Smearing Poop

*Warning*

If the title didn't tell you enough, this is my warning to you that this blog post deals with Poop. Enough Said.

A while ago, well, I would say, almost exactly two years ago, I was dealing with Poop. Funny how these things seem to re-surface from time to time. Isn't it? Kind of like a re-occurring nightmare that just keeps happening? (Or is that just having more than one child, anywho. . .)

Seems now that Kaylie is exactly Wade's age when I did that last post, I would be dealing with poop again. Yet, I wish it was only poop in the tub.

Kaylie has decided that poop is fun to play with. Only in the morning, in the quiet confines of her crib. She didn't realize that her body made such a fun, mushy, (yet smelly) type of play dough.

It seemed fun to smear around the bed, into her hair, on her feet and along the rungs of her crib.

Well, it is fun until mommy comes into the room and has to strip her naked and throw her in the tub all the while saying, "NO TOUCH THE POO POO KAYLIE!!!!!"

Day One, frustrating. Day TWO, MADDENING. DAY THREE. . .My threats, lectures, and luke warm baths in the AM are not working!!!!!! Time to take this into serious measures. . . .

Footie Pajamas.

And guess what, she didn't appreciate it. When I put those footie pajamas (sleeper, whatever you want to call it) on her tonight, she screamed out like she was in a horror flick. But, hopefully, I will have a poop free morning.

We will soon find out.

Either way, I am CERTAIN this is why Heavenly Father made kids so stinkin' cute.

postaldeliveriaphobia

I tweeted yesterday that I am afraid of the mail. It is true. For some reason, I have developed a healthy fear of the mail. I think it started a couple of years ago when we went out of town for a week or so. We stopped the mail from being delivered and when I went to the post office to pick it up, they gave me one of those jumbo sized buckets with all my mail in it. It took me WEEKS to go through all the mail.

Now, I guess the real problem here is, WHY WOULD IT TAKE ANYONE WEEKS TO GO THROUGH THE MAIL? I ask myself that REPEATEDLY. Honestly, I think it is because of my OCD tendencies. Does anyone else feel the need to look through every magazine? Just in case there is something you need/want/didn't think of?

I have to admit, I am getting better at this. I threw away the Smith and Noble and Land's End Men's Catalog without a second glance. However, I had to keep the Pottery Barn, Lands End Swim, Home Decorators Collection, BYU magazine, Sports Illustrated (for the Hubby) and People Magazine (I got a new subscription for my birthday, YAY!) just in case there was some fabulous idea in there that I needed to copy for my own home. (I admit, I am a decorating copier, I use there great ideas- but get something cheaper) And Lands End Swim? I am probably going to live in a swim suit (it was 98 degrees yesterday) from now until October 1st. . . So, it is a wise investment. However, the problem now is WHEN DO I READ THOSE MAGS? They will sit on my counter for a few more weeks, maybe make it into the bathroom and when I figure I have never looked at them in a 4 week period (1 week mail box, 2 weeks counter, 1 week bathroom) I will finally throw them in the recycle bin. [Don't worry, the People mag gets read]

Then there are the coupons. GEESH I hate those coupon mailers! Here in AZ the coupon adds flood your mail box like reproducing bunnies! Just when you think you have "separated" them, another litter comes along. Why do I feel the need to look through all of those adds! I meticulously peruse them for special deals. I take out the coupons for the Zoo, Animal Park, Hair Cuts, Oil Changes and eating establishments that we go to. . . and then we don't go. Actually, the truth of the matter is, I put them in a basket (my coupon and whatever else junk basket) and they expire. Or I throw them out because I get ANOTHER coupon (the same one) that expires at a later date. I swear I am going to use them SOMETIME! (Am I crazy? I am starting to feel that way)

Then of course there are the bills. . . bills . . . bills. I know they are coming. I know when they are due. Can't I just leave 'em in the box until I need to pay them? Ugh. I hate the bills. I do all of my bill paying on my computer these days (no stamps necessary!) But since my computer is in my bedroom it always take a concerted effort to get the bills to my bedroom and make sure they are paid. ON TIME.

Good stuff in the mail? Like what? Does ANYONE get good mail? Except for Christmas and Birthdays . . . I think NOT. How about you, do you like the mail?

Love it?

Or

Hate it?

I am being ABUSED

So, I am 35... Getting ready to have my 4th child.

I guess this makes me a "high risk" pregnancy.

The Dr.s are trying to kill me by making me come to the Dr.'s office EVERYDAY.

No WONDER my blood pressure is HIGH.

They have made me collect Urine for 24 hours.. Have you done it? It is SO FUN. (So fun to wander to the refrigerator in the middle of the night with a cup full of pee...)

Really, because it is already SO FUN to do it every time you go to the office.

They have made me lay in their office for an hour hooked up to a monitor.

They have made me take Glucose tests.

I have been poked in the finger

In the arm

And YOU KNOW WHERE ELSE!

They have made me have ultrasounds (ok, those aren't that bad)

I have passed every single one of their tests with FLYING COLORS.

But seriously.. the next time they ask me how I am feeling or why my blood pressure is "a little high" I am going to say,

BECAUSE YOU GUYS ARE DRIVING ME COMPLETELY BATTY! NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!

Do you think it will work?

Rough Re-Entry

• I missed the Bachelor because my DVR decided Oprah was more important... NOT!
• My kids woke up 30 minutes EARLIER than they were supposed to. . . Grrr
• Wade woke up 1 HOUR before he was supposed to
• I had to tell everyone what to do SEVERAL TIMES (like they had never gotten ready for school before)
• We couldn't find Jaxon's backpack (still looking)
• All the sippy cups were dirty (is there anything WORSE than THAT?)
• I had to take Jaxon to therapy at 7:45. And no, I didn't have time to brush my hair, change my clothes OR put on a bra. (I love being seen in public like that don't you?)
• I have to clean the house for company
• Our garage door was open all night
• I fell down this morning and skinned my knee (it was NOT graceful)
• OUTSIDE .....WHERE I AM SURE PEOPLE SAW THE POOR PREGNANT LADY ON THE GROUND TRYING TO GET UP!

On a happier note:

THE KIDS ARE BACK IN SCHOOL!

(it might just make up for all the rest)

Happy Days are Here Again!

Let's just let out a big collective *sigh* ready? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH... Didn't that feel good? Well, it did to me because I have my (my husbands which I stole because mine is old and slow) laptop running again! I mean, it WAS running before... if you think that crashing every oh 20 minutes or so is running. The good news is, is that it would re-boot really fast, because it is a fast computer. But now, it is 11:52 p.m.... My husband has told me to go to bed like 5 times now and has uttered words like, "tired" "grumpy" "tomorrow" to me to try to get me to scurry along... but you know what? It won't matter... because my computer will be working like the sleek beautiful machine that it is tomorrow.. and that is JUST enough to keep my happy meter on the upside.. .If you know what I mean.

Wanna do the same? Ok, well, you have to back up all of the documents to a different drive. Yep, get one. (It is worth it) All the pictures too.. .then you have to push some secret combo of buttons to wipe that hard drive clean and VOILA! It is like a PRETTY CLEAN LAKE WITH NO RIPPLES... just waiting for you to dip your toe in. A CLEAN HARD DRIVE! Just like when you brought it home from the Hospital.. er... I mean, store. (I need to learn how to do those strike through words. Somebody help a girl out) I just RECENTLY learned about the compose button on blogger... I am so smart as not I think..... and I mean that!

Oh, did I mention you will spend the next 4-5 hours re-loading programs? Oh, because you will... and with each new and clean program you will feel your computer connected self feeling lighter and lighter until the perfect brightness of.... Ok, I am getting a little carried away here, but it DOES FEEL GOOD!

I just have a few more programs to re-load and !!!!!!!!!!!!!IT IS FINISHED!!!!!!!!!!!.. Now, I just have to wait for Abby to add some crazy program on while she is visiting the build-a-bear workshop... ugh. I think it is time for a kid ONLY computer.

Wanna See Something SCARY??

BOO!

I hope you enjoy the latest addition to my leg. Hillary, I am sorry if I EVER said ANYTHING about your Vericose Veins.. I mean, I have had them, but not THIS BAD. The crazy thing is, I only have one leg like this... the other? JUST FINE THANK YOU!

I guess I will just add this to my list of surgeries I will have after I have my last child.... that list is getting longer, and longer and LONGER!

Lindsey on Life- and Grey's Anatomy

This week was National Stay at Home week. What on earth does that mean? (You might ask) Well, it means that the new season of some TV shows came on this week and the networks wanted you to stay home and watch TV, so, they called it National Stay at Home week. (What a marketing department, eh?) Anywho... I was excited! I mean, after all, I have my daily arsenal of Tivo'd shows to watch. . . FINALLY there is something on TV!!! RIGHT??? Well, actually, I am finding less and less... a disappointment really. I was really hoping to have something to take my mind off of MY problems, but actually found that what I watched left me thinking about the WORLD's problems.

I guess, in fairness, it all started when Peter and I decided to rent the first season of Mad Men (AMC) on DVD. Critically acclaimed, Emmy crowned, all the rest. Well, it only took us a few episodes (there was only three on the DVD) to realize that this was a full frontal assault on marriage and family life. There wasn't a redeeming character in the bunch. In short, there was no one to "root" for, there was no hero. They were all just a bunch of middle aged men who were clueless about life, commitment and what it means to have a spine. Overall, a total disappointment.

Which leads me to my next big disappointment. The season premier of Grey's Anatomy. Now, some of you might gasp in shock that I even WATCH Grey's Anatomy, but I know many of you do too, so, it won't be a shocker to most. First of all the "sneak peak" commercials were all designed to create interest and shock in all of the events that were going to happen on the first episode... Lies.. .all of them... lies. Jokes, stupidity. Come on. Do you you have to WRITE these things just so you can get an intriguing trailer? Sad. Second of all, I am tired of Meredith and her flip flops. I am with Dr. Yang. It is dumb, get over it. Third, we have ANOTHER total assault on marriage, family, hope and relationships with the constant message of: It will never work. It is too hard. You just start getting chipped away. Then suddenly, you don't know each other. (Actual quotes from the episode)

BLAH BLAH BLAH.

Obviously no one in Hollywood has any idea of what a "relationship" is. I agree. For most, there is no Fairly Tale. But, that is NOT what a relationship is about. It is about Trials, Growth, Challenges and Endurance. Not to make it sound so UN-GLAMOROUS, but REAL. Otherwise, what is the point to this life and all of its learning? NOTHING. Of course, along with all of those challenges are BRIGHT, BEAUTIFUL BLESSINGS and some of the MOST REWARDING MOMENTS in life. They are there, but, they are only MORE sweet when we know the hardship and the challenges. Without those hardships... there is no Opposition, and THERE MUST BE OPPOSITION IN ALL THINGS SO THAT WE MAY KNOW THE GOOD FROM THE EVIL. (My husband is going to enjoy this post because as of late, I am having a hard time not complaining about our current trials and my favorite question is WHY US, WHY NOW??? Dearest honey, I understand the concept. That doesn't make it easier)

Moving on: it doesn't snow in Seattle in September, and that ICE DAGGER would have melted inside Dr. Yang long before they would have had to pull it out. Good job writers! Glad you get paid so much to put something SOOOOOOOOO stupid together. Shhesh. I will go back to watching my Reality TV. Thanks to Dancing with the Stars for presenting something that shows that through hard work and determination people can really can accomplish something. (Ok, they could wear more clothes) A worthy lesson. Good Bye Grey's. You are off my Tivo for good.

One He** of a Sunday

You know it is going to be a rough Sunday when you start church at 8:00 a.m. and have to speak in church first thing... Actually, that part of the day went rather well. I think that was the 1,439,212 time that Peter and I have spoken in Church because we move so much, so, we are bound to get used to it eventually. RIGHT? Well, for the most part, right. I was hoping to regurgitate a talk that I had already given, but alas, had to construct something entirely new when I couldn't find a talk on that subject. We juggled three kids and two talks and almost came out unscathed. It will be nice when Peter and I can listen to each other's talks. Actually, I have to give credit to the sweet girl who came out into the hall and asked if she could watch Wade so I could listen to Peter speak. It would have been great, if Wade would have gone for it.. but NO WAY.


I was subbing in the 7 year olds class today but when I arrived at Primary to sub that class, they QUICKLY informed me that I would be subbing for Jaxon's class. That was fine, but, it takes a WHOLE lot more energy to teach 5 year olds (Especially Jaxon) and I wasn't mentally prepared for the task. However, I made it out alive and it even went pretty well. Jaxon informed me later that he didn't like me teaching his class. (I am sure it had NOTHING to do with making him sit still and him KNOWING I will deliver on my threats)


Since Wade isn't officially old enough for nursery, he was taken home during RS/Priesthood and I was going to take the kids home in Peter's car after church.. and I WOULD have, if I had a key to his car on my key chain.. Oh, that reminds me honey, your car is still at the church. We hooked a ride home from someone else.


Wade was in fine form at church.. I mean, ALL DAY... He must have wonked his head or run into a wall or tripped over a book at LEAST 600 times today. (Ok, so, I feel like exaggerating today) Anyway, it was a LONG baby day and you know how those go... they just seem to NEVER END! We couldn't WAIT to toss him into the crib with his blankie and a binky.. the night didn't fall fast enough!


BUT HERE is the topper... I was awoken ever so gently (or by frantic yelling), you choose how YOU think it went, from my leisurely Sunday nap to find that Abby had one of These in her ear ....Inserted by her wonderful brother Jaxon. By the time I was woken, there had already been some attempts to get it out so a trip to the Insta Care was in order... I think they are going to get to know us well. We have already been there for THIS, and Peter was there just a couple of weeks ago for Strep. Good golly. Happy Sabbath. I hope yours was a LOT more "restful".


To finish this uplifting and spiritual blog entry, I thought I would share a few things that DID make me smile today.

This is a picture of Jaxon and Peter. What are they doing? DUH! Dancing at a disco with a disco ball! (Of course) Jaxon is the one on the right. It looks like he is a little uncertain about his "moves".

This is the picture that Jaxon drew when we told him to draw a monster to shoot with his new Nerf Gun. Of course we were just trying to keep aim away from us. Don't you think it is an awfully bright and sunny day for a monster to be attacking the house? I thought so too.

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Sunday Summary

I have never done one of these "Sunday Summaries" But I decided today would be an appropriate week to do it. . .

Monday: Kids started school! Craziness abounded that day because of the slacker mom who didn't attend any of the "back to school" meetings. I blame pregnancy.

Tuesday: Peter's birthday! And just because I didn't take pictures doesn't mean that we didn't celebrate. We had his favorites: Mongolian Beef and his FAVORITE dessert! PIE.... Click here to see WADE say PIE.

Wade and I started coming down with a NASTY cold: Monday 12 tissue day... Tuesday 24 tissue day... Worse... Wednesday 36 tissue day... You get the picture.


Wednesday: Abby's birthday! I managed to make a cake but couldn't manage dinner. Peter brought home PIZZA instead! I love my personal delivery boy...

Thursday: I got to see pictures of my little baby AGAIN! :)I would upload pix here, but blogger doesn't recognize the format! Sorry, I will have to scan some later!

Friday: Abby played hooky from school by saying that her stomach hurt. Peter couldn't BELIEVE I let her stay home, but to be honest, I was feeling so sick myself I was just about buyin' her complaints. I had a BIG THROBBING pain in my cheek by the end of the day and stayed up ALL NIGHT because I couldn't sleep the pain was so bad. I was calling Dentists at 5:00 a.m. begging for someone to see me.

Saturday: 10 am. Dentist appointment. Me: crying and sobbing I am in so much pain... two root canals please... Thank you. I can't get in to see and endodontist until Monday...so, I have to wait out the weekend with HORRIBLE memories of the day that you would get your braces tightened... but this would be 10xs more painful and no pain killers...not even the really good stuff would really take all the pain away! Wish me luck Monday at the endodontist....ooch.. My mouth is SORE!

Sunday: My head has hurt so much the last two days that I haven't even been able to pick up the Breaking Dawn book that my husband so lovingly went to Barnes and Noble yesterday and bought for his poor, pathetic sick wife who couldn't get her bum off the couch for more than a few seconds at a time... I will read more today! :)

When the Home Handi-woman and OCD Team Up.

On day two of unpacking, some crazy OCD struck and I was convinced that I could NO LONGER unpack until my washer and dryer were hooked up. I asked my husband to hook them up and his response was..."I have never done that, you always do that." Some of you might know that I am the home handi-woman; which means if there is something to be fixed.. I will attempt to fix it. Apparently, I have done this fixing before.. and you would think after 7 moves in 8 years he would have done it ONCE.. but apparently NOT.

I couldn't immediately find the dryer hose although, I DID look in the dryer (which seemed like the most logical place to put it) So, we had to do a Home Depot Run to get one so I could wash clothes because they seemed to be multiplying from children stripping down naked on the spot where-ever they were standing when I said pool time.. which means, they were all over the house. I was convinced that I would not be able to organize the house until these clothes were picked up, cleaned and organized. Hence, the desperate need for a washer and dryer. (OCD strikes once)Exhibit "A"
Exhibit "B"
Exhibit "C"

Husband then went off to do what he does do VERY WELL and that would be take the kids off my hands (thank you honey) so I can unpack without interruptions and in peace... that would be until OCD Strikes again and when OCD strikes, it makes it virtually IMPOSSIBLE to do ANYTHING in a timely manner. (Doesn't it?)

The dryer door now opens facing the garage door. That can't be good, because if the dryer were left open and the garage door swung open, they would collide causing possible damage to both doors... RIGHT? Solution: Change the swing of the door.

Does the home handi-woman wait and ask her husband to do it? NO, because if she should say: "Husband, I would like the door on my dryer to swing the other way." He will give me a crazy look, make up a thousand reasons why he can't, we shouldn't or it won't. Me, on the other hand, will get out the tool box and attempt to do it myself. OCD Strike two.

Open the instructions: Take door off hinge.. (Don't bother to read the rest of the instructions at this point because it seems simple enough and you see the holes on the other side of the door and you will just turn the thing upside down and VOILA. Fixed.. Done. Home Handi-woman is AMAZING.) Not quite so fast.

Swing the door shut and BANG. Door bounces back open. Apparently, that little straight part of the door needs to be right side down.. Capiche? Yeah, look at the instructions further and it turns out, you have to unassemble the ENTIRE DOOR... and turn it all around thus spending the entire time you were supposed to be unpacking to turning the door around.. while sweet un-handy honey was distracting the disturbing minions...


PS- The dryer hose WAS IN THE DRYER.


THE END. Let us all hope that OCD doesn't come back soon.

IT IS FINISHED (mostly)

Well, the house is packed... See? (This is where I would post a nice picture of my cute house completely empty, but clean-- IF I could find the camera.)

It happened today. The movers came in at 8:00 a.m. and left at 6:30. (Big job I guess) It was all packed up and ready to go... (mostly) except for the stuff under my bed... which I completely forgot was there which consisted of a scrabble game (I have to hide it from the husband, or he will want to play and CREAM me...and I hate that) a breakfast tray (OH! That is why I haven't had breakfast in bed!) and a few contraband toys that I was hiding from Jaxon. (I guess I couldn't think of a better place to hide them)

Better than that of course was the remnants of sneakings past that surfaced as soon as furniture started to move. I think we unearth 6 ... yes, I counted right, 6 apple cores...(why throw them in the garbage when you can throw them under the couch, behind the armoire, or behind the bookcase?) A candy bar wrapper, a few empty sandwich bags (I have NO IDEA what was in those!) And an empty chips bag.. I guess I will have to be a little more vigilant in searching for "treasure".

So, after a weekend of packing/partying/packing/packing/packing and cleaning.. I am off on to a 12 hour drive to Utah. Just what I wanted after such a weekend. Feel sorry for me yet? If I wasn't so tired, I would feel sorry for me too....:)

Disneyland Remix

Ahhhhhhhhh Disneyland. Full of fun, magic, candy, food, and THROW UP (or Blow Up).

Nobody blew up on Tuesday night so Peter and I shook the kids out of bed at 4:00 a.m. to hop a 6:00 a.m. flight Wednesday morning. Everyone was cheery and we were all happy to be heading to Disneyland! We arrive a 1/2 hour earlier than anticipated and actually made it to our 10:00 a.m. reservation at the Character Breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen! Goofy did the Macarenaand Captain Hook gave Jaxon a High Five.. The kids ate a great $20 per plate meal and just a quick 20 minutes later, Jaxon looked like this.And then promptly blew up his $20 meal.

My SUPER HERO (Peter) Swept him into the Bathroom, ditched the shoes, sweatshirt, and washed him off as best he could while Abby rode the rides by herself with random granny. (I was on Wade detail)
A short while later, Jaxon and Peter emerged victoriously (and with a lighter wallet) from the gift store which had a Jedi Academy Sweatshirt, Buzz light year Shoes, AND Buzz Lightyear SOCKS! (I guess other people blow up on their shoes in Disneyland too)
Jaxon hung out in his stroller for most of the day, and we did get to enjoy the rest of the afternoon in D-land. We thought MOST CERTAINLY Jaxon would be over Blowing Up by THURSDAY! I mean, he has been blowing up since MONDAY! Abby blew up on Tuesday, and she was TOTALLY FINE by Wednesday. SURELY IT COULD NOT LAST ANOTHER DAY.... (famous last words) Here is Jaxon shortly after blowing up on Thursday after holding down breakfast AND lunch. Oh well.

Peter (once again) saved the day on Blow Up duty, but was unfortunately joining the blow up gang that night in the hotel room. BUT... Not all was LOST! Peter joined us by 4:00 p.m. the next day and we enjoyed our last two days in Disneyland with what we now refer to as the "Jaxon Pass".

Having a son with Autism is stressful, challenging, and sometimes frustrating. Overall, for the most part, it STINKS. That is right, I said it... I don't REALLY enjoy having a son with Autism. It is hard. HOWEVER, it DOESN'T stink when you are at Disneyland because when your son is not blowing up... he has a pass that can get your on EVERY SINGLE RIDE without so much at a 10 minute wait. As a matter of fact, some rides you walk right into the exit and hop on the ride before they load anyone else on....... aaahhhhh, I knew at some point Jaxon's Autism would be an advantage for us... Well, it sure is at Disneyland. Huzzah...

Count Down to D-Day

Ok, so, it isn't much of a countdown . . it is tomorrow. We are headed off to Disneyland and I am just trying to keep my head on because I

Just got off the plane Sat. night at midnight and today I:
Cleaned the kitchen floor
Vacuumed the house
Did four loads of laundry
Paid the bills
Faxed a million pages to a school psych.
Made a bunch of phone calls
Loaded and unloaded dishes
Got the mail
Deposited a check
Went to Target to buy shorts because it has not been over 49 degrees here
Cleaned up the throw up out of the car after Jaxon said he wasn't feeling so well
Did more laundry due to the throw up
Gave Jaxon a bath
Didn't make dinner
Went to the mall
Looked for shoes that can endure d-land
Got Abby's hair cut because it still hasn't been fixed since the disaster
Picked up Abby's "PRIZE" for winning a drawing contest
Came home
Put Wade to bed
and hope that no one else gets the flu before we get on a plane tomorrow at 5:30 to go to the HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH! (It better be)

Constantly Infirm

Woops- really the Scared Spitless post was supposed to be first. . :)

DO NOT LET THIS HAPPY BABY PICTURE FOOL YOU. WADE HAS NOT BEEN TRULY HAPPY FOR NEARLY THREE MONTHS.
(In this pic, it was 9:00 p.m. and he was ridiculously slap happy and started to laugh when I was taking pictures of the 'frat boy' partier passed out in the car on the way home from a rousing game of bowling) . . . ANYWAY. . Back to the infirm.


Wade-- 6 visits to the Dr. between January 29th and March 5th. 3 ear infections, 3 rounds of antibiotics, Tubes on March 17th (the Dr. said his ears were already infected again when he put the tubes in). We went in for a 'well-baby' appointment on the following Monday and the crabby baby that I thought was crabby because he was over coming his tube surgery was really just crabby because he had ANOTHER ailment. . . .Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease. Great . . . I can only think of one other disease that makes me feel as gross as this one and that would be lice. Maybe we will go to a Chicken Pox Party and I will wrap him in the blanket of another infected child and go for the TRIFECTA! Honestly, let it be over.

Scared Spitless

I consider myself to be kind of tough. No, really tough. Meaning I can handle just about anything from minor mishaps to major catastrophes. I can plan a party for 100s and I can plan a party for 5. I am not saying I don't get scared, I do, sometimes, but it is usually a big motivator and I become super ultra organized and productive. (I am starting to sound like a super-hero. I am not)

Last night, was not one of those times. I am sorry to the server who was serving us at the Melting Pot restaurant. I was a wreck . . tears and sobbing. If you have never been there, (I never had) they have to approach your table a jagillion times to explain things and take orders and bring/stir/prepare food. To him, I am sorry. I am sure that he thought I was having a nervous break down and I WAS. My husband and I were just trying to spend some time together as a couple before I ditched my him for a week to take my kids to go see Grandma K-lo in Utah. Unfortunately for my husband, it it was not quality time spent before being away from each other, but a major scoopmeoffthefloorbecauseiamcurledupinthefetalposition kind of moment.

My sisters who live near both sets of grandparents marvel at how I jump on a plane or in my car sans husband with my kids and generally take no thought as to how hard it might be, or what catastrophes might happen and I would LAUGH IN THE FACE OF THEIR FEAR saying it was BASELESS and STUPID and I would do ANYTHING to spend time with the family and only MERE MORTALS WOULD HAVE SUCH FEAR!!!. . . until last night. I don't know what happened but I was suddenly frozen with fear of all the things I might encounter the next day.

Wade has been particularly grumpy (see the constantly infirm post) for the last 8 weeks and at church on Sunday he was a complete mad man who would not sit nicely on a lap for two seconds. Imagine a puddle jumper plane seating only 50 people and me with my 6 year old daughter, Autistic 4 year old son and crazy busy 1 year old who will NOT sit on a lap. Yup... SCARED SPITLESS.

I finally figured it was too late to do anything about it and I better buck up and get on with it. So, I did.

Here the troops are happy and getting through security.


Notice the time on the clock.
Oh, no, that is NOT PM... THAT is AM. So, I am now certain you know what time I had to get up.

I had my arsenal of food, entertainment, bottles and sippy cups ready to roll. I couldn't find the charger for the DVD player, which is really the slam dunk in dealing with Jaxon on a plane. So, at the last minute (I was literally downloading movies and synching them at the VERY LAST MINUTE from 11:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.) I grabbed my ipod and loaded some movies onto it. I will NEVER haul that heavy and cumbersome DVD player around AGAIN! The ipod was perfect and amazing and a lifesaver. (Plus you can RENT videos on Itunes for just a couple of dollars) It worked like a charm.
Abby is self sufficient (thank heavens) and Wade?

He fell asleep after only one book on the first leg of our flight and I sat still as a stone so as to not wake him from his peaceful and obviously God sent slumber. The second verse (flight) same as the first . . peaceful, content, perfect, amazing. Never ONCE did he try to wriggle off my lap as I stuffed his little face with fruit snacks, cookies, sippy cups and bottles. Heavenly Father shows his mercy in such wonderful ways.

NOT HAPPY

Some might say it is a blessing. . . I won't
Some might say they enjoy it . . . I can't

Some might find it refreshing . . . I don't

STOP SNOWING!!!


I'm done.

The Black Hole

First off, I have to say, I am not a great bargain shopper. I mean, if there is a bargain, and I see it, I am on it. But I don't get the newspaper, so I don't get the grocery store adds, and therefore, I don't really know what is "on-sale" around me. Recently a woman in our stake held a RS meeting about such activities and I have to admit, although I am 'interested' in this 'theory' I just have a hard time making it come to fruition. It is hard enough to get my laundry done around hear much less peruse hundreds of pages of adds for the things I WANT to buy. Not just things that I COULD buy. For these reasons I am a big fan of COSTCO.

These people have got their whole marketing ploy IN THE BAG!! First, they tell you, that if you buy in bulk, you are saving money. I do have to admit, we go through a lot of diapers, formula (we just dropped that recently) laundry detergent, meat, cheese and milk in this house. And when you see that your kids have dusted an entire Costco box of Quaker Granola Bars, it starts to feel like a bit of an accomplishment! Doesn't it?? It feels like you just might be saving money until you hit the check out stand and it is a good $200 just to get out of the store! What on earth did I just buy? Milk laced with GOLD??

Now, maybe some of you are like me, and think . . . well, it is kind of food storage at the same time. I could grab that giant box of mini-wheats in an emergency and feed the entire neighborhood! So, you rationalize the dollar figure by assuming that you are doing yourself some kind of favor in the long run, and maybe you are.

What I REALLY love doing at Costco, (aside from testing all of the samples) is seeing what other things people are buying in BULK. It is amazing isn't it? I consider the things that I buy to be fairly run-of-the-mill family fare. But have you ever seen the grandma pull up to the check out counter with the giant plastic box of garlic cloves? Or the man with a flat of Crisco-- and nothing else? What exactly are they DOING with all of that stuff? Has any one ever purchased the giant container of Shitake Mushrooms????? (I have to admit, I have thought about it. . . I have! I cook a lot of Asian dishes.... OK???????)

Anyway, one of the other great marketing ploys Costco has is the 'cash back' plan. We got our beloved check in the mail just the other day. It was for $156. My husband and I were arguing on the way there about the ACTUAL value of the check. He says it is $156 (sucker). I instantly look at that as $56 because $100 of that is going right back to my Costco membership just so I can have the membership that actually pays me back. . . hmmm. . . so, I spend $$$$$ at Costco last year and all I get back is $56??? I guess that is going to buy me a couple of bags of bulk chicken. There! I have done it!!! I have saved some money!!!!! Ha.

Now, I will follow Gab's lead. What is in YOUR costco cart??

Controversy Averted

It looks like someone got their head on straight....thank heavens! Now, her parents need to be convicted of poor name selection. . TREFFLY COYNE? You make the call, I think imprisonment is warranted. Now I feel sorry for Treffly for sooooooooooooooo many more reasons....:)

Oh wait wait, there is more!!! The police officers left her other children unattended at the scene! AWESOME[LY INSANE]!

Put a fork in it, it's done.

Controversial Post-- Watch OUT!

First off, I bought the green one, and thank you for your votes. To be TOTALLY HONEST, I had already bought it, but wasn't sure if I had made the right choice, so I decided to ask for some help! I am glad you all concurred. :)

Now, on to my controversial post. DOES THIS WOMAN LOOK LIKE A CRIMINAL?
I don't like to watch the news. (Except for E news, of course) I think it is depressing (E-news can be depressing too... thanks Britney). Therefore, I don't read the news either. I pretty much get ALL my news from the MSN website when I log off my e-mail. I know, I know! You are probably disgusted and ashamed. I would be too, but if it is a matter that I need to be informed on, I do do some due diligence and check out "reliable" news sources.

Today I clicked on a link that said, "Mom faces trial for leaving kid in the car". My stomach just about dropped out and hit the floor. I mean, really????? TRIAL???? JAIL??????? I am sure you can guess by now that I have done this before... This woman was within eye shot of the car, and was assisting her two other kids with dumping money into the salvation army can and taking pictures (she must be a blogger). She was not far from her car (within eye shot) and when she got back two officers arrested her for child endangerment and put her in the back of the squad car with her children watching. Child services investigated and found no other problems with child abuse or mis-care of her children and now she is facing a year in prison if convicted. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Are they really considering putting the mother of 3 children in PRISON and leave them MOTHERLESS for a year??????

I am not going to site any particular instances of me doing this and I will not lie, it makes me nervous when I do it. I am not sure if I am nervous because of what I am doing, or because of being caught, but none the less, I have done it (only with them in eyeshot). HAVE YOU???

Your thoughts please. Do I need to reform? Or is this as crazy to you as it is to me???

PS- What ever happend to the people who left their sleeping toddler in the car while they were gambling at the Casino! I never heard of THEM being prosecuted!!!!

My Own Towel

Ok, I will admit it.. I lost it this morning. (Why always on Sunday, right before church?) I had jumped in the shower, and for about the UMPTEENTH time, Abby, who showers at night had stolen my towel. I admit, there were towels under my cabinet, but they are old, and rough, and not the ones I like. I started hollering at Abby before I had even gotten all the way out of the shower. I marched to her room, and said, "Abby! Don't use my towel ever again! If you are in the shower, and you forgot your towel, you jump out wet, and go to your bathroom to get your own towel!! Don't use mine!"

I marched back into my bathroom, and my husband gave me a disgusted look, which I am sure was in reference to my 5 year old rant, and said, "Don't you think that was a little much?" Well you know what? My reaction, at the moment, MIGHT have been a little much... HOWEVER, don't I deserve to have my own towel? Don't I deserve to have it there when I get out of the shower? Don't I deserve to be able to have a towel to dry off with? Ok, maybe I over-reacted, but, I still think I should be able to have my own towel!