Some Random Stuff (in no particular order)

Matthew is 13! Officially a teenager....now we have four! Matthew really helped me out so much this summer. He watched the smaller kids many times and with little complaining. Here's what I've noticed though.....with teenager years comes a lot more mouthing off. The other day Matthew found out what happens when you mouth off right to your mom's face......he was taken down to China Town! Yes, I can still take him down, I'm still stronger.....but only by a little.

He is enjoying going to our church youth group and he's becoming a very wonderful young man...even if he is a little too mouthy.

Matthew or Chewy as we still sometimes call him.

I love to catch my kids being sweet.

This summer was a busy traveling one for us. I went to Utah twice in 6 weeks. The first time was to go to parent/student orientation with Zack. We drove down (it's a very LONG 12-14 hour drive, depending on how many times you stop). The first time it was me, Zack, his boyfriend Greg, Matthew, Joe and Hannah. We stayed in Utah for about a week. When we came back it was me, Zack, Greg, Matthew, Hannah and Zane. We left Joe with my sister and my Aunt and we took Zane, my nephew, with us. It was really so nice having Zane with us and it was so quiet having Joe in Utah. Oh, I missed him but I also enjoyed it without him...is that bad? He's such an intense little person and it's a lot of work being his mom. Six weeks was a long time though and he and I were both very ready to be reunited. When we went back to Utah it was me, Zack, Zane, Josh and Megan. We arrived in Utah very early in the morning and I went right in to my sleeping prince and hugged and kissed him! He was so happy to see me and he spent the entire day glued to my side. The next day brought some of those awful tantrums he'd been saving up for me.....back to work. I'm still glad he's home though! Utah brought many reunions with old friends. A good ole GNO thanks to my friend Lia! I had such a lovely night reminiscing and laughing! I've missed all that so much! It was just so awesome! I wish, as usual, there will come a day we can move back to our beloved Utah......

Megan, Josh and Joe at RUMBI ISLAND GRILL....man, we've missed that place!

Matthew, Zane and Hannah at South Towne Mall

Megan on the car ride home.

She got her braces off this summer!

Her teeth are so beautiful to match her beautiful face.

Speaking of my daughter.....I took her to TJ Maxx yesterday to get a lunch bag. She is trying to eat more healthy and wants to take her lunch to school. They had many super cute bags. But being true to her nature, she wanted a plain one. (Just so you know, I want one of the super cute ones.....I'm taking my lunch to work because I'm trying to eat healthy too.) Anyway, I told her to pick out a shirt too. So, she did. If you know Megan you know she is not an affectionate person....she really does not like hugs AT ALL!! If you know me you know I am a very affectionate person and I LOVE hugs A LOT!! So imagine my moment of joyous wonder when my daughter who has not given me a hug of her own accord in several years....gave me a hug with both arms!!!.....when we were walking out to the van.....so we were in public! Miracles really do happen!

Megan's new shirt and her plain lunch bag.

and her super cute purse that Aunt Jenny sent for her birthday.

Even Josh was heard to say "hey that purse is so cool".

School started this week. Hannah is now a kindergartner! It's a very exciting thing! Joe is in 2nd grade and has a fabulous teacher, who is totally willing to work with all his little idiosyncrasies. Matthew is in his last year of middle school, 8th grade. Megan is a Sophomore this year. She's really looking forward to all the after school activities...Drama and Speech. Josh is a SENIOR! He's looking forward to finishing this year and starting college and going on a Mission.

Joe and Hannah...first day of school.

Oh I almost forgot to tell the cute story about Hannah....a few days before school started she and Joe were cleaning her room and she found Joe's old Spiderman backpack, she said she liked Spiderman and was going to use it for school (see, her mom forgot about getting her a backpack...oops). So, she was so excited when the night before school I brought her home a princess backpack. She wore it the whole evening around the house. So, even though she LIKES Spiderman, I think she LOVES princesses!

Josh had a birthday too. He's 17. He had a wonderful present from Grandad and Carolyn. A trip to California and he got to bring his girlfriend, Tori, with him. They had a marvelous time and got to do so many cool things, the beach, a play in Hollywood and a trip to Knotts Berry Farm among the many. He had a blast and it's something he will always get to keep in his memories.

Josh (and Tori) with his new batman underpants!

When we went to Utah the 2nd time we brought a present for Grandma and Grandpa. A little kitten named Buttons. Now all their animals are from us...don't know if that's such a good thing...we are feeding their habit. So, little kitten came to us from Tori. She really wanted to find a good home for her. I know the home Josh found for her is a good one....she will be quite spoiled there, I'm sure. It was nice to visit with the grandparents we got to go to church with them and out to lunch. We were sad that the Murray Schafers were on vacation for most of our trip but very happy we got to see them, if only for a little while, on our last day there. I should of taken picures! My favorite was when we were talking about what to do for my in laws 50th wedding anniversary coming up this November and my niece Elizabeth thought it would be a very good idea to have a party for them and maybe play some "old people dodge ball"! LOVE IT!!

Buttons....she loves being in small places. She did surprising well on the LONG trip to Utah.

Josh, Megan, Zack, Joe with Grandpa and Grandma at SWEET TOMATOES (I have missed that place so much!). Grandpa would not look at the camera....he was trying to get Joe to pose like a normal little boy....but, you see, Joe is a super hero...not a normal little boy.

When we left Utah...we left Zack there. He's going to the University of Utah going for his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre. Saying good bye to my son was so much harder than I thought it was going to be. I bawled and bawled and he laughed and laughed. You see, he doesn't know what it's like to say good bye to your child. I was his world when he was a baby and he slowly grew up and became a man and now the world is out there and he is going for it, following his dreams. I still get tears when I think of him sometimes and sometimes those tears run down my cheeks. Last night Megan said "Zack starts school on Monday...oh and did you hear he got that job at Jamba Juice?" Then I started thinking about him....thinking about him starting a new life, thinking about how much people will love him...he's so fun and makes people laugh. And the tears came and spilled down my cheeks and Megan was laughing. You see, she doesn't know what it's like....saying good bye to your child.

The last picture taken of Zack before we left for Utah.

Lost In Fun

This year on my birthday Aaron had to work and the three older kids went to the Temple in Omaha. So, Hannah, Joe and I went to Lost in Fun. I very fun indoor playground.

conversations

Aaron: (after noticing Zacks nails painted green) You aren't gonna become a drag queen are you?

Zack: Only on the weekends.

Funk

Lately I can't think of anything to write about on my blog. I haven't been taking any pictures lately. And it's so hot here!! It makes me feel so lazy and lethargic.

Here are a couple things of note:

Zack is going to be living in Utah full time in less than a week....I'm having mixed feelings about this. I'm so happy for him. I'm going to miss him. He's ready though....he is at that age where he really thinks he knows so much more than he really does. I remember being this age, I remember thinking the same thing. I find it so interesting that the older I get the more I find out I really don't know much. Anyway, like I said I'm happy for him...so excited!! He's so talented and I know the future looks bright for him. I will miss him, terribly, but this is the cycle of life......now it's his time.

Joe has been in Utah for a little over 5 weeks now. It's too long. I miss him and I know he's missing us. I also think he's driving my sister and my Aunt crazy. I'm so thankful to them though. I have been so sad to find out how much contention has been alleviated without him here. He is so intense and being his mom is emotionally draining!! That being said, I am his mom! I'm proud to be his mom and I wouldn't trade it for anything!! I love him...he's hard but he's mine! I can not wait to see him in just under a week!! woo hoo!!

My nephew Zane has been here for 5 weeks. I'm sure it's not been as fun for him as he was hoping...he's an only child and there is not really any privacy in a home with five other kids. I do think we've had some fun times and we will miss him when he goes. Here's one thing I've noticed about him....he's so polite to me and so helpful!!! I hope my kids watch and learn! Thanks Zaner!! (He really does hate for me to call him that, but he will always be Zaner to me).

Aaron is enjoying his new job. He's working in management at Noodles and Co. It's so him...he has missed restaurants. It's strange to adapt to him being gone so much after he was home so much.

I'm remembering just how hard sleeping during the day is during the summer....I love my schedule during the winter when everyone is at school....not so much when they are all home. I find it so hard to sleep. I feel guilty for not spending time with them.

Oh, I must mention this....I'm so excited to see my Utah friends for a good ole GNO. I am nervous though....I don't look as good as I want to. I've always fluctuated in weight and I'm on my heavier side right now. I'm mad at myself for not having the self control it takes to STOP EATING bad things!! I wonder why can't I be the girl who DOESNT eat when she's stressed instead of the girl that feeds her stress with food! But, I'm going to suck it up and try to suck it in and just have fun with my friends!! Thank you Lia for hosting!

Hopefully next time there will be pictures!

Conversations

We saw Transformers in 3D last night (thank you Jen Jen!). At the end Hannah came up to me and....

Hannah: I almost cried at the end

Me: Why?

Hannah: Because it was almost like a wedding, and people cry at weddings.

Now, when you see this movie you will know that this if funny....that she would get that out of it.


Joe has been at my Aunt and Sister's house in Utah. I think this is such a good experience for him and I love hearing about the things he's doing and saying. He recently found out about the laundry chute in Grandma Jo's bathroom.....

Joe: Tell me the truth! Has Zane ever jumped down the chute?

Jenny: No, did you go down the chute?

Joe: No, I was thinking about it but I decided if I did I'd probably break both my legs.

Some Stuff

* We (Zack, Greg (Zack's boyfriend) Matthew, Joe and Hannah and I) made our trip to Utah for Zack's new student orientation at the U of U. It was such a wonderful, lovely trip. It just wasn't long enough and I didn't get to see everyone I wanted and didn't get nearly enough time with my brother and sister in law's family. Lucky for me I'm going back at the end of July. So, hopefully I'll get to see all my friends....we need to do a girls night out or something!

*The U of U is such a beautiful and BIG school. I'm so excited for Zack. I never went to college and I'm so proud of him. I know he will be a big success in whatever he decides as a career.

*We left our Joe there with my sister. We took her Zane with us. I miss Joe but must admit the house is very quiet without him. 6 weeks is a long time though. I know he's having a good time there and being spoiled rotten by Aunt Jenny and Aunt Jo. Hannah misses him but she's surviving. It's been so cool having Zane with us. He's growing up and has been so kind and considerat to me....I think he needs to give my kids lessons.

*Megan was supposed to go on a pioneer trek for Youth Conference with our church. She begged and begged not to go. She even came up with a contract of all the things she would do for us if we didn't make her go. She HATES camping with all of her heart and unfortunately she doesn't have anyone she feels close to in our youth group...which is basically just her and another girl. So, we compromised. She went to the first day, which consisted of going to the Temple and then having games and a sleepover in the barn on a farm of one of our church members. She still has to do everything on the list....My favorite thing on the list is....I get to hug her anytime I want all summer long and she has to hug me back. She also said she'd do anyone's chores who are not home. and basically anything I ask her to do. I wish she'd gone on Trek but have to admit the hugs are quite nice.

*Work has been crazy busy for me. Because I work overnight I get to see some interesting people. Nothing like summer to bring out the crazy, drunkiness in people....among other things.

*Josh just got home from his trip to California. He and his girlfriend, Tori, stayed with my Dad and his wife Carolyn. They had a grand time. I'm glad he's home....i missed him. Thanks DAD!!

*Life is busy.

Conversations at the LDS Distribution Center

We are in Salt Lake City!! So, of coarse, I made a trip to the Distribution Center!

Me: This is a special place where they sell lots of church things so we need to be reverent.

Hannah and Joe: Okay

Me (after we walked out to the parking lot): Joe, you were not very reverent.....why weren't you being reverent?

Joe: Because I'm a gangster.

The sheet blanket thing

When my older kids were small I used flat sheets and fitted sheets on their beds....I soon discovered that making bunk beds with flat sheets is a nightmare.....so flat sheets soon were outlawed and we just used fitted sheets and blankets....much easier. Aaron and I were talking with Matthew tonight and he was telling us how hot he's been during the night. I asked him if he's using a blanket and he said "no, I'm using one of those sheet blanket things". At first Aaron and I were quite perplexed, I almost went to his room to see what he was talking about......but, then we both realized.....he has no idea what a flat sheet is....to him it's a sheet blanket thing.

conversations during dinner

Joe: I love you soo soo much Mommy!

Me: I love you too!

Joe: I love you all the love in the world!!

Joe: Even when I'm a grumpy old grandpa I'm still gonna love you!

Hannah: When I'm an old grandma I'm still gonna love you but you'll be dead.

Vote

My niece Amy is a finalist in a singing competition to sing the National Anthem in their local rodeo.

Go to this link http://www.facebook.com/pages/West-Jordan-Independence-Day-Festival-Western-Stampede/220528384640553?sk=wall&filter=1.
click on "photos" and scroll down to find Amy, she's contestant number 9. She's wearing a scarf. Click "like". The contestant with the most likes will win!
She's a beautiful girl with a beautiful voice!