I'm Sick and Tired

Or is it Tired and Sick? Stiff neck, sore throat, achy body, no appetite, tired. So maybe the "no appetite" part is a plus, I haven't decided yet. I'm actually feeling a bit better today. I've been feeling really bad since Sunday night. I didn't realize you could catch the flu in July. Oh well. I really hope this doesn't hurt my marathon training. We're actually running the Provo 1/2 in a few weeks. I'm a little nervous. It's supposed to be a good indicator as to how well one would do on a full marathon. I would really like to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Maybe my goals are too lofty ... but it would be VERY cool.

Well, at least I've been able to curl up with my Harry Potter books without feeling guilty. I just finished four. I'm a little behind. Book six is sitting up on my shelf waiting. I'm excited. I'm saving it for my treat! I just need to finish book five. It's been so long since I've read them, that it's almost like reading a new book. I love it!

This year is my 10-year high school reunion. I haven't heard anything about it and the friends I've contacted don't either. I guess the people in charge must have dropped the ball.

This past week has been so busy. Mark has been setting up an IP phone network for one of his clients on the side. I haven't seen him much except for the times I'm helping him. It'll be nice when it's done. It's coming together really well. The phones sound really good. It will bring in some recurring revenue. If all goes well, we wouldn't need too many offices for the business to thrive. Not many people do IP phones yet, so it could be a really good niche to be in.

I have to (get to?) give a ten-minute talk in church for a combined Priesthood/Relief Society meeting on Sunday. I haven't talked in church the three years we've lived in our house. I think Mark has spoken three or four times. It's pretty funny. I better get writing!

Nick and Samuel

Here are some cute pictures of Nick and his uncle Samuel. (Yes, Samuel really is Mark's baby brother)

Nick, July 18, 2005, age 4

Samuel, July 18, 2005, age 3

Nathan's Ouchie

We went to a family party at my mom's house on Sunday. Nathan was getting pretty brave at climbing some lawn chairs on my mom's patio. Next thing I know, I hear some screaming and I realize that he fell while climbing a chair. He must have slid a bit on the cement because here is the evidence. Doesn't it look horrible? I felt so bad for the little guy. He would rub his face and then scream because I'm sure it burnt. I lathered neosporin on it. Now he has a nice scab!

Nathan, Monday July18, 2005

Nathan- profile , Monday July18, 2005

What a good sport! Sorry about that little buddy.

I Built It and They're Coming!

I am so excited about my bean trellace. It was kind of fun to build. Now the beans are actually growing up the strings! No really, this is exciting! I love to watch my garden grow. I think I'll try growing peas up a trellace next. Hey, maybe I can do that this fall.

I spent most of my day yesterday working in the yard. Mark has so much going on between his new job and his side business that I feel like I hardly see him. The last thing I want him to do is come home and mow the lawn. He should be taking me out on dates to nice restaurants instead ... don't you think?

We bought a car yesterday. It's kind of funny, but I'm excited. We bought a '92 Oldsmobile. It only had 106,000 miles on it and spent most of it's time in a garage. Mark read up on it and found that lots of people have been able to get 250,000 miles on theirs. So, it's almost like having a new car, only we paid $1,900 for it instead of $19,000. Pretty cool. We've still managed to never have a car payment. Our goal is to be millionaires by the time we turn fifty. Then we can retire and live off of interest. After all, isn't it all about how much you save? (That's what I keep telling myself ... sometimes it's sooo tempting to spend lots of money!)

I Have a New Church Calling!

I am very excited. I have been called to the the Family History Teacher. It will be such a good opportunity to learn! Now I'll have another excuse to learn more about genealogy! I really get involved when I actually sit down at the computer and work on it. I'm not feeling too talkative or writative right now. I think I'm tired. Maybe I'm reading too much Harry Potter. Does this still count as an update Cher?

Bubbles

Nicholas and Nathan had so much fun blowing bubbles at a Fourth of July party at a friend's home. I really should buy them some of their own bubble toys. Am I the only one who worries about the mess? Ever since Nathan discovered snails, I get to enjoy scrubbing snail guts out of his clothes. Did you know that smashed snails on clothes turn flourescent green? I guess the chlorophyll from all my ingested flowers stays with the little buggers. That is, until Nathan claims them. I LOVE Spray and Wash! I digress - do I sound bitter? (I just spent two hours today scrubbing stains out of clothes!)

Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Kitty Cat Gone?

Toonses(left) and Cleopatra (right)

Our naughty kitty a.k.a. "Toonses" escaped last Wednesday via a hole he pushed in the boys' bedroom screen.

We looked for him all weekend. Our endeavors included scouring the immediate neighorheed (which includes several large fields, apartment complexes and a cemetery), calling and visiting the animal shelter, posting missing kitty signs throughout the neighborhood, and scouring websites of found pets. On Sunday, the kids found Toonses hiding in the garage. He was very thirsty, but in good health. He was so excited to see the kids, but when he saw me (Mommy") he wasn't happy. I think he knew the gig was up. He's been on his best behaviour all day today. This might sound horrible, but I'm so glad we found him before we spent any money posting his picture in the newspaper. I have just one thing to say,"The little STINKER!" I'm so relieved he's home safe.

Maybe I'm Too Harsh

"Heavenly Father is going to be mad at us if we don't go to CHURCH!" It's Sunday morning and I'm sitting at home with a screaming child while Mark is enjoying church. Nicholas threw tantrums all morning long as I bathed him and dressed him. He completely refused to eat until five minutes before we were supposed to be out the door. At which point, he threw a fit that he needed a cheddar cheese stick when we only had mozzarella. When Mark offered to let Nick help back out the car, Nick said "NO!" Mark went out to get the car and Nick started screaming that "I wanted to help Daddy back the car out!" He refused to get into the car, so I gave the ultimatum: "Daddy will go to church without us if you don't get into the car. This is your only chance." Nick screamed all the way to the car. On the way to church, he screamed that he wanted his hotdog. When we got to the chapel, he refused to get out of the car. I gave another ultimatum: "If you don't get out of your seat, we'll go home." Well, he didn't get out of his seat. So we're at home. Nick is limited to sitting in the bathroom, reading scriptures on the couch, or taking a nap in his bed. I feel really sad. It's so hard to punish him. But little boys who throw fits about church don't get to go to church. I really want church to be a reward for Nicholas instead of a punishment. I want him to love church. He is such a good boy. If anyone has any success with this topic, I'd be grateful for any tips.

I've struggled with Nicholas at church for a while now. He knows how much he can fight me. I just really feel like it shouldn't be a fight to go to church. I think it's an honor and a privilege to be able to worship God.

Nick just fell asleep in the bathroom. I hope he feels better when he wakes up.