Thursday, March 14, 2013
Paul
Tonight Paul said, "When Heavenly Father and Satan are fighting in the last battle, I want to be there, ready with my camera!"
The flat tire incident
I have to tell a little bit about that flat tire incident on the way to Odyssey of the Mind.
To start, you should know it takes a lot for me to have a meltdown. Really, I just don't get mad, usually. But with the right circumstances and a lack of sleep, it can happen. So, I really had a crazy week last week. Darren has been gone for clinicals and I have been doing almost everything myself. Which really, is nothing new, Darren has been a full time student for the last like 6 years- he has been through 9 years total. I don't mind doing a lot myself, I am actually very grateful, because he is an awesome student and very hard worker. He has not gotten anything lower than an A since he went back to school. I feel like we are a pretty good team. He works hard at school and I work hard with the home and kids. And hopefully, someday soon it will pay off.
Anywho, back to my story about me getting mad and a flat tire. I had a crazy week (I said that already) It was the morning of the big event. I got up at 6:30 and had gone to bed at 1 the night before, so I was pretty tired. I had the cardboard set for OM in the back of my van. I had 3 of my kids with me. Ellie went up with Jane. We left at 7:30 and were supposed to be there at 8 and their performance was at 9. We were barely going to be on time. (no snickering please) So down the freeway we were going when I heard a loud banging against my car. Yea, my tire had pretty much exploded. I knew that was going to happen! I knew I needed new tires, but remember how Darren has been in school for 6 years? Yea, tires were not a financial priority till Saturday at 7:50am. Hey, I'm just trying to be "green" and get as much use as possible out of them. Actually just trying to save some green. Back to the story, so I pull over and the kids were freaking out. I stayed calm and pulled the car on the grass. Oh man. I had the set with me! So I texted the coach and got to work. I took out the cooler, and the costumes and the spare. There was a call box up ahead so I sent Paul up to try and call someone. Then I noticed a police car on the other side of the freeway. I had Paul and Kyle jump and wave to get the officer's attention. It didn't work. Neither did the call box. Thank goodness I know how to change a flat. Thank goodness I know that the jack is in a different place than the spare. I think last time we spent half hour trying to find the jack. I have also learned to put the torque wrench on the lug nuts parallel to the ground and stand on it to loosen them. If you jump up and down it works great. So, I loosened them and started jacking up the car. Meanwhile Gabe was screaming. seriously screaming. And Paul was freaking out, "Mom, what are we going to do!! Mom, I told you we were going to be late! Mom, they are going to deduct points from us for being late! Mom, what are you doing? Mom, that tire is the wrong size, Mom, we have the set with us! MOM!" - Baby screaming in the background and cars flying by at 80 mph. 6 kids waiting at the school for us. No husband. ughhh!! Just then someone pulled over. It was a nice older man with his son. They didn't speak a lot of English, but they were fast.
Soon we were on the road. I called Darren and pretty much let it all out. (remember this story is about me getting mad?) I cried and told him I had had it with feeling like a single mom. I am sick of him always studying, and me doing scouts, pinewood derby, lessons, etc. by myself. He took it pretty well and calmed me down. He reassured me that he is almost done with school and it will be worth it. No matter how mad I get Darren can always calm me down within 10 seconds and 1 sentence. He always says, "But babe, your so hot!" which always makes me laugh. By the time I pulled up to the school I felt better and we actually made it with the set in time.
So there you have it. My husband has been in school for 9 years meltdown. Does he get to have a meltdown? He's the one in school! One more year to go. We can do it.
To start, you should know it takes a lot for me to have a meltdown. Really, I just don't get mad, usually. But with the right circumstances and a lack of sleep, it can happen. So, I really had a crazy week last week. Darren has been gone for clinicals and I have been doing almost everything myself. Which really, is nothing new, Darren has been a full time student for the last like 6 years- he has been through 9 years total. I don't mind doing a lot myself, I am actually very grateful, because he is an awesome student and very hard worker. He has not gotten anything lower than an A since he went back to school. I feel like we are a pretty good team. He works hard at school and I work hard with the home and kids. And hopefully, someday soon it will pay off.
Anywho, back to my story about me getting mad and a flat tire. I had a crazy week (I said that already) It was the morning of the big event. I got up at 6:30 and had gone to bed at 1 the night before, so I was pretty tired. I had the cardboard set for OM in the back of my van. I had 3 of my kids with me. Ellie went up with Jane. We left at 7:30 and were supposed to be there at 8 and their performance was at 9. We were barely going to be on time. (no snickering please) So down the freeway we were going when I heard a loud banging against my car. Yea, my tire had pretty much exploded. I knew that was going to happen! I knew I needed new tires, but remember how Darren has been in school for 6 years? Yea, tires were not a financial priority till Saturday at 7:50am. Hey, I'm just trying to be "green" and get as much use as possible out of them. Actually just trying to save some green. Back to the story, so I pull over and the kids were freaking out. I stayed calm and pulled the car on the grass. Oh man. I had the set with me! So I texted the coach and got to work. I took out the cooler, and the costumes and the spare. There was a call box up ahead so I sent Paul up to try and call someone. Then I noticed a police car on the other side of the freeway. I had Paul and Kyle jump and wave to get the officer's attention. It didn't work. Neither did the call box. Thank goodness I know how to change a flat. Thank goodness I know that the jack is in a different place than the spare. I think last time we spent half hour trying to find the jack. I have also learned to put the torque wrench on the lug nuts parallel to the ground and stand on it to loosen them. If you jump up and down it works great. So, I loosened them and started jacking up the car. Meanwhile Gabe was screaming. seriously screaming. And Paul was freaking out, "Mom, what are we going to do!! Mom, I told you we were going to be late! Mom, they are going to deduct points from us for being late! Mom, what are you doing? Mom, that tire is the wrong size, Mom, we have the set with us! MOM!" - Baby screaming in the background and cars flying by at 80 mph. 6 kids waiting at the school for us. No husband. ughhh!! Just then someone pulled over. It was a nice older man with his son. They didn't speak a lot of English, but they were fast.
Soon we were on the road. I called Darren and pretty much let it all out. (remember this story is about me getting mad?) I cried and told him I had had it with feeling like a single mom. I am sick of him always studying, and me doing scouts, pinewood derby, lessons, etc. by myself. He took it pretty well and calmed me down. He reassured me that he is almost done with school and it will be worth it. No matter how mad I get Darren can always calm me down within 10 seconds and 1 sentence. He always says, "But babe, your so hot!" which always makes me laugh. By the time I pulled up to the school I felt better and we actually made it with the set in time.
So there you have it. My husband has been in school for 9 years meltdown. Does he get to have a meltdown? He's the one in school! One more year to go. We can do it.
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
Odyssey of the Mind
What a production! For months Paul and Ellie have been meeting after school getting ready for Odyssey of the Mind. Lets make it easy, lets call it OM. And lets make it even easier, I'll just copy and paste what OM is so I don't have to try and explain it:
Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.
Schools or community groups purchase a membership and form teams of up to seven students. Each team chooses one of five competitive problems to solve. The problems appeal to a wide range of interests; some are technical in nature, while others are artistic or performance-oriented. Under the guidance of an adult coach, teams work on their solutions throughout the school year and, if they choose, present them in organized competitions in the spring. The "friendly" competitive aspect encourages students to be the best that they can be.
Our group was to create a 8 min play with the theme: "it's how you look at it." They have to do all the work- the coach is only there to help guide them. They have to create the script, set, costumes, hair, all by themselves.
The kids did such a wonderful job! They set up quickly and orderly, they spoke clearly and slowly. They had so much fun doing it!
OM was one of those things that the night before you wonder what you were thinking signing up for it. At midnight I was getting things finished up and I thought, "what a ton of work! What have I gotten myself into?" But then the next day arrived, and even with 5 hours of sleep, a flat tire incident, and no husband, we had a blast. When we arrived there was excitement in the air that lasted all day. It was so fun to be a part of the action. The kids didn't want to go home after being there all day. Everyone was so helpful and happy and it really was a lot of fun. So thanks to all that helped, especially Mrs. Salmons and Joe. It was a great experience!
Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational program that provides creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Team members apply their creativity to solve problems that range from building mechanical devices to presenting their own interpretation of literary classics. They then bring their solutions to competition on the local, state, and World level. Thousands of teams from throughout the U.S. and from about 25 other countries participate in the program.
Schools or community groups purchase a membership and form teams of up to seven students. Each team chooses one of five competitive problems to solve. The problems appeal to a wide range of interests; some are technical in nature, while others are artistic or performance-oriented. Under the guidance of an adult coach, teams work on their solutions throughout the school year and, if they choose, present them in organized competitions in the spring. The "friendly" competitive aspect encourages students to be the best that they can be.
Our group was to create a 8 min play with the theme: "it's how you look at it." They have to do all the work- the coach is only there to help guide them. They have to create the script, set, costumes, hair, all by themselves.
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| They did a great job painting the set- which was a cardboard triangle and they rotated for the scenes. |
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| Here Ellie is creating the inside of the house scene. |
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| Finally! After months of preparing they are ready! Ellie, Paul, Ayla, Kristy |
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| Ellie looks a little nervous! |
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| Getting ready to go on! The anticipation hung thick in the air! |
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| Kyle and Gabe hanging out- it was actually cold- the high was 63! We were all bundled up to make certain we didn't get frostbite. |
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| We love this little squinty face Gabe likes to make. |
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| Our good friends Jane, Maryn and Ted |
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| Getting ready to watch the performance! |
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| Here are the stars after the big show. You can check out their performance at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe6EYwv3Sqo |
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| Here they are with their coach, Joe. He put in so many hours and was great with the kids. Thanks Joe for all your hard work! |
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| Here is a close up of Ellie. Remember they had to design their costumes themselves. She made the skirt out of duct tape, and covered her shirt with duct tape. Paul put her hair in curlers the night before at midnight, and one of the other girls did her makeup. Isn't she beautiful??!! |
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| Here are the judges. They made it fun for the kids so they wouldn't be so nervous. It was a pretty big event, the place was PACKED! There were all different groups in all different rooms. Over a thousand kids preformed at the school that day. |
OM was one of those things that the night before you wonder what you were thinking signing up for it. At midnight I was getting things finished up and I thought, "what a ton of work! What have I gotten myself into?" But then the next day arrived, and even with 5 hours of sleep, a flat tire incident, and no husband, we had a blast. When we arrived there was excitement in the air that lasted all day. It was so fun to be a part of the action. The kids didn't want to go home after being there all day. Everyone was so helpful and happy and it really was a lot of fun. So thanks to all that helped, especially Mrs. Salmons and Joe. It was a great experience!
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
While the Cat's Away....
The mice shall play. Actually, in my case, I have only dreamed
of playing. See, I have big, big plans of things I am going to do while
Darren is away for the month. I have know for the last year and a half
that he would have to do clinical rotations, so anytime I thought of a
project I would say to myself, "oh, I'll do that while Darren is gone!"
Here is my list:
Sewing:
Recover headboard
pillows for back porch
cushion for back porch bench
skirts for Ellie
cute bag for Laura
skirt for me
Harry Potter costumes
cute bag for me
night gown for Anne Marie
hem up jeans
all misc. alterations
Paint:
"You shall see Wonders" for Laura
"You shall see Wonders" for me
flower painting
more sayings to possible start selling on Etsy
saying for Nicole
TV:
start watching Downton Abbey
movie night with kids
watch a fun romance
Clean/Organize:
Ellie's closet
Paul's closet
under Gabe's crib
hall closet
hall bathroom
Gabes clothes
Master closet
Laundry room
kitchen pantry
kithen shelves
garage
living room corner
desk
kids folders
recipe folder
food storage
So, the moment Darren left we pulled out the paints! I ended up helping the kids paint and only got a white background painted for me. I was going to let the house go to pot, have cold cereal every night for dinner, put the kids to bed early and just craft in my pajamas every night from 8-10pm for 4 weeks. It has not gone as planned. I have had something every single night and day.
Here is a little things that I have gotten done instead:
help kids paint
go to baptism
dinner at friends
odyssey of the mind
Kyle sick and home 5 days
Paul scouts
Paul and Ellie after school concert practice
take dinner to Trish
Paul, Ellie, Kyle, basketball practice
Odyssey of the mind practice
visit teach 4 sisters
Odyssey of the mind pick up
take kids to old folks home
Pick up background for Odyssey of the mind.
Go to Walmart and get props for Odyssey of the Mind
grocery shop for day at Odyssey of the Mind
stay up till midnight with Paul and Ellie making costumes for Odyssey
leave by 7:30 am for Odyssey
fix flat tire on the side of the freeway while Gabe is screaming and Paul and Kyle are running around
watch kids perform at Odyssey and stay for 6 hours
get new tires for van
Neighborhood kid birthday party
dinner at friends
girls night out
go to Paul, Ellie, Kyle basketball games.
drag wrestling baby along the whole way
excersize
Achievement Days
make healthy meals.
clean house
do taxes
basketball playoffs
call dr. about Kyle's eye hurting him
call dentish
call health insurance
go over budget
Skype with Darren
laundry
organize
Oh, and do all this with 4 kids and no husband. And in all honesty, I try to keep my life simple! It's ok, the kids have really been having fun.
Well,
that's why in the 9 days he has been gone I have not gotten ONE fun
thing on my list done! I take that back- I have blogged- but that's not
on my list. Maybe I'll write it on my list and then cross it off just
so I feel better. The kids have had a great time- and I have too-I have
gotten a ton done- just not the things I was wanting to do. Hopefully
this next week will be a little slower. My calender is bare for next week- but I am going to fill it with my fun things so nothing else takes that time up. Wish me luck!
Sewing:
Recover headboard
pillows for back porch
cushion for back porch bench
skirts for Ellie
cute bag for Laura
skirt for me
Harry Potter costumes
cute bag for me
night gown for Anne Marie
hem up jeans
all misc. alterations
Paint:
"You shall see Wonders" for Laura
"You shall see Wonders" for me
flower painting
more sayings to possible start selling on Etsy
saying for Nicole
TV:
start watching Downton Abbey
movie night with kids
watch a fun romance
Clean/Organize:
Ellie's closet
Paul's closet
under Gabe's crib
hall closet
hall bathroom
Gabes clothes
Master closet
Laundry room
kitchen pantry
kithen shelves
garage
living room corner
desk
kids folders
recipe folder
food storage
So, the moment Darren left we pulled out the paints! I ended up helping the kids paint and only got a white background painted for me. I was going to let the house go to pot, have cold cereal every night for dinner, put the kids to bed early and just craft in my pajamas every night from 8-10pm for 4 weeks. It has not gone as planned. I have had something every single night and day.
Here is a little things that I have gotten done instead:
help kids paint
go to baptism
dinner at friends
odyssey of the mind
Kyle sick and home 5 days
Paul scouts
Paul and Ellie after school concert practice
take dinner to Trish
Paul, Ellie, Kyle, basketball practice
Odyssey of the mind practice
visit teach 4 sisters
Odyssey of the mind pick up
take kids to old folks home
Pick up background for Odyssey of the mind.
Go to Walmart and get props for Odyssey of the Mind
grocery shop for day at Odyssey of the Mind
stay up till midnight with Paul and Ellie making costumes for Odyssey
leave by 7:30 am for Odyssey
fix flat tire on the side of the freeway while Gabe is screaming and Paul and Kyle are running around
watch kids perform at Odyssey and stay for 6 hours
get new tires for van
Neighborhood kid birthday party
dinner at friends
girls night out
go to Paul, Ellie, Kyle basketball games.
drag wrestling baby along the whole way
excersize
Achievement Days
make healthy meals.
clean house
do taxes
basketball playoffs
call dr. about Kyle's eye hurting him
call dentish
call health insurance
go over budget
Skype with Darren
laundry
organize
Oh, and do all this with 4 kids and no husband. And in all honesty, I try to keep my life simple! It's ok, the kids have really been having fun.
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| Ellie painting! |
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| I ordered pizza and let the kids make a fort. LOL yes my house is a wreck! But we didn't care, we had a great night! |
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| It's coming along nicely! |
Monday, March 4, 2013
Randomness
Ok, I found these random pictures from when we went to Utah in Sept. We went on a double date with Laura and Gordon and had a great time. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time. We were laughing so hard when we were taking them. It was like the first time using the funny photo booth on an ipad. You know what I mean- you take a picture, look at it, laugh till snot comes out your nose, then take another, then another. "Oh, wait, now get one with these glasses on, now these ones, now these glasses making this face, now you wear these glasses, oh wait, that was great, let me try those ones on, take a picture, now a picture with this face, now this one!" We were all being camera hogs! It was hilarious.
Man, I need to go on vacation again! Laughing is good for the soul.
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| Gabe, Darren, me and Laura in case you can't tell |
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| Gabe, an alien and Willma Wonka |
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| Laura Lennon and Gordon in one of his computer programing classes- or is he ready to to burn off someone's warts? |
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| Oh, I don't even know what to say about this one- except it's my personal favorite of Gordon and Laura! You guys need to get this one framed! Or better yet, put it on your Christmas card this year. haha! |
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Goodbyes
Well, Darren left a few days ago for 4 weeks. He is doing a clinical rotation up by Orlando. Do I miss him? Well... of course I do, but I have a bunch of fun projects I have to do while he is gone. Do the kids miss him? Take a look..
These videos are about 2 minutes of a 20 min bawl session. I swear Kyle and Darren and soul mates.
Milestones
There are some mom milestones in life that stand out. For me, the day I didn't have to buckle my kids in their car seats was a big on. When all 3 of them were out of diapers was another. Last week we reached another. Leaving them home alone. Paul is almost 11 going on 14 and so we felt comfortable leaving him home to watch Ellie and Kyle. We found a baby sitter for Gabe, and went out! It was great! When we came home the kids were all in bed and the house was much cleaner than we left it. This note was taped to the stairs to great us when we came in.
Isn't that great!? What an awesome kid Paul is! I felt so happy to be able to trust leaving the kids home. I must mention, that Ellie and Kyle are awesome too- as they helped Paul do some of the cleaning. Then Paul put them to bed in my bed and finished cleaning. When we got home the house was clean and they were all asleep like perfect little angels. hahaha. Why is that so funny? Because it's never like that when we are home!
While, with each milestone, I rejoice and do a happy dance- there is a bit of sadness inside me that knows my kids are growing up. They have outgrown a stage that they will never be in again. It's ok, whenever I get sad like that, I just think of how much I love my child right NOW, wherever they are at, right in this very moment. And then I feel content with whatever the stage we are in may be.
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| Dear Mom and Dad, I cleaned the counters, living room, kitchen table, did the dishes, sweeped, mopped, cleaned your desk, and cleaned the floor. My knee kills! Love, Paul, your only son |
Isn't that great!? What an awesome kid Paul is! I felt so happy to be able to trust leaving the kids home. I must mention, that Ellie and Kyle are awesome too- as they helped Paul do some of the cleaning. Then Paul put them to bed in my bed and finished cleaning. When we got home the house was clean and they were all asleep like perfect little angels. hahaha. Why is that so funny? Because it's never like that when we are home!
While, with each milestone, I rejoice and do a happy dance- there is a bit of sadness inside me that knows my kids are growing up. They have outgrown a stage that they will never be in again. It's ok, whenever I get sad like that, I just think of how much I love my child right NOW, wherever they are at, right in this very moment. And then I feel content with whatever the stage we are in may be.
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