P-O-P is not what you think....

Life as a mom is not glamorous.  I'm pretty sure no tv film crew is showing up anytime soon to tape the reality of me carpooling, doing homework & don't forget my personal favorite: cleaning unmentionables.  Let's just give you yesterday's scenario: The weather couldn't be any nicer so I decided to take Kimball and Taylor to the park after school.  We tried out a new park and even had some friends meet us.  I actually played basketball with the kids, passed the volleyball with Taylor, pushed Kimball on the swing and patted myself on the back for actually playing with them.  Now I was ready to sit on the park bench and chill with my friend....  that lasted about 4 minutes.  And then I heard it. "P-O-P mom!"  I see Kimball across the play ground walking with an unusual swagger and a crooked smile.  Hmmm, he wants a drink?  I'm noticing his walk is more like a careful wooden leg limp now.  "P-O-P mom, that spells poop!"  What the heck?  Is he saying he pooped his pants?  Is he actually yelling this from across the crowded park?  Is he actually smiling?  Note to self:  Teach Kimball how to spell.  This is so not cool.  I'm beyond grossed out.

My friend is the sweet mom.  You know-the kind of mom who is more worried about the child than the one who actually has to clean up the crap.  Literally, I have to clean up crap people.  I remind her of this as she says, "Oh, poor Kimball."  "Poor Kimball???  Poor me!  I'm the one dealing with this!"

I quickly grab the balls and water bottles and start hiking to the car.  I barely glance back to see if the stinker is following me.  My friend again is worried about the 6 yr old who I shall now refer to as Mr. Skidmark.  "Should we help carry him?" she asks.  "Walk faster!" I yell.  "Don't get down wind of him!"  I'm leaving everyone in the dust at this point.  Mr Skidmark is now walking carefully, trying to avoid it running down his leg.

We make it to the car where he is instructed to lay on his stomach.  The warm January is not doing us any favors as we are now trapped in a steamy car with POP man.  I roll down the windows and Taylor and I hang our heads out of the car like trapped dogs panting for fresh air as we drive home.  Oh no, a stop light.  Let the dry heaving begin.  Stagnant air is not our friend.  The a/c is on recirculate, which is also not our friend.  I'm pretty sure there was a cloud of smoke resembling a nuclear bomb escaping out the open windows as two bobble heads gagged & choked for fresh air.

I won't go into the fun process of what entails when cleaning that up, but I will tell you it involved a new game of "find the missing turd".  Let's just say the winner really regrets winning that one!

They say you have to wear a lot of "hats" when you're a mom, but really you should be more concerned with wearing gloves.  Who knew I would need to buy rubber gloves in bulk when I became a mom?

Failure

2 entries last year?  That's all I did?  How did I miss so much?  How did I not write about our crazy move just 20min away?  How we all got this crazy awful stomach flu and were lying flat on our backs wanting to die with the movers showing up in just a few hours.  And my really good friends and sister coming in to save us.  They get extra heaven rewards for coming into our "infected" house.  I bawled when my friend showed up at my door and said "if I get sick, I get sick!  You still gotta move!"  Big sigh.  I don't feel worthy of such incredible friends sometimes.  My New Years Resolution last year was to not have any regrets for 2012.  And I blogged twice.  Lame.

How could I not blog about Taylor's baptism?  Just days before our move?  Sweet girl, my sweet Taylor.  I feel incredibly blessed to have such a wonderful daughter (daughters!).  You are my right hand.  My biggest help and I can always count on you to come to my aid with Kimball.  Kimball has wanted to sleep in your room the last few nights and I've found you snuggling him, reading books to him.  But mostly laughing.  You two are always laughing!  Such music to my ears.  You want to run faster than the fastest boy in your class.  You want to be tougher than the boys.  You want to be athletic and only wear pony tails.  You hate the color pink.  You love wearing tennis shoes and hate anything glittery.  You are obsessed with stuffed animals and American Girl dolls and horses and gymnastics.  You are a bundle of energy and happiness and are a class favorite!  You have so many friends.

What happened to blogging our summer of awesomeness.? I thought we'd be still trying to sell our house so I planned an extra long vacay.  A week with Aunt Allison, a few days with my friend in Utah,  and then off to Aunt Mandy's and our final destination- Tony & Franci's wedding in Washington.  We managed to climb Mt Timpanogas.  Most miserable climb of my life.  Carrying Kimball uphill the entire way.  And then again downhill.  He was such a stinker that day.  We went to Bear Lake and Bear World and played in the sprinklers a million times.  We went to Lake Roosevelt and played at the beach.  We had an incredible summer and came back to our new home to try to make new friends before going to our new school.

We threw Kimball was stinking awesome birthday.  My idea was a Halloween Bday.  Your idea was a Captain America bday.  So I did both.  I had a really cool Captain America cake made and then some spooky cupcakes too.  Compromise.  That's what I do as your mom.  You pretty much runs things around here.  Totes true!  Favorites: new toys. you always want a new toy! captain america, anything disgusting, motorcycle juice, fixing things with your dad, snuggling your mom, your blue dog and blanket, playing mine craft.  You always sing and talk to your toys.  So cute!  I love that you make up songs.  But you don't like Taylor Swift and cry when we turn it on.  You get really upset.  You sing the song "Popular" from Wicked and I laugh every time.  Your favorite song is Gangum Style or Get your head in the game,  you have to dance when those songs come on.  You are my happy boy.  The teacher at Preschool has pretty much told me you're a class favorite.  The kids fight over who sits by you.  The teacher says that you are kind and always a good example.  You never get in trouble at school and I am so proud to be your mom.  As you got your hair cut this week, the stylist asked you what you wanted to be when you grow up.  You said "a teenager and a missionary."  I am so lucky to be your mom!

Morgan had an fun bday with all her favorites.  She invited some new friends from school and we made pizzas and crafted and watched movies.  Her friends were all into boys and PG13 movies and talking about who likes who.  It was an eye opener for me!  And I watched you Morgan, completely oblivious to it all the drama.  Just happy to be decorating your pizza or creating your scrapbook.  You're completely unique.  Happy to craft and create.  Bubbly and quirky (totally in a good way) and a joy to everyone around you.  And I looked around at that party with lovely girls, cute girls, funny girls.  But I was grateful that you were mine.  You're 11.  You talk about wanting to do makeup and paint fingernails about 99% of the time.  You beg me for a cell phone and new clothes always.  And you write me notes constantly.  Draw pictures and doodle and there's not a stitch of tape to be found that you haven't used up for your crafting projects.  And I'm just happy that you haven't discovered boys!

I've messed up alot this year as your mom.  I've stressed too much.  Not played enough.  Not read enough stories or hugged you enough.  I'm failing in so many ways.  But you 3 (and your dad!) never make me feel like a failure.  You love me even when I'm moody or frustrated.  You make me laugh and are always willing to look past my failures.  I am truly blessed to be your mom.  I just got to follow my own advice and enjoy today.  Love every minute.  Not take a single day for granted.  Oh why can't everything just stay this simple?  I'm learning.  And hopefully I'll have a lot more time to figure this all out.  Thanks for sticking it out with me, my little ones.....

Ps- Kimball- go to bed already!  It's 11pm and you're roaming the house, fixing a snack and talking to your toys.  How do you do it?

I am a child of God

Dear Kimball-

It's 5am. Insomnia is super lame. But my mind was racing with how quickly you're changing. How, if I blink, you'll be all grown up, serving a mission or away at college or possibly in love with someone other than me. Gulp. That's a hard one to swallow. You told me the other day that I "looked like a Pincess" (Princess) as I was getting dressed for a party. Cutest thing EVER! I could freeze time and have you stay this little and sweet and happy and funny and adorable forever. Minus the diapers..... just sayin'. While I was beyond devasted that you're a big Sunbeam now at church and not a nursery toddler anymore, it is fun to be in junior Primary and watch you. When the chorister said she wanted to sing "I am a Child of God" you jumped up, raised your hand, (who taught you to do that?) and patted your chest and said over and over "I'm a child of God, I'm a child of God! How'd you know'd I'm a child of God?" I died. So happy. So stinkin' perfect and cute and wanted to stop time forever right then. So can you do me this one small favor? Never ever stop knowing that you're a child of God. And never ever stop being so fun! You are pretty darn fun, in between 3 year old melt downs that is......

xoxo,

mom

New Years Resolutions

I just read on this blog I admire "Stop living a PAUSED life". I have always been guilty of waiting for something. Waiting for a new, improved, better job for my husband. (so grateful that wait is over!) Waiting for "someday" when we have money to buy new furniture or go on a fancy vacation. It was much worse when I was waiting to buy a new house and have babies. I felt like I was waiting to start my life. Now I realize how much time I waste just waiting for the someday that may or may not happen. Choosing to be happy- it truly is a choice. I tell my kids this all the time but really need a reminder myself. I will be happy no matter where I live, how inexpensive or expensive my home is. No matter the cars I drive or purses I carry. I will be happy that my husband has a job instead of upset that he's never home for dinner. (that's the hardest one for me to let go)

So my new years resolution? (I stole this idea from someone as well- but it's very fitting for me) One year from now: I will not regret a single day from 2012

That's it. That sums up what I want my life to be. A life of happiness, not what if's. A life of memorizing the sound of my childrens laughs, my husband's sparkly eyes, the way I feel just after my son tells me he loves me more than icecream. Oh that's good! 2012 is gonna be great, cause that's it's only choice!

I've also thought about the person I want to be and how I want to change. I was preparing my lesson to teach my 4yr old class at church and I ran across this song from David Archuleta. It was exactly what I needed to hear. I've heard this song many times, but for some reason, this time was different. I realized that if I lived this way, my life would truly be better. If everyone lived this way, well lets just say we wouldn't have 90% of our problems.

Happy Birthday Little Man

Dear Kimball, You're 3 now. You survived 3 years of falling down, running into walls, jumping off couches, climbing onto counters, locking me out of the house (multiple times) and escaping from the house. I don't know how you've survived it all, but I'm grateful. You bring our family so much happiness. And it's not just our family, my friends tell me almost daily how much they enjoy you too. Your smile makes all the sleep deprivation worth it! Some milestones this year would be speech. You talk non-stop and say the funniest things, like "mom, what animal you like?" Or "mom, I stink, check it!" (You need to be potty trained but it's alot more complicated than I remember it being with the girls) You love to dance and you turn on Morgan's Barbie CD player with HighSchool Musical and dance to the basketball song all the time. You seem to think your friends would enjoy it too, but they usually just stare at you in amazement. Your dancing skills are quite interesting :) You love to laugh, you love fruit snacks and "motorcycle juice" (that's water with a bit of crystal light sprinkled into it) You love your blue blanket and blue dog. You love, love, love Buzz and Woody from Toy Story and watch it daily. You're obsessed with little figurines- animals or action figues- just as long as they're little! You ask to "snugger me mom?" And I scoop you up and wish you'd never grow up! Please stay this sweet. Please let your life continue to bring others joy. Please continue to be happy and obedient and thoughtful. You are the sweetest boy and I'm so glad you're mine!!! Happy Birthday Kimball!

Back to school photoshoot

Dear chickens- it's just easier if I refer to you that way, since half the time you run around like crazy beheaded chickens. I'm so sad to see you go off to school. I miss you while you're away. Kimball misses you while you're away. But I'm glad for the next two years that you will be at the same school. Taking care of each other.

Because you girls are really good at taking care of each other. This photo is not posed. You did this on your own. Just as you do every night when you insist on sleeping in the same twin size bed together. Even though you have your own rooms and your own beds. It's so sweet how close you are. Please don't stop being best friends. Pretty pretty please with accessories on top?

Taylor- continue to be a friend. You are a really good friend. Especially to this little guy below. You never tire of playing with him and are always willing to grab a diaper or put on his shoes or help him get dressed. You are the sweetest sister and I remember when I just had Kimball, you'd referred to him as "my baby". I believe you really thought that!

Little K- As everyone went off to school and work today you told them all to "come back and play, ok?" Then you told dad to "bring home the hot dogs!" I guess that's your take on daddy bringing home the bacon. You make us laugh.

Dear Morgan, This year will be trickier than all the years before. Filled with homework, friend drama, homework, piano, playdates and homework. Don't give up. You have more talent than anyone I know. And I know talented people! You have so many strengths and are a party planner just like me. I love how BIG your heart is, you are the sweetest thing since candy apples.

Good bye my little chickadees. Go learn and play and tell me all about it!

First Day of School

Dear Kimball- I have a feeling when you learn that the girls left for their first day of school, you won't be smiling any more. It's just you and me kid. It's been a fun summer with sleeping late and swimming, lots of swimming! But now we got to get back into a routine. Naps, snack time, puzzle time, play dates, but most important: NAPS! You wear me out. You are constantly ON! You say the funniest things, like when you lost a piece of the vacuum that dad was fixing. We searched for 20 minutes until I found it on the couch where you'd been playing. You sang "teamwork!" when I told dad I found it. Where you learned that, I still don't know, but it was cute. Not overly cute though, so stop taking things and losing them! I asked you the other day if you wanted to be a big boy like dad and not wear diapers, you told me, "Nah, I'm good..." It made me wonder if you'd ever be potty trained since you sounded like a teenager when you said it! Don't grow up too fast Kimball. I've got 3 more years til I have to send you to school, until then, we've got some serious playing/ breaking things to do! Oh the things you break!

Dear Morgan- My little 4th grader! Will you stop getting so old? Every time I talk to you on the phone I swear I'm talking to an adult. You sound so mature! An old soul. I hope this year you have confidence and know that you're loved. That you can do anything you set your mind to. I hope you realize how much talent that you've been given and don't focus on the things that seem hard. You are creative, kind, thoughtful and a wonderful big sister. You are just the kind of girl I hoped I raise! Stay sweet little M.....

Tater tot- My 2nd grader. You don't walk anywhere you run! You have so much energy and your smile is ear to ear! I love how you play with Kimball. You are such a cute sister. You are also a perfectionist, something you get from your dad. You want to be perfect at everything you do, and you are! You are incredibly smart and talented and a joy to watch. I hope this year you continue to be a wonderful friend to others. I hope that you're a leader and you continue to choose the right. You are so bubbly and fun and I love to see you smile! I'm so lucky to have such a fun daughter!

My little fashionista's headed to their first day of school. Gonna miss you girls like crazy!