Big Brother

After my post yesterday about my remote, I had to do some researching and find out what was going on. I had to delete the name of the cable company I referenced in my earlier post to protect myself from crazy customer service guys responding to my blog.

I spoke with the company this morning and verified that they actually have people out of PA searching blogs for their company name. Apparently they like to find where people are complaining about their company and see what the problem is. It didn't give me any warm fuzzies to know they were out there trying to help - quite the opposite! It freaked me out!!! It also may have been enough to push me into the world of private blogging.

The remote to our t.v. has been missing for several days. A few months ago it went missing too. Mark later found it hiding in a box at the side/under of the bed. We attributed the hiding place to none other than our little Alex.


Looks innocent enough, right?!

Now not having a remote shouldn't be a problem, right. Just get up and change the channel yourself. Not so! Our remote is from the cable company and must be used to work with the little box they sent us.

Also near the time the remote went missing, a toilet got clogged. It was serious too. The plunger wouldn't work. Mark brought in the big guns, his auger, or something. I really don't know what it's called. That didn't' work either. The rule was - no doing your business in the boys bathroom.

Needless to say, someone forgot the rule last night. Poor Aaron...he had to do something I know he didn't want to do. But I made him. Mark brought the plunger back in to see what he could do. The toilet had been out of commission for nearly a week and a half. He said he started working and then saw something black. You guessed it! There was our lost remote!!



I still laugh thinking about it! I haven't spoken to TV World yet to see what they'll say. I thought about using this approach - "Here's my remote - it doesn't work. May I get a new one?"


The new house rule - Always shut the bathroom door!!

Twitterpated

What do you say to your nine-year-old son who comes home with a huge smile on his face and says, "I'm SO happy!"?
His little brother then blurts out, "Yeah, his girlfriend touched his back."



Once we got home and I could speak to him alone, I asked him more about the situation. He's been so secretive about his girlfriend and hasn't dared tell us her name. The only details he's given us are that they held hands during singing time. One day this week he teased me and said that MAYBE or MAYBE NOT he's kissed her out in the field during recess. Good thing I volunteer in his classroom. I've figured out who this little lady is.

I told him to show me what she did when she touched his back. When he came over and rubbed his hand up and down my back and said, "It was so great, Mom!", I got a little worried. I thought it was Aaron that I was going to have to watch out for, but Ethan seems to be having his share of twitterpation.


I have the same problem. You see, I am married to a great man. Mark treats me like a princess. To brighten up a rather cold, windy day, and to tell me how thankful he was for me, Mark sent me a beautiful flower arrangement. Did I already tell you? I'm twitterpated too!

Making some progress...slowly but surely.

These pics are for my records and for my family that lives too far away.

Our road is currently under construction. We missed getting the asphalt down this Fall and will have to wait until Spring to get that done. In the mean time, the county will not grant us a builing permit until the complete infastructure of the road is in. And so, we wait some more...

Before, okay not really before, but the first grubbing they did.


During:






I wish I had an After photo!
Here's the view from my kitchen sink.



Love those beautiful mountains. I will miss my current view from the kitchen window. I have to admit, I get too much entertainment watching what happens out that window.

Watch out Conan

This photo is several months old, but in honor of Conan being back on the air, I had to post it. Watch out Conan. My son's hair wave may just have you beat.

Halloween 2010

It was a dark and stormy night....

Yes, it's true, it was a dark and stormy night. We were out in the rain. And although these aren't the best pictures, here are my cuties.



Alex loves Aaron's old stick horse and so he was a cowboy. Due to the rain, Mr. Horse didn't come outside with us. Ethan changed his mind as we were eating dinner and said he was just going to be a cowboy too. Love that last minute change. He went to school as a vampire.
Aaron handed me one of his Lego guys and told me he wanted to be a Lego man for Halloween. Unfortunately he had a woredrobe malfunction and his Lego legs didn't make it far in the rain. He was pretty cute though.



Alex wanted to stop after the first house and eat what he had just been given. "Treat!" This little boy was in heaven.

The Meanest Mom II

After reading this last night, I had to laugh! You see, yesterday, my son went to church with his tennis shoes on. Why? He has the same problem as her son. Maybe they should get together. Between the two of them, they might have the proper shoes for any event.
Anyway, I love this lady. She is always good for a laugh. I am a little creeped out that her cat is often found not only in her kitchen, but on her countertops. Nonetheless, she's won me over with her anecdotes.

You could win...

but I'd rather you not -- cuz that would mean I didn't win.
Check out this site for a chance to win an LDS temple picture.

Funny I found this tonight, because just today at church we had sign ups for Super Saturday which included a gorgeous temple picture project. If I could save some money and win a picture, that would be fantabulous!!

Sew What!

As if sewing patches on for one scout wasn't enough! Mark went to the Scout Shop and made a big purchase. Seriously, scouts shirts cost way too much, not to mention the many patches they adorn them with, and Mark couldn't just buy any scout shirt, I'm sure the one he bought was the most expensive. That's just how this guy roles. He tells me he needs one. I'm thinking I haven't seen any other bishopric member at Pack Meeting in their scout shirt.I'm pretty sure he would have turned his nose up on any scout shirt I brought home. Because you know I would have searched high and low and found me one at the DI for a bargain.

Now I just have to perfect sewing on these patches. I know half of them are suppose to iron on, but Mark's shirt is nylon, and I don't dare put the heat too high on the iron. With my luck, I'd burn a hole in his freaking scout shirt!


Oh how I love my Scouts!

Pop Quiz

You know your kid likes playing soccer when:
a. After his 1 1/2 hour practice he comes home only to play more soccer.
b. He asks every morning what day it is, hoping that it's finally Saturday, the day of his first soccer game.
c. He stuffs his soccer uniform, cleats, socks and guards in his backpack so he can change when it's recess.
d. All of the above.


Aaron got signed up for Fall soccer with Taylorsville Rec Center, and this kid is all over the game of soccer. It killed me when I emptied out his backpack to find all his soccer gear. He said he changed for two recesses. I still can't figure out how he did it all. He came home wearing the same clothes I sent him to school in. His coach said at the first practice that he was going to treat this team like a competition team and not just a rec team. So, between Coach Joe and Crazy Kid Aaron, I think we are going to have soccer running through our veins. Just don't consider me an official soccer mom yet.

Confessions

One Magic Eraser = $2.49
A clean kitchen wall = Priceless


So besides drawing on walls, Alex has also taken to emptying off the contents of shelves - any he can reach. Be it books, Tuperware, or videos, he'll clean it off in no time. This is no big deal, just a fun thing to constantly keep up with.

The other day I was putting away some videos Alex had found. Yes, we actually still have a few VHS videos. They are inside the tv cabinet. Among them are some classic church missionary videos, old family video footage, and some Denise Austin workout tapes.

While I was putting them away, Aaron said, "See Mom, these are the bad movies. I think Ethan was looking at that girl. She doesn't have any clothes on."



All I could think of was Aaron telling the whole Primary, "Ya, my mom has some bad movies she hides under the tv. The ladies don't wear clothes."

I quickly explained, "You're right, she isn't very modest. See this is her swimming suit. She must have torn it when she jumped in." I strategically placed my thumb over her bare stomach.

So thanks a million, Denise! I still don't have a super stomach (but that's not really your fault) and my son my soon have my neighbors looking at me funny!

Moral of my story: Get rid of any exercise tapes you have right now. I'm just saying.

Petey C and crayons

I know, not much in the way of posting. I will get back on the wagon, I promise. Just wanted to share where Mark is taking me tomorrow night. I'm a little excited for a night out with my guy, under the stars in the cool autumn air. We'll be taking a trip down memory lane (to celebrate our 12 years of marital bliss) and seeing Peter Cetera in concert.

While we dated, heck, even after we were married, Mark and I had to drive to see each other. We didn't live with each other the first nine months of our marriage. So, while driving, we often passed the time listen to this guy. He brings back so many memories.


Back to reality: Alex is into everything. I am actually online trying to look for ways to remove crayon off my walls. This little guy!! I don't ever remember the other two boys drawing on the walls with crayons. Oh, Alex! I go from one mess to another; he's keeping me busy. Guess he knew he'd have me to himself, now that the two big boys are off to school all day. Really, I can think of other things I'd rather do with my time than follow this tornado around!

The not so secret Cecret Lake

Our goal to hike more often this summer hasn't panned out as successfully as we'd like, but this past Saturday we did get up in the mountains and enjoy some magnificent views!

I really just need to purchase the book, Best Day Hikes in Salt Lake so I can quit putting it on hold and waiting for my turn at the library. I knew this hike was listed among the many in this book and wanted to try it out with the boys. Alex is still too little, so he gets to be packed around by some lucky party, namely his dad most times. The two other boys are really enjoying our hikes, now that they have their own hydration packs. Thanks, Costco!!



Cecret Lake is located in the Albion Basin up Little Cottonwood Canyon just beyond Alta. We were lucky to get a parking space at the campground and didn't have to take the shuttle. There were tons of people there hiking as well as many others there for the Wildflower Festival.



The hike was about 3/4 to 1 mile each way, depending on what map you use; just right for little people. It was a rather steep hike at the end, and I was feeling sorry for Mark having to pack Alex on his back.



The boys loved seeing snow, climbing rocks, and I loved the beautiful flowers. The lake really was pretty.



When Mark asked Aaron what he would have changed about the hike, he simply said he wanted to go longer. Crazy kid! He carried home a HUGE rock in his backpack. It was super heavy too! After we got home, I caught him putting his small boulder in the microwave and setting the timer for 100 minutes. When I asked him what he was cooking for so long he told me he wanted to see his rock melt. Okay, where does he come up with these ideas? Really!? I'm not sure our microwave could take melting a rock. It dies after popping microwave popcorn. Mark hates the poor thing!

Alex did some rock climbing of his own while he and I waited for the big boys to explore the lake and venture off the beaten path.





All in all, Cecret Lake was a great hike for us! Mark it off our list, Mark thinks we're going to do all the hikes in the book! We'll have to see about that!

I hope she'll come home with me...

The new van is still at the lot. She couldn't come home with me on Friday. I get to pick her up tomorrow and take her to our mechanic to have her checked out. If it all pans out...I'm bringing her home for good. I hate to even say anything just in case something does go wrong. I don't want to even think about that.

2005 Sienna - I'm not sure if she'll get the title of van car or not?!

Mark leaves for Wisconsin on Monday morning, so needless to say, I get to buy her all by myself. What a big, grown-up girl I've become!

Where are you?

The summer is nearly half over, and where have I been? Not at home. I will most definitely have to post the events of our summer thus far. For the last week that I have been at home, all my extra time has been spent on the computer, but not blogging. I've been searching for a new car.

Yes, it's true! The van-car is no more. After a very dumb accident, one that I'd rather not talk about, she has gone home to Honda heaven.












This is what she looked like.....

Everyone is fine, except for my arm which is still giving me trouble. If it weren't my left arm I may seriously take the doctor's suggestion of having it amputated. Thanks, airbag! The thought of replacing the van-car has been a bit overwhelming and one I'd rather not repeat anytime soon.

All that said, I just spoke to Mark and he said, "I need you to pick me up at 5:00 p.m. Bring your checkbook."

Yeah! The search must be over! But I'm starting to get worried that we're saying goodbye to the balance of our savings account! Bye, bye money for a new road! Bye, bye money for a new house!!

And in my own girly-girly way all I am wondering about is -- is it going to be the red one or the gray one?
Pictures coming soon of the new addition to the Gull Family!!

Summer Vacation

Yesterday I checked my phone messages and heard Mark's voice on the other line. His message to me: "Two questions, first, how did swim lessons go? And second, are you ready to send the boys back to school?"

Yesterday marked the beginning of summer vacation for us. And of course, another busy week at work for Mark. He has a big project that needs to be completed by next Wendesday and they just doubled the scope of the project. Needless to say, I was tired and fell asleep watching the 10 o'clock news and never heard him come home last night. He was off again this morning with only a quick kiss goodbye. I guess I get the boys all to myself both day and night. Hope they don't get sick of me!

Friday after school I finally let the boys get out the slip-n-slide. I thought it would be fun to celebrate the last day of school, and it was finally going to be 80 degrees outside - a must have for water fun at the Gull house.

A few of the neighbor kids came over and we played outside in the water and had treats. A friend brought down some treats too and had a bag of licorice that wasn't opened yet. Ethan came up to me and said, "Mom, this is the best party ever. And if we open this bag of licorice it will even be better."

What a kid!! Then when we were finally making them come in for the night. I think it was after nine Ethan said, "I can't believe it. When I wake up in the morning, I don't have to do anything!" Then he just giggled his Ethan giggle! I think the kid is excited for summer.

I remember to pull out the camera for some pictures of the kids outside on Friday. I took one picture of Alex and Katie and then the battery died. Just my luck!
It wasn't even that great of a photo...oh well. Next time, right?!

Bring on summer, I'm ready!.....I think.

A MAZ ING

Three words. I CAN SEE!

Had my check up this morning, and I'm seeing 20/20. Truly amazing. The surgery went well and my mom came down to help with the boys while Mark was with me. She even took the boys out to a movie and brought back Iceberg shakes for everyone! I was feeling on top of the world - ice cream and eye sight - what more could a lady ask for?

A whole new world

Tomorrow I say good bye to the glasses I've been wearing since I was in the third grade. That's almost 30 years!
Thanks to Mark, Dr. Hoopes, and our accummulating HSA account, when I wake up on Saturday morning, I won't have to look for my glasses anymore. I am totally excited and totally scared all at the same time. My little brother Tony assures me I'll love it! I just can't believe the day it actually here!

And while I'm talking about exciting and scaring news....last night the Erda Township APPROVED our subdivision, without any restrictions either! Now we have to go before the County Commissioners in a few weeks, and I think we're good to go! Hand me a shovel, and we'll start digging a hole! When Mark called to tell me the news last night (I choose to stay home with the boys this time!)
Ethan asked, "Is that Dad you're talking to? What is he saying? Can we build a house?"

We had told the boys what was going on and what the meeting was about. They were so dissappointed last month when we told them we still didn't know if we could build a house yet. When I told them that daddy said the people said we could build a house they were jumping up and down and screaming. It was pretty funny! Something I'll remember forever.

Then Aaron said to his brother, "Now we can get a trampoline."
Ethan then said, in all seriousness, "Yeah, but it's going to take SIX months to build a house."

I'm not sure where he came up with that, but he sounded like he was an expert on home building when he said it. I don't think come Christmas I'll have me a new home, but I'd certainly like to hope that I'll have one started!! Here's to hoping!

I think I'm in trouble....

Tonight at dinner Aaron told us that he kissed a girl on the bus during a recent field trip. He then said, "I can't wait for our next field trip. I can kiss another girl."

I'm just thinking it's a good thing we get to walk to school. I don't know about letting him ride a bus daily -- could only mean trouble!!



Ethan fell a few weeks ago and scratch his chest on the big tree at Grandpa and Grandma Gull's. He was showing me how it was healing and said, it was like a cut where babies come out of moms. I told him it wasn't exactly the same, and that mom's who have to have their babies out that way have a cut a bit farther down on their tummy. He stopped me mid-sentence and told me that he didn't want to talk about that and informed me that his dad already told him he would tell him more about that when he's older, like when he was in college. Glad to know that Mark's taken care of that conversation.


Oh, the joys of being a mother!!

Bring on Summer

I think it's official - summer may now come.














We enjoyed our first baseball game on Saturday and the boys got their first Slurpee of the season too! Until just recently they referred to Slurpees as "special drinks," as we only got to have them on "special" occasions.

Hello sunshine, I'm loving having you around!!

The Lord's Tender Mercies

I loved Elder Bednar's talk about the Lord's tender mercies the first time I heard it, but tonight it has so much more meaning. "...Some may count this experience as simply a nice coincidence, but I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

I also loved President Eyring's talk about seeing the Lord's hand in our everyday lives and taking the time to recognize it. "...Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done." Again, I need to recognize that the Lord certainly is mindful of my little family.

Tonight in our hurry to get out to Erda for our subdivision meeting, Mark and I rushed around the house and outside trying to get everything we would need for the evening. We would be dropping the boys off at Mark's brother's and his wife's so he and I could attend the township meeting. In our rush, Alex found his way out the door and started crawling down the stairs. He made his way out to the car port and was cruising along the Civic. I saw him there in my mad dash around the house. I was inside when I heard Mark yell my name and Alex screaming. I ran out thinking he must have fallen down the stairs. I threw my bag and phone down and looking for him on the stairs, he wasn't there.

It's strange now to think back of how my mind was working and thinking. I knew he wasn't on the stairs and I immediately looked a the car. Mind you, I am screaming. Crying. Then I started yelling, "Where is he?" I could tell that Mark had started pulling the car back out of the car port, and my stomach started to ache. I ran to the car looking behind the car, then under. Alex was screaming and trying to get out from under the car. He was crawling out from the driver's side next to the back wheel. I grabbed him and held him close, not knowing what to do.

Luckily, Mark was there to try and calm me down. My mother always told me I could never be a nurse. I've held up pretty good so far when it's come to cuts and blood, but this was totally different!!!

We truly don't know where Alex was when the car started pulling out in reverse or what happened to him. My only assumption is that he was standing behind the car, and was placed directly between the back wheels where he was protected in a sense as the car drove over him.

He has a bruise on his cheeks and some scratches along one arm, but other than that, he seems to be alright. We took him to see a doctor for an exam and she said he looked well. All I know is that he is here, he was protected.

Once we got in the car we realized we hadn't thanked the Lord for his hand in watching over our family. I made Mark pray, there was no way I was going to be getting any words out without more tears.

It's interesting how and when things happen. I just took Alex to his 18-month well-child-check up today. That's a whole other story, but basically the pediatrician we saw told me that children like Alex may have disabilities in some areas, but that they are blessed in others and that I needed to find that special gift of his. Today, HE is my gift.

His 18-month stats:
Height: 32 1/4" -- 50%
Weight: 23 lbs. 10 oz. - 20%
Head: 46 3/4 cm. -- 20%

I even took some pictures of him this morning with his hair all curly - he's my baby!
He was certainly looking pretty cute!

Good Thinkin'

Found this on a website while checking out some movie information, not that I get to see movies all that often. But, it sure made me chuckle.

Note: No Children Under Age 6 Will Be Admitted To Any R-Rated Feature After 6:00 PM.

Great policy there, huh!? I'll have to remember that the boys will just have to see their rated-R movies BEFORE 6:00 p.m. Really, who takes their kids to a rated-R movie AFTER 6:00 p.m. anyway?!

Who makes up these rules!!!

Primary Jitters and Cheerleaders

Each Fast Sunday Mark finds himself either teaching the YM's quorum, giving a talk in Primary, or conducting Fast and Testimony meeting. Yesterday he was on his first rotation in the Primary.

He had worked on putting together a cute little talk for the kids, complete with visual aids and everything. I was teasing him that I needed to come in and listen to him give his talk.

He stood up and told the Primary children that he was a little nervous because he hadn't given a talk in Primary since he was a little boy. Then from a few rows back, Ethan yelled out, "You can do it, Dad!"

I'm sure there were a few chuckles from the teachers and leaders, not to mention the smile it brought to Mark's face. But this got me thinking. Wouldn't it be nice to have a cheerleader for life's little trials? Someone there just giving you the encouragement you need to stand up and face the world.

I think that's what I need right now! My own personal cheerleader!

Tryouts start tomorrow!

Glitter Head

So yesterday I walked into Target and stopped by the $1 section. I had to try on the bright green St. Patrick's Day hat for Alex. He of course thought I was funny. He wanted a turn too, so on went the hat on his head.

Then for the next 30 - 45 minutes we walked around the store, saying hello to all the other shoppers we met. I might also add that I found the perfect pillows for couches in the living room. At one point I noticed that Alex had some green glitter on his forehead, but didn't think much of it.

It wasn't until I got home and looked in the mirror that I saw what surprise the St. Patty's hat left for me. My forehead was covered in glitter, and I'm not exaggerating. I looked like some three-year-old had applied their green glitter make-up on me. I had to laugh that no one in the whole store said anything to me. Maybe they thought it was part of my outfit, I was wearing a shamrock green cardigan.

Mommy 101

I seemed to have missed class the day moms were taught they must ALWAYS know where EVERY item in the house is located. Why? Why? Why should I ALWAYS KNOW where everything is?

Now if it's Mark's keys he's looking for, that MAY be my fault. I may or may not have been know for not putting his keys back in the drawer every time I use them.

But hey, give mom a break and just go look for that lost Lego yourself. Try and actually search for that lost shoe just once. Your mom would be proud, and hey, give the poor lady a break, she's tired and had a long day.

Man I'm Old!

Today I turned 35. When my mom called to wish me a happy birthday, she asked me if I felt older. Today I do. I certainly do.

Case in point: I went to my exercise class - praying that I wouldn't pee my pants the whole time we did jumping jacks.

I finally got the chance to do my hair and there they are again...those stinky grays. Didn't I just dye my hair? It never ends.

When Mark asked what I wanted to do for my birthday, I seriously thought about telling him how about we get take-out and rent a movie.

Look at the numbers. I know. I've helped Ethan do his math homework - Four or less, just ignore. Five plus, add one more. Let's face it, baby! I'm basically 40! And that is just too much to handle.

Love is...A poem by kindergartners

Aaron brought this home on Friday. I loved it. Happy Valentines Day to all those I love.

Love is taking care of someone - Isabelle
Love is making cookies - Aria
Love is being good to others - Emily
Love is letting others go first - Bridget
Love is being nice to friends - Kody
Love is helping friends when they're hurt - Cameron
Love is telling your mom you love her - Lai
Love is helping your mom - Kara
Love is playing with someone - Hyrum
Love is saying nice words - Aaron
Love is giving hugs and kisses - Natalie
Love is saying "I love you" - Laney
Love is giving people hugs when they don't have a friend - Wesley
Love is making someone's favorite food - Shela
Love is doing what your dad says - Michael
Love is giving hugs when others are sad - Phoenix
Love is giving hugs to dad - Donna
Love is making me feel good - Briggs
Love is giving high fives - Vianne

Aren't little kids the best?! I love what they have to say.

Along the lines of cute things said, here's another one-liner from Aaron.

This morning Mark took Aaron with him to The Home Depot. Apparently there was a women in the parking lot that needed help lifting a heavy box into her car. Mark went over and helped her out. As they were walking away, Aaron turned to Mark and said, "I get it, Dad. Other women are special too, not just Mom."
You see, Mark is always telling the boys and reminding them to treat their mother like a princess. Today Aaron learned that all women are princesses too.

Valentine Boxes

Who knew that being in third grade was such a big deal? Not only is this the year you start receiving actually grades - A, B, C, and such - rather than the old 1, 2, 3, but you also graduate to the Valentine level of having to bring a decorated box from home for your valentines.

Thinking back, I totally remember valentines boxes as something important and fun to look forward to, but I certainly cannot for the life of me remember how I decorated any of my boxes. That said, I found myself all excited once again about making a valentines box -- that was until we actually had to start the whole processes.

Ethan is a boy. All boy that is. This meant there would be no hearts, no lace doilies, and definately no pink tissue paper involved. Our third idea was the winner. And, if I do say so myself, I think we did a pretty great job too! We made Ethan a locker made out of a saltine cracker box. I was just excited that we actually had everything in the house we needed to make the silly thing. Truth be told, I finished it up by myself the night before the party while the little guys slept. He helped me with the finishing details in the morning so I could say he did actually help me. Ethan really liked it and said he was going to keep it for next year.

I laughed when I I looked inside his cracker box and saw all the many valentines stuffed in there. You see, Ethan has a terrible problem with collectng things and clutter. He loves stuff!! Seeing the inside of that locker took my mind to the future and what his locker will look like when he's in highschool. I just hope the poor kid can find his text books when he needs them.

The mail never stops!

Yesterday on our way to school we were waiting at the crosswalk when a mail truck stopped for us. I waved to the driver of the vehicle, and as we made our way across the street Aaron came up along side of me riding his scooter and said, "Newman!"

It caught me off guard. What did he mean? "Newman." Then it hit me. Had this boy seen that many episodes of Seinfeld with his mother that he actually knew Newman was a postal worker? I hope it was just a lucky guess. When I asked him about it later, he told me he didn't know who Newman was.



It got me thinking about my mail. I have to agree with the majority of Americans. I hate junk mail - it only clutters my kitchen counter tops. It never stops! Each day they keep bringing me more. And every time I go to my mailbox with my mail key in hand, I expect to find something on the other side. I'm disappointed when my little box is empty. That's one thing I miss when the Christmas holidays are over. REAL mail. You know the kind. Envelopes that have been addressed by hand. Call me selfish, but I love REAL mail. Keep the real mail coming Newman!

Not so sweet surprises

We recently found some low-life creepers made their way into our shed and made off with a bunch of Mark's goods. Chuggers!!!!!

Two words. Robbers. Suck.

Sweet Surprises

This morning when I heard a knock at the door, this is what I found on the other side.

Don't you love sweet surprises like fresh flowers; not to mention thoughtful husbands!?!

Along the lines of surprises -- I'm still trying to figure out whether it will be a sweet one or not is the fact that Mark was called to serve in our bishopric yesterday. I think this should be filed more under shock, rather than surprise. At least for me.

I am truly grateful to be part of such a wonderful ward family that has already shown such love and support not only for Mark, but for our family. I'm still trying to wrap my head around this all and what it means. I know the reality with hit me hard when Sacrament meeting rolls around next week, and I find myself on the pew with my three boys and dad sitting on the stand staring back at us. My good friend Terry has already stepped up to the plate and said she'll be my backup.

Like Mark said to me yesterday, when we toasted to the New Year and change, we didn't have this in mind.

Scooter II

I don't remember now why, but for some reason I started calling Aaron "Scooter" when he was younger. I guess it just sounded right. Well, now that name seems more applicable for Alex. So, I guess he's our Scooter II.

We meet with Alex's specialist twice a month and seem to be making some wonderful progress. He's moving around quite a bit. He's not quite crawling yet, but I'm thinking we're going to be getting there before we know it. He's learned to pull himself up to such items as chairs, sofas, and endtables. It is quite exciting for all of us. I wonder sometimes when he makes his way into the bathroom and dumps out the contents of the garbage or wonders why there's water in this funny white thing everyones sits on if I really want this little guy on the move.

Here's to our Scooter II.

This is only a test

Checking out the toy I got for Christmas...hope it works. Our little guy is making progress. He's now getting around using the scooter method.

Okay, I need some help...there is no "film strip icon" for me to click on to upload my video of my cute little guy. It should be a simple thing to post a video, but not for me!!! Ugggh!

Just imagine my little boy scooting his way across the kitchen tile to his favorite mom...it really is rather cute. If anyone out there in techno world has any ideas, please send them my way.