Happy 7 years

Sunday, August 30th, 2009
7 Year Anniversary

My poem to Jared:

We've moved 14 x's in 7 years,
Between hopes, dreams and even fears.

We've seen it all from Utah to D.C.
3 boys later, including a "Rodrigo" tree.

My love for you is so very deep,
I'm just so lucky you're mine to keep.

May this time living apart soon END,
B/c baby you are my very best FRIEND.

A few highlights:

2002-2003: Adopt Wrangler, Wesley is born, Graduations from BYU and SUU
Move from Cedar City, UT to Nogales, AZ to Provo, Ut to Chandler, AZ to Mesa, AZ
2004: Buy our first home in Florence, AZ, first Mother's Day
Move from Florence, AZ to Surprise, AZ


2005: Austin is born, return to Argentina to visit the M.A.N. (Neuquen Mission)
Move to 3 different homes in Surprise, AZ


2006: DirectBuy business is born, Cruise to Mexico


2007: Our first renovation in El Paso, TX
Move from Surprise, AZ to El Paso, TX

2008: DirectBuy of Washington D.C., working full time together, pregnant with Isaac
Move from El Paso, TX to Gaithersburg, MD



2009: Isaac is born, trip to Disneyland, Wesley starts Kindergarten
Move from Gaithersburg, MD to Surprise, AZ





After picking up Jared from the airport, we had a romantic In'N'Out dinner along with chocolate covered strawberries and some bubbly in champagne glasses alongside the Tempe Town Lake. I blindfolded him, and although Jared was uncomfortable with it all, he was a good sport. With each strawberry, we had to name memories of our last 7 years (he was done after eating only 2!). It was a warm 104 degrees at 10pm, so we didn't last too long. We then listened to some live music at Margaritaville at the Glendale Arena and people watched. Homemade cards and letters were exchanged (a personal favorite), zonking out by midnight in our warm and cozy bed juntos.
I love you to the moon and back!

Isaac 7 1/2 months

A few pictures to show off my sweet baby: 20 lbs, 7 1/2 months; rollling all over the floor, sitting up with confidence, and arching WAY up; first bottom right tooth about to pop through; loving peas, carrots, whole wheat bread, applesauce, yogurt, string cheese, broccoli (whole), graham crackers, fudge bars and mama's milk. Sleeps from 7pm-5pm (on a good night), eats, and goes back down 'til about 7am. Wesley loves to carry him around, and even climb in his crib to calm him down. He loves his dangling toys in the car (a Hawaiian lei, a giraffe, and goggles), and takes two naps: 10 am and 3pm. He is a cuddly baby and the delight of our familiy.

Grandma Grace Wilson

The Wilson's:

Funerals make me cry b/c of all the people that you see cry! Your nose starts to tickle, you feel your throat get tighter, and your eyes start to tear up the minute you see someone else grieving. It is hard to see grown men break down into tears when they talk about their loved ones. How grateful I am RIGHT NOW that I am not burying any of my babies, that my husband is alive and well, and that I am not feeling that black pit of sadness from any of my immediate family members.

Jared's Grandma died on August 15th, 2009 at the lovely age of 92. She raised 10 kids. Lived in a shack with no electricity, running water, plumbing or heating. How did she do it? I feel so spoiled thinking about all the things I enjoy as a stay at home mother of just 3. What a privilege it is to scrub my toilets, stock up my cold fridge after a crazy Wal Mart trip, take a lukewarm shower, and turn on a nightlight for my boys. How does anyone raise 10 kids??? She had courage and guts b/c her husband died when she still had 3 at home, over 40 years ago.

We spent the weekend in Show-Low and Eagar, AZ. Funerals are a time when families can get together and really reminisce about childhood memories and things that bring you close. Jared did a great job reading Grace's life history and being a pallbearer. I didn't know a lot of the relatives, but anyone could feel the great love that this Wilson family has for one another. A lot of them are not members of our church, and I am just so grateful for the knowledge that we have of life after death. It hurts, but it doesn't feel permanent. There is hope that we will be together again.

I only knew Grandma Wilson in short spurts. I wish I could've spent more time with her (isn't it always like that?) She was one to always have bright red lipstick on, her red hair done up on top of her head, and a fiesty "do it yourself" attitude that I am sure she gained by raising her children alone. Onry is another word that described her.

In Globe, AZ is one of Jared's favorite Mexican Restaurants. Funny enough, it is called, "Burger House." They are always packed with people in the tiny joint, and closed on Sundays...so, it's been a few years since we have made it when passing through. Jared came here with his dad during sports tournaments. Super cheesy quesadillas and they even put butter on their chips!We did a tiny bit of fishing on Show Low lake as well. We got rained out, but the boys still had a great time in the cooler weather. It was especially fun have all 5 of us share a room, where Isaac took full advantage of me being next to him for nighttime snacks.


The best part of the trip is that we got to have Jared "home" with us for 5 days straight!

All about Me

We sat down for FHE last week and did "All About Me" for Jared and the boys. Wesley's kindergarten teacher sent it home with him for homework, so I was inspired to have the whole family do it. No one asked me the same fun questions, but I guess that is just what happens when you are the mom, right? No one takes your pictures ( you are always snapping them), you are behind the video camera, and it's up to me to keep track of all our "family life" info.

Here are some of the questions:

Wesley, Age 5Favorite food: ravioli
Favorite color: purple and blue
Favorite movie: wolverine, x-men, Treasure Planet (and Scooby Doo)
Favorite game: Hide'n'go Seek, tag, "Base" (alguien te busca, te corres, llegues al sofa y eso es base)
Favorite toy: swords, and Venom
When do you feel happiest: If you buy us a toy, or let us watch a movie, or you let me eat a candy
When do you feel most sad: When you spank me, or mom spanks me, or when Austin scratches me almost to my heart, starting with my head.
When do you feel scared: When I am at the store alone b/c someone left me and a bad person comes and takes me and kills me (quite the imagination!)
What don't you like: When I am the only one behaving well, being the example at school on the green light and always doing what I am supposed to do.
What do you do well: I run fast and I am strong. I can lift up a big rock.
What can you do by yourself: Wipe my own botom, I am helping Austin learn to wipe his bottom
What are you getting better at doing: "Snapping" and whistling
How do you help out at home: I help dad pick off dead skin (his sunburns) and also with the plates. I help when you call me and when you need help.
What would you do if you were a teacher: I would go to school and show everyone what they need to learn.
What do you want to be when you grown up:Go on a rollercoaster, like the star one (Disnelyand) or play some game where you spin and get hit, almost like little fires, but they don't burn you.


Austin, Age 3Favorite food: eggs with bread (huevos con pan)
Favorite color: green, like Laffy Tacky (taffy)
Favorite movie: Muffits (muppets) in Space (he happened to watch it the night before. I would vote that his favorite is Brier Rabbit or Karate Dog)
Favorite game:Wrestling with papa, and winning like Venom does
Favorite toy: Venom (or Hulk, Spiderman, Iron Man, or his sticky bug from the "treasure box")
When do you feel happiest: when I get surprises, like Rock Man o algo
When do you feel most sad: when you don't let me wrestle
When do you feel scared: when a bad man gets me and I run fast like a cheetah (wow!)
What don't you like: to sleep (so true!)
What do you do well: Me veo "hansome" (I am handsome)
What can you do by yourself: Blow up balloons (case se acaba mi aire)
What are you getting better at doing: Taking a shower (me bano). I let him do it alone with Wes.
How do you help out at home: When dad cuts down trees, that are old, I put them where we go camping (in our backyard)
What would you do if you were a teacher: I would look at things and I would also work
What do you want to be when you grown up: I want to work with my hands

Jared, Age 29Favorite food: Quesadillas
Favorite color: Black
Favorite movie: I don't watch t.v, x-men trilogy I could watch over again
Favorite game: Catch
Favorite toy: my wife
When do you feel happiest: Good work week + long weekend
When do you feel most sad: On Tuesdays when I go back to work and leave my family
When do you feel scared: When Austin says, 'No quiero que te vayas.' Sometimes I get scared on the airplaine and I think, "This could be the big one and I might crash."
What don't you like: To argue with wife
What do you like: Drink liquados, sleep in, hang out with wife
What do you do well: I am very loyal, "I am the nicest guy ever."
What can you do by yourself: Speak Spanish, I am a perfectionist
What are you getting better at doing: I can get along; laundry, grocery shopping, making bed, excercise, dinner, etc.
How do you help out at home: pay all of the bills, wipe off counters, wrestle with kids
What would you do if you were a teacher: make my classes fun and engaging
What do you want to be when you grown up: own my own business again so I can be at home with my wife and coach my kids in sports.


Adrienne, Age 30Favorite food: cobb salads (but I do love fudge bars, red vines, Lorna Doones and Pringles)
Favorite color: Orange or red
Favorite movie: Romantic comedy, drama...Sandra Bullock and Will Smith are great to watch
Favorite game: Aerobic classes
Favorite toy: Internet
When do you feel happiest: Eating dinner as a family,watching Jared wrestle with the boys, or nuring Isaac
When do you feel most sad: taking Jared to the airport
When do you feel scared: Nighttime of course! Every night alone in my house!
What don't you like: a messy kitchen, hairy legs, or overly-tired children
What do you do well: cook, multi-task, write, teach
What can you do by yourself: run a household
What are you getting better at doing: being more patient at bedtime with my boys, and have more self control with my snacking
How do you help out at home: drive kids around, cook, love, assist, remind, clean, coach
What would you do if you were a teacher: individually help out each student
What do you want to be when you grown up: I just want to be together as a family every night!

mugshots

Here are my boys' mugshots. The boys kept wanting to smile for the camera, so it is funny to see them being so "serious." Isaac especially has a scowl that I love.

We are making preparations to go and visit my mom in South America (Argentina) later this year if everything goes as planned.

I think my boys look so cute! Passports will hopefully arrive by October.

More details soon to come!

School update

Wesley has two weeks down into kindergarten and the transition has been great. It helps carpooling with his buddies Mason and Chloe Ashton. Each morning they get dropped off here at the house and that is motivation for both Wesley and Austin to get ready so that they can play before leaving for school. This morning Wesley surprised me: at 6:45am he walked into my room dressed, with his bed made, and ready for breakfast! What a surprise! Shirt tucked in, belt put on, and he even had on an undershirt. What a big boy! If only it was that easy every day!

Wesley did the funniest thing at school yesterday. I asked him how lunch went (since he doesn't give me many more details beyond food, a few interactions with friends and some songs). He told me that he didn't eat any of the lunch I had packed. What? He then told me that when the man came by with tickets, he raised his hand. If you raised you hand, you got a ticket for "hot lunch." Wesley told me that he at first was joking, but then decided to get one anyway. So, he just left his "cold lunch" in the bin, and went ahead with the "hot lunch." I asked him what he ate. He then told me he got a burrito, broccoli, an apple and chocolate milk. What a big boy! I would've loved to have seen him in that lunch line with his little tray, feeling so grown up as he decided what to eat and then walking over to sit down at a table. I told him that it's O.K. if he wants hot lunch, but that he has to tell me so that we can pay for it. He told me, "you don't have to pay mom, you just raise your hand at get a ticket." My sweet boy is learning things all on his own!

We have also had some innocent conversations about kids that are overweight, as well as those that say the Lord's name in vain. I want him to be non-judgemental, but also respectful for what we teach here at home. He's such a good boy and I sure do miss him here at home. I love his sweaty kisses when he gets home, and he is always so anxious to run over and love on Isaac. Austin is also lost without his older brother around to entertain him. He follows me around the house with never ending questions, asking for attention and wondering when Wesley will come home. I am practicing lots of patience with my sweet 3-year-old and love how well they play together when they are reunited every afternoon.


Austin has started up preschool too. It is only 2x's a week for a few hours, but enough to give me some time to run errands with just one boy. His first day, he was all smiles on his way to the house, excited about his new Nikes and Spiderman "packpack."

But, as Jared and I started to leave, the separation tears started to flow. I took a few pictures, and that made things even worse. Jared talked with him for a bit and things smoothed over really quick. We even took a "posed" picture of a mean face from Jared (just like the original one that we took with Wesley last week) for fun. Austin really enjoys preschool now, even though I have no idea what they even do in there! All I care about is that he socializes, feels important, grown up, and learns a few letters along the way. He will have two full years before Kindergarten.Jared let Austin drive home with the steering wheel as we entered our neighborhood. Austin was thrilled! I think the scenery tells you a lot about how far out in the desert we really do live. Just look at how Austin is literally turning the corner, and how nervous Jared looks as he helps out.

My boys also are continuing their superhero phase. Everyday, Austin and Wesley change who they are. Between Wolverine, Iceman, Human Torch, Abomination, Hulk Smash, Superman and Muscle Man...I have a hard time keeping them all straight as they switch them up every 5 minutes.

They are posing as Wolverine, with pencils for claws.



They also love flexing muscles and eating popsicles with their buddies Tallin and Colt Hall.


Isaac is also sitting up on his own now, at almost 7 months old. Right alongside his brothers, he loves to watch movies! Poor baby is also feverish, slobbery, full of boogers and irritable as he starts the long process of cutting teeth.

Bedtime blues

I don't know how I will do this on my own all school year...

Wesley came home once again grumpy b/c he has not gotten enough sleep the last few days. All he wants to do when he gets home is watch movies, play video games, computer games, etc. You get the point. I allow it for a while, but then we need to move on with our night! We have yet to find that balance of work and play, and boy does he show it with his grouchiness!

At 5:15pm, I put dinner on. Isaac is on his second dinner. Ideally, I would love to read some scriptures around the dinner table, but at this point, I am just trying to keep my boys from arguing with each other, goofing around, and actually EATING their food. Isaac gets cheerios stuffed down his mouth with his sippy cup as well.

5:45pm, struggle and warn Wesley to get in the shower. I help him get it started. He can do most of it on his own, but if I don't stay on him, he will just stand and let the hot water run out. He is just like me...I love a hot shower!

6:00pm, struggle and warn Austin to finish his food! Stop picking at it with your fingers, and pick up the spoon that has yogurt on it off of the floor.

6:05pm Wesley hops out, all steamy and hot. Austin and Isaac then get a turn in the bathtub. Austin is whining for the cup that I use to rinse of Isaac. Isaac is flapping around and thrusting his hips around in the water. He also want to roll over and drown!

6:10pm Get Isaac out and into PJ's. Austin comes out naked looking for me.

6:15pm. Wesley's turn to practice his reading. How does any parent do this every night while still entertaining the other kids? Austin is on my lap, covering up the pages and laughing. Wesley is frustrated b/c he can't concentrate. I send Austin to go get his own book, get dressed and help Isaac from crying. Isaac continues to roll around (he is exhausted at this point), and moan. I try to focus with Wesley and somehow we squeak out 15 min. of reading. Thank goodness he doesn't have homework at this point!

6:30pm. Austin then wants his turn to read. Threaten and encourage Wesley to go brush his teeth. Plop Isaac up on my lap while trying to read to Austin and avoid getting pages ripped by my babies chubby fingers. Isaac is still crying. Austin is asking SOOO many questions and I am still trying to "translate" Monster's Inc. into Spanish. Not an easy task. I begin to lose my patience...

6:35pm. Wesley's turn for a book. Austin refuses to brush his teeth. I start to pick up the wet towels, bounce Isaac and help Austin with his teeth.

6:38pm. Begin to read to Wesley. Start to nurse Isaac. Boys begin to play with Isaac's head...Don't touch him!!! Read the book two times through.

6:40pm. Lights out. Skipped prayers tonight. Ran out of patience and had an exhausted baby on one hip. Tell boys to stop talking or they will not get any homemade popsicles tomorrow (every night my nightly threats change, but the popsicles seem to work well for now).

6:45pm Finish nursing Isaac. Enjoy one last cuddle into those big brown eyes and long lashes.

6:50 pm More empty threats at my boys...breathe Adrienne...finish cleaning up the kitchen and wonder when the motivation will come to clean my floors?

7:20pm. Kids are still awake! Are you for real? Talk very firmly for Austin to stop standing on his bed and for Wesley to go to sleep. No more laughing boys!

How does any one person tackle all of the reading, homework, bathing, dinner, bedtime stories and tantrums? Plus get the kids to bed ON TIME b/c they have to get up at 6:45am? I am learning as I go, but I sure hope it gets easier as they get older!!! Breathe Adrienne....breathe...