Called to Serve….

Rich’s Dad has been called to serve as a mission president in Puebla, Mexico. We are very excited for them and this new journey they get to take come July. And we think it’s really cool that Brian gets to finish out his high school days in the mission field. What a great experience for all of them! We’ll miss you!

This girl and this boy…

This girl is obsessed with taking her clothes off. I know it’s because she wants to be potty trained….but I’m not ready to go there when we probably have a big move coming up soon.

So today I took my three crazies into a running store to talk over my issues about my old degenerating running knees. As I’m standing there listening to the salesperson’s advice on running shoes…braces etc….I look over at the other end of the store, only to find MY TWO YEAR OLD HAS STRIPPED DOWN TO HER NAKEDNESS! And the only thing that could possibly add to the embarrassing yet humorous moment…was because mommy hasn’t bought her any of her own panties…she’s been putting on about 3 or 4 pairs of brother’s underwear on over her diaper everyday. So along with her clothes strewn about the store…there was also 4 pairs of little boys underwear!

I quickly dressed her (and yes I put all 4 pairs of boys underwear back on her) and we left. I think I’ll go back another day WITHOUT MY KIDS!

And then THIS BOY….has been sick all day long with a high fever. He’s been miserable! But secretly I kind of enjoy when he’s sick. A really sweet and sincere little guy emerges to the surface. His whole day is full of “Pleases and Thankyou’s” whenever I do anything for him. At the end of the day he said “Mom, I’m just so sick”….I said “I’m so sorry honey”, then he said so kindly “Oh Mom, I know you’re trying really hard…BUT IT’S JUST NOT WORKING!”. 

IF ONLY LOVE COULD HEAL THE COMMON COLD….BECAUSE I SURE DO LOVE MY MASON!

Heroes of the Scriptures…

Rich and his parents (along with members of the ward) were such good sports when they were willing to help me with singing time in Primary. I made the kids guess which SCRIPTURE HEROES each one of them were. I’m sure most of you can guess what they yelled out when asked who Rich’s Dad was…..

SANTA CLAUS!!!

Didn’t help that this was a week after Christmas….Santy was still on the brain.

Thanks for your help!!!

Be mine…

My Valentines Day was full of my favorite (but clean) F words: Fun, Food, Family, Flowers and Fitness Challenge!

We celebrated V-day a couple of days early because Rich is going to be out of town. First we celebrated US (Rich and I)….this is our 9th Valentine Day together as a married couple. And although we need to face the fact that we are getting older….we just didn’t want to for this Valentines Day. For our date we went miniature golfing and go-kart racing. I love dates where you can temporarily forget how old and boring you have become…and it feels as if we are young and just starting to date again. We had a great time!

After 9 years….this man will still do anything for me! Like chase my ball into forbidden areas! Good thing my man works out!

What a good sport!

AND THEN…he even risked his own clean hands to dig out my shoe from the mud pit I accidentally stepped in! This hole about ate my leg!

That’s true love!

I’ve decided you’re never too old to go-kart! I could spend all day racing…but it would wipe out our bank account…so I won’t!

p.s. I KNOW HE’S STRANGE…BUT HONESTLY THAT’S WHY I LOVE HIM!

What I REALLY WANTED TO DO for our Valentines date was go biking together….not just any ride…AN AWESOME…KICK MY TRASH kind of ride!

SO WE DID…..

“KEEPING UP WITH THE BOYS!!!”

Maybe I am the way I am because the only distinct memories I have of my childhood was after my only sister moved out of the house…and I was left with my two older brothers to fend for myself. I’ve always had this drive to KEEP UP WITH BOYS! Rich and his friends did the ELLSWORTH LOOP ride (17 grueling miles) earlier this week. After hearing about them mastering this challenge I wanted a go at it. I didn’t just want to finish it….I secretly wanted to either keep up with their time or even beat them (I know I’m lame and probably a little immature). Through the whole ride I kept having Rich look at his speedometer and I would ask “Our we going as fast as you boys did?’

I taught a cycling class at the gym just before going…so my legs were already beat. But I was still ready to give it my all! There were points in the ride I thought I was going to pass out because the incline was so steep. But the great thing about this ride…is just when your about to give up you usually hit a fun downhill long enough to prepare you for more upcoming hills. We stopped to take a bunch of pictures….and we still came in at about the time the boys finished…MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Not that I’ll probably ever get to go out with the boys since someone’s got to watch the kids….but if ever given the chance…at least I know I can keep up :)

 

This may sound untrue…but this was one of the best dates I’ve been on in a long time. I’ve decided I’m over dinner and a movie. You end up spending more than it’s worth…you eat too much…and it’s just over-rated I think.

 

We came home and made heart pizzas with the kids….

Then we stuck with our normal Valentine tradition…..CAMPING WITH LOVE BUGS AND WATCHING A MOVIE in the family room!!!

We made pink smores….although Kendyl had an idea for a different snack…yuck

 

 

 

I feel so blessed to have 4 Valentines to share my love with. I LOVE MY FAMILY VERY MUCH!

HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A WONDERFUL VALENTINES DAY!!!

Date with Dad…

You know the date was a huge success when your child comes back looking like this:

SOTM

 

Big congrats to our sweet Sadie for being chosen from her class to be the “Student of the Month”! She’s worked hard this year…and we are proud of her. This award make us happy…but what makes us even more happy is seeing how proud she is of herself. She was so concerned about making it to the award ceremony on time Friday morning, that she woke up at 5:30 a.m. rearing to go.

We celebrated by going to Bill Johnson’s Big Apple restaurant for dinner.

Way to work hard Little Miss Mae!

Congrats!

Big shout out to my sis in-law Lindsay and boyfriend (well now fiancé) Darren for their resent proposal. So happy for you guys! Can’t wait to welcome Darren into the family. You guys are so great for each other….couldn’t be happier!