Random Thought Thursday

• This week I got two "Christmas" cards in the mail.  I thoroughly enjoyed them and I am thinking maybe I will start doing the same.  I really regret not doing a letter with our card for 2 years in a row, but I just get so busy during the holidays, that is one thing I don't do.  So if you don't get a Christmas card from us in December, it might show up later in the year.
• Kirk's French grandmother is known around our house for her cure for sore throats.  Whenever Kirk feels one coming on, he will mix up hydrogen peroxide, salt, and hot water.  He gargles this concoction and swears by it.  I have never tried it until this week and guess what?  It did cure my sore throat, thanks Grandma Christine!  I am still not feeling 100%, but my throat is all better.
• I lost track of how many loads of laundry I have done today.  Ethan threw up during the night and managed to get throw up on everything!!!  I have been cleaning ALL his bedding and then some more blankets and quilts he managed to soil as well.  Sick kids are hard, but sometimes the laundry is even harder.  
• With all the sick kids and laundry, I have been sitting around a little more than normal and so I watched Forks Over Knives recently.  Have you seen it?  What do you think?  I am still trying to figure out how I feel about it.
• And speaking of that movie I just want to say how much I love netflix!  If it was on my tv upstairs, I would probably be watching way too much tv.  Do you have netflix?  I think I like it almost as much as DVR
• We are still in basketball season for Ethan.  His Saturday league plays in the championship on Saturday.  The Wednesday league is still going though.  When Ethan got sick the other night, the first thing he asked about were his basketball games.  As long as he loves it, it is worth it.  He has had a great season! 

A Fashion Post

I have been a little sick lately, but yesterday these arrived in the mail and really cheered me up!  They were my Valentines present from Kirk and they are even better in real life.  They were one of many things in the new Boden catalog that I fell in love with.  

I also bought this little skirt at Old Navy and I can't wait to wear it this spring/summer.  I don't usually shop at Old Navy because they don't have anything that interesting, but I was pleasantly surprised this time.  I walked out of the store with 2 of these skirts and 2 stripey t-shirts.  Casual skirts are my favorite things to wear in warm weather.  

A New Family Tradition

I know I have written a lot about skiing this year, but it has been so much fun and such an enjoyable part of our lives, that I have to write about it again.  The boys all finished up their lessons and now have season passes!  I am very jealous and wish that I had one as well.  This was the first time Kirk has been able to ski with us.  We went on Saturday and had a blast!  We couldn't have asked for better weather, it was a beautiful.  Kirk was surprised to see how well the boys ski, they are all great skiers and I am sure they will pass us up in no time.  I tend to forget that Tyler is smaller and it is harder for him to keep up.  When we got home on Monday, he went right to bed, about 6:00 and didn't wake up until this morning. I told him next time we would take some easier runs for him.  This picture was taken near the end of the day and he was not a happy camper, he was ready to be done. 

 I've mentioned it before, but I forgot how much I love skiing!  I don't know why it brings me so much joy to be up in the mountains skiing and especially seeing my little boys with their little skis cruising around.  I have decided that one of the reasons I love it so much is because my boys love it so much and it is one of the few things that we will have in common.  I will never have a daughter who will want to go shopping with me or wander around make-up counters or go to the spa and that is ok.  But honestly I have never loved sports.  So here I am with 4 boys who live on ESPN, sports, and more sports.  I have all the "important" things in common with my boys, but I love that we have a hobby in common.  So for that I love skiing even more!  

Kirk has been so supportive about me taking the boys and after this weekend, he loves skiing as much as I do.  He even encouraged me to get some skis and it didn't take much.  We have a family friend who gave us some nice discounts and I have my own skis again!  It is funny how styles come and ago and would you believe that the skis I got as a 17 year old are pretty much the same color scheme as the ones I just got?  In fact I saved myself a little money by using my same poles, and they even match!  Kirk said over and over this weekend, "I think we have a new President's Day tradition."  I sure hope so!

Better

Well, Reggie is finally getting better.  A couple of weeks ago I told him he needed to die or get better and I guess he decided he wanted to live.  We are so glad to see his tail up in the air as he struts around the house and yard and to hear him growl and bark at things outside.  However, today I found myself mourning the days when he was sick and I never had to yell at him to quit barking or be quiet.  Yes, Reggie is better and that is why he is outside barking right now at who knows what.  It could be a spider, a bad guy, a bird, or a cloud.  If I hadn't spent so much money on vet bills, I would probably be spending some on a barking collar...

Crafty

This year was the last pinewood derby for the twins and the decided that they wanted to "go out in style" and had a little fun with their cars.  David made the yellow one, which was going to be a school bus and Jacob made the black one.  It started out as a UPS truck, but when he goofed, it turned into the A-team van.  Ethan's car was more normal.

 Ethan's car is the gray and blue one.  They all did well, no first place winners in this family, but everyone's cars did great and we had a good time!

 Recently I made this!  Tyler got one for a present and loved it, so I thought I would try to make one.  It has been a lot of fun to get out my sewing machine and make things.  Tyler loves it!  Making things is right up his alley.  I let him do a little sewing on the machine.

 I never really care about who is playing in the Superbowl, but because David loves the Patriots and they made it this year, I cared a little more than normal.  We made a little banner for the basement and he hung up one of his Tom Brady fat heads for the game.

 We even had special cookies!  Too bad the Patriots didn't win:(

We made a few changes in the front room, I still need to make some more changes, but I am loving the bright new look.  

Lots to Say

Recently. My husband was out of town all last week.  He left early on Sunday morning, that night when I went to bed, I dreamed someone broke into my house!  It was scary, awful, and weird.  In my dream I was talking to the guy who broke in and asking him how he got in, the whole dream was very real.  So on Monday when I talked to my husband, I told him about this dream and he told me he had been worrying about the exact same thing!  Well, that was enough for me to call up some people and get a home security system installed.  They came that same day and I was able to sleep well the rest of the week.

Tender Mercies. A couple of weeks ago I was reading the Book of Mormon with my kids.  The words "tender mercy" came up and I tried my best to explain it.  Later that same day I listened to this talk.  In the beginning is a great story about a tender mercy, I shared it with the kids on the way home from school.  Fast forward to Sunday and David's favorite team the Patriots are playing in a game to determine if they will go to the Super Bowl. After the game David pulled me aside and told me he had a "tender mercy".  He said a little prayer that the Patriots might win and they did.  That counts doesn't it?

My own tender mercy.  I am a little bit weird.  One of the struggles I have is that I get bored.  I like having things to think about and places to see.  I LOVE people with strong opinions, nothing makes me more crazy than people who always agree and never say what they really think.  And I have learned I like a little diversity.  Being a stay at home mom in Utah makes me a little crazy sometimes.  I was trying to explain this one night to Kirk.  It just happened to be after a company dinner where we met lots of people from all over the world.  Of course Kirk doesn't struggle in these ways because he talks to educated adults all day and probably hears way too many strong opinions, but I think that is why I married him.  He is such a good balance to me and not afraid to challenge my ideas or thoughts.  I love that!  We don't always agree and we learned early on that it is ok not to always agree, but I love the challenge of looking at something another way or from another point of view.  I guess marriage does that.  So the very next day I got an unexpected knock at the door and it was one of my college roommates.  I had such a great time catching up with her.  During our visit I also got a phone call from another college roommate (who I have yet to call back, sorry) who left me a message.  I do not think it was a coincidence.  My Heavenly Father loves me and sent me a tender mercy.

Better.  Sunday we discussed the same talk I linked earlier.  It is about prayer and it got me thinking about all these things I have just written.  I am grateful for prayer, the tender mercies, answers, and promptings that come.  I thought about Monday and how I felt prompted to make my home more secure.  It was something I reacted to immediately.  I realized I need to have more urgency in my other reactions. There are so many times when I think I need to call someone or check in with a friend and days go by and it never gets done.  I feel bad that I let those things happen.  So I am going to try and do better and respond to the promptings that I receive.  I was pondering all of this late last night and felt prompted to contact a friend, so I did, even though it was after 10:00, that is when texting comes in handy.  Luckily she was awake and we were able to make plans.  I know that doing the will of the Lord will also help me always be secure, just like my home literally is now.  So I am resolved to do better!

Oh What A Night!

So last year over the Thanksgiving holiday, when my boys weren't sitting around like this, they were out making a movie with their Uncle Mike.  They made one 3 years ago called Monster Hunt.  It was a silly little movie that we all love to laugh at.  It is amazing to me how much my boys have grown in that time.  And it is amazing that my brother could make such a silly movie out of nothing.  

So last night we had our movie premier.  I am so sad that I did not get my camera out.  This time more cousins were included in the movie and it made it all the better.  They all came over to see the finished product.  We laughed and laughed and laughed.  Obviously it might not be that funny to those who don't know my family, but to us, it is hilarious!  You can watch it here-

A Few Favorites

I got one of these for Christmas in my stocking in Richfield.  I have had so much fun using it!  Every once in awhile I get a new little kitchen gadget that makes me happy and my new egg beater has done that for me this year.  Last night I even used it to make frosting and it worked great!

These pajamas from Garnet Hill are my all time favorite!  I have worn them every night since I got them.  They are pricey, but once in awhile they do go on sale and they are worth every penny.

I don't quite have the skinny legs to pull off the cute skinny jeans, but I am loving the trend of color!  I think it is such a fun way to mix things up and still be simple which pretty much is the word that describes my wardrobe.  

Last Week

Well the kids are finally back in school.  I was really looking forward to Monday-the peace that comes from having a quiet and clean home that lasts for more than 30 seconds, but then I learned it was Martin Luther King day.  So no peace and quiet around here, until today.  It's just me and Reggie.  The house isn't clean yet, but it is quiet and peaceful and I am enjoying it.  But I had such a blast last week that I had to post a few more pictures.  I took Ethan and Tyler skiing last week for their first time as well.  They both loved it and did such a great job.  All last week I kept thinking, "winter is not that bad, why haven't I been taking advantage of it before?"  So far this has been my favorite winter by far.  I haven't been dreading these next few months or even anxious for them to pass by.  

 Tyler and Ethan coming down the slope.

 David

 Tyler

 Jacob

Ethan 

 Tyler and David

These pictures are mostly terrible, taken from my cell phone, sometimes with poles and gloves in hand.  It was such great weather all week.  The sun was so bright they had to wear goggles.  But that sun goes down early when you are in the mountains and it gets cold quick!

All Before 9:00am

I didn't go to the gym this morning.  I was so tired from skiing the day before that I opted to sleep in.  Kirk got up early to go to work (my kids are off track) and then I was up.  He was getting breakfast and poured out the last of the milk announcing that we were out.  "Great," I thought.  So I put on my sweats and headed to the store.  I got a few groceries and enjoyed how empty the store was at that hour.  I brought the milk home to hungry boys, but kept thinking, while I was out, I really wanted to go to Target and look around.  They just got all their summer/spring stuff in and I wanted to see if they had anything for our trip in a couple of months.  So I left again and went to Target, the parking lot was nearly empty and it was so nice to shop by myself.  And it was a HUGE success.  My all time favorite black skirt that I wear nearly every Sunday is from Target, I have wanted a grey one for quite some time and nearly spent a fortune on one at J. Crew, but I'm so glad I didn't because I found one at Target today!  Finding a skirt like that is a small miracle for me, especially when I only pay about $20.  As if finding a skirt isn't enough, I found a really cute swimming suit!  I have never purchased one at Target, but the price was right.  I don't think I have ever bought so many clothes at once while at Target, I came home with a skirt, swim suit, and an awesome t-shirt that I will probably wear everyday.  And I was home before 9:00am! 

It's Been About 11 Years

Yesterday I took my oldest boys skiing for the first time.  I could tell they were a little nervous and David could just not figure out why their lesson would last so long.  After gathering all their gear, getting their registration, and sending them on their way, I was tired.  In the middle of all that I decided that I would not ski with them, but maybe the next time.  So I sent them off to class and sat down.  I don't think I was there for more than a minute and I thought, "Why not?"  I really couldn't think of a reason why I shouldn't ski.  The weather was beautiful and really what was I waiting for?  So I rented some skis and hit the slopes.  I had never skied this resort before and it had been just over 11 years since I went skiing last, so I was a little nervous as well, but it came back quickly and I forgot just how much I LOVE skiing.  I couldn't stop smiling every time I saw my boys, it was fun for me to see them learning something so fun while at the same time remembering how much I love it myself.  

I was dead tired at the end of the day, but I can't wait to do it again!  In fact I got home and signed up my other boys so we can all go together.

A Career Change

Tyler has talked about being a farmer when he grows up for quite awhile now, we think it is great.  While we were in Richfield for Christmas, he went with my dad to feed the horses over at the field.  He came home looking like this.  

 I told him he had better re-think his career plan and that maybe he better not be a farmer.  Later that night I found him out in the garage cracking nuts with my dad and talking about other things he could do besides farming.  I love his adventurous spirit!

Christmas 2011

Well, I am finally getting caught up!  Here are a few pics from our Christmas, we had a great one, but we always do.  Jacob woke up with quite the fever, he did a lot better once we got some medicine in him.  We are grateful it was only a fever!

 Jacob took a little break before opening presents, waiting for the medicine to kick in.

 The boys all got new basketball shoes except for Tyler.  He has plenty of hand-me-downs and he REALLY wanted a robe.  He has worn it every night since Christmas.  He LOVES that robe!  

 Tyler got a new bike with gears so he can be like his big brothers.  I was worried it was too big, but he rides it just fine!

 Ethan heads out to try out his new golf clubs.

Kirk visiting with his dad later that night.  We went to Richfield that afternoon to talk to my sister (on a mission) and see our families.  Sadly we did not get the camera out enough.  

He's Back Home!

We went to visit Reggie on Saturday and found him with an IV and a cone.  It was sad, but we could already tell he was doing better.  He did not want to get back in that kennel when we left.  He is doing so much better though and we got to bring him home tonight.  He is eating and drinking and even wagging his tail.  We are so happy to have him home with us.  It is lonely coming home to an empty house with 

no dog to greet you, I am glad to have him back in our home!

                 

Mermen

We got back from New York just in time to see David and Jacob's school play, which was "The Little Mermaid."  It was kind of fun going on that ride in California, the boys could sing along to all of the songs.  The day after the play, they got to watch the movie at school, which was the first time for them.  I was curious how they might like it, but turns out they didn't pay much attention at school and still have not seen the film.  But they sure had a lot of fun doing the play and we were so glad we didn't miss it!

Better Days

This is Reggie a couple of months ago, but that is pretty much all he has done lately.  He hasn't eaten, barked, or chased a motorcycle since Christmas.  I took him back to the vet today and didn't get to bring him home, he is in the hospital for the weekend.  Turns out he has a little pneumonia and a terrible bacterial infection.  I think it just started as what they call "kennel cough" (we kenneled him for the first time when we were in California) and then got progressively worse.  

I think I'll go buy him a new bed and some toys while he is gone.  We will go visit him tomorrow.  I didn't know how sad we would all be seeing him so sick.  Monday afternoon we were all outside for awhile.  When we came back in, we couldn't find him anywhere.  We called, we looked, we whistled, but nothing.  Kirk eventually found him under our bed and he wouldn't come out.  We both wondered if he had gone under there to die.  Each day I kept thinking he would show signs of improvement, but he never did.  There is something to be said for a good vet, today we got into our usual one, but before they were so busy, we were forced to try another, which turned out to be a waste of my time and money.  We are looking forward to getting our Reggie back on Monday and hopefully he will be back to his normal self!