What was I thinking??

   Six months ago Cassidy and Molly had their dentist appointments and Joe took them and set their next appointments. Back then my dad was coming over every Wednesday and so the appointments were for a Wednesday so that he could watch the other two kids at home. Well, a few months ago he switched to coming on Thursdays. Fast forward to yesterday, Wednesday. Two dentist appointments, four kids, and no babysitter lined up. What to do? Take all four kids. Oh I prayed that it would go well.
And I am so grateful that the worst thing was a leaky pee diaper from Seany that couldn't get changed till we were all done. The girls did remarkable. Instead of Cassidy and Molly having their teeth cleaned, Cassidy, Julia, AND Molly all had their teeth cleaned and all received great reports. While Molly was a hard sale until a new toothbrush was on the line, Julia was all ready to hop up and open wide. Too keep the non-patients occupied we brought books, etch-a-sketches, sippees, and even a balloon for Sean. Too bad I didn't bring an extra diaper in from the car. :)

Growing pains and heart aches

In my head, I know that everyone is going through something. Usually I don't know what that is, I try not to pry. I often forget that EVERYONE I meet is going through something because I don't see the its. But everyone once in a while I get a glimpse into the growing pains and heart aches of people I know and people I don't know, and my heart aches for them, with them. I sometimes wish I had made a better decision the last time I saw those friends, but i know that when I see them again I will be better, at least I will try. Does that make any sense??
To those who are going through something, I send you the biggest hug. I wish I could take the pain for a while, to give you a breather. I know that much is learned through our trials but sometimes we all need just a moment. You are in my thoughts and prayers and I will find an open temple, call it, and put you on the prayer roll, tonight. It's Tuesday, okay, they are open. 

It's over

     As sad as it is to say, it is nonetheless true, I am grateful that Christmas week is almost over. I realized this year just how crazy busy things are in December and I am not quite a fan. I haven't figured out how to ration out my energy and effort for all the myriad of activities we have.
   We hosted our family Christmas dinner. Thirty-five people, half of which were children under 11. A neighbor correctly commented on how one spends so long cleaning up before the party just to have everything in chaos just minutes later. Why??? It was fun though. My aunt "ordered" a pony for rides and picture taking. It ended up being two ponies and a goat and some other animals. The kids loved it for the short while they were here. I was inside getting things ready so I missed much of it, but the photos were cute. It was kind of nice that everyone left much earlier than expected. In a span of about 20 minutes, everyone was gone, and we could get the kids down not super long after their bedtime. And there wasn't that much of a mess.
   We had my birthday the next day. I had thought it would be nice to go to the temple to see the lights but with the late night, early morning and church, it didn't happen. Maybe it still will, maybe not.
   Then the following weekend family came out, so we went to dinner. The next night was Grandpa's birthday, more family woohoo. More excitement.
   Two days later was Molly's birthday, which I think got the "it's going to be a real informal day" treatment. She was fine and didn't think anything of it. And with almost 70 degree weather we got out to play with friends and Grandpa D. Who stayed the night and was here to experience the joy of 5:40 am wake up call. More family on Christmas day and lots of toys. Lots of  fighting over toys. Did you ever notice the sign of a great gift (with multiple similar aged kids) is fighting over said gift?? No matter what, there is always fighting.
  I love Christmas and this year I really felt the Spirit as I listened to the sacred music of the season. I love that feeling. Next year I will strive to make it more prominent in our home, and not just during Christmas. I also realized that it doesn't need to be Christmas day to celebrate His birth and life and so it's okay to be glad that all the craziness is over. Because it's not the spiritual part I am glad is over, just the chaos.

Again, sleep walking, at least this time Julia stopped at the back door and didn't go out.

So grateful for double locks

Here's a little story for all you moms out there.

       I woke up Thanksgiving morning, about 2:45 in the morning, to the sound of a child screaming. I get out of bed and because it had sounded distant started to go upstairs to check on the girls upstairs. The screaming had stopped at this point so I get to the top of the stairs and then hear it again, not upstairs, not quite sure where it came from, so I go downstairs. The screaming had stopped again and i was so confused. When it started again it was clearly from outside the house. The first thought that came to mind was why is there a child outside screaming. I was a little nervous because of stories I have heard of babies being used to lure people into opening their doors. I was definetely second guessing opening the door until I heard the screaming again and realized it was Julia. I went in the backyard and found her around the side of our garage screaming her lungs out. I ran to her and picked her up. My second thought was about neighbors calling the cops about a child outside screaming, so I try to quiet her down as quickly as I can. I hold her super close and ask her what she is doing outside; she said, a couple of times, she was looking for me.  I took her inside and rocked with her in the recliner for a few minutes to soothe her before putting her back to bed.
       Crazy little girl. She even remembered to put on her jacket before going on. How she got past our open bedroom door without waking us I don't know. She never turned on a light, or if she did she turned it off before going outside. I wonder it she tried the front door before going out the back door. I am so glad we had that high hotel-style door lock on the front door, it has saved us a number of times.
       I wonder if she was sleep walking or if she really was awake. My mom told me off a time that I walked to the front door, opened it, and yelled for my sister to come in the house because it was cold, all while sleeping. So Julia wouldn't be the first to get through a door.

December 2007

So I just realized something this last week. This is the first time since December of 2007 that I haven't been pregnant, nursing, or pregnant and nursing. Crazy. I just finished nursing Sean this last week and it was an easy transition for both of us. I still have to remember to "feed" him and he's not too keen on drinking quite as much but we are working on it. I look forward to fasting, kind of. It'll take some time I am sure to get back into it. I did really enjoy being able to eat more everyday, oh well.