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.