To My Dear Local Ward Members (you know who you are).

I feel the need to take the next few minutes and write a letter of apology for the behavior that has been taking place over the last few years each Sunday in "our" pew at church.

You see my #2 son LOVES it when the sacrament is being passed. I'm not sure if it's the thrill of having people to look at as the young men walk up and down the isle or if it's the knowledge that his one "snack" during that hour is about to be passed to him. We've been having a problem that I think I'm ready to admit. You see, each Sunday as the bread is reverently passed to our row #2 must fondle what seems to be like each and every piece before choosing the "perfect" one or sometimes the "perfect" handful if mom or dad isn't right there. Then, when it's time for the water he carefully selects the most full cup and as he's reaching for it seems to always manage to stick all five fingers in the surrounding cups.

I have now committed to make it my goal that prior to sitting down at church each Sunday we will take a quick trip to the restroom to wash hands and I will never be caught with out hand sanitizer which will quickly be placed on #2's hands prior to the fondling of the bread and water.

Please accept my apology if there is no bread left in the tray that was previously passed to our family and if the water seems discolored from little boy fingers. This is something we are continually working to improve on.

In closing I think it's imperative to remember that the bread and water were previously blessed and have faith that the Lord won't allow it to make you sick.

Sincerely,

The mom.

Sweet chid...

Yesterday the oldest of the bunch mentioned how my stomach was getting so big. I said "do you remember when it was flat?" To which he replied "well...it wasn't really flat, it was always kinda jiggly." Oh son, sweet son, it's a good thing I love you. True or not one day you'll know better than to say that to any female.

Just something to journal about.

I keep thinking I should sit down to blog. I have a million things on my mind to blog about. Some personal, some political, some social. Then I think about getting all my feelings out in a very sarcastic way...it would be funny to some. Maybe not so funny to others. :) None the less now that I have taken the time (since I have done absolutely nothing else this entire week) I don't know what to blog about. Boring I know. I guess I'll just do the journal thing in this post...

The big guy started school this week. He LOVES his teacher. That is very important. I think she will work very well for his personality. He's made new friends and has a smile on his face when he comes home. Can't ask for much more. Much thanks goes to Mrs. E. for picking him up everyday this week, we call your car the "blue bus."

PTA meeting this week. Went well. Almost forgot I needed to take notes for the meeting. Good thing I remembered before the end. Once again very happy with the school and the direction it's going.

Still don't care for the HOA at all. What a joke...not everyone on the board just one person in particular who seems to have way to much time on her hands. I think some are hoping that our neighborhood becomes a socialists neighborhood. Not exactly what I'm looking for.

Pregnancy is going well. Continue to have a few mishaps but I did get in this week to see the doctor and everything looks good. Can't ask for much more. Not going to complain about the pains, swollen feet, minor bed rest, uncomfortableness or scale numbers. I feel blessed to have a little one kicking around inside of me. Much to be grateful for.

Looking forward to exercising hard again. I really miss that. It would be great if a gym was built close to the house.

Enjoying every minute of the heat and trying to soak up as much sun as possible. There's just something that makes me so happy when enjoying the sun on the splash pad or by the pool. It's like I get a "happy fix".

My hair totally needs a highlight job done. It's getting pretty bad. Must see Karen soon.

The calling...it constantly weighs on my mind. I constantly think about those girls and how we can better help them. I wish some of them could move in with me. I wish I was more creative and had an unlimited budget along with unlimited amounts of time. They are always in my prayers.

Realizing there are REALLY good people in the world and in our ward. People that truly have a desire to serve. It's refreshing.

I really enjoyed the visiting teaching message this month. Deciding on something I want to educate myself on. Thinking I want to learn more about Abraham Lincoln or George Washington. I also want to learn about Esther & Ruth. Actually there's a lot I want to learn about.

After two months on no TV we finally got the bunny ears & converter box. Still not sure why we bothered to the boys still don't realize they can watch TV they still think it's broken. Not to mention I got out of the habit and the man in charge doesn't have ESPN or his UFC fights to watch so according to him "there's absolutely nothing on."

Still pondering on installing a urinal in the boys bathroom but it must come with an automatic flusher as the boys can't seem to grasp the importance of flushing. Or as they call it "blushing" the toilet.

Bought my first changing table ever. Found it on craigslist. Great deal in great condition. Happy with my buy. It's much easier than searching garage sales for deals.

Ok now must go to bed.

Another successful doctors appointment....he still says to take it easy and watch the contractions.I Can't believe I'm down to the last two months, it's gone by way to fast. Oh...and the cupcakes in honor of Nie, yeah...they were noticeable on the scale. Yikes.

Today we're going to work together (me and the boys) and get this house under control. That is my main goal for the day. By the end of the day I hope to have two boys that can learn the steps to cleaning a bathroom. And if there is no crying that will be a plus!

Lessons Learned...

A. When leaving the house always have kids in shoes and shirts...not just shorts.
B. When a car battery starts acting funny fix it...don't wait.
C. When you know something has just gotten in your tire go straight home, don't continue running errands.
D. Always keep a ward list in the car for emergency phone numbers
E. Always be dressed before leaving the house.

Today I had a flat tire and dead battery at the same time, kids in shorts only...absolutely nothing else, while being stuck on the side of Baseline with a flat tire and dead battery wearing my swim suit (luckily, I did have a little cover up on too...not a maternity one so it was very little...cute, huh) and no husband at home to bail me out. Luckily, I did have a cell phone and ward list. After calling many people who weren't home I finally found somebody to pick me up. Thanks Britt. So next time I have to go to three different banks and the post office...all of which do not require me to take my children out of the car hence the no shoes, no shirts I will at least dress myself and have shoes on the boys so we could walk home. But most importantly I am SO thankful for my cell phone. I could never have carried both boys home on my back. And for a wonderful ward which has people always willing to help at a moments notice!

Maybe something is getting through his thick skull...

Around dinner time #2 was very tired thus his behavior was evident of a child that was lacking sleep. He had been having a hard time listening and both of his parents patience levels were running on empty. His father had noticed that #2 had wondered in to the office (aka pit of no return) and asked the little man repeatedly to come out. When #2's little face never showed the man in charge proceeded to walk into the office and in a calm but firm voice asked him not to play in the office. That is when #2 replied, "Pops I'm saying a prayer so I can be happy." Ahhhh....I think family home evening might have payed off tonight. When he came out I asked him what he was doing in there with the door locked and he said, "I said lots of prayers" I asked him about what and his reply to me was "I said a prayer so I wouldn't kick #1 anymore." Lets pray his prayers are answered.
Oh #2, what would we do with out you?! You are very loved by everyone in your family!

Summer Vacation

My side of the family had a family reunion in Idaho over July 4th weekend. We kept wavering back and forth of whether or not we should go from many different reasons. Then the week before we were supposed to leave I started having contractions (way to early) and they got more and more severe so we decided not to go. Then I got on medication which seemed to help so about 36 hours before we needed to leave we decided to go for sure and make a full vacation out of it. Needless to say we were gone for 9 days and are sure glad to be home. It was a really fun time and I'll spare you each and every detail and just post the high-lights. One problem though...the man in charge left the first CD of pictures in Utah with family so I only have pictures of the second half of the trip. For journaling purposes I'll give a quick account of the adventure.

Friday July 3rd: Car is packed and ready to head out by 8:30am. We're all loaded up and the man in charge attempts to start to car...no such luck. He fixes the problem and we're off. But wait!!!! First the man announces that he has to make a few stops for work, the boys did not like to hear that. I tried to remind them that if it wasn't for Papi's work we wouldn't be going on this vacation. Three episodes of Star Wars and 10 hours later we arrive in Centerville Utah to stay at the mans Grandpa's house.

Saturday July 4th: (I love this holiday btw) We head off to Idaho...but wait the car won't start again...problem fixed again by head of household and we're off. One more movie, naps and 3.5 hours later we arrive at the already happening family reunion in Rexburg Idaho. Enjoyed the nice weather and 4th celebrations then headed to the hotel, well motel. Not to many hotels in Rexburg.

Sunday July 5th: The car starts!!! It's a Sunday miracle! We head back over to cousins house for Testimony meeting then off to lunch, pack everything back up and head 1hr north to Island Park, Idaho. Staying at Macks Inn...if you have kids, especially boys this is like heaven for them. Individual cabins right on the snake river, dirt, big climbing trees, a fun playground and a huge river to play in. The river is really shallow where we were staying so I gave the boys a bucket and shovel and they were entertained on the shore for two days. Not to mention the cabins have kitchens in them so you can cook your own food and never have to leave the place. One of the days we rented a quad with a couple of my sisters and #1 and a blast riding around on that. The next day 11 of us rented a big raft and took a five mile float trip down the river. The kids seemed to really like that too. They played and played with their cousins and enjoyed themselves way to much. (Again...no pictures)

Wednesday July 8th: Packed everything up and headed back to Centerville to enjoy the sites in Salt Lake. On our way there we stopped by the Hill Aerospace Museum and the boys were enthralled with all the aircraft and memorabilia not to mention it was totally free so that made it extra nice. We arrive in Centerville head out to dinner with the grandparents and then try to put the kids to bed when it's still totally light outside...Day light savings...not good when bed time is normally 8pm NOT 10pm.

Thursday July 9th: We head out to Bingham Copper Mine...again an ideal place for little boys. They got to watch the people work live and see how the largest open pit mine in the world functions. Pretty cool. From there we headed to head honcho's great great Aunts house to say hello and introduced the boys to their great, great, great aunt for the second time. Temple Square was next on the list but due to time we were only able to visit the Joseph Smith Memorial Building but we were able to see the movie they have playing there and both boys actually sat through the entire thing and really enjoyed it...especially the violent parts! (Typical Boys) This is where the new disc of pictures starts.

This is the boys with a statue of Joseph Smith...(duh, like I needed to explain that)
Looking out from the top of the Building (Trying to get #2 to smile and look at the camera at the same time is nearly impossible)

Friday July 9th: Our plan was to wake up early and head out... didn't quite happen that way. Pack up take pictures with their great grandpa:and one of them showing brotherly love...

and leave for St. George but first we make what was meant to be a quick pit stop again in Salt Lake that turned into a 4.5 hour visit of the sites. Part of the long pit stop was due to our tour of the conference center. Our tour guide was great yet a little long winded. The tour was about 1.5 hours long...despite the length the boys did pretty good and didn't seem to notice the time.

On the roof of the conference center at the end of the VERY long tour.

Next we went to lunch at a great little cafe on the main floor of the Joesph Smith memorial building. I had the absolute best chicken salad sandwich with a cranberry-orange glaze that I've ever eaten. That made the day worth it. Then it was off to the Visitor's Center at the Salt Lake Temple.

The boys loved going there and doing all the interactive things they have for kids and families. We enjoyed seeing the sites all around Temple Square and especially enjoyed the spirit that was felt. I think this trip had a great impact on our little monkeys. Again loaded in the car to head to St. George but not before making another pit stop in Provo. This stop was strictly for me. And head honcho was great in just going along with it. I had to do it...I stopped by The Sweet Tooth Fairy:
Home of the VaNIElla Cupcakes and I picked up my very own
VaNIElla cupcake...which by the way really is to die for!
I also just had to taste a few others...
I felt I had to do this in honor of Nie.

Finally we arrive in St. George spend the night in a fun Hotel, swim, have a great breakfast visit with head honcho's dad for a little while, pick up my niece and all her stuff (the van was PACKED poor girl and to ride the six hour drive home with basically a spare car seat from my other sister sitting on her head) We planned on stopping at the Grand Canyon on the way home but due to the fact of the overloaded van and over tired kids and swollen and sore mom...

we decided to skip the Grand Canyon and come home to our very cool and pleasant weather. (Not) I'm really hoping my swollen legs and feet are due to sitting in the same position for so long and not because of the delicious cupcakes I enjoyed the day before. (Just kidding...or am I?) Oh my...I can't wait to see what the doctors scale says after a very pleasant vacation!