Funny/Sick Story:)

This past Thursday, Friday, & Saturday I was CRAZY SICK!  I don't get sick often and boy I was knocked down for 3 days with some of the worst allergies I have ever experienced.  No pill was helping me--and I tried lots of them.  So despite my sickness, we had a crazy Saturday.  My husband had to leave at 5 am for the day and my 2 older kid's had all day Temple Cultural Celebration practice, Max had play rehearsals, and Tatum had a birthday party and then softball practice.  So I forced myself out of bed, showered, dressed, put on make-up and everything just as I would on any normal day.  I just "put on my big girl panties" and went about my day:)

I got everyone where they needed to go and I finally sat down for the first time at Tatum's softball practice--box of tissue in hand.  Some good friends of mine were there and said, "Buffie!  You sound HORRIBLE!!!  PLEASE go home and we will take Tatum to lunch and then bring her home to you--just PLEASE go home."  Alright, that was VERY nice of them so I took them up on their offer.  I was headed home when I decided I wanted a soda from Circle K.  So I get out the exact change I needed, went inside and got my soda.  I was just standing there in line totally oblivious to anyone or anything around me, just standing there waiting to pay.  The man in front of me turned around and said, "Ma'am….I would REALLY like to buy your soda for you.  I can't help but notice that you sound terrible."  Me:  "What?!  Oh no!  I am fine really!  Look!  I have my money right here in hand!"  I looked up at the store clerk and he said, "Sorry ma'am, but he's in front of you so you have to do what he says."  Totally shocked/sick/dumbfounded/embarrassed/flattered all at the same time and with nothing funny or witty coming to my mind, I just said "Thank you!" and ran out the door!

So apparently, my pathetic-ness was extremely evident to everyone around me!  So at that point I went straight home to hide for the rest of the day!

But I am VERY grateful for the kind people Heavenly Father sent to me on Saturday.  I was definitely in need and I know my prayers were answered that day--definitely NOT like I wanted them answered--I really just wanted to be healed--but I was grateful for the random acts of kindness even more.

Mother/Son Dance!

So I have joked for years with my son Ethan about how I would totally embarrass him at a Mother/Son dance.  I would practice my dance moves in the kitchen--mostly the robot--to demonstrate just how I would take over the dance floor:)  So finally my time came and MUCH to my surprise, my son was actually VERY excited for us to go!  We danced (and sometimes we BOTH danced the robot) and we ate yummy treats!  Ethan mostly wanted to hang out with his good friends--which was fine with me because I really enjoyed catching up with the other moms.  I just LOVE this little group Ethan has.  They are the sweetest and kindest kids.  I've always worried about this kid of mine, but he sure knows how to surround himself with great friends.  

Autumn, Saar, Ethan, & Nikolas

These 4 were seriously unseparable ALL night:)

Max's 9th Birthday:)

So I have a confession….I bought my boys out this year:(  Between my niece's wedding, the temple open house, and the kid's rehearsal schedule for their upcoming show, and then the actual showtime, we did not have a single free weekend.  So I offered them $100 to NOT have a party and they both took me up on it:)

So with that $100, Max really wanted a guitar--very cool and something I was definitely supportive of.  (I would have had a HARD time letting him blow the $ on Legos:)  So we got him all hooked up with everything he needed and now big sister Carlie gets paid (in Thirstbusters from Circle K) to teach him.

We still celebrated with dinner out at a restaurant of their choice.  Max chose Village Inn this year.  Yes!  Finally moving on from McDonald's:)

He even got his own slice of birthday pie!

So Happy 9th Birthday to my little guy Max.  I just love this kid more than I can say.  He brings so much joy and laughter into our home and it would be just plain boring without him.  Love you Maxwell Gordon!

Gilbert Temple!

Exciting times here in AZ with the new Gilbert Temple close to opening!  My husband's company has been in charge of all the audio/visual/everything technical for this event so because of this, my husband's busy season started earlier this year:)  But all for a good cause so I'm not complaining.  Our family actually had the chance to walk through the temple a week before the open house began--again because of my hubby's hard work--then we went through again on Martin Luther King Day with my mom and dad.  So here we are with Papa Frank (the favorite) and oh yeah…the lady he's married to:)