A Homemaker Can Wish, Can't She?

I need to petition.  I don't know where. I don't know to who. But someone, somewhere needs to change this.  What is 'this' you ask?  It is the workout for homemakers.  Because, if you are like me, and stay at home with kids, and do housework, clean, cook, etc. etc. etc.  There is not a good time to go to the gym. (Why do I need one more place to go and one more hour away from my family??!!??)  And all the energy you spends taking care of kids and house and husband, leaves no energy for a good workout.  Is this just me????
Here is what I think needs to change:
Sweeping/mopping should burn the same amount of calories as running for 30 min.  I sweep at least twice a day. 
Laundry should equal a 20 minute session of lifting weights. This is also done at least once a day with a loaded trip up and/or down the stairs.  This doesn't include marathon days when you are catching up from trips, sickness or anything else that results in extra loads of laundry. 
Dishwasher, playing with kids, fixing things, and numerous other chores should also result in the precise toning of our muscles that others only get from a Personal Trainer.  I can't count the number of times I am up and down and up and down.  And the many steps I  pace all over the floor trying to shuffle away from the kids when I'm on the phone.  The pointer finger of my right hand should be strong enough to carry TWO gallons of milk up from the garage to the house.  But...its not.  And I grow weaker and fatter.   Because my job; homemaker, is not enough for me to stay in shape.  There is always a demand of harder work, extra time, more sweat. 

July 2012

As summer days are passing by, my blog remains blank.  Why?  Writers block? Boredom? Pure Laziness?  All of thee above?  It's not like I don't have time to do it, I do! Either way, I'm just writing today to fill in a space.  Nothing really to say.  I'm here, kids are doing good.  Summer breaks and trips are going great.   Garden is growing slowly but surely. Cat has been missing for 7 days:(
Riggles is glad to be back to work after our 10 day trip.  And all the pictures I've taken so far of summer are posted on FaceBook.  Come on August, I'm ready for ya!

Reflecting on a Fart

Last night as I was cuddling in bed with my 3 year old, he cut the cheese.  I told him he was gross, he giggled, and I asked him, "What do you say?"  He said, "Ixcuse me!". 
I was a little taken back.  Because usually he says, "Mee mee" for excuse me.  I pondered my growing son.  How fast its going by.  I thought of my other children, the eldest going off to middle school, the girls becoming little young ladies.  I thought to myself that it should make me more sad to see them all growing up so fast.  Knowing that I will never have them little again.  But I didn't feel sad.  I knew I would reflect this time, and the years before and miss them at their young ages.  But no sadness.   I believe that it is because of what I Know.  That families are eternal.  The children will ALWAYS be my children.   When this earthly life ends.   I will still be their mom.  We will work and act as the family unit we are.  I love that!  I love my family.  I love watching them grow. And I love that even though Summer Vacation hasn't technically started, (Thursday is last day), I will be excited when they go back to school.

Story Time

Yesterday in church I noticed on Ben E's wrist some red marker.  I asked him in a whisper as I pointed to it, "What's this?".  He whispered back, "It's blood."  Amused, I asked him what happened.  He told me it was a Monster. 
Me:    A monster? 
Ben:   Yes, I beat him up.  He was scary. 
Me:    Are you OK? 
Ben:   Ya, I killed him. 
Me:    And is that blood or marker on you?
Ben:   It's monster blood! Ghees!

The picture above isn't related to the story.  But I thought it was a good monster killing pose.

Some of April

I'm so thankful for my family. Not just the one I live with, but for the one I grew up with.  This month my Mom and Sister #3 and her 5 year old son came to visit me and my family.  They try and visit about twice a year.  It is a great blessing in my life to spend time with them.  Especially since I cannot go to visit them more than once or twice a year.  And when your sisters and mom are your best friends, 2-4 times a year is just not enough.  My mom's request this time was to ride the ferry.  We have lived up here in the Seattle/Tacoma area 8 years now, and this was our first time on the ferry. We jumped on at Bremerton, headed to Seattle and had lunch at Ivars.  We walked over to the carousel.  Then we headed up to Pike Place Market.  Seeing as it was like the first super, sunny, Saturday here in one of the cloudiest regions, every one and their dogs were out.  So we didn't stay too long.  The Ferry was  fun, great way to travel and a definite do it again soon..especially to a Mariners game kind of thing. 

Riggles and Ben have been in Montana since Monday. They come home tomorrow. I have had a great week. After sending the other kids off to school I have hours of just ME. I have accomplished many tasks that I have wanted to do. Spent some dollars I probably shouldn't have spent. And reflected and prayed and studied my scriptures better than I have in months. I feel awesome! Today I will grocery shop and come back to tackle some more of the things I want to get done around the house.

Sometimes it's just easier to get things done when no one is there with you. It really isn't a big deal to stop what I'm doing during normal every day things to get my toddler some milk, or a book, or play a quick game with him. But it's a lot easier to tackle the nitty gritty without any interruptions. And...the quiet. Oh how peaceful and quiet. The TV is Never on until the kids get there chores done after school. I have music moments of turning up Itunes and cleaning...but that is still peaceful. Music soothes. TV blares. Big difference. Well, depending on the choice of music.

Anyways, I thought it was time to put in an entry and acknowledge again, my Savior. His patience and understanding always amaze me. When the things I know will help me come out of my lows are just not something I want to do yet, he waits for me to come to him and humble myself so he can help me fix it. Even if I'm being stubborn and slow about it. He truly loves me and KNOWS me and I'm so thankful for Him.

P.S. I really miss my boys. As much as I enjoy the time by myself, I'm glad they will be home tomorrow. Hopefully I can continue to be as productive with them home :D.

February 28

Happy Birthday to my Baby Boy Ben! Ok, so he's not so much a baby anymore. He is now 3 years old. Wow time flies.
Some things he does that crack me up :

• saying "Just a sec" while he holds up his finger.



• Sneaking outside and peeing of the back deck. (Don't know were he learned that one. But I got a pic of it this morning..but I'm not allowed to post. Text me if you want to see a cute little bum :D)



• Singing Awolnations "Not Your Fault"



• Pulling his belly skin out like stretchy skin boy



• He still calls his big brother Garrett "Gee Gee"



• When he wants something and I say, "no," he holds his hands under his chin and says,"Please, Please, Please Mommy!" with pouty lips and sparkling eyes.

He sure does keep us entertained and full of giggles. I'm so thankful for him. He really is a special miracle in my life. He is a constant reminder of how much Heavenly Father loves me and answers my prayers!

This Week of Februray

I'm sure I've blogged about this week every year that I've been blogging. The week of Presidents break for our school district. A whole 5 days off for the holiday. In my opinion... A WASTE OF TIME!!! We just had Winter Break and soon we will be having Spring break. But Whatever. Normally I go insane and the kids drive me to the nut house, but this year wasn't too bad. I slept in EVERY morning. Even to 11 one morning. It was nice. The fighting wasn't too bad. I think it had to do with Riggles being home and not working 3 out of 5 of those days.

I decided to be a 'good mom' and come up with something to do. I think last year we went bowling. But with two adults and 4 children that can get expensive. So we went on a hike up to Tiger Mountain.
There are some great 'kid trails' and one in particular about a mile long with a little story a long the way about a Raccoon and the Swamp Monster. We spent about two hours hiking along the different trails. Good exercise, fresh air and the only time the ipod came out was to take pictures.

Very Pinteresting

I've hopped on the bandwagon and started "pinning" on Pinterest.com. Fun stuff! Even Riggles has been somewhat impressed at the ideas that I have gotten. I've even tried a few of the 'pins' myself. ie Shower rod under kitchen sink to hang cleaners, tried new recipes, (one good, one not so good). And I've bought supplies and ingredients to try some more new things. Here is the project I did last week for the girls room.

I turned ugly brown closet doors into ....

Leverage. I mean.......great play time!

(I was going to make my own chalkboard paint, the big idea from Pinterest, but buying it was sooo much easier :D)

I will chalkboard the inside of the cupboard to keep my shopping list too....I just havn't got to it yet.

Today

• Today I loved how my almost three year old says milk, "mulk."


• Today I loved how I finally beat the Angry Birds Birthday level.


• Today I was grateful to realize my 6 year old daughter is not the only kid that doddle's and takes her sweet a** time to do EVERYTHING.


• Today I loved how the Holy Ghost helped me teach my 8 year old.


• Today I had a moment of amazingness when I looked at my 10 year old son and thought, "Holy Cow! I am his Mom!" (Good feeling and yet, a little intimidating.)


• Today I am glad I took some time to write about moments that made me feel grateful for my life on this earth and Heavenly Fathers wonderful plan for me.

Saturday Night Sewing

Lately I've been doing some 'firsts' for me. First loaf of bread, first canning. Last night was my first time sewing with a pattern. I have been looking around stores for skirts for my girls to wear to church. (For some reason the cute dresses in their closest are just too cute I guess.) But if you haven't noticed, stores do not sell skirts that I would want my girls to wear. TOO SHORT. And even with leggings underneath they are still SHORT SKIRTS.

While I was in Utah, I went to JoAnnes with sister #3. She helped me find patterns and pick out fabric. Three weeks later I've finally decided to brave the project.

*side note* A week ago I was looking for something in the medicine cupboard above the fridge. I opened the cupboard and something goes flying off and fell into the garbage. I tried to poke around for it, but I didn't know what fell so I couldn't find it.**

I started gathering the sewing machine, sewing box, fabric and stuff I needed to sew these skirts with. I was going to start with the black one and I went to go grab the black thread and realized that was what flew off the fridge into the garbage can the week before. So black skirt out. (Which ended up being good because I think I'm going to find a different pattern for that fabric.)

I sent the kids upstairs, turned on some tunes and got to work. I enjoyed just about all of it except the hem. What you think would be easy was a big pain in the butt!

Here are a few highlights of my 4 hour sewing night.

The cat, he sprawled out on e v e r y thing. Including the ironing board.

My work station :D

Finished product!

P.S. Don't look close because you will see crooked, messy, double stitches. But hey, from far away they are CUTE!

4 Out of 6 Ain't Bad

I got a Pressure Canner for Christmas......a year ago. Today I finally opened it up and canned my first batch of somethins. Great first experience canning if you ask me. I probably should have started with Water Bath canning but, too late for that now.
I started with 10lbs of Carrots, 6 quart Mason jars and now I have four SEALED quarts of carrots and a big mess. The other 2 jars, well, um, I don't really know what happened. My guess is loss of pressure too fast. But I am not flustered. I'm very happy that the other 4 jars all 'popped' and are sealed. I guess we'll see how they taste later. That could be a whole other story.