Mom is not a super hero.

I've been spending lots of time with James lately and I love it. He is such a fun little guy and he loves being with me, running errands, going to the store, reading, doing puzzles, playing, cleaning. We are great buddies. I had to record a few of the conversations we've had lately:

James: Mom, how did you do that?
Mom: I'm magic.
James: Mom, you are not magic. You are not even a super hero. You are just a human.
Mom: Amen!

(While listening to a current song he likes on the radio)
James: Mom, are they singing about real life or just about a story?
Mom: What do you mean?
James: Like, what they are singing about? Did it really happen or are they just singing about something pretend.
Mom: Hmmm, (deep for a 3 year old). Well, sometimes they are singing about something real, and sometimes it is pretend. I think this one is pretend.

Mmmm...Fall

It's been 6 years since we've had a real fall, and oh man are we enjoying it! Here are a few highlights:

Berry Picking! We visited a farm where they let you pick your own raspberries, blackberries and blueberries and caught the tail end of berry season. We can't wait for apple picking and Cider Mills! Yum and fun!
Trees! The trees are just beginning to turn gorgeous colors. This is the tree right outside our door...isn't it lovely? Plus, there is still blue sky and decently warm temperatures.

Nature Collections! Parker had to collect nature items for school and he found so many. His bag was full of leaves, acorns, sticks and pinecones.

Leaves! The kids love raking, playing, throwing and jumping in them. Hours of entertainment.

Bugs, worms, roly polies! James' day isn't complete without a collection of them.

Animals! This is what we see on our way to school. Literally at the intersection of 2 main roads we took the pictures out my car window. James always wants me to bring my camera every where we go just in case we spot an animal.

We've all come to the same conclusion. Fall is definitely NOT over rated. We have loved every second of the cooler weather and gorgeous surroundings. If any of you are thinking of a visit to Ann Arbor...fall is the time!

School Rules!

The boys thought it was hilarious this year that they got to take their first day of school picture with dad. My boys all left for school on the same day (well, not James)! They were all so excited to be back in school. I feel very lucky that so far, all my boys LOVE school. Maybe it's their nerdy mom coming out in them.

Mike had his first day at the University of Michigan and loved it. It really is an incredible school and campus. We feel incredibly lucky and blessed to be here...especially on a half scholarship...that is the only way we could have made this work. I am so amazed by his awesome attitude of taking every good thing about this experience in. Let's see if his study habits have improved in the last 10 years :)!

Parker had his first day of Kindergarten. He has a darling teacher and friends in his class, so the first day was tear-free and full of smiles. Plus, it's just half day, so it's no big deal for my 5 year old. He's such a little smartie.


Jace started his first day of second grade and was full of smiles when he got home too. He loves being occupied and having things to do all day. Can't wait to see how this year goes for him. He always amazes me by all he knows and retains. Such a good boy!

The day FINALLY came for James' first day of preschool and he is in LOVE! He wants to go every day and loved carrying a backpack and feeling like a big boy. We have a good thing going...we do a joy school with 4 other moms 2 days a week and preschool 2 days a week, so he is almost getting his wish. I can't believe he's already old enough to leave me.

So, everyone is gone and a few times a week I have a couple of hours all to myself! It's kind of weird and kind of nice all at the same time and flies by. But, I'm always ready for my boys to come home!

Ann Arbor, Michigan! The good, the bad and the ugly

We're here! We're here!

After some sad good-byes and a 26 hour drive, we made it to Michigan and so far, mostly so so so good. I love when Alyson does "The good, the bad and the ugly," so I thought I would copy but do it in reverse order, because you have to end with the good!

The Ugly:

• The streets...who planned this city anyway? The streets change names all of a sudden, there are multiple streets with the same name, tons of one way roads, ways to get to a destination that are completely different from how to get home from it...ahhhhhh! If anyone knows my directionally challenged history, this is not a good thing for me. I've been lost so many times I don't dare to count. In fact, when we got in the car yesterday Parker said, "Are you going to get lost today?" Then today he said, "Dad said he can't give you short cuts because it's hard for you to know where to go if there are a lot of turns," and a few days ago, James from the backseat said, "Mom, just pull over and call dad." Oh, and I got a "warning" from a police officer for going the wrong way on a one way road. How embarrassing!
  
• One bathroom. Let me repeat, 4 boys, one mom, one bathroom.

The Bad:

• Tiny closets...doesn't bode well for me, right?
• Eastern time zone...hard to connect with friends and family on the west coast.
• No garage...makes trips in with groceries a bit of a pain.
• Allergies for me...I have a foggy head more often than I can stand.
• Small kitchen...there's only room for one.
• Basement laundry room.
• Small place.
• No Costco, only Sam's.
• My tan is fading and might never come back.
• No DVR.
• No raw tortillas...how will we survive?
  

The Good:
(Wow, where do I start?)

• When we drove up to our place, not only were there 12 guys to help us move in, but there were 5 girls with their kids waiting to welcome us. They brought us toilet paper, laundry detergent, invited us to breakfast and to dinner, gave me directions everywhere, and were instantly so sweet to my kids. I felt blessed beyond measure the first night we were here and continue to feel that way.
• It's been a natural world wonderland for my boys. In the first 3 days we were here, they caught a baby mole, a snake, a few frogs, a turtle, tons of bugs and we've had to stop our car for deer and geese. We all love the trees and dark earth, the grass, wildflowers, and beauty that surrounds. We are grateful to live in a beautiful place and have the manifestations of life and creation all around us.
• The boys found instant friends and LOTS of them. The families around us are strong and involved and trustworthy. All of our neighbors are fun and have little ones that love to play outside and get dirty...our perfect match.
• We are only 45 minutes away from Mitch and Kelly and they are oh so good to us. Can't wait to spend more time with them!
• Out our front door is a soccer field, playground, and swings. Around back is a large sandbox and there are sidewalks that are perfect for bike and scooter riding that lead to more playgrounds, soccer fields, sandboxes, etc.
• Our ward (church) is small but awesome and close enough to walk to. I get to work in Primary again, which I'm so excited about. The members of our ward are all ridiculously intelligent and it makes for lively and insightful gospel discussion each week.
• My boys got into the school I wanted them to be in. There are a lot of great things about it...staff, principal, teachers, building, extra-curriculars, but a few things the jury is still out on. Plus, I have a carpool!
• My boys all found best buddies within 3 days. Amazing!
• I found a preschool that doesn't cost $750 per month for James and am also a part of a joyschool for him.
• I'm teaching Zumba 3 times a week and love teaching, getting a work out in and getting paid for it.
• The ladies who live by us spend lots of time with their kids outside having fun...that's just up my alley!
• Diversity! I am astounded at the amount of languages and cultures we encounter here. It has been so exciting to meet people from all of the country and the world and here their stories and why they are here. What an experience!
• We have a good routine and some serious organization going on. When you live in such a small place, it's easy to keep up on cleaning the bathrooms, floors, and getting your kids to help. I'm loving the schedule and order.
• We have wood floors, which I love and lots of storage space, which we need.
• I got to paint a color I love downstairs and re-decorate a bit...pictures to come.
• Michigan football.
• Since no DVR, hardly any TV watching by any of us.
• Fall.
• Wearing cardigans and cute boots.
• Mike loves his program and found a great part time job.
• House is easy to clean and easy to manage.
• Everything is pretty close by.
• Great bus system, totally doable with only 1 car!

As you can see, so far, so good. I have so much more to update...nice to finally have a computer and a bit of a life back after being consumed with unpacking and getting life in order. I've enjoyed catching up with all of your blogs too!!!

A GREAT Birthday

We all know how my husband always comes through for birthdays...and he didn't let me down...even for number 31. He took advantage of built in babysitters and whisked me away to Park City for just one night in a gorgeous hotel. We had a fantastic dinner at WAHSO...really, so so good and half price during the "off" months. We ate and ate and ate and loved every minute.

They even brought me a candle in the best pumpkin carrot cake with cream cheese ice cream I've ever had. Yum! We had a wonderful evening, then took a hike and a swim and caught a great, quick lunch before we left. Being alone, together is a dream come true. Every time it happens it reminds me why we are such a perfect pair.
Earlier that day, I celebrated by going miniature golfing with my mom and my boys...they were sure it was exactly what I would want to do to celebrate my birthday...and it was pretty fun! I love how kids make your birthday come alive all over again! Another fun thing was all the birthday wishes I got by phone and facebook...it made it a really exciting day to connect with people I don't usually keep in touch with, so thanks!

My mom is the greatest...have I said that yet? She was an absolute trooper this summer... a great roommate and so kind and generous with her time and her means. I just adore her.

Even earlier in the day, we headed to BYU to watch my dad in a law school discussion panel. He is such an amazing man and GREAT attorney. It's really exciting and fun to watch him in his element. I was so proud. I'm so impressed by him all the time. Plus, he's the world's best dad. He too, was great with all of us hanging around this summer.
Not a bad 31, right?

Wrapping up Utah

There was no shortage of fun while we were in Utah, but we did do a few other things too :)! My parent's Stake President counseled them to do a family conference this summer that involved service, something spiritual, and something fun. Of course, my ever faithful mom followed through. For service, they made cookies and delivered them to their amazing primary teachers from the summer.

For something spiritual, we took a tour on Temple Square (with Mike's cute cousin who is serving a mission there). Then grandma took us to the conference center and gave us a tour there. I'm so glad we did both those things. I have such a strong testimony of the temple and of eternal families. What an amazing gift from God to us. And what a sacrifice the early saints made to build such a beautiful building to glorify God.

I also loved the Conference Center. It reminded me of President Hinckley and his loving, optimistic life. I remember being at the conference center the weekend it opened for general conference. I remember sitting close to the prophet and feeling of his loving spirit. It was an experience I will never forget.








For the fun part, my parents organized a golf tournament that was SO fun for young and old alike. First, we tried to chip balls into a laundry basket...each ball in (or close depending on skill level) earned you $1. Then we headed out for a scramble where we played in teams against each other. Beau and I were the winners!! Let's just say that I can't take much credit for the win. The final round was a putting contest that was really fun! Then, we ate pizza at Rock Creek (our favorite) and handed out prizes. It was a GREAT weekend!



We had another trip to Wheeler Farm...always fun!