My Non-Black Friday

I have a really good excuse, I always do you know...  I tweaked my back something fierce last week.  The day before Thanksgiving I took the kids to the zoo in the morning and I was just fine as we were getting ready and even driving down there.  When I stepped out of the car something happened.  It hurt like a mother.  I've had back issues in the past but I figured I'd walk it off and it would work itself out.  Not so.  By the time we left the zoo I was in major pain and by Thursday afternoon I could barely walk.  It felt like I was in a body cast, my whole body was so tight.  And nothing helped.  It hurt sitting, laying down, walking, standing, it didn't matter.

It was so bad that... are you ready for this?  I sent Seth out on Black Friday for me!! Gasp.  I love Black Friday.  Mostly I love a really good deal and I'm a sucker for saving money.  I'm not like a crazy Black Fridayer, I don't stay out all night and I rarely stand in line for hours but I do love going out there and trying to grab some of the really good deals.  This year we were in need of a tv (ours is an old handy-me-down that turns off whenever it feels the need) so I sent Seth.  He hated it.  But thanks to our good friend (Laura you ROCK!) he didn't really even have to do much.  She was in line early and grabbed us a ticket for the tv and grabbed a couple other things when she got in there but it was not Seth's thing.  He does not enjoy chaos.  Black Friday is pure chaos.  Good thing I didn't send him to Walmart.

Anyway, we got our tv but I was out of commission for the rest of the weekend.  I did get into the chiropractor on Friday and I'm on the mend but it was a super frustrating to not be able to get anything done.  I am forcing myself to focus on the very tender mercy that this all happened over a long weekend when I had my amazing husband home to take care of life while I was useless.

So that's my story.  That's my excuse for not blogging for a week.

So for the last week... I am grateful for my healthy functioning body and for the miserable reminder of what a non-functioning body feels like.

2-fer

I spent last night folding laundry and then working really hard on finding pictures to put on a Christmas card to order from a website that was having this smokin' deal but only until today so I had to get it all done.  I missed most of Monday Night Football trying to make it just right.  I changed the pictures about 40 times and when it was just perfect I closed the program without saving anything and lost every bit of that hard work.  Pregnant Brain.  After that I had no desire to look at any more Christmas cards or post another boring blog post.  So I gave up and went to bed.  But didn't sleep because Nash has given me his cold and I couldn't breath and it's hard to sleep when you can't breath.  Ugh.  But that's all the complaining I will do.  

Today has been a fairly lazy day.  I planned to take a nap while Nash was sleeping but tried to fit in too many little things before I laid down and he woke up within minutes of my head hitting the pillow.  So we snuggled and watched A Baby Story together.  I haven't watched that in a long time but it got me all excited about meeting this new little guy.  I actually enjoy the labor and delivery part.  Mostly because I have yet to go into full-fledged labor on my own so by the time they induce me and it really gets going I already have an epidural and it's really just down-time hanging out in a hospital room with my husband until it's "go-time".  And then thanks to the epidural (I have no desire to try natural) it's not that big of a deal.  I love the time in the hospital with just me and Seth and our new little blessing.  If it weren't for the room-rearranging and painting and wall-tearing-down and new-floor-going-in, I would say that I am ready.  But since we are trying to cram that all in before he comes I am definitely not ready.  

Gratitude Day #'s 19 and 20

I am grateful for Seth's job.  He works for a great company that is extremely family friendly.  I know it may not last forever (who stays with a company forever anymore?) but for now I am so thankful for it.  

I am also grateful to be able to stay home with my kids.  There are days when it seems like going to work would be more enjoyable but I wouldn't change it for the world.  I love being home when they get off the bus and I love spending my days with Luc and Nash.  They make me smile and laugh more than I would have ever expected.

Uncle Tate

 We had a special visitor the last few days.  Seth's little brother Tate got to spend a few days with us while his parents were in DC.  We love having Tate over.  He is pretty much the best Uncle ever.  No offense to other uncles but when you're 18 and don't have any of your own kids to occupy your time you make for a pretty fun uncle.  He absolutely loves kids and he is so good with them.  The kids were so super excited to have him come stay for a few days.  They only wished he would have been at the house 24/7.  But he is an 18 yr old senior in high school after all and has a life, we were just glad to have him for a while.  We're super lucky that he lives so close by.

Gratitude Day #18

I am grateful there are only 12 days left of my blogging everyday.  This is getting old.  I am also very grateful for fairly easy pregnancies.  9 more weeks and I am still feeling pretty good.  Also very grateful for Prevacid. 

Sharing Time Crisis... or not.

Sitting here working on my Sharing Time for primary tomorrow.  I had it in my head.  I had figured out the logistics and just sat down to make sure I was hitting all the points and had it all organized (as organized as you can be with sharing time.)  I opened it up online and about peed my pants.  How in the heck did I just plan the completely wrong sharing time?  I started freaking out.  Seth is sitting here going "its OK, don't worry about it, just do it and don't worry about it."  Such a guy.  I'm looking at the clock going "ugh, I am not in the mood to start this all over!"  Then my next thought is "this can't be right, our secretary is always on top of this and I know she sent out an email that said the theme this month was missionary work."  So I went back online and realized that the church website is way over prepared.  They already have the 2013 Sharing Time Outline up.  I accidentally opened the pdf file for next year.  Mini-heart attack over.  I was so not looking forward to a short night.

Nash is sick so it will probably be a rough night anyway.  Last night was ridiculous.  But only half Nash's fault.  The other half was our drunk neighbor screaming profanities at his wife and son and then driving off like a crazy man.  Would you call the cops?  I'm still wondering if we should have. It was really ugly and scary.  Kept me up for a good hour after it happened.

Gratitude Day #17

I am grateful to be able to work with the primary kids at church.  I never thought I would love primary like I do.  It is so sweet to see these kids grow and learn.  I love it.  

Movie Night

We have tried to adopt a new little family tradition.  It doesn't happen every week but a couple times a month we have Friday Night - Movie Night.  The kids absolutely love it and its such an easy way to make their day.  Tonight we watched Brave.  I had to run to the mall to pick up my phone (I dropped it a few days ago and if it weren't for the shattered glass cutting my fingers I probably would have just dealt with the cracks rather than pay money to have it fixed.) but I missed a bit of the movie, I returned with popcorn and licorice so I was quickly forgiven.

Gratitude Day #16

I am grateful for the beautiful fall weather in Arizona.  This is the reason I endure the summers.  8 months of perfect weather makes up for it.

Just Grateful

Gratitude Day #15

I am grateful for my bed.  And now I'm going to go sleep in it.  I am so tired today.  Good Night!

Kiddos and Nesting

 Nash is my little shopping buddy.  Don't you think he needs this little hat?  Today as we walked around Target he chanted "happy, happy, happy!" over and over.  So cute.  I really, really don't want him to grow up too fast.

 Speaking of growing up too fast... My first baby is getting so big.  Mostly it's fun but sometimes it's just sad.  She already says she doesn't like Justin Bieber,  What?  You're only 8!  You're supposed to be obsessed with JB, right?  She told me yesterday that she likes The Black Eyed Peas.  Again, what?  Anyway, she's super cute.  I am loving her hair right now.

My nesting continues... 

Junk Drawer - check!  

Game Closet - check!

Gratitude Day #14

I am grateful for my Ob/Gyn... That's weird, right?  Well this is my 5th pregnancy and my 4th Dr. I loved my midwives in Utah but hated the hospital.  I've loved the hospital here and highly disliked all three of my ob's.  I finally found this one and he is awesome.  So far.  Today I had my 30 week appointment and instead of telling me to come back in again in 2 weeks like would normally happen at this point, he said "you know what you're doing, everything looks good, let's push out 4 weeks." I love it.  Thank you. 

Oops...

Well I kind of figured that I'd miss a day sooner or later.  But yesterday was technically a holiday so that's going to be my "excuse."  I actually woke up at like 12:30am and realized that I'd completely forgotten to post, I almost got up and threw something together then I came to my senses, rolled over and went back to sleep.

Nash has been a really crappy sleeper the past week or two.  Luc went through this the last couple months before Nash was born and I thought for sure I would never again get a good night's sleep with a new baby coming.  It all worked itself out.  I am hoping and praying that the same thing happens with Nash.

Which brings me to...

Gratitude Day #13

I am so very, very grateful for a husband who gets up with kids at night.  Lately he gets up more than me.  He is the most considerate and helpful husband a girl (especially a pregnant with #5 girl) could hope for.

(Belated) Gratitude Day #12

I am grateful that I am learning every day to appreciate extra time with my kids.  I used to dread extra days off of school because of all the things that didn't get done.  I have forced myself, lately, to put those things out of my mind and just enjoy that I have them home.  

Day 11 of Boring Ol' Me

Am I the only one getting sick of me?  I'm far from interesting enough for a post every day. 

I can't even think of what to post today.  

Oh... I got it!  Luc was funny today.  (thank goodness because I have nothing!)

We were sitting in church, stake conference, Luc was sitting in between Seth and I.  Seth had his hand on my shoulder.  Luc leans over to me and says "mom, some random guy is touching your shoulder."  Then busts up laughing.  He thought it was so funny.   

That was funny, right?  I thought it was. 

Gratitude Day #11

I am grateful for college football.  I love most sports, but nothing is as good as college football.  I am also so grateful for a husband who shares this love.

This is how I spent Saturday evening.  No local coverage of the Utah game so  following the plays online while watching a game on tv.  Love it.

Fall... Er Winter?

Fall is finally here.  My kids are such Arizonans.  They were seriously "freezing" tonight.  Guess we won't be taking them to the snow anytime soon.

Gratitude Day #10

I am grateful for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am grateful to know that the Lord has prepared a way for us to return to live with our Heavenly Father again.  

Exhausted

I painted a dresser today.  Still nesting, quite obviously.  Now I am exhausted.  2 days in a row of nesting has done me in.

Then we went to the temple and made an appearance at a wedding reception.  I am exhausted.  Did I already say that?  

Gratitude Day #9

I am extremely grateful for the temple.  I'm grateful for covenants that make my family eternal.

Yesterday and Today

YESTERDAY
So yesterday was one of those just blissfully perfect days.  Everything seemed to go my way and it was exactly what I needed.  Here's a little chronological account of my blessed day:

7:30 am - Charlie's mom texts to say she is taking the day off and will come pick up Luc for preschool and bring him home.

8:30 am - She picks Luc up 45 minutes early and I enjoy a shower while Nash watches tv.  (Nash never watches tv)

9:45 am - I put a very sleepy Nash into the car and take off for Biltmore (a fancy-shmancy mall that I never go to but I have a return that I thought would only work there.)

10:00 am - On my way to Biltmore I pass Cafe Rio and realize being this close definitely merits an attempt at lunch with my mother-in-law, I call her and she of course says she will meet me in 40 minutes.

11:00 am - Lunch at Cafe Rio

12:05 pm - I call Charlie's mom to tell her I'm a little late (Nash lost a shoe and I had to go back for it)  She informs me that Luc wants to have lunch at their house and she'll bring him home later.  Nash is asleep again and transfers perfectly into the house and stays asleep.

12:45 pm - After doing a quick clean of the kitchen and living room I lay down for a 30 minute nap.

1:55 pm - Folding laundry and a little frustrated that I'm going to have to wake Nash up from his great nap in order to go pick up Luana from school when the door bell rings... it's Seth's little brother Tate, he just wants to get some homework done and hang out.  No need to wake up Nash.  Seriously?  Could this day get any better?  

3:30 pm - with a clean house, tons of other little "to-dos" done Luc comes home and the girls get off the bus.  

It was such a good day.  It was just what I needed.  I got so much done and I just felt so blessed.  Heavenly Father knew exactly what I needed and sent it to me through my friends and family.

TODAY

Today was all about nesting.  I am trying hard to take advantage of this nesting thing while I still have the energy and before the Holidays take over.  Today I tackled our room.  It started with just wanting to clean out the shelves in our closet but it turned into a mountain of a mess.  About halfway through I was sure I had made a huge mistake.  I cannot believe the amount of junk we have/had.  It's all gone now.  I have 2 empty shelves in my closet and one small box under the bed.  I feels so good.  One room down.  Three rooms and about six closets/cupboards to go.  

Gratitude Day #8

I am grateful that I have all the "things" I need.  We may not have  a lot of fancy stuff but we have what we need.

Good Night

Instead of taking time to blog today I messed around with that picture up there for way longer than I should have. I'll have to post tomorrow about what sweet little blessings were given me today. Now I need sleep. "I'm turning food into a baby!"  (Name that quote!)

Gratitude Day #7

I am grateful for amazing extended family.  I have such good parents and wonderful in-laws. I am grateful for their examples.

Happy Freedom Day

I'm not sure my life is interesting enough for a month's worth of posts.  It may end up being just cute pictures of my kids, which I am sure could get old pretty quick as well.

It being Election Day I feel a slight need to get a little political.  Or anti-political maybe.  I hate politics.  I'm not of the "close my eyes and pretend it's not happening" variety of haters, more of the "why can't we just all get along and accomplish more" type of haters.  I just get so sick of it being an all or nothing system.  One side is 100% right (correct) and the other side is therefore 100% wrong.  When in life is that ever the case?  Ok I'm sure there are instances in which that is true but when we're trying to govern and make happy a whole nation of diverse people in diverse circumstances it just makes absolutely no sense.  It seems so much more logical that we should all give and take a little.  That's all I'm saying.  I personally lie somewhere in the middle.  Seeing a lot of good (and bad) in both directions.  I just don't know how to make that work in our crazy blue vs red/elephants and donkeys system.  

There, that was my soap box.  I'll climb back down now and go back to just trying my best to teach my own children to be good outstanding citizens in a country where they are lucky enough to be able to make a difference if they choose.

Gratitude Day #6

I am grateful for political freedom!! (regardless of it's personality flaws)

My Day in Pictures

De-junking the House - One Bag at a Time

Love those Boots

Take My Picture Mom

Ice Cream for FHE

Getting Ready for Bed with a Little Trash Can Spinning

Gratitude Day #5

I am grateful to be able to stay home with my kids. it's not easy but I wouldn't have it any other way.

Children and Soda

Gratitude Day #4

I am grateful for my beautiful children!

Currently they are playing a game at the kitchen table, McKay made it up.  It's call Soda Land.  Basically Candy Land with a soda twist.  Not surprising coming from our family.  We appreciate soda.  

Funny little tidbit about "soda".  I moved from California to Washington when I was 15.  Did you you know that in California they say soda and in Washington they say pop?  I didn't either.  But I quickly found out.  And being the stubborn little girl that I was I refused to give it up.  I still call it soda, always will.  Pop is just funny sounding.  

Soccer and Scouting

We had our (the girls') second to last soccer game today, for this season and possibly for a couple seasons.  It's been hard to watch this go-round.  I can't tell if they are having fun or not.  I don't think we've scored a goal this season.  And after sort of dominating the younger league the last couple seasons it's been a hard adjustment.  But that's not why we're thinking of taking a break.  I'm pregnant with my FIFTH!!! baby.  In case I hadn't mentioned that.  And I think I might need a little break.  But of course we have already been telling Luc he can start soon.  We'll just have to see how it goes I guess.

On top of all that, Seth is Scout Master right now.  It is a fairly demanding calling and Seth is an amazing man.  He really tries hard to do everything that is asked of him AND still make time for his family and our needs.  So maybe we need a little soccer break.

Gratitude Day #3

I am grateful for the things that seem to be undesirable but end up teaching me and helping me to grow.  

ie. trials, single parenting (when my husband is off being a scout master) and finances

2 in a Row!

Just a little moment from my morning:

I was sitting on the couch with Nash working on the computer.  Luc and Charlie were playing Legos in the bedroom.  Charlie ran out and very proudly showed me his "ship" he had just made.  I oohed and ahhed and told him how talented he is.  Luc came running out 30 seconds later to show me his Lego creation.  Ooohs, ahhs and praise repeated.  Nash then crawled off my lap and ran to the bedroom.  He came back running, held up a piece of a puzzle and smiled proudly.  He's so cute.  I love thinking of how their little brains are learning and developing.  He's thinking "I can totally go find something random to show mom and she will oooh and ahhh for me too!"  He is now bringing all sorts of odd items to me and holding them up just as proudly as Luc and Charlie.  He giggles and runs away when I oooh and ahhh.

These silly little "insignificant" moments are the ones that make me forget about the fact that I'm in my pajamas paying bills while sitting in my cluttered and toy infested living room on my stained and tattered couch listening to Doc McStuffins on my faltering tv.  I am living the life.  And these little moments make it all just perfect.

Gratitude Day 2

I am grateful for all the "little moments" in my life.

Here Goes...

Just heard that it's National Blog Posting Month aka NaBloPoMo (apparently.)  So for the month of November it's my post a day challenge.  I've always kind of wanted to see if I could do that (I probably can't, but it's worth a try) plus it's November which just happens to be all about gratitude so that should make it easy (or easier).  

So here goes...

Halloween was crazy.  Fun.  But also exhausting and a little overwhelming for some reason.  It's over now and I'm glad.  I'm ready for holier holidays.  One's that have a more important purpose and reason for being.  

11 weeks to go.  Crazy how fast this pregnancy is going.  I know the last 4 weeks will still seem like an eternity but for right now it seems like it is seriously flying by.  I feel good but hate that I get winded so easily and that bending over to pick things up off the floor feels like I'm going to bust open.  I need one of those little claw grabber tools that they advertise on tv for old people. 

Gratitude Day #1

I am extremely grateful for my husband. 

Making Mommy Smile

Yesterday was definitely "one of those days".  Mix that with my pregnancy hormones and lack of sleep and I was pretty much a wreck by the time Family Night rolled around.  Good thing I have an amazing husband who doesn't let my lack of both motivation and encouragement deter his goodness.  We sat down, me pouting like a 4 yr old (as if we don't have enough of those running around the house) and started with a few songs.  Nash is what we call the "happy-maker".  He can fix any bad mood.  Pregnancy hormones are a challenge though.  Even when I know how irrational I am being it's nearly impossible to turn it around.  Nash sat there punching his own leg and laughing at himself through all the songs.  It makes me laugh thinking about it.  But it didn't make me laugh at the time.  Just a slight smirk.

Then McKay started her "lesson."  She said "I want you all to think of something that you are thankful for that you shouldn't be."  What?  Rephrase please.  "Tell me something that you are grateful for that you don't need."  My heck, where is she going with this?  She was trying desperately to put her own twist on daddy's suggestion for a lesson.  It made me actually smile.  In the end we made lists of all the things we are most grateful for. 

Here are some of my favorites from their lists:


Luc is grateful for our couch (I hate our couch.  It's old and stained and I'm ready for a new one, but this made me smile.  He doesn't care.  He is grateful for it.  Too cute.)

Kimball is grateful for mistakes that help us to learn.  Me too Kimball.  Me too.

Seth is grateful for college football and a wife who loves sports.  

McKay is grateful for Mormon Messages.  We showed them one the other night before bed and now she's addicted to them.  She's probably watched 10-15 of them in the past 3 days.  She is so good.  This is her favorite Sharing Your Beliefs

I am most grateful for my family right now.  They are amazing.  Even when I'm a hormonal mess they love me.  I am so lucky.  And super blessed.

Halloween - the weekend before

Halloween is still three days away and I am feeling like it should be long gone by now.  Don't get me wrong, I like Halloween, I think it's a cute little holiday (cute? ok maybe not always cute but with little one's it usually is somewhat cute.)  Plus we invoke a chocolate tax on all candy coming into our house so we usually end up "enjoying" the festivities as well.  Just a jump start on the Holiday Weight Gain.

This year Nash was my only child who allowed me a say in the costume decision and let's be honest that's only because he can't talk yet therefore he really doesn't have a say.  Actually now that I think of it I did brainwash/bribe Luc into his Ninja costume that I bought last year after Halloween for like $2.  Just needed to "suggest" it a few times and then offer to throw in a couple new swords and he was sold.

The girls chose on their own.  McKay started of by saying she wanted to be Lady Gaga.  (I have no idea how she even knows who LG is...?)  We cleverly transformed that into a "Funky, Rock Starish Girl."  As long as it involved makeup and dangling earrings she was good.  Kimball wanted to be a Scary Zombie Princess.  After lots of explanation and a little web searching we figured that one out too.  Although it was short lived.  She didn't want to even look at herself in the mirror and she hated people telling her how scary she was.  So for the 2nd Trunk or Treat of the weekend she changed to a Rock Star along with her sister.  Normally I'm not one to indulge children in changing their minds about costumes and starting all over but I thought it was sweet that she didn't like being scary so she got away with it.  I'll have to post some follow-up pictures after Wednesday when we finish up this week long celebration.

 The kids have adapted the Avey tradition of the Great Candy Divide.  They throw it all on the table and take turns picking their favorites to divide it up.  (after mom and dad have collected their taxes that is.)

Trashy Nashy...

I love seeing my children's little personalities come out.  Those quirky little characteristics that are just their's and make them so unique are endearing.  Well most of them.  I suppose some of their quirks also drive me nuts but that's a different post all together.

Nash is definitely at that age where he's showing us more and more of his personality each day.  He is a spit-fire.  A lot like Kimball when it comes to his "will."  He knows what he wants, that's for sure.  He's hilarious too, (also a Kimball trait).  He loves to make us laugh.

Back to quirks though.  He is my trash man.  For a couple months there I really regretted ever showing him how and where to throw his diaper away.  At first thought it seemed like a good idea.  Change a diaper, hand it to him, he throws it away, I get on with my life.  Then I realized he had an affinity for throwing things away.  Remote controls.  Sippy cups.  Shoes.  And I'm sure there are many more that I just never discovered.  It's taken a couple months but he's finally figured out (for the most part) what is trash and what isn't.  He's even gotten to the point where we can tell him to put it in the recycle and he knows the difference.  He's a real prodigy.  I'm thinking of getting his IQ tested.

At church on Sunday I had him in primary with me (he graduates to nursery this Sunday!!!) and he spent a good part of the hour walking around picking up little pieces of trash from under kids' seats and throwing them in the trash.  It made me smile.  I'm pretty sure a few sweet children may have lost their Primary Program speaking parts to Trashy Nashy.  Then today at the park he started picking up trash from all over and taking it to the garbage cans.  Too cute.

I just sat down to fold laundry.  Monday is "officially" laundry day.  Which really just means I try to get on top of it, so it doesn't feel like we're drowning in a mountain of dirty clothes.  I wish it meant it was the one time during the week that I did it and then I didn't have to think about it for the next week.  Alas, that is not the "season" of my life right now.  So anyway, I was saying I sat down to fold laundry which is means that I get to find something moderately entertaining on tv to help me get through it without dying of boredom (I am one of those people that needs constant entertaining).  I like to watch hgtv or something slightly disturbing like First 48, things that Seth would rather not watch with me.  But lately my laundry folding time has been seriously affected (effected?) by our lame tv.  It's old.  I think.  I don't really know, we have yet to purchase our own tv in 9 years of marriage.  It passed on to us.  Well it has this nasty habit of just turning off.  No rhyme or reason.  Sometimes it happens after it's been on for an extended period of time (like in the 4th quarter of a football game!) and sometimes it goes kapoot after just 2 minutes.  The one consistent though is that it won't turn back on for a while.  Lame.  So instead of folding laundry while listening to music or contemplating the deeper things in life, I jump on my ignored blog to complain about how I don't have a tv to watch.

Other things I can write about to take time away from laundry:

Soccer:  our girls are playing soccer again this season.  Very non-competitive city-league soccer.  They moved up an age level and it's slightly sad.  They are really getting skunked.  I feel for their tender little hearts.  McKay said last week after another bad loss "mom, I don't want to be that team that everyone knows is easy to beat."  I know they are learning and growing but man it's hard to see your kids sad.

Halloween: what happened to cute little coordinated family (kids only) costumes that every one ooohs and ahhhhs over?  I'm so not excited about their choices this year.  So not excited that I haven't really done anything to prepare for it.

Primary Program:  the annual primary sacrament meeting is this coming Sunday.  This is the first time I have ever been involved in the planning and preparation of said event.  It is way harder and more stressful than you think or would imagine.  I am ready for it to be over.  Now if we could just have about 12 more practices to get ready.

Tired:  I think being pregnant at 36 is way harder than being pregnant at 27... I am tired all the time.  I fall asleep on the couch pretty much every night and wish for a nap about 7 times a day.  12 more weeks.  I hope I can get my house in order before then!!!  12 weeks?  Crap, all the sudden that seems way too close.  Anyone want to help me de-clutter my house and rearrange the kids' 3 bedrooms and paint and deep clean and put in new flooring... Now I really am tired.

Fall Break

This year, for some inexplicable reason, we have 3 days off for "fall break".  In the past we've always had one random day off in October which they have referred to as fall break and we've all kind of just rolled our eyes and thought of it as another teacher development day.  When I realized that we would have this little break I definitely had mixed feelings about it.  On the one hand, having a few days off from the morning chaos and the afternoon of homework would be nice but on the other hand 3 full days of keeping my kids entertained and my normal household duties up to snuff did not sound so fun.

A couple days before the break a friend asked one of the girls "are you excited for fall break?"  Her answer broke my heart... she said "I am, but mom's not, she likes it when we have school."  how sad is that?  I felt so bad.  So I turned my focus back to what's most important, my kids and family   The house isn't that big of a deal.  It will get cleaned eventually.  Just maybe not so much over during few precious days with my children.

I started out coming up with elaborate ideas of places to go.  Seaworld... did you know it's almost as expensive as Disneyland.  Ok so how 'bout just a quick trip to the beach... 6 hours each way and  Seth only has one extra day off and we have to be back by Saturday morning for Soccer.  What about camping?  Camping with Nash?  Sleeping on the hard ground with a bad back?  Maybe not.  I have to admit I actually said a prayer.  I told Heavenly Father that I knew this wasn't a trial or tribulation but I also knew that He cared about our everyday happiness and that He would help me figure this out.  He does.  And He did.

Wednesday I woke up and promised myself that today was about them,  about them knowing that I wanted to spend time with them and that they were more important than a clean house.  So we played some wii, we packed a picnic lunch and went to the park, we went to Goodwill and got ideas for Halloween costumes and we watched a movie on my bed with popcorn.  It wasn't perfect.  I still got frustrated a couple times but it was fun.

Picnic at the Park

I realized while we were there that I had taken a picture of the kids at this same park about a year before. We re-enacted it , or at least tried.  They have grown so much.  And apparently the park got a new swing.

Thursday Seth took the day off and we went to the Children's Museum.  I have been a couple times for field trips with the girls and we went with Seth's mom and sisters a couple years ago but I didn't realize that for Mckay and Luc it had been 2-3 years and Seth has never been.  It was so much fun.  We weren't in a rush, we just hung out and played.  We left for lunch at a great little pizza place downtown and then went back for a few more hours.  The afternoon was so nice, all the school groups had left and we practically had the place to ourselves.  And we only lost one kid and only for like 1 minute.  Not bad overall.

6+ Hours of uninterrupted fun for all

The girls favorite place was the Pizza Parlor.  I (pretend) ate about 18 pizzas, 14 salads and 21 desserts! This is also where we lost Nash, he was done eating pizza and left to find the climbing structure.

Today we're just hanging out at home, running a couple of errands and then Seth and I get to go golfing this afternoon to celebrate 10 years as a couple.  We don't normally celebrate this but Seth texted me this week to tell me we'd been dating for 10 years this week and we thought it was a good reason for a date. I haven't golfed in a very long time.  Could be interesting.

Weekend Update

Utah football was a total bust this weekend.  It was still a lot fun to go to a game since we only get to go once a year but man did they play awful.  The best fan "jab" of the night, during the 4th quarter we're down by like 30 points and sucking it up on both sides of the ball but our band was still just playing their little hearts out, I mean like after or before every other play they would play something.  A guy from the ASU crowd close to us yells "next time leave your band at home and bring your defense!"  I loved it.  Made me laugh because it was so true.  I love sports.  Especially college football.  Just sayin'.

Sunday was a rough morning.  Maybe it was an extension of the loss Saturday night or being up so late, I don't know.  But I woke up and told myself I was going to be really patient and loving while getting ready for church.  I didn't do so well.  Seth has to leave a half hour before us to help the deacons set up chairs and being the amazing husband that he is he usually takes a couple kids with him so I can finish getting ready.  This week even with 2 kids out the door early I was still late.  I hate being late for church.  I did my makeup in the car on the way (I know that sounds dangerous but I mostly just do it at stop lights so it's not too dangerous.)  Anyway, I got to church just before the opening prayer and i was not in a good mood, definitely not in the right mood.  Which made sacrament really long, primary super exhausting and frustrating and me even more grumpy by the end.  I guess I'll try again next week.  Yesterday felt a bit like a failure.  I hate days like that.

Wow this sounds like a depressing weekend.  It wasn't really.  Just some not so stellar moments.  So grateful that my Heavenly Father is patient with me even when I'm not.

Luc's Future...

Luc just came in from outside and said "mom, can I just pee outside?"

And like every other time he has asked this I simply said "no buddy, go in the bathroom"

His response "ah mom!  When I'm sixteen and I'm a fireman then I can pee outside, right mom?"

I suppose if all of those circumstances were true then yes, he probably could.  

Unloading My Brain with Random Thoughts

You gotta love my "random thoughts" posts.  Every couple of months I have all these little thoughts that have no connection to one another and really aren't complete enough for a whole post so they end up in this hodge podge of a post for all to enjoy.

1. Utah beat BYU this weekend.  None of my girl friends care.  They all think I'm crazy for being so obsessed but it was a big night for us.  Stressful, crazy and completely unpredictable (as most UofU/BYU games are) but it was fun.  Seth and I watched it all by ourselves.  Which is best.  We get a little bit hyped up and slightly out of control at times so it's best if there are as few witnesses as possible.  
2. Washing dishes drives me nuts.  There is this little baby food feeder that hasn't been "used" in probably 6 months but with a new baby coming in a few months I haven't "put away" any of the baby stuff so it goes in the misc. drawer that the kids have access to.  It goes through the dishwasher pretty much everyday.  I don't know how it always ends up on the table or floor or in the sink but it does and then I don't know how dirty it is so it goes back in the dishwasher for another round.  It's silly.  And it has started to make me laugh every time I put it back in.  To get me through all the dish washing that seems never ending I listen to conference talks.  It makes it go by so much faster and I am continually reminded of my Heavenly Father's love for me and his patience.  I love that He's patient with me.  I need it.  This is my most recent favorite And a Little Child Shall Lead Them
3. I am a messy person.  By nature I think.  I am much better than I used to be.  I like my house to be orderly and I try my best to keep it that way.  But me, personally, I am a mess.  I can never wear a shirt more than once.  It always ends up with at least one spot.  I don't know what my deal is with keeping food and drink in my mouth but it is a serious challenge for me.  Being pregnant enhances this.  Those rare instances, when the food falling from my mouth might miss my shirt and hit the floor instead, are now gone.  My belly is right there, ready to catch all drips and dribbles.  Awesome because extra laundry is just what I need and I have so many cute maternity shirts all I want is to have an excuse to change 2 times a day!
4. I have finally figured out the rooms arrangement for when the baby comes.  Now I just need to repaint each room to coordinate with it's new occupants.  Baby no. 5 and I am determined to have an actual nursery for the first time.  Not sure that Seth agrees with this decision.  Good thing I have my pregnancy card, it works on almost everything and for these 9 months I get my way.  

Purging My Phone Photos

One of my best friends just told me I don't post enough pictures on my blog... she's right.  But I also think she should just give up her silly anti-facebook antics then I wouldn't have to post them here... but since I love her I will oblige.  And because I think my kids are pretty cute.

Nash yelling at me to get him off the table, as if I put him there and told him to make this huge mess! Please note the boxes of peaches in the background, tomorrow they will be transformed into Peach Raspberry Jam and Kimball will finally start eating pb&j again.  She refuses all store bought jam.  Snob.

 Am I the only one with a huge assortment of self-portraits on my phone?  It seems to be a daily activity with my phone.

This is my own little "invention."  Anything to keep him sleeping and still be able to do my shopping.

Hailie's 17th Birthday! 

 See if you can find Nash creeping in this picture.  Not Luc, Nash.

Just a friendly little game of bball with the kiddos...

Pretty good defense so far...

Luc setting a pick?  Nice Defense buddy.

Nothing like playing ball with Dad!

September has been absolutely beautiful, a little humid but I try not to complain about that while living in a desert.

My Climber.  Keeping me way too busy.

At Boehms Candy in Issaqua, WA.  Childhood memories for me.

McKay and LuLu

Wednesday

I'm only 22 weeks pregnant.  In my mind that isn't anywhere near half-way.  I know that technically, time wise, it is but the last 3 months seem so long that I'm not going to try to trick myself into thinking that I'm over the hump and closer to the end than the beginning.  Just doesn't work that way for me and pregnancy.  Which is why I am feeling like it is way too early for my back to be aching and my feet to be all swollen and sore at the end of the day.  

Maybe its the age difference.  And by "the age difference" I mean my age difference.  I have hit the summit of the thirties and am most definitely on my way towards the next decade.  

Or perhaps it's the other age difference, that of Nash and Baby Jensen (that's his name by the way, Jensen Bisel Avey).   McKay and Kimball were closer but they were so close that McKay was still a light weight and pretty much just barely toddling around by the time I was "feeling" pregnant with Kimball.  Nash is a full-fledged, running, jumping climbing little man, who also still begs to be held when he tires from the constant go go go.  

Most likely it's a combination of the two.  After whining about my back pain today, my friend told me "you probably need to quit toting him around so much."  I nearly cried.  He's still my baby.  He needs his mama.  I'm not sure what I will do when Jensen starts to grow up and I don't have the reassurance of another one coming to take the place as the baby.  (Because let's be honest, me with 5 kids is hard enough to fathom so we are fairly sure he will be the last).  It will be a sad day and he will probably end up being one spoiled little guy.  

For now I will just be grateful for moments like right now, Nash is sleeping, I am laying flat on my back (with a laptop on my ever growing belly) and Luc and his buddy are outside playing.  Right now at this moment I'm feeling pretty good.

Tuesday...

So today is already better than yesterday.  I got rained on first thing this morning after doing my makeup but when you live in a place as dry as Phoenix, the rain is always welcome, even if it means I have mascara all over my face.

Blessings can come in the most unexpected ways.  A few weeks ago a good friend of ours asked if I would be willing to watch their little boy a few hours a day.  I immediately said yes.  Which is so like me.  I never think things over, I am extremely spontaneous.  (Thus our 5 exchange students over the past 2 years.)  Sometimes my spontaneity is good and sometimes it can drive Seth absolutely nuts.  He needs time.  He needs to think things over and weigh the pros and cons.  I think we're a pretty good balance.  He's taught me how to plan and analyze and I have convinced him (or forced him) to just go with the flow from time to time.  

Anyway, after agreeing to watch him I did wander if I had gotten myself into something I would regret.  Luckily I knew that if it didn't work out our friends wouldn't be offended and we'd just figure something else out.  

Let me just tell you what a blessing it has been.  Luc has a friend.  Sometimes more like a twin brother, you know the whole "love/hate" thing.  But they entertain each other so well and I am getting more done than I have in a long time.  I've also realized that boys are so much easier than girls.  At least in the "playing together and getting along" part of life.  They can be so mad at each other one minute and they are literally laughing and playing the next.  I don't even have to intervene.  They just tell each other how they feel and then move on.  My girls can hold a grudge for years I swear.  Girl emotions are so tender and easily provoked.  Not these two boys.  And on top of it all they tolerate Nash.  


I am so thankful for these tender little mercies in life.  They make each day a little easier and more enjoyable.  

While they are being crazy and playing I get things done while listening to conference talks.  I listened to this one yesterday and cried.  I am so grateful to be blessed with my beautiful children.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/children?lang=eng&query=children

Monday, Monday!

I don't normally have "issues" with Mondays.  Wednesday is my crawl back in bed and sleep it off days.  Mostly I guess because it's only half way through the week and I am just ready for Friday.  

That being said today was definitely one of those Mondays that makes you wish for just one more day to prepare for the week.  

Who schedules "Picture Day" for a Monday anyway?  I mean really.