Uncle Jake and Megan and Ari

The kids are worn out from two full weeks of unlawful amounts of playtime with Uncle Jake (on military leave for those of you who don't know that already) and Megan (his girly-friend). Pokes, pinches and tickles were handed out free of charge by Uncle Jake. Laughter and smiles were given in return, well, most of the time (Sam swears he doesn't want Uncle Jake to poke him anymore 'cause it hurts!); but everyone goes back for more.
During Jake's visit we managed to get in a family picture with everyone present (yeah!), an 'everyone who's related come' BBQ, friend reunions, movie nights and swimming. My favorites were the late night movies (Transformers and The Hangover). My kids loved the swimming (more pokes and tickles from Jake) and the times they got to play with Ari (Jake's daughter from Hawaii).
It might be another year and a half before we see Jake and Megan again. Hopefully, if things work out, we'll get to see Ari before then.
This I know: Sam, Sarah, Joe and Mary's happy-times memory bank is full, thanks to Jake and Megan and Ari.

Basketball Camp

Sam and Sarah have been busy this summer. As I type this, they are enjoying their last two days of basketball camp. I signed them up for a one hour instructional/fun activity in a sport that I wasn't quite sure they would enjoy. They both proved me wrong - they love it. And, they are learning mad basketball skills! Watch out (insert popular basketball star's name), Sam and Sarah are here!

Joe and Mary like to goof-off on the bleachers while we wait for the big kids. I let them because they look so cute. Yes, it usually ends with one or both of them getting hurt.

Walmart funnies

I tried to make a quick trip to the local Walmart Supercenter this morning with the twins while the older two were at basketball camp. I only needed to pick up 2 items, underwear and some picante Ramen noodles, both for Sam. I ran in and immediately got distracted with fabulous clearance items. Knowing this might (will /would) happen, I left my wallet in the van and stuffed a $20 in my pocket (that's how I budget).
I picked up a shirt for myself at a whopping $4 and headed over to the boys department. I found some undies for Sam and, while chasing the twins out of the center of the every clothing rack, shuffled off to grab some Ramen noodles. I grabbed an entire case of noodles and encouraged the twins to step up their pace. They were rushing like a heard of turtles and I feared I wouldn't make it back to pick up the other kids on time.
I headed towards the checkout and that's when I realized that there is no such thing as a quick trip to Walmart. The checkout lines are always painfully long - I needed to get out of there FAST! Holding the case of noodles, I looked desperately at every lit-up checkout number. Each one was 2-3 customers deep. Then something caught my eye - a checkout counter without a line (not even one customer)! I looked at the lit number over the cash register to verify it's location, made eye contact with the cashier (male) and mouthed, "Yes, it's open." I turned around and asked the twins to hurry, hurry, hurry. When I turned back, the light over the cash register was off and the cashier was nowhere in sight! Where did he go? I looked left, I looked right. Surely, if he closed the register, I would be able to see him walking away. No bother, I was in a hurry and needed to move fast. I mouthed, "Darn, closed!" (My mouthings were really loud enough to hear by all within a 15' radius.)
Anyway...after I said that out loud, the cashier popped his head up from behind the counter and flipped on his light and said, "Ha, just kidding!"
I laughed so hard and so did he. He said the look on my face was so funny that he wished he had a camera to send it into one of those home-video shows. I told him that he made me think I was crazy and imagined the open/no-customers-in-line register. We laughed and laughed and laughed. He said that right before he turned the light off and ducked down he asked the Lord for forgiveness. I told him his little joke was wrong but funny!
It's nice to know that good humor (on both sides) is still alive and well.

Joe!

I snapped these pics of Joe this morning. While looking in storage for Jake's TMNT quilt from boyhood, I heard Joe saying, "I making dinner, mommy." How cute.
Summer is going great, so far. We are having fun with basketball camp, lunches and swimming. Whew! I thought I was going to get a break once school let out....nope, life is just as busy during the summer.

Family Vacation 2009

Last weekend marked the first time in history (since kids were brought into the family) that the Lee family took a vacation. Yeah, we've visited family out of town and took short 'work' trips with Mike but, according to Mike, those trips don't count as real family vacations. Whatever, as long as we are together as a family, it's a family vacation. So, this is what we did: On Sunday we drove north to Flagstaff and spent the night at a hotel. The plan was to walk the lava flows and experience nature and the beauty of the landscape. Instead, I ended up in the emergency room with a major earache from the change in altitude. I spent the first 3 house of our (first) family vacation in the ER. I asked to be released to my family with a pain pill, some antibiotics and (safe) steroids. All is well now.
The next day we toured Lowell Observatory and had a blast learning about the sun and stars. The scenery was beautiful - Flagstaff looks a lot prettier from atop a mountain. After a quick stop at a store to get lunch supplies, we drove over to Meteor Crater and toured the museum and crater and everything around it (that wasn't off limits). Note to all who have little kids: visit Meteor Crater with caution, preferably with harnesses on small and unpredictable children. Joe almost took at 50ft plus dive off the edge. On a lighter note, the weather was super: a bit of sunshine, a bit of rain. Skipping to the very end: the kids had a super duper time and me and Mike survived. I am willing to give more details about our trip on a personal level (trying to keep this post short).
We are glad to be home and can't wait for the next Lee Family Vacation Trip! I am dying to visit the old copper mine in Bisbee, AZ.

A convention, lunch, flowers and a yummy dinner

Today is our anniversary, 14 years down and eternity to go!
As the Lee family spokesperson, I have to say that I am pleased with the past 14 years of marriage and am looking wide-eyed toward the next 14 (or 20 or 30). We've worked hard on getting along (very important), entertaining each other, encouraging each other, supporting each other, making up for each other's (rare) shortcomings and many more couple-like attributes since the day we got married. I will admit that it hasn't always been easy, duh, who said it would be? But, hum, I must say that our marriage has always been fun, interesting, entertaining and lovely.
Moving on...
Thanks to my mom and niece (must-have babysitters), we were able to celebrate our anniversary with a trip to beautiful downtown Phoenix for the annual NRA convention (neat) and dinner on Saturday. Then, today, Mike and I went to lunch (kid-free), it was so nice. We wrapped the day up with a yummy dinner and a guest (my mom). What a great day! Oh! and Mike got me a bouquet of the most beautiful flowers!! I will post a pic soon (and yes, they are in a pitcher - see below if ???).

Bouquet in a pitcher

Mike gave me this beautiful arrangement of flowers for Mother's Day. Isn't it gorgeous? It's in a pitcher because, well, I don't have a vase. I used to. I used to have a couple of vases. For some reason, children and vases don't agree with each other. Some how the children always win and the vase(s) ends up with a broken heart (and head and bottom).

It's May, already!

Gee, time is flying by so fast! I can't believe it's May already - wasn't Easter just last week? It must have been because I'm finding jelly beans under the furniture and pieces of plastic eggs everywhere (including in my van)! Either that or, I haven't cleaned out my van or under my couch since Easter.

Sam saw me sewing some cute little hair clips for an upcoming boutique and asked if I could teach him how to sew. Heck, yeah! Let's get this boy mending his OWN clothes! He brought me a shirt with a 2" tear on the side. Just in case you're wondering, he wears this shirt to bed and I do not send him to school with holes in his clothes (pants and undies excluded). I gave him a needle and thread and showed him the basics of sewing (or is it stitching?). It's not merit badge worthy but he did a fair job for a first-timer.

Canning beans and wheat and rice, do dah, do dah!

Mess in the kitchen = annoyingly common


Kids wanting to help = common and somewhat annoying




Being prepared with food storage = PRICELESS


I have to admit...I'm feeling a bit accomplished. I borrowed the stake can sealer, purchased beans, wheat flour and rice in bulk, bought cans, lids and boxes from the cannery and went at it (canning, that is). I helped a friend can her food and she stayed and helped me can some of mine. I had to make an extra trip to the store for more beans and rice; this gave the kids an opportunity to help me can. It was also a perfect opportunity to talk to them about the importance of food storage, being prepared, etc. So, today, I added 26 cans of food to my growing year supply. Yeah! My next task: more water storage. (I still have 25 lbs of white rice and 25 lbs of pinto beans to can - I ran out of cans and lids. I haven't mastered the art of counting cans per pounds of food or reading the recommended contents from the cannery's chart. Duh and darn).
For more info on family food storage, click here: http://www.providentliving.org

Diarrhea of the camera

I have a new camera! I am so excited about this that I have developed diarrhea of the camera. Symptoms include, but are not limited to: excess picture taking, children crying due to 'hold still' demands, husband getting impatient over wife's constant picture taking. I believe the symptoms are virtually harmless and, well, they're a small price to pay for documenting my kid's cuteness and youth. Germaphobes need not worry, this type of diarrhea is not contagious.
Enjoy this slide show of my family's Easter egg hunt, hanging out around the house and Sarah and the twins jumping onto and bouncing off the couch. Life is great!

Glad it was just the window

Here we go again. This time I am much calmer and thankful things weren't as bad as they could have been. I will explain: Our day was all planned out with errands, parties and such. Mike was headed out to the gym early this morning when he discovered that the back window of our mini van was totally smashed out/in. He came in and told me to get dressed because I will want to come outside. It was raining and cold and I didn't want to go outside but he kept insisting. It's then when I saw the damage. It appeared as though some idiot smashed the window (with a huge rock that is now in our driveway) and ran off. I thought of the last time our van was broken into and my purse was stolen, followed by the van being stolen 3 months later. Uhhh. Sigh. Expletive. Censored.
Mike asked me to check and see if anything was missing. I looked in the back window/hole and saw broken glass everywhere. I also saw my double stroller, the Easter treats I bought the kids and the two new light fixtures for our house in the back of the van. I checked the front and got out the 'valuables' I left in the van. Thank goodness nothing was stolen! I called the police and made a report (not that anything will ever come of it) and called the insurance company to make a claim. There is a crack in the moulding that can be replaced and the frame is bent (but I don't care about that) - I just want the window fixed.
I told Mike that we can only laugh about this: the window's smashed and it's raining (pouring) inside the van. What are the chances that would happen, seriously? Mike put a tarp over the hole while we cleaned out the van (not fun). Mike then taped the hole with black garbage bags for a more secure fit. Ghetto.
As I write this, Sam and Mike are off to get the window replaced (no mobile units will service glass because it's still raining outside). Did I mention that I am extreemly grateful there is a shop open today with the right size glass in stock!? I'm with the twins at home and my kind sister-in-law picked up Sarah for a cousin's birthday party. Even though it is raining, things could have been worse.

Conference good, kids not

Mike and I enjoyed watching conference today. The kids did not. They are excited that they don't have to go to church tomorrow...they don't realize that tomorrow is another day of conference. Life's good.

April Fool's Day Joke a Nice Try

This year's April Fool's day joke was a nod to an experience our family had back in December of 2006. It was a beautiful December Sunday morning and, as usual, we were rushing to get to church on time. The kids were bathed, Mike s s and s, and I even washed and blew my hair dry for church for the first time since the twins were born. The babies were buckled up in their infant seats (3 days before their 1st birthday) all cute and smelling great. Mike's job was to open the van doors, encourage the older kids into their seats and start the car. My job was to load the babies. With twins in hand (biceps burning) I headed for the door. Did I mention that we were actually going to be on-time for church that day (8:00am)!
Mike came back inside the house and asked, "Where did you put the van?"
I said, "What do you mean?"
He said, "You know, like, did you park it on the side of the house?" (we live on a corner)
I said, "No, why?"
He said, "'Cause it's not in the driveway."
I put the babies down and walked outside to see for myself. The driveway was bare. Yup, it was gone. The kids could feel the tension in our voices. The twins started to fuss and Sam and Sarah started to act like chickens with their heads cut off. Running around all weird and stuff - they were visibly upset.
Mike took the older kids to church and dropped them off with a good friend. I made a series of phone calls that I thought I would never have to make. Mike's parents provided us with a spare car until our insurance paid us for our loss (33 days later). Luckily, our claim paid out more than we paid for the van new off the lot (it was almost 2 years old). We bought another new minivan and have enjoyed this one more than the last.
So, today I hid our van around the corner and waited for Mike to come home from work. He came in the door and asked where the van was. I was busy dealing with Sarah and her eye, Sam yelled that it was stolen while I was at the gym. Mike kept asking me where the van was but I was being bombarded by toddler requests and just couldn't pull off a good reply that would cause him to really be concerned.
I walked in the kitchen and told him that I couldn't hear what he was asking. He said that he figured it out about the second time he asked about the van. He said it was then that he realized it was April Fool's day. Darn.
Maybe I will get him next year.

Great weather, please stay!

The weather has been great these last few days. Nice and cool and slightly windy. The air is crisp and clean smelling. Ahh, spring is here. I have to admit that I was a bit nervous last week when it got a tad warm (in the 80's). I know that the 80's isn't 'that' hot but, for me, as the temperature rises so does my temper. Ha ha. Can I blame my mood on the weather? Anyway, it really is only a short time until those 100 degree days come and stay through October. Uhh. I should just enjoy the moment.

Well, it's 4 days into the school week and we are still having a rough time getting over spring break and back into a routine. Maybe next week will be better. I'll keep you posted.

Took a quick trip, now home safe.

I decided to take advantage of spring break and take the kids on a quick trip to see their grandparents in St. Johns. We left Monday morning, just me and the kids, and drove through Payson, stopped at my friend's house in Heber for a short visit, then continued on to our destination. We arrived in the late afternoon and immediately took advantage of the perfect weather - we played outside until dinner and then played some more until it got dark. Joe and Sam took right to putting with grandpa's spare golf clubs and balls in the backyard. Sarah played with her favorite cousin, Abby, on the swing set then inside, downstairs and back outside again. Mary spent a good deal of her time in the big swing in the backyard. I got to relax and visit. Except for the lack of sleep (Joe and Mary's fault), I had a great time and so did the kids. We came home on Wednesday and were happy to see Mike and sleep in our own beds. Two more days left of spring break and I am already worn out.

Spring Break Officially Started...

I just picked up Sam from the bus stop. There is a huge smile on my face! It's officially spring break! I am so excited. I am so excited because I don't have to get the kids ready for school for an entire week. I don't have to worry about homework, spelling tests or packing homemade lunches. I don't have to fight kids about baths, dirty nails or clean underwear either (yes, break means break!). So what will I do, you ask? Well, we might visit family or friends out of town or hang out and have fun. Whatever we do we'll take it easy and enjoy the nice weather and each other's company.

We're still alive -

We are still alive - just very busy. We are all excited about Spring Break coming up (one more week). The weather has been great - outdoor play abounds! Tempers have been mild - grateful. The kids have also been behaving well. Ha ha.

Another week gone by

I can't believe it's already Friday. This week has flown by. Not to say that it was an easy one; there were some challenging moments (not unexpected for a mom with 4 young children). For starters, I didn't have to teach at all this week! The gym's pool was closed for painting. This enabled me to play racquetball every day without interruption (very happy). Sam had a week of early release due parent/teacher conferences (love early release). Again I showed up for conference on the wrong day (very embarrassing). Oh well. His teacher happily squeezed me in. Sarah has shown great progress in her reading this week (very happy). Joe and Mary continue to talk up a storm - it's so fun to watch them grow. There's more but I'm tired. Still hoping to get a new camera so I can post pictures.

All Hail Friday!

It's a glorious Friday. The winter weather in Arizona is so great that it makes up for the hellish summer heat. I'm almost used to it, again.
So this week has been, well, tough. It all started last week when Sam got sick. High temp and tired, he spent the 3-day weekend on the couch. Sam passed it on to Sarah. Her high temp and tired symptoms created a monster who was grouchy and mean. I managed to stay cool and finally sent her to school today. Joe was the third victim. He's the saddest looking one of all - tired, sad and watery eyes, red cheeks and fever. Mary got it today. Her cheeks are red and her fever is up there. She is handling it well. So who will get it next? Me or Mike?
I didn't mean for this post to be a gloomy one, just a record of the week. I am excited for the weekend, as you probably already know. No plans.

A chilly week finally comes to an end, maybe.

It has been so cold this week. One morning there was ice on the windshield of our van. Sam thought it was really neat and tried to scratch some off and eat it. Tasty! The kids don't mind that it's cold - still wanting to play outside or go to the park - so yesterday I took Sarah and one of her classmates to the park to eat pizza and play. They had a blast! Joe and Mary had a grand time chasing after the bigger kids and swinging in the baby swings. I signed Sam and Sarah up for Aikido classes. They've made it through the first two weeks and seem to really enjoy it (will report more later). HI-Yahhh!
This post is somewhat lame, I know, but I promise to do better next time. Happy Valentine's Day!

Rain Drops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens...

The day started off chilly and gray thanks to last night's rain. I was sitting comfortably on the couch with Mary enjoying her company. Sam, Sarah and Joe were busy doing this and that, Mike eating an apple. I heard a noise that I couldn't quite figure out. Mike said it was an airplane. The noise sounded closer to my house than an airplane should be and the roar faded differently than a passing liner. Then my eye caught a short burst of lightening. I looked out the window and saw sideways falling rain, strange. I heard another noise. This time I knew what it was...it was thunder with a vengeance! I shouted in my this-is-a-once-in-a-year-event voice, "Kids, Look outside!" The kids ran to the back door and their eyes quadrupled in size. It was a HAILSTORM! I opened the back door so the kids could go outside and experience, for the first time in their lives, (pea-sized) HAIL! The trampoline was covered with tiny white ice balls. The grass in the backyard looked as if snow had fallen. Sam and Sarah ran inside, grabbed their coats and took off into the yard to try and catch some of the ice. More thunder caused Mary and Joe to shiver with fright - seriously terrified. Mike and I each grabbed one of the twins and I attempted to sing the famous song from The Sound Of Music. I remembered the beginning and the chorus. Good enough. The storm was short lived. The excitement lingered. I managed to get a picture of the backyard and trampoline with my cell phone (will update later). The ice melted after a few minutes. A meterology lesson followed. Curious kids.

Hello Friday!

What a great day! I am so looking forward to this weekend. Hopefully I can resist the pleasures of relaxing all day tomorrow and get some much needed housework (maintenance) done. I'll have Mike by my side helping me manage kids and completing tasks (said loosely). We'll probably take the kids out to lunch at a restaurant place they can play wildly at and have fun. Then we'll come home and finish up as much work as we can before we all sit down on the couch and relax in front of our favorite appliance: the TV.

Wednesday Morning at the Park

Winter weather in Arizona is gold. I spent a few hours at the park this morning and loved every minute of it. The sun was shinning, the sky was clear and the wind was blowing ever so slightly. Joe and Mary had a great time playing in the sand and swinging in the baby swings while Sarah jumped from slide to swing to sand with new and familiar friends; I soaked up the fresh air and sunrays like a spounge. AH, what a morning!

Blessed Friday

I see a distinct pattern here: Friday praises. I am, once again, glad it's Friday. It has been another busy week. How busy was it, you ask? Well, I taught Aqua four days in a row, managed to get some racquetball in (including hitting myself in the head with the racket giving myself a very serious headache), a last minute doctor appointment for Joe's ear infection, meals to friends for fun, a movie night with my mom, an endowment session and earlier today a sealing (marriage) (thanks to sis and mom for watching the babies), catch up with a friend and a reception tonight. Those are the highlights of my week. I survived it all and had a great time doing it. Next week...Bring it on!

Camera 911

It's official. My camera is broken. Mike took it apart on Saturday and couldn't find the problem. The lens is extended and it won't turn off or on. For now, pictures posted will come from my cell phone (boo, boo). Wish me luck.

It's Finally Friday, It's Raining Outside and I'm now 34

I am so excited it's Friday. This week was tough. I survived another week which included a late night trip to urgent care with Mary (she's recovered), I taught Aqua 4 days in a row - more fun that is allowed in most countries, and today I am one year older that anyone who is 33 ( I can do simple math).

Why Does Wednesday Feel Like Monday?

This week is really dragging. Even though my schedule is full, I can't seem to get ahead of anything and everything is backing up. If I can just make it through Thursday I'll be fine. The kids are well, somewhat, and Mike is still plugging along at his job. We are all thankful that he brings home the bacon so I can fry it up in a pan. O.k. now I'm just rambling. Until Friday.....

Go Cardinals!

I'm officially a fan. Yeah, I'm a bit late...but never too busy to cheer on the home team.

Thursday Check List

It's Thursday!...Almost as good as Friday because the weekend is 'that' much closer.
On Thursdays I have to: scour my house to find any trash that can fit in the barrel, mow the lawn and dump clippings in the garbage, roll out the barrel for pickup, finalize my weekend plans (funny, huh?), check to make sure there aren't any commitments for Friday night (Mike likes to stay home), think of something to make for dinner tonight that will taste just as great as tomorrow's dinner (I love leftovers) and, make any last minute guilty pleasure shopping stops. This is, really, just a snapshot of my to-do list. I'm not complaining, I love doing it all - the clean work, the dirty work, the smelly work. Getting it all done on Thursdays is what makes Fridays more enjoyable.

Using your imagination, picture this...

Scene set up: Joe running really really fast with a big smile on his face.
Mom: Hey Joe!
Joe: Run fast!
Mom: Running really fast? Run really fast again!
Joe turns around (out of sight) then runs back to me with a big smile on his face and says, "run fast!"
Mom (I), realize that Joe isn't really running fast, he's more, like, gliding on top of thousands of crushed puffed cheese balls. The bottom of his shoes are covered in orange dust. I get up and follow him to his starting place - the kitchen. It snowed orange flakes, they are everywhere.
Mom: What is going on?
Mary: Joe-Joe did it.
Mom: Joe, what did you do?
Joe: Cheese ball, run fast.
End Scene

There are crushed puffed cheese balls everywhere in the kitchen, living room and down the hall. I swept, I vacuumed, I cried. Joe smiled and when on with his day. It's only 9:02 in the morning. Side note: I did try to take a picture but could not get my camera to work.