Nestle's Quick in Anna's Nose

I thought this was funny - where is my compassion? Poor thing.


side note: I always told myself that I would never be THAT mom who let her kids run around without their clothes on. Well, I am still that mom, but this little sweetheart takes them off just as soon as I turn around. Seriously, I probably put her clothes back on three or four times a day.

New Family Pics

We took some family pictures a couple of months ago but they haven't taken priority. So, now that Jon finished his test on Saturday (YAY!!) I've had a little more time to relax and finally pick out some favorites. These first pictures are just for fun or the runner ups. I wish we had a picture for Anna and Kade that where more what WE get to see, but I'll take what I can get. We were melting by the time we finished the family shots. :)

Mormons Seeking Rent / Cured

Funny Story. Jon was headed out to a meeting Sunday and our neighbor two houses down from us yelled, "Hey Doctor!" Jon finished putting his stuff in the car and went to meet him. This neighbor is hardly ever around, so I'm pretty sure this was a first time meet. After a simple greeting, our neighbor asks, "You're Mormon, aren't you?"
"I am." Jon replied.
"Well, I've got this great place for rent if you and your family would like to move in. I'll make it worth your while." He then proceeded to tell Jon all of the accommodations and attributes of his house.
For any of you not aware, I found our place now on craigslist (after weeks of searching everyday). When I called on it the owner immediately guessed that we were Mormons when his caller ID read an "801" number. As it turns out, he was a Mormon too (we've since become good friends). He bent over backwards to get us into this place, but as we see it, this place was handed to us with a big red bow and a tag the read, "Your Welcome."
So back to our neighbor, Jon told him how great our Landlord has been to us and how much his wife did NOT want to move again. (Thanks Jon ;) He was persistent on us moving in, but in the end left the offer open if we were ever interested.
I couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of how just being a Mormon provided us this great place to live AND offers on the table! I told Jon that the next time we move somewhere I'm just going to place an ad: "MORMONS SEEKING RENT", might save me some time searching. Ha ha!

***

Now, in reference to my previous post. I should probably clarify that I am doing much better. In fact, life is great. I probably shouldn't have vented my feelings on the blog, my poor worried mother-in-law was ready to put us on a plane and save me from my problems (she's so sweet). Unfortunately, flying on an airplane with four little kids and living out of a suitcase in somebody else's house doesn't exactly cure chaos, at least not in my book. My problems, are four sweet little munchkins, whom I love and adore, so here or there they are still with me. :) I've just discovered that I'm not allowed to get sick and expect to remain sane or at least have any order left in my house! As it stands, my house is back together, I am back together, and we're all happy.

A better day

Anger is poison. When I let myself be angry, even if I think it's justified, it's too easy to let the next trigger get me and it's a downward spiral from there.
I hit a low of motherhood yesterday and for the first time really dreaded my tomorrow because I knew my problems wouldn't go away overnight and I'd be struggling with the same things again and my energy was spent. I have loved being a mother every day since I learned I was pregnant with Lauren. After yesterday, I was scared of losing that magical happiness that just comes with the job - even though it's difficult. Well, after a "good" night's rest, I realize that Jon's big exam will be finished two weeks from tomorrow and my cold is nearly gone. I'm gonna take those two things and use them. Today is already a wonderful day.

I wanted mine longer!

Rissie's beautiful hair

Yesterday Lauren confessed that she is sad that we had to cut her hair (the pool in Jersey fried her hair). In this conversation it came out that the reason she didn't want her haircut was so SHE would have the longest hair. I should have KNOWN this would happen, but I naively thought she wouldn't break THAT rule. Although, lately she's been considering herself her own agent. She doesn't ASK anymore. For example, a couple of days ago, she said, "Just to let you know, I'll be outside." I guess I should be glad she was at least letting me know. I brought her back to have her ask instead. So she asked. Then before she closed the door behind her she poked her head in to say, "Just to let you know, I'll be outside." I brought her back in and did the drill again. Then for the third time she poked her head back in again to "let me know". She clearly wasn't getting the message. Jon and I were chuckling, because she surely wasn't meaning to ignore my little drill. She was being cute - her sweet independent cute self.

(Not so cute today! Grrr. I am still mad!)

This was bound to happen eventually with three girls and could have been much worse, but that does NOT mean that I am OK with it! She wants to be the fastest, strongest, quickest, tallest, and any other "est" she can be. Now poor Rissie has a chop job on her beautiful hair. Maybe she needs attention? Not this time, she was shocked when Rissie blurted out the secret. What am I going to do with her??
I am sure I am over reacting to this, but it's the last straw. I've been sick this week and in bed or on the couch. I just erased a venting list of too many things because it provoked too many unpleasant emotions and I was just getting started. :)

Kade's Blessing

Jon's parents, brother, Brandon, and Grandpa Jenkins were all able to come. We were so glad they could make it, especially Grandpa Jenkins so we could capture the four generations photo. After our meetings we had a luncheon at our house with a couple other families from the ward, the Dunn's and Cobia's, Great-Aunt Peggy, and Jon's family. It was a beautiful day.

I forgot to mention this cool tidbit. The blessing outfit for Kade was the same one Grandpa Terry and Jon wore for their blessings and the blanket was made by Great-Grandma Jenkins with which each of our kids have been blessed.

Rissie sings the Water Cycle Song

Grandma Jane had sent some Reese's Pieces for the girls, so for a snack during our water cycle day of school I gave them these. They kept asking for more so I told them that if they could sing this song all the way through I would let them have a whole handful. They took the challenge seriously and practiced it over and over, at least Lauren did; Rissie sat on the couch doodling. I didn't really think she was paying attention but all the while as Lauren was singing Rissie was absorbing it. She surprised us all the next day when she was performing it for one of her grandparents and got it right - even the big words (mostly ;)! So as requested, here is the video of Rissie singing the Water Cycle Song. Happy Birthday, Grandma Jane!

A Mother's Book of Secrets

For Mother's Day, my sweet mother-in-law gave me a book that I have thoroughly enjoyed called A Mother's Book of Secrets by Linda Eyre and her daughter Shawni Eyre Pothier. It's about enjoying motherhood through the chaos before it's over and you miss even the craziness. It's also teaching me about some of the ways to avoid pitfalls and keeping what's important for the family in the family. (It's much more than that, but I highly recommend it to every mom.)

Motherhood is my life inside and out these days and it's been such a joy for me to read and find that I am not the only one who feels the way I do. I am relieved to see that several of the secrets I am already doing and come naturally, (thanks to my own wonderful mother!); others are new to me, but it's nice not to feel like a failure for only starting them now.

Lists:
An old roommate and dear friend of mine would take out her planner every night before bed and make a list of all of the things she needed to accomplish the following day. She was so good about it then, I wouldn't be surprised if she still is. I love making lists and organizing my tasks, especially if I have a particularly busy day. My favorite part is making a little check next to each item or crossing it through (sometimes I even add something I've already done just so I can mark it off). I am not as consistent as Jeanette, and having kids has really forced me to relax about a few things. I've had to find a balance between the part of me that wants to get it done (I get into this zone of productivity) and the part of me that wants to be a good mom...the kind that doesn't yell at her kids for pulling the room apart - again!
The organized (sometimes OCD) me wants to have a perfectly clean house, etc. but then I start expecting that and I get anxious when it doesn't happen. I'm not pleasant when this happens so I tell myself to relax. Some days when I am relaxed and let things happen without my list I get more done than if I had something to follow. (But then I can't mark my progress and cross things off. ;) Eventually, my drive "to do" falls, and I get anxious again that not enough is getting done. It's a vicious cycle. Sigh.

Have you ever taken those color personality tests? I love 'em. I am red and blue...I call myself purple. :) What color are you? Purple is a rare type and doesn't exist well together, at least not in the same person. My lists have left me for the time being. Mostly, because for me and more importantly, it means that I am a better mom, at least I think it does. The red in me is just going to have to wait. And yet, I read this great book about these mom's who I can totally relate to and have become my friends (even though, of course, we've never met), and they are sharing their secrets about how their goal setting and planning and list making, etc. have helped them succeed. I can see it. It makes sense. I want to be a part of that world that can be organized and clean and still be a good mom that's relaxed enough to handle her adorable terrible two year old.

My mom shared with me once how after her grandkids have come to visit she keeps the fingerprints on the glass as long as she can. It reminds her of those pudgy little hands that she loves so dearly that put them there. Perspective is an amazing thing isn't it. Thank heaven for wise mothers.