Reality Check

Saturday night I am driving home from decorating a model home and it is 12 am. I have been working hard all day without much nourishment. As I am driving I realize how hungry I am so stop at the 24 hr. Del Taco right off my freeway exit. The drive-thru window clerk looks at me and says, "Do you have a daughter?"
"Yes, I do. She is 2 yrs. old."
"Oh, because you totally look like this girl I know, but she is like 21."

Not awesome.

Then I take a good look at the tattooed, pierced young lady who is working the all night shift at Del Taco and realize that I probably am the age of her and her friends' mothers.

I know. Not a politically correct statement. But, probably true. If anything, saying that makes me feel a little better.

Look who's 2!

Chloe started out her birthday cheering at Corbin's football game.

Later that evening she celebrated with her cousins, aunts and uncles at a BBQ in her backyard. Cousin Kelli helped Chloe and her cousin's Lizzie and Anna put on their new high heels, & earrings to be decked out for the party. Chloe was loving every minute of it!





The ladies model their earrings.



Thanks everyone for celebrating with Chloe. Aunt Laura, Uncle Bridger, Hazel and Jayden came over, too. The bad thing is our camera broke down. Thankfully, Laura let us borrow hers so we will post those pictures later.

What a GAME!

Today was the Optimist Football Jamboree at the BSU stadium. A chance for each Optimist team to go and play a 12 minute exhibition game on the blue turf. After watching several games while waiting for Corbin's team to get their turn to take the field, Larry commented that Corbin may not get to touch the ball. Most of the other teams were only doing hand offs and running the ball. This was not favorable to a wide receiver, which is Corbin's position. The first play of Corbin's game the QB threw a long pass straight to Corbin. The following pictures document his journey to the endzone. Of the 6 plays his team made, he made 3 touchdowns-- 2 completed pass td's, and one hand off that he ran into the end zone. It was awesome.

 

 

 

 

What happens when your mom is a no show on your birthday?

 

Yes, it's true, I have officially taken myself out of the running for 'Mother of the Year' with this one. Larry and I were out of town for work and we didn't make it home for Corbin's 9th birthday. Since we have the tradition of me making a meal of their choice,a pizza, pasta and molten lava cakes were delivered to Corbin by Domino's. They were willing to write Happy Birthday to him on the box. Thanks Domino's. The big brothers willingly took pictures and even managed to turn the camera on themselves to get a group photo. Good job, boys. Aunt Karin saved the day by baking amazing football and helmet cakes displayed on a football field. Truly awesome. Uncle Jim, Aunt Karin, James, Lizzy, Anna and Joseph came over to deliver the cakes and celebrate. Uncle Bridger and Aunt Laura delivered the gifts from us upon arriving back in Idaho at 2:30 am! Corbin woke up to find them on the front porch the next morning. Thanks you Hill's. Cousin Kelli did a wonderful job taking care of the boys and made sure Corbin had a good birthday by taking him and the big bros. to Wahooz! Thanks everyone for filling in. Happy 9th Birthday Corbin. We love you.

Life is Good

Last night when I made my post I was feeling kind of depressed about the summer. My husband would soon be leaving again to do some more work. My extended family was enjoying time away with their kids at the cabin. I felt stuck at home just having had a disaster of a Family Home Evening that I was hoping would be major family bonding time. As I have had time to reflect, I've had an attitude adjustment and realize that things aren't so bad. First and foremost, I am very grateful that we have work. I am super enthused about the projects we have been working on. Each of the places we have been driving has had hospitable family members willing to put us up. My parents have been extremely gracious in letting us stay at their home. They have fed us well, entertained us and put up with our quarrels, rambunctiousness, and messes. We have enjoyed every second of interaction with them, Haley and the other aunts, uncles, and cousins. Carter and Chase have received tours of the BYU athletics areas from the foremost expert in the field, Grandpa Hawkes. While we were in Utah we were able to stop in SLC and visit with Larry's dad and Marlene in their new apartment. They ordered in Pizza and we got to watch a dvd the folks in Guatemala put together for them. It was great catching up. While working in Logan, Larry's cousin and his family have welcomed him to stay in their home. He loves watching their kids do their rodeoing and hanging out and talking with Russ & Angie. Their teenage son Cooper even went and helped Larry work. Larry said he was a hard worker and is a great kid. Our family recently had an amazing time in Washington. We stayed with Larry's brother Steve, his wife Sheri, and their kids. Carter and Chase stayed an extra day hanging out with their cousins, Jeff and Justin. They went boating, played video games and just had fun. Corbin and Caleb went to Larry's brother Lynn and his wife Jami's home where Jami spent the day at the Aquatic Center with all of the kids. They had a blast. That night we hung out on their front lawn watching the kids do stunts on their bikes, gymnastics moves and even a little wrestling. It was wonderful. Gage, Jett and Case were very kind with our kids and willing to share their toys, bikes, scooters, and popsicles. We went to Royal City where Larry grew up and had an amazing time at the Allred's. While I worked with Carly, Larry and the boys went swimming in the "pond" equipped with serious diving platforms, canoes and a zip line. On our way out of town, Larry took us on a scenic drive and shared all kinds of stories with the kids about his childhood experiences. Priceless. We drove past the watermelon farm where cousin Kent works. We chatted with him and he gave us a sampling of the crop to take home. Life is good.
In reality I am very grateful for my abundant blessings. I am so glad that the MRSA has gone away, and that Chase didn't cut off his finger.

Summer's Almost Gone

Where has the summer gone? I am living through the memories of summers past, since this summer has been anything but a vacation. We have added many miles to our vehicle's odometers but it has primarily been in pursuit of a paycheck and not so much in pursuit of fun.
Carter has been involved in training camps for basketball and football in anticipation of playing sports his Freshman year of high school. Oh my! Time really flies. At one of his basketball practices he skinned his knee. A week later we were in Utah and he was able to attend a day long football camp (pictures previously posted), where he fell and tore the scab off his knee. He stayed in Utah to help his dad with some work and I drove back to Idaho with the rest of the kiddos to finish up some projects I had going on. He was limping the whole day before we left and I thought it was a little bit of an act-- him not wanting to stay and have to install cabinetry. He had to stay anyway. The next day I got a call from Larry telling me that Carter had to be taken to the Dr. in Providence, Utah because his leg had severely swollen up. They lanced it and drained it and packed it with gauze. He was given an antibiotic shot as well as 2 different oral antibiotics. He was told to take it easy and carefully tend to his wound and dressing. Larry drove him back to Orem to my parent's home. A few days later I received a call from the clinic telling me his test came back positive for MRSA. I googled it. Not awesome.

Chase and Larry went on a scout backpacking trip a week ago. Once back in cell range, I get a call from Larry telling me they were on their way home and that Chase nearly cut the tip of his finger off while carving a stick. They would be stopping at our Dr.(who luckily is our neighbor) on the way home to see about stitches. Yep. Stitches were required. He just got the stitches taken out today.

Anyway, that seems like the summer in a nutshell. Drive. Get hurt. Pay co-payments. Drive some more. Get hurt again. Pay more co-payments. Have some car troubles. Drive some more. Luckily, we have had some pretty good watermelons this summer.

Look what Chase made

He made the batter, filled the cups, baked the cupcakes and then decorated them. I personally do not think it is one bit corny for a 12 year old boy to be such a creative baker.
FYI: These are lemon cupcakes decorated with jelly belly's and a pat of laffy taffy 'butter'. They were then sprinkled with sugar (salt) and black colored sugar (pepper). Pretty cute-eh? The cupcakes are cute, too.