Today I Am Thankful For... (Thanksgiving Edition)

Today I am thankful for:

• A wonderful family. They mean the world to me, and are everything in my life.
• Good friends. My friends are some of the greatest people on this earth.
• My knowledge that I have a Savior. Without that knowledge, nothing else in life has any meaning.
• A Heavenly Father who knows me, and loves me.

Even though times get tough, it is good to know that there are things out there that will always be good, no matter what. Happy Thanksgiving Everybody!

Today I Am Thankful For... (The first 10 days)

• 11/26 - Modern Medical Science. God gave us this technology, and I am very grateful for it.
• 11/25 - My Four-Year-Old. He drives me crazy sometimes, but he has a knack for reminding me how blessed I am.
• 11/24 - Friends. The kind that help you out, even when they don't need to.
• 11/23 - Homemade spaghetti with cheese, and naps.
• 11/22 - The balloon boquet that my neighbor brought over. It was so sweet, and Beefy is in heaven with it. He loves Balloons.
• 11/21 - The box of clothes that my mom sent for Buggy. I love it when Grandma goes on a shopping spree.
• 11/20 - Warm, snuggly blankets to play "Blanket Monster" with. (a game made up by my husband)
• 11/19 - Dairy Queen marshmallow sundaes and flu shots (i.e. not sick kids - knock on wood) and kids who go to bed early.
• 11/18 - A two year old that still wants to be "rock-a-bye"d at bedtime. He makes me smile with his silly animal noises (cows that "roar").
• 11/17 - "Hand Me Downs". Just when I think I'll have to go shopping, what I need turns up.
• 11/16 - My Husband, Who listens to me vent, without complaining.

What I Made in November (New Cards)

Well, here they are. I haven't been able to do as much as I'd like this month, but I do have a few birthday cards that I made for swaps, and a baby shower invitation. Enjoy.

Also, I haven't been posting details to my cards (i.e. colors, stamp sets, accessories used, instructions, etc.). If you would like me to start doing that, please leave me a comment and let me know.

This one is for a baby shower I'm throwing for a friend of mine. She is getting a boy after 2 girls, and she is using these colors (chocolate brown, light blue, and orange), with a Moroccan/jungle animal theme. Admittedly, I had a LOT of help with this card, but it was way too cute not to post. The top and bottom are sealed shut (to form an envelope), and all of the shower info is printed on the slide-in part of the card.

Birthday Card #1:

Birthday Card #2:
Birthday Card #3:
I'm in birthday card mode because of a Christmas project I'm working on (can't post anymore about it right now - maybe later). Hopefully, I will be able to get my Christmas cards done soon, as well as some way cute treat boxes that I am excited to make. I will post them all when I finish.

And while I'm on the subject - if you read my blog, and are not on my Christmas card list, and think you should be, or if your address has changed since last year, please let me know your current address. It will save me work later. Thanks!

Just Because I Can

I know that this is two very similar posts in a row. What can I say, things have been slow lately, and I have no camera (hopefully the latter will be remedied shortly).

Anyway, I got this as an e-mail a few days ago, and rather than annoy anyone by forwarding it, I will annoy everyone by posting it here (insert evil smiley face here). If you would like to participate, consider yourself forwarded to. (LaShaunna, this is for you)

Welcome to the new 2008 edition of getting to know your
family and friends.

1. What is your occupation right now?
Domestic Engineer (stay-at-home mom).

2. What color are your socks right now?
Kind of hate socks.

3. What are you listening to right now?
The kids watching Spongebob in the back room. (Yes, I know - I fully plan on getting "mom of the year")

4.What was the last thing that you ate?
Macaroni and Cheese.

5. Can you drive a stick shift? (manual car)
Can, yes. Like to, not really.

6. Last person you spoke to on the phone?
My Husband.

7. Do you like the person who sent this to you?
Yes .

8. How old are you today?
25.

9. What is your favorite sport to watch on TV?
Would Food Network Challange be considered a sport?

10. What is your favorite drink?
Depends on what I am eating with it.

11. Have you ever dyed your hair?
Just highlights.

12. Favorite food?
Usually, Ice Cream. I can't say always because of the current "cravings" situation (I get them bad).

13. What is the last movie you watched?
Kung Fu Panda.

14. Favorite day of the year?
October 31 to January 1.

15. How do you vent anger?
Depends on who I'm angry at. Usually I vent at my husband. (He's a good sport) Sometimes I vent on my blog. (obviously)

16. What was your favorite toy as a child?
Dolls, especially my Cabbage Patch Kid.

17. What is your favorite season?
Winter.

18. Cherries or Blueberries?
Raspberries.

19. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
I would enjoy that.

20. Who is the most likely to respond?
Lisa?

21. Who is least likely to respond?
I always think this is the dumbest question on these surveys.

22. Living arrangements?
I live in a house in the suburbs with my husband and 2.5 kids.

23. Last time you cried?
Probably sometime in the last 24 hours, given the current hormonal situation.

24. What is on the floor of your room?
It's pretty clean right now, I just vacuumed this morning.

25. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending to?
Lisa?

26. What did you do last night
Put the kids to bed, and played Wii.

27. What are you most afraid of?
Losing someone in my family.

28. Plain, cheese, or spicy hamburger
Cheese-y and Spicy. With Bacon.

29. Favorite dog breed?
Kind of don't really like dogs.

30. Favorite day of the week?
Friday.

31. How many states have you lived in?
2.

32. Diamonds or pearls?
Both.

33. Favorite flower?
Stargazer lillies and red and white roses. (especially nice when they are all arranged together)

Tag!

Hooray! I got tagged by my friend Heidi.

I actually like doing these, they are kind of fun - so here goes.

—

8 TV Shows I Love to Watch:

1. Numb3rs

2. The Office

3. 30 Rock

4. How I Met Your Mother

5. Good Eats

6. What Not to Wear

7. Mythbusters

8. Iron Chef America

—

8 Places I Love to Eat:

1. Los Portillos (my favorite Mexican place, local)

2. Red Robin

3. Qdoba

4. The teryaki place down the street (except for when I'm pregnant, for some reason)

5. Taco Bell

6. Cheesecake Factory

7. Brick Oven Pizza (in Provo - I miss that place)

8. All of my favorite restaurants in Logan (there are alot of them), since I'm reminiscing anyway.

—

8 Things that happened yesterday:

1. Watched a friend's little girl.

2. Had some friends over to play.

3. Took Buggy to get a flu shot.

4. Took a short (unfortunately) nap.

5. Made Dinner.

6. Went to get Ice Cream with my boys (all three of them).

7. Watched Kung Fu Panda with Buggy and my husband (Beefy fell asleep).

8. Went to bed (a wonderful thing).

—

8 Things I Love about Fall:

1. Cool Weather

2. Upcoming holidays

3. Colorful Leaves

4. Rain (I really do like rain, most of the time)

5. Turning on the fireplace

6. Food made from pumpkin

7. Seeing my kids dressed in sneakers, jeans, and jackets. Its kind of fun after a summer full of shorts and sandals.

8. When I was younger, I loved fall because it was marching band season (yep, fully certified nerd).

—

8 Things on My Wish List:

1. A million dollars (or at least a few thousand would be nice).

2. A new rocking chair/recliner before I have this baby (I really want something more comfortable to sleep in than my glider).

3. New floors for my house (our carpet is cheap, and I hate it).

4. A fenced in backyard.

5. An uncomplicated pregnancy (or the rest of it anyway) and

6. An easy, uncomplicated delivery.

7. Gift Cards (guilt free shopping!)

8. No strike for my husband's union

—

8 People I am Tagging:

1. Lisa

2. Kellie

3. Katie W.

4. Amy

5. Desirae

6. Lexie

7. That person who reads my blog, but I don't know you read my blog.

8. That other person who reads my blog, but I don't know you read my blog. (I'm sure there is more than one)

Is It a Boy Thing?

My conversation with Buggy tonight, while brushing his teeth. (Earlier we had seen a commercial for a "potty doll".)

Buggy: Mommy, what does that doll talk about?

Me: Which doll, the one that goes on the potty?

Buggy: Yeah, but she talks about the stuff that drops in the potty.

Me: Yes, she tells you when she goes pee and poop in her potty.

Buggy: Yeah, we don't need that creepy doll.

For real, he said that doll was creepy. I don't know if it was that doll in particular, or if we have reached a new stage of all dolls being creepy. Either way it was pretty funny. (And for the record, the doll was kind of creepy.)

Today I am Thankful For...

I've decided to try something new. I whine too much, and because I can't bring my self to make huge lifestyle adjustments right now, I'm going to make a small one. Every day from now to the end of the year (and hopefully longer) I am going to add to my list on the side of my blog, one thing I am thankful for. I can guarantee that they will not all be earth shattering (some days, I'm only thankful for Oreo's and ice cream), hopefully though in the end I will have something firm to remember that things are good - better than good. Anyway, wish me luck.

Good Day

Isn't it funny how all it takes sometimes is "getting something out", for things to get better?

Since I posted my rant session yesterday, things have gotten better. No, not perfect, but better. The kids are trying harder, I'm trying harder, and most important - I am remembering how much I truly love them.

I don't know exactly when it happened, but I suddenly find myself as one of those moms whose life revolves around her kids - and I'm really okay with that.

Don't get me wrong, I hope I never become the person who can't hold a conversation that doesn't revolve around her children, everyone needs an outside interest or two, and nobody likes a bragger (is that even a word?).

Really though, they are super cute (especially when I watch them sleep). They say the funniest things. And, frequently they do things that make me laugh. Somewhere since that day nearly 4 1/2 years ago when I became a mom I became more complete, and I couldn't imagine my life without them now.

I probably need to be told this more than anyone, so really this post is for me. Sometimes, I just need it in writing for it to sink in. Thanks for reading (and sorting through my ramblings).

Happy News!

My husband just e-mailed me this article. I am going to include it here but if you would like, it can also be found here.

Tentative agreement reached between SPEEA and Boeing on new Prof & Tech contracts

Tentative agreement was reached today between the Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA), IFPTE Local 2001, and Boeing on new four-year contracts covering 21,000 engineers and technical workers.

The two sides reached agreement early Friday. Union negotiators are recommending members approve the agreements. If approved by union members, the agreements will replace existing contracts that expire Dec. 1.

Two contracts are involved in the negotiations. The first covers 14,000 engineers in the SPEEA Professional Bargaining Unit. The second contract covers 7,000 technical workers in the union’s Technical Bargaining Unit. While the majority of workers are in the Puget Sound region, the contracts cover employees in Oregon, Utah and California. Both contracts expire Dec. 1.

No details can be released until after union negotiators present the agreements to the SPEEA Professional and Technical bargaining unit councils at a special meeting set for 6 p.m., this evening (Friday, Nov. 14).

Main Table negotiations started Oct. 29.

For those of you who are confused, SPEEA is the engineering union that my husband belongs to. He didn't really have a choice, you have to join to get the job. Most of the time, it isn't a big deal, and the union actually does lots of good things for us, but this year was a contract negotiation year.

For people who work with unions, that is a really scary thing. There have been strong rumors of an impending strike all year. Given the current economic crisis, many people I know would agree with me that the thought of a strike right now is one of the scariest things they could possibly imagine.

Thankfully though, this article is basically saying that as long as people aren't stupid or greedy, there is a good chance that a strike will be avoided, a huge blessing indeed. I know many people, including ourselves, whose prayers would be answered by this.

So, to all of my readers, thanks for indulging me for a minute while I celebrate this. For us, it's a pretty big deal.

Every Action Must Have an Equal and Opposite Reaction

I hope I got that right, it's been a while since I've been in school and I'm kind of rusty on my laws of physics. Also, this is a really long post. Feel free to skip to the end if you get bored, I won't be offended.

Anyway, the last few days with the boys have been fantastic. They've listened to me, they've done their chores, and the whining has even been to a bare minimum. They've helped each other out and played together too. It was bliss.

Yesterday was Beefy's "follow up" day at Children's Hospital. I was pretty nervous about it because it was going to be a really long day of appointments (starting at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 2:00 p.m.), and he would have to get up early, and perform and be out of his routine, etc. The weather was also horrible and it took me an hour to make what is normally a 30-35 minute drive. Needless to say, he was amazing. He did everything that all of the doctors and therapists asked him, he behaved well in the waiting room (we unfortunately had a lot of waiting), and overall it was just a much better day than I had anticipated.

All of the waiting was a good thing really, because it meant that all of our appointments were short. Everyone was really surprised (and kind of amazed) at how well he was doing, and all of our hour long sessions turned into 15 minute sessions. Unfortunately the schedule was booked to the point that nobody could get us in any earlier, therefore cutting our day short.

Buggy, not to be outdone - got up happily, even though I had to wake him up almost an hour and a half early. He kept making tons of cute comments and saying lots of I love you's, helping his brother out (and not doing his usual antagonizing) and other such things that make being a mom a little brighter.

All of this coming together, culminating in a great evening last night playing games together, having pizza and everyone being generally really happy. I even started having thoughts (most likely hormone induced) about how my power struggles with my kids were over, and life was going to be this wonderful fantasy from here on out.

Everyone went to bed well, and I even got to go to bed early, which never happens. This is where the "equal and opposite reaction" part comes in. This has happened with Beefy a few times before, but never to this extent.

So, about 1:15 Buggy comes wandering into my room, a little dazed and confused. This is no big deal, it happens. I just have to walk him back to his room, make sure he doesn't need the potty and tuck him into bed. He is out again within seconds, and I am out of bed for 5 minutes - tops (and that is only if I have to take a potty break too - which I do frequently of late). So there I am, just getting back in bed when in comes Beefy - ready for the day - at 1:20 in the morning. His nighttime dilemmas are not quite as easily solved but still not horrible. Usually I can rock him for a few minutes, get him a drink and lay him back in bed (15-30 minutes roughly). Not last night.

After about 5 rounds of rocking, back to bed, him coming back in, rocking, back to bed, etc. I was starting to loose it. My husband got up with him once, and thought that he had him down, but not 10 minutes later, in he comes again. At this point he has lost the privilege of rocking, and is getting unceremoniously put back in bed, with a very firm "STAY!!" and "GO TO SLEEP!", to which he is replying "NO!" and promptly following me out of the room again. I won't bore you will all the gory details that ended with both of the boys being awake, and me laying on the floor in their room telling them to be quiet and lay down every thirty seconds.

Eventually (3 hours later, 4:20 a.m) I finally get to lay down in my bed for some sleep - that is until 5:30 when my husband's alarm goes off. I try to sleep on and off until 6:10 when he is finally out the door and I can go back to sleep until 8 or so (or so I think) when one of the kids usually gets up. No such luck today. They were both up at 7:15 a.m. after at least 1 of them being up for 3 hours during the night.

So, today I have two very crabby little boys, and one mommy who (by the doing of the aforementioned little boys) is also very, very crabby. Of course, everything with Beefy has been a battle of massive proportions, and Buggy is back on his whine-cycle. I am refusing to let Beefy have any semblance of a nap for fear of a repeat performance tonight, which isn't helping - I know. But, I am at a loss. We haven't dealt with a mobile toddler who doesn't think he needs to sleep in the middle of the night. Buggy was the kid who gave us grief about going to bed. Once he was out - he stayed out.

Don't get me wrong, I still love my kids, and I know that at some point in the undefined future things will get better. I just should have known that the last few days were too good to be true. Oh, well. It was nice while it lasted.

It's Saturday Night!

I found this on my friend Kellie's blog, and it looked like fun, so I had to try it. I did cheat a little bit and only used only my playlist on the iPod, not my husband's or kid's, but I did have it on shuffle.

Come play along...
1. Put your music listening device on shuffle.
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. You must write that song name down no matter how silly it makes you look.
4. Title this post what the answer to your last question is.
5. Good luck and have fun!

IF SOMEONE SAYS 'IS THIS OKAY' YOU SAY?
You Were Meant for Me - Jewel

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF
Yellow Submarine - Beatles

WHAT DO YOU LIKE IN A GUY/GIRL?
I Feel So - Boxcar Racer

HOW DO YOU FEEL TODAY?
Oh Jean - The Proclaimers

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE'S PURPOSE?
D is For Drums - They Might Be Giants (for real, this is what came up)

WHAT DO YOUR FRIENDS THINK OF YOU?
Come on Nature - The Proclaimers

WHAT DO YOUR PARENTS THINK OF YOU?
Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne

WHAT DO YOU OFTEN THINK ABOUT?
Whistling in the Dark - They Might Be Giants

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Light Up My Room - Barenaked Ladies

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY?
Suite for Voilincello - Johann Sebastian Bach

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Bed, Bed, Bed (Live) - They Might Be Giants

WHAT DO YOU THINK WHEN YOU SEE THE PERSON YOU LIKE?
Alcohol - Barenaked Ladies

WHAT WILL YOU DANCE TO AT YOUR WEDDING?
The Animal Song - Savage Garden

WHAT WILL THEY PLAY AT YOUR FUNERAL?
Seven Days of the Week - They Might Be Giants

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST FEAR?
In My Life - Sean Connery

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST SECRET?
And So It Goes - Billy Joel

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF YOUR FRIENDS?
I Knew I Loved You - Savage Garden

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME THIS POST?
It's Saturday Night - The Proclaimers

Obviously my iPod has some weird obsession with They Might Be Giants tonight. My playlist is actually much more varied, maybe I'll have to try this again sometime. That was kind of fun. Thanks for posting it Kellie.

More on Questions

The question asking hasn't gotten any better, in fact it's probably gotten worse, no worries though. I'm kind of starting to figure out how to "tread water" through these conversations, and hopefully my son won't be too messed up as an end result.

I had to laugh again today when he asked me if the policemen get hungry, and what they like to eat. I answered "doughnuts", (I couldn't resist) then laughed to my self, and wondered a little bit about how four-year-old minds work. I have definitely been underestimating the kid.

Waxing Philosophical with a Four-Year-Old

Lately, Buggy has been pulling out the "big guns" of question asking.

We have had to have endless discussions on dinosaurs, the meaning of the word "extinct", where the dinosaurs live now that they are dead, and why all of the other animals aren't dead too. I blame Costco and their darn dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets for sparking these discussions. He has never even shown an interest in dinos, except of the chicken nugget variety.

As if that weren't enough, we also have to have talks about: "baby sister" in Mommy's tummy, does he (Buggy) have a baby in his tummy, can the baby talk, does it hurt to have a baby in my tummy, how will the baby get out, etc.

Technically I know all of the answers to these questions. I've read the parenting books on how to deal with questions like these, and I know my beliefs well enough to pass them on to my child. The thing is, is the theory is a lot different than the actual practice of the thing. I can barely keep a straight head when he is pummeling me with questions; one after another, after another. Don't even try to make me come up with a semi-reasonable answer right on the spot like that.

That's the funny thing, most of these questions come out of nowhere. We'll be driving in the car, or eating lunch, and all of a sudden he throws one on me, and then continues to shoot them off until I have to finally say, "STOP! No more questions for a minute". I love that my son is inquisitive, but I am at a loss as to how to address these inquiries sometimes. Any suggestions? I would love some (especially about the dinosaur questions, those are the ones that really get me).

On a lighter note though, last night we were driving and Buggy saw a pizza delivery car. He asked what it was, and I explained to him how pizza delivery worked. Then about 15 minutes later, he asked if pizza delivery boys ever got hungry; and then, "What do they like to eat?" After a day of ruthless questioning, this was absolutely hilarious to me. I couldn't help but laugh a little bit before I answered him.

The Difference Between Boys and Girls

Today was my day to teach pre-school. Because we had Beefy here, our numbers were even (3 boys, 3 girls). The boys walked in the door and started laughing, shouting, and karate chopping each other. The girls started playing ring-around-the-rosies, and went to find all of the stuffed animal puppies. Now, I'm not dumb. I know that boys and girls are markedly different, I've just never seen it as pronounced as I did today.

Pre-Halloween Fun

I think my kids had more fun in all of the things we did leading up to Halloween than on the actual day. Well, not really, but they did have a lot of fun. Most of these pictures are from other sources, which is why it has taken me so long to post them. Here are some of the things we've been doing the last few weekends.

October 18th: 1st Pumpkin Patch trip. We went with "AM" & "GM".

The Boys, showing off their "loot".

Farmer Beefy

Farmer Buggy

Riding in the wagon.

October 24th: Church Halloween Party and "Trunk or Treat". The boy's buddy "S" and his mom and dad came with us to this one.

Buggy enjoying a cupcake.

Turtle Beefy

"S" and Buggy enjoying their spoils after the cupcake walk.

October 25th: 2nd Pumpkin Patch trip. My husband had to work that day, so the boys and I tagged along with "S" and his mom and dad, so we didn't have to spend a boring Saturday home alone.

For some reason my kids really like sticking their faces in these things.

Boo!

Picking out (another) pumpkin.

Train Ride

All in a days work.

There was also a Halloween carnival at the local high school, pumpkin carving, and a pre-school Halloween party in there too. Not to mention the main event (trick-or-treating) itself. Unfortunately, no pics of the carnival or the pre-school party. I do have some of the finished product Jack O'Lanterns, and of the boys and Daddy going trick-or-treating, I'll post them as soon as I can get them loaded on the computer.