On My Mind Monday

Wanna Know what's been on my mind. My complete lack of desire to blog. I didn't even turn the computer on yesterday.
I wanted to blog about our anniversary on Friday, but didn't. 10 years you know.
I wanted to blog about 2 of 5 taking the ALPS test on Friday, but didn't. Maybe I don't want to jinx him, maybe I didn't want to say anything in case he doesn't get accepted. But, I decided that I know he's smart, and he knows he's smart, so who cares. That was an interesting experience. I'm glad it wasn't a competition. Some of those parents were pretty serious about having smart kids. Lots of charter school kids. lots of private school kids. Don't get me wrong, I would send my kids to a private school in a heart beat. But I couldn't afford to send all 5 of them, and how would I pick which kid/kids get to go. So we just don't. Contrary to the popular mind set, I was for vouchers. I just couldn't bring myself to even vote on them because I have a sister in law that was so appalled by the idea, and she was a special needs teacher before she decided to stay home with her kids.
I am starting to feel ready for spring. I LOVE the winter as all of you know. But there is something about January, long drawn out inverted January (If you live in SLC you know what I mean by inverted) I'm usually okay, until it gets here, and I hear it's on the way.
It is the YW turn to plan the combined YW/YM activity. We were going sledding on Wednesday. Are we going to have snow? Maybe ice. So now I need to come up with plan B. And, no ideas at all are coming to me.
I could go on and on about what's new and on my mind. Maybe some other time right?

4 of 5 and the Giraffe

I have never believed that 4 of 5 wouldn't do anything. I have always known that she was capable of anything. Sometimes I find myself disappointed, or confused at her not getting a certain concept, and have to remind myself that she has Down Syndrome. I put off potty training until she was 3, because people told me she couldn't and wouldn't until she was at least 5. And even then, It was going to be such a trial. We didn't put off self feeding, she was eating Cheerios like every other kid at 6-8 months, and sitting at the table with us in a booster seat using a fork at 18 months. Because I expected nothing less from her, I knew she was capable and could if we didn't stand in her way.
She still doesn't understand the why of things. Besides "mom said no" Like Why she can't sit on her sister. Why she can't drink/eat downstairs, or anywhere except the kitchen. And she tries for a new reaction about 3 times a day. She does understand why she can't touch something hot, and why we wear a coat when it's cold. Which leads me to believe that the effect has to be immediate and something that she will remember, and most of the time be unpleasant enough for her to understand it shouldn't be done, or pleasant enough to get her to do it again. We taught her that she had to sit in her car seat by offering her an m&m every time she got buckled. She fought and fought the car seat.
Now on to the giraffe. Last night I got home from YW 's and husband says " I asked her if she knew where her giraffe was, and she said yes, and I asked her if she would go get it, and she took off for 3 minutes and came back with it". Apparently he was pretty amazed at her ability to comprehend his instructions. I guess because I am the one that sees her all day, He doesn't get the daily moments where she gets it or tells use she wants yogurt for breakfast, using words. Or asks for paper. My favorite is when she calls 2 of 5 Debbie, because she can't say his name. Or 3 of 5 is MAM. She amazes me. I wish that the dr.s and geneticists would let a mom come in when they give a new diagnosis, so we can tell them all the things our kids can do.

Made in the USA

There are a few things my husband loves. Pens are on the top of that list, and anything made in the USA fills in most of the rest of that list. So because our 10 yr anniversary is coming up in a few days, I decided to get him something kind of nice and opted for a nice made in the USA pen. And since I know nothing about pens, nice ones or grocery store ones, I went into Shapiros and asked. I gave the guy price range and what my husband looks for in a product. And we came up with this pen. Now, I'm going to interrupt this story with this.... I don't get the pen thing. I enjoy a nice roller BIC pen with a nice grip. I like a pencil just as well. If it writes, I'll take it. I decided to give him his gift last night, because he got me a memory foam mattress topper, and I got it last night because he wanted me to pick it out. So as he's opening this i pick up the box and read, Made in China. I know, good luck finding something that's not. But, I'm irritated that the sales man told me it was a US product, and gave me this whole shpeel about how it was only 1 of 2 still made in the USA. And yes, I will pay more money for a US product. Any who, Shapiros will be getting an email from me.
That's my story.

On My Mind Monday

My daughter the pick pocket. It reminded me of our trip to YellowStone and we saw these ravens picking through some bikers things. You have to look really carefully for the birds, they blend in.

I have my On My Mind Monday all planned out last night as I was falling asleep, now it's gone. So I will just have to find something else.

I am a bit irritated about the banks and the bail out and the lending problems. I am all for what ever it takes bring the prices of homes down to affordable to those of us that want to stay home (1 income families). I am afraid for my kids. I thought this money was for the lenders to lend the public to get into homes and stimulate the economy. I guess I heard wrong. It was to line the pockets of the already wealthy. I read an article on Saturday talking about this bailout money, and CitiGroup owns a baseball team and stadium. Apparently 400 million of it went to the ball players salaries and stadium. And because it was on the MSN home page, it's gone and I don't know where to find it again to link you to it. (wanna know why I'm mad at MSN? They have started advertising this dating site on their home page with half dressed women in them. Can you look anywhere with out looking at smut?!?!) Talk about the rich scratching the back of the rich. Where does that leave us. Floundering. Fuming. Frustrated. What do you do? I was against the bailout in the first place, but what were the options? I know we just need to make sure we elect Representatives that have our same values and morals. But, on the other hand, which one of them doesn't just tell you what you want to hear to get elected?

Just a little frustrated.

Wanna Dog, part 2

So I went out to the yard to check for dog evidence. What I really wanted to do was prove the dog didn't do it. Like I suspected. And like I suspected, it was not our dog. But what did it, poses an even bigger problem. I was a raccoon. I have never encountered one of the vermin. Husband has. He said they are vicious creatures, and having a coon hound is not going to help with the problem like i was hoping. Apparently our dog doesn't eat them, he trees them. And if cornered, the raccoon would tear our pup up. And now that the raccoon knows we have chickens, it will keep coming back, so we now have to pen up the chickens and lock them in at night. Maybe we'll get a trap from the shelter. And as i knew getting into this, we were bound to loose a few to vermin.
Now, on to the next problem, what do I do about my 3 yr old wanting to alway sit on my 1 year old......

Wanna Dog?

We are in the middle of a change of sorts. I went out this morning to get the mail and found our rooster dead in the snow. Husband is convinced that it was dog. I am not so sure. Why would he eat just one, and why wouldn't he eat it.
I could blame this on him. I have been asking him to move the chickens to a more secluded inaccessible to the dog part of the yard. He agrees it should be done, but doesn't want to do it, and doesn't want me to do it. He on the other hand blames it on me, you know, he didn't want any of these stupid animals any way. I have always believed having pets is part of childhood, and helps kids learn to be responsible and caring. So yes, they were my idea. Life would be a lot more boring with out them.
I am prepared to part with all of them but the cat we see every few days. 1 of 5 hates the dog, she recoils in horror every time he looks at her. But, she does the same thing to 4 of 5. Please tell me it is an 8 year old thing, I'm getting really tired of the snottiness emanating off of her. Some days she is so nice to everyone, some days she tolerates us, some days she can't stand us. I was thinking about this this morning and really feeling sympathetic to my friend 29 babies she has 6 girls and 1 boy.
Can you tell I'm having a bad day? One of those days where little things build and build until....
So, I think we will just purge ourselves of pets, then husband won't have to move chickens, and i won't get the "they weren't my idea" lecture every time something happens with the pets.
Any takers? Or do you know anyone that wants a coon hound or some chickens. Minus one rooster? They are all layers, and even during the winter we get 7-10 eggs a week. Some of them are the right size for eating, I bet our big birds are 8 lbs.

Good Company

My sister from the south end and my sister from the north came up for a few days on Monday. That's where I have been, and the reason for no post. We mostly did nothing. Which is my idea of a good company. We went up to the outlet mall in Park City and shopped a couple (more than necessary) clearances. Carters always has the great sales at the end of summer and wither. And as I told my sister, if it's not 3.99 it doesn't leave the store with me. My kids all got winter clothes for next year. I ALWAYS pick up my kids clothes on clearance and off season. Other wise I couldn't afford to clothe 5 kids. OshKosh was also having an amazing sale. I got 3 of 5 a 70$ winter coat for 20 bucks, of course I bought it in an 8, so he can wear it for 2 years. And all the kids got new gloves. My mistake, I let them pick them out. 1 of 5 got a pair that will fit 5 of 5 next year. But, I think she thought they were cute. On Wednesday we just hung around. Ate at the Mexican restaurant next door and let the kids play. We had my 5, who are 8, 7, 6, 3, and 11 months and my sisters 1 year old, and my other sisters 3 and 1 yr old. So, we had 8 under 8. It was a bit crazy, and really chaotic. But, totally worth it. My one sister was done after the 2nd day, she had been away from home for 2 weeks. I totally understand. I don't like to be away from home even for 1 day.

I am so grateful to them also, they left my house looking like it did when they showed up. I spend 2 days before company comes, cleaning, so company has a comfortable clean place to stay. I really appreciate it when I don't have to clean when they leave too. And if any of you have ever seen my house, it's hard to really get clean because we are remodeling. And probably will be for the next 5 years.

Speaking of remodeling, husband finished the boys' room's closet. I am so excited. Now, if I can just get my hall done and the closet done, I would be content for the next year.

So finally, for a new years resolution. I am going to make a mindful effort to stop and think before I reprimand or get angry, or think a not so nice thought. I want to make a serious effort to be kinder, quieter, softer. In hopes that my kids will pick up on that, and my husband will grow to love my even more. I know it will make me a better wife, mother and friend. That's what we are here for right?????