7 years ago) is now a sweet 9 year old!! Happy Birthday Muffin!

YW Fashion Show

This morning the girls met at the church at 8:30. They went to the thrift store where everything is 25cents on Wednesday's before 1 and each spent a dollar twenty five. Then they went back to the church where they put on a fashion show for the moms and we had a pot luck.
It was a lot of fun.
While I was there with the big girls E was playing at Eli and Logan's and Lu and H were at Austin and Amanda's.
When we were done with YW I got Lu and we went to Target and Kohls where J got some good deals on back to school stuff.
I also went and got an application to substitute this fall. I am hoping to work 2 days a week. Lu is the only one not in school full time and I think I have something worked out with a couple of my good friends who also want to work very part time. We can switch kids each week and everyone benefits. Hope it works out.

Olypmics

We love this guy! Wow, he's amazing in the water! (not super articulate but with abs like that who cares?)

We've been staying up late to watch the Olympics and it's been so fun. I love to see our flag raised in victory. I was more than slightly annoyed to see that the Chinese passed us in the overall medal count for the games so far...although I am hopeful that we'll pass them once again.

I think I am not the only one with Olympic hang over in the morning though, DH is leaving the house with a big yawn each morning and today I was up early (before 8~ I know, how lazy is that, our back to school schedule is going to be killer) and waited until 8:30 to make a couple phone calls I needed to make (that's a polite time right?) and I woke up two friends in a row. (which frankly made me feel much better about myself :) )

The blistery heat is gone, we've only been in the high 90's the last couple days. Is this the end of 100* for the summer? That would be strange.

FYI still fighting the phone company.

phones and medals and surfers

Silly Surfers and Sherbet Shorts

Things here are fine. We've been watching the Olympics every day. Very fun, very amazing the things those athletes can do ! I can't imagine.

Speaking of athletes my brother ran his first triathlon this past weekend. Whoo Hoo! I need to stop being a slacker and do something.

J has been on vacation with Em this last week. Every time I call she's busy having fun and sends a text that she'll tell me all about it when she comes home. Which is fine, I am glad she's having fun. Luckily for me Caroline is there and has taken the time to blog a bit about it. Click on the pictures title to read her very funny story about their last day :)

Speaking of texting, we have been fighting with our cell phone company the very retarded, never able to get a bill right to save their lives and trying to squeeze every penny out of you nameless company S-----. At the beginning of June I went to one of their stores with J to get her a cell phone. The reason I went in person was because I didn't trust them to get it right over the phone. We spent a good hour talking to them and making sure that our bill would be as we understood it and that she would have unlimited texting. She's a teenager. Nuff said. Today I found out our bill is $1800+ and it's all in texting charges on her phone. What!?!. So I've been talking to four (so far) supervisors trying to get it taken care of. That is absurd. What parent would allow that? or pay that? I hate S-----!

Aug 1999

There hasn't been a lot to blog about lately. We sleep in late, get up and eat breakfast, clean, swim, run errands.

This weekend DH and I went to the temple and got stuck in a traffic jam on the way home but had a nice chat and a fun date despite the fact that he picked Spring Creek for dinner...a place I loathe.

I feel lucky because things are going smoothly for us right now. The kids are well and enjoying summer. DH is employed. We can afford food and gas, even if it hurts a little. (hope these aren't famous last words)

I know many people with many struggles of various natures. Even in my own family, if not in my own house at this moment. I know this is part of Heavenly Father's plan. We each chose to come to mortality knowing that everything wouldn't go as we hope all the time. Yet we are blessed to be here and will be greatly blessed if we remain faithful in times of trial and in times of ease.

Our Sunday School lesson today was about the plan of happiness. We read about Alma as he counseled with his son Corianton about repenting, the importance of justice and mercy and the reason's why there are consequences for our choices. The kids participated really well and had a lot of questions. As it often does the conversation turned to the great blessing of the atonement and the absolute need we each have for the Savior. Even though they are young these kids get it. They know that happiness comes from obedience and that they are lucky beyond measure. They worry about the future but I think they are hopeful. It is really a blessing to me to meet with them and teach and talk with them.

We are really blessed in our ward with so many awesome families that love each other and look out for each other. My heart has been full lately as I have watched families I love struggle and have tried to help in some small ways~ whether that's by bringing in a meal, lending a listening ear, tending some one's kids, or providing a fun place to swim as an escape for a short time...I wish I could do more. I am very glad to know that my hands join those of many, many others as we work together to lighten each others burdens. And I am grateful for the times that mine have been lifted or lightened by the loving care of others.

Anyway, thoughts for a Sunday afternoon I guess.

And a flash back to summer 99. Anna and Maureen and my family had come to visit for our sealing and H's birth. The girls loved to dance together often but especially with Anna and Maureen teaching them some cool moves. What fun and how little they were!

pictures and post completely unrelated

This picture cracks me up. We might need to crop it. It looks like she's going to splat. And she did.
Last night was HFPE. It was really nice. The evening was focused on the Savior and the service He gave and still gives. We also talked about how we can serve. It was very wonderful. Angela made a beautiful slide show and we had a wonderful round table discussion.
DH was supposed to be home at 7 to tend the kiddos. He ended up needing to work late and thought he'd be home a little after so I asked S to keep them so I could leave on time. I ended up beating him home and S was late to a movie but made it at the last minute. While I was driving home, around 9, S called to see where I was and told me she was still watching the kids. We talked while I drove home and I got to asking her what everyone was doing. She said E was on the computer and G and H were watching TV. Then she must have walked in to look at them and said that Lu had fallen asleep. I asked if she was in her nighttime diaper? No. S didn't think she'd fall asleep. Well I was not very happy about that and told her if she peed my bed I'd be really mad.
I got home a few minutes later and S took off to the show and I went to check the kids and move Lu to her bed. When I lifted her I saw that there was a diaper under her cute little green flowery nightgown so I asked H who put it there.
H told me she did. Lu was sleepy so she had her get a diaper and got it on her while they were watching TV, just in case. H then told me that Lu was sooo cute and fell asleep.
I was really happy and proud of H. She's really growing up and has gotten very helpful and responsible, especially when it comes to helping her little sister.


Today Friday swim was at the Petty's. They have a great waterfall down one whole side of their pool and it's perfect for jumping off of :)

H's work

For activity days today they had a photography class. H took my camera and took a lot of shots. Some of them were pretty fun.
It's fun to see her perspective on life.

G*rls N*ght

We went out to dinner and then to see Mamma Mia and then to Robin's for ice cream!

It was very fun, even though I didn't love the movie.
Other than the lewd parts, and the sad parts, and PB horrible singing, and MS annoying acting I liked it but it is not on my must see again list.

I did have a very fun time out with my friends though :)

( a few of whom snuck out before the photo op)

breaking dawn

Yesterday was a normal day.

We swam in the morning w/ some friends.

Karlee and Mason came over to play. The kids had a good time. They made up plays (here they are studying the script), swam, and we went to McD for ice cream. Very fun.

We cleaned up.

We swam some more in the evening.



Today was a different story. J finished "Breaking Dawn" and even though S was officially next on the list she gave it to me in the evening because she was "taking a break". J didn't like it and S was having a hard time getting into it. I LOVED it!! It was my favorite of the four. I was worried. I didn't trust Stephenie Meyer to end it happily, mainly because I could not think of a happy ending. I was prepared to hate it, hate her and write nasty hate mail (just kidding) about the last part.
The book started strong, with an event I was worried would never get in...and it just got better and better with surprises and happy endings for all. Whew! I was so glad. I always liked Bella, I know not everyone did, and she totally proved herself :)

This is what my smart cousin Sarah says about the book:
"I love that these books are clean . . . a few unnecessary swear words and a few references to married relations (but no pre-marital relations!) I still think this series is best for girls over 18, but you all know what a prude I am about books. I am proud that Stephenie Meyer claims her education from my Alma mater, BYU. Damian and she were in a ward (congregation) together their freshmen year. I am so proud of the way she's written these books, full of her values and morals. She has taught wonderful lessons to the world. I've never read another Vampire book and probably never will. To me, these books are about the MESSAGE and the characters are secondary. The messages are:


Good Always Conquers Evil, in the End
Love Triumphs Over All and is Eternal
FAMILY is the Most Important Thing There Is
Sacrificing for Those you Love Makes all Things Better
You CAN Control your Weaknesses and
NOT Give into Temptation
It is Worth it to WAIT for the Best Things in Life
There IS Life after Death and Justice and Mercy for All "
and I agree.

I don't like scary stories either, and never read any vampire books, nor do I see my self reading another but I am glad I read these. I love the characters and the message and that you can be good no matter what your circumstances. (if a vampire can do anyone can ;) )

Sadly my kids spent the day watching TV. I could not put it down. Luckily that doesn't happen too often.

commercials

Sometimes I love commercials, if they are clever. I saw this one this weekend and loved it. Also saw the new coke one with a football game that was a past/ present kind of a thing. Loved it.

Do you remember the Breakfast Club? I loved that movie. I loved MollyR, when I was telling J about her some weeks ago she never had heard of her....crazy!

query...survey says

if you have a redbox movie out and have to return it on a Sunday is it breaking the Sabbath?

Or do you pay an extra $ to keep it until Monday?

good finds, good times

Today the kids had birthday parties to attend. We had two and poor E was conflicted because he was invited to both and wanted to go to both and they were at the exact same time. Finally I decided that he would go to M's and H would go to Zach's. I think both kids were happy with the arrangement. M had a mad scientist party and brother had a great time. Z had a bowling party and H got a strike. Both boys got a copy of "How to Train Your Dragon" which we love and are reading book two "How to Be a Pirate" out loud right now and a big bag of M&M's. The perfect reading snack.While they were there J and G and I went shopping. Our first stop was Goodwill where we were thrilled to find several great things. J got this cool jacket, very fun, and a Chinese robe. I got some things too. Love Goodwill :)
Then we went to Wal mart for school supplies. Our list is long and is killer so I try and start early. They had some good deals. Notebooks are 5 cents right now, crayons are 22 cents. Even still I have spent a good $100+ already and still have more items on the list. The other day we were backpack shopping and I called MSV and she was doing the exact same thing. Which I thought was so fun. I wish we were doing it together. They start school a week before us.

Last night DH and I went on a date. We went to RedLobster mainly because on the Next Food Network Star they had a competition and RedLobster took the winning dish and put it on their menu for a limited time and I wanted to try it before it was gone. It was macadamia crusted talapia with a white chocolate sauce. I liked it, probably wouldn't order it again but enjoyed it the once and was glad we went.
Next we went to the dollar show and saw "Prince Caspian". I liked it a lot. For a while in the middle I was wondering if I would. I don't really like epic battles where the forces of evil are so overwhelming it seems impossible that good can prevail. It's sad and troublesome to me. (too many parallels to real life I guess). However, thanks to divine intervention and the very forces of nature rallying to the side of good it ended happily. Hopefully that's how it is in real life too. DH and I had a good talk about good and evil and peoples relationships with Deity on the way home.

DH went to karate today where he had the sad news that last week, while sparring, he broke his friends arm. He feels horrible of course. Karate is I think a high risk activity but still it's too bad when accidents happen.
I don't know what will change now, if anything.

Lastly, got a copy of "Breaking Dawn" today!! We barely got in the door when J went running off with it and S went chasing after her. I'll be lucky to see it by the middle of next week!

tidbits discussed in the car

We were driving to Friday Swim day this morning and E asked me "why don't Americans like to go to war?"
Which caught me off guard, I was trying to figure out where he was coming from so I could answer with out making it a lecture. Finally after some conversation on the topic we determined that while we are peaceful and love peace we also love freedom and sometimes we have to fight for that. I think our country is one of the few that actually goes out of it's way to defend the freedoms and liberties of other nations as well. He seemed satisfied with that.

Then H piped up and said "Obama is pleading with Iran to be nice; it's one of the few good things he's doing." QUOTE
I asked her how she knew that and she said she watched it on line.
With Daddy??
No, by myself I like to watch stuff on line.
okey dokey....what else did you hear him talk about?
well, he wants to raise taxes so he can take money from people with jobs and give it to people who are too lazy to work.

Then we arrived at Gretchen's and they all hopped out of the car and ran for the pool so I didn't get to hear more.

Interesting perspective. Completely not coached by me, although she does hear her dad talk politics so I am sure she had some kind of mental context to put it in.

Maybe we have a future politician on our hands...or maybe all almost 9 year olds like to listen to presidential campaign speeches.

ZZZzzzz

When I was a teenager I was really busy and thought I didn't get enough sleep (pause to let everyone laugh at me)
The truth was I could sleep as much as I wanted. Sure there was seminary,school and homework and a job and dates but come on. Teens and sleep are good friends. Having mothered teens I see how it is with different eyes. They stay up SUPER LATE, sleep all day and then complain about lack of sleep. If I wake J up before noon she is indignant. Sometimes I let her sleep, sometimes we have things to do. During the school year especially the girls really do start running on low in the sleep department. Early morning seminary~ while a HUGE blessing and a wonderful thing is early in the morning and hard to get to. And honors homework takes forever. Knowing this I lean toward the indulgent side in the good ol summertime.
while being mindful of godly council:
“cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.” (D&C 88:124.)
which, true confession time, we struggle with a bit in this house. We have some night owls in the family and with the invention of electricity it's made it exceedingly easy to stay up too late.

add that to the mental list of things to feel guilty about.

back to the point: what I actually meant to say and got distracted in the preamble is that this summer I am able to sleep. For the first time.
When Dani was a baby she never slept and always cried. It was a nightmare. I was so tired. I was exhausted. I thought I'd never think straight again (the juries still out on that one). One time I was sooo tired that I put her in her car seat and forgot to buckle it to the seat, completely forgot (this was before the invented the cool stay in the car bases they have now). We stopped at a stop sign and she went sliding forward into my seat. Oh I felt soo awful. She was fine, luckily we were in a residential area and going slowly, but I was shocked and cried and thought I should never drive with her in the car and risk her little life.
Slowly things got better but with babies and nighttime nursing and being blessed with kids who didn't sleep through the night for the longest time I was chronically tired. Only moms and medical students know this kind of tired.
They were also chickens, waking at the crack of dawn. Some still are.
This summer though they are sleeping in a bit, probably because bed time has slid to the right several hours and swimming wears them out. Sometimes they don't wake up until 7:30 or 8:30am. This is shocking for me. And when they do wake up they come lay in bed and turn on Dora instead of being instantly hungry. SHHHhh don't tell anyone but there have been days when we don't get started until 9. I know, it's so indulgent it's probably a sin.

This morning, for the first time ever, I felt sorry for DH (about having to get up). His alarm went off at 6ish and I knew he was tired and has been getting up early for work, and I felt bad. Poor guy. He's one of the night owls and has a hard time getting to sleep early and waking up early is always hard for him. During the school year we're normally up before him and historically he's been a "selfish sleeper :)" Who gets up in the night with babies? Me. Who gets up early with kids? Me. Who has to wake up and take kids back to their beds? Me. Who complains about it? Him. Who takes the Sunday afternoon nap? Usually him. Has this been a problem? Not really. I have been mad from time to time but usually it's been okay. I knew my day would come and this summer it is here. I am sleeping. All night (often) and in the morning long enough to feel guilty about it.

We have three weeks of summer left. about. And before that we'll have to switch to our normal schedules but it's been nice this season of sleeping.

Trot down memory lane

Halloween 1980. Lana and I were Olympic Equestrians. Did we go trick or treating? or to a ward party? I don't know. ( do you see a theme~ the whole please stop reminiscing about the past because you don't remember anything very well theme?)
I do remember that Joyce had given Sharon some old church jackets of Mark's for Adam. Lana and I went through the pockets and found a comb, which we assumed belonged to Mark. So I kept it, having the biggest crush in the world on him. We wore the jackets, which I also thought was so fabulous.
We LOVED horses and both desperately wanted one. We read books about them and drew pictures of them and from time to time would walk down to the feed store and buy assorted pieces of tack and hoof picks and what not in preparation for the day when we might one day have horses. We subscribed to Horse World and Horse and Rider and pasted posters of horses around our room.
Then one day the Dustins decided to get Lana a horse. I was SO jealous. I helped her shop for one. We visited lots of backyards and looked at lots of horses. Finally she settled on Goldie, who had belonged to Meredith __________ what was her last name? It's right on the edge of my brain??? Her family had moved into our ward not too long before this time and she was our friend. So Lana joined FFA and had Goldie. I still had my magazines, pathetic. Lana tried to share but we both knew the world was horribly unjust and that I should have a horse of my own.

I was lucky because Carol Markham had a pony named Velvet. They lived right next door to the place where Lana stabled Goldie. Carol didn't like horses and so some times in the summer we'd trade. I would take care of her and I could also ride her. Riding our bikes over to the stables (or walking) early in the morning to feed, water, brush and curry the horses was one of my favorite things. After they were taken care of we'd saddle up and go riding in the desert. Some times we'd ride into "town" and through the drive through of Nauglass for hot fudge sundaes. Sometimes we'd just ride around in circles. Sometimes when we were feeling nice we'd ride to one of our houses and take the kids for rides in the street.
I wonder if we have any pictures of Goldie and Velvet?
I loved to baby sit Velvet and am grateful for that chance. However I always wanted a horse not a stubborn pony and I wanted one full time.

...I'm over it now, barely.

Ward Christmas party.
The nativity scene. I was an angel. Alec is a shepard. I can't really see the people but I would bet that Brian Volmer is the other shepard and maybe Matt Banfield. The other angel is probably Carol Markham and I think Lana is Mary, Alan Markham is Joseph and Adam and Stan and someone are the wise men. I'm just guessing.
End of story.

....maybe I should have grown up in Alaska ;)

My cousin Sarah often does flash back posts to her childhood in Alaska. I love them. I love her big glasses and her big hair and her fun stories. Some day I'd like to visit Alaska, I would never want to live there, however, too cold.

Anyway I was inspired. Sadly I have no pictures of myself when I was growing up. Not quite literally none but pretty darn close. All the pictures I do have I got from my friend Adam so they are all of times when I was with his family. Which is great. Anna has mom's old photos and I believe she is making a project of scanning them in. Maybe she'll send me some interesting ones some time.

So, here's one of us kids in the Ferrari's front yard, with Bro Ferrari in the middle. I don't know why we were there. (great story so far, huh?) Alec and I are the ones in the matching sailor outfits. That was a favorite theme of mom's since we see it repeated many times through the years. I still keep in touch with several of the people in the pictures. Lana and Adam are in there, as are Kathryn and Stan and Tracey Brown. We all lived a few blocks from each other and would play outside together in the streets and in the desert near our homes. We also walked to school together each day. Our house was the farthest away from the school so we'd start out alone and as we walked by each house or corner we'd add more friends along the way. The corner of Jenner and Lorimer was half way between my house and Lana's. We often met there to talk. I remember sitting on the curb and laughing. I also remember running down there to meet and talk if anything important happened. I remember the last time we ever did. Lana was back home from Ricks and she called me to meet on the corner. It was snowing (which was unusual) and we had a good walk and talk. I guess we outgrew the corner after that.

I also remember that Sis. Ferrari's kitchen window faced out and she could look down her driveway and all the way to my house. She always knew what we were up to, always. I didn't love that as a teen and wondered what she was doing at her kitchen sink in the middle of the night :)