Snow day

My kids had never seen the snow before so when our friends asked us to join them this week for a day in the cold, we took them up on that offer!  I spent all week hunting down snow clothes so my kids would bundled up in snow gear head to toe.   A beautiful 55ish degree day and most of the snow gear was forgotten.   We brought pool toys and trash can lids to sled on and the pool toys turned out to be some of the best there!  

Jayce LOVED it.   I can safely assume if we ever moved to a colder climate he would be happy. 

Lainy was in 'like' with the snow.  Not a huge fan of the flying down hills, but didn't complain.  As long as she had Bo and Katy she was good. 

  

Brooklyn and Jayce got in on the snowball fight...

Jayce got a little carried away on the size of the snowballs.

Jared went down the hills with dad like a pro, but never turned down any snuggle time. 

 

Shell and Rich joined us and took some turns 'flying' on the pool tubes.   Where most sleds stopped at the bottom of the hill,  these babies would take far past and into the crowds!

Nice hat Jason.  Again, the pool raft,  one of the fav's since you could get a few people on them and they picked up some serious speed. 

Doughnuts and hot cocoa was the food of choice for the ride home.  Made for some very happy (and hyper) children.

Great first experience with the snow I would say!

Lifting weight.

Since I can remember,  writing my thoughts down never failed to lift the weight of whatever might be ailing my thoughts.  Today I hope is no exception.  Truth be told that little train of thought I have shoved so neatly into the back my my mind knows I am being irrational and that I need to knock it off.  But of course anger prevails.  I'll admit I am writing out of spite.  As if I am trying to prove to myself that writing can't heal or fix my attitude.   But since this blog might possibly be used as a teaching tool someday for my children I felt I should at least try and show them that we need to learn to control our thoughts.   We are always taught to school our thoughts, to control them.  Some thoughts are easier to banish than others and today I realize you can't just think them away.   You have to proactively fight them.   Sing a song, say a prayer out loud, write out your thoughts.  If you are trying and actively working on correcting whatever it is you are struggling with, you will be helped with dealing with rest in form.  Maybe it won't be taken from you, but you will be given strength to at least muddle.

New Year's craziness

My good friend Laurie decided it would be fun to plan a New year's party this year at her house. The woman is what they used as a model for the energizer bunny.

Highlights:

• Jared likely ate half a tub of red vines. If he couldn't reach them he would stand in front of them quietly playing with his hands until someone noticed, or got enough courage to reach in and grab one.

• Rhett and the stacking cups. They are addicting and Jayce loves them. They're on my list.

• Bum writing. No explanation. You can't describe how funny it is to someone, you just have to do it.

• Song wars. Since bum writing started men v women we staying suit and battled song lyric memories.

After watching the ball drop, taking a swig of Martinelli's, and kissing our hunny's we headed out to the back porch to confetti ourselves and shoot off a couple of bottle rockets. Shelli headed back indoors since she isn't a fan and much to her surprise a wild rocket made a U-turn and shot into the house and right through her legs! We froze and went to survey damage after the small explosion. Shelli, a little rattled, Jared not phased and Janelle small burn on her feet from passing sparks. All in all a FUN night! Thanks Laurie!!

Rehabilitation.

The Christmas season just about keeled me over this year. I want the memories recorded but have yet to regroup from the holidays and can only manage and quick overview.

Sharon sent belated birthday presents with the Christmas gifts and the kids loved the new 'sack race' bags. I can't seem to keep them on the pillows.

Grammy and Poppy joined us for dinner Christmas Eve and for the Nativity...

The kids each get 3 gifts in rememberence of the 3 gifts Christ received:

Gold- Garment

Frankincense- Fun

Myrrh- Mind

Lainy's fun gift was tutu's, Jayce realized his behavior rather quickly, and hasn't touched the fluff since this moment.

We had breakfast at mom's Christmas morning and Rich had quite a masterpiece happening on the griddle.

There are so many pictures from that day that I want to remember but this one captures all the excitement in one shot.

A weekend of music

AMAZING weekend I must say! Mom Dad, Meg, Shell, and I, with spouses in toe went Friday to see Jon Schmidt and then on Monday to Michael McLean's Forgotten Carols.

Jon Schmidt was as always funny, charismatic and incredibly talented. He played with his hands, his feet and sometimes even his head. He interacts with the audience so well through out and there was a moment that he told us all to look at our chairs and if there was a red sticker on it to come up. A little family of a mother and children came up and Jon proceeded to tell us that this woman's husband was serving in the military and that she was left raise her children alone until his return. He was due to be home on Christmas. Jon asked the kids if they missed their dad and then out from behind the curtain walked a soldier. Their dad. I can't describe the emotion felt in that room while we watched such a beautiful homecoming. The mom had planned this for her children. We watched as the kids embraced their father and all the audience was forgotten.

I had never seen the Forgotten Carols and when we arrived Meg handed us our tickets and we had front row seats!!! It was awesome. We were so close the actors could spit on you. And they took the time to do so! While singing, we could see the tiny flecks of spit flying from one of the lead singers mouth! Michael McLean was amazing. There was a choir seated facing the audience on stage that sang during the play and each time Micheal McLean got up and faced them to lead them, or to play the piano, you could see the love on their faces toward this man. He has been writing music for 25 years, is grey haired now, and I couldn't help but think of what a blessing it was that I had a chance to see him and his masterpiece up close.

He's right. For once.

As I set the wrapped preschool present on Jason's video game shelf, he quickly walked over and moved it to the shelf above. Really? I can't place anything on the beloved shelf?? No, you have plenty of other places to put it, he says. In finding out why, he commented that I was disorganized.

ME???

Oh, he was in for it now. I steamed for an hour laying in bed thinking of all the ways to help him take his foot out of his mouth. And when I woke up, I was still thinking... As I scanned the room I realized he never left anything out in that room. So, I moved to the next room in my mind... I felt like Cinderella trying to think of something nice to say about Lucifer the cat...

Well, he always leaves out the.... nope.

He never puts away the... nope.

Well, surely I can just throw all of the laundry I usually do all over his side of the bed.

No, that would make me disorganized..... I sat down at that point and scanned the master bathroom. 6 shirts of mine strewn across the bathtub to dry. 2 Q-tips on the counter. Mine. A roll of packing tape next to the sink. And at least 6 articles of clothing randomly placed throughout the room that belonged in the hamper. Holy cow, the man is right!!! I do leave a trail wherever I walk.

• Pick up a book from the hallway and set it on the kitchen counter.
• Open a piece of gum and set the wrapper on the shelf in the pantry.
• Wrap presents in the bedroom, carry tape to bathroom and leave on the counter.
• Sit on couch, remove shoes and leave them.

I am disorganized!

My Yammy

While dancing and singing along in the car, Lainy always thinks too hard about the lyrics to really enjoy the song. Such was the case today.

Bouncin' in the club where the heat is on
All night on the beach til the break of dawn.
I'm going to miami, welcome to miami

"What is your yammy?"

First comes love...

Lainy is a lovable kid by nature. But when she runs into another such child, the friendship seems to explode with joy. Lainy and her friend Bo are quite a sight when they spot each other from across the room. Squeals and running, then the embrace. As if the time passed in absence was 2 years and not 2 days. Bo and his darling little sister Katy visited for a few hours last week...

Playing House:

Bo: You be the mom... "Hey honey..."
Lainy: No, I'm the mom.
Bo: I know, you're the mom and I call you honey sometimes.
Lainy: No, I'm the mom and you call me babe.

There wasn't a single squabble to be heard that day.

Monsters

Disney cartoons seem to have more of a handle on political issues than some might assume. Our energy crisis has come into focus quite clearly the past few years and the same questions raised by consumers mirror the issues that the creatures of Monstropolis face. Shortages. All monsters are working their hardest to make ends meet and yet ‘children’ keep getting harder and harder to come by. I have always thought that there are things being hidden by the higher-ups, our very own ‘scream extractors’. And yet, right under our noses is the laughter of children that is more valuable and powerful than any screams of fright will ever be. We just aren’t willing to try for it, or know it’s there, but collecting screams just creates more money for the big wigs. If you think about it, monsters are everywhere. Competing for our ‘screams’, our energy to keep the world moving forward. It is our job to make sure we give them laughter, the best and most powerful energy they need.

Shoo fly

Doing haircuts this afternoon, I called Jayce in to come swat the fly that kept landing in my clients hair. I told him to kill it and... whack! Ow. I neglected to mention to hit it when it wasn't on my back. At least it's dead.

House of Order

While I was doing laundry this morning it occurred to me that I enjoy things that are complete. I know, it seems a given. I love when my van is freshly filled with gas. It seems to run better. I love when laundry is done, folded and put into drawers. It makes life in the mornings easier when I know there is nothing missing to complete an outfit.

I remember as a teenager that I was taught that our homes should be in order. It stuck with me. And when I had one, even two children, my house was usually clean. But once I had 3 kids, I found that keeping my house clean was getting to be a bit of a challenge. I'm not gonna tell you that my house is always clean and in order. It's not. But I do understand why we are asked to keep our homes in order. There is harmony and a more peaceful feeling when it is. I just know that when I get up early and get myself ready 'down to the shoes' and 'shine my sink' (fly-lady), my day goes smoother. When my house is clean and things are in order, my brain takes a bon-bon break.

"Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God" (Doctrine & Covenants 88:119)

Tree of Thanks

A new tradition in our home is the Tree of Thanks. One family home evening before Thanksgiving we all tell what we are thankful for and form our tree. I will save the leaves each year for memories sake, and to watch how the our gratitude has grown.

Black and blue Friday

This was the first year I attempted the black Friday crowds in the wee hours of the morning. I left at 3:30 am and headed for Kohl's. The line to get in the door was at least a quarter mile long. Then when I finally got inside and found the few things that were left that were on my list,

I headed to the front of the store to get in line.

Then I headed toward the back of the store to get in line.

Then I headed to the back wall and wrapped around a few loops to get in line. I stood at the back of line for about 15 minutes, picked up all of my things, set them on a nearby display and went home to go back to sleep. Around 9:30 Jason and I packed up the kids and headed back out to Kohl's. I found most everything on my list, it wasn't nearly as crowded, I had make-up on this time, and was well rested. My good friend Laurie thrives on this kind of adventure. It must be her competitive side. Ü She braved Walmart and picked a few things up for me this morning. Thanks Laurie!

Thanksgiving weekend

This thanksgiving was a pretty quiet one for us. We spent Thanksgiving Day at Grammy and Poppy's. Mom always uses grandma's china, a crisp festive tablecloth, and an incredible feast.

A few years ago Grammy started a tradition that I am assuming was derived from flipping ice cream and sometimes cool whip from a spoon at one another. Marshmallows is cleaner. The kids loved it. Although Jared was found in the middle of the battlefield holding an umbrella to ward off an incoming attack.

And in lieu is pie, we made apple crisp together. I think we all enjoyed the making part almost as much as the dessert itself. Yet another grand holiday at the Osmun home.

Turkey trotting

Ah, there was no trotting done this day with the exception maybe of Rhett. I ran my very first (yes, there will be more) 10K! 6.2 miles and it was awesome. There is nothing like running shoulder to shoulder with a few thousand people and feeling the adrenaline all around you. Thank you Laurie and Glade for the invite to join your family in this event! I will say I did better than I anticipated, coming in 555th out 2,141 people. Thanks Laurie for posting all the times on your blog... Saved some time! Here are the times of those who ran from our ward. Holy cow Jake.

Jake - 47:06

Rhett - 1:01:05

Julia - 1:01:32

Nick - 1:02:28

Glade - 1:03:16

Laurie - 1:10:35

Stephen - 1:16:50

Sammy - 1:17:16

Brett - 1:23:19

I found Rhett (10 years old) around mile 3, and we stayed somewhat near one another for the remainder of the race. This kid was part of the reason I kept the pace I did. Weaving in and out of the orange cones together, running backwards, and just having a friendly face to keep me going. He would sprint ahead a few hundred yards and then walk and when he saw me catching up he would take off again. There was a moment around mile number 5, when I looked up between the sweat, and saw Rhett skipping along the sidewalk, and just as I saw him, a man who had to be at least 95 came 'trotting' along in his blue sweat suit and sweat band, right past me. So off I went again!

Singin' in the rain

We were pulling to onto our dirt road this morning and usually I let Lainy jump up into my lap and help drive home. It had been raining and I told her no this time. She asked why.

M: Because, Lain, it was rainin'
L: 'ing' mom
M: What?
L: Rain-ING. Say it with me. Raaain-in-g.

Nice. Thanks Lainy.

Happy birthday Lainy!

It was Lainy's and my birthday this week!
Lainy turned 4 and she makes sure everyone knows it.

"I'm fow now."

"what?"

"I'm fouuwwwrrrr."

She tells me that some days she feels four, and others she still feels 3.

Thank you Grammy for her beautiful Christmas outfit, and of course her boots!

Here's Lainy's version of a Barbie drive in. I found most of it on Craigslist and bought new clothes for all the dolls. Can you tell she was excited?

All the kids played barbies most of the evening. Jayce has been regularly asking for 'the boy ones' since then. I had the hardest time finding anything modest for these dolls...

Thank you grammy and Meg for dinner and my white cake, (I LOVE white cake). And thank you mother for my...

JET STREAM OVEN!! This thing is so cool. Fast like a microwave, but oh so much better! Meg, you were right, pizza IS better in the jet stream.

Happy Birthday Lainybug!

Silly songs

Thank you Kathy for this CD. It has been a lot of fun. The song 'everywhere that we go' is a favorite of my kids. It has about a dozen different places that they are from. (Sidney, Phoenix,Paris etc) Here is how I heard Jayce singing the Hong Kong verse:

Everywhere that we go
people always ask us
who we are
and where do we come from
and so we tell them
we're from 'honk honk'

Little man

After a night of elephant sized nightmares (see Zoo post) , and Jared kicking me in the back most of the night, I wondered tonight how I was going to get him to sleep. I didn't have to. Jayce took on that role tonight. My little Jayce grew up a little today. While I was doing hair earlier this afternoon Jayce brought Jared in fully clothed (diapers are his fashion choice these days) and casually said that Jared had a poopy diaper and he had changed it and got him dressed. What?? I checked, the diaper was put on correct enough to do the job. Tonight Jayce crawled down onto Jared's bed and laid there for a good 45 minutes until Jared fell asleep. I came in to check on them and Jayce was still awake. He never had fallen asleep because Jared fell asleep on his arm and he didn't want to move so as not to wake him. He is a great big brother and such a help to me. Love you Jayce.

Get a grip

I was reading Codie's blog about her son chewing on a tampon. And I forgot I needed to blog about Jared's encounter with a tampon at the zoo, which in turn reminded me of my sister Shelley's unconventional use of pads.

Ew. I should begin with ew. I took the kids into the zoo bathroom to pee, and Jared just sort of hung out in stall and followed me over to the sink while washing hands. I looked down and saw he had found a treasure. Tampon! Ew ew ew. I grabbed and threw it as far from us as I could, realizing I could have used the trash can didn't occur to me. Needless to say, we washed and rewashed hands.

When we were kids, mom used to keep all the extra 'girl' stuff in the garage cupboards. Shell was too young to know what it all was, and one day realizing how uncomfortable her handlebars on her bike were, decided to take action to remedy that. When mom found her she had pads stuck all over the bike. Handlebars included. She was so proud and comfy to be riding such a padded bike.

Zoo

We hit the zoo today. 4 moms and 11 kids. It was quite fun. Meg had zoo passes and allowed the kids and I free admission! Thanks Meg! Here are some highlights:

I just really like this shot of my good friend Laurie and her tall dark and spotted friends.

Lainy wanted to be holding one of these two boys hands at all times. Looks like her lucky day.

I loved seeing these very cool spider monkeys up close and personal. They have this exhibit where you can actually go in and get close enough to touch them, although we were prohibited from doing so since they bite. They jumped into the trees right over our heads. I was afraid to get pooped on.

I think it will be a while before I take my kids to see an elephant up close and personal again. I didn't think much of it as Jared spotted this giant hairy creature, and took a few very slow deliberate steps backward. He mentioned the 'ew-fent' a few times throughout the day, and it took me 2 hours to get him to bed tonight, since every time I closed the door I heard blood curdling screams and the word 'ew-fent' intermixed. Poor kid. He stayed pretty close to the stroller and had a very mellow zoo trip.

Toy tactics

Here's what I've learned about getting free time when you need it.

Always pack and put away at least half of your kids toys. Put them in reasonably small boxes. A few months pass by and you find yourself in desperate need of some free time. Pull out one of those boxes and your children will feel like it's Christmas. I like to put them with the box in a bedroom where you can shut the door so the kids aren't distracted by you having your alone time.

Tactic #2- Tell the children that certain things are off limits. For me it's my hair supplies. That room is off limits. It remains locked. Once in a while when I need quiet time, I pull something spectacular from my forbidden room. For some reason, they love whatever they aren't usually allowed to have. I make sure to let them know just how lucky they are to be playing with whatever it is.

Not dead yet

I just ran 4 miles without stopping. Yeah baby.

Celebrating the 80's

We are nearing full winter in AZ and it's not anywhere near a winter wonderland! For 7 years I have complained my way through 6 months of scorching summer weather and vowed to leave this desolate place the next time an unbeatable job offer came around. (ha!) But each November, as I pack up the swimsuits for a few months, and think about what I am thankful for the WEATHER always come to mind! I stop complaining that I want to move, and enjoy the days of children playing outside all day. I love being able to go running anytime of the day, and it be comfortable. I love that my kids asked what earmuffs and mittens were. I love that I get to wear my slippers around the house and that my kids say I sound like Grammy when she walks in her slippers. I love that when I drink my hot cocoa, it actually warms me. (I drink hot cocoa year round) I love taking a hot shower and not feeling like I am sweating while I do. And as much as snow on Christmas would be nice, I love Christmas in a t shirt and jeans, and my kids being able to go ride the new bike they got without bundling up and shoveling the driveway first.

Share and share a bite

This is a common sight in our house, Dad eating ice cream out of the carton with a fork and three small children waiting for their turn to have a bite.

All we need now are three wagging tails.

Simple civility

"It is in the home that our behavior is the most significant. It is the place where our actions have the greatest impact, for good or ill. Sometimes we are so much 'at home' that we no longer guard or words. We forget simple civility. If we are not on guard, we can fall into the habit of criticizing one another, losing our tempers, or behaving selfishly. Because they love us, our spouses and children may be quick to forgive, but they often carry away in silence unseen injuries and unspoken heartache... When we feel anger or contention in our homes, we should immediately recognise what power has taken control of our lives and what Satan is endeavoring to accomplish. Solomon provided us with this wise formula: ' A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger.' (Prov. 15:1) Our home should be a refuge where each member feels safe, secure, loved, and insulated from harsh criticism and contention that we so often encounter in the world."

I have no idea where I got this from, but I found it in my 'keepsakes' file and want my children to know how important it is to work on creating harmony in our homes and our lives. I have learned from experience in watching the atmosphere in my home change dramatically as I paid attention to what I was saying and how I was saying it, to my children. I am so sorry to them for the times I didn't work hard enough to choose my actions and words more carefully. I pray that our home will always be a safe, secure and loving home.

January 2006

Grammy has a very short list of things she hates in life and bananas might very well top that list. Jayce does not have a wide array of food choices, but I am always trying. So, imagine my surprise when today, as I cut up a bananas for Lainy I asked Jayce if he wanted a bite and he happily answered 'sure mom'. I was a bit startled but went with it, and stuck it in his mouth. I have never seen a banana shoot out of someones mouth with such force and so fast. It must have hit the floor 4 or 5 feet in front of him. I laughed of course, and then he started to spit. And spit and spit until he gagged. He gagged, I am assuming until he was sufficiently satisfied that every morsel was gone. Your Grammy would be so proud.

Playing in pecans

Shelli and I headed to a nearby park today to get the kids out of the house and out of energy. It was in a beautiful neighborhood surrounded by pecan trees. We got to walk through one of the houses Matt was working on, and I will forever remember it as the castle house. Doors disguised as bookshelves, a washer and dryer for every bedroom, a butler's pantry, a whole back wall that slides open to the backyard, not to mention all of the cabinetry and crown moulding...

The park was fun, the boys played a little football, the little ones did a little flirting, and Shelli and I got in an adult conversation!

Thanks Shelli!

Voices in my head

A few weeks ago...

Lainy: "Dad? How come my voice is copying me?"

Today...

Lainy: "Mom, watch me while I talk in my head"

Adult owie

I had this on a scrap of paper and wanted to make sure it was documented properly.

2/16/06

Well, you know Jayce and his little comments- today's was especially humorous. He had been out back with Jason this evening while he burned some weeds. Jayce got scared and ran inside complaining he had an 'owie' which of course, he did not. In effort to explain just what an owie was, I leaned over to show him a pimple on my face, before I could explain that it was my owie, Jayce got a terrified look on his face and said "Mom!! Your-your-your face! Your face is breaking off!" I had to laugh.

Crayola at it's best

Themed costumes have become an obsession with me the last couple of years. I ran out of time to paint the wagon like a crayola box... Thanks Heather for the great idea of the birthday hats wrapped in fabric!!

Still holding tight in first place in my love of costumes is the patriotism we had last year...

Oh Crap.

A quote I love and recently ran across...

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning, Satan shudders and says 'Oh crap, she's awake'