Paul's thoughts on life

Paul was saying this morning, that it seems you walk through life oblivious to how clueless you really are and then you die.

Such optimism! Though I have to admit, quite profound when I think about it. It certainly made me smile.

Another Jordan story

I was reminded of a funny story that happened a couple of years ago. Paul and I were out of town, taking Emma with us, and my sister-in-law, Marilyn was babysitting the boys. I was talking to her on the phone when I heard some yelling in the background. Marilyn excused herself for a minute and when she returned she reported that Jordan had flushed a pair of Christian's underwear down the toilet! Marilyn was understandably flustered and wasn't sure what to do. I surprised myself by calmly asking if the toilet had clogged and when she told me it hadn't I shrugged and said, "Oh well, there's nothing we can do about it now." It was at that point that I realized #1 I was becoming a seasoned mother of boys, and #2 I deal with situations in a much calmer manner over the phone than in person!

It does my heart good...

Monday was one of those afternoons. The kids were out of school early, the weather was a little warmer, and mischief was high at our house. Jenna had been into and out of many things all day and decided that she didn't want to nap. As I was explaining to Emma and her friend why "we shouldn't hit someone over the head with a maraca" Jordan came racing down the stairs yelling that the toilet was clogged. I verified that it was not overflowing yet and so finished my conversation with the girls ("I only apologize to my sister..."), contained Jenna in her highchair with a snack because like any other toddler, she loves the bathroom, and went to investigate the source of the clog. A clogged toilet, reported by a six year old always makes me nervous about what I might find. This wasn't as bad as it has been in the past. It was clogged with half of the last roll of toilet paper in the house. When the story finally came out, our son had been trying to see how much of the water he could splash out of the toilet by throwing big wads into the bowl. When he attempted to flush, the toilet just couldn't handle the volume and filled within an inch of the rim. After I fished it out and got things running again I continued with my usual afternoon of begging, pleading, cajoling, and bribing the kids to finish homework, set the table, etc, etc.

We began Family Home Evening a little later than I hoped, as usual, but pressed forward nonetheless. Jordan was so excited to read his scripture and did it very well. He is becoming such a good reader. As I explained that we were all going to be secret service agents for the next two weeks, performing acts of service for our family, excitement rose and bubbled over. The kids were so excited they refused to get ready for bed until they had done some things for other members of the family. It is so fun to see them transform from bickering, teasing, annoying, siblings to loving, serving, kind friends. It does my heart good, especially after a hectic day, to see our family lovingly and willingly helping one another. As I looked at each of my sleeping children (some days that's when I love them best), I felt so grateful for all the things I get to experience as a parent. I was especially thankful that those good moments always overshadow the difficult ones.

WFMW - Magazine organization

I have tried a new way to organize magazines that I want to keep. I have some magazines that tend to be useful seasonally. I organize them in magazine boxes by month rather than by year. That way, each month I can pull out a stack of magazines that have articles, craft ideas, etc. appropriate for the month. For example, when I pull out the Family Fun magazines for Oct. I have a whole bunch of ideas for Halloween rather than just the ones from the current issue. Or, when I pull out the Friend magazines for December, there are plenty of magazines with Christmas stories and activities for all the kids to read at the same time. I try to photocopy any activities that require cutting, coloring etc. in order to keep the magazines reusable.

This method works for me. To see other ideas that work, check out rocksinmydryer!

Unlikely friends

There is a strange phenomenon happening at my house that has me thinking somewhat deep thoughts (about puddle deep). Conner and Zippy have become the best of friends. During the day Zippy can usually be found on a leaf with Conner's front paw? claw? (whatever) protectively on him or sitting directly on him. At night, Zippy will sit watchfully on Conner's back while he sleeps. Realize of course that the gender of our pets are entirely a mystery and subject to the whims of the children naming them. I will let you ruminate over whether that has a bearing on this strange relationship. However, I would have thought that Zippy and Donna, the two frogs would be better suited friends and companions but Donna tends to be by herself most of the time.

I find the same thing often happens with people. The most unlikely people with seemingly opposite personalities can become fast friends.

Meet the new members of the Family!

We have some new additions to the family residing in Christian and Jordan's room! Thanks Kedrick and Kori for the tank!

Presenting Conner, a green anole, and Zippy and Donna which are green tree frogs.

Christian the Entrepreneur

Over the last few years, Christian has really worked at being quite the business man. He always has a new idea for something he can sell. In the past he has sold art work (his own), lemonade, candy, popsicles, toys, vegetables, and others. He and his friends have also had ideas to start different businesses; a cleaning service (We could use some of this enthusiasm at home in his own room!), detective agency, etc.
His latest scheme has been to invent and make his own candies and sell them on the curb. As you can imagine I am a little leary of this idea. I wonder if my kitchen and my sanity can handle this adventure! He has given Paul a shopping list for ingredients to make some of the following candies:
cherry chocolate chews
banana split cupcakes
8-10 different flavors of gum
taffy
The combinations he has come up with sound fun but the ingredients and recipes aren't quite what they should be. We have also pointed out that it will be difficult to get customers to come to a roadside stand in winter, not to mention how cold it would be for him to sit out there. He is convinced that now is the best time for Valentines day. I think we might try to make it a joint effort in the spring so it will be warm and I will see if we can come up with some recipes together. Wow! having creative kids is fun but sure time consuming!!

WFMW - Take control of your garbage can

My sister gave me one of these wonders one day and I thought it was one of those inventions that make you say "duh, I should have thought of this!"

It is an elastic band that reminds me of a giant hair elastic. It goes around the top of your garbage can to hold the bag in place. No one likes to try to find the edge of that garbage bag when it has slipped under the garbage. Unfortunately, someone must have forgotten to take mine off before gathering the garbage and it disappeared. I thought I would have to make my own from some waistband elastic and hope it held up to constant bag emptyings until I found them at my local dollar store. I bought 5 just in case! :) These work for me! Check out what works for everyone else at rocks in my dryer.

Jenna's following in big sister's shoe-prints

Jenna is taking after her big sister. She spends all day putting on everyone's shoes and walking around in them. She usually spends the majority of the day with one of Emma's sparkly silver shoes on. I guess one is sufficient and Emma's are small enough to still be able to walk around. (Emma wears a size 6 and Jenna wears about 4½). I am wondering how these girls ended up with the shoe gene, of which I am completely devoid. I guess mine is just dormant. I even tried to talk Paul into finding me some shoes the other day because the ones I have, either have holes or the soles are coming off! How pathetic is that?
Anyway, this little hobby of Jenna's is really messing with our mornings. She tends to put on whatever shoe she comes upon, and then leaves it somewhere else in the house, often the most unlikely places. Many mornings, as the carpool sits honking in the driveway, the whole family is frantically searching for one misplaced shoe.

Emma's Peter Pan syndrome

Emma has informed us multiple times, sometimes tearfully, that she doesn't want to grow up. She doesn't want to be a mommy. She doesn't even pretend to be mommy to her dolls. I have to admit this has made me question my example of motherhood. I wonder if my life really looks that miserable. Maybe all she sees is a stressed out adult who works doing things she doesn't like (cleaning toilets, laundry, the list could go on and on and on) and yells a lot. I take comfort that when asked why, she has said that she doesn't want to stop being Emma. We have had many conversations about things we learn, opportunities in her future, and the fact that she will still be Emma. We have even shown her pictures of Paul and I as children. Unfortunately, she can't seem to understand it that way. So for now, I just tell her that she doesn't have to grow up now and she won't have to until she is ready. This is okay with me. She is growing up too fast as it is.
Meanwhile, I'm working on having more fun during my days, listening to music, singing, dancing, and laughing. She is right. I need to show my happiness and be crazy sometimes. It sure helps to beat the January blues!

WFMW - winter accessories storage

*This is a post that bears reviewing as we head into cooler weather (at least I have faith it will cool down). This has saved me so many headaches looking for that stray glove or having it all fall down on me from a top shelf somewhere.

I use hanging shoe storage pockets for many things including office supplies & craft supplies. My favorite use is for winter hats, gloves, scarves, ear muffs, etc. I hang mine on the inside of the coat closet. I like the clear ones. My kids can easily see what they need and because they are at their level, it is easier for them to put them away.


For other great ideas, check out Works for Me Wednesday over at We are THAT Family.

My best (worst) WalMart story

Cami brought up a point that led to an idea. I just told my "Supernanny" WalMart story but it's not my best.

I was in a WalMart in Puerto Rico. I was in the restroom, which for those of you who know me I spend a lot of time in them, looking for them, etc thanks to the teeny, weeny, itsy, bitsy Huntington bladder I inherited. You name anywhere I've been and I can probably tell you where the bathroom is! There's another one for my short list of talents! Don't you wish you had my wealth of knowledge and experience?
Anyway, I was washing my hands with a generous amount of soap (how I hate public restrooms) when a lady exited a stall behind me. She then very politely explained that she had just had a manicure and therefore was unable to do up her pants. She then asked me to help her button and zip said pants. I know what you are thinking... "run away, run away". Unfortunately it was one of those moments in which I was so shocked by the request it didn't even occur to me to say no. I dutifully went over and began to try to button her skin tight, white stretch jeans over her ample belly. She must have had plenty of kids to develop that paunch. (So sorry for the visual you now have burned into th back of your brain which will permanently haunt you.) She then informs me that I must zip them first and then I will be able to button them. At this point, my brain kicks in and I think "What the ____ am I doing?" I finish zipping and buttoning her pants and exit the bathroom. Paul and I often enjoy exchanging strange stories that have happened to us. As I left the bathroom he said "You'll never believe what happened to me!" to which I replied, "I don't care what it was, I can top it!"

Now, here's the idea part. Everyone seems to have a WalMart (or other public place) story. Now that you have heard my best story, I would love to hear yours. I know Cherise has a WalMart story involving a man and the size of his underwear. If you haven't heard it, you should really ask her to tell you sometime.

Leave a comment and share your best public place story!