Going Crazy and Having Fun

If you had to ask me to pick my least favorite job around my house, the answer will always, and without hesitation be changing the sheets on the bunk beds. More specifically the top bunk. While there are many jobs that I would rather not do--sticking my hand down the kitchen sink to find out what is making that odd sound and only to find the slimy remains from our previous meal or perhaps hunting down the strange smell coming from somewhere in my kitchen--the bunk bed sheets will always take the cake. I don't mind the bottom bunk all that much, but the top bunk is just plain torture. I will admit that on more than one occasion I have broken a sweat because of the work involved. I will also admit that I have been physically injured while changing the sheets, and after weeks of pain, I even had to visit the doctor, which for me is a feat in itself. Now maybe it's just me and my lack of skills, but I really just don't see how anyone can change the sheets of a bed that they have to be sitting or laying on at some point and actually enjoy that job. For those of you shaking your head and laughing at me, and my stupidity, I welcome any tips, tricks, or techniques that have helped you perfect this horrendous task. I also welcome any similar stories so that you can share your least favorite jobs with me. Happy cleaning!

Do you ever have those days where you are trying to get the perfect picture of one of your kids and it just doesn't seem to work out? If not, I have a perfect example for you. I was just going through my picture files and I found these gem's from Sarah's birthday--I hope you enjoy!

I told you to watch for a new contest coming soon, and it is here sooner than even I thought it would be. Todays contest topic:

Guess which one of my children got stitches

That's right, apparently we have been waiting to long in between emergency stitch trips and today was the day to break that dry spell. At approximately 4:45 someone was cut somewhere and we had to take a quick trip to the doctors office. Thankfully we were able to just go to our doctor instead of enduring the nightmare that we all cal Instacare. (Nightmare because of the wait time, not the care we receive.) And just for the record, my someone is doing just fine and will have a nice looking scar to help him/her remember this lovely day.

Points will be awarded in the following categories:
Guessing the correct child-5 points
Guessing the correct number of stitches-10 points
Guessing the location of the stitches-15 points
Guessing how the injury was obtained-20 points

Good luck to all and please no cheating this time!

Every once in a while I get a glimpse of what one of my kids are going to be like when they are teenagers and it always makes me sad. Today I got that glimpse from Ben. He got invited to go to a picnic at the park with a few of his friends--without mom. He got to pack a lunch and they even came and picked him up. As soon as he found out what he was doing he thought he was so cool (I might have thought otherwise due to the fact that he was packing around a princess lunch box--but hey who's judging.) Anyway, as I was helping him get ready to go, he decided that he wanted to wait outside on the porch all by himself. When I told him that I would come and wait with him he announced in a somewhat embarrassed and strongly annoyed voice "No mom, I'm going to go with my friends." I can't believe that my 3 year old is already embarrassed by me, I know I'm obnoxious, but come on--he's three.

Moments like this make me realize that I am losing my grasp on these kids and that they are growing up way too fast. It also makes me sad to know that the not so distant future, where my kids would rather be with their friends than with me, is creeping up way to fast. Does anyone have a cure for that?

Madeline is quite the little artist and sometimes she amazes us with her creations. At times it's because of the care and thought she put into her project. At times it's because whatever she created really was quite good. But then there are our favorites, the ones that cause us to raise our eyebrows. This one is definitely an eyebrow raiser, but it makes perfect sense, if you know what it is. Which begs the question--what do you think it is? **All guesses will be eligible for a reward!

I think that I love Halloween more and more each year. Maybe its because of the excitement leading up to it and the time, effort and frustration I put into making their costumes. Or maybe its because my kids really are at such a fun age and I love being able to celebrate with them and to see them not only enjoy each holiday but also finally understand it. Or maybe, just maybe, it is because it breaks up the mundane routine of my life and lets me ignore "importatn" things like the dishes and regular evening routine. Whatever it is, I love it and I love the family time and the memories that we make together.

Our Halloween festivities were limited to the school parties and trick-or-treating this year and that was plenty. (A special thanks goes out to my ward activity leader for bucking the trunk-or-treat trend:) I think that this was my favorite year for costumes: Andrew was a wizard, Madeline was a snow fairy, Ben was a dragon, and Sarah was a Bear. I will have to say that it kind of bugged me that Sarah's costume didn't really fit into the mythical and magical theme, but when Craig bought it he came home so excited to have a little " Sar-bear" for Halloween, that I didn't have the heart to change her costume, although I did seriously consider it. Overall, it was a great day and another handful of memories that I have to figure out how to hold on to.

It was Sarah's birthday a week ago and I can't believe that my baby is one. Actually, in some ways, I am thrilled that she is one and in others I am so sad because it means that I am officially out of the baby phase of my life forever (baring a horrible accident or a complete lapse in sanity). I also am thrilled because I think one year olds are a ton of fun and I can already see more of her personality shining through every day. I love seeing the little tidbits that make her unique as they start shining through and I can't wait for all the fun that this upcoming year will bring.
I will have to say that one of my absolute favorite things about her right now is her eyes. The way they light up when she smiles always makes my day and the way that I can tell how she is feeling or what she wants just by looking into them gives me a lot of peace and satisfaction. I am so glad that she is in our family and that she loves us all so much and I am also so grateful that she is no longer a little baby--now all I need is for her to finally start sleeping through the night!

I don't know why, but I can't seem to ever get a grip on my life and I feel like I am so busy with the mundane that I am missing the important. I have wanted to blog multiple things for over a week now and either haven't had the time (or perhaps the desire) to do so. Here is my attempt to recover the days that I missed. I know that the things I post may be boring to you, so feel free to skip any of my ramblings.