I Sho Wuv Lacey!

Lacey's third birthday was February 12. She has become quite a little girl. I think if I had to describe her with one word it would be "personality." She is funny, playful, imaginative, stubborn, smart, beautiful, silly, and joyful. She dances around the house, sings songs, and often has a messy face and messy hair as if she doesn't have a care in the world. When she really likes something she says, for example, "I sho wuv pudding." So that's why I say, "I sho wuv Lacey."

Fat Tuesday

Today is Fat Tuesday, the day when people indulge before putting on the breaks for Ash Wednesday  and Lent. But the stress of four kids and lack of restraint during the holidays have left me feeling fat. And since I don't want to feel fat on Wednesday, I'm putting on the breaks today--I even put my half-eaten Valentine cake in the trash.

The Missing Months

The following are posts from last summer after we moved out of our old house. I wanted to write them down for posterity's sake, but if anyone was wondering if we fell into a hole for a while, here's what we were up to.

Finally Moving In

On September 3 we finally moved in to our new house. We spent six weeks at my parents house and now thankfully everyone has their own space. We thought we were going to get a different house but it fell through because the sellers would not let it go for the appraised price, which was 25,000 less than the asking price. So one day at the end of July Alex and I went with our realtor to look at a house which was pretty nice. When we were done Alex noticed a sign at the house across the street. That house was a five bedroom, 3 1/2 bath, three car garage home and it was available. We put in an offer at $4000 above the asking price. Our offers on other homes took weeks to hear back on but this one only took days. They accepted our offer. The inspection and appraisal went well and our lender was quick in processing our loan so we could close quickly. They say that when it's right, it goes well, and that was the case with this house. This is a home that we can grow into for many, many years.

Seventh Heaven

 

Our seventh anniversary was August 30. Lucky for us it was the same weekend as the Discount Tire Sweetheart Weekend. Every year Discount Tire sends the managers and their wives on a weekend retreat. This year it was at the local Marriot Resort. (If had been out of town I would not have been able to go because I am so uncomfortable being almost nine months pregnant, I can't sit in a car too long.)The Marriot of course is very nice, but the first night we went to a private bowling party at the Red Rock Station. We bowled, had pizza, and I even serenaded Alex with a karaoke version of "Baby, Baby." And for the record, I beat Alex on the second round of bowling. On day two we both went to the spa and got massages. Mine was a pregnancy massage which, hallelujah, fixed my sciatic pain. Later that day we had to go to the title company and sign our closing papers for our new house. That evening we were treated to a nice dinner at one of the steak house. So thank-you again Discount Tire for a great weekend. And thank you Alex for seven great years of marriage. I love you!

First Day of School

 

Lance started kindergarten on Monday, August 24. I can't believe he's in kindergarten already. I walked with him to his class and he went in just fine. I helped him find his seat and then gave him a hug and a kiss. I was fine too until I saw another mother walking in with her child and she had tears in her eyes. I got a little choked up and had to hurry out before I started crying. Luke started preschool on Tuesday, August 25. He's been dying to go since Lance was in preschool. When I dropped him off he barely said good-bye and ran off without any hugs or kisses. Both Lance and Luke had great first days of school and are excited to go back.

 

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

 

August 14 we went to the Las Vegas 51's baseball game. They played the Albuquerque Coyotes. We got tickets from Discount Tire and we also got to sit behind the visiting team's dugout. Lance and Luke struck up a conversation with one of the players who promised that if he caught a ball he would give it to them. He made good on his promise. the kids had a fun time but it got to a point where they were just wandering through the stands instead of watching the game and I was not going to spend the time chasing them down so we left before the game was over. I'd say we got our money's worth out of that one.

 

 

 

Living with Grandma and Grandpa

 

So we are now living with my parents. All five of us are in one bedroom. Pretty much all of our stuff is in storage so I got some rolling drawer carts for our clothes. We have a bed and an air mattress in our room for sleeping, but the bed is so hard to me that I usually end up on the couch. Some people might find it hard to move back home, but for us it's really been good. We read scriptures and say prayers every night with my parents and the kids help out setting the table or doing a "two-minute tidy." It's good to have good grandparents as examples for my kids.

 

Lance and Luke Go to the Dentist

 

July 15 Lance and Luke had dentist appointments; it was Luke's first time. Lance was a good big brother and held Luke's hand during Luke's cleaning. The dentist, Dr. G., said that their teeth looked good and that Lance's missing tooth (the one he's been missing since he was three) should be in by the time the baby comes.

Kung Fu Fighting

 

 

 

I signed up Lance and Luke for Little Ninjas class at the rec. center in June. I did it mostly for Luke, but he didn't really care for the class. Too much waiting in line and not enough "hi-ya" for him. But Lance had a good time.