Favorite...

I had to share this story before it slips my mind. A couple of weeks ago Gordon and I were headed to his mom's late in the day. To keep the kids awake we decided to play a little game. Gordon would ask from oldest to youngest so they each had a turn to answer. What's your favorite color, game, animal, etc. On the way home David wanted to continue playing. We continued quietly so the other two would fall asleep. We were almost home and Gordon asked, "Who's your favorite brother?" We waited for him to respond with some sort of response about Matthew, but no. He said, "My favorite brother is in mommy's belly." (No, I'm not pregnant. He just knows that's where babies are before they're born.) He then said that Matthew was his favorite brother too! Gordon asked David who his favorite sister was. He thought about it for a little and then said, "Hailey's not my favorite sister because she's cranky." Many of you know what an attitude Hailey has sometimes, so this answer was hilarious to Gordon and I. He did add that Hailey was his favorite sister too, but the first response was priceless!

Spring Break

On Monday, we didn't do anything. On Tuesday morning, I headed up to Payson to see my mom and hang out. On Wednesday, we went to the park in Payson and then went on a hike with my sister, Jill. Then, on Thursday, we had originally planned to go to a Spring Training game but then just stayed at home and lazed around. On Friday, we actually went to a Spring Training game. Man, was it HOT!













Luckily, I came prepared with suntan spray and water. I was actually surprised that the kids lasted 5 innings! They didn't do a whole lot of actually watching the game. I didn't get to watch a whole lot either because I was watching them! So we left at the bottom of the 5th inning to cool off at home. I knew that the planes at Luke Air Force Base were practicing but when I saw this in the sky I was in awe!













So I looked it up on the internet and found out that this is called a C-17. They are those massive cargo planes that transport military vehicles. Sometimes it's used to transport medical patients also. It was awesome! We didn't get a chance to actually make it to the Airshow on Saturday because I already had plans. Although, after church on Sunday we were able to see the Thunderbirds flying right above our house! The boys loved it but it was a little too loud for Hailey.

Preschool Field Trip

On Friday the 13th we went to The Botanical Gardens to see the butterflies! David said that there was a pizza party at school so did not want to join us.













Here is a pic of Matthew as a caterpillar.













Here is a pic of Matthew as a butterfly.













I tried to get Hailey to stick her head in ther but she didn't wanna have anything to do with it!

Matthew's 4th Birthday

This year Matthew had a pirate theme to his birthday party. He had LOTS of friends over and they all had a good time!













The cool pirate cake was made by Matthew's Uncle Jared!

Winter Sports

David played coach pitch baseball and was able to play with his friend Cody and cousin Samuel. They had lots of fun! Here is a pic of David's team and then the 3 Musketeers!

Christmas in March?

I never got around to posting pics from Christmas, so here is my attempt to catch-up on mostly everything since the last post. Pics with Santa at our ward Christmas party.















We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas day with my mom because my in-laws were on a cruise! This is a video of one of the presents the kids received. They totally loved it! I think my dad enjoyed it as much as my kids did!

After my in-laws got back we all got together and made mini gingerbread houses.

Just a MOM?!

I received this by email and thought it was worthy enough to post about.

A woman, renewing her driver's license at the County Clerk 's office was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation.

She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.
"What I mean is," explained the recorder, "do you have a job or are you just a......?"
"Of course I have a job," snapped the woman. "I'm a Mom!"
"We don't list 'Mom' as an occupation, 'housewife' covers it," said the recorder emphatically.
I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall.
The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, "Official Interrogator" or "Town Registrar."
"What is your occupation?" she probed.
What made me say it? I do not know. The words simply popped out.
"I'm a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations."
The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.
I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the official questionnaire.
"Might I ask," said the clerk with new interest, "just what you do in your field?"
Coolly, without any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, "I have a continuing program of research, (what mother doesn't) in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out). I'm working for my Masters, (first the Lord and then the whole family) and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities, (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours a day, (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money."
There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk's voice as she completed the form, stood up and personally ushered me to the door.
As I drove into our driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants -- ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a 6 month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.
I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind than "just another Mom."

Motherhood! What a glorious career!
Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"?
I think so!!!
I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".

I want to thank my partner in research, Gordon for allowing me to take "breaks" every once in a while. I also want to say how much I appreciate my 3 lab assistants, David, Matthew and Hailey for their ongoing "testing" they provide for me to become a better Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations!