Tuesday, April 29, 2008
So what's the Motto with you?
Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tomorrow,
For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow.
So quiet down cobwebs. Dust, go to sleep.
I'm rocking my baby(ies), and babies don't keep.
Author Unknown
By the way, I added in that parentheses. So if I don't apologize to you when you come to my house and it's messy....here's why!
P.S. This picture is from last June but I just had to show this cute picture since it was before I started blogging. And so you could see firsthand why my house has been a disaster the last year. Oh, and they actually got into this position on their own, I just about died when I found them, my heart was so full to bursting. My, they grow so fast. Can you believe these two cuties are walking now?
Friday, April 25, 2008
Mother's Day is Coming
I've been thinking about Mother's Day today. Today at about 2:45 my three youngest were actually all asleep and so I tiptoed in and actually laid on my bed during the day! (You have no idea what a miracle that is) Well about 20 minutes later the doorbell rings, and rings, and rings, and rings, and rings....you get the idea. So I trudge downstairs, open the door and there is my little E. Of course the first thing I say is "Why are you ringing the doorbell?...the babies are asleep..."and maybe I wasn't using my nicest voice. He gave me this huge smile and said: "Mommy, my hands were full so I needed your help." And then he hands me this little plant and says: "Happy early Mother's day Mommy." And my heart just melts. (You can see the little picture of it above. It's a paper bear holding the cup with the plant. So cute!)
I love being a Mommy so so much! I love my little stinkers and now I can appreciate so much more all that my own Mother did for us when we were little. Of course she keeps me sane now too! A little while ago I entered my Mother into a Mother's Day Contest. She didn't win but here is some of my entry:
My Mother
Knees bent, to bear my burden. Cool hands, to calm and soothe. Arms open, to offer comfort. Sleepless nights, so I could sleep. Her life on hold, to be there for me. Without my mother, I would not be a mother. She saved my life.
Not that I would literally be physically dead, but without her I would not have been able to go on, I would not have made it this far with my sanity intact, and without that, without her, I might as well be.
My story is not extraordinary, I have a good life, but what it comes down to is that I owe so much of what I have to my mother. She is my best friend, my confidant, and has been there for me, with me, through all of the trials of my life.
I have been blessed with four beautiful children. I love being a mom but have also struggled with a low sense of self worth. My mother is always there with a word to uplift. Many days, because of her, I can go on. My last pregnancy was twins which isn't too special these days, but was very special and challenging for me. She was there with me through it all, if not in person than by phone and email. She communicated with people where I live and because of her they brought me meals for almost two months when I couldn't seem to cook for myself. She cleaned my house, and basically ran my house for the first little while after the babies were born so that I could just enjoy them. Most days I can't even think about my mom without getting teary eyed.
I know there are millions of amazing mothers out there, and there's really no way to express how incredibly special my mother is. But at least this is my opportunity to say thanks, and that I love my mother so much. She gave me life, and daily, she saves my life.
Just so you know
DE is Dear E, for my wonderful husband
E is for my oldest son
A is for son #2
Iz is for twin #1 (son 3)
O is for twin #2 (son 4)
I know it makes it sound less personal but those that know us know who I'm talking about and since this is open to the entire world out there I don't want someone to be able to find us and be able to approach my children because they know what they look like and their name. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for understanding!
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Happy 1st Birthday to the twins!
I had originally wanted to do a Noah's Ark birthday but then I saw some really cute two peas in a pod birthday stuff and changed my mind to that at the last minute. If anyone knows me they know I am not a great cook and I do not generally bake. So this is my attempt at a two peas in a pod cake. My Mom and sister told me it was cute but I wonder if they were just humoring me.;) The babies loved it anyway!
It was so funny because the whole time Isaac sat there eating his cake carefully and enjoying it bit by bit just using his two fingers to pick up little pieces. Meanwhile....
Owen was having a grand old time making a huge mess, stuffing it into his mouth and then flicking the cake everywhere because he didn't like having frosting all over his hands.
Owen was a little whiny boy when we started opening presents. He wanted to play with the camera I was holding. I love the look on Isaac's face!
It has been a tradition ever since my oldest brother had his first birthday that my parents get all of us and now the grandkids these special bouncy balloons for their first birthday. It was their favorite toy to play with!
We had a great time, babies are washed and all funned out, family is all on their way home, and Mommy and Daddy are pooped!
oh, and you'd never know I cleaned this week. ;)
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
One day is better than none I guess
One funny thing happened on Monday. E had gotten in trouble for something and so I brought him over and talked to him sternly and put him in time out. Well out of the blue a couple of seconds later, A came up to me with his lower lip just quivering and said to me in his gruffest voice: "Don't talk to my brother!" With each word he pointed his finger at me quite forcefully and then proceeded to start crying. So we had to have a little talk and snuggle. I'm glad he wants to stick up for his "Bruvver" as he pronounces it. He was quite upset and yes, I barely managed not to laugh. Each day is an adventure isn't it? Here's my sweet older boys bonding with Grandpa.
One other bit of news. O and Iz have both taken a step or two on their own in the last couple of weeks. One of them (DE and I tried to remember which and can't remember, O we think) took his first step Sunday, March 30. Then this last weekend, Saturday I believe, so the 12th, O took 3 steps on his own and then Monday and today Iz took a couple of steps on his own. It won't be long now. I think this will add a whole new sense of "adventure" to our lives. I am going to include a few picture of my kiddies new adventures in the last little while. O is the one sleeping in the high chair and on the horse. Iz was the one who crawled inside a box and then just chilled. And then they both emptied my recipes out of the cupboard and stamps out of my stamp box. And of course they love bath time! Stay tuned!
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Reflections on Conference
As I listened last weekend I really felt that the theme that rang out to me through the entire conference was that of family. I think that in the world today the break up of the family is what is leading our society to failure.Second, one talk that stuck out to me in particular was by Elder M. Russell Ballard. He seemed to speak to me specifically and here is one part that touched me in particular: "...recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction." He also quoted author Anna Quindlen, "The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”Look at my adorable kids! How could I not just enjoy them every second? That line in bold has been my goal this year. I have not done too well so far and I seem to have a hard time keeping the balance between getting things done and enjoying my family. This is my renewed goal again. When my twins were born a year ago so many people said just to enjoy them because it will go so quickly. I really tried to do this. I have cherished each stage and moment. It has been so amazing and wonderful and I am so blessed to be a mother. I look forward to each moment to come. It's like my husband said a few days ago, I get so frustrated with so many poopy diapers and my older boys still having potty problems and he told me that even though it is so frustrating it will all be over in the blink of an eye. I hope that I won't miss it.
A-Z Tag
B. Best friends? DE, Mom, Shell, Liz
C. Cake or pie? Depends which one is chocolate
D. Day of choice? Sunday
E. Essential item? clothes
F. Favorite color? PINK (used to be blue until I had four boys)
G. Greatest accomplishment? Getting through each day.
H. Hometown? Pinon Hills, California
I. Indulgences? Chocolate and reading
J. January or July? July for sure!
K. Kids? Four boys: E 7, A 3, Iz 1 in a week, O 1 in a week
L. Life is incomplete without? family
M. Marriage Date? July 31, 1999
N. Number of siblings? 3 two brothers, 1 sister
O. Oranges or apples? Apples just because they are easier to eat
P. Phobias or Fears? Snakes, tight spaces, heights
Q. Quotes? "...Recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction." Elder M. Russel Ballard, General Conference 2008
R. Reason to smile? I love and am loved!
S. Season? Spring... I think we've all got spring fever in a BAD way! I am so ready for green green green!
T. Tag three friends? Anyone who wants to
U. Unkown fact about me? Unknown by whom? I guess most people don't know that one day when I was in High School all that me and my friend Liz (now sister in law) ate was Candy and a Cream puff, and then we made up a song about it that we've never forgotten.
V. Very favorite store? I think I'm with Holly I this one, I really like Ebay since they have a bit of everything and you can usually get a good deal.
W. Worst habit? Eating sunflower seeds
X. X-ray or ultrasound? Ultrasounds, you get to see your sweet baby and it doesn't hurt like an xray does when you break your arm.
Y. Your favorite food? differs from day to day but I love pasta, brussel sprouts, chocolate, chicken, chocolate, tacos, fruit, chocolate, prime rib with lots of horseradish, chocolate.....
Z. Zodiac? Scorpio
Thursday, April 3, 2008
One Word
- Where is you cell phone? broken
- Significant other? forever
- Worst bad habit? sitting
- Hair? damp
- Favorite Food? Chocolate
- Your favorite thing? Reading
- Your dream last night? pyschotic
- Favorite drink? Water
- Dream/goal? house
- Room you are in? family
- Your ex? nonexistent
- Your fear? snakes
- Where you want to be in 6 years? home
- Where were you last night? home
- What you're not? skinny
- Muffins? chocolate
- Wish list item? House
- Where did you grow up? California
- Last thing you did? teach
- What are you wearing? clothes
- Your TV? off
- Your pets? nope
- Your computer? addiction
- Your life? good
- Your mood? silly
- Missing someone? yes
- Your car? white
- Something you are not wearing? shoes
- Favorite store? kidless
- Your summer? warm
- Love someone? Forever
- Last time you laughed? today
- Last time you cried? sunday