Quick, blog before it's too late!

My blogging has been slacking. But, I have lots of good reasons that mainly revolve around the fact that I am a single mother right now who has very little alone time. Also, my toddler has taken to sleeping in my room. . .so I never have access to my good computer during the times (naptime and bedtime) that I can actually work on the computer.

At any rate, I don't actually have much to say, but Janey (my biggest fan and little sister) wanted a blog post. So here it is.

Here are some random musings by me along with a random slew (sp?) of pictures.

1. I thought summer would make it easier to entertain my kids. I thought I could just send them all outside and only have to see them at mealtimes. Nope! Summer is making me crazy. Not only are my children more bored with less to do. . .but now there are also several neighbor kids around that are also bored and looking for something to do. I only have 1 child in school--but he is the one that needs it the most. My oldest son always wants to do "projects," art projects, science projects, and either build or disassessmble something. This child desperately needs the structure of school. And he desperately needs his Daddy who also loves projects. But, right now he is stuck with just me--the parent without any artistic, scientific, or engineering talent nor interest. So. . .I'm on the countdown to 1st grade--all day school, baby, woo hoo!

2. I love cherry coke too much. Like an obese person who can eat 3 large pizzas by themself in one sitting has a "problem with food,"I have a problem with cherry coke. I had terrible anxiety last night when I couldn't get to the store to get what I call my "Sunday stash" of coke. For the most part I have had to stop keeping it at home, because I have no self-control. . .but so as not to break the Sabbath by going to Walker's for a 44ouncer, I usually buy some to make it through the day. My best friend had to bring me 3 cans she had in her food storage at 11pm last night. I told her that she has such unconditional love for me that she would probably buy me heroin if that was my addiction. I love her for bringing me those 3 cans. And I hate myself a little bit for needing them so badly!

3. Children need 2 parents...everyday! I am doing remarkably well being on my own, actually better than I ever would've thought possible. But, my children do much better with 2 parents. They especially like their Daddy, because he is awesome. He does so many things with them that I hate to do--like light saber fighting, building something at the Home Depot workshop, making airplanes out of popsicle sticks, and getting them into bed without raising his voice.

3. Don't take your husband for granted, they do more than you think! I know that not all husbands are helpful with cleaning, cooking, childcare, etc but they do more than you even realize. Please appreciate them! Just having someone there to talk to late at night, or to laugh with, or to slap your behind while you're cooking, or to take late night runs to Wal-mart for children's tylenol. There is nothing better than having someone to share your life with, a partner and a best friend. I have wonderful parents, I have lots of great friends, and a BFF who gives me the coke off her shelf--but, NOBODY HAS MY BACK LIKE MY HUSBAND! He consistently puts my interests and needs above his own. And despite their imperfections, most husbands are like that. Go give your husbands a big hug and kiss and tell them how much you enjoy just having them by your side!

Okay, enough talking, here are the pictures:

Yes, my sweet little girl is wearing her brother's pajamas. All the girlie ones were dirty. Don't judge me, they are lucky to have any clean clothes at this point!

Gavin planted a garden with the help of his Grandpa. I never thought it would grow, the soil there is like concrete. Gavin is so proud (but I don't have the heart to tell him that I don't think the plants will make it to fruition.)

Strawberry days children's parade. They kind of remind me of The Village People-the firefighter, the cowboy, the construction worker, and Spiderman--I think that's how it went, right?

And of course, the one child I don't want outside all day, is the only one who wants to even go outside at all!!

My Box of Chocolates

Yes, the past week or so has definitely been a box of chocolates--good, bad, terrible, delightful, up, down, and all over the place. No matter how bad it got, at times, and how sorry I began to feel for myself, I was regularly reminded how blessed I truly am because many people reached out to serve me in large and small ways so often.


Last week I was feeling discouraged and depressed as it was, and then I broke out into a painful rash all over my head, scalp, neck, ears, and face for 3 days. I had to go to the doctor to get some kind of shot, because benadryl was not working. It was so annoying and frustrating. I was really feeling sorry for myself! Feeling yucky and wallowing in my own misery only made time go by more slowly and made my load seem heavier to bear.

But then there was a bright spot. My brother-in-law got some free tickets to Heber Valley Railroad's "Day Out With Thomas" and gave them to us. Despite feeling crappy, I decided to venture out on my own and take all 3 kids to see Thomas. It was actually a lot of fun. It went unbelievably well. . .all 3 kids cooperated so well! We had a great time! It was so great to go do something fun and free. I am so grateful to my brother-in-law for thinking of us. Sometimes a little thoughtfulness goes a long way. It was so good for all of us!

I wish I could say the rest of the week went great after that, but it didn't. Sunday was awful! My kids were awful--Ruby is still screaming through all 2 hours of nursery. My lesson was definitely not one of my best, I just wanted to get it over with. It was a rough day. I nearly melted down into tears to one of my friends, Amber, who is the Nursery leader. Later on Sunday, she called me and said that she wanted to help because she could tell I was struggling. She offered to come to my house this week, feed my kids dinner, and babysit them for a few hours so I could run errands and go to yoga. WOW! She has 3 kids of her own. She left them with her husband and came to help me. I am so amazed by her charity. She acted like it was no big deal. . .but it was to me!!!

Besides a wonderful friend making my week, I also had a great experience styling another photo shoot this past Monday. The model was one of my good friends and we had a lot of fun. Photo shoots are no small thing, so I'm really grateful that my parents were willing to take my kids for so long so I could be a part of it. It was amazing! Again, I feel humble and blessed to have so many friends and family who are willing to help me. I don't particularly like being always in need of help, but the truth is, I do need help a lot these days. But, the kindnesses shown me this past week really helped get me out of my abyss of self-pity. I am also so impressed by their examples of selfless service, I want to be more like them!

Here is just one cute shot of my friends Amber (model) and Camilla (photographer) from our fun photo shoot. I feel so lucky that I got to work with both of these beautiful, talented girls!