my tweedle bugs

This is my basil plant.  A few weeks after I transplanted it from outside in my garden I started noticing a tickle bug crawling around the dirt.  I decided to let him stay and didn't think much about it.

Then I began to notice that he was eating my basil leaves.  And that he was not alone.  There were three other bugs with him.  A family!  It was then that I realized I had my very own set of tweedle bugs, just like Bert and Ernie have in their window box!  I knew I could not throw them out, even thought they were making holes in my leaves.   

If you look really close you can see one in this picture.  I began putting raisins and bits of carrots in the pot for them, hoping that would keep them from eating my basil.  I don't think it's worked, although they do enjoy the extra food, especially the carrots.  

There's another one in this shot.  It gives me pleasure to peak in on them as I'm doing dishes throughout the day.  Who needs guinea pigs (no one), these are the best kind of pet!

january 2015 news

Usually January is a month Brian and I dread.  It’s hard to take the snow and cold after Christmas has passed.  We are much happier this January since the weather has been completely amazing.  Earlier this week Layla was out playing in short sleeves and bare feet…in JANUARY!!!   I keep feeling weird for enjoying it so much because it is so unnatural that I’m sure it means something bad, like snow into June or a major drought.  It really feels too good to be true.

I do not plan on talking about weather so much, but it really is a remarkable thing that is happening this month.

After getting a nearly $4000 bid to get tile done in our bathrooms/laundry room, Brian and I have decided that maybe we could become tile-ists.  We are calling on all experts that we know in our life.  This is a little frightening.

After a super busy December where Brian worked his guts out, he is enjoying a lighter load at work.  It’s funny how it works.  On December 31^st he worked late, like he had done every night of December.  Then on January 1^st he was home by 11 a.m.  All of the sudden, in one day, it was over.  He is happy that he has more time to devote to running and he has a race planned every month for the next six months.  Running makes him very happy.

I (Sarah) am busy planning the Valentine’s Day party for Elle’s class and am trying to make working out at the rec center a priority at least a few times a week.  I tried a cycling class and thought I might die, but I have since found other classes that I enjoy much more.  It feels good to push myself more than I had been doing.

McKay is having fun on his first Jr. Jazz team.  He does pretty well on the court and his favorite thing is when we can go to the church to practice and play around together.   I am happy for this warm weather because he has been able to play outside a lot, which makes him very happy.

Ellery is content drawing, playing jump rope or playing with Layla.  She has always been our best sleeper, but recently has been having a hard time falling asleep at night.  We implemented a new punishment for all the kids when they get out of bed.  Porch Time…which means they have to sit alone on the porch for 3o seconds to a  minute.  So far the only one to have to do this is Layla, and I must admit it was a really long 30 seconds and I questioned the safety of this practice and wondered if I was encroaching on child abuse…but I must say it was extremely effective.  Even the threat of it has worked more than anything else. 

Layla is still in swimming lessons, every Thursday.  This is something that I’m really glad we’ve stuck with because she has improved so much.  I worry what this will mean for the summer- she thinks she can totally swim, which is terrifying, because she can’t.   She is my little buddy all day long and I am so happy to share my time with her. 

december pictures

Wayne and Alvin came over to play one day and we broke out the old farm.  This was McKay's favorite today when he was a tiny little guy and it brought back so many memories of the two of us sitting on the floor setting up this farm.  Oh the fences I would set up daily for that boy!  Layla and Wayne liked it, but not as much as my old farmer.

At the end of the year I am going to have so many pictures of these two, basically in the same pose every time!  

For Brian's work Christmas party we had to come up with a white elephant gift.  I thought of a singing toilet paper roll and when we looked it up on Amazon, we found this gem as well.  It was the hit of the party, and a hit at home.  I keep thinking about how handy it could be to have a horse head mask around at all times.  It was hard to part with it.

Ellery wanted to learn a Christmas song for our Christmas program at Grandma's.  She practiced everyday after school.  I liked seeing her work hard at something.

Brian and I were at Nordstrom doing some Christmas shopping.  We were actually there for me to try on some workout pants that I wanted to try.  That department was neighboring the lingerie department.  As we were browsing the pants, Layla walked over to this lady showing her undies and started covering her up.  Everyone around paused to see the cute little four year old help the mannequin be more modest.  It was quite precious.

McKay's grade had a field trip to the Natural History Museum at Thanksgiving Point.  I got to go along.  I feel sad that I haven't been able to be in his classroom as much this year, so it was really good to go on this trip.  We had a good time.

For Christmas I made baby Rock these magnet people of his whole Matthews family.  We did an impromptu photo shoot at Sunday dinner and the poses from everyone were awesome.   

Kara came home from her mission just a few days before Christmas!  It was so fun seeing her hug her family in the CROWDED airport- it brought tears to my eyes.  What a great accomplishment and she has been such a blessing and great example to our family the last 18 months.  It has been crazy being close to a missionary like this, because the last one I was involved with is Brian!  She has taught me a lot through her letters and I am so happy she's home.  We missed her!

Cute Poppy with his youngest girls.  

Three buddies.

This was the first of the three snowstorms this winter.  I love when they go out and get lost in playing like this.  Doesn't happen often.  

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They worked together to make this guy- and he sat on our front lawn until he was a tiny lump of snow.  

Making cookies with my new cookie scoop that I got from Jana for Christmas.  I love it.

This was our "Dad-is-working-so-lets-have-ice-cream-for-dinner-because-it's-the-week-after-Christmas-and-I'm-so-tired" night.  This was right before Elle got hit with the flu.  

christmas 2014

Christmas Eve

The Nativity at Grandma's house.  Always a favorite and these are the only pictures I took.  

Christmas morning!

Christmas this year was...different.  Brian was on-call.  That was hard and not very fun.  It was tricky to not know if/when/how long he would have to be at work, so basically, we couldn't plan on anything.  The only thing we planned on was waking up at 5:00 a.m. so we could have Christmas morning before Brian might have to go to work at six.  We made the most of it, but it was kind of sad.  Maybe that's why I didn't take a lot of pictures.

McKay sleeps in his undies, every night.  So when Brian and I saw this robe, we thought it could be a fantastic alternative to Christmas pj's for McKay.  It is so soft and comfy and he looks cute in this plush robe, so I'd say it was a good decision.  

Ellery posing with her bells.  I guess Santa didn't know if she wanted a big school bell or a little delicate bell, so she got both.

 

  

Layla Anna listening to her tunes with her new headphones.

Laysie posing with her fancy barbie and her puppy surprise, oh with new Elsa gloves too!  

One of the things on my Christmas list was a dress.  I don't have a dress.  I have many, many skirts, but no dresses.  We had looked at a store called Shabby Apple, but I wasn't ready to buy anything.  It took me a little by surprise to open a beautifully wrapped gift with this apple inside.  Brian had to point out that the apple was bruised and cut (shabby) and then I got it!  They don't do gift cards, so he got creative and I loved it!  Such a sweetheart.

A blurry family picture before we got split up again.

One wonderful thing about this year was the beautiful white Christmas we woke up to!  Can't plan it better- it was so cozy.  

At five o'clock we went over to my parent's house, without Brian.  It was too far for him to come and be able to make it back in time if he got called in to work.  It was really hard to leave him at home on Christmas day.  I almost didn't want to go.  But we did it anyway, and about an hour later he got called in, so it ended up being a good decision.  I was really excited when he got called in and announced it to my family and we all cheered because then I didn't feel sad anymore.  He ended up being able to meet us as we got home later that night, which was a very happy surprise.  We survived and luckily we won't have to deal with this again for five years.  

some christmas things we did

Last year it was the giant snowman, this year it was the "tree of life".  This tree in Draper was decked out with lights and this picture doesn't even capture the whole thing.  It was a fun family night activity, but what the kids really enjoyed was rolling down the hill right beside it.  This unseasonably warm weather has its perks!

This is the face of a proud first-grader in her first Christmas Sing!  I love what a big deal things are to Ellery, and this program was no exception.  She would practice at home just like her music teachers told her to.  Last  time we attended the first grade sing, we had a death in the family (RIP Sparkles) and it was pretty traumatic.  Luckily it was smooth sailing and uneventful this time.  She did great!

Clearly it was a busy month for Ellery.  She also had a dance performance.  This is her first year at Dance Showcase and she has had a good experience so far.  We are thinking of having her try out for a competition team in the Spring.  She was not super excited to dance to "Sock it to Me Santa", because she had to wear boxing gloves and it wasn't a very "pretty" dance, but it was adorable and funny and she did really great.  She has a talent for rhythm and choreography and is as flexible as can be.  

I admit to being quite nervous about being in the "dance world", in which I am not at all comfortable or familiar with.  Proof of this would be the fact that I didn't realize that I could go get my little dancer after her one number was over, so she could sit with us and enjoy the rest of the show.  Nope, I left her backstage waiting while the show went on- for probably 40 minutes.  I finally realized- after noticing other little dancers show up around me.  By this time, there were only two numbers left, but I booked it backstage to get her and there she was, waiting with one other little girl in her class (thank goodness for that!).  She wasn't sad or mad, just a little worried.  I, on the other hand, felt completely sick about this the rest of the day and had a really hard time forgiving myself.  At least I won't make that mistake again.

This little miss brought a list to show Santa.  I can't remember all that was on it, but I do know that her number one- a "kitty zoomer zoomer", and an i-phone were on the list.  

Elle's request was a bell.  Just a bell.  No idea where this came from, but it makes me love this unique little girl so much.  She doesn't want an i-phone, she'll be happy with a bell.  

McKay is at the age where it is getting a little awkward to sit on Santa's lap.  He was a good sport though and probably tried to talk Santa into an X-box.  It didn't work.

We saw Santa at the Riverwoods this year and it was the best!  Tiny line, free to take pictures and super convenient.  We will definitely go there next year too.  I also recognized this Santa from when he worked at the old PTC! 

We made our big batch of sweet chex mix and this is quickly becoming one of my favorite traditions.  Delivering the gifts after we bagged them up and labeled them was fun too, as the kids ran from house to house passing out the goods.  

This is not the best picture of my parent's birthday party, but it's the only one I've got!  This year the theme was "favorite things" and the image of my children dancing and singing with their cousins to Mary Poppin's "Favorite Things" as they held up items from Grammy and Poppy's collections is a memory I will cherish forever.  We might not have a lot of talents to show off, but I'll tell ya, we can throw a good party for those two.  

These gifts are from McKay.  He was supposed to just make one, but he asked his teacher if he could skip recess and make four more to give to his family.  Oh my heart!  I mean, look at that Christmas artwork!  I can't even stand it.  What a sweetheart.

Delivering our Light Awards is always fun.  It's funny to watch people's reactions to this.  It's a good opportunity to have the kids be friendly and look people in the eye when they tell them why we're knocking at their door.  

thoughts on a sunday

• Layla had a giant meltdown about making her bed this morning.  As she was screaming from her time-out, begging and plotting ways to be let out she said, "I'm not a bad guy or something...I'm just a normal, screaming human."

• One thing I love about my Ellery is that she loves odd numbers.  This reminds me of my Nonnie because she loved odd numbers.  Elle's favorites are 7, 9 and 4 and she talks about them often.  I guess she is like me a little bit with that even four in there. 

• We FINALLY made a rotation wheel for our family home evenings.  It has made such a positive difference for us.  I love how everyone takes ownership of their job and there is no longer any arguments on who is over "activity".  

• I have been so impressed with the lessons my kids will come up with.  Ellery spends the whole day thinking about it and usually has some kind of grand plan to execute.  McKay's are more on the fly, but no matter how they each do it, it is wonderful to hear from them and I see their little spirits shine.  

• McKay bore his testimony in sacrament meeting today.  As we were sitting there in our pew, waiting for the meeting to begin, he and I talked about testimony meeting and how he could get up if he felt prompted to.  He didn't hesitate at all- he really wanted to.  He shared his sweet spirit with our ward and I hope that he felt something by doing so.  

• Brian did PPI's with our kids today.  He asked Layla why we have Christmas.  "To get presents" was her reply.  He tried again, forming the question a different way, "But why do we celebrate Christmas?"  "Toys."  She clearly doesn't get it, and he had to point to our nativity to get her to remember it's all about Jesus.  We have some work to do on that one...

• The other morning she actually used the phrase, "I woke up with a fright!" after describing a noise she heard in the middle of the night.  I loved it so, so much- it made my whole day.

• She has been sneaking into my room in the early morning (sometimes middle of the night) to snuggle and I usually let her stay there, partly because I'm too exhausted to get up and move her, but partly because I kinda love it.  This morning at five or so, she came in and whispered, "Mom, I'm ready," like we had these big plans.  When I woke up to her hand resting gently on my face I forgot about what a bed hog she is and how uncomfortable my arm gets with her head resting on it.  

• Ellery was assigned to make a homemade gift for a secret santa gift exchange in her class.  She drew Owen's name and we decided to make him a snow globe.  It was a learning experience, but we made Owen a nice snow globe and the girls even made one for themselves.  And it's not even due until Friday!

• A few weeks ago Layla jumped off the stairs and hurt her foot.  The doctor said it wasn't a break, just a sprain, but even still (3 weeks later) she is still favoring her foot and skips a few steps on that foot without really even thinking about it.  At least she can wear shoes now.

• Brian has been diagnosed with shingles.  He has a swollen lump on the back of his head that was extremely painful, and after one day of intense pain, I made him go to the doctor.  I was sad to hear it was shingles, but happy it wasn't something worse.  It has not been a great week for him- it's not fun at all to have shingles- but he is on a major dose of anti-viral medication to hopefully spare his eye.  So far so good, but I told him he could always wear an eye patch in the OR.

• Ellery's number one gift that she's hoping to get for Christmas is bells. Yep.  Bells.

• The other night McKay was hoping to be put up for adoption. Really, he was.  Everyone else he knows has a game system and can stay up as late as they want...so he figured with a new family, his chances would be pretty good.  In the morning he apologized and decided to stay put.

• Sometimes when I'm getting ready I have to get creative to keep Layla entertained, that is when I decide she's watched too much tv already.  Anyway, the other day we were up in my room and suddenly we happened upon an amazing duet of Little Drummer Boy with Layla keeping the beat with "pum, pum, pum" over and over while I sang the melody.  We were extremely happy about this talent we happened upon.

• Layla and I are home alone all day...well, when she's not at preschool.  I am so grateful that she's here with me, but I must admit that when I have to get stuff done...say a phone call, or a shower, or whatever else, it's very easy to put a show on for her, or for her to hop on the computer to play starfall (which she totally can do completely independently- terrifying!).  Sometimes I will get on a roll of doing things and leave her there for longer than our 25 minute rule.  Lately I have been realizing that she is getting too dependent on that for entertainment.  She is a great little player and if I get her started, she can often times do it on her own quite well.  I feel bad and lazy and kinda awful that I am seeing these screen habits capture her attention so frequently.  I have resolved to do better and be more creative and spend more time playing with her- she deserves it.  

• My friends that I exercise with had a big conversation about technology and how terrible and addictive it is for our kids (and us!) and a lot of valid frustrations were shared, as we all lamented over the fact that this tool- technology- has gotten a hold of our population in general, but more personally, our families.  It is scary and it is way too excessive and honestly, working with the youth, I really don't know if they can function normally without a device in their hand or pocket...but the fact is, it's not going anywhere.  We have to learn to live with this and not let it control us, but to have a healthy balance.  I hope to figure this out before my kids are at the age where social media, phones and texting are a part of their lives.  I hope to be educated and current enough to know how to keep up with such a powerful tool in the hands of teenagers.  It's scary, but I guess my thought on learning to live with it in the right way is what I have to do, instead of trying to keep them away from it completely.  

• All the sudden I am super bored of that topic and really done talking about it.

• It's amazing what a little preparation can do.  Last night I remembered it was fast Sunday today.  I was able to ponder what I wanted to fast about, and pray about it the night before.  I prayed to be in tune the next day in church and to learn and be uplifted.  I think sometimes that can definitely be a choice we make.  All day today, my heart was so full of gratitude for those around me.  From the deacons singing the opening hymn (so happy they were singing and not just sitting there too-cool) to hearing my boy's testimony, to seeing my husband conduct PPI's earlier that morning, to thinking about all of the people who help teach my children the gospel every week.  I just felt so much joy and thanks for all of those things, and most especially grateful to the four people squished beside me on that bench.  I am so grateful for them and so humbled and happy to be their mom and wife.  I am truly blessed.

Happy Sunday!