A lot of great things have happened in the last couple of weeks. We had two very special people in town visit with our family, Noah celebrated his sixth birthday party, and we sold our house!
As always I know my life is not going to slow down, but in fact it is going to rapidly speed up. I have a lot of packing to do and a big garage sale to organize, my Imogene race is approaching, I have to re-memorize my Bikram Yoga dialogue for the re certification coming up, and Jonathan and I are going to start trying to get pregnant with our fourth child this fall. Before I get wrapped up in all of the above future events I want to make sure I record the wonderful visit our family had with my Great Uncle John.

Uncle John

Both of my Moms parents died tragically young. Although my mom does not talk about it often I know that it has been hard on her and her siblings. My sisters and I naturally felt the pain of my moms past and we sometimes think about how much joy our Grandparents would have brought into our life, had we have known them. We have recently been blessed by the interest my Grandpa Franks brother has taken in our life. My Great Uncle John got back in contact with my mother about three years ago after the passing of my sister Katie. He has since been out to visit us twice. Both times were equally enjoyable for him and My family. The visit we just shared was amazing and I will always be grateful for the memories we created.
I volunteered to pick John up from the airport. My sister Morgan and my boys came along and we planned a day out of our trip to Phoenix. After John arrived we went out to lunch at the Macaroni Grill and immediately John and My youngest son Tanner hit it off. They started throwing a crayon back and forth at each other across the table. Normally I wouldn't allow this type of behavior at a restaurant but I just couldn't say anything after seeing the big smile on both of their faces. Well that activity came to a halt after Tanner managed to throw his crayon into the plate of dipping oil and splatter it all over Uncle Johns face and shirt. It didn't seem to bother John, only tickle him more. We finished off the day with a trip to the LDS visitor center to view the traveling photography exhibit, and then spent dinner in Cottonwood with Annie, who is a long time family friend and who knew my Grandpa Frank and also my Great Uncle John. It was a lovely day and we were all pooped by the end and had to spend the following day just relaxing and visiting.
Between My mom, myself, and my uncle David, we all planned a day with John. On me and Jonathan's day we decided to take him out to Lake Mary. I'm not sure if most people would have taken an 80+ year old man out on a boat, but we did and I know he enjoyed the adventure and the show we put on for him. He got to see Noah knee board, all three of the kids go on an inter tube ride, and me and Jonathan wake board. After we were done boating and were enjoying some watermelon under the Ramada he looked at me and said, " You know Josie, you did real good out there. I know it's genetic because your Grandpa Frank was a daredevil himself. He never had any fear and as you know he was a real good fighter pilot." I loved hearing this. I have always been drawn to high adrenaline sports, and no one else in my family ever was. After hearing this I know that my Grandpa Frank and I would have gotten along.
I could go on and on about our visit but those are the highlights that stick out in my mind. I am so grateful for my Great Uncle John and for the love and interest he has shown for my family. Even with the twelve children that he has he has managed to call us on birthdays and on other holidays. I love hearing the memories he has of my Grandpa Frank and my Grandma Mary, but they only make me wish more that I could have met them and have had a relationship with them.

Surrounded

I usually love being the only girl in my all boy family, but there are times when I can completely feel surrounded. The other night I had one of those moments. It was a beautiful night. You know the kind where the air is perfectly still, but not stale, just clean and crisp. The kind that only mountains can produce. I had made the family dinner and we were all enjoying it outside on our deck. I was so comfortable and happy to be enjoying the lovely evening with the boys. Then as all peaceful moments end up with the boys, the dinner turned into a rowdy ruckus. It started with Tanner who had spilled his water onto his high chair tray and discovered that when he banged his hands down the water would splash me. This was just too funny for the boys and they all started laughing. There little brains started ticking and they couldn't be the only ones splashing. Noah started squirting water out of his mouth at Jonathan and Owen not being coordinated enough to do the squirting trick opted to dump his cup of water out across the dinner table. Jonathan decided to join in instead of calming the ruckus down. Was I the only one who wished to eat dinner in peace!
I attempted to calm the boys down by getting Tanner down from his high chair since he was the source of all of the rowdiness. It worked for a few minutes but then he decided to climb on the table and share some bites with Owen. Just as I was about to reach for him and lift him off the table he turned around and sat right down on top of Noah's plate of food. Ugghh! Forget about it! I realized my hope of finishing my dinner in peace was over.
It is kind of funny to think back on but all of the rowdiness that comes with having a household of boys continues to be a source of joy and sometimes an annoyance for me.

Events from the last couple of weeks.

A visit from Great Grandma Penny.

The boys were so excited to set up our tent in the backyard only to end up scared and returning to their beds in the house.



Noah's 1K race. He has started the kids fun run series going on this summer and finishing in the Fall.

Memories

I believe every one of your senses can bring back a memory, whether it be a smell, a sight, the touch or feel of something, a taste, or a particular sound. Today my neighbor called and asked me to pick up an important piece of mail that was in her mailbox. Not bothering to put on shoes, I just hurried out the door and started walking down the sidewalk and then crossed the street. The feel of smooth and bumpy, almost uncomfortably hot asphalt was so familiar. I immediately realized that in the summer as a child I hardly ever wore shoes. I was grateful for the memory that the warm asphalt triggered in my mind. It puts a smile on my face to think about that little blond girl with unkempt hair and bare feet, who was always playing and exploring outside and around the neighborhood.

Crabby Pattie's and Pirate Ships

Pirate Cake!


Pirate ship/raft that Dad made.

Yummy Crabby Patties!

I'm just catching up a bit. It's been a hectic two weeks with Jonathan and I trying to get ready for our open house, but we have had some fun in between all of the last minute house projects.

Owen's Birthday was on the 10th and we celebrated it by going swimming with some friends at the Athletic Club and then having a fun family party that evening. It turned out to be a great day and Owen was so proud that he turned four.

My Husband

~My Guy~

Last night I was reminded of how much I like my husband. It's easy to forget sometimes with all of our responsibilities, whether it be our kids, work, our house, or church callings. It can all get so serious sometimes. Uck! Although, I have to admit we do make a good team. Life and family is a lot of work and I would never recommend marrying someone who you have a difficult time working with.

Back to last night and what reminded me of how much I like and enjoy my husband. We were cleaning the kitchen together after the kids went to bed and we were both feeling a little playful. I'm sure my husband initiated it but we somehow began to wrestle around. I forget how strong Jonathan is but I was giving it my all to give him a good fight. It was actually pretty pathetic and he obviously thought it was hilarious to watch my flailing arms and legs trying desperately to break free of his iron grip. He started laughing so hard at me that there was snot and drool running down his face. For whatever reason I usually find it amusing when my husband makes fun of me and to see his fit of uncontrollable laughter was just to much and threw me into a fit of my own. I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. I was left weak with aching stomach muscles.

It was great to share that moment with Jonathan. It reminded me of how we used to feel before we had kids. One of the reasons I fell in love with Jonathan is that I felt like we could be kids around each other. He could always make me laugh.

Last night made me realize that I want to laugh more with my husband. It's easy for life's burdens to zap the humor out of you, but I am determined not to let them.

Spring Cleaning

Alright, I haven't made this a tradition yet but I think I am going to have to. There is just way to much deep cleaning that gets neglected in a house with a busy Mom doing her best to raise three young, energetic boys. I know Spring is almost over but I have a list of things I WILL get done by the end of May. Here they are.....

- wash blinds.
- wash windows, inside and out.
- rotate and flip mattresses.
- clean floors under refrigerator, washer, and dryer.
- spot clean couch cushions.
- clean out closets. Get rid of unwanted toys and clothing.

OK, that sounds kind of overwhelming but I have started on a few of those projects already. I am hoping to have a productive three day weekend and round up as much help as I can.

Baby

Until recently I haven't known what to think about my baby sister announcing that she is pregnant. I think it has been so hard for all of us to know how to feel because of my sisters own confusion about the matter.
The Father is her first love, but they have been off and on again for the last three years with no solid commitment between the two of them. When Morgan found out she was pregnant they both freaked, especially Johny. Morgan knew she was going to have the baby, but was seriously considering adoption. Johny kind of took off for a while and was pretty sure he wasn't willing or ready to be a father or to commit to Morgan. Johny's lack of support made Morgan lean toward adoption even more.
I have to say that I was kind of sad thinking about having a niece or nephew out there that I would never know or get to watch grow, but I also think a baby is a wonderful gift to give a couple who can't have one of their own, so I was supporting Morgan in whatever decision she made.
Johny has slowly come around and he and Morgan have decided to keep the baby. They are young and I can see the challenges ahead of them, but I wish them the best of luck. I know how hard it is at times to be a mother, father, wife or husband, but I also know the joy a family can bring. I know they won't regret their decision and I am so grateful to them for making me an Auntie.