Milestones

The last week has been a busy one when it comes to "Raising" the 5 of us. Luke turned 9, Cort graduated from preschool and learned how to ride a bike, and Annie, well let's face it, she's just stinkin' cute.

(See what I mean about cute?! Yes, I know I am biased, but I am the one typing.)

So, Cort's graduation was first. What could be more fun than a bunch of camera toting adults smiling and clicking away at 20 4 yr olds? The 4 yr olds sing, tell stories, smile, pick noses, wave, giggle, stare at the donuts in the corner, get mad at their neighbor. I mean seriously, what could be better. Did I mention the donuts in the corner that were being eyed by every single 4 yr old? Thankfully, Cort has an amazing preschool teacher. Miss Shannon managed to keep a smile on her face the entire time. Cort adores her. She even gets input on setting rules in our house, well, according to Cort anyway. Cort is very ready for kindergarten, and we are excited to watch him start this new adventure. Oh, and remember those camera toting parents? Yep, this parents camera battery died after one picture. Big sigh...

Cort has also learned to ride his bike without training wheels. We owe much of this new skill to his cousin Tori. She somehow managed to drag Cort outside, get him on the bike, and then talked him into trying. An amazing accomplishment when dealing with a very stubborn 5 year old. The army uniform? Cort's gift from Levi. And yes, he wears it a lot!

Luke turned 9 on the 31st. Every few years, I think 7 to be exact, Luke's day falls on Memorial Day. In our house, we couldn't think of a better day to have a birthday. For some reason, Luke was up at 0530 (military time for 5:30 am). He thought it would be a great time to start cleaning for his party. Instead, Levi took the opportunity to teach Luke about putting the flag out for Memorial Day and all that this day means. Luke was thrilled and told me why we do that and who we are thankful for on such an important day. Love it! Later in the day came the bounce party for Luke, Lily, and Gabby. We have 3 birthdays within a couple of wks. So, it's a great way to celebrate all. It goes without saying, the little monsters enjoyed every second!

With an empty bedroom now available, Luke has decided to take the room downstairs. As a gift he received new bedding and wall stickers. We went and picked out the bedding yesterday. Luke, Tori, and Natalie had a fabulous time putting it all together. Big surprise...Luke is thrilled to have a new room with no cartoon decor involved. Yep, he's that age.

It has been a busy week around here full of milestones, cuteness, and a whole lot of little boy attitude thrown in, a few tears, and a whole pile of smiles. And a mom who is trying to take it all in without too many meltdowns. Yep, it has been a successful few days. When it comes down to it, it's pretty much the norm when raising5boards. ;)

Life Goes On

Did you know that even if you don't post on your blog, life still goes on?

It doesn't stand still like you imagine it will. Kids still grow up, one is baptized, one turns 5, summer comes and goes, then there is Halloween (another year older) and Christmas and everything in between. Time goes by and no pictures are posted, no funny, happy, new or sad events are mentioned. Before you realize it, an addition is made to the family, finally a reason for a little (or a lot) of pink around the house. Boys are suddenly helping with the sister that they have been asking for the last 3 years. They love her and hold her, and fight over who gets to do sit by Annie in the car...yep, she is already ruling the house! I have long lived in the land of denial, but lets be honest, it doesn't stop time.

So, life goes on.

I took a huge step for me and accepted a position with AirMed as a high risk OB flight nurse. Loving every second, wishing I kept my camera in my pocket, and feeling just a little bit scared. Add an eye surgery that will eventually make things so much better (hopefully), Heather and her kids have moved out (CONGRATS!), and they are missed more than they know.

So, yes life just goes on and the last 3 months have been a little crazy around here.

Levi is on his way home from Georgia, and the last 2 weeks have been long. Time has a funny way of slowing down on it's own terms. Having him gone always gives me more empathy to single parents! "Deployment" is occasionally being mentioned again in our house. Yes, definitely living in denial when that comes up.

Baseball season is here, and as it happens every spring, life gets a little crazier. Cort is playing for the first year, and finally a sport he enjoys. Luke loves every second! His arm is getting stronger, he has an amazing coach, and the games are a blast. Win or lose.

And, then, we enjoy the ride as life goes on!

4+1= 5BOARDS

You were probably wondering why we kept you waiting for the next post; well, here she is. Annie Layla Boardman; she was born on Monday 08 February 2010 at 1431, she was 7lbs 12oz and 20in long. So we have respectively been transformed to RAISING5BOARDS. More pictures will follow.

New Paint

Luke has been bugging me for about a year to paint his room. Apparently, the sailboats that I stenciled on his wall before he was born were getting way to "babyish" for him. Luke said he was tired of having a baby's room and the blue walls were not his favorite color. So, after much debate, it was decided we would go green (haha). We chose the 2 greens he wanted, one for the top and one for the bottom, and got to work. It really didn't take long, in fact I think I painted it in a day. It is just getting over the idea of having to tape the entire room. I really hate that part! Then, after looking at the finished room for 2 days, I decided I truly hated the bottom color. Off to Lowes, and after another hour staring at paint samples, I came up with an oatmealy (yes, I know it is not a word) sort of color for the bottom. Whew, it worked! The finished results turned out great. Now, I just have to buy the military wall art/stickers to put up and it will be done. We will officially have a "big boy" room in our house.

After!

Yeah! Luke has the best Mom ever. I'm sure that is what Luke is smiling about I am positive it has nothing to do with the new paint or getting rid of the sailboats.

Rambling...

(This picture was just too stinkin' cute to not post. So, for no other reason, that's why it is here.)

I am not sure as to why I haven't posted in such a long time. I think about it, but can never seem to get myself to sit down and do it. I do many other things on the computer, but seem to avoid posting on the ol' blog. I wonder why that is? It's not that I don't get comments from my fabulous husband. I think he "suggests" I come up with something more than I think about it on my own. But, I suppose he did rescue me from impending doom and came up with the last post. So, tonight, I find myself in a surprisingly quiet house. All 3 of my boys have fallen asleep in my bed (which means, I will probably be sleeping in Cort's bed), but this leaves me without an excuse. So, except for the sound of the dog eating and of course, the radio, I find myself alone in the kitchen.

I'm also in sort of a blah mood. I don't usually write about me, but it is what is coming to mind, therefore, it's what is being written. Somehow, I've gotten into a slump. Maybe, just maybe, if I put it into words, I'll figure my way out. Things at work, are well, weird. Things have happened in the last week that have surprised me and disappointed me, but, I haven't quite worked out where I am with that. I'm certainly in a place of limbo when it comes to how I feel about my job. I do know, I 100% love what I do, there is nothing like it. At least that helps me feel a little more stable about it, even when "politics" seem to spin and spin. Things at home are good, but I'm trying to figure out why I'm feeling so blah. I think it has come down to one question. Why is it that continue to sabotage myself? I know I'm not the only person in the world to do this, but the question is why? What is it that causes people to do this? Why is it that when you know what you want and have the tools to get it, it seems to slip through your fingers? Fear, laziness, not wanting it bad enough, inability to set a goal and stick with it, trust and faith in yourself? So many things could be causing the problem or maybe, it's just one. It seems that if it was just one, it would be easy to overcome. Yet....here I sit in the quiet of my house, and can't stop thinking about the why and how of it all. Yeah, I know, I'm getting way to serious!

True to form, when I find things are getting too serious or I'm sharing too much, I find myself desperately trying to change the subject. Let's see what can I come up with?

A couple of weeks ago, Luke managed to have all things electronic taken away. I was home with him, and I had to admit, I was a little stressed about what he was going to find to do. I prepared myself for the "I'm bored, mom and there's nothing to do" comments. To my surprise, they did not come. I loved watching him come up with things to do. For a few hours, he read, colored, did puzzles and played games with anyone who would join him. I had to make cookies for work the next day, so when Levi and Cort came home, we got to work. I freely admit, I did not hesitate to pull out the electronic mixer. (I did not lose the privilege of electronic items, and I was not going to be making a huge batch of cookies by hand.) We had so much fun, I'm thinking we need to lose electronics a little more often!

And, for those of you who have been asking about the dog, He is getting big and ugly, and I think the boys love him more every day. I, however, am thoroughly annoyed by him, I want him to listen and I want him to just sit still for a few minutes. And, every now and then, I find him to be a little bit cute.

Oh, and for those of you who have taken the time to read my rambling, thank you!

Rescuing Sandie

Poor Sandie, she has not been on top of her blogging; she has been in a bit of a rut. So as usual, the charismatic husband must come to the rescue. However, Leigh F. gets most of the credit, she had this posted on her blog, therefore making it very easy for me to publish a post. (It's a little long, but you have been waiting 2 months for it.)

The idea is to bold whichever things you have done in your life!! Fun, huh? Gives you some ideas of things to do before you depart.... However, I can't resist doing this without little comments. Mine are bolded in RED!! Sandie's in BLUE!!! So of course Red and Blue for both.....

Have you ever.......

1. Started your own blog (requires a creative mind)

2. Slept under the stars (is there any place better?)

3. Played in a band (yeah, right...)

4. Visited Hawaii (not yet, but soon,....maybe)

5. Watched a meteor shower (one of these days, big meteors)

6. Given more than you can afford to charity (you give, you feel good, you forgot to check you balance...uh oh)

7. Been to Disneyland/world (the only place to buy happiness)

8. Climbed a mountain (why haven't you done this?)

9. Held a praying mantis (way cool, a must do)

10. Sang a solo (I assume the shower doesn't count)

11. Bungee jumped (love adrenaline rush, but.....)

12. Visited Paris (its on our list)

13. Watched a lightning storm at sea (someday)

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (define art....)

15. Adopted a child (not yet)
16. Had food poisoning (sometimes the cook is in a hurry?)

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty (gonna do it, yes sir)

18. Grown your own vegetables (they need love and attention in order to grow)

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France (but the people in "Da Vinci Code" wrote on it)

20. Slept on an overnight train (no intentions)

21. Had a pillow fight (and I won)

22. Hitch hiked (ya gots to do what ya gots to do)

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (but we all have gone to work sick more times)

24. Built a snow fort (if you don't, you get hit with more snowballs)

25. Held a lamb (careful, they'll poop on you)

26. Gone skinny dipping (didn't want my clothes to get wet)

27. Run a Marathon (maybe someday)

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice (someday, but the dude has to sing "Amore")

29. Seen a total eclipse (apocalyptic....)

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (see the pics at the bottom)

31. Hit a home run (but I'm not bragging)

32. Been on a cruise (soon, I hope)

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person. (one day)
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors (someday)

35. Seen an Amish community (not really)

36. Taught yourself a new language (my own language, ja-jo head)

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (notice the lack of blue on this one)

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person (someday)

39. Gone rock climbing (even big guys like me can do this!)

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David (not yet, he needs to cover up)

41. Sung karaoke (looks like it is more fun if you drink...)

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt (I am ashamed, I haven't yet)

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant (No, 'cause then they think you want something)

44. Visited Africa (I'm gonna do it)

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (North Carolina and Florida, awesome!!!)

46. Been transported in an ambulance (cool, but expensive)

47. Had your portrait painted (I am not fair enough for the artist to look upon)

48. Gone deep sea fishing (gonna do it)

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person (on my list, gonna do it)

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris (looking forward to it)

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (not yet, but definitely)

52. Kissed in the rain (blah, blah, blah; sappy....)

53. Played in the mud (I'm a guy, of course)

54. Gone to a drive-in theater (ah, the good ol' days)

55. Been in a movie (not any cool ones)

56. Visited the Great Wall of China (want to)

57. Started a business (that takes guts)
58. Taken a martial arts class (jiu-jitsu, it's a good pain)

59. Visited Russia (gonna do it)

60. Served at a soup kitchen [need to; "No soup for you!"(Seinfeld)]

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies (no, but I eaten my fair share)

62. Gone whale watching (does Shamu count?)

63. Gotten flowers for no reason (ha ha, and I sent them, ha ha)

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (now they make you wait a year after Iraq)

65. Gone sky diving (again, love the adrenaline, but the plane's not gonna crash....)

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp (definitely on the to do list)

67. Bounced a check (I was young, and "what do mean, my account's empty?")

68. Flown in a helicopter (oh yeah, and they were armed with Machine Guns!!! awesome)

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (some things last a long time and are sentimental)

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial (gonna do it)

71. Eaten Caviar (trout eggs are just as good)

72. Pieced a quilt (its a girl thing)

73. Stood in Times Square (one day)

74. Toured the Everglades (gonna do it)

75. Been fired from a job (not yet...)

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London (gonna do it)

77. Broken a bone (mine didn't hurt, but Sandie broke her back and her small toe)

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle (stupid bullet bikes...man! that was awesome)

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person (sadly, no)

80. Published a book (yeah, right...)

81. Visited the Vatican (gonna do it)

82. Bought a brand new car (I buy 'em, she drives 'em)

83. Walked in Jerusalem (some day)

84. Had your picture in the newspaper (together, wedding announcement)

85. Read the entire Bible (bits and pieces, here and there)

86. Visited the White House (gonna do it)

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (ALWAYS. One of life's great lessons)

88. Had chickenpox (it's possible not to?)

89. Saved someone’s life (Sandie's a RN, I think all RNs save lives)

90. Sat on a jury (we can't, we're professionals)

91. Met someone famous (not that it matters, but they met me, that is the real prize)

92. Joined a book club (blah blah, although Gates of Fire is a must read)

93. Lost a loved one (its inevitable)

94. Had a baby (another one only the ladies can claim)

95. Seen the Alamo in person (need to)

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake (Sandie can keep the bragging rights on this one)

97. Been involved in a law suit (we've both been sued, separately)

98. Owned a cell phone (well no kiddin', this list must be old)

99. Been stung by a bee (experience to be enjoyed by all who won't suffer anaphylactic shock)

Here is a picture from Jon's iphone; Soldier Sun-Silhouette:

It's been said that God paints the Sunsets of the World, with that truth, I think Millard County is always one of his best canvases (pic from my iphone):

Our Christmas Surprise

The title makes it sound like our surprise was one that was wanted and that it was something wanted by all of us. Don't be fooled, the surprise is something wanted by the boys in the family. Who does that leave that did not want the surprise? Me, just me. If you know me at all, you know that I am not much of a dog person. Apparently, I am outnumbered in our home, and for Christmas, we were ever so lucky and got a puppy. Yeah (not). Levi, thought it would be a great surprise to find a puppy Christmas morning. I'm pretty sure he knew it would be the only way he would get one. Once the boys saw him, there was no going back. So, Cort and Luke got to wake up to the puppy. Yeah, again (not). Then the dog got to help open presents. So much fun.

Ok, his name is Titan, he is now 8 weeks old, and we (I) am dealing with him. He whimpers at night, and Levi has to get up with him at night to put him out. What? I didn't get him. We're working on potty training, who knew that would be so hard. Fun times when you put him outside and then he comes back in and goes on the wood floor. But, every now and then he redeems himself and looks cute. Puppies really do know how to use those eyes. And, I've found, that like little boys, puppies are the cutest when they're sleeping. Maybe I'll get lucky and Levi won't read this post. He doesn't need to know all of this. I did tell Luke that if the dog goes to the bathroom one more time on my floor, we are going to have to get rid of him. Luke silently went to his room and started to cry. Crap!