TWO ON ONE

Last night Nathan had a winter camp that he had to go to for Young Men's. So he and Josh left the house around 5:30p.m. He also took Merynn to the farm cause she was having a sleepover with grandma Barb. That left me with only two kids. TWO KIDS!! So weird. And awesome. So I took the younger two swimming. I hadn't been able to watch Alysha at her last round of swimming lessons because I was teaching piano, so I was really impressed with how well of a swimmer she has become. We brought along the snorkeling gear they got for Christmas so we could try it out before we leave on our trip to Hawaii. They just looked so dang adorable. Alysha caught on quickly..........Trentan did not. No surprise there. But we sure had fun. After swimming we went and got a bite to eat, went and got some treats from the Winks store, watched a movie all snuggled up on the couch and then had a sleepover in my bed. Day's like that need to happen WAY more often.

This morning Nathan and Josh arrived home frozen from sleeping outside but they had smiles on. Nathan took Josh and Merynn to basketball (Josh scored his first basket!) while I taught some piano. After that, Merynn and I made some blueberry muffins and the rest of the day was spend goofing off. We just sorta lazed around playing games and snacking. We even set up an "army" obstacle course and tried to get through it without getting hit by the Nerf gun darts being shot by Nate. I learned today that spending quality time with my kids soothes my soul and I need to make a habit of doing it.

LAKE PIEPGRASS

We have been experiencing some most delightful weather this week which has resulted in the dump load of snow we got last week to melt. Through this process we have learned that our house sits at the the lowest point in the cul-de-sac because all the snow that has melted all seems to end up in a pool in front of our house.......otherwise known as Lake Piepgrass. So if you are thinking of coming for a visit, make sure you bring some sort of floatation device or maybe even a canoe.

On a completely different note, while at my friend Meaghan's house yesterday, my youngest child thought it would be "cool" to play with matches and actually light them!! Where he found them, I don't know. But I was so angry and horrified. He totally knows better but did it anyways.I didn't even know he knew how to light matches. Boy did he ever get a stern talking to. Ahhh the joys of being a mother.....

A FEW RANDOM THINGS

1. I bought the most delicious cookies at Costco yesterday. The brand is "Anna's" and they are ginger snaps that almost melt in your mouth. So. Dang. Good.

2. Still loving yoga.

3. I really enjoy Almond Chicken.

4. My Hannah is a VERY good piano player.

5. I want to start wearing flip flops. I am tired of all the snow.

6. Trying to figure out how to motivate Josh to clean his room, and then KEEP it clean. Any suggestions?

7. Debating a hair change. Color? Cut? Both? Neither?

8. Just realized that there is only 5 more days of January. Must do visiting teaching!

9. Had lots of fun having some "alone" time today while the boys were at school. (didn't have Owen)

10. Congrats to Parker for getting the part of "Mowgli" in the play "The Jungle Book." Good job buddy!

11. This is my 100th post!! yay me!! Take that and shove it in your pocket Nate!! Told you I would keep it up! Sorta........

YOGA

I mentioned in my last post that I had started doing yoga. I have know decided that I LOVE yoga. I really just love it. I love how it makes you work every single muscle in your body AT THE SAME TIME. I love how my mood changes from grouchy and unmotivated, to calm and relaxed as I am doing it. It really is a great workout. Too bad I am not very good at it......

A WEEK IN REVIEW

Another busy week has flown by without me realizing it. Here's the jist of what went on.

We got a dumpload of snow (and I'm talking a BIG dumpload - 20cm) and ended up being house bound for a few days. I can't remember a time when there has been SO MUCH SNOW!!! It really is beautiful to look at, just not drive in. Anyways, thanks goodness it warmed up enough that the older three could track their way school. The other three, Trentan and the two boys I watch, were not so lucky. The snow was just too deep for their little legs and we ended up staying inside for most of the week. Talk about going stir-crazy!! We tried to make the best of it, but it was hard. I did finally venture out and went to my friend's house Wednesday ,Thursday and Friday,to start working out again. We decided to try yoga. Wow. Ouch. Yoga is a totally different kind of workout. I had muscles hurting that I didn't even know I had!! They still hurt actually. It's pretty awesome.
We had a family fun night on Friday. Saturday, Merynn and Josh had basketball. And then I took Merynn to get her hair cut. Boo. She has been asking me for months to get her hair cut and I kept making excuses because it was so long and beautiful. But it was also a pain to comb and keep tidy. So yesterday we went to the salon and off it came. ALOT of it. She wanted it cut like her cousin Brooke's. (no surprise there) So we took a picture of Brooke with us to show the hairdresser how to cut it, and her hair looks AMAZING! She looks so grown up though. Merynn is really happy with it. And I am too.
Today the sun it shining through almost every window and we are all happy to see it. We got home from a great day at church, had lunch, and the kids played outside for over an hour building a fort in the backyard. Now it's time to put a movie on for the kids and have a nap!!

BLAST FROM THE PAST

When it came to doing chores when I was growing up, I always seemed to be the one that did the vacuuming. (correct if I am wrong siblings, that's just how I remember it being) As I got older, I realized that the vacuum we currently had was old and hard to push and didn't really work very well. Basically, (no pun intended) it sucked. I then relayed this discovery to my momzy, who investigated the situation, and then, after agreeing with me about the problem, proceeded to tell my dad. My dad, being a busy man, basically said, (again, no pun intended) " Suck it up." Which we did. Then one day, for some miraculous reason, my dad had to use the vacuum. After using it for maybe 30 seconds, he stopped. The next day, we had a central vacuum system with one AWESOME vacuum. Which my parents still have to this day!!

What's my point in telling you this you ask? Keep reading.......

As mentioned earlier, our dishwasher died and I was forced into doing the dishes by hand. Last Friday we had the missionaries over for supper and by Saturday a.m. I had done soo many dishes that I was gonna loose it!! And yet, there were still more dishes to be done. My complaining was FINALLY heard, and my husband decided that I needed a "dish washing break", and volunteered to do the last load of dishes.He did about four dishes and then said, "This is soo ridiculous. I'm going to buy a new dishwasher RIGHT NOW....and he did. A nice one at that. (oh yessssssss)

So my point, or rather my thought, is the following:

Why don't they (being men) just listen to what we are telling them? Huh?

CATCHING SOME ZZZZZZ'S

Yesterday Merynn spent the WHOLE day on the couch. From 9:00 am til 9:30 pm. Today, I had to wake her up at 9:15 am so she could go to basketball. After basketball, she came back home and put herself back to bed. And that is where she still is(it's 2:45 pm). She doesn't have a fever, or a headache, or a stomach ache, or a sore throat or a runny nose. No symptoms of any sickness except that she is sleepy. I am seriously debating the thought that she has gone into hibernating mode. For reals. She is such an animal lover that maybe she is taking on some animal traits?!

Tomorrow is my Trentman's 4th birthday (sniff, sniff) When did I get old enough that my baby is four? He of course, can't wait to grow up. All he talks about is kindergarten. I am feeling like a most terrible mother because as of right now, I haven't gotten him anything for his birthday because the weather is soooooo seriously bad that I don't want to venture out with my four kids plus the two extra I have. The cake is taken care of though. Does that count for anything?

NEW PERSPECTIVE

A little girl in Trentan's kindergym class has a dad who is in a wheelchair. I've notcied that he always gets there early and then, when the kids are allowed to go in the classroom, he waits till all the kids and parents go in, and then waits some more for all the parents to come out again, and THEN he goes in to say sign in his daughter and say goodbye. He smiles as everyone passes him and waits so patiently for his turn. Last class, his wheelchair had brought in a lot of snow, and so he after he had said goodbye, he proceeded to clean up the puddle of melted snow. He then pushed himself outside, to his van, somehow got in and off he went. ( I saw all this cause I was blabbing with the teacher.) I just was so impressed with his positive attitude towards life and his situation. I need to remember the simple blessings that I am graced with everyday. It might be minus a patrillion outside but at least I can use my legs.

I also am grateful for dishwashers. To those of you who don't have one, or prefer to do the dishes by hand.....you are my HEROES!!!! Our dishwasher has died and I am forced into doing the stupid dishes by hand. My least favorite thing to do. And it takes SOOOO long. But, I am a clever fox. I leave the dishes dirty until the girls come home, and then I convince them that it would be so fun to do the dishes with me. Sneaky right?

MY FRIEND LESLIE

So, friday was my friend Leslie's birthday. I wanted to write an "ode" to Leslie on my blog on her actual birthday, but our computer went bonkers thanks to my 3 year old. Because Leslie is just so awesome of a friend, I will do it today. Better late than never......


My friend Leslie is thoughtful, my friend Leslie is kind.
My friend Leslie does so much, how does she not loose her mind?

My friend Leslie is a teacher, and a good one too.
My friend Leslie is creative, and ALWAYS knows what to do.

My friend Leslie is a good example of what a mother should be.
Her kids are amazing!! Just ask anybody.

My friend Leslie is faithful and lives the gospel.
My friend Leslie makes you feel like ANYTHING is possible.

My friend Leslie is a good cook, yummy treats come out of her pot.
My friend Leslie doesn't go anywhere without her camera, she's always taking snapshots.

My friend Leslie is a good listener and has an awesome sense of humor.
When it comes to finding good bargains, my friend Leslie is the best consumer.

My friend Leslie is amazing, wonderful, fantastic and the cream of the crop.
If you don't know her then that is your loss!!!

PEOPLE & DOGS

Our new house backs on to a little bike/walking trail. I think the kids will really enjoy it in the summer. I have noticed throughout the last couple of weeks, though, a very strange thing happening on this trail. People walking their dogs...... or should I say dogs walking their owners? Or should I say people going for a walk while holding their dog? Does this make sense to anyone else? If your are going to take the time to put your dog on a leash, and take it outside,why are you carrying it around? Doesn't the dog need exercise too? Do dogs get tired easily? Is that why they need to be carried around? Are people THAT attached to their dog that they would rather take it with them, even if they have to CARRY it, then leave home without it? Maybe because I don't like dogs, I don't understand this bizarre behavior. If anyone can enlighten me, please do. I just don't get it.

MORE EVIDENCE

Awhile back I confessed to the fact that I had found some evidence of me getting older, which I quickly took care of. Unfortunately, that evidence not only resurfaced, it multiplied. Again, I covered it up. But now I have realized there is more evidence lurking.......I believe I am slowly loosing my memory. I can never remember anything!!! I forget piano books, (sorry Kayla) I forget to turn the oven off, I forget that I already asked a question (which REALLY gets to Nate), I forget where I put things. I forget, I forget, I forget. Either I am just tired or I really am getting old. Hopefully the first of the two......

Today was a beautiful day and I took the three boys (Trentan and the two boys I babysit) to the park this afternoon. Because the snow was melting, the slides were a little bit more speedy. The boys would chute down those slides so fast, land on their butts and do it again and again. Oh it was fun to watch. Getting fresh air and sunshine sure made my day! Funny thing happened today, the one boy I babysit has decided that he is in love with me and that we will get married when he grows up. He also says I smell like marshmallows (it's actually this yummy smelling lotion that Kayla got me for Christmas called Vanilla Bean) which I thought was cute. Weird? but cute.

2011

As predicted, last week went by all too fast and the kids are back at school. Boo. That means back to reality for me too.
Lindsay and her family got here on Thursday and we had nothing but fun. Well, my kids and I did. Hopefully Lindsay's family had fun too. We did some hair dying, sledding, movie watching, partying on New Year's eve(which consisted of eating,dancing, fireworks laughing),more eating, and then sledding behind the quads. My body is not agreeing with the dancing and the sledding. SO STIFF!! Which means I am not so in shape. Makes sense seeing as I haven't worked out for two months!! Do I sense a new years resolution?
I am overall feeling very happy. I am hoping to put some pics up off the weekend when I get organized.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!