Long, long day

Yes it is true, we are moving once again. After living here on Hunter Trail for a year we just can't make it anymore. Brent and I took about $1000 pay cut this last summer. Brent went from hourly (which he made tons of overtime on) to salary (so he still works the same amount of hours, but just for less pay). We also didn't have good health insurance, so I'm using my paycheck for TUSD to get insurance, which means the whole thing is taken.  Therefore, loss of income means, you guessed it, DOWN SIZING!  

  You are probably wondering what I mean by that. Well, Brent and I decided that although we love family, we needed our own space. So we purchased a used travel trailer that we can pull with the excursion, and have parked it at my parents house to live in. (I will post pictures tomorrow.) Is it the most ideal living situation?  No. But for the first time in my married life, I will be living within my means.  Brent and I will have (to begin with) $1000 extra dollars a month (if the budget is stuck too) to pay off our outstanding debt.

  I feel I have to explain the debt a little too. Brent and I started our marriage $2000 in the hole and have never recovered. We were married young and, to be honest, new little about money.  We thought we were in the clear when Brent became a Police officer for Antioch, but when he was let go for "being to nice" and couldn't get rehired, we couldn't seem to catch up. Were there mistakes. YOU BETCHA!  But we are only 29 and feel NOW is the time to get out of the ditch we have created for ourselves. 

I'm actually feeling quite liberated by the idea of not having to ask for help to pay my bills, put gas in my car, or feed my kids. Let's just say that that is the HARDEST, most HUMILIATING (I mean humbling) thing that someone has to do. It has taken it's tole on us and we are trying to rectify that. Will it be hard?  Of Course!  But my life right NOW is hard. Who ever said money was the pit of all evil, or whatever that was, is so right. It can truly make your life miserable if you are trying to live above what you are making. We were doing ok until we took the pay decrease and new that after two months, we just can't make it. 

Because I'm excited about this new venture, and am trying to stay that way, here are a list of positives about living in a trailer (at my mom and dad's):

• Not much housekeeping to do.
• My parents have a really nice yard and drive way where my kids can play.
• I can still take my showers and go potty in a real bathroom.
• A really nice washer and dryer!
• Country living (quiet, peaceful, sometimes windy)
• CAN PAY OFF MY DEBT!!!!  WAHOO!
• Still work in the same spot.
• Is a safe place to live.
• Close to my grandparents so maybe I'll see them more than once a month. 
• Makes me be VERY organized!
• I don't have to pack to go on a trip
• My kids are young enough that they think it is fun.  
• My kids are excited to live near the grandparents.
• My parents are home much so we can watch the house for them 

So there are some. I know I can think of some negatives but I don't want to dwell on them. It will be an interesting experience and I know it is the right thing to do because we have received confirmation from our Heavenly Father that it is. We were counseled by family and friends to have me go back to work full time, but we just didn't feel that that was the answer. We feel strongly that right now our children need me. And the two part time positions I have does bring us insurance and some income. 

I'm grateful for this opportunity because over the past two years material things have become very inconsequential. It's amazing to pack this time because it is my choice rather than feeling discouraged and sad because we lost a job and have no direction. I feel like I can really just get rid of things that I've been holding on for years. Some for sentimental reasons, but others just because I didn't want to hurt someone's feelings. I've realized that I can't keep all of this and feel a little liberated by getting rid of it!  

I'll be posting many more Adventures from Trailer Transitions in the future. I'm sure it will make for some interesting posts.  Stay tuned...

Welcome Fall!

My favorite time of year is fall. I love the changing of the colors, the cooler weather, football season, pumpkins, apples, etc. My favorite holidays are Halloween and Thanksgiving. To me it is the most beautiful time of year.

Who taught him that?

Ben is learning new things faster than we can blink. He has learned close to 50 + words in the last few months. This morning he decided to drink his milk from his bowl. Ben loves milk and no one in the family has ever done this in front of him, yet he took the initiative to just try for himself.
He is in that Cause and Effect stage of his life. Here are some examples.
Dumping his pretzels on the floor and stepping on them.
Unwrapping Brent's throat lozenges and licking them, which he brought to me (3) and said "Mama, Yuck!"
Eating his diaper rash cream.
Writing on himself with Expo marker and then trying to rub it off.
Attempting to run in Mommy's shoes (didn't work too well).
Hiding under the girls bunk beds when Mommy counts 1-2-3. (That one usually ends with a light spanking, yet he still does it!)
Trying to use my kitchen broom as a fly swatter.

I'm sure this is just the beginning of his two year old experiments. Can't wait for what's in store!

Mommy I want curlies!

After her bath Wednesday night Hannah says, "Mommy, I want curlies!" Ok, so after her shower we rolled her hair in sponge curlers and we let her sleep in them. I probably used the ones that were too small because she came out with REALLY curly hair. At first (because her sister freaked out) she started to cry. But I put it in pigtails and everyone thought she looked really cute. She took pictures with Mommy because we both had curly hair. By the end of the day, she said she wanted to have curlies again, just not tomorrow. I love your curlies Hannah!

The responsibility list

I've been having trouble getting my girls to work on their homework, clean up their things, and take care of themselves. So today in an effort to keep them busy all afternoon, I came up with the Responsibility check list for each girl. I laminated them and showed them that once they were done with each responsibility, they could check it off with the Expo marker. If they checked them all off by dinner, they could have a treat after dinner (candy, cookie, Popsicle, etc.). Here were the lists:

Hannah's Responsibilites

Practice my numbers.
Read my sight words 3 times.
Read 10 min. with Mom or Dad
Do my writing worksheet.
Put my clothes and toys away.
Make my bed.
Brush my teeth.
Give my Mom/Dad a hug and kiss!

Danielle's Responsibilities
Do my math worksheet.
Read my sight words 3 times
Read 15 min by myself or to Mom/Dad
Go over my math facts.
Put my clothes and toys away.
Make my bed.
Brush my hair and teeth.
Give my Mom/Dad a hug and kiss!

I realized after I had laminated and they had gotten started, that I had forgotten to include study my article of faith and say prayers. Oh well! They haven't had trouble with those yet. I decided not to do one for Ben because his only responsibility right now is to not hurt himself or anyone else. The girls were very excited and worked on the lists for 2 hours!! We'll see if they can keep it up. Keep your fingers crossed!

Just trying to show a little love...

Today my son was kicked out of nursery for "strangling other children." Now, I realize that the nursery leaders new he wasn't trying to be malicious. Ben right now is caught in the middle. He is the size of a 3 year old, but the mind and vocabulary of a 2 year old. Today he was walking behind the little girls and putting his arms around there neck and squeezing. To the average person it would seem like he was strangling them, but to a mom and dad who know their child it seems as if he was trying to hug other children to show them that he likes them. Because of his size, when Ben hugs other 2 year olds, his arms go around their neck. I was saddened to hear that he had gotten kicked out, but at the same time am loving the fact that he wants to love other children. We soon realized too when he got home, that his sisters hug him around the neck. Looks like we will have to start paying more attention to being gentle and where to put our arms when we hug. At least though he is trying to show love and that makes my heart leap just a bit.

Who does this look like?

Can you say, Mini Me...

My new favorite painter

In this months Ensign magazine there is this great article. What truly caught my attention though was this beautiful painting by Jay Bryant Ward. I think he might just be my new favorite painter. I love the softness of this painting of Adam and Eve with their new child. You can tell that these parents know exactly where their child came from and that it truly is a gift. Sometimes it's difficult to treasure your children ever second of the day, especially when you think you are losing your mind. But this painting makes me remember just how special my own children are.

THE GROSSEST THING EVER!

I had to work this morning and Ashleigh (my brother's girlfriend) watched Ben and Hannah for me. First of all, she babysits for free and offered to take Hannah to school. So, the following story is in no way her fault because it just as well could have been me.
After I got off of work, I called Ashleigh to see if she could drop Ben off downtown because I was meeting Brent for lunch at my favorite sandwich place Gerard's. She dropped off Ben and the car seats to me and left. Brent and I were sitting outside enjoying our lunch and talking about things while Ben climbed around on his own seat and under the table. Brent and I weren't paying all that much attention to Ben because there was nothing he could hurt himself on.
Then Ben touched my leg and if felt moist. I looked down to see him playing in a liquid that sort of looked like mustard. The "mustard" was all over my leg now and all over his shoes, legs, hands, and then as I looked closer I noticed it up his back. The "mustard" wasn't mustard at all, but Ben's poop!!!!!! I guess Ashleigh didn't have time to change Ben while running around and it was completely saturated. So, when Ben pooped it had run down his legs, all over the ground and now he was playing in it!!!!! Then I realized that it was not only on him, but on me!!!! YUCK! SO GROSS!
Needless to say, lunch was over. I moved to the car and was able to put something down on his seat, took him home, and threw him in the tub. I then washed myself off with warm soap and water. Brent had had to go inside and tell the owners that our son had pooped under one of the tables and that we were sorry. (I'm so glad I got to take Ben home!)

Good Things

I've had a rough week, so instead of ranting about why my life is hard, or wondering why bad things keep happening to me, I wanted to make a list of positives. My friend Liz once did a list of 100 things in her life. Well, I'm going to try to do it too. Not necessarily in order of importance!!!!

1. Brent
2. Danielle
3. Hannah
4. Benjamin
5. Kid Cuddles at 7 am when my bed is all warm and they want to lay with me.
6. My son's face when he does his pirate smile.
7. My 3 and 6 year old being able to do their Articles of Faith up to 9.
8. My son's bright blue eyes.
9. Dani reading her brother and sister a story.
10. Singing in the kitchen as loud as we can.
11. Getting in a car and just driving on a summers eve.
12. Rocking my child to sleep and truly relishing it.
13. Cuddling with my husband.
14. Watching Every Season of Grey's Anatomy every September before the season premiere. (We probably won't make it this year! Can't afford Season 4!)
15. The Zoo
16. The Beach
17. Family Parties
18. Halloween
19. Laughter
20. Friends that I can call at any minute of any day and I know they will be there for me.
21. Loving and supportive parents and in-laws.
22. Good health.
23. My sleep number bed.
24. Friday Night Pizza Carpet Picnics
25. Blogging!
26. My special student Faith who inspires me all the time.
27. Throwing a softball with my kids.
28. Hannah's funny faces.
29. The Twilight Series
30. Really Big 'Hot Chocolate' Mugs
31. Watching White Christmas at Christmas time.
32. Long conversations with my sister.
33. Playing softball with my mom.
34. Watching Ben with my dad.
35. Teasing Allen my brother-in-law.
36. Getting advice from Traci.
37. My Grandmother's cooking.
38. My 89 year old Grandpa riding his tractor.
39. My purple cell phone.
40. Children's books
41. Ben folding his arms and shushing me as he walks into church.
42. The Gospel.
43. Prayer.
44. Going to the Temple and feeling truly peaceful
45. Watching Hannah try to 'dive'.
46. Little girl hair clips.
47. Pictures
48. Pedicures
49. Weekdays when I don't have to work.
50. Baking.
51. My niece Lexi and her new sister to be
52.My nephew Nolan
53. My soon to be nephew Colby
54. The fact that my sister is going to have her own baby!
55. Danielle being so much like me.
56. Office Supplies (I know it's weird, but I could buy out Staples).
57. A perfectly sharpened pencil.
58. Pumpkins
59. High school Football games.
60. My big scriptures and their black and pink case.
61. Playing cards or games with family and friends.
62. Vacations with family and without!
63. Our church ward who makes us see and fell good every Sunday.
64. Traci's warm chocolate chip cookies!
65. The way my kids run to my husband when he comes home.
66. Having my husband home.
67. That all my kids are alive and healthy.
(Recently a little girl at Dani's school lost her life in a car accident. It really made me appreciate the fact that I've never had to lose a child.)
68. Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins.
69. The fact that my kids call Brent "the muffin man" because he usually eats more than his share of the muffins.
70. Ben saying "Mama, I wkd up!"
71. Danielle's beautiful hair
72. Hannah's mischievous side.
73. Nap times.
74. Fall!!!!
75. Ice (I hate warm drinks).
78. Living now when I have air conditioning, a dishwasher, and a washing machine.
79. Comfy shoes that don't hurt my feet.
80. The mountains.
81. Brent's old black quilt that his mom made him.
82. Little Girl Giggles.
83. Ben's cute pouty face.
84. Day trips
85. I love that my family is active. The kids like to run, jump, play, and the hardest thing is getting them to sit still.
86. Teachers
87. Flip Flops
88. My walking buddy Jackie who is serving a mission with her husband. I miss you!
89. Warm, fuzzy slipper or socks.
90. Chocolate Cake
91. Dove Dark Chocolate Squares.
92. Laying on my back, watching the clouds pass.
93. Writing Poetry
94. My computer.
95. Mexican Food (I could eat it every day)
96. Disneyland or Disney World.
97. Watching college football with family.
98. Primary and all that it teaches my kids.
99. Special Holiday outfits.
100. Bedtime!!!!