Head Over Heels

On the Fourth of July weekend, Brady (Jake's brother) and his wife Jessica were in town. We had a very, very fun-packed weekend. On Saturday, we went to Six Flags (sadly, without Jessica; she wasn't up for rides with her back problems, so she generously stayed home with Brooklyn and Ty). Amazingly, it was a really slow day at Six Flags. By 2'o'clock, Jake and I had been on most of the "big"coasters that we had planned to hit during the day. As we climbed on another coaster, we caught a view of their new kids' area "Wiggles' World". From there, it was all over. As we decided what other coasters we had to get to before the day's end (Superman was the only one we hadn't been on and wanted to ride) we also couldn't stop talking about heading up to Kenosha and bringing the kids back to go on some rides. Well, end of story, we didn't end up even waiting to stand in line for Superman. By about 3:30, we left to go pick up the kids.

They LOVED the park. Flying planes, driving cars, riding in ladybugs...so much to do, so little time. We rode for a few hours until they shut down the kiddie rides at 8:00 (so sad, Ty was waiting for one when they shut it down). Brooklyn and Jake went on a little roller coaster; Brooklyn loved it. After the kids rides shut down, she and Jake hit a few more bigger rides while I headed to the carosel for a few rounds with the little ones. All and all, we had a blast. It worked out perfect to have some time alone to go on coasters without having to pass kids around (although we did have Sadie, who was an angel, and with the "ride swap" deal at Six Flags got most of us onto several rides two times around...though I don't recommend Batman two times in a row...I don't get sick on coasters, but ugh, it took me awhile to start walking straight again). Jake and I went home laughing how "head over heels" we are for our kids, we can't even thouroughly enjoy a day alone at Six Flags without wanting them to join the fun. It's such an amazing feeling to find that there is much more joy in seeing your children happy than trying to make yourself happy. Simple lesson learned.

Tagged -- Thanks Laurie!

How long have you been together? "Been together" for 11 years! Married for 8 this December.
Who eats more? Hmmm...I've spent so much time pregnant. Calories wise--Jake...he eats loads of junk food. Quantity wise--sometimes me.
Who said I love you first? We were best friends, it was almost already known. I don't know who said it
Who is taller? Jake
Who sings better? None of the above
Who is smarter? Both of the above. Depends on what subject. We took classes at BYU together and got different grades in the same classes. Sometimes he was better, sometimes me. Honestly though, being a mom and he being a professional and student, I feel like a dummy right now.
Who does the laundry? Me (and sometimes Brooklyn helps!)
Who does the dishes? Me. Sometimes get some help on the weekend. But even then, whenhe's home I'd rather take the dishes than the kids.
Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Jake.
Who pays the bills? Me
Who mows the lawn? Both
Who cooks dinner? Me
Who drives when you are together? Jake
Who is more stubborn? Jake. I am not stubborn. Not one bit. I'm determined. *ha, ha*
Whose parents do you see the most? Probably mine...but it's pretty even since they both live in Utah
Who kissed who first? Jake did. He asked first...pretty cute.
Who proposed? Jake...too bad I foiled the surprise when I accidently found the roses in the trunk
Who is more sensitive? Is this a real question? Me, of course.
Who has more friends? This isn't a fair question, to say "me". Jake has co-workers, associates, fellow students, etc. I have more "friends", I think, but I'm a girl; it is and always has been a big deal for me.
Who has more siblings? Jake -- two brothers and three sisters
Who wears the pants in the family? Probably me. This is a tricky question too, but since Jake never reads the blog, I can take credit.

Highs and Lows

So, the life of a mom is full of ups and downs. Downs. Let's start with last night. We decided to take the kids to the zoo in the evening for "Zoofari" night. Jake has school tonight, and tomorrow night; then he leaves out of town on Sunday through Thursday. Thursday, I think he's headed straight to Chicago for class. So, needless to say, we won't be seeing much of him in the upcoming week. We wanted to do something fun so the kids could spend some time with him. All was well, until I decided to pull Sadie out of the stroller to look at the fish. Incidentally, it was our last "stop" before packing up for home. As I picked her up, I could tell (actually, smell) a diaper that needed to be changed. I couldn't find one in my bag (though I had everything else we didn't need). I realized it didn't matter, we were headed home anyway. I carried her to go look at the fish and my arm brushed the front of my shirt. I quickly realized that the contents of the diaper has squished onto the front of my shirt and was smeared everywhere. We abruptly ended our sightseeing and headed to the car, with Sadie in tears and me nearly so. Upon reaching the car we both stripped down...ewwww. Gotta hate lows like that.
Highs...
Tonight, I realized again I have made one of the best decisions of my life. When Jake started going back to school, part of the agreement was that I find a babysitter to help me out. 11 months later, no sitter. I have a multitude of excuses/reasons for not having a sitter. Most of them have to do with my inability to surrender control, however, my lack of sanity was starting to overcome my need for control. Next problem, finding a sitter. I know there are probably several competent girls at church, but I just wasn't comfortable with that. I always feel like I'm asking a favor when I call someone from church (even when I'm paying her). I also find it hard to be honest when/if there is a problem. Anyway, I lamented my woes to a friend who recommended http://www.sittercity.com/. It's not free, but I found a sitter who is worth her weight in gold. I like that we have a professional relationship. I used the website to search several sitters based on different criteria. I interviewed two girls. She's 18 years old and plans to study early childhood ed this fall when she enters college. She has lots of experience with kids and when I called her references, one family has children the same ages (almost) as mine. She graduated from a wonderful Lutheran school near where we used to live in Jackson; so she shares our strong Christian values. MY KIDS ADORE HER (Ty in particular, she's a very tall, cute girl). Tonight, I was even able to leave Sadie (a first, I've never in her 14 months of life left her with anyone while she was awake, except Jake). I feel so accomplished tonight (hence the reason I'm blogging). I had this huge list of "small" errands. I had four items that had to be returned to different stores. This is a task that goes infinately more quickly without unloading kids from the van, loading kids into the stroller, trucking kids into the store, waiting in line with whiney kids, trucking angrily out of the store, unloading kids angrily out of the stroller, loading kids angrily into the car....I think you get it. So, in 2 1/2 hours I returned 4 items to different stores, did some shopping at two seperate stores and replaced my awful, lame, "can you hear me now?" phone. It was wonderful! I can sometimes get some errands done while Jake is home with kids, but with as little time as we have together as it is, I feel guilty the whole time for leaving. I should have done this sooner! Happy, happy, happy me.
One more high. I was inspired by a fellow blogger today. I came upon an old friend's blog. She has this amazing, "I am here to teach my kids about life, my kids are here to teach me what life is about" approach to life. Her blog was so positive about how grateful she is for a loving family and wonderful friends. It reminded me of my blessings...so often overlooked.

Happy Belated Fourth of July!!!

We had a wonderful 4th of July! We were able to share in the festivities with Jared and Katelin; as well as Jake's other brother Brady and his wife Jessica. On the 3rd, we went to Taste of Chicago. I'm anxiously awaiting pictures from Brady...we saw the fireworks in Chicago that night. It was amazing! (Except for the trampling/firecracker incident that Jess and I were almost involved in...some idiot lit firecrackers in the middle of a huge crowd near Buckingham fountain...people were frantically screaming and running like crazies because they were sure they were being shot) For the fourth, we went to the parade in Wauwatosa. The kids loved the music, candy, and playing with their flags. Also, I posted a picture of this amazing guy that does tricks in a big steel ball. That day, we had a BBQ and went to the fireworks in Kenosha. The kids loved it, everyone but Sadie missed the fireworks the night before in Chicago. I love the fourth, I love the crowds, I love the veterans, I love this country! God Bless America!

I Am A Consevative -- by Glenn Beck

Jake found this article yesterday...I thought Glenn Beck nailed it (I'm not a regular Glenn Beck fan, I might be now!) If you're on the boat of people that are having a hard time thinking about voting for the lesser of two evils in '08, this is for you! (I found it on CNN.com..."Commentary: Obama no, McCain maybe)

(Quote from article...I couldn't get the link to work)
"On my radio program, I talk a lot about voting for your values. But as time goes by, we all tend to get buried in the minutiae of campaigns and lose sight of those things. Day after day, the media and analysts feed us stories that line us up against each other like armies getting ready for battle. Standing in the middle isn't an option, so people tend to take a side, even if they don't feel completely comfortable there.
The only way out of that trap is to try to define what it is you really stand for and believe in. After all, how can you say that Obama or McCain reflects your values if you don't even know what those values are?
Chances are that your definition will slant heavily to the values advertised by one of the parties. That's fine, but keep in mind that just because a party says they stand for something doesn't mean it's true.
After all, the Republicans said they stood for smaller government, but the size of our government grew enormously under a Republican president and a Republican majority in Congress. Democrats said they stood for an end to the war in Iraq, but for better or worse, nearly two years after taking over Congress, they don't even have a timetable for withdrawal.
My point is that actions speak louder than words. The "R" and the "D" don't matter if the people we elect don't follow through on their promises.
So what are my core values, the things that I refuse to compromise on? To figure that out, I decided to try to define what I think a conservative really believes.
A conservative believes that our inalienable rights do not include housing, healthcare or Hummers.
A conservative believes that our inalienable rights DO include the pursuit of happiness. That means it is guaranteed to no one.
A conservative believes that those who pursue happiness and find it have a right to not be penalized for that success.
A conservative believes that there are no protections against the hardship and heartache of failure. We believe that the right to fail is just as important as the chance to succeed and that those who do fail learn essential lessons that will help them the next time around.
A conservative believes in personal responsibility and accepts the consequences for his or her words and actions.
A conservative believes that real compassion can't be found in any government program.
A conservative believes that each of us has a duty to take care of our neighbors. It was private individuals, companies and congregations that sent water, blankets and supplies to New Orleans far before the government ever set foot there.
A conservative believes that family is the cornerstone of our society and that people have a right to manage their family any way they see fit, so long as it's not criminal. We are far more attuned to our family's needs than some faceless, soulless government program.
A conservative believes that people have a right to worship the God of their understanding. We also believe that people do not have the right to jam their version of God (or no God) down anybody else's throat.
A conservative believes that people go to the movies to be entertained and to church to be preached to, not the other way around.
A conservative believes that debt creates unhealthy relationships. Everyone, from the government on down, should live within their means and strive for financial independence.
A conservative believes that a child's education is the responsibility of the parents, not the government.
A conservative believes that every human being has a right to life, from conception to death.
A conservative believes in the smallest government you can get without anarchy. We know our history: The larger a government gets, the harder it will fall.
Those are the things a conservative believes in, and they're the things that I believe in. Now, if only I could find a candidate to match."

What I Didn't Know About Motherhood....

Well, honestly, there was a lot I didn't know about motherhood. But, fortunately, time won't allow for more detail (besides, I think we'd be dealing with some censorship issues). I didn't know being a mom would be so FUNNY.
Today, in the middle of church, amid a rare quiet moment, Brooklyn blurted out "My panties are almost all gone out of my panty drawer". I wouldn't have started laughing unto crying if it weren't for everyone around me laughing...I tried as quietly as possible (and with genuine understanding) to explain to her that we'd do some laundry when we got home.
Later, Brooklyn was playing with the hose and soaked Tyler. Subsequently, I helped Ty soak her back. She sobbed and explained "I didn't want you to water me Mommy. Ty was going to hit me with a stick so I had to water him." As we talked about it, the excuse changed to "I watered Ty because I thought he was a flower!" Where does she get this stuff?

Summer Pictures