Weekend Update

While we were at church we got some serious snow, like 4 inches on my car. BOOOOO!!! I'm officially done with snow. There's just something wrong about snow covering my beautiful forsythia blossoms.

Brennan has been busy "enjoying" March Madness. You'd be hard pressed to know it is actually fun to him because the majority of the time he watches he angrily yells and fake spits (seriously) at the players, refs., coaches, etc. He also often says things like, "I hate this." However, apparently it is still crucial to watch and suffer along and will be missed when it's over. We love Brennan.

I had an exciting fall down some concrete stairs in slow motion. Nothing like slow motion to just make it more stupid and drawn out. Also, it's always fun to have a couple people watching. Fortunately, I managed not to land on my belly, and given the fact that it seems like I had 324 sort of in-between landings didn't have one huge awful landing. I feel so blessed to have only skinned my knees and very mildly twisted an ankle. I feel really sad for this baby to have to be at the mercy of my coordination.

Anna had a big 5th grade program this week. She got to dress up like a pioneer and had a little speaking part. She did great. It's always fun to watch Anna perform because she really gets into it and sang her little guts out. Every now and then she'd get a little self-conscious smile, when she'd catch our eyes. She looked beautiful with her blond curls sticking out of her bonnet. We love Anna.

Abby had the big 2nd grade Animal Fair this week. She worked really hard to research and write a report about killer whales. They also had to make a creative project about their animal and she sculpted and painted a fabulous killer whale. The parents got to come and see their big posters and art projects and ask questions about their animals. She was so excited and even dressed in black and white to match her animal. She did a great job, we love Abby.

Nate was pondering things the other day as he often does. After a lot of questions and thinking out loud, he wondered what life would be like without gas, like the human kind, you know burps etc. Anyway, then he quite sincerely turned to me and said, "But, Mom, what would we laugh about without those things?" It was like all laughter and smiling and jokes would completely cease and he could hardly stand to think of such a sad, sad world. Oh dear. After having Chinese food for dinner one night he was suspicious that Abby had gotten an extra "orphan" cookie. He meant "fortune" cookie. Abby had complete deniability, she could swear on the Bible she did not get two orphan cookies. We love Nate.

Benjamin was watching out for his little cousin, Belle, the other day and came to report she had gotten hold of a marble. When Eliza managed to get the marble away from Belle, Ben looked at Liza apologetically and shook his head as he said "Sorry about dat." The other day at the store Ben asked if we could buy some gum. I usually buy the minty kind, but feeling wild I bought some watermelon flavored gum. He couldn't wait to try it and as soon as he put it in his mouth he said, "Mom, I tink dis is soap gum." "You mean it tastes like soap?" "Yeah, it's gwoss!" Soap gum, that's a new one. When I asked him how old he was going to be on his upcoming birthday he quickly replied, "Six". Remember that for ever now whenever I ask him old he is he's been claiming five, well at least he's staying consistent. We love Benny.

Oh What a Day

It all started a little too early for my liking with Ben a little after 6:00 insisting on his orange juice and Caillou. After getting him situated I crawled back into bed hoping to catch a few more minutes of sleep before facing the crazy day ahead.

At 7:15 the phone rang and it was the furniture delivery people saying they would be here with our new couch soon. I scrambled to throw some clothes on while hustling the girls along their routine. Brennan had arranged for a friend to stop by at 8:00 to move the old couches, but that would be too late so he and I flew around the family room moving the old couch and love seat out of the way. The new couch guys showed up while I scrambled to grab about 1,375 lincoln log pieces, some ever elusive pens and pencils, and oh so much more from where the couches had been as they began trying to maneuver the new couches in. They finally got it in position and unwrapped it and wal-la! they unveiled half of our new espresso (aka dark brown) sectional --only it was dark green.

Hmmm, we told the guys that our couch was supposed to be dark brown and they agreed that this just wasn't. They checked their truck to see if the other half was correct and it was so they took the wrong one out and brought the right one in. They took the plastic off and ....it was dark green. Then they said that it was brown outside and found a label on the wrapping that confirmed that these indeed were the correct two pieces of our espresso sectional. Oh goodie, I have my lovely new couch and if we put it on our porch it will be just the color we want it to be!!!

The delivery guys finally leave after bringing the other half back in. I decided to go take a shower before our next appointment, the insulation guys. They were supposed to be here between 10-12. Fortunately Brennan wanted to be there for that appointment because at 9:30 the doorbell rang. Here's the problem, I was just finishing up my shower in the kids' bathroom because our shower is having issues. Here's the other problem, the access to the attic is right outside the kids' bathroom door. There I was trapped in the bathroom with all of my clothes in my bedroom and men were right outside the door. I heard them walk back towards the front door and assumed I would have a few minutes to dart to my room while they gathered some equipment. I bundled up in my towel and made a break for it. I almost made it, but one of the poor men walked back down the hall just as I took off. I was covered by my towel and I'm sure he just saw a big blur running by, but still it's not my favorite way to start my day.

Things did get better. Brennan came home with new light bulbs that have saved the day, my couch is brown again! Whew. Happy days. The bad news though is when we were talking about what our next project for the family room would be and I mentioned a new chair Brennan lowered the boom that our maroon, falling apart, ugly, hideous lazy boy rocking/reclining chair was not going anywhere. I reassured him that we could get a reclining chair but no rocking chair, they just aren't very pretty. He is not going to back down on this one and so my lovely new couch is all for not because even if we replace this chair it has to be with rocker and recliner because apparently when Brennan has a headache that's what soothes him and has ever since he was little. Could we have this magical soothing chair in our bedroom? Evidently we cannot.

Things did get better again as we actually began sitting on our new couch this evening and realized that it's for giants. We are certain that this couch was no where near this huge when we saw it and sat on it in the display room. However, for whatever reason, we got some big and tall version. I am not kidding. When you sit on it you feel like you're in a tree house. The funniest part though is that tonight when me and all the kids were up (and I do mean up) on the couch we looked over at Brennan on his ugly little lazy boy rocking chair and he was TINY, like miniature, and we all burst out laughing. Brennan said he had been feeling really small and was really weirded out that all the kids were towering above him. Poor guy, I couldn't take anything he said seriously all night because every time I looked at him I had uncontrollable urges to laugh. Even now as I'm typing I cannot quite laughing, you've got to see it. You're all invited to come and perch atop our couch (don't worry we've got a rope ladder) and use some binoculars to see Brennan in his little chair. We've only had our couch for one day and already so many good times.

We're Back!!!!

Brennan and I just returned earlier this evening from a fabulous little get-away to Monterey, California. He worked really hard to win a trip from his work. Thank you, Mike (the boss)!!!!!

Also, a huge thank-you to my parents who loved and cared for our 4 kiddies like the pros that they are. They even invited 2 extras, Rex and Lucy, to join in for a sleep-over on Friday night. The kids could not have been happier to trade us in for Grandma and Grandpa for the weekend. They also, instead of eagerly sending us and their charges out the door as soon as possible, forced us to stay and eat a wonderful dinner with them.


As Shannon quoted on her blog a while back from a book we read by Amy Rosenthal in her book, Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life, "in the end, no one really wants to hear about your trip." I will spare you the play by play, but will touch on some highlights and maybe a few low-lights.


Low-light: Left backpack with camera which I intended to be my carry-on at my parents when we dropped the kids and all their backpacks off. NO CAMERA. Sort of, Brennan had his cell phone camera, but I don't think we have the right cord to be able to upload them. I'll work on it and try and post some later.


Highlight: Brennan got to golf Pebble Beach!!!! This is one of about 50 "once in a lifetime" opportunities this boy has had. He called a couple of days before we left and they told him there was one opening on Friday morning and that he would have to call first thing Thursday morning to try and get it. He did and he got it. I'm telling you the heavens smile down on him. Not that he's had an easy life, but he does seem to get some pretty amazing opportunities. He was thrilled with the experience and even though he had 12 bunker shots, he still managed to shoot an 85. We also ate lunch at the Pebble Beach Clubhouse and it was just beautiful. Good times.


Low-light: While Brennan golfed, I slept in, read a great book and then ventured out around Cannery row near our hotel. I decided to take a risk and asked the concierge if they could recommend a place I could get my haircut without an appointment. It just so happened they could, right across the way there was a brand new place that would love to have me. Interesting experience. I had come with pictures and everything. We chatted about what I wanted, mainly just something updated and fun. She looked at the pictures and seemed excited to make me over. She was so kind, a little quiet, but very nice. While she was washing my hair she told me I had great hair, which I heard as "You have gray hair" "I do?" I said to which she insisted I did. About 5 minutes later I realized she had said "great". It was a little late to thank her. Anyway, once I got all washed and she actually started cutting my hair I became aware that her hands were really shaking. I kept looking at her thinking she was going to tell me why any minute, maybe she was just really cold, maybe she has a medical condition that makes her tremble, I didn't judge her, I liked her, but I did maybe want a little reassurance that she has dealt with this for a while and was completely comfortable and able to cut my hair. Well, she didn't say anything so I sat there feeling more and more nervous and more and more like a jerk for worrying. I don't actually think her trembling affected her cutting, but I am wondering if someone slipped a picture of:

into my few little photos I took in. Because in the end after she got done styling my hair, that is what I looked like, except pregnant and well not nearly that pretty, oh and also I had the disadvantage of living in the year 2009. I'm serious, I have a layer of hair around the crown of my head that is shorter than my bangs. AND, there aren't other layers that sort of blend them in, it's pretty much that fun layer and then chin length. Super cute. Don't be expecting any pictures of me anytime soon, in fact I'm looking for a good stunt double for my brother's wedding photos. Now, I haven't actually shed tears over this yet, because I'm hoping that once I have more equipment now that I'm home, or hats or whatever it takes I will be able to camouflage my fun layer.

Highlight: Walking through Carmel and all the darling shops.

Highlight: Monterey Aquarium.

Highlight: Our beautiful hotel.

Highlight: Driving along the coast from Carmel through some of Big Sur. WOW, amazing.

Highlight: Driving down to a beach on our drive through Big Sur, and exploring a beautiful beach with a freshwater stream trickling into the ocean and huge openings in the rocks which created tunnels which the waves crashed through so beautifully and dramatically.

Highlight: Spending time with Brennan who made me laugh the entire time and patiently and cheerfully shopped with me and waited while I got a pedicure. Having all the time in the world to talk, uninterrupted. It was honestly so great just to be with him all by ourselves and remember why we're so perfect for each other.

Highlight: Coming home to our beloved children. I couldn't wait to see them. Shortly after we got to my parents, I was holding Ben who exclaimed, "I LOVE you, Mom!" Oh, the perfect homecoming.

Spring, and an Update

Today it's absolutely beautiful outside so the boys and I headed to a nearby trail for a fabulous spring walk and a little bike riding.

These two little boys are such fun little companions. They love each other so much and find so much joy in things like streams and rocks and sticks. Throughout the Winter I didn't know if I would survive cleaning up one more box of crackers or cereal dumped out and smashed into and all over the floor, or breaking up a wrestling match over who had the "Obi Ganobi" (Obi Wan Kenobi) action figure first, or reminding them that they could not punch each other even if they were pretend boxing. I did survive, and Spring has sprung to my rescue and these two little guys couldn't be cuter. All is right with the world.

Anna is really upset with her Dad because during Senior Sharing Time (the older kids' class at church) he gave an example of compromising saying that Anna and Abby have to compromise when Anna wants to play Barbies and Abby wants to play Polly Pockets. Evidently, the fact that she plays Barbies (with all of her friends, btw) might set her back socially for EVER. Brennan feels terrible, but so far Anna seems to have survived being outed. We love Anna.

I took Abby to get her hair cut last night and on the way home she observed, "Most of the time the hair cutter asks me about school and all that stuff, but this girl was just totally silent!" She wasn't passing judgement which is good because she is painfully shy when these people do try to chat with her, she just noticed and wanted to talk about it with me. For some reason, it just cracks me up when I realize she's thinking about everything all the time. We love Abigail.

The other day Nate and Ben were playing basketball on their little indoor basketball hoop. Ben came in crying because Nate had bumped into him hard. I was in the other room and yelled, "Nate - what happened?" His reply caught me a little off guard, "Mom, I was just setting a screen!" I wasn't sure if it was an offensive or defensive foul or what the penalty was for either so I had a good laugh and let it go. We love Nate.

Ben's new thing is whenever he's waiting for me to do something for him or to go someplace he's excited about he'll come find me with his head down and lips in full pout. "What's the matter, Ben?" "It's taking forEVer!" Lately, after the girls go to school Nate, Ben and I will go out back and play baseball for a few minutes. Ben will not let me show him how to hold the bat, but gets super frustrated when he misses. Finally after a few misses, he'll let me help him, but it has to be his idea. Cute, stubborn little stink. We love Benjamin.

Nothing Cuter

If you just ignore the big smudges on the glass, the goofy basketball jerseys/jammies, and the fact that Benny is mid cough, there's just nothing cuter to me than these four little faces. The cuteness factor goes up immensely because there's a glass door between me and them and I get to enjoy their cuteness with a much needed little break for my ears. These adorable children are VERY loud.

Weekend Update

It's been a busy time for all of us, what with the state high school basketball tournaments (nope we don't actually know anyone on any of the teams) but that has just kind of become Brennan's thing and he usually takes the kids so I'm supportive :)

The girls and I sang in church on Sunday and it was so neat to be able to do it with them. First of all, they helped me be brave. I get so terrified to sing in public now, but I figured if I put my cute little girls out front no one would even notice me. They both did so well, I was so proud of them. We sang an arrangement of "I am a Child of God". Anna had to start out with a solo and did beautifully. Her voice is so pretty and clear and she has a really good ear for music. Abby had a solo right after Anna's and came in perfectly. She didn't seem at all nervous and made me smile when she leaned right into the mic for her part. After her solo, she looked back at me with a big grin knowing she had nailed it and wanting to see my approval. I was grateful she managed to hold still throughout the song, which she hadn't quite managed during any of our practice sessions. I managed not to pass out, so all in all I think it went quite well.

Yesterday we got to go see Anna's class demonstrate some of the self-defense skills they've learned through Radkids. It was so neat, I highly recommend this program. They had these two big guys in a big red padded suit with helmet and all. Then each kid was able to fight one of the guys off using their newly learned skills. It was so impressive to see tiny little Anna be picked up by this big guy and watch her fight her way out. Most of the kids were a little tentative, not Anna. I love how scrappy she is. We love Anna.

I took the girls over to my brother's future mother-in-law's house the other day so we could try on some darling dresses she's making for the wedding. Anna immediately focused in on their dog and Abby just got super comfortable and chatty with this sweet woman. She was asking her all about her grand-daughters and how old they are, etc. It was one of those funny moments where I was watching a grown woman in my little 8 year old's body. We love Abigail.

Nate's hair is pretty short, so I don't usually even worry about combing it, but the other day they had class pictures so I actually did his hair. When I was done I said my usual cheesy mom saying, "Holy handsomeness!!!" which always elicits a huge grin from him and then he asked in all sincerity, "Mom, do you think even more girls will like me when they see me today?" He's got his father's confidence. We love Nate.

The other day Ben accidentally kicked Abby's head. She might have over-reacted a bit and started crying. Ben quickly said, "Oops, I'm sorry." It sounded so grown up and caught us all off guard so we all, including Abby, started laughing. I don't think he knew why we were laughing, but he didn't miss the fact that Abby went from tears to laughter in about .3 seconds and said, "Abby, you're a faker head!" We love Benjamin.

Book Recommendation

My Mom gave me this book and I am LOVING it. It's too good not to share.

It seems like every time I turn around I'm hearing about kids who at younger and younger ages are dealing with depression. I guess it's very common for kids going through puberty to experience depression and we're not very far from that stage at our house, yikes. A couple of my kids deal a little bit with anxiety and so I've always worried they might be more prone to depression later on in their lives. I'm so thrilled to have this book that basically just teaches me how to teach my kids cognitive therapy. Which for those of you who are unfamiliar with cognitive therapy, it's basically just a method of learning that our feelings are not just the result of our circumstances and actions, they are actually the result of our beliefs about those circumstances or actions. This makes perfect sense given that we have probably all seen two different people experience the exact same set of circumstances and yet feel totally different about that same experience. Anyway, basically, when we become aware/conscious of our beliefs and thoughts, we can then evaluate them and adjust them which then gives us power over how we feel rather than our circumstances dictating what mood we're in.

In the first part of the book the author lays out his belief (backed up by research and case studies) that we can immunize our children for depression. He talks about the fact that how optimistic a person is has a direct relationship with how likely that person is to be prone to depression. He and his colleagues adapted cognitive therapy methods proven to help people overcome depression into a program to teach to young kids the skills they need to be more optimistic and avoid depression and saw impressive results. The second part of the book is the actual program adapted for parents and teachers to teach to their own kids. Even if you think all that sounds like a bunch of hooey, it really is a fascinating, insightful book.