A little bit awesome

I just HAD to throw this onto the blog, cuz it's so neat.  For the month of April, Parker and I made a resolution to NOT EAT OUT at all (with the exception of our one date-night we had this month and honestly it should hardly count cuz we went to Applebee's and ordered 2 for $20).   I'm happy to report that we did it.  We only slipped up ONCE and it was last week when Parker was working late most days or going to class, and I had 3 separate church activities plus visiting teaching.  He was actually sick too.  Parker had a fever Tuesday night and Wednesday night last week.  Anyway, we were both so busy and he felt so miserable I told him to pick himself up some food on his way home from school Wednesday night.  That was it.  The purpose was to see how much money we'd save and honestly I don't know if he's done the actual tally for that yet, but I know it's a lot.  But here's something that we DIDN'T expect to happen.  Parker has lost 10 lbs this month.  Hah!  Who knew?  I was noticing just last night that he seems to have lost some "roundness" around his face.  He mentioned that he'd thought so too, but then we asked eachother......why?  At first I thought maybe he's just eating less at lunch, or maybe that he's golfing more.  But then it hit me, we haven't had any fast food this month!  What a nice little perk!  I must say, it was only hard for about the first week and then I started to get used to it.  Now it doesn't even cross my mind anymore.  And I think it's a trend that we're going to be able to maintain.  How nice.  I don't even want to know how much money we could have saved if we could have kept this discipline for the past several months, or even year or two!  But here's to the future and future savings!

A Back Yard.....FINALLY!

Saturday it happened!!!  After 2 and 1/2 years in this house, we FINALLY got grass in our back yard.  I can't even tell you how excited I was!  It seems like we've prepped the ground SO MANY TIMES (which really isn't even the case, the ground has NEVER been completely ready for grass until last week....but we've killed the weeds and used the rota-tiller on the back yard 2 or 3 times thinking we'd do grass just after that.....and then it never happened).  Anyway.  With the back yard, it always felt like SOMETHING would stand in the way and make it so it wouldn't happen.  THEN this week it RAINED.  When Parker called and ordered the sod on Thursday, they told him there was a chance they wouldn't be able to cut it because the ground would be too wet from all the rain this week.  When he told me this, I was pretty down.  I thought for sure, this would be "the thing" that would happen this time to keep me from getting my yard.  But I kept my hopes up (trying at the same time to keep them from getting TOO high, just incase they get dashed to pieces for the ump-teenth time)....and wouldn't you know, the sun was out all day Friday to dry up all that moisture and then when Saturday came, so did the delivery of our grass.  :)

I have to give credit where it's due.  This would have NEVER happened if it weren't for the help of Parker's parents, Paul and Claudia.  They were here last week with the rota-tiller, and 4-wheelers digging up weeds, and pushing around dirt, and fixing sprinkler lines so that the ground would be ready in time.  And last week IT WAS HOT.  I think the high reached 84 that day, and they were outside with Parker the entire time.  Everyone got sunburnt and was exhausted, but if it hadn't been for them we would have never been able to get this done so quickly.

 Thank goodness the temperature was much more moderate this weekend.  I think the high on Saturday was 62....so it was perfect.  We had lots of people come out and help too.  Travis Turner, one of our very good friends was there to help as well as the Missionaries who are assigned to our stake.  And even our neighbor who is just on the other side of the fence from us, saw us working and walked over to help us out for a while.  I deeply regret that we don't even know his name.  A silly mistake to make, but will soon be rectified when we walk over to their place to deliver a thank-you card.  With all the helping hands it only took about an hour and a half.

 Caleb had been suffering from a stomach-ache all day.  Friday night at the ward auction, he threw up his dinner and made a lovely mess for Parker and I to clean up.  He threw up a couple more times that evening and then Saturday I was sure it would continue, but he just had lots of stomach cramps and burps.  Anyway, he was pretty excited about the grass too, and even mustered up enough strength to un-roll some grass on his own.  I thought it was adorable.  He tried to move it around a bit too, to make it fit nicely like a puzzle.....but it was too heavy.  All-in-all I think the sweetest moment was getting to take a picture of him sitting on that grass.  Oh the joy!

 

We still have other work to be done.  We left space for flower beds all along the side of the house, and so, naturally, they're still nothing more than beds of weeds that will need attention.  And the east side of the yard (where Travis's boat is parked) is also full of weeds.  We intend to cover the ground with gravel and put in a double-gate so we'll have extra parking space behind the fence incase a time ever comes that we need to park something (like Travis's boat) or maybe a trailer or a couple 4-wheelers, or whatever.  And then the WEST side of the yard is also missing grass because it's the future home of our garden.  We want to have raised beds, and we'll be trying to get THAT put in before too long as well. 

Can I just tell you how much I love that picture of Parker?  For some reason, I feel like it captures "the essence of Parker" and I just love it.  Below is a photo I took after all of our work LAST WEEKEND, and then below that is the finished product.  It's so surreal!  I actually like to open my back windows now because there's a pleasant view!  And there's a tiny bit of excitement every time the sprinklers come on to water that grass.  We won't be able to go out and walk on it for 10-14 days, during which time it's to be watered HEAVILY...but I still get excited just seeing it there.

Once the 2 weeks are over, Parker and Caleb are going to have a campout in the back yard.  We're REALLY looking forward to that day.

Money

Yesterday, I got after Caleb for talking back to me.  I said, "Caleb- it makes me upset when you talk to me that way."  Then he said something that TOTALLY threw me off guard.  He said, "Well MOM, it makes ME upset when you go to work!" 
silence.
That is so unfair.  I thought for a moment.  "Caleb, I want you to know that I don't LIKE leaving you to go to work.  I would much rather stay home with you.  But if I don't work, we don't have enough money to buy our food, or all the things that we need."  He considered this for a second, and then said,
"Well I have money.  You can have my money mom.  I have seven dollars."
Seven dollars.  How I wished that it was enough.  What a complete sweetheart! 
"Caleb, that is very kind to offer me your money, but I want you to keep your money.  Seven dollars just isn't enough.  But you can save your money and use it to buy yourself something special ok?" 
I didn't cry at the moment, but thinking about the conversation later just about brings me to tears.  What a special boy.  He deserves to have his mommy home with him every day.  I wish his seven dollars could buy that for me.  But it's not even a tiny fraction, bless his heart.  But just earlier that day I was also reminded how LUCKY my kids are that I have the job that I do.  With the flexible hours that I get.  And that I only work 4 days a week instead of five.
There's another little boy at Tresa's daycare, who's in kindergarten with Caleb.  That little boy's mom works Monday through Friday 8-5.  And she never gets off early.  I am so lucky with my job.  When my patients are finished, I get to go home.  If somebody cancels or no-shows at the end of the day, I get to go home.  And I actually get off early A LOT.  And lets not forget I have Fridays off.  When I pick up Caleb from school on Fridays, this other little boy always asks Tresa, "How come MY mom can't pick me up on Fridays?"  And then yesterday I had a 3 hour lunch break, so I went over to Tresa's while Angie was sleeping and I helped Caleb work on his homework.  This turned out to be a big blessing because I have a VERY busy week this week.  Yesterday I had to go visiting teaching after work, and then Wednesday I have mutual after work, and Thursday after work is a Relief Society activity, and Friday after work is our ward auction. And Parker's approaching finals week, and end-of-quarter stuff at work, and he will be working late or going to class every day this week.  Which means I have to take the kids to all of those church activities.  Anyway.  The long lunch was so great yesterday because Caleb was able to completely finish his weekly homework.  And I was so worried we weren't gonna have time to get it done because there was just too much going on.  But since I came over during lunch, the other little boy asked Tresa, "Can MY mom come for lunch sometime?"  Oooh, I felt bad.  But it made me so  grateful for the time that I DO get to spend with my children.  I'm so lucky compared to so many other parents. 
I AM grateful for my job.  And most especially my children.  They are so special.

Happenings

I'm 25 weeks and 2 days today. The baby is very active. I feel him move several times each hour of the day (or so it seems). And there are times when it's allready starting to get uncomfortable. At times I just don't know how I'll make it another 3 1/2 months. And lets not forget that those 3 1/2 months will be SUMMER months. Augh.....it's going to be a long summer. There are times when I look in the mirror and I just don't know how I can continue to grow for all that time. I feel so big allready.

I get some pretty bad pain in my lower back (pelvis more like it) when I lie down on my back. I get it every pregnancy, and so, naturally, there's nothing that can be done about it. Just sleep with a pillow behind my back to make sure I don't roll flat on my back in the middle of the night. Parker doesn't get much space when I'm pregnant. Oh well.

For Easter, I got the kids some new church clothes. I found a BEAUTIFUL yellow dress at Fred Meyer for Angie, and some new black pants for Caleb (I didn't realize how tight or short his old ones were until I got the new ones that actually fit him!!) I also got new shoes for both of them. Angie- Is- Obsessed. She spends SOOO much time every day changing her shoes. She just loves them! She really likes to do it herself too, and if you try to help her she gets mad. "No! My do it!" or "I do it myschelf!" She is well familiar with the words "wrong foot" or "turn it around" and responds to correct the problem. This goes for dressing herself too. She changes her clothes several times a day as well. Often we deal with inside-out or backwards outfits, but she gets it on...and sometimes that surprises me considering the long sleeves, or tightness of some things that she decides to put on. She's getting pretty good.

On Easter morning, I asked Caleb if the Easter Bunny had brought him a basket. He walked up to his blue bucket, and said, "Mom! The Easter Bunny got it down from the pantry!" It's true. The easter buckets are the same as last year. And I kept them in the pantry all year long. Plus the buckets were filled with candy that I'd kept in the pantry for the past couple of days. Thankfully, this didn't seem to be a reason for him to doubt the actual existance of the easter bunny....just a lack of creativity. Or MOM'S lack of tricky-ness. Oh well. I REALLY don't care if he doesn't believe in the easter bunny. It's not what Easter is about anyway.

Angie is starting to take herself potty. Without telling me. So far it hasn't resulted in anything icky or messy......I still worry about her wiping herself. She has a little fascination with toilet paper, and doesn't always realize that once it's touched her bum......it GOES IN THE TOILET. But she does pretty good. For the most part- potty training has really improved as of last week. On Easter....she had 3 accidents. All of which were poopy. After she'd gone the first time, I put her in underwear because she usually only poops once a day. Not on Easter. TWO MORE poopy accidents! And both were LARGE and messy, and stinky. I truly don't mind the extra laundry, if I didn't have to clean up poopy underwear. Augh. By the end of the day I was so frustrated. Then to top it off, (while we were at Grandma's house) Caleb comes in and tells me that HE had an accident. He NEVER has accidents!! And I didn't bring a spare change of clothes for him. I said "Caleb- you can't DO that! You have to go potty BEFORE you have an accident. You can't wait so long." He replied to me, "Mom! I DID go potty! But my pee-pee wouldn't come out fast enough!" Ok. So now I'M about to wet myself. The anger went away and I just had to laugh. Lucily grandma bought him new jammies for easter, and so he went home commando in those. And I had PLENTY of laundry when we got home.

In other news, I haven't been up to much lately except work. I feel so guilty sometimes. I spend all my time at work just wishing I could be home with my kids. And then the second I get home, I want NOTHING MORE than to put them in bed. About 3 weeks ago, I DID do something different. I read "The Hunger Games" series, and finished the first book the night the movie came out. I must say I really enjoyed it. I love to read, but don't do it very much because it's so time-consuming for me. I read all 3 of these books in about one week.

I finished the first book on Friday night, and then I made Parker come with me to the movies on Saturday so that I could see it. I was glad to hear that he enjoyed it, and even wants to read the books himself, maybe when school's out this summer. Parker actually likes to read too, but he doesn't ever have time. He's working more hours than me, and he has school. Plus he has to fit in time for golf and shooting his guns ;).

Anyway. We have also started working on the back yard again. The current plan is to lay sod. THis was a decision Parker made last fall. I think he felt bad about the emotional break-down I had when I found out we'd put off planting the grass for too long, and that it was too late to do it before winter hit. He told me when spring comes, we'll lay sod so that we can have an instant yard. But there's still prep-work. And spring means weeds. It's been a battle. We're getting so close. This weekend Parker's dad is coming over to help get the ground ready. Then the week after that we're supposed to lay the sod. I sure hope it happens. This is the ONE thing that I've REALLY EVER WANTED since we've moved into this house. And this will be our 3rd summer. Everybody cross your fingers! I don't know if I can handle any more disappointment.

Last week I also cut Angie's hair. It was getting long in the back. She had a bit of a "mullet", so I just took the scissors to it and cut the long stuff off the back. Mostly I followed her around the house with the scissors until I just couldn't chase her anymore. But she did hold still for the beginning, and I think I did pretty well. I must say, she looks much more girly now. I like it a lot.

Dear Caleb-

Dear Caleb-
Yesterday was a special day. As we walked into church, you told me that you wanted to bare your testimony today. I was quite surprised about this because I hadn't even told you that today was testimony meeting. We've talked about testimonies in family home evening, but you've never really wanted to do it before today. We've never taken you to the pulpit and whispered what to say in your ear. Your dad and I always thought that when the time came that you wanted to do it, you would know what to say by yourself. To make sure, I asked "Do you know what to say? Remember that mommy and daddy aren't going to go up there with you...." you looked at me and said "Yeah, I know."

As the meeting started, I began thinking about how gorwn-up you're getting. Through the opening song, I thought about your natural thirst for knowledge of the gospel. How you're able to relate ALL THINGS to choosing the right and living like Jesus. My dear son, I want you to always remember that this faith is a gift. A spiritual gift that you have been given. Even at this young age of five, I can see your faith and testimony burning with a conviction that many adults haven't even begun to taste. How was I so lucky to be blessed with a boy who has such faith? And before the meeting even began I was crying.

When the time came for you to bare your testimony, your daddy asked if you were ready. I watched you give him a confident, quick nod and then turn and walk to the pulpit by yourself. You stepped onto the foot-stool and adjusted the microphone and bore your testimony. The words weren't much different from what most other children say, "I know the church is true, I love my mom and dad, and my sister, and my baby brother." But there was something different about this. And maybe it was the fact that you are my son, and this was your first time- but as you stood there saying what you knew was true......I could tell you knew it was true. I looked over at your dad, and his face was as wet as my own. He knew it too.

Caleb, there will be times in your life when you may want to question your faith. But today your father and I saw a glimpse of the testimony that you will continue to build, and the man that you will become. Always remember that this fire was burning in your heart at a very young age. And it is not by chance that you have been given such a gift. Keep that faith strong. Protect it. And build it. And if you continue on that path, it will become like a rock. Solid, and unbreakable.

After you sat down, you looked at my red face covered with tears and said, "Mom- why are you crying? Did the Holy Ghost touch your heart?"
"Yes." I answered. It wasn't long before your dad mentioned in HIS testimony that this must be the way our Heavenly Father feels when one of His children is able to know for themselves the truth of the gospel. We are so proud of you. I hope you will never forget these things that you seem to allready know. You are our greatest blessing, and we love you.
Mom

20 week ultrasound

Yesterday (Friday March 9th) I had my 20 week ultrasound at 9:00 in the morning. We've been looking forward to this day for quite some time. Especially Caleb. He's been DYING to know whether he's getting a brother or a sister. So anyway, we took him to school and dropped Angie off at Tresa's house and then went straight to the doctor. The ultrasound tech. started by asking us if we wanted to know the sex of the baby. Um.....YES. We'd considered letting it be a surprise, but Parker agreed that it's a surprise either way, and at least this way we're able to be a little prepared. If it's a girl....we're set. If it's a boy.....well, lets just say that all my baby boy stuff never made it back to me. I lent quite a few clothes out to friends and family, and I've got nothing really. Even if they HAD made it back to me, who knows what kind of condition it all would have been in. Oh well. Yes we wanna know. So she starts out with the typical ultrasound stuff, and then decides to see if she can get a body shot with 3D imagery. The SECOND picture (below) is what we saw first.
She says, "Well....I'm glad you want to know the sex of the baby, because THERE IT IS!" As it turns out, we're having a BOY. And with this picture, there is NO QUESTION. Later when the doctor came in, he said that these were some of the best ultrasound pictures he'd ever seen. And the second 3D image......well he said THAT picture could be used as an advertisement for the ultrasound machine they used. He was pretty surprised at the level of detail we were able to get for an ultrasound of only 20 weeks. He said that usually you get pictures like that around 26 weeks, but this was unique for sure.

Anyway....we're glad to be having another boy. I've definately got some shopping to do, but I don't think I'll mind too much ;). When we told Caleb- he got a smile from ear to ear. He kinda blushed for a second, and then said, "I KNEW IT! I was RIGHT!" He was just so happy. I wish we would have taken a video of when we told him, but I didn't even think about it until after it happened. Oh well. It was cute, and it made my day just to be able to tell him that he got his wish.

Family of five here we come....

Little Moments

I just need to take a minute and write down some of the little things that my kids do and say, that seem so "every-day" but I realize I might forget if I don't take the time to record it.

My kids are my world. Every day I am amazed at how big they are. Angie surprises me with her cuteness DAILY. I find myself telling her, "You're such a DOLL!" so much. While she's busy and spirited (after all....she IS two), she really is one of the sweetest things you've ever seen. Whenever you tell her you love her, she always replies, "Yuh-boo too!!!" (love you too). And for some reason, it just melts my heart every time. She always asks me to lie by her at each nap and bedtime by saying, "Way down-me?" And even though I can always think of SO many things I'd rather be doing......as soon as I kneel by her bed, she searches out my hands and will hold your hand until she falls asleep.

When I blow-dry my hair in the mornings, she always comes and rests her head in my lap. I don't even know why....but it happens every time. And on Saturday mornings, when we don't have to get out of bed, but she's allready up. She'll climb in bed with us and then ask me to scratch her back. She is usually lying across my stomach when she does this- but will often fall back asleep when I do.

Caleb is so grown up. Last week, I was stricken with a really bad cold. I never got a fever, but each evening, I'd come home from work and have ZERO energy to feed and care for the kids. Last Thursday I was at the end of my rope. I had so much nasal congestion, and was so worn out from sniffling and coughing all day that when I got home I just sat and cried for a minute. Then I told Caleb that he needed to take care of his sister until daddy got home, because mommy was just too sick. I stuck a "Stouffer's Chicken Alfredo" in the oven, and then crawled into bed. Caleb was more than willing to, "be in charge." He turned on a movie for his sister, played with her, and even (to my complete surprise) took her potty twice. I didn't have to get out of bed until Parker got home, and I was SO grateful that I didn't.

He always reminds us what we should do to, "Choose The Right." And if you tell him that he's not choosing the right.....he quickly changes his attitude and actions so that he will be doing so. He LOVES family night, and wants to discuss EVERY PICTURE in our gospel art picture book before going to bed.....even though for each lesson we're supposed to choose only ONE to talk about.

Friday night is his FAVORITE night of the week because he gets to stay up. We usually put Angie to bed, and then he sits on the counter and helps me make fruit smoothies and popcorn. He knows where all the ingredients are, and wants to do as much as he can himself. He pulls out the frozen and fresh fruit, the yogurt, and the lime sherbet ice cream from the freezer. And he likes to push the buttons to the blender as well. Then once the smoothies are made, we pick a movie and he sits up with us for an extra hour or so. Usually not the lenght of the entire movie....but long enough that he feels pretty special to be awake when he normally shouldn't.

He prides himself that he can make toast all by himself, and stir things on the stove without burning his hands. He also likes to flip pancakes and pour his own juice.

He never complains about cleaning up his room, although he still gets distracted when doing so. I still have to stop what I'm doing and help him, but he knows where things go- and doesn't throw a fit when I tell him it's time to clean up. I am grateful for this. I know this is a challenge for many parents. Don't get me wrong. He doesn't clean up after himself without being asked........but if I give him a task, "Put the shoes in the white basket." he'll do it.

He will dress himself on the weekend (not usually on a week-day because I am the one to wake him up and am usually dressing him while he's still half-asleep). And sometimes he'll even dress his sister. He is starting to like showers instead of baths, and always has to remind us how grown-up he is when he showers. I still throw the 2 kids in the bath together more often than not- because it's just easier that way. But he really is starting to enjoy a good warm shower.

He really is willing to try anything. Last weekend we were at my mom and dad's house, and Grandpa has been into making fruit/vegetable smoothies since he's been on a diet for the past month or so. My dad's smoothies usually include home-made grape juice, fresh strawberries, a banana, some frozen raspberries, and either a pear or an apple. But he also throws in spinach, cabbage, and kale. Combine that with some ice, and protein powder.....and you've got one of my dad's favorite meal replacements. Anyway. He was making one of these smoothies in front of Caleb, Dejah and Mycah- and each time he threw in a handful of vegetables the girls would say, "EEEEwwwwwww!!" Of course the finished product is usually brown or green. Although it's actually quite good, the little girls INSISTED it was gross and refused to take even a tiny sip. Caleb didn't miss a beat. He wanted to try it. And even though his cousins were chanting at him, "Don't drink it Caleb! It's GROSS!" Not only did he take a sip.....he downed an entire glass of his own. It made me so proud. I really can't say anything for it, except that I just got extremely lucky. Angie is the same way. My kids eat anything. I really am just so blessed.

I didn't mean for this to get so long so fast. But I'm glad I was able to share a few of my precious moments about my awesome children.