Some of my current obsessions:
Avery noticed my open heart surgery scar today. She asked what it was and I told her. She asked if it hurt when I had surgery and I said, "I'm pretty sure it did, I really can't remember." She then said, "well, did you at least get a lollipop after. Or, even a sticker. I always get one when I go to the doctor."
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The kids were all talking about whether or not we will ever move from our house. I told them I did not see us moving anytime in the foreseeable future. Cameron said he didn't want to have to ever leave home because that meant he was leaving his family. I told him he was going to have to leave eventually. I wasn't going to let him stay there forever. ☺ Tyler piped up and said, "well, as soon as I turn 18, I'm packing up all of my stuff and getting out of there." Thanks Tyler. That made me feel really loved. Little punk. ☺
Today, my little girl is 5 years old. Happy Birthday Avery! I love you!
I literally spend my entire day walking from one room of my house to another, picking up stuff and putting it back where it belongs. My kids literally spend their entire day following me, taking stuff from where I just put it and moving it to another location all over again. The fun never ends.
This is Bob. She's a terrier/poodle mix. I bought her in November 1996 and she was my dog until I got married in September 1998. She became my parents dog after that because I couldn't have pets in the apartment we moved into. Over the past few months, her health has been declining. It was recently discovered that the joints in her knees were deteriorating, so, she walked with a limp. She was able to get around, but you could tell that she was in pain. When the knee problems were discovered, the vet also found that she had a liver condition. So, after Avery said to me "Uhhh...what the hell are these?", I said to her, "Avery, (in a very shocked and disgusted tone) don't say that!" She replied (in a snotty, teenager like tone) "Ummmm ooookaaaay...but what the hell are they?" Again, I only have myself to blame.
Yesterday, I was making some baby shower invitations. Avery picked up some of my 3D adhesive dots and said "Uhhh....what the hell are these?" I have no idea where she would have ever heard something like that.
I know, I know. It's all my fault. I need to learn to watch my mouth.
Yesterday, I needed to soak my foot in a hot bath. Telling you why is too long of a story. I'll just say that I was attacked by a can of Betty Crocker chocolate frosting. It wasn't good. When I got out of the tub, I asked Cameron and Avery where Peyton was. They were supposed to be keeping an eye on him. Cameron said, "I don't know." Avery said, "Oh, he wanted to go outside and so I opened the front door and let him out." I screamed at the top of my lungs, "you did what!?" and immediately freaked out. I first ran through the entire house screaming Peyton's name. There was no answer. I threw on some shoes and ran outside on my gimpy foot. Avery said, "I'm pretty sure I saw him go this way," pointing up the street and running off in that direction. Cameron ran off screaming, crying and terrified to get Tyler to come and help us. I was absolutely frantic. I ran up and down the street calling his name. He was out in just a diaper and his pajama shirt which just screams "I have a horrible, neglectful mother who never watches me and lets me roam the streets". Every kind of horrible scenario you can imagine ran through my mind. I decided that running around and screaming was pointless. I needed help right away. I ran back into the house to call Ryan to tell him I had lost our child and that I would be going to hell for it. I ran into my bedroom to use the phone on my desk. I called his him and he didn't answer. I started to call his pager when suddenly I heard, "Mom". I turned and saw Peyton come crawling out from under my bed. I screamed, slammed the phone down and grabbed him. He saw how upset I was and started crying. I nearly passed out I was so relieved. The little stinker had been in my room, under my bed the entire time. Avery had never let him out and when I asked her why she would say something like that she just shrugged and said, "hmmm...I don't know."
Ryan and I have decided that our kids are going to be unplugged from technology for a little while. I know, the horror. We are the meanest parents in the world and we don't even care. Tyler is the one complaining the loudest about it. He thinks we're out to get him and kill any kind of fun he may ever have. I told him he was absolutely right and before I do anything, I make sure it will destroy his fun. It's the only thing that makes me truly happy.
We've decided that they're going to do things the way they were done in the olden days. (When we were kids.) Their TV and computer time is going to be drastically cut. They are going to read and play outside a little more. So they can, you know, use their brains and imagination. Oh yeah, and they're going to clean up ALL of the messes they made yesterday before they can do anything else. They're really loving life right now.
Last night, I went to my ward's temple night at the Jordan River Temple. I went by myself because Ryan ended up having to work. I already had babysitting arranged and figured it would be silly to waste it and sit at home. I left just after 6:00 to give myself plenty of time to get there for the 7:00 session. Even leaving then, it still took until about 6:40 to get there. Traffic, etc. I rushed in to get ready. (Don't we all do that?☺)
I thoroughly enjoyed my time there. It was a lovely, spiritual, relaxing evening. On my way out to my car, I walked slowly to try and make my time there last as long as I could. I was in no rush to get back to life. I noticed that others were doing the same thing. No one seemed in any hurry to leave. The exact opposite of on the way in. Seeing it only confirmed to me once again just how important regular temple attendance is. It's not only good for those we are there for, it's good for us. It lifts and nourishes us spiritually and we can't help but leave in a better mood.
Ryan and I have committed to each other that we will attend our ward's temple night every month. We attend fairly regularly (not once a month, but probably every couple of months), but have never been very good about making it there on that specific night. We need to and we will. I want to feel the way I did last night a lot more often.
I've discovered a discrepancy between my two scales. I have one of the regular old kinds of scales that have the needle that points to your weight (that's the really technical name for it). And I have a digital one that also measures your body fat percentage. The digital one says that I've lost 10 pounds. The regular old one says I've lost 14. I like what the regular old one says and so I'm going with it.
I don't know if anyone noticed, but a while back, I removed the follower gadget from my blog. I've removed a lot of superfluous stuff from it as a matter of fact. I'm thinking of getting rid of more. I don't really know if I can explain why I did it. I'll try, but I'm sure I won't do a very good job.
Let's see....I think I'm just like any other normal human being. I like having friends and making connections with others. I have truly enjoyed finding and getting to know, in at least a small measure, the people I have met through the blogging community. I hope I don't make myself too much of a nuisance to them. You know, commenting on their blogs all the time, thereby making them feel like they have to comment on mine even though they don't want too. If you don't want too, you really don't have too.
Because I'm a normal human being, I do feel flattered that people read the fluff I write. It gives me kind of a giddy, childish feeling to know that. That being said, I'm sure there are also people who read because they think I'm ridiculous and they like to laugh at me. I don't mind. It's just life. In fact, it kind of makes me feel normal if someone out there can't stand this blog. I don't care whether I know those who read, or not. They can read and they can comment, or not. I don't write what I write in the hopes of generating lots of comments. (Although, it is nice and very much appreciated when they are left.) I write what's on my mind. That's it. That's not entirely true, I don't write everything that's on my mind. Maybe I should. ☺
When I first installed the follower gadget, I kind of liked it and it made me kind of nervous at the same time. I know that sounds stupid, but it's always felt like a double edged sword. It lets you know who likes you, but it also lets others know just how many like you. A popularity contest almost. She who dies with the most friends wins. I don't like that. In fact, I think the attitude is pretty stupid and it annoys me. Tremendously. Always has and always will. I'm not in this to win it. I want this to be a no pressure situation for me and for those who read. So, if you're sick of following me, or you wish you had never started, it's really okay that you want to stop.
I don't like thinking someone out there who only has 3 followers, might look at my blog and see that I have 32 and then feel bad about themselves. I don't say that because I have an over-inflated opinion of myself. Oh, look at me. I have 32 followers. Nanner, nanner. I just used myself as an example. I don't look at someone who has 90 and think I must be doing something wrong. That's just plain silly and will get me nowhere, other than feeling bad about myself, really fast. I know there are people out there who are all about gathering all of the followers they can. Fine. It's just not me. I'd rather have a few follow because they truly want too, or none at all rather than feel pressure (real or imagined) to one up someone all. the. time.
Peyton's favorite thing to say is "I want....(fill in the blank)". He's a typical, selfish toddler. ☺
A few things he wants:
You get the idea. Like I said, he's a typical, selfish toddler. It's always all about him and when he wants something, he wants it RIGHT NOW OR ELSE. He gets that from me.
I have 12 mosquito bites on my legs. They're driving me crazy. The anti itch cream I'm using is doing nothing. NOTHING! I. JUST. WANT. TO. SCRATCH. ALL. OF. THEM.
The rain continues on in my neck of the woods. We've had a couple of hot days, nothing too bad. In general, the rain rules. I'm not really complaining ( I am just a teeny bit) because if this keeps up, I may not have to water my lawn this summer. At all. It's rained that much. Very unusual for the desert.
I found a recipe for homemade sour cream here. Sour cream and diet don't go well together, but I was so intrigued by the idea of making my own that I just had to try it. It couldn't be more simple. I put it together just over 24 hours ago and I already have sour cream. It looks like it, smells like it and tastes like it. I'm very pleased. I'm posting the recipe on my cooking blog. Try it. Even if it's just once. It was fun.
There's more, but that's enough for now.
