This little one...

I love this kid, but he seriously is shortening my life span.

Seriously.

Last week, was a LONG one. He seemed to be in top form. He made us laugh and cry - all at the same time. Here's how the week started off:

Monday - Kev was home with him because it was daddy's day off. (Mom was home sick too!)
Luke was in the bathtub...and it was quiet. Too Quiet...
Dad: Luke - what are you doing?
Luke: I don't know.
Dad: Luke - tell me what you are doing?
Luke: Cleaning the bathtub....and my butt....with your toothbrush.
Dad: What the????? How many times have you done that?
Luke: I don't know.
Mom: AAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

It took us a minute to recover before we could go in a scold him for doing that. Not that he even got disciplined for it - since we couldn't stop laughing!

Tuesday - Kev was at work. I took the kids to Alex's Tae Kwon Do class. It was 7 pm by the time we got home. The boys asked if they could jump out and play with their friends for a couple of minutes before we went inside. I said sure. I got out and visited with my neighbors for a minute. So, while I was talking, my neighbor said, "um...what's Luke doing?" (Never a good statement!) I saw this white streak go by. A little naked boy with NOTHING but his socks on. Then...he stopped. He bent over and showed everyone all his business. Needless to say, the chit-chat was cut short because I had a little naked boy to rush into the house...before all the moms decided their kids can't play with Luke. Now, instead of saying to Lukel when he goes outside - "be careful and have fun", I say, "remember Luke - we DO NOT take our clothes off outside."

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday were a bit more slow - or maybe I just blocked some of it out.

Saturday on the other hand...
Saturday was a work get-together. A "Fiesta". And there was water close by. Luke is like a fly to poop when it comes to water. I should have just brought a swimsuit and a towel and just saved myself the headache. Not 5 minutes into it, he was soaked. From the waiste down. Literally. I had to wring the water out of his socks. Once the sun went down and the mosquitos came out, we were outta there, so luckily it didn't last for too long.

Sunday: Church day. Started right off with the refusal to get dressed - because he didn't want to go to church. 3 kids and one parent = outnumbered. Separating the two boys, not enough snacks in the world to keep those 2 boys quiet, and several trips to the potty. At least this week we didn't get "shooshed". But we made it through and were glad for the feeling we had in our home this week so far.

What does all this lead to? A mom with walking pneumonia and a dad with a few nights off. Maybe I'll get some sympathy from him!!

I am still very grateful everyday for Luke. Even though he can make our lives so crazy, he also brings our family so much joy. As do all of our children. I may have a few more grey's because of this little man, but every grey is worth it!

Gratitude

5 Things I am Thankful for Today:

1. A workout last night. (A good one- that leaves your body tingling, knowing I've pushed it to the limit. Also hearing Jillian in my head - yelling at me to not quit.)
2. A husband that did a lot around the house so I wouldn't have to while I was sick.
3. 3 kids that make my day - everyday.
4. New/renewed friendships.
5. A good job with good people to work with.

In a good place.

Tonight feels right; for many things.

A lot has been accomplished, a lot has been realized.

On days like today, I am grateful for an hour to workout. It does wonders for me. For my mental health, for my sanity, for my patience.


Here's a few more things that I have been enlightened by tonight:
1. We are busy. ALWAYS busy. When I think it will slow down, it gets even more busier. I don't fight it, I just go with it and make the most of it. It's a reality in my life right now and I am ok with it.
2. I am grateful for my children. They bring me joy. I am grateful that they have good friends and are good friends!
3. My friend posted on her blog about "Trying". It fits. That's all I can do, and I like the fact that I have accepted that I can't do it all; but I can try.
4. I am grateful for my health and the health of my family. We take it for granted. I just wanted to write down that I am grateful for it.
5. I am in a great place right now. It's taken awhile, but I am there. I think everything that I am doing now is working and paying off. I will keep at it. Always room for improvements, but one day at a time is what I can do.
6. Being angry doesn't do anything except make myself miserable. Might be time to let some stuff go.
7. I have some really awesome people in my life right now. I am grateful for each one of them.
8. "I got this"!
9. McDonald's on an even-more-than-usual busy night = 3 happy kids!
10. My sheer determination can push me farther than I thought.
11. Italy...here we come! (in the spring time)
12. There are just things that I can't change. I just have to make the most of it. (The fact that I am blogging at 11:30 pm - hey at least I still have a few scraps of energy left to put it down!) I will take what I can get. Once my kids go to sleep, it's my time to do what I need to - even if it is at 11:30 pm. I can be a "night owl" and a "morning person", right? We shall see....


Now that I have written those down, I hope they don't backfire! I love that I can write stuff down and use this as my journal. I have never been a journal writer. I wish I was. I have tried. It's not me. But this, I can do this! I am in a good place right now. It isn't all going "right", but at least it's going!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun.

The past few weeks have been full and busy.

The kids are back to their school routine. Just in time for a long Labor Day weekend. We have had fun and made the most of our time. Kev has been working A LOT doing extra shifts at work, so me and the kiddos have stayed busy. Dad did have one day off and we made the most of it by taking the kids to Chuck-E-Cheese. (I thought I had already downloaded my pics, but guess not. I'll have to post those later!) We had a great time. It was Alex's turn to bring a friend so he invited Cody. We had some coupons, so we still were able to keep a lot of our money and the kids played until they were exhausted!

We have also done a lot of "gym" time, swimming, playing with friends, Tae Kwon Do, and watching movies. We've made the most of our time. I thought that when the kids went back to school that we would have more down time. Not so much. Seems like we are busier than ever!

My mom also arrived last Thursday and she spent a few days with us. On Sunday, we took her up to Farmington where she is going to spend some time up there with one of her friends (aka....Aunt Sharon) and they are going to be doing some canning. Well, since I won't be able to stay up there with them to do some canning, Aunt Sharon said we could go and pick some blackberries while we were up at her house. So, picked we did. (And got scratched!) But we had FUN. I am pretty sure my kids will always remember our experience. I know I will! It was fun to go on a nature walk and look for the blackberry bushes. We didn't get a whole ton of black berries, but we did managed to fill a bucket and then Aunt Sharon sent me home with a bag that she had frozen.

Which leads me to this:



I convinced Simone to come over and help me make jam. (Since I've never done it and Simone is quite handy in the kitchen...and she's already made some strawberry jam, I guessed she knew what she was doing!) So, after a yummy BBQ at my house, we made some jam. Yummy, delicious, pretty colored jam! We ended up with a few tubs, so I sent her home with some, and now my freezer is well stocked! I also bought some strawberries today at the store, so I am going to test my own hand tomorrow at that. So far, so good. I am pleased with our results. (I even had to shew B out of the kitchen because she kept opening up the containers and putting her finger in it to taste!) It turned out well. Thanks Simone!!

I'll post more pictures soon. I am doing a Jewelry Show at Rio Tinto Stadium this Saturday. (Sept. 12) It's a Fund Raiser. I'll post all the info, for anyone that wants to come and check it out. Maybe after that, things will slow down and I can catch up....but I wouldn't hold my breathe! We'll see how it goes....