"We're fine!"

Today I got to put my "Love & Logic" knowledge into practice. Mack is impossibly shy, so he has never thrown a tantrum in public before. He'll start whining & maybe crying, but as soon as he catches the attention of someone he stops. Sam is generally mellow & reasonable, so I can usually talk some sense into him when he's about to loose it. Well, if you chase 2 rabbits, both will escape & that's how I felt today at the store. It was me against both of them having the biggest royal tantrums they've ever had. Sam started yelling at me at the top of his lungs about wanting a pair of high-top red shoes that were too small for him & Mack was crying VERY loudly about wanting a new art set. It was so frustrating because I had planned after the store to take them to McDonald's & the playland for lunch as a special treat. That didn't happen. After I finally checked out, while Sam & Mack were still screaming at me, I put them into the car calmly & drove off. It took every ounce of patience in me not to strangle them or scream back! As we drove, I did the love & logic thing, that made me feel like an idiot, but worked surprisingly well for Sam. I told them calmly that they just took all my energy when they had a tantrum at the store & now I couldn't take them to McDonald's. I waved to McDonald's as we drove by & sighed! Mack freaked out even more while screaming "Sorry, I won't ever do it again!" He continued screaming until I was laughing because it was so insane. Then, I tried another trick from the book on Mack. I pulled the car over, unbuckled Mack & set him on the grass. I got back into the car with the doors open & started reading my book & ignoring him. His eyes bugged out of his head & he cried more. The only thing I would change in the future, if I try this trick again, is not pull over in a doctor's office complex! Several people stopped on their way in & asked nervously, "Are you OK?" I had to tell them "We're fine, thanks!" while Mack calmed down. He finally did & begged to get back in the car. We drove home in blissful silence.

Then, they had a lunch of cereal because I was still "drained of energy" from their tantrum! After lunch, they had chores & a nap to "give me my energy back".

Thank you love & logic...you may have saved my children's lives today.

Sam-isms

Sam is our only "talker". I mean, they all talk, but Sam REALLY talks! He doesn't have a shy bone in his body, while all of his siblings melt when someone looks at them. We don't know where he came from! He says the most off the wall things everyday too. I can never remember the funny things he says, so I need to start recording some of them.

Here are a few that I can remember from today:

• "Mom, when Jesus Christ built me I was on His team, right? Then I came down to live with you & now I'm on your team?"
• "I grew! My wiener used to touch the toilet & now it doesn't!"
• {To his Aunt Julie at a family dinner at Hires} "Do you have a sleeping bag?" {yes, I have a couple} "Can I come over & sleep in one?"
• "When I was in yours tummy, I came out first, right? Mackie pushed me out, then I pulled him out by his arms!"
• {7:00 a.m. To Grandma & Grandpa Ayers, who are staying with us} "It's mooornin' time! Here, let me turn on the light for you....!"

Some days I think all I say to him is "right, Sam" & I know I should correct him adding an "s" to the end of you & your, but it's just too dang cute!

Middle aged

Make a Smilebox slideshow

We've been rummaging through old photos & scanning then into the computer this week for Noah's school project. It has been fun telling the stories from each picture to the kids & reminiscing back on how I really got to be where I am. I have a million better things I could be doing right now, but we are watching a friends kids & since most things on my to do list require concentration, I decided to make a slide show of some of the pictures instead. This I can do while refereeing 8 kids! By the way...I'm glad I don't have 8 kids at age 36 (or ever) like my Mother-in-law did. A Len childhood slide show would be next, but there are only a few childhood pictures in existence & I totally understand why now! They are cute, but crazy in packs!

check-up

Today we went to Bella's 15 month check-up. Her stats were:

height 29 3/4" or 50%

weight 16# 7oz or 0%

walking- all day long

talking- I guess repeating "Ash" over & over counts

sleeping- just when I'm awake

tantrums- regularly

eating- mostly stuff off the floor

pooping & peeing- as soon as we get to the back of a crowded store

playing- mostly mimics Mom cleaning for fun

Basically, other than her weight...she's a perfectly normal toddler.

Bella's at least back on the bell curve underneath the chart. They did very comprehensive blood work last month which showed no abnormalities whatsoever. Pheww!

Since she's developing normally for her age, the doctors have, luckily, given up on trying to figure out why she's so small.

So, we're just looking at the bright side:

• She still fits in my arms perfectly when I nurse & snuggle her
• Her brothers still have to bend down to say "Hi" to her
• People gasp when they see her start to walk, which is cheap entertainment
• The grocery bill is way down
• Is skinny & tall ever not going to be in?
• She gets a birds eye view because we carry her so much
• The cats think she is one of them, which thrills her

We REALLY do feed her- in fact it's one of the main focuses of our day! Her allergies are doing better & she's taken well to dairy, so expect her to fatten up quickly :)

New Year

Some things will never change...

like dating my sweetheart.

Some things will never change...

like wanting to hold & snuggle my babies. Bella still snuggles us, even though we take a 2nd to snuggling her kitty!

Some things will never change...

like the boys hiding from me when I ask them to get ready for bed. I asked Noah to read to the little boys after they got in their pj's, while I put Bella to sleep. Instead, I came down to a completely quiet basement, other than the sound of video games & 3 sets of feet sticking out from underneath Noah's bed!

Some things will never change...

like brotherly love.

Some things will never change...

like being proud of my kids. Noah is always willing to do things he doesn't particularly enjoy, if it means making his siblings happy!

While I have been dwelling on how many things I'd like to change in 2010, it is very comforting knowing there are some things that are constant. I am very grateful for my family, my Saviour, the gospel, my friends & many opportunities to grow each day.

Those opportunities to grow often include change. While I am not opposed to change, I have had a generally bad attitude about goal setting. This past year I have grown & realized the importance of including detailed instructions for myself of how to achieve goals. I used to hate the "self help" genre, but embraced many wonderful self help books in 2009 that really did help! I feel more motivated, spiritual & aware. I am going to enjoy accomplishing some important changes in my life, while still holding dear the things that are constant.