Simple Gifts.

I've been really busy lately. 

Mostly because I am running a business, working at a part-time job, and just for kicks I am teaching music classes this summer.  Plus there's those mommy things that we do. 

Also, I have this weird problem that I over-schedule myself and my kids.  Always.  I really hate it about myself, in fact I would even say that I loathe it about myself.  It is really hard for me to "waste-time", that's what down time feels like to me.  It's really hard for me to do nothing, and I force my kids most of the time to follow in my crazy chicken-with-a-head-cut-off ways. 

Anyway, today is Friday.  I finished all of my tax stuff for work, got pay-roll finished for the business, and had no classes scheduled to teach today.  So, the boys and I decided that we would visit the Discover Gateway museum with the pass that Shelly gave us.  (Thank you Shelly!)  We set about to make all the beds, tidy the rooms, dress the bodies, and brush the teeth. (I also put on some make-up for the benefit of all those whom I encounter today, your welcome).  We ate lunch and marched outside to get into the van and go to the museum.  That's when I realized that my keys were in the van, and it was locked.

The boys were dissapointed, but I think I was more dissapointed than them.  No car?  We are stuck home with nowhere to go and nothing to do until Nick get's home at 5. Oh Dear.

I actually called Nick, in a half-hearted attempt to see if he would waste 45 minutes of his day and gas to help me out.  I can't believe I actually did that in retrospect.  Luckily in our phone conversation I came to my senses and said, "we will just find something else to do". 

So, we scootered down to the south end of our neighborhood where there is a beautiful creek that runs through the property.  We took our time in that sweltering noon heat, looking at anything that caught our fancy.  There was no need to rush because we have nowhere to be and no way to get there.  We stopped at the big cottonwood trees and tried to climb them.  We stopped behind the carports to seek cover for two little boys who need to "go".  We stepped over dead worms and snails, then stopped to analyze them and think about how gross they were.  We said hello to the mailman.  When we got to the river we just sat in the cool shade and stared at the beautiful water.  We drank from the artisan well, it was so good and so cold!  It reminded me of Tuck Everlasting,it's kind of what I imagine that well looks like, all mossy and beautiful and green.  I told my boys about that book, they thought it was cool and might be true, so we all drank (Except Simon, he doesn't like the idea of being so close to the river, good on him I say).
We took pictures in posing like pirates and spies.  Then when we were finished, we walked back home.

We came in the cool house and had some ice cream,  why not?  It was delicious.  We leisurely watched Elmo's world and then read a book for naps.  I kissed my boys and tucked them in.  We took our time.  It was beautiful!

Now I had some time for myself, I've updated my blog, and I've reflected on what a gift this day way.  I am thankful that we were locked out of our car, it helped me to slow down and we all needed that at our house.  I am so glad that my Heavenly Father knows what I need and he makes sure I get it despite my best efforts to thwart it all.  Whenever I hear this song by Mindy Gledhill, I feel horrible that I am moving life along too quickly.  I am so glad that today I got to slow down!

4th of July Weekend!

Gee, I love July!  Begins with a Holiday and ends with a holiday.  What more could you ask for?  This year we partied all 4th of July weekend, beginning with the Cache Valley Cruisin' on Saturday (which meant we ate at Maddox on the way and Blue bird before we left.  Our travels usually revolve around food, don't yours?)   Then on Monday, of course the Parade followed with "Fun Days" and then my dad's birthday shebang! (Sorry, only one picture from that one, of Nick and me being all in love and stuff)  We finished off the day with a short and sweet firework display, it only lasted 15 minutes probably due to budget cuts but I think that any longer than that just becomes redundant.  Also, I just want to add that I think that the weather this year was perfect, very uncharacteristic of Utah as we actually got a rainstorm in the afternoon on the 4th of July. 

Ian was hot, Gabe discovered Michael Jackson moves, and Simon...who knows.

Love this shot because of the guy by the wheel.  And my kids are awesome.

Bumblebee! 

Parade day, hip  hip hooray! 

Ian striking a pose in his crown.

Simon showing off his new Tat.

Gabe becoming lady liberty.

Could be the best picture I have of Simon smiling. 

Proof that Nick lives, he is usually taking the picture!

The Mormon Battalion

Recently, our family traveled to California for a week long vacation.  It was great and we did a lot of fun touristy things including Disneyland.  I think that the event that we enjoyed most was when we traveled to Historic San Diego and toured the Mormon Battalion Museum.  Seriously.  The museum itself was fantastic and interactive.  Some of the highlights include when Gabe and Ian got to dress up as Mormon Battalion soldiers, complete with rifles and bayonets and panning for gold.  There was a lot of cool stuff, but most of all the story of the Battalion was compelling! 

To summarize, President Brigham Young petitioned to the US govt. for aid to help the saints head west.  Basically their prayers, and their petition to the gvmt.  was answered for a call for 500 soldiers to assist in the was with Mexico.  Men volunteered to leave their families and travel as a Battalion out west to fight, but they were promised by Brigham Young that they would never see action and that their families would be taken care of.  They didn't fight once, and their families were cared for.  Plus, they each recieved 48 dollars to purchase uniforms, which they all gave to their families and the other saints so that they could travel out west.  Basically, the Battalion financed the first group of pioneers to the Salt Lake Valley.    You can read more about this incredible piece of American and LDS history HERE and see pictures of the museum HERE. 

This trip meant a lot to me, because the Jacobs line can be traced back to Henry Jacobs who was a Battalion soldier and also the first husband of Zina Huntington Jacobs Young.  There is not a lot known about Henry, but Zina was sealed to Joseph Smith and Brigham Young, while she was married to Henry and with his knowledge.  In fact, he was in the room when she and Brigham Young were sealed.  I think it is safe to say that Henry was a pretty unique and faithful individual as was Zina.   I used to think this story was weird, but I have gained a new testimony of the sacrifices that these early saints made.  I admire their faith and courage and I am proud to claim this as part of my heritage. 

Bottom line, if you get a chance to travel to San Diego then please visit this museum in old town San Diego.  It is great!

Read more about Zina HERE.

Gabriel, we love you!

There are so many reasons why I love Gabe, he is just an all around great kid.  Here are a few fun facts about my now seven year old Gabe!
1. Gabe has a great sense of humor, he delights in making other people smile and laugh!
2. Gabe is an awesome reader, he is reading on a fourth grade level and best of all he really loves it.
3. Gabe is a good brother and friend, he is always thinking of his brothers who are his best friends.  He will often save half of his treats from school and bring them home (usually crushed in his bag) to share with his brothers.  It's very sweet.
4. Gabe writes some pretty interesting stories, they usually involve aliens. 
5. Gabe loves reading the Book of Mormon.  He is always asking questions and making parallels from previous chapters we've read.
6. Gabe is a really great singer!  He has nearly perfect pitch and can memorize a song after hearing it a few times.
7. Gabe is a great at the piano, he pretends he is not but when he thinks I am not listening, he really shows his skill.
8. Gabe is very protective of his family and watches out for his brothers all of the time.
9. Gabe is a great artist and enjoys illustrating his stories.
10. Gabe is such a great son, he bring so much joy in to my life and I am so happy that I get to be his mom.
Happy 7th Birthday my Gabe!

Here's a video that I think is just awesome, starring Gabe:

Kid History - Episode 1

This video took the edge off of a really crazy day. Thanks for sharing Nick!
Episode 2 and 3 are also hilarious...

So, here is the link if you want to see the full screen version.  Sorry about that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80entLldZOg

Happy Birthday to my sweet Simon!

Today my sweet baby boy turns three years old. He would immediately correct me though and say that he is not a baby boy but rather a big boy, and it is true. He is such a big boy! Here are some of the things that I love about Simon:


His accent:  All of his hard "k" sounds he pronounces as the "ch" sound. For example:
Michdonalds (McDonalds)
Lich = like
Bachudon = bakugon
Milch = Milk

Simon is obsessed with the color green, loves the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and anything involving Mickey Mouse and has a new found love for Thomas the Tank Engine.  His favorite foods are Peanut butter sandwiches, Hamburgers with Cheese (not to be mistaken as cheeseburgers, he likes to call them hamburgers with cheese) blackberries, raspberries, bananas, yogurt, chocolate cake, and french toast. 

Simon is very smart and very curious about everything.  He loves to study toys and see how they work and come apart.  He loves to build legos with his brothers, he is very good with his small motor skills and can use those little legos.  I even have a hard time building with those!  Simon is a good  and loyal friend.  He is slow to warm up to new people and kids, but once he get's to know you he will have your back. 

Simon is also a little bit mischevious.  I have to watch out when I am cooking because he will try to grab eggs and other things to "help me".  While I was making his birthday cake, he grabbed a bottle of vegatable oil and dumped it on his head and onto the floor.  Really, this all comes from his love to help in the kitchen.  He is always the first one of my boys to drag a chair up to the counter and help out with whatever we are cooking or baking. 

Simon is a cuddle bug and he really loves to hug me and Nick while we sing our goodnight songs to the boys.  He has a tough exterier, but has a really sensitive soul inside.  He has learned how to make others, especially in our family, feel better by giving them hugs and kisses (on the mouth only, a cheek won't satisfy him) when we are sad.

I can hardly believe that it has been three years since Simon joined our family!  He was truly the best Valentine I have ever recieved and I am so glad that he is a part of us, we all love him to pieces!

Valentines Day is for Fools

Nick and I have always thought Valentine's Day was a stupid holiday.  I am not really sure why, my best guess is that in the beginning of our marraige we were very poor and never had any money to celebrate.  So instead, we called the holiday Stupid.  We're mature like that.

This week I was cleaning out my filing drawer when I found this gem of a Valentine's Card from my dear husband.  I am not sure when he gave this to me (it wasn't dated, MEN!) but I remember receiving it early in our marriage, perhaps our first Valentine's Day together.    The best part of the whole handmade card is that Nick is a very talented Graphic Designer and an expert in photoshop.  So not only did he give me a weird card, but he purposefully did a bad editing job and used poor quality stock photography. Plus, I think the caption sums up our marriage quite well. Believe me the irony was not lost on me.  Happy Valentine's Day everybody!

(Before you feel too bad for us and our un-romantic marraige, you should know that we try to show our love for each other often through the year, not just one day in February.  Plus, we are celebrating Valentine's Day in Las Vegas this year, without our  children.    How romantical!)