Just one word...PEACHES!!!!!

So, I need to confess. I am taking Hadland out of school for the next two days so our family can go down to Delyle and Shauri's to can peaches. Do I feel guilty? Not at all. If you think I should, then you have never tried Shauri's peaches. The woman is a miracle worker. I have never seen peaches so big and juicy and tasty. I also feel a little like one of the Little Red Hen's friends who gets to come in at the last minute after all the hard work has been done and reap the rewards. But I am really pregnant--that's a good excuse, right?

Oh, and we are also going to the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival. Can life really be this good?

Oh, yeah!

Nine whole years!

Today Larry and I celebrate nine years of marriage. How time flies! I know all you married people know what I mean...sometimes it feels like you have ALWAYS been married, and at other times you feel like "it feels like yesterday we were newlyweds!"

After nine years, I love him more than when I married him. The reasons for marrying him have stayed true--he is humble, funny, honest, creative, supportive, faithful...I could go on for hours! I knew that when I married him I was making the most important decision of my entire life, and I made the right one!

I love you, honey!

It is already that time?

Hadland goes off to school tomorrow! He is starting 2nd grade, and I am happy to say that he is so excited! He just got a father's blessing, and is already down for bed (probably at least 2 hours earlier than normal). He is growing up. I am looking forward to him loving school--I know I did. He just told me the other day that his favorite part of school is homework. That may sound ridiculous to many of you, but that was my favorite part, hands down. Well, that and recess.

I am also looking forward to one-on-one time with my sweet William. He's growing up so fast. He loves to help. In fact, that is his new distraction technique. If he is acting out and gets caught (usually going in to time out), he yells out frantically, "I want to help! I want to help!" That charmed me the first couple of times, but I got wise to his game. He loves to do things on his own, and I am excited about helping him become the "big boy" around the house with Hadland gone all day. We just phased out his afternoon naps, so he and I will have an hour or so of private time while our pretty little Lauren gets her beauty rest.

Lauren is a hoot! She is quite sassy, and she is a total drama queen. For example, we were at my sis-in-law's house tonight, and Lauren wanted to climb up the side of the stairs. She knows its off limits, but man, she loves to push that envelope. Everytime I told her no, she would drop her head on the stair and start wailing. Tears and all, you know? I guess I have to move over and make room for another dramatic girl in our home! And here I thought I had all the limelight...

Larry is LOVING not having to wear glasses! He keeps trying to adjust them, or look for them after a nap or a wrestle. (In case you didn't know, he had LASIK surgery done about 10 days ago.) When we saw Darla tonight, she commented on how she is going to have to get used to him without glasses. If I can get him to agree, I'll post a picture of "the NEW him" on this site.

I just keep getting rounder and rounder. That's a good thing, right? I have about eight weeks left, and I am thinking this is going to be the longest two months ever. At least the weather isn't as not as it has been. THANK GOODNESS! The house we are renting just went on the market, so we'll be moving in the next couple of months or so, depending on how fast the house sells. We'll let you all know when we know where we are headed next!

Searching for Bobby Fischer?

Larry and I just saw this movie last night. And, surprise, surprise, we totally cried.

It as all about this 7-year-old kid who is really good at chess. Then he gets all the adults involved--wanting to live vicariously through him and succeed beyond their wildest dreams. And he is still just a kid.

The mom was pretty awesome throughout the whole movie. I mean, really supportive, totally knowing what was best for her boy even when daddy couldn't see it. It inspired me. The boy was a good kid (with a capital G).

Children need to know that their parents will go to bat for them EVERY time. They need to know that even when they are annoying the snot out of you, you still love them. They don't need to know that their parents have issues with the fact that they go around the house acting like bunnies, or puppies, or alligators (when you are trying to get them to help you pick up the family room).

Kids thrive on love. I need to remember that.

I'm it!

There is a questionnaire making its way through my friends' blogs, so I guess it was inevitable that I would get tagged. So here goes!

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be?
I have no idea! Somewhere hear family/friends, good schools, good ward. You get what I mean. Just not in the city--I need room to breathe and my kids need space to run OUTSIDE!

2. What's your favorite article of clothing?
This may sounds really weird, but I have an old black slip that I love to wear around the house. Just think of it as a variation on the theme of a housedress (just don't expect me to answer the door in it). Unfortunately for Larry, it is not as sexy as it sounds.

3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex?
LIPS! and I lucked out with Larry :)

4. What's the last CD that you bought?
Mormon Tabernacle Choir. I can't pass up anything Mack Wilberg does!

5. Where's your favorite place to be?
A windy spot where I can hear the leaves rustling in the breeze.

6. Where is your least favorite place to be?
In traffic.

7. What's your favorite place to be massaged?
Feet or scalp.

8. Strong in mind or strong in body?
Well, I am probably stronger in body, but that's not saying much. (I have been pregnant four times, does that count for strength?)

9. What time do you wake up in the morning?
As late as possible (and early enough to keep the kids from destroying the house).

10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance?
My grill (for pancakes, grilled cheese, etc).

11. What makes you really angry?
Pornography

12. If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
Oboe, no questions asked.

13. Favorite color?
When I was younger it was definitely green. But now I think I'm more into yellow, white and blue (together). Just like my old family room/kitchen.

14. Which do you prefer...sports car or SUV?
I would love an old fashioned VW bug! But I have to say I love my Odyssey (I'm a mom--what do you expect? It holds my kids AND our stuff AND a super-tall daddy).

15. Do you believe in an afterlife?
Yes indeedy!

16. Favorite children's book?
Only one? Hush a Bye Baby

17. What is your favorite season?
Spring, I think.

18. What is your least favorite household chore?
Bathrooms and mopping! Cooking, too. I don't mind the actual cooking, its the decision on what to make. UGH!

19. If you could have one super power, what would it be?
Super-patience!

20. If you have a tattoo, what is it?
I don't think so. My body is a temple!

21. Can you juggle?
Absolutely--dressing one kid while combing another's hair at the same time as making a meal! I'm a pro.

22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to?
Shawn Stanley. Such a close childhood friend who committed suicide right before graduating Med School.

23. What's your favorite day?
Rainy, dark, cold--the perfect hot cocoa, read a book in bed day.

24. What's in the trunk of your car?
A stroller and various other things that shouldn't be there.

25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger?
I'm with Cherie--its In-N-Out or nothing, baby! Besides, even the thought of sushi makes me want to run and hide!

Just getting started...

I feel like I am blog preschooler. What I mean is that I am surrounded by people who have advanced degrees in blogging, and I am feeling like a neanderthal. But that is me, and I have always been a quick learner. Mom and Kristin, remember when I learned to ski? I was pretty grumpy about not being able to do it in five minutes. I think it only took fifteen minutes for me to learn, but at least seven of those minutes were spent pouting and crying. Do I see a pattern in my life--DEFINITELY!! I guess I can't be mad when my kids take after me then, huh?

Thanks to all those who share their blogs with me. I am determined to not be intimidated by you (which is nothing you have done--its all me). I didn't scrapbook because Kristin and Nikki had created these astounding masterpieces that I couldn't possibly match, so I psyched myself out of ever doing it. Bummer, eh? Don't feel sorry for me--I am actually going to learn this time that even though there are Cherie's (i love you, girl) in the world, I can still blog. Its all about keeping our little family connected with all of our dear family and friends, and I won't let self-consciousness get in my way.

So...watch me grow, everyone! I may be in preschool now, but I'll be a kindergartener soon!

I'm grumpy today

And it is no secret to anyone that lives in this house. I've been more grumpy this pregnancy than ever before. I could blame it on fatigue, hormones, pain, etc., but I am not sure that would be fair. I don't want to admit it, but I am in charge of whether or not I am grumpy. I guess that means I need to be humble and change (two of my greatest challenges). Better get to it before I get kicked out of the house for making everyone's lives miserable :)

Major pregnancy moment!

I almost forgot--CONGRATULATIONS to Laurel, Devon and Ella on the birth last week of Samuel and Lucas! I just saw pictures of them today, and they are adorable (not that I am surprised). Way to go, Laurel--you should get some sort of trophy for surviving this hot summer with a huge belly and for going into labor naturally. YOU ROCK, GIRL!!

I am not behind!

Well, more than a month has gone by, and no blogs! That is pretty much par for the course...BUT I am turning over a new leaf!

We are still plugging away here in Ogden where the heat is not as bad as it has been (pretty bad, let me tell you!). Hadland starts school in a couple of weeks, but not before we try to pack in a ton of fun in August.

I (Melanie) am William's new Sunbeam teacher (all the three and four year olds at church), and I am gaining new appreciation for Tracy Lovstedt and all those who have tended my sweet and ACTIVE boy over the years. I am also playing the organ (thanks, Mom for the lessons years ago--I've still not started playing the pedals--OOPS!) in Sacrament meeting, so Larry gets a lot of hands-on Daddy time at church. Needless to say, we all need naps before AND after church-hee hee!

We would love to see any of you that come to Utah! We had a fun dinner/game night with Manny and Ana Lara and their family this last week, and we are anticipating a visit from the Thunells one of these days. We have spent time with the Brandleys, Browns, Basuas, my parents, and Karin Knudsen, but we would love more visitors!

Hopefully we'll see you soon!