Weekend in review...

This weekend, we were busy, busy, busy!

My husband, Mr. Pharmaceutical, signed our family up for the Diabetes Walk-a-thon in Yuma Arizona. He set up a booth displaying information about diabetes, and how his company has medicines that can help. Even though he only did a "talk-a-thon" while Joel and I were the only two who did the walk-a-thon, it was a great day!

As Joel and I were walkin' (well, Joel actually just rode piggy back on my back!!!) we sang our ABC's, and days of the week. We talked about the river next to us, (the Colorado river) and how it would be so nice to go to swimming in, say, the beach...

After we crossed the finish line, we packed up and did just that- we went to the beach!!!

Holland asked us about every 30 seconds (of a 3 hour drive...) if we were really going to the beach, and if she could really dig in the sand, and if we were almost there, and if she could really dig in the sand, and if we were really going to the beach... (you get the picture)

Needless to say, Holland LOVES everything about the beach.
This picture says everything her heart has to say about it!
Once at the beach, we played, we explored, and we had fun just being together!


When it got dark, we went to a greasy taco shop for dinner. They were amazing!!! (Except for the grit from the relentless sand.)

The next day, we began our festivities with a little trip to Ikea. Holland has been talking and dreaming about the blessed day when she would be tall enough to go into the play place with her siblings. Mr. Pharmaceutical and I crossed our fingers as the attendant assessed her height. Finally when she gave her approval, our whole family jumped up and down and cheered for the little gal! (Even the people in line behind us congratulated her... ) Mr. Pharmaceutical and I high fived each other as we were able to enjoy every nook and cranny of Ikea... childless!!!

After Ikea, and like a hundred dollars later, we went back to the Pier/beach.
We drank hot chocolate, saw a seal, Ethan tried unsuccessfully to catch a pigeon or seagull, and we watched the fishermen.
In the afternoon, Mr. Pharmaceutical and I took a nap in the sand while our kids soaked up the sun and waves. It was such a great weekend! Best of all, we got to spend it together. What a delightfully splendid weekend!

Ick!

Ick! I feel sick...



Today I woke up, took shower, got dressed in pj's, and went back to bed.


My darling husband got up, got the kids to school, got me a soda from 7 11, and went to work.


My kids got up, went to school, came home, and made Mom some noodle soup.

Although still queasy and feverish, I think I'm ready to get out of bed-

Then again... maybe not!

Sweater Weather

One of my favorite times of the year is when sweater weather is upon us. When we lived in Illinois, sweater weather came a little earlier, and lasted a little longer. I am ashamed that I did not really relish it the way it should have been. Since we now abide in the desert, I look to any opportunity I can to dawn the comfy item. I swear I feel a little cheerier while wearing long sleeves!

Yesterday the desert winds kicked up and it was a mere 51 degrees so... on went the sweater. Today, it is a "crisp" 77 degrees... on goes the sweater. Tomorrow will be 89 degrees... I wonder which sweater I will wear?

Oh... and did I mention that flip flop season is here to stay?! Thank goodness.

hoory

"It is not the mountain we conquer, but ourselves." -Sir Edmund Hillary

My name is Hillary. I was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who was known for climbing Mt. Everest. Ever since I was a little girl, my Uncle Joe has referred to me as "Hyouree." My husband knows me as "Hirry." My dad's version of my name is "Hillaweenie," while Clara's is "Mommynah." I like it when people call me plain old "Hill" though, it makes me feel like we've been friends for life...
I figure that since I was named after a man that conquered one of the most terrifying mountain challenges in the world, I should mention a few of my own that I have, or are now working on conquering...

• One of my biggest challenges was getting married. It took me four tries at getting engaged before I could actually commit to the idea of it! I was sooooo scared... Knowing what I know now, however, I would have sprinted to the temple. Marriage is actually so much more fun that being single! I say this knowing that I am married to one of the easiest people to be married to in the whole wide world.... It's true.
• Another challenge I am trying to conquer is raising these four great kids that I am entrusted with. It is a huge challenge in the midst of this world we face on a daily basis! I don't exactly live in the Garden of Eden, either...
  
• I am also finishing my degree in Elementary Education. Because I have all the answers, I feel the need to teach everyone else's kids just what those answers are... (NOTE: EXTREME SARCASM!) I will graduate and be ready to go in July of '09.

Do my challenges actually compare to climbing Mt. Everest? Probably not. However, they are what I am currently investing my time. Would Sir Edmund Hillary think I am living up to my name? Maybe. Only time will tell, I guess. Would I rather be doing anything else with my life? Not a thing!

Spike

"Mom, when I grow up, I am going to either be a pilot, or a chef-"

The other day, Ethan went over to Uncle Will's house. Will made a comment that he was feeling a little hungry. Ethan then went into the kitchen, made them both a batch of scrambled eggs, toast, and hot chocolate complete with Ready-Whip from the can. Will was surprised with delight and wonder, as it never even occurred to him to make himself something to eat!

He went on to explain to Will that he not only salts the scrambled eggs before he cooks them, but also after he cooks them. By doing it this way, the salt brings out the flavor in the eggs.

"You see, the secret to cooking, is to bring out the flavor of the food with spices."

...He also makes a mean pot of macaroni and cheese!

Rita

Although it took her five days and a pink cowgirl hat to quit crying, there was never a kid that loved kindergarten more than this kid right here. She would come home and say, "Mrs. Kliewer said this..." and "Mrs. Kliewer said that..." She really came a long way as she was so attached to her momma, it was painful for her to branch out.

This year, she is in Mr. Lenahan's 1st grade class and has really bloomed! She loves to read, jumping rope is her favorite sport, and she has an impressive collection of mini food erasers!

When she was born, she would cry and cry and cry. I would pack her up in the car, turn the radio up, and drive to downtown Chicago. We would make patterns throughout the city streets, weaving in and out of the skyscrapers. Next, we would drive by the frigid Lake Michigan, which looked like a black abyss that late into the winter night. I remember thinking that this was going to be a long row to hoe taking care of this little one. You'd never know how much she truly is a ray of sunshine in our home today.

Healthy Hair

Once upon a time, there was this guy with really great eyes. It just so happened that while in school one day, he was using those really great eyes to check out all of the girls' hair in English 101. He decided that that one girl with the short, light brown hair had the most healthy hair in all the class.

After working up a little nerve, the boy.... you know... with the eyes... decided it was time for the girl to know the outcome of the healthy hair situation. While walking her to the math class they both attended, he said those immortal words...

"Did you know that out of all the girls in our English class, you have the most healthy looking hair?"

The girl, a little unsure of her company, thanked him and reminded herself to wear a hat next class.

Well, after a little time passed the eye boy and the hair girl were married. They had four beautiful children, and incidentally, they all have great eyes and really healthy hair...