Swensen Sentral

We're in Boise for Christmas this year! We're so excited. The kids kept asking every day if we could leave yet. The only down side so far was that our 2 day drive turned into a 3 day drive due to a snow storm. We started our drive on Friday up to Roseville to see Grandma Bonnie. It was so fun to visit her, even if it was just overnight. She is such a happy bubbly positive person and it just makes you feel good being around her. Saturday we planned to finish our drive, but were met with a surprise. A snow storm in Donner's Pass closed the road temporarily and then when it was opened we were seriously going about 5 mph thru it. Not fun at all, with or without kids. We ended up having to throw down $90 for tire chains and then $60 to stay at a motel. So the normal 2 hr drive from Roseville to Reno turned into an 8 hr drive. Yuck! After our stay at Motel 6 in Winnemucca (Side note: that place is ghetto) we finished our drive to Boise arriving while the fam was at church...

So yesterday evening I heard a bloodcurdling scream, followed by a wail, the kind that lasts so long the child runs out of breath and goes silent. And then I didn't hear the follow up breath and cry, so I knew it was bad. I ran up the stairs to find Sawyer with his pants down after using the bathroom.....Are you ready for this? He slammed the toilet seat down on his you know what. Yeah, he was hurting, bad. I won't post a picture of it but let's just say its not flesh colored anymore. Of course my immediate reaction was to take care of the pain with tylenol and ice and comfort. Rick's immediate reaction was to research the possible effects this could have on future capabilities if you know what I mean. The verdict? It's going to be ok.

(Just imagine Dash from Incredibles saying this like at the end of the movie.) So Rick totally pampered me for my birthday way beyond anything I deserved or could have imagined.  I told him all I wanted for my birthday was a day to myself, to leave the house and go wherever I wanted, by myself, with no kids and no time limit for coming home.  So that's what he gave me.  But in addition, he surprised me with a babysitter the night before and took me out on a fun date.  I had the most delicious coconut shrimp curry ever, and then we saw Breaking Dawn part 2.  Then on my birthday he got up with the kids and fed them breakfast while I just slept in and got myself ready without any interruptions.  Totally awesome.  I had a fun day running errands all by myself and shopping.  I met up with some friends for lunch which was so fun.  It was so nice to not feel like I had to get home for something and we just talked and talked, so nice.  After t...

"Don't put your bum in a plastic bag cuz then you can't breathe and you could die." Wrong end buddy.

3 years ago I did not know that such a happy, funny, bubbly, completely darling child was going to join our family.  The day I went to the hospital to have him I was nervous because he was 3 days overdue and they scheduled me to be induced against my wishes since he was showing signs of distress.  After a grueling 4-hour non-medicated labor a 9 1/2 lb little boy was born, cord wrapped around his neck and not making a sound.  A few scarily quiet seconds later, the nurses finally got him to scream, and I don't think he has stopped talking since.  We love our little Sawyer James.  So glad Heavenly Father sent this little light to our family.  He brings so much laughter and smiles into our home with his funny way of viewing life combined with trying to learn the English language.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY BUDDY!

This kid says the funniest things, EVERY day. So I decided to start a running list just so I can read them and laugh when I feel like wringing his cute little neck. When he was tired he told me "I'm a little bit cozy in my eyes." Yesterday I told the kids that Michael Jackson died by taking too much medicine. Today Sawyer informed me at a random moment that Jack (from Nightmare Before Christmas) died from taking too much medicine too. Sawyer loves saying Hi and Bye to everyone, even strangers at the store. Today when the FedEx guy brought us a package, Sawyer held out his hands to take it from him, without saying a word. Then after I said bye and shut the door he says, "Mom, I don't want to say bye anymore. I'm done saying bye to everyone." He keeps telling me that he's 3 now, so it's time to have his birthday. I guess turning a year older is just a decision to be made. And once you make it, then you can have your party. The other day S...

Yes, I put up the Christmas tree MUCH earlier than I've ever done it before. Some of you might say, what about Thanksgiving? Well guess what? We are still going to celebrate Thanksgiving....but with a CHRISTMAS TREE! Did you know you can do that??? Ok, I'm being a bit facetious, but in reality I'm just being a supportive wife and helping Rick get in the spirit of "Christmas candy" for his job. He thanks me, believe it or not. Anyway, it made me happy so I did it. And now every time I look at it I feel happy again. Bring on the Christmas cheer :))))) Oh and for those of you who remember my Christmas tree from years past being colorful, I opted for a festive "silver and gold, silver and gold" this year, yes like the song. And I quite like it.