Manic Monday...

I spent my day with these three products and two screaming toddlers who spent a long time in their room...

Updates...

Just some updates and answers to questions...

Thank you all for your well wishes on the stomach bug. I wish I could report it ended well but it has not. The twins got it and recovered and I thought we were home free. Until Easter's Eve when Jacob got it. Luckily for him it was just that night and he was healthy and able to enjoy Easter. Sunday night Alan got it and got it bad. He has been home for three days! Then last night Lindsey came in sick too and was home from school all day today. Girls night for me was cancelled (that really stunk) and its been a rotten week. More rotten for the sick ones I am sure. I am not too fond of cleaning up the puke, loosing sleep etc... Oh and I am the only one who has yet to be hit. Please let me be spared. With the amount of exposure I had to the actual stuff it would be a near miracle!

Aside from that thank also for the many comments on the Easter pictures. The girls dresses are from The Baby Gap (new favorite). They sold out long ago sorry. I got the girls dresses not intending them for Easter but like I said it crept up on me and I got practical. Most years I match all the kids and go to great efforts to do it. I just decided the theme would be polka dots (because it worked). Lindsey had a dress I purchased from The Children's Place (pink) but it just did not work. So the night before Easter her and I headed to the Mall. We arrived at 8pm and went to Dillard's, The Children's Place, Macy's, J.C Penney's and Payless shoes. We made it out by 9pm with the dress, sweater, tights, and shoes. It sounds awful but Lindsey and I had a lot of fun. She loved keeping track of our time and we got lucky finding all the pieces at different stores. We had a nice mother daughter time and she felt really special. The dress worked too (even if it wasn't matching the twins). I could not believe how much more enjoyable she was alone with me. Jacob was actually wearing the suit from my sisters wedding with new shirt and tie from Gymboree.

I have so enjoyed seeing everyone elses Easter posts and pictures and reading all of your blogs. I am just too behind on everything and busy with the sick kids to post my comments. I try not to be a selfish blogger ( I love comments). I'll be back soon. I promise.

Easter...

Easter snuck up early this year. I did not feel ready for it at all. The grasses and flowers were brown and ugly and the breeze was far too cool. The stress of getting it all done seemed too much. Yet somehow it all came together. The kids were thrilled, the day was beautiful and I appreciated all of it!





I told Hailey about Jesus and his Resurrection and that he made it possible to live again and she said, "and the Easter bunny did too"? Hope your day was as nice as ours. Do you see our snow has melted?

Pulling an all nighter...

The other night I pulled an all nighter. Not the kind in college when you were craming for a final or the kind where you stay up all night talking and scrapbooking either. This all nighter included 3 loads of laundry, two baths, and lots of throw up!

YUCK!

Hailey began throwing up at around 12am and threw up all night every 20 minutes till about 6am. I did not sleep a wink, nor did she.

She was absolutely fine once morning hit. Even ate all day. If you were wondering if it might have been food poisoning, like I was. Let me assure you Sydney proved that wrong last night with a repeat performance. At least she started throwing up earlier in the night so we all got some sleep. Daddy took care of her as I was at the hospital volunteering (yay for that too).

I wonder who will be hit next?

Tuesday's Tip...

Yesterday I received a pie as a Thank you! It also had a nice thoughtful card. It made my day. It got me to thinking how many moments I let pass and forget to offer true thanks. It feels so good to be appreciated, to be noticed. I challenge you to find someone in your life to do this for. I am going to do that. I will report back! I think all of us have a need to be noticed and appreciated.

I also wanted to tell all my readers how much I appreciate their kind comments. I look forward to my comments every day. Thank you for leaving them.

Okay sounding very cheesy now...

Life in their world...

Today I wake up to the sounds of blood curdling scream yelling "mommy mommy". I run to their side only to find a faker. Sydney is playing baby and Hailey is playing mommy. This happens all the time but usually its when the sun is out and the morning has come. In fact they tell me I am the "big mommy" and they are the little mommy's to try and ease the confusion.

The other night I was not home and Alan heard crying, loud crying. He went to check it out. Hailey explains that Sydney bit HER tongue. Perplexed by how this could happen he asks her. How did Sydney bite your tongue? How did her teeth get on your tongue. Hailey's simple explanation was that She was the mommy kitty and Sydney was the baby kitty. She had her tongue in my mouth and the baby kitty bite it. OUCH.

As you know Sydney has been quite a handful latley. Recently she had caused some trouble. This is what I heard from the stairs.
H-I have to get mommy to help you.
S-Okay but PLLLLEEEASSSE tell her not to yell.
H-Mommy help Sydney.

Then tonight as I was putting the girls to bed Alan and I were explaining that they cannot get out of bed till the sun is up. They have been getting up before 6am again.
Sydney- I want you to close your door in the morning please.
Me-Why?
Sydney- Because I do not want you to see me.

A birthday...

I have to laugh to write this post because my friend Angie wrote this post a few days ago
Angie's post.

Apparently today is a big day! Excitement has been going on all day about a birthday. Now mind you I never forget birthdays around here so it seemed weird to hear about such an important one this way. Until I heard who's birthday it was. Yeah its Jacob's webkinz birthday. Rocky. Lindsey gave him a bathtub for his birthday. Jacob was thrilled out of his mind. Parties are being planned in his webkinz room, food has been bought, invites to friends. It's really a frantic rush. My gym appointment is a big bummer for them too! Happy Birthday Rocky ol pal. Thanks for making my kid so darn happy!

Oh and Lindsey needs to know if Grace has a webkinz (or Emma) that she can add to her friends list. LOL!

A day to Remember...

Click the pic for a better view...

March 11th 2004 was surely a day to remember in our lives. I went to my first doctor appointment, 8 weeks pregnant with what we thought was our third child. Everything about the appointment was routine, until I asked for an ultrasound (not normal practice that early for my doc). A nurse took care of the ultrasound and confirmed a healthy heartbeat, suddenly without warning she announces she thinks she sees two babies! She is not sure and calls the doctor to confirm. So.... I wait for 20 minutes alone, millions of thoughts are racing in my mind. Two cribs, two babies, I am not sure I could ever be a mother of twins which equaled four children 5 and under. The doctor strolls in and confirms he sees two babies! I am in the most shock, alone and emotional. Twins are not in my family, and were not anything I would have expected to happen to me. The doctor mentions in passing that he doesn't see a membrane between the babies but explains nothing. I question if most babies need membranes and he says very seriously yes. Don't worry he tells me he hasn't had a patient in 20 yrs of practice without one, and its like 1% of pregnancies. I forget about all that for now, I am just in total shock. I leave the office and call Alan. I can hardly talk through my tears, he assumes the worst, a miscarriage, when I explain the twins news he is shocked but very excited. This day will remain a big day in my memory, it was truly the day my life changed forever! Here is my scrapbook page of the day, the first ultrasound photo on the page is of the girls who would someday mean everything to all us. The trials, worries and struggles of their pregnancy have made them so much more precious to all of us, they are miracles.

Tuesday's Tip...

I haven't spent very much time blogging about this issue. But I decided to come out and share because I realized how much I love reading about it.

WEIGHT LOSS

About a year ago I decided it was time to step up and make a change. To get real with myself. I liked to say that my body was the way it was because of child birth, lack of time, and a slowing metabolism. When in reality I ate what I wanted when I wanted, spent all my free time (the little I had) inactive. Apparently running after my four kids was not enough (or close to it). Getting real meant I had to watch what I ate, exercise and make a real life change. I do not believe in diets at all so I wanted to do something I could live with and continue. I began working out at the gym and discovered that you have the power to speed up your metabolism with exercise. I have never exercised regularly me whole life EVER. I hated running and claimed it was not "my thing". What I found was that I loved the way I felt after I exercised. I began a year ago January. At first it was very hard to find the time. Giving up some hobbies, watching less t.v I found it was totally possible. At the 6-8 month mark I had lost a significant amount of weight (at least for me). About 1-2 pounds a week with some points of loosing nothing in bettween. It was slow. I felt great. I was in smaller sizes. I had more energy. I was in control. I had stopped blaming my bad habits and taken responsibility for my own choices.

I have maintained the weight loss fairly easily over the last year (well it was still a time thing). Exercising 4-5 days a week and eating decent. Which does not mean I cannot have a treat or two. A year later I still had that last 15 pounds (or so) I wanted off. So I began working with a personal trainer to give me new work out ideas etc...

So today I wanted to share some tips that have helped me A LOT.

Log in what you eat! I use a program through my gym call Apex (body bug). It counts all my calories and helps me keep under. You can use fitday.com or a simple notebook. Most values are online or on the back of the package. I cannot tell you how much it has affected me to read and record what I eat. Most things I thought I wanted I realize are not worth it at all. You don't have to do this forever (atleast I probably won't) but it helps change the habits. It really eliminates mindless snacking. I think the weight watchers system works like this too (with points). I just don't use that. It's a simple equation. It you eat fewer calories than you burn you will loose weight.

Second keep it out of the house. Meaning if you have no self control with those items. DO NOT BUY THEM! Eating just one does not work for me.

Top three things I stay away from (not worth the huge calories) and I have issues with stopping.

1-Chips
2-French Fries (never)
3-Wheat Thins original

Don't skip meals! If you get overly hungry nothing with be enough to fill you up. Getting hungry is not a good thing. Eat small meals, healthy snacks. You will not feel like you are starving.

I plan to up my calories again once I loose this last weight (it may take some time). It's all about choices. If you want that dessert you can have it. If you limit other stuff.

I will share some of my favorite healthy snacks too.

1-String cheese
2-Dannon light and fit
3- fruit

Stay tuned I will share a good healthy lunch...

If I plan on going out to dinner. I prepare ahead. I eat very healthy all day. I log in all my foods and make sure I leave enough room for a larger dinner. I like to use this website to refer to before eating out . You can look up most restaurants. You will be amazed that some of what you think are healthy choices are totally not!
Dottie's weight loss zone Restaurants

It's not a program that ends. It's a life journey. You can eat healthy, be fit, and still eat and enjoy life.

Deal of the day...

What can I say I am a sucker for a deal. Limited too is having a buy one get one free on "select" webkinz (which is several just look online to see which ones). If you print out this coupon and bring it along you can also get an additional 25% off. You can also buy online if you do not have a Limited too near you (shipping isn't all that cheap).


I am not a sucker for giving my kids things for free though so they spent their afternoon doing this.

I think Jacob was trying to count up his money right then.

NOT in my job description...

At least I wish it wasn't.

This morning when we are rushing to get ready for church several disasters. Alan is always at meetings Sunday mornings.

Sydney goes to the bathroom and then proceeds to step in her poop (don't ask me how this occurred). She then walks down the hall and leaves poop chunks all over my clean carpet! Total nightmare to clean up!

Then after I get that cleaned up, all 3 girls ready (hair, clothing) for church. Hailey runs to the bathroom and decides she would rather use the other bathroom. Totally bad choice. She peed he pants, her tights, her shoes right before church.

Lovely way to start a church day. Did I mention I also taught Lindsey's roudy class at church and did the long meeting alone because Jacob is home sick with a cold with Alan.

Lindsey told me "Mom after lunch maybe you should just take a break".

Change of plans...

Today I had a plan. My plans were going well. One parent teacher conference down, gym. Afternoon came and I got the kids from school (early day) and got the twins down for a nap. I then began mounds of laundry. I got my load in and dried and folded. Began cleaning bathrooms while another load began when all of the sudden the power went out (its 3:30). No big deal it will pop on in a few minutes or so... but it didn't. Hours later it didn't. Can't clean, can do laundry (and its full of water too), can't computer, ipod is out of batteries and can't charge that, can't shower (which was the worst) or get ready. So there I sat in total silence (kids were outside playing). Clocks tick loud in this house by the way. 2 more hours past and I getting annoyed because I did not want to go looking so bad to Parent Teacher conferences (but I did). Now its 7pm and its mighty dark and cold too. It's then I regret my lack of emergency light. I mean sure I have food supply (need more) and I could cook we have gas stove and gas bbq and a gas fire place. But I can only find one working flash light and thats is pretty dark. In my defense I do buy flashlights but my kids steal them all the time. Just last night Sydney slept with one (could not find that one). I talked to my friend Michelle and she is fine they have several lanterns and flashlights and they are cooking outside. I have some work to do.

Power returns around 8pm. Missed Survivor and American Idol too (bah). Really not that big of a deal if your prepared.

Tuesday's Tip...

Todays tip will take your participation in my comments.

I love Costco.
I love that the inventory is constantly changing and that you can always find something new (until my item is gone to not return).
I love shopping and getting a cheap lunch after too.
I love two shopping seats in the shopping carts.
I love sampling food before I buy a years worth of it (lol).

I used to go to Costco every week for baby formula. It has slowed down and now I only go 1 to 2 times a month. Anyway, there a few things I love to get there. So I wanted to see what yours were as some of mine were found through others recommending them.

I love the
Chopped broccoli in the bag for $3.99. It saves time.
Tillamook sliced cheese. Cheddar and Swiss (white cheese has fewer calories)
Bananas
Carrots
Fugi apples
Eggo waffles
Posada Chimichangas (for Alan and the kids)
Philly cheese steaks for Alan.
Lasagna (great dinner for my girls night).
String cheese
wheat thins
Paper plates
Paper cups

These are just the basics I get every time and I am sure I am missing a few. So what are yours? What is your costco list like? If your not near Costco share what you love to get at your store too.

The one bad thing about Costco is that I cannot get out of that store without dropping $100 at least! Oh and yeah I know that you can gets things for less elsewhere but I am all about one stop shopping. Battling the girls at other stores is just not worth it to me. Anyway post away. I love new ideas, especially dinner ones.

Trouble maker at work...

I used to think Sydney and Hailey had very few differences but lately I am noticing a alarming difference. Sydney has been in all sorts of trouble and Hailey is not the one doing it.

Here are the "best of" her naughty episodes...
The other day Hailey slipped and fell in the bubble bath that Sydney dumped this was previously mentioned. The entire bottle of bubble bath took three days to clean off the floor. It just kept foaming and foaming. When a cap full can fill the entire tub with suds you can imagine what the whole bottle does with the floor!
Then is was the conditioner in the shower and all over her clothing.
Then it was Hailey slipping on the unusually slippery wood floors. Later we find Sydney has sprayed Pam all over the floors.
Then there was tide power carried in a trail and filled up in the toilet.
Lotion and more lotion on several different occasions.
Shampoo contained to the bathtub.

Sydney has an expression, a gleam in her eyes she makes when mischief is being had. These expressions are all her own.
The other day she asked me to please look at the baby on the t.v. "I do not want you to watch me, do not look at what I am doing".

She is so obvious in her naughty attempts and often requests me to not go where she going or to not watch what she does.

Yesterday Alan was holding her (she sucks her fingers) and she told him she could not suck her fingers they were yucky. He smelled cleaner on her hands and began questioning her. Her simple response was "I do want to to talk".

It's amazing when she find the moments to do this. She seems to know exactly when I am busy or not paying attention. I really do keep things out of her reach but each day I am finding a new thing that has to become a controlled substance. All real cleaning supplies are out in the garage up high and medicines are as well. She still finds shampoo, lotion, 409, and laundry soap. What should I remove next?

A lesson in honesty and work...

Last week Lindsey found $6 outside by the curb. She was thrilled. I had to take her down from her euphoria when I told her she could only keep it if no one claimed it. The night before I had been on a girls night and when we got out of the car it was at that very spot. In addition my brother had also been over and parked near there. So I began asking around and while it seemed everyone thought they could possibly have lost it no one claimed it (knowing Lindsey found it). Anyway, it was then awarded to her. Then she began begging me to spend it. When I we got the store she had so many ideas of what she wanted to buy it was hard to find just one thing. It was only $6 dollars. In the end she bought a barbie but she really wanted her sister. I try to never buy things without them earning it so I told her she could have her sister (just $6) if she agreed to learn how to clean the bathroom. Fast forward to the next day when I asked her to clean the bathroom. Not as thrilled with her deal. But she complied. Anyone who knows Lindsey knows what might happen next. Lindsey is an expert negotiator and pretty soon had convinced Jacob to join the "fun". So Jacob and Lindsey began the lesson. At first Lindsey seemed totally horrified but after she realized rubber gloves were part of the deal she adjusted and even began to like it. Jacob cleaned the bathtub while she did the toilet. Jacob moved on to the counter. He was amazed at the impossible task of removing the dried tooth paste (tell me about it). It took a long time to get that off. He vowed to me to never do that again. They cleaned the entire bathroom and moved on to my bathroom. It took ten times as long but they learned how to do it. Lindsey was even asking when she could do it again, apparently she already wants more money!