He said She said

Grace: "Ben, you're a poop!"

Ben: "No, YOU are!"

Grace: "Mom, Ben called me a poop!"

Ben: "She said it first!"

Mom: "Grace, did you say it first?"

Grace: "No, sometimes Ben just talks like me."

What do you mean Edward isn't real?

Grace wanted to wear one of my t-shirts to bed tonight, so Austin picked this one for her. It's never too early to introduce the girls to Twilight. :)


Dad asked her to make a face for this one. "What? Are you kidding me? He's not real?!?!?!"

Men vs. Women

Playing games at Grandma's house, Ember was winning against all the adults. They were teasing her and trying to talk her into making a bad move. She said:

"Men are annoying."

Similar sentiments have escaped the lips of Lawlor women for generations. :)

Drowning in Debt

I saw this picture today and thought of all the money I spent when I was manic. Ok, when I was depressed too. I thought buying things would make me feel better.

But we're optimistic that the little piggy bank will be rescued! My husband is an excellent financial 'lifeguard' and he's going to save our piggy bank (and me) at the same time.

Arizona Monsoons

In Arizona we get more dust storms than we do actual monsoons. This is a wall of dust approaching Mesa the other afternoon, with the sun dimly showing through it looking more like the moon.

To be honest, I love both. :) I love the heat and humidity. I love the wind, lightning and thunder. I love the smell of rain even if it doesn't come. And I love the rain, even if it only lasts for 10 minutes before moving on. I just love this time of year and all that it offers, or teases to offer.

A friend of mine told me this song reminds her of Austin and I...

"Her Diamonds" by Rob Thomas, my new favorite song.

Oh what the hell she says
I just can't win for losing
And she lays back down
Man there's so many times
I don't know what I’m doin'
Like I don't know now

By the light of the moon
She rubs her eyes
Says it's funny how the night
Can make you blind
I can just imagine
And I don't know what I’m supposed to do
But if she feels bad then I do too
So I let her be

And she says oooh
I can't take no more
Her tears like diamonds on the floor
And her diamonds bring me down
Cuz I can't help her now
She’s down in it
She tried her best and now she can't win it's
Hard to see them on the ground
Her diamonds falling down

She sits down and stares into the distance
And it takes all night
And I know I could break her concentration
But it don't feel right

By the light of the moon
She rubs her eyes
[ Rob Thomas Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com ]
Sits down on the bed and starts to cry
And there's something less about her
And I don't know what I’m supposed to do
So I sit down and I cry too
And don't let her see

And she says oooh
I can't take no more
Her tears like diamonds on the floor
And her diamonds bring me down
Cuz I can't help her now
She’s down in it
She tried her best and now she can't win it's
Hard to see them on the ground
Her diamonds falling down

She shuts out the night
Tries to close her eyes
If she can find daylight
She’ll be all right
She’ll be all right
Just not tonight

And she says oooh
I can't take no more
Her tears like diamonds on the floor
And her diamonds bring me down
Cuz I can't help her now
She’s down in it
She tried her best and now she can't win it's
Hard to see them on the ground
Her diamonds falling down




He could not have written this song unless he loves someone with depression, it's just too understanding. He must know how it feels from the outside, like Austin does. I know what it feels like on the inside.

Summer Fun

Summer at our house is FILLED with fun activities: Grace's birthday is in June, and Ember & Ben are in July. That's a lot of birthdays too close together (pregnancies were horrible) and I got tired of celebrating and spending money on three separate occasions. It's more expensive than Christmas! This year we had one gigantic blowout party for all three kids with a 4th of July theme. It was chaotic, crowded, and loud. I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

The kids got more gifts than they do at Christmas time!

Ember took a summer orchestra class to prepare her for orchestra in 4th grade. She chose violin, which of course thrilled me to the bone. Playing the violin was such a huge part of my identity growing up, and when we practice together it's some pretty awesome mother / daughter time.

Summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to the cabin in Overgaard. This was the 4th of July weekend, so the kids could watch the fireworks in the mountains. It was awesome!

And what is summer without swimming lessons. All three kids took lessons at Carson this year, and they are doing so well. I am very proud of the hard work they are doing. It's hot sitting in the bleachers watching them play in the cool water, but it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make so they're comfortable in the water. In the Arizona desert it's a must.

School starts in six weeks. August 12th. I'm counting down, summer is wearing me out.

Happy 4th of July!!