Beloved President Hinckley

Isn't this a great photo? I found it online --always such a joyful and happy man!

I can remember the passing of only four prophets in my lifetime---each are very vivid because each has meant so much to me. President Hinckley was the prophet for 12 of my 13 married-years and he always had unique, specific, and special counsel that has touched me, influenced me, and shaped me to choose the path that I am on today.

When my mom called me last night with the news of President Hinckley's passing I had a swell in my heart for this amazing man of God. I have no doubt that another will be called to be Prophet that is meant for this day and time, but what fond memories I will carry with me of our beloved Prophet, President Hinckley.

My first thoughts were shame on me for not braving Sunday session of stake conference with 6 kids (1/2 of them sick) a few weeks ago to hear our dear prophet address us in the satellite feed! My friend, Erin Uda, specifically said she was going to 'brave' it with her 3 because she didn't want to miss out on an opportunity to hear our prophet address us. Maybe I should follow Erin's example more often! I guess we're all human.

He will be missed for his wonderful sense of humor that could engage anyone whether 8 years old or 80! I will always remember the stories my Mom and Grandma & Grandpa Brower related of their friendship with President Hinckley and his visits to my Grandparent's home in Venezuela & Columbia while they were serving as Mission Presidents. My mom was just a teenager then. On one of these visits President Hinckley came out of his room and asked my Grandma if he could borrow her iron so he could press his shirt at the foot of his bed. She said she'd do it for him and he insisted on doing it himself. A tug-of war over the shirt ensued! Well, for those that knew my Grandma Brower and her spunk...enough said! President Hinckley finally gave in for fear that his shirt would be ripped in half by my Grandma's insistance and strength.

On another occassion, my mom came down to the kitchen and found President Hinckley by my Grandma's side helping her make breakfast. He was getting detailed lessons on how to correctly fry bacon! He told my Grandma that "Sister Hinckley doesn't know how to make bacon lay flat so I'm going to teach her!" What an incredible example of a servant of the Lord that does not expect to be waited on or served by others. I love him because, although he is mightier in spirit than most, he is so very humble and incredibly approachable and real.

His legacy of temple-building will go on to affect and influence generations of members and non-members alike. I especially enjoyed watching our church become 'public' in that President Hinckely was never afraid to lend a voice to the national media so many more have been exposed to the 'word' and to the face of this amazing man and peculiar people we call 'Mormons.'

He reached out to the members of the church by writing books specifically for our youth like "Standing for Something", "Stand a Little Taller" and "Way to Be" among others. I will always remember him for his "9 Be's" that are hanging in my kitchen. And I believe I will always try to be a little bit better of a person because of his challenges and example. I could go on and on....How wonderful that he can reunite with his dear Marjorie. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered!

Trade Vivie for a dog or cat?

These pictures are from July '06 --Lexie's grown SO much since then! (It makes me sad!) But she still won't let me forget...

For the last 3 days Lexie and I have had this same conversation:

L- "Mom, why do we have to have a baby?"
me- What do you mean, Lexie, you don't want Viviana???
L- "No, I mean why can't we have a dog and a cat instead?"
me- And what do you want to do with Vivie?
L- "Well, I guess we can keep her and then get a dog and a cat too."
me- Lexie, we already had a dog in Utah and it ruined our yard and the big kids didn't take care of him.
L- "Well, then let's get a cat."
me- Cat's are smelly and leave hair all over.
L- "Oh. Well, I really want a dog or a cat. We're supposed to give loves to animals. Jesus said."

day 2
same as day 1 pretty much

day 3
She obviously has been thinking about this non-stop. Maybe they read a book at school about pets or something and poor Lex was the only little pre-schooler with no pet??? Just a hunch.

L- "Mom, okay, let's keep Viviana and get a dog. We can build a house for the dog inside the family room so it doesn't mess up the yard. "(me, laughing inside at her simple ingenuity). She thought a little longer..."or, let's take the trampoline out and build a dog house there so it has a place to sleep and stay. How 'bout that, mom? And then it won't mess up our yard!"

me- Lexie, how about a rabbit instead, with a cage?
L- "Well, can we love and hold the rabbit?
me- Yes, Lex, we can hold the rabbit and give it loves. I thought some more...Lexie, how about a fish?
L- "And can I hold and pet the fish?"
me- No, can't do that or it will die.
L- "I really just want a dog and a cat."

This little 3 year old REALLY wants a dog...or a cat. This mommie REALLY doesn't. I don't like indoor pets and the cat/dog hair is too much for me with Vivie. There's coyotes here too so a cat can't exactly live outside...what do you all think???? I'm thinking a rabbit would be better...or a fish. Or how about we call it good with Vivie! And they can visit dogs and cats at other people's homes. I know, I know, I just can't bear the thought of taking care of yet another living creature!

Patience Is A Virtue...and apparently I stink at it!

McKenzie left her rolling backpack and jacket on the floor in the hallway yesterday (I had just paid to have my house cleaned a few hours earlier and like to keep it that way for more than an hour...ya know???). I reminded her to put it away---twice. It found its way from the downstairs hallway, upstairs to my bedroom--in the middle of the room.

So I reminded her again. Then I walked past it for the umpteenth time, only to stub my pinky toe on the wheel. So I yelled and screamed this time--"Put your darn backpack away!"(except I said a bad word--one of my new years resolutions just broken--but pinky toe stubbing is ouchy and I'm a single mom this whole week so there's no one to run interference!!) Excuses, excuses. note..I really don't have a potty-mouth...I just swear occasionally & I'm trying to turn the occasionally into NEVER.

Then as I sat frustrated with myself and Kenz...head in my hands, here comes my 2-year-old Izzie. She softly lifted my head and with her finger pointing to me she gently whispered, "Have to be patient, mom... OK? Have to be patient. Then as she walked out of the room she yelled to me without looking back, "Can't yell at my sister, mom!!!$@^#***!!!!!"

My kids all do this--they have each others' backs when either Curt or I discipline or yell at one of them...it's like they gang up on us and remind us how to be calm parents...even though they're the ones doing all the things that make our blood boil in the first place. We'll just wait and see how it goes when they get to raise their packs of monkeys! I really am grateful they protect one another because when they're attacking each other I really know it's an 'attack of love' because they really do love each other. Or so I'll keep telling myself.

But I'm grateful for my Izzie who brought to light something I wouldn't have thought more about. I WAS being more than patient by my expectations, but Izzie's reminder made me understand how she sees it. I think she is a child of deep understanding and is definitely MY daughter for a reason. A two-year-old telling me to be patient? The fact that she even knows the meaning of the word is amazing. Yup, patience is a virtue and apparently that's something I still need some work at. Luckily, I have six kids who are constantly pushing my buttons and giving me the opportunity to develop that virtue...so I'm just sure I'll be a pro one day soon! Yup, that's right. A PRO, dang-it!

No More Wadded-Up Diapers

Don't you hate it when you have diapers in your purse that get juggled around like tennis balls and when you finally take them out to use them, it looks like they were thrown around, run over by a car, used a few times over, stomped on...hardly resembling a diaper anymore?

Maybe it's just me. Hmmmm....just maybe that's why we're supposed to use those massive and unattractive diaper bags that have specific pockets to store these needful things! Well, the 'bag tag' and subsequent purse cleaning pushed me to finally do this project. It has been on my radar and wait list for 6 months now and I finally got around to it. Of course, the laundry went un-folded and I had to go blind to the tornado that ensued around me, but I can cross this off my list...finally.

It's a diaper/wipe/desitin holder and changing mat. I stole the idea from my cute sis-in-law, Tallie, but with a different design. Now I can grab my clutch and head to wherever to change a poo-poo bottom and still have an new & intact diaper and actually find my wipes! My kids like to kype those and use them for random things like wiping down their bikes. Izzie gets into cleaning mode and takes them around the house to clean pretty much everything in sight--which I love about her--she's a great cleaner-upper. But I don't like my wipes missing-in action.

One side is lovely Amy Butler Lotus, the other is polka dot minkie. I had to improvise a little---ran out of my Amy Butler fabric because I designed this as I went along...so for you perfectionists, don't laugh--it works.

Daddy Dress-Up

Lexie & Izzie attacked Curt who was staying home from work sick...
They climbed up on him, styled his hair, pretended to put lipstick on him, fake-curled his eyelashes, put rubber bands on his wrists for bracelets and around his ears for earrings (every 'princess' needs jewelry).

Curt: "Why are you doing this to me?"

Lexie" "Because you are OUR girl--We have to feed you tea. I'm taking your temperature, Daddy. Here, drink more tea, you're sick."

Izzie runs in with a bigger comb and more rubberband bracelets & earrings to dress up Daddy.

I don't think we'll ever have to worry who will be the ones to take care of us when we're old and senile! What cute little Mommies and a patient Daddy to play along.

IT'S TIME!!!!

Having my sixth and LAST baby comes with so many wonderful up-sides....and a few downers. There's going to be a lot of 'lasts' with Viviana. I hope I can cherish her. I mean, I have had baby baby stage like forever now it seems. Some people plop out 3 month-ers at birth (Pam & Becky!!!) But it's an amazing feeling to know we're done...finally! The end! Two sets of children really...the first three are less than three years apart...and because Vivie decided to be a micro-preemie the last 3 are also less than three years apart. I've done my time. No more pregnancies! I've never enjoyed being preggers--really, I don't know who does. It rings in a new fresh feeling that we're done with the child-bearing phase of our lives. Now we just have to raise all these monkeys with gospel principles, values, lots of love & smarts in today's world. NO PROBLEMO! yeah right...and try to have some fun and a sense of humor along the way--quite an endeavor, I'd say.

But a big thing for me about having six kids in 10 years is that IT HAS REEKED HAVOC ON THIS poor, Poor, POOR 'OLE BODY OF MINE. I'm going to have to 2nd what my dearest friend, Marla said about being 30-something. (You have to go read her blog...she's a VERY funny writer---it's her coping mechanism I think).

So it's MY TURN! I've always managed to get back into shape with each child---it took much longer after Monson (he nursed the longest and apparently I become a chub when I nurse unlike most people--it's my curse). Now it appears as though the same thing happened with Vivie. I pumped for 7 long months for her until I just gave out. My body really likes this crazy fat and it doesn't want it to go away! It's not like I'm a little piggy though. I really do watch what goes in my mouth. I really do watch with glee every chocolate chip! hehehe

I try to exercise (okay...confession time...I haven't been back to the gym since bedrest almost a year ago)...OUCH. But there's a reason for that! I can't stand the thought of leaving Vivie in that daycare. Izzie and Lexie are fine, but I just know Vivie will get super sick if I leave her! But I do go through phases of walking my rear end off. Sure, come with me, try it...I dare you. I about killed Curt with the walk work out and I know Karyn and Malisa both think I rock (right, girls, you do, don't you?!)

I put Vivie in my trusty peanut shell sling and then strap the girls in the double Bob Revolution stroller with all their loot and off we go up and down the hills of San Elijo. I burn 500 cals every time and then I do weights when I come home. Okay, so I haven't really done it since Thanksgiving. But it feels so much better just talking about it! Today I strapped the girls in and walked Lexie to her dance class. I thought I was going to die and just couldn't bear the thought of pushing 100 +lbs plus wearing Vivie up those hills to come home. I pooped out and sweet Tammi who was there offered to take Lex home so I could stick Vivs in the stroller instead of WEARING her. (Thanks, Tammi!!!)

So this brings me to what this post is about (yeah, I know, get to the point already). IT'S TIME! It's time to do something more about my unwanted little friends and neighbors hiding out in my thighs, rear, love handles, belly and arms. When my kids tell me they want to see "my burrito" (you know, my belly) it pretty much means IT'S TIME. Seriously. I tried Jenny Craig and lost a few, but the holidays & peppermint bark got in the way! I'm telling you, my body likes where it's at and wants to keep the hiding friends it made over the last year.

The funny part is that obviously Vivie was born at 26 weeks so I didn't have the chance to get nice and round. I weighed 4 pounds more at her birth than I do now...EIGHT months later! Actually, it's not funny--it's downright wrong. There's a thinner, newer, spunkier Shay inside that needs to be let out! I just know what I'm comfortable with. And I'm not knocking or judging anyone else--everyone has her mojo and can be just fine and dandy in a different place. It's really not a vain thing. I just want to be my physical best that I can be for myself, Curt, and all the kids. I want to feel great in my own skin. I want to feel confident and fabulous. And I simply don't.

So I started this 'diet' called Dr. Cohen's 1st Personal Diet. This Doctor helps to restore hormone imbalances. This will also help my IBS and my kids will soon forget that mom toots. It's a plan geared just for me based on my metabolic panel I had drawn last week. And it's a very stringent, simple and a DIFFICULT deal. I saw the portions and what was 'prescribed' just for me and just about died. It couldn't be right! I'm certain this is what 'the stars' all do to slim down, besides the help from their personal trainers. At least it's all fruits, veggies, & proteins. No, seriously. I have to measure everything on a scale and for each meal it's spelled out. There are several options for each meal but for example for breakfast I can have 1 egg OR 2 egg whites and 45 grams of veggies.
So I can't photograph food. The blue plastic kids' IKEA plate doesn't help much to make it look appetizing either! It can be eaten in like 3 bites flat. That's how small the portion was. But I didn't feel hungry after I ate it either!

Lunch is 105 grams fish (I did tuna) and 120 grams of veggies. I chose tomato and my fav, cukes. Balsamic vinegar is my best friend right now. Don't you wish you could dine with me at lunchtime???

Dinner tonight was 115 grams of chicken, 105 grams of veggies. I made asparagus soup by liquifying the cooked chicken, asparagus, onions, garlic and homemade broth. My beloved crackers--it's such a random part of this plan! Have you ever noticed the different odor of your pee after eating asparagus? It's pretty potent and gross. I can't believe I just said that! It's true though. I know you're going to rush out and eat asparagus tomorrow.


I can have 3 fruits a day and 12 low-sodium saltine crackers. Random, I know. No oils, butters, no breads, no milk. Just fill up with plain water or herbal teas--diet coke, diet pepsi and diet sprite in moderation. Surprisingly it's do-able and I haven't felt hungry on it. I feel vibrant and hopeful. We'll see how cranky I am come the weekend! I just don't know how I'm going to EVER eat out on this. Sack dinner, here we go! We'll just have to be more creative for our Friday dates.

It's so drastic, but my body needs to be shocked into figuring out that it really doesn't want to keep these little friends hiding around my waist and all. SO, when I don't come hang out for dinner or take you up on your invitation to go out to lunch for the next few months--this is why. I'm dead serious about getting rid of my baby & nursing friends once and for all--never to return again! The kids need a healthy, happy momma and I'm sure Curt won't mind sleeping next to the former Shay! Wow, that was a long post. I need to chill out on being so verbose.

Dump Your Bag Tag?

Who would've thunk it----dump your bag because of a tag! My Beantown sis-in-law tagged me, so now you can all see which little trinkets, odds and ends call my purse 'home.'..if you cared in the first place!

I haven't cleaned it out since before Christmas and found some 'treasures'...so thanks for the tag so I could make my way to the bottom of my cute black toile & polka dot bag! I don't like traditional diaper-bags so I searched to find something neutral that fit me on a budget. It's a no-namer, by the way, homemade by a stay-at-home mom that I found on etsy...gotta love that marketplace! Maybe someday I'll open a store on etsy. But for now...here's what finds its home in my darling bag of tricks:

Are you sure you want to take a peak???

Yeah, I know you wonder how the heck all that could be shoved inside this bag?!

• 3 diapers for my Vivs and Iz (oh when will my 2-year-old potty-train???)!

• formula dispenser
• (wipes are missing,by the way-probably on the floor of my car, which is WAY worse than my purse!!!!)
  

• sunglasses

tampon/pad cause I know you wanted to know.

wallet with zero cash, planner stuffed to the hilt, pouch with insurance cards and 'club' cards

• Costco receipt and coupon book

• UPS receipt from sending back Vivs's defective swing

• Receipt from Dr. appt.

• French Pastry cafe menu--from a Kenz/mom brunch outing--YUM fruit tarts!

• nifty brush/mirror..random blue comb

• fruit leather and nutri-grain bar (trusty snacks on-the-go)

• trident gum

• my favorite verbena lemon Bath&BW lotion-so fresh

• baby tylenol

• baby magic lotion

• Vivie's rattle/teether

• bulb snot catcher

• paci-holder

• socks that belong to one of the girls

• sweet crocheted mary janes my mom made

• Ricola

• misc. hair clippies & rubberbands

• ocean spray

• assorted MAC lipglass & liner--yeah! found one I thought was missing!

• eyelash curler and mascara

• schedule to read the standard works in a year (which hasn't made it out of my purse since church...uh..2 weeks ago)--I think last year's reading was plenty! I'll stick to the BofM
  

I'm out of breath! That was a lot of stuff in one bag!

..and the bottom of the barrel...which I haven't seen for a few months...lots of Ricola wrappers, heart nail file, crumbs and change.

Thanks for the tag so my bag got a swift cleaning!

...and now I tag Brooke Baker, Amy Timmerman, & Rachel Hazen!

Happy Vivie

Vivs has been jabbering like McKenzie used to (and still does). Curt swears she's saying 'dada' --I still haven't heard it but we we'll let him think that's her first word...

She likes to knaw on her fingers until they're raw and grabs me and tries to eat my face or grabs my hand and attempts to shove my fingers in her mouth. She won't hold onto a teething ring for too long and doesn't yet roll over to get it when she loses it.

The doc wanted me to wait until her 9-month check up to start solids. But we decided to give it a whirl today--she just turned 8 months last week so her adjusted age is 5 months.

I attempted to give her rice cereal while she was in her exersaucer...and she just discovered she can bounce and twirl in it. I gave her a bite and she bounced with excitement. Another and she squealed with glee...I don't know if she enjoyed her rice cereal or bouncing in her exersaucer more! Vivie has her next liver ultrasound on the 25th and her GI appt on Feb. 5th so stay tuned for her progress report!

The House That Somebody Else Built

I have to remind myself why we bought this home....often. Don't get me wrong...I'm grateful to be here in dreamy-weather-land, AKA San Diego (we PAY for it though-I could buy a new car with the taxes we pay every year--or just pay off our current one in less than a year). I'm thankful that Curt is employed and that his income pays most the bills, but I still miss SOOO many things about our Utah home that I have to remind myself WHY we bought this particular home. It may sound like a snotty statement, especially to those who have never owned their own homes. This is #4 for us, and it's the only one we didn't build and choose options in. It's a resale and it has just never felt like ours. (Although, I've always dreamed of buying an old home, renovating, and discovering vintage fireplaces, staircases, etc). But this is different.

Curt had been working in San Diego for 3 long months before we moved the family in April '06. It was a race against time and I was done being a single mom. It was the only one on the market at the time that had the wide-plank hand-scraped hickory wood floors I so desperately wanted and it doesn't hurt that the there's a peek ocean view from the master balcony....and it wasn't a million gazillion dollars like the rest of them--well, almost. The turret has great entry style not to mention the 20 foot ceilings (not so great though when painting them). Curt's office is away from the main part of the house so he has a retreat of his own when he needs to put himself in time-out (just kidding--but not really). Mice only live in the garage some of the time, and we're not infested with termites or mold...yet. None of the kids have been killed or injured living on the corner (it's a cul-de-sac street on both ends) and the hotel-grade Vegas-style carpeting on the stairs has really grown on me....plus it will last 25 years. We have five bathrooms, so almost all potty-trained McLaughlins can go in-sync without a huge line (I don't have to sit on the boys disgusting toilet seat--they're not straight-shooters)...but the toilets do get plugged quite often...we'll blame that one on the boys. We have a huge outdoor fireplace and courtyard off the formal dining room (again, which we use twice a year) with a fountain for ambiance with soooo much potential (that we hardly ever use), double ovens (that we use once a year), and an extra large bedroom with a dreamy Juliette balcony for the little girls to take over and play mommie to their babies, pollies, and barbies...and make 'denna' in their pbk kitchen for all their guests. We really do have a lot of reasons to rejoice...

Really, it's just that we KICK ourselves for not thinking of renting for a while before the market declared itself. I couldn't bear the thought of moving then five children and all the goods TWICE and to be in limbo for an unknown period of time...as renters. It's not that renting is a bad omen, it's just that we've owned a home since 1997 and our thought process was that it would be like going backwards...so we just didn't consider it. Egg on our face now! And so yes, we bought at the peak of the 2006 market here in San Diego and have watched in horror as home values dropped at least 11% in the last year - probably a tad more in our area. It's a sore subject for me, no doubt. Bye, bye equity and really large down payment down the toilet for now.

I guess the real issue is that we recently found 'OUR HOME' ...at least the one we were originally looking for two years ago that didn't exist on the market. You know, the one that fits our family's needs, desires, and tastes perfectly and would have been financially do-able if we still had that great equity and down payment. We're talking 1/3 acre (you just don't find acreage like that in SD North County in a planned development), fantastic neighborhood, privacy, huge backyard, 4100 square feet of NEW greatness, main floor master suite, laundry room that's NOT an entrance from the garage, bonus room for the kids that we can lock them IN along with the xbox, karaoke, guitar, piano, etc; a huge gourmet kitchen complete with GE monogram top-of-the-line appliances, 3rd car garage---along with all the great features we currently have (minus the ocean view). So, because there's no way for us to swing it currently being SUNK in our home, dreaming a little never hurt anyone!

So I'm beginning 2008 focusing on completing the vision I had of this most wonderful home at 1497 Glencrest in the beginning--the house with a lot of panache and style...and make it OURS. Knowing there's no pregnancies in the wings...knowing that I NEED projects to be a sane person, and knowing that OUR HOME with everything we wanted 2 years ago really isn't an option now unless I win the lottery tomorrow which would be a miracle since I've never played the lottery. Maybe I'll start tomorrow. SIGH.... So I'm going to rejoice in this place on Glencrest...you know, the house that somebody else built, but the house in which we call home.

This will be the year of sewing drapes, installing more closet organizers, doing finish-work, decorating the kids rooms and putting my spin on this house like I did our Utah home. I will attempt to spiff-up our home and make it OURS...take ownership and complete the vision of the Glencrest home with a lot of panache and potential. The list is drawn and it's LONG. Now I just need some moolah and fairy dust to make it happen. Stay tuned. Only time will tell how ambitious I will be.

A Birthday Comedy

While making the perfect birthday dinner for Curt, Izzie comes home with a foreign object (polly pocket shoe) shoved up her nostril. She's not too alarmed...still dancing around wondering why she's sneezing every 2 seconds. Dr. Mommie puts down the large serving fork and performs surgery (that same fork just about made it into her nose instead of the tweezers----yum). ER averted..wheeew!

Curt came home from running one of our kids somewhere and went across the street to gather the kids...then UNgracefully tumbles down the Parry's porch stairs, twists his shoulder, gouches his leg, and bonks his head, then limps home with his pride in his back pocket. Happy Birthday, honey. Try watching where you walk next time.

After Curt stumbles home he walks in and the little girls greet him with, "You want some cake?" Before he can answer, they both reach up to the island and just dig their little hands into the cake and pull out a handful...for their daddy to try. YUM. Who needed a pretty cake anyhow? Nothing that a little frosting can't fix.

Curt looks bewildered and outloud wonders 'WHY' when he opens an electric air pump. "Why would I need that when there's Sean across the street who can pump up the kids' balls & tires?" I just gave him an evil stare and said "You're welcome for the useful and very thoughtful gift." (and then jokingly told Bray to go hide the 'big gifts'--the ipod and digital frame, because he didn't deserve them)!

Izzie & Lexie fight over the gifts and who is going to open the next one, (They think it's theirs because it's wrapped in purple), and WHY, when they open it up and it's a dress shirt they look so puzzled that "this is not mine, where's my present, mom!" "No, sweetheart, we don't have Christmas every month."

I labor over a nice dinner and get it all on the table and a quarrel ensues over who sits where and "that's not my job" is the only thing I hear from my monkeys when asked to set the table. Curt is so upset at the kids' attitudes that he has to walk out to avoid saying something he doesn't mean...on his birthday. (The ONLY thing he told the kids he wanted for his birthday was for everyone to get along and there to be NO arguing!) Apparently we got him gifts instead. Then the kids remind me that I said I wasn't doing another big homemade dinner again--just a few short weeks ago (see Christmas Eve post). I should have been the one to walk out.

I place all 39 candles in the yummy homemade cake (with a to-die-for ganache) and just as I light the last one with a quick puff Curt blows them out forgetting that on birthdays we first sing and then get the camera ready. Oh well, no pictures to prove he's actually 39. Maybe he wanted it that way. Guess birthday routines are hard to remember when they happen EIGHT TIMES A YEAR AT OUR HOUSE! Next year, I'll remember to remind him how it goes. (Good thing Curt has a sense of humor and can laugh at himself as I poke fun).

Lexie & Izzie attack Brayden, who is more than 3x their age and wrestle him to the ground...Izzie at the back end has his pants pulled down to his knees, therefore, MOONING all of us in the family room, while Lexie is sitting on his head pinning him to the ground. What a sight! And this boy plays football? My girls are much, much stronger than my boys. No, the camera wasn't ready to go for the bribery pictures..darnit! I want a do-over! We were all rolling laughing so hard.

After being tucked-in for the night, Lexie commissioned Izzie to do her dirty work and beckon Dad (they know I won't oblige) from the top of the stairs for something for them to eat and drink. Didn't I just make a yummy huge meal? See, what's the point when oatmeal and a sippy with chocolate milk is what they want anyway. Lesson learned...again. BTW, she was wearing a Roman hat, and had a sword...really. I guess maybe she thought mommie was going to come instead...smiles....

And as I'm writing this the morning after, I have 4 kids who are screaming at each other--Mons is crying on the ground at the bottom of the stairs having just been pushed down from the top by McKenzie (I guess Monson's related to his Dad). I'm getting yelled at by Iz and Lex to help them get dressed while Iz is pulling my hair trying to style it in her 2-year-old way. Izzie has chocolate frosting and ice-cream all over her body and cake crumbs are strewn from one end of the house to the other. (What's wrong with cake & ice cream for breakfast?) Yes, I'm trying to ignore my children and have tunnel vision so I can finish this post instead. Where are my priorities!!! And WHY do the kids have 3 weeks off school for Christmas??? Obviously the person who designed that certainly doesn't have children. And it's only 9 am...I can tell it's going to be a L O N G day. Gotta go figure out a plan to keep six monkeys busy before one mommie goes insane. I LOVE my children...no really, I do.

When She Dances....

When Isabella dances it turns my world into a more joyful place. I can just see it now... In 60 years when I'm senile & fragile on my deathbed I will say, "Dance for me, Izzie!" to get one last smile in & to be in MY happy place. (Of course, I'm forgetting, that she'll also be a ripe 62!) Seriously, she just makes me laugh and has the ability to turn a sour day into a sweet one--when she dances! Part of our nighttime routine now is to watch Izzie dance so we can all smile. She even manages to sneak in an 'Elaine' (from Seinfeld) move here and there sometimes--you've gotta see her in person au natural without the camera rolling...Miss Joyful Izzie. Love it! (In this video she takes a minute to warm up...after she ditches her cheerleader baby doll and it's not her best work, but still my ever-spunky Isabella!) My girls just all are attracted to that darn bedpost! Time for a new bed. This is an innocent post.

2007 Revelations

• My leather sofa isn't that comfy...and now there's a 'Shay indent' in one side of it from lying on it while on bedrest for 3 long months. Hint, hint...I need a new sectional, please.

• We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.
  

• It's harder to be on the receiving end than the giving end.

• When family is not around, friends pick up the pieces and fill in the gaps.

• FAITH, FAITH FAITH.
  

• The hardest day in my life was letting go of my Izzie & Lexie (then 1 and 2) as I watched them drive away to Utah for six long weeks during a portion of my bedrest...with the unknown ahead of me. They were with the next best thing to mom....beloved 'Ama', but still the toughest six weeks of my life.
  

• I am amazingly blessed and loved.

• Simple pleasures are great...like peeing in the toilet, not in a bedside commode.

• Say hello to Dr. Pepper! Caffeine isn't all bad, apparently. Vivie had high doses of it while just days old for about a month (to help with apnea episodes).
  

• Hospital food, well...just plain sucks.
  

• Miracles happen, but sometimes they require sacrifice.

• Proverbs 3:-5-6. Go read it.
  

• Life is so very precious.
  

• C-sections are for the birds. But narcotics are yummy.
  

• Heavenly Father sustains and is merciful.
  

• The power of the priesthood is real...not a revelation to me, but to the nurses who watched

• The kangaroo hold is magical.

• How to develop even more faith.
  

• Curt is capable of being a single mom.

• When life deals you lemons...make lemonade.

• Narcotics are yummy--oh, did I already say that?
  

• Curt is a VERY patient man...
  

• I could run in circles with Neonatologists, RN's & PA's...and understand & speak the medical jargon.
  

• Learned how to crochet.

• Laptop computers are the worlds greatest convenience...next to comfy mattresses.

• Ab muscles are over-rated anyway.

• NICU nurses are angels on earth, well, most of them.

• Figured out how to handle a home & six kids while driving 1 1/2 hours RT to the hospital to be with Vivie for 100 days. Or maybe I handled it the best way I knew how.
  

• How great it is to pray while lying down. Haven't kicked that method yet.

• Music speaks to me.

• Soduku is kind of fun.

• Foot-rubs are even more fun.
  

• Being a mom is the best calling there is. It's also the most demanding, nail-biting, hair-pulling, most frustrating and under-appreciated calling there is.
  

• How to juggle in a circus...I mean six kids.

• Not a good idea to fly with three girls under 3 years old...solo...while engorged...without a pump.

• Cuddles & loves are NOT over-rated.
  

• Walking is an amazing privilege.

• Eyesight is a beautiful gift.

• Learned how not to flinch at million-dollar hospital bills. Yes, that is plural.

• Laughter is the best medicine...unless it makes you hemorrhage more.
  

• I love photography.

• Blogging is the best form of journaling...and I'm kind of addicted.
  

Happy 2008...here's to NO more pregnancies (yay! Our family has all arrived!), no more hospital stays, MANY more reasons to laugh, moving on to the next phase in life in '08. Looking back, it seems I had a very large share of spiritual things to experience in '07. What a journey it's been!