Spring Break: Adult Version

Not that kind of adult version.

But a grandparents meet us at airport-they drive one way with the boys while we drive the other way for four days of sunny freedom-type of adult version.  That's exactly what we did Monday night after we flew into Phoenix.  My parents agreed to take the kids while we played in exotic Scottsdale.  I know that doesn't sound too exotic but we stayed at this wonderful resort with sleeping in, room service, adult-only pool, 3 restaurants inside the grounds and an amazing spa.  I didn't really care where we were!  And ok, I think it was an amazing spa because they sure charged enough.  Aaron told me to go to town on anything I wanted but I couldn't allow myself to pay for a $200 facial or $75 pedicure.  It's against all I hold to be true.  :)  So the spa was not visited by either of us.  But I'm sure it was heavenly because everything else was.

Instead we went to the Mesa Temple for a session.  We thought about all the people we love that got sealed here. Both mine and Aaron's grandparents, my parents, my sister and brother in law, plus a plethora of cousins, aunts and uncles.  It was a wonderful feeling of being eternally connected.

Afterward we ran over to see Aaron's Uncle Pete who lived 5 minutes from the temple.  His wife passed away last year and he moved to Mesa to be near family.  We had the sweetest visit with him and I loved hearing old stories of the Fish family and the wonderful examples of service they gave us.  We come from great stock!

 My generous mom lent us her convertible for the week and we l.o.v.e.d. every minute of it.  I couldn't help but take a picture. We had the top down any chance we could get.

Ok, Aaron will probably shoot me for putting this picture up but it's one of the only ones I have of one of us in the pool.  Aaron went swimming the first night about 11pm while I watched. Way too cold for me.  It has to be 100 degrees and I'm about to suffer heat stroke before I get into cold water.  It's a thing for me.  So Aaron, my white, hairless hottie, enjoyed a late night dip.

We actually exercised while on vacation!  I think that truly is a first for me.  Instead of going to the resort's gym INDOORS, we went outside in the sun.  Aaron ran while I walked. I had much better pictures of our view but they are no where to be found.  So imagine this, but way better. :)

Again, just driving in the perfect weather.

Here are my feet enjoying a relaxing afternoon at the pool.  Sipping pina coladas and reading my book.  Heaven!

 

Seriously, driving around was part of our vacation experience.  Sun on your face, wind in your hair, and a great song on the radio. 

One morning we went to the driving range. Neither of us play but we love hitting a few and seeing how far they go.  I think I only nailed one person behind the side wall of bushes.  I truly don't have any control. My motto is: Just hit it hard.

I had bought a Groupon for a sunrise hot air balloon ride but when I called the place was all booked up for the days we could go.  The nerve!  Other people actually go to Phoenix in March, when the weather is absolutely perfect?!  Oh well.  We still have the Groupon if anyone is going to be near Phoenix and wants a sunrise hot air balloon ride for two.

 Here's proof to Lucas that yes, I actually got into a suit and I did actually swim in the water.  I love our pale, Northwest, blinding skin.

Wednesday, the 27th, was our 14th wedding anniversary.  Can anyone imagine 14 years with Aaron?!  It's been wonderful and I love him dearly.  He's been perfect for me, my wonderful balance.

That night we went for a late dessert at the resort's restaurant Prado.  I ordered a Ducle de Leche bread pudding with vanilla cream while Aaron ordered the cheese plate.  Never in my wildest dreams would I order that!  Dessert is sugar, butter and chocolate.  But he loved it and it lasted for the next day's snack.

We also went down to take my grandmother out to lunch.  And we were surprised by my Uncle Andrew and cousin Kristine, as well!  They are the father and sister of the cousin, Celeste, who moved out here last year and whom Genet and I had a baby shower for.  We had a great time!  I'm sad I didn't get a picture of all of us. 

My grandmother was so proud of me for finally growing up and eating Mexican food.  (I was a super picky eater growing up.)  I told her I found the light around age 30 and haven't looked back. 

 It was such a perfect, romantic get away. Much too short :) but so relaxing and special.

Thank you to all the family who helped watch our kids while we played. We couldn't have done it with out you!  We'll have to do it again real soon. :)

Cheap trees

Last Saturday Aaron sat in his office minding his own business when we heard this big crash.  Looked out the window to see our front tree down.  Wha...?!

Yep, it just fell over.  Out of the blue.  Luckily it didn't hit any cars, houses, wiring or people.  Our sweet neighbor down the street came over with his chain saw and helped Aaron chop it up enough to move to the side of the road.  (I had more pictures but I now cannot find them anywhere on my computer. Hmmm.)

Another neighbor came over to help as well and said that there have been many trees in the neighborhood that have bitten the dust.  Apparently the builders bought the $10 trees instead of the $50 trees and the very shallow roots only last 20 years. 

When we called a tree guy to come take away the tree and check our other ones, and told him we were in Tualatin, he asked if we were in the Fox Hills neighborhood. How did you know?!  Apparently he has been out to our neck of the woods many 'a times for falling trees.

 

Fun times were had by all.

heart on a string

I've been working on our master bedroom these last few months. Ideas and plans have come and gone and it's finally coming together in some sort of way. 

Here's one of the first projects I did.  I got the idea from one of my favorite decor blogs, Vintage Revivals.  She did a super great string art project. You can see the whole tutorial HERE.  But the here's the final inspiration project.  Basically using nails and string you create a pattern or words or shapes.

I loved the original concept.  Inexpensive, adaptable to any color and can be personalized.  I decided I wanted to put something over the headboard in the room, so I went with a rectangular board.  I had Home Depot cut particle board to the size I wanted and then painted it white.  I'm using gold in this room so I bought brass nails.   I originally went with a longer saying.  One of our saying meaning "I love you."

I printed it out on the computer and taped it to the board.

I measured 1.5 inches in along the edges of the board for border nails and then started nailing along the outline of the words.

I soon realized my phrase was too long and I got bored/tired quickly.  I had trouble getting the nails in straight and I was getting frustrated. So, I decided to just change my plan. I'm used to that.  So I went with a shorter word and a larger font.  Much easier.

Everything went great until I hit the middle of the board.  The line pattern I started out with was not translating to the longer side of the board.  It would just look wonky. (I tend to use that word a lot with my projects. :)  So I put it aside for a while to let myself ruminate on the problem. (Jonah had to represent. Thus the dragon)

So, after some thought I decided to add a heart on the other side to help continue the string pattern.  Again looking good....until I got to the pesky middle section. No matter how I strung my string I just couldn't get it filled the way I liked.  It bunched up in places, looked bald in other places, and just not the look I was going for. So, plan C. I cut the board in two.

And the finished product.  Two boards to hang next to each other over our headboard.

 

I like it.  Usually when I get to this point after so much time and changes, I just take what I get.  I haven't hung it yet because I am waiting to get the headboard up.  That is story in and of itself for another day.  To be continued....

Just another day

Jonah came over and asked me for more cereal.  No problem, just bring me your bowl.  And then with his angry, pursed lips he began, "No, you get my bowl!"

 "Jonah, if you want more cereal, you can bring me your bowl."

"No! You get my bowl!!"

I calmy told him he is not allowed to talk to me that way and if he wanted more cereal he needed to find his bowl and bring it to me.

"NO!  You get the bowl and you get my cereal!  You have feet and legs, so walk across the room and you get it!"

I stood up and as soon as he saw The Look on my face, he backpedaled as fast as his little legs could carry him.

He smiles his sweet smile, "Oh, I'M JUST KIDDIN'!!  Ha. Ha.  You know I'm just kiddin'.  E-e-everyone knows I am so silly."  And sheepishly tip toes across the room.  "I'll go get it."

That's right, you'll go get it, Mister.


Here's one from Aaron....

"Maybe you just had to be there, but I just had to share this Classic Jonah:

I took Lucas to school this morning and forgot that Natalie had to take Jonah to pre-school, so I took her van with the car seat in it. I called on the way back and apologized; they were waiting for me when I pulled into the driveway.

As I'm strapping Jonah into his seat he says "You STOLE Mommy's car!" "I didn't - I just needed to take Lukey to school and used Mommy's car."

As the side door is sliding shut and they're hurrying out, he gives me this ultra-stern look, points at me and says "We'll talk about this later...Daddy." Such contempt.

He really does think he's an adult.

Yeah, it was funnier when it happened."
 

BONUS:
This morning Genet brought Bennett and Paxton over to play while she had a physical therapy session for her sprained ankle.  Bennett last night said to them, "Even though I don't have school tomorrow, I still do.  I'm going to the Williams School. The Williams School of Laziness and Video Games!"

Ha!  Isn't that what an aunt and uncle are for!?  I do have a pile of laundry with his name on it if he wants it.  But I have a feeling he'd pick Kirby every time.  :)

Wienerhead

I've been wanting to make this for a while and finally sat down and got 'er done.  It's more word art and it's for our living room.  {THIS} is my favorite one I did years ago. 

Instead of places, I made this one with a lot of our family's inside jokes.  The lettering turned out wonkier than desired, but oh well.  Too late.  These are things we say that mean 'I love you' and "no cheating."   They are games we made up, pet names and songs we sing.  There's a little story behind every one.  I won't take the time to explain them all but I thought I'd clarify one.

When Lucas was little, around four, we tried to teach him to be a good sport and good winner.  We taught him that when he won a game, he looks his opponent in the eye and says, "Good game. You played well." Well, some time later we are in Utah visiting the grandparents and Grandpa makes his way downstairs and finds Lucas playing with his figures.  Apparently they have just finished up some feats of strength because one says to the other, "Good game. You played well....wienerhead."

Grandpa passed that little anecdote along and it stuck.  Every game, every contest, someone somewhere always restates that phrase.

Now I had to include the phrase but I didn't really want the word "wiener" anywhere on my living room wall so I thought an asterisk would be better.  I think now it looks like it's replacing a much stronger word than wiener. But it is what it is.  People can just think we got dirty mouths in the Williams household.

This one I made for Lucas' band fundraising auction.  He asked me and asked me to make one, even told his band teacher I was going to make one. I have to admit I really didn't want to.  I was busy. I was tired. I didn't want my little home projects on display for the school to bid on.  But in the end, I made one.  The night before.  And it really wasn't my best work, so many words off kilter (but I guess really that's my norm).  Anyway, I did it for Lucas.  I didn't wait around to see how much it went for.  I really didn't want to know.

I've been working on the master bedroom for a while and I ventured to try a new wall "art."  That stringy project will be posted soon.

Preferences of Teenager

Yep.  Our preteen is now official.  First order of business was to convince him to cut his hair.  He has always preferred longer bangs but he finally let us change it and I have to say I love it.  Changes his face so much.  And luckily our preference has become his preference and we're all happy.  Win/win!

Sooo much better, no??

Also to commemorate this passage into teenhood, we threw a party.  A CO-ED party.  Aren't we the rebel parents.  When we moved here, we prayed very specifically for good friends, leaders and teachers for our boys, and so far we've gotten just that.  Luke's got a great group of friends, members & nonmembers, boys & girls.  They are silly & fun & they support each other.

They ate pizza, played video games, watched a movie and had a scavenger hunt..

Lucas said it was the best party he ever had.

The kid is doing very well in school.  We had some rough times for a while but he's gotten a routine down so he isn't so overwhelmed.  Love it!  We're all mucho happier.  He even received an award today for "Being Respectful."  They held an assembly and got their picture taken with Scott Thomas, a Timbers player.

He's still playing in the Jazz and Concert bands, both trombone and baritone.  He enjoys the music and how it all comes together even when his part doesn't really sound that great by itself.  Doesn't he look dapper in his performance bow tie and cumber bun??  Don't let the face fool you.  He knew he was 'all that.'

Anyone need 3 pairs of brand new size 14 jeans for boys?  We bought Lucas 3 new pairs of jeans along with other other wardrobe necessities at the start of school.   Have any of the jeans been worn?  No, not once, because apparently the look these days are plaid shorts and hoodies.  What does Lucas wear EVERY SINGLE DAY?  Plaid shorts and hoodies.  Rain, sleet or shine.  We finally just bought him 4 new pairs of shorts and 2 new hoodies for Christmas because I needed something else to look at.

Seriously, anyone want them because he has now grown out of the jeans and I probably won't hold on to them for 9 years until Jonah catches up.  :) 

Speaking of catching up, Lucas now officially has bigger feet than me and I give him 6 months before he passes me in height. I knew this day would come, sooner rather than later, but still.  My baby.  Growing up.

I know I always say this whenever I do a Lukey Update, but I am amazed with his kindness and sensitivity.  Plus he's a talker.  Always has been.  Tells me most everything that is going on with school, friends, girls.  So it's not boasting when it's just talking to your mom.  (It's boasting on my part, for sure, not his)  Last month he told me about a girl in our ward that attends his school.  She truly struggles socially and told Lucas that didn't have anyone she considered a friend. Well she got transferred to his lunch period and he noticed she was sitting alone.  He invited her to his table with all his friends and even invited her to his birthday party.  She's now a regular in their group.  He is always been such an example to me because he does stuff like this all the time.

He loves steak, Panda Express orange chicken, the video game Terraria, his dog Cotton &wall ball.  One of my favorite kids in the world!

I've been working on our master bedroom & so have a lot of projects done.  It's been my regular comedy of errors...no, not errors. Comedy of indecision, I guess.  Anyway, projects to come.

Here we go again...

How long has it been since I wrote?? Last year I actually sent out the blog address in our Christmas cards and then I have never written again.  :)  Sorry, Grandma!

Well, I'm back.  And as usual when I don't write for a while, I start with an update on our boys.  (It ended up kind of random.  I need to get back in the blogging groove.)

 Let's commence with our little one with the big personality, shall we?

This is not the best family picture we've taken but I love it & it's going up on our wall because it succinctly defines our family these days.

Jonah is a loud, out-going, always singing or whining, in-your-face kind of child.

He turned 4 on December 30th.  He got to celebrate with his Grandma who was visiting for Christmas. As a child who eats about 10 foods and cake not being one of them, his birthday was a cinch.  Grandma chose a coconut cream pie and JB got a mug of M&M's!  Done & done.

He is obsessed with LEGO Star Wars lately.  I've become his gaming partner basically by default.  It's actually become a good activity together as he tries to learn patience, team work, cooperation, taking turns, not whining or yelling and not giving up.  He is passionate about his gaming so it regularly gets turned off prematurely due to many a melt downs. 

And you can tell he plays with his older brother and his friends.  I laugh at the phrases that come out of that kid's mouth....

"That character is BEAST!" (that means good)
"Aw, man.  He's all up in my grill!" (meaning he won't leave me alone)
"I'm conternament to win these guys!"  (I figured out he meant "determined")
"For Pete's sake!!" (Actually that comes from me who got it from Aaron who got it from his father. It's a Williams phrase.)

One time I hopped on a blaster thingy and started shooting up the whole place and said, "Feel the power!"  Jonah sweetly turns to me and says, "Yes!  Feel the power of my LOVE.  The power of my love, Mom.."

Jonah has also been way into Play-doh these last few days.  My favorite lines have been (as he's sawing his Play-doh man in half) "I'm a magical genius! No!! I'm an evil scientist!  Mwa-ha-ha!"  And (when he couldn't figure out how to get one piece flat), he turns to me and sighs, "Mom. I must have gone to Jupiter because I am more stupider."

This kid has more confidence than I have ever felt. .  He makes himself comfortable anywhere, asking strangers their name, how old they are., what's that red thing on their face.  He has friends of all ages in church as he makes his rounds and says hello to every one.  There's this one young woman that I don't even know that he always runs up yelling, "My best friend!" while giving her a hug.  And she always looks up at me like I have no idea who this kid or why he is my best friend, but I'll hug him back.  I just shake my head and let him be him.

Last week we were leaving the play place at our gym and he was saying goodbye to Chris, one of his favorite caretakers.  Chris says, "Bye Jonah! Have a great day."  Jonah turns to him and sing/yells, "Wup. Wup. Gangman style!"  And strikes a fabulous pose.  I just shake my head as I walk him out the door with him still singing, "He-e-ey, 'extra' ladies!"   He has no filter between his brain and mouth and his brain usually makes me laugh.

One day he turns to me out of the blue and states, "I love balloons. They're kind a my thing." And walked away.

He is working with a speech/occupational therapist with his eating.  He starts an actual group at the end of March.  A 12 week program with 3-4 other kids with eating issues.  But we've had a little success with the tips they have given us.  Jonah ate about 15 pieces of white rice the other day!  Actually swallowed!  There is hope.

Which so nice, because I feel no hope with potty training.  (Yes. I am writing about potty training.  I thought I never would, but it truly exemplifies part of his personality.  Skip if you do not want to know.) Anyway, Jonah pee-trained in a day last summer.  Dry at night and throughout the day.  No problem at all.  The other has been a different story.  We've tried everything we know: charts, stickers, candy, toys, regular practice time, laxatives, etc.  After one particularly rough day, I was changing his underwear YET again and he looks straight into my eyes, and states "If I want to poop in my underwear, I can. You can't stop me."   No. I can't and it drives me crazy.  "Stubborn" is his middle name and I have to regularly remind him who is in charge.  And it's not him, much to his surprise.

He loves preschool and luckily he has the most patient & sweetest teachers ever.

He sure loves his daddy and thinks there is nothing greater than wrestling with him.

He runs all day and falls unconscious at night.

 I love this crazy, l.o.u.d., exuberant kid. Not one day has gone by that I haven't thanked my Father in Heaven for the two boys He has blessed us with.  They're kind a my thing.

May there be lots of merry in your Christmas!