5 Down, 1 to go!

Look at the cute face?!!

Beckham with Mrs. Olsen
This is her last year as a Kindergarten Teacher!
Maybe we'll meet up again in 3rd!

Alleah and Kelli there to support my Little Man!

Dad, Grandma and sleeping Grace.

Grandma almost didn't come. She made sure she didn't miss it!

And then there's me. My baby's growing up and moving on!
I've cried at every graduatin. This day was no different.

Last Friday Beckham graduated from Kindergarten! I just can't believe it! I had a conversation with my sister the other day about how hard it is to watch your children grow up, become dependant and slowly move away from you. My sister is the epitome of motherly love and she finds it hard with her twin boys who are not even 3 discovering their independence. As I talked with her I encouraged her to celebrate those moments of independence. I realized that I was giving myself a pep-talk. I am so much closer to kids leaving the house then she is!

I celebrate that Beckham has graduated from kindergarten. That he is reading, doing simple math, writing and using his imagination. I am stunned that he will be entering the 1st grade next year and will be gone from me for an entire school day. What will I do without my sweet Beckham smiling up at me, giving me hugs, and nagging me to play with friend?s! It is hard to have to let go. Thank goodness it happens slowly at a rate in which we can recognize and celebrate!

EEWWWW!!!

Looky what I found!

Getting a closer look.

Alleah laughing at Grace's reaction!





Cousins, so different!

Every spring and summer we re-discover worms! It's so much fun to watch Grace experience things for the "first" time. Her excitment, disgust, and fright bring a whole new meaning to the word re-discovery. That's what's fun about every single child. They all have their "first", which helps you to see things in a new light through new eyes. Every child reacts differently to the world around them. Children are so observant and they certainly don't miss a beat.

Hannah found the worm in Grandma Donna's flower bed. She was pretty excited to show it to Grace and Alleah. Both were affraid to touch the tiny creature. When they did they just about fell over with fright. It's amazing how such a small thing, like a worm or spider can conjure up such fear. It's fun to watch.

Don't worry baby, Mom's just affraid of such creatures herself.

Redemption

Glee completely redemed itself last night! I knew it would. Last night's episode was AWESOME!!! I just about fell apart when Mr. Shue and his nemesis sang one of my all time favorite songs from High School, Dream On from Aerosmith. Which I guess is in the new catagory of Classic Rock. But what ev. I just had to watch it again this morning on Hulu. My kids surrounded me as I sang along, and I sang loud. Isabel asked me if they could just listen. I continued to just mouth the words. When they finished, Mr. Shu's tongue hang'n out of his mouth I threw my hands up and screamed out of joy! Just like I was at a concert! I feel a little ridiculous getting so excited about this performance. This was not the only amazing performance last night. How hot was Arti when he jumped out of his wheel chair and danced!? If I were more computer savy I would have a video of both performances for you to watch on my blog. Instead, your just going to have to this link Glee. Fast forward to 20:10 and watch for your enjoyment. Right after is Arti's dance.

I pure love Glee!

Are you my cutie cutes?

The other day when I was dropping Beckham off I told him, "See you later Sweetheart." Beckham asked me why I call him that. I told him it's because I love him. I told him that I even call his Dad Sweatheart. He stood there and thought for a moment, he's my thinker, and then asked "What was it that Aunt Jessica use to call me when I was little?" I went through a few answers before I got it right, "Baby Becks?" No. And then it dawned on me, " Was it cutie cutes?" Ya, that's it. I told him how fun that was for her to call him that! He was content and ran off to his desitnation.

As I drove away I was reminded of a certain someone else that my Sis. would call cutie cutes. And that someone was Annika. Even before my Sister had her own twins, she doted on mine. After a certain visit I asked Annika if she was my cutie cutes since that's what Jessica always asked her. I thought for sure she would say yes. But her response was a resounding No. I then asked her if she was Grandma's cutie cutes, Nope. Are you Dad's cutie cutes? Nada. I finally asked her, Are you Jessica's cutie cutes? YES!! For months after I would ask her over and over and she would only answer Yes to Jessica! What a sweet connection my Sister made to Annika. I love that she felt that way about her Aunt!

U2; Classic Rock?

I have a guilty pleasure. And that guilty pleasure is watching Glee. I pure love this show. Yes there are some inappropriate themes that are explored, but the writing is amazing. It's just a little bit of poop in the cupcake as my Mother-in-law would say. But Tuesday night they completely crossed the line. I thought when Rachel said they were going to sing a classic rock song that she was going to introduce Journey, The Eurythmics, Eagles, or the Police. But NO, she introduces U2's One as a classic rock song. WHAT THE HECK!!! When did U2 enter the realm of classic rock? And does that mean I am of classic age? Or am I completely delusional about my age? 34 is not that old people! Despite this flaw that has snagged my faith in the writing on Glee, I will continue to watch the drama unfold and be comforted by the musical performances.

Please, just don't call U2 classic rock.

Didn't your Mother ever tell you...

NOT TO SWING THAT THING!!!

After church Isabel was in charge of the beloved fishing pole. I put togther this cherished Sunbeam item years ago for my kids for something fun to do during FHE. I use it almost every sunday with the Sunbeams. We fish for suns, flowers, hearts, and pieces to a snowman. We told her several times not so swing the magnet around, just carry it out to the car. There's a reason why we as parents tell our children to avoid certain shinanigans. We can always see what could possibly happen. Children, being children don't alway believe us. They have to experience certain cuts and bruised themselves before they truely believe. As was Isabel's case. She swung that magnet around one too many times, lost control and thwacked herself right in the forhead. It bled just a tiny bit. I think her ego was hurt more then anything. Do you think she'll listen the next time we tell her to refrain from such shinanigans? Probably not.

Spring, where art thou?

Beautiful Tulips at Thanksgiving Point

My beautiful tree outfront.
It did a good job bringing some cheer amid the drear!

Am I the only person that is sick and tired of this poopy rainy weather? I'm tired of Mother Nature being so wishy washy. One day it's really spring, the next she wants winter back. Come on, make up your mind lady! You are just playing games with my emotions now and I can't take it anymore! I long for the sun to warm my skin. But not so much that I have to retreat to my home. Give me a few good weeks of mild weather! Please, I'm begging you, stop with the games already!

Lovely Lunch at Sundance

Mom with Grace in front of this amazing quilt.

Stephanie and Gaye
Gaye is the one that helps me do all my quilting!

Such a cute photo of the two of them!

Love it!!

Cute Grace, refuses to smile for the camera!

Three generations!






I love photo shoots!

Me and my baby girl!

My cute cousin Stephanie called me on Wednesday last week and asked if I was doing anything on Friday. Luckily, I wasn't. Life gets a little crazy with the end of school. She asked if I would want to go to lunch with her, Gaye and my Mom. I jumped all over it! Plus she got an awesome discount of 50% off.

We met early at the mouth of the canyon and all jumped in my Mom's car. It's been years since I've been up to Sundance. I use to go yearly when they had their outdoor Theatre series. For some reason they stopped that and I really really really missed it. I would go with all the women in my life and get away from all my young children. From what I understand, they've started it up again. I must start the tradition again!

Cause we were so early arriving we had the opprotunity to look through the gift shop and the deli where Stephanie works. The gift shop reminded me of my sister. There were birds displayed on cards, crib mobiles, and fun tiles. My sister LOVES birds. It made me sad, once again, that she doesn't live in Utah and wasn't there to join in the fun.

Walking out of the gift shop I noticed this AMAZING hallway. Displayed on the walls were black and white photos of all sorts of celebrities and old patrons of Sundance. Since we were so EARLY I insisted on getting photos. I wish I were a better photographer, or more appropriately, knew how to use my camera to it's full ability to truly capture it's essence. I'm still happy with the photos.

Lunch was really yummy. I tried the fish tacos, and they were super good. I'm not sure about everyone else, but I really enjoyed the food. Grace was super cute and kept us entertained by her 2 year old antics. How can you not love a chatty 2 year old?

I'm grateful that Stephanie made all the arrangements for this lovely afternoon. I love hanging out with My Aunt, Stephanie and especially my Mom. We need to do more afternoons like this. I feel lucky that they live so close. We don't take advantage of that as much as we should.

Mother's Day Surprise

Annika next to the flowers she planted.

Isabel taking special care to plant the flowers.

Kelli and Hannah

I couldn't ask for a better sister-in-law!!

The awesome sign we made and staked into the ground.

Is there someone missing?

All the grandkids on the Wood side!



My sister-in-law Kelli approached me about a Mother's Day gift for our Mother-in-law Donna. We both agreed that we wanted to do something to spruce up her yard. I really wanted to surprise her by planting flowers in the front. Tuesday morning we met at Home Depot and picked out some flowers. Wednesday, after the kids got out of school, we loaded the back of the suburban with shovels and tools to get the job done. Jaren had a great time turning the earth with the shovels. He had not interest in actually planting the flowers. He sat in the back of the suburban and insisted on sharpening the paint sticks that we used to drive into the ground to display the sign we made. All the girls were anxious to help plant the flowers. Isabel, especially. First we layed out where we wanted all the flowers to go and then took turns digging and planting. I'd say it was a very successful afternoon. The only cranky gliche was Grace. She'd fallen asleep on the way down and was in a very me, me, I'm not going to share kind of a mood. Thankfully Alleah was in a sharing mood and didn't mind Grace's crankiness or the fact that she was taking all of her toys.

I think Donna was surprised by it all. I just hope Donna gets out there to actually water the flowers. It was a great idea, but now that I think about it. It will take some work on Donna's end to make it a true success. She'll either be thinking wonderful things about her daughters-in-law when she goes out at dusk to water. Or she'll be cursing us when she slowly watches them all die!

Am I Pretty?

My Sweet Isabel

Always asking hard questions.

Always searching for the meaning in things.

Always ready to give compliment and to see the beautiful things in life.

Last week Isabel asked me a simple question.



Isabel: Am I pretty?

Me(pausing to think how to correctly answer this question: Yes. And what makes you pretty is the way you treat people with your kindness. It's what's on the inside that makes you pretty!

Isabel: Thanks, Mom.

Big sigh of relief. This question comes from a girl who literally will change her outfit at least three times before she goes to school. Isabel will also ask me to help her do her hair, which I'm more then happy to. But if there are fly-aways, it's a no go and she quickly abandons the piggy tails. Just yesterday I did exactly what she asked me to do, two small braids, tied together in the back. But because there was a slight bump at the crown of her head she removed one of the braids. At least she waited to take it out at school.

Of course I want my girls to have high self-esteem and self-worth. But I don't want them to be completely focused on their looks. Yes, it's so good to make sure you look nice and well kept. I know that girls lose their self-esteem as they get older and start comparing themselves to other people. I've been there before, it's rough for a girl. I still find myself comparing.

How do you teach girls to value what's on the inside more then what's on the outside? How do you continually teach a girl their divine nature? Do I, myself, feel divine? Sometimes I don't. I think this is the key to helping girls make it through those rough rough junior high and high school years. Knowing that they are a daughter of God, who loves them, is vital to their survival. Finding happiness from within us. No one else can make us happy. Not our freinds, our parents, or spouses. We have to find that for ourselves. And we find that by believing that we are Divine.

My Boy Scout

Packed and ready to go!

I still can't believe he's 12!

The dreaded tin-foil dinner!

Not willing to wait for me to drive him over,

he walked to his leader's house!

Last weekend Jaren's camp-out had been cancelled. I didn't realize that a boy could be as disappointed as Jaren was. It was a little ridiculous to be honest. Stomping, slamming, scowling, complaining, and a whole lot of grump ensued. He didn't believe either his Dad or I when we told him it wasn't cancelled, just postponed.

To Jaren's much relief, he was able to go camping this past weekend. My son cracks me up. Watching him scurry around the house collecting his things, is a great thing. Until he comes to a point when he can't find what he's looking for and the world comes to an end. Unfortunately for him, neither he or I or the best lookers. We usually leave that up to Brent, who could find a needle in a hay stalk if need.

Jaren couldn't find a good flashlight. At this point he was threatening not to go because we couldn't find Brent' headlight and there was no way he was going to use Beckham's play headlamp when it worked brilliantly. Out of pure luck, I pulled a box down from the laundry room in which there was a lame flashlight, but it worked and was better then Beckham's. Then Jaren says, "I have one up in my room that I can use too!" What?!! Are you kidding me? We went through all of that when he already had a flashlight he could use? As Jaren was walking out of the laundry room I dug a little more into the box and found the blessed headlight! Sometimes I think Jaren is bi-polar. He goes from extreme downs, to extreme elation in a matter of seconds. At least the catastrophe was averted.

I also needed to convince him that he needed just on change of pants, on change of underwear, shirt and two additional socks. He had four pair laying ontop of his pile. He quickly grabbed on pair and added it to his feet and just threw the extra fourth pair upstairs.

All in all, he got ready all by himself. The only other thing I helped him with was the tin-foil dinner.

Jaren came home sick. He was literally hunched over and in pain. My immediate thought was the tin-foil dinner. Jaren told me not to put the veggies on top of the meat cause the meat wouldn't cook properly. I thought, if you just turn it while it's cooking it will be fine. He took off all his soaking clothes and crawled upstairs to bed. Where he stayed for the REST OF THE DAY!!! He got home at about 1:30pm. We didn't see his bright smiling face until about 6:30pm. He would have stayed in bed. We had made plans to watch Avatar as a family. He wanted to watch that more then to stay in bed.

I love how the Scouting program is toughing up my oldest Son. I love how it motivates him to get things done on his own. I love how it helps him to work through pain. I guess he went on two hikes while his stomach was cramping. I am grateful to good leaders who are teaching him valuable skills!