Early Mother's Day Present

Steve bought me two certificates for hanging plants at Rock Creek Growers out in Kimberly.

He gave them to me early because I knows how much I love hanging flower baskets...and Mother's Day is just to far away to wait.

It feels like spring now.

I also have ordered a few plant from a friend and will be planting amazing blooms in my planters and front flower beds.  They have to wait a few more weeks though.

I'm crossing my fingers I can keep everything alive this year.

ps...we are loving the no-wasp front porch.  

Those exterminators were worth EVERY penny.

Colby's 6th Birthday

My youngest son turned six on the 25th of April!

He was pretty excited about it.

He ordered a new big wheels and a store bought cake.

Pretty easy request if you ask me.

He also wanted to go to Burger King for lunch and dinner...and go swimming.

I'm proud to say that all his birthday wishes came true.

(I'm I proud he ate nothing but junk that day?  No...but I didn't have to fix any meals so I got over the guilt quickly.)

 The cake from the store.  

I let Colby put in his own candles because six year olds are old enough to do that!

 I also let him get away with eating sprinkles off the cake.  But, only because it was his birthday.

 Colby wanted to go shopping and pick out his new big wheels.  The toy store didn't have exactly what he wanted, but they did have something better.  It's called an Easy Glider (or Easy Rider-I can't remember) and  is powered by pushing your feet back and forth.  Colby is already WAY too fast on it and scares me to death every time he goes around a corner.

He also picked out his present from Grandma Walker. 

He is in love with his stuffed wolf and new Tonka garbage truck. 

 Grandma Dixon gave him COLD HARD CASH.  

He was elated!

Happy Birthday my darling six year old!  

We love you to pieces!

...and just for history sakes, here are Andrew and Carter when they turned six.

You can tell what kind of mother I used to be.  I used to make cakes for my children.  They were huge and fabulous with the first child, and then diminished with the second.  The third child gets cakes form the store.  I must be getting tired in my old age.

Andrew Stephen Dixon 

Age 6

Richmond, Va

Carter Dean Dixon

Age 6

Twin Falls, Idaho

crappy grainy pictures

I have a love/hate relationship with the camera on my phone.

Love:  It is with me always and I can capture moments that I would normally miss because I refuse to drag my big camera around as an accessory.  

For example:

Picture of Colby with his teacher after passing out treats for his 6th birthday!  

(What?  Colby is 6?  When in the world did that happen?)

Hate:  Most pictures indoors are grainy and blurry...I hate using a flash even worse.

For example again:

Love:  I can take picture and send them to my spouse at anytime and tell him how much we miss him. (Brag that he is not at Cafe Rio eating salads and donuts.)

Hate:  It is now documented for all time that I bought my kids donuts for lunch so I could eat Cafe Rio with friends in peace.

 Love:  Saved forever is the memory of cousins eating lunch together in happiness.

 Hate:  Once again showing that my kids eat junk food most of the time.

Love:  Darling moment frozen in time of my children sitting happily together on a family outing.

Hate:  It proved that we spent all this money on our flower beds...but they still look like garbage.

Winner

I have failed to mention that my childrens' poor mouth pleading actually worked.

Steve won a CVT rooftop tent.  

I'm referring to it as "Death on a Land Cruiser" as is surely does not look safe to me.

The kids are in precarious camping equipment heaven.

The funny thing is that Steve did not win the popularity contest that the facebook voting called for. We are facebook losers (I'm grateful for this) and knew we were defeated before the contest even began.

However, the owner of CVT took a liking to my children, especially  Carter Dean, and awarded a demo tent to Steve because, and I quote, "Those little boys deserved it."  

Thank goodness my children are cute on camera because they now get to sleep in this.

The owner of of CVT delivered Steve's tent to my sister's home in Boise.  It was there he told my mom and my sister how cute he thought Carter was and how Carter HAD to have a tent. 

...now if only his big brown eyes and fluttery eyelashes could get him a collage scholarship.

Much to my dismay, the tent is very room and posh as tents go.  

I have a feeling I will have to sleep in it before the summer is over.  

The kids are planning on camping out this weekend come hell or high water, even if it means sleeping in our drive way.  I haven't told them yet, but I've already purchased the smore's stuff in honor of their maiden camping voyage.  I'm looking forward to many quiet weekends with just Say and I at home.

But I'm planning on worrying a lot.

Someone is going to fall and break a limb for sure.

(I'll bet you a thousand bucks his name is Colby.)

**********

This afternoon a clean cut young man came to my door bearing pictures of venomous bugs and dangerous rodents.  He asked if I would like to hear about his pest control services all while dodging wasps buzzing his head.  I would have been able to say no if it wasn't for the wasp nest being built directly above my front door.  I'm thinking that guy planted the nest.

I caved and forked over Andrew's first year of college tuition all so I wouldn't have to hear my kids squeal if fear over the mass swarms of wasps on our porch.  They have taken over my black shutters at the front of my house in past years and then texted their ground burrowing cousins about the prime real estate.  Last year we were all afraid to use our front door.  The black widows setting up shop on the front  step was the kicker.  I don't like those little black spiny legged suckers.

I just paid to have them all killed in a hopefully cruel chemical way.  

Goodbye dear insects.  I will not miss thee.

Coping with Humor

I'm coping today.  My extended family's world has been turned upside with news that is not my story to share.  We are being brave, especially those who are closest to the situation.  I've been stewing the past few days with the reality that life is brimming with trials that seem unfair and are blatantly unwanted.  But, how we deal with trials is the true test.  What do we learn, how do we grow, how do we carry on in spite of or because of these trials?

At the General YW's broadcast a few weeks ago our prophet President Monson told the young women to "Look to the lighthouse of the Lord."  He talked about three signals that will help us on this earthy journey.  I wrote notes on my phone during his talk and these are what I can glean from my notes this afternoon.  Reading these notes are helping me today.  

The three signals are Believe, Obey and Endure.  

 If you believe- you act.  We are responsible to keep our own testimony.  After we believe (synonymous for accept) we must obey.  Our decisions do determine our destiny.  Every Cinderella has her midnight:  there is a reckoning, and the ledger must be balanced.  Lastly we must endure- we must seek heavenly guidance one day at a time.

I'm good with the believe and obey part.  I'm pretty good and doing what is expected of me.  However, the enduring part can be daunting.  It can seem heavy and cumbersome.  It can feel lonely, heart wrenching, overwhelming, looming, trying and just flat out HARD!  I've had many WHY questions in the last few days.  WHY WHY WHY?  But I'm humbled by the words of the one very closest to this trial- the one personally experiencing this trial- the one who will have to suffer far more than the rest of us- the one who will endure the pain while the rest of us must only watch and feel helpless...unable to change the situation no matter how much we wish, plead and pray we could.   "There must be something I need to learn from this."  

So...I'm going to follow this persons example and be humble.  I'm going to endure to the best of my ability.  I'm going to seek heavenly guidance on a daily basis and pray that my pleadings of comfort, healing and love will help someone I love most dear. 

In the mean time, (total shift of subject coming right now...sarcasm and inappropriateness ahead- be warned.) I'm going to cope with humor.

So...without further ado...here are some things that may have been heard in our household this week.

I wonder if my children are going to make it too adulthood without being totally warped.

Colby at breakfast:  Nobody better sit by me...I'm stinky.

Carter while rubbing his ear (the boy has the god-given talent of making his ear squeak like a mouse on  speed.  Really, its loud and squeaky):  Do you think a video of my ear squeaking could win on AFV?

Carter:  Mom, when are we having pork sandwiches for dinner?  We've got the pork...we've got the buns...we've got the sauce...and we have me to eat it!

Colby:  I'm SO glad I'm growing hairs.  Because, when I'm a dad my stomach will be warm when I'm almost naked.  Seriously, I will have a hairy chest!

Failed Easter Pictures

I've spent a week reading blogs with examples of perfect family Easter pictures.  

I am posting the following just to prove:

1.  We did get dressed up on Easter Sunday.

2. We tried to take pictures.

However, due to every member of my family, these pictures were a complete failure.

 Now...don't let these innocent faces fool you.   They were all little monsters.  MONSTERS!

For example...

This boy looks like a little slice of heaven doesn't he?

Among other problems in this picture, Colby couldn't keep that carrot out of his mouth.

(why did we let them hold the carrot anyway?)

Darling little girl wouldn't you think?

NO...she was a stinker pulling crusty teenager angst faces the entire time!

Does this picture need an explanation?

Don't get it? Let me help you out.

Yeah, my 11 year old is awesome.

Steve couldn't keep his eyes open.

And...neither Steve or I noticed you could practically see up my skirt in almost every pictures with me and the kids.   Plus, I looked drugged an any picture that could be considered modest.  

(neither example is pictured for obvious reasons)

This boy, however, was practically perfect in every shot.  To bad the rest of the Dixon family couldn't glean from his example.  Thanks Carter, you are adorable.  If I had more cash I would give you 5 bucks.

We will try next Easter for perfect family pictures.

(ha ha)

Just for emphasis on bad pictures etiquette.

I asked Saylor to smile and say cheese this afternoon.

This is what she gave me.

I was REALLY lucky to get this.

REALLY LUCKY.

What I Did on a Random Saturday in April

Steve worked this morning, so the kids and I spent our time cleaning.  It's refreshing when all three boys are willing to help with Saturday chores (should be named once a month chores because we haven't had a big cleaning fest in WAY too long.)  Carpets were vacuumed, toilets were scrubbed, furniture was dusted and appliances shined.  The house smelled of comet, pinsol and pledge...my favorites because it smells like clean.  I made a dent in the laundry, fixed simple meals, went through clothes bins for workable hand-me-downs, (blast...all three boys need new shorts): all without yelling profusely at my children.

This afternoon I worked outside digging grass away from our trees, building climbing support for peas, and planting early vegetables.  My face is wind and sunburned, and my body is tired.

Tonight I spent time watching a general YW training meeting to prepare for stake training Thursday night.  I need to study and feel the Spirit more.  It would help with EVERYTHING.  I'm grateful for church resources online.

...still to do:

Fold laundry
Prepare kids clothes for Sunday
Eat candy (maybe lots and lots)
Get in bed before 11pm.  (not likely)

packed my bags and moved to crazy town

How do I put this delicately?

Every 28 days or so...I honestly lose my mind and become a crazy person.  Blame the moon, the rotation of the earth around the sun, my hormonal shifts...or whatever, I honestly morph into a different person that I do not know...or like...or understand.

Mentally:

I no longer have rational thoughts.

I'm more irritable than a mother bear.

I can't stand being in the same room as myself.

Physically:

I gain five or so pounds for no reason.

The majority of my clothes no longer fit. (only the items with copious amount of elastic)

I can sleep for hours without reprieve of exhaustion.

I'm in constant pain.

Socially:

For all the reasons above...I should not be seen socially.

I think my husband today is contemplating packing up the kids and moving away for the next 5-7 days.

I'm contemplating crawling into my closet and disappearing...that or underneath my bed. (But alas, the extra weight around my midsection would inhibit me from fitting either place.)

I fully realize this post is completely inappropriate in every way.  

But when have I ever been appropriate?

Before I type something even more inappropriate, I'm going to drown my sorrows in four ibuprofen and a pint of Ben and Jerry's.  (If I'm going to gain 5 pounds it might as well be for a delicious reason.)

Walker Family Eggcellent Easter

Sunday afternoon the Dixon family ventured to the Walker Compound to enjoy the 

Ardith Walker Annual Easter Egg Hunt Extravaganza!

(Sponsored by Dr. Gary Walker at Eastland Vision Clinic)

We were treated to dinner, fine conversation and an Easter egg hunt to shame all other hunts.

It's a classy affair.

The hunt participants ranged from age 2-12 and were lined up by age (not height, or my kids would have had an unfair advantage) and allowed to enter the hunting grounds youngest to oldest.

(the large jumps in height down represent my vertically challenged children)

Some participants couldn't contain their enthusiasm.

Some could.

Some were just too cool let anyone know how they felt inside either way.

And they were off!

Saylor cheered up slightly as her bag got fuller...

and she realized there was CANDY in her eggs.

It didn't take her long to realize who would open the candy for her.  

Grandmas are the best you know!

Colby did great finding his eggs.

Carter had to take a few breaks to count his.

(Each participant had 25 eggs with their name on each one.  The hunt lasts way longer this way!)

Andrew loves candy and all, but was mostly excited about the eggs concealing poker chips that could be turned in for money.  The boy has financial needs.

(Is it a sin to give kids poker chips on a sacred holiday?)

Did I mention cousins at these events are the best!

Thanks Mom and Dad for having us over for a great evening.  The sugar rush given to my children and the extra cash flow is just an added bonus!

...and what evening at Grandpa's wouldn't be complete without a tractor ride?

we work hard so we can play hard

We must have worked really hard this last month because we played our guts out this weekend!

Our friends the Ward family called us a few weeks ago and told us about a deal to stay in Sun Valley and ski.  It was cheap enough we couldn't pass it up.

We bribed my mom into taking Saylor overnight, packed up the boys Friday afternoon and headed north. 

Sun Valley had an Easter egg hunt at the Village Friday.  There were a few eggs, way too many kids and it was over in honestly 15 seconds.  But...anything with the Wards is worth the effort. 

Our hotel room was at the Lodge and our kids have never stayed anywhere so nice.  They were in heaven with the robes, slippers, chocolates on their pillows and fancy soaps.  (ok...it was me that liked the fancy soap.  I picked that place clean and now have five bars of cute soap for future use.  It never hurts to stock up!)  I think our children might need to get out more.

We let the boys stay up late and watch movies with no regards for bedtimes. 

What kid wouldn't be happy?  I'm loving my kids being old enough to have fun times like this with them- there was minimal complaining and lots of gratitude.  Older kids are really fun!

The rest of the pictures were of us skiing at Baldy on Saturday.  We stayed mostly on lower River Run but made it to the top once with Carter and Colby.  It took us an hour to get down...so we didn't go up again.  Colby isn't quite ready for that kind of skiing.  He'll be there next year.

He was a trooper!

I haven't skied Baldy since my senior year in high school.  I forgot how amazing the view was at the top.  I also forgot how big the mountain was and how weak my muscles are.  It is bad I was grateful for beginner skiers to blame my slowness on?  One day I will get better at this...one day.

Steve and his skiing buddies.

These boys are going to have a lot of fun in the next few years.

Carter wanted to go back to the top with Steve so I stayed on the small run with Colby.  We went a few times and then decided we needed a break at the lodge. Here's my little guy resting in the sunshine.

 I have a new appreciation for my dad and all he did to teach five of us kids how to ski.  My arms and back are sore today after pulling and lifting this little man around on the slushy sticky spring snow.

He is worth it.  

Colby is going to be an awesome skier one day.  I won't be able to watch in fear of his limbs snapping, but he will be a sight to see. 

Colby used my phone to take a picture of me.  He told me to give a scared skiing face.  

This was the best I had at the moment.

By 2pm the snow was slushy and the kids were done.  They make snow castles instead.  

(I have no idea how Steve's ski got into this shot.)

My only picture of Andrew. 

 He sped off with his friend Corban ans was only seen periodically when food or water was needed.  He is getting old way too fast.  Steve and I discussed that it will only be a few short years before this boy is asking to borrow the car to go skiing by himself. 

 Be. Still. My. Heart.