A Prayer is Needed

I don't have anything exciting or interesting to tell about us today. Life is just about the same. I did hear about a family who can use our prayers. Please visit momrn2.blogspot.com (sorry I don't know how to put in a link and didn't feel like figuring it out). Her daughter has been vomiting for 9 days and can't eat or drink anything, not even ice chips. They can't figure out what is wrong with her and they are asking for all the prayers they can get. Please leave them a comment and pray for them. They could really use the support!

Kids at the store

My kids hate strollers, grocery carts, or anything that requires them to sit!!! We went to Target today so I could look for a wedding gift for an old roommate. I stick my 1 1/2 year old in the cart and then try to put my 3 year old in the basket of the cart. That was a definite no go! To avoid the screaming I allowed Austin to walk, along with my 5 year old, Jaden. That was a huge mistake. Th eboys just kept running around and chasing each other. Kaylee, seeing all the excitement and fun her brothers were having started to quietly, but insistently, say "I want out. Out. Out." I tried to ignore her as I rallied the boys together so we could go look at other stuff. Kaylee began to get louder and pretty soon started screaming!!! There was nothing I could do to get her to stop. Toys didn't work, food didn't work..... nothing! I let her down and then had the three running around. It was so embarrassing, especially getting all those looks from the mothers who had the perfect children, sitting in the cart, looking at my kids and getting ideas of their own. Anyway, do you think I was able to find a gift for my roommate? NO!!! I had to throw all 3 screaming kids into the cart and leave the store. It was the most frustrating and embarrassing moment I've had for such a long time.

I told Guy about it when I got home. I had asked if he would watch the kids while I went shopping and didn't understand why he couldn't just go with me. (If he does, I still end up watching all the kids! He tries to help, but just doesn't!) Speaking of my husband, on Sunday - Mother's Day, we had our 7th anniversary!!! We went out on a great date and had such a wonderful time. We were able to go to dinner and then take a leisurely walk by the river. It was so much fun. When we got home, we came in to find the house so much cleaner than we had left it. The babysitters (we had two sisters watching the kids) had decided to clean up the kids' playroom downstairs as well as Kaylee's room upstairs! It was such a nice end to our day. We will definitely have these girls come again. Besides the house being so clean, the kids just had a great time with them. And yes, we did give the girls some extra cash for the cleaning (which they at first wouldn't accept!)

Does it ever end?

Well, nursery doesn't seem to quite as overwhelming right now. Mainly because I feel so awful for the other nursery leader they just put in. She has one child in nursery, but get this, she just had a baby 2 weeks ago. I don't know how she is going to do it. Anyway, I think I will be okay. Thanks for the comments. It's always helpful to hear other's thoughts about things.

Well, the weather is great and we have been trying to get everything outside (landscaping, sprinklers....) fixed up and it just seems that it will never end. Everywhere we look we see something else that needs to be fixed. Our deck needs to be stained, the steps need to be fixed, the paint around the back door needs work....blah...blah...blah! Meanwhile, since all our efforts are going on the exterior of the house, the inside is getting neglected. Laundry is piling up, vaccuming isn't getting done as often as it should be and you can forget the mopping and the dusting!!! It just never seems to end!

Nursery Blues

Okay, so I haven't had a job in the church for a few months now since I was released as the Primary Secretary. They kept me on the primary board, but had not given me anything else to do and consequently I wasn't available to go anywhere else. It has been very nice being able to go to Relief Society, which I've felt I had really needed. The other day, I was asked to be in Nursery considering I have two children currently in there. I definitely have mixed feelings about this. I want to be where I am needed and am determined to do the best I can. However, that has been the one time during the week I get to escape from my children. I looked forward to Relief Society to be able to be enriched and to have adult discussion. Why is it that they always ask the stay-at-home moms with nursery age children to be in the nursery? It's so hard to be at home with the children with hardly any adult conversation. I love children, but feel like I deserve a break. I also have a hard time with the primary presidency. Having served with them before, I have witnessed how they call someone to positions in the presidency. It is usually who they like, what looks convenient, and, honestly, what would be the easiest. They rarely pray about callings, unless it is an "important" one. This was something that I had struggled with when I was in the primary presidency. I have always felt the all callings are important, especially ones that deal with the children. Knowing what I have seen and how they call people to these jobs makes me wonder about how I was called to do this. Was it merely out of convenience because of my kids and knowing I wouldn't say no, or was it because that is where the Lord feels I need to be? I guess it doesn't really matter, I will do the best I can and try to be upbeat about it either way. I just wonder. I just worry that they will forget about me in there (as they have a tendency to do with those in nursery) and that I won't be able to look forward to a break from the kids. When the kids are young, is when the break is the most needed and the lessons in Relief Society are so important. The other ladies in there have so much to share with the younger moms. And I have so much to learn. Maybe that's why I'm in nursery. Who knows? I would love to hear any thoughts about this. I am really struggling with this.

Fun Road Trip

We had such a great time today. My husband had the day off today for Cinco De Mayo, as he works for a company that serves mainly (but not limited to) Mexicans. We decided to take a drive up to a hot spring a couple of hours away. We piled the kids in the car and took off. They did so good and had a great time looking at all the cows and horses we passed by. We also had a great time at the hot spring. The boys brought their squirt guns and had fun trying to aim for the ants on the ground. Their aim wasn't the best! The water was awfully hot, so we didn't stay too long. It was just a lot of fun to be stuck in the car together with no one else. My husband and I were able to talk while the kids slept. It seems so hard to be able to talk with each other without many interuptions most days that this just seemed like a real treat. When the kids were awake (which was surprisingly most of the time) we had a good time talking about all the stuff we saw outside. It was such a gorgeous day and the kids seemed to really enjoy it. It seems so rare that we are able to do this kind of stuff! Long car rides can sometimes be so stressful, however, today was great and the kids did so well it ended up being a great bonding time.

A Fun Meme

I know, I know, I already posted today, but then I saw this meme that I wanted to post from donttrythisathome.typepad.com. Here goes:

I AM: first and foremost, a mom... a dreamer.... a worrier.

I WANT: my children to be happy, to be more outgoing and to come out of my shell.

I WISH: I lived closer to my parents and my mortgage was paid for.

I HATE: staying up all night and getting no sleep.

I MISS: those care-free college days of no worries and spontanaity (spelling? Apparently, I didn't spend enough time studying!)

I HEAR: my children...constantly!!!

I WONDER: how my oldest is already five and going to start kindergarten, if I'll ever have a truly restful night ever again.

I REGRET: letting myself go and forgetting about myself.

I AM NOT: perfect.

I DANCE: with my children when I should be cleaning!

I SING: with the kids in the car.

I CRY: too much, when stressed, during movies, when happy.

I AM NOT ALWAYS: as patient with my kids as I should be.

I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: crafts with the kids, jewelry, scrapbooks.

I WRITE: very rarely.

I CONFUSE: my life with reality.

I NEED: my kids, my husband, to laugh and play.

I SHOULD: keep house better and play less.

I START: and hardly ever finish.

I FINISH: what is truly important.

He Finally Did It!!!

I can't believe it! I have been trying to get Austin, my 3 yr. old, potty trained. It has not been easy, he has been refusing to wear anything buy pull-ups and diapers. Then just two days ago, he came over to me and asked if he could were his Superman underwear that he picked out, and never worn, 3 months ago. I was so surprised, I about fell over. However, not wanting to make a big deal about it, afraid he would back off from all the attention, I played it cool. I went downstairs to his bedroom and picked out the pair for him. Much to my surprise, he put them on himself and never had an accident!!! I couldn't believe it! I guess he was just finally ready. He has been wearing big boy underwear for three days now and is doing fabulous. I keep telling him how proud I am of him making the decision to become a truly big boy and the look of pride on his face is just the most heart-warming look ever. It is so exciting to be able to watch your children grow. The satisfaction of watching them is overwhelming! They are truly a blessing.