Like Uncle, Like Nephew-Idiots

Ben and I rarely get time out without kids. We cherish simple things, like trips to the Commisary or even to the Red Box. This last Thursday we were enjoying a quick trip down to the Exchange, in search of decongestants and root beer. About 5 minutes into our "date" we got a phone call that went something like this:

Me: "Hello?" -sounding slightly perturbed

Michael: "Mom, remember that time when I was a little kid and Michael David (my youngest brother) got his fingers stuck in a blender?"

Me: "The blender?!!" -sounding paniced and horrified

Michael: "You know, that you blend cookie dough with?"

Me: "Oh, you mean the mixer. No, I don't really remember that he got his fingers stuck in the mixer but I wouldn't put it past him. Why? Did you get your fingers stuck in the mixer?" -sounding perturbed again

Michael: "Yeah, I did...and I can't get them out!"

I pause...and ask you dear reader...

How does one get their fingers caught in hand mixer beaters?? Seriously?? How can I know TWO people, both closely related to me, who have walked that line of idiocy! I love you both Michaels but...seriously?

We left the Exchange and drove home to free our 15 year old son of his self inflicted torture. We arrived to find that his brother had taken pictures for me to use on the blog! So thoughtful. With a little push of the eject button and some smooth pulling from Dad he was freed with nary a scratch. Sigh! So much for an evening out! I suppose I am just fortunate that he didn't try to lick the beaters!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

We had our Christmas photo shoot! What do you think??

My Man in Uniform

One of the bonuses I get with having a husband in the Marine Corps is that at least once a year, in November for the Marine Corps Ball, he gets dressed up in his "dress blues." I love this uniform. I love all uniforms, hence the military husband, but this one is my favorite. (The husband and the uniform!) Happy Birthday USMC and thank you for my present!!

He finds my picture taking a bore.
The thoughtful pose!

Bling shot!

Fall Soccer Highlights-2010

Spencer's Sight Words!

BAPTIZED!

Emma was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Saturday.
As we pulled up to the church building her excitement was palpable. She kept whispering over and over, "I can't believe I am finally going to get baptized."

After she donned her white jumpsuit she merrily skipped around the church building halls, unable to contain the excitement.

We enjoyed a wonderful Stake Baptism presentation of song and a darling talk about the "three bears" of baptism.

*bear upon you the name of Christ
*bear your testimony
*bear the burdens of others

The 7 children participating in the baptismal ordinance seemed entranced by the story.

Emma was then baptized by her father and confirmed a member of the church. It was wonderful.
After Emma came out of the font I wrapped her in a towel and ushered her into the dressing room. She looked up at me and said, "I can't believe I finally got baptized. I feel so happy my face hurts from smiling!"
We are so proud of our little princess and so thankful to have a wonderful group of friends who support us and have become our family here in Southern California!!

Yep, just perfect!!

Testicular Contusions or Bumps In The Road!!

Being a mother of three 3 boys you would think that I have learned a bit about testicles. This is about all I know:

*they have lots of crude, rude, impolite and even hysterical (while I will never admit it) nicknames. http://alligatorwrestling.blogspot.com/2009/07/meatballs-and-cherries.html

*they get scratched a lot!

*they can "drop," especially and hopefully in infants.

*they can be "snipped" and in some worse case scenarios "removed."

*they are extraordinarily tender/ delicate/ sensitive, especially in the case of blunt force trauma.

*they are, very fortunately, absent from my own personal physique.


When my boys get hurt in their "parts" I just have to hand them ice, ibuprofen and look away while I pat their heads. Usually things are better within an hour or two. I say usually...

Last Monday, a whole week ago, my oldest "Dutch," as he now refers to himself, was kicked playing soccer. It was the kick you imagine...the gasp from the whole team, the fall to the knees and then to the side, the fetal position and whimpering. Nausea and stomach cramps immediately followed. He didn't move for 8 full minutes. All the males on the team stood uncomfortably around him unconsciously protecting their "parts" with their hands. When he did finally manage to crawl off of the field and then limp home he spent the remainder of the day slumped back on the couch with his legs spread eagle.

I gave him lots of sympathy, Motrin and ice...after all, that is really all I know to do. It is a helpless feeling...I didn't really want to look and even if he had let me, I wouldn't know what I was looking for.

The next day, while very sore and still walking "wide" he went off to school without much complaint. Wednesday morning he called me from school and begged to go to the doctor. I took him to Urgent Care. His diagnosis:

Testicular Contusion and Trauma Induced Epididymitis

(basically a bruise and an infection)

He got more Motrin and some antibiotics. The next few days he seemed to be getting better. He even played soccer on Saturday...scored four goals (GO DUTCH). He has been walking normal for the last three days. Aside from reminding him to take his antibiotics his injury has been all but forgotten in my testicle free world.

Alas, this morning Dutch rolled out of bed in misery. We went back to the Dr. and are now awaiting a testicular ultrasound. In the last few hours I have taken the opportunity to read up on testicles, especially the ailments that can be associated with testicles. Did you know:

*in the Middle Ages, men who wanted a boy sometimes had their left testicle removed. This was because people believed that the right testicle made "boy" sperm and the left made "girl" sperm. (I don't recommend this!)

*the testes work best at temperatures slightly less than core body temperature. This is presumably why the testes are located outside the body. (An obvious design flaw, as soccer was not taken into consideration.)

*testicular torsion and testicular rupture are medical emergencies, which can be caused by blunt force impact, and can lead to necrosis of the testis in as little as 30 minutes. (30 minutes? My kids historically have to wait DAYS before I get them to medical professionals!)

Your welcome!!

Anyway, I am still awaiting results from a testicular ultrasound! Dutch seems to be handling all of this rest and relaxation well. I think I will encourage school tomorrow. (He can "sit wide" as easily there as he can here.) I will let him carry an ice pack in his backpack just in case things get sore. Hee-hee!

This November be thankful for testicles, or as in my case, thankful you don't have any!!

Corey and Stacie's Wedding Video

Please check this out!! This is my darling sister's wedding video!!! It is AMAZING!!
http://kalefitchfilms.com/blog/
"I Never Knew" by Kale Fitch

HALLOWEEN!!!

BOO!!

Emma's pumpkin (cheshire cat)

Spencer's pumpkin!

Jasen's pumpkin face!

Cyborg!!


Zombie Outbreak Response Team

Howling at the full moon!


Snarly werewolf!!

Gr-r-r-r-r-r! Spooky!!

The Mummy lives!!

Spencer in his Kindergarten costume parade.

Costume box explosion!

Michael and his posse (sean and shawn!)

The motley crew!

Batman (uncle michael david) and Robin (aunt taylor)

Wow, a Storm Trooper at the Trunk-or-Treat!!

Mummy guts, green worms and eyeballs for dinner!!

Dear Halloween,

Thanks for visiting! Your sweet treats, great television and spooky ambience are awesome! We really enjoy most everything you have to offer. I am a special fan of slasher movies edited for television and gummy candy shaped like body parts. I also love the chocolate that seems to be everywhere I look. I think it's great that we can put aside our responsible, straight-laced personalities to become who-ever (or what-ever) we want for one evening without judgement or arrest. Unfortunately, I am tired of nightmare stricken children sleeping in my bed so...see ya next year!! (Here's looking forward to another year of violent and morale degradation desensitization and sugar comas!)

Guess Who Is Eight?!?

EMMA IS EIGHT!!!

We Love This Girl!!

Pretty Girl!

Trick Candles!

The Littles

Emma and her besties!!

Share Some Hair-Part 2!

Emma participated in our school-wide ponytail donation benefiting "Pink Heart Funds," an organization that makes wigs for those who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other illness. She was so excited to give up 8 inches of her pretty "orange" locks! Her ponytail was one of 27 donated and I am so proud of her!

I love her hair cut! It is so darling and SO easy!!

Our Trip to Stacie's Wedding

We had such a wonderful time visiting with family and attending Stacie and Corey's wedding! We are so happy for them and feel so lucky to be apart of such a great family!

Jasen's 1st Place Green Chili

Jasen won our ward Chili Cook-off again tonight for the third year in a row. He looked up recipes on the internet, put a couple together and came up with this super simple winner!! Enjoy!!

Jasen's 1st Place Green Chili

2 lbs. cubed pork
1 onion, diced
3 garlic gloves, minced
2 cans of chicken broth
1 cup of water
1 bottle( 16 oz.) of Salsa Verde (we use the Pace brand)
6 4 oz. cans of chopped green chilies, drained
6 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
pepper to taste


1. Brown pork in skillet with onions and garlic. In crock-pot add browned pork, onions, garlic, 1 can of chicken broth, water, Salsa Verde and chilies. Simmer for 3 hours.

2. Add second can of chicken broth, pepper and cubed potatoes. Cook until potatoes are tender.

Enjoy!!!

Michael is 15!!

MICHAEL ANGELO, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Michael and his buddy Sean...never serious!

Uncle Michael David getting the best part of teenage boys...their pit stink!!

Happy Birthday Boy!!

We think you are amazing and look forward to every minute of your life adventure!

Having a 15 Year Old Means...

Having a fifteen year old means....
I am no longer a fountain of knowledge, infact, I instantly know nothing.
I shop in the men's department.
I buy shoes that are bigger than boats and cost more than my car payment.
I buy gifts that range from toys and video games to expensive electronics and designer labels.
I must never mention that I once was 15 and I could never understand.
I must not schedule anything without checking in first.
I pay for Driver's Training.
I must only cheer internally at soccer games.
I can not play my music when I shuttle friends.
I can not straighten a tie.
I can not suggest that hair be trimmed or even brushed.
I can not give advice of any kind.
I must not expect simple and long standing expectations.
I pay for SATs and ACTs.
I must never discuss religion or Boy Scouts in public.
I can not compliment or brag about my children in public.
I must compliment and brag about my children all the time.
I must be kind to all friends and drive them anywhere requested.
I apologize to the neighbors for the loud music.
I must endure teenage girls...and the drama they cause.
I must not comment about personal things, even if they have been posted on facebook.
I will visit the Emergency Room no less than two times per quarter.
I must double my grocery bill.
I will wait up late and get up early.
I may be heart-sick and beaming with pride all in the same day.

Failure to comply means I MAY be subjected to:
Eye rolling, humphing, stomping, snorting, door slamming, pouting, tirades and even occasional bad mouthing.

But best of all, having a 15 year old means...I only have three years left!!! Yahoo!!
(Of course, I don't really mean the 'yahoo' part...very much!)

Bad Influence-Grandpa!!

My Dad thinks being a Grandpa is amazing. He loves that he can dish out all of the fun without any of the rules or discipline. My kids love it too! (Secretly, I love it too!) I have decide to keep a record of all of his nefarious mis-deeds and I will call this record "The Grandpa Acts."

During his last visit, and with the support of my mother and sister (shame on you both), he performed some of his most masterful Grandpa Acts, leading Spencer farther down the path of Naughtiness!!

#1-The Suggestion #2-The Encouragement
#3-The Approval #4-The Cover-up

#5-Naughtiness Obtained

OK, in all honesty Spencer was well on his way down the path of Naughtiness on his own.

But seriously, I would have eaten that little cheesecake.

Also, when he tried this with his bowl of Rice Krispies this morning

the results were much messier!!

More of The Grandpa Acts!!

Sprinkles and Whipped Cream!

Oh, the HORROR!!

Life Will Never Be The Same

Have you ever experienced a moment in life where, in a fraction of a second, you realize...from this moment on, life will never be the same. I think we all experience moments like this; the moment we say "I do," the moment we hear the first cry of our first child, the moment we lose a loved one.

I have experienced a few of these moments. As I ran up to help at my first accident scene I had a moment. Life was never the same. When I walked out of the courthouse following my divorce I had a moment. Life was never the same. When I said good-bye to my husband and sent him to Iraq for the first time I had a moment. Life was never the same. And today, when I watched my youngest baby walk into his Kindergarten classroom I had a moment. Life will never be the same.

I am sad. I will miss our walks together. I will miss our cuddly naps and shopping treks. I will miss his company. He might miss me a little bit. (I secretly hope.) I know, however, that his days will be full of fun, adventure and learning. There won't be much time for missing. I, on the other hand, will have plenty of empty time for that.

So, now that I have had a "life will never be the same" moment, I must decide what life will be. I guess I could keep the house clean. I could do the laundry. I could start going to the gym regularly. I could volunteer in his classroom. I could read more, and it could be a book without pictures. I could catch up on Lost or catch up on sleep. I could get a hair cut or a pedicure. I could have a lunch date with friends or even my sweetheart. I could take a class. I could garden or paint. I could write. I could shop. I could sit on the beach or walk through a park.

Wait, I have just had a moment...LIFE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME!!!!

Lost in Translation

"Mom, we have got to go back to the Librarian. That was a fun time."

"Back to the Librarian? Sure, we can go back anytime."

"Mom, you are the best. Let's go tomorrow. I will wear my swim suit in case we get splashed."

"Silly, we won't get splashed if we go to see the Librarian."

"Sometimes people get splashed there."

"At the library?"

"No Mom, at the Librarian...you know the place with all the fish in tanks. Where we walk around and see sharks and catfish. The Librarian."

"Do you mean the Aquarium?"

"Oh...yeah that's what I mean. Hey, Emma! We are going to the Librar...Aquarium tomorrow."

"Wait, wait...we can't go to the Aquarium tomorrow."

"Buuuut Moooooom, you said. You are NOT the best ANYMORE!"

Eye Love You!!

Eye Love You!!