How to Scare Your Mom.....

Step 1: Get in the shower.

Step 2: While running the water, cough as if you are choking

Step 3: Lie down in the tub face down, and don't move or speak

Step 4: Don't answer your mother when she calls you, after hearing you
choke, you can't even giggle.

Step 5: Stay perfectly still even when you mother rips open the shower
curtain and finds you lying face down in the tub with the shower
going.

Step 6: Sharply lift your end when your mother grabs you in a panic and
smile and say, "Gotcha!"

No this didn't happen to me, but it did to a close friend with her 12 yr son. She told me the story, still in a little of a panic and I cracked up laughing so hard. I am quite sure that my mother is glad that I never thought of this!!!!!

Child's Play...Should I have concerns?

I was quite irritated by the twins curiosity in all the rooms but their own, so I had them come and play next to me in the living room. Sabrina was the doctor and had the doctor kit out. Olivia was not sure what to do, so I suggested that she be the mom, taking her sick child in to the doctor. Olivia climbed up on couch and sat there looking at the baby doll.

I suggested that she tell Dr. Sabrina, what was wrong with her baby. She looks up at me and looks over at Dr. Sabrina ands calmly almost morbidly spurts out, "The baby's dead."

My friend and I look at each other and burst out laughing.....it was so unexpected from such a little girl. Now the morning after, I wonder if I should have any concerns...........

Olivia, sorry O-LEEEE and the cute/bizarre things she does!

Olivia is now called O-LEEEE. I used to spell her nickname Ollie, but I think that the O-LEEEE, really expresses her way of saying it. On the way home from work yesterday, the back seat conversation went something like this:

Sabrina: Olwiva

Olivia: Not Olwiva, I O-LEEEE.

Sabrina: Olia

Olivia: Not Olia, I O-LEEEE. Say it, O

Sabrina: O

Olivia: now LEEEE

Sabrina: Lee

Olivia: O-LEEE!

Sabrina: Olia.

Olivia: M-Om, him not saying O-LEEE.

I think Olivia has taken to Jonathan's method. Example of the conversation the night before:

Sabrina: Pa-sic-able

Jonathan: Huh?

Sabrina: Pa-sic-able (this time pointing to the freezer)

Me: I think she wants a POP-SIC-LE.

Jonathan: Sabrina say Popsicle.

Sabrina: Pa-sic-able

Jonathan: Say pop.

Sabrina: Pop

Jonathan: now say sic.

Sabrina: Sic

Jonathan: cull

Sabrina: cull

Jonathan: Popsicle

Sabrina: Pa-sic-able

Reminds me of the TABOR story.......anyway....she'll get it, specially with the great patience of Daddy and O-LEEEE!

Some Memories of Patrick

After reading m mother's blog and "meeting" Patrick's girlfriend online, I've been thinking about him (Patrick) a lot. I am the oldest one in my family, and there is quite a generation gap between him and I.



Patrick was my buddy when he was about the twins age. I was home schooled and tended him while my parents worked. When I think back to those years, and about Patrick, the show "Kids say the darnest things" come into mind. Patrick is someone who speaks his mind.



I took him with me when he was about 3 or 4 years old to a garage sale. The lady running the garage sell happened to be smoking. Patches (Patrick's nickname back then), pinched his nose, and cleared his throat. Getting no response he cleared his throat louder. The lady looked at him and he says, "Excuse me, but some of us have to breathe down here!". Needless to say, we didn't get anything and left quickly after that.



Another time, I took him to a neighbors house. He was young about 3, and everyone around him was pregnant. This lady we were visiting wasn't, but due to her size, Patches asked her, "Are you having a baby?" Of course she wasn't, and obviously not the shiniest pebble on the beach, because she answered, "No, why would you think that?". Even back than before having my own children I knew that was not the question to ask after someone thought you were pregnant. I mean seriously, I as an adult couldn't answer that one without digging some kind of hole.

Patches responded in an honest 3/4 year old logic, "Because you're getting kind of fat!" Needless to say that put a sword in our neighborly friendship.

This next one, is about Patches first girlfriend and her name was Chelsea. She was this adorable little girl who lived up the street. She would come and ring the doorbell to see if Patches could come and play. No at this time in his life little girls were not an interest. Now if she had been a boy or better yet a Power Ranger or Ninja Turtle, he'd be all on it! Instead he'd poke his head throw the railing at the top of the stairs and whisper yell, "Tell her I'm not here." I think this is funny because he was only about 3 maybe 4 at the time.

One more tail for now, this one more embarrasses me, but it's funny and about Patches. I had a bunch of mixed youth (boys and girls) from the church over for some kind of planning activity. I was about 14 years old at the time. Patches thought it would be great to give everyone a "present". He went into the bathroom and came out with "presents", preceding to hand everyone a unused feminine pad. I still remember the embarrassment I felt as I quickly collected everyone's "presents" and cried or wailed to my mother.................

Birthday Remembrances

I have a brother and a sister who share a birthday month. I thought I'd share with them the memories I have of when they were born.

I was about 11 and I realized my mom (who is one of the thinnest people I know), was getting a little belly. I remember walking into the bathroom, while she was in the tub and telling her so. Aren't kids the greatest for personal space???? She blew it off, but I knew, I knew I knew. By this time another sibling was definitely a new toy for me, because at 11 years old I was far too old for dolls and such, but I could have fun with a real live baby.

I remember that my dad was going to be getting his first PC and had to delay the acquisition, do to the new addition. I want to hope that it's a coincident, but I know my dad spent a few hours coming up with Patrick Conrad's name so the initials were PC. That was his joke after Patrick was born.

I remember when Patrick was 3, he loved to tag along with me. I would take him mile or more bike rides and we'd picnic in Minnekhada.

****************************************************************
When Nancy was born, I was in 2nd grade. I had the most awesome teacher. We were building our reading dragon, and we were having our reading party for those that had gotten so many books read. I was a "special" child, very much ADHD at that age. My teacher and I that year had a special relationship. She had told me that if my sibling was born on the first day of summer, I could have two pieces of cake!!!!!

I never prayed harder.....but the 21st of June came and went, no sibling....

I was so disappointed. She did come on the 22nd, but I was most certain that I wouldn't get that 2nd piece of cake. I was excited to see her, but I had that disappointment too.

I had an awesome teacher, she said the 22nd was close enough. I got to have two pieces of cake!

Nancy, thank you for coming so close to the 21st of June! You made my day.....

(By the way...Jonathan's B-day is the 15th...)

I wish....

Sometime I wish that I had the incredible writing power on my blog that both my sisters have. My sister Abra, can write the most touching things. My other sister Nancy, dedicates much time and effort recording details of her days. I am so glad that they do, because they give me a chance to glimpse inside their lives for a minute. I miss them. I get upset when I realize how far away my nieces and nephews are, and wonder if the will ever want to know their Aunt. (I know Rachel will be back in another year or so, but still.)

I remember growing up and having such an extended family around. I use to look forward to playing with several generations of cousins and having such a blast. I remember playing several imagination games with Maryanne and Myron. I remember making up dance routines with Jenna and Holly.

I am spending a lot of time with my new sister-in-law, but sometimes it makes me miss my own sisters. Nancy, when you get back we need to schedule bi-monthly play dates for the girls and make a lunch to share, Josie too of course.

Sometimes I wish we lived closer........I guess I just need to get Internet fixed at home and figure out my web cam and get going with Skype.

Update

This last few days have been so busy for me, I just want to sleep.

Saturday, I went to a blogger luncheon, hosted by Kristina. It was nice to get out of the house, however I think next time, I'll try harder to find a sitter!

Later on that evening, I had the opportunity to go with my husband, the twins, Naunie, Josie, and my grandparents to the open house at Oquirrh Temple. I choose the wrong shoes, and thankfully Naunie and Josie were there to help with the twins! It was beautiful. I might try and go another time, with better shoes and no twins........

Sunday, Jonathan and I made a quick trip to Rancho Cucamunga. He had to do some work for his brother there. It was a really quick trip, with very little sleep.

I'll blog more later........

Family Prayer

I often keep a couple copies of the Friend in my car for entertainment for my small children. A few days ago I glanced back and looked at Olivia. She was sitting so nicely, her head was bowed and her arms folded, and her lips where moving with quiet words, I couldn't quite make out.

She must of felt my glance, because she lifted up the Friend and pointed to the family kneeling together and said, "Shhhh...I family pray!"

I am so glad that she loves to pray.

Dear Kelline.....

I know if you are a reader of my blog, you know that I am far from receiving the mother of the year award. I promise that I don't really beat my children and I try to neglect them as little as possible.

Since, I do have a small herd of children, I often get asked how I do it, and survive.

First let me say, warning future herders of children, wear and tear does occur, lost of voice may happen, sags appear in the oddest places and grey hairs are just a glimpse of the job description. There are many rewards, but from what I have been told by past herders, the true reward is having your child call you after having their own herd and apologizing and telling you, you were right.

(Mom, I am so sorry and I love you and you were right most of the time!)

I had 3 children of mine in 3 years and then 6 years later had twins. Shortly after that I inherited a teenager. My total 6. We are out numbered!!!

My girlfriend asked me when she was over this past weekend how I have done it. This got me thinking.......

Breathe.....Count.....and ask does it really matter?

How important is it that Sabrina puts on "real" clothes verses the "princess" outfit she created? How funny Olivia's picture look with various bits of her hair chopped will be when I show them to her friends in 12 years! Who is the one that will be sad he broke his toys when he threw a fit?

I have the whatever attitude now. Maybe it's because I am getting older, maybe it's because I really am out numbered and I have just opt to giving in. I personally think that when its the big stuff, I'll be there and more aware, because I have not wasted unneeded energy on whether or not pink hearts on grey pants matches with a blue star and red/white stripped shirt.

Who are you? And Who is she?

It's funny how kids learn to play games at such a young age....

Olivia and Sabrina, although twins are not identical, however they have learned how to confuse people just the same.

Ask Olivia her name. Most occasions she responds with with "Olie" or "O-wiv-ia" and the occasional "Sissy". The last couple of days though has been "Sa-Been-A!" and then points to the real "Sabrina" and says "he "O-wiv-ia". Now they don't fool me, but a girlfriend of mine had come over and was helping get them ready for bed. She hasn't seen them for about a year, since she lived out of town. She came out and asked which was which and I told her Olivia was taller and dark brown eyes. I went and checked on them and Olivia was insisting that she was "Sa-Been-A!"

It was quite comical!

"Life is like a box of Chocolate....You never know what your gonna get!"

Life has been busy for me, hectic busy, almost chaotic busy, but not quite.

Rosie is at home finding out the her mother says what she means. She was suppose to clean the kitchen floor Monday, and I guess she did, in her eyes. However in my eyes it was not done. So last night I told her that if it wasn't done right, meaning all the floor swept (including the side of the refrigerator), toys picked up and mopped with bleach, not dish soap, then she would not be able to go to Hollywood Connection, which is an indoor amusement park, and where the entire school is going today. Needless to say she is home and not going to the amusement park and I yet again this year, have won the award for the most hated mom of the year!!!!!!!! (Feel free to congratulate me)

The Temple Celebration was amazing. Over 7000 youth performed in various dances and songs. I wish all of you could have seen it! Rosie did wonderful, and she didn't fall once!

I had a tooth pulled Friday, that is still killing me and I also broke my toe last week. I am surviving, but in pain.

Also the car accident claim November, where the young driver hit our family, turning left from a stop sign, has been denied payment from her insurance. This means I meet with the attorneys and we'll be going to court in a couple of months.

Jonathan has been laid off, but he's been keeping busy helping people out with backhoe/bobcat work. He wants a job, but there is almost no construction jobs open in Utah.

Other than all that, life is good, we haven't lost one the twins for a couple of weeks now!