Blog via phone

So, I have this new fancy dancy android phone. It's no iphone, but I love it so far. I have a little blogging app and have yet to try it out, so here we go!

Hanging out at Sportman's Warehouse to appease my Beloved this morning. We have Squirt with us and only Squirt. Strange, right? My in-laws are visiting and have taken the three big boys for a fun adventure that has something to do with lunch and a botanical garden.

We chose a minor league baseball game in the warm sunshine to fill the time. Somehow getting there took us right past the hunting gear store. Never a quick stop where testosterone is concerned. I have written this entire post while waiting at customer service while a special order is placed by my man for the specific camo shirt that will make all the difference come autumn.

I was enlightened to find out that string bikinis are produced in mossy oak camo pattern. My man was also enlightened to find out he could keep dreaming anout ever seeing me in one.

the new chapter

My own life experience has taught me grand lessons about how I should respond to others when news is shared with me.

For example:

Someone says, "I'm pregnant!"

You DON'T say:  "Was it planned?" or "Again?" or "Do you know how that happens?" or "Boy, you'll really have your hands full!" or "Are you done after this one?"

You say, "Congratulations!  That is wonderful news and I am so happy for you and your family."

FYI, I'm not pregnant.  But hopefully, you can see my point.

We have been sharing some news that has been provoking some equally inappropriate responses though.

We have decided that this is the year that our children are going to give classroom learning a try.  We have been home schooling for the entirety of our parenting experience and fully believe that home schooling is a wonderful choice for education.

The Hunter is finishing third grade this week.  I've said before that it has been a tough year.  He is changing in several ways, but we saw that he was not thriving from learning at home.  We know that school options have benefits and drawbacks on both sides and we watched the weights shift on the scale.

He has reached a point that we feel he would really benefit from learning from someone other than Mom me, as well as facing the social pressure and consequences that will force him to work harder and press forward.

Additionally, I have always been quite open about the fact that I really felt that we would eventually get to this point.  I don't have anything fundamentally against the public school setting and at the right time, I think it will work well for our family.

Last month, we read this book and it has really pumped me up for the positive experience that public school can be as a whole.  The authors have eight children and have had a great public school experience.

They clearly say it is not without challenges or trials, but are very encouraging about how to navigate those challenges with faith and integrity.

One of the authors' key points is that it is crucial to be involved in your children's school.  I identified completely with that point because our sweet Rufus has attended a little co-op preschool for the last two years (and will be wearing his little graduation cap this Friday BOO!!).

I have spent this year as a part of the parent board that keeps the co-op running and I have loved it!  It has not been without hardship and sacrifice, but the time getting to know other parents and working hard to better this school that I have fallen in love with has all been well worth it.

It was so worth it that I signed up for another year on the board when my baby Squirt will start preschool this fall.

I have had a taste of what it feels like to be involved and make a difference in a school, as well as to have a presence there.  My son knows that I know what is happening at school, and therefore, with him.  Plus, I have watched Rufus thrive.

So, can you tell I'm excited about this decision?  Can you tell that we haven't made it easily or without thought and lots of prayer?

I have had an interesting experience collecting memorable responses from  people who obviously haven't learned the, "Congratulations!  That's great news and I'm so happy for you and your family," lesson.

"Do you just have too many kids?" or "Did you get overwhelmed?" or "Well, I'll pray for you." weren't really the responses I was looking for.  After hearing some of these, I almost kissed the friends (not coincidentally, my closest friends and family) who responded with excitement for ME and MY family and OUR decision.

And as of Wednesday, I'm going to start thoroughly enjoying our summer vacation.  Because come September, I'm diving in!

absent in blog but present in life

I am fully aware that my blog has been ignored.  I'm sure I'm going to see The Department of Blog and Internet Services at my door in my email box shortly with charges of negligence.

I am desperately trying to finish out our school year and keep up with our weekend travels and chores.

I think of blogging and sometimes feel overwhelmed.  I have too much to say; I have nothing profound to say; I have too many other things to do; I'm just too darn tired and lazy; I'd rather watch my DVR shows.

I have plenty of excuses.  Which one would you like?

You're not getting much else out of me today, but come next week, my plan is to fill you in on some big happenings in our family, as well as my annual wedding anniversary post (think "he said - she said").

I will leave you with my favorite photo of the week.

My sweetie pie Squirt who was my bus partner at Zion National Park
last weekend.

motherhood defined

Mother's Day is coming up and We Are THAT Family is hosting a contest to define motherhood in picture form.

I remember the first touch.  I pulled my baby out from my own body.  My face is not even in the picture, but when I look at this, I see nothing else but my hands pulling him out.

I remember consciously feeling his lower half still inside me, and purposefully reaching down to bring him out into the world.

I remember his hot little body and his short cry of protest until I cuddled him on my chest and announced to the room that we had a precious boy.  I kissed his wet little forehead and held him close.

Although I believe you are a mother from the moment a life is conceived, this moment is becoming a mother.

He couldn't be put back and my life was forever changed.

For the better.

moabites

When spring is merely an extension of winter, we have to drag our frozen bones south to check whether our summer clothes are still in style.

After our Disney weekend, we decided to get some hikes under our belt.  A couple of years back, we went to Zion National Park, and then to Bryce Canyon National Park.

Loved them.

So, this weekend, we went to Moab - the gateway to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

Now, it was a bit too early in the season to be tent camping for me, but I found a great little campground with a pool showers McDonalds across the street cabins for rent.  And within a few minutes drive to the parks to boot.

I am amazed by how many people I know that have spent the majority of their lives in Utah and have never been to ANY of these parks.

People, C'MON!!!!!

On our way up to see the famous Delicate Arch, our first stop was a pit stop and I want to take a moment to acknowledge the benefit of having all boys.

I get to go to the bathroom all.by.myself.  Daddy takes them all with him.

YES!  I know other moms can appreciate the small pleasures, like peeing alone.

The hike to our first arch was 3.2 miles round trip and we really enjoyed the walk and the warm weather.

And the climbing.

Unfortunately, the most famous arch in the park was a mob scene that day, but we were still able to get a decent family photo to prove we were there.

After an amazing campfire dinner (kudos to the chef), and a dip in the pool, we all got some solid sleep.

Day two started with a hike to Sand Dune Arch.  This was a short hike through a slot canyon where we could enjoy the hot sand between our toes (shoes and socks were promptly removed upon entering the canyon).  Our goal was a hidden arch between the tall rock walls.

I didn't get a great picture of the arch, but the climbing in the canyon was so fun for our boys.

After a wonderful picnic lunch packed by yours truly, we took on our longest hike of the trip in an area called "Devil's Garden."  It looked like it was straight from heaven though with several beautiful arches and lots of breathtaking scenery.

Exhibit A:  Landscape Arch

These are rock "fins" that are actually part of the 4.2 mile trail.  Close your eyes Aunt Louie!  Kenyon did enough yelling worrying for all of us combined.

My little Rufus taught me the words to many preschool songs while we were hiking.  Oh, my heart swells around that boy!

At the top was an area called "Double O Arch."  We played there for a bit.

My man moved some misplaced rocks, and I had to get pictures for the life insurance claim.

Four boys in the lower "O."

Double O:  Can you find four faces?

My beloved found some shade with a view to rest in on the way down.

Day three was a quick trip through the northern end of Canyonlands Naitonal Park.

First stop:  Mesa Arch

It was straight down behind my men.  Take a deep breath.  You're about to stand at the edge.

We stopped for another gourmet picnic lunch and then we climbed a giant stone mountain called "Whale Rock" for our finale.

The rock really looked like a whale from the ground, but I was too lazy to take out the camera.  Here are the views from the top.

Don't mess with the brothers!

Too all my friends who said, "Let me know how it is down there."

GO!  These are wonders of the world and are worth a weekend.

We are heading to Zion National Park again next weekend for some more cabin camping to get away from the snow that still lingers here in Park City.

It will be a lot of work for this mama, but I can't wait.

like online dating - for moms

One of the unexpected perks of blogging has been new friendships.

Well over a year ago, I received an email from a woman named Grace.  She had stumbled upon my blog and she also had four boys that were similar ages to my men.

Through our back and forth emailing, we formed a friendship.  We exchange Christmas cards and stay in touch through the challenges and victories of mothering four boys.

But, we had never met face to face.

Grace and I always joke about meeting for coffee, which is funny because we live about 12 hours away from each other.  Or about an hour and a half plane ride which I'm seriously considering now that we've met.

While making our whirlwind tour of Disneyland, Grace carved time out of her busy life to come and rescue me from my hotel and take me out to coffee.

Four hours later we realized that they were kicking us out of the coffee shop.

We had such a nice time together and I am amazed at the broad range of topics we covered in that relatively short period of time.

It was really the highlight of my trip and I can't wait to do it again Grace!

some fun in the sun

We kept a pretty good secret from the little men this spring.

My man was bound and determined to go back to Disneyland before Squirt costs a butt-load of money as well turned three years old.  The only other time we were there was when Squirt was four months old and Rufus was still free.

This trip was kept top secret until the actual day we left.  The boys saw me packing the car and thought we were going on a camping trip (in the snow? yeah, right.)

Long story short, Kenyon was on a business trip and met us in Las Vegas.  Once we met up with him, we presented them with a crossword puzzle to solve that included enough clues for them to guess where we were headed.

And the big boys said, "So, we're not going camping?"

Lesson learned:  Don't look for satisfaction in reactions of your children.

Unfortunately, little Squirt had a terrible cold and every time his nose began to run he would scream, "NEED A TISSUE!!!!"

Those tissues gave him the sorest nose I have ever seen and he was just flat miserable for the first day and a half we were there.

Thanks to some good sleep and a lot of Aquaphor slathered on his face, he perked up and really enjoyed his time.

It's a Small World was a huge hit with our little guys.

Like father, like son:

 

 

 

All of my men know that their leading lady is a lover of all rides fast and scary.  Tower of Terror anyone?  It was a really fun experience to have most of my boys big enough to go on these rides with me.

 

All in all it was a great little get away to the southern California sunshine.  We badly needed some warmer temperatures to thaw our well wintered bones.

I don't think we will be going back for quite some time though.  As parents, we observed two things on this trip that will affect our future destinations.

First, Disneyland is very much a sedentary vacation style.  Although there seems to be a lot of walking, there is also a lot of standing in line, waiting, and EATING.  We feel much more at home on a trail in a national park or in a tent in the woods.

If I'm going to be sedentary, I want my butt in a beach chair with my husband on one side and my sister on the other, drinking rum and Cokes while watching our children build sand castles in front of us.

Second, Disneyland is a place that makes everyone feel and act as if, "it is all about me."  Unfortunately, I saw that come out in my children.  There was very little eagerness to compromise or desire to put others' wants before their own.  Disappointment was exaggerated and overall, they lacked contentment because there was always something else they wanted.

Our next major trip will be a well thought out effort to serve others.  I have already started looking into possibilities, but I am determined to open our children's eyes to the needs of others and take their focus off of themselves.

I firmly believe that the earlier they learn to "die to self," the better.