late night musings...

I had plans. Big plans I say. I was tired, so I went to bed early. I drifted off to sleep. Woke up with a start. I forgot to take my medicine! Sadly, I don't take any medication, and even more sadly, I wake up in a panic several times a week with this same scenario. Sometimes I have to wake myself up completely to remind myself and convince myself that there isn't any medication I need. I don't know why I do this. Somebody please explain.

But back to my musings.

Lately, I'm having trouble. My kids just don't get along. Shocker, I'm sure. Connor and Anna are always at each other's throats, nitpicking on everything the other one says. Refusing to back down. Today it was over the word crasin. If I leave a room for a moment, they are right back at it. Tristan is always being so bossy to them. Connor takes 2-3 hours to do his homework. Tristan has NO friends. Anna gets distracted by everything. I'm in the car for hours every day. I need some help!

I have charts. I've tried bribing. I set timers. I yell. I ground.

I've decided I need to be more positive and fun. I know this works and it so important. But it's not easy for me. I forget easy, especially when the fighting starts or the school clothes get left on the floor (again!). I want my kids to have a fun childhood, filled with memories of doing fun things together as a family. It's really hard to do fun things together as a family when Connor is STILL sitting at the table doing homework when school ended 3 hours ago.

I'm not looking for sympathy here, but I am looking for suggestions. Chris suggested a fun jar, where they get to pick out something fun to do if everyone gets things done. I thought maybe they could earn something fun and have a jar to fill up with marbles or cotton balls for when they get along and get things done. What would be a fun thing for them to earn in the winter? Tubing? A day trip to somewhere? Do you know any middle school age boys who would want to hang out with Tristan? He really needs to spend time with someone besides his family.

Please leave any and all suggestions in my comments. I'm willing to try just about anything. If you don't have any suggestions, but may be experiencing some of these same issues, please please please share. I'd like to know that I'm not the only one going through this. I'd also like to know that it passes (please for the love of pete, tell me this passes).

Also: where in the heck did fall go? I cannot believe that December starts in 2 weeks! Christmas shopping? Not even a thought in my mind yet. Thanksgiving? Oh yeah, that's next week! Christmas decorating? really?? already??? I guess it's a good thing Chris never got around to taking the outside lights down last year. Ha ha we are one step ahead there!

A fuzzy purple hat...

Makes chores so much more fun!

update, shupdate

I know, I know, I need to update my blog. We've had good things happen, including photos. I just haven't gotten around to it. Halloween, school carnival, arrow of light in scouts for Connor. Maybe I'll post pictures and blog about it all. maybe not. we'll see

Not much going on around here. My parents brought us up their portable dishwasher. I am in heaven. I never realized what a pain not having one was. My kitchen looks so much better. It gives me great joy when I hear it running. The dishes are being washed and I'm not the one washing them!!!

Chris is starting to get into his slow season at work. He'll be home a lot more often now. It will be interesting now that I'm home everyday. I hope we don't kill each other.

Tristan is doing well with his new school. I really like it. I'm getting more organized with it too so it's getting better for me. We went on a field trip today to the plantarium that was fun. I still don't know very many people and they don't seem to want to get to know me. I tried to start conversations with them and they wouldn't even look at me. I guess maybe there's a reason some people like to do school at home. ha ha

I got my hair cut yesterday. I wanted to try something a little closer to home so I went to a salon by where my kids go to school. I'm pretty happy with the results. I'm trying to grow my hair out. I'll probably change my mind again before it gets long, that's what usually happens. girls and their hair....

sorry for the rambling. I just wanted to make sure everyone knew I was still alive!

Special Day

Our family are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or in other words, Mormons. We believe that children are accountable once they reach the age of 8. That is when they decide for themselves if they want to become official baptized members of the church.


Anna recently made the decision to be baptized. We are so proud of all that she has learned in order to come to this decision. Her dad baptized and confirmed her a member of the church yesterday.

These are all the priesthood holders who helped confirm her. Friends from the ward we attend and uncles and grandpas and Chris of course. She's lucky to have so many people who love her.

After the baptism, everyone came to our house for a luncheon. It was so crazy and fun that I forgot to take pictures. We love getting all the cousins together to play. They always have so much fun!

School of Tristan....

Tristan is officially a student of K12 virtual online school. We got all the supplies and got his school area set up. He's so excited to just take off and soar with all his books and supplies. They even sent him the computer and printer.

Study away Tristan, there is so much to learn.
Here's all his books. Brand new still in the shrink wrap.

Science and art supplies.

oh and all the teacher guides. I've got a lot to learn!

We really feel good about this program. It's a bit overwhelming right now. I know that once I get the hang of it, it will be easier. Tristan just needs to slow down a bit. He reads much faster than I do and doesn't want to wait for me! I know we'll both be able to learn a lot this year and I'm really excited about it. Wish us luck!

Anna's Birthday Party

Anna's birthday party was so much fun! She invited 4 friends (unpictured because I don't have permission to post pics of them) and I invited my good friend to help out. We went to a cosmetology school where the girls got all dolled up. Hair-dos, make-up and pretty painted nails!

Anna also got her ears pierced. She was sooooo brave! She didn't cry, didn't yelp, and hardly even squeezed my hand! So big and grown up!

After the beauty treatments, we went to Red Robin for lunch. The girls enjoyed their chicken strips, grilled cheeses and fries! Then the waitress brought this big ol piece of heaven, along with 6 spoons. We really enjoyed the dessert!

It was a super fun party and we all had a good time. Anna has some very well behaved friends. She's a lucky little girl! I had fun too!

Definition of insanity

I once learned that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.

Well, it seems like we've been living this definition for quite some time now. It took me a while to finally see it.

I don't want to get into a lot of details here. It's been a very emotional week around this place.

Tristan is starting a new school on Monday. It's called Virtual Academy and it is an online school. I know that it will require more work from Chris and I, but I feel like this is a good solution for us right now. We're really excited, especially about the fact that he can move as fast as he wants to go.

Now to find the boy some fun groups to join. Kid needs to make some friends. Any ideas?