Lucky Girl

I just returned from a three-hour meeting to find...

Two loads of laundry done.  folded.    put away.

my bed made.    room vacuumed.    bathroom floor cleaned.

loft vacuumed.    dishes cleared.    countertops cleaned.  

Vivie's needs met... and there are lots.    Izzie picked up from school.

3 jobs applied for.  A hug, smile, and a kiss to greet me.

I'm a lucky girl.  

What other husband does that kind of stuff without the begging, coercion, pleading, bribery?

...and it's not just the unemployed kind of husband...  he does this kind of stuff each and every day because he knows that it takes two... and anything he can do to lighten my load, ease my burdens...he's on it.  That's the kind of guy he is. 

xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo xo

Unemployment Never Was So Busy...

• I'm working like a busy bee to ready my etsy store for a virtual grand-opening. Still waiting on my DBA... but I'm hopeful to experience a new kind of busy. busy. busy. At least I think I am. More details later.

• One car isn't so bad... but when I had the chance to have a second car for a week, I jumped on the opportunity. My mom spent a week in Mexico with family, and so I dropped her off at LAX and took her car home... only for it to completely die on me (once I got here safely). Turns out... engine is toast *long-not-my-fault-story*. So instead I got to spend the week having hers towed, finding out the bad news, listing it for sale, selling it, and finding her a new one. Yes, I'm patting myself on the back. And she did too. What a great mom. Truly.

• Oh, and the major, probably fatal accident I avoided on the way home from the airport... saw my little girls' lives flash in front of me. I said about 1,000 prayers of gratitude that day in an instant when the freeway was shut down and I escaped involvement by a thread. Literally, my hands were guided. I'd like to think it was my swift skills, but really, it was a 'Jesus take the wheel' moment. Precious cargo... *grateful*

• Woo hoo! We finally got our first UNemployment check... $450 for a week. And then we laughed. Who makes $450 a week? With a family of eight? Yes, every bit saves our behinds and helps the bottom line. And I am ever {grateful} even with those silly undertones. CA Unemployment really does give you a reason to get a real job. Fast.

• Curt is working his tail end off... only it's a commission-based opportunity which I won't discuss right now. But he has a killer resume, has posted for some new opportunities, and hopes that we can soon have a corporate job that actually pays the bills. Brayden needs a mouth-full of root canals. Health insurance is a must. SOON.

• The good news is that Curt can make it to the gym everyday. Don't know what my lame excuse is.

• Monson's Pinewood Derby and Blue & Gold Dinner is over with. Busiest months in Cub Scouting. And I think Curt liked being the spectator this year instead of the orchestrator. And I loved not having to help build a new car this year. There are advantages to moving, ya know.

• Lots of rainy days= lots of indoor days. We aren't use to that cabin fever thing. A few hail-storms were a highlight for the kids... and for me, because it means that something else can entertain them besides Dora, me, Curt, me, or Dora.

• I really miss pre-school. But I really do cherish this time with my little girls at home. Maybe I should do a joy school so I can be that much busier. Hmm... it actually sounded like a good idea when it came out of my head.

• Girls Club, play-dates, baseball, preparing & teaching lessons in YW and RS, service projects, Cub Scout projects, homework projects... projects left undone. The usual.

• And I've been overwhelmed & humbled by the love notes I've received by snail mail, email & sporadic phone calls from so many dear, true friends that help me keep my head held high. They all have been *WOW* moments for me. I feel loved.

And I am ever-so-grateful.

We are truly blessed... this is {better be} just a small little moment...

and we'll be just fine.

41 smooches for the love of my life

...but who's counting, anyway?

Happy Happy Birthday, Curt!...

He started his day out with a 7 am service project with the youth in our church

We got to spend a couple of hours in the temple...

We enjoyed the best lunch at a great little bistro...

a quiet lunch without six LOUD kids

Then on to a simple little celebration with the kiddos.

They each gave him a 'service coupon'... the best kid presents ever

And then we settled into our seats to enjoy a little Sherlock Holmes.

A quiet birthday full of service, love, warmth, & simplicity.

(the cake is a 'these are my favorite things' cake...

oreos, baby ruth, circus cookies, iced oatmeal cookies, & peanut m&m's.)

decorating courtesy of the kids.

Pretty easy to please.

I know what you wished for when you blew out the candles this year :)

or, did the kids get to it first?

A little Daddy-cuddlin'

no--he doesn't really have 7 chins-- it's just a really bad angle

Love you more...

Shakin' Up The Emotions.

My latest sewing project was so RUDELY interrupted & permanently put on hold this morning by some very unexpected news that came out of left field... and now after the heart-sunken feeling, numbness, and just trying to make sense of it...

We're trying to deal, we're trying to process it and move baby steps forward and maybe seek some joy that may be had in all of this. Yeah right.

JOY. in. THIS. maybe not today...

Where a door closes, a window opens...yadda yadda yadda. We know as we go through difficult times it brings our family closer together, and we've had quite a lot of that kind of family togetherness lately. Like ever since we moved to California 4 years ago.

Am I to be grateful? I'm really trying.

This morning we received news that Curt was laid off from his job (6 years & counting) with Baxter... completely unforeseen and unanticipated.

You're only as good as your last 30 days when it comes to budgets, numbers, & stretch goals in this cut-throat heartless corporate world.

I know, not the worst news ever in this economy where unemployment is so high. But when it's a complete surprise and it's YOU, it evokes different emotions that we just weren't prepared to deal with. (with the shock... Izzie saw me and said....shocked herself, "Daddy, is that how mommie cries?) Then I started laughing. {Love} Izzie.

Happy New Year. Completely shoved us to our knees...partly because I literally lost footing with this shocker {and it was either fall to my knees or on my butt with shock} and partly because we need

some major divine guidance. Fast.

We're still numb after a day of simplifying and cutting out extra expenses. Sacrifice isn't a foreign concept to our family, and it was humbling and sweet to hear the kids' reactions when we gathered them to talk about sacrifice, simplifying, & pulling together to get through this without completely losing our minds & tempers:

Kenz & Bray--"You can have my money to pay the bills."

Kenz & Mons-"Dad, you can have our phone since you won't have one."

Kenz & Mons--"We can ride our bikes to/from school so you can save gas (TWO miles)."

Lexie & Izzie- "Dad, maybe you can be the ice cream man now instead!"

Lexie - "Or, maybe you can work at Costco or be the boss at IN-'N'-Out so we can eat whenever we want. (Now, they're thinking)

Izzie-"I'm so sorry you lost your job, Daddy."

Thank heaven for little kids to bring a sense of humor (and compassion) to help lighten the load we carry as parents.

I'm feeling a wee bit grateful that:

*at least we are not tied to this house (other than a rental contract).

*We don't have to stay in bankrupt California (even though my heart is here).

*Deep deep down somewhere I do actually welcome the chance to become a cowgirl & live on a farm (NOT a Utah one) and have my kids feed chickens & milk cows & have space to run as far as the eyes can see...

*At least we can run far far away if need be.

*Curt's Masters Program IS mostly online...

*Or, we can stay put if that's how it all works out.

I know the kids are resilient, but I so NEVER envisioned them jumping from school to school.

I struggle with uprooting them yet again if that's how the cards play out.

Yes, they will survive. This isn't that bad...none of our kids have died, Curt doesn't have a terminal illness, we didn't lose our minds yet. It's not that bad other than the {not so} tiny detail that we don't have an ample savings to get us through yet since our last financial crazy only a few short months ago.

For now I'm gonna run far, far away in my head, and go watch a movie and wake up tomorrow hoping this was just a really icky nightmare and when I come-to and realize I have to figure out how to rob Peter to pay Paul...then I'll continue to simplify until we can find some

new hope on the horizon.

2009 McLaughlin Clan Notables

Pure Glee

Six-kid pile-up! ...Or five kids and a Dad. I don't know where Vivs was when the laughter & subsequent tackle broke out. The kids {love} wrestling with Daddy and usually someone inevitably gets hurt as they hurl themselves onto each other in perfect glee to tickle Daddy to death...

I'm thankful the kids have a Dad that will get down at their level (or is willing to be tackled down to their level) and play with them until it hurts!

Fifteen.

"The grand essentials to happiness in this life are

something to do, someone to love, and something to hope for."

So I guess

I've got it all!

I had a G R A N D vision of how our 15th anniversary should play out...

A week-long trip back to Europe, or perhaps cruisin' the Caribbean somewhere...

(or an in-town hotel would do)

lots of 'US' time...uninterrupted, of course.

(for more than 2 straight minutes)

a couple of books I can actually finish

(and not have to read and re-read the first page 17 times before giving up)

Lots of sleep... daily naps, of course...

(and no human alarm to tap me & chant my name 20 times until I roll out of bed to make

'eggos with peanut butter, cut, with syrup' assembly-line-style)

A massage or two, shopping without an agenda,

rejuvenation, celebration, perhaps a 'new' ring after all these years

(blah blah blah)

Instead, we had a regular overnight date 200 miles from home in one of our favorite destinations... Santa Barbara

I showed Curt where my final resting spot will be (if I'm not twinkled first)...

really, it's the most lovely cemetery I've ever seen even though you can't tell through the marine layer. Yes, I think of weird things, but I've known since I was a teen that 'this is the place.' Morbid, I know. Or perhaps just efficient.

we had a lovely morning bike ride along the coast (heaven)

don't judge our fresh-out-of-bed look

I got my share of the ocean I have so missed these last few months

And the famous Jerry's Deli... as well as a nice anniversary dinner at Lucky's in SB

European antique shopping

and a movie.

Yup, we had a regular 'date' 200 miles from home. But we got some small-scale R&R

It was perfect & sweet

much like most of the last 15 years.

Happy big 15th, babe!

Wow, I'm a lucky girl.

Noteworthy...

So I've been busy!  I've lost my zeal for blogging for the moment... and the farther behind I fall on documenting all of our noteworthy events, the harder it becomes to sit my fanny down and move my fingers on that keyboard.  So in an effort to be less verbose and to catch up, these are the little noteworthy happenings and memories within the last 6 weeks or so!

Noteworthy...

In April...Curt's first pinewood derby as the Cubscout Master.  Monson didn't place...pounding those wheels in at the last minute with the closest 'tool' I could find (a shoe) just wasn't Indy-worthy. But we all had a great time and his car at least looked cool!  I think part of the reason was because this year the committee decided to have the movie, 'Cars' playing in the back of the cultural hall with a little popcorn party and coloring fest for all the little ones that would have otherwise been trying to pull the track down and making all us moms crazy.  I don't think I even saw my little ones much that evening.  And we had a fabulous potluck!  Why are all of us usually late to the derby? Well, besides the cars getting their last coat of spray paint 10 mins before race time?  Because we are all rushing out the door trying to shove something down our kids throats to make it to the weigh-in on time so as not to be disqualified, right?  So pizza, salads and chili was the perfect solution to get everyone there on time.  Curt's doing a great job as Cub Master and I'm not that biased.

the crowds showed up

kid Cars & coloring party

the pitstop

cool decorations

Vivie wearing the decorations...

whoosh!

everyone got an award

Noteworthy...

Lexie's first birthday party with friends!  She invited 23 kids...and 22 little princesses, princes, jesters, and knights showed up all ready for the Royal Gala!  I'm still recovering from all the planning, prep and sheer exhaustion of the event!  Lexie truly felt like the princess that she is and really likes this idea of people coming over to celebrate her and bringing her oodles of pretty little presents.  Too bad for our kids we only do 'real parties' at ages 5, 8, 12, and 16. That's quite enough for one momma to orchestrate.

The Royal Court

making treasure bags for our dragon egg hunt

The princes, princesses, knights and jesters loved blasting the good-natured dragon (Monson) with water balloons!

all set up for high tea

lovely menu of heart sandwiches, chocolate covered & glitter strawberries and pretzels, doritos, cheese cubes, grape skewers & apple juice.

Viviana is a princess too

Story telling with the King!

and darling Princess Isabella Daisy

The kids loved the glitter relay race

...and freeze dance was a fave

and of course, no princess party is complete without castle cupcakes

hand made princess wands and swords as part of their take home goodies

Noteworthy...

Viviana had her 'developmental' Dr. appt last week and came away with flying colors.  We thought that for her age she was really struggling with her language skills...but apparently our other kids and some of the kids she associates with in nursery are just ahead of the curve.  Viviana is pretty much right on target in speech, language, motor skills, and cognitive development.  I don't know why we expect anything different anymore.  

Her latest noddies:  Stripping to her birthday suit and parading around the house.  Duct tape doesn't work with her--where there's a will there's a way.  She loves being free and then the inevitable always happens.  She makes puddles.  Lots of them.  We use a lot of lysol in our house.  I can't keep my silly little 2 year old in diapers and she won't actually pee on the potty. Noddy, noddy, noddy.  To help with all her food messes, she got a cute little working vacuum for her birthday.  Perhaps she needed a mop too.  Nothing wrong with teaching them self-reliance and the value of work at the age of two!  

oops!  Streaking again!  And no, that is not a milk dud protruding from her back contrary to popular opinon...

her bday cereal of choice was fruit loops this year

awaiting her last minute bday cake

adoring her daddy

so she loves chocolate

and is very expressive

dig in!

singing 'happy birthday to vivie' over and over and over

what a bright idea! a working vacuum!

'Mine'

Noteworthy...

Lexie is refusing to stay little even though I poke and prod her about not growing up all the time.  She is registered for Kindergarten and went through her torturous shots.  She's on the wait-list for the morning class (it's 1/2 day), but either way she's looking forward to being 'big' and walking either to school with the kids or home with the kids.

Lexie also informed me that she wants FIFTY kids when she grows up.  I asked her what she's going to do with FIFTY kids?  She said, "I'm going to love them and I'm bringing them all to your house!"  Oh, lucky Grandma!  Izzie and Lexie sing this little song I sang when I was a little girl, "When I Grow Up I Want To Be A  Mother"...it's extra cheesy, it's silly and it's fun and it's their favorite song.  Singing it with true drama and expression is part of our nighttime routine...every night at their request.  Maybe that's why Lexie wants fifty kids.  She is my little lover girl.

Noteworthy...

Brayden has his 2nd Class in Scouts and is two requirements away from his 1st class.  He's not even 12 years old yet...can you say Eagle at 13???  He already knows what he wants to do for his project.  Oh, and he's a straight A student.  Perfect 4.0 all year so far.  At the beginning of the year we told him that if he gets a 4.0 all year that he'll get a laptop.  Ooops.  I think we'll be resurrecting our laptop for him next month. Good thing I didn't say 'new laptop!'  

Noteworthy...

I spent a fun-filled, much needed bonding weekend with my mom at BYU's Women's Conference.  We learned a lot, walked a lot, sat a lot, ate a lot, shopped a lot, played a lot...and came home needing to sleep a lot.  Thank you, Mom, for the memories! (Even though we didn't take many photos!)

Dear Lizzy Bistro...fun girly spot

Shiny faced-Shay & my cute momma

Noteworthy...

Last week's Mother/Daughter activity with McKenzie was super fun & creative.  We learned how to make bold tissue paper flowers, duct-tape purses, candy leis, and pressed flower cards. Our Activity Days Leaders really do a superb job exploring talents and teaching new skills.  I had to miss a big night for my new stake public affairs calling (crystal apple awards), but it was worth it to spend it with you, Kenz!

Noteworthy...

I had the most perfect Mother's Day ever filled with handmade cards, the best kid coupons , lots of hugs and loves, even early-out church due to plumbing issues in our building (we were there for the most important part)!!  Breakfast in bed with mom has become a beloved kids' tradition.  And they're sure to make breakfast x 6 really...and then everyone eats it vying for positions next to me while I get a bite or two.  Simple and sweet... And after early out church we headed to the beach to relax as a family and take in the ocean blue, perfectly salted air and warm sand.  I can't think of a better day with my family.