Saunders Stories

Aidan Gets His Bear

Good Job Aidan. You are now a Webelo!

Growing Up

No matter how hard you fight it, your kids grow up. They begin to make their own decisions and they do things on their own….without you around….without talking to you first….and….and….and…they are okay. I know, I am such a whiner. It really was just yesterday that SumSum came into our little family, and she was so darn adorable. Like a China doll. Now, she is living on her own, in another state and just signed a contract for apartment living next year….she even had to call me to remind me to do something, as I forgot….

(My friend, who will remain nameless, made fun of this outfit–not all of us have fashion sense!)

Michelle was also asking me about my pregnancies today as they are doing that wonderful unit in Health. It has been a DECADE since I have had a baby! The time really does fly! A DECADE!!!! And baby Aidan? He is putting together things on his own without any help. When did he grow up?

What’s a girl to do?

Play dress-ups with her pup of course!

Powerful Stuff

The last month has been pretty rough dealing with Michelle’s broken leg and then dealing with the complications afterward. I would have been a complete mess had it not been for the two priesthood blessings she received. They were amazing blessings and almost sacred to me, and through all the things she went through this last month, I clung onto those inspired words from a loving Father in Heaven spoken through his worthy servants. Especially during her second blessing (perhaps because I was alone and a little more scared), I felt the Spirit so strongly and I felt enveloped in comfort and peace.

(This is a good documentation of how Michelle spent her Snowcation…and most of her weekends…)

(Beautiful flowers were sent that crazy week! And we are still enjoying them. These from my friend Esther for my birthday. Michelle’s coaches also sent her a bouquet, which was very sweet.)

I am grateful for so many things. For a loving God who does know who we are and who cares for us more than we know, for the priesthood–it is an amazing power and can bless so many lives, for my knowledge of the gospel from where I can draw strength and solace, for the worthy men who hold the priesthood–who at a moment’s notice, drop what they are doing to bless the lives of those in need, for good people who are ready and desirous to serve and bear others’ burdens, and for our faith that makes it all possible.

Oh Pinterest!

“I mustache you a question….will you be my Valentine?”

So I saw this on Aaron’s FB page and this quote from Pinterest came to mind. It is the cutest idea for Valentines if you have a cute little boy to draw a mustache on. I miss my not so little boy!

Math Team

Aidan has math club one afternoon a week, along with one hour every Monday morning during school (in place of in class math). But once a week, he also meets with his math team as they prepare for the Math Olympiad in March (just around the corner!) They look forward to the snacks the most. I brought a whole loaf of banana bread, pretzels galore and at least 10 oranges!

As you can see, they didn’t waste any time–or calories!

With a group of boys, silliness is to be expected! This is Aidan’s impersonation of “crooked teeth”.

They actually settle down really nicely and get right down to work. Today, I introduced them to Slope, and then we worked on test questions. The challenge was to finish 30 problems in 25 minutes (they split into partners and took half the problems). These are all story problems and involve middle school thinking! I owe them all their favorite candy bar as they finished in the knick of time! Nothing like food to motivate boys.

Faith Over Fear

I read these gems the other night and they really struck a chord. Like I literally jolted up and wrote it down:

“God named Eve the mother of all living before she was placed in the Garden, and He elected Mary to bear His Son before she entered mortality. Their identity and callings were determined long before they were born, and were surely a reflection of premortal spiritual valor. None of us come to this earth to gain our worth; we brought it with us.”

This is truth! Because we are here on this very earth, we were among those with spiritual valor–and we are of great worth! We brought it here with us!

(Michelle–fearless from the start!)

(For lack of a better picture, Michelle has been doing a project, so we scanned a lot of fun pictures)

Sheri Dew also wrote this next one, but you might as well substitute my name in it: “During the recent past, I have faced a baffling challenge that has tested my faith and my spiritual mettle… I’ve worked and fasted and pleaded for help. But the answers haven’t come easily or quickly. At times things have looked hopeless–until I have asked myself one question: “Mimi, do you believe the Lord will help you, or don’t you?” That question always stops me short.  Because I do believe. I believe He will help because He always has. He hasn’t always given me everything I’ve prayed for–far from it–but He has never let me down!”

Yes! I have often felt this way. I have felt like my prayers are for naught no matter how much I plead or fast or work–things look plain hopeless at times. And I am overwhelmed. And I wonder sometimes if I believe the Lord will help me. Well, of course He will, He always has before. I just need to remember this right now in my life like never before! Keep going! It’s that FAITH over FEAR–it was talked about in sacrament meeting on Sunday by a member of our Stake Presidency–definitely needed to hear it! FAITH OVER FEAR!!!!

Both are found in Sheri Dew’s book, “No One Can Take Your Place”.

Dance Revolution!

Dear Summer,

Do you remember that one year for your birthday, we got you Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) and we played it a few times and the pads quit working? What a bummer huh? We loved that game! Well, for my birthday, Dad got me Dance Central 2 for the Kinect! It is like MAGIC! No pads to stomp on, no wires, no controllers whatsoever. You just stand in front of the TV and it detects your every move and even records you and takes pictures of you. It is really cool! So now I challenge you to a Dance Off upon your return in THREE little months!

Except I will have some advantage since I will have three months’ practice!

Love,

Mom

In It to Win It Party!

Aidan has had bowling parties and Sportsplex parties for the last several years. This year we decided to go different and have a Minute to Win It themed party-with some twists!

Poster by Michelle

The challenges….

The yummy cake…by mom!

The first challenge: FACE THE COOKIE! Try to get the oreo from your forehead to your mouth using just your face!

Aidan was the only boy who could do it!

Second Challenge: BUBBLE TROUBLE Be the first to blow a bubble-Bryan won!

Third Challenge: HUT, HUT, HIKE Hike 10 toilet paper rolls into the basket. Aidan won with 4.

Fourth Challenge: CHUBBY BUNNY! Ben won this one!

Fifth Challenge: READY SPAGHETTI Be the first to move 3 penne’s from one plate to the next using only a spaghetti. Caden won this one.

Sixth Challenge: THIS BLOWS Blow a balloon and use it to move the plastic cup the farthest. Thomas B won this one!

After pizza and pop, they played a bit of soccer (what’s new)

Or was it football?

Presents!

On Aidan’s actual birthday he wanted to open presents, but as that was a really bad week and we were at the hospital and two doctor’s offices for his birthday, I told Aidan that we would wait until his party and if he didn’t get what he wanted for his birthday, I would go get it for him. What a nice kid to agree. He wanted a soccer ball (check) and a new video game (he got a gift card and some money, CHECK)! Guess I am off the hook! WHEW!

I did get him some yummy, creamy chocolate milk he had been craving!

Singing Happy Birthday

Did you make a wish?

More soccer!

That was the easiest, nicest birthday party ever! His friends were so nice and well behaved. I love having a basement (we’ve never had one before!), they were loud and crazy as 10 year old boys are supposed to be, but I didn’t really hear it, just heard a lot of fun and laughter! The only thing that would have made it perfect was to have his best buds there, but they were too sick to come.

Happy Birthday Aidan! (again!)

Snow Play Date!

Sophie loves humans, especially little ones. She loves my preschoolers and little nieces and nephews. She has always been afraid of dogs. It got better when I took her regularly to puppy school and playgroups, and even put her in doggie daycare every so often so she can be exposed to dogs. She got kicked out of said doggie daycare because she was afraid of some aggressive dogs and spook barked at them. Anyway, she is a wonderful dog except lately on walks, she will growl, lunge, and bark at other dogs. She does this not because she is aggressive, but she is afraid! It is really embarrassing!! Especially when the other dog owners give you a look.

Anyway, one thing you will know about Sophie, she LOVES LOVES LOVES snow! Because of this, it makes her giddy to be out in it! So giddy that she has gotten over any fear of dogs and willingly plays with them. Even the big black ones (she is really afraid of those–ironic, yes), she will gingerly walk up to them (on guard) and sniff them, but no more barking, lunging, and growling, or spook barking!!! Now that is worth a week of treacherous, freezing weather! I think our pup is cured!

“Mommy, can’t I go play with the other pups?”

These two are regulars around here when the snow is around. Barkley and Kai.

When did I become a dog person? I don’t even know!

I guess when all your babies grow up, your pup becomes your baby!

It might be premature to say she is cured! Let’s hope she doesn’t return to her old ways once the snow disappears!

Snowcation

One of my friends from the ward is very fond of the snow and dubbed this week long break from school “Snowcation”. School has been out four days in a row (counting MLK). Michelle has been out for two weeks! She is not going to want to go back to school! We are being way too lazy and not very productive this week! Aside from trekking out to yet another doctor’s appointment, we have been holed up inside (a frosty 13 degrees and wind will do that) eating way too much junk food, watching TV and movies, and every once in a while, venturing out to play in the snow.

Cute little bird house off our deck

Aidan went sledding with his buddies, then more sledding with his math team, then got in some actual math! We also got to piano (we almost forgot!).

His math teammate lives off the lake, and I took advantage of the opportunity for some nice pictures.

After math club, more buddies came over to sled behind our trail and hang out.

I know a lot of people are annoyed, and I like a good routine myself, but it’s so nice to have a week to be lazy (especially after the week I had) and it’s so nice to enjoy the beautiful snow. I feel like we are living in the mountains! With all the conveniences of living in town of course!