If only...

I had a money tree. A few people I love could really benefit from one right now. Yes, I know...life has struggles, blah, blah, blah. And, yes...challenges are reality. But I can't help from wishing that some of my favorite people (the good, faithful, hardworking kind) had a money tree in their yard.

Bus Friendship

Some days the Kindergarten bus driver seems to be my best friend. She comes at 11:08 and wisks Sam away for a few hours. I hug Sam and tell him I love him...wave goodbye...then walk back home thinking "I love the bus driver!" Sam is a complex child....I don't know if I could explain him, even if I had enough time or knowledge. It's been a hard week with Sam and I'm greatful for the magic the bus brings to my day.

Crib Update...

Alex has been promoted to a bed. Just finished taking the crib down. No tears on my behalf, however, I will say it is strange to not have a crib set-up. Nine straight years of the crib. I think I'm the only one in the house that is ready to get rid of the crib...reality is that the males in my home will be the ones crying if this is the end of the crib.

It made me smile...

Spencer: "Mom, I can't eat the peas and corn because they are the Packers' colors" Alex: "Hurry Mom, my train is leaving!" Sam: "I wish Grandma Cappy lived next door...that would be so fun!" Ben: "I have to shovel the rest of the driveway...I don't want someone suing us if they fall" (Oh, brother!)

Eternal Callings

I am an eternal organist. Other than the embarrassment of not counting the beats or missing a sharp, it is a nice calling. The highlight has always been watching Ben deal with the kids during sacrament meeting. I have never really sat with them so all credit for good behavior goes to Ben...he has done a great job and trained them well. He has assigned seating...very funny. There have been times where Ben has given me "the panic look" from the pew...like when a child was about to throw-up...it is funny to think back on. I am scared that my second eternal calling might be cub scouts. I'm really not complaining...it's not a hard calling at all. I just haven't found the passion for it. And it's at 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday... After entertaining boys for 12 hours already...it's hard for me to get excited to entertain any more. It's not as if you can just throw a crayon at a bunch of boys and tell them to draw a picture of serving someone else. The crayons would quickly become some kind of weapon or be used to make baskets with. Reality: a Mom of 3 boys that only plays the organ on Sunday = cub scout calling. It is my destiny.

What's for dinner?

This is the question surrounding my life...and I never have a good answer. Not because I can't think of something I would like...it's because I live with picky boys who aren't greatful for what is placed before them. If I'm ever rich.... a chef will be hired.

The Sippy Man

I told Alex the "Sippy Man" is coming tonight. The sippy man is a nice guy who comes to take "big kid" sippys and delivers them to babies that need them. Alex would live on milk...and I'm tired of the battles over how many sippy cups he gets each day. Out with the sippys! Reality is that little white lies can be helpful.

Hotel Charlesworth

Had to post this one: The boys are currently playing "hotel". They each have a hotel room with a key card. Apparently, we have a pool also because they are all in their swimming suits heading to the pool downstairs...with goggles and towels in tow. Love their imaginations!

Smelling the Roses

I feel like I'm just "not on the same page" as life lately. The to-do list keeps growing, the kids keep coughing, the energy level keeps dropping, church callings keep happening, dust is determined to keep settling, etc. Life keeps getting ahead of me...but shouldn't I be smelling the roses? I'll add that to tomorrow's list.

The Swimming Suit

The story goes something like this: Sam was 2 yrs old...refused to wear pants... and wore shorts year-round. He eventually found that swimming suits were even roomier and has worn only trunks (year-round...yes...even under his snow pants) for years. We have gone through quite a few swimming suits over the past 3 years. This is what we are currently sporting. If it happens to be in the wash he defaults to last year's trunks. Reality is that he must be cold because lately he has been wearing Spencer's tube socks and pulling them up to his knees to stay warmer. I took a picture of it the other day that I'll have to upload...it's fabulous.

Office Hours

We have two working offices in our home. Both employers seem to extend their office hours when it is time for bed.

The Art of Napping

I am my father's daughter. Love the memory of Dad laying on the living room floor rug cat napping. The man has an inner drive and work ethic that is more than remarkable, if not insane!...but even he wasn't above taking a short nap. And neither am I. I would much rather get up early in the morning to get everything done and enjoy a nap later then to sleep in.

Opposites Attract

It drives Ben crazy when I comment to others about how opposite we are. I don't really know why it bugs him....we have a great relationship...so what's the big deal? "Sugar and spice make everything nice" (He's more the sugar and I'd have to default to the spice.) Reality: life would be too mundane if we all thought the same!

The Noise...lest I someday forget

We are at war right now. Three boys flying WWII airplanes. ("Are we smoking, sir? The bomber is down!") Spencer directs the Allied fleet while Sam makes a fabulous machine gun noise with his tongue. Alex copies it all. It can be rough, especially if a plane lands on someone else's base without permission. Yet, at times the missions can last peacefully for an hour. The reality: fighter pilots are very noisy...and I enjoy the quiet that comes after bed time has ended the war.

Promoting School Tardiness

We have loved the schools in St. Michael. However...elementary school starts at 7:35 a.m. Yes...7:35 a.m. Spencer is generally a "morning person" but it is even hard for him. School gets out at 2:15...it is nice to have more time after school for homework and friends. However, waking up a child at 6:30 to go to school is insane! The reality of it is: Sam will be involved next year. Ben doesn't take me seriously when I suggest that perhaps we need to move to a different school district before I have to wake Sam this early. I will survive...somehow!?

Back Hair

It's not so bad...Alex has an adorable hairy back! Right out of the tub and the dark blond hair is fuzzy and clean...it is loveable.

The Reason to Blog

I will admit...
I have regularly thought: who has time for that?...and... if you do have the time, isn't there something you should be cleaning? :) I've succumbed to the dark side. A friend of mine has put her blog entries into a book...like a journal. Fabulous! While there are moments I would like to forget in raising these boys, there are too many moments I DON'T want to forget. Warning: no sugar coating in this blog...just Mills' reality.