Prime

It's 3am... But only 2am (thanks to daylight savings.) Either way it doesn't matter much. I am wide awake in bed and I won't be falling asleep anytime soon. And I feel like blogging. But I don't want to get out of my bed, so I'm typing with my phone. I really miss writing. I often wonder HOW I used to blog so often and so quickly because now I can never find the time to do it, but it just came naturally. The need I had to write is gone.  Hopefully it will come back soon because I do love it.  Sometimes people stop blogging when they are going through a difficult time, because they don't want to expose themselves in a negative light.  I know that is not true for me.  When I went through such a difficult time after Simon was born, my blog was my way out of the depression.  People say blogging is out, but I hope it's not for me.  I love having a place of my own to write when it's 2 am and I am all cozied up in my bed.

Life is busy. Good. But very busy. Aaron and I snuck away for a date on Friday night (InN'Out & Target) and over dinner we were discussing our age and stage in life.  Mid 30's.  We should be the PRIME years of our lives.  When I said that out loud, we busted out laughing. We couldn't stop. We we're laughing at ourselves and how pathetic our lives feel.  But the more we talked about it, the more we realized we don't have much to complain about.  Besides being busy with work, kids schedules, church callings and housework... we are very happy and feel extremely blessed.  Yes, we have a lot of kids, but they are all amazingly cute and darling.  And our relationship is stronger than it's ever been.  Maybe we will look back on this time and realize it WAS the very best.  I cannot wait for that time...

In fact, it seems like Aaron and I are always talking about when we are retired and the kids are out of the house.  Not like we want to kick them on the street already, but when we're really exhausted at the end of the day, we'll lay in bed and plan where we want to set up hammocks and what kind of drinks we'll order when we are laying on the beach getting massages.  Even though we know this will probably never happen, we talk about it all the time and it makes the miserable days seem doable.

This pregnancy is kicking my butt. I mean, I've never done pregnancy well but this is beyond exhausting for me. I am tired all the time during the day and I can never sleep at night. I am SUCH a great sleeper when I'm not pregnant. But I will be wide awake for hours in the middle of the night for no reason. I hate it. Why does it have to be so difficult?  I would consider having several more kids if I could function during pregnancy, but I honestly cannot fathom going through this one more time.  Not one more.  And I really don't even know how I'm possibly going to do laundry for another person!

One of my biggest worries and stresses is laundry these days. So sad to see those words written down but it's the truth. I cannot keep up on laundry. I've been behind since Roma joined the family and I've never been able to keep up. I've GOT to figure something out before baby #6 comes because life is too short to be worried about laundry.  The older boys have been good with washing and drying it, but no one is good about folding it or putting it away.  Once a week we try to crack down and have a laundry folding party, but they are never fun.  And now that summer is gone and winter is here, clothes only get bulkier and harder to wash.  We've got to have a laundry intervention soon. Or I might become a gypsy.  

I turned off my phone for a while and tried to sleep, to no avail.  It's now 4 am.  (would be 5 am without the extra hour.)  I have not slept a wink.  What is going on here?  This baby is kicking like crazy and my mind is racing with thoughts.  Random, stupid, meaningless thoughts.  I could do a blog post on each one.  Maybe if I list them, I will be able to sleep.

I am worried I'm not teaching the boys enough responsibility.  I wish we lived on a farm.

Simon's birthday is this week and if I don't get invitations out for his party asap, I will be in trouble.  by my four year old.  He's been talking about his party for a year.  

 Most people couldn't handle Simon as their child.  But I see myself as the luckiest mom around.  I am head over heels over this boy.  Have been since day one.

Roma is also my favorite.  Two is just so delicious.  She is such a party animal.  I didn't think I could love her any more and then Halloween happened.  That Smurfette amazed me.  I can't wait to be best friends with her when she's an adult.  I hope she will be friends with me.

My bosche broke this week.  I need a new one and I'm not sure I can wait until Christmas.  But they are $400.  I wish I could buy a used one.  But why would anyone sell the most amazing piece of machinery.  I need to figure out a plan soon.  My friends are getting sick of me borrowing theirs. (I can't live without one!)

My Dyson vacuum is terrible.  It doesn't suck at all which means it SUCKS big time.  I am so disappointed and wished I would have forked out money for a Kirby when we first moved into this house.  Vacuums need to work!

I am loving the Fall.  I know it's not technically fall in Vegas without leaves all over the street, but there are beautiful (close) drives to take that are still amazing in their own way.  And we won't have to deal with snow and winter coats and gloves unless we want to...  and that makes me really happy.  I could live here for always.

Planning a sisters trip soon.  Excited to see my family, but stressed about leaving my routine and husband and calling behind.  and I don't want to drive up into the cold.

I want to put up my Christmas tree already.

My bathrooms are never clean.  And I clean them often.  This is the only downside to having boys.  I need to have each of them wipe down a toilet every.single.day.

I feel like chopping my hair short... like boy short.  But I am too insecure about my chubby face to ever do it.  I would love to just jump out of the shower and run my fingers through my hair and be done.  I really dislike blow-drying my hair.  and my hair needs to be round-brushed or else I look like I got electrocuted.  my curls and frizz are worse when I'm pregnant, I think.

I feel like I've been pregnant forever.  and I still have forever to go.  I wish I knew how many weeks I was.  I could download an app on my phone but then it might make the pregnancy move even slower.

I really need to use the next 4 months to clean out our closets and make room for another.  We have WAY too much stuff.  and I throw away crap all the time.  And I hardly ever go shopping.  How does this happen?

We have choir practice in the morning.  We've decided to take all of our kids... our ward needs men and I want my kids to remember going to ward choir with their parents.  Too bad we don't sing well.

My dining room table has been clean for the last two days and those two days have been the most wonderful days of the year.  I'm glad Halloween is over.  making costumes was messy.

I'm really glad I don't have to teach tomorrow in Relief Society.  I love fast Sundays because there are no meetings.  and usually I love teaching, but I really didn't like my lesson last month.  can't put my finger on what bothers me so much about it, but I prefer to not think about it.

My fridge needs to be cleaned out.  I hate cleaning out my fridge.  But there's not a single person in the world that could or should do the job for me.  Must happen soon.

My husband is the best person to sleep next to.  He's always warm and he always lets me cuddle with him.  And he never makes any noises.  I love him.

I really do want to live on a farm.  I wish there were farms to visit in Vegas.

I am not sure what we're doing for the holidays.  I don't want to travel anywhere.  but I always end up missing family.  My kids never get to see their cousins.  Life sucks.

Haircuts tomorrow.  I hate when I wait until Sunday to do this, but Saturday was way too busy.  Scouts rules our life.  But it's a really amazing program to get involved with.

My dog never ovulates.

I need to post my facebook statuses to the blog.  That way I will have at least a portion of this last year documented.  Doing that now....

insta updating

This girl holds, feeds, changes, sings to, wraps up, reads to and loves on her babydolls 24/7. I'm excited (and really nervous) about bringing a real one into the home. #lilmom #bigsister #romashums#firstthinginthemorning

Looks like I missed out on some fun tonight. (organizing winter clothes instead.) I would have lost anyway...#fundad #nomercy #oldschoolnintendo #mortalcombat

The older boys are with Dad at scout camp all day. I get the awesome privilege of hanging with these cool cats. We're folding laundry, eating Halloween candy and making music videos.

Halloween 2013

Jack-o-lantern pizza going in the oven. #whatsfordinner#tradition #halloweenhappiness

Happy Halloween from the Smurfs! (we're still waiting on Gargamel) #shumkids — with Aaron Shumway.

They sewed their own hats and pants... And painted each others faces, which made a huge mess. Roma wins the award for the best Smurfette.. She kept her wig and hat on all night!

Smurfette has kept her wig and hat on all night. I'm SO surprised. She's a ham. #romashums #lukeshums

Riding the Hulet's train around the neighborhood is a MUST every Halloween. #zackshums

Last one, I promise. Gargamel and his cat. We didn't take a family photo because we weren't together I can handle 5 & 1/2 kids solo, but I'm worn out.#happyhalloween2013

The Smurfs were 100% the boys ideas.  They assigned everyone.  I was thrilled to be a cat.  We had plenty of time to plan and sew.  The only things we purchased were their blue shirts at walmart for $7 each.  Roma wore a boys shirt under her white dress and Simon's blue pajama pants.  We forgot to get her shoes so she rode in a stroller most of the night.  The day was a success all around.  Luke and Zack went to the Blue Diamond Elementary school party with Jane and boys.  Ben stayed home to watch the littles while I went to a quick dentist appt.  We spent the rest of the day reading, finishing up costumes and making dinner.  And even though I thought I was on top of things, we were still running out the door.  Ben ripped his homemade pants (right in the crotch) minutes before we left.  I sewed them up again quickly, but they ripped more an hour later.  He could care less.  Glad he had shorts on underneath.  We couldn't find Simon's red hat right before we were leaving, so we grabbed an old Christmas hat and quickly cut off and sewed the top.  He looked like a blue Santa Claus and that was okay.  The kids were happy and I am not a perfectionist.  It's about having a good time and we did.  

Halloween is so much better with the Hulet's train going around the neighborhood.  Roma especailly loved it and kept saying, "I ride train again!"  I love her full on sentences.  She's talking so much.  After the train rides and a few streets in West Chester, we went trick or treating with the Greens in Huntington.  Awesome Haunted House that freaked out Zack more than anyone else.  Lots of candy.  The Smurfs were so cute.  On the drive home Ben said, "I can't believe people dress up as the same thing as everyone else.  I do NOT want to be in a costume that 5 other people are wearing.  Unless those five people are my family."  Cute boy.  He's already thinking about next years costumes.  

* the problem with Aaron not coming home was not that he didn't come home... it was that I thought he was going to be home before the trunk or treat.  And then I thought he was going to meet us at the ward party.  And then I was waiting for him before we went trick or treating.... But he's not good at communicating (and he really didn't know how long he would be there either.)  Frustrated for him more than at him.  I want him home more.  He's such a good guy.  Too bad he has to work.  

October Facebook updates

10/10
Employee at the children's museum: I'm sorry but you need a parent to come in this area. 
Simon (pointing at her): Aren't you a parent? 
Employee: Yes, but you need YOUR parent. 
Simon: Ugh. Fine.

10/16
Cuddling with the handsomest little boy this morning-- 
Simon: mom, I have a crush on you. 
Me: you do? Do you know what that means? 
Simon: yep. That you love someone.
Me: well, I have a crush on you too. 
Simon: and you're a cute mom.
Me: I love when you're sweet. let's have a good day today and not fight about anything.
Simon: no. I can never promise you that.

10/16
Convo while Roma was sitting on the potty-- 
Ben: she's really smart. Don't you think?
Me: the smartest kid I've ever had. 
Ben: only because she has four older brothers. 
Me: or because she's a girl. 
Ben: you're not saying that girls are smarter than boys, are you? 
Me: that's exactly what I'm saying. 
Ben: I'm telling Dad you think that. 
Me: He'll agree with me, if he's smart. 
Ben: I don't think he will. 
Me: and that will prove my point.

10/16
Ben: I asked Dad if he thought girls were smarter than boys.
Me: and? 
Ben: he said, "Yes. Mom is smarter than me." 
Me: I told you so.
Ben: and then he said, "if you like a girl a lot, you should always let her think she's smarter than you, even if she's not."

10/20
It was Sunday. And he was crippled. And I wasn't wearing shoes (or a bra.) But we were thirsty. And he felt the baby move for the first time. And we wanted to celebrate. #latedate #711run #donttellthekids

10/22
"The opposite of play is not work. It's depression." - Brian Sutton-Smith

10/23
Jim Gaffigan is the most hilarious... "if you want to know what it's like having your fourth kid, just imagine you're drowning. And then someone hands you a baby." 

10/23
Luke: are those clothes dirty?
Ben: yep. 
Luke: you better put them in the RIGHT hamper in the laundry room. I've found a lot of your things on the floor this week and that's so not cool.
Ben: yes sir, master laundry nazi

10/24
Simon: MoMo, I love you SOooo much! (trying to hug her.) 
Roma: No. I love Dora.
10/26
Ben: You are the cutest sister we've ever had.
Roma: Yea. 
Luke: You're also the ugliest sister we've ever had. 
Roma: Yea. 
Zack: I'm not sure about that. The sister in mom's tummy pretty much looks like an alien.

10/26
Simon fell asleep on the couch for about an hour and then randomly joined the family discussion without skipping a beat... this convo is still making me laugh (because of the way he responded so quickly and matter-of-factly..)
Aaron: Hey! it's about time you woke up.
Simon: I wasn't sleeping. I was awake the whole time.
Aaron: so you were just laying down with your eyes closed? 
Simon: I was saying a prayer.
Aaron: That was a long prayer. 
Simon: I know. I just kept praying and praying that your ankle will get better. 
*can't believe this smart-alec is still only three.

10/28
Ben: Mom, if Dad died, would you just want to die too? 
Me: no. I would buy a nice motorhome with the insurance money and we would travel all around the country. 
Dad: and if mom died, we would buy a rocketship and fly to the moon!

10/29
When Aaron left for work this morning, I was laying on the couch feeling sick and unmotivated. He smiled at me and said to "hit it out of the park today." and then gave a full on demonstration of a baseball player swinging, watching the ball fly out of the park and the whole crowd cheering. I rolled my eyes at him but after he left, I immediately got up, started laundry, made a hot breakfast, organized my closet, cleaned the bathrooms, showered, put on real clothes...all before the kids woke up. After school work in the morning, we went out to lunch, visited the eye doctor, grocery shopped, practiced piano, set up dr appts and folded laundry. By the afternoon I was completely exhausted {and wanted to die} but I opted for a nap instead. I had to pick up tacos for dinner & took all the kids to the 100-years of scouting broadcast while also catching up on church obligations. Aaron came home around 8:30 tonight and although it wasn't a perfect day, I totally hit it out of the park. I'm going to bed feeling tired and grateful for my little crowd cheering me on.

10/30-
(every other week I'm supposed to attend Let's Play Music with my boys. This conversation happened this morning..)
Simon: My teacher told me that when moms come to music class they are supposed to stay outside. The whole time.
Me: No way! It's cold outside! Are you sure she said that or are you tricking me?
Simon: I'm kinda tricking you. But, sometimes I wish instead of bringing your mom you could bring your dad.
Me: Me too. But don't worry. Today isn't a day where moms come. It's just the kids.
Simon (smiling big): oh good! But next time you come, don't sit by me, ok? — feeling loved.

10/30-
Something I never thought I'd hear myself say as a mother: "Don't let her play with the mice! That's why their heads fall off!" #justhappened #outsidethepetstore#snakefood

hot air balloon festival

 Every year the hot air balloon festival comes to Vegas-- just down the street from our house.  This is the first year we've been at night and it was amazing... as always.  (hot air balloons are always outside our house... usually every morning.)  But the festival is more like a traveling carnival with rides and food and games, etc.  The kids loved it and asked to buy all day passes next year... which sounds fun, especially with a newborn.  :)

 We rode the ferris wheel as a family and I was so surprised they let us all go in one cart!  Especially when they split up four boys right in front of us..  (I think they were worried 4 teenagers together would cause more trouble than 2 and 2.)  But our 7 was no problem!  We fit with room to spare!  (we had to squish in for the pictures...)

 Roma was not scared ONE BIT.  She kept trying to hang her head over the side and get a better view of the carnival.  Simon, Mr. Tough guy was trying to pretend like he was brave, but he was super afraid and needed to sit on Dad's lap the entire ride.  The older boys were rocking back and forth and I was kind of getting scared myself.  I just didn't want our entire family to die.... although it would have been kinda romantic if we did it all together.

We had been talking to the guy operating the ferris wheel for a while before we got on, and when we got off he said, "I can't believe you young folks have 5 kids!  You've sure been busy!  Are you taking a break any time soon?"  Aaron told him we were expecting number 6 and he immediately said, "OH NO!" while looking shocked and it made me laugh so hard. After a second he congratulated us, but I know exactly what he was thinking.... those kids are crazy!  And we are. 

Dad treated us to slurpies at Maverick.. which was the cherry on top of a great time spent together.  Love my peeps.  So glad they're family too.