Yesterday I got a few hours off from Mom-ness and went to a water workout with my mom. Let me just tell you that was intense, hilarious and fun. But that isn't what I am writing about.
My husband is awesome and got the kids all ready for bed and took care of little Andrew as he cried and tried to climb out the front door as I drove off (he is a little attached). So this story comes from Tyson's point of view:
Apparently all the boys (minus Andrew, who finally fell asleep) were outside playing, some game about light codes and people die if you get the code wrong, that kind of thing. We still aren't sure how this played into the game, but Tyson overheard Caleb chanting this:
"Don't mess with me, I can walk on water. Don't mess with me, I can walk on waaaater."
He was doing this walking a crazy saunter walk and I really LOVED Tyson's impression of it. Seriously, it was awesome. It makes me wonder, was Caleb pretending to be Jesus, or was he just walking on water? Whenever we ask him about it, he just giggles and walks away. And what does that mean: Don't mess with me? I mean, I guess it is true, if you have the power to walk on water, you really shouldn't be messed with. But still, where does he come up with these things?
I suppose this will just go down in unsolved mysteries.
But since then little Matthew walks around the house "walk a wader" and then giggles because he knows he is so cute. Gotta love these boys.
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
I Resolve to Be Better at Living My Resolutions...Again
So you know how you make all those resolutions at the beginning of the year and then right about now you find that piece of paper that you wrote everything down on and you want to incinerate it because, let's face it, you haven't done hardly any of those things? Either that, or you are like me and think (because I am ever the procrastinator), 8 months until I really need to accomplish these things? That is PLENTY of time! Haha. Well, Tyson had a goal to run a 5k this month and I wanted to run it with him, but well, just like every other year, I haven't gone running once. So I would be lucky if I could run a block, much less over three miles.
But at the same time, it is good to constantly remember all the good things I am doing and goals I am actually accomplishing. Caleb is learning to read (mostly that is due to his diligence rather than mine, but let's not talk about that), Matthew and Andrew are pretty much sleeping through the night, not sure if that is because I am so tired I don't wake up from them, but either way, they learn to stay asleep. :)
Goals are really awesome things. Even if they make me feel a little bummed about myself, it is still a really great tool to shake me awake and say "hey, Cami, DO something with your life besides just look busy!"
On that note, I saw something on Facebook that mentioned that yesterday was don't do any housework day. So I totally got on that ban wagon. It was quite refreshing. Especially since I ended up going outside with the boys and we played hide-and-seek with "treasure." (it was a bag of fake gems) It was SO much fun! I don't know why I don't go outside and play with them more often. I loved listening to Caleb go "Wormer-wormer-hodder-hodder-colder-colder" for like five minutes while Josh and Matthew would turn around in circles searching (Caleb is a master hider). And Matthew was SO excited to be included and allowed to hide the treasure occasionally. And Josh of course talked the whole time telling me everything he learned at school.
"Did you know the moon isn't a magnet?"
"Did you know a compass works in buildings, under water, in the basement, everywhere?"
"Did you know Pluto is the furthest thing from the sun? But it isn't a planet anymore."
"Did you know that my friend Bryce moved SO far away that I will never see him again. That makes me sad."
"Did you know I switched tables at school?"
Sometimes I wonder if his teacher taught him these things or if he is learning some things from other kids and taking it as truth, and since I know...let's just say, I don't know everything, I have no idea if it is factual. I start to believe everything he says and then I think, "what if I start telling people things like a compass works under water and it totally doesn't?"
Sometimes it is hard having a kid that is learning so much. I guess it is a good thing we have the internet, so I can check and see if he is right, because we KNOW everything on the internet is true. :)
So this morning I woke up and resolved to do more and be better. But then I saw the sink and remembered yesterday was don't do any housework day. And so as Tyson told me it would be, today is regret you didn't do any housework day. :) But not totally regret, because that half an hour of treasure hunting was totally worth it.
But at the same time, it is good to constantly remember all the good things I am doing and goals I am actually accomplishing. Caleb is learning to read (mostly that is due to his diligence rather than mine, but let's not talk about that), Matthew and Andrew are pretty much sleeping through the night, not sure if that is because I am so tired I don't wake up from them, but either way, they learn to stay asleep. :)
Goals are really awesome things. Even if they make me feel a little bummed about myself, it is still a really great tool to shake me awake and say "hey, Cami, DO something with your life besides just look busy!"
On that note, I saw something on Facebook that mentioned that yesterday was don't do any housework day. So I totally got on that ban wagon. It was quite refreshing. Especially since I ended up going outside with the boys and we played hide-and-seek with "treasure." (it was a bag of fake gems) It was SO much fun! I don't know why I don't go outside and play with them more often. I loved listening to Caleb go "Wormer-wormer-hodder-hodder-colder-colder" for like five minutes while Josh and Matthew would turn around in circles searching (Caleb is a master hider). And Matthew was SO excited to be included and allowed to hide the treasure occasionally. And Josh of course talked the whole time telling me everything he learned at school.
"Did you know the moon isn't a magnet?"
"Did you know a compass works in buildings, under water, in the basement, everywhere?"
"Did you know Pluto is the furthest thing from the sun? But it isn't a planet anymore."
"Did you know that my friend Bryce moved SO far away that I will never see him again. That makes me sad."
"Did you know I switched tables at school?"
Sometimes I wonder if his teacher taught him these things or if he is learning some things from other kids and taking it as truth, and since I know...let's just say, I don't know everything, I have no idea if it is factual. I start to believe everything he says and then I think, "what if I start telling people things like a compass works under water and it totally doesn't?"
Sometimes it is hard having a kid that is learning so much. I guess it is a good thing we have the internet, so I can check and see if he is right, because we KNOW everything on the internet is true. :)
So this morning I woke up and resolved to do more and be better. But then I saw the sink and remembered yesterday was don't do any housework day. And so as Tyson told me it would be, today is regret you didn't do any housework day. :) But not totally regret, because that half an hour of treasure hunting was totally worth it.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Weekend Recharge
I love General Conference weekend. I used to kind of dread it as a child, it was nice to not have to get dressed up and just watch "church" on TV, but it was kind of boring too. I obviously didn't grasp how amazing it is to listen to the Lord's true prophet and apostles. I am so thankful for my parents though, that no matter the fuss we kids threw, they watched or listened to Conference and they did their best to get all seven of us to at least listen to a few sessions without falling asleep. (listen or watch any of the sessions of Conference here)
By some miracle and I am not quite sure why, but my kids LOVE Conference. It is the same thing with vegetables, they love them. I don't know how we got so lucky, but I am thankful. We spent Saturday morning painting a fence in town (okay, I was in the car most of the time with Andrew, it was really cold, but Tyson was awesome and was serving), and we got home just before noon to quickly set up the projector, fix lunch and sit down as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing. Josh had his journal on his lap (his most recent grocery shopping trip request), ready to take notes. Matthew and Caleb were so ready to listen too.
It makes me so happy to have the word of the Lord in our home. I know I am not the best at living it, and so quickly I forget to be kind and loving, but I know all about starting over again and trying to be better than I was the day (or moment) before.
The Lord is so good to us, He truly does love us. He loves my little boys and I am so thankful He trusted me to take care of them, love them and teach them to be like Him and to share His gospel. I know with His help, I will be able to. I just need to keep doing all I can.
That is why my kids are watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates, so I can write this and take a few deep breaths before I have to take the ipad back and we go on our own adventure to get Josh from the bus stop. Every captain needs a few moments recharge before leading the troops, right?
By some miracle and I am not quite sure why, but my kids LOVE Conference. It is the same thing with vegetables, they love them. I don't know how we got so lucky, but I am thankful. We spent Saturday morning painting a fence in town (okay, I was in the car most of the time with Andrew, it was really cold, but Tyson was awesome and was serving), and we got home just before noon to quickly set up the projector, fix lunch and sit down as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing. Josh had his journal on his lap (his most recent grocery shopping trip request), ready to take notes. Matthew and Caleb were so ready to listen too.
It makes me so happy to have the word of the Lord in our home. I know I am not the best at living it, and so quickly I forget to be kind and loving, but I know all about starting over again and trying to be better than I was the day (or moment) before.
The Lord is so good to us, He truly does love us. He loves my little boys and I am so thankful He trusted me to take care of them, love them and teach them to be like Him and to share His gospel. I know with His help, I will be able to. I just need to keep doing all I can.
That is why my kids are watching Jake and the Neverland Pirates, so I can write this and take a few deep breaths before I have to take the ipad back and we go on our own adventure to get Josh from the bus stop. Every captain needs a few moments recharge before leading the troops, right?
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Oh Spring
Oh Spring
When after months of cold
the Earth shudders with feeling
bursting like a toddler
too long kept still.
The flowers shudder the soil aside and
slowly slip out of the ground,
blooms peeping out making
one wonder if they can remember
the vibrancy of the color they held
an entire year before.
The birds chirp chirp chirp the voice
that I know but the name I don't.
The night stays away and
the children linger outdoors
refusing
to give in to the parent's call
as they can't imagine being caged
as they were for days and days of winter.
Oh the warm sun and the budding trees,
the way it makes my heart sing
and burst and twirl and dance.
There is energy in Spring.
-Camden Cooper
When after months of cold
the Earth shudders with feeling
bursting like a toddler
too long kept still.
The flowers shudder the soil aside and
slowly slip out of the ground,
blooms peeping out making
one wonder if they can remember
the vibrancy of the color they held
an entire year before.
The birds chirp chirp chirp the voice
that I know but the name I don't.
The night stays away and
the children linger outdoors
refusing
to give in to the parent's call
as they can't imagine being caged
as they were for days and days of winter.
Oh the warm sun and the budding trees,
the way it makes my heart sing
and burst and twirl and dance.
There is energy in Spring.
-Camden Cooper
They Bought a Girl
We live in a really humid place and it rains quite a bit during certain parts of the year. So when you have something like a barbeque grill, you need a super thick cover for it or have a covered deck to keep it in or something to keep it from rusting. I know this because we didn't do that, and now are grill is well, totally unusable. The grill racks (I have some friends that might die reading this since I don't know the proper terms haha) are totally collapsed in from rust. It just isn't safe.
So Tyson went to the store with Caleb yesterday during lunch to get a new one. While he was gone, Logan, Matthew and me were hanging out, playing games and working on our lessons. Logan kept asking where Tyson and Caleb were and I kept telling him they went to the store and they would be back soon.
Logan: "Cami, where is Tyson and Caleb?"
Me: "They went to the store, they will be back soon."
Logan: "What are they doing? Are they getting food?"
Me: "No, they are getting a new grill."
Logan: "Ohhh okay."
A few minutes later, I over hear this:
Logan: "Matthew, your dad and Caleb are at the store buying a new girl. They will be back soon."
Me: "What did you just say Logan?"
Logan: "I was just telling Matthew that Tyson and Caleb went to go buy a girl."
Me: "No Logan, GRILL not girl."
Logan: "Yeah, I know. A girl."
So we worked on it for a few minutes to make sure he could pronounce grill accurately. Cuz, I could totally see him talking with his mom or dad and telling them that Tyson goes off and teaches his son how to buy girls. I didn't think most people would understand.
But since when Tyson was assembling this new (and beautiful) grill, he kept referring to it as a "she" and "her," (he is a little proud of his new purchase, it's kind of adorable), I guess Logan's description wasn't too far off.
So Tyson went to the store with Caleb yesterday during lunch to get a new one. While he was gone, Logan, Matthew and me were hanging out, playing games and working on our lessons. Logan kept asking where Tyson and Caleb were and I kept telling him they went to the store and they would be back soon.
Logan: "Cami, where is Tyson and Caleb?"
Me: "They went to the store, they will be back soon."
Logan: "What are they doing? Are they getting food?"
Me: "No, they are getting a new grill."
Logan: "Ohhh okay."
A few minutes later, I over hear this:
Logan: "Matthew, your dad and Caleb are at the store buying a new girl. They will be back soon."
Me: "What did you just say Logan?"
Logan: "I was just telling Matthew that Tyson and Caleb went to go buy a girl."
Me: "No Logan, GRILL not girl."
Logan: "Yeah, I know. A girl."
So we worked on it for a few minutes to make sure he could pronounce grill accurately. Cuz, I could totally see him talking with his mom or dad and telling them that Tyson goes off and teaches his son how to buy girls. I didn't think most people would understand.
But since when Tyson was assembling this new (and beautiful) grill, he kept referring to it as a "she" and "her," (he is a little proud of his new purchase, it's kind of adorable), I guess Logan's description wasn't too far off.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
What will they say next?
Latest funny moments of our household:
1. I am vacuuming yesterday and for some reason my kids think that when the vacuum is on, they need to compete with the noise. Seriously, they run around and yell and scream like crazy monkeys at the zoo being teased with bananas or something. But hey, I can vaguely remember in my childhood doing the same thing (it has been a long time). So yesterday I am trying to focus on the loud hum of the vacuum and not the cacouphony of noise coming from my monsters. There is some part of my brain that is registering Joshua standing on the coffee table and singing some kind of opera. Don't know how he knows how to sing like that, but it must be born in him because he loves to sing at the top of his lungs, or not to sing at all, like at church. So anyways, I turn off the vacuum for a moment and Josh is singing "La la la oh oh Fall E-quinox!!"
I start laughing and say "Fall equinox?"
Josh: "Mom, don't laugh at me. It is a real thing."
Me: "I know it is a real thing, but how do you know about it?"
Josh: "Mom, no, it really is a real thing. I learned about it at school, it happens twice a year. Don't laugh at me. And also do you know what is a fun word? Cockleshells."
Then he proceeds to sing the nursery rhyme about Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary...
Need I remind you this child is 6. I still don't really know what an equinox is. Don't worry, I looked it up though so I can at least kind of understand what my child is learning in Kindergarten. The word means "equal night" which means the day and night are the same length of time, it happens in March and September. Fascinating huh?
2. It is around 11:30 last night and Tyson and I are just falling asleep. Andrew had woken up, been fed, and back in bed, so I knew I had at least 2 hours of nice sleep. As the hazy world of dreamland fell upon me I started hearing noises, unusual nighttime noises. Maybe it is a weird protective mom thing, or maybe it is just me, but I have all the regular noises programmed into my head of what should be going on during certain times of the day. The people in the basement might be making noise, I know the sound of the cupboards and doors below us closing, I know the loud hum of the heater, I know the whistle of the train, sometimes the occasional police siren.
But the noise I heard was not one of those noises. It sounded like someone was in the house walking around. Usually when Josh wakes up at night, he turns on all the lights and makes lots of noise, so I knew it wasn't him. So I slink out of bed, ready to take on the intruder with my bare hands. I slowly walk down the hallway (the whole 3 steps) and hear the slam of Caleb turning off the water in the bathroom (he has a hard time turning the faucet off, so he hits it with all his force, it is a distinctive noise). So I instantly relax and try to see him in the dark, but I can't, so I turn on the light. Caleb shielding his eyes, is drying his hands.
Me: "Caleb, how on earth do you pee in the dark?"
Caleb: (totally half asleep and without hesitation) "I have eagle eyes."
Then he stumbles back to bed.
I keep laughing as I go back to bed and try to tell Tyson the funny news, but go figure, he is fast asleep. Lucky for me it was our son, and not an intruder. So I giggle myself to sleep about our eagle eyed child.
1. I am vacuuming yesterday and for some reason my kids think that when the vacuum is on, they need to compete with the noise. Seriously, they run around and yell and scream like crazy monkeys at the zoo being teased with bananas or something. But hey, I can vaguely remember in my childhood doing the same thing (it has been a long time). So yesterday I am trying to focus on the loud hum of the vacuum and not the cacouphony of noise coming from my monsters. There is some part of my brain that is registering Joshua standing on the coffee table and singing some kind of opera. Don't know how he knows how to sing like that, but it must be born in him because he loves to sing at the top of his lungs, or not to sing at all, like at church. So anyways, I turn off the vacuum for a moment and Josh is singing "La la la oh oh Fall E-quinox!!"
I start laughing and say "Fall equinox?"
Josh: "Mom, don't laugh at me. It is a real thing."
Me: "I know it is a real thing, but how do you know about it?"
Josh: "Mom, no, it really is a real thing. I learned about it at school, it happens twice a year. Don't laugh at me. And also do you know what is a fun word? Cockleshells."
Then he proceeds to sing the nursery rhyme about Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary...
Need I remind you this child is 6. I still don't really know what an equinox is. Don't worry, I looked it up though so I can at least kind of understand what my child is learning in Kindergarten. The word means "equal night" which means the day and night are the same length of time, it happens in March and September. Fascinating huh?
2. It is around 11:30 last night and Tyson and I are just falling asleep. Andrew had woken up, been fed, and back in bed, so I knew I had at least 2 hours of nice sleep. As the hazy world of dreamland fell upon me I started hearing noises, unusual nighttime noises. Maybe it is a weird protective mom thing, or maybe it is just me, but I have all the regular noises programmed into my head of what should be going on during certain times of the day. The people in the basement might be making noise, I know the sound of the cupboards and doors below us closing, I know the loud hum of the heater, I know the whistle of the train, sometimes the occasional police siren.
But the noise I heard was not one of those noises. It sounded like someone was in the house walking around. Usually when Josh wakes up at night, he turns on all the lights and makes lots of noise, so I knew it wasn't him. So I slink out of bed, ready to take on the intruder with my bare hands. I slowly walk down the hallway (the whole 3 steps) and hear the slam of Caleb turning off the water in the bathroom (he has a hard time turning the faucet off, so he hits it with all his force, it is a distinctive noise). So I instantly relax and try to see him in the dark, but I can't, so I turn on the light. Caleb shielding his eyes, is drying his hands.
Me: "Caleb, how on earth do you pee in the dark?"
Caleb: (totally half asleep and without hesitation) "I have eagle eyes."
Then he stumbles back to bed.
I keep laughing as I go back to bed and try to tell Tyson the funny news, but go figure, he is fast asleep. Lucky for me it was our son, and not an intruder. So I giggle myself to sleep about our eagle eyed child.
Monday, March 31, 2014
My Growling Tiger
It still amazes me not just how different each of my children is, but how different each experience raising them is. Even just little Andrew, who is almost 8 months old, the whole 8 months have been so different than the first 8 months of my other 3 boys.
I remember Caleb was the SWEETEST baby. Seriously, just adorable, this tiny face, big blue eyes, and was just a smiley little lump. He slept great, eat great, was a little lazy, but just happy and content with life. We moved when he was about six months old, and he just laid around, watching us pack things up, no big deal. You give him his pacifier and he was happy as a clam. Until he turned 2, and well, then he gained an opinion. But until then, man, it was a breeze. I had to remind myself to feed him because he just didn't cry much.
Well, Andrew...not so much. I seriously felt like there were month stretches where he just didn't stop crying or whining or just looked plain miserable. We would get glimpses of what we hoped was his real self, it would last a day, maybe two, and then he was back to cranky Gus.
Don't get me wrong, we still adored him and loved him. But it wasn't always easy to like being around him. Mostly because it broke my heart, I didn't know what else to do. But seriously, the last few weeks, the last month really (minus a few days here and there when the teething has got him to be a bit of a monster), the kid is doing great. And maybe it is because of the prior rough months, but the kid is the CUTEST thing ever! He giggles and growls and just has round, shiny cheeks that make me want to kiss and kiss him.
Tonight he woke up right as the kids were finally going to bed (and by going to bed, I mean actually taking Tyson and I seriously and really staying in bed). I got him out of his crib and fed him and then changed him. He of course, rolled over as soon as I let him and tried to crawl away. His crawl right now kind of resembles...well, I don't know, but he gets on his hands and knees, pumps back and forth and then lunges as far as he can, landing flat on his belly, then army crawls a few times and then starts the process over again. Seriously hilarious and adorable. And he makes this terrifying growling noise the whole time like he is coming for some prey and trying to warn them. I don't know, maybe you just have to see it and hear it for yourself.
So I had to get on the floor and play with the little growling tiger. He just giggled and I don't even know how to say it. But it just made my heart feel full to see the little man cub so happy. And to top it off, he gained half a pound in the last week, so the doctors and me aren't nearly as worried. So thankful for answered prayers and that the Lord continually guides me so I can find out what my kids need to help them best. (Apparently it was multi-grain cereal for babies, worked like a charm).
I just had to write and say how grateful I am for my happy baby. I feel crazy good inside when my kids are happy. Just saying.
I remember Caleb was the SWEETEST baby. Seriously, just adorable, this tiny face, big blue eyes, and was just a smiley little lump. He slept great, eat great, was a little lazy, but just happy and content with life. We moved when he was about six months old, and he just laid around, watching us pack things up, no big deal. You give him his pacifier and he was happy as a clam. Until he turned 2, and well, then he gained an opinion. But until then, man, it was a breeze. I had to remind myself to feed him because he just didn't cry much.
Well, Andrew...not so much. I seriously felt like there were month stretches where he just didn't stop crying or whining or just looked plain miserable. We would get glimpses of what we hoped was his real self, it would last a day, maybe two, and then he was back to cranky Gus.
Don't get me wrong, we still adored him and loved him. But it wasn't always easy to like being around him. Mostly because it broke my heart, I didn't know what else to do. But seriously, the last few weeks, the last month really (minus a few days here and there when the teething has got him to be a bit of a monster), the kid is doing great. And maybe it is because of the prior rough months, but the kid is the CUTEST thing ever! He giggles and growls and just has round, shiny cheeks that make me want to kiss and kiss him.
Tonight he woke up right as the kids were finally going to bed (and by going to bed, I mean actually taking Tyson and I seriously and really staying in bed). I got him out of his crib and fed him and then changed him. He of course, rolled over as soon as I let him and tried to crawl away. His crawl right now kind of resembles...well, I don't know, but he gets on his hands and knees, pumps back and forth and then lunges as far as he can, landing flat on his belly, then army crawls a few times and then starts the process over again. Seriously hilarious and adorable. And he makes this terrifying growling noise the whole time like he is coming for some prey and trying to warn them. I don't know, maybe you just have to see it and hear it for yourself.
So I had to get on the floor and play with the little growling tiger. He just giggled and I don't even know how to say it. But it just made my heart feel full to see the little man cub so happy. And to top it off, he gained half a pound in the last week, so the doctors and me aren't nearly as worried. So thankful for answered prayers and that the Lord continually guides me so I can find out what my kids need to help them best. (Apparently it was multi-grain cereal for babies, worked like a charm).
I just had to write and say how grateful I am for my happy baby. I feel crazy good inside when my kids are happy. Just saying.
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