Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Boys

What is it with boys and using the toilet?  First of all, how do you miss so much?  And if that wasn't bad enough, why do you always want to go outside and not use the inside toilet?  Because you can't aim right?  I get my boys peeing on the tree (thank you Brandt for teaching them that one).  But we have had pee arching beautifully off the 2nd story of the playhouse out back.  The other day Oliver just opened the back door, dropped his pants and let it fly.  Today I had Dylan or Oliver (can't remember) coming in and letting me know that Charlie peed either off of the trailer or next to the trailer or under the trailer.  Not sure how it happened, just saw the pee trail on the ground in the garage.  And then, WHY CAN'T WE WAKE UP TO PEE AT NIGHT?!?!?  I feel like we are NEVER going to be out of "nighttimes."  I think Oliver has maybe gone one night...EVER....with waking up dry.  And the twins are so sporadic but I think it is more off than on.  So sick of urine...

Monday, July 22, 2013

And it continues...

I've been running around like a lunatic this morning.  I woke up to find Charlie & Dylan had gotten out the scissors and opened Oliver's birthday present themselves.  I told them to put it all back.  They did.  Then I taught piano for an hour and a half and Oliver got into it and was playing with some parts.  So when I was putting it together 2 pieces are missing.  So I've been freaking out telling them to find the pieces.  No such luck so I took the new toys away telling them they can't play with any until the pieces are found.  Then I was yelling telling the boys to put their bikes away so they don't get stolen.  And on and on.  I am a bit frazzled.  I just made lunch and asked Charlie to bless it.  His prayer went something like:

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this day.  Please bless the food.  Please bless that mom can have a good day.  I don't like her to be mean.  Bless the missionaries.  Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Breathe in, Breathe out, Breathe in, Breathe out.....

Saturday, July 20, 2013

This one...

This one may make it so that I don't make it to old age.  This one is trouble.  I mean, look at him, stink all over that face.  Man, oh man, he will be our struggle.  We had quite the event last night proving this point.

Brandt and I and another couple went up to Deer Valley to see Steve Martin and the Utah Symphony play a concert.  The other couple's 17 year old daughter came over to watch the boys.  The twins met her once when Brandt was doing some work at her house and Oliver had never met her.  We talked about it all week and they boys were stoked, counting down the days, hours, minutes until she arrived to watch them.  They were watching out the window and they finally arrived.  Then it all fell apart.   The boys all hid and wanted her to find them.  She did but Charlie wouldn't come out.  When he finally did the waterworks started.  And because his started, so did Oliver's.  So this poor girl is probably, like, "What the crap did I agree to?"  I kept saying, as soon as we leave they'll be fine, I promise.  Little did I know...I was a big, fat liar.

The concert was great, company was great, etc.  We drove down the canyon and walked in.  She came over and said, "Everything is fine, but we need to talk."  Oh great.  She proceeded to tell us that Charlie stayed in his room for about a 1/2 hour after we left (I had put him in there and told him to stay until he felt better).  She went to the bathroom for a minute and when she got out, he wasn't crying anymore.  She went to check on him and he was gone.  She looked all over and he was no where to be seen.  So then she started freaking out.  She had Oliver and Dylan helping her try to find him and no luck.  She went to our next door neighbors to see if he was there, no.  Went to the next house (which we go over there quite a bit to garden) and no luck.  Dan got in his truck with D & O and they drove up to the cemetery and around the neighborhood to see if they could find him.  She came back  and was looking around the house again and didn't know what else to do before calling us or the police.  So, she kneeled down and said a prayer.  She said she got up, turned around, and Charlie had come up the stairs, not even 10 seconds after finishing.  She said she was just sobbing.  Apparently Charlie had gone down into our bedroom and locked the door.  She thought we had locked before we left it since it was our room and was respecting our privacy.  Charlie went into the back of our closet hiding behind our food storage.  He wanted her to "find" her.  In the process giving her immense emotional turmoil.  I felt so bad.  That sort of deal is NOT acceptable of my children.  I was embarrassed.  Never should of happened.

When I told my mom about his escapades she just said, "You know, I've told you from early on he is going to be a handful."  He is such an independent, bossy, I-want-it-my-way sort of child.  If it's not done the way he sees fit, or things aren't just so, he falls apart.   OR if he is short on sleep same story.  He doesn't need as much sleep as the rest of us but if he is lacking at all, watch out.  I don't know.  My kids have been fairly good.  Everyone says how great they are and I know they really are, but when you're with them day in and day out it's another story.  I'm really trying to enjoy it all.  The good and the bad.  But let me say out loud, IT IS HARD!  I'm continuously told that, and I quote, am the meanest mom in the universe.  That's right, universe.  Trying to usher O to his nap just now and I got "mom, you mean."  It all pays off in the end, right?  Tonight when they're all sacked out and peaceful in their dreams I will look at them and think, "yes, it IS worth it."  Just gotta hang in there until then.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Renewed hope in humanity

This morning Oliver had his 3 year check-up.  It occurred to me a few weeks ago that I never set up appointments for the kids so when I called there was nothing available until one late August and two together in September.  I was on the cancel list and got a call yesterday to come this morning.  It worked out splendid because Oliver would not go to bed last night and was fussing about his ear hurting.  So at his appointment today, Dr. Kathy checked out his ear and said he had some inflammation and fluid in his left ear.  We chose to treat it and had a prescription sent over to Costco. (by the way - otherwise healthy little boy.  we're so lucky.)

We got to Costco right as they were opening for the day.  Apparently a few of us needed prescriptions so I was told 30-40 minutes.  That's dangerous.  Wandering the isles of Costco with no purchase?  Screaming impulse buys.  Anyway, once we were about to the 40 minute mark (I think) we wandered back to the pharmacy and took a seat in the waiting area.  I was watching as a woman came to the counter to see if her prescription was ready.  She asked if the insurance was covering it.  The lady let her know that the prescription wasn't quite ready but that the insurance was good.  It would be another minute.  I watched her walk away and there was a VERY old man hunched over his cart going down the vitamin isle.  I watched her as she stopped and asked him if she could help him with anything.  It warmed my heart.  I was so grateful to witness that little moment.  So many times I am wrapped up in myself and frazzled from dealing with our rambunctious boys that I tune out the rest.  Think that I've already filled my quota of human participation in this world.  She walked up and down with him and then came back and asked if she could sit by us.  I told her "sure, as long as you don't mind the crazies."  She sat down and promptly asked if the boys would want to watch a movie on her phone while we wait (asked me, too, if it was ok).  So the boys all sat down and watched about 3 minutes of opening credits before my prescription was finished.  But the thought meant a lot.  How sweet of this woman to help out whomever  is in her path.  I need to be more like that.  Keep my eyes up and open and reach out to those that you can help.  Even if it's just for 3 minutes.

There have been many times I've been heard saying, "I hate people."  I don't literally hate people but I have a hard time with the things people do.  This morning I loved people.  It was a rarity and I need to make sure that I remember that there are good ones out there, too.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Today's Conversation

I was helping Oliver find his shoes so he could go out with his brothers.  In the process I found Dylan's sandals which means he went out barefoot.  So, I opened the door, tossed out the shoes and said, "Dylan, you have to wear your freakin shoes outside!"  I shut the door and continued to make their sandwiches for lunch.  Charlie came in side.

Charlie:  Can I watch movies?
Me:  No, go play outside.
Charlie:  I don't have my freakin shoes on.

Stifled laugh.  Mentally slapped my mouth.  I have GOT to watch what I say....

Charlie is also obsessed with the Les Mis soundtrack.  He LOVES the opening song "look down, look down...."  He sings it all the time.  He is slowly picking up the lyrics so he is in his room right now singing and I am hearing, "Look down, look down, it's hot as hell below."  Oh man....