the one about Quayds freaky teeth

The last week or so, I have been noticing something weird going on with Quayd's mouth. He is six, and I know that loose teeth start happening at this point, but I have noticed that his mouth just looks different and he is sorta speaking with a tiny lisp. Probably nobody else would notice it, it is that tiny, but I am with him all the time. His two bottom front teeth are starting to get loose, but not super loose. I remembered when sweet little Taylor started getting loose teeth, everything started to spread to make way for her new teeth. He mouth looked really "gappy" and, not weird, but different. I assumed that is what was going on with Quayder. So a couple of nights ago, I was really examining his mouth. His gums were swollen around the bottom and really tender to the touch. I finally figured out what was going on... His new teeth are pushing through! They are breaking the surface right behind his baby teeth! It is so weird. You can kinda see it in this picture. They are barely starting to peek out, but they are super swollen. That is why he has a little lisp. Of course, there is no dentist available right now, due to the holiday, so I told him he better get wiggling those babies. Our goal is to have them out before he goes back to school, or else.... DENTIST!

the one about the park

L to R: Hallie, Taylor, Quayd, Gavin, Morgan, Kayler

Kandice, Janice and I took our kids to the park last week, and they had so much fun!

(We did too!) Poor Kandice, though. She ended up spending most of her time chasing Kayler.

I am so grateful for the great friends I have. Since I have been working, and since Quayd has been in school, I have missed out on these fun park days that used to happen a lot. So this was a GREAT kick off to summer!

the one about a letter to Santa

Soooooooo, what do you think of my new layout? Cute, huh. I am very impressed. My friend, Stephanie did it for me. She is Janice's sister in-law. Her blog is super cute so I asked her how to do it. She sent me this big long email about how to change it, and is all I got out of it was:

BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlah click this BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlah select that BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah it's super easy BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah but if you want me to do it for you, I will. BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah BlahBlahBlahBlahBlah

Well, the only thing I read was the part about, "I will do it for you." Bless you, Steph. I totally love it. You did a great job. I feel like I owe you something. I am a computer idiot, but anything else you need or want.... YOU GOT IT!
I have to tell you this super cute story... The other day, I went into a cute little store in town that my brother and his wife own. I wanted to get a few new things for my Christmas tree. I saw this super cute ornament that says, "Letters to Santa." You roll up your letter and stuff it inside. I just loved it and thought it would be cute on my red tree. I bought it and left it in the sack until I was ready to decorate. When I got ready to put it on my tree, I noticed there was a paper inside. I must have assumed that it was supposed to be there at first, but upon looking, I couls see it had handwriting on it. I pulled it out and realized it was a letter. It said:
Dear Santa,
I have been good.
Anika Joye Bolton

So then I assumed (and you know what happens when you assume!) it was part of the decoration, but I recognized the name signed on it. DUH! It is my friend Cara's daughter, and Cara works for Brandon and Danette in their store. Well I was so excited when I realized what I had in my posession and what power I now hold to make this sweet little girl's Christmas a little bit more magical. I have since written a little letter of my own.

Dear Anika,
I was shopping in Vernal last weekend and I visited a store called The Country Bear. I was trying to find some special gifts for all of the good Mommy’s and Daddy’s on my list. Well, I noticed an ornament on a Christmas tree that said, “Letters to Santa.” I thought I could see something inside, and I was right! It was a letter from YOU!!! I just wanted to let you know that I have been watching and I know that you have been a very good girl. I know you are doing very well at school at Discovery Elementary. I have also been watching your big brother, Riley and baby sister, Heber and I know they are great kids too. You are all right at the top of my good list. My elves are working on something really special just for you this Christmas. Please continue to be a good girl and take good care of your family. Do you want to know something else? I LOVE YOU!!!!!! Have a Merry Christmas and I hope you like what I bring for you.

Love,
Santa

I am mailing it today. If you know Cara, please don't tell her. I want it to be a secret for as long as I can, but it was just to good not to pass on to my blog friends.

I do need to cut this short because I am subbing today and I need to finish getting ready, then wake up prince charming and get him off to school. He is going to Taylors today to ride the bus to school with her. He is SO excited. He loves his Taylor.

the one about enrichment

There is this cute thing going around my neighborhood. It's the fun knock and run thing that you do at Halloween, but it is actually a Thanksgiving theme. There is a nice letter about how we serve one another and how we are thankful for friends and family. Then you hang a sign on your door that says, "Someone is thankful for me." After you have been hit, you have to hit 5 more families. Who ever came up with this idea (wink wink, Tari) is pure genious. We all love to get a special treat at the holidays, but this one is the best yet. Not only do you get a treat, you actually know that someone thought of you and is thankful for you.

Let me tell you how we got hit. We were watching T.V. in the living room Tuesday evening and get a knock knock at the door. Brett answered it and it was a cute little boy from Quayd's primary class. He gave Brett the papers and a tin of cookies. We were so excited! Now you are supposed to make copies of the letter and sign, then hang the sign on your door. Well I didn't hang it right away because I knew I would go make copies first thing in the morning. Well it was not 10 minutes later and "Knock Knock Knock!" We got hit again!! So we got double the treats and we were super excited and felt super loved. Last night I had enrichment meeting, so we didn't deliver our treats, but we will tonight. So, thank you to those people who stopped by with a treat. We are thankful for you too!!!

Let me just tell you about enrichment. I am the enrichment leader in my ward and I am always looking for something new and interesting to try. My dear, sweet, beautiful, talented friend Kandice came to my ward to do a presentation on organizing your life. It was WONDERFUL!!! She did this presentation for her ward and got a great response, so I made her come and do it for mine. She did an amazing job. I was so proud of her. I actually learned a few things about her that I didn't know and I definately learned some things I can do to better organize myself. I know I said it last night, but Thank you Kandice. It really meant a lot to me that you would step out of your comfort zone and do that for me. You are a great friend! You are so knowledgeable and everybody was talking last night after you left about how wonderful it was. For a refreshment, I made this YUMMY pumpkin cake that had a layer of cream cheese in the middle and a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. We also served hot apple cider. It was heavenly. Kandice provided me with the recipe, and I am so grateful! It was a hit. I had some left over and took a piece to my grandparents last night, and they gobbled it right up.

I am thankful for Kandice, and enrichment, and my family, and my friends, and my callings, and the treats that came to my door!!!

the one about Quayd

So, I am going to copy cat Kandice and dedicate an entire days worth of blogging to the people that I love the most. Don't be offended if you don't see your name right away (Ma) it will just depend on my mood and what ever experiences I had with that person.

I have kind of been a baby lately. I am just over emotional and have been a little freaky lately. I know that I can't have anymore babies and 94% of the time, I am fine with it. But occasionally I struggle. I am always CRAZY excited and happy for my friends having babies. I never get upset about that stuff. I promise. But I just get a little sad sometimes. I do the "Why me?" and the "It's not fair" thing about 6% of the time. Anyway, I get emotional and sentimental with every one of Quayd's milestones. Every Birthday is hard on me. I just get a little sad to think that he is growing so fast. He is becoming so independent and smart. Several things happened this summer that really hit me hard. Such as; saying good bye to the training wheels and riding a two wheel bike. He doesn't like his "baby toys" anymore, now he is into action figures and scary stuff. He prepared for Kindergarten. He learned all of his letters and numbers and is starting to read. He turned 5. He is better on the computer than I am. He spent the night, THE WHOLE NIGHT, at a friends house. Anyway, just stuff like that. He just grew up too much this summer. He is not only 5, but he is a mature 5 year old. I just can't believe it is going so fast. I miss my baby boy, but I also LOVE watching him get older. I really dreaded Kindergarten, but, surprise, I kinda love it. This is such a fun stage. He is making friends and learning so much. I love working with him everyday on his reading, helping him with his homework and just sitting down and discussing the days events. He is so special. I wish I could write all of the amazing things he says and does.

When Brett's Dad died, Quayd was very upset. He will be the only grandchild that will remember his Grandpa. They had a very special relationship. Quayd was definately Papa's boy. We tried to explain it all to him the best we could, but it broke our hearts when he cried and said he missed his Papa. At the funeral, when we closed the casket, we all walked up, kissed Mike and told him good-bye. Quayd was nervous to touch him, but finally did, right at the end. As we had the family prayer, Quayd just started to sob. While we walked into the Chapel, I carried him as he cried and I think the whole room cried with him as they saw his sad face. He talked for days about the Resurrection and asked if Papa would come back to life in 3 days like Jesus did. He also told us that now Papa is perfect and that he is singing with the angels. What 5 year old thinks of this stuff? At his Primary Program, he told us he thinks he got Papa's beautiful singing voice and that he thinks he was there listening to him. As Halloween approaches, he was very concerned about Papa not having a pumpkin, so we took one to his grave. Quayd sat right down and started talking to his Papa like he was just sitting right there. And he probably was. What an amazing kid.

Quayd has so many friends. He and Brennen are great buddies, but they fight a lot. When they get mad at each other, Quayd will be devastated, but Brennen just goes on his merry little way, unphased. It breaks Quayd's heart. That is the kind of person he is. But it's so funny, when he gets really mad at Brennen, he tells him that he wants to break up with him! I actually think they are broken up right now.

A couple weeks ago, we invited Gleneita over for dinner. Before she got there, Quayd told me that when he gets big, I can come over to his house for dinner anytime I want. "You don't even have to ask," he told me. Then he said, "I won't mind, and neither will Taylor." Cute huh!

He had a friend, Drake, spend the night last night. They played and played and had so much fun, but when it came time to go to sleep, he wanted to sleep in his bed. His bed is on mom and dad's floor. (Yes, I am a sucker!) We told him that he needed to sleep in his bed we made for them in the living room, or else Drake would be sad. Quayd was just so emotional. Finally, Drake went to sleep and so did Brett. I was waiting for Quayd to drift off before I could relax. About 11:00 Quayd came into my room and cried to me. He asked if I could just come in the living room with him for a minute. I agreed. When I got in there, he asked me to rock him in my chair. (I am kind of tearing up right now telling this story.) He climbed up on my lap and I rocked him to sleep. And I cried. And I cried some more. My baby boy still needs me! He still depends on me and sometimes he wants me to rock him to sleep. I just sat and stared at him, crying, like I used to when he was tiny. I kissed him all over and told him I loved him and I prayed to Heavenly Father, thanking him for sending me this special boy. Although he went to sleep almost instantly, I stayed up until 1:00 rocking him. It was one of the most amazing nights.

These are just a few of the special things about Quayd that I cherish. I don't know how I got so lucky. He is amazing. Brett and I joke that Quayd is what happens when 2 wrongs make a right! It's true. We don't deserve such a great kid. I guess Heavenly Father knew that we were idiots and that we needed a good one to teach us and keep us on the right path. I think I mentioned before that I print my blog entries and keep them in my journal. So Quayd, someday whe you are reading this, please know how much I love you. You are the most amazing person in the world. Thanks you for everything you have taught me so far. I can't wait to watch you grow some more. But please, don't forget, Mommy is ALWAYS here to rock you to sleep. I love you baby boy!

the one about my 29th birthday

So here I sit at the end of my 29th Birthday endulging in, what I promise to be my LAST cupcake EVER! Or at least for the day. Yah, we will see about that! My friend Holly, the super-baker, made her famous cupcakes for my Birthday party launch with the girls, and I got to keep the extras. But there are only 3 left, so the temptation is nearly over. I guess I could just eat them all and have the temptation out of my life forever. But then what good was my workout today? And what good will it be tomorrow? Ohhhh, if only this was the biggest dilema I faced in my life!

Anyway, on to the good stuff... My first Birthday wish came from Brett when he woke me up at midnight to wish me a Happy day. Then at 6:00 a.m. I went to Curves to bust a move with my workout partner, Kathy. When I got home, Brett was putting up the big inflatable birthday cake that I bought to put up for everybody's Birthday. He said that since I put it out for everyone else, he was gonna put it out for me. Sweet huh. After that, I watched the news, and enjoyed some peace before I had to wake little prince charming, who is really not all that charming when he awakens. I got him off to school with his pumpkin that had to be turned in today for the Fall Carnival tonight.
Then my mom and grandma took me to 7-11 Ranch for cinnamon rolls. YUM! For lunch, my girls, Janice, Holly, and Kandice took me to lunch at Curry Manor. It was so yummy, but the service was sure slow. Afterwards, we came to my home and had Holly's yummy cupcakes and I opened my gifts. Holly gave me this super cute antique-ie stitched thing in a frame that says, "Friendship is a special place inside ones heart." Kandice gave me my favorite scented candle, a wick trimmer, a candle lighter, and a little treat from Little Sweet Pea. The candle lighter and wick trimmer is actually funny because she came over to my house a few weeks ago and I had a candle burning. Well she was really worked over the length of my wick. She was just sure I was gonna burn my house down! So she watched and watched it, then finally said she couldn't stand it anymore and blew the candle out, found some scissors, and trimmed the wick. When she went to relight it, is all I had was a cigarette lighter (who knows where it came from) and she was stressed about it. Holy cow, she is funny. So I will be so grateful for the wick trimmer and lighter. Jani gave me a CUTE fall decoration and a Maurices gift certificate. YEAH! They stayed and chatted for awhile, which I was so grateful for. It was so fun to just visit. I was able to hold sweet baby Jacob. Although, he was a little fussy today, but still sweet. I also got to love on my favorite little girl in the world, Morgan. She is my buddy. I love her so much. She is Janice's baby and I think she loves me almost as much as I love her. She just turned 2. She is a special girl and I just adore her. If something ever were to happen to Greg and Janice, I know I wouldn't get her, but I sure would put up one hell of a fight! That is kind of a creepy thing to say, huh? Sorry about that. I should probably keep some of those thoughts private. Anyway, then Quayd and I had a little nap before Grandma Galley stopped by. We had a nice little visit with her. I admire, adore, love, respect and cherish this woman. Whenever I talk to her, I just feel it necesary to bear my soul. I'm sure it drives her crazy. But I really feel like I can just tell her anything. Once she left, I decided to get some dinner started and start getting ready for Quayd's big school carnival! The carnival was fine. It was so crowded!!! It was really stressing me out because we couldn't move or hear anything. But the crowd eventually cleared out and we had a little bit more fun. Quayd and I went alone and Brett met up with us there. Janice had to help in a booth so we took Taylor around and had a great time. Wow, won't they make beautiful babies? They are so cute and Quayd is certain that they will marry someday. I am sure Taylor will make a lovely daughter-in-law for me.

Then we met up with Kimmie Gibler and her family. I broke out the camera and snapped a few pictures. This is Quayd and Kasen just hangin' out. They are best buds, and aren't they cute? Kasen looks a little freaked out, huh?

So then Bretty was playing with the camera and took some pics of me and old Gibler. They were all awful of one or both of us, except this one. Cute, huh! Ohhhh, she is so pretty. She is having a hard time right now. I won't advertise her story on the WWW., but I am thinking about her tons right now. I hope she can get her "medical" stuff taken care of soon and move past this terrible trial. I love you Gib!

Anyway, the carnival was ok, but I jokingly said at one point that I couldn't believe I was spending my Birthday there. I was totally kidding, because in all reality, the only place I would really like to be on my Birthday (or any day for that matter!) is with Quayd when he is having fun. But he overheard it and when we got home, he told me that he was sorry I had a bad Birthday and that I had to go to that carnival. I felt like a big fat jerk. I was really kidding with my friends. I need to be more careful with what I say. If you are ever reading this Quayd, (I do print and save my blogs in my journal) I am so sorry. I love doing those things with you. When you grow up, I hope you remember all of the fun things that we did together. I try my best to be a fun mom and I always want you to know that I treasure those moments above all else! I love you, buddy!!!

Sorry, I had to get a little sentimental there. But allow me to tell you a cute thing that happened at the carnival. This is a typical Quayd thing. He says this stuff all the time, and I try to remember and write things down, so here is the record of this one... We kept talking about the Cake Walk. He was hesitant to do the cake walk, but when we were getting ready to pack up and leave, Kasen talked him into it. I just couldn't imagine why he didn't want to do it. It was a cake walk, for crying out loud! So off they go. They came back with a cookie and a root beer and Quayd sat down to enjoy his winnings. Suddenly, he turned around and said, " Mom, guess what? We didn't even have to step on any cakes!" Oh, he is so cute. We just cracked up. I mean, why else would he think it was anything but stepping on cakes!?!? Oh, I love kids and the things they say. Especially mine. Here is Quayd sitting on the stage by the cake walk. Well, what a great Birthday. I am so blessed and so grateful for the life that I have and all of the blessings I enjoy every day. Of course, my #1 blessing is this precious little boy. And I guess his dad is in a close 2nd place! I am so happy to be a mom. There is nothing in this world better than being a mom. Brett says that being a dad is better, but it can't be. It causes quite an arguement actually, but I know that I am right on this one. Motherhood is the greatest blessing. Thank you to everyone that helped to make my birthday special. And my everyday special.

By the way, I have since had two more cupcakes, leaving only one more. I guess I should polish it off too because when you eat crap on your birthday, the calories don't count. Right?