BIKES, BIKES AND MORE BIKES

Most everyone who knows me knows I love to ride my bike. We ride our bikes ALOT. I love the exercise and it saves alot of unnecessary driving and gas thereby helping out our budget. I also love to use it to get rid of pent up boy energy ie when they are fighting alot we'll go for a 5 mile ride or longer depending on how long it takes them to quit arguing about who's fault it is we're on the ride. We got Jake a new bike for Christmas and almost immediately he started having problems with it until last month on a family ride the rear gears got stuck in the spokes of his rear tire and snapped off. I bought the "replacement plan" for the bike originally thank goodness but then I found out that it only covers the original cost of the bike, not actually replacing the bike. I don't think that is fair since the nature of an insurance policy is a gamble on both sides, they gamble I won't ever use it and they'll get to keep my money with no qualms. I gamble that I may need it and want the bike REPLACED OR REPAIRED. I don't want the money, that's why I spent it on the bike, I want the bike. They should call it a refund plan not replacement plan. Moving on... today we rode our bikes to the park for playgroup, all the boys and me except Levi was in the trailer. No Problem. Until on our way home there was some brief confusion about which way we were going and Jake turned immediately in front of AJ and AJ's front tire hit Jake's back tire... AJ's bike stopped instantly and AJ went flying over the handle bars and landed on his head on the sidewalk. I screamed, AJ screamed and everything else stopped. Thankfully he is ok thanks in no small part to his helmet that he was wearing. I'm certain I'll never have another argument about wearing helmets from Jake and Caleb or AJ for that matter. It took a few minutes for all of us to calm down and Jake still feels bad. On the way home AJ asked, from my trailer, if he could ride his bike to Caleb's practice tonight so I guess he is ok. Huge thanks to Darice for bringing AJ's bike home for me, I'm not sure if she heard me scream or just saw us but I'm thankful to her for coming accross the street to help us! I'm also thankful that all of the horrible things that could have happened from a fall/landing like that didn't! I still have a knot in my chest from watching it and not being able to stop it.

WHAT A GREAT LIFE!!!!!

I know my life is far from glamorous, I don't have much, and by much I mean almost no, spare time but I find enough to do what needs to be done, mostly. My kids aren't perfect, but how boring would that be? We don't have buckets of money, but we have enough. My kids have been taking turns staying up all night vomiting, but they are alive and relatively well, no cancer or anything life threatening. My husband is, in my humble opinion, the best man in the world even though he loves to call me over for a kiss then fart in my kitchen with me stuck there. My kids are awesome, they are loving and considerate and thoughtful and hardworking. My husband honors the priesthood and our home is blessed everyday for it. He is supportive and hardworking and fun and funny and humble and of course, super studly! I am blessed with great friends!!!! I KNOW the gospel is true and it makes obedience easier; that sure knowledge gives me the strength to do my best and most importantly, not give up when I'm tired and frustrated or just disappointed. I'm blessed to be able to turn to my Father in Heaven every night, and often during the day, for strength and guidance and support. I'm equally blessed to feel his love through the service and friendship of wonderful people that somehow know what to say when I need to hear it. I truly have a great life. What more could I ask for?

WHAT A KID

On most days, AJ makes me absolutely crazy. He'll deliberately and completely outright disobey and when I ask him why his answer is often, "because you didn't see me". SOOOOO very vexing! Sometimes he just makes me laugh he can be so silly. Sometimes he actually does sweet things and can be just a darling. I'm hoping that as he gets older, he turns 4 in just over 2 weeks, he will grow sweeter and less infuriating. I'm telling you, sometimes I wonder how he's lived this long and if he'll make it to 4.

MY BRAIN ON DRUGS

I thought I'd post this lovely picture my devoted husband took of me on the way home from my surgery last week. I was so busy trying not to throw up and stay awake that I didn't even know he took it until he sent it out. Wasn't that nice of him? Anyhow, far be it for anyone to think I can't laugh at myself and now you can laugh at me too. This is what happens when you don't take meds very often... they work REALLY well when you do take them.

GROWING UP BOY

My little boys love to shower with my big boys for some reason. Last night I let them mostly because I was too tired to bathe them myself. Levi showered with Jake and afterward Jake put a diaper on him and then dressed him just like himself... in a robe. He came down the stairs like a boxer going into the ring, sound effects included. He was so funny, I swear I could hear the Rocky theme playing in the air. A friend asked me awhile ago if I think I baby him or treat him differently or protect him more because he is the baby. I don't think I do, I don't think I need to. He is certainly capable of defending himself. Growing up the youngest of 4 boys he has to be and they are preparing him well for a rough world.

FOLLOWIN' IN DAD'S FOOTSTEPS

I was watching my friend's sweet little girl last week and AJ was instantly attached to her. Unfortunately He and Levi were equally enamored with her and this caused a great deal of arguing. I'm certain this won't be the last time they fight over a girl. She was completely oblivious to the attention and happy to go wherever they took her, in the back yard, on the couch to watch Dora, into their room to play... you get the idea.

My fave was when they sat down and he very casually put his arm around her and she didn't even notice/care.

BLESSINGS

Yesterday I had my ablation. I have to admit that I had been pretty flippant about it until Luke put it bluntly when he said, "so they are going to boil your uterus?" That's pretty much it and then I realized, I probably shouldn't be so casual about it. I still figured the end would be worth it and hopefully it will be. Anyway it's done now. I had to premedicate and WOW! I don't take meds often so when I do, it hits me like a train. By the time we got to the office yesterday my body was heavy and walking was interesting to say the least. The procedure took what must have seemed like a long time to Ryan but since they gave me 2 shots after I got there, I was too stoned to notice or care. After a slight hitch with the equipment everything went well and, according to my doc, I should have a great outcome. That's good since the next step is a hysterectomy. After we got home I slept pretty well all day, my super stud husband took such great care of me and the boys and kept me medicated all day/night so my pain has been under control quite well. The nurse Julia quite emphatically told me I am not to pick up my kids or anything do anything slightly strenous since it could cause bleeding. That will likely be the worst part since I can't stand my house being messy and with all these boys it's inevitable. I loaded the dishwasher this am and regretted it almost immediately. I couldn't help it though. Thank goodness for my awesome Ryan! He knows how much it bugs me and is helping so much!

HAPPY EASTER!!!!

What a glorious day! The weather is perfect. General Conference gives us an opportunity to listen to the words of living prophets and servants of the Lord! The boys had fun starting last night with the annual egg coloring, Levi's real first time.

This morning started early, courtesy of the Easter morning veterans who were eager to get their baskets.

Then to the business of the egg hunt which was spoiled slightly only because Jazzmin got out first and ATE several of the eggs, including a large plastic one! What a DUMB dog. There wasn't even any candy in it, only foam letters. Needless to say she has spent the rest of the day outside since I don't want to smell the gas from all of those eggs. Anyway, Caleb was so fast that I couldn't get any pics of him hunting but I got the rest of them. They had a great time, marred slightly by the, "HEY, there are only letters in these eggs, where is the candy?" from Caleb who felt jipped but quickly recovered and devoured the slightly less sugary snacks he got ie granola bars and kool-aid and pop tarts.





Of course after that we had a decidedly healthier breakfast while we listened to the Sunday morning session of conference. Now they are working on our family flag fashioned after Moroni's Title of Liberty. Soon they will eat lunch and TAKE NAPS, at least for the little ones so that I can actually listen to all of conference. I am so thankful for the messages of this Easter Season and also for the messages We've been blessed to hear yesterday and today. As always, the answer to prayers and pondering and fasting. I can't wait to hear the last session!

CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

Anyone who knows me knows that I am incredibly anal about my home. I HATE living in clutter! It makes me feel completely frazzled and I don't cope well. I don't collect alot of stuff because I don't like to dust first of all but also I think because my mom does and it makes me claustrophobic to have stuff everywhere. For one thing, it's just stuff and it's not really important and another thing, I already have enough to do without more STUFF. Anyway, I was not feeling well for a couple of days and after my surgery/procedure next week I know I won't be then either. So today we CLEANED! I honestly think cleaning is somehow therapeutic for me, I know, I'm sick in the head, but it's nice (more than nice) to have a clean home. To walk in the kitchen and not stick to the floor because AJ spilled juice on it or step in the rice cakes that Levi dumped out and then stepped on and crunched into billions of tiny and irritating crumbs because it fascinated him. And honestly, the mess makes me feel chaotic, I feel like I can't relax and I guess if you picture a blank page and then picture a bunch of black scribbles on it... That is how I feel when my house is a mess. Once it's clean and my world is right again...AHHHH. Much better. I know I went a little overboard today with the walls and floorboards but AHHHHH... so much better. AND I can enjoy the weekend, Football tomorrow AM, conference all weekend and Easter, knowing my house is clean. It just feels good.