Our Schedule

Here you go Coralee and whoever else is interested. :)
7:00 am - Wake up and eat breakfast
7:30 am - Family Prayers, get dressed
7:45 am - Chore Time/Independent Play
9:45 am - Snacks
10:00 am - Nap(Emily)/Lesson Time(Sarah)
11:00 am - Finish chores/Independent Play
12:00 pm - Lunch
12:30 pm - Playtime with Mom
2:00 pm - Naps all around
4:00 pm - Snacks/Short video
4:30 pm - Play with Mom
5:00 pm - Make dinner/Independent Play
6:00 pm - Dinner
6:30 pm - Play with Daddy/clean up dinner
7:00 pm - Play with Mom and Dad
7:30 pm - Baths if needed
7:45 pm - Get ready for bed
8:00 pm - Say prayers and go to bed

A Mid-life Crisis?

I sit here suddenly realizing that I am on the verge of totally breaking out of my mold. This is a startling revelation to someone who is as introverted as I am and hates change. But I just realized that I've changed my behavior on two life-time habits in the same month. First, I again made the commitment to take better care of my skin and quit picking my face. (The fact I can say that outloud to others is a huge step right? It's like a drug user admitting he has a problem.) I bought stuff from Avon and have been sticking to it, although the results aren't nearly as immediate as I would like. I am like the progressive auto insurance people. I want instant results. I want my skin to overnight become outbreak free and beautiful. Obviously not happening quite like that. Second, I actually decided to commit to exercise and bought a piece of exercise equipment. And I have been exercising, only 3 days so far but still that is way more than I would have even considered last year!
I am on a bettering mission I think. Every January I make goals and every stake and general conference I recommit to be better and this year I am actually sticking to it longer than a month. I don't know what this means. Maybe the end is near and my spirit has sensed that if I don't get off my duff and do what I know I should be doing I am doomed to forever be making goals and not reaching them.
Perhaps that change was instigated by the realization of how much wasted time I have. Remember that blog awhile back...well I made a schedule for my day so that I have play time with the girls and any retired school teacher will tell you that if there is a schedule it will become law, with allowances for flexibility. Now that I have a schedule posted (did the SuperNanny have anything to do with this?) I am much better at time management. I read my scriptures, play with the kids, and do my chores. I'm more aware of how I spend my time and feel acute guilt anytime I play solitaire. My leisure time must now be fun but not totally wasted.
Who knows what it will be next. I might actually read something written for grown-ups. Something I haven't already read I mean. Something that would be out of my familiar comfort zone. Because I now realize that the time after I put the girls to bed I just spend flipping through the channels and that is a serious waste of time and in some cases a serious deterrant to the Spirit because all those crime dramas, reality shows, and junk on between 8 and 10:30 are not always healthy. So I need an alternative and books might be it. I'm too tired to scrapbook that late as scrapbooking requires some level of thinking. Then again, if I'm that tired maybe I should just go to bed.
Yikes too many changes and realizations. I've got to end this now before I break too many barriers.

What to do...

I'm stuck because the girls are sleeping in. This is something I always long for but now I don't know what to do. They are pretty sick so they are prone to sleep more, especially Sarah. Emmie never sleeps in but she was up off and on from 2:30 - 4:30 before I finally gave her more meds and appears to be completely zonkered. I don't want to go back to sleep because I really dislike finally getting asleep only to be awakened and then have to get up in a sleepy-wish-to-still-be-asleep way. I need to shower but if Emmie wakes up while I'm showering she will scream the I've-been-deserted cry when I don't come and get her within the alloted 3 minutes. I could go down and exercise but then it would be a combination of the first two problems. I would hate to get started and have to be interrupted and I'm not sure I would hear her or the baby moniter. Oh, problem solved. I hear her waking up now.

Great Expectations gone

After much consideration and thought we decided to buy a used nordic-track. Last night we went and got one from Taylorsville. This morning I had grand designs to exercise. It was set at a slight uphill slope and the tension was on 4. I knew I could do 20 minutes because that is what I was doing last fall when I was exercising at my mom's house. I loosened the arm tension because I have wimpy arms, except my left arm that holds babies. I'm sure you can see where this is going. After 30 seconds I got down, lowered the slope to be level and the tension down to 3. I managed 10 minutes before I gave up and went upstairs. Tomarrow will be better. I will do at least 11 minutes.

Close To My Heart

I am having a Close to my Heart Party on Thursday night for anyone that is interested and can make it. Close to my Heart features scrapbooking and card making stuff like paper, stamps, scrapbooking kits and so on. I like their stuff and am trying to help one of my friends. So if you would like to order but can't come let me know. Naturally you don't need to buy anything to come to the party.

100 Things

100 Things Alan does to show he loves me

1. Puts both toilet seats down always.
2. Wipes rim of toilet to keep it looking clean.
3. Gets up with the kids in the morning so I can sleep in.
4. Brings me home a donut or a cinnamon roll.
5. Learned how to brush his teeth in the dark.
6. Plays with my hair.
7. Puts his dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher.
8. Cleans up after dinner.
9. Makes dinner.
10. Takes me out to dinner.
11. Buys me a stuffed animal.
12. Turns down invitations to play with guys to be with me.
13. Reads “Pooh Bear” stories to me.
14. Takes me on drives.
15. Brings me flowers once in awhile.
16. Writes me love notes every once in awhile.
17. Remembers to get me something for mother’s day, birthdays, and Christmas.
18. Does his personal spiritual study so we can be together forever.
19. Listens without giving advice.
20. Gives good advice when I ask for it.
21. Doesn’t lecture me, even when I need it.
22. Drives the car on long trips.
23. Changes diapers without being asked cheerfully.
24. Maintains a cheerful disposition.
25. Puts his dirty clothes in the hamper.
26. Picks up the house when I’m tired.
27. Washes the dishes.
28. Comes to bed with me when he would rather be playing computer games. *Just to sleep :)
29. Always thanks me for making dinner.
30. Accepts me even when it doesn’t make sense. (Like I can’t live with a cream colored house!)
31. Listens to me rant and rave.
32. Lets me pick out the colors, décor, and arrangement in the house.
33. Plays with the kids while I make dinner.
34. Watches the kids while I go shopping.
35. Stays home from work one day so I could have the day off.
36. Tidies the office.
37. Tells me how much he loves me and appreciates me numerous times a week. And means it.
38. Lets me have my way when it’s really important to me.
39. Plays games with me that he isn’t as fond of.
40. Doesn’t control me or even try to.
41. Dresses the baby on Sunday.
42. Makes date night a priority.
43. Got me a puppy.
44. Takes the dog, he didn’t want, on walkies.
45. Became a fantastic Daddy.
46. Calls me just to say he loves me and find out how my day is going.
47. Respects my likes and dislikes and doesn’t make fun of me for them.
48. Never makes fun of me.
49. Never calls me names, even in play or jest.
50. Never yells at me, even when I scratch the new car.
51. Never talks poorly of me in public or private.
52. Never smacks me even in play.
53. Is always kind and considerate.
54. Gives me lots hugs and kisses in front of the kids.
55. Gives physical affection without expecting (EDIT) in return.
56. Never gives me any reason to not trust him.
57. Takes me to the temple.
58. Listens and is teachable when I have issues.
59. Helps me to be better by encouraging me in my goals.
60. Gives me priesthood blessings when I ask and offers when he sees a need.
61. Counsels me in a loving and kind way when needed.
62. Lets me tickle him once in awhile.
63. Tells me I look nice every Sunday and when I dress up.
64. Dances with me even though he doesn’t like to dance.
65. Listens to my preferred radio station in the car.
66. Always does what I ask him to do without complaining.
67. Buys me a new dress.
68. Buys me chocolates.
69. Discusses problems with me.
70. Doesn’t belch or pass gas rudely.
71. Likes being with my family as much as his.
72. Sings me romantic songs.
73. Holds my hand in the car.
74. Doesn’t get disgusted when I pass gas.
75. Gives me extra loves when I’m emotional.
76. Gives me space when I’m emotional.
77. Tries to know if I want space or extra loves when I’m emotional.
78. Doesn’t give up on me.
79. Never leaves in a huff.
80. Rolls over if I ask him to when he’s snoring.
81. Gets me a glass of water in the night.
82. Lets me eat first if we have to take turns due to kiddies.
83. Sticks next to me at large social gatherings where I am uncomfortable.
84. Laughs with me not at me.
85. Thanks me for doing the household chores.
86. Tries to notice when I’ve done a household chore.
87. Does activities I like and he doesn’t, like window-shop at the mall.
88. Gives me the last cookie.
89. Comes home on time.
90. Fills up my car with gas.
91. Takes out the garbage without being asked.
92. Lets me buy baby clothes even when we didn’t have any babies.
93. Handles the stuffed critters in his room.
94. Tells me funny stories he heard at work.
95. Welcomes my visits to his work.
96. Tries to do creative dates even when we’ve been married 8 years.
97. Understands my need to get out of the house.
98. Buys my feminine products when I can’t.
99. Buys me expensive stuffed toys when we can’t afford it just because I’ve fallen in love with them. (Once)
100. Tells me he loves me every day.

It was the best of times...

This morning started out very badly at about 3 am with Sarah waking up coughing. Then after I gave her some cough syrup, too late to do any good it turns out, she started waking up coughing/throwing up. Finally, after I had changed her bed 3 times, she fell asleep for good. That was about 7 am. At 7:05 a couple of starlings decided to scratch and peck at the roof. What were they thinking?! Then at 7:20 Emmie woke up. That was the bad times. But it was also when the good times started because Alan got up with Emmie and let me sleep in, which I did until the birds came back. Then I got ready and went errand running and he stayed home with the kids. It was great! I went to Walmart and browsed as long as I wanted looking for birthday presents for Nathan and Rachel. Then I went and washed the car for free and only had one car in front of me and that car did the express wash so no waiting. Then I went to mall and got a parking spot right by the door of the store I wanted to go to! As soon as I went into Meier and Frank I saw a rack full of men's shirts size S, this never happens, and they were 75% off plus an additional 15% with my coupon. I found 3 I thought Alan would like. Then I went to get what I came for which was a new mattress pad. They were supposed to be 50% off and I got 75% off with an additional 10% off. What a great day. Oh and I forgot to mention that I bought donuts for my breakfast while at Walmart. :)

the results

Yesterday I vowed not to turn on the computer. My problem has been that I turn on the computer to read the blogs and then afterwards I play solitaire and waste tons of time and end up feeling guilty so yesterday I did not even turn on the computer. It was Dr. Seuss's birthday and so I read his stories to the girls for a large portion of the day. I didn't know we owned so many Seuss books. We also made an egg-less birthday cake. I got my bathrooms clean in record time and also two loads of laundry and the kids bathed before the water heater broke. Then during nap and play time I scrapbooked. It was a fun day, until I saw the puddle in the basement, and I think the kids enjoyed having me more available and best of all I didn't feel guilty once. Maybe I could learn to be a good mom like the rest of ya'll after all.