Some Serious Updating (iPhone update #2)

I just Benson that he was so cute.  He didn't even pause before saying, "Mom, you so cute too!"  He's turning into such a sweet boy - with minor bursts of mischief.  Frequently.

 

This happens way more often than I would like.  On walls as well as bed spreads and couches.

Don't let his Superman cape deceive you.  He can be a "Super" handful.  I believe this picture was taken immediately after he had pulled the sink head out and flooded the entire kitchen floor (and leaking into the basement where the missionaries are living).  It's a good thing he's "Super" cute!

But when he falls asleep, he's SO cute!!

and when he sings...

 *I'll try to post this video again soon*

Speaking of flooding - Benson may have caused ours, but the High River flood has caused some incredible damage.  I've had the opportunity to go and help some people gut their basements a couple times now and it's so humbling to see the disaster out there.  Railroad tracks overturned, boats strewn across the highway and many houses a complete wreck.  It's put a new priority on "stuff" for me.  Family is really all that matters.

That's also why I've been so excited that my sister, Brittany has come home!!  She moved back in April and we have been in heaven to have her back around!

I love that my Dad is out there on the trampoline too.  He's such a great Grandpa.  It was his birthday in May and we were able to go bring him a Peanut Buster Parfait and surprise him at work.  It was so much fun!

Really the best thing these days is just hanging out and playing.

It's especially been fun to see the boys play so well together!!  Life is going to get much easier from here on out!

It might look like Jay wasn't having so much fun here, but he did it all by himself.  Lol.  He makes me laugh!

Of course, dinner and a movie in Pajamas always takes the cake on a nice relaxing evening!

We got to see Weird Al, Jenny Oaks Baker and the Piano Guys over the past few months.  I'm realizing how much that shows that we have a very diverse taste in music.  All 3 concerts were fantastic!!

 

This was after Time Out for Women.  Jenny Oaks Baker is my girls new hero!

 Weird Al is awesome!  He really puts on a show.  It's not just a concert.  Second time going, and hopefully won't be the last!  This was during the Jungle Cruise Ride song.  Hysterical!

We got to meet the piano guys after the concert and took pictures, but I haven't put them on the computer yet.  They are the most awesome, humble musicians ever and totally what I would love my family to be like one day.  This was during a trip to Vegas.  I think I could be a roadie for them.  Lol.  My girls need to see them perform live!

The older girls trained hard for the triathlon with me and have kept busy.  Kienna turned 9 last week (yikes) and we went to Calaway to celebrate.  It's been fun to spend some time with just them in both of these events!

The cake I made for the family party yesterday.  My darling Mother-in-law made cupcakes for the Calaway trip.  Saved me a LOT of craziness.

 Oh and we also were able to go to a ballet a few months back.  That was also a great event for just us girls (although we all could've done with a little more clothing on the dancers).

Grandpa Bucey broke his foot overworking - yet again, so we got to go with the Youth and help him plant his garden.  The kids had so much fun learning about gardening.

That's pretty much it.  With summer comes a much more lose schedule, but we're still trying to get our scripture study in, which goes SO smooth and we all look this happy all the time!  NOT!!!  But it's worth it (or so they tell me).  ;)

Best Mom Ever!

 I'm pretty sure I just won the "Mom of the Year" Award.  I was cleaning out my kids closet two days ago and found this Mother's Day card that Kaia wrote in Primary.  I was wondering why all the other kids gave me theirs and not her.  I guess I now know.

My favorite part is when she crosses out "smart" and puts "know-it-all".  And "When she is not lecturing me, it makes me so happy".  I also love that she crosses out the word 'rocks' in the "My mom rocks!" sentence.  Can't say this was my favorite card ever, but I know it was done "light-heartedly".  Still, when you feel it's a weakness, it's not the most fun to receive.  Either way, that's my Kaia.  She will always let you know where she's sitting.  I guess that can be a good thing, right?

Letter to Portugal

I figured that since I write in my blog about as often as I write Brooklyn who is on her mission in Portugal, I'd just take some of that letter and put it here for reference.  Enjoy:


I'm so sorry that I've been a terrible writer.  Technically I have no excuse, but life just goes SO fast.  Cleaning up from the floods etc. has been crazy!!  We've been in Vegas and then doing a complete re-organization of the house to get rid of any extras that we can send to the evacuees from the floods.  The kids are done school, but we've been having fun just chillin' and getting stuff done.  Jaymeson just got a guitar that is really sweet... Kaia is learning some Wicked songs on her violin and Kienna got the Les Mis book for cello.  I went and saw Les Mis and it was amazing!!  Benson is so crazy busy - and it just keeps getting worse.  Today he toilet papered my bathroom by dipping it all in the toilet and throwing it around the bathroom.  It looked like giant spitballs (but toilet water) stuck to the mirror, the shower and all over the floor.  It was SO gross.  We saw Piano Guys when we were in Vegas and it was amazing.  We also saw a Cirque de Soleil and had our minds blown (actually just about a week after we saw this performance, one of the people died while doing it - crazy!!). 

I got to clean the temple on Thursday night - it was SO awesome.  I actually got to go down under the font and dust the oxen which is SO cool, because how often do you get to go down there??! (I got to vacuum all the mens change rooms too, which I also never get to go in, but it just didn't have the same thrill behind it).  Somehow, life has seriously just been going 100 miles a minute and I feel like I never get a second to think... but it's been the good stuff.  Can't complain about that.

Speaking of time flying, Kienna turned NINE on Saturday.  We took a couple friends with us to Calaway Park and did a low-key birthday party there.  We went on Friday so that we could all volunteer for flood relief on Saturday.  I was really impressed with Kienna wanting to help babysit people's kids so they could go to High River on her birthday.  It's super exhausting and overwhelming to work there and see all that these people are losing.  It's motivated me to really clean out a lot of my house.  I don't need even half of what I have and it would be fantastic to have more room and space.  It's been a theme.  I actually went through all my clothes and am down to just a few outfits that work better.  I have very few clothes that fit right now regardless because I've finally been losing some weight.  In fact, I'm down about the same amount of weight as you are it seems.  I started at 199 in January and am down to 182.  It's been super encouraging to see it finally coming.

Well, that about sums up last week.  Hopefully I'll write again soon!!

Windstorm

A natural disaster?  No.  Just Jaymeson.  While I was tucking Benson in tonight, Jaymeson came up from behind me dragging a fan in from the hall.  He told me that he knew there was already a fan in his room, but I needed to get prepared, because he was going to start a wind storm!  He plugged in both fans and put them on high and kept asking me if I was too cold because it was a crazy storm.  He's so imaginative sometimes it really cracks me up!

PS - going to bed on a new mattress tonight.  Hope it helps my circulation and Jarett's back pain...

Fail Proof Recipe

I've loved my mom's Cowboy Cookie recipe for my whole life.  I've found that it's a very forgiving recipe and nothing could have proved that more than last night.

It was Family Home Evening and Jarett suggested making a quadruple batch of cookies as a family.  Of course, he had to take off after only a couple minutes, but he got the girls going on cracking the eggs and tidied up dinner while I got started. 

I softened the butter, added the sugar and vanilla and then the eggs.  Of course, the girls had spilled most of one of the eggs on the counter and floor, but I figured that 7 1/2 out of 8 eggs probably would've affect the recipe too much.  I was grateful that I was quadrupling the recipe, cleaned up the mess and moved on.

When I grabbed the flour, I put it on the counter and turned around to grab the measuring cups.  In that split second, Benson managed to climb up on the counter, open the flour and take the scoop out of it and dump a bunch in the bowl.  How much?  I have no idea.  I guesstimated that it was between 1/2 a cup and a full cup, added the rest and moved on.

I put the flour away, and grabbed the baking soda, baking powder and salt while I was already in the pantry.  (I can never remember if it's soda or powder that I add, so I took both out just to be safe).  I turned around again - to get the measuring spoons and consult the recipe.  I turned around and Benson had put literally half the box of Baking Soda into the bowl.  I may have told every one to evacuate the kitchen while I finished up at this point.  I had to take off the lid and rinse it off (causing more moisture in the recipe than normal), and start scooping out the baking soda, debating how much had already been dissolved and how much I should keep on to make sure I got my 4 tsp worth in there.  There was so much left that when I took a pinch of the dough to check on it, I started getting little burps of fizz from the excess Baking Soda.  It was BAD.

I started to lose it a little and just throw things in.  EVERYTHING in.  I knew the rest of the ingredients were all just 1 tsp (x4 - so 4 tsp), so I put them all in and then realized THERE IS NO BAKING POWDER IN THIS RECIPE!  It was already mixed in though, so there wasn't very much I could do.  In goes the oats and the chocolate chips.

As I put the dough on the cookie sheets, I noticed a fizzing type sound with each scoop of the spoon.  It was NOT going to be good.  BUT - I was pleasantly surprised.  It made a LOT of cookies (with Jarett's help, we got some monster sized cookies while I put the boys to bed... between the excess raising ingredients and the extra large scoops, he pretty much filled the entire cookie sheet like it was a cake) and they were good!  Good enough that I felt comfortable to bring some to Kienna's Cello teacher (who said they tasted fantastic) and we'll be freezing them to have over the next few weeks.

If that doesn't prove a recipe to be 100% fail proof, I don't know what does.  I think I could start a business like this.  Just ask me (with the 5 kids) to test a recipe.  If it makes it through, it's fail-safe!!

Sacrament Disruptions

Benson was on my lap during the passing of the sacrament today.  When he had a piece of bread he said (in full voice), "mmm, nummy lunch!"  During the water he specified that he wanted "that guy" which was a certain cup.

Soon he noticed that all the boys passing the sacrament had ties on, just like him.  He yelled out to the priests in front, "hey, guys!  Look a my tie!"

He may not be the most reverent, but he sure makes me laugh!

An early and belated Mother's Day

I came home the Thursday before Mother's Day and found that Jarett had bought me a GORGEOUS bouquet and had made me fun signs with the kids footprints on them.  I took a zillion pictures, but they're on my camera which is currently missing.  So, today (almost three weeks later), this is what it looks like.

Then last night, I finished up my piano lessons to find this beautiful bouquet and note from Kaia and Kienna.  Just too perfect of a surprise!

 (updated later - I found the original pictures and the posters that the kids did - thought I'd add those)

Another Fun day from the past

It truly has been a blast from the past today!!

We love Heritage Park!!

Butter Fingers

Out of everything that I've broken today - I've decided that the butter dish is the worst to clean up.  Can't just sweep, vacuum and mop like the others.  It's hands and knees with paper towels from the get go.  Sigh.  I suppose I have butter fingers in a couple ways today.

My Life - a reminder to me

I am writing to remind myself what my life is like these days.   My apologies if this is redundant or boring to those who are reading.  There are really just a few main things that take up my time over and above the completely full, overwhelming schedule of a stay at home Mom.

1. As most people are very aware, I am homeschooling my five children.  Well, technically only 3 are IN school, but I still have the other 2 doing many of the activities with us etc.

2. On top of that, I have over 20 piano/theory students which take up more than 10 hours a week of my time in class, and even more of preparations etc.

3. Over the past 6 and a half weeks, I've been doing a triathlon training class at the YMCA.  I've been at the class at 6am Monday, Wednesday and Friday.  "Why?" you might ask.  Well, because I've signed up our whole family (except for Benson who is only 2) to do a triathlon on June 1 - and instead of making a fool of myself there in front of hundreds of people, I decided to do it 3 times a week, in front of a much smaller crowd (10-15 people) where I can get coaching and hopefully get in better shape because of it.

4. Although this doesn't take up much time, it still counts as mental effort and involvement.  I joined Weight Watchers online.  After a month of taking the "drill sergeant" class, I had lost a mere 1.5 lbs.  Yes, I know that you gain muscle and muscle weighs more than fat.... blah, blah, blah.  When you are almost 50 lbs overweight, you just want some fat gone - regardless of how much muscle weighs.  So, I joined just over two weeks ago and I'm down about 6 more pounds.  Much more encouraging - and I know that I'm losing it in a WAY healthier way than if I did some sort of crash diet.  It has been fantastic.

Basically, my week looks something like this.

Monday
Up at 5:30 and head to the gym.  Be in the pool by 6 to do as many lengths as is humanly possible (averaging about 60-70 lengths these days) in an hour. 
*side note: when I started this class 6 weeks ago, the teacher was encouraging me to try to swim with my face in the water and figure out side breathing.  This past Monday, my teacher stopped me to tell me that my swimming had improved so much it was "phenomenal".  I had a proud moment.  Sometimes it pays off to be the "class project".

After swimming, I get ready and go home (usually arriving around 7:30).  I shower, get changed, make my bed, clean up my room and wake up the kids to get started on their day (usually between 8 and 8:30).  After they are dressed, make their beds and have their room clean, we all head down for breakfast.  (I'm now eating a much healthier breakfast at a much better time).  We read scriptures either during, or just after breakfast.

Home schooling takes place after breakfast and usually lasts until around noon.  We're probably wrapping up home school on the 31st of this month, but it's full steam ahead until then.  We cover Math, Reading and Writing every day followed by the days focus.  Monday covers spelling and "Story of the World" readings.

Music practice happens after lunch (which happens after home school).  At 4, I teach my niece and nephew piano and then get into high gear to get my kids to their swimming lessons at 5.  (This week was Parent Week at swimming lessons and I found out that all my kids are doing great in their classes - two might even cover two levels during this session.)

After that, we race home to have dinner and Family Home Evening.  Jarett then puts the kids to bed while I teach three of my nieces piano from 8-9:45.  I then collapse into bed because I've been up for over 16 hours.

Tuesday
Sleep in until 7 today.

Home school get done at high speed today because we have our music lessons.  10:30 - violin for Kaia and Saryn.  1 - Cello for Kienna.  Thank heaven that my mom is nearby, she serves as home base for "music day" as I haul my kids every which way.  My poor boys would die of boredom otherwise.

Once we're done all the running around, we come home and get Kaia and Saryn ready for their "sport night".  I drop them off at the YMCA and Jarett works out while they're there and then picks them up to take them home.

I teach, once again from 8-9:30.

Wednesday
Up at 5:30 again, this time for spin class.  Once at home, the morning is similar to Monday.  I frequently do a play group in the morning here and have my kids run or bike to get them trained up for the triathlon.

I start teaching at 3 and stop at 6.  I have an evening to catch up with laundry and basic cleaning.

Thursday
Sleep in until 7

Typical day until 2:30 when I start teaching.  I teach through to 6 (except from this week on it will be 5) and then I go to Enrichment or just chill (depending what week it is).

Crash in bed.

Friday
Up at 5:30 and do running for an hour.  (They usually start with a 10 minute warm up run - lol.  That is my maximum right now.  I can't run for more than 10 minutes without wanting to die.  This should be my main set, but it's just what we "warm up" with.  Just an example of how humiliating/humbling this whole experience has been).

Once home, I have a free day.  Kids don't do school on Fridays, I don't teach on Fridays and life is good!  Usually a fairly productive day.

Saturday
Jaymesons turn to take his class.  He does his craft and climb and is SO excited to come home every week and show me what craft he made.  He was upset the first week because it wasn't just climbing.  Now, he'd be okay if it was just crafting.

Shopping and getting ready for the following week day.

Sunday
The day of rest (maybe?)
Church is at 9am.  Has any ever gotten 5 kids ready for church at 5am?  Not particularly easy.  In fact, for mother's day, Jarett brought me breakfast in bed, I mean, the bathroom, because I had 6 heads of hair to get done and ready to go.  No time to lounge around in bed.  Church for 3 hours, then home and "family time" (usually nap time too).  We try to have dinner with a family each week (lots of the time at a family members house).  Then head to bed early and repeat.


Of course, these are only the things that I do daily that AREN'T on the calendar.  Frequently we have doctor's appointments, play dates, rehearsals, visiting/home teaching etc. on top of it all.  I also teach Relief Society one week/ month.  Of course, I do things like read my scriptures, brush my teeth and all that kind of stuff on top of it all, but I also don't bother writing that on my calendar either.

Today was off to a great start.  Because it was Wednesday, I woke up at 5:30 and just didn't feel like going to the class.  I pushed myself through it and got into the car.  I drove about 3 blocks and discovered that I had a flat tire.  I parked the car on the side of the road and walked home.  I walked upstairs, told Jarett that he had to fix that before going to work and climbed back into bed.  First class I've missed in 6 and a half weeks, but I think it was a good reason.  I hope to take the kids on a good bike ride later today instead.  Here's hoping...

A Little Daily Miracle

We had tacos for dinner 10 days ago.  I had heard that you can regrow green onion, so I thought, "well, what do I have to lose?" and I put the cut ends in a tiny little cup on the window.  All I added was water and left them on the widow sill.  That has literally been ALL I have done, and look at them.  They were literally just little stumps when I put them in.

Just a reminder of the little miracles that happen around us every day.  WOW!

My future missionary

Yep, just chillin' on the way to church.  Once we got there, he told Sister James that he read the whole Book of Mormon! A great accomplishment for ANYONE in one morning, but especially impressive when you can't even read.

Hot Sauce

I put a couple drops of hot sauce on my stir fry tonight.  When Benson saw, he wanted some, so I tried my best to explain that it was too hot and he wouldn't like it.  

Jaymeson, intrigued by this, felt the bottle and said, "But Mom, it feels cold".

"No, Jay, it just burns in your mouth."

His face goes into complete surprise and he says, "Then no one should eat that - EVER!"

Perhaps I didn't explain it quite right.  Lol.

Family Home Evening

Yes, sometimes we 'just dance' or do some 'Kung Fu Fighting'.

Sometimes we even have guests like 'Rasputin' join us!!

Family Home Evening this past Monday was certainly one that was a hit!!

A Fortress

The girls are having a sleepover tonight and had to build a fort. The boys saw this and cried as I said it was time for bed. They wanted something too. Fair enough, so we built one. Nothing fancy, but it was sure fun!! We'll see how long they stay in bed this time. Benson might even last more than 30 seconds... Who knows?!?