Attempt #172 at tackling the mounting piles of laundry

1. wash clothes, dry clothes
2. haul an armload of dried clothes to room and plop them on the bed.
3. fold clothes, put shirts on hangers
4. do not immediately put away, instead leave them on bed
5. retreat to laundry room for more clothes
6. return to bedroom to find kids jumping on the bed and all of the previously folded clothes bounced onto the floor in heaps.
7. grab armloads of clothes off the floor in frustration and bring them to the right bedrooms
8. put clothes in drawers, in closets, etc.
9. return later to bedrooms only to see the kids have decided to play dress up with the entire contents of their dressers/closets.
10. back slowly out of room counting to ten. or twenty. or seven hundred ninety six.
11. leave clothes on floor.


Aha! It's all so clear when I look at it this way. From now on I think I'll go from step 1 straight to step 11... I'm not sure, but it just seems more efficient that way.

A minute in my brain right now...

• Is there a chance this house is going to get cleaned before next week?
• Where are we going to sleep 10 extra people in this little tiny house?
• Why did I wait till last minute to finish school work?
• Will the baby sleep okay tonight?
• Should I exercise or go straight to the homework?
• We used to have stacks of towels. How do you lose towels?
• Is Lydia going to actually cooperate for Emily's wedding?
• Where, oh, where did I put Lydia's shoes for the wedding?
• Will she walk down the aisle? or refuse?
• Did I pay the phone bill?
• Who's going to watch these kids the night before the wedding?
• How in the world to we generate so much laundry?
• Why didn't I put away the clean clothes before they got dumped all over the laundry room again?
• Why did I take out summer clothes before putting away some of the winter ones? It's like something exploded in the laundry room.
• Why is gas so darn expensive?
• How long can I drive on empty hoping the price will go down?
• When is this cold weather going to go away so the kids can play outside again?
• This house is such a disaster.
• I think I need to rent a dumpster.
• I need to try on my dress one more time.
• We need to find Ryan a shirt and tie for the wedding. And what about pants?
• Jack needs something to wear too. What's he going to wear?
• And does he even have dress shoes that fit?
• What about Hannah?! I forgot about her. She needs a dress too.
• Why didn't I take care of this stuff? It's not like Mark & Emily got engaged yesterday.
• Oh yeah. Wedding present. Oh great. Oh, no. This is not good.
• How do you grocery shop for 10 extra people?
• What in the world are we going to eat? WHAT should I feed them?
• Where are they goign to sleep again????

I think I might miss "Chicken"

Lydia's finally learning to pronounce "kitchen" correctly
Her "K's" have been hard for her to get when they fall at the begining of a word.
So... Kitchen has always been... "Chicken"
"Mom, this chicken has three windows!"
"I can run in the chicken, Mom."
"I just can't say CHICK-CHICK-CHICKEN!"
...But, now she can.
Now she says, "kitchen"...
It was one of those things that sounded so darn cute,
it was hard for me to correct it.
I think I might miss "Chicken".

Three-year-old logic

My little girl has been saying her prayers at night since she could talk...

Little hearts
Are made to love
Friends below
And God above.

Then one day she started telling me she didn't want to say her prayers. Figuring it was just a phase, I let it go on for a week- each night as I tucked her in I'd ask- "Do you want to say prayers tonight?" And each night she'd tell me no.

Well... Finally a couple of nights ago I asked her why she didn't want to say her prayers and I told her, "God likes to listen to us say our prayers."

She looked up suddenly and said, "Where does God live?"

"Up in Heaven," I answered.

"Oh." She seemed to think this over for a minute then she said, "Up in the sky?"

"Well, yes..."

"Oh." Again she paused deep in thought. Then she said matter-of-factly, "I heard God go by our house. In an airplane."

Uh-oh. I'm afraid I didn't do a very good job in my teaching because each night since then she's asked, "God lives in an airplane?" And each night I patiently tell her, "God lives in Heaven."

I think this might take awhile.

Projects

The fabric I ordered online came in today! I'm so excited to get started making some bags... I attempted to this afternoon but it's a little too frustrating when you have little helpers who want to "cut too". I'm going to have to keep this stuff hidden if I don't want to find it in peices, I fear. I just discovered this winter that I really like to sew... I used to say I couldn't stand it- but I guess that was before I really tried on a good machine (my mom's). For now, I'll keep borrowing hers. Maybe someday down the road I'll get my own. My jump-in-head-first instinct wants to just start cutting pieces out... But the rational-take-your-time-and-do-it-right voice is winning. I must have patience and do it in order: First things first- draw up the pattern. I'll let you know how it turns out- but don't hold your breath. I'm famous for starting things in a hurry and then taking six months to finish.

If you need to get away with something...

... just say it like it is!

Me: Lydia, what are you doing in there?
Cupboard door slams.
Me: Uh... Lydia?
Lydia: Don't come in here, okay Mom?
hmm.
Me: Why can't I come in there? What are you doing?
Lydia: Nuh-THING. Just wait, okay?
Lydia comes running into living room, opens her mouth and sticks out her tounge.
Lydia: See! I'm not eating anything.
Oh-okay.

A Tribute To a Dear Friend

If you know me, you know that I love my coffee. I drink way too much of the stuff... doesn't matter what time of the day- I can even have a cup at 10:00 at night and head up to bed an hour later- my Finnlander blood? My husband says that I might as well be hooked up to an I.V. that pumps the stuff in all day long. Well... This coffee cup here was a splurge in one of my weaker moments. My sisters, my mom, and I were shopping and I was roped into spending somewhere around $8 on this particular cup- we all did. A bit over the top? Well... That was approximately a month ago.

Then I fell in love with the thing. Since then it's the only cup I use. Laugh if you must, but's just the right shape to fit comfortably in my hand, it's so colorful and cheery, and it seems to me coffee just tastes better out of this cup. This cup has seen me through the early mornings with my children, and late nights studying for Pharm. It never judges me on how much coffee I drink, just keeps doing it's job.

Well, I was warming up coffee in it this afternoon (just hours after taking this endearing photo, I might add). So I stuck it in the microwave, waited patiently with my blueberry muffin- anticipating a steaming cup of coffee, and went to retrieve it when the time was up. And then... the unthinkable happened. The thing slipped right out of my hand and it was like those slow motion shots you see in T.V. commercials advertising a thicker paper towell or the last degreaser you'll ever need. I cringed and my beloved cup smashed into the unforgiving surface of the stove. So... Now my cup is left handle-less with a rather large chip on the rim and a crack weaving down one side.

The funny thing is- I have never before in my life speant that much on a coffee cup... And probably never will again. But, isn't that just the way it goes? I told my sisters when I bought it- this will be the one that breaks right away- and after it did I had to call them to take a poll on the survival rate of their cups... Of course theirs were still holding up just fine. Yah... You just wait. Some unsuspecting moment, you'll go to reach for your cup and... the next thing you know it, you'll be sweeping up the peices of the floor and kicking yourself for spending so much on it in the first place. Hah. I'm not bitter- I'm not.

Pretty Flower

This beautiful flower is one of three now blooming on a plant I got two years ago. To keep a plant alive for two years is quite the accomplishment for me. I nearly killed the thing last summer- neglected it tragically- forgot to water it, let it sit in the window with blazing hot afternoon sun beating down on it... let the leaves get wilted and the soil parched. Never bloomed once last summer. And then this past winter, I felt pity on it (I'm not one who keeps plants, by the way- typically in my hands once they begin to wilt I lose my patience and get rid of the thing altogether...) Nevertheless, I watered the thing and gave it fertilizer and... Ta-Da! This is it now. Beautiful. And one more sign that spring is here.

We took the kids for a walk over to my sister's today- it was a perfect day to be outside. Had a fun visit over there and then headed back home. Nice, relaxing, Sunday afternoon before the start of another busy week.

Just a few more things that make me smile

6. Dark chocolate
7. 60 degree days after a long winter
8. flip-flops
9. cold cereal
10. giving a room a new look with a fresh coat of paint.
11. Getting to finally finish the book I started before my parents went south for the winter- it was my Mom's book and she was taking it with her- I attempted to finish the thing before Christmas, but it didn't happen so I had to sadly surrender it half way through... Now if only I could find some time to read it, that would be greaaaat.
12. Coffee night
13. Saturdays after clinicals are done for the day/week

And now... to quote Lydia... "I'm so tired, so tired, so tired! I just want to go to sleep." - after a fun day speant at her grandparent's house. It's only 10:30, but I think her words just about sum it up for me!

Dusty corners, happy kids

I was upstairs wading through the laundry room today when Lydia ran in and told me in excitement, "Mom! I cleaned out everything from under my bed!" Curiosity overulled me so I followed her back to her room. There in the middle of the room was a pile of books, paper, gum wrappers, a doll that had been missing for some time, stray socks, a broken pencil, and plenty of other randoms all mixed with some rather disgustingly large dust bunnies. The nagging voice in my head told me I should be more on top of things and take care of things like this before they get so out control. Bad mom, I thought, your kids are going to get sick with all this dust accumulating. I had a vision of opening up a garbage bag and scooping the majority of it inside, then doing the same with the contents probably collecting dust under Jack's bed as well.

But then I realized what was going on. The kids were down on their hands and knees digging through the pile and scooping up treasures. "A pencil! Look mom! Look, a pencil! Look, Jack!" As they proceeded to sort through the junk, stuffing the best of the best into their backpacks, it occured to me that for them this was possibly the highlight of the morning. Children always manage to find joy in such little things. Ah, the wonders of childhood. Seems to me that between feeding the baby, changing diapers, studying for tests, and making meals I forget to look for simple joys. They are there, I just forget to realize it.

Awhile back, when I was still in school my friends and I created Happy Lists. We wrote down things that made us happy and I recall adding to this list for quite awhile. Right now, life is busy and I find myself stressed out all too often... And even if I just can't bring myself to find joy in a pile of dusty "treasures" from under the bed, I know there are a lot of other things in my life that do bring joy. No matter how silly, how small... I think it's time I start another happy list. So here goes... A start on my happy list:

1. Checking in on my children while they sleep. They look so peaceful and content, I wonder what they're dreaming.
2. Hearing, "I love you,"... or more like "Ahwubu"- from a kid who's just learning to talk.
3. A hot cup of coffee with real cream... not the powder stuff.
4. A visit at my mom's that lasts all afternoon.
5. Watching my three year old "read" to her little brother.

... And this is to be continued...

It may be cliche, but it still deservest to be said: enjoy the little things in life. It's all that matters.

Learning to slllooowww down

I completely enjoyed my evening out last night... I did tell Ryan, by the way, that I was heading out to spend money- not to earn it- as I hurried off to Walmart. It wasn't even so much that I needed anything, really, I just needed to get out of the house. And my only complaint was that it went by all too quickly. Anyways... it brought me back refreshed and feeling like I could get some things accomplised around this house- it's in despearte need of some spring cleaning.

Well, that feeling lasted from about 11:00 a.m.- when Hannah finally went for a morning nap- till 11:45 when I went down to make lunch for everyone. Huh. Guess that's not too good considering what this house needs is hours of attention.

As life goes on, I'm learning that holding a baby is more important right now than having a clean rooms or all the laundry washed, dryed and folded neatly in drawers. With this third baby, I'm finding it easier to sit and hold her and not feel as though I have to get everything else done. I know now how quickly they turn into busy little toddlers, so I'm just enjoying these times when she'll cozy up in my arms and sleep. Because all too quickly it's over and they won't sit still for a minute. I must enjoy these beautiful moments in life or what is it really worth?

Just another Wednesday

• Hannah woke up at 7:15, smiling and ready to start the day
• I managed to make it until 8:30 before I had a cup of coffee.
• then I had six
• I was supposed to go give a massage tonight, but she cancled
• I might not inform my husband that she cancled... heheh
• My temper is getting shorter as the day gets longer
• Ryan doesn't come home for lunch today which makes the day seem even longer
• It looks beautiful outside, but I wouldn't know because I have yet to step out
• Today is not one of those days where I feel I'm handling this adjustment to three kids well
• Today is one of those days where I desperately need my kids to nap
• because it's 1:00 and I have yet to shower
• I'm still not sure what I think of having a blog that anyone can read...
• I still haven't even told anyone I have a blog so, thusfar I'm the only one who knows about it
• I just talked to my mom who's making the trip to visit my sister today
• Wish I could be in the ride too
• Wow
• I sound like a crab!
• which I am
• but that's just today, I guess

Spring IS going to arrive this year!

And just when I thought winter was going to completely push me over the edge... Just when I was begining to realize that one more day cooped up inside was going to make all of us crazy... Spring arrived. Well. I'm not sure it's bloomed in all it's beauty, but at least we are having a beautiful day- somewhere around 55 degrees- and the forcast is for another one tomorrow. Yes, as far as I'm concerned- that is beautiful. In my opinion, that's spring.

I don't think I've ever been so ready for the snow to melt. Other years I've anxiously awaited spring, but nothing like this year. This year I seriously cannot wait much longer for warm weather, sunshine, and open windows. And the ability to let the kids go out and play in the backyard by themselves. I now understand what mom meant when she'd say, "Go out and play." My kids have been so bored lately and I've just been waiting to say those words as much as they've been waiting to hear them.

Lydia went outside for a little while this afternoon by herself and just that 20 minutes or so brought her back refreshed and happy. Not to mention what it did for me to have a mini-break. I love my children, but some days... hmm.

So here's to better moods, sunburned noses, and the smell of fresh dirt... to mud boots, green grass, all the newness spring brings to life!

Baby Carrier?

I'm sitting here online while ALL THREE CHILDREN ARE SLEEPING. Did you hear that correctly? This is a monumental moment because it never happens in this house during the afternoon hours. Lydia takes a nap, like, once a month. I don't really expect her to nap anymore because she does sleep about 12 hours at night and she is three... But still... I try to get her to take "quiet time" every afternoon when Jack goes for his nap. And today- She. Fell. Asleep. And the baby's been sleeping all afternoon too!

Anyways, I've been researching baby carriers for awhile now. I'm undecided if I should attempt to make a Mei Tai (I've seen some patterns online but I'd probably design it myself) or if I should just throw down the money and order an Ergo. I know the Ergo would be awesome- I've read enough positive reviews to convince me- but, I'm draggging my feet at spending the money. I have a Moby Wrap right now and I really like it- extremely comfortable, but I've heard they aren't as usefull when the baby gets heavier... And at the rate my little one is gaining, I'm thinking by mid-summer it won't be as comfortable. I'd really like something I can wear comfortably when I'm pushing the other two in the stroller (I've decided against the triple jogger that I mentioned before). And I want it to be comfortable enough to wear for extended periods... Like if we take a walk to the park and the kids play for awhile. So, I'm still researching. And debatging.

This morning we were met with more snow- a "blizzard" they're saying. Hmm.. Happy April 11th, huh?

Waiting for Summer

I knew the day could not get much better when I woke up to see more snow on the ground. I open the shade and cringed at the sight. It's April 9th... Shouldn't we be seeing a little more sun and a little less snow by now?

My three year old had a positive take on the freshly fallen snow, however. "Look!" She exclaimed peering out the living room window, "The snow took all the dirty away!" (After a few days of melting, the snowbanks had been left black with dirt.) So... If you want to look at the bright side of things- the snow did freshen things up a bit. And we should see a lot more of th white stuff- we are now under another storm warning starting tomorrow night for up to a foot of more snow. Unbelievable, but not really, considering where we live!

So, we had another day at home. The kids are so tired of winter and being cooped up inside. They want to go somewhere every day, but I drag my feet to get going anywhere. Yes, I would love to get out of this house as well but the thought of packing up three little ones? Sigh. It's more work than fun, for sure. So as they used my massage table for a slide today, I thought... Won't it be nice when summer arrives and I can take them to the park? I think this summer will be fun when Lydia & Jack can play at the park together. Last year, Jack was still rather young (just over one) so Lydia pretty much played by herself... I look forward to summer and hope we can hit the parks a lot. And I really hope Hannah likes the stroller or baby carrier...

I actually got to work out today! I've really been trying to eat healthy and I think I'm doing pretty good with that... Now if only I could start working out on a regular basis too. I just feel so much better when I'm concentrating on being healthy. I notice it does a lot for my mood as well- I tend to look at things in a brighter way when I'm feeling good. I'm seriously debating the idea of getting a triple jogging stroller so I can actually get out for walks with the kids... I don't know, though. I have a double right now (and a single that I picked up at a garage sale for an awesome low price of $25!!). But... That means I have to wait until my husband gets home from work to walk with me... And while that sounds nice, it would be nice to be able to get out for a walk during the days. Something to think about, but it probably won't happen!

Okay... I need to get to bed.
Bring on the snow.

Wow, I'm not so good at this...

And here I thought if I started a blog I'd write on it daily! Oh well. That's the beauty of it- there's no deadline, no limit, no set minimum.

Class started up again tonight... After three weeks off, I was actually ready to go back. I looked forward to the night out- even if was for Pharmacology class. Pathetic? For me, it's just a good reminder that there are other areas of my life than just being a mother. At one point in my life I thought I wanted to only be a stay at home mom. It took me awhile to learn that I could break that rule and that as a result... My kids would be better off. I love my children. I love the funny things they say, the neck-breaking hugs they give, the way thier little hands fit in mine... But, I also realize now- it's okay for me to have a job, too. It's okay for me to have something I do one or two days a week that has nothing to do with my job as a mother. With little breaks, I tend to return calm, refreshed, and ready to be a happy mom.

I think I've been quick to add in a disclaimer every time I tell someone I'm going back to school with three little kids at home. "It's only one day a week," I blurt... "Really, really part time. Really," I add before they can say anything... The thing is (and this just sounds like one more way to justify) I would never leave my kids if I was leaving them in daycare or anything like that. When I go to class, they're with my husband. If they can't be with my husband, they're with their grandparents... or my sister... or nieces. We're blessed with a close family and if I had to leave my children with strangers, I wouldn't be doing this. When I'm through with school, it will be something I can always fall back on. And I don't think I'll ever regret getting an education- no matter how much- or little- I use it.

Okay. Enough rambling for tonight. My thoughts seem to be coming faster than I can figure out how to explain them.

Go for your dreams.

Good night.