Check Us Out!

Nate and I are moving up in life. For us that means that for two Friday's in a row we had a babysitter come watch the kids while we went out. Our first Friday extravaganza was to see the Broadway show "Wicked." It was pretty much awesome!

The second Friday out we redeemed Nate's surprise Christmas present from me -- a zipline tour for two (love those "we" gifts). It was a completely new experience for me and one that I totally loved. We could be in trouble, though -- I think I'm addicted to getting a babysitter once a week and going out. Once a week is so much more fun than twice a year!

This is sweet Jilli doing what she does best, being sweet!

Jaxton has lost three teeth in the last month, which puts him at a grand total of five teeth lost. Front teeth missing is one of my favorite looks!

Apparently Mac's workout plans are working. Checkout the biceps on these fella's. Lately they've been mastering the skill of pull-ups, something I don't think I could ever do.

I just realized that I have no pics of Beck in this post, so here's a shout out to him. We've been talking a lot about being proactive and responsible in our family and tonight Beckam walked straight in from a ballgame, right upstairs, brushed his teeth, put his jammies on and was quietly waiting in his bed to read scriptures. Proof that all that yakking pays off sometimes. Go Beck!

Mother's Day

Years ago I was told that Mother's Day was the least attended Sunday of the entire year. When I asked "why" I was told "Women don't like going to church and feeling guilty about all the things they are not doing, especially on Mother's Day." I've thought about that statement over the last few years and I've come to the conclusion that I completely disagree.

It's true, that the entire Sunday's program is usually "mom centered" and that we are bombarded with stories of fabulous women who have changed the lives of their children and others through their kindness, patience, wisdom and grace. I've decided that while I may not measure up to these women in the world's eyes, in my children's eyes I am that person. (You've got to love children's naivety.)

Because I am the one woman that my children spend the most time with, they blindly think that I am the bravest and strongest, that I run the fastest and longest, that I make the best cookies, that I'm the most creative, that I am all-knowing and that I do for others far more than I do for myself.

I love that I can do something completely out of my comfort zone, like play in a basketball game and never make a single point, yet from the sidelines I hear a chorus of four little voices cheering, "Go mom! You're the best!" I'm not sure how long my children will think I'm wonderful for -- my days could be numbered for all I know, but for now, I'll take it and enjoy every moment of it.

Here's to the incredible women of the world that will inevitably be recognized over the pulpit year after year and to the regular women who are anything but "regular" in the eyes of their own. Happy Mother's Day!

April Wrap-Up

The big camera was sitting up high, Jilli pulled on its strap and it came crashing down on her face.  Poor girl has been sportin' a nice bruised nose ever since.

There are many "girly" things about Jilli, but there are also many "brother" things that have rubbed off on her as well.  Playing with dinosaurs, lions and tigers seems to be her favorite thing lately and she insists on carrying them with her in her purse everywhere we go.

Mac's spring soccer season just ended this last weekend.  I missed the championship game, but was told it was the best game he's played.  His coach allowed him to go anywhere on the field and play both defense and offense at the same time.  He's such a fierce competitor and quite the little athlete.

Jaxton's always been my "bug" lover.  He spends many an afternoon on his hands and knees digging in the mud and under rocks in search of 6 legged friends.

We were thrilled to make it to the strawberry patch again this year.  Although Jilli wasn't my best picker (she kept picking the white strawberries no matter how many times I told her not to) we still came home with two large buckets full.

The kids devoured a bunch, we froze a bunch and

we made some excellent desserts with a bunch.

Jaxton has great hair and I love it longer, but when it gets long enough that I have to brush it out each morning, I know it's time for a haircut.  He's a cutie, that's for sure!

I'll end this post with a couple pics of my oldest.

I love this kid.  He holds my heart in his hands.

Spring Break

We had a couple rain days.  I'm a sucker for letting my kids out to play in it.  This time they played water basketball and had a great time getting soaked.

The kids post church egg hunt.

Sunday brought hidden Easter baskets filled with athletic attire for the boys, a new princess skirt for Jilli, silly string, bubble gum, and . . .

. . . these.  They were a big hit and have all been redeemed.

Jilli looked especially beautiful all ready for church

and the boys wore their new bow ties that I made.  They were given many a compliment at church and even told that "only the coolest kids can get away with wearing bow ties."  I thought they looked like handsome little professors.

After hosting Easter dinner for the last few years, we were delighted to accept an invitation to the Dial's home to eat.

We were sure to bring our very best manners and not make big messes. :)

We also let the kids take on one more egg hunt.  You can never have too many.

For the second year in a row Mac found one of the "winner" eggs and was awarded one of two chocolate bunnies.

We also found out that Mac was chosen as the "Terrific Kid" for the month of April -- an award that he has worked to get for almost three years.  His teacher had this to say about him: "Mac is a boy of many, many questions.  He always wants to know, "Why?"  Mac exhibits an amazing balance of caring and competitiveness throughout every school day.  His competitive nature acts as a driving force for him to work hard and put forth a tremendous effort in his school work.  He requests immediate feedback on all he does so he can do even better next time.  Out of all the words that describe a Terrific Kid, the one that reminds me most of Mac is Inquisitive.  Terrific job Mac!"

P.S. I am LOVING my new camera that Nate gave me for our anniversary!

Celebrating 32 Years! (& Kindness Begins with ME!)

After a trip to the gym this morning, I came home to a house full of happy faces and "Happy Birthday's!" Nate had taken the kids to the store yesterday and had them each buy a gift for me with their own money. Ironically enough they all bought me treats (I think they know their mother well). Mac also included with his gift a dollar bill with a note that instructed me to "go and buy something for myself."

This year I decided that I wanted to do something different with my birthday. Instead of it being all about ME, I wanted to do something nice for others. Since my older kids are on spring break, they were able to assist me and with their help we completed 32 ACTS OF KINDNESS, one for each year of my life.
#1 -- Gift for our mailman.

#2, #3 & #4 -- Each of the boys got to choose someone to give their treat to. Mac chose to give his to a friend he doesn't get to see very often, Beck gave his to a favorite neighbor and Jax gave his to a worker at the post office.

#5, #6, #7, #8 & #9 -- "Thank You" cards

#10 -- We picked up and discarded the broken sand toys at Beckam's preschool.

#11, #12 & #13 -- We went to the outlets and taped money to the kiddie rides for an unexpected surprise.

#14, #15, #16 & #17 -- We taped money to the vending machines to help out a hungry passerby.

#18 -- We donated to Goodwill.

#19, #20, #21, #22 & #23 -- We sent Easter surprises to family members.

#24, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29, #30 & #31 -- We "EGGED" some lovely homes.

#32 -- I made an extra effort to be more cheerful and kind. I greeted everyone at the gym (even though it was 6:00am), I was a courteous driver, I was more patient with my children and I waved at anyone I passed in the neighborhood.

I do have to admit that 32 acts of kindness is A LOT of kindness and it does take a large amount of work and preparation, but in the end, I think it was worth it. It kept my kids busy all morning and maybe, just maybe they learned a little something about serving others.

For lunch I was surprised by a group of friends with lunch at the park. The women that I get to surround myself with every day never cease to amaze me. Their thoughtfulness is a gift that I will cherish forever.

We ended the day with dinner at the new Moe's, a little shopping and cake and ice cream.

I had an excellent birthday . . . so good, in fact, that it even makes me look forward to my next one.