Max's 5th Birthday

Max was SO excited for his birthday. So excited that he tried to convince us to open presents and have cake the day before. How I wish I had done that! He threw up the first time at about 8 the morning of his birthday. He still seemed energetic and happy so I hoped the rest of the day would be better. Unfortunately it just got worse. We started in the morning opening a gift and he was pretty excited. James found him a Thomas lunchbox with a puzzle inside. After building the puzzle we started decorating the cake. After stopping a few times for him to throw up he asked if I would do it. Then he spent most of the day on the couch watching Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. He decided on his own that we should save the cake for tomorrow. His nap was interrupted with more throwing up so he didn't even get to sleep. He wanted to open his other gifts so we started with his art paper roll. We knew he would be super excited about this and on a normal day he would have been drawing for hours. We could tell just how miserable he felt when he just said thanks and asked if he could lay back down. :(

He wanted to open his last gift but didn't want to get out of bed. It was so sad to see him laying there trying to open his new book, "Mickey 5 Minute Fairy Tales." After reading for just a few minutes he said he wanted to close his eyes. He kept asking me to cuddle him and take care of him so I propped up some pillows and sat and read while rubbing his back. 

He felt much better the next day and thoroughly enjoyed his cake and ice cream. He always knows months in advance what kind of cake he wants. The last two years he wanted a fire engine and a train. This year he wanted a shape cake. I'm not sure where that came from but when asked he wanted a circle and a square. I let him pick out the cake and icing from the store and even the special Cars candles. I also made a heart cake to put on top. It was a pretty simple cake which was nice for me and he (and Zane) liked it.

It was great timing that his gift from Grandma Fullmer came in the mail the day after his birthday.

He got to celebrate with cake and open another gift.

He cracks up laughing at this book! And of course, anything about fire engines is always a big hit.

It is sad to see him so miserable on any day, but especially on his birthday. He did tell me the next morning that he likes his art paper SO MUCH. He carries his lunchbox around with him eating imaginary snacks like bell peppers and blueberries. (Things which he refuses to even try in reality.) And we read from his new fairy tales book several times a day. It wasn't the perfect fun day I had hoped. But he likes his gifts and is excited to be 5!

February

Grandma Robyn's Giant Cookie

Uncle Maury came for work and stayed with us. We got together with all his family for a visit. Grandma Robyn made each family a giant cookie. So giant it came in a pizza box. So yummy!

Book Group
I realized this last book group that it has been 4 years since Tiffany first invited me to her book group. I thoroughly enjoy our book groups which consist much more of women getting together for a night out then any major discussion of a book. Although I do enjoy the variety of books that I would normally not come across or choose to read. They are a group of really fun women and we always stay up much to late enjoying each other's company.

I had a good turn-out of 11 women and we actually talked about the book quite a bit. I had the silly fun idea to make use of the candy molds given to me by Aunt Carol and made the title of the book out of chocolate.

The book "Charms For The Easy Life" by Kaye Gibbons had been suggested by some of the women and since I had seen the movie and really enjoyed it I thought it would be a great time to read the book. I really liked the book and had fun watching the movie again.

Valentine's Day 2013

The boys loved following their strings (with a lot of help from Dad) to their Cars cameras.

And James surprised me with my favorite carrot cake.

Bathroom Remodel

BEFORE

I was super excited to begin the changes to my bathroom. We purchased a new sink cabinet from IKEA and James assembled it. (He is getting really good at it.) The guys pulled out the old one along with the huge mirror. The wall needed a couple of coats of mud and sanding. I painted it blue that night and the next morning they installed the new sink cabinet, along with a new light and mirror. I am so very happy with it. It feels like there is so much more space in the room and I really like the blue. That night I stayed up late organizing my new drawers and was amazed at the amount of stuff that fit. I also found a nice hamper, toilet paper holder and outlet/light switch covers. The room feels brand new.

AFTER

The floor just has plywood on it for now.

When the money is available we will replace the tub and the tile.

But for now I am enjoying my bathroom.

Testify

Ten years ago I worked with a man who embezzled millions of dollars. I of course didn't know that at the time but found out when he left a note and skipped town. After that it was interviews with the FBI, letters from attorneys, subpoena for my notary journal and depositions. Even though I hadn't thought about it in years I wasn't entirely surprised when the FBI showed up at my door 2 weeks before Christmas to subpoena me yet again. A few weeks later I had telephone interview with the attorney. I haven't felt that stupid in a long time. It started out okay but as he asked more questions I realized how little I remember and how muddled and hazy the details are. I have a terrible memory, but of course they don't know that and for some reason seem to expect me to remember things that happened 10 years ago. The FBI agent had made it sound like no big deal; just an interview that would most likely NOT lead to testifying in court. So at the conclusion of the terrible interview I found out that they actually did expect me to testify.

I was SO freaked out!  James kept reminding me that I had done nothing wrong and didn't have to worry about anything, especially because after 10 years it was totally okay to just say, "I don't remember." But the idea of getting up in front of a court room full of people; attorneys, judge, jury and the guy I haven't seen in 10 years was terrifying to me. Especially when things are so unclear. I knew it would be okay and actually best to say I don't remember when I don't; but there were also things like dates that the attorney told me I needed to know for sure. I actually sat and made a timeline of my own life collecting as much information as I could from papers and the original FBI interview. I tried so hard to be calm; to not worry, to be as prepared as possible, but even still I stressed and panicked for almost 3 weeks.

And then the day before I was scheduled the FBI agent called to let me know that I would not be required to testify. I was so relieved! I immediately started crying. Max and Zane wanted to know what wast the matter so I explained that girls cry when they are happy :) I told them that I had been scared of something and now everything was okay. Then right there on the really nasty kitchen floor we had a prayer of gratitude.

A few days later Donny (who was there at the time and who I have worked with for years since then and who also did not have to testify) let me know that the trial was over. I will never have to worry about that again.

Crafternoon

Our second crafternoon was another hit.

Several of the cousins played while the preparations were being made.

What fun to have so many playmates!

Kathy helped the kids make marshmallow snowman.

Carol showed us how to make yummy chocolate lollipops and candies in molds.

Colleen taught those who were interested how to knit. 

There were 45 people stuffed into my little house.

(Kellie, Kate, Brandon, Heather, Courtney, Julie, Christy, Lucia and their kids.)

Everyone had a great time and I am sure we will have many more crazy afternoons of crafts and cousins.

Zane Goes To Nursery & Max Goes To CTR4

This year we changed to the 9:00 church time which I have been looking forward to for months! 1:00 church time is so hard, especially when Sacrament meeting is last. We let Max know that he was going to have a new teacher and sit in a new row. He was fine when we explained that the same kids (girls) will still be in class with him. He has had only girls his age since he was in nursery and is even more excited about primary since a little boy moved into his class. He had no problem with the changes and is enjoying his new teacher Sister Marquardt. 

Zane took to nursery like he had always been going. He walked right in and pointed out the "Temple toys." When we were sealed the boys had so much fun playing with the toys in the temple and that seems to have helped Zane accept nursery.

I can't believe my babies are so grown up!