Day 4: Gymnastics Class

Today we are all so excited to have Daddy come back home!  I tried getting the house all cleaned but as children still live here it is lived in.  It was clean at one point but then was played in again (as they all said).  So cute but not exactly what I was hoping for Kevin to see when he got home.  Oh well, at least the thought was there.

This morning I pumped some milk to see if Rowan would take a bottle so I could leave him behind as I got to Time out for Women this weekend.  Glenn came over to me and asked if that's how I get milk in there for Rowan by pumping it in.  Smart little kid to think that.  I explained to him no but I'm pumping it out into the bottles so he can drink from the bottle.  I gave both Addie and Glenn a chance to feed Rowan.  He took the first ounce pretty well but refused to eat any more.  He wanted it straight from mamma.  I tried to put both my nipple and the bottles nipple in his mouth at the same time but he didn't like that either.

Today I signed Addie up for gymnastics class at the gym Mary goes to.  I saw on Facebook they started two new preschool classes and with a great $30 for the first two month rate. Addie was so excited her she would get to go to gymnastics that she was asking all morning if it was time to go.  I kept telling her it was after lunch then she would be able to go.  Love her enthusiasm.  Poor Glenn hated having to sit on the sidelines of the equipment.  He LOVED his mini gymnastics class that they took that Rebecca bought them.  I would love to get him into a class but I don't think we can afford it. It's so much money.

Addie ended up being the only one in her class that day. It was awesome.  She got a private lesson.  The coach was SUPER impressed with all that she could do and even had another coach come watch what she could do.  Addie did a perfect forward roll and the other coach couldn't believe it.  Addie then did a cartwheel (more like a round off) for her and the other coach  as she was leaving the gym asked what I was doing Tuesdays at 3?  I was confused and asked what and why?  She said she has a small group of younger kids and wanted her in her class.  I told her I have kids getting out of school at 3:05 but she said I could drop her off early and that I wouldn't need to stay so I could leave and go get Kaila from school.

It was so excited for Addie.  Her other highlight was being able to climb to the top of the rope for the VERY FIRST TIME!!!  She was thrilled with herself too.  I wish I had my camera to take a picture of her and a video.  It was amazing.  I love that sweet little girl.  She was tuckered out after her day at the gym.

We stopped by the store on the way home to get things we were out of and the kids loved going in the play place.  I LOVE that Glenn can go in the play place too and they raised the age to 1st grade!!!  It's so much nicer for me to shop with just Rowan.  LOVE it.

After making a quick meal of Orange Chicken (on sale at FM!) the kids and piled in the car and headed for the airport.  Kaila had made a sign that said, "WELCOME HOME DAD!" with one letter on each page.  It was too many for us to all hold so I helped her make it smaller using most of the same letters.  "Love U Dad!"  Sadly the traffic was horrible so we weren't able to make it to the airport to hold up the signs but I told her she could maybe lay it out for him when we got home.  She was excited with that prospect.  The kids still wanted to get out to pick him up so we did and meet him in baggage claim.  They were so excited to see him and ran quickly to him saying, "Daddy, Daddy!!!"  So nice to be loved.

I was so glad to have my other half home.  We love you Kevin!

Day 3- Movie Day

We got all the kids off to school and took Addie and Collin to preschool.  I then dropped Rowan off for my mom to watch while she finished painting her kitchen and living room wall. I told her how easy he was to put down for a nap.  Just to put him in the car seat in the bathroom with the fan going and make it dark and he'll go to sleep.  She was amazed that it worked.  My dad checked on him and sure enough he was out.  I just love that about him.  He's such a great baby!!!  We are truly blessed.  I'm so glad it was easy for my mom to watch him.  I then went to the school to read with Kaila's classmates and then picked up Glenn and the preschoolers.  We picked up Rowan on our way back home and it was so nice not having to carry his heavy car seat into the preschool room.

Today I finished more laundry!  Isn't that the story for most moms? We also cleaned most of the house too, vacuuming-big rug by Addie, kids bathroom by Glenn, and up stairs rooms by all kids.  My parents came over and helped me figure out some of the measures on the ballots and then my Dad dropped them off for us.  The kids and I picked up Grandpa and went to the Mt. Hood Theater and watched "How to Train Your Dragon 2".  Glenn was so thrilled to finally see the movie.  It was great too.  I love being able to take the kids to the theater for a good price too.  $8 for 10 movies and parents/grandparents are free.  NICE!!  After the movie I treated the kids to Taco Bell for dinner.  I didn't get anything since I'm still doing Game On Diet.  That was rough and I'm proud of myself.  I came home and made a turkey burger on lettuce with Brussels sprouts.  It was yummy.  After getting the kids to bed (other than Rowan) I worked out to a new Zumba routine.  It was a sweaty one but fun.  I can't wait to do it again.  I nursed Row and put him to bed.

My neighbor posted on FB that her daughter didn't get antibiotics for her ear infection since they wanted to do the wait and see approach so I told he to come and get some oils from me to see if they would help Lizzy get better.  She came and we spent 45 minutes talking about oils, kids, and insurance.  It was a nice visit.  I pray the oils work for her.

Poor Rowan woke up screaming.  He hasn't stopped so I'm going to go and calm him down.  Hopefully it's not his teeth anymore.

Day 2: Laundry Day

First full day of having Kevin gone though yesterday was a pretty full day too.  Today was laundry day!  I got 5 loads of laundry washed.  It was crazy.  I also took the kids little kids to preschool after getting the big kids off to school.  I'm not use to having to take care of the kids because Kevin usually does the morning/school runs while I nurse or catch up on sleep with Rowan.  He seriously is an amazing husband to help me out so much and a wonderful father to take part in their lives.

Over all it was a fun day.  I was hoping to take the kids to the movie at the Hood Theater (How to Train Your Dragon 2) but after laying down with Rowan to help him sleep and taking a short nap myself I came out to find the house full of toys everywhere.  I asked the kids to clean up which they did but there was too much to get it finished in time to go so I told them we would go the next day.

Glenn was so upset that we weren't going to the movie that he went running through the house cleaning things up and crying, "no, momma!  I want to go to the movie."  I don't think he was comprehending that we were still going to see the movie just on Tuesday instead.  Kaila tried explaining it to him and I did as well but he was so distraught since he's been waiting to see this movie forever.  Finally he calmed down and we explained it to him.  He got it!

Thankfully Kevin's shoot went well in Texas.  We got to Skype with him on the computer.  The kids loved it and begged Daddy to show them his hotel room.  It was cute.  He shared a funny story with Kaila about how while they were shooting there were cows having and conversation back and forth with each other as they were trying to shoot.  Kaila love that story and thought it was so funny.

Day 1 of Single Mommyhood

Kevin took off for Texas this morning.  His Dad picked him up and took him to the airport shortly after 8am for his 10:30 flight.  That left me to get all the kids ready for church too...one of my least favorite tasks.  Really I hate anything that has a set time that I need to be at.  Life happens and things never go the way I hope so we are usually late which is frustrating.  Like today I got Rowan all changed and dressed.  I came downstairs to find all the kids had gone outside in their boots (thankfully) to play.  The rains we have been having the past two weeks have made some lovely mud in the back so then the girls who came in the house with their boots on tracked muddy water over my new door run and the floor.  Now I had a load of laundry to do.  Glenn took his boots off outside as did the girls after I shooed them back out.  Glenn sat on the couch and I looked over at him from the kitchen and could see his mud caked knees from there. Add Showers to the list of what needs to be done. I sent everyone upstairs to shower as I finished making pancakes.

Summer Fun

We had such a fun day at the children's museum and zoo. Trying to cram as much fun in the last week of summer. 

Migraine Go AWAY!

Two migraines in three days...not a good track record. So glad I got my meds filled yesterday at the doctors and for Glenn getting everything for me so I can function again.

A Blessing Filled Day

 I went to the Temple today with my mom. It was wonderful to be with her there.  I got some wonderful comfort and guidance from God too.  He really helped lift a burden off my shoulders when I told Him I couldn't do what he was asking on my own.  Literally as I said that I needed His help I felt the weight lift.  It was an incredible experience.  What the power of Love can do.

I'm so grateful Grandma and Grandpa were picked up the littles from preschool so I could make it to the temple.  Glenn and Addie both didn't want to leave but we had to be home for when Kaila got home.  They reluctantly cleaned up so we could leave and once we were in the car I realized the clock I had looked at was wrong and we had another hour.  The kids begged to go back but I didn't want to go through the clean up and dragging them to the car again so I was the "mean mom" and said no.  They survived.

 
I needed to make a Lemon Meringue Pie for the dessert Exchange that was happening at my friend's house that night.  Nana and Pa were coming over to watch the kids for me and that was the only dessert I could think of that didn't have milk in it.  I put on the movie Frozen (the new Disney movie that someone posted a link online for it).  The kids sat down and were quiet the entire movie.  It was incredible.  I got the whole pie made without much of a fuss from them. What blessing.  Another miracle was that I was feeling much better and was to have the energy to make dinner and dessert.  Thank You God for your tender mercies.

This remote has been "missing" for a week.  Kevin and  the kids had been looking for it. I finally decided to look for it in the couch  and the first place I looked it was right there.  I text Kevin this picture and asked if he really did look for it since that was exactly where I found it in the couch.  :-)

Being Calm

As I have reflected on conference this week I have really been trying hard this week to be calmer with the kids and to keep a gentle voice when dealing with them.  This week has been especially trying with Kevin shooting the whole week and not home for the whole day.  I haven't been able to tag team as much as I would like.  Some days weren't great (actually pretty disappointing as one kid or another would have a melt down and I just couldn't deal with it for the long term).  Thankfully today was a much better day!  So glad I'm making progressed.  I tried to talk the kids in a quiet voice and to keep calm while saying, "I'm so sad too....I wish you'd made a better choice...it's really hard when we make sad choices."  Oh the joy of teaching children.  I'm so glad that there were just a few moments that I couldn't deal with it any longer.  So glad it wasn't much and that I remained calm almost all day!  Life is much nicer and I feel more realized through the day, a welcome relief from the frustrated mom I can become.

Earlier this week I had another calm moment when Addie was being stubborn and wouldn't put on underwear or a pull-up   She wanted to sit and read books with Glenn and I on the couch but I had told her she needed to put something on her bum to sit on the couch. She was refusing but kept trying to get up.  I tickled her to keep her down and it was pleasant way to help her learn to listen and to go put something on. After reading a book to Glenn she finally gave in and put on some undies (her sisters that were big and baggy on her but she was covered).

Gross Night

Kaila woke up crying and screaming for me after I had just come downstairs from laying with her for an hour.  She was wondering where I went. I  told her I had laundry and other things to do.  She was getting so upset with me leaving that she wasn't able to breath and was coughing a lot. I  got some oils on her which she freaked out about.  I then got the diffuser from downstairs to put some breathe in for her.  I left after that thinking she would be fine and started writing the book titles down that we read that night on her sheet for her to turn in since it's the last day of January.  She started screaming (her little voice that she has left) for me.  I came running up the stairs thinking something terrible was going on but she was just upset it was taking me so long.  UGH!  I told her I was barely gone and that she needed to calm herself down.  She was getting more and more upset and then Addie started screaming.  I tried calming Kaila down so she could get her breathing under control so she could stop coughing but had to leave her to take care of Addie since she wasn't calming down.  She HATED that I left her.  Then I go into Addie and she is screaming because she's hungry.  I tell her that she can have breakfast in the morning. "Okay," she replies and then I leave the room (making sure to leave the door open).  Then I go back into Kaila.  I tell her I will stay in the room and iron for her to have me around but that she has to do her part relax and close her eyes. 

I start to iron and after a few shirts I hear Glenn open his door, I watch him walk into the bathroom, turn on the light, and he walked over to the toilet.  After a few seconds he starts to cry.  I go and and see him standing in front of the toilet.  I check his pants to see if he peed his pants.  Kevin told me the other night he peed all over himself because he was still half asleep.  He was dry so I pulled down his pants and he started crying even more.  I was so confused until I stepped forward and found my foot had splashed in a pool of pee.  UGH!  I asked Glenn if he was awake which he confirmed so I asked him to wipe his hands and feet with one of the wipes.  He wiped his hands and threw it away.  I asked if he wiped his feet and he shook his head.  I handed him another wipe to wipe his feet and he jumped off the toilet and started cleaning the floor (thankfully I had already wiped the floor up with sanitizing wipes I retrieved from our bathroom).  I finally gave up knowing he was half asleep and just took his shirt off and told him he would need a shower.  He starts to freak out and runs for his room.  I had to pick him up and carry him screaming into our bathroom to get a shower.  He thought it was going to be a cold shower but calmed down when I told him it would be warm, he would just have to wait while the water warmed up. 

As I was getting him out of the shower Addie was screaming and crying.  I found her standing my her door in her room.  I picked her up and told her she needed to go back to sleep.  She asked if the door would be open (she knows if she get out the door gets closed--why she didn't come out of her room).  I told her I would leave the door open but she HAD to close her eyes and go to sleep.  She did so and I got Glenn dressed for bed.  He was excited about his new underwear he was putting on.  He shared his excitement with me.  I commented to him I would be a lot more excited if it was night time.  I told him to get into bed and he looked at me all sad and asked about books.  I told him he already had his book and it was the middle of the night.  Poor boy was so confused!

Thankfully after that everyone stayed in bed.  I came downstairs for a breather since Kevin was at volleyball and missed out on all the drama.  Granted he walks 5 minutes after I sat down and I related all the prior events.  He goes upstairs to check on the kids, moves Kaila over to her bed and EVERYONE was asleep.  He comes downstairs and says, "Good job Babe."  Nice...

It can Happen

Today was a wonderful day with the kids.  Many things happened today that don't normal occur.  I got both kids out the door and they both made it to school right on time...Glenn isn't LATE but doesn't get there right when the door opens.  We are usually there at 9:15/20ish instead of 9:10 when the doors open.  Then Addie and I went shopping at WinCo.  Kevin and I have put together a strict budget this year, to save money for a house is the hope, so in hopes to save some money I took Addie to WinCo to go shopping. She did great helping me hold my list and was great in the store the whole time!  It was a miracle.

I got all the groceries put away before having to go and get Kaila from school.  Then after picking up Glenn we headed to the library to pick up some books I had on hold, return the Christmas books we had, and get some new kid books to read. We got in and out of the library in just 15 minutes.  I was able to get the two first sets of the BOB books for Kaila to read (I have NEVER seen them at the library...just the 4th and 5th volumes). 

This cute little monkey guy met us at the book drop and took our books from us.  The kids were super excited and thrilled each time he took a book from them.  It was pure magic and love from a librarian!

 

 

 

Once home I got lunch made without anyone having a meltdown since it was later than normal from getting the car washed and going to the library. All kids ate their food and most even ate seconds!  WOW...and then Addie took a nap without any whining, complaint, yelling, or even a sound.  She asked for Daddy to tuck her in after I put her to bed with a few books.  I thought I heard the front door open while I was up with her.  I told her I would check but if Daddy wasn't home she needed to closer her eyes and go to sleep after reading since Mommy had already tucked her in.  She said "okay" and thankfully that was it.  I left the door ajar and went to see if Kevin was indeed home (though I thought it would be impossible since it was a shoot day and they NEVER end early).  I was right but I never heard a peep out of Addie. It was a miracle.  I think God finally heard my prayers to help me out with her because I was going crazy trying to get her to bed or nap.  She even went to bed well for Kevin tonight without yelling while I was gone at knitting!!!

Girls holding hands through the car wash.  Kaila I think was the most scared of all the the kids though she still had fun and was the one asking to go through it.

It's a beautiful site to see your kids LOVING books!

While Addie was napping I got dinner prepped, Zuppa Toscana. Made dentist appointments for the kids while Kaila and Glenn both got a LOT of their homework packets completed!  It was a wonderful afternoon.  There was a moment when Glenn and Kaila were being too loud running around and after frequent requests to stop and be quiet they got put in timeout.  Kaila started acting up even more and in the end got in big trouble.  Glenn got out of time out and was able to finish the rest of Curly Sue that we started yesterday.  Kaila thankfully was able to calm herself down and return to her normal happy self (something that she doesn't typically do!)  It was wonderful to finish the movie sitting on the couch with all three of my kids (Addie had woken up due to Kaila's tantrum).  We ate dinner without Daddy sadly but the kids all seemed full!

I was able to go to knitting which was a slight miracle since Kevin's usually working late on the Tuesday nights that knitting is occurring.  I finished a square for a blanket that I started over 3 years ago...we will see if it will actually become a blanket.  I might make it into some doll blankets for the kids instead.  I have a goal in mind, though if it doesn't happen I'm not going to be upset with myself if it doesn't happen, but I'm hoping to make a lot of homemade gifts for Christmas this year (2013).  It will help with saving money and will mean more to me and hopefully to those that receive those said gifts.  :-)

Single Parenting

Kevin flew with his dad to a funeral for his great-uncle Ellis (his grandpa Lewis' brother, the last of that generation of Lewis') in Nevada today.  He was 97 years old on Christmas day and died a few days later at home.  He was hoping to see 100 and have a huge birthday celebration.  Instead there is a huge celebration up in heaven right now welcoming him home.  Kevin is also working right now...it's been two weeks since he's worked and I'm not use to it.  I can't believe how quickly I forgot how to do it all on my own...or the child has changed making things more difficult. 

Addie has because so defiant and horrible to put to sleep.  She fights it for over an hour for naps or bedtime and then doesn't sleep as long as she's suppose too.  It's driving me CRAZY.  She's also making tons of messes and when asked to clean up the bucket of toys or blocks she dumped out she calmly looks at you and shakes her head no.  When asked again she says softly no OR "I don't want to" and walks away.  It's a battle to bring her back over and over.  It took me over an hour yesterday to get her to clean up the kitchen toys upstairs that should have taken maybe 5 minutes.  UGH! 

Kaila so badly wants to be "mom" which is sweet at times and trying at others when she's interfering with discipline.  It's a phase we are all trying to survive...though reading back through my blog last night to fill in baby book information she's been this way since she was 3.  I'm now thinking this phase is here to stay.  Now I'm hoping we both can adapt to make us both happy until she really is the mom. 

Glenn my sweet boy has turned into a very goofy/silly boy.  I didn't realize he could get more boyish but has increased a notch this past week.  One memory I have of him from this week is when I asked him a question he turned his body into a robot and answered me in a robot voice. It was pretty hysterical.  The problem with him being all boy (or maybe it's just him) is his unawareness for thing/people around him.  He just does without paying attention which results in broken items, spilt fluids, hurting others.  It's rough on mom (who just can't take him breaking one more thing) and on him since he hates doing things wrong and getting in trouble.

I prayed last night for more patience and to help me not yell so much but then again today happened.  It may have been better with the thought in my head but I couldn't take it any more especially after trying to get Addie to stay in her bed after 45 minutes and then I decided to take the firm/loud approach to see if it worked with Kaila (trying to be a mom again) echoing to not yell at Addie.  UGH...this is when I wish Kevin were home to trade places with me for the moment.

We All Start Fresh Tomorrow

Today was a rough day.  I was praying that the afternoon would be better, yet it wasn't.  Let's just say that most things went wrong today...listening was rough...and Mommy had had enough and was close to tears all day.  Sadly yelling occurred, tears were shed, apologies made, and bed was finally found by all (other than mom) by 11pm.  Yes, I just said 11pm!

Thankfully we all survived and tomorrow is a new day.

On the bright side (highlights):
-Nana and Pa coming over and Reading to the kids
-Kaila had school
-Dinner was made (thanks for Kari for the idea)
-Two loads of laundry were completed
- snuggles from my kids
- 6 chapters in the Book of Mormon read (we are getting closer to reaching our goal of reading the entire things as a family before our next Stake Conference (34 more days to go I believe))
-Addie took a nice long morning nap
-Exercising occurred
-We all got dressed today
-Night time snowfall
-Watching Silly Addie putting Two hats on her head and walking around
-Addie grabbing her (musical "vacuum") to help me sweep with her sweet grin on her face
-Kaila and Glenn watching the first half of "Up" for the first time tonight
-Kevin made it safely up to Seattle today

Wow...I love how listing all those wonderful things has turned a BAD day into looking like it wasn't too horrible after all.  :-)

What an hour...

Thursday: It's crazy how such a wonderful day can be turned upside down in an hour.  I had competed my exercising, cleaned a lot of the house, organized more of the living room (purged some) and enjoyed playing with the kids.  I remembered I need try and call the DR Bill place for my ER incident in July--when I fainted and had a seizure. I found the paper with the phone number in the car from giving the info to Kevin on it.  It took 4 tries to get through (them hanging up, placed on hold and hung up...). Sadly each time I was second in line to be answered and it was suppose to be ONE minute...that lasted 10-15 each time.  SO FRUSTRATING.  I also got the email of the letter Kevin needed to write out for the hospital and was trying to print it.  The printer jammed and then wouldn't work.  I was trying to reset it and get all of this done while on hold.  The kids were going crazy and being LOUD too.  Fun stuff.  They have a sense at knowing when you are on an important call.  I emailed my in-laws to see if they could print it for me since they are right around the corner. I finally got through on the call, got all the kids in the car, out the door and hurried to my in laws (of which neither was answering their phone...couldn't hear it).  I raced inside to print off the letter and hurried back to the car.  We were so blessed since we were hitting most of the lights!  I knew God wanted us to make it there before 5.  We had 4 minutes to go when we entered the parking lot.  I hurried the kids out and as we were running across the lawn the older kids where yelling at me and running after papers...the papers I had in my purse had blown away with the gusts of wind (it was VERY windy that day).  We grabbed the papers and ran inside.  After going in circles we found the office and discovered they closed at 4:30!  Can you believe that!!  I was so disheartened after all that effort to get it in.  I guess we get to do the whole thing again tomorrow is what I though.  Just what I like to do is drag three little kids around with me.  I got everyone loaded up in the car and decided I WAS NOT making dinner and we went to BK that was down the road with a play place.  The kids LOVED playing and it was so nice for them to get some energy out since the weather hasn't been nice lately.  What a day.  We did get the papers in today and we should hear back in a couple weeks if we are approved for financial assistance!  Cross your fingers and toes and say some extra prayers please.

Today was a great day.  I'm slowly implementing a few of  FLY Lady's ideas and started with a few loads of laundry. Not 1 like she says and not all of it like I usually do twice a week.  I have found that it frees my mind up and I don't feel guilty if it doesn't all get done that day.  Nice for me and my little mommy complex. I spent quiet time today going through old CD's and discarding some...more purging of my 40 bag challenge.  I also reorganized the kids DVD's into a case...hoping that will help save the DVD's that get left out all the time AND makes less of a mess with all the DVD cases all over the place.  A win-win for all, well...Addie misses out on making a huge mess.  She's don't it numerous times already so I'm not feeling too badly about it.

We did have some fun today.  I found a new show for the kids to watch "Jake and the Pirates."  Glenn loves it!  I put it on while I cooked dinner.  Delish by the way...Chicken Tortilla Soup from my friend Emily's Food Blog.  So good!  Kaila LOVED it too.  Glenn ate if after being told he wouldn't get a cookie and having the timer set for 5 minutes since he was DRAGGING out the process while bother his sister at the same time.  He finished it in 1 minute at that point and got his no bake cookie that I made after making dinner.  Addie HATED it and threw a FIT!  I huge one.  I was trying to really make her eat it.  I even took out the beans which she normally will eat on their own and she threw them across the room.  Lovely...I made her a PB/honey sandwich instead and she wouldn't eat that either BUT wanted everyone's cookie or their food until she realized it was the same dish.  I was trying to get her to eat one single bite of he sandwich (being 1) but she wouldn't.  Finally I shoved it in her mouth and kept my hand over her mouth so she couldn't spit it out and then put some cookie into (what she'd been wanting).  She ended up spitting out the cookie and eating the sandwich bite.  Crazy child.  She didn't really like the cookie either.  (Just now realized it's because it was chocolate and she doesn't really like chocolate.) What fun.  I'm thinking we will be down this road many more times with her.

My mom bless her heart make me a PB/J sandwich for dinner if I didn't like what was made.  That was my option or to go hungry.  I was so picky growing up and thankfully had a mom that cared that I also had a bad gage reflux and sensitive taste buds.  I never HAD to eat the dinner (though I had to try it) and then she would make me a sandwich.  I have decided to do the same with my sweet kids.

 
We had a little fun tonight breaking apart the last Christmas decor in the house (ginger bread house).  Our dear friend, Joann brought it over for the kids.  Kaila really didn't want to break it.  She loved it and thought it was beautiful.  She literally got tears in her eyes thinking of breaking it apart.  Glenn was all for it though and ready to smash it to pieces.  I pulled out the rolling pin and wooden spoon for them to smash it in.  It was so fun to watch but a major "snow" mess as Kaila liked to say.  After a while I gave the kids 5 minutes to eat what they wanted and the rest was going in the trash and we were taking baths.  They were completely fine with the game plan.  YEAH!

Weapons

Trying to figure out what it is

The Aftermath

My silly boy...Growling at me as he eats his candy

Daddy surprised us even by coming home while the kids were in their bath.  What fun.  We thought they weren't going to see him today since he was actually "shooting" for this job.  It was his first time so we didn't know what to expect.  What fun...other than Addie pooping in the tub AGAIN. My other kids NEVER pooped in the tub and here Addie does it for the 4th time out of the last 5 baths.  If she isn't poopy before getting in she always poops while in the tub.  GROSS!

31 Candles

It's been a crazy year...mostly an insane last month with DH working all the time. This might be the reason I've been feeling kind of down (more exhausted being a single mommy of 3 for basically the last 3.5 weeks with sparse moments of Daddy being here, though mostly not). I've actually dreaded this birthday for the first time that I can ever remember. I usually LOVE my birthdays and plan out multiple days of events to make it last. It might have to do with the fact that Grandma (DH's mom...Dad too) are out of town and my mom just had knee surgery so my annual "girl's" breakfast with them won't happen this year. I have LOVED going out with them and sharing my morning while eating yummy food. We are going out as a family this year which will be delightful since it will be DH's first FULL day off since he started working 4 weeks ago! We are so looking forward to see his smiling face all day. It will just not be as relaxing since all the children will be there though DD is so excited about crepes so her excitement is wonderful and refreshing too. I'm trying to lift my attitude and embrace that I will now be IN my 30's which it's been hard this past year to remember I'm 30 and not in my 20's anymore. I can't even imagine the roller coaster of emotions that will come when I turn 40, then 50...better not even think about that.

My mom was so sweet as I shared these feelings with her. She told me that she thinks I'm at the best stage of my life and seem to be more at peace with life. How sweet of her! She says I'm more mature and able to deal with what life throws my way with out much fret (though this school service project has thrown me for a loop on top of all the other things going on right now). I know with the Lords help I can get through anything. I just need to lean more on Him now for guidance, strength, and comfort.

I was going through my blog showing the kids what they were like at SP's age (they LOVED that) and came across this mosaic about "me" that I did of Flicker pictures that you find by answering questions. I decided since I'm turning 31 tomorrow what a great time to see what my life looks like now compared to then.


1. Sarah May, 2. Tacos, 3. Barlow Road Water Hole, 4. Green leaf alien, 5. St Saviour's Limerick (2), 6. Submerged, 7. eroupe + arazona 395, 8. Lemon meringue pie, 9. `Happy Teacher's Day... `, 10. One happy family, 11. Happy Kids Kites, 12. Smile...Smile...Smile ;-)!