We Just Got Crunchier

Everybody knows we are a little granola. The thing is that it is not all about the earth. Jarom insists on florescent light bulbs and no hot water except for showers that are governed by our instant hot water heater set at 96 degrees. He can also be found tearing things like paper towels, dryer sheets and wet wipes in half so that the package lasts twice as long. Jarom is also looking into solar panels as an investment. I have been trained to use our already energy efficient appliances during the off peak time for reduced energy cost. It's the money that really drives him to it.

I crunch on granola (from scratch) because it's healthier living. I thrive on organic this and organic that, natural remedies, natural cleaners, raw milk and such. Now look what I've done!

Yep, good friend Emily C. got me hooked with her cloth diapering posts. I'll warn you, she is VERY convincing. Good news is I have everything I need already from when I was trying to potty train Layne (and I was able to find it all, a feat in itself) I did purchase a few covers and snappis to make things easier. I've already gotten a pretty good poke and it will take some time to remember to change the baby every 2 hours instead of 5 (yep, always stretchin' the dollar.) I guess when your favorite color is green you're just drawn to this hippie way of life.

Don't Drop The Baby!

I have been pretty protective of my perfect bundle of joy. Seriously, he is PER-FECT! Every well visit he has had the doctors rave about his excellent color, strong heart, amazing muscle tone. Different doctors every time and they didn't say that with my other kids. At Roxwell's 5 day visit the doctor spent 5 full minutes listening with his stethoscope, I thought for sure something was wrong. NOPE. The doctor was just amazed at how perfect this baby could be. When my dad came to visit I was nervous to hand over my newborn to such and amateur baby holder. I warned him "don't drop the baby." Fast forward 4 months.

Layne had only been allowed to hold Roxwell while sitting on the couch. He would try to pick him up off the floor or out of his bouncer but I was watching like a hawk and swooped in at the slightest lifting. Layne has proven he loves is brother and has no malice towards him. He is super careful and yearns to take care of him like adults do. 2 weeks ago I started allowing Layne to hold Roxwell while standing on the carpet. This has gradually moved to walking and then to moving him from bouncer to couch to bumbo seat. I thought for sure this would be a short lived freedom. It is so awkward for a 5 year old to hold onto a 14 lb. squirmy thing. Just one drop and I would have an excuse for this stressful baby handling to be over.

Little did I know how quickly I would become at ease with my new baby-carrying helper. I still can't help but remind him to "be careful," pretty much constantly. But what mom doesn't?

The Story of "O"

Look Who's 10...

We are! I told Layne that we turned 10 today, he said "No, Mom. You are 18." Not too far off anyway.

Here is a tribute to 10 years with the man I love now and always.

You're Still The One
Because you...

1. Knew enough to ask me to marry you even though I was only 18.
2. Are a worthy priesthood holder and serve diligently in you callings.
3. Have never lost your temper all this time.
4. Still find me sexy after 3 kids.
5. Always notice when I've cleaned the house and never notice when it is messy.
6. Don't have to speak to be heard, we have always been able to enjoy a good silence.
7. Prefer me withOUT makeup.
8. Have the body heat of a werewolf. You can warm me up when it is cold and are the first to turn on the AC when it is hot.
9. Would rather be with me than anyone else.
10. As always, are a hottie in your peach guaravera.

You'll Always Be The One
Because you...

1. Have proven to be worthy of growing old with me by putting forth the effort to adapt our lives to sync with each other.
2. Dutifully jump at the task of changing the nastiest diapers.
3. Are quiet, loving and supportive while I cry.
4. Grant me extra winks of sleep by slipping off to work in the most soundless way.
5. Let me order at restaurants and trade meals with me if I don't like what I ordered.
6. Only use your cell phone to talk to me.
7. Have developed your skills as a sioux chef.
8. Are the best cop on the force; you treat others with respect, recognize there are no "bad guys" just people who do bad things and grant teenagers the option to involve their parents to avoid a ticket.
9. Sense when I am close to the end of my rope and swoop in to rescue me.
10. Love what I love, want what I want and are what I need for the rest of eternity.

Who's the Sister?

We have encountered a problem...more times than I can count. Apparently a typical family consists of a mom, dad, brother, sister and baby. Do you see the problem? This comes up in books, songs and art projects -- the kids want a connection. Before Roxwell it was easy. Brik was the baby, Layne the brother and the sister was always Elisa (Layne's friend who he believes he will marry one day). This worked well, Elisa is a nice girl. I wouldn't mind having her as a daughter or a daughter in law. Layne even talks about buying her a pink Porsche which isn't entirely unrealistic given his work ethic. Maybe they can have the generic family that has eluded us.

We now have Roxwell as the baby, Layne as the brother and Elisa is still the sister. I've put Brik in a dress before and he just can't pull it off. Don't worry, we'll still include him in real family portraits.

Future NATUROPATHIC Doctor

Brik (carefully) put these glasses on his brother and laughed and laughed--I love that kid's laugh. They are from his doctor set he got for Christmas, I like to think of it as a naturopathic doctor set. Unlike most moms, I would NOT be happy if Western medicine corrupted my child's mind. Anyway, Brik is great at sharing. He often will have things taken from him by Layne. I will tell Layne he has to give it back and ASK his brother. Half the time he will say yes and the other half he will play two more minutes and give it to his brother. Layne would hide a toy he knew his brother wanted. Just another great thing about Brik.

Why I Let My Kids Fail

I believe if you have high expectations for children they will rise to the occasion and gain self confidence in themselves through mastery obtained on their own merit. When Layne is assigned to give talks, scriptures or prayers in Primary it is his responsibility to complete such assignments NOT mine. He shares some thoughts on the topic and we discuss ideas of things to say. Layne chooses what he likes and I write it down so that he can practice the exact words throughout the week. How sweet it is to hear simple words truth repeated over and over by your little ones. It is hard work and the end result is not always rosy. I have watched Layne stand at the microphone not remembering more than one sentence (because he stubbornly rebelled against any suggestions of practicing) with the Primary Presidency and all the teachers looking to me. I held my ground, Layne whispered "I don't know it," sat down and learned what it felt like to have not prepared sufficiently. A few months later it happened again, he just didn't practice quite enough and got stuck half way through. Jarom crumbled under the pressure of the stares and I left the room fuming over the lesson lost.

Last week Brik was assigned his first talk, his compliant nature made for plenty of practice and he performed perfectly. He has been asking to talk in the microphone for the past month. He was very loud, got a few chuckles and of coarse finished with a smile. I dug back and found Layne's first talk. It was a bit more advanced and a lot more clearly said, but he was nearly 4 and Brik is barely 3. It is amazing how far they come in less than a year.

July07

February09

Translation?? When I was born, I already had a mom, a dad and a brother. I love them and take care of them. (It was supposed to be "They love me and take care of me" but he ad libs.) I am thankful Heavenly Father gave me a family. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Who Likes the Zoo?

I'm not a fan of zoo's. It's like an expensive Where's Waldo outing. You scan each exhibit looking for the hidden animal, try to get the kids to spot it with you (where, where? I don't see it..whine, whine) most of the time there is nothing even remotely interesting to be seen. Then we look at the map to find the the next ugly, stinky, dull, Waldo hiding a half a mile up a hill-- which leads to more whining (I'm tired, I can't walk anymore, will you carry me...)

Jarom was gracious enough to take the day off so that we could act like a normal family that loves the zoo--for a day.

Of coarse the boys liked the jeep and has a bazillion questions about how it got there.

The monkey villiage was actually pretty cool, the monkeys were everywhere and frolicing around. Though it was quite smelly and a little nerve racking keeping your kids from touching things and then rubbing their faces since the monkeys pee on everything. Why do they put ropes in the perfect position for 2-3 year olds to chew on?? Seriously, I saw atleast 5 kids with the rope in their mouths. Thankgoodness none were my own.

And now the pee is on my baby.

This was a pretty exhibit. I think it was new.

We walked around the bear exhibit to 3 different places and THIS was the best view.

I Did It For You, Mom

I hate diaper changing, the bigger the kid the more disgusting. I am lucky enough to have a husband that handles every possible dirty diaper in the house while he is home, but he does work 40 hours a week and he won’t change a diaper of a kid that isn’t his own (which I find double ewww.) So the duty falls on my shoulders during times like these. We often discuss when we can pass this task onto our kids, I thought 9 was a good age.

Brik is potty trained…mostly. He wears diapers to bed. The kids are to stay in their rooms in the morning until I am up. I am a light sleeper and usually catch them if they have snuck out (and they are good at leaving clues.) So I sleep in this morning and at 7: 30 walk out and see Brik in Layne’s room putting on some pants. Layne is eager to tell me that he cleaned Brik up “I did it so that your didn’t have to…I did it for you, Mom.” I was hoping it was just a wet diaper until he said “I used 4 wipes.” He probably said this so that I would know Brik was REALLY clean because he knows his Dad has been known to tear wipes in half in order to “conserve” so 4 is a lot of wipes for one diaper change. I checked for a mess all over the house I drilled them with questions about where they were, where the diaper was, where they took it off. No mess. So as long as the diaper changee is a compliant participant the age of a capable diaper changer is 5 years, 5 months and 1 day old.

Illegal Activity

The mercury stretched up to 80 today and Layne’s school got out an hour early. Roxwell has been fed and Brik is up from his nap. These conditions lead to a mommy looking for trouble. It may stem from the cop mentality Jarom often displays of simply being above the law, but today I had an itch to engage in some illegal activity.

So here is how us rebels spent the afternoon…breaking the law.

Operating machinery without a license.

Getting high on grass.

Choke holds.

Unkempt hair aka indecent exposure.

Stealing a ride on a motor scooter.

Dangerous climbs.

Speeding downhill.

Loving on a minor.

I am usually a law abiding citizen. I am a church going woman, I even packed an Ensign in the stroller on the chance I wasn't consumed with the eternal requests of "watch me do this, "look at me," "see what I can do," "this is amazing, you have to see it." "look what I learned," "do you want to see this?" YES! I saw it all, it was great to let loose. My only regret is that my great friend Sherry was not there as my partner in crime.

I Spy

Brik is longing to got to school and do school stuff that he sees Layne doing. I have him in a 45 minute class called Alphabet Soup that he goes to once a week, we call it school and he thinks he is so big. Here is him reading his first book. It is edited because Layne kept butting in and I included a translation incase you don’t speak Brikker.

I spy a rainbow and a train.
I spy an airplane, a frog.
I spy a hammer, I spy a clock, I spy a roller skate.
I spy a sock, I spy a fire truck.
I spy 2 green cars.
I spy a limousine, a cat.
I spy a little choo choo train, I spy a guy.
I spy a zooming airplane, I spy a zooming bike.
I spy two race cars.
I spy a helicopter.
I spy a whistle, I spy a tractor, I spy a motorcycle, I spy a car, I spy a cement truck, I spy a grocery cart.
The end.