I Have a Problem

I'm not cut out for this job. I have no clue where the matches go. So annoying.

Okay. It's time. Time I post about the Energy Chart. I realize this is probably the most hideous looking thing and the last thing you would want hanging anywhere, but you have to try it (if you are a mom of small children). I came up with this chart about six months ago when I was having difficult times with the kids.
Have you ever read Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood Years? It's good. Good ideas. I would try what they call the "energy drain" on my kids (example: child does something wrong and it drains your energy, so they have to do things to get your energy back up to do something they want). Well, my kids were having a hard time figuring out what my energy was or what it meant, so I took it to another level with this chart and it really works like magic (at least for my kids). I am only sharing this ridiculous thing because it works and it is realistic.
Let me quickly explain the terrible drawings. So the arrow works like a thermometer. When my energy is at the top we do fun things (ie park, read books, go places, mom's happy...). On your left of mom is how to get the energy to the top (listening, working, sharing, helping, being independent...). When my energy is at the bottom it's sad (we don't go places, mom's sad, time-outs...). Things we do to put moms energy down are shown on the bottom left (laziness, fighting, not listening, ...). It's simple, it's ugly, but it works.

What He'll Do For A Candybar

About 7 or 8 months ago Hudson was sitting in Primary (I am a Primary teacher so I was there) sharing time and one of the kids was called to the front to pick out a GIANT candybar, no kingsize here, for memorizing his Articles of Faith (these are 13 statements about our beliefs). After primary Hudson asked how he can get one of those candybars (it's not like he is deprived of sweets or anything). I told him he would have to memorize the A of F's. Thinking he would forget or give up after realizing how many there were and how long it would take I didn't think much of it. Well after he memorized number 4 I realized he was really taking this seriously. Here I have a hard time getting him to sit and color for 5 minutes and he wants to memorize his Articles of Faith??? So this last Sunday he passed off number 13!
We would practice them before going to bed and of course Sadie wanted to do it too, so I got a little recording of Sadie doing number 10. Hudson wouldn't perform for the camera.

A Wonderful Christmastime

Finally back to the world of blogging. It was a wonderful Christmastime, filled with many memories. I will highlight some of the events. . .

Breakfast with Santa

At church Santa came to visit and the elves (young women in the ward) made yummy pancakes. The kids loved it and couldn't believe Santa made this special trip to have breakfast with them. Hudson was thrilled and told him he wanted an airplane for Christmas.

Sadie could have stayed on his lap all day and told him she wanted bubbles for Christmas (same thing as last year).Everett wouldn't let go of meSadie and her bud Riley

Hudson's Birthday

I realize I already covered this, but this makes me laugh. His teacher made this hat for him to wear at school and she said he wore it the whole time. Well he also wore it all night, insisting he wear the hood (which doesn't quite fit, most hats/hoods don't) as well. The hat says, "Happy Birthday Hudson". Too cute. I love this kid. Oh, and he wanted his book he got from the library that day in the photo as well.

Sadie's Christmas Recital
This was priceless. Just to see her in the outfit was enough for me. She loves her dance class, this is her and her teacher Ms. Whitney. I attached a video so you could capture the cuteness as well.

Just ignore my talking in the video. Sorry.

Christmas in Colorado

I have more video than pics from Colorado, so there are only a few. We spent Christmas Eve at Steve's parents with Matt and Sara's family as well and had the traditional talent show, clam chowder dinner, and reading of Luke 2 by Grandpa.

I loved Christmas morning. Now that Hudson and Sadie are a bit older I am now learning how fun it is to watch your kids and the excitement on Christmas morning.

Everett loved his trains and they entertained him for the rest of the week.

Sadie with her new dollhouse...

Hudson with his new Hummer remote control car.

So to sum it all up we had a great time. We also went snowboarding/skiing with Madeline and Wilder. We had a great time with my family over New Years and the kids had nonstop Wii and playing with cousins. And last but not least Steve and I turned 30! We had a party over at my moms and had a great time catching up with friends. Sorry for the lack of detail. I am running out of steam.
This is a cake my mom made for one of my parties. Thanks Mom!

Oh, and a trip to the museum with Grandpa cannot be forgotton...

And on the final trip home Steve was looking at Sadie in the rear view mirror and said, "look at Sadie." That's a pancake on her head. The things you do after 13 hours in the car, well she actually would do that anyway.

Over and out.

Superman is 5!

My "to do" list is overwhelming right now, but one thing that is not on there that should be at the top is blogging about Hudson's birthday. So I will set aside the rest of the christmas cards, christmas gifts, whatever else and try to forget the laundry all over my bed and I will blog.

5 years ago today I was given the most noble of titles...Mother. Also known as Mom and Mama. People say once you have kids you forget what it's like without them. I didn't forget, but I definatly don't have any regrets. Over the past 5 years I am learning why it is so important to be a mother. It is the hardest thing I have ever done yet the most rewarding. I have never had more invested. Before becoming a mother I always thought I was a patient, loving, giving person. Hah! I am now learning what it really means to be selfless and kind. It is service at the most inconvienient times like 2am or all night, it is sacrificing time doing things for me to be with them or teach them, it is figuring out what is best for them, it is feeding them three or five times a day and trying to ...hold on, this is turning into a post about Motherhood. Whoops. I'll save the rest for another post because this day isn't about me, it's about him...

I've started a tradition with my kids to tell them the story of their birth on their birthday (minus some unnecessary details). Here is Hudson's (for the record)...

Hudson was due Dec 3 2003. He was born Dec 16th 2003! We actually prayed and prayed that he would not come before the 1st because I got off student insurance and onto Steve's insurance that day. It would save us $3,000. Which was a lot for us, still is actually :). Isn't it funny how some prayers are answered. Our prayers changed to "Please let him come!" I was comforted when my sister Tiffany told me that no one is left pregnant. He will be born.

And he was. I was induced and started on pitocin at 7am. He was born at 8:05pm. When they put him on my stomach I was just amazed. The nurse asked what his name was and I said "Hudson". Steve and I weren't sure on the name, but once I said it, that was the name!He had to spend three days in ICU because of low blood sugar. We finally took him home on Dec 19th. On that day I wrote in his baby book, "I am excited to see you grow, but at the same time I want you to always stay small so I can cuddle you in my arms. I love you Hudson James!" It is amazing to me how my love has grown for him and that my little superman is five!

We love you Hudson!!!!!!

Obsession

Meet Percy. He is a good friend of E's.

Christmas shopping for E is going to be easy this year. He has a SERIOUS obsession...

He is sitting in my lap shaking with excitement right now as he watches me post this yelling, "hain, rain, hain". That translates to "train, train, train". The above and below pictures show his daily rituals.

His other ritual is bringing me a train DVD or video and running to the TV yelling, "hain!!!!!"

Unfortunatly we have lost most of these little friends because they travel with us EVERYWHERE. Very unfortunate loss because these little friends cost 7 bucks a pot.

Everett Update #3

Several weeks ago Everett was going through his whole sleep issue and other issues...to give an update he is doing much better.

He was given a blood test for food and mold allergies and tested positive for a moderate peanut allergy (on a scale of 1-6 he was a 4) and mild corn, soy, wheat, and egg (level 3) allergy. Apperantly level 3 can be a positive or negative. With the level 3 food allergy the doctor said to only eliminate the foods he has had a problem with. He tested negative for mold. So we have eliminated the offending foods which are peanuts, egg, corn, and high levels of soy. The vomiting stopped but the sleep issues continued. I finally said we have just got to let him work it out on his own. I know I am mean, but it is for the well being of the whole family, especially me. So we had an opportunity because our landlords went out of town for two weeks (we couldn't ever let him cry it out completely b/c he would either wake us up or them). They let us use the upstairs bedroom to let him sleep. Here's how it went down...

1st night-woke up 3 times, cried for at least an hour each time. I turned off the monitor the last time, so I am not sure, it could have been up to 3 hours. Poor kid. But very stubborn.

2nd night-woke up 2 times cried for about an hour the first time and 30 min the second.

3rd night-same as 2nd

4th night- woke up 1 time! Cried for about an hour.

5th night- woke up 1 time...about 20 min.

6th night-peace. slept 12hrs.

7th night-peace. slept 12 hrs. waking up here and there, but always able to get back to sleep.

Halleluijah. I am back to my theory of you can get most kids to sleep through the night if you are a little (or a lot in E's case) tough on them.