glutton for punishment

about 20 minutes after the girls arrived, we found this container of Vicks vapor rub (one that had been purchased the day before and had never been used..)

I was sure it was Simon because, in my opinion, little girls never get into trouble. But soon we found little Betty like so.

She had washed her hair with it.. and it was so much worse than vaseline because her head and eyes were burning! Poor little thing!

We bathed her upstairs and dressed her in Simon's room... which meant that we put Simon's clothes on her. Why? Because it was funny. Naturally, with Betty in boy clothes, we had to find a cute dress for Simon to wear. Yes, I did get in BIG trouble last month when I put mascara on my son. And yes, I did promise my husband that I would never put makeup on any of our kids again. But I NEVER promised that I wouldn't dress them in cute leggings or pink shoes. And besides, Deb was here to protect me/take the blame if I was worried about a beating later that night.

We took the kids out to dinner (Cafe Rio) because Aaron was working late. We laughed the entire time because Simon looked so cute. Everything he did was more darling. And Betty was definitely uglier in boy clothes. She was grumpy and dirty and just not so cute. Simon kept telling her to stop crying, but she was just not a happy camper wearing ugly clothes...

Simon was still boy, throwing rocks and eating like a monster. But he sure was a cutie! He had a black headband/bow for his spiky hair, but he wouldn't keep it on for nothin.

We rushed home-- hoping to make it back before Daddy, but luck wouldn't have it. I wish I would have taken a picture of Aaron's face when he saw Simon. I got into trouble, but I haven't been punished yet. I think he's waiting until the visitors to leave before he gives me a spanking.

the girls are back in town!

my sister and her FOUR GIRLS are visiting. We are having such a dramatic, emotional, estrogenic time! Love this weather! Love these cute kids!

hot dogs, baseball and dog poop.

For FHE last night we took advantage of the {absolutely gorgeous} weather and bbqed at the park. We had a truly balanced meal which consisted of hot dogs, cantaloupe & mango and Cheetos.. all of which left Simon's face looking a little orange.

After dinner (and zero dishes) we played baseball in the grass. It would have been a fabulous game had we not invited our dog. Anytime anyone hit the ball, she was the first to grab it... and it took us 10 minutes in between each hit to get it out of her mouth. The kids (and daddy) literally spent the whole time chasing her around, trying to get the ball. I was struggling with my new camera trying to find a way to take focused pictures without using the flash. Not easy to do when everyone is running around.

After it got dark, Sunny finally settled down and stopped hogging the ball. I was so proud of her and was about to tell her what a good girl she was being when she squatted right in the middle of our playing field and pooped. It became the new second base.

Having a dog has been quite the adventure-- but it's not as picture perfect as we had imagined. In fact, sometimes it's down right poopy. She can be a big fat stinker, but it's hart to stay mad at her for long.

Oh, yes and Zack came too, but it was really hard to keep him in one place. This is the only picture I got of him and it's not one to be proud of, but it is evidence that he was present (and happy to be alive!)

Ps. My husband is super sexy when he:
1. cooks dinner
2. wears cute "dad outfits" to the park
3. plays sports with my kids
4. doesn't complain when I take pictures
5. cleans up crap

muzeeum

last week we hit up the local children's museum. the kids always love it there and I think Jake and Cody were impressed too.

 

changed for the better

My baby had a nightmare last night. I can't be sure about it, because he doesn't say much, but he's never screamed like that before, especially at 3 am. I quickly jumped out of bed and ran into his room. He was immediately calm when he saw me & collapsed on my shoulder while I rocked him back to sleep. After ten minutes or so, I tried to put him back in his crib, but he wasn't having it. My feet were cold and I wanted to crawl back under my own covers, so I did what I never do... I brought him back to bed with me.

I've always been really picky about who I let in my bed. But last night was something special. Simon didn't want to lay next to me, he wanted to be right on top. He smothered his face into my neck and started snoring. I could feel his dandelion hair move each time I let out a breath. He was 28 lbs of dead weight-- his arms and legs wrapped tightly around my body. I was extremely tired, but I was afraid to fall asleep because I just couldn't let this pass me by. It felt too good.

As I laid there, my thoughts went back to one of the lowest times in my life. August 2008. We were waiting to close on our house, but got kicked out of our rental... which made us homeless. Two days before we moved, I miscarried. It was my third miscarriage in 12 months. My body was so confused, my hormones all over the place. I was trying to be grateful for what I had, but I felt empty inside. I couldn't talk to my husband about it and the last thing I wanted to do was announce it my friends and family because I didn't even know what I was going through myself. It was hard to put into words. I wanted another baby, but didn't want to continue getting pregnant only to miscarry again. I felt distant, hollow, alone.

Aaron was working while the boys and I stayed in a hotel and for some reason being away from "normal" life was a blessing. I didn't have to have real conversations, I didn't have to pretend like everything was okay when it wasn't. One week after the miscarriage, we traveled to California to stay with Aaron's brother and his wife. Moments after we arrived, they announced they were expecting their first baby. I was absolutely thrilled for them, but didn't know how to respond or what to say. I was afraid to show any emotion because if I allowed myself to FEEL, I was sure I would shatter into a million pieces.

We packed a lunch and headed to the beach. Everyone built a sandcastle while I laid a distance away, trying to survive. The beach doesn't seem like the best place to deal with the aftermath of a miscarriage, but it was exactly where I needed to be that day. I laid there quiet and listened to my breath, in and out, in and out. I felt as though 28 pounds of bricks were on my chest, but it felt good to be breathing. In the distance my children were laughing. My husband was throwing a frisbee with his brother and all was right in the world. It was the beginning of the healing process for me.

That night I told Aaron we needed to go out, just the two of us. He was hesitant because I was cramping regularly and needed to use the bathroom often. But I insisted. I need to do something, go some place where I could be free. His brother and sweet wife watched our boys and we went to see the Broadway musical WICKED. It was wickedly awesome and exactly what I needed... I sobbed through the entire show. My poor husband wasn't sure what to do with me and kept asking if I wanted to go home. But I couldn't miss a minute of it. It felt too good.

I look back to this picture and only feel love for that poor husband who didn't know what to say to his lost wife. I felt weak and small and I was absolutely terrified that I wouldn't be able to recover. I didn't realize how much strength I had inside of me. All I wanted was to turn back into the girl I used to be, but what I realized that night is that I had changed for good. This experience molded me into someone better-- a stronger, more courageous version of myself. I became grateful for the big things and not so worried about what I didn't have control over. I think this experience allowed me to see things for what they are. It allowed me to accept the fact that I didn't need anything more than what I already had.

Life throws curve balls, but we have to keep swinging. It's the difficult times that make us stronger and more grateful and eventually... better. Sometimes it takes a really trying experience for us to realize how GOOD we have it. Sometimes it takes a baby waking up in the middle of the night for me to realize how blessed I am.

a view out my laundry room window

The maze is still intact.
Luke is waiting at the finish line to see if Cody and Sunny can make it through.
Ben is chasing down trash like a Good Samaritan.

We all love when Aunt Cody comes to visit.
Aaron especially loves his sis. So do I, especially.
We've taken many a walks this week, even in the windy weather.
Zack is always too lazy to walk and squishes in the wagon next to the fat baby.

Sunny's clean coat is even prettier in the wind. She knows how to work the cam.
Whenever I call her next to me, she sits. And I love her for it.
She is such a sweet dog.

wash your face in dirty water

After the hike at Red Rock (where Sunny not only fell off a huge boulder and landed on her side, but where she also dipped her entire body in the water at the falls and then covered it in dirt) it was time for a bath. She loves the water. Every time we bathe her, I feel bad we don't have a lake for her to swim in everyday. The kids always crowd around her and scrub her body... and then they talk about how dirty the water is, which always make me sick. Who would have ever thought I would be sharing my prized bathtub with a dog? A dirty one at that.

Sunny's least favorite part of the bath is getting out and being dried off. We have to trap her in a bunch of towels and each dry as fast as we can. She will only sit there for a minute before she shakes the water off herself-- and no one wants to be around for that.

Right as I was snapping this picture, Zack complained about his drying assignment. I wish I would have gotten it on video because it was awesome. In a very annoyed tone he stated, "No fair! I always have to dry her private parts!" As if it's his permanent chore or something. I told him not to worry, next bath he can dry her boobies. She's got a dozen of them (but who's counting?)

Teeter totter,
Bread and water,
Wash your face in dirty water.

Anyone else sing that nonsensical tune on the playground?

grounded.

I'm afraid this will be lost if I don't write it down...

Sunday mornings are always a bit crazy around these parts. But this morning was even more chaotic because I was in charge of sharing time in Primary and put off my puzzle making until the morning... which makes me a terrible Sister Friendly.

Like usual, Ben picked up the slack. He showered and dressed quickly and then helped the younger kids in the bath. He washed Simon's hair, kept the soap out of his eyes, towel dried him, strapped a diaper on him, picked out a somewhat-matching outfit and poured him a bowl of cereal (sans milk). When I finished my lesson, Ben brought the almost ready child to me and said, "Mom, he's ready to go, but he still needs socks and shoes. Will you get those for him?" I smiled and said I would.

Then he lead everyone out to the car and buckled them up in their seat belts. I was the last one out, but we made it to the church with plenty of time to spare. When we pulled up in the parking lot, I still wanted to put on my makeup (I felt forced out the door before I was ready!) So Ben said, "Hand me his shoes and socks and I will put them on while you finish up." It was then I realized that I hadn't brought any shoes and socks. Oops. I told Ben I was sorry and he took a big sigh while saying, "I only asked you to do ONE thing, Mom." While in Sacrament meeting, I found a pair of clean socks in the diaper bag and showed them to Ben. He whispered (without really making a sound) "You're lucky!" Of course, it was all very funny, but it's also kind of sad to realize how common it feels. More times than not, I am the one getting the lecture... not the one dishing it out. I thought my days of punishment were over...

Sharing time was fun. I love being involved with the Primary. We talked about President Monson and what makes him such a special Prophet of God. We read several quotes from him, many directed for children. At one point, I asked the kids if it was a good idea to listen to their parents. They all nodded and when I asked why, one little boy raised his hand while saying, "So we don't get grounded!" Children are so innocent and so honest. I absolutely love being a mother. Sometimes I don't always do as I am told, but I am learning to be better, day by day.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes by Thomas S. Monson:

• "Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

• "Everyone can be discontented if he ignores his blessings and looks only at his burdens."

• "He who gives money gives some, he who gives time gives more, and he who gives of himself gives all."

• "Stick to a task 'til it sticks to you. . .for beginners are many, but finishers few."

• "We tend to become like those whom we admire."

• "Don't save something for a special occasion. Every day of your life is a special occasion."

• "Don't forget: one of the saddest things in life is wasted talent."

• "Sometimes we let our thoughts of tomorrow take up too much of today. Daydreaming of the past and longing for the future may provide comfort but will not take the place of living in the present. This is the day of our opportunity, and we must grasp it."

• "Our most significant opportunities will be found in times of greatest difficulty. "

church ball

For the past few weeks, we've spent Thursday nights cheering on our favorite baller.  This last week was their last game, and I brought along my new camera (although I will be the first to admit that I don't know what I'm doing with it.)  Auntie Cody came along to cheer on the Shuminator...  The season is over, but if he can help it, he will be playing all year round.

these last two were taken with only a few seconds to go...

Someone is a Jimmawannabe.

And this little boy wants to be JUST like his pops.  All throughout the game, he follows Daddy with his little pointer finger and says, "Yay!  Daddy!"  He knows he's not supposed to go on the court, but that doesn't keep him from lugging around a big bball.  He thinks he's pretty hot stuff.

Aaron remains busy, but I am constantly amazed at what a balanced person he is.  He somehow always knows what I need and never fails to prove to his family that we come first- no matter what.  At the end of a particularly trying week (doctor and dentist visits... sick kids... visitors... messy house, etc.) Aaron knows exactly how to pick up the pieces and make everything better.  He is the glue that keeps our family together.

Last night (Friday) we snuck away from the kids and went to see a movie.  We were late getting seats because the popcorn line was too long (and you can't see a movie without it.)  We walked into a dark theatre and I didn't see a step down and almost fell.  He caught me and before we could even catch our breath I missed a stair going up.  We were giggling hard when we finally sat down.  I whispered to him, "Are you embarrassed of me?"  He smiled and said, "Of course not.  I'm totally used to it by now..."  and then he added, "you've had much better falls over the years.. that was weak sauce."

I love him and I always will.