What makes me laugh everyday?

I would have to say...my kids! Honestly, they say and do the funniest things that I really do crack up hard sometimes, and I think it catches them off guard to see me belly-gut laugh...then they just join in as if they know what they said was funny...when in all actuality they said it in all seriousness. Take Raegan for example...she ALWAYS says the funniest things with the best facial expressions. When she is mad, her face and her hand and head movements come straight from a teen movie. It's hilarious, and I can't help but laugh, which stirs her fire even more and gets her so mad. Her latest thing lately is this. When she wants something she KNOWS I'm not going to give her...like a bag of marshmallows right before dinner...she says, 'mom, i don't know, I just really feel like I want some marshmallows, but, I know I can't.' All day she whips this out. 'Mom, I really feel like I want some more, of this, or of that...but, I know I can't' And no lie, she is laying down right now for a nap and she just turned to me and said, 'Mom, I really sound like I want some candy, but I know I can't till I wake up, but I really sound like I want some right now. I feel like I really want one.' I'm dying, and she says it with a smile now, cause I always laugh and then give in. She's a genius. Really.

And then Evan. Oh Evan. The kid is in full conversation now, and I have to say that I sincerely laugh at that boy more than anyone. The way he talks is funny all in its own right. And then add on the way he walks and runs...wow! So, today, I had mixed emotions about what he said. I'm getting him ready for a nap, and as I pick him up from the changing table to lay him down, I can't help myself and just squeeze him and kiss him a million times and squeeze him again and say as I am squeezing him, 'oh I freakin love you baby, way too much...' and so on. He responds, 'no mom! Ine a boy mama. I not a baby mom. Ine a boy, k.' WHAT! I laughed at first, then got sad. He is a boy and he is going to be a big boy once I really do have this baby. I remember that happening with Rae when Evan was born. She was so big, and old...and BIG, I swear overnight. I'm sad about this. He will remain my baby for as long as I possibly can see him that way cause I know something bizarre happens once a new bundle of baby joy arrives.

All in all, I'm so glad I have my kids around me all the time. Today could've been depressing with dropping Shawn off to see him go for his first of many roadtrips, but I was so lucky to have the company and sweet laughter of my kids. I need to be more grateful for this cause I know it all ends too soon...from what others tell me:) No pics, sorry. And yes, Rae did end up with 2 marshmallows during her 'nap'. I'm a sucker:)

The crave for craft

Laci and her 4 girls stayed with us last week, and it was great! We never had a dull moment...literally. I have never met someone that goes goes goes goes like Laci...she is amazing, truly. And her kids must have inherited that special energy gene. They were great. They played and played and played with both my kids, and my kids were in HEAVEN. Raegan woke up today (first day without 4 'big kids' to wake up to) and cried all morning long, I'm serious, all morning long, for some big kids to play with. She says, "mom, I just want someone to know how to play with me when I say...'ok, that will be 5 money's'...and Evan can't and neither can you". Basically Evan and I are completely incapable when it comes to playing 'store'. So, I tried with all my might to get her mind moving in a different direction, thought of friends...activities...projects, whatever, to get her to STOP fussing. SO...I found a project and friends...all in one. Laci has 4 girls, and with 4 girls, you can imagine the stock of hair accessories she has gathered and made over the years. She had a big ol' bin full of hair bows, ribbons, ect. (which...come to find out that was only about a quarter of hair decor they brought) that Rae thoroughly enjoyed. It was the only week out of her entire 4 years of life that she willingly let me do her hair because she was able to accessorize her head like all the other girls. It was fun, and it inspired me for the following project. I decided to take her to Roberts and let her pick out flowers (which were all 40% off to my surprise...BONUS). Then we stopped by my cousin, Heidi's, who has 2 small girls...and we crafted all the flowers into little hair clips, while the kids played. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

Here are some I made with a box full of buttons I forgot I had collected over the years. Ya know how most new shirts or sweaters have a little pouch of extra buttons attached to them in case the others fall off. Well, I collected all those bags of buttons (as if I would actually use them), and pulled them out to see if I could use them on some unfinished flowers I didn't get to at Heidi's. Here they are:

Cute huh. I know. Who would have thought that MAYBE my mom passed on some of her crafty creativity to me. It's all coming out:) And here are just the flowers...a cute little bunch:

I know it's pretty pathetic that I am SO proud of my work. Here I am, with my mom and Rachel whipping out clothes and blankets and quilts and who knows what left and right, friends remodeling homes...and then my awesome flowers. Gotta start somewhere...right:)

Happy "sort of" Father's Day

This is Shawn's new toy that he enjoys riding to and from work on the back roads through Springville. It is a Kawasaki KLR 650 which is a "dual-sport" motorcycle that is popular for riding on highways and mountain trails. Shawn's plan is to ride into Mexico when he can convince his buddy Mike who has the same bike and got Shawn hooked on the KLR. (and convince Farrah :D ) Anyways...Rae has now gone on two short rides around the elementary school pretty much entirely in first gear with a little in second. She loves it and asks for it right when he gets home. Evan justs helps Dad park the bike and revs the throttle. His main father's day present was a big toolbox to keep everything in one place. Shawn has used it already and messes around with the bike looking at what "farkle" (motorcycle terminology) he can add. Already added a seat cover that meant he takes off the seat and straps it around and screw the seat back on as well as the plastic sides...haha