cathing up A LITTLE

I know it's been too long since I've written. I'm far enough behind that I can't properly even catch up. So here's a quick catch up.....
Today was Brigham's last day of school. It was an exciting day for him. He could hardly believe that summer started for him this afternoon. I was happy for him and especially proud when his report card came home with entirely perfect scores. He's such a great kid.
Laci finished preschool last week. It was sad (for me, happy for Laci) as I walked her to her school for the last time. I just kept thinking how this was the last moment in time I may ever have a preschooler. In mere seconds she would go in the door and that would be it, I would never walk my preschooler to class again. It made me want to cry. I even video taped that final time as she walked to the door. It was such a big moment for me I had to capture it. So anyhow, much to Laci's delight she's been enjoying summer break for a week now and is looking forward to kindergarten next year. That's a whole other emotional can of worms in my future. Moms, you know what I mean. It's so great to watch kids grow up and it's so heart wrenching at the same time when you realize you're living moments that will never come again.

I started working at an in-home daycare last week. It's going pretty good. I could already tell stories but it's late at night and I'm too tired. My kids get to come with me which is so nice. They get a little antsy but so far they're doing great. The 1 and 2year olds are so stinkin adorable that my kids absolutely love them. And the love is mutual. I hope they'll continue to enjoy each other. Brigham especially loves to play with babies. I know. I know. I should have another one myself. Sorry. Probably NOT going to happen. I think we're all getting our baby fill through work. As much as I love my own babies it is too awesome to be past that exhausting and tedious baby stage. The girl I work for loves me so much she wants me to stay for a LONG time but I've already told her I'll have to stop in the fall. The kids go to a school in a different part of town and I'd have no way to pick them up. So for the summer we'll just keep at it. It's nice to make a little money. I haven't been able to do that for a long time. For that reason alone I wish I could continue in the fall. I just don't see how I could.

I'm going to Idaho Falls tomorrow. Leaving at noon-ish with the kids to hang out with Kim's family. Should be a nice time. Nephi will come up later with his mom. They have to pick up Gary at the airport. Gary was in Virginia with Frank (Nephi's brother) who just moved out to Virginia.

Still loving South Ogden. It seems to be really a good place to live. I've constantly impressed with the opportunities that are available to us. Just not used to that. Still LOVE the house. I've been working in the yard almost daily since spring came months ago. I'm not an artist but I've decided that landscape is my creative outlet. It truly feeds my soul. Ever since we bought our first house years ago I've considered yard-scaping one of favorite past times. I'm constantly thinking, planning and revising ideas and options.

Looking forward to the summer.....

my letter to a friend.

This is a letter I sent to my friend Kim today. I realized while I was writing that I'm updating her better than I'm updating my blog so I decided to just post the letter. I don't think Kim checks my blog often anyhow. She may never know!



Hi! Thanks for the card! That was such a fun surprise. When I read it I was touched and I also immediately thought."Wow, Kim's getting sentimental in her old age!" ha ha! I loved it.
I had a great Mothers Day. I didn't have to teach at church. Nephi made me us breakfast, helped more than usual at dinner, and I was pretty much lazy all day and Nephi didn't get mad at that. I loved it! I think this is the first year I've ever thought that Mothers Day was all it was cracked up to be. I ended up buying myself Crest White Strips for my present. A friend in the ward mentioned she was getting teeth whitening for her gift and it seemed genius to me. When can you ever get teeth whitening and not feel guilty for the expense? Well, white strips are pretty reasonable and I checked the reviews on drugstore.com and they were overwhelmingly good so I felt it was a safe bet. On the second day I used them I was overzealous and used two sets of strips right in a row. I fried myself. My teeth hurt so bad!!! I even went to the store and bought sensodyne and that didn't help. Today the pain had subsided so I started up again. I'm seeing results already and I think I still have 4 days left.
Today was a warm, overcast day. Nephi worked on sprinklers and trimmed a huge evergreen we have. I mowed a little. I love yard work days. The backyard behind me is irritating me so bad! They DON'T mow their lawn! There are patches of grass 2 feet tall! UGH! It wouldn't be so annoying but our yard looks DIRECTLY into theirs if you remember. I found on KSL classifieds that someone is selling 45 feet of those privacy slats that you can put through chain link. I've already called them and planning to buy them. I hope it looks o.k. It won't be enough to go all the way across but we're going to center it on the fence and hope it's not too tacky. Brigham plays with the little boy from that yard. You should see it, they play hide and go seek through the fence! Who would've thought it was possible but they do it....and have a great time! So I still want them to be able to see each other but we won't have to look at all their crap lying around.
Frank has been applying to different jobs in places such as Colorado, California,Texas, and Virginia. He was offered positions at all those places but they picked Virginia! They'll be there in a month!!!! Crazy! I'm excited for them though. Kate's never had real adventure in her life. It will be good for her. I think Susie is trying to put up a strong front since she's realized that she shouldn't get dramatic and emotional on her kids when they're trying to make something of themselves. But I really do feel for her. If it was me in her place and it was Brigham moving across the country I'd be bawling too. At least she's got more kids that are closer than Virginia. That's the perk of having a lot of kids. I'm doomed for lots of heartbreak down the road no doubt when my TWO kids go off into the world. I'll be wishing I'd had more then.

P.S. So You Think You Can Dance starts in two weeks on the 21st! Happy Day!
Talk more later! Lillian

He finally lost his first tooth.

Brigham has been suffering with his loose tooth for quite some time now. This evening he finally decided it was time to get some dental floss around it and pull it out. Yuck. I told him where my dental floss was and he ran off to get it. A little while later he started screaming (with joy) that his tooth came out. Apparently while looking for the dental floss he came across my tweezers and started messing with his tooth and the next thing he knew he was holding his tooth ! Gross huh?! Pulled out with tweezers!!! It made me queasy to think about. But he was THRILLED. He made a round of phone calls to let people know what happened and to talk about the money he would be receiving from the tooth fairy. He dropped his tooth in his bedroom carpet a couple times and had major tears because he thought all was lost but we managed to find it both times. He's finishing up 1st grade and just now losing his first tooth!

Just having fun on a beautiful evening.