This has been the laziest summer of my life. It's been a very different pregnancy for me...more difficult than the others and I still have three more months to go. I must be getting too old to be carrying a baby.
Even though my husband and children could have no clue how I really feel (since they haven't had the opportunity to be pregnant) they know I am struggling and, fortunately for me, have been very understanding and helpful. All I have to say is, "I don't feel well," and I am immediately told to go lie down followed by reassurance that everything will be taken care of. Cole, Aidan, and Sadie have been great at entertaining and watching over Sammy so that I can get the rest that I want.
Today my sister and her husband were kind enough to take my three oldest to Lagoon with her family and then tomorrow they will all be in school. I always hate it when school starts again. I LOVE having my kids home to enjoy during the summer and this year it will be especially hard to lose my three best helpers.
It's three to fourish in the afternoon and so far it's been a great day!! I know, I've been lucky. Right now Sam is telling me he is making "fireworks" as he lets gravel fall onto a plastic garbage can and it really does sound like those crackling fireworks. And now he is making other firework sounds by hitting the can with a big stick. He really likes those firework sound effects. I have enjoyed having some one on one time with Sammy. He never runs out of things to say and talk about. He sings as he plays I love that he sings different songs every day and am amazed at how quickly he learns them. Today he sang "Scripture Power", "Eensy Weensy Spider," "Happy Family," and a few that he made up. Sam ALWAYS stays busy. This morning he went with Daddy for a while, played with trains and train tracks, playmobil, and Legos. He watched a little bit of Charlotte's Web the movie and some PBS kids. He's spontaneously kissed my big belly several times today...always with a sweet grin on his face. He tells me when the baby crawls out of my belly he will change her diaper and she will ride in his jeep with him and she will like it.
While typing these four paragraphs he has played in his cousin's sandbox going back and forth from water spigot to dumping and digging, ridden his bike around, driven his jeep around, and is now filling and shooting a squirt gun and now he wants me to fill up another water gun for him. Yes, he is a busy boy. What three year old isn't? I am thinking that my lazy days of summer and naps are over. But I adore my cute three year old who wants to have fun and play. He just made another "firework" out of his squirt gun as he aimed the gun straight up in the air and then said, "I want cement." Cement??? Oh, I figured it out...he wants some mint ice cream. Aren't three year olds the best?
Wednesday, August 22, 2012
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
It's been a long time! I haven't shared anything for over a year. In some ways this last year has gone by so fast, but in some ways it has dragged on so long. I wonder if I could recap, but that might take way too much time.
Last night at about 10pm I was talking to Jason on the phone. He was at Lowe's picking up stuff for our new house. He had just been up in our garden which hadn't been watered, because some of the pipes are broken. He had been in the wood shop, which was in dis-array. He had been looking around at all the work that needed to be done everywhere he turned his eyes and all that he had neglected because of all the many, many hours he has been spending building our new house. He was tired. He'd had a long day. He was frustrated. He was frustrated with the kids. They had left a mess in the wood shop and someone had left his $30 pliers outside on top of the wood pile to be ruined and rusted in the weather. He told me he didn't want the kids in the shop unattended anymore. He asked me to get the key from them. I told him to come home and talk to them about his wishes. But before he could...I did. I told them how their dad was disappointed that they hadn't been careful with his things and that they couldn't use them unattended anymore. Then I got in the shower. When I finished showering dad was home sitting with some of the kids. He wasn't angry and I don't think he talked to them about his frustration with them. But I was grateful. The kids have missed their dad....he's been working so hard and so much.
Soon all the kids got in bed...they all sleep in the same room right now. It's Jason's old room, in fact. Aidan was reading his book. I was in Sadie's bed and she was reading to me. Sam was in Cole's bed and they were watching Dragon Tales on netflix. Then Jason joined us and we all talked. It was great. I miss our family time at night. This past year Jason has rarely gotten home before the kids are asleep. He has really sacrificed a lot of time to build our house. That's why this has been a LONG year.
This morning I talked with Aidan's school teacher from two years ago on the phone. Our conversation left me emotional...and grateful...and humbled.
I'll start from the beginning. A few weeks ago, on the last day of school, all of the fourth graders met with the teachers to discuss the Teton Science School trip for this coming fall. All the fifth graders at Edith Bowen get to go up and spend a week at science school in the Tetons. It's an awesome experience that they really look forward to. It costs $350. They held the meeting to help prepare students and parents for the cost of the trip. Mrs. K, Aidan's 3rd grade teacher, told the students they could do yard work for her to earn some money for the trip.
Aidan came home from school with plans about how he was going to earn the money for the trip. He and some classmates had planned to do bake sales, car washes, horse rides, and also work for Mrs. K. Aidan's last day of school was Thursday. First thing Friday morning Aidan called Mrs. K. Wrong number. Then another wrong number. Then she wasn't home. He continued calling her throughout the day and the next day. He left her a message. Mrs. K called back and left a message. This went on. I told Aidan that he was probably being a pest and Mrs. K probably wanted a little vacation since school JUST got out. His persistence continued, but it wasn't until yesterday that he finally talked with Mrs. K. She told him he could come. Aidan hadn't told me beforehand that he was going to call Mrs. K. So I wasn't prepared when he came to me with the phone to his ear and Mrs. K on the other end and asked if I could take him out to Wellsville so he could work for her. I thought about my very busy day ahead, but I knew that because of his persistence and determination I couldn't possibly have the heart to say "no" to Aidan.
After looking for dirt fill for our lot, meeting with the cabinet guy, taking lunch to the guys working on our wood floor and a more hectic morning than anticipated I was on the road driving the 15 miles to take Aidan to Wellsville. Then I said something I regret now. I said, "I should have never agreed to bring you all the way out here today." I knew by the time we got Aidan to where he needed to be we were going to be late for Cole's doctor appointment and I had forgotten to bring all of the forms the doctor needed to fill out.
It took us about 20 minutes to drive Aidan to his job and less to get to the doctor's office. I dropped Cole off in time and went home to fetch papers and back again to meet the doctor. As usual, I had made a big deal out of nothing.
About 5 hours later Aidan called to ask if I would allow him to use the ride on mower at his job to cut the grass. I reluctantly said yes. He told me I could leave now to pick him up since he would be finished mowing by the time I drove out there. On my way I thought about how I would probably spend over an hour driving and probably more than $10 in gas. Was it worth it?
When I pulled up, Aidan ran into the barn to tell Steve, Mrs. K's husband, he was leaving. Steve paid him and gave him his business card. Aidan got into the van with a cute grin on his face. I could tell it had been a good experience for Aidan. As I looked over at Aidan I noticed how dirty his hands and legs were. His face was brown and a little sweaty. I knew he had worked hard....because he always does. I asked him if he had worked hard, even though I knew the answer, and he began to tell me some of the details of how he had spent his afternoon. As he talked I looked at my beautiful boy. I looked into his dark brown eyes with long lashes. I looked at the way his blonde hair curled around his ears and around his baseball hat. Aidan has the best hair. I looked at his cute face tanned brown with a few freckles. I asked him about a scab on his cheek. Sam had scratched him. I enjoyed the ride home with Aidan and I knew it was worth it. He is so worth it.
So this morning Mrs. K talked to me on the phone and told me things...and some of them I already knew. She said her husband, who is often critical of others, talked of an amazing boy who worked so hard he would be happy to have him work for him anytime. She told me that Aidan is the only one out of all the in-coming fifth graders who called and wanted to do her yard work. She told me how Aidan got so much work done at her property that she and her husband were amazed. And then she asked me what I had done to raise such an amazing boy. I told her that Aidan's dad is a very hard worker, and that Aidan has worked alongside him a lot, but that Aidan has always enjoyed being busy and working and that's just a gift that he has.
I didn't tell her this, but I thought about how I've learned so much more from Aidan than I have ever taught him. And what a blessing it has been to have him in my life as well as 3 other special children and another one coming. I am truly blessed.
Last night at about 10pm I was talking to Jason on the phone. He was at Lowe's picking up stuff for our new house. He had just been up in our garden which hadn't been watered, because some of the pipes are broken. He had been in the wood shop, which was in dis-array. He had been looking around at all the work that needed to be done everywhere he turned his eyes and all that he had neglected because of all the many, many hours he has been spending building our new house. He was tired. He'd had a long day. He was frustrated. He was frustrated with the kids. They had left a mess in the wood shop and someone had left his $30 pliers outside on top of the wood pile to be ruined and rusted in the weather. He told me he didn't want the kids in the shop unattended anymore. He asked me to get the key from them. I told him to come home and talk to them about his wishes. But before he could...I did. I told them how their dad was disappointed that they hadn't been careful with his things and that they couldn't use them unattended anymore. Then I got in the shower. When I finished showering dad was home sitting with some of the kids. He wasn't angry and I don't think he talked to them about his frustration with them. But I was grateful. The kids have missed their dad....he's been working so hard and so much.
Soon all the kids got in bed...they all sleep in the same room right now. It's Jason's old room, in fact. Aidan was reading his book. I was in Sadie's bed and she was reading to me. Sam was in Cole's bed and they were watching Dragon Tales on netflix. Then Jason joined us and we all talked. It was great. I miss our family time at night. This past year Jason has rarely gotten home before the kids are asleep. He has really sacrificed a lot of time to build our house. That's why this has been a LONG year.
This morning I talked with Aidan's school teacher from two years ago on the phone. Our conversation left me emotional...and grateful...and humbled.
I'll start from the beginning. A few weeks ago, on the last day of school, all of the fourth graders met with the teachers to discuss the Teton Science School trip for this coming fall. All the fifth graders at Edith Bowen get to go up and spend a week at science school in the Tetons. It's an awesome experience that they really look forward to. It costs $350. They held the meeting to help prepare students and parents for the cost of the trip. Mrs. K, Aidan's 3rd grade teacher, told the students they could do yard work for her to earn some money for the trip.
Aidan came home from school with plans about how he was going to earn the money for the trip. He and some classmates had planned to do bake sales, car washes, horse rides, and also work for Mrs. K. Aidan's last day of school was Thursday. First thing Friday morning Aidan called Mrs. K. Wrong number. Then another wrong number. Then she wasn't home. He continued calling her throughout the day and the next day. He left her a message. Mrs. K called back and left a message. This went on. I told Aidan that he was probably being a pest and Mrs. K probably wanted a little vacation since school JUST got out. His persistence continued, but it wasn't until yesterday that he finally talked with Mrs. K. She told him he could come. Aidan hadn't told me beforehand that he was going to call Mrs. K. So I wasn't prepared when he came to me with the phone to his ear and Mrs. K on the other end and asked if I could take him out to Wellsville so he could work for her. I thought about my very busy day ahead, but I knew that because of his persistence and determination I couldn't possibly have the heart to say "no" to Aidan.
After looking for dirt fill for our lot, meeting with the cabinet guy, taking lunch to the guys working on our wood floor and a more hectic morning than anticipated I was on the road driving the 15 miles to take Aidan to Wellsville. Then I said something I regret now. I said, "I should have never agreed to bring you all the way out here today." I knew by the time we got Aidan to where he needed to be we were going to be late for Cole's doctor appointment and I had forgotten to bring all of the forms the doctor needed to fill out.
It took us about 20 minutes to drive Aidan to his job and less to get to the doctor's office. I dropped Cole off in time and went home to fetch papers and back again to meet the doctor. As usual, I had made a big deal out of nothing.
About 5 hours later Aidan called to ask if I would allow him to use the ride on mower at his job to cut the grass. I reluctantly said yes. He told me I could leave now to pick him up since he would be finished mowing by the time I drove out there. On my way I thought about how I would probably spend over an hour driving and probably more than $10 in gas. Was it worth it?
When I pulled up, Aidan ran into the barn to tell Steve, Mrs. K's husband, he was leaving. Steve paid him and gave him his business card. Aidan got into the van with a cute grin on his face. I could tell it had been a good experience for Aidan. As I looked over at Aidan I noticed how dirty his hands and legs were. His face was brown and a little sweaty. I knew he had worked hard....because he always does. I asked him if he had worked hard, even though I knew the answer, and he began to tell me some of the details of how he had spent his afternoon. As he talked I looked at my beautiful boy. I looked into his dark brown eyes with long lashes. I looked at the way his blonde hair curled around his ears and around his baseball hat. Aidan has the best hair. I looked at his cute face tanned brown with a few freckles. I asked him about a scab on his cheek. Sam had scratched him. I enjoyed the ride home with Aidan and I knew it was worth it. He is so worth it.
So this morning Mrs. K talked to me on the phone and told me things...and some of them I already knew. She said her husband, who is often critical of others, talked of an amazing boy who worked so hard he would be happy to have him work for him anytime. She told me that Aidan is the only one out of all the in-coming fifth graders who called and wanted to do her yard work. She told me how Aidan got so much work done at her property that she and her husband were amazed. And then she asked me what I had done to raise such an amazing boy. I told her that Aidan's dad is a very hard worker, and that Aidan has worked alongside him a lot, but that Aidan has always enjoyed being busy and working and that's just a gift that he has.
I didn't tell her this, but I thought about how I've learned so much more from Aidan than I have ever taught him. And what a blessing it has been to have him in my life as well as 3 other special children and another one coming. I am truly blessed.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Spring Break in 5 posts and enough pics and descriptions to bore anyone but me
A few hours ago my kids had to go back to school. Spring Break is never long enough...even when they give us a week. I love having my kids around and I can't wait for summer! Camping in Snow Canyon was delightful and the mountain biking was just what I needed. The warmth and sunshine was deeply appreciated. Watching my kids play is probably my favorite past time and I got to do lots of that. Our trip was shorter than we had planned. We had just over two days. Definitely not enough time, but Jason had some work commitments that were a priority. Returning to Logan and snow was a bummer, but gave me an excuse to lounge around in my jammies for a couple of days and to read my book, which I finished. Anyway, I wanted to post some pics before I forgot how warm and lovely it was down south. It might take a few posts to get it all in...and I don't want to forget how much fun it was.
Sam had a smile on his face pretty much the whole time, except when he was in the car strapped in. Living outside for a few days was a dream come true for Sammy.
We aren't sure how many miles Sammy pushed his Tonka truck around our campground, but we're sure it was several. He was permanently attached and ALWAYS pushing it backwards.
The boys discovered football on rollerblades and had a blast skating and throwing the football all over the campground.
Sam had a smile on his face pretty much the whole time, except when he was in the car strapped in. Living outside for a few days was a dream come true for Sammy.
We aren't sure how many miles Sammy pushed his Tonka truck around our campground, but we're sure it was several. He was permanently attached and ALWAYS pushing it backwards.
The boys discovered football on rollerblades and had a blast skating and throwing the football all over the campground.
Bear-claw Poppy- Spring Break
The first thing the boys wanted to do on our trip was bike the Bear-claw Poppy trail. They love this trail and I know why. After a relatively short climb and a run down a desert wash you get to some pretty scary drop-offs (which my boys love) and a hard-packed roller coaster BMX course. It's definitely a fun-filled ride and a little bit of an adrenaline rush at times. Jason let me go with the kids while he waited with Sam. It was a great ride. I was so impressed with Sadie...she got a little tired at first with the climb, but was willing to try some pretty scary downhill sections. At one point the I was making a movie of the boys going down a pretty scary section. Before I could say anything Sadie had started her way down...too late. She lost control and had a pretty bad tumble. I was worried that this would ruin the ride for her, but she wiped her tears, hopped back on her bike and continued on down the trail....a little more carefully though. Sadie is so great about going with her brothers....it can't be easy keeping up with them, but she sure does try.
After Bear-claw we were ready to try something new. Jason took us to the Dino-cliffs trail where he thought we could all ride. Taking Sam on these single track rides doesn't really work, but Jason planned to take Sam on his back in the backpack carrier. (I was a little skeptical, but if you know Jason, you know he always figures out a way). A couple feet onto the trail and Jason knew something was wrong...he thought it was the new tire he had put on, but after closer inspection realized his bike frame was broken! We have no idea how this happened, but it ended any hopes of Jason biking....total bummer! The boys and I ended up doing the Dino-cliffs which was fun, but the boys didn't like it nearly as much as the Bear-claw. Jason, Sadie, and Sam hiked up and met us on our way down.
After Bear-claw we were ready to try something new. Jason took us to the Dino-cliffs trail where he thought we could all ride. Taking Sam on these single track rides doesn't really work, but Jason planned to take Sam on his back in the backpack carrier. (I was a little skeptical, but if you know Jason, you know he always figures out a way). A couple feet onto the trail and Jason knew something was wrong...he thought it was the new tire he had put on, but after closer inspection realized his bike frame was broken! We have no idea how this happened, but it ended any hopes of Jason biking....total bummer! The boys and I ended up doing the Dino-cliffs which was fun, but the boys didn't like it nearly as much as the Bear-claw. Jason, Sadie, and Sam hiked up and met us on our way down.
Sand Dunes- Spring Break
We didn't go to the beach....but we did get to play in warm, red, sand, which was very therapeutic for me. The kids loved burying each other in sand and rolling and running down the dunes. We had lots of sand at camp too. Our tents were pitched on top of sand and it got in everything, but I didn't mind a bit. I really miss sand. 
Gooseberry Mesa- Spring Break
Our bike ride at Gooseberry Mesa was possibly my favorite part of the trip. The mesa is somewhat remote and it took us a while to get there and the road wasn't pretty, but it was SO worth it and I would LOVE to go back! Rising up to the north you could see the massive red sandstone sentinels of Zions NP. Oh the views were spectacular! I am so mad at myself for not getting pics, but I had lost my phone and didn't want to take my camera on the trail. Jason snapped a couple shots before we took off on the trail, but they don't really show much of what we saw. Jason's bike was broken so he hiked around with Sadie and Sam while the boys and I biked.
Soon after we started biking Cole and I both had to go to the bathroom....#2. (Traveling is always hard on my digestive system.) So we decided to turn around and go back to the van since we didn't have any TP. We got back to a locked van and Jason and the kids were no where to be found, my cell phone was lost, and our walky talky wasn't working. So we decide to head up the trail again and just go as far as we could and hope the bathroom situation didn't get more serious. Part way up we found Jason hiking around with the kids and by that time the urge has gone for both Cole and me. So we decided to go for it.
Cole opted to take the most difficult route...the south rim trail. I was kind-of wishing he would have chosen North Rim, the easier route, but now I am so glad he didn't. The trail was SO fun, had lots of variety, mostly slick rock and best of all I LOVED the physical challenge of the trail. It was way too technical for me, but it was good for me too. The boys did great, but it was really a tough ride for them as well. In one section, called God's skate park, I clipped a tree and thought I was going to hit into the rock wall on the other side of the trail....oh, it scared me and hurt a little too....so I gave a little yell. Aidan, who was just ahead of me. jumped off his bike so quick and ran like lighting over to me. His face showed such worry and concern. It was maybe the cutest, sweetest thing ever! Fortunately, I had saved myself from too much injury and we were on our way again. We biked a few hours before Cole's urge came back. About that same time we had a choice. Continue on South Rim trail which was marked EXTREME DIFFICULTY in red or take the Hidden Canyon trail marked Most Difficult. We opted for Hidden Canyon hoping we could get back to the road quicker and then the road would be a quick trip back to the van. It was still another 2 miles of difficult trail back to the road and Cole was not feeling the best. Just as we thought, the road section was super fast and he made it back to the van just in time. Jason had started to get worried since he hadn't seen us in a while and we had no phone.....We got back just as the sun started to go down. Cole and Aidan both had to go in the trees and I made it all the way back to camp without needing to go....a minor miracle. I really did NOT want to go in the trees or the pits! Yuck!
The fields of purple flowers were beautiful on our way back to camp.
The fields of purple flowers were beautiful on our way back to camp.Sk8 George-Spring Break
My kids had a blast at Sk8 George and the little park next to it. They biked, rollerbladed, and of course Skateboarded. It wasn't until we were leaving that we realized it was against rules to ride bikes there....oops!
My Sammy is growing up...one of the things that really hit me on this trip. Sammy can do so much now. And I think he had more fun than anyone on this trip. At home all he wants is to be outside....and he got to be outside the whole time! He was in heaven!
Sadie loving her little brother.
Sadie found some pretty blossoms.
Sam kept pointing to the Sk8 George sign and saying, "Aidan." I guess he was sure that was Aidan on the sign.
Jason couldn't resist....he had to join in the fun.
Future skate boarder???
Cole enjoying rollerblades once again.
Sadie loving her little brother.
Sadie found some pretty blossoms.
Sam kept pointing to the Sk8 George sign and saying, "Aidan." I guess he was sure that was Aidan on the sign.
Jason couldn't resist....he had to join in the fun.
Future skate boarder???
Cole enjoying rollerblades once again.
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