Easter 2011
These little buggies are growing up. In just over two weeks Andrew will be 2!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Meltdowns and Freak-outs
Karissa February 2007
Once upon a time all I could think about was dressing up this little girl. I'd day dream about little curls and pink frilly skirts. Patent leather shoes and the perfect hair bows. Then she turned 18 mos and with that came a difficult personality. I remember Matt telling my when she was about 3 months old that he thought she was difficult. I almost punched him. How could my perfect baby ever be...difficult?
At three years old we took her to see a therapist, her tantrums were more than we could bear. The only way we could get her to calm down was to yell at her or give her a bath. Sometimes the bath only made things more difficult, she'd always poop in the bath. (Yuck) The therapist had some good advice and some bad. We were told that it was 75% parenting and to just keep working with her.
As she's gotten older things have gotten easier and we've learned to be better parents and never ever give in. (Or at least I have learned that.) There are times when she reverts to terrible tantrums and lately she's had some doosies. Last week there were three in three days.
The last one at Trader Joes sent me over the edge. Karissa found the pirate snake in the store which means she could tell a cashier and get a lollipop. When we made our way to the front of the store she ran to the kids coloring area and started coloring. Then she noticed Addi sucking on a lollipop. She ran over to me and asked for a lollipop. I reminded her she needed to tell the cashier. The young cashier patiently waited for her to ask. She refused claiming she was "shy". I told her I couldn't ask for her. Right there in the middle of my grocery check-out she flipped. Screaming, crying, hitting me. It was past the point of humiliation. I escorted her to the car while hearing the judgments of several other customers. She kicked and screamed while Matt and I loaded the groceries, the entire (1 mile) drive home and until I dragged her upstairs and into the shower. She still screamed for at least 5 more minutes. UGH!
At this point Matt and I were at each others throats, we hate seeing her this way. It just puts a dark cloud over the entire house. Addi and Andrew were real good during these episodes and steered clear of trouble. (Silver lining)
After Karissa calmed down we had a long talk about her behavior. She's also grounded for a few weeks. She has since been much better and things are back in alignment. I always have to remember to stick to our routine and always give her a straight answer, even if the answer is NO!
In other news, my sister Kayla totally freaked out on me. She got very jealous over the weekend in Vegas that Beth, Kristy and I enjoyed. When I called her after she screamed at me and called me horrible things.
Things that an apology may never forgive. Why am I sharing this? Because I want my children to know that you cannot treat any person this way, especially a sibling. I want them to know to never ever say things that an apology won't mend. And to always treat each other with respect, kindness and most of all love.
The last one at Trader Joes sent me over the edge. Karissa found the pirate snake in the store which means she could tell a cashier and get a lollipop. When we made our way to the front of the store she ran to the kids coloring area and started coloring. Then she noticed Addi sucking on a lollipop. She ran over to me and asked for a lollipop. I reminded her she needed to tell the cashier. The young cashier patiently waited for her to ask. She refused claiming she was "shy". I told her I couldn't ask for her. Right there in the middle of my grocery check-out she flipped. Screaming, crying, hitting me. It was past the point of humiliation. I escorted her to the car while hearing the judgments of several other customers. She kicked and screamed while Matt and I loaded the groceries, the entire (1 mile) drive home and until I dragged her upstairs and into the shower. She still screamed for at least 5 more minutes. UGH!
At this point Matt and I were at each others throats, we hate seeing her this way. It just puts a dark cloud over the entire house. Addi and Andrew were real good during these episodes and steered clear of trouble. (Silver lining)
After Karissa calmed down we had a long talk about her behavior. She's also grounded for a few weeks. She has since been much better and things are back in alignment. I always have to remember to stick to our routine and always give her a straight answer, even if the answer is NO!
In other news, my sister Kayla totally freaked out on me. She got very jealous over the weekend in Vegas that Beth, Kristy and I enjoyed. When I called her after she screamed at me and called me horrible things.
Things that an apology may never forgive. Why am I sharing this? Because I want my children to know that you cannot treat any person this way, especially a sibling. I want them to know to never ever say things that an apology won't mend. And to always treat each other with respect, kindness and most of all love.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Why Me?
June 2007 - Family Photo post Grandma McEuen's funeral
It's not even noon and I've already fielded 7 phone calls from Grandpa. His caregiver was supposed to drive him to his sisters house for lunch in Seal Beach and now couldn't.
Call #1 - I'm not going
Call #2 - Can you take me?
Call #3 - Can you take me tomorrow? Or Friday, or Saturday?
Call #4 - Why haven't you called me back about when you can take me?
Call #5 - I want to go down to see Ruth! Why can't you take me?
Call #6 - What time did you want me for lunch today?
Call #7 - When will you know if you can take me to see Ruth on Friday?
At times all the back and forth doesn't bother me. Today it does. Why? Because I work. Grandpa cannot conceptualize how I can possibly work from home. Technology frustrates him and he wants nothing to do with it. I've showed him my laptop, had him look at e-mail. He just pushes it aside.
So here I sit, trying to work and get as much done so maybe I can take him to see his sister on Friday.
Any why don't I just ignore him and come up with excuses;
When I was growing up Grandma and Grandpa lived about 10 houses down the ally from us. (2 streets over.) And every time I needed a lunch for school, was sick, needed help with homework, someone to drive me to school, new clothes, new shoes, drivers training, a car to use, money for school - ANYTHING! Grandma and Grandpa were right there to give us whatever we needed.
I was also raised to Honor thy Father and Mother. (That includes Grandparents.)
Because having my kids see and know their Great-Grandpa will be a gift that will last them a lifetime. (Even if his stitches did gross them out.)
And lastly, because if there wasn't a Grandpa that fell in love with a special Grandma - there wouldn't be a me.
So here I sit, trying to work and get as much done so maybe I can take him to see his sister on Friday.
Any why don't I just ignore him and come up with excuses;
When I was growing up Grandma and Grandpa lived about 10 houses down the ally from us. (2 streets over.) And every time I needed a lunch for school, was sick, needed help with homework, someone to drive me to school, new clothes, new shoes, drivers training, a car to use, money for school - ANYTHING! Grandma and Grandpa were right there to give us whatever we needed.
I was also raised to Honor thy Father and Mother. (That includes Grandparents.)
Because having my kids see and know their Great-Grandpa will be a gift that will last them a lifetime. (Even if his stitches did gross them out.)
And lastly, because if there wasn't a Grandpa that fell in love with a special Grandma - there wouldn't be a me.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Lemonade
On a sunny Presidents Day in Camarillo my niece, Ellie and her BFF, Izzie, decided to open a lemonade stand right in front of my house. Last week they had learned at school all about the catholic children in Haiti that were trying to earn money to rebuild their church. St. Mary Magdalene school in Camarillo raised nearly $500 last week for this cause. Ellie and Izzie were on a mission to donate more. What better way than lemonade.
When the girls first arrived and I heard their plan I thought it was sort of um.....silly. But what the heck, I helped make the lemonade while they set up tables out front. The girls had all the supplies and were set up in no time.
In one hour and a half these girls earned just over $30.00. Now I wasn't laughing. I was plotting ways to have my own lemonade stand called, I want new shoes.
Lesson learned, cute girls selling lemonade = winner!
When the girls first arrived and I heard their plan I thought it was sort of um.....silly. But what the heck, I helped make the lemonade while they set up tables out front. The girls had all the supplies and were set up in no time.
In one hour and a half these girls earned just over $30.00. Now I wasn't laughing. I was plotting ways to have my own lemonade stand called, I want new shoes.
Monday, February 18, 2013
Remember Me
Last week a very wonderful lady took her last breaths on this earth. Her name is Gloria Stokes. Growing up in Oxnard our family knew the Stokes family well. Gloria was a mother to six children, most of which the same ages as me and my siblings. We also went to church together and the same schools. Sis. Stokes was my camp leader and YW leader for many years. She was also my ride to school/home and to most church functions. This lady lived to serve. There was not one thing that she owned or talent she possessed that she didn't share. I will always remember to share my talents.
Sis. Stokes loved holidays, especially Halloween. This meant that she hosted the best parties. As youth we dressed up and turned her home into a super scary haunted houses for many years. She always dressed as a witch. We spent many a Halloween scaring the daylights out of many a trick-or-treater. Now when I dress up my house for Halloween with fog and spooky sounds, I always remember her.
My favorite memories of the Stokes family include 5 years of Girls Camp. We learned how to set up tents, build fires, cook food (and good food - peach cobbler), and navigate by the stars. I will always remember and love Sis. Stokes for teaching me how to camp.
Have you ever met someone that always had a smile on their face? This was Sis. Stokes. She had a fierce love for her children, really for all children. Her home was always open to those in need. I will always remember that love that her soul pushed out into the universe. It was catching and oh so comforting.
How do you want to be remembered? If I could live my life as this remarkable lady and be remembered in the way I've remembered her, I'd have a permanent smile too.
P.S. I can't believe I didn't mention our Roadshows. Sis. Stokes was the executive producer. This meant she did everything, songs, choreography, props, costumes. Ours was always the best and they were a blast!
My favorite memories of the Stokes family include 5 years of Girls Camp. We learned how to set up tents, build fires, cook food (and good food - peach cobbler), and navigate by the stars. I will always remember and love Sis. Stokes for teaching me how to camp.
Have you ever met someone that always had a smile on their face? This was Sis. Stokes. She had a fierce love for her children, really for all children. Her home was always open to those in need. I will always remember that love that her soul pushed out into the universe. It was catching and oh so comforting.
How do you want to be remembered? If I could live my life as this remarkable lady and be remembered in the way I've remembered her, I'd have a permanent smile too.
P.S. I can't believe I didn't mention our Roadshows. Sis. Stokes was the executive producer. This meant she did everything, songs, choreography, props, costumes. Ours was always the best and they were a blast!
Thursday, February 7, 2013
A handsom reward
At exactly 2:13pm last Friday afternoon my cell phone rang. It was a number I recognized - the Saint - that drives my child to and from school everyday. I answered quickly and blurted out, "I'm on my way home right now."
"Mama", the voice on the other end was Karissa. "Guess what?" she continued. "I got Student of the Month! and a Principal's award!"
"YEAH!" I screamed. We continued to chat and I told her how proud I was of her and how hard she's worked.
To be truthful, I never thought we'd see the day this year. Karissa started a new school and for a child who is uncomfortable with change, the first month of school was a nightmare. We had other changes to adjust to as well, a new dance schedule and all new friends. Karissa deals with change by using a handy little tool called defiance. It drives me to the brink. Then it's like she just wakes up and it's over, till the next change in routine happens.
The thing about Karissa is that she's wicked smart. I'm not using the word wicked as in we're from Boston wicked. The wicked I'm talking about is; I'm a little scared about how smart she is.
Like the kind of smart where she is proficiently reading at a 4th grade level. She can read an entire Diary of a Wimpy Kid book in 3 hours. Like she's tearing through all the Judy Blume books, Superfudge, Double Fudge, etc. She aces spelling tests and never studies because she can't remember to bring the words home. She's great at math. I rarely help her with homework. My job is just to nag her to get it done.
When I do it's usually done in 15 mins.
The thing that frightens me is she never stops to listen to instructions, she forges ahead and figures it out along the way. (This is so me!) Yet, she has picked up Matt's unbelievable intelligence. When she does learn something new, it only takes once and she never forgets. (This is reiterated by her teachers, dance instructors, church teachers. It's all the same. It scares me.)
We will see where the years take us. I'm already a little nervous about the future, only that she will be and is too smart for her own good.
For today, I'm proud of her. I'm proud that she's worked hard and earned a handsome reward!
"Mama", the voice on the other end was Karissa. "Guess what?" she continued. "I got Student of the Month! and a Principal's award!"
"YEAH!" I screamed. We continued to chat and I told her how proud I was of her and how hard she's worked.
To be truthful, I never thought we'd see the day this year. Karissa started a new school and for a child who is uncomfortable with change, the first month of school was a nightmare. We had other changes to adjust to as well, a new dance schedule and all new friends. Karissa deals with change by using a handy little tool called defiance. It drives me to the brink. Then it's like she just wakes up and it's over, till the next change in routine happens.
The thing about Karissa is that she's wicked smart. I'm not using the word wicked as in we're from Boston wicked. The wicked I'm talking about is; I'm a little scared about how smart she is.
Like the kind of smart where she is proficiently reading at a 4th grade level. She can read an entire Diary of a Wimpy Kid book in 3 hours. Like she's tearing through all the Judy Blume books, Superfudge, Double Fudge, etc. She aces spelling tests and never studies because she can't remember to bring the words home. She's great at math. I rarely help her with homework. My job is just to nag her to get it done.
When I do it's usually done in 15 mins.
The thing that frightens me is she never stops to listen to instructions, she forges ahead and figures it out along the way. (This is so me!) Yet, she has picked up Matt's unbelievable intelligence. When she does learn something new, it only takes once and she never forgets. (This is reiterated by her teachers, dance instructors, church teachers. It's all the same. It scares me.)
We will see where the years take us. I'm already a little nervous about the future, only that she will be and is too smart for her own good.
For today, I'm proud of her. I'm proud that she's worked hard and earned a handsome reward!
We treated Karissa and -The Saint's daughter- to a girly treat.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
It's Great to be 8 - Save the Date
Once upon a time Kayley, Brett (left) &
Karissa, Milloy (right) were 5....now they are turning 8.
Karissa will be baptized at
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Saturday, June 1st
time TBA
We'll have treats at our house afterwards.
Travis and Kayley will celebrate their First Holy Communion in May.
(Please contact the moms for further info.)
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