Our little vacation

We got to take a break and go up to my parents' house in Olathe for a few days!  We got to hang out with friends.  I got to go to Super Saturday, and I learned how to make little boy ties, a plaque, a book wreath, and tutus (though I already knew how to make those).  So, lots of fun!  Scott and I even got to go on a date, and we played Blokus with our friends.  I sure do miss my friends!  We went to church with my mom, so Emma amd Leah got to go to Nursery with her.  They were excited!  We stayed another night, so that Scott could figure out what was going on with the old place.  No good news there.  Ben's bad habits led to the whole closet had to be torn out and redone (which of course they didn't do until way later).  And they still have to replace the back door, and clean out the vents.  Sheesh!  I'm very disappointed that we're not getting any money back, but I'm hoping we don't end up paying them more money!  The place looks great though.  With the all new flooring in the kitchen and bathroom (so now all the linoleum floors match.  How nice for them).  All new vent covers.  Beautiful paint and etc.  I'm glad someone gets the place looking nice, since we certainly didn't.  The good news is that we made it back with time for me to get to my test and talk beforehand,s o I knew what I was doing!  It took me less than an hour!  And then walking to my car, there were a couple of guys pushing their car up a hill, so I got to help with that.  Luckily, that helped two other guys stop and help.  It wasn't easy.  The other good news was that we got our new Drivers' Licenses and I got a scholarship!  For $700!  It'll be $350 fall semester and $350 in the spring!  So, that will help pay for books!  Hurray!  Now, I seriously need to clean, because I have a visiting teacher and possbly the Elders coming later. 

Another day of cleaning

And I'm putting it off!  I know, spending all day crafting doesn't clean the house, but why can no one else figure out how to clean if I'm not doing it?  I don't get it.  Then I've got a sick Ben again.  I guess yesterday well was a fluke.  But, it was good that he got a little break at least!  Especially since my sister's friend interviewed him last night.  He did really well!  He cracks me up when he's well!  Saying things like, "I'm full of questions!"  This morning as we were listening to Scripture Stories, he started crying.  I asked what was wrong and he sobbed out, "I don't think I'll be resurrected!  I'm not faithful enough and I can't follow the commandments!"  I told him it was okay, that he's not expected to be perfect and reminded him that he just has to not lie and obey his parents.  Then he started crying more, "I can't do that!" Poor kiddo!  So, we talked about repentance and he stopped crying, so hopefully he understands!  I woke up this morning to Kira screaming (for lack of a better word) out make believe songs.  I came downstairs to find her with earplugs in her ears, that were plugged into the computer.  She was pretending to listen to music!  Emma got a scratch on her chest and just told me that she didn't want it to feel better.  She wants it to bleed a little bit.  Leah wants to take control of the computer!  Always!  Kids are so interesting.  If only they were cleaner!   

Being a mom

Today I have been thinking of the responsibility I have being a mom.  It's amazing!  I'm in charge (with help from my husband) to help my children grow into capable adults.  WOW!  Everyday I need to feed, dress, and take care of my children.  And that's just the basics.  I also need to help them understand who they are, as children of a loving Heavenly Father, and of course, my children.  I help them try new things and find what they excel at, and encourage them to become better in those things and things they may not be as good at.  I'm the one who reads with them and gets them excited about learning.  I'm the one who teaches them the things they want to know about (a lot through researching on the internet).  I find good clothes for them that fit and last, and hopefully are fashionable enough that they aren't teased at school.  I buy them the things they need and sometimes things they want.  I find PBS shows on DVD, so even if we can't get the tv station, they are still able to watch their favorite educational shows.  Every once in awhile I play games with them, so they learn the art of taking turns and not being mean winners or losers.  I feed them different foods, so they try new things out, and if they don't like it, then I get to make something basic that they will eat.  Sometimes this takes a lot of creativity!  I get to learn how to do fun crafts with my kids and for my kids.  They all love to paint, like me, which can be very messy and expensive (like when my husband uses my oil paints to paint a birdhouse).  I have learned how to make cute hair bows, clips, and tutus.  I love having girls!  Not that I'm not hoping for a boy, because I am!  I get to take pictures of my kids, do videos of them doing funny things (like making a miniature Wipeout zone, or talking about a stinky diaper), and write in their journals when they do something memorable, or when something big happens at home.  I try to help them see extended family members so they know that family is love.  I clean the house, when I'm lucky I have HELP!  I put the baby down for naps and take care of kids when they're sick.  Who do they sleep with when they have nightmares or aren't feeling good?  Me!  Last night I had Emma sleeping at the head of the bed (on the floor). Leah in bed with me, and then Ben climbed in after I put Leah back to bed.  All at 3 in the morning.  So, I lose sleep to help my children too!    I make sure they do their homework, get to school on time, get picked up from school, and having lunch!  I help potty train, change tons of diapers, and breastfeed my baby.  It's hard work being a mom!  Then you add in the being a wife first, and being a person kinda slides.  I'm bad about reading in order to get a break.  Especially when I'm feeling nauseous or tired!  It's just nice to "live" somewhere else, where the house stays clean.  At least it does in my imagination.  Either way, I love being a mom, wife, daughter, sister, student und so weiter und so vort.  I wouldn't change it for anything!