When It Rains It Pours....

Literally and unfortunately figuratively in our case!

Weather-wise we have had a much needed and refreshing change of scenery today. We went from melting in 100+ degrees (108 to be exact) to a nice WET 70 something today. I love the rain. I love the smell. I opened our sliding doors and just let the rain and cool air blow in. It reminds me of our Seattle days. We even had some hail come down today just as we were suppose to be leaving for our outdoor swim lessons (they were cancelled). The kids loved watching the hail cover the lawn and trampoline in white miniature snowballs and really how often does that happen here in AZ especially in May! The boys asked me if this was a record amount of rain that has ever come down (have they already forgotten their early childhood years in Washington?) It then triggered us to think about a streak of a 100+ days of rain in Seattle. Hmmm, maybe the sunshine isn't all that bad!

We also took a trip to dentist this afternoon. I'm never fond of these days, usually because the news is never good. I thought last week was bad when I was told I needed to make a return visit, especially since I'm the one that carries floss with me everywhere I go. With them both needing some pretty extensive work, let's just say today's visit with the boys was possibly the worst and most discouraging yet and we will be POURING big $DOLLARS$ into somebody else's bucket! Just as a friendly reminder....Don't Forget To Floss!

And lastly, we've had many a RAIN puddle land in places it shouldn't (ie, my carpet, the car, her bed, etc) in our attempts to potty train the little lady the last few days. She is really trying her best and has been so excited about getting new big girl undies. We got her another pack yesterday (because I couldn't keep up with her mishaps and the laundry!) and she ran them quickly up to her room and then returned to tell me she had all her new undies organized! I still haven't looked to see what "organized" means! The last couple days I got brave and ventured with her and the undies to the gym and to her music class. She really is doing a good job. Hopefully this storm is coming to an end!

My New "Favorite" Thing

Living in Arizona with it's unrelenting dry weather and my increased use of flip flops, I've fallen victim to horrible, disgusting, and ugly looking feet! (Just ask my husband!!) Now, I had seen ads for this product and as usual think to myself...gimmick! But the other night I just couldn't help myself. I mean really, I was getting desperate! And who can afford a weekly pedicure? So I put it in my cart, used my 20% off coupon and gave it a whirl the minute I got home! Guess what? No gimmick here, it really works! So, for a few bucks and a little scrubbing, I'm one happy soft footed girl! :-)

What's This You Say?

My cute Alex made this just for me the other night, after Nate mentioned to the kids that my birthday was coming up! Alex quickly ran upstairs and disappeared for about a half an hour. He finally came to me with his hands behind his back and a big smile on his face. He then presented to me his package . I carefully opened the tape covered gift and found this very detailed, miniature creation. So what is it?

It's a Fruit Basket, of course! Complete with bananas, oranges, grapes and strawberries! I LOVE it, Alex! Thank you for being such a thoughtful boy!

You're Fired!

Yes, I was fired! No, not by Mr. Trump, but by the blogging world! (You know who you are! :-)) I'm not sure what my problem is ...writer's block for months, more interested in reading about everybody else's fun life, my new addiction to my high school 20 year reunion site (shhh...don't tell anyone I'm that old!), a crazy spring break, a very needy 2 year old who doesn't like Mom on the "puter"... whatever it is, I just haven't convinced myself to sit down and blog! So in an effort to get my blogger job back, here is a month in review through pictures (because I did take them intending to blog)!

A visit from Pres. Abe Lincoln himself on President's Day!

A fun trip to Tucson with Grandma & Grandpa Glazier

Are we still in the United States? ... hard to tell in Nogales, AZ!

A field trip to an Aviation Museum - saluting on JFK's Airforce OneAn hour or two before my card group was to begin... I just love you Madison!

A mission call for Mike and Carol (Nate's sister) to Salta Argentina! We are so excited for you and look forward to hearing about your adventures!

Jumping with Grandma Chris! Alex and Grandma Chris panning for gold!

Grandma Tigger and the boys...doesn't she look great for 87?

The Easter Pageant at the Mesa Temple!

And, a great trip to San Antonio to celebrate Grandma Jeanie's 75th Birthday! It was the best surprise birthday party we've ever been to!

Dining on the Riverwalk and waiting for the birthday girl to show up! Isn't it beautiful at night? The food was great too!

Please can I have my job back?

Shaq Sighting!

As many of you know, Shaquille O'Neal was recently traded to the Phoenix Suns...and it's been a big deal around here! In fact, his first game was just two days ago against the LA Lakers - unfortunatley the Suns lost! Well, today we had our first Shaq sighting at none other than the now famous and fabulous Ahwatukee Subway! I was sitting in the car with the kids while Nate went in to order. Literally two minutes after Nate got in line, here comes Shaq walking down the sidewalk right in front of my all too cool mini-van! :-) There is no mistaking him--he is really as tall as they say he is! He even had to duck to get in under the already tall doorway. It was amusing to watch all the people in line turn their heads trying to decide if it was really him! A guy who owned a smoothie business a couple of doors down came running in with a poster to sign. A young girl ran back out to her car and returned with a Phoenix Suns t-shirt. Two guys came out and I could hear them say, "Did you see those crazy pants he was wearing?" It was pretty fun to be a "fly in the car" and watch everybody's reaction! Finally, when Nate did come back out (it took him forever and I was pretty sure that he had invited himself to eat lunch with Shaq - although he insists that it was because they couldn't get Shaq's footlong order right!) I asked him where my Shaq signature was. I figured that was the least he could get for me since I waited in the car with two busy and starving kids. Unfortunately, Nate informed me that he didn't have anything on him that Shaq could sign. Oh, but wait! As Nate was getting back in the car with our sandwiches, out walks the big guy! Nate tells him, "Hey we're glad to have you here in Phoenix, good luck with your game tonight!" He replied, "Thanks, man!" and he looked in the car where I had Madison sitting on my lap in the driver's seat and said to her, "Hi Baby! Good thing ya look like your mamma and not your daddy!" We all laughed and Nate and I watched (and discreetly took a photo with our cellphone camera) as he walked over and hopped into his big black Diesel! I think I like this guy!

My Madison

I was so exited to get a little girl after two boys! I looked forward to all things pink! Pink clothes, pink blankets, pink bows in hair. And sure enough there was plenty of pink in the house to diffuse the overwhelming blue. But now that she is becoming that independent two year old who insists (demands may be a better word) on doing things all by herself, loves to joins the evening wrestling match with the boys, screams just as loud as her brothers, can cover her entire body in blue marker and spits when she is mad (yes, I said spit), I wonder what happened to my cute, soft and feminine little girl that I had yearned for. Well, luckily despite all the previously mentioned activities we do get a few days when she is all girl! Last week she begged to have her toes painted and her hair in ponies. This morning she wanted to have her fingernails painted pink - so that is just what we did! Thank goodness for little girls! We love you Madison!

Sad Sunday

We received a sad phone call this evening informing us of the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley. What a great man and great leader. His influence has been felt not only throughout the church, but to people all over the world. He will always hold a special place in our hearts. Let us all do a little better in honor of him!