My Busy Day

Today was a pretty busy day. It was a good day but it was a busy one. It was so cold this morning that it was hard to get started. By the time we did get going we were running late. Well, not really but it felt like it. We were off to the most fun place in the whole world. Walmart. I am continually surprised at how fast you can spend money at walmart. We did our errands and then we were home. I realized at this point that Morgan had a recital this afternoon I had forgotten to find someone to watch Emmy and Ian. The last time I took them they were so loud that when they announced that Kennedy would be playing they also said that Ian would be singing a solo. I guess that was their nice way of saying he was a little loud. Anyway, after about 5 phone calls I finally got my friend Brekke to take the little ones. Emmy was excited to play with Audrey, her daughter and Ian didn't have a clue. By the time I dropped them off and got to the school, I was running late. I had Morgan's change of clothes with me and was a little upset that I was late, meaning I wasn't 30 minutes early. She did a fantastic job. Then it was a mad dash to get the little ones. The had a blast. One the way home I asked Emmy if she had fun. She told me all about it. "They had a lot of books and Audrey's mom read them to us. She is a lot of nice. You are a lot of mean." And that was her evaluation. I laughed pretty hard. I figure that means that I am doing something right. Since when is a mom thought of a nice when you are 3.

The rest of the night was spent cooking dinner, practicing and chasing Ian out of my cupboards and pantry. It is a pretty full time job and I am a little tired.

Finding Joy in the Journey

I have the "joy" of being a teacher in Relief Society. It really isn't that bad so I can't really complain. I get to teach the Teachings for our Times lesson at the end of the month. Sometimes that can be a real challenge because it is from a conference talk and not the lesson manual. This week I got to teach the talk by Pres. Monson "Finding Joy in the Journey." To be honest, I didn't remember the talk from conference but it was a fabulous talk. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend looking it up and reading it. I never talk like this for those of you who don't know me so well. Being spiritual isn't exactly high on my list of characteristics that I would give myself. I think this one just hit at the right time. You know how it goes. Anyway, it spoke of how important it is to live for today instead of waiting for tomorrow. Now that doesn't mean you don't have to plan for the future or go blow you life savings today. Just enjoy the moment. It really made me think about how blessed I am in my life. It is really easy to look at all the things that aren't exactly right with my life and dwell on those but a little harder to look for the right things. I gave the challenge to the class to look for things to enjoy about life and be happy. I am going to try to do a little of the same thing.

I love watching Ian discover things. I could be really angry when he drops things down the stairs but I am trying to remember that he is just discovering gravity. He is learning. I love Emmy's sense of humor. I am the luckiest person in the world to get to ride in the car with her and play I Spy. She is so smart. I especially love it when she tells me that she sees weird things on top of buildings like snails and squirrels and a stunk (this is a skunk and not a typo. I think the name is really appropriate) I live watching Kennedy's eyes light up when she gets a particularly naughty idea in her head. I love her laugh. She has the greatest laugh and she really loves life. I love Morgan's kind heart. She has so much compassion. She is sensitive to the feelings of those around her and always willing to help. I love Scott's willingness to serve. He works so hard whether at work or at church. I know he would rather be home but he never complains.

I am going to try to look at the good things and live for today. I am going to try to improve my current situation instead of just waiting for it to change. I will focus more on the people in my live than the things. I guess this is going to be one of my new year resolutions. I will be happy, not when the kids get older or when Scott gets a new job or when the house stays clean or when the laundry is done. I will be happy now.

The Poor Family Dog

We have a dog, Ginger. I have to admit that she often gets a bad rap, not that it isn't deserved most of the time. As any of you know that also have a family dog, I have little time for her. I have a lot on my plate. I have 4 children and a husband and a house to try to keep sort of clean. I didn't really sign up for the dog thing as well. I just kind of got out numbered. I will admit that I didn't say no. How could I when the kids had been asking for a dog forever and Scott calls me on the phone and tells me to look at a picture of the dog on the Internet with the sound of longing in his voice. She really isn't a bad dog. She wasn't very hard to potty train at all. She is great with the kids. She is careful with the baby. She does chew things at times. We have lost a few pairs of shoes and some toys. I really can't complain when she chews up a Barbie that has been left on the living room floor as if it were placed on the sacrificial alter. The kids should pick up their toys and that is a great cause and effect lesson. Nevertheless, she is the first one to get blamed when something goes missing.

Last night was a prime example. Scott walked down the hall and found the insides of a diaper just sitting there in a pile. It wasn't a lot but enough to know what it was. My first response is, the dog did it. I honestly can't remember the last time that she chewed up a diaper, as disgusting as that is. So I made Kennedy and Morgan go looking for the rest of it. The shell had to be hidden somewhere. They looked and couldn't find it anywhere. Now when I say they looked, I wouldn't say that they really looked. So then I warn them that if I find it they are going to be in trouble. I'm sure I threatened them with some terrible punishment that I can't remember right now. They still couldn't find it. So I started looking. I looked everywhere. I looked under beds, in closets, behind couches and in the backyard. All the usual places that she likes to take her prizes. Nothing. I was sure she did it and I was going to find it in the middle of the night by stepping in it. Then we found some more diaper innards. It wasn't a lot. Just a few little piles leading down the hall. I couldn't figure it out. It wasn't there a minute ago. It took me about an hour for check the other diaper walking around the house. I found it. Ian had a blown out diaper, literally. It was loosing its stuffing by the second. I have to admit I felt a little sorry for Ginger. I had been giving her scary looks and asking where the diaper was and she just looked up at me with her big sad hound dog eyes as if to say, "I really didn't do it this time lady." I guess I just need to get it off my chest and say "Sorry Ginger."

Happy Birthday Ian

Happy Birthday Ian! My baby is now a year old and I can't believe it. I thought that I would write a little about what he can do and what he likes so I can remember. He is very independent. As soon as he learns to do something, he doesn't want any help anymore. He is walking like a champ but he hates to wear shoes. I finally broke down and bought some of those soft little leather slipper shoes so he had something on his feet other than socks. He is getting use to them. He loves his blanket and his bottle. I have never seen a child so in love with his bottle. It will be a sad day when he doesn't get it anymore. It will be soon, but not today. He loves balls and sticks. His face lights up when he finds one and he has to show it to me like he has just found the best prize in the whole world. He likes to tease and play tricks. He loves his sisters and the "goggy". He loves to play outside and eat dirt. He loves to eat dog food. I have tried to stop him but it is no use. I don't even try anymore. I figure there are a lot worse things that he could put in his mouth than dog food. He loves to eat pasta and macaroni and cheese. He loves to feed himself. As soon as he figured out how to put food in his mouth, I was no longer allowed to help. He hates to be told "no". He loves to climb, the stairs, especially. My favorite, by far, he loves to snuggle. He gives the best hugs around. He can clap and point. He got to ride in a big boy car seat for the first time today and thought that it was pretty great. He has 6 teeth and weighs 20 pounds. My favorite memory of his birth is right after he was born and the nurse had him on the warmer. Scott was right next to him and he said, "Hey, where have you been? We have been waiting for you." It still brings tears to my eyes. We sure are glad he finally made it.

Way to go!

Yesterday was report card day. It has never been a bad day here in the Hunter House. But I just have to write because yesterday was the best report card day we have ever had. Both Morgan and Kennedy came home with straight A's and straight E's. We could not be more proud of all their hard work. Way to go girls!

I'm back

If anyone has been wondering where I have been, I am back. The computer is back up and running after spending 1 1/2 weeks with the Geek Squad. It made me feel better that they thought that they had it fixed 4 different times and it still wasn't right. I hate spending money on something that is an easy fix. It wasn't. I had the geeks stumped. Anyway, I will update you all with pictures when I get a minute. I just wanted to say I am back and Happy New Year.