Catch up

I have honestly been avoiding blogging, because I hate playing catch up. The longer I put it off though the worse it will get. And I got a not so subtle hint text message from my mother in law this evening, so I guess I better get back into it.

A few weeks ago I took Macy and Laila to my parents house in Oregon. It was a very long day of travel, but the girls did really well and it certainly beats driving four days to get there so I can't complain too much.

I love visiting my family, but the time change is a killer for me. Usually by the time I've adjusted it's time to come back home. The first 2 days Laila and I were up at the crack of dawn, so one morning we decided to go for a walk @ 6am. I'm not usually a fan of being up that early, but it was nice to be out when things were still quiet.

The reason for our trip was because my brother David came home from his mission to Brazil and my brother Shaun just left this week for his mission to Fiji, so we had a small window of time when everyone could all get together. Most of the spouses stayed behind, which was a bummer, but it was still nice to have all the siblings plus Natalie and Bri all together.

I did get some beautiful flowers for mother's day while I was there from a handsome guy back in Michigan!

We had to take 3 flights to get back home and just when we were almost there, our last flight of the day got cancelled leaving us stranded in NJ. I was an emotional mess because I was so tired and just wanted to be back home, but the airline did put us up in a hotel and give us food vouchers so we survived and made it home just fine the next day.

After a quiet and relaxing two weeks back home, Josh and I celebrated our 13 year anniversary. We actually both forgot it was our anniversary until Josh said something about the next day being the 27th and I suddenly remembered what day it was. I guess that means we have been married for a long time now. He did buy me a very nice present a few days later (one he had been planning on, but forgot to get) Actually it is for both of us. We got a small swing to go on our back porch so we can sit outside with the kids in the evenings while the play. One of the things I love most about Josh is that he loves getting out and doing things together as a family. Any time he has a day off we are out doing something together, even if it's just a bike ride to get some ice cream. I also love to sit and just relax together though so now we can go out and be active during the day and then come home and sit on our swing in the evening. It's perfect!

All of the kids were off playing with friends this night so it was just a shirtless Laila in her favorite boots entertaining us.

I guess we really haven't been up to as much as I thought, but life is hectic with kids and after being around several of my siblings who have served foreign speaking missions, I finally decided to do something that I have wanted to do for a very long time. I'm learning Spanish! I found a great little online course that I can learn at my own pace, but I find myself having to listen to the lessons over and over before I finally get it. Then, just when I think I've actually learned something, I call my sister Krista and I can't carry on any conversation with her other than "Hello, how are you?" It's frustrating at times, but I'm also surprised at how much I am enjoying it. I told Josh that I am learning Spanish so that in a couple years he can take me to Spain.

And just for recording funny things purposes, I made some guacamole yesterday for the first time ever, and when we had it for dinner tonight Macy said "This whackamole is really good!" We had a good giggle about that but decided that whackamole is a great name for it.

And if anyone is interested, I posted a recipe for dairy free fudge bars on my Spinach Project blog.

More from Macy

"Look mom I'm Santa Claus!"

 

"Hey wait, why does Santa have a claw in his name?"

Kid Quotes

The best part of my day is when one of the kids says something so funny that I can't wait for Josh to get home so I can tell him. Sadly, I keep forgetting to record them here so that one day they can read them and laugh also. I'm recommitting myself right now to doing better, so here are a few from this week.
'

I was driving in Josh's car with Macy a few days ago when she said "Dad has really awesome music in his car, huh?"

I replied with a half hearted "uh huh"

And then she said "I don't like awesome music because it's too loud and screechy. I'm a girl so I like calm music."

Oh man, then I started laughing because she obviously has picked up on the fact that mom does not like loud music and dad does.

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Just this afternoon Josh walked in the door right after the kids got home from school which is very unusual. He mentioned that he had an hour before he was officially on call and when I asked what he was going to do with his free hour he said that he was going to bond with his son.

James was standing next to us and asked "what's bonding?"

So I told him that basically it meant that dad was going to rough him up a little and that he would cry, but that they would become better friends because of it.

Without even hesitating he said "But I'm already his friend!"

Dancing Queen

Before you start to think this has turned into the Laila blog, I do have one funny thing to share from James.

On our way home tonight James said "For Christmas, I'm going to ask for a real force field." I said "OK" and didn't think much of it, but Macy wanted to know why, so he explained that he wants it so dad cant beat him up anymore. Um. Yes. So. every once in a while I tell Josh that the kids need to be roughed up a little and it usually ends in tears, but it's good for them! Apparently James does not agree however.

Alright, now on to the Laila part. She is by far our most serious child...until you turn on the music! I took the kids to skate night tonight and was a little worried about how to keep Laila entertained, but she had a blast! She ended up entertaining the lady sitting next to us.

They really do love each other

I wish I had lots of exciting things to blog about and great pictures to show, but I don't. I have been so busy the last few weeks trying to help Samm make hair bows for a fundraiser and make her a dress and make James a tie for his class play. I still have a long way to go on the dress and bows, but I did finish James' tie yesterday and I couldn't be more thrilled with the way it turned out! I didn't really need to make him one, he just needed a tie that was either red, white, or blue, but I was so proud of him for getting the lead role of Mr. Freedom, that I wanted to make him something special. I love a boy in a white shirt and tie!

And as I was doing my final tuck in of all the kids tonight I happened to over hear this conversation between James and Samm

James "Sometimes when you are mean to me in my life I say something in my head, but I don't want to tell you because you will cry."

Samm "It's OK. You can tell me. I won't cry."

James "I say I hate you."

Samm "I know, I say the same thing. But then we apologize and we regret what we said."

James "OK. Can you read me a chapter of your book?"

I have no idea why he felt the need to tell her that since I didn't notice them fighting today, but it was so sweet the way they were talking to each other. Made my heart feel glad.

What girl wouldn't swoon

This morning we were having out family favorite Saturday morning breakfast of waffles with buttermilk syrup. We don't always have waffles, usually it's french toast or pancakes, but I do always make buttermilk syrup. The kids love it, so it has become our Saturday tradition. Anyway, Macy was sitting on Josh's lap and I asked "Why do you want to marry Dad someday?"  Something she tells me frequently she wants to do.

Her response. "Because he" (Points to the hair on his arms)

Yes, she wants to marry her dad because he has hair on his arms.

I'm seeing a very hairy husband in her future.

As a disclaimer, Josh is not overly hairy, but he does have dark hair on his arms.

Car Conversations...we're in trouble

Last night the kids and I were on our way to the ward talent show when out of no where James says "OK guys, you can't tell ANYONE, but in Mrs. (?'s) class, I have a crush on Ava."

Me "Why do you have a crush on Ava?"
James "Because she has lipstick, and she's beautiful, and she talks beautiful, and she has beautiful   hair." (pauses for a second) "And I can see inside her and her spirit looks really fun!"

Me "So she wears lipstick huh?"
James "Ya, but I can't ask her to marry me because when I'm ten we are moving."

What is a mother to do!

Facebook Repeat

I'm sorry to all of you who already saw these on Facebook, but I wanted a permanent record of them here on the blog and my mom and dad don't do Facebook.

Poor Samm is so desperate for a little bit of alone time that she has resorted to hiding out in her closet. I always know when she is in there because 1) the other two are following me around asking if I know where Samm is, and 2) she usually tapes a keep out sign of some sort to the door. Well, the other day I found this dry erase board in the dollar section at Target and within minutes of me giving it to her this sign was posted. I had to laugh when I read it because doesn't every mother feel this way.

And today was one of those days where 9:00 church just about killed me, and the rest of the day pretty much finished me off. After dinner James brought down his school folder and I discovered that he had five sheets of homework due tomorrow! So, once the kids were finally in bed, much later than normal I drug myself into the kitchen to tackle the mountain of dinner dishes still sitting in the sink, and ended up finding this on the floor. And I remembered again why all of this craziness is totally worth it!

Samm the scarecrow

*I don't like hanging onto a lot of the kids school work, but this little story made me laugh so I decided to type it up here so Samm could read it again some day*

Dear Farmer Dawn,

I am your scarecrow and I don't like it on my pole. Here it's boring, crows peck me, and your wheat cutting machine hurts my ears. Wait, I don't have ears. Well I can still hear. I want to go to the fair and win 1st prize at the scarecrow contest. I also want to live my own life. I don't mean to hurt your feelings, but this pole is really cold sometimes. I just don't like it. So I was hoping you could take me down and I can do some of the things I want to do. Please keep me off my pole! Please!

Sincerely, Scarecrow Samm

Macy's Quote of the day

"Dad, you need a haircut on your boobies!"

James to Grandma

"I love to kiss your arms because it feels like the skin is melting on my lips."

My side job

About half way through the last school year I was so tired of constantly telling James that he better hurry and get ready or he would miss the bus that I came up with a plan that was pretty effective. I told him that it was up to him to get ready for school and if he missed the bus I would be more than happy to drive him, but he would have to give me a dollar for gas.

He hasn't missed the bus once! Although he came pretty dang close this morning. Samm was already out the door while he was still unloading the dishwasher, and I don't think I have ever seen him put dishes away faster.

After the kids were gone I started helping Macy get ready for her first day of preschool when she asked me how she was going to get there. I told her I was going to drive her in the car, and she immediately asked "Do I have to pay you a dollar?"

Proud to be me!-Samm

On the first day of school Samm's teacher had them fill out a complete this sentence paper about themselves. I'm putting it in her file, but I want to record it on here also because I thought it was so cute. Numbers 9 & 10 are my favorite!

1. My full name is- Samm E. Rollins
2. I was born on- October 3 2002
3. My favorite subject is- History
4. If I could go anyplace in the world, it would be- Oragon
5. When I grow up I want to- Be an Artist
6. My favorite animal is- Cat's
7. A hobby I enjoy is- Art
8. My favorite meal is- Manocotie with green beans on the side
9. The best thing about me is- I am relly smart
10. The next best thing about me is- I am very pretty
11. I think I am really good at- History (I have no idea where this history thing is coming from)
12. I think I need to improve at- Math (She gets that from me!)

I love her absolute confindence in herself!

How we are all feeling right now

Josh was on call Friday, is on call tonight, and will be on call again on Tuesday.  We were lucky enough today that he was able to come home for a few hours and even have dinner with us before the dreaded beeping started, but it is still hard every time he has to go in.

This evening as he was kissing us all goodbye, James said "I wish you weren't a doctor dad, I wish you were a stay at home person."

Talk about pulling at your parent heart strings!

The Parable of the talents

As we were driving home from the store this evening Macy decided to take the opportunity to cry about everything she could think of that was not fair. None of it had to do with anything really, she just likes to cry sometimes.

Finally after a few minutes Josh said "Your right. Life is not fair! You get what you work for though so if you work hard you will earn more."

Then Samm chimed in from the back seat "Ya, like the three men and the parable of the talents."

Seriously?

I wish we could take credit for her, but I think she just came that way!

James Quote

Last night the kids were messing around with a microphone so I asked James to sing a song and he told me "Mom, singing is not my sport!"

Love Note From Samm

I sure don't deserve that girl!

James' prayer tonight...

"Please bless Mommy's baby that it won't get stuck in the food pipe."

?

Translation- "Hey Mom, I blessed the baby that it won't get tangled up!"

OK, so I totally giggled when I walked out of his room because he called it a food pipe, but that might possibly be the sweetest thing he has ever prayed for. The kids know I have to have babies a different way (c-section) because when James was born the cord was wrapped really tight around his neck and he doesn't want that to happen to the new baby!