Week link countdown...

You may remember that math is not a skill I have mastered.

Fingers are handy when calculators are not.

Spring has sprung...

It truly is my favorite time of the year... this year even more so with the impending return of our beloved missionary just around the corner.

Even with the occasional return to winter for a few days or hours at a time, my yard is screaming springtime!

Gotta love it!

Mystery Baby...

I'd like to introduce you to our first grandchild!

Yep, it's a real baby! We don't know what color to buy yet, pink or blue, because his/her parents have decided they are going to wait until his/her birthday to find out the gender. They are so patient! I bet they've never snooped and found their Christmas presents early either! Ugh! Can't lie...I was a snooper. I mean as a child I was a snooper. Once I became a parent, the kids gifts were the most fun so I kind of lost interest in discovering my own.

Anyway, I found out the gender of all of my kids at the first possible moment, no way could I wait to be surprised. I have been assured I will be so happy they waited until the birth, and I'm taking their word for it. It's their baby so they can (and should) do exactly what they want to do.

On the other hand... if anyone out there can look at these and tell me ahead of time, I promise not to tell a soul!

Fine, so I do still have a little snoop in me.

Week link countdown...

Vocabulary word for the day...

LIQUIDITY

definition: Liquidity is when you look at your retirement funds and wet your pants.

Received this in my email today and thought it was too funny not to share.

Week link countdown...

Somehow that piece of paper makes it seem closer.

Missionary moments...

I was asked to share any unique photos from my son's mission with a group of other mothers of missionaries serving in the Philippines. I created this little collage of an opportunity he had in June 2008. Just needed a place to share it so I opted for the blog. Enjoy!

I don't know how to make this picture so you can view it enlarged so I'll just tell you what it says...

Brian and his companion, Elder Morgan were asked by their mission president to oversee the building of a meetinghouse in their area. It was very remote. They gathered bamboo, leaves and nails for their building supplies.

These are pictures of the project... start to finish.

Happy Birthday Brian!

I'm a few days early but on March 15th the BIG 21 will have been achieved by one more of our offspring.

So much to say about this one... he's my third child and second son. I'll warn you in advance, this post might be a little extra mushy because he is currently away from home serving as a missionary for our church. We haven't seen him in almost two years but next month he'll be home. Yay!!

His first birthday included the ever popular tradition of allowing the baby have his way with his very own birthday cake. Right from the start Brian exhibited his passion for fine food.

Of course he starts out politely admiring the lovely decorations...

Enough of that... LET'S EAT!!!

He endured much teasing by his older brother. When I once scolded said brother regarding this merciless verbal torment he replied that it was 'his job' to perform this duty.

As previously mentioned on this blog once again you can see what he suffered at the hands of his two sisters.

It does concern me just a little that he seemed to enjoy this so much.

Always there to help his dad...

Then there was the Davey Crockett phase... give that boy a coonskin cap and he was happy. Come to think of it, I believe his father was the same way!

Speaking of fathers...

He convinced his dad to give him a Mohawk but only for an overnight camping trip. When they came home, it was gone. I was glad I didn't have to look at it... seems a little crooked to me.

He did his share of teasing too. Crashing his little sister's birthday party.

Honestly, I'm not sure what this picture is about but it seemed like one worthy of some embarrassment and that's what this blog is all about... right?

We can't forget the daring side of him... (previously posted evidence of this is the broken foot, roller skate while riding a bike picture)

Many fishing, hunting and wake-boarding trips with dad and hopefully many more to come...

But for now he's making new friends in the Philippines...

And doing a much more important work.

We are so proud of him and the fine man he has become. He has been one of the joys in our lives and we are so grateful to have been blessed to be his parents. Keep up the great work Elder and know that we love you.

Happy Birthday Brian!

Wisdom extracted...

First step, first word, first tooth, first date, first car... life is filled with firsts. Most of which are highly anticipated and exciting. I have found as I've moved to the empty nesting years life is also full of lasts.
Last time you will do things in your role as parents of your children. Sometimes those are a little sad, but sometimes they are highly anticipated and exciting as well. No more diapers was a pretty big deal. I remember when my youngest child was finally potty trained and big enough to use the real potty rather than the little chair that sat in the bathroom floor. I was so excited to get rid of that tiny plastic toilet from my small bathroom. I ran from the house with potty in hand and my neighbors happened to be walking down the street as I let out my 'Woohoo!' and slam dunked it into the garbage can. Fortunately, they were good friends and parents themselves so they could appreciate my exuberance.

Last time you had to help with a science project or stay up all night drilling your kids for the spelling bee.

Last time you had to attend the required cub scout pack meeting and do the goofy 'round of applause' things. (No offense to scouting intended.)

Last dance/piano recitals that you endured the weeks (that felt like YEARS) of practice for. If I hear that song one more time I'm gonna lose my MIND!

So busy, so hectic, and so many memories... I'm eternally grateful for all of them but also thankful for the peaceful place I'm at now.

Today brought one more of the lasts for me... my fourth and last child to have her wisdom teeth removed. I've put on my nurses hat to get her through the next few painful, swollen days and am happy to do so. Poor thing may be in for a rough time, but she'll come out the other side with her beautiful smile in tact and be able to cross one of the 'firsts' and 'lasts' from her list.

Getting ready...

Ahhhh... off to wonderland...

Oweeeeee!

Jamba Juice was invented for times like these...

I guess with each phase of life comes new firsts though. This year embarking on becoming grandparents for the first time is something we are REALLY looking forward to. I guess there will be more diapers, recitals, science projects and spelling bees in our future after all. But somehow, not being the parent makes them a lot more fun.

Week link countdown... back on track

Since you've all had to wait an extra week for this picture I decided to reward you with THREE! You lucky people.

Look how short it's getting!!!!

I love paper chains.