Jill came tumbling after

When we decided on and drew up the plans for this house, I was very specific about a few things: A bar in the kitchen, a full front porch, a detached garage and a Jack and Jill bathroom for my kids rooms.  Well, we hardly use the bar, the front porch isn't used for all the nights I envisioned relaxing on the porch swing, and the detached garage is a bit of a pain not being attached to the house.   I had high hopes for the bathroom.  I pictured the kids taking turns in front of the mirror, one in the shower while the other got their hair done...   and mostly I had hopes that on the nights when one was scared, they would love being able to just sneak through the bathroom and crawl into bed and find comfort with a sibling.  Last night Lainy crawled into bed with me like she does on so many nights, and shortly thereafter headed back to her own bed after the confines between mom and dad was too much.   Shortly after that around 4 AM Jared started to cry in his room.   Sweet Lainy snuck through the bathroom, just like I planned and led Jared back through into her bed and they snuggled in.  I  smiled and peacefully went back to sleep. Until 15 minutes later at 4:15 AM I heard squeals of laughter.   Sooo not  what I had pictured.  

Presidential Introduction

Breakfast conversation this morning with Jayce...

J Hey mom, I know what's on the back of a nickel.  It's a white temple. 

M No, it's the 'White House'.  Who lives there?

J Oh, I know.  Joseph Smith. 

M  Umm, no.  The president of the United States.  Do you know his name?

J  George Washington.

M Well yes, he was the first president of the US.  And George Bush was our president until recently.  But we have a new president now.  His name is (gulp) Barack Obama.

J WHAT?  

Yeah, that was my first reaction too.

Man made

Jayce:  Boys can't make anything. 

Me: Like make what?  (Thinking we might be headed toward where babies come from, I stopped what I was doing to give him my full attention.)

J: Like, anything in the kitchen.  All they can make is hot pockets and noodles. 

Me: Hmm,  I don't think so. 

J:  Well, that's all I've ever seen boys make in the kitchen.

Team Spirit

Bus driver number 2 got a perm.  Everyday we see the same cars drive by, the same bus drivers stop and go, as we race to beat them before they turn in front of us, and cause an extra 4 minutes of stop and go driving to school.   We passed as we always do, bus driver #2.   Whoa.  She got a perm in her already very red, very curly hair.   The front window in a bus is pretty big, and she filled up her half pretty well.  

I like to watch people.   To wonder what goes on in their lives.  What caused her to perm her hair?  WHAT was her hairdresser thinking?  Does her husband like curly hair?   And then I thought,  hmm,  wondering sure is a quiet sneaky way to judge people.   I'm not judging, am I?  

We play this game in our family called "Your team".  Usually we find ourselves playing it in places like the airport, or the zoo.   We take turns picking people from the crowds and placing them on our imaginary team roster.   People like a boy with sparkly purple hair and wearing what looks to be shredded clothing, would quickly be called out 'your team'!   Or a woman (quite possibly a man) so muscle bound you find yourself flexing, is dubbed 'my team'!   Yes, even my mother finds herself sucked into this game.   Now, tell me, is this judging?   How can something so fun be a bad thing?

All chores are created un-equal

I have tried and failed so many times trying to 'equalize' chores, timeouts, rewards, and discipline between a 2, 4 and 6 year old.   In having a chat with my 6 year old today, a few things came out of my mouth that I think are noteworthy.  When he asked,  "Why do I have to clean it all by myself?  They played with it too."   I started to tell him because I said so, and took a different approach. 

"You're 6, he's 2.  Your chores, and expectations match your age.  It seems unfair, but you just happened to be born first, so you get to the hard chores first.  When he is 6 he will do them too." 

Next,  in chatting with him about his attitude, which was significantly nasty this morning, I told him he would have to earn his privileges.  He nodded, and  I realized,  why would a 6 year old know what earning a privilege is?   So, in effort to explain it simply to him I said,  "You gotta do good things to get good things."  Genius I know.  Such is life.

Me monster

Very near the top of my pet peeves list is 'one upping' a story.   I am guilty myself, but am consciously working on being a better listener.  I believe it starts around the time you have children...  the my kid walked first race, keeping track of the teething timer, if your kid can do it mine can too.  It continues on into adulthood, but with varying circumstances. Envy and a lack of self esteem are my drugs of choice when I have fallen into this habit.   Some people get so caught up in it you can almost tell they aren't even listening to your story, they're just waiting until you finish your sentence so they can start their competing story.   Please, please don't ever finish listening to someone and say, "well, if you think that's good, listen to this."   Or...  "I have a better one..."   Don't you want to respond, 'Well, thank you for letting me waste your time.'   I love Brian Regan.

Clearanced out.

Why is it when we get a compliment, whether it is about what we are wearing, how it looks or something in my house, that I choose to cheapen it?

'Your hair looks so good like that.'

'Ugh, really? But it needs a trim so bad.'

Or...

'I love the new pictures frames in here.'

'Thanks, but I just repainted them, it really didn't cost much. I guess they're ok.

Or...

'You look so skinny!'

'I am SO not. I just know how to hide it.'

I am fully aware the correct response should be....

THANK YOU.  

But why do we do this? Self esteem?  Not wanting to sound prideful?  Think about this, if you said any one of these things to someone else and they replied with a thank you, and all you needed to say was your welcome, would that be so bad?

Impulse v logic

I realized this morning I am an impulsive thinker.   Anything that enters my mind has to be done now, or I forget or lose interest.  If you have been my friend long enough, you have experienced this in some way. 

1. I need to talk to Jason about the seat belt being broken in the back seat.  I choose to call him now while I have 6 crazy chatty children in the car with me.  Why didn't I wait until I dropped off four of them 5 minutes later at school to call?  
2. I want to sell my house.  Today.  Tomorrow comes, and after I have spent the day before, cleaning my house for pictures and got my real estate agent all riled up for the race, I change my mind. 
3. I take 4 trips of a half hour each into town in 4 days instead of thinking planning and preparing and going once.  
4. I have started potty training Jared 3 times, only to realize after a whole day of it that tomorrow I am working all day and won't have the time to do it. 

Well, this week I made a goal.  To think more like Jason does.  Slowly and deliberately.   His decisions are always executed so well.  Today I waited to make that phone call until I knew I would have peace,  Jared is 5 days in on potty training and doing really well, I am NOT selling my house, and going into town just hasn't crossed my mind yet.

Yee Haw!

 It's official. Salon Legality is MINE!  I have contemplated trying to salon license my home for sometime now. My business has been so small I didn't feel it necessary, until now.   Styleworthy Salon. With me as it's owner!  Cool, I own something.  7 years I have done hair, and now I have salon in my house like I had planned from the beginning. 

This is a huge blessing. 

Who wouldn't love her more?

L: We're going the wrong way mom! 

M:No, we're going to Grammy's house.

L:Oh, Can you go the hair store while I stay there? 

(It's no secret she likes her alone time with Grammy.)

M: Why, do you like spending time with Grammy without me?

L: I just don't like you very much. 

M:  Uhhh,  that kind of hurts my feelings.

L:  Well, I like you a little bit. 

Gee thanks.

Sunday funnies

I leaned in and 'lovingly' wrapped my fingers around the back of his neck and whispered "If you have issues during class I told your teacher to go ahead and get your dad." Jayce pulled back and asked, "What's havissues?" A quick laugh and I was back to business, "I said, if you have (breath) issues I will send your dad in." Again, leaning back with confusion on his face "You're gonna take my shoes?" Sigh. It killed my I-am-the-boss moment. So I gave up and said, "If you're wild, your busted."

______________________________________________

This morning Jayce came in 15 minutes before he usually wakes up and was at my bedside.

J: Mom, I had a bad dream.

M: Well, what was it about?

J: I bit your nose off.

What is the kid watching??

Much laughter

Shelli and I had a date night without our husbands.   We both knew we were overdue for some 'mom escape' time.  Realizing our husbands had their camping, shooting, hunting, paintballing and mountain bike excursions, we decided it was time to girls' night it.   Evening Highlights:

• Johnny Rockets- shared a sandwich to make sure there was room for a whole shake each. 
• Girl talk, much of it and much needed
• 'Bedtime Stories'   Laughter all around.  A real feel good movie. 
• A quick trip to Joanne's.  Perusing scrapbook aisles, dabbling for paint, and of course even coming across a possibly 'used' pair of falsies.   Who knew?

I came home with a smile on my face and hop in my step.  Thanks for the company Shelli!

Shove a love

Lainy has a 'wormy' who has been in her arms each night since we can remember and numerous times I have tried to replace it with something I think would be better suited.  Frustration usually sets in when she refuses the new clean toy.   A black trash bag full of miscellaneous toys from our childhood sat in my mom's hallway for a few weeks waiting for owners to claim their memories.  I did NOT want anymore random stuffed animals roaming my house.   Lainy came home with a stuffed duck.  Out of ALL the toys in there you attached to a duck??   I felt a parallel coming on...  

So many times I have tried to 'make' friends.   Laurie told me once while we were talking about traditions not to become closed minded about new traditions that aren't planned,  sometimes the ones that you run into are the best and most loved.  I realize that life can't always be planned by us, formatted, calculated and organized.  We need to learn to live it and allow life to run into us sometimes. 

I have run into many incredible friends.  Each time I move I vow to make friends as soon as possible.  And each time, it takes a lot more time than I planned.  Many of you are blog stalkers and if you think you might be one of whom I am speaking of, there's a good chance you are.   So to you I say thank you.   For drying a tear, jogging a lap or two, lending an ear, and a babysitter, for smiles, laughter, date night company, trust, for needed criticism, advice, and love.   Thanks for being my ducks.  

(sisters included!)

Giant lifesaver

A few years ago we bought a used trampoline and we wore the rest of it out.   Jason thought it would be fun to show the kids just how high their dad could bounce.   He didn't bounce as much as fall when he came back down right through the middle of it.   Well, it's been a year or so and the kids are bouncing again.  Santa dropped it out of the sky on his way over AZ.  I did catch Jason out there a few days ago all by himself having a great time.  

  

Jared took a few days to get his 'tramp feet'   but the kid is sturdy as a brick on concrete and jumps all by himself every chance he gets.   Sunday we came home from church, Jared swung by the pantry grabbed himself a bag of marshmallows and headed out for a jump.

The kids are dirty, tired, and sweaty when they finally come inside for a break, and when you find them like this you can't help but love the trampoline. 

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!