More Awesome Kid Quotes...

Cause I need to write these down so I don't forget them... and so I have more blackmail for later  on in life...

A few weeks ago, I ventured back to our favorite store, Walmart. I know, why do I go back there? We never make it out without incident... But that's neither here nor there. Suffice it to say, we went back. As we were going from aisle to aisle, things were going well, Riser and Kayson were both staying relatively close to me, Chase was content in the cart,and no one was begging for anything sugar coated. I was almost prepared to let my guard down. Then, we turned down a new aisle where a woman was shopping with her children. She was dressed in traditional middle eastern attire (think long black robe, long black head covering). She had her back to us looking at something on the shelf. Riser spots her, gasps a little too audibly (like when Everett hears them Sireens in Oh Brother Where Art Thou), turns to Kayson and yells "Kayson look!!! It's Darth Vador!!!" Just as she turns to put her item in her cart...Awesome I think to myself. Just Awesome. Immediately the blood drains from my face and I stammer out "I'm so sorry." She just kind of looked at me and walked on. The only thing I could think was, thank goodness she has 3 boys that look to be about the same ages as mine... She must know how they just say whatever pops into their head! From there, we had a long discussion about clothing and people and how people are just like us, no matter what kind of clothes they wear... Awesomeness... pure awesomeness.

Fast forward to earlier today. The boys and I take a trip to the library to pick out some books. We choose quite a few and make our way to the counter. As I begin checking out, a woman approaches the desk and begins a conversation (in a not so pleasant tone) with an employee about why she has been asked not to park her RV full of dogs, (some of which had exited the RV and were now roaming about out there, we saw them as we entered) in the library's parking lot. Not wanting to be a part of this, I pick up the pace. Kayson sat in the stroller observing the conversation as the woman got more and more irate. Finally, as her verbal assault continued, he could take no more. He leaned forward pointed right at her and said "You're a RAT!" (a common Kayson phrase when he's had it with someone) and then began shooting her with his invisible guns. The woman looks down and shoots him a nasty look, I shove the last of our books in the stroller, and we beat a hasty path to the door. Awesomeness... I love being a mom.

Too funny not to post...

1) Last week, while we were grocery shopping, Kayson needed to be changed. While in the restroom "freshening up", a man came over the PA and begins announcing some of the specials. Kayson gasps and says, "Mom, who was that!?!!?" I say "It was a worker telling us what's on sale." He eyes me suspiciously for a few seconds and then says "Noooooooo, how about Heavenly Father." Funny boy. Not quite the still small voice you're thinking of!

2) The following day Karl had gone to run and errand, and so I was getting the boys bathed and dressed for bed on my own. I was in the middle of dressing the 2 little guys, when Riser ran out of the room. I figured he was blowing his nose or going to the bathroom, so I just went on with what I was doing. Suddenly I hear him yelling in my room "Hey!!!  Hey Jakob!!" Now, it was really warm that day, so we had our windows open... wide open. I hurry to go pull him away from the window when I hear him yell "Hey Jakob look!! I have a penis!!" then I hear laughter. I run to the window to see Jakob (Riser's buddy next door), his mom, his dad, his high school aged brother and sister, and a friend staring up at my little nudist in the window. Thankfully they have a 4 year old as well!!  How embarrassing!! But, I guess I now have a little black mail for when he gets older!!

Incredible Fun

We had the chance to take a little trip to incredible pizza tonight. The boys L O V E that place.
We had a little dinner,
played a few games,

Rode a few rides,
.

And just had a great time together!

Weekend Joys and Peace...

Saturday

Going out with Karl's parents. Karl and I gave our parents "date nights" for Christmas. On Saturday, Karl's parents redeemed theirs. Great Night. Thia food, and a fun game night. Some people might not get excited about hanging out for the night with their in laws, but mine are fantastic. Truly some of my favorite people.

We got home to find that Chase had no intention of going to sleep any time soon. After many failed attempts, I finally just took him to the grocery store with me. He was as thrilled as an 8 month old can be. He grinned and chatted my ear off the whole way there, while we were shopping and the whole way home. Apparently he was needing a little date night himself. Upon returning, he still wasn't ready to go to sleep, but I was ready for him to go to sleep. After much resistance and fussing, he finally went to sleep, and slept through the night. = much peace and joy for me. ;)

Sunday
Sunday nap... I love Sunday naps.

Later that evening we had my parents come over for dinner and a little birthday party for my mom. Karl made a delicious cake with yummy chocolate fudge frosting. Chase loved it. Maybe a little more than anyone else.

Monday
FHE with the Lundeberg's. so fun to see everyone and chat.

Single Ladies and Hanging Out

You know the days where you can't a song out of your head... it's usually a song that you're a little embarrassed to have in your head in the first place... Anyway, that happened to me today. The song? Beyonce's "Single Ladies". Couldn't get it out of my head, so I figured I'd look it up on youtube, indulge myself, and get it out of my mind. I found, and began listening. Instantly, Riser and Kayson were by my side. Kayson starts bobbing his head, Riser watches intently (don't judge me)... They LOVE it. It ends.Kayson says "One more time!!!" I indulge them. Then, the moves begin. They do a pretty good Beyonce. I sit watching, trying not to laugh... It's hilarious. So hilarious that I don't even get up to get the camera. For the remainder of the day I heard "All the single ladies, All the single ladies!!" sung in 2 and 4 year old voices, and watched some random, but awesome moves... so much for getting it out of my head. I think it'll be stuck in all 3 of our minds for some time.

We also had some good friends friends come over for dinner and games. They have 2 kids close to Riser and Kayson's ages, so it's always fun to have them come over. Good food, funny conversations, fun game. A great way to end the week. Thanks for coming over guys!

Fire Trucks and Lunch Dates...

Every Thursday I go grocery shopping with my mommy. It's great because I can send at least one of the peeps (usually Chase, because I can depend on him to not ask for every piece of candy he sees, and to stay seated in the cart) with my her and be less over run with wild little boys. Before we hit the market, we stop for a little lunch. Today's lunch was Zupas. Love. That. Place. I had the Mushroom Bisque. It's like a little bowl of Heaven. If you haven't been, give it a try. It is fabulous. Also, nice to have a chance to sit and chat with my mommy. She's one of my best buddies. I love that I have a standing lunch date with her. She's an awesome lady. Thanks Mommy. I had a great time.

After our fabulous meal, we headed off to the grocery store. This week Riser went with Grandma. The boys got a courtesy cone at the deli, and we headed off. We got one for Chase too. The look of joy on his face was fabulous. He did surprisingly well with it. The boy loves ice cream... Once he finished his, he was ready to help Kayson finish his off... Kayson didn't think that sounded like a great idea.

After our shopping was completed, we headed out to the van to load the groceries, when a fire truck and an ambulance pulled up. They were there to shop. I let the boys stand and watch them walk in, and I told them to say hello to the fire fighters and tell them their truck was cool. They did, and one of them stopped to talk to them. The boys were so impressed. They love fire fighters. The firefighter even invited them to go get a closer look at his truck. The boys were so excited. (well Riser was... Kayson got a little scared, and would only stay in my arms and look.) Riser got to sit up in the driver's seat, and he showed him around the whole truck. So sweet of him to take the time to do that. It totally made Riser's day. He even posed for a picture with him. Thanks Fire Fighter Ryan. You are awesome.

moments of peace and joy...

Over the past few weeks, I have been inspired by several people. They may or may not know that they have inspired me, so I thought I would throw each of them a big thanks.

1st and foremost Karl. Thanks for the late night talks. Listening, giving ideas and advice... being patient when I don't immediately take your advice and then take weeks to discover for myself that you're right. ;) You are my sanity, and my best friend.

2nd my friend Kristin. Thanks for being brave enough to post this. It hit a nerve, and was an answer to a prayer. So glad to know that I'm not the only one that has had this struggle. It's a lonely place to be. I'm glad to know that others have fought their way out. You are an awesome example to me.

3rd, The fabulous Eyre's. You know, of Joy School Fame? They gave a fabulous fireside in my stake this past weekend. Once again, an answer to prayers. They spoke about finding peace and parenting. I know, who knew they could coexist? ;) One of the things they suggested in their remarks, was to notice "moments of peace and joy" in your life. It really struck me that I haven't been doing this near enough.

Sooooooo, after all this inspiration, I decided I needed to put it all into practice. This is the new direction for my blog. Moments of peace of joy. Some posts might be pretty short,others might be paragraphs including pictures, but I am going to try to post each day, what my moment(s) of peace and joy was. I hope you enjoy it!!

Today's Moment(s) of peace and joy:
Spending a little time with the ladies of the "The Firm". Love that fanny lifter.
Chasing Kayson and Chase around the Family Room. Listening to their giggles and watching their excitement.
Watching Riser and Kayson paint. Seeing their imaginations come to life on the page.
Singing Bear Hunt with the boys and giggling at the end, because "we weren't afraid!"
Chatting with Karl at the end of a long day.