Cart Before the Horse . . Or worst kept secrets.

This post has been a long time coming. And it might just be the most delayed post I have ever written. I wrote it MONTHS ago. I mean, MONTHS, but I am finally ready to post it. And so. . .here it is. It is probably the worst kept secret in my life, but I am ready to put it out there for everyone to see.

I don't think it will be shocking to ANYONE. Especially after my LAST post, but here it is.

Spring is my favorite time of year. Maybe it is because it is my Birthday! Maybe it is because I love the blooming flowers. Maybe it is because my Anniversary is in the spring! Maybe it is because the world seems to start anew. Maybe it is all because of new beginnings I have had, and I have had lots.

If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you would know that the past couple (3) years have been a big challenge for our family in many, many ways. If you don't know, you can read about it HERE.

Things seemed to calm down right around the time that Kaylie was born. However, they really didn't. That year Peter started a new job, we moved (for the 9th time in 10 years), and Peter embarked on doing a Master's Degree along with working full time. With a brand new baby, it was a lot to take on. Extreme stress and long hours became the name of the game. Not to mention, there still seemed to be a bit of "un-rest" with our new situation. It didn't sit well with Peter and he was uncertain our lives were moving in the right direction. Oy.

That was hard for me. (And him) Because we had been trying to get back on our feet for several months. Trying to re-group. Trying to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps. Trying to "buck-up". But even though he got a job (not a great one) and was re-careering, we still felt like we weren't quite there yet. We figured it was just because we were busier than ever, and in a job that was several steps backward. He interviewed, and interviewed, and interviewed. We even had several "final interview"s and we never got the offer. Something was still standing in our way, and we weren't sure what.

In November, Peter was laid off.

It wasn't what we were expecting.

He was only a year into his Master's Program, that his job was paying for.

It was the main reason we were at that job.

At first, it seemed like a curse.

Then we realized, it was a blessing.

This was our big chance.

To make it right.

Our family was reeling from the news, and once again faced with uncertainty. Or, continued with uncertainty, or increased our uncertainty. Been there? For three years? Really? It's not fun.

We have earned our stripes, and made it through. I am not going to say it was completely without scars, but I can say, we are stronger. We have finally chosen a direction to go, and almost feel compelled. Which is such a relief after years of uncertainty and question. Our new "trajectory" is taking us to a new place. A new STATE.

California.

I can hardly believe it as I type that. Peter and I have lived in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Washington, Arizona and now we are going to add California to our repitore. I can honestly say that neither one of us has EVER had a desire to live in the state. Don't get me wrong, it is a great place to visit, but I can honestly say, it wouldn't be our first choice, but it is now.

And we are going.

We feel peace. More peace that we have felt in a long time. We were scared, and took painstaking measures to make sure this was the right thing for our family. We have done countless hours of research and know exactly what to expect, and how it is going to go down.

But it has been decided, and it is final.

We are going to California.

And we are going to open a new franchise in a little town called Temecula.

And that franchise is one that we know well, and love, and have researched a TON.

It is:

Ever heard of it?

Foggy

It turns out, even when you live in a sunny state, you can still get the January BLAHS. I have my Christmas decorations down, but I still have little remnants that are hanging around. I really ought to get those down.

I have been working on my health. But I have to admit. Peter is out of town this week, and with the added stress of being a single parent, I broken down and made 1/2 of a 1/2 batch of cookies.

I know.

Totally off the plan. TOTALLY. However, because my sugar intake has pretty much been nil, when I thought it would "make me feel better" (give me a little kick in the can) it actually pretty much took me out of commission for the rest of the day. My sugar spike was so crazy, that I bottomed out and couldn't function for the rest of the day! CRAZY! I couldn't believe the difference that it made when you have been basically putting nothing in your system but raw foods. Crazy. It has inspired me even more to "stay on the wagon" so to speak.

I made some great recipes this week that were pretty awesome, and I hope to put them on on that blog when I can pull myself up off the floor.

My house in drowning in dust, and I am hoping to get that all cleaned out by the end of this week. Can someone please give me a little pep-talk to get me going? Because, the last thing I really want to do is clean. UGH. What is it with the January BLAHS!

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.

Plus or Minus

I had a discussion with a friend the other day. It had been her birthday, and she said that her favorite thing to do on her birthday is stay home and receive all of her birthday calls all day long! She doesn't go to lunch, she doesn't get her nails done, she just sits and waits.

I, on the other hand, love to have a day full of activities and dates including lunch out, any kind of pampering service and a girl's night out. :) Or at least a hot date with my husband.

However, this year. She got 122 Facebook well wishes, and 15 texts and 3 phone calls. THREE.

JUST THREE.

She was devastated. I would be too.

As a matter of fact. Facebook has been a blessing and a curse to me as well. These past two years have probably been the hardest and most lonely of my life. I have been challenged in every aspect of my life. Between the move, losing our businesses, Peter's job search, and consequent under-employment for the sake of a degree, getting pregnant and having a baby through all of that moving and stress, moving AGAIN because the guy we sued stopped making his payments to us and still has not re-paid us. And so on and so forth. Intertwined with complete and total loneliness. Sure, I had people commenting on my blog (sometimes), and saying hi on Facebook. But I had no support system here. No phone calls, no checking in. No. Nothing. And for those of you who really know me, you would know that not having that connection with people is hard for me. Scratch that. It's excruciating.

My blog, and Facebook are the only things that have made me feel like I still have people who genuinely care about me.

Facebook has gotten me in touch with friends from my past that I love dearly, but wasn't able to keep up with on a regular basis because of my nomadic lifestyle.

However, I also feel as if people use Facebook at times to get out of making the "caring phone call" or stopping by to say hello to someone in person who is struggling, because it is so much easier. Less emotional, and less obligation.

So, my cyber friends.

FACEBOOK: Is it a PLUS? Or a MINUS? How has it impacted your life?

My blog was staring at me.

I put my blog on private last week. It was staring at me. I didn't go "private" I just didn't want anyone to look at me. . . I mean, it. I felt like deleting the whole thing. It wasn't providing me with any sort of satisfaction. That happens sometimes.





The past two years, since our move here to AZ, have been hard. We have been blessed, and we have survived. But there comes a point where you start to feel like you are suffocating and there is no reprieve. No rest. No resolve. No peace. No letting up. Just pressing forward.





At first you think, just have faith! Just move forward! Everything will be okay! Then after a few years you start to think, WILL EVERYTHING BE OKAY?





I seriously don't know. I hope that someday I do know. But it isn't today, and it hasn't been very often in the past few years. I know lots of people struggle. Lots of people have different issues. I know, in some regards, I am not alone. I know in other regards, I am.





But for the most part, people always put the "happy" on their blogs. And I just felt like I couldn't. Because there wasn't any "happy". I try to keep my blog on a positive note. I definitely share the bad from time to time. But what do you do where there is no positive note? I didn't know. So, I flipped the switch to private.





I was going to put it all out there, but not let anyone see. I was going to scream at the world, but do it all in my own head. I don't really have a support system here, and so sometimes, I have to deal with it all on my own. My blog usually provides me with the support I need. But sometimes there is no one here either.





Sometimes I can't keep it all together. Sometimes I can. Right now. It is tough. But for those of you who "checked on me" thanks. Although it wasn't my intention. It was more my intention to hide. But, thanks for checking on me anyway.





Someday, I hope to be able to post here that all my problems have been RESOLVED! YAY! But I doubt it. I would like to put a FEW to bed. That would be nice. But right now, they are all piled up, and it is hard to see out.





My next post will be cheery. Because I survived Fall Break. Without even going out of town. We kept busy. Very busy. And we had fun. I am surprised at how much I actually did. And what is more cheery than eating a strawberry topped funnel cake at the fair?

Nothing is more cheery than that. Nothing.

Have you missed me?

In the last two days I have put two kids back in school, have the blue screen of death on my computer, had the garage door break (like break BADLY) and had my AC in my car blowing hot air at me in 109 degree weather. Today I spent 119 minutes on a call trying to fix my computer(It still isn't fixed), I drove around in a car with no A/C delivered it to the dealership and took everything out of it and now have a rental. However, I can't park in the garage because the door still isn't fix (gratefully it is closed now at least) and now have no auto start feature as my car bakes out in the 109 sun.

What have you all been doing?

It was the best of times

It was the worst of times. You know when you think you have a REALLY great idea, and that it totally ends up being the worst idea EVER? Okay, it was still a really great idea, and would have been PERFECT if my youngest child was 3, and would have even been MORE perfect if I would have been more prepared, but whatevs.

I am stringing my vacation out longer, and longer and longer because my little sis Hillary (private blog) is JUST ABOUT ready to have her baby and I wanna see it! I left for cooler weather on June 25th, and I am STILL living out of my suitcase.

I have to admit, it is getting long in the tooth. More threats are being issued. EVERYONE had quite time IN THEIR OWN ROOMS today, but I am determined to see this new little addition to the family before I leave. But, if she doesn't show the whites of her eyes by Sunday, I guess it will be time to GIVE UP. I gotta get back to the real world of 116 degree weather and kids going back to school. (YIPPEE! Yeah, I am one of those mom's that gets excited about that) I think my kids will be happier too. Abby won't be up until all hours of the night. Wade will be back on a schedule, Jaxon needs the structure of school to keep me from wanting to tie him up and Kaylie. . . well. . . Yes, . . .let's talk about Kaylie for a moment.




I decided it would be LOTS of fun to head up the Snowbird Tram. You know, cool weather, mountains, SNOW. We packed up a lunch and headed up the mountain. I have to admit, I could have been a little more prepared. The mountain air makes you THIRSTY. One juice box per kid was NOT enough.

See? Isn't it SPECTACULAR? Who wouldn't want to take a look at this breathtaking view!

Or THIS breathtaking view! Oh la la!

Everyone LOVED the Tram Ride, except Kaylie. She made it up, but started to fuss about 3/4s of the way there. She seemed to do fine once we were up.

We had our lunch.

Played in the SNOW. Yes, I said SNOW. Wade DID NOT like that the ice made his toes COLD.

We ate cupcakes. And overall, I would say had a great time! We would have done more, because there is LOTS more to do, and had my littlest been a little older I am sure we would have maybe hiked down, gone down the alpine slide, done some "mining for gold". They have tons of activities up there, for a price of course. But over all I would say it is an excellent way to spend the day.

Our day however, was cut short because of this:

Lying on the floor. Screaming. All the way down, and for at least 5 minutes while we waited for the ride down. It is not a long ride. But it is . . . . long enough.
All the writhing and screaming on the floor of a very dirty tram leaves one . . . well, . . . dirty.

HURRAY FOR FAMILY ADVENTURES!

Forced Lent

Sometimes it is necessary to FORCE people to give up something. Especially when that something is: A BINKY.

Wade has really enjoyed his Binky and about the time he turned 2, we decided to tell him he could only have the Binky when he was in BED. "Binkis are for BED Wade" was our mantra. It worked for the most part, but there would be times in the day when Wade would "disappear" for a while downstairs.

Typically, when I would walk down the stairs to see what he was doing, he would literally spit that Binky out so fast and stuff it under something it was a complete blur. I have to admit, I knew he was doing it but I didn't care... much..

It is like a secret habit. You know, the one you are ashamed of?

I didn't feel like I he needed to give it up.. I mean, as long as it stayed at home.

Last week, we arrived at the grocery store. Wade had insisted that he take his blankie to the store. Something he had never done before. I thought it was strange, but complied.. not wanting a battle right then. We got to the store and I told him he would have to leave the blankie in the car. He complied (we are so good like that) and left it.

He hopped into the little "car" attached to the cart when I heard it. I heard the Binky hit the ground. And there it was staring at me... the Binky. I looked at Wade and he stared back at me. I could see the fear in his eyes. He KNEW I was going to apprehend the Binky. I took it, and stated, as always, "Wade! Binkis are for B.E.D!" Instead of just giving up and being "caught in the act" he decided he was going to put on a act. LIKE A SCREAM THROUGH THE STORE ACT.

* Actual picture from the day of the "incident"

Now, I know, it was nap time, and he was tired, but I was incensed that he had snuck it to the store and then INSISTED on having it while we were in the store! If you push me, I'm gonna push back. He continued screaming all the way through produce while all the silver hairs looked at me like I was killing the poor child even though he was safely encased in plastic.




And then, I did it. It was time to be DONE. VERY DONE. I did NOT want this battle anymore. I marched over to the floral area and asked them to SNIP THE BINKY. She looked at me like I was 1/2 mad for a second and then did it.



I gave it back to Wade, and continued on. He was quiet. VERY QUIET. Almost as if going through a deep mourning, until I heard it. I have never quite understood it before, but now, I do. It is the biblical term, "Weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth". Seen it. Heard it. Done it.


I had thrown down the gauntlet and Wade was going to be sure to let me know that he was going to come out the victor!


But you know what? He didn't. Because I scored him a cookie at the bakery. . and miraculously, the crying stopped.

Now all we have to deal with is him falling asleep in random spots because he won't nap without his binki. He even almost fell asleep at the dinner table.

Oh well, at least we are BINKY FREE! Give one more up to LENT!

Let's just call it a day. .

Rotten,

Horrible,

NO GOOD,

Day.

It started with K waking up at 6. Not my favorite thing. I haven't complained about her sleep issues lately because they had actually gotten better! I didn't want to Jinx it. After a few nights of tough love, she started sleeping until 7 ish. . (A totally reasonable hour in my book). But today, it was 6, and yesterday it was 6 and I am really, not, loving, it.

At about 8 a.m. she started crying inconsolably. For the life of me, I just could NOT get her to stop! I had to get ready to take Jaxon to therapy and because she was on the fritz that meant, hurry up, no shower, get out the door, maybe she will be happy in the car.

I dropped Jaxon off and went to the Library to get our Culture Pass to the Science Museum because the kids have a half day! MOTHER OF THE YEAR!

Waited 15 mins for the library to open and they don't have them at that library. Put two kids back in the car, go to the other library, get them back out of the car. . blah blah blah. In the car, out of the car, in the car, out of the car, back in the car. Got it.

I needed to run a little errand to the store. It involved a box and two kids. Instant problem. I convinced Wade to help me carry the box, but in order to do so, he had to drop the toy he had in his hand. It dropped into the parking lot island flower bed right next to our car and I convinced him it would be fine for the 10 minutes I needed to do my return.

My return turned into 15 minutes because 1/2 way through the transaction, the guy voided the transaction and had to start over. K was finally going crazy. It now being almost 11, and still no nap. I let her amp it up to get the guy to hurry. (You have all done it, I know you have)

We left the store and Wade went to get his toy, and guess what. It was GONE. After 15 minutes!!! We were the ONLY car parked right on that island so it would have to have been someone walking by. I was furious. I don't even recall a time where I have been so furious. It wasn't even a toy, it was PART of a toy. Of course Wade asked where his toy was a gazillion times, I felt like the crappiest mom EVER, and he was reduced to tears. GREAT.

I seriously waited in the parking lot for at least 10 minutes to find the culprit and to console my crying 2 year old. The only person that came back to their car was an old lady. Doubt it was her. Lucky for them.

By noon, I finally get K down for a nap, where I think she is going to sleep for at least 3 hours. She wakes up after 1 and cries for the next two.

So do i.


I realize Jaxon has therapy at 3, and we will not be going anywhere fun for the afternoon. . . Earlier hassle for mother of the year. . .pointless.


Abby comes home with bad grades on her writing papers. . which we have discussed several times already (that is such a big saga that I have even planned on scanning papers and blogging about it--but just never have). She is grounded from TV and of course, more crying is involved.

As I make dinner, I open the fridge and K gets her hands on a new, glass bottle of soy sauce that of course, got dropped and shattered all over the floor.

THE GOOD THING:

Peter came home from work.

I check out.

It was a no good, horrible, very bad day.

Cracker Flacker

I bought a new cracker. . . I think it will remain nameless.

I told Abby to put one in her lunch.

She looked at me with fear in her eyes.

I said, "What's the problem?"

She said, "My friend had one and said they were DISGUSTING!" (Said with complete and total drama--nostrils flared)

I said, "Did you try it?"

She said, "No".

I said, "You have to try it, before you can say you don't like it"

She said, "NO!"

I opened one.

She protested more.

I threatened everything I could think of.

She still said no.

I giggled to myself thinking, "I can't believe this is this big of a deal?!?!?!"

But I couldn't lose the battle.

I was holding a quarter sized bite in my fingers that was causing severe emotional trauma.

It was rediculous.

She started to CRY! CRY?!?!?!??!!

I thought, "I can't believe this! She hasn't even TRIED IT!!!!"

I insisted.

I was mad.

She finally took the smallest tiniest ity bity bite. (While plugging her nose)

She was replused.

ppppppsffffffffffttttttttttt.

She was being rediculous.

I think she needs an Academy Award.

I think I need a straight jacket.

Delusional Motherhood

Today I was sick. I mean, flu, yuk sick. It stunk. The worst part was, I had to take care of two kids while I was sick. It made is stink even worse. It was a long, long, long, tiresome day. But, it is over.

I was thinking how "hard" Kaylin has been. You know, she is not sleeping through the night. . . Ok, she does on occasion, but then wakes up at 5:00 a.m. It is killing me. I am tired. I would love to consider getting my body back, but I am so stinkin' tired, I don't even know what to do with myself. The funny thing is. . I was sitting here thinking that Kaylin is definitely my hardest baby. D.E.F.I.N.I.T.E.L.Y. I mean, she is soooooooooooo high maintenance!!!

She is starting to want to get up on all fours, and I was trying to remember when my other kids got up on all 4's, so I ventured into Abby's room to get her baby calendar. Yep, I did one of those. . . for my FIRST child. Anyone out there do one for a second child? If you did, you are my idol. Seriously.

I started to read it, and started to laugh. . out loud because I have basically no memory of Abby. Ok, well, I do, but not exactly as I had written it down. I remember she had a hard time going to sleep. . Like, she would cry . . FOREVER! An hour! Sometimes 2!! If she could hear me and Peter (in our 800 sq.ft. apartment) or see any light under the door, she would SCREAM! She hated going to bed because she felt like she was going to miss the party. . (Um, not too much unlike she is now). Anywho. ..

Her calendar goes like this:

April 7th: Naps were a struggle again today. I think you are teething and growing!
April 11th: You wanted to stay up late tonight!
April 12th: You have been waking up at 5:00 a.m.! Mommy doesn't like it!
(There were entries on the days in between the 12th and the 19th but they had nothing to do with sleep deprivation, so, I am omitting them)
April 19th: You did not want to take an afternoon nap today! You cried for 2 hours!

Under Your Habits I put: You don't like going to bed, you think crawling is awesome and you growl when you eat!

Now, if you would have asked me, I would have said she woke up at 6 or 6:30. . . and that she was an excellent baby on a great schedule. . . The truth of the matter is, she struggled with nap time and woke up too early and cried for an hour every night before going to bed.

Delusional Motherhood.

It is why we do it again, right? Well, I am here to state that I WILL NOT BE DOING IT AGAIN, and I am trying sooooooooooooooo hard to enjoy this baby, but the truth of the matter is: I AM SO TIRED it is hard to. . . I am just too old for this biz, and if you were to read Kaylin's "calendar" (which I am not doing) it would read:

August 29th: You woke up at the crack of dawn. I am exhausted
August 30st: You woke up at 3:00 a.m. and then decided to wake up at 6:00 a.m. for the day. I need more sleep.
September 1st: I have no idea what day it is and I am losing my mind over sleep deprivation.
September 2nd. I am sick as a dog, and can barely handle myself, let alone a baby and a 2 year old. . . Calgon take me away.

There you have it folks! I have spent the last few weeks reading about how you all are home alone all day and having nothing to do. . and let me tell you. . I am ready to join your ranks! (In like, 5 years. . . )

Did I say it was going well?

I think a few days ago I said that Spring Break was going well.. Oh... that was SO DAY 3! Since then, Wade's illness escalated into something so full blown he would be found sleeping in various spots in the house. He was so irritable that I had to become a video DJ and before one video was even over (or even 10 minutes in) he would come crying to find me to change it. (It was SOOOOOOOOOOOOO time consuming) It even got so bad, I let him have his binky back and now I am going to have to break the habit AGAIN!



The weekend was a blur of Wade continuing being hysterical, loud kids, lots of messes, me meaning to clean the floor for 4 days (and counting) and doing piles and piles of laundry. (I swear... it IS ridiculous) Not to mention Kaylin's great schedule of sleeping from 10-4 has been completely SHOT TO HECK and as a result, I am completely sleep deprived during *hell* week. :)



To be honest, I just do my best to get through every day and hope that by next week I will have cleaned SOMETHING in my house. (Just one thing would be good)


Not to mention I got Wades fabulous cold. So, being under slept and crazy sick isn't helping my status much... To top off week ONE, we took kitty to the Vet on Monday. She got in some crazy cat fight and had a big ol' wound.. She has had it since Thursday, but lets be honest... I couldn't get to her issues until Monday. I had enough of my own.

Here is to hoping you all have more FABULOUS plans for Spring Break, other than rampant illness, a 5 week old, and trips to the Vet. :)

Here is Abby coloring at the Vet. Thank heavens they had crayons and coloring books!! And NO, Abby doesn't ever comb her hair... Is there anyone out there who can tell me how I can get her to care about what her hair looks like???? (Oh wait, maybe she is taking after me... Notice there is no picture of MY hair)

Here is Wade getting impatient in the 5x10 foot vet room. Yes, he is still in his pajamas. It was 8:45 a.m.

Here is Kitty, awaiting her fate. They put her out, shaved her up and put a tube in her. YUK. And here is a picture of the BIRTHDAY BOY! Yes, I said Birthday. He turned 2 yesterday and NO we did not celebrate. It was determined that we would celebrate next week with the Grandparents.. We said nothing of it yesterday, but I DID take this cute picture of him at the park to commemorate the day.

Impatience

Remember when your mom said, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." ?
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Enough Said.

at the end of my rope

* Image courtesy of flickr

See the pattern? Nesting happens about every other day. I knock myself out and then can't get up. . . it is the AGE I tell ya. I am extremely uncomfortable because, well, lets just say that this baby is practically between my knees.. mkay? Not so comfy, no.

HOWEVER, that is not the ONLY thing that has me in a tizzy today.. No, no it is not. I know that would be enough, but, it is not. I am having one other little problem that I just can't seem to get under control and that would be JAXON. (Your shocked I am sure)

The kid wakes up at the crack of DAWN (I really don't know what time he gets up, and I don't WANT to know) and is on the hunt for FOOD. I know this ISN'T the first time I have posted about this issue...

Yesterday, he consumed a baggie of Valentines Candy that Grandma had bought for the kids while she was here.. went to school, and threw it up. (gross, I know)

TODAY, he got our our hand juicer, cut an orange in half (with a very sharp knife) cut his finger, made a little bit of juice (he really can't apply enough pressure to juice the whole thing) cut open a bag of chips and got a band aid for his owie... He ALSO, re-arranged all the furniture in the basement. The kid needs to live on a farm, where people wake up at insane hours to do things like milk cows.. He would be soooooooooo happy. I see a strong future for him on a dairy farm.

My question to you. WHAT ON EARTH SHOULD I DO??? I am worried the kid is going to hurt himself attempting to FEED himself! Yet, I just DO NOT have the ability to pull myself out of bed at whoknowswhattime.... help.

Last night I told him he could have a banana in the morning and if he didn't do that he would be grounded. He did everything BUT that, so, today, he was grounded from TV for sneaking... and tonight, we made him a morning "snack" and left it on the counter. I guess we will soon find out how efficient his grounding was!

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)

2008 Wasn't That Great

No, really, it wasn't. As a matter of fact, I would chalk it up to being one of the hardest years I have had to date. So tonight, I get to say...

GOODBYE AND GOOD RIDDANCE to 2008!

Things didn't really go according to plans in 2008... and if you know me, or even if you DON'T know me, you may have noticed that I am a planner... I like to have things go according to THE PLAN, and when they don't I have a hard time adjusting. This year, has been particularly trying, but, I AM TRYING!!!! I don't know if I am trying to overlook it, get past it, or just plain forget it... but I am definitely giving it my best shot.

We aren't quite out of the woods yet so to speak. Peter is still looking for work, and I am just about to have a BABY! As you may, or may not have heard, she isn't really cooperating. Leave it up to one of MY kids to have a mind of their own! SHEESH!

So, in effort to focus on the POSITIVE (2008 being OVER) I will post the

Top 8 of 2008.

If you just started reading my blog, this oughtta be a good recap for ya! Actually, these are going to be MY FAVORITE top 8... You might have your own favorites and if so, you can make up your own list if you want!

Splish Splash

Valentines Day is for LOVERS

Scared Spitless

(I love Scared Spitless because I truly almost had a nervous breakdown)

The Importance of Red Toes

But it was on a DOILEY!

Disneyland Remix

(Truly the most memorable "vacation" EVER!)

The Performance of a Lifetime

(If you haven't seen this performance, it is worth at least ONE watch)

How to get some zzzzzzzzzs

HONORABLE MENTION

Worst Parents EVER

One He** of a Sunday

Bachelorette Spoilers (Because I got the most hits EVER, and you know me, it is all about visitors and you KNOW I can't wait to blog about the NEW SEASON OF THE BACHELOR!!)

CHEERS to a HAPPY New Year... Really, can we just put this one BEHIND US?

I am a clutz.

Definition by Urban Dictionary:

clutz :
Someone who is extremely careless, stupid and a hazard to be around. Trips over shoes constantly, breaks anything he touches, should not be allowed around heavy machinery or anything that might put other's lives in danger.
Mr Clutz walks into old, rich woman's house with lots of v. elaborate, precariously placed ornaments and brakeables scattered around. Clutz: Oooh look a penny! (As he picks up penny, knocks down v. expensive china vase) Old woman: Good heavens! That vase was my Great Grandmama's! Clutz: Huh? What vase?

Thank you to Urban Dictionary for defining my life. Eventhough I was an athlete for many, many years... I am an extreme clutz. HOWEVER, I can catch items flying at me with either hand and amazing precision. I have even caught a glass falling out the cupboard in mid-air.

Apparently having laser like reflexes does not IN ANY WAY make up for being a clutz. That is why why my husband came home today at lunch time, he found me in a pile on the floor with macaroni and cheese mashed up and down my side and hanging from my hair. Simple reason: I slipped on apple sauce that Wade had splashed on the floor. (I was carrying the mac and cheese to his tray) In defense of my lightening fast reflexes, I DID try to catch myself as I was going down by grabbing on to the kitchen island. Unfortunately, I was already too far gone and that just added to the problem when I heard all of the cracking and popping noises in my shoulder. Ouch.

Remember how yesterday I said I was in pain? Well, today I am in more. I need a vacation from myself.

Lest ye think that this was my ONLY clutzy moment.. I will tell you, if there is a shoe, a cat, a hair clip, toy, sharp object or even door mat on the floor I will trip over it. If there is a knife in the kitchen I will cut myself with it... If there is something hot on the stove, I will most certainly get a 3rd degree burn from it. I have split my finger open breaking a glass dish, tripped backwards over an open dishwasher door and cut the tip of my finger off with scissors. I AM that big of a clutz.

A Plea to My Fairy God Mother

I WAS going to post a picture of the BEAUTIFUL Orange Hibiscus Flowers that are blooming in my back yard right now... (Do you have one at your house? I didn't think so) But, I went to get my camera out of my purse and low and behold... it was broken. BROKEN. This is the SECOND camera that has broken since our move to this state. Now, I know you may think my purse is not the BEST place for a camera, but how else are we bloggers supposed to document every activity in our oh so exciting lives? Plus, I have not owned a camera over $300 ever.. So, it isn't THAT bad that it was in my purse is it?


Anyway, this happened to be my "back up camera" because my more updated camera broke shortly after our move and now my "back up camera" has bit the dust... and due to our current situation, which I know I have not elaborated on very much here... but, you know, some things are just too hard to blog about, I am not going to be in the market for a new camera any time soon. Anyway, now I am stuck without a camera. I am starting to think that cameras are allergic to Arizona.


So, my blog posts just aren't going to be that exciting any more. Sorry Grandmas and Grandpas... No more pictures of little kids. I am sooooooo disappointed that you won't be seeing any pictures of my now bulging belly. Oh so sad about that!


Maybe my Fairy God Mother will send me one and it will magically appear on my front door. After all, Kelly seems to think there are such things. So, I guess I am acting on her faith a bit. Maybe her FGM will adopt me. Or how 'bout this... if you were going to ebay an old camera because you just got the newest bestest version... lemme know.

In the mean time, here is a picture of that hibiscus. Courtesy of flickr.

Mine looks JUST LIKE THIS ONE... except for the rain drops... Because everyone knows it DOESN'T RAIN HERE!

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! :)