Getting older, Getting better???

So when you get birthday cards like this, does it mean you are getting older??? I realized this is the first year that most of my birthday cards from friends etc. were cards with jokes about getting older. Which made me embrace the fact I am officially getting old. I am actually okay with the fact that I am closer to 40 then I am to 30. Do we get better with age? They say women, cheese and wine get better with age. I sure hope so. I've learned a lot in my 20's and 30's, and although I'd like to have some of the things I had in my 20's, like a flat stomach, no wrinkles or sun spots. I wouldn't change the experiences and things I have learned over the past years. So after celebrating a nice birthday weekend (because birthdays should be celebrated over a period of time preferably a week or weekend) with my husband, friends and my sister I can honestly say I don't feel older inside, even if I look older on the outside.

Week in review

Explaination of Pictures-starting from top left corner:

1. Jacob and the neighbor boys flashin their plaid.
2. Christian dressed up as Benjamin Franklin for his 5th grade "Walk through Revolution day" He walked with a cane, we sprayed his hair silver and he spoke like an old man. He was awesome.
3. Carson holding his cousin Henrick who came to visit us.
4. The boys couldn't get enough of their baby cousin and were helpful and excellent babysitters. Makes me excited for when they get to hold their new baby brother
5. My sister Meta with her adorable baby. We couldn't get enough of him and we will be sad when they leave.
6. Bathtime
7. Carson training his cousin on how to play handheld electronics on the couch. A very important boy trait and one that is easily mastered.
8. As you can tell from the photos everyone loved baby Henrick. I was amazed at how sweet, excited and helpful the boys were with their baby cousin. I think they are going to make terrific older brothers. Watch out baby you might get mauled, loved and hugged a lot.

Change of plans

This is where we are suppose to be this week as a family for our last hurrah before baby boy #4 joins the mix

This is where we are this week......(insert picture of home)

Because somebody (and I'm not going to say any names) had to go to Boston unexpectedly for Business. But all is not lost, we are still going to get to take the boys on one last adventure during their Spring Break, later this month. So rather then flying to a tropical island, we get to drive many hours to sunny Palm Springs.

So someone is kind of out of the dog house and a little bit forgiven. Let's just hope I don't have the baby while we are down south. That is one of my worst nightmares!

February 29

All the things I plan on doing with this extra day of the year we've been given.

1. Organize and clean out closets
2. Iron about 20 church shirts of the boys (yes rather then ironing I just buy new ones so I don't have to iron them, but now I have a whole collection of dress shirts ranging in size 5-12.
3. Plan and get baby room ready.
4. Finish all unfinished projects around the house.
5. Finish organizing my office.
6. Grocery shop since we are all out of everything.

But what if the weather is like yesterday high 60's and beautiful sunshine, then I might just have to bag it all, go to lunch, head outside bring a book and read while my little one plays outside!

I am learning

Lessons I am learning

• Never say never!! Because then it's bound to happen. How many times have I said I would never.....?
• I need to be careful when I blurt our sweeping generalizations, because I am bound to hurt someones feelings. You never know what's going on in peoples lives.
• When I am hard on people about something they did, and then I find myself guilty of the same things. Be careful not to judge others.
• I sometimes think I have all the answers, but it usually turns out that I don't.
• It's always easier to fix other peoples problems, rather then my own. And of course to see others short comings, then my own.
• Be patient with life and take it one day at a time.
• Not to worry about the future and live in the present.
• Sometimes I get so impatient and want to know everything right now. I want to know all that is ahead of me, challenges, triumphs, life events etc. (maybe it's a control thing I need to get over it)

Just a few things I am trying to learn about life. I can only hope I will learn and move on. But I guess that is the good news about life we are constantly learning, changing and growing.

February Visitors

The Ground hog wasn't the only visitor this month. We had the chance to have all of Mark's sibilings and his parents all together for a weekend. Mark's younger brother Scott and his wife Teresa had their first baby Charlie. It was nice to have everyone together for the baby blessing. Here is a picture of the whole clan minus Lori's children who weren't able to come. A little brother to brother competition. They had to see who still had it in them, when it came to basketball. A little free throw competition proved they could still throw a basketball even though they are all getting a little older.
Cousin sleepovers

Then we also had my mom and Anna come visit for Presidents day weekend. We took them to the Oakland zoo (luckily there were no tiger attacks). They were able to enjoy some sunshine and escape the cold Utah weather.

Who's your Valentine?

Who's your Valentine this year? With valentines day coming up next week, it's that time of year to think of what to get and make your plans for a romantic date. So here are some questions for you to read and then answer them yourself. If you read this post then you must do the same on your post. Include a picture of you and your Valentine and answer the questions below. It's a Valentine blog chain. I saw this on someones blog and I liked it.

Who is your Valentine? Mark, for the past 16 years.

How long did you date? 2 years, our friends thought we'd never get married, but a girl has to be sure that someone is really committed.

How old is he? 38

Who eats more sweets? I probably do, he only indulges on the good stuff like really dark chocolate.

Who said I love you first? He did and I didn't know what to say so I just said "Thanks." We both still laugh at my response.

Who is taller? He is

Who can sing better? Oh him for sure. Sometimes when we are singing at church or at FHE he will give me a wierd look and then I know I am totally off key. I am a little tone deaf. He has a really great voice and sang to me at our wedding brunch it was super cute and super cheesy. I need to pull out that wedding video next time we have friends over. I think he'd love that.

Who is smarter? Him for sure, although I am smart in other ways. Sometimes when he tells me what he does at work I get overwhelmed and am grateful I don't have to be in the business world.

Who does the laundry? I do, I don't think he knows where the laundry room is, which is fine because he has other great qualities.

Who pays the bills? He does, I pretend I to.

Who mows the lawn? Isabel, (the gardner) but soon one of my boys after they get proper training and instruction this summer from their dad. Is 10 yrs old too young to start this chore?

Who cooks the dinner? Me!

Who drives? Him, especially road trips, he gets bored and restless, so then I get to pass snacks back to the kids, read and sleep.

Who is more stubborn? depends on what the issue is.

Who kissed who first? He did. BTW, It was very romantic.

Who asked who out first? I asked him out first. Mr. blue eyes was a little shy and so I had to make the first move or it would never have happened.

Who proposed? He did

Who has more siblings? It's a tie we both come from a family of 5.

Who wears the pants? We try to share them, it's better that way.

Who says I love you more? Probably he does. He is really good at saying "I love you." He says it a couple times a day or he'll send text or emails with sweet messages and I love you's.

Okay now share your Valentine!!!