2nd Grade!

Aaron starts 2nd grade today. He was up, dressed, ate breakfast and had his shoes and backpack on by 7:30! We made him wait a few minutes before we left, though. He has been very nervous about a few things all summer. He was worried about the new school uniforms required this year. ( yellow, gray or white shirts...black, navy or tan pants...)
He was also worried that nobody would recognize him in his new glasses. He soon found out today that everyone was in a uniform so that wasn't a big deal, and as his friends recognized him, he was less worried about the glasses, too.
His teacher's name is Miss Williford, and she seems really nice. She even remembered him and greeted him by name. (She's only met him once!)
When we got to his classroom this morning, I was all set to stay with him until class started, but after a minute, he turned to me and told me he was fine and I could go. I guess it's not cool to have your mom hanging around! Here's hoping he has a great first day, followed by an awesome year!

Checked your water lately?

About 2 1/2 years ago I was asked to serve in our Ward at church as the Canning/Emergency Preparedness Specialist. I laughed. I am definitely NOT a specialist... but I set about to learn everything I could about Emergency Food Storage and how to properly store everything. One of the most important things we NEED to have on hand is water. It is recommended to have atleast a 2 week supply. So for months I saved our discarded juice bottles; cleaned, treated and refilled them.
As we were cleaning out the garage this weekend (We had mice! Eeeew!) I saw these bottles and realized that I had not rotated them. You are supposed to rotate and refill about twice a year. I hadn't touched them since I filled them 2 years earlier. (The picture above only shows about 1/2 of the bottles!)
So, as Matt cleaned the garage. I got the kids to help me dump the bottles, and put them into laundry baskets to bring into the house to refill. The kids had a blast! I am SO glad I had help. Here's to being prepared for whatever may come!

Aaron's Last Game

Aaron in the outfield

Aaron as catcher

The RAMS

Aaron and his trophy

Aaron had his last Baseball game today. We have been so pleased with his team this year. his coaches were so patient with these kids and were genuinely supportive of ALL the kids, no matter what their skill level. They were really good about rotating the kids through the various positions, too, so they got a taste of all of them. In the last game Aaron played 2nd base, catcher and outfield. He did great! At the end of the game they got trophies!

Hmmmm.... be careful what you pray for!

So I was sitting in church yesterday, and I have to admit I was only partially listening to the lesson. It's not that the lesson was boring, I've just had a lot on my mind lately, especially since last week was crazy and frustrating, to say the least. Well, I had a moment where a thought popped into my head and my first reaction was "Surely, not! The Lord wouldn't DO that to me!" But as I sat there and listened, I became pretty sure that I was right. Let me explain.

I have been incredibly worried about our baby. Not many people are aware of this, but I miscarried last fall, just a few months before I got pregnant with this baby. I was not very far along, but I think after losing one, I have been more nervous with this pregnancy than with the others. I have been hesitant to believe everything is really okay, even though logically I know this baby is progressing normally, especially since all the tests show that he is fine. Two weeks ago I went in and was told our baby is breech. SCARED ME TO DEATH. There is still a chance he will turn on his own, and the doctor can try to turn him if he is still breech this week, but if we can't get him turned around I am looking at the possibility of a breech delivery (which is a bit more risky) or a C-section.

Neither option sounds all that appealing, to tell you the truth. I don't want to take unnecessary risks with this baby, but the thought of a C-section is terrifying. (I am MORE than a bit squeamish about the thought of major surgery, especially while being awake. I know I wouldn't be able to SEE anything, but I really don't want to HEAR it either! I am that squeamish...) I have been praying for everything to turn out fine and to not be so nervous.

Then the events of last week transpired. Just about everything that could go wrong did. Car problems... kids misbehaving... refrigerator leaking... new floors possibly damaged... mice in the garage (we've caught 5 so far... EEEEW!) you name it... it happened.

As I was sitting there at church, it occurred to me that my prayers had been answered. I have not had time to sit around and obsess and worry about this baby. Our life was kept full and busy and as I sat there thinking about it, I couldn't help but smile. I am pretty sure I never would have asked for all the chaos, but there is no doubt that it was effective in keeping my mind off the troubles at hand!

It really is funny how our prayers are answered sometimes. I'm not sure if I should be grateful for the diversions or not... but I am grateful that I am able to smile about it. Maybe my sense of humor is starting to come back... :)

Anyone have a tissue?... Anyone?

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.

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...

"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!

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. :)

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...)

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!)

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!)

Aaron's First Fish!

For you fish enthusiasts out there...
this is the one and only fish we caught at Lake Dillon that weekend.
Aaron was so happy to catch his very first fish!

Weekend in Frisco

A Trip to the Mountains

This last Friday we loaded up the car and drove to the mountains! Matt's Mom, Carol, is celebrating her 70th birthday on July 1st. Since I am very pregnant (7 months and counting...) we decided not to take the full trip to Grand Junction, where they live. Instead, we met 1/2 way at a condo in Frisco.
It was absolutely beautiful. Our condo was HUGE! It was 2800 sq feet- 3 BIG bedrooms, each with their own lavish bathroom, and it had two decks with an unobstructed view of Lake Dillon. There were the 5 of us, Matt's parents and Matt's Grandma Rose, who is 90.
While there, we took a walk on the trails through the wetlands by the lake. (the trails were just outside our condo...) We went to the local parks to let the kids run off some excess energy. We went fishing, and Aaron was the only one to catch anything. (Go Aaron!) We also enjoyed grilling lots of food and playing games late into the night at the condo.
The boys loved the huge Jetted Tub in our bathroom, but Kellie was terrified of it and refused to get in. (sorry, I didn't get pictures of that, I have to at least try to retain their modesty somehow...)
Aaron also got his leg stuck between the rails on the deck and was terrified that we would have to call the Fire Department to get him out. Luckily Matt was quick thinking and grabbed the Jack from the car and was able to separate the bars enough to get him out. It was a pretty traumatic 15 minutes for him. (My first inclination was to take a picture, but chose not to when I saw how distressed Aaron was.)
We opened gifts and had birthday cake and enjoyed time away from home together.
Our summer traveling is finally done and now we plan to sit back and relax until school starts in August and the baby is ready to come.

Pictures soon...

(To be fair, I think I should clarify that MOST of us, namely me, will be relaxing. I don't think Matt will do much relaxing seeing whereas he is putting in our new floors this weekend!What a great guy!)

Baseball and a Trip to the Park

Aaron had his first Coach-pitch baseball game this Saturday. He did great! The rules are slightly modified so there are not 3 strikes or 3 outs- you get to try until you hit the ball. The coach pitches several to you, and if you are unable to hit it, then they get the 'T' out for you. Aaron didn't need the 'T' once! He was able to get in a few good hits and he even almost caught the ball in the outfield! After the game we stopped by the playgound before heading home.

Family Reunion 2009

Family Reunion/ 45th Anniversary

This last weekend all my brothers and sisters gathered together at a cabin in Fairplay, CO to celebrate my parents 45th wedding anniversary. I am the youngest of 6 kids, so to have EVERYONE there was a pretty big deal. There were my parents... 6 kids + spouses...19 grandkids (aged 17- 3 months)... and one more grandchild still waiting to come out of my tummy!
It was so great to see everyone. Activities included eating LOTS of FOOD, playing ladderball, building forts, campfire songs and stories, roasting marshmallows, late night card games, and taking lots of pictures of these great memories.
And what large family get-together is complete without the token sick person? My brother Jim was sick one night and Caleb came down with fever and Strep throat before the weekend was over. (We have now learned it has spread to at least one other family... sorry, Janice!)
Here's to a great time...

Sprinklers!

No explanation necessary... Sprinklers are fun!

I Guess I'll Claim Her...

Kellie

Me

I remember having Aaron and everyone told me, "He looks just like his Dad!" Then Caleb was born. Same comment. Didn't any of the kids get to look like me?
I finally got my little girl and people started telling me how much she looked like me. I have to be honest. I just didn't see it. I figured people were just saying that she looked like me because she was a girl. Then my Mom came upon this picture of me when I was little, and I guess I have to admit I can see the resemblance. (A little bit...)