Tonoto Natural Bridge

Today we escaped the heat, and went to the Tonto Natural Bridge.

Caleb got loaded and we were off.

Prepare yourself for a picture overload.

The boys were worn out, as you can see!

We've been really blessed to have Tom home on the weekends this past month while he's been in Tucson. This weekend is kind of our last hurrah since next weekend he'll be driving to Ohio and gone for a month. It's painful. I hate separation. Yes it makes the heart grow fonder, but it freakin sucks! We have vowed to never do something like this again, not like we had a whole lotta choice this year though.

Angry baby in castle.

I tried not to cry.

Off to School on the Bus this Morning

I had to fight the urge to follow in my car just to make sure they got there.

We're Alive!

This summer has definitely topped the charts at the shortest most stressful/emotional summer of my life. A few things that made it crazier than normal.
1. getting Caleb on insurance
2. being a single mother
3. living in a two bedroom condo with three boys and me and my mom.
4. figuring out all of Caleb's doctors.
5. spending hours and hours on telephone calls to transfer medical records, schedule appointment and out and out fight for this little boy to get everything he needs.
6. Finding a rental.
7. Moving into the rental with no husband around.
8. Saying goodbye to a husband, and then hello, and then goodbye, and then hello, and then goodbye, you get the picture. exhausting.

Today was the first time I felt almost normal. I love routine. We started routine this morning.
Up at seven.
Breakfast.
Off to school.
Talin ready for the first day. No jitters, just excitement.

Collin practically jumping out of his pants excited. This is the most normal picture I got of him all morning.

I drove them for the first day, but they took the school bus home. And I was surprised to see both of them jump off the bus this afternoon. They made it home. I like the whole school bus thing.

And the little boy who got left behind.

This is actually the result of Grandma walking out the door this morning.

I think life is going to get a little easier now that we're settled and somewhat acclimated to the sweltering heat.

By the way, I miss Iowa.

I miss my Iowa people.

This Past Month

We cried at the airport saying goodbye to Tom as he went to Wisconsin for a month.
And then we sobbed in the car, all three of us (this includes Tal & Col).
Then we loaded up and drove to Cedar City to visit family.

We celebrated many birthdays.

Made fondant for the first time.

Went blond.

Let Caleb ride a quad with the assistance of Madee.

Listened to stories of Africa the night Uncle Shane returned from the big hunting trip.
And forgot to take very many pictures of the fun week.

Then we went back to Arizona, living with Cyndee, looking for a rental. Oh the stress of looking for a rental!! If any valley residents know of a lovely 3/4 bedroom home that's under $1000, please contact me. I'm starting to feel desperate. I do require that the home is clean.

After two weeks of swimming, helping Mandi move and house hunting, we loaded up again and headed to the Cabin just outside of Payson. Where I took NO pictures, and relied solely on the camera skills of my sisters. Hopefully pictures and details will come in a later post.

After a week at the cabin I was joyfully reunited with my husband.

And it was joyful.

And a little uncomfortable when your blissful reunion evening is shared in a two bedroom cabin surrounded by tents, housing eight adults and sixteen kids.

Then yesterday we drove to the lodge to spend a week together here until Tom goes to New Mexico for a month. I can't speak of that day just yet.

Today we decided to go on a family outing and consequently torture our children.

Caleb enjoyed the free ride.

Talin and Collin suffered terribly. Little legs are not meant to walk four miles.
Tom and I went crazy walking at a snails pace to accommodate them.

We lost this one on the way back, he was exhausted.

And since being at Pinetop for only two days, I've officially decided I want to live here.

After residency of course.

This Sucks

Tomorrow we load up the moving van, clean out the house and prepare for the 22 hour drive to Arizona. Where I hear it's been over a hundred degrees already. Talin keeps passionately crying out, "I'm going to die in Arizona, it's too hot!" This from a boy who is dying on days that the temp reaches 85 degrees here. Yeah, maybe he will die.
This is all too surreal, to think we'll be in Arizona by Sunday. Wow.
And to top it all off, Collin currently has a nose bleed that is running like a faucet. How did that happen?
Anyway...

(oh and by the way I cut the boys hair. the whole missionary haircut manipulation totally worked, thanks Amy.)

Mounting Frustrations

Here is Tom's solution to making Talin use a spoon to eat his cereal.
Yes, that is tape around his hand.
He taped the spoon into Talin's hand.
It worked.

And I have a dilemma, Talin needs a haircut.
Every time I bring it up, these big crocodile tears well up in his eyes and he starts begging me to let his hair grow out.

Please comment.
I'm taking votes.
Keep the long hair that wisps into his eyes, or cut it.
Talin would appreciate the long haired votes.
Tom would appreciate the buzz cut.

Stuff on my mind

Ten more days until we move. I feel like the energizer bunny trying to get everything done. You never realize how much stuff you really have until you try to put it all in boxes. And you never realize how much stuff you’re reliant on until something you need is in one of those boxes. Moving is a frustrating endeavor. I feel like I should be a pro by now. By the time I was eighteen I had moved fifteen different times, granted I probably didn’t do a whole lot on those moves, but shouldn’t I have gotten more skilled through osmosis? And in my almost nine years of marriage we’ve moved five different times, still doesn’t get any easier. Why do I have so much stuff? And why has my husband seemed to accumulate every single cord and extension known to man?

Talin and Collin have informed me that living with Grandma Cyndee is going to be the good life for them. I’ve heard things out of their mouths such as, “When we live with Grandma, she’ll let us do whatever we like”, or “If you tell Grandma to spank us she won’t listen to you, she’s nice”. Seriously? I thought I was an awesome mom, I don’t spank! I say that and hope they can’t remember their toddler years, where swatting their bums seemed to be the only form of discipline that sunk into their little man heads.

This morning I’m in the kitchen, the boys are off at school, Caleb had just woken up and was sitting in the family room in a sleepy state, so I thought I was safe. I thought I could take two minutes to load up the meds into the syringes. No. No faith in this child to stay still, not even for two minutes! I turn around, he’s gone. I hear diabolical giggling. Where is he?? Sitting at the top of my long flight of stairs. Holy Crap!! This child is the death of me. As soon as he sees me he knows. The smile vanishes and he takes off crawling at Superman speed, not kidding.

While I was enjoying the Tulip Festival on Saturday, I guess the boys had an interesting experience at the golf course. Well, I guess interesting isn’t the right word. Tom had a cart and he went golfing with a friend of his that took his little girl as well. While Tom was driving he had Collin next to him and then Talin. I guess the two boys were talking; well at least Collin was, when Tom took a corner really sharp and Talin fell out rolling. Collin’s still talking to Talin this whole time, has no idea that Talin has fallen out. Neither does Tom. Until his friends yells at him and Tom turns around to see Talin crying and running after the golf cart. The poor kid had a headache the rest of the day.

And Talin has taken up casual swearing. And before anyone laughs and wonders where he gets it from I would like to inform you all that I have not casually sworn in a very, very, very long time. He DID NOT learn the d.a.m.n. word from me. And although it’s been quite alarming, it’s also hard not to hide my snickering when he does swear.

Some Examples:

“Collin, put the damn food in your mouth”

“Throw the damn Frisbee”

Playing at UNO with the family, “damn!”

He uses it in the correct context and all. This is like my perfect future prophet child. Life is full of surprises.

Pella

I have less than two weeks before the big move. Two weeks from right now, Saturday 4:04 pm, I will be driving to Arizona! Holy crap. So in making the most of my time I spent the day in Pella for the Tulip Festival. Packing your house is so overrated anyway....

Beautiful Tulips!

It was crowded, and I went with two friends and we got away with only three babies between us, I left the older boys behind to play golf with dad today, it was a lot of fun. I just wish there weren't so many people there. Three strollers made it impossible to go in and out of the crowded little shops. But at least I can say I finally made it down to Pella in the three years we were here.

Me and my boy, isn't he a chunk? I love it!

Now I'm off to our sixth dinner appointment this week (you get really popular when you're moving away). And I have to prep for a talk in church tomorrow. Is it not a complete crime that I'm speaking on Mother's Day!!!?

He's Walking

I HATE Goodbyes

This afternoon we said goodbye to Elder and Sister Hoopes. We are going to miss them so much!! The only good thing is that they are moving to Arizona, so we have plans to visit this summer. We can't wait to go up to the mountains and hang out, we're hoping to spend the Fourth of July with them.
It's so sad that we're moving and it's beyond painful to say goodbye to everyone, we'll miss so many people and friendships we've had here. And with the Hoopes gone, I don't know what my children will do without their weekly Sis. Hoopes treat!

THE MOST SPOILED BOY IN THE WORLD.
Mr. Talin Chambers is seven years old today.

Mom and Dad gave him the awesomest present EVER.

A guy in our ward does woodwork, so we had him build Tal a castle for his birthday. He was thrilled.

7 Things About Talin:

1. He is kind and loving.

2. He loves to help others and although unaware of his surroundings most often, he is always aware of those around him and how they're feeling.

3. He loves his family and his brothers.

4. He plays well with others, like seriously everyone.

5. He is the most handsome seven year old I've ever seen. Ever since he was a baby I've had people tell me how GQ he is, and how I need to get him into modeling.

6. He is sensitive, emotionally, spiritually, and has a desire to please and do what is right.

7. Talin is super creative, intelligent, hard thinking and hard working. He loves to build, create and imagine. This kid could be left alone for hours on end and not need anyone to entertain him.

We LOVE this boy and are grateful that he's in our family!

Birthday Party Chaos

Talin turns seven on Wednesday, but we had the big bash yesterday. It was a ton of fun.

The cake.
Bottom layer was chocolate filled with oreo cream filling, and the top was vanilla with oreo cream filling (Amy's recipes). The cake tasted awesome.

While everyone was swimming, poor Caleb had to be strapped down for a feeding. He now has to be strapped into something when he eats, if not he inevitably pulls his tube out, no matter how careful or watchful we are. It's insane.

Swimming Birthday Boy!

Talin loved the cake. Collin tried to tell me that it looked a little pink, and that Talin had wanted the castle to be grey and he was going to be very upset. Needless to say, I got no complaints from Talin. Although we did compromise on the cones. I liked the lighter blue ones on top, and Tal liked the darker blue ones. So after one of my light blue cones broke I compromised with the two different colored cones, although it totally goes against what I believed to be more attractive.

We had the party at the YMCA and shared it with his friend Connor who is also turning seven. So they blew out their candles together and we had a ton of kids there as well.

Enjoying the cake.
After eating cake the kids all went on a Knight's Quest.

First they had to climb the rock wall to find their masks.

Then they had to find their shields. Don't they look so cool?

And finally they found their swords. What's a Knight without his sword?

After they were decked out in their Knight necessities they went to find the enemy.

Poor Tom seemed like a great choice to take their rage out on.

Sixteen kids attacked him.

He was a good sport, but those kids were vicious. I convinced the kids that he was dead, only after I felt he had a sufficient beating.

Then it was time for presents.

And I totally deserve mother of the year after this party. Without Lisa's (Connor's mom) help, this would not have been very cool. She set up the quest and did all the decorations. I thought it was totally awesome, and I think Talin did too.