Helping hands...

Aiden pretty much slept the whole day yesterday. He was fine before church, but fell asleep soon after Sacrament meeting started. Then I found out after church that he slept through nursery as well! Later we were at Grandma & Grandfather's house and he slept most of the time there too! He said he felt fine, but all that sleeping just isn't like my little Aidee, so we asked Grandfather and Uncle Marc to give him a Priesthood blessing. (Karam was at home.) I was sitting on the loveseat holding him on my lap while they administered to him. I was more than slightly amused when halfway through the blessing Chase (who was standing behind me on the loveseat) chose to join the circle by placing his hands on top of Grandfather's and Marc's! :D Someday he's going to make a great little Priesthood holder!

Anatomy 101

***Warning... "explicit" discussion... (between a 3 & 4 yr old)***

Conversation overheard (by me) between my 4 yr old niece, Madison and my 3 yr old son, Chase:

Madi: You have a penis?

Chase: Yes. You don't have a penis?

Madi: No, I have a jay-jay.

Chase: I don't have a jay-jay. Um, who cut 'it' off?

Madi: Um, the penis-guy, I guess.

Who knew there was one of those guys? I guess it only makes sense. ;)

Grandfather's apprentices

So, as I mentioned previously, my dad came over to replace our dishwasher. Aiden & Chase were ready and willing to lend a hand. They love working/ playing with Grandfather's "toodles" (as they call them... I'm sure it came from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse).

I'm sure it's not difficult at all to work with one child on your back and another elbowing his way into the cabinet right along side of you...

A few of the most amusing moments to me:

Grandfather: "Chase, you need to move so that I can see what I'm doing."

Chase: "But then I can't see."

Aiden: "Grandfather, you're in my way!"

Thankfully Grandfather is very patient and is teaching my boys how to be "handy". I know they'll appreciate it (and so will their mom and their wives...) when they get older! Thanks, Grandfather!

Brainless

So Grandfather came over today to replace my dishwasher... that's another post... and he needed a different size wrench than what he had so he went home to get one. Aiden & Chase insisted on accompanying him. They walked out the door, but Aiden promptly came back inside to say, "Bye, Mommy. I wuv you." I said, "Bye. I love you too." He asked, "You're not coming wiff us?" I said, "No." He asked, "You has a hegache?" I said, "Nope." He said, "What's in your head?" My quick, unthinking response, "Nothing." Um... Wait... That's not what I meant. He was already gone.

"I has a secret"

We went over to watch the Christmas Devotional at my parent's house tonight. When it was time to go, the boys decided they wanted to sleep over! Aiden tried once before but came home around 2 a.m. Chase has never even attempted it. They kept stalling me when I was leaving. They forgot to kiss me. They forgot to hug me. They forgot to wave. They forgot to say, "I love you." At one point, Aiden informed me that he had a secret and needed to tell me in my ear. So, I leaned over to listen. Then I thought I was leaving for sure until Aiden informed me, "I has another secret to tell you." I again bent over, lending my ear. He turned my head and said, "Not in your ear, in your mouth." As he put his lips to mine, I thought "the secret is a kiss", but NO! He started whispering in my mouth! I failed to hear what he was saying, either because my mouth "ears" weren't working or maybe I was just laughing too hard!

Seriously?!?

Anybody else out there who is a little sensitive about people talking about you behind their back? Is it really just me?!

When you feel like you've been doing your best at something (and feel like you've succeeded) but then find out that other people are saying how unorganized things are or whatever (completely unsolicited, behind your back), do you feel personally affronted?! Am I really the only person that is bothered by things like that?

When you walk into a room and people suddenly stop talking, and it's obvious they were talking about you, do you doubt their sincerity? Do you wonder what else they're saying about you?

When people "snub" you or someone you care about, do you care?

I feel like I'm so sensitive, and yet I just don't know how NOT to be offended by these "little" things. I just don't.

I'm not innocent. It's not like I NEVER gossip. It's not like I only say all good things about people. When I DO say something negative, it's about some way I've been wronged or something that has happened to me personally involving another person. Not that that's good or really "ok", it's just a little more "justified" to me than simply judging and critiquing people for no other reason that to criticize and find fault. Especially when they're nice and friendly to your face.

Perhaps I'm just the most insecure person I know. Maybe if you're super secure you really don't care what other people say or do or think. Then again, if you're super secure, I don't think you would feel the need to find fault with other people either. Not caring is probably the happier way to be... to be indifferent to the cruelty out there. I just know I'm not one of those people. I never have been. Maybe someday I will be. Maybe. Maybe it's better that way. Or maybe it's just insensitive. I don't know... Do you?! Am I really alone in this?!

Christmas past and present...

2005 (4 months)- "What? There's a stranger holding us? Hi Mom. Hi Grandma. Hi Grandfather." 2006 (16 months)- At least somebody's having fun... Santa, Grandfather?
2007 (28 months)- "Santa? What's the big deal? I like him... to talk to... just don't ask me to sit on his lap!"

2008 (3 yrs, 4mths)- My babies are really growing up! They will talk to Santa, sit on his lap, and even SMILE! (And what lovely smiles... even if I do say so myself!)

"THE" talk...

So this morning Chase hurt "himself" on the toilet. While he was complaining about the pain, he suddenly asked, "Mom, did you make these?" (talking about his ahem*** testicles*** lol) Before I could think of a response, he asked, "How did you make me?" The rest of the conversation went something like this:

Me: I grew you in my tummy.

Chase: How did I get in there?

Me: Well, mommies have eggs inside them and daddies have sperm. They get together and it creates a baby that grows in the mommy's tummy. (I borrowed this explanation from Staci.)

Chase: So I cracked?

Me: Huh? No... Wait, What?!

Chase: Well, I'm not in there anymore.

I guess it's only logical that the egg had to crack at some point, right?! The boy is ALWAYS thinkin'.

The curse strikes again...

I had to say that I was thankful to be able to watch Brayden, right?! Now his grandparents suddenly arrived for an extended stay and I'm no longer watching him... possibly for the whole month. Possibly forever. So, I take it all back. All that I said I was thankful for. I take it all back! What was I thinking?!? (I don't mean I'm no longer thankful... I just should've known not to say it out loud... or in writing... oh, you know what I mean!)

I am thankful!

Yesterday for our "preschool" time we learned about the Pilgrims and how the Indians saved them by giving them food and teaching them what to plant... Then we made Pilgrim hats and Indian head dresses. Never mind that Chase kept calling them Pilgrims and Aliens. lol Then he'd ask me, "What are they again?" I asked them what they were thankful for and wrote their answers on their feathers. Chase was mostly thankful for food, but other things as well to include oranges, meat, Aunt Dee Dee, Uncle Todd, and Aiden. Aiden was also very thankful. He included Charly, Aunt Lani, Dee Dee, Aiden, Chaser, Aiden, Cindi, "Me"... So he's very greatful for himself and I'm greatful for his high self-esteem! ;) I was most touched that he was thankful for Jesus Christ... TWICE. (Second only to his thankfulness for himself... not bad for a three year-old!) ha, ha








I am thankful for my two little guys and impulsive moments like this:

We were at story-time and Aiden, out of the blue, put his arm around his brother and then kissed his cheek. Chase didn't even mind! Those are moments that make my heart happy!

I'm thankful for sisters who I can call anytime (and who call me) to complain, vent, share good moments with. They are my best friends!

I'm thankful for my parents who keep me sane. (Not debatable... this is MY blog!) I don't know what I'd do without them! They are there for me for whatever I need. They rescue me from problems (like taking the boys with them when I have a migraine or forget to find a "sitter" and have a meeting or something). My dad has done SOOOOO much for me that I would never have been able to afford to pay someone for. (Fixed our fence, tiled our entry, put up the bunkbeds, fixed the dishwasher, replaced the mailbox, fixed the disposal... more than once, painted, cut wood, built a wall... I could go on and on.) I owe him BIG! I could never repay him even if I had a million bucks! My Mom is always ready and willing to go with us to the store, zoo, movie, or wherever. She has been to the e.r. with Chase and I more than once. She'll drop what she's doing just to come over and give the boys a hug or kiss if they're feeling sad and that's what they say they need to feel better. She'll come right over, regardless of how much she has to do, if Chase or Aiden call and say, "Grandma, I want you to come over." More than anything, they're both just there for me. My life would beVERY, VERY lonely without them!

I'm thankful that Karam is working (and driving back and forth to Denver each day) to allow me to stay home with the boys. I'm thankful that I can watch Brayden, which also provides just enough extra money to allow me to stay home with my boys.

I'm also thankful for the friends that I have. Especially the ones who stay good friends regardless of how often or infrequent we see each other... Like Kristy and Laurel.

Finally, I'm thankful, of course, for my Savior and that I have his true Gospel to lead me and guide me. I am so blessed and so thankful for the blessings that I have!

Ho, Ho, Ho...

My boys were playing in the spare bedroom downstairs (where they love to play all the time... we rarely have visitors, so I don't worry about keeping it "guest-ready") and I was folding laundry (or taking a catnap pretending to fold laundry) when out they come. Apparently they were going through the chest of holiday stuff. Weird that they've never done it before now. Hilarious (at least to ME), the outfits they put together!

First, we have Chase wearing my one and only Christmas (actually my only holiday-anything) sweatshirt with one Christmas stocking and one "Cat-In-the-Hat Hat" on his feet:

Next is Aiden wrapped in our Christmas shower curtain, with mis-matched Christmas stockings adorning his feet:

I guess we're getting in the spirit...Hmmmmm.... maybe Christmas photos for our Christmas card?!? :D

"You don't make friends, you earn them."

On November 15, 2008 our friend, Julia Holt, passed away. She found out she had cancer just a few weeks prior to her death. I knew her from Church. She was always smiling and friendly, but I didn't know her very well. While attending her funeral and hearing about how much fun she was, I was sad that I hadn't gotten to know her better! I missed out! She earned many, many friends and will be missed.

You found WHAT?!?!

We were at my parent's house and Chase excitedly came running from the kitchen to the family room yelling, "Liquor! Liquor! I found some liquor!" It's not something I buy or keep at MY house since I don't like it. My parents, on the other hand, are both BIG fans! Yes, my Mormon parents. Yes, my Dad who is in the Bishopric. ... Of course, if you're not Chase and you've had a little more exposure, you wouldn't leave off the "ice" at the end. That simple little ending changes the sound from "liquor" to "licorice"... ;) Funny how that works. Hopefully he won't go to church and tell people he likes to go to Grandma & Grandfather's house because they have good liquor; which they share; with their THREE year old grandsons... Then they'd have some 'splainin' to do!

I'm a Convert!

I've seen pics of Robert Pattinson. I've seen movie trailers of Twilight. I was disappointed in the casting choice of Edward. I LOVE Edward, the character in the books. NOT so much, the actor chosen to play him in the movie... UNTIL...

The first two minutes of seeing him IN the movie. In fact I went from being disappointed to practically drooling... as long as I'm being honest. He's super yummy-looking and attractive! I also loved Bella! Whenever I read the books, I always pictured my niece, Jordyn as Bella. The whole time I watched the movie last night/ early this morning, I kept thinking "exactly like I pictured in my head". Yea! :D

This is Jordyn... the "Bella" in MY head!

I give the movie and casting two-thumbs up! I also give my "real" friends two-thumbs up for braving the cold and the crazy midnight showing time with me! Thanks girls! It was a blast!

House of mouse...

Guess who celebrated the big 8-0 yesterday?! That's right Mickey Mouse! We had big plans for his big day, but Aiden wasn't feeling well, so we didn't go "all out" like we planned. We had Mickey-Mouse-waffle-sandwiches for lunch.

After baths Aiden was feeling better and the kids reminded me that we hadn't had a party for Mickey and we didn't decorate Mickey shaped cookies or play games. So we improvised. We made a Mickey shaped rice krispy treat "cake". (quick and easy)

Then we made our own party hats and sang Happy Birthday and helped Mickey blow out his candles. Then we sang Happy Birthday and helped Mickey blow out his candles. Then we sang Happy Birthday... ok, you get the idea. Yes, everybody got a turn! :D (Nobody ever even mentioned "pin the nose on Mickey" so we got away with NO games!)

We like to move it!

Thanks, Kat, for inviting us to celebrate your birthday at Madagascar 2! My boys laughed a lot. Especially Aiden. He thought the movie was hilarious! I thought HE was hilarious. So... all good. And even though it made us late to Jessica's baby shower, we got there right after the games (like feeding each other baby food??!!??)... again, ALL GOOD! ;)

Little slice of humble pie...

My hair has always been naturally curly. Lately it seems to have lost most of it's curl, so I straighten it on most days. This past weekend I just didn't have time (it was a busy Saturday and lazy Sunday) so I left it "natural". Here's Aiden's attempt at taking a picture FOR me:

Here's MY attempt. While it's a hideous picture of me, you can get a good idea of what my hair looked like.

So, on to my story. I had just finished my hair and we were getting ready to leave and my sweet little Chase touched my hair and said, "Mommy, your hair is not wet." (I guess I achieved the "wet look"?!) I said, "No, it's not." He then asked, "Um, you want to wear it wike tHat?!" Well, now that you mentioned it, like THAT, maybe not, but what choice did I have?!!

Then that night while putting them to bed, Chase said, "I wike you mommy." I responded, "I love you." He said, "No, Mommy, I said, I wike you." I said, "I like you too." He then said, "Mommy, I wuv you too... a tiny, wittle bit." Gee, thanks Chase. ;)

serenade

I always sing songs to the boys at bedtime. Last night was a treat as Chase chose to sing to me. He sang "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" (one of MY favorite songs):

"Whenever I hear the song of a bird, or TOUCH the blue, blue sky...
He gave me my eyes, that I might see.
He gave me my ears that I might FEEL."

I like his version. It's my new favorite.

Cindi's law...

Not familiar with it? Perhaps you're familiar with Murphy's Law- If something CAN go wrong, it WILL. Well, Cindi's law is similar, but with a twist. If Cindi says something out loud that can go wrong, it will. True confession... When I was young, REALLY young (like 6) we still had afternoon primary (yes, I AM that old, and that's not even my confession!!). We always picked up other kids and there was one girl in particular that I didn't like and didn't want to pick up. Well, one day I told my sister (in secret in the back of our station wagon, not buckled in or anything!) that I wished the girl would get run over by a car so that we wouldn't have to pick her up. Well, my sister, my confidante (I could write a whole blog about how she's proved NOT my true confidante over and over... Not a whole post. A whole blog. But that's another story...) shared my wish with my mother! (Yes, I got the lecture about not saying mean, threatening things like that because if it really happened then I would feel very bad.) Just seconds later we pulled onto the girl's street and surprise, there's an ambulance in front of her house. She had been playing ball in the street and a parked car started rolling down the hill behind her; HIT her; then rolled over her (with her in the center between the tires, luckily). She had a concussion from getting knocked down, but otherwise she was ok. MY FAULT? Who knows, but I did learn at an early age to be very careful what you wish for out loud. (If it's bad, anyway. The good things NEVER come true.) Sadly, I didn't learn my lesson. I have had other bad experiences like that, but I figure one REALLY bad confession is enough for one post. Fast forward to a few days ago. We were at the zoo. (It's what we do.) Brayden (the little boy I watch 4 days a week) wanted my dad to help him get on top of a wall. My dad told him that he'd have to climb himself. I informed him that I already told him he couldn't climb because "It's bad enough when my OWN kids get hurt, but I don't want to be responsible for someone else's child getting injured." Then we went into the little building they call "the loft" (I learned this when the paramedics were talking to me). Brayden was just sitting down on one of the little log bench-type things, but he lost his balance and fell, hitting his head on another log. Why, oh why did I have to mention out loud the whole not wanting to deal with another kid getting hurt?! His head swelled up quite a bit. It bruised almost instantly, and he had a cut across the bruise. After putting an ice pack on it and cleaning it and bandaging it, he was like new. You can't even tell from the picture that it was as bad as it was! Hopefully I'll be more careful with my words in the future! :D Besides THAT mishap, it was a fun day at the zoo. We got to pet a skunk (de-scented) and feed carrots to the hippos. Surprisingly enough, I didn't have my camera! The cell phone pics will have to do. :D