SURPRISE!

Becca came to visit Arizona! YEAH!
We surprised Princess with a "package" at the mailbox. Becca waited and surprised my beautiful oldest daughter. It was a good day.

We then went to a FLUTASIA concert. Took a few pictures and end the night with a little Cold Stone ice-cream. :)

Yep.
I can't believe I am posting this picture either.
But mostly I can't believe I went out looking like this.

This picture is to show the Sipe's, who moved to Utah, how tall our friend is now. He is pretty dang tall! He is 12 yr old in the picture - soon to be 13. Yes, he is Agent J's age and his friend. He also happens to be the son of Princess' very talented flute teacher, hence the FLUTASIA concert. Ah! Height. It is a beautiful thing.

Thanks Becca for coming to visit! Come again soon.

Mechanic that comes to YOU!

So my friend's husband is a mechanic and he is great and affordable! His website is here. He has already helped me out of a jam or two!

Maricopa Mobile Mechanic

We'll Get You Back on the Road Quickly!

Whether your vehicle needs routine service or emergency repair, you can trust our team of experts. We're a family-owned business with old-fashioned values. Like honesty and integrity.

We cater to our customers. With services like 24-hour roadside assistance, home/office oil changes and engine repair, you can count on us - wherever and whenever your car or truck needs help.

(602) 492-8868

Call us for:

• 24-hour roadside assistance
• Brakes
  
• Quick and Complete tune ups
  
• Alternators
• Engine repair
• Radiators
• Computer Diagnostics
  
• Suspension Work
• Much More...Give us a call!
  

Reliable * Guaranteed Parts and Service *

Are you on Facebook?
So is MMM (Maricopa Mobile Mechanic)!
Check him out here and share this news with your friends!
THANKS!

Post Edit: The background to this post is that my friend, Jessika's husband Tim is the great mechanic. He lost his job 2 weeks ago on a Friday and set up this business plan with his lovely wife the same day. They have truly impressed me with their professionalism and CAN DO attitude. I hope you will think of MMM for your future car needs. :) THANKS!

This time of year

is busier than December.

It is just such a busy time - the holidays that is. Everything that is "extra" or not super important goes to the back burner and you only get done the essentials.

Well May is BUSIER than that for me (and most school Moms - I am guessing).

Between award nights, recitals, wrap up events, games, team parties, slide shows, teacher's luncheons and teacher gifts, end of the school year parties, and packing for softball tournaments, I am busy. I keep telling myself that I like it this way, but really I would rather be watching reruns of West Wing and riding my bike around the neighborhood with Sweetie in tow. This last week of school is not as relaxing as I would like. I think it will be easier when my kids are home next week.

Then we will start the summer routine with four kids home all the time; which somehow seems relaxing to me.

Really KNOWING someone

A few weeks ago I ran into someone who I know from church. Well...I thought I knew her. The funny part is that she didn't know me. She had NO CLUE who I was. She really didn't know me. She looked at me like a deer in the headlights. I think I caught her off guard. It was embarrassing to say the very minimum. She said I looked familiar. She actually said my youngest child, Sweetie, looked familiar. But I think she was being kind. She didn't know my name, didn't know my face and had no idea that in MY mind I have "worked" with her and I like her. Let's clarify - when I say "worked" together, we sang together in a Stake Choir. That's all. I guess she made an impression on me, but not so much the other way around.

Has that ever happened to you?

Have any funny stories to share?

Please don't leave me hanging out here alone.

Well, being a former PTO President - people know me, but I really don't know that many people. I try to smile on campus and act friendly towards all, but sometimes they sneak up on me. Like at Costco. One day while shopping there, a lady kept smiling at me. She smiled so much, I was getting a little weirded out. I thought - I guess I should recognize her or run the other direction from the crazy lady. It wasn't until the next day that I saw her at pick up at the school that I put it together. I worked with her 2 years ago doing a Teacher Luncheon. Dang it! I goofed up. I should say hi to all, even at Costco, but sometimes I am just having an off day.

I guess seeing it from both sides I realize that this wonderful woman from church who I still like (and kind of adore) doesn't know me, YET. But hopefully when she learns my name, she will like me.

No church

© 2010, Kimball Hansen

Well...no sacrament meeting, no primary, and no Relief Society in the state of AZ today.

Instead the whole state of AZ, was invited to have all LDS members who are 8 and older and baptized to attend one of three temple dedications of the Gila Valley Temple.

photo credit: © 2010, Kimball Hansen

This temple is about 3 hours from where we live and we attended the dedication at our local Stake Center.

Me, my husband, my oldest and my oldest daughter attended the first session. It was filled with the Spirit of the Lord, as I am sure all sessions were. I felt good all over. I loved the cornerstone part, where President Monson invited members outside the temple to come up and help place some mortar. It was impromptu and sweet. Check out this link here with more details.

All in all. A good day to remember.

Celestial room of the Gila Valley temple.

Phoenix will have a temple of its very own soon. The Phoenix temple will be minutes away from my house and I look forward to it more than I can share. I love the temple and the peace that I feel every time I go. Before temples are dedicated people from any background and children (and adults) of any age are invited to attend the Open House. I hope you will attend the Phoenix Open House or any temple open house if you have the opportunity.

photo credit: © 2010, Aaron Allen

To me, the temple is the House of God on the earth and is the closest that I can get to heaven on earth. I love temples.

Family/Business Dinner on Saturday night at Old Spaghetti Factory

The sign was attached to a very, very fake tree.
Loved this sled in the front window and just had to jump on for a picture!
Agent J found an old phone booth, just like the one Superman uses.
Big beautiful couches...
ahh, nap time.

There's a TROLLEY in the restaurant!
With street signs in the trolley, too.
We ate dinner in the "library" and had a wonderful time chatting with new friends.
My Princess had a great time coloring with our new 5 year old friend. She is turning into such a good babysitter.
Silly faces makes for a good time. Business with pleasure worked out great!
I love that face.

I would highly recommend the Old Spaghetti Factory.
Good food.
Great for kids and adults.
Love that we were in our own "room".
The kids were contained and the adults could talk.
Can't wait to go out with business friends again!

Saturday Flute Recital

Princess performed beautifully. She is one of two flute students and 3 piano students. She went 4th. She played a flute solo accompanied by her teacher on the piano and she played a flute duet with her teacher. It was lovely. If you are a grandparent of ours, I highly recommend the video.

She has a great tone and I love hearing her practice. She practices with little to no reminders. She actually loves it. It is so nice when you find something your kids LOVE and they are GOOD at. Makes me smile.

I could end here, but I thought I would let you in on my secret. Not really a secret, just my real world. Here is the reality of the recital:

My family was here most of the time,

while I was here with Sweetie. Don't you just love 3 year olds? (wink, wink)

last day of swim lessons for Sweetie

My lovely friend Nancy taught swim lessons at my house for the past 2 weeks. She has the patience of Job. She had 2 little ones that screamed in her ear for a 1/2 hour each. Then she would teach this little class (plus Ellie who came a lil' late) and a refresher class in the late afternoon. They improved lots and my Sweetie can now float on her back to take a breath while dogging paddling. She is VERY good at jumping, but she has always been my brave one. Thanks Nancy for being there for my Sweetie. I am grateful to you! Nancy will be teaching at my "red neck" pool for two weeks in June, too! I say "red neck" because my pool tile started falling off 2 days before these lessons started. Now all of Nancy's clients see my red neck style of living and I don't mind a bit! Welcome to my house. This is how we roll!

Going Away Party!

So I made a new friend this school year. She volunteered with me every Friday morning in our shared 5th grade child's class. She is a nurse and a mom of 3 boys. She is laid back, cool, and easy to talk to. I really like her. Then I found out she was moving to Virgina. Dang it!

So we went out and had a really great time. (Yes, that is me riding a bull - but this post is about my friend, so stop thinking about big ol' Audra on that bull. I know I look silly!)

The cotton candy was the BOMB!

Honors Reception

Tuesday night

Princess had a softball game.
Then afterwards changed and cheered!
She saw her name,
the set up crew came,
For the grades they earned so dear.

The flag was presented
with Boy Scouts we rented
Then the red carpet did appear.
"Principal's!" They proclaimed.
"Eat desserts!" They exclaimed.
That should do it for the school year.

Teachers' Honor Roll is 3.5 or higher.
Principal's is 3.75 or higher.
Board of Directors' is straight A's.

I believe this to be the case, but don't quote me.
I only help with invites, programs and stars.
Couldn't do it alone.
A ton of people helped.
Sherry, Cathy, Molly and more.
But mostly, Marlene.
THANKS!

Proud moment

My oldest, Agent J, had his first paid babysitting job this past Saturday. He is SO good with kids - but mostly the playing part. He has a talent to make kids laugh. He is also extremely good with animals, even though I am not. We own a fish and a couple of bearded dragons, but nothing furry (not because we are allergic, just because). He is good with ALL innocent beings.


Anyway, he went babysitting for my friend Nancy (swimming lesson teacher). When Nancy came over on Monday she gave me a glowing report. She said Agent J cleaned up, brought the kids a treat if they were good and even read them scriptures before bed. He read the scriptures to the kids without being asked to from Nancy.

That last part makes me proud.
We must be doing something right.

I LIKE SUSHI!

Vicki, Rachelle, Ellen and me.

This is not sushi - I think this was the Philly roll. We had so much to choose from that I forget.
This was fried deliciousness. YUM!
This was the sushi. I like octopus the best. Next time I will try the squid. The salmon and tuna were good, too! I didn't know it, but I like sushi. Who knew?

Kidnapped, well maybe not - but I definately lost all control

My husband took me away from home and family responsibilities for one night. IT WAS THE BEST!

He surprised me everywhere we went. I only knew we were going SOMEwhere, but I didn't know where. This is where I lost all control. I loved it.

He took me to The Melting Pot. We had a private table. It was very romantic.

He took me to the Renaissance hotel over by the Glendale arena. Very, very nice.

He took me to get a couple's massage the next day, then out to lunch.

At the end of our get-a-way, I asked him, "Who helped plan this amazing trip?"
He said, "No one."
I said, "Who did you talk to about this get-a-way?"
"No one."
"REALLY?!?!?!" I was impressed. I think my expectation of him planning dates just increased. I love my man.

He did a great job and we had a wonderful time.

Babies

This is the first week of swim lessons at my house. My friend Nancy was a lifeguard before she started her family. She is using my "red neck" pool (a section of tile fell off my pool 2 days before lessons started) to teach a few lessons. So my first baby is Emery, Nancy's youngest. I get to watch this cutie while she teaches.

Babysitting this week has brought back all sorts of memories.

• Babies like to be held - A LOT.
  
• You don't get a lot done around the house with a baby around.
  
• They sure are cute and seem to make all of my troubles go away when I hold a baby. Life seems, well, in perspective with a baby. When you hold a baby, it doesn't seem to matter what so-and-so said about me earlier that day. Love babies.
  

Baby number 2 is my baby. Sweetie is taking one of the classes with Nancy. She is doing really good and I can't wait to see her improve even more next week.
This is my favorite. We have a pee bush at our pool. The kids try to get out of the pool by using the bathroom, but we solved that - PEE BUSH! Yep, even some of the girls use it.
Last but not least is baby #3 in this post -
I have been thinking about seeing this movie - Babies. It is about 4 babies from 4 different countries in the first 2 years of their lives. I heard it is a lot of boobs, but you realize that people around the world are more alike than different. Maybe another week...I have had a lot of babies in my life this week and could use a small break.