Glorious

Earlier this month my 9 year-old student used this word to describe her appearance.

I believe her exact words were,

"This purple hair extention keeps getting in my face but I don't care because it makes me look glorious!"

Since then it's kinda been my word of the month:)

It comes in handy say when you want to describe the delicious carmel rolls you just made, or to describe the perfect bronze tan you managed to get on your shoulders in one afternoon, or even to describe seeing your husband clean the kitchen when you're just too dang-on tired of cleaning. See? Glorious really does sum it up right?

Amidst all the craziness this month I've miraculously been able to have a few moments of complete and utter contentment.

I love it when things slow down just enough for you to appreciate your family, your health, your life. It really is glorious:)

Here's a few glorious moments in May.

Seeing my baby girl sign for the 1st time, "dog", "banana", "eat", and even "more" as we threw her back and forth across the pool.

Watching the magic of a garden through my children's eyes. And today my fav...constructing our very own waterpark in the back yard. The kiddos decided to refer to everyone as a number at our "waterpark". Olivia= #1, Kolby=#2, Daniel= #3, Me=#4 So I'm sure the neighbors got a fright when they heard 4 people shouting... " Go number 2! Go number 2!" as Kolby flew down the water slide:) teehee. We laughed and giggled as an entire family. There were no distractions. It really was glorious! As I kissed my children good night I told them how much fun I had with them today. They responded, "We had so much fun with you too today, number 4!" See what I mean? Glorious.

Dan and Sabs + 8

This weekend Daniel and I caught a glimpse of what it would be like to be the parents of 8:)

We had my 3 + Rosie's 3 + Dianna's 2

Totally worth it to greet my newest little nephew...

Krew Dalton Erwin

No worries little man, I cried when I saw you. Its the beginning of a great relationship:)

I love being an Auntie!

Preschool Graduation

Last Monday was Kolby's preschool graduation.

We held it at the splashpad.

Best graduation location ever:)

My momma helped me make these awesome caps and put together some summer craft packets.

When I asked Kolby what he can do now that he couldn't do before preschool he said, "I can clean up". Nice.

A couple years ago I had no idea that a bunch of moms and I could pull off 2 years of at-home-preschool. Its been super fun to watch the kids grow up and develop friendships. We're so proud of all out little graduates!

Here's the actual grad.

Kolby was voted Valedictorian and Best Helper although this pic look like Most Somber award for sure:)

Sorry your mom is so scandalous... I promise to dress more modest for your high school graduation:)

The supportive siblings

After the "ceremony" we celebrated with pizza, cupcakes, and fun in the sun.

Wish every graduation was so fun:)

An Ironman Tale

Once upon a time there was a boy who decided to become a man...an Ironman:)

With the help of his brother and father he trained and trained and trained somemore....

Then on Saturday May 21 he swam 2.4 miles, biked 112miles, and ran 26.2 miles.

The End.

And here's my side of the story...

If you've never watched an Ironman I actually strongly suggest it.

Did I really just type that? Crazy right?

I suppose even for the most avid sports fanatic 13+ hours is a long time to stand around cheering only to see your favorite for a few split seconds. Still, I'm not sure I've ever seen anything so incredible.

As if the sheer physical endurance wasn't enough to admire, I also witnessed a man with only one leg completing the swim and then attaching his prosthetic leg for the bike and run as well as a blind woman running across the finish line! It was emotional to say the least.

Then there was the heartbreak of seeing athletes who didn't make the strict cut-off times, all their training for naught.

And of course the worry for my father-in-law in his 60s who, despite his fever, completed the swim and bike but passed out during the run.

And last but certainly not least, the light-headedness and feeling like I was gonna vomitt while waiting for my husband to cross the finish. I had flashbacks to his half Ironman.

In both events I spotted him with only 5-10 miles left and rushed over to the finishline only to wait and wait not knowing what happened to him. At the half I found out he was in the ER. Saturday was a much better ending.

During his last loop he slowed down significantly to stay with his brother who has an ironwill and refused medical help so that he could complete the race.

So all of my fears and worries were washed away with pride when I saw Daniel and his brother side by side come across the finishline. I'm so proud of my husband for accomplishing his lifetime goal and super proud of my husband for always putting family first, even in a race:)

And now the photographic tale of an Ironman spectator...

Are you still with me?

Guess it wouldn't be an Ironman post if it wasn't insanely long!!!!

Here's the boys at 5 am

I'm getting nervous just looking at them!

And here's Rosie and I crossing the finish at 5:30am.

Seriously I don't know what took the others sooooo long:)

Over 2,200 tri-bikes!

The Ironman wives.

Me, my MIL, and my sis-in-law

Our shirts say , "140.6 miles til I get my husband back"-Ironman widow

These brothers sure do love each other!

My sassy nieces

My partner in crime.

My parents, the saints that they are, came to help with the kiddos.

Good thing too. We waited at the finish line for 3 hrs!

Olivia kept us entertained:)

I'm so proud of my Ironman!

Spring Recital 2011

Oh man I love these kids!

So proud of all my students!

Bennett, Andrea, Miguel, Emily, Bailey, Hailey, Trenton, Kyle, Jeremy, Colton, and Kinleigh!

Jacob and Garren too (not pictured)

I don't want to go to the park, I wanna go to the dentist!

This is what Olivia tells me the day before we had a dentist appointment. Don't know what's wrong with my crazy girl!

I finally took Olivia for her 1st dentist visit a couple weeks ago.

Yes she is 4.

Oops.

She was great of course!

It always helps that her uncle Mark is the dentist!

Kolby got to join in on the fun too.

mmmmm fluoride:)

Cavity free!

Its a miracle:)

"Let Me Tell Ya 'Bout the Birds and the Bees"

Anyone know that song? I do. Its hillarious.

Anywho...

This is my friend Abby.

Isn't she adorable?!

So adorable that I just had to pick a super cute theme for her baby shower.

B is for Baby...

and how did that baby get there?

The Birds and the Bees

I am lame-o and forgot to take pics of all the "B" food. oops!

B is for...

berries, bars, blueberry bagels, bacon quiche, bread, brownies, brie, banana cream pie, and brochette.

B is also for one of my

Best friends

love ya girl!!

Best Mother's Day Present Ever!

For Mother's Day my kids woke up early, cleaned their rooms and the playroom (no easy feat), showered and got dressed, made breakfast, washed dishes and (my fav)...sang to me:)

Best Mother's Day Present EVER!!!

Here's Olivia practicing the song the night before... yes she's eating a peep and yes she says, "unless I go to sleep".

Kolby (who never ever gets up to sing) actually went up front. I was so proud of him I was moved to tears! Only mothers with shy kids could understand :)

Daniel, of course, spoiled me the rest of the day by taking care of kids, cleaning and cooking up a storm with our family and friends. Dianna, Brittany and I just pigged out whilst the menfolk served us. A dream come true! heehee.

As a bonus a Cricket of my very own is arriving in the mail:)

Don't you just love Mother's Day?! Hope all you mamas had a good one!

Can't wait for my own mom to get here next week!!! yay!!

and just for funnsies..here's my lil' man singin' his heart out in the comfort of his own kitchen:)

p.s. if this post seems a wee jumbled its bc it is. I loathe uploading videos to blogger. Alas my fam all lives far far away. Hope you enjoy the videos. Next time the performances in person may be easier:)

Milk

I'm 4 for real?!

Yes Olivia, you are 4 for real today! The whole pre-party thing through you off this year:) You squealed out loud this morning to find out that it was finally your REAl birthday. Off course then you were disgruntled to discover that we would not be having another Tangled party or even inviting friends over...sorry that's what bites the big one about Monday birthdays...life must go on.

Your daddy had to go out of town but he woke up bright and early to leave the traditional birthday breakfast and chocolate milk. He sure loves you!!!

We spent the rest of the day painting pictures, painting our nails, going out to lunch, and then cleaning the house and teaching piano lessons funfun. Of course we squeezed in our "walk down memory lane" bedtime story of all your baby pictures.

As we looked at the photos I couldn't help but think how much I love you!

I love how you are the messiest kid on the block. Seriously for how girlie-girl you are you never let a day go by without playing in some good ol' fashion mud.

I love how you make silly faces and repeat ordinary words over and over until they become hilarious as I fix your hair each day. Today's word was "Subpoena"...seriously we were both crying we were laughing so hard. Go ahead say it aloud 10 times. Funny right?! Still not sure how you even know that word.

I love how you have a little sass. It makes me smirk. Well most of the time...not so much when you tell me that you are right and I am wrong esp. over things like the difference between lunch and dinner:)

I love how you creatively change the subject when you know a lecture is coming. Like when daddy asked you why you cut your own hair and you asked him if he would like some cheese.

I love how clever you are. You were pleased as punch to show you older brother and his preschool class how to tell time:)

I love your good morning hugs and off key origonal songs.

I love having you as my daughter!

Happy (for real) Birthday!

-love mama