Ok I haven't been the best blogger even though I found out you could blog from your phone. Sorry!!!
It's been a busy few days around here. My birthday was yesterday and we had a super fun party without one picture.... Awesome. It was equipped with good food good people good fun and an awesome white elephant gift exchange. I really loved it.
My mom got me a purse that is a perfect fit for me. Love. It. Thanks mom!!!
I've got to give a shout out to the hubby though. He really outdid himself this year with my gift. He had many of you write me personal notes and they were amazing. Doug jokes that when I die he is going to find these letters and read them at my funeral (in 90 years of course). Thanks babe. I really couldn't have asked for a better husband (or gift).
Tonight we were out to dinner with some friends and the statement "sometimes being a mom is like being pecked to death by a duck." it's so true and I think that mothers everywhere can relate. I laughed so hard I nearly peed my pants. No really I almost did. I had like 10 glasses of wAter and a diet coke to boot for dinner and I almost did, plus now that I am officially one year older I am in fact one year closer to actually doing just that... Alas I digress.
Makes life more interesting don't u think? Being pecked to death by a duck and having birthdays? ;)
Sunday, August 26, 2012
Friday, August 17, 2012
Perspective
Don't you all love Pinterest? I actually have NO idea how it works or how to log on to my account, but I am loving that on FB these "cards" are everywhere. Most of the ones I see bring a very big smile to my face. I am sorry (not really) but I just had to share this one, because for the last 3 weeks my kids have been on the brink of doing exactly what it says.
Four Years, Two months, and 8 days ago, I joined a club. It is an exclusive club. In order to join, you must give up (are forced to) what is most precious to you and live without it for the remainder of your days. You must endure the greatest heartache you have ever known. You must be broken, stepped on, kicked, and then broken, stepped on, and kicked again. It is a very lonely club. Not very many people get (or want) to join. Once you are in this club, you can NEVER EVER EVER get out. You are in it for life. F.O.R.E.V.E.R.
In this club, I have met the most incredible women. Some have accomplished amazing tasks: putting together a marathon to raise money for heart disease awareness, blankets and gift packs for families in the PICU, bereavement packets, headstone funds, casket makers, and so many more.
I wish that I did not belong to this club. Let's be honest. In the words of another member, "I think all you ladies are great, but I'd give up every one of you to have my child back." (no offense) and no offense taken, because though we are all in the same club, none of us asked to be here, and all of us would trade our membership in two seconds.
Alas, this is not possible. It is what it is. We are who we are. Like it or not.
Today I had lunch with these amazing ladies and I was given perspective that even though my kids might wake me up EVERY morning and TRY AGAIN to make me go bonkers, I am grateful that I have each and every one of them. Even the son I can't see.
Thursday, August 9, 2012
Funny moments
Isabella
got a few new shirts this time of year as we were shopping for school
clothes. She has a ridiculous amount of clothing, but sh felt really
left out. After she put on this sparkly shirt, Scarlett thought it was
pretty awesome and wouldn't take her eyes off of it. It was really funny
watching her so intrigued by just a shirt.
We
had an Endo appt today at Phoenix Childrens' and while I am not a big
fan of my endo (anybody know a good one?) I really do like the clinic
that we go to.
Enter BOOK: The little sister to the boys was holding a book and of course Savannah took it upon herself to find out what it was about. And wouldn't you figure it was a cook book!!! What better for Savannah to love. And it was DISNEY. Equipped with recipes AND Buzz, It was an instant must have. Savannah quizzically asked the girl where she got the book? To which she said that she got it from the doctor... Then the stream of questions began: Which doctor? Where? Why did you get it?
She then marched over to the receptionist and asked if there was a extra book for "me?" Well lucky for us today, there was just one left. And when she handed it to Savannah, Savannah could barely contain herself and responded with a "BOO-YAH!" I almost died laughing and the receptionists got a good kick out of her.
A couple of days ago we got a workbook for each of the girls from the cabin store and we worked on some pages whilst at the cabin. The girls studied them for hours completing pages, coloring, and really helping each other. They were worth every cent. Well in Mikenna's book there were some recipes. We picked some out, went to the store, and she made them all by herself. She was so excited to make them for daddy when he got home. She felt like she was all grown up. She said, "Mommy, I can cook lots of meals now." LOL. She was however disappointed when Isabella wanted nothing to do with a peanut butter and banana sandwich... Can't say I blame her :)!
Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Just in case you wanted to know...
Just how wonderful I am ;). I'll tell you!!! Or show you rather.
SO after our little fiasco of the shenanigan, I was pondering the appropriate punishment... which by the way there really isn't a "good" way to punish Savannah. She works better with positive reinforcement... I did after all spend an entire semester telling her horribleawfulnogoodteacher as much, I guess it was time to eat some Karma.
Savannah needs structure. Savannah needs order. Savannah needs balance. Savannah needs positive reinforcement. Savannah manipulates negative reinforcement and the result is truly disastrous (enter CHANGING SCHOOLS LAST YEAR). I decided that I would follow in her current teachers footsteps and implement some of things that worked really good for Savannah in her classroom last year (after we switched said schools)
I wracked my brain all day as to what I was going to do and how I was going to "punish" her. I took all of her new school clothes (because she LOVES clothes) and put them away and told her I was going to take them back. She didn't even blink a wink. After my dad spent 2 frustrating hours taking OFF the toilet, fishing out the phone, and putting it back on, I was seriously at my wits end. HELLO she was SUPPOSED to be upset. That's when I took more stuff away (because I am SO mature:)). Turns out she was holding out because not only did she get new uniform clothes, she got other clothes as well (I took them too). This didn't go over too well, so her little big sister Mikenna got her an outfit from her closet. (bless her tender heart, I WAS TRYING TO PUNISH SAVANNAH) But I remember when I was about the same age and I was the only one who could get my sister to come to dinner after many of arguments with the mother, so I swallowed my pride and let Mikenna help a girl out.
I really didn't want to get rid of all of Savannah's clothes to pay for the phone that was dropped in the toilet, so I boxed them up and told her she would have to earn them back (enter POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT) I tried to think of all sorts of good ways to have her earn them back. I didn't want it to be hard, but I certainly didn't want it to be easy.
So I came up with a "money" system. She gets "money" for certain things and then on Fridays she can go to "Savannah's Store" and of course I couldn't just have Savannah on this program, so we set up "Mikenna's Market" and "Isabella's play store." I made Mikenna's a little bit harder and more expensive and she really wasn't too happy about that because she is at the age where fair is fair and it must be fair or it's just not fair...
I am not sure if all this is lost on Savannah or not. She knows that she isn't supposed to flush phones down the toilet (SERIOUSLY!!!) and that because she did so she had all her clothes taken away. And maybe I was wrong to take them and maybe I am wrong to give them back, but it is what it is and I suppose it will be that way. I figure she will be able to get all her clothes back by the end of the semester :) at the current rate of income. So here is the chart we came up with and the rewards.
(I have obviously been away from blogging to long because so much has changed and the picture placement is driving me batty, but I suppose there isn't really anything I can do about it at this point, cept learn it.)
I must explain this "I'd Love to" jar. But first I must point out that my Scarlett is really the cutest baby that I have ever had. I think they get cuter with time, because I have been saying that since Savannah, but no really. She really is a sweetheart, and she is nice, and she sleeps, and she eats, and she is so quiet in the car that I almost wonder if she is really there... She is a dream and I love her to bits and pieces. We snuggle in the quiet when I need to disappear from the madness I call my life.
I have a really good friend Stephanie Waite, maybe you have heard of her, she's famous you know :) Nyhow, she does a Power of Moms group and got this idea from there, so I totally ripped it off.
Did I mention I am trying to be a "good mom" (Sometimes I put stuff up in my house to make me look like a good mom, so that I can feel better about myself by lying to others about how I run the house. :)) Anyhow, the idea is that when you ask one of the childrens to do something, they respond with "I'd Love to" as opposed to the AHHHH, rolling of the eyes, and complaining (Oh wait only MY kids do that when I ask them to empty the dishwasher?). We are going to try it anyway. So after they say "I'd Love to" and do the said something, they get to pick from the "I'd Love to" jar. It is equipped with grand items such as a "hug" and "kiss" and "trip to QT" and "$1" and a "high five" and maybe a few more, but my brain is mush. Oh and the $1 is a "pretend" dollar for the store that we get to shop from on Fridays.
I am not sure who is making out better with the whole money thing, but I suppose we will try it out and adjust accordingly. If my kids can stop bickering and doing what I ask them with a smile, it will be all worth it I am sure.
I just thought I would throw in this random picture. Poor Savannah always gets called "bud" when we go out. I try to make it a point to call her "sis" or savannah or something so people know she is in fact a girl. I mean seriously, do you put headbands on your 10 year old BOYS?!?!?!?!? Ya. I'm sure you do.
Monday, August 6, 2012
Shenanigans
So I have been on my own the last few days and I just needed some "girl" time. A good friend of mine brought over a ginormous bag of clothes for my girls and we sorted through some stuff and decided to give some of it away.
Enter: my trip for "girls" time.
I called one of "my girls" (1 of 2 that I trust with my girls, because I know she can handle Savannah and more importantly come back after she has done so) to come and watch the girls while I escaped for a few hours.
Let me back up a bit. A few months back (beginning of June), I woke up to Savannah and a laundry basket full of unattached hair... yes my friends, she cut off all of her hair with a stray pair of scissors (of COURSE I LEFT THEM IN HER ROOM ON THE TABLE TO CUT HER HAIR, DUH!!!!!) that she had found in her room. My first instinct was to yell and scream and beat the tar out of her... alas, I did not follow my instinct because it surely would have ended in her with a red bum, a smirk on her face, and me not feeling any better at all... Oh and I would have awakened the children, and we can't have that at 645 AM!!!
So I looked at her and said, "REALLY???? REALLY????" Stuck a hat on her, sent her to school, and called my hairdresser.
I don't really know why she does the things she does. I think it is just to see if she can get a reaction out of me or maybe she really wants me to be committed to an institution with white walls, white sheets, white beds, in the corner saying "Rubber room rubber room rubber room" over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. Who knows?!?!
I did mention to my dad the other day that I would like/need to kick back something stronger than a diet coke. No seriously. I would. But alas, I won't. But you better believe if I wasn't Mormon, I would be an alcoholic. (Did I just say that out loud? I am sure to get some flack. Don't judge.) I haven't ever tasted the stuff nor will I. I am just saying that I totally get it.
I digress. No really. I actually don't even know where I was going with this....
Oh yes. Savannah. Girl Time. So I left the house with instructions for bed and was on my merry way. About 45 min after I left, I received a call from the house. Savannah had flushed the cell phone of my friend DOWN THE TOILET?!?!?! SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY? I just don't even know where to start. I guess if I knew that there was an "end" I would be able to plan or endure a little easier knowing that there would be an end to all the shenanigans that she pulls almost on a daily basis.
Bless her heart, my friend was so gracious. I don't know if she will come back or if she will just have a really good story to tell. I must say though, It was really humorous to watch her, me, and Mikenna all with a kitchen glove on and a plastic bag in tow, with our hands up in the toilet. NICE... side note**we did look everywhere before shoving our hands in my (very clean I must say) toilet.
I seriously don't know what I am going to do with her. I really don't. I read about these moms who have like 5 special needs kids (no really) who are all adopted and their lives just look picture perfect. That's the thing with blogs.... they are too perfect. (not mine though... I just admitted that I would like a tall one!!!)
Enter: my trip for "girls" time.
I called one of "my girls" (1 of 2 that I trust with my girls, because I know she can handle Savannah and more importantly come back after she has done so) to come and watch the girls while I escaped for a few hours.
Let me back up a bit. A few months back (beginning of June), I woke up to Savannah and a laundry basket full of unattached hair... yes my friends, she cut off all of her hair with a stray pair of scissors (of COURSE I LEFT THEM IN HER ROOM ON THE TABLE TO CUT HER HAIR, DUH!!!!!) that she had found in her room. My first instinct was to yell and scream and beat the tar out of her... alas, I did not follow my instinct because it surely would have ended in her with a red bum, a smirk on her face, and me not feeling any better at all... Oh and I would have awakened the children, and we can't have that at 645 AM!!!
So I looked at her and said, "REALLY???? REALLY????" Stuck a hat on her, sent her to school, and called my hairdresser.
I don't really know why she does the things she does. I think it is just to see if she can get a reaction out of me or maybe she really wants me to be committed to an institution with white walls, white sheets, white beds, in the corner saying "Rubber room rubber room rubber room" over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. Who knows?!?!
I did mention to my dad the other day that I would like/need to kick back something stronger than a diet coke. No seriously. I would. But alas, I won't. But you better believe if I wasn't Mormon, I would be an alcoholic. (Did I just say that out loud? I am sure to get some flack. Don't judge.) I haven't ever tasted the stuff nor will I. I am just saying that I totally get it.
I digress. No really. I actually don't even know where I was going with this....
Oh yes. Savannah. Girl Time. So I left the house with instructions for bed and was on my merry way. About 45 min after I left, I received a call from the house. Savannah had flushed the cell phone of my friend DOWN THE TOILET?!?!?! SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY? SERIOUSLY? I just don't even know where to start. I guess if I knew that there was an "end" I would be able to plan or endure a little easier knowing that there would be an end to all the shenanigans that she pulls almost on a daily basis.
Bless her heart, my friend was so gracious. I don't know if she will come back or if she will just have a really good story to tell. I must say though, It was really humorous to watch her, me, and Mikenna all with a kitchen glove on and a plastic bag in tow, with our hands up in the toilet. NICE... side note**we did look everywhere before shoving our hands in my (very clean I must say) toilet.
I seriously don't know what I am going to do with her. I really don't. I read about these moms who have like 5 special needs kids (no really) who are all adopted and their lives just look picture perfect. That's the thing with blogs.... they are too perfect. (not mine though... I just admitted that I would like a tall one!!!)
Blog from my phone?!?!
Yes please!!! Now that I can blog from my phone and use pics from my phone , I am so excited I think I might pee my pants. (or peeded... As Isabella says ;))
Last night I was tucking her into bed and she said to me, "mommy, don't kiss me on da lips, kiss me right here (as she pointed to her cheek) cuz I don't want you to mess up my wipstick." she is such a wicked funny girl. I've never met a more annoying person that I love to bits and pieces ;).
This summer has been SO much fun. I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready for the kids to go back to school, but it has been great to have late nights, travel, do swim team, and have no schedule whatsoever (although that part has taken a toll on my very structured 10 year old... Who btw today the girls discovered she had armpit hair and they thought it was HILARIOUS!!! I almost peeded a little at the fact they were cracking up so much over it).
Currently we are at the cabin ENJOYING THE RAIN AND COOLER weather, whilst daddy is in Austin working hard (more like hardly working). It's been fun to leave the valley and just be with the girls.
We have been on walks, to the playground, prepared delicious food (M found a recipe book), working in our workbooks, doing our exercises, watching movies, staying up late, and of course visiting the cabin store ;). Best of all, I come to a clean cabin and clean it when I leave, with not much in between... Though we must keep up tiny objects bc little S has been rolling and turning all over the floor and putting said tiny objects in her mouth... Oh dear what have I done?!?! I've started OVER!!!!
Speaking of little S, she is sure a gem. Love her.
Oh dear... Baby crying. Guess I'll get back to this later but I'm SO stoked I can do this from my phone!!!
Not sure where these pictures will land but here are a few for your enjoyment.
Last night I was tucking her into bed and she said to me, "mommy, don't kiss me on da lips, kiss me right here (as she pointed to her cheek) cuz I don't want you to mess up my wipstick." she is such a wicked funny girl. I've never met a more annoying person that I love to bits and pieces ;).
This summer has been SO much fun. I would be lying if I said I wasn't ready for the kids to go back to school, but it has been great to have late nights, travel, do swim team, and have no schedule whatsoever (although that part has taken a toll on my very structured 10 year old... Who btw today the girls discovered she had armpit hair and they thought it was HILARIOUS!!! I almost peeded a little at the fact they were cracking up so much over it).
Currently we are at the cabin ENJOYING THE RAIN AND COOLER weather, whilst daddy is in Austin working hard (more like hardly working). It's been fun to leave the valley and just be with the girls.
We have been on walks, to the playground, prepared delicious food (M found a recipe book), working in our workbooks, doing our exercises, watching movies, staying up late, and of course visiting the cabin store ;). Best of all, I come to a clean cabin and clean it when I leave, with not much in between... Though we must keep up tiny objects bc little S has been rolling and turning all over the floor and putting said tiny objects in her mouth... Oh dear what have I done?!?! I've started OVER!!!!
Speaking of little S, she is sure a gem. Love her.
Oh dear... Baby crying. Guess I'll get back to this later but I'm SO stoked I can do this from my phone!!!
Not sure where these pictures will land but here are a few for your enjoyment.
Sunday, August 5, 2012
When I grow up
Yesterday if you would have asked Mikenna what she wanted to be when she grows up she would have said, "I want to be a mom and a nurse."
Today during church Scarlett peeded and barfeded and drooled all over me. It was a little bit awesome. She said, " mommy I don't think I want to be a mom anymore." It was even more of a deal breaker when I told her that moms cook food (that nobody eats) clean toilets, scrub floors, do laundry (again and again and again) and work 24/7.
She was pretty confident that she "really didn't want to be a mom anymore." lol. It was VERY VERY VERY hard not to peeded in my pants.
And those are the moments that make being a mom worth it ;).
Today during church Scarlett peeded and barfeded and drooled all over me. It was a little bit awesome. She said, " mommy I don't think I want to be a mom anymore." It was even more of a deal breaker when I told her that moms cook food (that nobody eats) clean toilets, scrub floors, do laundry (again and again and again) and work 24/7.
She was pretty confident that she "really didn't want to be a mom anymore." lol. It was VERY VERY VERY hard not to peeded in my pants.
And those are the moments that make being a mom worth it ;).
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