Just when...

Just when I was feeling like throwing in the proverbial towel on being a Mom,( you know,where if you here the name "mom" one more time you are going to go running out of the house screaming like a mad women), I find this letter, left by my daughter, for me to read!

The little Things like this are what makes it worth while, and puts a different perspective on things! I am really grateful for the little thing that mean so much:)

(credits: Tangie baxter sjd purple & ww wordart)

I am a proud Mom!

About a month ago we received an invitation from the Principal of Taylor Jr High inviting us to an awards ceremony. The letter stated that Chantel had been chosen to receive an award. We did not know what award she would be receiving until the Honor Ceremony. Tuesday night was the night and Chantel was one of a few students chosen to receive the Principals Award. After the ceremony we took her to Neilson's for a concrete and she had fun making faces for me and talking with her friend Kelsey!

So yes I am a proud Mom! I am in awe of my daughter in all that she can do and excel at:)

Too much...

Lately there has been to much going on here for me to blog about! I would love to post pictures but my camera broke and I cant find the SD card for the second one we have. Oh well! Any suggestions for a new one???

I want to blog about other things but I cant! Maybe I will later! Just some more stress and complaining that happens every time I have to get ready to go out of town. My brother in law Sven is getting married on the 25th of May in Colorado! So all of you moms probably know why I am stressed out ! I have to find new (hopefully matching) Sunday outfits for everyone (except Kirt he has to wear a tux). I need some clothes to wear up there because it is still a little cold there! Try to find time to go shopping(for food and clothing) around babysitting and picking up kids. Have everything taken care of for church on the Sunday's I will be gone. Get housework done so I don't have to worry about it when we get back.

Whew!! I am tired just thinking about all that needs to be done! Anyway thanks for letting me vent!

I hope you all are having a wonderful day!!

Rainbows

This morning Kade asked me if he could se a rainbow in the sky. My reply to him was that we would have to ask Heavenly Father to send rain so we could se a rainbow. We said a sweet little prayer and as soon as we were done he ran to the window and with pure, innocent, full faith he said "Mom it is raining, Look! Whoohoo we get to see a rainbow". I did not have the heart to tell him that it was not raining. I thought what an example of faith and maybe I should be more like that. He is still telling me that it is going to rain and he will see a rainbow! I have sure got some repenting to do!

New Temple!

I was very excited this morning when I found out that there will be a new temple built in Gilbert and in Thatcher! I am sure everyone has heard by now! I thought it was a joke at first but it was not. I found an announcement on the churches website for temples.

I put a picture of the Manti Temple because that is where My husband and I were married! Just a little sentimental:)

Kids Crafts

If your kids are crafty and are looking for something to do check out www.familyfun.com for some cute and fun ideas. Kade is really looking forward to making these two crafts.

There are some really cute Mother's Day craft ideas there too!

Have Fun:)

Jinxed

I jinxed myself when I posted that last week was calm and not much going on! Well as of yesterday I have a lot on my plate this week!

Monday: Teach the lesson at the Family Home evening group and do the treats. So I have to clean house and babysit and get everything ready for tonight.

Tuesday: Meeting with the First Counselor and Chorister for our ward primary to discuss the stake leadership meeting we had last Thursday. Then I have to have dinner ready and made by 5:00 so I can go to the temple as a primary presidency at 6:00.

Wednesday: Be at both our houses for our ac check up at 11:oo . Take Kade for a play date at 10:30. Babysit Baby M. and then Later that evening my Sisters Kids.

Thursday: Babysit Baby M. and keep working on the sharing time I have for Sunday and the talk on "what reverence is", for our ward primary leadership meeting. GNO hopefully:) I am sure I am going to need it!!!

Friday: Kids are home from school and I have to paint my daughters room with her. Keep working on sharing time and talk.

Saturday: NO Car, Kirt is taking our car to the mechanic to get the ac fixed and the part that they have to fix is under the dash and will take most of the day to fix. Bummer! (I don't like to drive my husbands truck. no ac and radio) Put finishing touches on sharing time and talk.

I am softee!

Today I went over the the Tempe MarketPlace Harkins Theater and bought the summer movie passes! I was surprised to see no line and Friday was not sold out. Yeah!!! I had Kade with me and he was upset that we did not get to see a movie right then, and started to cry. Me being the sucker that I am, bought tickets to see "Horten Hears a Who". It was a cute little movie and gave us something to do today! It was fun because we were two out five people in the theater seeing the movie.

I guess I had better get going and do something productive around the house. We have family coming in out of town, Brock is going on a camporee, and I have a birthday party to go to tonight! Fun, Fun, Fun:)

Thank Heaven...

Nothing to exciting has happened this week....


Kade played outside in the dirt and on the swings,




Then washed off his shoes in the bathroom sink (with the help of my hairbrush),




and I have been watching this little cutie 2 or 3 days a week. I forget how much attention a 4 month old needs, but, It sure has been fun. Baby M. Has started rolling over and has cut her first tooth!!!

I had better count my blessing for this week and hope next week goes about the same!

County Fair

Today Jenn S. and I , with our four year olds, went to the Maricopa County Fair!! We had
Fun. The boys enjoyed seeing all the animals. There were Sheep, Pigs, Goats and Alpaca's.
They even had an exhibit of rainforest animals. It was really cool to see a ring tailed lemur:) I forgot to take picures of that! The boys had fun at lunch making a mess and getting food all over their faces. Jenn had fun watching the lady behind be eat her lunch and talk at the same time! It was not a pretty sight! The boys also had a blast on some of the rides. Kade rode a roller coaster for the first time! I was so proud of him! NO tears! I asked him how the ride was and all he said was that it was scary!

Today was a good experience:) Thanks Jenn for going with me!

What Flower are you?

I am a Canna What Flower Are You?

What Punctuation Mark are you?

You Are a Comma

You are open minded and extremely optimistic. You enjoy almost all facets of life. You can find the good in almost anything. You keep yourself busy with tons of friends, activities, and interests. You find it hard to turn down an opportunity, even if you are pressed for time. Your friends find you fascinating, charming, and easy to talk to. (But with so many competing interests, you friends do feel like you hardly have time for them.) You excel in: Inspiring people You get along best with: The Question Mark

The Challenge.

I was browsing on Tangie Baxter Designs this morning and saw that ONEHAPPYMAMA (I dont know how to link yet) is having a challenge ! I had never used a template before so I decided to try it! I love it! I dont think I will enter it in the challenge, but I had a lot of fun making the Lay out. Everything on the page is from Tangie Baxter Designs Think Happy Thoughts.

Where would you like to live?

Where would you like to live? That was the question at last nights dinner. It sparked some good conversation and even a little debate, which was fun! You can see from the pictures above what the top four answers were. Here are some of the reasons why.

Alaska : Because it would be far enough away from family! (the debate answer)

Colorado: We could be closer to Grandma and Grandpa McNeil

Texas: Far enough away but close enough if we had to come back and visit! ( I liked the Texas idea because it would mean that We could be closer to Amanda and Katrina)

Washington state(specifically Seattle area): Not to cold and not to hot! and just wet enough!
( I liked Washington too, because that is where I remember growing up as a little kid)

There was no rhyme or reason for the question just something to start a conversation. No we are not moving but if we could I would suspect that any one of these places would be on our top places to go!

Where do I start?

I am going to try and give, as briefly as I can, an upate on what has been going on here at our house!

1. Everone (but me) is still sick: infuenza type B, Fevers off and on of 103.7 , chest congestion that I think has turned into pnuemonia for Kirt, Chantel and Kade. Brock has seemed to escape all the junk. Sore throats with blisters in the back of throats, but not strep! A Virus!!! Kirt and Chantel have ANOTHER DR. appointment today! Dr's have put me on TAMIFLU, so that I hopefully wont get what they have. So Far So Good:)

2. We had to take our computer in because it was acting funny and the tech found a TROJAN HORSE ON THE HARD DRIVE!!! I was going through computor withdrawls for a while! I guess I have to admitt whether I like it or not that I am addicted to the computer!

3. The silver lining: Because of the compter being gone I was able to get a little house work done and I may end up getting a lap top for me to use! :)

One of my spring break LO's

I made it through....

I made it through my colonoscopy ok! I have officially come out of remission:( That sucks because that means I really have to watch what I eat! I have to rescrict my diet to NO whole grains, No nuts or seeds, and NO or very low fiber foods !!! Oh well! (Baby food here I come)

My husband is still very ill and so are all three of my kids. Right now they are crashed out in front of the tv. I am trying to stay as far away as I can!

So if I dont post any thing on my blog or reply on any of your blogs It is because I am busy taking care of 4 sick kiddos (yes that includes my husband). I hope they all get over this pretty soon so that life can return to normal!!

Can I???

Can I murmur, complain, and whine a little bit???

My husband has been sick for the past couple of days and I have not seem him this bad in a while. He is having a hard time breathing, and he itches on the inside! Which makes me think he is having an allergic reaction to something! He is also running a slight fever. I hope he will be able to see the Dr today! I don't know what is worse sick kids or a sick husband!?!

I am really stressed out today! I have to go in for a colonoscopy tomorrow! Yes I have had this done before! I can not count on two hands how many I have had this done. Yes I have Ulcerative colitis! (a disease of the colon) Every year I have to go in and have a colonoscopy and the prep for it is worse than the procedure. I cant eat any solid foods today and then about five pm I will have to do a colon cleanse. So I will be sitting on the porcelain throne all evening long! I cant wait for tomorrow when they knock me out and I can sleep!

This spring break was a little to stressful for me and I am soooo.. glad that the kids are back in school. :) When my husband is better and I am done with my procedure, I will be one happy camper!!!

Happy Easter :)

Our Trip to the Zoo...

We had a wonderful day at the Zoo! Kades favorite animals were the elephants and the Giraffes. It was nice to have Rana and Kathrine there with their kids. I dont know who were the real monkeys our kids or the ones in the zoo? The kids had fun at the petting zoo and playing on the spider web at the playground. We all LOVED the stingrays!!!! I was pretty worn out but it sure was fun:)

Just a little busy this week...

I was just trying to recap some of the things that have happened this week. Nothing special, just everyday things that keep moms busy:

1. Babysat some very cute and adorable nieces and nephews on Tuesday and had my visiting teachers come. I love my visiting teachers. I think I talk to them to much because I have gotten in trouble with the bishop for having them stay too long. Well I had to tell the bishop that maybe he should talk to the RS president and have his wife changed to someone else. (he he)

2. Wednesday we had teenage drama to deal with when Chantel came home from young womens crying . Needless to say she will be taking a little break from mutual activities for a while. I am soooo glad right now that I only have ONE GIRL!!!!!!

3. To get out for a little bit on Thursday night I went to a card party and made some cute scrap cards. Nothing to elaborate just fun. It was good to get out!

4. Friday went to my sisters house and watched her little ones again for just a little bit while she went to a meeting. After my kids came home and they had not done their chores, and I had to keep them quiet while kirt took a nap, I was feeling pretty neglected and when the kids were a sleep and kirt was back awake he got an earfull. I think it was very productive because he had the kids helping out on saturday cleaning and finally getting all the chores done. Yeah!!! Having the chores done on saturday sure helped the mood in our house on sunday!

This week will be busy with the kids home. We are planning a zoo trip tomorrow, I cant wait to go. Wednesday will be our wards primary activity day. Since I am in the primary presidency things will be a little wild for the next few days as I try and get ready for it. Whooohooo! Hopefully I will still have my sanity, or whats left of it, at the end of the week!

Have a wonderful spring break!!!

Just for fun...

Now that the server is working I can download more pictures:)

And just for fun on Saturday, Brock thought it would be fun to go swimming. The water was only 58 degrees! Way To Cold for me!!!!!. I had told him that the water was not warm enough to go swimming, but when he gets an idea stuck in his head he wont let it go! So after I had enough of the hounding I let him go. He got all decked out in swimming suit and goggles, which left a wonderful dirt ring on his face. (I had to laugh when he could not get the ring off even after a shower) Well needless to say Kade was pretty upset that he did not get to go swimming. So after not being able to talk him out of going swimming he got on his suits and went swimming too. I could not believe these two boys they were so head strong about proving their mother wrong. Well Brock gave up and Kade lasted for quit a bit longer, he was in up to his neck and doggie paddling around the shallow end. I hope this has cured both of them getting in the pool for a while!

Little Happenings around Here...

I helped chaperon Brocks field trip to Peter Piper Pizza , where Kade got to come and play. Kade had a lot of fun. He was really excited when his friend Seth showed up and played for a little bit.





We had to say good bye to Elder Richardson ...

but, not before he taught Kade how to torture Brock.

Elder Dargel has now come and made himself at home and has claimed his favorite spot in the house. (He wishes he could fall asleep on the chair:)

Quotes from a four year old!

On Saturday Kade wanted to play Pirates of the Caribbean with Brock so he asked him to come and play "Pirates of the Carrots" with him! We all had a good laugh at that.

On Sunday we were starting to get ready for church and Kade did not want to get ready and was quick in thinking of an excuse so that he did not have to go. He said in the one of the whiniest voices he has that "the church had dist-appeared and was gone" so he did not have to go! I could not hold back the laughter and I was amazed how fast he could come up with that as a way out of going. As cute as that was he was very disappointed that he still has to get ready and go to church!

I have been...

....working on these lay outs for a calendar for Grandma McNeil! It has been a lot of fun to do! I know they are not the best but I think I like them!