Well, today the creative juices are running very low, so I thought I would share some information about myself for my daily post. I hope this dry spell doesn't last for long because I really want to post every day for thirty days anyways, here you go:
Things I'm excited about (I think I'm stealing this concept from another blog, I just can't remember who's, so sorry):
-this is really nerdy, but one of my favorite things each month is my trip to Sam's Club. I don't know why, but I just LOVE buying things in bulk. I don't know, but I can't deny that I get giddy every time I go. I actually still haven't come down from the high of buying a pack of 400 generic claritin for only $12 last month. Erick teases me about it, but then again, yesterday he was going on and on about installing some inconsequential thingy on his landcruiser and I told him we're all really just the same. We all get excited about dumb little things, they just aren't necessarily the same dumb little things.
-I am excited about every single tiny thing Cash does. I am not kidding you, every movement of his body is the most adorable thing I have ever seen. You might think that each kid you have becomes less exciting, but we have found that with Cash we know how fleeting his little babyhood is, so every time he laughs with that two-toothed grin or crawls with his very authoritative crawl, or even when he cries that baby cry, Erick and I just look at each other and say how unbelievably adorable it is, and we talk about it all the time. I guess the only thing I'm looking forward to about Cash growing up is not changing his diapers. Other than that, I'm going to miss everything.
-I am excited about doing Cora's first real friend birthday party. For some reason four years old seems like the right age to do a birthday party that doesn't just involve family. They really understand what's going on and they are EXCITED, and that's putting it mildly. Cora talks about her birthday every single day, and it is still two months away. She has already planned it from the decor to the food. The food is of top priority because Cora is a total foodie, and she has let me know that it will include pizza, muffins, hot dogs, cake, pie, ice cream, and that's just the beginning. It will be a princess/spiderman theme so that boys and girls can both feel included. Don't ask me how I can pull that one off, but there's plenty of time to lower her expectations, or maybe I'll just go crazy and do it all. She also regularly threatens to not share her birthday cake if someone is not pleasing her. I can't tell you how many times I have had to reassure Bryant that yes, he will get some of Cora's birthday cake no matter what she says.
-I am excited about not going shopping for the next two weeks. My fridge, pantry, and freezer are so stocked that I cannot go shopping. It would be wrong. I am not letting myself look at any couponing websites AT ALL for two weeks (okay, I do have to go to Walgreens once because I will have some register rewards expire next week, but that's it I swear!). I am sitting here on a Monday morning, when usually I would be out shopping at two or three stores, and it feels so relaxing. I like it. I might take a break more often. Also, after I had to spend $60 on medicine for Cash taking a week off will help my budget even out a little.
-I am excited about stake conference. We have an AWESOME new stake president and I am so excited for the Saturday night session. I love going and hearing all of the speakers and then going out with everyone to dinner afterwards. I didn't get to last time because Cash was so little and likely sick, but I've already got the babysitter lined up and it's gonna be a great night for spiritual learning and catching up with friends!
-this list could go on, but I have to go be a mom.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Quick Mother's Day Post
Hi there, and Happy Mother's Day to all of the Mom's! I just wanted to maintain my goal of writing a post every day for thirty days, so today I am going to share the following:
Bryant is at his Grandma and Grandpa's for the weekend but will be back in the late afternoon; he gave me a letter and a gift (which I will wait to open when he gets home), but he wanted me to read the letter and this is what it said:
Dear Mom,
Thank you for my zhu zhu pets. I love you. You are the best mom ever. You're special to me. You are nice. You are sweet. Thank you for my food.
Love, Bryant.
He told me that he did a practice letter and then wrote this one with his very best handwriting, and I'm impressed that he even used the correct grammer for "you're". I'm also telling myself that Bryant wrote this letter from his heart with no help from his teacher...and knowing his teacher he probably did. It pretty much melted my heart and makes me so happy. He also gave me a beautiful picture of flowers that he made with construction paper. These will be treasured items.
Then, Cora asked me if it was really Mother's day. I told her yes it was. She then asked me if I was really REALLY sure it was Mother's day, and I said that it was. She then said "Okay" in her perkiest little voice, and ran upstairs and returned with a home made card that apparently Uncle Travis and Aunt Emma helped her make yesterday while I was at the funeral. It said "you're the best mom ever" and then "Cash gots the pink eye and mom is at the funeral." I asked Erick where that came from and he said that Travis asked Cora what she wanted to say and that was a direct quote. And it's true, Cash has the pink eye and mom was at the funeral. It's interesting to get a little peek into a little girl's mind! It was pretty funny. Anyways, hopefully everyone will be extra nice to their moms today! I've already got a beef stew in the crockpot and rolls are defrosting for a nice mother's day dinner for my mom.
Bryant is at his Grandma and Grandpa's for the weekend but will be back in the late afternoon; he gave me a letter and a gift (which I will wait to open when he gets home), but he wanted me to read the letter and this is what it said:
Dear Mom,
Thank you for my zhu zhu pets. I love you. You are the best mom ever. You're special to me. You are nice. You are sweet. Thank you for my food.
Love, Bryant.
He told me that he did a practice letter and then wrote this one with his very best handwriting, and I'm impressed that he even used the correct grammer for "you're". I'm also telling myself that Bryant wrote this letter from his heart with no help from his teacher...and knowing his teacher he probably did. It pretty much melted my heart and makes me so happy. He also gave me a beautiful picture of flowers that he made with construction paper. These will be treasured items.
Then, Cora asked me if it was really Mother's day. I told her yes it was. She then asked me if I was really REALLY sure it was Mother's day, and I said that it was. She then said "Okay" in her perkiest little voice, and ran upstairs and returned with a home made card that apparently Uncle Travis and Aunt Emma helped her make yesterday while I was at the funeral. It said "you're the best mom ever" and then "Cash gots the pink eye and mom is at the funeral." I asked Erick where that came from and he said that Travis asked Cora what she wanted to say and that was a direct quote. And it's true, Cash has the pink eye and mom was at the funeral. It's interesting to get a little peek into a little girl's mind! It was pretty funny. Anyways, hopefully everyone will be extra nice to their moms today! I've already got a beef stew in the crockpot and rolls are defrosting for a nice mother's day dinner for my mom.
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Two funerals in two weeks...
Well, today as you may gather, I went to my second funeral in two weeks, this time it was for an older woman who I briefly visit-taught and I was asked to play the flute for a special musical number. It doesn't matter why you are at a funeral, it is just a very emotional thing. When I got home I told Erick that I knew I still had a lot that I needed to do housework-wise, but that I felt I had been working all day because I was so emotionally drained. The funeral was actually beautiful, the speakers all were wonderful and it was a very spiritual experience. I sat up on the stand and could see out into the audience and the thing that really struck me was that the people who were crying the most were the oldest people there. People that were in their late 70's and on into their 80's. Not to be too assuming, but I imagine it's emotional when a life-long friend passes away, and just knowing that one day, it will be you there. Or it could have been something else entirely.
I couldn't help but think about the other funeral I attended, the one for sweet sister Simms who taught my Sunday school class growing up, and died far too early. I just thought about so many things. The thing that touched me from these two funerals of wonderful mothers was how much they were truly loved by their children. They never mentioned any big thing that their mom's did for them, it was the little things like going out for breakfast or patiently listening that were important to these children. It was the unconditional love that made each child feel special and beloved that made the difference. What a good example for me, someone who is still at the beginning stages of parenting.
I also wondered if those people who die really do still watch after us. I haven't suffered too many close losses yet, but I always think about my Aunt Alta who died when I was 17. She was strongly single and busy as a bee until she died at 97 years old. She drove her car until she was 96 (I think). I've heard how she was stubborn and strong-willed (which might have had something to do with her single status), but that just made her better in my eyes as a child. When she would visit we would always do a whirlwind of activities that always included shopping, movies, ice cream and more, all at her suggestion and expense. I just remember we always had so much fun with this 90 year old lady. I remember her kindness and feeling that feeling that she loved me no matter what. That's probably why I still have a hard time talking about her without crying even 10 years later. The one special moment that I always remember was when I was probably 14 or so. We were visiting at her house in Utah, and I was stretched out on a couch reading a book. She turned on a lamp so I could see better and then I sat up so she could sit down, and she sat down and told me to put my legs right back up where they were before. So I put my legs up on her lap and she rested her arms on them. I don't know about you, but when I was 14 I don't remember that many people going out of their way to be kind to me. The world is a tough place with lots of expectations for teenagers, but she did not have any expectations. She joyed in just being with me and the other kids. I could feel this joy, and it just felt so good. And now, as an adult, on a few distinct nights that have been hard ones, the ones where Erick's at a late meeting, or out of town, where I've been at the low-end of self-esteem and so tired, likely due to a fussy newborn or who knows what, right when I crawl into bed by myself I swear I can feel her saying to just put my feet up in her lap. I can feel her there just loving me. And it helps.
So after I thought of all of this, I then had to get up and play the flute, which I was not too excited about at this point, but I did it, and honestly, it's the best I've played in years.
I couldn't help but think about the other funeral I attended, the one for sweet sister Simms who taught my Sunday school class growing up, and died far too early. I just thought about so many things. The thing that touched me from these two funerals of wonderful mothers was how much they were truly loved by their children. They never mentioned any big thing that their mom's did for them, it was the little things like going out for breakfast or patiently listening that were important to these children. It was the unconditional love that made each child feel special and beloved that made the difference. What a good example for me, someone who is still at the beginning stages of parenting.
I also wondered if those people who die really do still watch after us. I haven't suffered too many close losses yet, but I always think about my Aunt Alta who died when I was 17. She was strongly single and busy as a bee until she died at 97 years old. She drove her car until she was 96 (I think). I've heard how she was stubborn and strong-willed (which might have had something to do with her single status), but that just made her better in my eyes as a child. When she would visit we would always do a whirlwind of activities that always included shopping, movies, ice cream and more, all at her suggestion and expense. I just remember we always had so much fun with this 90 year old lady. I remember her kindness and feeling that feeling that she loved me no matter what. That's probably why I still have a hard time talking about her without crying even 10 years later. The one special moment that I always remember was when I was probably 14 or so. We were visiting at her house in Utah, and I was stretched out on a couch reading a book. She turned on a lamp so I could see better and then I sat up so she could sit down, and she sat down and told me to put my legs right back up where they were before. So I put my legs up on her lap and she rested her arms on them. I don't know about you, but when I was 14 I don't remember that many people going out of their way to be kind to me. The world is a tough place with lots of expectations for teenagers, but she did not have any expectations. She joyed in just being with me and the other kids. I could feel this joy, and it just felt so good. And now, as an adult, on a few distinct nights that have been hard ones, the ones where Erick's at a late meeting, or out of town, where I've been at the low-end of self-esteem and so tired, likely due to a fussy newborn or who knows what, right when I crawl into bed by myself I swear I can feel her saying to just put my feet up in her lap. I can feel her there just loving me. And it helps.
So after I thought of all of this, I then had to get up and play the flute, which I was not too excited about at this point, but I did it, and honestly, it's the best I've played in years.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Missed a day but I'm back on the wagon!
So I didn't write last night, but with good reason. Cash had to go to the doctor due to the fact that he wouldn't stop screaming so I figured he probably had an ear infection and he did along with pink eye in both eyes. So, a $15 copay and $50 in prescriptions later we were home and slightly happier. My sister Emma and her fiance Travis also drove up which ended up being great because they watched the other kids so I could go to the doctor and Erick could go to a meeting. Anyways, I wanted to tell a little story about my day yesterday.
Bryant is a messy boy. That's all there is to it. I can fold his clothes and place them on his steps and he'll just take them up to his room and throw them on his floor in a heap or maybe just go ahead and toss them directly into his dirty clothes hamper. I have known I need to do a real cleaning of his room for a while and yesterday I finally worked up the courage, so after I put him on the bus, I took a trash bag and went up to his room which is a room we actually made from a large unused attic, so it has its own set of stairs, and it's just out of the way, so I don't venture up there too often. So I go up and see the mess before me that includes every article of clothing Bryant owns, every shoe, books, school papers. His sheets are somehow no longer on the bed but on the floor, which means he's been sleeping on a bare mattress. It is a sigh-inducing sight. So I get started, organizing the book shelf, figuring out which clothes are clean and which are dirty, hanging up the nicer clothes, picking up trash, and on and on. The bed is the fun part. It is shaped like a landcruiser and the mattress is placed down in the frame so there are lots of nooks and crannies. I pulled out about ten pairs of underwear, books, dirty socks, undershirts and more. Finally, after two hours, the room was clean, organized, and ready for human habitation again.
So I decided to be mean to Bryant and trick him after school. As soon as he came home I demanded that he go clean his room immediately and there would be no snacks, drinks, or anything until he did. So he got upset and went up to his room. He then came back down stairs and said "Um, mom, there's been a mistake, my room's already clean" He was struggling to grasp the reality of the situation so I said, "and who do you think cleaned that room?" He said "You?" and I said yes. I reminded him that I love him and he said thank you. This of course did not stop him from casually tossing his book bag, shoes and dirty socks into the middle of his floor. We have work yet to do!
Bryant is a messy boy. That's all there is to it. I can fold his clothes and place them on his steps and he'll just take them up to his room and throw them on his floor in a heap or maybe just go ahead and toss them directly into his dirty clothes hamper. I have known I need to do a real cleaning of his room for a while and yesterday I finally worked up the courage, so after I put him on the bus, I took a trash bag and went up to his room which is a room we actually made from a large unused attic, so it has its own set of stairs, and it's just out of the way, so I don't venture up there too often. So I go up and see the mess before me that includes every article of clothing Bryant owns, every shoe, books, school papers. His sheets are somehow no longer on the bed but on the floor, which means he's been sleeping on a bare mattress. It is a sigh-inducing sight. So I get started, organizing the book shelf, figuring out which clothes are clean and which are dirty, hanging up the nicer clothes, picking up trash, and on and on. The bed is the fun part. It is shaped like a landcruiser and the mattress is placed down in the frame so there are lots of nooks and crannies. I pulled out about ten pairs of underwear, books, dirty socks, undershirts and more. Finally, after two hours, the room was clean, organized, and ready for human habitation again.
So I decided to be mean to Bryant and trick him after school. As soon as he came home I demanded that he go clean his room immediately and there would be no snacks, drinks, or anything until he did. So he got upset and went up to his room. He then came back down stairs and said "Um, mom, there's been a mistake, my room's already clean" He was struggling to grasp the reality of the situation so I said, "and who do you think cleaned that room?" He said "You?" and I said yes. I reminded him that I love him and he said thank you. This of course did not stop him from casually tossing his book bag, shoes and dirty socks into the middle of his floor. We have work yet to do!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
New Post! On the down side, this is a post about scrapbooking.
Well, it's been a while since I wrote something you know, for the public, and I saw how my little, baby sister (okay, I'm just saying that because she's getting married), anyways, my super, grown-up sister, Emma wrote in her blog every day for a month and honestly it looked like fun. No pictures, just thoughts. I can do that. I can also add pictures but just not tonight because it's already past my bedtime and I have to be up at 6:00am and who knows how many times in between!
So today, I had some dear friends over and we scrap-booked. For those of you who knock scrap-booking, I'll have you know that there is nothing so cathartic and relaxing as creating things for and about people you love. I am actually not a creative person in any way shape or form. But just the fact that I plunk my buns down once a month and force myself to work on my scrap-booking has produced some pretty neat stuff from this not-so-creative mind. Which I like. Actually, my friend April and I have been meeting once a month (sometimes skipping a month due to the birth of a baby or something along those lines...) for THREE years. How cool is that? And because of this monthly meeting I have been able to mostly keep up with all of the kid's books. And I bet you can't guess which books are my kids' favorite books to read and look at? Why, their books that are just about them of course! Their albums are covered in kid finger prints and smudges and are already kind of worn, but they know that they are special and loved. And the pages are safe because they are all in page covers so I can get new albums someday if I really need to.
Today I actually focused on making mother's day cards and I'm going to be honest with you. I made the most beautiful cards I have ever made and am a little upset with myself that I did not take a picture of the card I'm sending my mother-in-law because it is so darn pretty! Sorry to ruin the surprise Janette if you read this, but I love your card so much, it was hard to send it! Unfortunately though, I was holding April's baby while she was mailing her card in my mailbox and I helped her load her stuff into her car and by the time I ran into my house and grabbed the card to mail it the mailman came! In TWO minutes from the time she put her card in to when I came back out he was there and gone. So the card might not make it quite in time, but hopefully the prettiness of the card will make up for it. Such is life.
So today, I had some dear friends over and we scrap-booked. For those of you who knock scrap-booking, I'll have you know that there is nothing so cathartic and relaxing as creating things for and about people you love. I am actually not a creative person in any way shape or form. But just the fact that I plunk my buns down once a month and force myself to work on my scrap-booking has produced some pretty neat stuff from this not-so-creative mind. Which I like. Actually, my friend April and I have been meeting once a month (sometimes skipping a month due to the birth of a baby or something along those lines...) for THREE years. How cool is that? And because of this monthly meeting I have been able to mostly keep up with all of the kid's books. And I bet you can't guess which books are my kids' favorite books to read and look at? Why, their books that are just about them of course! Their albums are covered in kid finger prints and smudges and are already kind of worn, but they know that they are special and loved. And the pages are safe because they are all in page covers so I can get new albums someday if I really need to.
Today I actually focused on making mother's day cards and I'm going to be honest with you. I made the most beautiful cards I have ever made and am a little upset with myself that I did not take a picture of the card I'm sending my mother-in-law because it is so darn pretty! Sorry to ruin the surprise Janette if you read this, but I love your card so much, it was hard to send it! Unfortunately though, I was holding April's baby while she was mailing her card in my mailbox and I helped her load her stuff into her car and by the time I ran into my house and grabbed the card to mail it the mailman came! In TWO minutes from the time she put her card in to when I came back out he was there and gone. So the card might not make it quite in time, but hopefully the prettiness of the card will make up for it. Such is life.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
New Year, Let's do it.
Okay, I feel the need to share my New Year's Resolutions. Maybe that will mean that I am a little more likely to keep them. Okay, here we go:
So a young woman in our ward gave her testimony and said how the pride cycle always caught up the the people in the book of mormon and was their downfall. Then she said, "how about this year we don't do the part where we forget about God". That is resolution # 1. Keep my relationship with God #1.
2. Have dinner on the table by 5:30. I think this could change my life. Children seem to behave better when they have an early dinner.
3. Spend alone time with each child each day. Sometimes it doesn't happen, but this year it will!
4. Keep up with the laundry (boring, but laundry makes my world go round).
5. Wow, I really don't have a lot of resolutions. I guess I just want to be all around more put-together this year. Last year I was pregnant and tired, and then a very tired, always-exhausted new mom. I felt like a failure constantly because I just couldn't keep up with all the demands in my life, but I kept putting one foot in front of the other. Now, it's time to rise to all of my responsibilities and do better at being a wife, mother, and housekeeper. I guess my new year's resolution is to be me, but more amazing. Cheers~!
ps. I chose this particular version of our Christmas picture because this is what it's really always like around here! Kids in constant motion, and parents trying to hold it together!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Bryant Story
I quickly stopped by the library the other day while Erick was watching the kids. I decided to pick a couple of books for each kid and made my way home. I put the books on the kitchen table and resumed with the normal things of the day; cleaning, picking up, putting away, rocking baby, changing diapers, etc. Cora and Cash were both napping and I came back into the kitchen and Bryant was reading one of the books I had borrowed for him, A Dog Like Jack ; which to the naked eye appeared to be a cute story about a boy and his dog.
Well, then, Bryant looked up at me and said "This is where they buried Jack, Mom." And pointed to a picture of a very sad family standing around a freshly covered dog grave. I almost yelled "What!" This was not what I expected.
I said "What on earth is this book about" wondering what on earth happens to this dog...does he get run over? How sad is it? Why is this book in a library where a FIVE year old can get it, or a five year old's mom can get it? Bryant calmly looked up at me and said "the dog just got old and died Mom, and this is where they buried him."
"Oh." I said.
I then proceeded to continue my previous tasks and thought Bryant sure was handling death pretty well. A few minutes later Bryant asked me if I would read the book to him. So I did. It was pretty sweet and pretty sad, and obviously meant to help children recover from the loss of a pet. As soon as I finished reading Bryant the book, he looked up at me a little teary and said "Mom, I'm going to miss you when you die."
This obviously is shocking to hear. I said kind of loud "I'm not going to die! At least any time soon!"
To which he replied "but you're 27!"
I then explained to him that grandpa is 56 and his mommy (Nana) is still alive and that I was going to live until he was well into his 50's and maybe even 60's (this is one of the reasons I had kids early!). He was comforted and said, "Mom, when I'm a daddy, can you come visit me all the time?" I laughed a little to myself, because who knows if he'll want me around in 20 years, but for now I said "of course I'll visit you all the time!" And I gave him a huge kiss! And he gave me a big hug. What a nice moment we had.
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