more nesting

Waiting for your body to begin a process that you have no control over and cannot predict is a true test of patience. It is especially difficult when you allowed yourself to have an expectation of when the life changing event would take place and those days came and went.


My solution is nesting of course. Projects. Luckily Richard was home with me all week last week and we were able to accomplish a lot. I am about 90% satisfied with the boys's room and even Miriam's room is well on it's way to being finished. Here is the photo evidence of exhibit A and a sneak peek of exhibit B.



I decided that constantly nagging the boys to clean up their toys was a less effective way of keeping their room clean. So I keep most of their toys up on that high shelf and we rotate them. It is a much more managable supply for them and when they want a different tote of toys they have to have one to replace it.
Yep, it's orange. Funny story. After painting the boys room a really bright yellow (three years ago), and our living room a more pale yellow (one year ago), Richard had had enough. He said to me "Just as long as you don't plan on painting anything orange." Sorry babe, love ya.
I'm still trying to figure out some wall decor, any cute ideas?

Happy Thanksgiving Back

Richard has had this week off of work and I have been capitalizing on his company which has resulted in much less time on the computer. We've accomplished a lot and relaxed a lot. Very nice.

This morning I took the boys to watch Richard play in a Turkey Bowl. He looked like he was having such a great time I was glad that I didn't go into labor last night on my two week mark. The boys were pretty cold at first but then decided to have a little football game of their own.

Now I have a few minutes while Richard continues his game and the boys warm up in a bath.


I've felt a little ungrateful this month as I have read the many gratitude posts on Facebook. I want to echo all those words. I too am grateful for my health, my family, my husband and the upcoming birth of my baby. I would say that those things go without saying, but I guess that is the whole premise of Thanksgiving. Giving thanks whether or not it seems obvious that we are thankful. I am indeed very thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving.

college football, not for me

I know that is in direct contradiction to my last post about college football, and the truth is I'm hooked and have no plans to quit watching it. But on Saturday night when I was lying in bed, unable to sleep after an intense Oregon vs. Arizona game, I was reconsidering my feelings. I just get too emotionally involved.

My doubts about the sport started to come on Friday night when BSU had Utah State right on their heels during the first quarter. I got nervous. But then as the Bronco's started to pull away the feeling of anxiety was replaced by pity for the poor Utah State team. It reminded me of last week when they were clobbering Idaho and there was Coach Akey telling his players to lift up their heads "'cuz we're still in this thing". Sometimes I just wish both teams could win.

Then on Saturday after listening to the Ohio State vs. Michigan game in the car while I ran errands I was sure I needed to give it up. I walked into the house and told Richard that I'm much too emotional right now to be involved in these games. I couldn't believe how frustrated I was that Forcier kept throwing interceptions, but that was when I could only hear about them on the radio. The minute I saw him on t.v. sitting on the bench with his head in his hands my heart broke. (I don't even consider myself a fan of either of those teams and my heart was breaking?)

Then of course there was the Oregon/Arizona game. I thought I was rooting for Oregon until Richard told me that Arizona has never played in the Rose Bowl and I thought "How neat that Mark Stoops has turned down head coaching jobs to stick with his brother as defensive coordinator at Arizona, living a bit in Mike & Bob's shadow". It is all so complicated. In any case, after that game I was sure that the stress from college football overtimes was going to put me into labor.

In which case, maybe it's not such a bad thing afterall. Bring on BSU vs. Nevada and maybe I'll have a baby by the weekend!

an Eli moment

After coloring with markers and coloring his hands with markers Eli decided he needed to wash them. Since discovering that he could reach the sink if he stands on the toilet, washing his hands has become a favorite activity. This allows me the rare blessing of being grateful for a small house because it is easy for Richard and I to hear the faucet running from anywhere in the residence. Usually our subconscious hears the water for a few minutes before it registers in our conscious mind that the water is still running.

After hearing the water running for awhile I went in to bring an end to the wasteful water washing. He became hysterical. No matter how much soap he used he could not completely remove the marker from his hands. I extracted him from the bathroom kicking and screaming because his poor little hands were turning to raisins and were swollen and red. I neglected to mention that from the toilet the only knob he can reach is for the hot water.
After letting his hands recover for a few minutes I let him resume washing one more time, but as you can see from the picture, when I interrupted his activity a second time the result was the same. It took him nearly 40 minutes to accept the present condition of his hands and regain his composure. (It was quite the meltdown.) I'm not sure if it was the marker on his hands that really bothered him, or just the fact that I wouldn't let him wash his hands for eternity.

I hope this is no indication that I need to worry about future obsessive compulsive behaviors.

more painting

The bonus room doesn't have a closet so I looked for months on Craigslist for an armoire that was deep enough for hangers and a rod and didn't cost a small fortune. (There are a lot of antique armoires for sale out there.)

Finally I'd settled on an armoire from IKEA that was reasonably priced, white and brand new. But then I found an armoire on craigslist that was solid wood and one third the price of the IKEA one. After sanding and painting the beds the last thing I wanted was another refinishing project, but it went pretty well and I'm really happy with it.
I was also pleased that the laundry hamper fit in the bottom half. I wasn't sure where I was going to hide that thing...

the bargain deal

I love reading blogs about cheap ways for decorating. And I love spray paint. I went to D.I. and bought four picture frames. Three of them matched almost identically but one was missing the glass so I bought the fourth for only $.75 just for the glass in it. I spray painted them white and VOILA!

Frames: $5

Spray Paint:$3

I had the matte at home: $0

Total Cost: $8

I also sray painted a shelf to put the photos on in the boys's room but Richard has to hang it for me.

the sewing

In order to make a room for the baby -- who will be named Miriam Grace unless she is a HE -- we moved the boys out of their room and into the "bonus room". (This move prevented us from having to sacrifice our craft room/office.) So rather than devoting my nesting energies to Miriam's room, I have been focused on transforming the play room into a bedroom. First step was the beds. So glad that is over! Next step, the bedding.

It wasn't a complicated project but making two at once turned out to be a bit time consuming. Thankfully my seamstress mother was very helpful.

You'll see both (they are identical) when I post pictures of the completed room makeover.

projects

I love projects. Projects are an important part of my personal satisfaction as a stay at home mother, and also a small part of my self-confidence.

I've been busy with some projects lately and hope to finish them up this week. I'll post a photo each day of what I've been up to.

homework

In the parenting class I have been attending one of the biggest complaints by mothers is the difficulty of getting their children to do their homework and do it well. I couldn't relate at all to this issue, not to say I didn't think it was real, it just wasn't my struggle yet.

Until this morning. All it took was one assignment. Homework for a pre-schooler is rare and is mostly intended to make them feel included with their older siblings, but in our case that motivation was entirely lacking. (Due to no older siblings.)

It only took about three minutes before Cameron put his pencil down and said those dreaded words.

"I can't."

It's going to be a long road to higher education, I can see that now.

36 weeks

Cameron and Eli both arrived exactly two weeks before their due date. Both caught me by surprise. My doctor told me to go ahead and plan on being early with this one too. (So I can be ready.) Two weeks before my due date makes the arrival of this little darling on Thanksgiving day. Richard says that if I plan on being early of course I won't be.

I guess we'll see.

Three kids? Some things you just aren't ever ready for.

majestic, moving and motivating

Today I feel like declaring that I am a Christian. I have a father in Heaven who knows and loves me, and I know that Jesus Christ is my Savior.

Sometimes when I need a spiritual boost I listen to this song. The lyrics are humbling but the quality of the music is inspiring. It never fails to help me feel closer to Heaven. Because undoubtedly I am prone to wander.

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

internet DOWN

My internet was down for several hours the other day. I couldn’t believe all the things I wanted to do and couldn’t.

- Check to see if my paycheck was depostited
- Check the weather
- Update my status on facebook
- Read everyone else’s status
- Post on my blog
- Check the time of BSU kickoff
- Pay a bill
- Check my email
- Read everyone else’s blogs
- See if I was out-bid on ebay
- Read the daily news
- Find a recipe
- Get an address to send a thank-you card
- Update my Netflix queue

I’m not sure what to make of it all. I clearly rely a great deal on the world wide web and I’m not sure if that is wise…

Eli steals hearts

I am rarely able to capture my children's charm on video camera. This time I was lucky. I must warn you, if you are related to the subject in these videos you might desperately want to reach into your computer and pull him out and kiss him. He is that adorable. (Words spoken by his biased mother of course.) They are short but priceless. (Sound is imperative, if you can't watch it with sound, come back when you can.)

little rabbits

The other night I gave each of the boys a carrot stick to appease their growling tummies while we waited for Richard to come home for dinner. I was busy in the kitchen and before long I realized the house was quiet. Not just quiet, but silent. There is no alarm that rings louder or creates more panic for the mother of toddlers than a silent house.

I walked around from dark room to empty room with no luck and started to get nervous. Then I heard something, very subtle. The crunching sound of little teeth biting and chewing a carrot. I found them in the coat closet and relief washed over me.

Relief that they were safe, of course. But mostly relief that nothing was broken, colored on, destroyed or ruined.

this is talent!

In another life I want to be a skipper. I watched this a couple times, with a giant smile on my face. They are probably some of the most fit and toned athletes there are, it looks exhausting. I only wish it were a better quality video.

since it's November, I'm thankful for...

In the not so distant past, while Richard was out of town, I had lousy day. It culminated in a hormonal calamity over the cellular network. Those wireless circuits carried my tears from Kuna to Spokane. Of course I felt much better after reassuring words from my husband who knows me best, but as I lay in bed I started thinking. I was thinking about a girl I know and I wondered if she ever has meltdowns. No matter how I tried I could not imagine her being upset or crying. On Facebook she is always so darling and perky. (And doesn't FB give us great insight into the lives of our "friends"?)

Then I thought of a few women who I know that I had opportunity to see in vulnerable moments. People who under all other circumstances appeared to me to have it totally together. Seeing people in their own "meltdowns" fills me with goodwill and puts me in touch with humanity. No one has a heart so cold or a life so perfect that they are free of disappointment or discouragement.

I'm grateful that my life is good. I am grateful for relationships that allow people to be honest about their feelings. I am grateful for the example of those saintly folks who manage to see straight into the heart of the individual and therefore are full of love for all.

a dragon duo, accompanied by a pirate duo

We had a great Halloween. The boys got a jumpstart on Friday with the annual trick-or-treat at Richard's office. It's always an easy and warm way to start filling that pillowcase. And entertaining to see Richard's co-workers all dressed up.

Saturday night upon returning from the neighborhood trick-or-treating I had the boys spread out their candy and told them all about the "Switch Witch". I gave them a small bag in which to put their favorites and explained that the Switch Witch was going to come trade the remainder of their candy for a book.

Eli did not understand in the least bit what was going on and began, quite happily, to fill his bag. Cameron on the other hand became hysterical. He frantically pulled all his candy into his lap all the while wailing about how "No witch is going to take my candy!" I explained that he would keep some candy and how exciting it would be in the morning to have a new book. That seemed to subdue him.

Flash forward to Sunday morning. They excitedly go to their pillowcases by the front door and Cameron is thrilled to pull out a book. Eli on the other hand panics when he sees a book in the pillowcase instead of all his candy. He starts wailing "The 'witch-witch' took my candy!"

Oh well. You win some, you lose some.