Meet Brooklyn

Don't give up on me!

For those few of you who continue to check this blog, hoping (with less and less enthusiasm, I'm sure) that there might be something new here, I want to say "Don't give up!" I don't know what's happened to me over the last 2 months, but clearly keeping up to date hasn't been high on my agenda. We've had another birthday, and lots of fun, and are smack dab in the middle of another Spring Break. So keep watching, I promise I won't let you down!!

Caleb's Birthday

I was so eager to post my birthday fun, that I skipped right over Caleb's birthday! Ya, Mom of the Year award, right over here. Our "little" boy turned 6 on Feb. 4th; finally, he's only wearing one size bigger than his age, not two. Caleb made quite an entrance into the world, many of you were there, most of you have heard the story, but our 9 lb 14 oz baby ended up spending just shy of a week in NICU's at both Primary Children's and McKay Dee Hospitals because of a congenital heart problem. He spent his time there giving eating lessons to the preemies around him and causing other parents to stop and stare, and wonder what in the world this brute was doing in the NICU. We were ecstatic to bring him home and although he was tethered to an oxygen tank for a couple more weeks, he thrived and has never, ever looked back. He's still thriving, a head taller than just about anyone else his age, doing very well in Kindergarten and is as sweet a little boy as I could hope for. OH, he has moments. He takes particular delight in teasing his sisters (but seriously, one boy in a houseful of girls, what else is he supposed to do?) This trait seems to be getting more pronounced the older he gets...heaven help us. We are so lucky to have Caleb in our family, he his Daddy's right-hand man. I have a feeling they're going to be pretty close as he grows up. They're already Star Wars fans to the extreme, as you can see from Caleb's choice for a party theme. This was his first party with friends and it was a hit! Grandma, Grandpa and Uncles Dan, Ben and Matt came for the festivities, too and made it a real party! I love this boy so much, I can't believe we were lucky enough to get him in our family! Happy Birthday, Bubba!!

The best birthday EVER!

Well, folks, he did it. Sam completely, utterly and totally surprised me this year. I did think something was up, but I was thrown off track when our friends surprised me with cake and ice cream on Tuesday night...the day before my birthday. That was it, I thought, that's what the mysterious phone calls and sadly obvious attempts to hide something were all about. Poor Sam, he's such an honest person, he can't tell a lie to save his life...sad, but at least I know he'll never mislead me. For my birthday gift, I had a toaster oven, purchased in my presence at Walmart at the end of our date night. I wasn't too disappointed, we've gone without toast for months, but, well, you know...it's an appliance...for your birthday. Wednesday went pretty normally-kids off to school, Sam off to lunch with a client, kids home from school, Valentines signing frenzy, then my splurge...a nap (yes, it's a daily occurance, but today I chose not to feel guilty.) Then around 3:00, things started to get interesting. We decided to take the kids to Fat Cats for bowling and maybe Costa Vida (if we could get them to eat it). But as soon as we got in the car, Sam announces we're NOT going to Fat Cats after all. Oh dear, weeping and wailing ensued. He assured them we were going someplace just as good and the tears eventually subsided. It took me to about Pleasant Grove to figure out we were headed to Logan and Jenny's house for dinner. Cool! I still don't have to cook and I'll get to play Scrabble. Jenny fixed a wonderful dinner and had a birthday cake to boot. Sam brought in a STACK of gifts and I just saw dollar signs...I know, I know. As I began opening them, however, I was stunned as I realized he'd gotten me every book authored by one of my recent favorites, Shannon Hale and had them autographed. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?! We could have ended there and it would have been an awesome birthday, but suddenly I'm being rushed through my mint chocolate chip ice cream. There's more? I figure we're probably going to see a movie, but I can't think of any movies I really want to see right now. Is it a concert, I ask? Sam just grins and it hits me...the Jazz are playing the Lakers tonight at home. WE'RE GOING TO THE JAZZ GAME!!!! We had nosebleed seats and were surrounded by loudmouth Laker fans and it was PERFECT! We arrived just in time for the opening (yes, I did finish my ice cream) and the whole game was unbelievable, ending with a Jazz victory...over the LAKERS! It was seriously the most perfect birthday ever. I think it even tops my 8th birthday at the Lion House (sorry, Mom!) As we drove back to pick up the kids, Sam began to tell me just how he pulled it all off. It involved a tremendous effort on the part of so many friends and family. I really was the only one who didn't know. I owe huge thank you's to everyone who helped out...Laurie & Sherwin, Eric & Kelli, Shauna, Logan & Jenny, Shannon, D-Will, Kyle, Memo, Paul, CJ and of course, Kobe. Thank you guys!! The only downside is: I now have to worry just a little because Sam CAN lie and I can't always see right through him. Good thing he's a pretty honest guy. Thank you, sweetheart!

Check out the slideshow below for the highlights. (Just a note, Sam took 220 pictures at the Jazz game...no lie. I spared you the (literal) play by play and chose the best parts, enjoy! I did. :)

The Perfect Birthday

My Day

I'm only posting this because I know you've ALL had days just like this...or (*gasp*) worse. It actually started yesterday, McKenna's had a bad cold for a couple of days, complete with fever, cough, constantly runny nose and IRRITABILITY! Yesterday I couldn't do anything while she was awake, she only wanted to be held, which is actually the only reason I don't mind having a sick child once in a while. However, it meant no grocery shopping, no laundry, no cleaning, no going to the bathroom... Because of all of the above we decided to take the kids out to IHOP for dinner, we thought she was doing well enough to get out for a little while; oh, how naive we were. As soon as we were seated and looking over the menu, she threw up. Lovely. It was just all the gunk in her throat, she hasn't had a problem since, but we had to haul 4 disappointed, hungry kids out of the restaurant and back home for chicken nuggets. A fitful night's sleep later, we got up this morning to get everyone off to school. Things were hectic but under control, McKenna was still miserable and requiring 100% attention from Mom or Dad, but at least there were two of us this morning. We'd just make it, I thought. It was the 100th day of school and Sam ran to the store to get a bag of Skittles so Grace could take 100 of something to school (she wanted to take 100 books and collected 88 before I knew what she was doing and encouraged her to think of something else.) I was by myself and handicapped, but Sam wouldn't be long. There was still plenty of time to get it all done, but it was close...then Sam called, he'd forgotten his wallet. He came home, grabbed Grace and headed back to the store, Caleb waited for the carpool and was on his way. 2 down, 1 to go. Karlee was dressed, hair done, just waiting to go to preschool. I wasn't dressed, hair still a mess, but figured I could get her to school without seeing anyone, then Caleb called from his Kindergarten class...he needed a stuffed animal for thier picnic today. ("Caleb, did you have a note for me?" "Oh ya, there's one in my backpack!" *sigh* "Sooooorrry.") So, no way to avoid civilization. Sam arrived back home just in time, Karlee could still make it to school on time and Caleb could get his stuffed animal without humiliation (mine and his.) Karlee got up to put on her coat and what do you know...she'd had an accident. WHAT?! It was the cherry on top, to be sure. We were out of close calls, she was just plain late. The day has improved some. There were a couple more scheduling conflicts that were inconvenient (Sorry, Kelli!), and Karlee just went through her second pair of pants (what is going on?!) but McKenna doesn't have to be held at this point, I just have to be in sight and with a tissue ready at all times. I most definitely need a nap...yep, still delusional.