Pictures!

We just acquired all the proofs, CDs, and negatives of our engagement and wedding pictures as well as my bridal pictures! I feel like we got them for a great deal, because the place that did our pictures was "going in another direction" and the person who got the wedding stuff was clearing things out. Maybe I got ripped off, but we're really excited. Yea for unlimited copies of our professional wedding pictures!

Attempting...

...to be crafty. I have spent many hours recently (meaning about the last month) trying to put together the gift for my parents for Mother's Day and Father's Day. Being crafty doesn't come easily to me. So, the end result is far from perfect. I don't want to reveal what the gift is or show pictures, because my parents haven't seen it yet. However, I just wanted to say I've been working hard and I sure hope my gift is slightly appreciated. As I've been working, I keep thinking, "Is this just going to become a dust collector?" Scott says I don't give people enough credit. I keep thinking, "What if people just think this is lame?" So, we'll see. The verdict will be out next week after my family reunion.

Madam destructo

Yesterday, Audrey had a bit of a destructive run. I don't let the kids play in my room unsupervised. However, yesterday, I was putting away laundry. and, I admit, I left the room for about 30 seconds to put away the towels. She's been told repeatedly to NOT touch my glasses. I guess she took advantage of my disappearance and took them out of the case. She proceeded to see what would happen if you pull one ear piece down about 90 degrees. Nothing good! My prescription is more than a year old, so I HAVE to go in to get a new one, because you can't just put lenses in any old pair of frames. Did I mention I don't have insurance on my eyes, because my insurance company freaked out when they found out I have precataract spots? So, not only do I have to pay for freakishly strong glasses, BUT I have to pay for the appointment to get the prescription. Needless to say, I'm not pleased. I just can't survive without glasses, because I can't wear contacts all the time and I'm too blind without them.

Then, while she was supposed to be taking a nap, she took a book and pulled a page apart. I do let her take certain books to bed, because they seem to help her relax until she's ready to fall asleep. Now, it's a cardboard book, so I didn't think she could do anything THAT damaging. She sure showed me!

Sigh. I taped the book back together as best I could and I now have an appointment with my eye doctors (yes, that is supposed to be plural).

Cabin!

We spent this last weekend at my parent's cabin for a reunion with my mom's side of the family. Not many people were able to make it due to people living out of state, the cost of gas, and other scheduling conflicts. However, we still had a great time! I love getting together and doing fun things with family.
The kids had fun riding big wheels around the cabin. They also went on a treasure hunt. Audrey didn't quite understand what was going on, but Richard is finally old enough to grasp that the clues tell you where to go next and then you need to find the next clue. As you can see from the picture, he was one of the youngest children and so really couldn't compete. He got upset at the end, because he felt it was his turn to find a clue!

We went on a little nature walk with those up to it. Richard was able to walk the whole way! I'd bet it was total about 2 miles, and it was pretty flat. He loved throwing rocks in the water and just being with the kids. I enjoy hiking and was glad they picked a hike that wasn't too difficult so I could be part of things.

Am I the only one?

So, do you ever have one of those days where you think, "I shouldn't eat that. I should eat some vegetable," or "I really should do something educational with my kids rather than let them watch 'It's a Small World' on youtube.com again," or "I really should clean the bathrooms, but I really don't feel like it," or "I really should..." whatever you want to put there.
Today I really just want to eat some of the brownies I made yesterday and read. However, if I eat more right now I'll just get heartburn, so I don't know that it will be that satisfying. If I try to read, the kids will decide to pick on each other and I won't really read anyway. Oh, well. Off to help Richard learn how to write letters...

Happy Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to all you wonderful father's out there! I'd like to first pay tribute to my dear husband Scott. He tries so hard to be a great father and is always asking for suggestions of ways to better bond with the kids. He plays with them when he's home and Audrey always says, "Da''y!" whenever he walks in the door. The kids love to hit fists with him and do double thumbs-up. He wants to know what's going on with the new baby and is so excited to be part of his life. He is great with the kids when I'm at work and then the next morning when I'm sleeping. Even yesterday he and Richard went out together to bond over shopping. I love you Scott!

I'd also like to pay tribute to my fabulous father! He's been a great example to me of kindness, patience, understanding, and love. He always asks how I'm doing and how my kids are doing. He's been so wonderful to attend to most of our medical needs. He does what he can to make sure his children are taken care of and helps us through difficulties. He's taught me so much about the gospel and about being an example. I love you Dad!

I also need to include Happy Father's Day to my father-in-law. He's a hard worker who must have taught Scott a lot of what he knows. We appreciate his infuence in our lives!

It's a...

...modest baby! Though, probably a boy! My doctor said, "Well, it's not a very good angle and that could be a toe or the umbilical cord. But, I'm going to say it's a boy." The baby was totally stretched out in a reclined position, so that doesn't give much visibility. So, that's the verdict for now!

One of THOSE nights

I'm pretty tired lately. Comes with the territory. So, when it's time to go to bed, I am very eager to do so. I was just about to get in bed when the kids started coughing. Unfortunately, when Richard repeatedly coughs, he often ends up throwing up. So, Scott went in to check on him. Sure enough, he'd thrown up. I changed Richard's sheets while Scott cleaned him up. We hoped it was just the coughing.
Then, I went right to sleep. Apparantely, Scott did not. He ran his new data through his code. He'd only done it through another guy's code, and it did not look very much different from the old data. However, with Scott's code, it looked great! It might just be good enough for Scott's advisor to say he's done with that portion! So, he came to wake me and show me. I'm THRILLED (don't get me wrong) that his code looks so great and that he showed me as soon as possible that he just might be finishing soon. I'm very glad. However, it does mean I woke up slightly incoherent and it took me a minute to even register what he was telling me.
I did go back to sleep. I'm sure of it. However, when Scott got back in bed, he said Richard started whimpering. He went in and there was a throw-up mess everywhere! This was not a few small spots like before. So, I stripped down Richard's bed and changed the sheets, the pillow, and the waterproof mattress pad (thank heaven for those) and also had to wash his special blanket and one of the doggies and cars he likes to take to bed. Scott had to give Richard a bath to clean all the throw-up out of his hair. Needless to say, we were up for a while.
I slept relatively well after that. Meaning, when I woke up due to sore hips and not being able to breathe, I went to sleep much faster than I normally do.
Sigh. A night in the life of a parent!

New Calling

I wasn't a big fan of my old calling as the bear den assistant. So, I was really excited last week to find out about a new calling. I was sustained yesterday as the primary presidency secretary! I'm really excited to work in the primary, though I will miss Relief Society. I have a lot to do right now to get on top of things, but I'm don't think it's anything I can't handle.

Happy Birthday!

Today is Scott's birthday! We have known each other for 9 years now, which is amazing to me! He's had a great impact on my life and we've been through a lot together. He's helped me grow and become a better person. He works so hard to be a good father and husband and is so good to take my advice on ways to improve. He is doing so well at his job and is working with all his extra energy to finish his thesis. He supports me in what I do and is so willing to listen to what I have to say about so many things. He is the love of my life and I'm so happy to have him as my husband! Happy Birthday, Scott!
Scott got new barstools and some DVDs from me.

We had another party on Sunday with my family in conjuction with my brother's birthday. We had a packed house and it was a lot of fun! Here is the majority of us with the cakes.

Timing of Life

Life is interesting. We desire things but have to wait for the "right" timing. However, there are pros and cons to waiting and getting certain things right then. Marriage and children are the topics I'm mostly thinking about right now. I was married the semester before I graduated from college.

The pros? I didn't have a child during college. Phew! I didn't have to work during college (yea for scholarships and help from Mom and Dad)! I had some time to be single and mature some before being "grown-up" and independent.

The cons? My sister just went on a month-long trip to Greece and Turkey. Could I do that? Not right now! I've got kids to take care of, a mortgage, and other financial responsibilities. She has just herself. Quite a few of my family members are going to South Carolina next week, including my three single sisters. Was I invited? Sure! Can I go? Not a chance! When we went to Disneyland on a family vacation, I was pregnant with Audrey. Did I get to enjoy the thrill of Space Mountain? Uh, no. If we are at a family gathering, I have to be responsible and leave to put my kids to bed. My mom and sisters are going to Parade of Homes tomorrow and Friday. However, I worry that will be too hard on my kids and so don't think I will be going.

However, I will speak for them (and if I'm wrong I apologize) in that all three of them want to be married and have children. They WANT what I have and that blessing has not come to them yet. So their cons? They don't have that "anchor" that keeps me from being able to do what they do. They don't have their desires fulfilled.

So, would I give up my husband and kids so I could take vacations where and when I want and when I want? Do I regret that I married "young" in the world's eyes and had children much ealier than the average adult? No way! I adore them! (I have certain issues with delaying certain things just for the convenience of playing, a career, etc. However, this is not the post for that.) So, I don't get to go on all the trips they do. I don't have the flexibility of schedules as they do. I don't get to spend my money like they do. I just have to focus on the blessings I do have.

Marbles

I'm really trying to motivate Richard to be obedient, nice, etc. So, we've started a positive reinforcement system. He gets a marble for being obedient the first time, for being nice to Audrey of his own choosing, etc. So far, he's done so-so. I'm hoping as he sees the jar fill up that he'll get more excited. Once he gets all the marbles, he gets to go to the store and pick out a $1-2 toy or some fancy treat. We'll see if it makes a difference.