Brandon's Piano Recital Performance

Here is my baby playing "My Best Friend" (Brandon, age 6)

Brandon's Piano Recital

Brandon (6)

Brandon with his piano teacher, Angie!

I was so proud of my baby! He had his first piano recital tonight. He did a great job playing his song "My Best Friend". Thanks to Youtube, you will also most likely have the opportunity to enjoy his performance. Here are some pics of him with his piano teacher; Angie, and at the piano during his recital!

Friend Heaven!!!!

Dylan and Carrie

Taylor, Leah, and Lexi

Noah

Carrie and Leah

Well, luckily, with all my semi-midlife crises, I am recieving great therapy from my friends. Lately, I have been in friend heaven. I received an excellent surprise today. My college friend Carrie showed up for a visit. YEAH! Carrie just moved from Boise to Cody, Wyoming. Luckily for me, she came to Utah for a visit. It is so great to see her again. We have all been wondering how she has done in the move. She is doing great; and they are enjoying Wyoming. John loves his job! They are in the process of selling their home in Boise! Carrie and her kids are looking great! So,I had to include the pics so all of you could catch up. I was not thinking clearly as I did not get her contact information. I am sure we can figure that out. Here are Carrie and her children: Lexi, Taylor, Noah, and Leah. Her children are so well-behaved and sweet. Carrie is mother of the year! I am just hoping in a couple years they will move here. I am also petitioning for everyone to return to Utah. I love the visits; but I would prefer a weekly girls night out! Now, I am getting excited as Tyra will be coming out at the end of this month. Then I will have seen almost everyone in the last 6 months! Yeah!

More Sunday Best

Ethan(4) and Brandon (6)

Brandon

Ethan and Brandon

Benjamin(2)

Sunday Best

Ethan and Brandon

Benjamin

Dylan (4 months)

I always have to try to take a picture or two after church. I just love dressed up boys! I just can't resist a picture or two. Maddie was napping; that is why she is not included!

Taking Inventory

Maybe I am going through a preliminary mid-life crisis. I have noticed that I seem to be going through a change in perspective. I am starting to realize how old I am. I am almost 35; am done with having children. It is a relief to know I am done with this child-bearing or child-recieving time of life and am excited to watch them as they grow and change and go through fun stages. However, it is almost like I am at a weird point in life now. In visiting with my college friends, we were realizing it has been 17 years since our freshman year; when we all met. Holy cow. It seems like it has only been about 10 years. But no, it is almost 20 years. That is so bizarre! Are we really that old? We are at that point that as I look at the kids starting college; they look so young. Looking back at old pics of when we got married, were in college; we look so young! I never thought I would be at that point. It really has been an introspective time; realizing how we all met that freshman year at college----we are all still in contact; but how life has changed. It is interesting to see the path that we are all on in our life right now. It is amazing how small decisions back then; grow into huge differences in choices and lifestyles now! It is amazing how certain paths have led to places that we would have never predicted back then. I advise all college youth to really be aware of those "small" decisions that you are currently making;as they will make remarkable changes in the outcome of your life and the future paths you take in life. On the other hand, being at this stage, I realize how much of life is unpredictable also. There is so much that we could not have ever anticipated for our futures which has occurred and will continue to occur. It is all so fascinating to me. As a parent, you just hope that your children can make those "right" choices that will make all the difference for their future. As a parent, you want to be able to anticipate their struggles as to know what to focus on in their education and direction at this time. At the same time, as life is so busy with five children, I know that I am missing some key elements that will later appear so obvious to me. I hope and pray I can make necessary corrections in parenting and motherhood now; so as to avoid regrets in the future. So fascinating, exciting and scary can be this journey of life.

Bathtime: Friend or Foe

The greatly philosophical question of my life at this time involves bathing! Bathtime is one of those times on a daily basis that can be hateful or lovely. You just never know. For example, when the kids decide to get spaghetti all over themselves (you have seen the result of this from my blog), or dump out all the formula all over themselves (as you have also seen); bathtime is dreamy. It is the only solution for the daily mess they create on themselves. By the way, I am so glad kids are waterproof. Isn't that just fabulous? Unlike the stuffed animals which my children put in the bath on occasion (that's when bathtime can turn into a nightmare). Frequently it turns into a nightmare when the kids splash all over and get water all over the floor (an almost daily occurence). Today it turned into a nightmare when Ethan and Benjamin were playing in the tub; splashing; getting water everywhere. They were being very disobedient; regardless of my frequent reminders (also not that unusual) and somehow managed to play with the water faucet enough to make it so the water could not be turned off. Of course, I didn't know this had happened until the water was very high in the tub. I went to turn it off, and nothing. I turned the handles around and around and around and NOTHING! Very frightening considering the water was high; I got really worried it was going to overflow. So, of course I; very softly, (OK, it definately was not soft) asked the children to get out of the tub; and then I began to freak out. Luckily, I was able to call my assistant (Brandon) and ask for his advice; which was to get a wrench to turn it off. Anyway, I was able to be a hero and save the day; turning off the water so it wouldn't overflow. This event was not fun or exciting; but blood curdling and disturbing. That is what is great about motherhood; it's like a choose your own adventure book---will the water overflow or will you be able to find the wrench in time to turn off the water flow? SOOOO many possibilities! Luckily, I was able to choose the second adventure. Yes, I know I sound nuts; that's what happens sometimes after spending most of your time with children. Today the bath was a foe, but who knows what tomorrow might bring. It might be my saving grace from another child "accident" tomorrow involving flour! You just never know. I don't know why everyone doesn't jump with excitement at the possibility of being a mother; especially a stay at home mother. It is just definately beyond me. Oh yes, I am feeling a tad sarcastic at the moment. Don't worry, by tomorrow, I will be looking at my sweet angels in the tub and wanting to take pictures of the cute splashing! But for now, I have had enough of "bathtime".

My Brown-Eyed Babies!

Lately, I have been feeling like I have triplets. Baby Dylan is almost four months old; and wants to move around a bit; is almost turning over. However, his safety is in serious limbo with Maddie and Benjamin; who think little Dylan is a fascinating new toy! Maddie is in a very clingy stage right now; she will go play for 10 minutes and then wants to be held; and when I say held, not like the boys, but like a cling on. She uses her super leg power to wrap both legs tightly around you and will not let go for dear life. It is fun after having four boys who are definately not cling ons; however, it makes for an interesting balancing act with Dylan. Then, Benjamin and Madison are playing a lot more as they are only 10 months apart; and I guess Benjamin has decided she is now play worthy. So, when she runs back to me to cling on, Benjamin has been following her. He is content to just sit on my lap as she is clinging on for dear life, but with all three, it is hard to balance them all out. It is funny how each stage brings new trials and new joyous moments. I am enjoying watching Benjamin and Madison play more, and it is nice that Dylan is basically sleeping through the night (most of the time). However, now Dylan, and the others are seeming more physically needy lately. Anyway, I love them all but I am feeling quite worn out at the end of each day. But, who am I kidding, there is not a Mom alive who does not feel that way at the end of the day. Brandon took the two older boys; Brandon and Ethan to a Jazz game tonight. Ethan was so excited all day; talking about the "finger" his Daddy was going to buy him at the game. His excitement was so cute.

Ethan and Aiden singing Spiderman and Wonderpets songs

How cute is this video. There is nothing like hearing four year olds sing their favorite theme songs; Wonderpets and Spiderman. Very cute. This is Ethan and his friend Aiden. And yes, that is two year old Benjamin screaming "stop singing now" to the two boys and his Mom who are promptly ignoring him. I just adore the hand gestures of Aiden. SOOOO adorable.

Daddy Love

Brandon is the man of this house and is adored by us all! We all just can't get enough of him----even Sadie the cat can't resist Brandon! He's got the whole world in his hands. Looking at this pic of Brandon and I; I definately see why people have told us we look so much alike. When we were dating, people used to tell us we looked like brother/sister. Just to freak people out, we would sometimes tell people that we were brother/sister and in some states it is still legal to marry your sibling. Don't worry, for those of you who don't know us, we are NOT related; except now, by marriage.