Funny Story...

Last week we actually had Family Home Evening. The lesson was on Manners and Minding since my children have a major problem with this. They all burp, fart, call each other names, it takes 20 times at least in asking them to do something...Stephen and I were tired of it. I know there will be many, many, MANY more F.H.E. lessons on this, but we had to start somewhere. It went pretty good, the week was fairly decent, and they got a couple of M&M's for Minding their Manners.

Fast Forward to Monday morning...Boy #2 still has to have some help with wiping after he's gone #2-so it doesn't get spread all over the toilet seat, his clothing, or his own bottom and legs. I go in to help him and this is our conversation: *Warning: Potty talk is about to commence!*

Boy #2: farting is bad manners huh mom.

Me: yes. yes it definitely is.

Boy#2: pooping is good manners huh mom.

Me: (puzzled looked) Yes it is as long as it's in the potty right?

Boy #2: (looking at me like "Duh!") Yep poop goes in the potty, not in our pants.

Boy#2: burping is bad manners huh mom.

Me: Yes most definitely.

He left the room and I just smiled. He makes me laugh and when I told the rest of the family, they all burst into laughter including Boy #2. Oh my life is never truly dull. Nope, never.

The above pic is Boy#2 helping Stephen fix the dryer on Thursday. Such a big helper;)

Haunted Dinosaur Park

On Friday night, we took the kiddo's to the Haunted Dinosaur Park. It was so much fun! The kids had a blast getting their costumes ready the entire day and they looked fabulous in them. We got to the park, waited in line for a bit, then off to view it at night. It was totally cool, and sometimes even scary if there were spiders. There were about 16 local companies who donated treats for the kids to trick-or-treat in different areas of the park. It was pretty amazing how it all worked out and looked great. There was a costume contest and I'm pretty sure the girls could have won if there weren't any younger, handsome firefighters in the line-up. (Yep, a cute little curly, blond-haired firefighter. He got our votes!) It was a fabulous time for our family. We have been wanting to do something together with just us. I loved it. We took pics of everything we could, some videos. All in all, it was a fabulous night ending with scones and hot chocolate later. I really love Halloween, the next best holiday there is next to Christmas!

I was truly surprised at how cute they all were, I mean that in the I-had-to-make-some-part-of-every-costume-way. (except for boy #2)
Girl #1 was Alice from Alice in Wonderland wearing the dress the Queen of Heart/Red Queen had made. I made this dress using an older costume as my base. I made 4 different tutu's-2 long and 2 short- with black tulle and red tulle. I found some white shear with black roses on it. Some rope for a belt. It worked out really well. It took me all day on Friday, but I believe it was all worth it.
Girl #2 wanted to be the White Queen from Alice in Wonderland. I was able to find a Heavenly Angel dress at a spook store and used the lace from the halo to make the choker. I purchased a cheap pearl necklace, cut 2 pieces and hot glued them to the lace and added some velcro. Some black eyebrows and super dark red lipstick and nail polish and some powder in her hair and she was almost ready. Stephen made the crown for her and they both hot glued some gems to it. It was amazing, I'm so glad I have him for a hubby!
Boy #1 wanted to be a ninja! Easy enough. Borrowed the basic stuff from a friend, wrapped black fabric to make it tight on his calves and made a belt for it. We used a head sock for helmets as his face covering. He looked so cool! Don't want to mess with this guy!
Boy #2 wanted to be a pumpkin. His was the easiest costume of all. I found it at the D.I. for $4. Easy peasy, nice and squeezy. I loved it. Put on a black turtleneck and some jeans and he was ready to go! Now they are ready for all sorts of parties and everything. And Halloween is still 2 weeks away! Oh life is good.

A Clean house....

or so I thought I could have one. Yeah, right! With kids and a dog in our small place, there is only a small window of opportunity to see my place clean. But I try. Every day I try. Well, Last week I was able to make sure one of our closets stayed in order, paint the floor boards in the kitchen, move Jake's kennell and the Baker's Rack back into the kitchen and then clean the front room carpet the next day or two. I'm so excited I was able to do this. I love having my carpet look nice and since I have to wait for funds to be saved again for carpet, I can at least clean it for now. It looks really nice. I even re-rinsed it the next day because I felt like there were sticky spots from the soap. Ugh! but it is now nice and clean. I really should post some pics of my finally done kitchen and mostly clean front room. Maybe. We'll see.
I did get to spend some fabulous time with some fabulous friends! I love having the time to be with them and just sit and talk. And cuddle with their babies and such since my own kiddos have grown. We had some yummy crepe's with banana's, peaches, nutella, cream cheese, and a yummy sauce I make. We had fun at Lisa's place. I cooked while Lisa and Amanda got to talk. We all had fun and missed some friends who couldn't make it. Hopefully next time!
Girl #2 received a Student of the Month award in her class and she also received an award for being there everyday on time. Her teacher really likes having her in class. Girl #2 is always helpful, cheerful, sincere, and especially kind to everyone. She even helps kids if they don't understand something and she has already finished. Girl#2 did really, really well on the block tests they take in school and that are a few reasons for her receiving her award. I feel bad that Boy #1 didn't get that award cuz of his asthma, but that is how it goes. He still does very well in school and I know he works hard.
Sorry for the novel, but this is a continuing one right? a blog, is just the novel of our lives? Yep, I sure think so.

This Weekend...

We had a fun, yet busy weekend. Most of this was Saturday. In fact I believe it all was on Saturday.
We ran in the ward 5k! All of us. well most of us. one of us got to ride in the stroller, but, he's only 3. Girl #1 ran it in 35 minutes!!!! Boy #1 was right behind her with 35 and half. I was right behind them with 37 minutes!!! I felt great and I loved that my family did this with me. Sorry, but no pics., we forgot the camera. Girl #2 started out the same, but she kinda gave up when the other two wouldn't let her catch up. Stinkers! She did come in before her daddy I do believe, but I could be wrong-I have been before. Stephen and boy #2 came in with 47 minutes. Stephen's knee went out on him again. We tried running earlier in the week and he did ok up to 3 miles, but then we had to walk out the rest of our run. Poor guy, I feel for him.

We then hustled home to grab a small breakfast, Girl #1 went to a young Women's service project we were off to Boy #1's soccer game. They won, but who's really counting at this age! He played his heart out and he didn't have any asthma problems!!!! I'm so grateful for that. I just love the little guy!

Then we were off to a Ragnar Team Picnic! We had so much fun. Stephen got to play with the metal detector and the kids got to play on the playground. I got to talk with some wonderful peeps!

Then off to the wonderful and spiritually lifting General Relief Society meeting! I went with my M.I.L. and we ate dinner at her stake house and watched the meeting there. None of her daughter's were able to make, but we all try to when we can. I heard what I needed at this meeting. Sister Beck's talk was wonderful and I needed it. It only reaffirmed that I'm doing exactly what I need to be doing right now. I really, really, really appreciate the fact that I have friends to pay better attention than I do. I really have a hard time remembering what's been said. I'm also glad that I can go online and catch what I missed.

The rest of my fam went swimming! The pool water was very warm from what I was told. They had a lot of fun and I'm glad my hubby was able to go with them. The next day, we went to church, girl #1 was set apart in a calling in young women's, we enjoyed church and the speakers, came home and did nothing really. It was soo sooo soooo nice. What a great weekend!

By the way, Stephen sorta fixed my dryer! more like put a band aid on it, so no more visits to the laundromat! Watch, it'll break for good and he'll really have to fix it, now that I've said something.

Urgh! Stupid Dryer.

So I started my laundry today and after I put the second washed load into the dryer, it went ka-put! The drum decided not to roll around so the clothes would dry, instead, it decided to smoke up the inside of the dryer. Urgh! Frustrating!!!! I called Stephen and he told me to pick up a belt for the dryer. Something like this happened a year ago, not the belt, but the heating element went out on the dryer. Frustrating!!! In the meantime, I had one full weeks worth of laundry to do. I went to a laundromat. I have to say it was interesting...I have never been to one before to do my own laundry. I liked that it saved me all day, but I didn't get to finish all that I needed to here at home. It really kinda messed up my day. Both girls had soccer games at similar hours. So I pretty much missed both games. I had to get the grocery shopping done, so that took up time and girl #1 was late for her game. Then the 3 youngest had hair cut appointments so we had to do that. My friend is sooo cool, she is awesome and super fast, especially with just trims and cuts for boys. I have had one crappy day. I hope tomorrow is better, maybe I'll even get to sleep in. Doubtful...but hopeful. I need a break, anyone want to have 4 kids, a dog and a house for a few weeks, I think that's all I'll need. Anyone, anyone? No takers? fine I'll survive somehow. I think that running will help me. I think I'll have to do just that.

5 More Minutes please?????

Yesterday morning, I woke up wanting only 5 more minutes of sleep. I got 10. Lucky me. The problem with those 10 minutes extra, my shower, getting the kids up and ready for school, making breakfast for them, and trying to make it to my in-laws for fun-filled shopping day by 9a.m. All in all it was a good day and we had a lot of fun, but man I'm beat.
The reason why??? Boy #1 has asthma. He has been having a few attacks lately. (I've been too tired to even go running in the a.m. with my friends. Sorry for bailing out.) His first attack was Thurs. at 3 a.m. we got back to bed by 4:30. (I probably should have stayed up for 1 hour, but I couldn't do it.) I took him in to his pediatrician and they gave us a cough med to give him, only I didn't get it until Saturday due to reason's beyond my control. His next attack was Saturday night. We went to Wee Care Peds. They did a little more for him. He got a steroid treatment and a prescription for steroids for a few days. We got home between 1:30 a.m. and 2a.m. because we needed his meds. Walgreen's was slammed that late at night! They were the only pharmacy we could go to. (Why aren't you people sleeping instead of getting medicines? Hello it's midnight and my son needs this stuff, but it took forever because everyone else decided the Sabbath starts when they go to bed and wake up the next day. Seriously, I was bugged.I'm done for now. I realize other people need their meds and I don't know their situation either.) We missed church, but the girls went and took boy #2 with them. Man it's been tough catching up on sleep here in this house. He's been doing sooo much better!!! I'm so relieved. We are keeping it up and he is improving everyday. I think that because it's harvest season, people are getting their garden's ready for winter and stirring things up, I cleaned out some closets, and other rooms kicking up dust, and Boy #1 may have outgrown his meds...it all combined and took it's toll on him. Poor thing. Hopefully when we see his allergist/asthma guy we can figure it all out. Cursed allergies and asthma. The smoke from the Herriman fire didn't help either. I couldn't even go running. My verbal vomit about this is done now, thanks to taking it off my shoulders.
Poor Stephen is tired too, but I make him go to work everyday, even if he's late and just wants to sleep. (picture evil smile on my face.)

Another blah....

Just trying to keep up with this and I'm not always sure what to write about. So today, here are a few things:
Last weekend, Stephen and I were asleep. The kids had all gotten up and were having cereal for breakfast. Boy #2 started choking on his cereal and Girl #1 performed the hymlich (spelling?) She learned how to do this with infants and children from two babysitting classes at the local hospitals. She saw that he wasn't crying, breathing, or trying to caugh, so, she just helped him out. I thought don't you wait a bit? Stephen said, "Heck no! it could be too late! She did a fantastic job." I think I need a refresher on these things, I simply forgot what to do. I'm so greatful she was with them when it all happened. She is amazing!
I finally went running this morning. After 6 or so weeks of not doing a single thing, I got up at 5a.m., got ready, met up with my friends, and we ran for 3 miles. They are quite impressive. They don't just stop and wait for me, they keep running. They go to a corner, turn around pass me, go to a corner turn around and pass me to take the lead again. It works out great cuz, no one is really running alone. I'm so happy and greatful that they are doing this and I get to go with them. Lesa is going to have her hand operated on this week, so I hope she makes a quick recovery.
Stephen asked me why I always start-up running (again) in the dark? Why can't I run when the sun's out? Because I don't know, I can't answer him. Fall is the perfect time for running, so, sorry honey, I can't answer that question at all. I'm jus happy to be back!