Top Ten Reasons Why I've Decided to Keep My Kids

I've been entirely too negative lately. I shouldn't write about my frustrations with Macy two seconds after I throw her in bed (figurative on the word "throw"). I really do love my kids, and they bring me an immense amount of happiness. Here are my Top 10 (for today) in no particular order:

10: There is NEVER a dull moment. I assure you that I fall asleep quickly every night. I put Macy and Paige in the bath tonight while Austin and Greg were at the doctor getting the cast removed (Hallelujah). When Austin got home, I asked him to get in and get washed (now that he no longer needs our help to keep the cast dry). I was helping Macy pick up her room when I hear Austin hollering for me. I walk in and see this:

9: They crack me up! Is Macy not the funniest kid on the planet! That is one thing that I LOVE about 4-years-old. She is absolutely hilarious (see side column)! I think her little lisp makes everything she says even funnier. 

8: They really do love each other. Austin and Macy are Paige's favorite people! She says "Austee" and "Ceecee." She loves to show them things, and she still squeals with delight when she sees them first thing in the morning. When she wakes up and they aren't at home, she holds her hands up, starts looking for them, and asking for them. Austin and Macy are still smitten with her (most of the time). They love helping her, responding to her, playing with her, teaching her new words, and making her laugh. Warms a mother's heart!

7: Zerbets. Yesterday morning, I held Family Prayer alone because Greg had gone to world already. After prayers, Austin gave me a kiss on one cheek and a zerbet on the other cheek. (This is a common "trick" they play on us. They tell us that they are going to give us two nice kisses. The first one is nice, the second one is always a zerbet. We act surprised every time, and they laugh hysterically every time.) When Austin was done, Macy did the exact same thing. Paige had been watching intently. She walked up to me and blew on my cheek and laughed hysterically. What a great moment!

6: Bedtime. My crowning achievement of parenting. My kids go to bed wonderfully! We have a routine, and we stick to it religiously. Kids are in bed by 8:00 (Austin gets to read to himself until 8:30). The best part is that Austin does a lot of it himself now. Heaven! We always go in to say "Goodnight" and give him a kiss. Our Routine: Jammies/Pick up Room/Set Out Clothes for School (usually includes a "shoe hunt")/Teeth Brushed/Read Story/Pray/Lights Out, Music On (they all have their own "bedtime CD"), and Nightlight On

5: Stuffed Animals. When Austin was a baby, I thought it was so stupid that people kept giving us stuffed animals. We keep them in a 3-foot basket, and I swear they multiply on their own. But, my kids are stuffed animal fanatics. They are seriously life savers. They seem to equate comfort. Austin still has a stuffed dinosaur and little dog in bed with him every night. Macy sleeps on a ragged old "cat" pillow. And Paige will not go down without her bear (a specific one), "gog" (dog"), "kiggy" (kitty), and "baby." Sometimes, she also insists on a very large tiger or "roar" as she calls it. She has to have all of them (yes, all of them) in her arms and she just squeals with delight. She frequently carries them around the house and often trips because her arms are so full.

4: Girls & Their Shoe Fetish. Macy and Paige have a thing for shoes. Macy went to her first day of school in what else, her hot pink cowboy boots (it was only about 98 degrees that day). Loved it! Paige will come get my finger, lead me into her room, point to her shelf, and beg for "soos" (shoes). Today, I looked over and she had found some of her shoes in the diaper bag and she put them on herself. They were done up and everything. Shoes are so important to Paige that she won't rest until everyone in the family is wearing them. It is not unusual for us to be sitting on the couch and feel her little hands on our feet, trying to put shoes on us (usually backward). Paige brings me my bright red high heels several times a day (Macy has been known to bring me these particular shoes as well). She brings me one shoe, toddles all the way back to my room and into my closet, and brings me the match. She really does bring the red heels 90% of the time, but it doesn't matter which pair of shoes she chooses, she always brings me the right match. If you drop by, don't be surprised to find me in my scrubbies and red high heels, courtesy Paige.
3: Individuality. They are all their own, unique little spirits. They are all so different, and different things work well with different kids. For instance, I went to three classes of BYU Education Week last Friday and received an answer to one of our struggles. I took a class on teaching your children how to recognize the Spirit. The teacher was talking about the need to really get to know each child to figure out what works for them and what will inspire them. As an example, she spoke about her first son (she had four, bless her) being a morning person and working with that. It hit me like a ton of bricks: Do Austin's homework with him in the morning! We have been struggling with focus at 5:30 in the afternoon. I have been letting him play right after school, then he does homework while I make dinner. It usually ends in both of us completely frustrated. When I realized that he is at his best in those early hours, it has been amazing! The first day, he did all of his homework in 14 minutes. Talk about a blessing of peace!

2: Autonomy. I've come to the realization that Heavenly Father is never going to send me a "calm" child. All of my kids have a very real "Do it myself" attitude, and I really am grateful. Paige absolutely refused to eat without a utensil, and you can forget about feeding her. She's actually getting pretty good. The other day, I caught her sitting in the rocking chair, baby on her lap, feeding baby a bottle. Today, I walked in and saw her on the couch "reading" a book. She also looks at me and says, "No" while shaking her finger. Then she proceeds to look me in the eye and do the thing she knows is wrong. Her finger shake is so adorable that I almost forget that she threw the cup of juice on the floor or opened the diaper to let the poop fall out. Austin has been doing his hair by himself this past week. Apparently mohawks are back "in." And I think he's gone through an entire bottle of hairspray this week alone. Macy's shoes are on the wrong feet 99.9% of the time. But, hey, she does it herself!  Drives my dad and husband crazy! And she recently learned to make her own peanut butter and jam sandwiches. It is well worth the mess to watch her strut her stuff because she made her own lunch. Love it!

1: Manners. My kids really are polite (most of the time). "May I please," "Thank You," "You're Welcome" are required phrases at our house. Even Paige says "Der Go" ("There You Go") and "Dank Do" ("Thank You"). We're working on "Peas" ("Please"). Austin is always the gentleman, and can always be found holding the door for anyone, but especially women with young children or babies. He gives hugs to everyone, and has been known to make old ladies tear up on more than one occasion. Whenever we leave a family function, he makes sure he tells everyone "goodbye" individually. Macy and Paige are the greatest snugglers. Macy just likes to be close to people, and Paige will give you the neck squeeze out of the blue.

BONUS: Music. My kids all love music, which is such a blessing. If Austin had a more dedicated teacher, he would be even further along in piano because he picks it up so well and he loves to play. Macy is my little singer, and we often sing duets while we blow-dry her hair. Her favorites are: You Are My Sunshine, Tomorrow (from "Annie"), Mr. Sun, Show Me the Way to Go Home, Tell Me the Stories of Jesus, Popular (from "Wicked"), I Am a Child of God, and Zip-A-Dee-Do-Dah. I often find her singing to herself in her room. Paige loves, loves, loves "popcorn" songs (from church and the Barenaked Ladies Album). At the Ward Campout, we put them in their sleeping bags, and I sang quietly to them for a half an hour. I have my "standard" songs that I've sung to them since they were newborns, and it is like magic! We visited my grandparents today, and my grandpa got out his guitar while Macy and I serenaded him. They ate it up, and so did Macy (he gave her a microphone).

A few weeks ago, Greg and I were fasting and praying about what to do with Austin, and my heart was heavy. Sweet Andrea Kesler got up and bore her testimony. I knew immediately that it was my answer, even though it wasn't the answer to the question: What should we do about school?  This was what she read:

Doctrine and Covenants 86:9

 

“What does the Lord mean by the expression ’hid from the world with Christ in God’? He means that according to the plan of salvation you were reserved or held back in the heavens as special spirit children to be born in a time and at a place where you could perform a special mission in life….

 

“From the time the earth was originally planned, God the Eternal Father knew that in the last days Satan would become desperate. As the second coming of Jesus Christ approaches, Satan is doing everything in his power to destroy the work of God. He is using every artifice he can imagine to destroy the plan of salvation. He is raging in blood and horror on the earth. But God knew what Satan would attempt to do in these days and devised a plan to meet that challenge.

 

“God reserved for these days some of His most valiant sons and daughters. He held back for our day proved and trusted children, who He knew from their premortal behavior would hear the voice of the Shepherd and would accept the gospel of Jesus Christ. He knew they would qualify themselves to receive the priesthood, that they would use the holy priesthood to limit Satan’s destructiveness and make it possible for God to complete the work He had planned for the saving of His children." -Theodore M. Burton, Ensign, May 1975

I've always been bothered when people speak of "The Chosen Generation." Honestly, how am I more faithful than Eve, Sarah, Sariah, Esther, Mary, Emma Smith, Alma the Younger's mother, the pioneers that crossed the plains, my own parents and grandparents, etc. But, what I got from this quote was that I have to trust in the Lord and trust in the spirits, the souls, of my children. I need to stop worrying so much! They do have the strength to withstand the evils of the day. I need more faith. I need to focus more on their positive strengths, and enjoy this time of my life. I know I will miss it when it is gone, and they do have such amazing qualities! I love you guys!

Macy is Struggling!

For the record: 4 is not my favorite age.  I have no idea why people say the "Terrible Twos" because it should be the "Ferocious Fours" or the "Frightful Fours"  or the...okay, I'll stop.  I'm treading on dangerous ground.  

Seriously, I think Greg and I are the worst parents on the planet.  So far, Heavenly Father has sent me three adorable, sweet, loving babies and they turn into the most bratty, snotty, annoying preschoolers.  What are we doing to them?!?  Today, Macy's preschool teacher said that Macy must be my stubborn little spitfire.  I was actually kind of rude (not on purpose) and just laughed and said, "They're all like that."  What is wrong with our kids?!?  

Tonight, as I was putting Macy to bed and politely suggesting that she might want to get down on her knees and explain her problems to Heavenly Father to see if He can help her, she started crying.  I might just mention that I was putting her to bed because her dad was so angry at her that he didn't even want to be around her.  She has just been a nightmare lately.  She thinks she can have anything and everything she wants, she has zero regard for anyone else, and she blatantly disregards anything we say or any rules at all.  You should see her during Primary.  She is unbelievable.  I kept thinking that she would get better once she got used to it, but no; I'm pretty sure she's gotten worse.  It sounds like preschool isn't going much better.

Anyway, this was our conversation:

Macy (with a puckered lip and tears rolling down her face): "But Mom, I just want a new number."

Me: "What are you talking about?"

Macy: "I don't want four anymore, I want seven."

Me (giving in and hugging her): "Why do you want to be seven?"

Macy: "Because then I can be like Austin and make good choices."

At least I'm writing all of this down.  One day, when their therapists ask why they are the way they are, they can just show them a printout of all these stories that will rapidly explain how Greg and I are screwing them up.  Who knows, maybe they can get a discount because they can bypass years of speculation.

Confessions of a 4-Year-Old

Yesterday, Jackie sent over a bag full of Claire's old clothes for Macy.  Later, I called Jackie to thank her.  She wasn't home, so I just left a message.  When I hung up, Macy said (in her snotty voice - see snotty face above that generally accompanies her snotty voice): "Mom, why did you call her?"  

Me (trying to be loving and patient, ignoring her snottiness): "Well...When someone gives you something, it's nice to say 'thank you.'  I just wanted to be nice."  

Macy (without missing a beat, in a very sincere voice this time): "I want to be nice too.  But I just can't."  

2nd Try at 2nd Grade

I apologize to those of you who have already hashed through this with me.  Thank you for all your advice and support.  

Austin started school yesterday (again), and we took "classic" porch pictures (again), and I filled out an entire packet of information last night (again). But, that's okay. We just want him to be in a place that is best for him.

As you can tell by now, the ALPS program didn't exactly work out. After only one week of school, Greg and I met with Austin's teacher, the principal, and the woman in charge of ALPS from the District. Of course, the first question was whether or not we had ever had him "tested." I explained that we had, but they wanted to do their own testing on him. The principal explained that they didn't need our permission to do this, but it was much better if we just gave our permission. I go over and over the entire conversation in my mind. They explained Austin's "typical" behavior (has difficulty staying in his seat, pokes other students when they are in line, has difficulty staying focused during independent study, forgets to raise his hand and blurts out answers, etc.). The District lady observed him the last hour of the school day (three hours since lunch and they don't have an afternoon recess). She was quite appalled when she explained that she observed that he blew on another little girl in the class. I was seriously waiting for someone to tell me that he was threatening the other kids with violence, or that he punched another kid in the nose, or something that would justify a meeting with the principal after one week of school!!! I know his "focus issues" are annoying, but is he really unmanageable?

Anyway, the thing that was the most frustrating was that they wanted to do the evaluation to determine whether or not he would stay in the ALPS program. Every time we started talking about some solutions, the District Lady would pipe up and explain that we don't even know if he's staying in the program. She kept explaining how demanding it is, and she obviously didn't think he could keep up. Finally, as we were leaving, I explained that it wasn't "The Program" (and I really didn't think it looked too demanding), Austin would struggle with these impulse control issues regardless. I felt like his old teacher and I were extremely up front with these issues. I spoke to three different people and explained these specific behaviors, and each time I was assured that Austin's scores indicated that ALPS was the right place for him. Then, how come after only one week of school, they have changed their mind? If they would have told us that they have reviewed Austin's scores, and it was apparent that ALPS was the place for him, and they wanted to work with us to find a solution, I would have been much more open to leaving him in that class. But, it was obvious to me that the District Lady didn't want him in the program, and I didn't want him to have to start another new class, not knowing anyone, with a different teacher in six weeks. We would just be starting completely over, and I knew the problems would not go away. So...We quit.

I had planned on homeschooling him for the year, but I called Entheos (in tears) to see if they had given his spot away yet. His teacher, Miss Rachael, called later that night to tell me how much she would love to have him back and that he was at the top of the list. They called back a couple of days later, and said that a student was moving, so Austin could have his spot.

I have been downright crazy the past few weeks full of anxiety for Austin to start school. I didn't eat anything on Tuesday just because I didn't have an appetite. We met with Miss Rachael to discuss some strategies, and I felt much better after our meeting. She has been so amazing through this entire experience. She took some of the credit/blame for the issues with Austin last year. She said she's really worked hard this summer to re-vamp some things with the classroom that should make a difference. Mostly, she is so good at seeing the good in Austin. We ended the conversation with her and her aide, Miss Karen, telling us how loving and thoughtful he is. I just feel better about him being somewhere where he is valued.
I know we'll have issues this year. Honestly, I don't know if the issues will end until he graduates High School. It is so difficult to be the only one that's doing something "different." This other school is one of the top-ranked schools in the entire state, everyone in our neighborhood has such good experiences there, and we couldn't make it a week!?! Sometimes I wonder why we just can't be like everyone else, who apparently start 2nd grade without all this drama. :) But, now I know that we are really doing what is best for our son and that is all that matters. Greg gave him a beautiful blessing last night, and we'll just keep praying. Hopefully, we can see some success this year.

Macy also started preschool. In fact, today I was able to run errands with Paige (ONLY) and it was so pleasant. Macy loves school. She runs in the door and says, "Mom...You gotta see this." Then, she proceeds to show me all of her school work.  However, when I ask what they did that day, she always says, "I don't know."  Why won't my kids talk to me?!?

Thank you, Daddy, for the Giants backpacks.  Greg went to Giants game in July with his dad and brothers and brought these back for the kids.  They think it is absolutely hilarious to wear them backward.  The other day, we were at the store, and a man came up to Austin and said, "Hey...Your head's on backward."  He thought it was so funny.

Dreams

I'm a dreamer.  Not figuratively - I'm actually too realistic for my own good - but I actually dream a lot at night.  Sometimes I have crazy dreams that make no sense like I'm flying around and land on elephant or I'm in a movie or I'm even a different person.  Of course, I have the recurring dream of my teeth falling out.  Generally, I have a mouth full and I'm frantically trying to push them back into place.  Then, they eventually just all fall out into my hands.  

Sometimes, if I'm stressed, I work out my problems in my dreams.  I had a bad break-up with a boyfriend 15 years ago (jeez) and I'll have a dream where Greg and I will just run into him and his wife (I know her too) and everyone will be very pleasant and kind to each other.  I also left my first nanny job on bad terms.  Even though the couple is now divorced and my little 5-year-old is now 17, over six feet tall and over 300 pounds (he plays football in High School now), I still have dreams where I run into this family and their adorable little boys (they were 5 and 2 when I knew them).  Again, we are all pleasant and kind to each other.  When I was pregnant with Macy, we couldn't come up with a name.  I had a dream that we had this baby girl in our home and we just kept calling her "Macy."  I also work out Primary problems or run my errands in my sleep.  When I wake up, I'm really bummed out when I realize that I still have to get everything done.  

Sometimes, my dreams really do mean something.  I truly believe that there have been times when the Lord has answered my prayers through my dreams.  It's taken me quite a few years to recognize these types of dreams as answers.  It doesn't happen very often, but it does happen.  

For years, I thought this was normal and that everyone dreams.  But, Greg assures me that he rarely dreams, and the more I talk to people, I realize that there are a lot of people who don't remember their dreams.  Anyway...I had a particularly kooky night last night, so I thought I would share two of my dreams.

Dream #1: Emphysema Dog

I was at this house that was quite run down.  I was in the front yard and it was gated in.  There were other people there too, but I don't know who they were and they were sitting on the porch and going in and out of the house - I didn't interact with them.  I think I had Paige with me, and she was just toddling around this yard with no grass and weeds everywhere.  There was also this big, skinny, slobbering dog that was following me around and whining at me.  It was dark grey with tons of black spots.  

Sidenote: I'm sorry if I offend anyone, but I do not care for big dogs, especially ones that slobber.  I don't mind little lap dogs, and I do like them if they are a little fluffy.  

This dog had a cigarette that it kept picking up with his mouth.  He would follow me around and whine.  I kept taking the cigarette out of his mouth and throwing it on the ground and telling the dog that I wasn't going to light it.  Finally, I was just so fed up with the whining that I lit the cigarette for the dog and it ran away and left me alone.  I remember thinking that it was against the Word of Wisdom to smoke, but it doesn't say anything about dogs and smoking.  Plus, if it got the dog to leave me alone, then it was fine with me.

Dream #2: Lost Children

Greg and I were at Lagoon with Austin and Macy.  It was Lagoon, but it was also a craft fair in the parking lot.  They had all these little booths for kids to make little crafts, but they could also go on all the rides.  Greg and I decided to leave to go on a date.  We told Austin to watch Macy and we would be back.  After our date, Greg went to his family reunion and I went home and went to bed.  At 2 o'clock in the morning, I woke up and realized that we had left Austin and Macy at the Lagoon Craft Fair.  We had forgotten to pick them up.  

Sidenote:  Keep in mind that I have no idea where Paige was this entire time.  

So, I got in the car and drove to Farmington/Odgen where they sent me to this group home where they keep children who have been neglected.  I had to walk through metal detectors and the police and social workers started questioning me.  I was doing my best to assure them that I was a good mother, and there was no need for them to take my kids away.  I called Greg at the family reunion, and he didn't really seem that concerned (not concerned enough to leave the reunion anyway).  After hours and several different people, I finally convinced them to let me see the kids.  They said that had one hour of "Supervised Visitation".  We were in this big room with couches, a TV, and toys.  There was only one door in and out of the room.  There were lots of other parents and children having their visits as well.  After our visit, I asked when I could take them home.  They said that I could see a judge in the morning.  I asked what time, and they said that the home opened at 7 a.m.  I told them I would be there first thing in the morning.  Then...I woke up.  

CRAZY!!!

Any interpretations???

Completely Captivated

I have been completely caught up in all the hype and excitement surrounding Michael Phelps at the Olympics. It has just been thrilling to me to watch him go for 8 gold medals. I was on the edge of my seat tonight while my husband was snoring on the couch. I loved it!

Thanks to Tevo (one of the best purchases of all time), I can record the Olympics and watch only the events and stories that I want, so I can do it in about a quarter of the time. We've also had a lot of fun watching gymnastics (the kids especially like these events), and some of the quirkier events that I didn't even know existed like synchronized diving and trampoline. I've enjoyed it!

I especially love watching the medals ceremonies. It is just so emotional for me to hear the National Anthem and see these incredible athletes represent their country so admirably. It is particularly emotional when the United States wins gold, but I actually enjoy watching all of them. It's been more captivating this year.

Family Reunion

Every other year, Greg's family (actually Greg's Dad's siblings and families) has a reunion.  It is huge!  There are well over 100 people there, and even Greg doesn't know who everyone is.  This year, it was held at BYU Timp Lodge by Sundance.  There is a big lodge.  The upper level is just full of beds, and the lower level is a huge room with a kitchen, bathrooms, a pool table, and a ping-pong table.  I had to stay for a baptism last Thursday night, but Greg took Austin and Macy up.  Paige and I joined them on Friday.  The kids had a blast.  They rented a big, blow-up, bouncy, air trampoline.  They also created some small sandboxes for the really little ones.  We also played a little volleyball (Greg did it while holding Paige part of the time), and I took Greg on in ping pong (our own Olympic games - except I did not wear the two piece swimsuit for volleyball, although Greg did show up in his USA speedo).  

But, the biggest hit of the reunion by far was the giant slip-n-slide.  It was complete insanity.  It was this huge piece of heavy plastic, and they held two hoses up at the top.  The kids absolutely loved it!  Everyone was going pretty fast, but those teenage boys just flew down.  You can see Mark behind Macy in the first picture.  He was going so fast that he would have run her over, so he just scooped her up and held onto her until the end.  Look at Austin (in the middle of the splash in the second picture)!  How dry do you think he kept that cast?!?  Oh well...How could I possibly keep him away from the fun.  He squealed with delight all the way down every time.  When the kids got to the bottom, they ran up as fast as they could to go down again.  Eventually, the slide got a big hole in the middle and the fun was over.  But, thanks to Uncle Mike who spent 3 hours filling water balloons, they ended with a water balloon launcher.  The kids (and their dads) had fun aiming at the teenagers, and the teenagers had a blast trying to "catch" them.  Seriously...A couple of hours of heaven for these kids.  It was so much fun to watch them have such a great time.  

Here is Paige, completely content to just watch the fun:

This is Macy's own outfit after church on Sunday.  Aunt Edna had tons of crafts to keep the kids busy in between outdoor fun.  Macy made this cute little visor, and they had beads for necklaces and bracelets, and beads that melted together to make different designs.  Macy also developed a bit of a crush on one of Greg's cousin's sons.  His name is Stephen (and I didn't get a picture).  Stephen was a teenager and so adorable with all the little kids.  He gave them piggyback rides, teased them, helped them with their crafts (he made Macy a beaded gecko key chain), and I often saw him with kids sitting on his feet while he walked around pretending that they were lost.  It was really adorable.  I think all of the teenagers at the reunion were so great!  Anyway...When Macy was saying her prayers last Saturday night, she said, "Please bless Stephen that he will be safe."   
For those of you that don't already know, my Little Miss Mace is a little on the kooky side.  She has some very strange rituals.  I think I've mentioned it before, but she likes to put things on her pinkie finger while she sucks her thumb.  She has used magnetic, plastic letters and numbers in the past (8, 6, B, S - A shape that makes a hole perfect for her pinkie).  We used to frantically search the house at bedtime because she was asking for "Her Number."  She also uses the toddler spoons.  But, she generally puts them under her chin while sucking her thumb.  If she doesn't have a spoon, she sits on my lap, puts her thumb in her mouth, and puts her arm under my chin.  A little cookoo crazy!

Good thing she's so darn cute that we keep her around - idiosyncrasies and all!

Going Green

So, I'm trying to singlehandedly save the environment, eliminate global warming, and repair the hole in the ozone, but I keep getting sabotaged.  For one, Greg refuses to stop using the toilet and just dig a hole in the backyard.  We'd save a bundle on fertilizer.  Secondly, the ladies at the grocery store think I'm a big wimp.  When we signed up for the Costco card, they gave us these fabulous "green" reusable shopping bags.  Greg wanted to throw them away, and it took me 5 minutes to convince him that I really will use them.  They are quite large, and they fit a ton of groceries!

Last week, I went to Harmon's and I only had Paige with me.  At check-out, I told the checker and the baggers (they had two - it wasn't very busy) that I didn't need paper or plastic because I brought my own.  I've done this before and it worked beautifully.  All three women just stared at me and the oldest lady asked me if I would be able to lift the bag after all the groceries were inside.  I told her that I would be fine.  Paige's patience for the cart was over, so I let her out while they checked me out.  She was all over the place, and had a lot of fun handing me bags of chips off the display case.  I wasn't really paying attention to the checkout, and when they were done, I put Paige back in the cart and got ready to go.  This is what I saw and I just laughed:

Apparently, the ladies DID NOT think I could carry the reusable bag, so they put a few light items in the bag (a couple boxes of crackers) and put the rest of my groceries in plastic bags and put the plastic bags inside the reusable bag.  Does anyone else find this as hilarious as me?  I'm still laughing at the irony of it.  Do I at least get credit for trying to "Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle."  I don't know; somebody email Al Gore.

9 Years

Greg and I celebrated our 9 year Anniversary on July 29th.  We actually celebrated a week earlier by going to Anniversary Inn for the night.  I'll spare you the details, but will say that it was wonderful and exactly what we needed!  I am completely in my element when I get to put on my "Wife Hat" and lay aside all the rest: Mom, Cook, Chauffeur, Maid, Counselor, Doctor, Secretary, Gardner, etc.  (Big Shout Out to Lisa [and Matt] for taking over all the other hats for the evening.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!)  Actually, Greg would say that I really put on the "Girlfriend Hat."  He has this theory that I was superb at giving him directions and instructions when I was a girlfriend, but I'm horrible at it now that I'm the wife.  On the way to the hotel, I told him about a turn he'd have to make in plenty of time.  He put his hand on my knee and welcomed his "girlfriend" for the night.  When he puts his hand way too high on my thigh, I like to tease him that he's putting on his "Boyfriend Hat."  But...I've given out way too much information.  Sorry.

On the day we were married, my mother-in-law said that she wouldn't trade places with me for anything.  I couldn't figure out why.  Why wouldn't everybody want to be me on my wedding day?  It was an amazing day (except for the mistake of wearing "the claw" as bangs, it was absolutely perfect).  Anyway...After 9 years and 3 children, I am beginning to understand.  I'm definitely not the same person I was on that day, and I never could have imagined the things that we've been through together.  I'm also beginning to realize how perfect Greg is for me.  For us, I felt like the first few years were definitely like an extended honeymoon.  They were so easy; it felt like we were playing house.  Then, we got into a few years of the nitty gritty.  Now, I feel like we're really settling into each other.  Life is so comfortable when he's around and we're together.  Our lives are so intertwined that it is impossible to see how to separate them.  I'm grateful.  

We have our problems - everybody does.  We both fall short sometimes, and we both have the opportunity to apologize frequently and forgive frequently.  Overall...I am married to a man with a genuine heart who truly desires to do good and be good.  I feel loved.  I feel blessed.

Family Fun

We had a rough week, so we decided to shirk all of our Saturday responsibilities and go miniature golfing. Greg and I used to go all the time when we were dating, but this is a first for our family. Even though it was 102 degrees, the kids seemed to have a blast. Austin actually did pretty good for a broken arm, and Macy was nothing but hilarious. Greg tried to show her how to hold her club (several times), but she couldn't quite remember. Most of the time, she had one hand upside down and pushed with the other hand. She would just follow the ball around and kind of push it into the hole. They actually seemed to do get along pretty well, and Greg and I were also on our best behavior. There weren't a lot of people out, so we didn't feel rushed, and we really just enjoyed them. It was such a needed break for our family!

When we got home, we did get some chores done. The kids helped me clean the bathrooms (Macy did the mirrors while Austin cleaned the toilets), and Greg worked on the yard. We went to the Provo Temple that night, and my wonderful parents watched the kids. They actually kept Austin and Macy overnight and took them to church with them. When we came to pick them up, Macy looked at me in her most wonderful, sweet, sincere voice and said, "Mommy...I love you!" "Oh...I love you too, Macy." Without missing a beat, and still just as sweet and sincere, she said, "I love Daddy more."


This is Macy singing "Tomorrow" from "Annie" into her golf club. Notice her pink, sequins "golf shoes."
All for one, and one for all!
We went during Paige's nap time, so she spent most of the time in her stroller, and she didn't mind one bit. Notice her teddy bear (her new comfort - a must-have for bed), her "ba-ba", and holding her own golf ball.
They had a little, one-foot club for Paige. On the last couple of holes, we got her out of the stroller. She was hilarious! She had been watching us for 16 holes, so she knew exactly what to do. She was so determined to get her ball on the little "tee." Greg helped her hit it, and she would squeal with delight every time. She would run down to the hole, drop her ball in, get it out, and run back to the beginning. She would try it on her own for a while, then Greg would help her and start the whole process all over again. She probably did it five or six times. I just sat on the grass and laughed at her delight.



Afterward, we went over to the batting cages. I thought I would impress my children by hitting the ball. Then, Greg got in after me. Macy looked at me and said, "Daddy is gooder than you." It's true. But, I totally kicked butt in golf. I owned the miniature golf course, and I beat Greg by a few strokes. What a good day!

Today I'm Grateful For...

...All of you!  I had to make my "Grateful Moment" today it's own post because I am so extremely grateful for my incredible support system.  I am so grateful to all of my friends!  My new "blogger friends", my friends in the neighborhood (and to those of you that have moved out), and my very supportive family.  I'm grateful that the Lord has blessed me with so many friends to help me, support me, and love my family.  Several of you have offered to watch Macy and Paige while I observe in Austin's classroom.  I took Kim up on that offer today.  Thank you!  Anne brought me over a Jamba Juice and a sweet note because she could telepathically tell that I had been crying and needed a pick-me-up.  Thank you!  Several of you have offered words of encouragement.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  Many of you have laughed at the flower pot story (I'll scan it in and post it when he brings it home).  All of you have made me feel like I'm not alone.  I am mostly grateful for your love and support.  Thank you so much!