Isn't it amazing how a happy home can turn crazy in 24 hours with just a little sleep deprivation? Tonight ended as we were doing our "blessing basket" and I was forcefully telling Asher "WHAT'S IN YOUR BLESSING BASKET? You've been given lots of blessings, name one, NOW!" Okay, it wasn't that bad but still, as I was forcefully motivating him to name a blessing, I was thinking that perhaps this wasn't very effective parenting. A little counterproductive to try and get him to think how blessed and happy he is when I am frustrated with him and he is on the brink of losing it.
It all started last night as we get home right at bedtime. We quickly get the kids down; I feed the baby and get her down (YAY!) and I am finally relaxing. Then, Jason comes upstairs to say, "It's smells like gas downstairs." I get up, a little annoyed, go downstairs and, sure enough, it smells like gasoline. So, very calmly I go upstairs and call the fire department where they say to evacuate. How exciting. Who wants to take a sleeping 5 yr. old, 3 yr. old and 3 month old out into the freezing cold? Then the 2 Emergency first response vehicles came, as well as a fire engine and an ambulance. A fuel line on Jason's motorcycle broke, leaking out 3 gallons of gasoline on the driveway which then seeped into our home. So, the EMT told us that while the gas was not at levels where the house could explode (whew!) we should probably find somewhere else to sleep for the evening but after talking said that we could probably just open the windows downstairs to air it out and then everyone sleep upstairs. That sounds like a great idea.
We got everyone back to sleep in their new quarters and I got to sleep at midnight. So today was a disaster. Which events to highlight? Spending 45 minutes pacing the floor with a screaming baby, only to have them sleep for 20 minutes. I think my blood pressure and heart rate hadn't even returned to normal. Asher screaming in his room during that time because he wanted his cup and vitamin. Luckily, Eden was screaming so loud in my ear that I couldn't hear Asher too much. My forceful prayer for help to keep me from losing it. It made me think of the moment in Planes, Trains and Automobiles when Steve Martin is talking to the lady at the Auto Rental counter and says I want a _______ car, right ________ now. Without the expletives, of course, but a similar prayer.
In my blessing basket tonight: I am thankful for bedtime, for everyone.
Yes, it was one of those days.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Monday, September 17, 2007
20 more exciting(that's right) things about me you never knew and probably didn't really care to, but, EAT IT!
I'm too boring. Driving home tonight (in the car without the screaming baby, ahh) I was trying to think of more things for my list and drew a blank. But my lovely sister Kate told me she checked in here to see if I had updated it (wow, unbelieveable) so it has motivated me to update this. I'll just make it up as I go, like I did last time and see what I can come up with.
21. I love being a mother and am sooooo grateful for the opportunity. (I can't put enough o's on so to really get the emphasis but you get the idea.) Despite the fact that I probably complain about it too much, I do love it and wouldn't change it for the world.
22. I am a night person. That makes the above very difficult. Something about breathing in that night air is like a shot of adrenaline to me. The summer after I graduated HS I worked graveyard and LOVED it. In college, I slept through any class that was before noon. (Until I settled down and became a boring married person.) I still love pulling all-nighters (not with a screaming baby of course, but for fun.) There is just something about watching the sunrise after being up all night that is exhilarating. I only hope that after my kids are a little older I'm not too old to enjoy it again. Anyone up for a night out on the town?
23. I like to be spontaneous, silly and fun. I have many stories of the stupid, fun things I did that I won't share them all but I have a scar on my leg from sneaking in and out of a public pool, I also got in trouble with the cops for mooning a bunch of drunks from a hotel room in high school while on a trip to a track meet. Who would've known? Let's just say that the track coach and I had no love for each other.
24. My biggest pet peeve (even more than nails) is people not treating everyone with love and respect. I know I'm not perfect but I hate seeing people treat others badly or treat some people like they are worth less than others.
25. One of my lifelong dreams is to sing in the Tabernacle Choir. I don't think I have an amazing voice but it might be just good enough. (Maybe I'm jinxing myself by putting this on here. It is a little scary putting it out here like this.)
26. OK, this is really embarrassing but I had an awful nickname as a baby. My middle name is Rose and my parents do still sometimes call me Rose but as a baby my dad called me "Rosy Rotten Crotch." Nuff said.
27. Sometimes my siblings and I like to pretend like we are gangsta and talk tuff. Forget the part about growing up mormon, on a farm in hicksville. Yo. Werd. Ya? So's your mom.
28. I have lived in 5, that's right, 5 exciting places. Umatilla, Oregon pop. 2,000 (in 1973, I was born in '78 although now, the hospital is gone.) Hermiston,Oregon (about 5 miles from Umatilla) where the population was about 10,000 (we moved to the "BIG" city) but is now around 14,000 residents. Then Ringsted, Danmark (as an exchange student in HS) pop. 29,000. Off to Provo, UT home of BYU Cougars (woohoo), then downsize a little to Pleasant Grove, Utah where I am somewhat happily calling this place home. (Utah, you know, if you weren't born and raised here, you feel like a foreigner even if you are mormon.)
29. I won the spelling bee at my school several times. (I don't have an exact count.) I also won a reading contest where you are part of a team and you have to read 15 books and then you get quizzed on them. You go against other teams and the winner moves on. We (but I was pretty much the team) won the regional competition and I was the youngest kid. I was accused of cheating. But no, I actually am really that nerdy.
30. Speaking of nerdy, I like school, I like studying, I like tests. I miss it. My dirty little secret is out.
31. I like to talk. Too much. I am always kicking myself after social outings for talking too much, interrupting others, monopolizing the conversation and not listening enough. So, if I have done this to you, I'm sorry. I know, and I'm working on it!
32. Subsequently, I am always saying things I regret. I am still learning that there are times to NOT say something. I guess not EVERYTHING needs to be talked through. I can be a little too honest and open. Just a tad.
33. Being an exchange student in High School was the best thing I did for myself. It helped me discover and develop my own unique identity. On the flip side, my mother thinks it was the worst thing I ever did, never wanted me to do it and felt that after I came back I was a hellion. Up until that point, my nickname was "Little Miss Perfect" so aptly put by my third grade teacher. (I told you I was a nerd.)
34. I am extremely forgetful and absentminded. (I'm sorry if I forgot your birthday or any other important thing.) Case in point, for carpool my days to pick up the kids are Wednesday and Thursday. Last Thursday I sat out on the steps waiting for Mara to be dropped off because I thought it was Friday. Apparently the school called my house (I was outside), Jason's cell and then another mother because no one was coming to get the kids. In my own little world, it was Friday. I swear.
33. And another example. (Look at the number, I didn't even do that on purpose.)
36. In college, I couldn't decide if I wanted to major in accounting or music. I auditioned when I came down in the fall and got into the music program and that's where fate took me. Too bad, I'm sure accounting would have been just as much fun!
37. I love celebrating holidays. I created my own holiday calendar and it has random holidays on it such as Feb. 27 International Pancake Day, March 24 Yo-Yo Day, May 1st Mother Goose Day, July 15th Gummy Worm Day, and so on. (If you want to know more, just ask.) I don't always celebrate them all but it's fun to pull it out and see what's coming up and celebrate it with the kids. A break from the monotony.
38. I was a teenager when I got married. ( I still can't believe it, I thought I would have gotten
my undergrad, served a mission and working on my post-grad by the time I got married.) My parents were less than thrilled, shall we say. At one point my mom threatened to disown me. The summer I was engaged was one of the worst times of my life. But now look how it turned out, 10 years later and Jason still makes me laugh. Here's a picture of us from February.
39. I love to travel and Jason and I have travelled a lot since we have been married. I'm a pretty low maintenance traveller. Last year when I went to Europe for 8 days I had a backpack with a couple pairs of pants, one pair of shoes, a few shirts, a jacket, and not much else. I really wouldn't have cared if I had worn the same outfit the whole time.
40. On the same note, my personal hygiene is disgusting to some people. I'm European at heart. I shower about once a week. I'm conserving water. (Yes, I like the oil in my hair. It gives it texture.)
Well, you've survived another installment, do you think you are willing to check in and stick it out for 3 more? I hope so.
21. I love being a mother and am sooooo grateful for the opportunity. (I can't put enough o's on so to really get the emphasis but you get the idea.) Despite the fact that I probably complain about it too much, I do love it and wouldn't change it for the world.
22. I am a night person. That makes the above very difficult. Something about breathing in that night air is like a shot of adrenaline to me. The summer after I graduated HS I worked graveyard and LOVED it. In college, I slept through any class that was before noon. (Until I settled down and became a boring married person.) I still love pulling all-nighters (not with a screaming baby of course, but for fun.) There is just something about watching the sunrise after being up all night that is exhilarating. I only hope that after my kids are a little older I'm not too old to enjoy it again. Anyone up for a night out on the town?
23. I like to be spontaneous, silly and fun. I have many stories of the stupid, fun things I did that I won't share them all but I have a scar on my leg from sneaking in and out of a public pool, I also got in trouble with the cops for mooning a bunch of drunks from a hotel room in high school while on a trip to a track meet. Who would've known? Let's just say that the track coach and I had no love for each other.
24. My biggest pet peeve (even more than nails) is people not treating everyone with love and respect. I know I'm not perfect but I hate seeing people treat others badly or treat some people like they are worth less than others.
25. One of my lifelong dreams is to sing in the Tabernacle Choir. I don't think I have an amazing voice but it might be just good enough. (Maybe I'm jinxing myself by putting this on here. It is a little scary putting it out here like this.)
26. OK, this is really embarrassing but I had an awful nickname as a baby. My middle name is Rose and my parents do still sometimes call me Rose but as a baby my dad called me "Rosy Rotten Crotch." Nuff said.
27. Sometimes my siblings and I like to pretend like we are gangsta and talk tuff. Forget the part about growing up mormon, on a farm in hicksville. Yo. Werd. Ya? So's your mom.
28. I have lived in 5, that's right, 5 exciting places. Umatilla, Oregon pop. 2,000 (in 1973, I was born in '78 although now, the hospital is gone.) Hermiston,Oregon (about 5 miles from Umatilla) where the population was about 10,000 (we moved to the "BIG" city) but is now around 14,000 residents. Then Ringsted, Danmark (as an exchange student in HS) pop. 29,000. Off to Provo, UT home of BYU Cougars (woohoo), then downsize a little to Pleasant Grove, Utah where I am somewhat happily calling this place home. (Utah, you know, if you weren't born and raised here, you feel like a foreigner even if you are mormon.)
29. I won the spelling bee at my school several times. (I don't have an exact count.) I also won a reading contest where you are part of a team and you have to read 15 books and then you get quizzed on them. You go against other teams and the winner moves on. We (but I was pretty much the team) won the regional competition and I was the youngest kid. I was accused of cheating. But no, I actually am really that nerdy.
30. Speaking of nerdy, I like school, I like studying, I like tests. I miss it. My dirty little secret is out.
31. I like to talk. Too much. I am always kicking myself after social outings for talking too much, interrupting others, monopolizing the conversation and not listening enough. So, if I have done this to you, I'm sorry. I know, and I'm working on it!
32. Subsequently, I am always saying things I regret. I am still learning that there are times to NOT say something. I guess not EVERYTHING needs to be talked through. I can be a little too honest and open. Just a tad.
33. Being an exchange student in High School was the best thing I did for myself. It helped me discover and develop my own unique identity. On the flip side, my mother thinks it was the worst thing I ever did, never wanted me to do it and felt that after I came back I was a hellion. Up until that point, my nickname was "Little Miss Perfect" so aptly put by my third grade teacher. (I told you I was a nerd.)
34. I am extremely forgetful and absentminded. (I'm sorry if I forgot your birthday or any other important thing.) Case in point, for carpool my days to pick up the kids are Wednesday and Thursday. Last Thursday I sat out on the steps waiting for Mara to be dropped off because I thought it was Friday. Apparently the school called my house (I was outside), Jason's cell and then another mother because no one was coming to get the kids. In my own little world, it was Friday. I swear.
33. And another example. (Look at the number, I didn't even do that on purpose.)
36. In college, I couldn't decide if I wanted to major in accounting or music. I auditioned when I came down in the fall and got into the music program and that's where fate took me. Too bad, I'm sure accounting would have been just as much fun!
37. I love celebrating holidays. I created my own holiday calendar and it has random holidays on it such as Feb. 27 International Pancake Day, March 24 Yo-Yo Day, May 1st Mother Goose Day, July 15th Gummy Worm Day, and so on. (If you want to know more, just ask.) I don't always celebrate them all but it's fun to pull it out and see what's coming up and celebrate it with the kids. A break from the monotony.
38. I was a teenager when I got married. ( I still can't believe it, I thought I would have gotten
my undergrad, served a mission and working on my post-grad by the time I got married.) My parents were less than thrilled, shall we say. At one point my mom threatened to disown me. The summer I was engaged was one of the worst times of my life. But now look how it turned out, 10 years later and Jason still makes me laugh. Here's a picture of us from February.39. I love to travel and Jason and I have travelled a lot since we have been married. I'm a pretty low maintenance traveller. Last year when I went to Europe for 8 days I had a backpack with a couple pairs of pants, one pair of shoes, a few shirts, a jacket, and not much else. I really wouldn't have cared if I had worn the same outfit the whole time.
40. On the same note, my personal hygiene is disgusting to some people. I'm European at heart. I shower about once a week. I'm conserving water. (Yes, I like the oil in my hair. It gives it texture.)
Well, you've survived another installment, do you think you are willing to check in and stick it out for 3 more? I hope so.
Blog Oscars Thank You Speech
Well, I feel like I've won a Blog Oscar and need my acceptance speech. So, here goes: Wow, I'm speechless. I never expected this. I mean, wow . . . I just have so many people to thank and so little time. I have to start by thanking my husband for all his support. (That's obligatory.) Then I have to thank Shea, Jamie and Colleen for showing me how cool a blog can be and inspiring me to start my own. I also have to thank all those people out there who read my blog and commented either online or to me personally. I hope you will continue to read my blog. Thanks for all your support. Oh, and there's the music so, I have to go. Hi mom, hi dad. Love you kids!
Sunday, September 2, 2007
jumping on the blog bandwagon
Yes, so here I am. I know. Joining the masses. I'm doing this more for me than for anyone because I enjoy venting and then I'm not bugging my friends and family in the process. The name speaks for itself. This is me. So you know what to expect up front. You won't be laughing when you read this. Don't expect it to be too exciting. I already decided that if I was ever to start a blog I would do one of those "Hundred things about me list" so maybe I'll start with 10/20 at a time (whatever I can think of right now) and add to it as I go. (Thanks for the idea Colleen.) It is in no particular order and I will be brutally honest. Here is me in all my, uh, glory?
1. I have a birth defect (my ear is missing part of a lobe) so although I wanted my ears pierced, I did it and realized how ugly it looks seeing the front and back of the earring at the same time so I took them out the day after I pierced them, which by the way was for my 21st birthday. (My parents were extremely conservative and said we couldn't pierce our ears until we were out of the house-- yea, take that mom and dad!) Some people notice this the first time they meet me and then there are people like my brother, who all of 6 years ago noticed, and asked what happened.
1. I have a birth defect (my ear is missing part of a lobe) so although I wanted my ears pierced, I did it and realized how ugly it looks seeing the front and back of the earring at the same time so I took them out the day after I pierced them, which by the way was for my 21st birthday. (My parents were extremely conservative and said we couldn't pierce our ears until we were out of the house-- yea, take that mom and dad!) Some people notice this the first time they meet me and then there are people like my brother, who all of 6 years ago noticed, and asked what happened.2. I am a book snob.
3. I love to go dancing and first met Jason disco-dancing at the Omni. (That ages me.)
4. My first kiss was when I was 16 and the guy asked if he could kiss me (he knew it was my first). At the last minute I chickened out and turned my face so he kissed my cheek. Still, that night in my bed I was all afloat that I had my first kiss.
5. I am a horrible artist. I like good art which makes it even more awful because I realize how much I suck. Which makes me push my husband to develop his talent more because he doesn't realize how lucky he is to have that natural skill.
6. I like to eat good food. Alot.
7. So, I like to cook.
8. Luckily, I've been blessed with a fast metabolism, a dislike for candy, and an enjoyment of running. Otherwise, I would probably weigh over 200 lbs.
9. Many of my pet peeves have to do with hands-- cracking knuckles, biting nails, and long nails on kids that are dirty. One time I sat next to a girl in a church meeting who was biting her nails. I was also biting my tongue to keep from saying anything.
10. I am constantly at odds with myself because I am a very rational person but also very emotional so my rational side is trying to keep my emotional side from doing something stupid. Unfortunately, I have ruined many friendships by letting my emotional side overreact before letting my rational side get the upper hand.
11. I am a boob, and I hate it. Well, sometimes, see 12.
12. I was pulled over in highschool for speeding countless times. I cried every time. I never got a ticket.
13. I am a terrible housekeeper. Organization is a skill that I DO NOT possess. I am surrounded by clutter and dust. It drives me crazy and I try my best but, again, it is a skill I just don't have.
14. I hate spending money. I can never gamble because it makes me sick to throw away money.
15. Which is why I love 2nd hand shopping. A great deal for next to nothing.
16. I love rocking out in my car. If you stop next to me at a light, you can see me singing away. LOVE IT. You can also catch me at times dancing around my house to good music. Love it, love it, love it!
17. I don't really like to wear makeup much and I'm happy with that. If I do, it means mascara and lipgloss. Although, maybe I should wear it more often, and I quote my freshman year roomate after I put makeup on to go out for the night "Wow, Luisa, you look good? (with surprise in her voice) You should wear makeup more often." (I'll definitely have to do a blog entry about roomates, since we all have great roomate stories.)
18. I don't take compliments very well and feel very awkward. Unfortunately, I have a hard time believing them.
19. I am even more self-conscious at 29 than I was in Junior High, when I was flat as a board and the shortest girl in my class.
20. I am anti-cell phones. My problem is that people think that EVERY time is an appropriate time to be on the phone. And it's not.
Well, I will add more later. I should have been in bed 3 hours ago when my baby went to bed but I'm living it up because it's Labor Day. Peace out y'all.
BTW-- please, give me feedback. What do you think?
3. I love to go dancing and first met Jason disco-dancing at the Omni. (That ages me.)
4. My first kiss was when I was 16 and the guy asked if he could kiss me (he knew it was my first). At the last minute I chickened out and turned my face so he kissed my cheek. Still, that night in my bed I was all afloat that I had my first kiss.
5. I am a horrible artist. I like good art which makes it even more awful because I realize how much I suck. Which makes me push my husband to develop his talent more because he doesn't realize how lucky he is to have that natural skill.
6. I like to eat good food. Alot.
7. So, I like to cook.
8. Luckily, I've been blessed with a fast metabolism, a dislike for candy, and an enjoyment of running. Otherwise, I would probably weigh over 200 lbs.
9. Many of my pet peeves have to do with hands-- cracking knuckles, biting nails, and long nails on kids that are dirty. One time I sat next to a girl in a church meeting who was biting her nails. I was also biting my tongue to keep from saying anything.
10. I am constantly at odds with myself because I am a very rational person but also very emotional so my rational side is trying to keep my emotional side from doing something stupid. Unfortunately, I have ruined many friendships by letting my emotional side overreact before letting my rational side get the upper hand.
11. I am a boob, and I hate it. Well, sometimes, see 12.
12. I was pulled over in highschool for speeding countless times. I cried every time. I never got a ticket.
13. I am a terrible housekeeper. Organization is a skill that I DO NOT possess. I am surrounded by clutter and dust. It drives me crazy and I try my best but, again, it is a skill I just don't have.
14. I hate spending money. I can never gamble because it makes me sick to throw away money.
15. Which is why I love 2nd hand shopping. A great deal for next to nothing.
16. I love rocking out in my car. If you stop next to me at a light, you can see me singing away. LOVE IT. You can also catch me at times dancing around my house to good music. Love it, love it, love it!
17. I don't really like to wear makeup much and I'm happy with that. If I do, it means mascara and lipgloss. Although, maybe I should wear it more often, and I quote my freshman year roomate after I put makeup on to go out for the night "Wow, Luisa, you look good? (with surprise in her voice) You should wear makeup more often." (I'll definitely have to do a blog entry about roomates, since we all have great roomate stories.)
18. I don't take compliments very well and feel very awkward. Unfortunately, I have a hard time believing them.
19. I am even more self-conscious at 29 than I was in Junior High, when I was flat as a board and the shortest girl in my class.
20. I am anti-cell phones. My problem is that people think that EVERY time is an appropriate time to be on the phone. And it's not.
Well, I will add more later. I should have been in bed 3 hours ago when my baby went to bed but I'm living it up because it's Labor Day. Peace out y'all.
BTW-- please, give me feedback. What do you think?
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