Do we really sing THAT bad?

So we are having FHE tonight, and I decide to use the "Life in Christ" binder and tell the kids a couple stories from it because I don't feel like they know enough about Jesus when he was alive on the earth.

After opening prayer, we (mostly me and Stephen because Mackenzie is too cool to sing and the boys don't know the song) sing "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus". It is one of my favorite primary songs from way back when I was in Primary. Well, we are only on the second line and Charlie (who was previously happy) bursts into tears. All I have to say is, do we really sing THAT bad? I mean, I know no choir director is going to come knocking on my door begging me to join- no matter how short they are on choir members, but does my out of tune pipes really bring tears to my baby's eyes?!?!

You are Very Boring

Dear Michelle~

I'm tired of looking at the same post for the last month. Your blog is boring me and I depend on others for my entertainment. I know you have been busy this summer, so start posting pics and talking about all the fun places you've been.

Sincerely,

Really bored in AZ

Top ___ Reasons Mom is Underrated

OK folks, it is Mom's b-day. Happy b-day Mom! Tammy is officially excused from her normal duties of starting the birthday blog. She had some lame excuse like having kidney stones. Big W. Anyway, to mom. Over the years, I have thought so many times about how underrated mom is. She is seriously a rock star. And I'm not talking about her energy drink addiction - as in you are what you drink. Though that may be true, she is a rock star in so many other ways. So, I thought maybe this year we could start a running list of cool things about mom. Even better if they are cool things not everyone may know about. So, let 'em fly...

1. Totally self-sacrificing - for starters she gave up at least 7 years of her life (as in full years) pregnant. She gave up many more in child care.

2. Great taxi driver - seriously, how many ball games, practices, auditions, etc. did she take us to?

3. Amazing listener

4. Disturbingly in tune - can I say iron pills, Franco puking on me, etc.

5. Great missionary, even though she's never been on a mission - yet

6. Ridiculously smart - 9 years old in 9th grade. Seriously???

7. Supportive - she thinks we can do anything we set our minds to. Let's not disabuse her of that notion.

8. Awesome grandma - she loves the grandkids like nobody's business.

9. So good at cooking/baking that she makes Dolly Madison jealous

10. Runs interference really well - you know what I'm talking about. We all did things we knew dad would kill us for. Thankfully, he didn't find out about all of them. (Dad, don't read this item.)

11. Energetic - did I mention 9 kids, a bunch of grandkids, (maybe a rock star or two)?

12. Never needs to be the center of attention. Some of us our loud mouths and clamor for it. She is always content to let us have it and to enjoy seeing us get the attention.

(Back to work. List to be continued.)

Tahoe Monkey Bar Mishap

Since Mark and Carrie are on the road, in pursuit of a new home and a new life in Texas and won't have access to a computer for a little while, I'm posting on their behalf.

Our little Monkey Aurora proved she was more human than monkey while playing with Spencer on the monkey bars in Tahoe. She suffered a "little" fall that left her arm a little bent out of shape- literally! Poor Carrie had to navigate through the hospital system in an unfamiliar state because Aurora's arm required surgical correction that night. As luck would have it, Mark's flight got him there in time to make it for her surgery so Carrie and Aurora didn't have to go it alone- and Mark being more comfortable in the hospital setting, could ask the necessary questions.

Aurora had surgery late Thursday night and was released so Mark and Carrie could make it back to California in time to meet the company that was delivering their moving truck.

Aurora was up and playing and "back to normal" in no time, and everyone got a turn signing her "cast"... everyone except me that is!

For more details on the story, feel free to contact Mark and Carrie.

Rice Cereal Anyone???

Today was Charlie's 6 month appointment and the doctor finally gave us the OK to feed her solids. Mackenzie and I had fun shopping for baby food (including Prunes which the Dr. Yin recommended I feed her next, after she tolerates the Rice Cereal for a week).

She had her first real feeding this afternoon and this was how it all went down.

Doesnt she make Rice Cereal look so YUMMY???

At last.....I have arrived at true motherhood...

May I present, my first "hate" letter from my lovely, articulate daughter Bella. Enjoy...

Summer Time!

It's summer (at least here in phoenix it is!). The weather is so beautiful right now. Yesterday the kids decided to go for a swim. Even Charlie got to bust out her bathing suit for the first time.

She does not like the taste of the pool water~ too salty! And she doesn't like to float on her back either. But all in all, I think she enjoyed her first dip in the pool.