Failure

Every Valentines Day Chet and I make a candlelight dinner for the boys. They love to eat by candlelight, and think that it is so cool. I like to make chicken alfredo. Chet was out of town on the 14th, so I decided that doing it for FHE would be fun. I also bought a box full of special chocolates and wanted to have the boys taste and guess the flavor. It was going to be such a great dinner filled with love and respect and joy. We were going to laugh and enjoy being together. Since today was Presidents Day, I have "enjoyed" being together ALL day with the boys! Holy Moly! I love public schools! I could never homeschool! Dinner was instead, filled with lots of yelling, then total silence on my part, then yelling for the boys to clean their spot and kneel for prayers to go straight to bed. I told them that Dad and I were going to eat all the chocolates, in which case we got total whining and acting like babies, but since that was all we have heard, it didn't change a thing for them. They hit a whole new level of disrespect today, and it's gonna change!!! Some days are wonderful... others just SUCK! Today will be filed under the SUCK category. I just have to get up tomorrow and try again! (Chet warned me last night that he was going to be really busy with school after the kids went to bed and that he couldn't sit and hold me. It seemed like a weird thing to say last night. Right after prayers I thanked him for the warning! That was all I wanted by the time the kids went to bed. Gotta love a husband that sees the future, or the calendar, and knows what days off like this means! Ahhhhh!)

Parrot

My little Colbs is in a really cute stage, depending on when you catch him. He is either making me laugh out loud, or wanting to pull my hair out. He has started repeating everything that you say. If I say, "Colbs, get your coat on. Let's go get brothers." He'll respond in question form, "Get me coat on? Go get brothers?" So the other day I was telling Chet bye, and encouraging him not to get another ticket. (Last time he called and said he was pulled over I asked what for. He tells me, "For going too slow, what do you think I was pulled over for!" It was a well deserved response.) Colbs starts pointing at him and saying, "Dad, stay on the road!" I told Colbs to tell Dad to stay on the road and not have to pull over for flashing lights. He was just pointing and chewing him out. It was awesome. I was laughing so hard. Chet was looking at him, and then looking at me, and he had to laugh too. Then this morning my new favorite song came on on the way home from taking the boys. I cranked it up, and Cael says, "uhhhh, does this song always have to come on!" Colby was just sitting in his chair singing it with me. He can pitch when he supposed to, and sing the last word of almost every line (Girl on Fire). He always sings the main line, "Dis dirl on fira" It is so cute. I love this parrot stage, sometimes!

Reality

Wednesday while delivering papers, Cars was especially mad at me. He wanted, and fully expected me to, get out and deliver with them. It was the worst of conditions, the worst kind of delivery day. It was blowing, cold, and slush everywhere. I usually do help them on bad days, but this day I was wearing heels and told Cars no. He got mad and snapped that I should have been prepared. I snapped. Then he tells me that he is sick of me sitting in the car, and taking most of their money. It was time for a little lesson! They get paid $.15 a paper. From the very beginning, they had to pay for gas expense, and stuffing expense ($.05 per paper). I have also picked up some driving routes that are seperate from their delivering, money which we use to donate as a family. We all talked about how to donate it, and the boys are very aware where my drive route money goes. When they saw the paycheck, all in my name, they were MAD at only getting about half. I told them that they could have it all (of their papers) and pay expenses themselves then. We figured up gas and figured that it cost them about $14 - $18 per delivery (which sucks but the gas is guzzled in a huge suv when you are stopping and going!) Then they had to stuff papers themselves after scouts and not do anything that night. Carter, my very smart well thought through kinda boy, is telling Cars to stop talking, because I was getting mad and they were losing money to the reality of lifes expences. For all that I do to help them, and then to be called a theif! NOT! Then I told them that taxes just cost me $300 since they are paid on a 1099 (and explained all that to them) and so they could each split that expence every month too, about $12 a month. They ended up with about half what they were getting. The whole time Carter was very intrigued by everything I was teaching them, in an angry voice, but was telling Cars how nice I am to drive them, and how wonderful a mom I am and on and on. Cars just kept throwing jabs. By the end, Carter told Cars that he is happy with his deal, and if Cars wants it different, he could do it on his own. It was pretty cute of Carter. He gets it! He gets business, even this young. By the end, it all worked out. I think Cars's brain gets frozen. He can't see past his own struggle at the time to see reality. I HATE delivering papers, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. My boys have learned so much! How many 8 year olds know the difference between a W-2 and a 1099, and why would they even care. My boys know all about a 1099, and why the expences for a company are different, and why they would want to be paid on a 1099 or a W-2 when they are older depending on their situation. I bet most adults don't even know that stuff! I love all of the life lessons they learn. I love the workers they are, and the way that I get to influence and mold them into amazing boys. The job of a mother is priceless! Nothing else could be more important to me! Sometimes I fail miserably, but I am glad I get to try again every day!!!

One Mean Mom

Chet and I's worst parenting area is consistence. The things that we are consistent on, they are rock stars! Church is not an option! Showering for church is not an option. They just get up, shower, and get dressed for church. NO complaints. Those kind of things. Well, chores are not so good. Sometimes I am really easy going, and other times I freak out. They take their chances most of the time, and don't do their chores. I had a break last night. As I looked at our pig pen of a house, I told the boys that things were going to change. We redistributed chores. They all got to pick what they wanted, and then I added their room and one to each list. I then told them that maids cost money. If they wanted me to be the maid, then they would pay me, $1 per service. For every chore not done to my standards before school, they would be charged. That's how you hit Carter hard. He will do ANYTHING to keep his money! They were not happy but I told them I was dead serious! I also said that if I saw them after personal prayers, which we kneel down with them every night for, then they owed me $.50. If I heard them, it was $.25. Guess what! After I put the boys to bed alone (Chet was gone to mutual) I did not hear or see another boy! It was fabulous! Also, this house was spotless clean before they left for school. It was a very smooth morning. No chaos and fighting and yelling amongst themselves. Everyone got a good breakfast, and all chores were done. Wow I'm mean, but I love it!!! Hope this one sticks!

Lazy Days!

I love lazy days! I love when we just lay around in our jammies all day and snuggle and play together!

 

 Cael and Colby watching a movie. Colby has to almost lay on Cael, so I loved to see Cael doing the same back!

 Cael and Colby rolling around on the couch laughing uncontrollably. They really are good friends! Colby is such a fat head. Good thing it's so cute!!!

Dad, home for lunch, reading them books. They both LOVE to be read to. They climb up on my lap every night that Caden reads to me. His books suck from school, but they are still right there listening to every word. I love that they have such a great dad!!! We really are lucky!

 When I woke up the house was way too quiet for that late in the morning. This is what I found. Yes, Colby is drinking an A&W. Yes, Caels pjs are WAY too small (as you can see Colby is wearing the same ones in the next picture). He loves them!!! And yes, all the boys are in a twin bed watching Netflix on the Kindle.(we don't have the bedroom done yet, that's why the paint looks funny in the background. We are putting up some cool paneling on the bottom.)

The day we got home from Vegas. Excuse the MESS (laundry, laundry laundry) in the background. Colby riding his scooter with my high heels on (He already knows how to match!). It was so cute. Then he was embarrassed. I love that boy!



Yummy!

I have been really frustrated lately at the boys feeling entitled to everything. They think that if they see, they get. Well, Carter jumped into the front seat and grabbed the water in the cup holder without even asking if he could have any. He put it up to his mouth and was ABOUT to drink when he saw inside the bottle. This was it!

 

He about puked and I laughed so hard I about peed my pants. I had taken it away from Colby (and this is why I never drink after Colby, the king of backwash!!!) a little earlier. I was going to let him drink away. Oh my, it makes me laugh out loud again just looking at it. That is some nasty stuff there!!!

Vegas Baby!

Chet and I decided that we were going to start getting away for a weekend here, and a weekend there. We are hoping for 4 this year. We booked Vegas to start it all off. We are so conservative, and not gamblers, or drinkers, or anything else that everyone seems to think of when they think Vegas. We did, however, have a GREAT time. We left our kids at my mom and dads house (a HUGE thanks for watching them!!!) and flew on Allegiant there. When we got there, we went on a timeshare tour. We wanted to see why so many people bought. We didn't understand the pull. It was fun and very educational. If we could have paid cash and had the vacation time, we would have loved to have bought. Someday we hope! Right now half our vacation is used in the scouting program, so we need to wait a little longer. We went to some awesome shows!!! We saw "Ka" and "O". They were amazing. I could watch every appropriate show there. Someone asked if Chet felt like less of a man when he walked out of there. It is true. These men were amazingly strong, and the girls were so flexible and talented and fit. It was fun to see them flying everywhere and doing all they did! We rented a car and went to the temple. It was, however, closed for cleaning. We were really sad. But we tried. We then went to dinner at a high school friends house. It was super fun to meet his wife and baby girl. Chet and I both had a great time. It was nice to catch up with him. I haven't seen Bobby since high school. We also went to a little mini race track. Chet LOVED it, and could have spent all day and a months worth of money there. I did it once, and opted to take pictures. I was rear ended 5 times, and pretty much just sucked! I'm not a race car driver. Chet however, has been practicing all his life in real life, and was really good at it. He took 3rd of maybe 10, but these guys were regulars there. They knew the track and cars so well. It was fun to watch. We ate at In-N-Out Burger, and it DID NOT live up the hype! I thought the burger was just a burger, and the fries were AWEFUL!!! We were not impressed. We shopped and walked and watched movies and just loved being together without the kids. It was a great 3 days!!!

I feel like the luckiest girl alive. I am so blessed and have such a great life!!! My husband ROCKS!

 

Braces

Holy Moly!!! Let the money spending begin. Carter had to get braces! Carson has an appointment in March to see if he has to too. $4580 for total treatment, unless he needs them again as a teenager, in which case it will be really inexpensive. I think that my definition and their definition of really inexpensive are totally different!!!

Carter has to have the equivalent of head gear. They now do it in the mouth however. I will have to update with a picture with all his metal in. It's pretty crazy. He is having a hard time adjusting, but he is a champ. He brushes 3 times a day, and takes very good care. I told him that if he did his part, I would pay for it. He is keeping his end of the deal. Carson is so jealous! Crazy boy!

Sew something

I am a huge believer that if you write down your goals, you will be much more likely to succeed. One of my 12 goals for the 2013 year was to sew something, start to finish! I sewed all 5 pillows (my awesome friend Carolyn helped me with the first one. I had not done a zipper before)! I then added some length to every curtain so that they touched the ground. Carolyn also taught me how to hem a pair of jeans so they don't look home-done. They look so good!!! Next is going to be my Halloween costumes! 

 

Cael goes to school

The day finally arrived! It was time for school. Cael could not barely contain himself. Colby didn't really know what was going on, but he could feel the excitement so he was all smiles. We got to the school, learned how to do everything, and then went to leave. Cael could care less that I was leaving. Colby started telling me, "Tael Mom. Tael." I told him that he was staying for school. Colby started crying and ran over to Cael. He wrapped his arms around him and started saying, "No Tael, No Tael. Tael tome with us." It was so cute and heart wrenching! He was wrapped tight around his neck. Cael was giving him kisses and telling him he was ok. It was cute too. I finally had to drag Colbs out. Then we went to the play area at the gym. As I was leaving, Colby was getting sad and said, "I miss Tael." I sat him down at the table with a snack and said that I would be back. I left, and came back 2 hours later to see him sitting at the table in the same spot. They said that he would wander around, but would get sad and go sit down at the table again. He would say, "Tael at pee-school. I want to det Tael." As soon as he saw me he yelled, "Doe det Tael from pee-school!" When we walked in he was pushing past everyone to find Cael and gave him a huge hug. It was priceless!!! I never realized how connected they were. Today, day 2, when I got them both in their seats, Colby reached over for Cael's hand. They sat and held hands while they talked away. Colbs asked him about pee-school, and Cael asked him about the play area. Too cute!!!

 

 My two babies!!! Oh how I love them!!!

 

 I asked him to show me how excited he was to go to school. He started dancing!

 

His backpack that was almost as exciting as going to school.

Tender Mercies

So a while ago in church we had a lesson on tender mercies. I guess I never really knew what that meant. Since then, I have realized that I have MANY sent from above! Here are a few of my latest.

1)Being a mom is really hard. Chet has a saying he uses that says, "Nothing worth while was ever accomplished easily!" This is true. Being a good mom does NOT come easy. It takes un-human amounts of patience. It takes so much selflessness. It is just plain hard. I pray every night to be a better mom, some days I feel really good, and others ... not so much. Well I have really been struggling with some issues of motherhood. I'm just worn down and exhausted, but still with everything in me, want to be the BEST mom ever. Friday I was complaining to Chet, which he does not do well with. He is a solutions kinda guy. Don't waste time complaining, spend time creating solutions. He was really good to just listen and "bear" his testimony on the righteous decisions that I have made/make, and encouraged me to stick with it and that I would not regret it later. It made me feel a little better, but I was still pretty down. (Here comes the good part!) So, for date night we went to the high school basketball games. Towards the end of the girls game, I see this total cute mom come walking in. She was fit and trendy and smiling, and behind her walked 3 totally cute teenage boys. I was immediatly hooked! I was so intrigued! How did she get these boys of hers to sit with her, and not in the student section. Since it was almost the start of the boys game I assumed she had a boy playing. I wanted to go meet her. Chet thought I was crazy! He was already embarrassed, and I hadn't even went to talk to her. I started asking everyone around me who the lady in "the blue shirt is?" Nobody knew. Chet went to talk to a coworker, and I knew this was my time to go! I walked over to her and said, "I just have to meet you! You are so cute and fun looking, and I have to know your secret. Look at these cute boys that are sitting by you! How did you do it!" Her boys started laughing but were so nice. She was so nice. She asked me several questions. We talked for about 10 min, and she told me her "secret", which was exactly what I had complained to Chet about.  She encouraged me and told me that she could tell I was a good mom just because I saw "success" and wanted to know the secret, I was there asking for any help possible. She had no idea I was struggling like I was, or even what about. It took everything I had to hold back tears! When I sat down next to Chet (I could tell he was so embarrassed) I started bawling, tears of complete joy and gratitude! I was having a hard time getting control of myself. It put all worries and concerns to rest. I have not worried about those things since(6 days ago, but still), and I feel so free. I know Heavenly Father knows me, and wants me to succeed, and not only succeed, but be happy in the journey. It was awesome!!!

2) I have been worried that my boys will not be friends. I have worried that they will just hate each other as adults. Chet and I have been working really hard on helping the boys "love" each other more. 5 boys in the same house... tough task! They just seem so selfish. Chet was gone to mutual, and Caden wanted my help with homework. I told him that I would help when I was done cleaning up the kitchen after dinner. This is what I see next.

Carter was helping him with it. He was so patient and nice to him. Caden was thankful and they did a wonderful job. Carter would very kindly correct him by asking a question when he got something wrong. I just know that underneath all the choas, is love and respect. I was so happy!

3) While cleaning up dinner the other night, Cael calls me into the livingroom. He asks if I can take a picture.

Him and Colby were snuggled under a blanket and Cael was tickling him. It was so cute. Colby LOVES Cael.

I think that I need to worry less! I think that my boys will grow up loving each other. They fight and yell and complain about each other all the time, but in those little moments, you can see and just know that they truely love each other! I love my life and the tender mercies that I receive that let me know that I just need to endure to the end! And enjoy the ride too!

Poor Carter

A little while ago we shook up the room situation. The great advantage that we have is that they are all boys, and there is a great possibility that any boy could room with any brother. Carter was always complaining that his brother was a pig. Caden, without a doubt, is the worst. He roomed with him for 2 years, in the basement, and their room would not have passed health inspection. It was right next to the food storage room. I had to put a lock on it, because I realized that all of our soda and snacks were RAPIDLY disappearing. After bed, they were having "snacks". When we finally cleaned their room, there was NO doubt who ate it. I think it was too tempting for Carter once it got there, but little piggy number 3 was horrible!!! Food wrappers everywhere he could stash them. Well, we decided to give Carter his own room because he was by far the most responsible. He sleeps in a queen log bed in the basement, and feels pretty cool. He takes great pride in his room. The basement is a no Kimber zone. I stay out of it as much as possible. I know that it's gotten bad when the kids won't play there anymore. So today I told Carter that we would clean it together. I go down and there is Cael in Carter's room playing with his baseball machine. Carter has been somewhat complaining that his brothers were playing in his room, and I could see why. It was the only room in the basement that you could see the floor. Since Carter keeps his room clean, they had just migrated into his room.  Then they just leave the mess, and Carter cleans it. Poor kid!!! He is such a good boy. I sure love him. He is going to do something amazing! I told him that the other day and he said, "I know. I heard you and dad talking last night about me. I was pretending to be asleep, but I was listening." I love that boy!!!

Midnight

This has been one of the hardest days yet as a mom, minus the couple months when we were moving to Gillette. Nothing can trump those days! The boys have been OUT.OF.CONTROL!!! It's 12:04 am. Chet and I are laying in bed. The kids went to bed at 8 and we haven't heard them since. Someone starts to pound on our bedroom door. We jump up and it's Cars. "Mom, I have been throwing up since 11:00. I do not want to go to dads meeting with him." (ea Sunday one gets to go with him to early meetings and they go around setting up chairs for all the auxillaries) I asked him what I could do to help him, what he wanted. He told me a drink and throw up bowl. We walked into the kitchen, and low and behold, theres Cael. He's standing in the laundry room getting some water out of our water dispenser. I send him back to bed. I continue to get Cars his stuff while Chet tucks Cael into bed. Right as Chet is coming out of the hall, and me out of the kitchen with Cars, here comes Carter barreling up the stairs. He had all his church clothes in hand, so Chet says, "Ya getting ready for church buddy?" He just shruggs and wide eyed (I think a little shocked to see us all standing there at midnight) gives us an embarrassed smile. Who knows what he was doing. I just started to laugh. We have three kids up running around at midnight. What the heck!!! You couldn't make this crap up! As I set here writing this I am laughing so hard that I am crying. Why are my kids just wondering around the house AT MIDNIGHT! Holy moly. I don't even want to know what goes on in here. Good thing we have an alarm, so they can't leave! Oh teenage years, we are so not ready for you!!! (Cars just came in to let us know that Cael spilt his full cup of water. Lovely! I am teaching Relief Society tomorrow, and Chet has inviting someone to church tomorrow that will be sitting with our family. Curious to see how we work this one out!)