Just what I needed tonight!

 

Just what I needed tonight! Thank you Chase Checketts.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most....

Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace.

Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world.

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/of-things-that-matter-most?lang=eng

 

Moments That Matter Most

http://youtu.be/l70e1TfN34w

This video  had me in tears instantly.  Allowing me to recognize and realize something I have been too quick to forget.   

 

 

WHY??

So tonight I keep asking myself WHY?  Why do I have to get to the point where I am yelling at my 5 almost 6 year old, before he'll get anything done?  Why do I have to repeat myself over, and over, and over, and over again?  Why isn't me politely asking enough? WHY?

Today I caught myself telling him things over, and over.  Let's start from the beginning.  Here are the things I had to repeatedly ask him to do. (repeated being more than 8 times)
(Before School)
What do you want for breakfast?
Get dressed!
Get your shoes on!
Brush your teeth!
Get your backpack!
(After School)
You have one problem left, let's finish it!
Get you soccer stuff on!
Find you soccer ball!
Where are you cleats?
Take your ball upstairs!
Stop whining, Dinner is almost ready!
Set the table?
Get in the bathtub!    
No Kindle!!!!
Go to bed!!!!!!!!

The extra !! are because at the end of the day I am so tired of yelling.  Tonight my throat hurts, and my voice is raspy.  Why won't he just listen to me and do as I ask, WHY?  I am not joking about the list above.  I really had to repeat everyone of those things multiple times.  No I did not start out yelling, I politely asked first, and over 8+ times I resort to yelling.  Then he decides that he doesn't like our family (because I'm yelling).  I will give him one kudos, when it was time to come inside I went outside and said, "Time to come in", and he said okay, and came right in.  See, I know he can do it, he is just so stubborn.  I really do love him so much, but I am getting so frustrated that he just won't listen, or chooses not to listen.  UGH!!

DINNER

 

Tonight while Alex and Madi were whining about being hungry, and Jayden was screaming, just because, and Lyn was finishing her homework, I was making dinner.  Nothing special, really. I made grilled chicken, Alfredo pasta, and sweet corn.  Zach was home teaching, so it was just me and the kiddos.  I couldn't believe how much they all ate.  Each of them had 3 helpings of pasta, and Alex had 2 helpings of corn.  I only made enough chicken for each of us, or they would have had double helpings of chicken.  Either they were all really hungry, or it really tasted good.  I think a little of both.  They just kept eating, and eating.  They would pile more food on their plates and I kept thinking to myself, they're never going to finish all that, but lo and behold THEY DID!!  I wish they would eat like that more often.  What is really funny is right before bed Alex was searching through the fridge because he was hungry.  He didn't eat enough?  Double WOW! 

 

ME TIME

 

I love my kids so much!  I enjoy spending time with them as long as nobody is screaming or whining.  One thing I look forward to every night is Me Time.  That hour or so that I have all to myself after they have all gone off to bed and are in dream land.  I can do whatever I want.  Unfortunately I find myself being all to lazy.  Tonight I'm blogging, and soon will be upstairs making swiss meringue buttercream frosting. YUM!  It's funny.  As our house was in an uproar this evening, Zach turned to me and says, "Don't you just want to be a stay at home mom?"  I could strangle him!  Yes, I want the ability to be able to be home with my kids when they get home from school.  I hate having to rely on others to get my kids here or there, and I hate paying for daycare.  I did enjoy my maternity leave, and Zach loved me being home even more.  It was a huge stress lifted off his shoulders that he didn't have to worry about where he needed to pick up the kids from, or being home in time when they get out of school, etc.  I do want to be home with my kids.  My only fear is that with the changes we are making in our lives, and Zach going back to school, that he will still be so busy that I'll never get a relief from them.  He'll be too busy for me to go do something, anything with out them.   How nice would it be to actually go grocery shopping by myself.  Oh how I miss the days of going to the store alone. . . . . . . On the other side, I keep reminding myself that I have a sister, and close co-worker that have not been able to have kids, and my best friend, and another co-worker who have both lost children.  I am so grateful that I have been blessed with my kids, but I love my alone time each night.  One of my super wise cousins (Amy Alleman) said something to me about this exact subject.  I can't quote word for word, but it went something like this.  " Yes you have your children, and they don't but these are the trials that I have to face, and they have to face.  The trials I am given are for me and consist of learning patience with my kids, as their trials are of loss.  They are different for each of us, but are still trials that we must endure."  Umm . . . . Love Her.  This is my trial right now in my life.  God gives us the trials we can handle, and it is up to me how I will react to this trial, and learn from it.  Kids grow all to fast and time is passing faster and faster.  I enjoy being with my kids, and spending time with them as long as I am not hurried or rushed.  They make me so happy.  Raising kids are the happiest and hardest thing I want to do.  I am so thankful for a wonderful husband who continues to help me, and share as much time with our kids as possible.  He works 1 full time job, and 2 part time jobs to support us.  (I work too)  Even then making ends meet has become rather tough.  He still uses whatever time he can squeeze it to play with the kids, and I love him for that!!  I am so grateful that he is a worthy priesthood holder, and that he asked the kids if they wanted father's blessing for school.  They all said yes, even Madi.  It was a spiritual experience, and I am thankful for his offering and showing the kids that the priesthood is real.

The Hubby and Me

I can't help but continually think that I need to post this.  Zach works 6/7 night (graveyard shift), and then 1-2 times a week he'll work 1/2 a swing shift prior to working his grave's shift.  So Monday nights are OUR nights.  This past Monday was wonderful.  Yes, I had to work and he was home with our kids all day long.  However we had a wonderful night.  Zach made a delicious dinner for the kids and I and then picking up the house and dishes really was done by everyone.  It was so nice.  Zach was really in such a good mood. (I loved IT!!  It doesn't happen that often, mostly from the lack of sleep and loud kids.)  What really was my most favorite part of the evening was after our kiddos went to bed.  Ah, quiet.  We love it when it's quiet.  Between work and kids we rarely get the chance to sit down and just talk especially without being interrupted.  I think we crawled into bed about 10pm and continued to just talk to each other, mostly about our lives together, our kids, what we should have done differently the last 9 years, and the big changes we are contemplating in the near future. I can't say it enough.  I love, love, love spending time with my hubby when he's not grumpy, or stressed.  At probably close to midnight I had to interrupt him, lean over and kiss him good night. (I had to get up for work much earlier than usual, and I'm not a morning person).  He says to me, "I know, I know, I just miss being able to talk to you, this doesn't happen very often".  I agreed with him.  Shortly after that he kissed me goodnight and told me how much he loves me.  What a great hubby.  I am so thankful he is in my life.  I really do cherish and love him so very much despite his oft grumpiness.  I really don't know what I would do without him in my life.  I am so grateful that we have FOREVER with each other.

Oatmeal Anyone?

Well of course both my cameras had dead batteries this morning when I really wanted to capture Jayden's face while trying a new food.  It was pretty funny.  We gave him oatmeal for the first time today, and guess what? . . . . . He loved it!! I realized that I probably made to much, but nope he ate the whole bowl.  He was so happy.  It was everywhere.  All over his face, both hands (since he can't keep them out of his mouth), and thanks to those hands it was all over his jamies.  I am so glad that he enjoyed it, and can't wait until tomorrow when he get more.  He was all smiles!  Love him.

Back to School

It was back to school week this week.  I took Thursday and Friday off so I could be one of the amazing, awesome, wonderful, organized, picture taking first day of school MOMS.  Umm,  the day didn't quite turn out how I imagined.  Yes we all slept in.  I instead of getting the kiddos a fabulous back to school breakfast, they got cereal again.  (Don't get me wrong they love cereal and oatmeal, I just wanted to surprise them with a little YUM that morning.) 

I went downstairs and got a few First day of School, still in bed pictures of them.  I know I hated these pictures growing up, and now I just laugh as I take them of my own kids.

  Lyndee

Alex

 

They were so tired.  I thought they would jump up a little faster than they did, as it was their first day.  Actually they really must be my kids, because I love to sleep in and will any extra minutes I can get.

 

 Oh how she makes me laugh.

        Just a little more awake.

 

After some cereal, teeth, and hair, we hurried out the door as I was dropping her off right as the bell was about to ring.  Umm, I guess no pictures with her teacher, classroom and friends.  I am always running late, I should never assume I'll be on time anywhere.  Ugh!  I did snap a shot before we left the house.

 

LYNDEE LOO

A big 3rd Grader -  Mrs. Lindley

Canyon Elementary

Hyrum, UT

August 22, 2013

 

Alex is in afternoon Kindergarten.  After one day of waiting for school to start, I decided that I HATE, HATE afternoon kindergarten.  He couldn't wait to go to school.  He thought he was going to be late all morning.  I had to reassure him that it wasn't time yet.  Since we had some time between drop offs, I got everyone else ready for the day. 

 

Jayden just loves bath time.  He loves to splash, and it typically all smiles.  Lately he's been munching on his fingers and hands.  Teething?  Already?

Jayden enjoying a mid morning SNACK.  If there is one thing he loves more than baths, its EATING.  He will down 2 whole bottles if I let him, and he is only 30% in weight for his age. Doesn't quite add up.  Side note:  He had his 4 month check this week and is 60% for his head, 75% in length. Tall and Skinny. We picked Red Foot Prints this time.

 

The picture on the left of his foot prints is Dr. Russell McKenna's drawing of our little guy.  He actually does a pretty good job.  We really enjoy him as our Pediatrician, and the kids like going to see him. (As long as no shots are involved.)

 

Madi had to share with me her bouncy ball.  I promise I did do her hair before we left the house.

 

 After some lunch.  PB and J sandwiches, grapes, Cheetos, and Lemon water Alex freshened up, brushed his teeth, was careful not to dirty his shirt during lunch.  We gel'd up his hair and he was excited to have his Kindergarten Pics.

 

ALEX BUDDY

Kindergarten - Mrs. Carrie Kendrick

Canyon Elementary

Hyrum, UT

August 22, 2013

 

MADI MOO

2 1/2 Years Old - Can't wait to be old enough to go to school

 

We got to school a little early.  I helped Alex find his Owl, hang up his backpack, and find his desk.  He got a new name tag, and got to play with some play dough before class started.

 

It was a little hard to just up and leave him.  I don't know why.  He's been in daycare since he was 3 months old, and had speech the last 2 years, which I just dropped him off outside.  I know school will be so much fun for him this year.  Enjoy every moment Buddy! 

 

Jayden and I walked down to the school with our neighbors to pick up the kids.  When the kids came out, I was so excited to see them.  Alex started crying.  I wondered what was wrong.  After I got him to calmly tell me, he was upset because he thought I brought the van to pick him up and he wanted to be a big Kindergartner and walk home with his big sis.  I told him I walked and Yes, we would be walking home.  But it wasn't the same walking with me, vs. just the 2 of them.  Mom's always in the way.

 

Here they are in front of the school, after their first day of school.

Alex is showing off his first project of Kindergarten.

 

This goes with a book they read that day.  He was so proud to show it off. 

 

When we got home I had the kids tell me all about their day.  Here is Lyndee's video.  I can't get Alex's to load, and it is really funny because,  one can get a little side tracked thanks to Lyndee shaking of her booty in the back ground.  What a silly girl.

 

 

 

They both had a great day, and can't wait for many more days.  Wonder if they'll still be thinking that by Christmas.  Another Side Note:  About a week before school started Lyndee told me the following. " I can't wait to go back to school, do you know why?" Me: "Why" Lyndee: "Then I won't have to do the dishes anymore!!!"  I laughed a long while.  Mostly with an evil villain laugh, because little does she know, Dishes are her job FOREVER more.  (Mostly because I hate doing dishes and always have.  Ask my mother she'll tell you!!)

 

A tired Boy

First of all I just have to share a few fun pics of Alex.  Earlier in the week, I had gotten all the kids to bed, except Alex.  He eventually got tired and pooped out on the couch upstairs.  When I came upstairs this is what I saw.

I just started laughing out loud.  I ran quick and grabbed the camera.  He was out cold!  I took numerous pictures of him, even with flash and he didn't even move an eyelash.  I just love my buddy Alex.  He does have a persistent personality, but is kind, giving, and always willing to help me out, WHEN IT'S JUST HE AND I.  Sometimes the baby.  He definitely loves his one on one time with Zach and Myself.

Blessed

For some reason or another, I am feeling very blessed tonight.  We were driving into town to take dad some dinner at work.  Lyndee and Alex were in the back of the van touching each other, tickling each other, and plain being annoying to one another.  Typically I get annoyed when they get super loud, but tonight I had the realization that Madi and Jayden didn't mind, and so neither should I.  I really started paying attention to them.  They were having fun.  Who am I to get in the way of fun?  When we got to dads work they piled out of the van to run around.  They were having racing contests all 3 of them while Jayden, dad and I watched.  It's amazing that something so simple, a single moment in time can bring one such joy and happiness.  We really do have good kids.  Yes, they are loud, and they pester, and fight, and whine, etc.  What kids don't?  I am so grateful that my family is FOREVER, and that I can enjoy forever more that same JOY and HAPPINESS that I felt tonight in that single moment.  How amazing it will truly be, to feel that much love and joy all the time from each other, Christ, and a loving Father in Heaven.  Yes, I am blessed!!!