AWOL

Sorry I haven't been around much these last couple weeks...with me starting work, then the vomiting, then the diarrhea and now The Hunger Games trilogy I haven't found the time to blog.

Recap:
Work is going good. (Aside from my 1st day when I accidentally dropped Evan on his head. Ok, I should explain...I had set Evan down thinking he would play while I held one of the kids I was watching. Evan decided he wanted me to hold him. I picked him up with my free arm and he decided to wiggle half-way up and I lost hold of him and he fell straight onto his forehead on the floor. No goose-egg luckily, just a minor rug burn mark. But he screamed for the last 2 hours of my shift.) Things are slow during my shift, I averaged 3 kids (besides my own) for the 4 hours I'm there...but I can't complain about getting paid to watch my own kids.

The kids came down with the flu...First Evan, then Owen, then Kim. Vomiting. Diarrhea. It was lots of fun. Diaper supplies are starting to run low. My washing machine was ready to go on strike from all the extra loads. Luckily they are all healthy and back to normal.

I got a root canal. My tooth (#19 for anyone who cares/knows which that is) started hurting Friday evening (the 4th) but I pushed it to the back burning since I we were in full poop-y battle mode. Finally on Tuesday night when I needed a Vicodin just to take the edge off to sleep I called the dentist. They got me in the next afternoon, but we couldn't pin-point the tooth so he sent me to an endodontist. We figured out what tooth it probably was about 5:30pm (after their normal closing time) and they couldn't get me in until Friday morning. I was sent away and hoped the Vicodin would tide me over. Come Friday morning my tooth was howling and I was ready to yank it out with pliers myself. When all was said and done, at least one of the nerves was necrotic and I'm on antibiotics and the dang thing still aches.

At least I had a good Valentines day. Worked the morning (which was busier, but I had a co-worker to talk to and I got out before lunch/nap time) so it was awesome. The children behaved pretty good and I got Iceberg for dinner....oh yeah...double cheeseburger, onion rings and chocolate chip cookie dough milkshake (which I'm currently finishing since it's do danged HUGE). My hubby got me a pair of princess cut diamond earrings and Ferrero Rocher chocolates. Splendid.

Hopefully now that my life is getting back to normal I can get back to my witty and zany postings I know you all were missing....well that is until Mockingjay arrives at my library and I take a couple day to devour every last word...then I'll be back.

Mr. Into Everything

This morning I was checking my normal list of blogs read one my sister posted on her Blog about her son playing with their PS3.

I posted a semi-snarky comment about how we keep our electronic equipment up to prevent just such an occurance....that is until Owen discovered he could stand on stuff (like his dump truck, my yoga ball, the bathroom stool, the kiddie chair) and reach up there....

Then, speak of the devil, he decided he wanted to watch Mighty Machines (probably this one)

So he gets my yoga ball, rolls it over to the entertainment center and climbs up.

Here he is getting on the ball to step on the ledge holding the TV.

Here he is grabbing the TV remote, because you need to change the channel to get the movie on the screen.
Got the remote. Here Logan.
Trying to get the remote for the DVD player.
Little stink. Luckily, the entertainment center is in the room we occupy all day long so I notice him in the act and can stop him before any damage is done. I just thought about what wonderful timing he happened to have today. And yes, we watch Sesame Street and LOVE it!

My new job

A few of you noticed the mention of me getting a job a few posts again and inquired as to what I will be doing. Now try not to laugh too hard when I tell you....

I'm going to be a daycare attendant in my gym. (At least that's the official "title" on my paperwork.)

For those of you who know of my "dis-love" I will call it for other people's kids are probably rolling on the floor laughing right now. And I understand your confusion. Trust me I really do. But let me assure you that I have thought this through fully and discussed it with some of my soon-to-be fellow employees and they assure me it is wonderful.

You see...my gym has a daycare where you can drop off your kids while working out. (You do have to pay for this privilege, but it's not too expensive.) They has all sorts of toys and baby swings and bouncy chairs and a pack 'n play and movies....Disney movies, but this is only downstairs. Upstairs (for the kids 3 and up during certain peak hours) they have a air hockey table, big kids toys and a crawl around thing (think mini version of McD's playland) My kids love going to the gym. I love having 2 hours (though I normally only use 1 1/2) to relax and know my children are being attended to.

A month or so ago I was talking to Shauna (our favorite gal, who can get Evan to go to sleep in the blink of an eye while the others have to put forth some effort) about how she liked it. She said she's been there 5 years and loves it. She also mentioned they might have some opening around the beginning of the year and it planted a little seed.

So when Kathy, the gal in charge, asked if I was interested I decided to talk to Steven. We don't need the money or anything, but I thought it would be nice to have some extra to go out to eat a little more often, take a nicer vacation, put more into savings, build up food storage, save for bigger ticket items we would like....you get my drift.

To start out I will be working 2 days a week, 4 hours a day. (BTW during the slower times with less children coming in and out). But I can pick up extra hours if someone wants time off or calls in sick.

It's kinda like Nursery....I don't have to change diapers and if the child is being a total beast we can page their parents to come get them. I don't think it can get too much awesomer than that. This is excellent! I'm going to be paid $7.25 an hour to basically do what I do at home, only with a couple extra kids...which honestly I do a few times a month already. And since I don't get paid anything to sit on my couch at home I figure this is pretty awesome. The kids will come with me to work and get to watch movies we don't own and play with toys I don't have to store.

I probably won't start until February because I have to be CPR certified (which I'm doing tomorrow), my background check is still processing, and the schedule is already set for the month, but that's alright...I need to get a few ducks in a row and then it will all work out swimmingly. :)

Raising Boys

I just finished reading this really interesting book, Raising Boys by Steven Biddulph.

You can ask any person who has had experience with little children about the differences between boys and girls. They are like whole different species. And since I'm a girl and have not, nor will ever be a boy, I figured some insight into 3 of the 4 children I'm raising would be good.

The thing I liked best about the book was his explanation of the 3 stages of boyhood:
1. From Birth to 6. During this stage a boy needs love and security which comes primarily from mom.
2. From 6 to 14. During this stage a boy needs to build competence and skills while also developing kindness and playfulness. These skills are primarily learned from dad.
3. From 14 to adult. During this stage a boy needs to learn more skills, responsibility and self-respect. This is primarily done through male mentors and role models with the parents helping to guide the boy toward the right people.

I guess I hadn't thought about it much but it all rang true. It fits where a boy naturally drifts at those ages. And it immediately made me grateful for the YM and scouting program that my boy's will be a part of. They will have those male role models to teach and guide them...cause let's all be honest here...when you are a teenager, your parents will tell you something and it goes in one ear and out the other. But when a respected adult tells you the exact same thing you listen and realize the wisdom.

Overall, a great little book for those of you with boys. It was written in an informative, yet entertaining matter. I didn't agree with some of the points that were trying to be made (especially the section on masturbation/pornography...but it let to an interesting discussion with my husband about dealing with boy's sexual urges) but it has some great ideas to glean from.

I guess I'm just worried about how my kids will turn out. I was reading in the BOM yesterday about Lehi's vision where Laman and Lemuel didn't take the fruit and Lehi knew he wouldn't be able to be with them for the eternities and it made me sad for him. The thought of not being with my children forever shakes me to the core. It makes me want to take away their free agency and make their decision for them. But I realize that isn't possible and even if it was, it wouldn't do them any good.

I've realized that I just need to prepare them as well as I can and hope they will choose the right (or CTR). But if they don't, just pray REALLY hard and hope they will return again to the fullness of the gospel. Sorry for the bit of a downer blog....food for thought I guess.

Such a mean, mean mommy (and brother)

Look mom...Kim left the pantry unlocked, so Owen got into it and found the candy canes. Then he left one where I could get it. (Sorry about this pic. My flash was acting crazy.)

Look mom...so yummy. I'm so happy with this thing in my mouth. Even though it still has the wrapper on it.

Look mom...I'm coming to get you and the camera with my sticky, sticky hands.

Wait! You are going to take away my candy cane? What is up with that?
I really can't believe you took away my candy cane and put it on the counter where I can't reach it. Didn't you see how yummy it was?

Wait a second...Owen just came in and put the candy cane on the floor. Maybe she won't notice if I get it, she is playing with the camera and all.

Crawl fast my fat, chunky little legs. Crawl as fast as you can go.

Score! I got it! Yummy, sticky goodness!
Hold on Owen that is my candy cane. I worked hard to get it.

Mom, he took my candy cane.
Why are you laughing? I really want that candy cane. Why did you put it in the garbage?


Funny side note: I put the candy cane in the garbage and comforted sweet baby. About 30 minutes later, I find Owen digging in my trash. I asked him what he is doing and he responded with "Want candy. Want candy." Really?!?!

"Call Grandpa, Call Grandma"

This has been the plea from Owen all day long. He wants me to call and tell them to come over to our house. Here is the problem, they live a mere 541 miles from us.

I can hear you thinking, "What prompted this request?"

You see they came out for a fun-filled visit Dec 27 - 31. My cousin, Whitney, was getting married in Idaho Falls, so they decided to make a mini-vacation of it and see the grandkids.

Tuesday, we played the day away. (The women shopping. The men playing racquetball at the gym and the Wii back at home.)

Wednesday, we packed up two cars and drove over to Idaho Falls for the wedding. Thursday was the sealing and reception. I realized how much I appreciate my parents (and little brother) as they helped me wrangle 4 kids.

The boys had a grand time playing with Grandpa and Grandma and Uncle Preston...we just wished they lived closer so that we really could just call and have them come over for a visit.

Here is Owen's desperate plea (notice the melt-down at the end as his request isn't being fulfilled):



So I called and left a message on their machine. (It was 4:30pm their time and Grandpa is probably still at work and Grandma was probably busy.) But that wasn't good enough. Owen wanted to talk to Grandpa....and Now! So I called back and go the machine. Owen left a heart-felt message for them.

As you can plainly see....We love Grandma and Grandpa! (And even Uncle Preston.)

UPDATE 1/14/11: Today our neighbor came over to return a computer cord she borrowed. When Owen heard the knock on the door he yells out "Grandpa here!" I had to break it to him that it wasn't grandpa and tried to explain yet again that Grandpa and Grandma live far away and can't just come visit when they want....I'll need to figure out something to help with this. Maybe we will trying calling again tomorrow. Hopefully they are home to answer

A moment of crisis...

Here is how it started...As normal, I was scrolling through the list of blogs I check out. Some family, some friends, some people I don't know but would love to one day. I clicked on my sister Melissa's blog about her son's 2nd birthday today.

Sure no big deal, you think. It is only your nephew's 2nd birthday. No need to go into full crisis mode. It started simply by my deciding to comment on her blog and wishing Landon a happy birthday.

But then I took a moment to reflect on what this year will bring to me. That is when I realized the blows 2011 will bring...

1. In one and a half months, my little girl Kim (who really isn't that little because she is wearing the same size shoes that I do) will turn 12. She will be going into the YW program. That makes me feel really old....REALLY OLD!(Here Kim is decorating the tree. She will probably hate this picture being on my blog since she wasn't given appropriate "5 day notification" to choose the correct outfit to be seen in public.)

2. Then in three short months, my sweet baby Evan will turn 1. Normally that is a moment of delight and celebration for parents. And don't get me wrong, we will party like its 2011 and have cake and presents, but I will need to stop crying first. This is my baby...my last baby and he is growing up way too fast!(Isn't he completely adorable. He refused to take a nap that morning and literally crawled himself to sleep. Just collapsed on the floor, rolled up in his blankie and napped.)

3. Then in six short months, my oldest boy Logan will turn 5. This marks that huge milestone of starting kindergarten. And loosing my little man. The only boy who will actually listen when I say no.
(Check out that grin. How can you not love a kid with that smile? It is impossible, trust me.)

4. Then in eight relatively short months, the "beast" (as we lovingly refer to my middle son) Owen will turn 3! And I thought 2 was bad...3 was much harder with my older ones....let us all pray he (and I) survive the year.
(Here he is posing with a sticker on his forehead...the same exact place that a lovely bruise currently resides.)

Perhaps it is a good thing I'm getting a job. The extra money will help me drown my sorrows with A&W Root Beer and chocolate.

Here is to hoping 2011 doesn't make me a total wreak emotionally!