Will you marry me??

Ethan asked me to marry him today. I said why do you want to marry me and he said because I love you so much. It was so melt your heart sweet. Then at dinner he and dad had this conversation:

Ethan: Dad I am going to marry mom
Dad: You can't marry mom because I am married to her
Ethan: You can marry her first and then I'll marry her
Ethan: You marry her on Sunday and I'll marry her on Monday

I love you too Bubba!!!!!

Carnivals, More Hair and Anxiety

We went to the carnival last night at the girls school. It was so much more fun than you would think a school carnival would be. There were tons of games and you won a prize every time- which of course were little toys that are worthless and will be lost in a few days- but it was still cool to see how excited the kids got when they won one. There were several blow up bounce houses with slides and obstacle courses. There were even swings that whirled around powered by a very big fan. The kids had a blast! We got snow cones and cotton candy and ran around all night. It wasn't too crowded till the very end, so we were lucky to not have to wait in very long lines. It made for a great family night- we took my sister to help because Dad had to work late. Thanks Liz for helping us!!

Ashtyn decided shortly after I got my hair cut that she wanted to cut hers too. I was straightening my hair and she asked me if she could cut hers. I said yes so then she asked me where the scissors were. I told her that she could not cut her hair and we would need to wait and have our aunt cut it. She said no mom you can cut it. "You cut my bangs, so you can cut my hair." I told her that I had cut my hair as a little girl and it is so much harder than you think and I really thought we should wait for Aunt Kellie. She was crying and so upset and didn't want to wait. Then she said if I say a prayer to Heavenly Father, he will bless me and show me how to cut my hair and then I can do it. What am I suppose to say to that? I told her that Heavenly Father can only help us as far as our abilities will allow, so it still wouldn't work out and I told her that she would be very sad if she cut it and it didn't look how she had thought it should. I felt very bad for her- she was really trying to problem solve and come up with a way to get her hair cut. I finally said let's call Kellie and see when she can cut it and maybe it will be tonight. Kellie was gracious enough to understand and said she would be happy to cut it that night. All's well that ends well. She now has a cute new cute.

This picture showcases her hair- but I took it when she went to the zoo for her school field trip. Last year I got to go on her field trip, but this year I didn't and I am such a paranoid mother that I took the picture so that I could remember what she was wearing in case she got lost and I needed to tell the police- AAAHHH- I know I am such a freak about stuff like this- but she had never gone anywhere in public without me- so I worry that she'll forget her lunch or get lost. I know that I can't always be with her- but letting her go was a lot harder than I thought. Just think how I'll be on her honeymoon- HA HA.

Finally here is another shot of my hair- I am liking it more and more. It definitely is a lot easier and faster to do!

Mothers Day

I wanted to make sure I thanked Ashtyn for making my Mothers Day special- when it really wasn't otherwise. She was super sweet and made me dozens of cards and pictures and drawings. She also asked if she could use my credit card when we were at the store one day and told me that it was a surprise- so I closed my eyes when we checked out and was so surprised that she bought me a beautiful necklace, t-shirt and keychain. She knew that I wouldn't want to spend a ton of money and only chose "cheap" things as she put it. What a doll. I'm so lucky to be her mom. She also made me breakfast in bed that consisted of two pieces of toast with no butter, just cinnamon- no sugar. A jello cup, a banana and two chocolate chip cookies. It was very delicious :) She is so sweet and made an other wise horrible day into something nice. Thanks Ash!

My new header

I have to give a shout out to Malia- who made me this awesome new header! She is so totally talented. Thanks so much!!

Whit

Whitney had her Kindergarten program today. They got to perform it for the whole school yesterday and then today for the parents and kids who will be entering kindergarten next year. She was great. Her part was "First you learned who YOU are, then you learned more about others. But we have learned so many other things too this year." They sang some great songs- that I too sang in a program or two in Elementary School. Remember "I can sing a rainbow"?

The school year is winding down. Just a few more weeks to go and I can hardly wait!! I have loved the extra free time and time alone with Ethan- but I haven't loved so much the getting up at 6:30, homework, remembering to pay lunch money or make a lunch and the driving to the school three times a day. I plan to do home school this summer so we can keep our minds sharp. I found these great workbooks called Summer Bridge. They have a whole schedule already set up for you to follow. I'm excited to try them out this summer.

So have you noticed that I am very unhappy with my current blog background? I can't seem to find any that I like or that are my personality. Any ideas?? Any awesome scrapbookers out there that want to make me a beautiful custom page? :)

Finally I got my hair cut yesterday. SHORT- I love my hair because it is thick and very healthy- but I also hate that it is so thick that it takes a half an hour to dry and then another twenty minutes to straighten out the annoying natural wave. I am not by any means a glamour girl- But I love to feel put together and styled. This is a preliminary picture- I will post another one when I wash and style it myself. I am also probably going to change the color- so check back for more exciting things to come.

Mr. Social

I took Ethan and Whitney to the park today and I was very surprised at how social Ethan was with all the other kids. There was a group of three small kids (probably 4 & 5) and a dog that he joined right up with and introduced himself to. One of the boys was calling himself Joshua Superhero- so cute. Ethan told one of the boys to follow him to the balance beams and he would show him how to do it. So off they run and it was so funny to watch Ethan attempt to balance and walk across the beam and then to jump off and tell the other boy that is was his turn and to do it exactly like he showed him. He folded his arms and watched intently as the boy tried to copy him. Then he asked the little girl if he could pet their dog and the dog started to roll around on it's back and Ethan says "Your dog is so funny- do you want me to get him under control?" I could not stop laughing. He was leading these three kids all over the play ground and showing them how to slide and jump and climb ladders. It was so adorable. Then when it was time to go he said that the little girl had told him that he could walk her dog, so we needed to go to her house. I told him that we don't know that little girl or where she lives so we couldn't do that. He yells out the car window to the girl and says- "Hey what's your name?" She told him Brooklyn. Then he said to me her name is Brooklyn, now we know her, so let's go to her house.

I am just amazed that little children have no inhibitions and they are happy to talk to anyone- no matter who they are or what they look like. It is so wonderful, just sad that it goes away as we grow up.

Internet Advice

Yesterday Ash asked me if she could use the computer. I said yes. She got on and then started to ask me how to spell some words. I came up to check on her and she was trying to type in the address box "how to make your friend never be mean". I asked her if she was having problems with any of her friends from school and told her that she could always talk to mommy or daddy about those kinds of things too. She said I just need to find www.mean.com, so it can tell me how to make my friend stop being mean to me. So I showed her how to find a search engine and where to type in her search. She did that and found a few sites to look at about friendship. While she was doing it she told me about her problems and we talked about solutions and I tried to explain that there were no sites that could make people be nice to us all the time and that we needed to be nice and understanding and that would help the most. It was just so funny and such a huge indication of the times in which we live. That my seven year old would even think to look on the Internet is so crazy. I have told her every time that she has a research assignment that the Internet is the best place to start, so it makes sense. Too bad there really aren't sites that can change peoples behavior. I'm glad she actually let me talk to her. She usually doesn't. It was very cute.

Mother's Day for Peace

My friend shared the true meaning and history of Mother's Day with me. I was very touched by this video and feel very strongly about it's message. I have felt so uneasy and frazzled about Mother's Day this year and was ready to ban the celebration in our home. This video and the woman- Julia Ward Howe- behind the original Mother's Day have truly touched my heart and brought peace to my mind.

Just Keep Swimming

I have owned a few fish in my life as pets and fish were one of my favorite things all through school. I love to go fishing and have even eaten a few, although I am no longer fond of the taste of fish.

Last year we bought Ashtyn a fish- a male Beta- for her birthday. It was really fun- at first. He was colorful and beautiful- but having to change his water once a week and remember to feed him everyday and not over feed him was a hassle. Then having to find a babysitter to watch him when we went on our cruise and having my kitchen sink filled with disgusting fish germs- was, let's just say all that I could handle. One day earlier this year he met an unfortunate fate, when, while I was changing his water, yet again- I inadvertently made it a little too warm- hey it was a cold day- I thought he'd like it. Well he didn't and as soon as I put him in he went ballistic and was swimming and diving like we had never seen and then all of a sudden he stopped- DEAD. I like to think it was an accident- I hope it was- but I have to wonder if subconsciously I wanted him gone. Well as you can imagine Ashtyn was very sad. We held a memorial service for him and then flushed him to heaven.

Ashtyn just had her birthday- and she asked me months ago if she could have another fish. I have been avoiding the question for two weeks, but then finally, yesterday she said that I had promised her that when Lowey (the first fish)died, that on her birthday she could have a new fish. Since one of our rules in our home is to always keep your promises- I said OK.

We all, my sister Liz included, went to PetSmart last night and after some discussion with the employee in the fish department, we decided that a tank with a pump and filter, might be the way to go. It requires much less maintenance and can support several more fish- which was good because Whitney and Ethan were beginning to feel left out. They recommended guppies- not what Ashtyn wanted- she wanted another Beta- but you can only have one male Beta in a tank and the female variety are not quite as pretty. They had a nice variety of guppies that were colorful and inexpensive (so if anything might happen- they could easily be replaced) There were lots of different colors so we could pick three different ones and be able to tell them apart when they were all in the tank together.

Ashtyn chose a yellow, spotted one that she named first Hawaii and then seeing that it was a male changed it's name to Matthew. Whitney chose an all orange one that is fondly named Malia (even though it too is a male). Ethan chose a black and orange one that is named Whiff, after his new Thomas Train.

They recommended at the pet store that we purchase the tank and then go home and set it up and let it run for 24 hours before we put any fish in it. When I told the kids this, they were upset and couldn't understand why we wouldn't be buying any fish that day. I asked the woman what the chances of survival are if you don't wait 24 hours and she said it was 50- 50. She told us that guppies are very hardy and besides the store had a 14 day guarantee- so if they didn't make it, we could come back and get new ones.

She said that they could only be in their bags for 1 hour max. So we raced home and then spent 30 minutes trying to set up the tank and find a suitable place for it(which we still don't have). You are suppose to keep the pumps motor on a ledge higher than the tank so that water can't siphon up the tube and into the motor or buy a special valve- which of course doesn't come with the tank. Our house is hard to describe- but we don't have many "ledges" that are close to hard flat surfaces that can support the weight of a tank, that are close to outlets not already being used. Also- even though it's called the whisper pump- it still makes a repetitive noise- that I can't handle- I hate clocks that tick, drains that drip, dogs that bark, etc. So that would mean that it couldn't be in our bedroom- or I wouldn't be able to sleep and I don't trust the kids enough yet to let them keep it in their room- so currently it is on a small counter between the stove and the fridge(I know- not the best place- next to a STOVE- so I have been doing all my cooking on the opposite side of the stove so we don't run the risk of melting the tank.)

After the tank is set up they said to place the bags with the fish in them in the water for a few minutes so that the temperature in the bag could adjust to the tank temperature. Well I filled the tank too full and so when I put two of the bags in- it overflowed. So I took them out- but the water level of the tank had to hit the pump at a certain level so that it would flow properly, so I couldn't take any water out! At this point we are approaching the 1 hour mark. I finally decided to just put them in. I first had to dump them into a bowl- because the employee said not to add too much of their own water to the tank, and of course we would risk over flow again. I first tried dumping some of the water into the sink, before the bowl, but almost lost one of the fish down the drain. The next one I dumped into the bowl, but he got caught in the bag and kind of thudded into the bowl.

Finally- they were all in the tnk, the tank was running, the light was on and the kids were excited to see them swimming. Ashtyn's was swimming slightly crazy and I had flash backs of Lowey- but he has since calmed down. I still don't know where we can put the tank, but this morning when the kids ran down to see them- it made me happy. I told Ashtyn that the tank belongs to her and so does the responsibility of changing the filter, feeding the fish and making sure it doesn't get knocked off the counter. We have had a few fights over whose fish is stealing food from the others and whose fish is trying to kiss my fish, etc. Are dogs this hard to take care of? Whitney and Jeff are allergic- so I guess we will never know. For now I just pray that the fish will "just keep swimming!"

Mother

One of my favorite songs is "You'll be in my heart" by Phil Collins from the movie Tarzan. I love this song because it didn't matter that the monkey wasn't really the boys mother- she loved him anyway and she saw that he needed her and she needed him. Being a mother has been the hardest thing I have ever had to do- but it has also taught me so many things:



1. Having children doesn't make you a mother.

2. You can be a mother without any children.

3. Children need to be guided to their own true selves and not what I want them to be.

4. Children have their own thoughts and feelings that need to be respected.

5. Adults are not always right.

6. Love is a process.

7. Children are very forgiving.

8. My children are not an extension of myself.

9. Love should be unconditional, but it's OK to not always like the choices your child makes.

10. Families are one eternal round.

11. Quiet voices make everyone calm.

12. Children are a gift- not a right.

13. When you choose to have children you choose to make sacrifices in your own life and shouldn't resent having to give up some things so that you can give yourself to them.

14. When your children grow up into adults and have their own lives- the parent/child relationship needs to grow up and evolve too.

15. Never let your children hear you say unkind things about anyone else.

16. Hugs are some of the best medicine.

17. Your kids are never too old to be picked up and carried.

18. Listen to them- they know way more than you think.

19. Never let another families opinions or views overshadow your own.

20. Trust your instincts.

21. There are lots of different and good ways to be a mother. None of which are wrong.

22. Good mothers are always prepared.

23. Forgive yourself for your mistakes and your kids will too.

24. It goes by fast, so kiss and hug your kids all you can.

25. Never let yourself be too busy for your kids.

26. Be consistent.

27. Stand your ground- even if they say they hate you.

28. Remember that when they do say they hate you- they still love you.

29. Make sure that the decisions you make in regards to your kids are really with them in mind and not yourself.

30. Never ever give up on them.



I have had children for seven years- but I am still learning how to be a mother. Happy Mothers Day to all of the wonderful women in my kids lives!!!

Cinco De Mayo

For family home evening last night we had a Cinco De Mayo party with our neighbors. They have three small children too. We had the most delicious crock pot chicken burritos. They tasted so much like Cafe Rio- mmmm. There was also delicious avacado and corn salsa, queso dip, black beans, tomatillo dressing and margaritas(non- alcoholic of course). I made homemade churros for dessert. Click here for the fast and easy recipe : http://www.recipezaar.com/49328

We learned about the history of Cinco De Mayo. This was very interesting because the Americans had a hand in it as well. I made a homemade pinata out of a brown paper grocery bag. The kids loved whacking at it, but Jeff finally was the one who broke it with one large baseball swing. It was very fun- too bad I didn't take my camera. You can learn more about Cinco De Mayo here: http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm

Crab Apple

Our crab apple tree is finally in full bloom. It always blooms in May for a few weeks and then the blossoms fall off. It has the most beautiful hot pink blossoms and it smells so sweet. Walking up to our front door is heavenly. Some day I would love to plant ten of them in our yard- so that you can smell our house driving down the street. It only lasts for a minute so I am going to spend a lot of time on the front porch this week.

ABC's

My SIL tagged everyone who read her blog to answer the ABC's of your life....so here goes:

Attached or single?... Attached at the hip, two peas in a pod, always and forever.
Best friend? ... Jeff- definitely...but Lindsey and Jessica take a close second.
Cake or pie? ...Pie all the way- I hate cake- but I love decorating cake.
Day of choice? ... Monday- I love that you can start fresh every week and I love getting back into our routine.
Every place you've visited (I made this one up because there was no E on her list)Hawaii, California, Florida, Eastern Caribbean, Mexico, Germany, Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas.
Favorite color? ... Pink-overall, Red in shoes, Black in clothes.
Gummy bears or worms? ... Not a huge fan- but I love gummy grapefruit.
Home town? ... I was born in Phoenix, but live in Taylorsville.
Indulgence? ... I really like Gelato and sitting in my front room where all the sun streams in reading magazines.
January or July? ... Definitely July!
Kids? ... Three little angels.
Life isn't complete without... My family.
Marriage date? ... August 14th, 1998- Ten years this year- WAHOO.
Number of brothers and sisters? ... 1 brother, 3 sisters.
Oranges or apples? ... Oranges all the way- Apples make my stomach hurt.
Phobia and fears? ... I am afraid of someone breaking into our house when Jeff's not here and Very afraid of dying in a fiery car crash.
Quote? ... Let me live in a house by the side of the road -Where the race of men go by- The men who are good and the men who are bad, As good and as bad as I. I would not sit in the scorner's seat Nor hurl the cynic's ban- Let me live in a house by the side of the road-And be a friend to man.
Reason to smile?... Christ Lives, I have a family who loves me.
Season of choice? ... I love the change of seasons- Summer is my favorite
Tag 3 people... If you want to do it- Great!
Unknown fact about me... I adore Reminisce Magazine (It's popular among the over 80 crowd and tells all about how life was in the early 1900's- I think I should have been born then! I love to look at streets and imagine what they looked like in the beginning.
Vegetable? ... Corn on the cob, fresh peas, fresh broccoli.
Worst habit? ... Forgetting everything- I have a horrible memory.
X-ray or ultrasound? ... I think X-Ray- I'm not a fan of the oozy jelly used in ultra sound.
Your Favorite food? ... East Indian (Had this last night- You gotta love Chicken Coconut Korma)
Zodiac sign? ... Aquarius

National Ashtyn Week

The festivities for Ashtyn's birthday concluded this week with an Enchanted (The Movie) Party. She has loved celebrating her birthday all week!! We had seven little girls at the party including Whitney and our niece. We made princess picture frames, bobbed for poison apples, designed our very own true love (a melon made to look like a prince), ate pizza just like in the movie, had cake and cookie dough ice cream (her favorite), opened presents and played a few typical party games (musical chairs, duck duck goose, etc.) We still plan on buying her a new fish, since the one she got for her birthday last year met an unfortunate fate earlier this year (One day while I was changing his water I made the new water a little too warm and I basically fried him- it was a cold day and I thought he'd like it- Ashtyn still won't let me forget about it- I am a fish murderer) She also has one more present coming in the mail and then I think her birthday will be officially over. She has felt very special these last few days and I'm so glad that we've had the chance to celebrate just how truly much we love her!!!!