My To-Do List

Leaving somewhere is always so much work. I'm so excited to go to Texas tomorrow. I just hope I can get everything done.

Already done today:

~Got up, showered, and dressed before 8:30 (a record for me)
~Got 4 little munchkins ready for the day.
~Made french toast for breakfast.
~Made J and S's bed.
~Luckily DH dropped the 3 older kids off at school for me.
~Did 2 loads of laundry.
~Took J to preschool.
~Went to the chiropractor.
~Ran home, took out the trash, got a few things ready for the trip.
~Went to help in T's class for an hour.
~Picked S up from Kindergarten.
~Picked J up from preschool.
~Checked M out of school for a dr. appt.
~Took out the trash.
~Went home to get food, milk, instructions, & medical release form for Brenda who will be watching the kids half of the time.
~Dropped all that stuff off at Brenda's house.
~Went to the post office.
~Took M, S, and J to the chiropractor.
~Stopped at Taco Bell for a quick lunch.
~Took M back to school.
~Went to a friends to get a book on tape for our LONG drive back on Mon. and Tues.
~Finally made it home.
~Made about a million phone calls throughout the morning to make sure everyone who is watching the kids knows what to do and when.

I did this all before 12:45.

Now, I'm blogging when I still have to:

~Finish laundry.
~Pack 5 people, maybe 6 depending on whether or not DH gets his done.
~Try to keep the house clean.
~Pick M up from school.
~Go to the bank.
~Pick T up from 4-H.
~Clean out the car.
~Do homework.
~Make dinner.
~Drop car off and kids' suitcases at Grandma's.
~Take T and his friend to Scouts.
~Talk to one more person about picking S up from school.
~Watch American Idol.
~Try to get a good night's rest, even though I probably won't be able to sleep because I'm sooooooo excited to go.

Birthday Party

Saturday was our neices' birthday party. We went ice skating at Seven Peaks which was very fun. I was on the ice the whole time, so unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of all the skating fun. T is such a good skater. I raced him around the rink, and he kicked by can. I told DH that we should sign him up for hockey. I really think he's got a natural talent for skating. J and S needed hands but did pretty good. J was brave every once and a while and would go a few feet on her own. She got tired pretty quick though.

After skating, we all met at Grandma's house for dinner. We had yummy lasagna, Olive Garden salad, broccoli, & garlic bread. So delicious. Then Aubrey opened her presents. She got a glow bear, which all the kids thought was so cool. They all went into a bedroom and turned the light off and just laid there looking at the bear change colors. We had a few minutes of quiet while they did that.


Then we had cupcakes and ice cream for dessert. We really enjoy these family dinners together. They are a lot of fun, and the kids have a great time with their cousins. It was a fun night.

Go Lancers!

T has been playing basketball for the city, and loves it! He's a pretty good little player. We went to his game and Saturday and he did very well. They didn't win, but that's okay. He had a great time anyways.

As a parent, it's a little frustrating to watch certain things. He is the only one from his school on this team, and everyone else is in the same school. This makes them all friends with T being the odd man out. So, they always pass to eachother and not really to T. He's holding his own though, and has a good attitude about the whole thing. I think we probably notice what's going on a lot more than he does. Which I think is a good thing. Anyways, his game was fun, and he had a great time.

Homemade Oreo Cookies

M was at a friends' house the other day and her mom made these delicious cookies and sent some home with her. I've been craving them for days. I've been so good this week, and have a ton of points left, so I decided to make them. They are so YUMMY!!

Oreo Cookies:
2 chocolate fudge cake mixes
1 c. shortening
4 eggs

Mix ingredients together. The dough is very dry. Roll into small balls and put on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes, and then move to cooling rack. When cool, fill with filling.

Filling:
1 - 8oz. cream cheese, softened
1/4 c. butter
4 c. powdered sugar
food coloring if desired

The kids loved them, but I'm not sure if they like licking the mixers more or eating the cookies. These are so yummy and so easy. Sadly, I've already eaten 2. Oh well, life goes on and we have to enjoy it. Right?

How I Spent Last Night

Usually I am really good about laundry, and I fold it right away as I get it out of the dryer. This week however, I've been very bust. I've kept up on getting the laundry washed, but not on folding. I think folding is the worst part. I had a huge pile on the couch and decided it was time to get it done. After I put the kids to bed, I sat on the floor and folded for 2 hours. Yep, 2 hours. This isn't even all of it. There is some folded on the couch. I washed sheets and a comforter, and washed the kids jackets. My legs were so stiff when I was done. And now, it's still sitting downstairs on the floor, just as I left it last night. I think it'll be a perfect job for the kids to do when they get home from school! I think I'll go make cookies.

No Treats For Me

Cupcakes are one of the treats that actually don't tempt me. This is a shock. I love chocolate, brownies, ice cream, cheesecake, pretty much almost anything sweet. But, I don't love cupcakes or cake. So, when the kids asked for a treat this is what I made so that I wouldn't be tempted to cheat on my points and eat one or two. I really hope that I can stay focused and motivated to lose weight. Here's for trying.

A Letter to T

This morning I was cleaning my room and grabbed a piece of paper out from under my bed. It was a letter to T from M. It read:

To: Tanner

Do you whet (want) a pool? If you do we have to move to Texes. So let's move to Texes.

I thought it was so cute. We've had a lot of talk about moving there and are still deciding what to do. I of course would love to be there to be next to MSL txmommy. I've always wanted to live next to her. Texas would be a huge difference for us, but I'm sure we would get used to it. DH is the skeptical one being as he's never been there before. But, we'll be there in 8 days, and I can hardly wait! From the sounds of this letter I'm assuming M's vote is for Texas. So, we've got 2 out of the 6 of us for sure, but I think I can convince the rest that it's a great idea to move!

Homework

As my kids get older and I have more of them in school, I find that homework takes longer and longer. Sometimes I feel like it's more work for the parent than the student. I did homework for 2 hours today. T is learning multiplication tables right now and is kind of having a hard time with them. I remember hating to learn those. They are kind of a pain. S is learning to read and is very excited about that. I hope that he always has the desire to read and learn.

Weird Things, MeMe

I've been tagged by 1girl,2boys for a meme. I know there are probably a lot of weird things about me, but on the spot I might pick lame things.

1. People have always told me that I have very squishy skin. In highschool my friends would rub my arms all the time. At first I thought it was so weird to have people do that, but I just got used to it. My brother always makes fun of my nose because I can squish it down and it doesn't hurt, and then it looks flat.

2. I can touch my tongue to my nose. Actually I can almost put it in my nose. Gross I know.

3. I have to wear socks when I sleep, even sometimes in the summer. But, I think if I move to Texas I won't have to.

4. I am a neat freak. I love my house to by spotless. I don't even mind cleaning. When my house gets messy, I don't sleep good and I feel like my life is so crazy.

5. I remember birthdays and phone numbers really easily. I still remember some of my friends phone numbers from high school.

6. I am always cold. I freeze all the time. DH is so opposite of me. He is always hot. He gets hot in the winter even and I freeze. I hate being cold, I guess Texas would be a good place for me to live.

If you have weird things about yourself that you'd like to share, then I tag you!

I'm Going to Texas!!

DH and I are flying to Texas in 2 weeks!! I am soo soo excited. My parents live there and have a car that they are giving to my sister who lives in Utah by me. They had no way of getting it there, so asked if we would drive it for them. We said yes. This will give DH a chance to see Texas so we can decide if we want to move there or not. We are STILL trying to decide what to do. We are very excited to spend time with mom and dad and relax a little bit.

We'll be gone for about 6 days, which is longer than we've ever left them before. I'm a little worried about them, but I think they'll do well. It'll be weird without them. The longest I've been away from them was for 4 days, but they were with DH, so I didn't worry. This time we will both be gone. Hopefully all will go well.

I'm also excited for the alone time that DH and I will have. With 4 little monkeys we don't get much of that these days. It will be a nice change, but I'm sure I'll be ready to get back when the time is done.

I was talking to my sis and we are both so excited. We've already got plans made of where we want to eat and some of the things we want to do. I don't think I've been this excited about something for a long time. I am so thankful that I've been blessed with such a good sister who is also my best friend!

Yeah for TEXAS!!!

Not a Snow Day

We've had freezing weather lately. Yesterday when I dropped the kids off at school it was 3 degrees, but today it's warmed up a bit, it's now 5 degrees. It is so so cold here, but despite all the freezing weather and the snow we still go to school. No snow days for us. And, a lot of the snow that we've had has already melted.

Our pipes in one of the bathrooms froze. Now we have to keep the sink with a constant drip in order for it to keep working. The toilet in that bathroom still doesn't work. I have to keep reminding the kids not to use that toilet. We've had only 2 "oops", where I've had to fill up a pitcher of water and dump it in the toilet in order for the goods to go down. Hopefully it'll get fixed soon. We have someone coming over today to check things out.

We have an extra fridge out in our garage, which we noticed the other day wasn't working quite right. I adjusted the temperature and then checked yesterday and came to the conclusion that it was broken. One good thing about all this cold is that it saved the food from going bad. Luckily all our meat was still frozen. The icecream melted all over the dang place causing a huge mess, but we saved most of the food and I was able to stuff it all into our freezer in the house. We didn't really use the fridge part except for a gallon of milk which was also still okay. The mess was not fun cleaning, but it's done now. I'm a little sad because it was nice to have the extra storage space. Oh well, life goes on.

To Live With Him Someday

I had to give the Relief Society lesson yesterday. I really get nervous whenever I have to teach anyone except primary children. I guess I just feel like I'm inadequate for the job. My lesson yesterday actually turned out pretty good, at least I thought it did. We talked about how it isn't enough to just know the things we are supposed to do so that we can live with our Father in heaven again. We have to actually DO these things, like; pay our tithing, read the scriptures, fulfill our callings, obey the commandments. The plan of salvation is a wonderful thing. He made it possible for all of us to be able to return to him if we do those things he's asked of us. Someone made the comment that the gospel is a simple thing, it's just not always easy. I'm trying really hard to do the things the Lord has commanded so that I can live with him someday.

Princess Play

We go to church at 9:00 now. Which is good and bad. I think the kids behave better durning church when we go earlier. But, the day seems so long. We started making the kids stay in their rooms for at least an hour after lunch for quiet time. We told them that they had to read a story, or build something, or make up a play and then show us when their time was up. The girls made up a play. It was so cute. It was a princess play. M was the narrator, and J did all the little actions. The play was about a princess and all the things she had. M would read, "This is the princess' jewlery box, but it also has chapstick and a hair thing in it." While she was reading J would be putting on the chapstick, putting the hair thing in, and putting jewlery on. They did this with each of the things they had brought out. It was really cute to see their little imaginations at work.

Welcome to My Shower

The kids didn't have school today because of Teacher Development Day. So, we lazed around all morning. The kids were all getting along and playing so nicely letting me surf the net. Finally around 11:30 I decided it might be a good idea to get in the shower. Welcome to the first 3 minutes of my shower:
I get in and barely get wet when S walks in.
"Mom, someone is on your phone but I don't know who."
Me: "Go ask"
20 sec. later, nothing.
Me: "S, who was it."
S: "I don't know, but Oakley is here, can I play?"
Me: "Maybe in a little bit."
S: "Okay"
2 sec. later
M: "Mom Kiley's on the phone she wants to know if me and J can play."
Me: "Where"
M: "Umm, I don't know let me go see. Nevermind it's not Kiley it is Ebanie. They want to come over here."
Me: "What?"
M: "I don't know."
Me:"Tell her you'll call her back."
10 sec. later
J: "Mom?"
Me: "Whhhhaaaat?"
J: "Ummm, uhhh I love you."
Me: "I love you too"
5 sec. later
J: "Mom?"
Me: "WHAT?"
J: "Look"
Me: "I can't."
J: " I see your leg"
Me: "Go out and pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease let me shower."

Wow, it seems like the second I need to do something everyone needs me for something much more important.

My Little Independent Children

My kids all love to cook. Lately they have been wanting to do a lot of cooking and they want to do it by themselves. They all especially love to make pancakes. I think it's because they like flipping the pancakes over. It's kind of nice because if we are having a crazy morning then I can ask whoever is ready to come and flip the pancakes or scramble the eggs or whatever. Very nice!

S has become very independent lately. Several times I've found him in the kitchen making himself a sandwich or some toast, or pouring himself a bowl of cereal, or anything else he thinks he can do on his own. It's so cute to see him doing these things. I can't believe how big he's getting and quickly it's happening.

Frustration

I am so confused and frustrated. For some reason almost once a year, we have a huge life-changing decision to make. It's such a pain. Right now we have 3 options to choose from.

#1
For the last little while we have been debating whether or not we want to move to Texas. I would LOVE to be there to be with my sister txmommy. We are each other's best friend. Our kids get along so well and it would be so great if they could grow up together. My parents also live there which would be great. The kids would love being with their grandparents. The problems with moving to Texas are the facts that we don't have a job there, and we don't have the money to move there. I hate money. We are really struggling right now. It sucks! I think living in Texas we would be able to save money because we would live with my parents. They are empty-nesters living in a big house. So, there's room for us, and we would love it. So, Texas has lots of bonuses, we just don't know how to get there. Ahhhhhh!

#2
DH is working for T-Mobile. He loves his job. It just doesn't pay much. When you work on commission, they take 40% out in taxes regardless of how many exemptions you claim. Which means we aren't bringing home much money at all. Next month I'll start babysitting a little newborn which will help (a little). I'm also making calls everyday, which pays a little. But, we are still tight. In fact, I don't really know how we are surviving. We are making much less than we have for a long time. So stress big time. But, we love living in Utah. We have great friends here. Some of DH's family lives here. The kids have good friends and go to a great school. We love the seasons. We love the scenery. We are comfortable here. It's a great place to live, it's just so darn expensive for us.

#3
DH went to a job interview yesterday and got offered a position with IM Flash Technologies. It's a great company. Our brother-in-law works there and he's doing really well. He's been there for 5 years, and is now a manager. They paid for his schooling, and now they are paying him a pretty healthy salary. Potential there is great. Of course, DH would be starting at the bottom of the chain. But, the opportunity to go up in ranks is great and they mostly promote from within. Pay wise we would be about the same as we are with T-Mobile, but I think the potential is better with this company. However, it's a totally different field than what DH has been doing for the last 10 years. He's been in sales, and this is very different. He'd be starting off making memory chips for computers. I know in the future there will be more technological advances, so it's a pretty secure job. He's a great worker and I'm sure he'd do well there, I just don't know if he wants to.

So, what to do? What to do? Crappy thing is we have to tell IM Flash our decision by tomorrow. I hate this. I wish we had money. I have know idea what to do. I have a headache. I'm complaining I know. I wish I had some sort of revelation that would tell me what to do. Ahhhhh!

Guest Photographers

When I go to download my pictures onto my computer, I often find pictures from little mysterious guest photographers. I find similar ones on my phone as well, and so does DH. The culprit is usually J, but sometimes S joins in on the fun. J loves to take pictures of anything and everything. She also LOVES to have her picture taken, regardless of what she's doing, wearing, or looks like (if only I could have such confidence). I don't know if she actually thinks she's taking a good picture, or if it's just the fun of doing it. She really likes to watch the pictures show up on the computer. She's thinks it's pretty cool. She's actually not supposed to touch the camera because for some reason in our family electronics seem to break quite frequently (the culprit behind broken electronics is usally S, but still we'd like our camera not to break too). But, she is very sneaky and manages to find the camera no matter where I put it, so I find these little surprise pictures quite often.

Cinderella

Yesterday we got invited to a birthday party for one of our friends. They had Cinderella come. The kids all thought that was so much fun, even the boys. She brought crowns for them to make so they could be princes and princesses. She also played some really neat games with them. They had a tea party with cupcakes, chocolate milk, grapes, strawberries, jelly beans, gummy bears, and cookies. Then she sang to them, and she had an amazing voice. She really did a great job at keeping the kids entertained the entire time and she did all the work by herself. She even brought party favors. My friend was very happy that she didn't have to do any of the work. However, it cost her $250. She thought it was way worth it, I on the other hand could never imagine paying that much. Does that make me a cheap mom? I know a lot of people who do these huge parties for their kids every year. I don't know how they do it. We try to keep ours pretty low-key and my kids never seem to mind.

I am glad that they had such a fun time though. After everyone else left we stayed for pizza and then we watched "Barnyard" with the kids. It is a very cute movie, and one that even DH and I enjoyed. It was a fun and relaxing evening, which is nice sometimes.

Kids and Their Language

Here I am blogging yet another post about my dear sweet S. He has been so good today. You can tell he's really trying to be a good boy and change his behavior. A little while after he got home from school I asked him to empty his backpack and show me his papers. He came into the room waving his homework back and forth that he forgot to turn in. As he was waving it, he was saying, "Damn, damn, damn, damn" in such an innocent little voice. It totally caught me off guard, because this is NOT language we use in our home. I asked him what he said and he shrugged his shoulders and said "Damn". I then told him that we don't use that kind of language and that is was an ugly word. He said okay and then turned to me again and asked, "Is that kind of like when I said hell?" I told him yes and that those were both words we don't use. It's amazing how quickly kids pick things up. When I called DH to tell him, he was cracking up on the phone. I can just see him coming home and asking S to tell him the whole story just so he can hear him say those words.

Supergirls

The girls got these hand-me-down dance outfits from a friend, and love playing in them. One day they put on all kinds of jewlery and belts and started calling themselves the "Supergirls". They were dancing all around the house and making up little cheers. They were full of giggles and kept themselves busy for quite a while! I'm so glad they are learning to play together. It's much better than the alternative.

Ready, Set, Go

Okay, so today it starts. I'm officially starting my diet and no more excuses. I was looking at pictures of myself from 2 years ago, and I was much thinner. I can't believe I've gained so much weight. It's quite depressing actually. But, it also gave me major motivation. So, here I go. I've got 60 pounds to lose, so it'll be a long haul, but I'm ready to try!!