Scrub Scrub

As I am scrubbing away at dishes that have been sitting all night, or scrubbing a floor that had a spill and it is now tough to get up because, ah hum....  I let it sit and dry.  

I wonder...

Why didn't I clean this when it was soft and easier to clean?  I could be saving water, energy, TIME!!

Well, I will tell you why!  

There are some times that I just have to walk away.  There are some times that I get so upset that the mess happened in the first place that I just have to walk away so I don't hurt feelings. Then I come back and ugh, the mess is still there, but it is even uglier.  

I think of yesterday.  I was busy sewing.  (I have a fun little project I have been working on.) My kids want to make their own "jelly sandwiches".  They ask, and I say "sure, go for it!"  So they do.

David stands and makes his sandwich on a chair.  Jelly gets everywhere!

Abby gets up to the table.  Jelly gets everywhere!

Abby wants her sandwich to be cut, so I come out and cut the sandwich in two.  Abby is sticky from her mess and goes to the kitchen sink to wash off.  She climbed into the sink, I thought is was unusual.  But she was taking care of it herself and that is great!  

Then I hear.  "Mommy, I went potty in the sink.  I couldn't hold it so I went in the sink."  

I am staying calm this whole time, we go to the tub to clean up.  She looks good smells beautiful!  

Then the mess!  We go to the kitchen to eat "the sandwich".  The reason we are in this "mess".

She doesn't like the sandwich now.  So, being the sucker that I am, I make her a new sandwich, before I start I say, "be careful of the jelly please".  She is not careful.  Abby finds a toy car that is close by and starts spreading the jelly around on the floor with the car and her foot.  So then I start throwing a fit!  I ask her why she is doing this.  She looks perplexed that I would be upset.  So I chill.  I tell her that we can't make the mess bigger.  That made sense.  

Finish making sandwich and Abby is off to play, happily.

Then to clean up the jelly.  As I am cleaning, I am thinking I sure am glad I am getting this done now while it is soft.  That jelly was on the wall, table and chair legs, backs of the chairs, the seat of the chairs and on the table.  I am so thankful I did that right away.

Last night I made some banana bread for those that I visit teach.  (This is not normal for me, I was feeling ambitious.)  It was dinner time, dinner had just come out of the oven and the bread was just going into the oven.  I didn't want dinner to get cold and I didn't want my family to start with out me.  So I leave the mess for later.  Well, that mess waited till this morning. And YUCK, it is not fun to clean off when it is dried up and gross.  The whole time I am thinking, why did I wait?  I didn't wait on the jelly and I was so happy that I didn't.  Why do I wait?  It is because I just made dinner and banana bread and cleaned off the table, who wants to do dishes?  So I went outside and had fun.  Then I came inside and bathed the kids then read some books  and sang to Jacob.  All great things to do.

I am now remembering some great words from one of President and Sister Hinckley daughters.  This is from a book that I LOVE called Glimpses into the life and heart of Marjorie Pay Hinckley edited by Virginia H. Pearce 

On page 145 A daughter talks about her mothers willingness to teach without insisting that a person learn!

Page 146  

"After I became an adult, I don't remember her ever telling me how I should or should not do things, being critical, or even giving advice.  But I do remember one time when she offered a suggestion.

Unlike women of character, I have always been able to sleep quite comfortably at night with dirty dinner dishes all over the kitchen.  After I've fixed and served dinner, I have just enough energy rationed out to do the "getting-the-kids-to-bed" routine.  Barely.  However, I have boundless morning energy, and I quite like whipping the kitchen into shape first thing.

Mother came to help me when my twins were born.  After observing my habit of leaving the kitchen cluttered at night, as well as my inability to get a handle on the other housework, laundry, child care, and so on, she said:  "Ginny, you might be better off if you just did the dishes at night.  Then you could start every day with at least a clean kitchen."  So unlike her was the comment that I remember exactly where both of us were standing when she made it. But, as unusual as it was, her voice still said that it was entirely my option.  I didn't take the advice, and I don't believe she ever mentioned it again.  It really shows your mettle as a teacher when you can offer an idea and then let go.  And I don't think she was even biting her tongue." 

Even though it would be easier to clean all the dishes at night and pick up after oneself right away.  I am just not that way.  So, I am in the same boat as Ginny, I am stuck there and I think there I will stay.

By the way, if you want to read a good book this one is great!  Sister Hinckley was an amazing person!!

I better get now, I have some more dirt to sweep outside and need to spray some ant killer. Jacobs feet are swollen with ant bites!  -Ma

Thank you, thank you!!

Thank you so much for all of your comments on the previous post.  And thank you too for the phone calls.  Being a mom can be very tough!  I am thankful for friends that are so supportive.  I got some great advice that I am putting to the test.  Thanks!  -Ma

Random Thoughts

So, I have been battling a war within my self wondering if I should homeschool Emma or continue taking her to public schools.  For the last two weeks she has been struggling to go to school and to do her homework.  Last night it took her 1 hour and 40 minutes to do her homework.  It should only take 20 to 30 minutes tops.  She knows her stuff she just gets so distracted.  So last night I tried not to get mad, or at least not let it show.  The mood was better.  Then this morning I went to drop her off at school and she didn't want to get out but there were two boys waiting for her outside of the van, the were saying come on Emma, open the door.  Finally she opened the door and they had big smiles on there faces and off they went.  Boys are good friends to have.

What is it with people?  When we see an accident we have to see it really good, for me I want to see how this accident may have happened, what happened exactly and if everyone is okay.  Well there was a car accident at the high school this morning.  A mini van lost it's front bumper, and a red suburban was laying on its top.  Looked pretty bad.  Don't know if anyone was hurt they were already gone.  I just think how tragic this is.  The suburban looked like it was a teenagers car, maybe it wasn't but it had the look and feel to it.  (That is judgmental isn't it??)  But when I think of teenagers I think that they really don't like to wear their seat belts.  I hope and pray that they did.

Kids were sick this week but appear to be better now.

Emma is going to see an neurologist this Monday for her headaches.  Still getting them.  Would like to find an iridologist.  Does anyone know of one in mesa or the phoenix area???  I looked on google but just can't find anyone.  Oh, Mom or Aunt Susan, do you know of one in Prescott?

-Ma

Beautiful Morning

This week we have been giving Pa a ride to the bus stop and picking him up in the evening.  The Jeep is out of commission.  We have to leave at 6:50 to drop him off.  This morning all of the kids were up, usually we have to carry them out while they are asleep. On the way back home the kids were talking about the sun rise and how beautiful it is, they were talking about all of the colors they could see.  It is fun to think that they really haven't seen too many sun rises, boy are they missing out.  I am glad that they have this opportunity, not so glad that the Jeep is "sick".

Yesterday, Emma and David had a dentist appointment right after Emma got home from school. I was thinking that I had it all together, we were going to get there about 5 minutes late... not too bad.  So I am yelling, "Go, go, go, lets get in the van..."  We all rush out the door, and get in the van.  Ooops the keys are in the house.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.  I don't have a spare key hidden all nice some where outside.  I don't have a cell phone.  Oh wait, we did this before... Pa got us back in with a pocket knife, sad but true our house is easy to break into.  Searching for a pocket knife.  Ahhhhh, it isn't in the van any more.  Okay, okay, okay... I found a pen with a metal piece on it.  I break it off, then I tried to break into the house.  It worked only half way. Then I tried to use a spoon from Wendy's.  That didn't work either.  Du.  So I go to a friends house around the corner and ask for a knife.  She gives me a leather-man kind of thing, better than a  knife.  I couldn't get the knife part to open the door but another part of it did.  However I was now 45 minutes late for Emma's appointment, 5 minutes early for Davids.  And 25 minutes late picking Pa up from the bus stop.  Called the dentist, the hygienist went home, then ran to get Pa.  Phew!! -Ma

Miracles

Pa was saying the other day that there have been some signs of miracles.  

An airplane crash and no one dies.

The cardinals win.

A black president.

I am sure there are more.

Do you think Heavenly Father is trying to tell us something before things get really really bad?

-Ma

Christmas Questions and Answers

So my sister in law sent this to me via e-mail, thought it would be more fun to post here.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?  This year we are wrapping with paper bags.  It is fun bringing home our groceries in paper.
 
2. Real tree or Artificial?  Real, our fake trees keep breaking.

3. When do you put up the tree? After Thanksgiving sometime.

4. When do you take the tree down?  After Christmas sometime.

5. Do you like eggnog? Depends on my mood.

5A. Favorite drink for the holiday?  I love water... all the time. 

6. Favorite gift received as a child? The one thing that I keep remembering is the plaque that Mom made for me, ballet slippers and my name.  I thought that was great.  It was hard to pass on, I hope who ever got it likes it as much as I did.

7. Hardest person to buy for?  Pa, but now he buys his own presents.  Works better that way.

8. Easiest person to buy for? Emma

9. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I love it.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?  We intend to mail them every year and many times we will take the picture and then never get them printed, or life just happens and they never get sent.  I work on getting better at that every year.
 
11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?  I don't know if I ever received that bad of a gift to remember.   

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?  Hu, I guess I don't have one.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Too late.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Most definitely.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? I love stuffing.

16. Lights on the tree? Yes

17. Favorite Christmas song? Oh Holy Night, What Child is This.  So many good ones.
 
18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Depends on the year.  

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? No, I don't think I ever could.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? Currently nothing.  Kids want a star I keep telling them we will make one, but we just haven't.

21. Open presents on Christmas Eve or morning? One personal family one on Christmas Eve. 
 
22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The crowds.

23. Favorite Ornament?  Ornaments overwhelm me.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?  Ham

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? A Happy Family and peaceful day.

26. Favorite Christmas memory?  The first one with Pa and Emma, so much more fun with kids.

27. Favorite Christmas cookie? Anything with CHOCOLATE!!!

28. Are you going to make any gifts this year? Yes, if I make time to do it.  I spy bags for all of the nieces and nephews... sorry guys if I don't get it done.  I do have them cut out, just need to drag out the sewing machine.  That is the hardest part. -Ma