Masculine Domain

Spring is here, at least that's what we've been told. You wouldn't know it by the weather we've been having of late, but in amongst the cold and rainy days there have been a few bright and sunny ones. Those are the days that Ryan likes to go out in the yard and be one with nature. He finds it therapeutic and takes great pride in his yard.  It has become HIS domain and I have been told not to bother with anything within that domain or face his wrath.  Needless to say I haven't pushed the matter too much, for the sake of his sanity or our marriage.
I'm finding that I like it when he is outside because all of the kids soon follow and I can have sometime to myself.  I especially love when Mason is outside, as he is such an active little boy who likes to get into everything, mostly to figure out how things work, or at least that's what I've told myself.  Mason loves to be outside and we've found as of late that he LOVES to help his Dad in the yard.  He has shown a natural attraction to dirt, plants and bugs.  Maybe it's the boy in him coming out but if it's one thing Mason is, it's a very masculine boy.  Most kids his age lose interest in things rather quickly, moving on from one thing to another but not Mason, at least when it comes to helping his Dad in the yard.  The yard work has quickly become their bonding time together. 
When Ryan gets out the lawn mower, Mason is quick to pull out is Little Tykes Mower (it was Ethan's once upon a time).  Mason loves to follow his Dad around the yard, mowing right along with him.
The only thing that seems to keep Mason at bay is the string trimmer.  I think it's only because it's so loud and seems to scare him just a bit.  Everything else he is all for, trying to learn the ropes of how to take care of the yard and he is only 2-1/2.  Mason and his Dad are bonding within "their domain" very quickly.  I guess every son has to have something that they can share with just their Dad, eh?

Have you Ever Wondered?

I, for one have always believed that things happen for a reason.  So I don't know about anyone else but sometimes a wonder what the heck am I supposed to get out of the things happening at this time in my life.  Now don't get me wrong we have been very blessed in so many ways, but lately we have just had one thing after another happen.  Not big things but a whole butt load of little things.  I'm starting to wonder what's next?  What am I supposed to learn and just not getting?

With all these things happening and just the general busyness of life, I have slacked in writing anything for about a month.  Today is Saturday, and I have lost my energy at this point of the day; Ryan has fallen asleep and the kids are watching "The Wonder Pets" in the other room, so now I have a few minutes to sit here at my computer and write. 

I am not going to start complaining about all those little things that have happened because we have been able to handle them and because I'm so grateful that they didn't turn out to be worse.  I'm just wondering what I'm missing.  I'm not one of those people that gets all upset that others have more than I do and becomes bitter because of it.  I'm one of the self-loathing types that takes it inward and wonders what I'm doing wrong.  I know I really need to get over it and that I would be better off looking on the "bright side of life" (add whistle here).  But somehow I managed to marry the same type of person, because he is the same as I am in that respect.  So here we are, wondering what we are not doing to have all these "lessons" in the form of little mini trials one right after the other.  The only thing I can think of is that we need to quit our Monty Python habit, maybe quit yelling at our kids so much or maybe be happy with our life no matter what.  Or, maybe it's because we are really trying to get our financial life in order and be responsible and all.  Maybe we are being tested to see if we really mean it.  If we can leave our credit cards locked up and live on less.  If we can start to take better care of ourselves and our family in this one area, then maybe we can take on another area in our life.  I really don't know but we are taking turns having nervous breakdowns while the other reminds us that "this too shall pass".  So we go on and on and on, on this cycle.  Trial, nervous breakout, regroup.

Wow - I have totally gotten off track of where I was hoping to take this, so let me go back and fill you in on a couple of things that have happened over the last month.  I will not bore you with all the things that have gone wrong but wish to cover the good. 
We had the great opportunity to go up to Idaho for my cousin Kandice's wedding.  She is my Mom's, sister Cindy's, daughter who lives in Canada.  She was married a great guy from Idaho so at first I thought they were going to get married in the Cardston Temple (she being Canadian), but was so happy that they decided to get married in the Idaho Falls Temple instead.  Which made it easier for us to be able to attend.  Most of my extended family was able to come down to Idaho with a few exceptions (they were missed) and the rest of the family already live in Idaho so it worked out great.  I was able to see/visit with them and we had such a great time.  Especially Holly as she was able to hang out with "the girls".  Thanks for letting her hang out with you guys, and thank you to Julie & Doug for letting us stay with them. 

Ryan's knows that I'm a happier person when I get to spend time with my family so he thought it was worth the trip.  Kandice was a beautiful bride and the spirit of love was so strong in the temple.  The picture was taken by my very talented cousin Heather, who just happens to be Kandice's big sister. We had so much fun visiting with everyone and the kids had great fun playing with all the kids.  It really made me want summer to hurry up and get here so we could go up to Canada and play some more.  I just pray that these little trails will stop soon so we can still make our planned trip.  Pray for me!
I have been taking a "Money Mastery" class through the Davis County Continuing Education.  I have learned a lot and now have the daunting task of going through all the paperwork in our office and getting things organized.  Being financially responsible is a lot of work!

As for Ryan he is getting ready to go to Disneyland with his Wells Fargo Associates for what they call an "off-sight", which is just a bunch of meetings they get to go to somewhere other than Salt Lake City and have some modivational fun along with it.  He is feeling guilty that all of us are not going along but I've assured him I wouldn't want to take Mason to Disneyland at his age.  He might take after his Mom and get lost while trying to follow Winnie the Pooh into his dressing room.
Ryan also finished the last book he had to read to Ethan's 1st grade class this past month and was sad for it to end.  Ryan even got his picture in the paper for his volunteering to read. Ethan's is doing so well with his reading, now reading at a 4th grade level.  He just has convinced himself that he is no good at Math, so we are working to break that train of thought.  He's such a smart kid.

Holly is finishing up her preschool experience and preparing for her "Spring Program".  She is dancing and singing around the house constantly.  She is such a girl!  No tomboy for this tomboy Mom.  :}

Mason has learned or rather figured out how to pull up YouTube on Ryan's I*touch to watch "Wow, Wow, Wubbsy", his favorite show.  It's scary how smart he is.  He is following in his brothers footsteps that way as well as getting into super hero's and runs around scaring the cats with a Batman mask on.  He is so fun!

That is about it for now.  I'm off to finish my Saturday chores and to wake up my husband.
Keep smiling!

The Little Things in Life

There has been a lot going on lately in our lives. Things that we are connected to but don't have to deal with continuously, but still affect us. Those things have made me stop and slow down for once and look around me. I have a habit of getting so wrapped up with my own life, my own little world that I forget the rest of the world for the most part, which is good...and bad.
Good because it helps me to block out all the bad in the world around me, with all the earthquakes, eruptions, murder and may-ham. I just can't watch the news anymore because it just makes me feel so depressed, scared and unsettled, but most of all out of control. I just can't fathom how people in government are so full of themselves that they can't even listen to each other. Don't get me wrong, I'm no saint and I have my moments but, come on people you are working for the good of others here.
The bad thing about getting caught up in my own little world is that I tend to focus too much on what I haven't done in my life. The person that I want to be and fail miserably at, the education I was going to get, etc.  I can't see what I truly have and find joy in the little things of life that I have all around me. But that has changed, at least for now, as I know I will start the cycle all over again no doubt but for now I will try to learn this lesson and be a little better than I was.
The first thing is that my father-in-law has been in Vancouver, BC for the Winter Olympics. With him there it has just brought into my mind how great it is to be a Canadian.  Now, don't get me wrong, I am very grateful to live in the U.S. It is a wonderful country and I am so grateful for the freedoms that it provides. I just am getting so sick and tried of the politics. I hate politics. I don't talk politics because I always end up in a no win situation. It is not something I even talk to my husband about because we never can see things from each others point of view.  Please no comments about Canada, because I refuse to acknowledge them. As many things in life, it is not black and white, good or bad, better or best, just different.  
The second thing that has happened is that my sister-in-law Liz had her baby the first part of the month. She had some complications with her delivery and the baby has been in the NICU for three weeks now. I feel so bad for them and what they are going through. My heart goes out to them and I am just grateful that I have 3 health and happy children that have never had any big medical problems (knock on wood).
Finally, my husbands great uncle Dick just passed away not too long ago. Dick was and is a wonderful man. Every time I saw him he was smiling. You could tell he loved his family terribly and I always felt accepted by him as part of it. I am very blessed to have met and known a man such as he. My heart and prayers continue to go out to him and his family.
So I have looked around and seen how truly blessed I am. I have three wonderful children that drive me crazy because of how strong willed they are, but I am so happy that they are. With that hardheadedness comes the ability to stand up for what is right. They each have great personalities and they make me smile everyday.
I have a wonderful husband who I love more than life. He is a huge dork, but he makes me laugh continually. He is a big kid but that makes him the best kind of father to my children. He sells himself short all the time but I see the character and goodness that is within him. The lessons of "how to be" that he is passing down to our children by his example.  I am so blessed to call myself his wife. I have become a better person because of him.
So do yourself a favor take the time to turn on some music and dance with a child. It is so freeing and so worth the time. It will make your day so much better because I know it has made mine.

The "Pre" Season

It seems like we have been doing a lot of "pre" stuff lately, which make me come to the realization that things are going to be changing once again very soon.
Sunday, Ethan and I went to his "Great to be 8" presentation. For those who don't know, it is a presentation given to fill kids and parents in on what they need to do to prepare for baptism, cub scouts, etc. I think Ethan thought "Great to be 8" was going to be something different and was very disappointed that it was another meeting in his eyes, but was very excited for Cub Scouts once he heard he got to go on camp outs. We even got his baptism date and time: December 4, 2010 at 4pm. I know it is 10 mouths away but when each ward has a set time on the 1st Saturday of each month it is pretty easy. Ethan is the only one in the ward with that date so we get to put together the whole program. So mark your calendars and be prepared to participate.
We also just got the packet in the mail with all the paperwork for Holly to start Kindergarten this fall. The "Kindergarten Round Up" as they call it, is on March 12th. That is when we will register her for school, take the tour of the school and meet all the teachers. She has to have all of her shots before we can register her so we have an appointment with her doctor for tomorrow morning. She hates shots but she is willing to go so she can go to school.
Holly keeps asking me if "today is her last day of preschool? Am I going to Kindergarten tomorrow?" She is so excited and just doesn't understand why she can't start right now.
Mason will be old enough to start preschool in the fall (barely) but I think we might wait until January 2011 to start him. He is talking a lot but it is not always clear enough to understand and I didn't think that he was going to be ready to potty train this summer. I might be wrong about that. He keeps going into the bathroom, stripping down to nothing and sitting on the potty all by himself. Mind you, it is often after the fact but he is making the effort all on his own so I think we are on our way.
What is boils down to is my kids are growing up far to fast. That once you start getting used to something, it always changes. I'm getting old and my kids are starting a really fun time in their lives. I want them to slow down and enjoy their childhood but they are all too ready to be "big". That is the way life goes, eh? I'm just not sure if I'm ready for it yet.

Itching....

I am itching to start a new project! I had my last photo class on Tuesday. The new dishwasher (isn't it pretty) was delivered and installed on Wednesday and here it is Thursday. I have started making a list of the things I want to do with notes on measurements and ballpark costs. I know our downstairs shower needs to be done but I haven't figured out how to do that yet and wont until we start pulling the old stall out. Ryan is not up to it yet and I know if I start it without him I will be in trouble. We also have our upstairs bathroom floor to do but we were advised that laminate flooring is not the best to put in the bathroom because of the humidity so....it is either vinyl or tile. I don't want to do a really nice floor until we can do it right which means a new vanity because the one we have is not put in right (big surprise). So we need to do a inexpensive fix but have no idea how to do it, especially how to seal it so water doesn't leak through the floor when the kids are in the tub. (sigh...)
So I have started with things that I can do in a day or two, that is not to expensive and can be done in stages. Which brings me to the longing to go to Lowe's by myself tonight. Do you think I can convince Ryan? Maybe but we will see because I know it is a dangerous prospect, me at Lowe's by myself. That store is my down fall....
Anyway I think I can convince Ryan into letting me get a wall mounted shelf for our office. We still have 3 boxes that I haven't unpacked since we moved in two years ago. They have all of my scrapbooks, memorabilia and stuff in them. If I can get the office into better working order maybe he will go for that project.
Next I want to repaint the railings in my entryway. My good friend Cathie Hughes did an awesome job with hers and we would like the same look in our house. Then add a shelf along one wall in our tall entryway to match. I really am excited about this project because Ryan came up with it all by himself and I really liked the idea. A first for us - to both agree on something right off. Miracles do happen you know.
Then I want to paint and put vinyl floor tile down in my laundry room. This is where Ryan and I are going to have a difference of opinion. He wants a black and white floor, which I like but it will cost twice as much as just a regular vinyl tile. I figure it is not a room we really are going to be showing off so why go to the extra expense. The cats are the ones who use the room the most since their litter boxes are in there, so this might me the last thing we do.
As you can see I'm itching and very excited to get started.

Change

I think that spring is finally on the way and a little early at that. The snow has all melted and the big snow storm we were suppose to get came, went and melted as quickly as it came. So on to spring cleaning/de-cluttering, not only our house but ourselves. Ryan got sick a couple of weeks ago and stayed really sick. He ended up going to insta-care and was told he only had the flu. Then he went to his primary care doctor who did a few more tests and found out that 1) he had Mono again and 2) since he doesn't have a spleen, he needed to be getting an inoculation every 10 years to help his immune system to do what it needs to. So he got his shot and has been taking his meds and hopefully is on the mend. I have really missed the help around the house, but with all the crap that has been going on with our health lately (Ryan sick and my back) we have found we really need to be taking better care of ourselves. So we are doing little changes here and there.
As with anything I do my homework. Finding good healthy recipes and getting rid of the junk. Replacing our stores of junk food with health snacks, and both of us not eating after 8 pm at night, which is hard because we both get the munchies around 9 pm. The hardest part is laying off the sweets. It is both of our comfort foods, chocolate for me and cookies for Ryan. When we get stressed out that is the first thing we crave. So we are having to figure out something to replace it with and I don't know about Ryan but I haven't been able to figure that part out yet.
Now we just need to get our bodies feeling well enough to start exercising, which is hard when your in so much pain. I had the last of my injections in my back yesterday and am hoping this one does the trick. The first one helped a little, the second one didn't do anything and even made it worse in some respects. Now with this last one I am hoping for a miracle. I have been achy and in a lot of pain yesterday, not the same kind of pain but just achy all over the lower half of my body. Today is a little better but I am waiting for tomorrow. The second day after my injection is the worst because all the anesthetic is out of my body and I really feel it. I have to wait two weeks after the injection to see if it has done any good. If it doesn't they are going to have to go in and drain the cyst and that means surgery. Surgery on the back and anywhere near the spinal cord makes me nervous but it is ether that or living in pain for the rest of my life, so what do you do?
Our dish washer finely died (almost). It still runs but we have to pretty much rise every last food particle off the dishes before we put it in the dishwasher so it was time to get a new one. We picked it out Saturday and it will be delivered and installed tomorrow. We lucked out because we get our installation cost back through rebate and then there is the energy rebate from Rocky Mountain Power for getting a "energy star" rated model, which is always a plus.
Then of course we have to start the bathroom floor in the next few weeks and then on to the downstairs shower. That should take up most of our tax return but at least we don't have to go into debt for those things. Can you tell I'm trying to have a positive attitude?
Well I'm trying to look at the bright side and not get so stressed out about things. It's cheaper than chocolate. ;)

Spring Fever

I officially have spring fever!! Almost all the snow is gone and the weather is in the mid 40's. I want to go to Lowe's Home Improvement and spend some of our tax return and get our much needed new dishwasher but I'm finding my practical side is kicking in. So I will do my homework first and get the best dishwasher for our budget.
I also want to just spend a whole morning/afternoon at Lowe's looking at different things, like flooring for our upstairs bathroom, a shower stall for our downstairs or maybe tile (I know Ryan you don't want to worry about tile) and paint. Always paint....you can do so much with paint. Right now I would have to take my kids and I don't want to because they are all over the place and I leave frustrated. Lowe's should be a happy place. I know, I know I have a problem, but I honestly LOVE seeing how I can decorate/re-do a room for the least amount of $$. My husband really hit the jackpot when he married me because the greatest gifts I get are power tools!!! Oh to have a table saw, miter saw, router, etc. Forget Ryan wanting a garage with a full workshop - I'm the one who would die for one!
This time of year my sickness gets bad as I am finding that I want to take on BIG projects. Last year at this time I started redoing my kitchen cabinets, which I love but have yet to finish the little details for lack of the proper tools. Cutting molding at the right angles, especailly in my kitchen is a challenge when all you have is a circular saw that attaches to a drill, but I'll figure it out because it is REALLY starting to bug me.
Oh well I guess I will take one thing at a time and enjoy the journey, right?

Getting Better

Well Ryan is starting to feel a little bit better but is still "working from home" today. I guess it's nice that he can sleep while having his phone on counts as working, but it helps that today is Presidents Day here in the U.S. which means that most banks are closed except Ryan's. I'm starting to get worn down and would REALLY like Ryan to be back up and running, and I'm sure he would be too. My husband isn't a very good sick person as most men are but I guess he is better than most as he just wants to be left alone to suffer in peace. The kids are really starting to miss their Dad though.
Today it is over cast and raining which I hope is a sign that spring will soon be on it's way. Although I don't miss the heat I do miss the sun and being able to open up all the windows in my house. We are starting to feel the staleness of not having any fresh air through the house for awhile and spring fever is starting to set in. The kids wanting to be outside all the time but not wanting the coats on and the lack of a swing set. The over cast day doesn't help these feeling either.
I have to admit that I am wanting to get out and start planting. I think maybe we should look into getting a green house then maybe we could have a longer/earlier growing season. I love having fresh vegetables just outside our door, but I guess that once the planting is done Ryan does do most of the work. He tells me that the yard and all things outside the house are his, so I am more than willing to let him once the heat comes.
Now we are just trying to get out of the winter blues and find the energy and motivation to start the spring cleaning, as well as lose some weight. Ryan and I REALLY need to and we just don't have the motivation. We love our comfort food too much. Maybe we could get Jillian Michaels to come to our house and help us out. I hear she has a new show where she does that and I bet Ryan would just love it. ;)
Anyway this is just a hodge-podge of things to help keep me going with the blog update thing. I hope you enjoyed it because I know I did. (ha,ha)