mid December

my husband is doing squats and sit ups in front of my bed.  I was watching him for a minute and then felt guilty for not joining him.  So instead of joining, I am blocking him with my computer screen.  I have so much to blog about, I just don't have time to exercise.

Somewhere in mid December, we were supposed to leave on our trip to Utah.  I had our bags packed.  I made sure the cards were sent and the neighbor gifts were delivered and everything was taken care of on the homefront.  On the last night before we were supposed to leave, I made a few visits to some women in my ward.  Aaron texted me and said our dog was in heat.  Sunny hasn't had a cycle in over 14 months and we all know I've waited long enough for puppies.  We were planning on leaving her with friends, but if and when we were going to breed her, it would happen in Utah because Vegas has crazy breeding laws (your dog needs to be in a national pet show to be qualified to have puppies)  It's not that she's not pretty enough to be in a national pet show, but I don't want her to worry about superficial things like crowns and titles.  I just want her to be a mama.

When I arrived home that night, I asked (begged) Aaron if we could take Sunny with us on the two week Christmas vacation that was already going to be insanely busy and exhausting.  He rolled his eyes and said we should find a stud and see if he was available over the Holidays before we bring her along.  So, instead of driving early the next morning like we had planned, I spent several hours on the phone calling all the male miniature poodles I knew.  Aaron was doing laundry and taking care of the kids while I was on the phone.  Somewhere between his second and third load of dirty clothes, our washer exploded... flooding our laundry room.  Our washer had been making weird sounds the weeks prior, but Aaron broke it for good and we couldn't come home from an exhausting two week vacation to a broken laundry room.  Before we knew it, our 5 kids were loaded in the van and we were picking up a new washing machine.  The kids were thrilled (not) about getting a new washer instead of playing in the snow with their cousins.  We made it up to them by stopping at Cafe Rio for lunch :)

While the kids happily stuffed themselves with adult-sized portions of mexican food, my husband and I talked about our crazy life... how difficult it was to get ready for the trip and how he had the day off work but was spending it loading and unloading washers from the 2nd floor of our house rather than on the ski slopes in Utah.  I understood his frustration.  I wanted to be frustrated too, but I was excited about the fact that we could possibly have little puppies in our house for our children to hold and care for and eventually sell.  After a few minutes of going back and forth about our plans, Aaron said kindly, "I just don't think we're ready for puppies."  I looked at him and busted up laughing and eventually he did too.  We aren't ready for five kids and we have them.  We had a washer in the back of our 15 passenger van and starving kids surrounding us on all sides.  But they were good kids and our dog is the sweetest pet ever and it felt like the right time.  We ended the conversation laughing (but probably for different reasons...)

So the next morning, after our new washer was running smoothly and we all had a good night's sleep, we packed up our big van with our five kids and our big Golden Retriever and we drove up to Salt Lake for two weeks of madness.  On the drive up, we talked about our hopes and dreams for our family and especially our kids and decided that they were indeed ready to take care of puppies, even if I am not the most responsible mom in the whole world.  We were able to breed her (artificially inseminate) a few days after Christmas, but we're not sure if it worked out... a few more weeks and we'll know if there are any puppies in  the oven.  Whether or not it worked out, I am so glad we went for it and took her along for the ride.  Those few weeks of traveling as a family (and making decisions together as a couple despite the madness) will be etched in my heart and mind for always.  My husband loves and supports me and he is SUCH a great sport. I love thinking back to the hilarious (but somewhat pathetic) conversation in Cafe Rio... it proves to me how much we can do in a moments notice and how flexible we are when a wrench in thrown in the plan.  I love being a wife and mother but mostly because I get to do it along such an easy-going, hard working guy.

Next essay will explain why Santa brought SNAKES for Christmas!

(workout over)

Hello 2013. I love you.

One of these days I'm gonna blog about what happened in the months 2012.  The lack of documenting will explain my year exactly.  My hands were too full to type.  Great things happened in 2012.  I have many pictures to show for the memories we made, but I regret not having the little moments written down.  Something has to give and unfortunately the blogging ball was dropped.  2013 looks promising.

This year I will not be making specific goals.  I chose to have a "get organized" theme for 2013.  I want to focus my days and months on organizing my time, space and ideas..  I have a lot of adventures planned and projects to look forward to.  I am beyond excited that my kids are home to experience them together and I am grateful they will have the time to plan and organize their own projects and adventures.  We are going to have a memorable year.

We spent New Years Day in the car, driving south.  It felt SO GOOD to watch the temperature rise as we traveled.  We arrived home, unpacked the van immediately (part of my "get organized" theme... every single item in our car was put where it needed to go-- we didn't unload, we unpacked..  It was also a huge help that I took down Christmas decor before we left!)  We locked up our snow gear and hope we won't see it for a long time.  Boots and gloves and coats suck.  Unless you're skiing or sledding.  

Our fridge was empty, so we had ramen noodles and sparkling cider for dinner.  The boys never had it so good.  Annie was on TV while we cleaned up the kitchen and I was pleasantly surprised to hear my husband sing along to every song.  I had no idea he was such an Annie fanatic.  We cuddled up by the fire and put together new puzzles and lego sets while Miss Hannigan got drunk.  And then we read scriptures together and knelt for family prayer and thanked God for all that He's given us, particularly the family that lives far away.  I am so happy to be home.  So happy to be here, where I am, with those i love most.  I need nothing more.  

and PS.  my bed is the most comfortable bed in the world.  five stars at the Hilton should be ashamed of itself.  I slept like a baby last night, I was snoring again... now we're off to the pet store to buy mice for our snakes!

  

2012 Christmas Card

reception issues

we planned a family (FHE) outing to see the lights at the cactus gardens tonight.  it's like a mini-temple square, without a temple. in warmish Vegas weather.  Aaron was going to meet us on the way because it's closer to his work and I didn't want to go late(r).  The kids and I ran a few errands before we left to meet Dad.  Like always it was crazy getting out the door and even crazier after dragging five kids into the grocery store and library.  Aaron called me as I was buckling in the littles in their car seats.  We were about 10 minutes away from our meeting spot.  Roma was screaming, Simon was singing at the top of his lungs and the other three boys were trying to tell me something so amazing that it just couldn't wait. all at the same time.  I tried to quiet them, but to no avail.  This is my version of the conversation:

Aaron:  Where are you?

Janet:  just finishing up at the library, the kids are wired.

A: still planning on the lights?

J: Yep.  it's a little colder than i was expecting. 

A: did you bring my jacket?

J:  no.  I barely brought the kids.  no one has jackets.

A: well, do you want to head back home?

J:  no.  we're out.  let's go.

A: I thought you wanted to meet here.  I'm here waiting in the parking lot.

J:  I do want to meet. I'm not late yet.  You try hauling five kids around.

A:  Is it worth it going tonight if we don't have jackets?

J:  sure.  Let's just run around and if it's too cold, we can go back to the car.

A: Do you want to try to go another night this week?
J:  no.  We can just go without out you, Freezy Baby.  

A:  Well, I am here waiting.

J:  I have five minutes to get there, but I'm not driving because I'm busy talking to you about whether or not we should go.

A:  K- see you in a few.

J: Bye.  Geez.

When I hung up the phone I was so mad.  He has NO IDEA what I do with these kids.  where does he get off ordering me around like that?  I was festering up the whole drive there and couldn't wait to dish it out when we arrived.  A few minutes later, Aaron gets in the van.  (I am still driving.)

J:  We are three whole minutes late, why are you so uptight?

A:  I'm not.  I'm ready to party!  Hey guys!  Let's party!

J:  Of course you're all fun and games, but you don't know what it's like to cart the kids around all day.

A:  I thought you wanted to go.

J: I do, but I don't like when you assume I'll do EVERYTHING.

A:  Like what?  I didn't assume anything.  I have treats.  Who wants licorice?

Kids:  ME! Me! ME!

J: Like assuming I'm going to be late.  I'm never late.  And assuming I'll grab your jacket.  Do you know I lugged 5 kids, a stroller, and 3 bags of library books out to the car?  

A:  Sorry, I just hadn't heard from you and wondered if you still wanted to go.

J:  I sent you a text from the library.  I said we were coming.

A:  Oh.  I didn't get it.

J:  Hmm.

I pull out my phone (while stopped at a light, of course) and realize my text never sent because the reception at the library was bad..  I also noticed there were two previous texts from Aaron.  The first one said, "Hey.  I think it's going to be cold tonight.  Would you mind grabbing my jacket in the front closet before you come? Thanks hun."  The second said, "Excited to see you guys.  Let me know how things are going and if you need anything. I will swing by the store and get some treats."

I read them and laughed.  And then smiled at my sweet husband.  And then I punched him in the arm.  If he wasn't so darn nice all the time I would hate him.  He says from now on he's going to blame every disagreement on a failed text.  If' I'm mad at him, all he will have to say is, "Didn't you get my text?  I sent it a while ago asking if there was anything I could do to help."

here's us at the lights, having the time of our lives.  accept for Simon.  He was mad his gloves weren't perfectly on every finger, so he ripped them off entirely.  Aaron has a picture of the whole family on his phone, but I have yet to receive the picture text... 

.

tired

Hi.  so whoa.. it's been three weeks.  this may or may not be the longest hiatus on my blog to date.  not sure but I don't have time to find out.

we've been partying the past few weeks. Christmas parties, two different Santas, sending 2012 cards, neighborhood goodies, visits from both sets of grandparents and lots of home-grown family fun.  Homeschooling his still happening and I haven't regretted it a day since I pulled them out.  We're loving our days together... chaos and all.

Aaron has been one busy Mister lately.  He just finished up a trial in Reno. We are super excited to have him back.  After two weeks of being a single-mom, I was pretty tired.  I didn't realize it until after Aaron got home, though.  Before he came home, I was feeling like I was pretty hot stuff.  Who needs husbands anyway?  The night Aaron flew home, I had a relief society activity.  I left the older boys to babysit and had dinner on the table.  When I got home, I was so happy to see Aaron and crawled into bed to talk to him about his week and within minutes (literally) I was snoring. BTW, I never snore. Aaron took this video and showed me the next day and I was laughing so hard.  Don't remember anything he said to me that night.  How's that for a welcome home party?  Seriously, I am still trying to recover from the past few weeks.  Just so glad we've survived.

Aaron and I went on a date last night, dinner and hot chocolate.  I have been very cordial since he's been home... I'm not at all mad at him, but I also have a hard time connecting when we go weeks without really talking.  Usually absence makes the heart grow fonder, but these past couple of weeks, I've had to toughen up.  There were no tears or whining... not enough time for that. While he was away, I realized how independent I really am.  I grew up knowing that I didn't need anyone else to be happy.  With Aaron's work schedule and busy church callings and five busy kids, I think I've grown a tough shell, not just these past few weeks, but this has been building for years.  When my parents came last week, I plugged back into that strong, independent girl I once was.  So when Aaron came home, I happily welcomed him home, but I didn't want to lose any of that independence I regained.  I know it sounds silly, but I really loved feeling strong when he was gone and didn't want to be so dependent on him anymore.  So, we went out for dinner and got hot chocolate and talked in the car outside our house while all our kids slept inside.  I wanted to get out and crawl into bed, but Aaron locked the doors and wouldn't let me out.  He wanted me to talk about what was wrong.  I insisted that nothing was.  (It wasn't.  Life happens and I seriously wasn't mad.)  But the more he insisted, the more I realized that I was throwing a tantrum in my own independent way.  I don't like that he knows me so well.  That even pretending that everything was perfectly fine, he knew I wasn't being myself.  I was all smiles, but I had built walls up.  We stayed out in the car for almost two hours.  It was great to talk-- really talk about the roles we play as parents and spouses.  I wouldn't want to be married to anyone else.  He forces me to look at situations from a different angle and sometimes he knows that something is bothering me when I don't even know myself.  I've been thinking about that a lot today and wanted to write it down.  And so even if this doesn't make sense to the rest of the cyber world, I learned something new about myself.