Getting over having all boys

To the person who googled: Getting over having all boys...

I hope that what you found on my blog brought you the peace that you desire:) You see, being the mother of 3 boys is fun. Boys all come with different personalities, temperaments, ambitions...

Each day is an adventure.

This son teaches me that hard work and perseverence pay off.

This son reminds me to enjoy each and every day.

H took this pic. H has a sense of humor, always making us giggle. H loves to tell jokes and make random comments and take random pictures...

Now, wouldn't you love to be the mother of 3 boys too?

4th of July Giveaway

One of my co-workers brought the yummiest homemade icecream to work to share in celebration of the boss' birthday. It was delish and I've been craving it ever since. I would love to own an icecream maker of my own. I've entered to win one in the July 4th Giveaway. Click on the button to enter.

Randomness

I loved Lisa's post on Randomness so I thought I would give it a try.

My blood type is O- (Universal Donor). Ya Ya!

I'm craving a chicken garlic pizza.

I love soft icecream.

I can hear Crew crawling around throwing his toys against the wall. Don't ask me why he does this!

The TV in the other room is on and nobody's watching it. Hmmm.

We have multiple fruit trees/shrubs/plants in our yard (grapes, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, pears, peaches, plumcot). Credit goes to DH.

I love painted toenails:)

My hair needs a cut and another color/weave.

H wants to be a wasp in the next life. *giggle*

Crew eats about 60 cups of Yoplait yogurt per month. Stubborn kid.

S has one more baseball game this season. It's been a great season and he's played catcher, pitcher, short stop, 1st and 2nd base. The kid has an arm but "darn it" he hasn't hit anything but foul balls all season. I know he can do it because he's been nailing them in practices and at the batting cages. Today, he hit 20 out of 24 pitches. I think it's all in his head and we've been pouring on the praise so that hopefully he'll have the confidence he needs during the game.

We have algae growing in our pond.

I can't figure out how to get movies from my Camcorder to the PC. Aargh! I think my camcorder is too old or something.

Today at the pool a little girl with CP was trapped underwater when her floaty tipped over. It scared the crap out of me when I saw it. I ran over to grab her just as the dad did. It scared her too but she is okay.

I started running again. I've got to get ready for a 5K on the 4th of July and a 5 Miler later that month.

Can't wait for the Blogfest:)

June Flowers

What we've been up too!

The past week or so has been busy but I haven't really accomplished much. Don't you hate that! Here is a quick review of the past week:

S & H have been taking swimming lessons. They are having fun and making progress. The teachers are really good.

Crew started preschool. Last week I met with his teachers, special ed coordinator and therapists to discuss ESY (extended school year).

Between S & H we've been to 4 baseball games and a couple of practices. The boys are really enjoying it and its fun to watch them improve. As a family we also went on base and took advantage of the free batting cages. I had never been to the batting cages and I loved it. Let me tell you... I got the best workout. I'd take batting over situps anyday:)

Carl and I celebrated our 11 year anniversary. He surprised me by coming home early from work. We were able to get away for a bit without kids which is always nice.

I held a combined Wolf/Bear/Webelos den meeting at my house. I taught the boys about bicycle safety and we played a game where the boys had to deliver papers to the neighbors in our cul-de-sac. It was really hard for them to ride the bike and throw papers (at a target). They got points for hitting the target and points for not stopping.

I spent all day Monday at Cub Scout Day Camp. It was a nice day and I got to take H along:) He got to shoot BB Guns and a Bow and Arrow, ride the zip line, climb the climbing wall, make bug boxes and lots of other fun activities.

We visited Grandpa on Fathers Day. Grandma took Crew and S for the night and all day Monday so I could attend camp. thanks mom! Why is it that Crew bites me but not Grandma? I was bummed that Crew did not even act like he missed me:( Maybe Grandma spoils him.... Hmmm is that possible? Grandma's never do that! *grin*

Well off I go to wait for the bus. Ahhhh, isn't preschool great?

A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

Don't you just love this quote from Benjamin Franklin!

I come from an upbringing where "thrift" was greatly emphasized. My parents are savers and consequently my brothers are very careful with their money. They are great examples to me. Also, DH and I are quite conservative. For example, we bought his car four years ago for $1200 and it is still running. We hope to get another 4 years out of it. Ha ha!

However, despite attempts to be frugal it seems that there is never enough to go around. I often wonder where all our money is going and then I look at the bills and try to figure out if we can cut back here or there. I never dreamed that I would be seeing those in the medical profession on a weekly basis. Sometimes several visits a week. Follow-ups, therapy, surgery, medical equiptment... the list goes on and on. Crew is catching on quite quickly to the power chair. He is the hit of the neighborhood. The friends on the block love riding their bikes in front of him and letting him chase them in his wheelchair. The wheelchair is a loaner. I would love to get a customized chair. One that we could actually transport... and an accessible vehicle to boot!

Maybe, Shania Twain is right.... "We live in a greedy little world" :)

My Ah-HAA Moment

I've been asked to teach the lesson in Relief Society this week. I've never taught the sisters before and have been agonizing over this lesson as it is a sensitive topic, "Forgiving Others With All Your Heart". I'm mostly prepared and wanted to share my Ah-Haa moment which I've decided to include in my lesson:

I had an experience this week with my son Crew. Crew suffers from spasticity, a disorder in which certain muscles are continually contracting. This contraction causes stiffness or tightness of the muscles, interfering with his movement and over time may result in abnormal bone growth. The spasticity which effects both arms and legs greatly reduces Crew’s rate of development. One treatment method for spasticity involves injecting Botox into the muscles.

On Thursday, I took Crew down to Primary’s for his first set of Botox injections. The procedure was simple but Crew had to be restrained by the nurse and myself while the doctor used a needle to inject the botox into his hamstrings and gastrocks. Many injections were made in each leg and it only took two minutes. However, as you can imagine Crew was quite upset. He doesn’t understand yet he feels the pain and frustration and is probably wondering why I would do that to him. During the procedure he cried and cried and I cried too. As soon as the doctor was finished I sat him up and he immediately stopped crying, wrapped his arms around my neck and gave me a big hug. He is quick to forgive and quick to trust!

The benefit of this drug will likely make it possible for him to move more freely and sit more comfortably. The botox along with lots of therapy is intended to speed his rate of development.

I liken the spasticity that Crew suffers from to the anger and bitterness that can canker our unforgiving hearts. Left untreated it is debilitating. Bitterness, like spasticity, injures the one who carries it; it hardens and shrivels and cankers. Bitterness and anger prevent us from developing spiritually. Health professionals tell us that the body manufactures "high voltage" chemicals like adrenaline and cortisone when you don’t forgive. Too many of these chemicals can result in tension-related ills such as headaches and abdominal pains. This can result in more serious problems such as ulcers and other ailments. Aside from the physical problems caused by an unforgiving heart, our spirits suffer as well. Bitterness and anger prevent us from developing spiritually.

Just like the injections given to Crew, sometimes the pain we feel is initially out of our control. Fortunately, we have our Savior to take away our pain. Through our desire to rid ourselves of this pain, with prayer and effort on our part and completely trusting the Savior, we can have the opportunity to grow and develop spiritually. Just as Botox takes away Crew’s spasticity and gives him the opportunity to move more freely, forgiving with all our hearts, eliminates that constant negative interference in our lives. Forgiving with all our hearts frees our spirits and allows us to grow and develop spiritually. How thankful I am for the gift of forgiveness which sets us free.

Summer Fun

I recruited some help;)

Proud kiddo! Proud mom:)

My Big Big Boy!

Balance

Tonight I have a very irritable little boy with an ear infection. I knew S was pitching tonight so I dragged little Crew to the game. Have I mentioned how much he dislikes watching the games. After pulling all my tricks out of the bag we disappeared half-way through the game to go play. Crew has made it very clear to me that he expects to play on the playground with the other kiddos.

Away we went... another chance for some therapy ummm I mean playtime:) Together we climb the ladder, climb the stairs, back down the stairs, hang from the bar, down the slide.... we do it all. Together we do it all! T-O-G-E-T-H-E-R! And while I love this time with Crew watching him work and smile, it's clear to me why I am the only mother on the playground. Yet, I feel torn between spending this time with Crew and watching S play ball. I don't want the older boys to feel cheated because I spend all my time with Crewzer but what's a mom to do. These early years are so critical. I want to see Crew get stronger. I want to see him grow and develop. I want to hear him talk. I want to see him run.

I feel stretched so thin. Today I caught the implication that my dear friend feels hurt that I have not talked to her recently yet I have not had time for anybody other than family. I've never been in the circus and juggling has never been my thing. My life is completely out of balance. I'll admit it! All emotions are on the surface and I struggle to maintain some level of happiness in the home. My friend has been grieving the loss of a child and as the year anniversary of her passing approaches I'm sure she is needing my friendship. I have tried to reach out to her and show her that I care and so it hurts knowing that I have let her down.

I'm currently waiting and praying for the opportunity to be eligible for RESPITE care. Taking care of Crew is a full time job and can be quite taxing at times. Respite would provide the Balance we so desperately need to keep this family together and so we hope and pray for this to become available to us.

Help!

I would love to put music on my blog but can't figure out how. Anybody want to share their secret???

Seven Random Things

I've been tagged! Chel asked me to list 7 random things about me... this is going to be simple and like it says; totally random.

1. I love the smell of freshly cut grass. This love evolves from a childhood where our family owned and operated a sod farm. Between my siblings and I, we were responsible for watering and mowing over 40 acres of grass. Oh, and don't tell anyone but I frequently mow the lawn in my flipflops.

2. I can't stand filing my nails. The nail file is like fingernails on a chalkboard. It's just clippers for me so don't look close:) Oh, the other problem with my hands is that I rarely use gloves while gardening.

3. Okay, now that everybody is grossing out because you are thinking I have green toes all the time and dirty fingernails I will try to smooth things over by saying that I have to have my showers in the morning and I can't leave the house without makeup. Showering at night is fine as long as I shower again in the morning.

4. I have 3 brothers and 3 sisters. I love them all and strive to be cool like them each and every day. Oh, and my six SIL's are a gift from God!

5. I've never felt cheated for having all boys!

6. I'm so excited for the next Harry Potter book/movie! It's been a real long time since I've read anything other than church books but am looking forward to spending some time with a book.
7. I went through a phase in Jr. High where I quacked like Donald Duck for 3 years.

Well, that was pretty random, wasn't it? If you want to participate consider yourself tagged!