because he's so adorable...

... I'm sure you can ignore the nasty apartment carpet that I actually (gasp!) lay him on!

PS- Can you believe he's three months old?! (Also so grateful to not be pregnant!)

Grateful

If last week didn’t totally kick my to-do list’s butt… this week certainly has! I’m sick. The common cold is definitely a common enemy. I feel like a wimp, but I am seriously aching all over due to this silly cold. Amidst feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck, the thunderstorm going on in my head and the snot rockets coming out of my nose, I’ve been feeling a huge sense of gratitude for all of the blessings in my life. Here are just a few.

Mr. T has been on a new medicine which he has taken every six hours for the last two months. The effort has been, well, an effort, but it appears to be paying off. So far (knock on wood) this has been the first month in over two years that he hasn’t had his week-long high fever. I am so grateful. It appears we are going to have to do some drastic and painful reconstruction on his right foot (with the extra bone), and having one less ailment will be such a blessing for him and for us.

I’m pretty much done all my Christmas shopping (just two more things and Mr. Man’s gift to go). I know you’re jealous. I’m grateful.

Big J decided she wants to do build-a-bear workshop for her birthday (December 20th) instead of having a big party. I’m grateful.

Mr. Man’s research is really starting to show some results. And he’s really happy. I’m so grateful for him.

Having four kids is the most difficult thing I have ever done. But I’m grateful for my baby’s smiles (he is such a flirt) and my children’s laughter… this is what enables me to still smile even when I lock myself out of my house!

We’re getting ready to go out of town for the next week and a half. Have I ever mentioned how much I hate packing?! Anyways, I’m grateful that while we’re gone I won’t have to clean my house, cook every meal, carpool constantly or cry to my mom on the phone – I’ll be at her house for most of the time!

So amidst all that life hands us… remember to be grateful.

I Should just laugh...

I broke down tonight after a long day of "getting dones" and making even more lists of "to-do's". There just never seems to be enough time and money around this season, and I'm starting to feel worn out just thinking about all the things I should be doing. I admit to using blogging (reading your blogs, and writing mine) as an "escape". None of you seem to have updated today, and so in an attempt to "escape" all my shoulds, I googled my name and "should".

Here, apparently, is what I "should" be doing (these are just some of my favourites!):

*Renee should go home she complains too much really

*Renee should have won

*Renee should write a book

*Renee should keep her job

*Renee should just concentrate

*Renee should have her privacy respected

*Renee should survive

*Renee should follow her heart and try what she would like to try

*Renee should know what to do

*Renee should have been in the top two

*Renee should be accepted as a student

*Renee should know that too

*Renee should be the most mature because she is a mother

*Renee should move

*Renee should be wearing earrings with this ensemble

*Renee should have given him a much harder time

*Renee should use SPF 30 daily with a gentle milk cleanser and avoid all forms of exfoliation

*Renée should remain mistress of her fortune and I master of mine

*Renee should keep that weight on

*Renee should stick to her blonde look which made her famous

*Renee should have been a hippy

*Renee should be applauded

It was worth a laugh!

Great Deal

I don't usually post things like this, but my friend insisted.
(and since she watched my boys so I could go Christmas finding... well, I'll comply!)

This is the cutest little set EVER! This 17 piece set includes oven safe baking pans, cookie cutters, rolling pin, measuring spoons, whisk, apron and vinyl carrying bag! And the best part about this adorable gift is that it's only $4.99!

I saw it in the Bed Bath & Beyond flyer... and if you buy three you can use your $5 off (any purchase of $15 or more) coupon.

Now if you're turning three soon and related to me or my neighbor... DON'T BUY and completely ignore this!!!

At second glance...

these are actually REALLY good!


Big J loves to draw and we are constantly bombarded by millions of pieces of art - all gifts, for us to keep forever and ever. Lately we've done our typical ooohing and aaahing and then looked up to be thoroughly impressed. She is a talented artist - and these I'm holding on to!

Miscellaneous thoughts on Motherhood

*I was updating my profile on my blog today. Apparently I was an Accountant from Afghanistan. Having selected neither an industry nor a location, I got stuck with the initial “A” choices. I’ve always liked to label my occupation as “Human Development Specialist” (Amy, you’ll appreciate this, since we were both once “Career Development Specialists”!), but I wasn’t quite certain what to put down for my industry. I finally settled on “Non-Profit”.

*Big J had the day off school so that those of you who are citizens in this country could vote. She was sick, but also quite enjoyed a nice day at home. She was discussing with Mr. Man how much she would enjoy staying at home and being “homeschooled” every day! He assured her it would be nothing like the “playing ALL DAY” that she imagined, and that he would be teaching her Math every moment. I then piped up asking her what she thought I would be teaching her (Mr. Man was once a Math major, while I was an English major). Big J confidently replied “I guess Mommy will teach me how to clean and take care of kids.” I have mixed emotions on that one, that’s for sure!

*I was reading a favourite blog and was once again reminded of the fabulous, though somewhat controversial talk given by Julie Beck last month at our LDS General Conference. Several of you have already commented on it… very eloquently too. Here's the quote I read today that made me think: "Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. That is influence, that is power." My thought is short. I feel very strongly that that the children of mothers who know, also know and they know that their mothers know. I think that the effort it takes to get to that point of balance in our lives is entirely worth it, just for them to know that I know.

*I was at the library this morning rocking my baby and reading to my two eldest. After a while we journeyed into the preschool exploration room. I sat and chatted with a friend who happened to be there while playing a memory game with my son and eating all the strange varieties of meals my daughter was creating in the play kitchen. While doing so, my friend had to constantly chase her young boys who would attempt to escape the confines of the room, try to take toys from other children and even sit down on another mother’s lap. I watched her and I remembered. I used to be her. I feel like a whole era of motherhood has passed by, and yet as I watched my sleeping baby, I know I also get to do it all over again. While in “the room” helping my son build a fort out of huge blocks, a librarian entered and announced the start of a storytime in a nearby room. More memories flooded back. I asked my friend if she would be taking her young boys to the storytime and she gave me a look I know I’d had before; the look of “are you kidding me? I’d rather die!” Storytimes were tricky when Big J was little and I was adamant that she learn to sit still and listen. Eventually, after numerous embarrassing moments and countless tears (from both of us) I decided that library storytime was hazardous to both of our health. I did attempt again when the boys were young, and I seem to recall only the disasters that resulted. At this point in my motherhood, I looked at my “grown” children and knew a storytime would be easy. So I offered an invitation, which they quickly denied. So that’s what I’ve raised, I suppose. But you know, we came home and snuggled together and read for over an hour, and I’m fine with that.

The Squirrel Face

We did family pictures on Friday. Always an ordeal with a family consisting of at least one child! We did manage to pull it off and the results are definitely frame-worthy! At one point, in an attempt to get Little E to smile, I started singing one of his favorite little songs from Joy School:

“Grey squirrel, grey squirrel, shake your bushy tail.
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel, shake your bushy tail.
Wrinkle up your funny nose,
Hide a nut between your toes.
Grey squirrel, grey squirrel, shake your bushy tail.”

I’m sure you can all imagine the cute little actions that correspond with the lyrics; the combination of which always results in laughs and big smiles from both me and my little guy. Instead we got this:

“The squirrel face”!

This one won’t be going up on the wall, but will definitely have a place in an album with a fun story and memory.

Note: "The squirrel face" can now be done on demand!

Halloween

I love that Halloween is about dressing the kids up, making them go door to door to collect treats for their parents to eat!!!

We always seem to go through our share of costumes right until the last minute and this year was no exception. Little E was the worst... from Peter Pan to Batman and then finally a cow of all things! Baby J is still sick so we dressed him up really warm for the "experience" and then waited inside nice and warm for the never-ending trick or treaters to finish up.

We handed out little play-doh's this year and got our share of "remarks" - from "OOOOOOHHHH PLAYDOH!" from the kids to "You must have a dentist living here" from the adults!

Now that this holiday is over, it's all about Christmas from here!

Tuesday

*Big J’s last soccer game: the jamboree! She played her best friend and it was fun to see high fives between the opponents.

*Little E’s “Joy School” put on a parade and sang some songs for the parents! That kid is full of spunk and his whole body danced as he sang, “Oh boy, I’ve got joy!” I love it!



*Mr. T finally crossed the line with his scissor and cutting obsession – he cut his hair – a first in our house. Little E’s eyes grew wide at the prospect of cutting your own hair so we’ll see if this is the beginning or the end of such haircutting woes. Mr. T enjoys announcing: "I'm bald now!" Hmmm...


*Baby J has been a bit fussy lately, he has a cold and it’s always hard getting back on schedule after a trip! He’s grabbing at everything now – especially my hair (hello ponytail world!) and he actually enjoyed tummy time today. My baby is growing up… I’m enjoying his toothless grins while I can.

Starting Out on a Journey

I travelled back in time last week. Back to the small town in Alberta where I went to school my freshman year, and back to the time when Mr. Man and I didn't call each other "Mommy" and "Daddy." It was an enjoyable trip, but I'm glad to be home too!

I have to admit to being a bit stressed about flying with my baby. I’ve never flown with a baby before and I expected the worst – apparently there are pros to being a pessimist; I’m easily impressed. I think I enjoyed flying with a baby more than I enjoy flying solo! I had so much help, people were overly friendly and initiated all the awkward travelling conversations (which I usually hate) and were based pretty much on the baby (sigh of relief), and I basically got whatever I asked for. He was a great traveler, and despite a few little mishaps that really aren’t worth mentioning, we had an enjoyable journey. Long, but fine.

I’m committed to keeping this blog mostly about myself and MY family and try to make as little mention as possible of my extended family – it seems like you ALL read this, and if I mention you some of you get offended, if I don’t others do… yada yada, I don’t need any more family drama than there already is, so I just pretend you don’t exist – in my blogging world that is! Anyways, my point is that I’m going to keep it brief, but must mention how much I thoroughly enjoyed seeing all my family. I have a great family, I really do. The trip was really much too short and I had so much fun with my sisters, my brothers, my cousins, Uncle and Aunt, nieces and in-laws! On a better commitment topic, I’m re-committed to planning our family reunion! We do love to have a good time! I did miss seeing Oma – as she was in the hospital having her appendix removed and I had a rather sick baby for the day I was there.

My sister's baby girl!

Everyone needs an "Uncle Max"! My other kids were disappointed not to have seen him and heard his Donald Duck voice! He was the one who could get my sick baby to calm down just a bit!

The wedding was beautiful. My brother and his bride were gorgeous and so in love.
I ached to have my sweetheart by my side as I watched their union take place. I was brought back to when Mr. Man and I sealed our love together and were married for time and all eternity almost eight years ago. How time flies. All the memories of those first few years swarmed my mind as I watched my brother entering that completely new realm of marriage. While those times are sweet times to look back on, I’m also grateful to be where I am in this journey of love. Eight years has its benefits!
My brother has married into a large, energetic, and may I say “crazy” family! I’m sure he’s going to have a lot of fun. I’m curious how our family appears to hers. Oh well. My new sister-in-law is a sweetheart, and I’m anxious to get to know her better. I’m very happy for their happiness.


Coming home has been busy, but my husband made it so worthwhile – he completely cleaned my whole house and our vehicles (he even cleaned the bathrooms!!!) I guess that’s what eight years and four kids will do for you… I’ll take a clean house and a backrub over a diamond ring any day!

Here's to my brother and his bride starting out on their journey!

Our Chicago Adventure

I haven’t the time to do our adventure justice. But I’m hoping a few short words and many pictures will capture our weekend… as I have a billion loads of laundry to do and still have to get myself and the baby ready for our trip this week to my brother’s wedding (not to mention leaving everyone else ready for STAYING)!

We left early Friday morning to drive to Chicago to get the baby’s passport. He wasn’t born in time to do it the “normal way” and so we had to do it the rush way (let me just tell you how impossible it is to get a two month old to pose “properly” for a passport photo – ugh!). I did something a bit spontaneous and decided to book a hotel and make a weekend of fun out of our obligation.

Here are some things I learned from our adventure in Chicago:
-There really are a dozens of people crossing each street downtown. (I always supposed that the movies had it all wrong and could never understand why they used all those extras when just one person could cross the street. I know, I’m sheltered. But it was amusing for me to be one of MANY crossing those busy crosswalks!)
-A suite is perfect for our size family. And a hotel with a pool makes any vacation complete and relaxing for everyone.
-A front carrier for an infant is a MUST in a big city.
-Wearing a front carrier with a 14 lb infant for two days straight may cause back pain.
-It costs $20 to park for 2 hours.
-A monkey backpack/leash can save a three year olds life. And add years to a three year olds parents' lives!
-Going to bed with the kids at 8:30 pm is a blessing after a LONG day of walking all over!
-Chicago pizza really IS the best – according to the kids!
-Our Wonderlab pass has been such a wonderful investment – we got into every museum we went to for free!
-Families of 6 DON’T take the trains and buses in Chicago – even for a “cultural” experience.
-When they’re spending a weekend doing construction on the metro line, a 40 minute car ride will turn into a 3 hour train and bus ride –with at least 3 transfers.
-The kids will still enjoy ALMOST every minute of it.
-And then you still have to return back to your car the same way you came! (This makes parking not seem so expensive!)
-Show up early to the museum if you want to get passes to the Star Wars exhibit.
-My husband is the best person to take with you on a trip.
-He sweet talked a lady into getting us passes onto the Millenium Falcon.
-We should have taken the advice of the man at the entrance of the Museum of Science and Industry – “I used to hate bringing my kids here when they were little. Good luck. At least they’ll sleep well tonight.”
-Mr. Man will LOVE the submarine exhibit and it will be worth it just to see his face light up!
-Be careful at the grocery store in Chicago… someone will inevitably be stealing alcohol and a million security guards will appear out of nowhere and begin the chase.
-Getting home at 1am means a very tired crew the next day, but it also means a weekend of fun and family togetherness was definitely worth it! (Oh, and we got the baby’s passport JUST in time too!)

Quote of the Week

Mr. T: "The baby's crying! Someone get him his passport!"

Background: We are going to Chicago tommorow to get the baby a passport so we can fly to my brother's wedding in Canada next week. Also, we typically call his "pacifier" a "soother" (that's Canadian apparently) and the boys have been confused by the term "pacifier" that their friends have been using to describe the "soother". Obviously Mr. T is more than just a little confused!

Flying Solo

Mr. Man pulled out his back this weekend and is in a lot of pain. I spent this Sunday eternally grateful for all of his help in every aspect of our day! From bathing, to making a delicious Sunday dinner, to SOOOO much help at church – setting up, taking the baby during primary and of course helping juggle these kids during Sacrament meeting. Somehow I survived, but I felt like we caused more of a circus than usual. (Mr. T is on his steroids again right now, so he’s once again flying higher than a kite, and driving me absolutely crazy… needless to say, we’re not exactly on speaking terms right now. I jest, but seriously, DRIVING ME C.R.A.Z.Y.)

Here are some highlights of our day. We had Family Home Evening on Fire Safety, since October is Fire Safety Awareness Month – and since Big J had a firefighter visit and Mr. T went to the fire station with their classes. The kids love helping to “teach” and so they both shared their knowledge and we actually had a great learning time role playing and planning (for our first time) our fire escape plan! For treats we made and decorated cookies… mmmmmmmm! (As if any of my kids, especially Mr. T, needed sugar!)

(I love how creative they get with decorating!)
(Little E enjoyed decoating his lips, so he could "just lick 'em off, Mama!" - Don't you LOVE his eyes?!)
(Yes, still in PJ's - this was not a "Church clothes" worthy activity!"
(Look what my "crazy" boy made for me! So SWEET! Also note the haircut he gave himself on his "cycle" that we have yet to fix!)

I do have to mention that right before the blessings for the bread and water in Sacrament meeting at church today, Big J turned to me and said, “It’s half-time”! Cracked me up at an inopportune moment! WAY too much soccer yesterday, but also solidifies in my mind that she is all about the snacks!

So tonight I put Mr. Man in charge of stories and thus ensued a hilarious account of “Beauty and the Beast” – Little E’s choice, I might add! Mr. Man swapped the kids names for each of the characters, and soon we had the most handsome man in town, Mr. T, vying for the love of Belle, Big J, who was actually falling in love with the hideous beast, Little E because she decided to spare her father, Mr. Man from Little E’s captivity. I got to be Mrs. Potts with Baby J being Chip. I can’t even begin to say how fun it was to listen this storytelling and see how captivated and amused my adorable kids were! These are the moments I hope they remember.

"It's not about winning"

I can't count how many times I heard parents uttering that statement at Big J's soccer tournament today. Apparently "winning" must be on somebody's mind! Big J's team didn't win -thus no cookies or medals in the end, and were pretty much torn to pieces (especially as an all girls team playing an all boys team), but they had fun. Big J played great defense and I especially enjoyed her little dances as she cheered on every minute success her teamates had! (It was usually at these moments the ball flew right past her, but hey, it's not about winning!)

(They call her "speed")
(Baby J bundled up in the cold)
(I really think soccer is more about half-time and the snacks for this girl!)

(This is the neatest invention - the ball bounces back to him each time, from one foot to the next! I think I may get one to attach to HIM!)

My Joy is Full

It's my turn to teach/host Joy School. These little guys are so much fun, and I find myself truly belly-ache laughing with them on a regular basis! Today we were talking about the joy of animals. We were learning about their homes, habits and then, the inevitable - what animals give us. The lessons plan suggested having a tray of items and seeing if the kids could match each item to the correct animal (for example, leather, eggs, ham). I sort of dread this lesson, because though I'm not a vegetarian, I'm sort of a vege-mom; I don't want to be the one informing my kids of the killing that took place for their turkey sandwich or neat leather shoes. Bothers me. So I began this activity with a little trepidation, and the boys cracked me up! They guessed most of the items correctly - even a leather belt as cow hide, and then we got to "chicken" and their minds and faces were blank. They had no clue! I had to laugh. The next one they missed was honey, but the guess was too cute - "a honey bird?"

On another joyful topic - Mr. Man found me a radio station that is already playing Christmas music! I am in heaven amidst all the carpooling I have indebted myself to! I am loving some favorite classics and enjoying some new ones. So my question to you, as I begin my search for some new Christmas music to own - what are your favorites, and why would I like them?

My Daughter

I never imagined that I would be so surrounded by boys! While I adore the excitement and adventure these boys bring into my life, I am also eternally grateful that I have my daughter. She is, however, quite a character herself.

Some of you may have received one of her sales calls as of late. Her school had brainwashed her into thinking that it was vital that she participate in the school fundraiser - she honestly believed the school was completely out of money, and even offered to bring some of her old clothes and toys in for them to sell to make money! Anyways, I have issues with kids selling things, but with the desperation in her eyes, I told her a few people (particularly Grandmas!) she could call and try to sucker into buying these fabulous products they sell these days (note tone of last sentence as sarcastic). I cannot believe her ability at sales. There was never a , "do you want to buy" or "would you like to..." The whole time Big J shared her excitement over the items and would intermittently ask, "Which one are you going to get?" There was never any choice in the matter, and everyone bought at least two items - one for themselves, and one for the overly enthusiastic salesgirl! I have to admit, I was very impressed with her - she definately does not get that confidence from me!

I love how imaginative this girl is too! She is a creative queen and very driven. She is often creating and handing out invitations to all sorts of events that she has co-ordinated. From performing plays, planning parties and most recently - putting on a scavenger hunt! My daughter is always busy filling her life with more social events than I have time to encourage her in! And she is such a light in the the lives of all who know her. Last Friday was her "scavenger hunt" which she had been "planning" all week. We will actually be having "part two" at another date with some friends who couldn't make it! The kids had a great time, and there were ten kids between the three moms who came!

(Note the rock that Mr. T attempted to use as a skipping stone in the picture!)

Basically I've been very proud of who my daughter is, and am excited to see who she becomes as she continues to grow up and bless the lives of those around her - especially mine!

Big Happy Boy!

We went in this morning for an 8 week checkup. I knew my baby was big... I had no idea how big! He is 24 1/4" long (that's 90%) and 14lbs 4 oz (90-95%). Somehow I forgot about the shots part of a checkup. Poor Big J was traumatized, and Little E wasn't too thrilled either. Let's just say we all left the doctor's office with tears in our eyes. Still, I took these pics of my cute happy boy just hours after the horrid affair, and I think we're all going to survive just fine. I love these big cheeks, beautiful blue eyes and adorable smiles - not to mention his cute little "o" face! We are so thrilled to have this wonderful baby in our family.

Autumn who?

Reading a book with Mr. T...

Mom: "... Autumn is coming -"
Mr. T: "Autumn, who's Autumn?"
Mom: "Autumn is another word for 'fall'."
Mr. T: "Fall? Oh. Who's Autumn?"
Mom: "Autumn is the season, not a person. The season where all the leaves change colour and fall off the trees... the season we're in right now."
Mr. T: "Oh. Keep reading. I think I like Autumn."
Mom: "... and that's how we know that Autumn is here -"
Mr. T: "Where is he?"
Mom: "Who?"
Mr. T: "Where's Autumn? Are they going to show a picture of HIM?"

Oh for heaven's sake.