Tuesday

I am spending the day babysitting when I should be packing for our trip to California this weekend. I shouldn't complain though because at this moment every one of my bedrooms is occupied with a sleeping child or two- it is wonderful. Anyways, My little baby brother is graduating from high school and we are excited to celebrate. Hooray for Ryan. He has been accepted to BYU Provo and is excited for everything but the cold. I know a few Provo Alums read this . . . what should he look forward too??


In other news, I just finished a book that was recommended by a friend's blog. I thought it was good. But now I think it must be really good because here I am three days later still thinking about the characters and the plot line, considering reading it again. It is called "The Hunger Games" by Suzan Collins. If you need an interesting read- pick it up.

I also read every book that Tamera Alexander has written since my last suggestion and I have to say that I am in love with them.

For the sake of blogging

Tonight I took my girls to See Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian. We enjoyed it even though several minutes were spent on my lap while hiding there faces in anticipation of a scary part. And now, I really want to go to DC to visit the Smithsonian museums.

Kai had stayed home with Bubba and our baby second cousin Justus, whom I babysit on Fridays. When I got home there was a pile of dog poop sitting in a pile on my son's bedroom floor. Odd since we don't have a dog. I yelled to my husband about my find to which his friend said, "Are you serious, my dog was only in there for like two seconds." Try to imagine my rage. I don not own pets because I do not want to clean up after them. If I did own a pet, it would surely not live in the house. Later they tell me they wondered where the "bad smell" was coming from and decided just to shut all of the doors in the house since they couldn't find the source. I will cease to comment on that choice of action.

This night also brought with it the stomach flu. Cambria had been complaining about a stomach ache for the last week or so. Tonight it was really painful and very explosive. I hate when my kids get sick. I just hate when they feel miserable. I am sure we'll all be throwing up soon.

Seen and Heard - May edition

Cambria: Bubba is wearing the perfect jammies because we are learning all about bugs this week!

This is Kiera the day she was too sad to take a picture.

Cambria: Singing as she came home from school: "Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me"

____

Kiera: Shoe shopping: I like beautiful shoes and these are beautiful!

______

Cambria: Mom, the other day when we went swimming- you looked so skinny! (she is very concerned about my weight - - heaven help me.)

_____

Mom: Enter the girls' bedroom and start sniffing

C: What are you doing?

M: smelling something . . .

C: Could it be my gas? Because I just passed it . . .

K: me too mommy.

M: Yes, that is what it could be.

______

Kiera: (It was sprinkling outside on the way to pick up Cambria- we had to walk a few steps in the rain)

I'm afraid! This is so scary . . .

Mom: My poor desert child. It's just rain.

_____

After an earthquake in CA.

C: Umm, mom I think we should go home now, don't you?

_____

Kiera: Mom, Cameron can not do the evilest laugh as good as you. MUwahahahahah!

______

This was said in front of company mind you . . .

Kiera: bursting in through the back door: Mom, come quick! Cambria hurt her V---- ( I just can't bring myself to put the girl part in print)

_____

Cambria and Kiera were playing "Santa" This is what Cambria had to say:

Santa, do you take bathroom breaks when you are taking presents all around the world?

____

Mom: "So and So" thinks it is funny to say mean things but it isn't.

Kiera: (Sassy as can be) Yeah! Like what if she was pushing me on the swing really high and I said could you slow down please!

Thank you for sharing that, Kiera!

____

Kiera: Mom, why do they kill dogs?

Mom: Who kills dogs, honey?

Kiera: the people who make this hot dog ( she was eating one for lunch and began to look very concerned.)

Mom: Hot dogs aren't really made out of dogs, don't worry.

____

Amy: One slice of Chocolate Haupia pie is 44 grams of fat!

Kai: Is that a lot?

_____

Kiera: (in the bathroom) Did you see my little poop? (all smiles)

Mom: Yes, I saw it.

Kiera: Cute huh, just like Bubba.

_____

Kiera: ( at beach) Mom, Bubba's eating sand!

Mom: Don't worry it'll come out.

Kiera: Where?

Mom: In his diaper.

Kiera: Ewwww!!!!!

Mom: Gross, Huh?

Kiera: GROSS!!!

Let me think

I haven't felt like I have had anything of import to write as of late, but then again there are a few milestones that should be recorded.

My husband has finally graduated elementary school! In fact he is even going to skip a few grades and go straight to high school. He is excited to begin his new position in August where he will continue teaching special ed and coaching the freshman basketball team. His old school is sad to see the Walmart Teacher of the Year seeking to broaden his horizons. They will be doing a farewell assembly for the kids in which Kai will be needing a "Joe Bro" wig since he will be imitating the boy band, The Jonas Brother's. He is really excited.

Kai has also been taking lots of mini hikes in preparation for the 55 miler he is taking the scouts on this summer. The trail is somewhere in Utah. I think I will go with him- not on the hike mind you. I think I will go to Utah with him and see how many friends will let me stay at their houses for a week until he gets back. My cousin and his wife are going to be sealed on the last day of the hike and I don't want to miss it. I don't think that I will be able to get to Utah any other way because I don't really want to drive by myself with a car full of needy kids. Then I can just drive home with him too.

My eldest child will be attending her final week of kindergarten starting tomorrow. For those of you who have just had your first baby - you won't believe how fast time can really fly by. Those of you with older children know what I am talking about.
Cambria has loved Kindergarten and I couldn't have asked for a better teacher. It is going to be a chore to keep her entertained and mentally stimulated this summer. She has never been one to entertain herself. I am so proud of this tender hearted girl. I hope all of her school years are as good to her as this one has been.

Kiera says she is too tired to take any pictures. She sure looks cute today though so I might snap one later anyway. She is such a funny girl and speaks with such attitude. She is bound to be a handful.

Bubby Tubs. Since having tubes placed in is ear his speech has mildly improved. He hasn't improved like I had hoped but his progress, though slow, is sure. He has been calling his Daddy, Kai. He for sure knows how to say mom- he says it all the time. Still though, I am not sure if he says more than 10 words.

Whatever he may lack in speech her sure makes up for in physical prowess. He climbs, and jumps on the tramp (as well as the couch, the ottoman, the bed, and whatever else tickles his fancy) like champion. He has giving me a heart attack more than once with his daring endeavors.

He sure is a sweetie too. So very cuddly.

Each Sunday brings with it a game of sorts. It's called, "Find Kai's Tie." Each Sunday it is carelessly placed in a new and different location and it is up to us, the family members to go in search of it lest it lingers around the house until next Sunday. Last week it was found lying on the calendar which sits on the kitchen counter top.

Today it was found on the bed in the girl's room wear it was removed prior to a short nap. I am sure the tie is still their . . . still napping.

I know you will anxiously await next for next Sunday to find out where Kai's tie will be!!

Today I taught the Young Women's lesson on the importance of personal records and journal keeping. My cousin printed her blog off on blurb. I think I am going to do the same since this is the only journal that I have been somewhat consistent in keeping the last few years.

Other than that we are dreading the heat and sadly we know that it is only going to get worse.

California adventure

We took a wonderful and exhausting trip to California for my cousin Candi's wedding. The weather was perfect, the bride was beautiful and though we could have slept for a week when we got home, we had a most enjoyable time.

This is Kiera waiting for the bride and groom to be presented outside of the LA Temple. I tried to antique her picture . . . I am still learning:)
still waiting . . .

still waiting . . .

The Ostler side of the fam . . . still waiting . . .

The girls with Gigi (great grandma) . . . still waiting . . .

The girls with Grammy and Papa . . . still waiting . . .

Finally!!!! Mr. and Mrs. Robbins!!

Those who chose to wear waterproof mascara were notably rewarded for their choice as there was nary a dry eye in the beautiful room in which Jonathan and Candi were married and sealed to each other for time and all eternity. Candice had been storing her dream and wishes and hopes and love in a seemingly endless internal chamber that was burst the moment the sealer (preacher) pronounced she and Jonathan husband and wife. Her face crumpled into glorious tears at the realization that she was bound to this man and he was bound to her forever in sacred matrimony.

Though the world is letting marriage become an endangered species, they proclaimed their love to themselves, God and the whole world engaging in the highest most precious form of commitment. Candi let her tears fall unabashedly not able to wipe them herself even if she cared to and in a moment most touching, Jonathan gently pulled a tissue from it's box and reached across the alter to his lovely new wife and gently dabbed the tears that freely fell from the corner of her eyes. To truly love is to cherish one above yourself . . .I am so glad that Jonathan and Candi found each other.

One thing that the sealer said that I will never forget is this . . .

"Jonathan I loved you from the moment I met you because I saw that looked past this wheel chair and saw your eternal companion."

My kiddos had a wonderfully fantastical time with Uncle Sean.

The bride's side of the family . . . I enjoyed taking pictures but I hardly got to visit with any of my extended fam . . .oh, and just so we are clear . . . i did not take the wedding pictures because I am good, I took the wedding pictures because I was free . . .

On the same day of Candi's wedding was Ryan's prom. It was held at the Queen Mary. This girl, Angelica, asked him to go with her. They have been friends since kindergarten.

I used to wear dresses that short, but now it seems so scandalous :) I must be getting old!

What would a trip to California be without a stop at the beach. We had a great time.

Kai took the girls out for a surfing lesson. They had fun, but we really need a long board for them.

The End . . . we'll be there again soon and this time I want to have a get-together with all the friends that I didn't get to see!

Whistle while you work

We'll get to the work part in a minute . . . but first, we went horseback riding last night! These are obviously old pictures, but I forgot my camera last night and I am so upset because even Bubby rode! It was part of Cambria's birthday present from the Johnson Family.

Our good friends have often treated us to this special outing and we can't thank them enough. We love horses and we love riding! Jodie even taught Cambria how to "steer" the horse this time and then let her have control of the reigns (while she was riding right behind her of course - in the same saddle!)

Now for the work part . . . we have been painting! We finally painted our master bead room! I love the color, it is called pony express . . . how appropriate considering I was just writing about our fun horseback riding adventure! Now all I need to do is get some nice curtains and a nice bed spread . . .someday . . .

Planting! Saturday morning was uncommonly cool. I knew it was the chance for planting that I was hoping would come. The day warmed quickly but I was still able to plant these Italian cypress and four other shrubs . . . it was a lot of work. I hope when they grow they will afford out little "club house" a respite from the summer heat!

Demolition . . . We are giving our master bathroom a complete overhaul. Kai is removing the massive amounts of mismatched tile himself in order to save some dinero. I think he is considering the tile to be a formidable opponent . . .but he sure does feel like a man when he wields the sledge hammer. It's a mess. Frankly I don't like to look at it. It makes me stressed out.

Mother's day . . .

I got these from church! I love these roses. I was especially excited to get them this year because I only get flowers once a year. On Mother's day. From church. And they are usually carnations. Last year we got crocheted pot holders. It was an admirable talent to share with the ward members, but I really missed the flowers. So this year, I was extra happy.

Turtle . . . this was my other Mother's day present. My kids love it. We haven't named it yet.

Lastly, my mother-in-law (or MIL- as a friend says it would be) asked me to give her a picture of all three kiddos together so she could send them to Tutu (Kai's grandma). This was a difficult task since Malachi rarely holds still for a group photo . . . believe me I have tried. So this is the best we could do. I got the girls together and then Kai held Bubba by the ankles . . . I hope Tutu likes it. It was the best we could do.

Lastly, I loved this. It was Cambria's homework. What do you want to be when you grow up . . . a Marine Biologist. I love the picture she drew of herself. It is a self portrait of her standing by a fish tank containing a sting ray. Uncle Ryan probably won't like this picture.

We are excited to head off to Cali this weekend for Candi's big day!!!! I heart weddings!

Say What? April Addition

Now that I write these down at the end of every month, the months seem to fly . . .

Kiera: Cambria, do you know what jealousy is?
Cambria: No.
Kiera: It's poison.
Cambria: Oh
Kiera: You don't want to die of jealousy do you?
Cambria: Nooooo-ooooo!
____________________________

Seen: Cambria dialing her BFF after school - she has her number memorized already!
__________________


Me: "So and so" is so bossy! Are you bossy at school?
Cambria: No
Me: I know, you are a sweet little girl.
Cambria: I don't even yell at kids but if they do something not right, I remind them.
_________________________________

Kiera: (at midnight waking me up) Mom, Cambria was laying on my arm and I couldn't get up (they share a queen size bed b/c they won't sleep alone) to go potty so I got a little potty in my panties.
Me: Take them off (barely damp). That's funny that Cambria was sleeping on you arm.
Kiera: (infuriated) She didn't even ask!!!!!
____________

Refering to Aladdin the Disney movie
Me: Explanation for diamond in the rough - Aladdin is a poor boy with a good heart.
Cambria: Yeah, not everyone has a good shaped heart and not everyone can have kids so they just steal them.
__________________
Seen: Bubba hitting my two year old niece Kiana (softly) with a baseball bat.
Me: No, no Bubba, we don't hit. (I took the bat away)
Kiana: Hit him, hit him!!!
_________________

Kiera: (disgusted) What is that on the floor ? (pointing to the unidentified object)
Grammy: I don't know? (moving to get a closer look)
Kiera: It cam out of my nose! (still disgusted)
Grammy: Oh, I know what it is . . .
____________

Cambria: Mom! Look if you act now you can lose 20 pounds for $20!
Me: Thanks Cambria.
Cambria: You should do that! (brimming with excitement)
___________________

Cambria: Dad, can we get a horse . . . please??
____

Cambria: Patting Bubba on the back . . ."You're perfect inside of you." (Very tenderly)
______

Kai: (Easter morning) Cambria, Jesus is alive?
Cambria: eyes wide - is He here?
Kai: Stifling a chuckle- No.
Cambria: Is he at church?