Monkey Business

Some cute pictures of Crew playing. Such a lovie. He had just bumped his eye on the floor hence the red mark over the eye.













And some picture of my projects. I finally got a BURST of color in my all brown front room. My lamps arent all painted yet and Im still looking for the right shades, but you get the idea.The pictures have a few smudges from my camera on it. Sorry. My portrait walll is next on my list of to do's.









You can also see how my millons of niches are getting filled with books etc..this is a neverending project. I am constantly looking for items to make them look more grown up instead of college dorm. Its starting to shape up. I've got some vinyl signs in the works that will be added.

10 Years and Counting!

The 27th marked TEN years of Marriage for us!
I cant believe it sometimes. I still remember our wedding like it was yesterday.
I thought I would jot down a few things I love about my husband.

Mike is very patient with me. He has shown me love when I definately didnt deserve it. If you know anything about my pregancies and how I turn into Medusa then you will agree. Mike is VERY patient.

Mike loves his family. He will do what it takes to make sure we are taken care of, even if it means alot of personal sacrifice.

Mike is kind to everyone. He is good to strangers and helps even when he doesnt have to. He says hello and interacts with complete strangers. He offers to carry things, load and unload trucks (even with a bad back) or help those who cant help themselves. I love that about him.

“If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.”
― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Mike is a hard worker. He doesnt have to go into an office these days. He works when the surgeons work which is very random. However, when he is home, he can be found holding a baby, playing a game with a child, climbing in our trees, weeding, cleaning the pool, sweeping up the piles of dirt the kids bring home from the playground. Scrubbing a toilet, fixing a hole, building a project, uploading his cases, etc. He is always working lately. Maybe it has to do with buying this house. Constant projects to complete. He never complains and just gets to work.I love that about him.

Mike makes great pancakes. I dont know if its because I dont like pancakes, or because I dont read the instructions correctly, but I make awful pancakes. Mikes are perfect and the kids will only eat his creations. Not mine.

Mike is always trying to be better. I admire this quality so much. He is always trying to get better. Working on his weaknesses, Reminding me that we should always be doing more to be more like Christ. He wants to be a better person day by day.

Mike is Mike...even with quirks,insecurities,strengths,opinions, habits, and love of Metallica, I married HIM. I have NEVER regretted binding myself to him. I love claiming him as my husband. He is such an amazing man. Im glag he chose me and I chose him. I cant imagine life without him.

“Of all sad words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been.”
― John Greenleaf Whittier

I love what I recently read in the Ensign magazine. Im paraphrasing but, it said that the temple is a place you get married. Having a celestial marriage is something you create after you are married. Im glad I get to build that with you Mike. Its been peaks and valleys and that is how God planned life. Working in unison to get through trials gives us a connection we might not have any other way. We also have long spans of peace and happiness and I am grateful for that too.
I love you babe. Thank you for 10 Amazing years, 4 children, and Happiness that I dont deserve but cherish. The journey continues...

We've been crazy

Things have been crazy around here. I have been sick for almost 3 weeks. Crew and Asher have also been ill.
At 6 months (and 20 lbs), Crew is getting 6 teeth. 4 have broken through and 2 more are just barely showing white through the gums. As follows with teething, he has been unable to sleep and fusses all night long from the pain. Add a cold to that pain and no one sleeps. Mike and I have been taking turns trying to run the night shift. And just when you think your off duty for the night, Asher will come crawl in bed with you complaining of his cold and cough all night long next to you. *Sigh*** I miss sleep, my old friend.
I was released from scouts and given the new assignment of Laurel advisor. Girls 16-18. Its been fun and VERY busy. I have meetings 2 Sundays a month. Every Wednesday night is spent at an activity and Im also in charge of a new thing that is ward specific. Its called "The Oath and the Covenant". Its a series of firesides that we plan and present over the school year following a similar formula to the mission prep program.-Our ward feels that they are not preparing the girls 18-21 like they do the boys to get to the temple. Its a very time consuming and mentally involved job. I plan the cirriculum and present at a monthly fireside with dinner and two to three speakers. Its been successful thus far. Im excited for our November lesson which revolves around "Symbolism: The Lords language." I've been reading about it on and off for 2 months. (Its one of those lessons my mom and dad would totally rock at teaching)

Arizona is still HOT. No autumn breezes, no falling leaves, no jackets or sweaters. Just sun. I realize that while others are dealing with severe flooding and unusual early cold fronts, they are thinking I should be grateful. While Im glad we arent dealing with tragedy, I wish it were cooler. I need fall. Its my favorite time of year. Our pool is getting colder as the evenings are getting into the mid 80's at night. We will lament the loss of the pool fun for the winter. Here are a few shots of the "FALL SWIMMING". Our cousin Taj came to stay for the weekend and we enjoyed playing with him in the pool day and night.
You can see my poor jasmine vine against the wall. It has totally died. We will need to get something different planted there soon.


Another fun thing we did was spend the weekend with Grandpa and Grandma Banzhaf.
We loved their visit. They are just in Tucson but 3 hours in a car still feels like an eternity away sometimes. Thanks for coming! Sorry this picture has nutty lighting issues.


Im in the middle of tons of craft projects. I have 4 large furniture pieces to update and paint. Plus I'm trying to hang a portrait wall that sounds easier than it is. The neverending birthday parties from friends at school has started and babies are due for immunizations that I dont feel necessary at this age. Mikes work it picking up, people decide to get that last surgery at the end of the year when they have met their deductable. Its starting to get crazy for him jumping from hospital to hospital.
All in all, we are just going about life one day at a time. Mike just bought me a ticket to go to PA for a few days to get some "autumn time". Im thrilled! PLUS my brother Lincoln gets home from his mission the day before, so he will get to see my little Crew for the first time. It should be fun!

Everywhere I go, the People want to know...

"Hey Zach, how come your eyes get all scrunchy when you smile?"


I have NO idea where he gets it?