It's A Big Chain!

This is a long chain, but the countdown is still on!  We will take one off each day until the day we leave on vacation.  Inside each ring, I wrote down something we will see or do.  The boys were excited to take one off this morning.  It is helping us all get excited and giving us something to look forward to.

Embarrassing

Today Kirk and I went to primary to hear Tyler give the closing prayer.  He was very excited and waved to us when we got there.  I had asked him earlier if he wanted one of us to help him, but he said he didn't need any help.  He offered quite the prayer asking for lots of things and failing to list any thanks.  But the part that got me laughing and made my face turn red was when he asked to, "bless the mommies to be nice."  If his teachers and the rest of primary haven't already wondered what is going on in our home, I am sure they are now. 

Lost

Digging up old pictures of the twins forced me to realize I need to take more pictures and organize the ones that I have.  Tyler, being the last child, has never had his pictures organized.  This was a slow week for me and I decided to start the process.  I spent one day working on it only to realize I am missing all of the pictures from his birth.  I have no pictures from the hospital or anything.  I do not know where they went and they haven't turned up.  It makes me so sad.  So for now, this is about as good as it gets.  I guess there are worse traumatic things in life....

We Are Rich!

This morning before the boys left for school, we were gossiping about the neighbors.  One of our neighbors put up a for sale sign.  They happen to have a little boy the same age as my twins, and they consider him a close friend.  The twins were very upset.  We discussed life, big houses, and why people might want to move.  Ethan chimed in and said, "We are rich in friends not money!"  And he is right.  Although losing great neighbors is hard, we feel so blessed for all our good neighbors and friends and we really are rich!   

A Trip Down 9 Years of Memory Lane

The twins turned 9 years old last week.  They are getting big and old.  Sometimes I feel the same way:)  It was exciting, just like all birthdays are.  It was Saturday and despite the nice weather in the background, it snowed all day.  So we stayed inside and spent some time together as a family.  Even though the boys are growing up, I love that they are still in a stage where they love legos.  Kirk and I are really good at legos too.  We have helped put together a lot of them!

Since my babies were born before blogging, I decided to put up some old pictures of them.  It was a lot of fun picking them out.  And since I don't scrapbook, I better scan a few photos in once in awhile, so here goes....

The boys turned 1 right as we bought our house.  We were a small family back then and I didn't even have enough stuff to fill all of my cupboards.  David and Jacob used to get in the lazy susan and ride around.  They thought it was hilarious!  I have two of these in my kitchen.  The other one was full of tuperware.  Another one of their favorite things to do was to throw all of the tuperware to the landing at the bottom of the stairs.  They would take out one piece at a time, walk to the top of the stairs, chuck it, and go back for another.  Sometimes I just left it down there.

I love this picture because it was taken at the house we lived in before we bought our home and it also has our old car in the background.  We had beautiful trees at this house and we spent our Sunday afternoons laying on the grass underneath them.  

This picture was taken soon after we came home from the hospital.  The twins were my littlest babies, even though they didn't stay that way for long.  I loved taking care of them all day.  

Even though David isn't looking at the camera, I still love this picture.  Our house was within walking distance of my grandma and we would walk over to her house often.  This was taken on one of our visits.  I also love it because I look so happy.  I really was so happy to be a mom and literally loved my life.  

I used to walk every morning with my dear friend Stefanie.  I bundled up those boys and off we would go.  They loved it!

This picture was taken on their blessing day.  As soon as they were born, it just seemed like life picked up and from then on it has been one event after another.  The time has gone by too quickly!  I remember Kirk giving Jacob a beautiful blessing, then handing him off to me and taking David and giving him a beautiful blessing as well.  I also remember I used to have to wake up at 6:00 am to get us all ready and fed for 9:00 church.  

As the boys got bigger, sometimes I would prop them up with their bottles as I folded laundry or did something else.  Looking at all of these pictures, I forgot how close they have been their whole lives.  No wonder David freaked out when he got his own room.  They have always been so close and they still are, though they both enjoy having their own rooms.  

And I love this picture because they are both full of mischief, just like they are now, goofing off is still their favorite past time.  I love those boys and I still love being their mom and I am still happy, I just look a lot older and more tired.  And that is because I am:)

My twins are special little guys and I look forward to all of the events, accomplishments, and learning that we will have together many more years!

Making Up For Last Night

You saw all that yummy produce, right?  Well, last night I made 2 different salads for dinner.  They had lots of ingredients, took lots of time, and tasted heavenly.  At least they did to me.  My boys ate them better than I thought, but it was the big boy who surprised me.  He seemed a little out of sorts.  About an hour after dinner he complained about being hungry and jokingly mentioned that I should not make salad for dinner.  I told him he could make dinner any time he wants and that it wouldn't hurt my feelings.  He replied that I could make a living any time I want.  Good thing it was a joke, we had fun laughing about it.  So tonight we had steak.  It is amazing the joy that steak brings to my family of boys.  Every single one of them was soooooooo excited for dinner tonight.  It was delicious!  We had steak, asparagus, left over salad :) and bread.  If you haven't tried Pugliese bread you should, I love it, we ate a whole loaf of it.  Now the dishes are done and the house is quiet, my favorite time of the day!

Look What Made My Day....

This morning I got all this produce for $15.  It really made my day and I so look forward to eating it all.  We made smoothies this morning with the fruit (the strawberries and blueberries are already gone) and tomorrow we are going to eat a lot of yummy vegetables.  If you are what you eat, I can see why healthy people look so good.  Doesn't this produce look yummy?  I just love it!

I bought myself a treat today.....

Happy Easter to me!

Self Improvement

I'm not very dramatic and I'm not a very good friend.  I have thought about these 2 things the past little while.  Last night my sister called and when I got off the phone, my husband was laughing at me because I had been so mean.  The terrible part is I didn't even realize it.  But I was mean.  I asked him what I said that was so bad and he continued to make fun of me.  Then he said, "Haven't you ever read that book, Men Are From Mars and Women Are From Venus'?"  

"No."  I haven't read that book.  I probably should.  Have you read it?  Is it good?   

"Women don't like you to solve their problems, they just like to talk about them," says my husband.  Anyway, I didn't know that, but I can see how it might be true.  All I can think of at this point is thank goodness for 4 boys and not 4 girls.  I am afraid I would not be a patient mother of girls.  Actually I am not really a patient mother of boys either.   

My lack of dramatics has also led me to believe I am not a very good friend.  I am not a good liar.  If your hair looks bad, I can't look at you and tell you how cute it is.  I just don't feel comfortable.  And at the same time, I think lots of good things about people that go unsaid.  I need to take time to say those things to people, but honestly, sometimes I just forget.  Of course no one wants a dishonest friend, but don't we all have friends who make us feel so good about ourselves by telling us how cute our hair is even when it isn't?  I know some days I really appreciate those friends.  

I have got a lot of work to do and apparently some books to read as well.  This morning my husband set one out for me.  I wonder if that is a hint.  It is called The Tipping Point.  All this reflection also caused me to be grateful for the friends that I do have, who put up with me.  Especially my sister and good friend Nicole.  My sister is family, she can't ignore me and sometimes I feel so bad about what Nicole had to go through living with me in college.  I am glad she is still my friend:)  The end. 

We've Been Busy....

It all started on President's Day.  The weather was a little gloomy and the kids didn't have school.  I went to Target for fun and while I was there, picked up a box of puzzles.  I thought it might be something fun for the kids and I to do that day.  It mostly turned into something fun for Kirk and I to do.  And it has been fun.  Saturday we went on a family date to dinner and Barnes and Noble.  We couldn't help ourselves and picked up another puzzle.  We haven't eaten at the table all week long.  We even had Sunday dinner at the counter.  But we sure have had a lot of fun at the table!

Surviving the Winter/Lots of Pictures

Last week while Kirk was in New York, I took the kids and we went to St. George and Zion.  We had such a good time and wish we could have stayed a little longer.  Unfortunately my parent's house is under construction and we had to come home eventually.  We enjoyed great weather, good shopping, yummy food (did you know there is a Brick Oven in St. George?), beautiful scenery, and fun friends.  It was a great trip and we look forward to doing it again!

At our hotel in St. George

Beginning the hike, Angel's Landing in Zion

At the end of the hike, we made it!  Not all the way to the top though, that hike is way too dangerous for little kids.  But I was impressed with how far they all made it.

I really am vacation/calendar oriented.  It keeps me going to have something to look forward to.  That is why I like planning ahead.  This was a great little get away!  And now the count down begins for our next adventure, I can't wait!

Switcharoo

This weekend we made the boys all switch bedrooms.  David and Jacob have been down in the basement since they were 3 or 4 years old.  I was thinking they were 4 when we sent them down there, but it could have been earlier.  And they have shared a room since birth.  Since their greatest skills are goofing off, we decided to move them upstairs where we could keep a handle on all of their nonsense.  This also meant they would be able to have their own room.  When we announced the good news to them, David about died.  He threatened to run away.  I told him I would help him pack and I think I scared my mother-in-law pretty bad:)  

After a week of letting the idea settle in David's mind, he finally agreed to it.  And he let me know that he wasn't really going to run away, his plan was to live in the garage.  So this weekend we moved the twins upstairs and Ethan and Tyler downstairs.  They opted to have bunk beds and share a room in the basement.  We told Ethan he could have the other room, but I guess bunk beds are too much to resist.  So we still have a guest bedroom.  So far it has been good.  The boys are having a hard time switching bathrooms and I think the stairs have been good exercise for Tyler.  Now if we can just get the twins to quit goofing off all of the time we will have it made!  

A Treasure

My kids are off track again!  In order to break up the 3 weeks, and have some fun, we headed south to see the sun and play outdoors.  We had a blast!  While I was vacuuming this morning, I found this in my son's bedroom.  I had to grab my camera and get a picture of it.  I should do this everyday, there is always something fun on his board.  

Afternoon Adventures

The kids are off track and we have enjoyed being lazy.  Yesterday we went to visit my grandma.  She insisted on buying the kids a Valentine treat, so we went to the bookstore.  The boys were so excited to get the Fablehaven books.  Tyler even got one and asks me to read to him all the time.  I am glad the boys all enjoy books.  I love the quiet sound of everyone reading:)  My grandma is a sweet lady and I enjoy spending time with her.  She likes to talk and some of the things she says make me laugh.  Cheerioats=Cheerios, I guess it sounds healthier if they are oats.  It makes me laugh inside every time she says this.  Yesterday she was talking about a haircut that one of my cousins got and she referred to the hairdresser as a beauty operator.  That one made me laugh inside too.  Although hairdresser is a funny word as well.  Anyway, she is a neat person and I am glad my kids and I get to see her and spend time with her.  And now we have lots of reading to keep us occupied while we are off track!

On my way home from my grandma's house, my husband called.  He had to go to Dallas on Monday and was on his way home.  He was excited because he ran into my mission president and his wife, they were on his same flight.  He got to visit with them briefly and then I got to hear all about it.  It was a fun little surprise:)  I had a super mission president and his wife is truly the most loving and humble person I know.  I am so glad I got to serve a mission!

Wintery Weekend

We spent the weekend at my brother's cabin.  It snowed a LOT.  It was the perfect backdrop for being in the mountains, at a cabin, with a fire, food, and family.  We had a great time together and we can't wait to do it again!

Although it would be ok if we didn't get stuck again, thank goodness for all the manpower!

  

About Last Night

We are still loving our snuggies.  Especially on lazy Sunday evenings in the basement.  We got a new camera last month and I am so excited to figure it out and learn to take good pictures.  However, I am learning that good pictures=good lens and good lens=lots of money.  The camera already cost lots of money so good lens is not an option.  I am going to have to get down to the nitty gritty and do the best with what I've got.  I am excited to take more classes.  Lucky for us, we can take as many as we want for free, and I will be needing all the classes and help I can get.  

Among other things, last night I learned to do this to pictures in my camera.  Pretty scary huh?

This is what the original looked like

And while I was in class, Kirk was in Chicago eating this:

That would would have tasted really good last night.  

Sometimes You Are Just Born With It

My kids wake up early every morning, like 6:30 am.  Every single morning.  You would think that with this schedule they would get a lot accomplished before school.  That is not true however because they are all such buddies and goof-offs.  I am constantly reminding them, get some breakfast, get dressed, brush your teeth, get your shoes on, etc.  And I have to do this every single day.  This morning I sent Jacob out to the fridge in the garage to get some more milk.  About a minute later he came out of the bathroom.  "Where's the milk?" I ask.  He had already forgotten.  It is like this all of the time and it drives me nuts!  

Today I was a little late getting out of the shower.  Which meant I hadn't made their lunches yet.  Without me even saying a word, Ethan got everything he needed and made his own lunch.  I just about died of happiness.  He had made a peanut butter and honey sandwich, got a water bottle, chips, and an orange.  He had even peeled the orange.  What a kid.  I love that he can be responsible and do things independently.  I have always liked doing things for myself and have always been independent.  I remember being about 6 years old and insisting on doing my own hair, and I always did.  I thought everyone was that way until I had kids.  The twins are not this way.  Too bad for them they inherited some of my less desirable characteristics.  Lucky for them they were blessed with such goodness from their dad.  I think we would all have more kids if we could pick their habits and characteristics.  

Sunday in church Jacob fell asleep (David and Jacob definitely got their fall asleep anywhere gene from their dad).  It is very common for he and David to fall asleep in church.  Last Sunday was particularly embarrassing because when I looked down the row, he had both of his hands down his pants.  Maybe that just comes with boys...I was wishing I had my camera.

Army Guys

We see a lot of these little green men around our house.  We have definitely gotten our money's worth out of them.

And while I am on the subject of men, I must say a few things.  First of all I watched a few snippets of the Bachelor the other night.  Disturbing is one word that comes to mind.  These girls are so fake.  The hair is fake, the boobs are fake, their personalities are fake, and their clothing leaves NOTHING to the imagination.  And they give girls around the world a bad name.  I don't know where they find these people, but they are not real.  About the same time I read this blog and this blog.  Both of them were very real to me and made me grateful for my unglamorous, simple, and imperfect life with my own man.  

Some Favorite Things Since Christmas 2009

Don't laugh, the snuggie is awesome.  I use mine everyday.  If you pass me going to the gym on cold mornings, I will be wearing mine.  I love it.  My only complaint is that my special bonus reading lamp didn't work, oh well.  My mom and sister got this for me as a joke, but I was really excited.  My boys all got them as well and I am surprised at how much they use theirs.  They really are handy little things this time of year.

If you went to the mall over the holidays, you probably got attacked by a salesperson who wanted to work some "magic" on your fingernails.  I didn't buy one.  But I couldn't stop thinking about it and I decided I wanted one.  I was secretly planning to go to the mall after Christmas and see if I could get one for less.  My mom got one for Christmas, I was happy for her and jealous.  Then my brother surprised me with one too.  That little buffer is the bomb.  I love it!  If you don't know about this, it is worth a trip to the mall.

Besides a surprise, this food chopper was another Christmas wish.  Kirk got it for me and I LOVE it.  I can't even remember how many times I have used it already.  I have sliced carrots, celery, chopped onions, and sliced apples.  It took some figuring out, but now that I got the hang of it, it works great.  Love it! 

After all the junk I consumed during the holidays, I knew it was time to start watching what I eat.  One day while at Costco, they were sampling these sandwich thins.  They are soooo good.  I couldn't believe how good they were.  So I bought them and have made myself a sandwich everyday since.  For as good as they taste, you would never know they are only 100 calories.  They also have 5 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein.  I bet they are great with burgers...

Saturday Mornings

We are right in the midst of basketball season.  Kirk is coaching this year and it is very serious.  He bought a clipboard/whiteboard and a whistle.  The team has learned and runs plays.  I think it is funny to see these little boys so complex.  This Saturday our game is at 8:00 in the morning.  Bummer.