Apples

My kids love apples.

They love the red ones, and the green ones, and the multi colored ones.

They just love them.

They sneak them too.

I will find apple cores under beds, in drawers, on shelves, behind books, in cabinets, under pillows.  EVERY WHERE!!!  

I guess I am ok with the fact that they are sneaking a healthy snack.  AND I have convinced them that all they need to do is ask, and generally they can have one- IF and only if they throw their core away.

It's also a good thing I have a good apple corer on hand!  

Definitely A Christmas to Remember....

This Christmas started out like any other.

The church Christmas dinner with all of us having the sniffles.

That is where things just kind of went awry.  First, Hubster and I just started to feel run-down, but nothing major.  Chunk and Z had to be taken to the Dr. with a double ear infection (Z) and 'just the flu' (Chunk).  So we started drugging the poor babies and they perked up nicely.

Well, we were doing a live nativity for the Primary at church.  Joseph was playing Joseph and I was playing Mary.  I had a solo.  One of my greatest fears in life is singing solo in public, but it was a short little song, and I am determined to break this fear of mine so I (grudgingly) agreed to sing.  As 'Joseph' was standing next to 'Mary' who was actually not doing so bad, he knelt down mid song- where it was actually talking about "Joseph watching thru the night.." type thing.  Everyone thought it was a great dramatic effect.  And it was!  Well, as 'Mary' finished singing and the Wise Men started to make their way over to 'Mary and Joseph'.  'Joseph' leans into 'Mary' and says,

 "I think I might pass out.  Either that or throw up"

"WHAT?!?!"

(now keep in mind this is all being whispered out the sides of our mouths so not to interrupt the reading and the Wise Men)

"Oh gosh I think I might be sick!"

"NO!!  Not here!!  If you have to leave, LEAVE!"

And that is when 'Joseph' left 'Mary' at the manger.

Good news was that he did neither pass out or barf.  Bad news is he was visibly not well.  So his mommy took him home while I finished with the kids at church.

When I got home, I fed the kids, and got them down for naps and such and checked on him, and he was warm.  Super super warm.  So he was then given drugs, and some chicken noodle soup and made to sleep.

Now when all the Mabey family gets together, we have decided one family gets a meal a day while we are all together, it's awesome to get to try everybody's styles and such.  Well, Sunday night was our night, so after church I finished getting dinner ready for 18 people.  It was nice dinner and it was nice to be able to spend time with everyone- but poor Hubby was stuck in bed still sick.

Monday was an EXTREMELY busy day.  We had a great lunch of fried turkey at Mimi's house where Hubby thought he was well enough to go and hang out, (for the record I didn't think he should) and he shot some paintballs with the guys and stuff.  He was promptly wiped out and put back into bed shortly. It was then Christmas Eve.  I still had not wrapped one single gift.  Lets think about that fact for a minute.  Christmas presents for a family of 6 plus the extended family.

Not. one. single. thing. wrapped.

We had a good time though, we had the Mabey Cookie Family making with cousins!.

Monkey

Jacob

Chunk

Claire

(This Mr. Manly's that I made for him)

JellyBean

Z

And Me

Dinner was again over at my house because with the kids and stuff it's nice to send them upstairs and then be able to hang out with the grown-ups.

It was shortly discovered that under my sink was leaking.  A lot.  And remember my plumber is sick in bed, still running high temps, and slightly pathetic and understandably sad to be missing everything.  So I then had to empty out, and clean out under my sink.  Not. cool. on Christmas Eve.

After everyone left, and we did our Christmas Story reading sans Daddy, and everyone went to bed, I still had to clean everything.  That took about an hour and a half.  It is now about 10 pm and I can now start to wrap.

So I wrapped,

and wrapped,

and wrapped some more.

Poor Hubs was feeling awful about not being able to help.

I was up until about 2.

Soooooooo awesome.

At like 5 I had an excited little boy come down to see if we could open presents.

Since we didn't want to spread germs, and such I promptly took him upstairs and snuggled and 'slept' until about 6:30 where as then I had 3 VERY excited little boys up.  So downstairs we go to JellyBean's room to make them wait until I can get ready.

Poor Hub snuggled on the couch feeling absolutely awful (we figured it was a flu but everywhere was closed seeing as it was Christmas), and watched us all open the gifts.  It was a fun morning.  After seeing what Santa brought us, we had a great breakfast and then the fun began!

I love how Santa takes a bite out of everyone and leaves a note.  The kids love that too.  They always guess where he will bite them!

It was after all the hoopla I noticed I felt like poo.  And understandable so, but what did I expect not having gone to bed until 2am!  Right?!

After a bit we all headed over to Mimi and Paca Clint's house.  The kids had so much fun playing with their cousins and Paca Clint.

It was shortly after that we noticed it was snowing really REALLY hard and fast and boy howdy was Chunk excited (see THIS POST)  it was so great.

After getting everyone in bed, I crashed.  Hub was feeling a bit better but not 100%.  It was a 'nice flu'  High temps and sore eyes.  But there was no.... 'exploding' from either end (that was a different bug going around) and you still had your appetite!  So it wasn't totally horrible, but still miserable.

The next morning, he was feeling significantly better, but still was not totally well, so we decided to check the Dr. offices.  Well, at about 8:15 after I just got off the phone with them, (they were going to squeeze us in) the power goes out.  That is when we look outside and see 6 inches of heavy white stuff everywhere!!!  So we pile in my car that was not easy to scrape (at this point I am feeling worse) and we head back to Mimi and Paca Clints to find out that the Little House where Rachel (older sister) and her family (Clinton, Jacob, Claire, and Issac) doesn't have power either.  So they had 18 people in that house ages 12 to baby.  It was crazy.  I promptly took him to the Dr. (we tagged me onto the appointment- I figured he'd tell I had a cold and not to stay up till 2 am again).  We get there to find that Hubby is getting OVER the flu, and I am just starting it.  I also have Laryngitis.  Yuck.  We both get shots, and I get an RX for Tamiflu, and we head on our way.  It really hits me then.  I get light headed and weird.  We have to stop at the hardware store to get a gas heater, we can't fit all night at Laura's house.  When we get home- I bundle up on the couch while he installs the gas heater, and I stay toasty warm with my temp and all the layers.  Super Husband (who still should probably be in bed, but can't since I am loopy and heavily drugged and getting sicker) goes to help the other grown-ups with OUR kids that they've had ALL day.  (oops)

It then hits me that his other sister (Kelsey) and husband (Brandon) and 2 kids (Ethan and Jay) are coming in tonight- and their room isn't clean, at all, and my house looks HORRIBLE.  So another sister (Jessica) and Laura come to clean my house.  HOW GREAT IS THAT!!!!  I felt horrible!  Both physically and because of the fact I couldn't even take care of my sicky husband and my 4 darlings. It was rough.  Well, the power shortly came back on, and I was herded to bed when they got back.  I then had to stay there during all the festivities.  It was sad!

4 days later, everyone was gone, and I was better.  What a harsh week!

Afterwards, I was able to look back and see all those that helped and all those that served us in so many ways.  Between child care (lots of that) and meals (lots of those too) and helping with leaky sinks, and the cleaning, and the nice texts ("get well soon!  sorry you're sick stay away from me I don't want your germs!  lol  <3 a="" blame="" but="" don="" either.="" ep="" i="" nbsp="" p="" real="" t="" text="" that="" them="" was="" you="">

All in all it was a harsh but good Christmas if you ignore all sickness!

Here is to next year!  It can only get better!

The Enjoyment of Surviving Summer

So you know how summer begins and everything is 

WONDERFUL,

All that happens (besides the occasional chore list) is

playing,

running around,

laughing,

games,

experiments,

play dough, 

water hoses,

lakes,

pools,

EDIBLE play dough,

more games,

more  laughing,

more playing....

well you get the picture.  All this bliss is what summers are made for.  Then reality sets in.

One must do their chores everyday.

The toys are still the same as yesterday.

Siblings don't want to play the same game.

It then hits them,

They are bored.
There is nothing to do.
He is touching her,
he has 'my migueen',
he won't give her pony back.
Then summer isn't super cool anymore.
That makes me sad.
Sigh.

Then at the store and you see all the back to school stuff.
Part relief,
part sadness.
But the excitement of summer is re-kindled.
The lake splashes better,
the running is a bit faster,
the hose has new attachments and excitement,
the play dough is squishier,
the edible play dough tastes a bit sweeter,
the laughing is more often and deeper,
the experiments have a bit more depth and meaning,
the camera is pulled out a bit more often,
the moments a savored and relished more fervently.
Because it is realized 'life' has to start again.
Life will rush on again.
All the sweet moments will be put on hold while everyone
grows up just a bit.
But those quiet moments when the rush seems to pause
the glimmer of whats to come is
all it takes to make until next summer.

Summer 2011

So this was a crazy summer.  Crazy in the sense that we had one of the longest and hottest summers on record.  We are talking around 100 days of temperatures over 100- generally in the 110's.  It was difficult to say the least.

We all went a little stir crazy.  But we did find ways to entertain ourselves.

Monkey cheezin' it!

One thing that we really did lots of was to take pictures of ourselves, each other, and toys.  One day I will do a post of the kids toys photo shoots.  They were awesome.  =)

This little boy grew up so fast.  He is such a curious little guy.  He had a lot of fun tagging along trying to play with the big kids.  Good thing he was easily distracted with different cars and balls!

He has brought me the camera many times for pictures together.  I love them all.  I truly cherish the opportunity to be their mom and stay home and take care of them and teach them.  I know how important it is  for them, and for me.

One day while I was making bread during nap time, the 'big kids' came in and asked if they could play with some dough.  I have so many wonderful memories of 'making bread' with Mother, daddy's mom.  I think it was all those times that gave me a strong desire to make bread for my family.  Not only the bonding it can provide, but the nutrition of it, and I have really come to like it!  =)

It was such serious business!  I hadn't given them much, but oh the fun they had with it!

This only cabinet was bought when Joseph and I lived in Wyview in BYU housing about 8 years ago.  We needed something to put our microwave on since the counter space was minimal in the apartments.  It them moved with us, always finding a purpose.  We definitely  got our $40 worth! Well, now it doesn't do much but house a playing child.  Z especially LOVES to play in it!  He will take a blanket, book, animal, train, and another toy.  Or just something he really wants to investigate.  Super cute.

 

One day JellyBean decided for quiet time she wanted to spend it outside 'like she was at the beach'.  So she laid out her blanket, got her sunglasses, a hat, a pillow, books, and a water bottle and she was set!  It was super cute to watch her out there.  Luckily it wasn't too hot out there that day!!

One of  her favorite things to do is draw or color.  She could do that all day.  She also isn't too bad!  All her teachers have commented on how well she does, and how she is better then many of those in her class.  This is definitely a talent she comes by through blood and is one we really encourage.

He loves to be outside.  It was really sad for him when he learned he was allergic to grass.  He now tends to be a bit more leery about being out there on the grass.  But he has no trouble playing on the porch.  Makes me very VERY grateful for our wrap around porch!

This little guy has gone from a baby to a little person.  It is such a wonderful blessing to watch them learn and grow.  I hate how it all seems to happen over night.  He is such a great little guy with such a fun personality.  He really has his own agenda, and his own way of doing things.  But he is such a happy pleasant guy!

While Chunk was spending so much time feeling like poo- they got many afternoons and mornings watching a movie in our bed.  I absolutely love how they all like to watch together and with each other.  It really does a mommy's heart good when she see her babies love each other and care for each other.  

So when I said that Z had his own agenda- here is one example.

Do you see the rope from the table disappearing under the chair.  We had to tie the chair to the table.  Yes, you read that right.  Tie the chair to the table.  He does this bounce thing where he would almost knock his chair over, he has made his chair do a 180, and move it all over the kitchen.  Every meal I would age a few years because of the bounce.  It has been a great solution!!

We LOVE the Harry Potter glasses.  How can you not love that face!?  lol

Here is another one of a few of us killing time.

JellyBean did decide that she wanted to spend more time with Monkey.  She came up with some great activities to do together, and was really patient and sweet with him.

They are such great friends now.  Again- a happy mommy heart.

All in all it was a great low key HOT summer!  We were able to spend some great time together and really build some greater relationships.

We played.

We swam.

We baked.

We played.

We posed.

And we loved each other.

WE LOVE SUMMER!!!

reality check

we've been sick here. so it has left me plenty of time to think.  and evaluate.  dispare.  wallow.  and decide.

i took the opportunity to look back and to realize that i am lazy.  i am a slacker.  and i am excuse maker.  sometimes they are all warranted and deserved.  but mostly- its not.  there is so much more i should be doing, and i am not.  and the people i care about most are the ones that are suffering.
now i am not a totally sad excuse for a parent/ care taker/ house wife.  dinner is usually made, and its generally healthy.  the laundry is done, and the clothes are put away, the house gets a semi-regular vacuum/sweeping.  the kids are dressed with their hair done.  all the basics and some extras are thrown in there.  but i am not present or delighted that i can do these things for the people that i love.  i flippantly respond to the 'beautiful rock/pebble'  that jellybean brings me.  in fact- i sometimes cringe at the thought of another one!  how harsh is that?!?!  she thought of me while playing with her friends, and i cringe at her sentiment.  shame on me.  i hope she hasn't noticed.
anyway- as these things were going through my head there was part of me that said NO!!!  i am great and i make them feel special.  i always ask specifics about their day, and i listen and look at them when they tell me.  i have our special good nights that we say.  we have special songs....... i do do things so they know.  but i have decided that it's not enough.  the need more.  they deserve more.  so i will give more.
i have struggled to come up with new years resolutions.  yes i know its February and i am just now talking about this, but its because i wasn't 'feelin it' ya know?  so i have read a few places about word of the month type thing.  something to focus on for that month.  to incorporate that word it into every aspect of life.  spiritually, physically, mentally- every way.  and i am so excited about this idea.  so we'll see how it goes.  right now this feels right.  do-able.  so we will do.
the word that i have decided on is delight.  i want to delight in the fact that i can serve my babies in the most basics of ways.  i want to delight in the fact that i have a beautiful house that i can clean.  i want to delight in the fact that, because i am playing cars or trains or even snuggling and watching mickey mouse, my breakfast dishes aren't done.  i want to delight in the fact that i have 8 girls at church that rely on me on Wednesdays to give them their mid week pick me up. i want to delight in the fact that i have a living Prophets counsel that i can study and apply to my life.  i want to delight in my scripture study.  i want to delight in my nerdy husbands delights.  i want to be delighted with the life i have chosen to live and have been blessed with the ability to live.
not only because they deserve it, and not only because i deserve it and not only because its true.  but because i can.
does that make sense? 
i just want to give them more.  and to top it all off.  i feel so motivated to do this.  this doesn't feel like i am trying to 'bail myself out with a straw', or that i am 'bitingoff more than i can chew'.  i feel like this is good and this is what i should be doing.
anyway- there you go.  i feel accountable now.  i feel feel slightly vulnerable.  and i kinda feel empowered by it.  strange.
anyway- here is to a delightful month!

the foot update

hello,
so i think it is about time i post this.  i went for a check up on my foot, and he told me 4 weeks.  i cried.  i was soooooo stinking exhausted from not sleeping well, from being in-active, and from life i think.  i was kinda on planning on get back to life around that point, and when he rudely told me 4 weeks it was a bit more then i could really handle at that point.  he then proceeded to kinda yell at me for asking questions and being upset that he just told me 4 more weeks.  i left the appointment devastated and kinda in shock for being treated so poorly.  if i wasnt in shock with that 4 more weeks- he would have gotten a piece of my mind for talking to me like that.  anyway- we decided to get a second opinion.  called my Dr, he had a someone do a consult, and they both came to the conclusion that my 4th metatarsal is NOT broken, and my 5th one is just chipped.
ummm, what?
seriously?
i am sooooooo upset with this GREAT news.  he proceeds to tell me in need to get off my crutches asap.  ok!  no worries there!
i later go in for a check up on my foot, and well, i was then told that i could probably loose the boot.  my foot is still SUPER tender, and i am SO SWOLLEN from the sprain, that i think that is what is causing me the most discomfort.  my foot/ankle is so stiff right now its absolutely nuts!  so now i am trying to deal with that by stretching it and using it.  I WILL NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT IT!!!!! because, I CAN WALK!!!  i can function!  i can be a mom, and a wife and contributing member of my house!!!!
i am a much happier person.  =)
i <3 vacuuming.  and even doing he laundry!  =)
anyway.  now i struggle with being gimpy (tender foot) and trying to get totally caught up and do everything that i want/need/should/could do.  not possible.  4 kids, at least a week behind on a few, a couple, most, well crap, everything, re-disciplining (every ones favorite), and then just being a present mom.  i know i need to slow down, and relax and enjoy this time.  i know i was supposed to get better at that while i was not allowed to do things, and i think i did.  during the day when the kids are up i have no problems playing with them, snuggling with them, feeding them, changing them, and being a 'good mom' that way.  but at night when i am sitting there exhausted not being able to do anything- that stupid mental 'to do' list starts up.  grr.

oh well.  i am slowly getting things marked off that list.  i really need to enjoy this, because it goes by so fast.  i mean look at how big this baby is!  isnt that the funniest face!  i laugh each time he looks at me like that.  which is fairly often.  he LOVES to look around, and that is what he looks like when he is looking around.  he is 3 months old today.  how crazy is that?  its like he has always been here.  and beware- he is such a sweet talker.  and the smile he gives you during your conversation, will melt your heart.  he is so sweet.

haha- you see the expression on z's face?  well, monkey is constantly patting his head, and then giving him loves.  very scary sweet.  i love it.  i am glad that love hasnt worn off with the 'newness' of the baby ya know?
anyway-
there you are.  updated on our life.  lots yet not lots happening.  but we are all much happier with my life continuing.
<3

still sitting here......

hello.

i'm still sitting here.  just like the dr said.  and i am nuts.

i. am. so. b.o.r.e.d.

so i sit and think.  *sigh* both good and bad.  but i have realized a few things about myself.

#1

i am a do-er.  i cant just sit and do nothing.  i like to be busy.  i may whine about it, and i might complain that i have lots to do.  but i like that fact.  it also reassures me that i have been so blessed with a house and 'stuff'.

#2

monkey is spoiled.  oops.  im not happy with that fact.  with me down and out, its getting worse.  =S  oh and he is such a picky eater.  animal crackers and fruit and cereal.  thats all.  i can get him to eat his oatmeal in the morning, and sometimes a grilled cheese sandwhich, and then that is it.  and that drives me and joe nuts. we do not want a picky eater.  but we have one, and

we call him monkey.

#4

chunk is a good brother.  he loves 'Lovie'.  that is what he calls z, often.  i love it.  z will even look towards him when he hears chunk talk or laugh.  its awesome.  oh- chunk is hilarious too, he constantly is making me laugh.  he loves his aunt cait- she was playing a game, and got and extra frog- it was brown.  chunk heard this and his 'WHAT?!?!' was classic.  cait and i laughed out loud for a bit.  it was awesome.  i LOVE this kid to pieces- forever.

#5

its hard to take pictures of a baby when this chunky is being goofy.  especially when z is still all floppy.

#6

this is my favorite little girl int he whole wide world.  i l love her more then always.  she is so unbelievably thoughtful for a 5 year old.  i truly am blessed to be her mom.  tonight was the ward auction, i couldnt go cuz the foot, well- she brought back a chocolate covered strawberry for me.  it was hers- but she saved it for me because she knew i like them.  how sweet is that?  what made me deserve her?

#7

isnt this plug hilarious?  i love it.  i dont think that they work so well, the open sides i think mess up the suction.  anyway- i LOVE this baby.  he just started talking- when he heard himself for the first time- he really scared himself.  it was so cute.  then the next time he just talked to me.  i love it.  he is the greatest snuggler.  he is the best baby snuggler out of all the babies.  =)  makes me happy considering he's the last.  but he is such a good baby.  he started sleeping from 12-7 about 2 weeks ago.  sooooo nice.  i love him.  i just need to come up with a song for us.

#8

a mending bone feels like its on fire.

its not very pleasant.

#9

i am a clean freak.

i cant walk and that makes me not able to clean.

that fact drives me absolutely BONKERS

#10

i married superman.

joey has been so great through this whole thing.  he has been patient, and understanding, and i love him.  he is a rock.  i am so blessed, i cant wait for the opportunity to take care of him again.

#11

i have some of the greatest friends in the world.  Andrea, Ashley, and Lynn.  not to mention the dear sisters in the ward who have helped.  to have such lovely people in our lives.  and to have the knowledge that while i am feeling so lazy and pathetic, they are lovingly taking care of my babies.  i know i can trust them to love them and take care of them.  i am thankful beyond word for that.  i also know that there is no way that i can ever show or tell of my gratitude for my dearest mother-in-law and sweetest s-i-l cait.  they have been so wonderful and helpful.

#12

knowing people will think i sound vain-  i am going on a diet.  not so much for skinnines, but for heathy purposes.  i am not super healthy because all i can do is sit here.  blah.  i cant wait to be healthy again and work out again.

#13

i wish i was a better writer.  i dont think i am a good writer, but i would like to be better.  does writing really help a person become a better writer?  or do you just keep writing at a mediocre level with better grammar? 

#14

the craft blog world is addicting.  but i love it.

ok i think i am done.  i have babbled enough.  now i get to go feed z.

night night.