Happy Birthday Andrew!

I can not believe my little Andrew turned 6 years old! he is still just as sweet and charming as he was when he was born. Andrew was born our smallest baby, and was probably our easiest too. That could be because he followed Bryce and ANY baby would be easy after him. He has always had a sense of calm and happiness about him. But don't let him fool you, he might be little, but he can be fierce! Again, following after Bryce, you'd have to be. The two of them were best friends from the moment Andrew was able to keep up (or as Bryce would call him, Doo Doo). Just like any kid, he has his moments, but even then, he is still usually smiling at you while he totally ignores what you've told him, or explains the great misjustice that has befallen him (no doubt at the hands of his brothers).

He takes most things in stride. So happy and mostly trying to make everyone around him happy. He and Sam sometimes come to near blows. Sam, it seems, has figured out how to push every single one of Drew's buttons.....repeatedly.

I think he sometimes gets overlooked in the chaos simply because he is so easy to please. He was so excited about his birthday this year. While his actual birthday was crazy, we talked him into letting us celebrate on Wednesday, he got really excited! Not quite grasping what was going on, he said: So, I can have a birthday tomorrow too!

Us: Yes.

Drew: That's great. Today I am six, tomorrow I'll be seven!

It took us a while to explain to him it didnt work like that, but in the end he is happy! Two days of celebration and presents! What could be better!

Just a little thing I did today....

I know I have said this before, but now, I really mean it. I think I have officially lost my mind. Now, those of you who know me well, know there wasn't much to loose. However, what little bit may have been left, well.....it's gone now.
This morning, Sam and I were hanging out watching PBS and killing time till our noon play date at the Y. I got distracted by a book I was reading, Sam messing his diaper, and then the telephone. Suddenly, it was 11:20 and I still had not showered. I took a quick shower, dressed and proceeded to style my locks.
I had the round brush going, the dryer blowing, and was in a hurry.....a bad one. By this point it was 11:40 or so, and i knew I would be a little late. This is also expected, I am a Bedwell, and it is in my blood.
So, the hairstyle,.....let's get back to it. I am styling and thinking I might just get there in time. I clip my bangs up, and see the hairspray out of the corner of my eye. I grab the spray, and generously spray the crown and sides of my noggin. Suddenly, to my horror, i see white foaming bubbles growing where I had just sprayed my hair.
I look at the vanity, and realize right next to my green bottle of Garnier Fructisse Spray, was a lovely green bottle of Scrubbing Bubbles Bath and Toilet Cleaner. I had seriously just sprayed my hair with FOAMING FREAKING BUBBLES. Needless to say, I have no more hard water stains or mildew in my hair. Luckily, I also have my hair. I rinsed quickly. I was back at square one with the hair do, so I just quickly dried it and left.
In the car, I called my friend, Rhonda, and apologized for being late, yet again. This time, I told her, I had a good excuse. She got quite the chuckle when I explained my new found beauty product. Luckily for me, no permanent damage seems to have been done (to my hair anyway). You'd think I would have quickly put away the toilet spray, but nope it is still sitting there, right along side my hairspray, which I never even used today.

The happenings around here....

The past few weeks have been filled with the usual summer business. We haven't been to the pool lately, seems every time we want to go it storms. I don't mind the rain. The lawn gets watered and I don't have to wear a swimsuit in public. Double win!
I can't believe how quickly time is ticking away and soon school will be starting. This year we will have a 7th, 6th, 2nd and 1st grader! Sam and I will chill at home! :) I am tempted to put the little stinker in pre-school. He loves playing with his friends, and is always wanting to go somewhere. My goal is to get him potty trained as soon as the big kids head back to school. Say a prayer for me.....I have never potty trained a child. No Lie. Blake has done it every time. What a good dad he is!

We are all reading lots of books from the library. I am reading for enjoyment for the first time in a long time. I remember now why I had to put aside my hobby.....nothing in my house gets done when I am reading. For example, when I read the whole Twilight series in a week, it was as if I had been kidnapped and my house fell apart. Nothing got accomplished until I finished those books. Same has been true this go around. I have been reading random things different people have suggested. I finished "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" today. I was pleasantly surprised to enjoy it. I had a slow start to it. The book is all in the form of correspondence between people, weaving the story as the letters go. At first, I was put off by the letters, but soon really enjoyed the way it allowed you to see things from so many characters eye, and to hear it from their words. Add it to your summer reading list if you haven't read it!

Business wise, I am getting ready to teach a few Super Saturday classes for one of the wards in my stake. Of course, they are getting a good deal. We are gearing up for a few Fairs, several school fundraisers, and are hoping to launch some home shows/workshops.

This summer we have said good-bye to many friends who have moved, and are welcoming new friends! Blake is keeping busy at work. He is still enjoying his job, but works crazy hours! He recently had an interview for a government civilian position. We should hear about that in the next several week (2 months at the latest.....nothing happens quickly on their time frame). It would be great to get a gov. civilian job for several reasons.....he can have his Air Force years back towards a govt. retirement. At least if it doesn't happen, he is happy with his current job.

School starts back a little over 3 weeks from now. We are starting a new chapter....JR HIGH!!!!

I seriously can't believe our babies are old enough to be in 6th and 7th grade! Kayleigh will still be at the elementary school this year, as construction on the new school was not completed in time. I shudder to think of Jonathon going to school with 7-12th grade kids......why do i feel like he is still a small, helpless child.....does this look like a baby to you?

I have a feeling the next few years are going to fly by.......I really don't know if I am prepared to be the parent of a teenager. That is just what he will be in less than 2 months!

I best go try to keep peace in the house....Jonathon has a friend sleeping over and they are tormenting KK who is trying to play dance, dance revolution. Sam is coloring on something he shouldn't, and Andrew is being far too quiet to be up to any good....

The Joys of Summer

Did you know it is hot? Like really hot! We had plans this week. Most of it involves being outside. The zoo.....the pool.....scout camp dinner and family day. So, a heat index of 108-112 does not mesh well with that! I am rethinking and looking for nice indoor activities.
Bass Pro Shops is having a free family summer camp, so yesterday a friend and I took our combined 8 children to check it out. What they failed to tell us is the Tuesday/Thursday events are lecture/scavenger hunts only. It is only the weekend that has the free shooting range, casting pond, smores, crafts, etc. So, we had 8 kids who were somewhat disappointed they didn't get to shoot airguns or bow/arrows. Bryce was bummed he didn't get to "fish". We may try to return on Saturday, but that depends...on if I want to. Truthfully, a stop by the fudge shoppe downstairs on the way out, and all the disappointment was washed away in a wave of sugary confections. I even let the kids get some candy :)

We dropped Kayleigh and her friend off at her friends house, and headed back home for an evening of pure laziness. I was going to go out and weed the flower bed, but I was out for less than 2 minutes (at 7pm) and was sweating like crazy. The phone rang, and that was all the excuse I needed to go back inside. I have some vinyl projects i need to finish in the next few days, and the garage is SO hot that I have just be procrastinating. I am afraid to see how my neighbors take to the heat. In the dead of winter, they (meaning the father and son) would be hanging out in the garage in their underwear. (and yes, with the garage door open!). It looks recently as though they are trying to make it more comfortable in there and have added a lovely yellow arm chair with wood accents. They live right across the street, so it is kind of hard not to notice. i will have to go all stealthy and snap a picture for you guys......seriously, something you have to see to believe. Thankfully, the dad is a fan of boxers vs. tighty whities. Sadly, he is not a fan of any type of shirt. He really should look into them. I walked outside to find him on the riding mower yesterday in cutoff jeans and no shirt. (no shoes either). The little boy (who is only 5 or 6) is much like is father and is a fan of bottom only attire. He does prefer tighties to boxers.

I am thinking there must be SOME kind of community code against underwear-lounging in your driveway while smoking? Right? I mean seriously, there are two houses for sale next door and across the street. If i came to look at a house and a 300+pound man was sitting in a lounge chair in just his underwear at the top of his drive way, I'd probably keep on driving. Admittedly, they are quite friendly and the mother is a fan of all clothing. I guess they figure their house, they can do what they want.

We had a fun quick trip this past weekend. My little brother finally got hitched. It was a beautiful wedding and I will do a post all about that at some point when pics are available. It was fun to sit and reminisce with my all my siblings (except for Chris who was off honeymooning, I am sure) about funny stories and things from the past. The kids all had a wonderful time with one another. I sure wish we all lived closer to each other.

This is getting long, and isn't really about anything, so I am going to go tackle one of those long neglected projects!

Pics from Baseball

As if you weren't already sick of our baseball stories, here are some pics to add to your misery! I happen to think they are cute:

I love this one, Bryce is admiring his trophy they worked so hard for!

Getting his trophy. They were all so excited to get second place!

The Scrappers
This is his team! Bryce was one of the oldest, and definitely the tallest on his team.
The whole team, except three boys, move up to the next league for next season.

This is how these boys are. Silly, wild......the dugout was crazy. Bryce is the one with the blue tongue. While Bryce was getting his trophy, Jonathon's team was playing for the championship.

It was a heartbreaking loss. There were lots of terrible calls, and the final score put the nail in the coffin for them. They went from playing for the championship, to not placing.......they tied for third, but third went to the other team as they had beaten us twice. It was still a great season, a great coach, a team of good boys! Our boys were polite, and respectful. The team that won had a team full of foul mouthed, disrespectful boys. Sometimes, winning isn't always an indicator of who is truly best.


Here are the BATS waiting for the places to be called. Jonathon is on the back row....you can see his glasses..
Waiting to get their trophies. I am amazed at the broad range of sizes in these boys! These are 11/12 year olds. Here is Jonathon getting his trophy. He moves up to the next league next year too. For now, we get to enjoy summer......then Bryce starts football and Jonathon will have Fall Ball. Fun!

Baseball is officially over.....for the summer

We had Jonathon's closing ceremony tonight. Bryce's was yesterday. His team won second in the league. Lots of natural talent on that team, and all but three boys move up to the next age group.

It is funny, Jonathon's team had a coach who gave it his all and had great practices. All the games just didn't go their way, and after a crushing loss on Monday night they lost their spot as second in the league. Jonathon did make a fantastic catch in center field, but the win was still not to be. Bryce's team had a coach who was on the clueless side, had very few practices, and they end up in second!

As Jonathon's game was going on, Bryce's team was getting their trophies. They looked SO cute out there. All season, no matter what, their team was always happy. There is one boy on the team in particular who always had a smile on his face. The boys come off the field after the ceremony proudly showing off their trophies!

I take Bryce's trophy and read the inscription and have to hold in a giggle. It reads:

2009 City League Baseball
Runner-ups


Um, people.......Runners-up. I had to point it out to the other parents They all got a good giggle out of it. It is just par for the course around here. Maybe I am just a grammar nerd...ok y'all know I am not b/c i totally ignore rules of grammar on my blog......but for a trophy you are presenting on behalf of the city! What is sad is that the trophy shop didn't catch it either!

Tonight at Jonathon's ceremony we were reminded how backwards things are around here sometimes......stereotypical rednecks. There was the guy that kept lifting his shirt and picking up his belly flap. Yucky. The lady who stepped right in front of me as i am trying to take pictures of my son get his trophy. She had the nerve to get irritated at me for taking pictures over her shoulder. The kicker of them all was the All Star coach on one field coaching a practice. He was waving a bat around, pointing it at the kids, and yelling at them. The parents all just sat and watched! I am sorry, if some guy is yelling at my kid and waving a bat at him, I am going to have to intervene. Oh, the joys of small town, southern life!

This is what happens when I try to cook.....

Yes, this is glass, shattered ALL OVER! All I was doing was trying to cook........now I dont even have a lid for the pot. Guess we better just get take out! :)