DAY 29

Camden had a soccer game this morning.  Their team got killed, but the kids had fun!  Camden even took a ball to the head when the other team threw it in.

After the game we had to run an errand which took us right past a new park.  I have been wanting to check it out for quite a while but just hadn't made it there yet.  Today was the lucky day, we stopped to check it out.

It was beautiful day and the kids had fun running around.

After we got in the car to drive home Jace said, "Mom, you are the nicest mom ever, huh?  You are a rock star.  And even when you are not the nicest, you are still a rock star".  

You better believe I took that as a compliment.

DAY 28

Today was a stay home and get stuff done day.  I cleaned toilets, scrubbed floors, and mowed the lawn.

I'm convinced we have a swamp for a backyard.  Last week I found a toad, this week I found a snake.  Next week we are bound to find an alligator.

We had one of the neighbor kids over playing when I came in to get the boys to see the snake.  Their friend was freaked out, but Jace and Camden were convinced we have the best backyard ever.

Tonight I ordered pizza for dinner.  I paid for it over the phone and asked Dan to pick it up on his way home.  When he arrived, he had a totally different order in his hands than what I paid for. Leave it to me to make it known.  I immediately called Pizza Hut and they fixed our order.  Because of what happened, we got a free pizza and bread sticks tonight, as well as a credit for next time.  Totally worth the hassle of a mix up.

DAY 27

Camden received a surprise piece of mail today.  He was beyond excited and loved the mystery of not knowing who it came from.  I'm pretty sure it's from Gavin, he lives a few doors down and they love giving each other pictures.  It made Camden's day.  I need to remember this, kids love it.

Camden came home from school exhausted and feeling emotional.  I could tell he was tired and hungry.  He ate like a grown man at lunch and had tears in his eyes over everything little thing.  He was pretty sure his friend Connor brought a knife to school and chased him while they played tag.  But after being reminded of the difference between a pretend story and a real life event, he determined that didn't really happen.

He started sobbing over a small little cut on his arm because he wasn't sure how it got there.  I'm thinking today is a pretty good indicator that he needs an earlier bedtime.

Jace started crying at dinner because his "tummy was not feeling good".  It was distended and pretty uncomfortable looking.  He kept walking around with his shirt up rubbing his belly.  I felt bad he was in pain but it was pretty much the cutest thing I've ever seen.

DAY 26

I'm not really sure why today felt so busy, but it did.  Jace and I ran a few errands and happened to see Spidey driving around.  Jace asked me to take a picture to show Camden and Daddy that Spider Man drives a car.  I will never turn down a chance to take a picture with a willing child.

Camden had a friend come home from school with him for a play date.  They played really well together and included Jace in everything they did.

I received a cute little vase full of candy corn from a friend.  Jace is convinced he needs to eat all of it in one sitting and ration out just a few for the rest of us.  The boys got a pretty good chuckle with I busted out "pumpkin teeth" from my portion of the treats.

DAY 25

I went to breakfast this morning with 2 friends(and Jace), we called it visiting teaching.  At the end of our time together I think I might have agreed to take my husband salsa dancing next month.  Not sure how these two white kids are gonna pull that off, but at least it will make someone laugh!

Camden and Jace had a friend over to play and they convinced him to play outside in the sprinklers.  I'm not quite sure where this fascination for the sprinklers in the fall came from, but it's crazy.  They didn't last very long before we all headed to the garage for a popsicle.  It's fun for me to sit and hang with the kids while they have silly conversations with each other.  After their friend came out of the restroom he was trying to tell my kids that his "stool is funny looking like a person".  I was busting at the seams because Camden and Jace had no idea what he was talking about.  The only kind of stool they know is a bar stool.

After dropping Wes off at home we drove by the junior high school bus stop and saw 3 kids we knew.  It was fun to make their day by giving them a ride home.

As I put dinner in the oven the kids were restless and refusing to do anything I asked.  Camden was in tears over having to read, and Jace was doing the potty dance and refusing to use the toilet.  Luckily Dan walked in carrying an arm full of bubble wrap.

He saved the day.  The kids were in heaven.  What is it with that stuff that makes it so entertaining?

You bet your booty they popped every last bubble and were happy as could be.  Weird how that happens.

DAY 24

Today I had the opportunity to hang with a couple favorite friends.  Even though the circumstances weren't the greatest, we made it a party.  Every other week Janae receives a chemo treatment  which requires her to hang out in the hospital for roughly 7 hours.  Hanging out and chatting without any other responsibilities for that time was medicine for my soul.  I'm pretty sure I talked non stop the entire time and Janae would have rather slept, but she was a gracious host.  We laughed until our insides hurt, gagged at the smell of hospital food, and talked crazy talk.  It is heart breaking to watch a friend carry around such a huge burden and feel so helpless.  I am reminded that life is fragile and to enjoy the everyday tasks that I can accomplish with ease.  Hopefully "this too shall pass" quickly for her and her family.

The boys have been begging to play in the water.  Today they came out of their room with their swimsuits on rearing to go.  Even though it was freezing, they spent a solid hour enjoying the fun.  The sun had came out from behind the fog and smoke and it actually turned out being a beautiful day.

I ended up putting them in the bath after they came in because they were wet and cold.  Nothing like being ready for bed at 5pm.  

We ate dinner early and watched a movie together on the couch.

We talked about the importance of serving others and placed a treat on Uncle Caleb's pillow before headed off to bed.  I'm grateful for days like today.

DAY 23

Today I am feeling a little doom and gloom with all this nasty weather.  I guess I never realized how much I appreciate the sunshine until it's been gone.  I need that dose of daily vitamin D and I can feel how it affects my emotions.  

After church I came home and laid on the couch for a small siesta.  Although the boys were running around crazy and I was playing referee while half asleep, it was well worth it.  It apparently rained while my eyes were closed and there is a small glimmer of hope, I can see the sky through the smoke.  Hopefully it will rain again soon and this haze will disappear.

Camden quoted a scripture today in primary.  "If thou lovest me thou shalt serve me and keep all my commandments" (Doctrine and Covenants 42:29).  He did it all by himself and did a great job.  He was confident and excited to say it for his teacher.  I am proud of him and how quickly he catches on when he puts his mind to it.

DAY 22

Shoot!  I didn't take any pictures today.

Camden had an early soccer game.  It was cold and the other team was aggressive.  Camden scored 2 goals and was pretty proud.  Dan promised him a dollar for every time he scored, looks like the bribing worked.

After the game we stopped by for a hair cut.  Jace's hair dresser asked him why he allowed his mom to glue fake eyelashes on him.  Jace didn't see the humor in his comment and decided not to pay any attention to the hair dresser from then on out.  Everyone thought it was funny!

We vacuumed the car out and Camden refused to help.  Of course the very minute Jace got the vacuum Camden was in tears.  It wasn't fair Jace got to help and he didn't.

We've had several meltdowns today.  I've lost my temper a bunch.  Camden threw up because "mom made him eat too much".  We enjoyed a trip to Coldstone.  And now I'm beyond exhausted, falling asleep as I type.  Better end it now.

DAY 21

While mowing the lawn today I found a friend.  He was the biggest, yuckiest toad I've ever seen.

So naturally I scooped him up, put him in an ice cream bucket, and sent him home with Andrea's boy who happened to be walking down the street.

Later this afternoon I got in the car with my boys for a 10 minute drive.  I blasted the music and sang at the top of my lungs to keep them awake.

Clearly it didn't work.  They were exhausted!

After they had a cat nap we arrived at "The Flying pie" for one last meal with Andrew and Kelli.

It was fun having them visit for a few days and we miss them already.  Dan and Andrew have been friends for a long time and they had fun chatting about the good ol' days.

After dinner we played a few rounds of  "Go Fish".  The boys were in heaven.  Camden got a kick out of every time Jace said, "go away fishy" instead of "go fish".

DAY 20

Today was a weird day.  The state of Idaho is on fire and the sky is smoggy and gray.  

I chose to sleep in for an hour today instead of walking.  It felt nice.  

I stopped at the gas station for gas and a soda with wet hair and Jace in jammies. 

I wanted to curl up and sit by a fire, but luckily I had a lunch date with a few friends.  We chatted while our kids ran wild in McDonald's play land.  It was nice to visit and I was reminded that life is fragile.

After coming home from McDonald's I tried reading with Camden.  He cried and told me he hates to read.  When I asked Dan to read with him, Camden did it with pleasure.  What the heck?

I always ask Jace if he will promise to never grow up and go to school.  I usually make a pretty good argument and he consents.  Today he begged me to let him have a birthday and turn 5.  He really wants to go to school like his brother.  I guess I'll let him continue having birthdays, but I won't be happy about it.

Jace carried around my old phone today calling his friends.  Every time I tried talking to him he said, "Mom you can't talk to me when I'm on the phone.  You have to wait until I'm done or it's not nice!".  Hmm, I wonder where he heard that?

DAY 19

Tonight we got to hang out with our friends from Utah.  Andrew and Kelli drove up for the BYU vs BSU game tomorrow night.  We always love it when they come visit because they are hilarious!  Our waiter at dinner resembled the Brawny paper towel guy, with muscles the size of Texas.  After dinner we took them to Merritt's for a scone.  Nothing is better than a sugared up scone, way past bedtime, at a local hole in the wall. We enjoyed the yummy food, even better company, and laughing until our tummies ached.

DAY 18

Today was a good day.  I got to volunteer in Camden's class and see first hand how incredible his teacher is.  She had those kids doing something the entire time.  She gave every child the attention they needed, and knew exactly what they needed at every second.  She did not let those kids walk all over her, she was firm but loving.  At one point Camden came up to me and asked for help with the assignment he was working on.  I told him he needed to raise his hand and ask the teacher.  He looked at me like I was the meanest mom and asked again.  I gave him the same answer and he walked away. I felt bad for him but I wanted him to gain the confidence to ask for help when I wasn't around.  He never asked.  In fact, he didn't finish that assignment.  I wanted so badly to pick him up, give him a hug, and help him finish.  Hopefully he will catch on quick.

After dinner Dan and I took the boys for a little walk.  Camden rode his bike and Jace pushed his dump truck.  Dan has been encouraging Camden to ride without training wheels for quite sometime.  Camden has been timid and reluctant to try.  So a few months ago Dan raised the training wheels on his bike so he could start feeling the need to balance. When we got to the end of the street Dan told Camden that he noticed he was doing a great job balancing on his bike.  He said Camden's training wheels never touched the ground.  Camden was beaming and wanted the training wheels off. So right there, at the end of the street, Dan took them off and Camden rode his bike all by himself.

I was surprised at how natural he looked.  He wasn't wobbly or timid.

He is definitely one to wait until he is ready to do anything and then he always does great quickly.

He was beaming from ear to ear and couldn't help but enjoy the crowd of neighbors who were outside to witness.

Cute little Anne didn't want to miss out on the action either.  So Dan took removed her training wheels and she rode off just as quickly.

It was fun to see the excitement of not one, but two little kids learn to ride their bike for the first time.

As we all stood in the circle at the end of the street, our kids playing, Dan helping them ride, and the mom's talking, I felt blessed to live where we do.

DAY 17

Camden begged me to let him wake Jace up this morning.  After I allowed him the honors I heard giggling coming from their room.  Camden had ever so gently laid down next to Jace and rubbed his back to slowly wake him up.  It was pretty much the sweetest thing ever.  I'm so grateful these two love each other the way they do.

This afternoon Jace and I ran an errand to the craft store.  He grabbed his little cart and I grabbed mine, just like we always do, and I headed towards the first aisle to browse.  I turned around because I didn't hear Jace following.  He was slowly moving backwards tripping over his cart, terrified of the Halloween decor.  As I walked over to help him, I triggered a sensor in one of the witches.  Her eyes turned green and she let out a loud cackle.  Jace went into full on hysterics.  His heart was pounding and he was screaming louder than I have ever heard him.  I was trying not to laugh because I knew he was honestly terrified.  Employees rushed over because they thought something horrible happened and customers were probably annoyed.  It was the saddest thing ever but equally entertaining.

As we drove home from the store I tried explaining that the decorations are just pretend.  Jace was convinced they were scary and would hurt him.  I tried consoling him by telling him heavenly Father made mommies to protect Jace Man, and that I would never allow anything like that to hurt him.  He followed my comments up with, "I want Heavenly Father to make me like Mom and not Jace".  I reminded him that Camden loves his brother and would be so sad if Heavenly Father didn't send him a Jace.  And he followed that up with, "Then I wanna be a Camden, not Jace cause Jace does not like scary things".

Next stop this evening was Lowe's.  Dan had to hold Jace and help calm him down when we walked past a cheesy wire cat.  He was terrified.  I'm pretty sure he will be in bed before the festivities of Halloween begin this year.  Poor guy.

With the help of Dan I finished one of my shutter projects.  I am working on a few different variations and hopefully will be just as pleased with the final product.

I am obsessed with all the cute knobs lately.  The possibilities of what to make with these are endless.

Hopefully I can come up with a few more good ideas, and find the perfect place to sell  the beauties.

DAY 16

Camden has always loved to draw picture for his friends.  His most recent love is drawing them during church and giving it to his friends in class.  Last week he came home from class with a picture folded up all fancy.  I guess they had colored a picture during class and he asked his teacher if he could give it to Gavin who wasn't there that day.  She thought it was sweet of him so she folded it with a "pull" tab and showed him how to write "Gavin" on the front.  We dropped it off on the way home and Camden was beaming from ear to ear.

Fast forward to this week.  Camden came home from church beaming because Gavin drew a picture just for him.  He was so excited and felt pretty special.

I asked Camden who the people in the picture were.  He said, "oh that's me and my friends.  Gavin, Camden, Mason Blaser, and Dallin."

After seeing how thrilled Camden was to receive this picture, I realized I need to be more willing to let him give all his drawings away when he asks to.

DAY 15

The boys have been begging for orange juice in the mornings for several days now.  I kept forgetting to grab some at the store until yesterday.  So I was excited to serve it to them this morning with their waffles.  It was well received, they both had two glasses.

Dan had to work during Camden's game today but he had plenty of other supporters.  Of course Jace and I came, along with Nanny and Papa and Andrea and her kids.  I'm thinking he was a little distracted with all of his "fans"; he was off in his own world while he was supposed to be playing soccer.  But I keep trying to tell myself, it's only kindergarten ball.  Relax.  He felt so special having so many people attend and for that I am thankful.

Tonight I finished up a few odds and ends with my lesson for tomorrow.

Our stake has been participating in a new pilot program for the youth lessons.  I have been grateful for the chance it gives me to think outside the box as I study and prepare for my discussion with the young women.  Today I came across this BYU devotional about remembering Lot's wife.  I cried like a baby through the whole thing. 

I have been guilty of being just like Lot's wife.  I think it's hard to not look back.  It is easy to think about all the woulda, shoulda coulda's.  And it is hard to remember that faith is always pointed toward the future.

I had so many things I wanted to remember and post on my mirror from this devotional, but that is hard considering I highlighted the entire address.  Maybe I can post all 7 pages!  Elder Holland said, "To all such of every generation I call out, "Remember Lot's wife." Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ is the "high priest of good things to come."...Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant, and live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, trust and divine love transform your life today, tomorrow and

forever."

I can't wait to read this talk over and over again.  I love it!

DAY 14

I canned 90 pints of salsa today with 2 friends.

Need I say more?

DAY 13

Today was a random day of craziness.  Picking Camden up from school at noon puts a damper on trying to get things done.  But it's good.

After running all over town trying to find cute knobs and hooks for "operation shutters"(more info to come), I got a call from Andrea.  She had hit the jackpot.  She randomly came across a huge assortment of goodies and saved the day.

Both yesterday and today Camden got a little emotional at bedtime.  He started crying and said, "I'm just having a bad day and don't know why".  I'm pretty sure school is wearing him out and he has never felt this exhausted at night.  And if he is anything like his mama, the more tired he gets the more emotional he becomes.

Speaking of being tired.  I'm exhausted and need to get to bed.

DAY 12

I cannot for the life of me, remember that Wednesday is late start day at school.  It's probably gonna be the death of me every week.  I pulled up to drop Camden off and the green flag wasn't out.  The green flag is hung ten minutes before school starts which means there is a teacher on duty at the playground.  The kids are welcome to play until the bell rings as long as the flag is up.  Camden insisted on me letting him out this morning even though the flag wasn't up.  Once I pulled around the circle it dawned on me, late start!  Shoot, better luck next week.

After school we all got to hang at the park with the kids in Camden's class.  It was Ethan's birthday and his mom planned a picnic for all the moms and kids.  It was a fun way to get to know other parents and for our kids to get to know each other better.

As we were leaving one of the boys said goodbye to Camden and he replied with, "see ya later dude".  The little boy turned to me and said, "He calls everyone dude, and it's funny!"  I was laughing so hard.  Camden is just like his dad and can't ever remember names, so he just calls people dude.  Oh man.

On a random side note, Jace has been getting extra cranky around lunch time.  So I recently started giving him more "quiet time".  He willingly goes into his room and chooses to take a nap.  It doesn't happen everyday, but he and I can both tell when he needs it.  Today was one of those days.

Tonight after soccer practice we walked to the car and Camden had his head looking at the ground.  I asked him if he was ok and he told me he wasn't.  He said he felt "pretty sad" because I hadn't told him "good job at practice".  My observant man had noticed when I told all the kids goodbye I said, "thanks for coming and good job today".  But because I didn't tell Camden goodbye and didn't say the exact same thing to him, he felt bad.  Geez I'm rude.  I know he is sensitive and I need to try harder to see things from his perspective.

DAY 11

Jace and I had a very eventful day.  We built cities, delivered "important stuff" around the world in our train, fought "evil bad guys", saved the day, learned new tricks on the trampoline, ate the last of the butter pecan ice cream, had much anticipated play dates, and ran around in our underwear.  It was awesome.

If you know me at all you know that I am sort of a nudist, well at least I am when I live in my own house.  This is something that came pretty natural to Camden, but Jace never cared for it much.  You bet I loved it when he got so busy playing that he totally forgot he didn't put his pants back on after he went potty.  I knew it wouldn't last for ever so I captured it on camera.  Too cute.

Right before dinner the boys asked if they could have two M&M's and I said of course.  My reply was a little perplexing for Jace.  I tried not taking offense when he looked up at me and asked, "Mommy are you  nice today?".

When I reminded Camden that tomorrow is his day for show and tell, he came out looking like this.  He wanted to take his dad who has to work at that time, so he decided a cross between Iron Man and Wolverine is the next best thing.  I tend to agree.

If you look closely you can see a stamp on Camden's hand.  He proudly displayed it which lets everyone know he ran a lap around the track today.  He also informed us that everyone wanted to touch his fohawk because it was pokey.

I sure didn't get any toilets cleaned today, better luck tomorrow.

DAY 10

Ironing has never been a favorite of mine.  In fact, I can't even tell you the last time I ironed something for my husband.  He knows better than to expect or want that from me.  It ain't happening!  But wrinkled church clothes is right up there on my list of things I don't like.  So I recently started something new with how I tackle my ironing dilemma.  I like to iron my boys church clothes as they come out of the wash.  That way there is no scrambling the morning of trying to get things pressed.  If it's hanging in the closet it is ready to be worn.  Can I tell you how much I love seeing 8 pair of neatly pressed pants and several button up shirts all ready for church?  Mmm...does my heart good.  And if you would have told me to do this a year ago, I would have laughed in your face.  But it works for me now and I'm gonna embrace it.

So today after I sorted, washed, folded, hung up, and put away 9 loads of laundry, I couldn't help but feel proud seeing my bundle in the laundry room.  I am normally the one who leaves it sitting in the dryer for an entire day because I loathe anything after sorting and putting it in the washing machine.  Today I conquered something big.  Here's to hoping I can accomplish just as much in the cleaning toilets department tomorrow.

Oh and one other thing today...

We were driving to school and I reminded Camden about being respectful and kind and watching out for those kids who might feel lonely.  His response, "I always do that because Heavenly Father made me."  When I asked him what he meant by that he said, "That's what Heavenly Father would do and He made me to be like him, so I am".  I wanted to bottle up that knowledge and save it just in case he loses sight of that simple truth in his future.

DAY 9

I was grateful Jace woke up okay with going to church today.  A typical Sunday consist of me waking him up at 8:30, fighting him to wear church clothes, changing his tie 10 times because he refuses to wear it, and trying to negotiate whether or not he has to attend his own class.  Rushing to get him in the car, begging him to at least eat a granola bar, and then convincing him nursery is fun.  So today was a welcomed blessing.  I am grateful he woke up on his own, willingly ate breakfast, didn't make a fuss about his clothes, and went to nursery happily.

Right before our meeting started Camden's friend Tessa came up to him and regretfully said she was moving.  Her dad accepted a job offer in Utah and she wanted to be the first one to tell him.  She said, "I have to move a long ways away and won't see you.  I am moving out of this world".  It was the cutest thing I've ever seen.  Camden just sorta nodded his head and looked at her before inviting her over for a water fight.

I am grateful for the innocence of my children at this age.  I've been thinking a lot about how quickly they will grow up and the huge responsibility that lies on me to teach them good things.  It pains my mother heart to know they will make choices in their lives that will be hard.  And it eats at me to the core that I need to instill in them the ability to make the correct choices which can bring them true joy.  I wish their innocence would stay forever.

This afternoon I was making a treat and Camden asked if he would like what I was making.  I jokingly told him, "no way, it is pure sugar and you will hate it".  He listened carefully and didn't ask again.  It hit me that he trusted me(even though I was totally kidding), he didn't need to further question my answer.  He knew I knew and he was ok with that.  The clock is ticking and it's not in my favor.  I recognize that he won't always trust everything I say enough to not even question.  But I hope he and Jace will always try and remember that I love them, and want nothing but the best for them.  I hope they can trust me.  

Tonight I attended a parent/youth fireside and was grateful for the instruction.  We were taught three steps on how to bring our children "home":

1. Always teach them with love

2. Always teach the right thing.

3. Always teach at the right time.

I am slowly catching on to when my children learn best.  I love that I have been able to recognize that it is very different for both of them.  I hope I can be patient enough to teach them both in the way they need to be taught.  I hope I can continue to recognize and learn what they both need and how they need it.

I love these three boys of mine.

DAY 8

Today we got to watch and participate in the the first ever Red Soccer Snakes game.  Camden's team was so excited to play their first game and Jace was just as excited to be the official snack bag holder.

We arrived about 30 minutes before the game started and Camden kept asking when it was his turn to play. It felt like the worlds longest 30 minutes for both of us.

Camden is thrilled beyond words to be part of a team and asked me if I would take of picture of him with his "buddy" Graham.

When Camden took his turn to sit out he started a chant with his other team mates.  "Go Snakes go!  Go Snakes go!"  It was pretty funny to see them getting into it.  So when it was his turn to play in the game, he was so worried about wanting Jace to start the cheer, he forgot to play soccer. 

After baths tonight Camden's job was to work on his homework.  Seeing how it isn't due until Wednesday, I told him he only had to do half of it tonight.  He took it very seriously and insisted on completing both sides tonight.  He was very proud and wanted to explain everything he was doing to Jace.  I'm glad he was more willing to do homework tonight because he cried buckets the first time I asked.

Jace's job tonight was to hand out licorice and entertain.  He did an incredible job at both.  Should I care that the boys ate a handful of licorice right before bedtime?  Cause I don't.  Oh and they had a peach milkshake with dinner too.  Whoops!