A sweet surprise

Most of you with kids will agree with me that it's so hard to get kids to be consistent at cleaning their rooms. Why is it that when there's toys, clothes, blankets, shoes, socks, backpacks, books, papers, and whatever else manages to find it's way to the floor, they can't see the reason of why it needs to be cleaned up. Can they not see it? I'm the type that hates clutter and seeing toys spread throughout the house. But, so far, I'm the only one that understands this concept in this household. Sigh.

But, every once in a while amazing things happen!

I kept my boys in yesterday while I taught piano. Usually they play downstairs, outside, in their room or watch tv or movies while I teach. I noticed while I was teaching it was a bit quiet. But, I wasn't worried. My boys aren't the type to get into anything they shouldn't. So after my student walked out the door, the boys came running in and said to come with them. They had a surprise for me. Instead of going to their bedroom, they lead me to my bedroom. Okay. They have me close my eyes (of course I have to peek so I don't run into the wall). When I get to my room, I find they've made my bed for me! The bedspread was pulled up perfectly and all the decorative pillows were placed just how I like it. I was so proud of them! (And just so you know, I do make my bed every day). They also took me to my closet and showed me how they'd lined up all our shoes on our shoe rack and the floor. It looked so nice! I made a big deal out of it to let them know I love it when they do things like that!

Of course, I go to their room and it's just like I described at the beginning. But, because I was so excited about their surprise, they were willing and uncomplaining about cleaning their room. Maybe I should leave my bed unmade more often.

Or maybe not...that would drive me nuts.

Grocery store excursion...

Do you agree that this is one of the worst things to see coming up behind you and not going around? How about two sets of them?? Even worse!

Yes, this happened to me yesterday at approximately 5:00 pm. It took all the motivation I could muster to get myself out to Macey's for food for the weekend. That's all I was doing! Just a short trip around the corner.

So I make my left hand turn onto state street and lo and behold, I see a police car right behind me (following me with the turn). No sweat. Then he turns on his lights. Oh boy! So I move over to the outside lane and he follows me. Oh no! And I'm thinking hard about what I could have done wrong. I couldn't think of a darn thing. I pull off the road hoping he's still going to go around me and that's when I see a second police car with his lights on. Do they think I have drugs, stolen car? (Yeah, who would steal a mini-van?)

The first policeman gets out, comes to the passenger side door and says "hello ma'am. Do you know why I've pulled you over?" No, I have no idea. "Your registration expired a few months ago, did you know that?" Holy cow! I felt so, so, so stupid at that moment. Then to make it worse I didn't have my insurance card on me cause we had just switched our policy and the new cards were still on my desk at home (where they didn't belong). I felt past stupid.

He takes my license and I'm trying to think of what I'm going to say to him. Honestly, who looks at their license plates on a regular basis? We just moved in June, so I'm figuring we didn't get the notice in the mail about renewing the registration. So, if no notice, I don't think about it!

I look in my rearview mirror and see both policemen looking at whatever it is they look at and talking. Okay, so why 2 of them? It makes me look bad! Whenever I see 2 policemen I think drug bust. Wouldn't you? Now that I've had time to think about it, one of them must have been training or something.

Anyway, I got off the hook. He gave me a warning and the speech about registration or else. It's interesting that I've been driving around in my van for almost two months oblivious that it's expired. Now, I'm freaked out to drive anywhere. But, I have to drive it to get the safety/emissions test and all the way to Provo to register it. Good luck to me! I will laugh if I get pulled over again.

Pest control issues

This is the kind of fly that is driving me crazy! You probably all agree with me, right? I think this kind of fly has a secret passage way into my house without the door being opened. I'm constantly whipping out my fly swatter to KILL them. Sorry, I'm not the type to help them back outside and let them go on their merry way. I have no patience for that! So yesterday I'm teaching a piano lesson and during that 30 minute lesson, 3 of them make their way into my house. (I'm sure this time it was through the doors left open by my so very obedient children!) All 3 of these flies are pestering me and my poor student, Tyler. Sara is also yelling out constantly "shoo!" and "mommy, flies!" I was trying hard to focus on Tyler and ignore the flies, but the darn things wouldn't stop flying around our heads. (I do shower, you know!) So I'd had it. I jumped out of my chair and got the fly swatter.

Okay, so why is it that when the swatter comes out, they go into hiding? They can't be that smart! Really! I go and sit back down and put the swatter next to me on the floor cause now they've dissapeared. Not for long! Soon they're back out and I'm swatting away like a crazy freak and Sara and Tyler are trying to tell me where they are. Then they go into hiding again. Grrr.

Now here's the cute part. I sit back down, put the swatter back on the floor and go back to teaching. A minute later, a feel a slap on my back. I look around and Sara has the fly swatter and was trying to hit one of the flies that landed ever so softly on my back. Good job, Sara! At least she is as determined as I am to rid the house of these black, ugly pests.

I love your blog too!

My sweet friend Ivy gave me a blog award. Thanks, Ivy! So, I will pass on the same award to...

Amy Lockhart-We met in the Newport ward in RI. She is an amazing mom! Her husband is in the coast guard in Louisianna, so she carries a lot of responsibility on her shoulders. (As well as facing hurricanes down there!)

Cathi Chisholm-Cathi is so creative and a great homemaker! She's raising 6 great kids and maintains a beautiful home. She's a fabulous sister-in-law and friend.

Tristi Pinkston-Tristi has been a great friend since way back in the singles ward. She is smart, talented and also a great mom! I love her humor too!

Holly Ward-We met also in the Newport ward (which we both miss!) She was a fabulous choir director! She's very creative, opinionated, and a hard worker. She's had a lot to deal with health-wise as well.

Lisa Redding-We also met in Newport RI. I love staying in touch with Lisa through our blogs. She has a great sense of humor and I know she really loves her two beautiful daughters!

Rachael Haught-I met Rachael through my cousin, Emily. She babysat for us a few times (and yes, we'd love to call you again!) She is happily married as of a few months ago. She's beautiful and so sweet!

Denice Lingen-Denice is my cousin (through Richard) and I've enjoyed getting to know her even better through her blog. She's also a mom I certainly admire!

Okay friends, here's what you do. Make sure to collect your blog award and place it in your blog!!!

1. The winner can put the logo on her blog.

2. Link the person you received your award from.

3. Nominate 7 other blogs.

4. Put links of those blogs on yours.

5. Leave a message on the blogs of the girls you’ve nominated

Happy Birthday, Miss Sara!

Happy Birthday, my little Princess! 2 years ago today little miss Sara was born. We named her Sara because it means 'princess' as long as it's without the 'h'.
It has been so fun and educational to have her in our family. She loves her stuffed animals (especially 'mo' and 'oyer' which translated is her cow and eyore). Her favorite food is 'cacker'. So, I have to go to the store for crackers if we run out or I will hear about it. And believe me for some of you who know, she has a voice box connected to lungs!! She's going through this screaming phase (at least I hope it's a phase. It needs to end now.) You know how sounds travel your spine? Yeah, like that times 10! Unlike the boys, she is starting the 'terrible' 2's! She actually doesn't like shopping (anywhere), and she has to have things her way (very stubborn). It makes me appreciate how good the boys were when they were two! She can throw a pretty mean tantrum.
But, she is so darn loveable and kissable! She loves to cuddle and read books, climb all over daddy and the boys, and swing on swings. Oh and yes, she does like hockey and baseball! She fits right in with the boys.
Happy Birthday, Sara-Bear!