Tagged

I've been tagged, haven't had that happen before. This should be good. :o)

3 Joys

1. My family. I love having a family, I love that we will be a family forever.

2. My husband, I know this kind of goes with the above, but I am so thankful that we are the best of friends and that we are able to communicate with each other so well. Yes, there are ups and downs but what is marriage with out that?

3. I love to garden, my flowers they bring such happiness to me, I just can look and them and smile. Then there are those chickens who are eating them up!! I hope we are able to get them pinned up tomorrow. Just a little side note. The chickens will be in the garden eating all of those yummy plants and I will be so upset, I will yell, "CHICKENS!!" then I will run full speed outside. And those chickens know that I wont hurt them so I get right up to them and they just freeze and wait for me to pick them up. Well I can't pick them up, because I usually have Jacob in my arms, so I have to try to shoo them away. ARRR.


3 Fears

1. I am so afraid of my kids being taken. That would be worse then one of them dying I think, because I just wouldn't know where they are or how they are doing. Dang, my eyes are watering just thinking about it.

2. I am also afraid of being attacked. I was "mugged" while living in Utah. The guy didn't hurt me he just took my wallet. I was only 5 to 8 steps away from my apartment door. Why do people have to scar others like that???

3. Losing my husband. That would be so hard to lose a best friend.


3 Goals

1. Teach my children to be the best they can be.

2. Be the best mom I could be.

3. Lose weight. For anyone that wants to know I started exercising the beginning of August and by mid September I lost 15 pounds!! Yea!


Current Obsessions

1. Emma and homework

2. Blogging, doing my own and reading others.

3. Chocolate... man why did this one have to come out in the open. Anyone have a chocoholics anonymous group?


Random surprising facts about me

1. I am afraid of teenagers, isn't that strange?

2. I wont do my dishes at night. I wait until the following afternoon or right before dinner the next day. They are usually rinsed off, I just don't want to empty the dishwasher to put the dirty ones in.

3. I hate to cook... oh wait is that a surprise?? ;o) -Ma

Now I tag:

Katie N. ... are you up for the challenge?
Heather C. ... would love to hear what you have to say.

Interviewing the Children

Okay so I am a copy cat, but it was cute so I had to. :o)

I asked Emma, David and Abby these questions separately, hope you enjoy reading.

1. What is something mom always says to you?

Emma: I love you

David: Clean up.

Abby: Eat your mac and cheese


2. What makes mom happy?

Emma: Being nice to each other

David: Being good

Abby: Happy face


3. What makes mom sad?

Emma: Being mean to each other

David: hitting

Abby: hmmm a sad face


4. How does your mom make you laugh?

Emma: tickle me

David: being silly

Abby: Umm, you laugh


5. What was your mom like as a child?

Emma: I don't know, that's tricky

David: I don't know

Abby: I dunno, what's your name?



6. How old is your mom?

Emma: I don't know

David: I already counted (I accidentally asked him the next question first)

Abby: How old are you?


7. How tall is your mom?

Emma: 88

David: I'm thinking. I will just count you, starting at my feet, 1, 2, 3, 4... 8.

Abby: hmm, umm. I dunno. You got a shirt and pants... thats tall!


8. What is moms favorite thing to do?

Emma: I don't know, clean the dishes.

David: Play games, I mean work on the computer

Abby: do dirty clothes and I love you!!


9. What does your mom do when your not around?

Emma: When I'm at school, you cry

David: Come with you, uhhh stay with papa (big smile)

Abby: I don't know

(as you can see, I never get out. Maybe that is why I am a little loopy!!)


10. If your mom became famous, what would it be for?

Emma: I don't know

David: Tell the people

Abby: I don't know

(They really didn't know what famous meant)


11. What is your mom really good at?

Emma: Clean the house

David: Good at combing your hair and you know how to get a bath all by yourself

Abby: I don't know (I think she was tired of all the questions)


12. What is your mom not so good at?

Emma: Not good at taking care of the kids when they fight

David: Your not good at riding a bus (papa takes the bus to work, saves on gas $$)

Abby: You make messes and you clean it up and you broom it and you throw it in the trash and you make dinner for us. And I eat mac and cheese all up and then I have a treat. (then she licks her lips)


13. What does your mom do for her job?

Emma: clean the house

David: work, what kind of work?

Abby: I don't know


14. What is your moms favorite food?

Emma: lots of food

David: Cheerios? Is cheerios food?

Abby: uhhh, life cereal, mac and cheese....


15. What makes you proud of your mom?

Emma: Doing exercise, I'm happy because your doing exercise

David: being nice, watering the garden for me.

Abby: you love me


16: If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?

Emma: Teach me know how to cook. (I think she likes the cooking show.)

David: Be yourself

Abby: My little pony (I told her that cartoon characters were like strawberry shortcake and my little pony she got real excited about my little pony)


17. What is something you and your mom do together?

Emma: We play dominos

David: Water the garden together

Abby: I don't know, I can help you with things


18. How are you and your mom the same?

Emma: We almost have short hair

David: umm, I like to water the garden together

Abby: I don't know


19. How are you and your mom different?

Emma: We do different things

David: We wear different clothes

Abby: You make silly faces, like this. (can you tell she is ready to be done with these questions?)


20. How do you know your mom loves you?

Emma: She loves me so much she keeps on saying it!!

David: Putting my shoes on

Abby: I be a cutie pie.


And there you have it. I think the answers turned out pretty good. Gotta love these cute little ones. :o) -Ma

We live on an ant hill

When we moved into our house 4 years ago next month. Ants would come into our home, we would have ants in the master bedroom closet, the second bedroom, the hall bathroom, the laundry room, the living room, and of course the kitchen. After two years of being at war with these yucky tiny biting things we found Home Defense. This stuff works great to keep the ants out.

We have been keeping the ants out of the house, had only one attack this year (so far). Last year we didn't have any ants in the house.

This morning I went out to water the garden and I noticed that there are a lot more ants out today. Was bit 3 times this morning. Jacob was bit at least twice if not more.

Now this is crazy... I was just out at 3:30 pm. keeping the chickens out of the garden. Kids followed, a normal habit they have. Jacob likes to go into the coop and he was being attacked by these tiny creatures, so I brought him in washed of his feet and proceeded to put on itch cream. Just as I was finishing up I hear Abby screaming, the scream was saying that she had ants on her.

I ran out to save Abby and saw that she had at least 30 ants on her feet and the bottoms of her pants, it looked like someone splashed her with mud, there were black spots all over her. I strip off her pants and tried to bravely brush off the ants. Then I notice she is scratching at her neck, so I strip of her shirt and panties. Put her in the bath to wash off any other ants that I did not see then I went to put on some itch cream. I begin to count, 6 on one hand and wrist. Then down to her feet and legs, 19 bites. She is scratching her neck, 20 bites. Look at her back, 21 bites!!! Then on top her her head was a little black ant crawling around, squished it with my fingers... because I am a good brave mom!

Can we ever get rid of these pesky little things? I thought the chickens would help, they like bugs right??? No, it seems the problem is worse.

Anyone have an anteater to loan out? Might need it for a few months.

This is funny... Pa put gasoline down a couple ant hills and sent them on fire. Didn't seem to phase them, they just moved over a little.

We tried so many different things but we are open for suggestions.?. -Ma

Primary Program

Isn't it funny that no matter what your kids do, as a parent you will always love them and think that they are great!

First let me say, anyone that has just 2 kids you have it soooo easy!

Emma and David were in the primary program on Sunday so Pa and I just had Abby and Jacob during sacrament meeting. One kid for each lap. Jacob fell asleep on me then was moved to Pa. Then Abby was on my lap and she fell asleep too. Amazing, I was able to pay attention to the program. :o)

Well, Emma was great. She is so good at being well mannered, sitting still and quiet. We didn't practice her line, so she needed a little help but she did great and looked so cute!! Her line was, "when I look at pictures of the temple in my home, it helps me remember to be good." Something like that.

David on the other hand was just in his own little world. I was laughing so hard I was crying. (Don't worry I was laughing quietly enough for no one to hear me and I was sitting on the last row.) David when the music would start he would sway to the beat, or he would just start dancing. Now his dances are so cute/funny!!! He dances a lot with his arms, he was doing karate chops and what ever else he felt necessary. Then as the song would come to an end he would sing the last few words and sit down. David line was, "I can dress modestly." His modestly came out supper cute!! I sure do love my kids. -Ma

Life and Death

This morning Abby asked who gave her a pink bear. A normal question. She is always asking who made this outfit for her or who gave her a certain toy. She wont settle for the easy answer, "I don't know."
So, I told her that her Grandma Miller gave her the bear. (This is Pa's Grandmother on his fathers side.) She made a funny face like she wasn't sure who I was talking about. So I said, "remember she is the one that died." "Oh" she said, "I don't want Grandma Norgard or Aunt Susan to die." I said, "ya, it is sad when people die, but remember it is okay because we will see them again." Abby looked as if a light went off in her head, "Ya, when we die it's okay because we will be a family. Aunt Susan and Grandma Norgard when they die, they will be a family." She was so excited to tell me about this piece of information she had.
On the way to and from Emma's school she was saying that she doesn't want Grandma Norgard or Aunt Susan to die but it will be okay because we will be a family. She also said that it is okay that Grandma Miller died because she will see her again.

Now this is really neat to me because I can't remember a recent time that I or Pa have sat down with her to tell her about the plan of happiness, it seems like it has been a couple of years since we have done this. So it just makes my testimony a little stronger that we know we can be eternal families. This has come from the mouth of a babe. -Ma

My Day

I wrote a letter to Grandma, I thought it was kind of humorous because I ended up telling her my whole day, and what a day that was.

We are doing well.  I feel so busy with taking care of children, keeping up with the house and yard work and chickens.  The only time that I consider my time is when I exercise for 20 to 30 minutes and then my shower.  But even during these times I have the kids at my ankles crying.  This is what motherhood is all about though.  I do love being a mom.

Yesterday I just had to laugh.  Every inch of the house was dirty.  (Glad our house is only 945 square feet).  

Kitchen - dishes, table, counters, floor.

Living room - I'm going through toys, so the floor and couches are cover with them, the desk is a mess to.  (By the way, a guy on freecycle is trying to round up 4,000 toys for 4,000 kids in Mexico for Christmas.  Anyone interested?)  In order to go out the front door I am pushing stuff aside and stepping over clutter.

The girls room - oh that girls room.  Abby was looking for who knows what and she took all of her clothes and put them on her bed and floor along with Emma's P.J.'s, undies and socks. Jacob loves socks so he grabbed those and carried them all over the house.

The boys room - is mostly under control, David really likes a clean room.

My room - UG!  Those kids get in there and make such a mess!  That is where the T.V. is so that is where they like to be.

So, after a busy day sending Emma off to school.  Working out.  Shower. Get the kids cute.  Buy bread.  Come home, make sandwiches.  Put Abby's shoes back on.  Go to Emma's school, eat lunch.  Come home, pick up stuff to return to the store.  Do that.  Return home. Talk to sister-in-law for an hour while watering the garden and holding Jacob.  Did some laundry.  (I did accomplish that yesterday, just need to put it away.)  Walked around the house wondering what to start first.  Our computer was down.  That is where I pay bills so, I had to call and pay 5 bills.  Cleared part of the table. Went to my room stripped my bed, dropped that off at the laundry room door. Looked at the time... Emma will be home soon!  Go outside.  Chat with another mom.  Look at the side yard and sigh.  WEEDS!  We just did major weed work 3 weeks ago, it was beautiful!  Then I laugh at all that needs to be done.  Go inside make a snack for the kids.  Look at the floor, kix cereal all over the floor.  Sweep the floor, or should I say, "broom the floor."  Thanks to Abby.  Start sheets in laundry.  Work with Emma on her homework, one hour.  Put sheets in dryer.  Think about dinner but just can't bring myself to make it.  Clean the rest of the kitchen.  Said good bye to Pa, he was one his way to a church meeting.  Oh, kids are getting hungry, better feed them.  7:00 p.m. made alfredo noodles.  Put a movie in for the kids. Read a book with Emma, 30 minutes.  Got kids in there p.j.'s. Teeth brushed.  Straightened up the kids rooms (ie., pushed their stuff aside so we could walk).  Computer is working!  Checked e-mail.  Matt got home 9:00 p.m.  Oops, talking to Maggie on phone better get off and I better get those kids to bed.  Get sheets on my bed.  Nurse Jacob, I fell asleep in the rocking chair. Put Jacob to bed crashed into bed.  Nurse Jacob at 12:30 a.m. then again I think it was 4:00 a.m. Up and out of bed by 7:00 a.m.

Who ever said being a mom was easy is CRAZY! -Ma

Question for all of you

Emma came home the other day.  She told me this story...

Emma was on the playground and saw a friend of hers that she wanted to play with, Megan.

Megan was with a friend.  So Emma asked if she could play with the two of them.  Megan's friend said, "No, you can't play with me."  Emma walked away, went to a different playground to play, she played on the monkey bars by herself.

Breaks my heart.

Anyone have any words of advice?

Is there anything I could say to Emma to help the hurt go away?  Or anything that could make her a stronger person because of what happened.

Thanks -Ma

Lunch date with Emma

Tuesday came and we didn't have any bread for Emma's lunch.  Really I shouldn't say that, we had some bread but it was home made and she didn't want that.  I know she is spoiled, so I went to the store bought some bread made the kids and I some lunch then we went to school to eat with Emma.

When parents come to school to eat they get to eat outside.  Not that exciting, it is so hot.  So as we got started a girl named Violet came out to join us.  As Violet sat down with us she said that she asked the aid if she could sit with us.  I guess the children without parents there have to eat inside.  So I said okay.  Emma didn't seem too excited to have Violet sitting with us.  I found out that she in Emma's class.  I asked Emma later if she play's with Violet Emma said, "No, she gets in trouble a lot that is why I don't play with her."  It is nice that Emma has an inner desire to be good.  Yea Emma!!

It was also interesting to see how Emma interacted with the other kids.  As the class was finishing with their lunches they were coming outside and passing us on their way to the playground.  One girl came up to Emma and said probably 3 times, "Emma, is that your mom?" Emma would not respond.  Reminds me of me as a child, sometimes I just couldn't get words out of my mouth and other times I was so afraid to say anything, oh how I wanted too but I just couldn't, fear of what they would say.

Another girl came up to say hi, Emma looked at her and smiled.  The girl said, "Wow, your face is a mess!"  I brought chocolate pudding.  I spoke up and said, "that is okay, faces can always be cleaned!"  So, the girl said, "I know, when I eat (she named a specific food) I get such a messy face, it is soo funny!  And when my sister eats her face always gets dirty!"  So, that was good. Emma was done shortly after that, wiped her face clean and left for the playground.  She didn't even say good bye to me.  :(  She has a mind of her own!  :o) -Ma

Emma lost her first tooth

On September 1st Labor Day Emma lost her first tooth.  She was so excited, she came running down the hall.  Mama, mama, mama I lost my tooth!  I kept wiggling it and twisting it and it came out!  She was jumping up and down and just couldn't contain herself!  It was funny watching her. -Ma