Insane...

I am offically going insane. I need help! The twins and their bedtime antics are just making me totally nuts. They never sleep or go to sleep well at all anymore. They stay up all night and get up way too early and then they are crabby and tired all day. I have tried almost everything I can think of and short of splitting them up entirely. I don't know what to do. Nap or no nap they go to bed at 8pm and stay awake as late as 11 pm. I sit outside their room or in my room and go in anytime they are loud, out of bed, or laughing and it doesn't make a difference. It just makes me crazy and inpatient. When I give up and just do my thing they go to bed even later. I have moved them to different rooms many times for nap and that solves the problem but only after tons of crying and screaming over not wanting to do it. I have no down time and I am just do tired of it. Any suggestions. Will this ever pass? They are so overtired. I understand some laughing etc... but three hours of putting them back to bed and quieting them is not going work.

Marvelous Man...

Today I wanted to take a moment to remember a marvelous man. Sunday the prophet of our church passed away. He was 97 years old and had lived an amazing life. Working and helping until his death (only spending one day in the hospital his entire life). He was an amazing person and example to all. I feel personally touched by him in so many ways. My Grandpa (who passed many years ago) served with him in the Millcreek Stake Presidency.
Gordan B. Hinckley is in the middle and my Grandpa is on the right, Layton Alldredge.

They stayed in contact through out his life. Here is another picture. (I have tried everything and this picture will not load).

Through this friendship President Hinckley also married my parents (all before his time as prophet). I had the opportunity to meet him while attending college. I felt a little funny running up to him the way I did but I am so glad I did. Last summer Lindsey and I attended a concert he was there in attendance to (on the stand). We were far away and she asked me which one he was and I told her to look for the man waving with his cane and there he was waving his cane.

He had such a wonderful humor and optimism we so need in todays world. I will miss him and he was very loved. When I told my kids of his passing they were sad. When I woke up I found a big heart Lindsey cut out that said "We love you Gordan B. Hinckley". She also spelled his name in the letter magnets. It really touched me that Lindsey made this. I feel so sad to loose him but that is because I loved watching and learning from him. I know he would tell us all to carry on and to continue his great work!

I saw this tribute and wanted to share it:

Winning the battle not the war...

I have stayed home all week trying to get caught up. Laundry and cleaning everyday. I am getting there making some progress. I have to be home to do this. Problem is I have not been to Costco or the grocery store because I am home cleaning. So now by the end of the week we have no bread, milk, eggs, nothing. Yesterday I fed the girls the last bread for lunch and could find nothing for me. So I made pasta only to find we had no spaghetti sauce. Noddles and parmesan cheese not so yummy.

I did discover that cleaning the house (deep cleaning) at night was a better method. This way when I was done it was clean. When I do it during the day the interuptions are unbearable and the mess I discover in the rooms I am not in, just leaves me spinning. So thats my new idea.

Off to hit the gym, take Jacob to school, grocery store and Costco, then ski lesson drop offs ...

Random question...

To all of you out there with word verification on your blog. Do you have it there because you have been hit with tons of spam comments? I have only ever had one, yes one. Just wondering because I hate it, hate it. I must be challenged but every time I do it I have to enter then reenter and I always wonder what happens if I pick handicapped. Do I get easier to read ones? Am I the one who hates it. I mean sometimes I just get so lazy I don't want to comment. I understand privacy and I am all for it. I understand not allowing people to post without logging in etc.. I just figured the only purpose of this feature was to stop spam. Maybe I am just lucky and will soon (after this post) be hit with spam and be forced to add this feature too. Hmm.

Just putting this out there.

The end of the world as we know it...

Big girl beds...


There is a lot of jumping going on


There is a lot of giggling


Even some pretend sleeping

Just a tip, covering your eyes gave you away girl!

Some hiding

Some seeking
and very little real sleep is being had. Finally asleep (almost midnight).
All of these photos were taken hours after bedtime! They are getting better about not getting out of bed but that has not cut down on the giggling. Tonight (past 10pm) they were giggling so loud I went upstairs to investigate. Both girls in bed just laughing. Hailey told me simply, "we just can't stop laughing" and they did not for atleast another hour. Over nothing! WHOA is me. It's so interesting to me that even though they could get out of bed for months (and did from time to time) this new room has been so exciting.

Rude awakening...

Yesterday morning...
In the middle of a deep sleep I hear the loud sound of little feet running. I wipe my eyes and experience the realization that its the twins downstairs alone. It's dark and I am tired, it 6:15am. I force myself rush downstairs and find Sydney and Hailey standing on a step stool stuffing hershey kisses into their mouths, wrappers everywhere, chocolate everywhere. I look around and see more mess. Lindsey is at the table cutting hearts out of paper and using red sprinkles and syrup to write everyones names. Sprinkles, syrup, hershey kiss wrappers everywhere. Nice way to wake up on a holiday morning. My mornings often start way too early with the twins causing trouble. One morning I found them both naked in the bathroom at 5:30am, and another night it was Hailey turning on her light and playing in her room at 3am. Sydney was rubbing her eyes and not sure what was going on.

Long time in coming...

Angie and I finally met in person this last Friday. It has been a long time in coming. I feel like I know her so well and I had never met her in person. Her trip was very short and very busy so I felt so glad she found a way to fit in an hour or so with me. We met at a McDonalds which probably was not the most fun for us but we had 7 kids bettween us and my house in under construction. I tried to find one close to where she was going hoping we could get more time together. We had a great time talking and the kids got along great. Lindsey really liked Grace. Jacob was a little shy, maybe its because Emma is so cute and his age. I seriously could not get him to take a picture with her. I had a nice talk with Emma and she was so sweet. Anyway, it was a great time. I have felt my path crossing with Angie was not by chance at all and she has been such a supportive friend, example and influence to me. We were friends long before we both began blogging so she is not only a blogging friend. It was so great to meet her and it felt like we had known each other forever.
Here are a few pictures..

Lindsey and Grace

Emma and my twins

Angie and I

John and my silly girls

All four of the older kids

It's my turn...

I'm it... (sorry I am slow)

Casey tagged me

and

Shannon from Following our bliss

The Rules: Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog.

Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.

or

Share the 5 top places on your “want to see or want to see again” list.

or

Share 5 things you never pictured being in your future when your were 25 years old.

Tag a minimum of 5, maximum of 10 random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

The tagees have a choice of which they want to do.

I pick ...Share 5 random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog

1. Scared to admit this but I hate dogs. I know this is blasphomy to many but I am allergic and most people do not train their dogs very well. My nieghbors dog barks 24/7 making me crazy nuts. They jump and sniff me and just really bother me. Steph I am sure I would love yours...
2.I hate change. Sometimes I realize I am willing to stay in a situation just because I am into routine and change makes me anxious.
3. I am a planner. I planned all three of my pregnancies to the day. What I did not know is that some things cannot be planned, thus twins and thus having four kids 5 and under. Never knew I could handle that. I am SO glad God knew me better than I knew myself.
4.I hate chinese food, hate the smell, hate it all. Won't even eat a egg roll. Much to my husbands dismay.
5.I have been at the gym many times at midnight, amazingly I am not the only one there. I often go between 10-12am (weird I know).

It seems most of you have been tagged already. Steph's blog is private but I hope she will still play along. I will tag Kristi, Hillary, Stacey, Stephanie, and Steph.

The end of an era...

Today the cribs are being taken down. Today one is being sold. It's the end of an era. I feel sad. The girls have been using the cribs as toddler beds (they convert) but its time to move on for them.As I look at the crib taken a part and in pieces I am reminded of the day of its purchase. It was a very dark time in my life. We did not know if we would even need it. In an effort to cheer us up we were given some money as a gift. This crib was found and it was the same brand and matched our other crib (as close as possible). As you know the twins were Monoamniotic and we were told their chances of survival were not good. At the time I was pregnant the care I received was far less aggressive than it is now just a few years later. The chances of loss were very real and very hard to deal with. Every moment of every day I was terrified, too worried to dream about my babies and their future lives. Too worried I would loose them. Every day I watched the monitors and wondered if it would be enough. I studied the strips and medical information trying desperately to not miss a warning sign to know if we should deliver. All the while this crib sat in pieces nothing put together nothing ready. After the twins made their safe arrival I have many fond memories of my miracle babies in that crib, safe and happy. What a miracle was brought in my life. What a blessing I have received.
Twins home safely together....

I have managed to sell my favorite crib, the one that all of my kids have used (we bought a second when we had the twins) to my mom for grandchildren or when my sisters have their babies. That helps to know its not gone forever. I remember being pregnant with Lindsey and shopping all the time for that perfect crib. I have so many memories of my babies in that crib. I am glad it won't be gone completely. I know I am nuts.


Jacob's nursery (this is the crib that went through all the kids)
It was Sydney's crib most recently...

You might ask why we are taking on another big move and mess in the wings of my last post. The crib and dresser sold last weekend so there is no more waiting on this one. So we have cribs to be taken down, dressers to be unloaded, new beds to put together, dresser to be brought up, and mattresses/box springs to be purchased all today!

It truly is the end of an era. Big girl room still a work in progress.

Burning the midnight oil...

If only sleep were optional. We got a good deal on framing our basement. This required moving fast. So we found out on Tuesday that we had to be ready on Friday. Our basement was filled with stuff that would have to be moved. It has been a unbelievable task getting it ready. Moving everything upstairs. My house is packed with stuff now. I have been staying up too late. Going to bed near 2am and getting up around 7am. Not a minute to sit down or catch up all day. I am exhausted. Did I mention the twins get up around 6am? ALL.THE .TIME.

December review...

I just didn't have enough time to post all the pictures from December. December is such a busy month and I often found myself feeling stressed and grinchy. I am so glad I overcame those feelings and enjoyed the season. I Welcome January and say goodbye to all that craziness for another year!

Visiting Santa (Grand kids)All the grandchildren at my Grandpa's would be 100th birthday party. When my Grandpa turned 80 a birthday party was held at the Lion House. To celebrate his 100th birthday we all met and recreated the party. It was a very special night where we shared memories, good food. The most amazing part was that all of us attended, every child and Grandchild. I plan to share some of the very special things I learned about him (that I did not know) from that party later.

Hailey and I

Christmas Parties

Dessert at a fancy restaurant (La Caille)

Kids all dressed up for dessert...

Night in bethlehem, we all dressed up...
Alan and Jacob were the wise men in the live nativity. Jacob was so reverent.

Christmas dresses (they were promised a big treat if they smiled big and so they did)

Lindsey and her BFF at the nutcracker

Lindsey and I at the nutcracker

There are so many more but these were my favorites!

My Plan...

My plan is to work harder to spend more time with each kid. In this case I wanted to make Lindsey feel special. With younger sisters and brothers I think she often gets lost in the shuffle and I often put a lot of pressure on her to be grown up. I don't think I take the time to give her positive praise or spend time with her. Most of my attention on her is not positive. So today I picked her up from school and took her out to lunch. The little girls joined us because they are always with me but she knew this was just for her. She told me that when she heard them call her name to check out she was shocked and it was the best surprise ever! I kept telling her I did it because I wanted her to feel special and know I loved her. She was truly happy. I don't get to see her as often as the other kids because she is in school all day so this was a nice opportunity to be with her and have it be positive. I find it hard to find the time to do this but watching her face light up today reminded me how important it is. I had so much cleaning and errands to do but this time was used most wisely.

He melts my heart...

Today was the twins first day in the big girl part of church (out of the baby nursery). It's called Primary (for those who don't know). The girls were very apprehensive to go and sit with their teacher and would not let go of me. Suddenly Jacob sitting several rows behind with his class came to the front put his arms around the girls and sat down in the middle of them. They settled down. I left the room and peeked through the door and saw him with his arms around the girls. It was so sweet to see him take care of them that way and to see how much they trust him. I am so blessed he came right before the girls. He loves and protects them all the time! They are so lucky to have him for their big brother.

Welcome 2008...

I think I am in denial. I haven't been out much this week so I keep thinking its still 2007. It's not. So here is my post from last year... Welcome 2007

I love goal making, not just at the new year all year. I love list making and spending time to think and improve yourself. I really believe if you do not change what you are doing you will just keep getting the same things you were always getting. To get change YOU have to create it. You have to become what you want, you create your own destiny. My last post already reviewed 2007 and so does this whole blog so I will focus on the one post from last year (above) and those goals.

Out of my list of goals the following were noted:
I joined a gym and plan to start an exercise routine, read more scriptures, get up earlier, go to bed earlier, be more patient and kind, be a better friend, continue my work on Monoamniotic.org and continue the rest of my fun from last year.


I completed the exercising. I surpassed my expectations and have many more with that one. I have not been reading my scriptures, I get up earlier but I still go to bed late maybe later than last year, I still volunteer both at the hospital and on the computer. So out of all my goals I think I have done okay but have room for improvement.

This year:
*I want to loose the last bit of weight and continue exercising.
*I want to read my scriptures, go to bed by 12:30am.
* Be more cheerful and resist complaining (thats a big one).
* I want to cook better dinners (something I always make myself feel bad about).
*More scrapbooking. There once was a time that I had so many pages is was overflowing, I was *scrapbooking to a fault (all the time). I need to find the time to get going again. I have not scrapbooked for 6 months.
*spend more one on one time with each child.

My Loves 2007...

Things I don't want to forget about 2007 and my loves...

Alan
Our trip to San Francisco, a weeks vacation at the beach, many many nights with the kids for my girls nights, supporting my hospital volunteering and constant typing on my internet things, watching you serve at church, movies, working so hard for our family, you loving your Christmas present. 10yrs of marriage and four beautiful kids (a little biased about the kids part).

Lindsey
Watching you get baptized and take it very seriously you were glowing that day and I will never forget it, watching you swim in the ocean without a bit of fear, your overflowing joy over vacations and outings, you writing me that card that said, "Thank you for all you do", The way you hugged me and treated me the day I found out my Grandpa died and the way you behaved so nicely at the funeral, sending you off on the ski bus with fear in your eyes, you buckling your sisters for me, you telling the babysitter you will take care of all potty trips while we were gone,Your face on Christmas morning.

Jacob

Your overflowing heart filled with kindness, watching you on your first day of kindergarten, running to my arms freely anytime I pick you up from school, you still wanting to cuddle, watching you learn to ride a bike (you were so proud of yourself!). You taking care of your sisters, you loving to be with your daddy, your face when you saw me come to watch you snowboard, you always opening the doors for me everywhere we go (the stroller needs it) you buckling the girls in their carseats ALL THE TIME! You offering to give away your coat to your cousin who lost his and was crying... always doing the kind thing.

Hailey

Snuggling you, you saying, "Hold you hold you", the questions you have learned to ask "do you have the stroller? Your face when you see me when you have snuck out of bed, the way you act when your sister in crying, your love for pink and for princess stuff, it makes you feel like a million bucks, watching you in the pool- head back floating, your love for anything sweet, you singing LA LA LA is the sweetest voice ever ALL. THE . TIME, you loving your long hair.

Sydney
You sucking your two fingers with your bare arm over it. You saying "hold you hold you", Always being the first one to share, your impish smile, your sneaky nature, snuggling you, the way you act when you feel pretty, your love for candy, your very obvious attempts to sneak stuff... holding scissors and looking at me and telling to "please go away", the way you say "very" in front of everything you really want, staying in bed with you all day long when we were sick, your many unique facial expressions.

So many wonderful things have happened this year, so many moments I will never have back, so many things I hope to never forget... Ready for more!