A Little Too Quiet...

You know when the house grows quiet...or maybe not the house but a specific child? And you don't realize just how quiet until it's too late? You realize that you haven't heard a peep from that child in a while? Well it happened here today..TROUBLE! I was upstairs making cookies..thinking Maggie was playing with the other kids when she came upstairs with her paper and marker..looking like this! As you can tell, she was very pleased with her artwork! And don't worry, she happened to find Ellie's set of markers that are NOT wash-off..little stinker!

Summer Games

This past week, we (and by we I mean the kids and I..Nate was working) headed down to Cedar City for the Summer Games. Connor's All-Star baseball team played a total of 6 games in 3 days and ended up with a shiny bronze medal.



Connor was so excited about the medal, he wore it the entire trip home

And can I just say how much kids (at least my kids) love hotels. Seriously..we could stay in a hotel and call that our summer vacation. They think it's simply magical..with the swimming pool and blow dryer and little shampoos and ice machine..it makes me laugh how much fun they think it is. And let me also just say how I could not have done this little trip without my sisters, brothers and mom...my brothers live in Cedar and played basketball in the Summer Games...which btw they took the gold! And my sisters and mom went down to watch. They helped so much with the girls and saved my bacon when they were hot and tired of sitting and watching ball games for 4 hours a day.  Cedar has this great Aquatic Center that they took them too..the perfect way to cool off



Just look at those cute cheeks




The lazy river





Mags showin a little shoulder

 

Pigeon-Toe Prayers

So this little pigeon-toed princess has been walking that way since she started toddling around...I always thought it was so cute..still do actually...but the more comments I got , the more concerned I started to become. After a visit to the podiatrist, his concerns made mine all the worse. Her femurs were rotating to far inward as she walked..most noticeably was the right leg. He suggested a visit to Primary Children's Hospital to have a consult with an orthopedic doctor. While waiting to get in, of course  my mind thinks worse case scenario...surgery? casts? leg braces? an immobilized 20 month old for the Summer? So I spent a lot of time talking to that Heavenly Father of mine...hoping and praying she would be A-OK. So yesterday, after a long car ride north and some hip x-rays (which btw she was completely hysterical about...I could hear her screaming down the hall and poor Nate had to hold her down), the Dr. came in, watched her walk around a bit, showed us her x-rays..said her hips were perfect and that she would grow out of it all by about the time she is 6 or 7 (insert huge sigh of relief). Exactly the words we wanted to hear. So until that day comes, I will smile at those inward feet and that adorable toddle-y run. And I am again reminded that my prayers are answered and that we are immensely blessed....especially to have this sweet girl as a part of our family...it's hard to believe that she is my baby, but only for a little while longer. Love you to death Mags..pigeon-toes and all!  

Matchy-Matchy

What can I say except that I am a sucker for matching girls'..and who doesn't love a comfy, breezy, summer dress?

Pregnant Shopppers

So yesterday my BFF (who is due about 10 days before I am) and I went shopping in all of our chubby belly glory. I headed up north bright and early and we started our shopping at 9:30 am and by 4pm we were exhausted...It was totally just what I needed since I had had it with my kids the day before and sooo needed a break. We shopped, ate lunch at Kneaders, shopped some more and had no real agenda..except to find shoes which we didn't find because the shoe people of the world believe that you should only wear flats or shoes that are 6 inches high and totally cute but not practical for pregnant moms who have 4 kids...Hello..oh they do have shoes with a perfect wedge..if you want to have sandals that look like a grandma....I steered both our butts away from those..tempting and comfy as they were. So we chatted and got caught up in our ever changing lives...she told me I needed a new bra..I told her she needed new sandals...you know just the usual stuff that friends do. We laughed at all the cute things our kids do..all their antics and funny sayings...like little proud mamas should...shared our worries and concerns about raising them and all that comes with kids.We laughed at ourselves with our maternity pants and the panel that goes clear up to your boobs..and saying how we used to be fashionable and wondering if we would ever be there again. We walked into fancy boutiques..acting like we could totally afford their fancy, shmancy clothes..all while really feeling totally out of place. She showed me the best kept secrets..like the gas station that has the cutest headbands, bows and shoes for little girls.
But the best thing about this amazing friend of mine is that the minute we get together, you better fasten your ear seat belts if you want to follow anything we say..cause we talk a mile a minute and go from subject to subject in microseconds..and we pretty much don't stop..even talking to each other while going down different aisles at Target and Ross..while other people think we are crazy and talking to ourselves ..and we go off on tangents but eventually end up back to what we started talking about...just ask our husbands...they will tell you that they don't even try to keep up. Hey we gotta savor these moments with no kiddos in tow..cause it happens very rarely.
So thanks Amb..for a great day...and I could totally go for another eclair!

Little Dancers


I'm not gonna lie...I love watching my girls dance in their recitals. They get so excited..the costumes, hair, make-up, being on stage..they love it! I am that super, grinning, mother who is beaming with pride and whacking Nate on the shoulder making sure he is watching how cute they are...and it's a good thing I like it so much..cuz we got a million more recitals to go over the next 18 years....(tears for Nate..sniff..sniff) Great job girlies!

Sophie's is the cute blond in the middle..stinkin cutie...and don't mind the bald head...I never said I was a
professional photographer




Ellie's front and center and of course the tallest one in the class..once again..sorry about the bald guy..obviously I didn't edit any pictures



A new trophy to add to the collection for Ellie and it was Sophie's first one..she could hardly stand it..she was so excited

Memorial Weekend Memories

We had serious plans to go camping over Memorial Weekend but alas this Utah weather changed them due to some lame rain and cold temps..so we packed the crew up Saturday afternoon for some outdoor fun at a nearby mountain park...here are some pics of the great time we had...





The Gang..Lillie, Sophie, Ellie, Mags, Taylor, Grady, Brooklyn, Connor, Rhett & Isaac




The Dad and his girls..soon it will be four!




Sophie and Maggie and the flowers they picked for me




Mags soon figured out how to quickly behead all the flowers




A fun game of ring toss



Do you think she liked the s'mores!

So serious dude...don't interrupt the s'more eating

This One Goes Out....

A quick shout out to the man of my life...today we celebrate a solid 12 years of love, laughter, tears, and craziness. It's unimaginable to think where I would be without him by my side for all these years. He teaches me every day about the kind of mother, wife and person I want to be..he totally makes me better. I love him for his patience, good-heart, the amazing father he is and for so much more. Is this getting sappy enough for you? So Happy Anniversary babe. We spent it at baseball games, watching Connor with the whole fam...which equals a never dull moment...the car ride alone is pretty much suicide :) But we made it...screaming and all. Why is it that Maggie HATES the last 30 minutes of anywhere we go and Connor just has to give his sisters' massive wedgies?

So this one goes out to the one I love...thanks for the best 12 years of my life babe! Here's to a bajillion more!

Late Easter Pics

Better late than never right..I thought I better document our 2011 Easter...

Seriously..this is the best age ever..Maggie opened every egg with an utter gasp in disbelief that there would actually be something inside one of the eggs..so stinkin' hilarious.

Randomness

I'm not very consistent with blogging lately..sorry. I'm sure you all miss my wittiness:) So here are a few random thoughts...

Last week, I was going outside to take the trash to the curb...I was in my sweats. So was my neighbor..he was in those ugly flannel pj bottoms..ya know? Anywho..as we were both taking out our trash, we did the whole neighborly wave and hello...and as I was walking into my house I thought how weird it was..not to wave and say hello (although I'm not sure they are really fond of us for some reason..I mean they totally should be... I am way fun) but it was just one of those weird grown-up moments. Like I forget that I am one..a grown-up that is...and that I have trash to take out..and a house, and a house payment, and four kids, and one more coming, and a husband, and bills, and insurance crap and all that grown-up stuff. So weird! I don't feel like a grown-up. I mean it totally beats high school and the dating years...wouldn't go back to those days..just a moment...

And also on my mind...we are selling our car. We need a bigger one and let me be truthful. We actually considered a minivan (no offense to all you who drive one...I think they are fantastic..just not for us). Actually we really considered it...even took one for a test drive and my kids were enthralled with the automatic doors...but the bottom line is that us Belnaps go up to the mountains...a lot...and  a minivan just won't cut it. So we are in the market for a big, ol', gas-guzzling Suburban. We put our car on KSL on Sunday and have had 2 calls...One guy even came and test drove it and said he was "really interested"..But that could mean crap as far as I'm concerned so we'll see....Here's a pic if you want it or know someone who does...it's been a great car..just outta room

Other thoughts..I am consumed with trying to think of baby names. I'm pretty picky and opinionated about names. Sometimes I think there should be a baby name police..so crazy people can't name their kids things like Bronckston or Shalianna or Thor or other weird names that people can't pronounce..(Sorry if you are reading this and your kid is one of those names) I mean I know people aren't in love with the names I choose but at least they are semi-normal, spelled normal and you can pronounce them. I love names that are different than names that are everywhere like "Ashley" but not too weird that their teachers at school are wondering what parent in their right mind would name their kid "Hash Brown" (true story) So here's the scoop...I like old-fashioned names for girls but not so old like "Ethyl or Alta or Mildred." Truth be told, I look for names in the obituaries..so give me your ideas..think of your Grandmas and let me have it..unless you are too scared too because of this post...you guys get my drift right..ok then...let's hear some names..did I totally offend everyone..Sorry.

Who Knew???

I never thought I would have a family of 4 children. I'm not sure I even gave it a ton of thought in the beginning of our marriage but I definitely knew I would have kids...and ever since Maggie turned one-ish..the thought was almost constant..nagging even..in the back of my mind...that maybe there was one more baby who was meant to come to our home. I thought Maggie was a boy..even at the ultrasound, I didn't believe the tech lady. But we were so happy to get that little girl..she is an absolute joy and makes me smile constantly.

So the thought persisted for months..should we or shouldn't we? Isn't 4 enough? Yes..4 is definitely enough...or not? We could not make up our minds and the decision felt so urgent. So thinking we had one more little boy who was meant to come to our home, we didn't try, but didn't not try and in January I found out I was preggers. It was touch and go during the month of February and I was certain I would miscarry. But that baby hung on and my belly and thighs (insert big sigh) started expanding.

Today at 9:00 am we went in to have our ultrasound and discovered we are pregnant with a GIRL!!!

So the bottom line is that we are super excited for this little angel to come to live with us and she will complete our family! And also I am not as in tune with the spirit as  thought :) I actually started thinking it was a girl about a week ago. TBut it's all good...this way I have no new crib bedding to get..her room is set up..just gotta move little Maggers to a big girl bed and we have girl clothes galore..so now it's onto names which I think are a whole lot easier than boy names.

And yes you might think I am crazy..and I may just be. I mean 5 kids? Nobody has that many kids these days and I almost was hesitant or justifying when people would ask me..but you know what? I am not sorry or ashamed or embarrassed... because in the end..the real end, it's all family. All of it! And we will be a crazy, hormonal house of women...plus Connor who already threw a fit when he found out he was not getting a brother. But we will be happy and I feel complete and I have waited for that feeling (and I know Nate is finally glad I have that feeling:) 4 girls and a boy. Who would have ever guessed it. Certainly not me..but I feel enormously blessed. So here's to breaking out the fat clothes, the chubby cheeks, the pressure in the crotch, the crazy sense of smell, the pumped up boobies (well sort of..I'm not sure there is much hope for mine), the sleeplessness, the exhaustion, the sudden outbreaks of tears...I mean the list goes on.

If I can make it through this emotional, physically demanding time, we will welcome a baby girl this October and we are thrilled....although Nate is having some anxiety about all the girls' basketball he will have to endure (I mean lets face it..it is sort of rough and totally not as exciting to watch as the boys' is..can you say "jump ball" repeatedly)

Mad Skillz

I'm really techno challenged..but i took this video with my phone and had to display the dribbling skills of my cute 4 year old...we are calling her the next Jimmerette! Sorry it's sideways.

Popcorn Popping...

Last Friday night was anything but dull at our house...we rented Tangled and made popcorn..Nate and I were enjoying our own show when Ellie came running up the stairs telling me that Maggie had a popcorn seed up her nose...First of all, I have decided I am not a great person to have around in a panic/emergency situation...I am completely useless. With that said, I was all but putting my clothes on, ready to head to the ER...So we get Mags, tweezers and a flashlight..sure enough, there is a popcorn kernel up her nose. Great! In 11 years of kids, I have never had one of them stick anything up their nose. So as Nate and i discuss what to do, Sophie comes upstairs, sees me in a panic, starts to bawl, and tells us she has one up her nose..Are you kidding me..you are 4..so we take a look up her nose and can't see a thing..while doing this, Nate turns to see Maggie, coughing  and the kernel pops out her mouth..but don't get too excited for us yet..we grab the flashlight to make sure it's out..oh don't worry..there is another popcorn kernel...how many more are there...so more discussion, flashlight looking, phone calls, etc. So Nate jimmy-rigs some tweezers..filing them down so they are not so sharp..and goes in for the grab. I am practically wrestling my 18 month, trying to get her to hold still and Nate ends up pushing it up farther...Super...Anywho, after a little bit, we take another look and the kernel has come down her nose..so Nate pinches it out. Whew! So we hope that was it for Mags..and as for Sophie I think she put one in but it fell out and she didn't know..who knows but we haven't seen anything since. Apparently their role model of a big brother was sticking the kernels up his nose and then blowing them out...and who doesn't want to be just like that. Gross

Cutest Shoe Giveaway

So my bro and 2 cousins officially launched the newest way to buy the cute shoes offered at Christensen's..you can check out the styles HERE... (there are a ton of them online) They are also doing a FREE shoe giveaway that you can enter HERE...So go check it out and pass the word on..you know..gotta show some love to my family:) They have a flat shipping rate of $3 and free return shipping and who doesn't love that..so get your toes painted and a new pair of sandals and your set for this amazing spring weather...at least it's here for today...

Here are a few of my favorites--

 I would totally never wear these last pair...but I think they are rockin' ..maybe in my next life

Little Letters

Dear house- I would pay some serious money if you could figure out how to be self-cleaning..now there is an idea worth looking into.

Dear Bloggers who have not blogged for over 1 year- Not that I don't like you or anything, but I am ready to do some blog spring cleaning.  So if it says you are at least a year old, I am giving you a few more days to get back into the groove..otherwise I am deleting you. Don't take it personally..but all you do is sit there as your "last post" gets older and older.

Dear Run-On Sentences- I really like you and I mostly like to use (dot, dot, dots) like....in case you hadn't noticed...because I really hate semi-colons but mostly because I don't know how to use them. When I use the .... it's like a pause-ish in my head...you know kind of like a comma but better...

Dear Size 6 diapers- Thank you for existing...my kids enter your world around age 6 months. No joke! I told this to some neighbors and they were literally flabbergasted...Apparently this is not the norm. But I know no different. So thanks for coming XL for my XL chubber kiddos.

Dear Ideal Dairy- Your tigers blood slush with ice cream on top is seriously the love of my life right now.

Dear Maggie- I love that you love Mac N Cheese so much that right now as I type, you are finishing your sister's bowl as well...

Dear Shoe Industry- Did you just forget about all us cute, 30-ish, stylish (or trying to be) moms that don't want to always wear ballet flats everyday, or wedges/heels that are 50 inches high...where's the happy medium? (Is this just me..I seriously struggle with shoes) blah!

One Year Older...

Today I turn 31. I'm not depressed. Because it's really just a number and even though I really feel 31 today instead of my usual 27..it's ok..mostly cuz I'm tired and did not sleep great last night..plus husbands should not have to work on their spouses birthday so we feel somewhat special..since when you get older, birthdays just don't have as much luster as they used to. But all in all, it will be a normal day except I am going to dinner with my fam..with my 4 kids with no husband..which doesn't sound like a good birthday time but oh well...so here's what Nate got me... a new rug to go under my table (my old one has served it's time)

And this new recipe book (I am secretly in love with cookbooks..but only ones that have pictures...all cookbooks should be required to have colored pictures..how else do you decide if it looks like it will be good?)

So Happy Birthday to me!

Lately

Mostly I have nothing of great importance to blog about..except this grand diddy..do you love oatmeal? Oh My Gosh..well if you do, and you haven't discovered this smashing, good oatmeal at McD's, then you are missing out. I am in love with it..it's the very perfect amount of brown sugar, oats and fruit..the raisins are divine..they have all the kinds of raisins in it (in case you didn't know there was more than 1 kind) Plus it's only 2 bucks..wahoo! Bad news though..as I was finding a picture of this yumminess, I discovered it has barley malt extract..which equals gluten..which equals total suckiness for me..except it hasn't made me break out (not in zits duh..in the rash..i know just what you wanted to know) when eating it before..so I may just have to eat it every now and again. Anywho..I highly recommend this..just stop by after you drop your kids off to school and as a bonus you can feel healthy about your choice cuz it's oatmeal and oatmeal always sounds healthy..even if it has brown sugar. Actually I think it really is pretty good for you. The cup does not lie.."undeniably, delicious oatmeal." So enjoy and you can thank me later..unless you hate oatmeal..then too bad for you..

Smart A

Nate and I were talking on the way home from our trip about life and our kids and what we want for them and so on and so on...it was one of those good, "life" discussions..the kind with no interruptions from screaming kids...I like those conversations..mostly because we don't get to have them very often and I think we need them to make sure we are on "track" in life..so I was deep in thought and asked Nate this question..

"How did we get here?" (meaning how did we end up already married for almost 12 years and with 4 kids..you know life happens holy cow fast)

His witty, grinning reply, "One sex at a time"

Aren't you just shaking your head? I swear...of course that's what any boy would say. Needless to say, our deep, life discussion was brought to an end. Ah well...

MIA

So Nate has had 3 weeks of vacation this month and this last week was the end of it...boo-who! We have had a great time spending time at his cabin up in the snowy mountains with the family..and then last week, we snuck off together...just the two of us for a much needed break from the kiddos. We started our trip in the Big Sin City and can I just share some thoughts with you on this subject..

Las Vegas - We first arrive and I immediately realize how much I hate big cities and all their traffic and fancy hotels. We arrived at the Mandalay Bay and I was not about to valet park...I mean I can park my own car thank you very much. Plus I am too cheap to pay someone and the whole tipping thing is awkward..like do you make it obvious or do you slip it in the hand secretly and then how much do you tip?..it's all so lame and weird. I can also carry my own luggage. I mean I can see the point of needing help if you had a ton of bags..but it was just the 2 of us. We only had one bag. So we self-parked and pulled our luggage clear through the casino and finally made it to our rooms, barely escaping the immediate sensory overload of smoke, noise, scantily clad waitress' and people starring at us like we were soooo outta place..which we sooooo were.

Well we finally made it to our room and I could have cared less if we left it again..aside from the fact that the only food we had was a fully stocked fridge, full of alcohol and drinks I've never heard of that cost millions of dollars. So off we went to find some dinner...and I was not gonna pay $16 for a hamburger even if it was by Wolfgang Puck...so off to the car we went and found PF Changs (which btw has an entire gluten-free menu..hooray!) Then we headed back to the hotel to watch The Lion King (I highly recommend this show...it was amazing and Nate and I thought we would sneak up to better seats but alas on a Wednesday, it was sold out..who knew?) The next day was filled with sleeping in (at least for Nate) granola bars for breakfast, a long hot bath and then we headed out. Nothing special..but we found Subway across the street..hooray for $5 footlongs (ok so I had to cheat a bit with the whole GF...I would have starved otherwise) Then that night we went to the Criss Angel show "Believe" which I was sadly disappointed in..still a good show and I can't figure out his tricks but I wouldn't recommend it..sorry Criss. We were in bed that night at 9 pm.

 





We did try to gamble, but lets just start off by saying we are seriously newbies in this dept. We walked around with our roll of quarters, only to find that all the machines only accept bills. So I headed to the Cashiers desk to get some bills...a whole 10 of them..the guy next to me was getting hundreds..like about 50 of them. I'm not kidding...I felt pretty lame. ..actually way lame. So we headed out with our 10 dollars. Mostly we just don't know anything about gambling..the tables are too intimidating and start at $10 and games on the machines are all so confusing. In the end, we lost the 10 bucks and went on our way. We were fish out of water in the worst way. I even had 2 free drink tickets and I was too chicken to ask if i could get a virgin pina colada..ended up giving them to two lone strangers walking by.

Then next day we checked out and headed for St. George for 2 days of the Parade of Homes. This was much more in my comfort zone..at last a place I was familiar with..and people who were friendly and smiling. Ahhhh! So in the end, this should tell you that I am completely a creature of habit..a small-town girl who likes her small town and her small town peeps. I like the familiar and my little bubble. And it was a good adventure and we had a great time and everyone needs a break now and again...we haven't had time with just the 2 of us for years. It was heaven...no whining, fighting, complaining, hitting, yelling, wiping butts, giving baths, changing clothes..just the 2 of us. Although we were only gone 4 days, we missed the kids like crazy...right up until we got home last night and the tattle-telling, whiny voices showed up and then I thought to myself..."why did I want to hurry and get home?" Kids..can't live with 'em..can't live without 'em.

Little Letters

Dear kids- please try and remember to empty your pockets before you put your clothes in the hamper. I am tired of finding rubber bugs, candy wrappers and money (well not tired of the money..you know finders keepers:) but everything else has got to go.

Dear siblings- go ahead and make fun of my color-coordinating, dry-erase calendar...laugh all you want that each of my kids have their own color of marker...we'll see who has the last laugh when you all have four kids :)

Dear Grandpas Kitchen- thank you for making GF flour that has xantham gum already in it

Dear winter- It is high time you tail it on outta here. I am totally ready for spring and spring cleaning..I'm gettin the itch to reorganize

Dear Nate- I think that a week of shed hunting is far to long to leave me...I miss you and want you back asap...please surprise me and come home tonight (now that's wishful thinking)

Dear fingernail polish- you should totally be made to be removable from clothing..I mean whoever invented you obviously didn't have any kids. Whatever..pink spots on denim is totally cool look for a mom

Dear dry cleaners- I saw on the MSN homepage today that you were one of the top 10 places for wasted money..I beg to differ. I love that you will iron my husbands church shirts ...I don't mind washing them but I hate ironing to death. So thanks and you will have my continued business..or at least those shirts that say"wrinkle free" really mean it!