Out with the old...

I'm getting a real hankering for some spring cleaning. All I need is spring. Really, though, I have a ton of projects that I'm actually anxious to do. Okay, so not so much that I'm super-thrilled and dying to do the work, but I'm excited for the finished product. One of those projects is purging and cleaning the garage. That's where the spring thing comes in. I do need a little bit of warmth and dryness to unload that abomination and organize it.


In an effort to at least start de-cluttering, I made a deal with the kids. We have some big toys that are too big to live full time in the house. They mainly stay in the garage and we rotate them in and out. I told the kids that if we sell (or get rid of) several of the old big things, that we'd buy them one new thing to replace all of the old. After careful thought and deliberation, they chose a new play kitchen. Okay, really it was a very fast, very unanimous decision. They are very excited for a new kitchen - so excited that they were okay as we sold a number of their other old things.



We got this Little Tikes kitchen back when Matt was about 3. It's been a favorite of all the kids. It was almost a little sad to see it go, but hey, new kitchen. :)

So at about this same time, we all went shopping for real furniture. Steve and I bought some very inexpensive couches in our first year of marriage which have lived in our living room (not the garage) since then. After so many years, they have seen a lot of life and are looking (and feeling) not so new. They're not in horrible shape, but it was time for new ones. Thanks to tax return 2009, this is the year for new couches.



We were amusingly and pleasantly surprised that the kids enjoyed furniture shopping so much. Sweet Matthew was helping keep an eye on the girls while Steve and I deliberated. At one point, we turned and they were gone. (We weren't worried as we new that Matt was with the gals). We rounded the corner and this found them enjoying a little entertainment.







It's been a really fun month as we've anticipated new furniture and done a little refreshening of our living room. It's also been kind of nostalgic. It's amazing how many memories are tied to furniture. I mean, as we're preparing to get rid of the old couches (anyone know anybody who needs new old couches?), we've taken quite a few strolls down memory lane. These couches were some of the first "big" purchases we made as newlyweds. We brought home each of our new babies and took the very first pictures holding those sweet little bundles on this furniture. We've sat for hours talking, laughing, crying, scheming, watching movies, visiting with friends and family... It's been a good ride. Thanks, Old Green Plaid Couch and Loveseat, thanks.

Bailey

It's been a very eventful week for our sweet little girl. Last week she started acting like she was coming down with a cold. She was a little stuffy and started with a little cough. Within less than a day, it became apparent that this was way more than a "little bug." After a very long and difficult night, we took her to the doctor who sent us straight to the hospital. Bailey got RSV when she was only 2 months old, and it was back with a vengeance. We picked Matt up from school, called my sister with an SOS to come get Matthew and Rachel, and then found ourselves in the hospital for the next 4 days.



The little sweetie felt miserable! Generally this gal doesn't hold still for anything. The fact that she spent days just lying in bed and wanting to be held, told all. We were treated wonderfully by the hospital staff, but poor Bailey didn't trust any of them and hid her head every time anyone walked in the door.

One evening Steve brought Matt and Rachel to see Bailey for a few minutes. He called from the parking lot to tell me they were on their way up. I expected that she'd be so excited to see them and maybe even perk up a bit. They walked in the door and when Bailey saw them she just burst into tears. She immediately reached for them.



Rachel was very sweet and gave up her beloved VSmile pocket (hand-held game) so that Bailey could have something to play with while in the hospital.




Bailey was finally starting to feel better, but wasn't doing too well at eating like the nurses wanted her to. Dad came one morning with donuts. This was one of the first smiles we saw while she was there.



On Saturday she finally started showing real progress - so much that by that night we were able to come home. She is doing so amazingly well and is, thankfully, back to her sweet, happy, silly self. We are so grateful for fantastic doctors, nurses, and hospital staff. We are also so thankful for dear friends and family who supported our little family with thoughts, prayers, and kind acts. My "big" kids did such a wonderful job rolling with the punches and we are so proud of them! It was a rough week, but it sure made us rememeber what is most important and how blessed we are.


So, we'd been home for a few days and were feeling a little cooped up. We decided to go for a ride and get some cokes (mmm..Mooches) just to get out of the house for a few minutes. While at the gas station, Steve decided to run the van through the car wash. Rachel thought it was great. Bailey - not so much.



It went from bad to worse.



Then even worse.



Poor Bailey!! And what a great mom I am! Instead of comforting her, I was snapping pictures. Ok, for the record, I was comforting and snapping. (That picture makes me giggle quite uncontrollably every time I see it.)





Rachel was literally laughing her little can off! Who knew a $5 car wash could elicit such entertainment and trauma?



Poor Babers was just plumb tuckered out after all the excitement.

Happy Birthday, Matthew!!

On January 19, my baby turned 11! It's so hard to believe that it's already been eleven years! Matthew sure took his time entering this world (40 hours of labor), but then it seems that the time after that has just flown!




Matt's birthday this year was a little different than in years past. He decided that instead of having a party with friends that he just wanted to celebrate with family. He stated that he's "getting older" and doesn't always want a party with friends. (Yikes!) We also had a little wrench thrown into our plans when we found out that Bailey had to have some minor oral surgery on his birthday. Matt's a good sport, though, and he was happy to have his b-day dinner the night before. His birthday ended up being pretty great anyway.


Among the celebrations, was a family birthday party in Ogden for all the folks celebrating birthdays in January. There was a great food, super company, and lots of fun.



I kind of chuckle at this picture above. Sure, a few of the people in the photo are birthday people who should be blowing out candles. The others are just puckered up for good measure. I guess it's kind of like the phenomenon of moving your mouth while feeding a baby or smiling while you're watching someone else get their picture taken.








It's been a fun week celebrating Matthew. He's just a great kid! He is thoughtful, kind, fun, clever, intelligent, responsible, and strong. We are so proud of who he is. We love him dearly and are excited to share the adventures that are yet to come! Happy Birthday, Matthew. We love you!!

Happy Birthday, Becky!!

Today is my baby sister's birthday. Sidenote: She's gonna be so mad at me. I see it like this, though. I may have just posted a picture of my 'avoid the camera at all costs and don't draw attention to me' sister, but it could be worse. She could be standing on a chair with an enormous, be-dazzled sombrero on her head surrounded by a slightly embarrassed wait-staff singing mostly off-key. Then I'd really be in trouble. :)

When I was born, I brought the family total to five. That's five kids. My parents thought they were pretty much done. Well, I suppose I had other thoughts on the matter. I don't recall this very well, but I have it from some pretty good sources that I started to pray EVERY night for a baby sister. I was four when Becky came to bring us to a finally finished grand total of six.

I'm glad it worked. :) Becky rocks! I'm serious. Those of you who know her, know what I'm talking about. She's the kind of person you'd hate if she weren't so wonderful. What do I mean? She's good at EVERYTHING! She's talented, beautiful, brilliant, thoughtful... yep, kinda unfair being her sister.

More than once in my life I have found myself in a church class, a dumb team building ice breaker activity for work, filling out getting-to-know-you surveys, etc. and having to answer the looming question: what are your talents? Tricky. So I set my brain to thinking. "I'm an artist. I am amazing with paint, charcoal, pencils, anything." Oh wait, that's Becky. Try again. "I can make just about anything! I am crafty and immensely creative. You should see the incredible Halloween costumes I make." Oops, Scratch that. Becky again. "I am very musical and have a great voice." Ah shucks! Yep - Beck. "I am a wonderful mother and my four boys think the sun rises and sets on my shoulders." Uh, you guessed it. Not me. Becky. She not only got the georgeous, thick, auburn hair, but all the talent genes. Everything she does is beautiful. We go to a family party and there's little question as to who brought which gifts. Hmmm... let's see, perfectly wrapped, ribbons, pretty bows, homemade tags with baubles and extras. Becky. Wrapped, no tag or card, but a good effort with the name of the recipient scrawled in Sharpie right on the gift wrap. Me.

So, Happy Birthday to my talented, beautiful, brilliant, thoughtful, and kind sister. Maybe it seems unfair that the scales are so obviously tipped in her favor when it comes to all the good stuff like talent, but I'm gonna let you in on a little secret: I still win. :) I have an wonderful sister and best friend.

Catch up #1

Happy 2010! The holidays were wonderful for our family and we hope they were for you, too! Our last few months have been so insanely busy, and as always, I'm way behind in recording our adventures. Here are a few pics and updates. As soon as I can see straight, I'll get around to posting Christmas photos. :)


Here are the girls helping make Christmas cookies. I do believe that it was still quite early in the morning and they just couldn't wait to get started -- that's why they're sporting their jammies and bedheads.



These are Rachel's special creations. I had my attention diverted for a few moments - and that's all it took. Yum. Rachel saved them for her daddy. He was delighted. I sure would have liked a photo of him eating these delicious guys, but for some reason, no one saw him actually eating them.



Matthew entered a photograph he took in the school's Reflections contest. His photo was a winner and went on the region level. (The judging for that level has yet to take place.) We are super proud of him. He took a fantastic picture of the "A" and Old Main Hill at USU. He's becoming quite a photographer. He got a new camera for Christmas, so stay tuned for future masterpieces. :)



Rachel and Bailey were playing "make-up." Sadly, in this picture, it's hard to see the bright pink eyeshadow and blush. Let me just say, it was stunning!



SNOW!!! My kids were so excited that it snowed enough to play in. December was a great month for snow play!



What a wonderful month it was!! We have so many more holiday pictures to share - we'll get there. Happy New Year!

The Dryer

Dear The Dryer,

First I must start off saying how much I appreciate you drying my clothes. I love the way you make my clothes feel and smell. I love catching the scent of heavenly fabric softener on our clothes throughout the day and thinking fondly of your valiant service. I love that you are there for me on Sunday mornings when I don't have time to iron - that I can give those clothes a little spritz and toss them to you knowing you'll get enough wrinkles out that we can safely go out into public.
The Dryer, I am writing this with a very heavy heart. I don't understand what has taken place in our relationship. I came to you yesterday, counting on you to dry our unmentionables, and you gave me nothing. When the clothes were still wet after the first cycle, I guess I was just in denial and gave you another chance. After the second go-round, however, I had to accept the cold, hard fact that you've stopped working for me. What has happened to us?
I've given this a lot of careful thought in the last 24 hours and I wonder if I owe you an apology -- or at least an explanation. I know that last week I pulled out The Refrigerator and The Stove to clean the walls behind and the floors beneath. I wasn't showing favoritism; I really was getting to you and your faithful friend, The Washer. I promise. Also,I swear to you that the whole incident with The Hand Blender was truly just a terrible accident. It was old, it had lived a good life and seen some really good times. I didn't intend to appear cold and heartless as I tossed it out. I understand how my actions last week could have made you feel insecure or upset. I love my appliances, though and I wouldn't ever dream of mistreating them or showing preferential treatment to any of them.
So, The Dryer, I apologize for being angry with you. I am sorry for the tirade about how this is the second time in 6 months that we've had to call the repairman. I regret saying that I wish I hadn't bought you. I am human...a human with 2 loads of smelly, damp clothes laying in strategic places throughout her home. Please forgive me and find it in your heating element to start drying my clothes again. We miss you. We miss clothes that are soft and smell April Fresh.
Tomorrow, hopefully, the very nice man from Darrell's Appliance will drive here from Beautiful Downtown Benson and fix you. We will take good care of you. Let's let bygones be bygones and go back to how things were. You dry my clothes, and I love you. Okay?

Love,
Mary

Socks

I am so far behind. Pitifully behind. In everything. October brought us some beautiful Fall weather, Halloween, an oral surgery, 2 separate viruses, and a tonsilectomy. I have pictures stashed on this computer to post - pictures of soccer, the kids playing at the dam and new park, painting pumpkins, Halloween...
Today, however, the preceding picture is my project. Yesterday my sweet husband helped me conquer the Goliath of clean laundry piles. Today my hope of hopes is to FINALLY sort all the blasted socks and get them into drawers. Then, just maybe, I won't have to dig through the whole dang basket in the early morning hours searching for matches. Just maybe.