Kids, kids, kids, and more kids!!

So, Audrey is still sick. In fact she's gotten worse as the day has progressed. I'm pretty sure it's an ear ache/cold, but boy, oh boy, is she grumpy and super whiny!! She's had a fever most of the day and just been miserable. She's spent most of the day just laying around, which got to her at about 10 this morning. I really feel for her, but this past hour has been one for the books. She won't go to bed, because she doesn't see the point since she won't be going to school tomorrow.
In the meantime, Isaac is up as well. He doesn't ever like to go to bed (when do we grow out of that?) so he does everything he can think of to get out of it. He even prays that we'll let him sleep in our bed. He must have a lot of faith, too, because he ends up there way more than he does his own bed. Hopefully that won't last much longer, either.
Anyway, Isaac potty trained a couple months ago, but we haven't quite gotten the unders back on after the deed is done, so he runs around commando quite often. He's been doing this tonight since I was putting laundry away and trying to get Audrey and Spencer to bed, so his nudity was my last priority. Well, that sent Audrey over the edge. She says, in her best disgusted voice, "Isaac, go get dressed. You are sicking me out." To which Isaac replies, "No I not."
This conversation continued for a few minutes until I finally helped Isaac get the Superhero Squad back on.
It's a really good thing this comic relief came when it did, too, because I was nearing the breaking point. You know that point, when you've asked a child to do the same thing at least 9 or 10 times, but all your really doing it exercising your vocal chords. With all that vocal exercise I do every day, I should be the worlds greatest opera singer.
Heavenly Father must really love my kids, because if it hadn't been for all the sicking out around here, there could have been real trouble.

Super Slacker

I've been feeling extra guilty for not blogging more often. (Can I say more often when it's been too long to remember my last post?) Audrey has a cold, so we stayed home from church today and one of our Sabbath activities was to watch Mormon Messages. One of them was President Eyring talking about writing in his journal every day no matter what. If an apostle who is surely busier than I am can take the time, then I certainly have no excuse. These are the times in my life that I'm sure I'll look back on and smile. (People in the grocery store remind me of this often.) Even though there are days like today when I'd like to cry, hopefully they'll be memories I can laugh at later.
Isn't it amazing how quickly life changes? Just a few months ago, I was playing Army wife on my own and now Spencer is home all day, every day. How lucky am I?! I hope to never take him for granted. He is such an amazing man and I don't know how I ever got along without him. Hopefully I'll never have to find out again, because I know which I like better. Being a "single parent" is the pits!!
So, here is the beginning of my being a good blogger. I was going to say again, but I just couldn't feel good about that. One day at a time, right?!

Zucchinis in A Defected Grave

Today has been a particularly funny kid day. Each one of the kids, with the exception of Michael, of course, has had their "Kids Say the Darndest Thing" moment. I'll start with Audrey, because her's was the funniest, I think.

She and Mom were sitting downstairs talking and Audrey says, "Grandma, I can't wear Zucchinis. When I was at Seven Peaks, my Zucchini gave me a rash." To make this even more funny, I wasn't sure at first what they were talking about and it wasn't until hours later that I got the joke. Also, Audrey was not amused and got quite upset that we were laughing, so we have to do it secretly.

Then, just after Spencer, Jr. got out of the bath and got dressed, he walked into the Kitchen and said, "Mom, I think the bath has made my foot defected." He thought it was pretty rude that we were laughing about it.

About an hour later, Spencer, Jr. was sitting at the table reading the "Friend" when Audrey walked in and looked over his shoulder at "Our Creative Friends." Audrey asked Spencer, Jr., "Are you going to draw a picture of you and dad?" To which he replied, very matter-of-factly, "Audrey, that's a picture of Adam and Even in the Sacred Grave." I had to leave so I could laugh.

Thanks for kids that bring a whole lot of comedy to life!!

This One's For You!!

I'm doing this just for you, Amanda. :) I started from the day he was born up until now, so you'd feel like you were here. Did it work?

Catch Up!

Apparently I've used this title before, which is a good indicator that I don't blog nearly enough. I guess once a month is better than not at all. I have finally uploaded pictures to my computer, though, so I can use those. That is no longer an excuse of mine but I'm sure I can think of some others.
The other day was Audrey's 5th birthday. I can hardly believe she's 5 already, but she reminds me often and I sometimes wonder if she's a teenager already. (I'm thankful she isn't.) Unfortunately, Spencer, Jr. came home from the ranch on Wednesday with the stomach flu and passed it on to Isaac and Audrey. So, lucky for Audrey, she had the flu on her birthday, so we celebrated a day late. She had a good attitude about it, but reminded me this morning that it was not as good as it could have been because there were no balloons. I guess I'll have to work on that for next year.
We've been having some fun in the backyard with the kiddie pool and the slip 'n slide. Who even knew that those two things combined could be so much fun?! It's been nice being at my parents for the summer since their backyard is so big. The kids love it and I love that they love it. It's a fun party place.
Spencer only has 4-6 weeks left in Iraq. That could always change, but that's just part of Army life. Nothing is set in stone. I think one thing the Army has taught me is to be flexible. Maybe someday I'll apply that knowledge.
I become more and more thankful for my wonderful husband as time passes and realize just how much he does for me and our family. I'm thankful for his unselfishness and positive attitude throughout it all. He's a great example and I truly admire the wonderful man he is. He had quite a scare this past week on a helicopter, so I'm extra thankful that he is safe. Heavenly Father obviously has lessons for us to learn.

Finally!!

I can't believe I've been such a slacker! Has it really been 3 months?! Part of the reason I've been such a slacker is because I don't have the chord that hooks my camera up to my computer, so I haven't gotten the pics. from my camera FOREVER!! I suppose I could also use the excuse that we've had a baby, moved, are buying a house, sending my husband off to Iraq, and I'm just now beginning to feel settled at the parent's house. Life is definitely busy, but good.
One of the many benefits of having kids is that it helps the time go quickly while Spencer is in Iraq. They certainly keep me and everyone else busy. At this very moment, Audrey and Isaac are playing skydive into the playpen, and Spencer is showing Michael his ScoobyDoo shirt. There's yelling and screaming, but I am grateful that at the moment it's happy screaming and no one is hurting anyone else. Ahh, the simple pleasures in life.
Having your husband deploy puts a lot of things in perspective. First of all, it makes me appreciate so much more all that he does for our family. I'm completely exhausted at the end of every day which makes for a great night sleep, but Spencer was always the one to get up with the kids. I miss having him home for lunch every day, talking late at night during the quiet, calling him whenever I want, and watching him play with the kids. He's such a wonderful dad and does so much for our family. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm complaining, because it's these times that I learn the most about myself and help me appreciate all I can do with the help of our Heavenly Father. I'm thankful to have these experiences that cause me to grow in ways that I otherwise wouldn't.
It also brings me closer to the kids. Especially since Spencer, Jr. is on Summer break. I love seeing them play and learn together. They usually play really well together and I'm thankful I get to see that. It's been especially fun the past few days, because their cousins were here. They had a lot of fun with them. Audrey loved it the most, because she doesn't get to play with other girls very often, so she thought she was in Heaven for 3 whole days. She got her nails done, did some crafty things, and really just had a great time. She's excited tonight to go to their dance competition. In fact, she's been talking about it all morning.
I'm thankful for the distraction kids bring. They make me laugh a lot and teach me about what is most important. Being a mom is a HUGE blessing!!

A Little of This, A Little of That

That's right, folks. I still haven't had Bruno. Spencer got to go with me to the doctor yesterday, which was good, because I think he's just about as crazy I am waiting for this little guy. Apparently when you're at 39 weeks, they no longer give you a choice about whether or not you get checked. So, the grand total is... (drum roll please) I'm at 2-3 cm and 50%. The baby is still really squirmy, so we could have a little while yet, but at least he's still doing well.
We've tried a few things to induce labor. The other night Spencer and I took a jog around our little circle. I'd been having contractions for about 3 hours, so we thought that would help. (In case you were wondering, it didn't.) Tonight, we're going to drive up the canyon with our bikes and I'm going to ride back down. (Just kidding. I think I could probably make it on AFHV if I tried, though.)
Honestly, though, even if he's late, it's fine. Spring Break is the week after next, so if he waited until then, we'd all be home together since Spencer, Jr. has school off and Spencer, Sr. gets a week off work after I have the baby. (Thanks to the Army for that one.)
So, Bruno, there's no rush. When you come, you come and we'll all be thankful.
Really quickly, I have a funny Audrey moment from last night. To start, though, Isaac's favorite movie is Monsters Inc. You could say he's obsessed with it. He has to watch it at least once a day and since Audrey is home with him, she usually ends up watching it, too. Well, last night as we were getting the kids ready for bed, I could hear her in the hall saying, to no one in particular, "Mike Wazouski! Last night was one of the worst nights of my entire life, far none. I thought you cared about me. Soshi, I thought you liked soshi. Soshi, soshi, you think this is all about soshi." I thought I was going to die laughing. I've made her repeat it about 5 times since then. Thanks for kids that make us laugh!