Good thing I looked in the oven

I've realized I always need to look in the oven before preheating it. I've shared a few of the kids oven stories. I just remembered this weeks story. I turned the oven on and then checked it (even though there hasn't been anything in the last few times.) There was a sand pail and two cars. I'm glad I checked it. Speaking of the sand pail, yesterday Wes put a bunch of olives in it. Then, he put the olives in his strawberry yogurt and ate it. Whatever!

41 miles

This has been a big week for us. We just got back from a bike ride with the neighbors- Jill & Brent Staker. Jacki got to ride tandem with Brent. We went to a park, saw ducks, went to the fairgrounds, saw horses, birds, and a cow. With that bike ride, I have exercised over 41 miles this week, and I just have to mention how much friends mean to me. I have never gone that far and would never think I could, but I have gone with friends this week -more athletic than me who have been kind enough to help me and push me. It makes such a difference having that. Thanks to all my friends over the years.

I found a quote this week I liked, "When you meet a man without a smile, give him one of yours." Big Jim Danielle. As we were biking today, I thought about how we have to keep our pedaling speed up, even when it gets hard, your legs start shaking, and you are thirsty, and it helps so much to encourage you when you are with friends and the road is hard. I'm sore because I went so much farther than I ever have before because of friends.

I'm trying to implement punishment for the kids that fits what they did. Wes hit Jacki five times, so he had to give her five hugs.

Tommi is a big boy and dove out of his bouncy walker car. He got a bruiser on his forehead and refused the ice I tried to put on it.

Jacki prayed for the kids she'll have one day and told me, "I'll be married."

We're trying to be good. "You can do more good by being good than any other way." John Woodsen. I'm a good person, but I'm not always good, so I loved how he put that.

Marie Ricks said, "It's hard to be organized, but it's harder to be disorganized." (I struggle with organization, and that was inspiring.) "Progress....not perfection." Fly lady. I loved this one too.

We rode past Ty's work today and said hello. Jacki showed his her bike she got to ride. She told me she saw a bike at Walmart that she wants to save up for. She also tells me every day that we're going to Disneyland when we pay off her house. (She doesn't quite know what that means, but she says it all the time.)

Peter pan

I've been getting ready for the day, which is hard to do if all the kids are awake, so I made sure Tommi was securely and safely fastened in his chair and figure the others would be fine for 5 minutes. I came down, and Jacki and Wes each had my two biggest knives. They were playing Peter Pan and Captain Hook Jacki told me. Wessie did end up with a cut on his toe, although no one could tell me how it happened.

We spent the day working around the house. Ty took down the Christmas lights. I ran with my neighbor Lisa 5 miles.

I went to the laundromat to wash a big blanket that is too big for our washer. I am sooooo grateful to have a washer and dryer in my home so that I only have to make the annual trip to the laundromat. It would be very inconvenient for me to wash all of our clothes at the laundromat. I don't remember being grateful for a washer and dryer. I do remember noticing that they were leaking and wanting the new front load washers. I am grateful for the laundromat reminder of luxuries I have in my life.

Tommi still loves peek a boo, and I love how hard he laughs when we play it. Wes has been talking non-stop. We're working on potty training. He said "yucky poop" when he pooped in his diaper.

Jacki likes to say, "really mom." Today she asked if she could cuddle while we watched a movie.

I gave the kids popcorn while I was doing the dishes. Wes poured some one the floor, so instead of keeping him busy so he wouldn't make a mess, he made a mess with it.

Helmet Removal

Lately I've been thinking about how perfectly we are all dependent on each other to receive help from our Heavenly Father. More than every before, lately I have realized that when we let others help us, we are often given the chance to help them also and see God's hand in all of it. For example, today I went biking with my neighbor. She knew that I had to take all three kids down to primary children's hospital to have Tommi's head checked. She offered to watch the kids. I didn't expect it at all, but I was so touched that she would do that for me. She said her daughter would come help when she got out of school. She had wanted to start babysitting but "no one had asked her." I realized that this was an opportunity for her to get experience and get to know the kids under the help of her mom. I felt like they helped me more than I helped them, but life is not about measuring details like that, it's about realizing that God cares about all of us- the mom with 3 young kids, the young woman wanting to babysit. It doesn't matter how small our contribution is. He uses us all if we let him by "not contending with the spirit" but "receiving it" (Alma 34:38).

Tommi "graduated" and got his helmet off. I packed up his baby clothes the other day, and this made me realize again that he's growing up. We asked Wes what was different about the baby, He replied, "Naked-butt-head." Ty calls the kids "naked butt" after they have their baths, so he figured that since his helmet was gone, he had a naked butt-head. I can't even think about it without laughing. Thanks Wes.

I stayed up waiting for Jacki. She went to a play with Grandma Judy. It was weird to be waiting up for my 5 year old to come home. She loved it and got to see Aunt Lauren who helped on the stage crew. She's been counting down and singing, "Hello dolly" around the house.

Sleeping during time out

Does time in time out count if you fall asleep? Wes & Jacki were fighting yesterday and had to sit down on the high chairs because they were fighting. I told them they could get out of time out and clean up the mess in the front room. Jacki had her head down, and she ignored me (or so I thought). She had fallen asleep. Maybe she still does need naps. I know I do!!!

Ordinary miracles

So, the other day I forgot to say that Wes flushed their toothbrushes down the toilet. That wasn't the first time, but I've been trying to pay attention to those blessings and ordinary miracles that we have that I don't notice until they are gone, like the car running, indoor plumbing, and vacuums, especially carpet cleaners that clean up 80 oz. of bubble solution. I'm really glad Ty didn't have to take apart the toilet this time too. (He had to do that a couple of weeks ago when Wes plugged up the toilet.) I can't help but share all these crazy stories about my kids, but really they are the biggest miracles of all in my life and teach me all the time!

More from Disneyland

Jacki is already wanting to go back. The last time I went was 10 years ago, and that was perfect for me. Ty wants to do a lot of camping and other things, and I want to pay off debt. We told Jacki we'd go in about 10 years - or when the house is paid off- whichever comes first. She told our neighbor "We don't get to go to Disneyland again for forever....10 years." Haha poor girl!!