Logan's B-day and Some Chores

We had Logan's birthday cake last night. I sort of slapped it together. We were having a rough night and I thought his cake might help things be a little more happy. We all needed some 'happy'. He wanted a Lego brick. I did my best. I wanted to spend more time on it, but the kids just weren't going to work with me. He loved it, and that is all that matters.





So this is the new 'chore chart'. I need to come up with a better name, because I hate chore charts so much I could scream. They just make more work for me, and most of them make the kitchen look like a bad board room meeting.

This one is cool because the chores are divided by time. 5, 10, and 15min chores. Craig and I will do the 15 min chores until they get old enough to have them. Everyone gets(or randomly picks) one 10 min and two 5min 'work sticks'. Yea! The green sticks are things you do everyday like brush teeth, make bed.

http://www.howdoesshe.com/chore-chart-for-multiple-kids

Here is the blog that had the idea. I changed mine a little (I don't like to lie to my kids. I don't think chores are fun and I am not putting it on the block! So there!)

Makenzie's Tea Party!

January is crazy at our house! This year is even more crazy with Logan turning 8. Here are some pics of Makenzie's Tea Party. She was so excited!



Everything turned out great. The girls had a good time, and didn't even really eat a lot. They played in the room more then anything.

2012...A new year!

So I have to get up in a little while and I can't sleep. Go figure. Having a break was great, but now getting back on schedule is, I think, a good idea.

The 'I don't want to go to school' mantra has started back. Help me, help me! I think getting to bed at a decent hour will be nice to get back to.

We had a great time in CA for Christmas. It was so nice to see everyone. The drama was kept to a minimum(always nice). And my parents were there to help when the drama started to flare up.
The new year is here and I am excited. 2011 was a rough one and I am glad it is over. I have many hopes for this new year.

I am going to take control of what I can, and let go of the rest. And really take control. I don't want to let things slip through, but I need to let things go that don't matter. I think I understand the difference between the two. It has taken me my whole life to figure out what really matters and what is me being obsessive compulsive.

Long time.....

It has been awhile. I don't know what my problem is.....oh wait I do. I have children!

After spending so much time in CA this summer I finally have come to terms with living in AZ. I can't say that I love it and I can't say that I will be here for the rest of my life, but I have to be where I have "made my bed". Somehow it has to be ok.

I knew that I was suppose to grow where I have been planted, but it has been hard weeding out the negative thoughts of being a victim of other peoples decisions. Ultimately, this doesn't matter. What matters is moving forward and learning from our mistakes. I knew this in my heart, but sometimes it is hard to grasp a reality that you didn't want.

I have grown a lot in the past year. It has been a hot and hard refiners fire. I think that I am still trying to come out of the flames. I have faith that everything will be ok. Just short of a miracle for everything to be so, but I believe in miracles.

Okey dokey.

So here is a funny for you. I was looking at a picture of Craig and me from last year and you will never guess what I thought. I know that my eyebrows are 'wide', but two things about that. One, my hair is so fine if I pluck one hair I can get a hole in my eyebrows (I have done it); two, a little nervous of the hair not growing back. But really just nervous about 'one'. I have tried to do more shaping before and it doesn't go well.

Anyway....

I know people probably think I am crazy, but I would rather have too much eyebrow then not enough. Thought we needed a little light blog for once.

p.s. The kids and I planted today. We planted some strawberries in a pot, some flowers, and some veg. We put soil in the old sandbox. Thought little was better then nothing. Logan picked crockneck, Porter carrots (of course), Mom chose cherry tomato, and Kenz picked Lobelia. We put Kenz's seeds in a pot. Planted the green pot with zinnia and postenum. Hopefully we will have some humming birds and butterflies. I have a pack of sweet peas but there are too many places I want to put those. I have to think a little on that one.

Pictures to come. I asked Craig to take pictures and he took two with his phone. I was talking the big camera. Yet again no pictures if you are enjoying the fun. One day I will figure that one out.

Metaphoric Irony-'Sounds of Silence'

Progression

Up, down, up, down, up, down.........I think we are up at the moment. Or maybe I just want it to be that way. Don't get me wrong not 'perfect' but heading in the right direction.

Porter did his #2 bathroom duties all himself today. Even making sure that any mess was wiped and flushed away. Huge I tell you! Makenzie didn't feel good last night and ran a low grade fever all day.

This is not a good thing, but if I was working full time like I think I should I would of had some major drama today. Instead she was able to cuddle up in front of the tv in her jammies and watch all the Barbie and Pony shows she wanted (in between napping).

Logan started his homework yesterday by himself and is mastering fractions-go figure. Don't know where that one came from. I would think he would be totally confused. He is reading more with Grandma Vicki and really working toward having some reading self esteem.

It is hard to have faith and leave things up to the Lord for me. I think this is my current test. I don't want to bother people with my problems. I want to feel like I can do it by myself. Not meaning that I don't pray and have an intimate relationship with my Savior. Just that I feel we need to be self reliant. I know that there is concern that I may be upset at times, but I don't think he cares that I am upset about my house being dirty. He wants me to be happy and grateful for all that I have.

When in college I went through some rough emotional times. I liked the song by Simon and Garfunkel, I am a Rock. I related to it, . I didn't feel like anyone understood me. I think the song is a huge metaphoric irony. The more you become an island the further you draw away from the Lord and the purposes for us being here. As hard as it is to deal with trials and relationships, other then 'knowledge' these are the things that will last for eternity.