Friday, November 30, 2007

I should be resting not writing. D and I are hosting seven boys this evening. Many parents think we're crazy having a sleepover, especially when some of these boys have never been overnight at a non-family member's house. Maybe we are. But we survived a girls' sleepover when Anna was that age, so I think we can make it.

We had a nice dinner last night with D's co-workers. Good food and good prizes/gifts. I haven't been to a work holiday party like that in years, so it was a nice change of pace. However, by the time I dropped off the babysitters and picked up Spencer's meds, it was after 11. And since Spencer didn't sleep very well, I got very little sleep.

Maybe I am crazy...At least Anna and Jack will be spending the night elsewhere.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions and wouldn't say this is one of those, but I'm going to beat the fitness rush and say this now: I'm going to try to do some sort of actual exercise. Although keeping up with four kids, one of which goes straight for anything he shouldn't have and alternates between crawling and walking, can be quite a workout, I feel I need something a little more. Fortunately, I came across this article that does away with the excuse that it's too cold. Now we'll see if I can follow through...

Thursday, November 22, 2007

A Thanksgiving post seems appropriate. Today I had the privilege of eating wonderful turkey and dressing in a home with two couples who have been married more than 60 years, one that has been married more than 50 years and two other couples who have been married more than 40 years. Amazing!

I love D very much, and every time I see my aunts and uncles and any other older couples who have been married for so many years, I look forward to being one of those couples some day. I'm not in a hurry, but as I say about the time I have with my kids, I'm just enjoying each stage. And the same would apply to my marriage.

I am thankful that God brought me a man who can usually deal with my mood swings and arguments that seem very illogical or irrational to him (even thought they aren't). I'm thankful that he is such an amazing dad who could easily be a stay-at-home dad. I'm thankful that he encourages me to pursue whatever activities I'm interested in or dreams I have. I'm thankful he lets me sleep in. I'm thankful that he is a Godly man and a man of integrity.

I am very blessed.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Still no pictures of the first birthday. I've been busy preparing for the next birthday -- Jeremy's. I guess my life has been too easy because I agreed to let him have a sleepover. This will be a new experience. A girls' slumber party I know what to do -- crafts and music. Boys? I'm thinking pizza, movie and a wild experiment...maybe diet coke and mentos.

I can at least share some of the cute (at least to me) things Spencer is doing. When he's eating and you ask him if he's done, he immediately raises his hands over his head using the touchdown signal. He loves pizza, goldfish crackers and marshmallows. He's the only child we've had who screams when he wants something - NOW.

He's walking more on his own but there's nothing particularly unique about his walk. When Jack started walking, he looked like a monkey, holding his arms above his head as he made his way across the room. When Anna started walking, she took off after my cat, walking like she'd been doing it for months. Unfortunately, I can't recall any specifics about Jeremy's first steps other than he was 13 months old when he started walking.

So those milestones are passing quickly: he's walking, drinking whole milk, and sleeping through the night (FINALLY). I'll miss the baby he is, but I'm looking forward to the people all of my children are becoming.

Monday, November 19, 2007

I don't have much time to write. I should be in the kitchen making oatmeal and everything cookie bars for Jeremy's class feast tomorrow, but I'm taking a break after making deviled eggs for Jack's class (and what 3 or 4 year old is going to actually eat them???). What a waste of perfectly good deviled eggs...

Soon I plan to post about Spencer's first birthday, but that willl have to wait. The oven is calling me.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

I'm in a much better mood today than I was on my birthday. D bought me a slightly used but in great condition iPod, and tonight, thanks to my awesome friend Penny, I had the once in a lifetime opportunity to see about every big name personality from Oklahoma on stage in one place at the Centennial Spectacular. Very cool!

I also bought a king-size reversible down comforter with a microfiber cover at a midnight madness sale for $70, and a Christmas present for Anna that would usually cost twice what I got it for. It was a great way to end the night.

Now if my migraine would go away, it would be a perfect night.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

I have almost decided it was for the best that I was not surprised with a laptop or MP3 player because I know it would not have been paid for with cash. As we enter the gift-buying time of the year (even more so for my family with all the birthdays except Jack's), I'm planning to use cash for everything. Fortunately because of my many travels over the past month, I will get a nice expense check at the end of this month. So on Dec. 1 I'm going shopping.

I'm using a Christmas organizing/budget tool online thanks to my friend Amber. I know that if I have a list of what I'm going to buy the kids, I manage my money much better. Last year, I did not stick to a list and the spending got way out of control. (I'll blame post-partem mood swings for that.)

So my plan for purchasing technology for myself is to use this strange new method called "saving the money until I have enough to buy it." Interesting concept. I'll let you know how that goes.

Monday, November 12, 2007

We used the new blender today. Jack thought we needed strawberries and blueberries like it showed on the box, but I convinced him we could make chocolate milkshakes instead. He's very proud of the blender, especially since it came in such a big box that he carried himself. He's growing up fast.

I think I'm going to try an unofficial Menu Plan and maybe sometime I'll do the official link.

Monday: Baked Spaghetti
Tuesday: Hotdogs
Wednesday: Pizza and birthday cake
Thursday: I have no idea
Friday: Hamburgers and macaroni salad

Sunday, November 11, 2007

I'm 36 now. My #3 son (as cute as he is) picked out a blender for me. I love the thought because it's what Jack just new he wanted to get me. I really don't have room for something else on my kitchen counter, so I guess I'll find space for it somewhere. The other kids picked out about 3 or 4 different kinds of chapstick for me. Not sure why I needed that much chapstick.

D did make me a chocolate and vanilla cream pie with real whipped cream. Maybe I am depressed about turning 36...

Wednesday, November 7, 2007

I'm tired. My house is a pit. I've got birthdays to plan. And I've got nothing exciting to say. Maybe I'll come up with something in the next couple of days.

Monday, November 5, 2007

Dang this computer! I just sat down to check my work email before shutting it down at 11 p.m., and now it's after midnight and I'm addicted to this: The Pioneer Woman's love story.

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Today I realized there are way too many things I need to do in my life to wait until the kids are older. So hopefully, we'll find some way to travel with four young children.

I went to a great conferencet his morning. While I wasn't looking forward to spending the morning listening to speakers, all of the speakers were discussing the project that takes up all of my work time lately. However, after listening to the executive director of the program and four recipients of the grant, I am so honored to be a part of this program.

We also listened to a state representative I was not familiar with, but he was very energetic, charismatic and entertaining. I've really got to find out more about him even though it sounds like he's about to be term-limited. We also watched a video about the importance of learning more about other countries, people, culture, etc. So between the comedian and the video lecture, I realized that my global education is sadly lacking.

I was one of the few individuals in the room who did not have a passport. So it is now my plan to start teaching myself and my children some foreign language (probably Spanish) and try to take some trips that go beyond our comfort zone.