Good, Better, BEST

It seems like every once and a while I come across an opportunity to take on something that would take me outside the home more, but that is a great way to stretch my talents and grow. This week I got asked to help out in a position on the PTA at the boys school. After much research, consideration and prayer over the matter I decided to turn it down and take on a lesser role. Finding the balance between the seemingly mundane, but essential home managing tasks and taking a little time for myself to have things that stimulate my mind and are exciting continues to be a challenge for me.
Later on today I was sitting at the table doing a craft with Luke while Henry slept and Luke turned to me and said: "Mom, I like being little. My school is short and I get to be home and do little things."
Got that message loud and clear folks! There is a time and season and I'm glad I get to be a mom right now. I too am glad Luke's school is short and that I have the freedom to make choices of how to spend the precious few hours I have during the day. So glad I followed the Spirit and made the right choice for me today. And I love how Heavenly Father spelled out his approval so clearly.
What a blessing to be a mother in Zion, to be armed with the instruction of the temple and go hand in hand with my husband to take on the challenges of life and experience such joy along the way.

Noah's Baptism

Here is our little family at Noah's baptism in April. It was such a wonderful time for our family and we missed Papa. Avery sang a sweet song. I am grateful for Noah's example to his cousins. We are very proud of his decision.
On a side note, I am wearing the dress I made myself for Easter. It was an adventure, but It turned out wearable.

Date Night

Between Brian's CPA stuff, church responsibilities, work and raising four little boys, our time together is rare and precious! We still try and do something each week so we can talk more than just in passing. Thankfully my mom is kind enough to watch them for us from time to time, we really appreciate it.
This picture was taken on a fun night out for Matt's birthday. We ate at this great little restaurant in Scottsdale and then went for ice cream. I love dating my husband and spending time with our friends. One of the first things that attracted me to Brian was how he was with his friends.
I love that we still laugh till we cry...both with and at each other. I love that he still opens the door, tells me I look nice and how it still gives me butterflies when he grabs my hand. We are coming up on nine years and each one truly does get better. I live for Date Night!

My Jefferson Is Not Allowed to Turn 6!!

I told Jefferson that he had to start counting backwards this year. He wasn't too fond of the idea. He celebrated all on his birthday. He went to school where his sweet teacher gave him this crown and a birthday badge. Henry, Lukey and I brought him a Happy Meal for lunch and donuts for his class to share for snack. It was early release day so we had all his little friends over for a party after. He has been wanting to have playdates with all these boys for so long...it was a dream come true.
He told me he wanted a flag cake with a dog on it and an American birthday. I think it was inspired by his current unit in school, and I was so lucky the dollar store had stuff already out!
He loved his cake. He kept opening the fridge to show his friends. It was so easy to make and I love that it had whipped cream not icing. The Lego dog completed the theme. What is Jeff's birthday without some kind of a dog?
All lit up.


Aunt Gayle loaned us her snow cone machine and that kept the twelve guests happy all afternoon long. I've learned not to plan a lot and just let them be kids. They jumped, played the Wii and Hullababloo and ate snacks and cake till they were stuffed. Jeff has chosen some really great friends.
They all decided to sit around Jeff and put him in the middle. He was all over being the center of attention.
Blowing out the six candles. Tear!
The cake was a hit...love that they loved the fresh fruit!

Jefferson would have eaten the whole thing himself.

Jeff is such a sweet little soul. He is so sensitive and kind. He told me the other day that everyone in his class thinks he is "hillarious". His teacher tells me that there is a line of boys waiting outside the bathroom to eat lunch with him. He loves to be around people and always make sure everyone is having fun. When Jeff is around it is a party. He has a great memory and can always answer gospel, history and animal questions. If he is interested in something he can remember anything about it. He is the only boy that would like to sleep in from time to time and would love it if he could wear his new Bakugun jammies all the time. I can't believe he is almost done Kindergarten. He tries very hard at school and it so proud when he gets his work done first. He loves math and art. He has a little girlfriend (whatever that is) at school that he sits with in Art. He told me that they were BFs, but not BFF (best friends for life), because that is what you do when you get married like you and Daddy he informed me. At least he's got that straight! I just want him to stop growing up so fast. How did I get such a big guy from such a tiny baby. He loves telling the story of how he was born during a Suns playoff game. I fell like that was just yesterday. Happy Birthday Jeffer-babies!

Rescued by the Zoo!

I have a wonderful friend who knows what it is like to have a husband travel. When Brian had to go to Canada for his grandma's funeral and a quick buisness trip, she called and asked if we wanted to go to the zoo. We picked the kids up after school and closed the place. We had a great afternoon and grabbed McDonald's on the way home. Her little boys are so sweet and we love to be around them. It made an otherwise long night, very doable. I love how I have so many people that watch out for me while Brian is studying or gone. We love our friends!
Henry and Indiana. I am used to getting a lot of attention when we go places with the four boys and their red hair. This trip I was the one getting the pitty compliments: "Oh, he is cute too." Indi is about the sweetest little thing and my friend dresses her so cute. We are quite okay with her stealing the show. The boys always joke how Henry can't marry her, or else her name would be Indiana Jones. They think that is funny every time.

Could you not just eat her? Henry always walks up to her and says "girl". I love it!

Fun times at the zoo! (One day I will get a better camera, but for now, fuzzy is better than no memories)

The Day the MiniVan Died

Here are the boys enjoying their new, more spacious ride. We are now the proud owners of a 2004, new to us, black Suburban. We bought it from a sweet family that knew good friends of ours. We like to think it is full of good Karma! But oh, the story of how we came to need a new vehicle...
Once upon a beautiful Sunday, we decided to help our cousins take their RV for a ride. On the way to where the thing was stored our van died, completely, on the side of the freeway. We had it towed to a nearby shop and we were picked up on the off ramp in a nice big RV. Great memories!!! We loaded up, said good-bye to the van and finished our hike and picnic plans.
Luke loved the RV and asked if we could just replace the van with one of these. Jeffey was quick to observe that if we bought one, we wouldn't even need a house! Would love to see how long that would last.
The kids went on a hike with the Dads, while my sister-in-law and I cleaned up lunch. It was a fun day, despite the minor hiccup.
That was the last time anyone besides myself saw our van. It was a good car, but we decided that it was better to pass it along to someone who could fix it without spending a small fortune and get something else. I am so blessed to have a very money wise husband who is good at finding deals on craigslist. We never drive brand-new cars, but I am in LOVE with my Suburban. It is full to capacity most days with carpool from school or preschool and it will be a great time for Brian and the boys camping this weekend. It literally eats gas, but everything has its pros and cons. It fits our growing family and runs great!

Daddy's big day

For Brian's 34th, we spent the night at the Suns game. My sister and mom helped with the kids and we had a great time. Those cool necklaces we are wearing mean that we got to go under the stadium, eat all the catered food we wanted and watch the players come out of their dressing rooms and run through the tunnel. I have a great friend who's husband works for the Suns and he was wonderful about arranging the whole thing for me. It was fun to see Brian so giddy and we walked down the stairs and be so close to the action. Some friends of ours happened to be at the game also, so we got to chat with them. We didn't have to pick up the kids till the morning so it was a very relaxing night.

We had a brownie cake for breakfast with candles to suprise daddy. Daddy got a fun picture collage from his boys to put in his office.
Happy Birthday to my best friend in the whole world, as Lukey would say! I love you tons and love getting old with you.