Four

Four

(A letter of reconciliation to my Mother.)

It has taken me four children to understand the sacrifices of my mother. 

Four to understand why you didn't come to help in my classroom at school.  

Four to realize why you never rode rides at Disneyland. 

Four to comprehend why you never picked us up from school on time.  

Four to (maybe) forgive you for telling the school nurse you had just laid down for a nap when I fell and broke my arm at school. 

Four to understand why you stayed up all night to make beautiful dresses and dollies for your girls. 

Four to laugh at the fact that "getting to church on time" is a total joke. 

Four to know that those same sandals you've worn for the past three summers will need to last at least three more. 

Four to pray constantly, sometimes every second for just one more minute of patience. 

Four to laugh out loud instead of cry.

Four to forgive, four to love, four to fight for, four to kiss and tuck into bed, four to get up for and try again. 

Thank you Mom for having eight! 

Angels

 “Motherhood is near to divinity.  It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.

 It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.” 

-quoted by Elder Russel M. Nelson

There is no doubt in my mind that angels watch over children.   In my experience thus far as a mother there have been far too many times where only divine intervention saved my babies from being seriously injured or worse.  

A few nights ago I walked in to check on Sybil.  It was 3:30am and she hadn't woken for her nightly feeding.  I was already panicked as I walked in her room.  There she was laying on her tummy blanket perfectly tucked around her.  I rubbed my eyes to make sure that was the same baby I tucked in several hours earlier on her back.  She was sleeping so peacefully.  I rubbed her back.  Then I stood a few more minutes to watch her sleep while silently debating wether I should flip her over.  

Just today I laid that same sweet baby on her back for a nap in her crib.  About and hour or so later when checking on her, she was perfectly tucked in on her tummy.  

Thank you angels for watching over my sweet baby.

 

Excuse Me?

Yesterday afternoon I stood on my driveway chatting with my neighbor.  We watched our boys run up and down the street chasing Karissa on her bike.  

A few minutes later another neighbor and her cute one year old rode up on her bike.  She introduced herself and her little guy then asked me, "Do you do daycare?"

I threw back my head and chortled, yes chortled.  

"Uh, no!  These are all my kids." 

We all laughed and then she explained that she always sees kids getting dropped off and picked up from my house. 

Lol!! Then I explained...carpools. 

Wake Me Up

Ah..mornings....my favorite time of day......in the summer!

Mornings at our house usually go like this.

630a Matt starts getting ready. 

650a Sybil wakes up for a quick feeding. 

715a  Matt starts to rouse the girls. 

Yesterday while nursing Sybil I overheard Matt's morning monologue with the girls.  I couldn't help laughing and then jumping out of bed to intervene.  Here's how it went;

"Girls, it's time to wake-up for school."  Matt sings. 

"It's going to be 69 degrees with lots of sun and no wind!"  Matt continues

(Me in the other room rolling my eyes over the weather report.)

"Come on girls, let's get up and get ready.....I'll make you chocolate chip pancakes."  Matt sings again.

"Oh, it's a beautiful day.  Let's get up and play."  More singing from Matt and more eye rolling from me. 

Matt walks back in our room and I'm finishing feeding Sybil.  "Are they up?"  I ask.  "They are thinking about it."  Matt responds.

"Girls, I hope your thinking about getting up."  Matt coos into the hallway.

No movement from the girls room.  The time is nearing 730a.  Let's see we still need to get dressed, hair, teeth, eat and get lunches packed.  I start to get anxious.  I lay Sybil back in her bassinet and walk into the girls room.

"If you are not up and ready in the next 5 mins you'll be grounded from playdates this week.  Get up and get dressed now."  I command

And guess what, the girls comply.

Boom.  That's how we make things happen. 

And here's Andrew, couch napper. 

Number what?

Yesterday Addi was a little under the weather, so she hung out with me, Andrew and Sybil.  

We did some laundry, cleaned up her room and rested.  

While in my morning cleaning mode I walked into the girls bathroom while Addi was going potty.  

Feeling intrusive I apologized and grabbed the glass cleaner. 

Addi quickly said, "Don't worry Mom it's only number one, not number two or number three...." Then she giggled.  

I laughed too for about a second then timidly asked, "What's number three....?"

He's my Dad

Yesterday after the morning chaos subsided, Andrew and I walked upstairs to get ready for the day.  I walked into my room and the bed was unmade. (Matt almost always makes our bed first thing.  The Navy trained him well.)  

Yesterday was a rare exception.  I turned to Andrew and said, "Daddy is in big trouble.  He didn't make the bed!" 

Andrew got super defensive and replied, "No, he not in trouble. He's my Dad." 

This made me laugh.  I kept it up the act and told Andrew Daddy was going to be in time out when he got home from work.  

Andrew unfailingly at his Dad's aide told me, "Mom, you can do it.  You big enough.  You strong."  

Well, I guess I had to let Dad off the hook after hearing that.  And maybe because Andrew is just so cute.  

Andrew and I made the bed together.  

Later that evening when Matt got home from work, Andrew told him all about it. Or at least he tried to. 

These days

These days are crazy, hectic and sometimes more than I can handle.  Yet somehow I muddle through and time presses onward. 

Yesterday Sybil had her 2 month check up which means her first round of vaccinations. She'd inherited the cold Addi, Andrew and I have been battling.  Poor baby has been congested and miserable. After I absentmindedly sucked down a smoothie containing yogurt, she screamed till 10pm.  Milk protein allergies are serious business. 

Of course Andrew wanted attention too. Oh and he got it.  He made several trips to timeout after peeing on our bathroom floor at least 3 times. Coloring on our couch, kitchen table and refrigerator, chucking blocks all over the living room and family room.  Asking for water and dumping it right out.  Using the sprayer on our sink to shoot water at bad dudes.  And really he's constantly striping down to go potty.  Only half the clothes make it back on him, then he just goes and gets new ones.  The amount of laundry that child creates should be a felony. 

Addi is my obedient child.  She rarely causes a raucous and does whatever she is asked. 

Karissa has been pretty good.  BUT, just went I start to think things are going well....let's just say Matt and I will be in the principals office Tuesday.  

Then there's my 92 year old child, grandpa. His caregiver is unavailable to stay with him the next few nights so Matt is there with him.  Yeah me.........sleeping alone. 

Oh and this binkie has to go.  I've tried everyday to get rid of it.  We even went ten days without it and caved due to sleep deprivation.  He won't sleep without it.