Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Whew!

Well, that was a long vacation from blogging! Actually, I've tried to sit down and blog numerous times but when it came to actually putting words down, for some reason I just couldn't do it. So much has happened in our lives over the last several months and I can't even begin to recount it all. From birthdays, to graduations and everything in between. But this I will say, we've had good times and bad but through it all we still love each other!

I'm one lucky mama! I don't mean to brag, well maybe a little, but I just think my family is the bomb! My kids are all growing up to be awesome people and even the littles amaze me every day. What a grand life I have! It's definitely not always easy and there are moments when I could just hop in the car and never look back but those moments pass and I get over myself long enough to realize how truly blessed I am.

We've taken on a challenge made by our bishop to turn off the "white noise" in our lives for the month of June. Meaning, no TV, only uplifting music, etc. We've even limited our computer time. I've been really impressed with the kids as we've concentrated on building our relationships with each other instead of filling our days with noise. Oh, don't get me wrong, we still have plenty of noise! It's just coming from us instead of outside sources. We've spent the time playing more with each other, laughing louder, listening harder and learning to appreciate each other that much more. It's evident that we had allowed other things to take front stage in our lives and sadly, it wasn't until we turned off that "white noise" that we realized how deaf we had become to each other. Hopefully when this month ends we will be able to discipline ourselves enough to not go back but keep moving forward. Life sometimes just gets in the way of living, if you know what I mean!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Tired!

I'm tired! I don't know what it is about winter but it makes me tired. I sit around all day, trying to convince myself that I really do want to tackle the laundry and other gruesome household chores. Sometimes I succeed, sometimes I fail. Lately there's been a whole-lotta failing going on.

Case in point, it's Tuesday and all I've been able to accomplish thus far this week is to put my new sheets in the washer. Oh, and I did clean up the raw egg mess Janzyn made this morning. That's about it! Sad, sad, sad. I had to go out this morning for my yearly boob squishing so I was actually showered and dressed before ten so I'm pretty proud of myself for that.

I'm just really having a difficult time wanting to do anything or go anywhere. I dream of spring afternoons when I can throw up the windows and let the fresh air waft into my stuffy house. I need to take this time to deep clean all my closets and drawers, but it's not happening. What is wrong with me?!

I know! I need a vacation! To a nice, warm, sunny destination that will lift my spirits and boost my melatonin levels. Anyone want to babysit my hundreds of minions?

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Sweet and innocent? NOT!


Alas, the time has come. No more putting it off in hopes of a miracle. It's time to get serious!!! With potty training, that is. Let me preface this to say, there is nothing I hate more about motherhood than potty training. Hence the reason I've delayed with this last munchkin. I was really hoping to hold out till summer when he could run around naked, but I guess it's not to be. I made a half hearted attempt a few weeks ago, but we were both frustrated and I caved. Back to the diapers we went.

Well, recently things have turned a little nasty. Did I just say a little? I meant, ALOT nasty. Janzyn decided that the best way to let me know he had a poopy diaper was to bring me a handful of the offensive substance. (Gag, retch, and even dry heave a few times! And that was all from me!) Well, he's graduated to trying to change his own poopy diaper without letting me in on the fun. He will strip down, take whatever article of clothing he can find to try and wipe his bum, and then proceed to dress himself again, often times in Jake's clothing. Then he simply wipes his hands all over the floor, the bed, the dresser, whatever is convenient. It's DISGUSTING to the max!

So, today is D-day. He lasted all of about 3 minutes in his first pair of big boy unders. The second pair lasted a bit longer and then it was time for a nap. No way in h-e-double hockey sticks was I going to lay him down in just unders so the diaper came out. I know, I know, in all the good books it says once you take the diaper off you're never suppose to put on back on, but come on people! I really don't need a complete bed stripping right now. I'm still scrubbing carpet, for Pete's sake! I guess we'll just have to see how the rest of the day goes. Wish me luck!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Do Better

Ok, so I don't have any fun pictures to put up since my camera went kapoots so just imagine some bright fireworks with me gazing up into the night sky. No, really! Ok, not really. New Years Eve was spent with my 2 great sistas and their husbands, watching movies and stuffing our faces. It was nice and relaxing. The kids all had parties, (even Maleia and Jake until 9:00) so we just had little man and he was in bed by 8:00. It felt kind of weird in a nice way. So...the new year came and we trudge along.

I always feel like I should make the obligatory new years resolutions that I know won't last through the end of January, but this year I think I'll pass. Instead, I think my motto for this year will be to "Do Better". Do better at being a mom, do better at exercising, to better at reading my scriptures....just try to do better at everything. As vague as that sounds, I think I'll be happier with myself instead of beating myself up when I fail at each resolution I try to make. If I can just simply try to do better I think I will have accomplished the most important things. Life gets crazy and chaotic for me and I often find myself swallowed up in the failures instead of basking in the accomplishments. Each year brings it's own challenges and if I can only do better at handling those challenges, I will have succeeded!

I have a dear friend that was diagnosed with Leukemia just before Christmas and I find myself thinking about her all throughout the day. She's an incredibly strong person and I know she'll fight this battle victoriously, but I can't begin to imagine the fear and worry she's going through. As a mom, I'm sure her thoughts are turned to her children and how she can help them through this trial. I know, for me, when I was facing the big C all I could think about was how to make my kids feel safe and secure amidst all the fear. It's hard! But I learned some valuable lessons and foremost among those lessons was that nothing in this world is more important than family and good friends. Luckily I dodged the bullet and was able to continue on with my life without any repercussions, but others aren't so fortunate and they deal with the day to day challenges that come with fighting cancer. I watched my sis go through that and come out the winner, and I've seen others who haven't been so fortunate. This life is about doing the best that we can with what we have been given and being proud of who we are. Carla, thoughts and prayers are with you every day! You can beat this!!!! We love you!

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Christmas has come and gone, and I must say despite my scrooginess...it was wonderful! Just having my whole family together was the best gift anyone could ever give me. Pure joy!

We have a family tradition every Christmas morning. It starts out like this-Jay and I usually get up around 7 and make a nice breakfast. Yes, I know most people are done opening presents and have climbed back in bed by that time but my children are kind to us. Most Christmases we end up waking THEM up! It's crazy and I don't really know why they are like that, but it's been that way since Jayson and Cecy were little. I used to get so anxious waiting for them to wake up Christmas morning and many times I've finally broken down and woke them up because I couldn't contain myself any longer! This year was no different. So, back to the tradition...we make a nice breakfast and everyone attempts to eat a little something before going downstairs to see what Santa brought. It's funny because the kids always have specific requests on what to fix and what not to fix for breakfast. This year's fare was muffins, eggs, sausages and hashbrowns along with a platter of orange slices. When everyone had finally satisfied their bellies, the kids all lined up on the stairs from the youngest to the oldest. They had to wait till Mom had taken the obligatory Christmas morning pictures and then the race was on! Janzyn, of course, made it into the room first. He didn't quite know where to find his Santa stash so he ran around in circles for a moment as he checked out everyones piles. Last Christmas was an entertaining one with him but this year he kind of "got it" and was so excited about everything. Each one of the kids seemed happy and content with their gifts, and even the big ones enjoyed the spirit of the day right along with the littles. It was great! By the time we finished unwrapping everything and gaining an upper hand on the mountains of boxes and wrapping paper, it was almost time for lunch! Jayson and Jordan Lee had spent Christmas morning with her family and we weren't expecting them till later in the day but they surprised us and showed up just after we finished opening the presents. The day was perfect then because we were all finally together.

The best part of Christmas, to me, is seeing the wonder and joy in my childrens eyes. The adult kids were just as cute as the younger ones and I couldn't help but feel so blessed to be the mom to these incredible kids. I really don't know how I got so lucky! Christmas, to me, isn't about the gifts and the parties, or even the treats. It's all about being with the people you love the most. We've spent the last few days just laying around, watching movies, eating leftover candy and just enjoying the time together and it's been perfect! At least, for this mom anyway. My kids are growing up and it won't be long before they start families of their own. For now, they're still mine and I treasure each and every moment I have with them.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

From our family to yours

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Christmas time!


It's definitely Christmas time around here. Except without the snow..... The house has been decorated for weeks, ornaments are now missing or broken, lights on the tree have burned out, the gingerbread houses have been nibbled on and excitement is in the air. For the first time in my life, I think I'm ready! Just have some wrapping to do and a little grocery shopping and I'm set. Whew!!! Getting Christmas ready for such a big crew is exhausting.