Fortunatley, Unfortunatley

These past two weeks have been a real life game of Fortunately, Unfortunately. It's been crazy and we have all been searching for the good with the bad.

It all started with colds. All of us had a cold, some worse than others. My Mom was due to arrive and I felt bad that we all felt bad, but she wasn't canceling on us, so even knowing we were sick, she got on a plane, fortunately. Unfortunately, the day after she arrived the baby was admitted to the hospital in respiratory distress and stayed there for 5 long days. Unfortunately again, we had planned his baby blessing for that weekend and Uncle Jimmy was flying down to bless him. Tickets had already been purchased and fortunately he decided to come anyway. Instead of a baby blessing in church on Sunday with our ward family, we had a very private and sweet blessing in a hospital room with just family, the Bishop and a military relations missionary couple who we have come to love. It was sweet and quite and perfect. Fortunately.

Also Fortunately during that time Mom was able to be at home caring for kids and dealing with little things like school and fevers and house stuff allowing me to put all of my attention on our tiny baby trying hard to get well. Unfortunately, we had to reschedule Megan's birthday party. She was sick and I was caring for Joey, so it had to be moved to another Saturday. It was Princess and Super Hero perfect when we were able to do it.

Unfortunately we got a call from our property manager about our house in Washington on a Monday. While moving in, our brand new tenants had a big issue. The water heater kind of exploded and the water shut off valve broke, leaving water flowing into the garage and all over their belongings that they had just moved in. And emergency plumber and new water heater on a Saturday afternoon equals $$$$. Fortunately, there wasn't any damage to the house, just the belongings in the garage and it was able to be repaired quickly. They never had to have a cold shower and we had some savings to cover the cost. We are glad for a company who is reliable and on top of things in our absence.

The night we got home from the hospital, Mom broke her tooth at dinner. After deciding superglue was not the way to repair a tooth, she remembered her travel insurance. She doesn't have dental insurance at home, but under the terms of her travel insurance while on vacation, she had $500 in dental coverage. Fortunately, we were able to find a dentist to see her at 8:30 the next morning and got her tooth repaired. While she was at the dentist, Meg and baby and I went thrift shopping and found some fun stuff, including a perfect Princess Party dress. All in all a good day.

Unfortunately, Mom never got to see San Diego. She spent most of her time in my house caring for sick kids and my family while I was gone. No Zoo or beach or Seaport Village or even a submarine. We did make time to get a Chinese foot massage, a very different experience and the night before she left we made it to the Mormon Battalion and sight seeing in Old Town. That was fun. We also stopped at Balboa Park on the way to the airport. Fortunately, she had a late afternoon flight and we had time to play in the morning. Fortunately, she was perfectly happy to rock grand kids, play games and hang around the house.

Also Fortunately during this time we had sweet church members and friends bring dinner to our home, come and visit and help in so many ways. During General Conference this month I heard talks about trials and why we have them. We heard that one reason we have trials is so that we can better recognize our blessings and the hand of God in our lives. That has surely been true for me this past month. Through friends, family, and faith I have seen blessings come our way in the midst of trials. We are Fortunate.

Self Sufficiency and other Goings On

What you do when you are almost 5 and you just can't wait another second for your mom to get done feeding/changing/caring for the baby and you NEED your gloves down because it's FREEZING in San Diego? Pull up the chair, then get the foot stool and hope for the best. It didn't work out all that well.

What do you do when you are a tiny baby and your family insists that you need 6 pacifiers in hopes that just one will make you happy? Find your own thumb. Much more satisfying, when you want it.

We are learning to be self-sufficient around here. It's a good lesson to learn early in life.

In other goings on... Mom and Dad had a date night recently thanks to Grandma Cozette being here. We did take the shortest one with us, as he doesn't love taking a bottle. Our date was from Justin's Christmas gift of 12 date nights. A walk around Mission Bay park and dinner at a food truck After searching for an open food truck on a Saturday night, we decided the ice cream truck counted. It was a fun night. We watched the sunset, watched some dancing and had a great walk and talk. Joseph wasn't thrilled the entire night, but he did pretty well.

We've had lots of visitors lately, and their adventures are coming up in another post. Also coming up soon, our 20th anniversary. What to do, what to do...

Basketball Babe

Meg has picked up some great basketball skills lately by playing with her brother and dad. When the next oldest player is more than a foot taller and 6 years older than you, I guess you learn quick or get out of the game. Today she showed off for me a little. She's getting so big... how do I slow down time?

Relying on the strength of the past

Have you ever had a bad day? Not a horribly bad day, but bad enough that you are overwhelmed ill equipped to handle another moment that day has to offer? Days like that seem to be happening to me more and more these days. Maybe it's the added stress of pregnancy or the difficulties I seem to place myself in but life is getting harder and harder. It's days like these that I am grateful for the past. I am glad to be able to look back and see that I have come through difficult days before and it gives me strength to conquer the challenge I am facing today. I have strength through many sources, none of which come from me, but from all around me when I choose to reach for them.

   Recently I was going through some pictures and found these sweet photos of my kids. They give me more strength than I could imagine, even though they are often the source of my want of it. I looked at their happy faces, thought of the challenges to come and how they seemed blissfully unaware of them. They were living in the moment, loving each other and just being kids. Looking back on happy moments gives me strength to go on each day, even the hard ones.

Oh, kids...

"Mom," the Little Girl asks, "what do snails eat?"
Distractedly I reply, "Grass and bugs and stuff I guess." She goes away. A few minutes later she pops back in. Mom, do snails sleep? 
Ummm, yes, I suppose they do.
Mom, Where do they like to live, in the sun or the shade or both?
Both I guess.
Mom, do you think they eat rolly pollys?
Probably.
Mom, do snails like to be with their friends?
Ok- What is going on out there?

That's when I go and investigate. They are both having a fine time going around the yard and picking up snails and putting them in a bucket. About a 3 gallon size bucket is more than 3/4 full with snails and grass and bugs of different kinds. The plan is to put a frisbee on the top of them so that they don't crawl out and watch their snail habitat for changes and to see if they like being with friends. Science experiment gone awry or just kids curiosity? At least most of my planters are safe for a while.

Burnt Toast

"Mommy," says a little girl in what sounds like a whine, "I made toast for you and me, but it came out black."

Time Out. It was the last loaf of bread in the house, and the last two pieces. It also means some Small Child decided she was big enough to use the toaster by herself this morning, without Mom's help or oversight.  And I didn't ask for toast, that was just something she decided she wanted to do this morning. I go into the kitchen and see honey on the counter and the toaster with it's little knob turned all the way to one side, indicating it would only make burnt toast. Deep breath.

"That's ok, kiddo", I say, "My mom taught me a long time ago how to fix burnt toast."

As I scraped off the black parts into the sink I couldn't help thank my Mom for showing me that not every little thing has to be a big deal. It's just toast, not the end of the world and the love and intentions behind the blackness were pure and good. Sometimes black toast can make you cranky, but it's not the toasters fault. The toaster does what it's told to do and the outcome can't be different than the setting we made. I am thankful for a mom who took the time to teach me to scrape the black off the toast, reset the toaster and move on and that a little apple butter goes a long ways towards making too crunchy toast edible in the mornings too.

I have a great kid with a big heart. Black toast or not, it's going to be a good day.

Our Recent Road Trip

Please tell me your road trips sound something like this... I can't be the only one.

Mom, the GPS says you are going the wrong way. Turn around.

At about 35 miles in when it barely starts raining, I realize I have no windshield fluid and a smeared mess on my windshield making in difficult to see, at best. So, the next small town, I stop to buy some. While opening the foil covering, it splashes up all over my face and the only thing I can see is the label that's very large and says POISONOUS. Perfect.


Mommy, I can't find my Strawberry Shortcake. We left her! We have to go back. I answer: No, she's in the trunk. She says: Then stop and let's get her right now.

10 more miles down the road and the little one is already doing the potty dance. We in the middle of the desert, with nothing but cactus and RV's traveling at 35 mph around us at the side of the road peeing in the rain. I have to remind myself I have a good life. I love being a mom. Really, I do.

Mommy, can you ask Brother to read me a story? Brother uses voices she doesn't like. Mommy, can you ask brother to STOP.READING.THAT.BOOK!!!

The windshield wipers then decide to disintegrate. The right side starts scraping the glass. I thank Heaven for the RainX I decided I HAD to use. 30 miles in the rain to the next town.

Now to get the wipers off in the parking lot of Riley's while it's raining and both the kids want out. My size is sold out in the affordable wipers, of course and I have to get the pricey ones. I did get an offer of help, after I was done, from a nice young man who kept calling me Ma'am. Military, right out of boot camp, buying wipers for his brand new Mustang GT. After they are installed again, and more than 30 minutes has passed, the little one is again doing the potty dance. To the gas station.

I try to pay for gas at the pump while the big kid takes the little one to the bathroom that I can see from where I stand. The screen is broken and the pump won't work. I have to go in and cause a line to form while the overworked clerk figures it out and my kids walk out of the bathroom and look lost. Yikes.

They are hungry. They don't want the sandwiches I have packed. They will eat the cookies, bananas and crackers instead. I look in the back seat and see crackers flying across the car. It's loud back there.

As it turns out, the more expensive wiper didn't work all that well either. Now I have a smear directly in my line of view on the driver's side every time the wiper swooshes by.

We approach the agriculture checkpoint. I am asked if I have any fruit or plants. Before I can say anything the short kid yells that she wants the strawberries, NOW! Why yes, officer, I have some sliced strawberries, but if you take them from me, I am leaving the child with you too. We are told to have a good day and allowed to leave.

Another potty break. This one is off of some random exit where I happened to find a baseball park with an open bathroom. I make the kids run around the bases 6 times in the wind and drizzle before I will let them back in the car, hoping to make them tired. It doesn't work.

Here come the hills. My cruise control is working great, but I guess not everyone's is. Mom, we are playing leapfrog with that white Mustang. No, I am going the same speed. He is not. He is playing leapfrog.

Let the songs begin. It stops the hitting for a while. We sing 3 Little Monkey's Swinging in a Tree, If You're Happy and You Know it (except nobody claps), I Had a Little Turtle, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Popcorn.

It starts to snow on the top of the pass. I slow down and say something casually about the snow. The Little One can't see it and so she loudly argues with both me and her brother for a long time. Until it quits snowing.

They are touching each other. I don't know why. They have an entire backseat. It's making me and them crazy. I try turning the radio back on. It doesn't work and the screaming continues until I scream and scare them quiet. Yes, I am loosing it at this point. Are we there yet?

Let's teach Sis to count to 20. And so about 20 times in a row she misses 17, 18, and 19. She hits 20 every time though. Maybe she'll get it soon.

They need more snacks. They don't like what I have to offer. I say too bad.

Little One spills red juice all over her green pants and has another fit.

The radio comes back on. On NPR, which is about all we listen to, the conversation is about the government shutdown looming. Big kid wants to know what that means for us. Do we have enough money to get through the month? Will he still have to go to school?

I get a call on my hands free wireless headset from the neurologist at the hospital who wants to discuss the Big Kid's MRI results. By this time I am stressed enough and driving fast, so I tell him to spill it quickly and remember that I am driving. He says everything's fine, the kid has a good brain and there aren't any visible problems right now. Good enough for me. I hang up.

I see a shoe fly across the back seat of the car in the rear view mirror. I don't care.

Traffic starts up for real. We are almost home and I am happy.

Total miles: 269. Total time: 5 hours 48 minutes. I decide I am off of the road trip circuit for a while. It's exhausting.

So much to catch up....

Seriously, I should be doing 7 other things right now including packing for at least an overnighter. I also have a class to teach in about 2 hours and need to find something respectable to wear. I just felt like I needed to fill you in on some of our latest adventures a little. I have bigger posts planned, but they aren't quite ready to go yet. It's on my list.... really.

For our 19th Anniversary this year Justin and I were able to do a little get-a-way. We had such a great time in a small little coastal town not too far away. Grandpa Joe came and stayed with the kids. I think they wore him out. He left quickly once we got home. We went to Knott's Berry Farm without kids, which was a blast. We went whale watching, to the town's small festival, hung out on the beach, walking and exploring. It was amazing and we needed it after the past couple of months.

Megan turned 4 a couple of weeks ago and we had a perfect Pink and Purplealicious party for her and her friend. There was glitter and cupcakes and games and the trampoline. So much fun. I think the glitter will still be on the porch when we move in another 2.5 years.

Oh, I got my hair cut off. I know I do it about every 5 years and it was time again. It was long and hard to keep up and after two weeks of having it up every day Megan told me "You don't always have to wear a pony tail, Mom." Well, since that would require more effort and energy than I had, I decided to do something about it. On her birthday we both got haircuts and then we came home and did our nails. So much fun.

There has been a lot more going on the past few weeks also. It has made me remember and think about how lucky we are to live in a beautiful area, with great friends all over the world who care and think of us. We have a little family who loves each other, even though things can be hard sometimes. We work together to be happy. What a blessing.

Ehlers-Danlos

This is our new face of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Aren't they just the cutest things?

In all fairness, Adam is the one who was diagnosed this week and Meg hasn't been examined yet, but based on my statements to the geneticist, she has the same genetic disorder. As far as genetic disorders go, this is an easy one to have. I am glad to finally have something to point to and show the doctors from my past I am not a bad mother, even though my children scar and bruise easily and that I am not insane for insisting that a 2 year old waking up screaming his legs hurt at night was not normal. It's not just growing pains.  Now that we know what it is, we know what to look for in the future and what to do about it now.

   Adam has the Hypermobility type (formally type 3) of Ehlers-Danlos. There are other types, and sometimes symptoms overlap, but for the most part, that is his diagnosis. From the EDNF.org site, here's the description:

    Joint hypermobility is the dominant clinical manifestation. Generalized joint hypermobility that affects large (elbows, knees)and small (fingers and toes) joints is evident in the Hypermobility Type. Recurring joint subluxations and dislocations are common occurrences. Certain joints, such as the shoulder, patella, and temporomandibular joint dislocate frequently. The skin involvement (hyperextensibility and/or smooth velvety skin) as well as bruising tendencies in the Hypermobility Type are present but variable in severity.

   So the fact that he had "nursemaid's elbow" for the first time at 3 months old and then almost monthly until he was 3 is now magically explained. The long term affects of this disorder are early onset arthritis, say in late 20's or maybe earlier. Scoliosis, which he already has a bit of and easily injured joints. Connective tissue in the eyes may also be affected, so we will watch for that. Treatment at this point is limited to physical therapy to strengthen muscles around joints that could be easily injured. It's not going to be a big deal right now. As they get older, different things may come up, but at least we know what direction to look in now. This also means his NFL career is over before it began, the NBA is out, and he will not be an Olympic wrestler, gymnast or skier. He could still take the gold in swimming though or take the Tour De France title at some point, so look out world.

  Here's the cool factor... at least my kids think so. Bug can take his left arm, wrap it around his back to the right side of his body and touch is belly button. That's pretty darn flexible. Meg can crinkle her thumb back almost to the point of touching the back of her hand with it. Crazy. They think party tricks are fun.

I just can't help it

My kids are just so darn cute. I had to share. Thanks to Jodi at MCP actions for these cute FREE Valentine's card downloads. I had them printed up and will be sending them out to family soon, since I missed Christmas cards all together. Sorry about that folks. Life doesn't always fit the "want to's" in. Enjoy these cuties.

Finding Joy Every Day

Sometimes you just wake up in a bad mood. This morning my darling Meg was at my bedside at 6 am, just 7 minutes after Justin left for work today. She wanted her Dora surprise. I had no idea what she was talking about and she was getting mad about it. A few minutes into the incoherent conversation she decides she's going to be happy with a yogurt instead. About an hour later she comes up to me and tells me she thinks the Dora surprise was a dream. She had a dream that was real to her and was mad I wasn't up to speed on it.

Earlier in the week my neighbor dropped by. She had a stack of Parenting magazines. She said, "I don't know why I am getting these. I didn't subscribe to them. I can't use them and I thought you could." After staring blankly at her, I took the magazines, said thanks and went in to shut the windows that are on her side of the house. I am not sure she meant anything by it, but it really made me think how loud my voice could really get and how much of my life my neighbors knew about that I don't want them to. I know a little too much about them too. Windows in the back of the house now remain shut and Meg has lots of magazines to cut pictures out of. Oh, I got a new dinner recipe too. Can't wait to try it.

We had a friend stop by with her kids the other day. Meg and her little boy are close to the same age. Meg wanted to play Hide-n-Seek with him. She brought him to her favorite hiding place and told him, "You stay here and hide. I will go and count. I will be right back." And off she went. The best part was, he stayed there.

After Meg's latest reading lesson she got out the Children's Songbook. It's a collection of Primary songs for children in our church. She loves to bring it to me, randomly open it and have me sing her the song. We had a little sing a-long today. So sweet. After I was done, she remained on the couch to sing on her own. I hear this from the kitchen, "Mary wants me for a Sunbeam, sunbeam, sunbeam. Mary loves me and wants me to be a sunbeam for her." So I ask, "Who's Mary?" "You know", she says, "Row, row, row your boat, Mary down the stream. She wants me to be a Sunbeam today." Later she sang the same Sunbeam tune with the words "Daddy wants me for a prayer." Several times.

Sometimes in the day to day with the laundry never ending and the dishes stacking up and the kid messes and never ending project lists and meetings and commitments, it's really hard to remember why we are all here. To have joy and be joyful. I am so grateful today for my darling daughter who tries my patience more than anything and brings joy to my heart every day. I am going to try and pay a little more attention to the joyful, uplifting and good things around me. Won't you join me?

A Mommy Superhero

Mom's are Superhero's. There's no other explanation for surviving our children's childhood. We must have some sort of super powers bestowed on us during pregnancy, just to make it through childbirth. I was laying in bed today, fending off children this morning thinking of all of the ways mom's have to have super power.

Super Mom's have super food sense. They can make breakfast out of bottled pears and peanut butter toast. They know what their children will absolutely not eat while still making an effort to expose them to new and different things that some day in the future, they may like. She knows that even when dining at the best family friendly Mexican restaurant in town, her kids will cry if they don't get to order chicken nuggets and french fries, or a grilled cheese sandwich, the small ones standing order at any restaurant. They can come up with a snack out of the bottom of a purse like magic. It may be a breath mint or an old, fuzzy piece of hard candy, but a Super Mom knows it will keep them quiet for at least 20 seconds, and that's all she she needs to recharge.

They have Super hearing. A Super Mom can tell what her child is up to by the sound of the toys falling on the floor, two stories and one wing away. "Domino's", she tells her friend, who nods with agreement. She also knows when something is not right. It's the super sonic hearing that allows her to sneak in the bedroom and watch silently as her toddler sits happily with a pair of scissors and My Pretty Pony with pink pony hair all over the floor. She's able to surprise the toddler into never, never touching scissors to hair again. So far. She can also tell when to check on the kiddos who have found the permanent markers, or precariously perched one step stool on top of another on top of a chair in order to get the piece of candy they somehow know is in the top of the cupboard. She can also hear them plotting in bed, and decode the phone tones to the texts the teens are sending. It's uncanny.

A Super Mom has Super Finding skills. She just knows where things are, probably from the millions of times she has picked up and put away things that her children never touch except when they are deemed unfindable. Where's the shoe? Under the bed on the left hand side behind the teddy bear. Where's your hat? You hate wearing it, so you always put it in the laundry. It's in the bottom of your dirty laundry basket. Where's the Lovey? In the car where you fell asleep with it last. A pencil? You had it in bed last night doing Suduko, so it's probably under the covers somewhere.The channel changer? She knows, but she's not telling you. Go find something else to do.

There are the Super clothes matching skills too. A Super Mom respects her children's desire for individuality, while carrying the understanding that there is only so far you can push fashion without getting laughed and pointed at. The toddler's 4th of July checked shorts are cute, but she just can't wear them with the blue and yellow striped shirt she's chosen. Shorts for big kids that are so tight you can't bend over in them, or conversely so big they fall to your ankles every time you stand up are also unacceptable. As for the husband person, a Super Mom knows to keep the blue socks in a totally different place than the black socks. The Super Power comes not only in recognizing all of this, but being able to kindly and firmly convince the rest of the family of the same.

A Super Mom also has Super Eyesight. Even if she wears glasses, contacts or has an astigmatism. She can spot the potty dance from a quarter mile away. She can find her tricky, fast children as they dart from place to place at a busy park. She can tell a child's mood as they walk in the door instantly. She knows when something is up by the condition of the clothing and backpack the child left in upon their return. She also knows that boys license plate number, even when he didn't come to the door like a proper kid and introduce himself. No date is safe. She can spot a child made hair cut a long way off and knows when an owie is serious or not in an instant.

There are many, many other Super Powers given to Super Mom's; a comforting voice, a healing touch, the ability to make up words to any picture book she comes across, and make 40 cupcakes at 10:00 at night for the school carnival. Story telling, teaching, listening, hoping and praying. The biggest one is love. Even when being awaken with a wet person next to you, even when the bugs somehow get out of the jar and escape into the house, even though the dog or cat got out again, even when there is marker on the wall and pretty pony hair on the floor, even then there is love. Mom's have the super capacity to love, no matter what and even when it's hard. What a blessing to be, or to have a Mom.

Home again

We are home again, almost. The plane leaves tomorrow. We have had a great time with cousins, friends and grandma's. My kids love thier Grandma's. And of course Great Grandpa, he was pretty funny according to my 3 year old.

Here are some pictures to tide you over. I know you were waiting and waiting for them... :)

Pictures, Packing and Puking

I love my life. The good, bad and ugly of it. These past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind.

I have been invited into the lives of others to do some really fun photographs and spend some time with some amazing people. The twins actually took two sessions to do, but there are two of them, so that makes sense.

The Sweet Three year old here has been a part of my photography since I took his one year photos on a beach watching for the big submarine to leave port one day. It made that day a little more bearable for all of us and I am glad I have been able to keep up with him and his wonderful Mama. He's a big boy now, with that three year old attitude, which I love.

We are packing to go back up to WA for a brief visit. My grandpa is still very ill and I just feel like now is an important time to visit. I doubt we will make it back up there in the next year or so. Meg is very excited about her first plane trip and has been asking every day for the past 2 weeks if this was the day we get on the plane. Soon, sweetie. Too bad soon for a 3 year old means a totally different thing than it does for me. I will be in Central WA, and won't have wheels, but after flying all that way, if you would like to drive over and visit, we would LOVE it.

In the midst of packing and trying to process pictures and checking things off of my list, the kids started puking. Oh the joys of motherhood. They seem to be on the upswing so hopefully they will be travel ready by the time the plane takes off. The Scripture comes to mind about living in a state of innocence and knowing no joy, for they knew no misery. (2 Ne 2:23) I really am grateful my life is joyful.

My Mysterious Mother's Day Card

It's not like I don't know who the card was from, I do. I only have two kids and they are both pretty cute. It's that I wasn't quite sure what exactly the sentiment meant. I hope it's a nod to the priority we set to service to others around here. He didn't really have much to say about it. When I asked what it meant, he said, it means what it says. Just like his daddy. They don't say much, but they say what they mean. Even if I don't always grasp the entire meaning. Those two have big hearts.

Meg's top 10 quotes

Meggy's quotes this week:

1. Those are NOT my favorite clothes.


2. But I NEED the chocolate.


3. I am walking fast mom (as she pokes along at a snails pace), see? The kitty is slow. (who is sitting in the middle of the road watching us.)


4. I need a dandelion flower to make me happy.


5. I will be happy mom, I am not naughty now. I need a little girl show.


6. I will get a granola bar and you will open it for me, right?


7. Flowers is my new favorite game. (Thanks Annie, for that one. She loves it!)


8. (watching Scooby Doo) I will not be scared this time. It's not scary, not scary.


9. Will you be a nice Mama and get me a Scooby Snack now?


10. Brother is not being nice. He's naughty. He doesn't get a little girl show.

I love my Meggy. She's such a delight and she makes us smile every single day.

The Indoor Pic-Nic

We can't go outside

It's too wet, cold and hazy

We've been stuck inside this house

And we're driving Mom crazy.

Mom lays on the couch

Coughing and sneezing

So Adam made lunch

His sister he's pleasing.

A pic-nic inside

With peanut butter and honey

Some apples and crackers

And jokes, so it's funny.

They sat on the blanket

And they munched away

They did something fun,

On this cold windy day.