It's the Next Day!

Lookie me, two days in a row!  Now, what has happened since yesterday??  I was having a mostly good day until my children got home.  I know...that's awful.  BUT, it's because I can't handle everyone's drama all at the same time.  I mean, there's only one of me!  Mom, I need to get my new glasses.  Mom, you never got me a physical so I can't play softball. (you never told me you needed one)  Mom, I got my progress report and my grades are terrible.  Mom, I hate what you're making for dinner.  Mom, he's hogging the computer.  Mom, I need the car but she's got it.  Mom, you promised rubber pancakes for dinner.  Mom,  I need $2, what chore can I do?  Need I go on???

I was in serious need of a time out.  So I took one, sort of.  I ordered up a fend for yourself dinner (ha!) and took Dalin to his new sports group, which I love!!  I had an idea for a neighborhood little league, but someone else beat me to it.  For $17 two of my boys get to go to the park once a week for 3 months and play "organized" sports.  They will rotate sports every month.  It's awsome!!  It was too hot yesterday though, excessive heat warning again.  But after that is when the time out occurred.  Dalin and I tripped off to Costco.  I really did need to go, but I made no hurry of it.  Just him and I sauntering around Costco with a cup of ice cream.  Ahhhh, just what I needed.  I know most people hate that holiday stuff is out and it's only August but I love it.  It gives me something to hold on to while I try to survive this dreaded desert.  I don't know what went on while I was gone, but I came home to a clean kitchen and kids cheerfully kissing me goodnight.  That..I can do!

Still Nothing

Why is blogging so hard for me lately?  Seriously...I'm not a woman of  few words!  Normally I would go through my day thinking "I've got to put that on my blog.", but now...nothing.  I hardly ever think that.  Is my life that dull?  Has my life always been that dull but I thought it was exciting?  I have no idea. 

I'm seriously struggling to get my musical numbers choreographed for Glee.  Another brain block...maybe I should see a pattern here.  I have picked my songs and am excited to get started but first I have to figure out what to teach them.  It's been very frustrating. 

Yesterday we went to the pool for awhile and it was one of the better days we've gone.  No friends were there so it was just us.  My kids played so nice together.  Like they were friends.  For a long time!  I had to be the one to say "lets go home".  It was very sweet to see as the mother.  I was glad no one was able to come with us.

I have gone full swing into couponing.  I always love to get things for free.  It takes work and some time but I obviously have enough of that so why not?  It's fun to see my shelves start to be full again, even if it's with boxes of brownies. Ü

I didn't run a single time last week. Nope, not once...didn't want to.  Today I actually got all dressed out to go run in the heat.  Yep, I'm doing it!  I got out on the sidewalk, did a few stretches and went right back into the house.  Hello treadmill. 

My Bunko group is falling apart and it makes me sad.  We have been doing this for 13 years and it's been a bright spot for me.  Lately it just hasn't been the same.  I know the seasons change and the winds blow, but it still sucks.  We have pretty much turned into every other Bunko group.  All the things that made us different are now gone.  I'm hoping it's just a phase.

I'm going to try to blog every day this week.  Even if it's something little, just to get back in the habit.  Maybe my life is more exciting than I think, I'm just not remembering.

Of No Real Importance

I have had a hard time blogging lately.  Yes, I'm kinda busy, but more than that...I'm struggling with trivial.  There's so much going on with the people around me and people I love that it always seems weird to get on and blah blah about my ho-hum day.  I know that my life is my life regardless of the trials of others, but it's just been hard to get myself to do  it.  Glade is really struggling with work and his family and his calling.  He's feeling a lot of responsibility that is both uncomfortable and sometimes burdensome for him.  Unfortunately I can't really help him so it's a strange place to be in.  I keep reminding him to "find joy in the journey ", not to let the daily simple things go unnoticed and unenjoyed because of the other pressures in life.  I know that's easier said than done, but it's possible.  With that in mind, this is just a little of what's been going on around here this last week:

-Dalin started orchestra, playing the viola
-Kids had their first play practice, so fun!
-We had stake conference, loved it.
-Chelsey ended up getting almost $3000 in grants after all, what a blessing
-The heat is oppressive and I can hardly take anymore
-I ran 3x last week (treadmill)
-For Mutual, we did speed dating, Whitley got asked out by the nerdiest kid there
-Whitley brought home a "baby" for her homework assignment.  It's electronic and knew if she was the one taking care of it or not.  She was docked points electronically if she let the head fall or didn't attend to it when needed.  It was a lot of work!
-I canned a few peaches
-Got started couponing again and remembered how fun it is to get things for free
-Speaking of free, cutest bracelet ever! (JCP coupon for $10 off $10)
-Really loving and appreciating my family

The Rest of the Week

It really was a crazy busy week with everything that happened around here.  Even with all my kids in school but Katy, I didn't get a chance to just stay at home and chill or clean or anything.  That's really ok because when I was home, I just wanted to enjoy the quiet!  I have stuck to my no technology rule the entire week, yeah me!!  I have to admit I was ready to throw in the towel a time or two but I decided I just had to be strong.  They are having a difficult time finding things to do that aren't wrestling, torturing, aggravating or just plain being annoying to everyone around them.  I have assigned chores a few times and it's really noisy and chaotic, but I knew that was part of the deal.  I knew I was giving up easy. 

Saturday was one of the busiest I've had in a really long time.  I had so much I wanted to do.  I got up and ran 3.5 miles.  Ok, I ran 2.5 and walked 1, but that's the best I've done in a really long time!  Then I got the kids working on Saturday chores, came in and worked on paperwork for an hour, showered and then went to work some magic in the girls room.  Since we needed to get Chelsey in there, I told them if they would get it clean, I would clean it.  They worked hard and then so did I.  I put on the rubber gloves, held my breath and went to town in their bathroom.  Yikes!  We had a short lunch break and then went back in for round 2.  After working up a sweat in there, I laid down with Katy for an hour.  I still had much to do so I got up and took Whitley to Goodwill to look for a few things they needed in their room.  Found them!!  Amazing..and on 1/2 off Saturday. 

Got home just in time to get Nick and head to his eye appointment.  $230 later he has new lenses and we were shopping for Sunday dinner items.  Got home just in time to clean up and head out on our date!  It started off small but ended up with 5 couples.  I love my friends!!  After talking up Ragnar, it made me really anxious to run again.  Unfortunately I'm stuck with treadmill running for at least another month.  Sucks.  Anyway, it was a really long but productive day.

Today we made it to church on time and I had to teach the lesson.  I never am comfortable teaching but I think it went ok.  I had M&Ms, doesn't that make every lesson ok?  After, we had lunch, did some laundry and then went for Stephen's patriarchal blessing.  What a great kid he is.  Always such a spiritual experience.  Ended the day with a full house for Sunday dinner.  Chelsey has put on her happy face, the kids are ready for a new week of school and I'm ready for some kind of normalcy.  *knocking on wood*

She's Staying

This summer has been a roller coaster of emotions for my oldest.  She has been waiting and waiting and waiting to see if she was getting any financial aid this semester.  The news finally came and it wasn't good.  Nothing, nada, nill....not a dime.  So, she stays here and does classes online for the time being. Sounds simple, right?

Tell that to an emotional 19 year old who can't imagine having to live at home after a year of free wheeling.  The tears were many and the concerns were even more.  I tried to help her see the positive, but she wanted none of it.  I gave her till Monday to mourn her loss.  Without airing all her dirty laundry, I do have to tell a few of the things that are bothering her about being jailed up in this house.  She can hardly stand all the noise and people (she would have 10 -15 people at a time in her 700 sq. ft apt.), she's so much cleaner than the rest of us (when she lived here, she was a PIG), and her organizational skill are far superior so when people need pens, they will naturally come steal hers.  Not to mention play on her "swirly" chair!  Can you even imagine such horror??  Ok, I'm done teasing her.  I think she'd be willing to admit she can be a bit dramatic and irrational at times.  By the end of the day, she had gotten all her classes switched, made a few phone calls and even applied on line for a job.  She's great at pulling it all back together.

This weekend she went back to Flagstaff to retrieve her stuff and officially set up shop here.  She is way excited to not be in limbo and be able to plan her days more accurately now.  We cleaned out the upstairs bedroom, moved her in and even found her a little "office space" she can work in.  I think she's come around and is starting to see the good that can come if she keeps her head clear and her heart open.  She really is an amazing girl!  I'm glad she's here.

First Day of School

The littler kids finally started school this week.  Let me tell ya, they were ready!!  The day before, we went to meet the teacher day and everyone was overjoyed to be back at school.  After meeting all the teachers, we went to buy school supplies and that was quite the experience. Normally I don't take them with me, but today I decided I would.  So did everyone else.  The place was crazy.  Because the school supplies were right next to the toys, I let the little ones go look at toys (in groups) while I got their stuff.  Soon I hear "Laurie, your party is at the jewelry counter" over the loud speaker.  Surely this wasn't me, but I sent Chelsey to check.  Yup, Dalin had taken Bo to the bathroom and decided he was tired of waiting so he left him there.  When he couldn't find his way back, he sat by a rack and cried.  Some nice lady helped him to the jewelry counter where we picked him up.  Very heartbreaking.  And maddening. 

They were up bright and early the first day, ready to go!  Bo was so happy to be going ALL day and pack a lunch.  Big stuff.  They all came home with good reports of liking their teachers and having old friends to be with.  It was a good day for everyone.

Bo lost a tooth!

Bo has had a loose tooth for over a month now.  We have tried to pull it unsuccessfully a couple of times and he was getting tired of letting me try.  While at Sunday dinner, his cousin Kamry (who's Katy's age) showed him that she had lost her second tooth.  His reply, "no fair!!".  When we got home, we tried to pull it one more time.  He was yelping and wiggling while I tried to get a good hold on it.  Finally I got it out so I took my hand out of his mouth and said "fine, I'll stop."  He settled down, got a weird look on his face and yells "it's gone!".  He didn't even notice that I had pulled it.  Then he says "that didn't hurt at all!"  Really?  What was all the yelping about?

 He was so excited he could hardly contain himself.  He decided to text Grandma Green who was away visiting in Illinois.  He did all the texting himself spelling everything correctly and then asks "where's the explanation mark?".  I showed him where the "exclamation" mark was and put one there for him and he proceeds to tell me to add a couple more.  He was quite anxious to go to bed this night and wake up a dollar richer.  In telling his story to all the people he called the next day he always add "it's very exciting!".  That it was. 

Camp Rock

This guy is the awesome, IT guy of Camp Rock's opposing Camp Star.  Guess who's playing him in our community theater's performance of Camp Rock?  Yep....Stephen!!  Can't you just see it?  I know you may be giggling, but really...Stephen has "inner funk", that's what the director keeps saying.  He was a shoe-in for the part because of his gansta moves on the dance floor.  I can't wait to see him in action!

Whitley was cast as a Camp Star dancer.  She was a little disappointed.  She was really hoping for a big part seeing as this may be the last show she is able to do, but it just didn't happen for her.  There were very few girl parts and LOTS of talented girls vying for them.  She'll have tons of fun backing Stephen up as one of his posse!

Rhett also got cast as a slick dancing chocolate boy.  He was way excited to get the part of Barron, a hip and oh so cool break dancing kid.  He totally fits the part (other than the black part Ü), he will shine.

Brooklyn and Dalin are pretty young to get much in this show, but they are both Jr. Campers at Camp Rock.  They will have so much fun just getting to be a part of it and dance to all the fun music. 

I'm so jealous though, I would totally love to be a dancer in this kind of performance!  How come they can't do a show for middle-aged, fluffy people to get down to??  Maybe someday when I rule the world....

Auditions

For the past 4 days (excluding Sunday) I have spent all my time at the performing arts center watching over 200 kids audition for Camp Rock.  What an experience!!  The one thing I have to say is that I'm so glad I'm not Molly, the director.  My brain is fried and I really have no actual say in any of it!  There are a lot of seriously talented kids out there!!  Last night was call-backs.  It's very emotional to watch kids dreams get dashed and they don't even know it yet.  As each group would perform and their names crossed off the list...they would happily trot out of the room so excited.  Ugghh!  Anyway, I was so happy to have had the experience of watching that whole process unfold and see how choices are made.  Now those poor kids have to wait 2 days to find out their fate, oh pain! 

Katy Goes to Preschool

Katy had her first day of preschool this week.  I went back and read about Bo's first day when I had to drag her out screaming about how she wanted to stay and now it's finally her turn.  She is attending the same preschool that Bo did with Miss Whitney.  She had a great first day!  She was up and dressed with shoes on and backpack on by 6:15 am.  She was sorely disappointed when I told her she had 3 more hours.  She was also dressed in a quite humorous choice of outfits.  Luckily she didn't give me too much trouble about changing into something different.  She even let me braid her hair!!  She's going to have a fabulous year!

I'm giving up Easy Parenting

Yesterday it hit me with full force that I'm raising a lazy and idle group of people.  AND it's mostly my fault!  I was bombarded several times yesterday as to why I was right on target with this new found revelation.  It made for some serious reflection on my part and a commitment to give up the "easy" way of parenting.  MY life is easier when I allow my kids to veg in front of the TV or play Wii for too many hours or spend their whole afternoon on FB.  I'm totally off the hook!  I can go read and not worry about what anyone is doing.  Of course, I only result to that on a very occasional basis...you know...when it's been a long day or I just really need to get something done or my book is getting really good.  What I realized is that those times were coming more and more frequently now.  Chores were being left undone, bedrooms are unbearably dirty, the slightest suggestions that they do something else brings moans and protests and all around a grouchy and unproductive bunch of lumps. 

I'm newly committed to having very limited "screen" time even if it kills me.  There will be more "work" around the house, more reading, more scouting, more family and outside activity time.  This takes the "easy" out of parenting because it requires me to always be on top of it.  Not just accept when they say they've put their laundry away, but go check and then drag them from whatever they are doing to finish it correctly.  As the mom I always want my kids to be comfortable.  Watching them struggle or miss out on things is difficult for me.  I have given them fair warning that that mom has left the building.  They will be dragged out of bed at 11pm if the garbage didn't get taken out...they will be brought home from a friend's if their laundry got left on the bed.  Hopefully it will not take long before they just start stepping up and becoming responsible and productive.

The new boundaries are that there will be no computer, Wii or TV until after dinner.  And that is also dependent on how the afternoon went.  I'm truly hoping we can all handle the withdrawals of our technology based existence and become a more family based one.  I still dream back to those 4 blissful days in Cali when we had nothing but each other.  I know it's possible, I just have to make it happen.  Wish me luck!!