Confession

Today I was folding laundry that had sat in a clothes basket over the long weekend. This translates to very wrinkley clothes. Here's the confession- I didn't even think about ironing them. I never Ever EVER ever ever ever EVER iron. Sometimes in a rare case the wrinkles are extreme, then I wrestle with the iron. But this is very rare with wrinkles very extreme. I think you could consider it a miracle if I use the steam setting or use starch. Does this mean I'm a bad mom? Or a bad wife? I'm pretty sure it means my family wears clothes that are way to wrinkley. I mean, what would I do if I lived in a time where clothes weren't made of cotton/poly blends that are "wrinkle-free"? What do you think? Am I the only one with this dirty little secret or do you have an ironing weakness, too?

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for so many things. I keep trying, but I just can't figure out the right way to say that I am SO blessed. Sometimes I feel guilty because I seem to have almost EVERYTHING and yet I still find reasons to complain. So I am grateful for a day to be thankful, eat the best food out of the whole year, and gather with friends and family.

This year we gathered at my cousin's house here in Springville with several relatives from my moms side. The food was DELICIOUS. I have to say, I made the most amazing pumkin pie. It looked good AND tasted good. I am very proud.

Thanksgiving could possibly be my favorite holiday.

Once there was a snowman

First item of business. I know my blog isn't private so I really shouldn't be concerned with privacy. But nevertheless, I am going to start using nifty code names. My sweet daughter shall from hence forth be known as She-She. Its a nickname we use for her sometimes. I don't really know where it came from. The little guy is now Bigdog(or BD if I am lazy in typing). Also a household nickname. And I am ME!



Here is our first snowman. It is about 8 inches tall. She-She was in charge of being in charge and giving directions. Bigdog's reaction was, "Who is this scary woman holding me. I want YOU Dad!" (I was wearing a knit hat, and Big Dog didn't like it.)


Here are a few other things that have happened around our place.

Our little vacation sure did a number on Bigdog. It totally ruined his sleeping habits. Before we left he was such an awesome sleeper. Rock him, sing him a song, lay him in the crib. He would immediately turn his head to the side, close his eyes, and fall asleep. He regressed badly on the trip because he was sick and we were all sleeping in the same room- so I was there to immediately soothe him if he woke up. When we came back he was still waking up often crying. We decided to retrain the poor guy but with no success. We tried the "cry it out" method. He hasn't improved (shortened crying times before sleeping, waking up less), instead he is worse! He just gets MORE upset and cries whenever we start a bedtime routine or walk towards his room. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong. We have done this before with She-She and Bigdog and it worked, but not this time.


As for She-She, she is as cute as ever. I love the ways she talks. I like to watch her eyes when she tells me things. Sometimes when she is serious her eyes get real big and look almost crossed. Its so cute. Or if she is really excited they sparkle with glee like she has a secret and she is going to burst. Adorable. Two of my favorite phrases of hers are, "Watch this I do!" Which means she has discovered a new trick which she thinks is clever. Another favorite- "What you said?" I don't know why her words get mixed up sometimes but that is one phrase that has stuck since she could talk.

Road Trip

Sean had a week scheduled off so we decided to head back to the homeland. Unfortunately Kemp got sick the night before we were supposed to leave. He threw up and had a fever above 103. The next morning we debated what to do. Kemp was acting like he felt a little better so we risked it and threw our stuff in the car. We split the trip down to Arizona in half by way of Vegas. We got a great deal on a motel and stayed the night. It was a good choice because Kemp was VERY sick (why didn't he tell us he wasn't kidding? That he wasn't feeling well before we left?) and there was an ice storm that we missed by going through Vegas.

It was great to see family. Unfortunately Kemp was sick the whole time, and wouldn't let anyone hold him or play with him, and mostly slept. Except in the car where he stayed awake. On the way home (a 10 hour ordeal) he was awake 9 hours. SHEESH!

We are pretty sure he had swine flu. I will spare you the nasty details of his symptoms. Gracie, Sean, and I were vaccinated so we never got it. Kemp had 1 of the 2 doses required for babys, so he was partially immune but not enough, apparently. I would have hated to seen what the illness looked like without being partially immune. Or maybe it wasnt swine flu at all. Perk of being married to a resident-We met Sean at the clinic where Sean checked his ears, etc. and called in Kemps prescription without an official doctor visit/wait.

In Arizona the weather was BEAUTIFUL. A few people commented that it was cooler than it had been but we thought it felt great!! We returned to find that beautiful fall is gone and snow has covered the mountains. It is officially COLD. VERY COLD. How did I survive when I was a kid. I walked to school everyday in elementary school. How did I not turn into an icicle?

Now our fun week is over and it is back to work. I miss being near our families. But, I am so thankful that I do have old and new friends here in Utah to make my life happy. And my sister. She rocks. I am not a huge fan of long drives but I am amazed at how well Gracie does. P.S. Portable DVD players are magical.

Bodily Functions

(Gracie after she drank a cup of milk)

G- Where did it go!

Me- Its in your tummy now

G- Here? Right? (pointing to stomach)

Me- Yep, thats where all of your food goes after you eat it

G- I want to see it! (tugging at belly button)

M- You can't. The food stays in there while your body uses it

G- I want to see it! It doesn't open?

M-No it doesn't open

G- Oh...it stays closed. It is stuck.

Nexts school lesson: The digestive system.

Love it-Hate it

(This is not our house, but you get the idea)


Our home has some beautiful wood and tile floors. In fact, our whole house is wood/tile except the front room area and two bedrooms. The third bedroom, kitchen, dining area, living room, bathrooms, hallways, and even stairs are wood or tile.


When we were looking at houses and we saw ones that had hard wood floors or tile, we would mutter "oooooooh, ahhhhhhhh" under our breath because they are so visually appealing. But now our floors and I have a strained relationship.

There are a few reasons I have discovered that wood/tile is not ideal.



#1 They are really hard. My feet and knees hurt after walking all day, especially after cooking dinner


#2 They are cold. The weather is cooling down and I have to wear socks to keep my feet warm which brings me to #3


#3 They are slippery. Gracie has biffed it several times and I don't know how Kemp is going to learn to walk on them without slipping and cracking his head. Not to mention the stairs. They are almost considered a hazard to your health.


#4 They show EVERY little speck of dirt and crumb of food. No hiding that unswept floor with plush carpet.


#5 The areas of wood floor that we have managed to hide under area rugs are now a different color because the sun has bleached the uncovered floors. Oops.


#6 They are loud. Crying, screaming, and squealing echo all through the house. Not to mention the fact we live right next to train tracks (don't ask how we feel about that) and the train noise...not good.


So I think when we sell our house having these beautiful floors will be to our advantage. I hope. What kind of flooring do you have? Remind me why tile and hard wood floors are so great. I think when we buy again in the future I might look for one that has all carpet. Even on the walls. Just kidding.

The Long Haul

Stats for the last 9 days-


Hours Sean worked- 166

Average of hours worked- 18.5 per day

Longest stretch worked- 40 hours with two hours off in the middle

Times Gracie asked if Daddy was coming home- 1, 123