Angry Eyes

Random thought of the week...

Waxing my own eyebrows is not one of my many mad skills...especially with my small children in the room. I can wax other people's brows like a champ, but my own...that's a horse of a different color. One of several scenarios has occurred:

1. The children bump my leg as I smear the hot sticky wax on...now farther up into my brow than I intended.

2. My attention is divided between the task at hand and the fight taking place at my feet...again the result is the same.

3. Laughing so hard every time I say "ow" child falls off the salon chair and gets hurt...I have to tend to the ouchies with muslin stuck on my face...and it still pulls off the wrong amount of hair.


Do you see where this is going?

Angry Eyes...that's where! Thank heavens I have a sister who knows how to fix them and a pencil for those times that she can't!

I think it's time I add waxing to the list of some of the things in life that I shouldn't do myself...
The other items on this list include (but are not limited to):

Home liposuction, drilling my own cavities, our taxes, and now waxing my own eyebrows.

Each time I give myself crazy brows I vow that I won't do it again...and like clockwork about 5 weeks later I can't stand the fuzzy caterpillars perched on my forehead...enter angry eyes...

I'm going to be strong this time...maybe!

The Waiting Game

After Tuesday's 7.0 earthquake leveled Port-au-Prince, Haiti; Rob got a call from USAR asking if he had a passport. He doesn't. He didn't think he would need one for Search & Rescue since he isn't on one of the two International Teams. A foreign call out wasn't a possibility.

Then came the call saying that even without a passport they might get sent in. He was to gather his gear and be ready. In the mean time, he was to bring all the information needed for a passport so they could get started expediting one so he could get out of Haiti once his deployment was over.

There was a spark in his eye as he prepared to go. Rob is one of those men that is willing to run into a situation to help, when others are running away. I truly believe it takes a special kind of person to be willing to do what the task force members do. He is itching to get down there to try to help those poor Haitians. I could hear the disappointment in his voice when he told me that he got a "stand down" order. Although he said things are changing so quickly, there is still a possibility that he could deploy. The main hang up is getting these rescuers into the country. They can't land at the airport because of there are so many planes in the way that don't have any fuel to get back out. GRRRR!

He got word last night saying they might deploy next week for a shortened tour. So for now we play the waiting game, which for a woman of little patience-this is driving me crazy not knowing! The gear he keeps at home is currently just sitting on our bed ready for the word "go".

Mom thinks I am crazy anyway for being willing to let him go. In her mind the disease and danger seem like too big of a risk. But like I said before, Rob runs to the rescue when so many won't. I know the Lord will protect him if he goes. I really hope he gets to go, he would be able to do so much good.

I'm proud when he puts on his dark blue gear adorned with his badges & big clunky boots. The team has amazing people on it and I am glad Rob is a part of that! If he does deploy the real test will be if I can survive the children without him. He may return to find them duct taped to the wall!

Rachel the Super Trooper

I will give the forewarning that if you have a WEAK CONSTITUTION you may want to SKIP THIS ENTRY...you have been WARNED!

The ca-chunk and instantaneous screaming that comes from a sleeping child's room is NEVER a welcome sound. But the first night of 2010 that is just the sound that split the calm night and sent us spiraling into chaos.

We were on vacation (of course) in St. George when poor Rachel took that fateful header. Lauren & Ben were still awake reading when Rachel finally fell asleep. Rob & I were out chit-chatting with Judy (Grandma) when we heard that horrifying sound of head hitting wood. Rachel was on the floor screaming & thrashing & bloody. I scooped her up & assessed that since I could see her skull, we were heading to the emergency room. Luckily Frank (Grandpa) was willing to stay with the other kids. Rob, Judy & I piled into the Burb & off we went.

Rachel stopped crying when we passed McDonalds & I told her we could stop there after we were done at the hospital. She didn't start crying again until a nurse put numbing gel onto it. If I could have stopped that nurse from putting the tape holding the numbing gel through Rachel's hair we would have avoided the tears that came later with its removal.

I almost started crying when the lady from admit told me we win the prize for the HIGHEST emergency room co-pay that she has ever seen. I think it would have hurt less for her to put tape in MY hair...but whatever right?

Back to Rachel

She quietly wept and whimpered while the Dr. administered the shots to finishing deadening her gash. Then we geared up for the worst of it...I held her hands, Rob held her right leg, a life flight nurse held her left leg and a paramedic held her head. Then...

SHE
FELL
ASLEEP

I kid you not, she slept through the stitches entirely! The Dr, nurse & paramedic were impressed with how well Rachel did (honestly, so am I-if it had been Lauren we would have had to sedate her to even get her into the car)! Rachel was so sound asleep that we got her coat on and her seat belt on and she didn't stir. McDonald's was going to have to wait until morning, but let's face it, Rachel is such a Super Trooper about everything that it wouldn't matter!

As a side note: Grandpa did a fabulous job babysitting for us! When we got home around midnight Lauren & Ben were asleep on his bed & he was dozing watching football! Thanks Grandpa & Grandma!!!

Farewell to Christmas

I love my Christmas decorations and for how long it takes me to put all of it up I think I should get to enjoy it for about 3 months. But since that's not going to fly I am STILL staring at a pile of Christmas decor(and it isn't going to put itself away). Just about the time I think the stack is getting more manageable I come across a new treasure trove of Christmas paraphernalia. If I were a smart woman I would be working on transferring all of it to the basement while all my "helpers" are in bed, but instead here I sit blogging. It will still be there tomorrow (but hopefully not beyond).

Goodbye Christmas baubles...I will see you again in 11 months. You will be missed!

OCD-Obsessive Christmas Disorder

The Christmas tree has been standing NAKED in our family room since the day after Thanksgiving. I knew decorations were past due when family friend, JT commented about the sparseness of decor (BTW he is 8...yes I was chastised by an 8 year old)!

We remedied that last night. I was in charge of pulling the ornaments out of the tote and Rob wrangled the children off the step ladder. At one point I found myself telling Ben "you will not whine, you will enjoy this fun family tradition. AND you will remember it as being a magical and fun time when you grow up dang it!" (just so you know he wasn't convinced).

After that speech, I overheard Rob commiserating with Ben saying that he hated this part too (stemming from his childhood tree decorating memories). After that, Rob told the kids they could just put the ornaments anywhere, because as soon as "you go to bed, Mom will just rearrange them anyway". How rude! I am not that Obsessive Compulsive, am I?

*Sigh*

I hate when Rob is right about my flaws...no wait, my personality quirks. But he was...and I did. I rearranged a good amount of ornaments on the tree. I'm sorry, but it seem not only unsightly but also unsafe to have the majority of the ornaments on the bottom 1/3 of the tree. As one of the safety officers of my family, I feel it is my duty to protect others from the hazards that my haphazard ornament presentation presented.

I love Christmas, which is why I think I will consider my OCD to stand for Obsessive Christmas Disorder. Despite my crazy tendencies I hope my kids will look back at these times with fondness and love! Ben shouldn't grow up with as much animosity for decorating Christmas trees as Rob...I don't make him do the lights! (that was a VERY touchy subject for the first 10 years of our marriage. Even still I have to bat my eyelashes and pert-near beg to get Rob to put up the outdoor Christmas lights. But this is another whole blog in and of itself-I'm not the only neurotic one in the family)

By the time we finished with some indoor s'mores everyone was all smiles again. This might be a salvageable tradition yet!

Don't Worry Mom...

Ben seems like a good candidate to become a gentle giant, I mean if the kids stops growing at 6'5" it will be a miracle. I figured his size would be intimidating enough without having to use any violence to defend anyone smaller or in need. I always thought that I wanted my boys to stand up for others...Truth be told I still do.

BUT when Ben hops in the car after Kindergarten one day and announces that he got into a fight today it does make me start to panic. I have a feeling if we are already starting this in Kindergarten, it's going to be a long 13 years. I took inventory of his face and visible parts, no bruises or marks, always a plus. I downgraded my panic to level yellow and started to probe for more information.

Our conversation went down something like this...

Me: Is everyone ok?

Ben: Yep.

Me: Why were you in a fight?

Ben: These wicked (yes he said wicked) boys came up to my little friend Cooper and SHOVED him to the ground. I HAD to help him Mom. And so did Blake, but I got there first.

Me: So what happened?

Ben: Blake punched the naughty boy he was fighting, and I grabbed the other boys hands. He was a wiggly sucker, but I held on and kept grabbing his hands if he wiggled away. But don't worry about it Mom...we totally won!

Me(while rubbing my temples): Why didn't you just get the recess guard?

Ben: There wasn't time. They were gonna get poor Cooper and me & Blake weren't gonna let them. But it's all okay, cuz we beat them.

Me: Ben are you the biggest boy in Kindergarten?

Ben: Yep. I was bigger than these bad boys, but don't worry Mom, they aren't Kindergartners. I wouldn't beat on the little Kindergartners.

Me: How old are these boys?

Ben: They are first graders. But I really am bigger than they are. That one was really squirmy and strong but I knew he'd hit me if I let him go, so I just held on. Cuz I dunno know how to punch like Blake...he's a really good puncher.

Me(fighting a smile): You know you're not supposed to fight? And you will get kicked out of school if they catch you fighting?

Ben: But Mom what else could I do when they were all fighting Cooper? I can't let mean kids just beat up my friends.

Me(thinking he has a somewhat valid point): Well here's what my dad told me about fighting. "You NEVER start the fight, but if you have to be in one you make sure to FINISH the fight. If you are involved you're going to get kicked out of school anyway, so you may as well come out on top".

Ben: Okay...but Mom I don't know how to really fight with punches and all that.

Mom: You'll have to take that up with your dad.

Ben: OK Mom. Don't worry Mom, I won't get beat up.

And with a hug and kiss off he went.

I acknowledge this was probably not one of my better parenting moments, but he had some valid arguments. And since he wasn't throwing punches...what am I going to do?All in all, there are worse things in this world than having a boy who wants to defend those that are weak or picked on. I leave it in Rob's capable hands as to how to teach Ben to defend himself so I don't worry...as much.

Now the question remains, how many times will I get a call from the principal before High School Graduation? We shall see.

PS: After talking to his teacher, we figured out the boys they were fighting weren't first graders...they were third graders. Great...

Derailed, but still THANKFUL!!!

How the holiday's keep getting derailed by illness is beyond me, BUT hopefully since we've gone the rounds the last two we will be EXEMPT for Christmas. Despite the fact that we had to cancel our trip to St. George (the suitcases were in the car) due to vomiting, I still have much to be grateful for.

I am grateful for my washing machine, Lysol, Clorox wipes, waterproof mattress covers, a helpful husband, and that vomiting eventually does stop.

Truthfully, I am grateful for those things, but also so many more! I am thankful for Lauren, and how sweet, concerned and helpful she is. For Ben and his passion and exuberance for everything. I am grateful for Rachel's funny sense of humor and her spunky nature. Hayden is my snuggly boy, who always has a smile on his face and a mischievous twinkle in his eye. My children are wonderful!

I have a great deal of gratitude in my heart for Rob. He is the most AMAZING husband ever! He helps me clean up the kids puke, he spends time with our children (and actually enjoys it). He shaved off that infernal beard just because I hated it, he is kind, thoughtful, considerate, loving, pretty dang hot, funny and takes such good care of us (he's currently reading a Zombie Survival Guide, so he can keep us safe no matter what we may encounter)!

I am thankful for my Savior, Jesus Christ, and His willingness to sacrifice His life to provide a way for me to return to His presence. I am grateful for a loving and kind Heavenly Father. He knows who I am, loves me, and blesses me.

I am grateful for:
family (we have the best families & are fortunate to live near so many of them)
our home
freedoms & those who protect them
our country
food
clothing
friends (I wouldn't be nearly as sane as I am without you)
modern medicine/conveniences (Thank you for not making me a pioneer.I would've died on the trail)

I am blessed in so many ways and can't even begin to fully express all the thanks in my heart. I love my life!