Food For Thought

Today for a pre-lunch snack ...

Marissa: bread with butter and jelly - not folded. Water.

Aaron: peanut butter and jelly sandwich - folded. Milk and water.

Krystal: bread with butter ONLY - folded ... wait - not folded ... wait - folded. Milk.

Just a little tidbit of my lovely days.
How can three kids make the same thing seem so different?

OSTONB

It has been quite fun out here in Bean Town. On Tuesday it was supposed to rain, so we postponed our trip into the city, and instead went to the Bass Pro Shop (which is similar to Cabellas). It was fun to see AJ and Julia watch the fish. AJ kept saying "You gotta come see this!" It was all fun and games until I ran into the bear. I barely escaped with my life., my camo shorts didn't seem to help me hide much, but I didn't have to run fast, only faster than Brandon!

Today we went to Fenway. Here I am on the "T". Can't you just feel my excitement? It was hard posing for this picture because the train ain't exactly a smooth ride.

Once we arrived at Fenway Park I was impressed by the history of this park, and realized that I was standing next to an impressive piece of history. Here are a few pictures I took inside the stadium.

This picture was taken from the seats along the first base line. Notice the Green Monster in the background (Baseball fans will know what I'm talking about. If you find yourself looking for an ACTUAL monster, keep looking I promise it's there. hehe). Picture number two is of the Boston skyline from the park. Picture three is of me standing in the club seats just off the right field line. The last picture is taken on top of the Green Monster. The big yellow bars are actually the foul pole, which is affectionatly named FISK, after Carlton Fisk. It was a fantastic day. I want to thank Brandon and Tina for taking time out of their busy schedules to show me these fun sites in Boston.

Happy Birthday, Dee!

11 Wonderfuls about my Wonderful 11 year old:

1. She cheers her brother and sister on in EVERYTHING they do.

2. She is one of the hardest workers I have ever known.

3. She has a great sense of humor - I am seriously in awe with some of the things she says - SO funny!

4. She is GREAT with little kids - sweet and sensitive and fun and loving and kind.

5. She is willing to give anything that could be good a serious try ... she has never given up.

6. Her laugh. It just fills my heart with joy.

7. She has a huge amount of compassion - Krystal often goes to her before she'll come to me for comfort.

8. She is good. She has a testimony that she cherishes - and she always tries to choose the right.

9. She has a pretty good attitude (unless, of course, she is in the process of "giving me attitude" - haha) - hand her a bunch of lemons - and you'll be sure to get lemonade. She is almost ALWAYS the first one to say 'sorry'.

10. She is beautiful. Seriously - not just because she is my daughter. She glows with outward and inner beauty.

11. She is mine. I'm so lucky and grateful to have her. I am proud to be called her mother.

Happy Birthday, Marissa! I love you!!

Ty does NYC

As promised, here are the NYC pictures. We left Brandon and Tina's around 6:00 am and drove into the city. We made great time, and had lots of laughs (don't ever say the word parabola around me).














Our first stop was the Empire state building. Here you see me looking all calm, but inside I was thinking of ways I could see the sights with out being so close to the ledge! I was able to reach through the bars that were keeping me safe to get this picture. NYC looks so cool from up here.





























After we reached the safety of the ground, we headed over to time square. I couldn't believe all the people. As one who loves watching people, I was like a kid in a candy shop. After satiating my vouyeristic tendencies, we decided it was time to eat lunch. We sat down in Central Park and ate PB&J's. Tina's sandwich making skills were greatly appreciated.

After resting, we peeled ourselves of the grass to head on to the Manhattan Temple. How awesome is it that there is a Temple in Manhattan! It is right there in the middle of all the huge buildings!


We kept moving on to see Ground Zero. What a sombre experience that was. AJ has been asking lots of questions regarding the attacks on 9/11. It was neat to once again feel the spirit of patriotism that I did shortly after the attacks.

Our final stop was the Statue of Liberty. We decided not to take the ferry ride over, but we could still see it off in the distance.

All in all it was a great day, we also included a subway ride, and hailing a taxi to our NYC experience.

Separation Anxiety

First - a little history: Tyler has this "Stress Testing" card that we always have a lot of fun with. He's had it for awhile now. It has a black square where you can put your thumb and then it will give you a "reading": black = stressed, red = anxious, green = normal, blue = calm. Anyway - Tyler and I take this test every week or so ... just for fun. I am always black ... and sometimes black lined with red. For those of you that know me well - this fits :). When I try to think of the most relaxing thing I can, and then take the test - I can usually get all red. On the other hand, Tyler is ALWAYS blue. Sometimes we have him think of the most stressful things he can to see if he can get his stress level up, but - lo and behold - the test stays blue. For those of you that know Tyler - this fits ... he is impossible to stress out - THE most kicked back guy you'll ever meet.

ANYWAY - yesterday, Tyler left for Boston - and will be gone for two weeks. This is BY FAR the longest we have ever been apart since his mission. We really have never been apart for more than a day or two. We can't stand it. So - Ty pulled out the stress test just for kicks ... and, would you look at that? He is a GREEN. His separation anxiety brought him to a normal stress level. hahahaha. I love my man. I already miss him more than ever. He is SUCH an amazing person. I'm counting down the days until his return.

Speaking of separation anxiety - I get to start my new calling (as Primary Teacher for the CTR 5 Class) this Sunday ... and Krystal is still struggling in nursery (granted they don't have leaders in there yet - just parents and 1 or 2 subs). Needless to say, I am really nervous about the next two Sundays without TyTy. Krystal is really a Daddy's girl too. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Ya think you'll never forget ...

... But, ya do.
So ... here's my reminder. I love age 3.

Gotta love the "waffle" for "cuatro" - and the belt it out singing is my favorite! I really do fix her hair daily - and, yet, she pulls it out daily - hence the de-elasticized hair do.

At about age 2 and 1/2, we started asking Krystal how old she was. She would say, "two". Then we would ask her when she would turn three. Without hesitating, she would say, "Aaaaany minute!"

When we ask Krystal if she can tell time, she says: "Yep. Morning .... dark .... morning ... dark" ... while pointing to her wrist.

A little while back, Krystal fell down and then said, "Mommy, I hurt my knee ... bless my heart."

We all call Fruit Loops - fruit poops - thanks to sweet lil' Kryssie.

She calls bad guys -- "bad buys" -- we all know how horrible THAT can be. haha.



What's not to love!?

He Can Count By Twos, and Tie His Shoes ....

... Look what else he can do!!!!

Cute Counters ... Counted as Cute!

After Aaron had attended kindergarten out here for 5 days, we went to an afterschool book fair. At the book fair, Aaron won a poster. As he was waiting in line to receive it, I noticed a little girl that waved at him and then ran over to her Mom - talking wildly and pointing back to Aaron. The Mom walked over to me and said, "so - THIS is McEwan's cousin, huh?" Me, being the social genius that I am, said, "who? Aaron? uh .... yeah." The mom then said, "All week long - all that has come out of my daughter's mouth is, 'McEwan and his cousin this .... McEwan and his cousin that'!" We both laughed and went on our own way. The little girl, however, engaged Aaron in conversation the rest of the time we were there. Aaron nodded and responded politely - but kept giving my these eyes that said: "Save Me!!!" hahaha. :) So cute.

McEwan and Aaron are obviously the studs of the school.

Anyway. Yesterday, McEwan came over to play. Here is a little bit of the conversation during dinner:

McEwan (loudly): My partner is a GIRL!!!!

Aaron (equally as loud): Dude. I know. Me too!!!

Both: Ewwwwwwww.

Tyler: Partner for what?

Both: the graduation program

Tyler: Don't you like girls?

McEwan (looking at Aaron with a big grin): Noooooooo.

Aaron (looking ever so serious): But we're nice to them.

McEwan & Aaron (hunched together whispering and laughing)...

Michelle: What's so funny?

McEwan: Dude. Don't tell them.

Aaron: I know. It's SO embarrassing.

McEwan (unable to hold back for another second): We have to shake our booty at school!!

Michelle, Tyler, Marissa - laugh hysterically

Michelle: I'm not sure how I feel about you guys shaking your booties at school.

Aaron (all seriousness flowing over): That's what the teacher said.

McEwan: It's for the program.

McEwan and Aaron look at each other and burst out laughing.

Michelle: Well, I want to see this booty shaking ... now.

McEwan (jumping out of his seat): No WAY!

Aaron: NEVER!

McEwan (in the same breath as his last No WAY): Okay - come on, Aaron. I call the trampoline.

They then gave us their little schpill on the trampoline in the livingroom. Presenting .... the booty shaking cuties:

Hahahahahaha. I wish I could have gotten them on video when they watched it right afterwards. They were both laughing so hard, they had tears rolling down their cheeks. Hilarious.

Can we all say: stud-muffins! I would CERTAINLY be counting them on my cute list as a kindergartner!

Motherhood

I remember distinctly after Marissa's birth - the overwhelming feeling of love that filled my whole heart and soul. And then, again with Aaron - wondering and worrying if it were even possible to have enough love left in me to love another child so intensely ... and how full my love for Aaron is. And yet again with Krystal. I love my children so deeply. I feel so blessed to be the mother of such incredible, charming spirits.

I remember the realization of my own mother's love for me at the arrival of my own children. I have the most amazing mother. She has always been a pillar of strength in our home. She is always there for me - and I have leaned on her heavily and continually - and yet, she holds strong with encouragement, motivation, comfort, kindness, humor, and unconditional love. She is my hero and continual role model. I love you Mom!

I have also been blessed to marry the most amazing man in the world - and I am forever grateful to his sweet and loving mother, my mother-in-law, who taught him patience and kindness. I honor her motherhood and am grateful for her thoughtfulness and love.

I am surrounded by inspiring women. I am so grateful for my sisters and sister-in-laws who are my best friends and such an important part of my life.

Happy Mother's Day!

I thought this was noteworthy ...

First of all - I LOVE the Fablehaven series - and purchased this third book the same week it came out. Today I read in the newspaper that this book bumped Harry Potter off of the New York Times"Top 10 Best Sellers" list for the first time in THREE years. Granted - everyone in the world probably already owns all the Harry Potter books. But still - that's sayin' something!

Along with Brandon Mull in the "Top 10 Best Sellers" list is Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series. Two LDS authors on that list - I thought that was pretty cool.

Also - another LDS author - Shannon Hale ... she is an amazing story teller. Her newest book "Book of a Thousand Days" is #12 on the list. Super good book! I just ordered it from Marissa's book order - so, all of you that are waiting for it from the library (okay - maybe I'm the only one that actually does that - haha) - just give me a call. :)

Also noteworthy ... Melynda introduced me to all three of these amazing authors. She always picks the best books. Thanks M!