Laundry Queen

A great asset

2012-02-14T16:17:00.002-06:00

Last night Logan was sprawled out on the kitchen floor trying to shoot people with a nerf gun. I said LOGAN, not Christian. Logan is about 5'10" and ... well, I wouldn't want anyone posting my #'s anywhere, but let's just say, he played lineman on the football team, and people were very afraid...

So he's sprawled on the floor and I'm trying to walk around and do stuff, tripping over him. I asked him if it was really necessary to be on the kitchen floor. He said, "I'm an asset!" I said, "You're at least half of that word." He said, "Yep, I'm set." I just laughed.

About an hour later, he said "Hey...... I get what you meant about half of that word. That's mean!"

I had no idea!

2011-12-09T16:17:00.003-06:00

It involved one of my favorite white tops, a parade, a long walk, and a soggy taco from Taco Bell.

Long story short: blue Dawn completely took out the stain all over the white top.

Way better than Shout or whatever oxy stuff I had ever used before. Amazing! Note though, that it has to be the blue colored Dawn. I don't know why, and I don't really care. All I know is that it WORKED!

The Drive Home

2011-12-02T15:38:00.003-06:00

I'm still cracking up as I write this.....

Samy: "Mom, in my school, there are kids who have crazy issues, but their parents still want them to learn, so they go to my school. Well, today I was doing the monkey bars and a girl with crazy issues came over and kicked me."

Me: "Samy, it's called DIS-A-BIL-ITIES. The kids have mental and/or physical disabilities. We shouldn't call it 'crazy issues'."

(But I'm for sure going to adopt that term for personal use.)

Sorry, but that was too good not to share. Have a good day.

Reason #164...

2011-11-28T20:18:00.004-06:00

... that I love a smart phone:

Standing in the checkout line at the Children's Place today. Watching the lady in front of me hand over her coupon to the clerk, thinking to myself that I should have gotten a coupon before I left home. Then, wait a minute... I swipe out my phone, google 'Children's Place coupon', and voila! 20% off my entire purchase!

I showed clerk-lady the coupon on my phone like it had been there all along and I had come in planning on using it.

I felt so smart! (doesn't happen often, so I have to applaud myself when it does...)

This is ART

2011-11-09T15:55:00.005-06:00

I found this picture. No idea when it was drawn. Can you tell what it is?

It's the Star Wars (Return of the Jedi) scene where Lea is tethered to Jaba the Hut as his slave. Isn't that Awesome! My family is a little obsessed with Star Wars right now -- thank you Christian. The artist of this work is none other than Samantha! I love Princess Lea's bikini top and C-3P0. Not sure what the thing is in between Jaba and C-3P0, but we won't get into that..... We'll just leave that one alone.

Doings and Findings of late

2011-10-13T10:13:00.001-05:00

Clicked into photos on my iPad and found these gems...

Other things we've been doing:

Went to the Grand Canyon (and Zion and Bryce canyons) this summer. So. INCREDIBLE.

Met up with some of the family in Utah. So. FUN.

Eric slept.

Hung over the side of a cliff at the Grand Canyon to get a shot down. Little scary.

One turned ...

Another turned (Darth Vader is hiding a candle)

That was summer. Now we're a couple months into school. Good times... good times....

Night and Day

2011-10-12T21:02:00.004-05:00

I make quite a few observations with the amount of laundry that is turned around in our household. One of my latest is this:

Two teen-aged boys. One young man, in a five day period, regardless of how much prodding, reminding and pleading from a mother, can go through three to five pair of underwear. The second young man within that same five day period, all on his own, will go through anywhere between six to ten pair of underwear.

It's difficult to see in the picture, but the taller stack of underwear (belonging to teen-ager "B" consists of 9 pair. The smaller stack, that of teen-ager "A", is three pair. This is about four days since the last washing where underwear were involved.
The craziest of all is that Teen B (clean underwear guy) has a room that looks like a rabid dog attacked it, whereas Teen A (foul underwear guy) will frequently clean his room just because he feels like it.

What does one do with that? How does this even happen, and is there a point where it will equal out a bit?
Nice, huh.

Competition Complete

2011-05-01T21:19:00.004-05:00

Since October (2010) Maren has been rehearsing/practicing (I don't know what the official dance word is) for her team dance competition. She is in a group of four girls and they have worked really, really hard to prepare for these competitions. Today was the last one that they had entered into.

Well done girls!

(Someone always suggests a silly face picture)

When we signed up to compete, we weren't aware that competitions could be on Sundays. (I guess I'm naive) Our Director/Studio Owner has been really great about requesting that we compete on Saturday, and it worked for the first competitions, but not this one. So, we took Christian and Samantha with us to watch Maren for church today. We made Eric and Logan stay home and get a ride from friends. I thought it would not be the best to let the teen-aged boys not only skip church, but sit through dance after dance of scantily-clad, gyrating young girls on stage in front of them in stead.

Fun, fun. I love watching Maren dance. Beautiful!

A mother's love

2011-04-19T15:04:00.005-05:00

That's a Storm Trooper action figure.

Let's zoom out......

Yep, there's poop under there. It's in the "sanitary cycle" as we speak (the Storm Trooper, not the poop).

I used a disposable spoon and bowl to "fish". They are now disposed of.

On the bright side: Potty Training is WAY mastered!

genius

2011-04-18T09:24:00.000-05:00

Every now and again, I'll go through the kid's phone text messages just to make sure everything's on the up and up. This morning, I read through a string between Logan and a friend of his. Can't tell if she likes him or not, but if she does, she has got to be so totally frustrated with his oblivion! But then again, maybe she's not the sharpest tool in the shed, considering some of her comments, like how she said she had to ask her younger brother how to spell squirrel. My most favorite exerpt is as follows:

Friend: hi logan wat ru doin?
Logan: homework
F: done with mine what subjct?
L: algebra have a test tomorrow studying
F: o can i help, im good at science
L: umm, algebra is math

Yeah, she's probably not clued into the fact that he's oblivious. It's all fine.

Saturday is s special day

2011-04-09T18:04:00.008-05:00

So stinking fun!!! What a great day! Samy cracks me up because she is a scrawny little string bean, but man, can she take it (and give it) on the soccer field! She just started her second season with the team. This week was the toughest game yet. The opposing team towered over just about every one of our kids. And they were good. Real good. And dirty. Every time you looked at number 6 he had his foot stuck out tripping someone, or an arm out elbowing someone. At one point, he and Samy collided and took each other down. Bless her little skinny heart, she got right up and kept going. After that, she was elbowing right back! I gave her a tiny pep talk during the next break. I said: "don't ever hit push first, but if someone pushes, hits or trips you, you do it right back to them! Don't take it." Good girl listened to Mommy. After Samy's game, Maren and I came home and dolled her all up for her first dance competition. She entered into a team competition where her and three other girls are performing a lyrical dance. They've worked really long and hard. Today was the first of four competitions that the group has entered. They did such a good job. The only down side is that she was starving and I kind of forgot to feed her lunch because we were a little late. So imagine how much better she can do when she's not famished!

I couldn't take pictures of the performance because it's illegal, but they really did do a great job. So beautiful.

Fun, fun special Saturday.

Ghetto

2010-08-25T20:56:00.002-05:00

So, it's been five months since I've been here. The three months have sped by, and during that time, I have every so often thought about something I wanted to get on her and post about. Then, something would distract me and another few weeks went by and I had forgotten what it was I wanted to post about.

Well here's one that I couldn't let get forgotten:

Third day of school. Junior High. Logan is offered drugs. On school property. Nice. Here's how it "went down":

Thug: "You want some O.J.?
Logan: "NO"
Thug: "Do you even know what it is?"
Logan: "No. And that's exactly why I don't want any of it."

Logan's a rock star.

Eric was offered drugs at the end of last school year. He was walking home when a car pulled up with a group of .. um .. "urban" ... young men in it, and they asked him if he wanted any. He said "huh?" then they drove away. He told us that they probably thought he was already stoned because of the way he answered.

On a cool note: for scripture reading this morning, we read about "not touching things that are unclean". How appropriate. So neat how that works.

Another note about school, since we're on the subject: Logan likes his teachers who have already showed their talents for sarcasm. I'm worried that he may make better friends with the teachers then the students.

And one more: High School Freshman "Fish" (they call them that here - weird, huh?) Eric, went to Health class on the first day. The teacher walked into the class and the first thing she said was: "Okay, so I know you are all sexually active ..."

What the heck!?! This infuriates me on many levels. 1) I feel like that statement just gave permission or the okay, for everyone who may be on the fence about doing it, or who may become on the fence, that they may as well do it because they are different if they aren't doing it. 2) It most likely makes those who are not active and choose not to be, feel like they are on the outside and there is something wrong with them. 3) I seriously doubt that everyone in that class (and all health classes that she made that statement to that day) are active. Give me a break. I know it's bad now days, and that it is probably way worse than it was when I was in High School, but come on. It bugs me that she qualified that statement with "all of you". Annoying. Anyway, that was a fun ride home from school.

It sounds like we live in the ghetto. But really it is a very nice community. Great schools, great everything else. Small town feel, etc. I just don't think that you can get away from all this stuff. I don't think there is anywhere we could move where we wouldn't run into these or similar issues. I do have to say, though, that I am proud of my kids for knowing what to say without any hesitation, or being able to talk to me about all this stuff. Hopefully this will last. (The communication, not the drug offers and such.)

Six-Year-Samy

2010-03-27T20:14:00.000-05:00

Sweet Samy turned six!

Six things about Samantha:

1) This year she has lost four teeth (two are "found").

2) She has become a brave little trooper going off to school every day like a champ.

3) She has learned to read independently and above grade level.

4) She is tall and thin (downright boney!) but can pack in about as much bacon and/or in one sitting as a big, fat man!

5) She loves to wright books (she illustrates too!)

6) Her big brown eyes melt my heart on a daily basis.

I love you to the moon and back, Samy!

Here's some of the par-tay fun:

Kids Nowadays

2010-03-26T09:19:00.000-05:00

Totally out of the blue today we're driving home and Logan says: "A girl asked me to go out today."
Me: Go out where? You don't have a car or any money in fifth grade.
L: I don't know. Just go out.
M: Who was she?
L: A girl named Summer. I don't really know her.
M: Who's class is she in?
L: I don't know.
M: If you don't know her, why would she want you to be her boyfriend?
L: I don't know. Ryan said I could say yes just to be nice, then break up with her in two days.
M: Oh yeah, "going out" means you're boyfriend and girlfriend! What'd you say?
L: I told her no then ran away.
M: Why did you run away, were you scared or embarrassed?
L: No, because Jared was coming and he was 'IT'.

Public Information - Spotlight#1

2010-03-25T14:38:00.001-05:00

"That's my boy!"

Click on the link:

Public Information - Spotlight#1

Open mouth...

2010-01-22T17:09:00.000-06:00

... insert feet. Not foot, FEET!

I've had a gaff-tastic couple days.

Yesterday, in the grocery store, a guy passes by, we make eye contact, say hello, and move on. The guy was my next door neighbor. Ends up we are checking out at the same time in lines next to each other. We chat while we are waiting our turn. I say: "So, the neighbors said that Leah's car broke down. Did you end up getting a new one?" He looks confused and says, "Who's car?" I say, "Your wife, Leah." He says, "What are you talking ab --. You don't know who I am, do you?" Then it dawns on me that this is not next door neighbor. This is guy from the kids school. HU. MIL. I. ATED. So I fumble around and ramble on and on about how he looks so much like my neighbor and once I registered neighbor in my head.....

Every time I thought of it yesterday, I cracked up while at the same time feeling that embarrassed, helpless feeling. The more I played the scene over in my head, the more I think I looked like a complete lunatic. So awesome. The worse part of all is that the guy is a black man. You know how they say that white people think all "person's of color" (I think that is the new politically correct term) look alike. I swear I don't. I don't even focus on color. Really, truly. But, boy, I sure looked like I proved that in the grocery store. So embarrassing. And I'm going to have to go through years running into this guy at school events and stuff. Years!

I'll get over it.

So today (here's the other foot), my friend calls to ask the name of my living room paint color so they can get it. I tell her I will call her back because I have to go in the garage and dig and I need two hands to do that. Friend says, "Hey, don't be making excuses about needing two hands!" Crap. Friend was born without one hand.

She is a good sport. I then yelled at her for making jokes like that and she said "Hey, if you can't laugh about it, you cry." Good girl.

I am so awesome. I'm giving Joe "Gaffe" Biden a run for his money.

On the other hand, when I'm on, I'm good. For example:

A while back, Eric asked me to take him to get some jeans. We went into American Eagle. An employee greeted us as we walked in and asked if we needed help. Eric said we were looking for some jeans. The guy said there are several styles, what are we looking for. I said; "The kind that are real baggy and hang down so that everyone can see your underwear."

The guy looked a little like a dear in the headlights combined with an I'm-so-glad-that-is-not-my-mom look. Eric turned a few shades of red. That was one of my better one's as of late.

Oh hush! Eric is a good sport (or at least used to this stuff) and the store was mostly empty with no one around us.

Are you so glad that you aren't around me that much -- or one of my children? I ROCK!

I'm developing a bit of a complex

2010-01-14T09:58:00.002-06:00

For the last few days, Christian keeps coming up to me, poking my stomach and saying "baby?" I say, no baby. Then he pokes it again and says, "Jesus?"

So anyway, it's only a bit of a complex I'm developing. Not anything big enough to anything crazy like diet or something. Besides, on the bright side, it sounds as if he's learning about good things in his Church class, and perhaps he's learned the true meaning of Christmas!

Happy new year.

FYI

2009-12-25T17:20:00.000-06:00

Here's a tip:

If you're the home teacher, don't come visit on Christmas Day.

If you're the home teacher and do come to visit on Christmas Day, and notice that there is a houseful of visiting family, don 't stay for an hour.

If you are going to visit on Christmas Day and stay for an hour despite the houseful of out of town guests, don't sit with several moments of uncomfortable silence - fake some conversation.

Get in, get out, and get on your way if you must come visit on Christmas Day at all.

It wasn't that big of a deal. It's just that there were people sitting on all of the couches and it's not very polite to stretch out and read a book when there is company. But the new Dan Brown novel is pretty entertaining....

Hey Home Teacher, there are still six days left in the month. Merry Christmas. Love, nic

Merry Vacation

2009-12-24T19:56:00.000-06:00

We came to Virginia for Christmas vacation this year. We came to enjoy the holiday with Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt S. It's a good vacation. Just before we got into the state, there was a giant snowstorm that blanketed most of the state with several feet of snow. The kids have quickly taken to the sport of snow-sledding. They are in absolute heaven. Geoff is enjoying his sister and parents' company, as am I. It's been a delightful and slow-paced few days. The kids highlights have been sledding, the Mennonite country-side, shoveling snow off the deck (obviously snow is not a common thing for us, or this would be a chore, not a highlight!), making sugar cookies from scratch with Grandma, and staying up late watching Christmas movies.

Here's how I am enjoying my VACATION:

9 loads of laundry
24 sandwiches for lunches
2 trips to the grocery store
3 trips to Target
1 bed washed after an "accident"
6 loads of clothes dried after snow play

We'll be here for another five days. It can only get better!

As I was moving yet another load from the washer to the dryer, Mom-in-law says to me: "Boy, you have been doing laundry since you got here. Does it ever stop? This isn't normal, is it?" I said, "No, this is extra special, because I'm ON VACATION!"

It's all good. And to all a good night...

Walking on egg shells

2009-12-08T15:00:00.000-06:00

Kindergarten started off great. Really, it did. Then a couple weeks into it, everything spiraled downward. Samy got sick with Strep Throat, then at the tail end of that, Geoff and I went out of town for an extended weekend. Since then, she has cried on the short drive to school almost every day. She says that when she goes to school, she misses me. It's very sweet and nice and all, but the child has to go to school. So, I printed up a picture of me to put in her backpack so that she could have me with her all the time. I thought it might help to go have lunch with her. When lunch was rapping up, she started to tear up and say that her throat hurt. So I explained that I couldn't come have lunch with her any more if it was going to make her sad. (Not to mention make her lie, because her throat DID NOT hurt.) The picture worked well for a while, then she said she still missed me. So we read "The Kissing Hand" book and went out and bought a heart stamp so I could put a heart on her hand every morning before school. That worked for a while, then wore off, so she started wearing a necklace with a heart locket containing a tiny picture of my face and her face. The good thing is if there is an extra hectic morning and we forget the stamp, lets say, then we have the locket and picture for backups. The kid is being sent to school with a whole lot of gear!

So the other morning, she started getting "the look" in her eyes as we were getting ready to head out the door. I couldn't take it any more. I said, "you've got your necklace, your stamp, and your picture. I just don't know what more I can do for you. You have to do your job and go to school so that I can do my job and all the things I need to while I don't have all the kids at home." I asked her if she was worried that I wouldn't be there when she was done with school and that is why she didn't want to go. She said no. I asked if there was anyone at school that bothered her and that is why she didn't want to go. No. She just misses me. Heaven help us. Samy, really, I'm not all that!!! She cowboyed up and got in the car and went. But it breaks my heart. This tiny, scrawny little girl with the quivering lip and big sad brown eyes.

To make matters worse, a couple weeks ago, at church they changed the Primary Presidency and so I will no longer be with the children. I've been in there for over 4 years. Me being in the back of the Primary room is all Samy and Maren (maybe even Logan!) have ever known. So, the first week after I was released, Samy started the sobbing during the closing song in Sacrament Meeting and pretty much refused to go to Primary. (She didn't so much as refuse as I couldn't bring myself to send the sobbing sack of bones in there.) The next week - this past Sunday, she was assigned to give the talk in Primary, so I went in with her. She asked her teacher, Gayelyn (my good friend) to help her with the talk. I think she couldn't bear to have me next to her. So Gayelyn helped her say the words she didn't know and I watched my poor little girl with the quivering lip and shaky voice. She almost lost it when she had to say the word mom. What is the deal here? I've never had a child like this. No idea what I've done or how to work through it! She was able to stay in primary as I snuck out the back door when she wasn't looking. It's killing me!

Not every day is a tragedy going to school, but I have to be very careful to keep everything in the morning on the "up and up". I make sure to talk about her friends and fun things that happen at school. Talk about the upcoming Christmas party or the Polar Express Pajama day or anything I can think of that will get her mind on something fun and not home and mom. It's crazy!

Yesterday, she had chapped lips, so I gave her my tube of lip balm to take in her backpack. We pulled up to the carpool line and she started to break down realizing that she had left the tube on the bathroom counter. I calmed her down telling her that I would bring it to her in a couple hours. I said I'd leave it in the office and they would call her down to get it. She asked if I could just bring it to her class. NO WAY! Last time I went to her Thanksgiving Feast, she started crying when we were clearing plates in anticipation of me leaving and her missing me and I had her home the rest of the day. I left the chap stick in the office.

Bless her little heart. For a split second (and only that long before it was dismissed) I wondered if I should home school her. NO WAY! That could do nothing but make this all worse and prolonged. In the meantime, I am keeping conversation light and happy and walking on egg shells so as to not unintentionally start the water-works!

Here's one for ya (two, actually)!

2009-11-12T08:42:00.002-06:00

First thing: On Halloween evening, I went to a party. Let me preface the day: Weeks of late nights, meetings, stock piling cans of soda, and such had built up to the school Fall Carnival that was held on Halloween day from 10 am until 2 pm. The night before, the committee (I was co-chair with my friend Emily) was at the school until 11 pm - only because they kicked us out - setting up for the big day. Emily and I arrived at the school before 7 am on Saturday to get rolling. The carnival was a huge success. The committee was a bunch of wonderful ladies that it was a privilege to work with and get to know. The carnival ended at 2 pm and with tear-down and clean up and everything, we finally left the school just before 5 pm. I tell you this just to let you know that my day (s) were busy. I hadn't been sitting around eating Halloween candy (although I very much would have liked to have been). I will also throw in here that the week of the carnival, I decided that I didn't have enough to do, so I thought it would be a good idea to sew a cheerleader costume for Maren. (It really turned out awesome - if I do say so myself - but probably I could have picked a less-hectic time to have done it.) Editor's note: That's pretty much where October went and why there were no blog posts.

So, anyway, I went to this Halloween party at my good friends home. It started at 5, but we didn't get there until after 6 because when I got home from the carnival, I had to lay on the floor of my bedroom, and then just plain wasn't able to get up for a good half hour. My body ached, my legs hurt - I could barely walk. It was all like a really, really good workout!

So, I like this friend who hosted the party, and I actually genuinely liked all the guests that were there, so I felt comfortable and at ease (you know how at some parties you feel awkward or out of place - like at Geoff's work parties ((not you, me at his parties))...), so I went ahead and piled up my plate - great meatballs, by the way, Shawna! A bunch of the ladies were sitting at the table chatting while we ate. I sat down with my plate filled and made some comment about how I could load up because I hadn't eaten all day. One of the ladies looked at me and said; "You know, that really is a lot of meatballs." I said: "Oh, shut up, skinny chick!"

We all laughed and I'm pretty sure the 'skinny chick' smiled and laughed as well, but I don't know her well enough to know if she was being funny and sarcastic, or serious about the meatball comment. I went on to say something to the group about '...this is the type of conversation that people have in their heads but usually don't let it out of their mouths...' or something like that. But the thing is; it totally didn't bother me!

Ten years ago, even five years ago, it would have spiralled me into depression (and probably a Sam's club size bag of Halloween candy!) but I didn't care. I am comfortable with myself (totally could stand to lose about 40 lbs). Since last November, I've lost 40 lbs and that is great, but the thing is, I'm still way over weight. The Wii balance board does it's "Ohhh!" surprised-sigh (you know what I'm talking about) when I step on it still, but I work out three to four times a week and am doing the best that I can right now in my life.

I think the bottom line is that I am older. Not that old is an excuse to give up, but age just brings with it a maturity to where you can be okay with who and how you are. I guess, I've come to realize that every body truly is different. I just plain don't have the DNA to ever allow me to be a size 4 (or 6, or probably 10). It was awesome. I felt so good about me.

After the kids and chaperone's left to trick or treat, I laid on my friends couch and ate 'Monster Munch' popcorn (which was the best ever!, Shawna) while I chatted with her and her husband and another couple. That's how good I am with myself, and how much I didn't care about 'Skinny chicks' opinion.

ANYWAY, Second thing: The following Saturday, the girls and I had kind of a girls day, so we went to Denny's for lunch (their choice, not mine). In my mind, I had a conversation where I decided to have a good meal and then maybe I could have the great looking apple crisp with ice cream afterward. I went ahead and ordered a grilled chicken salad with lite dressing on the side. No croutons.

When the waitress brought our food, she set my salad down and said "I guess I went a little crazy with the cheese." I said "Oh, that's okay." She said "You look like you don't mind." It was one of those cartoon moments where everything froze. I was reaching for the ketchup for the girls and kind of stopped mid-air while I processed what she said and was cracking up in my mind thinking: "Did she really just say what I think she said?!" So funny! I chalked that one up to a language barrier. I did, however, NOT have the apple crisp with ice cream. Just to be sure...

So even with that, I am still good with myself. But I think that probably, I should stay home during PMS week so as to avoid any "incidents" while my emotions are closer to the surface.

A couple things: One, I'm proud of my new-found maturity (not in all aspects of life, by the way); and two, I can't believe the nerve of some people to say stupid things.

Life is awesome!

Here's pictures of the cheerleader costume, though. I'm simple, but pretty proud of myself.

I told her not to brag...

2009-11-10T21:08:00.001-06:00

...but I am SO going to!

Maren auditioned among 13 other girls for the part of 'Young Cinderella' in her dance studio's spring production. I think she is a beautiful and graceful dancer, but really, truly didn't think she'd get the part with all those trying out.

But, SHE DID!

I am just pleased as punch and so proud of her. Actually, I'm sort of living vicariously through my girls (and the boys a little too). I so wanted dance (or play baseball, or piano, etc.) lessons when I was a youngun, but we just couldn't do it. So I do all I can (within reason) to let these guys do a sport/activity and/or a musical instrument if they show an interest in it. It makes for a hectic - sometimes miserable - schedule for the taxi driver, but I really do love to see them 'perform'. It was really neat the first time I could stand more than two feet away and really play catch with each of the boys (not yet Christian), and now, watching them pitch a fast ball and strike out a batter is totally awesome. (Not so fun though, when the fast ball actually hits the batter...) Watching Maren dance or play the piano is so much fun. Especially watching Samy tapping away with her spaghetti legs just makes me want to cry, it's so dang cute!

Anyway, I'm excited for Maren and can't wait to see the final product in June!

Congrats Maren!

Break a leg. (But not really. Or anything else for that matter -- all my money is going to private lessons and costumes, so I can't afford medical bills).

Childhood memories

2009-09-21T17:43:00.020-05:00

I have fond memories of mom being home when I came home from school. Often, before I even crossed the street to our house, I could smell the goodness, and tell that mom had made bread that day. Oh, and it was such good bread. If we were in luck, she had just recently taken it out of the oven and it was piping hot and the butter would melt and drip from it while we ate. Other times, we'd enjoy a bowl of broken-up bread pieces with honey and a bit of milk for dinner -- because we wanted to, it was that good.

So, today. The last of the bread was used up in today's lunches. It was a rainy day, so I decided that I would make up a couple loafs of bread and we could use that so that I didn't have to go to the store. And who doesn't love home-baked bread!

I got out my handy red and white checked 'Better Homes' cookbook and all the ingredients and went to work.

Well, it takes a long time, bread does. And it's messy. And did I mention that it takes a long time? Nevertheless, I was enjoying feeling like a good, old-fashioned stay at home mom.

Well, I think my first clue was when there was dough stuck all over my hands, not clean hands kneading beautifully sculpted dough like in the picture in the Better Homes cookbook. My second clue was when I let it rise (just like I was instructed) in the oven, covered, with a pan of hot water sitting under it, for an hour, and it hadn't rised at all!

I went about following the instructions, because, come on, it's a loaf of bread, not brain surgery!, thinking surely it would all turn out in the end.

Here's the final product.

( That bottom one looks like a dog bone or something. I bet even a dog would turn away from this.)

(I wonder why Wonderbread never looks like this!)

It's not pretty. And it tastes just about as good as it looks.

It's in the trash. I'm going to the store. My talent is going to be appreciating "Mrs. Bairds" talent.

News Flash!

2009-09-16T11:27:00.009-05:00

I agree with Barack Obama. It doesn't happen....well, really ever.

Have you seen this guy in an interview (Kanye West I mean, we've seen plenty of Obama)? I think there's something missing. Seriously, and I don't just mean his filter. He can't trail three words together.
I do have to say though, that Beyonce won mega points from me by bringing Taylor Swift back on stage to say her thank you's. Good form, Beyonce.

"I will not be left out!"

2009-09-15T20:48:00.003-05:00

Really, I almost couldn't bare the heartache of my baby going to 'school' for 10 whole hours a week. But it was Christian -- even though he only says 'cars', 'trash', 'go', 'hi', and a handful of other rarely understood words -- who almost forced me to send him to the Mother's Day Out program. (Can you feel the sarcasm dripping like the humidity at high noon in July in Houston?)

He did a great job. No tears. When we first got to the classroom on the first day, he did grab my hand as we were walking in the door and tried to turn and bolt, but that was partly my fault. I completely forgot about his "meet the teacher" the week before, where he would have known what he was getting in to. Maybe it was better this way. Anyway, he at least knows the school. He took Samy there last year for her Pre-K and cried each day we dropped her off and he couldn't stay. Here you go, buddy! Stay all day! See you at 2. Other than the wanting to bolt, it seems like he is really liking it. He's even gotten his back pack on non-school days and headed for the door. His daily reports say that he is happy and "a sweetie" the teacher wrote. He likes it.

Mom likes it too. It's a win-win!

Sunday Funnies

2009-09-06T22:11:00.005-05:00

While getting ready for church:

Maren: Mom, I don't ever hear you 'toot'. I hear your big, loud burps all the time, but never any 'toots'.

Me: Yeah, well, if those have to happen, I try to keep it private.

Maren: I mean, your burps are the best ever.

Me: Thanks Mare, I try.

Minutes after the Stake President reads an official letter from the pulpit in regards to Swine Flu and what we need to do to stay clear Samy does a big, uncovered sneeze. :

Geoff and I burst into laughter as quietly you can in church.

Samy: Why are you guys laughing?

Geoff: Because we love you.

Samy: You're lying, you're making fun of me.

Yet another trip to the past, I gotta stop doing this...

2009-09-02T07:19:00.001-05:00

On the 28th of August, Christian turned 2. He's been terrible for quite some time, but now he is officially Terrible Two. Every day, as I laugh or shrug off his shinannigans, I am reminded why he is child number 5, and child number the last. I'm very type-A and was way too uptight to have had this little man earlier in the family. (Father knows best). Now I can -mostly - laugh at it all. And I can certainly enjoy every bit of him!

I just adore this little man. Happy 2nd Birthday Christian!

Come with me back in time, won't you?

2009-09-01T13:44:00.005-05:00

It's like the second half of August just disappeared. School happened and I was only somewhat coherent. So, we're just going to go back and pretend that I am documenting my sweet little girls first day of Kindergarten on, well, the first day of Kindergarten instead of now - the second week of school. Poor fourth child.

Samy was so excited to go to school. Secretly, I have been a little worried that she is going to come home some day and say that she doesn't like it any more, or is bored and doesn't want to go every day. So far, so good. Her teacher is a gem, and one of her best buddies, Ty, is in his class (thanks for letting me ride your coat tails, Emily!).

She put on her new clothes and her new pink tennies, packed her new backpack and lunch kit, and war raring to go. It's funny; she seems so big and grown up to me lots of times, but putting her in that school uniform and sending her to school made her seem really little. I'll get over it. Oh, I am over it!

By the end of the day, her new pink tennies had given her blisters on the heels of her feet, so she walked out of school on her tip toes. That's okay, she walks like that subconsciously anyway.

Geoff and I walked her into her class room. She went to her desk and waived good bye. We snapped a picture and took off. As we rushed down the hall and out of the school, Geoff said something like "can you tell we're fourth-time parents?" I said, yeah, with Christian, if I can't find a bus to put him on, I'll make him jump out as I slow down in front of the school." We're awesome like that.

I'm not totally unsentimental. I had to rush back out to the parking lot to get Logan and Maren, whose bus never showed up, and take them to their magnet program school a half hour away. We went home and got Christian, whom I had left with Eric (nice, babysitting on the morning of the first day of school - yee haw, 8th grade!) and loaded him in the car. Drove the kids to their school, now an hour late on their first day. Then Christian and I got to spend the rest of the morning at the School Admin office complaining about the lack of communication and lack of "courtesy" from the Transportation department. I won't go into any more detail. I've slept since then -- maybe it is better that I let time pass before posting. No one needed to hear my rant about this.

So, Eric didn't get a first day of school picture because for his first day he left on his own with a hearty "Have a great day. Lock the door behind you when you leave!" I love independent teens!

When Christian and I got home that morning and all the kids were gone, he would not come in the house. He stood out in the back yard (and it was hot!) for about 30 minutes babbling up a storm (still very few words from that boy!) and every now and then yelling for the "gys!". Then when I guess he'd figured out they weren't coming to his calls, he came in and stood at the bottom of the stairs and kept yelling "gys!" So dang cute!

School is good.

Lucky number 13

2009-08-25T13:50:00.003-05:00

Happy Birthday to Eric (this past Saturday - I'm a little behind.....).

This summer, Eric has spent a LOT of time babysitting. So it was ever so appropriate that for his 13th birthday, he babysit to start the day, and again to end the day.

That was sarcasm, because how pathetic.... Saturday morning was a Primary Activity that the whole family was involved in - except for Eric, so we all had to take off after the morning chorus of "happy birthday". Christian wasn't really involved in the activity either, and no one wanted the chore of chasing him in the church parking lot (it was an outside water activity), so Eric got to hang with Christian in the morning.

We tried to redeem ourselves as parents by dropping him and some friends at the movie theater in the afternoon and leaving them with movie tickets, money for concessions, and money for ice cream after the movie. It seems to have worked, as he hasn't shown signs of resentment, but I'm sure as the hormones kick in more and more, there will be plenty of resentment, and worse....

So, his entrance in to teen years concluded by babysitting (which he agreed to) for some friends of ours so that we could go out on a double date. I will say that had I been in charge of the planning, I would not have chosen our child's birthday to have a night out on. A few days earlier, Geoff called and told me that he had arranged a date with this other couple on Saturday, was that okay with me. I said, um, it's your firstborns birthday... He responded with a Homer Simpson doh! Nevertheless, Eric was a good sport and saw $$$ in his eyes and we had a good time out!

Happy Birthday Eric!

Last Minute Fun

2009-08-21T14:12:00.009-05:00

The plan for this summer was to enroll in a plethora of camps and classes to keep everyone busily engaged in good things. This was very fun for everyone and a pretty good plan. There were weeks here and there where not everyone had something going on, and a rare one where no one had anything going on. As for the mom, I was tired out from the drudge of taxing to and fro, same as the school year.

By the beginning of August, we all needed a change of scenery. I searched for places to stay in Austin and San Antonio (some of our favorite spots to drive to for a get-away) but nothing was available at anywhere near the price I was willing to pay.

I decided that we (and by we, I mean I) wanted to go to the beach. Galveston doesn't count. People like it, and people have fun there, and that's okay. I've even been found on the rare occasion to have had a good time at Galveston beaches. However, it wouldn't do for an end of summer trip in my mind. Then I had it: Florida! White sands and clean water were a mere 8 hours drive away.

We had the greatest time! On a Friday morning, we packed up and headed to Pensacola. The drive was great. The kids were great.

Christian did this: and this: and this. Very smooth.

We went through the eastern tip of Texas, the horizontal whole of Louisiana, the bottom chunks of Mississippi and Alabama, and by 5 pm were in Pensacola Florida. We hung out at the hotel pool Friday evening because it was a little overcast and we would do the full on beach thing the next day.

Saturday, we headed out to the very cool National Naval Aviation Museum, because it was a bit overcast and we figured the sun would come out more in the afternoon.

Next, we headed for the beach, finally! To get to the beach, there are a series of bridges that you go over. As we drove across one bridge, it started to drizzle. Then it was raining. Then it was pouring!

I DROVE 8 HOURS TO GO TO A NICE BEACH! WE'RE ON VACATION!!!

Off in the distance, there was a break in the clouds and some actual sun peeking through. We drove to that spot, unloaded, and went about our business ignoring the drizzle and hoping that it would stop any minute. The good news is that the rain stopped. The bad news is that Maren came out of the water and said that she was itchy all over. There were red splotches here and there on her body. Just then, Geoff came out of the water and said that there were about four jelly fish right there where the waves break. (Right about where Maren had been when she came in with the itching and spots!). So. We considered peeing on her. Who was going to do that? Logan suggested we give Christian a bunch of milk and then let him loose. In the end, we wrapped her up in a towel, and between that and burying herself in the sand and the itch and sting just went away. Thankfully.

So, in the meantime, we all went down to the water and looked at the many jelly fish that were messing up our beach trip worse than the rain. I thought about maybe moving our party down the beach a bit, so I took a walk to explore. As I walked, there were several more jellies either washed up onto the sand, or right there in the water. We stayed where we were and soon a family came who happened to have nets, "fer shell diggin'", who used the nets to catch as many jellies as they could and pile them up on the beach so as to have them out of the water. That was good of them.

Between that, and Geoff said that the further out one was, the less jelly fish there were, the beach ended up being a great success. The sand was really white and clean and "sandy", and the water was green and clean and beautiful!

On Sunday, we found a local church to go to and then were going to either hit the beach again, or head to the big outlet mall in Alabama, then on to New Orleans for the night. The mall won over the beach (because it was still overcast and looked like rain again) so we headed out of Florida. We got to the mall right about lunch time and Eric got to choose the place. He chose Hardee's. Eric has now lost all restaurant-choosing privileges. Walking on the floor alone grossed me out, let alone Christian sitting, falling, or touching it. It was greasy, dirty, and just all around yucky. I know, I know, we could have left..... The best part of all was when Geoff was sitting across from me and trying to casually pull the hair out of his burger without me seeing. I handed him the rest of my food and said I'd be in the car getting the hand sanitizer ready. If you know Geoff at all, you won't be surprised to know that he did, in fact, finish the hair-burger, along with my food. That's one fast food place I could eat at and be sure to lose weight.....

The outlet mall (I know. We never never shop on Sunday. But we were on vacation. It's kind of like how calories don't count on vacation or after midnight. Sometimes Sabbath rules can be bent as well. I'll repent later.), was great in theory. In reality, we had a very tired two year old 'bronco' who is still in the early stages of being 'broken'. No worries though, we still managed to drop a load $!

The real "Goonie adventure" happened on the drive after our time in Foley, Alabama. I thought Texas had big bugs. I had never been to Mississippi. We stopped at a rest stop (very nice and clean and manicured for a rest stop, by the way! Good job Mississippi!), and when the girls and I got done, we noticed that the boys had all gone down the scenic path to take in the sights. What a sight to behold! The girls were a few feet in front of me and Samy stopped and said "ewe, a spider!" I told her to just jump over it, she's bigger than a spider. Then I got to the "spider"...

It jumped, too.

So we quickly caught up to the boys who were crouched down looking at something. It was a swarm of the giant "cricket things". All the while we were encountering the "cricket things", there were swarms of "giant flies" dive bombing our heads. I said that's it, we're done. Everybody runnnnnn! I made Olympic time to the car all while in a skirt and flip flops. Good bye, Mississippi!

This is why I am not a camper.

We ended our day in New Orleans and checked in to one of the coolest hotel rooms that I have ever seen. It wasn't necessarily the most luxurious room, but the layout was way neat. It was just a Marriott Residence Inn, but I had never seen one like this. There were basically three bedrooms each with a queen sized bed, two bathrooms, a huge dining area, huge living room (with a sofa bed), and kitchen. We kind of stumbled upon it because they didn't have two rooms adjoining. It was so great! We have to split personalities up strategically so as to avoid the biggest fights and problems. We had Maren (the little mother) in bed with Christian (who needed mothering because he doesn't fit in the pack n play provided by the hotel - and this mother wasn't going to do it) who needed help his first time in a big bed. Samy (tiny girl) was in bed with Eric (germ-a-phobe who can't get along with Maren or Logan). Logan (sleep-through-anything-spread-eagle) got the living room sofa bed all to himself. It worked perfectly. Eric asked Geoff if this hotel room was as big as our first house. Almost. Our kitchen was a bit bigger... However, there was one slight problem with the awesome hotel room:

Monday in New Orleans. I've been to Nawlis once in my life, and frankly, that was one time too many. Not a fan. I went a few months after Hurricane Katrina and was purely convinced that the moldy stink and grimy feel of the place had nothing to do with the levee's breaking and was well established long before any hurricane! This time, though, I knew to completely avoid Bourbon Street - even in the day time, not make eye contact with any street vendor trying to "give" you a souvenir cap, and what streets/areas to avoid altogether. Despite my feelings for the Cajun city, we did have a good time walking through the Historic French Quarter and Market Place. Conveniently, a storm rolled in right about lunch time so we ducked in to a quaint Authentic New Orleans-style restaurant. Granted, a plate of red beans and rice should never cost $11.50, but it was a dang good plate of red beans and rice. The southern fried chicken and baked macaroni that the girls had was to die for, and Eric's Po-boy was scrumptious! So, still not my favorite city, but this time left a much better taste in my mouth (literally) than my previous visit.

I still think the city is Gamorah.

So, as this 'story' has unfolded, you may have noticed the instances of overcast skies and/or rain. Yeah, that was Tropical Storm Claudette that pretty much hit exactly where were staying in Florida pretty much right after we left. We had no idea there was anything brewing in the gulf (need to watch the news once in a while). While we hesitate to call ourselves inspired, we do recognize the safety and protection that are afforded our little family and are very grateful for our complete dumb luck!

We left Nawlins on Monday afternoon. Why is it that the trip home is always soooo much longer and harder than the trip there? I know the answer, but it always amazes me. Not to mention the fact that for the trip home, we shaved off three hours by starting from New Orleans! Whatever. I swear we made fifteen stops within that five hour drive, each time telling all the bladders this really was the last stop we were making before we got home. The most upsetting was when everyone in the car was convinced that Christian had a loaded diaper. We pulled off and found a stop. Opened the diaper to find nothing but a false alarm. Little bugger. I'm sure he did that on purpose. One of the fun things was driving through or near many of the areas that I had served as a missionary for the Church. That brought back a lot of good memories.

One other thing that cracked me up was that we had the DVD player in the car, another portable one, a small DVD playing laptop, and almost every other electronic device known to man, (iPod touch, iPods, Gameboy DS's, etc...) with us to entertain for the long drive. But for hours, those four kids sat in that van and had competitions with this silly maze toy that we somehow got four of out of three kids meals at greasy Hardees!
I love it when the kids are "retro"!

We finally rolled into our driveway at 8:57 pm after a short, but very fun, successful, and much needed and deserved weekend vacation. (Laundry was started at 9:06 pm).

To paraphrase from one of our favorite children's books (by P.D. Eastman); "We love our house. We love our nest. In all the world, our nest is best!"

Some of my favorite lines from the trip:

Samy: "Mom, why did you turn around?"
Me: "Becuase the lady [GPS]told me to."
Samy: "WHAT! That lady is insane!"

Logan (upon entering the city of New Orleans at night): "I swear we are in Gotham."

After the first night in a hotel, Maren got up and made the bed that she had shared with Samy. Samy said, crying: "I wanted my maid to make my bed!"

My sincerest aplolgies to Life's Good

2009-07-05T21:26:00.005-05:00

We purchased our LG washer and dryer four years ago. For the last three and a half years, I have been cursing the existence of said LG dryer. It was taking three and sometimes four cycles to dry a normal sized load of laundry -- and it is the "giant capacity" dryer!

We've had it checked out. "No problem with it, ma'am." We had a guy come out and look at the vent. "Looks like it has clear air flow, ma'am."

So, I just assumed that it was a lemon and until it completely gave up the ghost, I would have to live with it running constantly. And I mean constantly.

The last straw was last week with the whole burning incident. (the last post) So, here's what has happened since then:

I called a guy out who services LG appliances. He looked all through the dryer and said there was nothing wrong. I need to have my dryer duct cleared out, he informed me. (Now remember, I said that we had a guy come out and check the vent. The robber cleaned the coil at the back of the machine, then went outside and looked at the exit, saw air flowing and decided that was all that was needed.) Essentially, I paid the repair guy 75 smackers to tell me I had a good dryer. "Please call us again, ma'am." Yeah, because it's money for nothing!

The next day, I had a dryer duct cleaning service come out. I wasn't home right when they got there, but had arranged for awesome neighbor to be at the house to receive them. As I rounded the corner to my street, I noticed the gutter running water that looked like there was something like dirty, dark wool running in it. All the way down the street! The yucky water was being pumped out of the duct leading from my dryer. I talked to Tom (from Supreme Air - whom I highly recommend in the Houston area!), and he told me that he has done this for nine years and has never seen as much discharge as has come from my duct. I said, "It was bad, wasn't it?" Tom said, looking very serious, "No, it was worse than bad. You are so lucky you have a great dryer, or your house would have been up in flames. Seriously, I have never seen it so bad. You are so lucky." (Mind you, I had spent the day before looking for a company to clean the vent and watched numerous online videos about the dangers and fires caused by clogged dryer vents and ducts, so I was sufficiently freaked out).

The repair guy made the same comment too, about being glad that I have such a high quality appliance. So, my tune has now changed from cursing LG, to praising them for a quality product. (My cursing is now focused on the home-builder - now out of business, hmmm... - for building a utility room in the center of the home and having the duct go up to the second floor to vent and not putting in a duct fan to avoid a problem/disaster like this was/could have been). Please forgive me, Life's Good...

As I contemplate this whole situation, I am simply grateful. I don't think our little family is more important than anyone else, but I do know that we are just as loved by our Heavenly Father as everyone else. I really feel the "hand of the Lord" in protecting us from, at the very least, loss of property, but also, the possible greater loss of life. I think about how for the last three years -- unless I was out of town (which wasn't often) -- that dryer was running around the clock, building up more and more of a hazard with each cycle. I simply know we were protected and I am so very grateful to know that our Father in Heaven is looking out for us.

Now, when Tom left after cleaning the duct, fixing the vent opening, and applying some sort of solution or something to help the lint move along through the duct, I said, "So, I should have this cleaned, what, every six months?" He said, "No. With everything I've done, you won't need us for three years." I said,"No way! And it's going to dry a load in one cycle?" He said, "Yes. And there is a two year warranty on the work we did today, so if in a couple months, if you don't feel it's working properly, we'll come back and clean it again for free. We'll come every week if you feel you need it." Okay!

So I dried a load of towels. In 45 minutes. Yeah!!!!! Tom and Supreme Air are my new heroes. I feel like I have a new lease on life! Literally. We dodged a big, fiery bullet. Thank Heaven. Literally.

Devistation

2009-07-01T06:23:00.000-05:00

This is the first word that comes to mind for me. (I'm being over-dramatic -- but only a little)

The dryer is not working. I came home yesterday and smelled burning. I searched the house and ended up in the laundry room. The grill at the back of the dryer is charred. The load of towels that had been drying smelled burned, although thankfully, there were no actual burn marks that I could find.

I am calling a repair man the moment they open. In the mean time, the seven laundry hampers are filling up. I'm paralyzed. What will I do with my life???? I hope it will be okay....in the meantime keep us in your thoughts.

I finally did it

2009-06-26T09:11:00.008-05:00

The final straw in my struggle with the local grocery store came when some sacker guy walks up (I was unloading onto the conveyor) and starts grabbing things out of my cart. I said "I'll take care of it. Thanks." I was taking things out and still working when I said it. He stood there for a moment and I looked up (this all was like seconds, but felt much longer) to see him glaring at me with a completely dirty look. He was mad that I didn't let him unload my cart! So, I gave him a huge 'kill you with kindness' smile to dismiss him and he walked away. Jerk. So then, as usual, the checker is sailing my items through the scanner and the sacker is throwing things into bags and tossing bags into the cart as fast as she can while her conveyor is rolling and things are getting pinned against the end of the counter. The cake that I was purchasing (it was for Father's Day - so what if our father was out of town for father's day, we can still celebrate!) got so smashed that the lid popped off and was broken and would not go back on. I said to cancel the cake, but they were insistent on getting a new one. She couldn't take it off my receipt because the transaction was complete. I said, never mind, I'll take it to Customer Service and return it. The sacker insisted on taking it back for me, which I think was all a bit odd (I think they knew they would get in trouble). So I followed her over there to get it taken off my receipt. (Never got that Father's Day cake. It's probably better for all of us...).

So, I follow the cake over to customer service and when the CUSTOMER SERVICE girl decides to look up and acknowledge me, she gives me cash back for the cake. Then I asked her if she would page a manager for me.

When Larry got there, I laid it all out for him about how this is my favorite store. I hate the other neighborhood store; I said, "I really don't like [store] Larry. I don't want to have to shop there, but if this doesn't get any better, I'll have to." I said, (and I love dropping this!), " I spend a LOT of money here (I shocked him with the amount). I don't think that you can change an employees personality, but there are certain common courtesies that should be required. I'm not looking for a friend in the cashier, but I would expect them to acknowledge my existence when they are checking out my groceries..."

I went on and on about the smashed food, the bags thrown in the cart, the obsession about being fast with the checkout and scanning my shoppers card before they can scan any groceries. I said that the last straw was today when the guy literally got mad at me because I said I could unload my cart myself.

The sad part was how downcast Larry looked as I told him all this because it was the millionth time he had heard it all.

I'm a bitter old lady, so I'm going to say it: What is it with youth these days??? Is it texting and the Internet and video games that have made them so that they can not function in a world with real live human beings that they need to interact with? It's bad.

So, Larry profusely apologized and assured me that they were working on it. And thanked me for my loyalty and asked me to keep in touch to let him know if anything was improving and if there were any more problems, etc...

I was kind of hoping that for my trouble he would comp my $200 shopping cart, but no. Maybe next time....

I adore this girl

2009-06-24T22:16:00.004-05:00

Sweet Maren turned 8 years old today. She is so excited to be baptized, and is counting down the days. We're excited too. This young lady is cream of the crop.

Happy Birthday beautiful Maren!

I love you, I love you, I love you forever.

Twilight Camp - Days Four and Five

2009-06-20T13:55:00.002-05:00

Funny, now that it's over, I'm having trouble thinking back two days. I've slept since then...

Sadly, I do remember the nasty lady who brought her kid late, stopped by headquarters to find out where to find his group so she could check him in. I told her where they were, pointed out and said they were just beyond various points, etc. So, as I'm telling her this, she turns and walks away. Her back is to me and she's walking away while I'm trying to tell her which direction to head.

Sure enough, a while later she comes back huffing and puffing with a nice sheen of sweat on her face, and tells the other people standing around that I told her to go to the wrong place, that was a different group. I said; "You went to the playground I pointed to with the giant yellow tarp covering it?" She waived her hand as if to dismiss me and rolled her eyes as she turned back to whoever else she was talking to. Like I was some stinkin' minimum wage fast food employee!Then the other people directed her to the playground with the giant yellow tarp covering it.

It was all I could do to keep myself from jumping across the table and smacking her, or at the very least making some snide, sarcastic remark that I am so good at. I kept my mouth shut and thought: Lady, you paid $60.00 for a full week of camp. This is cheap. We are volunteers. Get a grip.

That was the only bad part. Other than I think we may have broken one of the rented Slush machines. It made matters worse when the owner was there looking at it and a group of 4-year-old's rushed to it and started manhandling it.

There was one other discipline problem that I had to deal with because the dang Camp Director wasn't around again. This poor kid burst into tears when I started talking to him. I actually felt sorry for him. He was in trouble for kneeing another den member in the groin. But dang it, it was because of a "friend love triangle". Poor kid. I talked to him for a bit, then had him promise me he could be good and obedient for 45 more minutes, then camp would be over for a whole year. He went back to his group and, low and behold, all that child psychology junk actually did the trick. The den leader said that the boy was the best he'd been all week. He even went back and apologized to the groin kid and the den leader for his behavior. Ta-da!

I really enjoy doing the admin part of it because, although it is months of work, many late nights, and dealing with some obnoxious parents, it gives me the opportunity to meet, and work with some really great people in the community that I probably wouldn't get the chance to otherwise. I also like the fact that I can roam around from time to time and visit the various sessions where each of my kids are so that I can see all of them doing their thing.

All in all, it was a huge success. The best, and oddly saddest, part of it all is that this is my last year. Logan will have moved on to Boy Scouts and be a Scout Camp next summer with Geoff and Eric. Christian will go in six years. So, I guess it's not my last year ever, I'm just going on hiatus. Now what am I going to do from March through June every year? Maybe Christian can get some curtains in his room that aren't pink with flowers on them...

Here's some pictures:

One day in Science session, they made rockets. Yesterday, a "licenced member of the local chapter of the Rocket Club" (who knew there was one!) came to help them launch their rockets. Here is Logan preparing for launch.

Pretty close to the bulls-eye. Archery has been Logan's favorite for all four years at Cub Twilight Camp. He said he wants to come back next year just for the archery. I told him I'd rather just find somewhere I can pay for him to do archery.

Maren playing badminton (she's in the pink bandanna that they made)

Maren's group also did "Dr. Seuss Who-Hair" one day.

Samy coloring the world in her group. (Camp theme this year was Space -- totally rocked that we are in NASA land and the camp director works there!)

Twilight Camp - Days Two and Three

2009-06-18T12:21:00.000-05:00

The great news is that it is running very smoothly and there are no terrible problems that have popped up.

There's been a couple scraped knees and nose bleeds. A few cases of heat exhaustion. But nothing big.

On Tuesday, a den leader brought a kid up to "headquarters" to see the Camp Director. He wasn't there. So, I guess being the camp registrar makes me, like, Speaker of the House, only not a complete low-life like Nancy. As I talked to the kid, there were basically two conversations going on. One was in my head telling him that he'd better shape up and just mind his manners and who does he think he is that he can just haul off and hit another kid..... The one coming out of my mouth , however, was much more politically correct and nice and just like a role play out of the Youth Protection Training class. It was so not like me. I guess the kid figured that his options were either to hang out with me, or be nice and go back with his group. He chose the latter. Good choice. The next day, however, he was back at "headquarters" with basically the same problem. Now he can't come back to camp unless a parent is with him and he has to switch groups. Oh, and his parents have to promise to remember to give him his medicine. I'll stop right there...

Did I mention that it is hot? I mean record breaking hot. Yeah, it is.

One week a year. One week a year. One week a year. Everyone together now: One week a year...

Twilight Camp - Day One

2009-06-15T22:00:00.004-05:00

The first day of camp was a complete success! I drank four bottles of water, sweated like a man in a steam room, and only ate half of Samy's Lunchables Jr. Four people made comment that I had lost "a lot" of weight and look great, and one person who used to be in my ward said she didn't even recognize me because I had lost so much! Woo-hoo! That is a great day at camp. Oh, and the scouts had a good time too....

Actually, Samy is a camper like her mom. My motto is: Anything less than a three star hotel IS camping. So after four hours, she asked if I could call Geoff to pick her up because she was "hot and sticky". (That's my girl!) Then, Geoff told me later, that on the way home, she said that she was glad she was in Dad's stinky car because she was sweaty. (Totally my girl!!!)

Funny/sad story: This man and his son signed up last night (registration closed weeks ago), and we let them in. I reworked a couple dens to accommodate and re-printed a bunch of paper work for it. So then, I found out later today that the man never showed up today. So, I'm reporting this to the camp director and cursing the man's name a little bit, when the camp director says to me: "Um, I'm pretty sure that's the guy who called and said he couldn't make it because he got in an accident on the way to camp." Oops! Then I repented for being mean.

So, tomorrow is day two. It's hot. It's humid. It's buggy, and I'm sitting on a very uncomfortable park table/bench dripping sweat. But I enjoy it. And I really enjoy the fact that after this year, I will be done with Cub Scouts (hopefully) until Christian turns 8 in 2015. Yippeee!

Brilliance

2009-06-10T12:40:00.015-05:00

Every few months or so, we need a new routine to shake things up and get people motivated and out of a rut. The beginning of summer is definitely one of those times. Last week, I instituted a new program. For certain tasks, when completed nicely, the children can earn a poker chip (no cash value :). During the hours of 12 - 2 pm, and 8 - 10 pm, these chips can be exchanged for electronics time. (One chip is equal to 30 minutes of electronic time). Jobs include the following: Vacuum (up or down stairs), sweep the kitchen floor, two math worksheets, wipe all door knobs with Clorox wipes (one of the best inventions in the world!), organize the playroom, dust upstairs or downstairs, etc. The list goes on and on. I can't take credit for the great idea. As with most great parenting ideas I get, it comes from Kelly. (Kelly rocks!)

So the best part of all is that the designated electronic times are during Christian's afternoon nap, and when he goes to bed. So, there are hours of the day when I am virtually child free! Yippee!

In the morning, they have their regular chores like making their bed and things like that, that they don't get a chip for, but have to do just because they are humans, and part of the family. But then when those are done, I've got people asking for jobs left and right, so that they can have chips to cash in later. It's awesome!

I know it's the first week of summer and there are over eleven more to go, and it will not be as exciting come August. But for now: I've got Eric asking for Algebra in June! Bwahhhaaahaaa! That is brilliant!!!

Following are pictures from end of school awards and Maren's piano and ballet recitals.

Logan raked in the awards and recognition. He deserved it. This year, he sucked it up and was stuck doing homework more than a few times when the other kids were having fun. He's a champ!

Logan and his best buddies. Because of the magnet program they are in; these guys have been together since first grade. Next year, fifth, will be their last before they all go to different Junior High Schools.

Maren got just about every award there was in second grade, including art contest awards (1st for Rodeo art, and 1st for Christmas Card art - she got that talent from the milk man...), and Second Grade Citizen of the Year!

After her fabulous piano recital performance!

Backstage at the Ballet recital. These girls were wonderful! I had to be the backstage mom, so I could only watch from the curtains, but it was really great!

We learned our first year in ballet that flowers must be given after any recital. They just must.

One other little ditty was added to the family on the first of June. After 10 years of (mostly) reliable service, the "Mini" was put to rest at the local Honda dealership (with the best deal and who didn't treat me like a stupid woman), and a new one was born. We're happily settling in for another great ten years...

I tried real hard to be cool and get into a Pilot or something like that, but the posse just doesn't fit in one. And, truth be told, those other cars just don't have the cargo room for all the groceries that need to be bought - constantly!

Connie called

2009-05-29T20:34:00.010-05:00

I've been feeling a bit bad about completely neglecting the blog. I'm sure you are all okay without reading all my fodder, but it is a great way for me to journal, (and I do enjoy comments and keeping in touch with folks). So, Connie called the other day. I wasn't home and just got her message. (Connie, sorry, I haven't had a chance to call back, so I'm checking in this way until I find a time where I can have a lengthy conversation.) When I haven't blogged in a while, Connie calls to check in and make sure I'm still breathing.

I'm breathing, Connie.

So, the good news is that I have NOT been hurt or sick, or neglecting the kids (only the blog). I am in the throws of Twilight Camp. It will be my last year (for about 6 until Christian starts) because Logan will be at BOY Scout camp next summer. I have enjoyed it greatly, being the District Camp Registrar, and there really only is a couple months where it is hectic and all consuming. I enjoy the all consuming. It would only be a little better if it weren't at the same time as every imaginable end-of-school-year event/activity known to man. It's okay. I work better under pressure - and generally, I eat less/healthier during these times (obviously, I could use more of these kinds of times ...)

I haven't even had the opportunity to read the blogs I love. Sorry for neglecting you too, bloggers. Tonight, I had some time and sat down and scrolled through over 200 posts I've missed. I mostly looked at the great pictures, so don't be surprised if I am shocked at any information that you posted and I didn't read thoroughly.

There are four days left of school for the older three. Samy's last day of pre-school was today. She had a great program and good party and is geared up to go to Kindergarten in September. In the meantime, we have had the talent show (Logan and Maren), the band concert (Eric), Field Days (L & M), awards ceremony (Eric - L & M's are next week), finished gymnastics for the summer, and done projects, projects, and more projects - with a diorama thrown in here or there, among other things.

Upcoming is the ballet and piano recitals (Maren) and a few other odds and ends and class parties to finish up the year.

It used to be that when the kids were all a few years younger, I didn't really care for the summer months. It was longer days that I had to fill with entertainment and it seemed like I was constantly making a meal for people. I couldn't [still can't] stand daylight savings time where I had my kids in bed at 7/7:30 at night and hoped and prayed that they couldn't hear the neighbor kids gleefully playing outside until 9 pm when it's finally dusk and could ignore the middle-of-the-day sun shinning through their closed bedroom blinds.

Nowadays, I am SO looking forward to summer. I have packed in camps and activities and such, but it is all so much less structured and actually has turned out to be quite nice. (Yes, Kelly, I used the words "unstructured and like" in a positive way in regards to me). The days are still long, and I still feel like I am making one meal after another (Eric and Logan are killing me with the "teen-age" boy appetites), but I've mellowed out nicely over the past decade or so and it's not as overwhelming anymore.

Some pictures of the latest happenings:

Maren's President Zachary Taylor project. She did a great job and looked pretty good as "Old Rough and Ready"! He's our 3-Great Grand Uncle.

Mother's Day nap

School Talent Show! Maren danced to "A Whole New World"

Wanna be Imelda Marcos.

One step/rank(?) away from Eagle. (But I'm not sure. I'm not really versed in BOY Scouts yet. I only know CUB scouts. I'll get on it.

Never too early for child labor.

Pre-K graduation/program

Primary Missionary Activity (Logan "went" to San Pablo Philippines)

We are very much looking forward to Summer Lovin'!

2009-04-27T14:44:00.004-05:00

Today we were navigating a new Target looking for Band aids. Samy said: "I think I found it down this way, mom." I said get a box and show it to me.

She brought this:

I guess they are a sort of band aid.... Not the right kind though. And hopefully you won't need those ones for quite a few years, Samy.

Such a good little helper!

Paybacks

2009-04-10T16:57:00.004-05:00

Other friends who's husbands travel (even infrequently) for work and I have joked about how the kids never seem to get sick when the dad is in town. Geoff has changed jobs this past year, but for the seven years prior, he traveled, almost constantly, during the week. And truly, it did seem like the kids never got sick while he was home.

My favorite of all was the time when (there were only three kids at the time), one of the boys had thrown up at the side of his bed, then again outside my bedroom door where he came to tell me that he had thrown up beside his bed. I took care of the boy and cleaned up the bedroom floor. Then the baby woke up, so I took care of the baby and got her back to sleep. Then I tackled the floor outside my bedroom. This is all happened right around midnight. I had just gotten everyone settled, put the last towel in and started the washing machine, and climbed back in bed. Right at that moment (literally, perfect timing!), Geoff walks in the door home from his trip. No one was sick again that night or the next day. For all he knew, it could have been all a bad dream I had. It kind of was.

So, this past week I have been laid up with strep throat. (I've never had that before. It kicks butt!) At 11 0'clock last night, Logan knocks on our door to tell us that Eric was throwing up. Geoff didn't hear, so I nudged him and relayed the message. He sprang up and went into action! He ran up to Eric's room while I was downstairs getting cleaning supplies and such together. I kept hearing this loud gagging sound. Geoff came down and I asked if Eric was still at it or if it was him making all the noise. It was Geoff. I asked if he wanted me to go clean it (I am better with stuff coming out the top, he's better at taking care of what comes out of the bottom!), and he said no because I'm sick, so he'd do it. (What a pal!) So, he got a towel, folded it twice and sprayed it with cologne, and still had to keep running downstairs for fresh air. It must have been bad - I never ventured up - but my big, strong husband has a pretty weak constitution when it comes to that.

So around midnight, Eric was on a couch, asleep and well, and the washer was going. Geoff and I lay in bed for about a half hour giggling about his cologne towel and weak stomach and reminiscing about our childhood sicknesses, like the time I'm pretty sure I was shaking my head violently while throwing up. Sorry mom. Now I know. Now I know...

And now Geoff knows what it's like to do middle of the night vomit duty all by one's self. (although I did help quite a bit even being sick myself - I just can't stay in bed at a time like that!) Now my question is: Are you still glad you changed jobs so as to be home with the family every night, Geoff? (Although he did miss out on the 2:30 - 3 am date with Christian that I had!)

We're thinking that Eric having to clean his "mess" up himself will help him to get to the toilet better -- or even to the big giant throw up bowl that was sitting next to his bed...

Thieving Thieves

2009-03-27T06:28:00.000-05:00

So, I never got around to writing a letter to the grocery store. Maybe I'm all bark and no bite. I really should write a letter. I fully intend to, but I wanted to give them some time, being a new store and all. I'm nice (read: lazy) that way! Some day I'll do it. Really, I'll get to it.

Today, we (Christian, Samantha and I) were at said store and finished up our shopping. Christian got to ride in the cool cart that has a little sports car attached to the front of it. When we got to the car and I loaded all the groceries in, I put Christian into his car seat and noticed the king sized 3 Musketeers bar in his hands. (That race car is right at the level of the candy, so I guess he just thought he was having drive through.). Then all these thoughts go through my head as I'm seriously considering stealing candy from my baby: "I am not hauling everyone back into the store for a dumb candy bar." "Serves them right for charging 13 cents more than dumb Wal-mart for a box of Rice-a-Roni!" "I'm totally having me a 3 Musketeers bar!" "They deserve this anyway for how they rip you off price wise.", etc...

I get in the car and Samy says; "Did you buy that candy for Christian?"
me: "No. He stole it."
Samy: "Let me tell you about the story of the little boy who stole the lollipop from the store..."

Dang! Blast you, Sunday School teacher! You just cost me a candy bar!

So we run back in and hand over the goods. The cashier looks at me like I'm crazy for returning a dumb candy bar (I know!), and we get back into the car.

Samy was very pleased. Christian's attention span moved on to something else. I want a 3 Musketeer.

It is upon us

2009-03-26T08:05:00.002-05:00

Birthday season was kicked off this past Saturday with Samy turning the ripe old age of 5!

I love this little shadow of mine.

(She specifically requested the "chocolate cake with chocolate frosting with a hole in the middle". I love a lady who knows what she wants -- especially when it involves chocolate!)

Happy, happy birthday, Samantha!

Spring has been Breaked!

2009-03-25T13:26:00.007-05:00

For spring break, we first took care of our spring cleaning on Monday, then spent the rest of the week playing way too many video games and doing things close to home.

Our most fun adventure of the week was going to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This is the biggest rodeo in the world. It is huge. It happens every year and lasts a month.

We have lived in Houston for 14 years and have never been to the rodeo. I have now repented.

I have to say, my excuse is as follows:

When we first moved to Houston, we lived right down the street from the famous Astrodome. This is the complex that is transformed into cowboy heaven for a month each year. Our first year here, we walked out of our apartment and down the street to go check it out. Upon entering the gates, there was a crush of people you could barely move at a snails pace to get to anything or anywhere. There was felt hats, giant belt buckles and boots everywhere you turned. It was awful. We turned around and went home, never to return, we decided. It just wasn't our thing.

Everyone I know, raves about the rodeo. I hate crowds and the memory of our first visit kept me away these 14 years.

So this year, wanting some spring break fun, I "cowboyed up" and loaded the minivan and headed out. What a great time we had! We are totally making this a yearly event for our family!

I have to say, that we are total "city folk" though. We're not much for animals. The kids pretty much think we don't have a dog (or a cat, or any pet) because I have allergies. I do have allergies. Seasonal. Due to the weather. But all they need to know is that I have allergies. Needless to say, we are not very well versed in the life of animals. For instance, we were walking through the livestock "area" and as soon as we walked in the building, Samy immediately put her hand to her nose and said: "WHAT is that SMELL?!?" Um, poop. So then we walked down an aisle with cattle on either side. It was a somewhat narrow aisle. A girl pulled her cow(?)/bull(?) out in front to go have it judged, and was walking down the aisle in front of us. The animal dumped four big cow patties right in our walk way and stopped Maren in her tracks. "WHAT is THAT?!?", she asked. Um, poop.

So, yeah, we're not really animal people. But regardless, had a wonderful time and look forward to doing it year after year.

The End.

I didn't think ahead

2009-03-05T15:20:00.002-06:00

When I decided to have a million children, I didn't think about activities. It's not the gas or the expense (although it is expensive!) or anything like that. It's the scheduling.

All I have to say is that I now realize why my siblings and I didn't have music lessons or play organized sports. I'm positive it's not that my parents didn't want us to play instruments or be on teams and such, it's that it was logistically impossible! (Aside from the fact that in the good old days, a child could/did actually go outside and play with the neighborhood kids after school and come home when the streetlights came on. I hate perverts and video games that have now made that impossible!!!) They just plain couldn't get up to ten children to varying activities every day of the week.

In our house, when a child turns five, they can start a sport/activity. Ideally they will, at some point shortly after that, begin music lessons as well. But at five, they get to do an activity. Samy's birthday is in 16 days - not that she's counting. She will be five years old. The magic number. She has gone to baseball practice and games, ballet classes, football games, dance recitals. She has sat through piano lessons, oboe practice, and track meets. It is now her turn and boy, if she isn't letting me know!

I have gently tried to cajole her into taking ballet classes like big sister. I have offered tap class, even hip hop class (which I think is skanky dancing), so that she could be at the same studio as Maren. She wants nothing to do with it. Samantha will be a gymnast and nothing else. "Maren can teach me ballet at home", she says, "I want to do 'nastics'!"

Of coarse the gymnastics place is across town. So, as I sit here with all the schedules in front of me, I am really having a difficult time finding a spot to fit in gymnastics. It shouldn't be this difficult. Eric has a sport and oboe. Maren has ballet and piano. Logan only has a sport - no instrument has been desired as of yet. But it is that difficult because I didn't think, years ago when beginning to have the million children, that when they turn 8 they also start Cub Scouts and Achievement Days (the Church equivalent to Cubs for girls). At 12 yrs, Cub Scouts turns to BOY Scouts/Mutual (weekly Church youth meeting), which goes on a bit longer and adds many other Saturday activities and Sunday evening "firesides".

Holy crap, what have I done?! And there is still one more child to add to the schedule. That baby will be five in only three and a half more years! What have I done!?!

***deep breath***

Here is the logistic problem: I can fit gymnastics in on Wednesdays at 5 pm. With that, we will have to pick Maren up from piano and race across town. BUT! Starting in the fall, Maren will be in Achievement Days on Tuesdays, which means her dance class will have to not be on Tuesdays anymore. I'm trying to not have activities on Mondays because we have to move Family Home Evening there instead of Sundays because of all the new firesides and devotionals that come with being 12 (Eric). Saturday is full of ballet and baseball already - along with the (all too) occasional camp out, band competition, recital and/or youth service project. Thursday there is always a random school meeting/talent show/family fun night, etc., and Friday is all baseball. So, so far, Wednesday is okay for gymnastics, but will have to fit in ballet or something else in the near future. On top of all this, I have to keep in mind that in the fall also, Logan (and probably Maren) will begin their UIL training again, which will keep them after school (30 minute drive each way) a good hour a couple/three days a week through January. I can't even go on.

Now I'm tired. I've gotten myself confused. I need to work up a spread-sheet and look it all over.

So, as I'm going through all this (and I don't mean to sound complain-y, I'm more shocked and overwhelmed than complaining). I'm really mostly wondering how a family is supposed to eat dinner at home, let alone together! The funniest part is that I know many families who have fewer children and way more activities. What do people do? We are always kind of the family who doesn't really do much. I thought so at least. What do you cut out? Church activities? Exercise/team building activities? Developing talent activities? Academic activities? I'm going to need a whole new budget for eating dinner in the car. Then for sure we can't cut out the exercise activities!

Whatever. I'll make it work. The best part of all is that all the scheduling/driving/hectic-ness all ends right. about. 7 pm. Just in time for the dad to come home from work. Why does that crack me up?

He gets the night shift - that's all I have to say about that.

(P.S.: I really miss my camera. And now I'm having trouble downloading clip art here. So sorry for the "unillistrated" posts. Hopefully there will be a new camera in the next 16 days...)

I don't know why

2009-03-04T20:21:00.003-06:00

Man, I just haven't had it in me to blog lately. It's been a mix around here of somewhat busy to downright bored and lazy. But even bored and lazy, there is still cleaning and laundry and the like to be done so it's not like I'm laying around reading books. (Oh wouldn't that be so great....)

I'm just going to blame part of the blogging funk on the fact that we can't find the camera. About a year ago, I thought I was cool, so I bought a small camera just for me that I kept in my purse and had at the ready for whatever I came across. It was great to have. But it died. First of all, I wasn't savvy and bought one that used regular AA batteries instead of a rechargeable one (whatever they're called), so it ate batteries like nothing else -- even rechargeables. Then, like I said, it just died. Don't know what happened. No. I didn't keep the receipt. We will not speak of this again...

So, now the "family" camera is lost. It wasn't me. It was someone else. Could have been that baby. But it's gone.

So, I want to report about Logan's awesome trip to the County Spelling Bee. I'd love to post a picture of the very cute/cool bobble-head bee trophy that he earned. (Just picture it all in your head.) He really did great. (I also must thank Emily tremendously, for taking care of Samy and Christian - even with a snotty nose (Christian, not Emily) - and allowing me to go and just be there to support Logan). He got out in the fourth round, on the word azalea (spell check corrected this). I can't even spell it. The other three words he spelled were iffy for me even. But I was so proud of him. Overall, there were just over 40 contestants, and he finished in the top 20 (which was made up, incidentally, of primarily 6th and 7th graders - Logan is in 4th grade!)

We were also treated recently by a visit from my brother Lance and his daughter, Victoria. We had such a good time! Lance treated us royally and took us to every steak restaurant in the greater Houston area. He was on a beef mission. Geoff was sitting in a church meeting Saturday night and texted me: "beef headache". Thanks for a great weekend, Lance and Vic!

So see, there's lots going on. I just haven't been in the mood. Know what I mean? I'm just going to blame it on the missing camera. We've got to find it. Birthday season is beginning in just 17 days (not that Samy is counting!). Maybe Samy needs a new camera - that will remain in my custody - for her birthday. Hmmmm....

I'm wondering:

2009-02-20T13:45:00.002-06:00

Why is it okay for Eric Holder, the black Attorney General serving under the black President of the United States of America, to say that America is a racist "nation of cowards", but some poor schmuck from the New York Post can't draw a cartoon of the police shooting a chimp (like what just actually happened in Connecticut!) and make fun of the ridiculous stimulus bill?

Just wondering.

More of what happened to January

2009-02-04T19:58:00.003-06:00

Geoff reminded me that I had forgotten to mention the Spelling Bee. Sheesh!

During Logan's whirlwind winning streak at everything he touched in January, he was in the district Spelling Bee. He got out on the word warrant. He spelled it with one r. He said that as the judge was saying "incorrect" he thought to himself: "Oops, two 'r's'." (that was a lot of punctuation there!)

BUT, (everyone I know has a big but - sorry, I had to sneak PeeWee's Big Adventure in there), because he was the "last man standing" from his school, he gets to represent his Elementary at the County Spelling Bee at the end of February. Logan is a rock star!

I will note that there are no pictures of this event because Christian was more naughty than ever (only because we were in an auditorium and it was supposed to be quiet, and he's one-and-a-half). Samy was with me too. She was great. She sat all by herself as I came in and out with noisy-boy. Finally, I put them both in the women's restroom and said, through gritted teeth; "don't leave this room!", so that I could go back in the auditorium and retrieve all of our belongings. It was either the restroom or hand him over to a stranger ("can you hold this for me for a minute?"). There were no strangers around.....

Editors note: Yes, I'm fully aware of the dangers of leaving small children alone in a public restroom. It was for less than one minute and the restroom was empty and there was no one in the auditorium entry/foyer/whatever it's called. No, I don't do this often...

The end.

What the heck happened to January?

2009-02-04T11:56:00.025-06:00

I blinked and now it's February. I have had so much homework and stuff this month, it totally took over my life. But I am happy to report that I did a great job on my "Dentist" project for Pre-K.

I rocked and got a HUNDRED on my 4th grade Science Fair project! I didn't place or anything, but I don't really care all that much. I was mostly in it for the grade.

Maren - all on her own, I take no credit for any part of it whatsoever! - placed 1st in the Rodeo Art competition at school. She didn't get any artistic talent from her mom or dad, so it must have come from the UPS guy. She did a great job!

Logan really was the man of the month, though. Since November, he has been practicing after school for an academic competition (UIL) our district has each year. Logan entered two events and PLACED in EACH! He really did a great job. In Music Memory, he placed 5th (out of 10 with 53 competitors) and in Number Sense, he placed 10th -- you have to understand, even Logan didn't think he'd do well in Number Sense. There were about 40 competitors in that category.

Anyway, that meant I spent most of December and all of January driving (30 minutes each way) to pick Logan up at school 3-4 times a week. (So glad gas prices have dropped so nicely!)

Then, Logan went on to take FIRST place in our Cub Scout Pack's annual Pinewood Derby! You have to understand how big this is for us. Usually we are the family that has wheels flying off, or the car not making it to the end of the track or something. FIRST place is huge! Wooo-hoo Logan!

So I guess that answers my question. January was spent in my car mostly. Aside from that, I was tracking down this thing a lot...

(between the wall and my headboard)

Or trying to keep him out of the grapes...

(He's totally asking for diaper rash.)

Helllllooooo, February!

I'm going to have to write a letter

2009-01-07T12:40:00.005-06:00

This has gone on too long.

My favorite local grocery store just opened up new two minutes from my house. I am loyal. So loyal, that before the new one opened, I would drive 20 or 30 minutes depending on traffic, to go to the old store and in the process, pass by three other grocery stores. LOYAL. Not only am I loyal, but I spend a LOT of money at my favorite grocery store.

So, the new one opened. It is big. It is beautiful. It has everything my heart (and belly) desire and all in a user-friendly set up throughout the store. The only problem is the grocery sackers. They just need to learn to keep their comments to themselves and their mouths shut.

Just before Christmas, Geoff and I did a "big" shop. Granted, it was for Christmas and Christmas Eve meals, company was coming, and there may have been some items put in the cart to help Santa with the stockings. So, we had two carts loaded. (I remember growing up, this was a normal Saturday shopping trip with my parents - I wonder if my mom got the same hassle?)

As we are checking out, the sackers (there were three of them to help with our 'load') are literally complaining out loud about how much food we were buying! "I should go to your house.", one said. "You all must be rich.", another said. They were huffing and sighing and all annoyed that we were making them do their job. Then as we paid, one of them had the nerve to watch and say to the other: "Man, they paid cash! They must be rich." It was a record bill for us, but still, keep your mouth shut. So, as we pulled our now three (I don't know how it multiplied) shopping carts out of the store (why did none of the three sackers offer to help?) we said, "we're not rich because we spend all our money on groceries." I wonder if they watched to confirm the non-rich status as we piled three shopping carts into a Toyota Corolla (we should have brought the van.....).

The other day, I went in just for the necessities. I got four gallons of milk, some bread and a few other things. As the guy/boy is bagging it, he says: "That sure is a lot of milk!" I rolled my eyes. "Let me guess," he says, "a couple kids at home?" I gave him a snotty smile and said "a few kids."

IT'S NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS!!!!

Another thing I'm annoyed with is that the checkers are apparently having some sort of contest about their IPM's. IPM's, I've learned means Items Per Minute (scanned). So, they won't start scanning until I've loaded my entire cart onto the conveyor belt. So, she stands there waiting and finally the belt is full and I have my produce still to load. She says, "You can hand that to me and then I'll start." I said, "Or you can start so that I can put them on the belt." And she puts her hands out, so I hand her all my produce and not until the final item is on the belt, does she start scanning them.

Okay, fine. Have your incentive contests, this is alright. I understand. However, the problem with this is that now the checker is so quickly scanning my groceries through that the sacker is literally throwing stuff into bags and tossing the bags into the cart in order to keep up with her. So, bread is under milk, cereal bags are under canned goods. It is a mess.

My point is: I spend so much money at that store and am so loyal, that I think I deserve a little better customer service!

So, yes, I am going to write a strongly-worded letter. Except now that I blogged it out, chances are that I will be too lazy to hash it out again. So I will continue to get my bread smashed and hassled about how much milk I buy.

Ho hum.

Big Brag

2008-12-22T16:22:00.002-06:00

I am so proud of this kid, I just have to write it down.

A few days ago, Eric asked if he could go with a group of friends to the theater and watch Yes Man. I said I would look at the review on Common Sense Media and get back to him. The review was not good. Language, sexual humor and partial nudity. I suspected as much when I saw that Jim Carey was the star of the film. So I looked at the theater website and saw that The Day the Earth Stood Still was playing about the same time (a little violence, no language, no sensuality) and told him to ask if his friends would go see that instead.

His good group of friends agreed that they would change the feature so that Eric could go. So the plan was to walk home with his friend after school and this friend would take them all to the theater. I told Eric that the trick as youth was to tell their mom that they are going to see one movie, but then get to the theater and go see the one they weren't supposed to. But the problem was that the mom always finds out and then the kid can't be trusted anymore and won't be able to do things like this again. That morning as he left for school, I said to call me if there were any problems or anything and I would come and get him.

That afternoon (it was an early-release day at school) he called and asked me to pick him up at the theater. He said that the theater marquee didn't show the time that Earth Stood Still was playing like it did on the Internet, so all the kids just decided to see Yes Man instead. They told him to come with them, but he said that he couldn't see that movie and called me. When I drove to the theater, he was standing alone against the wall and it just struck me that even though his group of friends were generally good kids, he still his the only LDS kid in the group so sometimes he will have to stand alone. He was fine, not mad or visibly upset or anything, but I knew it bothered him.

I told him how proud of him that I was and that not only did he make me proud, but his Heavenly Father as well. I said I would take him to Sonic for a giant Dr. Pepper because I knew this sucked! When we got to Sonic, he asked if he could get tots too because he didn't get much lunch. I told him I would buy him anything he wanted, I was so proud of his decision! (He got a bacon cheeseburger with Sonic sized cheese tots and a Route 44 dr pepper! - way to take advantage of the situation, son...). I could barely drive, my eyes were wet with tears. I tried to tell him all the wisdom about how his decisions now, regardless of how difficult they might be, are setting the foundation for his life and setting an example for his friends and siblings, etc, etc... I could barely get it out. I just let him eat.

The best part of all is that the next day, he found out that all his friends were kicked out of the movie because someone complained about a rowdy group of kids. It was actually the group behind them, but the manager didn't know the difference and kicked them out just the same.

So, not only would he have disobeyed, filled his head with things he shouldn't be seeing, and then lost his money to top it off.

That there is a great young man, if I do say so myself!

P.S. On the way home from the theater, I asked if he called me because he a) didn't want to do something he shouldn't be doing, or b) he was afraid of his mom.

He answered B.

Hey, whatever works!

Twelve Days of Christmas

2008-12-20T14:46:00.003-06:00

Here's a little ditty some friends and I did at the ward talent show last night.

(Warning - it's a little over five minutes long - just FYI.)

Some explanations in case you need it.

1. There is a candy line after church each Sunday. There are over 100 children in our primary. This was the Bishop's wife.

2. Absent Hometeachers

3. Greetings and Salutations - One bishop counselor welcomes us this way EVERY time he conducts a meeting.

4. Please be reverent - with 100+ kids, 50 nursery kids, and 30+ babies, it's not a quiet meeting.

5 Nurseries -not exaggerating at all

6. Weeks of dinners -the relief society tries to have meals made for families when a baby is born. Six weeks of meals - incredible.

7. Emergency preparedness - we're big on this, living on the gulf coast.

8. Enrichment evites - the women's organization in our church has gone a bit overboard with the get-togethers

9. Million meetings - self explanatory

10. Ward-Split rumors - We're busting the seams of the building.

11. Sleepy residents - there are an extra lot of doctors, interns, residents, and students in our ward - hence the babies

12. Pregnant bellies - lots of families starting out.

Little things here and there

2008-12-16T14:13:00.008-06:00

My favorite line from one of the kids on Sunday.

I will not name the child, in order to protect their identity and spare said child humiliation. But you need to keep in mind that this conversation was on SUNDAY:

Child: Is there a clean clothes basket in your room for me?
Me: No. What are you looking for?
Child: Underwear.
Me: Are you telling me you don't have one single pair of underwear in your drawers?
Child: Only ones that I don't like. But if figured when I put these on Thursday, that there would be more clean ones by today.
Me: Oh hell no. (Yes, it was Sunday morning before church. I have since repented.) You did not tell me that you have been wearing the same underwear since Thursday....

Then child walked away as I told them that they would in fact wear a pair from their drawer whether they liked it or not because at least they were clean and hadn't been worn for three days straight.

Do you see what I'm dealing with here?!

Can you guess who it is? Probably not your first guess.

Here's another one:

Every so often Maren will get into the car with me and say:

"I don't know why, but I really want to drive the car. And I already know so much, I know I could do it! I know how to turn the volume up and where to put the CD's..."

Maybe she just needs a boom box in her bed room.

For the record, she also knows what the "tickers" (turn signals - we called them 'blinkers' growing up!) are for and how to use them.

And one more thing...

Fourteen years ago today at 2 o'clock pacific time, Geoff and I were married for eternity in the Los Angeles Temple. How can 14 years seem to speed by so quickly, yet it feel like he and I have been together forever? It's a weird phenomenon.

This guy drives me completely bonkers and at times makes me so mad I could spit, but I adore him more than I did even at 2 o'clock fourteen years ago this day. He always says that he is grateful that I put up with him, but secretly (if you're reading this Geoff, I said secretly, so you have to fake like you never saw this...) I really have it dang good. Great actually!

Funny story about how he and I met:

Lauren and I were mission companions in Texas. She was set to go back to her home in Virginia a year before me. So, on P-day's,(she would only talk about "non-mission" stuff on our day off.), she would tell me about this Geoff guy who was the only eligible bachelor in her small Virginia town and she was going to marry him. I said; "Enjoy that last name for eternity!"

Lauren went home, Geoff was away for the summer. Lauren met and fell in love with Geoff's best friend and room mate, Mike. After I completed my mission service, I went to Lauren and Mike's wedding where I was the maid of honor and Geoff was the best man. It was a complete set up and worked like a charm. Nice match-making skillz, Lauren!

Now I am "enjoying" this last name for eternity. And loving every minute of it!

I love you Geoffrey. To a million more 14 years...

Halloween 2007

Driving to San Antonio - 2005

Hey Global Warming....

2008-12-10T20:25:00.006-06:00

... in your face!

That's snow.

In Houston.

The kids had such a great time.

Christian, not so much.

But that's okay, because by Friday it will be back to 75+ degrees. It was great while it lasted.

Thanks, Al Gore!

Our house... in the middle of our street...

2008-12-09T13:29:00.004-06:00

This was our house last Wednesday:

And this is our house today!:

Ahhh.... It feels so homey - especially with all the Christmas up!

I love it. And I love that we paid Pedro to do it so that we didn't have to go to marriage counseling and/or divorce court at the end of it. We've been waiting/saving for this for four years. I feel so grown up!

A little shout out

2008-11-29T20:52:00.007-06:00

(Me and Pops on the porch after church - 1976)

Can you do a shout out for someone who's passed away? I don't know. Anyway, I felt like I wanted to do a little tribute about my dad.

Thanksgiving day was my dad's birthday. He would have been 88 years old. When I was born, Pops (my name for him) was 52 years old. I never knew him with other than gray hair, and definitely never with a full head of hair (although, I'm not sure many of us kids did -- he lost his hair pretty early!) He was a great, hard working, middle class American dad. He worked his fingers to the bone to support his wife that he adored and his ten children in Los Angeles, California. (I mention that because I know now that there were other places where the cost of living would have been easier to manage.)

Pops was in the US Navy. He served on a carrier ship. He had told me that he was stationed in Hawaii for a time, and I guess I assumed he was there during Pearl Harbor. Don't know why I never asked for more detail, but it wasn't until his eulogy was read that I learned he joined the Navy after December 7, 1941. He was still a hero in my book.

Some of my favorite things about Pops: Teaching me to drive. I learned in his Pea Green colored Dodge Dart (not sure of the year). Pops would only own an American made car (I'm pretty sure, Dodge was his brand of choice.) First he taught me to drive in the church parking lot, and one day I guess I was good enough, so he let me out the back of the lot onto the residential streets behind the church. We quickly went back to the parking lot when I couldn't stay on the right side of the road. Maybe I thought I was British. Anyway, when I was finally able to stay in the lines and get on the street, he taught me to glance at the cross walk signs to gauge when the light was going to turn yellow or red so as to not have to slam on the brakes. I still look at those signs today and think of him when I do.

Once in a while on a Sunday afternoon, Pops would come home from his meetings at church and holler "Who wants a frosty?" We'd all come running and pile into the car and he'd take us to get an ice cream cone then go sit somewhere and visit. Many times he'd take us to Rose Hills Cemetery (I, know, it sounds creepy, but it is a beautiful place with rolling hills and beautiful gardens. We used to roll down the hills - careful to miss the place markers). I later learned that he would do this often to get the kids out of the house and give mom a break. What a good guy!

Pops worked fixing semi-truck diesel engines and didn't retire until the age of 72, so that he could send his fifth child (yours truly) on a mission. Of coarse I didn't realize it at the time as much as I should have, but looking back, I am so appreciative of that sacrifice for me. By that time, working in the diesel garage, he had all but completely lost his hearing, and you know he was old and tired, but he went in every day they would have him.

After serving a mission, I lived at home with my parents for a few months. They had both deteriorated much health-wise while I was gone, so as a result, our rolls had reversed for the most part. I was now the driver, care giver, and "slave" as my mom called me. It was fun. They liked to go on long drives and go to Polly's Pies and Jack's Salad Bowl for lunch. The three of us had family home evenings regularly where we discussed the scriptures. We had a lot of good conversations and I am grateful for that short amount of time that I was able to serve them.

Five years after my mom passed away, Pops finally went to meet up with her. I saw him a few times between my mom passing and before he left us. He was suffering from Alzheimer's, so he didn't know me very well -- especially because I only got out to California about once a year or so, but it was worth it. He knows me, and I know it.

Pops was a good, simple man and I am grateful to call him Dad.

Happy Birthday, Pops! I love you.

Couple questions

2008-11-20T11:27:00.003-06:00

Does everyone hear news about NASA and Space Shuttle missions now days, or is it not even big enough news to report outside of Houston? I know that pretty much after the first moon landing, it was no big deal anymore. No one knows the names of the second guys to walk on the moon (Pete Conrad and Alan Bean). It seems like now days, the only time there is any note of the space program is when there is a tragedy or something.

Anyway, if you have heard about this latest Shuttle mission; how'd you like to be the chick that dropped the tool bag in space? And then, I wonder: it's not like the tool bag was dropped and then rushed away by the wind. Couldn't she have gone after it? Grabbed something long to knock it back, or something? I guess it did float away pretty quickly. Poor girl. So, now she's going to come home and be the astronaut known for letting lose a big bag of heavy tools to wander in space until it crashes into and ruins some multi-billion dollar space equipment. Way to go what's-her-name! (Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper - I think I'll stick with what's-her-name.)

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1488655367/bctid2624229001

It's good to be free

2008-11-17T13:50:00.003-06:00

It took a whole weekend and two different borrowed cars and a lot of car seat swapping, but my car is finally legal.

I took it into the auto shop on Friday to have them figure out why the engine light was on. I dropped it off at 2:30 pm. At 9 am on Saturday, I called to see what was going on. "Oh, didn't my assistant call you?" Um, no. They were waiting for a part to arrive. The EGR something-or-other. I asked if this had any connection to the THOUSAND dollars that I just put into fixing the car on the 2nd of October. "No, this is different from any of that that was done. Let's see," he said, "yep, you're right about at the mileage when the EGR goes out." Of coarse I am.

So, another $200 and my engine light was off so I could take it for the state inspection. So, by the time we were able to pick the car up, it was almost 10 pm on Saturday (it didn't take that long to fix, we just couldn't get down there! They locked the keys in the car to wait for us.)

Sunday, I drove carefully to and from church, avoiding any highways where Highway Patrolman Lightfoot might be lurking. Then hid the car again in the garage until this morning when I was able to get to Jiffy Lube and take care of it.

I pulled into Jiffy Lube and asked the guy if he could inspect my car. Nope. "We've only been open for three weeks and haven't set up our machine for inspections yet." Um, you may want to get on that! So I carefully drove down the street to the next random auto place because now I was desperate.

So after wrestling with Christian in a greasy, stinky, dirty floored auto shop waiting room for 45 minutes, my car was legal! Hip, hip, hooray!

To celebrate, Samy got a happy meal with a Madagascar toy and I got.... the engine light on again!

I can't even talk about it....

Fugitive

2008-11-14T11:17:00.005-06:00

It's been in the back of my mind. It really has. But time flies. Not even when your having a whole lot of fun. Time just flies. Days run into weeks, weeks into months! Where does it go?

Wednesday, I was going to pick Samy up from school. I wasn't late or anything. I made a very safe, very legal right hand turn out of my subdivision. Then I saw the lights behind me. I was ticked. Could not imagine what I had done. So, Officer Lightfoot (are they required to have these types of names upon entering the force, or are they given a cool name upon graduation from the Academy?) comes up to my window to ask for my licence and registration. Luckily I knew where they both were and the registration was the current copy. Whew! I said I couldn't imagine what I had done. He said that my state inspection was expired. I said "crap! Um, I have an appointment to take the car in on ... what is today, Wednesday? I have an appointment on Friday."

He gave me a warning and said to take care of it on Friday. Then he asked, "Will it pass inspection?" What the heck is that?! Does it look like such an old piece that it wouldn't pass inspection? My reply was, "No, because the check engine light is on. That's why I'm taking it in on Friday." He said okay and sent me on my way.

What I didn't tell Officer Lightfoot is that the car is in fact a piece and is 10 years old and that the stinkin' check engine light has been on since two days after I paid a thousand dollars to work on the transmission and other stuff. And that was about a month ago. The state inspection actually expired TWO MONTHS ago. I stink. I ask you: Where did September and October go???

So here it is on Friday. I have tried to get the car into the shop, but can't find a convenient time to drop it off for three or four hours without needing it to take kids here or there and without having to completely inconvenience anyone. So, today I have awesome neighbors car and took her to work until other awesome neighbor gets home from her work and can take me to drop off my car. Then the hope is that I can leave it over night, they will fix it so that the engine light goes off and then I can take it to Jiffy Lube for the state inspection and thereby once again be an upstanding citizen in the community. As opposed to now hiding my car in the garage and feeling like Officer Lightfoot is hiding out waiting to see the old, shoddy blue minivan with the expired inspection sticker from TWO months ago.

I feel like maybe I should hide the car in some bushes. Really, I just need a new car. *sigh* What has become of me? And seriously, where did September and October go?

Moving on

2008-11-07T13:23:00.003-06:00

We're happy. We're well. We have a good job and a good home and we're just fine. I'm almost positive that this can't be taken away from us. It took a day to really have this settle in and I have come to terms and have great hope that it'll be okay.

My one prevailing thought after the election of Barack Hussein Obama has been: "So this is how everyone else has been feeling for the past 6/7 years with George Bush." Now it's my turn to feel the burn.

On Wednesday morning when I told the kids who won the presidential election, they were funny. They all said they wished it had been McCain. Then throughout the day, out of the blue, Samy would come out and say (almost in tears), "Mom, I really wish John McCain was our President". Then another time she said, "Well, at least John McCain is the President in my class!" Yes he is Samy, and I'm sure he would be proud to know that he won by a landslide (10/2) in your Pre-K class election in small-town Texas!

In listening to talk radio (yes, I'm an old lady! Remember being in the car with your parents and the radio was on AM!?!), of coarse they were upset the day after. One woman called in to one of the shows and said: "Well, God let this happen for a reason. So He is in charge and we need to have faith and trust in Him."

I thought that was very nice. It makes sense.

God also allows earthquakes, tsunamis, tornadoes, and hurricanes to happen. But whatever.

I just can't even talk about it right now.

2008-11-05T06:14:00.001-06:00

"Mershals"

2008-10-30T12:34:00.003-05:00

Samy: "Mom, when I go watch TV today, will you come with me so you can see the mershals and all the things I want?"

Me: "I don't want to. I have to do all my work while you are having quiet time."

Samy: "Please. Or do you want me to just yell for you every time something is on?"

Me: "Okay, I'll watch for a few minutes."

So I go upstairs and turn the TV on. As she's walking up the stairs, not anywhere near the play room, she says "I want that!"

Me: "You don't even know what that was!"

Samy: "Yes I do. It was the baby who goes potty then you flush the toilet and wash her hands."

Amazing. Then she proceeded to proclaim that she wanted each and every other toy in each and every commercial that came on. The Barbie cruise ship got her extra excited. I cringed at the talking house with the British accent. The only toy she didn't want was the helmet that basically has a virtual video racing game in it. She said Christian could have that one.

Welcome to the Christmas Season. Mershals.

At dinner just now

2008-10-28T17:31:00.002-05:00

Here's the conversation:

Samy: "Mom, what would happen if Arak Bama gets all the people?"

me: "He would take money from the rich people and give it to the people who are too lazy and unmotivated to earn it themselves."

Logan: "Well that would be dumb."

me: "Yeah, but he probably will get all the votes and be the next president, and it'll be okay."

Maren: "I hope McCain wins. [the family] across the street are voting for the other guy, Obama."

me: "That's okay. They're not citizens of this country, so they can't really vote."

Then we moved on to slurping from straws and teasing each other.

I just lost two hours of my life

2008-10-25T17:41:00.003-05:00

that I will never get back.

Maren was invited to a birthday party yesterday for the premier of HSM 3. We were both thrilled. She about seeing the movie, and I was thrilled that some other schmuck of a mother was taking her to see it.

Maren got sick on Wednesday. No party. I told her I would take her to see it when she was better. Today she was better. I now became the schmuck of a mother.

I knew I was in for it when the opening scene was a close up of Zac Efron's greasy face and all the girls in the theater screamed joyfully.

The little girl next to me didn't appreciate my "Are you kidding me?!"'s and "He needs to pull up his pants" every now and then. Thankfully I got to get up and use the bathroom once for a brief repose. Thank you large diet coke and bladder that has had five babies sitting on it!

Hey Maren, I just took a bullet for you. Remember this....

That's all I have to say about that.

Is it over yet?

2008-10-17T20:54:00.001-05:00

In the last post I talked about "birthday season" around our house. It's almost done. Almost.

This week, we celebrated Geoff's birthday. The kids and I pitched in and bought him a massage appointment. The kids didn't actually pitch in per say, I just deducted ten bucks each from the money that we owe them because we never have cash on hand at family home evening on Sunday's. We keep a tab. It may or may not get paid off. Is it considered debt if I owe money to my kids?

I digress....

So now we are having Logan's official party tomorrow. I am going to watch Beverly Hills Chihuahua with 14 nine and ten year old children.

Heaven help me.

My plan for America

2008-10-08T22:26:00.000-05:00

I have a lot of plans...

Lately, as probably many have, I've had discussions with friends of varying political stances. Some discussions have gotten quite heated, but I prefer the ones that are more of a conversation. In my mind, I think I am right and the "other" side is wrong, but I'm not trying to convince anyone or convert anyone to my side. Sometimes, depending on who I am having a conversation with, they ARE trying to convert me to their side. It's not going to happen! They are not going to change my mind any more than I am going to change their mind. I realize this, and it's okay.

Now, the best conversations we have had are the ones where we (both sides) agree that politics are too political. That we would love someone like Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes To Washington", where his political party doesn't matter, lobbyists and special interest groups don't matter, but what matters is the American people and the continual progress of this great country.

In watching the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates over the last few weeks, I've been annoyed that they are all the same rhetoric and political answers that are not really answering the questions that were put before them. It's just jabbing at the opponent and saying you are better. I want to know WHY you are better and WHY I should elect you to the highest office in this great country, and what you are going to do to make it better.

In last nights debate, the moderator asked the question something to the effect of: "What would you ask the American people to sacrifice because of this financial and economic crisis?" I can't recall exactly what the candidates answers were, but no one came right out and said anything that we are going to have to sacrifice. How could they? If one of them would have said: you need to donate and recycle tires, or you need to donate silk stockings like during World War II, that would have been the end of this election for the guy who suggested that. I think that we should, on our own accord, make some sacrifices. In short, we should follow the admonition of the prophet and prepare "every needful thing."

But here's what I would suggest. I would suggest that if you want something done, you have to start with yourself. Walk the walk before you talk the talk. They are talking about decreased spending in Washington. I suggest we start on Inauguration day. When the Obama's (it's going to be them -- I'm not a supporter, I'm just saying...) move into the White House, they are going to redecorate it. They are going to get new china and new furniture. There is going to be an inaugural ball. There will be gala's and parties of that nature. Why do we need this? Where is that money coming from? It's not going to be 10 trillion dollars (hopefully) but it is a significant amount of money. You need china and you don't like the design that Laura Bush chose? Then go to the archives and use the stuff that Jackie Kennedy picked out - she had good taste. You don't like the furniture? Deal with it! I need a new mattress and a new couch. Guess what, I've got to wait until I can afford it. You can too. How about taking the money that would be spent on a Ball or a Gala and give that directly to the homeless. Put it into natural disaster recovery. Put it into education.

Again, I know it wouldn't be 10 trillion dollars and cover the national debt, but the point is that it would be a statement. It would be a great statement. It would tell the American people that they are in touch with what we are going through and that if we are having to make cuts and sacrifice, they will too.

Birthday Season is coming to a close

2008-10-06T22:40:00.004-05:00

In the gulf coast region, 'Hurricane season' begins in June and goes through October. Similarly, in our house, we have 'Birthday season'. It starts off slow in March and June, then really picks up in August, September, and finally ends in mid-October.

As the 'season' comes to an end, we got to celebrate the birthday of one of my five most favorite children. Logan went into double digits today. The big 1-0! Logan was my 9 pound preemie born almost a month before his scheduled arrival. He's never been early since...

As I thought about Logan today, I reminisced about some of my favorite Logan stories.

In kindergarten, each child is tested to figure out the level they are at academically. When I went to my conference with his teacher after he had been tested, she reported that Logan did very well in his testing and actually excelled. For example, she said trying not to laugh, she asked Logan to count as far as he could. She said most children count to about 12 and then start mixing up. She said that Logan started counting and kept going until he got to 499! She said that as he counted, he sighed of boredom, rocked back in his chair, and acted pretty bored. (She was cracking up at this point and pretty funny as she acted out Logan!). I asked why he stopped at 499. She said that she had asked him too, and his reply was that he was bored and could he count by tens now. She said that 499 was fine.

Another day, I went into the class to help the teacher. When I walked in, I noticed all the children sitting on the 'reading rug'. Then I looked over to the teachers desk and saw that the teacher was at her desk. I looked back at the rug to find Logan sitting in the middle of the class reading Harry Potter to them!

These stories are among my favorite mostly because if you know Logan at all, you know how laid back and sort of simple (in a good way) he is. He's humble and wise-cracking. It's so funny that the kid with the perpetual kool-aid ring around his mouth and food stains on his shirt is brilliant. But he is, at least to his mom.

We had a good birthday today. I took a Texas sheet cake to school. In order for the snack to be 'legal' it had to relate to Texas Social Studies - it was either Texas sheet cake or buffalo wings and the wings would have been way too messy! We had dinner, cake and gifts this evening.

Logan always impresses me with his kind heart. He is always so thankful and gracious. He has the best manners and is always very considerate of others. Usually. You know, for a 10 year old boy, he's remarkable, I think! I adore this guy.

So as we wind up the birthday season this year, I have to say, Logan, we're so glad you are in our family. We love you, we love you, we love you! Happy Birthday!

Spoiled Rotten

2008-09-25T21:22:00.006-05:00

It's not because of the 'things' you 'get', but because it is nice to know people like you.

***

First great birthday gift was that three kids went back to school. Thank you School District!

***

Next was lunch and a facial (including childcare) from Awesome Neighbors. Thanks neighbors, you really are awesome. We're so lucky!

***

Geoff came home early and we went out for dinner with friends. Not cooking a single meal in a day is a great gift!

***

Each child gave me a gift that they chose especially for me (way to go, Geoff. Mega points for that!)

*Getting old isn't so bad. People like me. It makes me feel pretty darn good. Thanks for a great birthday everyone!*

I've resorted...

2008-09-23T17:07:00.005-05:00

... to "drinking" Trix cereal out of a cup.

I'm just in a funk. The kids have been out of school for two weeks. They only started up about two weeks before that. They have been really great, actually, and I haven't felt the need to physically hurt any of them, or me. Nor have I had the desire to run away. (Except for maybe today). I just really like the structure of a schedule. I really like school. I like vacuuming and not seeing footprints on it for a few minutes afterward. Just silly things like that.

Stores are opening up more and more each day, but gas is still difficult to come by. So as a result, I'm "rationing" my going and doing. Hence the Trix from a cup. Don't want to use the milk, cause then I'd have to go to the over crowded and understocked stores to buy more. And, I haven't gone to the store to stock up for the 4 pm sugar rush - that's totally my fault for not preparing! My one saving grace has been that Sonic close by home has opened and so Happy Hour Diet Coke is available. (Honestly, the withdrawal headache was not pleasant.)

The schools supposedly start on Thursday. I keep checking the website for fear of a delay. So far it is on schedule for Thursday. I can see an end in sight. Now I just need to get out of the funk. Anyway, don't mind me. I just needed to vent. I'll be okay. Maybe another cup of Trix...

I have a gripe

2008-09-20T11:04:00.005-05:00

A couple weeks ago, a neighbor (this guy actually was my PTA vice president my first year on the board. We didn't get along. It's a whole other story for another day...) asked if I would pick up his daughter from the bus stop one day after school because he had a job interview and couldn't make it to get her. (The wife works too.) I said that I'd be happy to help out that day. Then as we continued to talk (I should point out here that this neighbor doesn't despise me like I do him), he said that he would most likely take this new job and would therefore need to find before and after school care for his daughter, and asked if I would be willing to do it -- of coarse he'd pay me for it. I said; "Oh, no. Sorry, I can't commit to that! Some days we are going and don't even come home after school. When we are home after, it's all about music practice and homework and all that stuff. I'm not in the child care business." So then he says: "Well, yeah. I just thought I'd ask. I figured you already have so many children that what's one more!"

What's that!?!

I'll tell you what's one more, buddy! (Can you see a little why he's not my favorite neighbor?) One more means one more person to herd into a car and one more voice to either zone out or talk over. One more is one that I haven't crafted, and guilted and scarred into obeying my every command the second I command it. You can't just throw in one more after 6 or 7 years of non-Nic training! One more....

What if I said to him: "Huh, you only have one child. How about if I give you two of mine, then that makes us even. One's not enough. You need at least three. Besides, you only have one, what's a couple more?"

It's just really weird.

2008-09-19T22:52:00.001-05:00

Like, Twilight Zone weird, sort of.

In my home and in my small community, life is normal. Except not really normal. Other than the fact that school will be out at least until next Thursday, life seems normal when I am within the walls of my home or at least in the confines of my subdivision.

Outside of my bubble is a completely different story. Approximately 60% of the residents in my town have no electricity still. That just makes me so sad. The hurricane struck one week ago tonight. In the greater Houston area, 2.21 million customers still are without power. That's customers! You average 3 people in every home, that triples the number of people living without electricity.

Within our ward (congregation) boundaries, things are slowly picking up. At this point, there are only a handful of people without electricity. (A good portion of the folks in town without power are on the east end of my town and therefore are in the other ward -- not that we can't help them too!)

Some friends and I have coined the term "electricity guilt". To ease the guilt, I have offered and tried to help out as best I can. Sadly, I am not the most charitable of women in the Relief Society - women's organization at church (maybe that's why I love the primary - children's organization at church). We've got one couple's freezer plugged in our garage, and I've done laundry for a couple people. I've got frozen food of another family in my freezer.

The other night, a lady in the ward who is basically our adopted grandma, came over and asked if I would do her a favor. I was thrilled that she asked! She and her husband live in a retirement community and at that point had been without electricity for about five days. Despite my pleading for her to stay with us, she said that a couple people had generators and they were all sharing those so as to plug in refrigerators and turn on a fan once in a while, so they were doing fine - (especially since the weather has graciously turned very unseasonable cool and nice). She and her neighbors were all taking turns cooking each night. So anyway, it wasn't her turn to cook, but she said they were desperate for chocolate and so she asked me to bake a cake. She brought over a pan, cake mix, frosting, and eggs. (Little did she know that the majority of my food storage is cake mixes and frosting so she could have had her pick!) I just thought that was so cute. So the next day, she came after work to pick up her cake and I gave her some cupcakes too -- we were needing a bit of chocolate too. (See how selfish I am!?!) I was so impressed with all these, um, mature people roughing it and having a great time doing so! (They got power in their community finally yesterday evening - yeah!)

So, just the little things that I am able to do make me feel a bit better about it all. I feel like there is so much more that I could be doing. Tomorrow I am going to try to volunteer at a relief center for at least part of the day. But I am also making myself realize that Geoff is out each weekend with the Mormon "Helping Hands" crews working in ours and neighboring communities, so by being home with the kids and allowing him to go, I am helping in a way. (I'm not looking for kudos here, I'm just saying what's going on in my world and in my head...)

Anyway, back to the title of this post (I realize I'm rambling. There's a lot of emotion going on with me right now, so bear with me.), it's weird because although I'm 'normal' in my little bubble, it all seems to be an abnormal domino effect on the outside of that bubble. For instance; I am limiting my driving because there is limited gas, so I am rationing what I have and only going places that are essential -- okay, yes, the zoo the other day was essential because the kids have been home for a week and we are looking at another week out of school, so I'm wrapping my brain around basically still being on summer vacation.

Also, I get a little panicky when we are running low on milk and/or essential groceries because the stores are still so thinly stocked. It's getting better and better each day, but as it is, I am trying to stay out of grocery stores for as long as possible and leave that for people who are still without power and such. That all goes back to the 'electricity guilt'. But, I know, when I need it, I need it, electricity or not. Not trying to be a martyr at all, I'm just saying.... Anyway, I'm going to attempt to get to the grocery store at 6 tomorrow morning so as to try to get the things I need. Wish me luck!

Any WAY, it's weird and crazy and I just want everyone to be happy and housed and back to normal. I want to go to Target and browse the isles, not because I need or necessarily want anything, but because that is normal (for me at least)! Maybe if I just act normal... And I can do that. As long as I don't go out of my subdivision. How long can that be possible?

I told you. It's just weird. Twilight Zone weird.

Hurricane Ike (aka: Bill and Ed's excellent adventure)

2008-09-17T23:43:00.002-05:00

First and foremost, I want to thank everyone for your prayers, concern, phone calls and thoughts. That means so much to us and we really appreciate your concern.

Secondly, I have to say that Mayor Bill and Judge Ed did not steer me wrong by asking me to "hunker down". However, I say that as one who weathered this storm very fortunately.

And third, I must say that the city of Houston (and surrounding cities/towns) ROCKS! I'm sure there are those who have complaints (and again, I have electricity, little damage, etc...) but over all, I think this horrible disaster was handled wonderfully.

As far as our little family goes, it was all (THANKFULLY) pretty under-dramatic. (Can I make that a phrase?) The power went out at about 8 pm on Friday, September 12th. Shortly thereafter, we put Christian in his bed in his room with the windows facing north (the storm would be coming from the south). We let the other four camp out on the living room floor just outside our bedroom. It was hot already. We put a movie on the portable DVD player for the kids and Geoff and I went outside to stand and commune with the neighbors. It was eerie and a bit scary. When the wind got to where we couldn't hear each other and we were being knocked off balance by the gusts, we bid each other good luck and went to our respective homes. Geoff and I read for a bit by candle/flash light, then decided to try to get some sleep knowing that we would most likely be up throughout most of the night. We said some of the most fervent prayers we ever have!

At 9:30 pm the rain started and the wind picked up greatly. By 11:30 the windows were shaking and the rain was pounding straight into the house. Samantha came into our bed about this time. At around 2:30 am (Saturday the 13th), we got up to check the house. Christian was sleeping like a baby. The storm was all at the back of the house, so he probably heard nothing. Eric had made a cave out of pillows and blankets so despite probably being suffocatingly hot, he slept through most of it. Maren slept through it all, except she did do quite a bit of talking in her sleep. And Logan took every opportunity to play Gameboy DS. As I said before, Samy was in our bed and came in and out of sleep.

As we checked out the house, we found water coming in under and around the back door. The rain was just pounding it, so it would have had to be some special door in order to keep that rain out. We shoved towels at the bottom. At one point the door was shaking so much, I put my hands on it as if to hold it shut. It felt like a very strong man was trying to push against me and get it open. Weird and scary. There was also water coming in through the stove vent. It's totally our fault for that one. The kids long ago knocked the vent cover off playing ball and we never got around to replacing it. We will now...

Everything else seemed in tact and fine, so we slept as best as we could off and on for the next few hours. Geoff had gone out on the floor with the three kids and I was in my room with Samy. The windows in my room were getting pounded so hard and rattling and shaking so badly, that I finally picked her up and went to huddle with the rest of the family in the living room. Now, before you decide how horrible we are, I will say that we checked on Christian frequently and literally, the storm was at the back of the house, so he heard virtually nothing. Also, we are in a fairly new community so there are no mature trees that were in a position to fall down on the second story of the house. His bed was well away from any windows. Plus, it was just better for him and all of us, that he was in his own bed and sleeping as normally as possible.

When morning came, the wind and rain were still ferocious. It finally laid off at around 9:00 am.

At that point, we found that a part of our fence had blown down, and there were a lot of roof shingles in our yard, but none from our house that we could see. Geoff checked out our house and finding no damage, went to check on the church families that live in our area -- this was all pre-determined and assigned.

Geoff spent most of Saturday checking on/finding ward members and their houses to do a first assessment of damage. When he got back and told me what had happened to some of the homes, I realized how very fortunate we came out of this.

The kids and I spent the day drinking water and being as still as possible in order to keep cool. Christians naps were whenever and wherever he felt like it. I put a cool cloth on him when he was sleeping in the middle of the living room once. Check out his damp curls. He was one little sweat ball!

Every few hours, we'd get into the car in order to charge the cell phone (one of the best things we've ever bought is a power converter/adapter) - I could receive text messages at this point, but had no reception and could not send anything out - and listening to news on the radio (bad planning is that we didn't have proper batteries for a radio in the house) while we cooled off in the car air conditioning.

As I said, we were very fortunate. Our electricity came back on just 24 hours after it was initially cut off. By Saturday night, we were back on power and cooled off. At this point, the "disaster" was by in large over for our little family.

We surveyed our immediate area and took some photos. They are absolutely nothing compared to Galveston and the coastal communities, but it shows a bit of what happened directly near me.

Stay tuned for a post regarding the aftermath and our personal efforts to try to help in recovery...

Hunkering down

2008-09-17T21:49:00.004-05:00

This post was begun the evening of Friday, September 12. Power went out before I could finish and publish.

So here we are. The wind has picked up and the sky is very overcast.

The wind is picking up significantly. The clouds are moving at an eerie pace. It's howling, actually. We've made all the preparations that we can/can think of. We've got a stocked pantry,

water,

flashlights galore.

72-hour kits are at the ready and in my anxiety driven state, I made cookies (priorities!) I had to do something, and nothing says comfort to me like homemade chocolate chip cookies...

Everything that we may possibly need to be charged is being charged. Now we wait. This is the part that is bugging me. The news has completely gone berserk and is so excited for themselves it is hard to watch. They have been doing continuous coverage for the last almost 72 hours it seem, bless their hearts. We're hunkering down.

I'll admit it. I'm a bit nervous. I'm totally a tough chick, but this is a little nerve wracking. At this point, I can say for sure: I'd still take a hurricane over an earthquake any day. At least you know it's coming and can make preparations. But, like I said, I'm a little nervous, so ask me again in about 8 to 12 hours. I may need to reassess.

As for now: Game on!

The Verdict

2008-09-11T15:51:00.001-05:00

We're staying. Throughout last night and into this morning, I was still going back and forth as to whether or not to leave. I've prayed and thought and watched news and thought and prayed some more. Then the Houston Mayor (Bill White) and County Judge (Ed Emmett) conducted a press conference this morning wherein they told us the zip codes that were mandatory evacuation areas - mine NOT included - and said that everyone else should "shelter in place" (unless, of coarse your place is like a mobile home!). So, we're obeying/trusting our local leaders and "hunkering down" as they said.

I'm not really that concerned. I feel like we are going to be just fine. And hey, if it does turn real bad and we are put in danger, then I am totally going to blame Bill and Ed! Ike is gigantic, and we will get a lot of wind and rain. I've put all of the patio/outside 'stuff' into the garage, so there are no foreseeable projectiles. Plus, at this point now, if we felt that we should leave, the possibility/probability of getting stranded on the freeway parking lots would be worse than if we stayed at home.

As for today, the ~~laundry~~ show must go on! We are actually enjoying beautiful weather - the calm before the storm? - and are celebrating Awesome Neighbor Mary's birthday. Tomorrow, we will watch TV and play Wii at Awesome Neighbors until the power goes out. From then on, the plan is to have a massive Mexican Train Domino's tournament (via candle light?).

We've got water, food, birthday cake, and good company. It's fine.

And again, if it's not; It's you Mayor Bill and Judge Ed!

Snow days

2008-09-10T21:16:00.001-05:00

Let's talk about Ike. I'm not particularly happy with Ike or his behavior at the moment. Just this afternoon, I sent a big informational email out to my family telling them what's going on and what our evacuation plans are (currently not to evacuate). I felt the need to let everyone know my point of view because the national and especially the local media/meteorologists tend to get overly excited about these things and blow them out of proportion.

However, now here is my dilemma/problem with Ike: 1)Ike is huge. Although it is not as of yet, nor is it predicted to be a really strong hurricane, the span of it is enormous, so no matter where he makes land fall, we will feel it. How much we feel it depends on where landfall is. Not to mention that we are on the "sloppy" or "dirty" side of it, so we're looking at a lot of rain and wind most likely. 2) He keeps jumping all over the place. He is being pushed by fronts and troughs and stuff so that he isn't just staying on one track. Currently, he is supposed to go to the southwest of us, but if he is pushed or moved, it is usually to the northeast. And that 'IF' would bring him right to us.

So, the big question is: do we evacuate? When we evacuated for Rita in 2005 (that's a story for another day if you haven't already heard it), she was a CAT 5 barrelling right for Galveston. We high tailed it (it was just me and four children). At the last minute, Rita shifted to the northeast, and we barely got our lawn watered. However, I'd still do it again.

Now with Ike, right now I don't FEEL like we are in any sort of danger. We are stocked with food, water and batteries. We are in a 100 year flood plain (which means it would take a lot for us to flood), and we're a pretty good distance inland. BUT, stranger things have happened. And the biggest issue of all, for me, is power outage. Yeah, I can handle being cooped up for a few days and eating all the junk in the pantry by candlelight. But I'm sorry; I can not go without air conditioning for any amount of time in this place!

So now Kelly calls me to tell me that my school district has closed for the next two days. (There is a chance that I wouldn't have known until I went to drop the first group off at their bus stop and noticed there was no one around, so thanks, Kelly!) Now. granted, a good part of our district is in low-lying areas or nearer to the coast, but dang it. Two days! I didn't tell any of my people. We just had normal homework/bedtime routine. I have to prepare myself mentally before I can let them in on the snow days and see the glee shining in their eyes. I did, however, turn off every one's alarms so they won't be woken up so early -- here's hoping...

I'm so confused. I will make my final decision as to weather we stay or go by tomorrow early evening. I've reserved a hotel room up north just in case and hope to/plan on canceling it. (I have learned to do that because for Rita, there were no hotels in Texas and we had to drive to Oklahoma City for a room!) Anyway, if we were to leave any later than that, we'd be stuck on the freeway for hours on end anyway, and I'd much rather be stuck at home with no air conditioning than on the hot pavement with car fumes and a few million of my closest friends.

I'll let you know. I need some serious chocolate. Maybe I should head to Target before the flood waters rise and I can't get there...

Dang you Ike!!!

The hills are alive...

2008-09-09T22:30:00.001-05:00

Okay, there's no hills where I live, but there are freeway overpasses. Anyway, Maren had her first piano lesson this week. Oh, the joy. I am so excited and jealous, and vicariously living through her!

Her teacher is the music teacher at our elementary school who happens to live right around the corner from us (hello one thing I don't have to drive people to!!!). When she walked home from her first lesson, she walked up to the back door, I was standing in the kitchen and saw her approach. The look on her face was pure and unadulterated joy. The smile literally stretched from one ear to the other. Oh, so cute. (Didn't have the camera handy, dang.)

So, she did her worksheets while she ate dinner, then went straight to the piano and practiced for an hour. I know it will get less exciting real quick probably, but for now it is good. Real good.

So, between Maren pounding out the keys and Eric's oboe sounding like a duck in heat, we are totally an instrumental version of the Von Trapps! I L O V E it!

One

2008-08-28T21:50:00.000-05:00

This is more "historical documents", but it has to be said....

One year ago this evening, Geoff was out of town on business, baby #5 was due in about a month (we never knew the sex of a child before it's birth), and the four children and I were heading to the Church for Cub Scout pack meeting where Eric was being honored with his Arrow of Light. During Pack Meeting, I waddled myself up to the front to say some nice things about Eric (as instructed by the Cub Master) and we had a good meeting. When it was over, a friend of mine who was a little further along with her pregnancy than I was with mine, were marveling at how us two very pregnant women were putting up chairs while several men stood around and chatted. We decided it was probably good, so as to bring on labor. Ha, ha, ha, we laughed.

Got home, put all the kids to bed. As I was leaving the last bedroom, a contraction came out of nowhere and stopped me in my tracks. I held on to the stair rail for support until it passed.

I felt a little bad and the pain came regularly, but I was sure it would pass. Geoff wasn't in town and it was a month early, there's no way this was labor! I took a shower in order to help with the pain. I laid down in bed and called Geoff on the phone. I told him that contractions were pretty hard and close but I was sure they would go away after I slept for a while. We talked about him getting on the last flight that left at 10 pm. I said whatever. At about 9:45, I realized that I needed to call the doctor and get to the hospital.

Awesome neighbors came over. Diane stayed at the house with the kids while I got in the car with Mary. She sped to the medical center, trying with no avail to keep the Pilot from bumping all over the place. I think she called Geoff while we were driving, but I'm not sure as I was pretty wrapped up in myself at the time. We walked into the maternity ward at 11:30 pm. I stopped at the nurses station bent over a contraction, and a nice voice (couldn't see her face) asked me if I wanted an epidural. I nodded fervently in the affirmative. She said: "as soon as you get in that room right there, you can have one." I wanted to run. The contraction passed and as I entered the room, I announced that I was taking my pants off because it was coming. I lay on the bed as nurses and techs moved frantically around me. Poor Mary was witnessing it all. You know at this point you don't care who is there. At one point, one nurse caught my hands and demanded that I look in her eyes and breath to keep from pushing. It worked (for a minute), she was good.

Thirteen minutes after we walked through the hospital doors, I had a bouncing baby boy. I fell in love at first sight (okay, first sight after he was cleaned).

I never got that epidural.

Until Christian was actually born and in my arms, it didn't dawn on me that Geoff was missing the birth of our child. Poor guy. He felt terrible. Even if he had made the last flight, he wouldn't have made it on time. The doctor barely made it for this one. Fifth child.

Geoff rented a car at about 10 pm when he got the call that I was on the way to the hospital. He made the five hour drive in four and got to the hospital at about 2 am, thanks to adrenaline and Clay in California with a two hour time zone difference.

Can I say again, I ADORE this baby! Happy 1st birthday, Christian.

Let him eat cake!

2008-08-28T21:45:00.002-05:00

But only on his first birthday and never again in this manner.

Anyone who knows me at all, knows how stressful this was for me to stand by and watch (as you can tell a bit by my commentary). The anxiety over the mess almost made me need a Valium!

Yes, I chose the blue icing. I know. Back off.

Fall

2008-08-25T21:35:00.000-05:00

With the beginning of a new school year, Fall is not necessarily in the air, but it is definitely in my head. It's really bad. It's only been one day, but in my mind, when the kids get home from school, they're supposed to change clothes and go play outside until dinnertime. No doing when that when it is 93 degrees and 88 percent humidity at 4:00 pm! Regardless, I'm in the mood for some cool, soup weather.

School was great for Logan and Maren.

This picture was taken while reading scriptures, a good 20 minutes before time to leave. Excited much, Maren?

Samy had to have her picture taken too, with her new lunch kit. She starts Pre-K in a couple weeks.

Off we go!

Eric had a bit of a different day.

He said he was frustrated and annoyed. He is attending a brand new school. There are new rules, new hallways, new classrooms, new everything. And it was tough to get a grip on. Bless his heart. He didn't bring his schedule print-out (that his mom told him to) because he memorized it. Turned out everyone was supposed to have a copy of their schedule. So he spent all of first period in the admin office waiting in line to get a new print-out. Then he was put into Beginner band instead of Honor band and spent all of second period working that out. Then the lunch schedules were all messed up, so he spent all of third period getting lunch (at least they let them eat!). I think after that he got a little more settled until the end of the day when there were all the rules about when and where you can exit the building... He'll be okay. Actually, he'll be great. Already his Junior High experience is 9000 times better than mine.

The good news is that he walked in the door an hour before last year when he took the bus to the old school. That is going to be good.

I love school. I love schedules. I love organization.

I love Fall - okay, almost Fall.

Happy School Days, Kiddlets!

Twelve

2008-08-25T13:49:00.005-05:00

Our first born turned the ripe old age of 12 a couple days ago. Yesterday at church as we were singing goodbye to him from the Primary (children's class) and he was escorted by the Young Men (to the youth class), people asked if I was sad. No way. I love it. I love it for him! Remember back when you were the oldest and biggest kid in Primary and couldn't WAIT to get the heck out of there?

He was very excited. In Sacrament meeting (the general meeting) at church, the Bishop invited him up to the stand and had him recite his favorite scripture. I was so proud of him. Such a good young man. *sigh* Ah, they grow so fast....

Happy Birthday, Eric. I love you.

Where's Waldo

2008-08-20T21:27:00.003-05:00

Wreaking havoc is exhausting.

Auto conversation

2008-08-20T12:15:00.002-05:00

I was driving in the car with Logan and Maren just now. I was listening to some talk radio and they guy said: "I was reading a blog called..." and Logan said: "Man. I was hoping he was going to say Laundry Queen."

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Logan, but I'm not quite that popular.

Look what I do!

2008-08-19T09:45:00.003-05:00

(No babies were harmed during the making of this film. No matter how it looks in the end.)

He's been doing it for a few days, but I am now just getting it recorded.

Fifth child...

The trip

2008-08-18T13:36:00.016-05:00

Here's what happened: You know when you're on vacation, and you have a great time, and every picture you take you are thinking of a blog post? Then you get home and life starts up again and there's just too much to say and you can't figure out where to begin. So, vacation re-cap is going to be more of a cliff's notes version. You'll be okay.

Oh, plus, Geoff already downloaded all the pictures he took (800 on his camera to my ~12 on my camera) onto the desktop and I'm too lazy to transfer them over to my laptop to post them. Geoff is really the very good novice photographer. He's got all this vision and ideas and angles for shots and all. At about the gazillion temple we had to stop at for " another angle for a shot", I started calling him Ansel (as in Adams). He may have been offended. He'll be okay, too.

So here goes: Edouard tried his darnedest to ground us. The storm hit land earlier than expected and our flight was cancelled and pushed back later (closer to the storm hitting), so we called the airline to see what could be done about this. Not only did they move our flight up an hour earlier than the original one, but it was no a non-stop. Woo-hoo!

the happy travelers!

(I didn't care, seating arrangements - made by me - put me with the girls and Geoff with Christian, hee, hee, hee). Anyway, this meant that we had to haul out of the house an hour earlier than originally planned. Luckily, I am completely uptight and have mild OCD and it was not a problem.

We got into Salt Lake City and immediately headed for Carl's Jr. Carl's is one of our favorite treats when we go out west. Mmmmm, Carl's Jr.....

The next days were full of fun and adventure. Here's what we did:

The zoo with Janet, Holly, Ronnie, and Hunter.

Shopped at Park City (I refrained from buying a new Coach bag at the outlet -- it was tough)
Wheeler farm, a farmers market and the Copper mine
Benn took four of ours and three friends kids (by himself) to see Space Chimps. Watching Benn load seven kids into his Salt Lake County prison van was awesome. Not having to watch Space Chimps was priceless. (on this day, I stayed home and did laundry - remember, this is a vacation....)
Hiked up to the Granite Quarry where they got the granite to build the SL Temple and Conference Center. The kids all brought home rocks. At the airport security on the way home, the lady says to me: "Are there rocks in here?", holding up Logan's backpack. I said: "They're granite rocks." That seemed to be okay with her, she didn't say another word, just let it through. I'm thinking, only in Utah....

On Friday, Clay drove up from California to spend the weekend with us. We spent a lot of time at Temple Square and surroundings. I LOVE the Joseph Smith movie at the JS Memorial building!

We ate, shopped some more, and let the kids swim at the hotel we got for the weekend.

Our last couple days there, we (and by we I mean Geoff, Eric, Logan and Maren) made an impromptu hike up a rather large hill/mountain -- I'm too far removed to know the difference -- in Draper near the beautiful temple being built there. Samy, Christian and I ran races on the grass in front of a golf/country club that we happened to stop at.

Samy won all the races, whether she was racing me, or her imaginary friends. The sad thing is that I really was trying. She's a fast little bugger.

One of the funnest things we did was to ride the ski lifts at Sundance. Beautiful. I wish I had pictures of that. Geoff may have taken some, but again.... lazy... I was looking to hang with Robert Redford, but he must not have been in town. We also went to the MTC and took pictures of each child in front of the Mission Training Center sign. It will be cute to compare these pictures with each of their respective ones later.

(Imagine pictures inserted here, they really were good, and we caught Christian standing - Laziness combined with computer retardation stinks!)

Since we were so close, we went onto the BYU campus. None of us are BYU fans, but I had heard there was a good candy center in the bookstore. It was decent. (Tip: never trust a candy recommendation from a skinny guy. - no offense, Bob.)

We also went to the dinosaur park/museum in Ogden as well as Hill Air Force Base. We've done these sites before and were anxious to see them again. Craziest thing: When we got out of the car at the dinosaur park, I was cold enough that I almost wished I had a sweater. What the heck!? August! It's the canyons, I was told. Who knew!

The night before we left, Geoff and I got to sneak away to the temple (because there is one five minutes from where ever you are) and leave the kids with Benn and Jan. So that ended on the perfect note.

The next day, after two planes, a three hour lay-over in Phoenix (Um, Phoenix, it is HOT in the desert and you live there, so you should know that you should have inside connections between terminals at your airport and not make strangers to your town walk outside from one terminal to the next without proper signage. I'm just saying.), a thirty dollar pizza, and a lot of coloring and Gameboy DS we were back home safe and sound.

Now I'm doing laundry.

P.S. Thanks, Edouard, for taking care of watering the lawn for us.

P.P.S. This is what Christian did about two minutes after he was put into the car. Every time. Poor whacked out baby...

A message to our friend

2008-08-04T07:51:00.003-05:00

Dear Edouard,

We have waited ALL SUMMER LONG for our family vacation. You've formed yourself into a nice Tropical Storm and are making your way into a Category 1 hurricane. That's fine. You do what you need to do. We appreciate you taking care of watering our lawn while we are away. We've got someone to take care of the mail, so you don't need to worry about that. I would just like to ask that you maybe stall a bit and hold up in the gulf for an hour or so tomorrow morning so that we can get on that plane and have our nice family trip.

You're scheduled to make landfall right about when we are getting on the plane, see, and it would be really inconvenient to be stuck in the airport -- or heaven forbid, on the airplane -- for a few hours. If you could just hold back and do us this one little favor, it would be great. You're a gem. Good luck in all your endeavors.

Sincerely,
Nic

We were home WAY before the clock struck midnight

2008-07-30T14:28:00.003-05:00

Cinderella stopped by the local Chick-Fil-A last evening. The boys were away so the girls and I (and Christian) headed out.

Some local new company (some little girl spa-type thing) was there also to give the girls a free "manicure".

I felt a little bad for Cindy, when the Chick-Fil-A cow came out wearing a tutu and a princess hat and stole her thunder. (Maybe she got a little taste of what the step-sisters go through.)

Christian was a little ticked about having to be there. Sorry, little brother. Those are the breaks when you have two older sisters who are princess obsessed and a mom who gives into it.

Everyone brought home both of their shoes, and the rest of the night was happily ever after.

Family Prayer

2008-07-28T21:27:00.003-05:00

(Eric and Logan are hanging out at Kelly's having an extended frat party)

Samy: "Please don't let the boys come home because they hurt Maren's feelings."

Maren: "Please bless dad to let him know that we love him even though he makes bad choices"

Um, is there something she knows that I don't? Geoff?

It took me 45 minutes...

2008-07-25T10:12:00.006-05:00

...to shower and get ready for the day. While I was doing that, the kids got hold of the camera:

They also changed a poopy diaper. Luckily this was the only picture of that whole thing:

Then they got all jiggy with it, including putting on kangaroo and Koala sweaters in 100 degree weather:

(They really like the curls at the back of Christian's hair.)

I was oblivious to all of it. It's a good thing they are good kids, though, because if you are smart enough to take pictures of the crime scene....

Randomness

2008-07-24T22:10:00.000-05:00

I've been having a hard time getting to blog during the summer. I have random thoughts and stories and things to share, but when the kids are finally in bed at the end of the day, and away from my computer, my brain can't remember what was for dinner let alone what I was going to write about. So, I'm just going to journal and blab about what we've been up to. We really aren't as busy as I make it sound, it's just minutia.

Summer Camps

Logan and Maren have been at a community college "Kids College" this week where they have been writing and preforming a play, making pottery, and cheer leading (not Logan) and other things. They have been in heaven. And I have been in heaven with Eric babysitting the two youngest! It's been a fun week for everyone. Well, maybe not Eric, but whatever, I have spent plenty of money on him this week, and really, that's what it's all about...

Politico

So, we're driving to the book store today and I actually had control of the radio. Worse than grown-up music, I was listening to Rush Limbaugh (funny, Eric was getting into it -- I'm working on the conservative brain washing, he has too many left leaning teachers at school). He was talking about the blatant media bias on favor of Barack Obama and all the coverage of him in the Middle East. People referring to Obama as being the 'Redeemer of Politics in America', etc... I almost had to roll down the window and lose my lunch. Then he started to play soundbites from a speech Obama made in Berlin, Germany recently. Oh my! (and I do recognize that Rush is biased the other way, and playing only what he wants us to hear and all that, but still Oh My!)

First Barack -- who wants to be the commander in Chief of the United States of America -- pretty nicely (and eloquently of coarse) bashed our country and called himself a "citizen of the world" not one country. And all that's fine and all, but it was very snide and clever the way that he pretty much went "Dixie Chick" to the Germans; pretty much apologizing for America's behavior. For me, the worst of all was when he almost echoed remarks by President Ronald Reagan about "tearing down the [invisible] wall[s]". In my opinion, you have no right to lambaste the President of the United States and the Republican party in one breath then pretty much quote a Republican former President in the next.

Okay, I know at least one reader who is going to get all up in my face about how lousy W has been for this country, but I can write what I want. It's my blog.

Anyway, I was pretty disgusted. And mind you, I am NOT a John McCain lover (or liker, really) but I actually agree with some of the things that he says and stands for. Nothing with Obama. Oh wait, I do agree with Change and Hope and 'Yes We Can', I'd just like to know what Changes there will be, what we are Hoping for and what we Can do.

So, we go into the bookstore to the children/youth section and as I browse the isles, I come upon (without looking hard at all) not one but two separate biographies of Barack Obama (remember, we are in the children's section!). Then I looked hard to find anything about John McCain or even anything about George W. Bush (positive or negative) and couldn't find a dang thing. Nothing. No bias in the media! The funniest part of all is when the mainstream media get all hot and bothered about talk radio and Fox News being too conservative biased. Whatever. At least the right side has a couple outlets. Okay. I'm done.

I'm Middle-aged

The doctor, the other day, said it was about time that I start getting mammograms. I said, okay, sure, why not. So bam!, he sent me to radiology and there it was. I'm pretty tough. I think I have Samy's pain threshold, so it wasn't as terrible as I've heard others describe it being. In fact on Good Morning America just the other day, there was a segment about the need/want to apply a local anaesthetic before a mammogram because it was that painful. I think it must be more painful for those lucky ladies who "have more to examine" (if you get my drift) than I do.

The only "painful" part about it was coming to the realization that I am old enough to need the exam. So, I thought about that for a minute or two; decided I couldn't get a convertible BMW to go with a mid-life crisis; and got over it. I'm done with that.

Well Helloooo Dolly!

The other day at 5 am, as hurricane Dolly rolled towards Brownsville, Texas, we were greeted by her outer bands. So, with the lightening and thunder rolling, waiting for the inevitable pitter/patter of one or two pairs of scarred little feet, I had Carol Channing stuck in my head. The only problem was that all I know is the first two lines of the song. And it kept going on in my head over and over and over again...

We ended up with only one person in our bed and got to sleep in until after seven what with the gloomy sky and all. It turned out nice.

Dolly has also produced a couple of rainy, wet days that have been great for guilt-free days spent at home watching too much TV, playing electronics, and a lot of reading. Yippee!

Pictures of Summer

Following are random pictures to go with my randomness post about what we've been doing during some of the dog days...

Check out his hands. Adorable baby is getting to be quite naughty. It's a good thing we think he is the cutest baby in the world!

Samy's current obsession is ring pops, then insisting that I take a picture of her blue mouth.

One day we were bored and hot, so we decided to go to Academy (sporting goods store) and loiter and take out our frustrations on the bag.

Now I'm tired. Hopefully it won't be another week before I get back to this. My people need to let me have more turns on my laptop!

New Addiction

2008-07-17T10:46:00.000-05:00

I've gotten into Netflix recently and l. o. v. e. it! I've almost caught up on all the recent movies that I wanted to see in the theater and never got around to. Last night's feature was La Vie En Rose. Kelly told me not to bother with it (she knows me well), but I couldn't resist seeing the adorable girl (Marion Coutillard) that won the academy award last year, so I got it anyway.

First off, I don't have the attention span for subtitles. It is not easy for me to look at the picture and read the words at the same time. So that was the first hurdle. Next hurdle was that it is a very dark movie. Yes, dramatic and depressing-dark, but I mean literally, it was dark. How the heck are you supposed to see what's going on in the film when you can't see the people? I know it's the new 'thing' in film making (along with the bouncy, motion-sickness inducing shaky camera), and maybe it saves on the set expense, but I don't get it. So with it being dark, and me having to try to read and see the pictures at the same time, it was not an easy watch.

When it was over and I turned it off, my first thought was that it was kind of depressing. But I guess if they made a movie about an upstanding, happy, non-addicted artist who was faithful to her spouse and didn't mess up other peoples marriages, it wouldn't win many awards or make any money. It was a tragic story, and amazing what this lady came from to rise to such status among the French (and the world).

Then this morning, I looked Edith Piaf up on Wikipedia and learned a bit more about her - she was tiny (4'10" - which is why she was called the little Sparrow (Piaf)). I decided that she was kind of cool (for a really messed up chick). I also kind of liked some of her songs.

Overall, the movie - with a Wikipedia and YouTube chaser - was pretty good IF one can read and watch at the same time. The best actress Oscar for Coutillard was deserved, I thought.

Here's my new favorite Edith Piaf song (I also like checking out the pianist. Apparently this guy wrote the song. He's fun to watch - I love when he pounds out the notes.):

Should I be offended... again?!

2008-07-13T21:11:00.000-05:00

Recently, there have been a rash of home break ins in our neighborhood. There have been muggings by the mail box (we have community mail boxes, not one in front of each house), where a person will get pushed into the thugs car and taken to an ATM to empty their account. Another tactic is for the thugs to pull their car up to a house in the middle of the day and kick in the door and grab all they can. Then there are plenty of car break ins and the usual stuff.

My theory on this has been that these homes, specifically the middle of the day break-ins, are targeted. I think the thugs know who is home or gone during the day and what it is that they are going into the house to get. I've always felt fairly secure because I don't usually have a set schedule where I am gone for an exact period of time day after day. It's pretty random around here -- especially in the summer. But I still set my house alarm and take all precautions just in case.

So, last night upon arriving home, we realized that we are total rejects.

Apparently, this family can leave the house at 3 pm, be gone until after 10 pm, leave the front door wide open and not a thug in sight saw fit to take a dang thing!

When we got home, Eric noticed the door open so we sent Geoff in to secure the area. Then I realized that two things would immediately clue me in on whether anyone had broken into our house. The flat screen TV in my bedroom, and the computer in the study. Untouched! Not even the dust was unsettled.

So, there you go. We don't even have anything good enough to give away to crooks!

What the heck!

2008-07-07T22:51:00.000-05:00

For the past two days (of coarse over the weekend -- a holiday weekend) Samy has been complaining that her ear hurt. This kid has an incredible pain threshold, so when she says something hurts, it really does.

**(A little history: She gets four shots, two in each thigh, and doesn't bat an eye. She cracked her head open when she tripped (on her own feet) at school and had shots put into the deep opened wound on her forehead without the nurse having to hold down her hands or legs, never shedding a tear. She is a stud.)**

Although, she will cry a river if she scraps her knee. Anyway, high pain threshold....

So, this morning, I called the doctor to get her in because she still said her ear hurt, and then said the other one did too. And she had an elevated temperature. So, doctor would see us at 2:20 pm.

We see the doctor and she checks her out only to tell me that everything looks great and she doesn't see any problems or even any fluid in her ears at all. WHAT?!?

The doctor gave me a funny look when I told Samy that she owed me $30 for the co-pay. Dang. So what the heck is wrong with her ear? The doctor said maybe swimmers ear, so try ear plugs. I didn't get any. We went swimming this afternoon. Samy was the last one out of the pool. Ears must have miraculously healed. $30!

Random photos

2008-07-07T22:20:00.001-05:00

The following are some of the high adventure and breathtaking things we've been doing over the summer:

We got into Webkinz when Maren got one from a friend for her birthday. Logan and "Blisterz" have been hanging out and doing a lot of reading.

Maren and Samantha have been constructing. I bought a set of cheap blocks a long time ago to pull out on a day when we needed something "constructive". It worked nicely.

This photo was not staged at all. He did it himself. Christian has been into EV RY THING!

Uncle Benn just came for a visit. (The Dodgers were in town to be beaten by the Astros), and thankfully, Benn fixed the child gate so that the stairs can be blocked off again -- I guess I'm not too good at finding studs (except for you, of coarse, Geoff).

We've been visiting local museums. This is the Natural Science Museum. Not a great picture. But we had a pretty good time. We go pretty regularly, but not enough to get bored of the same things. We buy family passes to the museums for the summer because they are air conditioned outings that don't require spending any other money. (You go twice and the pass is paid for!) The kids think the gift shops are just another display room. I am letting them believe.

Maren and Samy have been in swimming lessons this past week. The lessons actually started last week, but their brainless mom was a week off. (DERRRR!)

Finally, SWIMMING. The weather has been gorgeous and not very humid. Awesome neighbors have pretty much given us free reign of their house and pool whether they are home or not. So we spend every non-rainy afternoon at their house. They really are the greatest.

It's been a tough summer (sarcasm). We have worked hard on these tans. It's rough over here.

We're gearing up for an actual family vacation (with all of us together -- and without Geoff's computer -- GEOFF?!...) at the beginning of August. It's been a while, so I'm excited. Samy is afraid to get on a plane. She has been told we are driving. We will drive. To the airport..... It will all be okay when she is told that she gets to hold and watch the protable DVD player for the duration of the flight.

He ASKED for it

2008-07-02T22:17:00.001-05:00

Eric knew I didn't love his hair so long, but I didn't force him to do anything he didn't want to do. All I ever said to him (to him, I said) was that by the time he was passing the sacrament at the end of August, his hair would be above his shirt collar.

Apparently, Scout Camp was hot. Very hot. So Eric asked me to take him to get his hair cut. Of coarse I jumped at the opportunity! On the way over, he said that he wanted a #2 clipper on top and a #1 clipper for the back and sides. I guess I'm not too keen on what length all the clipper numbers mean, because I was thinking it would be a little longer on top and nicely combed to the side or the slightly spiked/messy look.

When he told the stylist what he wanted, she asked three times if he was sure. Then she looked at me. I just shrugged. Then she did this:

I gasped out loud, grabbed my camera,jumped up and started shooting! I was a little sick to my stomach. I kept saying in my mind: "It will grow back. It will grow back." I was worried that he would be upset because of a miscommunication or something. But nope! This is exactly what he wanted. I know I didn't like the long and unstyled hair, but I did like some hair! I was thinking something short and controlled. Not G I Joe! (In fact, thinking about it, I'm pretty sure G I Joe had more plastic hair than Eric does now.)

Talk about extremes! But, hey, it will be above the collar for passing the sacrament; there will be no argument about that.

He says that next year, he is doing this before Scout Camp.

ROTC here we come!

For your interpretation

2008-06-28T07:59:00.003-05:00

Last night, I dreamed that my family was spending the evening with the Jolie-Pitts. We had a splendid time. Brad was a bit more talkative than Angie. Angie was a little busy being the hostess and making sure everyone was taken care of, but mainly spent her time hanging out with all of the children - and with their four and our five, there were plenty of children around. We didn't talk about their non-marriage, or her horrible rated R movies, or even her tattoos, so it was a good visit.

Ahhh, Maren

2008-06-24T21:42:00.010-05:00

I adore this girl. I really do. She is beautiful, sweet, outgoing, graceful, and smart as heck.

Seven years ago today the Houston Medical Center was under water because of Tropical Storm Allison at the beginning of the month and now I was in labor. At about midnight on Saturday the 23rd, I called the doctor to figure out where I should go to have my baby. It was time. Geoff was so hoping that the baby would be delivered at the temporary triage center at the Astrodome - he really wanted to say his third child was born on the pitchers mound or home plate.....

Thankfully, to my relief, the doctor sent us to another hospital out of the flooded medical center that they had opened extra floors and wings. We found the hospital (that we didn't even know existed) and a few hours later, we had our first little girl. SEVEN years ago! It blows my mind to think that it has flown by so quickly.

Happy birthday, Maren. I love you more than words can say.

For certain birthdays, the kids get to have a friends party. This was a "friend party" birthday for Maren, so we had a swim party this past Saturday. (Geoff has the camera this week - blast you! - so I will post those pictures later).

So, to celebrate today (the actual birthday), we had a fun-filled day. We missed Eric and Geoff (who are at scout camp - sucks to be you...). There were only two things in the world that Maren wanted to do for her birthday. The first was to go bowling. So, we hauled out to the alley and had a good time (Except for Christian, who was strapped into his stroller the whole time because, come on...)

After bowling, we came home where Maren got to open her present from mom and dad.

Then, we and awesome neighbors went to do the second thing that Maren wanted to do for her birthday. Have dinner at a Mexican restaurant. She doesn't particularly love Mexican food,

but she loves the way they celebrate one's birthday!

(Christian, however, did not love it.)

We finished the great day with Wii at awesome neighbor's house. So fun. I love this girl.....

I'm so glad you're in our family, Maren. Happy 7th Birthday!

A touch of freedom

2008-06-18T14:01:00.002-05:00

This is a catch-up post from the beginning of this month:

It is no secret that I think my baby is perfect and beautiful and adorable and I love him more than words can express. But I have to say that him being gone for the weekend was AWESOME!

Geoff took Christian to Virginia to visit his parents and sister. Can I just tell you how free I felt with only four children?! No naps to work around, no one needed special food or drink, and no one needed a diaper. Everyone could walk. We had a great time.

We swam (and I didn't have to keep my eyes on anyone continually), we went places at any given time of the day. Everyone was able to get in and out of the car by themselves. It was fun, fun, fun.

On Saturday, we went to the beach. There was no way I was taking a baby to the beach -- on a Saturday -- to crawl around in the dirty sand and eat seaweed (one of the lovely 'advantages' of the gulf at Galveston is that seaweek washes up like nothing else!).

There was a Sandcastle building contest, so we and awesome neighbors loaded up and headed out to the gulf. Growing up on Southern California beaches has totally ruined any appreciation I may have had for the beach at Galveston, so I just hate it. When people come to visit and ask to go to the beach and see the gulf, I say, okay, but it's gross and dirty and yucky. I took Clay there and when we left, I asked what he thought. He said: "Well, it was exactly like you described it!"

Anyway, I digress. It had been years since I had taken the kids to the beach. It is kind of like childbirth, wherein, after a year or two, you forget the pain and ugliness of it and are ready to do it again. So I was ready to go to the beach. It was yucky, gross and nasty, but way more tolerable than it would have been had we had a baby with us. The Sandcastles were pretty neat to see being built, and Logan got to fly a kite. We really did enjoy ourselves. It was packed with people, but I think with my new freedom, I was in a better state of mind to handle it.

In the end, Geoff and Christian returned on Sunday and at seeing the sweet little man, I have to say, although I didn't miss him while he was gone, I was very glad to have him back. (And Geoff too, but I'm just used to him being gone all the time...)

I think it's because we have a two-story house

2008-06-18T13:26:00.001-05:00

Boy, the tooth fairy has had such a hard time getting to our place ever since we moved from the one-story house into the two-story. I know it's been, what, almost four years, but she just keeps getting later and later. I'm not accusing her of being lazy or anything, but I think she doesn't really like having to fly upstairs to make deposits.

When we first moved in here, some kid had lost a tooth and that dang thing stayed under his pillow for days. We kept making excuses about how the tooth fairy had to get used to finding our new house and all. Finally, she delivered, and everyone accepted the excuse about confusion with the move.

Nowdays, Maren is losing teeth like crazy and it is way hard for that fairy to keep up. Part of the problem, I think, is that some of the kids are going to bed later and the tooth fairy just can't stay awake that late. It's tough. Currently, Christian is running neck and neck with Maren in regards to the number of teeth in their respective.

There's some missing on the bottom too!

I don't remember the boys being this toothless all at once at any time. One of Maren's front teeth is finally growing in. It looks to me like it might be kind of crooked. We'll see. I blame all orthodontal problems on Geoff's genes. My teeth are straight having never touched a brace in their life! My genes just contribute to all other types and kinds of illness and diseases....mostly adult things that they will be on their own insurance coverage for.

Only in Texas

2008-06-18T11:31:00.002-05:00

I love the south! We were headed out for a fun day at Kelly's house. Had to be gone so the people could clean the house. Pulled out of the garage only to find that one of the front tires of the van was flat as a pancake. So, I pumped up the tire (have a portable tire pump -- experience...) and drove slowly to Wal-Mart (my most favorite place in the world) to get the flat fixed.

Dylan at Wal-Mart said they would fix the tire and it would take about an hour and a half. So, we called awesome neighbor who made two shuttles because she only had the five seater car. In the meantime, we got happy meal breakfasts (only because they had good Kung Fu Panda toys that we haven't gotten yet) to wait for the shuttle. So, here's why I love the South:

We're waiting in Wal-Mart McDonald's when a man comes up and is cooing over Christian and says things like. "You're going to play for the NFL, aren't you?" "Such a happy boy, ain't ya?" Things like that. So, then as he's walking away, his parting words are: "I know why you're so happy, cause Hillary didn't get elected."

Amid my laughter, I said "Yes, sir!"