Catching Up....

Poor Landon. Being the youngest of older siblings is hard. They all get into bed at 8 pm, but nobody really goes to sleep until after 8:30. Some read in bed until well after 9. Landon tries so hard to keep up that he fights sleep until the last possible second. Everyone gets up for school by 6:45. Sometimes he'll sleep through the hubbub, but he usually runs squinty eyed into the living room so he doesn't miss anything. As a result of this, the boy is tired. Ridiculously so. One morning I passed him in the living room on the floor while putting away clothes. Apparently his early wake up left him too exhausted to even come into my room to let me know he was awake. Sunday after church he wanted to watch "Word World" on my TV in my bedroom. I told him to wait a few minutes while I finished putting the meatballs together. I found him like this when I finally made it in to turn on his show.

Yesterday he fell asleep every time we got in the car to go somewhere. He is seriously lacking sleep. If only he'd take a nap. By nap I mean in his bed on my time schedule. Maybe one day he'll completely catch up and be the happy boy I once remember. Or, maybe he will just turn 4 and leave this 3 year old phase far behind him.

Unusual Laxative....

It seems that every time I come downstairs to use the computer, and perch Presley on my lap just so in order to use the keyboard, she poops. No joke. Depending on how many times I use the computer varies her bowel movements. Uncanny. Except for the one time today when I was at Kennedy's 2nd grade program. Just as the singing started she leaked through her clothes, up her back, down her leg, and all over my leg. Nice. I was wedged into a corner and trying to keep Landon from causing a ruckus. All while covered in my little princess' digested lunch. Motherhood. Not for the weak stomached. Since I'm on the computer I now must head back upstairs to change the little one. Should this be considered a talent?

Blessing Day...

We blessed Presley on Sunday December 7th. I need to document it here since she doesn't have a baby book. (Remember folks, this is #5. She doesn't get one.) Shawn gave the blessing and the people in the circle were Bishop Eric Jewell, Bobby Fields, Brandon Jenson, Bryan Stringham, Ed Kemp, Bruce Coggins, Steve Salt, Evan Davis, and I believe that is all. She was beautiful in the gown she wore. My mom made it for Kennedy so I got to use it again.

Photoshoot....

This year I ordered the kids matchy matchy Christmas clothes. I've always wanted to do it, but never justified the money it would take. This year I had all these coupon codes for % off and free shipping, so I couldn't resist. And I'm so glad I didn't. Getting all 5 looking at the camera at once is tricky. The older 4 are great, but when you add the baby in the mix it throws something out of whack. We did get a few of them together that are okay. I was more pleased with the individual shots. I think Ethan should be on the cover of GQ. But that is just a mother's opinion. Shawn doesn't do too bad. And I am a great holder of the white sheet for the back drop. Nice.

Gifted....

Every Christmas since we've had kids, Shawn and I have always struck the same deal. No gifts for each other, let's just use the money on the kids. Only I always get him something and assume he'll do the same. On Christmas morning after he opens his gift from me he kind of looks at me with confused eyes and says "I didn't get you anything because we agreed." Then I'm secretly angry because he was supposed to get me something anyway. That's just the game I play. For the last two years I've introduced the idea of stuffing each others stockings. This is also my way of actually making him get me a gift so Christmas won't consist of me feeling neglected. I thoughtfully fill his stocking with all kinds of goodies---gift cards, candy, etc. Last year I got vanilla tootsie rolls and pistachios in my stocking. Those are two of my most favorite things. But, I guess I wanted more. I admit, when it comes to Christmas I can be pretty selfish. I am grateful for everything I'm given, but expect a lot out of Shawn. I really can't explain that. If my parents got me nothing I'd be fine (ignore that Mom), but not Shawn. The poor guy just can't win. He tries. He really does. So this year I straight up told him I wanted Uggs. He told me to order them. I mentioned that I wanted them for Christmas, so he needed to secretly get them for me. His response? "I don't know what style, size, or color." I retorted "Classic short, chocolate brown, size 10". He didn't respond to that. I know he didn't respond because he is already overwhelmed with life and ordering a simple pair of boots completely sends his blood pressure through the roof. Trying to be understanding, I went and ordered them myself. That very day. A few days later he wandered into the kitchen while I was cleaning up dinner and said, "Jayne, I'm going to get you Uggs for Christmas. So, could you write down all the stuff you already told me once so I can actually order them?" I smiled. "Already ordered them for myself". You'd think he might be a little put off. Nope. I have never seen a better representation for what relief would look like than I did at that moment. It's not the giving Shawn has trouble with. The man is generous. Often times more generous than he needs to be. He has trouble with the whole "giving because it's expected" thing. He wants to give gifts to people because they mean something to him, not because he has to. Valentine's day is his arch nemesis. I often get roses in June or some random month because he feels they have more meaning. I've been trying so hard all these years to make him conform to society and love giving when it is expected. I would love Uggs in June, but I really wanted them this winter. So, I've decided rather than playing these silly Christmas games with such an adorable man, I'll just order what I want myself. I'm happy, he's happy. My Uggs showed up today.Even though it isn't Christmas yet, they will be worn well. I'm foregoing the whole wrapping thing since it isn't a surprise. Besides, my feet are cold now. When you see me around town sporting my new boots, just know that there will be no hard feelings come Christmas morning. Merry Christmas sweetheart. You did well this year.

THE day....

Yesterday Ethan turned 9. Yep, I'm officially the mother of a pre-teen. With the academic standing of a Jr. High School Student. No joke. It's crazy his intellect. But, he IS only 9. And I love it. I learned a few things yesterday as I toted him and 3 of his very best friends 1 1/2 hrs away to play at Bonkers.

1. Always bring extra money to play in the arcade. It will make you "the best mom ever!". It's not about the games themselves, but how many tickets one can accrue.

2. The choosing of the prizes can prove very tricky. Just the right object for just the right amount of points. You would need to spend a bazillion dollars to get the really cool prizes...

3. Good kids that aren't spoiled rotten are happy with sharing points so everyone gets something fun. (And decided to do so on their own accord). Little bouncy balls and fun dip are a hot item with 9 year old boys.

4. As long as there is food, nobody complains. These boys probably wouldn't complain even if they were hungry---they are that good. But, they still come with their messes.

5. Being 9 does not make you to old to say "watch me" and seek for the Mom's approval. My book was neglected after 30 minutes due to this. I watched them swing, and master the swing over

and over again. (Not your typical swing, so this was enjoyable to see).

6. 14 year old girls are drawn to a small group of good looking boys. And this one was sassy. I was actually shaking after speaking my mind on her vocabulary and expressing concern over her choice of words when speaking to these boys. Problem eventually resolved and the boys decided she just wasn't raised in a loving home and was never taught how to treat people with respect. (I told you they were good).

7. No matter how intellectually gifted a 9 year old boy is, burps and farts are still hilarious.

8. I feel a little bit lighter on my feet and smile more when I'm given the approval of my son and his friends.

My very favorite part of the night came when it was almost over. Ethan's friends and already headed back to the swing, but he stayed back for a minute. He had pizza sauce on his cheek, and his lips and tongue were green from fun-dip. He looked at me and said with complete sincerity, "Mom, thank you so much for bringing me here tonight. This is the best birthday I've ever had. I really appreciate you bringing me here with my friends." Melt my heart. The lady behind me heard the exchange and turned around to say "I don't know that I have ever heard a child say that to his mom. Especially a young boy." Lucky lucky me. He's mine. And I'm proud to be his Mom. Thank YOU Ethan for being the boy that you are. I appreciate YOU for being the appreciative kid that you are.

Baby Love....

I have to say that little girls are fun. Especially to dress. I can't wait until Presley can walk because then the wardrobe options get even better. I've always liked my newborns to be dressed in what I thought was comfortable. Probably because I would hate to be laying around all day dressed up with nowhere to go. Shoes in the past have been hard soled and just didn't seem to be cozy. They look adorable, but not practical. Until now. All kinds of soft cushy soles are out there awaiting my purchase. Only there are very slim pickin's where I live. Lucky for me my good friend has a little girl that happens to have grown out of all her adorable finds. Today Miss Presley will be seen wearing these ballet style beauties.She is just so cute to me. Unfortunately, I don't think pictures do her justice. Or, my photography doesn't do her justice. I need Shawn to get the fancy smancy shots that portray her real adorableness. These shots will have to do for now.


Another good friend bought this most adorable little polka dot dress. This picture is horrible, and I already took off her black Mary Jane's, but you get the idea of how cute the princess was at church.

And who can resist these legs. The thing that kills me every time I undress these chubs are how her calves roll out over top of her ankles like a cuff. Too cute for words