the stone....

I guess I have a kidney stone...I haven't seen it....I don't know if I have felt it.... but the doctor says it is clinging to the side of my kidney, hanging on for dear life just to annoy me! Really as if I need one more thing to occupy what little brain capacity I seem to have these days. Apparently is pretty big too. They will have to do the Sonar treatment to get it broken up enough to pass it in a million different pieces (if I am lucky.) I am trying to look on the bright side...but there doesn't feel like one right now and I thought it might be a good idea to turn to my 4 online friends for sympathy...I mean support. Maybe after blogging it I can put it to rest and just get on with my life and the sonar treatment because right now I am scared to death!

Swim lessons are great. The kids are loving all the water time they are having. I think they would have gills if nature didn't prevent it. Sonia jumps from the life guard chair today thus earning her traditional snow cone and James is going to attempt it tomorrow. Macey however has spent the entirety of two weeks strapped in the stroller...Sorry. I am going to try to get her into another session just to make up for it! Love those kids. I can't believe how fast summer is going and I don't know if I will be able to give my kids up again to elementary and preschool....ugh.

As Per Popular Request

Okay here it is the DAILY SEVEN:
first of all I can't take all the credit because I got the idea from my sister in law Laura.
The idea goes like this, you post them somewhere that the kids can see them (if your kids can't read draw pics)
These can be modified for individual kids and family needs but here are ours:
1. Read Scriptures
2. Say Prayers
3. Get dressed
4. Brush hair
5. Brush teeth
6. Tidy bed/room
7. 15 min chore (more like 5 min chore 10 min whining) ie. emptying garbage, washing windows, tidying a bathroom.
When you have done your daily 7 you have access to media, tv computer or movies and also friends.
My kids memorized the daily 7 pretty quickly and it is funny to hear them counting down... okay now i only have 2 left. This normally takes my kids anywhere from30 min to 45 depending on how motivated they are. Another cute idea I heard was that Sunday is also Sloppy Bed day. My kids would love this if they actually made their beds well everyday this part of the daily 7 gets glossed over 4 out of 7 days of the week, but now we have a goal for when we get bed making down. HA

Memorial Day-Day Hike

This Memorial Day we did a little day hike up to a waterfall in Payson Canyon, it was great it was only about 1/2 a mile up grotto trail. A perfect hike with all the kids, we loved crossing all the split logs across the stream and getting wet and muddy at the falls it was just what our little family needed, some fresh air after being cooped up with this crazy weather, the whole excursion took only 5 hours, perfect! We even got the lawn mowed in the morning and would have had enough time to do chores had we not been lazy in the morning.

Summer has proven fun and messy at our house. The kids have to do their "Daily Seven" plus a fifteen minute chore before they can have access to any media (comp, tv, movies). We have gotten rid of cable forcing us all outside more and we are all better for it! The messy part comes in with trying my best to keep the house clean...trying is the key word.....ottor pop wrappers and wet towels the biggest culprets.

Macey has proven an outdoors-woman as she makes a run for it as soon as the door is ajar. She has been to most of the neighbors houses with the older kids. It is hard to keep her contained. If only she had any fear in her I might feel a little better, but roads and traffic mean nothing to her and coming home doesn't seem to be on her radar either.

Over all we are reveling in the togetherness of summer. It feels good to have my kids back and have them being kids again!

Japanese Maples make me happy!

Have you ever put a plant in the perfect spot and loved it?????? My red Japanese maple just outside my front window is and I am in heaven now that I am getting leaves on it!!! Spring is here hence the long awaited post, I've mostly been outside in the yard. I know I am a weirdo.....its been long established that I am addicted to gardening so we don't have to dispute it.
I have to say I totally lucked out with Macey, she is the cutest garden companion she loves her red wagon and as long as she is in it she is happy, all day, she doesn't care. It must be really comfy....
James is determined to learn how to ride his bike without training wheels this summer, good for him! I hope is tall enough! His bike is huge for him!
Sonia mean while is like a fish in water on her bike, she rides it everywhere, most days she just keeps her helmet on, you never know when a riding emergency will arise:)
The trampoline is getting lots of use....by every kid in the neighborhood, I really hope none of them fall of the cliff side of it and sue us!
mike and I have mowed the grass 3 times now and shoveled threee yards of mulch and weeded and planted...when I say Mike and I, I mean Mike with me looking over his shoulder. Ha Ha
LIFE is just rolling along!

Having the Woodburys

This week the 3 Woodbury kids got to come and stay at our house while the their parents went off to Puerto Rico! (Payback for Hawaii) Even today at the end of 4 days, I am exhausted, The sink is full of dishes, the house looks like a tornado, I am equally grateful for an opportunity to spend time with my cute nieces and nephews. Last night as all the kids slept in the loft (long awaited bribe for being good all week) I couldn't help but think how great it is to have my kids cousins, on both sides, so close and have good influences on my children from built in best buddies. Thanks to all my siblings and sibling in laws.
Macey yesterday popped up with an infection on her finger from a cut. And it was growing up her arm...scarrrry. Poor baby, although this did reinforce the fact that I really am not talented enough to look after 6 people all at once:( Or at least not long term. Crazy life. One shot of antibiotic later and we should be on the mend, although I am now indebted to all those sisters that I farmed children off to while I went to the follow up apt. Thank you thank you thank you!

WE have another busy week ahead so we shall see how good our endurance really is as a family...if any of you find me in the corner of my house crying give me a couple of minutes I'll be just fine! HA

There's Lightning in my Pants!!!

Last night James couldn't go to bed because there was Lightning in his pants! His fleece jammy pants made static! I love kids!!!

Quick update... Valentines/Anniversary went swimmingly, I dipped about 80 Chocolate Strawberries...Tempered milk chocolate and Chocolate Ganashe mostly, but my favorite was the white chocolate coconut! Yum, I won't divulge how many of those I ate myself, but it was pretty fun next year I want to get a wholesale fruit person so I don't have to pay so much. Valentines was promptly ruined when Sonia threw up...(can I take back that dreamy sigh now)

She is all better now and this week cut off her hair and donated it to Locks of love. And I quote "Mom, its not important how cute my new hair cut is.. it is only important that little kids with out hair will get some now." end quote. Again... I love kids.

Miss Mace is officially walking. She is so thrilled with herself, it is even cuter than her walking. She takes 3 steps, throws her arms in the air, plops herself down and giggles her little head off!! Cute. She also loves ring around the rosies and Elmos World...which she loves most at 3 in the morning...(she is the third child what more do you expect from me, I haven't slept in almost 7 years!)

Life is just plugging along. By the way does any one know how to get a playlist onto your blog??? I am dying to share my fav tunes with all 4 of you!

febuary blaaahhs

Thought I might post just to fill in the dead space between January and Febuary. I keep telling myself that I should be cleaning because spring is going to roll around and I am going to want to be outside as much as possible. This is where the blah part comes in, I don't feel like cleaning, I feel like idling away the days with wishing for spring...
On a lighter note I went to Sonias Parent Teacher Conference, and her teacher said she is doing just great. She also asked if she always has to know what is going on at home like at school, and I said, you only get to see 3 hours of it!!! Her teacher then said she will make a great leader...(leave you to your own conclusions)
James is doing good too, we are trying to decide if we should put him in kindergarten next year or wait, I think we are leaning toward wait...first he has to know where he left his coat:)
Macey is her same old teething sassy self. Love the Girl... she loves elmo.
Mike is doing a side job at the neighbors, so it is nice to know he is close. Couple more weeks and he should have it busted out with the help of our neighbor.
My biggest dilemma is naming my new Garden Society... I've found my calling in life starting Garden Clubs. If you want one let me know. I can collect dues and then I will set up all the tours and itinerary and then you go and enjoy. This is all complimentary if you are in my Club. Lately I've been thinking of Calling it Red Spigot Garden Society. If you have any other ideas let me know. And while I'm on the subject of Gardening the Deer have demolished my new yard. Booooo hoooo...and I am helpless just sitting here watching them knowing full well I live in their yard not the other way around... Next post my favorite holiday....(dreamy sigh) Valentines.