Future Memories

- Monday, Nate and the two littles and I went on a walk after we took the big kids to school.  We walked up and around Island View Park, then down and around the cemetary and back.  It was really nice.  This is one of the things I love about Nate's strange schedules.  The days off.  Very enjoyable for us as a couple.  Then we made a trip to IHOP as well ;)  Caramel Apple Crepe.... mmmmmmm..... love that place.  9-13-11

- Tuesday night, Grandpa Hatch called to come over with some pizza!  We were so excited because I still hadn't thought about dinner.  Nate was working, and that always makes it so unmotivating to cook.  Grandpa brought two pizzas, a bunch of drink boxes leftover from the reunion, and a HUGE box to play in.... the latest thrill.  After an hour or so, Grandpa announced that Tuesday was ice cream day and then the kids begged me to let us go get some.  My Dad said he did that on purpose so that I couldn't say no.  We all went to Baskin Robbins and had ice cream!  My favorite part of the evening was when Noah finished his ice cream.... about two seconds after, he asked, "Can we go get a snowcone now?"  Nate had promised him one earlier, so he was still set on it.  He proceeded to cry when I told him ice cream was enough treat for one evening, screaming out, "I WANT A SNOWCONE!!!" While we're sitting there outside of Baskin Robbins with ice cream all over his face :).  What a funny little boy.  Grandpa wanted to give in and get him one, but there's no way.  Unfortunately when we went to get him one the next day, we got to the little rainbow, just as they were pulling the thing away on a trailer behind a truck.  Such a bummer! 9-14-11

- Wednesday, Sarah and the boys came over for an evening without the Dads with us.  We had planned to have breakfast for dinner or "brinner" as we like to call it.  I was getting ready for our Relief Society night as well, preparing a pie, so I did a little of that, and made some pancakes.  I thought since I usually make 2 batches, with a few extra people, I should probably make 3.  It was a lot of pancakes, but I made the whole 3 batches.  I tried to keep them warm on the stove, instead of serving them immediately, so that we could all eat together.  Well, long story short, everyone was sitting at the table, prayer said, and a few bites into it, they all hated them!  My kids are pretty good at eating what they're given, and don't complain a LOT, but this time, they were all dissatisfied with them.  I finally got it out of them that they tasted weird.  It seemed strange that they ALL would feel that way, so I tasted them, and sure enough they had some weird metallic flavor to them.  It was strange.  And gross.  Sarah agreed, so I tossed them ALL into the garbage.  What a bummer!  Luckily we had some leftover pizza from the night before, and so we just warmed that up and called it dinner.  Kinda lame, but whatever.  I finished my Strawberry Fudge Pie, Sarah played with the kids in the backyard, and then we hauled off to the Relief Society meeting.  Thankfully they had a nursery since Nate was working.  It was a fun evening, but I wish they'd taught me how to make pie crust and pies BEFORE I was asked to bring one to sample..... my crust was a little crispy, but the rest of it was delicious!  Pie crust, brownie, cheesecake, and strawberries on top!  Drizzled with melted chocolate chips too!  I really liked it :)  The kids were nuts as the meeting was getting over and they were done in the nursery.  They embarrassingly made their way around the pie buffet and helped themselves to whatever... it's all a blur now, I was just so done.  But overall, the evening went well.  9-15-11

-Thursdays are a little strange.  Nate works Wednesday evenings til 10:00 and then has to go to work Thursday morning at 7:45.  So he comes home to sleep and that's all.  It's weird to do that, but even weirder, I think, is when he gets home that afternoon around 4:30.  It's so awkward.  I decided tonight that it's because Nate's been in Controller mode for pretty much 24 hours (minus the sleeping time) and I'VE been on Mommy mode for the same 24 hours.  It feels so weird to switch over to Husband-Father/Wife.  We are both exhausted.  I'm not sure how to explain it I guess.  But anyway.  I guess we kind of broke it up a little today by Bradley and I going on our much awaited for Date.  I took him to Paradise Bakery to FINALLY get his FREE Kids Meal that he got from his teacher almost 6 months ago.  After that we went bowling.  He "won".  I tried so hard to lose, but with the bumpers.... I was actually doing better than I do when I try to win!  So I decided to pull the ol' switcheroo at the end there and gave him the bigger number.  90 to 77.  It was a lot of fun.  We played the question game and I learned a lot about Bradley.  Then when I got home I found out Kelly had been wanting to go out for ice cream for her date, so we hopped in the car and went to Cold Stone.  She and I ate our ice cream up by the temple as we played the question game as well and learned LOTS about each other.  She and Bradley both are so fun to be with.  I love the one on one time especially.  Good times!  On our way home we saw that the mountain above Centerville was on fire!!  Pretty scary.  Nate was fascinated by it as well when we showed it to him.  Crazy stuff... can't wait to hear what happened.  9-16-11

- Saturday was really lame.  This is what I hate about this schedule.  Saturday mornings feel like death.  The kids are all restless, I'm tired from the week and wishing it was a normal "break" of a Saturday, but it's not, and we are all just kinda cranky, lazy and slow going.  This was the first one since he started this schedule, so it was a bummer.  Hopefully we can figure out how to make them go more smoothly.  Although in the evening, Heidi did come up to visit!  Well, not really just to visit, she was working on a book on our computer, but she did come!  And we stayed up talking til 1:00 in the morning.... fun stuff.  I sure wish she lived closer and could hang out more often.  9-17-11

- Sunday, Luke's class joined mine and Brad's class, and since there were 10 kids altogether, and I had to leave to practice the organ a little, we decided to invite Nate to join us.  It was a lot of fun to see Brad and Luke be buds.  Brad totally took him under his wing.  There were 3 other brother couples and they were all just adorable.

Feeding the Ducks

 Last Thursday, Sarah had this great idea to go feed the ducks down at Bountiful Lake.  I'm always grateful for people who invite us to do the things that I have forgotten are fun to do!  Especially with my two little ones these days!  It's almost like starting over, it feels like.  And I'm not as good at the fun toddler ideas as I once was (or remember myself being anyway :) ).  I decided to keep this a secret that morning since Erika has a way of torturing me when she knows that we are GOING to be going somewhere and we're not at the moment.  She is a very NOW NOW NOW kind of girl.  She hates waiting.  Noah is similar, but less obnoxious about it :). 

 I loved the drive down, we were following Sarah and then when we got on 500 S. the last stretch of it, the kids could see Sarah and Charlie and actually, little, sleeping Alvin through their window.  They loved it :)  Noah kept making comments about how our car is faster, and to slow down or speed up so he could see Charlie and such.  It was adorable.  And of course Erika just echoes whatever is being said.  It was just a lot of fun.  We got there and luckily Sarah brought plenty of bread, we went through 3 whole loaves!  The ducks (and geese) were insane, and not shy at all.  Not as bad as Wheeler Farm, but pretty close!  We talked about the "ducky diarrhea" green stuff that was floating on the edge.  But the kids had a blast!  I love the simple pleasures when it comes to little kids.  The little things that cost little (or for me, nothing.  Thanks Sarah.  I'll buy the bread next time :) ).  The things that take little effort or planning.  They seem to be the most fun.

 We took a little walk around the lake a little ways, then stopped throw rocks in the water.  Then it was time to get home for Lukey.  I am so run by the Kindergarten schedule, I dislike that immensely.  Erika stole a ride in the stroller with Alvin, he was so nice to share his seat ;)  She sure loves him!  And any baby for that matter!  But Alvin especially, it's really cute! 

 On the way home everyone fell asleep, so "we" went and got some Arby's for lunch to kind of kill time and get a better nap in ;).  Good times!  Love these days!

....Words to Express....

I have been meaning to do this post for a while.  Since Erika started talking.  It's been a few months now where she has been able to tell us what she wants MOST of the time.  It's so nice when kids reach this stage.  It's like gulping down a tall glass of cold water after walking through a dry desert.  And I think it's such a light at the end of the tantrum tunnel. 
So here are some of Erika's vocabulary in no particular order: 
"Daddy"
"Mommy"
"Chee"- Charity
"Kay"- Kelly or okay
"Bwa"- Brad
"Gookie"- Lukey
"Money"- Noah (this one is funny.  Like when she's telling Noah, "no"- "NO! MONEY!!"
"Dur"- Drink
"Wado"- Water
"Boppo"- Apple
"Nem Nem"- M&M's (Nana's Great-Granddaughter obviously :))
"Cheep"- Chip
"Meer"- Come here
"Fwoh"- Fork
"Hah" - Yeah
"Wah"- Rock (this means she wants to stall and not go to bed)
"Bu"- Book
"Pee Again"
"Behw"- Bear
"Baby"
"Doddy"- Doggy
"Kee"- Kitty
"booh"- Bird
"Deew"- Deer
"Go"
"Done"
"Deedoo"- Thank you
"Pwee"- Please
"come?"- How come?
"Why?"
"Beh"- Bed

Future Memories

- Friday night I got to hang out with Heidi.  We went and got some hot dogs at Costco (not sure why we picked that, but hot dogs or not, they're still yummy :) )  Then we went and saw a movie.  Then we went back to Heidi's because it was "only 9:30" and ended up talking til 1:00 in the morning!!!  Would have been okay minus the hour drive back home.  I was pretty tired!  Just lucky I took Nate's car so that I had some music to blast to keep me awake.  It was a lot of fun.  Hopefully she had some fun too.

- Saturday morning we decided we needed to get out of the house and while Nate and I wanted to go to Temple Square, the kids all voted for a park, so we grabbed some lunch and headed down to West Bountiful Elementary.  We were looking for a place with Four Square markings specifically and this seemed original enough :).  We had a lot of fun.  Brad taught everyone how to play and we actually had some pretty good rounds of it, even with Erika and Noah present.  There was of course, the usual bickering.  The whining and crying, pouting when you get out, that sort of thing, but I figure that's pretty normal with a bunch of little kids.  Hopefully we can get enough practice with it as a family though, that it's not such a big deal to them later, and they can just enjoy the game.  Our family is just full of competitiveness.  From Nate mostly.  So it does make games slightly overwhelming at times ;).  But we did have a lot of fun.

- Sunday felt really nice to not have to do anything at church.  That probably sounds bad, but normally I either teach or play the organ, or like the week before, speak in Stake Conference, so it was nice to have a day off!  It was a little difficult to not feel like everyone was watching my every move when I had to take Erika out after my talk on Reverence, but what can ya do.... I think it's mostly in my head anyway.

- Tuesday was my first day back at the Gym.  I couldn't believe how good it felt to get up and go.  The workout was a killer though.  The whole time I remember thinking that it had to be hard since I hadn't done it in a while, and that I needed to push myself a little harder that time.  Well.... maybe not the best idea, I was SO SORE after!!!  The day of was okay, but the next day!!!  WHOA!!!  Not good.  It was really hard to walk, sit, stand, you name it!  I couldn't believe how hard it was do carry on.  I think the cold I got about the same time made it even worse though.  That was a tough one.

- On Thursday my cousin Becky called and invited us to a last minute outing to the Castle Park with them.  We had a blast.  And it was so nice to be able to hang out with Becky.  Our kids all got along really well.  I don't know why we don't hang out more often.  We'll have to start.

- Thursday the girls had activity days and with the new leaders that were recently put in, they LOVED it!  Nothing against the previous ones, though some of the things I heard made me feel bad that they had to experience, but the new ones are extra fun and sweet.  So that's nice.  They played some games to get to know everyone a little better....

- Thursday night, Chris and Stephanie came over for a little BBQ.  It was relaxing to sit and talk all night, not have to cook dinner... Nate always makes it so nice for me.  I did appreciate that especially with how sick I was feeling.

- Saturday was my Mom and Simon's sealing.  That was a very difficult thing for me.  For the few weeks before, I knew it was coming and slowly talked myself out of wanting to go.  It was strange.  I wasn't really sure what it was that made me not want to go, but I really wasn't all that interested in seeing my Mom sealed to someone else.  Nothing against anyone.  The night before, I had finally had it with the battle inside of me and just decided to turn it over to the Lord.  Becky had reminded me of the fact that I hadn't really prayed a whole lot about it.  I was  really embarrassed about how I felt though, and didn't want to put it into words I think.  So anyway, I prayed about it a lot Friday night.  Kinda personal, so I'll leave out the details, but in the morning, at 7:00, I woke up and realized I was going to go to the sealing.  I woke up Nate, and can I just say how much I appreciate my supportive husband who went along with whatever I was going to decide, and was just so helpful in guiding my decision as well.  I love him for that.  He always knows just what to say, and he is always there for me.  We raced through the house getting ready (just what I hate before going to the temple), left everyone in Charity's care.... nerve-racking still.... and then hurried up to the temple.  I always try to prepare myself spiritually for the temple by not being rushed, not being a mental mess, but this time, it was difficult.  I was still just relying on Heavenly Father to help me feel good about being there.  I struggled a lot.  The waiting was okay, I felt myself calming down, and that was nice (maybe that's why they tell you to get there so early....).  I'll spare you all the details, but I really struggled.  I had a hard time holding back my tears (I had only gotten about 2 hours of sleep anyway), and finally just broke down as we left the sealing room.  I'm still not sure what it is that is so hard for me.  It's been a long time since I felt like my parents' sealing was still valid, but I guess this just solidifies it.  Maybe it was just the reminder.  I don't know.  I'm sure it's a lot to do with my relationship with my mom.  It needs to be better too.  So anyway.  That was a tough one.  I'm grateful that Heavenly Father woke me up though, and helped me to go.  I think it as the right thing to do.

- Saturday was also the Ferguson Family Reunion that we had been looking forward to and planning for months now.  It was nice to get that over with.  We were in charge of the games.  We did some fun kids games but had to cut them a little short because Pam wanted to move on to bigger and better things.  Then we did a little Minute to Win it stuff with the adults.  That went okay.  There were a lot of people who participated and seemed to be having a good time, but there were a lot who seemed bored out of their minds as well.  Not really sure how I felt about it all.  I hate doing things in front of people, so I don't really know how I was acting or if I was doing things right, it's all a blur to me now, but it was alright.  I can't say I want to try that again with that group though.  I felt like a lot of the reunion was taken over by Pam and that she was not really used to how we do things in the Ferguson family.  So that was tricky.  But she was just trying.  I know that it's hard to try to fit in to a new family.  We did have a total blast on the bouncy slide that we rented for it.  Nate and I had been really excited about it and then when few kids showed up felt a little weird because we had the most kids there.  But it was actually a TON of fun!!  Especially once the clouds came out and sprinkled on it a little!!  I actually had a lot of fun playing on it after the reunion.  Bradley, Charity and I stayed there playing on it while Nate left with the little ones to get some dinner (we had to wait for the guys to come and pick it up) and we just had SO much fun!  We were laughing, screaming, just really went wild on it.  I loved it.  Hopefully the kids didn't feel too embarrassed by me :)  We were soaked and freezing by the time we were done.  It really helped mellow out my unsettled feelings from the reunion.

- Church was nice today.  I loved not having to do much again.  Minus having Erika with me because she had a runny nose we didn't want to share with the whole nursery.  My favorite thing today was on the drive home from the Family meeting.  The kids always ask for us to tell stories from when we were little, and the last time they had asked, Nate had told a story about a time when he went with his parents up to Rick's to see his sister.  He had eaten the whole bag of chocolate chip cookies his mom made, and had had a little run in with the runs.  It was a funny thing to tell the kids about, I thought, at the time, and kinda chuckled about it, but then tonight, cute little Noah piped in and on his on accord said, "Dad, tell us 'bout the time you ate duh chocwet chips and had diaweeuh!"  He had TOTALLY remembered it.  and liked it.  AND wanted to hear it AGAIN!!  How cute is that!  Made me laugh.  And I laughed the whole time because it was funny to think that he felt that way about that particular story ;)  What a cutie.  What a boy.  And I love that they have a Dad who is fun enough, humble enough, and a good enough story teller, to tell a story like that and make it fun thing for them.  I just really can't be more pleased with my choice to marry him.  That was the smartest thing I've ever done.  And I do take all the credit :)  jk.

Tuesdays

Tuesday.  I'm pretty sure there are going to be a lot of whiny posts about Tuesdays here until I get used to the new schedule.  It definitely takes me a while.  I'm not sure how single moms do the morning, afternoon and bedtime, all on their own.  I am struggling with just the afternoon/bedtime stuff myself, and I'm really not sure why.  I put up my little schedule for the kids as they get home.  We go through backpacks, immediately after walking in the door (which has had a profound affect on my relationship with their backpacks and folders and books and homework assignments and even.... get this.... their READING MINUTES!!!!  So really, that is all very pleasant.  They get their snack, their homework and slowly, their jobs done (with little nagging too, for the most part, thanks to our new "checklist" system I recently devised).  They all helped with getting ready for dinner, and actually thought to do a lot of it on their own INCLUDING NOAH!!!  And that was exciting, they all got to color in a square on their chart.  Then they got ready for bed quickly, reading time went pretty well, even though I think Erika's not too keen on being read to by the kids yet.  We even read scriptures!  And they all listened and participated.  It's crazy that things went south at all, and I really can't pinpoint when they did........

I think the part I'm struggling with, is my tiredness to be honest.  Yeah, I'm just so dang tired right after all of this!  I want so badly to maintain our rules about the tv and the wii, but they are just so EASY!!  And frankly, so much fun for the kids.  But Tuesday is one of our No TV, No Wii days (or was, before I decided tonight I am changing that), so there was a lot of "what can I do?  Can I have a friend over?  Nobody can play... what can I eat?"  To which I just get overwhelmed (it is times 4 or 5 at least).  So anyway.  I did decide tonight, I need to revamp the "Screen time" issue, and the friends over issue as well.  I'm going to buckle down on the having-the-room-clean-before-the-friends-can-come-over part for real now.  Their rooms are getting way too messy way too fast, and really, I just hate listening to their friends tell me how messy our rooms are and how clean theirs are.  Kids can really kill the mood for me, when they're not my own.  No offense.  So anyway.  This evening just really stunk.  I got too frazzled with the things I had planned on getting done.  Erika screamed a lot, and my house is still messy.  So there. 

The upside (nope, you're not imagining this, I am actually going to be positive here!) is the mornings with my Sweetie!  Things are so pleasant in the morning with him around.  It's so nice to have someone to fill in all the gaps I leave.  We've been trying to walk the kids to school and/or go on a little walk after we take them.  And that has been SO NICE!!!  It's been a while since a walk seemed like an enjoyable thing.  I'm not sure why.  But I do love the cool weather in the mornings.  I love seeing neighbors and friends, I like hearing the kids talk about what they do on their way to and from school (even if I have developed a new anxiety about whether or not- or should I say WHEN- Bradley is going to hit someone's car, house or head with a rotten apple).  I love the talks with Nate, I love listening to the two little ones open up as soon as the big kids are gone and they are no longer enthralled in observing their every move.  It's really adorable.  In fact this morning, we took the two littles to IHOP for some breakfast.  They were so sweet and cute and fun and HAPPY~~  not to mention obedient and polite!!! I. LOVED. IT!  I wouldn't trade the moments we share as a whole family for anything, but these ones with just a few, two on two, are just so priceless as well.  I love giving them that attention.  And I can't say I don't love the NON-looks from every person in the store, as I push only 2 kids around in the shopping cart!!  LOVE that!  I miss my kids, miss having them with me every second, and miss their fun personalities, and it's really nothing against my kids, or our situation, they are really quite good kids at the store, it's EVERYONE ELSE!!!  Feels like everyone is staring when you have more than three kids with you.  Sad, but so true.  And I don't love it.  So anyway.  Tuesdays will have a different feel, and hopefully Wednesday can be my recovery day.  The day where I try to redeem myself.  Fixing all the mistakes from the day before.  We'll see :)  And there goes another Tuesday.