February

Today is Valentine's Day.  Not really a big deal at our house.  But I got some seriously excellent presents...and it made my day.  So thanks, My Love.  You. Are. The. Best. 

 Anyway, Jeff has a new phone.  The iPhone 4s.  Apparently, even though our contracts were purchased at the exact same time, he gets a new upgrade THREE months earlier than I do.  Is that fair?  No.  No it's not.  And sometimes I am just so jealous I can't stand it.  On the other hand, I love, love, LOVE my iPhone.  I would hate for anything to happen to it.  But having a new and improved one is even better...so I anxiously await my upgrade.  And I'll get it in April when everyone in our family is getting a year older and getting tons of presents...so I guess I won't feel too left out.  Anyway, that's just what I've been coveting, lately. 

 I kind of like it here.  This month has been nutty weather-wise.  One day it's almost 70 degrees, and the next, it's snowing.  

 Pretty sad that it's been an entire month, and that's all I can come up with, right?
In all honesty, I'm ecstatic.  I'm thrilled that's all I have to occupy my small mind.  It seems like this last year I've had this weight on my chest.  This really depressing weight that had stuff to do with Sydney's development, personal changes, family issues...things that I really couldn't talk about, and things that were not helping my fight against personal mental insanity.  But things have taken a turn for the better.  And then better again.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that life stays at this place for a while.  In no way do I want to jinx it, but I feel like I need to acknowledge the way things have gotten continually better, in all areas.  So  there it is.  Syd continues to surprise me everyday.  Stuff I just assume is too difficult for her, she gets immediately.  And she and I have actual conversations.  It's kind of surreal.  Especially when I think of last year at this time.  How I just prayed she'd be able to say more than 50 words.

  Jeff and I have been dating again.  It's fantastic.  We have a daughter old enough to babysit for her allowance, and extra expenses she might have here and there.  And I know that she knows her way around, and I can trust her, and the kids feel comfortable with her.  Also, if we are out longer than we thought, she's easily bribed with more money.  Should she really have a problem with something, I know she'll tell me...but she's pretty flexible.  I'd kind of forgotten what it was like.  We went from last year having a total of FOUR dates, and this year we've already been on three.  Believe me, it's a whole new world. 

The kids are doing well.  Riley is enjoying her friends and being a preteen.  She's emotional, and it's weird to take it seriously, sometimes. But I remember what it was like to feel that way, so I try to be patient, and give the proper sympathy or advice.  She's as always, my Riley.  I trust her completely to do the right thing.  And I know that's a lot of pressure on an 11 year old, but there it is.  She's fantastic.  And at the age where she's changing so quickly...losing her girlhood.  And in a way, it makes me sad, but happy for her. 

Cole is having a harder time.  He has this hair that I love.  And he likes it.  He doesn't want to cut it.  And certain classmates, and his teacher, and your basic old farts that don't realize it's a different time and generation, and why do they give a crap...think they need to voice their opinions--about his hair being too long.  Seriously.  These people think that he should be used to the comments, or realize that that's their right, because if he's going to have that hair, he needs to accept criticism.  It makes me angry.  Because it seems like they should have something in their lives better  to worry/comment on.  Anyway, I have decided to just start putting people in their place.  You heard it here, first, folks.  Nothing breaks my heart more than seeing my kiddos sad.  So I've decided I'm just going to be that ball-busting mom that will take no crap from anyone.  And that thought makes me happier.  I want my boy to know he's wonderful.  And what he decides about his hair, is his choice.   I needed to vent about the hair thing, because lately I've just had enough of Cole questioning what he thinks he likes, but others think he shouldn't like.  That's crap.  And I'm tired of it.  Other than that, he's liking school, he's still sensitive, but he's kind.  And let me tell you: I think he's overly handsome. Soon the girls will be noticing him.  And then he'll have a whole new set of problems. 

See?  A hunk.  Anyway, it's time for bed.  I need to get up early, do the morning carpool and then go to the gym.  Which I know is another one of the reasons life has been so good--having a gym membership.  I'm getting less and less timid about figuring out the weight machines.  And I even completely fell over an elliptical trainer and got three gigantic bruises on my leg, and still felt like I needed to work my abs, (or lack thereof), instead of slinking out to my car, and home.  For me?  That's pretty big.  Good big.  Hope this week is great for all of you.  Lates.

2012, Suckas.

So, I'm sure you all have noticed that it's the beginning of a new year?  And that 2011 is over, and it all just flew by amazingly fast?  Well, if you haven't, I'm filling you in.  Here we are.  I'm 34 years old.  34, YO!  And I don't feel it.  Embarrassingly there was a time in my life where I honestly felt like by the time I hit this mark I would need to be put down.  Seriously.  And here I am, hoping for another at least 50 years.  People always tell you how fast it goes, and you always think it's just because they're old and suffering from various types of dementia.  And then it happens to you.  Until then, you just can't comprehend what a head trip it is when your years start to feel like months. It seems to go by faster with each kid.  So for those of you that have decided less is more?  Less just may be more.  More time for you.  I'm just saying....

Anyway, Jeff and I celebrated 13 years on Jan. 2nd.  For those of you that are married, it's odd how it kind of feels like you've been married forever, at each and every year.  I think it's because you get  into this frame of mind that your life NOW includes this other person.  That's what it is.  They're just permanently a part of you.  And that's how I believe it should be.  Maybe that's not really romantic, but I think you all understand. You love them, you appreciate them, they're just part of you.  And even though it's been x amount of years, it now just feels like...always. Personally this way of thinking has made me happiest.  

Anyhoo, the Christmas season is now over, and that makes me a little sad.  It always goes way too quickly and this year it was so warm.  No snow.  So I felt a little slighted.  However, I got myself a brand new bicycle from Santa Clause, and it's fantastic, and I can't wait to ride it.  Because I haven't yet.  Because NOW it's started snowing.  And I got sick.  And stuff just seems to happen.  But once it starts being nicer outside?  I'm gonna be a biking fiend.  For real. 

It's been a little daunting to get back on the blog thing again.  Am I getting back on?  I don't know.  I don't know if I'm giving up, or what.  It just hasn't been as satisfying as it once was.  This attitude could be because I'm sick, too.  Whatever it is, I feel bad saying that I'm "back on the blog".  Cause, maybe I'm not.  I have a lot to say, but then I know that's a bit boring for everyone else.  So we'll see.  If I tell myself there are no expectations, than I may find posting on my blog more interesting.  
Two days before Christmas, our neighbor had a heart attack, and died. His wife, and his two teenage sons, are picking up the pieces, but, I can't imagine what they deal with day in and day out.  All that responsibility and during the time of year when I personally feel I need to be with my family, more than ever.  It made me think about my life and the things I take for granted each day.  
I decided that time with my kids, with Jeff, is most important.  One of my goals for this year is to be more comfortable with my family time.  I know it seems like our little family is selfish with our time together but I've thought about it, and I just feel like this is what's most important to me...so how could that be wrong?  Regardless of how confusing it is to others that we enjoy each other's company so much, we just do.  So I'm going to appreciate it--even take pride in it.  Who knows how long it will last?  Squeezing every last second seems like the most logical decision.

I feel like I need to tell my reader(s) that Sydney has started this year speaking in full sentences each day.  In fact, I talked to her preschool teacher, and asked her how Syd is doing.  She paused, and said," intellectually, she's doing really, really well.  However, she needs a lot of help in listening to directions:  staying in her seat, staying on the mat...that kind of thing.  And she'll get there, but she needs practice".  
Which I took to mean, "She's a smarty, but she's also a brat that thinks the world revolves around her, and she really won't do anything she doesn't want to".  Which is essentially, what I gleaned from her, as her mother.  So I couldn't be happier.  Not only is my baby spot on, but I was totally right. :)  
In all honesty, I am beyond thrilled.  Sydney is a completely different child than she was a year ago, and I'm so grateful for her progress.  It's a huge relief/blessing/anything immensely good.
I hope it's the same for all of you.  That this year is/will be better than years past.  At least for the most part.  Later Dudes.  

Rain v.34 {by Jeff}

So, today is Rainey's birthday! She's 34 and she thinks she's old but you'd never think that talking to her. She's young at heart, she looks better than ever, and I think she always will. Today is a day all about her. For us that's the best part of birthdays. Everything is what you want the way you want it all day long. So in the spirit of that lets talk about Rainey. 

It's difficult to put into words how I feel about Rainey. It wasn't always though. When we first got married it was a much more tangible thing. Something you could hold on to (and I did). But it's grown beyond that. My love for her is an all consuming fact of life. Rainey is awesome, but you all know that already. You can't know her and not think that. I'm officially declaring that an impossibility.

I enjoyed the Rainey themed question and answer I did a while back so I thought I'd do a round 2. Maybe next year Syd will be able to participate.

What's your favorite thing about Rainey/Mom?

Riley: She understands how I feel and she takes me out shopping when I want to go. 

Cole: She's nice and she's the best Mom I ever had. She does make me food... I'm just glad to have her in the house

Jeff: She's just the greatest friend you could ever imagine. She literally makes your life/day/hour better just by being there with you. Plus she's great eye candy.

If she wasn't your Mom what would she be?

R: She'd be working at the post office, Because she told me she was interested in that job a few years ago.

C: A teacher. Because she's smart and she helps me with my math.

J: Well… She's not my mom, but if she wasn't my wife she'd maybe be living in Wyoming as like, a Rodeo Princess or something. I don't know... I've got no real answer for that because in all other alternate realities she still married to me.

What cartoon character is Rainey/Mom most like and why?

R: Bubby (the whale) from Flap Jack. Because she stands up for her kids and their attitudes are alike. 

C: Frankie from Fosters Home for Imaginary Friends. Because she always has to do work and because she makes good food.

J: Leela from Futurama. If you trade having one eye for thinking she's crazy it's a perfect fit. She's tough and feisty and she even has a lost confused man-child who adores her.

If you could change one thing about Rainey/Mom what would it be?

R: Nothing. There's nothing to change. I like her the way she is.

C: Nothing. Because she's a great Mom.

J: That's a tough one. Aren't your faults also what make you who you are? I'll go with something small like her dislike of The Venture Bros.

How did Mom and I meet? (I just wanted to see if they new this)

R: Keri worked with Mom, Keri said that she should meet Dad. Keri took Mom over to your house and you were kinda shy but now you're happy together because you got to know each other.

C: You met her at the bagel shop. You were eating bagels and you asked mom for a date.

J: So, Riley was pretty much right. Cole is confusing the story of how we got engaged with how we met. I asked her to marry me at Einstein Bagel in Orem.

If Mom was bitten by a Zombie what would you do?

R: I'd find an antidote or get bitten too, so we could be Zombies together.

C: (Refused to answer because I said the word Zombie)

J: Personally I like Riley's answer, to become Zombies together (I'm so proud) but Rainey and I have already discussed this many times. "Destroy the Brain or Remove the Head". Nuff said.

If Rainey/Mom had a super power what would it be?

R: Super cleaning powers so she could get chores done faster, we'd have a cleaner house and we could spend more time together. Oh, and then we wouldn't have to do any work.

C: The Power to clean the house faster. Because it takes her a long time to clean the entire house.

J: I don't know what all this cleaning super power is about (she does a great job without the powers) Rainey currently has a few super powers but I can't discus them in polite conversation. Oh, I just thought of something. I don't know how many people watch Fringe but there's this character who had the power to make everyone in the vicinity feel exactly how he feels, good or bad. That would be her super power.

So there it is. Maybe that's some insight into how we feel about Rainey… and maybe not. Anyway, we love you Rainey. You are the center of our universe. Happy birthday!

Laying stuff out.

I got a new computer.  It's my birthday gift for this year...this time I'm thinking my birthday gift will stay MINE.  Sydney kind of took over my iPad.  And then Jeff just came out and said it was hers...and then it was.  BECAUSE I love her, I didn't fight it too much.  But this year?  I'm not budging.  This computer is mine, and mine only.  And I'm not sharing.  BAM.
That being said, I'm pretty psyched to be able to blog in super-style.  Maybe I'll start posting more regularly.  Or, maybe not.  Maybe I'll have to start Skyping with all my many boyfriends, since my new fancy computer has a webcam. We'll have to see.  It's harder than you'd think to be this hi-tech; just so many options. 

                            (Jeff and me almost exactly a year ago.....time is going way too fast)
These last two weeks have been jam-packed.  Well, jam-packed for me.  My brother came to visit for a week, and it was a lot of fun. Well, it was for me and the kids...I'm assuming you all can guess how Jeff reacted to it. Yep... in our room for five straight days. You know, sometimes I forget how different our lives are from everyone else's.  I mean, does this surprise me or the kids?  No.  Is it something that other people just don't understand?  Yes. After 13 years, I've accepted that there are things about Jeff that are permanent--like his hatred of social expectations.  Just like he's accepted there are things about me that are permanent--my NEED to be social.  I guess I'm putting this out there, because even after all this time, people still don't believe me when I try to explain that this is the way we work.  It's weird, yes.  It's awkward for others, yes.  But honestly I'm married to my best friend.  I love him more than words can say, and I know that he loves me and the kids.  We see it daily.  I'll trade awkward moments any day over being married to someone that is the life of the party, yet maybe wouldn't be as tuned into me or our little ones. I hope that makes sense, because that's how it is.  And I won't apologize for it, anymore.  To my family, or anyone else.  It's time to accept it, and just move on.  Whew...that felt really great to just freely put out there. My siblings see that the kids and I are happy, and they try to understand our family dynamic. That's all I ask.  Just for people to try.
Anyhoo, I  got to know my brother, Jayson, a little better. One of the things he said to me was he saw how great Riley and Cole and Sydney are.  He knows they live in a family that truly loves them, and they feel good here.  He told me that was proof that whatever our parenting style is, it's working.  And working well.  Amen.

Jayson came home from his second deployment to Iraq at the first part of November.  I was nervous about how it would be with him here.  But it was great.  After a couple days Syd was used to him, and enjoying his company as well.  I worried that I'd have to continually entertain him, and since we are boring people, that was a little nerve-wracking.  However, he was chill, and even though we were busier than we normally are, it was chill and relaxed and we ate a ton.  So, you know--good times.
He surprised me with a year membership to Gold's Gym.  I'm loving it. So much.  Today Muffy and I met at the one in Orem and I did some weights, (pathetically), and then hopped on the elliptical machine for a while.  One thing I know is that working out makes me feel really good about myself.  Maybe I can't physically see the results?  But it can't be as bad as just NOT doing anything, right? I want Jeff to go with me.  Just to try it.  And I know he will, for me.  Cause that's how he is.

  Hope you all take time to appreciate the one/ones you love.  Because they're most important.  Faults and all.  Later Dudes.  I'm starting my birthday week......right now.  :)

Halloween

It's been a weird couple of weeks, honestly.  My condolences and prayers go out to all the Andersons.  The oldest of the Anderson kids went into a coma last week. It was sudden and serious and it's been really scary ever since.  I'm hoping that the family and friends find some comfort.  They deserve that. 
It feels too soon to be into November already, doesn't it?  I've been enjoying the weather...and have felt more energetic.  So, you know...Yay Me!  
Syd is officially going to preschool starting December 9th.  Jeff and I had been struggling with this decision.  Not because we didn't want her to, but she's just so little, you know?  Right after she turns 3, she'll be getting up early on Friday and I'll send her onto a bus, and she'll be gone for 2 1/2 hours.  Ugh.  It kind of kills me.  And I was so against this, as first.  But then I took her into the classroom, to meet with her possible teacher, and saw how her eyes lit up. We went in at the last part of an ongoing class, and the kids were sitting in a circle, listening to a story.  Syd was completely mesmerized. She literally could NOT sit still, despite all the warnings I whispered to her.  She kept moving closer and closer to the other kids, copying what they were doing, and trying to join in.  And that, for me, was proof enough that this is something that she needs to do.  She WANTED to be with the other kids, and that's not how she usually is.  So I'm excited for her.  I'm trying to be happy that she'll be doing something that I'm sure she'll love, but I'm also kind of scared.  And heartbroken.  My baby....she's growing up. 

Halloween was fun for all of us.  We went out before the actual day--had a couple parties to attend and then on the actual day, we let Riley and Cole go out with friends and took Syd to a few houses until it got dark.  She loved trick-o-treating.  It took her a while to figure out that when people opened their doors, that DID NOT mean she was allowed to just go on inside their home.  But as soon as she realized they had some sort of obligation to give her candy?  She was running to each house, right after the other. 

Pretty much the most adorable cupcake I've ever seen.  Right?  Right. Riley was Medusa, and Cole was a skeleton.  Riley was a little concerned that she wasn't pretty enough, but I tried to convince her that she chose to be Medusa.  A lady with snakes in her hair is NOT sexy.  Nor should she try to be.  So the fact that Riley assumed she should be, was a little unsettling to me. Later on she told me that she liked her costume, but I was still a little sickened about the need to have to be something attractive for Halloween.  Remember when you were supposed to be scary? Yeah, those were the good old days.

Anyway, they all made fantastic hauls.  We have no lack of candy at our house--STILL.  And it's been almost an entire month.  My thighs are loving it.

Until then...

So it's the week before Halloween.  I still don't know what my costume will be, and I'm pretty clueless.  Jeff shot down my ideas--I really REALLY wanted to go as Valley Girl.  And have Jeff be Nicolas Cage's character with the eagle-shaped chest hair.  But Jeff remembered that he only had a mustache.  He was all:  "I'm not going to shave.  We need to work around the beard".  Bleh...whatevs.
Tonight Jeff and I made a pumpkin for Cole's book report.  He read the book, Dragonbreath. I thought it turned out kind of cute:  

I hope he gets a good grade--I mean, he DID wait till the very last minute to do anything, and he DIDN'T want to put any effort into his one typed paragraph that was required.  BUT  Jeff and I made his pumpkin so cute.  He drew the face, and I painted it and put the felt spikes on.  Teamwork, you know?  That always deserves an A+.

Anyway, Syd has a Halloween party at her school on Thursday, and I'm excited for her.  She'll be a "puckape". Or for those of you not in the know, a cupcake.  And she's going to be adorable.  For reals.  I'll take pictures.I decided that having this holiday on a Monday really puts me out.  I mean, I'm already stressed about how we're going to be super busy with kids at school, and then at home, and then Tuesday morning will be a nightmare because the kids will be coming down from a massive sugar-high, and staying up really late.  Even for our family.  I guess just realizing that the kids are old enough to go out with their friends and actually enjoy trick-or-treating without Jeff and I having to freeze with them, makes it all so much better.  Plus, Riley is excited to take Syd to a few houses, too.  And I'm pretty excited to see how she does.  She's way into wearing skeleton and monster apparel--she loves it.  And she doesn't get scared.  Despite it being busy, it will be a fun night.  I think. 

And Riley is growing.  Getting so much more mature and kind of making me feel unneeded.  It's weird feeling old.  And seeing your kids get taller and smarter, and wondering where the little people they used to be, went.  And then it kind of makes me angry, too.  There's nothing I can do to stop it.  And I can't slow it down, either.  Kinda rough some days. 
So, that's that for now.  I guess we'll see what happens and maybe we will all survive. I hope.  Until then?  I've no clue.

October is officially here

Hellooooo.  
We are officially getting into the sick season here.  My house smells like vomit.  This is the part I DON'T like about the weather changing.  I have to say, we've made it into the latter part of October, which is nice, but I'm not looking forward to the keeping the windows closed and having to keep tissues all over the place--all the extra washing of bed sheets, and so on, and so forth--Nope.  Not even a little bit.  On the other hand, Halloween is near!  And so is Thanksgiving, and my birthday, and Christmas...this makes getting over the upcoming sicknesses, a little easier.  I'm not sure what I'm going to be for Halloween, just yet.  The kids are all over their costumes.  Anyway, I'm assuming they are--I've certainly made enough trips to the store for whatever they "need".  
I told you all about the "Night of the Running Dead" race.  And it was fun.  Muff and I went up early, I didn't want to have to pick up our race packages on a different day, and I was dressing up, so I thought we'd go up early to just enjoy the vendors and entertainment before the actual race part. Jeff was planning on bringing the kids up to watch me run.  I had visions of Riley and Cole chanting my name, telling me how impressed they were with my physical abilities.  Both of them being super proud of the hard work that I've been doing, trying to train for this.  

However, a day or two before the race Cole went to Jeff and me, at different times, and told us that he didn't want to go, and just couldn't go up with us.  Also, that he was feeling sick, and maybe could he just stay home?  I was taken back to when he was three.  And his biggest fear and the thing that grossed him out most were "greasy zombies".  In fact, things with slobber or slime STILL gross him out more than anything...so I decided that Jeff should just enjoy Saturday with the kids.  He was really upset about it, for sure. 
Muff and I had fun, and I'm really glad she could go with me.  Sometimes I forget what it's like to be a sister...rather than a mom and wife, first.  It was a much-needed change of pace.  I woke up early, and picked Muff up...and we were on our way.

Chris said I was beyond ugly with my missing tooth--that he couldn't even look at me without feeling like puking.  It cut me deep.  However, between my black tooth and double chin?  I was a scary force, indeed.  (And Leah, I had to try really, REALLY hard not to be sexy...but I think I succeeded).
I wish I would have taken pictures of it, but when we were there, we saw zombie pole dancers.  Muff and I started making fun of the "pretty" zombies in black spandex leotards, only to see one of them jump up and start doing a pole dance for all the onlookers.  This is my thing about pole dancing:  Unless you are an anorexic stick, it's not a pretty thing.  Sure, strip clubs and such SAY it's all the rage, but I was seeing a lot of cellulite, and these girls were in no way fat.  It's just the act of wrapping your semi-naked self around something and sliding over it.  Ew.  Just that description kinda grosses me out.  Anyway, I was just thinking that I am SO glad I'm not a guy...because I just wasn't appreciating their talent.  I was only seeing their flaws.  Perhaps that's the woman in me?  I don't know.  Needless to say I won't be using their half-off coupon they were passing to the onlookers.  And for those of you that are saying to themselves, "phew"....you're welcome.  

I had to take this picture, because this guy would have made Cole have nightmares for a month.  The puppet-type thing that he had in front of him blinked and would watch people and follow them. It was one of the creepiest things I've seen in a long time.  

This lady was confusing to me.  Her football jersey/severed head/aristocrat wig was a lot of stuff jumbled together.  But, it was impressive, nonetheless.  Just a bunch to take in, all at once.  

And then this blue hearse was one of my favorite things.  The zombies inside are kind of hard to see, but they were massively creepy.  Right before this picture Muff and I took pictures of a family, and they had to drag their little girl over to sit in front of it.  She was way scared of the things inside.  It was a little more sad than it was funny.  
Kelli showed up with a few of the Coplens right before the race.  I was a little nervous, but ready to get it over with, because I'd had way too much time to worry about how I'd probably freeze up right in the middle of the race.  Or die, maybe.  (Even though I'd been running at least twice that, but the nervousness gets me every time). 
And this is where I tell the dirty truth.  Now, every race I've ever been to, and it's not like I've been to that many, but all the others have people that kind of guide you along the way.  Because most people aren't familiar with the route that needs to be run.  Either that, or they have the way clearly marked...like arrows, a yellow line, whatever.  
We had all agreed to run the mile, even though technically, it was listed as a walk.  We got as close to the front of the line as we could, and then when we were okay'd to start, we jogged past the walkers in front of us, and joined up with the others jogging...which were mainly eight year old boys, and probably 12 year old girls.  I just followed the people (children) in front of me.  And I'm assuming that Muff and Kelli and Jessica and Jeremy were on the same wavelength because they did the same.  We went up a corner, and around a building, and I was happy with myself for not dying yet...and then?  Then we were at the finish line.  
I was completely confused.  We'd probably ran for about three to five minutes, and it was over.  The kids, then us...and a few people behind us.
Later on we found out there was an entire other stretch that we completely cut out.  So we probably ran less than half of the distance we were supposed to.  If I hadn't have been super sweaty, and my eyes stinging from running makeup, I would have been really embarrassed.  If anyone were to have been recording the event it would have been a bunch of kids followed by three adults that won.  Because we freaking CHEATED.  And the worst part?  When we went through the finish line, they handed us hot waters.  Had I have actually run the entire way?  I would have been pissed.  But you know, I didn't.  So I was just mildly annoyed.  
All in all, it was fun.  I'm already thinking that I might just do it next year, as well.  (Muffy?  Kelli?) Only the 5k.  Because we totally kicked butt in the mile. ;)  
That's all for now, Dudes.  Until next time.