Not sure what to call this post

* Eden helped Ruthie on the table and gave her a snack.

Everyday…everyday it never stops.

The messes, demanding, screaming, fighting, teasing, crying, hitting, throwing, talking, NOT LISTENING. What is happening? I seriously can’t control my three children.

I have normal children. They are a product of my parenting....which I guess sucks.

This winter is really doing a number on us. I have been going to bed at 8:30pm and waking up exhausted. My bones need warmth. The kids are sick.

Yesterday about killed me.

I was at the doctor’s office for 2 hours. Ruth rolling around on the floor…screaming. David jumping on the office desk…. throwing his airplanes and spitting. Eden nagging, pulling and touching my face trying to get me to listen to her.

Then…the pharmacy took another 2 hours. I left empty handed as the nurse never got our prescription right. After waiting in the LONG line THREE times (with 3 kids, mind you) I was told to come back tomorrow. 5:00pm came around and my very helpful nurse became very Unhelpful.

As I was relaying my day to Paul he was laughing. I was laughing too.

I am smiling.

I just figured it out…it’s the doctor’s visits.

Last week David split his lip open. He ended up going into surgery at the hospital later that week. We also recently learned Eden needs oral surgery to remove her back molar. Apparently it never came through and is anchored to the bone.

Hospitals + drilling + doctor’s chairs + boogers = me feeling out of control, inpatient and unable to control my children.

Thanks for this therapeutic chat.

* Eden & David trying to take a picture.

Quick trips

Before Paul went back to school we took two day trips. On Wednesday we went to the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. It was AMAZING. Since it was a free day we didn't pay anything but if we had paid it would have been well worth it.
David's favorite: planes, trains, tractors, explosion workshop
Eden's favorite: The Christmas trees around the world and the mirrors where she could see herself dance in.
Ruth's favorite: children playland with water, balls and a little slide.
Cyndi's favorite: The whisper display . Paul whispered "you're hot" and I could it loud and clear across the room.
Paul's favorite: the real-life submarine

After the museum my darling (former) mission companion watched the children while we went to the temple. Her husband is going to Northwestern University and I am so happy to have her close. She is one of my favorite people in the entire world.

* sleeping on the way home*

The next day we went to Linton, Indiana to visit Grandma Dorthy and her daughter.

The kids loved visiting and playing with some toys Diana had. Grandma is doing well. She has a wonderful separate room and bath. Grandma still has her humor and her muscles. She rocked David for 1/2 hour.

*Thank you Grandma for the treasures you gave us.

H-A-P-P-Y new year

Paul snapped this photo a few weeks ago after I put all the kids to bed. I laid on the couch for 3 hours. I didn't move. I laid there, watched some TV, read...and laid some more.

I don't remember being UNHAPPY. I was simply relaxing, enjoying the quietness in my new robe. But I look so sad. I look mad. I look exhausted. I look depressed.

This year I am turning 30...which honestly, already has me feeling down. I can feel a mid-life crisis creeping up. I can see myself ordering Cindy Crawford's anti-aging line. Becoming a regular customer at QVC for jump suits & Marie Osmond dolls. I still have 7 good months in my 20's. So, why is this bothering me?

I usually have a talent for seeing the good in situations. I can see beyond the moment and take faith in the future. So, why can't I see it now? Why do I look so old in the mirror? Why do I care so much about how I look? I assumed the older I got...the less I would worry about what I looked like. Oh, I was wrong.

In 2011 I want to be happy in my face.

( I should probably add: less self-centered too)

Merry Christmas

*Christmas Eve with friends.

Keepin up w/David

* Don't mind our Christmas mess.

Ruth dancing

For Gigi

5 years old

The princess finally turned 5! She has been anticipating her birthday for a long time. Eden loves to dance. She is very good at using her manners (and correcting anyone who doesn't). She likes to help. She makes healthy food choices. She LOVES to be complimented. She gives wonderful hugs and is so nice to her Mommy & Daddy. We love her so much.

4 years old

David woke up super early and opened his presents all by himself. The rest of us awoke to him playing with his toys. He wanted an airplane and a helicopter. That's what he got. He is so easy to please. Later that day, he told me we were out of eggs, shrimp & doughnuts. Those are his favorite foods. He had a great day playing with toys. We ended the night with a family trip to Chuck-E-Cheese.

David LOVES toys. He is happy to be 4, but he doesn't want to grow up. He has the most beautiful face. He still asks me to sleep with him every night. I love when he waves his hand and saids, "come over here mom." He does not like Eden to tease him. He has a hard time sharing. He likes to destroy things. I love you David. You are such an important part of our family.

35 years old

We started our month of birthday celebration last week when Paul turned 35 years old!

Paul loves his kids, especially the girls. Eden & Ruth have learned to love the constant torture: tickling, teasing, wrestling and yelling.

How would you describe Paul? I think most people would say he is:

Cheerful

Loud

Goofy

Knowledgeable

Giving

Comfortable

and Simple

When we were dating Paul would do this annoying laugh/giggle. One time in the car I said, "don't ever do that again". It was probably the first bratty thing I demanded of him.

Well...he still did it. Probably even more because he knew it annoyed me. On his birthday, he was talking to the kids and THE annoying chuckle came out. I smiled because it doesn't annoy me anymore. See what 6 years together does?

I love him.

14 months

Nickname given by David: Monster Baby

Eden often says, "Mommy, how come I am grateful for Ruth but she is not grateful for me?"

I asked the kids what they love about Ruth.

Response:

Eden: "I love her face because it's cute."

David: "Roofie scratched me and that hurt my feelings."

Ruthie loves to walk. She does not like to be held, ride in the stroller, or car seat. You know this age...the screaming, scratching, grunting, pointing stage.

It is also one of the funnest stages. She mimics our expressions and will laugh at anything.

She is our Monster Baby. She loves to empty drawers and shut doors.

I love her chubby legs running away.

I love her big belly.

I love her hair.

I love her four teeth and her little fingers.

I love her laugh.

I am honored that her world revolves around me.

Happy Thanksgiving

Since some of us were still sick, we stayed home and had ham. Ruth & Paul stayed in the their jammies all day. We got out our Christmas tree and 'Lily' our Elf-on-the-shelf is now watching us.

Bath, sick, crafts & a 4 year old words

*asleep in the bath

For the past three weeks someone has been sick. David started the cycle and it has finally reached Paul. I am thankful for Walgreen's. A crazy women races out in the middle of the night to buy Benadryl because her husband was having an allergic reaction to codeine. The pharmacy didn't even blink an eye when she asked him questions at 2:34 am.

I hosted a fun craft night where we made these pumpkins.

Earlier this month I participated in a craft fair. Here are a few of my homemade items.


Those are all my pictures from the month of November.


A few funny things Eden has said in the past week:


"Mom, I hope Ruthie doesn't talk Spanish because she has black hair".


While she was washing dishes: "Mom, a kids work is never done!"

Bad baby

Ruth is at the age...

of emptying drawers,
only eating food she can pick up,
shutting all the doors,
giving open mouth kisses,
screams while getting her hair combed, plays in the toilet,
squeezes her body in between my legs and the kitchen sink, and considers EVERYONE a threat.

If she is sitting on my lap and David comes up to talk to me, she will take her little hand and push him away. She scratches and yells at things she doesn't like.

She sure is cute. We love her dearly. Although her popularity has dropped since the scratching.

Halloween 2010

Eden & bragging about friends

Today Eden finally decided she wanted to be a barbie three musketeer for Halloween. I can't believe we pulled it off. Check out her pose.

I have the most amazing friends here. Melinda MADE her whole families costumes. I cannot tell you how amazing their costumes are. She made their helmets with wire mesh and used a bunch of sculpting clay. She has been working on them for a two months. So awesome!

Their son Dylan is one of Eden's very best friend. Look at those two. Dylan is such a charming boy. Eden's idol is Marcella. She wants to do everything Marcella does. Marcella's mom is also amazing. She made Marcella's Fancy Nancy costume. Marcella is patient and sweet. I cannot say enough good things about her.

Eden attended her very first birthday party this month. Marcella had a Fancy Nancy party. Girls are so fun.

*Minnie, Eden, Marcella