Weight, Favorites and Other Stuff
Weight Update: I continue to act like a yo-yo. Up and down, I go. Last week I was down 1.5 pounds, and this week I am back up. BUT, I popped a hole through the knee of my last jeans so I went to my favorite store to buy my favorite jeans and…guess what….I was able to get a size smaller! I have always been somewhere around 14-16 but I bought size 12! They probably added stretch or adjusted the size or something, but it still feels good.
Other Stuff: Bryan got a new calling at church yesterday. It is a doozy. Stake Young Mens Presidency – 1st Counselor. We aren’t really sure what all this entails (if you know, please enlighten me) or when he starts. I think that he is a little excited though. He is ready for a new challenge, I think. Finally got my Christmas out. I sent some of them last week and the rest today. Oh, what a wonderful feeling.
My parents arrive Saturday so there is much house cleaning and grocery shopping to be done this week. Also, going into Oldest’s classroom to read a story for their read-a-thon. Trying to decide between two books: Bear Stays Up For Christmas and The Polar Express. Any thoughts?
I am revamping my chore charts and house rules. I am condensing the 9 rules into 5, and adding chores. They are doing so good at it, so I thought, hey! Why not make them do more of my stuff?
We will be celebrating my parents arrival by watching the BYU football bowl game. Go cougars. (Anyone know who they are playing? Hmm. Probably ought to find out.)
And finally…..
Favorite Moments from the week:
*Taking Daughter and Youngest to the mall and having Daughter act perfectly.
*While I was building the Thomas the train track that Youngest was demanding that I build, he decided that I should stop immediately and hook the trains together. I told him: “Hold your little pants on!” and he threw down the train and grabbed as much of his little Gap sweat pants in his little fists as possible.
*Lunch out at Olive Garden with Bryan. And no kids.
*Finished Christmas shopping, and it is a wonderful feeling (just waiting for Amazon to send those last two gifts…).
*I knew the library had one book that I put on hold there, but when I got to the library, there was four books waiting for me!
*The young men and Bishopric came to our house caroling and brought us a box of Christmas treats (chocolates, oranges, nuts, etc…)
Help!
November 28, 2007 
It seems like I am always asking for advice…but I get such good advice that I keep coming back. And now, I need some more. My two-year-old has picked up the words “stupid” and “idiot.” He gets upset and uses this low, evil sounding voice and says, “You are stooopid” or “You are iii-dioot.” I really don’t think that he knows what “stupid” and “idiot” mean…he just knows that it makes his brother and sister mad/sad and that he gets a reaction from Mom and Dad (“Don’t talk like that! Stop it!”), but I need to figure out a way to put an end to it. I am dreading sending him to nursery Sunday because when he gets mad at someone and starts spewing in his evil voice, I know that they will think I am te worst mother in the world, because what kind of mother teaches their two-year-old the words “stupid” and “idiot”…. Selfish, I know. But. It’s the truth. I worry about what people think of me. Sigh. I swear, though, that I didn’t teach him these words. Oldest tends to say that things are stupid (even though not long ago he got after us if we ever said anything was stupid) but I really don’t know where he got idiot. Help!
Changes
November 6, 2007 
We have had a rough couple of weeks. There has been lots of yelling, threatening and tears (on my part and the kids). And I am tired of it. I don’t know if the kids are still adjusting to the move or what. I think they are lonely (no kids in the neighborhood), bored (fall + rain +cooler = less outdoor play) and testing us. The problem is that I feel like we are on the losing end of the struggles.
This brings us to changes. I have “brought the hammer down.” Before we were waking oldest (and hoping just he would wake up) at 6:45, and rushing out the door to get to the bus. Now everyone is getting up at 6:30 and getting dressed. After lunch is made and the kids have their breakfast, I am reading the Book of Mormon to them. Then, we are kneeling together for family prayer and calmly (hopefully) heading out to the bus stop.
I have also made job charts. I have tried this before and haven’t been able to get them to work but I think this will. I am a list person. So, I made lists. The kids each have one thing to do every day (we breaking this in slowly) and four things they must do each day. I put the lists in sheet protectors and taped them to the fridge so we can dry erase them and wipe later. After school, the kids can have a snack and then it is chore time and no playing or tv until the chore is done.
Last week, I considered letting my kids stay up later than our usual 7:30, but have since decided to stick to that bedtime. This way DH and I have some time together to relax, watch tv, play a game or whatever. So come 7:00 it is pajamas and teeth brushing.
Another thing that I have done: Posting the rules on the fridge. I find that I am threatening a lot. A lot. “Stop whining or you will….”, “Put that away or…”, etc. It is old. So, at FHE last week we made a list of rules and posted it on the fridge. If the kids break a rule posted on the fridge they get time out with no warning. 4 minutes for daughter, and 6 minutes for oldest.
This week, I am working on our Christmas cards. I have made them for the last several years, so I am working on ideas this week. Looking forward to turning on the Christmas music, lighting the fire and sipping hot chocolate. (Stealing this idea from Gab…if you want to be on my mailing list email me – sahmof3qts@aol.com) We are headed to Utah for Thanksgiving! Can’t wait for that. Praying for good weather. That means that the next couple weeks are getting things ready for Christmas so that I don’t have to ship stuff for later.
Thoughts from last week
October 29, 2007
Filed under Chatter, Children, Food, LDS Church, Motherhood, Movies to see
Don’t doubt that thought to not get the “cool” cart at Safeway. When you fall for your children’s pleas and get the car cart you will end up with the loudest, most off balance cart ever. Your elbows will be sore when you are done shopping.
Going into the store for milk, and milk alone, is impossible. You will come out with tortillas, rice-a-roni, chips and raisins. And wheat thins. (And $60 later)
Don’t put son’s comforter and comforter cover back on his bed after you wash it. You will have to re-wash it the next day and try to get the cover back on. Again.
Don’t think that you will never say: “Don’t jump on the couch. Especially with a hammer in your mouth.” You will.
Don’t think that all the laundry will be done in one day. With the dryer needing to run everything for two 70 minute cycles (why is it doing this?!), it will take at least 3 days to get the laundry done. And then there will 3 more days worth of clothes to wash, dry, fold, and put away.
Don’t be surprised when, after watching N put on pink from head to toe, and you tell her that she is a ‘pink girl’, she yells, “I am black! My skin is black!”
Don’t stand on one foot with other foot twisted around while you give your talk in sacrament meeting. You will wonder through out the talk if you are going to faint.
Don’t freak out when you realize the stake president is on the stand. And. You. Are. Speaking.
Don’t get too excited about the Bourne Ultimatum DVD release, just because the Bourne Supremacy is on tv. That doesn’t mean that it comes out soon. Internet searches will not tell you the date. Who knows when it comes out? (I can’t wait!) Continue waiting patiently for Ocean’s 13 and Hairspray to come out on DVD. Both in November.
Pray when you feel most unworthy.
Smile when A starts taking Lighting and Mater to bed with him. Along with Doggy, Pupper and his beloved Froggy blanket. Before long there wont be room for him in that bed.
Don’t send son to his room for timeout. He will think it is fun to play Legos. Instead make him sit on daughters bed. He will not enjoy sitting on the purple bedspread.
Resist the temptation to run out to the mailbox at 9:00 on Friday morning. Just because People comes on Friday here (I had to wait until Monday to get it in Utah) does not mean that the mail will arrive before 2:00pm. I wonder if the mailman could make this his first stop on Fridays?
Try not to laugh when, during your primary class, you ask what the kids have had to sacrifice for being a church member and 9 year old girl responds (very seriously) that she tore a piece of paper in half. Huh? I was thinking maybe you couldn’t play in a sports game or go to a birthday party or something.
Just Like Dad
Sometimes I feel bad for myself because my kids all prefer their dad. I have convinced myself that I am somehow less important in their lives because of this. They argue over who gets to sit by him at dinner, which means that I never get to. They want him to tuck them in and it is him that they pretend to be. They set up offices, and pretend to answer the phone at Dad’s work. They never pretend to do hair. They never pretend to fold clothes or clean the kitchen. They never pretend to bathe kids or change diapers. What I have realized though is: Who better for my children to imitate? Who better for my kids to look up to? He honors his priesthood, he loves his wife and his kids. He is a good son, a hard worker. He is responsible and he is smart. He is fit, healthy, and fun. If they grow up to be just like him, I will be the proudest mother that there ever was.
Rambling
Maybe I shouldn’t post this because I am a little worried about the backlash that I may get, but I have to share my point of view. Sister Beck’s talk has sparked all kinds of debate all across blog-land. I loved it. My friend that was here for the weekend was watching it and commented that she thought that it was going to cause a lot of guilt. My sister-in-law commented that she was surprised we were supposed to be the best because she didn’t think that as latter-day saints we should be comparing ourselves to others.
Both valid points, but you know. I LOVED the talk. It made me feel inspired to be better. I am not much for house-work but I shouldn’t be complaining about it. I chose this for my job and I enjoy it. I can be better. If I am better organized, I can spend less time doing house work. If I am picky about which activities I chose outside my house I will be better prepared for my days with my kids. I feel inspired to nurture more. I feel inspired to pray for the help I need. I feel a confirmation that the Lord does care about my happiness in my work at home and He will help me. I’ll probably never be the “best” homemaker in Oregon. But will I be the best I can be? Possibly. I can’t wait until it comes out in print and I can put up different parts that I like around my house to keep me inspired. Good talk, Sister Beck. Loved her general RS meeting talk too.
I am feeling really helpless right now. One of my best friends from home has found out that she is pregnant, which is great but she has also found out that she has either a bone cyst or bone cancer. We are praying that it is a bone-cyst, although neither is good. If it is a bone cyst, doctors will take her baby at 34 weeks and do a surgery to remove the cyst. Apparently the surgery would be bloody and she will need several transfusions. Scary. However, not as scary as bone cancer. If it turns out to be bone cancer, they would have to start aggressive treatment immediately which would cause her to miscarry her baby. Such a sad situation. I wish that I was home so I could help her with her kids while she is going from appointment to appointment. I wish that I could do her hair for her on Sunday, since it hurts her too much to do it herself. I wish I could take dinner in so she would have one less thing to worry about (although her vegetarian husband probably wouldn’t eat what I made). From 800 miles away, what I can do to help is prayer. Will you prayer with me? She has three little kids at home.
Today is my husband’s 33rd birthday. Happy birthday! I am so grateful for him. He is wonderful and I hope he loves his day. We are having steak for dinner and tomorrow we are having peach cobbler and apple crisp with some family that is local for dessert. Those are his favorite desserts.
Just spent a girls weekend with a friend from home in Seattle. She flew to PDX and we took the Amtrak train to Seattle. We took a cab to Pike’s Place Market, the monorail to the Space Needle and a bus to her grandma’s house in Bothell. We did some shopping (I got three new sweaters, yay!) and reading and relaxing. I am reading Three Cups of Tea (very good) and she raced through the Stephenie Meyers series. I enjoyed my couple of days away, although, I am having a hard time getting back into the groove of everyday life.
T had his first homework last week. I guess every Thursday he will come home with a homework folder and it is due the following Wednesday. He is excited to have homework and is starting to really pick up on reading. N is loving learning the letters at prechool. She spends a lot of free time writing letters and she has learned to write her name. Proud of her and her effort. A is trying to give up naps and he is not ready. So grouchy on days he doesn’t nap. He is turning into a independent little boy instead of the cuddly, happy-go-lucky that he has been.
Took a bit of break from blogging, and enjoyed it. Once in a while, I think we all need that. =)
Instructions from my life the last couple of weeks
September 29, 2007
Filed under Children, Food, LDS Church, Motherhood, Movies to see, Utah Sites
INSTRUCTIONS FROM MY LIFE:
Don’t start painting boys room the day before Super-Saturday. You wont get to it again until at least three days later. (Before and After photos to come.)
Listen to dear husband when he tells you not to push to hard when you are priming. Otherwise, you will have to do two coats.
Don’t tell 6-year-old son that he can pick the color for his new room unless you are going to be okay with the bright green that he chooses.
When you try to convince your 2-year-old that he is a ‘big boy’ and should start to use the potty, don’t be surprised when he yells “I A BABY!” and runs the other way.
Convincing said 2-year-old that he is a boy when is insists he is a “g-earl!” will make you laugh.
When the spirit is telling you over and over again to pick up the Book of Mormon and read, you will be pleasantly surprised by what you find. His love will surround you, and you will feel peace.
Do that second coat of paint, even if you don’t want to.
Don’t believe that the scotch painters tape comes off as easily in real life as it does on tv.
Just because you gave 4-year-old daughter an empty backpack does not mean that she wont take a chain out of it and swing it around at school.
Target does not have shoes in said 4-year-old’s size. What is up with that?
Finding a book on your porch with a sticker from the library on it but no bar code or call number will drive you crazy for days. Who left it? Why? Where did it come from?
Do not buy 2 giant sized Symphony bars just because they were buy 1 get 1 free. You will regret it.
When you go to the store to buy DH some Diet Pepsi, and see that the price for a 12-pack is $5.69 + deposit and the price for a 2 liter is $2.29 you will be glad that you have kicked the caffeine and carbonation habit.
Just because you work out 4 times does not mean that you will lose weight. It doesn’t mean give up, however.
Going to play games with a bunch of couples you don’t know will turn out to be the highlight of your week.
Agreeing to make 5 baby blankets for area humanitarian effort should not be done. You will inevitably sew it wrong, and when you turn it right side out the batting will be on the outside and you will have to unpick the whole thing. Luckily you will eventually figure it out and the other four wont be so hard. You will, however, wish that you didn’t have to give the one with the cute Eskimos on it back. It is too cute.
When you read that Utah county got snow today you will insanely jealous that you weren’t there.
The movie Last Holiday will make you smile every time you watch it.
Love-y’s
Just read an amazing article in October’s Parenting Magazine. It is about a woman whose son was attached to a giraffe. It was a sweet article that describes how essential this type of lovey is for everyone in the family, and how when her son moves out and is no longer interested in the giraffe, she will still need the giraffe. What lovey’s are in your house? Will they be your lovey’s when your children aren’t interested in them anymore? These are the lovey’s that fill our home:
Puppers (dark brown) and Doggy (light brown)
Puppers and Doggy are A’s. A was always a blanket baby. He loved the flannel receiving blankets with the crocheted edges. He would drag those around with him and chew the fringe like crazy. We have had to have many repaired by loving grandmothers. Some have been repaired and put away so he will cause no more damage to them. He got Puppers when we moved from Utah. His Grandma gave him Puppers for the drive. He is was this cute, soft cuddly dog. Now he is basically attached to A at the mouthhip. Especially at bedtime. He is not so soft anymore though. Now his ears and paws are kind of crusty from being munched on. And what makes a better second lovey? A second dog. Enter Doggy. He actually got Doggy for Christmas from my sister, but until now he hasn’t been that interested. Now, in order to sleep, he likes Puppers and Doggy.
Rhino
Rhino. Now, I wouldn’t really call rhino a lovey. Because, well, T has never really wanted needed a lovey. He wasn’t really into pacifiers as a baby, he never dragged blankets around with him. But. If he starts to feel left-out because N has Chi-Chi and A has Puppers or Doggy, then suddenly, T needs Rhino. He usually stays on T’s bed (or in the closet) somewhere, but he isn’t taken with us from place to place like the others. He has gone on a couple trips but not many.
Chi-Chi is the original lovey at our house. N grew attached to him sometime around a year and a half, and named him Chi-Chi. He is this adorable little gorilla that a friend gave to me in high-school. She carries him everywhere. Sleeps with him. Watches tv with him. Eats with him. He goes on every camping trip, vacation and excursion. He has been lost, and that has made life miserable. He is getting a little worn…his shiny pleather nose is now gray from wear. His hand that used to be sewn together (at one point he was holding a rose) are not anymore. He is matted, but he is loved more than any toy in our house.
Blanket. Now, I know that I am too old to have a lovey, but let’s face it. I do. I have this pink and white fleece blanket from a family reunion auction back in 2004. I bought it originally for N, but after I used it a time or two, I fell in love. It is soft, and the perfect size. It isn’t frilly and fancy, but I love it. I don’t let any kids use it. I only wash it when absolutely necessary (like today because when I was trying to kill a spider that landed on the blanket and I smashed it…without thinking) to keep it soft. I need this blanket as much as N needs Chi-Chi and as much as A needs Puppers.
So, what loveys are at your house?
Floam
Have you seen this stuff? They advertise it on tv and convince my kids that they need it. Then they start selling it at Wal-Mart. Darn them. I can just imagine it getting ground into the carpet and stuck in hair. I REFUSE to buy it. This is the conversation between N & myself this morning at Wal-Mart.
N – “Mom, when I am big, I am going to buy this. For my kids.” Pointing at the floam.
Me – “Really?”
N – “Yes. And they are going to love it.” Picking it up and setting it down.
Me – “I’m sure.”
N - “And we are going to go out to restaurants in the afternoon, at night and breakfast.”
Me – “That will be nice. I hope you have lots of money when you get big.”
N – “You can come too.”
Me – “Thanks.”
N – “Will your hair be white or pink when you are a grandma?” Staring at me, trying to imagine my hair when I am old, I guess.
I hope it is neither, N, but thanks for thinking of me for lunch!
Snacks
Sometimes I feel like snacks are taking over. I will admit that I love to snack. Apparently, I am passing this on to my children. They also love to snack. I try to make sure that they are eating healthy snacks but….
We used to take snacks to church for the kids to eat. We had hopes that they would be quiet and entertained. But then it got to the point that if we stepped into a church building, they were begging for snacks. So, no more snacks for the older two. They still beg though…and it didn’t keep them quiet and entertained.
When I did weight watchers after A was born I would eat very points during breakfast and lunch and dinner so that I could eat “snacks” that weren’t good for me. If this is my attitude, I am not going to lose weight. Is this what I am passing down to my kids? Are they going to have my same snacking addiction? Are they going to have the same issues with their weight that I have?
Today, before I had finished lunch T was asking if he could have a pudding later. I just bought pudding yesterday for the first time in ages. I told him, “if you are still hungry go and eat some more sandwich. Have a banana. We aren’t thinking about snacks yet.” But, I have noticed that this is how my kids have been lately. After each meal they are calculating when they can ask for a snack and what they will have. If anyone is eating anything and A comes along then he is demanding that he “needs” some. I tell myself that he is a growing two year old but… who knows.
Am I being paranoid? Typically they can have a snack that is sweet and then they have to have something better for snack, say an apple or a slice of bread or a string cheese. I guess what I need to do is stop buying the crackers, and zingers and cookies and only buy the apples, string cheese, pretzels and other things.
BUT, then am I making it so they aren’t having it and will want it all the more?
Any thoughts, suggestions or advice?
