Post #300

Wow, I can't believe I have posted that many. It does make me happy to see that I have been able to keep up with this blog so I can add these posts as my diary entries. I am glad that I get to write about what goes on around here, my thoughts although not very nice ones some times. I tend to get carried away and end up writing more than I should. I have been trying to control myself and leave that extra stuff for my personal diary. Time is key really, I can't write when all the kids are home, so I usually do it when they are at school and Aaron is taking a nap, it works best that way, or some times I can't sleep at night and come downstairs to write what ever I am thinking of. Thanks for reading the blog and for your comments, they are always appreciated.

To buy or not to buy

That is the question... after a weekend of pucking (Aaron not me) and not being able to clean up that well int he middle of the night, I ended up with a bunch of stains in my room, the boys room and the living room. I usually don't have to worry about it with the older ones because they know drill and they make themselves wait until they get to the toilet. Being three years old I understand it is a little too hard to remember that and I am not mad at him for leaving red stains all over the place. But now it is up to me to get those stains off the carpet and made the house look nice again.
I am so tired but it has to be done because if I wait longer the stains will probably stay there for ever. While at Walmart at looked at a couple of possibilities like the Dirt Devil spot remover, a little hand held steam vacuum that was about $38.00 and also a Bissell Quick Steamer (upright) that runs for $80.00 at Walmart. I did not buy either one but instead got the Woolite foam that comes with a brush on a stick to make it easier to clean I guess. That one was only $13.00 and I decided to get it instead because now I am waiting for my sister in law Tashia to try a Bissell back in VA and she will let me know if it is worth trying it. The Woolite stuff worked OK, but it could look better, it needs a lot of elbow grease and I am out of it. I could have rented one of those machines from Krogrers but that would have been like $50.00 all together and it is a heavy machine and it takes me about a day and a half to get the whole house clean.
So now I wait and see if Bissell will be a good investment, since I have kids and it is a sure thing that they will throw up again.

Aaron being sick.

Since Friday at midnight Aaron has been sick throwing up. He actually seemed to be doing better by yesterday afternoon. After Dan got back from school we found Aaron sitting on the top of the couch looking out the window, I thought he looked a little down and so out of energy. We ended up going to the park to throw the football around for a little while, he was having fun and enjoying himself but did not eat dinner and this morning while I was getting ready to study a lesson I had to sub for in primary he came to me to tell me he needed to throw up and he did, this time he did it in the toilet!!! I usually keep Pedialyte in the fridge so when the kids are sick I don't have to run out to the store with a pucking child, but I ran out, so I went over to Wallgreens, yes I know it is Sunday but I am not going to let my child dehydrate. So once again he seems to be doing OK but I am not completely sure he is out of the woods yet. So not fun to have a sick kid, they just don't seem the same, Aaron specially looks so much whiter than usual and drops down on the floor where ever he is standing, he has fallen asleep on the steps, the kitchen floor, the living room. I want my Aaron back!!!

Stress, frustration or just simple temporary insanity.

On Monday while waiting for Dan to come home I had asked the kids to clean up their messy rooms. Did they do it? Of course not. Now I am a very easy going person when people around me do as they are told even if it takes them a whole day but if it gets done before the end of the day I will be happy. You think that by now after all these years they would get it through their heads but no.
BEFORE PICS




Shayna is my number one procrastinator at the house (OK I am guilty too), but seriously when I told her to clean up for the 5th time, I found her sitting on her behind playing on the computer. That did it for me. I went crazy and took all her books off the shelves, all her toys and countless trash that was hiding under the mattresses and piled it up in a corner while I took her bed apart. She has this cute bunk bed that Dan got for her back in Utah when we first moved there. I was never happy with it in the first place because I always wanted her room in a special way and the big bulky bed made it impossible to create the atmosphere that Shayna needed. But we got the bed and what did she do the first week? She broke the desk part where the keyboard goes, she painted all over the bunk bed, put stickers and just made a big mess with it. I always felt she never really appreciated what she had. I had told Dan that I wanted to transfer that bed unto the boys room so Victor could have it and he just didn't think it was a good idea.
So on Monday in my crazy single mom status I lost it and Shayna is now without her upper bunk bed. I created a space for Victor that he so desperately needed and he LOVES LOVES LOVES it, the fact that he has a desk and his own bookshelf was the best thing ever. Shayna on the other had was sad but when I finished with her bedroom she realized That my idea for a little girl room was a great one. She has so much space now and it is so much easy to clean up and keep organized. She doesn't have so many hiding spots to keep candy wrappers, candy, glue bottles, cups with water, pretzels, etc. I found SO many things in that bunk bed it was just absolutely disgusting.
It was a lot of work and at times I thought I was not going to be strong enough to move that heavy piece of furniture but I made it and with no broken bones or a single scratch. I am so proud of myself for accomplishing all of that by myself before Dan got home that night.
On top of everything I probably saved about $200.00 by recycling Shayna's bed. The only thing we needed to get was a little drawer cabinet for her lamp to sit on and a little book shelf for her many items that needed to be stored somehow. I found a cheap book case for $15.00 and the little totes are from the dollar store, aren't they cute?

AFTER PICS

Even Aaron has his own big boy bed now too, since Victor broke his when we first bought it.

Welcome back Papi!!!

Some kind of relief was brought back to my life on Monday night when we saw Dan in the crowds. The kids were so happy to see him again and they made him a sign.
After I pointed to them where he was they all rad towards him and left me holding the sign. It was all so dramatic :)

When we got home he proceeded to show off what he acquired while in VA, a couple of memories from his dad, some letters and of course the big item was this riffle had used when he was in boy scouts. Needless to say he is a very happy guy with this item. (not me)


Aaron then went to look for his gun and showed me how to shoot with it. I think he takes after his dad.

So GLAD Dan is home!!!

Last day being a single mom.

So we are finally at the end of this LONG LONG LONG weekend and we are so glad Dan is coming home tonight. We are planning to go pick him up and wait for him with a sign and everything. I have been having such a hard time with him gone and any times broke down crying and the kids got a little worried for a while. Tristan asked me last night "So now what is going to happen? Is Daddy coming ever coming back?" I know, I know, a drama queen over here crying my eyes out in front of my kids :) They have actually been their normal selves, but by me being the only one to care for them it just seemed like it was intensified a million times.
We kept busy all weekend, Friday Shayna had a special thing going on at the Humble Civic Center, she had entered a drawing contest and they were displaying her picture at this Rodeo Art Show. She was so happy to get a ribbon for it. I took the kids to Chick File for dinner that night, since Shayna had a Spelling Bee at school and she got a coupon for participating in it. So she got a free meal and I got a free sandwich and I only payed $10.00 to feed 4 kids and me. I LOVE coupons. Saturday we went to the craft store and got some colored pencils, acrylic paint and special paper for Shayna to paint, we kind of had a little art contest but it ended up being a nightmare since Shayna spilled the paint on the carpet as she was walking all over the place with her painting not realizing she was dripping the paint all over. So we did not finish that all the way, but she did a great job on the painting. Yesterday we went to church, the Spanish branch they have at the stake center and I really liked it. The kids had a hard time understanding except for Shayna, but I think it was a cool experience for everyone.
Shayna has been helping me with the quilt I am working on and she does a good job, I already promised her to work on her own quilt with her own design. So that was my weekend husband less and I don't want to do that again any time soon. I am glad he had the chance to go back and be with his brothers, sister and mom, glad he is able to bring back some memories from his dad, including a rifle (not so happy about that) and hope that he appreciates the time he had by himself but also hope that she missed us and will come back and give us big hugs and kisses because we sure missed him.

PS. I was also working a cute cake that I had to deliver on Saturday, I think it turned out really cute and the costumer loved it.

Dinner time!!!

Survived day one of being home all alone with the kids. We basically stayed home all day until afternoon when Shayna begged and begged to go to the craft store to check out the oil paints and art supplies. We ended up getting a couple of things for them to develop their artistic side and I have to say Victor and Shayna LOVE coloring, drawing and now painting. Before we headed for home I stopped at Walmart to get some fruit and yogurt for our dinner, I wanted to make something simple and delicious at the same time, lately they don't eat anything I make or eat the vegetables only and leave the meat or main dish on the side. I know that I should be happy they are eating vegetable but they need some protein as well.
So they picked their own yogurt and then I cut up their strawberries and bananas into pieces, added some grapes and then mixed in the yogurt, for the topping they all wanted mini M&Ms and Shayna and I had Special K instead, much healthier :)
They LOVED it, and ate it all gone, I was surprised since it was a big bowl and I had the exact same amount. They kept giving the thumbs up and that made my day. It was a simple thing and very easy to do and it made them so happy too.
I will have to come up with something good for tomorrow or maybe we'll just have the same thing again :)

Shayna's busy life

Shayna sometimes feels overwhelmed by all the things she has to do during the week. I guess she does keep a busy schedule, at least busier than mine used to be at her age. I know there are kids out there that have way more things going on like gymnastics or soccer practices (which she used to have back in Utah).

Here is the list:
-Monday she has Piano lessons at 4:30
-Tuesday she stays after school for a special after school program called Frogapalooza
-Wednesday she has Activity day every other week at the church
-Thursday is another after school program day
-Friday is the one day she does not do anything.
She also practices piano at least 30 minutes every day and she only has 4 and a half hours left after school before going to bed.

The reason why it seems so busy is because she has homework, she needs to do her chores and she always cries about how she can't go play with her friends, if only she could keep up with her room (that is the only reason she can't go play, not until she cleans it up and every day is a mess).
Funny thing is that she wanted me to sign her up to play softball and then I pointed out that she already has plenty to do during the week and one more thing would make her more stressed out.

I guess the older you get the busier you get.

Not so cute

Dan's parents went to Guatemala to get him after he finished his mission, on that trip the bought a lot o traditional items from back there. They displayed this big wooden plaque on their wall when they got back. I have always liked it and felt kind of proud that they had it up there, it was a little piece from back home and I liked looking at it. The funny thing is that I never really payed attention to the whole picture that is carved in it.
From far away it looks like two guys holding lances and doing a little dance, but that is so not what they are doing. It is two guys about to sacrifice this little guy who is laying on an altar. It should not surprise me since that is what they used to do anyways. The thing is that Dan took a picture of it and when we put it on the computer you are able to see in detail what they are doing. There is the guy on the right holding the knife about to kill what actually looks like a little kid. Of all the things they could carve into the plate and they chose to carve a human sacrifice... I still like the plate :) But if I ever get one I will make sure it has a pretty picture.

Emotional wreck!!!

So I have been trying to avoid writing what I am really thinking lately because what I end up writing is not really pretty. The last three months have really hard on me emotionally, so many things that have happened and that I was not expecting. I thought I was doing OK but obviously that is not the case. I have been crying non stop for dumb reasons and I hate it.
Dan will be leaving for VA this weekend so that he and his brothers can through their dad's stuff. I am glad he is able to go back there and thankful for his kind brother who is helping pay for his ticket, since we were not expecting another trip any time soon and it was not in our budget. I am taking this little trip thing a little too hard for sooo many reasons and I don't mean to sound selfish or anything like that.
Here is the reason why I am so frustrated, we were planning on going back to Guatemala as a family this year. For years we have been talking about it and this was going to be it, the entire family not just me would go for a little vacation. It was going to be a great thing for all of my kids to go and meet their cousins back there and spend time with my extended family. The moment we bought the tickets to go to VA for the funeral I knew that our plans had to be placed on hold. I was really OK at the moment but the more time goes by the more I feel like my chances of going back with my family wont happen... ever. It's like it is not meant to happen. It has been almost 9 years since I went back home 9 YEARS!!! that is not fear.
I have been so homesick in the last 3 weeks and like I said before crying for no reason at all. I hate that I am making Dan feel bad about going back to VA but that really is not my intention. With all the time he has been taking off work I just know that my plans for going back home are not going to work. He said we would find a way, but I doubt it. At least I get to have my mom here for a few months again.
Anyways I will try to stay positive and concentrate on my kids instead. I will be spending lots of time with them next weekend. That is another thing, it will be the first time in my married life that Dan will be away from me and I will stay home with the kids for 4 days, I am going to go insane!!!
I know all this will pass, I will get out of this funk and when I look back it wont seem so bad.

More changes!!!

On Monday Tristan's teacher called to let me know that they were going to have to switch some of the kids from the afternoon PK to the morning PK. Lucky us Tristan gets to go now to the morning one. I was a little afraid that he was not going to like the idea since he would have to get up earlier in the morning. Yesterday was his first day and I think I was just as nervous as he was. He got out the car hopping like a little frog all the way to the front door of the school. I had a wonderful morning, read the scriptures, did some cleaning and all without noise from the kids since Aaron slept in. When I went to pick Tristan up he was so excited to see me and his new teacher said he did wonderful and also told me he is a very smart little boy :)
All in all the change is great, I have more time to do things for myself in the quiet of the morning and after I pick him up we can go anywhere without rushing to come back to drop him off to school in the middle of the day. Although today I over slept and the hardly had time to eat breakfast....

Changes...

Aaron is old enough to go to Primary now, so Sunday was his first day in the Sunbeams. They have a new presidency that was sustained that same Sunday so there was a lot of confusion at the beginning, I sat with him until he knew where he was supposed to go. He was so excited to go to his new class and I am glad he did not miss the toys or the snack in the nursery. My baby is officially no longer a baby, once they leave the nursery to me they become this little person that starts a new journey and most likely grow faster and faster, but also learn a lot of thing along the way. It makes me sad to see them grow because I know that some day they wont need me anymore and I will need them for ever, they are my little guys, my babies... OK I am all teary now. As sad as it makes me I can't help to feel so proud of him because he did not cry or threw a fit about the whole thing, he was not scared and he knows he is a big boy now.
Dan made an interesting comment, he said that this is the first time in our lives with kids, that we did not have another little one in the nursery or a baby to hold in the hallways at church.... so true. We need a baby around here :)

PS I went back in the chapel when I heard they were going to sing to the new kids in the primary and I saw him going up there with his suit looking all big (and sucking his thumb), when he saw me he kept waving hi to me and blowing kisses, he melts my heart :)

Shayna's Birthday and New Year's Eve

My Shayna turned 10 on the 30th!!! I always say she is growing too fast and I can see changes going on already. I sure miss my chubby cheek baby but there are so many wonderful things that she has learned in the last 10 years. I have been there for every single thing that she has done, crawling, walking, saying her first words, going to school, etc. She has turned into a beautiful young lady and we love her so much. She brings so much fun and love to this household. She sure is our little princess!!! She begged for bangs just before her birthday and I had to do it just so she could be happy, I personally don't like them but she absolutely loves them. Her daddy gave her an MP3 player for her birthday and she loves it. I offered her to go on a shopping spree at the mall, she loves the stuff they sell at Claire's and so that is what we did. We took her out for dinner the night before her birthday, she requested to go to Denny's again since that has been our family tradition for a few years now. Sadly she ordered hot cocoa that night and Dan ended up spilling it all over herself in her brand new outfit. She survived it, that same night we went shopping for her little things at the mall. She knew exactly what she wanted and picked out a whole bunch of things from the discounted section, she is already learning to be just like her mama. On her actual birthday we had cake and that was the end of it.

The cake is supposed to look like a cushion with some quilting going on...

Grandma sent her a very touching birthday card and it made us both cry on the way home, Shayna is still missing her grandpa a lot. Grandma also sent her a cute movie that we already watched.
Steven and Amber gave her a cute piggy bank that she got to color all on her own and some day I will post a picture of it, she did a great job.
We also took her to the movies and she thought that was a very special treat, it had been a long time since we went out just the three of us without the kids. On the 31st. I took the three older kids to go see The Frog and the Prince and it turned out to be really fun, they behaved very well and shared the popcorn, they were quiet and loved the movie.

New Year's eve was not that exciting really, it probably was because we were all sick. Steven and Amber came over and they were sick as well, so you can imagine what kind of evening it was. Dan and Steven played Rock Band for a little while and then we mostly just sat around, ate some goodies and waited for the New Year. I am planning on having a great New Year's celebration for 2011, I want to have fun!!! Hopefully we wont be sick by then.



My kids did not make till midnight...

I fell down today!!!

As I am getting ready to sit down on my chair in the Relief Society room today I can hear the sister screaming something and I am wondering what is going on...3 seconds later I am lying on the floor and everything is going round and round, yes I fell but it was not my fault. A sister pull my chair away from me and neglected to let me know she was doing it, she said that she thought I noticed. I did get hurt as I bumped my head on the floor, my ear got stuck between chairs and my arm as well. Not a good way to start the year if you ask me... it was SOOOOOOO embarrassing!!!!