TV

TV or no TV?

I grew up rarely watching any TV. My mom mostly encouraged watching the 10pm news if anything at all. So, as a result, I am not a big TV watcher, nor do I encourage it with my kids.

It has been a little over 3 months since we sold our TV. I am now trying to decide if we should get another one, or just do without. I can find good things to watch on- line, read a book (which I don't do enough), continue with other household projects...or break down and buy one so I can watch my favorite shows, 'The Biggest Loser,' 'The office,' 'Oprah,' or 'American Idol.'

Pros:
No time being wasted
More "quality" time with Jared when he is home (reading, playing cards, watching a movie, talking, going on walks...all of that stuff I love~ I think he'd rather watch TV and chill-ax).
Buy a computer instead?

Cons:
Not being able to snuggle up with Jared on our comfy couch for a good movie (right now we snuggle up in the playroom on our IKEA couch, not so comfy)
Money spent to buy one
Waste of time?

See my dilemma?

Beefy Tires

BEFORE THE NEW LIFT AND TIRES

AFTER


My hubby loves cars. He is constantly looking at cars and accessories. On our way back from the Grand Canyon, we decided to check in on the status of the tires Jared purchased for our Armada. They were in. We decided to go straight there to get them put on.

The situation:

When I was told the wait time was 3 hours, I thought I would croak over and die. So, when 4 hours passed us by, I didn't ever think I would see the light. We spent hours cooped up in a small, sweaty, dirty and smelly mechanic shop. What the heck were we to do with three small kids in tow? We went walking around in old school Phoenix to keep them entertained. Let me remind you that it was 105 degrees! I did not last too long, let alone my little boys who were red in the face and begging to sit down. We had water bottles to help us out, and I kept going from shade spot to shade spot to give Isaac some relief on his naked legs. Even poor Jared had on long pants and shoes on that hot pavement. We found a Harley Davidson store to rest inside, change a diaper, go potty and recover. Back to the heat we then went. Dairy Queen was the last stop where we tried our best to eat slowly and let our boys enjoy the a/c.

That was only 1 full hour. The last 3 hours were spent entertaining our boys on the black floors, asking them to stop hitting each other, nursing Isaac, chatting with another annoyed customers and practicing patience as we watched the poor employees run around short staffed to answer questions, phone calls, as well as work on our vehicle.

That was only one shop. They fixed our alignment and gave us the lift kit. We still had one place more to go!

We were so frazzled by the experience, but knew that we had to get the tires on and just deal with the situation head on. I definitely didn't want to come and do it on my own! Better that Jared was here with me. I can't stand doing all this car stuff; extended warranty info, oil changes, tires, tow packages, etc. It's hard enough to do it on my own, let alone with three kids!

Discount Tire, here we come. Another 3 hours! We spent 2 hours at the local Costco where I tried to have the boys watch whatever movie was playing in their front lobby. That lasted for a good 30 min, and then the boys wanted out of the cart. Not too many free samples that day (shoot!), although they did fill up on some chimichanga hand outs and craisins.

We were WHITE TRASH as we then pushed the Costco cart all the way back to Discount Tire and then sat in the shaded parking lot (only 95 degrees), with our food melting, as we waited for our turn. The tires look great, but they had to strip off our running boards b/c they rubbed on the bigger tires. My boys now call it a "Monster Truck" and can barely get in. They love it. Our boys were super filthy from all the greasy pit stops, with black feet and stained Dairy Queen as proof of a long afternoon. Sweet Isaac looked especially worn out in his t-shirt and diaper only, a stained carrot covered mouth and head, slobber all over his shirt and gumming cheese sticks for dinner.

The result:

New tires and rims on our Armada. Frazzled and worn out parents. Overly tired, but pleasant baby. Dirty and hungry toddlers. A late evening with yogurt for dinner. A bunch of unpacking left to do and laundry to wash. Crashed in bed by 10:30pm with lights still on!

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!