All made up and no where to go

A friend from church had a baby on Sunday morning and so another friend and I went to visit her at the hospital on Sunday night. We of course left my 4 kids and her 2 kids in Stuart's capable hands (her kids are ages 7 & 1). We'd been gone a little over an hour when I got a call on my cell phone. Stuart asked how much longer we were going to be. I wasn't quite sure and asked if we needed to come home (the hospital is literally down the street from us). He said that Maija wanted to eat, Spencer (my friend Cindy's son) was crying and Phillip was covered in ink.....WHAT? I couldn't even begin to imagine where Phillip would have found a pen. So, Cindy and I said our goodbyes and quickly went back home.

Sure enough, Phillip was covered in a black substance and all Stuart told me was "I don't know where he got the ink, but the bed doesn't have any ink on it." At first I couldn't figure out why Stuart would have inserted that comment, and ran and looked at my makeup bag because after a closer inspection the black marks sure looked like some sort of makeup. Thankfully my makeup bag was entirely intact. Then the bed comment hit me and I went looking in our room. I had ordered some new makeup from my friend who is a Mary Kay consultant and had put it on my dresser. It turns out that Phillip opened up my brand new mascara (and eye liner, although the pencil was just disassembled and not used on Phillip). He then proceded to try to put his own makeup on as you can see in the pictures below. I wanted to be upset, but it was pretty funny... until I had to use my Mary Kay makeup remover to get it off because as it turns out soap won't take off waterproof mascara.
Poor Stuart, he thought Phillip was downstairs playing with the other kids....sneaky little man! Boy did he have daddy fooled!!

My Quirks

This is for Chrystal and only because you shared yours.

First of all I'd like to state that I'm perfectly normal, so technically these aren't quirks!

1. I will not allow my children to wear clothes that are stained. I will wash, re-wash and then wash some more until those stains are out of their clothes (which is time consuming with 4 kids!!) If I can't get the stain out of the clothes I usually toss them. I don't allow them to wear torn clothing either. I do have a few times I make the exception, such as if they are going to be playing outside or eating messy food (although if they are having spaghetti I have them strip down...I need to invest in some red shirts they're getting a little old for the stripping thing.)
Oh, and I HATE it when Stuart does laundry!!!!!!!!

2. I am obssessed with garage sales and the ARC thrift store! I am incredibly frugal and I very rarely buy anything brand new (and when I do it is most likely on sale!!). I make a list at the beginning of the summer of the things I want and I usually come away at the end of the summer with everything on my list (I also set a budget of how much I'm willing to spend and I usually have money left over). I always have a year supply of clothes for my kids from garage sales or ARC. I buy the size they are going to be growing into soon and then the next size up.

3. I want my house to be P E R F E C T. I like my house to be "show house" quality...Stuart doesn't, he likes the "lived in" look. Stuart teases me because he says if one shoe is turned over I think the house is a "total disaster". It's true though. I have to work very hard to not freak out when the house isn't perfect.

4. I am a little (okay a lot) obsessive over my monthly menu and my shopping list. I keep a spreadsheet of all the meals that we like to eat and then I compile a menu for the month. Then I work on my shopping list which consists of all of the Walmart aisles listed out (yes, I have gone through each Walmart we shop at and made a list of what is in each aisle). Then when we get home from shopping each item has to be dated and put in the correct spot in our pantry area. Even the freezer is organized by date.

5. If I start reading a book and I like it I won't stop reading until it's finished. Yes, you read that right...I will stay up until 5 in the morning reading. It drives Stuart crazy! Logically I know that the book will still be there in the morning and I'm working on putting it down (I did succeed right after Maija was born while reading the twilight series but that was just because Stuart wasn't there and I had to be awake for the kids). I also read the first couple chapters of a book and then read the very last chapter (or some pages toward the end and then the very end). I will not finish the book if I don't like how it ends. Yes, that ruins the story but I'm weird like that.

6. My bed HAS to be made. Even when I'm not home I ask Stuart if he has made the bed. I never allow anyone that isn't a member of my family into my bedroom, but that bed has to be made. I also have the kids make their beds every morning. During the summer they can't eat breakfast until their beds are made. I LOVE getting into a bed that is made and I very much dislike having to search for sheets and blankets. And when I'm sick I LOVE having fresh sheets on the bed. My mom used to change our sheets or make the bed when we weren't feeling well. Ahh, the creature comforts I enjoy!

Now I'm going to tag some of my blogging friends (family). Make a post about your quirkiness!
Aimee
Rachel
Hannah
Kylie

Wordful Wednesday- Wishes

I'm not so sure any of my wishes are magical, and I can't for the life of me remember any wishes I had growing up except that I wanted to be a space scientist and I wanted to live on and own a plantation in Georgia. I've never been to Georgia and I very much dislike humidity and bugs which completely rules out actually living there. But my wish/dream was to be able to walk down a dirt road lined with beautiful trees loaded with green leaves. Of course in that dream there would be no dust (that's not very wish/dream worthy) but there would be grass at the edge of the road and gorgeous tulips and other flowers would line the very edge of the road. I of course would be barefoot because what fun would it be to walk down a tree lined road with shoes on? I would also be wearing a cool flowing sun dress. The day would be perfect with the sun shinning, but it wouldn't be too hot. Ah that would be nice, the solitude and quiet...the lack of children fighting.
I really don't have many other wishes, I'm a fairly practical person who is content to stay in "my own little world". I prefer having people over to my house rather than venture to their houses, and I'm not big on traveling. But I do wish that I could visit Scotland and Ireland. Now that is where magical wishes can come true. Those leprechauns can grant you those wishes (No, I don't really believe that) and to kiss the blarney stone and see Stonehenge would be wonderful!
My last wish would be that I would learn to LOVE to exercise. It may not seem to be magical to you, however it would take magic to make me Love to do it.

Monster Mom

Well, I have failed. I'm pretty sure I'll never make "Mother of the Year" this year. Ok, it wasn't that bad but I SO didn't stick with my Goal for the year of Choosing Wisely! Monster mom came out today. Maybe I should invest in some good solid duct tape. Then maybe I would keep my not so happiness to myself.

The kids had the day off school and it didn't start out so good. Phillip came in a little before 8 and promptly threw up on me (and my clean sheets). Then somehow it started coming out his other end (I know, not pleasant and I'm sorry I'm sharing). So into the bathtub went Phillip and I washed myself off in the sink. And that's when the fighting commenced. It's almost as if KatieJo and Samuel knew what was going to push my buttons today, because they sure hit them. I did send them outside since it was warm to "clean" up the backyard (a.k.a. what the dogs discard back there). The snow has melted for the most part and even though I knew they wouldn't really pick much up it got them outside and if they were fighting I couldn't hear it.

Stuart had to work today, but came home for an hour at lunch and then for an hour before swim practice which is when we squeezed in FHE. We made flowers to hang on our doors to remind us of the goals that we set. They turned out pretty cute except that Phillip kept stealing everybody's flower petals that we were writing our goals on and wanted to stick them to his head (I did finally put tape on one and stuck it to his head....see the picture below.) Somehow the arguing continued here though, they were fighting over who got to say prayer...then "Why did Phillip get to pick the songs" etc. etc.... We have a FHE job chart, but somewhere in the move the things that have our names on them disappeared and I haven't made more yet (go figure, I have WAY too many projects right now!)

Anyway, my poor children got yelled at today. I know it's entirely my issue and I appologized (while I was crying which in turn made them cry...which was NOT my intention). Tomorrow's a new day right? Thankfully I can start over!!!

I figured I'd also post Maija's 2 month picture. She's learning to smile, and I actually caught it on the camera!!

Teeny Tiny

Maija had her 2 month check-up today (WOW 2 months already!). She of course was weighed and measured. She now weighs a WHOPPING 8 lbs. 13 oz. She is currently on the charts (barely) at the 10th percentile. She is still just so tiny! The doctor says she's doing great and as long as she is gaining weight we're good.
She of course also got shots today. Poor thing! She had just fallen into a peaceful sleep when the nurse jabbed the first needle into her leg. I've never seen someone's eyes pop open quite as quickly!! She has slept for most of the day and when she did wake up this afternoon she was screaming (well screaming for her, she's still pretty quiet) so I went to find the infant tylenol. Somehow I managed to have none on hand. All I have is children's tylenol. Thankfully I was on the phone with my friend Cindy who happened to be at the store and she picked up some for poor Maija. (She also brought me some nectar of the gods...better known as Dr. Pepper) THANK YOU Cindy!
KatieJo and Samuel would have doted on Maija all night except she was sleeping. They thought it was fairly appaling that I had allowed the doctor to give her shots (as did Auntie Cori). I wasn't thrilled with the prospect of having her get shots. But I do have to say that it's much better than when I had to take Phillip for his circumsision. If we ever have another child and if that said child is a boy I WILL NOT take him to have that done. I've decided I will give Stuart the "opportunity" to do that one!
I'm so glad that we have Maija as part of our family. She has recently started smiling back at me when I'm talking to her or when she has been crying and she first sees me. (And they say babies this young can't be spoiled!) She is such a wonderful baby and the whole family loves her; including Phillip who likes to help me burp her and if her pacifier falls out he is the first one to her saying "Oh No! Mommy, Oh No!"
I haven't taken her 2 month picture yet as she isn't technically 2 months until the 18th. I'll post it then.

It's Snow Fun!

It has finally not been FREEZING outside, too windy and we have enough snow on the ground that has stayed for the kids to go out and play....YEA!

So, we all bundled up and out we went. Maija even got to go out in her carseat to enjoy the white stuff. They were SOOO excited!

KatieJo & Samuel even got out Samuel's snow skate (even though we lack a hill in the front yard) and were pulling each other unsuccessfully around the yard. It was very amusing to watch them fall into the snow and just start laughing.

By the way; I've had problems changing my background with The cutest Blog on the Block. So I've found another site. It doesn't have a whole log of options, but they're cute. So here's the site if you'd like to see it: http://www.simplychicblogs.blogspot.com/

Of Diapers and Toilets

Phillip has been telling us for months when he's wet or has soiled his diaper. And, he's been using the "big potty" for a while when we put him up there. So it was decided that this last Monday would commence potty training. He did really good when we were at home, and at nap time. I would take him to the bathroom every half hour or so (mind you I left him naked from the waist down as everytime I put a diaper or big boy pants on he wets them). He didn't have any accidents while sans clothing, and even came home from play group dry (we were gone for a couple hours.) Yesterday morning however he brought me a diaper and said something to the extent of "I not big boy" and laid down in front of me on the floor. I decided not to push it and let him wear diapers yesterday.
This morning however he said he had to go potty and so he got on the toilet and our routine started over again. He even put on a pair of Samuel's underwear (most amusing when they won't stay up). So, before nap time I took him to the bathroom and put big boy underwear and his waterproof (kinda like plastic pants but they aren't quite plastic) pants and he stayed dry for 2 hours....AWESOME! After nap I took him to the bathroom and then we were gone for 20 min. while we got KatieJo & Samuel from the bus stop. We got home and the silly boy had wet his underwear. So, off they came again and about a half hour ago he was standing by me and all of the sudden my leg felt warm...WARM!!! AHH, he peed on my leg! Holy Cow...how is it he can stay dry for 2 hours, not have an accident while being mostly without clothing for almost a week and then he pees on my leg!?! Ah well we'll keep working on it. He isn't quite 2 yet, so we shall see what happens!

New Beginnings

I REALLY struggled with this topic. New beginnings? Those happen all the time. We have moved recently and with that came a slew of new beginnings; ones I wanted and many I didn't like unpacking the house and making new friends. But, the house did get unpacked, and I have made new friends. I'll miss my friends up in Washington, it took a long time to make them and I'm grateful for them (and the phone call today with them asking me to come up next Saturday for a 30th birthday party. I looked up plane tickets...it would cost $600 ish for me and 2 kids to fly up..not bad right? Too bad the soon to be 30-year-old will be at my house next month!).

I'm not the type of person that handles change or surprises well. Every birthday, holiday or any other reason that I may possibly get a gift I BEG my husband (and then the kids) to tell me what I'm going to get. I HATE surprises! I HATE change even more. I'm routine oriented. I like everything to be the same. And I like to be in CONTROL. So, New beginnings is something I'm not very good at.

I did however take the bulls by the horn this year. After our move I came to the conclusion that if I didn't invite some women over to get to know them...I would never get to know anybody. And since our plan is to not move again I decided I really needed to make an effort. So I did. I invited some ladies over for lunch. The first lunch didn't last long, but it was a start. Soon we had breakfast and now a lot of them go to play group once a week (of course we've gone out to lunch after that as well).

But, new beginnings also imply I should be doing something "NEW" right? So I've thought it over, and I've come to the conclusion that I could be a much better wife and mother. A sister on Sunday bore her testimony in relief society and said that there are things about her husband that drive her nuts and so she hasn't been the wife that she should have been for a very long time and her goal for the new year is to be a better wife.

So, I'm not making resolutions this year, I'm making goals. A goal to me is something that is attainable, and resolution is something that I usually have forgotten about oh...yesterday.
So, my goal this year is to try to improve my attitude with my children and my sweet husband. It isn't always bad, but if I have a bad day....so do they. I once heard someone say that your attitude affects the house...so choose wisely. And so that is my goal: To Choose Wisely. We'll see how it goes.

New Toys

KatieJo, Samuel & Phillip's new Toy.

My NEW TOY!!!

I got a REALLY awesome deal on this beautiful range. I saved about $300 first of all because it was on sale and second because Sears made a mistake and so we got an extra $71 off. I'm REALLY grateful for my new stove and I haven't even used it yet. I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOO excited!!

Goodbye 2008...Hello 2009

We had a good year in 2008 and I'm a little sad to see it go. We left some great friends up in Washington, although I'm REALLY excited to be so close to family. We also gained a beautiful daughter of which we are also very excited about. I wish I knew what 2009 holds for our family...especially since I don't like surprises. However, I'm glad that I get to face the new year with my family.

We enjoyed our New Years Eve. We had some friends over and we played games until a little after midnight. So, we did see the New Year in. It's amazing how much fun one can have...especially the later it gets!

We wish you all a VERY happy New Year!