Better with age

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE HOTTEST GUY I KNOW!!! So following Stacey's lead I decided to do a top 10 list of my own. Here's what I love about you (in no particular order):

1. You eat gluten free with us and don't feel deprived
2. Besides being a physical power house you are mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong
3. You make me laugh everyday
4. You do the laundry
5. You help the kids with their homework
6. You compliment me everyday, several times a day
7. Your Bo Chubb stories are awesome! (just ask the kids)
8. You are sooooo snuggable
9. You are not afraid to scrub toilets
10. You work (out) hard
11. You are perceptive
12. I love your smile
13. You have great lips
14. You have eyes like the sea after a storm . . .
15. I know I'm past 10, and I could go on because there is SO much I love about you, but the best part is that you just keep getting better! LOVE YOU and hope your day is great even though we don't get to celebrate until Saturday!

P.S. For those who were wondering, I'm proud to announce he's 35! (hopefully he's proud to admit it, otherwise I might be in trouble, hee, hee)

In the spirit of Christmas. . .

AJ was helping my mom get ready for Relief Society "super night," and was given the assignment of cleaning the manger sheep to be used as decorations. I didn't know that and thought she was just petting and brushing them for fun. So when D wanted to play with them I asked her to share. Her quick reply was, "But Mom! I have to clean off all the filth so they can surround baby Jesus!"

Our house

Well here it is! the facade anyway. . .

I *might* post some more of the inside later, once we get some furniture heh, heh. Right now we're a little primitive (everyone on the rug, it's storytime!)

picture perfect

Today I had one of those moments where you wish you had your camera, but since you don't you just have to hope that the image will stay in your mind forever. I took the kids to the park for some fresh air and exercise. I'll often do obstacle courses with them, run races, leapfrog, anything to get a good cardio while engaging them. It was pretty cold, the slides were wet, and the ground mushy so we were a bit limited in what we could do and it was hard for me to feel motivated myself let alone get them involved. Things were not going all that well until D climbed onto the merry- go-round. So with D in the middle and AP and AJ on each side to protect him, I started pushing (great way to get the heart-rate up!). They wanted me to go faster (of course) so I did with the result of a simultaneous scream followed by uncontrollable laughter from all three. I looked down at them all clinging to each other, their little faces glowing with delight, and was overcome with such love and gratitude. It was the perfect picture of happiness.

Biz Town Fieldtrip

The end of October I went with AP on the coolest fieldtrip to BizTown (thanks to my awesome dad who took work off to watch AJ and D). We started by entering the "magical elevator" that turns 5th graders into adults. We exited the elevator on the top floor of the children's museum where there is an entire city. There each of the kids had a job, an income, and a bank account. They actually get paid and get to go shopping during their work breaks. They have a city council and get the opportunity to vote. AP was given the job as a meter reader for the electrical company. His partner was so great with him; very patient and kind. I was SO impressed with how well the kids worked with and helped him. And as cool as BizTown was the best part was seeing the interaction between AP and the other kids. When we got to the school everyone was lining up to get on the bus and they were all excited to see us. There were several greeting and exclamations of "All right! AP is here. AP made it! Come line up by me AP." AP didn't want to sit by me on the bus (are we really at that age?). He did a great job trying to make conversation with his seatmate and dealing with the sensory overload. At one point he started to get upset over all the noise and the bumpy ride, but pulled it together really quickly. Once we got back to the school and were leaving one of the boys called after us, "Thanks for coming AP. It was great to have you." Warmed my heart.

city council

busy at work

reading meters

preparing to do a TV advertisement

Here we go again!

Ah, yes. Nikki reminded me that I haven't given a house update. . . How to make a long story short? We offered on two different short sales: one I LOVED and one that I liked. And then we kept looking, in case nothing happened with either. Well the first got assigned to a negotiater and is still a long way from going anywhere. So we looked into getting an apartment and waiting it out on the second, but couldn't find anything with lease terms that felt right to us. So with two weeks to homeless we made an offer on a house just a few streets up from us (not a short-sale). Things are moving quickly, given we only made our offer last week, but we'll still have a one week lag before we can get into the new place. We (minus J who has to stick around for work) are going to stay at my parents while we wait (thank goodness the kids are off-track; although it has made packing hard, at least they won't miss school). We will have to store our stuff for a couple of weeks too, thus the pod planted in our driveway. So not the ideal moving situation, but if it was it wouldn't be us! And all things considered, while things aren't going quite like I had hoped or planned they seem to be working out pretty well. So how's that for a long story?

Happy Halloween!

Hope everyone had a great one!

Let's play!

should it be toys. . .

or boxes?

These days it's boxes since most of the toys are packed;
good thing he likes them so much!
P.S. Thanks Julie for the endless supply of boxes--you're the best!

Now back to filling them up. . .

great!

Because AP loves the computer so much we have to keep it password protected to monitor his time. Of course he is always trying to find out what the password is. . . so the other day I finally gave him a hint. I told him it is something that I am. He thought for a minute and then brightened as he said, "the password is GREAT?!" Well, no but I loved the guess! Those little unexpected and uninteneded compliments are the best.

So not perfect

Gotta say I agree with Suzy, that while blogs can be a lot of fun they can be a huge downer too. I've had one of those weeks where I look at other people's blogs and realize how truly imperfect I am. I know comparison is not a good thing and we're supposed to focus on our own strengths and talents while appreciating others' . . .but it's just been one of those weeks where I can't help but think, "how does [that person] do it all, with such a great attitude, AND great hair, AND (among other things) perfectly dressed and manicured children in every single picture on her blog . . . and wouldn't it be nice to be like that." But then again I probably couldn't handle whatever challenges she actually deals with (even though there don't appear to be any). So I'll take what I've got and just be happy with seriously imperfect me.

Beautiful baptism day

AJ was baptized on Saturday and it couldn't have been a nicer day. The weather was a little cool, but the sun was shining and so was she! Amber gave an awesome talk on the "3 Bears" of baptism: bearing one another's burdens, bearing the name of Christ, and bearing testimony of Him. Kyle spoke about the Holy Ghost and it's role as a comfort and a guide. I loved the Bishop's remarks and his comment about her bringing the sun with her each morning when he and LeAnn see her riding off to school. Thanks to Cathy for playing the piano and LeAnn for leading the music. We appreciate the family and friends who came to support her. It was so wonderful to have you; we love you all so much! When I asked AJ how she felt after she said, "It's hard for me to keep the tears back because I feel so happy."

Ready to go!

The sun was so bright!

With Grandpa, Grandma, and Amber

Happy HAPPY birthday

Sweet little AJ. She has blessed our lives in so many ways. She came with such a calm, kind, and independent spirit. That independence was such a needed blessing when she was small (though as she gets older it has been a bit much to swallow). I'm grateful for her willingness and desire to comfort, to help, and to include others. I love her bright smile, her sweet hugs, and her creativity. We are so grateful to have her in our family!!Things have been so busy I wasn't sure when I would get the birthday shopping done. But Costco had me covered this year! I found everything she wanted while shopping for groceries. They had a webkinz pack with the two she wanted most (a husky and pink cat), the Hello Kitty CD player she has been asking for the last two years, and a littlest petshop set with a husky and lamb (two of the three she asked for)! I was beyond thrilled to finish my grocery and birthday shopping all at once. And she couldn't have been happier with her loot!

(Squeal of delight) "I have wanted this forever!"

We give our kids the option of having a birthday party at home with unlimited guests or taking one friend to do something bigger. This year was a tough choice. She really wanted to take her best friend to Build a Bear Workshop, but didn't want to leave her cousins. . . so we took all 4 girls and had a slumber party too. I have to admit I was a bit relieved afterward when she told me she didn't want another birthday slumber party until she is 12 or 13.

I honestly thought I was going to get out of doing a themed cake this year. I planned to do a double layered marble cake (her favorite). But when I asked her what kind of frosting she said, "well I like vanilla, but want it to be a brown bear with pink nose and ears." A bear?! Her response, "It is a Build a Bear party." When I explained my plan she was so disappointed I had to comply to her bear request. Here she is blowing out the candles!

Mr. D

Ready to go with sunglasses and a gogurt smoothie.

He thinks the laundry basket is his personal ride. It comes out and he wants right in!

Entering the book stage!

D love, love, LOVES to be read to right now!

Picture Day

I love this skirt, so I was happy she chose this outfit for school pictures. I made sure to get some of my own shots the morning of since it wouldn't show in the bust shots they do. However the flash on our camera is broken so you still can't tell how cute it is. Oh well, at least I captured the curls! (knowing the way she plays at recess they might not have made it into the school picture either)

Love this Fall weather!

My favorite time of year has arrived! With the cooling temperatures it has been so nice to go outside and enjoy the backyard! Here are just a few pics of mine and D's playtime outside.

Mmmm, grass

Good enough to share!

Playing on the rocks

and of course, tracking the cats. . .

because he just can't get enough of them!!

Looks like. . .

We're moving! I have to admit, I was probably the biggest skeptic about our house actually selling. We had a lot of showings and a lot of interest, but the offers just weren't coming in. The showings were starting to wear on us; not so fun to always be on the run, especially at bedtime. In fact it was starting to feel like we were living out of the van. So we decided we would give it until the first week of October and then call it quits. Almost as soon as we made that decision offers started coming in and we have a buyer! They have until the end of this week to secure their funding and do inspections. After that it is a done deal. If all goes accordingly our move date is November 4. As for where we are going. . . we can't wait to find out either! We made an offer on a short sale that we are all in love with. However that could take a while, so now we have to decide whether to wait it out in an apartment or offer on a different house. . .

Hope for progress

We have had a good school year so far. AP's teacher is great. The first time in years that I really feel she "gets it." She sees him and not the behaviors. She appreciates the good in him and sees the potential. I hope for progress. But this morning was my reminder that I can never think we are "through this." He had his first major meltdown of the year and left the school grounds. It's happened before, at least I don't go into panic mode anymore. I just join the search party and pray like crazy that he will be found safe and soon. He always is. And each time I hope it will be the last; that it will click and he will be able to think and control the impulses. He is getting better. But I have to remember we are never in "the clear." Autism is not a stage that we will somehow outgrow. It is our life and the demands of it, the pain, and the struggle are and ever will be present. I just have to focus on the progress. Both his and mine. Even if it's minor. Otherwise it's too much.

Love our neighbors

This year we finally got a garden area made in our yard. . . however it wasn't finished until the end of July, so we didn't get anything planted. But thanks to so many wonderful neighbors we have been able to enjoy some yummy fresh veggies anyway. The Paxmans brought us a bucket full of homegrown goodies, Amy and Jon dropped by squash and cucumbers, the Santarosas gave us peaches, and on Wednesday A&A had a ball picking corn and tomatoes with Cathy. Thanks everybody for sharing with us! We love our generous neighbors!!

Go Cougs (and Chik-Fil-A)

J and I were in Provo celebrating our anniversary on game day. It was fun seeing everyone milling around in their blue so we decided to get each of the kids a shirt. Then on Monday, Chik-Fil-A had a Labor Day promo we just couldn't pass up: wear your favorite sports' team logo and get a free chicken classic. We were still excited about the Cougar's win over Oklahoma and figured it was a great opportunity for the kids to wear their new shirts! We couldn't have the classic but because Chik-Fil-A is great about doing gluten-free substitutes, we still got a deal. Our grilled chicken and fries were SO yummy. And they do have the best lemonade anywhere. So what better way to celebrate the Cougar's awesome win?!

bringing up the rear

D is definitely the caboose that keeps us running! I love these pictures of him since they are so stinkin cute and because naptime is such a cherished hour! I also wanted to hurry and jot down his words of late: bos (balls), soos (shoes), dos (dogs), si (outside), wow, ta (stop, but really means 'leave me alone'), mom, dad, ar-ar (bark), and the ones he puts together: dos ar-ar, or dos si, and soos si; all being interpreted as "I want to go outside." Oh, he has also started smacking his lips when he wants something to eat and blows on all food and says "ha (hot)" before he puts it in his mouth. So yesterday when we got in the hot van he said "ha" and started blowing to try and cool it off. He makes life so fun!

About selling. . .

AJ: Mom, I'm worried.
Me: About what?
AJ: Well it seems you are making our house look too nice.
Me: What do you mean?
AJ: Well you are making it look so pretty and clean that I'm afraid someone will want to buy it!!

About our realtor. . .

AP: I don't like Rex
AJ: I think he's really nice
AP: Well I don't trust him
Me: Why don't you trust him?
AP: Well everytime he comes to our house his phone rings and he hurries and turns it off. Then as soon as he leaves our house I see him take out his phone and call someone. Don't you think that's suspicious?

A couple of weeks later. . .
AP: I'm used to Rex now.
Me: That's good.
AP: Yeah. At first I didn't really know him and so he was a stranger to me, but now that he's around all of the time he's pretty much part of the family.

I am NOT the cat lady

Confession time. I am not crazy about cats. So letting my kids have cats is a pretty big deal in my world. I wasn't kidding when I said two cats was more than enough. I'm really not kidding when I say ONE cat is too many. So how is it we currently have 3 cats?!! Meet Rush, the cat A&A found slinking around on Thursday. I really didn't expect it to stick around, hoped it would go back to it's home by morning. . . but it seems to have decided to stay.

Soooo, does anybody recognize this cat? Does anybody know who it belongs to? I am begging you to come forward and claim it. Really. Pleading. Because if it doesn't belong to anyone, I am afraid it will stay forever, and I do not want to be the lady with all of the cats!

First Day of School

Who put that sign there?!!

In response to the questions we've gotten the last couple of days. . . we're the ones. Back in April we thought we would be moving East for 12-18 months. We called a realtor who came over and gave us the run down, and much to my chagrin, we started gearing ourselves for another move. In the meantime we came upon a lot that AJ and I fell in love with. So we looked into buying the land to build on when we got back in a year or two. However, it turns out we don't have to go East. . . but in addition to the great lot, several "short sales" in the same neighborhood caught our eye. So that got the wheels turning, and we've decided to test the market. If our house sells, we'll move. If not, we're no worse off for trying! To all of you who have expressed concern over us leaving, we appreciate the fact that you like us enough to want us to stay! But for now there is no need to get sentimental (wink), because in all likelihood we're not going anywhere; and if A&A have their way, "we are not moving, ever!!!"

Unhappy surprise

We took the kittens in Tuesday for their first series of shots and to get them ID's. We filled out a pink sheet for Sima and and blue one for Tai Karo (aka Stripes). The vet began Sima's inspection and mid-way informed us that she is, in fact, a he. AJ's face immediately fell, but she handled it pretty well. However, when the vet left to get their tags she said, "Mom, what's wrong with Sima, she's not acting like herself." Without thinking I replied, "Well she did just become a he." Then the tears started (I know, I know, mother of the year for that one). Anyway we talked it over and I told her if she really wanted a girl we could take Sima back and trade her for Hopper (who we know for sure is a girl). But as disappointed as she was she loves Sima too much. So it has taken a couple of days, but AJ has finally come around to calling him a he, and we have renamed him Simon (the Sumo).

That old??

I was just looking at my [former] kindergarten teacher's blog and AP asked what I was doing. When I told him he said in disbelief, "Your kindergarten teacher's blog! How can that be? I mean you're so old; shouldn't she be dead?"

Just for the record, my kindergarten teacher is as young and spry today as she ever was. Seriously, I don't think she has aged a bit over the last 25 years!

a wish come true. . .

Over the 4th of July, while at Grandpa and Grandma's house, AJ fell in love with the neighbors' kittens. She told me that while waiting to do fireworks she and the kitten looked up at the same time and saw the first star appear. So AJ wished that they could be together always. Then on the way home she wished the same thing over what we call "the wishing bridge" (where J proposed, so we always hold our breath and make a wish when we cross it). Well, when Grandpa and Grandma came out for AP's birthday party they brought Sima for AJ and Stripes for AP. I felt bad leaving the Calico (who A&A named Hopper) and was tempted to take her for D, but really two kittens is more than enough for me! Here is the evidence of the kitty love going on around our house right now.

Webelos Camp

AP had Webelos camp mid-July. He was excited to go until he found out AJ was going to the Kluges for a sleep over while he would be at camp. Then he refused to go. After some coaxing though, he was fine.

The boys waiting patiently for things to get started (that must be some kind of oxymoron; boys and patience I mean).

He had a great time doing target practice.

Didn't enjoy the nature lecture quite so much. . .

No pictures of the hike, but he had fun learning about what plants were edible and which were poisonous. He always talks about how he might be a chef when he grows up so, and said he was going to add "hiker's salad" to his menu. Ha, ha. Also, he had to go to the bathroom right before the hike and since we were right by the leaders' quarters I took him into use that one instead of the porta-potties. While he was waiting for me to come out of the ladies' room he got to hang out with the youth leaders who were having a hoola hoop throwing contest. As we were heading back to rejoin our group he said, "Mom, thanks for volunteering to be a leader so I didn't have to use the gross bathrooms, AND so that I could play with those fun hoop things." Ya just never know what's going to stand out in their minds. . .