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.

Grad Night

Well, last night was the big night. I was pretty proud of myself that I only got a little teary one time. It was just Lane and I and the three oldest kids and it was a really fun night. We went out to dinner first and then to the graduation...then after, out to a place called "Bahama Bucks" which has the BEST shaved ice you have ever had! (I know you are thinking...how good can shaved ice be??... but honestly it is very unique and SO SO good!)
Anyway, it was a really sentimental night and my stomach just had butterflies the whole time. I am so proud of Alex and for the great young man he has become.
Most of you know that I am not happy with the high school here at all, and so I could tell you about a few things that happened at Graduation that were so typical of Basha High...but to keep this on a positive note, I won't. You'll have to call me to get those details :)
Well, Alex's room looks like a nuclear bomb went off in there since he has everything all piled up to start packing tomorrow. He leaves on Sunday and then I can go in there with a leaf blower and get it all clean!
I am holding it together pretty good. Just have to get through Sunday.

The End of an Era...

I haven't even been able to blog about this because I have been in denial, but yes, my first child is actually leaving the nest in 10 days. No one ever told me that it would be this hard, or maybe I am just wired all wrong and it is especially painful and emotional for me. Whatever it is....this is really tough on me. I find myself bursting into tears at very random times. Even in the grocery store when I pass by the "Chalulah sauce" or some other favorite food of Alex's. Speaking of food...I need to add "always open the carton to check the eggs" to my list of things to tell him.....
I know he will be back before his mission, but I just don't think things will ever really be the same again.
We have been to several really great meetings lately revolving around the graduating seniors. Duty to God Recognition Night, Seminary Graduation, and Senior Recognition Night. I was a crier during all 3 of them. The moms were supposed to get up at Sr. Night and talk a little bit about their child. I couldn't even do it, I had to pass the buck to Lane whose tear ducts do not happen to be connected to his heart like mine.
It is not only Alex that I am going to miss, but all of his friends. I love them all so much and they are such great kids to have in our home. I always wanted our house to be the "hang out house" and even though it is smaller than most of his friends' houses, they somehow end up here most of the time and I totally love it. I know that Alex is going to have a blast at BYU Idaho and I am so excited for him. It just came alot sooner than I expected.
So for all of you who want to ring your 3 year old's neck for various reasons throughout the day...please believe me when I say, they will be leaving home before you know what hit you and you will want all of those days back!
One of my very favorite songs is called "Two Little Shoes".
The chorus says..."and each night I kneel. My heart sings a prayer. Thanks dear God for one little boy, and two little shoes on the stair...."

I will get through it. This is just a tough year for me: Oldest leaving home. Youngest going to school. Turning 40!
Pray for me :)

Cute Toes

Thought I would post a picture of my cute toes....a few days ago, 5 of my girlfriends and I all decided that we needed to treat ourselves to a little girl time and get some cute toes while we were at it. I went a little more conservative than some of them. Too bad none of us had a camera on us to get all 50 toes in the picture.
Anyway, it was fun and for my sisters who know I have never taken good care of my feet, I thought you would think this was funny! I use to BITE my toenails...probably still would except that I can't seem to get my foot in my mouth anymore (at least in that way haha)
So if you are having one of "those days".....try getting a fun pedicure!

Happy Birthday Lora Loo

It's about time I updated my blog and what better reason than to celebrate my not so little Lora Loo's 9th Birthday!!
That has become her nickname of choice as of late....the name by which she is known to her bosom buddies and her favorite grown-up Mr. Eyre
Lora definately has a special place in my heart, and although there are millions of reasons why I adore this little girl, I thought I would list my top 9:

1. She is witty
2. She makes great facial expressions when she talks
3. She uses words like HORRIFIC! RIDICULOUS! PATHETIC!
4. She thinks that Brownies and Reeses Peanut Butter cups are on the food pyramid
5. She eats peanut butter on a spoon for breakfast almost everyday
6. She can sing in the shower like no one else!
7. She has an anxiety attack when she hears the word "throw-up"
8. She writes amazing stories
9. All it takes is a giant hug to snap her out of a bad mood

ok, I can't stop at 9.....

10. She can't stand "hair bumps"
11. She takes a baggie of dill pickles each day in her lunch
12. She has a million collections going on in her closet
13. She wants to be Hannah Montana
14. Her Primary teachers think she is the quietest thing ever (whatever)
15. She LOVES her family
16. She loves Heavenly Father
17. She doesn't really want to grow up
18. She can make a toy out of anything
19. She has a great imagination
20. Her eyes light up when she smiles!

Lora is spunky and snorky and sometimes dresses dorky, but we love her with all our hearts! Happy Birthday Lora-loo