Zane!

Picture me saying his name in my most indignant mother hen voice. Apparently Zane is trying to really push his luck before his mission. He and 10 of his buddies (sadly, most of them were involved in the slip and slide incident) went SKY-DIVING on Saturday. Thank heavens I didn't hear about it until it was over. I would have been sick. I guess if you have 10 people you get the group rate of $150 per person. You couldn't pay me to jump out of a plane. I guess it's the whole "I have 4 kids and a husband and don't want to die" side of me speaking. He's a nut. I hope he calms down eventually and I know it could be worse but he needs to quit scaring my poor mom and myself. I think his quote to Amy was "that was the frickin' coolest shizz ever"! WHATEVER.

Sweet little babies

Little Z

I hate to speak these words outloud lest I jinx myself but I think Zachy is chilling out a little. We wanted him so much and he is our miracle baby because we didn't think we were having any more babies so we were so happy to get him here safely in Nov. 2005. He has since then made us work very hard to please him. :) He has always been super busy, somewhat fussy, and not easily entertained. (reminds me of the other Z, my bro Zane who was a VERY similar baby)

We have always had gates everywhere, we rearranged our living room to block him from the computers, until recently the dining room chairs were stacked up until dinner to prevent him from swinging from the light fixtures, etc. The last few weeks I have noticed him being happier with his surroundings. Yesterday he played with his big Lego's for a half hour. He also watched an episode of Bob the Builder. I am not ashamed to say I like him to watch a little tv so I can get some things done. He's so precious and is starting to communicate better so I think that makes him less frustrated. He even did well when my mom watched him a few weeks ago. Yee haw! I don't want him to grow up too fast, I am just glad he seems more content. I am a little nervous what will happen when all three older kids go back to school but we will make it! I sure love that little guy and his "Zachy kisses"! (He puts his head next to your face and wants kisses)

We are going to register the kids for school today. I can't believe all my big kids will be going all day! I will miss them but it's definitely time. Yesterday Mark and I decided they weren't fully taking advantage of the last few weeks of summer so we took away the tv, computer, and all electronic games until further notice so they will just enjoy being kids! They've whined a little (or a lot) but they are playing outside more etc. We told them it isn't a punishment (even though it kind of is for game addiction prone Ryan) but a chance to be kids and use their imaginations more. We'll see how it goes! Kate cried because she will miss her beloved "Full House" family. I think she really wants to be a Tanner. She loves that show more than us I think. As you can see, they need a break!

We may be getting a really nice car for a great deal in our near future. More on that soon. Mark won't know what to do with a car whose windows all roll down! :)

Words to live by....

I received this email from my aunt Heidi and it made me think. I hope you can get something out of it too.


If I Had My Life To Live Over
by Erma Bombeck

The following was written by the late Erma Bombeck after she found out that she had cancer.

If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more.

I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ...But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.© Erma Bombeck

How many hummingbirds do you see?

Best of show- go MOM!

Can't beat the County Fair! (if you're an Ehnat kid, that is)

Surprise, surprise, I took off for Star Valley again this week for a few days of fun at the Lincoln County Fair. When I was a kid, this was the ultimate in excitement! Remember, there wasn't much to do in the way of worldly entertainment when I was growing up so we used to obsess about the fair coming to town. Amy and I have a tradition of getting together during the fair and taking our kids to the madness! They weren't disappointed! We went on dollar night so every ride was a dollar instead of $3-4. We bought them tickets and then my dad bought them a bunch of tickets so they rode long into the night! Ryan's neck was sore from all the spinning and zipping around. Don doesn't get sick so he rides all the crazy rides with the kids. You sure see all kinds at the fair, from people you grew up with, to the carnies, to the local politicians, to the local weirdos! It sure is a cross -section of society every night!

Wednesday my mom spoiled us with wheat waffles and dutch honey syrup for breakfast. Then we went and had lunch at the fair (my mom won best of show on the quilt she entered) and then visited my Grandma and Grandpa Erickson. That was a great afternoon. I have the coolest grandparents. They had their family young and now are just in their early 70's. We thought it sweet to have young grandparents when I was growing up! My grandma used to take us swimming in the summer and she would dive off the diving board. We thought she was so cool!

They always make us feel so welcome. My grandma gave the kids ice cream and let them pick peas from her famous pea patch. I think the only reason she has her pea patch is for the kids. My grandpa has a new "toy". It's a Polaris Ranger and he took the kids all on a ride. They thought it was great. Amy and I took a turn driving it after that. I REALLY want one of the those now. We could take all the kids on one! Amy and Don are saving for one.

I went home on Wednesday night, knowing my baby brother Zane's mission call could come the next day but it didn't look too likely. Well, of course it came! He opened it last night. He is going to the...........ARIZONA MESA mission. Way to go, Z! I am so excited for him. He leaves in Oct.

Sat. my mom and sisters are coming down for our annual "sisters party". I don't know what we are doing yet, but I am excited!