My baby is officially a nudist

I know I've already brought this subject up but our nakie situation just keeps getting better and better. A few nights ago we went in to check on our little guy and we were surprised to see his cute little cheeks staring at us. And I don't mean the ones on his face. Thinking it was cute and funny and I snapped a picture. I mean, every morning when I get him out of bed he's naked but I just figured it was his way of getting ready for the day and he was stripping after he woke up. Nope. Every night since I have discovered the same scene. Apparently his diaper and clothes are just way too restrictive to sleep in anymore so he's going commando. Oh boy...I think I'm in trouble.

2 years of beauty school? who needs it!

My kids never seem to stop amazing me! So today I throw Ian into the tub to clean off the puke (yes, looks like we get to have the pukies) and I notice he's looking a little bald...hmmm...interesting. This child has been working on holding and using scissors for over 5 years now and can't master it. In fact, I just got his Occupational therapy progress report and he only has 25-50% accuracy on goal number two which is: Will grasp and use adaptive scissors with minimal assist while cutting a piece of straw, putty snake or similar object, into a minimum of 5 pieces. Do you think hair counts? cause if it does I think he just passed this goal off! Good thing he's a boy and it's summer. The clippers come out tomorrow!!

Dancing dolls and derby dreams

Millie's dance recital was Tuesday night and wouldn't you know it? The pinewood derby was the same night. We split up; boys vs. girls. Millie was so adorable but her horrible, unorganized mother forgot the skirt for her tap number. I left it sitting on the bed after I pinned it (it was way too big) UGH! I went back stage to check on her and she was sobbing. But...the show must go on and she went out on stage with a big smile and mascara stained cheeks. Afterwords we went to Rocky Mtn. drive inn and had scones and she said " mom, I just love dancing sooooo much! Especially on stage!" She sure acts very differently on stage! not at all shy like she normally is! I hear the pinewood derby went great! Ian's car lost every race he raced and Matthais's was bit better than half the cars. They had over 50 races! Crazy. It's so nice that Ian is not at all competitive. He was just so happy to be at "hub scouts". They had a lot of fun and so did we. We'll have to do boy vs. girl nights more often!

The countdown begins

There are 4 days of school left. Sigh. I have mixed emotions about school letting out. I am excited. I love summer! My kids and I have so much fun and it's definitely nice to be lazy and carefree. I am frustrated. Well, I'm not yet but I will be. I guarantee the first week of summer will begin each day with "I WANT MY BUS! I WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL!" And just when he's finally figured out that there is no school...summer school will start. Then we get to start the whole process over. I am relieved. No school means no Garrett and Devin since their mom is a teacher. It will be so nice not to have to haul an infant every where I go. There really is a good reason I'm done having kids. I can handle the infants on a limited time basis only. I am nervous. No school and no Garrett and Devin mean less pay. Gas is $3.79 a gallon. Need I say more? I am exhausted. Even just thinking about all the activities, play dates and late nights makes me tired. Add into that some serious training for marathon and well, I'll need a nap. I'll also need lots of diet coke, lots of friends to lean on and maybe a good psychiatrist! Welcome to summer.

Big plans

A three day weekend...sigh. I love the weekends. I love the way they feel and three day weekends are the best. Four day weekends are too much but three is just right. This one will be my trial run for summer in a way. Time to get used the monkeys being home all day. I have so much I want to do this weekend. Beings how I have had no motivation for the last 2-3 weeks, I really need to detox. My body, my house, MY VAN (ew..it's starting to smell!) It's time to take control. I am gonna be one busy mama this weekend. I'm gonna gear up, get my summer game plan together (chores, activities etc.), plant a garden, put together teacher gifts, find a cowboy hat, run a 5k, plan a summer meal menu, address baby shower invites, host a b-b-q, and supervise the painting of pinewood duty cars in addition to all my other wifely/motherly duties. All this by Tuesday! Whew, I'm already tired. Too bad it's too late for a nap!

Feeling kinda blahhhhhh!

ehh...I'm just feeling kinda...ya know...blah. It's been going on a few weeks now. I don't know it's a bit of a funk or maybe some depression or just plain laziness but I have been so unmotivated. Forget dinner, a clean house or running...I just don't want to do it. So what's a girl to do? I gotta get it together before school is out next week. Training starts next week too. So how do I get motivated? How do I make myself actually accomplish something? I think I need some cheering up. Or...maybe just a maid???

Accident prone kids

Every family has one right? In my family growing up it seems like my brother Cody always had stitches or a broken bone. I think Owen is going to be ours. Ian is very clumsy and is always bruised but nothing major (knock on wood)! We've even managed to make it 10 years without a broken bone or stitches (knock on wood again!) But Owen, already has caused me major stress in the injury department. Saturday he split his head open on our wheelbarrow planter. I was not really sure if he needed stitches so I took him to one of the many nurses in our ward and she suggested we super glue it shut. It's looking pretty good but I know it'll scar. Just the first of many I suspect! Good thing we have awesome insurance!

Autism? you're kidding!

Today I met with Ian's teacher and a whole slew of other special education specialist for Ian's service review. Every three years children in special ed have a review to make sure they still qualify for services. If you know my child this is kinda funny because it's so obvious, but ya know, it's procedure. They are so funny at these meetings. They go over all the data with you and let you know exactly how far behind your child is and they try to sugar coat it for you. Like..."So Ian is testing to be an age equivalency of 2 years 11 months (he's 8) but he has made so much progress! yada, yada, yada" Really, what, he learned two colors this whole year? Wow, you are right! That is some progress!! They really do mean well I just have to laugh because I really don't need the tests to tell me my child is behind. The kicker today was when they gently told me my child has Autism. Really?? I didn't know that! Are you sure? Can you wait a minute while I catch my breath...I wasn't expecting to hear this...Oh wait...he's been in the Autistic Unit for two years...Now it's all making sense...the behavior, the stims, the fact that he still doesn't know his shapes! Autism you say? hmmm...

I am not trying to make light of his situation. I am grateful to know where his age equivilency is, It helps explain so much of his behaviors. I just think it's hilarious that they act like this is all news to me, like I don't know, like I don't live it! Now...if we could get those shapes down we might bump that age equivilent up to 3!

Move over Chippendales!

Ok, So I know that it is fairly common for toddlers to strip down to nothing and bare it all. Honestly though, my other children did not do this! Owen prefers to be naked to anything else. Yesterday I snapped this picture as he disrobed. I told him it was time to get dressed in which he replied "NO!" So I asked "Why? Is it so fun to be naked?" giggle, giggle "YA!" he said proudly. I think the only thing that would make him happier is to be naked and outside!

Would I? Could I?

Would I ever be brave enough to ever hand one of these out? After yesterday I'm sure thinking about it!

Fondue anyone?

Yesterday we had some major meltdowns. Unfortunately, I'm not talking about the ooey-gooey cheesy kind. Despite waking up with a giant cold sore, yesterday started out great. I had an awesome workout at aerobics; something I haven't had since the first of March when I started babysitting Devin. I felt so good! I came home, got lots of work done and just had a mellow, rewarding day. And then Ian came home from school. Let me set this all up for you. Ian had gone on a field trip yesterday. It was kid's fish day and it's organized for kids with disabilities. Everyone that goes fishes and brings home a gutted fish ready for the grill. I sent Adam with them because I thought it would be a great bonding experience and because Ian loves to fish with his daddy. Ok, so Ian come home and I'm in my room. All of a sudden I hear this " Boohoo, boohoo, I WANT A FISHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!" And then it all starts, "I WANT A FISH! I WANT A FISH! WAAA, WAAA, WAAA!" I go outside and ask Adam, "what happened? Ian doesn't have a fish?" Well, turns out, Ian and Adam didn't catch any fish on their own and Adam wasn't concerned about making sure Ian came home with a fish. Apparently Ian was ok with this too until it was time to get on the bus and everyone had a fish but him. Thus, the meltdown begins. Well, I finally get him calmed and tell him we'll go to Walmart and buy a fish. That works until we get loaded in the van to go and I remember he has speech. UGH! So I drive him to Paige's for speech and the meltdown continues but I leave because she has a way with him and I figure she can calm him. I return 1/2 hour later and I hear screaming coming from her house...the meltdown has continued. He had cried the whole time and Paige told him no prize so he was now crying about that. Paige looks at me with pity and tells me to give him a prize so it's easier for me. NOPE! He has to learn somehow! So I drag him out kicking, screaming and hitting. We are now past the fish and now is crying about the prize. I get him home and lock him in his room. Fast forward 1 hour...he's finally calmed down enough that I decide to venture to walmart. After all, I did promise a fish. He's doing great, being very patient while we wait for someone in pets to help us. We get the fish and head over to the food section to get a few things. Of course, on the way to produce we pass the candy. "mom, I want a treat." "ok Ian, maybe in a minute. Let's get some lettuce." "mom, I want a treat." "just a minute Ian, let's get some waffles" "MOM, I want a treat" "MOM, I WANT A TREAT NOW!" WAAAAAAA! here we go again. I'm in the cereal isle and he is screaming. I am ignoring him but not the stares. We move on and I notice that I now have every eye in the dairy section on me. I kid you not. They had all stopped what they were doing to stare at me. You'd have to have been there to really appreciate it but I wanted to die. Of course, I'm smiling as big as I can, trying to hide the fact that I am desperate for a xanax. I calmingly take him by the hand and explain that he is not getting a treat and that he needs to stop crying now or go to the van. I'm thinking about this threat that I just made. How am I going to follow through? Do I leave the cart sitting here including the fish that I just waited 30 min to get? Do I send Matthais outside with him? Do I not follow through? Luckily I walked away from him and he stopped crying. We checked out and went home. As I was buckling him into his seat I notice the veins popping from his head. I bet if I had looked in the mirror, I would have seen mine too. We get home and it's my turn. My meltdown began. Honestly, I don't know what to do in situations like these. I promise you, everyone has an opinion on what I should or should not be doing. That is why everyone was staring. The truth is, no one really understands. I am so tired of unsolicited advice when it comes to Ian. I promise you, you do not understand. Now this isn't a poor-me-pity-party. Just a little look into my life, maybe a little explanation of why I am the way I am. So next time you see me and Ian at Walmart, McDonald's, at the park, etc. and he's screaming like there is no tomorrow...do me a favor and cut me some slack. I'm not a bad parent. He is not a bad kid. We are doing our best with what we've been given. After all, we believe that when life gives you meltdowns, make fondue!

The boy who started it all

Ten years ago I celebrated my first mother's day as a mother. I had waited and wanted to be a mom for what seemed like forever. I'll never forget the first moment I held Matthais, the first moment I was a mom. It was surreal. Two years of waiting to get pregnant and 9 months of pregnancy all wrapped up in one little white blanket. The tiny fingers, the tiny toes, I couldn't believe that I had a part in creating them. He was so perfect. My first moments of motherhood were pure joy. No one told me what I had in store! Or... maybe they had. I vaguely remember the "just wait until..."; the same words I so often find myself saying to new moms. But even with the warnings, how can you really know? How could I have known the first time a newborn Matthais and I ventured out on our own he would poop out his diaper and I would be stranded with nothing to change him into? How could I have known that he would not sleep through the night until after Ian was born? How could I have known that he would have colic and he would cry each night for hours? How could I have known there would be days I thought that I would drop dead from pure exhaustion? How could I have known those days would come more and more often? Motherhood is so challenging-physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually. There was no way to know until I had experienced it. But, without the sorrows, I could never experience any joys. Matthais's first smile, his first word. Those "mother mercies", the moments that sneak up on you and fill you with joy and amazement. Like how until Matthais was two, he would get hiccups everytime he'd laugh. And how he knew all his colors before his second birthday. Or how he would climb up on our laps every night for "cuddles". Those are the mercies that make motherhood all worthwhile. Now that Matthais is ten our relationship is much different than when he was three. He is growing and gaining independence and as a mother, I am too. I am so thankful for my opportunity to be a mother. I am so thankful to begin this journey with Matthais. I hope he knows just how much I love him. I hope he knows he really is my dream come true.

It's official!

I did not make the lottery for the St. George Marathon. It sucks. But, life goes on and I am officially registered for The Top of Utah Marathon on Sept 20. I am excited because my whole family can be there (hint, hint) and it won't cost an arm and a leg to go. Time to lace up those shoes! I can't believe I'm going to do this!

He might even be a rock star!

At our house, Hannah Montana is a definite favorite. The kids love her and I even kind of like Mylie Cyrus (oops! did I admit that?) We watch Hannah Montana every day and more often than not, Ian pretends he's Hannah. This is him singing "I might even me a rock star" over, and over. Hey, who knows, with his lungs, he just might be one someday!

Poor Adam!!!

This is well he'll be spending the next three nights...I hope he can survive!

http://www.realresorts.com.mx/The_Royal_Cancun/

Get 'em while they're hot!!

Hot Shots annual spring concert is May 27th at 7:00 p.m. at the Covey Center for the Arts. Millie will be preforming in two numbers; one tap, one ballet. You can buy tickets now at the Covey Center in Provo. They are $5 each. I think you can even call and order tickets: Ticket Office 801-852-7007 . I was also told you can buy them online but I don't see that up and running yet. You can check back. http://www.coveycenter.org/ These recitals are always so much fun!

Another fantastic giveaway from SIS!

head on over to www.sayingitsimply.blogspot.com and leave a comment to be entered into the drawing for their latest giveaway! These girls do amazing stuff!

Lions, tigers and bears! Oh my!

Millie's final kindergarten project was an animal report on bears. We read a couple of books about bears and she made a diorama (with a little help). This is what she learned about bears (taken straight from her report!)

*Bears have fur. It can be white, brownish-blackish, brown or black.

*Bears walk on all fours but can stand on two legs.

*polar bears live in the Arctic. Others live in forests.

*Bears eat insects, fruit, other animals, roots, nuts, fish, berries and honey.

*Bears hibernate or sleep all winter.

*Except mothers with cubs, bears live alone.

She did a great job and her diorama is now on display in the school library!

It all makes sense now!!!

In another sign pointing to an inherited component to autism, a study released on Monday found that having a schizophrenic parent or a mother with psychiatric problems roughly doubled a child's risk of being autistic.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24465288/from/ET/

When Mama says no, just ask daddy!

So yesterday Matthais opened the door to some salesman. I usually "screen" the people at the front door because I can see their reflection in my bookcase therefore I can see them without them seeing me. So, he gives me the spill about how wonderful his product is and it can clean this and that. And yes, it's a wonderful product, I would love to have it on hand. However, at $34.95 a bottle, I'll pass. So after several "no thanks" he finally leaves and heads over to the neighbors. I see him across the street as I head out with Owen for my jog. He is still there when I get back and Adam is home now, working on the sprinklers. He leaves my neighbors, spots me and waves Hi and notices Adam. He comes back over and starts giving Adam the spill. I go into the house to wait until Adam sends him away. But, he doesn't. Next thing I know Adam is coming into the house asking for the checkbook! WHAT?!?! Well, we are now the proud owners of a bottle of Avanage! Now I don't have any excuse for a dirty house....crap.

Happy Birthday to my sweetie!

Happy birthday to the most wonderful, loving, hardworking husband I know. He gives so much and gets so little! Last year he spent his birthday in bed with appendicitis and had his appendix out the next day. I hope this year his birthday is fantastic! Oh, and Adam, enjoy that bottle of Advanage! Happy Birthday! We love you!

Shhhhh! Don't tell Matthais...

He'll have some new ammunition against us!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24397323/?GT1=43001

Where did my baby go?

I've been struggling lately with the fact that Owen is no longer a little baby. I mean, he'll always be MY baby, but, he's growing up. He has finally started talking and now he doesn't stop. It's seems so funny to me that this is the same kid I had tested two months ago because he wasn't talking. Not only does he now talk, he sings! It's absolutely adorable to hear him sing "happy birthday to you!" even if it's not my birthday! And he's such a climber now. I am constantly pulling him from the counter's and tables. Next thing I know he'll be climbing out of his crib. He's even started using the potty a little. Ahhh, why can they stay little longer? I think the same thing when I look at Matthais. My first born, the child that made me a mother, how did he get so tall? Are kids suppose to be as tall as their mother when they are 10? How did he get so smart? Are kids suppose to be smarter than their mother when they are 10? Where did the time go? I swear, if you blink, another year has gone by. How do I make it slow down? My little girl, my only daughter, she'll be in first grade in 4 months. I'm not sure I'm ready to let her go to school all day. Who will cut the crust off her sandwich's at lunch? And who will hug her and tell her it's OK when her sensitive little heart is hurt? My kids are growing much faster than I want them to. Sometimes I tell them "Stop growing up! Be my little baby forever!" And cute little Millie will say back "Mom, we can't help it, we have to grow up!" And I know they do. I just wish it didn't happen so fast. I wish I had a little more time with these little ones.

Shoe tying success!

After about a year of trying, Millie can finally tie her shoes!! I have to admit, I am not the most patient mom when it comes to these kind of things. That is why Aunt Shannon had to teach Matthais! Millie and I would work on it and then we'd both get frustrated; me because she just couldn't get it and her because she just couldn't get it! On Thursday we went to the library to get a book about bears (another post) and we found this great shoe tying book called Red lace, yellow lace, learn to tie your shoe! She practiced and practiced and by Friday she had it down! I couldn't believe it. Guess you don't need mom for everything after all.

Cafe rio pork barbacoa

I love Cafe rio's pork tacos. I crave Cafe rio's pork tacos. I just may have found a fantastic substitute for Cafe rio's pork tacos! I looked at several recipes claiming to duplicate the delicious taste of cafe rio and I tried this one because I figured Cafe rio was not putting a bottle of coke into their pork. This one was pretty good although I could tell something was missing. It would definitely feel the void when I'm craving pork tacos and can't afford cafe rio.

Café Rio Pork Barbacoa
2 ½ - 3 ½ lbs Pork Loin Roast
½ cup Dark Brown Sugar
½ cup Worcestershire Sauce
½ tsp Dried Oregano
½ tsp Powdered Ginger
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Dry Chile Powder
1 tsp Garlic Powder
2 Tb Dried Minced Onion
Cook all of the ingredients in a Crock Pot approx. 4 hours on high. When done shred the pork. Then combine 1 can of Red Enchilada Sauce and ½ cup Dark Brown Sugar and pour on top.

I did do one alteration. I cook the pork overnight on low with some water approx 12 hours before adding any other ingredients. I then added the ingredients and cooked it on low for 4 hours. After shredding I added the sauce and sugar and cooked it two more hours. It took forever but was really easy since it was in the crock pot. I also attempted the rice recipe

Café Rio Lime Cilantro Rice
1 cup White Rice (not instant)
2 cups Chicken Broth
1 Tb Lime Juice
½ Tb Garlic Powder
1 Tb Minced Dry Onion
Pinch of Salt
Cook the above ingredients according to the rice’s packing instructions (substituting the water with broth). When rice is done, add ¼ – ½ cup fresh cilantro, 1 TBL lime juice, and ½ can green enchilada sauce

But since I left half of the ingredients at the checkout at Walmart, it didn't quite turn out!

Happy cooking!

Finally friday!

It was just one of those weeks. After almost 3 months, Ian had another seizure. It was a small one and really not too big of a deal but just discouraging after 3 months. The new medication he's on really has made a difference so I am very thankful for that. Now we get to start the 2 year countdown all over again. I sometimes think that his seizures come to humble me. I have been so frustrated with him this week! I really felt as though I'd had more than I could take with him and then this happens. It reminds me how special he is and how fragile life can be. And it makes me try harder to be patient. He had a great morning and I was so relieved to not fight with him all morning before school. He had only been in school an hour when they called. After I picked him up from school he was fine and actually pretty well behaved for most of the day. Later that afternoon he started in with the yelling and crying. I had to remind myself that there are somethings he just can't help. Like the fact that he spits when he talks. Adam and I are always reminding him to not spit but he can't help it. Yesterday as I was watching him talk and watching all the little particles coming from his mouth I thought "I am so thankful he can talk. Some kids with Autism don't." And sometimes I think he can't help the yelling. He yells like the rest of us talk. He almost doesn't have the ability to talk on a normal level. Everything he says is exagerated in tone and pitch. And as tired of it as I get, it's Ian. It's part of what makes him, him! I don't love some of the things he does but I sure do love him!