Wednesday, January 30, 2008

a touching tribute



My friend sent this to me and I wanted to share.

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

sweetness....

"Ivan, what does a bee say?" "buzz buzz".

"What does a cow say?" "Moooooo"

"What does a pig say?" "oink, oink".

"What does Ivan say?!" " I love Mommmmmmmmy!"

a farewell...


At 97 years old, it really wasn't unexpected. But at the same time, recieving an email from my Mom, telling me of the death of President Hinkley, made me so sad. Harmony read it over my shoulder, and said," That makes me sad. I really liked his smile." Me too Harm, me too.

Gordon B Hinkley was not famous to everyone. He was not on the covers of magazines at the grocery store. You didn't see his name splashed all over the news.

Instead, he helped in getting more temples built. He served the members of the church in countless ways. He spoke of the love he had for his wife, for his family and us as church memebers. He seemed to have endless energy.

I am happy that he will be reunited with his wife. And I know that he has been welcomed home and has returned with honor. He will be missed.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

contradictions

My kids are just walking contradictions. Ethan has just been testing me lately. That little guy, will be a litle sugar one minute. Giving me loves, writing me thank you notes, drawing cute pictures on the chalkboard and more. Last night he told me that I was his girlfriend but today I was his wife. ( He moves fast!)

However, lately we have really been struggling with Ethan's behavior. I can not get him to leave his hands off of his brothers. I don't think he tries anything on Harmony but the boys...it's crazy. I am constantly on him about it. He has also been pouting alot. Any time he is asked to do something it ends up with a fit. I had him on time out,and while I was in his room, Harmony came to tell me something else that he had done. I didn't want to hear it but once it was out of her mouth, I was shocked to learn what he had done. I was infuriated with him. I just told him not to bother getting off his bed.

So during the day I go back and forth between wanting to throttle the kid and wanting to love and kiss on him. Is that what having kids is? Just learning one moment to the other?Dealing with the emotions that come and go?

Ben is going to have a man to man talk with him. About what is expected of him and what is allowed and what isn't. I am hoping that will help.If not, I am going to be yet another contradiction...

Friday, January 25, 2008

a drama mama

...and no, I am not talking about me!! Ms. Harmony in not feeling well. At all. She has had a fever for 3 days, a sore throat and I am not sure what else. She is miserable and is starting to make everyone around her that way also! If anyone does something that she doesn't like she screams, cries and yells for me. She refuses to deal with anything. Like Ivan came and laid in bed with her, and put his leg on her, well instead of simply moving it, she sits and screams until someone comes to help her. I have been letting her lay in our bed and watch tv. But absolutely no boys are allowed in there. Oiy! She is just driving me nuts. Last night she got dinner in bed. I can't wait until she is feeling better. She missed school on Thursday, there was no school on Friday, so it has been a long weekend. Right now I am not even sure when she is going to be able to go back.

Now I am kind of just waiting for the boys to get sick...

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

wildlife


Since we have been on Guam, we have seen...

carabou
boonie dogs ( tons!!)
gecko's
lizards
snakes
frogs
fish
boonie bees
beetles
butterflies
roosters
chickens
and of course...bugs! We had 2 of these guys hanging out by our front door!

my sugar booger



Ethan is just the yummiest little kid. Just so sweet. Like his comment the other night at dinner. The other day we were at the store and he asked me if I would buy him a little notebook. He wanted to use it as a diary. And what did he write in there? "I love my Mommy." Sooo cute.

Today he drew this on our chalkboard. In case you can't tell, it says E hearts M.

Monday, January 21, 2008

little boys

Ben was walking Harm down to Girl Scouts and so I was left with the boys at dinner time. And as I sat watching them scarf down their dinner, I asked them, " why do I have so many little boys?" To which Ethan replied, " Mom, Jesus wanted you to have all of us. And besides we will always take care of you." I think my heart was literally a puddle. He just melted it. So sweet!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

that's just sad...


Meet Missouri Singles




My friend had this on her blog. I scored a 76 the first time, and than with Ethan's help I brought it up to an 81. I have seen these movies a million times...or so I thought!

Saturday, January 19, 2008

yikes!!

Has it really been almost a week since I blogged? Wow, time sure flies when you are having fun...or busy. Take your pick. So what have I been doing since I haven't been blogging....well let's see...

**picking up 98 boxes of Girl Scout cookies

** going to Alvin and the Chipmunks

**going to dinner

**getting a new monitor and a scanner/copier/printer

**going to birthday parties

**sweating it out at my 5k class ( don't let the couch potato part fool you!)

**eating said Girl Scout cookies

**tons of laundry

** tons of dishes
**swimming
**grocery shopping
** grounding children
** cleaning rooms
** going to lunch with friends
** shopping in the Chamarro village
**baking bannana bread

and more. But I will try to be better this week!

Monday, January 14, 2008

A big mistake...or not?

***This is actually on my weight loss blog also. Just wanted to share it here also***

There is a program down here called " Couch Potato...to 5k". It is a beginners running class. My friend asked me if I would be willing to do it with her. Well...since I found that jogging stroller, I told her sure. The coach said she makes it stroller friendly so that everyone can have a chance to participate.

So today was the first day. I was late ( long story) and so ended up kind of having to jog to catch up with the rest of the class. What we did today was run for 60 seconds, walk for 90. And do that for 20 minutes. I was DYING! Please let me mention that it is like a 1000 degrees here, so it was sooo hot out there. Add in pushing a 35 lb.child in a stroller and well....I was literally shaking by the time I got done. My legs were sore, my arms were shaking. It was crazy. Now I have exercised sporadically for a while now. 3 times just last week...but I was not prepared for that.

I honestly felt like a big idiot out there. Like am I just wasting the coach's time? I didn't come in last ( it is not a competion)but I still felt exaughsted.

HOWEVER...I worked hard. I did something that was out of my comfort zone, and did the best I could. I got out and got fresh air, spent time with friends and worked my body. hard. It feels kind of good. After I took some tylenol of course. :)

So we will see how it goes on Wednesday!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Am I the only one?


**Am I the only one, who knows what time it is, because of what tv show my children are watching?

** Am I the only one, who gets sidetracked by her computer when she is supposed to be gathering items for a yard sale?

**Am I the only one who has to explain to her son why watermelon would not be good in stew?

**Am I the only who know has to tell her son not to blow bubbles in his milk, or do it with his spit?

** Am I the only one who says " keep your hands off each other" 50 times an hour?

** Am I the only one who thinks that when little boys miss that they should be the ones who clean the toilet seat?

** Am I the only one who threatens to cut all her daughter's hair off if she doesn't let me comb it out?

** Am I the only one who isn't quite honest with her kids about the ingredients in a casserole,( like peppers) just so they will eat it?

** Am I the only one who overreacts when

** Am I the only one who has kids that want all their clothes as soon as you start to give them away?

** Am I the only one who has ever lost a birthday party invitation, so your son is crying because he can't go because you have no idea what time it starts?

** Am I the only one who wishes life would slow down just a little?

** Am I the only one who thinks that Ivan still looks like a baby? ( I have many people tell me that no he does not and that is just me)

Thursday, January 10, 2008

future so bright...


Over Christmas break, Ben took the kids to the movies. While there, he got a coke to drink. The boys wanted some and Ben told them no because it had caffeine in it. He then told them that when they are Dad's that they can have caffeine if they want it. So they are looking forward to that day.

The boys are also curious about bedtimes if you are a dad. " You mean we could stay up all night if we wanted?!" I told them that they could if they wanted too. So Ethan told me that when he is a Dad, he is going to stay up all night playing the Wii. I asked him about work and he said, " you mean a job?" well...yeah. He thought long and hard about what he wants to b when he grows up.

The first thought was for Connor and Ethan to start a "Bestest Brothers toy store." Ivan couldn't work with them but they would let him have some toys. For Harmony they would price all Polly Pockets and Pokemon game boy games for 14.99. What a steal huh?

Then, Connor decided to branch out and he said you know what I really want to do? I want to have a CiCi's!" ( If you don't have one, Cici's is an all you can eat pizza place). So then they decided that Ethan would own a lego store, Connor would own a CiCi's and Harmony would be a vet. That way they could all give each other something for free. Where Ivan fits into the new equation, I have no idea. But it was really cute to listen to them talk about their futures!

Wednesday, January 09, 2008

tongue tied

"Hey Mom, guess what? I don't need to take a bath tonight! I already gave my whole body a tongue bath!"-Connor

"Ewww"-Mom

Tuesday, January 08, 2008

so far...not so good

My very last post was about how I was going to go green. Well...I went to the grocery store today. I was busy trying to remember what I needed, entertaining Ivan and well I forgot to bring bags or ask for paper! Next time maybe I will write myself a reminder on my shopping list!! And now to go find a place for all those grocery bags!

Sunday, January 06, 2008

going green

I am not an enviromentalist. Honestly I had trouble remembering how to spell it. I am not a tree hugger or a granola person. However lately I have been seriously annoyed by something. Ok a few things.

1) There is no recycling on Guam. There is no truck that comes and picks it up. You can drive your recycling down to the NEX, but that is not everything. I may be wrong but I believe it is just aluminum cans.

2)Because of #1, my trash can is constantly overflowing. For example say I buy a box of fruit roll ups. They come in a box ( which I would normally recycle) then they each come in their own individual wrapper and then inside is the paper that it is rolled on. There are 8 in the pkg. so that means 2 for each of my kids. By the time that is gone, a 1/4 of my trash can is filled. But that is just one example. So many of the things my kids eat are individually wrapped. And I am starting to get frustrated by it.

3) Yesterday I went to the commissary for very few items. Literally, hardly anything. But I swear I got 50 plastic bags! I bought a refill pkg.of baby wipes...own bag. And the sad one? A double bagged box of crystal light on the go packs. This is not a joke. Those little teeny tiny boxes...2 bags!! You have got to be kidding me!

4) And I will end here...I promise. Water bottles. We are better about drinking water when it comes from a water bottle. I don't know why. Convenience maybe? Whatever the reason we are much better about it. our kids love the little kids sized ones and down them in a second. 1/2 of my trash bags are filled with water bottles.

So I have decided to go green. Here is what my goals are...

**not be as nice about bags at the commissary. Use tote bags ( when I remember) and use paper. No more plastic. Seriously. I have enough here to line my bathroom garbage cans for the next millenium.

**no more water bottles. Refill the many nalgene water bottles and bottles that the kids have. Do it every night, with a Brita filter ( the water here is TERRIBLE). That way it is cold, convenient and not filling my trash can.

** not using as many plastic baggies in the kids lunches. I realize that many frugal people wash plastic baggies. To me, I would just rather use containers. I am going to start making my kids take leftovers more often, so hopefully that will limit my use.

** frugal and environmental...stop using so many prepackaged foods. Last night the boys wanted kids cusines. So that would be 4 boxes x's any other packages that were in there. I decided to buy one box of corndogs, which are now sitting in their resealable bag in the freezer. The kids are going to have to tough this one out. As will I ( making a full pitcher of crystal light instead of a waterbottle full)


That is all I can think of for now. Anybody else going green? Have any ideas/suggestions. I think this helps me with my want of organization, keeping my house clean and helping with the whole budget thing.

Feels so good to get that off my chest!

Saturday, January 05, 2008

A birthday wish

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday to you

Happy Birthday dear Deborah

Happy Birthday to you!!

Love yah! :)

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

growing pains...

Poor Connor. It started while Ben was gone. Connor would come to me in the middle of the night and complain about his feet and legs hurting. The first couple of times I brushed it off as he just wanted to come and sleep in my bed. But it kept occurring. I didn't think he was old enough to have them but apparently...he is. He really suffers from it and there is nothing that I can do about it, except give him some tylenol and put him back to bed.

Well last night, my allergies were full force, so I took the medicine that would make me drowsy and went to bed. Connor came to me in the middle of the night complaining, and I told him to go back to bed and I would be there in a little bit...and then I promptly fell back to sleep!

When I woke up this morning, he started crying because, " I waited for you and you never came in!" Who knows how long he stayed awake! This morning he is really grumpy and the other kids aren't much better. Harmony is now on the 7th Harry Potter book and is staying up late reading it! I know she is tired and Ethan seems to feed off of the other two!

So Connor was finally sent back to bed. He is driving every one crazy, ecspecially me! He, of course is feeling very picked on, so I guess he is having growing pains in more ways than one!

New Years...at the beach









What better way is there to spend New Years then a day at the beach?! We decided to pack a picnic lunch and head to our favorite spot, Gab Gab Beach. When we left it started raining but we figured " just give it a few minutes and it will stop" and it did! The water was a little chilly at first but once the sun came out it felt great. We collected a lot of rocks and shells and just had fun playing in the water. Ben took Harmony out a little further, with masks on to look for fish. She didn't see any...but she also didn't have her glasses on either!

Harmony and I went and looked at a monument that we thought looked like a little mini Washington Monument. It was actually a dedication to a sailor. I have mentioned this before, but it is hard to get a good picture outside, because the humidity is so high. Your lens fogs and it is hard. But here are some that I got. Hope everyone is having a wonderful new year!

Tuesday, January 01, 2008

hello 2008!

Ahhh...a new year means new resolutions. I love making goals for myself. I like this time of year ( along with September) to kind of re-evaluate and look and what I would like to change in my life.

I had spent New Years Eve, trying to get the house "perfect" so that I wouldn't start the new year off on a bad foot. Well perfection always seems to allude me when it comes to cleaning! Oh well. It still looks good! On New years I had written out a routine that I wanted to follow. A morning, afternoon and evening one. I did do my morning routine and then...

I have been suffering from some serious allergies here. I constantly have red itchy eyes, a sore throat, a stuffed up nose etc. It has been pretty miserable so I took some allergy medication. However, it may cause drowsiness! And holy cow were they right. After we returned from the beach, I went and took a nap. And didn't wake up until 3.5 hours later. Then I stayed up later because I had slept for so long, and then couldn't sleep all night because I wasn't tired. So once again, I am all thrown off!

Anyway, I am not just throwing in the towel on my resolutions. I guess I will just have to start my morning routine a little later!

I found a great site and there is a challenge for doing one small thing every day. So I have joined in. I like to do all these challenges so I can get little things done here and there. I know the next few months are going to be BUSY. But I look forward to getting little things done. If you are interested in doing the challenge from Sanctuary at Home, you can look at the tag on my side bar.