What was your favorite part?

Since our big boys are off in the land of eternal moisture (no not Utah)England. We decided to take our littluns on a fun trip also. You sometimes get the bum deal when your the youngest because all activities as a group tend to lean towards the older, harder to please peeps. I mean picture how much fun a picnic at the park would be with say... a 17 year old. Actually, depending on the hour, anything could be considered rubbish by a teen whereas, putting lunch in a bag and eating it on the tramp could be quite a thrill for a 7 year old. Ya feel me ?
So when I asked each family member there favorite part of our trip, I got a different response but all had an awesome time.
Can I just say my whole family is blessed with the travel gene. Not a single complaint and we didn't even have a tv or game boys in the car. I suppose after flying to England, 6 measly hours is no biggie. Even with a dog on your lap.

So Asha's favorite was the Dragon ride at Legoland and swimming, (sometimes twice a day)

Ronan said, Lego land, getting soaked at seaworld and riding the NY NY in Vegas.



For Boyd it was R&R although he too enjoyed legoland, he's a big kid at heart but our Hotel was on a bay that just happened to have a great trail around it and tons of people doing outdoor workouts everyday so he made use of that.

Me, well I loved it all.
Staying at the Excalibur, The spa resort, The MGM Grand, no chores, great food, of course a trip to the Puma store, I loved Shamu but my most favourite part was a tour of the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier. They gave us headsets and everything had a number so you could listen to info on that item and hear even more if you wanted to. This of course made me want to watch Top Gun for more than just ripped guys playing volleyball now, but seriously I am in awe of anyone in the navy. Definitely a life I couldn't live.



So that was our trip, now the laundries done, the fridge is bare and my scale seems to have broke but it's back to reality for me.
I can't wait to go to Southern California again, definitely a playground worth picnicking at.

Commencement

I know I have the "clueless mum" act down, but I actually know that the word commencement means, the beginning, so why does it feel like so many things are ending.
Of course High school for Curt has ended. We are proud of him. It's a big deal to be up at 5 every day and get yourself off to class sun or snow. He only missed one day last year because his wisdom teeth were being removed, that's a big deal.



Yes they really do chuck there hats which was very exciting for me since I've only seen it on TV.(I know small things please small minds)
He also graduated from Jordan Technical Center and received an outstanding multi media award and graduated 4 years of seminary which is also impressive as there is no credit given for that at all.
Volleyball ended.

soccer ended.


School has ended for the other 3 kids also.

Jordan's ability to avoid the camera has not ended but rest assured he got his moments of glory also.
He received awards for most improved student and 3 quarters on the honor roll to go with his National honor society award.

Jordan has also been awarded a student government place in charge of publicity. He's excited to be involved in school activities.

I can't mention ends without recognizing the end of an Era in our family.
Boyd's Grandpa passed away in his 90's. He was a genius in engineering and has passed so many qualities on to Boyd, including his ability to solve problems, quietly and methodically. He has passed his snails pace on to Ronan and his love of all things motorised to Jordan. I will post sometime about Grandpa as he truly was a great man but for now, I just honor him with gratitude for all the love he has shown my husband, he didn't love freely so it was a big deal for Boyd. Till we meet again grandpa.


So here's to the end.
Now to the beginning, SUMMER!!! Here we come :)

Anyone need pictures?

Check out my awesome friends blog. You may recognize the grad :)
This was such a fun experience. Kristen came up with all the locations, poses etc. Very creative and fun.
http://sweetsassafrasphoto.blogspot.com/

The day of reckoning.

The benefit of a three leveled house with main floor living is that, rarely do I need to venture out side of my comfortable floor. My office, bedroom, living and kitchen are all on the same level, with laundry and garage as a bonus. There are those times however, when the other inhabitants of my dwelling, start to infiltrate my space.
I woke up late, actually I'm not sure I have woken up yet. Of course I wonder why I should have to get up at all. I mean 17, 10, 7, surely they can get dressed, make toast, brush teeth and hair and be on there way, but NO!! it seems without a drill Sargent, yelling every step repeatedly, they are incapable of even the first basic task. So of course I'm in a bad mood.
I go upstairs to this...


And this...



I have to wonder why I wasted years of my life making chore charts with rewards, stickers, candy, quarters then dollars.
I have a pile of laundry that someone lovingly dumped all over the floor close to my laundry room, about 6 pairs of shoes, some lunch boxes and a coat near to the shoe shelves and coat rack. A drink dispenser on the fire place and about a thousand stapled pieces of paper (everywhere).

This bathroom is so gross, I'm not sure I'd use it if I had just got back from a week of girls camp. (you know what I'm talking about) it's a sad day when you feel the need to wear flip flops in your own shower!!
I have hastily gathered all items in the main room that don't belong here and so far....

Trust me , there's more!

So that's what my day looks like.

I heard someone making fun of the ladies who don't work, in there juicy tracksuits, going to the gym. I had to laugh because, whilst I don't own a velour tracksuit, I do go to the gym for my sanity and I believe the safety and well being of my family. I commend anyone who takes a little time out for herself amidst this modern day superwoman contest we are all in the middle of.
In fact, maybe I NEED A VELOUR TRACKSUIT after all.
alas, for right now, I would settle for a shower and some breakfast....until it's clean .....aurevoir.

and the winner is.......

ME!!!!!
I swear I have have the best husband on the planet.
So it's my birthday, or it was last week and I was too busy to post. Mothers day has just gone so while most men are suffering total burnout from the one day of slavery (trust me, I get my full Mum's worth) Mine is already working on my special birthday.
My first birthday in the US was a sad affair. I'd been in the country 13 days and didn't know a single person besides him and my boys. I woke up to a "happy birthday sweetie" and that about did it. No card, no dinner, no surprise!! So birthday's weren't a big deal to him growing up. This is still evident in the lack of birthday wishes from his family to this day ( I must say, some are getting on the wagon, there may still be time)
To me however this was gut wrenching, back then we weren't all on email, or texting or facebook and I just watched for the post man everyday to see some form of communication.
So fast forward 13 years and I woke up to a email on my blackberry next to the bed, 1 minute past midnight, well wishes from my Mummy, kids jumping on the bed with special gifts for me. A precious letter from My hubby on airmail paper just like the "olden" days. and when you think life is good I walked into my closet to see.....


Call me a organization nerd but he had organized my shoes,(I have another row of sandles & my boots are away for the winter, in case anyone was feeling bad for me)
I was so surprised and happy. He also got me some cylcle shoes, socks and a pedicure so it was all about the feet. Jordan also got me some hot new pumas.

Seriously, some want diamonds, jewels, trips and fancy stuff. Me...clean my house and give me a break. Thanks family, and my 35 facebook well wishers. Good Times.

Check out my other blog

It is all about my jouney with addiction.
FOOD ADDICTION!!

http://nats2fat.blogspot.com/

Stay at home Mum.

Today is mothers day, we honor the ladies in our lives who have taught us and lifted us. I am surrounded by fabulous women who I learn from daily and distant women who continue to encourage and celebrate with me. If there's one thing I have learned about mother hood, it is this.... there is no such thing as a stay at home Mum! I mean, how nice would that privilege be! "hon, can you stop at the store on your way home, here's the 3 page list with package of coupons and food allowance. Oh and pop in the school and grab little Ron cos he has a game at 3:40 across town and you could just drop him off, Jacobs Dad will pick him up cos his Mums busy staying home too. I'll just be here cooking cleaning etc, waiting for you to do that and then I'll read while you go to the volleyball tournament and pack meeting.
The thing is, now that my kids are in school, I am often asked if I'll go back to work. Like maybe I just took the last 13 years off! The fact is, we don't stay home at all, we don't stop working, we just have different employers and no pay check. We are blessed to spend time with our kids, sharing there fun experiences, field trips, school events. We get to be at there games, help with there art projects. Hug them when there sad, fix there favorite meals and eat lunch with them on weekdays.


For these privileges I have to say Thank you to the Man in my life who makes it possible that I can be a "stay at home Mum"

Before anyone takes offense, I am not saying a kids life is lacking when his Mum is working but I know MY life would be lacking if I chose that path.

So Happy Mothers Day to all, I hope everyone enjoys a free day to celebrate the blessing it is to have people in our lives who love and depend on us.