Ode to My Husband...

Isn't he handsome? This is a picture he had to have taken for work. I just love how he looks in a suit!

Last weekend was my best friend's birthday. Yes, Chris turned a ripe old 35! Yikes! A while back I saw this tag on Leanne's blog and thought this would be an appropriate time to respond with my answers.

However, before I get on with the mushy stuff I can't help but share a hilarious story. This is one of those experiences that just help you bond as husband and wife. Someday, when we're really old, we'll look back and laugh together all over again. (Like we still do about the time we were walking to class at BYU, holding hands like always. Our hands were in his coat pocket due to the frigid weather that day. One of us hit a patch of ice and--sw00sh--we both hit the ground. We could NOT stop laughing!)

Oh yah, our current funny moment: On Sunday, Chris' actual birthday, I was going to meet Chris in the foyer after church (our family meeting place) and Brianna informed me he was "waiting in the car." Strange. However, I proceeded to the car. I sat down and Chris turned to me and our conversation went like this:

"You are supposed to take care of me."
"What do you mean?" said I.
"Look at my feet."
"What, did you wear two different socks?"
"Look again...."
I looked again--Chris was wearing TWO DIFFERENT SHOES! He was SO embarrased. Not only were they different colors, but one was a slip on and one was a lace up! Too funny. He had been holding Jenna and we were late for church. He went into the dark walk-in closet, stuck his feet in, and we were off. I don't pay any attention to those things. It wasn't until the 3rd hour of church, while he was sitting with the Priest's Quorum (the 16-17 year old boys) that one of the kids jumped back in his chair and said, "Woah, you've got two different shoes on!" Chris looked down and couldn't believe it. He was quite glad when Jenna started to fuss and he could go hide in the car.

The week before, his lesson was about Joseph B. Wirthlin's talk on learning to laugh when things go wrong.....how ironic. We laughed all the way home from church. We are still laughing. I did get his permission to post this little incident. He's such a good sport. The kids got quite a kick out of it too!

So, on to the scoop on my hubby:


1.Where did you meet your husband? At BYU, we were in the same FHE group. He was my "dad."
2.How long did you date before you got married? 6 1/2 months
3. How long have you been married? 10 1/2 years
4. What does he do that surprises you? He loves to cook and usually cooks our Sunday dinner. Also, in the last year or two he started listening to Opera more and really likes it!
5. What is your favorite feature of his? He's tall and has nice legs! (:
6. What is his best quality? He is a hard worker and is an amazing handyman.
7. Does he have a nickname for you? yes.
8. What is his favorite food? Lately-sushi, but he really likes all seafood
9. What is his favorite sport? Basketball
10. When and where did you first kiss? After going night skiing with some friends about a month after we started dating. We were cuddled on the couch in his apartment and some music was playing on the TV. We tried to remember the song the next day, but neither of us were paying close enough attention. (We had other important things on our mind.) Our roommates were totally suprised later to find out we had just had our first kiss that night. They all thought it had already happened. Another funny story: due to the "first kiss" bliss we completely forgot to return my rental skis the next morning and when we went grocery shopping together at least a week later we opened up the trunk of his car to find my skis still sitting there! We went to the ski rental place and actually told them the reason we forgot! They forgave the several hundred dollar late fee that had accumulated....only in Provo, right? I'm sure they had a good laugh after we left.
11. What is your favorite thing to do as a couple? Go sightseeing I guess. We love to take vacations. We also really like hiking and camping and such, just haven't done it so much lately. We took a two week trip to Thailand 2 years ago and are aching to go away alone again! We had such a great time. We just love to travel and experience new places. I think we'd be all over the "Amazing Race" if we didn't have kids.
12. Do you have any children? 4
13. Does he have any hidden talents? He writes poems. He used to keep a journal of sorts with his poems in it. I think he is really good. He started to learn to play the guitar. This Christmas he sang in the Stake Christmas Choir. I thought he looked really "hot" up there singing!
14. How old is he? 35
15. Who said 'I love you' first? This is terrible. I don't remember. However, I do know that he told his brothers over Christmas break, before we had even been on a date, that he was going to marry me. I guess he had been thinking about asking me out for a while and made up his mind to do it as soon as we started school in January. He was true to his word. Good thing he didn't tell me this until AFTER we were engaged!
16. What is his favorite music? Hard to say. He likes Country, Disco, Rock and Roll, Opera, Classical, Heavy Metal...anything except hip hop and rap. Really into Johnny Cash this year.
17. What do you admire most about him? He is kind to everyone. He is always willing to help out a neighbor or friend in need. He is really good at his job. He is an amazing dad and takes advantage of every moment he can play with the kids. They just love him for that.
18. What is his favorite color? Blue
19. Will he read this? Yes--I love you baby!
20. TAG YOU ARE IT!!!! Post about your husband and show him to love him!

Remember our Troops This Christmas

So my kids came home with a permission form to be filmed in a tribute to be sent to those serving in the armed forces. They are going to film kids wishing their family and friends a Merry Christmas. We don't happen to have any family or friends in the armed forces right now, but whenever I hear those greetings sent out this time of year it really touches my heart. I am so thankful to all of those who sacrifice so much for the rest of us. It just so happend that while I was looking for new music for my blog today, I came across the first one that is playing on the playlist.

Take a few minutes to listen to it and then the next time you see someone you know who is serving or has family serving, take the time to thank them. I know I will.

Courtney turns 4!!!

My kids are growing up! It is hard to believe that Courtney (who not so long ago was my baby) is now four years old! She is so proud of herself too. Brianna and McKayla had parties with friends this year and Courtney had been looking forward to her friend party ALL YEAR LONG! But, because of our trips to Tennessee, Utah, and Alaska, I kind of dropped the ball until the last minute. We were able to have a couple friends over later in the week for a second party and she was very pleased. Do you see that smile on her face? Priceless.

When I asked her what kind of cake she wanted her anwer was, "a bird cake." So, here is what my totally un-crafty self came up with from the stuff we had in the cupboard. She was happy.

Jenna is sporting the hat Brianna crafted for her. It lasted a few minutes until Jenna figured out how to get it off and began to eat it! (Yes, she is a paper eater.)

A Trip to Alaska!

So I'm way behind on my blogging! The day after the big BYU football game Chris, Jenna, and I left for Alaska! Chris had some business to attend to and Jenna and I were there to check out the scenery. What a beautiful place! It took me the entire four days we were there, but I finally saw a moose! Chris was so sweet. I was bummed out that I hadn't seen one and it was the day we were going home. He decided to drive around Kincaid park (no joke) and give it one last try. He turned down some neighborhood streets and, lo and behold, on the corner were two! Yay!

It was a nice trip. Alaska is beautiful, even in winter. The people there are extremely friendly. The only bad part of the trip was on the airplane up there when Jenna threw up all over me--something only a mother could endure I'm sure.... But, by the end she was feeling better and other than the FIVE hour flight delay in Seattle, the trip home was quiet.

The Anchorage, Alaska temple!!!

GO COUGARS!

Chris and I got to take Brianna to her very first BYU Football game. It was so fun--at least for Chris and I. BYU smashed San Diego State, which always makes for a great game. By the end we had Brianna singing the fight song along with us. It was good to get her thinking about college and what life might be like for her someday. Brianna and I had fun with some face paint. I did her face and then she did mine.

Swimming at the Beach in October

Kevin and Helga and the kids stayed at our house while we were in Nashville. They were down visiting Disneyland. We were able to see them for a day after we got back before they went home. We took a trip to Oceanside to go swimming. I'm told that the kids said that was the best part of their vacation--who needs Disneyland when you've got a warm beach?!? The kids found a long piece of seaweed. We snapped a photo before they ripped off the leaves and used it as a jump-rope. (A cool idea we got from the Price Family when we went to the beach with them!) The kids had a great time. We discovered that Brianna and Nicole had the same swimsuit! Too funny! It is so fun to have family come visit!

Nashville, TN

In October we were able to join Chris at one of his national corporate meetings. This year it was held at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville, Tennessee. We had a wonderful time! We flew in a couple days early so that we could be tourists. We saw the Hermitage, which was Andrew Jackson's home. The girls loved the audio tour and wagon ride. We were able to pick cotton out of the cotton fields and go inside slave homes. It was very interesting!

I think the girls' favorite part of the trip was dinner at the Wildhorse Saloon. There was a live band and line dancing lessons in-between sets. They had a great time and we loved watching them. Being mid-week in the off-season the place wasn't very crowded.

The hotel was huge! There were four different indoor atriums, a river with a boat ride, a shopping area, three swimming pools, and a dozen restaurants. The bellman who helped us with our luggage and showed us to our room was won over by our adorable girls. He took us to our room and then promptly decided it wasn't big enough. So he arranged for us to stay in the Penthouse Suite at no additional charge. So awesome! The girls thought that was pretty cool.

My husband is amazing!

Chris also had a project going that he completed at the same time--a new dresser for Jenna. His friend Cyrus is, at least to us, a woodworking expert and offered to work alongside Chris as they both built dressers for their kids. Chris realized that he really enjoys woodworking and began buying more tools to fill our garage and ended up finishing up the dresser in our garage on his own. I am so proud of the finished product. A dresser seems like quite a task for a first project. I think it looks wonderful! Isn't my man amazing? Check out the dovetail joints! (Yes, I have already composed a list of other items he gets to build for me!)

While I'm bragging about my great husband, I have to add how awesome it is that he can fix so many things around the house. He has fixed my dryer, washing machine, garbage disposal, vacuum, and most recently my refrigerator! I've already posted pictures of the patio cover he built. When we lived in Pennsylvania he remodeled our kitchen. I was telling the girls today that when they are grown up and choosing a guy to marry that they should try to find a guy like their dad that is so good at figuring out how to build and fix things. It is so nice that I don't have to pay someone every time something breaks. Just one of the many reasons I love him!

Finally Finished!

So funny, I just read that my good friend Natalie finished painting the last room of her house---and so did we! Yay! It is such a good feeling. I searched the internet FOREVER to find the perfect Queen size bed set that would work for a little girl's/baby's room which doubles as a guest room. I finally found one (most girly ones only come in double) and sewed a valance and crib skirt to match. I sewed up a few throw pillows half-hazardly during one of Jenna's naps, and they don't look too bad. I even successfully picked out a paint color that I like! Hooray. This room is finally peaceful.

99 Things

I got this off of some other friends' blogs and thought I'd join in the "get to know you" fun. The stuff in italics is the stuff I've actually done.


1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4.Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee Jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

Toothless!

McKayla has finally lost both top front teeth. She has been waiting for this moment for a long time. She just loves her new look!

McKayla's Chicken Egg Theory

McKayla used to love bacon, until we watched a movie about a pig and she realized where bacon comes from. Well, we were eating bacon the other day and she reiterated that she did not like bacon because it comes from pigs and "little piggies are cute!" Chris asked, "Well, what about eggs? They come from chickens."

She replied, "Yes, but Grandpa says the chickens AREN'T MARRIED!"

It took us a minute, but then she explained that since the chickens weren't married there was no baby chick in the eggs and that made it OK! Oh the innocence of children!

Sucking on her Toes!

I guess she got tired of waiting for us to get her some baby food and decided to serve herself some toe jam! Yuck! This kid was actually sucking on her big toe like she usually sucks on her thumb. Too cute!

A family "camp-out"

We actually prefer to camp in the mountains far away from anyone else. Somehow we haven't managed to do that since we've moved to California, though we have staked out a few places when we've gone hiking at Big Bear. After a ward activity at the park that included an adult kickball game and a movie projected on a big white sheet after dark, we had an itch to camp-out. The next night we got out the tent, sleeping bags, and portable crib and slept out in the backyard. The kids had a great time. We took a late night trip to the grocery store in pajamas to get some milk before the Sabbath and Courtney decided we needed some licorice for the tent. Chris conned Brianna into asking for Whoppers. The girls brought along some glow bracelets left over from July 4th and we had a "freeze out" with all the windows down. We even went for a late night walk in the darkness of our neighborhood. Again, really simple things and it was a night the girls won't forget!







We actually prefer

We start them young!

Courtney is so good about playing with Jenna and Jenna just LOVES her! Courtney has not had a bit of jealousy. She just loves her and really believes Jenna is "her baby" just as much as anyone else's. The other day I walked into the family room to find them playing Brianna's DS together. Jenna was clearly intrigued by Nintendogs and stared at that screen for almost 15 minutes!

CUTE QUOTES RETURN!

Many of you probably remember my "cute quote of the month" posts. They sort of faded away as McKayla grew out of that funny quote stage. Well, Courtney has hit that age and I'm going to try to remember to post them. Here are a few to get me started:

"MOM, Sparkley things are NOT garbage!" (She had found a ribbon I had thrown away that apparently was one of her treasures.)

"But I don't think bad dreams. They come from my heart." Her reason for why thinking about happy things while she falls asleep won't help her to have good dreams.

Sometimes it's the simple things

A few weeks ago I had one of those days where I was reminded how often it is the simple things in life that make our kids happy. Here are three examples I thought of:

1) I had gone to Target and picked up some dixie cups for the bathroom. I usually buy them at Costco, but decided to get them now instead of wait for my next trip. Well, these cups had a "new" and different print --brown and pink polka dots-- and the kids noticed. That night when the kids went upstairs to brush their teeth I heard Courtney excitedly call out, "McKayla, Mom got new cups for the bathroom!!!!" McKayla came rushing in to see and said, "Wow! They are so pretty. BRIANNA WE GOT NEW CUPS!" It was a BIG day!

2) A week later Courtney and I actually made that Costco trip only to have to return again later that evening with the whole family to exchange a large purchase. She wasn't too excited until she realized, "Hey, will we get the big cart?" (She means the flatbed--the one I dread I will need for my regular purchases before long!) She loves to ride on the flatbed and always asks me to get one. But, I can't with the baby. Anyway, when her sisters started to complain about the shopping trip she reassured them, "It will be fun, we get to ride on the big cart!" They immediately cheered up!

3) At some point last year the girls were all in need of new underwear. Strange as it seems, somehow the Easter Bunny has brought new underwear for the girls several years in a row. Well, last year it became clear that we couldn't wait clear until Easter. So, I mentioned to the girls that we were going to have to go to Wal-mart and get new underwear. Everyday from then on they would ask if TODAY was the day they would get to go "underwear shopping!" After about a week the blessed day came and that morning my girls greeted me with cheers when I told them we were going to buy underwear! Believe it or not they each carried their prize package around the store with them while we collected the other needed items!

Glasses!

McKayla had a visit to the eyedoctor and came home with glasses! Last year Brianna and McKayla both had their eyes checked and it was determined that Brianna has better than perfect vision (she's the one that wants glasses) and McKayla has stigmatism (she didn't want glasses). She doesn't need them very much, but we went ahead and got her a pair to read while she reads as she was beginning to get headaches. This year she was excited to get her first pair of glasses and couldn't wait to show them off to everyone!

Just Being Silly

So today I was cleaning out our video collection and happened upon my copy of the "music videos" my roommates and I made at BYU. LOL! It totally took me back to our rather carefree crazy days as roommates. Somehow Shannon didn't make it into the video, was she out with a guy that night while the rest of us were loners at home? Don't remember. Anyway, remember the beard I painted on my face with mascara? Courtney was watching it with me and was rather suprised to see me looking like a boy!

I would love to get a snippet of this video on my blog, but I don't have the equipment. So I have a challenge--Tamra, Shannon, Bernie, or Abby or Tracy if you read this blog--if you still have this video see if you can get it on your blog. Or any video of our of our crazy dances (like "Cain't Say No"). Just too fun.

It seems that there aren't many opportunities to "let loose" with our busy lives as moms. In primary last week we sang "opera style." The girls were telling Chris that I sang opera in front of the whole primary. He looked at me with raised eyebrows. It was true. It wasn't that great as my voice kept going out on me (I'm still getting over laryngitis.) and I was drowned out by 60+ kids also letting loose, but it was fun. It's great to be silly sometimes!

A Day in the Life

Has your husband ever asked, "What did you do today?" My typical answer is, "the usual." But today was one of those days that I think deserves a bit more detail. Read on:

Kids are all up at 6:30 a.m. to get ready for school. Amazingly enough, Brianna, the oldest and typically slowest to arise is dressed and laying on my bed waiting for me to wake up. (She's the one I often have to plead and prod to get out of bed and is known to have eaten breakfast in the car.) McKayla soon follows--clothed and ready to go. "Wow," I think. What a great way to start the day. Still, there are lunches to prepare and book fair money to disperse and dad to call and wish a good-morning. Somehow, the little "kink" in our routine of getting ready for the book fair has thrown everyone off. The girls are off to recover some allowance money from their piggy bank to increase their spending power. They spend too much time making plans and we barely make it out of the door in time. 7:28 a.m. and we head up the street to pick up another kid (carpool). As I drop the kids off at the corner near the school (way faster than the drop off loop) Brianna comes back to the car complaining of a piece of mulch that has gotten stuck through her Crocs (the only reason I don't like those shoes!). I quickly fish it out and she runs off only to return seconds later, "I lost my water bottle, it isn't in my pocket!" I assure her she had left it at school the day before and she is again on her way.

Whew, on time for school again. One of my great daily accomplishments I think deserves an award. After a quick shower I try to make myself look presentable while Jenna protests that she hasn't had her breakfast yet. (oops, sorry kid). I feed her and then fold laundry while Courtney splashes in the tub. I then notice that Jenna has gotten hair stuck to her from playing on the bathroom floor (thank you, post partum hair loss), so I grab the vacuum and go to town on the second floor of our house while packing baby on the hip.

Now it is time to head downstairs to a disastrous kitchen. Time to do some dishes and clean up the kitchen...uh oh, I notice the girls' snack sitting on the counter. Now, there have been times that I would head to school and drop it off. Today is not one of those days. Instead, I help myself to one of their cookies! (I guess I just lost my award.) Just as I finish the phone rings. It's Brianna wondering if she has to buy a chapter book or can she buy something else. (Why they sell toys at a "book" fair I'll never understand!) Meanwhile, Courtney REALLY wants me to play with her and Jenna tells me it is time for her nap.

Thankfully, Jenna goes down easily for a very long morning nap. (Wow, quite unusual!) I relish in the quiet time with just me and Courtney. Courtney sits down at the "kids laptop" and plays some computer games while I work on some decor pillows for the guest bed in Jenna's room. (yes, baby number 4 has to wait until she is almost 6 months old to get her bedroom decorated. OK, so I admit I never deserved an award!) Meanwhile, I realize that I should take advantage of this quiet time and call our financial advisor to discuss the strategy to dealing with this market chaos. So, I head to the office to make a phone call and chat about Wall Street and our future.


While I'm on the phone I hear Jenna calling me. We wrap things up. Jenna is rescued and lunch is prepared. Courtney finally gets what she's been wanting all day and I sit down to play "Mario Party 7" with her while we eat our lunch. I realize we have to head to the vet today, so I stick my head out the back door in hopes of calling our wandering cat home. I then read her a story and tuck her in for her nap--hoping to have a peaceful evening and not a grouchy one. Of course, the nap is no success and I get to debate with her for about an hour. (During which I am trying to pick out photos from Jenna's recent sitting so that I can place an order. The cat arrives home and is sequestered to the house.) I realize she really may be getting too old for naps--darn!

Minutes later my relatively peaceful abode is hit by a storm. School's out and the girls have arrived home! McKayla informs me that she is one quarter short of getting the second book she wanted and that her teacher said the book fair was open after school. "Can we go now?" Well, the animals are due for their annual shots at the low cost vaccine clinic at our veterinarian. I'm not sure there is time. I am assured that there is. The girls quickly complete their homework(thankfully it was a short homework day), Jenna gets a serving of carrots, and we are off.

Oh wait, one detail. We have to get the cat into the cat carrier. The cat is not happy. (I think he has memories of his "lion cut" he got last time I stuck him in that thing.) As I push the cat in he sprays me with some aweful smelling stuff! Nice. The kids are freaking out about the smell. I wash up and we are off to the book fair. I continue to hear complaints that the cat is "stinking it up" in the back seat.

The coveted book is purchased and I, with my 4 children (including baby), my dog on a leash, and my cat in a crate, head to the vet. Am I crazy? I get many comments like, "You sure have your hands full," and "I'll bet they all sure keep you busy." Thankfullly, no one bothers to ask if they are "all yours?" I guess they can tell by the disheveled appearance I certainly have taken on at this point. (The usual splotches of spit up are now accompanied by some orange splotches from the carrots.) While we are there I grab a flyer for a mobile pet/cat groomer and think maybe I can avoid another confrontation with the cat crate.

As I prepare to make dinner I realize Brianna's neorologist never returned my message about his refusal to let the pharmacy refill her prescription. I place the call, again, to the office. I'm informed she needs another follow up visit before we can get a refill. She's almost out of medication and my quite vocal protests are met with an appointment for Friday in Riverside. It is during school, so there will ONLY be three kids with me for this one. yay.

At dinner I have only one quite vocal complainer (the one who maybe really does still need naps). Still, the kids actually eat and I am happy. I proceed to help Brianna begin typing up her monthly project. This month she is making a book jacket for a fantasy book she read. It is due Friday--no time to waste. McKayla and Courtney, now clad in swimsuits for some reason, inform me that they are still hungry and want some apple slices. I slice apples, they head outside and I return to Brianna at the computer. We manage to get the jacket folded and cut to size and Brianna chooses the font and color she wants to use. (During this time Jenna has been crying and has fallen asleep in my arms.)

While she is busy typing I head outside to take the giant garbage and recycling cans to the curb for collection tomorow. Our cans are overflowing this week. As I turn the large garbage can around to face the street I somehow manage to dump it over onto myself! Oh man.

As I, with another layer of stink, head to the backyard and into the house I overhear the neighbor asking her son where the apples came from and could he please throw them back over the fence! Uh oh. After some questioning and some shrugged shoulders I get a confession. Many tears are shed but McKayla finally agrees to go to the neighbors and apologize and pick up the apples. She cries all the way, but the task is completed and hopefully a lesson is learned.

It is now time for bed. McKayla heads upstairs crying. While they get dressed I am feeding Jenna her dinner of mixed grains cereal. Chris calls and we chat while Jenna devours her food. McKayla and Courtney appear again--NOT in their pajamas. I begin to smell tuna fish. Courtney taps me on the arm and informs me that she spilled something. The water I had saved for the cat (who is again roaming the neighbornhood) has been knocked off the counter and on to the floor. YUCK! I begin the glamorous task of cleaning the mess while the girls say goodnight to their daddy. They are again sent upstairs to get ready for bed. Minutes later I hear McKayla calling, "Do you want me to get my pajamas on???" I think, "Did she really just ask me that question?"

I finish the clean up and head upstairs. I instruct the girls to collect their piles of clothes off of my bed and put them away. I start a wash load of towels and otherwise extra soiled clothes we've accumulated during the day's events. As I leave the laundry room I notice Courtney UNfolding each item before she puts in in the drawer--arghhh! We begin to read stories and I remember McKayla hasn't done her 20 minutes of reading yet. We squeeze the reading in while Jenna, very uncharacteristically for this time of evening, plays contentedly on the floor. Scriptures are read, prayers are said.

Just as I'm thinking I'm almost off duty someone notices their long nails. Pretty soon everyone is showing me their long fingernails and toenails. So we have a quick trimming session in the bathroom. Then it is off to bed, lights out, ("No, you can't read any longer tonight!") and it is now 3 down 1 to go. It is just Jenna and me. As I head down the stairs she ejects a large glob of spit up on my arm....perfect landing.

Now, you must realize that scattered throughout this day was all the other "stuff" we deal with as moms. Jenna had at least 4 dirty diapers. I must remember not to let her devour so much banana as it really constipates her and she now has a rash. Of course, there were also many of those typical 5 month old crying fits from not getting what she wants fast enough. And some typical sibling squabbles and tattling (which we are working diligently to reduce and actually have been somewhat successful--yay!).

Overall, this has been quite a day. Thankfully there was no soccer practice or gymnastics to attend today. Jenna is now alseep and I've managed to add a post to my blog. Success.

As I review the events of the day I realize there is only one thing left to do: take a shower!