Recently, it has become harder for me to stay on top of updating this blog ... so, I've now discovered making collages on picasa. This way, it is easier for me to post more than one picture at a time ... and it seems to save time as well. So, please remember ... if you can't read or see the pictures, click on it to enlarge the collage and you can read/see them much better! :)

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Does this happen to you?

The following was not written by me :( However, I found it on my new favorite blog! Her name is Annie and she lives in Utah. And unlike, Tamn, who is also in Utah -- She is a real person who writes about real things. Surprisingly, I think I like her more than Tamn. Which, to me, was absolutely, down-right shocking.

Check out her blog Regarding Annie (and read the small print under the heading. that's when I knew I'd love her!)

Hope you enjoy!


January 14, 2010

I am thick in the trenches of potty training, and let me tell you, they’re mucky trenches.

Here’s the thing about being a stay-at-home mother, taking full-time charge of stay-at-home children. Most of your daily conversations go something like this:

“Mommy, I’m hungry!” followed closely by, “Mommy, I’m thirsty!” followed even more closely by “Mommy, she pee-peed!” Really, as far as stimulating conversation goes, it’s always the wrong kind of stimulation.

And even with the beautiful addition of the telephone, days still go by when the only calls I get come at the most inopportune moments imaginable. Like times when I’m crouched over the toilet with my daughter, smiling through the pain while singing songs about feces. Really motivating work.

In the midst of all the ruckus and muckus and lonely daily commotion, there’s one person who most wives and mothers really love to hear from. No, it’s not the Supernanny (although she’d be welcomed here with open arms); it’s The Man.

Because sometimes, sitting around all day, folding clothes and cleaning up pee and not talking to a single adult makes a girl wonder: Does he ever think about me?

I don’t care what you do for your day job, as a woman, we like to think that he has to fight the urge to call. Maybe just because he misses you, or because he cares about you. Or because he was thinking about how totally awesome you are and how humbled he is to own a phone.

And then when the phone finally rings, you break into that great old song, “Let it please be him, Oh Dear God, it must be him, it must be him, or I shall die,” (forgive the name of deity here, but that really is how the song goes).

Then low and behold, you check the caller ID and … yes! It’s him! He’s remembered, and he’s attentive. He asks about the kids and praises your (not really so great) mommy skills. He’s sweet and friendly and chatty, and all you can think about is how lucky you are that he loves you, misses you, wants to talk to you.

“Oh yeah,” he says right before the conversation finishes, “One last thing. Could you run downstairs and tape the game? It’s coming on in five minutes and I really want to rewatch it.”

And that, my friends, is how they work. Because in the end, isn’t it really all about The Game? And just that fast, you can’t say no, because as far as the score goes, he just spent ten minutes earning points. He’s ahead. What can you do?

Oh you tape the game all right, but remember: The ball is once again in your court. Game on, baby.

Saturday, December 26, 2009

guess what?

he's 1/2 a year old already! Remember to click on the picture to read ....



Friday, December 25, 2009

* ~ MERRY CHRISTMAS ~*

December 2009

Dear Family & Friends,

David- working hard as the foreman for his company, All-Star Painting. He and his business partner have been together for almost 5 years now. Since the economy has taken a downturn, they have mainly been doing remodeling rather than new homes. They are just starting a job of President Eyring’s son. Pretty cool. David is continuing going to school down at UVU. He hopes to graduate with his Bachelors next fall. He is even considering Graduate school at this point.

Maria- trying very hard to keep the house running and in order, but is finding it difficult most days, as she seems to be occupied with a wee little one. The biggest accomplishment for Maria this year would have to be having a planned home birth. It was the BEST experience! It was a little scary at first. The midwife almost didn’t make it in time for the delivery because he wanted to come so quickly. But in the end, it couldn’t have ended any better.

Ayla- (13) Started 8th grade this year and is loving it. She transferred to a new school a few weeks after the school year started. It was hard for her to leave her friends at Bonneville, but she is quickly making new friends at Butler. Ayla has a constant following of peers. The phone is always ringing off the hook for her and she can be found always making her friends and family laugh. Ayla just became the President of the Beehive class in our ward, too. She is so excited to turn 14 in April!

Braxton- (6) Lost his first tooth in September and started school. He is excelling in Kindergarten. He is the highest reader in his class and has to be on a totally different reading program than the other students. At parent teacher conferences his teacher said, “I’ve never seen a Kindergartner read like him. Not even just at the level, but the in fluctuations in his voice, too.” He is friends with everyone. When I pick him up from school, he is even getting high fives from the 5th and 6th graders. Braxton LOVES to dance and can be seen “busting a move” anywhere there is music. Grocery stores, church, school assemblies … you name it.

Benjamin- (5) Also started Kindergarten this year. This guy is doing so awesome. He started out having a bit of a hard time with letters and their sounds, but now he is sounding out everything!!! He has caught on so quickly. We are so proud of him. Ben still has more energy than all of us combined. He is constantly running everywhere he goes and constantly getting new bumps and bruises – but that doesn’t stop him. He is a natural at sports. He will give anything a try and 9 times out of 10, he’s a pro the first time! We miss having him around here every day and cherish the weekends when we get him.

Malachi- (6 months) Sweet baby, Malachi! Oh he is such a joy. He entered this world on June 26, 2009, in less than 2 hours! He came on a rainy day and immediately after he was born, there was a rainbow over our house. He is such a content little thing as long as he is not being ignored. He has a very serious temperament. You can tell by the way he looks at things that he is studying everything. Trying to figure out how and what makes things work. He is sensitive and shy at times, like Braxton, and energetic and determined, like Benjamin. He is adored by ALL of his older siblings. In fact, they are the only ones that can REALLY get him to laugh. He used his first sign in sign language for “milk” just a few days ago.

We wish all of you a Merry Christmas and may God bless you and your families in 2010.

Love,

The Burleighs


Tuesday, December 8, 2009

my poor mom

Hello. Well, for those of you who have followed my blog for a while, you may remember a little over two years ago my mom fell and broke her tibia and wrist (right side). She has severe osteoporosis. Well, she's at it again.

She fell while trying to shovel the driveway. This time she broke her femur and wrist. Again it was her right side.

David and I want to talk to my parents about having her stay with us so that I can take care of her. Maybe just in the first few weeks when she needs so much attention. Greg is trying to work from home - plus, he is in bad health as well. He has been having severe fainting spells. I can only imagine him trying to help her with the walker and him fainting. NOT GOOD.

So, I'm apologizing in advance ... I may not be blogging or facebooking much.


Saturday, November 21, 2009

Saturday date night






I also want to wish my sweet parents a Happy Anniversary! They have been married 13 years!!! I was 14 when they were married. They have been married pretty much half of my life. I'm so glad they found one another. Love You Guys!

Friday, November 20, 2009

Funny Things that kids say

Here are two funny things that two funny little boys have said recently :)

so here goes some online journaling ...


I had told Braxton to go and get his teeth brushed for school the other day. Later when I came in to do his hair, I thought I noticed some food in his teeth, so I bent down to look. At that time he said "what are you doing, Mom?" I responded with a gasp and said, "ew, Brax! Have you been eating garlic because your breath stinks!" He started laughing and said, "Is it REPULSIVE?" I laughed and said, "do you even know what repulsive means???" He said, "of course! It means awful." (silence) "So? Does it smell repulsive?" We just laughed and laughed. I had him rinse with some mouthwash and he smelled fresh again.

Found out later, "wordgirl" taught him all about the word: repulsive.

------------------------

Benjamin was here tonight and he, David and Ayla were eating. Ayla began talking about a friend at school and mentioned how she was Brazilian. Ben immediately piped up and said, "Brazilian .... NO WAY! That's even more than a Gazillion!"

We all had a really good laugh!

Christmas Pics and Family Fun Center

11*14*09

We had all of the kids this weekend, so I wanted to try and get some pics taken for Christmas. As we were testing out the camera and lighting, David snapped this pic of Brax and Ben. It was totally not set up and unintentional. David just said, "I want to take a pic of you boys" and this is what the outcome was. I think it is so ADORABLE. They never smile this good for pics when we want them to. They love being BROTHERS!!!



After the pictures we went to the Family Fun Center out by 90th South. The boys had a blast and it was a great way for them to get all of their energy out. Plus the snack bar was so reasonable! I haven't paid $2 for Nachos at a place like that since who knows when. You should check it out if you have kids around their age!


Just some pics of us waiting while the boys were playing ...


About Me

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Maria
Hello. I am Maria. Wife to David. Mother to Ayla, Braxton, Benjamin and baby-to-be. Daughter of Bruce, Greg and VeLoy - and of course my Heavenly Father :) Blogging has become one of my favorite things to do lately. I hope you enjoy!
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