At it again...

I know I've said it before, but my kids are truly hilarious. Almost every day they say or do something that just cracks me up, and If I don't get these things down, I will most definitely forget them. So, once again, here is another installment of "kids say the darndest things"...

Sam is all about losing teeth right now. So one day she asked: "Mom, is the tooth fairy real? What about other fairies, are they real?" And my reply was: "Well, I've never seen a fairy before, so I'm not sure if they are real or not. What do you think?" Then Sam says: "Well, I believe in magic, so I believe in fairies too. They must be real!"

While playing with the babies, the boys say: "Hey mom, look! Carter and Taylor have Popeye arms!"

Just after getting a pair of new pajamas (and if you've seen the movie "Tooth Fairy" you'll understand this one) Gavin comes to me, sticks his bottom out and says "Do these jammies make my butt look big?" And of course my reply was: "Yes! Huge!"

During dinner one night Gavin didn't want to eat his beans so Kaden told him: "Gavin eat them! They taste good, they're good for you, and they make you toot!"

While watching America's Funniest Home videos (one of the kids favorite shows) the kids saw someone wipe out and Gavin says: "Ooh, that's gotta hurt. That's gonna leave a mark!"

During a bath, I told the boys it was time to get out and to let the water out. Gavin lays down and tries to grab the water and says: "No, not my precious, precious water!" (Ok, I just had Lord of the Rings flashbacks!)

Again at dinner, Gavin was complaining about eating some of the almonds in his salad. I told him that they were good, they had sugar on them. Then he says: "I don't like sugar." So I said, "That's good to know, then I don't need to worry about getting you guys any cookies, fruit snacks, or treats." So then Gavin looks at me and says: "Ok, you got me. I do like sugar!"

After putting on my sunglasses, Gavin turns to me and says: "Hey Mom, I look fabulous!"

And my favorite: On the way home from picking the boys up from school after I told them they could play the Wii when they got home they both said: "You are the best Mom I ever had!"

Yeah, I know!

10 Years and Counting...

I have to take a few minutes just to dote on my sweet husband a little bit. Yesterday was our 10th anniversary. I honestly can't believe we have been married for that long, and it has definitely been one crazy ride!
We spent yesterday morning in a walk-through of our new house in preparations for our closing on Tuesday. Every time I look at our new house I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for our blessings. I feel so blessed to have a husband who works so hard and is able to provide such a wonderful home for our family. I had always hoped that he and I would be taking a trip to Hawaii for our 10th anniversary, but our life took a different turn, giving us another set of twins, and instead of Hawaii, I'm getting a great house for my anniversary. I think it's a pretty good trade off.
Looking back on our life together, neither one of us would have ever guessed we would be where we are today. When we met we were only freshman at BYU. I can't say that it was love at first sight, but after dating for a little bit, I definitely knew there was something special about him. We only dated for a few months before he went on a 2 year mission for our church to Belgium and France. Those 2 years were invaluable to our relationship. Although we weren't allowed to call or see each other, we were able to stay connected through writing letters. I can honestly say that it was during that time that I fell in love with him. I have saved every one of the letters he wrote to me and cherish the opportunity we had to share our personalities with one another so openly and honestly. It was also during this time that my sister Katie passed away. Needless to say, it was a very difficult time for me, and although he was half a world away, I could feel his tremendous love for me as he comforted me through his sweet letters. He had known Katie and personally knew of the great loss I was suffering. When he finally came home, I can't even tell you how excited I was to be near him. I was finally able to spend time with this amazing man who knew me inside and out, and had already shared so many of life's ups and downs with me. He came home from his mission in July of 1999, and by that December we were engaged.
I absolutely love this man! Life has thrown a few unexpected curve balls our way and he has been my anchor through it all. He is a sweet father and very involved with our children. He is very thoughtful and attentive to me, and always tries to make me happy. He is responsible and dependable, and I have never once worried about our family's well-being with him by my side.
After Gavin and Kaden were born, it took us a few years to decide whether or not to have any more children. Mike was very concerned about the health issues I had experience with the twins and was worried for my safety. Finally he gave in to my emotional pleas and we decided to have one more child - which as you know came as a set instead of just one. When the same health issues and risks were realized, he never once gave me a cross word, or an "I told you so", but just went to work taking care of me and our family. When things fell through with the sale of our home he wasn't the angry or emotional one, but the steady calm that picked up the pieces and moved forward. He takes every hurdle we face or trial we bear in stride, and does what is necessary to overcome the situation and take care of his family. He is my rock, my confidant, and my best friend. I've even called him the "best wife ever" since he is never too busy to help around the house. There really is nothing this man won't do for me and our children! I love him more than I can say and feel so blessed to share my life with him. It will be exciting to see what adventures the next 10 years hold for us, and just maybe we'll be able to get that Hawaii trip in there somewhere!

Back to school

Now that we are finally finished traveling and things with the house are starting to calm down, we were hoping to have a few quiet days to enjoy together, but there is definitely no rest for the weary! Summer is over and and the craziness of getting back to school has begun! Sam started her first day of second grade on Friday at her new school. We are so excited about her new school. We got to meet her teacher on Thursday and really like her. After we completed all the items for registration, they gave each of the kids a t-shirt to wear on the first day of school, so on Friday when I dropped Sam off at school, we drove in to a sea of gold! It was so neat to see all the student and teachers in their cute Gold Rush, Golden Retrievers t-shirts. Sam was pretty excited about it. Although she is sad to leave Legacy Point, I have no worries about her fitting in and making new friends at Gold Rush. So far so good! She loves her new school, loves her teacher, and is still as excited as ever!
On Monday, Gavin and Kaden had their very first day of preschool! Although they turned 5 last month, we felt like they needed an extra year before starting kindergarten, so we found a private preschool in the area. It is a really cute little school, and they are in a 3 day a week pre-k program. When the boys got home from school on Monday, they said they loved school and had a lot of fun, but that they didn't want to go back to that school again. When I asked them why, they said, "Mom, that school takes too long!" I tried to tell them that when you are 5 and big boys, you have to go to a longer school but they were lucky because Sam has to go to school all day! That didn't provide them much comfort, despite my best efforts to make them excited about it. Personally though, I think they love school, but just don't like the fact that it cuts into their Lego Start Wars Wii time. Boy, life is tough!

The Eleventh Hour

If you've been keeping tabs on us, you've probably been wondering why there hasn't been a post all about our new house and the joys of moving. The simple answer to that question is that we haven't moved yet. About a week before we were set to close, and after being under contract for 2 months, we got a call from our Realtor telling us that our buyers did not qualify for their loan and we would not be closing. To make a long story short, we tried for the next few days to see if there was something we could do to still make things work with our buyer, but in the end learned that they really never should have made an offer on our house, as it was out of their price range and they were never really able to afford it. So, with our house almost empty and boxes crowding the garage, our house was back on the market at the end of June and until we sold our current house, we couldn't move into our new one. So, it has been back to the meticulous process of keeping the house clean, and we have had to drop the asking price 3 times, just to get people through the door.
Through this whole process, we really have felt guided by the Spirit and feel like the Lord has helped us in so many ways, but I honestly have had a really hard time since things fell through with our buyers. I have felt very frustrated, angry, and bitter at the fact that I feel we were not honestly dealt with and because of their dishonesty, our family has been put into a difficult situation. It has been very difficult for me to try to come to terms with all of this and be able to just move on. So often people just don't realize how much their choices impact others. If it were only Mike and I in this situation, it would be a different story, but I see every day how difficult this is for our children, who have all their things packed away and their lives completely disrupted. I have prayed quite a bit lately, asking for the Lord's help in blessing me with the ability to overcome my frustrations with these people, and giving me the strength to endure this trial with temperance and grace.
After we got home from California, Sam came downstairs in tears one night so frustrated with having to share a room with her brothers because they wouldn't let her sleep, and we knew we had to do something for the sake of the happiness of our family. So, Mike and I decided to see if we could qualify for a loan with both mortgages, which would enable us to move into our new house before we sold our old one. We submitted all the paperwork before I left with the kids to come down to Texas. The whole time I've been here, I have been attached to my cell phone waiting to hear if the loan went through.
A few days ago Mike called to let me know that we qualified for our loan and that as soon as the builder could set a closing date for us, which should be within the next few weeks, we would be moving into our new home. That same night I got another call from Mike telling me that we received an offer on our house. Two days ago we finalized the offer and signed the contracts, and are set to close on our current home on September 10th. As soon as I got the text from Mike that we had finalized the deal I just cried, which if you know me, isn't really a surprise. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted! Although we were taking a huge risk of ending up with two mortgage payments by moving before we sold the house, we knew it was the right thing to do for our family, and now, knowing that our house is sold and we won't have to take on that burden is such a relief.
Sitting in church a few weeks ago the lesson was about how we are here to be tried and tested, that we are to suffer first to know the sweet. They talked about how the Lord does hear our prayers and does always answer them, but often in the eleventh hour. The whole time I sat there feeling like that lesson was just reiterating the hardships and burdens I was feeling, and I honestly didn't feel any comfort in it at the time. This week has been such proof to me that the Lord does in deed answer prayers, and yes, even in that eleventh hour! Although I have felt so disheartened and frustrated lately, I have always had faith that my Heavenly Father knew my burdens and was going to answer my prayers, I just wasn't sure when those answers would come. Thank you to so many family and friends who have been with us through all the ups and downs of our house adventures. We have had so many prayers said on our behalf and we have felt your love and strength. We aren't finished with this journey yet, but I feel we are getting close and we are so grateful that we haven't had to walk this bumpy road alone.

On the road again...and again

It must be summer! For the past few weeks we have been on the road traveling to and fro, and all I have to say is thank heaven for portable DVD players and Nintendo DS! Our travels have taken us from Colorado, to Utah, to California, and now to Texas. We have been through 6 states within a matter of two weeks, and although it has been a lot of driving and many long days, the kids have all done really great. The "are we there yets" have been amazingly few and far between, and we have made it to each of our destinations in one piece!

My brother, Donny, got married in Sacramento on July 10th, so at the beginning of the month we loaded up all the kids and headed out to California for the occasion. It was a quick 6 day trip, 4 of which were spent driving, but definitely worth it to see my brother and his sweet bride sealed together in the temple. Of course they were both beaming, with smiles on their faces the whole time! Sarah looked absolutely beautiful and her dress was stunning. Sami was so excited to be a flower girl and was happy to find ways to help Sarah.
While we were there, we had a little time for fun between all the wedding activities and took the kids to see the Jelly Belly Factory. The kids had a really good time taking the tour and learning all about how Jelly Bellies are made - of course their favorite part was the free bag of Jelly Bellies at the end! We also had some time to enjoy the pool and hot tub at the hotel, which of course my kids took advantage of every free second they had.
Although it was a really fast trip, we had a good time and the kids had the chance to see family they hadn't seen in a long time. Besides getting to share their uncle's special day, they also got to see my whole family and all of their cousins on my side, as well as a lot of my aunts, uncles, and cousins who came out for the occasion. We also had the chance to stay with Mike's brother's family in Utah on the way out there and the kids were able to spend some time with more cousins, whom they haven't seen in over a year. Thanks Greg and Kayloni for putting up with our crazy loud family and thanks to Heidi and Cody for letting us crash at your cute home on the way back! It was so awesome to see all of you and have a few minutes to catch up!
And of course, congrats to Donny and Sarah!! We are so excited for you both and love you tons! Welcome to the family Sarah!

And the Texas installment will soon follow....