Merry Christmas

Well we are home in Seattle for the Holidays. I'm not going to promise any posting the week and a half we are gone. I'll try but we'll see. I hope all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday, which ever you choose to celebrate.

Fudge

Well I got this recipe from a friend and I think it's great. It's made with one of my favorit candy bars

Symphony Bar Fudge

2 c. heavy cream
4 c. sugar
3 king size symphony bars, broken into pieces (she used the one with toffee and almonds, very good!)
1 c. butter, room temperature

Mix cream and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil. Boil for about 8 minutes until soft ball stage.
Meanwhile mix butter and chocolate (she suggested using a kitchen aid or something of the sort)
When cream and sugar are ready pour into the butter and chocolate mixture and mix until glossy
Put in a greased 9x13 or you could use a cookie sheet if you want thinner pieces and refrigerate to set.

I think when I make this I might use the plain symphony bars and get a bag of heath toffee pieces (that they have by the chocolate chips and baking stuff) and almonds and chop them up, that way there are bigger pieces. I've never made fudge, not much of a fan, or not enough to make it, but after trying this I think I will. I hope if anyone tries to make it, you enjoy it as much as I did.

Predictability and Consistancy

I'm a person who likes to know what's going to happen, at least with my life. I like things to be consistant and I like to be able to predict what is going to happen. I don't know why I am still this way. Since I've been married my life has been anything but the sort, unfortunately. After 5 years, you would like that I would learn to deal with the surprises life has in store for us better, but that is not the case. Three years ago we made a decision that would make our life even more unpredictable and consistant, and I often wonder why. It was something that the Lord told us we needed to do, so that's why we did. But if I knew what we would go through in the process I would probably never do it again. My husband decided to start his own company. At the beginning I never knew when he would be home, or if he would be home. I didn't know if some disaster would happen and I would have to go through the labor and devlivery of our first child alone. There was so much I couldn't predict of expect. I couldn't expect him home for dinner, I couldn't expect him home by the time I put S down, I couldn't expect him to be home by the time I went to bed, or even when I got up in the morning. Things have calmed down a bit, and I know (on most days) what time he'll be home rougly, and that he won't be working on the weekend. So why is that I write about this today? Well, because we have had some things happen that couldn't be predicted that in turn leads me to stressing out. My husband ended up working a full day and then some on Saturday, which is our only day just to ourselves, which upset me a bit, but it had to happen. It was either go in and fix the problem or have the company go under, most likely. Also this month some unpredictable things happened with regards to the company that leaves Christmas at little less than desirable (at least the worldly, present part of it). Needless to say my life has been thrown a lot of curve balls lately, and for someone like me it's not wanted or appreciated. I know miracles can and do happen, I just hope they happen soon. My life is more stressful than I like and wish it would all go away. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for this time of year to reflect more on my Savior and all he has done for me. I just wish I could do it not so stressed

Confessions of a stay at home mom Friday

1. I have a lot of anxiety today, for a few reasons (which I won't talk about), and want to eat to "make" it better. Knowing that won't work, I'm trying my best not to give in.

2. I'm still not ready for Christmas

3. Since child number two came around, often I have hard time staying up past 9

4. I'm looking forward to the new year, and hope it is better than this one

Seven Sevens

Seven Sevens

I have been tagged by Princess Mom


Seven things I hope to do before I die:

1. Be better than I used to be at Sign Language
2. Start up our non-profit organization and have it do as well as I think it would
3. Travel
4. Grow old with my hubby
5. Watch our children have children and hopefully their children have children
6. Buy a house
7. Own a Bed and Breakfast

Seven things I cannot do:

1. Stay mad at my kids forever
2. Enjoy seafood (I try, I just don't like it. I've given it several tries and continue to do so when my hubby orders it, just in case if my taste buds change, but they don't)
3. Sew, I wish I could, and I wish I could find someone that would teach me
4. Go a day without hugging, kissing, or saying I love you to my kids or hubby
5. Put up with stupid people who do stupid things
6. Be a shopaholic. I don't like shopping, I get in and out and leave.
7. To go along with number 6, enjoy shopping during the holidays. Don't get my wrong I love to give gifts, but I hate the crowds and people wondering mindlessly not knowing what they are going to get and blocking the aisles. I'm very impatient.

Seven things that attract me to my spouse (significant other, best friend)

1. He has opened my door since the first time I met him, and he doesn't just do it for me, he does it for all girls! It's something for a man to open a door for a women he likes (men will do almost anything for a girl in the beginning), but I think it's more impressive when they do it for every women/girl, even when there are no feelings involved
2. His knowledge of almost everything (very smart)
3. Saw in me things I couldn't (the good things of course)
4. His relationship with his Savior was/is the most important thing to him, followed closely by me and the kiddies
5. Thinks I'm a great cook
6. Gets along great with my family and really loves them
7. He was better than what I ever thought I'd end up with

Seven things I say often:

1. Mama loves you!
2. I love you!
3. Are you sticky?
4. Who's my baby boy?
4, Who's my baby girl?
5. Who's so handsome?
6. Who's so pretty?
7. What should we do for dinner?

Seven books or series I love:

1. Les Miserables
2. Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright (good quick read, I did it in one day and that's even as a mom of two)
3. Twelfth Night; Or, What You Will
4. Standing for Something
5. Peace Essays of Hope and Encouragement
6. You are Special
7. Any sort of cook book

Seven movies I could watch over and over:

This one was hard, so I tried to think of all the movies we have and think of my favorites

1. Oceans Eleven
2. Beautiful Mind
3. Little Rascals
4. Toy Story
5. Toy Story 2
6. Mr. Hollands Opis
7. Drumline

Seven people I want to join in this Seven Sevens meme:

Myself being new to blogging, I don't know many bloggers, and I don't think many people read my blog. But I'll put down people I'd like to hear responses from, and I”ll try to come up with seven

1. My sister-in-law, Cori (who I think should start a blog, because I know she has stuff to say)
2. Princess Mom, who I got this from and gave me the idea to start blogging
3. Marie one of my bestest friends, who I also think would be a good blogger
4. Melissa
5. My mom
6. Not knowing enough about this meme thing, I don't know if it is for women only, because lists I've seen only have women, so out of ignorance I'm going to put my hubby
7. Any one who reads my blog and wants to join the club and pass it on

Shew Fly

Yesterday while getting ready in the morning I saw something flying around my bathroom. Since I didn't have my glasses on, I could only see a blob, so I assumed it was a moth. After putting my glasses on I realized it was a fly. The first thing in my head was, I've never seen a fly in the winter? Where did that come from? I didn't even know flies exist in the winter, at least where it is cold. Needless to say I took care of it before it could escape to some other part of the house and get lost.

Christmas Trees

Or should I say Holiday Trees? I don't know if any of you feel the same way I do, but I think this is a bunch of crap. Some people take this PC thing way to far. How does changing it to Holiday Tree really make things better? Do people really put up a tree and not celebrate Christmas? And besides, I bet there are tons of Americans who celebrate Christmas, but not the religious part of it. They celebrate the toys and goodies and the santa part of it, and not the birth of Christ our Savior. So in my opinion you should be getting mad about places having a tree in general, not what it is called. Excuse me if I'm being ignorant and there are people out there that get a "Holiday Tree" and not celebrate Christmas, I just don't know of any (but doesn't mean they exist). If it's about the fact that you don't celebrate Christmas and don't want anything to do with it, well that's just not going to happen. Stores are always going to make a big hoopla out of Christmas, whether they celebrate or not, it's about the money. Cities put up lights on their main street, have horse and carriages, it screams Christmas everywhere you go. People are forgetting what this country was founded on, Religion. People came here for religious freedom and to be able to worship God in the way they pleased. This country was founded on a belief in God. After all our money says "In God We Trust". I wonder what our fore-fathers would think of all of this? I find myself to be a pretty tolerant person, but Holiday Tree? I just don't understand it. There are so many things, in my opinion, that would be more beneficial putting your time and effort to fight for. What about child abuse? Alcoholism? Drug abuse? If we put our effort in fighting for these things our country would be a far better place, than if we were to fight for the Holiday Tree. I know people say you aren't suppose to mix religion and government, but I think this is more about what holiday the majority of the America celebrates. I would be supportive if the majority changed and other holidays were celebrated that I didn't celebrate. Next thing you know we won't celebrate Thanksgiving, even though that really doesn't have to do much with religion. I don't think we can come to an agreement which everyone will like, so what do you? Please the majority or the minority? It'll always be a Christmas Tree to me!

Mama S

Well this weekend we went to a family Christmas party. There was a small gift exchange between the little kids. The people who had S's name were very late, so he was stuck with out a present. How do you explain that to a 2 and a half year old? So we let him play with B's present which was a baby, that she isn't old enough to play with. So was content with that for awhile. His present eventually came, which made him happy. Well we got home and brought the toys in the house. He's been playing with the baby as much as he has with the tools he got. Well this morning S was watching TV with the baby by his side. When B got out of bed I changed both S's and B's diaper and was getting ready to feed B. She is now 4 months old, so S has seen be breastfeed countless of times. Well he said his baby was hungry and unzipped his pj's and attempted to nurse the baby. That is the first time he has tried to nurse a baby, which in ways I'm surprised he hasn't done it earlier, since he sees me do it several times a day. I thought it was really funny and laughed so hard I almost started crying. Have any of you mom's had anything like this happen before.

Confessions of a stay at home mom Friday

1) I still don't have my shopping done

2) My kids are still in their pj's and it's almost noon

3) There are no Christmas decorations up in our home (we aren't going to be around for the holidays, so I think what is the point)

4) My house is cleaner than it has been in a while (because we are having people over tonight, we should invite people over more often if it'll make me clean)

5) I'm glad it's Friday, even though we have a pretty busy weekend

Thank you Thursday

1) I'm thankful for the holiday season and the joy it brings to most people, I wish I could say all

2) I'm thankful S slept good last night even though no one else did

Well I'm going to make it short for today. We had a tough night at our house and for who knows what reasons B didn't sleep, so that means neither myself or the hubby did much either.

Little different than the norm

I grew up with two things very different than most of my friends, and there wasn't much I could do about it, or willing to do about it. 1) I am left handed. Which means my handwriting is not as nice as most, I wish it were, and I thought about trying harder and that only last for a few minutes and I think that saving time is better than making it look pretty. 2) I have curly hair. I always hated it for the most part. Some people with curly hair and just blow dry it and ta-da it's straight. Mine takes a little or a lot longer to get straight with out being poofy or frizzy. So needless to say I don't do my hair straight often. As a kid I wished I had straight hair like everyone else. It was so pretty and easy to maintain. Often times I wished I was right handed, just because that meant I would probably have nicer handwriting. I've come to accept both. I don't hate my hair any more, but I don't love it. I wish my handwriting was nicer (I have met a few lefties with nice handwriting). Why is it that as kids we dislike these things? Maybe because we are taught from all different places it's not good to be different. My little girl looks like she might have some curls in her hair and that makes me excited. Why? I hated my hair as a kid, so why am I excited about something I disliked as a child? She also tends to favor her left when it comes to grabbing things and trying to roll over, and that makes me happy too. Yet again, why? Maybe it's because that means she is like me. It's hard for me to see in my children who they look like, so maybe that gives me some comfort that they are mine, even though I carried them for over 9 months, who else's could they be? I love my mom and love the fact that people say I look like her and I remind them of her. So maybe I would like that same flattery for my daughter, and hope she thinks it is as much of a compliment as I do. I hope I can teach her it's ok to be a little different and especially when it comes to the hair, deep down most of the straight hair people really wished they had our curls any way.

Candy Canes

Well yesterday I had to run an errand and took the kids with me. S was lucky and the people working at the place gave him a candy cane, which made him really happy. He was nice enough to wait until we got home to open it, like I asked, so we wouldn't have a mess in the car. He started chomping away. To my surprise when he got down to just the hook, and looked at me and said "U" and the sound it makes. S, knows his letters and the sounds they make fairly well, but it surprised me he was able to see it in a non-traditional way. After he said "U", he then turned the candy cane and said "C" and the sound it makes. It made me happy that he has an imagination and can find ways to use what he knows in your not so typical way.

Low expectations

I've found that either parents expect less of their children or I expect too much of my children. Either case I'm not going to change and let my kids get away with things that I don't think are appropiate for certain situations. In my opinion there is a time and place where kids need to learn to sit and it all starts at home. We require S to sit at the dinner table and eat with us until we think he has ate enough food. So he has learned that sometimes he just needs to sit. I bring this up because we went to church yesterday and there are always the same parents that let their children do what ever they want whenever they want, which I feel distracts me and others getting what they want out fo the meetings. I think it's simple, if your child is screaming, take them out so others can enjoy. S does pretty good for a 2 and half year old, but yet he has learned from the time he became mobile that there are certain times and places we expect him to sit and be still and quiet. I had a conversation about this with my parents and my dad brought up a good point that we think we need to tolerate more than we really do. I hate to be one of those parents that people look at and say "I can't believe they are letting their child do that and doing nothing about it!" I hope my kids turns out better because I have expectations of their behavior and remind them of them when they forget or slip.

Confessions of a stay at home mom Friday

1) I don't like to make beds

2) I look forward to the weekend so I have more help around the house, especially this weekend since the hubby worked about a 24 hour day on Wednesday and has just been catching up on sleep, so even though he's been here in the evenings I can't really ask him to help much

3) I like to get emails, it makes me feel like I'm important (as long as it isn't junk email)

4) I really need to clean my house, maybe this weekend.

5) I still have a lot of Christmas shopping to do!

Thankful Thursday

1) I'm thankful that my kids sleep good (for the most part)

2) I'm thankful I get to go home for Christmas

3) I'm thankful my frineds, especially Marie who's been there for me through think and thin

4) I'm thankful my husbands gets to do what he loves and has his dream job

5) I'm thankful for power doors on my car, it makes life a lot easier running around with the kids

Potty Training

Someday I'd like to start potty training my 2 and 1/2 year old and some day soon, I think? I go back and forth on this subject often, some days I feel like I want to tackle it and other days I don't feel like the doing the hard work it takes to get him there. He has used the toilet and a number of occasions and I know he can. He's gone number one and number two in there, so I know he's capable, but I'm not sure if he's ready. The first weekend we really tried to do the potty training thing it was kind of brought up by him. I wasked him if he had to go potty out of the blue and he said yes, and every time after I would ask if he had to go he would say yes! I was excited because I thought it would be like everything else with him, pretty easy. I weaned him from breastfeeding at 1 year cold turkey, and also from his pacifier at a year cold turkey. It was there one day and gone the next and he was perfectly fine with it. So I was happy that potty training might turn into me just asking and him doing the rest, but it hasn't been like that since the frist weekend. He fights me when I change his diaper and fights me if I ask him to use the potty, so I'm not sure what fight I'd rather have. I also don't want to have to clean up all the accidents, just something I don't want to do but know it will have to done no matter when I do it. I've thought about getting pull-ups so he can feel he's wet but don't have to clean up the mess, but I just haven't done anything. When we went over to our friends house the other day (where S dressed up as a princess) there little boy who is his age is potty trained, and I know S can probably do it. At this point I don't know if he is ready, but when are they ready? Any suggestions from those of you who have boys?

My handsome princess

Last night we went over to some friends house to visit and let the kids play. They have 3 girls and 1 boy who is S's age. So needless to say their house is filled with girl toys and dress-up things. Stirling had a ball! He had fun playing dress-up. He put on a nice pink and purple princess dress and a crown! Should I be concerned? I think he'll be a very understanding boy when it comes to the opposite sex, or at least I hope! There isn't anything wrong with a boy wanting to play with toys geared towards girls. If girls play with toys geared towards boys they are a tom boy and people are ok with that. But why is that our society automatically thinks if it's the other way around, that there is something wrong with the boy? Don't get me wrong my son likes to play with toys for boys too, just as much as ones for girls. But I think because he isn't around those type of toys often (or at least yet since his sister isn't old enough to have too many toys) it's kind of special treat to play with new toys! So all I have to say is let your kid be a kid and have fun with all types of toys there is no harm in that!

Getting what we want out of life

For the past several years we have been living in an area we don't really like. We have looked forward to the day that we would move. It still hasn't come and it will still be a while. After being here for 3 years we have started to take a more active part in things. It's amazing the difference that has made. Instead of feeling that people are so clicky and could care less about us, we have started to create our own group, I wouldn't call it a click, because new people are always joining the circle. It all started with me being fed up and sick of how unfriendly and non-active people were (or I guess if they were it didn't include us). So my hubby and I decided that in order for things to change we had to be the ones to do it! Not much gets done just complaining, so we took action (although I would love it if someone else took the lead and would invite us to do something, but maybe those type of people don't live around here and they are much like us and sit and wait for someone to call to do something). A couple months ago we decided to start a recipe a club. We invited a few families that have kids around the same age as ours, and we had a good time. Each month we get together at someones house and we choose a theme like appetizers and everyone brings one and the recipe for people to try. So we have had two so far and they have gone well. We've had different people show up each time and talk of inviting others the next time. Just by starting this and getting to know others it has improved our experience here and we enjoy it more than we have in 3 years. I'm not saying I want to live here forever but at least I can start to enjoy it until we can move on, instead of dreading it. We get out of an experience what we put into it.

Taking advantage of people

There are so many companies that take advantage of people, and I'm sick of it! Why? Because when I think I've asked all the questions I need to to find out if there is any hidden costs, they blow my mind with a hidden cost I couldn't even think up!!!! So for the past two Saturdays we have gone to get pictures taken, some of the kids and then today some of the whole family. I had a coupon for no session fee!!! With the flyer I got there was also advertisement for 35 portraits for $10, can't beat that. On the coupon for no session fee it said it can be combined with other offers, so great I can use it for the 35 portraits! Oh course not!!!! I didn't say it on the flyer but the $10 offer couldn't be combined with other offeres, go figure!!!! So I ended joining their club, so I don't have to pay sitting fees for the next 2 years, even though I didn't want to but it would save us money since we would be back next week for more pictures. So today we went, thinking we would get the $10 offer for the family pictures. Needless to say I was not impressed, we had an appointment for 4. We showed up a few minutes early and I filled our the paper work. We sat and sat and sat. Finally the mother-in-law (who came to help) went and asked. Well they couldn't find our paper work and they just ASSUMED we were with another group that had already been helped!!! So about 40 minutes after our appointed time we got in. Of course after waiting the kids were more fussy, which left us with more of handful. So we got a few good shots and we got to order our pictures. Well we decided to get the $10 package, but little did we know they said we had to bring in the flyer, which last week I didn't and could get it!!! And it wasn't a coupon, so why did I need to bring and it didn't say I had to to get the offer!!! We talked the lady into letting us get the price, thank goodness. And because of the wait, which wasn't because they were so busy, they were just sitting around buying time while we sat and waited, she gave us a free 8x10, who nice!!! That's the least we deserved after all we went through. So we were thinking of getting more pictures, but then found out they were going to be $20 a sheet!!! Are you kidding me!! (I know I'm using a lot of !!! but I was shocked and a little upset about our whole experience the last couple weeks) I had a coupon that said you could get sheets for $4 after you buy 8 at regular price which was listed at $8. Do you get it? I sure as heck don't!!!! So why on a coupon it says the regular price is $8 but we had to pay $20 for ours? We just decided to go with what we would get at $10 and have our friends do some more later which we could get A LOT cheaper. Why is that people do everything they can to get your money! I could understand if I just read something wrong and misunderstood it, but it wasn't even stated! If you are going to take my money at least be honest about it. Maybe that's why places like that don't post prices because there are so many things that affect it, like if your hair is curly or you have green eyes or drive a toyota or are wearing brown shoes. So needless to say I've been very unsatisfied with my experience and wouldn't ever go back if I hadn't bought this membership and have free session fee for 2 year and will supposidely get good deals sent to me, which will probably have there hidden prices too. I hate the way some people run their business and they probably can still sleep at night even though they are totally taken advantage of people without warning them about it (not even in their tiny non-legible writing). I'm done! Sorry I'm not proof reading this I don't even want to think about it any more to read it again to see if there are typos. So I hope you can read it.

Confession of a stay at home mom

1) I don't know how my kids got so cute. I know everyone thinks their kids are the cutest, but my kids are. Ok besides being the cutest, they are cute, people tell us ALL the time. I don't know where they get it, but I'm glad they are so cute and other people tell me.

2) I'm glad I have pictures of family and kids taken care of. I'm sick of photo places!!! (and that is a understatement.

3) I didn't go any shopping this weekend!!!1

Surprise

Well yesterday S was playing like normal and B was a little fussy. I went over to try to calm her down and let S continue to ride around on his bike in the kitchen, just the room next to me. A minute or so later I turned around and am totally shocked!!!! There is blood all over S's face and one of his hands. I don't know what he did in that one minutes to cause himself to get such a bad bloody nose but he did, because he's not nose picker. Once he realized what happened he started to cry because he's such a clean freak at times. He didn't like the fact that he was a mess. There's one thing I have learned from having kids, they always keep you on your feet and you never know what to expect.

Pictures

Well this weekend we made a trip to the mall to get pictures of the kids to give to family for the holiday. People who don't have kids don't truely understand the pain that goes into to this for most of us. To get that one good picture, hopefully you get at least one, is A LOT of hard work. B, the 3 1/2 month old did good, she was very cooperative for an infant. S, the 2 1/2 year old on the other hand wasn't. He didn't want to sit where he was suppose to and then eventually started crying. Luckily at that point we had 2 decent pictres to choose from, we weren't getting any more out of him, and B stared to get tired. Next week we are going back for family pictures, so hopefully that goes better. Last year we had the same problem with S, but he did better with family pictures, maybe that is because we were there to sit by him. A few weeks earlier we went to place that specialized in kids and he did great. We got a really good picture of him by himself. We went because we had a coupon, otherwise we would have never gone. They charge $16 a sheet, which is crazy!!! So that is why we end up going to a department store that has better prices, but the photographers don't do so hot with the kids. So needless to say I was a little frustrated. When I called to set up the appointment I asked if their photographers were good with young kids or some better than others, and of course they said all of them are, yeah right!!! Why is it that the people at the expensive places who specializes in kids did good with S, but the other people didn't? But on the other hand is it really worth $16 a sheet when you need tons of them and don't have to do much to get your kid to be happy and smile, or do a lot and only pay $10 for 36 pictures?

Confessions of a stay at home mom Friday

1) I'm probably going to stay in my pj's all day. I'm sick that's the least I deserve!
2) I don't like to shave. Who does? As a mother, you don't get to take very long showers, so some days it just doesn't get done, who am I kidding often times. I'd rather have clean hair and body then silky smooth legs. Why is that my brothers only have to shave every few weeks? My mom's side of the family doesn't have much facial hair, so why is it I can't get those kind of genetic for my legs?
3) Sometimes I feel I should take Martha Stewarts place. I'm not creative or crafty, but when it comes to cooking I do a fairly good job. The other day I made some killer pizza, and that was even with the help of my toddler.
4) Even though I feel I'm a pretty decent cook, I still want and need validation that I'm not the only one that thinks so.
5) If something I cook doesn't turn out right I find something to blame it on. If it's something I haven't made before, it's the recipes fault. Or yesterday I made some bread and just about the time I had to put it in the oven, S decided he wanted some brownie and he would get it himself, and in doing so knocked the bread, so now it looks like someone smashed it, forget the fact that I forgot to add the salt and added to screwing it up myself.

Thank you Thursday

1) I'm thankful it hasn't snowed yet.
2) I'm thankful I've been lucky enough to have two good babies that barely cry
3) I'm thankful for parents who showed me what it was like to be a good parent
4) I'm thankful for siblings that I get a long with (now that we are all adults! ;) ), and that they have married or are going to marry nice girls
5) I'm thankful my toddler plays nice with others
6) I'm thankful for my husband (who by the way has never missed a doctor's appointment for either of my pregnancies or for our children!!!!)
7) I'm thankful I know who I am and where I am going and where I came from!

Christmas

Well Christmas is approaching quickly and I don't like it. I'm trying to think of what to get people and hope there is enough money to get everything. It's just more stress than I would like it to be. I'm not a shopper, I don't like it. So that means I don't like the crowds or waiting in line or being stuck behind stupid people that block the whole aisle and have no consideration of those around them. I'd like to get my shopping done sooner than later, but I know realistically it'll be later for multiple reasons. Christmas has gotten so commercial I think many people loose site of the reason for it, they get stuck on buying the best and the newest of everything. Why can't society go back to reason of Christmas? It would save us a lot of money and I think bring us more joy. I love the holidays don't get me wrong, but I don't care much for the expectations that society has put on us to buy elaborate gifts. I often times get caught up in what society teaches us. I'll be the first to admit I had a big long list of things I wanted to get my kids. The other day I shortened it to things they needed and one or two toys. I don't know what I was thinking, we have plenty of toys already that make a constant mess, why add tons more? I've already started making some home made gifts from my heart and hope that those appreciated. What happened to the days of home made goodies and singing songs and charity, instead of trying to out do everyone else. What are we teaching our kids? Each year they'll expect something bigger and better. Things were a lot more simple when I was kid at least for my family. I hope that through the hussle and bussle of today that my kids will understand what Christmas is all about. That they'll enjoy giving better than receiving. And know that something from the heart and home made is priceless.

My Hubby

Well I know I already did a post today, but I figured since I had something on my mind I'd write it. And if for some reason I can't think of anything for tomorrow I won't feel so bad. I've been married to a wonderful man for almost 5 years. It's been a rollercoaster to say the least, not with our relationship mind you just things that we have had to go through. Our relationship has always been great and strong, but the events that have happened over the last several years have been a rollercoaster. I would compare it to the scariest rollercoaster you have ever been on. There are parts that fill you with excitement and glee, like when we got married and then had our kids. And then there are parts that make you want to throw-up, scream, close your eyes, get off the ride, your heart stops and everything else in between (sometimes all at once or sometimes just one at a time). The last couple years when it comes to external forces in our lives I have felt a lot more of the later than former. It's such a complex story most of the time we don't even try to tell it and if for some reason people ask we tell the somewhat happy uncomplicated version, so there are very few who know the whole ordeal. I've gotten to the point right after the scary part has happened on the rollercoaster, I'm starting to breathe again. Which is wonderful to do, and to know things are getting better. But then again just like any roller coaster there are usually several parts where your heart stops, and sometimes you don't know when the ride is going to be over. Well we have gone through a couple heart stopping moments when it comes to our endeavors so hopefully we have some calm for awhile. Now to the point of all this. I'm just greatful my hubby has been sitting next to me the whole time and was the person I could grab onto their arm and close my eyes and not watch while the cart plummets to the ground or does a loop and is there when it's going up and we know something exciting is going to happen. He's been the glue for our family! He's been the one that always looked on the bright side and calmed my fears and let me know that just because we had been betrayed so badly by someone that it doesn't give me an excuse to give up on all humanity. He's been my rock, especially on days when I was ready to call it quits. The best thing about him is he was willing to throw everything away that he had worked so hard on (which created our heartaches and our joys) just to make me happy. But how can you tell the person you love to stop doing what makes them happy just for your own happiness. I don't know if I'd choose the same rollercoaster if I had the choice and knew what it was going to be like, but we would have had to choose another one with it's own loops and drops. I know most of you won't care about this blog, but often times we let things go unspoken for too long. So I just want to say thanks to him. He has put a lot of blood, sweat, and tears to making things work for our family and I appreciate it. Life has been a rollercoaster for us (and I'm sure it will continue to be, because isn't that what life is all about?), but I'm just glad I have him sitting in the cart next to me.

My son loves rice

Yesterday I heard my son drag a chair across the floor and into the kitchen. I wasn't sure what he was doing. When I walked in there I found my son eating rice out of the rice cooker. Don't worry it had been unplugged for a while and the rice was cool. I guess he was hungry! He just sat there for a couple minutes taking handfuls of rice and just stuffing it in his mouth. It was pretty funny to see.

Wide Awake

Why is it that the only day I can sleep in (Saturday) I'm awake and everyone else is still asleep. On Saturdays we usually alternate who gets to stay in bed, and then after that person gets up the other can go back to bed if they want. Well today my husband said he would get up with the kids! How wonderful of him. Well it's 7 AM and I'm up! My toddler got up once, to check up on us (as my husband calls it). He's pretty easy to get back to bed, we just walk him in his room and put his cover on him and he's good to go. My infant on the other had hasn't woken up all night and is still sleeping! So why am I up? I'm tired, but for some reason couldn't sleep, so I figured I'd get out of bed instead of tossing and turning and ruining my husbands sleep. So the house is as quite as a mouse, besides the hum of the computer and I'm awake! It's funny that this usually happens to me. The days I have to get up when the kids get up I'm exhausted and feel like I could sleep for hours. But on the day that I actually get to stay in bed and get as much sleep as I want, well scheduled around feedings for B, I'm awake. It just seems that is always how my luck goes. My toddler is usually up by 6:30 and he's still asleep! How nice of him! And B was nice enough to let me sleep on not wake up to eat, which she does fairly often. Now only if my body would be so kind. I guess I have stuff on my mind of all the things I need/want to get done today (go figure). Well hopefully next weekend my body will be kinder and my kids will sleep just as good.

Confessions of a stay at home mom Friday

1) Sometimes I wish I could stay in my pj's all day every day, and sometimes I do.

2) I dind't know what being tired really meant until I became a parent, and you only get as much sleep as your kids let you. I can't wait to be able to sleep through the night again on a consistant basis. (I'm writing this one because for the last week or so I've been waking up more tired than normal.)

3) We used to have decent furniture until we had kids. Then that furniture became not so decent, with spit up, jumping on it, and other sorts of accidents.

4) This weekend we are going on a real date with other people (or at least that is the plan), the first time in who knows how long. When my husband's mom comes over to watch the kids we usually go do stuff that has to be done, like shopping. But this weekend we have plans to get together with my husband's friend from his mission and his fiance. I'm extied. Simple things non-parents sometimes take for granted.

5) After some of these complants of motherhood, I still woudn't go back to my childless days for anything. All of these things are worth it when you see you child smile or laugh or tell you they love you. So when all is said and done, even though I miss some of the things that were easily acheived when I was single or before we had kids, I wouldn't go back to my single days or the days before my kids for anything. They make me so happy (most of the time). ;) You parents know what I mean.

Timeless

There are so many fads that have come and gone throughout my life time. Remember the hypercolor t-shirts (always wanted one but never got one), and some many others that lasted just a short time? There are so many people who take advantage of these fads we create to make them money. There are far fewer on the other hand that really understand what we humans want and desire (a couple things being happiness and laughter) and use that to profit them. It's these people in my opinion who become the classics and create things that are timeless and not just fades, that disappear faster than we can blink. You are probably wondering why I bring this up...Well the last few days I've been reminded of one of these people who "get it". A few days ago my husband started reading Shel Silverstein poems to our toddler. It has reminded me of when I was kid and how much I loved to read them. There is something about his poems that appeal to children and adults alike. He has a way of making adults remember the good old day and what it was like to be a kid. And for kids it teaches them to be light-hearted and find humor in almost all things. There is something about his writings that sparks our imagination, which is always good to use no matter what age. For my toddler I think he likes the pictures the best at this point in time. But it doesn't matter, we all like them for some reason or another. So today I challenge you to take the time and think of the timeless things in our lives and laugh at the fads that are just that.

Short and to the point

Last night we were getting the kids ready for bed and we asked S who should say the family pray and he said S. So we then asked him who he wanted to help him, since he needs help saying it, and he said S. So we said ok, go ahead. And here is what he said, "Heavenly Father, Amen!" We thanked him for his effort and told him we were going to try again, this time with his dad's help. It looks like we are still going to have to work with him with saying prayers. At least he knows how to start and finish it.

What are we teaching our kids?

Well after watching the news this morning, I discovered that parents are more stupid then I thought. There was a study done where they had kids take Ken and Barbie shopping for a special night in a play store. The parents and researchers were surprised at the results, which I wasn't at all. Am I more observant than most parents, or do parents not understand how smart their kids are? So to the findings...the majority of the kids bought either cigarettes or alcohol, and 24% bought both. I know that those things are highly advertised and shown that they are needed to have a good time, so go figure. But I wouldn't think my toddler would put it in his shopping cart for his Ken and Barbie, or at least I hope. I say that not because I think I'm a better parent, but because of the main reasons why the kids in the study put them in their cart. They put those things in their carts because of their parents example, they either smoke or drink alcohol or both. One mother was surprised that her 6 year old picked out the same brand of cigarettes that she smokes! I don't know why she was so surpised, kids notice everything. Yesterday at the store my 2 and a half year old saw on the bottom shelf a kind of soda his dad likes to drink and pointed to it and said daddy. Now if my son can tell me what kind of drink his dad likes on occasion, why can't a 6 year old tell what brand of cigarettes his mom smokes on a daily basis. If he couldn't I'd wonder if there was some developmental problems. Why do we underestimate our children? I'm guilty of it too. I was surprised when after only going to Alberstons once after they got some new speciality carts, that everytime we would pull out of our driveway, and have to pass the store he would say "frog" or "butterfly", since they are designed like different things. Why was I surprised? Kids have great memories when it comes to things they enjoy. Like my son learned the sounds that all the letters make after watching a video only a couple times. So the lesson is never underestimate what your kids now or can learn. Our kids absorb many things that they see in their environment. Lets be more careful of what we let our chilren see on TV and what they see us do.

Sleeping Habits

My son has gotten into the habit of sleeping with some of his favorite toys. On his bed he has a plethora of toys which consist of; 2 teddy bears, 3 elmos (2 medium size, and one small), spongebob squarepants, a little dog, Woody, Jessie, Buzz (from Toy Story), 3 small ponies, and I think that is about it. There is so many I forget. But every time he goes to bed for the night or a nap everything has to be in their "spot". He usually sleeps with his ponies (meaning he lays on them). When a new toy shows up it usually makes it on the bed at least for a night or two. Every few weeks I have to go through and downsize the pile so there is room for S to sleep. Well today we went to some stores to get stuff to make some hair bands for B, which consisted of me getting a glue gun and some other things. When we got home he opened it and thought it was his new toy! So needless to say when nap time came he wanted to take the glue gun with him. I took it away and told him he can't sleep with it, which led to crying. So I suggested having him take another toy with him that he hasn't slept with for awhile and it eventually worked. I hope it doesn't remember this and hold a grudge against me for the time mama wouldn't let him sleep with a glue gun.

The greatest ice breaker

I have found that the greatest way to break the ice and meet someone is through your kids. Often times I get so caught up in keeping an eye on them and making sure they stay out of trouble and behave that meeting new people and just saying hi to those around me gets forgotten. Yesterday at church reminded me that my kids make me get out of my comfort zone sometimes and meet new people. Church was over and I had both the kids and trying to track down my husband who couldn't be found. So we went over by the bishop's office to just wait, which is usually where we find him. Well needless to say I got in my zone of focusing on my kids, when a young lady, that I had noticed in sacrament meeting several times, but had never seen here any where else, so I could say hi, came up to me and starting asking about my baby. So a converstion was born. We met because of my kids. I've noticed it usually happens one of two ways for me. One, my toddler will go up to someone, and I'll follow and appologize for him bugging them, and we'll start a conversation and I'll meet someone new. Two, someone will come up to and tell me how cute my kids are and then we'll strike up a conversation. For some reason years ago I lost my desire to be social, like I was when I was a teen, but my kids are bringing it back. So thank you to my kids for being so outgoing, and being so cute. Without them I wouldn't be as social and know as many people.

No knowledge of the sexes

Let me preface this by saying when I want to refer to my kids I'll just refer to them by the first letter of their names. So my son is S and my daughter is B.
Yesterday I was playing with my baby girl, and asking, "Who's a pretty girl?" With my boy I've always said, "Who's a handsome boy?" and he would respond with his name, "S". I guess I had my first birds and bees conversation with him trying to explain to him that his sister is a girl and he is a boy. You might be wondering why, so here is the story behind it.
When I would say, "Who's a pretty girl?" he would respond, "S". I would then respond, "No, your sister is a pretty girl. You're a handsome boy." So I would ask, "Who's a handsome boy?" and he would say, "S". Then I would ask, "Who's a pretty girl?" and he would say "S". I would try to correct him and say, "No B is a pretty girl, you're a handsome boy", and would ask the question again and he would respond with B. But if I were to ask again he would say "S". After several minutes of trying to explain to a two and half year old the difference, I finally decided it probably couldn't be done at this point in the game. So we stopped playing the game of "Who's a pretty girl?" and "Who's a handsome boy?" Although I don't think he was done playing, because he kept on saying, "B pretty. S pretty." over and over again.
So I'm proud to say I had my first birds and bees conversation, they say it's never too early. Although it didn't go well. So maybe better luck next time.

Confessions of a stay at home mom Friday

1) We got home from Seattle on Monday night and I still haven't finished putting everything away or taken everything out of the car.
2) My favorite snacks right now (and favorite is probably an understatement) are homemade granola bars and popcorn (can't beat $0.88 for a 2 lbs. bag of kernels)
3) I don't like laundry. Most of the time I probably put too many clothes in the washer, because I'd rather do one load than two.
4) I hate wash cloths. Don't get me wrong we do have them in the house, and we use them for the kids baths and things of tha sort. But I'd much rather use a sanitizing wipe (like clorox or lysol wipes, or generic brand which ever is cheaper) on my table, counters, and stove. When it comes to clean up of kids after meals, I'd rather wipe them down with a baby wipe. They are both easy and disposible, and don't get gross and stinky like wash cloths can.

Kids do the cutest things

Here are some of the cute things my toddler has done or said:
He say "Too Mama" instead of I love you Mama, or who evers name he is saying I love you to.
The other day we were reading books and after we finished each book he would say "Amen", like it was an end of a prayer.
A couple weeks ago I was on the computer doing some things and it was getting close to his nap time. Instead of coming and telling me he was ready, he got himself ready. He got himself a glass a milk, laid on the couch with a blanket turned on the tv and let himself get tired, just waiting for me to come and get him and put him to bed.
He likes to run around with his hooded bath towel like a super hero. He refers to it as a "woosh" because of the sound he makes when he runs around like he is flying.
My son loves ponies, there I said it. He even has to sleep with them.

Why do I even try

Today was one of those days that I wondered why I try to make meals for my toddler. I decided I would be a good mother and actually make my son lunch. Often times it's just so much easier to let him munch on things throughout the day (not always bad stuff, like fruit, tortillas, lunch meat, etc.), then deal with the fight I had today. I made him a grilled cheese sandwich, and all he wanted was chips and juice (not real juice, a capri sun). I told him he had to have some of his sandwich before he could have either, and that's where the crying began. It lasted for 20 plus minutes, with different attempts on my part to get the crying to stop. We tried Sesame Street, didn't work. We tried just skipping lunch, and that didn't work. We tried a time out, didn't work. We tried just snuggling, didn't work. Finally some how I got him to take a little bite of his sandwich, after which I got him the juice I promised him. Even after the juice the crying continued. He wanted Elmo, which he was 10 minutes too late, it had already ended. So we eneded up watching Diego, and I got him to eat half a sandwich, some chips and juice. It would have been easier to let him just snack, but at least I stood my ground and he ate some of the lunch I made him. That doesn't make me that bad of the a mother, right?

High Expectations

For some reason, I have some pretty weird expectations for myself. I was one of the first of my friends to take the dive into marriage. I was one of the forerunners, and for some reasons I expect myself to accomplish the milestones first. Which I can say the only one I have accomplished first is getting married.
Milestone 1 (of couse in no particular order): Having children. Don't get me wrong I do have children. I have 2 beautiful kids. But my friends who got married after me, had baby number one before me, and most of them number 2, and some working on 3. I don't know why it bothers me, because I'm happy with the amount of time we waited before having kids and the space between the two, but for some reason I still expect to be in "first place". I know, I'm pretty self-centered.
Milestone 2: Buying a house. Yes we still rent after 5 years of marriage! (I'm a little ashamed to say) A lot of our married friends own a house, which makes me jealous. Which yet again I don't know. In ways I'm glad we don't, because that means we aren't committed to Utah, which deep down I know we are for at least a few more years. If we don't own a house, we could technically pick up and move any time, which for some reason gives me hope.
Well that is all I can think of for the time being, which I guess is a good thing, so I don't feel too sorry for myself for rediculous reasons.