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.

Parties, snow caves, and birthdays

Wesley is sitting next to me with ice cream over his face and said, "me, Jacki." We heard about a family game night at the library, and Jacki was so excited. They played bingo, made these masks and tried to throw their bean bag in the square. Ty took them while I was visiting teaching. They had a blast and even got a treat bag. The library is one of the kids favorite places anyway in the wintertime, but this made it even better, and I'm surprised that the masks didn't scare them.

It's that time of year....Klondike. Ty helps the scouts make snow caves and they have a camp out in the snow caves. Ty had a good time, even though it was "a little chilly" (10 below), and his cave was a little short for him. The kids and I rented movies. Jacki picked out strawberry shortcake, and Wes picked out Clifford. I made the mistake of getting the movies before we cleaned the house, so it was a struggle getting them to help me. Ty came home and got Wes to have a nap before he went klondiking (Wes takes a nap better for Ty.) Jacki and I spent the afternoon cleaning her room and kept finding "stashes". I finally had to walk away for a time out when I found the clean clothes I had asked her to put away stuffed under her bed.

Grandma Hope turned 90 and we went over and listened to stories from my aunts and uncles. It was great!

The final picture is of Wes making the baby some formula in his cup- wasn't that thoughtful and helpful. I'm just glad I got to it before he shook it. Once again he pointed and said, "me, mommy." And with his bright blue eyes, long lashes, and dimples, I just have to smile as he pushes buttons on my keyboard.

Jacki just prayed that Santa Clause would bring her a unicorn next Christmas. (The kids have been watching Despicable Me a lot ).

Wes wanted the blue dishes for lunch. That is the color to have. They fight for it every meal. He got really mad that I changed his diaper- it was so stinky. Tommi finally gave in to have a nap.

Highlights

Here are a few highlights from our last months. We made the annual trip down to Temple Square to meet our friends Melanie and Lindsy. It's always a blast, and it's always super cold. Well, this year, it was still a blast but without the cold. I mean it wasn't balmy- go for a swim warm- but we could feel our faces, fingers, and toes, the entire time. We ate at Noodles, walked through the lights along with 1/2 of Utah, and of course had a funny happen. Jacki's hat was on backwards the whole time. Lindsy noticed it towards the end. It was hanging clear down her face. Turns out it was on backwards. Jacki got super excited to see the fountains.



We went up to the cabin on Christmas, and the kids went sledding for the first time with the Murray Aunt and Uncles. Wesley got airborne. The trail was about 20 feet, which was just right for them, and it was plenty long for Ty who had to carry them up. I left the sleds there for next time, and Wesley retrieved them and tried to bring them and got upset when I didn't let him.

Sometimes when Jacki "cleans" her room, she puts everything in the closet. This picture was taken after Ty cleaned out her closet for her. She was obviously too tired to continue cleaning, and we went in and saw this.

Writing On The Walls

Wes is starting to learn a lot of the same lessons I had to teach Jacki. This week's lesson is, "WE ONLY WRITE ON PAPER." I've cleaned crayon off several walls (and vegetable dip too, but that's a different story.) Today, there is highlighter on the walls. He sang me Choo, choo, the big train is going down the track. Stop, Look, and listen. He did the actions. He is a fast little guy. During lunch, I took the pot off the burner, turned my back to him, and he put his plastic plate on the burner, which started to melt. I caught it in time to miss the melting plastic. We just got smoke.

Jacki is saying the funniest things. You have to be very correct around her, or, you will hear about it. We've been having bigger lunches lately (to try and have lighter dinners, which isn't working yet) and I called lunch dinner three times. Each time she got upset and told me it wasn't dinner--- even if I corrected myself. Then, I said "lunch," and she said, finally you got it right.

Tommi gives open mouthed smiles. He is always smiling and happy and learned how to go up all the stairs yesterday. He also goes down all the stairs, but he does it head first. I've caught him several times, but he's still managed to beat me a couple times, and it's then that I'm really grateful he has to wear his helmet. He's been in it a month, and his flat spot is filling in. The days go by fast. Jacki really wants to go to the library and get new books. Tommi fell asleep on the way earlier today, and Jacki teared up. I tried to teach her about thinking about others and not just ourselves. She pouted for a while in the car, so I don't think it worked. She must get her lack of patience from me. I'm working on it. I prayed for patience, and I got these three precious kids. I don't pray for patience anymore. I'm working on what I've got. Tommi is googling at me. I loves peek-a-boo, and it is pure joy to see how excited he gets EVERY TIME

Merry Christmas Cont.

Every Christmas Eve we have the Richards family party. This year Jacki was Mary and Wes was the Donkey. Jacki said that she got to be Mary because she was the first one. Wes had a hard time staying with the Nativity group. He kept going over to Grandma to get some ice cream roll. We got to see a lot of that side of the family, which was great. It's a little strange now that my cousins and I are all grown up, but its great to have a lot of additions and see each others kids grow up.
This picture was take at the ward party. There was a big turnout. We were busy visiting, and didn't get a seat in time to start, but the Malans were leaving and gave us their seats. The Putnams did a great job organizing it all. Ty took this picture of a group of us singing. My phone rang in the middle of the song, but thankfully it was on vibrate and nobody knew except for me. I thought for sure Marnee who was next to me had heard it, but I'm sooo glad she didn't and so glad I didn't laugh. I really liked the song and the Nativity we watched. There was a nice Christmas program at Church. I loved the primary kids songs- picture a Christmas and Can I hold the baby. I left that meeting feeling like Christmas was really here (even without snow....it came.)

We had a few Santas in our life this year. I'm saving for a car, plus I have a hard time spending a lot of money on toys. Ty's Aunt Janet brought up this like new rocking horse from her grandkids who were getting rid of it. The next door neighbors gave us the horse and trailer set that their son hadn't ever opened. Grandma Paula went to Layton to pick up a Dora House we had found on ksl used. Then she shopped for the accessories, and Steve helped her clean it up. My neighbor Amanda sold me her pet shops for cheap, which was super kind. They are a lot of fun. Ty and I played with them while we set them up. We are very grateful for all of Santas helpers. It made Christmas mean a lot to see all the people that cared about us.

Every Christmas Ty's mom is a hostess for their stake Creche (google helped me spell that). So, we headed over during her shift. There were hundreds of nativities from all over the world, and we got a list of nativities to find when we got there. Jacki found a lot of them and had a good time. We were looking for one that was on a tie and she couldn't find it even though it was right in front of her. I showed her, and she said, "If that was a snake it could have bitten me." I guess she does listen. We had to keep the kids from touching the displays and am glad they didn't brake anything. There was a room with activities. The kids colored and put together puzzles while I visited with my dear friend Amy who happened to be there with her kids. Then, there was a room that you could dress up and take a picture. The kids were funny. Jacki didn't want to be an angel but consented when I promised her she could be something else after we took the picture. Wes gave us a cheeser smiled and held still long enough to take the picture. Tommi doesn't look like he's having a good time, but the doll baby that was in the cradle was really sad, so I'm glad he let us take the picture, and I'm glad the manger didn't collapse.