Monkey

It was a long day. But I went to the Relief Society Broadcast and it was lovely, lovely, lovely.

And for your viewing pleasure, I give you all the places he managed to climb up to today.
And when Daddy was being a meanie during the Broadcast he came to the garage door and cried for his mama to come home. Now how could that not melt your heart? (And Dad isn't really mean - he just wasn't allowed on the kitchen table - Mama's rule)

Two Kinds of Piggies

Barbeque Pork Sandwiches. Delish!

All Around the Mulberry Bush

Handsome Face came up with this little game right before naptime. They were going round as fast as they possibly could and laughing their heads off. Then I pulled out the camera and no one could take their eyes off of it. Isn't that just the way?
So I've been trying to post the video of this for two days now but it just won't load. Maybe another day. They were climbing up a kitchen chair, throwing themselves over the couch armrest, and then sliding to the floor in quick succession. The harder they giggled the more careening they did the harder they giggled. Such silly little things.

Linus

The kid really loves his blankie.

Oh boy. I think I just had the best weekend ever. It was four days, after all. How could that not be fabulous? Wednesday my husband called and said he had enough hours for the week so would I like a day off on Thursday or overtime? Day off, of course!
Thursday we went to a missile museum and the library. Then on Friday we took off for the park. The kids went on a bike ride with their dad and then we played tee-ball in the park. This was his favorite position.
He had fun posing.

"Dad, what on earth are you doing?"
And Look! There's actually a picture of me!

This is what grass looks like in the desert. On a good day.

My cuties can be seen here today.

A Little Help

Occasionally I get comments saying something to the effect of, "Oh, you're such a great mom!" And when I see such a comment I stop and ask myself, "Are they reading the same blog I am? How on earth have they become so deluded!" (That's a bit tongue-in-cheek.)
Ok, so I'm not a horrible mother. I'm not saying that at all. I love my kids, they're fed and dressed, they don't get beaten, and they at least get a bedtime story. But in no way do I think I deserve the "World's Best Mom" title. But I'd like to have it. And someday I hope my kids think I deserve it. So I'm working on it.
So, here's a little known secret. I don't usually tell people what I fast for but today I'll make an exception. Last Fast Sunday I fasted to be a better mom. Wrapped up in that plea were thoughts of patience, endurance, a little more love (and maybe a bit less screaming). We have been having a very difficult and trying month or two and I was out of options. There were days that I really thought I hated being a mom and I just wanted someone to come and take over. Now I only thought I hated it because if I bothered to pause for two seconds and tried to be honest with myself I remembered that I would never want anyone else even pretending to raise my children. But then the chaos would continue and those two seconds just didn't seem to be enough.
Now back to the fasting. Like I said, I was out of options. Things weren't getting better, I was miserable, and my children were not getting what they deserved. So I turned it over to the Lord. And then a tiny miracle. I was exhausted all day Sunday (it was fasting day afterall) but not a loud word escaped my lips. I was too tired and being patient was just easier that day. And then it happened again the next day. And then the next. And... well, we're on day ten and no one has heard Mommy yell once.
Please note, cause this is important, that the miracle did not happen in my children. They still fight and make messes and completely ignore me. No, it wasn't that easy. The change occurred in me. Although I'm not quite sure I've actually even changed yet. Maybe a teensy little bit. But not much. No, I'm convinced that the Lord is doing most of the work here because I can't and I asked. And maybe as I slowly have my change of heart I'll find that I'm doing more and more on my own. And then maybe I'll be the World's Greatest Mom.

Cinder-fella

This little cutie is obsessed with brooms. He'll tote his sister's toy broom all over the house all day long. And when he can get his hands on it, he'll take the big one.

Saturday Morning Activities

Question

Does it count as quality time if you're in the toyroom working on the budget or reading a book while your kids play around you (often making a budget of her own)? I am often stumped as to how much time to call "quality." I'm home with them all day long, so how much devoted, sit-down, only playing time does there need to be? I get really bored playing "camping." Not to mention the fact that I usually commit to playing a game only to be bossed around doing dumb things like packing bags or she gets side-tracked and I'm left sitting there. So what's enough?

Simple Pleasures

Such silly kids. They think sitting in their carseats in the house is the greatest thing ever.

Need a Handyman?

Cause I got a real cute one right here. Here's what my husband (and a whole lot o' other husbands from the ward) did this weekend.


I now have a beautiful extension to my patio. Pouring concrete took about 4-5 hours. I was exhausted by the time the day was over and all I did was make lunch! On to the next stage of backyard landscaping.
And a Kool-Aid stained Cute Girl.

Handsome Face got tagged by Juliet.

Name: If you don't already know, email me and I'll tell you.
Name meaning: it's Welsh and means fortunate, beneficent
Age: 14 months

Nicknames: Boogie Boy, Boogie, Chubbles, Chubblemunch, Chubs, Handsome Face

Favorite activities: turning circles with his blankie over his head til he falls down, talking on phones, climbing on things

Favorite Foods: milk, fruit with strawberries at the top of the list, cheese, spaghetti
Least favorite foods: broccoli, all veggies really

Favorite music: Popcorn Popping
Favorite toys: a mini computer mouse, Little Tikes guitar, trains, anything that could be used as a phone (remotes, calculators, etc.)

Favorite book: he's yet to like sitting down to read stories but there's one book that he always gets off of my bookshelf and just carries it around the house

Favorite item of clothing: shoes cause that means we're going outside
What makes him happy: running for the garage when Daddy's home, chasing his sister, the words 'cracker' and 'milk,'
What makes him sad: bedtime, when the milk's all gone, falling off the kitchen chair trying to get onto the table

Where the Wild Things Are

Do you ever just have one of those days? We tried to turn the morning around by making cookies at 10:30 in the morning and then watching Strawberry Shortcake (a RARE treat in our house) while they baked. Since Handsome Face was napping this did afford me a while of peace and quiet. But then the cranky monsters came back. We'll see what else we come up with.

Wednesday is Scrapbook day. Jennifer, Rachel, and Jodell came over for more chatting than scrapping and then we went out for Chinese food. It was fun. At one point we realized that it was rather quiet and we found these two absorbed in raisins and Aladdin. It didn't last long. They were soon back to fighting over who got what cars.And tonight as we were watching the Republican National Convention, Handsome Face decided to get down with all the delegates.

I enjoyed Palin's speech although I wish there was more substance than bravado to these kinds of things. Historic election though. For the first time in history there will be either an African-American or a woman entering the White House. Kind of exciting.

It's been a while since I've posted anything and I am most sincerely sorry – mostly to the grandmothers who are the only ones who really care. But the last post has been stewing in my mind for over a week and it took me a while to pull all of the pictures together. So here are some of our recent activities and my random thoughts.
I miss the Provo library. A lot. Our local branch is just pathetic and the library system for the entire county is not much better. It amazes me at how many popular books and authors just aren't there. Instead the shelves are filled with... with... I don't even know what. The entire time I lived in Provo there was only once that the Provo Library failed me – and even then I only had to go to Orem to get the book. If only Orem were still so close. Sigh.
Cute Girl likes Altoids. Random.
I've been reading the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. I should never read series again. I already get consumed by books when I'm reading but when they are in a series I never stop! My poor family has been neglected these past two weeks. Not to mention my house. And it makes me even more sad because it's over such poor books! At least I have a break now to clean my house and read Pride and Prejudice before my babysitter gives me the last book.
The Rocket Scientist worked all day Labor Day on our patio extension. He got sunburned. But he made a lovely tarp tent over the swing set for the kiddies. I'll be so happy when the concrete is finally poured. Then it's on to the next phase of backyard beautification.
I went to the scrapbook store while the Rocket Scientist dug in the dirt on Labor Day. I'm very helpful.
Handsome Face is getting five new teeth all at once. It doesn't seem to bother him. What a trooper! He also likes to open doors and get into mischief. Open the Lazy Susan and get into mischief. Climb on top of the kitchen table and get into mischief. Get into mischief. Mischief.
And no one seems to like naps anymore but me. But everyone is still cranky when they don't get their naps. Especially Cute Girl as I will find her passed out in various locales. Doesn't she know that beds are way better than leaning on the kiddie gate?!?! And here's where she finally gave in today.

10 Things that Make Me Happy