Spring Break

I knew Jared would be traveling during the month of April, but of course it just had to fall on the week of Spring Break.  So I decided to still venture out and do some fun activities with my boys--some with the help of my right hand woman--Candice.  The boys had been begging to see this....



It was cute, but a little slow.  However, the boys have been quoting it and singing the songs from it all week, so it was a success in our house!

We also were able to see some friends of ours that we hadn't seen in WAY TOO LONG!  They were nice enough to come along with us to the Living Planet Aquarium, up in Sandy.  Conner LOVED petting the sting rays, but Oliver and Dylan wouldn't even consider it.  I want them to try new things, but realized I can't force them (gosh darn it!)  We got some cute pics and the boys loved seeing their best girl friends, Marley, Gwen and Daphne.  And Aiden and I loved Hailey's and Dex's company as well!! 

 Sting Ray touch pool

 Loving the penguins 

 How big are you compared to a penguin???

 Just my size

 This is a cool mural on the wall (not a live pic)

 All the kiddos!

 The whole gang, moms and all!

Then we had a couple of days of cold and rain, but on Friday it cleared up and we went to Farm Country at Thanksgiving Point.  The boys were in hog heaven (ha-ha)

 

 Conner was lucky enough to hold a brand new baby goat!  So cute!

 This is a RARE occurrence...that Oliver actually pet an animal, and a horse no less!  

 My 3 little bandits

 Conner had no problems feeding any of the animals--horses, cow, pigs, and the alpaca (sp?)

 Dylan would do it with the help from mommy

 Conner riding Nina, the horse

 Oliver riding the pony, Missy

 Dylan riding the pony, Sugar

 And we can't forget little Aiden!  This cute little boy was such a trooper with the cold breeze and so happy despite being wrapped up like a nun :)

On the wagon ride

 We hit the park a couple of times and enjoyed a couple of sleepovers up at Grandpa and Grandma's with Aunt Candice.  Despite daddy being gone, we still managed to have a fun and relatively happy Spring Break!

Loving Springtime

I'm so grateful that spring is FINALLY coming around. It makes for nice days, sitting out on the lawn, my boys playing soccer, drawing with sidewalk chalk, and taking cute baby pictures.  Oliver was determined to make Aiden smile while wearing his hat.

 No smile...

 Not yet....

 Almost....

SUCCESS!!

Ever heard of April Showers Bring May Flowers?  Dylan came home from preschool singing these songs, "Rain, rain, go away, come again some other day"  and "It's raining, it's pouring, the old man is snoring. He bumped his head and fell in bed and didn't get up till the morning"  Then his brother so lovingly helped him do this to aid in the singing of the songs. 

 (yes, that would be a tongue depresser umbrella TAPED to his cute face)

Speaking of playing soccer, we have finally broached the time of signing our kids up for community organized sports.  "What?" you might be asking, your kids are how old and they are just now getting involved in organized sports??  Well, I took my older sister's advice and waited till the boys are a little more coordinated, not to mention saving myself a couple extra years of being a TAXI momma.  Oliver has chosen to play soccer and Conner wants to play baseball. So after checking and re-checking on their sport of choice, I signed them up and paid the money.

Here's a great little story for ya.  Hope you enjoy, or at least can commiserate with me :)

 

The anticipation builds and Oliver's first soccer game is approaching.  He practices outside with friends and brothers, we go buy soccer cleats and shin guards, and he wears the cleats each day after he gets home from school so he can practice (pretty cute). We tell friends and family about the game and the day arrives.  Oliver is dressed and ready at 3, even though the game doesn't start till 5.  We get there, we introduce him to the other boys  **Little sidenote, his team has decided not to have any practices because it's just too hard to get 14 boys' schedules coordinated (WHATEVER!) And this is a team that already played in the fall together so we are a late sign-up, which equals not really knowing anyone**  He kicks the ball around, makes some shots in the goal, and runs up and down the field.  This is where is starts to go downhill...the coach has them line up to do some one on one soccer drills--pretty normal, right?  Well, not for Oliver.  Why would he want to take the ball away from anyone else?  Ok, so I pull him over, ask him if he remembers all the stuff I've taught him and playing in the backyard and what not, but he's already starting the tears...REALLY?  The game hasn't even started yet!  I'm thinking, "oh boy, patience, please have patience, Amanda!!"  He gets back out there and tries again, but not really.  Then the whistle blows and within minutes, the boys are on the field to play.  This is what I saw... 

Followed by this...

And after 45 minutes of talking, explaining, convincing, coaxing, and BRIBING by me, dad, and even Grandpa, we were still here....

It was maddening, frustrating, and I wanted to rip my hair out, but there was no convincing this boy to try to play.  Jared kept telling me to relax, it was his FIRST TIME EVER, and we needed to give him a chance and not scar him.  Afterall, he had never met the other boys, never had a practice, never played in a game before.  With that being said, we left and rather abruptly--it wasn't one of my finer moments (hey, at least I can admit it).  However, since then I've calmed down as has the little soccer player.  We talked it out, calmly and lovingly.  He's assured us he'll try again, or at least try...since there was no trying last time, just crying.  We have a soccer game in another couple of days and I hope to report much better results and even have some smiles in the mix.  As annoyed as I was with Oliver, this all makes sense....this is our loving, kind, tender hearted, always wanting to help others boy.  It's no surprise he doesn't wanna go out and fight over the ball with 8 other little boys!  Who knows, maybe it's back to the drawing board with sports--how 'bout an individual sport, like swimming or golf ?? Despite my sharing this story, frustrations and all, I hope you all know how much I love my sweet little Oliver! 

Thanks for hanging in there with me and reading!  Have a great day!

Imagination and Creativity

So we try our absolute hardest to not allow the kids to do any "electronics" on Sunday--which includes TV, the computer (games), the nintendo, Wii, etc.  It's usually a battle and we have to give suggestions/ideas over and over again as to what they can do, but on this particular Sunday, their own imagination and creativity took over.  I wasn't quite sure what they were up to, all I knew is it was fun to hear the boys all getting along and giggling their heads off.  When you get gems of pictures like these, it makes every ounce of being a mommy worth it... 

What's stuffed inside Dylan's pjs, you might ask?  Oh, just wait..... 

Balls.....ooodles and oodles of balls 

like this many balls 

Conner wanted to join in on the fun.

Who's that Spartan with junk in the trunk?  (oh, did that just age me??)

I wish my junk in the trunk was as cute as his!

So, there you have it, imagination and creativity at it's best.    

Spring Weather

How is it that on Saturday my boys got sunburned on their cute little cheeks, neck and arms and then Sunday we woke up to 4 inches of snow???  Gotta love Utah Spring Weather...

Contemplation

I know you've all read about my attending the funeral of my friend, Justin Marcucci.  I walked away from it feeling uplifted and hopeful, still sad, but mostly grateful and blessed.  His brother shared a talk about Justin not living with resentment, anger, or malice towards others.  He left this life with no ill will towards anyone and could honestly say that there are very few, if any, who ever remained offended or mad at him--he would apologize and ask for forgiveness, just as he knew the Lord expected of him. 

It made me think....could I say the same thing?  My honest answer is no.  I cried for several hours after the funeral, not because of my sadness about Justin, but because of my sadness towards myself and my shame.  It isn't easy to admit this, openly admit this, but I still harbor sad and mad feelings towards certain people or situations.  Either way, I need to work on forgiving others.  I most definitely need to work on my forgiveness, because that is what I would want others to do for me.  Not to mention, I know the Lord expects it of me.  It is what the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ, allows everyone to do...to forgive others, no matter for what reason.  It will take time, but I will focus my energy to do so.

But that's not why I'm writing this.  I'm writing in hopes that whomever reads this will know that I wish I could do this in person, to sit and talk to sincerely apologize for my actions, attitude, and words if I have ever knowingly or UNknowingly offended you or hurt you.  It may not mean as much coming from this posting, but I have genuinely put much thought into my need to apologize and ask for forgiveness.  Please forgive me for my outspoken manner, my opinionated comments, my sassy remarks, my lack of compassion..the list could go ON and ON.  But I'm truly sorry and hope you know I am trying my best to improve.  It may not seem like it on the outside, I may still put my foot in my mouth (which I'm so often known to do :), but I want to know that if anything ever happened to me, that I would knowI tried...I tried to apologize, ask for forgiveness and express my love to all those with whom I associate and am friends and family with.  In fact, I pulled my parents, sisters, niece, and nephews aside over the weekend to tell each of them how much I loved them, truly loved them.  If something were to happen, I don't want them to ever wonder if their daughter, sister, or Aunt loved them or not, cause the answer is ABSOLUTELY!

With all that being said, thank you for taking the time to read this (if you lasted this long) .  I appreciate the friendships I have developed over the years, even if only for a season and the love I feel from my family.  I am truly blessed with an AMAZING husband, who is the love of my life and the most thoughtful, sweet, tender, understanding and tolerant man.  He is an incredible daddy and continually shows the boys how much he loves playing, goofing around, joking, laughing, and loving he is.  Thanks babe, I love you.

Enough already!  Geesh, the sap is just flowing!  Sorry!  I'll stop now.  Wish I could reach out my arms and give you all a hug, but instead...I'll send my love. 

Wow, Where's the Time Gone??

Well, between having our computer crash and burn, using a dinosaur of a laptop now, being sick, baby poos, Aunt Candice's birthday, Disney on Ice, a girls night out, more sickness, more baby poos, Provo Beach Resort, attending a funeral of a close friend, spending over 30 hours in a car over a span of 4 days (for funeral), getting to see my sisters and thier kiddos, Conner's Spanish Dance Festival, a pile o' laundry, even more sickness (if you can believe it--uhg!), and even more poos (if you can believe it--uhg! :) would be why I was MIA from the blogging world for a while and explains our chaotic life as of late!  Pause--have to go change a baby blowout--crazy how it can creep into the belly button and even manage it's way up to the armpit!  Sorry, probably more than you wanted to know....

Ok, I'm back. After a quick tubby, pick up from preschool, feeding, and laundry change, I'm back.  I know, I know, you're jealous of the glamorous life I live.  What can I say?

I just looked back on a few of my texts to Jared and found a cute one that I want to share.  As many of you know, worthy Priesthood holders in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are able to give blessings to the sick.  Well, a few weeks ago, when we were fighting another round of coughs, little Dylan was coughing so hard during the night it would actually make him throw up.  After one such episode, he turned to me and said, "Mommy, can I have a prayer from Daddy to help my cough go away?"  How cute is that?  I think it's kinda neat my 3 year old knows the importance of Priesthood blessings and wanted one in the middle of the night!  Yes, this little 3 year old...

 Provo Beach Resort

Speaking of this 3 year old, the poor guy was kind of goofing around the other night, playing on his bed and such, and when he tried to get off his bed, took a rather nasty spill with his face taking the brunt of the fall--

Face + Toy Chest = OUCH!! 

Not sure these pics show the full effect, but there is a bump on the corner of his eye and a purple line down his cheek.

Here's a few fun pics from the boys going to the Provo Beach Resort with their Aunt.  When I was sick, she was kind enough to take them to go do something fun. 

 Conner being gobbled up by the Shark!

 Mmmm, Dylan sure is tasty!

 That Oliver, he's a nice bite full!

Ridin' the Waves!

I know what you're going to think after this next batch of pics.  Does Amanda ever do anything fun with her kids or is it always their Aunt Candice???  Well, mostly the latter, but I try to have a few fun times thrown in there! 

Disney On Ice--Incredible Seats!  Front Row and loving it! 

Can I please have a fairy God Mother to grant my every wish?  Pretty Please???

The Boys' favorite part...TOY STORY!

 Wait, I can't forget about the littlest Scoubes boy...he might just feel left out.  He's getting bigger by the minute.  We had our 4 month check up and he weighed 15 lbs and was in the 38th percentile, and in the 48th percentile for heighth!  To top it off, he didn't even cry when he got his shots--I know, amazing, RIGHT?!  He's so fun and the older boys absolutely LOVE to make him laugh and smile.

 Aiden's first time in the Johhny Jumper...

HUH?

My easy going, happy boy!

See?  I can be fun too.  I let them have fudgecicles for dessert one night!  Pure fun...

 Conner's Spanish Dance Festival Pics.  I ended up missing it, but luckily Conner was very understanding and Jared took pics and video.  Good thing there's one every year, so I can be there next year! 

Back, left boy, with red striped poncho! 

Getting ready to sing--a little blurry...  

He's in there somewhere amidst all the sombreros...farthest one back?

Well, Thanks for hanging in there with me through it all...I think I'm kind of finally caught up.  Wait, will I ever really, truly be caught up?  Probably not, but that's OK with me.  I learned something at the funeral of my childhood family friend.  Something he not only said to his family and friends, but lived and showed it through his actions: "LIFE IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT!"  But more importantly, "THE GOSPEL IS NOT A SPECTATOR SPORT!"  Get out there and do, do, do.  So when I'm struggling with my PPD or life in general, I'm gonna try to whisper this to myself.  Not that I'll be able to do it all the time, but it's worth a try and some effort--and I'm more than positive it will be worth it!!  So, since my laundry is piling higher by the minute, I better go and do...

 A baby could get lost in all this laundry!  Where'd he go?  Oh, he's the smiley thing in the middle :)

In loving memory of Justin Paul Marcucci

Seeing My World!

My mommy and daddy think I'm somethin' pretty special!  I personally think I'm one strong boy, being that I've pretty much held my head up on my own since I was only a month old, I mean, not to toot my own horn or anything.  Oh, and can you believe that I can type at the ripe old age of 3 1/2 months?  Well, not really...  Anyways, since I'm so strong, I have decided that laying on my back all the time is no fun and I constantly try sitting up.  So my mommy was perceptive enough (go mommy!) to realize she should try to help me see the world around me and borrowed this awesome Bumbo chair from her good friend (thank you!).  I absolutely love sitting in it.  Here....the pictures show just how much

I couldn't contain my happiness!

Huh?

Seriously, this is awesome!

I look to the left....

And to the right.....

Then back at dear ol' mom!

Then I get so tuckered out from all the excitement of my first time in the Bumbo, that I fall fast asleep.

And my mommy thought it was cute to see me holding in my own binky, which isn't anything new, just so darn cute!  Hey, what can I say?!

Hope you all enjoyed my first post to mommy's blog.  It might have been a little on the cheesy side, so if this is the last time, peace out.  Thanks for enjoying my new perspective with me!