The Mommy Test

My friend Amy sent this... I found it particularly amusing, since dealing with hyper Halloween kids is practically more than I can handle.

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that. "Why?" my daughter asked. "Because it's been laying outside, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty and probably has germs" I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Wow! How do you know all this stuff?" "Uh," .I was thinking quickly, "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy." We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test, you have to be the daddy." "Exactly" I replied back with a big smile on my
face and joy in my heart.

In Honor of my Dad's Birthday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!! And, since you basically already own anything you've thought about wanting, Conner made you a card and we sent that with mom and I was going to make you a little blog entry. BUT, instead I made a flickr badge -- there it is, just down a bit on the right. If you click on that you'll be able to see any of our recent photos (of course, if I upload them)... and if you're on my blog you'll be able to see little snippets whether you wanted to or not. AND, since my kids are the best present you'd ever be getting from me... I thought you might like to peruse them every now and then.
Happy birthday Dad!

The Haloween that never ends...

Conner decided he wanted to the "green monster" this year, and perhance we ALSO had a blue monster costume that fit Spencer. I have decided that there is NOTHING CUTER than a 2 year old in a costume. They're just so cute, not having a CLUE what they're doing in this particular clothing choice. Love it. So, here a few images for your perusal.

Just when you think...

So, my friend Shannon's a "garden girl" . She's basically the best scrapper I know... and I'm TOTALLY happy for her, but of course, I am feeling a little anxious about my life in the scrapbook world. Sometimes, because I am a fool, I do those sorts of things. I fear that I've mad my life into one giant competition at times, always wanting to be the best at everything.
Anyway, we were talking about how I get recognized at Costco by my patients at the hospital, and they always say they'll always remember me and that I did a great job, but sometimes I forget what a HUGE deal I really am.
Can any of you remember your labor nurses? I have been lucky both times and have really felt that my nurses came through for me. Helped with the pain and made a difference. In fact, I am a better nurse because of my first nurse who "fudged" my exam to get me an epidural a tad earlier. Many, many women have been helped by her little gesture.
Of course, at times I am sad I don't get any "free" product from these hours at work (Shannon's quick to remind me that by the hours I work I could buy a whole store-load). Today, however, my sweet patient gave me a candle. A very YUMMY, YUMMY smelling candle. She's a candle distributor, and now, this isn't the first gift I got, but for some reason tonight it was special. Her husband handed it to me and thanked me for being so great. And for a moment I realized that it didn't matter that I'm not the best labor nurse in the world, but that I truly make a difference every time I dawn those scrubs and that I need to leave scrapbooking where it is, a hobby. Because, for the 8 (or less) hours together I really am the best labor nurse they have.
In other news, Spencer is the cutest monster EVER. More on that later.

Moms don't get sick days

And... why exactly is that? I mean, our workplace is a dang cesspool...
All this whining... and frankly, I think it's my turn.

Mad...

That's right, I'm angry.
So, this young lady in our ward got pregnant. She was in YW when I was also in YW and our presidency made every effort to prevent, what was apparently the inevitable. Did I mention she's 15?
So, she's pregnant. She came to church a few Sundays ago trying to hide it with every ounch of coat possible... but it's obvious and finally she is saying she's pregnant.
I had thought long and hard about it and decided that we should do something to show her that even though she has made some VERY bad decisions (including being unwilling to give the baby up for adoption) we still love her and are willing to support her. So, my friend and I decided it might be a good idea to give her a shower, basically 2 fold in purpose. 1. To understand that the church is still willing to support her and befriend her. 2. Also, she is living at the boyfriend's house and neither has much funds and regardless of their poor status they're going to need stuff (baby tylenol, blankets, a bath etc) for the baby... and we were willing to provide some of the stuff we no longer needed for her.
Now, I find-out that people in the ward are talking bad about the shower. Nary a word to myself. They think that it's wrong to highlight the fact that she got pregnant and is NOW GETTING PRESENTS for it. Thankfully, the older young women in our ward, I believe, understand that we need to support her because raising a child at 15 is not going to be easy.
Well, turns-out the shower may not even happen because the won't call me back. Which, is her own problem but I feel good about extending the hand of friendship and letting her know I'm there for her... which I want to be.
I just have to wonder what Jesus would do ladies.... I do believe he would provide a small and useful gift and perhaps even a carseat so he could take her and the baby to church. What does everyone else think Jesus would do? Am I wrong here?

For the love

HEY... blogger looks normal. Wonder if my filter's not working...
Anywho... mommy's leaving me (insert funeral march). Thankfully, these are like the worst 2 weeks ever for marching band yucca and hopefully I'll see Drew for moer than 3 minutes today (and let's all hope neither of us are grumpy).
Today's flu shot today. With Drew dealing with 400 kids all day and me at the hospital I think it's best that we're all protected. Mr. Conner isn't too sure of my sage wisdom at this time. Prior to leaving him at school he was NOT getting one (shocker). Now, here's the real question though -- he walks aroudn the house with his shirt up over his head running his head into whatever and falling down (or up) our 1 stair... and he's afraid of a shot? Go figure.
Last night we had a "pornography" lesson for family home evening. I wasn't really feeling the love for this lesson. Didn't have much to say initially. I printed out some paper dolls and we took their clothes off and told what parts we don't touch or show to others. It was too funny. I had Conner show me where the privates were on the little boy doll and he showed me on the front, and then he turned the little picture over and pointed to the back. I'd highly recommend this lesson to all my friends out there with little kids though. Just letting him know to tell me if something happens, even if they say not to. I don't really remember my parents having this talk with me -- mostly having it at school. I'm glad we did it, even if it was intimidating (and obviously we brought the topic down a couple notches for our little family) at first.
On an even lighter note, we had some high school kid who wanted to raise money so he could stay in the dorms at San Jose State (hello, a JOB would help?!). Drew couldn't get him to go (and apparently doesn't have the fortitude to just shut the door) so I yelled that we were having a FAMILY LESSON ON "pornography" (I have to type it in quotes in order to get it to show-up with my filter on -- guess the filter's working) and if he'd like to stay he'd be more than welcome. That basically ended that unwelcome visit.
So, I'm off to take mumzy to the airport soon. Feel free to leave condolences...

Energy Leak

I have scientific evidence, my kids make people TIRED. My mom comes, rarely takes naps -- TOOK AT 2.5 hour nap. Normally, I'd be kinda miffed that a person ditched me that long, but I felt for her... these kids are energy drains, and it's pleasing to think that someone else thinks that too.
Thanks for coming mumzy dear.

Love this picture. Love Conner's teacher, but I think I've already said that... 

Mumzy

My mom's coming today. Conner couldn't even sleep last night, he was so excited. He loves my mom so much. I hope that she and Spencer will get an equal bond.
I'm pretty excited too... someone else to "be in charge" around here -- someone to talk to (whose sentances don't start with "guess what" or "no what?"). Big fun.
You're jealous. Admit it.

Ok, I MAY have been wrong below... I think THIS one might be the best layout ever -- a bit cut-off on the right side. Silly Scanner.  

Niceties

So, last night as Drew took the kids to In and Out I felt like my face was on fire... went to the doctor, got some ... feeling much better. Thanks for the invitations to not clean. Wish you all were my husband. Mothers of a 5 and 1 year old don't get rest... what on EARTH are you thinking?
Anywho, I've been thinking about myself a lot lately. Kind of how I think about other people, and how sometimes my thoughts aren't as nice as I'd like them to be. I'm mortified to think that at times I truly think I'm better than some people. Thta is something I just don't tolerate in myself. I can tolerate myself being bugged by people, and just not getting along with others, but thoughts that I'm actually a better person than them -- no good.
So, I'm really trying to not even have bad thoughts about people. I want to love everyone. And that's my goal for the day.
Wish me luck.

Called in sick today...

So, last week I called in sick. Not sure if it was emotional, or really that my foot hurt, but man, it hurt. And now I have cheeks as pink as Clifford the Big Red Dog's. I'm living on Airborne and Zicam. Bought some of that fancy OJ at the store this morning.
Why is it that I feel SO guilty calling in sick. I mean, I'm actually sick, and I wouldn't want me dealing with my newborn. I don't work in an industry in which being sick is something you should just "work through." However my first job as an RN, we weren't able to call in sick. It was a joke.
Of course, being that I'm per diem, I don't actually get "sick days" (I can call in sick, but I am not paid for it.
And when I cough I think my teeth are going to come out... anyone have any home cures?

It just ain't the same

Was having a MASSIVE headache that prevented scrappin' last night, and there was nothing on that tickled my fancy, so I turned it to TV Land, and watched an episode of Little House on the Prarie. I LOVED this show when I was little. I even went through a phase where I only called my parents pa and ma (which they loathed).
Anyway, it was the episode where the mom's dying (and her husband's already died) so she's trying to get someone to parent her kids. It turns-out (in the next episode) that Isaiah and Grace get married and parent the kids. But, to watch her ask people to take her kids once she's , when she dies like THAT NIGHT. OH MY GOSH. Really makes any problems I have seem pretty miniscule. It made me think of Sophia's blog about the pioneers yetserday and all the things they went through. There are so many things that were their worries that just aren't a problem now.
Adn then I wondered what happened to TV like that. I mean, everything's just so sensationalized now -- I don't care as much for people who die in a helicopter crash that explodes the surrounding town. KWIM? Something that touches our real lives and makes us want to be better. Doesn't seem to happen much.
Anyway, those are my thoughts... and I ALSO wrote this blog last night and couldn't get it to go through. TALK about PIONEERS. :)

Calling

So, now I'm on the Ward Activities Comitte... basically, I make posters, and help out with parties. I guess I can handle that. :) That's where the "fun" people go... right? Really, I think my friends wanted me on it... feel the joy, I have friends. :)

In other news, we're back to normal day kindergarten, and I couldn't be happier. And my mom comes on Friday. Good times...

Fear of the Clergy/Unknown

A member of the bishopbric just called, wants to meet with us before church. I all calls from the bishopbric, in general. They usually aren't he kind that makes you want to jump up and down. I'm sure it's to do with our calling that we've been purely ignoring since receiving it (you might remember that blog). Perhaps he's calling us to repetance. And if so, I'm sure we need it.
I loathe the unknown, even just 2 hours of it. Never fun... WHO'S GETTING A CALLING? Or, is it just the release?

VERY simple layout -- my favorite part is the jouranling. This is Inspire2 by Ali Edwards... kinda crazy eh? 

I know, a lot of journaling, but I wanted to do my badge and just kind of make a statement about my time at Regional, kidn of before I forgot it so I WENT OUT OF MY CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER and did this first.  

Look, my printer even squewed my title, and I just let it go. Must've been my bout with the dead leaves... love these pictures of my kids with my parents. LOVE THEM. And Shannon, I used PINK and FLOWERS. I'm breakin the mold. 

The Life Cycle

As I found myself down on my hands and knees trying to get the bean plants out of our garden (btw, only gonna do 1 plot of garden next year, it seems to be the only one that gets enough sun, and it'll be easier to water). I was looking at ALL the leaves and just thinking how we'll have new plants next year. It truly is amazing how things grow back.
I remember when my Uncle Randy died. We had just had Conner. He brought an ounce of pleasure into what was a very sad time. I remember being intrigued that life stops and life starts and there's nothing we can do about it. Of course, I'm reminded of that myself every time I work.
So, to the bean plants I say adieu, knowing that soil will be fertile for new plants next year.
Hilary

love this picture. Not sure I did it justice... but I really like my cut-out title. I now have a true tetimony of a glass mat and a new exacto knife blade. Thanks shannon. :) 

Ok, the whole week of early out days was worth getting to talk to Conner's teacher today. She gave us a little bound book of his "tear friends" and this is yellow. I'm just so impressed with how the cello looks, I wanted to share. Plus, check how awesome our name looks. Needless to say, Conner is a great student and his teacher only had nice things to say, except for a propensity to talk, all the time. But, apparently he does prety good at keeping that little trait under his hat. 

Kudos

As I bemoaned my fate as a marching band widow tonight... I sat back and thought about Drew. He puts the kids to bed, by himself every time I work. He never complains, when I ask him if I should take an extra shift he never says he can't do it (probably too busy thinking what we can buy with the extra money). Anyway, I wish I could be more like him. I am often feeling very put upon. Tonight was an ice cream social that Conner's class had earned by having the most PTA families. By the time they're in bed I'm pooped. No scrappin', just reality TV. Drew's at band booster meeting. But, Kudos to him, he's such a supportive husband and I appreciate him a lot. I wonder if I'll see him before Sunday....

For a reason...

Last night was my last night at Regional. Surprisingly, not cancelled and I worked the whole shift even. The night went fairly uneventful. I did have a c-section, but nothing big. But, then my friend called me in to help, and did a l exam (wonder if that word will get filtered) and there was a prolapse cord (very dangerous -- cord can become compressed by the baby's head and the cervix). Once you find one, you don't leave it, until the baby's out. And, we all know where you FIND one...
Anyway, there I sat with this poor woman (who is actually a lucky woman in the broad perspective) until the baby was out -- probably around 30-40 minutes. The mom has to be in a knee-chest position, and I'll just let you picture this whole thing for yourself.
But, as I was driving home I was thinking that nothing happens without a reason. I kinda feel like God wanted me to "go-out with a bang" -- something to always remember Regional with.
BTW, the parents were amazingly appreciative after this whole ordeal, and it is nice to feel appreciated every now and then... isn't it?

I loved my job so much at Regional I mad them a CARD, and if you know how much I hate to make CARDS this will be impressive to you. I just really want the ladies there to know how much I appreciated them. When I first moved here I was a wreck, they picked me up, dusted me off, and turned me into the FINE (and I mine F-I-N-E) labor and delivery nurse that I am today. Thanks ladies. 

Friends

I just wanted to say today, how NICE it is to have friends. I've kind of become friends with some of the mom's at Conner's school and I feel SO much more comfortable now. Women need people to help us out when we're in a bind. I mean, at work no one would expect me to do everything by myself, but as moms we kind of do...
Anyway, I have 2 friends helping me out today. I am so thankful. Again, small things that mean a lot.
On a sadder note, my last night at Regional tonight, wonder if they'll cancel me.

New layout, same pic as last month's header, for my blog fans. I think it's fairly snazzy... sorry mom, for mentioning your age. BUT, I did mention Conner's too. :) 

I quit

That's right, I FINALLY made-up my mind and quit Regional this morning. I just called the manager, who I barely even know, and didn't talk to anyone that I do know. I am a coward, basically. But, I'll be there tomrorow (unless, of course, I get cancelled) and can talk to people then.
I've had that job longer than I've had any job -- 4 years, the whole time we've lived here. But, things change and I feel like O'Connor can provide what we finacially need.
Obviously, I'll miss the people, but not the stress. I just hope everyone keeps me in their circle of friends.
Love you guys!

Brother Joseph

I admit, with a lot of regret, that I have had a very hard time sharing the story of Joesph Smith with my friends. I understand how implausible it seems -- that a 14 year old boy, went into a wooded area and came-out after seeing God and knowing that His gospel would be revealed to him. Who on earth could believe such a story, and THEN base their life on it.
Well, me, that's who. As the choir, today, sang "Praise to the Man" I marveled at th video. Joesph Smith was a man, a human being, with faults and a love of laughter and joy. I love that he loved to play with kids and have a good time.
However, he did bring the true gospel to this earth. A 14 year old boy had the true gospel revealed to him, and he implemented it on the earth and then died for his cause. I know he is a prophet of God and that he saw God. I know this without any doubt in my heart whatsoever.
And, I just wanted to tell all of you.
If any of you are wanting to know more about Joseph Smith you can comment and I can send you a video. It doesn't push the church, but it does tell what happend that day in the woods. It also has a lot of great shots of woodland creatures (which is Conner's favorite part).
I just found, on Mormon.org a great sonopsys of the Joesph Smith Story... in case you're interested.
The Joseph Smith Story

Do you ever feel like they've dumped the potty on your head?

It's obvious, I changed the header. This morning Conner and Spencer were playing with the playmobil stuff and Spencer kept wanting to put the bucket (adn we all thought it was a potty initially) on the guy's head as a hat. I was thinking, sometimes I feel like the world puts a potty on my head...
And hence, the header.
Enjoy.