The Weather fits the Mood

I love this weather. I love this weather, this time of the year. I totally enjoy waking up to feet of snow, crispness in the air and clear blue skies. I still don't like waking up in the dark, and it being dark at 4 pm, but the mornings like this make it totally worth it.
I have started my Christmas baking too. And actually, about a week later than I usually start. Growing up my mom always made cookies and froze them, with out letting any of us help, or taste. I decided a few years ago, that I want this to be my kids favorite tradition. So, if you get chocolate covered pretzels that look a little mangled, just know, they were mangled with love. We do very simple cookies, so the kids can help. I have done a few batched while they were at school, because it's easier to make them with 3 kids, than 6, but the pretzels and Chex mix is all them.
We are trying to get ornaments on the tree too, we have just not had any time. This is why I like to do it the day after Thanksgiving. Trent's family always did it for family home evening on the Monday after Thanksgiving. We tried to do that this year, but the house was such a mess after having the kids on break for the past 4 days, I couldn't bring something that big into the house yet. So we were a few days behind. Hopefully tonight is the night.
Then I have to find time to do my VT, prepare to play in Sacrament Meeting next week, accompany some friends for their number, and set aside enough time to make more cookies with the kids, do laundry... Sorry got off track thinking about all the things I have to do. Not have to do, want to do. Shopping is done, so really, the rest is just icing on the cake.

It is December

Why that just sunk in, I don't know. It is the 7th you know.
We decided to to family pictures yesterday, with some friends of ours. We decided to go out tho the Salt lake, and do pictures overlooking the lake. At Our house there was no wind blowing. At the lake, 17 degrees and a wind chill putting us at about 10. The kids were not happy. The 3 little ones cried the whole time. 4 of 6 shivered and whimpered, and when I tried to move her off the rock I had posed her on, I dropped her in the snow. 5 of 6 fell face first in the snow, the baby screamed because it was really windy, 1 of 6 only had eyes showing. The boys were fine, they could care less.
So. We packed it up, and came back to our house. Started a fire, took pictures of each others families, and called it quits.
We also have 4 of 6's pre op appt with the ENT. We will decide to day if and when we are having surgery. I say if, because I'm getting cold feet. I need her to stop wetting the bed again, but is this how we are going to get that done? I need guidance, in this decision. I don't want her to have to have surgery. I just want her to be that typical healthy kid. She's not, but I want that for her. I want that for me. That's not what I got. So we will go forward as we are, and things will work out the way they should. I just hope that I can make the right choices for her, and they will be in her best interest.

Made My Season

This kid totally got me excited for Christmas. This is my 3 of 6 when he was 6 weeks.
So it has been kind of hard to get into the Christmas spirit for about 2 years now. I could never put my finger on why, I just chalked it up to being pregnant or having a baby that didn't sleep. But, now I think I know what it was. My 2 oldest have not believed in Santa for the past 2 years. I chalk that up to 1) 1 of 6 is a bit pessimistic, and 2) she has a friend that told her he wasn't real when she was in 2nd grade. And then she told 2 of 6 the same thing. And, when your 8, and a boy, it's not 'cool' to believe.
We took the kids to the mall yesterday and Santa happened to be there, closing up shop. 3 of 6 was soooo excited. He called the kids down, and 3 of 6 ran. He was going to let them tell him what they wanted really quick before he left. I had to push the other 2. Although, I could tell 2 of 6 still had a little 'believing' in him.
Then at the UDSF Christmas party, Santa came in, and 3 of 6 just lit up. His enthusiasm has done wonders for my Christmas spirit. He's so excited. I was wondering if I was even going to get a tree. Now I am going to go down stairs and get my Christmas stuff out and set it up just so I can see the excitement on his face when he gets home.
4 of 6 also got a picture take with Santa last night, and she has carried around with her everywhere. She has no idea what Santa is, but there is something special about the guy. And the Santa that came to the party last night was amazing. He took the time to talk to all the kids that came to sit on his lap. Even the 20 yr old girl, he asked about her family and what she wanted.
I never understood Christmas as an adult. I love giving people things, and making gifts for neighbors, and giving my kids gifts. But it's so much more than that. It's the joy the kids get, it's the magic of Santa Clause, it's the lights on the houses and taking your kids to go see them. It's the kindnes of giving a little extra, so others can have a better Christmas.
Anyway, I totally get it now. And I love it. And it warms my soul. And brings me joy. Merry Christmas.

Done, almost

I am now almost done Christmas shopping. Except for one last 4 of 6 item, and odds and ends.
We are keeping it simple again this year. We do the 3 presents each to represent the 3 gifts brought to Christ. We get them one, Santa brings them one, and we get a sibling gift. SO 2 -6 of 6 will get 1 of 6 a gift. 1, 3-6 of 6 will get 2 of 6 a gift. You catch my drift. I have been looking everywhere for a set of dishes for 5 of 6. No one carries such a thing anymore. I mean the big boxes for 10 bucks. Not the puny ones for 20, or the porcelain tea set. And, does anyone have any ideas for a 9 yr old girl? I am tired of getting them something, and they open it, play with it once, then never look at it again. She wants Pet Shop things, but I think she's getting too old for that stuff. I don't know what they are into. You know, nothing is simple. I'm trying to keep it as simple as possible, and inexpensive. We refuse to put Christmas on a card, so that limits us very nicely. It's easy to not go overboard when you can't.

Post 400

I'm surprised I am at 400. I've really been bad at the blogging thing lately. So, a few things have been happening. We'll start with all things medical. Which means, 4 of 5.
She started wetting the bed again, after 3 months of being dry at night. So after 10 days of this, no matter what we tried (getting her up before we went to bed, or at 2 am, or at 6 am) I took her in to the dr. Another ear infection. Well, I can't even say another, it's the same one she has had for 3 months, it just hadn't cleared up, even with 3 courses of antibiotics. She had a lot of ear wax, so they had to irrigate. After screaming for 10 minutes, a clod fell out. It was her tube from when she was 1. (she's 4) SO I took her to the ENT. He said she had a ton of granulation, from so many infections, and the tube irritation. But he suspected a middle ear infection. And her tonsils were huge. Now we have to go to PCMC for a neck xray (if you know about DS you know their necks are not sturdy, so to take her tonsils out, we need to know how stable her neck is.) Then back to the ENT for a check before we do tonsil and adenoids and tubes. We will probably being having surgery next week if everything checks out ok. We are also on antibiotics again. She woke up dry this morning, I hate that she has had to be on them so much. Hopefully this will fix that.
See the cat up there? Want him? Dont ask, its a long story, but he needs a home. And not this one. He's way too friendly, which is huge, because he was borderline Farrel when we got him. He is box trained, he has beautiful markings, and deals with lots of kids really well. He actually rubs on the 20 months legs.
I had a bad mom moment yesterday as i was getting kids ready for church. 6 of 6 had been really fussy the past few day, an d i didn't know what the problem was. So Sunday morning i was putting socks on her feet, and i noticed she had a piece of hair wrapped really tightly around her toe. it was cutting off the circulation. Who knows how long it had been there. All is better now, but it had cut into her toe....
Oh, 4 of 6 cut her hair at GMAs again. Fun. Luckily it just evened out the cut from last time, She has super fine hair, and not a lot of it. We cant afford to be loosing it in clumps like this.
Now a complaint about the weight. I have been running 5 miles 5 days a week. And nothin. Not a single lb lost. What gives. I took all but 10 off after delivery, then pit 10 back on after my milk came in. So, I am 20 lbs from pre pregnancy, and 30 from where I want to be. Why won't it come off. I feel good, which is my biggest concern, but I just want to wear my clothes. To have more than 2 options for pants. Please? A little pay off for the hard work?
Sorry my catch up posts are so long. Have a good day.

Snow

I love the snow. I love winter. I love spring too, but I think that is because of winter. After a long cold winter, spring is just pretty and new. If it snowed everyday during winter, that would be okay with me. Although one of my favorite days are those when it's biter cold and clear and there's just a crispness in the air. You know, when the snow is so bright, it hurts your eyes, even with sunglasses. We got the yard winterized this weekend and it looks really good. I forgot how decent ( i wont say good) our yard looks with a little effort. We all got swine flu vaccines, kids got seasonal shots, chickens have slowed egg production, I think we are ready.
N0w let it snow.

Rumor Has It

It has been a rough few weeks. I have definitely been in a funk. It has revolved around 4 of 6, as usual, and Incorporated a little 1 of 6, a touch of 2 of 6, a dab of 3 of 6, and a slather of 5 of 6. I will run through, quickly the problem, so I don't dwell on it, and then tell you the solution.
1 of 6. We got her progress report. I would say nuff said, but I will elaborate. More than half her assignments were missing or late. What in the name of everything good and whole some are you doing? Are you too busy with, well, with what? Seriously, what else are you doing with your time that you can't hand in the 2 assignments a day you have to do? So, we are not on the computer until I see that the grades are up. The sad part is, her grades are good, when she does her assignments. What a disappointment, to fail, because you spend life in lala land. And a brighter note, her reading is now up to and past grade level. Because, she has tried and applied herself. And she can, she is so capable of excelling in whatever she wants to do.
2 of 6. Love the kid. But if I find his scout shirt, backpack, PJ's socks, and everything else he owns, on the floor. I am going to make him eat it. Or you send him out to feed the chickens, and they get half a scoop. You think that is why they aren't laying anymore? Or they have no water. How do you convince a kid that they need to take care of their clothes, and keep the Legos cleaned up, so their sister doesn't choke on them. Again. I don't think you can. I was that kid. I learned when I got a job and bought my own things.
3 of 5. Well, no complaints here. He's been a super kid, besides having to ask him 30 times to do something. But, he's 6.
Now it's 4 of 6's turn. We are back to wetting the bed. I don't know what to do. I am going to try to take her potty before I go to bed, and see if that fixes that. But I need suggestions on how to discipline a kid that doesn't get why she's in trouble. Stop picking up the baby. how do you teach her not to do that. Or pushing buttons on the DVD player, or pull the chair to the sink and play in the water. We solved that by putting the chairs ON the table. But as soon as I take my eyes off of her, she's doing something she shouldnt. And really, it's not like we have a TON of rules. But she doesn't do the things she's allowed to do, or play with her toys, she wants to be into everyone elses things. I cannot be with them 24 hrs a day, I have a house to run, other kids to pay attention to, and I like to run. I just have to remember, she doesn't understand. Some days she does, though. Some days she totally gets it. I just have to know what day it is.
So here we are to 5 of 6. She wants to ALWAYS sit on the potty. great. I would love to potty train you. BUT, 4 of 6 is still having accidents. Do I suck it up, and just have 2 of them having accidents? And the biting. I understand you are frustrated. But can we hit instead of biting. Can we do anything else besides bite? She only bites 4 of 6, so I know who she is frustrated with, how do I fix that. Other than that, she's a sweet kid. She sleeps all night long, gives great hugs, and runs to the door when you get home, to greet you.
The baby? The baby is awesome. She sleeps 7 hrs at night, I can console her when she's upset, (5 of 6 never calmed down as a baby) I really needed her. (knock on wood)