Puppies Walk

March 31, 2013
This seems to be a recurring sight for us.

Evening stroll with kids and dogs in tow.

Yes, I said dogs plural.

Don't worry. Neither Jeff or I have completely lost it. We're just puppy sitting. Little LeRoy, who if you remember, is really a LeRoy-ina 'cause he is a she is our new "foster" child for the week. She's cuddly, and soft, and oh so tiny! The kids adore her. And Blu has decided that she can assert her dominance on the little tag-along which is both good and bad. LeRoy seems to be able to hold her own though, especially considering she made it the entire walk while my big, fat, and apparently out of shape puppy who slobbered, drooled, and panted like we'd run her for 26 miles and then collapsed on the floor the minute we got home. 

2013 YW Conference Broadcast

March 30, 2013
I'm fairly certain the sole reason I've been called to serve in the Young Women's program in the LDS Church is to help me remember...

A time when I felt immense love.

A time when I knew beyond any doubt that I was a daughter of God.

A time when my testimony was strong.

A time when I knew who I was.

I hope with all the small amount of faith left in me that this time in Young Women's is my saving grace. Just like last time...

Loose Leash Walk

March 29, 2013
How come Blu seems to get this whole loose leash walking thing when I'm not the one holding the leash?

First Picnic Outside

March 28, 2013
The kids really, really, really wanted to eat outside. They didn't give us parents much of a choice. And since I wasn't the parent glued to the T.V. for March Madness, it only meant one thing. I was the lucky one to supervise their first outside picnic of the year.

Since we don't have any patio furniture out yet, we sat on milk crates. Blu made more than one attempt to steal our fries and burgers and when she realized that wasn't happening, proceeded to drool all over my pants. 

While the food was delicious, by the time I got around to eating it, it was cold. We may or may not have had two mishaps with one kid pooping their pants and the other kid getting a bloody nose that diverted my attention. Again while the other parent was completely oblivious to the fun dinner fiasco that was underway. I can't think of two things more gross to happen during dinner - well, except maybe barf - than poop and bloody noses.

And the kids wondered why I was less than enthusiastic about their idea to eat dinner outside.

Reading Duty

March 27, 2013
I don't think Jeff knows how much I appreciate him taking on reading homework duties.

Every. Single. Night.

Even on those days when I know he wants to poke his eyes out with that pencil because Pearl suddenly forgets everything she's learned and can't pronounce the word "the" anymore.

Lost Lacrosse Balls

March 26, 2013
Blu has acquired a knack for finding lost lacrosse balls on our walks at the school. This is her second one in a week!

Oh, and if you're wondering, they are the PERFECT ball for her! She can't eat them!

Potty Celebration

March 25, 2013

This morning Cole told me he wouldn't have any accidents at school. I was doubtful given he had peed several times at home without so much as a, "Mom I have to go potty!" I packed a whole bunch of extra clothes and told him if he had an accident that his teacher could put him back in a diaper.

I underestimated the little guy.

When I picked him up from school he was wearing the same clothes I'd dropped him off in. No accidents! So after dinner we decided to celebrate with a scoop of ice cream. Who says bribery isn't effective?

Sunday Stroll

March 24, 2013
The whole family took a Sunday stroll together. Even Blu tagged along. Well, pulled us along. We went to visit Blu's half-sisters, which were supposed to be one half-sister and one half-brother who we are bringing home for a few days until we can get him, well, her to our nephew.

It's a long story. Either he was switched at birth or we apparently missed a vital sign that he, I mean, she was a boy. It doesn't matter. We're still calling the puppy Leroy. Even if it's really a girl.

Anyway.... after playing at the park with four canine companions, Cole declared his legs were broken and refused to walk anymore.

Didn't see that one coming.

Laundry Day

March 23, 2013
Somebody please give a motivational pick up to muster up the desire to do the laundry today.

We're out of clean clothes (heck, any clothes), we need clean undies, we need towels and sheets, the laundry stinks, and the laundry is piled halfway up the door frame just aren't cutting it.

I need a maid.

Vending Machine

March 22, 2013
You wouldn't know it from their happy, cheerful faces but getting a dollar and running down to the vending machine at my office building is one of the highlights of their childhood.

Seriously.

And it gives me get some added bonus points with those pipsqueaks to make up for all those bad mom moments.

Irrational and Moody

March 21, 2013
A friend reminded me that Mother Nature is a woman.

Which makes sense because today she was irrational and moody.

Apparently winter isn't over yet.

Future Soccer Stud

March 20, 2013
Some little boy is ready for soccer season to start.

Epic Dinner Fail

March 19, 2013
I'm not a great cook but it's been a long time since I had a complete dinner fail. Of epic proportions.

Epic fail tonight.

The plan was to make a spinach-chicken stromboli. I got everything prepped so I could just throw all the chicken, spinach, tomatoes, and cheese on the dough, roll it, tuck it, and throw it in the oven. Walah! Perfect for two kids to complain, grip, and whine that I'm trying to poison them.

Instead, the dough was a tad too sticky. So I couldn't roll and tuck my stromboli and everything - EVERYTHING - fell out and became toppings instead of filling. I have failed my Our Best Bites friends. 

And then I laughed. A lot. 

March Madness

March 18, 2013
It's March Madness time! A perfect, yearly tradition for F.H.E.

Pearl and Cole didn't get it at all. We tried explaining they had to pick which basketball teams they thought would win but they kept thinking we were either watching those teams right now or everyone was playing against the Aggies.

It was a bit of madness getting all four of our picks finished. Especially because we can't understand a word Cole says.

I put all my money on Georgetown. But Jeff won't wager against me... probably because I kicked his butt the one year we did make a small wager.

Evening Stroll

March 17, 2013
Out for an evening stroll.

Heart Happy

March 16, 2013
This moment makes my heart happy.

Grilled Cheese

March 15, 2013
It's a Friday night and the end of a very long week at work. So you know what? I didn't want to cook. Shocking.

Seeing as how the last time I made grilled cheese sandwiches the kids thought I was the world's best chef, I figured I couldn't go wrong.

Yeah right.

Apparently they need something less desirable to eat to balance out the excitement. At least for Pearl. She took one bite of her sandwich, looked straight into my eyes, and in her most "this-is-disgusting-I-am-appauled-you'd-even-THINK-about-feeding-it-to-me" voice said, "Mom, why did you put so much cheese in this cheese sandwich? Gross!"

Um, I don't know. Maybe because it's a grilled CHEESE sandwich.

Summer weather

March 14, 2013
The slightest bit of sunshine and warm temperatures and my kids insist that it's summer weather!

You know, the kind of weather that means Popsicles on your face, dirt on your hands, and flip flops on your feet.

Let's just hope March goes out like a lamb instead of a lion or I'm going to have two very upset children on my hands.

My Orange Duffel Bag

March 13, 2013
Our YW activity fell through so last minute we decided to go listen to Sam Bracken, author of "My Orange Duffel Bag."

I'm glad we got kicked out of the temple. Ok, so we didn't get kicked out but apparently you can't just waltz up to the temple and clean folks' windshields as a secret service.

Sam grew up in Las Vegas, NV abused, addicted to drugs, and abandoned. He faced insurmountable odds and triumphed with the help of incredible mentors and friends who wouldn't give up on him and a determination to "not be like them anymore." I left feeling inspired to be that agent of change in someone's life. It was so refreshing to hear from someone who grew up and experienced everything that I try to help prevent in my job professionally and survived. And not just survived, triumphed.

And as Sam said, that one life is worth saving.

{And yes, that is THE orange duffel bag. Watch the trailer to his book.}

Red Bandana

March 12, 2013
I came home from work today and discovered Blu had a new, well technically used, fashion accessory.

A red bandana. Covered in white fur.

Which could only mean one thing. She had a visit from our good friend Marlowe and his dog - Blu's momma - Lucky.

Lucky has a new litter of puppies - 13 in all - and one of them is coming home with us for a few days until we can get "Leroy," as I've named him, up to Malad, ID for our nephew. I think Marlowe was hoping if Blu smelled like Lucky and the puppies that we'd have a smoother transition.

He must have forgotten that Blu would cower to a squirrel if cornered.

Prophets

March 11, 2013
Pearl is bound and determined to save our heathen family, one Monday Family Home Evening at a time.

Thank goodness her Primary teachers {who are seriously the BEST teachers ever} came to the rescue this week with a fully supplied matching game on the Latter-day Prophets.

Admit it. I've got you singing the "Latter-day Prophets are Number One..." song in your head now.

All we had to do was glue, cut, and color.

Or in our case, all mom had to do was glue, cut, and color all but a few matches.

Taking Blu on a Walk

March 10, 2013
With the beautiful spring weather FINALLY here, I can take the dog and the kids on a walk along our favorite trail. I took a ton of cute pictures of the kids and Blu chasing each other up and down the trail, but this one was my favorite. Cole insisted that it was his turn to walk Blu... "by myself Mom!" That kid loves his dog.

It was a good thing Blu was already tired from running until she barfed {Seriously. I'm not sure which is more depressing, me not losing any weight or flab after 7 months of walking her or Blu barfing because she's just as out of shape STILL as I am.}. Otherwise, I'm not sure the whole take Blu on a walk thing would have ended as well as it did.

For Fern at least.

Saturday is a Special Day

March 9, 2013
Saturday is a special day, it's the day we....

Go to the "candy store" (aka, the Amish Store) on our way to Logan.

We stop for cheese (at Gossner's)

And we get all clean (in this case, my wedding ring... looks as sparkly as it did 10+ years ago).

So we can spend all of Jeff's money on new Aggie gear, go to dinner, the basketball game, and for Aggie ice cream.

{If you don't know the tune to this Primary song, well, then you're really missing out!}

Shoes

March 8, 2013
It got awfully quiet today, which is never a good sign.

Especially with the boy.

Luckily for me, he'd only gotten to a few of our shoes.

Whole New World

March 7, 2013
So this is what it's like to take Blu for a walk before 10 at night. In daylight. It's like a whole new world! Too bad that new world doesn't include a dog who is well behaved when kids ride by on their scooters, or some poor lady walks past after getting off the bus, or leisurely walks without pulling on the leash.

Blu will never learn!

CPR

March 6, 2013
Our Young Women activity sort of flopped tonight. First we were supposed to do some Spa Day sort of thing with the girls and their moms but then the Relief Society had some activity so we decided to not bother them with two meetings. Then we decided to go up to the temple and wash car windshields of those doing temple service but it decided to rain. Or at least attempt to rain. Plus it was cold.

So we decided to crash the Young Men activity which was CPR training. We should have planned to do that from the beginning. It was a good refresher for me and I'm glad the youth could learn CPR. You never know when something could happen. I just really hope none of us have to ever use it.

Proof

March 5, 2013
I wanted proof that my children do in fact have their hair combed before we leave the house.

I can't make any promises about the end of the day though.

Sorry!

March 4, 2013
I am going to burn in Hell.

Want to know why?

My sweet Pearl has asked me when we can do Family Home Evening again every Monday for months. And what do I respond with? It's late. It's bedtime. Maybe after dinner. I didn't get anything ready this week. Maybe next week.

So tonight she took matters into her own hands and announced that we would read scriptures and then play a game. We read - and she asked why we had to stop after one chapter - and then broke out Sorry! It's a game that goes relatively quick and Cole can play. At least he thinks he can play.

I thought Pearl's choice in games was appropriate given how I felt about not being a better mom.

Sorry!

Anywhere Else

March 3, 2013
I'd rather be ANYWHERE else right now.

Doing ANYTHING else.

Doughnut store

March 2, 2013
I don't know where this kid gets some of his ideas... like how every Saturday we are supposed to go to the "doughnut" store.

I'm not exaggerating when I say Cole asked me "Time go doughnut store? Today?" at least 500 zillion times today. I was about to pull my hair out!

But it worked.

And once we made a trip to Krispy Kreme he was content.

Breyer Horse

March 1, 2013
My favorite toys growing up were Breyer horses. My mom loved Breyer horses too and I inherited some of hers. I don't know where they are now... I hope I didn't get rid of them and that they are buried at my mom's somewhere.

Every Christmas until I was legally an adult, I got a Breyer horse. I loved them. So much so that I almost kept them forever hidden from my own kids. But something told me that I needed to share something I treasured... like my very first Breyer horse. A beautiful Appaloosa I had named Apple Jacks. Have I mentioned I also loved My Little Ponies?

I just hope today I don't regret my sharing because Cole insisted on taking his horse to school for show and tell.

Puppy Pals

February 28, 2013
Having a puppy is like having a 3rd child. Everywhere I go, Blu goes too. The bathroom for example. Why is it that little kids and now puppies have to follow their moms into the bathroom? And sit right under their feet?

Sort of like this. Sitting right under my feet after a long walk.

Yoga

February 27, 2013
I took the kids to Young Women yoga tonight.

I knew Pearl would love it. She does yoga at school and tells me all the time that she's good at it. And I figured Cole would be entertained by the shear fact he could take his shoes off and wiggle around. But by wiggle I mean, crawl underneath me, climb on my back, and spank my butt while I attempted to get my 30-something year old body to bend and stretch in ways I haven't before.

The girls found it entertaining.

And Pearl? Well, she showed up everyone there. Even the instructor at times. 

Terrible Twos Turns Into Trying Threes

February 26, 2013
This sweet, innocent face is about the only thing innocent today. Within the last month, Cole has decided to assert his terrible two-ness, soon to be the ever so fun trying threes. The screaming, tantrums, whining, repeated "NO!," disobedience, and more screaming is driving us completely bonkers. There's nothing like the twos and threes to make you feel like you are doing a wonderful job as a mother, raising a righteous, caring generation.

And I thought his sister was bad.

Rice Krispie Treats

February 25, 2013
Nothing screams St. Patrick's Day like green rice krispie treats covered in white chocolate and Christmas sprinkles. If you look really close you can see white snowflakes instead of pots of gold.

Icy Home Repair

February 24, 2013
Don't worry... as the entire North side of our roof came crashing down, filled with 6-8 inches of solid ice, not a single Christmas light was lost.

Jeff's been worried for weeks about our gutters being filled with a massive sheet of ice but there wasn't much we could do except watch the gutter sag day after day and hope it held.

Well, it didn't. We were extremely lucky - blessed - that no one was walking in the driveway when it gave way. Or that we hadn't parked the car there. Had any of the ice hit someone, they would have been killed.

Time Leave

February 23, 2013
While at the grocery store, where Cole was being more than "helpful," he looked down at his watch (which is really a compass) and sternly told me, "See Mom! Time leave!"

No joke.