Moodiness

There is nothing more contagious than Ben's laugh. He has the best laugh of anyone I know. (Excuse Evan's head in this picture - he likes to try and be in every picture I take).

Last night when we were getting ready to say family prayer Ben was in a really good mood. Laughing and joking. But then the tides turn (they turn A LOT with Ben)......

He went from laughing and joking to crying in a matter of seconds.

When Ben is sad he likes to hide. We like to ignore him (sad but true).

Because we know within minutes he'll be laughing again. It's just who he is - he's a naturally happy person.

I love it.

Thanks

I had a whole other post planned, but after reading Cjane's post for today, I've changed my mind. Today she talked about the nicest thing anyone has ever done for. Except that every day someone does the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for her. Get it? This week that is how I feel.

Today I got home and cried when I saw that Tricia left us dinner after she dropped Evan off (whom she'd been watching all afternoon). And I thought how lucky I am to have Tricia in my family. How in the last little while I have really begun to appreciate what a talented, giving person she is. And how blessed I am to be her friend.

Then I thought about Liz. Who brought me dinner on Monday. I haven't seen or spoken to Liz in a while, but she knew I started work on Monday and wanted to do something for me. And I cried some more. Because all day Monday I had wished that I had thought to prepare dinner ahead of time. And then Liz showed up unexpectedly with dinner. It was an answer to a prayer.

I thought about coming home from work yesterday and finding Dr. Pepper and peanut m&m's on my doorstep. Someone knows me really well. It made me feel loved and happy. Then I started ugly crying. My kids got concerned.

I thought about my mom watching Evan and shuttling him around. Kim watching him and playing with him. Trina picking him up, watching him yesterday and today. Jill picking up my kids after school every day. Everyone who is helping me. And I feel I don't deserve it. I feel overwhelmed.

Tonight I sat by Ian and he held my hand while I cried. Then he helped Max with his homework and took care of something really unpleasant that I know you don't want to hear about. I sat down at the computer and read Cjane's post.

And immediately knew what she meant. I feel like so many people have done the nicest thing ever for me.

Thanks doesn't cover it.

P.S. Apparently Evan started shaving since I've been working...

Boy vs. Wild

Today was a monumental day in this boy's life. He killed his first gopher. Those of you who grew up near here might know the menace that gophers can be. They tear up yards with their holes and chew up roots of trees and plants. When I was growing up my dad was always battling them - trying to coax them out of their holes so that he could kill and dispose of them.

Today Xander was playing with Michael at my mom's - jumping on the trampoline. He spotted a gopher in the corner by the wall. When he was proudly recounting the events he told me that when he poked it on the back the gopher stood on it's hind legs- teeth bared. Alexander then killed the creature quickly and swiftly (I really don't want to go into the gory details). He called my dad.
My dad was one proud grandpa. That particular gopher has been taunting him for months. He told Xander to throw the gopher over the fence (he did).

Xander: 1

Gophers: 0

P.S. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU Liz for bringing us dinner. You're the best!

Today....

Evan couldn't sit still for more than 1.5 seconds.

This girl got baptized (isn't she beautiful?)

This girl had a black eye. Courtesy of her little brother.

We had lunch at Joe's Farm Grill in honor of Anna (the newest baptized member of our family). Molly was all smiles. Btw, I know you can't really see Tricia's outfit in this picture but trust me - she looked so cute. Thank goodness Tiffany is our friend. Because she really knows how to put an outfit together.

Ro was cold.


Later....

Evan helped me make a pie for Grandpa.

Evan hung out with his homies. (at family party #2 - my dad's birthday party)

Anna mothered the babies.

Addy & Emmy picked out their favorite cupcakes.

We sang to grandpa and he blew out the candles.

Grandma got lots of baby lovin' in. Ruby didn't want to share.

Grandpa wanted a turn...Molly was a little skeptical.

The homies took it outside - on the tramp.

Inside, grandpa was doing something illegal...giving Ruby sugar.

I guess it's o.k. since it is his birthday.

Jared got upset when he didn't get Suns tickets. It's o.k. Jared. Calm down. Jared has a really bad temper.

I ended today taking Evan to Target to get more binkies. Don't judge - I'm going to turn his life upside down this week, I thought the least I could do was give him some comfort. In the form of a binky.

All in all, today was a good day.

Thank-full

This last week has been an emotional one (actually this last month has been an emotional rollercoaster but that's a whole other can of beans). I've known that I was going to have to get another job (my dad's business has been struggling for a while) but I kept putting it off. This week I got a job. Without going into details, I feel very blessed to get this job.

Getting this job meant I was going to ask a lot of people for help. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who offered help and support. I feel humbled to have such wonderful friends and family. I feel lucky to have people in my life who don't judge me. This is a position I hoped to never be in. I am so thankful for those of you who are making it easier. Those of you who offered to watch Evan. Those of you who readily agreed to take my boys home from school. Those of you who gladly agreed to be on "stand by". Those of you who offered advice and support (and withheld judgement). It means more to me than you'll ever know.

I feel anxious, nervous, worried. I'm most grateful that Evan won't have to go to daycare - that he will be with people who love him almost as much as I do.

I'm going to try and keep up with my little blog. Mostly because I love that it's become a journal for me. I've never been able to keep a journal, but for some reason it's easy for me to keep this blog. Hopefully that won't change.

Stratego

One of Ian's favorite games as a boy was Stratego. Fortunately, his mom let him take it with him after we got married. Our boys love it too.

Especially Max.
Max and Ian had an intense match the other night. Max even won! We don't let our kids win, so Max was giddy when he realized he beat his dad (hardly anyone ever does).

"Not in my house, dad!"

He keeps asking me to play but I know better.

I don't like to lose.

Masked Crusader

Look who rolled into town.

No one in this house messes with this kid.

Except maybe Max, but Max messes with everyone.

P.S. The top picture is one of the last pictures I have of Evan in diapers. I thought he would be going to college in diapers. Now if I could only get rid of the binky...

Haircuts & pop ups

Michelle came over last week to cut every one's hair (thank you Michelle!). She brought Sami with her (Sami and Max go to the same school and are in the same grade). Between hair cuts, Ian busted out his pop up books.

Little known Ian fact: He LOVES pop up books.

First, Star Wars.
Michelle was very impressed.

The last page is the best - Darth Vader and Luke (or maybe Anakin?) pop out and their light sabers glow.

It's awesome.

Michelle thought so too.


Next he pulled out The Wizard of Oz. His mother gave him that book years ago - and he loves it!

It comes with nifty glasses.

Sami wanted to try them out too.

Ian loves a captive audience - he sat down with Evan and Sami to look at the book.

They were fascinated.

Hair cuts and pop ups...is there any thing better?

Dog or human?

Here is proof that Evan and Max can get along.

Every day after school they fight for a good 2 hours.

I'm not kidding.

It's so frustrating. I'm constantly putting one of them in time-out.

And when I'm just about to lose it...there is a moment where Max will say, "Do you love me Evan?" And Evan will answer, "Yes, Evan loves you!"

On a good day they like to play a certain game. Max will say, "Evan you are the dog and I am the human."

Then Max will feed Evan treats - and Evan will hop around after Max on his knees.

It's almost cute enough to make me forget that they were kicking each other only moments before.

Almost.

Happy New Year

I usually don't post every day, but I know all 5 of you that read my blog are just dying to know what we did on New Years Day. I mean you know about Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Years Eve, so it makes sense you'd want to know about New Years Day. Err....right?

Anyhow, when we heard Jared & Tricia were going to ride the light rail and then go hiking we (I mean me) promptly invited ourselves to come along. Everyone was excited to go except for the pre-teens (Xander & Ben) who wanted to stay home and play football all day.

Waiting at the light rail station.



On the light rail! This was a first experience for our clan. Emmy was right when she said it felt like we were going to Disneyland!

Ian kinda looks like Ringo. I might still have Beatles Rockband on the brain.

After getting off the train - we all had to use the "facilities". I made the kids pose for pictures while we were waiting. Look at that! Xander does know how to smile!

Evan still loves to jump.

Halfway there!

Detour on the "A". Luckily, Evan bypassed it altogether.

At the top!

On the way down Emmy, Evan & Ro decided to take a break.

Ro likes sticks. I like Ro.

Molly fell asleep. I love the fingers in the mouth.

Max was so sweet with Addy & Emmy. I like seeing the Dr. Jeckyll side of Max.

Waiting for the light so we can go get grub.

Eating at Panda Express. I was shocked at how good James was with his chopsticks. He didn't need any utensils to eat his chicken & rice bowl.

Alexander entertained the kids. They played ring-around-the-rosies and duck, duck, GOOSE!

Ruby devoured her first french fry (thank you, Aunt Tricia!).

Mmmm....fries.

The kids all got along great. I don't think there was one fight. It was a great way to start the new year.

On Sunday we are going to sit down and make family goals for 2010, but I thought I'd make some goals on my blog. That way I'd be accountable (hopefully).

1. potty train Evan

2. wean Evan off the binky

3. hug more, yell less

4. read the Book of Mormon

5. fast with a purpose for 24 hours once a month (if I can do this, it will be HUGE)

6. have date with my husband once a week

7. give Ben the "talk" (or rather read the book with him)

8. make sure Alexander gets his Faith in God

9. eat better

10. spend less

I try to aim small, big goals tend to overwhelm me and I give up right away. I think #9 and #10 are going to be the hardest.

Happy New Year everybody!