Easter 2010

I realize it is well into the month of May and I am just posting Easter but better late than never eh?

We loved having family in town to visit and going to Aunt Susans for the annual Easter brunch and egg hunt.  Delicious!

Boys Birthdays!

I have never thown a combined Birthday Party for my children before but as our lives have been filled with unstability this spring I decided that now was the time.  So between when W. turned 3 and B. turned 5 we had a big party! 

 Thanks Mary Rae for the Great Elmo cake.  W. loved it!

Don't laugh it is a light saber cake.  Just think "Oh what a wonderful job she did.  I knew just what it was at first glance".  Thanks now I feel much better.

Yummy!

Thanks to all who came and bounced, played, helped and gave great gifts to my boys!

Happy Birthday my wonderful boys!  I love you both!

Taking care of Mom!

As a mother who's full time job is to provide the comfort, love and needs of my family sometimes it is important to do something for myself.  I find the art of balancing taking care of myself and "losing myself in the service of others" so that I may "find myself" difficult.  Despite this a few weeks ago I was pondering the things I have done for myself over the past few years and decided to share with  y'all my top two "take care of Mom" things.  They are:

First is that I have gotten in the habit of working out 5-6 days a week.  This was NOT an easy habit to form and isn't an easy habit to keep.  Despite this effort it is really worth it!  I am happier about myself, get more done, have more energy, am more diciplined..... The list goes on and on.

Second is more of a pampering thing.  I had Laser Hair Removal done!   I LOVE it!  It was worth every pennny (thanks Jill for making it affordable)!  If any of you out there are considering it I say "Go For It!"  If you live in the Phoenix area I recommend "Laser Perfection by Jill" she is great and really inexpesive!

I hope that as you strive to find the perfect balance of serving others and taking care of yourself you may find things that you love just as much as I have!

Just finishing their job!

We were so happy and grateful when we were robbed that they didn't break our sliding glass door.

Last night while Marty was mowing the lawn this happened!

Again we are grateful.

  It only went through one of the windows and one of the panes and no one got hurt (we hope that will continue as it isn't replaced yet)

My motto lately is "when it rains it pours"!

Muscleman becomes Al Capone!

W. had such a good time at the "bouncy park" aka "dump park" that he wanted to go back again the next day.

On Sunday morning we were doing our activity for "family home evening" (yes we do it on Sunday) and W. was in charge.Can you guess where we went?

At this park they have retaining walls built out of large metal cages holding large decorative rock.  He was walking along one and fell.

 

So Muscleman

 

 

becomes

 

Al Capone

(ok so the cut is in the wrong spot - I'm using literary license)

 

It made for a very crazy and stressful Sabbath but it sure helped me get all the kids to the immunization clinic bright and early the next morning.

W. we hope all heals well and your days of being a famous gangster are short lived.

I've got muscles!

The weather is so very very nice this time of year we decided that we needed to hit a new park. 

What park would it be?  Hmmm...  We heard the new "dump" park -- Yes that is right the park built over a landfill-- was great so we called friends to meet us there and were off to play. 

I was sticking with William while he was going down the slide over and over.  All of a sudden he sees another kid as he is finishing climbing up a ladder and announces proudly "I have big muscles"!  A short while later he announces to another unsuspecting child  "Hi my name is W..."  It was so cute to see him confident and happily socializing with other children he doesn't know.  Since he is the youngest he always seems to have a sibling to play with.  This was the first time I saw him happily "making his own friends". 

W.  I am so glad you are growing up as such a happy social boy!  I love being your mother!

J. takes a trip to the spa

Today J. went to the

She has never been to a nice salon or spa in her life and had no idea such "fancy" places were out there.

Why did I take her there?  

Because they are such an awesome place that when I asked if they gave a discount for "Locks of Love" haircuts they said "I believe that is a no charge"!! 

I was so excited since the last salon (said with french accent) did nothing of the sort.

So I had to "advertise" for them here.  They deserve it!

So here she is Before

During

After 

Thank you Christine for not only giving my daughter such a great haircut but for helping her feel wonderful as she was doing such a great service.

J. you are beautiful inside and out! I am so happy such a giving girl is my daughter!
Thanks for being wonderful!