"I Wanted to Stay Warm"

Each morning is the same routine in waking up the kids.  I open up my door to my room, gingerly walk past "the boy"'s door. I don't want him up yet, it just causes problems.  I go downstairs and wake up Brooke and Phoebe.  Brooke is usually real good, Phoebe I have to coax out of bed and then it is off to Chloe's room.

This morning I walked into Chloe's room and find her laying face down on her sheets.  All the blankets pushed to the bottom of the bed in a heap.  She is face down in her night gown and her winter coat on.  Fully zipped up and hood on.  All I saw was a pink coat piled on the bed.  I busted up.  I lost it. Where was Ron to see this, where was my camera for a picture. I shared the view with Brooke (she laughed too) and then woke Chloe up.

"Chloe? Chloe? Why do you have your coat on?"

Very sleepily she looks at me through her hair. "I wanted to stay warm Mommy."
"Why didn't you use the blankets on your bed?"
Slightly puzzled, she answered "I don't know."

Chloe is such a funny girl.  Drama, goofiness, lovey, and cute all rolled up into one fantastic girl.

Quote of the Day
 

Chloe -  "Going to Sleep is Boring!"

Dish-Pan Hands


My dishwasher is broken.  I guess I could still use it, but the heating element is broken and it won't heat the water and dry the dishes.  It doesn't clean very well.  I am sad it broke.  I did find the part for it and it didn't cost all that much to get it, but it will take 2-3 weeks to get the part.  I was sad.  Now I had to do dishes by hand. Cringe.  I don't have a drying rack.  So off to Walmart I go to get a drying rack and bottom thingy.  Oh what a sour mood I was in.  I get to Walmart and they had drying racks on clearance in RED.  I was happy.  It would match my kitchen.  So this morning I was set to wash the dishes - bound and determined I would get this nasty chore done.

I forgot how I loved, as a child, watching the bubble grow as the water fills the sink.  I had forgotten how warm the water was and I had forgotten how peaceful it was to stand and do dishes.  Something else I forgot, gloves - for my hands as I now have dish-pan hands. :) 

The Olympics

The quote of the day from Phoebe.
"The luge is better than Ice Skating.  I wouldn't want to spin in the air and have someone drop me."
She is just so cute! 

Luckiest Mom

Came home from work last night and walked into a clean house.  The upstairs was picked up, the playroom was picked up, the dinner dishes were cleared and in the dishwasher and the dishwasher was started.  Wow! my husband had been busy, but come to find out it was my kids!!!

They had upset their daddy and wanted to do something nice for him while he worked in his office so they cleaned the house.  I know he was very proud of them, but I am so excited and happy and overjoyed about it!!  I know they were doing it for their daddy, but I think I appreciate it so much more. They did such a good job!  I am teaching them, they are learning and they can do it.

Today is one of "those" days. We all have them. It is one for me. For some reason I am just not happy. I did the chores today, and I love the way the house looks when I am done but I just don't feel happy. I went to quilting and worked on my quilt, and visited and had a great lunch but I don't know what is up.

The poor kids, I don't even have the patience to do homework with them. I get frustrated that they are not getting simple math concepts. We are making ten. If I have ten, how many more do I need to make ten. I thought that was an easy one - apparently not. I am just going to have to get the fruit loops out and sit down with each child and do homework. That just sounds exhusting because each worksheet takes 30 minutes to an hour for each twin and that is not counting the other homework they have. I know they need to learn it and we as parents need to help the teacher out but seriously, do they not understand with my kids it is an all night affair with some of the worksheets they send home. I want to be in tears on my bed because it.

I have got to get in a better mood. I know my cold isn't helping any and I could use a nap - but I really don't think the nap would help. I must buck up. Go downstairs get one of the twins and get the homework done with her and then move on. Uggh. I hate getting the kids back into a routine. It is hard on all of us. Oh don't push I am moving. I am going. I am gone.

The First Real Snow

It has hit Payson. The first snow of the year. We have had skiffs of snow that last for an hour and the mountains have had it but down in the valley it just hasn't been staying until today.

I like the idea of snow. Getting all dressed up in cute jeans and a cozy sweater. Sitting by the window reading a book as it softly falls. Having a fire in the fireplace and drinking hot cocoa. Yeah - the idea is good. Then hits the reality.


Snow is cold. Snow makes the roads and sidewalks icy. You have to shovel it. And come to think of it... I don't even have a fireplace. All that I can deal with. But as a mother - I find snow exhausting.

I lay in bed and hear the kids excitement over the snow that has fallen in the night. I hear how much has fallen and how pretty it is and then I hear the dreaded phrase. "Let's go play in it!" As any mother knows this is not a fun phrase, because it means the quiet rest is over - the work is now beginning.

It is the first snow, the first time to get out the snow pants, boots, gloves and hats. I don't know if anyone else does this - but at the end of winter I toss all the snow gloves and hats into a packer and get it out of site. I don't take stock of what is there. I just want it put away and I want to get out the flip flops.

So out of bed I go and onto the floor just outside the hallway closet to get out the snow clothes.

"My boots don't fit!" "These gloves don't match." "Mommy - I left my coat at school. Now I can't go out side. Whaaaa" on and on.

After I count to 10 and sigh a couple of times - I figure out the boot issue and deal with gloves that don't match. Find coats that will fit for just a couple of days. Get every one dressed and then they head outside.

I breathe. I relax. I enjoy hearing my kids slide down the slide in the snow and giggle and laugh. And then it all comes crashing down with in five minutes of the door closing behind the last child.

The youngest comes into the house tracking all the snow from the outside through the kitchen, the living room and into my office."Mommy - I am cold I want hot chocolate." Of course.

On to hot chocolate duty. I get the hot chocolate going and the youngest undressed. In his excitement he announces to the rest of the clan that the hot chocolate is ready and to come and get it. More snow into the house - at least this time I had control of where it went. And now they are all around the table drinking hot chocolate with marshmallows.

The idea of snow is nice and it does look pretty (the first day). But the work that is involved with snow is so exhausting.

August 19, 2009

First day of School

After all the buying of clothes and shoes and backpacks it was time to go to school.

Brooke is in 5th grade and has Ms. Thomason.



Phoebe is in 2nd grade and has Ms. Newton.
Chloe is also in 2nd grade and she has Ms. Grover.
Race is in Pre-School and is going to "I Can Do it Myself Preschool" He loves it!

June 11, 2009

Scottish Festival

We went and watched the Scottish Parade and then headed to the park.

The kids played at the park. The loved watching the sword fighting that was taking place. The twins begged me to let them do it. We compromised on an umbrella for both of them.


After doing a little shopping at the booths we headed back home for some lunch. I wish Ron was here to see it. He is always out of town for the festival. He would have loved it; the pipe bands, the highland games, all the tartans. Maybe next year, Daddy.

July 10, 2009

One Whole Decade!

Brooke is such a joy in our family. She is so caring and thoughtful. She has a great giggle and always has something fun for the kids to play. She is a big helper and is always willing to help me when I need it.

I can't believe she has grown up so fast. That she is 10 already, blows me away. She is turning out to be quite a little lady. So in celebration of her 1st decade old, I threw her a party.

The party started on Tuesday when Ron and I took her to The Spaghetti Factory and then out for some miniature golf.

Friday 5 friends were invited over for a Princess Party, but she was a decade old so this was a true Princess Party. First to the Salon for hair-dos and the placing of the tiaras.

Then home to eat Pizza and watch The Princess Protection Program.

We had cake and opened presents. She loved her Princess day. My little 10 year old Princess. Here is to another 10 years of your life. We love you Miss Marie!!

UP!!


When we were down in Arizona we saw the movie UP. We all loved it. Yesterday while we were in Target looking at lamps, Phoebe picked up a lamp shade held it up in front of her face with the large end out and said, "I do not like the cone of shame."

It made me laugh - it made all of us laugh. If you don't get or understand this - you must go see the movie. It is real good.

Letting Time Fly

It is June second and I am really missing Ron. He has been gone for1 1/2 weeks and still has 1 1/2 weeks left. It has just seemed so long this time. I think because he was working so hard and late the week before he left that it is going to feel like 4 weeks of time gone before he comes home. I am thankful for my computer and Skype. I am going to have to plan something real good for the weeks that he his home, because he is off to another 2 week stint in Asia the beginning of July. I just really miss him, I hate feeling lonely. I think that is why I traveled last week to Arizona - it definitely made the time go by faster. I just need to stay busy and he will be home soon.

Here's to staying supper busy and letting time fly!

Travel Log - Day 6 Final Day

The drive is over. It was a good drive, it was a long drive, I am so glad I am done with it.
I got up at 5 am got ready and by 5:30 the kids were dressed. They all went potty, brushed hair and we were on the road by 5:45 am. I made it through the drive with only one movie and one book on CD. They slept a lot of the way - which was real nice. We got home just after 5 pm. So the drive itself went quick and we only stopped three times. Twice for gas and one stop just for potty - I really had to go after drinking my 32 oz diet pepsi. I usually don't drink on long drives and I don't let the kids drink much - but I figured doing this drive by myself, I deserved I diet pepsi - or two. I really can't complain much, the kids were really good, just the typical. "Are we there yet?" "I'm hungry" (10 minutes after lunch) "I have to pee."
I am glad we went - so worth the drive - both ways. Next time I think I want to fly down with just me and Brooke. I think Camryn would love to have Brooke down there without any other kids.

Travel Log - Day 5

Well today was our last day in Arizona. We leave tomorrow morning real early. Brooke and Camryn both knew this would be the last day - and they wanted today to be fantastic. We started out our day pretty normal. We got to Bristow's and the kids played, Angie and I scrapbooked. It was Mike's birthday so he didn't have to do anything he didn't want to. I love birthdays for that reason alone. We had lunch and then we went and saw the movie Up. That was so funny. I can't wait for Ron to see it so we can go around the house and say "Squirrell" So stinking funny. After the movie we came home, I helped Angie ice Mike's cake, and then we made pizza dough. I sent Mike and Angie out to dinner while I cooked the pizza for the starving 7 kids. I read a book while the kids played the Wii and the computer. When they came home we did cake and ice cream and sang happy birthday. Angie and I then left Mike with the kids and we went to Walmart and I got some food for the car trip tomorrow. Which i am not excited about. 12 hour trip with four kids bv myself - I know they can do it. I just hope I don't loose my mind in the process. After shopping I came back to thier house and got the kids packed up. Lots of hugs for everyone. It was very sad driving away. All the girls in the car were crying and Race saying - I'm not crying mom.
Brooke made a great observation, she said that the Bristows feel like family. I have found that good, true friends really do feel like family. It is sad to see them go, we love to sit and visit, we can't wait to get together again. I am so glad that I have good friends like the Bristows and so many others that do feel like family. I am so blessed to have them in our lives.
Mike - happy birthday!! Angie thanks for the fun week and letting me cook with you. Camryn - You are such a true friend to Brooke, thanks. Dean - thank for being so patient with Race, he loves your legos too. Katelyn - the twins are going to miss playing with you, you are a sweetie! Rex - I really don't hate you...you are just a dog. Arizona we will see you soon.

Travel Log - day 4

Another day just like yesterday. Got up, got going, had breakfast, we did a little shopping before heading over to Bristows. We could tell this morning that we needed to do a little structure for the kids. They played some games and then we got out some crafts; paper, glue, stickers, puff balls, popcycle sticks, crayons, colored pencils. The kids went to town. Brooke and Camryn made puppets for a puppet show. The also decored a box like a tv and preformed tv shows for the other kids. I got some great ideas from Angie for summer weekly programs for the kids. Things to focus on and have something for the kids to do each day. Hopefully that will keep them busy and learning during the summer. We had lunch and then we hung out for a bit, and then went swimming at a neighborhood pool. The kids liked it much better than the one at the hotel. I loved it because it had a shaded area over a little kids pool. I like the sun but my bbody doesn't. We stayed there for a couple of hours. We had some dinner - BBQ beef sandwiches, so tasty. the Angie and I talked Mike into watching the kids while we went and got ColdStone, again tasty. then it was back to home to get the kids and head back to the hotel. The kids did pretty good at going to sleep. They were asleep before I started the blog. So all is good.

Travel Log - day 3

Today was a pretty chill day. We got up, had breakfast downstairs and got ready for the day. First thing on the list today was to find swimming suits for the girls. Boys are so easy to shop for, girls...you have to weed through all the immodest suits to find decent ones and then you have to find the right size. I was happy that Old Navy was having a sale on their suits. After that was done it was over to Bristows. We let the kids play the morning away while we just talked. After lunch we packed up and when over to the hotel and did some swimming in 105 degree weather. The water felt really good, and when we got out the breeze was great. I was chilled out for about 5 minutes and then the heat kicked in. I was happy that the kids didn't get supper burned.
After some showers and changes we headed back to the Bristows for dinnerl. It was so good. The kids watched some tv. We were all a little tired. Drove back to the hotel and here I am. Sitting on the bed telling the twins to be quiet and go to bed.
I find it funny that when Race wants Angie's attention he calls her "Mom" I am called "Mommy" and he will call Mike, "dad". I think it is cute and I don't think he knows anything else to call them. So...Heres to "Mom and Dad" Bristow, thanks for letting us hang out down in AZ.

Travel Log - Day 2

It is 10:30 pm and I am in Chander, AZ. The drive today went well. The kids loved going over Hoover dam and seeing the half way completed bridge for the new road. I drove through Kingman, and Wickenberg, and Wikieup. I thought that was a weird name for a town. Wikieup. odd. Very small but memorable. The catus is blooming. It looks like they have crowns on the tops of them. Some have so many blooms ontop I couldn't count them. The yucca's are also blooming. Along the road there were little yellow, little white and large white, wild flowers. It was a really pretty drive through the desert today.
I have found after sharing a bed with Race last night, that he is an active sleeper. man oh man. His feet were on me or his head was on me. The bed was a decent sized bed, but he made it feel much smaller. He was all over the place. Putting the kids to bed tonight was much easier. They complained that the light was on, but as soon as I got my contacts out and went potty, all four of them were asleep. Phoebe didn't even have time to suck her finger.
We got here about 1:00 in the afternoon. We walked into the room and all the kids commented on how small it was. Mind you it is the same as most hotel rooms, two beds, a bathroom, a closet area, and a desk. But after last nights room any hotel room would be small unless it was the presidental suite. I just thought it was funny how much my kids compair hotel rooms. I know Ron and I do it, but to hear it come out of the kids mouths made me laugh a little. "This room is smaller than last night. It is even smaller than the one at Disneyland." "Yeah, your right, it is smaller." Again, my kids love hotels a little too much, when they can start comparing them.
Well, it is getting late and i am so tired. Tomorrow should be a lot of fun and hot.

Travel Log

I am currently in Henderson, NV. It is 9:30 at night NV time and I am trying to get the kids to go to sleep. They are so excited to go to Arizona. Well...lets just say it straight out, they are excited to be in a hotel. I think they like to travel as much as Ron and I. All though, they would prefer to fly. The girls know about flying and they think the car thing is a little slow and long. I agree but it is more economical to drive.
I picked them up from school and we headed out on our long drive. While Ron is in India, I decided to see some friends in AZ. Yes the drive was long. Did I loose it? Yes, just outside of St. George. Kids needed to pee, they were hungry, tired of being in the car, and just out and out bored. After they went pee, got food in them, and a new happy meal toy---lucky me I now have 4 toys that make all the same noise.--- We did good until just outside Mesquite (i know - it didn't last long) I had kids that needed to go pee, again. Well, there is nothing out in the desert and my kids are not the kind that pee or poo on the side of the road so they had to hold it until we got to the hotel.
We are at a Residence Inn and they love it. It has a sitting area, kitchen and table to eat at and our room has two separate rooms with queen beds. The twins are in one room and Race and I are in another room - while Brooke has the sofa sleeper. I love having all this room for the kids to move around in. I can run away to my room while they watch tv on one of the two tvs they have. I won't be waking them up in the morning when I get up, maybe Race, but that is nothing new. Breakfast is included and it us usually really good. I think they have all fallen asleep, the room is finally cooling off. My typing has helped put Race to sleep. I looks like it is my turn to go to sleep. I am not looking forward to tomorrow, another 5 hour drive, but it is better than the drive I have ahead of my on Sunday - straight through, all the way home baby. Aagghh - I may need sleeping pills for the kids. :)

The Drama that it Is.

When I weed it is a rare occasion. Thursday, (May 21st) I was getting a lot of weeding done. Finished up a couple of garden boxes and then it was time to play with Race. He had been such a big help weeding. He wanted to hit some golf balls around the back yard so we did. One ball went on top of the window grate that covers the window well for Ron's office. We have had so many guys in and out of that window while we have been completing the room the grate was not put back correctly. When I stepped on the grate to get the ball the grate went out from under me and I feel down with the grate. I tried to stop myself but I hurt my shoulder in the process. Of course, I know better then to try and stop myself.
So there I am at the bottom of the window well with the bugs, spiders, webs, dead leaves, old sidewalk chalk, faded balls that have lost the air in them - Wow I need to clean out the window well. I am crouched down resting my elbow on my thigh, thinking.....I need to get out....wow, my shoulder and arm really hurt...was that a black widow? I then call to Race to hand me the phone that I had placed on the bbq just 20 minutes earlier. He hands it down to me and asks, "Mommy you fall down the window?" "Yes, Race" "Are you going to get out of the window?" I hope so Race.
I then proceed to think of anyone I can call. Ron is at least 20 minutes away. I could call Jenn, Robyn, the neighbor girls. That is all I could think of were girls, I am sure they could get me out, but I was thinking - i need guys, I need a group of guys that can at least maybe lift me out without hurting my shoulder more. I give into the fact that I need to call 911.
"911, what is your emergency"
"I fell down my window well, I am home alone with my 4 yr old little boy and I have hurt my shoulder or arm I am not sure."
"What is your location and phone number?"
I give her that information
"Is your little boy inside or outside the home?"
"He is outside, he is the one that got me the phone."
"Is he ok?"
"Yes - he just wants to know when I am going to get out."
"So you have hurt yourself? and you can't get out?"
"Correct."
"I am going to dispatch out the Payson Ambulance and Police."
Ohh great - I know I needed them, but when I decided to call I hadn't really thought about all the attention that would cause to my house. Then the whole neighborhood would know something was going down at my house.
The dispatcher also called my mother-in-law to come be with Race. She also told me to not to move so I don't injure myself more. I asked if I saw a black widow if I could move. She said that would be ok.
So the first person on the scene is my visiting teaching partner's daughter. I know her pretty good. She is on the ambulance crew - but was not on call, but recognized the address. The first words I hear from above me (other than Race) is "What the hell are you doing down there." Ohh so nice to hear Pattie's voice.
As we waited for more people to show up I called Ron. I told him what had happened and that there was no need to worry just yet. Just to wait till I know what is going on with me. He made sure that I didn't need him to come home just yet and wanted to make sure I could still give him a haircut before he left for India the next day. I told him his hair would be taken care of. --Silly Man!
As each group of people showed up Race would greet them by "My mommy is back here, she fell down the window." First a cop, then the ambulance then my visiting teaching partner and her husband (he is on the ambulace crew also) Then he would point me out to them. He is such a good little tour guide.
They managed to get me through the downstairs window to Ron's office. (newly painted, and now a footprint on the window sill) As I got up the stairs I went into shock. They gave me oxygen and a barf bag incase I was going to loose the dinner I had the night before. (I hadn't eaten yet) I wasn't feeling so good. Something in my arm slid back into place and then there was pain. They got me on a stretcher and started to wheel me out of the house. I asked for my cell phone, how was I going to call people, and then they loaded me up. The last thing I hear is my mother-in-law haulering at me that she was there and that everything would be ok. We could go now, Race is taken care of, everything was going to be ok.
The ambulance crew thought I may have broken a bone - but not so. We are not sure what happened with it, but it was just sore for a couple of days. I found after I left the hospital that I hurt my knee. It has been very painful, moreso than my shoulder or arm. I am still nursing both of them.
I can't believe this happened to me. Just my luck. But I have a great support system in my ward, family, and in Payson. I have so many people checking up on me while Ron is in India, it is real great.
I will always take caution now when I step on a window grate. My last window grate wasn't so great!

May 7, 2009

Girls Dance Review

After getting hair done, and running to the Dr. for an appt. for Race. We got home did make-up got a little something to eat and then it was off to the Review. They did such a great job. So cute!! Here is a little of what they did.