Family life with the monkeys

A triple adventure

2011-10-19T12:46:00.000-07:00

Today during lunch, I headed over to DI to find cub scout shirts. (Yeah, that's what I do during my free time).

I did not find a shirt, however, what I did find was MUCH more interesting.

First, I found a darling little cradle, which I thought was perfect for the cousin that one of my kids has for Christmas. :-)

isn't that just darling? I figure I'll have ben come up with something for a crib mattress, and I'll make a sheet for it. (Crochet probably, I would stick myself if I tried to sew something).

Then I found a really dumb Pokemon Yahtzee game, with one dice missing. I looked at it, analyzed it, and decided I could make a dice, and my kids would get a kick out of it. So I got it for Christmas, and a deck of cards, "would you Rather" ... kind of a fun adult game when we need something to do.

Then I saw it ....

Yes, that is a triple stroller. In good condition, for an AWESOME price. Keep in mind, I do not have 3 kids young enough to need it, nor do I ever intend to have Triplets! But it was too good a deal to pass up. So I called one of my sisters, and asked if she was interested. In all fairness, had she said no, I would have sent a picture to facebook to see if somebody else was interested.

I learned after checking out that collapsing the thing was not as easy as it looked. It involves pulling four pins, and taking off two wheels. (Missing wheels are in the cab of the car).

Then we have the simple problem, putting it in the car. The back seat was out, so the trunk it Was! Everything in the trunk went to the back seat, and I stuck it in the trunk the best I could.

Clearly it leaves something to be desired. So I crossed the street to Ace's hardware, where I got three bungee cords.

Not so bad if I do say so myself!

Here's another view. Hopefully it will make it home alive. And then .. I think we're not switching it vehicles. We'll just take it directly up to Idaho falls tonight and leave it at the drop off point. (My mother in laws house), so it can be picked up. Because I don't think it's worth it to switch that vehicles.

It was quite the Adventure!

My babies

2011-10-05T18:26:00.000-07:00

My babies aren't quite so little any longer. Would you believe this was 2.5 years ago?

Jacob is in scouts, and loving every minute. He got his bobcat recently and thinks tiger scouts is the coolest thing ever!!

Brandon is finding himself in the time while his brother is at school. Without an older brother, he's been able to play dolls with Megan, and watch the shows HE wants. (Which aren't Pokemon). He's growing up, and it's hard to believe he's nearly 5!

Megan is finally potty trained, and rather clingy. She loves girl stuff, pink, purses, and everything of the sort. Wow, don't know how she grew so girly.

Ben and I have new callings. He's in Webelos, and I'm the cub committee chair. (Which means I'm not as cool as the cub leaders, but I get to try to lead the leaders). Anyway, sorry for the lack of update!!

Adventures of the tooth fairy

2011-06-09T07:33:00.000-07:00

Twice in one week, bet you're shocked!! Jacob lost his top front tooth last night. He was so excited, (and the other one is going to follow any minute now, it's VERY loose). I'll get a really good shot when I get home, this is the one daddy got so I had some proof they don't really fall out "at the same time" .....

Last night the tooth fairy had to show up .... my best friend randomly commented that she had a few Bakugan she found in her garage, and I jumped at the chance!!! We instituted a "the tooth goes in a bag so the tooth fairy can find it" rule, and this morning he found the bag with 3 shiny quarters, and one little Bakugan. (Daddy saved the cards and the other 2 for bribery/later teeth).

He ran into our room jumping up and down that the tooth fairy gave him a Bakugan! He gave two of his quarters to his brother (which he'd said he was going to do, which was why the tooth fairy was so nice), gave one quarter to his sister, and kept the Bakugan. (Boy, what a surprise).

A few minutes later I hear a gasp that could only be a child gagging or hyperventilating. I jump out of bed, RUN to the living room, and find him with his mouth wide open, "Mommy," he whispered, "look what it turns into!!!" (It's an exceptionally awesome one that has a snakelike neck).

sadly, I have the sneaking suspicion the tooth fairy will be visiting again tonight for the other top tooth. But nothing can be as cool as finding a new Bakugan toy under your pillow. .... I never considered using little toys until yesterday, it turns out the kids are more excited for those than money, who would have guessed?

Family pictures

2011-06-06T11:49:00.001-07:00

we did family pictures this weekend, and it was SO fun. The kids are growing like little weeds, and cute as anything. (Not that I'm biased). Just wanted to share a couple of these shots I got with my phone, eventually I will post the real family pictures.

This is the kids afterwards, as all the children decided to stick their feet in the VERY cold stream.
and this was too cute not to share! My husband and my daughter. :-)

Brandon. Not Benjamin!!!

2011-02-02T18:17:00.000-08:00

at the beginning of the new year, Brandon moved up to a new class in primary. While trying to get 65+ children in their correct classes, somehow the name was messed up, and the roll says "Benjamin Paulsen" was in the four year old class ...

Brandon is still in speech. He's come a long way, but for those that haven't met him before, he's still hard to understand. ... so for three weeks his class must have sounded something like this, (while taking roll) ..

Teacher: "Benjamin?" [no answer]

other class Mate: [pointing.]

Brandon: it's Brandon. Not Benjamin."

Teacher: [not having a clue] ... OK ... Benjamins here.

Brandon: [near tears] my name is Brandon James paulsen.

Teacher: OK Benjamin ....

It was near the end of the month when Brandon complained to us in tears, explaining the problem. We talked to the teacher and corrected the problem. Poor kid. After we explained the mixup, they understood his real name better, because they knew what they were listening to.

He's now called "Brandon" and primary class is much better for him.

he got his first book of Mormon today, and he jumped up and down. He was so excited to get his OWN scriptures with his name on them. The first thing he did was flip through the pages to find the picture of Christ. Because finding Jesus Christ was the most important thing in the scriptures. I couldn't argue with him. He's right.

Cute and fast.

2011-01-25T13:10:00.000-08:00

The above picture is Jacob. Seriously ... it's the best I could get. otherwise his pictures look like this.
He's the yellow blur following the green and red blurs. ... on a side note, when my computer crashed in December it took the last YEARS worth of pictures! I'm still searching through files hoping desperately to find more. But at the moment, the last backup of my pictures was the previous December. So if anybody has ANY pictures of my children from the last 12 months ... I'd be most grateful.
I had a really rough day yesterday. So when I got home Ben sent me to my room, and I was brought breakfast in bed. (Albeit at 6 at night). It was awesome! Bacon eggs and muffins. Clearly if mommy gets to eat in bed, Megan should too! She brought in her dinner, climbed up by me, and proceeded to eat. The boys were eating in the Kitchen, but mom wasn't. So she wouldn't. It was a wonderful dinner, just the two of us.
Brandon got himself a haircut recently. It was so funny watching him be a "big boy" sitting in the chair while Jenn cut his hair. He was so proud, and Jacob insisted that only Jenn gets to do his hair from now on. No more daddy hair cuts.

Da little Drama Queen

2010-12-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

Today I promised Megan some one on one time. While cuddling her, I promised she could go to the store with me today. Just me and her. Time got away from me and when ben got home from taking my nephews home at about 9:15, it was time for me to go. The kids were almost asleep, but Megan somehow still heard Ben telling me he was home and I could leave.

Suddenly she was up, grinning, looking for her boots. Even though it was well past bedtime, I decided to let her go. After all, I'd promised.

On the way to the store we chatted, and at the store she was laughing, happy and having a grand time. Until we hit the checkout. At the checkout she put her head on her hands and looked so tired. She gave them the look that clearly said, "poor me, my mom has me out so late and I'd much rather be in bed."

Of course, she got the sympathy she wanted. The second we walked out of the store, she was all smiles again. Bouncing with the beat of the Christmas music in the car, laughing, and in a very good mood.

Don't get me wrong, she was tired, but not nearly as tired as she appeared at the checkout. *sigh.*

my background

2010-12-03T11:31:00.000-08:00

quite proud of this. :-) Worked hard on it. I just love these pics of my little one's. :-)

4 Years today!

2010-11-01T12:58:00.000-07:00

It's Brandon's 4th birthday today. It amazes me that he could be that old already I guess sometimes kids grow up when you aren't looking. He's very thrilled that he's almost as old as Jacob now. (He doesn't realize yet that in two weeks Jacob will pull another year further away again).

I remember the day he was born, what a little angel he was. Even though he spent a week in the NICU, the nurses would tell me he was a good baby. Hardly ever cried. Although when he did, there was absolutely no doubt he wanted attention and he wanted it NOW. He had the piercing cry that no mother could ignore.

He's no longer a baby. He loves running, playing, and arguing with his brother and sister. They are best friends, but he has his own mind and won't go for a game where he's told exactly what to do. (Much to the chagrin of his older brother).

He loves cars, and is all boy. He's an opinionated little tyke. He does have another two years home before kindergarten though, because his birthday is later in the year. Although in two years he'll be going crazy from waiting around at home while his brother goes off to school.

Anyway. Brandon's Birthday; isn't he cute! The picture was taken Saturday .... I had a hard time finding a really recent picture. He tends to avoid the camera.

:-)

My not quite "Irish Twins"

2010-09-21T12:39:00.000-07:00

I'm not quite sure where it got started, but "Irish twins" are two children born less than a year apart. I'm assuming it's because people think Irish people have a habit of having lots of babies close together. For that sake, why don't they just call them, "Mormon twins?"

My two youngest monkeys are almost fifteen months apart, so they aren't quite Irish Twins ... but close enough. Lately I've noticed them getting to be closer and closer, and if I didn't know better, I'd say they were twins.

Brandon doesn't talk so great sometimes, and Megan is much more easily understood. Now that older brother is in school, the two of them spend more and more time together.

I was trying to cook and they came to visit. They sat next to each other for a few minutes, but then decided to start bugging each other. The other night they were watching a movie in their room, and Brandon whined, "Megan, I can't see!" So Megan flipped over to face him, staring at the wall, "Brandon, you're in my way!"

Best friends, worst enemies. They play together, tease together. The other day I was at the store and I kicked myself I didn't get a picture. Megan was asleep when we got there, so I put her on a pillow in the cart. She woke up, and Brandon wanted to join her, so I had both of them curled up in the cart pretending to sleep.

they get along really well .. I just dread the day Brandon gets to go off to kindergarten, and Megan has to stay behind.

Reminiscing

2010-08-12T09:08:00.000-07:00

This photo was taken recently at the family reunion. Megan and Brandon.

This was taken 2 years ago (or 3?) in a field. It's Jacob and Cousin Alexia.
This picture was taken on the carousel at Porter Park 3 years ago. The 2 kids in question would have nothing to do with the horses. It's Jacob and Brandon.
Brandon's opinion of the horses hasn't changed any. :-)

Loving the park

2010-07-21T18:08:00.000-07:00

How did a whole month pass?

Kids are doing great; still growing and being monkeys. Megan hit the terrible twos. Today grandma was trying to say no, so she covered her mouth and said, "don't say that." ... how fun!

Both boys are officially potty Trained! Jacob has been for a while; but he's now off pull-ups at Night (as long as we have a 3 A.M. potty trip). Brandon doesn't even need that! 2 down, one to go! :-)

The little daredevil and fathers day

2010-06-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday was busy. The kids had activity day in the morning, and we went swimming in the afternoon. Swimming; two adults, three children. And each as different as night and day.

Currently? Jacob would wade as far as he could, grab the edge, play a little, splash, and come back. Brandon sat on the edge and refused to touch the water, and Megan realized that she could walk in water.

By the time we finished; Brandon had worked his way to the third stair down. (Which means he got wet all the way to his waist! He was even leaning over playing in the water, but under no condition would he even allow anybody to carry him in the water).

Megan on the other hand; would walk as far as she could. Try to keep going, and so we'd pick her up and carry her for a minute. She'd try to get down, even though her feet couldn't touch. So we'd turn around, walk back to where she could reach, and set her back down. She'd walk back to Brandon, turn around, and head back out. Fighting off anybody who tried to hold her hand or help her walk.

This is after we got out and dressed.

If you look into her eyes, you can see she's still clearly blaming me for daring to take her out of the water. The boys were ready to go, she would rather stay in the water ALL day ....

At the primary activity day the boys decorated ties for daddy. :-)
Ben wore both of them on Sunday. He even pinned the line between them so both would remain seen all day at church! Church was hilarious! One dad had 5 primary aged kids, so he had five ties around his neck. Most only had 2-3. (A few grandpas leeched one off a daddy so the daddy didn't have so many).

Awesome idea! And very brave dads. It did come with a really cute poem about how much they love daddy. My favorite line, "wait 'til you see what the other kids made."

The dad's obviously love their kids, and it was SO interesting!

Balloon animals

2010-05-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

Just for fun I decided it was time to learn to make Balloon animals. Does it have a point? Not really. But it's fun! :-) At a recent thing we were at, Jacob really wanted a balloon animal. There was a line, so I tried to talk him out of it. But of everything there, (it was a library carnival thing), he wanted a balloon animal. So we waited, and waited, and waited.

After 45 minutes of waiting (only to have the balloon pop an hour later), he was satisfied, and I decided maybe this would be a fun talent to have.

So I got balloons, and worked on it. and I found the simple dog isn't so hard. It's when you try the harder variations that we run into problems.

Like this.

No, I didn't make this. I wish I did. This is the elusive balloon turtle. I popped five balloons today trying to turn out a decent turtle. (I popped four more trying to do the bunny). But I got the hang of it and turned out a really ugly couple of turtles, and a funny looking bunny. I even turned out a decent hat.

For the record, I was able to find a few balloons, (with a pump, because you don't want to do the balloons without a pump), for 2 dollars at family dollar, but getting more than 12 balloons in a bag without a pump? Not so easy.

Finally I found them online ... and there is one awesome party store in Idaho falls that actually HAS twisting balloons.

Long story short ... I really stink at this, but its' fun to try. And the kids really enjoy it. Also, it's nice to know when they pop them, they are easy enough to replace.

Ward Party!

2010-05-12T09:32:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we had a ward party. And honestly, it was a blast. Whoever came up with this idea gets serious points! They had lots of animals. It was like a petting zoo, (it was over at a members house). Different people in the ward brought some animals. And we had a cookout.

These are the goats. Seriously ... those two little one's were about two days old! :-) It was so darling. And the short hay bales were so kids (human one's, not the goat kids), could climb in and out at will. They also had bunnies, chickens, chicks, sheep, and a hay ride.
Not to mention the kids total favorite ... the horses! Jacob got on a pony ... for about two minutes. But he got on! They had ponies and horses, depending on what people preferred.
Megan ... little daredevil. Was so excited to ride a horse! And she didn't really need help. (Somebody was leading it ... I promise). I actually walked alongside her, because I didn't trust she'd stay on the saddle.

It made for a very exciting day

when we got home from our very exciting day, Megan fell asleep (at 5:30!!! - and wouldn't wake back up), and the boys slept very well too! They had kid toys too, it was a house, after all. So there were slides, swings, and this climbing toy. When the kids got tired of animals, they'd play for a few minutes, grab a cookie off the food table, and be back out with the animals.

I'm not sure, but I think all the chicks actually survived the day! (Shocking considering there were ten little chicks and LOTS of children holding them).

Anyway, the kids had an awesome Saturday!

Quick update.

2010-04-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

Truth be told, I have nothing new to say. But it's been over a month and the guilt is getting to me ... so I thought I'd sit down and chat for a few minutes.

Good morning computer, how are you today?

Jacob is loving his preschool, and he appears to be doing really well. They report that he knows all his letters, and sounds (I knew that, he's known them for a while), and he knows the numbers 1-10, and what they mean. His colors are fine, but he's shaky on a few of his shapes. Ah well, we'll work with him. And get him to count higher.

Brandon is enjoying speech, it's the highlight of his week when he goes alone to speech with daddy. He also loves when Jacob goes to preschool, because that means it's just him, Megan and daddy, and he's the oldest. What a ham.

Megan is a daredevil, and scares me to death sometimes. She likes to climb up onto Jacobs bunk, or swing on the bunkbed, or jump onto pillows ... or anything else that the boys really didn't do. At a park, she slides down slides fearlessly - headfirst. EEEEKKKKK.

Anyway, just a quick update, so you know I do still exist, as do my children.

Spring Break

2010-03-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

in the Paulsen house, it's adventure week! Or in other words "mommy's spring break."

The other day, we went to campus and rode the glass elevator. (Which still makes mommy nauseous ... I hate seeing the ground!). The kids thought this was an adventure worth having every day!

then we went to the park, had a picnic. And here we are at a friends house, playing on the swings!

The kids are so different from each other. That's for sure.

<- Jacob wants to do it "all by himself." And hates being pushed, because he hates going high.

<- Brandon prefers swinging at his own pace, on his belly.

While Megan, little monkey, wants to swing high, fast, and a lot ... for a really long time. What personalities! Today ... we're going to see the fish at Cabellas!

Bilibo giveaway

2010-03-01T13:28:00.000-08:00

Ok, normally I so don't do this, but I have to comment about a giveaway I ran across today. It's for a Bilibo (look it up if you don't know what it is, thinkgeek even has them). It's a sort of turtle shell like toy for kids, and is basically a random large shell for extreme imagination.

I've seen these and thought, hey, I want one of those, but can't justify the price tag. (Nearing 25-30 dollars). It's cool, but not cheap.

Anyway, at this place, http://hannahsplaceforeverything.blogspot.com/2010/02/bilibo-play-shell-giveaway.html she is giving one away to a random follower. So I followed her ... because honestly, besides being interesting, it's a chance for a free kids toy.

The giveaway ends March 3, so do it by then! The chance of me getting the random toy is slim, but it's cute anyway. So go over there and try for it, it's more of an "imagination" than a "do something" toy, which kids need more of nowadays anyway.

:-) Have a great day all!

Family ties

2010-02-17T18:33:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, but I Thought I'd post about what is going on in our lives. Mostly I've been keeping my other blog updated, (the ramblings from my inner mind), but this is the "family blog" and I know many people ... (maybe as many as 2 or 3!), actually check here to see how our family is doing.

So: Ben, doing great! Very happy, good with the kids.

Me: love love love my job! And my family!

Jacob: started preschool here, and he enjoys it a lot. Brandon: starts speech next week, as active as ever. Talking, laughing, and pretty much a handful.

Megan: talking more, and more opinionated than both her brothers put together. Totally didn't see that one Coming!

This weekend we're here, next we'll probably head to Idaho to visit family, because Ben's sister is due late this week, so I'm assuming she'll have had it, (maybe), by next weekend. :-)

We went to Ikea the other day, and got little train tracks for the kids. The boys think they are so awesome, and love nothing better than playing trains all day, and even make up these cute little stories.

Megan enjoys the wooden trains, for a while, then she goes off and does the girl stuff. She's a girl, and she knows it. She cuddles her dolls, and puts them to bed. She pretends to feed them, and on occasion brings daddy her hair stuff and has him do her hair, because she likes It! she is definitely a girly girl! It's exciting.

Anyway, that's about all for now. Love you all!

House Husband

2010-01-15T13:14:00.001-08:00

Although Ben has been staying home with the kids since he lost his job and I went to work, this is a little different.

I'll be working nearly full time, while he stays home with the monkeys. Day in, day out. And somehow, I still need to be a mother, and do something at home.

In a way, I'm relieved, he's always had a way of getting things done at home that I can't. I can come home from work, and the kids are happy, fed, and the house is clean.

Including the laundry! I helped with the laundry the other day, and realized quickly that I am not supposed to touch the laundry anymore. Everything I folded, wasn't folded right! And I put things in the wrong piles!

So final opinion? he does a better job than I do at home. So I guess this sojourn into working while having a full time daddy at home .... will be for the best!

And the best part ... he mates socks!

Techie geek?

2009-11-13T21:45:00.000-08:00

I've never considered myself to be at the "cutting edge of technology." In fact, typically, I run so far behind the pack it's not even funny. But working with computers, as I'm prone to do daily, I have apparently became one of those weird people who knows something ...

I can change an IP address, I understand some things about computers. As for technology ... I use a broadband Internet card, (which shockingly ... is one of those "newer things"), and I just installed windows 7 on my computer. (Hey, students get it for cheap! .. and working on campus, I qualify close enough to count)

Am I even close to the cutting edge? Not really. But I enjoy where I am. I'm in a position I can watch what's coming out with curiosity, and do what's best for my family, and my computer.

Every day ... (see, I am a geek), I check the news through Google news, I am on facebook, twitter and I have a family blog. I also have multiple Email addresses. (Work, Friend, and junk)

Then there is even a handful of sites I like to check daily. From my favorite blogs, to a couple online comics, and zooborns, cakewrecks, and horriblelicense plates. These are all my daily smiles, and help keep me updated.

Part of being updated, I know was for my job. When I know what is going on in the world, it helps my spelling ... because I have seen the words before. (Plus, when governor Schwarzenegger or somebody with schizophrenia makes the news, I like a heads up before the teachers start to throw these around in casual conversation).

I like sending occasional words to the Typewell folks, simply because in my computer classes I type, I see some of the newer words, the one's that haven't quite made it to websters dictionary yet. (Did you know Blog is even a newer word for some folks?)

So overall ... I guess I'm no longer in the tech illiterate group, but not quite at the top of the mountain yet. I doubt I ever will be. But I'm close enough to get a good view!

Veterans Day

2009-11-11T07:36:00.000-08:00

Today is Veterans day, 2009.

Yesterday was the fort hood memorial service, and I have a wonderful Twitter friend who actually lives on fort Hood, and wrote a firsthand account of the events of that day, and the service.

Even if I bore you ... read it! http://thisfabulousarmylife.blogspot.com/ It's amazing!

Anyway, today I was thinking about my life as an air force brat, which seems so far behind me sometimes. On the radio this morning, there was a song (this Version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p2EW3yBqSk ) and it made me cry.

I hardly remember dad not being there as a child, because mom was an awesome mother, and made up for it somehow. When we were in Panama, she made sure we made little audio tapes of our voices for Christmas for grandparents, so we could tell them merry Christmas, and in a way, not seem so far from them.

I remember dad telling me a touching story about the brother I almost had. When he was in Korea, he spent his spare time with the Chaplain, and quite a bit of time at a nearby orphanage. There was a cute little boy there. He'd been on the streets for a while, his mom had given him some money before vanishing, and he knew to take it and ask for his favorite treat from the vendors when he was hungry.

They brought him in, and he wouldn't really talk. He was scared, and alone. Dad grew to love this boy, and was planning on adopting him and bringing him home. However, another family fell in love with the boy, an Air Force translator, and his Korean wife. They ended up adopting him, but hearing dad tell the story, he still has a soft spot for the child that I was never able to meet.

Daddy missed the births of two of my siblings. He was in Korea for one, and new jersey for the other. He met President Bush (the first one), back when he was vice president. (And didn't recognize him until they announced him as the next speaker).

I remember that when we went to a movie theater, the star spangled banner would play before every movie.

I was only eleven when dad left the military, and sentenced us to civilian life, but deep inside, that will always be a portion of who I am, and my past. I miss those years, and I admit I have Military issued "gypsy feet", I always want to be going somewhere, but I'm grateful for the way life panned out.

My children will never know military life. They will never experience the pain of having a father overseas, or the joy of having them come home. But I will do my best to make sure my children have the same love for their country that I do. I am an American, and have always been. But true Americans don't just live here, they understand what their country means. More than just on the fourth of July.

Those friends I met during those years, have never left my heart, and some I will probably never see again. (Usually because I don't remember their last names, children have that problem).

A thank you to all those who have fought for our country, who have served our country, and the families who love them, support them, and grieve for them.

Halloween

2009-11-04T08:12:00.000-08:00

We've come to that dreaded time of year. The time when people with masks come out, leading to months of terrified children.

This year, we did remarkably well. Not only did the kids go to the trunk or treat, but they all did remarkably well, and only had a few people they wouldn't go near because they were terrifying.

All in all, I was greatly impressed with halloween. It was lots of fun. Jacob was a fireman, Brandon was a farmer (and we actually got the hat on him), and megan was a cute little dinosaur.

Sensory Integration

2009-10-08T09:41:00.000-07:00

Sensory Integration disorder, OCD, vs ... my sanity.

Score: not very pretty.

Let me explain something about my son here ... he's not spoiled. He's not the way he is because he's special or because I have let him act like this.

He's ... just Jacob. If everybody would accept that he is the way he is, life would be easier.

Jacob has sensory integration disorder. You know how when you run your fingernails on a chalkboard, it bothers you? Imagine that ... except worse, and you don't know how to deal with it.

Some things in his life .. just ... bother him. And he doesn't know how to deal with it.

Toe socks, Buttons, Snaps, Zippers ... these are all in this category. They just bother him to an extreme that he doesn't know how to process.

We've come such a long way.

Mom: Jacob, it's time to go.

Jacob: alright.

[Snapping seatbelt on]

Jacob: {breathing deep} it's not in order!!!!

This used to confuse me, now it doesn't. He's not hysterical, Yet. But he's close. His problem is simple, his seat belt is twisted, not straight. If I fix it, we can go on, and life is great.

If I am in a hurry, and leave it alone, his mental process overloads and we have a meltdown ... and it will continue until either his seatbelt is off, or "in order."

We can't all work around him, there are plenty of times I can't work with it. But when its' something that takes two minutes to fix, its' quicker are fix it then deal with it.

This morning, I put Jacob's blanket on him as I left for work. He immediately started getting upset. The blanket was bunched up in places and folded in places. So I pulled it tight, straight, and he drifted to sleep again, because his world is once again, in order.

We don't like mud on our hands, or anything gross like that. Or our feet for that matter. Socks don't work on occasion ... and we can completely forget overalls.

Costumes ... another that doesn't go well. Random guy in a bear, or dog, or anything else suit .... we have a meltdown. This includes Santa. In fact, he's terrified of Santa. Last Christmas I had to promise him Santa would not come in his room before he'd go to sleep.

Yet sometimes, it's hard, because all I hear is .. "you just need to be strict with him", "you spoil him" ....

It's hard wired. It's not parenting, it's not me. It's not him. Its' just ... his brain. He's learned so much. Two years ago he just broke down. Now even when he's upset, he can explain the problem, and I can fix it. sometimes we still have problems. But we survive.

Babysitters: ick. Ick. Ick. Ick.

believe it or not ... I have had two good friends tell me, "I'm sorry, but I can't babysit your kids at my place anymore."

Really? No way! Apparently, my kids have problems with people they don't know and meltdowns over things. Especially Jacob. Yes, especially Jacob.

So when I get lucky, like now, to find a friend who likes babysitting my children ... worth more than gold!!!

Anyway, that's my random diatribe on my child. Who by the way, is not spoiled, or a bad child. He just has problems with sensory.

Grandma Power

2009-10-05T12:34:00.001-07:00

Here is Grandma Reading the little old lady who swallowed a fly

There she takes them to the park

Then she reasons with them.

And we know the lego's weren't for the children

But when all is said and done, we have happy, well adjusted, superheroes.

The end.

Dream Jobs 101

2009-09-03T09:04:00.000-07:00

Alright, here I'm listing a few jobs that are rewarding, entertaining, and wonderful in their own right .... ready? Although I'm a mom and a transcriber, the rest are just cool.

Transcriber: woohoo! Dream job! I get paid to go to class, NOT do homework or tests, learn awesome stuff!

Pro: go to classes I never would have taken, and learn really awesome stuff.

Con: I don't get to play with the cool toys, like transistors, resistors, and computers!

Think Geek Product Tester:

Hey, I'm a transcriber! I should wear their "I void warrantees" shirt, I am rough on everything. I love looking through the totally awesome stuff on their website (www.thinkgeek.com), and there are some stuff I would have so much fun playing ... err.... working with ......

Now if only they had something really cool as a laptop case that stays on when it opens, you know what I mean? Holes in the back for cords to go in where they belong, and little pockets so you can put flash drives and other stuff you need in little pockets. Cause I hate searching in my bag for a flash drive, or where the heck does my Internet card go when it's in use? (Attached to computer with a short cord. It ends up on my lap or keyboard)

Pros: find cool problems and play with cool stuff. get to give feedback that people read.

Con: trying to think of nice ways to Say, "yeah, this product is awful," or "somehow I broke your two hundred dollar toy, and I don't know how to fix it!"

Ok, this isn't even a job that people need to get paid for, it's fun it it's own right! The paycheck is a bonus!

Mom: yeah, it's awesome. Get to play with the kids, and their "I love you" is the best reward a woman can ask for!

Pro: you can't get fired, and rewards are endless.

Con: you can't get fired, and never get breaks, but we love it anyway.

Blogger:

Wouldn't it be cool for people to care about what you write?

Pro: people pay attention to you!

Con: what happens when you get writers block?

and times up, gotta head to work!

Sand Dunes

2009-08-22T07:10:00.001-07:00

We took the kids to the sand dunes earlier this week. It's the last week before school starts up. Tuesday I start school, Wednesday for Jacob. So we had to have a little fun this past week. :-)

And I played apples to apples the other day with a couple friends. You know how the green cards y

ou win are supposed to say something about you? (Well, not really, but its' funny to read them all). I finished with these cards:

Hello. My name is inigo montoya, you kill my father. Prepare to die.

2009-07-27T11:38:00.000-07:00

So my computer and me have been fighting. When I'm here, I either have no time to write, nothing to say, or the only place I have to write stuff is the "entry title" line, because my computer has decided the entry box shouldn't be allowed to be viewed. Go figure.

Jacob has been officially diagnosed with tourettes. I knew he had it, but the diagnosis makes it more final I guess. And honestly, I don't intend to do anything with the diagnosis unless he has problems in school and needs a service plan. lets hope that never happens, but should it happen, at least we have that there to get him the help he needs.

And the fall semester, it appears I'll have lots of hours, 20-30 a week! That means I'll have to buy a bus pass, because I'm not driving one hour drive, five days a week, each direction. Yeah, not gonna happen.

As for me ... well, I've been exhausted, cramping, and pretty miserable for months on end. Finally, with my monthly two months late, I went in. Cysts. Lots of them ... the right ovary has one as big as the ovary itself. which explains a lot, but doesn't make the cramping go away! Pity. (good that that anybody that reads this knows me ... cause now you get to listen to me whining!)

I love work. I love my kids. It's amazing how the two feed each other. As long as I have a chance to work, to prove to myself I'm capable of working, to give my mind time to stretch, I enjoy every second with the kids. I enjoy life. It's good for me. When I don't work, I have kids 24/7 ... I almost have a harder time.

I know being a stay at home mom is noble and all, but I can't do it. I don't have it in me to NOT work. It's too hard. I need to be out, and not just for the money. Its' for my sanity. honestly, you guys that stay at home 24/7, I admire you. I really do, because I've learned that emotionally, I'm a wreck when I'm home all the time.

The cysts ... hurt! I'm sorry for whining, but freak, they hurt!

So that's the short of things, Jacob's ticcing, I have cysts - and am definitely totally NOT pregnant, and the IUD is also definitely not in there. Remember a few months back when they couldn't find the IUD? Well, last week the Dr. did a complete evaluation of my insides to search for the pain. They found the cysts ... and between the external and internal ultrasounds ... yeah, there is SO not a baby in there, and the IUD is not there either. So who knows what is going on. My biggest worry now, with the cysts, can I get pregnant again?

My family is not complete. I feel deep inside, I am missing somebody. One more child. But can I get them here?

Got a new Internet card ... for work I need Internet access, I can't live without it. So I finally had to replace the lost one. And honestly, I like this one better. It hooks up differently, and is a lot less likely to break. (A good thing when I have three kids).

what am I forgetting? Oh yeah ... the reunion! Lets talk about cool ... the westover reunion was last week, and I honestly enjoyed it. So did the kids. But putting them inside now? They don't like that idea so much. They have enjoyed being free to run. Brandon has grown up a lot though, today he told me he was ready for a nap. So I laid him down, and he went to sleep. I was shocked!

Well, that's all the news there isn't. Love you!

Just pictures

2009-06-30T10:31:00.000-07:00

Cat vs mouse. The season finale

2009-05-20T08:05:00.000-07:00

cat and mouse. Me against him.

I have a mouse problem. I’ve had it for weeks. He’s little, mousy brown and gray, with a little white spot just above his right ear. We’ve been arguing for weeks. He lives in my van.

I first noticed when my horseradish was chewed on in my glove compartment. Just a nibble out of each package. But enough that I would never use them.

Then there was a roll of nested toilet paper. That was gross to clean up. I wondered how he got in, but mice are bad this year, and I live on a farm. He probably crawled in my warm engine after I pulled up home sometime, and fell in love with it.

So I clean up the van. I found a few remnants, and no mouse. As I finished, he ran in front of me, I shrieked, and he jumped on the ground. I assumed this meant the game was over, set, match. This was my first good look at him, and he was kind of cute. And fat.

The next day, the remnants of a hamburger from the day before …. Chewed on. The mouse is still around. I set a trap with peanut butter on it, and it’s undisturbed, but there is a paper chewed right next to it.

I set the trap, he leaves a mark that he was there, but he isn’t going to be caught. Me and this guy have been going the rounds for ages. The packages of peanuts in my glove compartment chewed open and took forever to clean out. A slight nibble on a seatbelt. The drawer under the passenger seat carries an emergency supply of sugar for me, and my caramels all had one little corner missing from them, in mouse sized nibbles.

This was war. Cleaning the van doesn’t work. Because …. Well, I have three kids, I am not a clean vehicle person to begin with, and I live in the van practically.

If it’s left there, he chews on it, and he’s driving me nuts. Megan drops her bottle, its’ too late to go back for it, and the next day the nipples chewed through.

I leave garbage bags there to clean out the van during my break, and there is a hole nibbled in them before I get back to the van.

I pull up to Winco and the stupid thing jumps out of MY door when I open it, and stares and me, then scurries under the van. Its’ the same creature, I know it. He didn’t leave! And it’s not a new one, it’s the same thing.

Obviously he is getting back in. If I was smart, I would have gotten back in the van, and pulled out right there. But I didn’t and he stays.

Today I get in the van, and a smell assaults my nostrils. The mouse died in there yesterday. And it reeks! So I was thinking, and the win is bittersweet. I didn’t catch it with a trap, although I’ve tried. It just… died, probably of heat yesterday. So my opponent fell to the ground, and I caught the snitch.

So I won, or did I? Now I get to clean the van, and search for the dead mouse, at which time I get to dispose of him. I think in dying, he got the last word, game set, match, I lose.

2009-05-12T07:48:00.000-07:00

I have been replaced, by a caffeinated drink!

Ben is working today! Yeah! [Insert lots of applause and joy.] and I'm working, so we have to insert the dreaded event .... the babysitter. Last semester the kids were just fine with Leatha, and had no problem. Now they've had mom or dad for weeks, and so they are getting clingier .....

Today I went to drop off Brandon and megan. (Jacob is dropped off at the bus on Tuesdays and Thursdays so he can go to preschool.). Brandon was crying and saying "mommy stay, mommy stay!"

Leatha, knowing my children as well as she does, picked up my crying boy and soothed Him "Brandon, if you let mommy go to work, I'll share a mountain dew with you." He smiled, and waved, "bye mommy! Have fun at work!"

Great! He's ok with me leaving if we give him a dew? Oh well, it worked. Guess it's my fault, I have an addiction to dew, and I have been known to give sips to my children at times. (It doesn't hyper them up, it seems to calm them down.)

We really have to hide them with megan, because if she sees a mountain dew, she will settle for nothing else. Not even juice! I think she's an addict in the making.

So I got to work, Ben got to work, and Brandon got his dew (and I suspect megan did too). Good thing the kids are with somebody who knows them well! :-) Life's good.

Morning all!

2009-05-01T20:49:00.000-07:00

We're going to do a quick pictureless update, because it was brought to my attention that I have neglected to do that!

Jacob: Yeah, Jacob is doing much better! (unlike my spelling, which is atrocious today). For his wednesday appt, he'd gained a full pound, and actually walked in under his own power. He's still a little grouchy, but he's nearly himself again, and we're out of the water. The school year is almost over, which we are not so happy about, because he adores preschool, even though he only goes two days a week. He's a typical older brother, and likes to be in charge of all the games, but he's very loving and adores spending time with his brother and sister.

Brandon, doing great! He's two and a half, active, happy, and always willing to try to help. He loves unloading the dishwasher, into the sink, and trying to help his sister.

Megan had her fifteen month apointment yesterday, which was of course, a lot of fun, she really hates shots. She's cruising, but not walking yet. She is giggly, although she doesn't talk yet. We've learned from experience that she will NOT sign "more" if an adult is trying to get her to sign, but if one of her brothers is coaching her, it's perfectly acceptable.

Ben is sort of working, there's not as many hours as we'd like right now, the economy tends to effect cabinetmakers. But he was still able to turn out a gorgeous dresser for emily's wedding. (of course, i am not biased.)

As for me, i'm still working for ISU, my hours haven't been cut, thankfully. I have next week off for finals, but summer semester starts the next week and then life will return to normal. Well, normal being relative, Emily is up visiting from Provo this weekend, and Andrea is up from Ohio this week! so I intend to spend as much time as possible enjoying my sisters!

And that's all folks!

Somebody's getting Mawwied!!!!!!!

2009-04-23T23:44:00.000-07:00

My sister is getting Married today! I am so excited for her!

So Emily is marrying Jon ....

Yay! We're in Utah for the wedding, so I'm out of town and took today off work. It was actually kind of nice taking the day off.

So... here comes the bride!

Jacob Update

2009-04-14T14:08:00.000-07:00

So, Jacob spent the weekend with a nasty fever, (up to 104.5 underarm), and sleeping life away. He would wake up to drink a little, and go back to sleep.

I took him in yesterday, and they found he had a UTI, and gave him some antibiotics. So he's been throwing them up instantly. So he had to go back today.

Turns out, he's lost two pounds since yesterday. He was actually alert today, which is the only reason they didn't instantly hospitalize him. They gave him a nice shot in the butt.

So if he loses more, it's the hospital. If he doesn't .... we get to keep him home. Hopefully he'll start feeling better.

He actually ate two bites of a hamburger today, half a slice of apple, and half a strawberry. This may not seem like a lot, but that was more than everything he's eaten all together since Friday morning!

So here's hoping! We'll see how things are looking tomorrow at two thirty in the afternoon!

Jacob

2009-04-14T13:01:00.000-07:00

Jacob hasn't been feeling well lately. He spent the weekend sleeping. On the left we have a picture of Jacob in the doctors office. Sound asleep.

Below, we get another shot of Jacob, this is in the store waiting to pick up his prescription. As you can see, he didn't do much this weekend. Poor kid.

Running late

2009-03-31T12:09:00.000-07:00

picture 101!

2009-01-06T08:22:00.000-08:00

Random picture

2008-12-14T08:27:00.000-08:00

2008-11-21T09:11:00.000-08:00

Good morning everybody! Just a note to prove I'm still here. (And I get sick of having the same entry on top every time I go to see who else has updated theirs).

There's the boys reading, ignoring me. (They really like background noise.

Then Tiana's puppy Scout, isn't he darling? And megan! We love her too!

And last but not least, I found this picture of Jacob. WAY back when he was little.

Brandon's Birthday!!!

2008-11-04T19:53:00.000-08:00

On the left we have Brandon's birthday cake. He is now Two!!

On the right, Brandon in his wagon that Ben made

for him. He adores this wagon. (I'll post more pictures of this thing).

Its' technically for the library, but in the last few days it's carried megan, Brandon, books, and just about everything else these kids can come up with.

Library time!

The boys had a lot of fun at

The library

the wagon got to carry books, videos, and basically make them feel "old."

(Yes, Ben made it), and on the back is a license plate that says "Brandon." Jacob has one too, but he won't get it until his birthday.

Now we come to the fun stuff.

On Sunday night, right after the cake, adrianna decided to "share" her medicine with Brandon.

here he is, all wired. It was actually kind of funny, he was so asleep that when we tried to sit him up to get the charcoal down him, his head flopped back like a rag doll.

But alls well, and he's fine. Leaving behind some nasty diapers, and some even better stories

That we get to tell his future girlfriends.

2008-10-24T06:49:00.000-07:00

This picture was taken at Shalene's reception, I don't know/remember who took it, but I like it anyway!! Jacob has a funny look on his face though.

From left to right (back first), for those that need help,

Ben, Megan, Me (Laura), Brandon, and Jacob is in front.

Love you all!!

2008-10-21T17:13:00.000-07:00

Shalene got married, aren't they a cute couple???

The table on the right just made me smile. I love the way the wood makes the heart.

That's all I wanted to say. I just wanted to post a wedding picture.

(I have quite a few, I put together a slide show for the reception.)

Out by the skin of my teeth.

2008-10-21T17:08:00.000-07:00

I know this isn't really "family" related....

But I talked an old co-worker today. I worked with her at century 21, up until a month and a half ago. She was let go today, so was all of customer service, and the receptionist, and the relocation assistant.

What will they do with no receptionist? What will they do with no customer service? What will Melissa do with no job?

And not just "let go", but the supervisor (not the boss), came in teary eyed to inform them the phone guys would be there in an hour to switch over the phones and they were out of a job. The supervisor's assistant was her daughter, (also let go.)

So the boss saw one of the other girls come in an hour later, and didn't tell her. He even said hi. He waited for the supervisor to come in there and tell her she's out of a job.

Stinks!

I feel bad for them though. I'm just grateful I switched jobs before this happened.

Quick update

2008-10-16T10:27:00.000-07:00

Well Well well, I"m falling behind here.

So while I'm waiting for a late student... here I go.

Ben: Loves work, very happy with it.

Laura: LOVES work, and is spending WAY too much of her "spare time" on campus (meaning lunch time) reading really dumb websites like "cakewrecks.blogspot.com" (which is awesome), and an online comic strip that tends to be rather off color on occasion, but is still really funny.

Oh, and the "what not to crochet", that's funny too.

Jacob: Still potty training... still..... still....

Brandon: Is learning to say "NO" to Jacob. "Brandon, come play this." "No". "Can I have that?" No. etc. It's really funny.

Megan: Is on the verge of crawling! YAY!!! Still not rolling over, but she's starting to try to crawl. I guess she is definetely her own girl. But honestly, what's the point of rolling over, it's like a dog showing it's stomach to a rabid wolf. In this case, a brother. Shes safer on her stomach than on her back.

Love you all!

September

2008-09-06T14:09:00.000-07:00

Well, we aren't the best with keeping up here. :-)

I started a new job with ISU a couple weeks ago, and I love it! I'm transcribing again, which I have sincerely missed.

Jacob is back in preschool, and loving it. As he says "have fun at preschool! Have fun play with toys! Have fun with friends!"

Well, that's the way he talks, but he had fun!

This picture is Jacob on the first day of preschool this year. Ben went out and got him a cute little outfit, just because every kid needs a new outfit fo

r the first day.

Brandon, on the other hand, is not so sure about this. His brother leaves him? That's not right according to the rules of siblinghood. His brother should NEVER leave him.

This is brandon bei

ng cool like mommy, and playing with her computer. He is so proud of himself when he gets to act like the big kids.

Megan is sitting up, and as long as she can watch her brothers running around, she's perfectly fine with life.

This is one of the pictures taken a couple weeks ago when we did family pictures. It'll be a while before we're all together again.

The kids had a lot of fun, but it was quite the challenge to take a picture.

Emily is down there to catch any kids that scooted too far forward.

Love you all!

Westover Reunion

2008-07-29T15:55:00.000-07:00

We just got back from the reunion, and we had SO much fun!!

This is brandon on the swings. He really seemed to enjoy them. When I asked if he was done, he'd say "uh-uh", and hold on really tight so I couldn't take him out. He knows what he wants!!!

Jacob just tired himself out. Ben sat him in the tent, and he crashed!!!

My favorite part of the reunion this year....

Aaron came home!!

He looks SO grown up!!

On the right is Brandon helping us get ready for the homecoming. (Otherwise known as "not a homecoming")

I guess he watched Daddy ironing. (For the record... the iron was turned OFF when he did this.)

Jacob was hiding under the table, and every few minutes he would pop up and steal a few more mandarin oranges. Guess he liked them.

On the right is Jacob and the crew he recruited to help steal food. They make quite a little army.

Cute little Paulsen Monkeys

2008-07-14T14:02:00.000-07:00

As I was getting the kids ready to go to the library, I suddenly could not find Jacob's booster seat. So I finished strapping in Brandon and Megan, then asked Jacob where it was.

"I had it".

"Where did you have it?"

"I'm sitting on it mommy!"

So there it was, he'd decided he was driving to the library. Luckily, he didn't complain when I told him that was NOT going to happen.

After the library we were cleaning up. Brandon decided that he wanted to help. This is the only way he's found to reach the top rack of the dishwasher. Not an approved method, but very effective none-the-less.

However, we've discovered that Brandon is MUCH happier if he gets to help mom. We even unload the dishwasher when it's DIRTY dishes!!

Next story (no picture, sorry!)... I had to stop quickly by Albertsons. When I only need one or two things, it's faster because they have cool "car carts." You know, the ones with a little car in the front the kids can "drive"?

Jacob was ecstatic we got to go to the "car store." However, when we got there, he told me he wanted to drive the "pink car." Luckily, it was available, and so he and Brandon drove the pink car, because it's MUCH cooler to drive a PINK car than a blue or purple one.

Here is Megan in a darlin little dress that Ben's mom made. Actually, it's for the other granddaughter that is the same age (Jean). However, since they are the same age, Megan gets to try it on.

When megan gets hers, it will have to be bigger, because she has a big neck, so it can't be done up in the back, but it's still really cute! (I'm sure it'll fit Jean though, because my kids are just larger than average). Plus, I had to take this picture because she was just CUTE in it!!

In other news....

Ben's mom is thrilled she was able to break open a geneology line this weekend. It belongs to my next door neighbor (this sweet little old lady named Aimee.) And she gave Bens mom some information, and suddenly there is tons of information.

Aimee told me the other day how sweet Mom (in law) is for doing this for her. She was very excited about it too!

That's all the news there isn't!

Occupational Therapist

2008-07-11T13:07:00.001-07:00

The Occupational Therapist (OT) came out this morning to evaluate Brandon. According to him, Brandon is "within normal limits" according to everything OT related, except for language, of course, and his spinning.

His suggestion.... NOT to spin him. So I didn't, and he screamed for about half an hour, until I finally sat him in the chair. Ten minutes later he stopped screaming and I was able to calm him down enough TO spin him... poor kid.

Talking to mom, I decided that we'll still spin him at naptime and bedtime, but progressively slower. The cold turkey thing causes hysterics I don't have the eardrums for.

Then he went to sleep. As long as we get to spin, we're JUST fine!!

This is an old picture, but I love it anyway. jacob got into the hot chocolate mix a few weeks ago. I was in the living room with Brandon and Megan (the week megan got her first two teeth.)

So I suddenly smelled something... and it smelled yummy, so I checked it out. (As Ben was sleeping, this worried me.)

And he dumped out the WHOLE container, and decided it was fun! So we poured it on our hair, and our clothes, and wrote designs in the floor.

I had to empty the bathwater three times, because it was too chocolate to get him clean anymore!

Sorry about no Megan picture... we'll have some great ones for monday! :-)

July -whatever today is-

2008-07-10T14:07:00.000-07:00

We did the "library thing" today. how fun!
My kids have a specific "library pattern." And as long as we stick with it, everybody is happy.
First: Find all library books, movies, etc.
- load up in the car
- drive to library.
Side note: The other day I asked Jacob to direct me to library... so he did! He showed me every turn, and even where I wasn't supposed to turn. He's only three!
- at the library, we first turn in the books.
THEN we go upstairs to the movie section, and both boys each pick out one or two movies.
(And mommy finds something tolerable too.)
We then go to the up-upstairs and get mommy a book.
then downstairs to the kids section for a kids book.
Then we look at the fish for a few minutes,
then we checkout.
Consequence for breaking this pattern....
royal meltdown!
I love my kids!
Oh, Jacobs imagination is getting better. There is now and invisible door between our living room and kitchen, and he has to open it. If I walk through this "door" without opening it, he gets upset.
Brandon said "Wa" (while pointing at water!!)
And megan can sit up now!
(Pictures to come.)
Love you all!