A kid's dream!

He almost blends into the carpet!

The kids are really loving Max! He is a good puppy....and loves the kids!

Mike & I have noticed similiar mannerisms between Max and our beloved dog, Tucker!

The only puppy thing that he is doing that isn't good is digging and eating the plants. He has eaten some of our pine tree in the backyard! He also does not like sleeping in the kennel (that Angie Butler gave us) at night. We ended up moving him to the garage in the kennel. Hopefully he'll outgrow that soon!

Random thoughts....

Since this is my journal/scrapbook, anyone choosing to read is subject to some of my random thoughts.....there...that was your warning:

I have had a few extremely stressful days in the past week. It got me thinking of how one week can be fun, carefree, I have everything under control, and the very next week, there is enough stress to make me want to cry! I have lived this scenario this month.

Couple of weeks ago I had life under control! Dinners were planned and served in a timely manner. Dishes were done every night. Kids were bathed regularly, homework was done and everyone got to bed on time. There were enough groceries in the fridge, laundry was good! I had time to play with the kids, go on walks, talk with my friends, talk with my hubby, exercise! Pretty good week!

Cut to this week (remember it's only Tuesday). I taught my first lesson in YW. Although it wasn't super stressful, it did take time to prepare and finding time in my schedule already to ponder and pray about this specific lesson. Both our cars started leaking something fierce, so we took them into the shop and are now having to pay $2500+. I was so stressed yesterday. I woke up and had to help Mike take his car into the shop. Left the kids at home to get ready for school by themselves. Got home in time to feed Sydney and send her on her way. Took Amanda to the dentist. I was having a piano recital that night and needed to print programs. Our printer was out of ink, so I had to stop by Costco on my way home from the dentist with Amanda & Brandon in tow. I don't like shopping with kids....enough said.

Finally get Amanda back into school, ran home and made treats to hand out to piano students, took a bunch of phone calls, fixed lunch, and was getting ready to teach my first lesson of they day when it hit me. I started to cry! Not a big cry, just an overwhelmed cry. I talked with my cute friend and neighbor, Emily, about this time and she offered to help me put together the treats. She is so sweet and I would have had her help me, but I didn't even have everything together and printed so that she could help! Taught a bunch of lessons, dealt with our kids who all of a sudden were having meltdowns (they felt Mom's stress I think), finished teaching, got dinner together, finished up treats just in time to get to the library for the recital. Still on the verge of tears....

I thought back to my working days. I was managing 6 full-time employees and a temporary staff of 5. I was dealing with employees, customers, sales reps and my boss. I don't ever remember feeling so stressed I could cry! And I felt there was a lot of stress at my job. I don't know what the difference is.....I'll have to ponder this....

But, a light at the end of the tunnel....my students did SO GREAT at the recital! I had about 3 back out at the last minute (sickness, etc) and 2 students that didn't get there until after the recital was over....but those that performed were stellar! Everyone was really prepared and played perfectly! It was a good end to the day! Even Sydney got to play in the recital. We hadn't prepared anything so she wasn't going to play. When a song that she knew became available after someone backed out, she was thrilled to play!

We stopped by Dairy Keen on the way home...saw a couple of other students and their families and enjoyed our time together as a family! We were so proud of our girls! And Brandon is just cute.

So, I guess it's not all bad. I'm trying to figure out if I am a control-freak and stress when I'm not in control of a situation, or if it's just life. I'm just doing the best I can.....

Snow White Sydney

Sydney's first grade class did a reader's theatre of Snow White. They invited the parents to see their performance. Sydney was Snow White and very excited for us to come see her. She even had Dad come home from work early! We all enjoyed having him home in the afternoon! Sydney did a GREAT job and we are so proud of her! We told her she was one of the few kids that spoke loud enough for all the parents to hear! I guess we are good at being loud in our house!

Great performance, Syd!

Love this boy!

Brandon and I went to the park this week (it was 80 degrees-Yea!), with some friends: Matthew & Angie Butler, Laurie & Tanner Checketts and Jennie & Camden Graham. The boys played so hard and we stayed a long time! Well, I guess it was enough to wear Brandon out! This is what I saw when I came into the family room! Can you see the Wii controllers in his hands?

Brandon's favorite thing to do right now is play Lego Star Wars on the Wii. I'm sure he hung on as long as he could! He slept that way for an hour and a half!

Arv Easter Hunt

Since we were at Amanda's soccer game, we were a little late for the Arvy party. I felt bad when I realized they made everyone wait until we got there to eat! It was a fun evening, good weather and the kids had a blast!

Max found his egg!

They all loved the new puppy, Max! Kellie & Scott's kids already want a Max puppy "When Gizmo dies" so funny! The kids love this traditional party. Thanks Grandma & Papa! They also get so excited about the 'big' eggs which hold some $$$. Amanda was so excited to get it this year so she could buy a CD, and Brandon bought more Star Wars guys, and Sydney saved hers! Sydney loves to see how much money she can save! Wow!

Little ones go first! I'm pretty sure Brandon's Batman attire helped him gather his eggs!

The girls don't mess around! Gather those eggs asap!

Log this one in the books! We got them all! Thanks Grandma & Papa!

Soccer has started!

Amanda scored a goal, but she was off-sides, so they didn't count it. I don't like rule! Sydney was having fun with the camera!

Cute puppy!

Syd's self-portrait...I don't know what's up with her eyes!

Sydney with her bff, Abby ready to go! Sydney scored a goal this game! Way to go, girl! I love how they run in a big bunch still!
This is how we'll be spending our Saturdays for the next couple of months!

Easter Sunday

The perfect Easter picture!

Here's what it took to get there!

Easter Sunday was a beautiful spring day! We loved the messages at church. Sydney threw a fit during Sacrament mtg (something that happened the week before, too, but ended this last week-go figure!) and Mike ended up taking her home!

I love how the kids 'posed' themselves!
So handsome!

I also got called into the Young Womens as a Beehive advisor. The story is that the YW have been asking for me since October. The Bishop has really enjoyed the activities that Mike & I (and our committee) have done for the ward and doesn't want to release us, so he has been telling the YW no. They submitted other names and the Bishopric said they had been praying and think I should be in YW, too. So, here I am!

But, Mike & I aren't getting released...at least not yet. I'm totally fine with it. I have loved working this calling with Mike. I think it's made us closer and I think we work well together as a team. We also enjoy having such supportive ward members and a great committee! It's just been a good calling, so for now...I'll do both. I have been a bit overwhelmed trying to get the hang of adding more to my schedule (a weekly activity and more meetings), but am hoping this next week I'll have all the kinks are worked out!

Love this picture of Brandon!
and of Sydney!

and of Amanda!

I love these kids and Michael! I am so blessed and so grateful that Christ would sacrifice so that we can be with the ones we love forever!

Easter recap

Brandon pouting
First Easter egg hunt was with our neighborhood. Mike had to work, so I took the kiddos over myself. Brandon didn't want to do the hunt at first. We kept telling him what to expect on the walk to the park, but he didn't get it until he saw the eggs and candy all over the '3 and under' area. Then, he clued in and made a haul! Sydney helped him out.

Sydney in her egg hunt area:

Amanda in her egg hunt area. She was looking for candy with money...not candy.
The girls also had a great time! Here is a cute photo of Amanda and her neighborhood friends. Hanalee, Amanda, Susie, Maddy and Liz

After this fun hunt, Mike got home and we headed to Danny & Stacie's for the Gibby Hunt! The kids love to hunt eggs with their cousins! It was a tad cold, so we didn't stay long, but Stacie & Dan always put on a good party!

B loved the gold chocolate coins!

The kids had a great time playing on the swingset!

The girls and Isaac comparing toys!

Oops, we did it again!

There is much to update, but for now I will only update the most recent occurence in the Arvy household....we have a new puppy-a sweet little golden retriever! His name is Max or Maximus! Brandon named him after his bff's dog, Max, who is some sort of labradoodle. Then, remembering that Staci & Kevin also have a newer doggy, also a golden retriever, I went to their blog to see what they named their baby...also Max! What a good solid dog name! Now, we have the 3 Max-ateers!

ANYWAY, Mike started negotiating with a breeder after seeing this litter advertised on KSL. I know Mike has wanted another dog and the kids have certainly been begging for a least a year.

Then, Amanda had to write a persuasive essay for school. It is as follows:

I Want A Dog!

I want a dog! I want a cute puppy! I want another dog! We could get a samoyed! Please! Dogs are cute! Dogs can get the newspaper! Dogs are good listeners! This time I will walk it. He can sleep in my room!

I would help clean up the poop! We wouldn't be bored anymore! Hanalee & I would take him on walks. The dog would be my responsibility.

I will pay for the food! On KSL, there are 5 free dogs! I will pay for the toys! Samoyeds are really good dogs.

I want a dog! Please! They are cute and cuddly! I will brush it! I will get the hair off of the couches! Please! I love dogs!

Well, we didn't get a Samoyed, but an adorable little golden. The breeder called back and said we could take him for our lowest offer! He is cute and so far doesn't like to go on walks, so the girls carry him everywhere! He loves to take naps and sometimes when they kids are playing with him, he just has to go lay down! He gets so worn out!

The first night we brought him home (and after the kids played with him), we gave him a bath (he needed it sooo bad! and then he actually looked like he was enjoying it!). The kids wrapped him in a towel and he fell asleep! Can you say, 'Already spoiled?'