Can you see it?

Tonight was a Daddy/Daughter "pumpkin carving" night at the church. They had a great time eating, socializing and carving their pumpkin. (Thanks Michelle for the carving kit!) Aubrie came home all excited for me to see the pumpkin they carved. Ben picked out the design! Can you see what it is?

NO?? How about with the light's off???See it now???

Honestly, I had a hard time seeing it! Finally, after Aubrie pointed it out, it was as clear as day. It kind of reminded me of that whole Old Lady/Young Girl illusion. It's a vampire and a girl....Aubrie said it was Edward and Bella!! Great choice, don't you think? Props to Ben for being so "with it"!! Can't wait for the Movie!!! I'll be one of the few girls with her husband by her side, and I'll be dang proud of it, too!!!!

On another artistic note....here is what Ethan created at his preschool Halloween party, all on his own. It's a pumpkin mouse:) Boston said, when he saw it, "You know Mom, Ethan is going to be an artist when he grows up, because he is always doing creative stuff like that." I didn't realize he was taking notice!

Man Bag, Ties, Twinkles, 875 miles and Rock Band

I know that my titles are a bit much, but that is how I like it. I realize that there are already photos out there and there is no sense in denying it. Ethan has a man bag! I am doing all that I can to persuade him to upgrade to anything else. I must admit that when I reluctantly peered into the aforementioned bag I was mildly impressed with his organizational skills. There was a place for his phone, his chap stick, wallet, etc. I am still doing whatever I can to get that away from him. I believe that a few more public shamings and it will be all good!
The other pain in my life right now is Sophia and her affinity for my ties. She loves to go into our closet and pull my ties off the rack and then parade in them throughout the house. I can rarely find the tie that I want since they are all over the house. It is cute to see her walking around the house saying something to all of us with a tie wrapped around her.
Rachel is slowly ruining our children (most likely for the better). The other day I was making another Wal Mart run and came across an illuminated end cap filled with Twinkies, cupcakes and other of Hostesses greatest hits. I began to reminisce about the fun-filled days that I had with the yellow sponge cake with the cream filling. I almost shed a tear. I decided to buy a box and bring it home to surprised the kids. Aubrie is always watching the pantry because she knows that dad likes to break the rules and bring home various contraband now and again. She spotted the Twinkies and said, "dad, what are twinkles?" Are you freaking kidding me? TWINKLES?! I got the box down and started to hand them to the kids. They looked at me and told me that Twinkies can kill you and that they are not good for you. WHAT!? It took some persuading but I was able to tempt them into a bite. Once they had a bite they were hooked. I am evil! I think the kids now know that when it comes to sweets Dad is the bomb diggity. Rachel does a great job with teaching the kids to eat healthy, but TWINKLES? Come on!
I left Sunday night to go to California to visit Rachel's brother. He was doing some work that I have not yet done and it was to be great training for me so that I can replicate the work here. I left just before 7:00 p.m. Luckily I was able to get a good nap in before I left. I did not want to leave Rachel and the kids, but sometimes we don't get everything that we want. I actually did not mind the trip. I was able to chill for 6 hours as I drove across the desert. It allows me to reflect back on where things currently stand and I things that I can improve upon. I could probably use a cross-country trip to address everything. I rolled into Rachel's brothers house at 1:00 a.m. At 3:00 a.m. Jessie, the beagle that we gave them a couple of years ago, must have found a rabbit in the backyard and started barking like crazy. That did not help me sleep for sure. I got up at 7:00 a.m. and got ready for the day. Danny and I headed up to Thousand Oaks to where the restaurant was located. It was a Japanese sushi restaurant. We needed to upgrade one system and replace another. It was hard, dirty work. It took us a little over 5 hours to get things done. Around 4:30 p.m. I headed back to Phoenix. Unfortunately for me 5:00 p.m. in Los Angeles does not make for fast travel. It took me almost 3 hours to get to palm springs. Luckily there were some fast drivers from Indio all the way back home. I got back home around 11:20 p.m. Rachel was nice enough to wait up for me. She has been feeling really tired lately and also caught some cold that is going around right now. I got her into bed with the intention of getting some work done, but eventually I fell asleep as well.
Tonight for family night we broke out the Rock Band set and went to town. It was great fun. Boston was built for that game. He took over on lead vocals while Rachel jammed on the guitar and Aubrie pounded the drums. I was on the video camera and Ethan did some kind of interpretive dance (it had nothing to do whatsoever with his man bag!). It was a lot of fun for me to watch the family all together. I bought another guitar tonight at Wal Mart so that we could all jam together. I sure love my family a great deal and need to do a better job in showing that by how I act and the things that I say. I am grateful that Rachel and the kids are patient with me. Work continues and I have decided that it is not as bad as I have thought these past 2 and a half years. The money is good and the work is required to be done. That being said, it still requires a lot of work, but I don't mind that. There are a lot of businesses that are not making it right now and a lot of families in trouble. I am very grateful and can see the Lord's hand in helping us get into this profession and stay in it. I am tired. It is past 11:00 p.m. and I still have to watch house. Rachel is tooling around upstairs so I had better head up. Another long day tomorrow.

Party! Party!

Why would three grown men be putting on lipstick? Here's why!

So when the Lorenzana's told us about their cool Halloween parties they had back east, and I told them how much I missed the ones our friends from NC, the Kneelands, threw, a party was soon in the works. They hosted it at their house and did most of the work. I just considered myself party support! It was a great mixer for the new ward!

We started off with a little food. We had soups for the main course. I made my yummy broccoli cheese (thanks Holly for giving me that recipe years ago), and Michelle's Mom made my baked potato soup. Michelle made a yummy chicken tortilla (that was my lunch today) and had made some extra desserts and appetizers, just in case. The guests brought desserts and appetizers, too, according to their last name. We had plenty of food!!!! (Monique, I need that dessert recipe for Thanksgiving by the way!!!) After eating, we took off on a picture scavenger hunt. Can you guess that getting a picture, of the guys putting on lipstick, was one of the items?? We were paired with the Kostenza's (sp?)(another new couple in the ward) and the Jensen's!! We had a fun time driving around, like mad people, trying to knock things off our list. We didn't win, but still had a fun time. We came back and a few played rock band, and then we watched every one's pictures and gave prizes for most original costume and funniest! Everyone did a great job with their costumes! Here are the pics of some of the costumes and few from "the hunt"!! Good times!

Our team members!!

Our team in Arizona paraphernalia

Our team jumping on a trampoline! Our team getting a picture with a Walmart Employee! She was having fun with it!

Our costume!

We were "the Jeff's" polygamist family! It was Ben's idea (surprise)! Marco had fun with it. He was the "Head Matriarch", I was the middle aged wife and Michelle was the young one. We called our selves wife 27, and wife 80-something!! Our name tags all said "Sister Jeff's". Some people dared us (Michelle and I), for money and dinners, to wear our costumes to church. If there wasn't the primary program today, I totally would have done it! We actually won funniest, but we forgot to tell them they couldn't vote for the host! We forfeited and gave the prize to the next winner!

Funniest Costume

Most Original

This was seriously the most original!! If you can't read the sign around their necks, he was Lehman Bros, and she was the Bailout Plan!! Classic!

One's my kids liked! The couldn't wait to see the pics!

Hunchback...if you couldn't figure it out!

This one is for my Dad!! AAADRIIIIAAAN!!

The one I thought was the funniest!

This guy came as his friend, who once upon a time worked at checker auto many years ago, and had a mullet! BTW his friend is the one who came as the Hulk!!

His wife came as a SW Airlines Mechanic! She had on an orginal jumpsuit!

Week in Review

Week in Review (AKA...LONG ENTRY)

So I stuck with it and went Hiking M, W, F! Friday was the hardest. My body didn't want to get out of bed, I was glad I did. The company is great, and I need the exercise. Getting up early is actually rejuvenating, although I'm dead by 2:00pm!!

Tuesday was Aubrie's Honor's Assembly. She was all giddy when she got up to accept her award, because Zachary Montez was there, too, and she always gets that way around him. Wednesday I had some Visiting Teaching to catch up on. Originally, I thought I would take the kids, but as it got closer, I realized that probably wasn't the best idea. Thanks ,Erin, for watching them last minute! It's so great to have good friends! Wednesday night was mutual and a meeting afterwards, so it was a long day!

Thursday Lorraine picked up Ethan for a day out with Grandma. She took him to Pump it Up, McDonalds, and then back to her house. I thought I had a lot to get done that day, but when I realized I was mostly caught up by the time Sophia woke up, I made an impromptu trip, with Michelle, to Hobby Lobby! Can I just say that place it AWESOME!!! First of all, I grew up with a Hobby Lobby close by, when I lived in Oklahoma. They were a dime a dozen out there. For some reason I don't remember them having so much cool stuff. Probably because I was a kid, and had not interest in decorating a house. Anyway, I found some great stuff for a great price and created some more "hanging" projects for Ben. One of his least favorite things!

Somewhere, in my week, I went to Paradise Bakery. I only mention it because Sophia was with me, and out of all things, ate my crumbly blue cheese salad. How weird is that? She wouldn't eat the cookies, but she would eat that! There is no figuring out that girl!

Friday we didn't have date night, because of the Halloween party on Saturday. We took the kids to Red Robin and to Best Buy (see prior post). We had a fun time. They came home and played their new games, and Ben and I relaxed on the couch, preparing for a busy Saturday.

Saturday morning started early with a 8:00 am baseball game. The kids hit really well, and Aubrie played first base and Boston was the catcher. Boston was killing me! He would not move from his spot, when he was catching. If the ball went past him, he would just let the umpire get it! Aubrie was all over first base. She hadsome awesome plays! Once, she got the ball and tagged the base, for an out, and then got knocked over by the boy running there. They still let him stay on base, even though they called him out. Coach pitch is weird that way. She was pretty upset about it, because she got pretty banged up from it. The second time he was up to bat, she got the ball and tagged the base and pointed at the boy, and yelled "YOUR OUT!" She was proud of herself. The rest of the game was entertaining, too. Aubrie's friend, Grace, was the "pitcher" and she was chasing players down with the ball, as they were coming towards home. She was giving us all a good laugh.

After the game, the kids had practice at the Church for the primary program. Ben picked Ethan up early for his 12:00 game. When I went to pick up A & B, all the kids were outside running around in the sprinklers. They were all in their church clothes, because the practice was in the chapel. I wasn't too happy that Boston's leather shoes were soaking wet! The Presidency kept apologizing to me. I guess they are a little intimidated after I got a little upset with them for yanking Boston out of class for NOTHING the other week. Oh well! Anyway, I was over the sprinkler thing fast, (like I get over most things quickly) and spent some time talking with a good friend. Aubrie went home with her daughter for the day, and Boston came home with me. When I got home I put Sophia down, so it was just Boston and I. I got some things cleaned up around the house, and then I made the soup for the Halloween party. It was a busy, but productive day! The Halloween party was a blast. I'll make it it's own post. My was throat was feeling a little sore towards the end, and I knew that wasn't a good sign.

This morning I didn't want to get out of bed because I felt so lousy, but it was the Primary Program. Aubrie and Boston did well. They were singing all the songs and I could hear Aubrie's voice above the others. They also said their parts loud and clear! Aubrie was looking at Zarchary the whole time she said hers (also brought to my attention by someone else LOL) Ethan, on the other hand, just sat there the whole time. He wouldn't do his part, and he only sang bits and pieces of a few songs. He would do random things, like hit his head over and over, or pull himself forward and back on the wall. One of my YW said she was getting a kick out of watching him. Glad he entertained in some fashion. Sophia woke up sick today, too. So she was miserable at church, and she wanted to go up on the stand with the kids. So Ben and my Mom took turns with her in the hall. My Mom took her home after Sacrament.

Ben's lesson was really good today. It is every week. The spirit is always so strong in that room, and most of the women come out crying like babies. Unfortunately I'm not a pretty crier, so those who don't know me very well think there is something wrong. My good friends know I'm just the "spirit barometer!"

Today, I took a good nap and so did Ben. While Ben was napping, the kids decided they wanted to do service and pick up trash on our street. They put on my rubber kitchen gloves (that I never wear and have no idea where they came from) and went up and down the street. Their main objective was cigarette butts. It gave me a chance to talk to them about the Word of Wisdom and serving, too! I was happy they wanted to clean up the street. After our walk, Ben woke up and headed off to California. He is there to watch my brother do a installation, that he needs to learn for his business. The kids were great helpers, getting the house ready for the night. Aubrie bathed and put Sophia down, Ethan cleaned upstairs, and Boston emptied the dishwasher and picked up the downstairs. I need to look back on things like this when they are driving me insane. Now I'm here, typing, and Aubrie is asleep next to me, one thing she gets to look forward to when Ben is gone. It reminds me of when my own Dad would travel and I would sleep with my Mom. Things have come full circle! Red Robin Pics!

Sophia enjoying some cantaloupe. They messed up Boston's order and gave him some....good thing! Ethan getting serious about coloring! Boston and his corn dog! I looked over and found Boston scratching Sophia's back! I don't even think he realized he was doing it. He is just affectionate by nature. I LOVE that about him! He loves Sophia so much, and I know he is going to be a good protective big brother!

Best Buy Give away!

So, Friday, I get a call from Michelle asking me if I knew about the Best Buy Give Away. Apparently, they were giving kids, from our school district, 5 dollars for every A or E on their report card. Since Aubrie and Boston rocked their grades this quarter, they both ended up with 30 dollars, each, to spend. Boston decided on a DS game, and Aubrie wanted the Wii, Outdoor Games. That was 60 dollars, and so she knew the only way to get it was to convince Boston to go in on it with her. She tried all her lawyer persuasion skills, and Boston still would not budge. She started to get upset, and cry a little because she wanted it so bad. Honestly, I wanted it, too! I'm the one who found it, actually, and showed it to her. It has all types of cool activities, like snow boarding, jump roping, and so much more! check it out! Ben was getting a little upset that she was crying after she had just received 30 dollars for free (we'll for all her had work). I told him all it had on it, and I think he wanted it to. He yelled over to Aubrie, "does that have jump roping on it?" She said, "YA!" He told her that he wanted to try that and that he would pay for half if he could use it. SUCKER!!! She has him so wrapped around his little finger. She deserves it, though. She is such a great helper and a good girl, despite her "spiciness!" (is that even a word?) Anyway....THANKS BEST BUY!!!

We prefer to call it a "Manbag"

First of all, I'm sure Ben will not be very happy that I'm blogging this! It's just too funny to keep to ourselves! So I already told you about Ethan's desire to find a purse! Well, I didn't act fast enough in finding him something. The other day he was in Sophia's room and found one of Aubrie's old purses. He came running to me and said, "Look Mom! I found a purse!" Out of all the purses, he picks the bright purple one with "Bratz" type figures on it! I try to tell Ben he picked that one because there are cute girls on it! LOL He now keeps his chap stick, play phone, sunglasses, and cash in it, and keeps it around his bed post! So far he has taken it to Aubrie's Honors Assembly, Walmart (a few times), church this Sunday (but kept it in his church bag), and to Red Robin. That was the funniest to me. We were all walking to our table, and everyone was staring, as they normally do. Come one! It's not that uncommon to have four little kids, but for some reason we always get "the looks"! I like to think it's because they are so cute! Anyway, so picture this. We are following the hostess in this order...Ben holding Sophia, Me, Aubrie, Boston, and then Ethan at the tail end with his purse over his shoulder. That's when people took a second look and then got a huge smile on their face. I'm not the least bit embarrassed. Perhaps if he was a year older, I would be a little concerned. But right now he is just a little boy who wants to keep his things organized. :)

Ethan at Aubrie's school (thanks Michelle for taking the pic:)

Him sporting the "man bag" at Red Robin!

Take Comfort, and be Grateful!

This one goes out to all my friends with strong willed girls.....you know who you are!

As I sat here thinking about how I must have the most strong willed girls of the century, my thoughts are returned to the words I once heard a general authority say. It was something along the lines of how the Lord will save his strongest spirits for the latter-days. They will have to be strong spirits, to be unwavering when temptation constantly swirls around them. Though I have often thought of those words at my times of frustration, and tried to find peace through them, today I take much comfort in them. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, because I like to look forward to the future with hope in knowing that with perilous times, also comes the promise that our Savior's coming is even closer. However, with the deterioration of values that is encompassing our world, I realized how lucky I am to have these strong girls. As I was writing in their journals today (no I don't blog everything), and writing about how "spicey" they were, I felt a calming feeling, and the spirit's sweet whispering saying, "Rachel, take great comfort and be grateful that your Heavenly Father has entrusted you with these strong spirits. He knew you would raise them in righteousness, and that these strong girls will be able to stand strong to the temptations of this world, not cowering to the ways of the world, but staying true to the ways of God, in which they will be taught" (Ok a little pressure there, huh? ) That then brought my mind to a recent quote from a message in the Ensign, that I first read several years ago, from a General YW conference. Margaret D. Nadauld, former Young Women general president: “Women of God can never be like women of the world. The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. … We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith”
So next time Sophia unrelentingly persists to get in the bathroom sink, or Aubrie won't give up her plea to something she feels is right, even if she isn't, I will take comfort (as should all of you) that they are the "Army of Heleman" in training. So I better make sure I instruct them well!

Sunday was a great day, even though it didn't start out that way. It started with Ethan having a full blown out tantrum because he didn't want to put his own pants on. (Which is unusual for him) At first it started off that he didn't want me in his room as he was getting dressed, and then it turned into, "PUT MY PANTS ON FOR ME!" He missed a nice breakfast that Ben made, because he sat up in his room screaming and crying. I don't know how HE made it through the three hours of church without food!!
The kids did GREAT through sacrament. Sophia needed constant entertaining, but she made it through the whole thing. The boys sat there reverently drawing pictures. During the passing of the sacrament Boston made one of Jesus up on the cross and people down below. The one with smiles he labeled "bad people" and the ones with sad faces he labeled, "good people". He always surprises me with stuff like that! Aubrie just sat quietly next to me, taking any back scratch or head rubbing she could get out of me! I guess our whole, "if you can't be reverent at church, you'll sit on the couch for that amount of time when we get home" is working! Sophia did make up for her great hour by crying on and off in the Nursery. Terri M. was great enough to sit in there with her, but after an hour of that, I felt guilty and had Ben go and get her. I had to teach this week in YW. The lesson was on Honesty. I geared it a lot toward the fact that by staying silent about something is a form of dishonesty, particularly sitting there and listening to gossip when you know it's not true. The girls had a lot to say this week! I think I hit on something:)

After church, Ben let me catch up on some much needed sleep. Then we started to prepare dinner for company. In the meantime, Boston disappeared and I found him asleep on the living room couch. You know when your kid falls asleep in the living room (the most boring room in the house) that he isn't feeling well. That was around 4:45. When the Lorenzana's showed up we carried Botson up to bed. He slept through the night. He woke me up at 5:15 and said he couldn't sleep anymore. He then asked me if I put his tooth under his pillow (he lost another tooth Sunday afternoon). Shoot!! I had totally forgot about that. Luckily I thought of something quick, and told him I wanted HIM to put it under his pillow and he was cool with that. He then asked why Alex never came over, and I told him he slept right through it all. He then said, "AHH, no wonder I can't sleep anymore!" That meant I wouldn't sleep anymore either. I tried to let him in my bed, but a Queen isn't comfortable with three people. I finally got up at 5:55 and started to get ready to go hiking. I then heard Sophia squawking. I ran her up a bottle before I met up for the hike.


Today Alicia joined us! It's always nice catching up with her. The hike was good. There is a part that is a killer. I look forward to the day that I cruise right up with out being out of breath! I spent the rest of the day grocery shopping, preparing dinner, and making these cute miniature carmel apples, I saw in one of my magazines. I usually am not one to take the time to try cutsie, craft things in magazines, but these were too cute to resist. Especially since I have a hard time committing to a whole carmel apple! You just take a melon baller and "cut" out these miniature balls and dip them in carmel and sprinkles. They are fun to make, but the carmel stuck to the paper cups. So I won't use those again! I originally was making them for Boston's class, until I found out his Fall party is the 31st not the 21st!!! How did I get that mixed up? I thought it was odd they were having it so early. Anyway, I turned them into a FHE treat! They were good! Tonight we played Clue and every time someone showed you one of their cards, you had to thank them by saying something nice about them. The kids love that game, and I loved hearing them say nice things! So it was a Win/Win! (Well I love Clue, too so it was a Win/Win/Win!!!;)


Here is some of Ethan's "art" that he made today. He said it's a goblin holding two pumpkins. I thought it was funny how he made arms and legs for him! (or her? ) I don't know how he can have such a short attention span with some things, but can sit for hours cutting, creating and coloring! Poor boy colored white computer paper FOREVER!!! Time to buy some more colored construction paper. I love it!

Giant Spirits, Little Bodies

This morning started off early, with a 8:00am baseball game. Boston and Aubrie did great! Aubrie was on first base, but apparently thought she was in charge of the whole Right Field! She is a go getter, always trying to be in control of everything. Boston had a good time on third, and tried chasing many people down the baseline towards home. They both had some good hits, and seemed to enjoy themselves. I'm glad they get to be on this team together, and with friends from church.

After the game, we came home while Ethan and Ben headed out to T-ball. The house was messy and I got grumpy. I was upstairs for quite awhile tiding up and getting Sophia dressed. I could tell she was cleaning up downstairs to surprise me. I decided I would play dumb and go downstairs and act shocked. When I went downstairs, I was shocked! She had cleaned the WHOLE downstairs just like I would had. The dishes were done, the counters cleared and clean, the floors swept, the granite floor tile cleaned, the toys organized, and couch pillows and blankets where they should be. Tears quickly came, realizing what an amazing little girl I have. Not that I didn't think she was amazing, but realizing how caring and mature she can be to think of me and do all of that. I told her when I finished cleaning upstairs we would go to Walmart to get some diapers for her new Baby Alive. As I was getting close to being finished she noticed that Ben had taken my car. I told her we would have to wait. About 5 minutes later I find her outside in Ben's car, with Sophia buckled in a car seat (she had gotten out of the garage and put in Ben's car). I was so amazed at how determined she was. Then I realized that she had taken Ben's golf clubs out of the car, by herself, and carried them into the garage! Nothing can stop her! It was today that I realized more than ever how Aubrie is far beyond her years, in so many things, and how I needed to treat her older than I do. She is such a giant spirit in such a little body. I truly believe that about the children of today. Just yesterday, as I was rocking Sophia, the thought came to me on how frustrating it much be for Sophia to be so limited with her little body and lack of language skills. I even said that to her, (weird I know) but saying it out loud got a calming response from her. I think I'm being taught something with these two experiences.

One last semi-related experience of the day. As I was coming back from Walmart, I looked back to find Boston and Sophia holding hands. I quickly went for my camera, devastated to find that I didn't have it in my purse. It was one of the most tender moments of the day, and made my heart melt seeing the sweet connection between them. As I looked closer at them holding hands, I noticed it was the hand where Boston wears his CTR ring. It couldn't be more appropriate!

An "Eventful" Friday

So my pants seemed to be fitting a little tighter lately. I'm not sure if the water setting on the wash was hot, and shrank them? Or......maybe it has something to do with the fact that these are on my counter and they started like this and now look like this!!! This wasn't the first time filling them up, either!!!! The Holiday Junk Food Express has officially started, and the only way to combat it is exercise. I have been so incredibly lazy, when it comes to exercise. Getting up early is not appealing. Working out while Sophia is napping, instead of doing something else, isn't either. Nigh time I just want to lay down and relax. So what to do? I finally decided to sacrifice a little sleep for a little health. Friday Erin, Kari and I met at 6:15 AM for a nice hike around the mountain, by my house. Amazingly it wasn't hard to get up, and it felt GREAT! I look forward to more! Hopefully it stays that way!

After my hike, I rushed home to get the kids ready for school, before I headed out the door for Aubrie's parent/teacher conference. Aubrie did great this quarter, making the Principals list. It is a nice change having her at a school where she feels accomplished. Anyway, my Mom watched the kids for the short time while we were there. In that short time, Ethan threw up all over the couch and down the hallway to the bathroom, and Sophia slipped and fell in it (reminds me of a scene from "Cheaper by the Dozen"). In 15 minutes, all that happened, and my Mom still managed to have the floor and couch cleaned up and Aubrie bathed! Go, Super Grandma! I then sat with Ethan for over an hour, while he continued to be sick. He was being so good about it all, even though it was so pathetic. I told him he was being so brave, like a firefighter, and that we should go get him a costume when he's not sick anymore. Ethan finally fell asleep around 9:30 and once I got Sophia down, I joined them. Guess the early morning got to me!
Around 12:30, Ethan showed up down stairs (he was sleeping that whole time) fully dressed and saying he was ready to get the costume. That kid was probably dreaming about it the whole time. Luckily he was feeling much better; enough to eat 4 scrambled eggs and some toast.
The day ended with a late dinner with the Lorenzana's, a round of goofy golf, and cards!

Getting Creative and a Quest for a Purse!

So I guess today is "Ethan" day on my blog! Lately, Ethan has been putting our computer and construction paper to good use. Originally, he was asking us for all sorts of costumes; Indiana , several times, that he already got his costume for Halloween, Ethan started creating his own costumes. He pulled out the paper, markers, tape and scissors and went to town. The amazing thing is that he doesn't leave out anything! He is sure to make all the accessories, such as the whips, swords and even the shoes. Not only is he thorough, but he also makes them at proper proportions (my tape supply is quickly being depleted!). He now has a stack of paper costumes in his dresser!

Yesterday, when Boston came home, he had a plastic fireman hat and sticker badge. That made something click in Ethan, because all yesterday (and today) he couldn't stop talking about being a fireman. As we were driving home from piano, he said. "You know what Mom? Fireman are better than us because they spray fires with their big hose!" He then started asking me all these questions like, "What color are their shirts ( shoes, etc)?" As soon as we got home he put on a yellow shirt and Boston's hat and went to work making his fireman costume. Here is a picture of him at work! At one point he had his leg up on the table to measure it up to the computer paper (he was making the boots). I tried to get a picture of that, but he did it too fast.

Here is another funny kick he has been on lately....we'll let me walk you through the beginning. The other day he said, "Mom! I need a bag that will hold my phone, wallet and chap stick!" I mistakenly said, "Like a purse?" He replied, "Yes! I need a purse." Since then he has been asking for a purse. Yesterday we were in Marshall's and I walked by the purse aisle and he got all excited and said, "Yes! Purses!" (Ben would be so proud). I explained to him that those purses were for girls and that maybe we could find him something else. Later I found one of those soft lunch boxes, and suggested that. He said, "No, Mom, it needs to have a strap!", as he was motioning over his shoulder! I'm hoping to find him a cool little backpack, for Ben's sake! Who knows? Maybe Ethan will just make his own purse if we wait long enough! LOL

Serioulsy!!

Quite often, I start hearing a particular word (not profanity!), or start seeing a certain expression on my kids face, and wonder, "where did they get that from?" We'll, lately Ethan has been saying , "Seriously", A LOT!! It sure doesn't look as cute written down, but to hear his cute voice inflection when he says it, and how he uses it, is absolutely adorable, coming from a 4 year old! Last night I asked Ben if he knew where he got that word from, and within just a few minutes of inquiring, I caught myself saying "seriously"....just like he says it! Funny how kids pick up on things that you don't even realize you do yourself. Suddenly I'm starting to feel uneasy about the crusty looks Aubrie can give!

Another last milestone!

So, being the fourth kid, you might think that Sophia's milestones wouldn't be that big of deal. Right? It is actually quite the contrary. Yes, I may do things I wouldn't had dreamed of doing with Aubrie. Some examples might include; letting her eat something off the floor, giving her candy before lunch, letting her drink soda, or letting her have a bottle at 18 months! However, the milestones are a completely different category. Because she is my last, and I know she is my last, every time she does something my mind tells me, "Rachel! This is the last time your going to have a child walk for the first time, or roll over for the first time, etc..."
Today was the end of a 18 month countdown to Church Nursery, something we have been anxiously keeping track of since Sophia was about 8 months old! Finally, no more walking in the halls after our little monkey. We finally have earned the right to drop her off into someone else's hands for two hours, while we peacefully enjoy two hours of church. Sounds great, huh? Well, I have to admit that while there were some great perks to that , a part of me was checking on her every 10 to 15 minutes to make sure all was well. I felt so empty handed. It was such a weird feeling to sit there in class, with nothing to occupy me but the lesson. I didn't have a distraction as an excuse for not hearing questions, and no reason to leave if I felt so inclined. I also realized how much socializing, and exercise (lol), I got accomplished in the halls. But, mainly, I just missed her! I also realized, as I was analyzying my sad (crazy) feelings of dropping her off (with the other kids, I was trying to sneak them in early) that I typically was pregnant, or had just had a newborn, when I put our other's in the nursery. ( Was that a long enough sentence?) So I was putting one in, knowing I had another or soon would have one, to be chasing. So I was enjoying the short reprieve! But today was it! No more future kiddos were coming into my life for me to chase! I then realized that today not only marked her milestone, but also permanently ended, yet, another season of my life. ( I guess I have my future grandchildren to chase one day, when I'm the most awesome grandma and watch my grand babies for my children as they are gone away on weekend get aways!) So call me weird or crazy for having a hard time today, but I did! My last is growing fast and I can't do anything about it, except try to enjoy every minute of her and all my other kids.

PS Can you tell my favorite conference talk was about making the most of today, instead of piling up a bunch of tomorrows!:)

Flowers from my "Boys"!

I thought I better post before everyone thinks Ben has taken over my (oh I meant to say "our") blog!:)

The other day I received flowers twice. Flowers from my sweet husband who conveniently "forgot" to tell me he was going golfing, and got caught:) And this flower. Ethan came in with this flower he had picked, and planted in one of his cups. What a cute and thoughtful thing from such a small little guy. It sat on my kitchen counter for over a week. I was sad when it finally died, and I had to throw it away. Every time I did my dishes, his flower always cheered me up.

Ethan has so much personality. Sometimes things come out of his mouth that I would expect to hear from a teenager. Yesterday, I went into his room to wake him up for school and he said. "I want to sleep". I continued to scratch his back and tell him he needed to get up. He then said in a "matter of fact" way, "Mom, can you just let me get some rest?" I decided I would let him rest and left. About 30 minutes later he came downstairs all dressed and ready to go. Guess he is like his mother....not one to hop right out of bed when the alarm goes off!!!

Today was a nice break for me. Ben stayed home so I could go to the temple with some ladies in YW. Everyone ended up cancelling, so Melissa showed up by herself. We still had a great time! We made a little stop at the Scottsdale mall on the way home. Our first stop was Nordstroms. I forgot how much I love that place. It's probably a good thing it's so far away, and I'm too lazy and cheap to drive all the way over there. I wish I had more time and energy to walk more of that mall, but I only made it as far as the Gap and Anthropologie. Melissa and I also made a stop at a little place similar to Cafe Rio. I need to learn how to make it myself. It's so yummy! We ended up getting back around 2:00, giving Ben enough time to get a few jobs done for work.

The afternoon was pretty laid back. Sophia took a nap right before school got out, so I had time to play Memory with Ethan and get a quick 15 minute rest on the couch. Aubrie called from school, wanting to know if she could go to her friends house. Her friends parents have A LOT of money, and own a HUGE house behind our church building. Aubrie kept going on and on about how big the house was. So much for me feeding her the line about how she has it better off than most kids! Ha! Now she'll just talk about all that Grace has. I did decide to nip it in the bud, and had a frank conversation about how money doesn't make someone better or more cool, and how our mansion in Heaven is what is most important. I think she was just amazed more than anything, like a little girl going into a castle.

Since Aubrie was at Gracey's today and Ethan had t-ball practice, it was just Boston, Sophia and I, for over an hour. I used the time to make a nice dinner, and feed Sophia. Boston came in asking if I could play kickball with him. I told him I would as soon as I did the dishes. The next thing I know, he is scrubbing dishes and cleaning the sink. Boston and I got about 30 minutes of kickball in, before everyone got home. Boston informed me that he now divides his time on the playground; part tether ball and part kickball. I'm glad that he is enjoying himself at school.

After dinner tonight, it was my turn to put Sophia to bed. She let let me rock and hold her for more than twenty minutes. I LOVED it!!! I love when my kids let me hold them. I know that it will be too soon when they are all grown and I can't hold them like I do now. Thank goodness for grandchildren. Mine are going to be so smothered!

Right now Ben is at Home Depot getting some latches for our pantry doors. Sophia is always getting in them and dragging food items around the house. I can't wait to have those installed so I don't have that headache anymore. I can't wait to see her reaction tomorrow. Isn't that evil? I remember being so excited when we finally thought of putting a gate in the hallway that led to our open den/office. I felt so liberated!!! Though I love Sophia and this cute little age of hers, it also has been so much work. This should cut down on some of it! Now I just need a solution for keeping her off my bathroom counters. That stinker has figured out how to use the bathtub to get up there!:) She is my little monkey!