Blue Eyes

Colton is growing up so fast I just can't believe it. He is such an amazing boy and has added such joy to our lives.

He typically goes around with a look on his face that says he is just so excited to be here with us. I can't even begin to say what wonderful kids we have. All three of them are exceptional and just continually amaze me all the time. Not to mention they are all adorable but I am biased I'll admit. Just look at them though, I am the luckiest dad in the world.

Tis the Season

For Slurpees!!!!!!!!!!
It is definitely the time of year when 7-11 becomes our very good friend. With temperatures over 100 this week we couldn't resist stopping for the refreshing icee beverage on several occasions. Water parks become a necessary part of the equation. Luckily there is one right across from my work. There is a picture of it in my last post, you can see my work building in the background as Hunter is running in the picture. Kira will take the kids there for lunch and meet me or about 45 minutes before I get off of work and I just meet them when I'm done. We were lucky enough to have a cool spell come through again and had temperatures in the 60's again but it won't last and pretty soon it will be time for summer hibernation which consists of living in the A/C and only going outside when absolutely necessary and for as little time as possible. I love it.

And I think to myself......

..................what a wonderful world.

She's wonderful

So I was listening to the radio earlier this week and they were talking about stay at home moms. And when they break down everything a stay at home mom does and what it would cost to pay someone to do all of those things it would cost a household about $117,000.00 a year. I sent Kira a quick text and let her know. She quickly text me back saying, "$117,000??? I had heard it was $150,000." I smiled, it was salary negotiations at its finest. I pictured in my mind Kira sitting at a big table in a conference room dressed in a nice professional business type dress. I could see a couple of older executive types saying "Well Mrs. Gundersen, we feel that based on the standards set within the industry that we can pay you $117,000 annually." Kira responds, "I appreciate your offer sir but my research indicates that the standard salary within my industry is "$150,000 annually with guaranteed at least mothers day off." The two old executives consult for moment. "You drive a tough bargain Mrs. Gundersen...welcome aboard."

So anyways.... while it was funny to think about, in reality honey, you are worth so much more to us then a simple cost analysis of how much money you save us each year. I am so grateful that you are willing to stay home. In a world where many people view your choice to stay home as being ranked just slightly higher then being a fast food worker you still do it gladly.

You take such good care of our kids, they are growing up to be such wonderful people in because of you and your daily example.

You bring so much joy and happiness to me personally. You are a wonderful companion and friend. You help complete me in so many ways.

So happy mothers day! I love you honey! Take your annually scheduled day off. :) You've earned it.

Always Changing

So time and again change always proves the constant variable. Kira and I both were called into the Bishops office this week. I knew a change was coming because the president of the presidency I was in was moved out of the ward with the boundary changes. My new calling should be a little less intense. I'm grateful for that because of what is going on with school now. It just helps me to realize how Heavenly Father knows and is aware of our lives and what we need. And even though I know that He knows I will do whatever I am asked a small break will be nice. (knock on wood)

So School started yesterday..... good times! I'm excited, University of Phoenix is awesome.

Hunter has been doing great on the piano. He is such a smart boy. He has been trying to read everything he sees and he has been getting really good. We try to help him as mush as possible. He is so ready for school despite the lack of readiness of his parents. I'm excited for him though. We live in an open school zone which means we get to pick between two elementary schools. One is what is called a Spanish Immersion program where half of the day is taught in Spanish and the other half in English. The other school is completely English. We should find out this week if Hunter gets to go to the Spanish Immersion School. Some people don't like the Spanish program for various reasons and prefer the English only school but there are more people that like the Spanish program so there is actually a limited number of spots for that school. We think it would be great for the kids to learn a second language.

I'm still plugging away at the solar screens. I am almost done, I'm hoping to finish them up this weekend.

And finally, my ever amazing wife has done it again with her amazing bargain shopping. 32 boxes of cereal for $16.75. That's enough cereal for our family for 3 months. And that is if we eat cereal every morning which we don't. Way to go honey! And way to go Smiths for having your case lot sale combined with coupons.