Monday, August 25, 2008

Breakdown

I find things extremely difficult to keep up with when I'm making a new project for myself everytime I turn around. You would think I would just sit down and relax, but I just keep going and going and going...

On Friday night Roger had to work so he had to sleep in Saturday morning. From one of the publications from the library there was and advirtisement for an opening parade for some festival down in North Beach (an hour in a half away). So being the super mom I thought I was... Saturday morning, I worked out, at my bowl of cereal (which the diet thing just isn't working for me) and loaded the kids into the car driving an hour and a half away for some parade. Nikholi was soo excited, he wanted to go to the parade so bad, for a good thirty minutes all I heard is, "Are we there yet? Are we there yet? Are we there yet?" When I was younger I swore to myself that my kids would never do that! We finally arrived at the beach to find that there was no parade, but there was a nice beach and many vendors for the festival. So I thought I would make the most of our time there, since it took me so long to get out there. I let Nikholi play on the playhouse boat on the beach, he wanted to go swimming, and if I knew the beach was going to be as nice as it was I would have brought our swimming suits!

I decided to go look at some vendors, Nikholi willingly came along until he realize that we were going to be doing something that he didn't want to do... Then he booked it in the opposite direction. Trying to chase after him with Kami in the stroller, which wasn't one of the jogging strollers so the front wheels would mess up the faster I tried to catch up with Nikholi. I decieded to move to the front of the stroller pulling it behind me so I could have a better reach once I did get a hold of Nikholi. But once he found out that I was chasing after him, he threw his head back started laughing and ran faster! Oh, I was furious, especially as people around me were laughing. I wanted to say, "quit laughing and help me dang it!" Once I finally was able to grab a hold of Nikholi up and over my shoulders he went. I explained to him that we were going home! He kicked and screamed over my shoulder, while I pushed Kami in the stroller up a steep hill and over two blocks. I was definetly sweating and completely out of breath once we reached the car. But my battle wasn't over yet! I still had to get him into his car seat! Kicking and screaming, sliding downward towards the floor board, picking him up putting him in his car seat and then having to start the process all over again! Luckily, Kambrya was asleep during all of this, she's such a good baby! :)

As we were driving down the road, headed home, Nikholi still screaming saying, "I'm not bad! I'm not bad!" I actually felt like I got threw to him when I rationalized with him. I told him, "No, you're not bad, I just didn't like what you were doing." He told me, "but I wanted to play on the boat." I then told him, "We were going to go back to the boat, but I wanted to look at somethings first. - You can't run away from mommy because I don't want a stanger to take you because then I would never see you again." He was quiet, and calmed down... saying, "I'm sorry mommy."

So on our way home, we stopped at Burger King for lunch and waited for Roger to meet up with us. There was another African American festival going on near by, so Roger and I drove over there. They wanted $5 for parking, and we didn't have any cash on us so we went to Roger's parents house instead. Roger was there for about 15 minutes and left to go dirt bike riding with his friend and cousin. We stayed for another 30 minutes because Nikholi was having fun singing on their kareoke machine.

Again, I loaded up the kids in the car and then went home. I called Roger to ask where he was and he was telling me that they were all going night riding on his friends quads. And apparently his cousins girlfriend went. Every time Roger goes bike riding, it's always time with the guys, so I was extremely jealous that she was able to go, but yet I wasn't. When I told Roger, "I want to go!" He told me, "You can't, you have to take care of the kids." My neverending story. I wish one day that he'll understand, he gets days off from work, and I don't even get an hour off from the kids! Roger didn't get home until almost midnight, which also really dissappointed me because I was expecting him home no later than 10pm.

Sunday morning, Roger left to go help his dad with a project at one of the thrift stores and I was left to get the kids ready for church. I loaded them into the car and off to church we went. Nikholi told me, out of the blue that morning, "I'm going to be good and church, and I'm going to be quiet and fold my arms." The morning was going really well, when we got to church Nikholi sat down and folded his arms, I was shocked! 45 minutes later he started acting up, briberies weren't working, and nothing was keeping him occupied. So a lady (Suz) sitting next to me offered to take Kami while I took Nikholi outside. As we walked around the building he promised he would be good. When I came back inside Kami was in Suz's arms SCREAMING!!! As I was trying to comfort Kami, Nikholi became all wound-up again. So I calmed Kami down, got a hold of Nikholi and dashed for the car. It was a lot more dramatic than what I'm writing, but it definetly was an experience to have both of them unhappy! Nikholi didn't want to leave and again I had to deal with him kicking, screaming, hitting and scratching me as I'm trying to buckle him into his car seat.

We arrived home, I put Nikholi in his room and tried to calm Kami down. Mind you I heard both of them screaming for 30 minutes in the car until we got home. I tried to calm Kami down and Nikholi finally had calmed down. When Nikholi came out of his room he wanted something to drink, he wanted something to eat, he wanted something to watch, he wanted to play the Wii, etc. (neverending story) and Kami continued to fuss even after I fed her. Roger was suppose to be home at 2pm, or so he said, and he didn't get home until about 4pm. When he came home he found me in the closet crying and holding a pillow. I felt like a horrible mom, like I couldn't handle my own kids.

What I'm realizing is motherhood has it's ups and downs... and with Kami and Nikholi, this is now the story of my life!

Friday, August 22, 2008

Two Weeks to a Newer Me



So I've decided to try the Special K challenge; starting yesterday. Things haven't been going to well, but that's not going to stop me from trying. Those dang cookies and soda pop keeps getting to me.

I decided to take the challenge when I hoped on the scale and noticed my weight toping out at a whoppin' 185 lbs. I had to take another look! I felt much more comfortable holding Kami standing on the scale at almost 200 lbs, until I layed her down and notcied all that extra weight on the scale isn't her anymore. THAT'S ME!



I know Roger hasn't been all that in to me lately, he claims it's not the reason, but I'm sure it's a contributing factor. So my goal is to be 'ONE HOT MOMMA' (for my hubby of course)! From this post on, I'll try to keep a tad bit of information of how my transformation is coming along. Not only would I like to drop a couple dress sizes, but I would also like to become a more effective mother.

Cheers to a better mother, a better wife, a better me!

Now where's those cookies? (okay, maybe I need to try a little harder). I opened the ceral box yesterday and was actually surprised to find full-size dried strawberries, I couldn't believe it; a cereal with substance! I'm honestly scared to try the protien drinks, I still haven't tried them, I'm scared of how they tasted. I couldn't find the K20's at Safeway so I picked up some SlimFast. When I was younger I could drink them without a problem, but when I tried one yesterday I couldn't believe the horrible after taste I had in my mouth. May I say... Y-U-C-K!!! Maybe I'll over come my fear and try a protien water tonight. I'll let you know later how it goes. Wish me luck!

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

Who Knew Criminal Justice Could Be So FUNNY!


As most of you know, I completed all my general eduaction classes and today have started my first class that pertain to my degree; Criminal Justice. I was reading text book material for my class, The Foundation of Criminal Justice, and came across examples of loony laws and silly statutes, check it out:
• In Tennessee, it is against the law to drive while sleeping.
• In California, it is against the law for a woman to drive her car while wearing a housecoat.
• In Alabama, it is against the law to drive while barefoot or in bedroom slippers.
• In Florida, it is against the law to transport livestock aboard school buses.
• In Vermont, it is against the law to jump from a plane unless it is a true emergency.
• In Canada, it is against the law to board a plane after it has already taken off.
• In Washington, it is against the law to pretend that your parents are rich.
• In Kentucky, it is against the law to use a reptile as part of a religious service.
• In Massachusetts, it is against the law to eat peanuts while in church.
• In New Jersey, it is against the law to slurp soup.
• In Indiana, it is against the law to shoot a can of soup open.
• In Rhode Island, it is against the law to throw pickle juice on a trolley.
• In Tennessee, it is against the law to throw a banana peel on the sidewalk.
• In Wyoming, it is against the law to obstruct the view of fellow spectators by wearing a hat in a public theater.
• In Kansas, it is against the law to eat rattlesnake meat in public.
• In Minnesota, it is against the law to dance in public places.
• In Kentucky, it is against the law to remarry the same man four times.
• In Colorado, it is against the law to throw shoes at a wedding.
• In Missouri, it is against the law to carry a bear down the highway unless it is caged.
• In Washington, it is against the law to punch a bull in the nose.
• In Texas, it is against the law to milk someone else’s cow.
• In Ohio, it is against the law to fish with explosives.
• In Indiana, it is against the law to take a bath during the winter.
• In Connecticut, it is against the law to chew tobacco without a doctor’s permission.

Justice Blind?: Ideals and Realities of American Criminal Justice, Second Edition, by Matthew B. Robinson. Published by Prentice Hall. Copyright © 2005 by Pearson Education, Inc.

Monday, August 18, 2008

I Have Been Inspired

While surfing pages on the internet for some inspiration on making a purse for my sisters birthday, I came across the Executive Homemaker page. It's so wonderful, it gave me the extra boost to complete our family organizer and some really cute ideas to make our home more welcoming. Everyday I'm looking for ways to make our home more comfortable, along with ways to help this family run a little bit more smoother.. The Executive Homemake website has link to many other inspiring women. Checking out this page is a MUST!

Yesterday morning didn't go to smoothly. Roger came home from work more than exhasted and crashed. I got myself ready, the kids ready and we were off to church. During sacrament, everything was going smoothly until the fire alarm went off. All I could do was thank Heavenly Father that it wasn't Nikholi who pulled it (which he as attempted several of times). The entire congregation sat there stunned (I'm thinking, "okay, don't every one move at once." I was in the middle of the row, so it's not like I could have moved very far before tripping over the next family. Nikholi took off running (for the way he knew was out). It took a quick hollar for me to re-direct him to the emergency exit. - That boy can move, let me tell you! - Me on the other hand, moved alot slower because I had the heavy diaper bag in the car seat and Kambrya in my arms. When we returned back inside the chapel we were informed that the alarm was just a safety drill that had to be conducted. The speakers talk was interupted and when he came back to the podium he said, "I saw the gathering of Isreal." I thought to myself - what an interesting observation.
All of my life since going to church I've never been through a fire drill. I guess it's nice to know that other people know where to go in case of an emergency. :)

Nikholi was extremely hyper and unwavering, so unfortunately we had to leave after sacrament. He was NOT happy. I have made it clear to him that if he wants to play with his friends in nursery that he has to be reverent in sacrament. So now it's just a mater of him figuring out 'if I'm not good then we won't be able to stay.' I gave him this warning twice, which ended up with me throwing him over my shoulder with him kicking, screaming, and hitting me, along with carrying the heavy diaper bag and Kami in her carseat. Hopefully next Sunday will go more smoothly.

Once we arrived home, Roger was still fast asleep, Nikholi had fallen asleep in the car and I was able to successfully transfer him to his bed (with out him waking up), I fed Kami, Kami fell asleep, and I fell asleep next to Roger.

The rest of the day went pretty smooth. I think that nap helped. Nikholi and I played the Wii, I played with sissy on her belly, and then I was able to get both kids a sleep.

Saturday night, when Roger went to work, I was soo proud of myself because I was able to get Nikholi a bath, Kami a bath, then both in bed; leaving time for me to take a shower and be in bed before ten. I was talking to my grandmother about this and she said something to the effect of moments like these that we take great pride in. And she's dang right! Two kids and myself, clean and in bed!!! I think it's time for me to throw a party, because I sure felt like S U P E R M O M!

Saturday, August 16, 2008

Blogger Procrastination

Maybe if I blogged every day or even every other day I wouldn't be so overwhelmed every time I look at my blog; there is soo much that I need to catch up on. So I figure, if I try to blog as often as I can I won't procrastinate posting something blog worthy to my page. Starting with today:

It's been an exciting week. Roger ended up getting a job with DelEx Corporations. I'm soo proud of him finally branching away from family traditions (painting and construction). It's a nice job with benefits and he gets to travel! He'll be gaurding planes on military bases. He can't tell me too much about it because he's under oath not to, but he says it's a lot like his job in the military when he had CQ (AKA: Staff Duty). The shifts he works changes, which will be difficult to get used to, from graveyard, to mid day shifts, to daytime shifts. Tonight he works his first graveyard shift - and since it's the weekend he'll be working a 12 hour shift as opposed to eight hours. My biggest challenge is keeping Nikholi quiet while daddy sleeps.

Yesterday I went 'putt-putt golfing' for my first time. I was getting so used to the Wii Golf that I wanted to try improving my skill in the real world. So we took Nikholi and Kami down to the course. Roger did really good only getting +7 (but I won't reveal my score)! Once we came home Roger decided to stay up all night to prepare him for tonights graveyard shift. So this morning was my test if I could keep Nikholi quiet.

The Thompson's needed help moving, so I loaded up both kids into the truck and went up to their place to help them move. Unfortunately, I couldn't do a whole lot of moving boxes with the kids, but I was able to let them use our truck.

It was Paula's (Roger's sister in-law) baby shower today and Roger's dads' 60th birthday. I was asked to bring broccoli caserole (my family receipe) and my famous enchillada's. Before I headed over to the Thompson's I prepped those dishes, so all I had to do was throw them in the oven when I came home. Nikholi about pooped his pants this morning, so before we left he pooped in the potty. We arrived at the Thompsons and shortly after one trip, made with the truck, Nikholi peed his pants. We ran home, changed his clothes, and ran back to the Thompson's. Needless to say, it has been an extremely crazy day.

I didn't go to the baby shower or birthday party, but I sent the food and a gift along with Roger to drop off on his way to work. I just got Nikholi out of the bath and now I have to get the kids in bed. Hopefully, I'll be able to keep up with my goal and blog either tomorrow or monday.