Aaronisms

Aaron is one funny kid. He surely keeps it interesting around here. I got an email from his teacher that cracked me up and had to preserve it. She wrote:
"I know many of the boys in the class will really miss him and I’ll miss his fun sense of humor. I joked with him that it is a shame he can’t stay until the end of the school year and he said, 'No, my Mom wouldn’t let me, that’s why I haven’t even asked.' "

Poor kid, he isn't always laughs and giggles though. The other morning before school he broke down crying and told me he didn't want to leave our house and move away. He said that this was the perfect place to live, and he didn't want to go. We had to quickly come up with a long list of great reasons to move. He said he didn't buy any of it. He had me crying too. I think this is going to be harder than I ever imagined.

Boxing Day

My new nightly ritual -- boxing up the house. I know we have several more weeks before the move, but we have been in this house for nearly 14 years. In that amount of time you can really pack it in.



There are so many memories that live within the walls of this home. Mark brought me here to check it out when he was looking for a place to call his own. We were just dating, and I really didn't think I would one day be living here, let alone, marry this guy. He said he knew it all along. He even bought the stove we have now with a "power boost burner" just so I could can. I'm not even sure I knew how to can. But, alas --- here we are, three boys later and lots of stuff. We have made this our home, both inside and out.

It will be a bitter-sweet day when I have to leave. As for now, I'm reliving lots of memories as I box up what I can. Ethan just found his long-lost Lego Lava Monster. I am sure there will be many more great finds as we continue to box up and clear it all out.

My boy Ethan

This is a totally random post, but I decided I just had to get this on today. I have put it off for several weeks. We found a half destroyed paper ball Ethan had made in class with favorites of his. Rather than throw it away, I kept it, but I knew I wouldn't be saving it forever. I would just have to document his responses. Here they are:
Favorite Movie: Star Wars - like this was a big surprise!!!!
Favorite Book: Harry Potter
Favorite TV show: Tom and Jarry -- Tom and Jerry
Favorite Song: Call to sere -- Called to Serve
Favorite Subject: Sientce -- Science
Born: Salt Lake
Birthday: 81 -- That's literally how he wrote it, and it cracked me up. I joked and asked him if he thought he was 81 years old.
Least Favorite Food: Brocole and peas -- broccoli and peas, he knows when I've cooked broccoli for dinner and comes walking in the house in fear that he'll have to eat it.
Free Time: Draw
Favorite Number: 10
Person to be like: Mark -- how sweet. This one made me smile.
Future Job: Lego deziner -- Lego designer
Favorite Color: Black

He really is a good kid, and I love him so much. It is hard to see your kids struggle in life. I'm sure it will never get any easier being a mom. Love you, Tate Man.

Growing Old

Today I saw an older couple in the grocery story. By older, I mean in their seventies. They were in the produce section picking out some fruit. What caught my attention was that they were holding hands; not because one of them needed assistance getting around, because they were in love and cared about one another. It showed in their faces.

That's what I want to be like when I grow up - deeply in love with my Mark, still holding his hand.

Kitchen Creations

What do you get when you mix a gallon of vinegar and a whole lot of lemon pepper? One stinky mess.






Alex found his way into the lazy susan and dumped out the vinegar and mixed it up right nice with lemon pepper. Needless to say, it was a rather interesting smell I found as I came down the stairs.
Note to Self (really just to Mark): We aren't that ready to get rid of all our baby locks on the cupboards.

Halloween Spooks

These are for our missionaries so far away. I didn't get to them till this morning and now I hear they are off on a African Safari for the weekend. They went 6 more hours north to visit a small group of Saints and take them some things. I can't wait to hear about their adventures and see the pictures they take. I know a few boys who will think their grandparents are the best after this safari.



This boy loved all things Halloween. He wasn't a bit scared by creepy masks or skeletons in the stores; he thought they were great. He isn't one of those scarey skeletons - I think he's one of the cutest skeletons around.

Aaron wanted to be a zombie. I wasn't really onboard with this idea, but it sounded easier than last year's Lego guy costume I had to make, so I went with it. Gone are the days of cute costumes for Aaron. He got dressed up on three different occasions, and yes, I had to put makeup on him all three times. Unfortuately for him, I think it got progressively worse and on Halloween night, it was a train wreck. I know zombies are dead guys, but really he was looking pretty sad. Glad he just went with it.



I talked Ethan into being Indiana Jones. He loved the whip he got at Cub Scout camp and after a few finds at the local thrift shop, he was good to go.






At our ward's first ever Trunk-or-Treat. Alex wasn't having a good time, but the other boys loved it. After Alex got into it, he was thinking it was a fun time to get candy. I can't remember the last time it was so nice on Halloween. No need to cover up those costumes with coats and gloves. Even Ethan was warm walking around in short sleeves. It was a fun night.

It was a bit of a rush to get out the door and over to the church, no Halloween porch picture for us this year. Sad. That's right up there with a Christmas morning picture on the stairs.


Wax Museum
Last night Ethan's school particiapated in what they call the wax museum. All the 5th graders choose a famous American to dress up as. The research the individual and make posters for the event. It was a big deal that the teachers have been talking about since the first day of school. Ethan got to be Babe Ruth. Thanks to a kind neighbor, he had a Yankee hat and a real wooden bat. I couldn't come up with a jersey, so I did the next best thing. I made one.



I had no idea how easy it would be to cut fabric using a cricut, but it worked liked a charm and with some heat and bond, Ethan had him a jersey. I even made him iron it on himself.



Not sure why he thought he needed to put his hand in his back pocket, but these kids did a terrific job holding still for so long. I really didn't think Ethan had it in him. He cracked me up in the video I took when they sang their song. He's holding really still and knows I'm taping him and he wants to look good. Then he finds Mark and Alex walking around and he breaks character and tries to get Alex to recognize him.

Dear Skype,

I knew it was fun to speak to my sister in the next time zone; it's even better to talk to someone halfway around the world! I love you, Skype!!!
Love, mg



Just got off of skype and had a chance to talk really quickly with my parents. They are serving in Francistown, Botswana, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Sounds like they won't be sleeping for the next 18 months. There is lots of work there to do. They have one branch and two units. They said it is HOT and they have a little car. Random little facts, I know, but when you only get a few minutes, the conversation and questions are rather scattered.

Happy Birthday to my dear dad! It's his birthday today. Mom said they even had a little party for him there. Here's to a big adventure for you and Mom!