Sold!

We sold our first home today, almost two years after buying our first home. The best thing about it was not having to put it on the market because some friends in our ward wanted to buy it from us. It was a win-win situation, AND nobody had to pay real estate commissions. We think we gave them a decent deal on it for the current market here, plus we got enough out of it for a down payment and closing costs on something in Utah Valley where the market is almost double. Anyway, we hope they feel as blessed as we do. Now all we have to do is finish packing and cleaning, move, find a new home, buy it, and unpack. Somehow I'm not feeling any relief yet....

On a totally different note, Adam and Ryan finished a two-week session of swimming lessons today. Adam was a pretty good little swimmer to start with, but he really improved his crawl stroke. I think he's a better swimmer than I am now. Ryan made the most progress though. He was scared of the water last summer and didn't want to take swimming lessons this year. Once he got started though, he adjusted amazingly quickly. It's so nice when they are finally comfortable on their own in the water.

Boys, Boxes, and Busy-ness

I know my life is busy when what I really want to do is blog or read a book or take a nap rather than doing all that needs to be done. Along with all the normal cooking and cleaning and home management, the kids naturally want Mommy to entertain them constantly now that school is out. I have yet to figure out how summer vacation can be so booooooring. The first week was rough, but I persevered and we at least got into a good morning routine--breakfast, chores, reading, and math or spelling practice--all before we go to swimming lessons at 10:30. They don't grumble about it hardly at all anymore. One thing that is working pretty well is giving them a short list of chores to choose from. I make the list--things that I really need or want done that they are capable of doing--and the older boys each have to pick one. It goes much better when they've chosen what they will do than when I assign something. Even Jared (age 3) is figuring out what morning chores are about. It's fun to see him so excited about helping one of his brothers wash the dishes. So mornings are good, but don't ask about afternoons....

And as if all the normal stuff isn't enough, I started packing boxes a couple weeks ago in preparation for our move, which is just a couple of weeks away now. I've been trying to sort through, throw out, and pack things in the afternoons while Jared and Dallin nap. (Jared is ready to give up naps, but since he doesn't fight them too much, I'm hanging on to them as long as I can--at least until we move.) That means Adam and Ryan spend an awful lot of time in front of movies or video games. Oh well, the mornings aren't a waste. I sometimes feel guilty about not playing with them more, but I just can't entertain and get ready to move at the same time. I've tried paying them to help me pack at the rate of 25 cents a box. That worked okay when we were packing books, which were pretty straightforward, but hasn't lasted as I've moved on to other things. Speaking of boxes of books, we are up to 24 Xerox boxes full, and that's not quite all of them. We aren't called Packers for nothing! Yes, we have a few books, but at least the boxes are easy to stack when it comes time to load the truck. Built-in bookcases will definitely be on the "nice to have" list when we get to the house-hunting stage. Anyway, if I don't post again anytime soon, you'll know I'm just up to my gills in cardboard.

Brush with Fame

Here's a photo of one of my favorite fellow bloggers performing at the Logan Summerfest this weekend. I did know that this friend is a very talented person with a beautiful voice from a very talented family. I also knew that she was performing in this festival. What I didn't know is that my in-laws were going to the festival to hear her sing. And what she didn't know is that they would send me a picture of her to post on my blog. :-) They said she did a great job and they really enjoyed it. They also sent me a couple of samples of tracks from one of her CDs, which are wonderful. Charlotte is the best!

Size Inflation?

I've really needed some new shorts or capris since our Texas summer started kicking in. Jeff quickly agreed that I needed some new clothes and kindly volunteered to watch all four kids last Saturday so I could go do some shopping on my own. (About the only thing I dislike more than shopping is shopping with kids.) So I tried Academy Sports & Outdoors first, a store with a surprisingly large selection of nice, cute clothes for a sporting goods store. Now other than when I've been pregnant, I've pretty much worn the same size pants for most of my adult life. Occasionally I've even been able to fit in the next smaller size, depending on the brand and style of pants. So I looked at the racks of shorts and capris, and all of them in "my size" looked huge. So I picked up about five pair in the next smaller size and headed to the fitting rooms. None of them fit! They were all at least an inch too big around the waist, probably two. I went through this process three times, with different brands and styles, all with the same result. About this point I started getting annoyed and frustrated. First of all, shopping is not my favorite thing to do (have I mentioned that before?!), so I wasn't really enjoying myself much to begin with. Secondly, they didn't have any pants in the size two sizes smaller than "my size," or I would have tried them even though I've never worn that size. I was tempted to go look in the juniors department, but I learned that lesson long ago--junior sizes just don't fit the hips of women (especially those who've had a baby or two or more), and they are generally too trendy for my taste anyway--I've long grown out of the need to be in whatever the style is this year that won't still be in next year. So, discouraged, but not ready to give up, I left Academy and went to JCPenney where I know they have "petite" sizes that fit my body style, i.e., short.

Not wanting to waste any more time, I started out with the size smaller than "my size," in petite this time. Again, they didn't have any pants in the size two sizes smaller than "my size." I probably tried on another fifteeen pair of pants in various styles and brands, and, thank goodness, finally found two pair that fit relatively well and, I thought, looked relatively cute. I bought them, and two shirts to go with them. Now JCPenney does have petites, but the selection was pretty poor. Hoping to find something else, I went next door to Old Navy. Agh, more frustration. I guess "Low Waist" and "Ultra Low Waist" are what's in, because that was all they had. Low waist pants either don't fit my body style or they don't fit my wardrobe--I won't do the bare belly thing, for several reasons that probably don't need to be spelled out. At this point, four hours after I started and way past lunch time, I gave up and went home.

Now I admit that it's probably been a couple of years since I last shopped for pants, partially due to being pregnant for a significant length of that time. So have sizes been inflated that much in two years, or am I just imagining things? Do clothing manufacturers/ retailers/marketers really think we are that stupid? That ranks right up there with switching ice cream from half gallons to 1.75 quart containers, charging the same price and thinking we won't notice! I've never been one for conspiracy theories, but I'm beginning to wonder if the clothing establishment is in cahoots with the soft drink companies. They're trying to make us think we can drink 20 more ounces of empty calories because hey, I'm two sizes smaller than I thought I was!

You may have figured out by now what size I am...was...whatever. If so, and you're disgusted, I apologize. I credit my Burton metabolism for that. Thanks for letting me rant anyway. I've been supersized out of pants, for goodness sake!

Summer Blockbusters

This post might be a little premature, but I just wanted to weigh in on summer movies and see what you think. I'm not a huge movie buff, but I really like to see a good flick now and then. Too bad there are so few of them.

I was underwhelmed by Spiderman 3--I thought Peter Parker trying to be cool was rather lame. It definitely wasn't the best of the three Spiderman movies. Although I generally like superhero movies, I've been disappointed by some of the recent ones--except Batman Begins. I think it's my favorite superhero movie of all time.

I passed on Shrek the Third. I suppose I'll probably see it eventually on video, but I didn't like the first two much, so I wasn't about to pay to go see #3. I think the storylines are fun and I enjoy the plays on fairytales, but the potty humor does nothing for me. Neither does Mike Myers.

I think the next movie we'll pay to see in the theater is Pirates of the Carribbean: At World's End. Jeff just got the first two on Netflix so we could review the storylines and not be lost in the new one. Yes, they are all over the top and heavy on the special effects, but they are fun. How can you not like a good pirate story? And Johnny Depp amazes me. He is so versatile and skilled as an actor. I've liked him since Benny and Joon.

Others that I'm looking forward to and will possibly pay to see in the theater are Ratatouille, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, and Bourne Ultimatum. Oceans Thirteen, Fantastic Four, and Evan Almighty might also be possibilities, but I think we'll save them for Netflix nights. I know my older boys will want to see Transformers, but the trailer for it looked a bit violent for their ages (6 and 8). When they want to see PG and PG-13 shows like that, I don't forbid it but tell them they have to wait until they are older. All we need around here is more fighting to imitate and more nightmares.

What's your take? I'm always open to recommendations for good movies, but I'm pretty picky--I want good and clean, AND intelligent, thoughtful, or fun. Action and suspense are okay, but if it's dumb, crude, gory, scary, or full of gratuitous sex or violence, I'll pass.

On a side note, we just recently watched Walk the Line. I didn't grow up listening to Johnny Cash songs like Jeff did, but it was an interesting if depressing story. He wasted so much time and talent while he was hooked on amphetamines. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon also amazed me with their acting skills in this show.

That's the Ball Season

Possibly you thought our baseball season would never end, but it has. Ryan had his last teeball game this past Monday evening. He had a good season and really enjoyed himself. His skills will need some work as he moves into coach pitch next year, but he's really picked up on the rules and how the game is played. I think he's actually learned more from watching Adam's games than he has from playing teeball. He basically taught himself to read the same way, by watching as Adam did his homework. He's a pretty sharp cookie.

Adam's team finished off their season tonight on a bit of a low note. They didn't look very sharp, maybe because it was 90 degrees plus outside today. Mercifully the scoreboard stopped working in the middle of the game, when the score was 10-5, so we really don't know how bad they lost. I think their final record of 9 wins and 6 losses doesn't really tell what a good year they had. All their players from last year really led the team, and the younger boys who joined the team this year made a lot of progress. Adam will miss getting to play with them next year. It was a good group of players, coaches, and parents. He was 1 for 2 with a single tonight, so his batting average for the season was .765 (26 for 34, 21 singles and 5 doubles). I am proud of him for doing so well and for being a good sport most of the time. I'm not one of those parents who think that sports are the be all and end all of their children's lives (and there are a few of those around here), but I do think it's a good for kids to participate in team sports and have those character building experiences of working and cooperating with others towards a common goal, and doing it with a good attitude.

There, now you've had your last baseball update...until next spring. :-)

The ABC's of Homemaking

Charlotte tagged me on this one. Cousins, I tag you, if you haven't already done it. Here goes.

THE ABC's of HOMEMAKING

Aprons- yes or no? If yes, what does your favorite look like? No, I'm a neat cook.

Bake-What's your favorite thing to bake? Hmmm...probably chocolate chip cookies, but I also like the dough.

Clothesline- yes or no? Not at the moment, but I've been thinking it would be a good idea.

Donuts- have you ever made them? Yes, with my mom when I was a kid. It's been awhile.

Every day-Name one homemaking thing you do every day. Make meals. It seems like I'm always in the kitchen.

Freezer-Do you have a separate deep freeze? No, but I'd like to get one.

Garbage disposal- yes or no? Absolutely! Wouldn't want to go without one.

Handbook- what is your favorite homemaking resource? It varies, but I go to the Internet fairly often.

Ironing- do you love it or hate it? I don't hate it, but I certainly don't love it or like it or enjoy it. It's just too time consuming.

Junk drawer- yes or no? Where is it? Yes, in the kitchen.

Kitchen-What is your kitchen color and decorating scheme? White appliances and cabinets, brick red walls. Floral and plaid border. All very cute, thanks to the previous owner.

Love- What is your favorite part of homemaking? I'm not sure, but in general I prefer cleaning to cooking.

Mop- yes or no? Yes, but not often enough.

Nylons- wash by hand or in the washing machine? Washing machine.

Pizza-What do you put on your pizza? Pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, Mozarella, sometimes Roma tomatoes, spinach, ham, pineapple, bacon.

Quiet- what do you do during the day when you get a quiet moment? Regroup, occasionally-- read, rarely--nap.

Recipe card box- yes or no? What does it look like? Not really. My recipes are scattered in various books and binders, but I can usually find the one I need.

Style-What style is your house? I think it is what is called a rambler/ranch. All on one floor--basements aren't common in Texas.

Tablecloths and napkins- yes or no? Tablecloth sometimes. Placemats often. Paper napkins almost always.

Under the kitchen sink- is it organized or toxic wasteland? Relatively organized.

Vacuum-how many times per week? 2-3, but I wish I could get to it daily.

Wash- how many loads of laundry do you do per week? At least four, usually all in one day.

X's- do you keep a daily list of things to do that you cross off? Not a daily list, but yes, to do lists help me function.

Yard- yes or no? Who does what? Yes. I enjoy mowing, but usually let Jeff handle the outside chores.

Zzzz's- what is your last homemaking task for the day before going to bed? Checking to see if the dishwasher needs to be run, turning out lights, locking doors.

Baseball, Sick Kids, Cousins, Kindergarten Graduation, & Friends

I haven't caught up on baseball for a couple weeks. We've had several more rainouts, but the weather finally cooperated this week so we could make up for some lost time. Ryan had games on Tuesday and Friday. He was running a high fever Tuesday, so I made him skip that game. In Friday's game he got to play pitcher, the busiest position in teeball. I missed the game to stay home with the other sick kids, but Jeff said he fielded everything hit to him and even got one batter out at first base. Ryan was most excited about sliding into home plate. As soon as he walked in the door he proudly showed me all the dust on his pants. Adam played Tuesday and Thursday, and had a double-header on Wednesday to make up some rainouts. They won two of those four games, but I've lost track of their overall record--something like 9 wins and 5 losses. Jeff has helped me keep up with his batting average though. At the moment, he is 25 for 32, for a .781 average (20 singles and 5 doubles).

As mentioned, we've been doing the sick kid thing this week. So far the symptoms are just fever and headaches. All four boys had fevers yesterday, so I kept them home from church today. I might have to take at least Dallin into the pediatrician tomorrow, but I'm guessing this is a virus that will go away on it's own. I tend to be pretty conservative about taking kids to the doctor, as I hate spending time and money to be told, "It's just a virus."

The most exciting part of our week though, was the visit of my brother, Enoch, and his family. They decided to do a Texas family vacation this summer, including two days and three nights at our house. It was fun to catch up with them and play with cousins. Will especially fit right in with our light-saber and superhero loving boys, and Adam and Ryan were a jealous of his Gameboy. We were a little hard-pressed to find things to do to entertain them, but they went with us to Adam's baseball game Tuesday night, then on Wednesday we took them downtown to Eggemeyer's General Store, to Kings Kingdom Park and the Concho River where we had a great time feeding the ducks and turtles. In the afternoon we went bowling and Will beat us all with a score of 114! Their time in San Angelo will probably be the most boring part of their vacation (compared to San Antonio and Dallas), but we're glad they came to see us. Thanks for fixing our gates too Enoch!















And finally, Thursday was the last day of school and Ryan's kindergarten graduation. I'm proud of Ryan--he had a great year and learned a lot--but I think kindergarten graduations are kind of silly. It was a nice, short program, however, in the hot, crowded elementary school gym. The 102 kindergarteners looked great all dressed in little red caps and gowns. They sang four songs, including a very cute one called "Move Me Up to the First Grade," sung to the tune of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." I got tears in my eyes when they played the Edward Elgar graduation march song, but then I almost always do. I think I associate it with change (something I've always struggled with) and with leaving a chapter of life behind that can never be returned to. Anyway, I wasn't emotional about kindergarten graduation, but that song got to me anyway. Ryan was emotional for an entirely different reason. He didn't even want to go because he said he was afraid of getting up in front of so many people. I tried to reassure him and calm him down, but he was still visibly upset. I wasn't sure where that came from until I talked to his teacher afterward and realized she was afraid of getting up in front of so many people too. It's amazing how impressionable our little ones are. Ryan was fine afterwards though, so hopefully he realized it wasn't as bad as he thought it would be.

Speaking of changes, we are really going to miss our good friends, the Townsends, who moved to Wisconsin this week. One of the benefits of moving around every few years has been all the wonderful, wonderful friends we've made. The hymn, "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good," has been playing in my brain this week.

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord.
Thou sendest blessings from above
Thru words and deeds of those who love.

What greater gift dost thou bestow,
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christ-like friends whose gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.

When such a friend from us departs,
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory,
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.

For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name,
Who bless our days with peace and love,
We praise they goodness, Lord above.

Thank you friends, for truly being blessings in my life!