Swensen Sentral

Today Chase found this mess in his room. Someone found it irresistible to squeeze all the styrofoam to shreds. (I should mention this was taken after he vacuumed much of it up). Yesterday evening I found her in a bucket of murky green water in the backyard with her new clean pajamas. She said cheerfully, "Mom I take a bath!" I was too upset to stop and take a picture.  The day before that Amelie came inside complaining to me that Soleil was drooling wet apple pieces all over the tramp. I went to investigate and found that it was actually her urine drenched diaper disintegrating and falling in pieces all over the trampoline. I followed the trail inside the house and up the stairs.  Beware! Newborns turn into 2 year olds...and it is fantastic! (This post dedicated to my sister Molly who is anxiously awaiting her 2 year old...uh I mean newborn :)

Yesterday morning at Walmart I had at least 3 people ask "Are these ALL yours??" referring to my kids, and then a look of amazement when I said yes. And then the lady in front of me at the checkout says "Looks like you've got summer camp goin' on."  I find it funny that with only 4 kids I am such an anomaly. That would never happen back in Utah or Idaho. The best comment I've ever received though was the other day at the eye dr, a lady first asked if they were all mine and then when i replied yes she said, "Wow! You are so blessed to have so many children!"  It was so sweet and so sincere that it really lifted my spirits and changed my attitude towards them in that moment. Yes, I am blessed. 

My Sunday night project. FINALLY got pictures put in my Mothers Day jewelry. Good thing too cuz it has only been a little over a year!  The problem was they were so darn tiny! Had to print them so many times just to get the size right. But it was worth it cuz now I love them! My Sunday night snack. This Ghiradelli square was a new find and a total winner!  3 of my most favorite things: dark chocolate, caramel, and salt, combined! Can you say addiction??

We walk into Jamba Juice and Amelie says "It kinda stinks in here." Then we walk into Starbucks and she says "now this is better, it smells good in here." Ha! Surprises me that a 6 yr old likes coffee better than smoothies. 

Kindra surprised me by making this video of Chase's baptism.  She did such a good job and it will be such a special memory to treasure.  I don't think it uploaded at the right quality, so it's a bit pixely.  Sorry, I don't know how to fix it.  Thank you Kindra and Tyler!

I wrote this a few weeks ago and never published it.  I finally enrolled the kids in swim lessons. It's about time since Chase is 8 and is still a bit afraid of the water. Last summer he was swimming with a friend and he got pushed under and couldn't get up, and it really scared him. He's been nervous about swimming ever since. They both were a little scared being in the water with only a kick board to hold onto and not mom's arm, but they did it anyway and proved to themselves they could do it. I was proud of them for facing their fear. They are doing great and I think they'll be swimming in no time. 

July 13, 2013 What a special day it was. I'm so proud of the young man Chase is becoming and the good choices he is making. I know that by following The Savior he will find happiness in his life.  On our way to the church Chase and his friend Matthew were baptized on the same day So happy that our family came to share this day with us. 

Had so much fun tonight at the Dodgers game, thanks to some friends who gifted us some amazing tickets! I was seriously skeptical that baseball could be so entertaining, but when you're sitting on like the tenth row behind home plate it's hard not to enjoy. We could see Kareem Abdul Jabbar and a famous retired Dodgers coach sitting up in front of us. Now I can feel a little place growing in my heart for the Dodgers. 

It's 9:57pm on Wednesday night. I didn't get a wink of sleep last night, literally stayed up ALL night long mopping and hanging pictures and unpacking boxes and organizing and doing things that are a thousand times more difficult when kids are running around. I woke up yesterday morning (tues) around 7:30am and went to sleep the night before (Mon) around 3am. So that means since I woke up around 7am Monday morning, I have had 58.5 waking hours and 4.5 sleeping. It's kinda freaking me out. How in the world am I still walking around?  I think I'll go to bed now.