I forgot what normal was.

When I left to go to Hawaii I had all the laundry done, all the dishes done, all the bathrooms clean, the boys bedrooms organized. My room needed help but when doesn't it. I had some how I hoped that it would magically be in the same condition as when I left it. That is normal right. Now I know you are all thinking yeah right the boys stayed home. Well Ryan is normally pretty good about keeping up on things and not letting them get to bad. However... While I was gone the boys and Ryan had a stomach bug and there for the laundry piled up. It took me 4 days of doing laundry to get it all caught up. I seriously think that they dirtied every towel and article of clothing that they own while I was gone. Was it pay back for leaving them for a week to go to paradise? Probably. I got a phone call while in Hawaii asking if we had any paper cups anywhere. There were some in the closet when I left I said "we used all of those and there are no clean ones in the house" Right then I pictured the worst and decided to forget about it. The day I was coming home I get a text that says "you know what a small town looks like after a tornado hits it? That is how our house looks." I decided to ignore it and pretend that I didn't know what I was coming home to. Yes it was a disaster and it has taken me 3 weeks to feel like I might finally be caught up. Really though am I ever caught up? Ever really back to normal what is normal? In my head normal ishould be perfect. The kids never fight and things are always clean. The laundry is never piled up. The dishes are always done and the kitchen stays clean for longer than 2 seconds. The beds are always made and toys are put away after being played with. However that is NOT normal because this is what happens in a normal day. I walk in Gage's room and discover the stupid dog has got a hold of a stuffed animal or pillow and ripped it to shreds. While I'm cleaning up that mess the boys manage to destroy another Coleton's room. While cleaning up all Remington's stuff so that he doesn't throw a fit that his brothers touched his stuff there is a drink spilled on the newly mopped floor. Then dishes are discovered hidden in the basement after the dishwasher had been started. Then a potty accident on the carpet and homework to be done and fighting to stop and dinner to be made then more messes to clean up. So really I am back to normal and it was normal while I was gone and I just forgot what normal was.

Hawaii

BEWARE there are quite a few pictures. I picked out a few that highlighted our trip. I loved going and being able to spend that time with my my mom, sisters and brother and sister in law. The only thing I would have changed is to have the rest of our family that stayed home on the trip with us!
I never know whether to write about the picture on top or on bottom but if you decided to brave this post I will tell you about it on top since you are scrolling down. I hope you enjoy!!

Sarah and I on our last day watching the sunset.

We were just getting ready to go catch our bus to take us to the airport

for the red eye flight to San Fransisco where we had a 3 hour layover.

Mom and me on top of Diamond head. WOW what a hike! LOTS of stairs.

Me at the Dole plantation. Yuck Pineapple!



A close up of the Buddhist temple. It is a replica of a bigger one in Japan.

The grounds at the Buddhist temple. So pretty and LOST was filmed here!

It was pouring rain as you can see in the pond.

Another of the Valley of Temples. GORGEOUS!

This is a look out from Poli Point.

SO breathtakingly beautiful and WINDY!!!!

We were freezing and it was raining!

another shot from Poli Point.

Ammon, mom and me at Pearl Harbour.

My luau dinner at the PCC.

The purple rolls were sooo yummy!

I didn't take a picture but the coconut pudding and coconut cake were tasty!

Mom, Sarah and I at the luau.

this guy is playing a nose flute. AMAZING. I hope he wasn't sick :)

The girls at a beach in Waikiki

Mom, Rachel, Karla, Sarah and me

This is where we went snorkeling. Its called Haunama Bay. It was so fun!

I was really hoping we'd see a sea turtle but no such luck.

Lots of cool fish though.

This is Sarah and I on the day we got there.

Our Hotel gave us this really yummy drink.

I think it had pineapple juice in it and you all know how I feel about that fruit!

So we had a fantastic time. I'm so greatful that I was able to go.

We are already planning our next adventure.

Ryan says I have to wait until the boys are fully potty trained.

He did NOT have a good expierence while I was gone.

Lets just say stomach bug and lots of time spent changing diapers and in the bathroom.

UPDATE!

This is by far L.O.N.G. overdue! So a update about things going on in my world!

A couple of months back I took Coleton in to get a speech evaluation done. The Speech Therapist asked if I had ever considered getting Gage tested. I hesitantly said no and he said he was going to refer me to a early child intervention program. So long story short I called Kids Who Count and they came to our house and started the process of evaluating Gage. Gage was admitted into their program and has started speech therapy. It isn't bad he has a terrible tongue thrust. So in the mean time Coleton has been doing the same process. Just today I found out about the class he will be starting on March 10 th. Gage has already had 2 speech sessions and will have been to 3 speech play groups. WHY does the school district take so long I wonder??
Hopefully they will get all their kinks worked out by the time they are in kindergarten.

Back in November when I was waiting in line to vote I saw a notice about preschool that was being taught at the high school. I wrote the number down and called later. I left a message and forgot all about it. Well Last week I got a call from the preschool teacher and asked me if I was still interested in preschool. Thinking it was for the fall because I had just registered Coleton for preschool I told her and she said that she had a opening for this semester. The high school students are the teachers and they are taking 4 year old only. So what the hay I said yes. So Coleton is starting preschool on Monday. Here is the kicker it is only costing me $10.00 for the rest of the school year (March-May)! Can you believe it?? Because the students are learning how to be preschool teachers the school and the district pay for the program and the $10.00 is just a donation to help cover the costs of a snack. Now I am wondering if I should just try to keep him in preschool and save me & my mom each $40.00 a month. Although this means I would lose my $40.00 non refundable deposit. I guess we'll try it out for a little bit and make a decision.

My Hawaii trip is almost here March 1st is the date of departure!!! I started packing and Ryan thought I was crazy. I'm trying to be prepared and not leave it until last minute! I also have a CRAZY day on Monday and I'm not sure I will have time to breathe let alone pack. All I have left to do is the everyday stuff that I use. I am so excited to go but a little nervous to leave ALL my boys at home. What is the worst that can happen? I don't even want to think about it. I do have to say that Ryan has had a better attitude about staying with them. Hes even talked about going to a gun museum in Layton. They may all have permanate emotional scars when I get back.

Remington has been playing basketball. He isn't too bad when he pays attention to the game. He has averaged one basket a game. I think the next sport is track again. He did pretty good with that last year.

Well there are a few things in a nutshell. I will try to be better about posting. Hope all is well in your neck of the woods!

A discovery

I have found that if I leave the TV off in the mornings

my boys get along better.

they pretend

they talk

they giggle

they laugh

they conspire

they play games

Yes it is true and it has taken me this long to figure out.

SAD I know.

But at least I now know!

Remington 9

Yes I have been slacking in the blogging world as of late. SORRY! I've been busy I guess. Just a quick little picture of my oldest on his birthday! Yes he is now 9 years old. Where has the time gone? He is such a sweet boy and so full of personality. He is a talker!! He is the only person I know that can take a breath in and talk at the same time. He will just talk for hours and asks all kinds of questions. His favorite questions are..

Has "this" ever happened to you? or Have you ever felt "this" way?

He is such a good older brother and LOVES to play with friends and the Wii. He is a caring boy and doesn't want others to be left out. He loves playing outside and is such a joy in our house. His younger brothers want to be just like him. He is growing to be a terrific young man.

Happy Birthday Remington!

T minus one week

alright friends go here!
or for more info check out this
tell me what you think.

The temple

I got to go tot the temple this morning with a couple of my friends. I haven't been in a while and I have missed it. I love sitting in the clean white rooms and feeling the peaceful spirit that surrounds me. I need to go more. I need to try and have that spirit in my home more! I am so grateful for the temple and the work that goes on there.

Happiness is..

~two little boys napping and a older boy still at school

aka a quiet house!

~taking time to read a book.

~finding the right material to finish Halloween costumes.

~not having to work again until Monday.

~a good report from a 3rd grade teacher.

~getting to spend a weekend with all my favorite girls.

{yay for the deer hunt}

~sore muscles from a really good work out!

~the scale that shows a smaller number almost everytime I step on it!

COLETON is 4!!!

4 years ago this child was born!

He came into this world on a Friday!

He is so sweet and so funny.

He keeps me laughing all day long.

He is strong willed and determined and has a mind of his own.

He loves to play with his brothers. Especially the older one!

He loves to be outside.

He loves to play the Wii.

He loves to read books.

He loves to play with his toys,

trucks, dinosaurs, ninjas!

Coleton wanted to go out for pizza for dinner so we took him to pizza factory! YUM!! Ryan told them it was Coleton's birthday and they made him his very own pizza in the shape of a 4. They also let him choose a dessert and he chose a sucker. Which is not surprising because this kid will pass up sweets. Crazy I know! I asked him what the best part of his day was and he said it was opening his presents. His favorite he says is his gun and his nano bug! We are having a extended family party for him on Saturday. He is excited for that too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLETON!!

Blog give away!

My friend Gillian is such a creative person! She is doing a give away on her blog and I entered to win and so can you! All you have to do is visit!
http://kevinandgillian.blogspot.com/2010/10/giveaway.html
Enjoy!

My name is just Steve

I love Coleton.
He cracks me up!
This morning we got in the car to run to the store and I commented on how our neighbor Brother Brandon had gotten some of his Halloween decorations out. Coleton asked me why baby Brandon decorated for Halloween (baby Brandon is a baby in our neighborhood). I then tried to explain to Coleton that it wasn't baby Brandon but that Brandon is his friend Carter's last name. Just like his last name is Rasmussen. He then tells me.
"my name is just Steve."
OK then. What a silly boy!

Weight loss update.

If you read my other blog this will be a repeat and I'm sorry!
Just a little shout out to me I have now lost 19.6 pounds!! I am feeling good but still have 40 more to go to where I want to be. So I'm still on a journey but excited that I made my initial goal. Now I should reward myself but I am not sure what. Any ideas??

I am in trouble when I have a house full of teenage boys!!

For breakfast this morning Gage, who is 2, ate 2 eggs and a about a cup of sliced strawberries. He also drank 2 cups of chocolate milk, which by the way is his most favorite thing in the world! What am I going to do when I have a house full of hungry teenage boys? They already eat like they are never going to eat again. I guess I will be working at Maceys forever to be able to afford a grocery bill!

Feeling Better

After my post yesterday about all the selfishness in this world {sorry about my rant} I am feeling a little bit better. Remington was running late for school {mostly my fault}. I told him I would drive him. As I was dropping him off there was a mom in the loading zone that was unloading some big boxes and carrying them in the school. I almost told Remington to go hold the door for her but he was out of the car so quick I didn't get a chance. The next thing I know he is running over and holding the door open for her. Maybe I have taught him consideration for other people!

Its all about ME right??

I seem to be surrounded by this attitude of ME ME ME!! Is selfishness a fine line? Am I being selfish because I hate this "me first I'm the most important attitude"?
I can see how there is so much road rage and anger and hate in the world because of this way of thinking. Every time I get in the car to drive anywhere there is always some one who has to be 1 more car ahead or run the red light because heaven forbid that you have to wait for a few minutes or drive just a little bit slower.
Perhaps if we all took into consideration other peoples feelings and didn't think about ME all the time things would be different.
Even in my own home there is a selfish attitude and it seems to be contagious.
Things like "I don't want to share" or "I am going to do what I want and it doesn't matter what you say" or "He got it so I need it"
How can I change this and get my own little family myself included to think of others and how they feel? I must say that sometimes it is easier to consider the feelings of strangers. Why is that?
Shouldn't we care more about those that we live.
Care more abouut how they feel and what they think?
Maybe I need to look closer at myself and the example that I am setting toward those that share a house with me.
My family needs a example of..
CONSIDERATION and CHRIST LIKE LOVE!!
Maybe I need to change myself before I can change others!
I need to be this example!!

my news!

Saturday I went and spent the day at my mom's house. I love going there and spending time with her and I don't get to do it enough!

I really do have the greatest mom in the world!

So what were we doing all day??
here is a hint...


What is this you wonder. We have been talking about taking a trip after Sarah gets home from her mission. About 4 years ago all us girls went to New York on a vacation and we wanted to go on a girls only trip every other year. Well we haven't been on one since.
Saturday my mom and I did some number crunching and we set a date, booked flight and hotels for our 2nd Girls trip! Although this time it isn't all girls because my brother Ammon is coming! Its good though because I don't get to see him enough! Where is it that you are going you ask??

HAWAII!!!

I'm very excited! We are going to Oahu in March after Sarah gets home from her mission. I'm very sad that my sister in law Laura won't be coming. It just won't be the same. Next time right Laura!!!
Remington has been begging me to go but I keep telling him NO! I would like to take him but its not in the any one's budget. Its going to be so fun to go again with my mom and sisters!! I LOVE THEM!!

The power of FOOD!!

I have been a mom long enough that I should know the signs of hungry little monsters when I see or hear them. Here is what to look for...

Crying for NO reason
Whining for EVERY reason
Fighting over ridiculous things
When asked any question the answer is NO!
Fit throwing

I should know these signs well an yet I either ignore the signs or lose it because of them.
It is amazing how once these little mouths get some food in their bellies they become, well pleasant. All the signs don't disappear but become significantly more easily managed. Thank you food for your miraculous miracle and calming of the fits!!

My other blog

If you haven't recently visited my other not so exciting blog you should go see my latest post! I want to shout my news from the roof tops!! Read and tell me what you think!
http://amysthinjourney.blogspot.com/

Hurry I'm waiting!

Rolls

IS YOUR MOUTH WATERING YET??

Oh how I LOVE rolls!

I could eat them all the time! Especially homemade rolls.

The smell in the house as they cook is divine!

Warm out of the oven smeared in melting butter.

Oh do I have your mouth watering yet?

Today is my father in law's birthday. We are having a BBQ for him this afternoon and I was asked to make rolls. My mom gave me this yummy recepie for oatmeal bread that you can either make bread or rolls. I made rolls this time and oh my goodness I am throwing my diet out the window today. They turned out awesome if I do say so myself!

Pre-school

Well Remington is back in school now and I have pre-school on the brain.
Pre-school with Remington was easy I just had him and for 2 years I did a neighbor hood preschool but I will be honest and say it is NOT for me. I dreaded it I don't know why. The other mom's were great and Remington loved it. The year before Remington started kindergarten I put him in a "real" pre-school. I will do that next year for Coleton and the year after for Gage. I figure one year of "real" pre-school is good and I have my sights set on a couple of different ones.
So this year I will do pre-school at home. Today I spent the afternoon getting my lessons together. Here is the fun thing about this that I am stoked about!!
The lessons I am using are the same lessons that my mom used when she taught me and my brother at home. The book is so old school!! Printed in 1980!! I can still remember doing pre-school at home with my brother. I remember my favorite stories and activities. See mom it wasn't a waist of your time and I am so glad you kept all this stuff!!
I hope my 2 youngest find joy in it like I did!
We are going to do it 2 days a week Tuesday and Thursday. Then have little field trips once a month. I am going to do the field trips on Wednesdays when Ryan is home and can go with us. I am a little excited for this "school year" wish me luck!