Happy Halloween

I finally felt like celebrating Halloween this week! I have been so ill now that we are expecting number four and I haven't been excited or happy about anything for so long. But I was able to start and finish Scott's Jedi costume, bake cookies for Scott's class, take Abigail to a birthday party and take all the children Trunk-or-Treating this past week. Sam was able to be home to carve pumpkins Thursday and he came home this evening to go Trick-or-Treating, but then he had to go back to the hospital for in-house call. Sam is about to start another round of interviewing and we have been practicing together. The children really got into carving pumpkins as you can see in the pictures. Their personalities were very visible in their approach to pumpkin carving. Scott pulled both sleeves up and dug both hands in to pull out the pulp. Abigail didn't want to get her hands sticky and asked to use a spoon, which she enthusiastically used. Scott has loved being a Jedi. At the church party there were several other Jedi there and they were having star wars all over the cultural hall. Abigail loved her lion costume. We were worried that Allison might be afraid of Abigail in her costume, but she just laughed at Abigail. Allison was a ducky and Abigail coached her on saying, "quack, quack!" What a change six years and three children make! I don't think Scott touched any candy until he was close to three years old. This evening Allison reveled in her candy hoard and had two suckers in her mouth and one in each hand and was trying to open more candy.

Fragrant Air Lightly Lingers

I have been wanting to write and put it off too often lately. Perhaps President Monson’s words about putting off for tomorrow have impacted me a bit. The children are doing well though this seems less and less to my credit and (if possible) even less to their credit, and more to angels who must be watching over us, much like Elder Holland described. There seem to be more and more days when I seriously consider parenting strategies along the lines of survival of the fittest. But there are moments of bliss and satisfaction. Like when Abigail is riding her bike in the rain and singing Alvin and the Chipmunks and asking to take the long way home, because its just so much fun. Or suddenly realizing that Scott got up and started on his bike without my help after sooo many times when I would support him and give him a push. (He has graduated to a bigger bike with handle brakes and gear shifts.) Or when I’m laying down and Allison does a belly flop on my face, because to a 21 month old this is a perfectly acceptable form of affection. My favorite perhaps was Allison refusing to let me help her with her prayer this evening. I stepped out of the room for a moment and returned only to find Abigail kneeling next to Allison helping her pray. Scott also makes such heroic efforts to be helpful sometimes. Like this evening, knowing how frustrating it is for me to herd everyone to bed, he offered to lay out the clothes for the girls so they could start getting dressed. Allison managed to get her pants on right side out, but was very proud of herself. Sam has finally learned what it means to have a Daddy’s girl and I am loving it. As soon as Sam comes home Mommy is second best in everything. Daddy must change her diapers, pick up items she throws on the floor at dinner and help her into her car seat. But Allison is grateful because on the other hand she will do just about anything Daddy asks her including massage his head with dryer balls.
The weather here has been marvelous. This last week it was finally down in the fifties in the morning, though it still gets up into the high eighties during the days. The children are shivering and putting on jackets in the mornings, but asking for their bathing suits in the afternoon. This is a picture of Abigail with our container garder we are doing here. Sam has been enjoying a rewarding football season, though he has less time than ever to enjoy it. Both Alabama and BYU are undefeated. Scott and Sam are both proudly wearing their team attire. Sam and I were able to go on our first date for a long time, because he has been on call or busy most Friday nights. We played golf and we played it horribly, but we really enjoyed it.

The Essence of Abigail

I just wanted to write this happening down not because it was unique, but because it so typifies my sweet Abigail. While changing a messy diaper of Allison's I asked Abigail to take the tightly wrapped soiled diaper to the garbage. She stared at me deep in thought for probably twice as long as it would have taken to accomplish the task. Then she slooowwwly replied, "Yes," and took the diaper. One second later she was back with the dirty diaper in hand and sobbing hysterically. She had bumped her ear on the door handle of the bathroom. So much drama for such a small task I feel like I need some sympathy.

We have survived Scott’s first week of school and so far I am pleased with the organization and professionalism in his new school. I am really enjoying riding bikes to and from school. Abigail bikes four miles on days when we take Scott to and from school. The exercise is good for Scott and it helps us all reconnect before we get home. I am not having as much fun with the children, but I am restoring order to my home. Sam is working on a big presentation so yesterday I took Scott and Abigail to see Prince Caspian at the cheep theatre while Allison slept. I think Scott’s biggest hero was The High King Peter because he was so upset at the end of the movie when it said that he wouldn’t be returning to Narnia. Abigail is becoming very helpful around the house and loves to clean and restore order to things almost as much as me. I am reading “John Adams” by David McCullough and I love reading to Abigail the parts about Abigail Adams. Allison continues to amaze me and others with her advanced behaviors. She puts the silverware away for me perfectly, gets her shoes on when I say its time to go, and is mastering the most difficult board puzzles that I have in the house.

Last week of summer vacation

I feel like we have been successful in having as much fun as we could handle during our last week with Scott home for the summer. Monday I did laundry, but my wonderful children went out into the 90+ weather with me so I could do a four mile run. Scott was a trooper. Abigail and Allison both fell asleep, but Scott stuck with me. We took several water breaks. Before you worry about heat stroke I’ll tell you that we keep our thermostat at 85 degrees in our home and turn it down to a chilly 80 degrees at night. Just this afternoon we came home from church and the children and I were shivering and grabbing blankets because the air had been left at 80 degrees from last night. My point is simply that we have definitely acclimatized to our habitat. Tuesday I let the children play in the water while I lifted weights outside then they went on a bike ride. It was over 100 degrees that afternoon, but the children still biked about two miles in the heat. I pushed Allison on the push tricycle that we have. Wednesday morning when I got up at 5am for my run it was 80 degrees already. Getting groceries was tricky that day in 100+ weather. I was glad we didn’t live more that 5 minutes from Walmart and Sam’s club. Thursday we had a wonderful day at the lake and felt bad for Sam who had to stay at the hospital. Our friends took us on their pontoon boat that could fit 14 adults. I have decided that that is the way to go if you buy a boat! Thursday evening was the Open House for Scott’s school. I am already very impressed with his school. Friday I took the children to the library and we spend the afternoon at the Science Center. Saturday was Sam’s day off this month. He was able to sleep in a little, but we left the house a little after 8am so that we could go to the Columbia, South Carolina temple. We took the children. I did initiatories first and then Sam did a session. There is a really big park right next to the temple that made this much easier. I am sad to see our summer with Scott over, but hope I can make the most of my last year with Abigail at home.

No on looks good in a bathing suit

I’m suppose to be sleeping now but I was startled by a large cockroach in bed with me for the second time this morning and so I’m done with my bed. Luckily Sam hadn’t left yet and he had his shoes on so he was able to kill it for me.
I’m feeling really bad that I didn’t keep my camera closer to me this week. For our fun activity this Friday I took the children to the lake that is about 30 minutes north of us. We had a really great time. There were lots of fish in the water, big birds flying around, and little frogs along the shore for the children to chase. I have also learned an interesting reality: No one looks good in a bathing suit. Especially a bikini. I know this may be a shock to some of you, but I was observing the other people on the beach and they looked flabby, dimply, and large. I didn’t realize how skinny they actually were until they put their beach cover-ups on. Scott actually observed this. He looked at me in my swimming suit and said, “Wow Mom! You look larger!” Okay maybe I’m just being a bit sensitive. Maybe he realized what he said because he tried to cover up with, “well, maybe just stronger, and bigger like you could save someone.” I just wanted to put this in for all those ladies out there that cringe at the thought of putting on a swimming suit. It is a thought that makes me braver every time I hesitate to get in the water and have fun with my family and friends.
We came home from the lake and while we were still in our bathing suits we filled 100 water balloons for the Primary activity Saturday morning. Sam was at the hospital Friday night. So we had home made mac and cheese and I stayed up late working on Primary things. Oh, I’ve been called as the Primary Secretary. I’m so excited to be able to do all the things I wanted to have done, but couldn’t do while I was president.

Blueberry Muffins

Mom wanted my blueberry muffin recipe so I thought I would put it here for everyone to see.

2c Flour (1c whole wheat, 1/3c flax seed, 2/3c white flour)
1Tbsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 c sugar
1 c and 1 Tbsp Milk
2 eggs
4 Tbsp oil
1/3 c sour cream
2 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 c blueberries

400 degrees F. Makes 12 muffins. Mix dry and liquid ingredients sepparately and then combine saving blueberries until last. Bake in muffins tins sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Bake for 20-22 min.

My Menu Plan

This has helped me so much. I have pretty much stuck to it this month and it is amazing how efficient food production is with a simple plan. I wanted to pass it along for any interested friends and family.

Sunday: Lasagna or baked chicken
Monday: (Ground beef) Burritoes or taco salad or hamburgers*
Tuesday: (Chicken brst) Teriaki or Sweet and Sour or General Tso or Chicken Parmesan*
Wednesday: Fajitas (using left over baked chicken) or steak or pork
Thursday: Fish
Friday: Spaghetti or homemade mac and cheese*
Saturday: left overs or eat out

*I make extra on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday to freeze or use in other up coming meals.

A week of tranquility

Happy Birthday to Dad! As the song goes, “one year older and wiser too! Happy Birthday to You!”. I am still trying to get used to not having Sam around so much and figuring how to get the most of our time with him. We had dinners with two other families this week and I didn’t hurry home because I didn’t know if Sam would be home. Tuesday night expected to drop some clothes off at the church for him as I assumed he was going straight from work to YM. I didn’t hear from him until 9:15pm saying that he was on his way. Once he got home he said he had to leave again in 45 min to go back. So Wednesday we really didn’t hurry home from friends house only to find that he had been home for about an hour and a half when I got home at about 8:30pm. Sam made it to basketball Wednesday night. He is really glad to have that on a regular basis. Last night he was on call and had to leave at 10pm to check on a patient and got home at about 12:30pm. Just so everyone understands, the oral maxillofacial (OMF) group rotates trauma call at the hospital with plastics and ENT surgical teams. During his internship and residency Sam will be learning to do almost any surgery involving the head and neck and he will care for any head injuries that come through the ER during the first ten days of the month and will have to stay at the hospital on the nights that he is on call. It is a bit confusing and we are still adjusting.
Here was my week in brief.
Monday - laundry
Tuesday - baked blueberry muffins and cut out a pattern for a pioneer dress for Abby only to remember that my sewing machine doesn’t sew thin materials well. Dinner with other medical intern families at the Brosnehan’s
Wednesday - Shopping and visit/dinner with the Squires
Thursday - Cleaning. The children also finally earned the hot wheel that they picked out. Scott had to practice the piano in a timely fashion for twenty days and Abigail had to make up her bed for twenty days. This made them happy all day.
Friday - Free Day. Despite it being free day I was very busy. After breakfast I immediately started putting together two lasagnas, three chicken parmesan dinners, and one pan of brownie cheesecake bars. Most of this will be frozen and used later. We were late going to the library, but I still enjoyed browsing through books for an hour while the children looked at books, did puzzles and games. Scott helped me find an interesting book on yoga. After the library we went to the river and the children seemed to enjoy it even more, but we just didn’t have enough time.
Saturday - Pioneer Breakfast at church. Sam finally mowed the yard. The weeds were about knee high. Besides his busy schedule we had to get the mower fixed.

This week's adventures

We have had another wonderful week. I think knowing that we are going to only be here for a year has given me a keen sense of the meaning carpe diem. I am also very aware that I only have a few more weeks with Scott before he goes back to school and that I only have a year with Abigail before she starts school. Sam is home less but it seems we try to enjoy the time we are together more. Allison needs to be potty trained, but I am hoping this can wait until Scott starts school. She is very aware that she is a silly girl. Her destructive, mischievous, and general messiness phases of toddler hood are in full force. We have lost objects to garbage can, had lipstick smeared all over her body and the bathroom, and many battles over glue sticks. Yesterday Sam and I were playing tennis and letting the children play on a close by playground. We had to stop playing tennis when Allison started scaling some climbing bars about four fee off the ground. To appease her we tried to put her in the baby swing - you know, the safe one that is like a rubber bucket. She screamed in terror and clutched at Sam in pure fright. Sam asked me to take over so he could practice tennis with Scott. I solved Allison’s issues by putting her in the big-kid swing next to Abigail. So the two of them swung happily until it was time to go. Sam and I laughed at Allison’s happiness in hanging precariously in the big swing when she was terrified of the baby swing. Scott’s tennis is improving and Abigail’s sharing skills are getting better. She shared her tennis ball with Allison to help her be happy while we were all on the tennis court. Sam had a good birthday though, complete with german chocolate cake and ribs.
Friday was glorious. The children helped me clean the house in the morning so that we could go on a picnic lunch next to the river. I needed to get a good run in and Friday is our free day or adventure day. So I packed for swimming, running and picnicking. We went to the trail that starts at the lock and canal. Scott rode his bike and I ran pushing the double stroller 2.5 miles there and back. We went to a swimming area on the river that Sam and I discovered on our biking date last week. I wasn’t sure how strong the current would be or if it would be too deep so I armed the children with rules, floaties, and river shoes as we braved the river. It turned out to be wonderful! Not too cold, not too deep, not too fast and with lots of rocks and shallows to climb around and explore for whelks, tadpoles, and little fish.
We have also enjoyed several family bike rides. Abigail has decided that she really likes her bike with training wheels and it is amazing how brave she can be when just a short while ago she was furious with us for even suggesting she should try the bigger bike. Once she started to go there was nothing that would stop her. She has fallen more times that I can remember, but she hops back on and goes as fast as she can until she crashes or runs into something. I am really trying to encourage her to use her brakes and she is becoming a little more compliant. At first I would tell her to get to the side because a car was coming and she would bike full speed into the curb every time. This wouldn’t faze her a bit. She is so tough.

Sunday with Sam

Perhaps this title is not completely realistic. Sam is not here right now. He left early this morning for rounds at the hospital. Yesterday I was so excited to have a Saturday with him and I had spent a lot of time planning and thinking of different senarios of family work time mingled with family adventures. So I was a bit deflated when he didn't return from Saturday morning rounds until after noon. Oh well. I got some work done and later in the afternoon Sam let me go for a long run. My plans for our Friday evening date did work out nicely though. Sam and I went bike riding along the canal. We went about ten miles and we were able to figure out how the path connected with the path I ran from the Science Center a few weeks ago. The children were thrilled to spend time with friends Friday. Abigail especially has been very sad about not being able to see her friends in Birmingham. So Friday I arranged to meet a few families at the park. There is a new library here that the children love. So Friday I got a few books to brows through while the children played and looked at books in the children's section. Then we met our friends at the park next to the library. We had a lovely time and after playing at the park we were invited to the Brosnehans house to play some more. Yesterday evening we went to a pool party at the Guthrie's home. Our new ward has so many members with pools that they were able to arrange a ward pool dinner night. It was a lot of fun for everyone. I am amazed once again at the depth in this ward.

Allison is continuing to tell me she needs to use the potty so we bought a new potty seat yesterday. This is delightful and perplexing because I just stocked up on diapers and a lot of her summer clothes have bottom snaps.

Scott is learning to love the internet. Now that Sam isn't home as much I can't says, "Ask your Dad when he comes home." So instead I say, "Let's look it up on the internet." So far we have researched how the eye works how telescopes work and learned more about the Blue Angels. I let Scott peruse their website while I bathed the girls and he ran to me saying, "One of the Blue Angels is from Alabama! That means he's like my twin!" Then we had to discuss what twins were.

Abigail is my literal child and it is fun to hear her take on things. After we were done at the pool she proudly said, "I didn't drown Mom! I didn't drown!" She has been so encouraging with Allison's toilet training and cheering and clapping for Allison. She is a good big sister.

First pictures: Allison and house

This morning I was able to put a ponytail in Allsion's hair for the first time. Last night she had another first. She tickled in the potty for the first time! Yeah! I might get brave and try to capitalize on this achievement.

I'm going to try again

I'm still trying.

YES! Here we are at Sweitzer this past February. It was lovely

I

I can't remember what exactly this was a video of, but I just wanted to see if this would work.

It is getting pretty late here, but I'm waiting for the video to upload. Augusta has been great for us so far. I went shopping yesterday and was amazed by how close everything was. It took hardly any gas. Sam had a meeting yesterday and they told him how to be a good resident/intern. He said the person lecturing passed out plastic spoons and had everyone break them. The point was that there would be no more spoon fed education. If you don't know what you need to know it is your fault. Before we started this I was so excited for Sam, but I wondered how it would utilize his great research skills. I guess I just found out. He has probably studied/researched as much these past few weeks as I have ever seen him study.

Scott quote: "Mom! Don't open this!" He's holding a color wonder bag in his hand. "What? Why?" Scott, "It's a mess!" I look closer. "What? Where's the mess?" Scott, "In here, inside there's a mess. See it says 'free mess'." I smile and say, "No Scott it says 'Mess Free' or it doesn't make a mess." Scott is thrilled and very happy for me that I don't have to clean up another mess.

Okay, I gave up on the video. It's getting too late. I'll try again later.

New, but not first

I have already posted, but I can't figure out how to get it to appear. How frustrating. It is getting late and I realize if I just go to bed and start again tomorrow I may have more luck, but this is just maddening