My Point of View: 2009-09-20

The Best of Both Worlds

It was SO Great to see Darren and Emily Springer and family at the end of June. They drove up from SL for one last hurrah before moving to Texas at the end of the summer. I'd never be able to prove to you all the things we've done together over the years, including a vacation to Southern California, because for some reason we don't take photos when we're together! So trust me when I say we've been to each other's kids blessings and birthday parties and countless dinners over the years. They are our oldest friends as a couple. Both of us are at the stage now where our families take all our spare time so the get togethers have gotten few and far between, but I still liked knowing they were only in Lehi should we want to get together. Now they are settled in Texas and we wish them the best. In June when they came we left the older kids in charge and the four of us went to dinner at a MEXICAN restaraunt. Back here we had dessert, visited, and played MEXICAN Train, which they introduced to us a few years ago. Why-Cause we're the BOCANEGRA'S? Good times Springers, good times.

The next week I organized a Girls Night Out: Mother/Daughter movie night at Movies 8. It was very random of me and even when I called ward members it seemed to catch them a little off guard "Is this a ward activity?" But we ended up 25 in all. I bought the tickets online ahead of time just to make sure we had seats. It's TWO dollars to do it this way, but I really didn't want it sold out after all the arranging. This put me in the position to possibley flip the bill incase people forgot to pay me back and I knew I'd have to be okay with that to, which I was, and AM. At the dollar theatre we saw Hannah Montanna and then met at the Malt Shoppe on University. The kids were all wired from the upbeat ending of the movie so no one had any reservations about putting money in the Juke box to liven the atmostphere. A lot of Michael was played since it was just days after his death...I mean MURDER.

Growing Pains

Once I started seeing this in the morning, I knew it was time to move Callie into the crib and therefore out of our room. At six months she could sit up and she started pulling herself into a standing position. I'd rather not wait till I hear a clunk to know it's time to move her, but it was so hard having her leave my room.

I didn't put the cradle downstairs till a while later.

All settled in the crib. We're a little bit crazy about her if you can't tell.

Grayson asked if he could use the camera to take a picture in his room. It looks like he also snapped a photo of the cradle in my room. I like looking at it and remembering little Callie sleeping in there.

The good, the good, and the ugly

Sometimes projects turn out exactly how you wanted them to.

Other times they go horribly wrong.

Quick! Sand!

I've mentioned how it doesn't seem fair to keep sending the kids into the backyard if there simply isn't anything to do. Though the cement pad for bikes and the swing set have provided some good times, I wanted one more thing. I was out looking at the sunken in stone sitting area one day and realized it would be the perfect place for a sandbox. I ran the idea by Matt and he was on board so I told the kids that in order for that to happen some prep work needed to happen. Some of the dirt needed to be hauled away so we could put the black paper down and fill it with sand. This especially interested Mallerie and Grayson and they got to work the next day. It was Sunday Jun 21st that I suggested this and by the following Saturday Matt was dumping the sand in.

The original plan was to just cover to flagstone with black paper and pour the sand in. Matt borrowed a friends truck and once it pulled up on a Saturday full of sand it attracted the attention of the neighbor men. Seriously, three of them stopped by to see what was happening in the backyard. One of them suggested to Matt that he sell the flagstone on KSL.com. Matt did just that only to learn later that he sorely undersold it (no wonder he had so many requests). The guy that picked it up was thrilled you could tell so we ended up being glad we could give someone a deal. I mean after all, it didn't mean anything to us if we were going to bury it. Sand $30. Sand toys $27. I think I was more excited than the kids. The blue tarp provides shade till the evening. But no cover protects from a storm like this! All that June Rain.

R.I.P. M.J. 6.25.09

I watched Michael Jackson's funeral as did many of you (you watched it didn't you?)on 7/7. I watched on line FB style where I could read people's thoughts from all over the world. People were commenting from Cambodia, Singapore, Malaysia, San Juan, Berlin, Finland, etc, as well as all over the US. Some stated that it was four in the morning for them. As the news showed the hurse en route to the Staples Center a man typed, "They sure is speeding along." But my favorite was a woman from the south during the ceremony, "Lawd Ha'Mercy!" Typed just like that.

I remember 1983 when MJ was at the height of popularity and I was in 2nd grade. One day my teacher Mrs. Alldredge told us we were going to have a special surprise visitor. By the clues she gave I was certain it was going to be Michael Jackson. The classes combined next door in Mrs. Despain's room. Sure enough "Beat It" started playing and a TOTAL IMPERSONATOR moonwalks through the door. He kept his head down so we could just see the top of his hat and he used his THUMB as the mic. I remember thinking clearly in my 7 year old logic, "What do they think we are, STUPID???"

Brace Yourself

We first took Katrina and Mallerie to get an estimate in May here in Heber. I was certain that though our insurance wouldn't pay any of it I would still be better off than having to take them to Orem for their adjustments every six weeks. Well, this place we went to just felt so stone cold with such serious employees. It didn't help to have the Orthodontist come in and start talking about how he would pull this perfectly good tooth, and that one, and that one, and that one, and that one, and that one! Between the two of them six teeth would be pulled. I knew I wouldn't be going back. I knew Katrina would probably be fine with this too since as she was leaning against the counter something scooted, which sounded a lot more tooted than scooted. This has nothing to do with the nick name that Matt has given that particular orthodontist of That Mousy Brown Pants Fellow.

I ended up signing up to get their treatments from good old Dr. Nord. It's the same place Matt and I and my brother Cade got our braces. He's cheaper, better, and cuter! I knew that when he recommended two of Mallerie's and one of Katrina's teeth did need to be pulled, it was okay. Cause three is half of six, that's why.

The following Friday found us at our Dentist office where Katrina and Mallerie had the teeth pulled. I had all the kids with me but Ava didn't either think to speak up or maybe it actually wasn't until we got back to Heber that she noticed her tooth ached! By Monday (the soonest we could get back there) it was bothering her so badly that my worst fears were confirmed: a root canal. Our dentist scheduled an apt with the endodontist that same day but four hours later so we killed time at my granny's. We had shown up the previous Friday as well after Kat and Mall had their teeth pulled and they were both soaking towels with blood. Those two were in a sorry state, and then little Callie was sucking on a rubber toy that had turned to slime and was covering her hands and face with the fierce sticky substance. Turns out the Family Dollar find was meant to be put in water where it grows. Granny and my aunt Melinda opened the door for a friendly greeting and they were greeted back with blood and ooze. Yet, there we showed our faces again the following Monday. This time my mom was there so I kept the younger kids there while I took Ava to the edodontist. I've been to this particular office a few years back for a root canal of my own and I remember I had the hardest time finding the place! We left a good 20 minutes early and this time I drove right there. Oh well, I think they actually took us early. Quite frankly the rest of the memory is just a painful blur. The numbing would NOT take effect. Ava screamed and lurched with each poke and drill. I was holding her hands and both of us ended up in tears. It was bad! The WORST part is that her roots haven't actually formed so they couldn't even finish it! We have to go back every three months for ex-rays to see if the roots and formed and then they will finish it. Teeth!

June 2009 No complaints

I took some of my kids and some other kids to duck pond one day in June. I've mentioned Grayson's Friend Dillon before, well on this particular day Dillon was trying to get a hold of Grayson to invite him to Duck Pond but we had already left. You can imagine both Grayson and Dillon's surprise when we happened to pull up at the same time! I had a fresh bag of duck feed in the van and let the kids go to town until I finally had to say, "Enough!" I wasn't so much worried about the feed but the ducks bellies.

The girls had a sleepover at the Gouldings where Katrina was able to spend some of that kids camp money, which was burning a hole in her pocket. I felt badly to know that Mallerie wasn't feeling well and spent much of her time on a bench with Sadie.
I took advantage of a quieter house while the babes were sleeping and called my long lost Friend Ana in CA. We taught together at Tot Stop and became quite kindred spirits but with the fifteen years that's gone by we've only kept in touch through letters (the woman does not have a computer! I know "gasp" oh wait, I don't have a cell phone and she does...) I got news in her Christmas letter that she suffers from Rheumatoid Arthritis and I have been meaning to call her since. She was at home and it was good to catch up. She sure has had some trials over the years, her health only being the tip of the ice burg. It left me feeling very grateful for my blessings. Her husband cleans pools (you can imagine that is more than a full time job in the Palm Springs area) and she described how they just watch movies in the evening after dinner since it's hard for her to walk anywhere. I felt envious of her having a husband where when he is done working, he's done. It just sounded so nice to have him HOME when he's HOME. Then again, I counted my blessings, and was reminded that he'd probably take Matt's job in a heartbeat. There were so many instances in our conversation where gospel principles would have helped her situation. She is a good Christian and is relying on the Lord, but it just seems like if she knew what I knew...

I had been in the house all day and was folding laundry in my room when I started feeling so suffocated. I could tell it was a gorgeous night outside and my feet were itching to get going. I dropped everything I was doing, threw on my running shoes, and just left. I took a good two mile walk out in South field and it was heavenly. Sometimes my stomach still bothers me where it feels like it's in a big knot and I just need to stretch it. I found that hanging on the monkey bars is just the trick and if my hands could tolerate it longer, so would I. All while I walked I thought of Ana and how she would give anything to do what I was doing right then. Blessed.

We attended a reception just up the street and I was so enjoying visiting that I hardly noticed the mess the boys were making with their chocolate cheesecake and overturned punch on the white tablecloths. It wouldn't have been so noticeable if someone would have turned down the house lights. I know they had had hired a decorator. She had done a nice job of setting up white tents under which were tables with sheer covers revealing the white twinkle lights underneath. I think she would have gasped in horror to know they left the blaring fluorescents on as well. I know I was gasping!
Next we took advantage of a gift certificate to Mimi's Cafe. I don't know why we think it'll go smoothly since we only have THREE kids with us instead of SIX. I mean now that I think of it, when we had three kids, we quit going out! Anyway, Gray was feeling under the weather and just lay on the bench, but Graham was in and out of his booster, then the high chair, then at the table. And Callie who is always a peach kept bumping her mouth on the glass table top and crying out like I've never heard her. What were we thinking? All I know is that Matt was trying to decide between ordering the French onion soup, the rubbed rack of ribs, or the naked chicken breast.

And as if we didn't learn our lesson from the night before, the very next day we redeemed a certificate to the Olive Garden! Grayson was feeling jipped that he had missed out the night before and all of them did considerably better. That day we also hit Sam's Club (Matt always ads up we spend on diapers, wipes, and formula, and says, "Or...I could buy an IPOD." He still does not have an IPOD. We were killing time in Orem as we awaited the Orem Summerfest Firework display. We found a good viewing spot from the car by parking outside Little Caesar's. Every car was full of people obviously there for the same reason. Well, at least we thought. Just moments before the 'show' began the car next to us started up and off they drove after sitting there for half and hour!

I drove to Sandy the next day to retrieve the girls (think I ended up with a few of theirs as well). I so enjoyed visiting with Sadie and Brent and left thinking, "Why aren't there more people like that who you can sit and have a normal conversation with?" Seriously, people are weird.

I mentioned how Gray had been under the weather at Mimi's, well it seemed to trickle through everyone ending with me. I was still in bed on the 18th as Matt was getting ready to drive to Lindon to fulfill a cannery assignment I had volunteered us for. There really was no way I could go and just as he called the bishopric member to see what his options were I thought of Katrina. So instead of asking "What should I do?" He asked, "Can I take Katrina instead?" We weren't sure how picky they were about age. It didn't matter in the end since they were the last shift of the day it was the clean up shift. Matt said that Katrina got in there and scrubbed away without one complaint. One guy asked, "HOW did you get her to come? My kids would NEVER do this." Matt's response, "I just asked her."

We had Stake Conference that weekend which involved Matt going to the Saturday Priesthood session. I had some of the older kids at the library that afternoon while baby was home with Matt. I left the library in enough time for us to get home so he could leave, but he had already begun driving to the library certain that I had forgotten. I didn't see him and he ended up turning around to follow me home. Knowing I had the car seat in the van I asked him as he got out of his car, "Where's Callie?" He opened the back door of his car and picked her up off the floor like she was a stack of books under his arm and handed her to me.

Because of Stake Conference that weekend and so we were able to get up to Sandy a little earlier. The plan was to also go and Shafer and Lindsey's new house in West Jordan after dinner. We did see it but not till around 10 pm. Trying to get that many people going can take a while! It's good to see them settled in a home and in UTAH.

We saw everyone again the next Sunday as we enjoyed Zeke Geertsen's blessing. As we sat down on the bench my mom turned around and waved at us. To all our surprise little Callie waved right back...for the first time. So sweet. That week she also had learned to crawl. That Callie...

The Prophet said to plant a garden...so that's what we'll do! June 8, 2009

I remember going to an enrichment night after moving to Heber where the master Gardner (his last name really is Gardner) said that he never plants his garden till after June 5th to avoid a late frost. I have taken this to heart and the only other time we planted a garden was on June 5th 2006. This year the 8th fell on a Monday so it was perfect to have a FHE on gardening and then actually plant some seeds. Our garden needed weeding and churning before planting and we worked together as a family. At one point it sprinkled a little but this didn't stop us from working, and left us a lovely rainbow overhead. Matt used his muscles to wack those weeds. Katrina was spotted in a rare outdoor sighting. And when it was all planted we were graced by a rainbow.

Hey! it actually grew!
Mallerie with the green bean harvest. Too bad those pumpkins almost choked out everything else. We have to lift the tangled vines to get to the cucumbers and the vines have wrapped themselves around the corn. Eliza asked, "So do you have enough to last you through the winter." "Nah, just a couple meals."

Kids Camp Summer 2009

I get wind of Katrina's plans the same day as the general public does. She was leaving one afternoon with a clipboard and her friend Brooke in tow. In answer to my question "Where are you going?" I was handed a flyer.
She had come upstairs earlier and was obviously distraught to learn that Matt's copy machine was out of ink. Distraught but not hopeless. She proceeded to find our OLD copy machine downstairs, dust it off, plug it in, and make her copies. I didn't even know it still worked! I admired her resourcefulness.

She signed up a dozen or so kids to come twice a week for a couple of hours for games and activities throughout the summer. Some days Brooke could come and some days she couldn't. On those days she enlisted Ava as her extra pair of hands. This years program was a more toned down version of School Starter that she has done the past couple of years that had snowballed into 24 kids and 7 other "teachers". For me it was just TOO MUCH. I'm not Mother Theresa.

Graham sure looked forward to "Kids Camp" and even now when he see's some of the kids at church he'll call out, "Kid's Camp!" As for myself, I could NEVER remember about Kid's Camp. One morning I asked Mallerie to get Katrina, "She's not in her room." I started mulling over my lecture about how if she has somewhere like a babysitting job in the morning she needs to TELL ME. Next thing I know I hear voices in the garage and she bursts through the door will her kids all rounded up from around the neighborhood. I was quickly reminded about, "Kid's Camp!"

A summer visit from Grandma Donna June 5, 2009

With all these grand kids there is always a reason for Grandma to be in town. With Callie's blessing crossed off the list, Donna was now in town for cousin Samantha's baptism. It was held on June 6th in Orem. The same day as cousin Rachel's birthday(didn't I say it's handy to have extra cakes on hand?)
There was a Polynesian musical number during the baptism program that didn't leave a dry eye in the chapel. It was BEAUTIFUL. And I know I'm speaking for the other Bocanegra's and Donna when I say we have an extra love for these people because of our Hawaii connection. It really brought in the spirit as did the wonderful talks. We enjoyed lunch afterwards and the cousins ran around together.

That evening our family and Donna used some movie gift cards to see 'Night at the Museum 2'. We were all trying to decide between that one and 'Up'. We chose the wrong one. I'm saying that without even seeing 'Up' but it's GOT to better than the one we sat through. We absolutely loved the first Night at the Museum and therefore had high hopes but the 2nd is just plain BORING. I don't recall even hearing a chuckle from good natured Donna who laughs so easily. One of the kids needed to use the bathroom during it and it was nice to take a break! Matt and I were discussing it later. We noted that the acting was great ("they did their job"), the special effects were superb ("they did their job"), so where did the fault lie? "WITH THE WRITERS". Least our roast beef from Arby's didn't disappoint afterwards, and a weekend with Donna here in itself is a treat. I sent an email to my sisters the previous Friday giving a run down of our weekend plans. I wrote:This weekend will be spent with Matt's side of the family. Donna arrived today because Samantha Bocanegra gets baptized tomorrow. I just love having her here. They are all down watching Finding Nemo (seen it a few times myself). I made a salad for tomorrow and tidied up up here and turned on the lamps in the girls room where she is staying and I just loved seeing her bags here. I still might take a picture of those bags. Because to me it equals happiness.

Mallerie turns 11! June 3, 2009

Katrina and her friend Brook decorated the porch for me. Unless it involved the cakes, I had no time for it.

Mallerie's birthday cake decorated by none other than...herself!
For Mallerie's birthday this year she chose to do a similar party to one that Katrina did when she was turning 8 or 9 where each guest decorates their own personal cake. I like this for the fact that the cake also acts as the party favor, and activity...but...you can't imagine the amount of work that goes into it beforehand. She invited 18 girls. Even knowing that they wouldn't all show I went ahead and baked 18 6" cakes so that my other kids could decorate one and "just in case" they all showed. And when isn't it handy to have an extra cake on hand? Too bad I only have ONE pan that size, cause even though I have a double oven and could have easily fit several in each I baked from sun up to sun down till I had the cakes made. I also iced each one white and refroze it so the girls could just focus on decorating. I picked up some more decorating bags so there were plenty to go around and I made a metal note that this party goes much better when the girls are 11 instead of 9.

Not only did the cakes look better, but I wasn't having to help them so much. This freed up my time to rumage up some eats. I had spent all my time on those cakes and neglected a menu. It turned out to be one of those times where the rumaging around prooved to be just what I needed for variety, and cheeeap. We had mini pizzadilla's, jello jigglers, mini quiche's, chopped hot dogs in sweet sauce, and a dlightful punch made from food storage fruit drink, packets if crystal light, and I cut up a grapefruit to float around the top. These eats were a hit, so much so that I recreated this palat for the cousins a few weeks later. However, we were out of cake.

Katrina has quite the artistic eye doesn't she?
Out side the girls played a game where they each made up a dance move and then then the next person added to it. I put the music to the window and they danced to "Love Story" doing the said moves.

I thought Katrina's gift was thoughtful. I had seen a moving fish tank light at Kings that I thought Mallerie might enjoy. Katrina had the same thoughts apparently because she bought it for Mallerie. And it wasn't cheap.

Her friend Cassie (brunette)gave her a watch and made it very clear that it was from Wal-mart and that if she didn't like it she could take it back (gift receipt included). Mallerie assured her she would love it and wear it. Later that night Cassie called, "You really love it? You'll really wear it?" I wonder if she's related to Sally Field?

That evening she opened her finale gift: an IPOD nano. Ava bought her shuffle from her, so now everyone is happy. Well, trying to be.

Mallerie opening her IPOD.

September 11th is seeming an awfully long time away...

It looks like this is a good time to take a break...

Some more on Grayson since he celebrated his 6th birthday in May 2009

Grayson holding a sculpture from Kindergarten
U2 was singing live on GMA in NY. As I cranked “It’s a Beautiful Day” Grayson came in excited because he recognized the song from Nim’s Island. Crowds had gathered in various places around NYC to listen, such as where it was being broadcast in Times Square LIVE. As the camera panned back to Bono finishing the song, Grayson commented, “That guy should try out for American Idol!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

I conspicuously died Grayson’s oatmeal green on St. Patrick’s Day thinking I would surely get a “wow.” Instead his eyes filled with tears, “This looks like it has poison in it.”

Grayson came screeching around the corner while watching The Price Is Right, “I just saw a commercial and they were drinking COFFEE and they said it TASTED GOOD! You said it was BAD???” The little fella was demanding answers.

I could do without Grayson coming and sitting next to me when I’m on the phone with a member of the bishopric and passing LOUD gas.

He sure has a high tolerance for pain. He was playing with his best buddy in the empty lot on our street when Dillon threw a rock and it landed on Grayson’s finger and lifted the nail clear off. As soon as I got it bandaged up he asked, “Can I go back and play now?” I thought for sure he would want to sit with me on the couch while I dabbed his tears and hummed a lullaby.

Another night he fell off his bed. The loud thump sent me running to his room but he didn’t even wake up. The next morning he had a shiner like no other on his forehead covered in dried blood. He was a mighty proud to have it to show his class.

Grayson’s questions! Or rather Things that make you say hmmmm...
§ How many days has it been?
§ If you squish a worm will it ever come alive again?
§ Have you ever seen someone get a spider thrown at them?
§ Would the air conditioning in the car ever run out?
§ What’s the highest number?
§ If you get really hot, will you die?
§ Is a radio a machine?
§ What age do you START to die?
§ How many feet is our house?

His questions are not one-word answer questions and they require much explaining or RESEARCH. It can get a bit exhausting. He’s all day with questions like these from the moment he wakes up. I usually just end up saying, “Hmmmmmm” and he gets bored and runs off. Phew. Least we know the wheels are turning.

In actuality he doesn’t really want a lengthy answer. Like when he asked Matt and I how the movies at the theatres run since he doesn’t see a place to put in a DVD. I started explaining about the projector when his hand went up and waved like, “Too much information!” I fear I’ve given too much as well.
Summer tales are comin later! Love, Abby

"Please Mom, Please come in my room and take a picture of my Lincoln Log house." There you have it folks.

Father and Son’s leading into Memorial Day Weekend May 22-25th, 2009

Graham notices immediately if Matt is going to be gone for the night. He’s gotten I in a habit where he will sleep with me on such occasions. As the other kids start going to bed I see him standing on my bed throwing off the pillows (he doesn’t know when to stop and will throw off ALL the bedding if I don’t intervene.) Then before falling asleep he’ll wave at Matt’s pillow, “Bye, Bye, Daddy.” So, there wasn’t a chance that Graham was going to be left out of the Father and Son’s campout but Matt was leery since Graham is still in diapers. However, the place they camp at has NO facilities. I explained to him that he actually had it easier with changing diapers rather than trying to help Graham squat in the woods somewhere. He agreed. We also decided it would probably be easier if EVERYONE at father’s and son’s wore a protective pant of some kind. There are so many better campsites around this area but this ward is stuck in a rut with traditions and this is where they always go…or don’t go…like I said, there aren’t any facilities.
Soon after Matt left with the boys I met up with Sadie in Sugarhouse and brought her oldest three here in exchange for Ava for the weekend. We rented a movie that night and went to the Kamas pool the next day. On Sunday Matt said he wanted to watch the sun set from Squaw Peak. I couldn’t tell if we had missed it or not since it was so overcast and we soon found ourselves in the rain. This didn’t stop the kids from hiking down a ways and finding an old car that must have rolled down years ago. Kinda creepy.

We weren’t in the mood to go home after that so we dropped in on my parents in Lindon. Instead of knocking, the girls chanted at the door till Granny opened with a somewhat confused expression but I’m sure she was overjoyed to see it was just us! The girls came up with several chants and songs that weekend. One of them was pretty good and I thought they had learned it at girl’s camp or something. Really, it’s pretty good!
Callie started sucking her thumb that weekend and well; it’s just about the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. She’s already the mildest mannered baby we’ve ever birthed and now she pacifies herself that much more. That Thumb!

On Monday we celebrated Memorial Day by having a picnic in the canyon. It felt so good! It was a LOVELY day and even the feel of grass under my feet was heavenly. The rushing Provo River was seriously freaking us out so we didn’t stay too long before heading to the Provo cemetery where we met up with extended family around Grandma Taylor’s grave. The boys simply could not stay away from that water. We didn't have any bread...but we had water!

It’s now been 14 years since she passed and it’s hard to believe that at the time she didn’t have any great grandchildren because now she has, let’s see… 39 and two on the way!!! Lindsey was gracious to host us at her place afterwards for a little birthday celebration for my dad.