Happy Birthday, LD

Little Dan is now 1 year old! It is incredible to me how time flies.

His birth story is kind of fun. I didn't want him to be born too early...I wanted to go to the BYU football game first. I didn't think it was going to happen as I have never made it closer than 11 days before my due date and the game was only 5 days before due date with LD. I guess, however, that LD was accommodating for I got to go to the game! It was so fun and BYU beat an undefeated, 11th ranked team! Awesome!

The next morning I awoke slightly early with my water breaking...more like leaking..K's really broke and gushed...his was more like a trickle. I did laundry, packed, got my older kids off to school, made arrangements for them at the end of the day, helped DH cancel appointments at the clinic, etc. By the time we left home, my contractions were only three minutes apart...but the darn things slowed down by the time we got to the hospital. I had not been able to go "natural" with K and C, but I really wanted to with LD. So...we did! The funniest thing is that I remember right as it was time to push him out that I was so stressed about my big kids getting picked up from school. It was irrational, since one of my best friends was doing it, but I was really stressed and then he was born less than 5 minutes later!

He is such a joy to me. I waited a long time for him and I think this helps me cherish him even more! He is so happy, but so mischievous! He is a path of destruction, a tornado, etc.

Happy Birthday, Little Dan!

Idiot Mom

Sometimes I just feel like an idiot mom. This morning, I kept C from school to make sure that he didn't have any issues with breakfast and to see if he was behaving normally. He was behaving great. He didn't have a fever. He hadn't thrown up for 24 hours. So, just before 10 I take him to school. But, 1:30 and the phone rings...school nurse...C has a temp of 102.7 and needs to go home. I just feel like an idiot for taking him in at all.

Something that every child must have one of....

An asleep in the high chair photo! I guess LD did take a nap early today, but I didn't realize quite how tired he was until he was eating a snack while I cooked dinner (the only way to keep him out from under my feet without giving him a nap...ha ha...backfired on me today)...and I turned around and there he was-zonked out! Notice how messy crackers can make the tray. I do clean it multiple times a day, I promise! Also note the cute curls on top of his head. :)

In other news...C is home sick with the 24-hr stomach bug. Cross my fingers that he is the first and last...but I am actually expecting more vomit to come. Stay tuned as the story unfolds.

Sometimes it's just plain hard to be a mom.

Like today. This is my second night in a row with four hours of sleep or less. Somehow that just makes it more difficult to function. LD had a fever all night. It was 103.1-high enough to make me want to keep an eye on him (and, of course, give him Tylenol), but not high enough to call the nurse or take him to the ER.

And..K couldn't find her school library book that needed to be taken back today.

And..C somehow lost his library book between 7:00 and 7:30 this morning while helping K look for hers.

Needless to say, I dropped off two very cranky kids at school this morning.

And...yesterday I had to work in the afternoon (I really don't mind, in fact I enjoy it)...but in combo with LD and his fever...my awesomely clean house and schedule is completely wrecked. Normally, I'd just go pick it up...but with my lack of sleep it just seems frustrating!

Let's just say...there are some days that it's easier to be a mom than others.

But, the fact is...I am soooooooooo grateful to be home with my three angels and I would not trade it for the world. I thank my Heavenly Father every day for a husband that goes out and "slays dragons" so that I can be here with LD and ready with hugs, nutritious snacks, and an understanding ear when my bigger kids get home from school. It is the hardest job I have ever had, but the best! :) And I would do it again and again and again.

Did you forget?

I am grateful for friends that remember and remind me to do the same. Not that I forgot, but not that I remembered either! Make sense? Here's my comment from TXMommy's post. Thanks for helping me remember!

Hmmm..I have remembered all week, especially this morning, but I didn't even think to mention it on my blog. How quickly we go about our lives. It is good to remember. My kids cry when we talk of it...although both were too young to remember, I guess they're old enough to empathize. We do have to fight for our freedom and what is right. We do have to pray for help...for without it, we are lost.

And The Winner Is.....

FALL!

I love Fall. Always have. It is my very favorite season and today is a great fall day!

Fall brings:

1. Football
2. School Starting
3. Cool Breezes
4. Falling Leaves
5. Cooler Temperatures

Today it is dramatically cooler and breezy. When I went out for my morning walk..I was actually cold! Now the windows are open and LD and I played outside (it was somewhat swampy from yesterday's rains, but too gorgeous to pass up!) for a long time enjoying the beautiful sun with the cool breeze! How lucky am I!

Total Mom Makeover

I really should get paid for this-I've sold enough copies for her (I'm not paid...just in case you're wondering!). I have found a book that I love. I am reading it for the second time and I still love it. I have recommended it to friends and family far and near and everyone that is doing it loves it. So...whether you are exactly the Mom that you want to be or feel like the goal is unattainable....this book is awesome! It is a daily self-help book, but unlike others that I have browsed through before, it focuses on all aspects of your life: appearance, home, kids, husbands, work, health, etc.. I really love it. I don't agree with everything she recommends, but I love most of it...and I feel more in control and happier with my life. That's worth it to me.

And...if you know me at all, you know that I don't buy books. I love to read, but I never read a book twice. Thus, my three library cards to three different library systems. So, for me to say this is well worth the money to BUY it...is really saying something. Anyhow, check it out at your local library. I'm guessing you'll love it. Just thought I'd share.

There's nothing better than this.

Yesterday it got very quiet all of a sudden. If you have a baby/toddler...you know this almost always means trouble. So, I went on a baby search. I found LD sitting peacefully on top of the pillows (it was bedding washing day), looking out the window at the rain. It was so sweet.

Oh...and here's a picture of that broken windshield...now fixed. Thank Goodness.

Another Holiday. Another State Park.

Remember a few weeks ago when we bought our State Park Pass? Well, we put it to good use again today. I really love that thing. We headed out to a nearby park that had real dinosaur footprints in the river bed, lots of gorgeous hiking, swimming in the river, etc.

We got up just before six, got ready, and headed to Arby's for breakfast. It was kind of a spur of the moment decision and actually was pretty good. We also had to stop at WalMart to see if, by chance, they carry those toddler backpacks. We gave our last one away after C and last trip we borrowed one...but I forgot until about midnight...and thought it might be too late to call anyone. I really need to buy one. Of course they didn't have one, but I am now going to buy one and have it ready at all times. With our pass, I think I will have a backpack full of water, snacks, sunscreen, diapers, etc., and just have it ready at all times so that when the urge strikes, we can basically grab the backpack and go.

We were the first ones at the park this morning, so we got to determine what we most wanted to do. We ended up hiking for 3-4 miles we are guessing. It was a great hike: some challenges, but not too difficult. We had to cross the river twice and the second time we had to get really wet, so we just stopped and swam in the river for awhile. It was really fun.

We stopped for ice cream on the way home. We also got caught in a flash flood storm that was really bad. We had zero visibility. It was scary. I am glad we got home safe.

We have such a great time as a family and for that I am grateful. We love to hike and camp together and our kids have great memories of our trips. We are also now thoroughly exhausted! :)

What a crazy life we lead....

So..this morning DH is off with the boy scouts to help clean-up a ranch for a fundraiser. So...I had "THE List" to accomplish. My hope was that I could get everything done on the list and then be free this evening and Monday to just do whatever with DH and the fam. So, I clean up the house with my morning routine. I am just about to head out to edge and mow when I look at the top of my Saturday list (written a week ago)...it says "H Baptism."

Oh no. It is 9:05. Baptism starts at 10:00 at the Stake Center (I have to allot 30 minutes drive time due to horrid traffic in that area of town!). All four of us are in grubby clothes. I haven't showered (I was headed outside, for goodness sakes!). So..the whirlwind begins: clothes changes, shower for me, finding books to write down to take to Barnes and Noble since their free book thing ends tomorrow, getting a diaper bag ready (DH took the van, which is the permanent home for my regular diaper bag), looking for my driver's license...I think it is in the regular diaper bag in the van, changing car seats (remember..no van). But..miracle of miracles, traffic was much lighter than it EVER is and we made it right on time. It was so nice to be there, especially since another of K's classmates got baptized, too, so we got to witness both. I forgot to mention, however, that in the chaos of getting ready I let LD get into whatever he wanted. So we came home to dirty silverware from the dishwasher all over the floor, toys all strewn out, my blow dryer, make-up, lotions, and etc emptied out of my bathroom counter...my nice clean house...terrorized.

Now...just as I type this I find out that some of the boys were throwing bottles at the boy scout fundraiser and our windshield got hit and shattered. Lovely (hear the dripping sarcasm!). Another thing to take care of. Oh well, DH doesn't even sound mad on the phone. That is a blessing. I guess it'll be okay. Like I said: just another thing to take care of.

See..What a CRAZY life we lead.

Catch Up and the Sickies

We have the sickies. Well, the two boys and I do. I am grateful that it is a relatively minor cold and that I can't even remember the last time I was sick....last year about this time, I think. I am lucky that way (personally...I think it is a healthy lifestyle and chiropractic adjustments-which we haven't gotten lately due to craziness at the clinic...thus I am sick).

Anyhow, I thought I'd take today's post to catch up on some things I never blogged about:

• The local water park (8/17 /07) It was a fun excursion, but we probably won't ever go again...too expensive for what you get. We were pushing it to stay a full two hours. We'll hit some further waterparks and spend more time there!




• The Star Wars exhibit (08/22 /07) Thanks to Nikko, we got to see it for a discounted rate. It was like others said...worth the discounted rate...not worth full price. LD was really cranky so that part was not fun, but C loved it and K liked it more than she would EVER admit.




• I was nominated three times for the Nice Blogger Award. Thanks, guys. It is a honor.
• DH has had a crazy busy week at the clinic (busy is good when you own your own business, right?) so I am making him his favorite dinner...even though it has to cook in the oven for an hour (hey..I made cookies for the kids on Monday...my AC should be used to me by now!). I am just grateful that I am not in the clinic right now like I was two months ago. We were about ready to go insane, literally.
• I got to go to the temple on Tuesday. Thanks to my friend, A, who watched LD for me so I could go. It was very nice...but traffic was HORRID-both there and on the way back. I also felt a little wasteful driving my minivan all the way over there with just me in it. I do wish a temple was closer, while at the same time, I am so grateful that we have one this close. Does that make any sense? If not...blame it on the head cold! :)

Well, have a great weekend, y'all!

There are fireworks here locally since we got flooded out on the 4th. I love fireworks, but the super smart people that decided Labor Day would be a good substitute decided to put them at 8:30 at night on Monday night...a school night. By the time they do the show and we fight the traffic, we probably won't be home until 10:oo. Probably too late for school. UGH! Why couldn't they do it Saturday night? That would've been perfect. I guess we'll see if we go...probably not...DH isn't really excited about going anyhow.

And..we have a walker!

Little Dan has been flirting with walking for a couple of weeks, but over the last 4-5 days...he has really taken off. No more only walking when we ask him to "for show" or merely walking between parents to elicit huge applause. No, sir. Little Dan has discovered that walking is not merely fun, it is functional, too. And he is walking all over the house. He is definitely our youngest walker. Although both K and Little Dan began "cruising" between 5-6 months...K didn't walk unsupported until about 4-5 days after her first birthday. C walked around 12 1/2 months. So...since Little Dan is 11 months old today...he is the earliest. I guess when your siblings are 5-7 years older than you, you have to move fast to catch up! :) Go Little Dan!

1st Day of School

On the first day of school, my Mommy gave to me....12 hugs and kisses, 11 sheets of paper, 10 sharpened pencils, 9 waves goodbye, 8 more hugs , 7 extra waves , 6 pencils erasers, 5 Love Notes, 4 baby carrots, 3 bunches of grapes, 2 new shoes, and a backpack full of school supplies.

So...today was the first day of school. Last year, I kept K's friend, S, after school. This year, I am keeping her both before and after school. We were so excited to have her come and eat breakfast with us.

After a couple of pictures...we were off to brave the crazy parents and screaming kids and not enough parking that goes along with the first day of school. K was so nervous she woke up at least ten times last night. C was excited all night and morning, but when we walked through the front door of the school, his countenance changed....he finally got nervous. He held on a little extra tight for his goodbye hug with DH and I and I know he felt a little scared...but his teacher was great this morning (keep my fingers crossed! :) ) She really welcomed him and took good care of making him feel special and welcomed. Then we took K and S to their classroom. It worked out that we got there right as announcements started. That actually is best for K...no long goodbyes...just a dash to her desk and school began. She gets so nervous that this really is the best.

Today has been so quiet without them so far. I have played much more with LD, since he is my only companion. That is fun. My house is also extremely clean and tidy as I did my morning chores early without distraction and LD has only taken out his toys. I like that, too. LD also napped for much longer than he has in the summer...a quiet house does a body good! :)

And...I know everyone is curious after my last post....homeschooling? What to do? Well...I never thought we'd do it immediately if that is the decision. I want to wait 2-4 weeks at least to be able to accurately assess the teachers and the school year, as well as to adequately prepare if that is the decision. But...after much thought and prayer...I have realized that they will be great in either place. They will thrive and learn what they need to learn. The hard thing about this answer is that I still have to make the choice. Sometimes I wish that Heavenly Father'd just make it for me. The good thing, though, is I am assured that either outcome will be beneficial for them. So. There you have it.

Now...I am making the traditional homemade cookies for when they get home from the first day of school. They sure smell yummy, although my electric bill (and air conditioner) will love me for baking 4 dozen cookies on a 99 degree day! It is hot and humid out there today, baby!

Blog Drought and Frustration

S0. I have a bunch (5ish) blogs floating around in my head that need to escape onto "paper," but, I haven't posted for awhile. We have been busy (aren't we always) and...I just haven't posted. So..that's the drought...

Now for the Frustration:
We went to Meet The Teacher Night at the school last night. Hated it. First, we went to C's classroom. The teacher didn't even welcome us or give us direction on what to do. She just sat and chatted with her student teacher, as if us and the other parents in the room didn't exist. Then...one of the things I had to fill out for C contained these questions: Does he know all his colors? DUH! Can he visually recognize all 26 letters of the alphabet? Double DUH! Can he read this sentence: "The girl and boy sat." Triple DUH! Can your child count to 30? Quadruple DUH! Please have your child read these numbers: 56, 17, 82, etc.. WHO ARE WE KIDDING? These are really the requirements for 1st grade? C was sooooooo bored last year and isn't excited about this year and was even less so after last night. Can we say "homeschool?"

Then...we went to K's classroom. Once again...no introduction, no welcome, no instruction. We just dropped off school supplies and walked around on our own while she talked to other teachers, etc in the hall. The good news is that two of K's really good friends are in that class. She is actually in the ESL class: I don't yet know if that is good or bad...good that the class size is much smaller. Bad if they have to go slower to accommodate those with limited English. Another "homeschool" ?

DH and I were just not impressed. The odd thing is that I got lots of opinions from their last year's teachers, from the principal, from other teachers/substitutes and I went up at the end of the year and talked to the teachers myself and these are the ones that I requested! UGH! I am friends with the principal and she also said that these are best teachers for my kids. Both DH and I are about ready to homeschool now. It is just so late to get started. Maybe it is the best for our kids. Right now it is another thing to worry about until we figure it out.

--sigh--

C's Primary Talk

C gave a great talk in Primary today. I gave him a couple of suggestions and helped him find a scripture, but other than that...the words are all his. He did a great job. He was nervous at the beginning, but he did it anyhow...just read it and even looked up at the audience. We were very proud of him. Here it is:

In the Book of Mormon, Jesus said to the Nephites in 3rd Nephi, Chapter 28, Verse 11, “And the Holy Ghost beareth record of the Father and me.” This means the Holy Ghost tells me that Heavenly Father and Jesus are true. The Holy Ghost also tells me to choose the right.

I can listen to the Holy Ghost when I am still. The Holy Ghost makes me feel good. When I listen to the Holy Ghost I learn more about Jesus. I know that Jesus Christ is my savior.

There is a song in the August 2005 Friend that goes like this, “The Holy Ghost can be with me each day, to comfort me, bless me, and show me the way. He teaches me of the things that are true. And prompts me to know of the good I should do.” This means that you should listen to the Holy Ghost.

I know that the Holy Ghost is real. And He tells me that Heavenly Father and Jesus are true. I know that I can be happy when I listen to the Holy Ghost.

In the Name…..

100 Posts!

So...This is my 100th post. I thought of doing 100 things about me or something like that...but...decided against that (are there really 100 things to share about little ol' me?). I am just excited to make it to 100. I love blogging. I love sharing my life and feelings with others. I love reading about others joys, challenges, and life. I love that my family can see what is going on with us by just going to the blog. I love that my "journal" has pictures attached. I love blogging. Now, I guess it is time to get it published...to keep it in a hard copy form for my kids to be able to browse through. Happy 100 to me! :)

Surprise Day!

We always get so excited when DH takes a Saturday off. This Saturday, DH and I decided to surprise the kids with a day full of adventures. First, we woke them up around 5:30. That was not met with great excitement, but since it was going to be over 100 degrees we had to start early.

Our first stop was to buy a very nutritious breakfast of McDonald's and doughnuts (they never get these things....so it was a HUGE treat!), as well as bananas and orange juice.

We then drove for an hour or so to a nearby state park where we hiked and rock climbed (I even climbed up this tall cliff...it was relatively easy, but I was still a little scared and was proud of myself for doing it.). K is our little climber and she was in heaven there. We explored "caves" and ate breakfast on the rocks.

Next, we rented a paddle boat and went out on the lake. Paddle boats are very tiring...DH did most of it, while I wrestled LD (who didn't like the life vest one bit!). It was fun, although already VERY hot! We had a canopy on the paddle boat and whomever was in the shade was okay and those in the sun were melting!

We then changed into swimsuits and went out swimming in the lake. There is nothing so relaxing as cool water on a hot day. It was a blast!

We had such a great morning and I found it so much more enjoyable than camping (I love to camp, but this was just plain easier) as I didn't have a full day of packing and unpacking and cleaning and etc. We just packed for 20 minutes and then threw everything in the washer when we got home. Much easier. We loved it so much that we decided to buy the annual state parks pass. I think it is a really good investment for our family. We love being outdoors and we love being together.

After showering, relaxing, and eating lunch....we kept going with our surprise. We once again hopped in the van and off we went, this time to the movies. It was nice to be in the air conditioning and relaxing! We were planning on taking our kids out to dinner next, but we weren't hungry yet so we decided to go spend all our money, I mean...walk around the mall. We ended up shopping for a few hours as there were lots of good deals on clothes for DH and I. (I guess we ended up having a surprise for the parents as well.)

We still weren't super hungry so we just grabbed a little bite at Wendy's and went home to crash from a very full and fun day. I think we will do surprise days more often! It was a blast and all of us have great memories from it (well, maybe not LD...he's a little too little to remember and he sure thought that we were doing funny things...like the life jacket...he just couldn't figure that one out!).

3 Steps

LD has been standing for a couple of days now. This is new to me, as my other kids never really stood...they just walked. Today, however, LD figured out he could take steps after standing. He loves it (and so do I)! His high so far is three steps, but I expect that to change rapidly. I tried to capture it on film, but he was too intrigued with grabbing the camera. I will post a picture when I get one.

Little Jedi

'Nuff Said.

So hard to say goodbye

K had to say goodbye to her best friend, who is moving to Mexico in a few days. We got to have her for a whole day last week and a whole day this week. We had a blast. The girls made a list of things they wanted to do together and then went to work. We went to McDonald's, made cookies, made a video, played with the cat, played with the dog, pretended to be horses, etc.. When the time came to say goodbye, I was amazed at the depth of the emotions these two 8-year-olds exhibited. They cried and cried and it broke my heart to see little K waving at the van and little E inside waving back, both with crocodile tears streaming down their cheeks. Another life lesson experienced. Loss is a part of life. Remember my quote: "The pain now is part of the happiness then." So true.