Favorites Friday

Well besides it taking a ton of time to convert this movie, I'm going to truthfully have to say that Conner's play has totally been my favorite of the week.  I'll admit, I was SUPER nervous before he went on.  You'll see here at the beginning that it's him to start the show, he sings an entire song by himself, and that's just a lot to put on a 9 year old.

He did amazing, and without further adieu.... 

Where Did She Go?

How can a human go from this:

To this, in just a year?

I hate it, I realy do.  HUGE props to my friend Janna who bought her this adorable outfit.  Apparently, I was so excited to have her wear it I coudln't focus correctly, but you get the gist of it. :)  One, one, one, what fun!

AND, to finish of our year of onsie photos, ta-da!

In my head I think I wanted to do it til' she was 2 years old, but she's just getting to mobile, it's going to be unsafe at some point... esp. since I do them mostly alone.  But, look how big she's gotten.  Love this little girl, my life wouldn't be near as grand without her.

Bring on the cake and party.

A Year Ago Today

I lost a lot of water weight.

Some of you might remember these blog entries (this starts from the end of April, and you can read back through my TWELVE days of being overdue).

It truly was one of those days where I laid in bed and cried.

For particularly no good reason.  By jove, I was getting induced.  This isn't to say that I wasn't MISERABLE.  That pregnancy had more problems then I'd like to count, but hello, look how adorable she is now!

That's also not to say that I'm an advocate for induction.  I don't think people should get induced unless there is a ligitimate concern.  That concern shouldn't be "your baby may be big."  However, being possibly 12 days overdue (I only thought I was five, but I was overdue... and by more than a couple of days) was a pretty darn good reason.  Also that I'd had a large episiotomy with my first delivery, I had pelvic separation, I had glucose intolerance... oh, and Spencer was 9 pounds.  Induction was totally approrpiate, and actually continuing the pregnancy probably wasn't that great of an idea.

I was talking to a friend who's having her fourth on Friday and she said it was stupid but she was so nervous.  I told her it was totally legitimate, first or fourth it's a HUGE change (especially for the mom -- not to mention you're looking at a whole day if induced pain, who wouldn't be scared!).  Honestly, I think that's what a lot of the crying was about that day.  When a new baby comes it's a whole new world and I was stepping out of a world that had two kids who could compoletely dress and get in the car and do their carseats all by themselves.  I was entering chaos.

Who wouldn't cry?

But it's a reminder.  I have been reading about the Children of Isreal in the bible and I was so "brought to my knees" when they were complaining about the manna, they were just so tired of it.  And yet, their needs were being met.  What on earth was there to complain of, a lack of variety?

I think too often I'm complaining about my own manna.  My life is totally provided for, God ALWAYS watches out for us.  P came, and she was perfect and normal and I we are through with that first year in a blink of an eye.

Looking back is always interesting, isn't it?

Just had to share

We had the Pollock Montreal for dinner.
HUGE loser.  I think my gut was saying it'd be gross.
And it was.
But I was sick, it was quick and it's done.
You can't win 'em all right... and Pollock is a fish I can cross off my list.  Grainy, tasteless, and gross.

TMT: Marsha, Marsha, Marsha (or, Conner, Conner, Conner)

TMT stands for teach me Tuesday.  I ask you a question, and you help me.  I am out of useful medical knowledge. :)

So, here's my problem.  This week is P's birthday and we're having a little shin dig for her on Saturday and she's getting toys and attention and love...

Conner has a play this week, along with STAR testing.  Yes, it's a stressful week but I'm giving him a lot too.  People are coming to his play (we'd love for you to come too, its Thur and Friday, email for details, it's only an hour and it'd be great for littles -- I'm a big fan of taking them to "Cheap" things where they're expected to sit still, but are also entertained on their level), I'm making him special breakfasts and trying to make his life fairly stress free (although, last year we had a baby this week and he still did great!).

Anyway... in between those two is Mr. Spencer.  I worry about him.  He's such a great little seed and rarely had stuff that's his own or he's just so great I don't praise him enough for what he does so well at.

So, what do you do to recognize that great middle child?  We do date night, and I do reading with him in the afternoons, but I feel like there should be more.  I'm thinking of putting him alone on soccer next fall... force his brother to root for him.

So, teach me. ;)

Menu Plan Monday

I have some leftovers from last week, including Pollock Montreal (who wants to guess when that's going to actually make it OFF the menu plan?)... the week seems to be shaping up like this:

• Monday:  BBQ Chicken, potato salad and corn on the cob
• Tuesday: Creamy enchiladas (with a frozen casserole of it to a friend, also)
• Wednesday: Pollock Montreal (no, really)
• Thursday:  Candied Chicken with Rice (it's Conner's favorite and he has his play that night)
• Friday:  BBQ Chicken and black bean pizza (the Food Nanny recommends having a pizza night because kids think it's fun, and I'm all for fun -- plus, it's a great way to use up leftovers!)
• Saturday:  Spanish Rice Bake
• Sunday:  Pasta with Salami and Basil (from Cheap, Fast Good)

I must say that having a menu plan saves me so often!  Figuring out what's for dinner is hard stuff!

Favorites Friday

1.  I really love these new divided ziploc containers.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.  We were using their other divided containers (or, maybe they were Rubbermaid) at the beginning of the year, but they weren't "sealed" compartments, so a few things I was having to use baggies wtih anyway.  With these it's all sealed, it does a great job and so far they've held up.  I love not using baggies and being able to re-use these.  I think I need to remember to just wash them out when the kids get home so they're not taking up a ton of room in the dishwasher. I got mine at target, I can usually find them for under 3 bucks for 2 of them. 

2.Our Drip system.  My GOODNESS is it handy!  I can't recommend putting in a drip system enough to people.  It's so versitile and it just waters where you need it.  I sure enjoy it! 

3.  New summer clothes for P.  It's supposed to hit about 80 here today so I broke out a 12 month summer outfit.  It's a cutie from H&M baby collection (bought at Kid to Kid, of course).  So excited.  Did I mention she has like 30 dresses that she could wear RIGHT NOW.  And no, I'm not exaggerating.  WHO HAVE I BECOME?

4 I have been reading this book and I am LOVING it.  I think with Conner I REALLY need to focus on the good things that he's doing.  I like how they show you how to really compliment your child when they've done something great.  For those of you who haven't read it I say read it!  I'm even gonna buy a copy on Amazon.  Check me out (I think there's an older edition that's cheaper... How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk but it doesn't have a picture). :)  I plan a longer post on this sometime coming up.

Why, Hello there Earth

Earth, it's YOUR DAY!!!  I hope you don't start a giant fire just so you can blow out some candles.....

Anywho....

I was thinking about how much "greener" we are than we were a year ago.  While I'm not into the whole Al Gore earth temperature is rising thing I do believe that there are sensible things that we can do to not only help our planet, but SAVE MONEY!!!! 

Some things that are positive:

1.  Composting.  Mostly that's saving our water system since a lot of it would go down the garbage disposal but just the effort of composting helps you realize the whole big circle of life (cue, someone raising Simba and afterican singers).

2.  Organic.  Just making sure that the things that go into our garden are ones that will provide healthy food is a good feeling.  Also, trying to buy organic things that make sense and are grown locally where possible.

3.  Appliances.  Courtesy of the world falling apart within the last year we've bought a new dishwasher, furnace and washing machine and by jove, they're all GREAT!  I am saving money on the water, and a little on the gas.  I must say the washing machine has been the biggest difference.  HUGELY less water, and I rarely have a stain not come out anymore.  Love my duet.

4.  Recycling.  We have a new container that is making recyling easier and it's nice to know those things are going back to make more things, rather than to the smelly dump.

Things I coudl do better:

1.  Bags.  I hate those plastic bags but I NEVER remember to bring my stash of resuable ones into the store.  I hate that.  I need to work harder on it.  Anyone have a system that works?

2.  Diapers.  I'm sure there's something I could be doing better here.  The only chance I see for improvement is potty training, and that's still a year or two away. 

3.  Recycling.  I'm sure I could recycle more.  Sometimes I just throw stuff in the trash because I am tired and lazy.  I am fired.

4.  Teaking my kids.  While I think they do a lot of this at school (Conner was totally into storm drains for a few months courtesy of a great assembly) I'm sure I could do more to teach my kids how we can help the earth.  That might be a good FHE activity coming up.

So, what are you doing great for Mr. Earth, and what could you do better?  And, are you wearing green today?  I am. :)

The Power of Threes

It's just one week til' P is one.  CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?  It disgusts me.
But that's a blog for another day.
For the power of 3 is starting to overwhelm me.
Work
Helping in the classrooms
Enriching P
Cooking
Freaking calorie counting and weight watchers points
Working out
It's just piling on.  Some times I feel SO on top of things.  But, it's been nice just me and my less-than-mobile P... but those times are a changing.  Things aren't getting done when she's awake.
It's killing me
I have SO much to do....
But perhaps playing with the shape sorter is just what the doctor ordered.
It's only a few years til' it will be HER classroom I'm helping in....
Anyway.  Three.  It's a lot more than two.

TMI Tuesdays:Child Development

Ok, I have no particular knowledge in this area, besides a wild romp through child development with no other than Al Price (who, my mom also had for child development, which seems a bit odd, but whatever).

Anywho.  I was talking with a friend who has an extremely verbal 2 year old and she said that she had done purposeful things in order to get her that way... and I started thinking what I'm doing to encourage development in my almost 1 year old {sob}.

So, here's what I thought off, off the top of my head.
1.  NO baby talk, but we're still working on that with the boys... they have an incessant need to speak to her like she's a baby.  As if. :)
2.  Exploring.  I've made the house fairly child friendly and I let her explore.  Right now she's making out with a rice a roni box.  Lucky girl.
3.  Music -- I play jmusic when she's in her playpen each day.  Lately it's been the mp3 player and its' fun to see how she reacts to the different genres.  She's quiet with the flute sonatas and then with Livin' La Vida Loca came on she shook her bon-bon. :)
4.  Being really verbal with her.  Telling her the names of objects.  Singing songs that include object names and showing her those objects (like, head, shoulders knees and toes).
5.  Reading.  She's just starting to be cool with the whole sitting down to read thing.
6.  Playpen time.  I think it's important that they know how to play solo and playpen time fosters that, as well as keeping her safe from whatever choking hazards are lurking before I clean-up.

Anyway, so what do you do to aid in the development of the wee ones?  I must admit I'm rusty at this.  I vaguely remember playing a classical CD when Conner would eat his breakfast.  Of course, that's when I was SO OVERWHELMED with one child. :)

Those were the good ol' days. :)

Disney with the Wee....

P is still pretty little, and doesn't walk, and isn't a huge fan of standing up.  I hadn't done Disney with any one this small... but it worked alright, and mainly because of ONE reason.  Our Ergo carrier.  If I hadn't had this I think my arms would have fallen off and I would have died.  We also used the Ergo carrier to haul her to and from the park so we coudl put Spencer in the stroller and not move as slow as honey (thank goodness for tiny kids, Spencer only weighs 35 pounds right now).

It was a good age though.  Sometimes I'd help her walk when we were in line, she fell asleep fairly easily in the carrier which meant we could still go on and off of rides with her asleep (she always woke-up during the fight scene in pirates of the carribean though).

I had to haul her to a couple of the "girly" people though.  We had to see tinkerbell, and while she was OK those other pixies were hilarious.  The blue one said "oh goodness, she hasn't grown into her wings yet, and I will have to have Tinkerbell tinker her a new voice, she has obviously lost hers".  I couldn't bring myself to wait in the hour long princess fantasy faire line.

That.  is insane.

We took plenty of snacks for her, and I tried to always have some handy when she got fussy on a ride.  We particularly liked these (hey, blogger bloggers... did you know you can get images from Amazong easier on your blog now -- fyi, I am paid if your purchase through this link, but don't -- I think I got my box for like 3 bucks at Walmart).  They disolve in their mouths but are nice like teething biscuits that they can hold and feed themselves.

All in all she did pretty great.  Of course, she also got 3 teeth while we were there, so that was less then great, but she slept alright at the hotel.

Menu Plan Monday

I really enjoyed not having to cook while we were gone.
Also, if you read my weight loss blog (click to the right) you'll see this week I'm going to count calories at points... just to get fuller picture.  And frankly, I just have a ton of spare time.  Don't you?
Without further adieu, this week's plan includes:

• BBQ Chicken and Potato Salad -- sounds like a yummy summery meal, doesn't it? Potato Salad is 4 points, but I will most liley use real bacon and increase the point value by 1 or 2... Drew hates turkey bacon)
• Spanish Rice Bake -- I've had this in my "try me" pile for a while... looks tasty, and quick to prepare! 8 points
• Pollock Montreal and Rice Pilaf - is anyone else noticing this is on my list quite a lot?  No, we haven' had it, I just think I need to get more excited about fish! 7 points
• Spanish Tortilla -- I can't find dried chorizo, so we'll be using a full-flavor salami. 16 points (and 714 calories!!!!, yipes!)
• Pizza (the Food Nanny recommends having pizza night once a week just because it's fun for kids... there's so many different toppings, I'll plan to just use up something in my fridge!)
• Carbonara Pasta
• Sausage Risotto 8 points (beacuse I'm only using 1/2 the called for sausage)
• Tuna Melts (I have an old pillsbury recipe that combines tuna, mayo, crushed pineapple -- which I need to use-up from my fridge -- , celery and topped with cheese -- they're quick easy and kid-friendly)

Once again there are probably too many options, but I like options.  Don't you? :)  Also, the Food Nanny has families plan out their menus 2 weeks in advance.  Part of me really likes only having to do this every other week. :) 

BTW, the food nanny drives me to the brink of insanity, but she does have a lot of good ideas for families trying to have good dinner times together, and while health and a balanced diet are really important, so is enjoying the dinner together as a family!

Happy Eating!

A Giveaway? Hilary? Really?

Guess who has a giveaway on my weight loss blog.
I know, I'm the hater of giveaways but I never do them, and this is something I've been raving about on that blog, so go on over and check it out. :)

Disneyland!!!!

We LOVE Disneyland.  We seem to go on an every 2 year schedule and I must admit I doubt I'll be ready to go back before those 2 years are up. :)

I was amused by the "can't wait to see the pictures" comments.  I once took my large camera to disneyland and I regretted it.  Maybe when my kids are bigger but when you're hauling around kids and snacks and your whole life I just found that I wasn't experiencing it as much as I wanted to.  I wanted to be "present" instead of behind the lens.  Hence, the pictures are just from my tiny camera.

Some of you might have seen my sketchers shape-ups review on my working out blog.  I'm gonna write an addendum, but suffice it to say -- I LOVED these shoes.  They were MARVELOUS for me!

We went for 3.5 days.  Honestly, I think 3 is the perfect.  One day in each park and one extra day for  "favorites".

My parents came with and they were a huge help.  My boys tend to be a little more scared than they are willing to overcome at times. We rode on all of the dark rides, which is a first for us.  I haven't a clue why they find them so scary, but they do.  My mom was a big help with Spencer's fears.

Favorite rides were:  Toy Story Mania, Buzz Lightyear and Space Mountain.  I am glad to see they're doing a lot of work at California Adventure because that park is boring.  Except for Toy Story Mania, I could've gone without the entire thing.

We had a great time.  I love being there with my kids with nothing to do but have fun and focus on being together.  I think I'll be ready again in a couple of years.  But not before then. :)

Prepping to go to Disneyland (originally wirtten on 4/11 at 5:03 in the AM)

When going to disneyland with 3 kids I might as well take a uhaul.  I am meticulous about what comes, and where it goes and how it will fit in the stroller.

Wait, let me rewind.

We booked our hotel through http://www.getawaytoday.com/ --mention my name and get $$ off your order (I think you don't have to pay your booking fee)!  BUT, I have always found THE BEST hotel price through them.  I always look around (of course I do) but that place always has the best rate!  We're staying at the Castle Inn and Suites.  Nothing fancy.  Last time we stayed at a Hawthorne Inn and Suites and had an AWFUL time, so this time I wanted to stay within walking distance from the park and cheap. :)  My one stipulation is having a suite.  I just need to be able to shut the door on my kids when they need to go to sleep.  It just makes for a happier life, and there are tons of suites around Disneyland!  I think it was like 433 for 4 nights at the hotel.  The boys are SO excited about staying there though.  Give it up for little boys!  BTW, we also used Getaway today to book our San Diego trip.  We don't always get tickets with them, but room price always seem to be better!

When we go to Disneyland I am prepped to not eat at all in the parks.  You know it would kill me to pay four bucks for a bottle of water that I was paid to buy at the store. :)  I pack the stroller with snacks and coats and everything we need for a day of fun.  Word on the mouseplanet street is that no one has ever had their stroller stolen at Disneyland.  Crossing my fingers. :)

I haven't ever done Disneyland with this tiny of a baby but she's so great and my parents are actually meeting us there so I am pretty excited that it will all turn out OK.  There's a lot more to pack when you have a wee one though. 

This is our 4th visit to the parks since we moved here (or had kids).  We took Conner the first time when he was five... I think.  Making Spencer 2 years old on his first visit.

Anyway, I guess that's all.  I have thoughts swimming through my mind about things I've forgotten to pack. 

I've been awake at 4:30 most of this week.  I keep thinking of the little kid on the disney ads that says "I'm too excited to sleep" but instead, "I'm too stupid to sleep."  It's true. :)

I Have a Secret...

Guess who is en route from the happiest place on earth....
I am considering re-naming it the most tired place on earth... I think this is one of the few times I have felt the full brunt of chaos from having 3 kids, & while my parents were even there it was still moderately overwhelming to do it.
I am glad we did and we had a great time, details to follow ... of course. :)

Shhh.... It was a Secret

If you're a long-time reader you know that I don't share when I'm going on Vacation on my blog. 
But this was the big one.  We just got back from a week at Disneyland! 
Very fun, but I will write up the trip as the next week progresses.
Get excited. :)

Favorites Friday

Ok, I can't keep coming up wtih 4 things.  How pathetic is that?

I will come-up with one thing today though.  I LOVE our tomato cages that we made last year.  I think I might have posted about them last year but they really are SO much better than those other kind.  Our tomatoes tend to get LARGE and the other kind just kinda flops over.

These are made out of concrete fencing and they are sturdy little suckers.

One roll of it costs about 70 bucks (annoying, I know).  Split it with a friend though, we, so far have made 6 cages and built a lattice with it, I think we have enough for at least 2 more.

We used bolt cutters to cut it (it's strong stuff, the regular wire cutters weren't doin' it!).

Then we bent it around.  We used some of the "end pieces" to wrap around the other end to make a circle (does that make sense -- we had some pokey ends left after we cut it and we used those to help hold the circle).  We also used some zip ties.

Then, we cut off the "rung" portions on the bottom to leave stakes that we could drive into the ground.  I have heard of people just tying stakes onto the bottom so they're a bit sturdier, but that seemed a bit like overkill.  This way they're about 5 feet tall.  Our tomatoes didn't get to the top last year (but this year we're composting!).  I was careful last year to keep shoving in all the bigger branches into the middles section growing up so that it could contain them.

I'm glad we did it, they'll last for years and they help keep our tomaotes healthy!  Tomatoes are one of our very most favorite crops.  I LOVE fresh tomatoes, don't you?

What's Up Wednesday

Every now and then I have to do a journal type entry -- and today's it's about a day in the life at our house.

I wake-up at 5:45 three times a  week to work-out and am done around 6:30.  I then read my scriptures and then it's off to the races trying to get everyone ready and out the door to school by 8:30

P and I come home, she goes into the playpen with a little music while I get a few things done.  Then, we have some playtime before her nap between 9 and 9:30.  I'm trying to read a book with her before bed, and some days that works well -- others she's not a big fan of sitting and reading.

While she naps I get a bunch of housework done, some blog and facebook reading, and laundry, etc.
She wakes up around 11 usually and then we often have an errand or a lunch to do.  That time's pretty well free for playing and enjoying our life.

Nap for her starts either after we get Spencer or before if Drew is picking up.  Conner is late most of the days of the week and Drew usually picks him up.

After pickup I feel like our life is still a bit like complete chaos, but thankfully, P sleeps at that point.  I have enjoyed some free afternoons with Spencer to do some reading and catching up before Conner gets home (and usually demands all the attention for some tradgedy that has become him -- have I mentioned he's lost another jacket?).

Dinner's usually at 5:30, with me starting it somwhere around 5.  Then it's time for some play perhaps some more internet perusing before family scriptures and prayers.  I'm pretty well spent after that point and I lay on the couch and drool until I drag myself to bed around 9 pm.

Honestly, I don't really feel like I have all that much to do.  I do have a very full life with 3 kids and a job (which wasn't in this entry at all, but on weekdays I don't work til' 3 pm so after pickup I'm at work and Drew deals with the after school chaos).  I continue to feel bipolar with such a happy peaceful existance when it's just me and P and then WHAM, it's after school and the tornado comes. 

It's a happy life, and it's my life. :)

TMI Tuesday: Allergies

OH MAN has this been a bad year for allergies or what.

Honestly, I have very little info here other than to say that I am also a fellow sufferer... and I didn't really suffer til' I was almost ready to get married.

I am allergic to Drew.

BUT, if it's pollen or Drew, I'm stuck with both of them.  I just tend to love one more than the other. ;)

ANYWAY, I take zyrtec daily (actually the generic which I get at Costco), and I add flonase if I am feeling extra stuffy and I'm REALLY stuffy I add chlorpheniramine maleate (which i bought at Walgreens under Wal-Finate).  I only take that at night though, it can make you really tired.

I've heard local honey can be a big help, so I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for that this summer.  Although, I'm sure that's a few points, I guess I could have that instead of a hostess 100 calorie cupcake. :)

Anyone have anything else they love?  Other than living in a bubble?  I'm considering it somedays....

Menu Plan Monday

All bets are off as to what we're eating this week.  Just one of those kinds of weeks, but here's what got great stars last week:

Lamb Chops with Balsamic Reduction was REALY good.  It felt like fancy restaurant food.  Our lamb cuts were pretty bad, but everyone enjoyed it.

The other dishes were fine, but not particularly 5 stars, or I'd already reviewed them. :)

Happy week!

Why Weekend: Weightloss

Hilary, what's up with the weight loss thing?  I mean, everyone has a few pounds to lose, right?
Yes, most everyone could lose a few pounds, but I have over 50 to go.  People are always shocked when I say that.  I think I must have small bones.  I'm not even trying to get to an anorexic weight, just so the wii doesn't call me overweight (I just switched from obese to overweight, yay!).

I hate how I look in photos.
I hate how my stomach is in the way when I bend over
I hate that my glucose tests have put me on the border for glucose intolerance
I hate how I can't shop with my friends
I hate getting winded when I take small hikes

I hate that.  I need to change it.  It's honestly one of the few things in my life where I don't feel like I have some control over it.  Ever since I got married I just added pounds.  I got married at about 120 pounds, and let's just say that's not even my goal weight.  Not even close.

Anyway, I am doing it, and I know I can.  I am so thankful for friends who support me and prop me up when I'm down about it.

Life goes on.  Hopefully, just with less wind resistance. :)

Favorites Friday

1.  Teething tablets P broke her top teeth out recently and these little gems have been lifesavers.  I haven't a clue how they were, other than amazingly.  If teething is your baby's only problem -- they totally work!

2.  Woah bill, BYU TV comes-up with something decent!  Actually, I think it's almost the show that the world is waiting for.  Moms, making dinners for families that they can eat and enjoy together -- it's called the Food Nanny.  While she has a crazy Utah accent (which I somehow find comforting, and annoying at the same time) she has some good tips of what to do to get family meals going for YOUR family. :)


3.  Chuck.  I love that show.  Drew and I BOTH love that show, which is fairly rare...  I was so glad with the end of this week's show, and to prevent spoilage I'll leave it there.  It's just nice to see a good guy win.

3.  Wii fit plus.  I'm really getting into this.  I'm adding it as my easier cardio on a few days a week.  It does get you moving, and you usually break a sweat.  We got wii fit plus and I actually like it a LOT more than the regular wii fit (it just has more games and options).

To The Internets

Dear Blog Writers,

When you have more giveaways of ETSY stuff than actual posts I unsubscribe to you.  I get wanting free stuff, and I get wanting readers and I REALLY great great giveaways... but seriously.  It bugs, and it's your loss.  Sorry.

Anxiously engaged, or just anxious?

Since my little postpartum bit, I'm thinking I hae postpartum anxiety, and it's continuing.  Somehow, that event turned on a trigger for me.  I find myself having what most people would term panic attacks, although they must be mild because I can still function during them, I just wish I had a xanax the whole time.

My dad's a pretty anxious guy.  I worry that my anxiety is my inner self telling my other self that something needs to get done, but when I sit and really think about it it's just useless anxiety.  I don't have it all the time, it seems to be randomly placed... normally stress is an activator for me.  I like my job because of the stress and adrenaline rushes... but sometimes it's just too much.

My main way to deal with it seems to be cleaning and organizing.  I don't want to eat, last night I had to force myself to my points.  Also, helping others.  I'm scheduled to visit teach today and I'm pretty sure that's my ticket out of this hole.

The reasons it came on were small.  The most stupid one being that I didn't buy my Disney tickets early enough and it's costing more (like 80 bucks more).  But, is it worth losing sleep and an entire day just over 80 bucks.  Believe me, it's just not!

It's just so hard to pick yourself up when you feel SO down.  In my head I realize that perfection just isn't something I can obtain me, but perhaps something else thinks I can and when I fall short it just drags me down.

Anyway, kind of a downer post, but I'm sure some of you feel that way sometimes, and I just wanted to get it off my chest.  Just a little self-psychotherapy on the blog. :)

TLK Tuesdays: Making My Girl Grow-Up

While I spend a fair amount of time complaining about how my baby is growing up I need some advice.  Advice you say?  That's right, my next youngest child is 6 and a lady can forget a lot of things in 6 years.  She can also maybe have never done well on these items in the first place.

1.  How do you get the baby to go to a sippy cup?  Conner was awful at this, and I think Spencer was better.  She won't even take it right now, just cries.  Anyone?  I've tried different cups by the way, and even taking the valve out so it just pours into her mouth.  She's not a fan.

2.  Do you keep feeding them rice cereal for a while, or did you just switch to cheerios and some fruit?

3.  When did you take out the old carrier car seat and replace it with the rear facing combo one (she'll be rear facing for a while as I'm guessing she's not near 20 pounds yet)?  She could still be in the carrier for a while but I bought a rear facing one a while ago....

Ok, ANSWER.  Answer to the best of your ability.

BTW, TMI Tuesday has been replaced with Too Little Knowledge Tuesdays.  TLK. :)  That is, until someone asks ME a question. :)

Menu Plan Monday

Apparently, I selected so many items last week that I don't need to select any for this week...

Just keeping up with what I already picked.

5 star items:

Cinnamon rolls made these for conference.  HELLO, delish.  I did 1/2 wheat flour, and I'm not sure I'd do that again, if I thought sufficiently about it.
Black Bean Burgers -- although I thought these tasted a bit like falafel, we all really liked them.
White Chili -- Different kind of crock pot soup.  I'm not sure it's a FIVE star, but it's different, and we all know I like different (btw, I added too much red pepper for my kids liking)
We finally had Tamale Casserole and yes, it is delicious.  So quick and easy, love it!  Great way to use up cheap jiffy mixes!

FREAK OUT

Somehow someone hacked into my gmail account, and changed it so all my email was going to a freak who would then send you a nasty email.  And by nasty, I'm talking less tha moral.

Google suspended my blog to protect me, I guess.

Blog's back.
Phewsh!

Wordle of the Week

Laugh Amongst Yourselves

I literally just fired Spencer.

I'm letting the kids earn some money for an upcoming trip today by doing some extra (fairly large) jobs.  They also get allowance, but I thought this would be a good way to put them to WORK today. :)

Spencer has the job of cleaning the walls, and he was coming to me every 3 seconds saying he was done and me explaining that I was paying per hours and that he had earned a nickle... and him bursting into tears.

So, I fired him.

Of course, there was then more crying while I told him that my manager would fire me if I had a hissy fit every 3 minutes (frankly, that part is questionable, I am union, and I have seen that before).  Conner then said, "mom, give the kid a chance, he's only 6!" 

Nothing melts a moms heart more than children sticking up for other children.

I re-hired him.

I am a total softie.

Four Favorites Friday

Ahh, it's that time again.  Frankly, nothing is my favorite today.  I'm in quite a mood here, and so exciting -- ALL the kids are home today, and Drew is falling asleep in meetings.  It's a great day.
Perhaps talking about some of my favorite things will increase my mood (at least I hope)

1. My new layout on Losing with Lovers.  Isn't it so cute?  I like how they all match.  It makes me happy.  I like how the top reminds me why I'm doing all this crazy stuff.  Lots of reasons.

2.  My new Shoes.  I know, I'm becoming a bit of a shoe whore... but I'm really hoping to find some that don't make me want to die at Disneyland.  I plan to do a review on the workout blog about them after I've had them for a week or so.  So far, so good, but I'm not really planning on having a super small butt thanks to them, I just want something comfy.  As an exciting start to my review, they don't look near as bad in real life as you might think they do.

3.  My new pot on the front door.  Spencer and I picked out the plants on our date last weekend.  He mostly likes the blue striped ones, we call them "BYU flowers"  It makes me very happy every time i open our door, or glance out the window.  Such great colors.  I love pretty flowers. While I like them on my table, I love them outside where they keep on giving. :)

4.  It's a SIP day today.  While I'm not loving the kids asking every 5 seconds when they can play the wii (even though I have specifically deliniated when wii time will be possible) it's nice not to pack lunches, drive to school, etc.  P was up a lot last night, and I'm sure he's having a nice snooze in his meetings right now.  Good luck to him.

Happy Friday everyone, I'm going to try and keep mine happy. ;)

Men, step away

So, the IUD has been in for a year.  I am not loving it.  I have constant spotting and I get weird pains that have to be from the IUD.  They're not really pains liek it's stuck or something.  Anyway....

I am considering getting it out at my next check up. 

But I need something else.

We're done, but I have strong anti-tube-tying feelings.  They're kind of fading since I know this particular body is done producing children until its pelvic floor is perfected in another life. ;)

Anyway, I know you guys had some thoughts before.  Do you have thoughts now?

Inquiring minds want to know.

April Fool.

Just one of those days, ALREADY!  I was running around getting stuff done before school and I was putting P down and she did some wiggle move and her face hit the floor.  She was probably only 6 inches off the ground, but still... I felt awful.  Then, she started bleeding and the way the kids were screaming you'd think niagra falls was coming out of her mouth.  Turns out, her tooth cut!  FINALLY.  I thought it would be forever, but all it took was a simple fall.  Why didn't I think of that earlier?  Poor Baby.

Of course, I was running around like a mad woman because I'd done an "April Fools Breakfast".  I think it's so cool when moms do fun things with their kids, and I must admit I don't do them often enough.  Here were my kids options

Main Dish

• Poopy Pebbles (cocoa puffs)
• Surprises (Trix)
• Good Buy's (Cheerios)

Utensils

• Wooden log (wooden spoon)
• Grabbers (Tongs)
• Superman (regular spoon, made of stainless steel -- I was low on imagination while thinking this up)

Beverages

• Moxy (juice box)
• Fun (Capri Sun)
• White juice (milk)

Anyway, the kids thought it was big fun, and I guess it was (til' I dropped their baby sister)

And an entry just wouldn't be complete without mentioning Spencer's bunny hunt yesterday at school.  No, we aren't that right wing here -- we don't shoot bunnies.  I guess they weren't allowed to say "Easter" so instead they say bunny.  Not sure why they don't just say "egg" hunt, but maybe that would bother the vegans. 
Who knows.
Either way, it's very fun, and VERY Kindergarten.  Here they are playing dinosaurs post-bunny-hunt.
Love this little guy.  He swollwed his very own zyrtec this morning.  Allergies are OUT THE ROOF this week and he's been sniffling up a storm and liquid claritin only lasts like a week when he's taking enough, so it was time to swollow a pill.  Is that super painful for you guy's kids?  Let's just say it involved some chewy spree bribary.  Surpsing, I know.