Julie's Life With Boys

Friday- watched "Knight and Day" Saturday- racquetball, where Josh bruised up a finger and Ben sprained an ankle and then on the way home Josh's car died and they had to be rescued. Went to Magic Time Machine for dinner Played Agricola Sunday- Ben went to church with us. I got to speak in church (I always get asked to speak in church when we have visitors) Then we had a Sunday FHE with Ben before he left Every other second of the weekend- all three kids on Uncle Ben! Thanks for coming Ben! We had so much fun!

On our way to Caleb's first eye appointment Taylor said, "when do I get disappointment?" Both Caleb and Taylor are calling their bedspreads "spreadsheets" Taylor was explaining to one of his friends what a dining room is: "A dining room is an esspensive. an esspensive. A dining room is an esspensive kitchen." Taylor: "I sure love your hair when you have a bracelet in it." (I guess I wear elastics on my wrists too much)

Eli sees snow for the first time Snow only stuck on the road and sidewalks For playgroup I set up a backdrop sheet and I was going to take pictures of the kids. But nobody came. Oh well. I got Taylor to pose for minute before he got dressed. We won the bear at Caleb's school fair. magnets white chocolate and left over candy canes This is what Caleb gave his class for Valentine's Day These are what Taylor gave playgroup for Valentine's Day Valentine's 2010 Valentine's 2009 Valentine's 2008

vomit, diarrhea, dumped out vitamin c soaking in melted ice cube trays, peanuts and raisins all over the floor, every toy bucket dumped out, exploded diaper at Whataburger, locked out of the house by Taylor who was on the inside. It was a great day. I need to go read Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians in the tub. Or cut Josh's hair and clean up the messes?

Eli fell in the tub.

http://www.salon.com/life/feature/2011/01/15/feminist_obsessed_with_mormon_blogs My thoughts: I feel overwhelmed by all the perfect blogs sometimes. My life definitely isn't perfect, in fact it is pretty difficult to keep a positive attitude about child rearing. I agree that Mormons blog because of our focus on " journaling " and that is why, in fact, I keep it up. Also, I think blogging gives me time to reflect on the special parts about wifehood and motherhood (and sometimes the crazy and hard things) I think if I were not a mother I would not be a stuffy, overworked professional. I would probably be a slightly underachieving, semi-depressed, knowledge seeking, smiling, sort of talented, frustrated with the world, happy with the world, big idea not goals, people loving, family loving, socially awkward person. In all, I would be a normal person with talents and abilities unique to myself. For me, the choice isn't "be perfect and happy as a mother" or an...

Taylor's version:

Love you Josh!!! p.s. Taylor really wanted the pink frosting and Josh allowed it.

So, Grandma Black sent us a big package that they tried to deliver on Dec. 8th. Not knowing what the package was, we got online and scheduled it to be re-delivered on Dec. 10th. On Dec. 9th, however, they tried again. Then on Dec. 10th a package did come, so we thought we were all taken care of. But, it turns out that the mailman got the wrong re-delivery date (Josh tracked him down and talked to him about it). Anyhow, not knowing that Grandma's package was sitting at the post office for ten days, we never picked it up. It got sent back care of sender. Then re-sent. It arrived on New Year's Eve. Despite the frustration (especially for Grandma) it was so much fun to have another opening spree. Josh received a web cam and we set it up and finally web cammed with Grandma and Grandpa Black. Thanks so much!! p.s. I am laughing at that mirror behind the couch. Typical fare.

When we were visiting Dan and Michelle at Thanksgiving, Jacob had a star cape that Taylor wanted to wear the whole time. So I decided capes had to be a Christmas gift this year. And yes, I actually sewed them. (Josh bought me a sewing machine last Christmas) The kids are loving the capes. I am so glad because I don't think I love sewing and that took a ton of concerted effort.

Metronome GPS and heart rate monitor P90X & cutest hat from my favorite and cutest friend, Jenni Moody !!!!

We invited a family in our neighborhood over for Christmas Eve. It was fun, but the Christmas program was a little funny! Anybody else stressed??

Our friend David Shelley of Vikings vs. Pancakes asked Josh to read it. Josh asked for it for Father's Day. And just as David Shelley didn't read it in Greek, Josh didn't read it in English. Here's to new New Year's goals!

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