. . . we were stuck in Burley, ID. Dominic made it to his first day of work on Monday after driving 2.5 hours. The kids and I got to hang out in Burley.
However, we were at a motel right off the highway, and the town was a few miles away. I pulled out the stroller and tried to walk. I hit a snag when I realized there wasn't even a shoulder, let alone a sidewalk, on the overpass leading into town. I left the boys with strict instructions to hold tight to the stroller while I checked on the median; turns out it was not an option. While I was off investigating, a lady drove by and saw the kids by the side of the road. She thought "uh oh" and pulled over. Her name was Carrie, and she was relieved to see me walk back. She drove an SUV, so the stroller and all of us fit just fine. Carrie was our angel, taking us into town to a great park and giving me her phone number.
The children happily played for awhile; I accidentally fell asleep on a bench. When Sammy needed to go potty (Benjamin's potty training has gone out the window), we found a thrift store that let us use their bathroom. Dominic's boss let him leave early to come get us. We all made it up to Caldwell that night. In case you're wondering, Dominic made that 2.5 hour drive 3 times, totaling 555 miles driven in 1 day. Wow.
The rest of the week has been occupied with learning a new job and looking for housing. Dominic likes his job already. He works with crazy people again, but he'll always have that in psychology. The housing market is wide open, with lots of houses for rent under $700 a month. The problem occurs in that most owners work through rental agencies, whose hours are the same as Dominic's. So we've looked at a lot of places and actually applied to 2. For the first house, we turned in the application an hour after someone else; of course they got it. For the second house, they should let us know tomorrow. We have a list of places to call if that falls through, too.
Meanwhile, we are all tired of living in hotels. Our first motel was cute, and we had a patio right over a river. When the boys first saw the water, they both said, "we shouldn't throw anything in there." And they didn't. But after a few days we needed a change of scenery. Plus, they told us the weekly rate was not retroactive. We are now at a Days Inn, which has internet, a laundry room and a continental breakfast, which saves on our food bill. Cute is not modern.
The children are holding up as well as can be expected. They watch a ridiculous amount of t.v., but there's nothing else to do. The boys have a lot of energy, and their only outlets are wrestling and jumping on the beds. Lisy has started screaming whenever she's tired or hungry. She is also very clingy. Tonight I held her until she fell asleep, which made for a much quieter bedtime.
Dominic and I are mostly worried about moving before Thanksgiving weekend, when every thing will be closed for 4 days.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Our adventure so far
Moving is always an adventure. And when you use an old trailer hitched to a 1978 van, you get a lot more excitement than you want.
We actually packed up and cleaned our entire apartment by Saturday evening. Emily came one more door and helped with the kid's room. The Elder's Quorum loaded up our big, heavy furniture and the boxes packed thus far on Wednesday. Friday afternoon the missionaries happened through our neighborhood and helped with rest of the furniture and almost everything else. My Visiting teachers also came by and started the cleaning. Saturday was consumed with the task of fitting everything else into the nooks and crannies and the final cleaning.
Our downstairs neighbors, who I thought didn't like us, invited our children over to watch a movie and drink hot chocolate for the last 2 hours we were there. The children have done remarkably well, all things considered. Their lives have turned upside down, and they seem to be taking it all in stride.
Animals: Neighbors who moved away back in June left behind their cat, Kahlua. We've been feeding him since then. He never really accepted us, so we dropped him off at the Ogden animal shelter. Benjamin misses him and keeps asking where he is. Of the 7 degus, we gave up the 3 girls for adoption through Petco. The employees were enthralled with them and kept assuring us they'd be adopted quickly.
Saturday night we reached Snowville, just 7 miles from the state border, when the van's drive shaft fell off. We stayed the night at the only motel in town. This morning, stuck in a small Utah town on Sunday, Dominic had to drive quite a ways in our car to find an automotive store open. He spent most of the day driving and repairing that worn-out van, while the children and I ate at Mollie's Cafe and played in the motel room all day. We hit the road around 5:30 pm and made it all the way to Burley, Idaho.
Physically, we could have kept going, but Dominic needed to finish and turn in his final paper by midnight. He made it with 10 minutes to spare. We are currently staying at a Super 8 for the internet access. We are in suite at no extra charge, because they don't allow more than 4 people in a regular room. Terry cloth bathrobes - although they're always shown in the movies, I didn't know hotels actually had them! They are very comfortable.
We actually packed up and cleaned our entire apartment by Saturday evening. Emily came one more door and helped with the kid's room. The Elder's Quorum loaded up our big, heavy furniture and the boxes packed thus far on Wednesday. Friday afternoon the missionaries happened through our neighborhood and helped with rest of the furniture and almost everything else. My Visiting teachers also came by and started the cleaning. Saturday was consumed with the task of fitting everything else into the nooks and crannies and the final cleaning.
Our downstairs neighbors, who I thought didn't like us, invited our children over to watch a movie and drink hot chocolate for the last 2 hours we were there. The children have done remarkably well, all things considered. Their lives have turned upside down, and they seem to be taking it all in stride.
Animals: Neighbors who moved away back in June left behind their cat, Kahlua. We've been feeding him since then. He never really accepted us, so we dropped him off at the Ogden animal shelter. Benjamin misses him and keeps asking where he is. Of the 7 degus, we gave up the 3 girls for adoption through Petco. The employees were enthralled with them and kept assuring us they'd be adopted quickly.
Saturday night we reached Snowville, just 7 miles from the state border, when the van's drive shaft fell off. We stayed the night at the only motel in town. This morning, stuck in a small Utah town on Sunday, Dominic had to drive quite a ways in our car to find an automotive store open. He spent most of the day driving and repairing that worn-out van, while the children and I ate at Mollie's Cafe and played in the motel room all day. We hit the road around 5:30 pm and made it all the way to Burley, Idaho.
Physically, we could have kept going, but Dominic needed to finish and turn in his final paper by midnight. He made it with 10 minutes to spare. We are currently staying at a Super 8 for the internet access. We are in suite at no extra charge, because they don't allow more than 4 people in a regular room. Terry cloth bathrobes - although they're always shown in the movies, I didn't know hotels actually had them! They are very comfortable.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
My Sunday evening
Even in the midst of all the packing, it's hard to break my Sunday routine. After the children are in bed and before Dominic comes home, it is me time. I do various things that have absolutely nothing to do with my regular responsibilities. Tonight I had great ambitions of sorting through old papers, clothes and random junk to either pack or throw out. Did I do any of it? Nope. This me-time routine is too ingrained. I rationalize it by saying I need the time to emotionally and mentally prepare for the coming week.
That being said, life is crazy! The children are bouncing off the walls, crying and screaming, wrestling more, climbing in and destroying boxes, and occasionally trying to "help" pack. Hmm.
For help I asked my sister Emily to come over with her kids, so the cousins could entertain each other. She and Troy came up with a better plan: Troy took my kids home to play with the cousins, and Em helped me pack all day without rambunctious noisemakers underfoot. It was wonderful! We packed up most of the kitchen, living room and framed pictures. My kids came home happy and exhausted. Emily and Troy are saints!
We need to be in Idaho in one week, and now it looks possible. At church today people offered to watch my kids, have us over for dinner, or physically load the trailer.
Today was also Dominic's last day at work. They held a pizza party for him. He gave them each a hand-written letter, and they each said something they remembered about him. Apparently there was lots of crying. And these are teenage boys. I think Dominic has been a positive influence on them and a great staff member - his boss cried on and off all shift.
After only 2 years, this has definitely become our home.
That being said, life is crazy! The children are bouncing off the walls, crying and screaming, wrestling more, climbing in and destroying boxes, and occasionally trying to "help" pack. Hmm.
For help I asked my sister Emily to come over with her kids, so the cousins could entertain each other. She and Troy came up with a better plan: Troy took my kids home to play with the cousins, and Em helped me pack all day without rambunctious noisemakers underfoot. It was wonderful! We packed up most of the kitchen, living room and framed pictures. My kids came home happy and exhausted. Emily and Troy are saints!
We need to be in Idaho in one week, and now it looks possible. At church today people offered to watch my kids, have us over for dinner, or physically load the trailer.
Today was also Dominic's last day at work. They held a pizza party for him. He gave them each a hand-written letter, and they each said something they remembered about him. Apparently there was lots of crying. And these are teenage boys. I think Dominic has been a positive influence on them and a great staff member - his boss cried on and off all shift.
After only 2 years, this has definitely become our home.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
New Job
Since receiving his master's degree, Dominic has been looking for a job that will reflect his higher education, plus have better hours, and is physically safer (the mentally ill, delinquent teenage boys he currently works with tend to be violent).
Last Tuesday he went to Idaho for a job interview, about 5 hours away. The rest of us tagged along to check out the new town.
The town was smaller than I expected and not quite as cute as the website made it look. But it is only 30 minutes from Boise, which is the biggest city in Idaho, so it's in the vicinity of civilization.
The interview went very well; Dominic even made them laugh. And on Friday they called back to offer him the job. It met the above mentioned requirements, plus it offers a 50% wage increase and will allow him to work on his doctorate, so he accepted.
Then they asked him to start as soon as possible. He talked them into giving us 2 weeks in order to move. I was really hoping for a full month, like we had the last time we moved, but they didn't want to wait any longer.
Yikes!! We only have 2 weeks to pack up and move?! Not to mention looking for a place to live. However, housing is much cheaper there. For an extra $150 a month, we can rent a 3 bedroom house, which will be much nicer than the 2 bedroom upstairs apartment we're in now. Children should never have to live in an upstairs apartment - it's impossible for them to be quiet on the floor.
Needless to say the next few weeks will be busy and exciting.
Last Tuesday he went to Idaho for a job interview, about 5 hours away. The rest of us tagged along to check out the new town.
The town was smaller than I expected and not quite as cute as the website made it look. But it is only 30 minutes from Boise, which is the biggest city in Idaho, so it's in the vicinity of civilization.
The interview went very well; Dominic even made them laugh. And on Friday they called back to offer him the job. It met the above mentioned requirements, plus it offers a 50% wage increase and will allow him to work on his doctorate, so he accepted.
Then they asked him to start as soon as possible. He talked them into giving us 2 weeks in order to move. I was really hoping for a full month, like we had the last time we moved, but they didn't want to wait any longer.
Yikes!! We only have 2 weeks to pack up and move?! Not to mention looking for a place to live. However, housing is much cheaper there. For an extra $150 a month, we can rent a 3 bedroom house, which will be much nicer than the 2 bedroom upstairs apartment we're in now. Children should never have to live in an upstairs apartment - it's impossible for them to be quiet on the floor.
Needless to say the next few weeks will be busy and exciting.
Overheard at church
As a parent, sometimes I say things that are necessary but sound funny when I think about it. This past Sunday my comments were fairly amusing.
* Stop picking your nose and just eat your fruit snacks.
* Lisy, don't tackle your brother.
* No severing limbs at church. (they were pretending)
* Benjamin - Where's Jesus?
Me - Right there in that picture.
Benjamin - No, the walking Jesus.
Me - Oh, he's just a man with long hair and a beard.
Sammy - Why?
Me - Because he likes his hair long and he has a beard? I don't know.
* Stop picking your nose and just eat your fruit snacks.
* Lisy, don't tackle your brother.
* No severing limbs at church. (they were pretending)
* Benjamin - Where's Jesus?
Me - Right there in that picture.
Benjamin - No, the walking Jesus.
Me - Oh, he's just a man with long hair and a beard.
Sammy - Why?
Me - Because he likes his hair long and he has a beard? I don't know.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Role reversals
With both sons and a daughter, I've noticed the line between stereotypical boy/girl toys are fuzzy. My latest shopping trip to Walmart is an excellent example. I let the children take turns choosing their toothpaste, and this was Lisy's turn. I showed her Batman and Bratz. She stared at them for a long time, but finally chose Batman. Sammy was upset! He wanted her to choose Bratz because it was pink and girls like pink. Ironically, when it was time to chose the fruit snacks, Sammy chose My Little Pony and won't share them.
At the church Halloween party last night, Captain America (Sammy) and Superman (Benjamin) wrestled quite a bit. It was funny watching 2 good guys duke it out, and they received many comments.
It's not a secret that my kids like Star Wars. A week ago Dominic noticed Benjamin humming the Imperial March (think: Darth Vader's theme song) while marching along the hallway. And just a couple of days ago, he found Lisy doing the same thing! Her march looked more like the goose step, but the tune was definitely decipherable as the Imperial March. And although I'm not certain it was intentional, she wore a blanket draped across her shoulders like a cape.
At the church Halloween party last night, Captain America (Sammy) and Superman (Benjamin) wrestled quite a bit. It was funny watching 2 good guys duke it out, and they received many comments.
It's not a secret that my kids like Star Wars. A week ago Dominic noticed Benjamin humming the Imperial March (think: Darth Vader's theme song) while marching along the hallway. And just a couple of days ago, he found Lisy doing the same thing! Her march looked more like the goose step, but the tune was definitely decipherable as the Imperial March. And although I'm not certain it was intentional, she wore a blanket draped across her shoulders like a cape.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Quotes Archive
I think I want to keep a record of my "Quote of the Week" column. Since I don't know how to add pages, or anything fancy at all, I'll just add new quotes to this post.
3/3/2013 "I find that despite my best efforts, you exert undue influence on my behavior."
-Temperance Brennan, "Bones"
9/29/2012 "Sometimes I would lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling, because it was the only clean place in my house."
-Brenda, a grandmother who raised 7 children
5/1/2011 "Democracy is like a tambourine; not everyone can be trusted with it."
-John Oliver, comedian.
3/20/2011 "Remember that the concerns of a mother cannot be separated from the needs of her children and her husband."-Jeffrey R. Holland, "'Charity Never Faileth': A Discussion on Relief Society." The Ensign, Mar. 2011, p. 42.
3/4/2011 "It is not the design of heaven that we be rescued from all difficult situations. Rather, it is the Lord's will that we learn to handle them." -Joseph Fielding McConkie, "Finding Answers," The Ensign, Feb. 2011, p. 32.
2/20/2011 "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, and I'll hire you as my lawyer." -Wink, the royal advisor, Alcatraz versus the Shattered Lens, p. 165
2/4/2011 "Good heavens, no! The Bishop and the professor in the same room? I'd be excommunicated." -Professor Henry Higgins' mother, My Fair Lady
1/25/2011 Lines Written on a Banknote
1/ 22/2011 "Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children." —Alex Haley
3/01/2010 "You have a love/hate relationship with the idea of changing your hair." -Dominic to me, when I was thinking of getting a haircut and maybe dyeing it. I haven't done anything, yet.
2/3/2010 "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Author unknown
1/12/2010 A mother really is the homemaker, because nothing happens in the home unless the mom makes it happen. -paraphrased from Eden Borrowman, Sunday school teacher
12/01/2009 "Oh, why do my actions have consequences!" -Homer Simpson
11/26/2008 "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." -Nelson Mandela
11/18/2009 "Two words: taste test." -Dominic to me. Sometimes I forget to taste test food before serving it. This time dinner was just a tad (ok, very) salty.
11/10/2009 "The world needs more palindromes." -Me
10/18/2009 "Mommy, I love you super looper much." -Benjamin
10/02/2009 "Nothing hurts a new truth more than an old error" -Geothe
10/01/2009 "Obi-One died. I'm Obi-Two Kenobi." -Samuel
8/26/2009 Dominic - "Can you please turn off the television?" Benjamin - "OK. But first I need to turn off the t.v."
8/10/2009 "I'm 4!" -Benjamin telling everyone about his birthday
7/8/2009 "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." -Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, 1776
6/18/2009 "You are the embodiment of joie de vivre." -My Dad to Elisa
5/18/2009 "Oh geez, I'd hate to be her right now." -Overheard at the park
5/07/2009 Dominic: "Foldest thou thine arms." How the kids say it: "Foldest now nine arms."
4/26/2009 "I have hot dog power!" -Benjamin
4/12/2009 "This is the most exciting day ever! It's Easter and we get to go to church!"
-Samuel
4/06/2009 "There are 6 people in Idaho who don't hunt. Then we moved here. Now there's 7." -Samuel
3/30/2009 Benjamin: "You can't see me." Me: "Oh? Why not?" Benjamin: "Because my eyes are invisible."
3/27/2009 "Tums: the snack of pregnant women." -Me
3/17/2009 "Mommy, you're nice, but Daddy makes you silly."
-Benjamin, observing that I laugh more when Dominic is around.
3/04/2009 "Look at you! You're the kind of pregnant lady the rest of us hate."
-Next door neighbor to me, but I think she was just being nice.
2/15/2009 "Marriage vows should place unbreachable walls around a couple. Sometimes people selfishly and mistakenly see these as prison walls from which to escape. But committed couples can see them as walls around a beautiful garden. With so much peace and happiness being cultivated inside, why would anyone want to go outside?" -Abbott, J. (Mar 1995). Trust That Deepens Through the Years. The Ensign.
2/09/2009 "Lisy is so toot (cute)." -Benjamin
"You're cute, too." -Me
"But I'm not a baby." -Benjamin
2/03/2009 Online chat with a friend, who never heard of NPR or the show Car Talk: "what are you doing now?" -friend
"i'm listening to car talk" -Dominic
~pause~ "what is your car saying?" -friend
1/25/2009 In Darth Vader voice: "Luke, you are whiny!"
In whiny Luke voice: "That's not true, that's impossible!"
-Samuel was playing with his action figures
1/18/2009 "It's better to die laughing than to live each moment in fear." -Michael Crichton
1/09/2009 "Hi Dear, I'm on my way home now." -Me
"Oh good. I thought you had moved to Walmart." -Dominic
12/29/2008 "Youngest to o'dest!" -Benjamin, with the mistaken idea that he will be last to do something unpleasant, like brush his teeth.
12/21/2008 "Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets." -Jesus Christ, 3 Nephi 1:13
12/14/2008 "What you need is one more." - A stranger who saw me trying to catch the 3 kids running in 3 directions. He was trying to be funny but didn't realize there is one more on the way.
12/07/2008 A composite of several conversations: "Sammy is a baby name. Call me Samuel now. It's easy. You start with a Sam and end with a yule. Sam-uel." Benjamin: "Ammy-yule"
11/23/2008 "My Dad's name is Dominic, and my Mom's name is MaryRuth. But I'm not allowed to call them that. I have to call them Dad and Mom." - Sammy, to a stranger at a nearby table at breakfast.
11/16/2008 "Are we going home?" - Benjamin asks several times a day
11/09/2008 As a farewell to Utah, seen on a license plate frame this week:
Ski Patrol
* Risking ours *
* Saving yours *
11/04/2008 "You shouldn't worry (about making friends in a new area). You all have a bit of your dad in you." -Marrisse, sister-in-law
10/26/2008 "You really don't complain much." -Troy, brother-in-law
"That's because you can't hear what I'm thinking." -Me
10/17/2008 "Dad, you think you're a human being, but actually you are an aardvark." -Sammy pronounces aardvark like ahdvahk. Benjamin says ahbahk.
10/01/2008 "When I read that part in the script where it said, 'Luke, I am your father,' I thought, 'He's lying. I have to see how they carry this lie out.' " -James Earl Jones
3/3/2013 "I find that despite my best efforts, you exert undue influence on my behavior."
-Temperance Brennan, "Bones"
9/29/2012 "Sometimes I would lie on my bed and stare at the ceiling, because it was the only clean place in my house."
-Brenda, a grandmother who raised 7 children
5/1/2011 "Democracy is like a tambourine; not everyone can be trusted with it."
-John Oliver, comedian.
3/20/2011 "Remember that the concerns of a mother cannot be separated from the needs of her children and her husband."-Jeffrey R. Holland, "'Charity Never Faileth': A Discussion on Relief Society." The Ensign, Mar. 2011, p. 42.
3/4/2011 "It is not the design of heaven that we be rescued from all difficult situations. Rather, it is the Lord's will that we learn to handle them." -Joseph Fielding McConkie, "Finding Answers," The Ensign, Feb. 2011, p. 32.
2/20/2011 "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times, and I'll hire you as my lawyer." -Wink, the royal advisor, Alcatraz versus the Shattered Lens, p. 165
2/4/2011 "Good heavens, no! The Bishop and the professor in the same room? I'd be excommunicated." -Professor Henry Higgins' mother, My Fair Lady
1/25/2011 Lines Written on a Banknote
Woe worth thy power, thou cursed leaf!
Fell source o' a' my woe and grief!
For lack o' thee I've lost my lass!
For lack o' thee I scrimp my glass!
I see the children of affliction
Unaided, through thy curst restriction:
I've seen the oppressor's cruel smile
Amid his hapless victim's spoil;
And for they potence vainly wished,
To crush the villain in the dust:
For lack o' thee, I leave this much-lov'd shore,
Never, perhaps, to greet old Scotland more.
-Robert Burns
1/ 22/2011 "Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children." —Alex Haley
3/01/2010 "You have a love/hate relationship with the idea of changing your hair." -Dominic to me, when I was thinking of getting a haircut and maybe dyeing it. I haven't done anything, yet.
2/3/2010 "Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." -Author unknown
1/12/2010 A mother really is the homemaker, because nothing happens in the home unless the mom makes it happen. -paraphrased from Eden Borrowman, Sunday school teacher
12/01/2009 "Oh, why do my actions have consequences!" -Homer Simpson
11/26/2008 "If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart." -Nelson Mandela
11/18/2009 "Two words: taste test." -Dominic to me. Sometimes I forget to taste test food before serving it. This time dinner was just a tad (ok, very) salty.
11/10/2009 "The world needs more palindromes." -Me
10/18/2009 "Mommy, I love you super looper much." -Benjamin
10/02/2009 "Nothing hurts a new truth more than an old error" -Geothe
10/01/2009 "Obi-One died. I'm Obi-Two Kenobi." -Samuel
8/26/2009 Dominic - "Can you please turn off the television?" Benjamin - "OK. But first I need to turn off the t.v."
8/10/2009 "I'm 4!" -Benjamin telling everyone about his birthday
7/8/2009 "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." -Thomas Jefferson, The Declaration of Independence, 1776
6/18/2009 "You are the embodiment of joie de vivre." -My Dad to Elisa
5/18/2009 "Oh geez, I'd hate to be her right now." -Overheard at the park
5/07/2009 Dominic: "Foldest thou thine arms." How the kids say it: "Foldest now nine arms."
4/26/2009 "I have hot dog power!" -Benjamin
4/12/2009 "This is the most exciting day ever! It's Easter and we get to go to church!"
-Samuel
4/06/2009 "There are 6 people in Idaho who don't hunt. Then we moved here. Now there's 7." -Samuel
3/30/2009 Benjamin: "You can't see me." Me: "Oh? Why not?" Benjamin: "Because my eyes are invisible."
3/27/2009 "Tums: the snack of pregnant women." -Me
3/17/2009 "Mommy, you're nice, but Daddy makes you silly."
-Benjamin, observing that I laugh more when Dominic is around.
3/04/2009 "Look at you! You're the kind of pregnant lady the rest of us hate."
-Next door neighbor to me, but I think she was just being nice.
2/15/2009 "Marriage vows should place unbreachable walls around a couple. Sometimes people selfishly and mistakenly see these as prison walls from which to escape. But committed couples can see them as walls around a beautiful garden. With so much peace and happiness being cultivated inside, why would anyone want to go outside?" -Abbott, J. (Mar 1995). Trust That Deepens Through the Years. The Ensign.
2/09/2009 "Lisy is so toot (cute)." -Benjamin
"You're cute, too." -Me
"But I'm not a baby." -Benjamin
2/03/2009 Online chat with a friend, who never heard of NPR or the show Car Talk: "what are you doing now?" -friend
"i'm listening to car talk" -Dominic
~pause~ "what is your car saying?" -friend
1/25/2009 In Darth Vader voice: "Luke, you are whiny!"
In whiny Luke voice: "That's not true, that's impossible!"
-Samuel was playing with his action figures
1/18/2009 "It's better to die laughing than to live each moment in fear." -Michael Crichton
1/09/2009 "Hi Dear, I'm on my way home now." -Me
"Oh good. I thought you had moved to Walmart." -Dominic
12/29/2008 "Youngest to o'dest!" -Benjamin, with the mistaken idea that he will be last to do something unpleasant, like brush his teeth.
12/21/2008 "Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets." -Jesus Christ, 3 Nephi 1:13
12/14/2008 "What you need is one more." - A stranger who saw me trying to catch the 3 kids running in 3 directions. He was trying to be funny but didn't realize there is one more on the way.
12/07/2008 A composite of several conversations: "Sammy is a baby name. Call me Samuel now. It's easy. You start with a Sam and end with a yule. Sam-uel." Benjamin: "Ammy-yule"
11/23/2008 "My Dad's name is Dominic, and my Mom's name is MaryRuth. But I'm not allowed to call them that. I have to call them Dad and Mom." - Sammy, to a stranger at a nearby table at breakfast.
11/16/2008 "Are we going home?" - Benjamin asks several times a day
11/09/2008 As a farewell to Utah, seen on a license plate frame this week:
Ski Patrol
* Risking ours *
* Saving yours *
11/04/2008 "You shouldn't worry (about making friends in a new area). You all have a bit of your dad in you." -Marrisse, sister-in-law
10/26/2008 "You really don't complain much." -Troy, brother-in-law
"That's because you can't hear what I'm thinking." -Me
10/17/2008 "Dad, you think you're a human being, but actually you are an aardvark." -Sammy pronounces aardvark like ahdvahk. Benjamin says ahbahk.
10/01/2008 "When I read that part in the script where it said, 'Luke, I am your father,' I thought, 'He's lying. I have to see how they carry this lie out.' " -James Earl Jones
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Surprise!
Today is my 31st birthday and the first anniversary of my blog. This has been a birthday filled with surprises. To start it off, last month I mentioned to Dominic that I would like an MP3 player, and he then proceeded to talk me out of it. What did he give me? An MP3 player! It even came with an armband so I can listen to music while running. Turns out he thought it was a great idea.
The next surprise was a trip. Not a major deal, mind you, but we headed out to look at some old ghost towns in the area. As it grew later I mentioned my concern about getting the kids to bed on time, so Dominic showed me the toothbrushes and changes of clothes in the trunk. I giggled in happy surprise for at least 10 minutes.
We ended up at Bear Lake at the only restaurant open in the winter, a very reasonably priced steak house. Then our server referred us to a nice hotel. Our rooms were about the same size as our first apartment and had a full kitchen, king-sized bed, and leather fold-out couch (the boys loved jumping on it). We saw the brochure with the advertised summer rates, and since we stayed mid-week off-season, we got a great deal. The next day we explored more ghost towns. Actually, the "ghost towns" mentioned in our book were more like dilapidated buildings in and around working ranches. But we got some really cool pictures.
Today itself was calm and quiet, with lots of phone calls from my family.
The next surprise was a trip. Not a major deal, mind you, but we headed out to look at some old ghost towns in the area. As it grew later I mentioned my concern about getting the kids to bed on time, so Dominic showed me the toothbrushes and changes of clothes in the trunk. I giggled in happy surprise for at least 10 minutes.
We ended up at Bear Lake at the only restaurant open in the winter, a very reasonably priced steak house. Then our server referred us to a nice hotel. Our rooms were about the same size as our first apartment and had a full kitchen, king-sized bed, and leather fold-out couch (the boys loved jumping on it). We saw the brochure with the advertised summer rates, and since we stayed mid-week off-season, we got a great deal. The next day we explored more ghost towns. Actually, the "ghost towns" mentioned in our book were more like dilapidated buildings in and around working ranches. But we got some really cool pictures.
Today itself was calm and quiet, with lots of phone calls from my family.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Ok, Ok, They're Not Monsters
To show you that I realize my children are not always little terrorizing monsters, here are some fun stories and facts about them.
Benjamin's potty training is coming along. Some days are great. Other days his pull-ups make it possible for him to change his own diaper, so to speak. We track his success with potty charts. He comes up with his own rewards when he fills up a chart with stickers. One reward he chose was a pack of M&Ms, which he shared with his brother and sister. Another reward was to visit an airforce museum with the family. He is amazingly considerate for a 3-year-old. Sammy enjoyed the cluster bombs most, and Lisy kept pointing and making airplane noises.
Sammy is quite the precocious child. At the museum I pointed out a plane and said, "Look, this plane is carrying 4 bombs on each side." To which he replied, "No, Mom. It's carrying 3 missiles and 1 bomb on each side." Dominic admitted the kid was right. At least Sammy doesn't go around singing "I'm right, and you're wrong" anymore. That was annoying.
After the museum we rented the movie "Top Gun." I fast-forwarded through all the talking parts so they could fully enjoy the airplane scenes. Benjamin discovered a new way to die. Let me just say that this kid "dies" several times a day. There are the common deaths (guns, sword and lightsaber fights, poisoned cookies, drowning, falling into lava) to the bizarre (running himself down with the toy lawnmower). Now he pretends to be Goose falling out of a plane. He looks at me and says, "I'm Doose. Aaaaaah," and falls down. He cracks me up! Another thing that gets me is when he says, "I'm so cuuute," where cute sounds like teeewt.
Sammy likes to take care of the food. When he is hungry, he raids the fridge and cupboards and puts random things on the table. Then I look through it and narrow it down to what can go together. We've had interesting lunches that way. One day while I was showering too close to lunch time, he spread cool whip on bread. He and Benjamin ate about half the loaf of bread like that, finishing it off. He was very proud of his meal.
Lisy wore her hair in pigtails for the first (successful) time today. It was adorable! Her hair even made little curls, as if I did it on purpose. Of course I don't have a picture, because I still don't know how to upload pictures onto the laptop. She has also been much easier since we started locking the fridge. Oh she screams about it, but the eggs are safe. She really enjoys getting tickled. When we stop, she takes our hands and puts them back on her belly to get tickled again. And finally, she loves to be taken care of. For instance, she enjoys getting her hair washed when it's coated in food, and she's the only one of the 3 who likes getting dressed or getting her diaper changed.
Benjamin's potty training is coming along. Some days are great. Other days his pull-ups make it possible for him to change his own diaper, so to speak. We track his success with potty charts. He comes up with his own rewards when he fills up a chart with stickers. One reward he chose was a pack of M&Ms, which he shared with his brother and sister. Another reward was to visit an airforce museum with the family. He is amazingly considerate for a 3-year-old. Sammy enjoyed the cluster bombs most, and Lisy kept pointing and making airplane noises.
Sammy is quite the precocious child. At the museum I pointed out a plane and said, "Look, this plane is carrying 4 bombs on each side." To which he replied, "No, Mom. It's carrying 3 missiles and 1 bomb on each side." Dominic admitted the kid was right. At least Sammy doesn't go around singing "I'm right, and you're wrong" anymore. That was annoying.
After the museum we rented the movie "Top Gun." I fast-forwarded through all the talking parts so they could fully enjoy the airplane scenes. Benjamin discovered a new way to die. Let me just say that this kid "dies" several times a day. There are the common deaths (guns, sword and lightsaber fights, poisoned cookies, drowning, falling into lava) to the bizarre (running himself down with the toy lawnmower). Now he pretends to be Goose falling out of a plane. He looks at me and says, "I'm Doose. Aaaaaah," and falls down. He cracks me up! Another thing that gets me is when he says, "I'm so cuuute," where cute sounds like teeewt.
Sammy likes to take care of the food. When he is hungry, he raids the fridge and cupboards and puts random things on the table. Then I look through it and narrow it down to what can go together. We've had interesting lunches that way. One day while I was showering too close to lunch time, he spread cool whip on bread. He and Benjamin ate about half the loaf of bread like that, finishing it off. He was very proud of his meal.
Lisy wore her hair in pigtails for the first (successful) time today. It was adorable! Her hair even made little curls, as if I did it on purpose. Of course I don't have a picture, because I still don't know how to upload pictures onto the laptop. She has also been much easier since we started locking the fridge. Oh she screams about it, but the eggs are safe. She really enjoys getting tickled. When we stop, she takes our hands and puts them back on her belly to get tickled again. And finally, she loves to be taken care of. For instance, she enjoys getting her hair washed when it's coated in food, and she's the only one of the 3 who likes getting dressed or getting her diaper changed.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Little Monsters
It's official: our children are monsters.
A couple of Sundays ago I was the only one not sick, so everyone stayed home while I went to church. Halfway through I received a text message from Dominic: "What do you think is messier: raw eggs or poop? How about both all smeared over the kitchen floor?" Uh oh. But I thought it would all be cleaned up by the time I got home and he wouldn't need me, so I stayed.
When I arrived home, Dominic had cleaned up 3 Lisy messes and given her a bath. One problem he had was that she would make another mess while he cleaned up a previous one. After bathing her, he put her in the crib and finished cleaning the house. She screamed the entire time, but at least she couldn't make another mess. I felt really bad for Dominic, because he was sick, which is why he was home. The next day we bought a fridge lock.
Just this past Sunday, the boys were making a lot of noise on the floor and barely acknowledged my commands to quiet down. Our downstairs neighbors have a 3-month-old baby. The dad reached a breaking point and pounded on their ceiling, our floor. It scared my boys, who finally stopped stomping around. I was very embarrassed by their behavior, but I am grateful they obeyed someone.
The 3 little monsters do have their good moments, but they are still young children. They have a tendency to laugh when I want to yell at them.
A couple of Sundays ago I was the only one not sick, so everyone stayed home while I went to church. Halfway through I received a text message from Dominic: "What do you think is messier: raw eggs or poop? How about both all smeared over the kitchen floor?" Uh oh. But I thought it would all be cleaned up by the time I got home and he wouldn't need me, so I stayed.
When I arrived home, Dominic had cleaned up 3 Lisy messes and given her a bath. One problem he had was that she would make another mess while he cleaned up a previous one. After bathing her, he put her in the crib and finished cleaning the house. She screamed the entire time, but at least she couldn't make another mess. I felt really bad for Dominic, because he was sick, which is why he was home. The next day we bought a fridge lock.
Just this past Sunday, the boys were making a lot of noise on the floor and barely acknowledged my commands to quiet down. Our downstairs neighbors have a 3-month-old baby. The dad reached a breaking point and pounded on their ceiling, our floor. It scared my boys, who finally stopped stomping around. I was very embarrassed by their behavior, but I am grateful they obeyed someone.
The 3 little monsters do have their good moments, but they are still young children. They have a tendency to laugh when I want to yell at them.
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Random thoughts
I haven't written for awhile, because nothing really big has happened. But I also don't want to fall out of the habit of posting, so I'll try some stream-of-consciousness writing.
The kids have been in bed for an hour, and the boys are still playing. Lisy is down to 1 nap a day. I now put her to bed after lunch or when she starts nodding off during lunch.
I enjoyed General Conference this weekend. Though I don't like how it makes Saturday feel like Sunday, and then Sunday feels like a vacation. What do you think about the Rome, Italy temple announcement? I feel like asking, "How did they pull that off?"
I really like the "Twilight" saga. Dominic thinks I like it a little too much, but compared to some people on-line, I'm not much of a fan. Besides Stephenie Meyer's website, I also peruse Twilight Lexicon.
I've had a nasty cold for the past week or so and haven't been able to run. If it stops raining, I'll run tomorrow. Lisy got me running again when I took a break after my race. You see, it had been about 3 weeks, and I was holding her while playing Tag with the kids. Every time I started running, she smiled really big. Then she kept climbing into the jogging stroller. The next day I took her running with me.
I decorated for Halloween! Luckily we don't have too much stuff, so it only took half a morning. Now Sammy says we need more decorations. I don't know - after a raccoon moved into our garage and used most of our Halloween decorations to build a nest a few years ago, I haven't been excited to buy things that will sit in storage.
In the time it has taken me to write this, the boys have finally fallen asleep. Yesterday I cut their hair, and now Benjamin's brown hair looks almost as light as Sammy's blonde.
I just finished reading "Before Green Gables," all about Anne Shirley's early life. Some parts were very sad, like when her parents died, but it was still very good. The author did an excellent job capturing Anne's personality and speech. I want to read the original series again.
Although I could go on, I had better stop before this becomes unbearably long and boring. This is a glimpse into my current life and mind.
The kids have been in bed for an hour, and the boys are still playing. Lisy is down to 1 nap a day. I now put her to bed after lunch or when she starts nodding off during lunch.
I enjoyed General Conference this weekend. Though I don't like how it makes Saturday feel like Sunday, and then Sunday feels like a vacation. What do you think about the Rome, Italy temple announcement? I feel like asking, "How did they pull that off?"
I really like the "Twilight" saga. Dominic thinks I like it a little too much, but compared to some people on-line, I'm not much of a fan. Besides Stephenie Meyer's website, I also peruse Twilight Lexicon.
I've had a nasty cold for the past week or so and haven't been able to run. If it stops raining, I'll run tomorrow. Lisy got me running again when I took a break after my race. You see, it had been about 3 weeks, and I was holding her while playing Tag with the kids. Every time I started running, she smiled really big. Then she kept climbing into the jogging stroller. The next day I took her running with me.
I decorated for Halloween! Luckily we don't have too much stuff, so it only took half a morning. Now Sammy says we need more decorations. I don't know - after a raccoon moved into our garage and used most of our Halloween decorations to build a nest a few years ago, I haven't been excited to buy things that will sit in storage.
In the time it has taken me to write this, the boys have finally fallen asleep. Yesterday I cut their hair, and now Benjamin's brown hair looks almost as light as Sammy's blonde.
I just finished reading "Before Green Gables," all about Anne Shirley's early life. Some parts were very sad, like when her parents died, but it was still very good. The author did an excellent job capturing Anne's personality and speech. I want to read the original series again.
Although I could go on, I had better stop before this becomes unbearably long and boring. This is a glimpse into my current life and mind.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Little Debater
Sammy will make a great debater some day. As Dominic put it, "he has the gift of gab." He has always talked a lot, but today he put this skill to great use.
This afternoon Sammy went up to Dominic and said, "I like ginger ale." He then listed all the good qualities of ginger ale. He described how ginger ale is not just for sick people (I give it to the kids when they've got the flu), but it's also a good soda. He went on to mention how each family member could benefit from drinking ginger ale. At the end of his 7 - 8 minute speech, he asked "Dad, can we buy some ginger ale?" By this time (well, a couple minutes into it) Dominic was convinced. So we bought ginger ale this evening.
I only wish I could have heard him.
This afternoon Sammy went up to Dominic and said, "I like ginger ale." He then listed all the good qualities of ginger ale. He described how ginger ale is not just for sick people (I give it to the kids when they've got the flu), but it's also a good soda. He went on to mention how each family member could benefit from drinking ginger ale. At the end of his 7 - 8 minute speech, he asked "Dad, can we buy some ginger ale?" By this time (well, a couple minutes into it) Dominic was convinced. So we bought ginger ale this evening.
I only wish I could have heard him.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Toby Keith concert
A little background: Dominic has been to several concerts that he still talks about. I've only been to free concerts in the park and orchestras. Last May I asked him to take me to a real concert. Toby Keith was the only one I'd heard of who was coming to the area, and some of his songs are funny. Dominic found half-price tickets online (I love that man).
Last night: We went to the last night of Toby Keith's Biggest & Baddest Tour. It had been raining all day, and the concert was in an outdoor ampitheater. Fortunately the weather calmed down. Montgomery Gentry started off, and although they're popular, I'm not a big fan. Plus, one of them acted slightly intoxicated - less than impressive. Around 9 pm Toby Keith finally came onstage. Obviously the headliner, he had pyrotechnics and a large screen behind him for close-ups and audience shots.
He was a great entertainer. He joked with the audience, tailoring his jokes for Utah, and adding lines about Salt Lake City to his songs. He has a very strong voice. He is also good with slow songs, which I never noticed before. I liked that he showcased his band, even letting a back-up singer solo a song; she was very good. He sang 3 encores, ending with a couple of patriotic songs. Unfortunately he cussed a lot, and I didn't realize how many songs are about alcohol. As a matter of fact, I'm glad we made it out of the parking lot unscathed, considering all the alcohol consumed by the audience. I was once again reminded why I don't drink.
Overall I had a great time, it was a fun concert, and I'm glad I went (and came home safely). It ended at 11 pm. What with the traffic and the long drive, we got home about 1 am. I had no idea it would be that late! Dominic knew it, of course. The poor babysitter fell asleep on the couch. We paid her as much as both tickets cost. Ok, she's not so poor anymore.
Last night: We went to the last night of Toby Keith's Biggest & Baddest Tour. It had been raining all day, and the concert was in an outdoor ampitheater. Fortunately the weather calmed down. Montgomery Gentry started off, and although they're popular, I'm not a big fan. Plus, one of them acted slightly intoxicated - less than impressive. Around 9 pm Toby Keith finally came onstage. Obviously the headliner, he had pyrotechnics and a large screen behind him for close-ups and audience shots.
He was a great entertainer. He joked with the audience, tailoring his jokes for Utah, and adding lines about Salt Lake City to his songs. He has a very strong voice. He is also good with slow songs, which I never noticed before. I liked that he showcased his band, even letting a back-up singer solo a song; she was very good. He sang 3 encores, ending with a couple of patriotic songs. Unfortunately he cussed a lot, and I didn't realize how many songs are about alcohol. As a matter of fact, I'm glad we made it out of the parking lot unscathed, considering all the alcohol consumed by the audience. I was once again reminded why I don't drink.
Overall I had a great time, it was a fun concert, and I'm glad I went (and came home safely). It ended at 11 pm. What with the traffic and the long drive, we got home about 1 am. I had no idea it would be that late! Dominic knew it, of course. The poor babysitter fell asleep on the couch. We paid her as much as both tickets cost. Ok, she's not so poor anymore.
Enjoying Nature
We spent a couple of days enjoying nature and animals this week. Dominic and I are not outdoorsy, meaning we don't do a lot of outdoor sports, but we love to be outside when the weather is nice (I'm less tolerant of extreme temperatures as I get older). Unfortunately I forgot the camera for our outings.
Antelope Island: We visited Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake for the first time. The lack of trees surprised me. We hiked up a little bluff, and Elisa walked about half the way. Dominic thought it was cute that I pointed out buffalo chips to the kids, but they avoided stepping in them after that.
We tried to go to the beach, but we couldn't find the trail and ended up following an animal path, where we saw a bobcat (yikes!). Luckily it wanted to avoid us and quickly disappeared. Since it is near the end of the dry season, the beach was quite expansive, and we never came close to the water. But in the sand we saw a lot of animal tracks: rabbit, bobcat, fox, and the path of a running antelope. Speaking of animals, we actually saw a pronghorn deer, jackrabbits, the bobcat, several buffalo, and countless water birds. Oh, and I saw brine shrimp (aka sea-monkeys) for the first time.
Hogle Zoo: The weather was still nice, and we hadn't seen enough wildlife, so 2 days later we visited the zoo. We saw the bobcat better on the island than at the zoo; scary! Dominic finally got to see the Pallas cat awake. It looked like a very fluffy house cat, and it kept eyeing the birds flying outside the cage.
The funniest thing I saw was Sammy and Benjamin walking around like monkeys. Dominic asked Elisa what the cougars were, and she said, "tat?" But just moments earlier she was saying, "tat tat tat tat," her word for cat. She got out of the stroller at one point, and Sammy quickly sat in her seat. Lisy pushed her big brother around the giraffe house, and they both laughed a lot.
Antelope Island: We visited Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake for the first time. The lack of trees surprised me. We hiked up a little bluff, and Elisa walked about half the way. Dominic thought it was cute that I pointed out buffalo chips to the kids, but they avoided stepping in them after that.
We tried to go to the beach, but we couldn't find the trail and ended up following an animal path, where we saw a bobcat (yikes!). Luckily it wanted to avoid us and quickly disappeared. Since it is near the end of the dry season, the beach was quite expansive, and we never came close to the water. But in the sand we saw a lot of animal tracks: rabbit, bobcat, fox, and the path of a running antelope. Speaking of animals, we actually saw a pronghorn deer, jackrabbits, the bobcat, several buffalo, and countless water birds. Oh, and I saw brine shrimp (aka sea-monkeys) for the first time.
Hogle Zoo: The weather was still nice, and we hadn't seen enough wildlife, so 2 days later we visited the zoo. We saw the bobcat better on the island than at the zoo; scary! Dominic finally got to see the Pallas cat awake. It looked like a very fluffy house cat, and it kept eyeing the birds flying outside the cage.
The funniest thing I saw was Sammy and Benjamin walking around like monkeys. Dominic asked Elisa what the cougars were, and she said, "tat?" But just moments earlier she was saying, "tat tat tat tat," her word for cat. She got out of the stroller at one point, and Sammy quickly sat in her seat. Lisy pushed her big brother around the giraffe house, and they both laughed a lot.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Sweet Sammy
Referring to his children in a letter to his wife, Emma, Joseph Smith wrote, "Be tender and kind to them; don't be fractious to them, but listen to their wants" (Ensign, Sep. 2008, 13).
Yesterday I was looking at pictures in a magazine with my boys, when we saw a picture of a girl giving her mom some flowers. I was tired and wanted to keep flipping through the pages, but Sammy really wanted to talk about that picture. Remembering the above mentioned quote, I turned back to the page and let Sammy talk. He mentioned that he likes to give me flowers and that he's very sad the dandelions are gone for the summer; he gave me many dandelion bouquets this year. I assured him the flowers will come back in the Spring. Then today at the park he found some bushes in bloom. He was thrilled to be able to give me flowers again. I probably would have missed the significance of his gift if I hadn't taken the time to listen to him last night.
Yesterday I was looking at pictures in a magazine with my boys, when we saw a picture of a girl giving her mom some flowers. I was tired and wanted to keep flipping through the pages, but Sammy really wanted to talk about that picture. Remembering the above mentioned quote, I turned back to the page and let Sammy talk. He mentioned that he likes to give me flowers and that he's very sad the dandelions are gone for the summer; he gave me many dandelion bouquets this year. I assured him the flowers will come back in the Spring. Then today at the park he found some bushes in bloom. He was thrilled to be able to give me flowers again. I probably would have missed the significance of his gift if I hadn't taken the time to listen to him last night.
Friday, September 5, 2008
Relatives!
My brother-in-law and his wife, Devin and Maren, came to visit us this past week. The boys love their uncle and aunt, and they excitedly jumped around during most of the visit. On Wednesday we ate a BBQ dinner at the park. The kids played on the playground while the adults played "Rook." Thursday we went to Salt Lake City and did the tourist thing. We toured the Conference Center, visited the Tabernacle and Visitor's Center on Temple Square, and ended at the Church History Museum. Somehow they'd never been to any of them before.
My highlight was walking on the roof of the Conference Center. About 8 years ago I helped plant dead grass on the rooftop garden. They assured us the grass was just dormant, but it looked dead to me. This trip was the first time I saw the finished garden; the roof was closed due to rain or snow on my previous visits. I'm happy to report that the grass actually grew!
Last month my sister Emily offered to babysit for us. Friday evening we took her up on the offer. We dropped off the kids and had a great time at the nearly-empty waterpark (it was the last day of the season). We ate dinner at the "Pie Pantry" but didn't get any pie; I don't know why. The water slides were the most fun. It's a shame we didn't know about them earlier in the summer. To make the evening even better, the kids didn't want to come home. One word: cousins!
My highlight was walking on the roof of the Conference Center. About 8 years ago I helped plant dead grass on the rooftop garden. They assured us the grass was just dormant, but it looked dead to me. This trip was the first time I saw the finished garden; the roof was closed due to rain or snow on my previous visits. I'm happy to report that the grass actually grew!
Last month my sister Emily offered to babysit for us. Friday evening we took her up on the offer. We dropped off the kids and had a great time at the nearly-empty waterpark (it was the last day of the season). We ate dinner at the "Pie Pantry" but didn't get any pie; I don't know why. The water slides were the most fun. It's a shame we didn't know about them earlier in the summer. To make the evening even better, the kids didn't want to come home. One word: cousins!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Low-key anniversary
Our 7th anniversary was fairly low-key this year. It was better than our 5th anniversary - we were moving across the country and were somewhere in Nebraska. The next day I realized we forgot our anniversary. Oh well, we knew there would be more.
This year our anniversary landed on a Sunday, which made things difficult. Instead of going on a trip, although that would be fun, we bought a new laptop. I get Dominic's old laptop, and the kids get the computer on the fritz. On Sunday Dominic cleaned the living room for me. Of course the boys messed it up within 2 minutes, but he made them clean it up again. Then he had to go to work. So I made him homemade brownies when he came home (he prefers brownies to cake).
Monday, being Labor Day, we just rented The Covenant to watch after the kids went to bed. We actually liked it a lot. It was suspenseful, a bit spooky, and well made. The special effects were very good.
Tuesday evening we hired a babysitter and went out for dinner. We also finished reading the Twilight saga. Good. It took up way to much of our time, though it was an exciting and funny story. So, although we didn't do anything spectacular, it was fun to spread the celebration over several days.
Have I mentioned how grateful I am to be married to Dominic? We balance each other quite well. I help him feel happy and supported and he helps me calm down and relax. After 7 years, he still makes me laugh.
This year our anniversary landed on a Sunday, which made things difficult. Instead of going on a trip, although that would be fun, we bought a new laptop. I get Dominic's old laptop, and the kids get the computer on the fritz. On Sunday Dominic cleaned the living room for me. Of course the boys messed it up within 2 minutes, but he made them clean it up again. Then he had to go to work. So I made him homemade brownies when he came home (he prefers brownies to cake).
Monday, being Labor Day, we just rented The Covenant to watch after the kids went to bed. We actually liked it a lot. It was suspenseful, a bit spooky, and well made. The special effects were very good.
Tuesday evening we hired a babysitter and went out for dinner. We also finished reading the Twilight saga. Good. It took up way to much of our time, though it was an exciting and funny story. So, although we didn't do anything spectacular, it was fun to spread the celebration over several days.
Have I mentioned how grateful I am to be married to Dominic? We balance each other quite well. I help him feel happy and supported and he helps me calm down and relax. After 7 years, he still makes me laugh.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Updates
Elisa: Well, both of her traumatized fingers lost the fingernails. The fingers look weird, but they don't seem to bother her. Several people have assured me that her nails will grow back just fine, without deformities, because she's so young. I hope so.
Benjamin: He is very ready to get potty trained, and I'm sticking with it this time. I gave up too quickly (after only half a day) the last few times. I just quit when he started to resist or had a couple of accidents. This time I'm devoting most of my attention to him, and after 3 days it seems to be working. He likes to flush the toilet and sing, "Bye-bye, my pee!" (he came up with that, not me)
Sammy: He is getting good at hitting them with the flyswatter. He usually kills at least one fly every time he gets the flyswatter. Often the flyswatter magically becomes a sword with which to hit everything. They make weapons out of anything.
Dominic: He was accepted at Walden University into his doctorate program! Classes start after Labor Day. Since it's an on-line school, he can still work without changing his schedule. And since he received his Master's from them, they're giving him a discount on tuition.
Me: After the race I gave myself a little break from running, but the break kept getting longer. I finally came up with new goals to keep myself going. Old goals - run 3 times a week and get in shape for a race. New goals - run 4 to 5 times a week and lose weight. You see, I went down to my pre-pregnancy size but never lost the weight. My aim is to get within a healthy BMI (body mass index) range.
Benjamin: He is very ready to get potty trained, and I'm sticking with it this time. I gave up too quickly (after only half a day) the last few times. I just quit when he started to resist or had a couple of accidents. This time I'm devoting most of my attention to him, and after 3 days it seems to be working. He likes to flush the toilet and sing, "Bye-bye, my pee!" (he came up with that, not me)
Sammy: He is getting good at hitting them with the flyswatter. He usually kills at least one fly every time he gets the flyswatter. Often the flyswatter magically becomes a sword with which to hit everything. They make weapons out of anything.
Dominic: He was accepted at Walden University into his doctorate program! Classes start after Labor Day. Since it's an on-line school, he can still work without changing his schedule. And since he received his Master's from them, they're giving him a discount on tuition.
Me: After the race I gave myself a little break from running, but the break kept getting longer. I finally came up with new goals to keep myself going. Old goals - run 3 times a week and get in shape for a race. New goals - run 4 to 5 times a week and lose weight. You see, I went down to my pre-pregnancy size but never lost the weight. My aim is to get within a healthy BMI (body mass index) range.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Benjamin's superhero party
Sierra, Batman (Benjamin), The Red Knight (Andrew), The Flash (Sammy), and Magic Ducky Guy (Tim) admiring the cool cake.Although it's been almost 2 weeks, I don't want to forget the details. So, without further ado...
What a great party! This was the first big birthday party I’ve put together. A couple of weeks before his birthday, I asked Benjamin what he wanted, and he said “cousins!” He has 10 cousins, aged 10 years to 8 months, living within this state. I also invited Sierra, our 9-year-old neighbor, who acts like part of the family. I over-planned so no one would get bored. It wasn’t necessary; we met at a park, and the kids played at the playground during the down-times.
As people arrived, I gave them capes I made from a sheet and let them choose a superhero name. While Dominic started grilling the hamburgers and hot dogs, we tested the kids’ super powers: who can throw a bat-a-rang the farthest, jump the farthest, run the fastest. They also played “Bat, Bat, Joker” (duck, duck, goose), and “Simon Says.”
After lunch we played “Tape the Utility Belt on Batman.” Benjamin really wanted a piñata, but I couldn’t find one I liked (aka cheap) so I just threw the candy around, which was still fun and much safer. As people started leaving, Dominic launched a rocket several times until it got lost.
Honestly, I couldn’t have done it without my sister Emily, sister-in-law Marrisse and, of course, Dominic. Emily took charge of the games while I helped Dominic prepare lunch, and Marrisse made the perfect Batman cake. I think everyone had fun, so it was a good party.
Friday, August 22, 2008
My poor computer
Why do I keep having computer problems? This last week I even had a lot to write about. But my pc kept shutting down (or not turning on at all) for no apparent reason. Dominic replaced the CMOS battery, and I was good to go. Then, I couldn't connect to the internet. Without internet this is just a big, expensive paper weight. Again, Dominic took a look, worked his magic, and the world was right again. This is a great computer; 4 years old and still doing great, but the parts are starting to wear out. It may become the kids' computer soon.
We had plans for a trip this week with other family members, but plans fell through. Instead, we did fun things together around here. (We saved a lot on gas.) On Wednesday we all met at a nearby waterpark. We were there long enough to feel worn out and to get properly sunburned; I promise I wore sunscreen, but my shoulders just like to burn. Ok, ok, I'm the only one who got red - my children are more like their dad and tanned, even with sunscreen on. To paraphrase a family friend: some people marry looks, some for money, and some for fame, but my family marries for pigment.
Thursday night we all met at my sister Emily's house for dinner. My children disappeared as soon as we walked in the door, and I only saw them in snatches for the rest of the evening. I don't mind. The adults had time to chat and laugh, and the kids were very happy. Last night as I put Sammy to bed, he told me that Daniel (just 10 months older) is his favorite cousin. When I asked why, he said "He's so funny. He's even funnier than me."
This week Dominic has been working on his graduate school application. Another good reason I'm glad we didn't go on the trip - the place had no internet, so he couldn't have submitted the application in time. They'll let him know on Monday whether or not he's accepted. Cross your fingers!
We had plans for a trip this week with other family members, but plans fell through. Instead, we did fun things together around here. (We saved a lot on gas.) On Wednesday we all met at a nearby waterpark. We were there long enough to feel worn out and to get properly sunburned; I promise I wore sunscreen, but my shoulders just like to burn. Ok, ok, I'm the only one who got red - my children are more like their dad and tanned, even with sunscreen on. To paraphrase a family friend: some people marry looks, some for money, and some for fame, but my family marries for pigment.
Thursday night we all met at my sister Emily's house for dinner. My children disappeared as soon as we walked in the door, and I only saw them in snatches for the rest of the evening. I don't mind. The adults had time to chat and laugh, and the kids were very happy. Last night as I put Sammy to bed, he told me that Daniel (just 10 months older) is his favorite cousin. When I asked why, he said "He's so funny. He's even funnier than me."
This week Dominic has been working on his graduate school application. Another good reason I'm glad we didn't go on the trip - the place had no internet, so he couldn't have submitted the application in time. They'll let him know on Monday whether or not he's accepted. Cross your fingers!
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