Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Sunday

Last Sunday was one of my least favorite days... EVER! It started off being a rough day just because it was the day that David was "supposed" to come home. Main Body 4 was returning that day, but they didn't have room for everyone and needed some to wait and go with Main Body 5. No one offered to stay, so my husband, being who he is, volunteered to stay. I was impressed he stepped up, but super frustrated that I had to wait even longer. I got the kids up and ready for church. There was lots of wailing, whining, and gnashing of teeth. A perfectly wretched morning! I was still fighting off a lingering cold and was feeling completely miserable. I finally got us all out the door and loaded into the car. I went to start the car and had to look around to see if diesel truck had started at the same time! I got out and looked under the car to find my exhaust system lying on the ground! How the heck?! No idea. I unloaded the kids, traipsed back inside, and had myself a good cry. The first of many that day. A friend offered to come get us and take us to church, but at that point I was in no condition to be amongst the masses! And then... my back went out! I was bent over like a ninety year old woman in incredible pain. Another good cry. And then the buses of Main Body 4 went by. Another good cry. Just one of those days, I guess. No fear... it got better. I have amazing friends and family that buoyed my spirits. Not to mention my kids crack me up... as seen in the pictures taken that day. Our super diligent Home Teacher came over and took a look at the car. Diagnosis... cracked catalytic converter. He spent a couple days during his lunch and after work working on it. Had I taken it in, it could have cost me near $1000 for parts and labor! $25 and a few days later, the car was good to go! I made it through that horrible, no good, very bad Sunday. Good thing David didn't come in with Main Body 4, I wouldn't have been able to pick him up! It all worked out for the best in the end. Things always do.

Oreo Man

Abram's allergies make snack time awfully tricky. He is allergic to milk, eggs and nuts. It pretty much wipes out all cookies and most crackers. While it can be good for limiting his processed food intake, sometimes the little guy just wants a cookie! Oreos to the rescue! While they can be quite messy, they don't contain any of his allergens. His favorite (occasional) snack!

Passing Time at the Park

Last weekend we did our best to pass time while waiting for David to get home. What better way than a little time at the park? Malia's pouty face was the result of running full force into the bar above her... oops! And as you can see, Abram is everywhere! Although the little step onto the sidewalk keeps cramping his running style. The little man has NO FEAR! A quick video...

Backrub for Brother

Abram has taken to throwing major temper tantrums, throwing himself on the floor and making quite the spectacle! Most days Malia just ignores him as he puts on his show. The other day, however, her mothering instincts kicked in and she tried to console him. It worked! She sat there for a good ten minutes rubbing his back. He loved every minute of it! I loved the break! It was nice to see them bonding, too!

Popsicles!

Malia would eat 10 popsicles a day if I would let her. It's her first request when she wakes up. Tired of telling her no constantly, I decided to try making our own popsicles from juice. That makes them okay for breakfast, right?? Why not! We started with orange juice but Malia was unhappy with the shade of purple the orange juice and food coloring made mixed together. We switched to apple and success!! As you can see, both kids rather enjoyed our creations! So much that they felt it necessary to paint their faces and the table!

Our Lil' Dragon

Hi-ya! Malia just finished her Lil' Dragons karate class this week. She loved her uniform... the class not so much. It took a lot of bribing and convincing to get her to go to class. Every time I asked her why she didn't like it she replied, "I just don't like to kick!". Once I finally got her into class she did well and was super excited to get stickers at the end. It was an eight class session and I was really tempted to switch her to another class so I didn't have to battle with her. However, I felt it important to teach her to stick it out and play along, even if it wasn't her favorite thing to do.... "I just want to dance, Mommy" was what I often heard. We are going to take a break from classes since we have block leave coming up. Maybe gymnastics next?

May Thus Far...

Not much to blog about in May. More unpacking and getting ready for David to get home. Malia did take a dance class and is now in karate. Pictures to come later. David is en route and we haven't been given a definite day yet. Hopefully sometime this week!

Kids enjoying some breakfast. Their newest favorite thing is for me to core the middle of the apple and then they go to town... Or as Mali calls it "apple with a big hole in it"... Note Abram's bruise on his cheek... makes him look tough...

I guess the only time I bust out the camera and have the patience to fiddle with the broken button is when the kids are eating! Enjoying some spaghetti and green beans...

A close-up of Abram's "sketti" face...

Mali enjoying her green beans... I believe she was making it into a straw... Although admittedly she looks like she is lighting up...

Abram is at that very messy stage of eating. I keep giving him a spoon and bowl... on the floor within seconds... But at least he's happy!

My little terror... a favorite past time... emptying the cupboards...

Malia and I have been busy constructing signs for David's homecoming. Here she is helping with the banner to hang on the fence outside post...

Our finished product... Although the green dried super light, so this morning I painted over it with a darker green. As I was doing so Mali said, "Ooooh, green like papa's uniform!". Then we sprayed sparkle paint over the entire thing. I figure if David happens to see this post at one of his stops, then at least he will know what the banner looks like so he can find it among the many on the fence!

Hopefully my next post will be pictures of our sweet reunion! Although I'm not quite sure how I am going to juggle two kids, a camera, a poster, and get to my man! Guess we'll see how it goes. I CANNOT WAIT!!!!

April 2010

Hello All! As you can see, I took a little blogging break. Lots of great excuses! Broken camera, moving in, Summer Wellness Challenge, preparations for David's homecoming.... I could go on and on! Nonetheless, I did manage to snap a few shots during the month of April....

Abram checking out the table top... A side note about the table... When we left UT we sold our table with the intention of getting a new one once we got to CO. However, when we got into housing last year, we had no dining room or even space to put a table! We got into a bigger house this time. No "dining room" per se, rather just an area with linoleum and the obnoxious stairs overhang. There really isn't room to fit an actual dining room table, so I think we are going to stick with the card table and folding chairs for awhile. Not to mention, the kiddos are at that age where their destructive tendencies can really do damage to furniture. Might as well wait to buy a new dining set for a bit! "FIX IT UP... WEAR IT OUT... MAKE DO... OR DO WITHOUT!" During the unpacking, Malia ran across her camping set from Grandpa and Grandma. What better way to utilize the set than to stuff it with Oreos??

Right after I got into housing I happened upon a garage sale and found this kid's kitchen... $30! Brand new it's well over $200! It fits perfectly along the wall and gives the kids something to do while I am cooking...

Easter weekend at Monika's... decorating cupcakes with Kaela. This is one of the few pictures I have from the weekend... Stinking camera!

Abram enjoying some Mac & Chreese... Non Dairy, Egg Free version of Macaroni and Cheese.... YUM! It's actually not too bad...

One of Abram's newest hobbies... emptying the toilet paper roll AND the trash can! He is angry because I chastised him... If I recall all I said was his name!

So there you have our life in April... mostly lots of unpacking! I was fortunate enough to have my mom and sister come out one weekend to help me get started. Thanks friends! Unfortunately, no pictures from their whirlwind visit :( On to May...