We bought a house!

When we left for El Paso on Monday, we were nervous. We have been searching for months now, trying to find the right house for our little family. Over and over, we have seen a house that we really liked, watched the price reduce, and then get swiped up by other buyers (who were lucky enough to be in town!!!). So we said a prayer that we would find the right house for us, at the right price, and that would meet all our needs. We went out looking on Tuesday morning, hopeful. After several others, we walked into this one with a "This is it!" So here's our new house.

The back view and From the living room

The Family Room and the Dining and Kitchen

From the Loft and Going up stairs

"I'm outta here!"

Today is Ben's last day of kindergarten. I have total mixed emotions because I am so proud of him for all that he can do now, and sad that my little boy is getting so big.

This is Ben and Elizabeth on the first day of kindergarten:

This is Ben and Elizabeth on the last day of kindergarten:

Hip hip hooray for summertime!

Walshes

On Friday, Hunter and Megan came to play. It's funny how watching someone else's kids suddenly makes your own children much more managable! Alex and Hunter disappeared into the bedrooms, and they reappeared like this:

Hunter is holding two swords. Alex told him that he was her prince, but Hunter didn't agree. He did dance with her for a minute though. :) They are good buddies. I was remembering another time I watched Hunter and Al together...



This is from Aug. 2006. Allie has the same hairstyle, and Hunter showed up with the same orange cup!
I'm so glad that my daughter has good friends!


Audrey and Megan played so well! Meg was born at the end of August, and Audrey not 'til Dec. They were adorable, and had some very interesting conversations.
We are so blessed with good friends. *tear* :(

35 Things

Here are the 35 little known facts about me.

1. My birthday is decending numbers - 9/8/76.
2. I have had the same email address since 1996.
3. I love ladybugs!
4. I had high school crushes on two different guys named Benjamin.
5. All the sunday school classes and church stuff I have been to in all my life did not teach me as much about the Savior as working on Savior of the World did last year.
6. I watch too much TV. And I often end up watching stupid stuff, too.
7. My husband knows that the way to my heart is through my stomach!! We love good food.
8. I took an $8000/year pay cut when I left Texas to teach in AZ.
9. My first kiss with Aaron was horrible. (The 2nd was much better!)
10. Although my stuff always appears disorganized, I know where everything is. Don't move it.
11. I am the biggest procrastinator, but I really do work best under pressure.
12. I once had 7 piercings in my ears.
13. The portrayal of the drama teacher in High School Musical irritates me.
14. I would like to go on a mission someday with my husband.
15. Even as a drama teacher, I don't like most musicals.
16. I wouldn't have liked Aaron in high school.
17. My first car was an '89 Nissan Sentra, that cost me $1500.
18. I had, like 4 different guys in college try to teach me how to drive a standard. But when it came down to it, Ekna was the only one patient enough for it to stick.
19. I love random acts of kindness.
20. I will correct kids in public who are not making good choices.
21. I would rather not wear pants. When I come home (and no one is coming over), off they go!
22. I am a blog stalker.
23. I stood in line at midnight to get the last two Harry Potter books.
24. Waimea Falls in Hawaii is the most beautiful place I've ever been in the world so far!
25. I am more proud of my husband than anyone will ever know. He is the coolest guy in the world.
26. Often times, I really wonder why he is with me. But then I remember.
27. Aaron snuck me into the cadaver lab, and I was completely creeped out at covered bodies on carts. Gross.
28. I love seafood!
29. This is getting difficult.
30. I was the meanest big sister ever. I owe Heather like 87 back rubs, and I made Lara get me toothpaste from downstairs in the middle of the night. All my sisters have had long hair at one point. I used to offer to help them up when they were on the floor, only to be standing on their hair.
31. I can't stand people who won't help out, or even do their part. This especially applies at church.
32. Whenever I change a diaper in my living room, I will roll and tape it tight, and proceed to take a shot at the trashcan/basket. I have a 40% freethrow record from the 3 point line of the living room.
33. I have the coolest kids in the whole wide world.
34. I spent $90 in Chick-fil-a gift cards between Christmas and Valentine's Day.
35. I really enjoy sewing.

That's it. WHEW.

All about Ben

I feel like everyone else is in a holding pattern for Ben right now. With a total of 7 days of kindergarten left, there is a rush to get everything in at the last minute.

Wednesday last week was Symposium Night at school. Ben got to read two poems to the class and assorted parents. He has become an excellent reader. He even bowed when done reading!

Aaron took him on the Father/Son campout this past weekend. He got to take Hattie Horse (a kindergarten pass around toy) on the campout too!

While they were there, Ben caught his first "all-by-himself" fish! His fisherman father was proud!

A little later, they decided to swim. Ben took a spill on the rocks and tore up his leg. Ouch!
Ben and I have been in rehearsals for Cinderella all this week. The show is this weekend, so I'll post more pics then. :)

Happy Mother's Day

... to me!

I am talking in church later today, and I just finished writing my talk. I was asked to speak on Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.
"A few days ago, ... called and asked me to talk about Mary, the mother of our Savior. It hasn’t been an easy week. I have a handsome 6 year old son who is going to be in his first play next weekend. I have a beautiful and very demanding almost 3 year old daughter. I also have a 5 month old daughter, who smiles and coos, and rolls happily, along the floor. However, in this week, the best moments I have had to prepare for this talk were in the middle of the night, as I was awake with my baby. And as I looked at her angelic, almost asleep face, I was reflecting on Mary, and examining my own choices as a mother.
"...why do we look to Mary as an example on Mother’s day? There is no step by step guide on child-rearing here. In some ways, my thoughts are, “Hey, she must have had it easy! After all, her child was perfect!” But although I am an imperfect mother, raising imperfect children in an imperfect world, Mary’s example still applies. I look to Mary, and realized that my sweet children, as well as all of yours, are literally, children of God. Second, I am given witnesses in their questions and those teaching moments, that their Heavenly Father has great plans for each and every one of them. I know has reserved them for these latter-days for a reason. Lastly, I know that if I am willing to live my life by seeking the will of God, I will find answers and strength, not only in dealing with difficulties in my children, but in dealing with difficulties in life!
" I am grateful that I have the opportunity to be a mother in these latter-days. I am so blessed to have these spirits to care for. I am grateful for the example of my mother in her devotion to her children."

Have a wonderful Mother's day!

Up all night

One night last week, Ben was upset. "Why do I have to go to bed?" I explained that his body needed to rest so he could have energy for school the next day. "It's not fair. I just want to stay up all night!" I thought for a second, and said, "You know what, Budda? You can stay up as late as you want on Friday night." And he did. We watched TV and played Wii. Then, Aaron took him to the grocery store for milk around 9pm. They came back, and we watched the Simpsons - both episodes. By then, it was 11, and I said, "That's it - I'm going to bed." Ben looked satisfied that he had, at least, stayed up as long as I did, and headed off to bed, all by himself.

The next day, he was a mess. He only slept until 7:30 the next morning, and as the day progressed, he got more and more tired. But would he take a nap? NO WAY! We went to the grocery store, and I had to carry my poor (tall!) 6 year old boy in the house when we finished.

Don't worry - I utilized the teaching moment - reminding him that the whole reason he felt "SO TIRED" was due to his lack of sleep. I think he learned his lesson. He's been in bed, without complaint, for the past couple of days.