For Today

For Today (borrowed from here and she got it here.)
June 24th, 2009

Outside my window... shiny sun, humidity and my plants a-growin'

I am thinking... of my to-do list, grocery list and what I'd rather be doing

I am thankful for... healthy babies, library videos and a washin' machine

From the kitchen... lentils and rice for dinner (I need to go to the grocery tonight)

I am wearing... a threadbare BYU tee with faded pink jammies declaring NOEL

I am reading... grocery ads, library craft books and sappy love stories

I am hoping... that Jay comes home on time, the kids don't fight and I get some ME time today

I am going... to ALDI, WallyWorld and maybe somewhere else tonight-fun ME time!

I am hearing... a library video enthralling the monkeys, my dryer going and the other clothes cooling and wrinkling behind me.

I am creating... some Green Bag Lady bags to give away out of a thrifted shower curtain

I am praying... for good health, happy kiddies and patience with all my blessings

Around the house... laundry to be folded and put away, pillow piles for jumping on and a messy craft table calling my name

One of my favorite things... my new sewing machine (Christmas gift from Jay) and my pile of thrift store fabric, waiting to become something.

A few plans for the rest of the week... Grocery tonight, Enrichment tomorrow (on budgeting and cheap grocery shopping--Yes, I was in charge), making plans for Jay's vacation week.

A picture to share.. I know I haven't blogged like I should, my boys turned 1 and 6 in April, family trips and reunions, the Kindergarten play, etc. So here's a picture of Spencer (I tell Mom and Jay I like him best, or at least until he gets old enough to sass back and drive me bonkers, too.) on his birthday. Just messing around with another favorite thing.

My Life

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he’s been robbed. The fact is that most putts don’t drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people, most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, most jobs are often more dull than otherwise. Life is like an old-time rail journey…delays, side tracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas, and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride." –President Gordon B. Hinckley quoting Jenkins Lloyd Jones, "Big Rock Candy Mountains", Deseret News, 12 June 1973, A4

Thank you, Lord, for letting me have my ride.

5 AM Reflections

-Why does a child always sneak into my bed, snuggle down in the covers and fall asleep, all before barfing all over everyone and everything in a 5-feet radius?
-Which is the better job: changing the bed, blankets and throwing a load in the washer OR stripping and bathing a crying post-puke child, trying to keep her quiet so the baby won't wake up?
-Do you go back to sleep at 5:45 AM for just an hour and a half, or just forget it and stay up?
-Is shaking the barf bits from my sheets in the dark on my deck, all while in my undies of course, obscene, risque or just pathetic?
-How early is too early for an early bedtime for barfers and whiners?

My current perfume, a gift from Jay, is Calvin Klein's Euphoria. Because, as you know, my life is utterly euphoric. Jay knows me so well.

A Good Day

Shopping with a good friend,
Lunch at a favorite spot,
Beautiful 72 degree weather,
Sunny skies,
Joyful offspring,
A nap,
Yard play with kiddies in the sun,
Chocolate chip pancakes for dinnner,
Batheing my babes--all in the tub together,
Snuggles, giggles, big hugs and slobbery kisses.

I want to take a deep breath, drink it all in and keep it close. Wishing to stop time's march won't keep them small forever, but I'll keep wishing all the same.

Priorities

Read this family's story.

And shame on me for ever complaining about my kids bugging me.

Lost in Route

I had written a fabulous, witty and entertaining post in my head last night. Something about philosophy, parenting styles and how my approach and technique is superior to Jay's. But that was at 2 AM with a munchkin attached, and by 8 AM and after 2 more crying fits (one mine, one the baby's) the insightful and amusing post was lost. Sorry.

Obviously, my technique isn't working; Spencer will probably be waking up twice a night for the next 10 years. The eye twitch has been joined by a hunched back and dark blue ocular luggage.

I Ain't No Sleeping Beauty

Baby awake: 3:30 AM. Baby awake: 6:03 AM. Baby awake (and pee soaked): 7:35 AM.

And I'm almost positive this eye twitch thing is permanent.

First One!

So this is the first post on our new blog. I thought we'd join the revolution and share photos and info about our family that maybe someone might want to see, especially grandparents. Until I can get the kids in bed and upload pictures from our "vacation" and Merritt's birthday, here's the pictures from Spencer's blessing. First photo is my family.

Back row from the left: my brother-in-law Matt, my sister Jessica, niece Sarah (12) holding Spencer (2 mos), my mom Terri, me and Jay. Front row from the left: nephew Drew (7), nephew Jackson (4), son Parker (5), nephew Sawyer (10) and daughter Merritt (3).

And now Jay's family.

Back row from left: Jay's brother-in-law Trevor, Jay's sister Joy, Jay, Me holding Spencer, niece Brooke (13), brother-in-law Jason, nephew McKay (10) and Jay's sister Trina. Front row from left: nephew Nick (5), nephew Ben (3), niece Emily (3 mos) and daughter Merritt. My son Parker is behind Emily and under my elbow.

More pictures soon! We hope everyone is well and happy.