Life today

Me: I don't like being in pictures very much, few women do, but I like this one.  After my kids were born I was a size 20.  Eventually I got down to 18, but I kind of just stayed there and everyone told me "Oh you have kids, you will never be skinny again."  I am a very determined person and if you tell me I cannot do something you can bet your buttons I will do it!  So I came across a gym membership, started paying more attention to what I eat and how much and now I am down to a size 12 and still dropping.  SO I say to you other moms who don't like the way you feel and look, don't give up, you can do it!  My goal was to have the energy to keep up with my kids, but I have found so many more advantages.
Oh ya, and I am going to start being a Mary Kay consultant to make a little extra money.  Again with the determination.  I wanted to do it for a little play money, but some one had to go and tell me I couldn't make good money doing it.  Now I am out to prove them wrong.  I'll keep you posted.
John: John is waiting to hear back on whether he got a job he applied for.  He has applied for so many and is having such a hard time finding a job.  He has a part time job right now, but this would be a career a big boy job if you know what I mean.  We are keeping our fingers crossed.  If he gets this job it mean big things for us, big changes.  We could move to a bigger place and have more kids, he would have a job he loves working with people he already knows and likes, and it would be a lot less stress for all of us.
Glen: Glen is crazy and sill and smart as a whip.  We have made a time each day for learning time.  He is learning to write and read more words.  He learns about 2-4 new words every day and just blows me away.  He is so smart and so funny, he loves to joke and tell stories.  I'll put one of the stories he told today and give you a glimpse of his imagination.
"Once upon a time there was a beautiful princess named Horsemaker.  One day Horsemaker was walking in the forest when a tree fell on her and broke her leg.  So her father gave her a new leg, a big one like his.  Then another tree and broke her other leg so her father gave her another big leg.  Now she was big and strong like her father, except her legs didn't have any toes.  They had been cut off by Abigail the goblin."
That is my 3 year old.  =D  Oh, Glen also started into Primary last week.  He was a little nervous at first, but he loves his class and teacher.
Benjamin: Benjamin is as sweet as ever.  I don't know what I would do without his hugs.  He is so cute.  He will just walk up to you and wrap his arms around whatever part he can reach.  He is a big hugger.  During meals he will lean over and hug whoever is closest, sticky hands and all.
He idolizes his brother, goes where he goes, does what he does, says what he does.  But they get along well and enjoy having a play mate. Speaking of Benjamin, he is crying right now so I better go get him.  See you later.

Lagoon Day

Lately I have been feeling overwhelmed and a little burned out. I do ok for the first half of the semester, and then it starts getting to me. God made it so that man and woman would be together, that together they would raise children, support each other, work together, lots of togetherness. Unfortunately, that's not the way it always works out. For most of my life my own mother was a single parent and I know it was tough on her. I know other single parents and see how hard they work for their families, I really admire their hard work, dedication, and sacrifice. I know I am blessed to have a supportive husband, but during the school semesters I do feel kind of like a single parent. Most days he is gone from early in the morning until late at night, hours after the kids are asleep in bed. I often feel like I have to do everything alone, and it is tough. I cannot even imagine being a single mom.
So about mid-term John starts feeling overwhelmed with school work and I start feeling overwhelmed with mom work. I always feel guilty when I want a break. Part of me feels like a good mom doesn't need a break. Maybe part of me thinks that a good mom must be perfect. :) OK, but I really did need a break and my really good friend Jennifer had a way. She and her family were going to spend the day at Lagoon and they had an extra ticket. If I could find a babysitter for the boys then I could go with them. So grandam watched the boys for most of the day, then daddy watched them in the evening and I got to go have fun, relax, and most important spend the whole day missing my boys and worrying about them.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder, right? Well, my day away sure made me miss the boys and instead of feeling like I wanted a break, I wanted to go back to being a mom and playing with my boys. I ended a super fun day feeling ready to take on motherhood again. It's tough to be a mom, it's a really hard job, but it is important. I am grateful for the opportunity to take a little break and for the day. It does not make me a bad mom to want or need a break. I can be a better mom now because of it.

Grumpy

RAWR! I woke up in an ok mood, then *someone* refused to go to the bathroom. That same someone got put Popsicles and when I said no Popsicles for breakfast two little someones started screaming their head off. More screaming over cereal, then again with getting dress, then some more over chores. Is it any wonder I'm grumpy too? I have found that grumps feed off of each other.

Now that I have discovered the problem, grumpy mommy, then I can stop being grumpy, right? Easier said then done. I know that I have the ability to choose my mood, and how I react, but sometimes it is really hard to stop being grumpy. Every time I think of Glen grabbing the scissors and cutting up his new horse, giving his brother a hair cut, and destroying a new book, I really feel like growling. Grrr! But I have found something that helps me feel less grumpy. Music. the very best music for me is the music that helps me feel Heavenly Father's Spirit. Luckily I can download all the children's songs and church hymns for free on this website. http://lds.org/churchmusic/ Some of the other songs I really like are country songs. There are some really good ones out there, but the best ones for a grumpy mommy are the songs that talk about being a family and cherishing every moment.

I have been listening to church music as I sit here and type and thinking of those country songs I like. I still feel a little on edge, but with some effort I can turn my day around and choose to be happy. I want to be happy. I hate being grumpy because I end up taking it out on my children and it just breaks my heart to think that I am making them sad. I love them. That's it, I choose right now to be happy today!

Mom and Dad

This is my Mom and Dad. Don't they look happy? This was a picture taken at my house over a year ago on their first date in 30 years. Here is the long story made short. They dated in high school, fell in love and wanted to get married, but because of family things they didn't. Then they lost contact. Around Christmas like 2 years ago they made contact on Facebook. I remember being there at my sisters house for Christmas, we were watching the Forgotten Carols, a family tradition, and mom was chatting on facebook the whole time. After she had been chatting for awhile, the giggling and blushing got my attention. I asked who she was chatting with and she said it was a guy she knew from school. I immediately thought "If he is single she is gonna marry him." Sure enough, not long after that they went on their "first date" and then got married. I won't even go into the night of their date, that is a story for another time, but lets just say it's like she as 16 again and I had fun.

Well, my mom and dad are moving out of their current home into another and so I have been helping them pack and clean. Last night we stayed late trying to get as much done as possible before we all just died from exhaustion and then they took me out to dinner. As I followed them to the restraint I watched them in their car. I was listening to a romantic song in the car and at a stop light I saw then lean in and kiss. Gross did not even enter my mind. I just felt so happy. My mom has a had a rough life. She was a single mom and she worked really hard and made a lot of sacrifices to make ends meet and to raise three crazy kids. I am so glad that she has found such happiness, she deserves it and it's about time she is in heaven with the love of her life.

My one regret in all this is that it didn't happen sooner. I know the Lord has a hand in all things and I do not question His will nor His time, but I do wish they had met up earlier. It would have been nice for my mom to have a loving husband and to tell you the truth I really like having a dad. But I take comfort in knowing that they have an eternity to be together and be in love. I thank the Lord for His plan of happiness and that it is just that, a plan of happiness.

Our journey begins

Febraury 16

It was a perfect morning to head out to sea in our viking ship and hunt dragons. On the way we were nearly attacked by the dreaded umpirates, but fast thinking on the part of Cap. Glen saved us from a terrible fate. We took down our first dragon, and then found ourselves being attacked by monkey pirates. They are just as terrible as they sound, part monkey, part man. First mate Benjamin held off the attack and saved the Capt. single-handedly. After all had quited down I continued to keep watch and spotted another dragon in the distance. But he was far off by the mountains and we didn't peruse. I have no fear of the dragons, or pirates with our heroic Captain Glen and his first mate Benjamin. I count myself lucky to accompany them on their journey, even as a lowly lookout/journal keeper.

-Ruth

Some days

I tell ya...

Reflections

I have been thinking today, a dangerous past time, I know... I had such a great day today. I wasn't stressed or impatient, I wasn't irritated easily, or counting down to nap and bed. Why? My house was a mess, Glen threw some major fits at the library and store, and John was late getting home from work, so why was today so great?
I know the reason, I have known it for a while, but I keep forgetting. I should stop making fun of the people in the Old Testament for being so quick to forget the Lord, because I am right there with them. Today was such a great day because I woke up earlier then the kids to read scriptures ans pray. I did something to make my husband happy before he left for work and when the kids woke up I put away the book I had been reading. Then all day we spent time together, doing chores, during meals, playing, running errands, reading, talking, hugging, and learning about the gospel.
I have discovered over and over again, I hope someday to stop forgetting this, that when my focus is on spending time with the kids, teaching them, doing as the Lord would have me do that my days are wonderful. Whole weeks will go by where I do not lose my temper or become irritated all because I put the Lord and my children first. When I put way the book and the computer, when I stop spending so much time on the phone and more time with them we all have better days.
Even when the house is a mess and the kids are cranky I do not feel stressed, and when I do not feel stressed I am a better mother and wife. I find I can discipline without anger, teach with patience, and get more done around the house. When I focus on what is the most important and put the important things first every one is happier.

so much fun today

I Have always wanted to teach my kids to cook. Today I felt like Glen was old enough to start helping me. We mixed corn bread to put in our chili pie. He dumped the mix into the bowl and helped crack an egg (he liked that) pour the milk (which he tried to drink first as you can see) and stir the corn bread mix. I had so much fun helping him make dinner, and I think he enjoyed it as well.



This is the first smile I have been able to catch on camera. Benjamin smiles so much, but they are so fast that by the time I get the camera out and ready the smile is gone. What luck to catch this one. Benjamin is such a happy smiley boy, and so talkative. I love it!

Halloween

After we went Trick or Treating we headed to Grandma's house. All the way there Glen asked for a treat. When we got to Grandma's house he ran off and found his treat. He had found an apple. Yay for healthy treats. Glen is a turtle, he didn't like the mask se he just had his shell. He had so much fun trick or treating.
Benjamin was a tiger this year. He got to wear Glen's costume from last year and it was pretty big on him. I called him the saggy baggy tiger. I love his little nose and whiskers, they are so cute.

John was a zombie we spent a lot of time getting his outfit properly ripped and dirty. He was pretty dirty and smelly by the end. His favorite part was the brain flag. If you aren't geek enough to know he is a zombie from the game "Plants vs Zombies" one of his new favorite games. Here John is trying to eat his friend James's brains, some friend ;)

I surprised John with my costume. I put on his USSSA umpire uniform and trick or treated as John. Most people couldn't tell who or what I was, it was mostly to make John smile, which it did.

We had a great time dressing up and going around the neighborhood as a family. I am glad that Glen prefers apples over candy and that he had fun. He was even saying trick or treat by the end of the night.

Painting Pumpkins

For a family activity Friday we all painted our Halloween Pumpkins. Daddy got to help Glen and Mommy got to help Benjamin. We didn't have much paint so we used permanent markers. Glen really enjoyed getting to color on the pumpkin (he loves to color) and learning to say pumpkin. He says "pukin," so cute. I really liked John's idea of putting different faces all around the pumpkin.
And the best part about painting the pumpkins instead of carving them? Next week when Halloween is over we can bake the pumpkins into cookies. Mmm...

The Difference

The difference between Mom and Dad

A little girl walks up to her dad and says "Daddy, can you show me how to make love?"
"Umm..." the father isn't really sure what to do so he says, "Go ask your Mother."
He follows his daughter into the living room to hear what mom has to say.
"Mommy, can you show me how to make love?"
"Sure, sweety. L-O-V-E" Replies the mom.
I love being a mom.

Mother's Day.

"I love you, Mother", said little John;
Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on.
And he was off to the garden swing,
Leaving his mother the wood to bring.

"I love you, Mother," said rosy Nell,
"I love you better than tongue can tell."
Then she teased and pouted half the day.
Till her mother was glad when she went to play.

"I love you, Mother," said little Fan,
"Today I'll help you all I can;"
To the cradle she did softly creep,
and rocked the baby till he fell asleep.

Then stepping softly, she took the broom,
And swept the floor, and dusted the room.
Busy and happy all day was she;
Helpful and happy as a child could be.

"I love you, Mother," again they said,
Three little children going to bed.
How do you think that mother guessed
Which of them really loved her best?

Animal Game

I do not know if all those games every one plays are made up or you get them some where, but I am going to pretend you make them up so I do not feel so silly making this game up.
Glen and I were talking today about what kind of animal we would be if we were animals. We decided Glen would be a puppy because they are always forgiving and love unconditionally, and they are so darn cute.
If I were to choose the animal John would be I would give him the Lion. He is fiercly protective of Glen and I, but when you get on his good side he is very playful. Think Mufasa...
I wanted to say that I am a horse or something really cool like that, but when I am honest with myself nothing in my personality says hose except maybe my love of open spaces and freedom. So I had to choose between a cat or a Chiwawa, here is my reasoning; cats are opinionated and stubborn. Do not ask me why I think cats are opinionated and stubborn, they have just always struck me as being so. Now a Chiwawa is great. They are small, and cute. I choose a Chiwawa because my personality is a very (get ready for a huge run on sentance) "I'm not shaking because I'm cold I'm shaking because I'm excited, I'm alway happy to see you and can't give you enough love, and I want to chase my tail to get rid of all this energy," type of personality. *Gasp*
So here is the Game, you get to choose which animal fits your personality and discribe it in your post. You have to give at least three reasons, and no mythical animals please. You can also tell about your spouse and children if you want. I tag anyone who is reading this and has a blog. Have fun!

Somebody's hero

What more can I say then what this video already says? My mom is my hero. She was a single parent and did her best with us. I realize now as a mom myself what kind of sacrifices you make for your children. I just wish I would have understood that sooner so I could show more appreciation.

More Halloween pictures

Here we are again with another excuse to dress up. John vetoed the shark costume and wanted me to make his costume this year.
So here he is in his Rubiks cube costume. He really had a lot of fun with this costume and was acting a bit like a kid he was so excited. (not that I mind, I felt like I had someone my own age to play with) John really enjoyed fitting his whole body in the Rubiks cube.

Oh my goodness, I look like such a cow is this picture!

After John disappeared into the box completely Glen couldn't figure out where he had gone. He kept looking at the box, he knew daddy was there, but where did he go?

Nap time

I don't have a whole lot of pictures of me with Glen, I do not like pictures right now. (I'm still self-consience after haveing a baby) But I really like to cuddle with Glen. I should probably take more pictures even if I do not like it because I want pictures of me with Glen, and who knows, maybe years down the road I won't care how I look. Does that ever happen for girls?
At least Glen is cute enough for the both of us.