When I Came Into the World...

It was 1969 and Richard Nixon was President of the United States. The world had just witnessed Neil Armstrong's historic first steps on the moon, and America was in the midst of the Vietnam War.

It was the end of the hippie movement...

and this was fashion.

Scooby-Doo, the Brady Bunch and Sesame Street first became a part of American households.

And this song was at the top of Billboard 100. Isn't the guy on lead vocals so hot?

Yes, I'm that old. *Sigh*

I Do All My Own Stunts

I was trying to be a good mommy today by taking Andrew and Natalie to the park. Or maybe I was just avoiding all that laundry upstairs? Anyway, at our little neighborhood park there are two slides that run side by side. Andrew was having such a good time racing me and Natalie down, taking such pride in defeating us everytime. It was all fun and games until he coaxed me over to the tall slide. With much encouragement, and a little push, down I went with Natalie on my lap. As I reached the bottom, I gained a little more momentum than I had anticipated and then shot off the slide. Hoping to save Natalie from injury, I sacrificed myself, landing gracefully face down in the wood chips.
Regaining my composure, I looked down at Natalie. No tears, and completely unscathed. Just a look that seemed to say, "What were you thinking?" I arose to take a bow, but unfortunately didn't have much of an audience. I therefore had to applaud myself for my neat trick. Ta-daaaaah!

The Crossroads of Life

My "schedule" has changed and I am now taking Matthew and Jeremy to school in the morning. In dropping them off the first day, Jeremy instructed me that I was supposed to give him a kiss and a hug before he left. And then he added that I was to do the same for Matt. Other than his first day, I realized I had never taken Jeremy to school.
Later in the day Megan came home from school feeling so downhearted. I put my arms around her and the tears flowed.
I often feel overwhelmed with the responsibilities that lie upon my shoulders in raising and caring for all five of my amazing children . It's moments like these that I realize the power I have in being their mother, and then I feel strengthened.
I am reminded of the words of President Ezra Taft Benson, "Be at the crossroads. Take time to always be at the crossroads when your children are either coming or going."
So important. So very important.

Hangin' with the Ririe's

We always enjoy sharing our home with out of town guests. Coming all the way from St. George, Taylor, Sheree, Talia, Makaela, and Blake stopped in for a little visit. They spent Friday night with us, giving Natalie and Blakey a chance to get reacquainted.

You'd never know that the little man in blue is three months younger than the little lady in pink.

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Governor's Review
On Saturday, they invited us to attend the Governor's Review at Rice-Eccles Stadium. The kids and I thought Brent would enjoy it, so we decided to take him. He was wowed by the planes, tanks and helicopters.

I spy Uncle Taylor near the second blue flag.

Andrew told the army guy to shut the door. He really thought he was going for a helicopter ride.

Dad had a great time,
but he sure wore all of us out.

Routinely Exceptional

As I have once confessed, I'm just not a routine person. However, I do my best to establish some semblance of routine as to minimize the damage I do to my children. I like the school year because the imposed schedule tends to help me with my personality deficiency, making it a little easier to get into a routine. EXCEPT for this year. There are so many EXCEPTIONS to the routine that it is enabling my dysfunctional non-routine behavior. On weekday mornings Megan leaves for the bus at 6:45. Matthew's ride usually picks him up about 8:30, at which time Jeremy goes next door to catch his ride. Jeremy's kindergarten ends at 11:35 and is brought home shortly thereafter. Megan bus drops her off at 2:45, and at 3:10, I pick up Matthew and the neighbors from school. UNLESS it's Wednesday, which means early out for the elementary school kids. Everybody leaves at the same times, but Jeremy gets out of kindergarten at 10:35 and Matthew gets out at 1:05. So that's our schedule, UNLESS it's late start Monday that occurs once a month. On these days, Megan's bus comes an hour later, and the boys start school at 10:00, which means I drive because my neighbor is unable to do so because of her work schedule. They all get out at the normal times EXCEPT for Jeremy who gets out at 12:20 and is brought home by his carpool. UNLESS it's the third week, then I do the picking up.
I ALMOST don't even have to look at the school handbook anymore to know what time to send my kids out the door, or get in the car to pick them up, or not go anywhere because they will be home soon. Maybe that makes me routinely exceptional!

Thankful Thursday - A Good Night's Sleep (and the drugs that make it possible)

I remember a job interview I had not too many years ago. I was being interviewd by a group of staff members at a day clinic, one being a recent BYU grad who was still a bachelor. As one last question he wanted to know what my passion in life was. The first response that came to my mind? An uninterrupted night of sleep. I can't remember what "right" answer I gave him, but I'm sure it was far from the truth.
Going through the newborn phase again keeps my passion for an uninterrupted night of sleep burning strong. Natalie has been suffering from acid reflux, resulting in weight loss and lack of sleep for both us. She is now sleeping through the night, and gained nearly half a pound in two weeks thanks to the wonders of antacids.
In the midst of resolving Natalie's problem, my allergies kicked in high gear. Antihistamines temporarily alleviated my symptoms. And then I began struggling with shortness of breath and annoying coughing attacks that interrupted my recently acquired good night's sleep. I finally went to the urgent care and benefited from a breathing treatment, antibiotics, and an inhaler.
A healthy dose of continuous hours of sleep does wonders for the psyche!

California Visitors

We had visitors from California over the holiday weekend by the name of Granny and Papa. I absolutely appreciated the two extra pairs of hands that helped me tend to these little ones, especially since I've been under the weather. We all reveled in their company as it meant a week that consisted of playing cards, swimming, playing Barbies, reading books, naps (for Mom), garage sale rummaging, front porch sitting in the thunderstorm, hot chocolate with Granny's flavored creamer, Dad's doughlectible cinnamon rolls, walks to the park with Papa, more swimming, painting nails, favorite consignment store shopping, Dad's fancy cooking, building puzzles, and lots of screaming, bouncing-off-the-walls-with-excitement activity of kids who were so glad to see them come and very sad to see them go.

We miss you already. Hope the time passes quickly until we are able to see you again.

Feelings of Fall

Labor Day weekend brought thunderstorms, as promised by Mr. Weatherman, and left the coolness of fall weather. I only wish it was here to stay. I can feel my favorite season of the year is right around the corner. I'm anxious for the next few weeks to pass, anxious for when we will be seeing more of this:
I like fall for the season of new beginnings it has always brought into my life. My falls are filled with memories of my birthdays, new school years, being baptized, going to the temple for the first time, the Missionary Training Center, being newly married, my first job as a registered nurse, living in a new home, loving a brand new baby....
Now each fall, as my children embark on a new school year, I welcome even more new beginnings as we progress through the ever changing seasons of our lives.

Proud Moments

Earlier this summer Matthew attended Scout camp and earned his first belt loops and pins. He successfully completed requirements for Archery, BB Gun Shooting, Swimming, and Map & Compass. He was so proud at Pack meeting tonight when they called him up to receive his awards. First thing back to his seat, he handed them all to Brent to help him place them on his uniform. Great job Matt!

Miss Natalie's Half Birthday

Our little angel is already six months old today. She's growing, growing, growing....but not as quickly as the doctor would like her to be. I took Natalie in for her 4 month check up (7 weeks late-oops!) and found out she dropped from the 25th percentile to the 5th percentile in weight. Later when I was filing her growth chart, I compared it to her 2 month check up. She had only gained 2lbs. 2 oz. in nearly four months. The doctor prescribed Zantac and Prevacid as she had been spitting up quite a bit. Oh-she shouldn't be doing that anymore? Within 2-3 days of taking the medication she pretty much stopped regurgitating. And an added bonus, started sleeping through the night. So I guess I won't be getting the Mom of the Year Award.

The good news is that she's developing normally in all the other areas. She is getting closer to sitting up on her own. She still loves, loves, loves it when all attention is focused on her. She melts your heart with her enchanting smiles. She is very expert at raspberries. She's grabbing at objects within reach, and stretches for or wiggles towards items that catch her interest but aren't as close. And she definitely knows the lady who feeds her.

Looking forward to seeing some chub-chubs very soon. Fingers crossed.