progress

The basement is coming along nicely. It's been a little loud pretty early in the morning for us, but we've been awake. It's now all framed and the HVAC has already been started. The boys are very excited for the playroom under the stairs. I keep catching them sitting on the steps watching the workers. Luckily, the workers have been very clean cut, nice guys. As soon as I catch them though, they have to come upstairs. It's hard to tell who's more excited, Shea, me or the boys. Lucy also likes to run around down there.
I'm ready to head out in the morning to Boston. We all got over our 12 hour stomach sickness on Monday and Tuesday. That was pleasant. In addition to the other things I had running around in my head, I got to launder sheets, towels, clean carpets, and reclean bathrooms. Fun times as a mother. Although I'm going to miss my hottie husband and kids so much, I think the break will make me a better mother. I'm really excited to see somewhere east of Denver, but still in the USA! I'm also looking forward to some yummy fish and clam chowder.
I'm taking four books on my trip. I'll have a long flight and time on a bus. I'm going to try to read To Kill A Mockingbird (again, since I haven't read it since 8th grade), finish The Life of Pi, Reading Lolita in Tehran, and refresh on The Secret Garden. I really wanted to read The Great Gatsby, but I couldn't find a copy in time.

Why I blog...

"You will have significant experiences. I hope that you will write them down and keep a record of them, that you will read them from time to time and refresh you memory of those meaningful and significant things. Some may be funny. Some may be significant only to you. Some of them may be sacred and quietly beautiful. Some may build one upon another until they represent a lifetime of special experience. Gordon B. Hinckley, 2006
Thanks to Wendi's blog and Crystal's blog for this quote.

a busy weekend

Thursday was the boys' school carnival. I found out last week that I had to do a silent auction basket for their class. Most of the other moms knew about their baskets when school started. It wasn't a problem though. Some of the kids brought $1, and Shannon was kind enough to take me to the supply store to get hair product. My mom donated a darling felt bag, and another mom collected some more product and certificates for free haircuts. It was a darling bag, and I know it sold, so I'm happy with that.

On Friday, Shea and I spent the day cleaning out the basement and getting it ready to start construction on Monday. The guys actually came to chalk, but we weren't ready. After two days of cleaning, shelf building, and organizing, we're ready to go. We fit everything in our cold storage under the porch. It was nice to organize the food storage and get an idea of what we have. I love seeing everything all put away in its proper place.

Saturday we spent organizing the garage. We were on a kick this weekend. We bought more shelves from Costco, and put everything away. Shea now even has a place for shipping/receiving of all his computer parts. I'm happy that that "department" isn't my entry anymore! After the basement and garage were clean, I couldn't live in my house in the state it was in. We had tracked dust everywhere, and the kids had been running around. I had to clean it after the BYU game so that I could enjoy my "day of rest" today.

Today should be a good day. If I make a conscious effort to be more patient with the kids, Sundays are bearable. I am released from my calling as a RS teacher, so I only have to worry about visiting teaching for a while. That will be nice! If you ask me, they should have released me before my chastity lesson, but that wouldn't be nice to make a new instructor teach! You're welcome, Jenna! After Shea "counts the money" we will be going to my parents' for dinner with family and extented family.

Helicopter day

As I was driving home from dropping the boys at Learning Dynamics this morning, I saw a helicopter in the canyon. I always notice helicopters. It's in my genes. This one happened to have two rotor blades. I knew immediately that it must be my dad's. I drove as far as I could (which wasn't even to the park ranger station at the canyon entrance) to see what was going on. I found out where the landing was and talked to my dad's guys about bringing the boys to see the "ship" fly.

Luckily, they were moving all the old pipe out of the canyon, and it took longer than anticipated. I was able to pick the boys up at 11 and spend an hour in the canyon with my dad and my kids doing behind-the-scenes, limited access observation. It was very cool! I don't know why I love to watch the helicopter fly, but it's nostalgic for me. It makes me feel close to my dad, and I enjoyed sharing that special experience with my kids. Lucy especially loved it--it's hereditary!

Sneaking one past her

My lack of posts is mostly due to the fact that Lucy throws herself on the ground in the office and sobs whenever I sit down to the computer. Little drama queen. She is asleep right now, so I have to be quick before she senses what I'm trying to get done.

We had a good week last week. We had some friends over for pizza and games on Friday night. It was fun and chaotic with all nine children running around. What we won't do for a little adult interaction!

Saturday the boys had a soccer game. After they won and we were walking to the car I overheard the boys talking. "Girls are kinda good at soccer," Cam says, "but the Green Dragons are the BEST!" They don't have any girls on their team, but every team they've played has had girls on it. They're so funny.

In the car Coop said, "It's a good thing they (his team) have me. I'm the number one best at soccer. I kicked the ball a past three (holding up his three fingers) Silver Bullets. Cam's the number two best, and Dakota's the number three." We're glad the boys are so confident.

Sunday I got to teach a RS lesson on the law of chastity. Yep. It was loads of fun. It actually went pretty well, and the time passed very quickly. I didn't have to say too many graphic words either. I did tell the story of my sweet mother-in-law who yelled to Shea as we climbed in the limo after our reception, "Just do what comes naturally, honey!"

The women died laughing. Shea almost died of embarassment when I told him. Candy did too. She knows I said it, and that I prefaced it with how wonderfully and completely she raised the son I married.

Today we had the pre construction meeting for our basement. They start finishing it next Monday! We will have it done by Christmas! We're using a company called Upscale Downstairs. They've won the Best of State award for two years and have some great credentials. We just wanted it done well and right and before 2014. We're excited! It's almost like building a house again. I get to pick doors, light fixtures, paint, carpet, outlet placement, countertops, tile... We could be happy in our house for several more years.

That's about it for the update. Renee, I hope you're happy! :)

San Diego and Pasadena

We spent Thursday through Sunday in southern CA last week. We got to drive down in my parents' motorhome--which Lucy loved to drive and sit in Grandpa's lap while he drove. It was nice, but not in one way, to have an accessible restroom, food, and a flexible seating arrangement for the 11 hour drive. The only thing that wasn't nice was always having to watch Lucy as she tottered around and worked on her balance skills en motion. It would have been good to strap that girl into a carseat for a few hours. She did take amazing naps while we were driving--thanks to the magic chair and Grandma holding her. She fell asleep 5 or 6 times in the chair for hours at a time. That's very uncharacteristic of that little princess.


Thursday was a travel day and we spent the night in Adam and Ashley's new home in Loma Linda. We woke up the next morning and drove to San Diego and the zoo. We had a great time--perfect weather, cooperative and interesting animals, and good company. Cam and Matt kept us all laughing. Matt did so well hobbling around on his crutches.


Friday night we went to the JV and Varsity Lone Peak games to watch Marc. He played really well and they won JV but lost Varsity. I've got some coaching and referee complaints, but I'll save those for another day.


My mom missed the Varsity game since she volunteered to accompany a boy that broke his arm in the last play of the JV game to the hospital. She is and has always been the best example of compassionate and selfless service. The boy ended up flying home the next morning to have his parents and doctors here decide what to do with the compound fracture.

We visited the local Costco on Saturday morning to get food for the game. We found black Spider man costumes there! I have been to our Costco and surrounding ones 7 times at least looking for these things. I gave up and ordered two online for twice as much. Luckily they haven't even shipped yet--and I saved $40!


Saturday we drove to the BYU game in Pasadena. It took forever to get there because of a horrible crash on I-5. We found out that the car in the wreck (that was completely unrecognizable as a car at all) was driven by the mom of one of the Lone Peak players. His 5-year-old sister Paige,who had played with Lucy all night at the game, had been killed. Let's just say I had a hard time focusing on the BYU game and having my heart really into football at the time. I could just think of that poor family, and what they were dealing with.


I ended up taking the kids out at halftime to the motorhome. They were too restless to be trapped in the stands sweating to death. I left Shea to enjoy the game, and I guess I missed the best half in the process. After the game, since we were so late getting there and had a ton of tailgating food, we tailgated. A lot of my dad's family were at the game, so they stopped by. We also got to see Olivia's parents and sister. It was nice to not fight traffic out of the game and to sit and eat with friends instead.


Sunday we went to my Aunt Lara's sacrament meeting since her husband was blessing their new baby, Grace Marie. It was nice to have brunch with family before heading home. It was even nicer to sleep in my own bed that night and be in my own house!


Now we're home, and the kids are back in school. Yea!!! My house is in the cleaning process, and laundry is being done as I type. (I wish it would just fold itself.)


Tomorrow is a room mothers meeting and soccer practice...and life is back to good old normal.

HAPPY 14th BIRTHDAY ALLYSUN!

You are one darling (and mature) girly! I love you so much. Thanks for being always positive, having a smile on your face, loving my kiddos and me, and being a great example to your siblings and all those cousins! The eldest cousin has to be wonderful--and you are.

You are so beautiful. I hope you have a wonderful day!

Happy Dyson Day!

For Labor Day my sweet husband let me get a new tool to help with my labors. (I have been eyeing these for a while and noticing how not sucky my old vacuum was.) We spent the day trying it out on every surface of our home. I was surprised (and disgusted) to see the dirt and stuff that came out of our carpet. Keep in mind, I did vacuum the whole house two days ago.

So, this little guy and I are going to be spending a lot of time together. I like--really like--fresh vacuum lines. I haven't been a daily vacuumer until now, but I may start.

I guess Shea loves me lately. :) He always loves me! Today my mom called and asked if I wanted to come with her on a church history, guided trip to Boston at the end of the month. I hung up the phone and Shea and I discussed it. It's 6 days--Thursday to Tuesday. He said that it would be a chance of a lifetime and I should go. So, I called my mom back and told her I'd go. So...I'm headed to Boston at the end of the month, and I'm going to New York City with my sisters-in-law and mother-in-law in October. Yea! At long last...a trip with no kids. I'm going to come home one relaxed, refreshed, rejuvenated mama!