Library Insanity

It's amazing how one little person can bring me to my knees in a split second. Oh, the power he holds! Yes, I speak of James...

I thought it would be a fun outing to take the kids to the library last week--just for a change of pace. All was going well for the first 10 minutes. Josh was easily choosing books and really enjoying himself (he loves the library), Savannah was enjoying looking through picture books and I was helping Ally choose some chapter books she could read. James was sort of be-bopping back and forth, having a good time. Then he starts pulling armfuls of chapter books off of the shelves and bringing them to me. Not just two or three--like ten at a time.

I tried to redirect him to the picture books by showing him where they were and talking about how much fun it will be to choose some new ones to read at bedtime. Apparently that was the wrong thing to say because he went completely beserk at that moment. (Enter humiliation). The more I tried to talk to him to get him to calm down, the louder he'd scream. In. The. Library. I tried to put him in a corner for a time-out, but that made matters even worse. Not only did he continue to wail, but he also starts screaming "I'm PEEING!!!" Sure enough, he was. And not just a drizzle--the stuff was running full-force down his legs, past his shoes, and onto the library floor. (Thankfully it was carpeted and he was in a corner--and no, I didn't clean it up--normally I absolutely would have but I had to get my screaming child out of the library).

I scooped him up and tossed my library card to Josh and told him to check their stuff out and meet me at the car. I then carried my thrashing, urine-soaked, wailing three year old out of the library. That was possibly one of the longest walks of my life. But, we made it out of there and he continued to cry all the way home. Good times.

Whoever said that the two's were terrible obviously didn't have a three year old.

Summer Boredom...

...easily can be remedied by handing kids a camera. I let the girls take pictures today with my camera and these are some of the nearly 100 shots they took. It's fun to see the world from their perspective!

Meet Tori

The newest addition to our household is here: Tori the Hamster joined our family last night. The girls have been working around the house to earn money for a hamster. They busted their little behinds doing all sorts of jobs (dusting the blinds, shredding paper, scrubbing toys), so I had to live up to my side of the deal, too. We walked into Petco last night "just to look" (mmm hmmm) and left with this little creature and all her accessories:

On the way home the girls talked about what to name her. The first name they came up with was Vanessa (LOL!) Joel and I tried to steer them toward a more cutesy animal-like name like Daisy or Sunny, but I guess they are taking this hamster more seriously than that and thought she needed a "real" name. Tori it is.

I do have to admit that she is pretty darn adorable!

While we were at Petco, Josh was fascinated by the ferrets. Guess what he is saving money for now?

Sister Suess

I received this poem in an email from my sister-in-law today. I think it is the most clever poem ever written! I love it!

Vickie Gunther, of Redlands, California, wrote a hilarious poem, Dr. Seuss style, about how much LDS women try to take on. David B. Marsh used it at Women's Conference.

The Girl in a Whirl
by 'Dr. Sue' (a.k.a. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do
If you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake,
I upholster,
I scrub,
and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms!
I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice!
I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano!
I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle!
My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all!
Oh, no. That is not all
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed!
My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children!
I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each 'lost lamb' on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all!
Oh, no. That is not all
I write in my journal!
I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write 'thank you's' to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's!
And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires!
I fix the sink's leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard;
It's good if you do them;
You can if you try!
Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
It's easy!' she said
and then she dropped dead.

Weed Bouquet

A rose can say I love you

An orchid can enthrall

But a weed bouquet in a chubby fist,

That is best of all