PHONE CALLS

My kids are obsessed with the phone and have been for a long time...but it is beginning to be ridiculous and probably annoying to others.

They find the phone no matter how hard I hide it.

They program in phone numbers or make phone calls on accident.

They call Grandma, Grandpa, Daddy, and cousins almost daily.

They crawl all over me trying to talk, or cry/beg while I am trying to make a phone call.

It really is adorable. The brothers actually talk as if they are having a conversation. They can go on for a long time. Brenna looks just like a teenager when she talks. She holds it to her ear with her shoulder, and paces the room. One thing that she does not understand is that the person on the other end cannot see what you are pointing to. I am trying to teach her to explain and describe.

DO NOT DISTURB

The brothers play together alot...they also fight over the same toy, or the same mama alot. Yet, one fact remains...they love eachother and miss the other one if they are gone.

Their naptimes are identical. If I am going to get a break, then it better be a worthwhile one. Lately, one brother seems to wake up at least a half an hour before the other one.

I enjoy the one on one attention but I have to constantly redirect the childs attention to me and off the fact that the other one is still in bed. The awake baby continually attempts to open, or knock on the bedroom door, that contains the sleeping child. If I do finally allow them into the room they squeal with joy and giggle as they get to the crib and find the brother.

DRESS IDENTICAL

When we first discovered that we were having twins, Shane voiced a very strict rule...they are not allowed to wear identical outfits. I guess that I did not spread the news because at my baby shower, before opening presents, someone asked me this question. I recieved silent stares as I explained Shanes law. I realized after I opened bags and bags of identical outfits, that I probably should not have answered honestly.

There have been times when they wore the same outfit, but most of the time it is different. Not completely different, the same but different colors. I like them to look like twins. I know that things will be different when they get older. I will not force them to dress the same once their tastes and personalites blossom.

Also since birth, when I have a choice Landon wears the brown and Jackson wears the blue. If there is no brown, then Jackson always gets the blue and Landon, the left overs. It helps me to remember who is who in pictures, or in real life if I am really having trouble.

THE SLING

I have a sling that I used when Brenna was small but not much since. With the twins I was always alternating between them and could not hold one for an extended period of time. Recently I have taken it back out of retirement. When one of my children are sick, or especially whinny or needy I whip it out. An hour connected to my hip usually resolves the problem. It also prevents me from putting them down unnoticed. Sometimes my mind races and I do not realize I have put the child down until the screaming returns, but with the sling, it takes effort to get them out, therefore I am forced to hold them until they request to get out. I have become very talented at what I can still accomplish even with a baby in a sling.

VANITY

I am far from vain when it comes to looks. It is a blessing and a curse for my husband. I did warn him when we were dating that most days I do not wear makeup. He loves that it takes me only 5 minutes TOPS to get ready to go somewhere. He loves that I can get all of the children and myself packed and ready in the same time that it takes him to care for himself. But he does complain that it is only my patients that get to see me all done up. I tell him that it is a fact that people are easier to work with and nicer if you are beautiful and attractive, but he sees the beauty on the inside, so... I don't have to go through all that trouble, all the time, for him.

I do have a strong vain bone in my body in one area. When I do spend time on my hair I want it to stay that way for at least a day. Oregon mists and rain are a killer. Plus, I dread summers with unannounced boating trips. I do not like doing my hair twice in one day. Also... I went swimming for a hour last week and my hair is the texture of straw and completely unmanageable. I remember spending whole summers in the chlorine in Arizona and this never happened. Grrrr. Now I know why there are so many jokes about bad-hair-days.

I AM A RUNNER

I am a runner! Just kidding. I am nothing near it yet, but I am practicing and I do have the desire. I have been running for 3 weeks and it is a habit/addiction already. I thought that 3 miles on the treadmill was impressive but then went to work, and listened as many coworkers reminisced over the half-marathon that they just completed, without even training. That is my dream. Why? No, I am not good at it...and it doesn't necessarily feel good as I am doing it, but afterward I feel such a high and sense of accomplishment. For the rest of the day I have no complaints about my body or guilt for having a snack. I would not have said it 3 months ago but...I LOVE to exercise.

The one thing that keeps me hopeful that I will someday be a runner, is that the same people that LOVE running, HATE the treadmill. They all say that it is 10 times harder to do. Sooo...when I run my measly 3 miles in my home, because I am confined to home and don't get out much, in my head when I am done, I say, "You just ran 30 miles!." Crazy, but it works and it makes me feel better.

PROACTIVE MOM: PLAN A

Believe it or not...I do not have motherhood figured out ;). But I have found that unless I am proactive I find myself, spending the entire day keeping up my house and counting the minutes until Shane comes home. I forget about spending more "quality" time with my babies. Yes I facilitate play between them all day but then I try to nicely sneak out without notice. Another flaw in my motherhood...since in my blog I am totally open...is that Brenna is addicted to Dora. It began as a pacifier for her, while I worked out but now she has learned to press the "next video" button on Netflix and will watch a few hours unnoticed.

I have found during the last few weeks that motherhood went from a joy...to a drag. Yesterday I felt that I would sell my children if any offer came along...without thinking twice. I realized that it is me, not them. So thus Mission: Proactive Mom has commenced.

Plan A: Preschool
I have realized that in motherhood routine is vital. Also for me as a mother, unless I plan or set time apart, I will be frustrated, annoyed, and watching the clock. So I structured my day and trustingly showed it to my husband. He does not think I am nuts...so I will do it. It has singing time, nap time, Brenna/mommy time, playtime, FHE, and books. A bit ambitious, but I am going to begin Monday. I understand that things will get in the way...I am not strict...I am totally flexibile.

I will update or attempt Plan B, if this fails.

NEED HUMILITY

I have realized that multiple people around me are struggling. Some financially with slim hope of recovering soon, and some with very serious health problems. I sit here on my pedestal eating, drinking and being merry, with my mediocre complaints. I have amazing children that are all healthy and strong. I have a husband who I adore and works hard for his family. We have a home that is warm, and full of food. I soak in a warm bath daily. In my patriarchal blessing talks about me having adequate for my needs and enough to help those around me. I have spent thousands helping others struggling but...I feel the need to do more. I need to be closer to the spirit. Mourn with those who mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort. My hopes and dreams for a comfortable future are diminishing, but I know that if I am close to the spirit my family and those whom I love will be protected. With all that I am blessed with, how dare I just sit idly wasting away.

BACK SEAT DRIVER

Brenna is so helpful. Ever since the brothers came along, she gets the middle seat in the back of the car. She can see everywhere and everything while we are driving. She has begun to notice the street lights. She tells us when to stop (if red) and go (if green).

It is kinda nice to have someone watching your back but she is going to need be retaught how to drive once she is a teenager. NO! Not because I am a bad driver! I will give a few examples...

I was at a turn light and began to turn left when the arrow turned green...Brenna only saw the other red lights and not the arrow. She was freaking out. "No...no...no mom...Don't go"...kicking her legs in a full on tantrum.

Also as soon as she sees the next light is red she expects us to stop where we are. We are trying to teach her that we need to pull up to the line and then stop.

And...my favorite...if we are behind a slow person, she gets so upset that we are going slow (not a good sign...she is learning from my example).

NO NAUSEA ALLOWED

It has begun again. Now that all my babies are in nursery...I am baby hungry. They are old enough to play together and I am left wanting. Yet, I found a solution. The other day we went to a park that had toys that you sit on and can spin around and around. I spun slowly until Shane came and over-did-it. I was burping and nauseous for about an hour. It felt exactly like morning sickness. I quickly remembered and do not desire it. Shane says he is going to take me to that toy once a week ;).

PARDON ME

I realize that I have a small following of dedicated readers. Some say, "It must take you a long time to write these." Heck no. I do not have any spare time. So excuse my typos, misspelled words, and gastly punctuation. I just sit down, type, and revise/censore later. Sometimes I get a "Oh my heck, I cant believe that you admitted that!", or "Wow, now everyone knows our business!". HEY! This is my blog. My life uncensored (unless it is too out-of-line) and untamed.

IDENTICAL TWINS

Far from it!!! If my research is correct...they HAVE to be identical because there was only one placenta. So far they are nothing alike.

Landon is skinny and Jackson is fat. To me they are extremely easy to tell apart. There was a time when Landons weight was starting to catch up with Jackson and I kept mixing them up, but they are back to polar opposites again.

Landon uses his right hand most of the time and Jackson favors his left.

Landon I fear is a vegitarian and Jackson a carnivore. For example, both have a hambuger and by the end Jackson has devoured it all with bun crumbs left over and Landon has only a nicely formed meat patty which he will not touch with a ten-foot-pole.

Landon is athletic but Jackson coordination could use some work.

Landon is my cuddle bug and buddy but Jackson will only hold me for a minute at a time.

Landon walks around with a little attitude and a stink eye but Jackson is laid back and takes it as it comes.

But it cannot be argued that they are both so awesome. I love it that they are different.

***In the picture...I have no clue which one is which***

TALKING

I really thought that since my children were only 19 months apart, that the twins would pick up things from Brenna fast. I have been doing "Signing Time" and had Brenna as an example for language. The twins do say lots of words but not as many as I would expect. Signs are used by Brenna for fun and for me to communicate effectively to the twins but they don't do them back very often.

Instead Brenna has begun speaking like the twins. When they all want something...instead of words...Brenna will make the same sounds that the brothers are making. I guess it is good that they can all communicate together, but I was hoping that I would be part of the club.

***Brenna saw this "floaty" in a book and wanted one. We saw the same one at the store for a dollar. She has been carrying it around for a week waiting for the sun to come out.***

PUFF BALL GUN

This is a new favorite toy in our house. It is a gun made out of PVC piping. You use "puff balls", "dingle balls"... whatever the name of those things are...as the amo. Landon spends an entire day fetching the balls, and reloading the gun. They attempt to shoot it, but their lungs aren't strong enough. It sure is cute watching them try.

Word to the wise: if you put more than one "puff ball" in at a time. It will JAM.

PICK, PICK

I have always joked...as I pick my kids nose..."If you aren't going to do it, then I will." It is not funny anymore. Landon is continuously found with his finger all the way up his nose. Now I have to watch what I say, now that they can understand me.

OPERATION WEIGHT LOSS

I was spoiled. After I had the twins the weight flew off without ANY effort. Since I have stopped pumping it has steadily returned.

Phase 1: I tried not pigging out all the time...like I was able to do while pumping. But it did not work.

Phase 2: Two months of working out to the Firm 3 to 4 days a week. The result was 4 pound weight gain and jumped up a pant size. So many say "It is muscle". I must have had NO muscle to begin with. I do feel stronger, and my arms are getting ripped, but I am still not satisfied. I want sexy legs and then I will be happy.

Phase 3: Cardio. I bought a treadmill off of Craiglist that is a DREAM. It is the bottom of the line of the top of the line treadmill. Which retails for 2300.00. I got it for $250. It is solid and has all the bells and whistles. I am so excited. Running in Oregon is difficult unless you enjoy getting soaked and freeze. I ran after a workout and was surprised that my body approved. It felt GREAT.

My beef with my body revealed. It is not that I think that I am FAT, or that others bigger than me are FAT. I just think my body shape is not desirable with extra weight. I am tiny on top and thick on the bottom. Shane says he likes the "bo-donk-i-donk" but I do not. Maybe if it was firm and smooth.

NO SECRETS/SURPRISES

Shane and I were convinced that he was not getting a birthday present this year. The last few expensive things that he bought, were agreed upon only because with his puppy eyes said, "this can be my birthday present". This is a trick that he plays on the ever year. Some years I stick to my guns and do not give him anything ON his birthday. This year we were both convinced that he DEFINITELY would not get a gift.

Two days before his birthday I gave in. I got him a present but made the mistake of letting Brenna help me wrap it. We had a very lengthy conversation not to tell daddy. "It was a surprise". Well as soon as he walked in the door from work we started a conversation realized a few minutes later that Brenna was trying to butt in with something very important. Shane had not idea what her gibberish meant but as soon as I realized I took her out of the room and we had another conversation. She seemed to understand but as soon as we came back to Shane, I heard her once again. This time he knew what she was saying. BUMMER. At least he doesn't know what it is.

TEMPTED

...But I know better. After 3 babies get out of the tub at the same time at least one PEES on the floor before I get a diaper on. Brenna knows how to get out of the tub and use the potty but I am tempted...to teach them to pee in the tub, so they dont pee on my carpet;)

5 MINUTES

Since our condo is so condense I am able to keep my eyes and ears on my children at all times...until now. They have made me Primary Secretary...which I love. My last few weeks have been trying to update and simplify lists. This takes my FULL attention or else I make mistakes.

It is AMAZING what 5 minutes of intense concentration can do. The outcome is HORRIFYING!!! I find babies in the fridge, or in the bathroom the the toilet. I find them outside, or everything out of cabinets. I find crayons half eaten, or kids in the dryer. I find sippy cups turned upside down and shaken until contents are all over the floor. I find Landon is snacking on Brenna's left over breakfast.

How does this happen? I thought my house was baby proof. It is not baby proof when there is a smart 3 year old unlocking doors and cabinets.

NURSERY

SUCCESSFUL. Their first day in nursery was nothing short of a dream come true. It may have helped that Brenna is in there too. They went right in, played quietly, ate snacks nicely. Now if we can only REteach Brenna to use the bathroom by herself...which she has been doing for about 4 months but has conveniently forgot.

LOCKED IN

The door to the kids room locks from the outside. We lock it until they go to bed... or so we don't get interrupted unexpectedly (TMI, sorry). But Brenna has learned to unlock ALL the doors in our house. Which also means she can lock ALL the doors in the house.

I never predicted that this would be a problem until...I was changing Jackson diaper and Brenna locked us in and her and Landon out. I did not stress. I can climb out the window and come in the front door if worse comes to worse. Then I remembered that the front and back doors are locked due to the same problem.

Thank goodness she figured out how to open it... or else Jackson and I would still be in there because Shane also doesn't take his house key to work.

HOUSE OF ECHOES

They have learned that in the parking lot of our complex, which is surrounded by the buildings, they can say "echo" and it makes cool sounds. Inside the house there is CONSTANT noise. The brothers are echoing everything I say, or everything each other says. Brenna echoes herself with her constant repetition of the same question, which once answered, changes to a new one, but only slightly. "Mom, I want some water, mom" repeated 5 times before I can squeeze in a reply, "No, not right now". "Mom, I want some milk, mom". My favorite is when she lumps it altogether. "Mom, I want milk, candy, blankie,movie, mom".

SO POLITE

Where do kids learn it? They hit a certain age and "please", "thank you" and "excuse me" come easily out of their mouths. Jackson is my MOST polite one. He always says "thank you" and SOMEHOW learned excuse me. If he burps he says "me...meee". Today I was feeding him lunch and wanted him to open his mouth wide for a bite. I told him to say, "OOOOO". He did and I guess is sounded to him like a burp and he said, "excuse me".

If I was a better mom I would take all the credit, but it came natural this time.

LITTLE MAMA

You also "cant hide your sins" when it comes to what type of mother you are when no one is around. Brenna is a mirror image of me. She says what I say. Interacts with the brothers as I do. She is a "little mama".

I got done with a workout and lied down on the bed to cool off. (Yes, I was sweaty, but don't worry it was Shane's side of the bed;). Brenna came in and brought me her blankie. She came in a few minutes later with a sippy cup of water...a doll...pulled my blanket over me...gave me a kiss and a hug...said I love you...locked the door handle and said "Now don't come out, Go good-ni-night."

I am also not a sweet, mild tempered mama. I am rough, wrestle, growl, and clench my fists. Jokingly of course but...Brenna does the same. When the boys are getting into something she clenches her fists, growls "OOOOOWWWWW" and gives them a flick on the hand.

Yes...I will work on my mothering habits. Shane sometimes says that our upstairs neighbor must think I am always in a bad mood because he can only hear the growling and raised voice and not the playfulness.

FIVE YEARS...WOW!

Five years down...an eternity to go. Has it been easy? Are you kidding me!!! Do I look like an easy person to live with? Did I come from a healthy family that taught conflict resolution and manners? Did I have parents with a healthy relationship? Do I come from a long line of stable emotions? Nope!!! I am a woman and he is a man. But...it is GREAT!!! Why? Because he is GREAT!!!

Gentle
FORGIVING
Kind
Even tempered (thank goodness, because I can ask for it)
Fun
FUNNY
Genuine
Can take out in public
PURE, but pretends to be rebellious
Works hard (if he NEEDS to)
Plays hard
Handyman
Teachable
Smart (innately knows what is right)
Friendly (everyone adores him instantly)
Trainable (most important ;))

He is wonderful. I LOVE HIM!!!

DECODING BABY TALK

Number One:

I am trying to teach Brenna to have conversations. I usually ask her how her day is, or why she loves her brothers...but today I asked a different one.

Me: "Brenna, what is the name of your doll?"
Brenna: "Book of Mormon."
Me: ???
Me: "You named your doll 'Book of Mormon'?"
Brenna: "Yes, Book of Mormon."
Me: "Why did you name her that?"
Brenna: "Cause." (the way she answers most questions)
Me: "What is your name?"
Brenna: "Book of Mormon."
Me: "Oh Book of Mormon means Brenna Morgan".

***I was not completely misunderstanding her. I asked Brenna a few weeks later what the name of her doll was and she said, "Jesus Christ, Amen"***

GUN ADDICTION

If I would have know...I may have rethought the words before they came out of my mouth..."Shane, I have been working on getting the food storage part of survival, but I really feel we need a gun."

In the space of a few months we are now the proud owners of a Springfield Armory XD handgun and an AR15 (for the extra LITTLE umph of protection)

Any woman would think that this would satisfy the household need. Nope not my man. He has turned into a MONSTER!!! Now he is convinced (and may be right), that I need a gun, and need to take shooting lessons. Which I am not opposed to but...who is going to pay for ALL this. That is one bonus of not getting EDOs.

***EDOs is a list that I put myself on at work. If the hospital is overstaffed, they begin at the top of the list (which is where my name is always found) and begin calling them off. I am known at work as the "EDO Queen"...and secretly hated" ;)

UPDATE: DATE/TEMPLE NIGHTS

It is WONDERFUL. Shane and I have gone to the temple one night and out the eat the next. We got to go to a Moroccan restaurant in Portland where we would never be able to take the kids. We sat on the floor and ate with our hands. Best of all...we were on a date. I really was brought back to how it felt to not have kids and be engulfed in the other persons attention.

The babysitting gig is not so bad either. Yes, my house is a disaster afterward. Yes, there is a lot of screaming, running around, and intermittent crying. Yes, it was A LOT to watch 6 kids at once that are under 6 years old. But it was SO worth it knowing that next week it was my turn for the BLISS of a break from the kids accompanied by my LOVER.

THINGS I LOVE/HATE ABOUT OREGON

Number One: Not-So-Sunny Days

Oregon seems to always be rainy...which I have learned to live with. I have learned to love the Pros over the cons. Pros:It is GREEN and gorgeous wherever you look. The Cons: a morning of beautifully manipulating my hair goes down the drain as soon as the mist gets me when I walk out the door.

But worse of all are the Not-So-Sunny Days. It is the transition from spring to summer. Like this morning for example. The babies played in the "rock" box for awhile in the sunshine. I got brave enough to attempt the park. We have two parks close to our house. One is an easy walk and the other a hike up hill both ways ;). I decided to attempt the hike, because I needed to burn the extra calories. Once I was almost there, without warning, it began to sprinkle and then rain. We were wet by the time we got home.

NON-MOVIE WATCHER

Shane and I love movies...No I did not give them up. When the babies go to sleep at night it is OUR time to catch up on Hulu or watch a Netflix movie. The "non-movie watcher" is me.

Shane says that I NEVER finish the movie we start. I ALWAYS fall asleep. I fought it for awhile in denial but...it is true. I have the desire, but my eyes will not stay open until the end.

Who can blame me?

"LOVES DAY"

If we had a hard beginning of the day then we turn the day into a "Loves Day". We give lots of special hugs and kisses, small caresses and nice words. There is no wrestling or tickling, because it is a "Loves Day". It sounds like a punishment but it is really a game that we enjoy. If someone starts to wrestle, we give them a hug and say, "Hey, its not a "wrestling day" it is a "loves day"."

***The picture is my favorite distraction while doing laundry. The small button that turns the light on and off.***

CANT HIDE YOUR SINS

Everyday before Shane gets home from work the house is picked up and dishes done. I do it mainly so he can relax and not have to watch the kids while I am running around cleaning up. I also do it hoping he will catch on and have the house clean for me after a night shift and not like a hurricane had hit. Still working on him ;).

I also have this fear of a messy home, or people thinking I am messy. Silly but I think it stems from my surroundings growing up. Unlivable to say the least. It is so silly that one day a fedex man dropped off a few packages. I was horrified that he could see that my entryway was a mess. In an hour my house was spotless. I also went to visit a friend in AZ recently that made sure her house was clean and mopped before I came because she knew mine was ALWAYS clean.

I can trick them but I cannot hide my sins. My carpet is a DISASTER. I blame it on 3 babies, but really it is their mom that lets them walk around with crackers and sippy cups. Brenna also does most of her eating at the kitchen counter over the living room carpet, and the brothers have learned how to pull down her food when I am not looking.

I have begun to be extremely embarrassed. The rugs that we bought just do not hide all spills. So I took drastic measures. It was my turn to host the FHE group. That meant 7 ladies would spend the evening in my home. YIKES!! I got my carpets cleaned 2 days prior. I would have pulled it off too, but my sister-in-law knows me and pointed out in front of everyone that my carpets MUST have just been cleaned. Haha.

PREGNANT?

Haha...made you look. Heres the story. Directly after I had the twins I restarted taking birth control, eventhough I knew I probably wouldnt get my period for awhile breastfeeding twins. I did not want to take ANY chances. The birth control that I took was a pill that you take daily continuously, no breakes. You dont get a period. For 15 months I took it faithfully assuming that it was doing its job.

Month 15 I quit breastfeeding and month 16, even with taking the pill, I had my first period. Which leads me to believe that the pill was not working. I stopped taking it, and relied on other efforts. Well I am 2 weeks late and no period. I read online that it can take up to 4 months before the cycle gets regular again. I am in denial and will not take a pregnancy test- plus I am too cheap to buy one. I will hope for a period daily (that is the first and last time you will ever hear those words come out of my mouth).

I also learned that pregnancy is not an option at this time. Shane freaked out when I told him the possibility. Rubbing his head and repeating over and over, "What are we going to do?" I would quit work, potientially lose my license, live on a STRICT budget after taking a hit on the house and have to pay off the amount that we owe about current marker value. Have to save for a new bigger place, because 4 will not fit in that little room.

***Went to work on Friday, Charge RN asked if anyone is pregnant because some pts pregnant RNs cant have. I voiced that it may be possible. A coworker said she was going to buy me a pregnancy test and bring it Saturday night. Saturday afternoon...I got my period. Now my lesbian coworker (remember I live in Portland) has a pregnancy test she will never use.***

ADDICTED

How did I become an Dr. Pepper addict? I have never been a soda drinker. I enjoyed it every once and a while, but never bought it just to have in my house and use daily. It all got worse once I had the twins. I started drinking one can of soda a day. It has now almost been 18 months and the habit continues. I have a husband that shares my belief that it is poison. Every time I open a can I cannot help but think that I am going to lose my kidneys or get cancer. But I cannot help it. I have tried to quit several times and find that rationalization wins over logic and self control.

My rationalizations are...

I have three babies and run on no sleep.

I am nicer mom once I get an energy boost.

4 hours of sleep after up for 24 hours of work (mommy and nurse) is not enough to run on without help.

But I have also realized that I cannot reach my weight loss goals on it. It makes me hungry, munchy, drink less water and generally feel lousy and unhealthy. I am in the process of quiting, but my only hang up is night shift and post shift.

HEAVENLY MUSIC

I do not own a large amount of music. I think that most of my music is still on tapes ;). I have been racking my brain trying to figure out how to get church music into my home daily. I considered combing facebook for people willing to let me borrow their CDs. If I was more hip, and kept up with the trends I would have learned this much faster, but I just barely discovered all that Pandora Radio online has to offer. They have a Mormon Tabernacle channel that plays Mo Tab plus all kinds of other church music. I just turn it on when we wake in the morning and we all enjoy. It sets off our day to a good start. I LOVE it.

SPARROW AGAIN

I really need to repost this at least once a month.

LANDONS QUIRKES

Since he was barely able to move his hands he has been pulling hair. I am not sure if he just loves the feel of it or what. He does not do it meanly, or when he is mad. He does it when they are in the cart together at the store, in their car seats...

He also LOVES to hit people with objects. Sometimes I will have Brenna run to me for comfort and then Jackson immediately after. His favorites are spatulas and attachments to the vacuum. I was giving his a flick whenever he did it. Then he would just stare at their heads and point, or motion the object in that direction with a smile; as if he could not resist, he just wanted to do it so bad.

When he gets upset. he messes up everything around him and then pants until I get him to smile. He is my sweetest but I can tell he is going to be a handful.

VACUUMING

Strangely my children have never been afraid of the vacuum. They do not bolt for the couch and cry until it is over, like I have seen other kids do. They LOVE it. They stand in my way so that I cannot uniformly vacuum the floor. Whenever I stop they are all three around it, touching it, or stealing the attachments. The newest thing that tops it all...they pull out the plug at LEAST 10 times per room. The game is to vacuum as much as possible before the vacuum turns off.

FIRST HAIRCUTS

Long overdue. The mullets had become scruffy and unruly. A movie + candy + patience= success. The only problem was trying to get Brenna to understand that she STILL does not have enough hair for a haircut.

PRIVATE BLOG

This makes me sad. Reality hit and I realized that I had a "stalker", or someone viewing my blog at least 500 times in 6 months, leaving strange comments in Japanese characters. I am not THAT entertaining or interesting.

I have received a lot of comments lately about my blog. I am proud of it. It helps me to laugh about my life and press on. I am also very quiet in real life. Only a choice few people really know everything about me. People say that they learn a lot about me from my blog.

I loved living in denial, thinking that tons of people read my blog. I know that I have a few regulars...thank you.

DECORATING AROUND

Decorating around...food storage that is. Our tiny little two bedroom condo has barely enough room for us. Yes of course we have a garage but...the HOA has their hands on that area...therefore we are forced to decorate our food storage. Good-bye box springs and bed frame. Good-bye coffee and end table. Hello bulky mammoth of an "end table", and bumpy "bed frame".

Now where to put 8 barrels of water...

FOOD STORAGE GONE WILD

What I will do to save a few dollars. About $200 to be "semi" exact. Yes of course I could have canned our three year supply in 10# cans at the LDS cannery, but that would have been the easy way. Instead...

We bought the food in bulk from the cannery.
Bought 4 gallon buckets off craiglist for 85 cents, that were filled with pumpkin pie filling.
Pressure washed all 50 buckets and their lids.
Bought mylar bags.
Put them in the buckets.
Filled with food and 02 absorber.
Sealed them.
And...an exhausted husband later...we have nicely organized >25 year food storage.

BOYS... ARE BOYS

All of the sudden...they became boys. They go from room to room...WRESTLING. It is so cute because they are both the about the same size. Turns out that my little runt, Landon, is the instigator. Brenna cannot stand being on the sidelines but she is used to wrestling with her cousins Jett and Tucker, and she is not very soft with the brothers.

DAILY DANCE PARTY

The babies long outgrew my last "secret weapon" ...the bowl of lemons. I have been searching for a new one, and finally found it. If they are all extra cranky...or if I am cranky;)...I turn on the music and we boogy.



The battery on my camera died right when Jackson started to dance. BUMMER!!

DATE/TEMPLE NIGHTS

From General Conference I realized that I NEED to go to the temple more. I have plans to go to the 4:45am session on Tuesdays but I have been saying that for 3 months now. I also want more dates with my LOVE. So...I convinced my sister-in-law to switch me off Wednesdays. Every Wednesday it will be our turn to either watch all 6 kids under 6 years old, or go out on a date. I am a GENIUS!!!

SQUEALS, SCREAMS

In order to SURVIVE, my babies have learned how to use their lungs as their defense. It has gotten bad. Most days I feel like it is constant screaming at my house.

They scream...

When the other one gets close.

If a toy is taken from them.

For mama to pick them up.

If they are frustrated because they cant do something they want- because they are too small and not capable.

And just for fun, smiling as they do it.

Brenna has learned that this works well also. They all create reason to scream. For example...Landon has begun stealing Jacksons blankie. They play tug of war and squeal loudly. If I give them another of the SAME blankie, they toss it to the side and continue tug of war with the original one.

I am training them. They get a flick on the hand if they scream. I do not see any progression yet. Hopefully they learn soon or else my finger will get sore.

SURPRISE BOX

About a year ago Grandma Karen was over stealing on of my many baby shower bags. She wrapped up her presents very nicely but as she went to leave...Brenna threw a FIT. She thought that those presents were for her. I used my fast motherly thinking and grabbed a shoe box, threw a candy in it, and put a ribbon around the outside. I had no idea the monster that I was creating.

Brenna LOVED it. Everyday she would bring me the shoebox and ask for a birthday. It took awhile to teach her that everyday was not her birthday, but that it was a "surprise box". The box was cute pink and white. It was a fun little thing between her and mama.

The box has seen its days and has recently been recycled. But...today she got new shoes and the box is pink and cute again. So it continues.

COULD HAVE BEEN BAD

I drive a stick shift car. I am very good about putting it in first gear, and putting on the emergency brake when I park.

One night as I rushed to the store and back. I pulled into the garage, which is getting fairly overcrowded. I pulled too far in and bonked a few things. So I put the car in reverse and back up slightly. I got out of the car and looked at the stuff I bonked. The car was a little further back than I thought that I reversed. Oh well my hands were full so I proceeded to walk inside and I would return to shut the garage door. I did happen to take one last glance before I turned the corner and noticed that the car was sticking out of the garage a little. I must have really overcompensated after I bonked that stuff. It wasnt until I returned to the garage that the car was even further out.

After I reversed I forgot to take it out of reverse and did not put on the parking brake. The car was rolling backward and if I did not catch it soon it would have been down the hill and into the neighbors condo.

Needless to say I was so embarrassed that it took a few hours to confess it to Shane.