Adam Made Me Cry...

You may have noticed that my last post was a little...uh...negative. I didn't mean for it to be...Actually, I don't like to think of it as negative....I prefer to think of it as a post dedicated to some of the challenges and opportunities for growth that motherhood can bring.(That sounded more acceptable, right?) This post will be dedicated to the good stuff, that catches you off guard, and makes you cry, that motherhood can bring.

My Adam was getting dressed for school the other day and had an extremely hard time getting his pants to button at the top. At the time, I made a mental note about needing to get him more school pants...but after I helped him button them up, I didn't think too much more about it. It probably should have crossed my mind that he may have a hard time if he needed to go to the bathroom at school, but...in the before school rush, I generally don't have a lot of forethought.

When he returned from school that afternoon he said in a matter-of- fact tone..."Mom, today I couldn't get my pants down when I had to go to the bathroom at school." I began to apologize to him, and then asked fearfully in a whisper, "Did you almost have an accident?" He said calmly, as he ate his after-school snack, "No, I just said a prayer and God helped me get my pants off." I was unbelievably touched. At first, I admit, that I had to suppress laughter when I envisioned my poor, sweet boy in a desperate struggle to get his pants down...but then, I felt tears well up in my eyes as I thought about how Adam knew to turn to Heavenly Father when he was in need. I asked myself what I would have done in that same situation...would I have turned to my Heavenly Father in prayer, or just ended up ripping my pants as I flailed around the bathroom stall? Adam, you made me think, buddy. I am really grateful for your example.

December 2007~ Adam 7 years and 5 months old

Sacrament Meeting Behavior

To anyone reading this post that doesn't happen to be Mormon, (Ohhhh, I feel like a journalist), Sacrament Meeting is the name of our main worship service on Sunday.


Before I begin the following diatribe, I should probably mention, in fairness to my sons, that for the most part their behavior on Sunday has been acceptable. The key words used here are, "for the most part".



This picture was taken last Sunday before church. Don't my children look angelic? Yeah, uh-huh...read on...

Recently, we have been experiencing...um...shall I say..."behavioral difficulties"...

Firstly, my children seem physically unable to whisper. When I remind them that they are not whispering, they speak just as loudly in what would be best described as "hissing" at each other. Though I appreciate the attempt at whispering, the whisper/hissing is very distracting to the other people seated around us, in about a 3 row radius. We have had Family Home Evening lessons devoted to the practice of being able to communicate, in what would be considered, an actual whisper...to no avail. Though every member of the family is able to demonstrate a proper ability to whisper by the conclusion of the lesson...once we enter the chapel doors all prior training is abandoned.








Lately Brian, has attempted to snag more than one piece of Sacrament bread. This is a matter of great concern for both Evan and Adam. As the tray approaches our row...both older boys begin to adamantly "whisper/hiss" , "Just take 1 piece, Brian!!! Just one piece!" I would really appreciate Evan and Adam letting me handle the situation as I deem necessary, because when they command Brian to do something it pretty much ensures that he will do the opposite. Because the older boys have been so loud in their "whispered" instructions to Brian...I can't help but be aware of all of the congregation members in the aforementioned 3 row radius, paying close attention to whether Brian will take just one piece of bread. Yeah, you guessed it...that boy will cram at least two (if not, three) into his mouth to prove that his brothers aren't the "boss of him!". I get a mixture of dirty looks by some, and polite chuckles from others, to let me know that Yes, we are being watched because we are a major distraction.
(actually...in all honesty, only one person gives me dirty looks~ and I feel I should mention that all of her children are grown and gone, and ...if she happens to be reading this, please Sister, cut me some slack...I am trying...) Editorial Note: I was only brave enough to add that comment because I am fairly certain that she is not reading this.


Adam seems unable to keep his blessed feet off of the hymnal holder attached to the back of the pew in front of us. He managed to unhitch it from the pew, more than once, on one particular Sunday. Luckily for him, it is easy to re-attach...but I have begged the child, repeatedly, to put his feet down. The last time I told him to get his feet down my sarcasm took over, (it rears it's ugly head at the most inopportune times) and I said something along the lines of , "Boy, get your feet down, this is not your family room!!!!"



I know it may be coming across that I am exaggerating for comedic purposes as I write this, but I promise that all of this is true. Now that I have stated that, I am ready to share that several Sundays ago, my Brian, was GARGLING the Sacrament water. I did not whisper...I hissed at him, "Swallow It!" He kept gargling, with smiling eyes, and so... I did what I had to do. I plugged the little turkey's nose shut so he would either swallow the water...or drown. Along those same lines, each week we resume the eternal struggle of making sure that Brian throws his Sacrament cup in the proper cup receptacle. (the trays that hold the cups have built in slots to dispose of the little plastic, as Jessica brilliantly described it, 'choking hazard/noise-maker' cups.) Brian will strive to keep that little cup with every ounce of strength he possesses. If he manages to keep the cup because I am distracted by, I don't know, actually trying to pray and feel the Spirit, he will eventually crush the cup and make repeated crinkling sounds that are positively deafening to me.


We have strategically re-positioned ourselves on Sunday so that Mike can see us from where he sits on the stand. I chose our new seat so that I can shoot Mike withering stares and he can shoot the boys warning glances...or daggers from his eyes, as the situation demands. I am ashamed to admit it, but I actually uttered the words last week, "If Daddy has to come off of that stand...so help you!" It wasn't an idle threat, because I truly reached max point when Evan, my usually helpful 10 year old, slipped to the dark side. He made Adam angry by using Adam's shoulder to click a pen into a writing position instead of quietly clicking it open with his own thumb....and then he did the unfathomable.....Each week, Brian asks me to draw him a picture of Batman and Robin. I am not a skilled artist...but I oblige him, and he usually seems happy with my artistic attempt. Last Sunday...Evan had the audacity to cross out Batman and Robin and write, "Joker is Better (so much better)" next to them. As you can imagine, Brian tried to kill Evan with his bare hands...right there in the pew. Brian couldn't read the words but, he knew that Batman and Robin had been scribbled on, and crossed out. I'll give you "better" Evan! You are 10 years old, son. You know, better!


Seriously...What's a mother to do?

Sons...I love each of you, so much. Please, don't drive me to drink. As a Mormon woman, I have to adhere to rules that forbid that sort of thing.

Preparing for Christmas in "Jawww-Ja"...

The Marshman boys modeling the latest in Christmas head wear. I chuckled at Brian stuffing a Virginia Tech ball cap on top of his

antlers.

Being from Southwest Virginia, (we consider Blacksburg, Virgina to be our homeland, if you will) we got to hear lots of , what I considered, southern accents.


The quaint accents of our homeland, pale in comparison, to the strong southern drawl one can enjoy in here in (deeper south, than Virginia), Georgia.


Brian is currently enjoying his first year of pre-school under the tutelage of his teacher, Mrs. Echols. Mrs. Echols, is the quintessential "Propa', Suthun', Lady". Whenever I am around a person with an accent different than my own, I somehow, temporarily, assume their same accent. This is problematic, in that, I suspect people may think I am mocking them in some way. I am truly not! I am fascinated by accents...it just, sort of, happens...


Evidently, it happens to my Brian, too...

They have been singing Christmas carols at pre-school. Brian came home and was singing all of the songs with vigor! I was amused when I heard him sing, "Santa Claus is Coming to Town!" because he delivered the lyrics in his quickly evolving suthun' draaaaaaaaaawl. He proudly, belted out, "Betta' watch out...betta' not craaaaaaaa....betta' not pout, I'm telling you, whaaaaaaaaa....." It was quite hilarious, and, of course, Evan began assuming the same accent and, Adam followed suit...


In other, preparing for Christmas news...Adam informed his brothers that he is the smartest child in the family because, even from a very young age he has always referred to Santa as, well, "Santa". This declaration is sort of my fault because, I was reminiscing about how, when Evan was very young he used to call Santa, "Noah" and talk about, "When Noah comes with presents". Evan's confusion came from his being given a book, at a very young age, that was a stuffed doll version of Noah with the story of Noah and the Flood in a little board book that was in a backpack on the back of the doll's back. The Noah doll really does look a lot like, well, Santa...thus Evan's confusion. Brian called Santa, until very recently, "Ho Ho Man". So, I guess that is why Adam has claimed himself intellectually superior to his brothers. Even though Brian now, refers to Santa correctly, most of the time...I have heard him refer to Santa recently as, "That Christmas, man", and yesterday he said to Mike, "Dad, Santa has a Ho Ho beard." Well, he does!


In talking about Christmas preparations...I really feel I should publicly thank Evan for not spoiling his younger brothers' Christmas fun. Spoiler Alert: If you believe in Santa, do not read the following sentences... Poor Evan, had the wonder of Christmas and the magic of Santa stolen from him by an adult member of the church, at the very tender age of 6. He came to me and informed me that Santa wasn't real because "Brother "W" from church, said so." I will always be sad that Evan was disavowed of his belief in Santa so young. Having him told the truth so young, did give us the chance to testify about the birth of our Savior being 100% real, but...we were already trying to instill in Evan the true meaning of Christmas...so ultimately I just felt disgruntled. Okay...that was a bit of a tangent...I just want to thank you, Evan, for keeping the secret of Santa. I appreciate how you are very protective of your brothers still being able to "believe".


We hope all of your preparations, are going well for all of you! We are having an "action packed" Christmas season and lots of fun.


Oh, and Evan asked if he could eat the cookies we leave for Santa this year..."Yes, Evan~ as I feel it is a small price to pay for your continued silence."

I had to include some pictures of the Noah doll board book. I can see Evan's confusion...he does kind of look like Santa.

Please, Advise.

I am sending this post out as an official cry for help. To all of my friends in the blogging world...I am experiencing technical difficulties. I am trying to post with a theme...so...my reason for including this glamorous picture of myself, is: Whenever I try to post pictures on my blog, I feel like I get sucker punched. (Don't worry, I will include at the end of this post how I got this beautiful, black eye.)
Do any of you out there have any advice how to post pictures without, if I may ask, feeling like you want to scream or dismantle your computer in a violent fashion? I would like to post more regularly...but it seems that every time I try to post pictures, I:

A). Have a really hard time getting them where I need them...

B). Once I get the pictures where I want them...It kind of messes up my journaling...

C). If I fix my journaling, my picture sometimes disappears, into some sort of "La La land" and I have to upload it again and risk messing up my journaling, again...

I'm still new to blogging...so I was wondering if anyone else feel like posting pictures can be a drag? (oh, hey... no pun intended....ya know, because you have to click on your pictures and "drag" them? Hey, I'm in a bad mood so, indulge me and laugh...or at least politely chuckle.)

Anyway...does anyone have any sage advice for me? When posting pictures, have you bloggers out there, found it more effective to do all your journaling first and then post and drag your pictures? Do you type a little...then upload a picture...then type some more? Do you feel like it becomes easier to drag pictures, depending on the template? Everyone out there in blogging land...you are under no moral obligation to respond to this post. It's okay...just leave me here...crying...I don't want to be a bother...

And Now, the Moment You Have Been Waiting For... unless you have already logged off, that is...

How I Got My Glorious Black Eye...

Last year...on September 20th, 2006... Brian, (3 years and 4 months old, at the time) was jumping and flipping all over the couch. I was seated next to him and just as I said, "Brian, stop that, you are going to kick me in the *WHAM*!" Just as I was about to say "face" he did this kind of forward roll/flip and his heel came down right on my eye. I honestly couldn't see for a moment...I didn't see any stars or tweeting little birds, but I came close!

It was a memorable experience, in that, everywhere we went as my eye healed, people would look poor Mike up and down, like he had actually decked me. I felt like wearing a sign that said "I know he is small, and looks innocent, and is only 2 foot 2 inches...but the 3 year old did it!" I did have a friend that advised me to tell people who stared too long, "Hey, you think I look bad...you shoulda' seen the the other guy!"

We had parent-teacher conferences the week of my black eye...I decided to offer up information about what really happened, before the boys' teachers could look at Mike suspiciously. Adam's teacher jokingly said that she was wondering if she needed to call social services, when she saw me.

I had another friend, that learned to apply stage makeup in college, that offered to make the other eye match...

I think my favorite experience of my "black eye week" was attending the temple. Other temple patrons would look at me and look away, politely....and then I'd pretend to be in quiet thought and I could tell that they were sneaking another peek out of the corner of eye (my black eye, that is). I was relieved that as we were leaving...the little man at the front desk asked with a smile, "Did you at least win the fight?" It was wonderful to finally tell someone, "If you saw my 3 year old, I know you would think that it wasn't possible, but he did this to me!" It was nice to be able to tell him the whole story. I felt like abandoning the hushed tones we should speak with, while attending the temple, and yelling to everyone within ear shot what had happened to me...but... ultimately, I probably just flatter myself that anyone was really that concerned...I sometimes have this problem with thinking everything is about me.

Oh, and later on... my sister-in-law Amy was helping me with my Christmas letter of 2006 on her computer. She uploaded some my pictures onto her computer to add to my letter. Later that day, I noticed that she had quietly uploaded this picture, and put it on her computer as her new wallpaper. I almost soiled myself....and then we all had a good laugh about it. She took it down after I had begged sufficiently. Love Ya, Amy! Good one! And... I hope you have forgiven me for calling you a "Hussy".

Michael is a DEAD MAN...

So...it appears my husband has been doing a little "elf-ing" of his own. (See the BLASTED previous post, "Posted by Mike".

He has only two saving graces...With the elf body, I have never looked thinner, and he cropped my face in such a way, that it hides my double chin...

His life is still in danger, however.

As my wonderful Mother-in-Law, Joyce put it, "There will be a lump of coal in his stocking this year!"

Mom, Joyce...I love you, and I am sorry that I have to seriously injure your first born.

Posted by Mike!

To All,

There have been a great number of requests to see my wife dance. Usually, I do not bow down to peer pressure, but my wife does look good when she dances. The words I usually use are “hot and sexy”. Judge for yourself. Please send your comments since she doesn't know she is dancing. Click on the link below to enjoy the view!

Merry Christmas

Signed,

Santa at Rainbow St.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1275764056

Less Labor Intensive Christmas Card...

Hello, to all of our loved ones! The Marshman Family of Georgia wants to wish all of you, and yours a very Merry Christmas!

This is our official Christmas card this year...I know it is lazy but, sending out traditional ones seemed a little too labor intensive...

Our little family is doing well…busy as usual !

To see our Christmas card click on the link below!
Lots of love to all of you! If you decide to “Elf Yourselves” send us a copy! To find out what that means click on, said, link below!

There was only space for 4 elves so I, (Lauren) didn’t make the cut *phew!*
I probably should have included myself in the card~as my legs would have never looked thinner!
Elves Left to Right: Evan (10), Adam (7), Brian (4) and Mike

Love,
Mike, Lauren, Evan, Adam and Brian

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1215766815

Decking the Halls, or Each Other?

So, we began our decorating for Christmas...

We had an enjoyable time...though at times, I use the word "enjoyable" loosely...

As we were sorting all the branches of our fake Christmas tree... my sons began whacking each other with them... Evan and Adam were beating each other about the heads, and Brian was taking it to every body's kneecaps....I said, "Boys, please use the branches for good, not evil....". Seeing I had the camera, in hand, ( I was planning on taking quaint pictures for archival purposes) they begged, "Mom, take a picture of us fighting!" Um...no...but then, they posed for this testosterone charged shot. I relented, and captured it on film, in the interest of staying true to our tree trimming experience.

Adam loves to decorate! He is so enthusiastic about it! I didn't take pictures of him decorating our car for the "Trunk or Treat" at church this past Halloween....I know, bad Mom...even worse...Bad Blogger. I couldn't find him one day, and when I finally did, I realized he was decorating our car by himself, I was really tickled with his excitement. I stifled my desire to say "Uh huh, okay honey....now hurry up and finish decorating the van so you can close the doors, and not kill the battery." I can be such a killjoy at times. Adam has taught me to try to focus on what really matters. Whenever he is in charge of the activity for Family Home Evening he always wants to get out the decorations for whatever holiday is coming up. Sometimes I secretly think, "Oh, Adam...I don't want to mess with all of that tonight....can't we just play a board game?" But, Adam continually helps me realize how important it is to find joy in our family tradition of decorating.

Here we see Brian in his after pre-school uniform. His love of Batman looks like it will span into the new year. He kept pleading "Mom, take my picture!" I am happy to oblige you, Batman...Um...I mean, Brian.

I kept trying, in vain, to get Evan to smile for the camera... In most of his shots he had a look like "Mom, puh- leeease!" This was the closest to a smile, that I was able to glean. This behavior has "pre-teen" written all over it, don't cha think? I love you, Evan! You are awesome!

Here we see Mike...who tried to dodge being photographed by ducking behind assorted limbs and children...but, I finally got my shot...because I cornered him...literally

From executing acts of violence to becoming "tree huggers". That's my boys! All joking aside...I had a great time with all of you!

December 2007~ Evan: 10years and 5 months old, Adam 7 years and 5 months old, and Brian 4 years and 7 months old~

Mike Had a Birthday...Shout, "HOORAY!"

Mike had his 37th birthday this past Friday November 30th. As his birthday approached, I was formulating in my mind the blog I would post that expressed my undying love for him. I have read other peoples' fabulous blogs, and an idea that I LOVE that I have seen other people post on their blogs, is to list wonderful attributes about the person they are blogging about. So, if the person is turning 10 years old on their birthday, then the writer of the post lists 10 wonderful things they love about them.

I was mentally compiling my list of 37 wonderful Mike attributes, when Mike asked me concerning his birthday..."Um, are you gonna write a blog about my birthday?" When I told him that, I was indeed, he asked nervously "You're not going to write a list about me, are you?" (Editorial Note: I often read other people's blogs to Mike. We like to talk about what our friends, and loved ones with blogs are up to, and enjoy how clever, and unique other peoples' blogs are. I have read Mike many of the aforementioned "lists" people compose about their loved ones and he seemed to genuinely like hearing them.)

I told him that I had a lovely list forming mentally, and he said, that he didn't want a list- because everyone would be able to read it. I tried to explain that THAT, is part of the beauty of posting a list. It expresses undying love...a public declaration of, said, undying love...I kind of felt my lip starting to quiver, because I was afraid he was trying to say, that he didn't really like all of the, for lack of a better way to describe them, "lovey-dovey" cards and letters I have written him throughout the course of our courtship and marriage. (I know, I tend to read a lot into things.) He then assured me that he LOVES my cards and letters...and he loves that no one else can read them. So, because my sweetheart is kind of shy and private...I will honor his request and give him a card that allows me to thank him for all he does for me, and lets me extol his many wonderful qualities...privately.

For anyone reading this blog...please keep posting your lists because I think they are fantastic!

So...I don't think Mike will mind me sharing how...on his birthday we gave him, as he requested, a great big exercise ball and weights. (they were what he asked for, so don't mistakenly think I have, somehow, become health conscious...yeah, right the day that happens)...The reason I am writing what we gave him is because he, as always, cracked us up when he opened his gift. As soon as he took the, still deflated and boxed, exercise ball out of the wrapping he said, as he studied the cover of the box with the well toned woman smiling on it..."Alllllright! Maybe, I can look like her one day!" The boys cracked up. Mike, you are hilarious!

So, here are some fun pictures from the past (before we went digital)...in honor of your Birthday!
I learned how to use the scanner today, Honey...Boy, Howdy! I'ts ONNN now!

I love this picture of you and Brian! (10 months old here)

I just adore this picture, too! Here you are, looking hot, with Adam (age 3 years and one month old ) and Evan (age 6 years and 1 month old) at Holden Beach, NC.

So there ya go, Babe! I hope you had a wonderful birthday! We love you so much! Oh, and you are a really great kisser! Ha Haaah! I posted that and you couldn't stop me!

A Public Service Announcement...

This is for my friends that read the comments on my blog and asked suspiciously, "So, Who is Jack?" Well, the comments made to this blogspot under the name Jack McKinley are actually being made by Jack's wife, Jaime. So, please accept the following Public Service Announcement: I am not having an Internet affair with Jack McKinley...I am having an Internet affair with his wife, Jaime....er.....Oh, for pity sake, people...you know what I meant! Also, I am not having an inappropriate Internet relationship with my brother-in-law, Jon Clay...the comment made under the name "jdubyk" was made by my sister, Stephanie...Jon Clay's wife. So...stop making me feel like some sort of blogging floozy, people!


Here we see the wonderful Jaime and Jack. See...nothing inappropriate here...these are church going people...They even went to church in Paris, when they were on a trip for their 10 year anniversary!

I Almost Missed It...

This past Monday when Mike got home from work he came into the house and exclaimed in his best Irish accent, " I thought the pot of Gold was under me house!" ( You haven't lived until you've heard my adorable husband speak in his Irish accent....but, I digress...) I looked at him with a puzzled expression...and he asked, "Did you see the rainbow?"

I must pause for a break in the story and tell the readers of this blog about the hours of 3:00p.m. until about 6:00p.m. at my house. I have a friend, named Jaime, that calls these hours the "Witching Hours". I like the title "Witching Hours" better than what I usually call them: "The I Want To Run Screaming Into the Night Hours" or parenthetically titled, (If I Run Screaming Into the Night, Will My Poor Kids Have Abandonment Issues? Hours)

As all mothers know...the hours between the time the kids get home from school and Daddy gets home from work are often stressful and "action packed" to say the very least. Between homework, ravenous children begging for snacks, breaking up fights, trying to find uniforms and footwear for sports, ~ I have lost all ability to see the beauty in life. I am always so happy to see Mike at the end of the day...because I love him, dearly, and because I am frothing at the mouth by 4:45p.m.

So, now I resume the story I started before....Mike asked me, "Did you see the rainbow?" I was aware that it had been raining...(Yes, folks! You read it here first...it finally rained here last Monday after months of drought-like conditions)...I told him I hadn't seen a rainbow and he led me outside to see the most beautiful rainbow I have ever seen. I really need to slow down and try to enjoy life a little more.

A Rainbow Over Rainbow Street

We Hope You Had a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

We have been out of town for the last few days visiting my parents for Thanksgiving. We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly, and ate way too much! (I reserve the right to grant myself clemency from dieting, in any form, over the Thanksgiving holiday.) Having said that , I must confess that I think I am still in a Turkey coma, so this blog may sound a little scatter-brained and random.

Firstly, "The Huntress" (see the earlier post) is pleased to give the following status report of the mice situation. All traps were empty upon our return home. The exterminator is still coming, because, I know that those little buggers are just lying in wait...taunting me...

My kids made me laugh a lot over the Thanksgiving holiday. Brian kept telling everyone that it was "Sanksgiving". Then he would ask me "Is it Sanksgiving, or Christmas, Mom?" I would remind him it is Thanksgiving and he would say "Oh, yeah...it's Sanksgiving..." Then, as we were driving around he would see all of the Christmas decorations and he would ask me again if it was Christmas or Thanksgiving. I understand why it could be confusing to the poor little guy. Brian, honey...Mommy will explain all of the ins and outs of commercialism when you are a little older. Maybe, one day, you will even find beauty in finding great deals on Black Friday.

Or

???

Evan kept pointing out how big Brian's muscles are to everyone. Each time he did, Brian would pull up his sleeves to show his impressive biceps. It was not done by Evan mean-spiritedly...seeing Brian flex was very entertaining. Grandma, could be heard saying in response to Brian striking body-building like poses "Ohhhh, my! Look at those muscles!"

Adam showed some mad skills while playing board games! He proved himself to be a formidable opponent in both Set, and Pictionary Junior. If Adam had a question about one of the words he was supposed to draw, he would charge up the steps and ask Grandad to explain it to him. At one point, I was in my office, (a.k.a. the bathroom) and I heard Adam ask Grandad what the word "umpire" meant. My Dad began to explain saying "You know when you are watching a baseball game and the man that...." Before Grandad could finish I heard Adam call out, as he was running out the door..."Oh, yeah! I know who you mean!" I was talking with my Dad later, and he said how much he enjoyed helping Adam, and how funny it was to see the "light bulb click on" in his eyes when he realized what he wanted to draw. I witnessed him running back to the game several times. You could see the proverbial "wheels turning" in his mind as he formulated how he was going to draw his clues.

Of course, watching the Virginia Tech Hokies beat the University of Virginia Cavaliers was a highlight of the Thanksgiving holiday. Go Hokies! Mike's cousin Nick even got some camera time, as he plays an offensive guard position for Tech.

I had an unexpected "touching moment" during our visit. My sister Stephanie called my mom to thank her for "sucking the snot out of her nose when she was a baby." Mom said she responded with a confused "Uh... well, you're welcome..." Stephanie went on to explain that her 5 month old, Jack had a terrible cold and had to have his nasal passages cleared so...as she was wrestling him and using a bulb syringe to clean out his little nose, she said to little Jack ( as he screamed his sweet little head off) "You'll thank me for this, one day!" and then it dawned on her....Jack probably won't ever thank her for irrigating his little nose. Purging nasal passages is truly,thankless work. Realizing this, she called Mom to officially thank her for, as mentioned before, "sucking the snot out of her nose when she was a baby." We got a good chuckle out of the story, but then it hit me...parenting is often thankless work,so...this goes out to my parents, and Mike's parents...This Thanksgiving we want to THANK OUR PARENTS FOR EVERYTHING! WE LOVE YOU!

Here we see my sister, Stephanie (the nasal passage sucker-outer) holding her son Jack (the nasal passage sucked-outee). Uncle Jon is holding Jack's twin brother, Alex. (Don't worry Alex...I'm sure Mommy will irrigate your nasal passages one day, too!)

Hmmm...note to self...remember to clean out Adam's ears tomorrow. Be at peace with the fact that he will not thank me for my efforts.

A Word to the Wise...

Brian was 3 years and 9 months old in this picture

If you say to certain children "Put your shirt on, please..." this is what you may end up with. I can't argue...his shirt is, in fact, on. Lately, I have had to be more specific. For example, I realize now I need to say something along the lines of..."Please, put your shirt on with your head in the head hole, not the arm hole, and put both of your arms in the arm holes...each arm hole should have 1 arm in it. It can be exhausting being specific, let me tell ya. I think he looks cute, though! I am convinced that Heavenly Father makes children adorable to their mothers...so they don't kill them

The Thanksgiving Feast and Pageant

Yesterday, I had a special treat! I got to attend Adam's 2nd Grade Thanksgiving Pageant and Feast. I know every parent in the "New World" has pictures similar to these, but I firmly feel that Adam makes a handsome native American, in his handmade headdress and vest. Be sure to notice his craftsmanship as you enjoy these photos.

He didn't know I took a picture of the back of his headdress...but, I just wanted to capture his use of multiple feathers. Adam was 7 years and 4 months old at the time of this photo shoot.

Thanks for inviting me to come, Adam. I had a great time!

Supernanny is a Hag

Occasionally, Mike and I like to watch episodes of Supernanny. Admittedly, it is to make fun of other peoples children because, even though our children's behavior could be deemed "less than perfect" at times (I know, shocking) it is fun to watch the show and think to ourselves, with an heir of arrogance, "Well, at least our children don't behave like that!"
In one episode, Supernanny explained that when you have an unruly child you need to get down on your knees and look straight into the child's eyes instead of towering over them when you are correcting their behavior. She explained at length, the merits of the child having eye to eye contact and feeling like they are able to express themselves better that way, instead of being domineered.
Enter my wonderful Brian... ( 4 years and 5 months old at the time of the incident)
Brian LOVES his Batman outfit. He would wear it until it rots off of him. One afternoon, he wanted to change back into it after pre-school but it was FILTHY! I told him it had to be washed before he could wear it again. My statement was met with all manner of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth...so...instinctively, I fell back upon my training at the feet of Supernanny. I got down on my knees...I looked deep into sweet Brian's brown eyes and explained, on his level, in a soft tone, that his Batman outfit was not just dirty, it was filthy and smelly and HAD to be washed...I even said, that I understood that he was upset...when he said flatly ..."Your teeth are YELLOW!"
May Supernanny never meet me in a dark alley. I dare say, she has never met the likes of my Brian.

I Am the Huntress...

I can't believe my first real post is going to be about our ongoing "Home Invasion". (editorial note to anyone reading this blog...it is not for the faint of heart...it deals with vermin.)
Okay, so...several weeks ago I was up really late at night (anyone who knows me, knows that being up late is a rarity for me because I really suspect that I have some form of narcolepsy that only strikes after 8:00p.m.) As I was sitting on the couch, I saw a cute, little grey mouse scurry past. Yipe! We bought traps and I jokingly told Mike and the boys that I was not only their beloved wife and mother but, I exclaimed "I am the Huntress!" Basically, knowing there was a mouse in the house gave me the willies so, my strategy in naming myself "The Huntress" was to convince myself I was in control of the situation and to strike fear in the hearts of any mice listening. I called my sister, Stephanie to lament, and she told me that she had recently learned from a friend who had just had a mouse problem that her friend's exterminator said that if you see one mouse...there are usually about 5 or 6. Fabulous. So...within the first day we caught one...I was so frightened to pick it up that I actually made Mike dispose of it when he got home...as time wore on the death toll reached 7. In the beginning of the ordeal I told my sister that I was one step shy of acting like the women in the old-fashioned Tom and Jerry cartoons in high-heels with ruffled petticoats screaming on top of a kitchen chair (does anyone remember that visual?) but, by day 3 I had become a cold blooded killer. Stephie would call me and not even say "Hello" at first but simply ask "Death Toll?" (Stephie, I want to thank you for seeing me through this vigil) I had become so callous that I had no trouble disposing of traps with, may they rest in peace, deceased mice attached. Well, I left new traps down at night, ya know, just in case, and after 2 weeks of no mice and the death toll halting at 7...last night 2 became victims of "The thought she was flippin' retired Huntress"! As mentioned before, I can't believe that this is the subject matter of my first real post...but I am crestfallen, and downright furious! I am calling the exterminator first thing this morning...the huntress needs to network.