On the move

Claudia has officially started crawling. In a matter of 3 weeks she has learned to move from tummy or back to the sitting position and vice-versa. She also pulls herself to standing. Making nap and bedtime a NIGHTMARE!!! She gets herself standing and then gets stuck. She is not crawling very fast yet but when she sees something she wants she will get it. Now I have to make sure to keep the floors super clean.

The Easter Bunny Comes Early

The Easter Bunny was so thoughtful and kind this year he decided to come and bring the kids their baskets early. He knew we would be going on our family vacation and thought the kids could use their gifts early. What a smart Easter Bunny. The kids were very surprised to find a note on the TV on Friday morning (April 1st) that was from the Easter Bunny. 

 

He told them that he knew they would be going on vacation and thought they could use some gifts to take. The kids were very excited. Charles and Madison found their baskets (the Easter Bunny hides them at our house) and then they found Claudia's. They were so excited. Their baskets had swimming goggles, bubbles, washable markers (THANK YOU Easter Bunny, I was having a hard time getting the non-washable markers off their hands.) Madison was SUPER excited because the Easter Bunny brought her a NEW princes piggy bank. (You will remember she broke the last one. See here.) The only downside to the Easter Bunny coming early was that Daddy was a work. 

Bitter Sweet

Almost 3 weeks ago I was released as the Relief Society President. I've had a LOT of mixed emotions. When we got home from church 4 weeks ago there was a message on our answering machine. It was from the Stake Executive Secretary and it was for John. A member of the Stake Presidency wanted to meet with both of us. I literally laughed out loud and knew there were some big changes in store. A member of our bishopric moved out of the ward and so we all knew that there would be a replacement. Some people in our ward were speculating that the replacement would be John. But I thought for sure they would leave me as RS president since I had only been in the calling for about a year. During the hours leading up to our meeting with the Stake Presidency member we kept guessing what it would be. We both hoped that it would be a call for John to be the Ward Finance Clerk. (His ALL time favorite calling.) And we really hoped it would NOT be a call for John to serve on the High Council. (I don't think I am ready for that.) But we both sorta knew that is was for John to be called to serve in the Bishopric. And of course it was!!!!! Which meant that I would be released because of our young family. The member of the stake presidency said something that I thought was great, he said Elder Cook came to our stake several years ago and said something along these lines... Do Not make functional families Dysfunctional by overwhelming them with demanding callings. Which I thought made perfect sense, although I really wasn't ready to be released. I felt like I was finally starting to understand the program and my presidency and I were finally heading in a good direction making some great progress. But I know that the Lord has a plan for John and our family. I know that I was called for a reason, even though I did not serve very long. I have grown to LOVE the Relief Society. Something I was not very familiar with since I had not really been too involved (I served in YW and Primary all my married life until we moved to Riverside.) But I now LOVE the program and know without a doubt it is an inspired program for all Sisters. I got the chance to share my testimony with all the sisters in my ward and to get to know so very many of them as I served them. I'm not sure what the Lord has in store for me now. But I do know that John will be great!!!! And I will stand by him and cheer him on and give him all my love and support as I cling to my father in heaven for support as we move forward in this new adventure.

New Year's Eve

Since we were finally in our own place for New Years we decided to have a party with some friends. It was a bit crazy having so many kids in the house but I think everyone had a good time.

 

Student of the Month

Charles was the STUDENT of the MONTH for March!!!

We are so VERY proud of him. Charles is a great little man. He is so well behaved (most of the time) and is so good at keeping you on your toes. His teacher Mrs.Ortiz says he is such a big helper and is constantly improving in all areas.

My mom got to come with me to the awards assembly since her school was on spring break. And she was nice enough to watch my girls so that I could have lunch with Charles. That is one of the rewards that the children get for being student of the month. I asked Charles what he wanted for lunch and he said, "You know what I like, surprise me." So funny!  

He is so laid back and not too opinionated and Madison is total opposite. She ALWAYS has an opinion.

We are so excited that Charles has received this award!!!! 

You may not see me sporting the sticker on my bumper, sorry I've never really been into putting stickers on my car. But we are SOOO to proud!!!

Christmas 2010

This post is REALLY late, but it's better late then Never!

We had a great Christmas spending time with both families. It truly is a blessing living so close to both of our families. On Christmas Eve we spent some time with my family since my brother and his family were going to Havasu for Christmas day. We had a great time exchanging gifts and eating (of course!)

 

Then we went to John's parents house and had a blast playing some Minute to Win It games. It was so much fun to both play and watch. Everyone had a great time. 

 

 

John's Mom was Hilarious to watch!!! She is so funny! And I love that she gets in there and does these crazy things with the rest of us.

 

 

Then we ate dinner and hung out

then the kids acted out the Nativity

 

and then we did our gift exchange. We all opened our Christmas Eve gift from Grandma and Papa Garthe. Can you guess what we got.....

 This was our first Christmas in our own place since Charles was about 18 months. So it is Wonderful to be home Christmas morning with just our family. The kids had a great Christmas and loved everything they got. In our house Santa brings you one gift and leaves it unwrapped under the Christmas Tree and he fills your stocking. This year Santa brought Charles and Madison kites. Madison's is a Tinker Bell and Charles' is a pirate ship. They are huge, about 6 feet. We have yet to fly them, but hopefully soon! Claudia got a cute outfit and some treats for when she is big enough to eat baby food. Madison was so cute and dramatic with each gift. It was a great morning!!!

 

 This is Charles "Super Excited" because he just found the Wii that mommy and daddy bought for Christmas! (Yes yes, those of you that know me know that I have succumbed, I have give in and allowed a gaming system in my home. I hope it doesn't come back to bite me in the bum.)

After our wonderful morning at home we went to my parents for more presents and dinner.

 

We had a VERY MERRY Christmas!!!!

Sports Chalet...really!!!

A couple of weeks ago I took all 3 kids out to run some errands. We went to the sports store to get me some new running shoes. I had gone a few days before to the running store to be fitted for some new running shoes. I did not buy them at the running store because we had a gift certificate to Sports Authority, and I knew they would not help me find the perfect shoe for my foot. So I took the kids into the sports store the minute we walked through the door Claudia started getting fussy. I knew exactly what shoe I needed so I thought we would be in and out. I quickly tried the shoes on to make sure I loved them as much as I did at the running store. While trying them on Madison told me she had to go potty. Great! She can not hold it very long so I quickly finished trying out the shoes and then took her to the bathroom. By then I had to take Claudia out of the stroller because she was just not happy. So Madison went to the bathroom and then we headed for the check out. Both kids were kind of wandering around not really coming with me. Finally we ALL made it to the check out. I had two coupons that I thought may work. One was for $10 off any purchase over $100, the shoes were on sale for $95, so it was not really worth buying something for a couple of bucks only to get $10 off. My second coupon was for 10% off any shoe purchase of $50 or more, excluding sale items ( I really HATE those ones.) What do you know the shoes were on sale for $5 off, so I could NOT use any of the coupons, big BUMMER!!! It's gets better...so after realizing I can't use any coupons I finally hand over my gift card excited that I was not paying full price out of pocket. The lady looks at the card then looks at me and says "this is for Sports Authority" I looked back at her and said "yes" (not knowing why she said that) then she looks back at me and says "this is SPORTS CHALET." What!!!!!

No WAY!!!!! 

I totally thought I was at Sports Authority!!! I could not believe that after all the craziness in the store I was at the WRONG store!!!! I apologized to the lady, because I was defiantly not going to be buying the shoes from there. As I walked the kids to the car I realized that Sports Authority (where I wanted to go) was just a few blocks down. But after the errands and being at the wrong store I just decided to GO HOME!!!!! 

That was the day I realized why so many people only have 1 child!!!! Having 3 is NOT easy!!!!