It feels...

Discouraging
Overwhelming
Unproductive
to spend all my days doing laundry, cleaning, making food... to still have a house that needs endless amounts of work. That is still not clean, all at once.

Today I stole a moment to vacuum upstairs while the twins were snacking in the highchairs. Came down and they had dumped food everywhere. I now had a bigger mess to deal with.

Don't get me started on the Laundry, I swear I did 6 loads of laundry and its not close to being done. I have this obsession with having it all done, yet lately its never been possible!

Sometimes I wonder if I should just skip the housework. If you can't ever see it completed maybe its not so bad to just not begin. Ha ha I know that makes no sense. I guess I just miss that feeling of having it all clean at once, of laying down on the couch and feeling successful.

Weekend Recovery....

We began our weekend with a bang when Lindsey has a accident and ended up with a few stitches in her face. I knew I would regret not getting her baptism portraits done on time! Now I will have to do it after...
Saturday the jeeps were out. The twins are nuts about the jeeps and love every minute in them.

Jacob was resting since the battery ran out. I think Hailey was trying to push it...

Sunday the girls were so good at church, too good really. When we got home we noticed Hailey had a fever. By night time it was up to a 104 with motrin. Nothing would take it down. I was up most of the night with her crying, bathing her in cool baths etc. By morning the fever was down but when the motrin would wear off it would spike again. Luckily the motrin was working. Hailey has had the fever since Sunday till Wednesday (today). Sydney came down with the croup and a fever last night. She is VERY sick. Hailey is sounding hoarse too so I think it will get her tomorrow. We spent the entire morning on my bed because the girls did not want me to leave them. I got nothing done. They did allow me to watch the season finale for Hero's in between a lot of cartoons. We have family coming into town for the baptism and now funeral. I think this will be a busy weekend. On a good note Lindsey's stitches came out today. She was such a trooper with them going in and coming out, I am so proud of her.

The girls after church. I just happen to see them hugging and I had my camera in hand.

*Update my Ipod is still missing, never to be found it seems. I have replaced it. I actually replaced it weeks ago. It really helps me work out.

Remembering....

Because tomorrow is memorial day I wanted to take a moment to remember those who have gone before me. My Grandparents... I have been blessed to have grown up most of my life with my Grandparents (both sets). They have lived and shared their love and examples with me. My mothers parents are in their nineties and still with us. I still have the blessing of visiting them and sharing my children with them. My children know them and love them. Today I will write about my Dad's parents. I will share memories of my other Grandparents later with pictures.
My Dad's Parents died many years ago but I have many fond memories of them.
My Grandpa was a special person. He always made me feel loved and special and he always took the time to get to know me. When he came to visit he would take me on special grandpa/grand daughter time, which was really unique since there were five of us to split time with. He took me shopping, lunch and called me his sweetheart. What I remember most was the wonderful life he led. He spent his entire life in service of his God. He always had a goal to become a millionaire and at one point in his life he was signing plans and the financing was in place to build his dream hotel... within days he was called to be a mission president in South Africa. There was no question what he would do, he took his family to South Africa and served his God and the hotel was never built. He served as a Bishop, Patriarch, Mission President, and Stake President (with Gordon B. Hinkley). I have always been proud to be his granddaughter and to be an Alldredge. I have always known I came from a very good family and I had a legacy to live up to, even now many years after he has been gone. I think of what I learned from him and what I want my life to be like, what is really important. When he died I remember they found in his church coat a note that said Goals one of them said "Ease mom's way". I have always been so touched with the way he treated my Grandma and that each and every Sunday he would renew his efforts to do more and be better. I remember him showing me the city lights that were visible from his study. I have so many fond memories. When he died he did have his million dollars but he had a lot more of value in his life than money. My Grandmother lived ten years after he passed and I know she wished everyday to be with him. My Grandmother was from South Africa and met my Grandfather and moved here. It was quite an adjustment. I was always fond of her british accent and her unusual sayings. She had four living children and raised each one with strictness and love. They all benefited from her talents. I remember her always teaching me to take care of things, and to be more responsible. She sewed me beautiful things, many of them I still have today. When I was in college I was blessed to be able to spend and occasional weekend with her. Being away from home and having a Grandparent to be with was special and I got to know her so much better. She took me to lunch and gave me what she called "pin money" which was money to be used for incidentals. She was such a great example to me and was sorely missed when she passed.

This people both have left me with such a legacy. Such a heritage of righteousness and Faith. I hope I can live a life filled with so many wonderful memories, examples, and joy. I hope I can teach my children to be good people and that they have a legacy to live up to.

A sidenote. Alan's step Grandma passed away tonight. She was so ready to go, but we are still sad the end is here. She will have her funeral Saturday. We may have to reschedule Lindsey's baptism or adjust some stuff.

Another BIG moment....

Yesterday was Jacob's Preschool Graduation.

Jacob and me...

Another big milestone that leave me wondering how the days that often seem to pass so slowly turn into years that have just flown by. I found myself very emotional watching him in his cute little program. He was so serious and cute! He has learned so much and loved every minute of it. Kindergarten here we come (boo hoo)!

A friend, and a silly sister...

Two silly sisters... loving the Dog.

Jacobisms

Over the last few weeks/month Jacob and all his five year old mind has really made me laugh...
Here a few funny things he said and did (mostly because I never want to forget myself)...

First a conversation...

J- When I grow up I am NOT having any babies!

M-Why?

J-They just cause trouble.

M- Well how will you become a Daddy then?

J-I will just have kids...

M- Well kids start out as babies...

J-NO I will get them when they are older?

M-How?

J-I will buy them?

M- What if your wife wants babies?

J-Pause and growls... well then I will let her have them... but she HAS to be the one to grow them in her tummy, I can't be a mommy!

Action Hero games...
Here are his two favorite characters. Superman and Jesus. He has been having some really serious battles and even though Jesus is smaller, Jacob says he always wins. Now if you cannot recognize that Jesus is actually a star wars guy you missed the funny. I can see why Jacob thinks he is Jesus and I am glad he always lets him win the wars!

A few weeks ago we went outside to discover this sight..
I was horrified to see my bulbs chopped down just as they are starting to grow. Immediately a inquiry was made as to who would do this damage. It happened to be Jacob's birthday (o.k. it was a while ago) and we offered immunity to Jacob. Jacob, Lindsey and their cousin Andrew were seriously questioned but no one would admit to doing it. Pretty soon we told them that we were going to go outside and look for a footprint then we would surely know who did it. This threat seemed like a sure way to get the offender to admit his/her offense. No one came forth but Jacob's guilt was apparent by his fear. So.. Alan went outside and looked and looked pretty soon he came in and Jacob was in BIG trouble. His actions had made if obvious he had committed this crime. He still received immunity but he was given a long lesson about lying. Later that night I was laughing to myself with Alan about how the footprint threat had worked well and how he had been tricked. Alan then told me the what really happened. He went out there fully expecting to need to make up that he has seen proof it was Jacob only to look down and discover real footprints with the words "VANS" all around my flowers. The proof was really there. After this event I was feeling pretty strongly that we needed some serious lessons on lying so two weeks in a row we had lessons on lying and what it means to be honest. We discussed that even though mom may not know that your lying Heavenly Father always knows. Jacob then asked me if Heavenly Father could tell me what he knew. Hmm I think he missed the whole point. I have to say my lessons have helped and both Lindsey and Jacob have really improved and become a lot more honest.

Jacob got a digital camera for his birthday... here is a view into his world with the pics he took...

Soccer practiceHailey
Our backdoorSydney

For mothers day I received a note from Jacob (from preschool)
It said...
My mother loves to go to the gym and excersise, she is strong!
My mother loves muffins and cookies.
I love my mom because she kisses me and snuggles me and take me to McDonalds.
LOL! I love that I am healthy by working out but eat muffins and cookies and McDonalds a lot. I haven't had a muffin in almost a year but I will admit to loving cookies, although I have not had one much lately. Last week though I did buy muffins so that on those early mornings (refer to busy week post) we could eat on the run. Kids see things so funny!

Yesterday Lindsey was expressing a strong desire to not go to T-ball. Jacob told her that Mommy goes to the gym to get healthy and he had to go to T-ball to exercise and get healthy so she had to help him. I never considered that my working out could silently teach my kids about being healthy and fit... love that!

Jacob loves Corn on the cob. He is nuts about it. So today I caught him eating it raw. He did not take just one bite either he ate the whole entire thing. He really seemed to enjoy it, raw and all!

The other day the girl at the gym told me she asked Jacob if he could tell his sisters apart, he said "No of course not, they are twins".


I saved the best for last. I always lay Lindsey and Jacob's clothing out the night before. Sometimes I don't do this till after they are asleep. Latley Jacob has been begging I do it when he is in bed awake. The other night I went in his room to say goodnight to him and I discovered that he was changing out of his jammies and getting dressed at night, shoes and all. I guess he really wants to get a jump on the day. I got a picture and he did not even wake up!
Love this age, love this boy!

Happiness....

The secret to having it all, is believing you already do!

I love this quote and find it to be really true. I have fallen into the trap in life where you wish time away for something better only to realize how good it really was. I really think happiness comes from your attitude. Recognizing and embracing happiness, choosing it everyday! I am working on this concept.

Busy busy busy.....

Sunday- Lindsey real birthday!MondayLindsey's play (high school musical) all kids up and ready and at play by 8:30am(Jacob was dropped at preschool). Stressful, but the play was cute and Lindsey LOVED being the center of attention and performing (not suprising)!

Twins running all over at the play (they were trouble)!

After the play Lindsey returned to school and I delivered her poster I had made of her baby pictures. She was the "cool kid" and was spotlighted. It was fun for her, but kind of a lot in one week.

Tuesday- All kids at school by 8:30am for "All American Report" I stayed up late preparing it!
Playtime on the kindergarten playground after the report
Jacob loved being at his future school and feeling big!The twins are well known for shoe removal... they do it in stores, outside, in the car, everywhere, it is so frustrating! We have lost many cute shoes and were late trying to put them back on!Hailey was not interested in going home!
Wednesday and Thursday were spent running errands, going to the gym, cleaning the house, and catching our breath.
Friday-

We were back at school for an award Lindsey earned. This time I did not bring the twins (woo hoo). We also had to do a craft for the class as part of her "cool kid" week. That was interesting.
We rushed home, went to the gym, baked cupcakes, cleaned house, and then.... her friend birthday party.

Waiting in line....

Go Karts

Mini Golf

We were at the party from 2pm-7pm! It was almost 90 degrees. It was tired, but it was so much fun for the kids.

Saturday
is always soccer day. Alan also built his fence, and Lindsey had another performance!

Thankfully I think this week will be a lot less busy. I had a wonderful mothers day, and although I did not think it was possible, I got most of the day off!

Lindsey, Birthday girl!

Today is Lindsey's birthday, she is turning eight years old. It's a weird thing when your oldest child is hitting milestones you clearly remember doing yourself, I feel old. Eight is a very important birthday because she will baptized next month. Lindsey has always been such a special child. She was talking at just 9 months old, and speaking sentences and singing songs at just one years old. People always stopped me to comment on her abilities and because she was my first and only child I really did not understand why it seemed so unusual. To this day she has never stopped talking either.

Lindsey is the most social and outgoing person I have ever known, she loves meeting new people, making friends, and is not afraid of anyone. She will strike up a conversation with anyone who will respond. She is my first born, my first daughter, and her beautiful happy spirit is such a wonderful part of our family.
I hope as she grows older that she will continue to make good choices, stay my friend, continue to develop a good relationship with her Heavenly Father, make good friends, and be happy. I love you Lindsey Darling!

Last weekends work....

I did some scrapbooking last weekend. Alan was out of town all weekend so I forced myself to be productive...

Reward offered....

Reward offered for anyone who can get these two to talk...Sometime on Monday morning my ipod went missing. I did not discover this until I was leaving for the gym. I knew where it was, and it was gone. I asked Sydney if she knew where it was and after looking around seemingly without purpose for a while she ran upstairs and said "frow it out the winnow". So ... I looked out the window and there were about 20 items on the grass! I could even see my ear phones. You might think this was horrifying but I was relieved to know where it was. So I went outside to recover the stuff and in the midst of a lot of random things like my cordless phone base, shoes, socks, remotes etc... I still found no Ipod, headphones yes, Ipod no! I searched tirelessly all day without break very upset. Alan came home and searched with me... still gone! Sydney and Hailey are totally silent, and I know they took it! We raked and combed every inch of the backyard. Searched every drawer, cupboard, heating vent, closet, bedding, box, purse, toy the list goes on and on.

I never thought I would love or miss this stupid Ipod so much, but I used it everyday, several times a day. So if you can get these two year olds to talk come over for a visit!