Sunday, October 12, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Too much cute in one post!
I went and took some pictures of the kids today (well, two kids to be exact). June needed her six year old picture. I know that we just took school pictures and I almost decided to use that picture for her six year old picture, but the 8 x 10 at Kiddie Kandids is still free for their birthday AND I realized that school pictures will not coincide with other children's birthdays so I should keep my picture scheduling like it is.
Daisy was due for a picture too since I take them more frequently the first year. I usually take one around 3-4 months when they can hold up their head, and another when they are sitting up. Plus they change so much the first year, I like to get better documentation. This is Daisy's first picture in the gallery on my stairs (I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see my children every time I walk up and down my stairs). I had to move a few pictures around and in thus doing I found a few pictures hidden underneath others (namely Robyn and Ivory's 3 month pictures). So I dug up June's, and for your viewing pleasure here are my babies in all their 3 month old glory.
DAISY
IVORY
ROBYN
JUNE
p.s. June's six year picture deserves a post of its own, so wait for it...
Daisy was due for a picture too since I take them more frequently the first year. I usually take one around 3-4 months when they can hold up their head, and another when they are sitting up. Plus they change so much the first year, I like to get better documentation. This is Daisy's first picture in the gallery on my stairs (I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see my children every time I walk up and down my stairs). I had to move a few pictures around and in thus doing I found a few pictures hidden underneath others (namely Robyn and Ivory's 3 month pictures). So I dug up June's, and for your viewing pleasure here are my babies in all their 3 month old glory.
DAISY
IVORY
ROBYN
JUNE
p.s. June's six year picture deserves a post of its own, so wait for it...
Friday, October 10, 2008
No Self-Control
Tyler always wonders why I write posts that are not super positive about myself. Well, the fact is people, even though I look like a super model and keep house like Mary Poppins, I am really just human.
In fact, I have a few annoyingly human traits that I would like to get rid of...
1. I can't finish a chart to save my life. That may not make a lot of sense, but I will explain.
I am always trying to organize my life or get myself to do something (like reading the Ensign all the way through, or doing a deep cleaning chore once a day) so I will make these fun little charts to remind me or encourage me. They work well for a while and then...I don't finish them. EVER. Currently on the fridge is the prayer chart I started with my children and didn't finish (big surprise). I spend more time making these charts than doing them. It is really an odd quirk of mine. I am starting to think that if I really want to do something, I'd better not make a chart about it because that would be shooting it in the foot before it even started the race.
I need to find a better way to encourage myself and accomplish things. Recently I noticed that every day I manage to check out blogs or write a post of my own, but somehow I never found time to read the scriptures (I know, it sounded fishy to me too). So, I went back and signed up at readthescriptures.com. Now I am allowed to look at blogs after I do what matters first. I haven't missed a day yet. Good thing I didn't make a chart.
2. Next, I can NOT diet. I know, many of you are saying that I don't need to diet, and I agree with you. But many times I have tried dieting to see what it is like or to try and eat healthier. I can't do it. Once I told my mom that we should both cut sugar out of our diets (I was hoping that if she wasn't doing it alone, she would feel extra support). Yeah, I ended up eating a ton of sweets before we started and then I cheated almost every day; once it was denied me, I couldn't handle the pressure. I was really NOT proud of myself at all.
I was talking to a friend last night and I told her that I really want to eat better and she suggested not taking away, but adding. "Let's make sure we eat a certain number of fruits and vegetables each day instead of taking out sugar." Hmmm, this sounds like something I might be able to do. I haven't started yet, and trust me, I won't make a chart, but I'll let you know how it goes.
3. Finally, I am not very conservative when it comes to spending money. Yikes, I know my husband is going to read this and laugh while saying that is an understatement. I know I should not impulse buy, or buy items I want rather than need. I try to ignore our finances, instead thinking that we probably have enough to cover this small purchase (and then I proceed to make four or five "small" purchases).
Maybe I need to have a personal budget; money Tyler would give me that I can use for whatever I want. I would have to keep track of it, but that would be better than the current situation where I spend that money anyway, but I am blissfully unaware of how much is leaving my pocket (or his pocket...okay let's just say the amorphous OUR pocket).
Unfortunately this post will probably lead to another undesired but necessary financial conversation (which, I frankly need people). I really CAN be good about money, just most of the time I choose not to be.
And now that I have bared my lack of self-control to the world, I would love some advice; if you have any. Any clever tricks to keep yourself in line, or motivate yourself to do better? That is, if I don't go delete this post right now...
In fact, I have a few annoyingly human traits that I would like to get rid of...
1. I can't finish a chart to save my life. That may not make a lot of sense, but I will explain.
I am always trying to organize my life or get myself to do something (like reading the Ensign all the way through, or doing a deep cleaning chore once a day) so I will make these fun little charts to remind me or encourage me. They work well for a while and then...I don't finish them. EVER. Currently on the fridge is the prayer chart I started with my children and didn't finish (big surprise). I spend more time making these charts than doing them. It is really an odd quirk of mine. I am starting to think that if I really want to do something, I'd better not make a chart about it because that would be shooting it in the foot before it even started the race.
I need to find a better way to encourage myself and accomplish things. Recently I noticed that every day I manage to check out blogs or write a post of my own, but somehow I never found time to read the scriptures (I know, it sounded fishy to me too). So, I went back and signed up at readthescriptures.com. Now I am allowed to look at blogs after I do what matters first. I haven't missed a day yet. Good thing I didn't make a chart.
2. Next, I can NOT diet. I know, many of you are saying that I don't need to diet, and I agree with you. But many times I have tried dieting to see what it is like or to try and eat healthier. I can't do it. Once I told my mom that we should both cut sugar out of our diets (I was hoping that if she wasn't doing it alone, she would feel extra support). Yeah, I ended up eating a ton of sweets before we started and then I cheated almost every day; once it was denied me, I couldn't handle the pressure. I was really NOT proud of myself at all.
I was talking to a friend last night and I told her that I really want to eat better and she suggested not taking away, but adding. "Let's make sure we eat a certain number of fruits and vegetables each day instead of taking out sugar." Hmmm, this sounds like something I might be able to do. I haven't started yet, and trust me, I won't make a chart, but I'll let you know how it goes.
3. Finally, I am not very conservative when it comes to spending money. Yikes, I know my husband is going to read this and laugh while saying that is an understatement. I know I should not impulse buy, or buy items I want rather than need. I try to ignore our finances, instead thinking that we probably have enough to cover this small purchase (and then I proceed to make four or five "small" purchases).
Maybe I need to have a personal budget; money Tyler would give me that I can use for whatever I want. I would have to keep track of it, but that would be better than the current situation where I spend that money anyway, but I am blissfully unaware of how much is leaving my pocket (or his pocket...okay let's just say the amorphous OUR pocket).
Unfortunately this post will probably lead to another undesired but necessary financial conversation (which, I frankly need people). I really CAN be good about money, just most of the time I choose not to be.
And now that I have bared my lack of self-control to the world, I would love some advice; if you have any. Any clever tricks to keep yourself in line, or motivate yourself to do better? That is, if I don't go delete this post right now...
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
And the Winner Is...
I think it is really funny how children will get an idea in their heads and it doesn't go away; they want to make their ideas happen. My children will often tell me things or ask to do things, and I—as the boring adult—will shrug it off as imaginative and not realistic. Here is a perfect example:
For some odd reason, we got talking about common vs. rare in the car. We were talking about whose names were common and whose were rare. Most of my children are not going to run into someone every day who has their name. I have actually heard of one other Ivory, and several Daisy's. Most people named June are older, but Robyn's name is not that uncommon. I popped into a store to return something and by the time I got back, June had given an award (something she made up in her head of course) to the two people with the most common names. Tyler won the adult award since his name is more popular than mine (by a long shot) and Robyn won the most common award for the kids. That's nice, I thought.
But June did not let it go there. She insisted that we make actual awards for them. So I put boring mom on the shelf for an afternoon and we got out markers and funny-cutting scissors and what-not and we came up with these:
It is a slightly odd award to win, but it makes sense to my 6 and 4 year old. Tyler said he would proudly display his at work.
Oh, and this is to show that I actually had two non-boring mom days in a row. Robyn asked to have her face painted and I really do have a soft spot for that, so here you go; just a Wednesday afternoon with face paint.
Please tell me I am better than volunteer face-painter lady.
For some odd reason, we got talking about common vs. rare in the car. We were talking about whose names were common and whose were rare. Most of my children are not going to run into someone every day who has their name. I have actually heard of one other Ivory, and several Daisy's. Most people named June are older, but Robyn's name is not that uncommon. I popped into a store to return something and by the time I got back, June had given an award (something she made up in her head of course) to the two people with the most common names. Tyler won the adult award since his name is more popular than mine (by a long shot) and Robyn won the most common award for the kids. That's nice, I thought.
But June did not let it go there. She insisted that we make actual awards for them. So I put boring mom on the shelf for an afternoon and we got out markers and funny-cutting scissors and what-not and we came up with these:
It is a slightly odd award to win, but it makes sense to my 6 and 4 year old. Tyler said he would proudly display his at work.
Oh, and this is to show that I actually had two non-boring mom days in a row. Robyn asked to have her face painted and I really do have a soft spot for that, so here you go; just a Wednesday afternoon with face paint.
Please tell me I am better than volunteer face-painter lady.
Monday, October 6, 2008
My Own Georgie Porgie
Georgie Porgie pudding and pie,
Kissed the girls and made them cry
When the boys came out to play,
Georgie Porgie ran away.
A Nursery Rhyme demonstrating the different attitudes between the sexes! Even at a very early age children in Britain would play a game called 'Kiss Chase' - in fact the girls would actually chase the boys and then kiss them! their were no tears from the girls but the boys fought like mad to get away!
Yep, I found this online this morning and it seemed very fitting considering our evening last night.
Recently June has been fish-kissing people. She thinks it is really funny and the first person she tried it on (yes, you Vieve) got a lot of reaction so she has been giving out fish-kisses like they are going out of style. I have been kissed up and down until I have to beg for mercy.
So when we went over to the Johnson's I wasn't surprised that she was trying to kiss their cute 7-year old son Ryan. I didn't realize what was going on until Sunny mentioned that Ryan had pulled her aside and said, "I think June loves me." I reassured her that June was simply going through a kissing phase. At least that is what I thought...
I hate to admit that I did my share of chasing and kissing boys in my younger days, but I was hoping we could avoid this with my girls, so I gave June a bit of a lecture when we got home. I was telling her that boys don't really like to be kissed and that kisses should be given only to those in your own family. Plus, I added, "Ryan thinks you love him."
"I do," was the fervent reply. I asked if she meant like a friend or more like a boyfriend.
"Like a boyfriend, I want to marry him."
Oh good, well she turned six almost a week ago...it's about time she looked for a husband.
No offense to Ryan (who really is a cute kid) I tried to tell her that there are a lot of guys out there and that I didn't meet her Daddy until I was in college; she probably wanted to wait and get to know more boys. And then I reemphasized that we do NOT go around kissing people.
Then the soft side of me couldn't help humoring her a little, so I asked, "What do you like about Ryan."
"Well, there is really only one thing." (Only one?? Maybe she will be pickier by the time she is old enough to marry.) "I like his voice."
"Me too, I have always thought Ryan had a very nice voice." And then out of curiosity I asked, "Where did you kiss him?"
"Um, outside and then a couple times upstairs."
"No, I meant like on the arm or shoulder?"
"Oh, I kissed him on his head, right here on the forehead, " she said pointing, "and then on his cheeks."
Well, that probably isn't too bad. Sunny posted Ryan's point of view here, and I think he may be right...June is probably the one who likes him the most.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Awkward Stage
So I have reached that awkward stage in post-pregnancy. My baby is between two and three months old. I have lost most of my baby weight, but my waist is clearly not what is was before, evidenced by the fact that none of my pants fit. When I go to the closet, I can wear my stretchy jeans, and any pants with elastic, but none of my fitted pants feel comfortable yet. I remember this stage distinctly from last pregnancy, because I ran out and bought new jeans. Then several months later, they didn't fit because they were bought during the awkward phase. But I'll be darned if I don't want to go out and buy a pair again just to wear for a few months. I hate feeling plump every time I go into my closet.
The other lovely awkward part is my hair falling out. This is also normal at this stage. I take a shower and literally, handfuls of hair come out. Then I brush my hair and more comes out. I am always amazed that I am not bald within a few months, but since I managed to salvage some hair after each child, I'm assuming that it won't all fall out this time. It does make me want to get a haircut though, because then the hair coming out isn't as long. However, I want to keep my hair long right now, so I will just have to muddle through this awkward phase.
And to make things worse, I just watched conference where there were many messages of trials being part of life and learning to laugh at adversity. Well, truly these trials are not great, so...ha, ha...I'm losing hair and I can't fit into my pants. C'est la vie.
I'm supposed to be enjoying this journey, right?? So I will relish the fact that I get to wear sweats more often than most people, and maybe I can build a bird's nest out of all this extra hair (they need a home in the winter too).
And for all you people sick of hearing me complain, I would do it all over again of course, because look at the beautiful result.
She is just starting to get her noggin off the ground. It has taken her a while...must be that huge brain :)
The other lovely awkward part is my hair falling out. This is also normal at this stage. I take a shower and literally, handfuls of hair come out. Then I brush my hair and more comes out. I am always amazed that I am not bald within a few months, but since I managed to salvage some hair after each child, I'm assuming that it won't all fall out this time. It does make me want to get a haircut though, because then the hair coming out isn't as long. However, I want to keep my hair long right now, so I will just have to muddle through this awkward phase.
And to make things worse, I just watched conference where there were many messages of trials being part of life and learning to laugh at adversity. Well, truly these trials are not great, so...ha, ha...I'm losing hair and I can't fit into my pants. C'est la vie.
I'm supposed to be enjoying this journey, right?? So I will relish the fact that I get to wear sweats more often than most people, and maybe I can build a bird's nest out of all this extra hair (they need a home in the winter too).
And for all you people sick of hearing me complain, I would do it all over again of course, because look at the beautiful result.
She is just starting to get her noggin off the ground. It has taken her a while...must be that huge brain :)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Photo Tag
A place I would like to visit
This may sound juvenile, but I really want to take my family to Disneyland right now.
My closet
Our closet isn't very big, but we make do. There may be a reason that this picture didn't quite capture the floor.
My favorite room
This was a toss. I love my kitchen/dining area because we spend a lot of time there; at least I do, cooking (like my skeleton table cloth?).
But I love my bedroom. Heck, I just love sleeping. I do usually make the bed because it makes the room seem cleaner, but then my kids love to jump on it. I'm confused, does it look like a trampoline?
Self-portrait
Okay, I admit, I couldn't bring myself to take a picture of myself this morning. But here are two sweeties doing something I WISH I could do. Tyler went to read her a story and I found them like this; must have been one boring book.
The kitchen sink
The irony here is that I had just finished loading the dishwasher and these were the few that didn't fit or needed to be washed by hand, so my counters are clean, but not the sink . However, this is a pretty good idea of how things usually look. I tend to fill and empty the sink often.
The laundry room
Don't be fooled, the dryer almost always has a load of stuff sitting on top of it waiting to find a home. How I found it so clean, I will never know.
Toilet in the main bath
Boring. I thought you might like my master tub a bit more; living proof that we share our space with the children.
My fridge
I went shopping this morning, so it seems like the fridge is bursting with food.
My freezer
Okay, that is WAY too boring. I don't even have a good substitution.
My favorite shoes
I don't know about favorite, but these four are the ones I wear the most often which is why they are in the entryway.
I'm not tagging anyone because I don't want to stress you out. But you can look through your rooms and clean them quickly in case this tag does come for you.
This may sound juvenile, but I really want to take my family to Disneyland right now.
My closet
Our closet isn't very big, but we make do. There may be a reason that this picture didn't quite capture the floor.
My favorite room
This was a toss. I love my kitchen/dining area because we spend a lot of time there; at least I do, cooking (like my skeleton table cloth?).
But I love my bedroom. Heck, I just love sleeping. I do usually make the bed because it makes the room seem cleaner, but then my kids love to jump on it. I'm confused, does it look like a trampoline?
Self-portrait
Okay, I admit, I couldn't bring myself to take a picture of myself this morning. But here are two sweeties doing something I WISH I could do. Tyler went to read her a story and I found them like this; must have been one boring book.
The kitchen sink
The irony here is that I had just finished loading the dishwasher and these were the few that didn't fit or needed to be washed by hand, so my counters are clean, but not the sink . However, this is a pretty good idea of how things usually look. I tend to fill and empty the sink often.
The laundry room
Don't be fooled, the dryer almost always has a load of stuff sitting on top of it waiting to find a home. How I found it so clean, I will never know.
Toilet in the main bath
Boring. I thought you might like my master tub a bit more; living proof that we share our space with the children.
My fridge
I went shopping this morning, so it seems like the fridge is bursting with food.
My freezer
Okay, that is WAY too boring. I don't even have a good substitution.
My favorite shoes
I don't know about favorite, but these four are the ones I wear the most often which is why they are in the entryway.
I'm not tagging anyone because I don't want to stress you out. But you can look through your rooms and clean them quickly in case this tag does come for you.
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