My teenage son

It's hard to believe I've entered the teenage child phase of my life. When Matthais was born 13 years ago that seemed so far away. I can't believe how fast he seemed to grow up, how quickly the last 13 years of our life has gone by. I know I always say that and I'll probably say that for the rest of my life. I just feel bad that I didn't take more time to be mom and enjoy him when he was younger. He and I were such best friends when he was little. He was the baby I had hoped and prayed for and I was so happy to have him. I am still so happy to have him. It just seems like I didn't slow down enough and cherish our time together. As far as kids go he is a great one. Seriously, everyday I have someone tell me what a great kid his is. All I can say is I know. I didn't have anything to do with it...he just came that way...and I couldn't be prouder that he's mine. I'm not scared to have a teenage Matthais. He is a good kid who makes good choices. He is bright, articulate, and funny. He is everything a mother could hope for in a son. Happy Birthday Matthais, We sure love you!

Matthais's Parent teacher Conference

Over the years going to Parent/teacher Conferences always felt like such a waste of time. They always went like this...

Teacher: Matthais is great. Everything is turned in, He's already testing where he should be, His work is always done.
Mom/Dad: Is there anything he needs to work on?
Teacher: Nope
Mom/Dad: Really? Nothing.
Teacher: Nope
Mom/Dad: Surely there is something
Teacher: Well, maybe his handwriting.

Year after year, this is how they went. I was pretty excited to go to them this year. Jr. High is such a different experience and I was interested to see the teachers take on Matthais. We heard things like "gifted" "smart" "creative" "responsible". One teacher even told us he'd be surprised if he didn't become a neurosurgeon. Every one of his teachers was impressed by him and thought he was a really great kid. As a parent, you know you're kids are great but it's so nice to hear that others think the same thing,. What a joy it is to know that you can send your child off to school and know that he is being kind and respectable and using his brain! We've always know Matthais was a bright child but it's nice to have that confirmed. And he's not smart in a nerdy way. He's confident with his knowledge but he's not one of those kids that know it all and have to prove it! He truly is a great kid and people tell us that all the time.I feel very blessed to be his mother!

I must be hormonal

Yesterday I was emotional and had a major pity-party. Today I cried over a Toys for Tots public announcement posted on facebook. Now I am sitting here completely sobbing. Why you ask? We are watching Blue's Clue's. Not the newer version with Joe or whatever his name is. Nope. We are watching a classic episode with Steve. 12 or so years ago I was a new mom. Matthais was my world. Everything I did revolved around him. When he was about 2 he discovered Blue's Clue's and he was immediatly entranced. He loved it. We watched every episode several times. I started recording them so we could watch it anytime he wanted. His 2nd  birthday was a Blue's Clue's party. He even had an outfit just like Steve's and is very own thinking chair! I will never forget the day he brought me a book and pointed to the picture and said "I want to skadoo to there!" (you'd have to be a blue's clue's fan to get that one!) I didn't mind watching so much Blue's Clue's. It made Matthais happy and since I was Ian was on his way/newborn/infant/took up lots of time, it was a good "babysitter". Besides, Steve was kinda cute and I had a crush on him! I miss those days. Life was so much easier back when I only had 2 kids. Not that I would change where I am now...I just miss the simpler days. Look, I even had time to scrapbook back then!

I hate how fast my kids are growing up. I hate how quickly time goes by. I hate how much I am missing out on because life is so busy. I had to laugh the other day as I listened to a mom of two tell me how unbelievably busy she is. I wanted to tell her, try having four!! And I'm sure when I complain to my best friend Jillynn she wants to tell me, try having six! I just want things to slow down a little so I can savor the moment. After all, I blinked and my cute little Blue's Clue's lover became this...

In a few short weeks he'll be a teenager! I don't think I'm ready to have a teenager! If only he would watch Blue's Clue's forever...

Do you ever just feel weighed down?

I mean, there is nothing MAJOR going on just the normal stresses of life but they feel so heavy? I'm feeling it right now. Between laundry, housework, kids, appointments, activities, meetings, bills...I just feel so weighed down. I have an appointment with Ian's psychologist this afternoon. I know one of the things she's going to ask me is what I've done for myself. She already told me date nights don't count so I'm not sure what I'm going to tell her. What have I done for myself? Sometimes, and I tried very hard to explain this to her, taking time for myself is more stressful than not taking time for myself. Know what I mean? Besides, I am just feeling this way today...tomorrow will be better! It doesn't help that Adam is out of town which means no sleep and no help and this is an unusually busy week. That's how it is for all of us though right? There is always something. Good news: Mid terms came in the mail today and Matthais has all A's. Shouldn't be a surprise but I am proud of him. Junior High is a lot different and he's really trying hard to stay on top of things. I hope he is developing great study habits that carry on into high school and beyond. Ya Matthais!

First day of 7th grade

Could it really be possible? I'm kinda freaking out. There is just something about jr. high. Not quite the innocence of elementary school, not quite the maturity of high school. I had fabulous middle school experiences (I went to a 7th, 8th grade middle school) but I know that is not the case with all kids. I just hope Matthais's confidence will help him. I just hope he doesn't take it to the point of cocky, ya know what I mean? Anyway, I forgot to ask him if he had his schedule so now I'm gonna stress all day about that. What if he doesn't know anyone in any of his classes? What if he gets lost? does he know where the lunchroom is? What if he doesn't know what bus to get on at the end of the day? Sigh...it's going to be a long, worry-filled day. Good thing I have something to take my mind off of things..

Matthais Macgyver?

What do you get when you give this...

one of these?

Here is the story...So yesterday Matthais found his knife that grandpa gave him. I've had it for "safe keeping" as in keeping Ian and Owen safe from slicing off their fingers. Owen found it last week so I put it on Adam's dresser until I could find another safe place to keep it but Matthais found it before I had a chance. Little did I know he was carrying it around yesterday but as it turns out I'm glad he was.

We left the little kids with my mom while we took Matthais to the Draper temple dedication. After we enjoyed a pizza dinner with my family. We had a lot of fun but we were in a bit of a hurry to head out to Saratoga Springs to say goodbye to David and Julie and to be part of Brayden's ordination. We rounded our little brood up and headed to the van only to discover Adam had locked the keys in the van. It was deja vu because this same thing happened last time my mom watched the kids for me...only this time Ian was not in the van (you can read about that here!! We hauled the kids back inside to figure out what to do next. Should we call the police to have them come unlock the van? I was a little worried they'd recognize the house and van as being a repeat offender and they'd charge me! Adam thought we should just go get the spare key at home so we were making arrangements for my brother and his wife to drive Adam home when Matthais came running in telling us he had unlocked it. Here is the reenactment


He is either Macgyver or a car thief in the making...either way, don't you think it's kinda scary that my locked van can be opened with a pocket knife? I guess I'd better not leave any valuables in it! And hey...who needs a hide-a-key? I'm just gonna start carrying a knife!

How to torture a 5th grader...

Put him in a "traveling show" and make him wear a "skirt".







Doesn't he look so happy?