Trashed

Last Sunday, in between lots of craziness going on...I cleaned Evan and Max's room. And I did most of it while everyone was at church so that I could throw toys that were missing legs, arms and/or heads in the trash. You'd be amazed at how much my children are attached to certain toys- no matter what their condition. I blame it on their father, who is a certified pack rat.

Don't deny it Ian!

This year for his birthday, Evan received a new Buzz and a new Woody. Who he carries with him most everywhere, by the way. Our old Buzz (which was originally Xander's I think) had been defaced multiple times and now looks like a scary drunken Buzz with a days worth of stubble. Woody is in bad shape too and is about to lose multiple limbs.

So...in the trash they went. Well, Ian had the next day off work and I guess he likes to rummage through the trash on his days off because when I got home from somewhere I noticed that old Buzz and Woody were sitting on the trash can. I have to admit, seeing them there did cause me a moment of guilt. But I quickly got over it when I thought of the amount of "sentimental" but useless stuff I have laying around.
Then Ian gave me a lecture about the message of Toy Story. No Toy Left Behind! I think he was half way serious.

I guess next time I need to bury what I throw away a little deeper in the trash.

One of my close friends experienced a tragedy this week. As I cried with her, I wished with every part of my being that I could take away her pain even for an instant. As I have prayed and prayed for her and her family I have wished that I could comfort them how they need to be comforted.

But I can't.

I wonder why I spend so much of time being impatient or angry or bothered or judgemental. I wonder why inconsequential things concern me or stress me out. Why I let these things invade my conscience when they cause me to lose sight of what is really important.

I am so thankful for prayer. For my faith. I am thankful for hugs. And kisses. And kind words.

Most of all I am thankful that I know that God lives and that we are a part of a bigger plan.

I cling to that knowledge.

Monday

after school Ben, Max and I went to Sonic. On the way Ben was complaining of having a headache. He's been getting a lot of those lately so I mentioned that I wanted him to get his eyes checked again. Ben complained, "My eyes are fine! I don't want glasses." Well you can imagine how that went over with Max. Max got upset and said, "I know you hate my glasses! You always call me a nerd." To which Ben replied, "I call you a nerd when you call me fat! Besides a nerd means you are smart!"

First I had to address the "fat" issue. Ben is not fat. Not even close. But because he is shaped different than Max and Xander they like to call him fat. It really makes me mad. So I gave Max a lecture and then told him that it was good to be a nerd because that meant he is really smart. Well, last week Max missed a math problem on a test so he reminded me of that and told me smart kids don't miss easy math problems. Ben said, "Max, if you were in the 5th grade you would OWN me! That's how smart you are."

"I AM NOT SMART!" Max screamed.

Ben and I exchanged a puzzled look.

"Fine Max, you are not smart." I answered.

"That's your sarcastic voice! You really do think I'm smart!" Those were his exact words (I wrote them down).

I don't know if I'll ever fully understand that kid.

Guster Concert

Last night we ventured down to Tuscon with Brian, Kim, Joe, Dallin & Adam to the Rialto Theater to see Guster in concert. The ride down was a blast. Kim sat up front with me and we listened to Jimmy Eat World's Chase This Light (which is easily one of my top 5 favorite albums of all time). Then Ian started telling us his throwing up stories and I laughed so hard that my stomach started to hurt.

When we got there, Ian and I realized we were starving (I hadn't eaten all day). So Ian sweet talked the security guard into letting us leave (there were NO RE-ENTRY signs posted everywhere) and we went to find food. Everything was closed! Seriously people, it was only 7:30! When I saw a Subway sign I started running. I was that hungry. We quickly wolfed down a flatbread sandwhich and ran back. I think I embarrassed Ian on the way back because I was doing my Forest Gump run. I was in such a good mood.

We got back right when the first band was playing. Good Old War. Seriously good. I don't think I've ever liked an opening band more. They were hilarious too. The lead singer was such a geek. We bought their cd. He signed it. And all was right in the world. I think he was thrilled that we loved his band so much. Here they are playing below. They sound like Simon and Garfunkel meets the BeeGees. And when they sang "Celcilia" it was a little bit of perfection. They harmonize so well.

Sooo...then we waited for Guster and I danced around to "Our House" and "Country Roads". I think I embarrassed Ian some more (and Kim and Brian too). But when I hear a good song I need to dance. You know?

Guster finally arrived. They were AWESOME! They all switched instruments quite a bit - I loved that they played the piano a lot. And they did a whole bunch of old songs. I was so happy they played "Careful" and "Satellite" which are two of my favorite Guster songs.

I only had my phone to take pictures so whatever. Brian was supposed to send me some more...I'm just sayin'. So then some guy in the audience yelled, "I like your sweater!" and so the lead singer of Guster told us how he got the sweater and then he turned it into a song. He was hilarious.

The cute Guster guy sang a lot. And he did an awesome guitar solo that had everyone screaming their heads off.

One of the guys had a toothpick in his mouth half of the time and I really wished Tiffany had been there so she could've told me who he looked like. When we went to The Pixies Tiffany and I spent most of the time trying to decipher lyrics and making jokes. We always crack ourselves up.

This is a little picture that Brian sent me of the cute Guster guy. I love him! My favorite parts of the concert were:

1. Good Old War

2. When the spot light shone on the lead singer and he played a guitar solo with his tongue hanging out. It was hilarious.

3. Cute guy's guitar solo

4. The lead singer's wit. He is so funny.

5. At the end, when all 4 members came out and stood in front of the stage and played "Jesus on the Radio" acoustically. It made my night. It reminded me of when Fran Healey sang with his acoustic guitar at the last Travis concert I went to. It was magical.

Even though I am tired today, it was so worth it. It was so much fun being with Ian and just hanging out and listening to one of our favorite bands. I love that we love the same things.

I am including the video to my favorite song Good Old War sang:

P.S. I think I've heard this song before. But I can't remember where. And also, The Rialto is my favorite place to see concerts.

the end.

Calvin and Hobbes

Max loves to read Calvin and Hobbes.

The best part is when he gets a joke and starts giggling.
He has been reading them every night at home and every day at school.

Luckily we have quite a few books.

Happy Birthday

Today my dad turned 63. We had him and my mom over for dinner. The menu included: steak, scallops, shrimp, mashed potatoes, asparagus, rolls and salad. I just have to give a little shout out to Ian who grilled the steaks to perfection and who makes a mean scallop.

After dinner my dad played cards with Evan and Max while the rest of us cleaned up.

Then we got out the cake. You know - that Costco chocolate cake that is sooo rich but sooo good. If you want a taste, come over tomorrow - we have left-overs. Xander put the candles on it.

Blowin' out the candles:

Of course my dad didn't have the cake, because I made him his favorite - dark chocolate and walnut brownies :)

Then my parents taught us how to play 5 Crowns. We had so much fun that I will be going to Game Daze tomorrow to get the game for us. I lost (big time) but still had a blast playing.

Happy birthday to the best dad in the world!

Left Field

Let me tell you a secret...

I got a new calling at church. I am in the Stake Young Women's Presidency. Go ahead and laugh. Before I accepted the calling I tried to tell them why I wouldn't be good...but they didn't buy it.

And then I got super duper stressed when the previous counselor told me how time consuming and stressful the calling would be. I might've called Ian and asked him if we could move. I don't remember because it was a dark day. I cried a lot.

The people closest to me were concerned that it would be too much. And that worried me even more. And then I might've asked Ian if we could quit the church (I was kidding!). And I cried a little more.

After much prayer, advice and introspection, I decided to take it one day at a time and to do the best I can. And here's the thing - while I feel like a fish out of water sitting in Stake meetings or talking to adults...I love, LOVE the young women. I can relate to teenage girls. I like Justin (Timberlake not Bieber). I like skinny jeans (even though I said I never would) and make up and romantic movies and dancing and shopping. I don't mind making a fool of myself. I just love being a girl.

I'm not as spiritual as the other leaders. And I'm definitely not as articulate or smart. But I know that the church is true. And I know that the teachings of the church can help these young women because they have helped me.

So instead of dwelling on what this calling will require of me, I'm going to try and focus on what I can give this calling.

But it wouldn't hurt if you all said a small prayer for me.

Horsing around

A couple of week ago Ian and I went and opened bank accounts for all of the boys. The bank manager (who knows Ian) gave us 4 stuffed ponies (one for each boy). While we were at the bank Ian commented that Evan was probably the only one who would like his pony. A few hours after being home Xander was in our room, brushing his pony's mane. I kid you not. Then Ben and Max started grooming their ponies. The only one who wanted nothing to do with his horse was Evan.

You can tell Xander and Ben are joking around in these pictures but look at Max. He really loves his pony.
The next day after I picked up the boys from school, Max said, "If anyone touched my pony they will DIE." He has made a special spot for it on his bed.

No Comment

I took these pictures on the way home. Even though we went the Globe way, it really was beautiful. For a while at least. And the pictures have nothing to do with this post. They are just for your viewing enjoyment.

On Sunday a friend asked me about putting the comments back on my blog. I've had a couple of other people ask also. The thing is I really like not having comments. Which is weird because I like knowing what people are thinking. But it's been freeing. Now when I post I never worry about what people will say. I don't worry about offending anyone. I'm not saying I was offending people before but I found myself agonizing over some of my posts. Worrying about what people would think/say.

It's also nice because I used to check my blog 10 times a day looking at comments. I'm neurotic, I know. But I want everyone to like me and comment saying super awesome things and sometimes that wasn't the case and then my husband would have to put up with all of insecurities and "what do you think they meant by that?". Because believe me, if I don't know, he sure as heck doesn't know (and gets tired of me asking).

So.

No comments. For mine and Ian's sanity. :)

New Years

Brian, Kim and Joe finally made it up to the Lodge on New Years Eve (Happy Birthday Kim!). The boys were excited to see Joe and soooo happy that they brought Rock Band. Let the fun begin!

I just had to get a picture of Evan and his Leapster. He loves it so much and it kept him occupied on and off all week.

I pretty much sat in front of the fire and read on New Years Eve. I didn't feel like playing Rock Band. I even fell asleep for a little bit.

The boys love Rock Band (Ian and Kim played too).

Ian and Michael getting the fireworks ready.

Max and Ben fell asleep. Which is weird because Ben NEVER falls asleep. He must've been worn out.

Xander was happy because that meant he didn't have to take turns :)

More fireworks:

Cake for Kim

New Years Eve we pretty much sat around, ate, played Rock Band and hung out. Ian and Brian were in fine form, telling jokes and cracking us all up.


Ian made Michael laugh so hard that he fell to the floor.

It was NEGATIVE! degrees outside so I didn't go out. Ian, Michael, Xander, Joe, Kim and Brian braved the elements and let off some firecrackers. I stayed inside. And I don't regret it.

Sooo....as before mentioned, I went to Wal Mart on New Years Day and bought Just Dance 2. It was (is) everything I hoped it to be and more! We had so much fun! Here are some pictures:

Don't even act like you didn't enjoy those pictures :). We had a blast!

I wanted to include this super cute picture of Kim and Evan doing a puzzle :)

We went home the day after New Years. I'm so thankful that the roads were clear enough for us to go!

Snowed In

Here's what you do when you are snowed in:

-play poker


-venture outside (notice Ben is in shorts and has a football in his hand)

-bundle up

-get ready to go back outside

-spy on and attack your father (that went on for a whole morning until Max conked his head on the floor)

-back outside
-snowball fights

-watch it snow

-try to build snow forts

-Ian chased the boys around (his mask was pretty scary)

I went out to make a snow angel but then snow got in my pants. I had to abort the mission and go back inside and get warm again.

Finally, around 5:30 on Friday (New Year's Eve) we saw the sky! After 3 days of non stop snow it was a relief.

I woke up the next morning, went for a walk and then bundled up Evan and went into town. Because I had a SEVERE case of cabin fever.

Nothing a little trip to Wal Mart couldn't fix :)