Fathers Day gifts

Whenever my kids talk about gifts for Mothers Day, it is always very sweet things. Like flowers, jewelry, breakfast in bed...

Fathers Day is a whole different ball game.

I have been reading quite a few old posts on this blog, and laughed when I found a Fathers Day post regarding Ethan. His gift suggestions were black socks and a guitar.

There was also the year when Connor got him Star Wars movies, so that they could watch them together, and tennis balls so they could play catch together.

So while doing errands with Mason today, I asked him what he thought we should get Ben for Fathers Day (even though I already have them, I am so on top of things!). This was our conversation:



Mason: "We should get him some tools!"
me: " That is a good idea, except I don't know what kind of tools to get him."
Mason: "OK how about some wood so he can build stuff."
me: "Wow, that is another good idea. But I don't know what kind or what sizes..."
Mason: "How about some bricks to build with?"
Me: " I don't know if Dad ever builds with bricks..."
Mason: "yes he does! With Lego bricks! Isn't that funny Mom!" As he cracks up at his own joke.

I have to say that Mason really knows his Dad well though!

the 4th

For the past seven years, we have sweated our way through a variety of fireworks shows. While the East Coast was having record breaking temps, we were sitting in camp chairs covered in blankets!

Normally, our new ward, has a big 4th of July bbq. However, with it falling on a Sunday this year, we just spent our time watching fireworks and enjoying hot cocoa.

This was Mason's first 4th of July. Last year, on the drive home I started having major contractions. 6 days later there he was!

Ivan oohed and ahhed over every firework he saw. It was so cute. I think that is one of my favorite parts of motherhood, just being able to watch things through my childrens' eyes!

Happy New Year

There is no way that I can possibly update you on everything that has happened in the past few days/weeks. Life has been so busy. We have...

**gone to a concert/play for every one of the kids
**enjoyed Christmas parties
**wrapped gifts
**watched Christmas movies
**sang Christmas songs
**baked
**shopped, shopped, shopped
** read How the Grinch Stole Christmas countless times
**opened gifts
**decorated
**ate too much
** played with new toys
** got stomach bugs
** have spent a lot of time together (which has been both good and bad!)
**gone on lots of walks
**lots of bike rides
**candy canes eaten
**said goodbye to good friends

We had a wonderful Christmas and are excited for the New Year and all that it has to offer!

Our first last

(The graveyard cake...what do you think?

(Ivan won the cupcake walk, and chose one that he and I made! Awww)

(as soon as Ben heard "family picture" he was out of there! Stinker. He said he didn't hear me say it, and just went out to get the trunk ready. Hmmmm...)

( Harmony went as Marie Arnold. Don't know who that is? It is the main character in the book she is writing!!)

( the older kids hamming it up)

(Expecto Patronum!!)

(One of our Indy's. Connor was also Indiana Jones)


(arrrgh! Hanging out in the carrier. I bought this for $1 at a yard sale and I have to say it was worth every penny!)

( me with some friends at the trunk or treat)

With just a little over six months left on our sentence...I mean time left on Guam, we are starting to experience some lasts.

As we walked around housing for 2 hours last night, dripping sweat in the 80+ degree weather, trick or treating, we thought about the fact that this is our last Halloween on Guam! It was the first of many lasts that we will be experiencing. It is amazing how fast time really does fly!

Friday night was a busy day. I sent the kids off to school with an orange & black lunch (mac & cheese, oranges, orange juice, purple grapes and oreos) with Halloween stickers and jokes. I also placed a spider ring in their mac & cheese. They told me that their friends were fooled...but not them!

After picking up Ivan,I spent the day baking. I made a graveyard cake as a treat for the trunk or treat. I wasn't very happy with how it turned out but Ben told me to "let it go, it's not important". I am not sure if I agree or not. But, it doesn't matter anyway because it was devoured 48 hours ago!! I will try again next year and see what happens!

The kids had fun doing their usual thing. Playing games, making crafts, eating way too much sugar etc.

Saturday we went around housing and filled buckets. Mason was in his carrier and so we forgot the stroller! By the end of the night, I was carrying Mason, 2 Indiana Jones hats, 1 "leather" jacket, and 3 treat bags. Ben was carrying Ivan.

As the kids complained about the heat, and how far they had to walk, I just laughed! Our kids have it made. In White Salmon, homes were not that close! We had to walk a lot farther than up and down a few streets! I told them they would not have cut it as trick or treaters "way back then".

And of course, they were all up at the crack of dawn, counting, sorting and trading their candy. Let the teeth rotting begin!

Let the Haunting begin...

( his class all lined up)

(with his teachers)

(Holding a "bubble" in his mouth. The teachers do this when they want the class to be quiet. Ivan held his bubble the ENTIRE time!)

(walking in the parade)

I have quite a few friends who are big Halloween fans. Me...not so much. But the kids, of course, love it. How can we not share in their enthusiasm right? So far, the Halloween costumes have been sitting on top of the freezer just calling to them. But I haven't let them play with them. We paid a pretty penny for a couple of them and I do not want them getting ruined!!

The older kids have been having Red Ribbon week. They have enjoyed wearing their clothes inside out, wearing ties and today they are sporting their pj's. I swear they have never been ready for school so fast! I wish every day was pj day!

Ivan however got to have a character parade. My original idea was for him to dress up as a pirate and be from the book, "Pirates Don't Change Diapers". Mason is going to be a pirate this year so I thought it would be cute. Ivan said, "no pirrrrrrrrrrrrates!" to that idea. So he wore Ethan's Harry Potter costume.

With Ivan, change is never easy. Even if it is something fun. Our morning went like this...
" Why do I have to wear a costume?"
"What is a parade? Where do I walk to it?"
"Why does Harry have a scar?
"Why is it shaped like that?"
"Do you have to wear your rain coat on a costume?" (He just got his new rain coat on Saturday and has been wearing it every day since then)
"Ms. Adams said there is no snack in the parade."
"How come we are doing this?"
"Can you wash this scar off? I don't like this."

On and on it went. By the time we got to school, his frustration level had risen. He wasn't happy. He hid his scar, hid behind me. No eye contact. Finally after a little convincing he put his costume on and was a happy little wizard. I love the pictures, he looks so cute.

Honestly, if he didn't want to wear it, I wouldn't have pushed him. But I am glad that he decided to just go with the flow! Fun times. He is now eating a ghost shaped sandwich. (:

Tomorrow he has snack so we are making fun Halloween snack bags. We also have our trunk or treat tomorrow. I will be busy baking and decorating but looking forward to it!

Welcome Home Mason!

The house is quiet. Everyone is asleep or on a quiet time. So I thought I would update while I have the chance!

Tuesday afternoon I went in for an appt. with my doctor. These have been going on for the last few weeks. I had been on a monitor for a non-stress test. One of the doctors, came to check it and said, "how would you like to have your baby today?" I was shocked but said yes. He then said, "well than you need to have some more contractions." He laughed, I rolled my eyes and was sent on my way, very unhappy.

Friday same thing. A little change in my cervix and than I went to go get on the monitor. A different doctor (the one I see most often) came in and said, "how would you like to have your baby today?" Everbody is a comedian right? No, not this time. He said that my pockets of fluid looked a little low, Mason wasn't responding on the monitor and that basically my body was ready to go and that I wouldn't do Mason any good by staying pregnant.

So I called Ben and told him to meet me in the mother/baby unit. I got in about 10, and they started IV's. I am notorious for "not having veins".I got poked 3 times before they actually got it! Grrr. I hate getting IV's! My water was broken about noon. I had told everyone that I wanted an epidural so my nurse said to let them know when I was ready for it. Well I go through a battle of "I don't want to be a wimp and get it early but I don't need to be a hero either". Finally I got it.

I still was feeling contractions in my back though. My legs were numb but nothing else. The nurse decided to check me again. Apparently she gave the anethesiologist a look and went to get the doctor. Ben told me about "the look" later. According to her, it wasn't that the epidural didn't work, it was that Mason was on his way out! My nurse was praying I didn't sneeze while she got the doctor. :)

A little later, there was Mason. He was a healthy 8lbs 2 oz. The consensus is that he looks like Ethan. Although Connor was very excited to see that Mason has blue eyes, just like him. We will see if he keeps them!

Mason and I stayed an extra day in the hospital, since he was born before 37 weeks. Uhm yeah, one day before 37 weeks. We spent an exciting day in the hospital watching tv and snuggling.

He is doing well but he does have a case of jaundice. We are hoping to see the sun peak out a little this rainy season so that he can use it.

Other than that, we are just trying to adjust to life and to take it easy. I have pics posted on facebook and my Mom also has a few on her blog (hers is Avis La Fin which you can find a link on my side).

Oh and we also celebrated 4th of July so I thought I would add a couple of those pictures in!

a quiet moment...

Ivan decided to kick his Mom and was sent to his room, because "we don't kick in our house." So it is almost completely silent down here. All I can hear is the wind blowing in the palm trees. So I thought I would take a moment to give you an insanely long run down of what has been going on around here!

We will start with...last Tuesday. Ethan turned 8 on Cinco de Mayo! I can't believe how fast time has flown by with him. I know that is cliche but...there is a reason everyone says it! One minute he was a not so teeny baby and now he is a not so teeny 8 year old. The time just flew by. He got a new scooter, Pokemon game, a Wii fit (he wants to be more active), Diary of a Wimpy kid book, Indiana Jones comic books etc. His baptism will actually be in June. Out here they schedule them the first Saturday of every month. Since his b-day fell after that, he is waiting for June. We will keep you posted on details.

Thursday I was invited to an ice cream social in Ivan's pre-k class. Ivan had no idea what was going on. He did not understand that Mommy would be going to his class because, "Mommy, you no go in there!" When I got in there, they were singing. It was interesting to watch him go from ok to not ok in about 30 seconds. His pre-k and spec. ed teacher were right there though. He went back to his other classroom where he didn't feel so overwhelmed and enjoyed his ice cream.

The next day I went to a Mothers Day tea for Ethan. We walked into the cafeteria and all the 2nd graders were on stage ready to sing. I couldn't see him! I blame Ben for the fact that at all concerts my children are in the very back with kids standing right in front of them! I finally found him and he pointed out my seat. There was a place mat with all the gifts that he made me...A "links of love" necklace ( I will be sharing it later) a headdress, a poem, a portrait of Ethan and I( with a nice big circle on my stomach labeled "Mason") cookies and more. He sang and than performed in a dance, which he did not even tell me he was in!!

That evening the boys had their "bridging ceremony" for scouts. It was our very, very last thing with this pack. Connor actually recieved his Tiger badge a while ago,but Ethan (along with all the boys in my den) recieved their Wolf badge. The boys were so excited. They really enjoyed Scouts this year. I have to be honest and admit I was glad that Scouts had come to an end for me! We ended the night waiting for 45 minutes to get a breathalizer test. By the time we got up there, traffic was so bad that they just started waving people through. After 45 minutes I almost made them to do it, so as to not waste my time!

Saturday morning we had Ethan's birthday party at the bowling alley. We got there, and I was a little worried when they asked me a few times what name the party was under. I had also been told over the phone that they provided cake. I was thrilled because it seemed like such a good deal. When I got there,I decided to ask again. Uh no, no cake provided.So Ivan and I rushed to the commissary to get whatever they had in the display case! Ethan had 13 kids come and lots of parents stayed around and chit chatted. His teacher, who both of us love and adore, came also! It was a fun but busy morning!

After about a 30 minute break, we headed out to a district primary activity. Ben had to go to the airport otherwise I might have made him come with me. I was completely worn out (can't imagine why?!) and had no energy to chase Ivan around. After that, we headed to the store to get chocolate for the primary Mother's day gift (I was in charge of that). I was so completely worn out that...I didn't close my van door. It was open the whole time we were in the store. Luckily everything was still in it!

Mothers Day was well...same old, same old. Get kids ready for church, fight with them to behave during church and than go to primary to do my calling. I tried to take a nap but had little interuptions the whole time! Basically I am celebrating next Sunday by leaving for Australia!

Harmony made me a very cute bracelet at GS, Ivan gave me 2 potted flowers and Connor gave me cute cards and a bouquet of paper flowers. It was all very sweet and makes me smile.

So there you have it. Our wrap up. Lots going on for the rest of the week before we head out on Sunday. I am so excited I can barely stand it!

I am scheduling my next dr. appt for right after we get back. I know Ben is a *tad* nervous about me going on a trip but I am sure we will be fine. We aren't even really going to be gone that long! At 32 weeks they are going to start checking me every week. It is so hard to believe that it is almost time for Mason to make his debut!

This is insanely long so I am ending!

Happy Mothers Day

Older kids: "Mom what do you want for Mothers Day?
Me: "For you to go one whole day without fighting. I don't want to have to break up any fights or send anyone to time out."

Harmony: "Are you SURE you don't want something else?"

To all the sisters, aunts, cousins, friends, Grandma's, who make our lives better just by being a part of it....

Happy Mothers Day!

This Monday morning...

(birds nest treats)


(the end result)
(not a very pretty picture (food photographer I am not) but that was the ice cream cake)
(eating ice cream cake)
(The Junior GS troop, ready to go home after a long night!)
( Way to go Harm!!)
**********I started this post when it says I did. However, after a major power outtage and some very bad whiney days from me, it took awhile to get back to it!

It is 8:26 am on Monday. The kids have been gone for almost an hour. After a 4 day weekend, Ben is back at work. The dishwasher and washer are both humming away. Ivan is playing and watching tv (with no one to fight with) and Astro is taking a nap. Can a morning get any better than that? (yeah and than we had a nice long power outtage. 2nd one in less than 24 hours!!) So here is what is on my mind today...

**I felt like such a SINNER for not being at church on Easter Sunday. Why weren't we there? Because here, it was conference weekend. So I sat at home and watched conference. It was delightful but...still didn't quite feel the same!

**Saturday night I went to return some movies...and was pulled over for a sobriety check. I have never, not once, been asked to do this. There was a big concert here and so they were checking anyone who came on to base. Yes, even innocent pregnant women driving mini-vans. And just to put everyone at ease...I passed! :)

**Harmony went camping from Thursday night to Friday. I picked her up and she was feeling car sick on the way home. It is an awful road anyway, but with little sleep and eggs for breakfast...well not a good combo. I did manage to drag her to the NEX and to the commissary. Around 3 pm she was throwing a fit, and so I told her to go lay on her bed until she could calm down. We saw her Saturday morning at 6 am! She completely crashed! She had no idea that she had slept that long, just that she felt hungry!

**Speaking of Ms. Harmony, she got 5th place in the science fair! She was so excited and wore her ribbons on her wrists for a long time. She is totally anxious for next year's!

**Remember a while ago, when I was asking for lunch bag ideas? Well, upon doing some research ie. "google", I came across "Bento" sites. Have you seen these? While I don't feel that I would ever have the time,patience, creativity or energy to prepare a full Bento lunch, I am obsessed with looking at them! Harmony loves it too. The boxes and other "gear" are way expensive but I told her if I could find something on sale...we will see. Let me see if I can get this link to work, if not, google Bento and I am sure you can find tons of stuff! Here is hopefully the link...
http://www.laptoplunches.com/

**Easter weekend was a pretty typical weekend for us! We spent Saturday cleaning rooms, laundry and working like crazy. And yet at the end of the night, I didn't feel like I had accomplished much! Ben told me, " you can run that washer and dryer all day,but you will never, never be done with laundry." Thanks for the reminder dear!!

**Sunday the kids dyed eggs, put stickers all over plastic eggs( they made one for Mason...awww) and opened baskets. We made bird nest treats and I made an ice cream cake that everyone devoured. It was good!Ecspecially after taking Astro for a walk when it was still nice and hot outside! We had a traditional meal and the kids really enjoyed eating "crashed hot potatoes". I found the recipe on Pioneer Woman Cooks and everyone loves them. Ecspecially Ben, but I was suprised with how much the kids did. It's a yummy recipe, let me know if you want it.

Ivan and I are headed to the NEX to get some outside toys. Today is my last den meeting and so I am just going to let them run around like crazy! Sounds fun huh? I am so grateful to be almost done with scouts. The boys were great, parents were supportive, but it just takes a lot of energy and creativity, which I do not have in my possession right now! :)

Holiday lights, parties & rice krispie houses

We had a totally relaxing week, last week. It was amazing. We did get out and do a few things though. Being sick all the time, has made me kind of feel like a hermit. So it was nice to get out!

Friday night Connor was supposed to have a "Go See It" with his Cub scout den. However, they moved it to Saturday. So because of our Branch Christmas party, he wouldn't be able to go. We could go as a family though and he could still get credit.

After dinner at the kids favorite place, Naps ( they seriously love it there), we headed down to the Hilton. They have a huge train set up and a nice tree and decorations. The kids loved watching the train. Ivan had his eye set on one train and raced around trying to keep up with that one specific train! This little trip prompted lots of comments and questions about, whether or not we would ever see snow again.

Saturday evening was our Christmas party for church. I had not been feeling well all day, and actually planned to skip it. But when Ben said he wouldn't take pictures of the kids with Santa, I went anyway. The kids were very cute singing their songs. Well Connor never sings, but at least he doesn't cause any problems either!:) Santa unfortunatley, could not attend this year. (The rumor was the costume couldn't be found)and so my whole reason for going was a mute point. Oh well. We had a nice time chatting with friends and eating good food!

Yesterday I told the kids if they would just let me take a nap ( this was after about 5 requests) I would let them make Rice Krispie houses. We found a little kit at the commissary and I thought it sounded a lot easier than gingerbread houses! So they had a good time making those. The box said it only made one house, but we got 3 with some leftover.

Tonight is the Rain Gutter Regatta for the boys. After that we will just be doing a lot of baking, wrapping, watching Christmas movies, and just enjoying each other and the season!

So very thankful

Today I am feeling more thankful than ever.

So thankful for them.

So thankful for him.

Thankful for the new life that is growing inside of me.

Thankful to be a new Aunt! ( Jensen family we love you and are so happy!)

Thankful to have friends and family.

Thankful to have a home, food to eat, clothes to wear.

Thankful for the Gospel.

Thankful for the life I lead.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Christmas list

I was driving with the kids the other day, when I brought up the subject of what they wanted to get their Dad for Christmas. This is how it went...

E: "How about black socks?"
Me:" Well he actually has a lot of black socks."
E: "OK, how about white ones then?"
Me:" Hmmmm, well socks aren't that exciting. Can you think of something that isn't socks?
E: "How about an I Love Guam shirt."
me:" I am not sure Daddy loves Guam."
C:" How about an xbox 360?"
me: "Well he already has a PS3, a psp, and an ipod. So I don't think he needs another video game system."
E:" Well what if all those go out at the same time?"
Me:" they won't."
E:" Well what if they do?"
Me:" They won't."
C:" OK how about a guitar?"
Me:" You mean like guitar hero?"
C:" No just a regular guitar."
Me: " Ok well your Dad doesn't actually know how to play a guitar."
C: " That's ok he can just learn."
Me:" You know what, we will just worry about it later."

So many good ideas, it's hard to choose! :)

Veterans Day

To all those who went before


To all of those who serve today


THANK YOU

Halloween x 4

Unlike some of my friends, I don't really get into Halloween. I just don't. I don't really see the point of the holiday. And costumes...well I only like "cute" ones. And it seems they are all the gorey ones. Plus they are not cheap and they wear them for like an hour. Ok I know bah humbug...or whatever you say at Halloween.

This year, the Girl Scout Halloween party was a little early this year. However I still put off getting costumes. So I finally went in and everything was 30% off! Nice. Now of course things were picked over but I still managed to find some cute costumes. They were $7 each. Not bad!

We are really going to get our money's worth this year because we have 3 Halloween parties and the actual Halloween night. So 4 uses! I am pretty happy with that. Of course Ben and I go as the same thing every year, a Mom and a Dad.

Last night we went to the GS party. The kids had fun running around like crazy. Harmony was very bummed that she didn't win an award for costumes but what are you going to do right? I thought they looked cute and that's all that matters. :) So now we are 1 party down 3 more to go...btw this doesn't include anything having to do with school/class parties!