Calling all Mommies!

Have you lost track of yourself? Are you overwhelmed? Bored? Tired? Stressed? We all have good and bad days, but if your bad days seem to be taking over, then check out this book! I think it is a great read for moms of all stages and ages. I'm only halfway through and I can already tell it is a book I should buy so that I can reread. I feel as though the author is speaking especially to me. Give it a try - maybe she'll speak to you too!

Kitchen Updates

While we're finishing the basement, we thought we'd do some minor projects around the rest of the house. We recently put up a chair rail in the dining room. And I sealed our shower, but that wasn't worth taking a picture! More little updates to come.

Boring "journal" post

We're looking forward to better times because last week was mostly crummy. It started last Sunday evening when I took Ezra to the "bedtime and weekend" doctor. I got there at 8:30 and didn't get home until just after 11:30 p.m! He had an eye infection and tested positive for influenza B. I wonder if it was a false positive because he was vaccinated for that and had his booster only two days before. I don't know enough about how that works though, so I'll probably never know. I was really having a tough time so thank goodness my mom was willing to drive up and help. Justin has been working around 60 hours per week, so it was nice to have someone around. It was one of those situations where I was already feeling overwhelmed and then throw in a couple sleepless nights and sickness and it was too much. The week was filled with eye drops, Tamiflu, movies, and rocking the baby. Nolan seems to be the only one that hasn't gotten sick (except for the eye infection). My mom did some cooking, cleaning, and it was wonderful to have another adult to talk to. My dad was also up working on the basement. They've gone home now and we're starting to feel better. I have one of those coughs that might hang on a while, but hopefully we'll all be feeling good soon.
Here are some pictures from the last two weeks. Ezra's hair is really getting thick and fuzzy. He might need a trim soon, but for now I'm loving the sweet fuzzy look. And it seems that Ez might love electronics as much as the other boys in the family. It was bound to happen.

Interprative Dancing

On the night of Nolan's third birthday, he somehow managed to start music playing on the computer. He was pleased with himself and started dancing. We got the video camera out and began trying different genres of music to see how his style would change. He can really feel the mood! It's a little long, so this video kind of fits into the category of "for the grandparents."



After a bump on the head and all that dancing, he was sufficiently worn out for bed time.

Three-year-old Baby Boy

That's Nolan. He's 3 today! He's changed just a bit since then. I think Justin and I would both agree that his birthday 3 years ago was the best day of our lives. I sure love Nolan and his larger-than-life personality. We had a little party last night with his cousins, Ryan and Kendyll, Aunt Lacey, and Uncle Rob. He was in heaven with his fire truck cake (that took all afternoon to make), new Legos, a new backpack, and a cool potty seat! Hope you have another great year, Nolan!

Nolan threatened all afternoon to "just have a taste" of his fire truck cake. Ezra simply wanted a taste of his socks..

Did I already mention that my other baby is 8.5 months old? He has officially started scooting and he's generally happier about life nowadays.

Are YOU a Good Wife?

The following (I've typed it up in blue) is taken from a 1950's home economics textbook teaching high school girls how to prepare for married life. It also appeared in Housekeeping Monthly in 1955. It's too bad Justin wasn't born in that era - he might have had a more good-natured wife!

1) Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready on time for his return. This is a way of letting him know that you have been thinking about him and car concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they get home and the prospect of a good meal is part of the warm welcome needed.

Pancakes count, right? I think long and hard about my pancakes.

2)Prepare youself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you'll be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work-weary people.

Make-up? What make-up? He may have spent the day with work-weary people but that's nothing compared to the long evening he'll have with his grouchy wife!

3)Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

I ran out of gay and interesting a long time ago.

4)Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip trough the main part of the house just before your husband arrives. Run a dustcloth over the tables.

It's gonna take WAY more than a dustcloth, baby!

5)During the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering to his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Yes, seeing him relaxing comfortably while I cook, clean, and take care of screaming children provides immense personal satisfaction. I'm sure you all feel the same, naturally.

6)Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer, or vacuum. Encourage the children to be quiet.

"Kids - Daddy is coming! Now you can cry all you want!"

7)Be happy to see him.

Okay, joking aside, it really is good to see him come home. But that might be because it's such a relief to have some help!

8)Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Justin would probably say that my smile probably conveys this message, "I'm not sure we did the right thing having children." (That's sarcasm, people. I love my kids.)

9)Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first - remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Yeah, talking about our offspring is of little importance.

10)Don't greet him with complaints and problems.

What, "this house is a disaster!" isn't an appropriate greeting?

11)Don't complain if he's late for dinner or even if he stays out all night. Count this as minor compared to what he might have gone through at work.

I do complain when he's late for dinner, but why? He's the one that eats cold food. And staying out all night is totally fine, too. And hey, I won't even ask you about it, either! (see #14)

12)Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or lie him down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

Every man's dream: his wife lying him down in the bedroom. Say. no. more.

13)Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing, and pleasant voice.

My voice is always naturally soothing and pleasant. Why would I ever be shrill?

14)Don't ask him questions about his actions or questions his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

I'm not going to touch that one.

15)A good wife always knows her place.

Yep... at Wal-Mart, the stove, the diaper station, the sink, the vacuum, ....

Hope you had as much fun reading that as I did! Sorry, honey, but I'm afraid I've got a long way to go!