Things I Lose on a Regular Basis

We're talking daily...

1. Shoes
2. Keys (I really hate having extra apartment/mailbox keys)
3. Clothing (I don't know how I can lose a shirt, but it happens...often)
4. All 3 Cordless Phones
5. My Cell Phone
6. The Camera
7. The current book I am reading
8. Baby blankets
9. Binkies
10. Any important paper
11. Library books
12. Library movies
13. Library card
14. Money (including the check book)
15. The Hair Pick
16. The Hair Comb
17. Any pony tail holder, hair clip, bow, or head band
18. The Finger Nail Clippers
19. Scissors
20. Tape

This is why I NEVER take off my wedding ring.

Blessing Day

So, I am having camera issues...and coloring issues... it's just one of those things, I guess. I would like to say that if I had an expensive, wonderful camera that I would warp into an expert photographer...but I know it's not true. And as much as photography interests me, I'm not sure I could wade through the technicalities of it to become wonderful. Maybe a class--both on photography and editing. Someday...

We blessed Aiddie JoMicheal today. Well, Jason did. It was a beautiful blessing. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the preisthood and for my wonderful husband. We really only invited immediate family, and the few friends we wanted to come were sick. So it was a small gathering, just perfect. Except that my family seems to be dwindling in numbers and Jason's could be following suite. Oh well, what can you do?

Aiddie is such a good baby and I am having so much fun basking in her baby-ness. I thoroughly enjoy her little baby body curled up on my chest and the little baby sounds she makes. I remember how difficult and stressed things seemed with only one baby. It's funny how more children can make you more relaxed. And honestly, I think I really started enjoying "babies" with my third and then again (if not more) with my fourth.

It was a good day. Thanks everyone for your help and support and for those of you who missed it, we missed you.

TOU

I guess you could say this is my black and white interpretation of the marathon...really, I didn't have a single decent picture and ended up playing with them for a while. But I kind of like it. Each picture says something to me about that moment...and each one was emotional in it's own way. Jason PR'd at 3.24.04, despite the fact that he has had the flu all week (and still does). His little brother (hmm...once again no pictures of Travis :( ) also PR'd at 3.21.34. His Mom also PR'd at 5.17.04. I think it was a long road for them...but once again, they made it! Amazing. Absolutely amazing.

Mialee Says,

"My PD (PE) teacher's voice was not very strong because she said she had a scratch in it. I told her that she still sounded nice to me. Besides, I couldn't even hear the scratch."

and while eating her after school snack...

"Look Mom, I'm eating my bread like a normal person!"

Yeah, we had a conversation about that earlier today.

I DON'T WANT TO!

It's one of those days...

I don't want to do the laundry...again.
I don't want to do the dishes...again.
I don't want to clean the bathroom...again.
I don't want to pick up the toys...again.
I don't want to change the sheets...again.
I don't want to fix lunch...again.
I don't want to bathe the children...again.
I don't want to do their hair...again.

I tried a soak in the tub...still don't want to.
I tried avoiding it all for a while...it's still there...and I still don't want to.

Heck, I don't even want to be a mom today. I JUST DON'T WANT TO!

And even if I did do it...it would all just be undone...AND THEN I WOULD HAVE TO DO IT AGAIN!!!

If I lay on the floor and cry and scream will someone send me to my room for the day?

Vibram 5 Fingers

I would take a picture, but I am currently wearing them and that would take effort...

So Jason loves his VFF's. He swears by them. When we went to buy them, I tried on a pair for fun, and they are actually quite comfortable. Anyway, I vowed to buy a pair after having my latest baby...and the time has come.

Unfortunately, the first pair I bought turned out to be too small. My first walking trip, preceded with the following conversation, was pain-filled and ended with blisters on my heels.

Jeri Dawn: I can't get these dang shoes on!

Jeri Dawn: Somebody help me, I can't get these shoes on.

Jason: You need to sit on a chair so you can use you body as leverage to get your toes in.

Jeri Dawn: My toes are in! That's not the problem.

Jason: Go sit on the chair and push your toes in all the way.

Jeri Dawn: You are not listening to me! My stinking toes are all the way in the stupid shoes! They are touching the end! Sitting on a chair will not do me any good because I don't need to shove my toes in any further. I can't get heel out from under my foot and up and around my ankle.

Jason: Well, obviously, you don't need my help.

Jeri Dawn: You are not helping!

Jason: Fine, whatever.

Jeri Dawn: (After 10 minutes of ripping her fingers off trying to get the heel of the shoe on). I GOT IT! See ya later.

Unfortunately they hurt and a mere half mile later I was limping home and prying the dang shoes off. After professing my pain Jason says, "Are they too small?" I told him to show me how his fit. His are much much much looser compared to mine. You could probably cram another foot into his if you tried hard enough. :)

Again, the anger.

Jeri Dawn: Why didn't you tell me that's how your fit before I bought them?

Jason: Well, you were the one that tried on 100 pair. I assumed you got the right size.

Jeri Dawn: I thought they were supposed to be snug. My toes are touching the end and it takes me half an hour to yank them on. Oh man! This sucks.

Jason called the next day and informed me of a place that offered free shipping and then kindly ordered me a size bigger.

So now....pray that these things fit right and that they actually help because I can't afford another pair. Heck, I couldn't afford the second pair, much less the first!

Need Something Worthwhile To Do?

In the past year...I can think of at least 5 instances where someone has lost a baby. I think these have stayed with me because of the birth of my baby not to long ago (and being pregnant during the occurrances). My friend, Kayleen, posted this link on her blog Greyson's Gift and it got me thinking...I bet all of our hospitals could use these little blankets. I especially love the little blanket her sister made her (in the picture at the top of the page). So...if you find yourself with a few extra minutes...make a blanket!

First Day of Kindergarten

Monday was the FIRST DAY of kindergarten, for Mialee. She was incredibly excited. School started at 1:00 pm. So we were safely out the door at 12:50 pm (it takes about 5 minutes to drive to her school). First step...open the van (automatic sliding) door. It's a no go. Hmmm. So I open the driver door and push a few buttons. Nothing. Not a good sign. Step two...insert key. No juice. Crap. Mialee begins to get a little worried at this point. "How are we going to get to my school?" "Don't worry, we'll find a way." And in my head I am calculating any and all possibilities: walk (would take too long), call Jason (would also take too long), call my sister (again, too long, we only had about 5 minutes at this point to get there). So I opt for calling friends and neighbors who are VERY close. As I look up, there goes one neighbor whose little boy is also starting kindergarten. So I call her cell phone...no answer. Hey! There goes another neighbor. I guess he mistook my two arm panicky wave as an enthusiastic "Hello!" I also try his cell...again no answer. Aaarrgghhh. Mialee is getting more worried by the minute. I start calling other neighbors...WHY WON'T ANYONE ANSWER THEIR PHONE? Okay, I'm down to my last resort...Neighbor number 7 whose wife is out of town, but works from home and is very nice and whom we are very good friends with and I know he will take me if he will just answer his phone! BINGO! Dean to the rescue. This is where I swallow my pride and make it a point to talk about his wife the whole time to alleviate any awkwardness at being alone in a vehicle with my friends husband or my husband's friend...Oh, I guess the kids were in the back seat. Still awkward, though. Anyway, we finally made it and he graciously tended to a screaming Aiddie while I ran in to snap a few pictures, worried about Mialee making friends, kissed her ten times. reassured myself a bit, chatted with a lady who knew me from basketball (I had no idea who she was), and sprinted back out to the car. You gotta love first days.