My BIG spider family!

While in Park City for a mini vacation, we came upon a farmers market and found the most amazing little trinkets. A Lady had taken wire and beads and made the most beautiful spider pendents. Of course we had to get one, and one turned into 9! We had to get one for each of the boys, John picked out a few and talked me into getting one for me to hang from the mirror in my car. Well, on the way home I hung mine up and it looked awesome! I then took John's and Jacob's conected them. The other boys were holding or playing with theirs and one by one they passed them up to be added to the row.
It always surprises me when I see how big my family really is! I mean, just like with the spiders on the mirror, I added them one at a time, so when you see the last one get added on, yes, it looks crazy! I am not saying that having 5 kids is a cake walk, but we grew into this family and I would not change it for anything.
Our vacation was anything but relaxing and at times, I wanted to just go hime, but hearing the boys say what a great vacation this was made up for the not so fun times.
It's always fun to bring home a little something to remind you of a trip or vacation. Creapy crawler made from beautiful beads, a prefect blend for my silly, crazy fun family!

Rollin', Rollin', Rollin'!!!

Jacob finally rolled over today! He is just over a week away from 7 months and finally rolled over from his back to tummy, all on his own. This changed everything, no more leaving the changing table for a second to grab diapers. No more playing with his "toys" under the jungle gym with out getting stuck next to the poles. No more flat head, and not more lazy baby!

Race Day!

Well, I just finished my 3rd 5K today. I was bummed that I was not able to improve my time. I did something to my knee and ended up having to walk more than I wanted to. John and I started the race out together and about 1/2 mile in I saw some friends and from that time on John was ahead and I never caught up. Debbie came and walked the race and got 1st place in her age category!
Overall, it was a fun morning. I am so glad that I have been signing us up for these. If it weren't for the commitment, I would have stayed in bed. I hope to run at least 2 more before the end of the summer and may even try a 10k! That is, if I can actually train for the race and not have the 5K be the only time I run.

Shop Hop

I love the quilting Shop Hop, but this year there was so much going on that weekend that I was not going to try and sqeeze it in. Last year I took 2 days and Nathan, Matthew, Michael and I hit every store from Springville to Brigham City, to Tooele and back. We hit 15 stores and the boys had a blast! They loved playing the games, getting there card stamped, and collecting the small squares of material at each shop. They talked about the quilt that we would make together with all their new fabric treasures. It was a dream! So when Matthew came to me asking when we were going, I couldn't turn him down.
We only went to 4 shops total, but those few hours were so much fun, just the two of us (and my friends Mary Lyn and Amy that we met at Whimsy Cottage). Matthew and I searched for pirates, answered riddles, and played games. We went to his favorite shop, Quilts, Quilts, Quilts, etc. and ate treats and tried to win at the spy glass toss game. I needed to be back to the house by 5 and didn't make it back until 5:30. Matt wanted to go to more shops and I was so sad that we could not spend more time together. John called at one point and said he knew I wasn't feeling well, but Matt would remember this for the rest of his life. I knew that this would be special for him, but I think I got the most out of the day.
I love spending time with my kids one on one and really getting to know them better. I will always remember the Shop Hops with my boys. I am so lucky to have these great guys that want to spend time with me, doing things that we both enjoy.

Daddy, I love you!

Today is a hard day. We should have been spending the evening with a house full of family, but due to me still not feeling 100%, we canceled the party and my family is gathering at my sisters home. Not much of a Happy Father's Day for John either. His gift did not arrive in time for today, and I wasn't thinking clear enough this week to plan a special meal or anything. He grilled burgers and I made a dessert that was way too rick for me, but the boys liked it.
I think I am feeling better. Not coughing so much and just a little congested still. We went to my parents last night after pictures to give my Dad his Father's Day gift. When I gave it to him, "Whens Father's Day?"
My Dad is sick. He has dementia. It is so hard to see him disappear right be for your eyes. This morning when he woke up he told my mom that he like the picture he got, but could not remember who gave it to him. He didn't remember going to church this afternoon when I asked if the meeting was nice. I could here my mom in the background reminding him that he had gone to my sister's church. I can't imagine what my Mother is going through. I have been crying off and on since taking to my Dad today. This is just happening so fast. It is hard for him to walk and noises bother him even more now. I know it is no fun for him to come to our house with the craziness for 5 active boys. I love my dad so much and hate to watch him become someone so different from who he really is. He use to be so active, and at times, a real grumpy old man. That use to bother me, but I would take back that grumpy old man in an instant. Time is so precious, you never know what is around to corner to great you. Love your Father's today, appreciate who they are and keep those memories safe. There may be a time that you need them.
I love you Daddy!

We just got back from having family pictures taken and a party and Nana and Papa's house afterwards. We were all surprised at how well the picture process turned out. Fpr having a 3 year old and a 6 month old it was not nearly as painful as past experiences. It did not start out that way. I started preparing them in the car. Telling them that they needed to listen to the photographer, look at the camera, don't worry about what your brother is doing, you know the drill. Michael agreed to all the terms and as soon as we got there he was put to the test. She asked Michael to come around to the front and then everything we talked about went out the window. Now, I have been around this block far too many times to let him win this battle. I took him in my arms, looked him right in the face and in a stern voice told him that if he wanted to go to Nana and Papa's and swim, he better do what he is told and take a good picture. He knew I meant business and from then on, was the best of the group. If she asked him to put his hands on his lap, that is where they went. If she asked him to smile, he smiled. It was awesome! Even Jacob did pretty well, though he could hardly sit up on his own and looked like he was about to fall asleep. Jacob is so chubby we had to keep pulling his shirt down over his belly.
The color scheme I picked turned out darling and everyone look so cute together. Now, of coarse, I haven't seen the pictures yet, and I know a few of my kids still have those awkward smiles, but that is who they are and I am just excited to have a family picture with all my kids in it!
All the stress leading up to today was worth it.

Mother of Boys

I went to the Orthodontist with Connor today and was reminded of a poem that I wrote a few years ago. The orthodontist and his wife have 5 boys and he asked if I ever cried when we found out about any of them. Of coarse I had to say that I did and it made me think of my poem.
I love my boys. I love my crazy life, and I love being a Mother of Boys!

(This was written in 2008, when I was pregnant with my 4th son)
So I was laying in bed and not sleeping, again, and started thinking, "What was I thinking?". "Can I really handle another baby? And not just another baby, another BOY!" "How did I become the Mother to all boys?" And from that this poem came. Now keep in mind that this was written between 2 and 3am, so don't get too critical.

A Mother of Boys

I don't like dirt, and constant loud noise.
So how did I become a Mother of all boys?
Our laundry is colorful; blue, green and red,
But this time I was hoping for pink or purple instead.

I always imagined I'd have one or two girls,
In her special "spin dress", dark hair full of curls.
I bought little outfits, hair clips and bows.
Fabric for quilts that for her I would sew.

Then the day came, and we saw on the screen,
There would be no pink, just more red, blue and green.
"How could this be?", I thought in my mind.
That is definitely not what I thought they would find.

I cried many tears, and for days it was rough.
I packed away dreams with the pink girly stuff.
Then one day I realized the fun and the joys,
That would come to a Mother of 4 handsome boys.

I was already blessed as a mother with three.
How much more fun would one more boy be?
We won't break the bank buying everything new.
I've saved the boys clothes, and all their church shoes.

I'll still be the Queen of the castle here,
And the first girl they loved, till their teenage years.
The three boys I have are the best I could wish for,
And I know that will be with sweet boy number four.

I can now look back, and often I think,
"Why was I so set on purple and pink?"
I would not trade money for the constant loud noise,
That comes with the blessing of being a mother of boys!

One day away from disaster!

Lately I have felt like I am running in a race that I will never win, or even finish for that matter. I feel like I have so much on my plate and nothing is getting done. Even now, I have to stop and go take care of the baby!

30 minutes later, 2 types of formula tried, and spit up all over me, here I am trying to finish my thoughts.

I feel like I am drowned in paper, laundry, dishes and obligations. Today I got a phone call from some one asking if I would be able to help someone else's son work through Scouts and I had to say no. I mean, I am having a hard enough time helping my own kids with one working on Webelos and one working towards his Eagle. I guess I just have a hard time being made to feel like I am letting yet one more person down. I can only do so much and right now, that is not a whole lot!
I thought I was getting better (health wise), but as the day went on yesterday, I got sicker and sicker! I can not be sick, we have family pictures on Saturday! The kids need clothes, and haircuts. It is the quilt Shop Hop this weekend and Matthew wants to go with me. I haven't been to see the Parade of Homes, and I am teaching a class on meal planning at a RS retreat on Friday! Nathan keeps asking me to help him with things and I finally had to tell him to make a list so that when I am feeling better I can work on it. What was I thinking? I can't even get to my list!
I feel like I just need a week off from everything! Even an extra day. I asked John if we could have a "pass" one Sunday where we get all the things done that we haven't been able to get done the rest of the week. Just once! I know that wouldn't solve everything.
Am I the only one that feels this way? Why is life so stressful and crazy? I just want to be healthy, and enjoy the summer with my kids and not always feel like I and one day away from disaster.
Well, I guess it is safe to try to go to sleep now. I think Jacob is finally settled and my coughing should be dieing down. Maybe it will be all better in the morning.

Nathan's Special Date

I took Nathan out for his "special day" today. Every month we try to take the kids out individually on the "day" they were born. Nathan was born May 10th and I wasn't feeling well enough to take him last friday (June 10) so we had to hold off until today. All Nathan wanted to do was go to the Mall and get a pretzel. I thought that was so cute. We try to do these dates so that we can be with the boys, alone, and really get to know who they are. I always try to teach them a little something about being a good date, boyfriend, father or husband. Today it realy came through. I reminded Nathan that he should hold the door for a lady and as we were leaving the mall he ran ahead and held the door for me. It made me smile and I felt very proud to be his mom.
I look forward to these special days and miss them when we just can't make them happen.

I just got back from my sister's house in Bountiful. She is moving to Peru in August, so We have been trying to spend time together as much as we can before she goes. We decided our time would be best spent at her home, as she is in the middle of packing an entire house of belongings and memories. I picked up Baja Salads at Thanksgiving Point for us and dropped the kids to my mom's so that we could eat, talk and go through her cedar chest of memories. It was crazy to see all the work she has done and all the work she has left to do before the movers come in 3 weeks. The hour that I set aside went so fast that I had to call my mom and ask for more time. We spent the first 45 minutes eatting, talking and looking at all the wonderful things she bought to decorate her large appartment.
The best part of the day was looking through the treasures that were kept in the cedar chest. We sat and dug through the toys that she had saved from her childhood and let me play with when I was little. It was so crazy,I always thought these toys were mine! I just had a wonderful sister that let me play with her toys and create fabulous memories of my own with them. My sister is 16 years older than me, but we are so much alike that I feel the closest to her. I will miss her terribly when she moves. I broke into tears when she told me about the move. I know that this will be such an amazing experience for them, but I am selfish and wish she could stay.
I am sot grateful for the 2 hours that we were able to spend together today. I will cherish them forever.

Movie Madness

I have been sick for the past few days, Connor passed on his cold thank you. Coughing, tired, sneezing, the whole bit, but there is no time to slow down because I can't let my kids have a bad summer break. They won't let me forget last years summer vacation when they spent most of it in the basement "playing quietly so mom could rest". (I don't have the best pregnancies and unfortunately my kids suffer for it.)
Friday I had planned to take the kids to the dollar theater, (It really cost $1.50 so I don't know why we still call it the dollar theater?) and even though I was feeling awful, I wasn't going to let them down. Besides, we need to practice for the real deal when we go see Cars 2! (Michael has yet to sit through a whole movie.) Connor was still not feeling great and was sweet to be willing to stay home with Jacob. So it was off to see "How to Train Your Dragon" with the 3 middle boys. Michael was so excited to go and even remembered having to leave the last movie that we saw at this theater early, because he would not stay in his seat. I was sure this time would be great! We got to our seats and as soon as I sat down I was exhausted. I told Nathan that he needed to help keep an eye on thing, because I didn't know if I could stay awake.
Well, things went well for about the first 1/2 hour. Then Michael had to go to the bathroom. That went fine, but then he ate popcorn. You see, he does a fine job chewing popcorn, but when it comes to swallowing, well, he doesn't. He came to me and spit out his popcorn in a napkin in my hand and was told not to eat anymore or we would have to go home. I had told him a few times to stay in his seat or we would have to go home and his answer to every request was, "Oh, okay, okay!", and he would quickly sit back down. Then it happened. He ate more popcorn, got out of his seat a few more times and I was beyond exhausted at this point. He came to me to spit out his popcorn and I gave him a napkin to do it himself. Instead he decided to spit it out on me! It was disgusting and I was done. I grabbed him and told the kids we were leaving and headed up the isle and through the heavy double doors. I stopped and asked Nate and Matt if they would like to stay and finish the show and I would be out in the car with Michael. Michael was not happy to see them go back in and be going back to the car. I buckled him in and we sat and waited for the boy. It was only about 15 minutes and the boys came right to the car like they were told. I am sure we will go see Cars 2 with Michael, but at least I will have John with me and hopefully I won't be sick!

Lunch with the GIRLS!!!

I just came back from having lunch with some of my friends and realized something. There were no strollers, no high chairs and no kids meals. That's because there were no kids!It has been a long time since I have gone to lunch with friends were at least someone had to bring a toddler or baby along. It was so nice to be able to talk and just enjoy each others company.
I am so lucky to have Connor to watch the littler kids for me so I can do things during the day. Before lunch I had to take Nathan and I to the dentist and I came home just long enough to make Jakey a bottle and head back out. About an hour later I got a call from Connor saying that he had gotten Jakey to sleep and wondered when I would be home so he could go to a movie with a friend. That is the kind of interruption I can handle.
Today is a good day!

My kind of camping!

I seriously have the cutest kids. While I was upstairs, they pitched a tent and created a campsite with grass, snakes, a pond and nature sounds! I love summer!

Dentist, Doctor, and Denial

Every 6 months we go to the dentist, and every 6 months I am reminded of a few more things that I am not keeping up on. As Matthew is getting examined by the dentist he is asked if he is brushing twice a day. It is at that point that I realize that he does not only lie to me, but he also lies to other grown-ups. I then tell the dentist it is more like twice a month. Luckily he had no cavities, but I was already starting to feel like a "great" mom.
Then it was time to pin down Michael and look in his mouth. We used a new technique and had him pinned at the bottom of the chair with his head hanging over the side. It sounds pretty cruel, but it was sure easy to look at the top teeth as he screamed. Okay, it wasn't that bad, but when the dentist asked if Michael was brushing his teeth, well let's just say that that question (and the answer) probably hurt more than the actual exam.
I left the office vowing to do better, and honestly, I probably will (At least for the first few days).
Then off to Jakey's 6 month appointment. A few shots, a little tugging in his "Swimsuit area", and a little pink eye and we are feeling super right about now. I am just glad we have a doctor that is so nice and doesn't make me feel like I am falling short on everything, even when I am.
Even with all of this today, I still think I am a pretty good mom. I mean, I did put dinner in the crock pot before I left, and I do plan on giving Jacob his fluoride and multivitamin prescription the doctor gave me. Well, that is, if I remember.

Motivating Music!

So I decided to grab my Ipod for my "run" this morning. I say "run" because it started out that way for the first mile, but then when I turned around to come back, the wind was blowing and I caught something in my throat and ended up walking and coughing the whole way home. Anyway, Back to the tunes. My Ipod was not charged so I grabbed the one that John gave to the kids. There's nothing like working out to The Backyardagains and Star Wars soundtrack.

No more "Howell"

Since Michael could talk he called Matthew "Howell" or "Howowe". Not sure where that came from. Michael could say everyone elses name just fine, but for some reason "Matthew" was too difficult to say. Well, in that last two days that had changed. It started yesterday while we were working in the yard. The "two M's" were running around and then in happened. "Howell Maffhew" we heard. John and I looked at each other, then again "Howell Maffhew", Michael was calling.
Then today it changed to only Maffhew. John was visibly sad. He said it was like the time that Connor stopped calling Pajamas "Bunchens". We still talk about how Matthew us to call quilts "fagrits" (like fabric). And I can't forget the way Nathan use to talk monotone and we would call it his robot voice.
I guess they all have to learn to talk correctly some day.

Let's try this again!

So, I have this friend that has a pretty popular blog and her success has inspired me. Not that I want to make this a huge and popular blog, but just so I will get back to jotting down my thoughts and connect with friends and family again.
I decided that starting new would be easier than trying to up date the old one. So I asked my kids to help think of the blog address and Nate said "Boy Cheese sandwiches" right away. There is a little story behind that. When Connor was small, I was watching a little girl and at lunchtime I asked if she would like a grilled cheese sandwich. I then asked Connor and he said, "I want a boy cheese sandwich". Three kids later my sister gave me 2 books to jot down all the cute things that the kids say and do. The cover of the books have a picture of them and the title "Boy Cheese Sandwiches".
So I hope you enjoy the next generation of Boy Cheese Sandwiches! (And I hope I will keep up on it.)