last night

last night was pack meeting with the cub scouts. it had already been a long, hot day and we were dragging. Aaron was going to meet me at the church, but I called him on his way home because i couldn't find my keys. I have two vans right now. the big one was blocking the little one and we couldn't go anywhere without a special set of keys. Aaron told me he could come pick us up... and then I called him back a minute later excited that I had found them in a toy bin the boys had taken upstairs. Aaron was surprised to hear how happy I was. He has no idea what it's like to feel frazzled. My 5 kids and just knelt down with me and said a prayer about our predicament. Finding them was nothing short of a miracle. This was us on the drive... air conditioning blasting allllll the way to the back of the bus.

Pack meeting was completely pointless... for me. I've GOT to find a hobby that conflicts with that meeting. Roma's cleavage was hanging out all night and it was so cute.

After scouts, we went to Subway because I chose to shower instead of make dinner (gotta pick your battles wisely). The guy making our sandwiches was SO thrilled to see that our baby was a girl. I love that total strangers find such joy in the daughter that FINALLY joined our family. I get comments about her every time I'm out. Sometimes from several people in one day. I love celebrating her arrival, especially with random people. She is such a gift.

While eating, Aaron and I were talking about a friend-- a married man who told a woman he isn't married to that she is beautiful. It's a nice compliment, but his wife wasn't present, and it was awkward. I asked Aaron if he has ever said that (or a something similar) to another woman. Aaron replied, "All the time." I quickly jumped on the comment and asked, "Who is she?" and then I took a drink. But before I swallowed, I said, "I'll kill her." My drink went down the wrong way and instead of choking, my words came out really deep and threatening. I seriously laughed about that for 30 straight minutes. Aaron laughed at me laughing and neither of us could stop. I guess you had to be there.

Ben is always one to come up with the serious dinner-time conversation and wanted to know if we think Obama or Mitt will win the election. I told him I hope Mitt wins, but I think he's going to have a tough battle. The boys couldn't understand why anyone wouldn't vote for Mitt. I broke the sad news to them that a lot of people hate Mormons or just think we're weird. Ben was confused and offended and said, "We are so not weird. We are awesome." we totally are.

Subway shares a store with a donut place and Aaron joked the older boys, "If I eat all my food, will you buy me a donut, please. Please?" Luke told him no because he hasn't been a good boy. Simon jumped in and said, "Yeah. I will buy you a donut. I got my moneys." His confidence is a great thing to behold. He thinks he's in charge of everyone. Come to find out, he doesn't have any moneys, so no one got a donut.

After dinner (we were still driving separate cars) I took the three older boys to a late night swimming party at a friend's house. Aaron took the babies to the Bishop's house to drop off a gift and say goodbye. On my way home, I met him over there and took the babies so they could talk in peace and quiet. I ended up staying and dominating the conversation... I hate when I do that. Aaron was smiling at me the whole time. He loves when I walk in a room and think I am in charge. Simon gets it from his mama.

The babies and I got home around 9:30. Roma was asleep two minutes later. Simon was running around the house looking for the big kids. He couldn't believe they had gone somewhere without him. I opened my laptop and he laid next to me on my bed. Jane had posted this on facebook: My kids spent a solid hour today drawing up plans for "Simon Traps." Here's just one of them. Basically they're going to give him a ball, he'll kick it and hit the switch that makes a bucket of water fall on his head, then he'll trip over the treasure box, and hit the other switch, which will make the other bucket of water fall on him. I'll totally understand if you never want to leave him with me (and my terrible children) again.

He saw the picture and this conversation followed:

Simon- who is that guy? is that Daddy?

Me- no, it's a picture of you. Vaughn and Mason drew it.

Simon- they did? And I'm really big?

Me- yep. and a bucket of water is going to spill out on your head.

Simon- No! That's yucky water.

Me- they are setting a trap for you.

Simon-- no. I will run away from them. And then I will throw a BOMB at them!

This is a very normal comment for Simon to make. He doesn't take threats from anybody. he's dangerous.

The older boys got home around 10:00 pm. I think. Aaron was finally home too. On the way to bed, I found Zack's name written in crayon in our stairway. I asked him if he did it and he told me Luke framed him. So I had them sit next to each other on the stairs. Both denied it. Eventually Zack started crying so I sent Luke to bed. Aaron came over to talk to Zack and I let them have some one-on-one time. Aaron is so good with the boys. He went over a list of things that Zack is good at: making Roma laugh, coloring and writing notes, being silly, helping set the table, etc. Then he told him we are trying to help him get really good at telling the truth, but it's gonna take some practice. Zack ate it up and apologized to Luke and I through tears. I love that child.

We finally went to sleep around midnight, but I couldn't sleep because I had caffeine at Subway and it had been awhile so I was wired. I tried writing the ward newsletter, but I have writer's block. Instead, I read Jane's latest blog entry and I cried tears of gratitude and admiration. Jane doesn't just write about the good things in her life, she lives it everyday. I've witnessed it with my own eyes and it's incredible. She fills her life with happiness. She glows and I love being around her. She was holding Roma and singing to her at the park earlier that day, and I thought about Adam, how perfect he was and what an amazing mother he has. She is such a huge blessing in my life.

I woke up this morning with lots of energy... must still be caffeine in my system. I followed Aaron downstairs and talked his ear off while he ate breakfast. Ro ate bananas and rice and green beans. She was a mess, so I bathed her in the sink. When Dad was leaving, I wrapped her in a warm towel and followed him to the door. I was dressed in my underwear and Aaron said to me, "I don't care how funny you think you are, you are not walking me to my car." Then he made Roma squeal as he opened and closed the front door. I wish I had a picture of her happy face, laughing at her Daddy. She is obsessed with him. So am I.

She went down for a nap an hour ago and I spent my free time writing this. Time is up. Until we meet again, dear blog. I've miss you.