May

Naomi's cute class and amazing teacher, Mrs. Rosales

May 1st, we went to the Embassy Suites to check out Naomi's multiple art projects that were on display.  Art is one of her favorite subjects and it shows.  Most kids only had one or two items on display, but Naomi had three.  She was very proud as she found each one for us.

A Winter Day.

Senior Frog.

My cool necklace.

May 3rd was the neighborhood garage sale.  It was a great day and very productive for all of us.  Steve and I cleared $350.  Jeremy earned $150.  Nick earned $50.  Naomi earned $75.  The kids loved it that their old stuff was worth money and I loved it that I no longer had to look at all the extra stuff in my house.  That is definitely what I call a win-win scenario.  Back at home, Naomi and I ran out to buy a birthday present on the way to the birthday party (we totally forgot because we were getting ready for the garage sale).  Steve and Jeremy headed off to the local scout camp to work on a scout project.  Nick and I stayed at home and overhauled his scooter.  He changed out the worn wheels, spray painted the whole thing black (with glow in the dark yellow paint on the wheels) and re-wrapped the handles.  The final touch was a customized license plate.  He rode around the neighborhood while I mowed the lawn.  Later that evening, when everyone was back home, we drove to Kannapolis for the Intimidators game and fireworks.  It was a fun and eventful day.  

Before...

...After

This is one happy kid.  He has the coolest scooter in the neighborhood.  

May 4th we celebrated Star Wars Day (May the fourth be with you) with death star meatballs and spaghetti.  After dinner, Steve broke out the hammock and everyone got a turn relaxing.

May 5th we had a Cinco de Mayo dinner of tostados and Cinco de Marshmallow cookies (oatmeal cookies with marshmallow melted on the top - Steve's favorite).  We will take any chance we get to celebrate with food.

May 7th, Jeremy finally finished his Physical Fitness merit badge and can now turn in his Eagle paperwork.  He is almost done.

Steve took the truck in for its 95,000 tune up and we were expecting to have to use our $350 profit from the garage sale to pay for it, but it turned out that we had already taken care of the different parts of the tune up throughout the previous six months and it was only a $40 charge for the last few, minor items that didn't get done.  The Lord is really watching out for us and helping us with our finances.  We will reach our financial goals.

May 10th Jeremy and Steve headed out early to teach the BALOO training for the Mecklenburg County Scouting Success Seminar.  Naomi, Nick and I weeded the yard in the morning and then went to the Highland Creek Elementary spring fair.  The kids each got in two rides before the sky opened up and it started pouring.  We could have gone in the school with everyone else, but the kids wanted to see the rain so we ran to the middle school and stood under the awning and watched the impressive show.  When the rain let up a little bit we ran to the truck and decided to rent a movie from Redbox.  The kids picked "The Watsons Go To Birmingham" since Nick had read it in school and said it was good.  We really liked it.  The  pizza was really yummy as well.

Before it started pouring.

May 12th Steve turned in Jeremy's Eagle packet.  We are just waiting for his board of review.  

We also found out that both AC units and heaters are dying a slow and painful death.  They both have cracks in critical places and won't last another year.  It is time to bite the bullet and get new ones.  

May 14th we got the quote of $12,000 to replace the HVAC.  At first I couldn't breathe, but after a minute I realized that is not too bad considering we have two AC units and 2 heaters and that includes all the labor as well.  

After the meeting with the HVAC guy I got to go and visit with Sister Ford.  She is such an amazing lady and has the best stories.  Today she told me about her sons dog who liked to eat the scriptures.  He only ate the Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price, but never the Bible.  "He must be a Mormon dog because he devoured the scriptures.  I wonder what miraculous thing will come out of his mouth next."  

When I picked the boys up from school that afternoon Nick was very upset because someone had apparently taken his watch during gym.  This is THE watch that he asked Santa to bring for Christmas.  We went back to the school to look for it and it was nowhere to be found.  The ladies in the office and the gym teachers said they would keep their eyes open for it.  They also told Nick that if he saw someone wearing his watch to get a teacher to help him with it.  I am hoping we get it back, but I am not optimistic.  

That night Naomi had try outs for Pre-Challange at Strikers.  She is really excited to take this next step in her progression towards a professional soccer player.  She did very well and fully expects to be put on a team.  

There is nothing like torrential rain and a tornado warning to start the day.  May 15th did just that.  Thank goodness it only got better from there.  But then again, that is not saying much.

May 16th Nick woke up and decided he really did not want to spend several hours on the bus to and from the zoo with his classmates.  He was very upset about it and Steve and I decided that it would be okay for him to skip this one fieldtrip.  I emailed his teacher and everything was okay.  Steve had taken the day off to drive to Raleigh to check out the proposed site for scout camp this summer.  Nick went with him and the two of them had a great time.

Meanwhile, here at home, I went to HCE to help with the second grade fair.  The kids had just finished reading "Charlotte's Web" and the teachers were throwing a fair, much like the one in the book, for the kids to help bring the book to life.  It was a ton of fun helping.  I got to fill the role of "volunteer supervisor" which meant that I wandered the fair and made sure the volunteers had everything they needed.  It was a super busy job and kept me running (sometimes literally), but I loved it because I got to see everything that was going on and take some pictures on the side.  

Watermelon with Maggie and Madelyn

Naomi got the call that night that she had made Pre-Challenge.  No surprises there.  She had a huge grin on her face all night. 

May 19th-21st I proctored the EOGs at Lake Norman Charter.  It was okay and not as boring as I thought it would be.  The kids were fun to watch because of their facial expressions.  We could tell when they got to a really hard question.

The new HVAC system was installed on the 21st.  Steve worked from home that day since I was at the school proctoring. The day was not as hot as it had been for the last week which was really nice because they ripped out the old system in the morning and didn't get the new system finished until after 6 p.m.  Our house did not get overly hot and the attic was bearable for the two guys who had to spend their day up there.  After they ripped it out they showed Steve the cracks in the heater coils as well as all the rusted out parts.  It is a good thing we were doing this now.  It truly would not have lasted another winter.  

May 23 I proctored for the third grade at HCE.  It was interesting to see the differences and similarities of the two schools and grades.  At this point, after having done it for three days already, it was getting really old and I still had one more day to go.  UUUuuuuggggg!

Memorial Day weekend we spent getting things done for our upcoming summer vacations as well as Father's Day and birthday gifts for relatives.  After the morning shopping run we spent the afternoon by the pool followed by a barbeque dinner that night.  Naomi put her new sewing machine and sewing knowledge to work and sewed her first piece quilt all by herself.  

Jeremy invented a new move called the "jiggle cuddle".  We were sitting watching a movie and he put his head on my shoulder and started shaking his head into my neck.  "Jeremy, what are you doing?  That tickles.", I laughed.  To this he replied, "Mom, that is a jiggle cuddle.  I just made it up."  He then gave jiggle cuddles to everyone. He is one silly kid.

May 28th I proctored for my last time (until next year, right?) and then ran to LNC to help in the library.  At home I fixed dinner and then we all left for the church.  Jeremy needed to be there early for his Eagle board of review.  I don't know why I was so nervous while he was in the room, but I was.  He came out with a huge grin on his face.  The council representative then called me and Steve into the room to tell us what a great son we have.  He was very impressed with Jeremy's confidence and ability to answer all the questions put before him.  I am so proud of Jeremy.  He worked really hard to reach this goal.  

Troop 215's newest Eagle scout.  Isn't he handsome!!!!

May 29th I spent the day helping Mrs. Rosales in the morning, visiting Sister Ford in the early afternoon, taking dinner into the Beachums (new baby!!!!) in the early evening and then going out to dinner with the ladies to say farewell to Christie before she moved.  It was a day spent with amazing and inspiring ladies and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I am lucky to have so many wonderful friends in my life.  

Front row: Jenn, Karilee, Kathryn

Back row: Katie, Karen, Christie, Me, Julie

May 30th was the last day of school at LNC.  It will be fun to have the boys home for the summer.  That night Steve took the troop camping and Nick thought it was a great way to start the summer.

May 31st  Naomi and I helped the Jensens clean their rental before they headed out with the moving van.  It was fun to spend a little more time with Christy before they moved away.  The boys got home from the camping trip in time for Jeremy to go to his last behind the wheel for driver's ed.  He is now ready to take the test for his learner's permit.  Later that afternoon, Jeremy and his friend, Alexis (and Steve) went to see a movie.  This is already shaping up to be (to quote the boys) "the best summer ever!"

April

April was a really fun month full of really fun activities.  There was a little something for everyone.

On April 2nd, Jeremy and Steve met with all the other Lake Norman Charter 9th graders that were heading out on the Sound to Sea field trip at 4:30 a.m. to board the buses.  All year long they have been studying Environmental Science and now they were getting to put it into practice and really explore.  Steve was so funny.  He jumped at the chance to get to be a chaperone.  I was jealous because all the female chaperone positions were being filled by the teachers so I didn't get to go.  It was a nice break for him in the middle of conference prep.  They got on the bus all smiles.

Upon arrival they met the staff and were told what to expect in the coming days. 

Breaking off into groups for the first activity.

Getting ready to go.  

Exploring the sound with a net in waders.  Jeremy said it was really fun.

 They also explored the ocean side.   

 Jeremy said this was the coolest tree.  It was huge and part of the maritime forest that helps protect against erosion during storms. 

 A huge turtle shell.  

Local wildlife.

On the last night they had a bonfire on the beach and roasted marshmallows.  Some of the kids brought their instruments and there was a sing along.  Both of them said it was a lot of fun.  It must have been as they were still smiling when they got off the bus late on the 4th. 

Steve started his kick boxing on the 5th.  He came home from the class energized and said he was really going to like this workout.  He and Jeremy left to go finish Jeremy's eagle project and I took Naomi to her soccer game.  We stopped by to check out the progress after the game.  Looking good!

April 5, 2014 - It is done!!!!

The posts and plaque are in place.

We left from there and went to a birthday party for one of Naomi's classmates.  It was at Latta Plantation so there was plenty for Nick and me and explore while Naomi was at the party.  We went down to the lake and threw rocks for a bit and explored the shoreline.  There were some really cool trees.  Eventually we wandered back up to see what they were doing.  

They were riding horses and Naomi was on the biggest horse they had.  She thought it was absolutely wonderful.

Naomi, Madelyn (the birthday girl), Isabella and Maggie showing off they snakes and scorpions they had painted on their arms.  You would think they would have rainbows and flowers, but not these girls.  They are fierce.  Don't mess with them.  

 These cows were attached to a 4-wheeler and they got to go for a ride around the plantation.  

Naomi loved it.

Nick joined them for the hayride.  

Conference weekend is always one of my favorite things about April.  Steve and the boys got to go to the priesthood session that night and then we spent Sunday relaxing and listening to the prophet and church authorities.  I fixed a conference breakfast complete with pancakes, waffles, bacon, sausage, hashbrowns, eggs and orange juice.  

April 10th started out like any other day with me getting Naomi on the bus.  When I got back home there was a message from my neighbor saying that she had seen birds carrying nesting material into my dryer vent. Time to evict some birds before they laid their eggs.   I got out the ladder and went to take a look and cover it up the best I could until Steve got home with the vent.  From the ground it didn't look that far up, but as I started climbing the ladder my perspective changed.  I stopped and said a little prayer.  "Heaven Father, if I am going to hurt myself doing this alone, please let me know now."  Right then my phone rang and it was my neighbor asking if I wanted some help.  She came down and held the ladder while I put some chicken wire I had scrunched up so the holes were a lot smaller in place over the vent.  Prayer works!  Later that evening Steve came home and put the more permanent vent cover in place.  It was a good thing too because those silly birds had just bent the wire back so they could squeeze in.  

April 11th Nick and I left for our trip to Utah.  Naomi and Jeremy have both had a solo trip with me to visit family and now it was Nick's turn.  After Steve dropped us off at the airport and we had gotten our bags checked and made it through security we went to Chili's for some dinner.  Nick was so excited about the trip that everything was extra cool. The flight was uneventful and it was great to see Mom and Dad waiting for us.   

Nick taking a selfie on the plane during the flight.  

The 12th we slept in, had breakfast with Mom and Dad and then ran some errands.  Nick loved going into Seagull Book and Tape and having all LDS merchandise around.  He picked out a few things to bring home.  As we were driving around he kept commenting about how beautiful the mountains were and how much he would love to see that view every morning.  I had forgotten how stunning the mountains are.  

Back at the house Rachel came over for lunch and we sat and chatted.  It was nice to catch up with everything she has been doing.  Her new job sounds really exciting and she gets to travel a bit with it as well.  Naomi called to check in on us during the lunch and to fill us in on everything that was going on at home.  "Nothing has burned down yet, Mom."  

Nick, me and Rachel

Next, we went to David and Jalisa's house.  They gave us the grand tour and told us funny stories about each room.  Nick and Adalyn became buddies and she followed him or he followed her.  They took turns leading.  It was fun to watch.  She took him to her room and showed him EVERYTHING!  The house is really nice and Adalyn is a doll.

They whole gang.  Adalyn eventually warmed up to me because I got to babysit her doll while she showed Nicholas around.  

Cousin buddies.

Bright and early on the 13th we headed for Temple Square to attend Music and the Spoken Word.  Nicholas had never been and he was so excited.  He enjoyed it very much and was impressed by how much better the choir sounded live in the Tabernacle versus on the television.  

Mom, me, Nick and Dad in front of the Tabernacle before the broadcast.

Dad showed Nick the perfect spot where he could see the angel Moroni between the spires.  Nick thought that was really cool and captured this picture. 

Watching the practice before the broadcast.

Dad, me and Nick with a sample of the flowers on Temple Square. 

After the broadcast, Nick wanted to take a tour of the conference center.  He really loved all the artwork.  His favorite part was being on top of the building in the gardens.  He liked the view of the city and mountains and Temple Square.  

Our group with our tour guide.  She reminded me of Diane Christensen.

Dad, me and Mom.  Nick wanted to take one more picture before we left.  

Melonie texted me after the broadcast and said they were all meeting at Katrina's house for Evan's ordination to a priest.  We missed the actual ordination because we were at the broadcast and Nick was fixing breakfast for Grandma and Grandpa, but we did make it to the house for the end of the party.  We loved seeing everyone from the Cannon side of the family.  Nick loved hanging with his cousins and I loved catching up with everyone.  

Me, Katrina, Ella-Rene and Melonie.

Nick playing games with his cousins. 

We went back to Mom and Dad's to pick them up before heading out to Shaun and Kathy's for dinner.  The food was amazing, but the company was better.  We had a great time just talking and watching the kids play.  

Me, Kathy, BreElle, Amanda, Nick, Shaun and Waylan.

On the 14th I got a call from Steve.  Jeremy was going to a movie with a girl (his friend Alexis) and Steve was worried it might be a date.  I got a good chuckle out of that.  Jeremy and Alexis are good friends and nothing more.  He and I have already discussed all this.  I finally convinced Steve that it would be okay.  He is such a good dad and is always looking out for his kids.  

This was the day of the sisters luncheon.  Dad and I were given the assignment to go pick up the food while Nicholas and Grandma went to the clubhouse to set up.  

Nick in front of the fireplace completely loving his one-on-one time with Grandma.

The gorgeous table settings.

Nick took this picture of Grandma.

When all the sisters arrived Dad and Nick went off to spend the day exploring Salt Lake and the University of Utah campus.  Nick was really excited about that.  

Lunch was very nice and we all enjoyed the relaxing time of just being together and talking without the distractions of kids and daily life.  Kathy told us the funniest story.  BreElle wanted to know what a whoopin' was because her daddy is always joking about giving someone a whoopin'.  Kathy explained it was like a spanking or beating.  Without missing a beat BreElle said, "Would you show me on Waylan?"  Waylan is her little brother.  We got a good laugh about that one.  It was a nice break.  In fact, we lost complete track of time and everyone ended up scurrying off, back to their duties as wife and mother.  It was a very memorable day.  Thanks, Mom. 

Laura, Mom, Kathy, Jenny, Me.

Nick completely enjoyed his day with Grandpa.  Where ever Nick wanted to go was where they went.  He really liked the U of U campus and the bookstore.  He bought a pen that played "I am a Utah Man."   Grandpa even taught him how to play Gin Rummy.

We ate some dinner and then hurried off to visit Derran and Sarah in their new house.  We also got to meet the new addition to the family, Graham.  Their house is really nice and is right in the middle of Sugarhouse.  I can see why they chose the location.

Holding baby Graham. He is absolutely adorable.

The new mommy.  Doesn't she look gorgeous.  

Summer lasted for the first little bit of our visit and then conked out in her daddy's arms.  

April 15th  was Mom and Dad's anniversary.  We got up, ate breakfast and then headed to the Jordan River Temple to do some names for Mom.  Nick was really excited because this was his first time going to the temple. He got to do 14 names for his ancestors.  I did 10.  He said it was a really cool experience. Afterwards, Nick went with Dad to the church to do some things for Dad's calling while Mom and I stayed and did the initiatory work for the women whom I had just been baptized.  I have not done initiatory work since my own and it was really interesting and fun.  The blessings of the temple are amazing.

Grandpa, Nick and Grandma in front of the Jordan River Temple.

That night we all took Mom and Dad to PF Chang's for their anniversary.  We really are a rowdy bunch when we all get together.  It was definitely a memorable evening for Mom and Dad.  

(starting on the left and going around) Mark, Shaun, Kathy, me, Mom, Dad, Nick, Chris, Jenny and Laura..

Mom and Dad eating their 'Great Wall of Chocolate".

On the 15th Jeremy had his food challenge for egg.  Although he got all the cake down without throwing it up (which has been his reaction to egg in the past), the doctor called it a "fail" because Jeremy's mouth itched and he got nauseated.  There is an upside.  The doctor told Jeremy that if he ate one cookie with egg in it he would probably be okay.  We can also buy noodles that have been produced on the same line with items containing egg and it shouldn't be a problem.  We will call that a win.  

April 16th we went to a little place called Jim's for breakfast.  Nick LOVES going out for breakfast.  He ordered the works and finished all of it.  Back at home we baked some cookies for Dad.  We went to visit Jenny at her house to see what she had been doing with all the decorating and Nick got to hang with Eric and Andrew.  I took Nick to dinner at Hires and then we went to visit Dianna and Julie in their new house in the avenues.  When Aunt Dianna gave Nick a hug she stepped back and said, "Nick, you have pecks!"  He responded, "Thank you for noticing."  Dianna loved that.  I think Dianna might now be his favorite aunt.  He has been working on his pecks and abs lately.  While we were sitting on the couches talking, Olive (their dog) jumped up on Nick's lap.  He exclaimed, "He squished my sacs."  They all laughed and Julie said, "That's a first for our house.  We have lots of boobies, but no sacs."  Nick will always remember this visit.  He loved being the center of attention and being actively involved in the conversation.  Back at Grandma and Grandpa's we packed our bags and got ready to go to the airport.  Nick was really upset and didn't want to leave.  Grandma sat with him and hugged him while he cried a little bit.  I promised we would come back and visit soon.  The flight home was uneventful as well and we spent the 17th recovering from our trip and sharing stories with Jeremy and Naomi.  

Me, Nick, Mom and Dad at Jim's restaurant for breakfast.

Playing video games with cousins. 

Andrew, Eric and Nick.

Nick is in heaven.  A whole wall of cool cars at Hires.  

Me, Dianna, Nick and Julie

Once back home there was not much time to relax.  We started right back into the fun.  Nick wanted to help fix the chain lock we have on the front door.  The screws were coming loose.  He went in the garage and got new screws and the screw driver.  Everything was going well until he realized that using 3-inch screws for the project might not have been the best idea.  He opened the door and there were two inches of nail sticking out on the other side.  He was afraid to tell me because he thought I might be mad and was very surprised when I started laughing.  It really was funny.  I gave him a big hug and thanked him for helping fix it.  We left it so Steve could enjoy the handy work when he got home.  We then puttied it and put in shorter nails.  It is like new.  

The first few days back were rough because Nick really missed family and wanted to go back to Utah, but we filled the remainder of Spring Break with activities and friends and he was much better.  He spent some time with his friend, Ian.  We had Maggie and Sam play while their parents unpacked in their new house just down the street.  Carolyn, Asha and Izzi came back from their year in Singapore.  The neighborhood is coming alive again with all this activity and the weather is getting warmer.  I love it.  

One morning, while loading the car with backpacks and work supplies, Nick commented that Wallace Farms (our resident composted cow manure provider which we can see from our house) was smelling extra pungent today.  When the humidity rises but the temperature is still mild we do get more of a stink from them.  The funny thing was that Nick didn't say "Wallace Farms".  Instead he said "Walter Farts" and that sent Jeremy into hysterics.  Walter is a character by Jeff Dunham, a comedian/ventriloquist.  Wallace Farms will from this point on be known as Walter Farts to our family.  Thanks for the new term, Nick.

April 23 I met the most amazing woman.  Sister Ford is a 91-year-old, blind lady who is originally from London.  She is living with her daughter in Highland Creek and wanted to have visiting teachers.  I was the lucky one they called for this assignment.  We talked for two hours until I had to leave to be at the kids' school to volunteer.  She had so many fun stories that I didn't want to leave.  We arranged for me to come and visit her every Wednesday for an hour or so.  I really look forward to Wednesdays now.

April 24, we are still getting ready for the Highland Creek garage sale.  We cleaned out the kitchen and Naomi's room while gathering things.  I am calling it our extreme weight loss program.  We have so much stuff we don't need and I am excited that it will be leaving our house for good.

April 25 we all went to Lake Norman Charter to see the school play, "Wild Dust".  Jeremy was going for extra credit in his Theater class.  We all enjoyed it.  Jeremy has been bitten by the theater bug and hopefully this will get him more involved in school. We will see.  

April 26th was the final soccer game of the season.  They always let the parents come out on the field and play the last half of the game parents vs. girls.  We had a lot of fun.  

Naomi loved that I was one of only 2 moms that came out and played. All the rest were dads. It was a blast.  I look forward to it every season.

Haylie, Naomi and Paige with their trophies. 

April 28th - more pricing for the garage sale.  We have A LOT of stuff!!!  Will this ever end!??!

April 29th I got to go to Nick's school for a parent meeting.  Yes, I did say "got" to go.  His science teachers are absolutely amazing.  They really want to make science fun for the kids so they have partnered with NASA to have monthly teleconferences with Dave, a NASA scientist, who will answer any question they have.  We, the parents, were invited to experience what these conferences are like for our kids.  The hour flew by.  We really enjoyed ourselves and Dave really does answer any question.  Sometimes he will even have a video to go along with the answer.  It was amazing.  I can see why Nick likes science so much.

April 30th was the Eagle Court of Honor for Ryan Losee.  This is Steve's first eagle that he has taken all the way through the process personally and he was so proud of Ryan for getting everything done on such a short and busy time schedule.  

It was an emotional moment when Ryan presented Steve with the mentor's pin.