Where to begin?

The last month has turned our lives upside down. And there are so many things to report-

First the kids

Katrina turned 11! This was a very big, long anticipated birthday. She has been counting down since about... hmmm... "1 more year until I'm 11!" The count down got more obsessive as we got to 4 months, then to 6 weeks, then at 4 weeks it turned into days. So she had a friend party. This is not an every year occurrence for us, and I never thought 11 would be a "special" year, but due to unforeseen circumstances we chose to make an exception. (More on that latter)

Tyler is Tyler, struggling to be the "perfect" kid. He is a HUGE help, and takes on too much responsibility. A couple weeks ago while Brady was out of town, I was SICK. One of those sicks you are sure you have NEVER experienced before. I had a fever, was disoriented, dizzy, and even picked fights on the phone with my dear hubby, that apparently I was asleep through, because I don't remember them. Anyway, this lasted for 4 days, I laid on the couch and poor Tyler ran the house. He brought me drinks and medicine. Cooked for and fed the other children, supervised chores, and kept the laundry going. Every day he would come home from school and would find me sleeping on the couch, put his hand on my forehead, and ask, "Are you doing any better Mom?"

Carter- Well Carter is following in his sister and mothers footsteps. My poor baby broke his ankle last week- least we think thats whats wrong. After a week on crutches, and Brady trying to convince me it was nothing, I finally broke down and took Carter to the Dr. yesterday. He was sure it was broken due to the continued swelling, discoloration, and pain. But the x-ray was clear and the radiologist agreed. But they both said they still think there is a fracture they can't see, so Carter is in a walking boot for a week. At the end of the week, if he is still bruised, swollen and having pain we are supposed to go see an orthopedist.

So this week, along with other major tasks, I need to apply for CHIP so we can afford to possibly have to see the specialist.

The other major task- well that'll have to wait for another blog, as I have hours of work to do and only a short time to complete it.

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Dingus Days

We don't home school- unlike most of my sisters, or should I say- ALL of my sisters, my children are in public school. I love the IDEA of home schooling, especially the way my sisters do it, but it just doesn't fit our life.

We've talked about it, we've researched it, we've toyed with the idea, but for now it is not for us.

But we DINGUS!!!! We love to Dingus!!!! I read Amy's post from a couple days ago and I remembered all the great memories we made together. My family try's to Dingus whenever possible. With Brady's travel schedule these are VERY important times. When he is in town, we always take a day to just be together. School/assignments/work- it all takes a back seat to our family and the memories we will take with us.

My kids LOVE dingus days. They usually start with Brady and I turning off the alarm clocks. Kids sleep in and come running to our room, waking us with cries of missing the bus. Then we tell them "today is officially a dingus day." Everyone cheers and climbs onto our bed to find out what great adventure we have in store. It is usually something simple, lunch and a matinee, bowling, or just junk food and a movie in our home theater. But they have included trips to Lagoon, a day at BoonDocks and even once a trip to Denver. But whatever it is, when we tuck them in at night everyone wants to know if tomorrow can be another dingus day.

I am very thankful to my parents for teaching us that these simple memories are all that truly matter.

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I'm so glad when Daddy comes home...

glad as I can be!!!!

Do they still sing that song in primary? I don't know but it sure does explain how I am feeling right now. Only 13 more hours til Brady comes home. It has been 10 days and I am dying!!

We have learned something interesting the last 6 or so months of doing this. I am good at handeling the single mom thing. I'm actually quite apt at it.... for 7 days. On day 8 I start to get snippy, the kids get ornery and start talking back, and we realise just how much we miss Daddy.

Don't get me wrong, we miss him the first 7 days, but we REALLY miss him on day 8, and by day 10- Mommy needs Daddy home. I need a break... I need someone else who can-

Fix dinner

Tell the kids to do their chores

Tuck the kids in

Clean up the living room

Switch over the laundry,

or maybe even keep it running

Vacuum up gross bugs

Supervise the cleaning of the kitchen

or a bathroom or two

Someone else to help!!!

I guess thats not quite true, I need more than someone elses help. I need someone who cares as much about all these little things as I do, because it is our house and our children. I need someone else to sit with and argue about what to watch on TV. I just NEED his presence. Having him here it just different. Even if he's not feeling very helpful, his presence competes me. I am complete when we are together, whether he is in the basement working, or laying next to me in bed. Whether he is wrapped up in his computer or we are discussing our life, his presence makes me whole.

So tomorrow around noon-

I will clap my hands and shout for joy,

because my better half will be home and life will be complete again.

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Infestation

Do you recognize this pest? It's correct name is the Box Elder Bug, often referred to here in Utah as the "October Bug" because of the coloring and timing of the year. My home is currently infested!!! I hate these bugs... I hate all bugs!!

These little guys don't bite, dont carry disease but they are creepy and they fly. I have HUGE south facing windows that get sun all day and these bugs love the heat it creates. So they cover the window and find their way inside.

Can we say "YUCK!"

Chemicals don't work on them, they only stay for about 2 months, and they are EVERYWHERE!!! The windows are crawling inside and out with little bugs. They are on my lamps, on the floor, on my computer, EVERYWHERE!!!

And you cant squash them. They crunch and smell like stink bugs. According to the internet the best defense is your vacuum. So I sit at my computer with my vacuum and hose and vacuum them up when they get near me.

Despite what is says on the internet I am going to call my father-in-law the bug sprayer and ask him to spray the back of my house anyway, even it it helps a little it will be worth it. If I find my camera I will post a picture of the disgusting things covering my windows.

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Time passes!

It is crazy how long it has been since I have posted to this blog. I have been crazy busy and it has been hard to find time to go down to the office and dedicate any large amount of time to sit in front of my computer. So I made an executive decision. Brady is out of town, so I moved my computer up to the family room. This way it is more a part of every day life. The boys are excited to have a computer that is easier to access for their games, and I can keep an eye on what they are doing. No more pre-teen boys locked away in a corner office on the computer anymore.

So we are back into meet/competition season at the gym. So my hours are up, and I am busy most weekends. I spent today at a meet in Bountiful, next week a gym in West Valley and one in Ogden the week after that. I have a meet most weekends till the end of November.

We have been lucky to have Brady home for the last couple weeks. Sadly he had to leave again on Thursday, but will be back on Friday night. I go through phases. Sometimes it's no big deal to have him gone, other times, I can't handle it, and feel like I am going to go crazy. My poor husband doesnt know how to handle these mood swings.

Kids are busy at school, the usual things. Katrina's working on her first science project, Tyler LOVES everyday, and Carter got in his first fist fight... oh the joys of having boys!!!

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Oh, Lazy Dayz....

Today is Sunday. Brady got called to a home in Heber that is having Vantage issues so it's just the kids and I. Church doesnt start til 1 so we are having a very relaxing morning just hanging out together. It's wonderful that everyone is old enough to get themselves ready. It makes Sunday Mornings so much easier.

Yesterday we spent the day doing laundry, and refreshing everyones knowledge of how to sort, wash, dry and fold their own clothes. We seam to go in cycles. Every.ne does really well for a couple weeks, then the job seams to fall back on me.

I know a lot has to do with our crazy schedule, between Brady's travel, my coaching hours, and the kids school and social lifes there is not a lot of "routine" to our lives. This is one of the things I am currently working on. I got a Blackberry, (my fabulous sister in law gave me her old one) and I have spent the last week getting everyones schedules onto one calender. I am trying to start using Google Calender, hoping that will help a little.

Katrina is off her crutches, but still in her "shoe" for a few more weeks. But Doc says she's healing well. She has discovered the telephone. I always knew it would happen one day and that day is here. Her best friend has a cell phone so they are always on the phone. Sadie called Kartrina the other night to tell her there was a movie on disney that she wanted them to watch together, on the phone!! Seriously?

So today is a nice lazy day.... today we will enjoy our time... just be us...

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marvelous technology

so i got a blackberry. im trying out this app called cellspin that allows me to post from my new toy to blogger. im trying to get my life a little more organized. this thing has some really cool apps that help... but its a bit like facebook and i can get sucked in really easy!

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