Fun Boys

Since this blog has essentially become my journal, I need to do a better job at journalling about the boys. They are WAY into legos right now. They can't get enough! They are very creative and come up with some great creations. Jacob is currently making all the rooms in the house. Mine was first - the highest form of flattery! They are all playing soccer and though they hate to be torn away from the legos, once they get out there they do a good job. They are doing well in school, even Micah is enjoying preschool. Here are a couple of recent stories I want to remember:

Lighten up mom
I tend to get a little frustrated with cleaning up after everyone. They do all right with their jobs and picking up after themselves, but our house seems to be in constant disarray (see above comments about legos). So yesterday morning someone was lugging a jug of milk around the kitchen and in my best authoritative voice I informed the boys, "Now, I mopped the floor last night." As if they had rehearsed for this moment for years, all three boys broke out in song and dance about "She mopped the floor last night." It was amazing, syncopated marching around the table, hand actions, second verses. It took me a moment to figure out what was going on, but then I realized how hilarious these boys are. Where did that come from? I'm thinking Phil must have been prepping them, but he was far away in Florida and didn't get to see the grand finale. Now I know what they do while I'm out exercising in the morning. It was awesome!

A glimpse of Light
I've also been wondering what kind of mother I am lately. We had someone over for dinner last week and you start to look around at how your children behave and where they learned that!? I try, I really do try, but sometimes I wonder if I'm raising heathens or if they're just boys. Well, for Family Home Evening Monday we talked about the plan of salvation. They each had little puzzles to put together and we discussed the plan and our part in it. I told the boys that we needed to work hard so we could be together as a family in the Celestial kingdom some day. Sweet little Benji's eyes filled with tears as he thought about what it would be like if we weren't together, "You mean we wouldn't be with our brothers?" Wow, he WAS listening. I gave him a big hug and told him that we would have to work hard, but that we CAN all be together. It was very touching and for a brief moment I felt like I'd done something right! Thank heavens for those simple moments of light!

(In attempt to keep the boys reverent during Sacrament meeting, I had them draw "The Plan". I think they did a great job, don't you?)

Micah's Plan

Ben's Plan

Jacob's Plan

Fall? Fun

We're starting to wonder if fall is ever going to arrive - it's hot out there!! We went in search of some color this weekend. Though the leaves aren't quite as vibrant yet this year, we still enjoyed a bit of fall color and had fun together in the Maple Lakes area.

Happy Fall!

5 miles

Wahoo!!!!!!!!!

Odd Day

I ran a mile today!! Yes, a mile. And I was pleased to go that far. I know, a mile ain't much, but my running life these days has been less than stellar. I've been dealing with a bad knee since my last marathon in May and my running has become less and less each week. I have really struggled over the past few months. A battle in my head/heart whether to run or not. When to stop from pain. Whether to go to the doctor etc. etc. It's been hard on me. I love to run. It's a part of who I am. So I'm trying to redefine myself. I felt like my running improved me in other aspects of life so it's been a tough few months. I also never knew how many people knew about my running until they all start asking me "When's your next race?" and I have to tell them I'm broken. Sad, sad.

SO, I ended up at another doctors appt today and ended up with a cortisone shot in my knee. And passed out. AND PASSED OUT? How in the world did I bear three children???? I HATE passing out. Then you wake up wondering where in the world you are. Oh yes, hello doctor. Now I know where I am! Funny. Oh well, I hope that it will help and that I won't pass out again next time I run into the doc around town :o)

On a more exciting note, Phil now has functioning door handles in his car. A moment we've been waiting for for a long time. It turns out you have to be able to get out of the car from the inside in order to pass a safety inspection. Who knew!? Well, thanks to ebay, the great market out there for chevy prizm door handles (we're not the only ones!) and $25, we have replaced 3 door handles in our car and I can open the door without rolling down the window!! Wahoo!!! We feel like a million bucks. Or at least $100. Hub caps are next...nahhhh. That would be pushing it!! Life is funny...

Friends

I LOVE the fact that our boys are such good friends. They are always looking out for each other, seek each others approval and could play ALL day (most days) and still feel like they were gypped out of spending enough time together. Brotherly love!

It occurred to me this weekend that I am the same way with my own siblings. I don't know why I haven't noticed the similarity in the past. I LOVE spending time with my family. It has been so great to be closer to them and to spend the time together with grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. They are some of my best friends. We laugh a lot when we get together, and I really can't get enough play time with them!!

This weekend, the locals got together to go to "Celebrate America" at USU. It was a dinner, show and dancing, and it was a blast! Our uncle directs the big band that plays for it and our cousin was the amazing drummer. We ate good food, watched a fun program and Phil and I broke out our old moves on the dance floor. There aren't as many moves as there used to be, but we still got it!! During the breaks, several members of the band came and hung out at our table and it was just a delightful evening!! Thanks for being my friends guys (Laura and Emily this means you too!!) You make my life better.


And just for fun, here's a picture of Phil and I at the USU show 12 years ago...

It was fun to relive the good old days. I LOVE dancing with Phil.

It's pretty sad

when your four year old is better at Super Mario Brothers than you! Next think you know, I'll be asking for help with the computer and the tv remotes!

Refreshing

About three o'clock, like yours, our house gets cRaZY. Neighbor kids in and out after school, piano students, scouts and even my own kids stroll in once in a while. Yesterday was our craziest yet with piano, scouts, helping find a missing scout, one soccer game and two soccer practices. What have I done?

After rushing around to get various things done, lecturing Jacob on how all of this is for THEM and why are THEY complaining (sorry bud, I was a bit stressed!), snarfing down dinner etc, all else was done except Micah's practice. I sat and watched with a deep breath and a sigh of relief. The air was starting to cool. The four little four year olds were having a blast. It was a beautiful night. No one was lounged out on my lap asking for something. Oh wow!! NO ONE WAS LOUNGED OUT ON MY LAP ASKING FOR SOMETHING!!! It was so refreshing to be sitting there watching Micah the soccer player!! Micah has been traipsed around to a lot of soccer and baseball games and I won't say he always does it willingly! He usually is so sad when they get the soccer treats, needs to be entertained and gets bored easily. So though it is tricky to make it all work, it is so fun to see him finally being out there playing ball. AND I think the watching has paid off- he actually knows what to do! Nice work Micah. NICE work, mom!!