Seeing Green

Last Friday we tended neighbors Mya and Crew. They have a brand new baby sister at their house, and a tired Mom. We played in the pool and the dirt, had a picnic and T took everyone for rides around the house in her pink jeep.

I posted this photo for a bit of a brag session. Please indulge me. I am so proud of the green grass in my yard. Just for the record, I take care of the whole of it. Garden, flower beds, trees, grass, everything. (Thanks brother Jeffrey for helping me with the sprinklers!) DJ sometimes notices when he comes up the drive how nice it all looks.

So, can I just say, "Hooray for me!"? I manage to keep little girls, neighbors and the lawn alive.

Yum

This is where the girls decided to play Dads itouch while I cleaned up lunch. So as not to miss a moment of the action. Right between the stove and the island. Geesh. They were playing a cool Barbie fashion-ista game, it's just like dress up on their real Barbies, only Mom doesn't have to do all the changing. Pretty sweet. I am so amazed at how well the girls can navigate the itouch. Even more amazed when they don't fight over it.

Roo has had a spell of poor luck. I think she is growing faster than her coordination. She has been terribly clumsy on her feet. Falling multiple times a day. You should have seen her poor nose and forehead for our family pictures. I put makeup on her. Not much. She loved it!

See that hair getting lighter? It's so delicious. Speaking of delicious, my girls got devoured the other night playing at cousin Keagens' house. They put at least an hour in on the trampoline. Mosquitoes! YUCK. Roo and Tali had polka dots all over their prescious arms and faces. The Benadryl Anti -Itch cream has a spot next to the tissue box on the counter, it's a good friend. We have very few little biter-bugs here in Providence. Another good reason not to move.

See what my garden is making. Ha, Ha! I can hardly stand it. So gorgeous! We check on the "swa-berry" patch every day. Home grown strawberries are the most delicious when they are a bit warm from the sun. These ones were perfection!

Swimming in the big tub. The girls were both so cranky at bed time last night (another evening at the apartment) that I almost didn't worry about a bath. Then I got a good look at their feet. Grubby, grubby little piggies. Sunscreen in the hair. There's nothing in the world like a freshly bathed child, in one of Moms big t-shirts, ready for a tuck in and kiss. Oh! I could eat them up.

Swiftly June

Talia hefts my new $4.00 yard sale excersize ball. It gets lots of use. Mostly rolling down the slide. I get my workout while holding little torsos and bouncing little bottoms on top of it. 20 reps a child. 24, and 36 pounds respectively.

Can it really be the 23rd? June is passing mighty fast people. I can't seem to hang on to it.

My children were in the pool, and the nude, by 10:00 am. So dang cute! Tans were looking good today. I broke down and turned the AC on at nap time. I can't sleep in any sort of sweaty-ness. Roo can though, her hair was a curly fro when she woke up, about 5:00 pm. The peak of the heat. My little 'Bee' likes a 3 hour siesta.

We shopped for a white shirt for Daddy today, hope he likes it, cause that's what he's wearing. Thanks Kohls' for having the only white shirt in town. We lunched at Arby's. I always order a #20, French Dip and Swiss with home style fries. We get one big drink (today it had Root Beer in it) and two Junior Roast Beef sandwiches. One plastic knife to cut the junior into four neat triangles. About $8.25. The girls dip liberally into the 'brown juice', and the fry sauce. T and Roo turned down the option for more Twizl Berry tonight in favor of Arby's. That's how deep the love runs.

Ruby busted her upper lip wide open, AGAIN! What is this? That's about twice a month, for several months running. I don't think Talia spouted any blood until at least her third year. It kills me. I am so sad for her. She came to me all bloody and tear streaked this morning, begging for Pinkalicious and a sippy milk. (Her soothers.) I pray she doesn't get too many scars from this stage. Or break out a tooth! Oh, my sweet baby.

Finally got to talk to DJ just now. I am glad that I picked up when I saw the random number on my phone. He is surviving with good spirits. Even though his mattress deflates each night. Teasing the boys to no end. I hope they know that that is how Brother Grange says, "I like you. You are cool." By picking on you until you want to scream. It' how the Grange boys roll. Sounds like they survived a pretty wild hail storm during their hike this afternoon. Trees uprooted, blinding rain. Good testimony building stuff. DJ swears he was the only one not freaking out. I believe that.

Ruby does not even have to be prompted in her prayers to " please bless Daddy to be safe" anymore. She knows that line by heart. I once heard someone say that we only create 'vain repetitions' if the request is not sincere. Ours is ALWAYS heart felt, no matter how often the request is repeated.

I need to go break up a fight over a doll. Oh, tired children don't share well.

Happy Derby Day!

When I first married into the Grange family Dave would tell me this any chance he got.

"It's Derby Eve. Aren't you excited?" And then the following morning, "Happy Derby Day!"

I still hear these words often. I am just more used to the phrase and so it doesn't seem like an odd thing to say. And, yes. It is a happy day.

Here are some shots from last Saturdays' carnage in Preston ID. That's DJ in the blue and white, on the left. He kept on pounding these two until his buddy on top could get enough traction to drive off the poor kid underneath him. The gray car on top rolled some guy right on his lid after that. Looks like fun, don't it?

I'll be honest. By the end of the summer I am a bit tired of the derby scene. Smoke, greasy laundry, noise, bleachers, lots of dirt, and far less than the classiest group of citizens. But, car smashing sure gives my children and husband a thrill. And therefor, I am glad that Derby season is upon us. Next time I am bringing a chair, and a sandwich.

No, DJ hardly ever gets a scratch. Sometimes a sore neck. Mostly just filthy. In fact he gets banged up and burned more putting the car together than driving it headlong into others. Go figure.

The Bachelorettes

2 days down, 3 1/2 to go.

Daddy is out of cell phone range in Somerwheresville, Wy at Scout Camp.

We girls are holding down the fort. We are pros. I made a goal to keep the routine as normal as possible this week. Sit down dinners at the top of the priority list. We wrote a collection of our favorite things for dinner (that are easily made for 1 large and 2 frequently small appetites) and went grocery shopping on Monday. Thank you pay check! Then treated ourselves to Twirzl Berry frozen yogurt for family night. Red Box provided Gnomeo and Juliet for a dollar. Fine evening, really fine! 3 girls in my bed.

Oh, my word! Correction, there was 4!

It's a girl!

We had a wonderful time at the ultrasound appointment on Friday. Everyone piled into the little room and eagerly watched the screen for recognisable body parts. We came home with the most adorable black and white images of feet and hands, a profile, and the most perfect little female bottom. Oh, JOY! 3 girls. My cup runneth over.

The sun is out to play this week. We filled the little pool (after a good scrubbing) with warm water from the garage, it's still only about mid 70's, and have been making quite the racket on the back patio. Jeffrey came and turned on my sprinklers this afternoon. Dare I say the words? Summer is finally here!

Speaking of water. . . I baptized my phone last Thursday. In the toilette! Geesh. Fell right out of my pocket. I hesitated a moment to long in retrieving it. Bluh! Dead. I dried all the parts out good and did manage revive it for a few hours. Enough to retrieve some numbers and call a few clients. I got a new one today. I am back on the grid. The worst thing about it is that I came to full awareness of how much I depend on that darn thing. I only have about 3 phone numbers memorized. I had 12 voice mails.

I took the girls to T.J. Maxx this afternoon, desperate to find an outfit that flatters my bod. Grange family photos on Saturday. White shirts. I think it's about time I posted a shot of the bump! It's finally looking like a baby bump and not just too many Snickers.

We cruised the bedding isle and looked for pieces that will work in T and Roo's new big girls room. I have such a fabulous scheme in mind! I got 3 pieces of art while yard sale hopping with Kaylie last Saturday morning that have inspired me. FUN. I don't plan on actually assembling their room until September sometime, but if I am going to pull off a great designer look with just about zero dollars then I need to start collecting bargains now. Know anyone who wants to retire some bunk beds? I am haunting KSL for a decent pair, but every time I find one for a reasonable price they get snatched up within hours.

Baby girl #3 gets a new look too. Still working on that one. The only thing that really gets a decent allowance in her room is a new rocking chair. My sweet wooden one, while charming, is really no place for nursing at 2:00 am. We need softness.

All of our many prayers for safety have been answered. Healthy little baby inside. Dad's ankle is totally better. Ruby fell flat on her back from the top of the ladder to the play house tonight. Made an indentation in the dirt! My heart stopped. She's fine, has a tender head though. The Lifeflight helicopter flew directly over our heads while I was calming Roo and holding her tight. We must live right below it's path to Logan Regional because I see it all the time. A good reminder that my life is pretty swell.

P.S.S.

Just so you know, child #3, your Momma did 350 squats (booty touching a 14" box every time) to earn that little dog tag around her neck. You are inside that red shirt, about 18 weeks old. It took her 22 minutes. She didn't stop even once. And yea, I was in a good mood for this photo.

For the duration of your time in the womb Mommy is going to walk, swim and maybe bike for exercise. Boot Camp is over. No more squats!

The colors of Grandma Granges' garden. Wow. My children can't part with their grandmother unless they have a hand full of her flowers.

Sweet is the Work

Do you ever feel terribly overwhelmed? Like really. Done with it all.

I feel like I have had a weight strapped to my back for weeks. Insurance woe's, and paying for 3 little ones and a husband who is about to enter a new age bracket make up a bulk of the weight. There also is my role as single mother for the summer. (So glad this is only a part time role.) Weeds everywhere. Filthy floors. Sciatic pain. Laundry piled high. Nothing for dinner. Dirty car, sticky children, 18 grimy windows, dust, dust, dust. Bills, bills, bills.

This post was going to be about how there are times I feel like collapsing under the bulk of it all.

But seriously. Who has time for that?

I don't.

You know what makes me feel better? Work. Work. Work. My problems won't scrub away and there is still no more money in the bank. We don't get younger. 'Godzilla Insurance' still rules the world. There will always be something to clean. But, I realized something while at my work this week. It was like a revelation.

This is work I WANT to do. I WANT to be a mother. I WANT to be a wife. I WANT to carry this new child. (I don't really want to be a housekeeper, but thank the good Lord daily that I have a beautiful house to keep.) I ENJOY MY LIFE! Even when it's hard. I CAN carry the load.

This seems like something that I have to relearn every few months. Am I the only one? You would think I might get it through my head soon. I am sure I'll have to learn it again and again. You'll probably get another post on the subject, sooner than you'd like.

Amongst all the work, a life is really made in the small, sweet moments. Monday was full of them. So have all my days been, if I take the time to look.

One on one time with T. Coloring pictures of Minnie Mouse and practicing twists and braids in her hair. Nap time, just me and my precious little Roo, snuggled safely in my bed. Kisses each time I fill her 'sippy milk.' Painting little fingers and toes. Quesladilla picnics on the patio. Talks late at night with DJ. Baby wiggles in my belly. Visiting BATC to absorb some good design. Pulling weeds with my neighbor. (Thanks Stephanie!)

We scrub, we sweep, we tuck-in, we feed. We love, we savour, we feel. We weep. We work.

We live.

REPEAT.

P.S. My key board is all sticky, the desk too. The girls watched Blues' Clues while I cleaned the kitchen this afternoon. They had a big bowl of watermelon chunks to share. I didn't think watermelon was sticky. Silly me. DJ is home icing his ankle. He twisted it at the Scrap Yard today, racing for water to put out a derby car fire, (what else would it be?) and had to have Deven help him home. My superman can't even stand. Oh boy, I feel a bit more work coming on!

What a Good Day Looks Like

A good day went like this.

We wake to sunshine, eat Fruit Loops and toast.

We dress for the day and make the beds even. Meet the painter man at Apt #2 and, Ohhh, finally get the last act rolling. Black lacqure for the cabinets will cost $80.00 a gallon! Worth it.

Sweep the basement steps. Leaves have been there for 6 months. Sweep the basement too. Leaves have been blowing in there every time the door opens, for six months. Fill the garbage cans to the top with leftover project bits.

Lunch is Hot Dog sandwiches with sliced strawberries. (Not in the same bite.) GLAMOROUS.

Read stories in Moms' bed. It's raining now.

Nap.

Sun is shinning, sky is blue. Corn is up! Watermelons up! Pull weeds. Pull lots of weeds.

It gets really dark. Wind. Thunder and lightning. Girls run around shrieking and squealing, insist on getting into their jammies and playing 'spooky camp out' with neighbor Branton. (age 4)

Daddy is home before bed time? You better believe it!

Dinner at the dinning table. Set even. Sweet and spicy chicken with scalloped potatoes and green beans. Ice water. Food is consumed by children with minimal whining. Bribed with cookies.

Sun is back. Warm and beautiful. Girls play outside in their jammies while I whip up the promised chocolate chip cookies. (Actually promised to Daddy because he had a rough day, when asked if this would help he says, "YEP!")

Family night. Warm cookies with whole milk. (Oh yes. I did!)

Sunset.

Bedtime.

Recap

Last Saturday (June 4th) me, T and Roo, G-ma Norr and Great Grandpa Rhodes piled into the Acura and went North to Idaho Falls to celebrate with the Lee Family. My cousin Quincey is 8! The big 8.

I am so glad that the girls got to see Quincey be dunked. Me too! I am grateful to have had time to ponder on how important that first of all covenants is, and how lucky we are to have the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not just to occasionally drop by for a visit, but to abide with us. Heaven knows I need the abiding.

The Lee's really know how to put on a party. I consumed enough calories to carry me through to Monday! I really love to be with 'my people.' (That is what my Mom and Aunts call it when they are with their side of the family.)

Lots of Love with the Loveless'

This week we escaped the rain for a little 3 day trip to Price to hang with the Loveless family. There was fun at the pool, bike riding, big sticks, and lots of running about. My girls love to play with 'the boys'.
I like my chats with Marcy. Thanks for a great little vacation! We needed it. Keeping our new tans will be rough in Cache Valley.

We awoke this morning to thunder and driving rain. Welcome back! The sun is shining now and I am hoping that the earth will dry out enough that I can get into the garden. You wouldn't believe how many weeds came up in the flowers beds while we were away. Holy Moly.

We are tired of missing Daddy. There were dinners to share and kisses before bed down in Price. Next week he will be in Elko. Most likely all week. The next week at Scout camp. All week. Then Saint George. Definitely all week.