You Know What's Fun?

Carson had this to say the other night:

"You know what is fun? Makutu's Island. Do you know what is funner? Disneyland. Do you know what is awesome? Magoon (Lagoon.) Do you know what is really awesome? Camping. Do you know what is really more awesome? Grandma's house!"

I totally agree buddy!

We can't wait for our yearly summer trip to Salt Lake! Grandma's house is really more awesome!

PS...to any and all grandparents who read this, grandma's house also includes grandpa!

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial day has always been a day for fun. Growing up we always went to the cemetery and cleaned up our grandparents' headstone. We would also get together with our other grandparents for a barbecue. This year was no different. Well, the activities differ, but the good times did not!

To start the holiday weekend off, Carson had a preschool party. We went to the splash park for some fun.

Each child got an award, Carson's was "Best Singer." He does love to sing, especially songs that have actions.

Here are his friends from preschool.

There were seven kids and the moms took turns teaching each week. The kids had such a fun time and were all great friends.

I know this picture is a little yucky, but Katelyn was having fun blowing bubbles in the water. Thankfully she wasn't drinking it, although, this is probably just as bad. However, it was kind of cute (the first time anyway!)

Our kids love the splash park. It is too bad that it is not a standard feature at every park!

Next we move onto camping. Kelly took the boys to the annual father and sons campout. They of course loved every minute of it. Katelyn and I stayed behind and enjoyed lunch with a friend, shopping, and taking it easy at home!

Here are my boys at the rainy campground. One thing is certain in Phoenix, it hardly rains all year. Who would have guessed the one weekend they go camping, it rains! They didn't seem to mind. Actually, I think the mud made it more of an adventure for them!

Here are Connor and Carson with a couple of their friends.

Carson said his favorite part were the "smashmellows." (sidenote, the boy in the red apparently wanted to be in every picture Kelly took! He appeared in all but a couple!)

To finish things off, we had a fun time with our friends Tiffany and Freeman. Having a barbecue and a swim party. Who could want anything more? What a fun Memorial Day weekend!

Class of 2021!

It seems like yesterday, I got Connor ready, left the house, and made our way down that hall for the first time. Connor was starting Kindergarten.

Nine months later, he has finished his first of many years in school. Last night he had Kindergarten Graduation. It was a fun night for us. I think I am more sad that his first year is ending then when it started!

Here he is with one of his best friends.

They walked into the multipurpose room to the graduation march. One by one they had their name called and got a special diploma from their principal.

Then they performed some of their favorite songs from the year. Here they are singing "Tooty-Ta." They sang this silly song every Friday while they waited for their parents to pick them up after school. It always made me laugh to hear them sing it.

What proud graduates! Holding their diplomas. They will be graduates of the class of 2021!

Here are Connor and Ms. Ptak. Connor had such a great teacher. She was so organized and well put together. I really felt like she put so much work into teaching. Connor said that he is sad that school is over because he will miss Ms. Ptak.

So, now Summer vacation is here and after a short time, he will enter 1st grade. I will try not to think about that! Besides Connor being able to see more of his dad, I will be most excited for Carson. I have a 2 month break from hearing him eagerly ask (EVERY day, ALL day) "how much longer until Connor comes home?"

What a fun first year for Connor!

Is This Normal?

I tend to be a bit of a worry wart at times. I will fret over the smallest of things, health wise. If I have a little pain, anywhere, I am fairly certain that it is a tumor, or a heart defect, or something horrible. To make things worse, I often turn to the wonderful world wide web to get my diagnosis. The problem with this is, most websites end up just freaking me out more, suggesting that I am facing some horrific disease.

Well, the last couple of weeks, Katelyn has not been a very good eater. She used to eat so well. She loved so many different types of foods and would gladly eat anything given to her.

As of late, I will offer her all sorts of things and she just says, "no." Then I give up for a little while and try again. What is even more frustrating, is that when she finally agrees to eating something, she won't even touch it once I have opened it.

The worrier inside of me is saying surely this isn't just a phase, she must have something terrible going on inside of her that is making her refuse food. So, before I terrify myself with searching the Internet, you wise mothers help me out. This just has to be one of the joys of toddler hood, right? Small appetites and picky eating goes right along with short attention spans and their ever changing moods, right?

Is this a battle I need not fight? Is there any point to my constant, "just try one bite Katelyn?" I just feel bad putting her to bed at night knowing she hardly had a morsel for dinner. I know, I know, I am overreacting! Again, this is just the worry wart in me!

Mothers

So it is Mother's Day again! I have been trying to think of a fun post to write in celebration of this day, but the only thing I can think of is to mention some of my favorite mothers in my life!


First of, my own mother. My mother taught me a lot of important things (she is probably rolling her eyes right now trying to figure out what those are!) Well, the one thing that always stands out in my mind is that my mom taught us to be dependable. This started at a very young age. Young Women's for example. If I was asked to serve my class, my mom taught me to always attend my meetings and to make sure I participated in my activities. This has been carried out through my life. To this day, it is so important for people to be able to depend on me and to trust that I will follow through with my commitments. Another thing my mom taught me by her example, is service. I often watched her volunteer to take dinner to someone, feed the missionaries, or provide a salad at a potluck. This may seem small, but I often think of my mom when the "feed the missionaries" sign up comes around or when they ask for someone to provide brownies at an activity. Because of this, I try (sometimes not hard enough) to serve whenever I can.

My Grandma has a special place in my heart. I have so many memories of me sitting by her side listening to her reminisce of years gone by or having conversations with her about what was going on in my life. One of my most vivid memories is that I loved her shoes and her jewelry box. I will always remember seeing my grandma (and grandpa) right after a dance concert. They were always there to see me perform. We always went to Wendy's afterwards! Maybe that is why Wendy's is my favorite fast food place today! I also love my grandma's cooking and I long to be as good as her one day!

I am also thankful for Kelly's mom. She raised such a fine man, that I am lucky to be married to today! I know that because of her support and her encouragement, Kelly is the way that he is! I am blessed because of that!

I also have so many friends and other relatives that are such great examples of motherhood. They are patient and loving and have taught me so much through the ways they love their own families.

To finish things off, these are some favorite quotes by M, Russel Ballard.

"What can . . . young mothers do . . . to reduce the pressure of raising young children and enjoy their families more? . . . " 'Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction. "

"Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: 'The biggest mistake I made as a parent is the one that most of us make. . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of my three children sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less."



“There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be ‘full-time moms,’ at least during the most formative years of their children’s lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else.”

Hope you all had a very happy Mother's Day!

It's That Time of Year Again....

What do triple digits mean in Arizona? Time for the pool! My kids love to swim and would live in the pool if they could! Thanks Freeman and Tiffany for letting us keep your pool company while you were out of town! It pays to have great friends like you!

My Week From You Know Where!

This week had potential to be pretty darn good. Kelly was working Monday through Thursday day shift for some SWAT training. Not only would he be home for dinner, help get the kids off to bed, and enjoy some DVR time, he would also get a longer weekend. Oh, how quickly did everything go down hill!

Sunday night: Katelyn gets a fever.

Monday morning: Katelyn's temperature is right around 103 but quickly goes down with a dose of Motrin. Despite the fever relief, she wants nothing else but to be held and sleep in my arms for 3 hours! Now, I like television, but that is an awfully long time of sitting and searching for something to watch on daytime t.v.

Tuesday: Katelyn wakes up with a temperature again. Goes away with Motrin. I say to myself, "She seems to be doing a whole lot better today. If she wakes tomorrow with the same scenario, I will call the doc."

Wednesday: Same scenario. Make appointment for 12:00. Make it to the doctor's to find a crazy busy waiting room because every single patient thinks they have Swine Flu! Diagnosis for Kate, Strep Throat. Katelyn is still whiney, fussy, and very clingy to mom.

Thursday: Last day for Kelly's training. He will be getting off at 2:00 and does not have to return to work until next Wednesday. YAY! I am so ready for daddy to be home and help me get the house back in order! Call Kelly at lunch to see how his day is, only to find out he has been quarantined to a dark secluded room because he has come down with chills and a fever. Kelly comes home from work and looks, well, AWFUL! I quickly run to his aid. Dishes do not get done!

Thursday evening: Soccer practice. Kelly is in no shape for soccer. Scramble to find a nice dad who will kindly take over. Come home from soccer feeling grateful that Katelyn is fast asleep! Mom needs to take a deep breath and relax (without a child in her lap!)

Friday: We wake after a long night for Kelly. Fever, chills, achy, tired. Have to wait until 2:00 to see the doctor. Diagnosis for Kelly, Strep Throat. Whew....no Swine Flu for him either! Yes, laundry, dishes, meal planning, and groceries, still need to get done. But between taking care of Kate and Kelly, I neither have the desire or motivation!

Saturday: Kelly was up all night with his fever reaching nearly 105! He finally gets relieve from chills and fever but was left with the worst headache of his life! Call same kind father to see if he can coach soccer game.

Saturday evening: Was meant to be spent at our Stake Luau enjoying good food, company, and entertainment. Now it is being spent cleaning the messiest house around, caring for Kelly (who normally does not require much care) and me, sulking about because this has turned out to be the week from you know where!