Braeden's in-love...

....with a piano! Braeden has been taking piano lessons for about 2 years now. He absolutely loves it. He has has a tiny little keyboard in his room that he has been practicing on until this last weekend. My Mom and Dad were super nice to bring this piano down for Braeden to have. He has been on it pretty much every chance he gets. I finally had to set some rules down for him. While I love to hear him play and am happy that I don't have to get on to him about practicing it was getting to be a bit much. The rules are: Piano time is every day from 5pm to 6pm and as long as he isn't suppose to be doing something else he has free reign any other time as long as no one is in the living room trying to watch TV or do something important. He was happy with that....and I am too!

a few of my favorite things...

I do not like to spend a lot of time or money on beauty products. These are some tried and true products that I love and wished I had a years worth of supply.

Dove shampoo & conditioner. Love this stuff!! It makes my hair smell so good and it feels so soft. Every now and then I branch out and try something new, but I always go back to Dove.


I have never really taken car of my face the way I should...until recently. Back in February when I turned 34 I decided it was time to take action against the little lines and creases creeping up on my face. I started using Oil of Olay Regenerist Micro Sculpting Cream. After just a few weeks of use I was getting all kinds of compliments on my skin. I decided then it was a keeper. :)


To go along with my moisturizer I thought I needed an eye cream, so I decided on Oil of Olay eye serum. I love, love, love this stuff!! My eyes are so much smoother and even Cary has noticed a difference...so much so that he said he might start using it himself....hee hee!


This CO Bigleow lip gloss is the best! It is minty and tingly on your lips. Love it! It not only comes in clear but also lightly tinted in several different colors. Got to have a tube of one of these in every purse and pocket.

Pinewood Derby 2010

We finally had our Pinewood Derby....Joshua and Cary procrastinated on making the car until the night before the race. I think it still turned out pretty darn cute!

Bluebonnets 2010

Sir Fartsalot

No, I am not talking about Cary, or Braeden, or even Joshua. Sir Fartslalot is the newest book that Joshua picked up at Walmart last week. We have been reading this book most nights at bed time. Sir Fartslalot is not only the bravest but the most potent knight in all of the Kingdom of Armpit. He is on a quest to discover the source of the Foul West Wind, a nasty odor that turns up wherever danger is lurking. This book is every 9 year old boys dream.

Handsome Guy

I had to get a picture of Braeden in his new suit...doesn't he look sharp?


Oh...and for his birthday cake he decided he didn't want cake. He wanted a big trifle bowl full of dirt and worms.

Take the Toothpaste!!

Braeden has his first official "Deacon's Quorum" camp out this weekend. As his mother I think I over prepare for him. I send him with way to much food and snacks and way to many pairs of socks and underwear. He will only be gone overnight....but you never know what might happen, right? This afternoon as I was questioning him about this and that and making sure he checked and double checked that he had everything we had this conversation...
Me: Braeden, did you get your toothbrush and toothpaste?
Braeden: Mom I don't need it. It's not like I am going to brush my teeth...I am camping.
Me: Braeden, go get your toothbrush and toothpaste.
Braeden: Mom, I am not going to brush my teeth.
Me: At least take it to make me feel better.

Boys are gross!

Dance, Dance!

This is part of my new exercise program. I get so tired of the treadmill that I needed to add something new. So, while I may look like any idiot on my dance mat it does make me sweat, burns calories, and is lots of fun!

Only 6 more years....

Braeden turning 12 this week has made me do a lot of thinking. Thinking isn't always good for me.....my mind tends to start spinning. As I was laying in bed last Sunday afternoon for a nice nap, my brain would not let me go to sleep. I was thinking about Braeden and his upcoming birthday and what an important birthday it is. I thought about how time goes so quickly and before I know it he will be in High School, driving, and dating. YIKES! Then in 6 short years he will be off to college, then on a mission, then he will come home from that mission find a beautiful, nice young lady and he will love her more then he loves me. That is what I want for him but it is hard to to wrap my brain around. So in these next 6 years I am going to hold on to him as tightly as I can and try and savour every last minute of it!

12

Today is Braeden's 12th birthday. He is super excited!! He has been wanting to be 12 for a really long time. Now he is official.

I took him out of school to go to lunch. His place of choice.....Taco Bell. He was very happy with his 5 layer Beefy Burrito. He said his friends were so jealous.

Next up Baskin Robbins for his free birthday scoop.

Tonight he will be off to Mutual for the first time. He is beyond excited about that. We offered Dave and Busters instead of Mutual. He declined. Braeden is such a good kid! We are so very lucky to have him. He has so many good qualities and we are so very proud of him. Love you, Braeden.....more then you will ever know!!! Happy Birthday!!

The Lowdown

So here is what has been going on around here.....
1. working in the yard...A LOT
2. spring cleaning
3. finding new ways to exercise and shed some lbs
4. trying to keep myself from being depressed because Braeden will be 12 tomorrow
5. trying to keep Joshua from disappearing
6. getting ready for lots of family visits
7. gearing up for the end of school and summer!!!
8. working on my PP because we WILL beat those YW in the Throwdown (for those of you who don't know what PP is you can find out here)