Dancing Queen

A few friends and I went to see Mama Mia! on Tuesday night. It was THE funnest show! I couldn't stop smiling, and it was all I could do to keep myself from jumping out of my seat and dancing! I love to dance, but alas, I am 30 something, and dancing is just not something people want to see a mother of four doing. But, inside me there still lives a Dancing Queen. I guess if Meryl Streep can do it, why can't I???? I can't stop singing all those great Abba songs. My kids think I'm crazy, which isn't far from the truth. Here's to all us Dancing Queens!!

School's in Session

Okay, so I'm a bad Mom. I didn't take a picture of Devin and Sam on their first day of first and third grade!! I even thought about taking one on the second day, but here we are on the third day, and still no photo. I will attempt to remember to take one when they get home. Anywho...Sam was SO cute on Sunday night. He was so excited to start school that he got up at 3am and started getting ready. I was feeding Noah and told him that he still had a few hours before he needed to get up. I braced myself for a hysterical fit, but that didn't happen! He just said, "Oh, I thought it was time." He slept with us the rest of the night, and eventually even Devin came in and kicked Mark out on the couch. They woke up every hour or so until it was actually time to get ready. When Devin was in first grade he struggled so much with the long day, but so far Sam hasn't complained once! He is so social that I think it is a dream come true to be around friends all day. Although, when I picked him up from school he informed me that Mrs. Golde doesn't want them to lay on the floor (!) I guess I should have warned her that he got up at 3am! He also said he cried because he was so hungry before lunch. On Tuesday I sent him with a baggie of crackers in his backpack in case he needed a pick-me-up at first recess. Devin got used to the long days by the end of 1st grade, he enjoyed 2nd grade most of the time, and he seems to like 3rd grade, so far. We had a family meeting for FHE on Monday and decided on a homework, piano practice, and scripture study schedule for the new school year, and so far, so good. Two nights down 173 to go!!! :)

One Last Hurrah

We were invited to go boating at Pine View with some friends in our ward last night. There were five families all together, three of them have boats...I told ya, we live in the ghetto of the Hansen Meadows Ward!! We DON'T have a boat OR a half a million dollar home...oh, well...we like it that way. Okay, back to the topic. Our boys had never been out on a boat before, Devin had complained all day saying that he was afraid of getting on a boat and that he wouldn't get on the boat...but, when it came right down to it, they all got on the boat. Mark tried to Slalom, but couldn't get up. Then he tried skiing and got up. It was fun to watch, NO I didn't even attempt it. I haven't skied since my Aunt Joe and Uncle Bob used to take us out when I was a teenager. Then Sam wanted to try. They had kids skis so he got in the water with Marci (one of our friends) and she helped him get the skis on. He tried once and biffed hard, and he wouldn't try again. He was really upset. I think he thought he would just get up right off. Then, surprise, surprise, Devin said he wanted to try. (Just between us, I don't think Devin would have tried if it weren't for Sam going first). He tried five times before he got up, and he just wouldn't give up. It was awesome. Devin is our cautious child, so it was fun to see him do something so daring. Ty loved riding in the boat and he got to hold the flag when the skiers fell down. He didn't like to see Mark, Devin, and Sam fall though. He would scream and get this concerned look on his face. It was so cute! After that we played on the beach and then went back to camp and ate dinner, roasted marshmallows and all that. It was a great time. All the other families spent the night, but we aren't quite up to camping with Noah, yet. It was a great last fling before school starts.

Memories...

"The difference between false memories and true ones is the same as for jewels: It is always the false ones that look the most real, the most brilliant"- Salvador DaliLet's see what can be conjured up. :) Here are the rules:1. As a comment on my blog, leave a memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you know me a little or a lot, anything you remember! If we're only blogging friends, write about a post that is most memorable. If you don't have a blog and don't know how to sign in, please comment as anonymous.2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It is pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll be sure to write one about you...either on your blog, in my comment box, or I will email you back!3. If the memory happens to involve my husband, please include him!4. If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all (Only nice false memories, please). :) Okay, let's see what you've got!

History in the Making

Many of you know that for 12 of the 12.5 years we've been married, Mark has worked swing shifts or graves. He has also always had to work at least four hours on Christmas, and full shifts on all the other holidays!! When we first got married and lived in that spider infested basement apartment in Sunset, I hated sleeping alone. It scared me to death. Fast forward 12 years and it is odd to have Mark home at night. He has worked some day shifts, but when you work in a 24/7 facility, everyone has to work some nights. Well, on Thursday Mark interviewed for a Clinician spot at Mill Creek, the same facility he has worked at for eight years. They called him yesterday and told him he got the job!! The most exciting part for me is that he will be working Monday-Friday, days, no more weekends and no more holidays either!!! He will also be able to get his hours toward his LCSW, he is now a CSW and has to work under an LCSW for two years before he can pay the $175 for the "L". I swear! They get you coming and going!! His schedule will also free up time for him to start his own group home and practice on the side, something he has always wanted to do. Hurray!!!

THREE WEEKS!!!!!

Three weeks ago today I agreed to no candy and no desserts. I am sort of happy to report that I have been "treat-free" for 21 whole days!!!! WAY past a record for me!! One thing I must say, I don't miss the candy. When I'm not mindlessly eating away I can recognize that it isn't the smarties, suckers, and licorice I want, I want the brownies, cake, and doughnuts. Those are my real weakness!! One of Mark's co-workers brought in all kinds of doughnuts, every kind you can imagine, including the apple fritters (Mark's favorites). When he called me on the phone for moral support I could hear his co-workers in the background taunting him. But, Mark didn't give in! Way to go hun! I don't know if I could have been as strong. My mom is trying to talk us in to continuing the no sweets thing past August, but NO WAY!! I will say I feel stronger, physically and mentally, but I have to have something once in a while!!! I enjoy eating too much. Man was not meant for rice and beans alone mother!!!! Stacie and I were talking about how not eating sweets makes you realize that they are a coping mechanism. You mothers out there can relate, I'm sure. When Noah is crying uncontrollably, or I'm feeling stressed for any reason, my first thought is that I want a candy bar or a bowl of ice cream. I know I should be replacing that feeling with something else, like banging my head against a wall maybe :) But, so far I just keep the treats as far away from the house as I can and then I'm okay. I guess I can keep that up after August. I'll have to go out once a week and get my fix. I can taste Chili's Molten Chocolate Cake now....

The Outfit Says it All!

This kid can cry with the best of them! Mark says that we won't know when something is really wrong with him, because he cries so hard with tears and everything, just to let us know he's mad about something! Good thing he is so dang cute! He also makes the funniest noise after he poops...seriously...it's like he's sucking in air or something. We filmed it for your viewing pleasure...I know you're waiting with bated breath....You may have to go down to the music player and stop the song so you can hear the video.