Thank goodness Chris and Claire have adventurous spirits.  They try on each church with excitement.

I was a few minutes early to the service today, giving us enough time to use the bathroom and find the Sunday School room.

As we walked down the hall we passed an amazing sight.  There were thirty to forty elderly women and men standing together in bright white cotton robes with white sashes lining their collars.

One man in particular was breath-taking.  He stood over six feet tall with white hair and a long white beard.  Picture Santa but taller and thinner.

At this sigh my son, Chris, looked up at me and said with as much clarity and conviction as an almost six year old can muster, “Mom, that must be where all the angels gather.”

Maybe it was because the sight was so amazing.  Maybe it was his innocence.  But my breath caught in my throat and my eyes began to sting.

My boy saw his first angels.

At that moment I knew today was going to be a great day.

Angels on Earth, or at least at church

Today was no exception.  BC has been feeling pretty sick this week.  We’ve spent every day, since Monday, near a toilet.  Hubby said that BC had the flu.  I didn’t believe him.  Aside from the incessant runs, BC seemed fine.

Until today.

First I got this photo sent to me just before 8:00 A.M.  BC sleeping anytime besides after 7:30 P.M. is absolutely unheard of.  This was not a good sign.

Then I got a text.

eClaire has the runs.  BC does too.

Crap.

eClaire clearly caught what BC has.

Then I got this photo.

It was decided that the kids would have a “Movie in Pajamas Day”.

Unfortunately that picture was shortly followed by the following text.

BC threw up all over the bed and himself.  Now he’s throwing up in the toilet.  AND eClaire is on the other toilet with the runs.

Needless to say, it was a rough day here.  None of us really smiled much today. BC’s never experienced throwing up before.  It freaked him the eff out.  Seriously.  I guarantee he will remember today for the rest of his life.

Hubby was an angel.  There was minimal complaining, loads and loads of laundry, two baths each, and a clean house by the time I got home.

Angel.  He earned a place in bed with me tonight!  Hehe    Thank goodness it’s a king sized bed though… neither one of us wants to risk breathing on the other for fear of passing the plague!

Crossing my fingers for two healthier kids by morning… hoping, but not expecting.

At least my house doesn’t smell like vomit.

Halloween 2008

Pumpkin Patch Photos

Me: Nonnie’s dead.

Him: Call me!

Me: Never mind. Damn hamster is still alive

Him: Uhhh. Big Difference!!!!

Me: Ya. You wouldn’t have gotten a text for that. Duh!!

Him: Dork.

Him: I was all excited.

(about the hamster, not about my mom…let’s clarify.)

Me: Me too I poked it and she didn’t respond.  I think she’s on her way out though.  Crossing fingers.

Things get a little tricky when your son names his hamster after your mom!

Some things are better said than texted.

?????? Um, ok.…

I actually disagree!!    I believe this is sexy.  Oh and so is this.  And oddly, this as well…

But my first link is sexy enough to be revisited here.

Huh?  Don’t you agree!  SEXY!!!

Sexy is as sexy does.

Having kids close together in age has so many pros, but in the case of swim lessons…not so much.  Two swimming babies equals the need for two parents to manage.  With one parent down for the count, we chose to take a break.

This past summer we spent many hours in or around water.  It took us no time to realize that our much enjoyed break from lessons has put our kids behind the curve in the pool.  It still requires two focused parents to swim with our 4 and 2 1/2 year old at all times.  BC, at this point, should be a bit more independent than he is.  With his personality, determination, and drive, he has potential of being a great swimmer in no time at all.  Yet he’s not.

Recently BC’s developed some pretty bad habits such as his intense love for the doggy-paddle. (Head up, bent arms, feet kicking below the water) And although this new found skill helps him get to the side of the pool in an emergency, it’s the antithesis of how he should be swimming.

In addition to BC’s new found love for the paddle, eClaire has taken this year to step out of her fearful shell that she once lived in and now is outgoing, excited, and confident in and around the water.  She kicks with ease to the side of any pool.  Her technique looks good and she has shown more passion for swimming than any other sport or activity thus far.

Armed with this knowledge we took the step of calling up our local swim club.  Their fall swim lessons are already in full swing, but fortunately for us, their happened to be two spots open for my kids at the perfect time on the perfect day!  Hurray!!

Starting this week, our kids restart their swimming education and both Hubby and I can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that our children are once again learning the skills needed to become water safe.

Diving Back In

For now, some pictures.

eClaire hanging with Auntie Ali.

Cousin Mika, hamming it up.

Cousin CJ and BC.  BC’s all, “AAYYY!”

But the majority of our time was spent sitting just like this in the pool, avoiding the 110 degree heat.  Gotta love vacation!

Indian Wells

Exfoliating…

Hanging with Daddy

Jumping waves

Boogie Boarding (OK, only Daddy and Uncle Jonny who joined us)

And Making Memories

Good Times, happy days.

Beach Days

Instead I had the pleasure of seeing all my extended family, reminiscing about my grandma, and catching up on old times.

I have a big family. A big Mormon extended family.  We are not.  But I often feel that even though I was not raised in the Mormon faith, I was raised somewhat Mormon.  Mormonism is more than a religion, it’s a culture.  I was raised with the Mormon culture.  And I think I am a better person for it.

My husband and I don’t often take pictures together anymore.  So I am attempting to remidy that.

Notice the earrings… thanks Fussy.  I LOVE them!!

And the shoes.  Well, let’s just say that a girl who, a day before BlogHer, learns she can’t go to BlogHer, MUST do some retail therapy.  Mine was in the form of a trip to Ross Dress For Less…  The shoes?  Ya.  they cost less than $18 AFTER tax.  BOO YA!

I’m gonna look cute, damn it.