The Pukes and Runs

Sorry for my lack of discretion and propriety in the title of the post, but that's literally what I've been living with for the past 5 days. Dustin got hit first and luckily his only lasted 1 day. Hillary was the next victim and is still to this very minute suffering from it, sleeping up in her bed. Yesterday I had to rescue Rachael from school, she threw up in the hallway on her way to lunch. And myself, I've been dealing with it off and on since Wednesday. I'm grateful to Keith who let me catch a few extra zzz's this morning before I had to face the day. Everyone just keep your fingers crossed that Claire stays immune to this bug. There is no brand of diapers that could hold what my family has been dishing out these past few days and she doesn't understand the concept of throwing up in the toilet (or anywhere I don't have to clean up) yet. So, until there's more exciting and not so gross news to report, this is all you get.

The Rumors Are True

In case you haven't heard, seen or found out yet....Yes, we are selling our house! So, if you're bored and care to take a look, or if you happen to know anyone who would be interested in our home, here is our virtual tour. And now, you all know!!!

My Weekend Away

So, this is a few days late considering I got home Sunday afternoon, but it's been a busy week. Last Friday I took off with my sis-in-law April to Southern Utah, more specifically BrianHead. We had been hoping to plan a weekend away sometime this fall and then we compared schedules and realized that this past weekend was one of 2 we could manage to get away. We had to plan it pretty quick but it turned out great. The hardest thing for me was getting used to the fact that I could go anywhere, whenever I wanted.....NO KIDS, NO HUSBAND!!!

On our drive down we stopped at a great little mexican restaurant in Beaver called the Kan Kun Restaurant. I'd recommend the shredded beef chimichanga. The first thing we did once we got to BrianHead was a trip to the Cedar Breaks Day Spa. I had an appointment for a "Navajo Mud Wrap" while April was getting an "Ultimate Facial." As we were sitting filling out the paper work in walks Helga, She-Man of the day spa and asks me in a gruff, low voice what size my feet are. Deep down and knew that I was going to end up with the Big Bad Masseuse Mama while April was lucky enough to get the cute, perky Ricki. It ended up being fine once she left the room and let me relax with my body covered with mud and I must give Helga credit (actually, her real name was Susan, it just didn't seem to fit) she did give a great massage.

Once we saw that the only open restaurant up there was the Bump and Grind Cafe (see photo)we hopped into the car and drove into Cedar City for dinner and a movie. We saw the Dark Knight and it wasn't nearly as scary or suspenseful as I was expecting. Then we headed back to the condo for some sleep.

The next morning we decided to go on a Scenic Chairlift, they run it during the summer for mountain bikers and those who want to see some pretty views. It was actually quite relaxing and a little chilly, good thing we brought jackets. Then it was off to St. George for some shopping at the outlet mall. We both got some deals at Old Navy and made a stop at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.

Even though April and I differ on our soda preferences, it was fun to find out that April and I share tastes on a few things that I had never realized. We both love mint truffles and each bought one at the forementioned factory, and we both love Meat Lovers pizza from Pizza Hut. So, we bought a pizza to go on our way back up the canyon and chilled out that night in our room watching House and Catch Me if You Can....I'd wanted to see that movie since it came out. We stayed up late talking, it was just like a teenaged sleepover only the topics of discussion were a bit heavier and dare I say more spiritual than what would have been shared in my youth.

Sunday morning came all too soon. One more day would have been great, but we were both missing our kids and hubbies. So we packed up and headed for home. It's so wonderful to get back to reality and find that you truly have been missed and that all you do is really appreciated. Thanks to Keith and Rob for letting us go, but mostly to my honey who took charge as Mr. Mom for the weekend. And to April, I had a SAWEET time and I can't wait for next year!

Riding the Chairlift.

Hitting 11,000 ft at the top.

View from the top.

The Bump and Grind Cafe (and the special of the day).

Our romantic, pizza dinner by firelight.

Our "fishy" bathroom.

Off She Goes...

Today is the last, first day of school this year! Hillary started preschool this morning. The excitement really didn't hit her until she got to put on her red "Little Learners Preschool" shirt and after that she started running up and down the stairs every minute asking me if it was time to go. She also requested that I curl her hair so she'd be the cutest girl at school today. In my biased opinion she sure was! Hillary still seems so small to me, she's such a petite little girl. I'm actually not feeling very emotional at all. It's hard to feel too sad or worried when her preschool is right across the street from us and she'll only be gone for 2 hours. I hope she has a great first day of school. What a BIG girl in such a small body! I love you Hill-Billy!

Memo to Mommy

My good friend, Stephanie put this on her blog and since it has definitely been one of those days, I thought I'd share it with you. It's nice to have the reminder!

Memo to Mommy
You have a lot to teach your little one, but he has a few words of wisdom for you too.

* Stop freaking out about the mess! There's always time to clean--but how often do we get to make mud pies?

*Love me, even when I'm naughty. I'll only be this age once.

*Be patient. I do everything for a reason, but I don't know enough words yet to give you an explanation.

*Let me do it. I know you can do it faster and better, but sometimes experience is the best teacher.

*Don't expect too much of me. I want to do what you ask and make you happy, but I'm still little.

*Don't try to reason with me when I'm having a tantrum. Trust me-I can't hear you over my own screaming.

*Keep your promises. It's all about trust. When I'm a teenager, you'll understand why it's so important.

*Don't keep asking me if I've been good. I'm not even sure what that means, but if I was bad I'd never admit it!

*Don't let me think that you're perfect. I feel a lot better knowing I'm not the only one who makes mistakes sometimes.

*Set limits. I can't actually eat a whole box of cookies-I just want to see if I'd get away with it.

Dustin Goes to Kindergarten

This picture pretty much says it all. Dustin was so ready to go to school! Mom, however was not as ready for him to go. He spent all morning pacing around the house waiting for lunchtime (he is in afternoon kindergarten). When the time finally came to go to the bus stop he sprinted to the corner of our street only to wait a little more. As soon as the bus drove up he walked up to it with his hand in mine, got to the top step, turned around, let go of my hand and winked at me. He is such a cutie. Good luck, buddy. I hope you have a great first day of school!!!

A Pathetic Triumph

Today I did something so seemingly insignificant and yet it gave me a sense of accomplishment all day long. My laundry room now stands clean and organized. It seems to be the room where everything gets stashed away until it finds a place of it's own, including toys that find a temporary resting place there because of the kids lack of motivation to walk up the stairs and put them in their rooms (which would still end up short of being "put away") but that's a story for another day. As the day wore on I found myself pausing to look through the doorway into that room, the only clean room in my house. And the magical wonder of it all was that it was somehow staying clean, not like every other space in the house that is spotless for a mere 5 minutes before it's covered with toys, fingerprints, etc. As a busy mother it's so nice to have actual, physical proof that during the course of a day you do make a difference and today mine was my laundry room. Have any of you ever felt that way?