Good week

Well, it has been a good week. Busy, but good. History Fair is over & Wylie got a 92%- yay! I am just glad it's over. Spencer & Wylie went to scout camp at Fish Lake. They enjoyed it. On Wed. Chavonne, Cassie, Amy, & Shandra came over for Chinese food and oatmeal cake. It was nice to visit. The boys both played well at their Basketball game on Saturday. We had dinner with the Cook family and watched the Superbowl yesterday. That was fun. All in all good week. And everyone is healthy for the moment-yay!

A great Monday

Wow! Well, this has to be the best day all together that I have had in a while. So it all started by Baylor sleeping through the night lastnight. Ya, that was wonderful. I got up to make Spencer breakfast and surprisingly didn't feel dead like usual. After he left, I read my scriptures and my patriarchal blessing. The baby woke up and I put him in my bed to finish reading. By then, the kids were up. They made it to school on time without a fight(very nice). I had breakfast with the littles when I got back, I took out all the garbages and started laundry. Tyrik did his computer work without a fight. I then ran 2.0 miles on the treadmill without stopping for the first time in years. I watched Chavonne's boys while she went visit teaching. I talked to Korindi for the first time in forever, she is shockingly pregnant. They thought they were done four years ago. I dejunked the girls room and bathroom. I then went onto the boys room and dejunked theirs as well. Yes, they were bad and it took me hours, but it was so worth it. I went to throw something away and realized how warm it was and decided to clean out the suburban. I admit I stood in the sun for a few minutes just to soak it in. Ya, I dont think that has even happened before, warm enough to do anything without a jacket in January...weird. my kids even got to play outside for quite a while because of the weather. We all loved it. I got all of our laundry done and put away, all the girls laundry done and folded and even started some of the boys. Oh, I did a few bills this morning also and transferred a few things. I vacuumed upstairs and the boys room. The kids came in from playing and cleaned the basement. I got the kids bathed & fed, the dishes done and kitchen clean. I had the kids make birthday cards for my Dad while I gave them a FHE lesson on rules/commandments. We prayed, I put them to bed, I then made Spencer a chicken salad for dinner because he worked a long shift and got home late and was starving. I ate my own treat of chocolate strawberries and watched the news for a minute. Got a Visiting teaching appointment set up for tomorrow. Spent time with my honey before he went to bed, and here we are. Whew!!!! I can't believe it all even as I typed it. The thing is, I didn't even mention that I was able to stay calm and happy with the kids and hugged them and helped with homework a little, got them to practice piano, etc... I am so grateful first of all for, answered prayers, second, a good nights sleep, third, sunshine, and fourth, time with my children, without games, practices and such. It all makes such a difference. I am grateful that Spencer is willing to work as hard as he does to provide all of this and make it possible for me to spend the days with my kids. They are the best. They really are. They are smart,funny, patient, forgiving, and kind. They are great kids. I am so grateful for such a great day. I know that Heavenly Father is aware of us and will answer prayers if we ask sincerely. I am so grateful for that. I just hope I can start to have more days like today more often. It gave me hope that I can accomplish a lot and still be a good Mom.

A lesson learned

So this morning to my pleasant surprise, Tyrik heard Wylie saying he needed to find something. He then told him that he should pray for help because Heavenly Father knows where everything is. Wylie was very surprised as well. The funny thing is, he was talking about finding primary resources for his report....ya, gotta love it. I am just so grateful that Tyrik remembered what I taught him.:-)
So this afternoon I went grocery shopping for the week. I took all three little ones and was dreading the usual circus and getting so upset by the end that I can't wait to leave. I also was dreading spending more than I wanted like I almost always do. I said a prayer for help as I walked in, and surprisingly, it turned out ok. I didn't spend as much as I thought I would and even though the kids weren't total angels, they were good enough that I remained calm, even through the checkout. It is times like this, that make me grateful for prayer. By the way, Baylor is 10 months old today-what the heck?! I cannot believe it! He is such a good baby. I am ao grateful for his sweet little spirit in our family. Oh how I love him.

Yesterday

So yesterday was a pretty good day. I was calm with the kids, I got what I wanted done, but there are always a few things that stand out. First, Tyrik couldnt find his back pack for school. He was pretty frustrated. I had the thought that it would be a good time to teach him about prayer. I asked him to say a prayer to help him find his back pack. Almost immediately after, he went and found it. I made sure he said another prayer to thank Heavenly Father for answering his prayer. It turned out to be a great teaching moment. So that was good. The other good thing was conquering the game/blanket closet that I dread so much because it is such a big job. While I was accomplishing this however, of course Tyrik and Aynslee were doing something naughty. As long as I have been a mother, that is pretty much how it has always gone. I dont know why I am surprised! I feel like I have Ryland & Kaylese all over again most days. Anyhow, they took every piece of clothing off of Ryland and Tyriks shelves in their closet and threw them on the floor. Ya, that was nice. Undo one closet, while I organize another. 
One thing every Mother learns, if toddlers are ever quiet, it's not a nice break, something naughty is happening!

Saturday

So, yesterday didn't turn out how I expected it to. This was a good unexpected though. I ended having a couple of quiet hours in the morning to clean because Alyson invited Aynslee & Tyrik over to play. They loved it and so did I. Then Chavonne had to go up to Salt Lake to get her vacuum and asked if I wanted to go. At first I thought thete was no way, but then I had an idea. I went with her and surprised Spencer on the way home with a date. She took Aynslee and Tyrik home so Wylie could watch them and Michele Ashworth was sweet enough to take Baylor. So I got to visit with Chavonne, and I got to go on a date with Spencer. Double great! It was a nice date too. Today started out with Ryland's Basketball game. He did well and it was great to watch him play. Wylie happily went to the farm. Then, we spent the rest of the day doing laundry, cleaning up the house, taking down the Christmas lights finally. And cleaning the church again. I am very grateful Spencer was willing to spend the day here helping so much. He got me totally caught up on laundry...which is a rare occasion. A pretty good day, but I feel sad that it's over because I feel.like I spent no quality time with my kids. Or atleast talking or playing or reading to them. This is usually my biggest frustration-there are the things I want to do with my kids and feel like I should be doing everyday, and then there are the things that I feel have to get done and get put in front of quality time. I also feel like I have to ride them most of the day just to get things done that are necessary but won't get done unless I do. I hate it so bad! I wish we could just have time.to spend.together without feeling like we have to do anything or without me having to nag or.ride them. I am not that nice, loving, fun Mom most days that I so badly want to be. I feel like I am the nag until it gets done and Im busy with this so I can't do that with you Mom. Sigh...I just need to figure out how to make it work. I want to be a great Mom & accomplish things everyday. These both bring me joy. I know the kids are more important but life happens and there are things like dishes and laundry and cleaning that never stop. I am determined nonetheless to find that happy medium.

Tuesday, Wednesday

It's amazing how the week is already half way over. So yesterday was actually Spencer's day off. Of course instead of getting to spend the day with him, I got to take all three littles up to the Dr. instead. Baylor ended up with double ear infections...so sad. I knew he has been in pain, but had no idea it was both and he said they were both bad. He is such a good baby. Even when he is sick. The other two just had bad coughs, but he said their asthma sounded ok. I ran into Hobby Lobby after to grab a board for Wylie's History Fair, that was torcher with the kids, even after five minutes! Tyrik grabbed a large vase after I told him he couldn't buy something and announced loudly in front of two workers " Fine, then I am going to break this!" Ya, you can imagine the looks I got...sigh. That child is really something else, that's all I know. My Mom & Spencer have both told me that maybe he will be my best teenager/adult. One can only hope.
So after we got home yesterday I was on one. Ya, the last few days I have been very short with the kids, feeling frustrated, unhappy, &not to mention tired!! I wasn't very nice though. I feel bad for them when I am like that. Spencer handled it well and did what he could to help. That helped me calm down a bit. This morning I felt a little better rested, not much, but a little. I ran, ok jogged(I really don't run ;-)) for 1 straight mile. I was so happy and proud of myself. I know it sounds dumb, but Spencer & I signed up for a half marathon in April just to motivate us to do something, and that's the furthest I have run since before I had Baylor. I hope I can continue to do well and really be ready for it by April. We will see. Spencer's back keeps him from doing a lot, so he has to be careful. He was just hoping to lose some weight to relieve some of the strain on his back, and hope to run it. I am looking forwars to trying it together. I am just glad we have a goal. So today, I got a lot of my craft stuff out and made some cute Valentine decor for fun. I really felt like I needed an outlet like that to help me get a break from the mundane and to help me enjoy life a little more. I did enjoy it. I am grateful I had the stuff to do it and that they ended up pretty cute. Kaylese was even sweet enough to say "Mom, you are the best decorater ever!" Oh how sheltered my children really are. It still made me feel good. I really think I need to establish more pf a routine that includes doing something one on one with the little ones. Tyrik struggles with boredom during the day and almost always just wants to play a video game or watch a show. It is so hard because with the three older I did so much more one on one with them. With him, it's hard to find it because of both the older ones and the two little ones. He struggles socially and I feel like this is why. I really need to be better at setting apart time for him. He loves preschool and playdays, but when we're home with just us, he really has a hard time. Anyhow, I am tired. I guess I should go to bed. I am so grateful for my kids. They really are the best! I just wish I could be as nice and patient as I want to be all of the time. I am grateful they forgive me even though I am crazy sometimes. Until next time.

Onto sick Monday

So I actually ended up sneaking into part of sacrament yesterday for a few minutes because Spencer had to speak. I was so grateful to be able to partake of the sacrament and get a little bit of what was taught. He and Stuart and Bishop spoke on the new theme which is service. A couple of things I was able to get out of it was first, take opportunities to serve your family. Also, that we covenanted to serve one another when we were baptized. I was reminded to put God first. The thing that struck me most was a scripture I have read many times. "Seek Ye first the Kingdom of Heaven and all these things shall be added unto you..." I have been so worried about coming up with ways to make more money or to help make ends meet and when I heard that scripture, it reminded me of what I should really be worried about and focused on. Anyhow, I was grateful for some of the spiritual nourishment I felt sad to be missing.
So today was actually a pretty good and productive day. The three youngest are worse with colds, cough, & asthma, but I was able to accomplish what I desired and needed to for the moat part. It is our 7 year anniversary of moving into this house and Fountain Green today. It also was Dad Masters birthday. Each of the kids left him a voicemail first thing this morning and we mailed cards they made for him and I sent him an email telling him what I admire about him. The 7 yr mark in our home is so crazy to me. It almost felt like life went pretty slow until we moved in here and since then, it just took off at full speed. They have been so great though. Three new babies, three baptisms, all three older kids starting school, and so many other great memories made here already. I am grateful we ended up here. It is a great place with great people. We have been so blessed.
So we went to Wylie's junior Jazz game this evening. It was a good game. They lost by only three points. Wylie was so disappointed in himself, but he really played well and I calmed down after some talking. He is so much harder on himself now than he was before accelerated. I do hope he can realize how good he really is and enjoy it a little more, but we will see. I do have to say, taking all the kids by myself to the games wears me out. It has gotten a little better lately because the older ones help, but tonight was one of those nights that make me never want to do it again. I was a LITTLE frustrated!!! We had a FHE on choices and consequences. Hopefully we can set distinct consequences for certain choices. By doing this, I am hoping it will make things a little easier and eleviate some of our frustrations.

Another sick Sunday

I am sitting here feeling sorry for myself because I can't attend church for the 4th week in a row because of sickness. Every year during the winter, my children are sick a lot! During Christmas break I was even sick too, which doesn't happen very often. I know that there are so many other parents with children who have worse sicknesses or problems than my kids. That being said, I still feel like one of my trials is having sick children so often. It affects sleep, church attendance, & so much more. Those two are the hardest for me. Missing sleep affects every aspect of my day. Missing church affects my whole week for sure. In fact, it is one of my favorite parts of my week, even if it is hard with my kids. Spiritual nourishment for me is so important. I can feel the difference when I miss out. I know there is always something to learn from trials. The one thing I have learned is gratitude for health. Ok, I am done whining. For now atleast. ;)

The rest of our Saturday

We cleaned the church today. Doing this really helped me appreciate the fact that we have a nice clean chapel to use every week for church. I really take it for granted. Kaylese, Aynslee, Baylor & I went to Wylie's Bball game in Orem. They played well, but didnt end up winning.
On the way home Aynslee coughed so hard she threw up...good times. Never a dull moment in our family for sure. She has had a cough for weeks. I put off taking her in thinking it would go away. I should know better, after this many years of having asthmatic children. They get a little cold which triggers their asthma and even after their cold is long gone, their cough remains for weeks unless I get them on a steroid. Anyhow, I will have to fit an appointment with their pediatrician sometime next week for the poor girl. She really is one of our funniest children though. She has always loved to sing, but has recently taken up playing the piano while singing, and today added clapping for herself. It' so fun to listen and watch. A performer just like her sister :-)

Ryland's Game

Ryland played his first game of his Basketball season this morning. He did great! I was so proud of him! He has learned so much since last year.

I'm Back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it's been a few years. After adding two children, a busy calling, and a few more sports and activities to our lives, I have decided to start blogging again. This time however, I think I will keep it much more about what kind of day I had, how I feel about life, how things are going with the kids, maybe even frustrations. Kind of like a journal. I write in my journal at least once a month, but to try and remember the everyday events and feelings that I don't want to forget, I thought this might just be easier. We will see how it goes.