Props to Mom

We hacked into Mommy's Blogger account (really Dad got us in) so we could each share a personal reason why we love our #1 Gal. Mom would never knowingly allow us to gush out heaps of wonderful praise and affection in front of her close friends and relatives. Who wants that? ... especially on Mothers Day!?!

So without further adieu...

Parker : Besides all the "standard" things Mom does for me ...like taking care of me, "feeding me yummy food" (Parker's exact words), helping with my homework, and supplying me with cool books and toys... I really like how Mom takes me to the thrift store and buys me old electronics and appliances so I can dismantle them. She even got me my own tools I get to use on these projects. I think that's pretty neat!

Emi: I love how Mom always takes care of me. When I am sick, Mom always does extra-nice things to make me feel better. Like today - she made me a Lime slushy and let me take a nap in her comfy bed.  She is the best!

Quinn: Mom thinks of everything. I really like to swing in the backyard, but the chains on the swing pinch my skin and it hurts. So, Mom got some bubble-wrap and put it around the chains. Now I have these really soft handles to use when I swing. Thanks Mom!

Macy: Mommy lets me be me. I'm only 2, but I already have plenty of personality. I love to dance - I will bust a move anywhere or anytime I hear a good beat. I love to help Mommy teach dance classes. I love to watch the dancers and Mommy, but I also like to jump in and learn the choreography myself. Mommy thinks that is pretty cool. Recently, I've developed a new love - StarWars! My brothers and Daddy may have had something to do with it. My latest favorite pastime is lightsaber dueling with my siblings and Daddy. Mommy is very good to not dissuade me from learning the ways of The Force. She is a very good sport - maybe because it's a lot like dancing - but with flesh cutting lasers.

Thanks for all of the above and for ALL the other things you do for us, MOM

WE LOVE YOU!!!!!!!

Park, Emers, Quinny, and Macy Mace

I'll be back....

Don't leave my blog. I'll come back soon. I'm just in the middle of about 20 things, including a dance recital for my studio, registration for next year, and starting a kitchen remodel. Life is fine and well, but frantic. It's kind of the norm for me, which really HAS TO CHANGE. I'll be addressing that soon. I used to thrive on the craziness, but it's starting to create big issues for me, my health, and my sanity. Love life, love the changes ahead. Wish me luck. Hope all of you (I act like I have a big following...I don't) are doing well in your life.

I have a super cute family.....at least in photos.

I've been with them all day by myself, so they aren't so super cute anymore. But I digress.....

As you can see from my header, we did some spring photos. Why, why, why would I add this stress to my life during recital time? I have 2 year old pics of all my kids, except Macy. She is 2 1/2 and time is ticking away. Plus I'm a sucker for tulips. There was major stress before. It was pouring rain most the day, even on the drive to Thanksgiving Point. We were lucky that it cleared up enough for us to do it, though it was really cold! The photographers camera battery died, and it took a bit to get the new one, but we survived without getting too ugly. I loved the photographer. So crazy and good for the kids. 

Let's start with the individuals:

(she should be a model, don't you think? This is the same little angel who ran full force into Quinn's soccer game today, donning her "Super Macy" cape)

 And the  groups.....

What do you think? ( I could use some love and gushing today about my family and their cuteness)

Spring Break....the Arizona experience

So after Bryce Canyon, we drove to Arizona. We stopped at a Pizza Hut on the way and sat by 2 guys in Raiders shirts. I wonder who these cars belong to? Really, I don't love anything the wayRaider fans love their team.

But then to the warm and wonderful Arizona heat. We had several pools at our disposal (including a super-splash pool), air hockey, ping pong, giant checkers, playgrounds, lazy river, and a waterslide. We hardly ever left the property. So BEAUTIFUL. And the best part? Bill's parents met us there and we loved spending time with them.

The wildlife in the area was so fun. My kids went on several bunny hunts. We fed quails, bunnies, and the occasional lizard from our balcony. The lady giving me my pedicure did tell me to beware because the hawks often scoop up the bunnies. She always worries about her little puppy. Really glad we didn't have a "circle of life" moment on this trip.

My kids were like fish. They hardly got out of the water. Which made for this tired trio. (Quinn, grandpa, and Li-Li)

Easter is always tricky when you are away, but the Easter bunny was smart enough to find us. And what a novel idea to have eggs outside that weren't buried in snow? I could get used to this.

Macy loved the lazy river. I was hoping she would decide to nap there so I could just float around with her and not have to watch 3 other kids.

(in case you are wondering, my husband has no leg hair for reasons that have to do with his biking. Yes, it is strange, but I love him anyway. I once didn't go on a second date with a guy who did the same thing....for that reason.)

Instead, she napped like this.

Quinn was quite accident-prone this trip and I'm seriously amazed he never rolled into a cactus or anything. Loved this one on our LONG drive home. It wasn't too bad, except Macy lost her breakfast an hour into the drive. 9 more hours of the smell. But we survived and I want to go back!

Back to reality.

Spring Break, part 1

So, we didn't use the entire full week of our spring break to travel, but took off on Tuesday afternoon for Bryce Canyon. We'd always wanted to do that with the kids, and I'm so glad we did.

We stopped quick for this pic of the Manti Temple....or the "pretty castle" and Macy refers to it.

We ate at the local greasy spoon. Not so yummy.

We stayed at Ruby's Inn...great place, but I had a HORRIBLE night sleeping. The 6 of us should never sleep in one space. Bill snores, Macy woke everyone up at one point, and Parker never fully got back to sleep.

But look. We are still happy the next day.

I mean, seriously. How gorgeous is this? Hard to believe we are just a few hours away.

I have super hikers for kids. Even during the last bit up, which is quite steep, they pushed through it. Quinn even got to the top and said, "I like hiking!".

Giving them their own camelbacks was not such a great idea. Yes, I wasn't carrying their water bottles, but they loved to drink. And then they all really, really had to go. At the bottom of the canyon. That took some creativity. Enough said.

Macy was not thrilled to be confined to the "pack-pack" as she calls it.

There were sections that had all sorts of rock stacks. My kids tried some to, but we all kind of sucked at it.

Happy Hikers!

We unstrapped Macy and finally let her run free before our drive to Arizona. She was so happy. Can you imagine this energy on the trail? I'm sure she would be dead. Gotta love toddler-hood.

This was Macy's favorite part.....mine was finding that the little general store served fountain diet cokes. I needed one.

Onto Arizona!

Trials and funny quotes

That title describes the 2 things my oldest son gives me daily. I never want my blog to be a pity-party about raising a son with Asperger's Syndrome, but it is a huge part of my everyday life, so it's hard not to mention it once in awhile.

I love Parker. But he is hard. Maybe that is all that should be said and I should go to bed.

But.....it's not. Pre-teen years are hard, but Asperger's and pre-teen (and teen, from what I hear) are a lethal combination. Our thought processes are completely different. He is constantly creating trials for us and our family. I know I will never be able to control him, but I feel such pressure to make him do what is right and be....normal. He will never be "normal", and that is actually a good thing. I tell myself that all the time. One of his therapists constantly reminds me that he is the type of kid who changes the world.....or goes to jail. There isn't a lot of middle ground. He could and will do great things one day. I pray for that. His mind works completely different than the rest of ours. If I had just one kid, this would be o.k. But we have 3 more kids to worry about. His desire to do life his way doesn't always work. But I am grateful for them because they force him to do normal things. Begrudgingly. Arghh. Enough.

But I do realize that prayers get answered. Even if in little, little ways that are insignificant to others. Enough to take you off your ledge sometimes. That's good.

Sorry for the rambling.

But Parker will forever make me laugh with what he says. Here are 3 recent quotes:

"I like to help them with their geographic future" (in response to a counselor asking him if he likes to help other kids learn about maps.... something he is great at)

"Well, that was awkward" (after seeing a rather large woman out jogging yesterday...it was a bit awkward)

"Go Emi...Kick it up the side....whatever that means!" (screaming at the top of his lungs at Emi's soccer game. He'd heard someone yell that, and given his vast ignorance of sports lingo, decided to repeat it).

He's worth it.

Could it be?

I've been so completely uninspired to write blog posts lately. Could it be that I've discovered Pinterest? Could it be that my last 3 posts combined inspired approximately 4 comments? Could it be that a few signs of spring hit and I've been finding little reasons to get outside? Could it be that life is moving at the speed of light around here? Could it be that it isn't a good idea to be a wife, mom of 4, business owner, room mom, and in the YW presidency? Could it be that I've actually been exercising a heck of a lot more recently? Could it be that my recital is rapidly approaching? Could it be that I'm considering shutting down my blog because I don't need one more thing to do?

Bing...you're right! The answer is all of the above. Life is good, but just a fast-paced as ever right now. I would love to journal so much of the funny stuff (and the seriously not funny stuff), but I'm fried by the end of the day.

Highlights: Macy is hilarious right now. She's all about being "Super Macy" and runs around in Quinn's superman cape. Grandma saw the need and sewed her up the cutest girl cape. It has an "M" on it that looks like a lightning rod. She chose against putting a "SM" knowing Bill would never let her here the end of it. (if you don't get that, you are pure and shouldn't be reading my blog). She is also in love with "TinkyBell", which makes me happy because this girl is equally into cars, trucks, trains, and dinosaurs.

Macy loves Fosse. And Fosse lets her do what she will to him, unlike how treated the others. I think he's so old that he has given up. However, the other night, I was holding her while she pet him. I guess he'd had it and reached to bite her. He can't technically bite as he has no teeth, but he likes to pretend he does. She was heartbroken....as if her hero had fallen. She kept saying, "Be nice, Fosse" in the saddest little voice. "Fosse eat my arm!". I feel like she has lost some innocence because of it. Anyway....as you can see, Macy is making the doldrums of this time of year fun and I love her to pieces.

Emi received Superior at Federation. She was thrilled and I'm so proud of her. Parker, however, did not. He completely blanked on his very challenging Bach piece and stumbled through it. Being that he prides himself on being good (which, in fairness, he really is), this was a blow to his pride. Personally, I'm glad he did. A little humbling never hurt anyone. That's awful that I feel that way.

Quinn is surging deep into the world of Star Wars. Parker is more than happy to show him all the movies and I've loved watching them bond in their little geek world. I let them stay up until 10:30 the other night cause they were so happy playing Star Wars in Parker's room...NO FIGHTING!

I love my dear Emi.....but I worry. She's quiet and sweet and soooo helpful, but I kind of feel she hasn't found her passion in life. How stupid does that sound! I know...she's 9! She loves dance, but not enough to put tons of time into it. Same with piano. And soccer. I just kind of can't figure out what her passion is. She likes to do a lot of things, so I shouldn't worry. I just hope she finds it out and has something she loves in her life. My plan is to throw a bunch of stuff her way this summer. Starting with tennis. That sounds fun, right?

Parker....that's a post in my head that will probably never make it out. It's kind of a deep, dark post that should never see a computer screen. He's so hard right now. It's hard to weed out what is the Asperger's and what is the pre-teen. There is a good reason that the autism symbol is a puzzle piece. We are in constant motion to see what fits and doesn't for him and his needs. I worry desperately about his future. I won't go into details, but if you know someone dealing with a special needs kid in ANY area, cut them some slack and give them a hug. Help them know they aren't alone. I guarantee they feel alone.

Sorry...back to happy. I never know how much to share with that.

As for Bill and I, we are those 2 ships constantly passing in the night. We are about to attempt a kitchen remodel, so that should pretty much put me in the looney bin for good. Wish me luck. The anxiety level that I feel about choosing permanent stuff for my house gives me a rash. Still, I can't wait!

That's the skinny around here. I'm blessed. I'm happy. Just really, really tired.

Oh yeah...I won a swimsuit competition! (I wish that was how it really sounded...it's not!)