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.

Pictures Pictures

Joe dropped my camera, Sam played with it. It's broken. I was able to download the pictures on it - thank goodness - so I can post a few recent photos of the kids. If I can't fix it, I'll have to get another one (darn). Here, Sarah made a gingerbread house, Sam's watching cousin Nathan play, Joe's sneaking candy and Mary is wondering what to do next.

Happy New Year! - update

It's that time of year again...Resolution time. This year, I think, I will resolve to resolve all my past resolutions! How's that for a new year goal? Now only if I could remember what my prior resolutions were.
Have a safe and happy 2009!
update - photos of our stake's Family New Year's Eve party. This night was so fun. The kids had a great time. Joe was the dancing man, Sarah danced and tired out, Sam was almost too cool to do anything, Mary stayed close to homebase.

Merry Christmas!

What a great day! It has been a blast so far and we still have lots more to do! Like make gingerbread houses, visit grandma and grandpa Lee and play with the toys Santa brought! An elf dropped off p.j.s for the kids while we were at aunt Linda's house last night. Sam tried to chase the elf down but the elf jumped the fence just before Sam compromised his identity! Today, Sam swore that he heard Santa at about 4 o'clock this morning - it's what woke him up! He was so excited that Christmas was finally here that he could hardly contain himself! I let him take a peek at the tree and presents before anyone else woke up. Later I realized that it was probably torture to him since he had to wait another 2 hours before we opened the presents. I let him wake up Sarah and she asked him if Santa had come. Sam said yes. The fun began.

I Accidentally Wrapped the Remote...not really.

I've wrapped so many presents tonight that I had to distance myself from the phone and the remote so I wouldn't accidentally wrap them during my last minute rush to get ready for Christmas. Sheesh! Even with feelings of 'I am so not ready'; I do have to say that I am having a great time wrapping presents for the kids and marking them 'from Santa'! This year's Christmas is going to be great!

Good Friends Last Forever....

I'm usually not very personal on my blog but this requires mentioning -
My good and dear friend, Marianne Merrill, passed away peacefully Monday evening in her home. She fought a courageous battle with an unforgiving disease but in the end received the greatest reward - a welcome Home from passed loved ones. Marianne was not only a good friend, she was a mentor. She taught me how to laugh at the unpleasant and sometimes discouraging events which often occurred (and still do!) while raising my 4 little ones. She taught me, by example, how to seek for the good things and be grateful for every little thing. She was dedicated to service - I being the recipient of many of her 'errands of angles'. In her last weeks, Marianne was inspired to ask me to do her a favor. In reality the favor was for me and I am thankful she gave me such a gift. Marianne loved her family especially her husband, Walter, whom she honored and supported their entire marriage. Although I am sad that my friend is gone, I am confident that she is happier back Home.

On the 12th Day of Christmas...

Can you believe there are only 12 days left (to shop, plan, wrap, prepare, budget, gather, organize, etc.) until Christmas? I am so not ready!

Who's Watching Who at the Zoo?

Monday I took the twins, Sarah and her friend from school to the zoo. We had an afternoon filled with train rides, fun, food, animal gazing and playground playing. It was so much fun! Enjoy the slide show - can you tell which one is the caged animal? (if you guessed me, Julia, you are correct!)

Happy 2nd Birthday, Joe!

Joe has survived 2 whole years! Thank goodness. Joe is an active boy who loves to run, climb, jump, slide, duck, dance, twist, bump, stomp, punch, slap, pull, poke and hug. Besides half of my genes and half of Mike's, Joe is also made of frogs and snails and puppy dog tails (just like the song states).
He is a dirt eater, food thrower, ice munching, exploring kinda kid. He can find trouble without even looking and sometimes falls into trouble by association. By this I mean that he willingly takes the blame for everything his twin sister, Mary, does. He's perfect.

6 minutes later...Happy 2nd Birthday, Mary!

Mary is a spunky gal. She can hold her own but knows when to pull out the 'fragile girl' card. She loves her twin brother, Joe, and is fond of her bigger brother Sam and sister Sarah.
Mary just loves what her Aunt Linda gave her for her birthday...a play purse! She carries it around like it's the real thing and won't let anyone else near it. She struts around with her purse on her arm and answers the matching phone in her most grown-up voice, "hel-lo!"
She's a quick learner and very observant so I have to be careful of what I say when she's around. She also the joker of the pair. Mary has a sense of humer that lets you know that there is much more going on in her head that you think possible. Mary is also the instigater. She starts the party and then blames the mess on everyone else. She's perfect!

These birthday kids are twice as nice

A Giving Thanks kind of day -

I could make a list a mile long of things that I am thankful for. But I won't. Instead, I will list the top 5.
1. Mike - a wonderful and supportive husband
2. Sam - a smart and thoughtful boy
3. Sarah - an independent and loving girl
4. Joe - a jolly and trusting little boy
5. Mary - a dependable and happy little girl

I couldn't post on Thanksgiving day without a picture or two or three.
Joe helping me with potatoes
Kids at the 'kid table'
Mary looking cute

Monday messes are just the beginning of the week...

What a mess! It is time to rearrange my kitchen and box-up and lock-up anything and everything that is or can be opened! Have you ever wondered what a 25oz. box of cereal spilled out on the floor looks like? Check out these pictures - in no particular order! Can you see how Joe likes to stomp and crush the cereal while Mary likes to pick out the marshmallows?

On a lighter note -
Joe learned how to put on his own shoes!

A New Week!

My aunt sent me this link and I am happy to pass it along to all who wish to learn more about what life has to offer. Enjoy!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u2AibapAJfE
I don't know how to put a link in a post. Highlight the address, copy and paste it in the address box above.

It's the weekend, finally!

Need I say more?

Thank a Vet! Happy Veteran's Day!

This is a shout-out to my brother, Jake, who is currently serving in the U.S. Army. He spent a year overseas with the infamous 82nd Airborne in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a Ranger, a skilled shooter and is as tough as nails. This year he is on his way to train as a Green Beret. GO JAKE! Our family thanks you and your fellow soldiers for your (their) service!

Happy 7th Birthday, Sam!

Sam came running in my room this morning with a grin that stretched from ear to ear and announced that it was his birthday! Finally! He has been counting down the days for the last 3-1/2 weeks. I was half awake (or asleep) and wasn't in the same mood he was in so early in the morning. Not wanting to crush the spirit of a newly 7 year-old I said, "You're right, it is your birthday. Happy birthday!" He then asked to open his presents. Oh uh! I told him I hadn't wrapped it yet. I gave him the choice of waiting for it to be wrapped or me telling him where I hid it. He wanted to open a wrapped present. "I'll wrap it while you are in the shower," I told him. Off he went (without a fight). Who knew a wrapped present could equal a showered boy?
He opened his present with delight and, thank goodness, was thrilled with his gift - an Air Hog saucer. His grandma Lee gave him transformers, greatgrandma Smith gave him a $2 bill, grandma Whetten took him to the golden arches last night and will bring him his 'real' present today. He wants Hawaiian haystacks for dinner and ice cream cake for dessert.

Post-Election Day, Blah!

I am tired! I have talked and talked about the presidential election and various propositions so much that my political gas tank is empty. A side note: I am happy to report that according to Obama supporters, I need not worry. He will fill my gas tank, pay my bills and relieve me of my mortgage payments. Ha Ha.