Funny Things Adam has said

Adam is a real talker. I am amazed by what he can say. He is so funny. I can hardly believe he is almost two. Here are some of the funny things he has said. You have to realize how young he is to be saying these things for them to really be funny. He will two in a month.

This morning he looked at a Santa we had on the fireplace and said;

"Santa you a big man."

The other night he was up with the croup and I went to get him, he said, "I want my daddy, make me go get him, please make me go get him."

When I was putting him in his car seat;

"Me don't like Adams seat."

I asked Why?

he said "Because it is dirty."

We took him to see Christmas lights and the next day when we were driving he said;

"I want Christmas lights."

I said "It is daytime you can't see them very good."

He said "I want Christmas lights RIGHT NOW." He got that from me, I am always telling the kids to do something right now.

We went to Target and they have big pillows of Buzz and Woody, I put one on each side of him in the cart and he said:

"Mom, Buzz and Woody are awesome."

He also loves to sing twinkle twinkle little star and knows almost the whole song.

I had to put some of these down before I forgot them. I just adore him and I think he is super awesome just like Buzz and Woody.

When it is more than you can take

I usually feel like I can do it all. Just recently I have attempted to do it all when I felt like I shouldn't. I have paid for it. Why is it so hard to just say no?

I keep thinking I am feeling better but I am not so sure. I feel so out of touch.

This Christmas, like all the rest I fight the world and Santa for the true meaning of this holiday. I told my sister I was going to kill Santa off at our house. She told me to get some sleep because I was talking crazy.

I made 26 tags with some of the names of the Savior from the scriptures, the idea was from http://www.christcenteredtraditions.blogspot.com/ . I hung them on my tree and my banister and as I walk into my living room now I see The Light, Prince of Peace, Wonderful, Counselor and I think of how my Savior fills the roll of that title. It has been amazing. I just want to sit and ponder and be taught about Christ.

I know that when life is too much He can bring peace, He can be our Counselor, He can be The Light. I know this because he has done this for me. I know Christmas is about more, more peace, more love, more forgiveness, more kindness, more good. Because he truly is our Savior, he has saved us, it is up to us to accept him. I hope you can find the true meaning this season.

Merry Christmas!

Our Anniversary

Shay is wonderful. I am not just saying that because it is our 12th anniversary, I am saying it because he is. He is always willing to let me spend money without getting mad at me. Well when I got my camera on ebay by semi accident, he wasn't too happy. Although he isn't very good at keeping the house clean, or staying up late with me, he does a great job with the kids. Not many men will take on five mostly young kids in any setting. He is always quick to say sorry and that he loves me.

This weekend we went up to Toronto, we went out to the movies, ate Indian, Italian, bread and cheese from the market, ate overlooking Niagra Falls at a really not very good buffet Shay picked, chocolate desserts from the Chocolate Bar, took tons of pictures, went to church by the Temple, tried to get in by lottery to see an otherwise sold out show of Wicked, shopped at our bank accounts expense, talked and talked about all the great things we have been blessed with, and some we hope to be blessed with and rode in a helicopter over Niagra Falls.

It was really nice, thanks to my Dad, and Sister for watching the kids.

Sweet Adam Photo Shoot

How cute is this guy?

Are you sure?

So tired. My baby is super sad that I leave him twice a week and he makes me pay on the days after I am gone. I wonder if this was a good idea. Why would I leave my baby to sit and be lectured to? I continue to wonder and keep going to class. I have been told he won't remember it, I cling to that. I have not been as patient as I normally am. But the kids seem to expect more. I am tired and have a lot of reading to do, but the house is never quite before 8. After that I have no mentality left to concentrate. I have a 3.71 GPA. I also wonder how long I will keep it. Am I as good as I used to be? I have my first test in two weeks. We shall soon see. My neighbor things I am crazy, to have 5 kids and go back to school. I know I am crazy. Not to mention my calling at church. But I know when I do it, I get more in return than I give. I guess I should try to read Benjamin Franklin's Autobiography now. I like it, it is refreshing.

WOW

The kids are gone, all but one at school. As I walked to twins to Kindergarten, they were buzzing with excitement. I felt it passing from their little hands to mine. I couldn't help but smile. They have been looking forward to this for so long. I only had a moment of sadness, but it was hard to be sad with all that excitement all around me. Plus I still had to get two others to class. Kaely was so cute and happy to be back, one of her best friends Mia is in her class this year. She has been waiting 5 yrs for that. Skyler was also extremely excited. Middle school. He is so smart and good. I know he will do just fine. Adam cried for his bubba after drop off. He sure loves him.

Now I am here, Adam is asleep, and it is quite. Except for the radio playing, I am not used to this. What am I going to do. The house is clean, and I still have three hours. This won't last for long because tomorrow, I start school. Maybe some of the kids excitement will stay with me. Wish me luck!

Potty training 101

POTTY TRAING IS A NIGHTMARE. I have potty trained 4, working on #5. I am sure it is the worst part of parenting so far. I haven't done teenagers yet, so I can't be sure it is the worst, but after potty training the twins for a full year, I know I do not like it at all.

Here are some tips for you first timers.

1 If you can pay someone to potty train your child, DO IT. Not joking it will be the best money you have ever spent. Promise.

2 If you find a Hazmat suit on sale at the thrift store buy it. It is not fun being covered with urine and feces.

3 Rent a house while you potty train, that way you can leave that house with stained carpets and smears on the walls. But don't even ask about that deposit, it is already gone.

4 Never let them see you cry. It gives them the feeling they are in charge they like that and it will seriously prolong the process.

5 Enjoy it, they aren't little forever. Remember that when you are at breaking point. I don't think it will help, but whatever.

OUR SWEET BABY has gone peep twice and pooped once in the potty. He is so stinkin' cute I can hardly stand it. I got a new camera and wanted to try it out so I took some potty training pics. I think I will hang them in the hall. What do you think?

Camping and Murder

We went camping on Wednesday night so that we could get out of the city and watch the meteor shower. We got to the campground around 8pm and we were worried there wouldn't be a spot, but lucky for us none were taken. The campground was completely empty. In the middle of nowhere we were all alone. It didn't freak me out until we were all tucked in. Then I couldn't get a grip on my mind. Visions of crazy people slitting our throats were in my head. Waking up with a maniac standing above me, really made me feel safe. I couldn't shake it. Usually I pray, get peace, and fall asleep. But not this night. I tried and tried until I was too tired to fight anymore and soon I was waking up with a truck driving through the campground. I freaked out and was waking Shay before I even realized what I was doing. They stopped, opened the door, shut it and left. Now I was a serious wreck. Did they drop a crazy person off to do us in? What were they doing. I was sure this was the end. I started telling myself it wouldn't be terrible as long as it was quick. I tried to envision how quickly we would go if they slit our throats or how I would save the kids with stab wounds. Soon I was thinking that if we would make it, being super sleepy the next day was going to be welcomed to having to deal with our tragic ending. I kept telling myself that thinking these things would only bring them upon me but I just couldn't get rid of it. I couldn't believe how long one night could be. But of course we lived, for I am telling you the story. I have had feelings like this before and really bad things happened, so I know that the Lord protected us. I am sure of it. So maybe I will do something great one day, who knows. But I know one thing, I am defiantly inviting someone else to go next time we go camping. At least we'd stand a chance if we had some people on our team. Team-don't get murdered while camping.

p.s. Shay thought this was too dark, but you should know I warned you in the title.

I am tired

My kids are all in the kitchen, I have asked 4 times for them to go to bed. They are eating something, making the kitchen more of a mess than it was before. I hear a little yelling and faint cries from the baby. Not so faint anymore.
I am tired. Tonight I just want them all to listen. Just tuck your cute little bodies into your cozy little beds all by yourselves. I want to just sit and relish in the quiet. Shay is not home yet and it would be nice to relax. But the sounds keep getting louder and the baby cries even more. I guess we are all tired. I guess one day I will wish I could tuck them all in again. And I guess the sooner I get up and do it then the sooner it is done. Good night, may you all have obedient children and a quiet evening.

Uncle Wiggly always says...

Uncle Wiggly is a game I bought at the thrift store. It is a board game where you pick up a card and it tells you how many spaces to go. It also always has a saying on the card. They are very random, strange sayings that make us laugh our heads off. They are especially fun to read to Shay because he has little patience for these sayings. Skyler and I decided to make up some sayings that Uncle Wiggly would say. Like one of my favorites would be, Uncle Wiggly always says, If they ain't gonna be your friend in a baby t-shirt, then they ain't gonna be your friend in a regular t-shirt.
The saying sort of almost have something good in them, but are just a little off. They also have to be said in an old man southern accent. Makes it way funnier. We love Uncle Wiggly and his sayings.

As for me, I am feeling better about going back to school. It is tricky starting the same day as my kids. I have to get two new kindergarteners, a fourth grader and a new middle schooler and my baby off to school, get in the insane traffic of first day of school in Atlanta. Catch the train into downtown. Make it to my first class by nine oclock a.m.. I am not really confident about the whole process. I feel a little intimidated by it to be honest. I have decided to change my major after finding that only 19 of 81 credits transferred for a Marketing degree. I have switched to Journalism and minor in Photography, where 65 credits transferred. I feel pretty good about it. And have actually begun to get excited about writing. I have a lot to learn, but feel that if this is where I am being led, it will be the right thing for me. And Uncle Wiggly always says do it whether you like it or not, if it is the right thing to do.

The Pacifier

Oh man, I have just endured three days and two nights and one Sacrament meeting without our dear friend the pacifier or Pacy as we like to call it. It was difficult to say the least. I have never been so tired. I thought it was time to move on, but I had a moment of weakness and gave it back. I know I should have been strong, but I decided it can just be for bed. The poor baby hasn't slept for days. He refuses to nap and was up for two and a half hours last night asking me about pacy. I decided that it can't matter too much and we are having too many changes right now to add stress from a not sleeping baby. Oh pacy, I love you.

Back to School

Back to school this year takes on a new meaning for me. The twins will start Kindergarten. And I just got accepted to Georgia State University. I am a little sick about it. What was I thinking? I don't know that I want to go back to school. But for some reason I am. It is making me anxious and nervous when I think about all my responsibilities. I am just not sure if I can do it all. I guess we will just have to see how it all turns out. I am a wreck!

The Engagement

Shay would get this look on his face. Like he was intensely thinking about something. I would ask, "What are you thinking about?" And he would quickly come up with something, Uh uh, and then say some random thing. Knowing him now, Shay is a thinker. He loves to think and day dream. He did this often and I was always curious what was going on in his mind, I was soon to find out.

Shay took me to meet his family. We had known each other for six weeks. I had already met his dad when he came for a visit. He was great, so I wasn't too nervous. We drove to Washington, his mom filmed part of the visit and looking back I can't help but wonder what they thought of me. I was SOOO young.

That night Shay was tucking me in on the couch. He got that look again. I gave him a minute before I finally asked him what he was thinking. "Well, I was just wondering what it would be like to be with you forever."
"I think that would be nice." I replied.

And just like that we were thinking we might just be getting married. I finally fell asleep with thoughts of white dresses and love eternal.

The next morning I woke feeling the same, but Shay seemed very nervous. Are we sure? Is this too fast?

We went on a walk and talked it out. Prayed and went home to tell his parents.

We came home to Provo. I called my Momma, she wasn't home. So we called my Daddy. They didn't really know I was dating anyone. I just never mentioned it, not knowing how it would turn out or if it would turn into anything. I had dated a couple of guys in Provo and didn't feel the need to mention everyone to my parents. With kids of my own and thinking of how it all went down, I am pretty sure I would react how my Momma did. My Dad took it really well. Does he have a temple recommend? Yes. Did he serve a Mission? Yes. Does he treat you well? Yes, very well. Have you prayed about it? Yes. Okay then.

It was almost so emotionless that I felt bad. But then we called my Momma and I was grateful for how my dad reacted.

We called my mom at church. She was helping with the scouts on Wednesday night. Now I wish I would have waited and called her at home, but I was anxious to tell her. My little brother Joseph went to get her. This is how it all went down.

Momma I am getting married

very calmly- You're lying to me

No momma I'm not

Less calmly- You're lying to me

No I'm not

Much less calmly and very loudly- YOU'RE LYING TO ME, repeated multiple times and dropping the phone.

Joseph- Momma she is not lying to you, just talk to her.

I am not going to talk to her right now, I will call her later.

Joseph please get her to call me at home so we can talk.

Joseph- okay.

Wow, typing it now makes my stomach hurt. I almost feel like crying. It was tough. But what else could I expect? She never wanted me to come to Provo in the first place. You will get married and never come home, she told me. I assured her that wouldn't happen and here I was telling her, her worst fears had come true.

The Official proposal with a ring came later.

Shay wanted it to be a suprise. He asked me out for dinner and said he wanted to stop by somewhere before dinner. Dead give away, Shay never liked to do anything before eating. It was top priority, so I was pretty sure this was it.

He took me to the park where we had gone on our first date. Just as the sun was setting. We sat on the same park bench and he got down on his knee.

Will you be my Eternal Companion?

He was so cute, I could barely stand it. And the aweful experience with my mom didn't matter. All that mattered was Shay and our future. He was my future.

I would love to.

And he put the ring on my finger. He wanted me to see all the rainbows that the ring could produce when the sun hit it. It was nice.

We were Officially Engaged. And we were off to dinner, Italian, my favorite.

Shay n Misty take 3

I didn't know Shays last name until we dated for 3-4 weeks. That wouldn't be so bad if we dated longer but we were engaged at 6 weeks of dating/knowing each other. When I found out what it was, I was super happy. Not such a bad name to marry into. I really liked my maiden name so it had to be a good one for me not to be sad. I have never looked back.

Shay told me he loved me pretty quick. I wasn't used to that. The guy always takes forever, and I was caught off guard. I told him thank you and it broke his heart. I think, actually I know because he told me later, he wanted to walk away after that, but he couldn't. I also told him I loved him too. I really wanted to say it when I was ready, but he needed to know I had those feelings as well.

Speaking of walking away, he actually tried multiple times. Like when he found out how old I was. I had JUST turned 19 weeks before he asked. He told me I was too young. He needed to think. He walked away again, when he found out I had a missionary. I actually slept with his shirt every night. That just about made him lose it. But every time he left he came back within 20 minutes. He said he couldn't convince himself to stay away. I sure am glad he came back.

I had an idea I would marry him after our second date. The spirit said your gonna marry him. I said no way, I have stuff I want to do. But over the next couple of weeks we saw each other every day. And I just felt like I didn't want to do any of that stuff without him.

He actually took me on a date to a deserted island with a picnic lunch. It was very thoughful since we had both put each others name down for being stuck on a deserted island, I still wouldn't want to be stuck with anyone else.

It is amazing that you think you love someone when you marry them. I sure thought I did. And I guess I did, as well as I knew how to love. I was so young. But when I think what Shay and I have gone through, having these amazing kids, kidney stones, losses and gains, I think I couldn't possibly have known love then, knowing how much I love him now. I am sure when I am 80, I will feel the same about my 30 yr old self that I now do about my 19 yr old self. I guess that is progression and you only know what you think you know. I think I know I sure am glad I picked Shay, he is amazing and talented, not to mention I still think he is dreamy!

The first date- Shay and Misty take 2

We left in Shays blue Toyota Tercel, I am not sure how he decided to take me to Arbys, but that is where we went. I guess he really wanted to show off for the first date. I wasn't too hungry, so I got a chocolate shake and he got a sandwich. I can't remember much of the conversation, I am sure he only understood half of what I was saying, since I literally had to spell several words because of my strong southern accent.

We then went to the park next to the temple, he of course made a fool of himself by doing two things. Number one, he called me my roommates name, which is also his mothers name. I did correct him, sorry that's my roommates name, did you take the wrong person out? But then I told him not to worry about it, we all do stupid things.

Number two, he tried to do the monkey bars and hurt himself pretty good. He kicked his shin into a bar. I had to tell him the stupid things line again, but he was cute, so I didn't mind too much.

After a while we went back to my apartment to listen to some music. I showed him all the stuff I loved, The Cure, The Smiths, Rancid, and multiple others. I now realize he must have really liked me, because he has since voiced his dislike for all these bands. But at the time, he seemed overly enthusiastic about each one.

He stayed until I gave him a kiss. A kiss on the first date, never you say! How could you! Well, just so you know, it was the best kiss I have ever had. It had all the qualities of the perfect kiss. It was magic. I know that sounds silly, but just thinking about it makes me smile. It was perfect in every way.

After the kiss, he left and I had sweet dreams of this new, cute, slightly flawed, wonderful guy from Washington who seemed to really like me. It was nice and I couldn't wait for more of him.

I love being in love- Shay and Misty take 1

I kind of feel like falling in love. There is nothing like the feeling of meeting someone, liking them, liking them more, slowly learning about them, liking what you learn and realizing at some point that you may just love that person, then realizing for sure that you do. I have been feeling like falling in love with my man all over again.

I think we get comfortable with our companion and forget how much we love them, how we could not live without them, how they make our world better. This year is #12 for Shay and I. He is my dream man plus some. I do get mad at him sometimes and sometimes I give him reason to get mad at me, but he is amazing.
To fall in love again, I like to reminisce and remember how it all went down to begin with...

I first saw Shay at church. He was cute, but BYU was full of cute guys. To me there had to be more. He had on a pink and green tie. I walked by him after sacrament and said "nice tie", in my strong southern accent it sounded more like "niiice tyyye". And walked on, he was chatting with some other girls.

After church we were walking back and it started pouring, a few guys were running by our apartment, they were getting drenched so we told them to come in for a bit. It was Shay and a couple of his buddies. We invited them for a game called true colors. It is a question game and every one answers the question with the color of the person they think would most likely go with the question. Well one of the questions was, If you were on a deserted island what one other person would you want with you? Well to be honest it was between Shay and one of his buddies, they were both cute, I didn't know any of them, but I put Shay. He of course peeked to see who I put and was super excited to see his color, as I was told later. Shay also put my color in, as might I add did everyone else except one girl. When I asked my friend Holli why she put my color in, she said because I have skills and I would build her a shelter and get her food. That made me laugh.

Shay had mentioned that they were going to the Sunday night devotional in the commons later that night, so I decided to go. I was leaning towards Shay by then, because I had picked him for the island. I usually never went to that, but it was Shays birthday and they were spotlighting him and his buddy Dan. The guy I was dating at the time was upset because I wanted to go, he said you never go to those, I call him pretzel Mike now, he really liked pretzels.

We actually broke up on Wednesday. He said I had nothing else to do but follow him around. I think he had emotional issues stemming from childhood, but whatever.

Thursday, I was out in the commons when Shay showed up. I have to admit I was looking pretty cute because I was hoping Mike would see what he gave up. Shay had dropped by to see a friend. Just FYI Shay was not in our ward, he had just visited it. I deduced that he was checking out the girls in his new ward because he was moving into our ward in two months. Which meant he had exhausted his choices in his old ward. Later that was confirmed but not willingly. Shay was also sort of seeing someone in our ward, Sharon. I did not know this at the time and he denies it but the way she treated me later confirms my suspicions. Anyway, I had a Frisbee and he played with me for a bit before leaving.

Later that day a guy named Jared saw me and said "hey Misty, Shay called to get your number, maybe you should call him, I think he needed to borrow something." I was totally naive and thought he was serious about borrowing something, so I said "Okay, whats his number?"

I called him and this is what I got, "hey Shay, this is Misty, Jared said you needed something?" Shay "Uh, Uh," awkward silence " well, uh, I just wanted to see if you wanted to do something sometime?"
Me " Sure, what about tonight?"
Shay " Oh, Okay, great."

Shay picked me up, wearing his super tight white Levis shorts and blue shirt. I thought he was super cute, if I saw him now I might laugh, but then I thought he was dreamy. I actually might still think he was dreamy, but I like him so much more now.

The first official date on a later date!

my camp ideas

I am really excited for a vacation. I am packed and ready to go, well I am not packed but I have packed all the kids and we still have weeks before we go. Christy I know what you are thinking. I just couldn't help it. Skyler has no underwear now because I packed it all. It makes me laugh a little. (I washed his one pair tonight so he is good for tomorrow.)
I am excited and have been planning like crazy. I knew I was going to have to come up with stuff to entertain myself and the kids.

Idea one, not that creative but still fun.
Treasure hunt. I looked up local folklore for hidden treasure and embelleshed a story about a band of train robbers. I will tell them the story, then we will hunt for dollar store treasure.

Idea two.
Camp songs. collected and printed off so no one has the excuse that they don't know them. Ingenious I know.

Idea three.
Indian folklore. I am going to tell them stories around the campfire after putting on facepaint and making headdresses, for them and me. I also got them all a dream catcher to put above their pillow. I will give them all indian names that go along with animal stamps that grandma has so they can use the stamp as their name.

Idea four.
Has a little to do with idea one, but use a metal detector to find real treasures.

Idea five.
I printed a constellation map and will teach the kids one or two constellations.

Idea six.
Just sort of happened, a cinco de mayo birthday part for me!

Idea seven.
Shay loved this one the most, rent a jet ski for a day or two.

So I think we will have lots of fun and hopefully I don't get bored before the kids do.

Summer - a love hate relationship

Some things I LOVE about summer

The kids being home and getting to play with them

Staying up late and sleeping in

Vacation

BBQs with friends

Playing in the sprinkler

Gardens

Good books

Some things I HATE about summer

The kids being home and fighting

The schedule being off

SUPER dirty house even if I have cleaned it

Being too hot to be outside unless you are wet-it is hot in HOTLANTA

Cranky kids that stayed up too late

Really I have always loved summer who doesn't those lazy days where nothing HAS to be done. I do have things I don't love, like the days where nothing gets done, I guess they say the good comes with the bad. So I hope you all enjoy your summer.

I am also looking for fun things to do with the kids while camping any advice?

My Brother Jefferson

My brother Jefferson likes to leave mean comments on my blog under his wifes name. This is the same brother who turned the light off and closed the door to the bathroom while yelling "A WITCH IS COMING THROUGH THE WINDOW". Scaring the crap out of a six year old, well maybe I was nine, but who's cares. He is the same brother who has mocked me for years for saying "girls can't be sissies, they already are". This brother used to make fun of me when I cried in sad movies. This is the brother who threatened to beat up boys if they laid a finger on me. He made me laugh when I was sad, and sang me made up songs to make our work go quicker. Not that I always loved the songs, but I would appreciate the lyrics to the alien song please. This brother and I are 18 months apart. I was an accident, but really I think I just wanted to be best friends with this brother. He had made me angrier than probably anyone else in the world, but I still like him. Most of the time.

What makes you feel alive

Summer evenings, when the kids normally would be in bed but we are jumping on the trampoline and it is twilight. That makes me feel alive.

When I get some good one on one time with my kids and I see them, really see them and feel that love I have for them. That makes me feel alive.

When I have a good conversation with a friend, when it gets a little deeper than the surface, when you feel like you have shared a piece of yourself. That also makes me feel alive.

Today we played at the park and played a card game, we went to the farmers market and saw a friends recital. I was looking for the moments when I felt that excitement and happiness that life brings. I caught glimpses, but only because I was looking for them. I love the world my Heavenly Father has blessed me with. It is good. I want to see those things so I can thank him for them, I want to see those things so that I don't let good opportunities pass by. When I have these feelings I wonder how much longer I will live? My mom found her breast cancer when she was 35. It makes Shay really nervous. Hopefully I will live a long time.

Mom on the Run

The last month or so has been super busy, but when people ask me what I have been doing, my mind is blank. I know I have been doing good things, but what they are, I am not sure. My biggest concern is making sure they are the right things. That I am not wasting these precious years where my children love, like and somewhat listen to me, for fleeting things like TV shows. To make sure I am teaching them and not controlling them. To make sure they understand their purpose on this earth.
My mother died when my brother was young and he seems to have gotten lost. I want my kids to have a strong sense of who they are so that if something happens to me, they will never be lost. Am I praying with them, even when I am tired? Do I tell them the stories of Jesus as well as Book of Mormon stories? Do I teach them to do what is right even when it is hard and do they understand that every decision has a consequence?
I want to be busy, it comes with having five kids, but only on the right things. I want to lead my children by example and show them the only way back home is through the Savior Jesus Christ. I want them to know that repentance feels good, its the sin that hurts. I want them to serve our Heavenly Father with everything they are. I want them to forgive and understand that trials can help us home if we turn towards heaven, not away.
As Mothers Day approaches, I hope we will evaluate what kind of mothers we are. Make the changes that will help us be better tomorrow. One change could make all the difference in our children's lives. If we do this we will be blessed and so will our children. Love you ladies and
Happy Mothers Day!

what I am feeling

I am feeling that none of us are as good as we think we are.

I am also feeling that none of us are as bad as we think either.

That food is way too expensive.

People, including me, have WAY too much stuff.

That vehicles are amazing.

Even though mine is dirty, inside and out.

That Georgia needs more sidewalks.

I am feeling like I need a break from my kids.

But I don't want to leave them.

That nothing in my house stays in its place for more than 15 seconds.

I am feeling like I missed book club for nothing.

But I did finish my fly lady stuff so maybe not for nothing, but close.

I am feeling happy.

I am needing to feel spiritual and write my talk, but it seems difficult.

I am feeling grateful that my husband once again made it home safe.

I am feeling blessed, sleepy, sneezy, and 11lbs lighter thanks to weight watchers.

I am also feeling out of credit card debt as of tomorrow.

I like how I am feeling, so I am going to sleep.

What to do?

Only six weeks of school left! Those will fly by like when you are eating your favorite chocolate bar and all of a sudden there is none left but you are sure you didn't eat it all. What to do? I have to get things done, plan some adventures, regain my sanity and prepare to quickly lose it again. I want to make a summer schedule, give me your favorite summer activities. I need to make this the best summer ever. Skyler starts middle school and the twins start Kindergarten in the fall. So lets enjoy this time off. Give me some pointers that make you a successful momma! Thanks.

Spring Break

Last night we arrived home from spring break, beach camping in Florida with some friends, I have never seen a baby so happy to see his bed. Adam snuggled in and didn't look up. We had an adventure and loved it. The place we stayed had a bay on one side, just 10 feet from camp. And the beach side just a short walk or drive from camp. We went Geocaching and got treasures. It was the first time we have done it. It is lots of fun. We had a testimony meeting and went to conference in the tiniest branch I have ever seen. The kitchen and media center were the same room about the size of my bathroom.

Shay fished and fished but never caught a thing.

Skyler was with his buddy, Joe. They caught horseshoe crabs, hermit crabs, ghost crabs, and some other type we are not sure what it is called. They wandered around and had their own tent. Skyler rated the vacation a 9 because of the bugs and he got sunburned.

K had so much fun with their 12 yr old girl and later hit it off with Joes younger brother. They played Harry Potter and dug in the sand. She rated it a 9 because she also got sunburned.

Jane got lost in the woods and was scared by a deer. But thanks to playing with the "big girl" she rated it a 10.

Elly threw LOTS of fits for reasons like, there is sand in my shoes, or that she wanted to be carried. That was exhausting. But she still gave the vacation a 9.

Adam was free to roam and eat sand. He was so happy, even when his food was covered in sand, which happened often. He slept well and was all smiles.

I enjoyed it and only cleaned the tent a couple of times, which is a huge improvement over last time we went and I cleaned it probably 10 X a day. I would definately do it again.

We were so glad for the envite and had an amazing time.

Gotta wear Green!

I couldn't for the life of me remember that today was St. Patrick's Day. All of my children were sent out without green on. Yesterday the twins had school and were supposed to wear green for their party... I forgot.

Today we were all left scouring ourselves in public to see if we could find any green on our persons. It was sad, and I caught myself looking for anyone who also forgot. Not many did.

Then I went to read to Kaely's class, only 3 out of 20 kids forgot to wear green. Of course, Kaely was one of them.

I tried to tell myself that I remember other things, more important things. But I often forget those too. Like when I read to Kaely's class, I noticed that she had a smudge on her nose, from yesterday.

Oh well, life goes on.

A Trophy for Family Night

Yesterday, when I was at the thrift store, I saw a bunch of trophies. I went over and picked out the most generic one they had and bought it. Cost $1. I also got Adam almost all the summer clothes he will need for 1/2 off (Monday is half off day), so I ended up spending about 12$. Moving on. I knew I had to come up with an activity for Family Home Evening. (We do our lesson on Sunday and activity on Monday, it breaks it up for the little kids.) After a quick dinner of taquitoes with no plates, which everyone loved, we had a fun game night. The way it works is that the winner of the games gets the trophy until next game night where another winner will claim it. I titled it the traveling trophy.

We started off with Uno, which the twins LOVE. The noise level was through the roof and I threated to quit and send them all to bed, but we made it through with Elly as the winner. The others were not too happy to have lost. But I told them the competition for the trophy wasn't over and we moved on to Yahtzee. That calmed the hounds and once again I was threating to send them all to bed if they couldn't use their inside voices. After about 5 rounds and some out of control children, I gave everyone one more go and said we will call a winner from the highest score. Elly and Jane were the only ones to have gotten Yahtzee and Elly pulled out a win on her last roll, barely. So amidst whaling and nashing of teeth I crowned Elly the winner of The Trophy by raising her on my shoulders and giving her a hip hip hurray.

She was so happy, she smiled and I carried her to bed on my shoulders and she put her trophy on the dresser and couldn't stop looking at it. This morning when I was helping her get ready, she said "hey mom thats my trophy isn't it?" I said yes Elly, it is, for now anyway.

I am LDS

I am a member of The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints also commonly known as Mormons. I love my religion. I love my Savior. I was over at CJanes (check sidebar) blog tonight and was amazed at some of the comments made about her post. I do not understand all the hate out there for Mormons. We are not all perfect, we are trying just like every body else, but if we aren't perfect we are attacked. Why is that? Are other religions the same? I wouldn't know, I have only ever been LDS. Why are we thought of as not being Christians? I guess most people don't even know Jesus Christ is in our title because of the confusing Mormon title most people use. I would hope we could all be a little kinder. This life has enough pitfalls without hate and intolerance. I love all people. Some of my closest friends are Jewish and Catholic. It is all about trying to be the best we can be and loving one another. Lets be more tolerant, less attacking and kinder. We all need love. Don't we?

Things I am Lovin'

Fly Lady Challenge

The girls rearranged room

Adams funny, quirky, penguin walk

Survivor

Skyler happened to get on the baseball team with his best friend without planning it

The weekend

My crafting time with Tasha, I miss u, Tasha come back

Warm bed

Paying off Credit Cards

Counting My Blessings

What are you Lovin'?

I Hope They Call Me On A Mission

Skyler is just a year and a couple of months from getting the Priesthood. I want him to focus and make good choices. We talked about him reading the whole Book of Mormon and the Preach My Gospel manual before that happened. After we talked a couple a weeks ago he made himself a chart to help remind him and motivate him. It was on paper and taped to his wall. Last night I was helping him clean his room and he told me, "I need a bigger board, this one fills up too fast." So today, I made him this, with his input. I am excited to see how it works. Now I need to make me one. Under prayer I put on knees. He said, "Mom, you just had to put that."

Stop Driving Like a Maniac Pact

My Sister and I were talking about driving while using cell phones. We talked about how people you see driving like a maniac are always on a cell phone. Then each of us shared an experience in the last week where we almost had a serious wreck because we were distracted by our phone. So I said lets make a pact. The first one to use the cell phone while driving loses, and that person has to watch the other persons kids for a whole day. I think no matter what happens we all will win and not die, hopefully, unless someone else on their cell phone kills us.

So I want to challenge everyone who reads this to do the same. Find someone close to you and make a deal. It can be with money, babysitting or maybe even pay for lunch. But I think we will all be a little safer. Let me know what deals you make!

100th Post

Kind of exciting that I have posted 100 random thoughts.

Basketball Diaries

When I was twelve I went out for the girls basketball team. By some chance I made the team. Out of 50 girls, I was one of the 20 that made the team.

I think the Lord was watching out for me. As difficult as things got, I always looked forward to Basketball season. I had somewhere to go. I could get away from the place I called home.

It was so sweet. It helped me find my place.

I played on that team every year from seventh grade until I graduated, except for one. That was the year my dad moved us to Utah. I came back halfway through the season. It broke my heart not to be on the team.

But Coach took me back the next year. She was good to me.

I still have dreams about missing that year. I will dream that I just show up at the school and they will say "where have you been? Get your jersey on."

It is a difficult dream. People counting on me and I am not there.

I needed basketball then. I made some great friends. And I learned a skill that I still use.

I play with the Stake Women's Basketball every Saturday in January-March. Approx.

Our last game was brutal. Double overtime. Double Bonus. One super skinned knee. I can't believe a grown woman with a skinned knee. And how bad it burns. Maybe I am a wimp. But it woke me up multiple times last night. I scored 6 points. I only shot 4 or 5 times so I felt great about that.

I also learned a valuable lesson from talking to Shay the other night. I used what I learned in the game. I usually allow myself to feel very intimidated. Some of the girls are young, not married or no kids. They like the ball and I usually let them have it. They have more energy and drive than a woman with five kids and very little time to exercise. But I used what I have...good bossing skills. I think I led the team and it helped. I am not willing to ask the ladies on the team. I would rather naively think I led them to a victory.

No matter if I did or didn't it was a great game.

Snow in Georgia? Yep!

To most people this might not be very much snow, but for those of us who live in HOTLANTA, it is. We had so much fun playing in the snow and I even pushed the kids down the street on our boogie board sleds, which work great. Skyler made a family of snowmen, but by the time he was finished he had used all the snow in our front yard. Seeing the snow fall in big flakes reminded me of living in Provo, Utah. It was a fun day.

Fly Lady Challenge and Valentines Day Sunday

I have been participating in a Fly Lady Challenge. It has been wonderful and hard. I have never been so grateful for a Sunday or appreciated the significance of a day of rest. And I even had to teach Relief Society. The lesson went well thanks to the Spirit. And we had a wonderful Valentines day party tonight with heart shaped bagel pizzas, strawberry smoothies, and chocolate pudding in edible chocolate bowls. My favorite parts were the conversation hearts that we actually used to stimulate a conversation. Jane saying "I hate these, they taste like shampoo." And the reenactment of Shay proposing to me over 11 1/2 years ago. (My conversation heart said Marry Me) The kids told me I was the best mom in the world and Adam devoured his pudding and bowl, smiling and laughing every few minutes. It really was a little magical. I hope we all continue to love and receive love. Happy Valentines Day!

Dare to Compare

I often find myself comparing and I am never as good as everyone else seems to be. I will read others blogs, see others at church, see another mom in the grocery store with her children, smiling and laughing, while I am moments from a breakdown and I will think to myself "why can't I be her? She has it together. Her life is almost a fairy tale." And then I start to feel bad about who I am. That I am not good enough at anything. And all of a sudden I am nothing but sad and lonely and depressed. I hate that.

Today as I pondered this I had a breakthrough. Why when someone else is good at something do I have to be good at it too? Why when someone else has something good happen to them, I have to have the exact good thing happen to me or I get sad? Why can't I just be happy that someone else has succeeded? And let that make me want to succeed right along with them. I hope I can stop the cycle and try another cycle, a motivating one. One that helps me be better rather than destroys who I am. We all have something to offer. Lets get up and be better together.

Do Something Already!

So I am feeling pretty good today. I feel a glimpse of inspiration. A little from you, a little from her, and her. I feel like I have a little power to make a difference. Maybe it is the bright sunshine I see today, the thought of spring. I want to make a fun list. Do little things to make a difference. I think I want to plant my garden, surprise my kids with some fun, hide candy in their snacks (they aren't supposed to have candy for snack). I almost feel like I can do these things and more. I need a big white board and list off all the things that will make everyday life magical for somebody. Got any ideas? I'll take them. I had an idea but just a little too late, maybe I will do it for the Lost Finale, but to do an island themed party. I love Lost, even though I am always left feeling sorta Lost. What a weird show. So off I go to spread some magic.

Sweet Baby A

Our sweet baby just turned one and he melts my heart. I LOVE watching him take tiny, careful steps, giving me big smiles and pulling on my pants leg. I Love kissing his fat cheeks and sqeezing his squishy fat legs. I love it when he says peez to get more fruit. I love it when he only wants me when his siblings try to take him away and he bops them on the nose and pushes them away. I love getting him out of his crib and all the smiles and laughs. I love chasing him, asking him what sound a dog makes, trying to dodge his quick hands that want to steal my glasses. He makes me SO happy. I know I have changed alot as a mother from 1-5, I am WAY more relaxed. I think I am enjoying it, I see how fast it goes. Although I am trunky for Kindergarten(the twins start in the fall). I am so glad we decided to have one more. Adam is sweet and fills our home with smiles. I really feel that he completes this family and makes us all closer. Happy bday baby.

Hazards of storing Plutonium in Tupperware

I just have to say on Yahoo mail you can click on the subject spot of an email and it will pick a title for you. So that is what I did. In case you were wondering, I don't know what the hazards are, but it doesn't seem like a good idea. I like to do that subject picker when I send emails to Shay just to throw him off. Check it out it is hilarious. By the way, I worked out today. I feel great! The day feels beautiful, my kids are cute, my house is sorta clean, my baby is sleeping. I feel grand. I also just made some furniture from the website knockoffwood.blogspot.com . You have to check out this site, Ana is amazing! I am loving it. Thank you Christy, I have been telling everyone about it. As far as the furniture I still have more to make and will try to get pics up when it is painted. I know God lives, I know my Savior loves me. I feel true joy from knowing those things. Wow, it is amazing what a little exercise can do for you. I am going to go read my Book of Mormon just to seal the day positive. I am excited Shay and I are going to the IMAX to watch Avatar tomorrow night, (if i can get a babysitter). It is almost the weekend. I have missed Shay like crazy since he has been working his bootie off and traveling a good bit. Hooray! That is all I have to say right now.

I want to

Be a great mother.

Visit Australia.

Go on a service mission to Africa.

Feel true Joy.

Kiss my babies fat cheeks forever.

Be out of Debt.

Enjoy Today.

Be Fit.

Play with my kids while my house gets clean.

Look good in a pair of Jeans.

Play a great Game.

Plan for Tomorrow.

Write a Really Good Book.

Make someones Day.

Want less STUFF.

Have a Really nice Yard.

Be Fun.

Get up Early and do something Productive.

Serve Someone.

Read a Book to Elly n Jane.

Be with Shay FOREVER.

Paint Something.

I guess I should get busy.

Dream Interpretation

I often have a dream where multiple of my teeth are loose. They will fall out, and I will try over and over to put them back in, only to have them fall out again. It is super distressing and frustrating and I wake up and do two things: 1. I feel like they are still missing. 2. I check on them over and over again to get rid of the feeling that they are falling out and/or gone.

I wanted to figure out why I have these crazy dreams. I think we all know what Freud thought and I completely and utterly disagree with that. I finally did a search and out of all the crazy ideas, I think this one fits the best.

Loss of Control, Powerlessness

I love to be in control, I love my house, car, yard, children to be neat and orderly. But this rarely occurs. Like super rarely, actually maybe never. But that is what I like and when I feel like I am not able to keep up with the house, kids, calling, and all the other stresses, I think I have these teeth dreams. Really I know that is it. And I hate it, just because I hate to lose my teeth. It feels horrible.

Tell me about your worst reoccurring dream and your interpretation of it. Maybe I won't feel like such a weirdo.

Feeling much better

Thank you for your suggestions. Some scriptures (which Adam tore today) and kids back in school gives you a strange sense that the world is right again. I realized that I was just needing the kids in school so that when I clean it sticks for more than a second, just like I am hoping the snow sticks.

The kids are playing in the flurries. While Adam screams out the back window not to be forgotten.

Must rescue the baby in distress!

New year same old habits

I really want to make some positive changes but I am in a FUNK. I realize that this funk began when I got pregnant with the twins. So I have been in a funk for six years. I guess it is hard to break when you have been in it sooooo long. I WANT OUT! Help me. I want to be that fun, crafty, time spending, cool momma I was before. I want to read my scriptures everyday like I used to. I want to stop telling my kids to clean 24/7.

Just so you know I am not exaggerating, the other day Shay asked the kids if they made a doll to represent each of us, where you pull the string, what would they say? Mine would say, its time to clean, clean up your messes. Just so you know.

So I need inspiration, ideas that work, and some love to help me out of this FUNK....any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!