We are Back!

Sorry for the lag in posts lately. We have been busy.

School got out on June 18th. I was very sad, and the kids were so excited! They only had a half day, so after they got home we went and played at the park. It was a beautiful day. ( which have been rare this year) It was still a little chilly, I was still in a jacket.

Saturday the 19th was a rough day. It started off well enough, but after a few hours it was mayhem. I called a family council. We talked about things we wanted to do this summer. We came up with a schedule, and a plan. Since we are trying to save money, there is no long summer vacation planned. Each day we have a designated family activity to do along with chores and some summer type school. I think it is going to work out pretty well. Who knew kids ( and Me) need such a specific schedule. So far, so good.

As mentioned earlier, the weather has been horrible. Very cold and very gray. We decided to take a trip to Moscow, Idaho to see my sister and nephew. It was so warm and sunny. We were all pretty tired and wanted to sleep in our own beds, so our trip was cut short and we came home last night. We stayed 4 wonderful days. As I was driving over the pass to come home, I almost turned around and went back. It dropped 20 degrees in temperature, and was so gray and cloudy. What a welcome home. I think we may go back next week!

I didn't get a lot of pictures, we were having to much fun, but I did get a couple shots.

Brody with his cozy pillow
Mia with her not so cozy pillow
Fun times at the pool. We all really miss it!
Mister suave, he cracks me up!
So Scott sent me some pictures. He was finally able to go off the base and explore the town he is in. I thought I would share.

He took us out to lunch with him, so sweet!

Yummy!

Nasty tentacle, and stash! He thought he would try and see if he could grow one. He can, now he has to shave it before I will kiss him! Yuck! (and brush his teeth really good!)

So that is an update from us. Now we are off to the movies. See ya!

Update

So much has happened in the last week. We had a visitor for a week. Our friend Jude got back from the desert and stayed until he was able to find a place of his own. During his stayed he came down with the stomach flu. I swear it wasn't us. I think he had food poisoning. I just can't escape the pukes!

My garden has grown considerably. I have a huge bag of broccoli already with more still coming in. The funny part is that Emmi really does not like broccoli. When we were planting it, with each little plant she would say "I hope you grow big and strong, but don't produce a lot of broccoli!" I think it back fired on her because we have so much of it.



It has still been raining a lot, so I have been really grouchy. I think the weather plays with my emotions. I really miss the sun. It was really nice on Saturday, I was able to get so much accomplished. Took the dog for a walk with Brody, washed and cleaned out 2 of the 3 vehicles, mowed the lawn weeded the garden, took the kids to a primary activity, took Brody to a birthday party, lost the other 3 kids, had a panic attack, found the little stinkers, and made them weed the garden also, was so tired the only thing I could do for dinner was grilled cheese and wanted to just sleep. I wish summer would hurry and come so I don't have to do everything in one day, I could spread it out over a few days.

Funny story of the day. Last Friday before school Emmi thought she would try out Kaleb neckerchief tie on her finger. It got stuck, and she was supposed to be heading out the door already. I told her to try soap and cold water. I was laughing so hard, I had to get a picture, she was also laughing but did not want me to take her picture. But being the Mom I am I just had to post them. She did finally get it off, and made it to school on time.


I know that I have more stories, because I remember telling them to my sister in law and she was busting up laughing at me, but they escape my memory at this time. Maybe she will call again and remind me. I think they were more common sense stories. Anyways I hope you at least get a laugh today.

How do you teach common sense?

Today when I went out to take Myah for her run, I noticed the trash I had asked Emmi to take to the trash can was blow all over and had slugs crawling all over it. Can we say Gross! Yes the can was a little full, but it compresses really easy. Next, the boys are responsible for making their own lunch in the morning. I went to take a shower, and when I came down it was time for the boys to go to school. As they were getting ready to head out the door I ask do you have your lunch? Nope, Kaleb didn't make his. Really, this is not hard to do, he knows that every day if he wants lunch he needs to make it. As Kaleb was getting his lunchbox out of his backpack he hands me a bag that has his wet swimming clothes. They had been sitting there since Friday. What a wonderful start to a Monday.

So the question of the day is, How do you teach common sense to kids? I am really struggling with this. It seems everyday it is a new thing. Any suggestions would be great.

Since I last posted it has been pretty busy around here. All the kids ending up with the 24 hour stomach flu, that was really fun. I am so grateful for sister Missionaries who stop by and are willing to help me clean up after the kids, and to help me fold laundry.

My sister and her son came for the weekend. It was really nice to have them, I was really sad to see them go. I am sure she was ready to go. Our kids kept fighting because they were tired and grouchy. It wasn't all bad though. We were able to do some fun things.

Friday night was a Father son camp out and before Scott left he asked a Dad who was going if he would mind taking our boys. He was nice enough to agree, so he took the boys, the truck, and the pop up trailer I rented for them. I guess a lot of the Fathers were wishing they had a pop up trailer too. On the way home he told the boys that they were going to stop for lunch. Kaleb asked where they were going to stop, and he said McDonald's. Kaleb replied that McDonald's makes him puke. (It really does) So Justin asked where he would like to go. Kaleb said the Olive Garden. Justin said ok, only if you are paying. Kaleb then asks well how much is it? Well it was more than he had, so needless to say they had Wendys.

Another Day

So the rain kept coming down and the kids wanted to know if they could jump on the trampoline. Being the awesome Mom that I am I said sure. (I figured it would help burn some pent up energy, it worked) It was raining so hard, and it was really cold. Mia came in after about 2 minutes looking like a drowned rat.




Myah didn't want to have anything to do with going outside in the rain.


The other 3 stayed out for quite awhile. They came in soaked. Brody had come in to use the bathroom, since his pj's were soaked I had him take them off by the door. Well after he was done using the bathroom he went back out in just his underwear. It was so funny, but I didn't get any pictures of it. Emmi tried but as soon as he saw her he jumped off and went through the dogie door into the garage.


The kids didn't have school on Tuesday so we decided to head to the big big city and go to the Science Center. They had a blast. We stayed until they closed. I wanted to leave earlier because I was starving, but the kids just were to excited to play. This science center has 3 imax theaters, and four different buildings housing all the cool stuff. We got a year pass and I am sure that we will be using it a lot.

There was also a butterfly area that was really neat. It was so warm in there, 80 degrees, oh how I miss the warm weather. Anyways, the kids thought it was really cool that the butterflies would land on you. Brody was very distraught because none landed on him. I kept telling him it was because he wouldn't stay still when they came around. It was funny to watch him because he would get this scared look on his face and move all over.

So another crazy story. I was talking to Scott on Skype and told him that when I take Myah in to get spayed not to be disappointed if she didn't make it. (I really don't like having a dog in case you haven't noticed) Scott had this look of disappointed because he really can't do anything about it, when Kaleb pipes up in the background saying "Mom don't you remember commandment number 6, it says thou shall not kill!" Dang it. I guess she will probably make it through surgery.

So I really think that the Lord is testing me. When I got home from running with Myah this morning Brody was on the couch. I asked him what was wrong and he said his stomach hurt. I told him to eat something that maybe he was just hungry. Well that didn't work, he ending up puking. I just can't catch a break. The sun was shining and Mia and I had plans with friends, now they are postponed for anther day. I really hate having puking kids, almost more than a puking dog. Hey at least my house is getting a good cleaning.

On another note Emmi got some new glasses, so here is a picture. She hadn't been wearing glasses since we moved. I figured after 6 months I better get her some new ones. Her last ones kept breaking.

Seriously?

Here is the scene... I had just got home from the store and was in the process of making dinner. While at the store I had bought Emmi some new church shoes, of course I guessed wrong on the size. So my awesome friend Chiko who had come over for dinner was good enough to take Emmi back to the shoe store to get the right size. Dinner is cooking on the stove and I need to cut the boys hair. Kaleb gets in the hair cutting chair and I start with the clippers and the phone rings. It is an old missionary that we had in Idaho and I haven't talked to him in about 5 years. So I am trying to cut Kaleb hair, make sure dinner doesn't over cook, and talk to Bradon. When the other phone rings. It is Chiko and he is having a hard time finding the shoes in the next size, I just tell him to ask the store employee to help him. (poor guy having to ask for help) Meanwhile Kaleb is still in the chair asking if I am almost done, he isn't feeling very well. I finally finish his haircut and Brodys. Chiko finds the right shoes and is back. Dinner is on the table, and I finish my conversation with Bradon. Kaleb falls asleep on the couch and misses dinner.

So after dinner, I go to pick up Kaleb to take him to his bed and he starts freaking out. I figure he was still have asleep. He starts saying I feel like I'm gonna puke. Oh no. I go and get a puke bucket and Chiko helps me get Kaleb to bed. As soon as he is in bed, you guessed it, he starts puking! I feel like I am going to puke myself, the smell is just awful, and I am on the verge of tears. Chiko pipes up and says I'm outta here. What a nice friend right! I tell him that he can stay with the sick kid and I will sleep at his house. He just smiles and laughs and Mia yells in the background "I'm going with you Mom!" Meanwhile poor Kaleb is still chucking, and Brody says "I'm not sleeping in there with him, it stinks!" I turn on the ceiling fan, clean out the chuck bucket, and ask Kaleb to sleep in the office. That way he doesn't have to climb down off a bunk bed and there is wood floors to the bathroom instead of cream colored carpet.

Why me? Scott isn't even gone 2 weeks and I already have had to clean up puke twice. What is it that I need to learn? Can't I catch a break? I figure the Lord put these obstacles in my way so that I could blog about them so everyone that reads them will get their laughs in. It works for Scott anyways.

So Chiko did end up staying for awhile longer to help with moral support. I think he saw the horror on my face and felt sorry for me. I am very grateful for good friends, even those of you who laugh at my expense. I know I have sure laughed at my friends and families blogs, so I guess it is payback. :-)

I was planning to go visit my sister this Memorial day weekend. She was going to go camping and I really didn't want to drive 6 hours to go camping, also I had forgotten that I had been asked by a friend to pick her and her kids up at the airport on Monday, so I just told my sister I would come another weekend when the kids were out of school and could spend more time. Well I get a phone call at 6am this morning from my friend who tells me never mind, she has another friend coming to pick her up from the airport. So I roll over and fall back to sleep until 9am. I haven't done that in forever. It felt so nice to sleep in. To bad when I woke up, Mia is screaming bloody murder. Brody had just poke her in the eye and scratched it with his finger nail. Ouch. She has been crying off and on ever since.

It look like it is going to be another long day. At least Kaleb has been able to stop puking and kept a banana down. Hopefully everyone will be feeling better soon and no one else gets sick.

I really am grateful for so many things. I don't want everyone to think that every day is a rough day, because they haven't been. My body isn't so sore anymore, and I am able to get my back teeth closed so I can eat a little bit more. I really do love my kids, and they really do make me laugh everyday, even if sometimes it is in embarrassment. We have been truly blessed and I know I will defiantly learn something from this experience. Here is to another very eventful day I'm sure!

Better Day

So the last couple days have been a little better. Last night I talked my friend Chiko into coming over to watch the kids while I went out for a girls movie night out. It was sure nice to have some adult conversation.

Before I left for the movie night, I had told the kids that we could build a blanket fort in my room and they could sleep in there. I didn't get home until a little after eleven, and when I finally got into bed and was almost asleep, I here what sounds like someone chewing gum. Ok, I know that I didn't give any gum to any kids before I left, maybe I am just dreaming, but no I keep hearing it. After a few minutes I figure out that it is Brody. Quietly I tell him to go spit it out. Nothing, again a little louder, nothing. Serious, is he really chewing gum like a cow in his sleep? He finally wakes up and goes into the bathroom. When he comes out he is still chewing his gum. Brody is definitely his fathers child. When Scott and I got married, he had gum under his lip. He still has gum in his mouth all the time. Anyways I digress, I ask him again, not so nicely this time, (I am tired and want to be able to fall asleep) to spit out his gum. This time he listens, and I finally fall asleep sometime after midnight.

This last week has been raining everyday. Friday morning it was raining so hard that not even Myah wanted to go out in it. Yay, no running in the rain! This morning, still more rain, and no running with Myah. I am so happy to not have to run in the rain. Well anyways when it is nasty outside I really don't want to do anything. It was around 10:30-11:00 and the kids and I are watching discovery channel when Mia says to me "Mom you have a lazy butt!" Well I am so glad it is just my but and not the rest of me. I guess she was waiting for me to get her breakfast, I didn't realize that she hadn't eaten yet. All well I guess I will have to make sure that my butt is not so lazy next time.

I did get off my butt and we headed to the "big city" to do a little shopping. Memorial day weekend, not the best time for shopping. We had gone to Costco and were in the freezer section. We were a little stuck in one spot for a couple minutes, people really had to get their free sample, I just wanted to get some cheese. I finally am able to get down the isle when I see Brody running in the freezer. He has the biggest smile on his face. Dang it, I had just missed my opportunity to squeeze down the isle and I have to get my son out of the freezer. Kaleb thought it looked like fun, so as I was chasing down Brody he goes in. Meanwhile, all these people waiting for their samples are either laughing, or glaring at me thinking I have no control of my kids. I was politely smiling, and thinking, boys you can't live with them, and you can't beat them in public. Meanwhile Emmi and Mia are sitting in the cart, and Emmi is telling me that she thinks she is sick and that she may puke. What!!!! NOooooo!

There is a happy ending to this story. Emmi did not puke! Yipee, I really don't think I could have handled that. We got home and she was fine. I was able to get out of the house for a little, get the stuff I needed from the store, and my kids didn't get beat. I actually still like them as of now.

Just Venting!!!

So I am on the verge of giving the kids and dog away. I haven't been sleeping very well since Scott has been gone, I am PMSing, I am grouchy, and I am hungry! Not a good combo for the kids.

This week started of with 2 visits to the dentist. On Monday I got braces on for the second time to hopefully help with my jaw problems. I don't ever remember my old orthodontist telling me that I would need to wear my retainer for the rest of my life, hence another reason for braces. Anyways my teeth are killing me I can't chew anything so I am hungry. Monday I also took Brody to the dentist because he had a swollen gum that looked like an abscess. Sure enough it was and he had to have a tooth pulled. Brody decided that I could just buy his tooth from him again instead of trying his chances for the tooth fairy to show up. That was almost a $40 tooth!

Since Scott left, it leaves me to take the dog running in the morning. I can hardly move, I am so sore. In Texas I would run about 3 miles every day. It was all flat, and warm outside. Here there are hills in every direction, and it is rainy and cold. (another reason to be grouchy, getting out of my nice warm bed to run in the rain....hate it!) I can barely run 2 miles here. It is more of a fast walk most of the time. I try to hurry just so I can get back to the warm house.

The dog also likes to puke. Usually it is in the kitchen or outside. Today however it was right at my feet. It was worse the kid puke. I really thought I was going to puke myself. I told Scott before he left he better bless the kids so they wouldn't puke the whole time he was gone. I didn't think I would have to include the dog. So out came the carpet cleaner. I have a big aversion to puke, Scott has always cleaned it up. I really hope and pray it doesn't happen again anytime soon. At least my carpet is nice and clean

Brody was reading a book called Kid Concoctions. He asked if we had all the stuff to make spray glue. He needed glue, water and a water bottle. I told him the only water bottle we had was the hair one, and no he could not use it. So as I making a wonderful dinner of hotdogs, I hear the water running up in my bathroom and no Brody around. Can you guess what he was doing? Yep it was adding glue to the hair water bottle. I went up to my bathroom (Why do they always have to mess up my bathroom, there are 2 other ones in the house) There is pee on the toilet set, glue all over the floor and counter that he tried to clean up with my brand new clean towel that I had just gotten out today, and glue all over and inside the hair water bottle. Are you kidding me! AHHH Brodys comment was "wouldn't it be funny if someone had their hair glued down?"

Kaleb had a concert tonight at school and by the time everything was cleaned up and we got to the school, it was standing room only. I was thinking to myself, this is just great! I am tired, hungry, sore and grouchy, now I get to stand up for an hour. The concert was pretty cute, but I really wanted to strangle Brody and Mia. Usually they are pretty good, not tonight though. They were running around like crazy as I am trying to video with a camera because Scott took the video camera with him. What is he going to video, a dust storm?? Anyways the video didn't turn out and in the middle of the music teacher thanking everyone for coming and supporting the kids Mia yells out "I just farted and it was loud!" Oh my gosh, can my face get any redder.

For those of you still reading this post, I apologize. I just needed to vent. Now I think I will take a Tylenol and go to bed. Hopefully I will like my children again tomorrow.