This Week's Recap

Things are starting to pick up around here. We have finally reached the 70's and it seems we Salt Lakers are venturing out. The mornings barely reach the 50 and we are out in our nothings soaking up the sun. Love it!!! I love the heat. I even got a little sun on my legs yesterday at soccer.

Our medical mission to Armenia is also coming up quick and so is the end of the school year. End of level testing in a few weeks and I may or may not have been suckered into PTA president for next year.  I'm good with it now, but I built a major brick wall for resistance when I was first approached. It's a lot easier to say no, but then my guilty conscience sets in and I realize if someone doesn't step up, then who will? I'm looking forward to it and realize everyone helping me is just as nervous as I am.  I figure if I'm a total screw up this next year, I can hopefully be forgiven by the time Micah is in 3rd grade. Here's my presidency.  My head for some reason looks miniature in this picture.  I have a small head, but it seems accentuated here.

Well, my kids still don't like the amazing food I'm cooking. Some things you can always count on week after week.



This is Micah soaking her dinner in ranch trying to choke it down before we headed to our nephew's soccer game.  It is so unfair!

Can I get a shout for the pinewood derby? Once again, Becket placed right in the middle, 8th place. Not stellar, but not bad, BUT no tears and that's all this mother can hope for.  Next year will be our last and final derby.





I did spend Monday and Tuesday cleaning up the basement.  It does give me great pleasure to go through each and every toy while my kids are not home and toss those toys I deem junk.  I even skipped my morning workout at 5AM to complete it. I reorganized and loved it when garbage day came!





Micah had her end of the year program for Kindergarten.  Performance=sponge curlers!



Here she is singing You're a Grand Ole Flag!



and then playing with her friend outside the school building



We also had the chance to visit Mat's mom and sister on a rock garden tour in between soccer games.  It gave us some inspiration for our yard. They also served some yummy refreshments which happened to be right around our lunch time.  So glad they thought to do that for us.

Girl's Unite After a Decade has Passed

We haven't been together (ALL OF US) together since our high school graduation cruise in 1996.  We've met up with bunches of us here and there, but never with every single one of use present. It took some balancing to get all of our schedules to align, and there were still little interruptions in between, but for the most part we set aside the time to catch up. I think next time we'll have to go to some far away remote location!

I rode down with the Salt Lake bunch, Katie and Jenny.  I had to reintroduce Katie and Jenny because they hadn't talked in so long. "Katie, meet Jenny. Jenny, meet Katie." We needed the complete 4.5 hr drive just to fill in the empty ten year gap.



We ate, laughed, and luckily didn't pee (which happened quite often when we were younger) over old times.



I still shake my head at some of the things we did and I also tried to forget many.  We all agreed that we felt like we were in our mid twenties, not in our mid thirties. We refused to believe we had all aged. We reflected on how lucky we were to have a fun high school experience. I know not many can say that I LOVED high school, but we had a pretty good group of close knit friends that kept us singing and mentally healthy. Shout out to those not here like neighbors I grew up with and the other students I went to school with in the upper and lower years. They too had just as great of influence.

You also learn great tips on girl getaways, like this handy caddy Traci keeps in her purse.  When she wants a purse that matches, she just takes this out and puts it into one that fits her outfit.  Snazzy huh? That still may be too much for me to think about doing, but I like the organization of it.



We did take a break from eating and grabbed some pedicures. Our little pedicurists were not the nicest and may have cut Becky's toe just weeks before her ironman, but we still came out with colorful toes and another memory to share down the road.



We have also made jumps in technology and smart phones since 1996.  All three checking messages while talking at the same time.



On our way to dinner, a funny coincidence unfolded. We had to drop off a carseat to Katie's parents house, so we drove out on our way to dinner in Kayenta.  On her street, Fire lived next door and Joe, our other friend, lived across the street.  Joe happened to be visiting his folks and was playing with his kids outside. We hollered hi at Joe and as he walked over,  imagine his surprise when all 7 of us popped out of Becky's ride?  A weird Flashback set in! He too reminded us of many embarrassing high school stunts, in classic Joe style, as we caught up on one of our old hangout streets in Santa Clara.


Here we are 17 years later: Brooke, Tana, Jenny, Traci, Becky, Marisa, ME, Katie, and Fire aka Tenisha.




Mat was cute and kept me posted on the kid's soccer games, Gretchen's new bike makeover, and Micah's cute hair that he tried to do for Sunday.





I also got to see my mom for a wee minute and ran to church with her for the sacrament. Thanks for picking me up! I am such a whirlwind--I know I probably drive my mom nutty with squeezing every last ounce of activity in, but she's mastered my craziness from all the experience she had from when I was in high school. Some things never change and never make sense most of the time, right mom?

Birthday Party For my Brother Casey

We had my brother and his wife over to celebrate his birthday.  They also brought Poppy, their dog, which really-- he is celebrated every time he comes.  My kid's just think it's grand to have a dog in the house. Casey and Tiff also mesmerized my kids with their new purchase of a mini convertible. Coolest Aunt and Uncle ever! Convertibles spells class in the eyes of my kids.  Hello Hollywood! Pretty much puts us on the pathway to stardom.  They were nice to take them around the block in the mid 40 degree weather. You'd think they'd notice the chill, but they came whipping around the corner with their hands up as if they were on an exciting roller coaster ride.  Happy birthday Casey! Glad you're my brosef and that you live close to me now.



As for my other brother Brian...I am so glad he and his wife are okay with the recent Boston Bombing this past week.  After a recent text during his lock down situation, he reported that they caught the younger brother only 3 miles away from his house in Cambridge. Phew! What a scary, unsettling week it has been.  I have to tip my hat to the Boston Police force and intelligence.  What a blessing to have these hard working officers in this country. When you offend and hurt innocent people in this country, you will have all of us looking for you. I'm amazed how quick they went from knowing nothing to catching them 4 days later. God bless the USA.

Hello, Mr. President

Mat and I flew to Washington DC to speak with the president directly about our ophthalmic issues, but he had a time conflict, so we were (Mat, I mean who are we kidding?) ahem...he was forced to settle for senators. I was his trusty CIA agent and protected him from any mishaps (earbud headphones and talking to myself really sells it to people on the sidewalks, something I do regularly anyway).

While Mat was in meetings, I skipped off to have lunch underneath the cherry blossoms with my dear friend Andrea. If Mat needed my CIA protection, he would have called. I had to fill the time somehow.

What a delight! The cherry blossoms were supposed to be out the week prior, but I guess they knew we were coming and waited. The next day it rained and their grippy strength could bare it no more. They were off like a light switch.

Back to Andrea, it is always fun to pick up right where you left off with her.  She makes me laugh, she's a character with many facial expressions, and her southern accent is charming. Kids are cute too and we watched them play in the water while we ate our sandwiches.

I later had dinner with Mat and the other Utah lobbyists.  Nice people. The meeting had gone entirely too long, so to amuse myself I cracked jokes in my head and thought I was hysterically funny.  I had to hide the laughter behind my water glass.



The next day, I joined up with a few of Mat's cousins, Holly and little P (who live in DC) and Kelly who lives in Montana. It was damp in the morning, but that blessed sunshine had found us by midday.



Saturday morning, Mat had all the meetings he could stand, so we took a long run around the Mall just as the sun was coming up. My favorite time of morning. It was beautiful and perfect running weather.


Two men I love.



We later had breakfast at Le Pain, but it was not painful at all! It was yummy, organic, French goodness. Not that I need organic, but it's always a bonus that makes you feel like you're going to be that much better that day. It was at this restaurant that we strategized  to visit the Newseum.





 It comes highly recommended from my personal self.  Worth the money and time and I dare say the best museum in DC.  My pictures are terrible, but even the bathroom is worth a visit, so you can read all of these misprints. One wall in the museum is dedicated to each states current newspaper for the day.  Think of all of the crossword puzzles those employees must have to do in order to go home. We also ran into Cal Ripken in the gift shop.



We met up with the cousins in Old Towne later that afternoon.  Again, another favorite find! If you've done all of the sweaty walking parts of the Mall, take the yellow line out to Kings street.  Lovely. Quaint brick sidewalks, a wharf, shops, boutiques, and food. We had fish and chips at Eamonns. Not organic, but good.





I am currently off duty from protecting Mat.  We flew home Saturday, which was a good thing because motherhood and housekeeping greets you as you first step in the door. It's nice to get adjusted before school and lunches, and backpacks, and chorus rides and scouts, and soccer practice...... Don't get me wrong, love my kids, I have just entered back into my focus mom mode. Shakes me up a bit for the first few days until my feet get wet again. Thanks to Mat's Mom and Dad and his sister for taking care of my gems. I knew they were in good hands and well protected, and that's saying something since I'm an agent myself.

Style

You can't knock her on her style.  She definitely holds her own. And I suppose she like pink.

Armenia in May

It's official.  Mat and I are going to Armenia in May for a medical mission.  I'm very excited.  I've never been across the ocean before and I'm delighted.  Remember, my family's idea of vacation was taking the long way to Mesquite, NV when I was growing up?  I will be halfway around the world in Armenia.  I had to look it up actually.  I knew it was eastern Europe, just not sure where. It's just down from Turkey and next Iran.

We will be representing the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  We will dress like missionaries and be a companionship, hence why I'm joining Mat, I have to be his guardian and rule follower. No staying up after curfew!   Elder and Sister Stone set up this service mission, so we will be meeting up with them once we get to Yerevan. Glad we have people who know where they are going. Mat is going to train Dr. Armine (ironic Armine, Armenia) on the surgeries he knows how to do. He'll do one day of clinic and a couple days of surgery in Ararat. I will be hanging in the open air markets with the missionary couple buying sheep skin rugs (maybe). Luckily for us, Armenia has a military holiday right smack in the middle of our missionary week, so Mat and I will be forced to travel the country side because the hospital will be closed. We also have a significant layover in Vienna, Austria.  It will be in the wee hours of the AMs of our time, but I have been dying to step foot into Austria ever since the third grade.  I have got to stay energized for our layover in Vienna. The hills are alive!!

Ironically, I ran into two Armenian women at Jungle Jims. They gave me all sorts of tips, people don't wash themselves so beware of body oder, buy gold- it's cheap, go to the market, don't go out after 10PM, beware of gypsies, enjoy all the meats (funny since I've cut back). I think it's awesome in life when you're suddenly keenly aware of the people around you because of the changing circumstances in your life.  It's like buying a new car and then realizing how many other people are driving your car. Same with going to Armenia.  I now pay more attention when I hear the Russian language. My Costco bagger was from Azerbaijan and she said her country was way better than Armenia because they had the sea.  I guess I will note that every individual is proud of where they come from.

Shower Time

Embarrassing, but true.  How could the dear boy not put his clothes into the basket?  I mean they are inches from just dropping them in.



So, I called him back up to put them into the basket.

"Oh!" he says, "I was just right there." At least, he was quick about it.



Then as I walk down the hall I notice Gretchen announcing that it was time for underwear gymnastics.  Under what circumstances do I owe this pleasure?



Probably not appropriate to post, but it's life and it's only half of what I experience on a day to day.

The other day Gretchen asked to borrow my "boobcase" so she could go downstairs and not have her brother see her you know whats.  Boobcase? Really?

Noted

Mat was recently highlighted in the Dixie College Magazine.  I thought Joan Smith did a nice job, which reminds me I still need to tell her that. Anyway, check it out if you have some free time. He's featured on page 24 and 25 and there is a nice write up about my Grandpa who taught and coached at Dixie as well.  He passed away mid October. He's on page 27.

Side note:The nice thing is they are inducting him into the hall of fame for the St. George Marathon this year and anyone in the family gets to run it in his honor.  You know what Mat and I will be doing this summer...training.  Well, Mat's born ready, but I will be needing to push my distance a little more on my runs.

http://www.dixie.edu/pr/magazine/Spring2013.pdf

Spring Break Theme Days

Monday:
Errand Day and Picnic at the Park Day
No fun, but a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do.  I picked up a Costco Chicken and gut trucked it out the back of the Queen mum.  I snagged extra paper plates and sporks from the concessions at Costco too.  Tricky Micki! Threw some meat down on their plates, a little Pirate Bootie, and gave them a fruit smoothie.  They were good to go! Play, play, play.

Tuesday:
Dino Day
Watched archaeology on Bill Nye and then headed to the Thanksgiving Pointe Dinosaur Museum.  Kids haven't been since they were under the age of 4yrs old.  They made this jurassic island.





We then hit up IKEA free lunch on the way back because kids eat free on Tuesday.  It had nothing to do with dinosaurs, except maybe how "slowly" the line can move when there are hordes of people.

The kids came home and creatively made their own dinosaur exhibits



Wednesday:
Outside Day
I desperately needed to do some spring cleaning and it FELT SO GOOD.



The kids (well, Becket and Gretchen, Micah takes a while to wake up to the world and make her bed) played outside.  Becket had ordered some spy gear on Amazon and he knew it was set to arrive that day.  He had the most motivation to hang outside.  Oh boy! Was it ever a repeat of the Wells Fargo Wagon when he saw that UPS man coming down the street.  Squeals and thrills! His excitement was fun to watch.



We later took a hike with Mat up to the Bell Canyon Lake.  The kids once again were making moss bombs and blowing up some creature queen they had created. They needed no entertaining.







We also went to a Jazz game and sat in the nose bleeds.  Once you've been wined and dined at a Jazz game with dinner and dessert at half time by KSL, it's hard to sit five rows from the tippy top and enjoy the minions on the floor.  Fancy KSL tickets spoiled it for me. I beg you to share with me again.

Thursday:
Animal Day
Hogle Zoo and This is the Place in one day. Psycho. They are right across the street from one another and I couldn't bare the thought of driving up there again.  Granted it's only 20 mins, but I like to be efficient. Of course we are attracted not to the animals at the zoo, but the animal STATUES. Ahh yes. Where would we be without statues to sit on and yell, "Hey Mom, take my picture!"



Zipped across the street to hold the baby animals at this is the place. Always a treat and let me know if you'd like to go. You would think that the kids would have been exhausted and would go to bed at a decent time.  Forget it. What happened to my 7:30-8PM ish conker-outers? It's more like 10-10:30PM now.  That is not a healthy amount of sleep I remind my kids, but of course they forget it and stay up anyway.





Friday
Easter activity day with a few Bill Nye Science Experiments thrown into the mix



Colored Eastar Eggs, made easter nests, Jell-o easter eggs, hunted, BBQ with neighbors, got an Easter package from Grandma (wowee!), and then came home to watch our baskets, uh hem, I mean brackets get busted in the NCAA tournament.









Saturday
Caveman Day
Watched Bill Nye about caves (we're a little hooked), went to the new Croods movie, and then returned to Aunt Lindsay's house to eat meat with our hands.  True, Mat and I are vegetarians so we gathered while the others hunted. Lots of fun eating dino bone breadsticks, campfire cookies, and having a dino egg hunt.





Sunday
Easter. I spotlighted Jesus for sharing time instead of doing one of the children like I usually do for my sharing time at church. When I asked how many pets do you think Jesus had, Micah's hand shot straight up in the air. She started to list them with her fingers, "I think he had a donkey, a couple sheep and maybe a goat or something?" Cute of her to create the manger scene once again.

The rest of the day we were mourning the loss of vacation time. The house is a dead, erie silent.  It was fun to be with the kids.  I love to step out of bounds of my normal routine and mix it up. I do love these kids.