Here Comes Trouble!

I dropped Madison and her friend, Paige, off at the airport this morning to attend EFY this week. She is meeting several of her friends/cousins there and was so excited. This is her first time flying alone and she was so nervous. I can't believe how big she is getting!

Asthma Boy

This past weekend was the culmination of summer club swimming for our kids. Madison and Lauren competed in the state meet on Friday; Evan competed on Saturday. Evan's day was particularly crazy as the coach called him early on Saturday and told him to get his rear end to the meet. Once there, we were comitted until about 2pm. Straight from there, we drove to Castle Rock to meet Tom and the other kids who were competing in the MHSL All-Star meet.

Evan jumped in for his 100 Back and crashed for the last 25 yards. When he got out, he was breathing heavily. I, of course, was mad at him for overreacting and was pretty annoyed that he was carrying on for so long. After about 5 minutes of heaving breathing (okay, wheezing) I realized that he was not overreacting and really couldn't breathe! This was followed by the lifeguards administering O2, nurses, doctors, kids, --everyone crowding around him. The ambulance was called and Evan had a nice ride to Sky Ridge where things got under control.

I don't think I'll be winning any parenting awards this year. Maybe next year........

Oh my!

This morning I could hear Ryan upstairs getting into something, but I was desperate to finish something on the computer, so I left her alone. I knew I was going to pay for the few minutes of uninterrupted time. Here's what is cost!

RVMS Outstanding Student 2008!

Congratulations Madison!!! Madison was nominated and the selected by the teachers at Ranch View Middle School as the most outstanding student of 2007-2008! The school had a ceremony for her a few weeks ago and last night we attended the Douglas County district awards ceremony. Her principal, school counselor, two of her teachers, G&G Richmond, Aunt Shauna and Clayton all attended to show their support.

A page was written about each student in the program and this is an excerpt from the page about Madison:

"Her teachers are expecially impressed with her strong personal beliefs which steadily guide her through peer pressures and influences. Madison probably doesn't even realize the impression she makes on the students and staff at Ranch View, but she is clearly our outstanding student!"

What more could a mom want to hear???!!!! We are so proud of her and had to make sure the accomplishment was documented.

Happy Birthday Lauren!

Lauren turned 8 yesterday and wouldn't you know it--she wanted to go to Casa Bonita. I think it has been 7 years since we have been there, so I guess it wasn't too bad. Brought back a lot of great memories for me!

After a delicious dinner and being serenaded by the mariachi band, we spent about an hour in the arcade. The kids had a great time and we left just before my head exploded. Lauren received her own set of scriptures in a denim case from Grandma and Grandpa Richmond and a beautiful baptism dress from the Stolks. She was very pleased. Other gifts included DS games and a Webkinz. Wish Tom had been there!

Spice Up My Kitchen!

Amongst my other projects the past few weeks, I have been in the process of replacing countertops and appliances in our kitchen! This has been a really fun process--as opposed to the sprinkler repairs. All of the appliances were delivered yesterday and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed watching them be installed. I did, however, install the dishwasher myself (very long story) and just finished it a few minutes ago! Guess what, IT WORKS! Anyway, thought I would post some before and after pictures. Can't wait to get cooking!

I just got to thinking, just in case Carol is worried about my mental health (can you say "manic") I was just released from my calling as the RS President. The bishop thought it would be too much with Tom gone and the kids and everything else. Hallelujah!!! Just kidding. It has been such a very rewarding calling and I will miss parts of it. I feel like I'm just getting to all the projects that I have been unable to tackle for the past 6 years due to church callings. Feels really good.

Nightmare Continued

Just thought I'd share some really neat photos of my sprinkler projects. Here are the 2 cracked pipes that I fixed.

My home teachers caught wind of my projects and gave me quite a lecture. That's why I didn't call them to help me replace my last sprinkler head. I dug up the old one, installed the new one and turned on the water. NO SPRINKLER! I walked toward the house, discouraged, thinking, "What in the world am I going to Google to figure out what the problem is?" Just then my neighbor's husband, Mike, walked by and asked if he could help. I showed him the problem and he said, "Well, it's not working because you just replaced the Hellmer's sprinkler head." Sure enough, when Patti turned her sprinklers on, it started right up. I am such a complete wacko and I have gone too far with the irrigation projects!