Have you ever noticed that the more kids you have the less house work gets done? I am noticing that the necessities are taken care of while the things that are less important get pushed aside. My kitchen floor happens to be one of those items that has been pushed aside. So, today I was looking at my white floor thinking, "Boy it doesn't look very white anymore". I decided it was the perfect day to change that.
I hate using chemicals, but sometimes they are a blessing. I got out the vinegar and began scrubbing. The gray grime remained on the floor. The dirt pushed around a bit, along with some cat hair and I sighed and headed to the laundry room to find something better to clean with.
Mop and Glo. I'm thinking...this has to work. I hate this nasty gray grime on my floor. It's embarrassing. I squirted some on the floor and began scrubbing......Nothing. What's the point of this stuff anyway!
Ugh! Back to the laundry room I trudge. I stared at my shelves full of cleaning supplies and checked each one off the list. Nothing was going to work. But wait...
Up the stairs I go...
This time I returned with Greased Lightening in hand. I squirted it on the floor and took a deep breath. I started scrubbing and miraculously the grime began to lift easily from the floor; like erasing a chalk board. I saw white floor!!! It was so dirty that the mop kept smearing this nasty sludge all around, like mud. So, back and forth I went to the sink to rinse out the saturated mop. And back to the floor I returned to scrub away some more gray grime. I had to do go over the spots a few times before the gray completely disappeared. Gross!
But one thing I remembered before I embarked on this mission was that Greased Lightening is potent. I opened the windows and let the breeze blow. It is pleasant and windy today. There is a nice brisk breeze in the air bringing the smells and thoughts of autumn.
If you are in a confined space, when you use this stuff, you may start gagging and coughing uncontrollably. It is nasty. But who, may I ask, wants their white floors to look gray. Not me. So, sometimes those chemicals I don't like very much are a blessing.
My floor is now clean. My mind relaxed and a little more at peace. Yes...cleaning makes me feel better! I accomplished something with my day.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Just another morning
So, it's 7:00 am on a Saturday and I can't sleep. I should be sleeping in since all the kids are, but my brain won't shut off. Could be worse I guess! Lady Bug slept through the night last night for the first time in a couple of weeks! Hallelujah! She had been leaking out of her diapers for the last four or five nights and I was getting pretty frustrated waking up just to change a diaper that wasn't even saturated.
Since she has been crawling around everywhere she has lost a bunch of baby fat. So, the leg elastics were too big around her legs. Oops! Yesterday I spent a little while adjusting a bunch of her diapers, and each time she needed a diaper change I adjusted another one. No leaks!!!
Lady Bug has a great desire to walk. She gets very frustrated when she can't get there fast enough. She has been pretty fussy this last week and I thought I was going to go nuts. Finally yesterday she was a bit happier. She is trying to stand up next to the couch, the window, and the bakers wrack. She even gets in a squatting position and just sits there with one knee on the ground. She is eleven months now and I can see those wheels spinning in her head. She wants to be mobile. She is trying to figure out how she can stand up and not fall over. Her little feet are still a bit round and it's hard for her to be steady. It makes me wonder how long it will take. It's so fun to watch her learn and grow. We had fun with the boys watching them do new things too. It just feels like it has been so long that it has become exciting again. Her first year is going by way too fast for my taste.
John and Alicia got here last night after traveling for about 3 days. They staying with us last night and will head to Mike's house for a couple of nights sometime today. It's fun to have family visiting and it's more fun to see how excited the boys get when they see them drive into the driveway. I remember feeling the same way when my Gramma would come visit from Arizona. Or when Aunt Wanda and Uncle Billy would come. It's so exciting. You get a little spoiled and you get to do things that aren't normally in your routine.
I remember when Gramma and Stan would drive out in their big blue van. We thought it was so cool. They had a bed in the back of the van to sleep in on their trip. What an awesome way to travel! Not with five kids though! I'll take a hotel any day!
I guess I better find something else to do while everyone sleeps! Happy Weekend!
Since she has been crawling around everywhere she has lost a bunch of baby fat. So, the leg elastics were too big around her legs. Oops! Yesterday I spent a little while adjusting a bunch of her diapers, and each time she needed a diaper change I adjusted another one. No leaks!!!
Lady Bug has a great desire to walk. She gets very frustrated when she can't get there fast enough. She has been pretty fussy this last week and I thought I was going to go nuts. Finally yesterday she was a bit happier. She is trying to stand up next to the couch, the window, and the bakers wrack. She even gets in a squatting position and just sits there with one knee on the ground. She is eleven months now and I can see those wheels spinning in her head. She wants to be mobile. She is trying to figure out how she can stand up and not fall over. Her little feet are still a bit round and it's hard for her to be steady. It makes me wonder how long it will take. It's so fun to watch her learn and grow. We had fun with the boys watching them do new things too. It just feels like it has been so long that it has become exciting again. Her first year is going by way too fast for my taste.
John and Alicia got here last night after traveling for about 3 days. They staying with us last night and will head to Mike's house for a couple of nights sometime today. It's fun to have family visiting and it's more fun to see how excited the boys get when they see them drive into the driveway. I remember feeling the same way when my Gramma would come visit from Arizona. Or when Aunt Wanda and Uncle Billy would come. It's so exciting. You get a little spoiled and you get to do things that aren't normally in your routine.
I remember when Gramma and Stan would drive out in their big blue van. We thought it was so cool. They had a bed in the back of the van to sleep in on their trip. What an awesome way to travel! Not with five kids though! I'll take a hotel any day!
I guess I better find something else to do while everyone sleeps! Happy Weekend!
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Need a "pick-me-up" today?
Yesterday I was so tired and had been home all week with sick kids. So, I read my scriptures and folded laundry and took care of Max and Lady Bug. Then I had a prompting to read an article in the Ensign. I grabbed the September issue of the Ensign and started reading the First Presidency message....
It was wonderful. Of course I cried. I always do. But I needed it so much. I love President Uchtdorf. He always seems to know just what to say to the sisters of the church to help them to remember what great women they truly are. I needed that reminder. The best part about it is when he says...oh I am just going to copy and paste because I can't do it justice!!!
"May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don’t compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fulness of the gospel (see D&C 45:28). Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5)."
"My dear sisters, as you live your daily life with all its blessings and challenges, let me assure you that the Lord loves you. He knows you. He listens to your prayers, and He answers those prayers, wherever on this world you may be. He wants you to succeed in this life and in eternity."(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Influence of Righteous Women", Ensign, Sept. 2009, 2-7).
Oh...it's just awesome. It spoke to me. I am so glad that I listened to that prompting and read that article. I need to do it more often. The only problem is that whenever I read it...I cry. I don't like to cry, but I do it a lot.
But even though it made me cry it was cleansing and I needed that and my Father in Heaven knew that I needed it too. I need to learn to let myself cry and not feel bad about it. It just frustrates me.
Today, after I got some extra sleep, I was able to exercise again. Yeah! I needed that today too! It gives me so much more energy!! Now I'm ready to take on the rest of the day! Taking care of Max still. Lady Bug is fussy today, but is taking a nap now so I am getting a break!
It was wonderful. Of course I cried. I always do. But I needed it so much. I love President Uchtdorf. He always seems to know just what to say to the sisters of the church to help them to remember what great women they truly are. I needed that reminder. The best part about it is when he says...oh I am just going to copy and paste because I can't do it justice!!!
"May I invite you to rise to the great potential within you. But don’t reach beyond your capacity. Don’t set goals beyond your capacity to achieve. Don’t feel guilty or dwell on thoughts of failure. Don’t compare yourself with others. Do the best you can, and the Lord will provide the rest. Have faith and confidence in Him, and you will see miracles happen in your life and the lives of your loved ones. The virtue of your own life will be a light to those who sit in darkness, because you are a living witness of the fulness of the gospel (see D&C 45:28). Wherever you have been planted on this beautiful but often troubled earth of ours, you can be the one to “succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees” (D&C 81:5)."
"My dear sisters, as you live your daily life with all its blessings and challenges, let me assure you that the Lord loves you. He knows you. He listens to your prayers, and He answers those prayers, wherever on this world you may be. He wants you to succeed in this life and in eternity."(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "The Influence of Righteous Women", Ensign, Sept. 2009, 2-7).
Oh...it's just awesome. It spoke to me. I am so glad that I listened to that prompting and read that article. I need to do it more often. The only problem is that whenever I read it...I cry. I don't like to cry, but I do it a lot.
But even though it made me cry it was cleansing and I needed that and my Father in Heaven knew that I needed it too. I need to learn to let myself cry and not feel bad about it. It just frustrates me.
Today, after I got some extra sleep, I was able to exercise again. Yeah! I needed that today too! It gives me so much more energy!! Now I'm ready to take on the rest of the day! Taking care of Max still. Lady Bug is fussy today, but is taking a nap now so I am getting a break!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Still sick
Colin is so sick he had to stay home from school. There is a rule that they have to be fever free for 24 hours, without the use of medicine, before they can return. So, he jumped for joy and bragged to his brothers.
Colin is so sick today that he asked if he could play with his toys in the sink. I told him he wasn't allowed to splash or make big messes and that he had to show me the toys he wanted to play with in the water. So, I sat on the couch nursing Alyssa while Colin dragged a stool over to the kitchen sink, plugged it, and filled it with water. He filled it almost to the top. He would stand his toys on the faucet and they would do a cannon ball into the water. They didn't make big splashes though...that was the rule! I think he is feeling better! No high fevers yet today. I hope the fevers are long gone.
My day is a little more lazy than usual because I have Colin home. He needs a lot more attention than Lady Bug does sometimes. Between the two of them I might at well just grab a book and find a comfy spot so that they can find me at a moment's notice! That's what being a Mom is all about...isn't it? Being there when our children need us...Even when it's just asking permission to play in the sink!
Colin is so sick today that he asked if he could play with his toys in the sink. I told him he wasn't allowed to splash or make big messes and that he had to show me the toys he wanted to play with in the water. So, I sat on the couch nursing Alyssa while Colin dragged a stool over to the kitchen sink, plugged it, and filled it with water. He filled it almost to the top. He would stand his toys on the faucet and they would do a cannon ball into the water. They didn't make big splashes though...that was the rule! I think he is feeling better! No high fevers yet today. I hope the fevers are long gone.
My day is a little more lazy than usual because I have Colin home. He needs a lot more attention than Lady Bug does sometimes. Between the two of them I might at well just grab a book and find a comfy spot so that they can find me at a moment's notice! That's what being a Mom is all about...isn't it? Being there when our children need us...Even when it's just asking permission to play in the sink!
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Fever..."you give me fever"!
"Fever in the morning
Fever all through the night"
Yes...the mysterious fevers are here. Alyssa had it last night, but she is teething really badly. Poor thing. This morning we all got up and Todd was off helping build a house with the Habitat for Humanity, so we just watched a movie. The next thing I know Colin is sound asleep on the couch. I thought, "What in the world..." So, I go over to check on him and he is burning up. I checked his temp and it was about 101 degrees. I let him go for a few hours until he reached 103 degrees. Now for the medicine.
When the TJ was little I should have had stock in Children's Motrin. Holy Moly! We bought a ton of the stuff. But since I have begun doing a lot more natural solutions I steer toward other remedies to help when the kids are sick.
I guess we will be staying home from church tomorrow; Colin, Alyssa and I!
So far there are no other symptoms, but I continue to watch and be aware.
Last night we were able to attend a High School football game at Central High School, here in St. Joseph. Bill and Cheryl weren't able to attend and they needed someone to be surrogate band parents for their daughter who play the mellophone in the band. So, Todd and I went. It was a lot of fun. I guess it was the first time in years that Central has won a home game. We must have been their lucky charm!
Todd's parents are on their way out here for a visit. They are all packed and ready to move to Denton, Texas and are making a pit stop here, along the way. That will be fun!
I'm going back up to take care of my sickie!
Fever all through the night"
Yes...the mysterious fevers are here. Alyssa had it last night, but she is teething really badly. Poor thing. This morning we all got up and Todd was off helping build a house with the Habitat for Humanity, so we just watched a movie. The next thing I know Colin is sound asleep on the couch. I thought, "What in the world..." So, I go over to check on him and he is burning up. I checked his temp and it was about 101 degrees. I let him go for a few hours until he reached 103 degrees. Now for the medicine.
When the TJ was little I should have had stock in Children's Motrin. Holy Moly! We bought a ton of the stuff. But since I have begun doing a lot more natural solutions I steer toward other remedies to help when the kids are sick.
I guess we will be staying home from church tomorrow; Colin, Alyssa and I!
So far there are no other symptoms, but I continue to watch and be aware.
Last night we were able to attend a High School football game at Central High School, here in St. Joseph. Bill and Cheryl weren't able to attend and they needed someone to be surrogate band parents for their daughter who play the mellophone in the band. So, Todd and I went. It was a lot of fun. I guess it was the first time in years that Central has won a home game. We must have been their lucky charm!
Todd's parents are on their way out here for a visit. They are all packed and ready to move to Denton, Texas and are making a pit stop here, along the way. That will be fun!
I'm going back up to take care of my sickie!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
His Gentle Commands
As I ran around this morning getting my children ready for school, my mind was able to focus on other things...on them. I was able to get rid of some of those thoughts that have been causing me stress and I found that my body was beginning to relax. It wasn't that this morning was restful. I start my morning at 6:30am by getting TJ up. He showers while I begin to make lunches. Once he is done I wake another child and get him into the shower while I continue to make lunches, clean the kitchen and get caught up on communication to the school. This morning I found Alex's math homework in his backpack blank. So, I got him up earlier than usual, as he is the last one I wake up, and sat him at the kitchen table while I made lunches so that I could help him with his homework.
When Todd was leaving for work this morning I had been up for almost an hour. My brain just wouldn't shut off after putting Alyssa back down after feeding her yet again. He came to hug & kiss me and asked how I was doing. On the verge of tears I mentioned that I think I might need a blessing. He hugged me and let me explain why. He would give me a blessing regardless, but I share everything with him, so we talked. Then he went off to work.
I kept a prayer in my heart all morning asking Heavenly Father to help me to know how to reduce this stressful feeling is am having.
I have begun practicing the piano again. It has been years, but I am trying to get my mind and my fingers back into the habit. So, I sat at the piano when the kids went out front to wait for the bus. I played a few hymns over and over again. I can't sing with them or I totally screw up playing! I can't play very well when other sings either. That will come again. I needed to get up and give Lady Bug more cantaloupe and as I was taking care of her the words of the hymn I had been playing came to my mind.
"Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your Heavenly Father's throne
And sweet refreshment find."
What a wonderful reminder. I just need to leave this burden at the feet of the Lord and do my best to continue on and He will help me through. He will carry me.
I am so grateful for the beautiful hymns and the blessing that they can be in my life and others lives if we so choose to utilize them. The hymn continues:
"His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day;
I'll drop my burden at his feet
And bear a song away."
So, I will continue this day with a prayer in my heart and a song on my lips as I continue forward. What a wonderful blessing it is to have the gospel of Jesus Christ to guide and direct me in my life. I am so extraordinarily grateful to have a loving Savior who died for me and knows exactly what I am going through; no matter how small or how large it may be.
(How Gentle God's Commands, Hymn #125)
When Todd was leaving for work this morning I had been up for almost an hour. My brain just wouldn't shut off after putting Alyssa back down after feeding her yet again. He came to hug & kiss me and asked how I was doing. On the verge of tears I mentioned that I think I might need a blessing. He hugged me and let me explain why. He would give me a blessing regardless, but I share everything with him, so we talked. Then he went off to work.
I kept a prayer in my heart all morning asking Heavenly Father to help me to know how to reduce this stressful feeling is am having.
I have begun practicing the piano again. It has been years, but I am trying to get my mind and my fingers back into the habit. So, I sat at the piano when the kids went out front to wait for the bus. I played a few hymns over and over again. I can't sing with them or I totally screw up playing! I can't play very well when other sings either. That will come again. I needed to get up and give Lady Bug more cantaloupe and as I was taking care of her the words of the hymn I had been playing came to my mind.
"Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your Heavenly Father's throne
And sweet refreshment find."
What a wonderful reminder. I just need to leave this burden at the feet of the Lord and do my best to continue on and He will help me through. He will carry me.
I am so grateful for the beautiful hymns and the blessing that they can be in my life and others lives if we so choose to utilize them. The hymn continues:
"His goodness stands approved,
Unchanged from day to day;
I'll drop my burden at his feet
And bear a song away."
So, I will continue this day with a prayer in my heart and a song on my lips as I continue forward. What a wonderful blessing it is to have the gospel of Jesus Christ to guide and direct me in my life. I am so extraordinarily grateful to have a loving Savior who died for me and knows exactly what I am going through; no matter how small or how large it may be.
(How Gentle God's Commands, Hymn #125)
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