Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Let the Spewing Begin

It's 10:30 at night, Todd and Connor are sitting at the kitchen table watching "Sahara" (duh...please read a few paragraphs down and you will realize what a bad parent I am...letting my 3 year old watch a movie like that this late at night...I am just asking for bad habits and scary thoughts), I just gave Carly her last bottle of the night. So I will now begin doing all this blogging and catching up and whatevering for posterity's sake.

So a while ago Angie sent Abi some clothes that she had purchased at a great garage sale in Denver (pretty good garage sale by the look of things). I was so excited to open the package right away and had Abi try on everything (well, at least as much as she would allow me to do...by the way, while I am thinking of it, Lori...thanks again for your clothes, did you get my email?). I wanted to take pictures of Abs in each of the outfits so that I could show them to Angie, and this is the best I could get based upon the fact that my focus was a moving target(I took over 50 pictures and this truly is the best I came up with):


Todd and I went on a double date with Nikki, one of our oldest and dearest friends...I say that because we grew up in the same neighborhood together. We hit a bucket of balls at the driving range. You know, for not being so good at the sport, I LOVE IT!!! I can't wait to get back out there again. It was fabulous to sit and talk adult talk for so many hours. Poor Ken was home alone and sick watching our three little ones. We didn't get home until about 10:30 at night and all the kids were still awake, I couldn't blame him. It will be a long time before we burden him with that task again. You can read in greater detail about the evenings events on her blog. She's even got pictures of my enormous backside...THANKS FOR THAT ONE!!!

A few days later my friend Emilee came into town and we met up at the Living Planet Aquarium (aren't her girls adorable? And she's pretty hot too..can I say that?). I was quite impressed with the set-up and all the kids got to see. Connor loved the story time, but did not love the sharks. He is starting to get scared really easily (any of you mommies gone through this? How do we help Connor through this "developmental stage"?) and the sharks weren't on his list of things that make him feel warm and fuzzy. If you've got a few hours, a rainy day and some money (it costs some), take the kids and check it out yourself (call me to go with you because I bought a season pass).

That same day, after the naps and afternoon rituals it was time to get dinner going. I had found activities for each of the kids to keep them occupied while I prepared dinner. I had to scold Connor at one point because of where I found him:



He really likes the fish, and occasionally uncle Ike helps Connor up to the top of the fish tank to feed them. This time, Connor thought he would help himself. Yes, I was upset about what he was using as his method of climbing. What made me even more upset was the special cargo in his ladder:


Connor adores his little sister, but he has yet to realize just how fragile this 20 pound infant is (I know 20 pounds doesn't seem fragile, but she can't exactly pin him to the ground when he's annoying her). This was never so apparent to me as it was yesterday afternoon. Once again, it was dinnertime and I needed the kids occupied. I asked Connor to grab a book and read it to Carly, whom I had laid down on the living room floor. He obediently grabbed a board book out of the closet and laid down next to his sister on his stomach and began reading the story to her. So cute! I began setting the table and on one of my passes to and from the cabinet I glanced into the living room and my heart dropped to see Carly's face purple, no sound coming from her and Connor sitting on her chest. I just started yelling "Get off! Get off! Get off!" He did so and Todd came running in to see what was happening. Carly eventually caught her breath and started whaling. I was so grateful to hear her cry. Connor obviously saw the panic on my face and no doubt heard it in my voice and backed himself up to a wall. Todd calmy explained to Connor why we were all so worked up and why he can't sit on his sister and gave him a time-out for a few minutes. Afterwards he came up to Carly, gave her a kiss on the cheek and said he was sorry. I felt so bad for both Connor and Carly. We usually let the kids sit on our chests when we are laying on the ground and playing around, but we are big enough to handle their weight...Carly isn't quite THAT big yet. Phew, the ordeal is over and we are all breathing well. He has avoided Carly today. Poor guy. It took me three hours for my hear to slow down and beat at a steady rhythm last night.

Last Wednesday I thought my friend Cortnie would call to hang-out...she was SUPPOSED to be in town, I think she still is (hey girl, no guilt intended. Ha Ha Ha). But she never did, however, another Hawaiian friend called and we met up at the Gateway Discovery Museum. Another fun and expensive activity, but I love reasons to get out of the house. So I toted the three little ones like and insane mommy and met Shawnna (another insane mommy with three kids under three) and we had a blast! Of course, I think it would be best if I could have been one-on-one with Connor. He totally gets this kind of thing, but needs a little encouragement, but I had to stay near the stroller, keep one hand on Abi and one eye on Connor at all times...it was a busy place! I think we'll go again (Todd and I with Connor and Abi for that whole one-on-one experience). Maybe for "E" day...EXPLORING! (I will write more about each of the kids individual experiences on their blogs)

By the way, "A' day has turned into "A" month. Connor now has a serious obsession with airplanes...and his daddy too. They went and got some more little diecast planes and Todd couldn't pass up the "dueling helicopters". "B" day was lame...we decorated boxes and blew bubbles. We've both been too busy to do "C" day yet. Todd has been drawing up plans for his brothers addition, a project for Beacon Metals and submitting his book to be bound (which we got back today and it looks beautiful! My husband's dissertation has been published!!!).

The kids and I were supposed to have a playdate on Thursday, but Abi had a high fever, which began the whole family gets sick thing into full swing. None of us can kick this lame cold. Abi had a fever of 102 and Connor followed suit with the fever Saturday afternoon. Thankfully Carly never got the fever, just a constant runny nose (which makes for great pictures). Todd and I are battling to get over it, but I am beginning to wonder if I have allergies.

Saturday was a VERY big day for the Riches family. The Salt Lake City Marathon was going on and a few of them were participants. There is something quite invigorating about cheering someone on from the sidelines...constantly looking to see if they are the next ones to come into view or not. My own Todd ran the half marathon with his sister Tammy. I have to post this picture and tell a funny story about it:

We saw Tammy and began yelling her name to get her attention and we (Ken, Tonya, Alicia, Rachel, Connor & I) were so thrilled that she was making such incredible time. She recognized us and began raising her hands triumphantly in the air and relishing in this amazing moment when some girl came up from behind her sprinting to the finish line and bumped into Tammy sending her winning arms flailing. Hello!?! Like there isn't six feet of running room anywhere else for you...you just had to bump into the cutest teeniest little girl on the path to the finish line. I give you, blonde runner, a thumbs down. Maybe she didn't have any family or friends cheering her on and she was hoping we'd notice her and cheer for her too...in that case, sorry, we didn't know your name or we would have yelled it too.

So here's a picture of the half milers and the Conster Monster:


And when I said it was a big day for the Riches, I wasn't kidding! Todd and Tammy did the half, Chad, Kimi & Isaac finished the 5k and then Chad & Kimi ran the 1k with Whitney (more to come on this amazing little girl), Hannah and Hunter:

They have inspired me (either that or the need to lose 15 more pounds has)! I am now training for the Murray Fun Days 5k!


I said that I had more to come on my super cute niece Whitney (I hope you don't mind if I go on about your daughter for a minute, Kimi). I have MANY awesome nieces, but none of them are as mature as this gorgeous young thing (mostly because they are all younger in age than her). She has started her own company making flower clips for little girls hair! So I purchased a few from her and I am going to show two photos of my baby girls modeling her creations! Thanks Whit! Keep up the entrepreneurial spirit! (of course, we must admit, behind every good girl is a good mother...that's you Kimi)




And last, but not least, the biggest news around our home can best be shown in the video clip below (no...it's not that we have a new dog, it's that Carly can sit up by herself):


All right, so now it is off to each of the kids blogs for a little updating. Remember, I do this all for posterities sake. If you get a little bit of enjoyment out of it, by all means, ENJOY!

I just need to spew

Sorry if the title was too visual. I have so much that I want to share and so much has been going on, but I feel like I am so far behind that I won't ever catch up. So I will finish downloading some pictures and giving you a long and enormous update on all the happenings in our little lives. Where is the time when you need it? I suppose I could type while my kids are in bed, but then when would I sleep? Oh, maybe tonight I will give up my rest with the knowledge that in 2 more sleeps I will be in Park City sans children and I will get two solid nights in a bed all to myself (sorry Toddy) and no reason to wake up in the middle of the night. So get ready...cause here I come!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Tibetan Personality Test Part II

According to the test I find myself annoying and Todd finds me lazy. Yup...it really made me feel good.

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Tibetan Personality Test

A friend of mine emailed me a link to this personality test . I took it and so did Todd. We compared our results and got a really good laugh from it. I hope you can too.

Please post your responses...I can't wait to see what you discover about yourself. I'll reply with my own responses and Todd's after a few of you have taken it. I don't want to spoil it by giving away any of the answers.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Revitalized, Rejuvinated and Remommified

Yes, that last word may not even be a word, but I feel that way. After this most recent session of General Conference, I feel all of those "re's" that I listed above. General Conference sure does have a way of reminding me that, although there is plenty of room for improvement, I am doing okay (yes...many of you, my amazing friends remind me that I'm okay too, but there is something about hearing it from a prophet that just hits you to the core).

Most often times I feel like they are speaking directly to me...like no one else needs to hear any of that stuff, it's just directed to me alone. The topic of motherhood was touched upon quite often, and I needed it. I loved hearing that it is important for us to take time for ourselves. Which I think that I had started to do way too much (I knew that I was taking too much time for myself when I'd get frustrated easily with my babes for getting hurt while I was amidst a personal project...like they purposefully gt hurt to get my attention).

Then being reminded that these small ones are only small for a few short years. I will have much more time when they are in school to catch up on my hobbies and obsessions. Then I have been reading so many friends blogs about their struggles and/or losses with carrying babies or having any at all. Then two Sunday's ago our combined lesson was on adoption and the statistics were given of how many families want to have children and can't. It's like i'm being surrounded on all sides with signs that I need to take better advantage of this short time I have with my little buddies. All in all, there needs to be a better balance in my life.

So I have cut back on the amount of time I spend on the computer (whether it be blogging, digital scrapbooking, organizing photos, catching up on emails, house dreaming, etc.), unnecessary cleaning (as if any of that really exists, I do the minimum as it is), and worrying about being the perfect mom.

On the topic of a perfect mom...my sister-in-law, Alicia, sent me this very humorous poem that I just have to share with you all (yeah, when I start to ramble on like this, you had better guess it is going to be a long post...longer for me because I have to type intermidst naps, diaper changes, and feeding hungry mouths...I think it will probably take me three days to finish this one post due to my new "outlook" on motherhood...normally I would yell at the kids in the middle of typing a post and threaten them that "if you don't go and watch your show, I am going to turn it off!" and they scurry back downstairs and it gives me a few more minutes to type away. I'm trying to limit myself to only pushing "play" on the DVD one time a day. That means only one movie a day for the kiddos. We're playing a lot more, which means we are all laughing a lot more. GREAT MEDICINE. Did I mention that we have all been sick the last week, too? Yeah, we were up quite a bit last night. When one went down, another one would wake up).

Okay, so back to where this was supposed to be going...my sister-in-law's email:

Mormon Women:

If you, or someone you know has ever felt overwhelmed by all they feel they need to do, Vickie Gunther of Redlands , California , wrote a hilarious poem, Dr. Seuss style, about how much LDS women try to take on. David B. Marsh used it at Women's Conference, and Vickie has given permission to share it.

The Girl in a Whirl by 'Dr. Sue' (a.k. A.. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.

I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.

I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.

I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!

I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.

I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!

Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)

I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,

I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!

Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.

I do genealogy faithfully, too.
It's easy to do all the things that I do!

I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!

I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.

I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!

(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)

I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each 'lost lamb' on my Primary roll.

I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,

I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write 'thank you's' to those I admire.

My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!

I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.

I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sinks leak!

I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.

I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!

These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!

It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!

It's easy!' she said...
and then she dropped dead.

Please wish me luck in trying to turn over this new leaf! I need all the help I can get. And I especially want to thank all of you amazing women for your examples...I wish I could list each one of you individually and tell you what you have done for me in my life, because each of you has done something (but that would take too long)! LOVE YOU!

Friday, April 4, 2008

The Plan

Nichole, that is an amazing question your bring up. Nichole asked what our plan was now that Todd has graduated. Ummmm, we don't really have one. At least not set in stone. Or we had one and it has been changed somewhat. That's how all our plans go, so I just don't really plan for anything anymore.

He has volunteered himself for two family projects, so those will take up the bulk of his time for at least one month. No, he will not be getting paid for either of those.

I bide my time dreaming about purchasing a home and have scoured the market looking at what's available and in our price range. I have also begun decorating the interiors of this future home.

You see, with 9 moves in the last few years we have purchase and sold it all. When we move into a home we will have our three little children, clothes a rug and a baby grand to place in it. Nothing else. No pots and pans, no cleaning supplies, no chairs, no towels, no NOTHING! It will be kinds of fun to start from scratch and pick out exactly what we want. But we will be accumulating it all very slowly.

Todd is supposed to have a visit on the phone today with a gentleman from HKS in Dallas to discuss his income potential. That will give us something to negotiate with here in Utah. He has a few job opportunities here in Salt Lake, but he has yet to call them up and say he is available for work or discuss salary.

So the plans for Todd are to:
1)Finish the remodel on Spencer's house
2)Finish drawing up the "lab" for Beacon
3)Interview for Jobs
4)Choose a job
5)Buy his wifey a housey

I have totally been breaking a commandment and I find myself coveting other people's homes. I guess I am not really coveting THEIR homes, just the idea of having one for myself. I have found this house in Murray that is almost in our price range and I think about it day and night...I think that I am borderline obsessing about it. Not healthy for a woman who has no income.

To rid myself of this obsession, Todd is helping me to put my mind on other things. So yesterday he came home for lunch and said "Let's start alphabet days!" I was so excited. A few weeks ago, when we knew that the homework load would end, we put together a calendar with 26 days worth of activities, each one based around a different letter of the alphabet. We started a few days late, but I was just happy to start.

We based "A" day around aeronautics. We picked up lunch at Arby's (not really, there wasn't one on the way to the freeway so it was really Wendy's, but the kids will never know). We then drove out to Roy and visited the Hill Aerospace Museum. It was GREAT!!! Connor and Abi both loved the freedom of running around and the kids section was perfect. If you need a FREE activity (sans a small donation of your choice) this is fantastic. We then finished up by purchasing a little foam plane from Toys R Us and flew that around for a while (until it ended up on the roof, but "Heavenly Father sent a gust of wind and blew it back to us").



"B" day was to involve a trip to see the Birds at the Aviary and a ride on the Bus, but Todd got a call from school in regards to his book being published and I resorted to decorating Boxes with the kids. When they wake up from their naps we'll go in the backyard and blow bubbles. Not as cool as a ride on the bus, but it will do.