Blast to the Past

Can anyone tell which one of our boys this is?



#1

















How about this one?


#2


















I can't believe how much they have all grown up!



Kaleb, Tyler, and Derek in the basement of our house in Utah. They have always loved playing together. One good thing about having them so close in age is how well they all play together. But, also looking back, I can see why I was going crazy so often. :) It was tiring, but so rewarding.




This is the boys at the Madonna in our first summer in San Luis Obispo. I can't believe Logan wasn't even a year old when we moved here...he's now 3 years and 2 months old. Time has flown by here. We love being here. We love having so much of our family (and miss all the other family we aren't near) so close, we've made so many wonderful friends, and we have such an awesome Ward...we are so blessed.

I've got a mustache

Will and I watched this on a friend's blog page and had to add it to ours. We watched it over and over and kept laughing harder each time...we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Quote of the Day...

This one actually came from me...I was talking to my good friend, Krissy, and managed to blurt out, "I had a great day with the kids...until I got out of bed!" The delivery was excellent and when I was saying it I didn't really think of it that way.

Here's where this comment came from. I was in my room until about 11 this morning working on Primary stuff. The boys were in and out of the room, but I hadn't emerged at any point until 11. Then once I had taken care of lunch it was time to get some cleaning done...and the crap hit the fan! Holy Cow, I never realized how much my children argue with me and merely ignore anything I tell them to do. We have got to get this under control. I never would have even thought about talking to my mother the way my boys talk to me. I looked at Kaleb and said, "If I ever came even close to talking to your gramma that way grampa would have been beating me so bad!" (Side note...I never was beaten by my dad nor would he have ever beaten me, but Kaleb doesn't know that.) I would have had a stern talking to and plenty of time to think about what I had done...and I just really wasn't that kind of kid.

Here's my question...how far is too far when it comes to a child talking back? I know you are supposed to pick and choose your battles...is this one I should battle? It seems like a losing battle to me. The respect, or should I say lack of respect, is sickening to me. Not just from the boys to me, but from me to the boys. How far is too far when it comes to saying, "Because I said so," and "If you don't knock that look off your face, I'll knock it off for you." :) These boys really test the waters and push the buttons to get me going. I have been trying to let things roll off my back, but they seem to just keep pushing further and further. Dang, if I could only be a "perfect mother" (like they even exist). I was a perfect mother...until I had children. :)

I think I may have answered my own question...don't ignore it, send them to their room, calmly, and have them think about what they had done. And as soon as they came out they have to come apologize to me, or to William. I love the way my parents parented me...maybe I need to think about how they would have handled the situation more often. Don't over talk it. Don't intimidate them into being respectful (that will never work). I tend to over talk everything that happens. I think I need to re-read "Love and Logic". It's a great book, just another one I have a hard time implementing.

So, that’s what I have to say today. Thanks for letting me talk through my issues. Sometimes it’s just nice to get things out on paper so it all makes more sense. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why we’ve been told to keep a journal. Huh.

Get this...

Ok, so it's been a little while since my weekend away and I'm still feeling calm inside. I really think it changed me for the long run, it was life altering. Today someone cut me off when she changed lanes, and I had no internal reaction or external reaction. It wasn't an awful cut off, but enough to make me slow down a bit. I just told myself that she must have not seen me or didn't realize how close I really was. It felt great...a huge breakthrough for me! I'm usually steaming inside and make some kind of rude remark (knowing the whole while she can't hear me and it doesn't affect her at all). My self talk is getting much better.

I've also started the "token system" than my friend Vanessa does with her kids. I've read about it before, having studied psychology, watched plenty of "Super Nanny", and read so many parenting books, but never been able to truly put it into practice. I've done it, I've implemented it and the boys love it...as long as they are earning points and not losing points. Some days are better than others...I've got to keep their interest and remind them a lot about earning a point or losing a point and what they can get for their points. I've got my posters up with what to do to get a point, or 2, and the rules and what happens when they break the rules, and how they can spend their points. I think I'll review it with them again today and remind them what it's all about and the fun things they can get for their points. I've noticed a change in myself in regards to warnings and reminders. I don't fly off the handle as easily (but there are good days and bad), and help them see how their attitude effects the points the get or lose. It's a great teaching tool. All I can say is, thank you,Vanessa, for helping me see that it really does make a difference.

The latest news in the family is that Will's mom is in the hospital. She went in for a scheduled surgery and things looked good at first...but then her kidney's shut down. That caused a lot of issues, very serious issues. Her bowels expanded like a balloon from all the excess fluid and ended up with pin hole leaks (not good at all). The doctors went in and fixed the hole they knew about, cut out some of the damaged muscles to get rid of the infection, left her open for the night and kept and eye on any more leaks. The next day they found two more leaks and took out the damaged part of her bowels (at least that's what I've gathered from it all). The doctors were surprised that she was able to make it through. The day we found out about the complications, Will got a ticket to fly out there...so he's there now (in Maryland) and says she's doing good. The whole family is there (except the boys and me). The last time that happened was before we were married and she had a stroke. Can I just tell you that I have the best Mother-in-law ever!!! She loves everyone she comes in contact with. You can't help but feel special around her. Her children are so devoted to her and love her so much they have a hard time being away from her for any amount of time. I count myself lucky to be a part of her life. I've felt loved and accepted by her from the very first day I met her (the day before our wedding). She is a very special woman and I'm glad to call her Mom!

ABC's of Me

Here's the other tag I received. You can find out all about my friend Melissa on her blog (site on friend's list), since she's the one that tagged me. :) Here goes:

A. Attached or Single: Definitely happily attached!

B. Best Friend: See answer above. :) The love of my life. Then after that I have too many wonderful friends to call just one my best friend.

C. Cake or Pie: CAKE! But it has to be chocolate!

D. Day of Choice: Any with a break from Mom-hood, but I don't think that's what it's asking. I'll go for Saturday...not as much running around with pick-ups and drop-offs.

E. Essential Items: Logan's extra pair of pants and underwear, wipes to clean hands and faces, sunglasses so I'm not blinded by the sun, sunscreen is going to be an essential soon, Excedrin.

F. Favorite Color: My favorites right now are Brown and Pink together, Violet, and Red

G. Gummy Bears or Worms: Gummy bears as long as Pink ones are involved.

H. Hometown: Living in it right now, San Luis Obispo. The other one I call home at times is Rexburg, Id. I lived there for a little while when a little girl, and was my favorite place while in College.

I. Favorite Indulgence: Ice Cream, as long as it's Chocolate. Full body Massages.

J. January or July: Hard to choose, I had a child born in both months, and a husband in July, and lots of other family born in both months. If I had to go by weather it would be July, as long as it's not too hot. Vacations and camping happen during July...I love vacations and camping.

K. Kids: Yes. Kaleb 8 1/2, Tyler 7, Derek 5 1/2, Logan 3. My stresses and greatest joys ever!

L. Life is not complete without...: My husband, children, family, good friends, Gospel of Jesus Christ, laughing.

M. Marriage Date: August 14, 1998

N. Number of Brothers and Sisters: 1 Sister, 2 Brothers, 6 Sister-in-laws, 2 Brother-in-laws

O. Oranges or Apples: Golden Delicious Apples, all the way.

P. Phobia or Fears: Tidal Wave (dreamt many times without knowing it was a fear), losing one of my children or husband, a bit claustrophobic.

Q. Quote: "Ask and ye shall receive, Knock and it shall be opened unto you."

R. Reasons to smile: Children, family, friends, all my blessings.

S. Superman or Wonder Woman: Since I have so many Supermen in my life, I have to be Wonder Woman...many people I meet must think I'm Wonder Woman with their comments and looks.

T. Tag four People: Krissy, Becky, Sandy, Sarah and I'm going to change it to FIVE, so the last one is Tracie (I can help you figure out how to work your blog :) ).

U. Unknown fact about me: I broke my leg when I was 16 months old and that's the only broken bone that could be caste ever in my life. I did have 3 fractures in my big toe after the horse stepped on in 2003 (and a toe nail missing, that is now gone forever).

V. Vegetable: ALL. Most unusual that I love is Baby Bok Choy.

W. Worst Habit: picking my face (blackheads, zits, bumps, scabs, whatever is available to pick)

X. X-ray or Ultrasound: Ultrasound (that means it's not as serious of an "injury" if there is one)

Y. Your favorite food: Ummmm, anything Chocolate!!!!

Z. Zodiac Sign: Scorpio

So there's some tidbits about me. I'm sure you already knew most of them...but it's always fun to see what you may not know about someone. I can't wait to read the ABC's of Becky, Krissy, Sandy, Sarah, and Tracie (just a reminder so you don't forget). Ha. Love to all of you and have a fantabulous day!

Time Out for Women

Mom, Tracie, Emree and I all went to "Time Out for Women" put on by Deseret Book. It was amazing! Kenneth Cope was one of the musicians. There was also a group called "Mercy River" mercyrivermusic.com/index.html and a group from Nashville that go around the world singing their tribut to the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Pioneers. You can go here www.highwayrecords.com/joseph/ to check out what their group is all about.

They all touched my soul, but I'd have to say the most impressive of course was Kenneth Cope. You can visit his Myspace here www.myspace.com/kennethcopeofficial. I even got to get one of his CD's signed and got a hug from him. It was inspiring to listen to all the music. And the speakers were motivating, comforting, funny, and touching. Mary Ellen Edmunds was there and was funnier than all get out. She is so honest and shares real life dealings and is real. I loved being able to thank her for her words and was able to get a signature from her also.

Getting away was most amazing. It was so fun to be with Mom, Tracie and Emree. We were up until 2:30 am Friday night just talking and enjoying each other (Emree was asleep, thank goodness). It is cherished time I will never forget! William was awesome (and Brennan) for watching the boys and not ever calling me once while I was gone. I'd love to make a yearly thing out of it. It's so renewing and revitalizing. Next time we'll have to make sure ALL the women of the family can go (that's you Carrie and Sarah!) It would be great if at some point I could go out to Maryland and go with all of the women on the other side of my family!

I feel like a new woman and ready to face things with a better attitude, to not be so hard on myself, accept my follies and just continue to improve. I learned I had forgotten about myself, especially my Spiritual Self. I need to focus on me more often and not get so caught up in life. I need to enjoy each moment and stop rushing around all the time. My "self talk" is going to continue to improve. I'm going to talk myself through moments of stress to stop and look at the other person's point of view (especially my children's). I feel happy inside. My moments of frustration are more easily replaced with calm and compassion. Let's just say that I really needed a "Time Out" and I suggest one for everyone!!

Quote of the Week

The other night as I was closing Derek and Tyler's bedroom door, Tyler asked, "Mom, does Jesus have a body?" I replied, "Yep, He sure does!" Tyler then quietly and with awe stated, "COOL!", rolled over and went to sleep. It was so endeering to me that I couldn't help but laugh after I had left the room. I knew it was a conversation I had to put down in the books...so here it is. I love my boys so much, especially when they come up with cute things like that. I wish I could have been inside his head at that moment to know exactly where that question came from and what he was thinking after the answer. So cute!