My Budding Poet

Nicholas approached me with a peom he created.

This and That

This is this one.
This is that one.
Which one is
The right one, pal?

- Nicholas Hartner, age 4

My Horrific Experience

I spent most of the day yesterday out in the garden. Of course, there was water and mud involved and of course the boys decided they needed to be involved too. Nathan was so filthy that I wasn't even sure if he was inside of the little glob of popsicle, sand and mud wandering around outside. Needless to say, we all needed a bath. After I finished planting my last batch of corn, I plopped Nicholas, Nathan and myself into the bath. After some scrubbing, we were all clean. I stepped out of the bathtub and wrapped a towel around me. My eyes wandered to the mirror for a split second before I looked back at the tub and saw Nathan's panicked face looking up at me from beneath the water. Everything was in slow motion as I threw my arm into the water to snatch up my sweet baby. Nathan smiled at me and put his head down on my shoulder. He wasn't coughing, so he must not have aspirated any water. I felt sick to my stomach and my heart was pounding. I've always been so careful about not leaving my baby unattended in the bathtub. I guess you can't even look away for a second. Being right by the tub isn't always enough. When he slipped into the water, he didn't even make a sound. Nick still has no idea what happened; it was so quick that he never saw anything even though Nick was in the tub with Nathan. I really feel like a guardian angel must have been holding onto my Nathan for me until I could grab him. What a blessing.

Nathan's New Hat

I heard screeches of frustration coming from my bedroom closet. I thought maybe my little Nathan had gotten himself stuck in the laundry basket that lives in the closet. I ran in to find my little boy trying to put on a hat. The only thing is that Nicholas's underwear are a little too tight to fit over Nathan's head without some help. I laughed inside and humored Nathan. Can I just say that I never knew underwear on a person's head could be so gratifying. I'll have to ask Nathan about what I'm missing out on when he's a little older.

My Genealogy Success

I've caught the genealogy bug. I love to sit on my Grandma Bright's couch and look through her old photos with her. I've been going through my relatives' historys and photos and making sure all their oridinances have been done for them. I found an uncle that only died in 1999 that needs his work done. I was able to go to the Family History Center and get a disk ready to take to the temple. Aunt Carolyn and her family will take his name to the Idaho Falls Temple. I'm so excited. It's been fun to read about my grandpa and his family. I really appreciate them more and I feel like I really know them on a personal basis. I really love my heritage and I appreciate all the people who made me who I am.

The Versatile Camper

We don't have to worry about Nick's comfort. When we go camping, we can just bring a box. A box provides hours of entertainment, and a very comfortable bed!

Nick's new bed

Where is Nick?

"How did you find me, Mom?"

My Daily Chores

Today is going to be a busy day. I love lists, so I thought I'd write my list here.

• Exercise (done)
• Wash Nick's Bedding (in process)
• Update blog (in process)
  
• Wash sofa cushion (Nick had an accident yesterday)
• Call about visiting teaching changes
  
• Shower (most mom's know this is an actual accomplishment)
• Cut out towels for hooded baby towels
• Go Visiting Teaching
• Bring Dinner to the Carter's
• Enjoy Enrichment Night

There will be some emergencies and daiper changes in there as well as the usual house cleaning. Oh, and I need to read stories to my kids and kiss and hug them about every fifteen minutes! It's fun to check things off the list!

My Personal Record

I can't believe I keep forgetting to write this down because I was so excited that I acheived a new personal record for the 5K on a memorial day race. I came in at 22:21. This is really good for me. The whole time I ran the race, I stayed close to a couple of guys. One was wearing a T-shirt that read, "We Are the Champions". That shirt kept me going. It's funny that running is so mental. Anyway, I ran pretty hard and had an upset tummy all day. It was still worth the pain, and I felt like I really achieved something. Someday, I would like to beat 18:00. I wonder if that goal is too lofty. We'll see!

Larissa's Pedicure

Saturday afternoon, the girls went shopping while the men watched the kids.


Antiquinee, Nicholas and Maviny hang out in front of the TV with uncle Chris.


Maviny let Nathan have a taste of her candy. Whenever she wanted to have a taste for herself, Nathan screamed. Finally, she gave her sucker to her little cousin. What a sweetheart! I think the adage that "the way to a man's heart is through is stomach" is not only true, but also starts from infancy.

On Saturday night, Alicia and I gave Larissa a pedicure. Her poor feet were so calloused from all the miles she walked to share the gospel. She is such an amazing missionary! We scrubbed her feet for a long time!


I think Larissa's guy friends Jeremy (left) and Spencer (right) were amused at us.


Larissa enjoys her foot bath.


Larissa's Feet. They turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself!

We All Made It

On Saturday morning, I met Mom and my sisters and brother at the Salt Lake temple. What an amazing experience to have us all there. Mom was teary-eyed almost the whole time. The temple is such a blessing in our lives. I'm so happy to think that we can be together forever.

Larissa Arrives

I sat in the car fidgetting as I watched the flight arrival times in the airport park and wait lot. Mark insisted on seeing Larissa's plane land before we went into the airport to meet her. My Mom and Chris and Alicia were already in the airport and I was sure I would miss Larissa's arrival. After what seemed like hours, we saw Larissa's plane land. The next thing I knew, she was here! After eighteen months in Venezuela and many letters about cockroaches, spiders and parasites, it was so good to see her! It was even better to hug her!


My baby sister(right) and me(left)


My sister Alicia (left) and my sister Larissa(right)


Larissa (left) and my brother Chris (right)


My mom holding Nathan (I didn't get a picture of her with Larissa)


Hermana Bennett, Hermana ?, Hermana Bright (left to right)

Nick's Office Job

Last Sunday after church, Nick decided he had some work to do. He hammered the sticks into the ground with his shovel. "I'm planting trees!" he announced. I think the tall one in the front is a peach tree. He also planted a strawberry tree. I'm so pround of my little gardener!

Definition of a Zipper Bug

Zipper Bug

A while ago, Mark passed really loud gas underneath our blankets. Nicholas, who was enjoying his morning snuggle time, dove under the covers. "I just heard a zipper bug!" He exclaimed excitedly, "Where is it?" He never found it, but every now and then, we still hear from the mysterious "zipper bug".

Bear Ache

Nicholas gave me this definition while munching on some Teddy Grahms: "If you eat a lot of these crackers, you could get a head ache. It's called a bear-ache."

Tinkerbell and Zurg

Nicholas' favorite toy is a Tinkerbell keychain doll from Wendy's. She's missing a wing, but Nick doesn't mind. Nick always explains that Buzz Lightyear needs someone to save. Personally, I think Nick is "married" to Tinkerbell. Sometimes, he lets me in on his pretend games: "Mom, Satan gave Zurg powers so he can kill Tinkerbell." Tinkerbell always comes alive again after being buried in a tomb.