what a beautiful mess

This week is going by so slow .  I really can't believe it's only Wednesday.  We're calling it a night. I'm not going to do the dishes or anything.  And if I have ants in the morning, then so be it.  I'm tired.

Today I proved once again that I was "that" kind of mom. The * cool mom. Anna, Joshua and I went to the gas station to get me a Diet Dr Pepper. (which I stopped drinking weeks ago btw~it obviously didn't stick) Joshua rode his bike, Anna rode her scooter and I rode a scooter. Oh yes I did. I rode the little Razor Scooter. And I liked it. It was a fast way to get there but more importantly it was a fun way to get there. The only hard part was trying to ride home using one hand while riding the scooter. It proved a little difficult but there was no way I was letting go of my soda. Thank heavens I don't embarrass my 3 younger children yet. Emily on the other hand gets embarrassed by me every day (that doesn't bother me at all). What better joy is there in life than mortifying your children? (lots of better joy but this is a pretty good one anyway) Trevor just laughed at me when he found out what my mode of transportation was. Secretly, I think he wa...

Spending all morning rearranging your room  (or as in my case, all day)? That's what my girls did this morning. And I like it.  I didn't help one bit, except for vacuuming.  I did that soon after this picture was taken.  How can you not absolutely love these girls?  They are heavenly.  (except when they throw monstrous fits)

The weekend that is.  While it was leaving, we stopped to take some photos.  The following one is beautiful.  This next one is goofy.  We went hiking, painted a playground, fed the missionaries,  watched some movies, ate some yummy food and had a great time.  Josh got so worn out he did this: and this: The girls did went to a musical (thanks Haslems for taking them!),  modeled for each other and did some of this: And while the girls were at the musical, Stephen had fun doing this: It went by way too fast.  But we can't wait to do it all again in 5 short days....

You know that mom who lets her kids sit in front of the television most of the day? And the kind that lets their kids eat on the floor in front of said tv? You know,  the really cool mom? Yeah, that's me. We've been walking everywhere this week.  Today was the first time we got in the car today (other than with Trevor in the p.m.) when we had to take Emily to guitar lessons.  So I decided it wouldn't hurt anyone if they were allowed to "chill out" for a bit. I may or may not look like I'm from the South.  Like south-of-the-border-kind-of-south.  Although Trevor disagrees.  He says I look like a racoon.  Have I mentioned lately how MUCH I love summer?

I waited a whole week for this to show up.  USPS can be so sloooow... I love, love, love this book .  The pages are b.e.a.utiful.  If you ever want a decorating book this should be top of your list. And if you want some runner ups, here you go:   Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces Jonathon Adler, My Prescription For Anti~Depressive Living The Vintage Home The Comfortable Home Maybe I'm the only one interested in these books but I still couldn't keep it all to myself~ the book I've been reading, "Life of Pi", has been put on hold temporarily. 

RIGHT NOW: My sunburn hurts (in a good way) I am listening to "Bleeding Love" I am waiting for Trevor cause we have a very important appointment tonight.  I am drinking a Diet Dr. Pepper. Conan is on interviewing Larry the Cable Guy so the tv is on mute.  Now I'm listening to "Bubbly"  My children are going to sleep, yelling lots of "I love you's" down the hall. I just got a text from Jill.  I am thinking about my snack this afternoon which I also had about 15 minutes ago with Trevor while watching Conan.  Now I'm listening to "Beautiful Like You". Remembering the smoothies we made for dinner with our awesome Vit-A-Mix and thinking we'll have them for breakfast also.  Right now I am not tired at all.  But I'm happy and satisfied and content.  (my snack) And now I'm listening to "I'm Yours". I'm ending this post on a very good song.

And they were at the Chukars opening night game.  I don't even feel a need to watch the 4th of July's anymore  cause these were so good.... I'm serious when I say they were the best one's I've ever seen!  This is what we did during the game: Trevor and I watched the game (and enjoyed it). Josh looked at everyone around him. Stephen held onto his mitt and the hope that he would catch a foul ball. Emily was embarrassed by me the whole time.  And Annabelle wiggled around on her chair. It reminded me of the times my parents took us to watch the Padres.  Those were always the best FHE... The Chukars didn't have their best night.  Final score: Chukars 0; Ogden 20 It was bad; really, really bad. But we had such a good time...

He had a really good day....

This last week was beautiful . You showed your bright and shiny face and I was in love . Seriously in love with you. Here in the Haslem household you have kissed us with new freckles and given us some burns. We've taken walks and gone on bike rides and colored on the sidewalks and visited the park. Please, please be here to stay. Don't let those wicked clouds move in and take your lovely place. And if you don't mind, tell Mr. Wind that he can take a break. We can only handle his company for so long. Yours lovingly, Sarah P.S Here's a little reminder of how MUCH we love you!

We made a goal a few months ago to read the Book of Mormon all the way through. If we completed it (and we did) then we got a party. So today was the day to celebrate. And what a celebration it was!  We started the day out by cleaning the church. It took us a little longer than usual since it was just us, and the doors were all a little streaky even after they got cleaned but it got done. After we finished we headed up to Rexburg for an airplane show. We watched some planes flying while listening to a really bad M.C. We walked around and saw the exhibits but I think we were all more impressed by this humongous camping chair: It looks like my dad sitting in a regular sized chair (just kidding dad!) Oh hey, look! It's the kids smiling and having fun: After watching the awesome planes and seeing the even awesomer chair.... we ate at Pizza Pie Cafe. We all way overate, like really, really overate. Stephen was worried that he was going to throw up while bowling cause that's...

Sometimes I don't think things through very well or...much. Like the fact that yesterday I forced Anna to allow me to remover her wart.  I didn't think about how it could affect her (or me). It was a little traumatizing. Kind of like that I time I put Tabasco sauce on her tongue and she thought she was going to die.  That was bad.  I also didn't think about how the movie "Soul Surfer" could be  a little too mature for my younger audience.  It was a great movie though.  And we all got through it okay.  In fact the reason we went to the movie was because we have a book about sharks  and it talks about Bethany Hamilton  in it and we were all very interested in her.  And now that book is the hot commodity in our house.  There's lots and lots of bickering over who gets to read it. That girl is really, really amazing.  And I would highly recommend taking your older kids to it. Or at least preparing your younger...

At the risk of making you all (and trevor) roll your eyes and be completely annoyed by me, I'm just going to do this blog post cause I want to. ******************************************* Tonight at the dinner table, we were talking about marriage and divorce and I asked the kids if they were ever worried that mom and dad were going to get divorced. Anna was the first to answer and she said no. I asked why and she said "Cause you love each like crazy." Go ahead and sigh now and think "ohhh, how sweet", cause that's what I thought.... I think about Trevor all the time. Even after 12 years of marriage, he is the first thing on my mind and the last thing on my mind. And I know he would say the same thing.  I'm not saying we're perfect, we argue sometimes. I've been known to give him the silent treatment for an hour or so. When I drink, he knocks the cup into my face, spilling whatever I'm drinking all over the place, he's been known to...

for Trevor to join me for our "date". Chilis chips and salsa and guac, and a movie... Patience is a virtue, right?

Unfortunately, Candice isn't here to join us. But we can still have some fun! Anna added a little flair to chore time today: A Rumbi just opened near us and today they were doing free rice bowls. I think all of Idaho Falls was there... And it was delicious! And so worth the obvious wait.... We got a little culture in since we all ate our food with our chopsticks. I did pretty well but Joshy got a bit frustrated. Don't let his smile fool you; he didn't like the veggies or the sticks. Emily and Josh eventually resorted to forks.  We walked along the Snack River again this afternoon.  I love it down there.  Josh (obviously) had to pee so we found a  quiet corner of grass and let him do his thing. Anna commented as Josh did his business "It's just like the Snake River waterfall!" Our offer today on the house was counter offered so  we counter offered and they are not willing to negotiate.  Apparently they owe too much on it...Oh well.  We are definitely d...

(Anna's taking the picture) It happens every night. I don't mind. I actually like holding him while he falls asleep. It reminds me of when he was a baby. I still have one full year left of him at home and I'm so glad. It will be  hard when he finally starts. But I have plans. I won't just sit around and cry that all my babies are no longer at home with me during the day. But I'll probably do that sometimes.... We started the process of buying a home once again today. We put an offer on a house that we both really like. Of course, it's just an offer, anything can happen. But it's something, right? It's a fixer upper which doesn't bother us in the least. We should find out tomorrow if it's accepted. Keep your fingers crossed for us...We've gone and looked at it 3 different times and have put a lot of thought and prayer and fasting into this decision. If we get it, we understand the work that will have to be done. For example: New siding ...

Why in the world did I not get my picture taken with this guy???? Isn't he gorgeous? We became fast friends.  He was totally diggin' me....and I him. I asked Trevor if he thought I could sit on him  (the horse, not Trevor)  and he just laughed at me.  How rude.... Apparently since we were at someone else's house who wasn't home  and we were with the realtor, it just wasn't possible.  Next time for sure though! *************************** To my friend Jeni (cause she reads my blog but doesn't comment): I find you to be hilarious .  Thought you might like to know that. AND good luck on your race this weekend.  You will do awesome...

my children!!!! Each child cleaned different parts. Stephen finally got to clean a toilet (he's been asking me for months), Anna did sinks and swept, Emily did the tub and mopped and Joshua swept (kind of). My favorite part of the whole day was when while cleaning the tub, Emily asked incredulously "You do this by yourself when we're in school?". Yes, in fact I do. Another reason why I'm loving summer!

is crazy high and very fast right now.  We went to the library today and decided to walk to Wal Mart afterwards.  We walked along the Snake River and it is amazing right now! Not to mention beautiful... It was a long walk but it was so much fun and we had minimal fighting.  A win-win in my opinion... **************************** Lately I've been trying to teach my kids some stuff~imagine that!   Every time we go to the store, I take just a certain amount of money and Emily gets out the calculator on my phone and we add up what we are buying. If we go over, we put something back. Or like today, we were way under and so I was able to get me a Diet Dr. Pepper.  Not only am I teaching my kids the power of money but also that if you're an adult, you can get what you want if you have some of your own money left over.  (I did buy them some licorice though) One day when they start buying their own stuff, hopefully they'll remember this...

Thats what we did today. The hiking was fantastic. We didn't use a trail but went up an animal path.  There were all kinds of different poops on the way,  as our children screamed every time they stepped in some... When we got to a shaded clearing, I let my fears overwhelm me and decided to turn back.  I wasn't sure what was going to jump out at us, a bear or a mountain lion ( I know both are ridiculous) But we got a great hike in and I didn't have to carry Josh. It's really nice to have children that can all take care of themselves sometimes. (don't get me wrong though, I'll always miss the baby stage) Before hiking, we had a picnic down by the Snake River.  Yummy BLT's and pretzels and strawberries.  Trevor thought it would be a great idea to put the watermelon in the swift moving river.  He got out some rope and seriously impressed me with the knots he tied around the watermelon.  It looked very secure so we took it down and carefully put it in the ...