In The Doghouse

We went camping up in Wisconsin. Again. I love it up there. The green everywhere, the lakes everywhere, the rednecks everywhere, it's like home sweet home.

Friday was beautiful. We spent the afternoon on the sandy shores of Lake Wisconsin, letting the little ones frolic in the shallows. After a picnic lunch, getting sunburned like no other, and a quick nap for Gretta, we headed back to the trailer to start dinner.

We had a few hours to kill before we needed to eat, so Noel and I decided to hit the Ho-Chunk casino. I do like myself a chunky ho, and a casino to boot!

I lost $20.

Noel won $300.

She sucks. Now I'm not paying her back the $1 I owe her.

Saturday it rained. All day. And it was freezing. We spent the better part of the day in the trailer, though we did catch Night At The Museum 2 at the local theater. It was adorable. I love Amy Adams, and her hair is so dang cute in the movie.

Afterward, we headed back to the trailer to settle in for the night. By 10:00 we had the kids tucked in tight, and were just mellowing into a game of Apples to Apples when I heard the sound every mother fears.

Not the puking sound.

Not the fighting sibling sound.

The sound of a dog biting. Hard.

And instantly I knew we were headed to the ER.


Here's G just moments after arriving at the ER. She's guzzling down some Diet Coke. She was thirsty, okay?



Here you can see the cut above her lip. There is also a nick inside her left nostril, and 2 more little spots on the right side of her lip. The middle one is the only one that needed stitches.



And here she is post-stitch. 4 to be exact. She fought the doctor the entire time, even after a dose of Versed.

We finally returned back to the campground just after 4:30AM on Sunday. We were pooped.

As for Bebe, she is in the doghouse in a major way. She had to stay in Wisconsin for a mandatory 24 hour hold, or until they could get her Vet contacted and get her shot records. She checked out fine, thanks to her recent Uterine infection that not only cost us a fortune, but also our money to go on a cruise. I'm really starting to resent this dog.

So yesterday I had to drive all the way back to the Dells to pick her up. 3 hours. Each way, mind you. She is now on home quarantine for the next 10 days, or until we decide what to do with her. She has never bitten before. She'll growl and nip if the kids are teasing her, and I don't blame her for that, but biting is totally different. I'm sure she just nipped and caught G's lip on accident, but do I dare chance it?

What would you do? Should I keep the dog and hope it doesn't happen again? Do I get rid of her on Craigslist, hoping some loving couple with no children will take her? Do we just euthanize her? I can't really decide, although I'm leaning toward one of those options.

Gretta is fine, she hardly notices the stitches at all. They come out on Friday. Hopefully there won't be a big scar.

I Haz Issues

I'm not an "in charge" kind of person. I like being told what to do. I don't deal well with authority figures, and I second guess myself a lot when it comes to reporting to people above me.

Surprising, I know.

I think it stems from my inability to be serious about anything. Ever. Authority figures seem to take my sarcastic tone in a bad way. Why on earth would they do that?

I digress.

I was put in charge of a decision making process that no one else seemed to want to take charge of. Should I be flattered by that? No, I'm not. So I took charge. I did the best I could. At least with what information I had been, or hadn't been given, as the case may be.

I have since found out that my decision wasn't the best one, or at least not the way others had imagined it should be. Although even though they had all the information, they didn't or wouldn't take it upon themselves to make the decision.

Does this make any sense at all? Clear as mud, right? Right-O then.

I wish I could just come right out and say what I mean, but for once I'm not an open book. I just get so frustrated.

People, if you want help from others, be specific! Don't assume they can read your mind. It is just too frustrating for all parties involved.

End of issues. For now.

No One Always Or Never Does Anything

Last night was a big deal around here.

In our married life we've often done things we swore we'd never do. Owned a minivan, dressed our kids in cartoon character clothes, gone to bed angry, and other things along those same lines.

We also said we would never, ever take our kids back to Chuck-E-Cheese. We took Emma once when she was like 2, and it was a miserable experience.

But last night we wanted to do something special for Maggie, to celebrate her graduating from Speech. She sees the CEC commercials, and begs us to take her. We always refuse. So Sugar Daddy gets this idea that we surprise her with a trip to CEC to celebrate.

We did it.

We went to Chuck-E-Cheese with all 3 kids.

It wasn't as bad as I remembered. We arrived just before 5, and it was practically empty. By the time we left at 7, it was getting packed, and more and more obnoxious. I think the timing was perfect, because I couldn't have lasted much longer in the chaos.

We came home with 3 toys purchased with our 400 tickets, and 3 very happy exhausted kids.

But I swear, I'll never do that again.

Fun For Friday

Does anyone see a problem here?


I guess it's good they teach speech there, and not reading.


Happy Friday!

Shake Your Booty

Maggie had her dance recital on Thursday night. She was so excited to wear her costume, and to wear make-up. She did an awesome job, so without further ado, I give you the review.

They each got trophies with their names on them. So adorable.

Striking a pose in her "Perfect Day" routine.

The group shot.

And the picture before she sweated off her make up and her piggies fell out.

On another note, we had been growing her hair out for months for this big night. She really wanted to do two pig tails for her recital. So we grew it and grew it, much to the dismay of her overly sensitive head. She hates washing, conditioning, or combing her hair ever, so with her thick mane, and the long locks, it was a total nightmare. I told her we'd cut her hair as soon as her recital was over. The very next day, we were getting the trailer ready to go, and she got a big wad of gum stuck in her hair. Perfect excuse to cut it! So it all came off into a cute A-line bob. She looks adorable, and now she doesn't cry nearly as much when we have to do it, which makes me a happy mom.

Before I Forget

This was also a bittersweet Memorial Day. Normally I spend the afternoon at the cemetery for the Veterans tribute, and then meet up for lunch at Julie's house. I wasn't there last year, and it didn't really faze me.

This year I would have had a better reason to visit. Here are some shots of the headstone that I totally jacked from my sisters blog. Thanks, Jill.

The headstone is granite, and it was carved in Belgium. My mom would be pissed that it's so big. Not her style at all. But that temple engraving is so gorgeous, she would forget all about the size issue.


I love how it says "Pokey". She would get such a laugh over that. I wish I could hear her laugh just one more time. And her smile was always so sincere. She deserves the beauty of this headstone, and so much more.

I miss you, mom. I love you.

Happy Campers

So we went camping this last weekend. And by "we" I mean 6 adults and 6 kids, all crammed into our trailer. Headed up to Wisconsin, near Madison. It was beautiful.

'Cept we stayed at the ghettoest trailer park ev.er.

They had a golf cart parade. Which would be awesome, had we been staying anywhere near a golf course. But the people driving these carts were toothless and drunk, and pretty belligerent, even for toothless rednecks.

People smoked in the pool.

And little kids had mullets.

Luckily we didn't spend a whole lotta time around them, we mostly kept to ourselves.

Boys biked, girls chatted, kids played, I kayaked, and we ate yummy food and too many crap snack foods.

I need some Activia.

I took a total of 0 pictures.

Kelley has some on her blog, but it's private, so just imagine me looking like my hot self sitting in a trailer park.

Beauty.

It was nice. I love the trailer. The kids had a blast, and I think the adults had a good enough time, too. Kelley is due to birth any day now, so she's not invited to our next adventure, down to Nauvoo. I'm sure it will be a great time, as well!

Fun For Friday

This is a little early, but I won't be around for the regular FFF.

Here you go.



It's like "Okay" but with a "B".

Okay, then.

Oh, and this same place also sells Webkinz. Strange combination, no?

Ugh

Oy vey, people. I cannot make it through another night like last night. Or the night before, for that matter. Pacing around the house, trying everything to keep my legs busy so they won't drive me crazy!

I have restless legs syndrome.

Go ahead, laugh. I do. What a stupid name for a miserable problem! It sounds so stupid, like having blinking eyes syndrome, or beating heart syndrome.

But it sucks. And my poor bod can't take it much longer! I have tried everything. Cutting back on my caffeine, hot baths before bed, light covers, distractions, stretching, pacing, kicking, screaming and eventually crying.

Normally I only deal with this problemo when I'm pregnant, and NO! I'm not pregnant, so don't even go there. We're done, remember? But at least with pregnancy I know I only have to deal with it for a few weeks, maybe a month, but this is relentless.

So maybe I'll try a good long walk today, since it will be 70 here, and perhaps a nice muscle relaxer, courtesy of my Shrink.

If I come back in a pissed off mood tomorrow, you'll understand, right? I knew you would.

Change of Plans

Well, unfortunately the camp out was canceled on Friday night due to extremely bad weather. Like as in Tornado-bad weather. That is one thing I will never get used to out here, is watching the skies during a storm and praying we don't hear the tornado sirens.

It was supposed to be the father's and sons camp out on Friday night, and then the girls and I were going to meet up with Sugar Daddy and some friends for Saturday night. Since it was canceled Friday night, and I had a lot to do on Saturday, we just canceled the whole weekend altogether.



Part of it has to do with poor little G. Saturday morning she starting throwing up again. This is how she spent most of the afternoon on Saturday. I had a baptism to attend, and when I returned home she was still pretty sick. I was worried about dehydration, but by that evening she was drinking a little bit at a time, and not throwing it up, so I could tell she was on the mend.

Yesterday she stayed home with Daddy while I took the girls to church. It was so nice to be able to sit through Sacrament meeting without a kid climbing all over me! Those of you that know me at all might be surprised that I went to church even though I had a perfect excuse to stay home. I was surprised as well! I had just been feeling a sense of importance that I attend church yesterday. So I went, and first thing in Sacrament they change our first and second counselors in the bishopric, our Elders Quorum President, and the Ward clerk. Our good friends are now the holders of responsible positions! Obviously it hasn't rubbed off.

So I thought that was why I had been impressed to go to church. I went through the rest of the meeting just half paying attention. But during Sunday School, our lesson was on Temples. I was reminded of how important the temple is in our lives. Maybe that was why I needed to go that day!

Then in Relief Society we learned about Spiritual Gifts. Oh boy. This was definitely why I needed to go yesterday! It was really just what I needed to hear. I have been so angry about why other people can be healed and saved by their faith, when my mom and her obedient spirit were not. I have never had doubts about this before, because I have been on the positive end of healing so many times. But to see that the Lord has a plan for us, and despite our faith, if it is our time to go and work on the other side, it will be done. Knowing she serves a higher purpose on the other side of the veil brings me some comfort, but I'm sure this isn't the only time I will feel betrayed. Definitely something I'll be working through for a while.

I guess there is more than one way to deal with a change of plans.

Welcome

This is Noma. Or Oma, as Gretta likes to say.

She'll be joining our family on August 3rd. We are very glad she said yes. I guess we've all fooled her into thinking we're a cool enough family so she'll want to become one of us.

I wonder how long it will take her to figure us out? ;)

Congratulations, Dad and Noma. We love you.

Transport

We're going away this weekend. It's a very exotic-like vacation, so don't be too jealous.

You see, we're taking the trailer out. Finally. We used it once last year. Sad, but since I was in Utah the entire summer, we didn't really have the opportunity to use it. Trust me, if I had my choice, I would have loved to have used it every weekend last summer. If only.....

But alas, things change. Mom is gone, and now the trailer can come out of storage. So we're heading out to the Chain O Lakes state park. Yes, it really has the "O" instead of "Of". And they think us Utahan's are rednecks.

Part of the joy of the trailer, is getting everything ready to go. Food, towels, sheets, blankets, propane, putting back in the batteries, emptying out the poopsicle that never got emptied before it froze solid. See, fun stuff like that. But there's also getting the truck ready to haul it. Fuel, car seats, iPod, new U-joints. Wha? Yep. A day before we need to get ready, the truck needs new U-joints. Figures. It's actually about time, but still, car repairs are the worst. Luckily for me, Sugar Daddy is a master at finnagling things, and can fix pretty much any car problem.

He did it. He fixed it all by himself. And it could have cost us $650. Instead, it cost us the price of a one day Metra ticket, since we had to wait a day for the part, requiring him to take the train into work for a day, and then $35 for the actual part. Labor? Totally free. He rules.

So we're getting ready to go. I can't wait. Even though the Chain is about, oh, 5 minutes away from our house, it will still feel like a major getaway, since I've never been there. I love the trailer. I love being with my kids, and seeing how they interact with eachother, and with nature. I'm sure Maggie will be in personal Hell with the bugs and trees and water all around, but she'll survive. I don't think Gretta even remembers the trailer, since it's been a year since we last went. I'm sure she'll love it, too.

I have a good FFF tomorrow, so stay tuned.

Throw Down That Hoe

Emma had her talent show last week. Yes, I'm just barely getting around to posting. Sorry, things have been crazy. Gretta was puking all day yesterday, and today so far, so yesterday's post didn't happen.

I give you Emma.


Moments after performing. I love the braids, don't you?


In the midst of her performance for the parents. She did such a good job. She practiced hard, and had a lot of fun, which is of course the most important thing.

Keli Can't Come To The Blog Right Now

There has been an eruption of vomit at her house. She is busy cleaning it up, soothing the sad baby, and making sure enough fluids are taken in.

Please check back tomorrow. Hopefully the patient will be fully recovered by then.

Thank you for your patience.

Mom's Day Recap

I have to admit, I was dreading Mother's Day. I had these horrible feelings conjured up, and I was certain they would take over and drown me in sorrow.

I was wrong.

I had a great day. A little sadness, of course, but nothing like I had anticipated. Luckily, part of the reason for that is living outside of Utah, the Mother's Day church service wasn't a sappy song and dance meant just to make mom's cry. It was just any other Sunday. Youth speaker, check. Primary kids singing "Mother I Love You", check. Stake Young Womens President speaking on Relief Society, check.

Even Relief Society itself held a lesson not related to Mother's Day. "Facing Persecution with Fatih". Totally unrelated, see?

I was glad. I needed a break from the sorrow I had dreaded so much. I did leave during Sacrament meeting because I got something in my eye, (really! I did!) and as I was coming back out of the restroom, I was greeted by good friends making sure I was okay. Of course, it looked like I had been crying due to the watering eye situation, but I was fine. What good friends I have. Thanks, girls.

I was also treated to a mani/pedi/eyebrow wax for my day, and took the older girls along with me, as well. We had a great time, and their nails look beautiful! I bought myself a new pair of shoes, and 2 bouquet's of flowers, and called it good.

We had a bbq with some friends yesterday, and as always, we talked too much, stayed too late, and had too much fun. But that is what friends are for, I suppose.

So I survived my first motherless mother's day. I'm sure there will be more sad times to come, but I can do it. Also, thanks for the cards and letters. I have such an awesome support system, I know I can get through anything!

I Feel So International

Thanks to Sugar Daddy's side of the family, international visitation has risen significantly on my blog. I now receive visitors from Oslo, and Paris. These are in addition to the visits I've already been receiving from Brasilia, and La Paz.

I feel very cool right now.

Mother's Day Week

I couldn't possibly do a Fun For Friday today, what with Mother's Day Week coming to an end. I have to reflect back on last years post, and I realize now that I was prompted to write all these wonderful things about my mom. I miss her so much. More than any word can describe. I miss the safety net she was, I miss the comfort of normalcy that I had before she died. I miss her smile, her hugs, her laugh, her wisdom, her strength, her friendliness, her hands, her love. I know she is my angel, and I'm glad I can have that over having nothing at all.

I love you, mom.

May 9, 2008

To my mom

There are so many things that make you who you are. I couldn't possibly sum it all up in just a few paragraphs, or pages, for that matter. So I enlisted some help. Together we have racked our brains, smiled, laughed, cried, and felt pangs of homesickness, all to pay tribute to you, and your wonderful self.

Remember all those times you had to sit with me in school? Sorry.
I laugh when I think of all the times we had church activities, and you were always in charge. Always.
Making sandwiches on the cooler in the boat, and you only forgot the knife once.
The smell of Gardenia lotion in your bedroom.
The way you have the B. in your name.
Putting your family first, even when it's hard.
Discovering that you might have a bit of a rebel in you. Just a bit.
Au Gratin potatoes and chicken noodle soup. And Nasi. And turkey dinner, and rolls, and roll-ups, and I think we eat too much...
The way you send out cards "just because" to random people.
The way you keep friends for a hundred years.
Trying to find your way out of the ZCMI parking garage.
Keeping your cool when your sweet Cadillac lost the brakes on the way home from the mall.
Flying away at a moments notice when one of us needs you.
Using the "facilities" in a nice new house, when there was no running water.
Always saying "this too shall pass" and other fine words of wisdom.
Staying calm when the motorhome battery exploded, and just blowing out the flame.
Saying "Time to find a beach".
Pokey.
The yellow Blazer.
Your beautiful fingernails.
The way you love every piece of jewelry you've ever owned.
Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Shoes. Shall I go on?
And last but certainly not least, QVC.

Mom, we love you. You are the rock we cling to, the light in our tunnel, and most of all, our friend forever. We couldn't do any of this "life" stuff without you.

Happy Mother's Day

Skipping

I'm skipping today's Mother's Day Week post in lieu of something much more important.

Emma's talent show is today.

She performs for the school today, and for the parents later tonight.

She has braids in her hair, and looks adorable.

She's a little nervous. I'm a lot nervous. I want her to totally rock it. I know she will.

But I'm still a lot nervous.

Mother's Day Week

May 7, 2008

There are so many reasons I love being a mother. The more I think about it, the more my joy swells. Mostly I just love that I have this job, with basically no prior skills, and I feel like it is a natural fit. Even though I'm not the most nurturing, huggy touchy feely mother, I feel like teaching my kids to do things on their own, and stand up for themselves is just as important as holding their hands and carrying them around. Don't get me wrong, I do my fair share of hugging and kissing, they certainly aren't neglected in that area, it's just not my strong point. But that's okay. I hope I make up for that in other areas.

Mother's Day Week

Last year I did posts for each day during the week before Mother's Day. This year I'm doing it again. As in, I'm copying and pasting my posts from last year. I'm so motivated.

Honestly, it has a lot more to it than that. I'm seriously dreading Mother's Day this year. I don't have a mother anymore. I don't have her to call and say "I love you" to, or in my case, apologize for being the best.daughter.ever.

As I look back on my posts from last year, I remember thinking it was imperative that I honor my own mother by revealing all the things motherhood has taught me. Maybe a little inspired? Probably.

So sit back and enjoy this weeks posts all about being a mother.

Tuesday, May 6, 2008

Why I love being a mother

• It makes me do things I would otherwise never have courage to do.
  
• It makes me see things from a smaller, more innocent perspective.
• It makes me more confident in my decision making skills.
  
• It makes me rely on faith and promptings in a way I have never known.
  
• It makes me stick to my guns, and stick up for my kids.
  
• It makes me see how lucky I am to have healthy, happy kids.
  
• It makes me appreciate my own mother more than ever.
  

Why do you love being a mother?