Eggstra Special

So the man taught the kiddos about the little verse, "last one in is a rotten egg".  He would say that to them to make them hurry in the car, house, etc.  Well for the longest time the smaller boy would go especially slow when the man, or the boy (who now says it all the time. For everything) said this.  Even when we encouraged him to go before us (the adults) he would always say, "No, you go I want to be last."  Nobody could figure out why he always wanted to be the rotten egg.

Until today.

I solved the mystery and just HAD to blog about it.  Because it is the cutest thing.  Remember he is 3.  Well today it was just me, him and the smallest boy, and as I happened to be listening very closely, I heard him say, "last one in is a rockin' egg".  He said it twice the same way and I had to smile to myself as I finally discovered why he always wanted to be last.  He thought it was so cool to be the "rockin' egg".

I just love these kids.  Life is crazy, and life is hard right now, but it's true what I've heard.  It's all about the "moments" right now.  It is.  I have to live for the moments.  Moments like these that just make me smile and make me thankful that I had these beautiful children to share in my life.  Without moments like these I would be hating life.  I would be in the nuthouse.  Sometimes I still feel like that is where I belong.  But when my one year old voluntarily throws his arms around my neck and gives me a squeeze- there is nowhere else on earth I'd rather be.

Today, after getting a crown first thing this morning, I was down in our basement on the computer.  My mother called on the phone.  I could hear lots of commotion upstairs.  I put my computer adventure on pause while I went to see what the kiddos were up to.  The girl had made her own sandwich.  A ham and cheese sandwich, which she had to use a SHARP knife to cut the cheese.  Unattended.  The smaller boy was in the bathroom on the toilet amidst a puddle of urine.  I told my mom I'd have to call her back.  Smaller boy loudly proclaimed that he had had an accident.  But he was sitting on the toilet and needed to be wiped from the other end  So I told him to wait while I cleaned the pee so I could reach him.

When I went into the kitchen to get some cleaner, I noticed the smallest boy's pants were soaking on one side.  He had been playing in the puddle of urine.  So I quickly removed his pants, cleaned the pee on the floor so I could reach the smaller boy and while I was doing that the smallest had picked up a pretty hefty wooden car and whacked the girl across the head with it.  Then he fell from the counter-height dining chair square onto the back of his noggin on the wooden floor.  It's been just peachy today, but I just keep smiling because I've got a ROCKIN' EGG around here somewhere.

It's the moments people.  I love my children from the moments they create.  Rockin' egg moments, not urine puddle moments.  Commotion is again happening upstairs and I must go to investigate...

PEACE

I

Better Mommy

So I have just stumbled upon a few sites I'd like to share.  They've got some awesome ideas for my kids.  I find that I always seem to be in a hurry, even if I don't have to get anywhere!  I don't know where I learned it, but my life seems to be going by way too fast.  Maybe it's because I'm always hurrying things along.  Here are some great ideas that I need to remember that are also important for my children to hear.  Overall the underlying message I wish to be sending to my children is this: You are the most important part of my life.  I love raising you and would love to spend every moment cherishing you and your unique-ness.  I want my children to remember me by the way I made them feel.  Hopefully that will be "cherished and loved".  Not always hurried along.

This first one is my favorite!
19 Things We Should Say To Our Children:
http://thematernallens.blogspot.com/2010/01/they-are-listening.html

And to calm my temper:
8 ways to deal with anger as a parent:
http://www.toddlerapproved.com/2012/03/parenting-moment-eight-ways-to-deal.html

And just for fun, because you can never get enough of that!

Easy Ways to Surprise and Delight Your Children

http://simplekids.net/easy-ways-to-surprise-and-delight-your-children/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SimpleKids+%28Simple+Kids%29

It's just one post for each link, so if you have kids or grand kids, take the time to read them.  

Peace.

Kids Say The Cutest Things

Hey this post won't be long, or silly or clever.  Well just not a lot of thought on my part anyway.  I just wanted to quickly jot down some cute things my kids have said before I forget.

1. The other day something happened that made the girl so happy.  She was just grinning from ear to ear (I can't for the life of me remember what it was).  She looked at me and said, "Mom, I'm just so happy- my smile just won't let go!"

2. So the whole family is driving in the car when the girl says (randomly and out of the blue), "Daddy, you're so silly."
"No, I'm not." he says
"Yes you are. Your just a big STINKER." she says with lots of giggles.
I love my girl!!!!

3. After seeing a provocative shot of a woman's cleavage ON A COMMERCIAL (this is why we don't normally watch TV here) the boy says to me, "Mom, I know why girls boobs are privates. (We've been trying to teach them modesty and what-not)
"Oh yeah, why then"
"Because they look like a butt," he says.  The man had to turn around because he was laughing so hard.  Then I responded, "You're probably right.  And it's ugly, huh?"
He shakes his head quickly and says, "NO".
Then the man does a fist pump and whispers, "That's my boy."

Oh alright I guess the secrets out of the bag, the man is a definite boob guy.  In case there was one person on the planet that was still wondering about that...
Have a good one all.

Just some random old pics of me.  I'm cute.

PEACE

Tooth Fairy Magic

So the boy is really not that great at keeping secrets.  So it is no surprise that when he asked me if I was the tooth fairy, and I told him the truth, that is exactly what he told the girl.  He did not tell her specifically that there WAS NOT a tooth fairy, he simply told her I was it.  I wasn't thinking much about it, but she recently lost a tooth (her 3rd) and she asked me (out of the blue),  "So, mom, do you like to go outside every night?" and I (having no idea what she was talking about), replied, "I go out sometimes, but not all the time. Why?"  Then she said, "oh, I was just wondering when you go to all the other kids houses.  You know, to get their teeth.  And where do you put them all?"  It took a few minutes, and then it dawned on me what was going on here.  Not wanting to dash the poor girls dreams, I just nodded and smiled like I had something to hide.   I later heard her talking to the smaller boy about how lucky they were because their very own mom is the tooth fairy.  Oops.

So Tooth Fairy here, signing off.
Peace Out

Guest Post

Hey, I'm guest blogging over here today.  This is one of my best friend's blog.  We were next door neighbors until my family and I moved to a different state.  It's difficult not being so near to her.  She is in the same stage I am with small children, in fact they are all the same ages.  It was awesome having someone to relate to day in and day out.  Check out her other posts.  They are all inspiring and helpful and so positive!  Here is another link so you can bookmark it!


www.mygreatesttreasurescallmemom.blogspot.com


Peace Out

It's about time

So, wow.  My blogging as of late has really been slacking!  What with pinterest taking up the majority of my free time.  Dang you pinterest.  Why do you have to be so dang addicting?  I also have a SPITFIRE little toddler, the smallest.  He is into everything.  He is fiesty and rambunctious and independent. So in other words... nothing like me. :)  He is constantly moving from one pack of trouble to the next.  But he is the darned cutest little kid.  The kids and I still just adore him.  So does his Daddy.  And Daddy is his favorite person in the whole world.  When daddy's around that kid is happy.  He definitely prefers him over me. 
The boy is doing awesome and growing so big.  He loves going to basketball games with the man. 

The girl is learning to read, and she rocks at it. 

The smaller boy is making lots of friends and strengthening the relationship with his "girlfriend" that he is going to take to the temple someday.   

The man and I are still trying to figure out life, but we are doing great.  I love our family, even though I do miss the pooch!!  It is so hard trying to be consistent in everything we do, but the kiddos are definitely much better when we are. 

We are just trying to wait out the "winter". I put it in quotations because it is just pretending to be winter here. So not the real thing. Not much else has changed. I wish I had something funny to say or some great news to update you with (I'm not talking about baby announcement news- because there won't be anymore of that!!), but life has just been sailing on. Seasons change, kids grow too fast, and life goes on. Thanks for sticking with me. I'll try not to be such a slacker, but I can't promise. Here are some pics. Peace out!

                                        This one is "The Man and his Painted Lady's"  He was so excited for me to title the picture that.  These were our family pets for awhile.  all 5 of them floating around the house at winter time.  They actually are "painted lady's". 

Still Counted Among the Living

Hello all.  I know you are all very very concerned.  I am still alive (although my precious pooch is not).  RIP Shilo.  We love her and know that she will always be a part of our family.  It makes us happy to know that we will see her again.

Things are gonna get crazy here with the holidays.  (I say that like they haven't already.) Well they have.  My life is just chaotic, but I love it.  I know that I am not the only one running around.  I think that now-a-days everyone is busy with all their own shiz.  I am just not good at managing my time to get around to posting very often.  I'll be honest my biggest downfall right now is PINTEREST.  Damn you pinterest.  Why did you have to be so frieking awesome? 

Before that my time was consumed with refinishing furniture.  I still do that, but it is just so hard with 4 kids.  I know it won't be long before they are all in school and I might have a few minutes to do other things.  I am not wishing my time away, just putting it out there.  Okay, well things are good around this house.  Other than mountains of homework each night.  We're squeaking by and loving it.  Hope all is good out there in blogstalker land. 

I know this is not a very exciting post.  I'll put in some pics too.  But I do what I can.

PEACE

Woman's Best Friend

So I really haven't been wanting to write this post.  It it just tearing me apart.  This may be one post that few of you will understand.  Unless you have been in a similar situation- saying goodbye to a good friend. 

My precious pooch of nearly 15 years has been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.  She has got tumors all over her lungs that is making it hard for her to breath, and bad arthritis in her legs that makes it hard for her to get around.  Her quality of life is quickly going downhill. 

Although I've never wished her dead, I did hope that when the time came, it would happen naturally.  I did not want to have to be responsible for choosing when the time is right.  Alas, it looks like that is what it has come to. 

She has been a good and loyal friend, a carefull babysitter, watchfull guard-dog, a fun playmate, and a better companion than any dog-owner could ask for.  When I got married, part of the deal was that me and the dog didn't part.  I love Shilo so much.  We are thinking that we may put her down sometime this month.  It is a hard decision, but one that needs to be made. 

Shilo loved to eat fresh tomatoes, peas, and strawberries- straight from the garden.  She is so cute- she would not destroy the plant, just carefully plucked off what she needed and took it to the center of the yard while she snacked.  She snored while she slept.  When she was younger, and had more energy, she would never wander too far, but always wait to make sure I was following.  She loved to swim.  She also loved popcorn.  (A little known fact until we married the Man.)  He started throwing it to her every once in a while.  She could do many "tricks". She could give "high-five", roll-over, wait with a treat on her nose until we gave the command, and catch things that were thrown at her.  She also did the normal commands like sit and lay and stay.  She has been with us through all our crazy adventures, and now I know she will be in heaven awaiting our return.  She has enriched my life so much, and I just wanted to write this little tribute for her. 

Shilo- I will miss your sweet companionship.  Thank you for loving me without restraint and being so forgiving and gentle.  I love you!

Sensitivity

So yesterday I was having a pretty crappy day.  For many reasons I will not mention here, because I will be doing another post shortly about that.  My self-confidence had really been shot.  I was so tired from extreme lack of sleep lately.  I was just feeling terrible.  I texted the man at work and told him that I needed his undivided attention when he got home. 

The poor man.  He can never figure out the complexities of the opposite sex.  At any rate, he was fine, but very quiet as I told him about my day/problems.  He remained quiet because the poor bloke didn't know what to say.  Well to remain quiet with me doesn't work out very well.  I had to go run some errands, but before I left, I told the man, "I would have liked you to be a little more sensitive.  Or just sensitive at all would be nice. And I hate asking for that."  He was quiet, but just nodded his head. 

When I got home, I elaborated to him about my day, and even drew him a diagram of my brain and how there are so many things that I have to focus on and think about that I don't feel like I can't concentrate on any one thing.  I am frustrated and can't think straight or concentrate on anything.  I am short-tempered and forgetfull. 

Then this sweet man that I have been married to for more than ten years tried his hand at sensitivity in the only way he knows how: he took the page away from me and drew a pistol, a bazooka, and a tommy-gun "shooting" all my problems/worries away. 

It was not the arm around my shoulder, or the quiet uh-huh-ing, or the big bear-hug that I was looking for, but it was something.  Thank you the man for being everything to me.  I love you and your guns!!!!!

Hey Jealousy

So I think I've decided that I am a jealous person.  This is not a confession of what I want to be, or that I am proud of it, but just an observation that I am finally coming to terms with.  If I see other girls that are beautiful, or if I envy the way they dress, etc... I start acting all funny, and feel like I have to compete with them.  Automatically in my head I decide that I do not like this person, just because they have a better sense of style or have better looks, etc.  I don't like that I do that, because the girls always turn out to be nice and fabulous girls.  This is actually how I have made some of my best friends. 

Well I have recently decided to venture out a little and see if I can't make a few extra $$$ doing something I love.  I have refinished quite a few pieces of furniture for myself and my hubby.  (The first of which was horrible- looking back on it).  I just couldn't stop thinking about this, and I just love older furniture.  It's got so much character, and it was all made so sturdy.  It's a shame to see these great pieces being taken over by cheap "mdf and/or particleboard with staples" counterparts. 

I had seen a few blogs where women had refinished furniture and sold it.  So I guess I got to thinking that that was something maybe I could do too.  But as you know by now, what with my honed procrastination skills, and lack of desire to actually finish projects that I start, I just now got around to making a blog, and actually will be finishing up my first piece this next week to put up for sale.

Anyway, there are like 22 blogs now that I have counted (and keep tabs on) that do the same thing just in northern Utah alone. This is where the jealousy comes in.  Gggrrrrrr.  They are all pretty amazing and awesome looking though! So anyway, I hope the market is not saturated yet, because I'm jumping on the bandwagon.  Here is the site. My new site. 
www.Refurbia.blogspot.com

Put it on the side of your blog, mark it, favorite it and frequent it often so that I might be a successfull business owner (and hopefully fulfill a goal to pay off our house in less than 10 years).  I will definitely need the help of everyone I know to help spread the word.  And even though I am insanely jealous of these other peoples wicked refinishing skills, I will still post them on the sidebar. We all need to stick together and help each other out. I'm hoping some good Karma may flow my way! But serously check some of them out. They are awesome. Thanks in advanced- and let me know if you want anything.  Peace and Love!

Summer Madness

Summer has been crazy busy for me as I'm sure it has and will be for most of you too.  While I wish it was a nice time to sit in the sun and sip lemonade and watch the kids play in the sprinklers that is not the case.  We have started swimming lessons. And while I am ecstatic that my kids enjoy it and that they are learning to swim it seems that when we get home the day is almost over.  Between this and the many projects that I have started (story of my life), and all the other projects we have planned this summer, my new obbsession, and my kids being naughty, my time is extremely limited.  And my time is very valuable to me. 

So if my posts seem few and far between as of late, this is the very reason. 

The boys room is right next to the storage room.  The man recently told me that we need to watch him a little closer.  The man went into his room the other night, and whilst retrieving something from under the bed found an open box of cereal.  Sneaky Sneaky!

And the other day the boy was playing in the kiddie pool with some friends.  The man found them carting sand/mud in to the water.  Well the man told the boy to stop that and keep the dirt out of the water.  About an hour later he looked out and saw 3 buckets sitting in the kiddie pool and when he went out to investigate found they were filled with dirt.  He began to get after the boy, who calmly replied, "but dad, the dirt is in the buckets, not the water!"  I had to chuckle at this one.

See! These are the kind of boy things I can deal with! At any rate... here is the highly anticipated summer plan! I can't take credit for the idea, but I did modify it to fit my needs. My good friend and neighbor from Idaho, whom I miss dearly, first posted her plan here. My kids just turned into little monsters who wouldn't listen to a thing I said. And I don't really feel like they respond well to any discipline. So I decided to try some positive reinforcement. Maybe if I rewarded them when they did the things I wanted them to do, they would do them more often. I bought a roll of raffle tickets from Walmart. Then had each of my kids paint their own jar. Now when they do great things, they may get a ticket. Some things they may earn tickets for are:
making bed in morning
picking up toys without being asked
following instructions the FIRST time
sharing/being kind to siblings
finishing daily chores
doing "homework" I have planned for them
ect.

I also bought a bunch of toys that I knew my kids would want and set up a little store. I put "prices" on the toys of how many tickets it would cost to buy that item. They have really had to work hard, but I can see a difference in their attitudes. I really think they like it. So it's been working out pretty good for us. I really try not to threaten to take tickets away, because I don't want it to be another way to discipline. Also I think I would probably end up taking more tickets away then what they earn. So I decided that was not the way I wanted to go with that. I swear I took pictures of my "store" and what-not but I can't find them anywhere. So here are just a few random pictures from recently. I'll also throw a few in there of my new hobby(obsession) of before and after furniture redo's that I have been busy with.

Anyway, there is a long update for you. Sorry for the long drawn out post. Sorry also for the absence. We have some exciting events coming up so stay tuned, but don't expect it soon.

Happy swimming/sunning/biking/hiking/camping/whatever-you-do-in-the-summer!