new found addiction

So, I have been OBSESSED with a new book series that my good friend got me started on. The author is Karen Kingsbury and she writes an AMAZING series of books. The first series is called REDEMPTION and if any of you are interested in reading these series, REDEMPTION is where you need to start. The second series is called FIRSTBORN, and I am three books into that series. I seriously CAN'T put them down and I don't remember the last time I was this involved in a book series. Not only is she an AMAZING author and grabs you from the first sentence, but she is a Christian author so there is NO swearing or suggestive scenes. Just GOOD reading! That being said, I don't want to hear any complaints when you decide to read these books and everything else in your life gets put on the back burner. I'm just sayin'! Still, do yourselves a favor and read them. You won't be sorry!!

Happy Birthday, Johnny!

J~Jeans (loves to wear his "cowboy jeans.")

O~One-Track (once an idea is in his head, good luck changing it!)


H~Helper (always ready to help Mom-especially in the kitchen!)


N~Navy Blue (his VERY favorite color!)


N~Neckerchief (a must have on his last Christmas list.)


Y~Years (7, to be exact. the number we have been blessed to have him in our family.)

I can't believe that seven years ago, I was holding a brand new baby in my arms! Time sure does fly and I feel so blessed to be his Mom. I don't think I've ever met a more passionate, energetic, story telling, dramatic, adventurous or fearless boy. Just a few of the things that make Johnny who he is and why I love him.

Do you remember being little and not being able to sleep the night before your birthday? Well, that was Johnny Wednesday night. It's funny, because it almost makes them so miserable from lack of sleep that it's impossible to enjoy the day. Go figure! Anyway, I ran out to the school to drop off cookies to his class and decided to stay and eat lunch with both of my boys. We had a great time. I'm so glad that my boys are still in the stage of wanting to be around me. I hope it never changes! When the boys got home from school we headed out to the Olive Garden, (Johnny's favorite) for a little birthday pasta. He received the royal treatment; singing and even a free cake for himself. Never seen that at a restaurant before. I would like to say that I will be posting picutures of the evening, but I realized at the beginning of dinner that the camera battery was dead. Isn't that always the case? No worries, I was able to snap a few later that night when we opened presents and sang happy birthday. I think it's safe to say that the day was a success!

Happy Birthday, Pork Chop!

The end of summer

So, I guess it's been a while since my last post. Hopefully things will be getting back to "normal" with the kids back in school. As part of our last hoorah, we decided to take the boys camping. We packed up and headed with some friends of ours out to a great location called Maple Grove. It was open, quiet, had an amazing swing, a creek, and all the dirt a boy can handle. It was pretty much perfect!

We packed up Friday after the boys got home from school and hit the road. It was perfect that the Rockwell's and Nelson's agreed to come along and make the trip that much more fun. We set up camp Friday evening and enjoyed some pita pizza's in the reflector oven (scoutmaster style), and finished off the meal with cinnamon and orange rolls for dessert. The boys made great use of their time between meals by discovering the very open areas of nothing but dirt. Now let me just say that this wasn't just any dirt. It's that very fine dark dirt that hits and sticks to everything! The boys and Tamra were covered in it from the word go. It's probably the only time camping I wished a light rain would have hit our camp.

Saturday was filled with more delicious food, good company, and a sweet tree swing hung next to a beautiful creek. Talk about a child's heaven. The boys thought stripping down into their underwear and going for a swim sounded like a good idea. However, one touch of the ice cold water on their feet and they quickly changed their minds. Seriously, so cold it gave you brain freeze and shot pain throughout the body. Crazy!! Afterwards, we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing while the kids were at one with the dirt. Go figure, dirt. It doesn't cost a thing and it entertains my boys more than anything I could spend money on. Gotta love boys!

Well, eventually Sunday rolled around and it was time to pack em up and move em out. We enjoyed a great breakfast of breakfast burritos before breaking down camp. Evan and Bonnie had their camper (thanks for the use of the bathroom, btw!), and we had our family tent. The boys love tent camping and I have to say that I've grown to love it as well. Jay, LaRie and little Tanner (who, by the way, is less than 2 months old and was a camping champ), had their tent as well. Unfortunately, they had to leave Saturday night. We were still glad they made the trip and that thanks to Tanner doing so well they might very well join us again. Hooray!

After we hit the road we noticed that the once controlled burn in Scipio had turned into an out of control burn due to the high winds we encountered Saturday night. The highway patrol had shut down the freeway, forcing us to go home in the opposite direction. Thank goodness for Aaron and Evan and their experience in roads and directions. I think it took us 30 extra minutes to get home, but that beat sitting on the freeway waiting for it to eventually open up. Anyway, we made it, safe and sound. Thanks again everyone for making our trip so much fun. We really need to do it again...soon! Yay for camping!!

I love my Pork Chop!!

If you ever are in need of a good laugh, come on over and hang out with Johnny! Seriously, the most random child you will ever meet. The boy is his OWN person and refuses to do anything ANY way except his own. I love to take pictures of him because it shows what was going through his mind at that particular moment. You have to be quick with him, because it will change in an instant. Keep in mind, that he LOVES to dress up. It doesn't matter where we are going or what we are doing. Every day is dress up day with him. And when he gets tired of the costumes we currently have...he makes up his own. You will know what I'm talking about when you see the picture with him wearing safety goggles. I love you, Pork!!



he's a bird watcher with moon boots!



armed robber...or something!



serious cowboy!

Independence Day

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm finding it harder to keep up with a blog in the summer time. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE summer! What I don't love is being out of my routine. But, I'm not going to complain seeing as how we only have 41 days left until school is in session! Can you believe how fast time flies? It's crazy! So, routine or not, I'm going to enjoy the summer life while I can.

I hope everyone enjoyed their 4th of July holiday! Here at our house was pretty low key. We spent the day lounging and enjoying having no where to go. That was during the day. Later that afternoon, we headed out to our traditional park area and oohed and aahed at the Stadium of Fire fireworks show. We never actually go inside the stadium, but I'm here to say that the show is just as good laying on a blanket on the temple grounds. We had planned to enjoy the evening on our own, but ended up with some friends calling wanting to join the festivities. Hey, the more the merrier I always say. So, thanks Perez and Rockwell families for joining our party! You are welcome every year!

Just call me Martha

I had to make this post because I am so proud of myself! I have been complaining, for atleast a year, about how much I want a new kitchen table. More specifically, new chairs. Just ask any member of my presidency :) Anyway, you know how after a couple of years things just look worn all on their own? Well, throw in the facts of light colored chair cushions, children, not to mention everyday life, and you get disgusting chair cushions. Since getting a brand new table is out of the question right now, I decided to get domestic and re-cover the seats myself. I found a store in Orem that was closing out certain material and I was able to get enough to cover 6 chairs, plus extra for only $20!! Isn't that great?! End result....Mom is thrilled and no one will have to listen to me complain about my chair cushions for what will hopefully be a LONG time!

*Note, I'm only posting the after pictures because I'm too embarrassed to post the before!*

Toothless

Johnny has been complaining of his front two teeth hurting for a little while now. We knew they needed to come out, but he wouldn't wiggle them and wouldn't let us do it for him! Last night Aaron noticed that his permanent teeth were coming in so like it or not, it was time to take action. Turns out they just needed a little wiggling because they pOpPeD right out without much effort on Aaron's part! Thank goodness! The best part is that he was visited by the tooth fairy and he gets to tell anyone who will listen, that he is the first person in our family to lose TWO teeth on the same night. Plus, added bonus for Mom is getting to enjoy his sweet toothless grin :)

Kindergarten Graduation

I find it so funny that there always seems to be a reason to have a get together. I don't remember there ever being reason for a graudation party unless it was for high school or college. Not the case anymore.

Johnny had his Kindergarten graduation on Friday, May 29, 2009. I am amazed at fast time flies. By the fall of this year, I will have both boys in school FULL TIME!! CrAzY!!!

The night before the big day, Johnny informs me that he wants to pick out his own outfit (if you know Johnny, that is SO him!). He gets up and picks out a white shirt and tie, jeans, and the infamous cowboy boots! I asked him if he needed to be in church clothes and he says that his teacher told him to wear whatever he wanted.....so he did! Of course, the only one in a white shirt AND tie! A couple of girls in dresses, but Johnny stood right out. Nothing different there as far as Johnny is concerned :) You've gotta love it!! So, the graduation was fantastic! Johnny had such an amazing teacher this year, that I know next year's teacher will have some pretty big shoes to fill. The program was so well thought out and creative and even had the kids doing multiple parts of it in sign language. That's right! Johnny even learned the pledge of alligance in sign language this year! These teachers are amazing and I can't even imagine all the work they put into teaching our children. I will forever be grateful to each an every one of them and for the impact they will continue to have on my boys' lives. I look forward to a new year, new school, new teachers, new challenges, new experiences, and most of all...a new chapter in our lives this upcoming year! I can't wait!!

Goodbye, Gokey....Good luck, Kris!!

I am SO incredibly sad that Danny went home last night! Never being in the bottom two shows just what kind of an artist he is. I'm sure he'll get an album out of this experience and you can bet I WILL be buying it when it's released!!

So about the final two. Although I am a HUGE Kris Allen fan, I was hoping he and Danny would be the final two! Not only are they my favorite (I've routed and guessed they would be in the finals since the beginning), but if they made it to the final two it wouldn't matter to me who won. I would consider them BOTH winners! I have to say that I do like Adam Lambert, but he is NO Kris Allen!! So, VOTE, VOTE, VOTE for Kris next week. I realize that no matter what happens he will probably still get a record deal. I just want him to be crowned THE American Idol!

GO KRIS!!!

Our Garden!

Hooray for a planted garden!! We were able to get our garden planted on family night. I couldn't believe how excited the boys were to help. The plan was actually to get it planted on Saturday while we were already knee deep in yard work. However, Saturday's are a little crazy around here these days what with 2 boys in soccer and normal errands there just isn't enough daylight. No worries. It turned out to be a great family night activity. Last year was the first year the boys really wanted to help out. Even though they got a little bored towards the end, they were still willing to work. And like I said to Aaron, planting is not the funnest thing in the world, but enjoying the benefits is well worth the hard work. It's crazy to think that the total cost of planting our garden came to $9.35! I don't think I could get 6-7 bell peppers or tomatoes for that at today's grocery prices. Plus, there is something so rewarding about eating something that you know a lot of hard work was put into. Total sense of accomplishment! I, for one, can't wait for my crook neck squash! Here's hoping for a generous crop this year!

I HEART Mother's day!

"The traditions of each family are unique and are provided in large measure by the mother's imprint."
-James E. Faust

Don't you just love Mother's Day? My boys were so excited the night before about giving me their gifts that they hardly even slept. Aren't home made gifts just the best? I used to (still do, actually), give my parents the hardest time about the home made gifts they STILL display. I never understood why they would want these gifts shown when clearly they don't look all that great. Now I understand. Until I became a Mom I never knew that receiving a gift like that could fill my heart with more love and my eyes with more tears than a gift made with love from my boys.

I had a terrific day! Jackson and Johnny made me the cutest things at school. Jackson gave me an art picture that he made with pastels. For his first time it was great! He also have me a note holder to put on the fridge with a note inside written in cursive. Johnny made me a magnet with post-it notes to put on the fridge, as well as the cutest flower pen he made himself. The card was just as cute, as he listed words that came to mind when he thought of me. Seriously, it just melts your heart. As for my sweet husband, he have me a new bush for the yard and well as new ground cover that took the place of our nasty looking bark! Thanks, baby!

The boys sang beautifully in church (as always), and in the afternoon we headed to Aaron's Mom's for gift exchange and a few munchies! Always a good time when Aaron's sister and brother-in-law are there. After that we went to my Mom and Dad's for a BBQ.

I am so thankful to be a Mom. What a blessing it has been in my life. Without a doubt, the HARDEST job I have ever done, but with the biggest reward! I can't imagine being anything else. I am SO grateful for the most WONDERFUL Mom in the world. She is by far the most PATIENT, LOVING, GENEROUS, KIND and BEAUTIFUL person. I know I will NEVER be as good a Mom as her, but I will try my hardest to come close. I will forever be grateful for the example she was and is to me in my life, both as a Mother and a person. I love you, Mom! Happy Mother's Day!!

On your mark, get set, GO!

Last night was our ward pinewood derby. And can I just say....what a successful event it was!! We did things a little differently than last year and I think the changes really made a difference in the whole spirit of the night. The boys weighed their cars and turned them into our Cub Committee Chair the night before the event. Not only did this ensure that all cars were legal, but it shaved HOURS off the actual event! Brilliant!! Our assistant Cub Master also put together a sweet slide show that put the cars on an overhead projector next to their corresponding names. It was great to be able to see who was racing in what lane and who owned which car. Again...Brilliant!! The night of the derby everything was in perfect order and ready for a fabulous night of racing. What a super success!! I have to brag a little and say that I have the BEST boy scout team EVER!! I know ALL the hard work that went into this event and they managed to pull it off....flawlessly!

So, how did we make out, you ask? Well, Jackson's car was terrific! He painted it green (big surprise, I know), and named it the "Green Hornet." He had a blast working on it with his Dad and it definitely had some "get up and go!" He didn't place in the top three, but he did take home an award for "best retro car." Not too shabby! Another highlight of the night is that Jackson's best friend, Kyle, took third place! Jackson was SO ecstatic, you would have thought he had won the award!! At the end of the race he came up to me and said, "Mom, it's okay that I didn't make it into the top three. I had fun and I'm happy because Kyle took third!" I just love my Jackson. He has just the biggest heart! I was so proud of him! Not just for that, but for the sportsmanship that he showed throughout the night. After all....that's what it's all about :)