See ya later, Alligator!

That's what we said to our kids and the babysitter last Saturday night as we went out on a date.
"See ya later, Alligator!" Without much of a plan (besides being together without the boys) we set out for an adventurous night. We decided to try out the restaurant at Bass Pro Shops named "The Fish Company." I must admit that I haven't had much experience with seafood even though I did live in Washington state for a year and my Dad built a fishing barge while we were there. Anyway, we wanted to go out on a limb and try something totally exotic and new. What, you ask? ALLIGATOR! We got it as an appetizer... and it was interesting. I'd describe it as kind of like chicken but kind of translucent, squishier, difficult to chew, and has an odd aftertaste. My entree was delicious. I think it was called Islandomara Portofino - grilled tillapia with shrimp in a lobster cream sauce with veggies and mashed potatoes. Now that was GOOD! After dinner we walked around Bass Pro Shops and looked at some pretty amazing knives hand carved and made out of Damascus Steel.

It was nice to get out and spend some one-on-one time. Like our "Marriage and Family" Institute teacher Brother Wright always said... "Going out on a date every week will be far less expensive than marriage counselling ever will!" There's some good advice for you.

Anyway, see ya later, alligator!

It's amazing what little minds can learn.

Within the last week I have experienced one of my proudest moments as a parent. There are lots of moments that are frustrating, moments that are fun, moments that are tender. This particular moment was what I would call pure joy and fulfillment. A moment that reassures me that I'm doing something right with these little boys.

It was an evening much like any other. We were sitting down to have dinner after Jared got home from work when we asked G to fold his arms so we could say the prayer. Just before beginning the prayer I glanced over at B. You'd never believe it but I watch him fold his arms so reverently. Perhaps just a fluke, I thought. Every meal since then he continues to fold his arms when we ask him to. That makes me so happy and joyful. More than anything else I want my kids to learn the power of prayer. Prayer can get you through anything.

B turns 10 months tomorrow. He's growing up so fast. He wants to walk so badly and I'm sure that he could if he'd stop thinking about it so hard. His most stable walking has occurred when he sees something he wants and without any hesitation just walks over and gets it - usually consisting of about 4 steps. He's also learned how to sign "All Done." We're working on "More" and "Please" and hope that he learns them soon so that the amount of high-pitched screaming gets reduced to a minimum.

It's moments like these that affirm to me the importance and value of being a mother. What JOY!

Quirks...

So I've become aware of a few quirks in this family of ours. I found them a little comical and perhaps it'll give you more insight to how we work...

1. G actually LOVES getting groomed. He'll beg me to clip his fingernails and de-booger his nose (he's not crazy about kleenexes, but he loves when we get his sticky boogers - very carefully - with q-tips).

2. G's addicted to scratching at his mosquito bites until they bleed, scab, bleed, scab, over, and over, and over again. I'm forced to keep him in pants despite the ridiculously hot temperatures.

3. I've been aware of this next quirk for as long as I can remember, but I never thought it super strange until Jared noticed it and thought I was crazy. After I brush my teeth at night I MUST stick the corner bristles of my toothbrush in the small hole at the top between my two front teeth to make sure that I can suck air through it. (You might say... floss your teeth, but that makes my gums puff up and bleed. I don't like flossing - I know, bad)

4. Throughout the coarse of ONE day we probably put G's socks and shoes on his feet and take them off FIFTEEN times. He changes his mind a lot. I'm guessing the reason that he wants them put on so many times is because he's hopeful that we'll leave the house or go outside. We don't really have anywhere safe to go (aka. where I can't accidentally spend money) that's indoors...

5. Until now... We went the Arizona Museum for Youth not once, but TWO days in a row. It really is that great. We purchased a membership and can now go as much as we want for a year. They've got a great setup for 0-4 year olds complete with slides, toys, kitchen with play food, family room with books, tike sized couches and chairs, puzzles, a jeep they can sit in and steer, a pretend piano, art center, legos, a garden that you can plant and harvest, and even a "Tot Square" reserved for 0-2 year olds. FABULOUS! It allows them to play, learn, and interact with other kids their age. I'm going to be a frequenter. That's for SURE! So go ahead and get a membership and join me!

In case you wanted to know...

Mountain House (maker of delicious freeze dried food storage that lasts 30+ years and all you have to do is add water) is raising their prices by 30% on September 1... just 5 days away. That's a HUGE increase!!! If you have ever wanted to get some NOW is the time. If I had the money I'd buy 6 more months worth. If you want to get some before it's too late just email mistymatthews@peoplepc.com with your order ASAP. **I think if you mention that I sent you she'll even let you buy at her distributor pricing ($10 cheaper/case than the online price). Products can be seen at http://www.thereadystore.com/freezedriedfoods.php?load=new

Thanks! Karli

It's official...

G is allergic to nuts. I haven't had him tested by any doctors, but I'm putting two and two together. I noticed that shortly after he turned one that he refused to eat a peanut butter sandwich - strange for any child to reject a PB&J. He would take a bite or smell it and get totally repulsed. After his one bite he would get a little rash around his mouth and scratch at his throat. The same thing has happened when he's had a peanut M&M. Since making that conclusion we've tried to keep him away from peanuts. I'm so grateful that his allergy is not to the extent of his 2nd cousin (or whatever her relation is to him). We don't have to worry about other foods that have been processed in a factory where peanuts have been. I wasn't sure if it was just peanuts though.

The other day he found a Cashew granola bar and I decided to let him have a small bite knowing that I'd have to keep an eye on him for any reactions. Sure enough, about an hour after his small bite he puked everywhere! He got a rash all over his tummy and legs. He was drooling like crazy... crazy like a faucet. I kept checking for swelling and difficulty of breathing, but there was none of that. I gave him a bath and then turned on the CARS movie while he slowly recovered. We knew he'd be okay when his friend Caleb came over and he was his usual happy energetic self.

So, a warning to you all. Please do not share any tasty snacks with G that contain any type of nut! Thank you in advance!

I read on a friend's blog that...

it's good to say five good things for every bad one. So it looks like your in for some positive thoughts after that last post! Okay so I owe you 35 "good things" (in no particular order) - if it sounds like some of these are random... they are. I put down the first things that came to my head. Enjoy!

1. A working oven - thank goodness!
2. Pocket sized digital camera - works great for camping, fishing, hiking, ball games, etc.
3. Sleeping babies
4. Disposable diapers
5. Music
6. Going to Grandma's and Grandpa's house
7. Mountains
8. Rain
9. Relief Society - Enrichment tomorrow night!
10. My piano
11. Mountain House Dried Food
12. Pressure Canner
13. I'm healthy
14. So are my kids and hubby
15. Legos - G loves them!
16. Baby showers
17. True friends
18. Good sales - peaches are 39 cents/lb at Sprouts
19. Sisters
20. Crafts
21. Banana Bread
22. Freshly mowed yard
23. Ice cold water
24. Olympics
25. Mi Casa Tortillas from Thatcher
26. Cool Weather
27. Catching fish
28. Spending time with loved ones
29. Eating good food
30. Playing games
31. Watching movies
32. Coloring
33. Going on walks in the mountains
34. Relaxing
35. "Cabin camping"


Those last 10 sum up our recent vacation to Alpine, AZ with my in-laws. It was nice to have a "reunion" of sorts with Jared's immediate family (minus Kirk who's on a mission) where we could just be together without distractions.

The excitement began as they were loading up the vehicles. G wanted to be outside with the action but Jared and Gregg didn't want to have to worry about him running into the street. So they strapped him in the front seat of the truck. A few minutes later they went to check on him and this is what they found - a face covered in chocolate as he snarfs down Gregg's cookies... Do you blame him? If these were in my arms reach, I'd probably stick them on my lap and eat as fast as I could too! :)

We stopped in Pinedale on our way there to visit my grandparents. I just love them. They are so kind and hospitable. We enjoyed the most amazing lunch ever - as soon as they found out we were coming they insisted that they provide lunch for us: corn on the cob, garden green beans, grilled chicken, and the tastiest potato salad I've ever eaten. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

All B wanted to do was walk everywhere. He's nowhere near having the balance needed to walk, but he LOVES for you to hold his hands and help him along - he'd much rather that than crawling which he does just fine and at a decent rate. My little 9 month old... man, he's cute!

G had the best time exploring outside and Grandma T soaked up all the "grandma time" she had - doing whatever it was that he wanted her to do with him.

G's next favorite thing to do was hang out on the shore and throw rocks into the water. I'm positive he'd never seen anyone else ever throw rocks into water but somehow he knew that it had to be fun. He was right! Although he did just about launch himself right into the lake with the size of some of his rocks - funny kid!

The guys spent most of every day fishing the surrounding lakes and rivers with minimal luck. Evan got "skunked" but Jared and Gregg caught a few. I caught one that wriggled off my line about 2 feet from the shore. (I still count it though)

I have to put this next picture in just for posterity's sake - or to make Evan laugh. He needed a backpack to put some of his things in while we hiked along the Black River, but the only one we had available was G's small backpack. Reluctantly he conceded to wear it - he definitely has the most fashion sense out of all of us. He doesn't know it, but I snuck a picture. Love ya Evan!

Proof that I really was there :)

The weather was fantastic with highs in the 70's and a brief shower of rain almost every day to bring it to the 50's. It wasn't without its share of drama, but this trip was much needed and so enjoyable!

When it rains, it POURS!

I'm sure you've all heard that saying before, but it's true! Here are a few of our other "rainstorm" incidents that indicate a downpour - I know it could be a million times worse, but it does make me laugh in a weird sort of way all the crazy things that have happened.

- Our fridge broke twice within one month
- A pool party we went to got rained out half way through
- That night it rained through our roof
- When we had the missionaries over for dinner last week the chicken didn't get cooked all the way in the oven (I've made this dish at least 3 times before without any problems, and all of a sudden the chicken comes out pretty raw - gross!) So we nuked the chicken in the microwave, had crunchy rice, green salad, and fruit salad.
- Our AC stopped working; it was set at 78 and we realized it at 82 degrees (luckily we just had to replace the batteries in our thermostat)
- I started my period the day after (makes me really grouchy)
- I wake up the next day (yesterday) with a serious breast infection and a fever of 103.6 - I'm now on a perscription and feeling much better aside from the "girliness," cramps, and back pain.

Again, I know it could be way worse, but I do find it a little comical that when it rains it really does pour :) Have a happy day and go buy a really big umbrella. You never know when those "chance of showers" might turn into a torrential rain!

Will someone wake me up?

I think I'm having a terrible nightmare. I'm in my kitchen but it seems brighter than it should be. I think something is missing... or different. Oh wait, I think I know what it is... The curtains from the window are gone... along with the blinds... Oh and there's a hole in the wall above the sink. What happened? Oh yes. I remember now. The rains came down and the floods came up. The rains came down and the floods came up. The rains came down and the floods came up and the rain poured right through the ceiling! That's right.

We've been wanting to do some home improvements, but this was NOT what we had in mind. But it requires our immediate attention. Isn't it amazing how we've got this inclusive "Home Warranty" plan that expired a week ago? Not like it would have mattered anyway... it didn't include the roof. Whatever! So I guess we'll be fixing the roof, re-sheetrocking the kitchen wall. Who knows... while we're at it we might just replace the disposal, kitchen window, light fixture, and kitchen faucet (that actually had been on our to-do list of home improvements... I think it just started leaking today too).

So would someone please wake me up from this nightmare? I can't take it anymore. Until then... I just have to live with a leaky roof and a hole in my kitchen wall.

Can I just say...

that I LOVE craigslist?! It is liberating to sell things we've never used in our 5 years of marriage or no longer need/want - not to mention the cash that comes along with selling it. It's great! In the last few months we've sold so much... here's a recap:

SOLD:
$250 Striped Sofa
$75 Blue Loveseat (which is really hideous underneath the blue cover)
*We actually bought the sofa and loveseat 5 years ago from a friend for $150*
$50 TV (we bought for $40 and it was too big for our ET center)
$60 microwave (orig. $80 from Target and used for 4 years)
$60 black futon (free)
$8 Teaching posters (orig. $12)
$35 Picture and shelves I've never used but stored for 5 years
$3000 Honda Accord 1986 (bought for $2000)
$1000+ my time for tutoring - LOVE IT!

BOUGHT:
$150 Patio Set
$150 Entry Table/Buffet
$15 Lot of 57 unopened HotWheels cars
$80 Double Stroller - currently trying to sell because it pushes like a semi truck!
$50 Train table and train set for G's birthday

The downside to selling so many of our belongings is our house is currently de-furnished until we've saved enough to get something we love. We did just get an awesome deal on formal chairs for our front room which Jared assembled last night. The two chairs and table cost only $300 - that's almost an even exchange for the very used striped couch they replaced!



What do you think of this buffet table? Isn't it scrumptuous!? This is the one I got on craigslist in brand new condition still in the box. AMAZING!



Have you had any luck with craigslist?

Grateful for Grandmas...

I was talking to my MIL yesterday and she said she's been going through "Blog Withdrawals" since I haven't posted since July 13th. That is a long time! Anyway, as I was thinking about what I should blog about... it came to me... GRANDMAS!

Grandmas really are the greatest at playing with grandkids. They know how to pretend and get their imaginations going. They get right down on the floor with them and know how to make them feel so special and loved. My kids really are so lucky to have two of the most amazing grandmas in the world!

I don't always remember to take pictures of these special moments, but while we were in Thatcher for the Pioneer Day Celebration last month my mom took G outside and let him play to his heart's content with all the water he could handle in the red wagon. She even let him pick some grapes she had grown in the backyard. He LOVED that. I think grapes are one of his favorite-est of foods! :)

Of course after getting completely soaked with water he decided to go and check out the sand pile. He loved every minute of it. He is a boy through and through.

I wish I had captured some moments last night with Grandma T and little G. They were happily playing LEGOS on the floor of G's room. They had fun building cars and double-deckers busses. She triggered G's imagination and he just jibber-jabbered about it forever. It was so fun to watch. She mentioned that she just wanted to capture that moment in a bottle so that she could open it up and have it whenever she wanted it. I agree! Happy times!