“The best years of a woman's life - the ten years between 39 and 40”

“The best years of a woman's life - the ten years between 39 and 40”

May 8, 2011

“Forty isn't old, if you're a tree”

Well, I made it to the age of 40! I remember when I was younger thinking that 40 years old was “super old”! But I don’t think or feel that now. I have to remember it’s just a number and what really matters is how I feel which is 30-something (I think?).

If I had written this blog entry on Friday it would have been called, “Frumpy, Flabby, and Flippin’ Forty”! I took the day off of work to go shopping and spend the day doing stuff for me. However, the clothing selection out right now (as usual) is hideous. Everything I tried on looked, um…not good. Why can’t someone make clothes for women my age that are still cute, adorable, and fashionable, but modest? Maybe that’s the career I should be going into?

I did get to go in for a massage which felt AMAZING! I kept wishing I could just lay there and get a massage F-O-R-E-V-E-R!! I actually relaxed which never happens. But the massage therapist informed me that I was the worst she has ever seen as far as muscle tension and muscle knots. Figures. I probably need to go more often

However, yesterday was almost a perfect birthday! The weather was gorgeous and I spent the day doing some yard work with Bob and soaking up some much needed vitamin D! Alayna and Bob bought me beautiful flowers and Doritos (my latest kryptonite) and I got an ipod nano!! Whoo hoo! I am so excited and it will come in so handy on our trip in 24 days!! It will also come in handy on my walks/jogs/runs which I will need for all the pounds I have gained this weekend! Then we went to Pancheros for dinner and Coldstone for dessert so I could get my favorite “Berry Berry Berry Good” dessert. Sweet cream is the BOMB.

“When you feel neglected, think of the female salmon, who lays 3,000,000 eggs but no one remembers her on Mother's Day”

Today is my 16^th anniversary of being a mother!! I can hardly believe it’s been that long. There are definitely ups and downs with being a mom but it’s all worth it (unless you have teens, then it’s very questionable!). I am grateful today that I am not a neglected salmon! I got some sweet little gifts, Alayna sang with the primary in church, and I hear I might get a much needed foot massage later.

(My #1 mom badge Alayna made for me!)

My quest to be “Mom of the year”

So, I added more to my resume to be “Mom of the Year”. Tyler had a jazz concert this week and I went to go see it. (I’d like to mention here that he told me it started at 7 when it didn’t start until 7:30, good thing I always bring a book!) Anyway, I pulled out my video camera that I brought to tape, cause I am awesome like that, and it seemed extra light. I realized “someone” had taken out the batteries! Tyler was a featured soloist in 2 different songs and he was so awesome! And I didn’t get to tape it for you!

Tennis and Titanic

At the girl’s tennis meet this week, Kayla won hers 4-1 and Marisa lost both games (but she has missed a month of practice due to pit).

Alayna had her Titanic Museum this week. She played Madeline Astor in the play and did a wonderful job. We got to see everyone’s titanic displays and she loved learning about this unit. So, now, we are getting the movie from Netflix to show her.

More Stuff

*Tyler went to Adventureland with the school band yesterday to play and perform.

*Both girls had State Large Group Competition yesterday. Kayla doesn’t know the results yet but Marisa’s orchestra earned a division 1 (the highest rank).

*We went to Red Robin on Thursday night for my birthday. Yummy!

Oklahoma!, Dominoes, and a Magnetic Touch

Magnets

Hal and Corey came to do the annual science presentation for Alayna’s class. This year the theme was magnets. They came home that night and demonstrated all the cool things they presented to Alayna’s class. Their presentations are always so fun, educational, and entertaining! I also learned that if you want to keep Kayla busy for a while, give her a “supermagnet” and a bowl of small magnetic balls- she will be busy for hours!

Oklahoma!

The musical finally came! We all went to see it Thursday night and Marisa performed in the pit with the orchestra. It was a wonderful performance and brought back so many memories of when I was in the same musical the same age as Marisa! It was definitely a dejavu moment!

Anniversary Date

Bob and I finally got to go out and celebrate our 18^th anniversary! We took the day off of work. We went to a fun restaurant at the Marriot Hotel for lunch. Then we went to see this awesome movie called “Source Code”. We definitely recommend it!

The 5K that wasn’t

So, I registered to do the “5K for K9” on Saturday. The money goes to help support the Marion Police K9 unit. However, Marisa ended up having to work, Kayla went to a slumber party, Bob and Tyler refuse to do anymore, and its too far for Alayna. I didn’t want to go alone so I didn’t go. However, I did one with Marisa around the neighborhood when she got off of work. That counts, right?

Yard Work

Bob, Alayna, and Tyler worked super hard on the yard yesterday! They got the mower blades sharpened, finished the strawberry box, plated more lettuce, etc. They also went to the driving range, but found it went out of business. So, they went to the store, bought waffle balls, and golfed in the backyard instead.

Silly Tyler

Tyler didn’t tell us he was receiving a on of awards at the Court of Honor this week so you can imagine our surprise when he got: Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badge, Aviation merit Badge, Tenderfoot and Second Class. Thank goodness Bob and the grandparents went and Corey was kind enough to take a picture.

The Domino House

Alayna spent lots of time this week being an “interior decorator” by creating several homes for her trains out of dominoes. She was very creative.

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

April 24, 2011

Happy! Happy! Joy! Joy!

Happy Easter

We have had a wonderful Easter. The Easter Bunny brought a sewing machine- what a cool Easter Bunny! Now the girls can start their huge project box! Bob, Kayla, and I sang a song with the ward choir that Marisa accompanied beautifully on her violin. Marisa also spoke today and did a great job.

(Notice all jelly beans have been organized by color!)

Happy 18^th Anniversary

This Friday was our 18^th anniversary! It’s hard to believe it has been so long. Beautiful roses were delivered to my doorstep and I made Bob a Reese’s bouquet. We didn’t go celebrate yet since Bob’s CT scan showed he had pneumonia and I had a cold. So, instead, we had a quiet evening at home and shared a Shamrock Shake. It’s been an Amazing 18 years and I am so excited about many, many more!

The Joy of a Child’s Perspectives

It has been another rainy, dreary, cold week. It’s like Mother Nature has been teasing us! We had another huge rain storm (which I do love to watch) and Alayna was SO excited. She pulled on her boots, ran to get her umbrella, and literally spent the next 30 minutes singing and dancing in the rain! She even pulled off some pretty impressive leaps. Sometimes I am really grateful to get those few moments that give me small glimpses of the world through a child’s eyes.

More Joys

*Making Homemade Tacos (which Tyler has been dying to do for months!)

*Putting in the new raised garden bed for the strawberries.

*Alayna has been working very hard on her Titanic project. She and I went to Michaels and bought her materials. She knew exactly what she wanted and how she wanted to do it, so I let her run with it. I will include some preliminary pics and will include the one of the final project when she is done. She is Mrs. Astor in the play they are doing next week and she is so excited.

(Working on the iceberg)

(The iceberg with the Titanic)

*We are overjoyed to have Grandma and Grandpa Hart here for the week for Easter, the musical, and the science presentation!