Kid Stories

Jacki corrected me again when I said sucker. "It's not a sucker mom, it's a lollipop." I have plenty of Wes stories, but I'll take a break today on tornado Wesley. Tommi was laughing hysterically when we were poking him in the belly like the Pillsbury dough boy.

Ty gave me a blessing to have strength to do what I need to. We've been focusing on the "small things....including the kids." I read "Acres of Diamonds" today by Conwell, and he said too many times we look for wealth (diamonds) and happiness in far off places. When, the real treasure is right under our nose where we are. I loved that. I felt like we need to focus on being self disciplined and truthful.

I dreamed that I told someone how much we like our ward. I've been able to start playing the violin again with Liz Putnam, and Pauline accompanies us and lets us go to her house (since it's quiet.) Then, I was thinking about a lot of our neighbors that have made such an impact on me and blessed our family. They are family in a lot of ways.

Reindeer, cookie monster, and muddy pants

Yesterday I put Jacki's hair in pigtails. She said, "Mom, I look like a reindeer because I have antlers." Her hair is so thick and dense that one ponytail sticks up like a turnip, and pigtails stick out like antlers. I put this one in because it shows off Wessie's cheesy smile. I love it.

Today Jacki corrected me when I told her that she dumped something. she said, "I didn't dump it. I threw it." She and Wes started the day fighting. They were saying that the other one was a dog and then got upset.

My visiting teachers dropped by cookies. Wes was outside in the back playing and didn't see them. But, he found the cookies later, took them to his room, ate all but one, got crumbs all over the floor, and he put the last one in a bag and put it behind his dresser. Speaking of playing outside, he got his pants and shoes all muddy (which he's done three times this week.) Then, he went back out, and was swinging in a shirt, diaper, and pants. It still doesn't bother the kid to be poppy. I have to check him often. He would walk around all day in a poop diaper. I made him clean up his cheerios that ended up on the floor . I had to help him.

Tommy went down the stairs the right way yesterday. He's rolled down them several times. I fell up a stair today by catching one foot on the pant leg of the other leg.

Ty worked a long day. He said it was super busy. He is really supportive of me and works hard so I can stay with the kids. I really appreciate him. I feel like if I never got another blessing, having him to go through life with is enough.

We have great friends too. The Clarks surprised us with dinner on Valentines and the Rhoades with dessert. Mom brought me a new mop which I had been needing. I had been up since 3:30 that day and was dragging by afternoon and that really lifted me up to feel their support and love. We had a couple of days of nice weather, so Elise and I got to go walking with the kids.

Sunday outings

I love my family. Looking at these pictures makes me emotional. We had a great Sunday. Paula suggested taking pictures of the temple since it will be closing, so we took our camera to stake conference. It was a warm bright day, and the Clarks had the same idea, so we took turns taking pictures, and Mason and Chandler played with the kids. The first picture was at the duck pond. Wessie loves the duck pond. He says "duck pond" every time we drive by it (which is twice a day on the days we take Jacki to preschool.)

Really???? stories

Well, I want to write everyday, and my kids definitely give me something to write about. I have to start out with all of the "really?" stories- those things that my kids do that I just can't believe. I learned a while ago to check the oven before I heat it up- even if I didn't see Wes put anything in, so I checked it, but when I went to put my food in, the tray wouldn't go in- shoved at the back were two bunt pans (one tucked inside the other) and there was a golf ball sitting on top. I guess the bunt pans were serving as the tee. The golf ball was melted- well at least the outside, the inside was an not melted - so now I know what a golf ball looks like inside. I know a picture would help visualize.

Earlier that day, all the kids toothbrushes were missing. Jacki said Wes flushed them down the toilet, which means she watched him do it, but they both had to share the one toothbrush we could find. We've had to move the toothpaste out of their reach. It looks like the toothbrushes will have to go with them.

I'm sure I'll have at least one really???? story a day because unless I have both eyes on Wes, he is up to something. I sent them out to the playground for a few minutes. That was a nice break for the house, and Wes found his Buzz lightyear shoes, which have been missing.

Tommi pants like a little puppy. He is a mommy's boy, which is good and bad. I love it except when I have to get something done or when I need someone else to hold him. He bonked his mouth on jacki's bed today and had the saddest look on his face. He doesn't sleep anymore, and I really miss sleep.

Jacki and Wes play together well but are competitive.They love to race to get ready, which makes them hurry, but one ends up crying when they lose. I try to make them both winners. ("You won getting clothes on, and he won getting shoes on."

Ty did fhe on geneaology, so Jacki prays for "the people who have died."

My hands are definitely full. I heard a quote that describes how I feel, "If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart." Wes has the most contagious laugh. I don't remember what spurred it on today, but I just love it, and Tommi's blue eyes light up when he smiles. He has a toothless, happy smile Jacki is starting to learn to read, she will pretend to read my memorizing, and add in her own few words to the story. I really feel that my kids give me more and teach me more than I give and teach them.

Pres. Eyring gave a talk that really impacted me. He said, "When our children were very small, I started to write down a few things about what happened every day.... I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words: “I’m not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down.....I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family." Along, with all of the funny, sweet, and frustrating things we have happen in our little corner, I am going to include the things that happen that touch my heart to realize God is watching over us.

Today's is easy. It's an experience similar to the one he shared. As background, lately I've been feeling less overwhelmed and adjusted to having three kids (although I do miss sleep - Tommi:-).  I wanted to get at the store. On Monday, my mother in law (Paula) watched the kids at last minutes notice and we talked about these great sales going on. Well, today she called me about something and asked if I had made it to the store. I told her know. I had thought about going today but it just overwhelmed me to think of taking all three. She said that she'd be happy to go with me and "had nothing on." We had an outing to WINCO. The kids hadn't been. Jacki especially liked seeing all the treats and the pinatas. Paula just knew how she could help me. It wasn't a big deal. I'm sure there more important things Paula could have been doing, but I just felt heavenly fathers love fore me as she served us, and she really enjoys it. She lives to help one of the family members.

I've been trying to budget and spend only what I have, and getting those on sale items helps with that. Paula also let me use her coupons that she wasn't using. I hope that my kids read this someday that they are overwhelmed to know Heavenly Father will help them too. Along living within a budget, Ty and I decided to not get a loan for a car. We are driving the Ford Taurus on many prayers, which makes me pray harder, but everyday that it takes me where I need to go I am grateful. I remember my grandparents giving it to me upon graduation- my grandpa knew I would need it, and although it's been on it's last wheel for about three years, it keeps going and buying us time to save for a car.

Jacki made me a "surprise" at preschool today. It was a Robot. I almost didn't take her to preschool because she watched t.v. instead of getting dressed. I was so frustrated with her and had to realize that she doesn't know how frustrated I get. Then, on to Tornado Wesley. A few of his latest storms include trying to put my phone in a sink of water, dumping toy story shampoo on his floor and on Jacki's bedroom floor, and pulling all the books off the shelf. He also put all my serving spoons in the garbage and tried to vacuum up one of our eating spoons. You can't but help but love our vampire boy- blue eyes, pale skin, and sweetest little voice (when he wants to be sweet. "1 book, man." Tommi likes to be in charge. He screams when I put him in the car seat, and he is a lot more active than the other kids.