Oh so Wicked...

Rule #1: Never blog tired

(Otherwise, you get raw me. Thank you my loveliest friends for loving me, even when you know the raw me. I love, love, love you!...have I mentioned that I've missed you? Another confession: I've lost my address book. Can you pretty please e-mail me at aethunell@yahoo.com with your info? I need it. Thank you.)

Moving right along...

This past weekend was magical for a myriad of reasons:

1) Austin learned to ride his bike. Ever since then, he's wanted to "pwactice" riding his bike...of course until today when his mother neglected to shield him from the big bush at the end of the driveway that came out and grabbed him. Now, he's not nearly as eager; however, I'll "pwactice" with him tomorrow. A fresh new day always makes things look brighter (I know this from experience.)!

2) Saturday, Annie played in her first club volleyball tournament down in Orange County. She was nervously excited! Savannah, baby Ben, and I cheered on the greatest little lobaro (did you know that's a position in volleyball? I didn't.) ugh. She's still growing too fast. Growth is good, growth is good, growth is good...I hear this from my husband regularly, so I have to remind myself of this when he's not around. We cheered, yelled, cheered...such fun!

3) Several years ago, I bought the soundtrack from the Broadway musical Wicked at Target. Why? you may ask? Why do I buy most things at Target? I wander around. The more I wander, the longer I'm there, the more I spend. Oh, but I love Target!! ANYWAYS, we all love this soundtrack. So, for Christmas, Adam and I gave the three eldest girls tickets to see Wicked down in L.A. The night was magical! We treated ourselves to a delectable Italian feast on Sunset Blvd. beforehand, complete with warm, incredible Artisan bread and fresh pesto. I've been dreaming about it ever since! After, we walked down the street to the Pantages Theater to see our show. Amazing. I laughed, I cried. I've never heard voices sing like that! Well, it did help that both witches were from Texas. I loved them before they even opened their mouths! I'll enjoy this memory forever!

And, this happened Monday...my sweet friend Tiffany gave me a new "plan"/game to do with my little ones--entailing poker chips. When I told my sister about this new wonderful plan, she burst out laughing and said, "You've gone from warm fuzzies (cotton balls in jars) to poker chips!!! What is this world coming to???" When Kate opened the poker chip box, she read the label, "Po-ker...Mom, did you know this says 'Poker chips'?" Yes, my love...don't worry, we will not be playing poker. I'm not that Wicked! :)

Line of the week, asked by my almost 13 yr. old:

"Mom. Was pizza around when you were a kid?"

Sweet Dreams...

Resolutions

Resolutions. Now it's just funny. I think I have had this exact post for the last three years. I will be better at this...for posterity's sake. This year, I have decided to start small. The only thing I have on the list for January is: hmm... No, I'm not going to say it out loud. I'll jinx myself. If I do accomplish it, I'll just tell you! I like this way.

Tonight I'm feeling a bit tender. Homesick. Homesick for the familiar. We've lived in this house for a year now and I love it, but I guess I'm looking for someone who knows me. Knows what I like. When you're a mom of a gaggle of kiddies, many times it's hard to take time for friendships. Life moves at such a lightning speed, that some nights when it slows down, you look around and feel alone.

Now aren't you glad you're reading? :)

Night night. I think a good night's sleep always makes things look brighter. (and I will be checking off one of those resolutions...)

The Greatest Joy

Happy Mother's Day to all of you capable, intelligent, creative, caring, loving, kind mothers! I hope your day was a special one. I actually love Mother's Day (and not just because I get breakfast in bed--with a basil tomato omelette, and am entitled to one long guilt-free nap in the middle of the day). All day I get to reflect on my own mother, grandmothers, mother-in-law and to think of how miraculous they truly are...and how I want to be just like them when I grow up.

I love all the little notes, pictures, poems my children create especially for me. They are displayed and saved. One, in particular, brought a smile and belly laugh to me today.

To: Mom

From: Austin (scribed at primary)

My mom's name is: Alexis

My mom is 10 years old.

My mom likes to go anywhere.

My mom has green eyes.

My mom weighs this much: 26 (who created this list anyway??)

My mom's birthday is on 26th of August. (actually July 9th)

My mom was born in my grandpa's house

My mom's favorite food is spinach (either they've been watching too much Popeye or I've been pressuring my kiddies to eat this frequently lately).

My mom likes to help me eat lunch.

My mom is the best at going to Disneyland.

I LOVE YOU MOM!!!!

Ahhh...at least he knew my first name.

These are precious days. Some days feel endless, but looking back the time goes at lightning speed. I love being a mother. There is nothing I'd rather do.

Again, happy mother's day.

p.s. A quick, funny story...Ok, the boys actually have been watching a lot of the original black and white Popeye cartoons lately. I think I found this classic DVD in the dollar bin at Target. Anyways, as we were driving around, Joseph randomly said, "Mom, I want to eat more spinach...like Popeye." "Oh, that's good son. Spinach is just so good for you. Spinach really does make you so strong and healthy." "And...I want to smoke like Popeye." "Eh?" "You know, how he can make those circles of smoke in the air?" great.

Whoever said motherhood was dull???!!!

Blackberry Lane

I get my thrills...on Blackberry Hill (well, I think it was Blueberry Hill).

I sing this little jingle often as I pull into my driveway. This is our new abode.

Say hello to "Blackberry Lane."

I love this place. I'm still pinching myself that I actually live here. I've driven through this area for years, and just dreamed. God is very good to us.

Our next door neighbor takes my girls horseback riding down the road as often as my girls have time. We have a confused rooster living across the street (along with many other barnyard animals) who has absolutely no clue as to what time it really is. He just cock-a-doodle-doos sporadically during the day and night. I know because I'm pregnant and use the restroom regularly...especially in the middle of the night. The first night here, I awoke at 3:30 a.m. to this rooster's exclamation. I smiled in my bed and thought, "Aw. I live in the country. A rooster cock-a-doodle-doing...how charming." After I counted 33 cock-a-doodle-doos...not quite as charming.

Anyhow, it's still all wonderful. For the last month, we've spent our Saturdays working in the yard. Actually, I love digging in the dirt. Last weekend, Adam planted five more fruit trees. So, now we have (not to brag or anything) five orange trees (navel and valencia), a grapefruit, two lemons, a pomegranate, Satsuma tangerine, two plums, an apricot, an apple, a peach, two avocados, and four different grapevines. Next weekend we want to plant our berries. We're country folks now. My sister Lauren still thinks we need a beehive. I still think that's funny. Erika and beehives...I can visualize it all.

So, the picture of the road is what I see before pulling into the driveway.

Frontyard

Backyard

Adam planting

Boys helping

Erika's awesome outfit she put together. She wanted to wear a tutu. It was too cold. We compromised.

And, Adam's sister, Britta, and her family came in town last week. It's always nice having a visit from family.

Next time, I'll include the inside. Brace yourself. This house was totally "in"...IN THE 80's! There's enough dark green carpet to last you a lifetime.

Have a fabulous day!

And, I now have my 40 year old husband. I knew we had turned a corner, when I was listening to the oldies station last week on the radio and heard one of his old, favorite 80's "I come from a land downunder" by Men At Work, sandwiched in between "In the Jungle...the Lion Sleeps tonight" and "Everybody's doing a brand new dance now...come on baby, do the locomotion..."

I just had to smile.

Journal Make-Up

Do you write in a journal? Daily? Weekly? Monthly? Yearly?

Obviously, I'm on the yearly plan.

Honestly, I am a journal writer. Really, I am. However, even though my journal sits on the edge of my bedside table, staring me in the face every night, I usually crash into bed, or onto the floor, or into my children's bed (and I mean crash. In fact, just the other night, my sister, Adrienne, found me face down on the carpet, glasses askewed, book bent, glamorous drool everywhere fast asleep). So, after a long hiatus of non-journaling, this is what I usually do:

1) Ennumerate everything that has happened in the meantime, usually taking up many pages. This takes up quite a bit of time, but I'm funny in the way I don't want different memories to be lost forever (because, let's face it, in the past, oh 12 years and nine months, I have had very little memory to speak of).

or

2) I say, "Well, just too much has happened. I don't have the time to recount everything. I'm just starting from today."

So you can know that I haven't been sitting on a chais lounge, savoring bon bons, and watching the long Pride and Prejudice movie for the last four months, I will quickly combine the two methods and pick up next week with an honest to goodness post with pictures and descriptions.

Just for the record (in order):

-Bought a new home on October 30th (I'll have to post pictures later. I love it. It's complete with a laundry shoot, fruit trees of all sorts of yummy varieties, a pool, an acre of land for a large garden, chickens, and my jersey cow--which Adam has already nixed...)

-Erika contracted some mysterious skin disease that two different doctors could not identify. gnarly.

-My parents left for an 18 month mission to Hawaii. They are loving it! Of course, it's Hawaii!

-celebrated Thanksgiving! So much to be grateful for...so much.

-sold our home in two hours. a sheer miracle.

-packed

-moved the week of Christmas in unusual California torrential rain. Actually, we moved our stuff in the garage. Our house was being painted

- Homeless for three days. High humidity=wet paint...that wouldn't dry. Eight people on one very kind family's floor.

-moved in two days before Christmas--just by the skin of our teeth! Adam's parents came into town. It was very nice to have them here...they are always so generous and helpful.

-Breathed a huge sigh of relief and gratitude

- School

-Work

-Found a wonderful piano teacher for my girls after a very long search

-Austin broke both bones in his arm after I was giving him an "under-dog" on the swings at the park. Talk about guilt!

- Adam was released as Bishop of our ward at church. A very bitter-sweet time. We loved our ward, but boy is it nice having another adult at the end of our pugh! Ha-llelujah!

-Annie turned 12 and entered into the young women program at church. Quite a teary experience. Like my mom always lamented, "Why do you have to grow up?" However, Adam the realist and optimist always reassures me, "Growth is good. Look at what an awesome young woman she is!" I know. He's right. She is as bright and twinkly as ever. She loves the group of girls her age at church and school and was thrilled to be "kidnapped" out of primary last Sunday.

-Adam has been out of town quite a bit lately. I admit. I don't like it when he's gone. The bed is very empty...for about 30 minutes until all my little peeps join me. I think while I write this I have three kiddies in my bed upstairs. See why I'm up so early??

Oh! Did I mention I'm expecting a baby! Baby #7! Wow. I'm still trying to get control with six. Adam muttered a couple weeks ago in bed, with his eyes closed, and arm over his face, "I feel like I'm on a roller coaster and can't get off." Well baby, hang on for dear life. Or maybe just put your hands up and squeal with laughter...the ride is so much more fun that way! (I'm 16 weeks along--just in case you're wondering).

And, Adam turns the big 40 this week! He tells me that I talk about it too much. But, I don't really. I think he's just a smidgen sensitive. He's still as amazing, handsome, funny, smart, loving, kind, and good as ever. Just love that man...

Well, that wraps it up. A quick journal entry in a nutshell. Thinking of you. Hope your new year's resolutions are going well. I'm still making them.

Love you bunches...

Modern-Day Miracles

That's right. Miracles never do cease. I'm living proof.

Miracle #1: It's raining (and not just a lame-o drizzle like we usually get in Southern California). Peeps, if you have access to a Trader Joe's, this is the time you need to go and get yourself some spiced cider and maple cookies (the ones that are shaped like a fall leaf). Perfect, cozy treats for a rainy day.

Miracle #2: My house is clean. miracle. Well, we did all work on it for about 7/8 of the day, but ahhhh... (laundry doesn't count, right?)

Miracle #3: My dear, amazing friend Cherie and her miracle-working camera. She took our family's pictures last weekend and they turned out beautifully. Like everything she touches. She captured our family so perfectly. Now, the pressure is off for last-minute Christmas card pictures ...whew. Love you so much Cher. Thank you a million times over.

Are you enjoying the Fall season? Have you gone to a pumpkin patch lately?

Goodnight. xoxo

Me & a bedside table

Hi everyone! I've missed you!

I've been on leave.

Let's see, where did I leave off...hmm...well, I don't even know where to begin. LOTS has taken place.

We travelled to Utah in the summer.

Kate was baptized (pictures to follow. a very special day.).

The kiddies started school at a new charter school over in Camarillo (adding an extra 2 hrs. for me, the boys, and Erika in the car. I think I've figured out every fruit and vegetable that is being planted off the freeway. I was just noticing all the harvested pumpkins on the hillside today. I am giddy it's fall)

I'm teaching the two music classes/week. Fun, but still ironing out the kinks.

Honestly, I don't know what has happened. It's a blur. I was just thinking tonight that I need to make a to-do list everyday like a normal person. Maybe I can keep track of my life a little better. Maybe that's why I needed to blog, to make some sort of documentation that my little family is still alive and moving along.

Hence, the bedside table. This is my bedside table...a disgrace, I know. Who knows what's piled underneathe there. Open the drawer and you'll be taking your life in your own hands. I have so many books that I'm in the middle of, no wonder my brain is a swimming mess. I'm overbooked!-Get it? I'm so clever. ("Great!" You're saying to yourself. So glad I'm reading Alexis' blog...such a boost!).

Well, here is the boost! My kids are as cute as ever...if I may say so myself. Every morning on the drive home, we have to take a specific route so that Austin and Joseph can see this "race car" parked in front of a house. When I pointed out a different race car on the freeway, Joseph said, "Mom, that's not a race car. It has to have a number on it." Oh, okay. Then, the entire drive home was spent conversing with my little boys on what type of race car they will drive. "A dark blue one with, guess what number on it mom?" I then spent the next little while, guessing what number they'll put on their race car. delightful.

Joseph didn't want to eat the yellow center of his hard-boiled egg this morning, so he promptly threw it in the flower bed. He said, "It'll be Jack and the Egg-stock." I laughed.

Kate started speech this year so that she could say her "aw's"=r's. She giggled while telling me that if she fills out her entire "chawt" (chart), she'll get an entire pack of silly bands. Are those silly things as big in your area as they are in ours? sheesh.

Austin started pre-school for the first time. I'm glad he's in preschool for the sheer fact that I get to pick him up and see his ecstatic face when he sees me come through the door. priceless. It's moments like those that I never want my babies to grow up. My heart can hardly take it.

Erika is as spicy as ever. She's the boss applesauce...understand rubberband? (remember that?). She crawls out of her crib every night and pitter patters down the hall to our room. We're still working on her vocabulary, since she mostly says, "Na-o" (No!) or "Da" (Yes!). We like to think of her as our brilliant, Russian speaking baby.

Annie is making friends at her new school. Like I tell her often, she could make friends with a post. She's enjoying having a locker in middle school and is growing up faster than is good for her mama's heart. She spent a week down in Texas, by herself, with my parents and Fordy. She had such a special time and will never forget those moments with Jefe and Merlsie.

Savannah is still as sweet as ever. She's still adjusting to the new surroundings at the new school. It just takes time. Every night, however, she makes a palette in the playroom for herself to sleep upon. My sleeping beauty. Never mind that we have four other empty beds in the house!

Adam's bedside table looks almost identical to mine. Get my drift?

Get some sleep and enjoy the weekend! It's conference time! I love this time of year. That is a true boost!

Kisses...