Ruthy Girls and Boys

10 updates

2011-05-16T16:12:00.000-07:00

1. I signed up for a short triathlon
2. I am super excited for Real Housewives of New Jersey tonight. (Feel free to judge me. I do.)
3. Savannah says all the time now, "I am in charge of myself." Which means she does all the things she needs to for a task, like going to bed, getting ready for a trip, etc. I LOVE THIS.
4. Caro has major beiber fever.
5. We are starting construction on updating the look of our 50's style Ranch house in June.
6. Mike got a gun. He is excited about this. We also have a safe and so far no ammo in the house.
7. Collin got his head shaved by his dad. I'm not real happy about it.
8. The dogs I rescued are actually NOT potty trained as advertised but I still love them. They are very much trying my patience.
9. Mike is turning 35 on wednesday. He is very dismissive and wary about it.
10. Did I mention I am having a hard time carving time out to train for that short Triathlon? I might crawl through the finish line.

New Blog

2011-02-14T21:13:00.001-08:00

I have been thinking lately about how little hopeful information was out there when Savannah was diagnosed with Infantile spasms. I decided to record Savannah's story in hopes that other families with Epilepsy can get another idea of what can happen after this super scary diagnosis. I also think it will be good for me. I often refrain from talking about the most pressing things on my mind because often this would be a blog about one child and I felt that wasn't fair. So this one http://savannahspasms.blogspot.com/ is where you go if you want to hear me talk about my sweet, precious, hyperactive child who happens to "have the shakes" as she says.

Deep Thoughts

2011-02-06T22:47:00.000-08:00

The miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that if practiced well, no one ever has to be alone in their time of need.
A quote from todays YW lesson "Never suppress a generous thought." From a talk by Sister Hinckley.

Well Hello Monday

2011-01-31T11:39:00.000-08:00

Most people hate Monday but I can say that me and Monday are good. I didn't like it when it meant the beginning of school but now that I am a mother of 3 I love it. I love the weekends with no homework and events and relaxed family time but oh... the magic of being up at 6:50 and out the door at 7:30 with my brood is magical. After we drop Savannah who is ecstatic to see her friends at school and her teachers by Monday we head straight to Del Norte so I can run off the hedonism I have surely indulged over the weekend. Monday is the day I am most likely to cook, clean, excercise, organize, get my to do list done, etc. I never do all that but I get much more done on Mondays. So here's to you Monday. I ran 8 miles this morning, grocery shopped and settled Caro and Collin in the play room with toys and The Lion King. Next I'm going to waste time on the internet while I eat my lunch and put on my Ipod with a brand new Audiobook and try to straighten up this pig sty.

The Pics are at request of Mimi who wanted to see Haircuts we got this weekend. We are headed to Supercuts again today to tweak Savannah and Caro's bangs.

Granny

2011-01-23T21:17:00.000-08:00

I have some old scarves of my Granny's and tonight as I was "moving in" to a secretary desk I had refurbished I pulled them out. I looked at them honestly wishing I knew how in the world to wear a scarf like that. As I looked I wondered if I could still smell my Granny's scent on them. Do you know how everyone has a scent? Nothing bad, not a perfume, just a distinct scent? Guess what. I couldn't smell exactly her but I distinctly smell her dresser drawer, the scent of sitting at her vanity with her lipstick and her clip on earrings wearing one of her many many slips as an evening gown. I miss her so much and I sat there and cried at her memory. It has been years since she passed but for some reason the last six months I have thought of her very often. A few weeks ago I sat trying to teach Savannah how to read hymns and pointing the words out as Granny did for me in church when we were lucky enough to have her with us at church. Savannah started singing "I believe in Christ" with a very clear child like voice and again... melting in to tears. She was an unbelievable Christian and the kind of Granny everyone needs. The kind that sits you on her lap, lets you wear her lipstick, always has Certs in her purse, picks you up and babysits you, takes you to buy school shoes, and makes amazing fried chicken. Towards the end she was more frail and suffering with alzheimers and I just wish so much that I had stopped and loved her more as a teenager. I am grateful for the knowledge of eternal families and that I will see her again and make up for lost time.

So this is the New Year

2011-01-11T08:21:00.000-08:00

10 points if you got that the title post is the first line in a great song by Death Cab for Cutie.
So I usually make grand resolutions. Not so much this year. I have been reading in all of blog land about people picking a word or theme for the new year. No offense but my very first inclination was to roll my eyes but then I thought that it wasn't a bad idea.
So I didn't pick a word or theme but I did pick a song. I have been hearing this on the radio a ton due to the Expedition rejecting my Ipod adapter (which really makes me mad at the big blue hulk). Every time I heard it I thought "this is exactly what I need right now!" So guess what. It's my theme. I hope to rock a club or two but mostly just Celebrate and live my life.

But I do not condone scantily clad women working in a chop shop and certainly not welding with very little in the way of protective clothing!

So as for the fam. We get a theme too. Somewhere along the line my girls started thinking they are the most important people in the world. I'm not a big fan of the whole diva/princess mentality so this is my effort to nip it. We had an FHE about who the Coaches are and how a team has no ONE person more important than the rest. I even have a yellow card/red card system. Sweet. Wish me luck!

Christ the Savior is Born

2010-12-25T14:10:00.000-08:00

Today has been nice. The girls are playing away with the dolls they have. I have to say if there is an advantage to having a "special needs" or "delayed development" child it is that I keep a little girl for a nice while. She and Carolina are playing house and barbies and baby dolls for hours already today. I dread the day when she is too cool to play those things. Collin is tucked in asleep with now a 3rd blanket to add to his must sleep with list. He got a Buzz Lightyear blanket from Anna and a Woody from Santa. That has kept him occupied since 8 a.m. I have a wreck of a house and a nap under my belt which suits me just fine.
I want to pause on this blog of mine and say to whomever still looks at it and thus cares what I have to say that I believe in Christ. His birth to me means the beginning of an example, the beginning of my redemption, my saving. He is the only means by which I have found happiness here and has proved so necessary in my imperfect and messy life. I am grateful for Him and that through him I gain forgiveness. He is my Redeemer and King. I will leave you with a line from my favorite hymn that states
"I believe in Christ, so come what may."
I don't always feel brave and up to life's challenges but that helps me quite a bit.
PEACE!

Expiriments in Natural Consequences.

2010-12-13T08:23:00.000-08:00

I used to kick people who woke me up in my childhood. Really, Kick them. Ask my Bro in Law Brent who is really more like a Brother since he started dating my sister when I was about 7 or so. You know that phrase "Pay back is Hell?" Yeah that's me for the last 4 years.
If you have read any of my depressing rants on this blog you know that Savannah is really, really, really awful to get out of bed. So I have been speaking with someone regularly on parenting her and how to get better at it and he suggested I HAD TO find a way to let go of some things. So I said "What just send her to school in Pajamas and messy hair?" He said, "Yes, Exactly." I warned her teacher (who BTW is a fabulous emailer. I love having a young teacher who uses her email often.) The first morning I dressed her in bed (I can't let it all go) and then I told her she had 20 minutes to get up, eat breakfast and brush her teeth. 20 minutes came and went and I started loading Collin and Caro in the car. I couldn't believe my ears when she got up and brushed her teeth and ran quickly to the car. She went to school hungry and I did provide a hair brush in the car. The rest of the week I woke her up and said, "You can get out of bed or go to school hungry." That pretty much did the trick. The biggest benefit is I FEEL BETTER about our mornings. I don't spend my morning cajoling her out of bed. If she doesn't get up, I put a hair brush and hair clip in my purse and wait for 7:30. Then I start loading up the kids and she gets out of bed and brushes her teeth quickly and runs to the car. Wish me luck that this continues. I didn't kick Brent that hard... I've had enough payback.

Deep Thoughts by Savannah

2010-11-29T22:02:00.000-08:00

Carolina: Where did we live before Earf?
Savannah: In Heaven.
Carolina: Who did we live wif?
Savannah: Jesus
Carolina: How did we get down here?
Savannah: Jesus pushed us down.

A funny thing happened

2010-11-03T23:31:00.000-07:00

I can't post this on FB because I'm friends with a lot of 12 year olds on there but we are all adults here right? Now I've probably piqued your interest right. It will probably be dissipointing from here on out...
So there I was in the Angiography room with a Doctor, 2 techs and a patient. We are all working and listening to my sweet Pandora station in which I have fine tuned Beyonce but no Destiny's Child and Justin Timberlake but no N'sync. Well then we need to turn down the lights to use the Ultrasound machine which happens pretty rarely because we are in Angio (totally different imaging modality) and then...it happens...lights go down and I hear a little chicka...chicka...chicka...and I quick check the Pandora screen and sure enough! It is Sexual Healing by Marvin Gaye! It's like his ghost knows to crank that song when the lights go down!!! I mean this came on BEYONCE/TIMBERLAKE radio. Conicidence? No. Marvin Gaye's ghost made my computer play Sexual Healing when the lights went down at work today.

I envy our mothers

2010-10-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

Today I loaded one or more child in or out of a car seat 18 times. I counted while I was running to make the pain go away, or rather, to focus on a different pain. My mom had a Ford Escort. She used to tell me to get in the car. End of story. With each outing I heft a child into an Expedition, buckle them up, and grab whatever they need usually times 2. Savannah can do it by herself. I know my kids are safer and I know in this Shopping cart basket cover time of mothering this is against the grain but man oh man! Give me a station wagon with some wood paneling and let me yell, "KIDS! Get in the car!"

Texas

2010-10-19T22:38:00.001-07:00

I saw my friend Karen from Texas for dinner while in Newport last week. We both reminisced about how good things were in Texas. So in honor of her and the great state... here are my top 10 things I miss about Texas.
1. Mayborn museum. Every Monday.
2. Rudys.
3. The most fun group of girlfriends I ever had.
4. Seriously, seriously crazy ICU (an old lady once strangled me with her EKG cords)
5. My calling as a nursery leader though now looking back after having been a primary pres, I would be more diligent now.
6. Elliott. The spastic dog whom we really were not ready for and hid from our landlords.
7. Living next door to drunk co-eds. Priceless.
8. The zoo playdates. The Waco zoo has the most active and fun Gibbons and otters I have ever seen. Trust me, I'm a fan of zoos and have been to many. Waco had some good animals.
9. Baylor Speech pathology preschool that gave my daughter 10 hours of speech per week for free.
10. Really, Really good mexican food.

Things I don't miss:
No Sushi restaurant
Practice Court
Night shift
Mind numbing heat

Sometimes you just have to say it...

2010-10-18T20:51:00.001-07:00

Mike felt bad about my post yesterday, he was worried about me. Today was better, not perfect. I have realized my energy would be much more preserved if I discipline Earlier and more often. If I show that I am serious before I am totally spent my day is much better. So today was good, Savannah had a few time outs, Caro is about to lose a privilege in a minute for getting out of bed but really much much better. Sometimes I just need to say how I feel to a unknown universe of friends and maybe strangers. Thanks everyone for telling me your kids are real too. Also, I have to say if you are hating life, read: 123 Magic, and Scream Free Parenting. They are my bible. Thanks everyone!

Dirty Laundry

2010-10-17T20:23:00.000-07:00

Why am I a grump? Does this get better? Or Easier? I read all these blogs where children seem to poop sunshine and rainbows and Mothers biggest concerns are the parties, recipes, crafts and how super cute their kids are. I have so much to be grateful for and I am not always the best at realizing that but I. JUST. NEED. MY. KIDS. TO. COOPERATE. I need to not fight for everything. I'm tired.

What did it look like at your house?

2010-10-06T14:47:00.000-07:00

This past Sunday was conference for us Mormons. Twice a year they broadcast from Salt Lake city our Prophets and leaders and special speakers. It is wonderful for so many reasons. 1. Church in your pajamas. 2. Church in your pajamas. 3. You feel recharged and hearing our prophet speak always makes you refocus on being better. This year his words on gratitude resonated with me like a Gong in my ear. I was on call that day and had made no plans other than watch conference as much as possible. Well I didn't get called in and that never ever happens so I was free to watch 3 sessions that day. It was great. I set up Mikes laptop in the kitchen and made 4 meals for the week. I am having a busy week right now so I am pretty grateful to the fine folks at Mikes firm for that Sweet lap top. The kids played and distracted us for one session before I sent them to play polly pockets and Mike slept through one session- he needed it. This week I am working 4 days and packing for our vacation next week (no I'm not complaining) Usually I'd be going nuts now, but oddly I feel pretty good. That Monson knows his stuff.

Sincere Prayer

2010-09-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

Carolina: "Please help us to wear our seat belts and not crash our car." Not sure where this concern came from so recently. A long time ago we saw a car over turned and I pointed out that was why we wore seat belts. Now she is very worried about it. She does it at every meal, bedtime, morning prayer, etc.

Savannah: "Please help Collin to stop hitting me, Please help Ziggy stop licking me, help my teacher Sister green have a nice birthday."

Just wanted to share these sincere prayers of the heart. Want to hear some of mine?

Erica: "Please help me to help my patients, please help me not yell at my children, please give me more patience, please help me be a better person."

2010-09-01T21:31:00.000-07:00

Ziggy in all his cone pathetic-ness sleeping in my dirty laundry. Please don't look at our craptastic 1970's floors!

My mom will hate it that I'm posting a picture of Ziggy instead of my kids here but if you see me on Facebook, you will have seen all my good pics recently.
Do you ever get the mean reds? Holly Golightly described them and they are a perfect explanation of the days where I feel anxious and I'm not sure what about. Today was one of those days. I felt alternately exhausted and anxious about the lack of "stuff" I was getting done. (By the way I did accomplish 4 episodes of Project Runway which is actually embarrassing but hey, when have I been afraid to embarrass myself?) I called my sweet mom and my sister (Happy Bday Bec) and they said they have those days to but my mom said she watched soaps instead of Project Runway and that just made me happy I live in the time of DVR. So on the docket for tomorrow...
1. Run 5 miles.
2. Clean all 3 bathrooms
3. Go to the post office
4. Line up some calls about MD appt for Savannah and Mutual activities.
5. Just thought I'd see if you are still reading. If I get this list done, and shower, and save Collin from his daring feats of attempted suicide/fun, and paint Caro's nails, and feed little people, and dress an American Girl every hour, and do Savannah's homework with her, drink a few Diet Pepsi's, and you know... Breathe. I will be super happy.

Stuff only moms know...

2010-08-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Silly Banz will make a decent ponytail holder in a pinch.

Ten Things Happening Right Now...

2010-08-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

1. Still Listening to Eat, Pray, Love while I do my chores and ABSOLUTELY loving it. I love that she can speak about believing in God and searching for Him. Though, I do think finding Him is so much easier while in service to your fellow being than in an Ashram in India.
2. 10 Year anniversary! Woot Woot! Very happy to have been married to this guy. He isn't perfect but he's perfect for me. I'm not perfect and I hope I am perfect for him. He really is just a kind, wonderful person to be married to.
3. Ziggy the run away dog is getting "fixed" today. Here's to hopin and prayin it will calm him down a bit.
4. I went bowling with friends at work last night. I forgot how fun it is to Glow Bowl. I was dancing with my fellow nurses and we attracted some 12 year old boys from a nearby lane. To which I shouted "We have our own Justin Biebers!"
5. Miss Savannah is alternately lovely or crazy these days. I'm thinking this child and her mother need a schedule like a fish needs water.
6. Collin is very grown up lately. He demands "mo dat" and says anything he doesn't like is "hot." He still melts me.
7. Carolina earned a trophy at "batastics" (gymnastics). She hasn't put it down for 3 days. Almost makes $55 a month for a half hour class a week seem reasonable. Hmmm, no it doesn't!
8. I am not cooking at all! We have had hodge podge meals or dinner out so much this summer! I just hate the kitchen when it's hot and we could be at the pool or something so much more interesting than cooking!
9. I need suggestions for a new Audiobook.
10. I recently spent $40 on 7 pairs of earrings. I think if you go to the mall feeling less than great about your physique this will happen. They sure are cheaper than shoes but for heavens sake I did not need 7 pair!

LOL, i mean FOMCL (Fall out of my chair laughing)

2010-08-04T17:37:00.000-07:00

This is what my Husband wrote to me today after Ziggy ran away (yet again) because a child left the door open (yet again). I'd been having a pretty rough go of it anyway today but that was just one more thing to add to my list.

"Hey, I just wanted to tell you that I'm sorry if it sounded like I was coming down on you about the Ziggy thing. I didn't want to do that and if it sounded that way, I apologize.

I think that you do a phenomenal job in everything you do, as a wife, mother, everything. I know that sometimes you feel overwhelmed and have less than desirable feelings about yourself. But I want you to know that I love you, I believe in you and I think you are doing a great job.

I also think we should start drugging carolina at night."

He might not be overly happy about me sharing this but seeing as it's very sweet and not really mushy I think it's ok. Especially because the last line LITERALLY made me fall out of my chair laughing. (It was by the pool, you can ask Savannah.) Caro has been making us a little crazy lately after say....5 pm?

Scorekeeping

2010-08-03T21:27:00.000-07:00

(Have fun wasting time at Picnik.com and do weird and fun things to your photos!)

Today Savannah had paper out while Caro was doing her gymnastics and I saw she kept doing tic marks and writing numbers. I finally asked what she was up to and she said those were Caro's points and that Caro was doing really good. It warmed my heart and at the same time I have no idea because we have never really seen competitive gymnastics. It was a small bit of cuteness in a day of cajoling, reminding, nagging and plain old threatening. (SEE EARLIER POST REGARDING CLEANING).
Caro had her first Soccer Practice today and it was really cute. She was just this little red-faced blond thing scampering across the field picking the ball up and correcting it when it didn't go where she wanted it to! We might should have talked more about soccer rules and less about soccer outfits!
Collin holds a pen correctly and has for awhile, and with his right hand. Is this normal in 18 month old? That kid can color for a full 45 minutes without being bored! Now if I give him a marker and room alone he can color himself for infinite amounts of time:) People judge me when he is all marked up so I stick to the 45 minute version.
That's us! See you next month...maybe!

Eat Pray Love

2010-08-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

I wish I could do more of each of these three things but instead I downloaded this audio book and cleaned to it. As I told Mike. It helps to listen to something good while you are doing the same Mind Numbing cleaning you do every stinking week of your life. (BITTER MUCH?) Anyway, I know the 5 of you that still read this probably clean and hate it. Download that book, it's a good listener!

letter to my children...

2010-07-18T21:53:00.000-07:00

Why do you fight it? Bedtime comes every day. Every morning you wake up and I feed you good food and we play and go places that are fun. The world never ends over night. The string cheese and cookies never walk away at night. Berenstain bear will be there in the a.m. Why fight? The world goes on tomorrow. Your dad and I really aren't all that interesting after 9 anyway. Folding laundry, paying bills, washing dishes, trust me: we wish we were asleep now. Stop fighting. Close your eyes! Just please go to bed!

Was that a whole Month? Yowsers!

2010-07-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

My son is starting to talk. To date he says
Mo Dat (more that)
Bok (book)
Diggy (ziggy)
Dow!(down)
Na Na (both sisters)
Hot
and of course Uh oh!

For the record, Ziggy was totally his first real word besides babbling mama, dada.

Back to the Snapshots of Life

2010-06-25T11:51:00.000-07:00

For the past week I have been writing down chores on a dry-erase board for the kids. Savannah is terrible to get out of bed so I made her in charge of toasting the Eggos and fixing breakfast for 3 days now. Day 1 and 2 she popped up and did it and thought she was hot stuff. Day 3 not so much. Oh well. 2 days of her existence we got her out of bed without a fight... I will take it. It was nice to have someone else fix breakfast though!

Savannah and Jillian

2010-06-25T11:50:00.000-07:00

David and Goliath

2010-06-24T07:40:00.000-07:00

This last Sunday in Sunday School we were talking about David and Goliath. Everyone was commenting about how faith can help you overcome any obstacle. There were various stories and comments and all were thoughtful and helpful but I wasn't feeling very uplifted. I sat in the back and started thinking of how many times David had used that sling shot on a wolf or coyote ('m not sure what kind of critters he had to protect his flock from). I'm guessing he used that slingshot really often. Never knowing that skill was going to save his life and the rest of the Israelite army's as well. All of a sudden it hit me that whatever trials our Heavenly Father has for us to stand up to, he has prepared us. He gave David that skill and faith and we too have been given gifts, talents and skills to see us through our Goliaths. The trick is not only having faith in the Lord but also having faith in ourselves... after all he has prepared us.

P.S. Anyone can remind me of this post when I get in a funk. (Regina)

Altogther Quite Pleasant

2010-06-18T10:41:00.000-07:00

So I have and will continue to be working more these days, and had only one day at home this week. Here are some things that made my day great:
1. I really missed my kids after working so much and appreciated them a lot more.
2. New Band of Horses album called Infinite Arms. I clean to my ipod and this baby helped me sail right on through all my floors.
3. 2/3 of the Dixie Chicks made an album and are going by the name Court Yard Hounds. This baby helped me sail through window sills and oatmeal encrusted chairs.
4. Collin and Caro napped at the same time which made 2, 3 even possible.
5. Fun birthday party for my niece Blythe. She is becoming quite the little sports fanatic so the party was flag football followed by brownies and ice cream while watching the Lakers beat Boston.

I thought I'd put this out there because so often I only remember the horrible days where I had no patience and the kids made messes or were screaming. The average and pleasant are sooo worth documenting.

Did you know?

2010-06-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

I'm throwing a new one in here. I will blog about Mike as the inspiration comes. Did you know my husband is a total baby whisperer? Anytime there is a new baby, he likes to hold it... and hold it... and hold it. If Mike is around you can give your newborn to him and he will chill with it. I love that about him!

My son the dog...

2010-06-15T08:37:00.000-07:00

If you can't find Collin in our house, 2 things have happened. One, an open door has let him escape into the cul de sac. Two, he will be in the dog crate. It happens pretty often and yes I am ashamed to say that my neighbors have returned my baby to me!
P.S. For those that know Frank and Michelle (my brother and SIL) I think I am becoming the Mumfords!

3 a.m.

2010-06-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

I roll one way and hit a small, scraggly blond headed body. Oh well, I roll the other way and hit a taller, leaner but no less scraggly blond headed body. My husband still has his half of our QUEEN bed. I am sandwiched on my half between these two girls and I am uncomfortable. I weigh my options, Sav: To heavy to move. Caro: Throws a fit in the middle of the night and can wake the whole house. I get up grab my cell and move to their bed. Polka dot sheets, hard mattress and my cell phone alarm clock here I come. Guess who wakes and follows me? Caro. Now, can I go back to my foam topper comfy mattress with super old thin and soft sheets? No, she will wake up and aforementioned fit will begin. So I sleep there with my Snuggle Bunny and wake up at 6:50, twenty minutes later than I needed to be awake.
1. This is too much thinking at 3 am.
2. This happens really, really often.
3. Even though my sleep suffers, I really like waking up with their cuddly little selves.
4. Note I like waking up with them, not the sleeping part. They Kick.

What will she be like as a teenager?

2010-06-12T17:25:00.000-07:00

My girl loves to sleep, mind you, she does not like the process of lying down and getting to sleep but once she is down, she is down for the count. Today she slept till 10 am, she is 8. Here are a few of the ways I have woken her up:
1. Tickling
2. Buying sugar cereal to lure her out
3. setting up 2 alarm clocks in her ear
4. Using warm washcloths
5. Putting peanut butter on her face and letting ziggy lick it off (desperate times)
6. Collin jumping and drooling on her
7. Telling Caro to not stop jumping or smacking her booty (nicely) until she wakes up
8. Threatening and yelling (I am honest here)
9. Pulling her up dead asleep and placing her at the breakfast table.
10. Pretend calling her teachers and telling them Savannah won't be at school because she won't get out of bed. (That stopped working in Kindergarten)

If this blog is my Journal, I'd rather not remember this!

Ouch!

2010-06-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

Collins new thing is to pull his sisters hair. You know how babies love pressing a button on a light up toy and knowing they DID THAT? Well pull hair=Sister scream! What fun! I have all our children squished in the back of the subaru and poor Savannah has to sit next to Collin and he just grabs her hair over and over. It's been a real experience teaching Savannah to teach him not to. To be calm and say NO NO and not scream. Bless her, she forgives the boy.

Sparkle Bunny

2010-06-10T13:09:00.000-07:00

It started with the book Snuggle Puppy. I started calling Collin that, then I called the girls Snuggle bunny (Caro) and Snuggle Kitty (Sav). Then when they are awake and happy and nice it is Sparkle_________. You get the picture. Caro is Sparkle Bunny and when she is... she really is. She laughs and giggles and has this cute little voice and always asks why or has a comment on where we are going or what we are doing. It fits her. Right now she is laying down for a "rest" (DO NOT CALL IT A NAP) watching Max and Ruby. She is a bit whiny today but she did let me do her hair in pigtails so I will forgive it.

How did 5 days go by?

2010-06-09T10:32:00.000-07:00

Savannah: she got baptized this Sunday. She was so cute and eager and beautiful in her ivory dress. She keeps saying, "I am a TRUE member." It's pretty funny actually. I didn't cry much, part of that was overwhelming anxiety that I let get to me beforehand. I did feel so happy and peaceful that my little girl made her first step in following our Saviors footsteps. She is my greatest challenge I have had in life, I feel bad for her, she has made Mike and I into parents and the road hasn't always been easy. Gosh, I just love her so much and I hope I do the right things for her. I will post a picture later.

Oh My Bare Essentuals Brushes!

2010-06-04T14:42:00.000-07:00

Collin does make up with me. EVERY DAY. He either salivates at my knees or sits on my lap. Good News... Dramatically shortens my getting ready routine. Bad News... several expensive brushes are gone, I am probably looking a little rougher, a few bare minerals have been spilled. I sometimes get frustrated with it but mostly I just think he will be a big boy so soon and want nothing to do with his mom's makeup. Also I am totally going to tease him with it for the rest of his life.

Care Bear

2010-06-02T18:42:00.000-07:00

My mom hates that name. She says I gave her a beautiful name and why do I call her that? Either way it fits her. She's cute with a round tummy.
Yesterday the girls were speaking to me with ahem... less than respectful voices. So I may have said (yelled) "I am your mother, I am not a dog. You speak to me with respect!" Caro said "woof woof" (stunned pause by me) "woof woof." I almost died laughing but I didn't. I had a small facial twitch and sent her to time out. It was funny but pretty sassy. She is a smart kid.

banana pancakes

2010-06-02T00:59:00.000-07:00

That's savannahs name. Due to am grumpiness she has pretty much zero toy priveledges. So today she read and read and read. It made me happy we worked so hard on her reading with linda mood bell reading center last year. It was expensive and a lot of driving but my kiddo I'd reading on a late first grade level! This summer: math! I have a tutor lined up.

Sollin the Butter

2010-05-31T20:20:00.000-07:00

I missed saturday and sunday because my black berry died.

Collin spent yesterday breaking sand castles. Since Anna has been living with us this past month we have many more young people around. One of those was our babysitter Lauren's little brother. (By the way...Super great when your babysitter and little sister become bff) Ian would make castle after castle then step back and let Collin demolish them. He did it no less than 20 times. We like that Ian. Collin would start pantomiming the hitting of the castle, flapping his little arms wildly and then Ian would step back and let Collin do the job. It thrilled Collin every time.

farty monkey

2010-05-28T12:02:00.000-07:00

That's what we call Caro. If you tickle her, she will toot on you. Beware. In mutual with my beehives she let 3 rip and disolved 14 twelve year olds into hysterics. She is one of the funniest humans I know including adults. Can't think of something specific but anyone can attest, her little high pitched voice will crack you up. Currently she is sporting a mullet. I can't seem to grow it out ever and I am worried maybe her nutrition is not ok so I give her a lot of vitamins. I'm on my blackberry posting today so that's all folks!

I'll try it. Who knows if I'll stick with it.

2010-05-27T08:53:00.000-07:00

On my way to school today with Savannah I thought about this old blog and the thought randomly popped in my mind... "What if I just jotted down one memory, worry or experience I had with my kids each day?" Then I answered, "Only your mom will want to read that." And then I said "Oh, well!" So here goes...
Savannah: I will start with her today because she is my eldest. My big worry lately is her eating skills. She is terribly and I mean terribly messy. I worry so much that kids will make fun of her for it. I have asked the school for a speech therapist to work on oral motor tone with her. Hmmm... I need to bug them about that. She woke up today pretty well. Minimal hollering and a lot of tickling and reminding that today is the start of camping. She is so very excited. She LOVES camping and I hope she always will. She is growing and changing every day. I am realizing that accepting her limitations and helping her grow past them IS the challenge of my life. (all sorts of Oprah here) but it will be a defining challenge for me if I can rise to it.

8 mile

2010-03-18T22:48:00.000-07:00

Not the Eminem movie but my accomplishment today. I ran 8 miles on a treadmill. I have never run that far....ever. Just had to put it out there and brag because as I said before, what are blogs for if not shameless bragging disguised as "journaling." I now feel like Tony Soprano himself took a bat to my knee caps but I am hoping ibuprofen will help that. Marathoning is quite in vouge these days huh? I am only running a half and I seriously doubt I will ever aspire to run a full one. I do want to do a triathalon after this though. Anyone else out there running? Is anyone out there even reading?

So what do you think her teachers thought?

2010-02-01T21:43:00.000-08:00

We have some confusion 'round here. Savannah is learning about Martin Luther King and Abraham Lincoln (Black History Month, Abe wasn't black but he did fight for emancipation.) So tonight during prayer to "help" her along I say "what are you grateful for?" She says, "Collin, Caro, Mama, Dad, Abe Lincoln the PROPHET" and the she asked that the prophet Abraham Lincoln won't die. After that prayer we talked about the difference between a prophet and a president. It's tricky! They are mainly old dudes.

P.S. I am loving Michael Buble at the moment. LOVING HIM! I am sooooo 30!

What is a blog good for?

2010-01-26T12:49:00.000-08:00

Bragging of Course!
1. Went to help in classroom and found that Savannah is up to level 5 on reading. I have no idea how that coorelates to grade level but I'LL TAKE IT!
2. They told me Caro is very good at her little gymnastics class so they are bumping her up to the next class.

***You have to realize that with all the challenges we have had I am not used to such fun events on an ordinary Tuesday. It totally made my day. Isn't this a nice break from my whining?

Now on to my day, New Beginnings, 2 dentist appts., Caro's dance and Savannah's dance and 1 hours worth of homework for Savannah. Don't you think that garners me a Chick-fil-a dinner?

Portrait of a Sunday

2010-01-25T16:16:00.000-08:00

Caro and Savannah had sore throats and fevers this weekend. I was hoping to get them better quickly so I forced (without much resistance) them to stay in bed and watch movies. Caro is holding her beloved "Troy and Gabri-lella." Savannah is happy because this pajamma top has been missing for awhile and was found. Collin is cheesing it up. Myself? I taught the beehive girls at church, had 2 meetings with Young Womens and made some sandwiches and then watched TEEN MOM. Yep, you read that right.

12 on the 12th

2010-01-14T08:22:00.000-08:00

I read Unhistoric Acts almost daily and I've stolen a fair amount of ideas from my friend Sarah (calenders and now my decision to make a quilt for Savannah) so this is my latest steal. On the 12th of every month you are supposed to take 12 pictures of your life. Here goes...

This is a little girl and her Chrissa watching Dr. Seuss

Three little Santa's missed the Christmas roundup.

Did I mention I feel like crap? Here is my dining room and kitchen with all the breakfast still left out due to early morning hustle.

This is the playroom that gets destroyed DAILY.

This is Savannah's favorite outfit because she can match Kit.

This is Banana Pancakes getting off the bus.

I was unloading groceries and had left the garage door open while I went back and forth. Collin escaped and was thrilled by the rain. His favorite thing is to be found so when I came out and exclaimed "COLLIN" he was thrilled with himself. He was also very tickled by the rain. I know I should have gotten him inside immediately by I didn't. I let him play in the rain for a few minutes and then I changed his clothes. More than anything I was glad I was taking pictures to capture that joy he had over getting out in the rain.

This is the dreary day outside. Some real estate agents bought the house across the cul de sac are attempting to "flip" it in this shaky market. We wish them the best. Do you spy a little boy?

I felt like crap with a cold and I can't stand a self portrait at this point.

Here is sweet baby boy waking up from a nap. He is always so happy.

This is the girl who has worn a leotard for 2 weeks since I told her she will start ballet class. Today was finally the big day. She loves her Chrissa doll and carries the book everywhere.

After I make the girls bed, Caro comes behind and "helps" me. This is what she does

Now after all 12 photos my house looks much the same, I feel much the same (CRAP) but I'm getting out of this comfy computer chair and cleaning up. Plus Caro is throwing a fit for a lolli pop and there will probably need to be a time out here.

Released

2010-01-10T21:13:00.000-08:00

This is just some of them doing the Nativity Last year with Collin as baby Jesus!

Now every Latter Day Saint that reads this knows that it is a blessing and a sadness. In our church every one has a job they do and it is called a "calling." It is called that because the leaders think and pray about it and then ask you if you'd like to accept it. I have had the calling of Primary for 3 1/2 years now. Sometimes it was a little hard (mostly because I procrastinated something) and mostly it was pretty fun. I was in charge of Sunday school for 3 year olds to 12 year olds. Teaching lessons and also organizing teachers and activities. I really did love it and now I'm released. Today the kids sang to me (Yes, I cried) and then they gave me this BOOK! And it said all these sweet things. A couple of them liked my sense of humor and my energy and all of them said Thanks. One was a little troubling because a boy wrote XOXOXO and explained that the X's were kisses. And one very dear boy drew a witch, and his caption simply said... "This is a Witch." Hmmmm, what did you think of me Seth? I am going to miss it. I simply LOVE hearing them sing every week and I love the funny things they do and I love the powerful feeling of making all 40 of them silent (sometimes) and really I loved sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. I hope that they learned something. Now, on to the world of YOUNG WOMEN!

Resolution

2010-01-02T22:56:00.001-08:00

We're going to try and look this happy a lot more!
Mike and I thought about it. I'm probably not going to lose weight so no use in even mentioning that as a resolution but we do want to become better parents. So here gos...more joy in the work. The work of parenting will not change or get easier so we are trying to enjoy it more and keep our priorities straight-er. Kids at the top, we only get one shot (to quote dear Eminem) we better not blow it! That being said, I am totally sick with a sore throat but I practiced Savannah's song for Eight is Great Fireside like a thousand times and then read a chapter of Kit Kittredge to her. And now at the grand hour of 11 I am cleaning my kitchen so I won't be grouchy on Sunday morning and just so I can whine (lucky you who clicked on this blog!) Did I mention I am totally sick? Hope the New Year finds you healthy, wealthy and wise. I didn't feel good enough to make black-eyed peas, collards, or cabbage so I'm just going on a wish that our good luck will continue this year.

Big Girl Britches

2009-12-27T20:04:00.000-08:00

So I once saw a T-shirt in Texas that said "Put your big girl panties on and deal with it." Now if that isn't a pearl I don't know what is. So sage. I use it so often interchanging panties with britches. I love it. So I had a great Christmas but I do notice that I am a little bah-humbug when I am not with my GA family. So this year I decided from now on I'm putting on my big girl britches to deal with that particular issue. Anybody else feel this way? Happy for the holiday and who you get to share it with but genuinely hurting over who you can't share it with? Oh well. It was a Merry Christmas and the great thing is that time and distance can't hinder our love for our family and the greatest miracle is that our Savior feels the same way about us.

If this blog were a patient,

2009-11-30T20:40:00.001-08:00

I'd get the paddles out. I think Facebook killed my blog.
I used to blog all the time but then I started thinking... who wants to hear this crap? So... where does that leave the blog? I think I'll still use it if funny things happen and to shamelessly post pictures of my kids.

Gasp! I'm back!

2009-09-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend I had an aching tooth. It wasn't really bad but bad enough that I called the dentist on Monday morning and got it to see him. They took one xray and promptly told me I had a "freakishly huge cavity." Other cute phrases were mentioned like, "Where did this thing come from?" and, "We might have to pull your tooth completely." And deep down inside I felt an unjustified similarity to all these patients of mine with poor hygiene who hand me their teeth before they go to sleep. (I hate that part, blood and guts I am fine with but hand me a pair of dentures and I totally gross out).
So to make a long story short, I had the tooth worked on, its going to cost lots of money but I'll keep my tooth. Fast forward to the lidocaine wearing off and me in really horrible pain. Yowza, I hadn't felt anything like that since well last November (Collins birth). I quickly realized the whole routine of swim team, homework, dinner and general functioning was not happening. So I did what any feministy girl would do. I called my husband whimpering. He was super great about it and arranged for his mom to come get Savannah and she volunteered to get dinner from Bel Air. Then to get my Vicodin from the pharmacy I had to get my neighbor to come over because Collin and Caro were asleep (Thankfully.) Mike came home early to help out and then I had to get someone had to cover my shift at work. Here is what I thought was interesting...me being incapacitated took 4 people to do my work. And here I thought a circus monkey might do better some days than I do. It was a little self esteem booster in the most painful of ways.
So I am not sure if anybody still reads this but how many people does it take to replace you? Now I want to go sing Irreplaceable by Beyonce' but I can't because my jaw hurts. Oh, and I wrote this under the influence of said Vicodin.

We love Mineral!

2009-09-09T17:18:00.000-07:00

Just read that last post

2009-07-10T22:38:00.000-07:00

I really do love my kids. I am just a little frustrated as of late. It is a season of this I am sure, we have seasons in life and I will come out of this with more patience and understanding. If I know one thing it is that Heavenly Father tests you and tries you to make you stronger. I am really waiting for this weakness to become my strength. I'll close this night with that and some cute pictures.

Can you see why I love Molly and Heidi so much. I kid you not I hear Laurie say to Molly..."No gang signs or anything weird with your hands!" Lars that one will stick with me forever!

Hi everyone!

2009-07-10T22:21:00.000-07:00

I've been out of it for awhile. Truth is, I'm cheating on my blog with Facebook and I will tell you why... Facebook is actually really impersonal. You can give a quick blurb and put pics up. For some reason I feel the need to write stuff on my blog and LUCKY you if you read it, I only write when I have stuff to get off my chest.

Did you know I am a scientific marvel? I have a voice similar to a dolphin but in an opposite manner. If I speak in a normal voice, no one under 4 feet can hear me. Is as if I don't exist, but if I yell loudly and angrily then the little people hear me! Fancy that! Maybe NASA has some use for me? It is sure fun being a scientific marvel (Read Previous Paragraph dripping with sarcasm)

So complaining aside we are doing well, just trucking. I explained it well to an anesthesiologist today... My kids are doing well, they are great kids, just a little labor intensive right now.

So I posted some pictures we bootleg took while we were posing for more fabulous professional family pics (I'm sure this is a big no-no but I'll plead ignorance)
We took pics with the Carruth side, you might notice we have nice shots and then the shot of Caro is the only one I could get. For real, the kid ran the entire time and no promises of lollipops or anything would make her sit still once she decided not to. Except one exception... Johnson family... do you remember "Hi, my names Chubby?" Well that is the one time I got her to sit still, I did it no less than 20 times and the photographer kindly offered me some psychiatric drugs at the end.

To end this very scattered post I am going to let you in on a new hit. It goes something like this..
Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou
Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou
Lou, Lou, skip to my Lou
Shake your Bootie my darlin!

Hi everyone!

2009-07-05T21:41:00.001-07:00

Dad, we love you

2009-06-21T14:20:00.000-07:00

Lookit!

2009-06-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

Collin is sitting up now and truly about to crawl. He remains to have a sunny personality. Our favorite thing is that when he wakes up he doesn't cry but sits up and watches for you to walk by and when he sees you he just lights up like today is the best day ever. Carolina is Miss Sassy. Mike said in a moment of absolute sincerity, "If she wasn't so cute she would get in a lot more trouble." It is so true. She charms her way out of so much because she has this funny little voice that melts you.

I'm here...I'm just....

2009-06-02T10:51:00.001-07:00

Not sure what I am! Busy? No question but do I waste time on email, facebook and popwatch (EW)? Yes! So why I haven't been blogging I guess is mainly due to the fact that it makes me sit down and think. Sometimes I don't want to do that. School is about to let out and for us that really means no more than a week long break and that Savannah has to practice for swim team with older kids because of summer school. I think I continue to cope with the impact of her delays on life and sometimes I just want to NOT FEEL it. The sadness just gets me. Now I know all of you about now would like to kick my rear end and say buck up, deal with it. She is amazing, fun and hilarious and quit feeling sorry for her or yourself. Most days I do just that but some weeks are harder than others. Sports are hard because she plays at normal kid level and thus the comparison is there as much as I try to not let it be. Milestones and birthdays can be hard. I find myself feeling like another year went by and I didn't do enough to help her along. I lost my patience to often, I should have worked more on reading at home, I should have done a home O.T. program, etc. The years of Early Intervention are pretty much closed and everything we fight for from here on out will be harder to gain. Carolina now speaks in more complete sentences than she does. I just want to therapize this delay away and I CANT. My sister Becca said once that Luke has defined her life. I think our pursuit of developmental progress might be both defining and refining me. I am better for it. More understanding, less uptight about lots of things, more upset by many things but hopefully better. The road is long and on the eve of my 30th birthday I am realizing how far I have to go with acceptance and patience. Okay Debbie Downer moment OVER!

Mother's day Help

2009-04-26T13:50:00.000-07:00

Hello. I am in need of a quote or saying on not just Mother's but women in general. Something uplifting, inspiring for all women in our ward. Not just the moms. Get to it people. Help a sister out. Erica

Somebody call CPS

2009-04-18T21:43:00.000-07:00

I spy my husband on the skateboard with my son, returning an Axe to my neighbor! He got yelled at.

Please pay attention while I get up on my pedestal

2009-04-16T10:55:00.000-07:00

So most of you who read this know Savannah was diagnosed with Infantile spasms (click the word for a link to see what that is). As we are seeing we are probably not growing out of Epilepsy I have been trying to accept it and own it a little more. Newsweek this week has written some Excellent articles about this misunderstood and under treated disease. I hope everyone can read it and know a little more. Thanks, I'm getting down now. http://www.newsweek.com/id/193484/page/1

I'm not like the rest of you....

2009-04-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

I blog occasionally. I don't scrap. I don't bake. I cook okay. I don't stamp. I don't make cards. I don't sew. I rarely decorate (my mom does it for me still) but I did do THIS! I have had an old window for 7 years now that I always meant to do something with but never did. I finally ordered my pics from Carrie Stroud and put them up in this window. ...................... Sorry, that pause was me patting myself on the back.

Caro

2009-03-24T11:15:00.000-07:00

I am a day late on her Happy B-day Blog post because I shlepped down to the Happiest Place on Earth for 36 hours including travel time. A trip that left me, knackered and her waking up putting on yesterdays outfit and coming out of her room saying "I want to go to Disneyland today." (Sounds like I- on - go- to dizzy land TO day). Sometimes I wonder if I am a bit touched in the head to take on such trips. My friend Amie was my fearless co-pilot and we had a great time. This last year has been a big one for her and she has been a champ. We love her SO much and crack up at her little voice at least once a day.

Happy St. Patricks day!

2009-03-17T10:07:00.001-07:00

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3 months old!

2009-03-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

Collin is so big these days! He is the smiliest baby ever. He brings so much peace and joy into our home. He is my magic tool to get Savannah out of bed in the morning. I can't imagine life without him.
P.S. I just posted the one of Caro and Heidi in the bathroom because it was hilarious. We looked up from Sunday dinner and there they were "helping each other go potty."

Name that Tune!

2009-03-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

Gina is going to love this one...

2009-02-23T21:18:00.000-08:00

So we had a dog when we lived in Texas and I'll admit, I didn't do it right. I did not train it or myself very well. But... I loved him. His name was Elliott (after the deceased but accomplished musician Elliott Smith). We still have pics of him up around the house and the girls lately have talked about him a ton. Even Caro "misses" him. Uh, Caro, You were 2 weeks old when we gave him the boot because he got really aggressive with you and California land lords wanted a Rockefeller sized sum before they would rent with him in the pic. So L.L. Cool pup (his nickname) lives with his biological sister Sophie and my friends Amanda and Tim. Fast forward to tonight...
Coming home from Speech after a truly crappy day I thought a possum was waddling across the road. I got closer and it was a big fat long hair daschsund. Well he was so dopey he was gonna get hit because people FLY down this street. So I picked him up and took him home. The girls were thrilled. Mike was not. I put up signs and found his owner after I put the girls down. His name is Chippy and a very sweet Latina grandmother was crying over his escape. I feel a little better about this day but I do hope they put that dog on a diet because he was FAT and that is not good for daschsunds spines.

Recent Pictures of Collin

2009-02-12T09:06:00.001-08:00

My favorite picture ever!

2009-01-19T09:36:00.001-08:00

Carrie Brown Stroud did our pictures over the Holidays! Here are a few of my faves!

His hair is for real

2009-01-19T09:32:00.001-08:00

Every night I bathe Collin I comb his hair down and an hour later it looks like this.

The Myth

2009-01-10T12:34:00.000-08:00

When I had my first two babies and they'd be screaming or raising hell I would always encounter THOSE MOMS (sometimes Grandma's) that had the "good babies." You know, the ones that don't have trouble gaining weight, that sleep through the night almost instantly, and roll over early and are practically guaranteed admission to Harvard at 3 mos old. (You know them right?) I was pretty sure all those people were big fat liars. I would always think sheesh- it's just a baby! They are meant to cry etc. Now I truly do not want to brag. I am far from sleeping through the night and he does cry (especially in the carseat). But I am starting to see that maybe THOSE MOMS were not big fat liars. There are really peaceful babies out there. Collin is one of them this time. Thank Heavens he is because my plate is a little full. He really just eats, quietly watches chaos in action (Sav and Caro) and then sleeps. That is what he does. But, I am not counting my Chickens. I once thought that Carolina would be peaceful. That child is so stubborn. She wanted Candy for breakfast this morning I said no... Crying.... I say no.... Crying.... She refuses to eat.

Finally!

2009-01-03T18:18:00.001-08:00

We got pictures taken of our family by our dear friend and professional photog Carrie Stroud. A few of the pics are on her blog for a sneak peek. Yay! If you are ever in the southern area I highly reccomend her. She will do the equivilant of 2 hours of aerobic yoga to bend and stretch at the pace of my crazy hyperactive (i do not use the term loosely) children. She also will sing to them to make them smile and was a drama gal and uses all the disney princess facial expressions. Thanks Carrie! http://carriestroudphotography.blogspot.com/

Can you explain to me....

2008-12-10T12:14:00.000-08:00

Why I've literally had a headache every day since Collin was born. Truly. Every Day. Previous to this I would say I might have a headache once a month. I know I am more stressed etc. but seriously, those that know me know that I have had stressors bigger than this before. Just wondering if anyone else had spontneous headaches after their 3rd born.

On my own

2008-12-09T19:52:00.000-08:00

First the Gene-ster (My mom Regina) came. She came she swept, she cleaned, she cooked, she took care of my baby boy and then she left (on account of Garo is useless without her). Next, Patty (my step-mom ) came. She came, she cooked, ran errands (she loves 2-story Wal-marts), cooked some more, woke up monster Savannah in the A.M. and now she is gone. I am on my own. A little scary. So far so good. But now it is bedtime and as you might have previously read... that is heinous around here. Wish me luck. Here are some pics of the last couple of weeks.

Little Bird Man

2008-12-07T10:31:00.000-08:00

When he is done eating and I burp him and he looks up he looks like a baby bird in the nest.

Collin Johnson Carruth

2008-11-28T20:44:00.001-08:00

He is here! Made his way on earth Monday at 1147 am after about a 8 hour labor. Only 3 hours were spent without epidural so we are fine with that! He was 9 lb 11 oz (ouch) and 21 inches with a huge head full of Blond/brown hair. We have had some emotional days after staying in NICU for 4 nights and 3 days for some oxygen and barfing problems. Everything seems good now and we are just at home trying to make up for some of the weight loss that we sustained in NICU. We came home on Thanksgiving day and I can tell you I have NEVER been more grateful to be home with my 3 children and husband and mom. Someone please remind me I have said this next time I gripe about any of them!
P.S. In the day and half I've had him home I've learned it is really hard to have to yell at your kids to do something while you are completely stranded in a painful feed! Also, boy diapers.... SO EASY!

Happy Birthday....Nevermind

2008-11-22T08:08:00.000-08:00

I stayed up till 1 am with a sudden desire to finish making 3 lasagnas and freezing spaghetti sauce. I also finished all our laundry and vacuumed the whole house. I thought maybe the surge of energy was nesting before I went into labor. Nope. It is my due date today and there is zero action in my uterus. At least I have a cleaner house. I think I will do the bathrooms today. Mimi comes tomorrow.

Just Chillin...

2008-11-14T14:54:00.000-08:00

Okay I have been a bad blogger lately but really there is not much to report. I am 8 or so days away from having the baby so that is a big deal. The doc said she won't let me go much past my due date because she thinks the baby is already 8.5 lbs. The only troubling thing is that us Johnson women have this thing with big babies and whatever the doc tells us...it is usually an Lb bigger. They told me Savannah was 7.5 and she was 8.5 (with a very beautiful round head I might add) and they told me Carolina was 8 and she was 9 lbs. So.... by my calculations I could have a 9.5 lb baby right now with 9 days to go. That being said I'm probably all scared and it will be a shrimp. I'll let you know after it all goes down. We are pretty set on a name but I'm going to be obnoxious and keep it secret for a little while.
Other than 10 lb baby scares we are relaxed right now. The schedule is more manageable. I am really focusing on enjoying my kids while still trying to be really firm on limits in these last days. That doesn't mean I have become a total zen mother but it does mean I have been working on it. Mike is working hard, serving in his calling and hanging out with us when time permits.

A new kind of TAG

2008-11-11T09:50:00.000-08:00

The picture has no meaning I just put one up because really that is the main reason we all go to blogs.
This post is pretty hypocritical of me because I generally don't do Tags but this is something that's had me wondering. You know how celebrities have "riders" the list of things that they have to have before performing on tour. Creature comforts and such. Well... I'd like one of those. So here it is...
Erica's Celebrity Tour Rider
Plastic Cups (not solo cups and not glass)
Crunchy Ice
Water
Lemons
Coca-Cola
An array of Sushi
Sharper Image Massage Chairs
Comfortable non-leather couches
Old Lazy boys that are comfy and easy to rock
If anywhere near the south I would need a "sackful of Krystals"
Gerber Daisys

I am really not up there with the rockstars but oh well! If you read this, Tag your it.

Naked Chef(s)

2008-10-22T23:25:00.000-07:00

I have been meaning to post these for some time. These were taken back when Savannah had both teeth but are cute so they need their time in the sun for Mimi in Georgia. We made brownies for something, I can't even remember what now. I have been baking more. Like once a month instead of one a year. (By baking I mean making brownies from a mix.) We can't all be Martha. Some of us more like a mix between Florence Nightengale and the Mom from Malcolm in the Middle.

I always knew they were special

2008-10-21T13:47:00.001-07:00

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Haloween

2008-10-21T13:42:00.001-07:00

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A breakthrough...

2008-10-20T21:54:00.000-07:00

Two things have happened major this week.
1. Savannah kicked the ball in a real live soccer game. She usually just runs after the pack and if the ball gets close to her she kindly steps aside for another child to kick. I missed how it actually happened but all of a sudden I looked up and there she is dribbling the ball down the field with some feisty tall kids behind her. She went about 10 seconds kicking that ball down the field. Both her coaches and both her parents about fell over with shock. Now I am LARGE with child and I will tell you it was probably a sight for all the soccer field to see a 36 week pregnant woman bolt out of her chair and cheer like a texas cheerleader on meth.
2. She is writing her name. Not perfectly and not always consistently but she can now write the full (cursed) name of Savannah. Truly, If Mike and I known then what we know now she would be named Ann, Jane, Eve, or maybe just a letter like "Z" on noggin.

The rest of us are fine and dandy.

Last Post for today...

2008-10-13T12:04:00.000-07:00

And well with my track record, maybe a month but Yesterday in my 2 short hours at Frank and Michelle's I helped them create http://thejohnsonvortex.blogspot.com
Also known as 8 Johnsons and a Bagel

Brothers don't shake hands... Brothers Spoon

2008-10-13T11:51:00.000-07:00

Oh and Evidently, So do sisters. Carolina and Savannah were not at all posed for this pic and I am hoping dearly Mike and Dave are.

Remember me?

2008-10-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

I guess I should catch you up on why I haven't been posting. First of all we bought a house and moved. 2 years in the making and we finally bit the bullet, found the right house and all that jazz. Home ownership is great and all but really it is not all people think it is. Don't get me wrong, I am truly grateful to have a home in these troubled times but I really miss the Landlord that fixes stuff and looking at something I didn't like in my house and not being bothered because it wasn't MY house. I miss those lazy days of renting. I don't miss the whole 2 bedrooms, 1 bath part.
Second, I am like 8 months pregnant and have found myself completely devoid of ambition or energy.
Third, I haven't been taking many pictures. Bad Mommy!
The good news is, I am here and have a few funny things to show you now.
See the Above pictures? My friend Amber and I met at BYU one fateful friday night. We have been friends ever since and I love her dearly. But do you see a big difference in our appearance lately? We are both pregnant at the same time (again) and we caught up in SLC this weekend. We still have so much fun together but we aren't quite ready to hit Brighton in our current condition. Plus, I am not sure they still do 7/11 2 for 1 night ski passes that end up costing only 10 bucks. Miss you Ams! Also miss my figure!

Reasons I am a Nerd...

2008-09-21T22:26:00.000-07:00

This will be the "short list"
1. I met my husband in the library
2. I was in High School Orchestra
3. I go to Mugglenet... Alot (that is the Harry Potter website)
4. I am soooo very excited about decorating my first born son's bedroom in Star Wars stuff. I found the PBK Star Wars bed stuff and I just fell IN LOVE! I can't afford hardly any of it but I am going to buy the sheets for fabric and have a friend make crib bedding and a baby blanket out of it. Then, I bid on 2 vintage light sabers to hang on the wall. I am going to put a Yoda quote over the crib in vinyl lettering "Judge me by my size do you?" Of course he needs a few action figures for his dresser and I am bidding some other old school Star Wars toys. I think over the door it should say "May the Force be with you" and good thing I am married to a Nerd and he has all his old star wars posters and such. Can you tell I am excited?

Huh?

2008-09-17T22:58:00.000-07:00

So this picture pretty much sums up our whole soccer experience this year. First I was a sucker and no one stepped up to be team mom so I did it. Me! Super Flaky and has no idea how to be a soccer mom is the team mom. Now Savannah said she wanted to play soccer, Mike and I were hesitant (for good reason). She said she wanted to be a soccer girl. We caved. This is how soccer goes... at practice Savannah likes warm up, red-light/green light, and drills. Then they actually have to kick the ball back and forth to each other... Then it progresses to a full scrimmage game. She starts losing interest around the whole passing thing and is usually sitting down or spinning in the grass for scrimmage. Now fast forward to the actual games. Um.... she warms up with the team occasionally runs with the herd for the ball and the rest of the time she whines about snack time and says she is tired and soccer is boring. Then we start over with Monday practice. I kind of wish we could just do soccer practice. Oh! She also has NO IDEA that there are winners and losers of the game. She doesn't ask if they win, just takes the Popsicle and asks where we are going to lunch. It is hilarious to us.
Carolina loves this whole soccer thing. She also has to have a "occah ball" and she puts on her NIKE'S because apparently those are soccer shoes and heads to the field. She plays with another soccer sibling named Joey and gets muddy. She is a big fan.

Reallly Lame

2008-09-16T14:39:00.000-07:00

I have been a super lame blogger for awhile now. I can't explain it other than the general fatiuge of being pregnant prevents me from actually reflecting on anything going on in the Ruthy household and rather just keepin' on with the activities. I mean I haven't even shown you how cute Savannah was on her first day of first grade and how doubly cute it was that Caro HAD to have her own backpack and jacket (it was 100 degrees but little Leanna needed a jacket). Caro has insisted on a backpack every day still. It usually has some princesses, a pair of shoes, maybe a passy or a bit of laundry that she really needs to take with us. She says "oh no! my back pack" (sounds like "o- noooo, my ba-paaaak" )and runs to fill it up. They are super cute these days. This is a short post but I have 5 minutes before I need to take Savannah to O.T. I'll post more soon....

The Man-Child

2008-09-08T14:46:00.000-07:00

Dave and Mindy had their baby! We are calling him Man-child because we was 10lb 13 oz.
His name is Peter Wells and we are so excited to have a Boy cousin on the Carruth side.

The more things change, the more they stay the same

2008-09-03T11:54:00.000-07:00

I am in Awe

2008-08-28T20:52:00.000-07:00

I just read this story... I cannot believe how brave some people are. It is very inspiring so take a minute and get uplifted.
http://www.snopes.com/politics/war/sendler.asp

I thought I had a few more years for this

2008-08-17T22:37:00.001-07:00

Mom: Savannah, I need you to come get your clothes and put them away.
Sav: But, Mom! I'm watching Hannah Montanna!

Excuse me? Did I fall asleep and wake up with a 10 year old? I can only blame myself. I bought her the Hannah Montana barbies. In my defense they were 3$ each and also had a lot more coverage to their clothes than your average barbie.

In the last 24 hours

2008-08-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

1. I ate Krystals
2. I ate Cornbread
3. I ate a fried green tomato
4. I said "Nonnie, do you need anything from the Piggly Wiggly?"
5. I sat on the beach
6. My children have worn shoes about an hour
7. I have eaten fish stew and crab cakes

Can you guess where I am?
P.S. I could go to about #15 with "i ate..."

We've got issues

2008-07-21T21:21:00.000-07:00

Typically I notice blogs are bright and cheerful..."Look how cute, this is where we went, etc." Well I am now publicly airing some laundry we have in our family. This laundry is dirty, stinky and rotten with bratty-ness. This laundry is called "we have to put Savannah to bed every night and it might be the death of us." Lots of kids (except stinkin' Blythe and Eli) will fight sleep harder the more tired they are. Well Savannah is a prize fighter in the fighting of sleep battle. She, in no particular order employs the following tactics: coming out of her room, crying, throwing fits, screaming, singing to herself (loudly) until the wee hours, playing I want to sleep with my sister, I want to sleep in mommy's bed, playing, more screaming, throwing herself on the ground whilst screaming "I not tired", turning on lights, going through drawers, and changing clothes, etc. As I type this list it does not even do it justice. Most nights are mildly bad with a few coming out of the rooms, crying I'm not tired, and then playing alone in the dark until 9:30 or later. Some nights she tries to hit and kick us as we physically put her in bed. I've tried being rational and firm just like Jo Frost on Supernanny, I've tried the way Rabbi Schmuley says on Shalom in the Home. Funnily enough what works best (mike can witness to this) is me Completely losing it, yelling and really roughly putting her in bed and basically having an Adult Temper Tantrum. Trouble is... it makes me feel like crap. I don't know what to do. Do I accept that this might always be hard and just lower my expectations? The trouble is Savannah NEEDS sleep. She has important therapies everyday with professionals who are working hard. She needs to be able to work! There is no getting around this fact of life for us. We will have to work as long as her development lags. I am so frustrated by this aspect of her behaivor. I hate that so often the last thing she sees her mom do before she goes to sleep is to completely yell and lose it. So there... Stinky Laundry out. Friends... My comment box better be full with helpful suggestions after such an airing:)

That looks like a Pterodactyl from a Gay Jurassic Park!

2008-07-18T12:04:00.000-07:00

Can I please say how pleased I am the Project Runway is BACK BABY! I love, love, love this show. My heart sings for Tim Gunn.

The Canon Rebel

2008-07-14T11:04:00.000-07:00

Oh how we love thee. Mike saved very hard for you because we wanted you in our life for a very long time. We know next to nothing of your wonders or what Photoshop can do but we have books. We point and shoot and you are just amazing. We love you Rebel!

4th of July

2008-07-12T22:33:00.000-07:00

Mike was gone to Scout Camp for 4th of July, I was so reminded of the Law-widow days. I made up my mind that I was going to have fun and not whine about him being gone. I accomplished only the first of those goals. We went to a church pancake/parade party, a neighborhood swim party and a Taco dinner. Since we live close to the rich Country Club which we do not attend we saw their high kaflutin fireworks from a neighbors yard. I took 5 pictures that day because my hands were full (again with the whining) and these are the only 2 that are permissible.

The Dixons

2008-07-12T22:10:00.000-07:00

I know some Waco peeps check this site semi-regularly and I thought I'd show you Will and Susie's brood in all their glory. They were on vacation in Santa Barbara and well we live 6-7 hours from there so we split the difference and headed to Monterey. We hit the McDonalds, the Aquarium and Bubba Gumps Shrimp. We were regular Jacques Cousteau's. We met Will and Susie in 2001 when they were brand newly weds and Mike and Will worked for Wally Herger. We reunited with them at Baylor for 2 more years. It was really fun to see them, Savannah and Eve picked up like they had never been separated which was so endearing for the grown ups. The 3rd picture down is my personal fave. We were in a tunnel that showed what it felt like to be under a wave and um... Savannah will not be signing up for any surf contest any time soon. Look at her face.

The link

2008-07-10T11:14:00.000-07:00

This is the LINK for the top cities to raise a kid in.