Role Reversal...

Apparently I am the one who goes certain places and does certain things...

Today the heater was having an issue so I need to pop over to Home Depot to get filters. We have a new Home Depot very close (yahoo for that). We dropped carpool off for kindergarten and I told the girls that we were going to go to Home Depot.

Apparently they are very familar with this place. They started to tell me I could not go there only Daddy goes there. They also told me I could not drive there because only Daddy's green truck goes there not the red car I drive. Could they ride in the orange carts? Could they drive? Could they see all the stuffs? I found this all very interesting. So we get inside. Apparently the new Home Depot has special carts. They have two driver spots, what fun? The girls were in heaven and not at all thrilled when we were done in like two minutes. They wanted more time in the store. If only Home Depot sold food, clothing etc... it would solve all my shopping issues. Although maybe they love it so much because they don't go their often?

Flash back Friday...

Bad mommy award

About three years ago...

Heading the mall, pouring rain, three kids along for the ride. Jacob (2) and Sydney and Hailey (8 months) that alone would make for a bad day right? Arrive while on the phone (not paying close attention I am sure). Get out in the rain (pouring remember) go to open the door to get kids out and I discover to my horror locked doors. I panic, really panic. I was parked near a door so I ran inside to a info booth and ask her to call security and tell her what was going on (I could see my car from inside). The little lady looks about 90. She becomes greatly concerned (she should be) and begins to say that the kids are going to run out of air in the car. She keeps repeating this worry (instead of calling security) over and over. Run out of air, what? There is plenty of air in a car lady. I go back out to the rain (offering many desperate prayers) and tell Jacob what is going on. He seems to think he can get out and open the doors. So to my shock and jubilation he unbuckles his car sear and is able to somehow figure out how to unlock the doors! I was thrilled, grateful, and in tears! He never was able to get out of the seat on his own after that or open the locked doors... I went home after I reassured the lady that my kids were fine and had not run out of air. Crazy lady who did not help at all. Before you turn me in and think to bad of me I want to reassure all of my blog readers that all this took place in less than 5 minutes, a very long 5 minutes.

Tip... I now never lock my doors by hand. I always use the remote to do it, this way I know I have my keys in hand.

This is the one and only time I have locked my keys in my car (my entire life). Not the best time to do it though.

house call?

If you visit my house you might...

have to move the potty seat off the toilet to do your business.
be informed (while doing your business) that closing the door is not allowed (be assured it is).
trip on a doll stroller or two.
be informed (loudly) that someone ('s) needs to poop or pee.
be interrupted every second.
have to get used to a loud level of noise.
not have control of the t.v. or the computer (for that matter).
have to scale a baby gate to get upstairs or into my formal rooms (which are still filled with stuff from my basement).
not be allowed in my laundry room.
need to drag your chair from its climbing spot by the counter- if you like to sit.
use a paper cup we use paper cups around here (sorry for the waste).
have to unlock the water on the fridge to get that drink- its not safe to have that available to just anyone...
have to ask me if you need a pen or a pair of scissors, those are hidden (even sometimes from myself).
notice paper is hard to keep in stock it all used up from book making and picture drawing.
not want to leave your keys down they might get picked up.
learn a lot about princess dresses and their accessories.
learn why silence is not always golden. It usually means something bad is happening around here.

On the upside - kisses, hugs and general sweetness are often given without provocation. Cuteness counts for a lot too.

Wordless Wednesday...

Happy Valentine's...

Yesterday was a tough day. Everything that could go wrong, DID! I woke up to the entire kitchen with smashed crackers, a entire box. School was delayed (2hrs) because we got MORE snow.

HaileySydney
This face dumped an entire jumbo size bottle of Bedtime bath (bubble bath) all over the bathroom floor. Then she dumped conditioner all over the shower and herself. Hailey wet her pants (right as we were heading out the door). I helped run Lindsey class party and Lindsey's teacher was not grateful and pretty mad the twins came along (rude even). When the room mother asked me to help I said no because of the twins and their nap time etc...The room mother begged and said the twins were welcome. Apparently they were not welcome. Wish I had known that before I went up there and skipped a much needed nap and my chance to clean up all the disasters. It was awful how was made to feel by her teacher. She never got up from grading papers to help with the party either. I am not a big fan of Lindsey's teacher but thats a whole other post.

When we got home we made cookies and things settled down a bit.

It ended on a good note because I got to go out to dinner and movie with my hubby. It's tradition that all the girls receive flowers from Alan. I get a dozen, and each girl gets one. The twins loves their flowers and smelled them over and over all night. It made them all feel special (Jacob got a treat too). Hope you had a nice day. I have some disasters to tend to today.

My ebay is up...

My Ebay is up. It was several hours ago. A few items already sold. I will add a few more items in the morning. If you are buying for twins please email me or ask me if I have the match still available.

Here is the link... Twins clothing on Ebay

Observations...

The twins are like sponges soaking up everything around them. At this age a lot of that everything is me and what I do with them or in front of them. It's amazing to be noticed this much, every move recorded, things I don't even notice myself. Just to name a few...

After Christmas I purchased a pair of new jammies on sale. I put them on and no one noticed they were new. Why should they. In the morning their was a buzz of excitement from the twins. They loved my new pink ball jammies and could not stop telling me about it. No one else noticed, why should they.

The other night I had been out and went up to kiss them goodnight. Before mounting the stairs I popped a random candy of the counter in my mouth and ate it. When I delivered the kiss Hailey was curious. She knew I had eaten her candy, after all she could smell it on my breath.

The other day I was wearing a sweater with a big neck. I have a problem wearing turtle necks so I came home and changed. When she later saw me she questioned me over and over about the outfit change. No one else would notice.

Another time I was in a hurry and showered and ran out the door to drive carpool. I had not styled my hair or applied my make up yet. The girls were curious and told me I looked different. I asked them more and they told me "it's not good mommy". Honest critics.

Today I am wearing a white t-shirt. Sydney asks why I wear that white shirt like Daddy. Will I ever be the "pink mommy again". She loves the pink mommy.

This kind of observation is always going on What shoes am I wearing? How is my hair styled? My earrings? What am I eating or drinking? What pillow we have? What blanket I am giving them? It's not just me they notice either... The color choice of every item we come in contact with? What show is on t.v. What outfit they wear, what color it is, what designs are on it, what shoes will they wear, what hair style will they have, what bow they will use. The color of the plates, the new rugs in the kitchen. They comment, they notice, and the question EVERY THING.

It's amazing and sometimes a little exhausting. I don't know when it changes but their life gets filled up with other interesting things and soon they don't notice you so much anymore. The world isn't so new a fresh. I cherish this age and this part of childhood.

Get ready...

It's coming. My Ebay listings are almost ready.

I have been totally MIA the last few days because I have had to find time for the my HUGE twin clothing listings on ebay. I have tons to list. So after hours of ironing, washing, and picture taking I have now completed the listings. I will posting them on ebay shortly (day or so). I have had a few people who have been interested in my girls clothing. I will post the links to the listings here so if you were one of those interested you can check them out.

Aside from all the ebaying (which is like a 3 day job just to get it up). We have had electricians working in my basement, homework, housework and a sick child with fever child keeping me hopping. I will pop in to your blogs someday I hope. Wish my little Hailey well.

Awards...

I received a few more awards this week and they are such a nice ones.
I would like to thank Carrie over at the Keiser Family Blog for giving me the you make my day award.I also received the Bodcious blog award from Debra over at Just another day in paradise. Thank you!


I would like to award the following bloggers both awards...
Thats right you get two awards!

Jenny over at Better Leite than never. Jenny finally joined the blog world and I love receiving each and every one of her comments. They always make me happy. Her blog is great too.

Shannon over at Following our bliss. Shannon always takes the time to comment me, offer encouragement and her blog is totally inspirational!

Heather over at In the Quiet heart totally rocks. I look forward to every single post by her!

Jenn over at It's my life made my day because I discovered hair do tips for little girls on her blog this week. I used her step by step instructions for my girls hair today and it turned out darling. Did I mention I got to hear all her music while I did hair (had to have her page to refer to). Thank you!

Melissa is a new blog friend. Her blog called the journey is great. I find her positive and kind. I love her comments and all her blog posts too.



Enjoy!

E is for Excellent...

Ahem I received one of my first awards. Angie over at Seven Clown Circus awarded me this award recently, E is for Excellent thank you to her for being so kind.

In the spirit of kindness and giving I would like to share with you a few blogs that absolutely deserve this award. Hopefully they can pass on this award too.
Here goes...

Debra has a coupon blog that just rocks and it will save you a lot of money too. Go check out her blog at Crazy coupon mama. It is Excellent for sure!

Casey is the mother of triplets. You can visit her blog at The Quilao Triplets. I love her blog because it is full of the funniest stories you will ever read. She has quite a way with words. Her girls are absolutely amazing miracles too!

Ceclily is the mother of three and you can find her over at My chaos my bliss. I only recently found her blog and enjoy every single post I read. She is very funny!

Becky Higgins is amazing and most scrap bookers already read this blog. You can find her over at Becky Higgins Blog. It's my favorite scrap booking blog because she shares all things inspiring, not just scrap booking. Great recipes, tons of organization ideas etc... She inspires me so much!

Lastly this blog is totally new to my list of great reads but totally wonderful. Ashley over at I believe in miracles is totally inspiring. I love her scrapbooking and she posts many thought provoking things as well.

There you have it 5 great blogs to check out! So go check them out and enjoy. You won't be disapointed, I promise. I could have shared many more believe me. Some have already received this award and others may not want all the fan fare ha ha.

I'm sorry...

I just wanted to publicly apologize to any and all people who were at my dentists office on Tuesday afternoon. Yes it was my son who screamed and cried and physically shook THE. ENTIRE. PROCEDURE (one whole hour), yes it was me who stood outside the door crying too, yes those were my twins who were totally out of control.

Sorry if your kids are terrified of the dentist now. If it makes you feel better I am terrified of ever going back too. The best part was forking over $200 to get out of that place.

My view...

I looked out the window this morning to be greeted by snow. Not just snow, it was actively snowing again. Let me just review the last week of my snow experiences. I will spare you the weeks before that (because it was snowing then too). I am a California girl. I do not know how to drive in the snow and really have no interest in learning. So when it snows I stay tucked in. A couple weeks ago we had a whopper of a snow storm (like 16 inches) and it was beautiful and fun. School was out for MLK day and all was well. I don't mind snow so much on those days.

MLK day snow...

Fast forward to last monday. I am behind (as usual) and am putting finishing touches on Jacob's VIP poster. I finish it off and we head off to the gym. I know it is predicted to snow but since I have to drive carpool regardless I figure I might as well get to the gym first. I arrive at the gym with the wind howling but no snow. I work out for a little over an hour and when I leave its snowing, not a little either, A lot! I cannot see the road, I barely make it up my hill. It is awful! The VIP is going to be an hour after school starts, which stinks because its only going to get worse. SO I pick up carpool and we somehow make it the school (remember I do not drive in snow). I get there and the teacher suggests we do the VIP now. So I frantically call the Grandparents and Alan to inform them of the change. Alan is in a meeting and my mom is just as scared of snow as me and cannot come. The other grandparents arrive and tell me it was a terrible drive. I am scheduled to volunteer in the classroom while my mom babysat the girls. Since it was snowing so hard I have no one to watch the girls. So I figure I just cannot stay. Apparently working in the classroom is not optional and she tells me to just keep the girls there. So I arrive at 12:30pm (the girls have no lunch because I was planning on going right home), get stuck staying for the VIP, then I stay and volunteer. We were there almost the entire class time. All the while the twins are destroying her classroom... they are in desks, crayons and they are tired, hungry and cranky too. When its over its almost time to get out of school and we head out. While I was in there it continued to snow and was even worse outside. I drive home in fear. As I arrive at my house and try to turn into the driveway I get stuck. Not just stuck a little, stuck a lot. Stuck out in the middle of the road. I spend ten minutes fearing someone won't see us and hit us, girls screaming, me outside freezing and shoveling to get the car free. Finally I get the car in the bottom of the driveway, barely out of the road. We abandon it and hike in the house. The girls seem distressed that we are leaving it out there. Oh well. Fast forward again to next Friday. Jacob has been given an award that he is invited to collect at 8:30am (he is afternoon kindergarten and doesn't go to school this early). So I wake up and get all four kids and myself dressed and ready for this occasion. I look out the window and as predicted it has snowed (is snowing) again. We are forced to battle the roads and the lack of parking to watch him receive the award. If you are wondering if Jacob's teacher has it out for me, you are not the only one (ha ha). Fast forward again... On Sundays we go to dinner to one of our parents each week. Since it was super bowl sunday Alan went around 2pm. I stayed home while the girls napped. Around 5pm I looked out the window to see heavy snow again. I called my mother in law and informed her that I was not going outside in that, not this time. We stayed home and I made the girls cookies. So you can imagine my happiness and joy when I woke up to even more snow and the fact that we are still having flurries.

The morning of the kindergarten award.

Hannah Montana..

I give this movie a big thumbs up. It was cute and fun and a great way to spend time with my daughter. I thought the movie itself was very entertaining and not just because the music. I loved that before each song they had a personal interest portion- where we got to watch Hannah Montana talk, share more about the song or how they prepared for the concert. I am sure $15 a ticket is steep but in the realm of things out there what isn't? Spending the day at the concert, watching Lindsey happy and happy to be with me was priceless. We went shopping for an outfit after and had lunch. Moments I won't get back. They grow up too fast. At the beginning of the movie watching her excitement and feeling a connection with her I found myself really emotional (thank goodness for 3 D glasses).

I gave her the choice of popcorn and a drink or lunch afterwards but she choose lunch afterwards instead :)

I love this quote and it goes along nicely with what I wrote in my previous post.

"Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he's been robbed. The fact is that most putts don't drop, most beef is tough, most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration, and most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. Life is like an old time rail journey, filled with delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas, and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride" Gordon B. Hinckley

Hard doesn't always mean unhappy.

Creating Happiness...

This title is part of random thoughts that are going through my head all the time. I think often about our ability to act and react to our lives and the concept of happiness. I think too many of us (me included) spend our days in search of happiness, in search of a perfect state where everything is good. The more I live and the more I experience life I have found life is not about falling into anything or about circumstances that make us happy. Happiness is found in creating it and recognizing it within our lives. I have found most of my happiness in serving others, helping someone else out, not focusing on myself. Being me but becoming a better me all the time. Happiness comes when you take time to find the good, be a part of good. Bad times will come but learning how to endure them and find a way to be happy is a gift. Others cannot provide this for you. This is a lesson I need to remember and create for myself everyday.

Bedtime update #3

Bath, bedtime 8pm. Laughing playing ensue, warning given, separation takes place, 20 minutes of hysterical screaming takes place. Hailey screaming "My Sydney My Sydney" and Sydney screaming "My big girl bed my big girl bed" I sit enduring it all and then see Hailey come running from her room to meet Sydney in the hall and they embrace and hug (tear stained and snotty) and then they beg and beg to be together. So... I relent because I am so sucked into their desire to be together. Oh and tired of the hysterical screaming too. It's quiet for now its 9:08. They really hate being separated hopefully that real threat will motivate better behavior. I just miss putting them to bed going off to the gym, running an errand, resting.

I will update about the movie later, when I can load a picture. Good times...

Update... its 9:35 and they are both sound asleep (curlers and all).

A pro's and cons list...

Grandpa got tickets for Lindsey to see the 3D movie of Hannah Montana in concert. He bought two, one for her and a parent. This was purchased in December (all showings are sold out already now) All along I thought it would be who would take her to the movie. I can admit I like Hannah Montana (or Han tanna as the twins call her). Besides we could use some mother and daughter positive time together. So tonight Alan tells her he would be happy to take her. She is suddenly in a quandary and does not want to hurt either of us. No matter how much we both reassured her that it was o.k. to choose the other she seemed worried. So she did what only Lindsey likes to do she made a good ol pro/con list. Here is how it read...
Mom
Not
1.She might get hyper.
2.If I said no she'll get sad.
3.She won't let me eat a lot of popcorn

Yes
1.She needs a break.
2.She might like to take me.
3.She was the one invited.

Dad
Not
1.Dad takes me to movies all the time.
2.It is a girl movie.
3.He might not like it.

Yes
1.He lets me eat lots of popcorn.
2.He lets me choose my drink (I don't let her have soda much).
3.He is super funny.

After the list was presented I figured I lost out. Until she pulled out the second list- she collected votes from her siblings.

Votes for Mom
Jake
Syd

Votes for Dad
Hailey

I got a huge laugh over all this. Wish us luck tomorrow!

Thank you!

If I have not mentioned it lately I will mention it now. I love comments. I love to hear from you. I post and wait for comments (who doesn't). So please please take a minute and let me know you are there reading. I wanted to thank all my blogger friends for all the sympathy and great advice that was shared! I really needed some hugs and encouragement. I probably should have told you what a sleep nazi I am. I have always kept to strict sleep schedules and routines. Forget about getting me to skip a nap or miss a bedtime it gives me aniexty to even think about it! With Lindsey and Jacob my training and consistency paid off. Sometimes it took time to work out kinks but since I am a nazi about it, it always paid off. My kids go to bed around 8pm and that is that! I thought I had the sleep thing under control and thought I could be the one offering the advice. I knew it all. Until I had twins. That changed the whole ballgame and changed it entirely. We do a bedtime routine, we go to bed at the same time, I am consistent etc... Nothing works. All of your advice was amazing but truthfully most of the theories mentioned have been used and reused. Except one, one I knew about all along , and have avoided. All of your mothers of twins will probably relate to this but I did not want to separate them. Honestly they love being together, I love it too. I have to get over that for now. Closing the door just makes them happy, threatening them does not work, explaining things to them, sitting in their room watching them etc (I could go on) does not work. Separating them does. My older two share a room fine when they choose to do it and putting one of the twins with Jacob works like a charm too. So for now I will put them to bed how they want, together. One warning allowed and then they separate. If they want to sleep together they will have to show they can behave. Popping in and checking on them is essential and I think positive reinforcement would be a great thing to add as I am not doing any of that now. I hate separating them but it does work. Having two the same age is a whole new challenge because it is very hard for them to control themselves and understand consequences. When you have a three and five year old together (Jacob and Hailey) Jacob understands he will get in trouble and goes to sleep. The little girls just do not have the ability to do this yet. Basically they have no self control or forethought. This is obvious when they write on the walls, get into my make up, throw stuff in the toilet! They have time to grow up I suppose but until them I need sleep and my sanity so I will have to do this. I appreciate all of the ideas and if you have any more to share, please go ahead and keep them coming. We have had two naps separated and last nights bedtime too. Tonight I gave the warning and all was quiet before 10pm (so were making some progress) Yawn...

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: