To say it has been a trying couple of weeks would be putting it mildly. This week alone has brought us...
SUNDAY: Extra Crabby kids. 1:00pm Church= no naptimes=crabby kids (Guess who was gone in meetings all day... and guess who had the joy of dealing with the tired, unreasonable kiddos?)
MONDAY: Full Day meetings (going past the dinner hour) at Matt's work. Kellie refuses to nap and is quite unpleasant all afternoon. Matt does not arrive home until VERY late. Kids still crabby from previous day and only want their Daddy come bedtime. I feel like crying and screaming at the same time... Caleb stays up until almost 11pm crying for Matt... who is not home! (SIDE NOTE: HUSBANDS SHOULD REALLY CALLTHEIR WIVES WHEN THEY ARE GOING TO BE MORE THAN 2 HOURS LATE GETTING HOME SO THEY DON"T WORRY!)
TUESDAY: Matt's car dies for no apparent reason after arriving home. Will not restart. No idea what's wrong with it!(grrrrr)
Up at 1:30am with crazy hail/rain/lightning/wind mixture pounding at the house. 1:45am: Aaron is up, frantic because of the noisy storm. (He ends up spending rest of the night bed with me...) 2:00am-3:30am: Julie awake listening to Aaron grind his teeth while having extremely painful contractions.
WEDNESDAY: Me and the kids are homebound since Matt has the car. I am very tired from being up all night the night before, and "morning" sickness returns for the day. Children refuse to nap. I want to cry.
THURSDAY: Again, we are homebound since Matt has my car. 10:00am: we realize that Kellie is completely out of diapers/pullups and has wet through all of her underwear- and I have no way to get to the store to buy more. 10:15am: frantic call to Matt because I feel like crying. (10:16am: receive very unsympathetic response...) 10:20am: Call my mom and blubber like a baby. 12 noon: welcome parents in the door because they realize I am losing it and have come to help. BLESS THEM... 6:30pm replace battery in car. ($$) (It runs!) Later in the evening: refrigerator leaking... water seeping up my walls... water under my brand new hardwood floor... husband who is convinced he knows enough about refrigerators to be a repairman and sets about looking up part numbers to order... (we don't even know for sure which part is busted) and me... I feel like crying. Again.
Add in the joys of potty training a stubborn 2 year old, separating 2 bickering brothers while being an emotional, slightly irrational pregnant lady of 8 months and I think you get the idea.
I think somewhere along the way I've begun to lose my sense of humor. If you find it... I think I could really use it back.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Confession of a Tired Mommy...
(I hesitate to admit this, but in some ways it is kind of funny, so I decided to write it down so I don't forget...)
I have been trying for several weeks to potty train Kellie. I was hoping to have her out of diapers before the baby came, but the process has been a bit difficult. She has not been especially cooperative. I could get her to go once, but when I'd try to take her back the second time an hour or so later, she would refuse because she was too busy playing and couldn't be bothered. Being 8 months pregnant it is too hard to physically carry her and force her to go, and no amount of bribery was helping.
Extremely frustrated, I threw the job at Matt when he is home. I told him he needed to work with her on the weekends when he's home and at night after work. I figured if we could get her used to the idea, things would be easier for me during the day.
Why I never forced my husband to take over Potty Training before is beyond me. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DELEGATING THIS UNPLEASANT TASK! It has worked wonderfully. He sets the timer and takes her and she actually goes for him, instead of fighting. (Anything to please Daddy, her favorite person!) Now that she understands what she is supposed to do, she has been telling me when she needs to go.
Here's my "TIRED MOMMY CONFESSION": I am slow. REALLY slow. Kellie will yell to me that she needs to go so I tell her to run quick and get there. It takes me a few moments to get up and follow her and heaven knows I am not running any marathons with this huge tummy. By the time I get to the bathroom, she is already done and flushing. Problem is, I didn't see if she actually went much or not, and occasionally she needs help climbing on. Solution to my slowness? I have been sending her 7 year old brother in to help. He can run quick and has been a great help.
I feel a little bit like a horrible mother in that her older brother has "taken over" the job of potty training his little sister. However, the practical side of me says to be grateful she's finally cooperating and that he's willing to stand in for me until I can get there. (Sigh.)
Thanks to my MEN for helping my baby girl grow up a bit... and for helping a really SLOW Mommy's day go a little bit easier...
I have been trying for several weeks to potty train Kellie. I was hoping to have her out of diapers before the baby came, but the process has been a bit difficult. She has not been especially cooperative. I could get her to go once, but when I'd try to take her back the second time an hour or so later, she would refuse because she was too busy playing and couldn't be bothered. Being 8 months pregnant it is too hard to physically carry her and force her to go, and no amount of bribery was helping.
Extremely frustrated, I threw the job at Matt when he is home. I told him he needed to work with her on the weekends when he's home and at night after work. I figured if we could get her used to the idea, things would be easier for me during the day.
Why I never forced my husband to take over Potty Training before is beyond me. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DELEGATING THIS UNPLEASANT TASK! It has worked wonderfully. He sets the timer and takes her and she actually goes for him, instead of fighting. (Anything to please Daddy, her favorite person!) Now that she understands what she is supposed to do, she has been telling me when she needs to go.
Here's my "TIRED MOMMY CONFESSION": I am slow. REALLY slow. Kellie will yell to me that she needs to go so I tell her to run quick and get there. It takes me a few moments to get up and follow her and heaven knows I am not running any marathons with this huge tummy. By the time I get to the bathroom, she is already done and flushing. Problem is, I didn't see if she actually went much or not, and occasionally she needs help climbing on. Solution to my slowness? I have been sending her 7 year old brother in to help. He can run quick and has been a great help.
I feel a little bit like a horrible mother in that her older brother has "taken over" the job of potty training his little sister. However, the practical side of me says to be grateful she's finally cooperating and that he's willing to stand in for me until I can get there. (Sigh.)
Thanks to my MEN for helping my baby girl grow up a bit... and for helping a really SLOW Mommy's day go a little bit easier...
Monday, July 20, 2009
"Super" Kids!


A few weeks ago Caleb decided he was going to be a Super Hero when he grew up. Not Superman... or Batman... or any well known hero. Caleb was going to be simply SUPER CALEB! (just what Super Caleb's do, I'm not really sure...) He told me he needed a cape.
I told my mom this story and, being a"Much-Loved and Adored Grandma", who would NEVER spoil any of her grandchildren, she went to work right away. She created some of the cutest Super capes I've seen and the kids absolutely love them! We have enjoyed a summer of super heroes running around the house, arms outstretched like an airplane! Here's some pictures... (Great job, Grandma!)
Aaron's Glasses

Considering that Matt and I both had glasses fairly young, we were not too surprised to find out that Aaron needed them too. I think he looks pretty good, and he has done really well adjusting to wearing them all the time. The first day he complained about them resting on his nose, but he soon got used to it.
I guess he's going to be ready to start 2nd grade looking very smart, indeed!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Finding my "Roses"
Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. ~Proverb
After my therapeutic rant a few days ago, I have tried to calm myself a bit, and try to be a bit more optimistic. Yes, the kids are still here. And yes, they are still trying my patience, BUT I have tried to lighten up a bit and look for whatever positive things I can. (and believe me, it has taken a bit of searching to get into my "Gratitude Groove" again...)
Here's my findings...
1. I am grateful for kids that don't know how to use scissors. I have always felt a little bad when my kids show up for preschool without a clue as to how to use a pair of scissors. I have to be honest. It is COMPLETELY MY FAULT that they lack this basic skill. I have never had much patience for watching my kids glue, stab, and mutilate unsuspecting pieces of craft paraphenalia. The mess it creates drives me insane. You can ask my mom- when we made gingerbread houses last year I couldn't stand to be Caleb's partner because he was gobbing sprinkles and frosting and candies on so quickly that he was making a royal mess of things. I could hardly stand to watch. My kids have access to crayons, paper, and coloring books... I can handle that. But for my sanity's sake I leave the scissors for when dad's on watch. It is true that they have an adjustment period when they start school and have to learn to cut properly... but I think I can deal with that. Atleast my kids have NEVER attempted to cut their own or each other's hair, and for that I AM GRATEFUL. :)
2. I am grateful for husbands who sometimes "take the hint". I am not proud to admit that I had a complete "Holy Cow- Get out of the Way- She's LOST it moment" this week when I put everyone in time out and screamed at the top of my lungs. I think I may have threatened to put Matt in Time Out too. (sorry, sweetheart!) I thank heaven that at this point my husband "took the hint" that I really was losing it and was not just complaining to complain, and he took over a bit. My driveway is now rock-free... the unfinished landscaping is finished... we have paint purchased to finish the trim... my furniture is back in place... and whatever he said to the kids is evidently helping because I have only had 1 Time Out from them today instead of the 15- 20 we were averaging earlier this week. I am so grateful for Matt, who thankfully, sees to my sanity needs occasionally.
3. I am grateful for kids who say the most random, wonderful things. Completely out of the blue this week Caleb told me that "The reason I was born so late was because I wasn't through snuggling you from the inside yet!" Now, how can you stay mad at a kid who says such cute things like that?
I love that Kellie has taken to stopping by my lap several times a day for a quick snuggle. I am looking forward to our new baby, but am having a hard time adjusting to the idea that my baby girl isn't really a baby anymore.
Aaron is so smart. He frequently surprises me with his random facts on just about everything. Keeps me laughing, too, because if he doesn't know a lot about a certain topic he starts making something up. It's quite the riot.
4.I am grateful for friends and family who take time to sympathize, even though they have trials of their own to deal with.
5. I am grateful that our problems (in the big scheme of things) really aren't all that terrible. Yes, my kids have been squawking lately, but I have hope that this phase will eventually pass. Our children are beautiful, smart, and bring so much joy and laughter. We have our health, and that is so important. We don't have to deal with the heartache that cancer or other serious ailments brings.
My husband has a really good job. I know of many people who are being laid off right now, and my heart breaks for them. We are so blessed to be able to pay our bills, have a nice home and plenty of food to eat.
Yes, I suppose it's better to count your blessings. It really does make a difference. :)
After my therapeutic rant a few days ago, I have tried to calm myself a bit, and try to be a bit more optimistic. Yes, the kids are still here. And yes, they are still trying my patience, BUT I have tried to lighten up a bit and look for whatever positive things I can. (and believe me, it has taken a bit of searching to get into my "Gratitude Groove" again...)
Here's my findings...
1. I am grateful for kids that don't know how to use scissors. I have always felt a little bad when my kids show up for preschool without a clue as to how to use a pair of scissors. I have to be honest. It is COMPLETELY MY FAULT that they lack this basic skill. I have never had much patience for watching my kids glue, stab, and mutilate unsuspecting pieces of craft paraphenalia. The mess it creates drives me insane. You can ask my mom- when we made gingerbread houses last year I couldn't stand to be Caleb's partner because he was gobbing sprinkles and frosting and candies on so quickly that he was making a royal mess of things. I could hardly stand to watch. My kids have access to crayons, paper, and coloring books... I can handle that. But for my sanity's sake I leave the scissors for when dad's on watch. It is true that they have an adjustment period when they start school and have to learn to cut properly... but I think I can deal with that. Atleast my kids have NEVER attempted to cut their own or each other's hair, and for that I AM GRATEFUL. :)
2. I am grateful for husbands who sometimes "take the hint". I am not proud to admit that I had a complete "Holy Cow- Get out of the Way- She's LOST it moment" this week when I put everyone in time out and screamed at the top of my lungs. I think I may have threatened to put Matt in Time Out too. (sorry, sweetheart!) I thank heaven that at this point my husband "took the hint" that I really was losing it and was not just complaining to complain, and he took over a bit. My driveway is now rock-free... the unfinished landscaping is finished... we have paint purchased to finish the trim... my furniture is back in place... and whatever he said to the kids is evidently helping because I have only had 1 Time Out from them today instead of the 15- 20 we were averaging earlier this week. I am so grateful for Matt, who thankfully, sees to my sanity needs occasionally.
3. I am grateful for kids who say the most random, wonderful things. Completely out of the blue this week Caleb told me that "The reason I was born so late was because I wasn't through snuggling you from the inside yet!" Now, how can you stay mad at a kid who says such cute things like that?
I love that Kellie has taken to stopping by my lap several times a day for a quick snuggle. I am looking forward to our new baby, but am having a hard time adjusting to the idea that my baby girl isn't really a baby anymore.
Aaron is so smart. He frequently surprises me with his random facts on just about everything. Keeps me laughing, too, because if he doesn't know a lot about a certain topic he starts making something up. It's quite the riot.
4.I am grateful for friends and family who take time to sympathize, even though they have trials of their own to deal with.
5. I am grateful that our problems (in the big scheme of things) really aren't all that terrible. Yes, my kids have been squawking lately, but I have hope that this phase will eventually pass. Our children are beautiful, smart, and bring so much joy and laughter. We have our health, and that is so important. We don't have to deal with the heartache that cancer or other serious ailments brings.
My husband has a really good job. I know of many people who are being laid off right now, and my heart breaks for them. We are so blessed to be able to pay our bills, have a nice home and plenty of food to eat.
Yes, I suppose it's better to count your blessings. It really does make a difference. :)
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
It's been one of those days... (weeks, actually...)
WARNING: If you're not in the mood to hear a half -crazed mother rant for a bit, then skip this post and go straight ot he next one... it's a bit more lighthearted...
Ever have "one of those days" where everything seems to go wrong? It seems like I've had a lot of those lately. It seems like they're like potato chips- I can't have just one. I have tried to keep everything in perspective. Perhaps I am a tad bit oversensitive. I am feeling VERY pregnant lately, and I'm sure as emotions are running high I don't have the patience I usually do. (But to be honest, I really don't think it's all me.) Some days I feel like I'm surrounded by crazies...
Yesterday, my 7 year old (who is usually the best behaved)was in Time Out a grand total of 12 times! His list of "crimes" included: hitting his brother, shoving his sister, throwing toys across the room, telling me NO (repeatedly), refusing to help clean up, telling me (direct quote here...) "If you don't like the way I do things then why don't you just sell me?", stealing food from the kitchen without asking, hitting walls, and stomping around like a crazed animal. (just to name the highlights) Time outs don't seem to change the behavior at all, and even taking away computer priveleges and reinstating nap-time for him has made no difference. Even my guilting him by telling him how dispappointed I am has had no effect.
Caleb is an emotional wreck lately. His water works system is definitely working on overload. It seems that if you even look at that kid funny is bursts into these loud, sobbing wails. I know I should have more patience with the emotional little guy, but seriously, after about the 5th hysterical sobbing outburst in a row over not being able to find his (insert object; shoe, train, book, etc.) I start to go a little mad. I can understand about him being frustrated, but I seriously feel like telling the kid to snap out of it and pull himself together!
Kellie is... well, she is just Kellie. Perhaps the most even tempered lately, she still finds a way to get her 2 cents worth in at all the wrong moments. She is a beautiful, opinionated, pushy little spitfire. She has this nasty habit of screeching really loud if one of the boys gets to close or if they take a toy, or generally anytime she is displeased with anything. I have been hoping to potty train her before the baby comes, but that notion has quickly been flying out the window. Kellie is cooperative about 50 % of the time. Heaven help me, but I am so tired lately I just haven't had it in me to really push the issue. She is just too strong willed for me to physically wrestle her to get her into the bathroom when she doesn't want to go. Bribery thus far has not worked with her. I am just so tired and I can't take her screaming on top of the boys wails right now... so I have just let it go for the moment. Then tonight, she comes walking down the stairs, diaper off, with her shorts around her ankles. Evidently she took herself to the potty. I don't know if she actually did anything, but Aaron told me he saw her sitting there and wiping. How pathetic is that? My 7 year old knew she was in the bathroom and I didn't. She is obviously ready to be trained... I am just so frustrated. Why won't she go when I try to take her?
My husband, too, is being lumped together in the same category as the kids. Love him dearly, but he is driving me nuts! He has worked so hard this summer, moving from project to project, and our house is looking great! Bad news is that he doesn't bother to FINISH any of the projects he starts. He painted my kitchenover a month ago and his painting supplies are still cluttering up my counters because he hasn't finished the touch ups. (of course they are near the ceiling and would require standing on our counters to reach, so I can't do them myself, being this pregnant...) I have had a pile of rocks in my driveway for over a month because he hasn't finished the landscaping yet... I still don't have my furniture put back from when he refinished the floors, which he won't do until he finishes putting the baseboards back up, which he won't do because he hasn't repainted them yet... the list goes on and on...
So here I sit, VERY PREGNANT, looking down at my tummy thinking, "What in the world was I thinking to have another one?" and FEELING VERY SORRY FOR MYSELF, and SO TIRED I can hardly see straight. So I sit down at the computer to unwind for a few minutes. I go to my friend Andrea's blog. I think she may be the one person that I know of who may be having a worse day than me. I actually got a little teary as I read her post.(Sorry Andrea, if this embarrasses you!) In the last two days her beautiful little girls cut their own hair (and from the sounds of it, it is not too pretty), smeared the contents of their diaper across the floor, and made a mess in the pantry. I could feel the frustration in her post, and I felt so bad for her. It made me remember that we all have "one of those days" from time to time. Suprisingly enough, it made me feel a little better to know that I was not the only mother who is ready to pull their hair out! Thank you Andrea, for being brave enough to write about a really bad day. Maybe someday we'll look back and laugh at these times. (someday... just not today...)
Ever have "one of those days" where everything seems to go wrong? It seems like I've had a lot of those lately. It seems like they're like potato chips- I can't have just one. I have tried to keep everything in perspective. Perhaps I am a tad bit oversensitive. I am feeling VERY pregnant lately, and I'm sure as emotions are running high I don't have the patience I usually do. (But to be honest, I really don't think it's all me.) Some days I feel like I'm surrounded by crazies...
Yesterday, my 7 year old (who is usually the best behaved)was in Time Out a grand total of 12 times! His list of "crimes" included: hitting his brother, shoving his sister, throwing toys across the room, telling me NO (repeatedly), refusing to help clean up, telling me (direct quote here...) "If you don't like the way I do things then why don't you just sell me?", stealing food from the kitchen without asking, hitting walls, and stomping around like a crazed animal. (just to name the highlights) Time outs don't seem to change the behavior at all, and even taking away computer priveleges and reinstating nap-time for him has made no difference. Even my guilting him by telling him how dispappointed I am has had no effect.
Caleb is an emotional wreck lately. His water works system is definitely working on overload. It seems that if you even look at that kid funny is bursts into these loud, sobbing wails. I know I should have more patience with the emotional little guy, but seriously, after about the 5th hysterical sobbing outburst in a row over not being able to find his (insert object; shoe, train, book, etc.) I start to go a little mad. I can understand about him being frustrated, but I seriously feel like telling the kid to snap out of it and pull himself together!
Kellie is... well, she is just Kellie. Perhaps the most even tempered lately, she still finds a way to get her 2 cents worth in at all the wrong moments. She is a beautiful, opinionated, pushy little spitfire. She has this nasty habit of screeching really loud if one of the boys gets to close or if they take a toy, or generally anytime she is displeased with anything. I have been hoping to potty train her before the baby comes, but that notion has quickly been flying out the window. Kellie is cooperative about 50 % of the time. Heaven help me, but I am so tired lately I just haven't had it in me to really push the issue. She is just too strong willed for me to physically wrestle her to get her into the bathroom when she doesn't want to go. Bribery thus far has not worked with her. I am just so tired and I can't take her screaming on top of the boys wails right now... so I have just let it go for the moment. Then tonight, she comes walking down the stairs, diaper off, with her shorts around her ankles. Evidently she took herself to the potty. I don't know if she actually did anything, but Aaron told me he saw her sitting there and wiping. How pathetic is that? My 7 year old knew she was in the bathroom and I didn't. She is obviously ready to be trained... I am just so frustrated. Why won't she go when I try to take her?
My husband, too, is being lumped together in the same category as the kids. Love him dearly, but he is driving me nuts! He has worked so hard this summer, moving from project to project, and our house is looking great! Bad news is that he doesn't bother to FINISH any of the projects he starts. He painted my kitchenover a month ago and his painting supplies are still cluttering up my counters because he hasn't finished the touch ups. (of course they are near the ceiling and would require standing on our counters to reach, so I can't do them myself, being this pregnant...) I have had a pile of rocks in my driveway for over a month because he hasn't finished the landscaping yet... I still don't have my furniture put back from when he refinished the floors, which he won't do until he finishes putting the baseboards back up, which he won't do because he hasn't repainted them yet... the list goes on and on...
So here I sit, VERY PREGNANT, looking down at my tummy thinking, "What in the world was I thinking to have another one?" and FEELING VERY SORRY FOR MYSELF, and SO TIRED I can hardly see straight. So I sit down at the computer to unwind for a few minutes. I go to my friend Andrea's blog. I think she may be the one person that I know of who may be having a worse day than me. I actually got a little teary as I read her post.(Sorry Andrea, if this embarrasses you!) In the last two days her beautiful little girls cut their own hair (and from the sounds of it, it is not too pretty), smeared the contents of their diaper across the floor, and made a mess in the pantry. I could feel the frustration in her post, and I felt so bad for her. It made me remember that we all have "one of those days" from time to time. Suprisingly enough, it made me feel a little better to know that I was not the only mother who is ready to pull their hair out! Thank you Andrea, for being brave enough to write about a really bad day. Maybe someday we'll look back and laugh at these times. (someday... just not today...)
Friday, July 10, 2009
Caleb's BIG plans for me...
CALEB: You'll always be my Mom, right?
ME: Yes, Caleb, I'll always be your Mom.
CALEB: Even when I'm big?
ME:Even when you're big.
CALEB: Even when I don't get to live here anymore?
ME: Of course, Caleb, I get to be your Mom forever!
CALEB: Can I still come see you when I have to move out?
ME: I hope so! Even when you're all grown I hope you come back to visit me.
CALEB: When do I have to get a wife?
ME: (giggling) Well, Caleb, first you'll graduate from high school... then you'll serve a mission... then when you come home you will probably go to college and THEN you can look for a wife.
CALEB: Can I bring her with me when I visit you?
ME: I hope you do!
CALEB: But where will we stay?
ME: I'm sure we'll find room somewhere, Caleb.
CALEB: (very seriously) I think we'll take the bunk-beds Mom.
ME: (laughing) We'll see, Caleb. We might not have them anymore...
CALEB: Oh. Well, we'll take the bunk-beds and I'll put our baby in your room with you and Dad.
ME: I don't think so Caleb. If you have a baby and are a Daddy then the baby needs to sleep in your room so you can take care of it.
CALEB: (with really big eyes and a desperate expression) But Mom! My baby might keep me up at night, and I need to sleep! and YOU'RE my MOM!
(Ha! I think his ideas of what a Grandma is and my ideas are going to differ greatly! Gotta love him though!)
ME: Yes, Caleb, I'll always be your Mom.
CALEB: Even when I'm big?
ME:Even when you're big.
CALEB: Even when I don't get to live here anymore?
ME: Of course, Caleb, I get to be your Mom forever!
CALEB: Can I still come see you when I have to move out?
ME: I hope so! Even when you're all grown I hope you come back to visit me.
CALEB: When do I have to get a wife?
ME: (giggling) Well, Caleb, first you'll graduate from high school... then you'll serve a mission... then when you come home you will probably go to college and THEN you can look for a wife.
CALEB: Can I bring her with me when I visit you?
ME: I hope you do!
CALEB: But where will we stay?
ME: I'm sure we'll find room somewhere, Caleb.
CALEB: (very seriously) I think we'll take the bunk-beds Mom.
ME: (laughing) We'll see, Caleb. We might not have them anymore...
CALEB: Oh. Well, we'll take the bunk-beds and I'll put our baby in your room with you and Dad.
ME: I don't think so Caleb. If you have a baby and are a Daddy then the baby needs to sleep in your room so you can take care of it.
CALEB: (with really big eyes and a desperate expression) But Mom! My baby might keep me up at night, and I need to sleep! and YOU'RE my MOM!
(Ha! I think his ideas of what a Grandma is and my ideas are going to differ greatly! Gotta love him though!)
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Floors Under Construction PART 1
We have new floors! Last weekend my wonderful dad and husband worked very hard to put in new bamboo hardwood floors in our Kitchen and Living Room. They turned out beautifully! We still need to paint the trim and get it back up, but we thought you might like to see the progress so far... More pictures to follow when we finally get it all put back together.
Again, though, GREAT JOB DAD and MATT!
(Thank you!)
Again, though, GREAT JOB DAD and MATT!
(Thank you!)





Aaron's First Fish!
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