Priya's In Trouble

Maybe the title should be, We're in trouble.  Little miss has been letting that personality of hers burst out lately and I love and adore her.  She also has such a strong will that she also pushes me to my limits every day.

To help with some of that feisty demand for attention.  I'm trying to spend more one-on-one time with her.  So while Porter goes to school on Tuesdays we go to breakfast.  It's never too soon to start Mommy Daughter dates!  She loved every second of it.  She didn't like IHOP pancakes but really dug into her banana.

While there is some devise confusion she has started to talk on her phone.  So cute!

How can you not give that face exactly what she wants.  I took this today during some more one-on-one time with her during P's naptime.  She loves this elephant of mine from college.  Isn't this the sweetest picture.

The wind has been really strong here the last few weeks and we were buys lots of day passes to our local rec center, so we bought a month membership (a month, isn't that awesome) to save money.  We may have to find a way to afford a membership for me because it  has been so convenient.  The kids go to this amazing drop in day care while I run.  The label on her back is left over from day care.  This is really Priya's first socialization experience and she is just soaking it up.  She refuses to watch from the bouncer like the other kids her age and demands to be out and about with everyone else.  That's my girl, getting her way no matter what!

She loves laundry baskets!  LOVES THEM!  I feel like every time I turn around she is face first in a fresh load of whites with her feet up in the air kicking until she can wiggle her way in.  What is it with kids and laundry?  Such a pretty smile.  She is starting to stand independently.  She's getting so big. :'(

When I feel up for a mess we give her the spoon and let her go to town.  She feels so grown up when we let her feed herself.

This next series of pictures will illustrate Priya's most recent form of mischief.

wiggle

push and wiggle

steady

"Got it!"  Can you see how proud she is?

There has been lots of cheering and clapping for children who sit on the potty.  You better believe she was going to get in on that.  She makes me feel like I should be training her as well.

Did you know that if you remove a few cushions from the sofa and make them stepping stones you get an indoor jungle gym?  My kids have played for 2 hours straight on the sofa like this.

She is one tough cookie!  She keeps falling down the stairs because she insists on going down forwards on her bum.  I'm making progress in this area with her.  Porter has made lots of improvement lately but every once in a while he gets a hard tackle in and AHH!!!  She can take a hit-- which makes me sad, but I'm also really proud of her for being so tough and determined.  If you show her any sign of sympathy, however, she also knows how to milk it. 

Our fiesty little Priya Lynn! We can't help but love her!

Taking Back The House

This is what happens when Mom is decommissioned for over a week.  Priya was much more excited about the laundry than I was.  It's still scattered all over the floor in front of me in various degrees of completion.  Laundry made me miss Downton Abbey so I pulled up the suggestions on Netflix for similar shows and found this little gem.  I feel like I must have been living under a rock to not know about this.  I was newly wed when it aired which it's pretty much the same thing, right?  I really liked this North & South series, another BBC, Bates is in it, the characters are great and it's different from Downton Abbey so it is a nice variety.  It helps with the void a bit.

Mr. Thornton isn't nearly as charming as Matthew but so good lookin'!

One bonus laundry pic, because she's just that cute!  Big news for Priya first step on Tuesday and 3 steps tonight.  I'll try to get some videos and pics for a more in depth post about this big milestone.  She must sense I don't want her to walk because she will never walk for me. She's my little baby bug and I'm not ready for that to change.  She's such a feisty delight! 

I caught the kids being destructive, but playing so nicely together.  I went to take a picture and Porter saw me trying to document his kindness and would have none of that.  They have formed a resistance together against my efforts to reclaim the home.  Porter was following me around yesterday literally undoing everything I had just cleaned up.  Guess things being a bit messy doesn't bother him.

I encouraged her to play with TP like her brother used to love to do but she was only interested if I draped it over her head.  To each kid their own, right?

I took this picture and sent it to Aaron at like 9 a.m. with a text message that said, "Sometimes I wonder who really is in charge."  Bath at 9 in the morning?  They asked with such authority.  They would play really well then burst into tug-of-war over bath toys, which escalated to pushing and shoving then yelling.  Then they'd be back to laughing together before I could intervene. 

Priya is not as innocent as she may seem.  Mobility and coordination have blessed her with fighting back skills for better or worse.  She is also a tad over dramatic about things.  She reminds me of a soccer player flopping in the world cup.  "I saw, but really?  Seems a bit much, dear?"  She has also become a sneaky instigator.  I have to really focus on being positive and focusing on their good behavior towards each other in those bad moments where I feel like I'm wresting two small animals away from each other.  I pray about it a lot and I make them pray about it a lot.  *shrug*  I smile and try to see the humor in it while hoping to teach them how to love each other.

Today was an exhausting day.  I haven't been able to sleep in our bed for over a week.  I've been sleeping on the couch and it takes me several hours to go to sleep, a combination of coughing and residual runner's high.  I'm switching my run to the mornings to test that out and feel like the coughing should stop soon.  P has been waking up at 6 this week which is killing me and him.  He's cranky, I'm cranky, his nap schedule is off and as a result so is his sister's and we're all a little foggy all day.  When Porter is tired there seems to be endlessly destructive energy.  I tried so hard to redirect him all day today; he simply wasn't interested in any activity I tried to engage him in.  We got him ready for bed on schedule then I announced that he got to stay up late to watch "The Lion King", his current favorite.  He was super excited and tired when it was over. Here's hoping this kid sleeps in tomorrow.

Last but not least, FOOD STORAGE!!!  I went to the cannery this afternoon with my dear friend, Heidi.  She was a champ and taught me everything I needed to know to have a successful dry pack experience.  It was much easier than I had imagined.  I came home with 5 cans quick oats, 13 cans regular oats, 2 cans dry milk, 2 cans dehydrated onions, and 2 cans dehydrated apples.  The kids dived into the apples 2 minutes after I walked in the door.  I'm so excited to be working towards better preparedness in this home!

Grandma, hopefully, this time next year when you ask what my food storage supply is I can tell you we have a year supply of food instead of 2 weeks. :)  

Love you all, 

Good night! ~Meg

(Our internet service has been flacky so this post has been one that I've have written in several sittings.  Just in case it's disjointed, that's why)

The Simple Truth

My family is spending the day at my In-law's home because I'm still sick and Aaron needs more work hours.  I can't keep up with the children right now and need to rest.  Even though that's the last thing I want to be doing.  So it's quiet here, my thoughts and I are all alone. :( I need an outlet, this is it.  I hope you will forgive me, but this is my journal.

•   I love Aaron and He loves me.  It's wonderful, safe, and happy.  Sometimes it feels like I'm living the "Happily Ever After" part of the fairytale.  We're not perfect, but we are perfect for each other.  He is so much of the GOOD in my life. 

 

• I'm am so disappointed in myself sometimes.  Especially when I look back on the person I used to be.  There are people in my life who will only ever see me as that person, making it hard to forget.  But, I value myself.  I am so far from perfect and no one needs to remind me of that... I already know it, but I am trying.  I can only control myself so I do my best to let go of the things and choices of others that cause me pain.  I place them in the hand of God until they're handed back if they should ever need to be.  This life is meant to try us and teach us.  It's not suppose to be easy or perfect.  However, it is suppose to be joyful even in the hard times.  I feel that joy.  I find that joy and I bask in the beauty of it.  I protect it and do my best not to let anyone else rob me of it; but I'm happy to share it with you if you're willing to truly open your heart to me.  We're all meant to feel joy, I hope you see it in your life too.  I hope that you may never feel that I am the thief of your joy.
• My sweet children are the most BEAUTIFUL gift I could ever receive.  I'm at a point with our family where the thought of having more children creeps into my mind from time to time.  That and as my friend said the other day, "Pregnancy is really going around right now."  :)  So many people are expecting around me it makes me wonder if I should be too.  You know, like peer pressure.  I am not in that place, however.  This may seem very selfish to some people but I need a little time for me.  I need to build myself back up so I have plenty to offer my children right now and the children who may come.  That and I feel like a spinning question mark right now where more children are concerned.  Are we done?  We want to Adopt, can we do that?  Are we suppose conceive another child? Luckily for me, the one overwhelming feeling I have is... it's not time to think about those things yet.  When it is the answer will be clear.
• My secret hobby: I am running.  Or at least I was until it became impossible to climb the stairs without wheezing.  I didn't want to share because it's really trendy right now and I don't like to do things because they're trendy.  I have also had problems in the past with running, but I've checked with my doctor and dietician.  If I manage my diet correctly I shouldn't have problems.  I'm also terribly afraid I wont be good at it or worse I might not be able to do it at all.  Then I saw this on the Ragnar FB feed and decided to heck with what anyone else thinks, to heck with being fast.  I'm running.  I run slowly and I'm completely out of shape, but I do it.  I'm even starting to like it. 
• Pinterest:  LOVE IT and HATE IT.  I love it because there is so much good stuff on there.  I'm a visual person and get sucked in.  I hate it because it makes me feel like I will never be able to think of something truly original ever again. I really like finally knowing what my style and taste is, instead of hoping I stumble upon it at the store. 



Dinosaur Feet from School.  He loves them.

• Honesty-- I don't try to hide anything in my life.  Perhaps that's taboo.  Sometimes things need to be private, but I'm not referring to those things.  I'm referring to the bad days and the not so pretty stuff.  It happens. I'm grateful for it.  I figure it's here to teach me something and often I learn from it.  I hope I don't come across as negative when I admit to crying during the middle of my day.  I have emotions, there are days that are really hard.  I feel no weakness in admitting that.  That's all part of life and I'd like to have an accurate remembrance of things.  I don't want my children thinking everything was perfect in our lives.  I want them to know when things get tough, they need to be looking to God for the reason.  If Heavenly Father doesn't answer them right away, I want them to know to have faith, hold fast and live by the principals of the gospel until the Lord sends the answer or direction they need.  I want them to work for their joy.  I want them to know that they were a work of joy themselves.  So I write about it all, the good and the bad.

See the two soars on her head, that's the handy work of Porter.  I'm trying really hard to dig deep and see what I'm suppose to learn from my children fighting so much.  I haven't had any great answers except that Porter gives me lots of opportunities to show him and his sister how to love each other.  Maybe it's something they'll learn for the rest of their lives.  At least I tell myself that so I can keep up with them.

 

 

When I un-complicate the many facets of my life I see the simple beauty that surrounds me.  I feel so blessed and happy.  I'm so grateful. 

*Cough, Cough*

Sunday we attended my Grandparents' farewell.  I'm so excited and proud of them!  This is their first mission and they found a perfect match for their skills.  They'll be teaching gardening on a Native American Reservation.  While part of me wishes they'd be home to help me through my first attempt at my own garden this season, I'll just have to consult them via email.  Really, that's a selfish thing to say because Grandpa taught my Mom well and she's always available to help me.  They gave uplifting and inspiring talks that left me with an overwhelming gratitude for the lives they have lived and the blessings they have been in my life.  I'm so grateful for them!  They offered my little family a very generous gift before leaving that brought me to my knees and uncontrollable crying.  I must have made quite the scene because I got several messages from other family members checking up on me that evening.  There are really no words that I can write that accurately expresses how touched I am and just amazed at their love and generosity.  I'm so glad Senior missions aren't as strict so we can keep in touch and I know Grandma will read this soon.  Love you both!  I hope it's going well!

Sunday I wasn't feeling great but didn't think much of it, but figured I better go to the doctor Monday just to be sure and keep my family healthy if possible.  Bronchitis for Meg :(  Major Bummer!  The doctor told me to stay away from everyone.  Then he asked what my employment was, to which I replied, "I raise two very small children. That's what I do."  He told me to stay away from them.  Well, all my fellow momma's know that just doesn't work.  Thus, the mask.   That combined with Lysol twice a day has done their jobs and the family is still well.  P's little system would have a hard time with bronchitis so please keep him and Priya in your prayers. 

Aaron has been working from home to try and help me rest.  I'm so grateful for his help.  I know it's really hard for him to be away from work right now because of deadlines he has to meet.

No blog post is complete with out some pictures of the kids, but I'm afraid I don't have a stellar collection at the moment.  I haven't had the energy to chase them for pictures, so this is what I can offer.  They still make me smile.

This would be darling if only her eyes were open.

Priya is trying really hard to learn how to walk.  We were encouraging her to take a step today, but she'd just start dancing instead.  It's hard to not be distracted by that.  She's such a sweetie these days.  I enjoy her so much!

This is Porter playing with Grandpa Randy. 

Porter successfully counted to 3 today!  YAY!!!  We were working with some flashcards and marshmallows.  I so wish I would have taken a picture of it so I could share how we're incorporating number sense and fine motor as he learns to count.  I was so excited I asked him to do it again for me, but he got frustrated.  Not because of the counting, but the fine motor is really difficult for him.  Still it was AWESOME to hear him count...1,2,3 without being prompted by me and with the correct representation of the number in front of him.  Again, YAY!  Tomorrow is P's first school picture day.  I can't wait to see how awful they are. :)  Aunt Rach is really the only one who gets good photos of him. 

Splish Splash

I'm so grateful for an adventurous husband.  He got us all out today and we went swimming.  I'm not a big fan of public pools or crowds so as we arrived today I had to keep reminding myself that my children were going to have a great time.  All said & done I had as much fun as the kids and wasn't overly annoyed with the crowds.  It was Priya's first experience in a swimming pool and she really enjoyed herself.  Porter had a crazy good time going down the slide over and over screaming in pure delight every time.  Priya is fearless like always.  She was following Porter's lead quickly and only after watching a few times was jumping in on the count of 3.  She loved playing in all the different fountains.  I really loved that we got to finally see her in the darling $3 clearance swim suit I bought her this winter.  It was a great way to spend the Saturday together.  Porter had a really hard time leaving.  He didn't throw a fit, but there were crocodile tears as we walked out.  Aaron's response to that, "I guess that means we need to come more often."  I have to agree.

This is right as we put her in.  Don't you love those lips pressed into a perfectly shaped O?!

"Wow"s and "Yay"s were in abundance.

We didn't get any pics of P at the pool but here's the proof that he swam hard.  We had just brought him in from the car.  I think he'll sleep well tonight.

This silly little lip whistle is Priya's new favorite toy.  Makes me laugh out loud every time.

Speaking of things that have created a splash in my life, let's talk about Downton Abbey...  A few weeks ago I got a phone call from my sister saying, "I found this show and I think you're going to like it.  It's called Downton Abbey."  She warned me about some content in the first episode that she thought might deter my interest, but encouraged me to watch anyways because it was brief.  Well I don't have free time often and didn't take her advise until one afternoon I had a mountain of laundry to fold.  So I found it on Netflix. Um.. yeah...  it's not often I get OBSESSED over something but that's where I'm at.  Just ask Aaron.  I finished season 1 a few days ago and started season 2 online on the PBS website.  Aaron made a teasing comment at me this morning about it and I kindly reminded him that I do this once in a blue moon and that it's one of the things that he loves about me.  He just smiled because it's true; I don't do it often but sometimes I find something so great I can't stop.  I'm so bummed that I have to do homework tonight instead of watch, but alas I've procrastinated as long as possible.  Hopefully, I'm not the only one with this addiction.  As a disclaimer I've been really busy this last week and it's only been the last 48 hours that I've been sneaking off to get a fix.  I did take 4 hours to go swimming with the fam so I'm not completely off the deep end. :) 

Weekend Report

This last weekend we got to visit Aaron's Grandparent's in St. George.  We were lucky enough to be there the same time as Aaron's Parents, Rachael & Tyler, and Devanee and Micah (although, I never saw him once).  We packed the camera but forgot to get it out so I just want to take a second and write down the highlights.

• traveling both ways without having to stop.  That doesn't mean there wasn't whining, crying and complaining from our kids.  It just means they did much better than last time and we didn't have to stop for them.  We also traveled late in hopes that they'd sleep most the way and they did.
• Grandma was so sweet and stayed up until 11p.m. to greet us! 
• We joined Grandpa Don on his morning hike and Porter walked most of the way. 
• The weather was so nice.  Like early spring up here.  Lots of sunshine, cool breezes and warmth from the sun. 
• We took advantage of the great weather Saturday and explored one of the local run, walk, bike trails.  Aaron left wanting to live down there again because of the weather and the amazing running trails.  I enjoyed walking with my Sister-In-Laws and chatting up a storm.  P enjoyed his stroller ride.  My little family all left with a little smooch from the sun after that morning.  I'm not complaining.
• We went to Texas Road House for the biggest birthday dinner I've ever been too.  Our kid's ate their weight in sweet potato,  corn and pulled pork.  They both were very well behaved.  Thanks to Shelly for reminding me as much.
• On Sunday we attended the blessing of Aaron's cousin Lisa's baby, Carter.  It was a beautiful blessing and he is a darling little baby boy.  I'm always grateful that when Aaron gets the look and wave to join a circle that he can.  
• We celebrated Carter's blessing with all of his Family, which was a large group.  Carter's Grandparents graciously feed us all.  I looked around at their family and all the wonderful people in the room.  I watched Aaron's cousin's families who's children are just a little older than ours and I realized how quickly our children will group up on us.  It's hard for me to imagine them being anything other than my babies.  It will be an adventure for sure. 
• Every time I turned around Aaron's family was trying to teach Priya how to walk.  Making me realize I should probably put some effort into helping her learn.  That or take her to visit them more often. 
• It was a nice relaxing trip and always nice to see his Grandparents.

We had such a great weekend and enjoyed the company so much!  Hope you had a great weekend too!

What Doesn't Kill Ya

 The last few days I have felt lucky to just show up on time to the destination/appointment/meeting/activity written in my planner.  My sweet kids have been pretty patient with all the riding in the car and eating on the go.  Yesterday we were lucky enough to be home during the day.  I laid in bed listening to my children stirring knowing they'd wake soon so I went through my list of desires for the day.  Laundry, decorating projects, 72 hour kits, budget review, ect, ect.  I decided on a few of those and then got myself up and ready to greet my children for the morning.  As soon as they were up I knew my list just wasn't going to cut it so we made soap foam instead.  It was a lot of fun for Porter and even though she hated it being exposed to different textures is good for Priya Lynn.

Dish soap, a touch of water, and the food processor are all you need.

Little Miss was right in the middle of the action.

I hadn't even finished transferring the foam to the bowl and his hands were in it.

We move to a better location and I made Priya try it. She hated it.

He was painting the side of the tub.

She found a safe place to watch from.

When you make a mess with soap you get one big bubble bath to clean it up with.  She didn't even like that part.  So I just rinsed her off and pulled her out.

Porter loved it though. I pulled out a sponge and cleaned the tub while we were at it.  The soap was a little hard on P's sensitive skin but I just leathered him in Aquafur (sp?) and he was good.

On my way home from Preschool today I was panicking.  I have way more that I feel MUST be done in the next 24 hours than can be done.  I turned up the tunes and calmed down a little.  While I would like to get all these things done, it's just not going to happen.  This song came on and I really like the chorus.  Yeah I haven't lost my guy he's standing by my side strong as ever but we all lose things in life and we hope to come out a little stronger from it.  Anyways, it changed my attitude so I thought I'd share.  It only took Kelly 9 years since winning Idol to come out with something I actually like.
 If you want more info on soap foam click here. p.s. if you're wondering why I'm posting if I have way too much to do it's because I'm working on a YW project that has had significant wait time.