Anniversary gifts!

I can't believe I forgot to tell about our anniversary gifts!!

Side note: I have wanted "cow girl" boots, for MONTHS!! and Steve knows this. He was going to get them for me for Valentine's Day--and then "something came up" and he didn't get them. So, I thought maybe for our anniversary!!

Another side note: Gifts is NOT my love-language, but I would like Steve to buy me gifts (at least for holidays) without my help. When he does get me a gift, he does a GREAT JOB!! It's just not that often that he does it! AND--I usually get upset when he doesn't!

But, I am happy to say that after 9 years, I decided to just not be upset about my husband's "gift-giving struggles" and I would just buy myself an anniversary gift!! he he

So, I bought Steve's gift, wrapped it up (sack and tissue paper). And, then I also bought my own gift (my boots I wanted) and wrapped them up as well.

I gave Steve his gift when he got home from work! Then, we played outside and I had my gift sitting on the kitchen counter when we came inside. I acted like I didn't know what it was. I said, "did you get this for me!!!!!!" of course I was acting EXCITED!!! (I am laughing as I type this!!) Steve said he had no idea what it was. I opened it, and said, "ohhhh, you bought my boots I wanted.. thank you...." Steve was shocked. He didn't know what to say. He knew he had not bought it, but didn't know who did. Finally, I told him I bought it! Funny stuff!!

So, no more being mad about not having a gift. I got what I wanted and it fit! I guess I should have thought of this 9 years ago !!

Yes, I still love when Steve buys me gifts! I really love it! But, I just won't get upset about it--he claims it doesn't mean he doesn't love me!!

Steve's additional comments after he read my blog: Steve wanted me to be sure to write that, Tuesday, (the day before our anniversary) he came home from work and said he wanted to re-felt the pool table for his Anniversary gift and I could go buy my boots! BUT---being the day before, I had already bought his (our) gifts!! But, he did have the thought....

Happy Anniversary to US!

Wednesday, April 8th, Steve and I celebrated 9 years of marriage! WOW! That seems like a LONG TIME. As we were having Easter last night with Steve's family, his 17 year old niece honestly did not believe us, that it had been 9 years. I guess time flies when you're having FUN!!

I was hoping Steve would take off Wednesday (really it was just an excuse to get him to take off). Then, we decided he should take off Friday instead, because the kids would be at Grandma Balzer's, so we could spend the day together.

So here's how we celebrated Wednesday--
Steve did come home about 3pm.
We played outside for a few hours with the kids. It was beautiful!
Then, to Carlos O Kelly's for dinner.
The kids were AWESOME!!!
We like going here because the cheese dip and salsa keeps them occupied.
They were SO GOOD! Happy Anniversary to US!!
That really was a great gift!!
Then, we went to church.
After church we watched a little TV and went to bed.
9 years--that's what you get!

Friday we had a nice time together, running "errands". We went to Wal-mart, Office-Max, the bank, a few errands for Steve's work, then Towne East, Gap, and then the Golf Store! I got 2 pairs of shoes out of the day, a vest, a shirt, and a sweater! Not bad!! I think Steve got a shirt--and only because I needed to spend more $$ at JCP so I could get to $5o and get $10 off! It was a fun day but of course we spend money on days like this. There was breakfast out and then lunch out and then a coke in the afternoon! But, hey---we've been married 9 years, we deserve it...right??

It's been a good 9 years. We are in our 3rd house and we have 3 kids! Steve just drove by our first house today and said, "we've come a long way." We have. We've worked hard and we are blessed and I try not to never forget that or take what we have for granted.

We will continue to celebrate--in 11 days we get to go to Washington DC for a Premier trip. We love that our Premier trips always fall around our Anniversary---so it's easy for us to get away together!

So, here's to 9 years and another 9 and many more after that!

love you Steve!!

The Globetrotters

Last Tuesday, me and "my boys" (Steve, Jaden, and Tyler) went to see the Globetrotters at WSU. It was a fun night!

Paige stayed at Grandpa and Grandma Roth's house---even though she WAS NOT happy to be missing the "funny basketball players!"

Here's the boys--sporting their new Globetrotter "jerseys". They are actually t-shirts made to look like jerseys. You could buy a real jersey for $60. Obviously, we choose the "faux" jersey for $25 each!! The sales-lady told us the shirts shrink A LOT, so we should get a Small for Jaden and not the XS. So, we got the Small and Jaden did not like it because it was WAY too big. He cried, so we just got him the XS. Of course he wanted to be able to wear it NOW! So, I'll just have to be careful when I wash it.

Here's Jaden checking out his new shirt. From the moment we bought the shirt and put it on (immediately), he walked like this---looking down at his shirt. Steve and I were just cracking up. He just LOVED his shirt!

The fun started with GLOBIE, the Globetrotter's mascot. (I shouldn't admit this, but I didn't get the meaning of Globie, until we got in the car to go home!! he he)

When Globie came out, Jaden crawled to my lap and DID NOT LIKE HIM. He cried and even said he wanted to go home. Poor guy! Globie was out on the court for probably 10 min. before leaving for awhile. Once Globie came back, but he wasn't the "only attraction", then Jaden actually LIKED HIM!! Actually, when we got in the car to go home, Jaden talked about Globie more than anything. oh my....

And, here they are.

The Globetrotters!! #52 in the middle is the "main guy". The players and coaches wear

microphones so the crowd can hear what they say. #52 talks a lot through the night---he was the leader of the pack.

The boys!


Grandpa Roth gave the boys $5 to take to the game. So, they decided they wanted to buy a program with their $5. So, before the game Tyler and Steve looked through the whole book.

There was lots of clapping! And laughing---from most of us.

And, lots of eating.

BEFORE half-time, Tyler had eaten a carton of cotton candy ($1 in the Easter isle at Wal-mart!), a bag of cookies, and 2 bags of mini cheese-it crackers. By HALF-TIME!) Then, he ate more the 2nd half and tried everything to get Jaden's cotton candy! Remember-- I brought our own snacks and pop. There is NO WAY I could have afforded to feed that kid from the concession stand. And, YES, he had dinner before we went!!

Here's how Jaden sat 90% of the night. No emotion. I kept asking him if he was having fun or if he liked it. He kept assuring me he was having fun!! Even though there was no proof!!

This picture perfectly captures how Tyler was most of the night---just cracking up!!

(I think Jaden was a little young to catch all the jokes and when they did actually play b-ball, they passed the ball SO FAST I could barely keep up, there is no way Jaden could have been tracking the ball.) But, he said he liked it---that's all that matters.

How could stunts like this, not make you laugh!

It was a fun night. It was fun to be able to spend time with just the boys. It was pure JOY to watch Tyler just crack up and laugh and laugh and laugh! And, then it was a delight to hear them talk about it ALL THE WAY HOME and for the next several days.

We will probably go again next year--but we'll have to take Paige with us!

Busy Busy Busy

Most days at our house are busy busy busy! We seem at always be doing something. For example, here is our day today.

7:10 Tyler is up -- in my bed. I try to get him to go back to sleep, but no such luck.

7:30 I get up and shower

7:45 out of shower, instruct Tyler to get dressed. (today this actually worked. Only because he knows he can't get in trouble today--or no Globetrotters.)

8:00 Breakfast for 3 kids

8:23 Tyler on bus. I finish getting ready, get Paige and Jaden ready, fold a load of laundry, sweep kitchen floor and put breakfast dishes away, put roast in crock-pot for dinner!

9:20 out the door to Pump It Up with MOPS!!

11:30 back home. Make frozen pizza for lunch (my favorite!!). Jaden and Paige and I eat lunch

12:13 Tyler home from Kindergarten! Tyler eats lunch
(Usually we wait for Tyler and all eat together, but I thought it would be quicker to do this today--less talking and distractions)

1:00 put my 3 kids down for naps

1:20 a friend drops off her 1 year old for me to watch for a few hours--feed him, read him a book, he falls asleep at 1:45.

1:45 Jaden still not asleep. Yell at him :)
Pick up the house, dust the house, fold another load of laundry, email

2:45 Jaden still not sleeping. I lay with him until 3pm when he FINALLY falls asleep!

3:00 blog, start bible-study

3:15 Joshua wakes up from nap (friend's son). Try to finish bible-study, doesn't work!

4:00 Steve's home!

4:15 friend leaves with Joshua

4:20 take all 3 kids to Dillons to have coins counted (so they could buy something at the
Globetrotters tonight) and get snacks and drinks for tonight (remember, I am the cheap mom who takes snacks with us!)

4:45 Home. Eat dinner (yes, early)

5:00 pack up everything, clean up kitchen, put laundry away in kids rooms

5:15 leave to take Paige to Gma and Gpa Roth's. (She is upset that she's not going to see b-ball.
She keeps asking if she is going to Globetrotters. I almost gave in, and let her go, but I know she won't sit once we get there.)

10:00 home from Globetrotters!! What fun!! Put kids to bed

10:15 finish up tax information we need to turn in tomorrow, finish my blog

11:15 get ready for bed/hopefully sleep soundly, until it all starts again tomorrow

We're earning Stars...

This Tuesday, March 31st we are taking the boys to see the Harlem Globetrotters!!

I think I am more excited than the boys. But, the boys are getting excited too!!

Especially Jaden! This morning he has already asked me 3 times,

"Is it Tuesday?"

Last night we told the boys they had to earn 10 stars by Tuesday

to be able to go see the "funny basketball players".

So, there are already threats flying...

"That will not earn you a star"

"I'm taking a star away"

"Do you want to go?"

(Good thing I can control if they get enough stars or not!!!)

We have found some clips of the Globetrotters on-line and they love watching those.

I can imagine the boys will just be CRACKING up on Tuesday!

My dad took me and my brothers for MANY years in a row.

We knew , every year when they came to town, we would get to go!!

And, this is one of those moments when you look back and hope you appreciated it at the time--

because tickets are NOT cheap, AT ALL!!

Here is a picture of the Jersey that I am sure we will buy.

I am the mom who takes her own snacks and drinks in a big purse--because the concession stand prices are TOO expensive. (Seriously, $7 for cotton candy, no thank-you).

In addition, I don't let the kids buy the souvenirs. Again, a waste of money!

But.....

Jaden is obsessed with being a basketball player.

He wants to dress like a b-ball player everyday.

We bought cereal at the store yesterday day and he asked if it was "basketball player cereal".

Of course it was.

He's obsessed right now.

So, I feel that a $25 jersey will get worn---probably worn out!

I told the boys they could take their money Tuesday and buy a shirt if they wanted--

and mom and dad would help them pay for it!!

3 more days.....I can't wait.

I hope it's as FUN as I'm anticipating!!!

Off to a Jewelry Show

So, last night, like many nights, I was getting ready to go to a jewelry show.

My kids can tell when I am going to a jewelry show---

I have on my "jewelry show clothes" as the boys say, all my jewels,

and I a put my bags by the backdoor for Steve to carry out.

Jaden has a ritual before my shows. Hug good-bye. Kiss. Another Hug. High Five!

(this sometimes happens 3 or 4 times!)

So, we do all that.

Then, he still usually follows me to the back-door and

asks for yet another hug and probably a kiss.

(At least I always feel loved as I leave the house!!)

Tonight he asked why I had to go to a jewelry show.

I told him so we could have money to do fun stuff! And I left.

As I'm driving away (I'm in the street already.) Tyler comes running down the drive-way,

"I didn't give you a hug."

Ok, stop the car. Open the door, give Tyler a hug, "I love you."

My car window is down and I look in the front porch to see Jaden and Paige and Steve waving (well, mostly Paige and Jaden waving.)

And, then Jaden YELLS.....

"MAKE LOTS OF MONEY TONIGHT SELLING JEWELRY".

I just CRACKED UP!!!

And, finally....I was off to work, a little later than I had hoped!

Helping mom clean

Tyler asked if he could help me clean. today..

Why of course!

So, he gathered his supplies....all on his own.

The broom, dust pan, Lysol wipes, squirt bottle of water, a rag, and toilet paper.

Of course he can't have a serious face.

Here he is, with his supplies.

I had to take this picture because toilet paper was his cleaning supply of choice.
He cleaned the tile floors by the back doors.
He would squirt the floor with water and then rub with the toilet paper.
I know it's crazy, but I just let him clean....with toilet paper!

Then, he moved on to the bathrooms.
What a dream day.
He did use Lysol wipes on the bathrooms.

I walked in the bathroom to find this.

I decided if cleaning was "fun" or "dangerous" he might be more apt to clean again.

So, I just let him stand on the sink to clean it. He just couldn't reach without getting on top.

So--this cleaning occurred, 2 days in a row.

And, now it's been a week or so and no more offers to clean!