Bits of Good Stuff

1. Seeing my biological Dad, Paul, and his new wife, Dee. Too much time has passed... so good to see them and have my children meet them. My heart was tender.

2. Trying my hardest to listen through the bits of General Conference that I could. Ryan was able to attend Priesthood Session this time and I felt what he was taught. He came home and hugged me and told me he loved me. Really good stuff.

3. Seeing one of my Halloween "Supers" in early action. "Spidey" the two-year-old is.

His Dad says, "If they are all "Supers" than I must be too. What about this:"

This costs about 400 dollars. It's good not to be frivolous I tell him.

4. And even better good stuff. My oldest sister is coming. This weekend. With her new baby. And I can't hardly wait. I'm dragging her red-headed self to the largest Civil War Reenactment in the country. (She says, " You mean, like Sweet Home Alabama?" Heck yes!)

5. And no matter what, even if San Antonio puts the doctor on a wait list for it's allergy program, I know we will be fine. Maybe nearer to family then? Maybe Idaho, maybe California? The doctor will have a job and will be able to take care of us- that's good stuff for certain. Thank you United States Air Force.

S=Squirrel Day= Playgroup Day

I'm in a playgroup exchange with 6 other LDS moms this year--- all such great real moms. It was my turn up to host- S Day it was.

There were flying squirrels:

Find the squirrel with the walnut game:

The "Girls Only" room:

"Boys Only" room:
We went on a hunt as squirrels in the yard to find the nuts I placed, had some lunch, and then said goodbye to our friends. It was "quiet (let mom recover) time" in the afternoon at our house. I'm grateful that I can be home with my kids for these sort of exhausting days. :)

Help

He was stuck. In the pink princess stroller. "Out" he said. I smiled first.

A note to San Antonio

Dear San Anton-

I'm going to be blunt. Do you want us there? If so, make it easy, please. Make the fellowship interview "feel right" for the doctor tomorrow and make the hospital send an offer, quick-like, of course. Have a yellow brick road pointing the way to the oh-s0-perfect-in-the-budget-house. Put us in the right school district near the most perfect park, because my kids love the park, and a well-stocked library. We need nice neighbors, I'm going to miss my current ones dearly, a good ward & a yummy ice cream shop near by. (Of course an ice cream shop!)

Help us to sell our first house smoothly, and for the relocation company to not lose any of our stuff. Well, maybe some of it. I'd like to get a bit new. This is our 11th move you know? In less than 10 years. We need a settling now. Lastly, if you could, please move at least some of our family there to make it easier. Oh, and let our Air Force time be enjoyable. Don't deploy the doctor.

Thank you.

Tanner said

"Will you do Emma's hair so that it points straight up like a tree?"

He was very serious.

I had to

appologize. It went something like this.

Ryan,
I'm going to try to not whine so much and not hate your job and be happy. Like be of good cheer happy. Do you forgive me? For my crankiness? Will you still be my best friend?
ps- and you are right. I set the mood for the house. If I am happy we are all happy.
Lacey

He wrote back that he would still be my best friend. And that he forgave me. I love him.

Happy Jacks

This baby has been so good to me. He lets me sleep through the night. He's found his thumb- and I wake up to the sound in the morning.

I've skipped the milk and he seems to be happier. His Great Aunt Debbie sent this blanket this past week (how'd she know I love polka-dots?) - thank you Aunt Debbie!

Oh Ike. And the 3's.

Ike, Ike, Ike. What have you done? YES you devasted Texas and the coast. But your 75mph winds did hit here. YES, Kentucky. Who would have thought? On Sunday I felt like I was Dorthy from the Wizard of Oz. Things were a-flyin-around....oh my. And now, ALL the neighborhood kids have been out of school ALL week. No power around town. Ours stayed on so I could make the snowcones for the kids that played on the computer and wii on tv and who needed to take hot baths everynight because they had run around carefree outside all day. They say it's coming back on line- just in time for school on monday for certain- right? Oh yes, I say.

The remains of Ike were here while I turned thirty. THE 3-0. Did not make me so-happy-o.
I know it's just a number. I've thought much about the "3's" lately. Like on saturday night I have had to iron "3" sets of boy clothes for church. That I have 3 of those little boys makes me smile- I never pictured myself as a "boy" mom and I know someday I will have to let them go for a couple years. That's hard to think about right now-they're my little guys. I've thought about this being our "3rd" and last year here. I can't wait to be through residency and also know it charts us on a new path- away from Kentucky, that brings mixed emotions. I've thought about my little Emma, who is just 3, and she does not like preschool. And I paid about 300 non-refundable dollars for her to go with registration fees. And I am not going to take her anymore. Because, she is just 3, and she says she just wants to "stay with" me. And I know there will come a day when she will not want to stay with me, so I will give into her demands today. Before I know it she will be saying, "Thirty mom, I can't believe I'm thirty. I always thought old people turned thirty."

I love my in-laws...

They are just good people. Simple and true and funny. My husband is the first-born of 31 grandchildren on his mothers side. He grew up in the country with all his aunts and uncles and cousins around him- literally they were neighbors on both sides. There was an unlimited supply of homegrown fruits and vegetables and he could roam, roam, roam. He was a "free range" (see previous post) handful of a kid, according to family stories. He had a happy childhood that we know we could never duplicate- it would require all his siblings living on the same street in the country (we are wishful though). I have decided that Ryan's mom and her sisters had some serious persuasive power over there husbands to get them to all find work in the same city and buy homes right next to each other. Oh, that I had such power.

Ryan's cousin, Robyn, just went home and shares her trip on her blog. It was so nice to see a current picture of everyone. Did I mention Ryan remembers sharing one milk cow between 5 families while he grew up? I sure hope it is not this one- that good ol' milkin cow deserves a better burial. He fed the masses on that farm.

"Free Range Kids"

Tanner- Can I ride my bike down to Aarons?

me- Well.... uhm.... (stalling, because I know it is just around the corner and he is 7 and what's the big deal? I mean, I rode my bike around the block times over at Grandma's, and walked to school both ways starting in kindergarten with my sisters, and crossed a busy corner or two along the way, and I survived.)

Tanner- Mom? Can I?

me- (and I really said all this) Just there. And be right back. And don't go in the house. Or the backyard. Or get off your bike. Just come straight home and if you don't come straight home in a few minutes I am calling 911. Okay. I don't want to lose you (I'm thinking, or for someone to take you). Come RIGHT BACK. Okay?

Tanner- Mom, it's just like 15 houses down.

And he went and came back in a record of 3 minutes or so. And then I thought about what a freak-out I just did on him. And what does that make him think about the world. When does a mothers instinct get overrun with paranoia? And too much dateline and 20/20? And how can you decipher fear from instinct sometimes?

"Free Range Kids"- is a movement that encourages the parenting of kids that are given a little freedom. Do you ever"...let your kid ride a bike to the library? Walk alone to school? Take a bus, solo? Or are you thinking about it? If so, you are raising a Free Range Kid! At Free Range, we believe in safe kids. We believe in helmets, car seats and safety belts. We do NOT believe that every time school age children go outside, they need a security detail. Most of us grew up Free Range and lived to tell the tale. Our kids deserve no less." It's put all together here quite well.

So, I like this movement. Really. For a time, my sisters and I were latch-key kids and, big news, we were okay. But, I still don't know if I can let go of being my kids "security detail". Maybe, I will tone down the "911" talks a bit. That's a step.

I love this:

Blog: http://goodmommybadmommy.blogspot.com/

And the girlfriends in my ward who treated me today... thank you Kristine. Made the B I G dreaded THREE-O not so forbearing ;)

And my cousin Sara sent me a Scentsy Candle that I really love. Like, could-eat-it-up-it-smells-so-good love.

And my kids love these that Aunt J. sent awhile back. Twilight Turtles and Ladybugs. They shine the solar system on the ceiling and are a flashlight all in one. IF you have a gotta-have-a-flashlight-to-go-to-bed-kid you MUST MUST get one.

And now, I am a badmommy. My baby has been calling. For a few moments.

Landon turns 2

Really, where has his life gone? He loves pizza and "choc" for chocolate milk and soup, soup, soup. He's been known to carry around a cake mix box and tries to persuade me to make it. He has 2 blankies, still takes a nap, thinks he a pro-wrestler and can spot a Batman or Spiderman item from miles away. We love this kid.

(ps- yes I did put a "1" on the cake and "3"candles. The neighbor kids thought it was so funny that I couldn't get the "2" right.)

Our newest addition

I think I need a bus license.

Colors

I'm with the kids at Dee's craft store & getting them out of the car. I noticed an extremely punked out couple of teenagers. Died bright red hair and black and white striped outfits with red boots. Extreme enough for me to pause and not rush the kids out of the car. I was going to wait until they drove off. Plus, they did not reciprocate my smile.

Emma: "Ooooh Mom! I like their colors!"
me: I could tell they were listening. "Yes, I know they are beautiful."

Emma continues really staring at them and then waves at them. They laughed. And smiled at her. Probably the best compliment they ever got.

Crashed and Recovered

(not me, from google images, but Tanner said it looks like it.)

Just let me tell you- do not use LimeWire. And, I needed to check for directions and phone numbers and the stake directory and Ryan is sitting in as Chief Resident and has a big autopsy presentation tomorrow and needed the computer. And it was out of service. For what seemed like days and days. Dang LimeWire. Never again.

It's coming!

The Bluegrass Hot Air Balloon Festival is September 26-28. Check it out here. A definite favorite of our families. Our last year to experience this as well...

Cousin Sara visits

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family.

Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. ~Jane Howard

My cousin Sara is so good-hearted. And I benefited from that heart of hers. She traveled from her home with her 2 year old daughter, observant Ava, to go help a friend in need and then made sure to drive onward to visit me. We caught up 10 years worth. Almost. She helped bounce the baby, tolerated the selfish tendencies of my kids, and let me talk her ear off til past midnight. She'll have to come back again (I'll have cafine-free, diet mtn dew Sara), or maybe I will have to go see her when her new baby girl comes in December.

(holding Jackson with her cute baby bump & note how Ava is always "watching" in the next pictures- so cute. I hope she did not pick up any bad habits.)





ps- It's a small world. I went to visit Sara in Provo during the college years and stayed in her roomate's room- who was out of town. That roommate and my Ryan dated. Sara knew him before I did. Let's just say she has some dirt on him.

Thanks and Gripes

Thank you Stephanie- oh-gift-giver-of-great-taste. I love the "W" everytime I look at it and think of you. Come on over here girl!

Also, I *think* Jackson got his happy back. Call it Gripe Water. Call it qwack medicine. Call it working. And Ryan said to keep it up every 4. Life is getting better.

Who loves me?

I had two monumenetal items happen today. First, I recieved this Anthropologie treasure in the mail today- in a "W" of course. I could not find a single name attached to the item. I know it's not from the Tooth Fairy. Thank you gift-giver of great taste! I felt loved.




But I did not feel the love when my Friday helper-girl-that-made-me-so-happy, had to quit. She decided to go to school instead. Great choice for certain, not so great for me. I had a 2 week tease of kidless errand running. Anyone interested in a job? You will be certainly loved by me and at least 2 little darlings. I promise.

Pouch Baby

Schools back in for Tanner who started 2nd grade, Emma starts preschool 3 days a week, I have a helper-girl on Fridays (bless HER!)to watch whose at home so I can run errands. Jackson cries, cries, cries- Ryan says it's just plain old colic. He just wants to be in the pouch- anyone feel like taking a turn? I've even seen Landon trying to put the getup on- which made me smile. And brings back the memories.

Emma at 3 months old. And yes, I know I look tired.

And yes, she was a crier too.

Landon also at 3 months old. Crier too.
And I look even more tired here- I will not share that picture.

And now for Jacks. He was a magic baby until 6 weeks. What the heck happened?If I'm lucky I can slide him off my shoulder and lay him down without waking him while he stays in the pouch.

One of these kids better haul me around in my old state. They will have owed my crippled back.

Ryan tried to hang Jackson in the pouch from a doorknob in the late hours of the night. I completely refused and insisted he give him to me. He was saved- let's just hope I stay sane through the colic phase on round 4. Also, I might add:

1. I do let him cry.2. Yes, I swaddle. 3. Yes, I am calmer. 4. Yes, I breastfeed. 5. Yes, colic is a true condition in my book. Come over if you don't believe me.

Kentucky and Corn Hole

Yes, "Corn Hole" sounds vulgar. At least to me. But, it's a game or sport or some sort of fanatical thing that causes my neighbors to raise a serious ruckus through the wee night hours. And when I look back on our Kentucky days, Corn Hole will definitely be something regionally linked to those memories. It's as simple as pin the tail on the donkey, all you have to do is get the bag of corn feed in the hole. It's addictive.




My neighbor, Joe as we call him. He's handy. And he's making sets of regulation size and kid sizes for a great price. Ryan has an order in for one of each set. And they will be hauled all over the country I'm certain through our future moves. And people will probably think Ryan's a redneck or something when he invites them over to play. (You can borrow our set, or just get your own from Joe. I can get you his 411.)

Sisters and babies

Ryan's sister had her baby on May 21st. Tate Donald. I love his name- the middle name is for my father-in-law. It's their 3rd and I have heard only the sweetest things about him and his siblings. Tate's probably going to have all sorts of baseball skills. I know his daddy is hoping so.

My oldest sister, Summer Ann, had her baby not a day too soon (and not soon enough certainly). August 5th he arrived weighing just shy of 9lbs. He is also her 3rd and from what I hear bears a strong resemblance to his father. I wish I was there to love on this sweet baby- Gavin Scott. He and Jacks are exactly 7 weeks apart.

Jacks Blessing

Although we had no family near to help bless him, I knew I could not wait for the time when we did. We have many good friends here that helped- and many more that have been so good to us in the past few weeks since his arrival. Ryan blessed him to "be strong and weather the storms of life." My heart was happy.

(I had Jackson at the doctor the day before. He weighed in at 12.6 and the 90th percentile. I wish he would stay small forever- just 7 short weeks ago he was at 6.6 in the hospital.)

I've said this before,

but my one friend told me a long while ago about this girl named "Heather Bailey" and her crazy craftiness. I saw fabric in a store and liked it and realized that "Heather Bailey" was the creator too. I started reading her blog. Anyhow- my really cute sister-in-law, Jill, starts telling me about this little girl she's watching and I hear about her off and on and that the mom has a "really cute" craftroom. Put two and two together weeks later and she's watching Heather Bailey's little girl. (My SIL didn't realize the awareness status of Heather- is it celebrity status?). Jill was even her visiting teacher. And now Jill is her new apron model:




(too many links here I know- gotta run, Jackson's blessing day.)

Home

aghhhhhh. We made it.

We drove there in one day- creating car madness. And tom-tom/gps took us through some serious backwoods of Alabama places. We found a different route coming home. And, stopped over half-way through. MUCH better. Still 12 hours, but better split up.

Tanner loved: "snorkeling with dad!" (ryan adds, we can't forget the jellyfish incident and how he thought he was "going to die"- Tanner, so calm in the midst of stress). Tanner did save Landon's hand from the elevator door, loved the fighter jets at the Air Force Armament exhibit on base at Fort Walton, and lived in his swimsuit.

Emma did not love the beach, mostly the sand. But she did love to swim in the pool. Landon, not much of a speaker yet, would protest if we went the opposite way of the pools to go get a meal or do something un-water related. I heard Ryan say toward the end of the week- Tanner, should we have just gotten a hotel room closer to home to let you guys swim or what?

We walked on the pier, played at the beach playgrounds, swam at various pools, shopped at the outlets, ate some gelato and fish. Our condo had a full kitchen which was a huge help with kids that preferred not to leave the resort.

I over packed clothes for certain, read both 1&2 of the Twilight series, and kept inside during most the day-Jackson is too little for the sun. What I know- we need a suburban. And, Ryan lost his wedding band. Please return if found.

"I don't like the sand." Emma

Back in a week

Jackson- 4 weeks

( Thank you oh-so-talented Kristi!)

Oh, Emma

I was nursing Jackson and Ryan had the kids (and some additional neighborhood ones) outside in the front playing in the sprinkler. (Aunt Melissa had given Tanner a rocket that shoots in the air with the pressure of the hose last summer and it is still the hit.) In a matter of minutes, Emma stepped on a bee that required removal, got pummeled by the rocket that was accidentally misdirected at her head, and then lastly, got enclosed in the new collapsible chairs purchased for our beach trip. (Ryan came in the house to grab something and when he went back out he heard screaming- from inside the chair.) When Ryan brought her in he was laughing, she wasn't. He said life had been hard on her.

We both laugh when we think of being up at Hubers with her this past week and in the fruit/bread market she ran smack dab into one of the buildings retaining post which caused her to literally be flattened to the floor. I actually heard the ringing of the post before I heard her cry. It was that hard. The kind that makes people gasp.

She has been putting her "notes" of scribbles in the mailbox almost daily (we take them out), told me last night my dinner was "disgusting" (baked potatoes and chicken- nothing exotic) and that I should go make her a new dinner like "grandma makes."

Toilet Seat Sombrero

(this is gross- I know. Dora the Explorer doesn't care.)

"Keeps the sun off your face and the poo off your shorts"- Ryan

Everyone needs a John Deere & a vacation

At Hubers in Indiana. The shaved alpaca and pony ride were additional favorites.

Our next adventure? Florida. By car. To here. This coming week. It looks so serene. Oh, let it be.

4th of July

Just sit still!

Comin' up for air-

I love this baby. In all the chaos and sibling rivalry and flying sippy cups and "mine" tantrums that come up in my home, he has been the most calming, soothing, and tender baby. I have sincerely not minded being up with him for feedings at night. (Every 3 hours like clockwork- with no effort on my part.) I entirely believe him to be one of my most heaven sent blessings- one that I really really hoped and prayed for. Each time. But most desperatly this time. A baby that would not cry and be too complicated. I just could not manage. Maybe, he will change. But, right now, I cannot get enough of him- even though he banged up my tailbone good. (I told Ryan, maybe...another? 2? like him?)