Revenge of the Turkey!

Here we are, recovering from the busiest weeks of the year. Happy Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and almost Merry Christmas! Our last week was especially busy this year because not only did we have a turkey to eat, but also had a funeral to attend, and some vomit to clean up, times six. Boy am I ever glad we got those flu shots! What has been for us a day or two (each) is reportedly a week or more for others.

I remember when the kids all got sick at the same time years ago. None of them were old enough to get to a toilet or big enough to carry a “barf bucket” around with them so we covered the floor with layers and layers of towels and blankets. Rather than trying to keep the house (which was actually a rented basement while we were doing the addition) we just rolled up the top layer and set it aside until the washer was available again. Ahhh, sweet memories… I wish it were that easy now.

This version of stomach flu apparently has very little warning. (one in the truck while driving, another in the hallway at school, and two in bed!) I wish we were able to just roll back the top layer from the truck. I thought I cleaned it, but I don’t think you can ever really get the vehicle clean enough after such an episode, down the seatbelt cracks and so forth. There was so much Fabreeze in there that I thought I would be nauseous from the yummy cleaning up scent.

The next morning I cheerfully take my well children out to drive to school and nearly get knocked over by the wave of sick odor as I open the door and it hits me.

“Mommy, I thought you said you cleaned it up?” said one while holding his nose.

“Yeah, me too.” I reply while gagging.

“When are you going to clean up the truck?”

I suppose I should check on U-tube. There seems to be a cure for just about everything there. Meanwhile, I am very happy to welcome in the wind storm tonight so we can have some fresh air!

Flu shots and other renewed commitments

There’s nothing like a commitment to do something on time to prove to yourself just how much time passes while nothing gets accomplished. Here I sit with my forever long to do list wondering where to begin, and the next book I have agreed to review arrives in the mail. It is a get things done inspirational book. Very timely. It arrived moments after my kids were working on their journals, which means I was working pretty hard. Filled with guilt for not regularly keeping a journal of my own, scraping my brain for a memory of the week, and then being inspired to better myself… yeah. I decided it was time for blogging.

My kindergarteners have been given the assignment to keep a “journal”. Each week they are to draw a picture of something that has happened that week and write a simple sentence about it. Lily just wants to draw pictures of monsters dancing with purple and pink hats while Brenden would rather not do anything at all. It baffles me to see the variety of children born in the same house, same rules, same everything. Needless to say, Marek is my “good” student and is always the first to finish his work. He usually reminds, no, make that he begs me to do his homework. I had to try to help them decide what to draw.

I could not get further in my memory than Saturday. First thing in the morning we went for our flu shots. That was hilarious! The kids got mad at me for laughing, but how could I not? Stephen wanted to be first so he would get it over with and not need to be nervous anymore. After mentioning how that was a great idea, they all began fighting over who got to be first. Then when the shots were ready we had to force them into the room.

In the end, Stephen needed both Daddy and Mommy to hold him down for the nurse to get his arm. (That’s a job that must be fun. I hope all the parents are as fun as we were and allowed her to laugh with them at their kids too.) As soon as she stuck his arm Stephen stopped fighting, near tears. He smiled almost began laughing with us. It was not as bad as the other kids apparently made him think it was. They all fought except for Evan who simply whined, but they were all small enough for me to hold down while Steve just blocked the door so no one could escape.

In search of the perfect Christmas gift for our cousins, the door buster deal was already sold out. It was on sale as a super deal at Toys r Us for one day only. The first store didn’t have it, but they took the time to locate it at another. They put it on hold for us. By the time we found and bought the super gift, it was lunch time. (Yes, it took hours! Imagine taking six children to a toy store and looking for Christmas gifts! Hey, I know some people who are already finished with their shopping!)

The rumble in our tummies and the fact that it was payday and we had promised the kids a prize for getting their shots took us to Wendy’s. Little did I know it would be snowing when we agreed to ice cream. Wendy’s just happened to be across the street from a great park. After lunch we went to play in the snow. After about an hour there we took our freezing troops home to dry off and ventured out for scones. (Note to self, take gloves next time.)

The kids had earned a free scone at Winder Dairy for doing well on their homework. Poor Brenden thought that he would be able to milk a cow but it was just a country store. No cows around for miles and miles. Other than Brenden’s disappointment it was great, but I couldn’t figure out why we were so grumpy. Hello! They had flu shots that morning. Duh. (Note to self, flu shots make for a great stay at home and watch movies day.)

Sunday meant singing in the choir. The choir is practicing for December. Steve and I both enjoy singing and the kids now enjoy taking themselves home without us. They are so excited to be big enough to go home alone for the half hour. Our neighbors follow them and make sure they get there safe, and I don’t worry much because our back yard bumps up against the church’s yard. It’s not far at all.

Steve also talked me into singing in the women’s choir for stake conference. I am glad he did. It is so different from the ward choir. Wow. It is going to be great. The real reason I sing in the choirs is because I feel the spirit so much when I sing. I don’t as much when I simply listen to the music. To really feel the spirit, it needs to be sung. Christmas just is not Christmas without singing in the choir.

Enter Monday, wonderful Monday with all the expected Monday grief. Five hours of homework for the kids and by the end of the night I was sick with more than the usual Monday-itis. It seems like everyone is getting sick all the sudden around here. Dallas said his substitute went home sick and they had a sub for the sub. There was no homework done by that boy last night! This morning, the kindergarten teacher was missing, and our exercise buddies are ill. That’s just the start of it. The problem is we have spent lots of time with all the sick people. Hopefully we got the flu shots just in time.

Today I will be staying away from as many healthy people as possible and drinking lots of tea. Stay well, have a glass full kind of week, and try to remember something from this week. Good luck!

The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearson

I know what to do with my time now that the kids are in school. I just finished reading this book! It’s actually the second book I have finished, by personal choice, since the kids began school. (I will post a review for the other one a different day)

The Key of Kilenya by Andrea Pearson is a good read and I would recommend it for anyone who likes a clean magical adventure.

This creative story takes the reader on an adventure when two wolves chase Jacob away from his home. While attempting his escape through the forest, he discovers he has actually left planet earth. The creatures, many similar to humans, as well as the humans on the other planet need Jacob to rescue a stolen key from the evil Lorkon.

Here’s the blurb from the back cover:

“When two vicious wolves chase fourteen-year-old Jacob Clark down a path from our world into another, his life is forever changed. He has no idea they have been sent by the Lorkon—evil, immortal beings who are jealous of powers he doesn’t know he possesses—powers they desire to control.

The inhabitants of the new world desperately need Jacob's help in recovering a magical key that was stolen by the Lorkon and is somehow linked to him. If he helps them, his life will be at risk. But if he chooses not to help them, both our world and theirs will be in danger. The Lorkon will stop at nothing to unleash the power of the key—and Jacob's special abilities.”

It took a few chapters of me to get used to the writing style. Honestly, I had a difficult time with the journal entries that began each chapter. I felt like I was reading two different stories at the same time, which made it a challenge for me to connect with the characters at first.

One story emerged about half way through when Jacob is given the journal to help him on his quest. The imagination involved and the level of brain power I used to try to figure things out while reading (like how did the humans get on more than one planet?) made it worth the effort.

Andrea Pearson skillfully blends her own ideas with images of Harry Potter and Peter Pan to create a unique new world where even the vegetation and landscape are exciting. And I really enjoyed the ending. I say this because I often will enjoy reading a book but hate the ending. The author’s writing improved as the book moved along.

I expect the next book in the series to be easier for me to get into as many of the characters and plot have been laid out and explained so clearly in this first book. I look forward to reading the next book.

If you would like to purchase the book you can click this link:

http://www.kilenyaseries.com/p/purchase-information.html

(I was invited to offer my opinion on this book and received a free copy in exchange for my posting. No money was involved and my opinion is my own.)

Knowing when to quit; An adventure in discipline.

Disciplining details get fuzzy after a long lecture. Sometimes you just need to know when to quit. We usually end the “discussion” by asking the child who made the bad choice if there is there anything he or she wants want to say. That way it can be called a “discussion”.

This particular time, Evan was having a difficult time admitting that he had done anything wrong. His teacher gave him a “red ticket” meaning he was in trouble. He was not listening to the teacher and chasing the other kids around the classroom during show and tell. This happened at the end of the day, so she didn’t have time to address the problem completely.

Evan handed me his red ticket with tears in his eyes. The other kids wanted to show me their work for the day. I planned to talk with Evan about it more, but life happened and I didn’t address it completely either.

The next day the mother of the other child involved asked me if Evan got a red ticket, like her son. Then she asked, “Do you know what it was about?”

“No. Just they were running around chasing.” I said.

She informed me that, “It was a booger.” We laughed in secret. Oh, to be in kindergarten and be chased by a booger!

Knowing that Evan has a booger picking problem, I could envision him chasing the other kids easily.

Later that night my husband and I ran through the typical lecture, reminding him of the importance of honesty and the consequences for lying. At the conclusion of the interrogation we asked, “Is there anything you want to say?”

He responded with a miserable, “Yeah.” His lower lip hanging down far enough it could almost touch his knees.

I thought, okay, here comes the confession. We got through to him and now we can make it all better. Perhaps he would say sorry along with the confession.

He didn’t say anything for a while so I asked, “What is it?” I was ready to get out my parenting badge and put a fresh coat of polish on it.

The same miserable voice said, “Goodnight.” Then he kissed both me and his father on the cheek and slunk his way down to go to bed.

I was glad he left quickly so he couldn’t see me laughing. I guess my parenting badge will sit in the closet a while longer.

Back to School, Back to Life

You’d think that with all my children in school for at least part of the day I would be able to resurrect my blog a little easier.

The quads are in kindergarten in the mornings now. I chose morning thinking that I would be a morning person, get them all moving and out the door so I had the rest of the day while they were gone. I had so many things dreamed up for the glorious three hours each morning. I have finished my schooling and can now call myself BYU alumni. Hooray! That’s one thing I won’t be doing during the time kids are at school.

When my kids are in school I will clean the house. You will never find laundry sitting around waiting to be folded or put away. Certainly there will not be any piles of it blocking the walkway to any room or hallway! I will always have clean dishes and a hot home made meal on the table for dinner every day. I will get to grocery shop alone price check and use coupons! I will even have plenty of time to read the labels and avoid the unwanted additives.

That can’t take that long, maybe a week. I do have three hours every day after all, well only two on Fridays. What will I do with the rest of the year? I will paint the house, reorganize and get everything that is not wanted out to DI or good will. I will have the closets usable, even the floors will be used for the organizing of shoes. Bottling the food and harvesting the garden.

I will read books, write, and create all sorts of amazing things! Look forward to a homemade something or other for Christmas. They are coming! I’ve got time for sewing, quilting, painting, nailing, hot gluing, and inventing. In my spare time, I will have to take on a few charities to avoid boredom.

Oh, perhaps it is time I let my body recover from having all those kids. Months of bed rest and birthing quadruplets has done a number on me. Not to forget the countless hours of doing homework to get the degree. I now have plenty of time for ME! Exercise and meal planning her I come! No, wait. A nap! I might take a nap. There’s so much to do I can’t decide. I better make a plan first.

So here I am two weeks into the kindergarten thing. I thought I would work in the walking and exercising while getting the kids to school. It’s not that far to walk. That happened once. Only one time. Instead we are running late looking for homework that has mysteriously disappeared. Why do they send so much stuff home with kindergarteners? What can I do to convince them that I will look at all of their things if they would just wait their turn? Will they ever learn that if you take it out, it has to go back? Maybe if we can find a pathway through the laundry we will find the missing homework. I decided that it didn’t really matter. How much trouble can a kindergartner get into for losing their homework?

We have been driving everyday. I tell them, “Hurry get in the line the classes are going in to the school now!” Then I look at Lily. “Lily, where are your shoes?”

“I don’t know. I can’t find them.”

“You can’t go to school without shoes on.”

“Oh.”

I guess I should have been looking for shoes instead of homework. We have a sharp learning curve here. The next day when I was waking them up for school they said, “We did that yesterday.” And another said, “Again?”

Needless to say, you can not find the floor in our house yet. This is the only thing I have written since my papers for school were turned in. We have not been on time. We have not been walking. We have not been eating homemade delicious and nutritious meals every day. (But dry cereal counts right?) The house is not painted. And none of the Christmas gifts have been completed yet. I didn’t even take a nap yet!

What do I have to show for it? I have been exercising, other than the crisis run for the door to get to school. Friendships have been reconnected. Two blankets have been crocheted around the edges (that charity bit I told you about) A great book is halfway read. Along with the lost shoes, I have lost two pounds and what little of my mind was left.

I am so excited to get on a routine someday in the future. I am much wiser now knowing that three hours is still only three hours, even with no kids around.

Silent auction/fundraiser

In regards to my brother's cancer (which is now stage 4) and the fundraiser we are holding in his honor we are opening the silent auction for anyone who wants to participate.

Please email or let us know in some other private manner (this is a silent auction) if you would like to make a bid. The bidding will end at the dinner (mentioned in the previous posting) on February 5 at 7:30PM with winners announced by 8:00 PM.

When bidding on an auction item please refer to it by listed name (A, B, 16, etc.)

A) Cater your event for up to 100 people with the best Dutch oven style dinner (or breakfast) this side the Mississippi! Options include BBQ chicken with potatoes and cobbler, BBQ ribs with potatoes and cobbler, Lasagna and vegetables with cobbler, or Mountain Man breakfast. Valued at over $1000. Starting bid: $500.00

B) Experience the adventure of a lifetime on a trek in the beautiful Grand Canyon, The Tetons, San Juan Mountains, The Lower Paria Canyon, High Uintahs Wilderness, or top Mt. Whitney! Have somewhere else on your bucket list? Your guides will take you and up to four of your friends there during the 2012 season, after the coaching, training, guidance, and support needed to be prepared for such a backpacking trip. Make sure you take a camera! Valued up to $2,000. Starting bid: $300.00

C) Fly over the city in a helicopter with your sweetie, or if you’d rather a buddy. The winner of this auction will enjoy an hour of riding in a helicopter with up to three adults or two adults and 2 children. (Based upon weather conditions and availability. Good through May 31, 2011) Valued at up to $700.00 starting bid $200

D) Wrap yourself or a loved one in a fabulous hand stitched heirloom quilt. Valued up to $500.00 starting bid $50.00

E) These tickets will take you and someone special to the Sarah McLaughlin concert February 14, 2011. $25 towards dinner at Braza and a week of tanning are also included. Valued at $300. Starting bid: $150

F) Take a vacation to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico! Beaches, shopping, history, restaurants! This bid will get you 7 nights and 8 days for up to 4 people in a one bedroom unit at Raintree’s Club Regina! Valued at $2079. Does NOT INCLUDE AIRFARE. Starting bid: $300.00

G) Three days of that new car smell will be yours with this rental certificate from Budget Rental Car. (Must be over age 21. Some restrictions apply.) Valued at Starting bid: $50

H) Take a three day weekend with shiny new wheels! (You have to give it back after the weekend. Some restrictions apply.) from Budget Car and Truck Rental of Utah Valued at Starting bid: $50

16) 2 tickets to the Hale Center Theater “A Tale of Two Cities” 3/15/11 at 7:30 and $25 to Salt City Burger starting bid $25

17) Repertory Dance Theater tickets to Dancing the Green Map 3/31/11 at 7:30PM, $40 towards a dinner at Madeline’s Steakhouse, and 2 Log Haven Signature Desserts Value: $100+ Starting bid: $25.00

18) Two tickets to the Utah Symphony, $50 Tiberon Fine Dining, and 2 Log Haven Signature Desserts Valued over $100. Starting bid: $50.00

19) 2 tickets to the Hale Center Theater “A Tale of Two Cities” 3/15/11 at 7:30 and $30 to Asian Star Starting bid $30

20) 2 tickets to the Hale Center Theater “A Tale of Two Cities” 3/15/11 at 7:30 and $50 to Temple Square Hospitality (The Roof, etc.) starting bid: $30

21) 2 tickets to the Hale Center Theater “A Tale of Two Cities” 3/15/11 at 7:30 and 2 free dinners at Rodizio Grill Starting bid: $30

22) 2 tickets to Ballet West Bolero with Chaconne and Sinfonietta April 8th and 9th and April 13th-16th, $25 to Ruths Chris Steakhouse and a pound of Sees Chocolate. Valued at $95.00 Starting bid: $60

J) Want to explore this beautiful state but don’t want to get lost taking a hike in the Wasatch? The winner of this auction will have two guides to help them (the 2011 season between May and September) along with up to 7 friends, and one 3L hydration pack made by Platypus. Valued at over $100. Starting bid: $25.00

K) Want to explore this beautiful state but don’t want to get lost taking a hike in the Wasatch? The winner of this auction will have two guides to help them (the 2011 season between May and September) along with up to 7 friends, and one 3L hydration pack made by WFS Element Gear. Valued at over $100. Starting bid: $25.00

L) $1000 worth of orthodontic work! WOW! Starting bid: $200

M) Need some entertainment at your next kid party? How about an hour of face painting? Valued at $65.00 starting bid: $25

N) A day of pampering awaits you! Eyelash extensions, a color weave and cut, and gel toes valued at over $150. Starting bid: $50.00

O) Feel like a new do? Here’s a hair cut and gel toes for you. Valued at $40 starting
bid: $15.00



BIG raffle prizes ($5):

Romance basket includes: a night at the Holiday Inn Presidential Suite, Dinner for 2, Breakfast for 2, a photo session (unrelated to Holiday Inn) 2 Signature Desserts at the Log Haven, a pound of Sees Chocolates, Sparkling cider and glasses.


The family basket includes: 4 tickets to Bees games during May and June this year, Scales and Tails (Bringing the zoo to you, reptile class with petting worth $150) $25 to Smashburger, $25 to Boondocks, $10 to Leatherby’s, $25 to Fazoli’s, 2 free appetizers and 2 free desserts at Wingers, and a family photo session!

Jazz Basket includes: 2 tickets to a Jazz game, blanket, umbrella, autographed memorabilia, collector Jazz coke bottles, and a family photo session with your family, not with the Jazz. (Sorry.)


$2 raffle tickets can win tickets to just about everywhere such as Log Haven, Hale Center Theater, Utah Symphony, Bees Baseball games, Heirloom Restaurant, Café Rio, Rumbi Island Grill, Miller Motorcross, Beans and Brews, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Ballet West, Tiburon Fine Dining, Brighton ski passes, Texas Roadhouse, The Nail Room, Landis Salon, Iggy’s, Homemade sock monkeys, watches, hats, scarves, and more than we can list!

Everyone's Invited!

To raise funds for the my brother's fight with cancer we are having a dinner ($10 each) of dutch oven lasagna, veggie, salad and garlic bread with cookies for dessert.

A silent auction including but not limited to:
A one hour helicopter ride for 4 people (2 adults and 2 children, or 3 adults)
two guided hikes in the Wasatch,
one guided back country trek for up to 5 people,
a catered dutch oven dinner for up to 100 people,
quilts, handmade watches, and more.

We will also have a raffle for great prizes donated from Subway and others. Raffle tickets $2.00 with bonus large item raffle ticket after 20 purchased tickets.

Feel free to invite your friends! We really appreciate any help or donations!!! Thank you!

Saturday, February 5 • 5:00pm - 8:00pm
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Location: West Valley Fitness Center Upstairs rooms
5415 West 3100 South
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Date: February 5, 2011
5:00 – 8:00 PM

Curtis Bryce Howard Cancer Benefit Dinner

Since you were able to make it through that business, I will give you the funny for the week.

"I wish I had a time machine to go back in time before you gave my pizza away!" Stephen said through his sobs.

"But Stephen, you said you didn't want to eat it. You told me I could give it away." I said to him after about 35 minutes of trying to get him to eat. I took the remnants back from Evan and Marek, they were sharing. Sheesh! You'd think I had teenager boys eating me out of house and home already!

"Here you go Stephen."

"But there's no pepperoni on it! I will not move until you put the pepperoni back on my pizza so I can eat it! I asked for pepperoni pizza!" Followed by loud sobs and tears. There's the kicker. He asked for it but wouldn't eat it.

"They ate them though. I can't get them back. You can eat this or not eat it. Don't cry anymore though okay."

"I won't stop crying until I get my pepperoni back! I won't eat this! I don't want it!"

"If you don't want it, give it back to the other boys to eat."

"NO! I'm hungry! But I don't want to eat THIS!"

He ended up eating it without the regurgitated pepperoni and the other kids just sat quietly listening, hoping they might get the pizza but not complaining when they didn't. For heaven's sake, don't ask for something change your mind and not want it anymore then get mad when you don't have it. It makes it too hard for the mom not to laugh when you're crying.