PS--

This is a picture of Brandon about 15 minutes after we returned from trick-or-treating.

My cute little B story--

I called Baylie to come upstairs for family prayers. She didn't want to come, she was watching TV and didn't want to turn it off. I repeated myself " Baylie, come on, time for prayers. " She finally replied " Ohh, I don't want to be obedient right now, but I guess I have to " Then, she bounced all the way up the stairs with her sweet smile. She is such a pleasant little girl. What a blessing she has been to us for the last eight years.

Halloween and Nascar

k

Today was obviously Halloween, but I have to start with a funny story first. My poor old Suburban has become increasingly louder by the day. It was pretty loud today, and then all of a sudden, we were driving up a hill and something must have broken on the muffler, because it became REALLY loud. Brandon, noting the obvious said " It sounds like someone should say-- Gentlemen, start your engines. " It was so funny, I can't believe how much kids pick up when we aren't looking. Grandpa would be proud.

So, onto Halloween. It was a terrible one-- unless you are a kid who scored with a bag full of candy. Since the kids were out of school, I thought I would take the them down to the zoo ( 30 minutes away ). We get there and the sweet lady at the counter explains if I buy the family pass today, it will expire in March '09. If I wait until tomorrow, it will last until March 2010. Well, considering the family pass is $75, I said " We will be back tomorrow." Which, of course made Mikenzie cry.

We moved on despite the disappointment and tears ( nothing a little McDonalds won't fix). Later in the day I took Alex to get his learners permit--yes, he is really that old!! So, being a total airhead, I took Alex to the DMV on the last day of the month. The place was full of people who had licenses and plates that were going to expire at midnight. We waited in line for 40 minutes, just to get to the counter and be told we were at the wrong location and were sent on our happy way. The lady did praise me for having all of the correct documents-- unlike the previous two people. Still, not such good news. ( No, he didn't get it, I had too much to do-- so he will have to wait a little longer ).

Later, I found myself with all the other procrastinating moms at Party America desperately looking for that one last required item to make the costumes perfect. I spent $30 on a bunch of junk, another $15 at Target on candy, $20 at Papa Murphys, and we were on our way.

At last, we were almost out the door for trick or treating when Brandon decided mid-way that he hated his costume ( which he had changed 10 times today ) and decided to abondon it completely and become---- an army guy with regular clothes on, carrying a sword. At this point, I was thrilled he stopped complaining and we were out the door!!

Can I just say-- it was a perfect night. About 65 degrees, not even a chill in the air. We live in a wonderful neighborhood. People were so friendly and great with my kids. Some even had the fire pits going in their driveways and most were sitting on their porches passing out candy. James and I were able to just walk and talk the whole time. It was a great ending to yet another hectic Halloween. I wouldn't change the outcome one bit.

Pumpkin Time!!

Here are some pictures of the kids carving pumpkins. Lots of fun!!

AHHHH!! KIDS!!

Kids have NO concept of time whatsoever!! This morning, as I am trying to scoot the younger three out the door to school, it seemed like they had no care in the world. I told Brandon to get shoes and socks on, instead he played Jingle Bells on the piano. I told Mikenzie to get dressed and she spent 15 minutes brushing her hair. Baylie decided to go on-line to look up which books are checked out at the library with just 2 minutes to go!! Hello-- hustle people.

Then, once I finally get them out the door, they all had to stop and look at a bowl that had been left outside that now was full of ice water. They had to stop and look at the frost on the grass, and the leaves on the trees that are different colors. I know-- I should take a lesson from my kids and stop to smell the roses, but not when you are running late for school.

I do enjoy my wonderful children, I love how cute Mikenzie looked this morning with her braids and Baylie with her cute pony tail ( because it was PE for her and she needs her hair back to run the mile ). Brandon plays the piano amazingly well for a 6 year old. It is a blessing/pleasure to be home with my kids-- but they need to hustle a bit more in the mornings.

Yesterday was a great Sunday. We took the kids to the future temple sight and had a look-see. It will only be about 10 minutes away from where we live, so that is exciting. Everyone in the area is looking forward to three years from now.

Here is a picture of the kids standing on the cement barriers in front of the lot. It was a bit cold and windy, but the pictures turned out well. The two older boys are both wearing James' old suits. The one on Jeremy is a bit big, but they feel so grown up in them. I can't believe they are big enough to share a suit with their dad!!

Not The Fun One

I am starting to think that my efforts as a fun mom have been unappreciated. Actually, I know it for a fact. Today I had the three youngest loaded up to go to Target and I get the following question " Why is dad the fun parent ? " Hello-- DAD is the fun parent????? I feel so totally " dissed ". And this is not the first time this question has been asked over the past few weeks, so my usually callous feelings to what my kids say to me, are starting to be a little hurt.

If I remember correctly, DAD is the one who was in school for eternity, and was gone from 6 am to midnight everyday for three years. And then, DAD was the one who had to move all over the country during his fourth year of medical school and wasn't even living with us for close to 18 months. So, I ask you, who do you think went to all of the petting zoos, playgroups, church activities, crafty things, class parties, birthday parties, story times, parks ..... who do they think did all of that? Who reads to them every night? Who sends them off to school everyday with a hug and a kiss? Who is here when they get home everyday? Who runs missing assignments to school? Who helps deliver the newspaper every Thursday? On top of trying to be " fun ".

I am in no way jealous of my husband, but c' mon... give me a break, I have no appreciation whatsoever from my kids for being " fun" ???? Seriously? I feel so... I don't even know how to feel, I know kids never appreciate much, and they usually say things without thinking ( as my kids tried to backtrack very quickly and say " But you're the serious one and that is really important ", as if that helps ). I realize all of that, but ouch.

As a mom, usually with than two or more car seats in my van for a good portion of my life, I put so much effort into just getting out the door, with the kids dressed and clean, let alone myself, so we could go to all of the aforementioned activities, and the only credit I get for years of that is " You're the serious one, and that is important "

GIVE ME A BREAK!!

Happy Birthday Brandon!!

Picture 1- Brandon loved helping James build the garage. Somedays, James would come home and Brandon had been out with the hammer and nails making all sorts of creations.

Picture 2- One of my favorites, Brandon tried to take a picture, he just had the camera turned the wrong way.

Picture 3- The infamous cape. Brandon had to pick every last detail out. I had to make it for him as soon as we got home. He strapped it on and ran around, jumping off of furniture yelling Up, up and away!! After a few minutes, he came to me a threw the cape at me. He told me " This cape won't work!! You made the cape all wrong! " He really thought he could fly, if only I hadn't messed that cape up, who knows where he would be today!!

You say it's your birthday.... it's his birthday too!! Yep, the man is SIX years old today. Boy did time fly. I have been looking at pictures today and he sure grew up fast. He is such a great kid, he makes me laugh all the time.

Some great things about Brandon--

1- Ya gotta love this kid's attitude. He thinks he is at least 8, maybe 12. He just doesn't get that he is a little guy. He is totally independent. He used to insist he could open the door to the suburban. We had to put our arm through the driver side door, open his door just enough, so he could "open" the door himself. Then he would climb in by himself and buckle himself into his car seat. This was all before he was three.

2- He is a great soccer player. We just finished a soccer clinic with the competitive league here. He would score 6-8 goals a game. I finally told him he had to play "goalie" so the other kids could score, or even kick the ball. He loves playing soccer. They all got medals for participating and Brandon said " I know why we got the medals, because of me, I totally saved my team this year." A little confidence there buddy?

3- He is brilliant. He is reading and does math in his head. He loves to learn and is bored with the typical 5-6 year old toys. He can talk Wii with the best of them. He can log on to Youtube-- a little scary, I know, and find all the thumbwars videos. He is too smart for his own good somedays.

Well, enough bragging for now-- I love my boy!!

Hoofin' It

I feel so totally pathetic today when it comes to my fitness level. I have been trotting along on the treadmill, in fact, yesterday I did 2 miles and shaved 30 seconds off of each mile. I thought I was doing so well.

So, today I went over to the kid's school with them. They have a walking trail that goes around the playground area. I thought it would be great if they played while I walked/ran a mile or two. I started running, and was winded by the first quarter of the first quarter of a mile!! So pathetic. Totally NOT what I wanted to be when I grew up. Some out of shape, old mom, trying to feel like she is in shape, wearing an old T-shirt and lame shorts. Not even cute clothes!!

And then, to top it all off, as soon as we walked in the door, Brandon's sweet little 18 year old primary teacher knocked at the door, with a nice gift and a card she made for his birthday. I am sure she just looked at my sweaty, red face and probably thought " That is exactly what I do NOT want to be when I am 37" Which is what I would have said at 18, and still am saying at 37.

I tried to explain we had just been out and... I had been "running"... and I usually don't look so pathetic... I have a thyroid problem ya know... forget it!! Have a nice day and thanks for the gift Monica. Enjoy your thin-ness!! I did, once, a long time ago.

Conference Thoughts and Dog Hair

Thought #1--

I have loved every minute of conference!! I am so excited we are getting a temple. Some of the talks seem like they were written just for me. I really loved Elder Holland's talk, he has been one of my favorites since before he was in the big 12. I heard him speak when he was the President of BYU and really felt like he had a special gift. He is always so optimistic and upbeat. One of my favorite talks is found at BYUTV. He talked about speaking with missionaries on Sept. 11th. One of the Elders came up to him and asked him if we were in the last days. Elder Holland replied " I may not be the brightest one in the quorum of the twelve, but I do know the name of our church ."

Brad Wilcox also shares a story of when his daughter found a story problem in her math homework, using Jeff Holland as the character's name. She sent it to Elder Holland. She later received a letter saying " I guess you haven't heard about my part time job. Sometimes I can't think of a name, so I use my own. Here is a problem for you to solve If _______ Wilcox dates 15 boys, how many of them will join the church?" ( For a more accurate recall of the story, see BYUTV, under 2007 Women's Conference ).

Pretty good sense of humor. I had to use mine today.

Thought # 2 Brandon has always had a fetish for hair, ever since he was a newborn baby. He would somehow lean himself forward in his baby swing and play with his own hair. Once he could reach mine, it became his favorite toy. He still loves to feel hair. One day, Mikenzie had just come out of the shower and her long blonde hair was combed, but still wet. Brandon walked across the room, almost hypnotized by it, with his arms reaching out, just to touch it.

So, today he was playing with my hair while I was on the computer. He looked at me and said " Your hair is just like dogs hair. " Wow, how do you take that one? Then he followed up with " I mean, your hair always looks like a dogs does " As if that helps!! So, I just smiled and said thank-you. I am sure there was a 5 year old's well intentioned compliment in there somewhere.

Ode to Mr. Wonderful

I have been sick, like in bed not wanting to live sick, for the past week. I am the sickly one of the family. Most people just get a little cold, I get a full blown case of strep and whatever else seems to come along with it. My body is fighting my thyroid so much that my immunity is really low and I get really sick, really fast.

So, on Monday, being what I thought super mom was, I told James I would be fine and he could work late. I basically laid in bed and ignored the kids until it was bedtime for them, sent them to bed and then got back into my bed. James on the other hand, after 12 hours of work, stayed until midnight painting and laying carpet in his new treatment room ( the fumes from the paint irritated his office partners contacts--lame excuse I know-- so he left after an hour). This was after driving the kids to early morning seminary at 5:00 a.m. that morning.

Then Tuesday he stayed after another long day and organized his treatment room, picked Kyle up from soccer and had members from our ward waiting for him as soon as he walked through the door of our house. After he helped them, he made phone calls to find guys to babysit for E night in our ward. Then he got all the kids to bed and stayed up for an hour listening to me complain.

We got into bed around midnight and my lovely feverish chills kicked in, even my teeth were shivering. So, my Mr. Wonderful rolled over, even though he was exhausted, took me in arms, under my pile of blankets ( because I was freezing ) and gave me all the warmth he had to offer, despite the sweltering heat coming from my fever.

What can I say? I am not really a super mom, I just married a super guy. I wish I was as compassionate when he is sick, but I'm really not. Maybe I will be, after being given such kindness through all of this. Actually, I probably won't, I think I'm am lacking the compassionate gene, which is why I would never be a good RS Pres.. I would be totally annoyed if he rolled over all sweaty and wanted a big bear hug so he could warm up. Gross!! But, men are more gross then we are, even when we are sick : )

Thanks James.