I am thankful...

I am thankful for the ridiculous amount of taxes that come from my paycheck because that means I have a job

I am thankful for my huge stack of laundry that needs put away and the dishes in my sink because that means my family is close by

I am thankful for my jeans that are a bit too tight because it means I have enough food on the table

I am thankful for my electric/gas bill because it means I am warm

I am thankful for my busy, sometimes hectic days because that means I am getting something accomplished

I am thankful for my sore feet because that means I am able to work

I am thankful for my extra clingy daughter because that means I am loved

I am thankful for my children's forever runny noses... approximately 50 cold viruses down/200 to go.

I am thankful for Ezra's smart alyk comments and 12 year old attitude because that means he is learning and growing {just not all good}

I am thankful I can't sleep and am awake with a headache at 5 AM because that means I can blog in peace and quiet.

Missing the "E dog"...

Elder Michael Levi and Uncle Billy

We spent most of last week in Provo with Moroni's family. Michael, our nephew just got home from his mission in the Philippines. We drove up Thursday evening. We left home about 4:00 pm so the kids would sleep most of the way (wishful thinking). We arrived about 2 in the morning. The kids did okay on the drive, not terrible, but definitely not good. We were all there, about 40 of us, to meet Michael at the airport. It was crazy fun that night. The next day we had a big luau for him. We stayed Sunday and planned on leaving Monday morning. Well, long story short we didn't come home until Thursday night. And we came home one short! Ezra stayed there. He was having such a blast with all of his cousins. As soon as he woke up everyday he wanted to go see if his "boy cousins" were awake. He was stuck to Michael like glue as well. I don't know why, maybe it had something to do with the fact that he took Ezra to Chuck E. Cheeses everyday we were there just about! Next weekend we will be going to Vegas to another nephew's eagle scout court of honor. We are going to meet the Provo Tenney's there and see if our son wants to come home! Probably not, but we are taking him anyway. Me and Chan don't know what to do with ourselves without him, surprisingly enough. Moroni is dying without him too.

I am sure he is having a great time. I was a little worried because he usually has a breakdown about midnight whenever he sleeps anywhere but home. Every time I call he will basically say hi, then bye because he is too busy to talk. Man, he is getting big and I am getting so old!

These are pictures from Ezra's preschool class field trip to Thunder Raceway during transportation week. Ezra said this was "the funnest day ever!" Ezra sat with the boys at the very top and cheered as the car went round and round the track.

Sixth Street Preschool

Today was the first day of my 2.5 hr/3 day per week break. Sixth Street preschool started today. Ezra's 2.5hr/3 day per week "best day ever" began today. It is "All about me" week. Snack for the first day consisted of a human paperdoll. Sounds delicious doesn't it?

Thankfully, this year we have someone to carpool with. Ezra's new best girl friend, Desi, gets to ride in our car every other week. This week Ezra gets to ride in her car. Chandler gets to spend 'me and mommy' time, which she doesn't need because she already doesn't leave my side for more than 2 seconds unless she is sleeping. Maybe she will get enough of me with this new adventure of having me all to herself. Probably not.

Chandler, or Princess, as she already thinks she should be called, can't get enough of clothes, shoes, and "pretties." The mirror is the girl's best friend. I have learned not to interfere with the choosing of shoes in the morning unless I am prepared for a major meltdown. "What have I done?" I sometimes ask myself. I thought it was so cute when she wanted to carry a purse around, or when we had to spend 15 minutes looking at the shoes at Wal-Mart. Now I think I am in trouble. "Pretty?" she'll ask, as she puts lip gloss on in the mirror after watching me put on my makeup. I'm afraid I have created 2 monsters between the princess and her brother.

Ezra pouting on the tramp because he has to wait to ride the 4-wheeler after preschool.

Chandler being her girly self.

Kmart doubles 8/30-9/6

Here is a link to a great list of match-ups for Kmart this coming week for the several people who asked me to send it to them!

Chi flat irons

I have new Chi flat irons for sale for a great price. I only have 8 left. If anyone is interested they are $75. The retail on them is $149. I got a great deal for buying several from a wholesaler, so let me know if anyone would like one. If I have any left I will probably take them to the Sweet Corn Festival.

I need your opinion, please...

Would you buy these shoes for your child? I love these "squeaky" shoes. They are so cute, genuine leather, and encourage proper walking motion. Because I love them so much and I can get them at a decent cost I thought it would be a good idea to sell them at the Sweet Corn Festival in September. I have no idea if other people have the same opinion as I do though. I seriously love them but they run about $18.99 online plus shipping. I was thinking about selling them for $14.00 or so. What do you think? I need your honest opinion so I don't buy way too many of these shoes and get stuck with them.
These are just some of the girl styles.



Here are some of the boy styles. They come in sizes 2-8. Let me know, please!

Here are the rest of our pictures by Becca Martin per Amber's request. I even got Moroni to step into a couple, it was amazing.

Click on over here to see her blog.

Tenney Reunion 2009

It has been a long week. It started with Father's Day. Don't get me wrong, I love my Dad, and all the other amazing men in my life, but I had to speak in church, which is horrifying! To make matters worse, it was the day before our Tenney reunion began, so most of our family members had already arrived and couldn't pass up the opportunity to "support me." Our ward was packed. My mom and 2 of my sisters spoke as well. Complaining, I whined to my dad, who is our ward clerk, "Why do we have to speak on Father's day?"

He said, "Well, they asked the family of the best father in the ward to speak, they declined, so they asked you."

We all got a good laugh anyway. Well, I think it is a toss up between myself and my kids for the best father in the ward. I survived, and it was a good day.

This was just the beginning of a long, exhausting, but fun week. Moroni's family, literally from all over the world, came for the family reunion. All of his 13 siblings and most of their families were there. There were kids everywhere! The first time I met most of them was almost 6 years ago, when Moroni and I had just gotten married, at their reunion in Samoa. I can't believe how big all of the kids are now. They are all so talented. That part of the reunion ended Friday. Saturday was the Tenney Eleven reunion (Moroni's dad's siblings). We were in charge of a huge luau. There was lots of food, dancing, and getting reacquainted. I miss everyone already. It was so nice to spend time with everyone. I admit, I am a terrible dancer, which I didn't know until now. Thanks for everyone trying to tell me how good I am though!

The kids just got their pictures taken by Becca Martin, who did a great job with them. I got a preview...

Her new photography blog is www.agirlnhercamera.blogspot.com

Here comes the sun...

It is finally getting warm enough for the kids to play outside. Ezra has always loved being outside, but I think Chandler is worse. She will slip outside with whoever opens the door. She loves to play in water, dirt, mud, anything. The kids have a play sink they fill with water and the faucet turns on and there are dishes in it. Chandler will seriously play in that thing for hours. I have finally resorted to just taking her clothes off because she usually starts the day clean and cute, but not soon into it she looks like she has never seen a bathtub. And it never fails that as soon as she gets sopping wet all the kids decide to go play in the dirt/mud.

Ezra's preschool is just about finished for the year. He is sad that he cannot go to school for the summer. Miss Jana and Miss Nikki do such a good job. He LOVES them. He is constantly talking about school and his teachers. Last week they had a police officer come to their class and they also got to go to the fire station. Today they went to Woodland Lake to feed the ducks. When I went to pick him up last week Miss Jana looked at me, smirking, and another mother (of 2 girls in preschool) and says, "I better tell you before you hear it, Brooke got kissed today." Brooke's mom kind of gasps and looks down at her daughter, then Miss Jana points at Ezra, who, might I add, had a HUGE grin on his face. She explained that they were all gathering for circle time, Brooke and Ezra were 2 of the first to the circle. Brooke was laying on her tummy holding her chin in her hands when Ezra looked at her for a second or two then planted one right on the poor girl's cheek. I guess she didn't really care, but man was her sister mad! Ezra begged me not to tell his dad, but of course I did and let me tell you, his father was very proud. ("Gonna be a ladies man like me, I guess.")