Dreams

Every morning when my kids crawl under my covers at the wee hours of the morning I say the same thing. "morning ______(insert child's name)" "what did you dream about last night?" Sometimes it's good dreams and sometimes bad dreams. They never want to retell the bad dreams. If you have never done this with your child I highly recommend it. It is amusing, endearing, and a great morning conversation starter. I'm hoping that one day it will be such a habit the kids will just come in and tell me what they dreamt about without even asking! I love the answers I get every morning.

Emma is especially creative in her dreams. (or at least her retelling of them) Last night she had a dream that a huge tidal wave was coming and God told us to run behind a big dirt mountain. Then he said we could eat the dirt mountain so we all started eating it and it turned out to be chocolate chip cookie dough! She said it was an awesome dream. I didn't know she knew what a tidal wave was?

Jacob's answer used to always be the same:
Mom: what did you dream about Jacob
Jacob: Disneyland and Legoland
Then, if he is at all talkative, (which he very often is not) I could get him to tell me about some of the rides he went on at Disneyland or Legoland.

This morning however, he had a different answer. "Did you have nice dreams last night Jacob?" I asked. "nope" he said, "there was nothing in my brain last night". Ha,ha...I laughed at that one. He has a great knowledge of body parts and uses it often. Like last week he told me our stomach reaches all the way up to our brains. When I questioned him about it he said he just meant in dogs, not in humans.

Ben has never really answered my question before but this morning he told me he dreamt about taking pictures of roses. At least that's what I interpreted him to be saying... We KNOW what he dreams about though because he quite often wakes us up in the middle of the night to tell us about it. Like a few weeks ago when we heard the front door open and Ben running out of the house screaming...at 3:00am. Dave ran after him and brought him into our room because he was convinced I was leaving and had run out to my car to stop me. It took us awhile to convince him I was in bed and he needed to be in his! Or last week when he came in our room screaming that Emma had come in and hit him (again at 3:00am and Emma was sound asleep). We tried and tried to convince him Emma was asleep and he would have nothing of it so I finally told him she was on timeout for hitting and that seemed to appease him. He finally went back to bed.

So last night I had a pretty weird dream. I had a dream that an old friend posted a high school video of us doing some funky dancing to Ice Ice Baby. (who doesn't love Vanilla Ice?) I looked like a total dork with 80's bangs (much like I looked in high school) and my dance looked something like the Elaine dance from Seinfield. The only thought in my head (my dream head that is) was "wow, look at my skin, I have no wrinkles, ohhh I wish I had skin like that again". Do you think I have some angst about aging? I never really worry about it but I think my subconscious must be!

So what do you dream about?

Friends Where are you?

I know you are there - see what my blog says - you visit but you don't comment! Who are you? Where are you? London, Virginia, California, Utah....I know you are out there. Feed my curiosity and leave me a comment - just one time - so I know I'm not alone. Los Angeles, CA, United States	Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:51:04 -0600
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Reflections

I'm dropping Ben off at a friends house today for a bit while I go to a dr's appt. I was mentally thinking of what I needed to drop of with him and the thought came to mind (sorry this is gross but it's real life friends) "well, he won't need any diapers since he pooped 10 times yesterday so at least she shouldn't have to change any poopy diapers". He's one of those that poops 10 times in one day and then doesn't go for a few days. Aaaannnyway....I was chuckling to myself thinking how when Emma was a toddler and I dropped her off somewhere to be watched for awhile I'd pack a whole diaper bag full of stuff - 10 diapers, wipes, extra pair of clothes, snacks, medical card etc. etc. Now kid number three I practically throw out the van door as I drive by the sitters house. No wonder birth order makes such a difference in behavior (or so they say).

We've been having awesome storms here this week. Lots of heavy rain, a little thunder (not enough for my liking but at least a little) wind. Some people had flooding, mudslides etc. Today however the sun peeked out from behind the clouds for a bit and it was brilliantly sunny out. As I drove up to my house there was a huge beautiful rainbow across the sky that took my breath away for a moment. Now if that isn't the most symbolic thing - a beautiful rainbow after the storm. God is so marvelous. It just reminded me of how things always come out better after we weather life's storms.

Back when Emma was a baby and before we had to live on a school schedule I used to drive up to Sacramento to visit family more. My little sister and I used to play super Mario Bros 3 on her Nintendo for hours! We were addicted, we wanted to conquer the game...and we did. My mom has pictures of me breastfeeding Emma with a Nintendo controller in my hands. I got pretty good at it. Well if you have a WII you might know they just came out with Super Mario Bros 3 for the WII and my video game addiction has reared it's ugly head. My little sister was here after the New Year and she, Dave, and I spent a good many hours on it until we conquered the game! It was fun.

I'm afraid to say however I've passed my love of Super Mario on to my middle child. Jacob is completely addicted. I usually only let them play WII on Saturdays but with the rainy weather I've been a little more lenient. Especially after he was sitting on the couch every morning reading the instruction book that came with the game for like two weeks. One morning he said to me "mom, do you know why I like reading this book...it makes me feel like I'm actually playing the game". The reason I usually only let them play Saturday's is because there is so much wailing and gnashing of teeth when I tell them it's time to turn off the game and I don't feel like dealing with it every day. Jacob especially has a meltdown when it's time to turn it off. He told me a couple of days ago though it's not his fault. His body just cries when the game goes off and he can't control it. It's not him doing it - it's his body. Last night he again cried as I turned off the game and after I told him to go to his room until he was done he said "mom, it's my body, it's doing it again. It's just crying and I can't control it". It's so hard not to laugh.

A few of my Favorites

Two of my favorite quotes that I read recently.

"Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for and relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling." Marjorie Hinckley


"People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway. If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway. What you spend years creating and building, others could destroy overnight. Create and build anyway. If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today, will often be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough. Give the world the best you have anyway. You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway." Mother Teresa

Aren't those inspiring. I know they make me want to do better.

Yesterday Emma's homework was to make a list of her favorite things and then ask a parent about theirs. Then she had to write a paragraph about it. Her is her list word for word. I'll translate for you after -see how many you can guess:

Choclit
wayles
cupcakes
cakes
birthdays
love
kindnes
freenis
doll's
macup
nachr
happynis
singing
writing
math
speling
scool
crch

Did you get them all?

Here is the translation:
Chocolate
whales
cupcakes
cakes
birthdays
love
kindness
freenis (she said it meant being free to do what you want, I tried to explain it is freedom but she insisted it is freenis (freeness) like kindness)
dolls
makeup
nature
happiness
singing
writing
math
spelling
school ( I have to hang on to this list so I can remind her every time she tells me she hates school)
church

My favorites were: Emma, Jacob, Benji, Daddy, chocolate, church, watching movies, and shopping.

My kids have me in Stitches

If there is one thing motherhood does is bring out all of your emotions - pretty much on a daily basis. The last couple of days I've been getting a lot of laughter from the things my kids have been saying. It's hard to relay how funny the conversations are when you can't see the expressions on their faces or be in the moment but I'll attempt to do my best.

Last night the kids and I were watching American Idol together. They were super into it and loved seeing people sing. Every time someone got through to Hollywood they would cheer and jump up and down right along with the contestant. When Simon Cowell rolled his eyes and one of the other judges made a big deal about it, they tried to roll their eyes too - I wish I had it captured on video. Emma rolls her eyes side to side somewhat like and owl and Jacob just raises his eyebrows up and down. I'm sure in another couple of years they will have the eye rolling down to a tee so I'm in no hurry for that one. Anyway, towards then end of the show this long haired rocker type dude came on who could barely mumble out his words when he spoke so you know his singing was going to be bad. The judges asked him what he was going to sing. He said "Every Time We Touch" by Ascada. I guess Jacob didn't hear what he said because he asked "what did he say he was going to sing?" and Emma belts out in dead seriousness "Everytime I Get Touched by a Mosquito!" "ohhhh" Jacob replied. Oh my, I lost it then. I was already giggling with the eye rolling competition but that sent me over the edge laughing. The kids looked at me strangely and couldn't figure out what I was laughing about. I didn't have the heart to tell them he wasn't singing about mosquitoes.

Yesterday Jacob was playing this High School Musical dance mat game we have and he pointed to the blond girl and asked "what's her name again?" I couldn't remember her name either and then he said "I think it's Sharptooth". Then I remember her name was Charpe. I think he's watched one too many dinosaur movies.

This morning Ben didn't like the shirt I put on him. I found him going through his shirt drawer looking for another one. I said "can I help you find a new shirt?" He agreed. The conversation went something like this:

Mom: this one?
Ben: Actually, no that one is Jacob's
Mom: Oh, okay, how about this one?
Ben: No, that one doesn't have a picture on it
Mom: This one?
Ben: No, that one has a pocket on it.
Mom: Okay...How about this one?
Ben: No, that on belongs to peoples
Mom: Well Ben, what shirt do you want to wear?
Ben looks thoughtfully through the discarded pile of shirts "how about this one?" as he pulls out the one with the pocket.
Mom: okay, and I start pulling it over his head only to be met with fierce resistance
Ben : No! that one has a pocket!
Finally we settle on one with trucks on it that he originally claimed to be Jacobs. I have to say I was quite impressed with his vocabulary after the conversation but even more impressed by his sense of style. Dump trucks way outshine a silly pocket.

Personality

I have an awesome new neighbor. We love the whole family! Four kids, 2 cats, a dog...crazy house just like ours. We borrow things from each other all the time, feel comfortable sending our kids over to each others houses, and have great chats. On top of all that she's a professional photographer and offered to take our family Christmas photo. However, with both our busy schedules and the rain, we've been unable to connect. Finally on Sunday the planets aligned and it stopped raining for an hour so we quickly gathered everyone up after church and tried to take some pics. Now, this isn't the one I used for my Christmas card - but I have to say it is my FAVORITE picture she took because it captured everyone's personality in my family perfectly!
It probably isn't noticeable to the common eye but I can see everyone's true self just spilling out from the picture. Let me interpret for you.

Emma - Crazy, vivacious, always laughing (when she's not crying), loves life, never stops until her head hits the pillow kind of girl.

Jacob - shy but sneaky. Loves to play practical jokes on people. Is kind of shy and quiet but thinks he is totally funny. Comes up with the funniest comments ever.

Ben - SOOO mischievous. Doesn't that look just scream "Yeah I'm a troublemaker but I'm so cute how can you resit?"

Dave - hates getting his photo taken and being made by his wife to sit in a photo shoot. See that little crooked smirk on his face - it's saying "how much longer do I have to sit through this torture"?.

Me - I can't believe we are all sitting here at the same time and nobody is whining, yelling, or hitting anyone else. Wearing the "boring-white-shirt-because-I-didn't-have-time-to-find- myself-something-cute-to-wear-with-the-getting-everybody-else-ready" outfit. Thinking - good thing this is right after church so I already had makeup on and my hair semi brushed.

I just laugh to myself when I see this picture. Here are some more for your viewing enjoyment:

A little late

That's me this Christmas...a little late on everything. Actually, that's me this whole YEAR! I feel like I'm always two steps behind trying to catch up. I noticed I still have a Halloween picture as the last entry on the blog and it's almost Christmas! No mention of Thanksgiving and thankfulness or upcoming Christmas fun. Two steps behind...I don't even have a tree yet! Can you believe it! I usually get my tree as soon as the the turkey is gone and the leftover cranberries are washed down the sink. I got sick the day after thanksgiving this year and that put me down for a week. On top of that my house has been partly under construction by my dad and it's been rainingn so it's just been hard to get out and get a tree. Now I'm four steps behind on Christmas and two steps on the rest of life. Oh well...

I sent Dave to get a tree with the kids last night and they came home empty handed. Apparently if you wait until a week before Christmas all they have left are 3 ft trees or 9 ft trees. And since I asked him to get a 5 or 6 ft tree he came home with none since he NEVER deviates from what I tell him to do. Honestly at this point I would have been happy with a 3 footer. I'm taking an easy approach to Christmas this year. Since it's a sort duration my tree will actually be up now I wouldn't mind a little one.

I've been enjoying all the Christmas cards immensly - thank you to all of you who are way more on top of things than myself and already mailed them. I may get mine out next week sometime. I do have them...I just have to mail them. It's so fun catching up at least once year with those who live far away. One thing I love about Christmas. Rekindling old friendships. I also love Christmas movies - we've been watching one a day thanks to TIVO and ABC family. I love Christmas crafts - we've also been doing one a day. It's actually cold here right now and we've had several days of rain so it feels even more like Christmas! We actually had hot chocolate the other day and have to wear sweaters and shoes to go outside! I love it! I love decorating for Christmas. I love it so much I've just been doing a little bit each day. Usually I do one day of decorating with the tree, the house etc. Since I don't have a tree yet that hasn't happened. I still have Pumpkins on my porch and a scarecrow out front underneath the Christmas lights (which I did get put up all by myself thank you very much). I plan on stashing away the rest of the Thanksgiving stuff today and going out on a hunt for the perfect-whatever-is-left-on-the-lot tree. I have to say - it's been a little nice going slow this season.

I don't know if I'll be back before Christmas or not so if not - Merry Christmas friends!