Keepin' it Real Tag

I haven't had much to blog about so this tag is welcomed in the way of helping me post something. My instructions are to take pictures of the things listed below, but no straightening, primping or prepping. I have to leave everything just as they look and take pictures. Here I go:

1. The refrigerator: It is a good thing I went shopping yesterday.


2. My closet: It is what it is. Definitely not my dream walk-in closet.

3. The kitchen sink: Hooray for a clean sink! I do like a clean sink. When it is clean it feels like my whole house is clean. Kind of weird!

4. Laundry pile: Okay this is kind of embarrassing. There always seems to be a never ending pile of clothes somewhere. Either I am washing or I am folding laundry on a daily basis. I could definitely do without this responsibility.

5. The toilet: I was very nervous about this one. Thank goodness the seat was down. It's a good thing because I think the toilet bowl needs a scrubbing.

6. My favorite room: I picked Megan's room as it is the only room that is somewhat completely done to my liking. I have so much I want to do to all the other rooms. My problem is I lack talent, finances and motivation.


7. Favorite shoes: There is definitely only one pair of shoes - my slippers. If I could where them to the store I would.




8. What are the kids doing right now: Megan is at her activity day and Skyler is playing at a friends house. Spencer was taking a nap until I took this picture. He is such a light sleeper.

Madison is playing with her friend.

9. Self portrait: There was technical difficulties with the download of this picture. Sorry.

10. Where I want to go: Back to Cancun. Or any kind of warm water beach. Oh how I wish.

I need to soothe my conscience by writing about an unfortunate event that has left me with endless guilt. As some of you know a stomach bug hit our home last week. Spencer was the first to get it then Madison (who's illness took a turn in a different direction) and finally Jon (I'm still surprised that Megan and Skyler did not get it). I carpool with two other moms for school and this morning I received a phone call from both saying that their kids were sick. I feel awful! I had tried to not carpool with my sick kids and called on both moms to help out. Jon also took off time from work to pick up kids, but it seems it was not enough. I feel so bad and know that if the tables were turned I too would not be to happy. My deepest apologies!

What a mess!

Yesterday I received a phone call from a fellow blogger who called to let me know that if I could see her house right now, I would believe her when she says that her house isn't always picked up. The interesting thing is that right before this person called (anonymity is crucial, I do not want to taint her "perfect" image) I was thinking about what a mess my house was.

I always find it a challenge when my kids feel it necessary to pull out every owned toy when friends come to play. Keeping track of where these toys are being dragged to and left behind is tiring. Or perhaps the most tiring thing is my almost two year old Spencer who thinks that any un-dumped bucket of toys needs to be dumped.

Keeping a tidy house is something I never thought I would struggle with. When I was first married my house was picture perfect. When baby #1 came the only challenge I encountered was making sure the diapers were picked up and put away. Baby #2 added some additional challenge but only that of keeping track of more diapers and the occasional toy left lying around. With baby #3 I felt my grip loosen with the upkeep of my house. There always seemed to be a mountain of laundry to be done, dishes from the night before to be cleaned, toys that needed to be put away and of course the dreaded bathrooms that needed disinfecting. I was feeling a little overwhelmed. My only solution was to shift my cleaning routine from day to night after the kids had gone to bed. Not my ideal but definitely workable. But wait, having baby #4 sad to say, has left me with no hope of ever enjoying a clean house for more than ten minutes. This is true, there seems no end to dishes, laundry, toys and unwanted messes. My only saving grace has been a new attitude of "oh well"! When a bucket of toys get dumped, food gets dropped or clothes are left on the floor I am capable of stepping over it and ignoring it.

I frequently ask myself: "what happened?" Until recent I was making excuses, but when I read a fellow blogger's comments with regards to these same frustrations, I realized that my focus had shifted. She said: "... things I accomplish in any given 24-hour period are usually the evidence of what I considered most important that day". Thank you, thank you. For now I will put away my quilt and shame for not always having a clean house and use the time spent worrying about my house, enjoying my children and husband.

Lights and .... Action!

Megan had a wonderful opportunity to participate in her school play " Seussical Jr" this year. Her self confidence in her performing ability grew and she gained new friends. She had a blast! Here are a few pictures of her new found love:

Just another Sunday

Today in church Spencer sat on my lap while sacrament was being passed. Like every other Sunday we give him the opportunity to partake of the bread and water, with a little help of course. Well this time he was eating some Cheerios as we waited for the water. (Church was full because of baby blessings, and we had to wait a little longer for a new filled tray). While helping Madison get a cup, Spencer grabbed one and began drinking. Everything was fine until he started to take the cup out of his mouth. From his mouth and into his cup came munched-up cheerios mixed with water, and then, in his attempt to replace the cup he accidentally dumped the contents all over the tray. Yep, there were cheerios and backwash floating everywhere. It even fell into some of the filled cups. My intention was to quickly remove all the gross water but before I could do that Megan had passed the tray on to the next person. The deed was done, nothing I could do about it, and ever so embarrassing. So a little advice for those of you who find yourself sitting next to a family with little children during sacrament: check your water!

When a girl likes a boy

I've been contemplating as to whether I should blog about my daughter's new interest or not. I could not resist because this is definitely a new phase in her life and one that I never thought would come around.
Next door to us lives a family who have four boys. Two of those boys are always at our house wanting to play with Skyler. One of them is a year older than Megan and even though he and his brother enjoy playing with Skyler I have noticed a change in playing arrangements. Since there aren't any other boys in the immediate vicinity his age and not very many other nine year old girls, the two of them have taken to playing with each other. (I will say that they are always in a group with other boys, Megan being the only girl). I watch them interact and have to smile at all the innocent gestures, for instance: when the group are picking teams to play a game they always pick each other; they like to chase each other when a game of tag is being played; and oh the goofiness that my daughter oozes when he is around is just incredible. Oh, and the other day I noticed Megan coming in to brush her hair before going out to play, what! she usually never cares about what her hair looks like. So there you have it, girls don't always think boys have cooties and visa versa.

Happy Birthday Skyler!

Skyler turned 7 today. We are so excited and happy for him. He has anxciously been waiting for this day.

He was born on a Saturday afternoon during General Conference. I was induced on the 1st for two reasons: 1. my doctor was leaving for a trip and would not be here for his due date (April 5th), and 2. Jon thought it would be sooo... cool to have a child with an April fools birthday. (Men and their ideas of what is cool... the poor kid will forever dread his birthday in fear of what trick might be played on him). Skyler was born at 4:26pm and weighed 7'11oz , he was my smallest baby.

I must say that he wasn't my "my prettiest" baby. I know that sounds mean but he was born with very little hair, and the little he had was extremely fair. He had no eyebrows (that's because you couldn't see them) and his skin was white. We called him our "ghost baby". The years have blessed him with some cute freckles on his nose and the most amazing blue eyes. He is such a handsome boy.

Skyler's personality is one of tenderness and stubbornness. He is loveable, perhaps lacking a little towards his sisters (yuck, we don't like girls at this age). He is the other man in my life. He is smart, a good friend and loves to have fun. There is nothing more in life he enjoys than playing with his friends. This kid can play.

We are so grateful for him in our lifes. He is a blessing to us and we love him dearly. Happy Birthday big boy!