When All Else Fails....Repost

I'm pretty much inches away from being committed for clinical insanity. I don't have time to think straight, let alone, blog.

But, this post pretty much describes how I've been feeling lately, even if it was forever ago, and for different reasons.

Originally posted March 2008:

I'm skipping church today. I've had this weird stomach thing all week. I don't know what it is. C keeps saying, with all the sarcasm he can muster, "Are you going to die?" I've been sooo tired the last two weeks. Like, night-of-the-living-dead tired. I'm still dealing with this darn vertigo thing. I feel like I'm wandering through my days like a zombie. So, I think this @#$%^ day light savings did me in. I slept until 11:30 (DST), and I'm still exhausted. I HATE day light savings. I remember my mom saying she hated it...I always thought it was because she couldn't get us kids to bed on time in the daylight. Now I understand.
My poor children. They are good sports despite being neglected. KJ has become the new mother. She poors milk for Peter, helps her get dressed...bosses TJ around....did I mention my house looks like a tornado hit? C was awesome this morning...he even did Peter's hair. (KJ is now into doing her own hair.. Hello, she six!!) She is a little too big for her britches.

So, I can't figure out if what's wrong with me is an effect of eating something bad, getting up too early to run, running around like a crazy person all week with all our activities, or just a bug.
I'm pretty sure that we're not any busier than the next family of five. So, how do you all handle it so well? I think I missed something in the motherhood/housewife prep class (I was probably sleeping). I mean, I know some people who I could drop in on anytime, unannounced, and your home would be impeccable, your children would be clean and beautifully dressed, behaving perfectly, and you would be dressed to the nines, with fresh lipstick and perfect hair, baking cookies. Hello!! I'm lucky if the carpet stays clean five minutes after I vacuum, and it's pretty inevitable that if I mop..shortly thereafter there will be something sticky spilled all over the floor. But we do bake cookies...actually that's not true...we make cookie dough and eat it out of the mixing bowl in front the TV.

Please don't call CPS on me....I'm just having a bad month.

It's probably because I'm about to turn 30...and I don't know why but suddenly it feels like my youth it gone. (Those of you who are older than me are probably laughing at my drama) Go ahead and laugh. Maybe, I'll just take a nap, and sleep through my 30th birthday, and then I can just stay 29 forever....


BLAH!!!

Random Sherisms and Random Tunes

Ho boy, has it been one of those weeks! Do you get those? You know the ones that feel like they may never end, and you have no idea how you are possibly going to get through it?

I went to bed last night feeling all dark and twisty inside. Not in a depressed way, although, with all this ugly rain and snow today, I feel a little case of the SADs today. No, I'm just feeling stressed.

We are just way too over-scheduled. It's that time of year. It's the last month of school. That means more homework, projects, programs, not to mention, it's soccer AND softball/baseball season. Kids have games, recitals, belt tests, and birthday parties. Things are starting overlap, and it's getting to me. I can't wait til Summer. I have pulled my kids out of everything for the Summer. We are just going to swim and relax and do nothing for 3 months straight. (stay tuned for the I'm bored and I can't wait for school to start post coming soon)

My house is trashed, and my laundry is piling up.

Plus, I'm trying to get things wrapped up with my new song for The Road Show. I've been writing the accompaniment part, getting help to work out a violin part, and a vocalist (can I just tell you how amazing this girl is, by the way? V-you are AWESOME! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!) We hit the recording studio next week. So, you should be able to see the trailer really soon, barring any copyright issues.


Needless to say, I'm pooped!

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I was going to entitle this post Raising my White Flag as an alternate. Because in light of all of my insanity, and trying to get the kids schedule to C so he can come home early and help me get 3 kids to 3 different places all at the same time, I actually sat down and typed out a schedule.

You can all pick your jaws up off the floor now. I despise schedules. I fight it like the plague. I like to think of myself as a fly by the seat of my pants kind of girl. But I have been married to my borderline OCD hubby for almost 10 years, and it starts to wear off on you. But, I fight it. It's how I was raised. My family is the same way. My Mom calls on Sunday at 4:30 and says, "we're having dinner in 5 minutes, want to come over?" C's Mom calls in June to invite us for Thanksgiving. (No, these are not exaggerations) We've learned to meet in the middle over the years, but I still fight planning and scheduling.

But, I've learned, there is some sense in scheduling out my kids day. I mean, I kinda have to be on schedule for them to go to school (even though they miss the bus more often than not, and they probably have more tardies than all of the other kids put together). And I have to admit it's kinda nice to know what's happening ahead of time. (My eye is twitching as I type this)

So, yes, today, I surrendered, and typed out a schedule. What is the world coming to?

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But, I really don't think how busy we are has much to do with me being tired and stressed. Maybe a little, but we're this busy most of the time, and I manage. I think my lovely crazy hormones are kicking in. Or kicking out. And no, I'm not talking about my "special friend" or a visit from "aunt Flo" or my "womanly time" so quit acting all offended. I'm talking about my stinkin' thyroid. Again. I know, I know. You're sick of hearing about it. You're thinking, "Get over it already."

Yeah, I know, I'd like to, really, I would. Easier said than done.


I just need to complain a little bit, then I'll move on, I promise.

I'm just so darn'd tired all the time. Tired, and down. I'm sure part of it, is that I allowed myself some "time off" after my race last weekend. So, I haven't been to the gym. I did have two really great runs on Tuesday and Thursday. I felt great while I was running and right after, but by the time noon hit, I was exhausted again. Maybe I should just run all day and do nothing else. Then, I'll feel fantastic!__________________________________________________________


I just wanted to say Thanks to everyone who commented on my Spanking post. I really do appreciate all of your opinions. I really wanted to write that, more to learn something from you, than to start a debate. And everyone that commented was diplomatic and gracious. It also goes to show that people can disagree and still get along, and be friends. So thanks!
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I have this great idea for an invention. Or maybe it's already been invented and I just haven't discovered it yet. Maybe you can help me.
I've noticed that men's shower gel, and deodorant are by far more odoriferous than women's. I feel like the smell of my shower gel or soap wears off by the time I dry off from the shower. And I always say I have more testosterone than the average woman, because I'm a total sweater, but I reapply my deodorant like 5 times a day.
And I don't want to use my husband's shower gel or deodorant because I don't want to walk around smelling like a dude all day.
So, I really want some girly smelling shower gel that is actually strong enough to smell all day.
Anybody know of a brand that does that?
Or am I the only one who is ultra paranoid about BO?

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I cooked Lynn Wilson's freezer tamales in the microwave for dinner tonight. I've never bought them before, but they sounded good at the time. And tonight was one of those make whatever's fast and easy nights. Holy hell, they totally bombed. Note to self: stay away from Lynn Wilson's. Yuck.

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How about some energizing, cheer-me-up tunes?

1. What I Want - Daughtry
2. Time for Me to Fly - REO Speedwagon
3. Once You Had Gold - Enya
4. Don't Get Around Much Anymore - Harry Connick, Jr.
5. Forgiven - Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians
6. Any Man of Mine - Shania Twain (NOT because of AI)
7. Dreaming of You - Selena
8. California Song - Brooke White
9. Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
10. Change My Mind - John Berry
Bonus: Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson

Running, Stilettos, and Filet Mignon

First off, no, I didn't run in stilettos. But it'd be pretty cool if I could!

No, no, but I did run the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon this past Saturday. After overcoming a brutal bout with strep throat earlier in the week, this was no small feat, let me tell you.

In fact, I was so darn miserable, my whole life had to be put on hold. But, I'll be darned if I was going to skip out on my training runs, so I dragged my sick butt out of bed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings and ran anyway, sore throat, rain and all. Thank goodness my running partner and SIL was patient with me when I needed to walk and cry every 30 seconds.

I was stubborn. I thought I could kill the bug all by myself, until I was rebuked by a dozen people on my facebook wall, where I learned that not getting treated for strep could give me kidney disease and make me die. So, I decided, begrudgingly, to skip my Wednesday workout for a doctor's appointment instead. All Hail to my doctor! Him, and my wonderful friend and neighbor who peddles drugs essential oils and brought my over some Melaluca and Lemon oil for me to gargle. Oh. Wow! That stuff is awesome. I'm a believer!

And by Thursday afternoon, I was feeling so fantastic, I was ready to run around the moon!
I came down from that high before Saturday, but I was still feeling pretty good by race time.

Nothing like waking up at 4:30 in the morning, and joining 1500 other crazies to run around the block 1700 times!


Actually, I was truly impressed with TP's (not Toiler Paper--ironically--you'll know why in a minute) race planning skills. The course was awesome. If anyone knows me as a runner, you know that I love hills. Especially those of the rolling sort. I love the ups and downs. Long, flat and boring, I could do without. But this course had a lot of rolling hills, plenty of aid stations complete with water, Powerade, GU, and yummy oranges right when you needed them. And the scenery was absolutely breathtaking. My only complaint was that there just weren't enough bathrooms. (hence the TP jokes--ha. ha.)

Speaking of bathrooms, I will NEVER, EVER stop at mile 11 for a pit stop ever again. No matter how bad I need to go. Next time I'll just wet myself. Here's why. I am an immensely competitive person, by nature. I can't help it. And I'm perfectly ok with other, faster people I've never met beating me. But, this was Jessica's first race. I was, for lack of a better term, her trainer. And she beat me. By almost a full minute, she beat me. All because I couldn't control my darn bladder. Actually, I have to give her more credit than that. She has some seriously amazing natural ability. She has this uncanny knack for speeding up at the end of the race, like you're supposed to, instead of using my method, which is to run as fast as you can at the beginning, and make up for the fact that you'll be pooped and want to walk two miles from the finish line. Maybe she's got something there. I think I'll use her strategy next time!

Here we are at the finish.

Wait, you're not supposed to know how we really felt. Where's the posed pictures?

Yes, that's much better. See how happy we are to be done?

Way to go Jess! I'm so stinkin' proud of you!!

After the race, I raced over to my sister's house in Lehi to shower and primp, throw on some skinny jeans and some seriously impractical shoes, and headed out to UVU for the something or other Women's EXPO! I have fun hanging with my girls, networking, talking to uber-famous bloggers who looked like Marie Osmond and who bought my CD!! Have you seen the DIY Dish site? These girls are amazing! And even more awesome in person. It was great meeting them. And if you see this (ha, yeah right) thanks for humoring little old me and buying my CD! Not to mention, I got to hang out with some of my favorite women from MMB, CBC, and Sassy Scoops. (Totally name dropping here, but I feel so cool I can't help myself)

After hanging out, walking around in these suckers for 4 hours, my feet, ankles, shins, calves and quads were KILLING ME!

Well, I never professed to be a shoe model.

After the Expo, I enjoyed a wonderful steak dinner and a cherry Coke with my girls at Outback. !Que Delicioso!

Perfect ending to a long, but great day!

Question of the Day

To Spank or Not to Spank?

I know, it's a touchy subject. (Ha, ha, pardon the pun). And I am not here to defend my position on the matter, or to judge anyone's parenting styles, nor am I here to have my parenting styles judged. I had a brief conversation recently with an acquaintance about this, and it got my wheels turning.

Originally, I was only planning on posting this as a forum to people to express their opinions on the subject, while keeping my side of the story out of it, but then I started thinking. I really want people to feel safe expressing their thoughts and feelings about this, and since I no longer allow anonymous comments, I want people to use their names. How can I expect you to feel safe stating your opinions, if I don't say mine? I only ask that no one calls DCFS on me if I'm blatantly honest.

So, to paraphrase Psalms 13, comes the old adage, "Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child." What do you think about that?

I have heard a lot of different interpretations of that scripture. I've heard that "the rod" is to be interpreted as "the iron rod" or the "word of God." Okay, I can work with that one. Of course, teaching our children the Gospel gives them guidelines to make good choices. But when it comes to discipline, if one of my children is being naughty will spouting off scripture in their face immediately correct that particular behaviour? Although, I can see the actual Good Book being a good tool to use to swat a naughty behind. Ok, I kid, but in all seriousness, yes I can see where this particular argument is coming from.

I've heard that this scripture is obsolete and no longer applies to parenting in today's world.

My response? So... you're saying that the Old Testament is obsolete? Eh, I'm gonna go ahead and say Nay.

You may not agree with me on this position, and I guarantee many of you don't, but that's okay. We're all different. And each of our children are different.

I believe that each of MY children (as I'm sure is true with most of yours) has different disciplinary needs. For instance, my oldest, KJ, is a pleaser. She would rather die, than disappoint me. So, I don't have to do much to get her to be obedient. Sure, sometime she's lazy and forgets to clean her room, etc, but she is easily motivated. My other two children, need a little more encouragement to be good.

Ok, I'm beating around the bush. Here's my take.

I DO believe in spanking. As a last resort. I also believe that there is a HUGE difference between "raising your hand in anger against your child" and spanking. I believe the line between spanking to discipline your child and abuse depends how the parent feels emotionally.

I believe a parent should NEVER spank if they've lost their temper. But the same goes for yelling and screaming (also something I do, but I'm not proud of) If we're talking strictly from a beliefs standpoint, I believe yelling at your children is more abusive than spanking them, and has more long-term adverse effects.

And it IS different with each child. Some kids just don't need to be spanked. Some kids, like my TJ (he's special), need , like I said, more encouragement. I have tried time-outs for my children. They have proved to be nothing but a complete and total waste of time and totally ineffective. Maybe that works for some, but not my kids. So, after several methods of disciplinary action fail (i.e. taking away privileges, toys, a good old flick of the ear, etc.), then and only then, do I resort to spanking. I firmly believe that children need to be taught at a very young age, that when they make bad decisions, there are consequences. And sometimes those consequences hurt. Each behavior deems a specific consequence. I'm not going to spank my kid for spilling her milk. But, after I ask her to clean up the milk (the consequence for spilling it), and she chooses to disobey me, then she will eventually be spanked. The spanking is a consequence for being disobedient, and not for spilling her milk. And I will always make sure to tell her exactly that, so she knows it.

And it's handy, convenient and fast. You can always take it with you. If my kid is acting up in church, I can quietly pull him into the bathroom, give him a swat on the bottom, and go sit back down. No one else is the wiser, except for the fact that the kid is now exponentially calmer and more reverent because he knows that I am willing to follow through with my threats.

There's my take. So, tell me yours. Do you believe in spanking? Or are you dead-set against it?

Do you have other methods of discipline that work for you and your children?

Please share!

The Night I Ate Gelato

I went to that one shindig with those one people, and those other people.

I'll be honest, I was a little nervous, and star struck and all of that. Part of me didn't want to go, because I totally felt like the little girl at the big kid's table, but then we got there, and Oh boy, did I have a Blast!

I met some new people, some of which, I didn't get your blog addresses, so sorry, if I don't link you up....if you happen to see this, leave a comment, so I can find you!

I had way too much fun talking, networking, mingling, eating, and staying out waaay too late.

Kristina, Motherboard--holding the honorary DeNae, Amber, Annie and Me.

I love these girls with all of my heart.

Veronica, Me, Amber, Annie, Motherboard, Kristina, Shelle

Stephanie, Me, Vanessa, Elisa
Me, Shelle--I finally got to meet her after all these years. Love this girl! Me, Amber, Veronica.
Thanks girls for an awesome night.

Random Sherisms and Random Tunes

I'm having a moral dilemma today. I can't decide if I should get up off my bum, go outside and finish up my weeding, so I can be ready for C to help me spread bark tomorrow, or if I should stay on my lazy bum and catch up on all of the TV shows I'm behind on watching.

What d'ya think?
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I haven't been completely useless today. I opened up my bathroom cupboard under the sink this morning and 8 things fell out because it's so jam-packed and disorganized. And I guess I'd had enough, so I just started pulling stuff out and throwing things away, right then and there.
And I found the little Tupperware box I was keeping my race bibs and medals in under there. Why I put them in my bathroom cupboard, well don't ask, I can't even remember. So, I decided to create a shrine dedicated to my glory days (or really my one glory year--2008) of running. I hauled all of my bibs and medals and pushpins down to the weight room down stairs. I figured, it's a place we "use to exercise" so it's a good place to build my shrine. I hung up all of my racing paraphernalia. It makes me feel proud to have it all displayed in one place.


Is that lame? It kinda feels like I'm bragging a little bit. But, on the other hand, with four marathons, two Ragnars, a dozen-ish half marathons, and countless other races under my belt, I feel like I've earned my right to brag. So there.

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I'm running the Thanksgiving Point Half Marathon next week. I'm kind of excited. It's right in the midst of the tulip festival.

There is nothing like running a race with beautiful scenery all around you. I'm totally psyched! (I never use that word. I was trying find a word other than excited. It was either that or stoked.)
I didn't think I would be ready for a half marathon already after coming back from being sick. I'm so glad my friend talked me into it.
And I'm so glad to have my amazing SIL to train with me. I absolutely adore her. This will be her first half marathon, and I wouldn't be surprised if she beats me. She is amazing!

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Speaking of how amazing my SIL is, she is starting her own preschool next year. She was an elementary school teacher til she had her 2nd baby, and she is one smart lady!


Question of the Day:

If you have a preschool age child and live in the Davis County area, you should check out her preschool!
Click the pic or go here to visit her website.

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TJ lost his other front tooth this week. There is nothing cuter than a little boy with two missing front teeth. And hearing him talk! Oh my goodness!
I made him say "Thupercalifragileithticethxpealidocthus" the other day over and over, until C told me to stop teasing the toothless boy.

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We had our family pictures taken a few weeks ago. Now I remember why we haven't done it in five years (yes, I was pregnant with Peter the last time we got family pictures taken). It's a royal pain trying to find outfits that go together and look good, and that everyone will agree to wear.
So, I got them back yesterday. Well, at least the disc.
Now, I have the giant task of decided which ones I want printed to hang on the wall, and give to the Grandma's.
Here are some of my favorites. They haven't been edited yet (except the one of me and C--isn't that one gorgeous?)

What do you think?


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Tunes!
Maybe if I put up ten good "work in the yard" tunes, it will motivate me to get outside!

1) Addicted - Dan Seals

2) Crashed - Daughtry

3) Part of My Heart - Jim Brickman

4) Love Me Tomorrow - Chicago

5) I Will...But - SheDaisy

6) Because the Night - 10,000 Maniacs

7) Angels - David Archuleta

8) On the Road to Mandalay - Frank Sinatra

9) Another Long One - Shawn Colvin

10) Otro Como Tu - Eros Ramazotti

Bonus) Hotel California - Eagles

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Happy Weekend!

It's Not About Being a Skinny Minny!

Alright. Most of you know me well enough now, to know that I have a thing with exercise. I like it. And I do it A LOT. And despite my uncontrollable sugar addiction, I do try to eat fairly healthy. And yes, for most of my life (until recent medical events occurred) I've had a pretty fast metabolism. I've never really had to struggle with my weight. At least not too much.

You also should know by now that I have this special little alter-ego I like to call my crazy lady that lives in my brain. Someone more professional might like to call it clinical depression. Whatever.

And most of my friends and family understand my drive to exercise. I'd say most people have some sort of understanding of why someone should or shouldn't exercise. Most people.

But there are some people out there who JUST DON'T GET IT!

I don't get what is so hard to understand about it.

I get heckled. Seriously, I do! I have friends and family members who heckle me for exercising and trying to eat healthy.

I have been told, "But you're already skinny, why do you think you need to exercise?"

I've also been accused about having body dysmorphia because I exercise and eat healthy.

WHAT THE CRAP!?

Let me just start by saying this: I don't exercise because I'm trying to lose weight. I'm not trying to lose 12 pant sizes, and I'm not trying to look like a 15 year old super model.

Yeah, sure, I care about what I look like. Who doesn't? But, think about it. The types of exercises that I do are not ones for getting skinny. I lift weights and I run marathons. Both of which builds muscle and mass. Yeah, I like being muscly. But, again, that's not why I do it. It's a nice bi-product, but that's not why.

I'll tell you why I exercise like there's no tomorrow.

It makes me happy.

There is a joy I find in running that I cannot find in anything else. It is different from the joy I have in my family, and in the Gospel. It is different from the joy I find in music, and in eating chocolate. There is NOTHING comparable to the joy I get from running.

And I know exactly what that is. It's called an adrenaline rush. It is endorphins. It is an actual chemical reaction in the body that happens when a person's blood gets pumping and their heart is pounding.

It's that same chemical reaction some people get from cliff diving (that's not my thing, I'm afraid of heights). I actually got this same reaction after going through labor and delivery with each of my babies. It's that moment, that sense of accomplishment, after you've achieved something really hard and painful that makes you go, "Wow! That was awesome! Let's do that again!"

I get that same reaction after I've finished a marathon, or even just a good long run on a Saturday morning.

Because I deal with a chemical imbalance that causes my depression, the endorphin rush that I get from running actually helps me balance out my hormones.

I've taken anti-depressants. I've gone to therapy. I've even done holistic, natural supplements. People, I've done it all.

And nothing, and I mean NOTHING has had the same positive effect on my emotional well-being that running has.

I could say similar things about eating healthy. I am a bona fide sugar addict.

Yes, I firmly believe that sugar is a drug. If you think that caffeine, or nicotine, for that matter, is worse, well, I might not be a nutritionist, or a scientist, but I'd have to disagree. Sugar is a drug. And it IS addictive. And it makes me feel oh, so good when I get a fix. Until I crash. What starts out as elation becomes aggravation. And then, I have withdrawals. It's a vicious cycle. I'm trying to rehabilitate myself, but it's hard. Exercise helps me to curb my cravings a little bit.

And for me, when I find something that I'm this passionate about, I want to share it with the world. So, when I find out someone is trying to train for their first 5k, or just joined a gym, or has started walking everyday, I'm so excited for them. So, if you find yourself being judgemental of other skinny people who exercise, well then, put down the cookie dough, get up off the couch, and go for a walk.
You'll feel better, I promise!

Random Sherisms and Random Tunes

*sigh*

I'm sick. It sucks. My whole head is full of mucus. So, I can't think straight to save my life. I'm edgy and agitated.

And it's Spring Break. And my kids are making. me. CRAZY!

They spent the night last night at my Mom's house and had a huge slumber party with all their cousins. I went home at 7:00 and went straight to bed. It was nice. I woke up this smorning (yeah, I said smorning) at 9:30. Just in time for the kids to walk in the door.


Now they're making my crazy again. They seem to think that they need attention and entertainment.
I guess that's because I told them they can't watch TV because my massive mi-brain headache can't handle the noise.

I think part of it is my stupid hormones. I'm so out of whack. I'm so tired all the time.
Last time I went to my check up, my doc said he wouldn't up my dose on my meds because I haven't gained enough weight and my blood test is normal. I guess he's a hard facts kind of guy.
Finally, yesterday C said, why don't you just call your doctor already? I know, I'm a walking zombie all the time.

It's because I'm scared. I don't know why. I guess it because I'm scared he'll say no, you can't have more of the goods. Because that's what he told me last time.

I've had this whole conversation in my head:
And I want to say, "Well, I haven't gained more weight because I exercise like crazy 6 days a week, and I'm training for a half marathon."

Then he'll say, "Well, you're probably tired because you're exercising so much."
And then I'll say, "No, you just don't get it. Exercising is the ONLY thing keeping me alive. It's the only thing that gets me out of bed in the morning. If I didn't exercise, I would have NO energy."
And then I'll ask about my intense joint pain. And again, he'll blame it on the exercise. And again, I'll tell him that exercise is the only thing that makes my joints feel better, because the days that I don't exercise I can't get off the couch because I'm too tired and depressed and because my hips and knees are way too stiff.
At this point in the conversation, I'm hoping he'll say, "Yeah, you're right. You need a higher dosage. Here's your prescription."

*sigh*


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Speaking of exercise, I have a whole "get up on my soap box and tell off the world" post about exercising going on in my brain. I just need to sit down and find the words.

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Speaking of Spring break.....

I started out the week so good. On Monday, I cleaned my bathrooms. I KNOW! Are you as shocked and amazed as I am? Now, I can rest easy until July. Ahhhh.....


I also took the kids to the dollar theater on Monday. We saw the Tooth Fairy.


I love the Rock. He does a good job in all the Disney movies. Does he have a contract with Disney or something? Well anyway, I think KJ has a little crush on him. It's so cute.

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Tuesday, we took the kids up to Park City to swim at my Mom's timeshare. It was totally blizzarding the whole day, and there was probably 3 feet of snow. It made for good pictures. Except I forgot my camera. So, I took a few pics with my phone, which I can't seem to get to upload on facebook. I must be doing something wrong, because I can never get my mobile uploads to work on facebook. But I digress.

It was freezing. So, we kept the little monkeys in the hot tub the whole time. This particular hotel has like 8 hot tubs. They are smart. But, KJ and TJ and uncle C and cousin P wanted to splash and swim so we banished them to the big cold pool. They lasted almost 20 minutes.

I'd say even though we only spent an hour "swimming" it was worth the drive.

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Wednesday, my sister drove into town from OK. We've been spending a lot of time hanging out at Grandma's and letting the kids play. It's precious when the cousins get together, and to see how much they love each other.

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So, today, my plan is to do nothing. Absolutely nothing. So far, it hasn't panned out for me so well. Since I told the kids they can't watch TV, they need something else to do. So, we just finished two games of clue, and made cookies.

And it's only 12:30. Maybe I should let them watch TV......

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Tunes for the week.........

1) (Everything I Do) I Do It For You - Bryan Adams

2) Peaceful Easy Feeling - The Eagles

3) Resignation Superman - Big Head Todd and the Monsters

4) Every time That it Rains - Garth Brooks

5) Queen of My Double Wide Trailer - Sammy Kershaw (hee hee, I love this song)

6) First Steps - Jim Brickman

7) Sanctuary - Jamie O'Neal

8) One Short Day - Idina Menzel & Kristen Chenoweth from Wicked

9) Rock N Roll - Boston

10) One Ride in Vegas - Chris Ledoux

bonus:

What I Am - Edie Brickell & The New Bohemians

Wordless Wednesday a La KJ

Easter Mania!

First of all, I have to say sorry for my last post. I'm pleading temporary insanity. I think I was having a blogging identity crisis. But, I'm better now. I will go back to posting pictures of my kids doing funny things.
For the record, I did NOT receive any extra blog traffic for posting the names of a bunch of controversial famous people. It doesn't work. Oh well.

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Oh boy, did we have a fun Easter weekend.
The kids got to play with their cousins A LOT! So fun.

And on Sunday, in an effort to keep the kids occupied (and quiet) during conference, we did project after project after project.

Do you use those conference packets that people email to you 47 times right before conference? (I really think I had 10 people email me a conference packet. One person even emailed it to me twice).
Well, I never have, but this time, I decided to print them off. They really worked!!...for about an hour of the first session of conference on Saturday.....for my two older kids who can read.......the 4 year old lasted about 10 minutes. But, maybe I'll keep doing it and eventually they'll all be able to sit through at least one session of conference. It's a start, right?

Saturday night, after a fun night at Grandma's house (C's family has a tradition: every conference Saturday, his mom orders pizza, we all gather together to eat, then the guys go to the priesthood session while the kids and the moms play), I..er...uh..I mean the Easter Bunny, stayed up late filling eggs, and baskets with way too much candy (cuz the Easter Bunny bought WAY too much candy), and making a scavenger hunt for the kiddos.

By the way, Mr. Easter Bunny, I think it was a dumb idea to put an egg on each of the kids pillows with a note inside to come see Mom for your Easter basket. Who knew Easter was just like Christmas (maybe worse) and the kids would wake me up at the crack of dawn? Ugh.

Thank goodness for Sunday afternoon naps!

The monkeys were so cute trying to find the next clue. We had a total stampede of elephants going through our house with the kids running around trying to find eggs with clues inside. I tried to get a picture of them reading the clues, but they couldn't hold still long enough to take one. It's funny how excited they were.

After finding their baskets, we decided to color boiled eggs for breakfast. Apparently, blue, green and pink eggs taste better then the regular kind.

After breakfast, we turned on conference, and made some candy nests. They were supposed to be green, but the kids insisted that they wanted blue, so we compromised and made turquoise nests. Silly kids.

After that, we used the eggs shells from breakfast, and colored sugar sprinkles to make Easter pictures. I have very creative monkeys.

Then, I made a strawberry shortcake to take to my Mom's for dinner later.

By the time the 2nd session of conference started, I was, needless to say, exhausted.

So, I took a nap. I'm looking forward to reading the talks I missed while I was sleeping.

Apparently, the monkeys filled up on candy, while I was out, because as we were getting ready to go to Grandma's for dinner, Peter decided she needed to throw up. It was all brown. Chocolate vomit, yum. I'm not sure if it was too much candy, or she's getting another bug (she was sick two weeks ago with croup), because she slept on my Mom's bed almost the whole time we were there). Then, she threw up again when we got home.

But, she's eating like crazy today so, I guess she's better.

Good times, good times.

So, what did YOU do for Conference Easter?