Stuffed Ham Anyone?

I have discovered that I am jealous of a stuffed pig named Ham!

It is #4's favorite stuffed animal (I actually got him for my 13th birthday from a most beloved sister and it has made its way through some of the kids). He sleeps with him ALL the time, and I mean ALL the time.

He must be going through a growth spurt or something, because out of the 13 1/2 hours between waking and going to bed he naps at least 5 of those. That's only 8 1/2 hours or less that I get him, while the pig gets him the other 15 1/2 hours of the day. He has even been trying to get Ham out of the crib during waking hours now!

But, when they sleep they are so cute together. #4 has this way of rubbing Ham's tail up and down on his cheek or stroking the ear so softly and gently. Me, he just hits. And he won't ever cuddle up with me to fall asleep. He will only nap in his crib, with the pig.

#4 just LOVES that pig. When he is soooo tired and cranky at nap time, all I need to do is lie him down in the crib hand him his pig and put the binky in his mouth and he is happy and content as he hugs and cuddles the pig.

I considered that maybe the pig needed to meet an untimely end, but that may be a little suicidal, #4 would NEVER sleep again! So, maybe I won't bump him off just yet.

WOOHOO! (to quote Mom)

I checked my grades this morning for my current class. I took a midterm on Friday and wanted to know what the damage was. But...I got 100%!! I am so happy. I finished the test in half of the allotted time so I was a little worried I didn't do so hot. Only two more tests to go!

When You Make A Mess, You Clean It Up

Yesterday disaster struck our house when we couldn't open the dresser/desk drawer with all of our important reciepts and such. I tried in the early morning hours (when I usually update our finances) and Hubby tried, but-nothing. During the day I tried shoving, breaking, anything, still-nothing. And, by the way, this certainly didn't help with my attitude (STRESS! AHH!) or my reactions to the kids.

The evening came, and Hubby came home with a plan. What was it you ask? Take the back off the dresser and reach in to push the offending party aside to open the drawer.

So, after the kids went to bed our plan went into action. Now you have to understand our "desk" is two dressers with a board in the middle attached with L-brackets. Silly you say? Practical I say. I get 8 feet of working room, plus 6 huge drawers (although one was out of commission-that's right I said "was," are you in suspense now?)

We had to take the board off and move the disaterous dresser forward. The back was held on with huge, long, scary staples which we pried off with a screwdiver.

Now, we were in position to unstick the drawer. I used a heavy wrench to push down the object blocking the drawer, while Roy pulled the drawer out. And...IT WORKED! The drawer came out!

The offender you ask?

Yes, that is our "out" box. The receipts and important papers that need to get filed away. Well, nothing has been filed for almost a year (due to the birth and business of #4). That procrastination led to this catastrophe.

The dresser was left an empty shell, which made me terribly sad. I grew up using these dressers after all, and since I was the last to leave home I got the possession of them. So if you are related to me and you are sentimentally attached to items you may need to turn away due to the graphic nature of this next photo.

Luckily, luckily Hubby is brilliant and wonderful and was able to replace the back of the dresser (with a little of my help I might add).

So the desk is back together, and in all its glory once more.

I can't say the same for me though. Injury count from the episode: Summer-2, Hubby-0. I got a scratched and bleeding wrist from reaching in the back of the drawer, and a very sore and bruised finger from the hammer (boy did I want to swear). I had to put ice on the thing for quite a while, and it still hurt this morning that I couldn't type with that finger. Even now it is tender.

Lesson to learn: file things right away from now on!

My Favorite Things: Grocery Edition

As I mentioned in an earlier post I have a few hard and fast rules about buying brand name verses generic. Most things I buy generic. It is just so much more practical when buying groceries for 6 people.

However there are some items I will NEVER buy generic. These are some of my favorite things from the grocery store:

~Arm & Hammer laundry detergent, I don't care how much it costs, it works so well, why bother with anything else?

~St. Ives Apricot scrub, mainly for the smell, it always reminded me of the beach (sigh).

~Ghirardelli 60% cocoa chocolate chips, no other brand tastes like real chocolate and they are great when I need a little pick-me-up.

Things Children Should NOT Say Around Their Mother

Child's question to mother: "When you grow out of your clothes, can I have them?"

Mother's (internal) reaction, with meaningful look at husband: "Excuse me!? This child thinks I am going to GROW OUT of my clothes? Does that mean I am getting fatter?"

Next day-

Child's comment to younger brother: "Relief Society is for old women."

Mother's (external) reaction, with meaningful look at husband: "Excuse me!? I am NOT old!"

I know my children don't mean to say things that I might take the wrong way. It makes my day more amusing. And if I need anything to get me through my day it is laughter.

I am sure you all can add much more to my list.

Please add them as a response.

Is It Just Me?

I am the first to admit that I can be pretty quirky. Okay, maybe Hubby is the first, and I am second. I do some pretty crazy things. But I hope I am not the only one.

Am I the only one who:

~writes an item on my to-do list that I already did, just to cross it off? (I love crossing stuff off!)

~makes the bed, after it has been left un-made all day (yes it sometimes happens), right before going to bed?

~puts ranch dressing on spaghetti? (I think I learned this from a brother-in-law, Hubby thinks it's disgusting!)

~won't ever sleep on anyone else's pillow? (It smells different.)

~won't start one book until finishing another?

~has 3 full laundry days a week? (That's a lot of laundry!)

~has rules about buying generic vs brand name? (details will be posted another time.)

I hope everyone is as crazy as me. It sure makes life more fun.

The Never-Ending Story: An Unromantic Tale of Dirty Dishes

I HATE WASHING DISHES!! More than any other household chore. I would rather clean the toilet (eew), clean under my children's beds (scary), and clean under the refridgerator (yuck), than wash dishes.

It's not that I think they are gross, or even that it takes too much time to unload and load. But it just seems to me that there are CONSTANTLY dirty dishes piling up. The minute I load up the dishwasher I turn around and there is another dirty dish (or 2, or 3) in the sink already.

I hate those kinds of chores that I have to do over and over again. I feel like I never accomplish anything.

And I HAVE to feel like I've accomplished SOMETHING during the day.

What I would love is for my boyfriend (Josh Groban) to come to my house and sing to me while he washes my dishes. Maybe then I would enjoy a dirty dish lying around now and then!

Wallowing in Ice Cream

Why is it when I feel bad about myself I try to solve the issue by eating chocolate, or, in this case, chocolate ice cream? It makes me forget about my stressor for about two minutes while I revel in the creaminess and the sugar, the cold and (again, in this case) nuts and yummy marshmallows.

But THEN, I just feel worse about everything, especiallyafter I realize I just ate an eighth of a gallon of rocky road ice cream (even if it is the most delicious rocky road ever, and even if that became the best part of my day.)

Maybe this will have to suffice?

Break Me Off A Piece of That Kit-Kat Bar!

I need a break! After almost a year of practically being attached to #4, I need a get-a-way as soon as he is completely finished nursing.

Now, before you think I am totally selfish, this was actually Hubby's idea (and I am only just a little selfish). He thinks I need a vacation, by myself, to rejuvenate and recuperate and re-energize and all those sorts of things.

I am considering a couple of options:

In October there is a Time Out for Women in San Antonio.

Going on now until September 21 is an exhibit I want to see at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.

But I am up for anything. So, got any suggestions? I can't be gone too long or the guilt monster will find me and drag me back home, and I can't spend too much (I so hate living on a budget.)

I would love it sooooo much if anyone wanted to come along and join me on this adventure. Is anyone up for it?

Can't wait!

Women's Liberation, Summer Style

I really wanted to get a picture of me burning my nursing bra, but Hubby wouldn't help me with it. So it is just sitting in the trash.

But I am officially done with it! My last nursing bra EVER!

#4 isn't quite done nursing yet, he still nurses first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

But, boy, do I hate that nursing bra. It is much like wearing the same maternity clothes for months and months, and you are just so sick of the sight of them.

I threw it in the trash with gusto!

Reasons #239-249 Why It Is So Hard to Exercise When You Have Kids

Before I even put the DVD in I have to settle an argument between #2 and #3 over who is going to fetch my weights from my bedroom for me

I put the DVD in the machine.

2 min later I am trying to patiently get #2 to be involved in something other than watching me sweat.

3 min after that I am having to move all over the living room so I don't accidentally step on and squash #4.

6 min after that I have to run over and save #4 who somehow pulled the preschool white board off the wall, and attach the board back to the wall.

2 min after that I rewind the DVD a couple of minutes.

3 min after that I am side-stepping #3 and #4.

1 min after that I ask #3 to please not pull on his little brother.

7 min after that I am listening to #4 complain that I am still not giving him ALL my attention.

8 min after that I finally pick up #4.

1 min after that I put him down to stretch.

30 sec after that he is hanging on me while I stretch.

2 min after that I turn the DVD off.

1.5 hours after that and I still haven't showered.

Normally it is not like this. I usually work out when #4 is napping in the morning and the other three are playing peacefully (yes, it sometimes happens) in the backyard or in #1's bedroom.

I hope you have better luck than I do.

DON'T!

I am sooo not a morning person. And I never have been, as my family can testify. When I was younger I used to walk out of my bedroom with a pillow over my face. If anyone tried to say "Good morning" to me I would grunt "Don't!"

Well, I don't quite take it that far any more. But I am still groggy and tired and just a little grumpy in the a.m.

Unfortunately, I am married to a person who voluntarily signs up to teach early classes. In fact Hubby normally wakes up at 5a.m! And likes doing it! Sometimes he will volunteer to go grocery shopping at 6a.m. on the weekends! I just don't get it!

And, unfortunately, some of my offspring are quite cheery and talkative in the morning.

And, unfortunately, I have at least one that takes after me and is grumpy and slow when she is wakes up. (Am I never satisfied?)

Due to all of these other people I have to deal with, I have had to force myself to be bright and cheery (to get #1 up and happy and going on the day), to wake up early (to spend any time with Hubby) and to be talkative and happy in the morning (to have nice, natural conversations with #2 and #3; #4 is also up early in the morning, but only cause he wants to nurse still-I can deal with that.)

Sometimes I wish I could sleep in everyday and wake up because I felt ready to. But then again, and this is another unfortunate, I think I am starting to like waking early. I seem to get so much more done during my day, and I even have time to read my scriptures (which is an essential part of my day) in a quiet house.

So against my "natural [wo]man" I am starting to become a different person, and, hopefully, a better one.

But does that mean I can never enjoy sleeping in again?

What A Year!

Well, only 3 more weeks till #4 is one year old. I can't believe how this year has gone so suddenly. Maybe it was because I was enjoying it more knowing this is our very last baby.

But I have learned a lot this year and thought I would share my knowledge with the world:

~It is very painful to have one's toenail ripped off. Incedently, my toe has been the cause of more foul language than anything I have encountered.

~Oil of any kind (I used canola) will cure a baby's cradle cap. Who knew?!

~Hubby broke his mission rules by sleeping away from his apartment 3 times! Tsk, tsk, tsk!

~I hate Girl Scout cookies.

~Listening to books on CD in the car can sometimes spur a child on to read a book you have been suggesting for years, and when they finally read it they can't put it down and they reread it about 10 times and it makes you want to jump up and down and sing "I told you so!"

~I am getting too old to camp without an air mattress and a hot shower.

~But, we can rough it pretty well, even with an infant.

~Apparently I am a paranoid parent and will take my child to the doctor over anything.

~I look better with brown hair (it is my natural color after all.)

~I love my alone time (okay maybe I knew this before, but I no longer feel guilty about being away from my children.)

~I like to keep a journal, when it is in the form of a blog.

Confessions of a Serial Organizer

The kids woke up yesterday morning calm and happy. #3 quietly asked if he could have scrambled eggs for breakfast. I thought sure, he asked politely and I don't usually cook for breakfast on weekdays, so I can be nice this time. I asked all the kids if that was what they wanted and mentally pictured #4 being able to eat this meal as well. And, hey, I didn't have to make 5 different breakfasts and deal with anyone complaining that they don't like any of those cereals.


I got out the bowl and the eggs, the pan and the butter, the bread (for the toast) and the kiwi fruits and oranges (what a well balanced meal!). Since cracking eggs is somewhat a mundane task I was able to do it without thinking much. Perhaps I was mentally writing a blog. In any case I wasn't paying attention to what I was doing, when I look down and saw this:

Notice the beautiful symmetry! Apparently I organize subconsciously. How efficient of me.

Resignation and Defeat: Another Bibliophile At Work

So, I am a little obsessive about the orderliness of my house. Okay, a lot obsessive!
So, normally, when #4 decides to pull ALL the books off the bookshelf we will clean it up after a while. Alright I'll admit I will clean it up while he's in the process of pulling them off, all the while hoping to distract him.
I try to READ the books to him. After all that's what they are for aren't they? I'll sit him on my lap and attempt to read him a nice story and have a little bonding moment with him, especially if it is one of my favorites like "Pajama Time" or "Love You Forever." But, he won't have any of that nonsense! No he just wants to pull them down, put them to his mouth, taste them, hold them, maybe rip them a little bit.
But, yesterday, after cleaning up the books a couple of times, and (admittedly) having the older 3 do it for me as well, I gave up. That's right. I left a mess in my house go unchecked! For hours! Even over night! The above picture is actually from this morning when I woke up.
I've decided it just isn't worth it anymore. I can't have all the toys put away while the kids are playing with them. They are there to be played with and enjoyed after all! Even if he doesn't want to read the books he is getting familiar with what they are and enjoying them and getting comfortable with them.
The funny thing is when most of the books are already on the floor, he doesn't try to pull more down. I wonder if he does it sometimes just for the fun of making a mess. Imagine, my child intentionally making a mess! The little rebel.

Alright, You Asked For It!

Okay. Since so many of you have been asking what the song is, I decided to post some of the lyrics and give a few hints, maybe even a link or two. I just can't write the title.
The song came out on Meredith Brooks album in May 1997.

The first verse is as follows:

I hate the world today
You're so good to me
I know but I can't change
Tried to tell you
But you look at me like maybe
I'm an angel underneath
Innocent and sweet
Yesterday I cried
Must have been relieved to see
The softer side
I can understand how you'd be so confused
I don't envy you
I'm a little bit of everything
All rolled into one...

...and the radio gets turned off!

Here is a link to the rest of the lyrics. Enjoy! And don't say I didn't warn you!

My "At Bat" Music

Do you ever watch movies and listen to the soundtracks and wish there were a soundtrack for your life? Maybe I am the only crazy one. Well, for a little over 11 years now I have secretly had a theme song, maybe it would be the opener of my movie. Or, as Hubby likes to put it, my "at bat" music (I am sure you've been to baseball games and noticed that when a player gets up to bat a certain song is played). I won't name it or even write any of the lyrics, due to the content, after all I don't want you to think less of me than you already do.

But since it is inappropriate for adults, think of the kids. When ever I hear it on the radio (assuming the brood is also in the car, well, when aren't they?) I listen to as much as I can (and Hubby indulges me in this) then I will quick change the station right before the naughty word (which is also the title.)

I feel a little deprived and sorry for myself that I can't even listen to the soundtrack of my life! Or, maybe it's my former life? I was 18 when I acquired the themesong. Am I holding on to a younger, more rebelous me? I don't mind getting older. I am probably the only person I know who is looking forward to turning 30 (the next decade is just going to be so exciting!).

Am I trying to prove that I am still young? Am I trying not to turn into some fuddy-duddy old lady who can't even appreciate a few bad words now and then? Who knows. For now I am going to enjoy my song (when I can). Maybe I'll grow out of it eventually.