Reprieve

The best thing happened to me today. Two (mostly) uninterrupted hours with a friend. I might survive the rest of the week.
We have two dance recitals this week. The studio we dance with is so full that they have to divide the show into halves to make it so that it isn't 4 straight hours. Oh, well. It's fun to watch the kids.
The new job is a hit. So far we've had the joys of figuring out that The Steady One's schedule is pretty flexible and the dark sorrow of realizing it would be 5 weeks until his first paycheck.
I want to quit my job.
Kids are growing and growing. They still love the neighbor and Sunbeam teacher and are enjoying increasing amounts of time with her. She's one of those rare godsends. I'm serious.
School is out. Houray?! Now I have to fill their time with wholesome activities. Suggestions are welcomed. Please. And Quickly!
In reality, we will be spending a lot of time in the yard and at my Mother's. We've been helping with a deck and the conversion of a garden into a pretty, landscaped outdoor patio.
The Sweet One has figured out to do her chores quickly so she can play.
The Funny One actually told me that he knows if he asks something, and is told no, to keep asking until I say, "I don't care."
The Wild One told me he likes chocolate (in a Spanish accent) on his strawberries.
The Happy One is potty training. So far so good, but only for Number 1.
That's it for us. We miss my Dad. Our 85+ year old neighbor just came home from the hospital. She'd had a stroke and was in the ICU. Not fair. I've actually really been struggling with the temporary permanence of this situation. Nothing anyone can do makes it better, but at least my family understand.
Hopefully the summer will make it better. Doesn't sunshine make everything better?

Heard about the house

I love to share the crazy and random things my kids say. SO....
"Daddy! Move!" The Happy One, to her dad, because she was sweeping the kitchen floor.
"My bed is too big for me." The Wild One, because he wanted to climb in MY bed.
"When I'm Hulk, then I can take down Coleman." The Wild One, who wrestles with his cousin.
"LOOK AT THAT HOT ROD!" The Funny One. I don't know that The Steady One or I have ever used the term "hot rod" before, though we do admire them.

Everlasting Companion

My neice edited this photo for us. I really love it. It's a good thing I like this man, if we've got eternity to go.

The Steady One has finally finished his coursework for his Masters in Environmental Science. Sometime in the not now distinguishable future, he will take two HELL-DEFINING classes (Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics) and his Masters will be in Environmental Engineering. All that's left for him is a project involving ground water modelling for Monstanto, Corp. in Soda Springs and he's graduated. Our journey through school has been long and unyielding. He's a brilliant man, but tests are not his forte. I have a huge pet peeve about our education system and the requirements it involves for those whose brain works on a different wave length than the traditionally accepted "book smarts." I wish there was any way that I could have made this journey easier for him, but HE MADE IT! I am super proud of him.

Also, so amazingly and with the blessings of the Lord, he has been offered a position as a geologist with the U.S. Forest Service. The job is in our home town, which enables us to stay in our somewhat small house. We would not be very excited about selling our home in this market and can only hope that it will be better in several years. He has applied for quite a few jobs, but this is the one that is the best fit for our family and we acknowledge our Heavenly Father's help in his obtaining it. We're just thrilled to be able to get it.

He is still serving with the Young Men in our ward and his calling just became more relevant because there are now scouts in the age group that he is in charge of. Scouting is such a hard calling, and I'm grateful for the time that goes into that difficult job. I expect to see less of him on Wednesday nights, oh wait! I never see him on Wednesdays anyway.

These are the people most excited for his new job. Evenings can be spent with Dad more frequently, without his prior stress levels. Adjustments will be made to our lifestyle. I can't wait.

Baby Face

Having been accused of having a favorite, I'm truly surprised it wasn't my happy baby. I wish she was happy all the time. Her temper tantrums are a sight to behold. She could give lessons on tantrums and fits. I guess I should take back my previous statement of her favoritism. On account of having been told that my kids really aren't that busy, I post the following:

She only eats on the move. Strapping her into a high chair is grounds to have food thrown at you, which is grounds for time out, which is grounds for a temper tantrum, which is grounds for me to lose my mind (let alone my temper), and none of it is worth it to me. So, we let eat her on the table or in the kids' chairs or on my lap. Notice her mess on the table and her shoes on the wrong feet.

The bathroom. She had cleaned out everything under the sink so that she could play in there. A proud grin on her face prompted me crawl across the mess to get this picture. It took me an hour to fix what took her 15 seconds to dump on the floor. In addition to dumpign towels, she loves to dump shampoo, flour, cereal, or whatever else is in her hand. I try not to hand her things. It takes a split second to tip it over and dump it out. Recently an attempt was made to pour Gatorade from the bottle into the cap. THE CAP, people. Not only does she love to climb in things, climbing atop things is also a hit. Yesterday, a suspicious banging noise was coming out of the washroom. On investigation, I found the Happy One jumping up and down on top of the washing machine. How she got up there is a mystery.

I love this picture. At night, if she wakes up, she lays in bed and cried, "Daddy!" in this little whimpering voice. It's rare that I put her to bed. She really likes her Dad. It's a good thing he's such an amazing parent and tolerates her constant needs pretty well.

This is one of her pouty faces. Oh, just give in already. I am not looking forward to the battle of wills that will take place in this child's future. She's as single minded as her Dad and as bull-headed as her Mother. Look out.

Wild 'N Crazy

I was recently accused of having a favorite child, this one. It's probably because of his age, but apparently I talk about him a lot. I cannot express how much I love this boy. Mostly I love this age, as hard as it is. He is figuring out so much. He is really, really, really smart. He is tireless. He goes and goes until he falls asleep (usually wherever he is). My Dad bought me a shirt for him that said, "My parents are exhausted." His hair is my favorite thing. It is naturally that color. It is still streaked from lat summer. I love his mop haircut. I love that he looks like surfer. It fits his little personality.

He is crazy and fun. I love what he figures out. He can do puzzles by himself. He knows his entire alphabet (he's 3 1/2) and recognizes each individual letter. He has figured out that letters make words and tells me his name is spelled L-Q-T-T-Z or whatever letters he picks that day. He always reads Open signs. It's great. We sing and sing and watch Dora. He loves his siblings. He says the cutest and funniest things. He has a shirt with a soccer ball on it and he told me that his Dad has to take him to soccer. He LOVES his primary teacher. He talks about her all the time and he tells her, "You can come to my house tonight at 7 o'clock." He remains obsessive about things. Especially about being dirty or wet. If he gets wet or gets paint on himself, he has to change. He will only wear clothes he has picked. He does not like when he grows out of things.

His brother complains that The Wild One gets whatever he wants. Which isn't true. But it does bother me when they argue and fight and the Funny One gets mad that I am upset with him. I keep telling him, "You are 8 years old! How old is your brother?" "Three," he'll say. Okay, then. Quit arguing with him. Our favorite thing to do is to take him to Story Time at the library. He loves to drive under the tunnel with his Dad in the truck. He loves to eat (especially veggies or melon). He wants to help with whatever I am doing. He navigates the internet alone (Only Nick Jr. or PBS kids is allowed on his account.) He can surf Netflix on the tv.

I love this pic. He taught his sister how to get on the counter. He is CONSTANTLY getting into things. Just this morning, when his Dad called him to come get dressed, he said, "I'm just getting me some chips." AT 8 a.m. Wow. It's such a fun age. He only likes to be called by his name. I can't call him "Honey." And he isn't cute. He's handsome.

Anniversary

11 years ago today, I married the greatest man alive. He is the best companion. I am completely spoilt. It's such a blessing to have him in my life. I can't believe that we've made it through school, babies, jobs and my craziness for 11 years. It's a tribute to his greatness that he's put up with me this long. I decided to list the 11 things I love the most about him.

1. He is rock steady. He never gets mad. He never wavers. I am this crazy person that is all over the place, but he keeps me sane.

2. He takes care of our kids at night. My bedtime is notorious. My brother-in-law calls it "the witching hour." Once I'm tired, I'm a witch. Instead of complaining or forcing me to stay up, he puts me to bed with our big kids and puts our little babies to bed without me. Every night (that he's home). Who does that? Let alone who does it without complaining.

3. He babies me. If I say I'm thirsty, he's up in a heartbeat to get me something to drink. If we don't have what I want, he'll go to the store. He's incorporated my co-workers in this habit. It's so adorable.

4. He's brilliant. He has this crazy one-track mind, but once he gets talking about something he loves, he has this enormous knowledge base. It's crazy. Just don't argue with him. ;)

5. He's an honorable priesthood holder. He gave me a blessing recently and the strength of his quiet spirit about blew me away. The blessing was beautiful and sensitive and everything I needed.

6. He lets me be myself. He hasn't ever criticized my forthrightness, my crazy hair color, or my affinity for tie-dye. He just doesn't care. If it makes me happy, he encourages me to do it.

7. He fills my car with gas. So, he has a couple things that he's decided are HIS job. The lawn is one, but keeping my tank full is another. I have come to rely on it and I get bugged when he forgets. Then I think, wait! You silly woman! He does that because he loves you.

8. He is patient with me. Sometimes I lose my patience or have a super crazy day. He just blows it off. Even if I've been mean to him.

9. He's super hot. Sorry. I had to throw that in. The boys in his family improve with age. I'm so glad I saw that and I get to see him get better looking each day.

10. He's my friend. Truly, we have so much fun together. I love to go to the movies with him. Especially if we are watching a comic book based movie and I can tell him all about what they left out and laugh out loud and giggle and clutch his arm. I love to talk to him. I love to be goofy around him and watch him be happy to be with me.

11. Lastly, I love the side of him that only I see. I love when he's gotten a little goofy. I love to be in bed with him and just talk about our day, our plans, and our future. I love to ride in the car with him. I really do!


So, Happy Anniversary baby! You're the best thing to ever happen to me. I adore you.

Baptisms, Birthdays and More

So, the Funny One turned eight last week. We had his baptism on his birthday and we combined it with his cousin. My family knew that this was going to be a hard day (and a beautiful one at the same time), so we did it once instead of twice. It was really a lovely evening. My Dad's presence was really strong. These boys are only 6 weeks apart. His cousin was born on the 11th of March and my son was born teh 22nd of April. His was by far my easiest pregnancy and my shortest because we didn't figure out I was pregnant until I was 17 weeks. They have been good friends ever since.

My Dad wasn't there to baptize my nephew, so my brother stepped in. We were so happy to have these boys baptized and become members of the church. They are both really strong spirits and have the power to be a strong influence for good.

The Funny One took a hip hop class this year and he has gotten really good. He looks so natural doing those crazy moves. He wears shorts that are 2 sizes to big and a gold hat, tipped cocky on his head. He has funky "crunk" teeth. In short, he looks like a little punk. They always talk about "attitude" in that class and it has spead to every part of his little body. He's so funny. A while ago, my neice (who is a beautiful and amazing dancer) was walking into dance, and a boy held the door. He was leaning all cool into the door, and looked up at her, gave her a peace/gang hand sign and said, "Yo. 'Ssup Bailey?" It startled her until she looked down and realized it was The Funny One. We've all had a good laugh since. Still he can do a half hand stand and stop, which is called a Stall and has that cousin quite jealous. He started Scouts, which is SUPER excited about. He reads like crazy and is too smart for his britches. He's also quite forgetful (hmm, wonder where he got that) and never remembers his homework. I'd remind him, but I want him to remember on his own. The kids got a Wii for Christmas and he is so good. He loves to sit and play with The Wild One watching. And The Wild One loves to sit and direct. My only gripe with this kid is the fight that occurs daily over chores. It's a big fight and it happens every day. He tells me every day that it isn't fair and that I pick on him. His sister is figuring out to just go and get it done and be finished. He hasn't figured it out yet. Every Sunday, at family counsel, he tries to pick the easiest chores. "Um, I'll water the plants and vacuum," he'll say. Great, a once a week chore and a chore that can't be done unless someone's picked up the floor. So, we're still in a learning phase on that. We are registering him for flag football with his cousin and he's excited about that.

I love this picture. Inside that Funny Face is a sweet boy. I rarely catch a picture of it. I rarely see it. He's too busy. I wouldn't have it any other way.