Live In The Moment!: 07/01/2012

Good things that have happened today so far:

My sweet friend Cassie watched my kids so I could go see my other dear friend Carrie, and visit with her uninterrupted while I love on her newborn baby Brinley. I had a great visit and was able to deliver some gifts and dinner. I'm so thankful for fabulous friends.

We're heading out to Utah on Friday and this time we're driving. EEK! I'm getting my car prepared and my car doesn't need new wheel bearings for $600 like I was quoted from Big-O yesterday. Precision Auto said they were fine. Love ya Precision!

Last night I made dinner for the missionaries that we will be feeding tonight so I won't be stressed out today getting it ready in time. I'm always in a bad mood trying to get it ready, the kids are in an awful state of disaster always, and then something goes bad usually (like me dumping the noodles down the disposal while I'm draining the water off them and I have to quickly start all over. and they are due to show up in 5 minutes!) It's probably the first time in my life I prepared for something and didn't procrastinate. Hmmmmm, it feels really good!

Kambrie ate lunch and then asked for her nap. WHAT! So I walked her to her room, sang her a song, tucked her in tightly like always, and she fell asleep. I've always heard of those things happening. In fact a friend posted on facebook the other day that her child did that for the first time as well and I was so jealous of her!!
I'm still in shock :)

Tanner wrote a letter to his future wife. He needs to practice his writing and spelling so what better way to make it something cute and productive! He said it was so fun, and it was the cutest thing in the whole world watching him think about what he wanted to say. I hope he keeps his innocence forever, his faith burning strong, and his dreams come true. Gotta go frame that now.

There are blessings every day in our lives if we choose to see them!

What could be better than Santa Claus coming to town...

MOMMY coming to town!!

Back in February my mom came for a visit.

We hadn't seen her since Thanksgiving, so it was long over-due...three whole stinking months.

We were so happy we easily convinced her to come see her fabulous family and beautiful grandchildren!!

One reason in particular we wanted her to come (besides the fact that she's just plain awesome and we love doing anything with her) was because Landon and I were going on a 2 day 1 night retreat to Branson and didn't feel like dishing the kids out to anyone.

We were so grateful she came to help us...and it was good timing SHE was the one to stay with the kids otherwise Landon and I would have missed out on this lavish condo.
I mean just check out this immaculate bath, beautiful bedroom and more...It was quite the surprise considering I thought we were just staying at Motel 6 or something.

Kambrie woke up the morning we had to leave with a high temp and miserably sick.

It was soooooooooo sad.
What mother feels comfortable leaving a sick child?

NOT ME.

I hesitated to go, but my sweet momma took over and Kambrie nuzzled up to her and let her comfort her ailing body. I felt so much relief knowing Kambrie would be okay because Grandma could provide whatever she needed.

So Landon and I went on and were able to enjoy this fun retreat with CALO extended leadership team. The team was newly revised and we needed some great bonding time, fun, and serious work meetings too!

I LOVE being a part of CALO because they involve the spouses and let us be in the know of their goals and pursuits with the business. I'm thankful I can have a better understanding of what my husband does ALL day and night, literally!

He's a hard working BUSY man.

The ELT team.
Such a fabulous group of people. I truly love them all!!

We had some yummy meals...

Some great new training and meetings from the new CEO and President, Alex...

Some beautiful scenery was definitely enjoyed...

More food was greatly appreciated...including banana caramel crepes we all died for.

Heaven help me!

Intense lazer tag and glow in the dark golfing were great team bonding experiences!

Nothing brings out the best in you like trying to kill your co-worker.

The guys all had sweat beads dripping down their face. They ~~were dang competitive~~ worked hard!
Not sure if it was fun or work for them.

It was an awesome little get-away where MUCH was accomplished!!

We had a blast. Thanks to CALO and thanks to momma.

Back in town with Grandma, we had some fun adventures...

We got to attend a Dr Seuss celebration where the kids got packs of goodies for free, heard stories being read and then we did some shopping, because what else is Target good for!?

BLOWING YOUR CASH.

Of course the kids got spoiled by Gma, and this is the gift they each picked out:

Minnie mouse and Green Lantern movie.

Mom and I checked out the sunglass clearance, and Tanner tried to be "Justin Beaver" aka Justin Bieber.
Such a stud!

That evening we headed to Miner Mikes.
Our salvation in town.
The one and only playplace!

We the kids have fun navigating through the tunnels and jumping in the balls, riding the "choo choo" as Kam constantly asks for it, playing games and earning tokens ~~as we waste our money~~
for silly prizes.

Kambrie LOVES the choo choo train. She'll go on it over and over and over again. She has no fear. She even raises her arms during the ride like she's a big brave kid. It's the cutest thing ever!

Another fun adventure Grandma got to experience was seeing Tanner lose his other front tooth!!

Let me just say, it is DEFINITELY an experience.

He freaks out. And freaking out is just an understatement.

Tears.

Screaming.

Shaking.

All rationality lost.

Blood.

No reasoning.

It is a site to see!

Once we've convinced him he won't die, ~~or we've pinned him to the ground,~~ Landon rips out the tooth in a millisecond, then jubilee and cheers abound. Reasoning floods back into Tanners brain and he is happy and excited his tooth is gone and money is imminent :)

Before the loss: it's crooked.

Quite the site of these two with both their front teeth (or lack of) looking like hilbillies. So glad we live in Missouri during this period of life..we blend right in with the population.

But we accomplished the task, and his toothless grin is to die for!

Such a cutie pie.
Now we can sing
"All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth."

(funny side note, after he saw himself with both teeth gone he said "I look like my music teacher!" his music teacher at church is missing her front teeth too. she's in her 40's. he seriously DID look like her. sad but true)

We also took Gma on one of our favorite walks...down to the Lake. We're so lucky to live in such a beautiful area. The docks are so fun to run along and we enjoy watching the sun set, chasing ducks and throwing rocks in the water.

This was a beautiful evening!!