Can You See Me?

Benjamin is fascinated by camouflage. He owns a few items of camouflage clothing he likes to wear over and over again. He even likes to try to wear them together. The real question is, can you see him in his camouflage?

Housekeeper, Fits into My Job Description

I am the Housekeeper at my house. I see to it cleaning gets done, whether I do it myself or I have someone help me do it. Cleaning includes the (hopefully) weekly tasks of bathroom toliets, sinks, mirrors, tubs, and floors; kitchen counters, sink, dishes, stove, table, and floor; vacuuming bedrooms, living room, and family room; purchasing and replacing cleaning supplies; taking out the trash, replacing trash bags, and general picking up and putting away. The other housekeeping tasks that need to be done include, but are not limited to, scrubbing windows (inside and out), scrubbing cupboards, vacuuming stairs, washing walls, shampooing carpets, cleaning out the garage,cleaning out and scrubbing the fridge, cleaning the oven, and decluttering. This part of my job is something I am always trying to improve and stay on top of, but it is also one of the areas I find challenging.

Ticket System

We started a ticket system in our house where the children earn ticket(s) for doing chores or listening. I am still working on being consistent with rewarding tickets and with the rewards. So far we have been able to use the tickets for pbskids.org time, books, trips to Deseret Industries (for recycled toys), or for other fun or non-necessary purchases. Our system is a work in progress and when we find out what works best we will determine specific rules.

When we started our ticket system I had three matching glass jars. I like things that match and are uniform in size because it is liking have all the pices of the puzzle instead of trying to remember what goes with what. Unfortunately, this has happened to two out of the three jars:

Now, we just have one of these left:

Now we have two candy tins from Christmas gifts to use for the other ticket holders. Mom and Dad have a tin to keep all of the tickets to earn in, Bekah (ironically) has the last jar, and Benjamin has a bright red tin for his tickets. I love watching there faces light up when the receive something for being good and when they are able to use the rewards for other things.

Family Search Indexing

My goal for the year is 75,000 names indexed, or roughly 200 names (4 batches of 50) every day for 365 days. Yesterday I hit 37, 500 names, the halfway point to my goal!

I have enjoyed indexing, and am glad for the challenge from our bishop to participate in the process of digitalizing census, birth, death, marriage, etc. records. I am beginning to realize how many unique names I have encountered during my life and feeling reconnected to some of those people when I come across names familiar to me. Additionally, it has been interesting to speculate about what daily life was like for some people during World War II or the 1930s as those are the records I have been spending the most time on. Another intriguing fact is how many young couples lived close to or with their parents, and how many widowed or older parents live with their children and their families. I think we have lost some of the traditions of taking care of each other in our society which has both good and bad consequences.

Several weeks ago I was getting down on myself because I am still on the "beginner" level of indexing records. I was frustrated because even a moderate increase in difficulty was a lot harder than the easiest level and even some of the "easy" ones were not very easy because of different handwriting styles. In trying to change my way of feeling and stop being frustrated with myself, I rephrased my thoughts from "I need to be better so I can do harder things" to "I can accomplish a lot with what I am doing, and when I run out of 'easy' things to do I can move on to something else. Until then, I will focus on what I can do, instead of what I think I need to be doing." This simple but profound lesson has helped me in other areas of my life as well. I feel sometimes life is not about doing the hardest level of a job available, rather it is about being able to do something and do it well.

"50 . . . . Things to do Before you Die"

I was looking up "things to do in the month of April" for a project I am working on and I came across this post titled "50 Amazingly Achievable Things To Do Before You Die" and thought I would share.

"I’m tired of reading about difficult, expensive, time-consuming things I 'have to do before I die.' And I’m betting you are too.

"So why not try my Amazingly Achievable Things To Do list instead?

1. Turn round and look at something you’ve just tripped over in the street – then realise you’re spending slightly too much time doing this to look entirely normal, and move onwards.
2. Buy something on impulse.
3. Say “I can’t” when what you really mean is “I don’t want to”.
4. Read a book. Any book will do.
5. Absent-mindedly put something in the fridge that doesn’t belong in the fridge.
6. Laugh at a private joke, just as someone is passing you in the street, making them paranoid until they get home and examine themselves thoroughly.
7. Hope that (6) has just happened to you, rather than something embarrassing being on your face or your flies being undone.
8. Frown about how much you have to do in so little time.
9. Squeeze a pimple.
10. Feed a bird or animal.
11. Whittle a new hole in a belt.
12. While online, do something you’re not proud of.
13. Put leftover ingredients together to make something that’s simply inedible, no matter how hungry you are.
14. Run out of toilet paper at some critical moment.
15. See the sun come up.
16. Look at somebody’s bottom.
17. Put more than one pair of spectacles or sunglasses on at the same time.
18. Lick uncooked cake mixture off a wooden spoon.
19. Eat so much of something that you have problems breathing when you sit down, or moving when you’re stood up.
20. Surprise a junk snail-mailer by dragging it out your letterbox on your side before he’s finished pushing it through on his.
21. Play with something until it breaks.
22. Admire yourself in a mirror, possibly with a Fonzie / Joey / Dr. Sam Beckett style “heyyyyyy!” gesture.
23. Catch an egg before it rolls off a tabletop.
24. Part your hair a different way.
25. Order a “half” of something alcoholic, and feel mild social embarrassment amidst your peers.
26. Suffer an ice-cream headache.
27. Trip on a shoelace.
28. Use a leaf as a bookmark.
29. Put more money into a slot-machine than you originally intended to.
30. Check your e-mail, receive nothing, and then check it again – just in case there’s a server error somewhere.
31. Pack a bag or suitcase too full, and unpack it with a suddenly heavy heart.
32. While walking, go slightly out of your way to admire someone that’s hot.
33. Pick up a hammer by the other end, and marvel at how light it feels.
34. Owe something.
35. Fire an elastic band at someone.
36. Speak to a computer screen – for example “What?! Why did you do that???”
37. Walk into plate glass.
38. Wear odd socks (deliberately or by mistake).
39. Enjoy a song for nostalgia’s sake that you’ll willingly admit is crap in every other sense.
40. Rehearse an argument in your head with someone annoying, putting them firmly in their place.
41. Knock on a door with a jaunty rhythm – eg. RAP RAP-A-RAP RAP, RAP *RAP*.
42. Notice a shopkeeper’s given you too much change, but pretend you’re unaware of it.
43. Bite into a tomato and have it fire all over you.
44. Give directions.
45. Sit on the floor when a perfectly good chair is available.
46. Immediately click with someone.
47. Pull the label off an item of clothing and accidentally rip the hem it’s attached to.
48. Play Poohsticks.
49. Forget to water a plant and feel guilty about it.
50. Make a list of things to do.

"And your score was…?"

My score is 30. Definitely an achievable list.

Frogs at Our House

When Michael and I were married, my parents started a family joke of giving us frogs (it had some thing to do with on of my emotional moments in planning our wedding.) I have since discovered I actually like dainty frog jewelry and decor. I also like tree frogs because they look dainty and pretty even though they are deadly. While I was on my trip to Seattle and Portland, I kept looking for frog jewelry and on our last day of shopping I found a dainty frog on a ring that, in my opinion, looked nice enough to wear. I purchased it and Michael teased me about it because he wanted to make sure no admirers had given it to me and I had purchased a frog piece of jewelry, not something I think he would have picked out for me. What started out as a family joke has become an intricate, but not highly visible, part of my self expression.

Naked Baby!

One day last week, Ryan was being fussy and his clothes were all soggy so I took his clothes off to see if he would settle down. It worked. I had a wiggly, giggly boy once he was naked (except for his diaper) and I had to take pictures of his cuteness. I love it when my kiddos are happy and content!

Mom's Gardening Tool for Ryan

Our busy little boy likes to sit up, but is still a little tipsy so instead of getting out our huge play yard for him to sit in outside we found this saucer at a discount store for him to play in. He loves to sit in it and play with his toys or spin around as long as someone is next to him while he is in it. In between rainstorms, I have been trying to catch up on some yard work and redo some landscaping. I now can take Ryan outside with me and he is safe and entertained while sitting right next to the area(s) I am working on. He is also learning to use his legs and body more to move around. Before I know it, he will be crawling around getting into everything just like his older siblings. For now, we will enjoy his stationary contentment.

Playtime with Bekah

On Sunday afternoon, Bekah was playing restaurant. After several hours of this game, and Bekah asked for my 10th order, I told her I would like to order "silence." She grinned and promptly returned to her "kitchen" and returned with my order. Not knowing what she was pretending to give me, I took my "order," put it in both hands, and proceeded to pretend to put "ear plugs" in my ears. Bekah responded by putting her fists on her hips and scolding me for breaking my "drink." She decided I needed another "silence drink" and returned to her "kitchen" to bring us a new order.

Cinco de Mayo

We had a mini Cinco de Mayo celebration at our house. We made sombreros (pictured here), ate nachos, reviewed the Spanish words I know (labeling household items mostly), and discussed why Cinco de Mayo is significant (Mexican Independence Day.) Benjamin and Bekah thought it was a lot of fun to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with some of their friends.

Benjamin's Lego Dragon

Benjamin is very into building and Legos. For his birthday he received a couple of sets and this one is the dragon set. He and Dad built it together and then took turns shooting the ball out of the dragon's mouth. Later, Benjamin built a crocodile with minimal help. I love learning toys! I also love watching my children's minds develop through the use of learning toys.

Admiration for Runners

I really admire runners. I will never be one due to a chronic injury. A good dozen of the women in our neighborhood are avid runners and I enjoy hearing about their challenges and adventures. One of these amazing ladies, Jann, made this comment: "Awesome T-shirt quote of the day (worn by a runner, of course): My sport it your sports punishment." So much truth in that I had to laugh.

Cosmetologist, That's Part of My Job

A self-appointed cosmetologist,t that is. I do mine and my daughter's hair every day, I do manicures with and without color, I trim all of my children's toenails and fingernails, I cut and trim each child's hair, and I have even graduated to trimming my own hair. If I wasn't the one who was lucky enough to do these things, I would be the one who makes the appointments and take them to those appointments. Instead, I help our family save a little money by learning to do a little bit all by myself.

Benjamin Turns Six

Making Cookies with Ryan

A few days ago, my big kids asked for cookies. Due to the rain all week, I haven't been able to go outside and work in the yard and garden so I have been finding things inside to do. I gave Benjamin and Bekah a couple of options for cookies and promised to make them while I watched the rain. Unfortunately, Ryan wanted to be held when I decided to start making cookies. Instead of giving in to frustration, and postponing the cookies, I strapped Ryan into the Baby Bjorn and had him "help" me make cookies. His little hands were very helpful in trying to grab everything, and he wasn't too sure about the noisy electric mixer, but we successfully made chocolate chip cookie dough before the hard work of our task wore hm out completely. I love conquering challenges in sharing activities and life with my kiddos.

Getting ready to make cookie dough.

All worn out from being Mommy's helper.

Forgiveness and Bad Behavior

I have a few friends, and a couple of sisters, who like to post random things as their status on Facebook. Most of the time the status updates are hilarious or ridiculous. The other day, my friend Curtis had a profound random status. It read: "Forgiving someone does not mean allowing bad behavior 2 continue, it means not letting them effect ur life anymore, and not allowing them 2 be in your heart!"

I could not say it any better myself.

Construction Mess

Our family is under construction which usually means at least one room in the house looks like this. More often than not, there is only one room that does not look like this. I do my best to keep filth, dirt, and germs to a minimum but there are usually piles of stuff to be taken care of and a scattering of toys everywhere. I don't usually take pictures of our messes because I like to pretend they aren't there. Out of sight, out of mind.

The other day a friend was coming over to workout with me and I told her I needed to find the floor so we could do that without hurting ourselves. She laughed so I took a picture to send to her to prove I couldn't find the floor. She told me it wasn't as bad I thought it was. I told her that was bad in my opinion, and I doidn't want to imagine how it could be worse. I guess my standards of cleanliness are pretty high. I have learned my whole house can't be clean all at the same time given my current occupation and the constant "help" of my cute little co-workers, but everything does need to be cleaned thoroughly on a regular basis. Thus, our house usually has several construction zones that may be potentionally hazardous to cross through or work in. Nothing toxic, just the mess of living life in a family.

Until Next Time . . . .

I have been neglecting updating my blog for the last few days. My excuse: printer issues. I try to print my posts, run into printer issues (usually ink), and neglect to post until I solve the problem. That way I don't miss printing any of my posts for my scrapbook/journal. I can promise I won't neglect making updates again, until next time. Next time, I have a printer issue that is.

Laundress, That's Part of My Job

I sort the laundry (with help from my kiddos now they are big enough); I wash, dry, and fold the laundry; and I put away my clothes, the baby's clothes, and help my big kids make sure they get their clean clothes put away. I also purchase clothes, remove small clothes and replace them with bigger clothes, mend clothes, try to remove stains from clothes, discard clothes too worn out or stained to be worn, recycle clothes, and sew new clothes. I do my best to make sure Michael's suits get to the dry cleaners and picked up and that we always have enough clean clothes to wear. Did I mention I make sure we have season appropriate clothing as well? And I get to shop for and clean shoes as the need arises? Last, but not least, I have the opportunity to teach my children how to do their own laundry which is happening a little at a time given their current ages of 6, 4, and 6 months.

Why My Kids Won't Finish a Happy Meal

Until recently, I always wondered why my children couldn't finish their happy meals. We don't buy them very often, but I find myself frustrated when my children don't finish the "small" amount of food we buy for them. I now realize my children are better at stopping when they are "full" without eating too many extra calories than I am.

Benjamin wanted to go to McDonald's for his birthday so I looked up their nutritional information to make sure I could eat something there and still have enough calories leftover for cake when we arrived home. I was shocked and furstrated to realize it was extremely difficult to find something filling under 200 calories. I finally decided on a Fruit 'n' Yogurt Parfait (160 calories) and one of the children's Apples and Caramel Dipping Sauce (100 calories) because I knew at least one of them would not finish that portion of their meal. Remembering my frustration with Happy Meals, I decided to look up the details of the components available for a Happy Meal to see if they were having the same dilemma I was when deciding how much of what to eat. Here is what I found:

• Entree: Cheeseburger - 300, Hamburger - 250, or 4 Chicken Nuggets - 190 (with Creamy Ranch Sauce - +170)
• Side: Apples & Caramel Dipping Sauce - 100 or Small French Fries - 230
• Drink (not including soda because my kiddos don't like it): Apple Juice - 100, Chocolate Milk - 170, or Milk - 100

If I order Nuggets (190) with Ranch (170), a side of apples (100), and milk (100) the total calories for the meal would be 560 calories. Or if I order a Cheeseburger (300), a small fry (230), and apple juice (100) the total calories for the meal would be 630 calories. That caloric count is as much or more than I typically have for a large lunch or dinner. No wonder my children don't want to eat everything in their Happy Meal. I think we will stick to Subway or one thing off the Dollar Menu from now on.

Sharing the Gardens with Friends

 

Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt

Ryan was there too. He was just in the Baby Bjorn on my chest. Kind of hard to take pictures of him at that angle. That and he slept through the whole egg hunt.