Wow, deb that sounds like a full week. We will hope that the babies get healthy and stay healthy and that you and Nick get some sleep.
We here in Phoenix are doing good. Adam had a slower week and was able to get a lot stuff done around the house. I think it hit him that we are having a baby in the next couple of weeks, and there is some tasks that won't get done if they don't get done now. He has worked hard all week and I really appreciate all that he has done.
School and teaching (both ASU and Desert Botanical Gardens) is almost over. My last day is this Wednesday and I am really excited to be able to take a little bit of a break. I plan on concentrating on getting the house ready. I have worked every weekend trying to complete my curriculum and continue my thesis research, and so will be glad to put that on the back burner for the next 2 months and just focus on this new baby.
I am feeling good and pregnant, but overall still getting around pretty well.
We will keep you informed on the developments of the baby. Love you all
becky
Monday, November 8, 2010
nick and deb sorensen
Hello Family,
This week has been a long and hard one for me, and probably for Nick, too.
My schedule is this:
Mondays---kid day only! until 5:30. then I go to work as soon as Nick gets home
Tuesdays---I teach voice lessons from 2pm (kids down for naps) until 6:30, then Nick goes to YM
Wednesdays---I teach from 1030 (claire goes to play group with a mom in my ward) to 1200 and then from 4 to 730
Thursdays---I teach on campus from 330-700 (claire goes to a babysitter in our ward and matthew is pawned off to who ever I feel like I can ask that week)
Friday---kids only all day until 5:30, then I go to work
Saturday---Nick works yard jobs till dark
Sunday---church and attempts at relaxing ;)
This Friday (the 5th?) I headed down to Mom's house and went to a very....hmmmm...a play with Mom. charter school production of Cats. Hmmmm is all I can say. Dad watched the kids.
Friday night I put the kids to bed and finally go to bed myself at about 1100ish. I wake up to Matthew having a croup attack. Mom helped me a ton bringing him in and out of the shower and cold. I get back into bed at about 2:30ish. I'm not asleep yet, but Claire and I are sharing a bed. She rolls over and barfs right into my hair! I then rotated between caring for one child or the other all night. Mom came down and helped hold my girl and then Matthew.
Didn't really know what to do, but Mom looked after the kids while I took a nap before driving home.
I get to Bountiful and Matthew has another attack. I call Nick, who calls the doctor, and we decide we need to take matthew in asap. I stop at an Instacare in Bountiful and they totally freak me out and make Matthew ride to Primary Children's in an ambulance. Apparently when babies have such a hard time breaking for such a long time, the second they feel like they can relax, they will just stop breathing altogether. I have the only car, so Nick is trying to find a ride down from Logan to help out. I can't get a hold of Mom (Dad offered to come with before I even left their house. but what did Little Miss Independent say to her dotting father? "No, but thanks dad. I'll be alright"---I digress). Anyway, it was a hellacious day. Test results showed that Matthew has croup with broncialitis and possible tracheal miajia (you better believe that I don't know how to spell this). which means he has croup with RSV with a possible genetic tightening of the trachea that will require surgery to fix.
Sunday, I went to church and nick stayed home with kids because I was in charge of singing time in primary. Nick had to leave his yard job on Sat in a rush and didn't finish. He went back after church to finish. stayed till 2 hours after dark and still wasn't done.
Needless to say...I'm exhausted, the kids are exhausted, nick is exhausted and sore...but we are so blessed! I have a great Mom that helps me with my kids all night long, a dad that would drive with me up to Logan just to make sure everything goes okay. He'd probably even stay if I asked him to, I have health insurance for my kids, great health care providers with exhausting resources, a reliable car, and a husband that would do anything to get to his kids.
Well, we love you all so much. Thanks for keeping this up. It means so much to me.
-deb
This week has been a long and hard one for me, and probably for Nick, too.
My schedule is this:
Mondays---kid day only! until 5:30. then I go to work as soon as Nick gets home
Tuesdays---I teach voice lessons from 2pm (kids down for naps) until 6:30, then Nick goes to YM
Wednesdays---I teach from 1030 (claire goes to play group with a mom in my ward) to 1200 and then from 4 to 730
Thursdays---I teach on campus from 330-700 (claire goes to a babysitter in our ward and matthew is pawned off to who ever I feel like I can ask that week)
Friday---kids only all day until 5:30, then I go to work
Saturday---Nick works yard jobs till dark
Sunday---church and attempts at relaxing ;)
This Friday (the 5th?) I headed down to Mom's house and went to a very....hmmmm...a play with Mom. charter school production of Cats. Hmmmm is all I can say. Dad watched the kids.
Friday night I put the kids to bed and finally go to bed myself at about 1100ish. I wake up to Matthew having a croup attack. Mom helped me a ton bringing him in and out of the shower and cold. I get back into bed at about 2:30ish. I'm not asleep yet, but Claire and I are sharing a bed. She rolls over and barfs right into my hair! I then rotated between caring for one child or the other all night. Mom came down and helped hold my girl and then Matthew.
Didn't really know what to do, but Mom looked after the kids while I took a nap before driving home.
I get to Bountiful and Matthew has another attack. I call Nick, who calls the doctor, and we decide we need to take matthew in asap. I stop at an Instacare in Bountiful and they totally freak me out and make Matthew ride to Primary Children's in an ambulance. Apparently when babies have such a hard time breaking for such a long time, the second they feel like they can relax, they will just stop breathing altogether. I have the only car, so Nick is trying to find a ride down from Logan to help out. I can't get a hold of Mom (Dad offered to come with before I even left their house. but what did Little Miss Independent say to her dotting father? "No, but thanks dad. I'll be alright"---I digress). Anyway, it was a hellacious day. Test results showed that Matthew has croup with broncialitis and possible tracheal miajia (you better believe that I don't know how to spell this). which means he has croup with RSV with a possible genetic tightening of the trachea that will require surgery to fix.
Sunday, I went to church and nick stayed home with kids because I was in charge of singing time in primary. Nick had to leave his yard job on Sat in a rush and didn't finish. He went back after church to finish. stayed till 2 hours after dark and still wasn't done.
Needless to say...I'm exhausted, the kids are exhausted, nick is exhausted and sore...but we are so blessed! I have a great Mom that helps me with my kids all night long, a dad that would drive with me up to Logan just to make sure everything goes okay. He'd probably even stay if I asked him to, I have health insurance for my kids, great health care providers with exhausting resources, a reliable car, and a husband that would do anything to get to his kids.
Well, we love you all so much. Thanks for keeping this up. It means so much to me.
-deb
tim and jill mathews
Alright...I've finally found a second to write our little Family update! Sorry for the delay...but I have surely enjoyed reading about how everybody else is doing! Thanks Deb for this great idea!
We are doing well out here in Rhode Island. The weather is getting colder and the leaves just keep falling. It literally rains leaves daily! The fall colors are just amazing. Everyday, Elle has said to me how happy she is that we live in Rhode Island and how she loves our beautiful home. It makes me smile! Then today, she was complaing how cold she was and said she missed our other new house. She said she misses the carpet...our house is ALL hard wood floor!
Elle and Liam are doing really well. Elle is attending story time twice a week between the Library and Barnes and Noble, she is taking a Musical Movement/Ballet Class once a week, and has a scheduled play date weekly with a couple of little girls from church. Each day I plan activities to do with Elle and Liam and do "my" version of pre-school with both of them twice per week. Elle can recite the Pledge of Allegiance and is learning the sounds of the alphabet, her favorite thing to ask is, "Mom when is recess and Snack time?". She loves Fancy Nancy books and Pinkalicious. She has made quite a few little friends at church and loves her nursery class. Liam is just the most happiest baby ever! He Smiles and laughs at anything he finds silly, has begun headbutting his mommy and daddy... and now the floor. You really have to watch out or you'll get a fat lip! I've thought about getting a mouth guard for myself and a helmet for him! He still is not quite crawling yet. He tries but one leg always gets stuck underneath. He makes his way around by scooting and turning wherever he wants to go. He definately doesn't like being left alone and will cry incessently until he is rescued. The dog (Brooks) is his new best friend! It is really sweet... Liam also is cutting another tooth...that will be number 7!
Tim is loving his job and helping his couples learn how to teach to their youth. He is implementing the Boys Town Way in everyway and has felt a bit of resistence amongst his couples... but his hard work is paying off. He is truely amazing at his job! I have got to attend some guest nights at the homes and have had such a hard time not teaching to the youth! I can see though how much Tim has already helped the site. My favortie thing is that Tim gets to come home at lunch time or if I'm lucky and get the car I pick him up. The kids get so excited to see their Daddy! We look forward to when he comes home and we can spend time with him! It definately is different not having Tim around so much. Absence does make the heart grow fonder!
I am adjusting well. I am super busy and am loving being a stay-at-home mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have recently been called to be 2nd Counselor in Young Womens and LOVE IT! I am teaching the whole month of December and coordinating the activities. I feel blessed to be in this calling...as I feel it's easy for me to connect with the girls and establish relationships. Oh...Tim and I were also just asked to give a talk in church in two weeks. That will the first time I will officially give a talk in church. Yeiks! I'm already preparing (LOL)...Tim on the other hand will probably not prepare until the morning of. I wish I had his talent! I am excited that I have met so many wonderful people here! Tim and I have also made friends with our neighbors! I have also found a job. I have "my own business" working in the home. I am an Independent Agent and am contracted through LiveOps. I make my own schedule and work whatever hours I am available 24/7. I am just finishing up my training and will begin taking calls this week. I am so excited as it allows me to still be a stay-at-home mom, work after the kids are in bed, and am able to contribute to our income.
I miss everyone so much and hope we can see eachother soon. We are experiencing the East Coast for what it is...but always will be West Coast in our hearts! I don't think we are tawking like we are from Bawston quite yet. Can't wait to see Ben, Tamme and Sadee...they will be here this week!
Love,
Jill
We are doing well out here in Rhode Island. The weather is getting colder and the leaves just keep falling. It literally rains leaves daily! The fall colors are just amazing. Everyday, Elle has said to me how happy she is that we live in Rhode Island and how she loves our beautiful home. It makes me smile! Then today, she was complaing how cold she was and said she missed our other new house. She said she misses the carpet...our house is ALL hard wood floor!
Elle and Liam are doing really well. Elle is attending story time twice a week between the Library and Barnes and Noble, she is taking a Musical Movement/Ballet Class once a week, and has a scheduled play date weekly with a couple of little girls from church. Each day I plan activities to do with Elle and Liam and do "my" version of pre-school with both of them twice per week. Elle can recite the Pledge of Allegiance and is learning the sounds of the alphabet, her favorite thing to ask is, "Mom when is recess and Snack time?". She loves Fancy Nancy books and Pinkalicious. She has made quite a few little friends at church and loves her nursery class. Liam is just the most happiest baby ever! He Smiles and laughs at anything he finds silly, has begun headbutting his mommy and daddy... and now the floor. You really have to watch out or you'll get a fat lip! I've thought about getting a mouth guard for myself and a helmet for him! He still is not quite crawling yet. He tries but one leg always gets stuck underneath. He makes his way around by scooting and turning wherever he wants to go. He definately doesn't like being left alone and will cry incessently until he is rescued. The dog (Brooks) is his new best friend! It is really sweet... Liam also is cutting another tooth...that will be number 7!
Tim is loving his job and helping his couples learn how to teach to their youth. He is implementing the Boys Town Way in everyway and has felt a bit of resistence amongst his couples... but his hard work is paying off. He is truely amazing at his job! I have got to attend some guest nights at the homes and have had such a hard time not teaching to the youth! I can see though how much Tim has already helped the site. My favortie thing is that Tim gets to come home at lunch time or if I'm lucky and get the car I pick him up. The kids get so excited to see their Daddy! We look forward to when he comes home and we can spend time with him! It definately is different not having Tim around so much. Absence does make the heart grow fonder!
I am adjusting well. I am super busy and am loving being a stay-at-home mom!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have recently been called to be 2nd Counselor in Young Womens and LOVE IT! I am teaching the whole month of December and coordinating the activities. I feel blessed to be in this calling...as I feel it's easy for me to connect with the girls and establish relationships. Oh...Tim and I were also just asked to give a talk in church in two weeks. That will the first time I will officially give a talk in church. Yeiks! I'm already preparing (LOL)...Tim on the other hand will probably not prepare until the morning of. I wish I had his talent! I am excited that I have met so many wonderful people here! Tim and I have also made friends with our neighbors! I have also found a job. I have "my own business" working in the home. I am an Independent Agent and am contracted through LiveOps. I make my own schedule and work whatever hours I am available 24/7. I am just finishing up my training and will begin taking calls this week. I am so excited as it allows me to still be a stay-at-home mom, work after the kids are in bed, and am able to contribute to our income.
I miss everyone so much and hope we can see eachother soon. We are experiencing the East Coast for what it is...but always will be West Coast in our hearts! I don't think we are tawking like we are from Bawston quite yet. Can't wait to see Ben, Tamme and Sadee...they will be here this week!
Love,
Jill
bill and rosi mathews
Hello Family,
Another week has raced by. Do you feel that way? Monday morning and then suddenly it is Wednesday night. I love Wednesday nights. The work week is ½ over. Yea!!
Before I forget, I want to make sure you all know that we would like very much to have you come home this next summer over the July 24th weekend. It is my Mother, Alyce’s, 100 birthday on July 24, 2011. Dixie and I have been talking about what our families might do to celebrate. I recognize that it may not work for all of you, but if it is possible for you to be here, we would love it. I have mentioned it to some of you, but wasn’t sure just who. We’d like to find a lodge somewhere and stay as a family. Would you let me know any feedback that you might have? Yes, no, maybe, don’t want to, etc.
Dad and I are doing fine. Dad is back to working out three morning a week. He left for the pool @ 5:30 a.m. a few days back. It wasn’t even open. I try to leave for work about 6:20 a.m. The freeway construction is miserable and now the weather is getting cold and icy I need a few extra minutes to get there.
We have had a wonderful fall. Nov. 6 the temperature was in the mid to high 60’s. Except for a couple of days the whole fall has been like that. The sunsets are gorgeous.
We were so happy that Deb and kids came to see us this past weekend. (I know she really wanted to be in Vegas at Marlies’s with Luke and family.) She came to our house with a half hear but we will take you guys anyway that we can get you. She warned us that her kids were a little sick. Well, we didn’t realize how sick until about 1 a.m. Mathew had the croup and boy was he sick. It was hard for him to breathe. We about took him to the emergency room but instead alternated between taking him out side in the cold and putting him in a steamy bathroom. Claire woke about 1:30 and basically threw up from then until almost noon the next day… lots of dry heaves. Both children were so miserable but they were so good. Deb is a beautiful Mom. She holds and loves them and helps them in every way possible. All of you moms do such a wonderful job with your children. (Marlies… your son is a bit big to hold and cuddle when he is sick but I guess you could try.) Dad and I feel so blessed to have you as children.
Hello to Tim and Jill back there in Rhode Island. Ben and Tamme (not the offensive player for the Colts) in Texas, Adam and Becky in Mesa, and all of you other kids. We love you all. We look forward to spending Thanksgiving in Mesa and hope to meet Lil Liza Jane. Marlies, we may want to spend the night with you on our way there. Not sure at this point just when it will be as we are trying to work around the birth of the Becky’s baby.
Keep in touch. Love you special.
Mom and Dad
Another week has raced by. Do you feel that way? Monday morning and then suddenly it is Wednesday night. I love Wednesday nights. The work week is ½ over. Yea!!
Before I forget, I want to make sure you all know that we would like very much to have you come home this next summer over the July 24th weekend. It is my Mother, Alyce’s, 100 birthday on July 24, 2011. Dixie and I have been talking about what our families might do to celebrate. I recognize that it may not work for all of you, but if it is possible for you to be here, we would love it. I have mentioned it to some of you, but wasn’t sure just who. We’d like to find a lodge somewhere and stay as a family. Would you let me know any feedback that you might have? Yes, no, maybe, don’t want to, etc.
Dad and I are doing fine. Dad is back to working out three morning a week. He left for the pool @ 5:30 a.m. a few days back. It wasn’t even open. I try to leave for work about 6:20 a.m. The freeway construction is miserable and now the weather is getting cold and icy I need a few extra minutes to get there.
We have had a wonderful fall. Nov. 6 the temperature was in the mid to high 60’s. Except for a couple of days the whole fall has been like that. The sunsets are gorgeous.
We were so happy that Deb and kids came to see us this past weekend. (I know she really wanted to be in Vegas at Marlies’s with Luke and family.) She came to our house with a half hear but we will take you guys anyway that we can get you. She warned us that her kids were a little sick. Well, we didn’t realize how sick until about 1 a.m. Mathew had the croup and boy was he sick. It was hard for him to breathe. We about took him to the emergency room but instead alternated between taking him out side in the cold and putting him in a steamy bathroom. Claire woke about 1:30 and basically threw up from then until almost noon the next day… lots of dry heaves. Both children were so miserable but they were so good. Deb is a beautiful Mom. She holds and loves them and helps them in every way possible. All of you moms do such a wonderful job with your children. (Marlies… your son is a bit big to hold and cuddle when he is sick but I guess you could try.) Dad and I feel so blessed to have you as children.
Hello to Tim and Jill back there in Rhode Island. Ben and Tamme (not the offensive player for the Colts) in Texas, Adam and Becky in Mesa, and all of you other kids. We love you all. We look forward to spending Thanksgiving in Mesa and hope to meet Lil Liza Jane. Marlies, we may want to spend the night with you on our way there. Not sure at this point just when it will be as we are trying to work around the birth of the Becky’s baby.
Keep in touch. Love you special.
Mom and Dad
Thursday, November 4, 2010
ben and tamme mathews
The Texas winter is beginning which means outdoor activities become downright miserable. The clay ground does not absorb the water quickly enough so the rain stands in large puddles across the yard—our own little lake. The clay does soften so that stepping in it is like stepping in warm chocolate. You would think the idea of a chocolate yard would make Tamme very happy—think Hansel and Gretel—except that the mud doesn't taste or smell anything like chocolate and sticks like molasses. If I remember correctly, Tamme mentioned renting a jack hammer last time she cleaned mud off Kael's shoes.
The other crazy thing about Texas winters is that they are cold. I figured they would stay somewhat warmer than Utah winters. By direct temperature comparison, Texas winters are generally much warmer than Utah winters. This direct comparison, however, ignores several key factors. For one, most homes are heated by heat pumps instead of pilot lit furnaces (which don’t warm nearly as well). Another key metric is the wind which constantly blows the humid cold through your clothes.
This year I am going to work harder to stay effective on the miserable days. Last year I feel I let the weather outside get me down and I became unproductive.
I am on a stake young men’s committee responsible for planning a stake-wide high adventure activity for next summer. It is looking like it will be a great activity including: canoeing, camping, hiking, rappelling, shooting, archery, orienteering, horseback riding and several other activities. One of the families in the branch owns several properties that are within a few hours. I scouted out some of these properties and believe I have identified two properties where we can host these events. The properties are 3 miles from each other and total 1000 acres of private land. One of the properties has 3 miles of shoreline to a recreational lake in the area.
When I initially presented these properties to the committee, the major drawback identified by the committee was how small the property was—yes, I said how small. At one point, one of the men who had just moved from Utah mentioned that they had done several activities (like the one we were planning) in Utah on 50 or fewer acres and felt that was plenty. I am taking the Stake YM President and committee chair to the property this weekend for show-and-tell. I guess things really are bigger in Texas.
Tamme continues to make our home run like a fine-tuned instrument or at least like a well managed goat rodeo. Dentist appointments, orthodontic appointments, doctors appointments, grocery store runs, meals, cleaning, kids “doing” chores and that doesn’t even start on the stuff she has to do to keep me out of trouble.
We have been feeding the missionaries three and four times a month lately because no one else seems to want to sign up. It is a great blessing to have them in our home. Unfortunately for Tamme, I think I am just too cute and funny when they are here because I am constantly telling them about all the boys Tamme kissed before our marriage. Well about that and about her drug and alcohol problems—all in good fun. It has gotten to the point where the missionaries are pitching in. Don’t worry about Tamme though; she knows how to send zingers across my bow to put me back in my place.
Kloey is getting glasses—she has had a hard time reading the board in school. I think she is excited. Dad can’t express how excited he is to see her pretty pink glasses. It’s a good thing she has some taste because Dad obviously doesn’t. She is a book worm. She won an award at school for reading—she gets her own personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
Kael got the best haircut in the world! He looks just like his Dad—shaved bald. He was excited when we started. Dad cut the top off first which made him look like an old balding man—i.e., me. That made him change his mind—he wanted to stop! We tried to snap a photo but he wouldn’t have it. I made him come up and finish. When we were all done he looked really good—and he really likes it now.
I am still dropping them at school most days. I love dropping them and seeing them every day. I am so thankful the fact that my job allows me to do this. Kloey always wants me to walk them in and hold her hand. Kael always wants me to drop them in the drop-off lane. I think he would additionally appreciate it if I would sit low in my seat so that no one could see me when I drop them. If I walk them in, not only does he avoid holding my hand, he also generally tries to ditch us. Tamme asked him the other day why he tries to ditch us and he explained, “Dad always walks Kloey to class first which is a BIG waste of my time!” I love that kid. I do have to point out that he is committing social suicide. I am the coolest guy in his class since I took them on the field trip. All of the kids know my name and stop me to ensure I see them to say hello. Kael doesn’t realize that in his attempt to be cool he is running from the in-crowd. I have several young women waiting in the wings if Tamme ever decides she is done with me!
Galilee. . . what a crazy little girl. I am still her remote control. I don’ like tat’—I like tat’. When she brings me the remote I generally just turn the TV off—which she doesn’t like. Tamme and I were talking about how Gali (and the rest of the kids) won’t ask Dad for anything. Mom this and Mom that. The other day, Gali was sitting on my lap when she decided she needed a drink. Instead of asking me to help her, she slid down walked outside into the driveway where Mom was busy with something and asked Mom to come in and get her a drink. All I can say is our goat rodeo has just one effective hired hand and one clown—I am obviously the clown.
Sadee has Mom whooped! Mom has to have the baby monitor next to her ear every moment Sadee isn’t physically there. Tamme seems to have gone back to the first child worry stage. I am learning to send Tamme to bed and sit with Sadee. Once Tamme is out of ear shot I put Sadee to bed and let her cry for 5 minutes until she goes to sleep. Generally, Sadee just sits and laughs and smiles. She likes her Dad—I love that!
Well, I have gone on and on this week. We love you all and hope all is well!
The other crazy thing about Texas winters is that they are cold. I figured they would stay somewhat warmer than Utah winters. By direct temperature comparison, Texas winters are generally much warmer than Utah winters. This direct comparison, however, ignores several key factors. For one, most homes are heated by heat pumps instead of pilot lit furnaces (which don’t warm nearly as well). Another key metric is the wind which constantly blows the humid cold through your clothes.
This year I am going to work harder to stay effective on the miserable days. Last year I feel I let the weather outside get me down and I became unproductive.
I am on a stake young men’s committee responsible for planning a stake-wide high adventure activity for next summer. It is looking like it will be a great activity including: canoeing, camping, hiking, rappelling, shooting, archery, orienteering, horseback riding and several other activities. One of the families in the branch owns several properties that are within a few hours. I scouted out some of these properties and believe I have identified two properties where we can host these events. The properties are 3 miles from each other and total 1000 acres of private land. One of the properties has 3 miles of shoreline to a recreational lake in the area.
When I initially presented these properties to the committee, the major drawback identified by the committee was how small the property was—yes, I said how small. At one point, one of the men who had just moved from Utah mentioned that they had done several activities (like the one we were planning) in Utah on 50 or fewer acres and felt that was plenty. I am taking the Stake YM President and committee chair to the property this weekend for show-and-tell. I guess things really are bigger in Texas.
Tamme continues to make our home run like a fine-tuned instrument or at least like a well managed goat rodeo. Dentist appointments, orthodontic appointments, doctors appointments, grocery store runs, meals, cleaning, kids “doing” chores and that doesn’t even start on the stuff she has to do to keep me out of trouble.
We have been feeding the missionaries three and four times a month lately because no one else seems to want to sign up. It is a great blessing to have them in our home. Unfortunately for Tamme, I think I am just too cute and funny when they are here because I am constantly telling them about all the boys Tamme kissed before our marriage. Well about that and about her drug and alcohol problems—all in good fun. It has gotten to the point where the missionaries are pitching in. Don’t worry about Tamme though; she knows how to send zingers across my bow to put me back in my place.
Kloey is getting glasses—she has had a hard time reading the board in school. I think she is excited. Dad can’t express how excited he is to see her pretty pink glasses. It’s a good thing she has some taste because Dad obviously doesn’t. She is a book worm. She won an award at school for reading—she gets her own personal pan pizza from Pizza Hut.
Kael got the best haircut in the world! He looks just like his Dad—shaved bald. He was excited when we started. Dad cut the top off first which made him look like an old balding man—i.e., me. That made him change his mind—he wanted to stop! We tried to snap a photo but he wouldn’t have it. I made him come up and finish. When we were all done he looked really good—and he really likes it now.
I am still dropping them at school most days. I love dropping them and seeing them every day. I am so thankful the fact that my job allows me to do this. Kloey always wants me to walk them in and hold her hand. Kael always wants me to drop them in the drop-off lane. I think he would additionally appreciate it if I would sit low in my seat so that no one could see me when I drop them. If I walk them in, not only does he avoid holding my hand, he also generally tries to ditch us. Tamme asked him the other day why he tries to ditch us and he explained, “Dad always walks Kloey to class first which is a BIG waste of my time!” I love that kid. I do have to point out that he is committing social suicide. I am the coolest guy in his class since I took them on the field trip. All of the kids know my name and stop me to ensure I see them to say hello. Kael doesn’t realize that in his attempt to be cool he is running from the in-crowd. I have several young women waiting in the wings if Tamme ever decides she is done with me!
Galilee. . . what a crazy little girl. I am still her remote control. I don’ like tat’—I like tat’. When she brings me the remote I generally just turn the TV off—which she doesn’t like. Tamme and I were talking about how Gali (and the rest of the kids) won’t ask Dad for anything. Mom this and Mom that. The other day, Gali was sitting on my lap when she decided she needed a drink. Instead of asking me to help her, she slid down walked outside into the driveway where Mom was busy with something and asked Mom to come in and get her a drink. All I can say is our goat rodeo has just one effective hired hand and one clown—I am obviously the clown.
Sadee has Mom whooped! Mom has to have the baby monitor next to her ear every moment Sadee isn’t physically there. Tamme seems to have gone back to the first child worry stage. I am learning to send Tamme to bed and sit with Sadee. Once Tamme is out of ear shot I put Sadee to bed and let her cry for 5 minutes until she goes to sleep. Generally, Sadee just sits and laughs and smiles. She likes her Dad—I love that!
Well, I have gone on and on this week. We love you all and hope all is well!
Monday, November 1, 2010
nick and deb sorensen
Happy Halloween!
Claire keeps saying, "Oh, man!" when she drops something or when something happens she doesn't want to. I couldn't figure out where she got it from. I hear her say "dang it!" occasionally because I say it (oops) and she comes home from the babysitter's saying "shut up!" ARGH! but I knew I don't say "oh man" and I knew nick doesn't, but I knew I've heard it before. today we were watching "Dora the Explorer", her most favorite show and I heard one of the characters say "Oh, man!" and she repeated it. Had to laugh. She's so funny and of all the things she could be saying, I do like that one. She's sitting on my lap right now giving me kisses and singing, "Book of Mor-non Stories". It sounds mostly like "book a mor-non stories, teacherrr, tells me, lamonnnn ites in an-chant hissss-story."
Matthew is so smiley. Nick has made him laugh this great big belly laugh lately. He tickles his collar bones and the kid goes nuts. He's still chubby as ever.
Claire interrupted this letter with a "Mine turn, Momma?" so here is her contribution:
cvvu7uerkfdyulurtttbggdfdf7dafrfddfmg iij
Halloween we lucky enough to have Gramma Rosi and Grampa Bill come to visit. They came to the ward Trunk-or-Treat with us. Grampa sat and handed out all the candy for our party while Gramma took Claire around in her cute costume (white leopard). Matthew was still an otter because i couldn't track down a Batman costume (long story). I bought a couple of cute costumes on line for SUPER cheap and the otter was way big on Matthew. I duct taped him in and it worked just fine. He feel asleep in it a couple of times because he was so warm.
I have been having voice lessons with Grandma Rosi lately. I forget how much singing means to me. I'm working on an Mozart aria and hope to be able to sing it in a recital sooner or later.
Grandma Rosi is my musical 'soul mate' and I hate to live so far from her.
Nick is still stressed at work. He finished this big week just recently and just has to keep go go going. He needs a vacation. ;)
We love you all,
-deb
Claire keeps saying, "Oh, man!" when she drops something or when something happens she doesn't want to. I couldn't figure out where she got it from. I hear her say "dang it!" occasionally because I say it (oops) and she comes home from the babysitter's saying "shut up!" ARGH! but I knew I don't say "oh man" and I knew nick doesn't, but I knew I've heard it before. today we were watching "Dora the Explorer", her most favorite show and I heard one of the characters say "Oh, man!" and she repeated it. Had to laugh. She's so funny and of all the things she could be saying, I do like that one. She's sitting on my lap right now giving me kisses and singing, "Book of Mor-non Stories". It sounds mostly like "book a mor-non stories, teacherrr, tells me, lamonnnn ites in an-chant hissss-story."
Matthew is so smiley. Nick has made him laugh this great big belly laugh lately. He tickles his collar bones and the kid goes nuts. He's still chubby as ever.
Claire interrupted this letter with a "Mine turn, Momma?" so here is her contribution:
cvvu7uerkfdyulurtttbggdfdf7dafrfddfmg iij
Halloween we lucky enough to have Gramma Rosi and Grampa Bill come to visit. They came to the ward Trunk-or-Treat with us. Grampa sat and handed out all the candy for our party while Gramma took Claire around in her cute costume (white leopard). Matthew was still an otter because i couldn't track down a Batman costume (long story). I bought a couple of cute costumes on line for SUPER cheap and the otter was way big on Matthew. I duct taped him in and it worked just fine. He feel asleep in it a couple of times because he was so warm.
I have been having voice lessons with Grandma Rosi lately. I forget how much singing means to me. I'm working on an Mozart aria and hope to be able to sing it in a recital sooner or later.
Grandma Rosi is my musical 'soul mate' and I hate to live so far from her.
Nick is still stressed at work. He finished this big week just recently and just has to keep go go going. He needs a vacation. ;)
We love you all,
-deb
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
ben and tamme mathews
I guess I will take a stab at the weekly family update. This last week was full of snot and coughs that have continued into this week. I am to blame, I started all the hacking and nose blowing. The only two not affected yet are Sadee and Kloey. Can I tell you how grateful I am for the health of my children. We truly are blessed.
The end of last week was the highlight of the week. One, I turned 32. I didn't feel old until I realized that with my birthday I would be turning a year older. I don't feel old enough to have 4 kids and a husband. (unless I talk to the kids in seminary, they are quick to remind me how old I am). My birthday was a low key day. Ben went with Kael on his Kindergarten field trip. They went to a pumpkin patch and Ben was in charge of 5 kids, plus being Mrs Doerr's strong helper. He really looked forward to it and had a lot of fun, but was tired when they got home. One of Kael's classmates told Ben that if he didn't like his wife she was available. Ben never ceases to amaze me, he can play with and interact with all ages groups. From the young to the old.
As a birthday surprise my parents came for the weekend. It was so fun to have them and just them. Our kids just love visitors and when its grandma and grandpa its extra special. While they were here we watched Kael's last football game, craved pumpkins, decorated a haunted house and played with stickers. My mom and I got to spend time at Super Saturday. She helped me do my projects and took care of Sadee. Ben and I even went to a movie. We saw Hereafter and I will just say...snoozer.
The biggest surprise of all was my birthday gift. Ben is taking me to NEW YORK! He has a business trip in New Jersey, so we will go a few days early and go sight seeing in New York with Tim and Jill. I am super excited.
Today is our 9th anniversary. It sure has blown by. Looking back on where we started and where we are now, I am amazed at all we have been blessed to do, see and been given. I am so grateful that I have been able to do it all with Ben and can't wait to see what the next 9 years bring. BRING IT ON!
We love and miss you all. Just in case you have forgotten, Hotel Mathews in Princeton, TX is always open.
Love to you all
-Tamme
PS new pictures coming to the blog klododidlio.blogspot.com soon
The end of last week was the highlight of the week. One, I turned 32. I didn't feel old until I realized that with my birthday I would be turning a year older. I don't feel old enough to have 4 kids and a husband. (unless I talk to the kids in seminary, they are quick to remind me how old I am). My birthday was a low key day. Ben went with Kael on his Kindergarten field trip. They went to a pumpkin patch and Ben was in charge of 5 kids, plus being Mrs Doerr's strong helper. He really looked forward to it and had a lot of fun, but was tired when they got home. One of Kael's classmates told Ben that if he didn't like his wife she was available. Ben never ceases to amaze me, he can play with and interact with all ages groups. From the young to the old.
As a birthday surprise my parents came for the weekend. It was so fun to have them and just them. Our kids just love visitors and when its grandma and grandpa its extra special. While they were here we watched Kael's last football game, craved pumpkins, decorated a haunted house and played with stickers. My mom and I got to spend time at Super Saturday. She helped me do my projects and took care of Sadee. Ben and I even went to a movie. We saw Hereafter and I will just say...snoozer.
The biggest surprise of all was my birthday gift. Ben is taking me to NEW YORK! He has a business trip in New Jersey, so we will go a few days early and go sight seeing in New York with Tim and Jill. I am super excited.
Today is our 9th anniversary. It sure has blown by. Looking back on where we started and where we are now, I am amazed at all we have been blessed to do, see and been given. I am so grateful that I have been able to do it all with Ben and can't wait to see what the next 9 years bring. BRING IT ON!
We love and miss you all. Just in case you have forgotten, Hotel Mathews in Princeton, TX is always open.
Love to you all
-Tamme
PS new pictures coming to the blog klododidlio.blogspot.com soon
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