NEGATIVE THOUGHTS ABOUT AZ

I recieved some feedback about my blogs on AZ- I guess some believe there was not a lot of positive things written in them. LOL

Just a quick FYI- I thought I was actually holding back HA HA

REALLY> There are a lot of things positive about AZ

Here is a list of ten-

1. We have a lot of family in AZ that love and adore my children (some adore Mike and me too LOL)

2. You never need a snow blower

3. There is little to no mosquito's

4. You can golf year round

5. You have doggie doors

6. Almost all people have at least one family member with a pool- so you can swim a lot

7. Awesome Christmas light displays

8. In driving distance from the ocean and Disney Land

9. You can wear flip flops year round

10. It is a much more culturally diverse state -

WOW We came up with 11!! Thanks to Mike

11. No daylight savings time so no worries about changing those clocks back and forth.

Quotes of the week

Mom why are we spending so much money on food. It is not a good use of our money-

YAY this is awesome I love the fair (as we are driving around looking for a parking spot in the neighborhood)

Mom Come look quick- I have freckles on my penis

Our fashion show begins now- And the first contestant is Adison Border

I am so good on my bike I can ride as fast as Michael Phillips - (YES THIS IS NOT A TYPO)

Can we go to valley fair again today-

Mom are you feeling better yet- Do you think you will feel better by tomorrow- are you going to have to get carried up stairs- who is going to get Adison out of the car?

Adison said baby and yes this week

We only get to go on three rides

Can I wash the walls

Dad doesn't have to work today either- you mean he gets three days off in a row- Woo hoo!!

Wouldn't it be cool if they could cut open peoples bellies and take their babies out-(explanation of the fact that they can and do) WOW are you kidding me mom. For real what do they use?

I love my teachers. Do I start school tomorrow?

Look how high Carson can climb- Adison can do it too.

TO BUS or NOT TO BUS

Hot topic of the week for our family/neighborhood-

Not really hot but I find it intriguing that so many people have such a strong opinion on the matter- and openly share it with me after they find out that I will not be busing Garrett to school this year.

Here are some of the things I have heard from others this week or in the past-

Really you can't shelter him forever- he will learn a lot of things in school too
I am in the same boat as you- and I will be driving my kids
Well I think that you are setting yourself up for a disaster
That can really start bad habits for the future
Oh really
HMMM
Kids like the bus
You think that there are that many issues on the bus in elementary school.

Mike also thinks it is a little crazy that I am not busing Garrett- of course he supports my decision- YADA YADA YADA because we have to do that from time to time as spouses-

So I post this for all the opinionated people- LOL - Just to say thanks for the feedback. Despite the overwhelming number of people who think I am nuts I will still be racking up the four miles a day to drive Garrett to and from school.

For all those who bus their kids- YOU GO- I have nothing against your decision!! Everyone should do what they feel works best for their family and child.

Kids grow up so fast

Our Parents and Grandparents talk about how fast life goes by and how quickly kids grow up. As a teenager we laugh-roll our eyes- and move on with our day. As a new parent we are caught up in the moment and don't realize that our newborns are growing faster than they ever will their entire lives. As we enter into toddlerhood and multiple children we are so caught up in the busyiness of our day that it takes a lot to step back and actually enjoy all the little moments. THEN ---- BAM they start school and you are imediately thrown into a reality check!! YES time flew by faster then I ever expected it too.

I look at Garrett and can't believe how big he is and Carson is not far behind him. Although I have to admit I came home today from Garrett's Parent meeting for school and noticed how little Carson still is. Only three- Just starting preschool- such a cute innocent smile. (If only his teachers knew- HA HA).

It is a good thing that I get to go through all of this three more times. I bet it doesn't get any easier. By the last child I will be even more sad knowing that my last baby boy is going to school.

It is crazy to invision the next year of my life with a kindergartner, preschooler, two year old, and newborn. It will fly by in the blink of an eye-It's a good thing I take too many pictures.

CLIMBING THE WALLS

YES I HAVE CRAZY FUN BOYS- and ONE CUTE CRAZY GIRL

But this one tops the charts.

You hear stories about kids who bounce off walls out of control or climb and jump on furniture etc. And we all laugh and say not my kids they will never do that - Well I never say never- because as soon as you do- your kids will be doing that.

Tonight I walked down the hall to find Garrett scaling the walls. Not hyper actively- just calmly climbing up the walls. As Adison was running underneath him laughing hysterically. He falls and Carson screams do it again I didn't get to go under yet. I of course had to take a picture so I made him do it again. Explaining that we do not climb walls but I needed it for the blog. HA HA Then Mike hears about Garrett's new talent and says let me see you do it again! How high can you go?

Oh the excitement we have in our house.

Babysitters and the Border Kids

We ventured out to the fair to people watch, eat some fattening food, and listen to a little music last night. The kids stayed home for a fun filled night with a sitter. Getting a sitter can always be amusing for us. We never know what types of things the kids will convince baby sitters to do for them. It was no surprise to find out that Carson talked the sitter into giving him coke and a full bag of popcorn a little ice cream and Garrett had freinds over till eight thirty. Does this bother me- not in the least bit- I just find it amusing that they can talk their way into just about anything. In the past we have come home to find the kids still up at 11:30- or Adison's lights on because the boys tell the sitter she sleeps with the lights on because she is scared- the boys sleeping in our bed- etc. etc.

I know it boils down to more direction from us- For now as long as my kids are having fun being respectful and are safe I am not real concerned.

Our Little Olympians

Garrett and Carson have always acted out movies in some way shape of form but the Olympics has topped all of them. They spent two hours this afternoon playing Olympics in the front yard. It was the track and Field events and they created their own Olympic Games including hurdles made out of hockey sticks and buckets, javelin throw with a la cross stick, long jump with a felt blanket track and tie blanket sand pit, high jump with a broom and two kids holding it, bike racing, and the discus throw with a foam ball that had pipe cleaner tied around it. Of course there were some additional events that were not in the Olympics like an obstacle course complete with a tepee and tunnel. It was hilarious to watch the neighborhood get involved. Adison stood on the sidelines and watched for the majority of the afternoon.

Its a GREAT day

Yes it was a great day today for so many reasons--

We made it on the first flight of the day out of AZ

The kids were very good on the flight- Adison only screamed twice- once for a snack and the other when Carson hit her head with the tray

Carson was beyond thrilled to know we were going home and he ran to Mike with open arms yelling Daddy at the airport

There was a sale on jeans at Old Navy and they had Garretts size- only $7 a pair

When I got home Mike had painted and redecorated the bathroom- the house was clean- and laundry done- GO MIKE GO!!!!

The kids were in bed by 8:30 and Mike put the boys to bed

Finally-- I am blogging from home.

It really does not get much better than that

OHHHH did I mention I am HOME

Of course leaving AZ is bitter sweet since we said goodbye to so many family members- possibly one of them for the last time- so I don't want to sound too excited to be home.

PICTURES FROM OUR TRIP ARE BEING POSTED FOR THE NEXT FEW DAYS

EMERGENCIES IN AZ -- NOT THE SAME AS MN

OKAY- CRAZY CRAZY CRAZY

I was just blogging and heard gunshots- So I look at my sister and say I think that is gunshots. Then we heard about five more. I asked her if she thought we should call the police? I reminded her of the shooting that happened down the street five nights ago. (NO this is not a bad neighborhood- just AZ )

She said "Well yes but you call." So I dial and tell them what I heard.
They asked me how many gunshots I heard? If I heard squeling of tires or saw anything? If I could go out and see if there are people or strange cars out there?

OKAY--- I heard gunshots do you think I am going to go outside to see if I can spot a shooter in a car?? AHHH NO

So I hung up the phone and my sister says to me-
"Oh I forgot I should have had you call the non emergency phone number - since they do not really consider that an emergency"

REALLY five or more gunshots and it is not an emergency-

The police are down the street now- and yes my curiosity is peaked- but I will not be be going outside- watching from the window will do- Kidding not going to do that either.

I LIVE IN THE SUBURBS OF MN FOR SOOOO MANY REASONS!!

Things I learned at the Airport today

Kids can have fun just about anywhere- even the airport for six hours
We were unable to get out today and spent six hours waiting to figure that out- the kids were amazing- and I think enjoyed most of the day

Some people really hate when you board an airplane late- and even more when they have to change seats because of your kids!

We attempted to get on a flight today and were very lucky to board the flight ten minutes after the doors were supposed to close- I was so thankful- As we walked on the plane people gave us looks like you would not believe. Not only were they staring that I had three kids and one on the way- I am pretty sure they were wondering why I was unable to make it to the plane on time. I assured them that I wasn't late just a standby passenger. When we got to our seats- which were all seperated from each other the flight attendant asked the people in one row to move. One man was absolutely offended- He said well do I have to- and then said well I guess I do. (Super annoying- and flat out rude) As the second person changing seats went to sit down the man sitting next to her informed her that the seat was already taken by his girlfreind who was in the bathroom. Consequently we were asked to leave the plane because they were short by a seat. Now I was laughing by this point. Adison was ready for a nap- Carson was crying for Dad- and Garrett was doing an arm pump because he really wanted to stay one more day.


Carson is more of a Daddy's boy than we thought.
He is really homesick and cried for Mike both times we were unable to get on the
flight.

Politeness and manners does not come natural for some people-
I encountered many people who yelled at the gate attendant for several reasons. One lady was flat out rude and blaming the attendant because she missed the flight- Pretty sad since she arrived at the gate five minutes after the flight left the gate.

When there is just not enough time in the day

It was an extremely hot day in AZ today. 110 degrees- Missing that 73 degree MN weather.

We ventured out to a park with water, spent the afternoon in the pool, and the evening over Mike's parents house. We are planning on going back home tomorrow afternoon. I have to admit, I am not typically homesick but this trip has been a little different-today I realized I am really looking forward to getting back to my normal life. Lounging in the pool has been great but trying to split time between so many people has been less than fun- IN FACT a little to much for me-- it is a good thing I have kids that are used to going till they drop! THERE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME IN THE DAY FOR EVERYONE AND EVERYTHING - I struggle with this a lot in life.

Why write about this - well it has been on my mind pretty much this entire trip and mine as well get some advice from others who have experienced the same thing. I am merely looking for some creative ideas from people out there who have relatives in other states or areas- How do you split your time without going insane- driving others and yourself crazy- and still have a fun RELAXING enjoyable visit?? I obviously have no clue how to do this- During this visit I have managed to irritate- or piss off a few people-putting myself over the edge in the process. HAHAHA this is probably normal for me. LOL

Highlights of the day

Still in Arizona- imagining what life would be like if I lived here- HA HA HA

Just a few highlights of the day!!

Slept in till 7AM - Thank you Jesus
Pretending to be a shark in the pool and attacking Carson and Garrett
Watching Carson Swim with no floaties
Having a peaceful lunch at Fajitas
Watching PAPPY get Adison out of the dog kennel she got stuck in
Talking with my sister in law- who I do not talk to much
Seeing the Garrett give five grandpas and four grandmas a hug in one day
Having a car to drive myself around in for an entire half an hour
Chatting with Mikes dad Randy for forty minutes about misc. things in life
Seeing Gam and Pa's crazy puppy Orphan Annie- seriously a maniac pup
Watching the kids chase each other around their grandparents living room- giggling and totally oblivious to anything and everyone around them.
Adison sucking down her first full glass of sprite from Grandpa Randy
Coming home at 11 at night and putting three simply exhausted sleeping children in beds

Arizona

We are currently on visitation in Arizona. Yes that's right we do not call it a vacation- because we spend most of our time visiting family. It is an amazing thing the kids have fourteen grandparents and thirteen of them live in AZ. CRAZY I know but true. (HOW is this possible- marriages, great grandparents, etc.) In fact imagine this five of their grandparents passed away in the past five years. We are very fortunate.

We have been here since Friday and most of our time has been spent swimming and applying sunscreen time and time again. I still have not mastered the are of sunscreen- both Garrett and Carson have sunburn- even after applying it four times a day.

How is the trip going???

Good- Our day starts at about six am. For those of you who are not aware- this is about two hours before I start my day. However,I am adjusting well.

Adison has decided to become a little Mommy's girl in the past forty eight hours. It is amazing how introverted she appears to be. Garrett keeps telling me - "Mom she is just a little shy" - She is teething and has developed a slight fever in the past twenty four hours, but continues to be a trooper and is not overly craby. She loves being outside and follows everyones pets around their houses.

Carson continues to be a sweet little maniac- He has no fear and is loving every minute of our trip. My sister is not quite used this type of behavior - it was comical to see her freak out as he did a flip off her diving board. Even more fun to see her react to her son trying it moments later. He loves all the dogs in the family and feels it is his job to ensure each dog is being taken care of.

Garrett lives to be in the pool. He has been swimming without any floaties and is trying to perfect the necessary skills to pass the swim test at the YMCA. I think he practices treading water at least five times a day. It is hilarious. He also thinks he is the next Michael Phelps. (He says Michael Phedelps) He pretends to be him and swims furiously across the pool,only it is not so graceful- the bottom half of him sinks and he looks like he is drowning- somehow he makes it across. Soo funny to watch. I will download a video when I get a chance.

As for me. I am enjoying watching the kids interact with their cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. Struggling with the ability to balance time with everyone, and saddened that we are unable to spend more time with everyone. Everyday I am reminded of the harsh reality of old age. It is a little disheartening.

Online again.

Well well well- YES I am finally blogging again.

I fully admit I did not live up to my words - I have not been online since my last post months ago. A post which said I would blog daily. So no more empty promises. I cannot commit to anything.

However, I will say that I have freinds that are encouraging me to be better about getting online and making this a habit. Consequently I am going to work on it. HAHA

They are likely laughing at this post right now. I must proove them wrong and do the unthinkable- blog more than once every four months. LOL