One of those Days

This morning I woke up like any other morning. The first person I saw was my wonderful husband, who put a smile on my face immediately. I went in to switch the laundry, take my thyroid medicine, wake up my children one at a time for family scripture reading and prayer. Just like any other morning. But everything went spiraling downhill from there: A sick boy whose spent the majority of the morning with his head in the toilet to throw up, 2 other kids complaining that there isn't anything to eat (there is, of course, just nothing they WANT to eat), running to the store to put a smile on their faces instead of my daily exercise routine, only to have them sorry that I didn't buy exactly what they wanted-thus triggering a battle of words between them about how they should be more appreciative of Mom's efforst. *Mental note- never do that "favor" again*, hearing put downs and critisisms toward each other, trying to sneak out with what they know are not proper school attire, meanwhile two children asking for their breakfast--in segments, thus my exercise made up for by running to the refrigerator 50 different times (no exaggeration),  and the bad part about it is....it isn't over. Not only that, but they have the day off tomorrow for a furlough day for the teachers. Poor underpaid teachers. That I'm sending my bad mood children off to.

It's amazing how these really cute, darling people can suck the life out of you leaving you unmotivated and thouroughly exhausted. I wonder what it would be like to just lay on the couch and do nothing but watch cable t.v. all day. And I don't mean nothing like just folding laundry while watching, but just laying around watching. You know, like I used to do as a kid. Like my kids do. Hey, I'm beginning to realize something. Aren't you? Are you seeing what I'm seeing? It's important to feel useful and recognize the effect we have on people. To know the influence we have on those around us. Because as I said to my 2 year old today after she literally growled at her older brother while he was giving her a good morning welcome, we need to make every moment count and treat others better than we would want to be treated because we need to make the most of the time we have together never knowing how long or short that time will be. So yes, it's been difficult, and it's hard to keep the focus when things don't go your way, but I just want to say that amid the turmoil and the chaos I'm realizing how important it is to make sure others don't suffer from our choices. Go into a different room, go back to bed, leave the house for a walk, do what it takes to calm down. Overall, don't be a part of their having One of those Days.

Our Beautiful Girls

 

 

 

Sundays are especially fun for the girls. They look forward to dressing up and wearing their pretty dresses. This particular Sunday was extra special since I did something I don't usually do... 

I had surprised them with matching dresses and coordinating hair-bows.

As we were leaving the house to go to church, I snapped a couple of shots of our sweeties.

 

 We did it at just the right time, cause their handsome daddy was able to jump into the picture with them!

 

Love Sundays!

 

Mind Game

 

I came into the kitchen one day, recognizing and enjoying quiet. This was the site I found:

 

The boys were concentrating so intently and being so quiet, I was curious as to what they were up to!

Why would they be staring at a top and porcelain chicken? Funny!

So they told me to try it too, and began explaining the experiment.

 

First you need a top:

 

(this was a cheap top one of the kids got as a prize from Chuck-E-Cheese-nothing special)

 

Second you need a still item, they used this chicken:

 

 

Watch the top as it spins, staring at the middle for awhile:

 

Then try to focus on the still object:

 It tricks your eyes into thinking the item is growing or shrinking in front of you!

 

Not kidding, it actually works.

Try it!

Sunset

I cannot lie. There are times that I actually dream of being able to just sit on a beach somewhere and enjoy this kind of scenery.
 In August we went on a Young Women's retreat that was a reward for the challenge to all who finished reading the Book of Mormon by July 30th. It was in a beach house on the coast. I really did enjoy the two days we were there.
There was good food, good company, a lot of fun and games, as well as increasing and strengthening of testimonies. I got my share of time to sit and enjoy the view.

 

 It didn't take long for me to enjoy the view and get to missing my sweet children. That's why It's so important to have these opportunities to sit, I think. I know I've said it before, but it is just so true. So many times we get ourselves so busy, we forget we need to take time to watch the sunsets so that we can better appreciate our lives.

                                                                                                      And all the beauty that surrounds us.

Dora Dreams

 

 

 

We frequent this thrift store around here. Whenever we go grab a bite at Taco bell, we eat in the alley behind it after checking out what they have on the sidewalk outside for sale. Whenever we go to Fred Meyer, I have to drive by, "just to check it out" on the way home. Sometimes, there are things that we just know we MUST HAVE. That was the case this particular afternoon. The moment I saw this Dora chair, I knew there was no passing it up. Especially since Amy was with me.

I don't know if you remember, but one of the very first understandable words from her mouth, was Dora's name.

 (click here to jog your memory!)

Every night Amy asks to watch Dora before she goes to bed. I came down to check on her, and this is what I found.

Our precious Dora singing, Boots lovin', happy to be snoozin' baby girl.

In her comfy new chair.

Olympic Message

Every night during the Olympics, Jeremy would go down to watch until it ended. He decided that it was a good time to for "mommy & me" time.

Since I don't watch t.v. very much, he would bribe me by saying, "Mom, it's Olympic time. If you come down and watch it with me, I'll rub your feet!"

Of course I took the bait and found that not only did I actually really enjoy watching the Olympics with my boy,

But that I miss it. More than I ever have before!

I'll look forward to winter in two years. With great anticipation!

A little magic

I figure that since my last post was some time in June, I am WAY overdue for an update! Needless to say that we've been overly busy around here. But these last few days have given me some opportunities to get caught up on household duties while Steve and the older four boys have been on a trip to Utah. They left on Thursday the 16th to take Bryon to BYU, Provo.

I've been trying to gear up for this for quite some time and don't feel that I was too successful in keeping from feeling the effects of his leaving.

At present I can't enter his room without getting an uncomfortable lump in my throat, and if you ask me about it in person, I just tell you I can't talk about it. So I don't.

All the while the boys have been gone, though, I've had the opportunity to enjoy the little ones on my own as well as get things TRULY clean and organized around the house. Here are just a few of the projects I've been working on.

I know it's the raw, ugly, bare truth of it all.

But it is what it is.

Cleaning neglected

and projects being put off for WAY too long.

But I'm getting a handle on things. Bit by bit.

Here is a preview of one of my completed projects!

I love it.

Didn't Alyssa do a wonderful job with her magic wand?!

Stay tuned to see what other magic she's done!