"Lora the superstar"

so some of you have heard Lora sing in the shower, but I finally captured her (fresh out of the shower) and I just have to show this off, of course, I think she is AMAZING!!
and Emma wants me to say that SHE is a superstar too.
make sure to listen all the way to the end for the "big finish"

Out of the Mouth of Babes

Mariah just returned from a week long trip to California to visit a very close friend. The whole family was gathered around the computer to view all the pictures from her trip. When we got to this one, Lora said:
"How did you and Erica make LOVE in the sand?"
Lane and I couldn't help but crack up and then that got all the kids laughing....the funniest thing was Emma and Lora both were laughing their heads off. They didn't even know what they were laughing at.

Torn Fan

Lane and I took Abram to his first major league game last Friday night....it was so much fun! Especially to see the look on his face when we got into the stadium! It was priceless!! Something about the look of a freshly groomed baseball field, with players in clean uniforms and the national anthem being sung with fireworks going off...it is just like an emotional experience. But then, I pretty much cry at everything...so maybe it isn't that way for everyone.
I have to admit I was a little bit torn though, because the Diamond Backs were playing the KC Royals and since that is where I was born....and grew up watching the Royals (even went to a couple games) I was a little torn about who to cheer for. THere wasn't a whole lot of cheering going on since there were no runs at all until the 10th inning! Then the D Backs finally landed a homerun. IT was a fun way to end the game.
THis picture was sent to me by someone who knew us that lives in Utah but happened to be at the game as well and caught us on the screen. Pretty cool huh??

Nana's visit

had to post a pic of Emma in her dance recital costume ( she was too nervous to come out on stage but she sure looked cute!)



It was a fun week having my mom here visiting. We were pretty much completely lazy...sleeping in every day and floating around in the pool until the late afternoon. We watched a few good movies that she had never seen (or at least can't remember ever seeing) and we even got in just a little shopping. Nana managed to talk my kids into giving her a good foot rub or two as well. We did go up to Scottsdale one night to see Shawn since he was here on business. (see April's blog for pics of that night)
The older I get, the more I love and appreciate and admire my sweet mom. She is so good to all of us and so fun to have around. We had many many good laughs, thanks to Lora...so funny that I can't even blog about it. Like my mom always says...they broke the mold when Lora was created! She had us in stitches many times!

Well, it is time to get back into somewhat of a routine...like cooking dinner. I have been in party mode with her here. Thanks for the visit mom...I love you tons!!

ps. I have to add a little update on Alex. He is doing great and loving college life! Of course I have already sent 2 care pkgs. (shhhh...don't tell Lane) Alex's one tip for new college freshmen is this: "Don't wash new blue towels with ANYTHING else!" He said it looked like a SMURF exploded in the dryer!!

Roots & Wings

Well, it is official....I only have 4 children left at home! Sunday was a very emotional day around here. It made it more tearful, yet meaningful that it was Testimony meeting. I did alot of self talk all morning as I was getting ready saying.."this is not a big deal...this is not a big deal..." and yet when I sat down and looked up at the Sacrament table and saw Alex, the tears started flowing. Then I thought I had it together and the Bishop gave me a sympathetic wink and a smile and it started again. Luckily I had packed a few small packages of kleenex in my bag.

Alex bore an amazing testimony and then many of the priest quorum followed suit and the spirit was so strong.... Abram bore his testimony for his first time. He was so nervous. It was very sweet. It was just a great meeting. We have some incredible youth and their Priest Quorum is especially close.

Well, we came home and later had Alex's favorite dinner (chicken enchiladas..Martinsen style). A few of his closest friends showed up during dinner and hung out for dessert. Lane and Trent's dad both gave them father's blessings and then we loaded up the car and went to the airport. The little girls stayed home with Alex's girlfriend Cate.

I had a good cry on the phone with my mom who picked them up from the airport. I am so thankful to her for picking them up and driving them up to BYU Idaho today and getting them all "tucked in" as I keep saying (it is driving Lane nuts!) He thinks Alex and Trent should have just had to rough it and figure everything out on their own like HE did. I have had to tell him several times that it was different for him. He was 23 years old for one, and had already lived on his own for a few years and he had a car to get around!
Anyway, I am feeling so happy and relieved tonight now that I know they are all settled in and even have matching sheets and towels (thanks mom!)
My mom had some funny stories to tell about the boys buying the groceries and putting their beds together etc...
I am so happy that she was there for them. Pretty lucky to have Martha Stewart helping you get organized!
Mariah started right in on Alex's room today, cleaning and de-junking it as part of some service hours she needed for YW. It looks like he died or something. It has never been so clean before!
Well, when we gathered for FHE tonight, Lane actually said, "wait! who is missing?" It was kinda funny. That's a dad for ya.
I had many tears yesterday, but today I have actually thought of a few positive things about this:
1.we don't have to eat in the dining room for dinner..we can all fit at the kitchen table now
2. There will at least be one room in the house that will STAY clean!
3. I will have ALOT less laundry to do (Alex showers at least twice a day)
4. We won't go through as much food
5. I don't have to wait up for him anymore
6. He is going to have the time of his life and I am so excited for him!!!

A song that has been running through my mind lately is called "Roots & Wings". IT is about your children growing up and it says..."just give them Roots to grasp and Wings to fly"
He definately has strong roots to grasp, thanks to the many examples he has had all of his life between family and church leaders....and now he has spread his wings and flown away. My heart has a hole in it....I love you so much ALex.