a Day for Mothers

My nuggets. 

My last Mother's Day at prek. Enzo said he loves me "because she takes me to the store to buy me Transformers".

Being a mom is hard. The end.

That's really all it would take to sum up a Mother's Day post. It's so much work but, out of all the work I have done, it is the most rewarding. I imagine that someday- it will feel like two minutes and 300 years all in the same breath- I will look back longingly and wish I had one more day to do things different. I am grateful for my Snuglets. I am grateful that Heavenly Father trusted me enough to send these three strong willed, blonde haired, blue eyes kiddos to be in my care through this mortal existence. That take a LOT of trust- he knew I would struggle. He knew I would feel like a failure but he knew at the end of the day, I would do ANYTHING for these kids. They are my greatest accomplishment and I can't wait to watch what they do with their lives and to be a part of that journey.

He is Risen

We started out the Easter weekend at Mimi and Papa's. I brought our little egg lesson (that we share with the kids every year) for the littles. We talked about the Savior and each egg has a little visual and a scripture to help us understand the Atonement and his sacrifice. 

Talking about the week of Christ's life before the crucifixion/Resurrection. 

Baskets from Mimi- always swimming suits and flip flops and lots of candies. Brayden found the $5 Golden Egg this year. 

 For FHE we dyed eggs and Mimi/Papa, Britty/Garrason.

 Mary Ann also hosted her annual egg hunt. The yard is always COVERED and every egg has a candy/money or a surprise. We also love her raffle where she draws out your birthday and you can pick a prize from her "who haw". Our kids made out like bandits like always.

Sunday morning the Easter Bunny came to our house. The kids got more candy, clothes, and toys. K got a scooter and Mc her coveted shortalls. I also had my friend Christy make her chocolate/caramel eggs with our names on the top- the best Easter tradition.

 This family of mine- because of Him, we are together forever. I love him and am grateful that he willingly sunk beneath it all to save me. I make mistakes every day and don't deserve the love and grace that is so freely offered. I am thankful that he knows my name. He knows my struggles. He knows my shortfalls and my strengths. I know HE LIVES.

Breaking Spring 2019

The kids were lucky enough to get an ENTIRE week for Spring Break this year. We had just sold the Acadia the week before an put a down payment on a new car so we didn't want to break the bank. It made sense to use the "free" passes we had to go and have some fun. I booked us a Marriott at Thanksgiving Point and the fun began! Thursday night we went to the Tulip Festival. We didn't score a golf cart this year (it was like all the retirement homes in the Valley were there that day too). It was a beautiful day and we didn't mind the walking.

Tip Toe through the Tulips

You can see the tulips barely starting to peek out on the top left. Usually (when the weather cooperates) both sides are full of tulips.

 We decided to head to dinner and let the kids decide. Mc rabidly chose Texas Roadhouse and decided, after her ribs and mashed potatoes that "this is my favorite part of our staycation". After dinner we headed back to the Museum of Curiosity. Note to self: 6:00 PM on a Thursday is THE best time to go. It wasn't crowded and it felt like we had the run of the place.

Mc has done the tree top ropes course before but Kingston had always been too short. This time, they were both able to go and LOVED it. It was fun to watch them be a little timid the first time through and then hustling through again and again once they felt more confident.

Tornado kids

 We also were lucky enough to get to hold Evangeline the Cockroach (Mc so lovingly named her).

Mc was NOT going to hold a bug. The bug holder told Mc to name the cockroach because, "giving something a name makes it less scary." She can do hard things. 

After bug holding and ceiling scaling we were ready for dessert. We ordered a massive banana split and an Cookie Sundae to share. We went back to the hotel to swim and play until it was time for bed. Mc got the sofa bed to herself. Enzo and I shared a bed and Kingston with Mark. It was a LONG night with a wiggly boy in my bed. The kids got up and had breakfast at the hotel and then we headed to the Butterfly Biosphere right when it opened (lots of people had the same idea). We had gone before (see previous post with the Blackhursts) and were a little underwhelmed. This time the butterflies were ALL over- awake and fluttering all around. Far better experience.

We packed up and checked out of the hotel to head to more adventure. We went to Scheel's to ride the Ferris Wheel. The kids were just happy to run up and down the free escalator. We had lunch and went home where the kids played until late with friends. It might not have been Myrtle Beach or Disneyland but a memory packed little trip nonetheless.

the Donkey of Bremen Town

When Kingston brought home a script from school I wasn't really sure what to expect. His teacher had asked we practice facial expression and memorization so when I busted it open  I wondered what we would get. Kingston knew his lines- perfectly! He knew everyone else's line-perfectly. We really only went through it a few times before the performance. 

We showed up 30 min early to get front row seats and we settled in. Again, had really no expectations and figured Kingston would blend in, know his lines and do well but nothing prepared me for what was next. I WAS BLOWN AWAY! His little group was the first Fairy tale on deck- Kingston being the first and main animal, the donkey of Bremen town. He came out, confident, calm and nailed his lines, had theatrics, eye contact, charisma, a loud singing voice and awesome moves. He smiled and had influx. He killed it. He was riveting to watch and when I posted the video on FB/Insta everyone else was shocked too. He did such a great job. He told me later that day he was "a tiny bit nervous" before it started but once he got on stage "I could do that in front of a million people". I think we may have an actor on our hands. All hail the King. 

Cute little donkey of Bremen 

Kingston and Mrs Butikofer

Mama Clee

The irony of this post is that you will never see it. I still think to this day, you're the only one that has been reading my blog faithfully since 2008. I think I really only kept it up for you. Thank heavens I did- over 10 years of our lives documented.

Clea Marie- you were one of the first employees I had as a new manager at UOPX. I had no idea what I was doing. I was young and dumb with minimal life experience and a naivety that ran deep. I know you tried to protect me by keeping weekend team shenanigans hidden and you made sure people kept their swears to a minimum. You never had had a "real" job outside the home. I was your first "boss" a mere 10 years younger than you. It's like we arrived at that place to learn together. We spent LOTS of time wondering what time it was in California and me teaching you to use a computer. I always was your spell checker and I'll never forget our conversation about dress code (never forget the school girl outfit) and how you were spending too much time talking to Gary on your work phone. I remember telling you how you were smoking "the entire month of February" because you took so many breaks. In the end, you could do whatever you wanted- you always worked hard and ALWAYS found students in the most unlikely of places. Your phone voice was one for the records, "flirt to convert". 

You were there when I bought my first Tiffany bracelet. You helped me scour the cases and buy the heavy chained bracelet I still wear. I remember texting you right after Mc was born and you and Jason Weeks were the FIRST ones to come to the hospital with gifts and love. You brought food, made sure my hair didn't look a mess and could be brutally honest without hurting feelings. You stood up to Sarah Lovell and laughed uncontrollably at the most inopportune times. That's Clea. 

When I moved back to Utah, I wasn't sure I would still get to "see" you every day and then when I came back to telecommute, we all converted to Skype. Your little green dot meant that we could chat every day. And chat every day we did. From 2009 to February 2019 when you just couldn't work anymore. You were there every morning for me to talk about my busy weekends and to tell you all about my crazy. Constant. I remember crying to you about Mc peeing all over the floor, when I lost Mark to the demogorgon, all about my church drama (Even though you really had no point of reference), my daily plans, and every rumor about UOPX that was ever spoken. 

I knew you were sick. I guess I didn't really understand how sick. I think you protected me (and everyone else) from that too. I was so grateful that Sarah Landis and I were able to visit at the end of January when the Drs gave you 3-6 months to live. Gary told me not to be surprised that you looked different. I was most surprised by your thin fingers and the shade of your skin- the disease was taking you. We spent the weekend together and that was the last time you left the house- that was almost too much. We cooked, cleaned and I rubbed your feet while we watched "Dumplin". I asked if you were scared to die, you said "no" most matter of factly. You said you would come back as an elephant to remind us you were still there. I hugged you for a long time and left you. 

Bless Marco Polo. 

March 25, 2019. I texted Gary that I was heading to bed at almost 9 PM. My phone rang, it was Gary. I knew. You hadn't been eating for almost two weeks. You had been up "packing", preparing for a trip- your final trip. Hospice was shocked you had been hanging on this long. You took your last breath and silently slipped away to a place where you no longer are in pain and can feel the Savior's undying love for you. You left a huge hole here. I am not sure there is another person who was more selfless. There aren't many people who lose themselves in finding other people to help and lift. You never judged- it was just love. You made the world a better place by being here. I will miss you terribly, Clee. 

My sweet Mc. 

Grand and Greats

I don't remember the last time I saw my Grandma in person. Mom said she hadn't been feeling well and she was coming to stay for a few days to see the Dr. Dad asked us to come over, so all the sibs rallied. She looked just as I have always remembered in my mind. She literally has not changed. She still calls me "Teesha" and still is as sassy as ever. We sat and chatted with her and laughed as she talked about how naughty my dad was growing up. I am not sure my kids have ever met her so this was a good memory to have. She's one tough lady and I am sure, based on the given circumstances, she will outlive us all.

C h R i S t M a S

Merry Christmas! I would say Santa had another successful year! The kids had specific wishes and he delivered. 

Christmas Church Kids

Christmas Jams- only a few more years of matching I fear. 

We caught the man in red again as he stopped to deliver presents. Once again, we wrapping papered the kids in the hall so they had to wait for us to wake up in the morning (although Kingston tried to find his way downstairs earlier).

 

Mc had one very specific, very pre-teen wish- a loft bed with a desk from IKEA. Santa was lucky enough to find the LAST ONE in the store before Christmas. She was so excited! We worked on her room makeover all over Christmas break- she picked a light shade of blue, wasn't too sad to dejunk and has kept her room relatively clean since the change.

Mc and her bed

 Enzo wanted a remote control crane (except on preschool program day where he said he wanted a "huge gumball machine") and the game Greedy Granny (you try to steal her cookies and if you wake her up, her dentures shoot out. Awesome.). He was such a good boy, Santa was happy to oblige.

 Kingston wanted a Roller Coaster Pirate Lego set. Santa was sure to bring that but the laser tag gun set was a hit too.

Already eating chocolate from his stocking. 

The aftermath. 

After heart attack casserole at Mary Ann's we headed up to Grandpa Donut and Grandma Cookie's. It was nice- our family was the only family there. The kids watched Home Alone 2, we snacked and just spent time together. I miss the christmases where all the cousins would meet up there. Those are some of the best memories I have. 

Seesters

 Bree and Ty didn't spend Christmas Eve with us at Mom's so we spent Christmas Day/Night together. The kids (and adults) were spoiled like always.

Dad reading us a story about the symbols of Christmas. 

After Christmas Mark and I both took a few days off. We worked on Mc's room (painting) and Mark spent two days putting together the IKEA bed (mark as #4 on the hardest furniture to put together). It looks super nice and she seems really happy. We also spent quite a bit of time on the basement. It is moving to drywall this week which makes ME super happy. 

Mark and Kingston spent 4 hours putting together/gluing this Lego roller coaster. Clearly Mark is the superior parent with all of his building skills. 

 It is bittersweet to see the holidays come and go so quickly. Every time I put Christmas away I stop and think about how few Christmases we have with tiny kids. How few with the kids at home. How few with elderly grandparents. I love being able to make memories and to spend the days with the people I love. I am grateful that we get to celebrate the Savior's birth and life.

We did nothing exciting for New Years and I was glad for that. Usually we had spent the evening at Dave and Marianne's in Herriman but I didn't feel like driving to Salem this year. We got pizza, massive shrimp and ice cream so we could hang out at home. We watched a classic, Honey I Shrunk the Kids, and let the kids stay up until 9:00. Mark and I made it to midnight, smooched and I was out by 12:04 AM.  Here is to 2019!