Our week...rabbits, berries, sunburns

What a week! It's been a busy one, but pretty good all and all. My only qualm about this week is our rabbit problem. I have some beautiful roses and asiatic lilies that I just put into my garden. I spent three hours trying to pull out some lilies of the valley to get them in; now the rabbits are thinking all my new flowers are fine dining. Jake has been at school for the past two nights, since the beginning of the infestation; so I haven't really come up with a solution. Out of desperation, last night I sprinkled a mixture of onion powder, garlic powder, cayanne pepper, red pepper flakes, black pepper and dried mustard. It didn't work; though I'm thinking when I come up with a solution, those ingredients will make a fine rabbit stew...
This week, we also went strawberry picking. The kids of course, loved it. Luckily, they only weighed the strawberries that we picked; they did not weigh the kids on the way in and out. Ty was covered head to toe, strawberry juice dripping off of his elbows. The strawberries were fabulous. I'd love to brag that I made strawberry pies and homemade jam, but this time I just chose to freeze them for smoothies. Really, we were into strawberry picking for the adventure.
Also, we had fun with the Chaplins' this week playing in their backyard waterpark. Brooklyn got her first sunburn, and has been diligent about making sure that I apply "ocean" (lotion) to make it feel better. Surprisingly, the sunburn has had the ability to migrate all over her body...she has places that she claims are hurt and sunburned that were covered up completely.
This week, Sadie did awesome at therapy. Thanks to the Gils' (Jake's mission president); Sadie decided that strangers aren't so bad. Guess it was a realization for her that if she goes to a new person, other than mom, she's actually more likely to get more attention than mom can give her. SO, after almost four months of physical therapy, this was THE FIRST week that she didn't cry the entire time. We had some tears at the beginning, but she actually enjoyed the one on one attention from me and her therapist once we got going. She is making improvements and gaining weight (I think) and honestly, for the first time, I'm pretty sure we have a normal baby. We would have loved her to death either way, but I am nonetheless grateful if we won't be facing developmental delays her entire life. It's funny to have your baby have problems, I've had to learn how basic movements that we take for granted happen. For example, right now one of the things Sadie is working on is learning to go from crawling to sitting up. There are so many steps and muscles involved in it. Our bodies are amazing. The fact that our bodies do what they do without a hitch most of the time is truly a miracle. Modern medicine is also miraculous; the ways we are able to help out nature when things go wrong...
I'll have to post pictures later...good week

Short and Sweet

So, I'm sitting here on my computer working on Sharing Time, and maybe a few other things too...my favorite neighbor is going for his evening walk. Yes, I know this from the privacy of our spacious office/bedroom. We have a neighbor who sings opera. He sings quite well and has this amazing capability to carry his voice. I can hear him coming from a distance while inside my house...better than I can hear firetruck sirens or ice-cream truck music. It always just makes me smile. He walks through our neighborhood singing at the top of his lungs with absolutely no shame. I get embarrassed when we're going for a walk and one of my kids requests that I sing a song. Maybe if I had a voice like that!

"These Is My Words"

I just finished the best book that I've read in a long while. It is called "These Is My Words" by Nancy Turner. It is a novel, written like a diary, based on the life of a woman who settled the Arizona territory.

Here are a few of my favorite quotes:
"There is no outrunning fear, it comes on you and you have to face it" (121)
"You look like you're trying to do tomorrow's sweeping today." (173)
"We are a noisy crowd of love." (210)
"I want to be married to you, spitfire and all" (214)
"Ever notice how if you do something hare-brained and you fail you're an idiot, but if you suceed, you're a hero?...I spend all my days trying not to do anything hare-brained in the first place" (272)
"I have been so busy with cleaning and children, some days I feel worn out before I get out of bed" (289)
"It seems there is always a road with bends and forks to choose and taking one path means you can never take another one...it isn't that I'd want to not have my little ones...it's just that I want everything, my insides are not just hungry, but greedy. I want to find out all the things in the world and still have a family." (309)
"Some other part of me made up some rules about happiness and I went along without thinking" (318)
"My life is so full of wonderful things right now...Mama told me to make a special pint to remember the best times. There are so many hard things to live through..the good things will give you strength to endure" (327)
"I used to complain to myself that life was so boring, that there was too much laundry to do, too many noses to wipe. Now there are not enough noses to wipe." (364)
"I don't think I really knew my own mother until I had children..." (370)

Wonderful book! I highly recommend it if you need a good read this summer!

Bienvenidos a mi casa!

This week, we had an amazing experience. Jake's former mission president, who now lives in Guadalajara, was able to come with his wife and visit us. They were touring some of the church history sites and hit our house between visits to the Palmyra area (Buffalo, New York) and Nauvoo, Illinois (northwestern Illinois LDS church history sites). They had quite an adventure finding our house and arrived at 4:30am early Tuesday morning (or late Monday night, I guess depending on how you look at it). The next day, we recovered and they also went to the Harley plant and the lake. That night, we took them to a Brewers game. (Coincidentally, it was a great game...I think we hit 6-7 home runs...shut out Toronto). Our kids took quite a liking to them (yes, even Sadie). They, in turn, loved to spend time with blond-haired, blue-eyed kiddies (isn't it ironic? I think Hispanic babies are off the charts adorable compared to red, wrinkly, bald white babies!) Anyway, we had fun at the game. The next day, we headed down to Chicago. We were able to see the Sears Tower and Millenial Park. We also made a stop at the LDS temple in Chicago. We enjoyed having them visit so much! Jake, despite his unnecessary worry, was able to pick up his Spanish and have no problems. I was able to keep up with what was being said and communicate what was necessary...sadly, couldn't say much beyond that. The whole experience was so humbling. My family would visit Mexico when I was growing up. I was always humbled by the people and the poverty. I got that feeling again. His mission president is middle-class; but certainly doesn't enjoy what we have as Americans. I also was reminded of my love for the Mexican people. They are so warm, gracious, and loving. They are such an amazing example to me; their love of the Gospel and the Savior shone so brightly! We made some awesome memories!

Hanging at the "Beach"

I use the term "beach" here pretty liberally. By "beach" I mean the frigid, e-coli infested waters of Lake Michigan. We found a fun park with playgroup last week; then decided to go as a family over the weekend. Actually, frigid is a good thing. It keeps the kids in the shallow end of the water. The whole e-coli thing isn't really a good thing. The lake was so smelly; but we found a decent spot where we could play in the sand a little. A good time was had by all, except Sadie, who was very disappointed that I wouldn't let her eat the sand...what a naughty mommy!

Fathers and Sons

We've had a busy month, and it's just over half-way through. Good and bad, I guess. It's just warming up here, so it's hard to believe it's almost July! We've had an insanely busy month. I haven't been blogging much; I'm trying to keep up with yardwork, housework, churchwork, wifework, and mommywork. I sometimes have to take a serious break from the computer to motivate myself to get something done. It's so easy to lose hours and hours at the computer. Anyway, at the beginning of the month, Ty went with Jake to a Fathers and Sons campout. They had a blast! Well, at least Ty had a blast! He enjoyed throwing rocks in the lake and playing in the mud. At the end of the night, he had to walk around camp and tell all of the fires "goodnight". There is also a picture of him sitting at the fire with his little friend Christian. Jake and Ty decided to "camp out" in the minivan this year; Ty kept Jake up into the wee hours of the night exploring the minivan.

Saving Grace

So, I had one of those days today. In fact, it's been one of those weeks. Ty and Brooklyn are constantly at each other's throats. They both like to dish out teasing; neither deals at all with being teased. Fabulous combination. This morning had been a especially challenging morning...Ty had spent half of it in time-out. (The verbal teasing turns physical with Ty; he hits, kicks, bites...) Anyway, I was thrilled when a friend came to take Brooklyn for a playdate for a few hours. As soon as she left, Ty stood at the door and sobbed, "I like Brooklyn. I like Brooklyn. Brooklyn come back to Ty's house. I want Brooklyn to come back to Ty's house." He was a basketcase. Give me a break!? Why are you missing her? So she can tease you and make you cry so you can lash out and then go to time out. What am I missing here? I thought it would be nice for them to have a break from each other. Siblings. Go figure. Good thing I NEVER fought with my sisters...no, NEVER.

Pictures in the Garden

Retirement Goal

Yes, I've said it before, I'll say it again. One day, I am going to be a "dancing granny". These cute little ladies dance in several of the local parades. I think its fun that they are willing to get out there and DANCE regardless of their age or whether or not they look as good as they once did in their costume. Certainly (I hope) I will not still live in Wisconsin. But I may have to "summer" here so that I can dance, dance, dance! I've already totally got the shoulder shimmy down! SO cute!

Red and Yellow and Blue All Over

So, for our church meeting last night, part of the activity was a personality test. I have taken this personality test several times over the course of my long little life. It was somehow more insightful this time. I remember taking these tests and almost being discouraged...when I answered the questions truthfully, I found out I was a spineless, over-emotional, basketcase. I honestly didn't like personality tests..didn't want to face the truth I guess. I realized last night, to a greater degree than before, that personality is not permanent. I have changed a lot. While most of the women talked about being a "red" A-type personality, and mellowing out and developing some of the more nurturing characteristics of a "blue" personality with becoming a mother, I found quite the opposite. I used to be blue all over...not much else. Very much ruled by emotion and wanting to please others. I think it is the combination of making it through business school, being married to a BIG red personality, and having children that has made me more "red". I am much more inclined now than ever in my life to take charge, be assertive, and sometimes, admittedly, a jerk. (Today, some teenager plowed over Brooklyn at the zoo and knocked her over, I totally chewed her out...jerk...I felt awful when the girl was embarrassed and backed off a little) What's wrong with me though? Motherhood should make me more loving, understanding, nurturing...not more driven, assertive, and bossy (ok, yeah mom, you're right...I was always a little bossy...guess it comes with being the oldest). Anyway, I guess the good news is, people can change. I still need to work on that "white" part of my personality. Its so important to me, that I don't even remember what it is. (I'm fairly balanced between the other three...red being the A-type, blue being emotional, nurturer; yellow being social lite. I still get defensive about being blue...as someone else at church described it last night, her initial description was somewhat negative (being driven by emotion, overly emotional...I don't even remember what she said). I got defensive of the fact that I AM NOT OVERLY EMOTIONAL as tears welled up in my eyes...I bit my tongue and realized case in point, "you can't fight it...to some extent this emotional, crying, part of you is a lost cause. At least I have learned to channel it. I am such a basketcase, I cry for dumb things (ie: when "Babe" with the competition at the end of the movie "Babe", when Lightning McQueen pushes King across the finish line in "Cars"...seriously, I wish I was kidding!!!) So, I guess the long and short of it is that luckily you can change parts of yourself (like me becoming more assertive) but others are hard (I now don't cry when someone at WalMart gives me a hard time about my traveling circus, I just cry at lame movies after I give the person at WalMart a piece of my mind!)

P-Nuttles Butter Toffee Sunflower Seeds

So, Jake picked up a little package of these for $.50 at school. He didn't eat them and brought them home. Not a good thing, since part of being a mom seems to be devouring everything that is un-eaten (after all, there are people in this world who are starving!). Anyway, they are super good. I sprinkled them on a salad with baby spinach, apple chunks, craisins, and mandarin oranges (then used raspberry vinegarette). It was amazing! Looks like unless I can find them somewhere else, I'm going to have to live without them. I can't seriously buy 5 lbs. In theory, I could, and could get some good use out of them...it's like my 10-year supply of sunflower seeds for sprinkling on salads. Heaven only knows, they would never last that long. I have no self-control. I just can't have bulk amounts of snacks like that around my house...sad statement, but true.

Deals and Steal

I just like to share deals and steals when I find 'em...

This week Bath and Body Works is having their "Summer Clearance" sale. You can get shower gels (full-size) for $3...Wallflower Starter kits and refills for $5 each. Pretty good promotion...

(Locals only) Wendy's right now is doing a Six Flags promotion. Buy a combo meal and get a coupon that is good for $20 off general admission through July 4 and $10 off general admission through September. One coupon can buy up to 4 tickets...pretty decent deal if you'll be visiting Six Flags this summer.

Make a Book Purse

Make a Book Purse - wikiHow

I think I might try this...in all my "spare" time!