Summer Time

Well, I don't have anything exciting to share, but I can say that I don't like it at all how my pictures load in reverse order of my selection... just sayin'.

The picture below is my first Cricut project. It is 26" tall and about the same in width. I really had very little part in it other than telling my ultra-crafty-friend that I wanted to do it. She came over and told my machine what to do, and it listened. It turned out so well. All I had to do was hang it. I tried telling my wall what to do, but it didn't listen, so this took a lot longer than it should have. Stupid wall.



I've wanted to get McKay a slide for a while and have tested a few out at yard sales. I refused to pay $50 retail for a plastic slide or $20 for a used and not very sturdy one. So instead I got one free from someone's trash! I walk early every morning with a friend. Someone had set this by the curb with the trash. It's a Step One and is really sturdy. When we saw it, we quickly walked to my car and loaded it up b4 another early riser beat me to it! The kids spent the sweltering morning playing on it.


This is a blurry picture that sumizes Mack's behavior these days... the naughty explorer.

I LOVE THIS PICTURE! I love that you can see his adorable crossbite and the ever present twinkle in his squinty, little eyes. There is something about this picture that helps me invision what he'll look like at a 16 year old. He just looks so big to me here.

This is a picture of my guys and our favorite summer friend, Meleah. She has been spending summer days with us since I quit working in 2006. Her mom is a good friend of mine from work who needed a place for Lee-Lee (as we call her) to pass the summer days. We love her so much and look forward to her coming. She only hangs out with us a couple days a week now since she's older and does some solo time at home, but she is amazing with my kids and is a very special young lady. Serious props to her mom for doing an outstanding job raising her!

We made this ice cream cake, and decorated it like a pool, to kick off our first trip to the pool. It was pretty tasty!

The day after the big boys got out of school, we went to the ice cream parlor with the cousins. It was fun. I am so sad that summer is more than half over. Another school year means my children are getting older and that kills me. I know I'm supposed to be glad for them to grow and experience all the good things that come with each year, but I am not, ever--glad for that !! I love the lack of chaos and lack of structure of the summer. Even though days get boring and the house gets messy, I find great comfort in having these boys close by. When I walked into Wal-mart the first week in JULY and saw a 'Back to School' banner I wanted to puke and yell at the manager for wrecking my summer buzz. Sheesh. Darn capitolism.

A trip to the ice cream parlor is tricky for us. We have to request a clean ice cream scooper be used to scrape back the layer of 'contamenated' ice cream so that Garen and Oakley, who both have peanut allergies, can enjoy a treat without requiring an epi injection and trip to the ER. Oakley and Mack are also allergic to milk, so they always get sorbet... clearly, Mack is not complaining. He seriously dug his raspberry 'ice cream'.

I didn't get a picture of Elli. She was with some girls that were also there. Here's Jake, Luke, Oakley and Garen enjoying a taste of summer.

A Fun Filled Week

This post should really be two, but I'm cramming it into one. My little brother, David, is the drummer in a punk rock band. They played at a local festival, so the family went out to hear him jam.
Here are my mom and dad trying to be rockers. I had to help them get their fingers right (somewhat so) in this one. They both tried to sign 'I love you' instead. They clearly are not your typical punk music followers. They have a hard time with David's choice in music and all the tatts but usually try to grin and bear it.

I love this kid... even with the ugly tattoos. He is a trip to have around and a pretty amazing drummer. He dreams of touring the country but also realizes that that may not happen. So he has a 'real' job too and manages a Verizon Wireless store.

The cousins had a great time watching Uncle Dave. They are his official groupies. We may even get his autograph on this photo sometime. ☺

Oakley plays a mean air guitar. He cracks me up. At one point he leans over to me and has to scream in my ear since the 'music' is sooo loud. He says, "Mom, I can't believe that 4 instruments put together make all this noise!" Pretty insightful!

This is Garen and cousin Elli. For those of you who might remember, Elli had leukemia several years ago. She was on chemo for 2 years but thankfully has been out of treatment and cancer free for 2 years. 3 more to go and she's in the clear!

Oakley, Jake and cousin Luke... who doesn't like to smile for pics. ☺

The Davester himself. He really is pretty great! Part of me wants him to live his dream. The other wants my little brother to stay close to the safety and shelter of home.

Oakley Graduates Pre-School!

Oh, my cute baby! We had a make shift party the evening he graduated. I made some girl friends some cupcakes that day and we used the left overs at the 'party'. No one seemed to care, or notice, that they were pink! ☺

Here's O and O... Owen and Oakley. Owen is one of my great friend's son. It was so nice that they were in school together (along with some Jesstyn and Brandon, a couple other friends from church). It truly helped O, mine that is, adjust to the initial transition of leaving Mommy! It was also great for Mommy when her friends were able to take him back to their house for a post school play date!

This year I've really pondered Oakley's readiness for kinder since he turns 5 just a few weeks before kinder starts. I've prayed, I've talked it over with friends and I talked to the pediatrician. The bottom line is, he's going, and I feel great about it! It's what he needs and I know he will love being at school with his brothers. I say I feel great about it now, but ask me about my broken heart come the first week of school!

This little guy is a hoot. He's smart, and funny, and he's also sassy with a disobedient streak. He has such a spunky personality, but at times, he is super timid. He does not like it one bit, when there is a 'show' to put on... he was nervous to stand in front of everyone and sing, and nor did he want to stop traffic for this picture.

I am looking forward to the next 2 weeks with him at home before the big boys are out of school. I'm trying to spend some good one-on-one time with him before I have to share my time with big brothers. I am so thankful for this little angel that Heavenly Father has placed in my life! I can't imagine going through this life without the joy of motherhood!

Skipping Stones

"I am so busy." I think this and say this a lot. I run and do and cram too much into my days, just about everyday. And I have this NEED to tidy and put things in order every, single day pretty much all day long. Confession: I can't stand for toys to be out! It makes me nervous to have shoes, and back packs and lunch boxes strewn about... all of those things have a special place, and if they aren't in that special place, Mommy isn't going to like it.

You must know, however, that my house is not immaculate, pretty much ever, but there are definitely certain jobs, that if not done, will nag me and cause me distress until they can be marked of the list. So, that being said, I run around most of the day while the big boys are at school trying to wash, and tidy and straighten and put away everything that's out of place. Just about the time the big boys get home from school I complete these mundane tasks just to have to do them over again because, well, the big boys are now home from school.

The reason I rant is to tell you what I'm learning. I'm learning that I'm pretty darn selfish. I spend too much time doing things that are important to me and neglect my sweet little children that are at home, under my wings. This personal flaw of mine, just like the dishes, has been nagging me a lot lately. Sometimes when I hear that still, small, voice in my heart remind me of what I really should be doing, I have the nerve to ignore it and push through the laundry or the dishes... "Just one more job, and then I'll do a puzzle with him."

Why is this? Why do I not soak up every second I can with them? After all, I am completely aware that kindergarten is just a few months off for Oakley and McKay will be 2 in August! My goodness, Jacob is almost TEN YEARS OLD, and my Garen will be baptized next April!! Time is speeding past me, and I know this is happening, yet I am distracted by the stupid dishes?? Ugh!

I'm trying to do better. I'm trying to do better for my children who deserve so much more from their mommy. And because if I don't, I will someday find myself regretting every moment I let pass. Whether you have this problem I have, or you are wonderful about spending quality time with your children, I know you still get the same sinking feeling in your gut that I do, when you think about the day that your children are gone. It's a terrible feeling. Are your eyes welling up with tears? Mine sure are. I can't imagine the guilt I will feel, some time in the future, if I choose the dishes, over these amazing little people that God has so abundantly blessed me with.

We have been doing some home improvement projects and planting a garden for the first time EVER (yea us!) so there was a lot of "catch up" to do this Saturday. We did lots of laundry. The boys folded a mountain of it and cleaned their room. When we were finally finished with our chores, we went to a nearby park and took a walk on the greenway. It was a perfect afternoon to be outside. We even found a little beach where the boys played and skipped stones. You would have thought that I had taken them to an amusement park. They LOVED every second of it and were so excited to point out tadpoles, caterpillars, mosquitoes ☺, and fun shaped rocks. Jacob kept saying, "Mom, this is so fun. I'm so glad you brought us here." I also heard Oakley say, "This is turning out to be a really fun day." Wow. Think if I had chosen to do more dishes instead of taking my kids to skip stones.

One of my favorite wedding gifts is a cross stitched wall hanging that says, "The greatest work you will ever do will be within the walls of your own home." I've always appreciated this most thoughtful gift. Through the last almost 12 years, I have read and re-read this. I have always been grateful for the message and for the knowledge I have of it's truth. Now, do you want to know something ironic? It hangs on the wall, over my kitchen sink.... where I do the stupid dishes.

Talk about a sobering realization. I can't imagine that the "work" Harold B. Lee was referring to was the dishes or anything like unto them. I know what he was talking about.

He was talking about Team Sorenson.

SEVEN!

This is boy number two, Garen Fielding Sorenson. Gosh, I love this kid! I mean, look at that face, how could I not? Since he was tiny, people have always remarked about the twinkle in his eye and his big smile. Lots of people call him Smiley. Our family however frequently refers to him as Harry. When he was a year or so, his hair started to get curly and was out of control. Jared started calling him Hairy as a result. I changed the spelling, because I can. Garen is not your typical kid. He does not usually request "toys" at Christmas and birthdays. He likes 'real' things... like tool boxes, vacuums, the Touch-n-brush, flash lights, calendars... any practical life thing. Garen reminds me of Thomas the Tank Engine... you know that phrase he always says, "I'm a really useful engine". That's Garen, he likes to help and feel needed. He is Grandpa's assistant whenever anything needs fixin'.

The only thing he told me that he wanted for this birthday was a tool that has an extendible arm and a neon green pad on the end, it helps you reach your windshield to clean it (perhaps you've seen the infomercial). I also over heard his big brother "helping" him come up with a list of toys for his birthday... funny that all the things on Garen's list were things that big brother wanted! ☺

Instead of getting him another tool, we asked him if we could surprise him with something. He liked that idea. We got him a DS i. He was really excited and has enjoyed taking pictures with it and setting the alarm to wake him in the morning! ☺ It was fun for him to get this "extra cool gift" before big brother did since he is often the 2nd hand recipient of Jake's old stuff.

Jacob and Oakley LOVE Star Wars and play it all the time. After 7 years of hearing Jake talk Star Wars incessantly, the bug bit him too. Garen, just in the last month or two, as taken to light sabers and action figures. This is pretty huge since he really doesn't do much playing, per say. Oakley knew just which guy to get Garen and insisted that he give it to him for his birthday. I took this the morning of his birthday... the 3 boys, for now, are so good about playing together. I love this picture!

SHOW ME THE MONEY!

Garen likes motorcycles. He likes to display them more than use them though. I let the kids decide what their cake will be each birthday, and they help me design and decorate it. We had lots of fun with this one. We used marshmallow to make bumps in the track and covered them with icing. We also dusted the icing with Nestle Quik, for dirt. He asked that the cake have some fire on it (that made his pyro-dad proud). We rolled out orange, red and yellow Star Bursts and shaped it into flames. His name was also in Star Bursts. I love my kids birthdays! I have so much fun with them making cakes. We always have the family over for their birthdays. Birthdays are something we really look forward to. I also love that all my kids were born in warm months, that way we get to enjoy the out doors. The parties are always on our screened porch. It's a fun tradition.

I
I can't believe my guy is 7. He is so special. Garen is my buddy. When no one wants to go to the store or run errands, Garen always wants to go. He always helps me carry my bags. He also is the first person we go to when we've lost something. He always knows where we left "it". He is funny, and smart and loveable! I am so grateful that Heavenly Father gave me this wonderful little boy. I am so blessed to have him in my life! Happy Birthday, Harry!

For My Peeps

After reading my friends' comments regarding my wedding dress fiasco, I decided to humor them and put the dress on again... just for my readers (wink). Thankfully, the dress came on this time without event because, remember, it's ripped.

I used the self-timer mode and took these pics myself. They are SO AWESOME! I hope you picked up on my sarcasm. I even tried to pull a few Tyra poses, but sheesh, modeling's tough. I had McKay running in and out and included a few of him. He kept hugging me and stealing my shoes. Embarassingly enough, my face does not show the humor I felt while taking these. In some I look serious. I assure you, I wasn't.

I also got a better look at the rip in my dress. It is along the seem, so maybe someone could repair it and get some use out of it. Consignment here I come!

Loves!

Mare

Oh, The Irony.

In my husband's closet, because mine's too full, there is a white garment bag. It often spills out of the closet and keeps the door from shutting snugly. It's my wedding dress. I, just like any other girl loved wearing it and kept it thinking that my own daughter might, by some slim chance, want to wear it for her special day or even just play in the darn thing. But, you all know I don't have a daughter... that's a mere fact, no contempt implied.

I also have held on to the dress in the hopes that someday I might be able shed the 'baby weight' and wear it myself one more time for kicks and giggles. Fortunate for me, after lots of hard work, I am now the same size I was then. Since accomplishing this, I had thought intermittently about trying it on but in the business of life, it just got put off.... Until my friend posted something in her blog about having just accomplished this same monumental task. She tried on her dress again and even posted pics on her blog. She looked beautiful! She inspired me.

After reading her entry, I was almost giddy. At that moment, all my kids were running around the house, it was close to supper time. It was just not good timing, but "Seize the Day", right? So off come my clothes (sorry for the visual) and out comes the poofy dress.

I go to unzip it, but the zipper is a bit stuck at the bottom, yet undeterred, I step into it and begin trying to get it over my hips. Roadblock! I quickly find that these hips aren't what they used to be and that the dress wouldn't be slipping over them. The next option is to try taking it over my head. This is the part where you should wish that you had been a fly on the wall.

I begin to try and pull the thing over my shoulders. It was soooo close. I just knew that if I wiggled and tugged a little more, I'd get it. So, wiggle and tug I did. And then I was stuck. It was hung up just below my arm pits and wasn't going anywhere. Couldn't get the dang thing on, couldn't get the dang thing off. Picture it! My arms are stretched over my head and the dress is stuck on my bust. By this time my 6 and 4 year old are in the room sitting on my bed asking tons of questions. "What's that you're putting on Mommy?" "Why are you wearing it like that Mommy?" "Why are you laughing Mommy?" And all the while I'm dumbfounded that I am literally 'stuck' in a mass of tulle. I then call my oldest in to try and rescue me by monkeying with the zipper. He tried his hardest but couldn't do it. With no other choice, I just have him yank the dress hard, till I'm free. Of course, it ripped, but at that point, I seriously didn't care. Despite the rip, I was able still to zip it up and get it on. I headed straight for the mirror. But guess what. SO NOT WORTH IT!!! While it fit, I was utterly disappointed. It wasn't nearly as pretty as I remembered , and though I thought I chose a classic style, it was really outdated, not to mention the stain that was on the boddess. It was really, pretty ugly!

Ha! I laughed my way through the whole event and laugh now while re-telling it. I've thought about selling my dress but with a stain and a rip, who would buy it? I've thought about throwing it away, but that just seems wrong. I'll probably take it to the Goodwill or something. Don't tell my mom though. She'd kill me.

The moral to this story: If you're thinking about trying on your wedding dress to make yourself feel good for being slim again, DON'T DO IT! Instead, keep it in the bag, and preserve the memories you have of yourself in it on your wedding day! If you want to feel like a princess again, go to the spa and get a facial!!!

Boys Will Be Boys

I'm reading a book about raising boys. It's a great book and is rather enlightening in many ways. As I have been reading, I have realized that girls are different... I mean beyond the obvious physical differences and the notorious emotions, little girls do not behave like little boys. It never hit me, until the author pointed out in his book, that little girls are generally more tranquil and calm. How would I know? I grew up with 3 brothers and no sisters. I grew up in a house where wrestling was frequent, bones got broken and Mom often said, "I told you so" and in that order.

I thought my boys behaved like children. Instead I've learned, that they behave like boys.

Let me tell you about them.

My boys are always loud.
My boys are always moving.
My boys always find a way to eek the words "poop" and "pee" into the conversation.
My boys can turn anything in to a weapon.
My boys like to stand and or jump on all furniture.
My boys constantly quote movies, tv shows, and past conversations.
My boys are forever making noises, of all kinds.
My boys think burping and farting should be permissible at the dinner table.
My boys eat, and eat, and eat.
My boys love to wrestle.
My boys hate wearing shirts with collars... it's t-shirts all the way.
My boys like to do everything fast (except chores and homework).
My boys like to watch tv really loud!
My boys like to make fun of each other.
My boys plug their ears when a Barbie commercial comes on tv.
My boys never use napkins.
My boys like to see things blow up (thankfully this is just a spectator sport at current).
My boys get stinky, really fast
And on, and on.

Let me remind you of their ages. 9. 6. 4. 1.

Fast forward. 17. 14. 12. 9.

HOLY SHNIKEES!! What am I going to do?? If I think that my home has much in common with the zoo now, imagine what it will be like in a few short years! They will big. They will be smelly. And they will be hungry... all the time!

Do you feel sorry for me? "Yes", you say?

Well, don't.

Let me tell you a little more about my boys.

My boys tell me they love me multiple times a day.
My boys adore babies.
My boys like to help.
My boys, though they get stinky often, polish up beautifully and smell like soap after a warm bath.
My boys are compassionate.
My boys love family.
My boys play together.
My boys love scripture stories (especially the ones that involve weapons and battles).
My boys love to listen to primary songs to fall asleep.
My boys tell me I'm pretty even when I feel ugly.
My boys give me hugs and kisses all through out the day.
My boys tell me they like my hair when I come home from a haircut.
My boys love to talk to me and tell me about their day.
My boys often ask me about my day.
My boys are great about sharing with each other.
My boys only require 2 pairs of shoes. Play and church.
My boys very often say 'please' and 'thank you'.
There is of course more but best of all, my boys show me love, patience and forgiveness daily.

So, don't ever feel sorry for this mom of all sons. For me, there is no competition. I am the only woman in their lives. And while, at times, I may feel a little out numbered and exhausted, I usually just feel loved and extremely blessed to be the only woman vying for their attention (at least for now).