Monday, June 25, 2007

Top Ten Things You Might Overhear at STM's House

10. Do you want jam or honey on your peanut butter?

9. Not right now, the baby is crying!

8. How 'bout "I've Been Working On Railroad" one more time?

7. Do you guys want another movie?

6. Pizza or chicken nuggets for dinner?

5. "We're not in right now, please leave a message at the beep."

4. But Mommy, it is too hot to sleep!

3. Don't touch my pee pee. (This is the Poopy Pirate's favorite line during diaper changes.)

2. Don't hurt your brother!

1. Is it bedtime yet?

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Day 3 of Who Knows How Many

I have been home from our Oregon house hunting trip for a few days. It is safe to say that I haven't posted sooner because the results of the trip are not what I expected.


We are in the process of closing on a house, an adorable little house in a great neighborhood. So why not more enthusiasm? Having last bought a house in Texas six years ago, I think it will take me some time to recover from the sticker shock. And the word "adorable" is totally appropriate when we are talking just UNDER 1100 square feet. I've never seen such an efficient floor plan. I think we could have some long, rainy winter days cozied up in our little house.


Now, many of you know, Plantboy stayed in Oregon to begin his new job. He has already been given overtime work for this weekend, been offered a trip to the coast by our realtor, found some members to bunk with instead of living in an extended stay hotel for the next month and been invited for a very nice dinner two doors up from where our new house we'll be. The weather is topping out at a lovely 80 degrees in Eugene this week.


My own journey has not been quite as smooth . . .


Here are just a few of today's highlights.


1. Mancub (Remember, he is nearly six) pooped his pants outside this morning and was told he had to stay inside for the day. It was like 9 am. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out who really got punished for this today.


2. Poopy Pirate has decided to be TWO with a vengeance this week. He can't seem to ask for anything without having a complete come apart. His pale face turns scarlet in about 3.2 seconds during these outbursts and HE DOESN'T LIKE HAVING THE FAN ON. At least the fever he was running Monday (102 degrees) is gone. No apparent reason for that.


3. Two words: cracked nipple.


4. It was 95 degrees today. Our apartment has no A/C. Al Gore would be very proud of our tiny carbon footprint, but on a day like today, I say "To $#%%^^* with global warming."


5. Nine diapers. (Over and above supervising Mancub cleaning out his underwear. And then scrubbing poop off the counter and the floor.)


6. A whole cup of milk spilled at least gave me an excuse to mop the kitchen.


7. I discovered the perfect method for putting my baby to sleep. Put him on his tummy. I know that I will hear all kinds of flack for this one. I have to admit, however, that my other two were right around a month when I discovered this wonderful trick. I think I should do an entire blog about all the lies I've told my pediatrician.


8. Mancub promised to get the Poopy Pirate a snack if he woke up from his nap while mum nursed BabyPete. No sooner had Baby Pete latched his voracious little gums to his mother when Mancub woke up Poopy Pirate and then refused to help him get some Graham crackers and milk though he'd asked nicely and then began sobbing uncontrollably. Mancub likes power.


9. This one is a REAL highlight. My mother came up for about an hour and a half today to watch the kids (who were wonderful for her, of course) while I went to get groceries. They were doing so well I even stopped at Down East Home to buy a couple of WonderTees (can you have too many of these?) and covet some damaged furniture. On the way home I went to Arby's for a roast beef sandwich as big as my head and devoured it as quickly as any good carnivore would.


We are closing on the house on Friday the 13th. Any superstitious feeling about this? Anyway, here are a few pics. I remember the whole house being darker--wall paint, furniture, etc. It does have two fabulous skylights and stainless appliances and nice lighting fixtures. It also has two lime green walls in the second and third bedrooms. Nice. Just because paint CAN be mixed any color, doesn't mean it should be.










Wednesday, June 06, 2007

And Pictures!


For details, read the previous post.




I had a cool experience the other day. I was walking around the temple with my family when I saw somebody that looked familiar. Unsure if it was him, I haven't seen this person in seven years, I called his name from a distance and sure enough he turned around. It was one of my students from my first year of teaching! He had been a senior in high school then and I hadn't seen him since he went on his mission; about the time Plantboy and I moved to Texas. Anyway, he was there with his wife and two kids. He was doing great and is looking to apply to PhD programs in environmental science--the same subject I taught him in! Granted he had very high interest before I ever met him; I don't think I influenced him one way or the other, but it was really rewarding to see how successful he is and that he has followed his heart. His wife was absolutely lovely and his kids were really cute.
It is exciting to get a tiny taste of the fruits of some of our labors. Mancub told his Sunday School Teacher the other day that the picture she was holding up was the Liahona and that is worked by faith and obedience. The Poopy Pirate sang all of the words to "I Am a Child of God" in nursery the other day. Don't give up moms! These little ones have such hope and promise. We must all hold out for those occasional glimpses we get into their potential.