Mom & Dad

There is a reason why families need both parents. Today is an excellent example. We had 8:30 church this morning. I had to drag all kids out of bed....literally. I told the older 3 that if they didn't get up that they would not get breakfast before church....We finally get them moving and loaded up in the van just as I go and get #1 baby out of bed and discover that she is full of something not so sweet...so hurry and change her put her in the car with all of her clothes...and go get #2 baby and put him in the car with his clothes to drop off at Nana and Grandpa's house so we can go to church in peace. Church was nice...but I fell asleep several times. We went and picked up the kids, came home and had lunch, put kids down to bed, I attempted to take a nap...but the phone kept ringing off the hook, I finally got up and put dinner in the oven. The house was roasting we have now hit a heat swell and we are sweltering! I thought we would be able to survive the heat because it cools down at night...and I felt that I would be made fun of because at home I turn the air on when it hits 78...and here in Kansas that is perfect...what do you need air for. I have become a wimp living in Oregon.

The 3 younger kids were all woken up by there curious cousin Ethan....which is extremely annoying because now I get to deal with 3 grumpy kids. They woke up with rosy red cheeks and I was roasting. I decided to load the kids up in the Van and take a drive and cool down....it also relaxed the kids. We came home had a busy dinner with Nana and Grandpa....cleaned up the kitchen, and then we have a major back up in the sink. I then tear apart the sink...my Dad walks in says he will take over. Tears out the other half....and major spillage all over him...it was hilarious! He then ends up taking a trip to Home Depot to purchase a snake...and that does not do the trick. So we are calling the plumber. The plumber just called me at 11:00 p.m. to let me know that he would not make it out tonight....you think??

I then make the rounds to make sure the kids are covered tonight...and step into my brand new lipstick. While I was thinking that the kids were asleep out little princess Sydney has been through my makeup. The tube is just right outside her room a total mess. I am still in awe of how she got in the room to get it...it had a lock on it!

Needless to say....tired whiney kids, heat, dress clothes, broken camera, waking up babies from naps, making dinner, plumbing issues, and stepping into lipstick has left me a little on edge. It has made me realize that more than anything you can't go at this parenting thing alone. When you feel like you are falling apart and can't be the rational parent at the moment your other half steps in. I am able to laugh at it all because I know that in 3 days this constant commotion will end for me, but it has made me wonder how other people do it alone.

Suck it up.....

These next post are for Scott and Traci who are in Hawaii...Enjoy your vacation...Here is what is happening at your house!

The past several days have been an absolute whirlwind. Henry and I flew into Kansas City and spent the weekend with my family and then my brother and sister in law left for Hawaii....and guess who is watching the 4 kids??? You guessed it...Henry and the favorite Aunt Sarah. We are only into this adventure two days and I am already aching....in several different ways. Physically from carrying two 1 1/2 year olds up and down stairs, out the door to the car, and up and down changing diapers. As well as from laughing so hard at what kids have to say. I have already had the privilege of being the Sweetie in playing house with Sydney and her saying to me in her sweet voice "I'm the Mommy" "Eat it all gone" "It's OK it will only be a minute" All things that I am sure that her own Mother says to her. Braeden then chimes in after lunch yesterday "Aunt Sarah would you like to have a party in a bag?" He then proceeds to pull out the box of chex party mix in the bag. It just made me fall over with laughter. Allison who is 1 1/2 is so full of kisses and hugs. She woke up this morning just full of loves and chatter. Ethan who is 7 is the 1st to make sure that the younger kids are taken care of. He had such a tender heart. And then my own little Henry is just trying to take it all in and is trying to figure out his position in this who group. He kept me up last night until 2 am because he needed some extra love and attention...which of course I was glad to give until at 2 am I realized I have 5 people who need me 100% tomorrow. The past two days have made me think about how in the scriptures we are often told to become childlike. These kids are so pure, trusting, tell you how it is and do everything with the best of intentions. They smile and give love freely. It has been a such a joy to be a part of.

On a side note. Last night I was saying goodnight to Troy and I let him know that Henry was wearing Allison's Hot pink PJ's and loves her shopping cart and baby doll. He was not a happy father! I wish I would of had my camera...both of them behind their shopping carts!

It is official...I live in Oregon

This past week was a busy week in several ways. We had our good friends come in town from Hawaii for the week, I had my birthday, and I also had to take my Oregon Driving Test. We had a ball with our friends Geoff and Daryl. We ran all around Portland, took them out of town to check out the beautiful scenery and even made it up to Timberline Lodge to make some snow angels. Henry was an absolute trooper with all of the places we dragged him. He also made some great new friends with his Uncle and Auntie. I have never seen him take to people like he did with Daryl and Geoff. He would of been happy to of gone home with them!

Not having an Oregon Drivers license has bothered Troy for years. Technically you have 30 days from the date that you move to Oregon to get everything switched over. After we lived here about a year Troy was pulled over with his California Drivers license...and was given two weeks to get a new license or face a rather hefty fine. So he promptly went and obtained a new license. And then he suggested every week for about a year for me to go and get my license...which I never did until he finally gave up and now 5 years later I finally have to get a new license because mine expired on my birthday. I don't know why but I hate test more than anything...and I did not want to spend my time reading through a DMV manual....so of course I left it until the last day to go and take the test. So on 8 a.m. on my birthday I am at the DMV taking my driving test. Why am I such a terrible procrastinator?

Tulip Festival

I just had to share a darling picture of Henry from the Tulip Festival. We headed down to check it out on Tuesday and had a blast....

It's just hair

I could not wait for Wednesday to come this week. I was heading off to have my hair cut. It has been so long and very unruly lately. I decided this time around that I would donate it to locks of love so I had to cut off between 10-12 inches....which I had plenty of. I was fine with having all of my hair cut off but I guess I was not quiet prepared for the outcome. We put it in pony tails....cut, colored, and then started cutting and shaping. By the time we were done I did not recognize myself. I still look in the mirror and think...who is that person. After my brief freak out period driving home...I was OK. (Any girl will know what I am talking about) But the funniest reaction I received from cutting off my hair was Henry's. I picked him up as he was grinning from ear to ear....He put his hands up to my hair and patted it...looked from side to side...and then just stared at me for a couple of minutes. And then moved on to the next toy. It was hilarious.

Easter Sunday

Yesterday was our 2nd Easter Sunday as a family. It was an absolute ball. Henry was a perfect little angel all day long. Troy and I are still puzzled as to why we have such an easy baby...but we aren't complaining either.

I enjoyed dressing Henry up for Easter this year. His father was not pleased with the outfit choice...but here are some pictures of Easter Sunday....

Henry's new weiner dog socks....Nana will get a kick out of those.

Hooray!! Home from Church!

Luck

Tonight we received a phone call from my bother in law Wyatt. He has been in school down at BYU Hawaii studying Biology with an emphasis in Marine Biology. He has struggled in school with some of his core classes but has persevered and will graduate in June. The entire Salo side of the family has decided to meet over in Hawaii for his graduation...it is a big deal....and we have all been excited about this for a long time. The entire family on the North Shore of Hawaii for a week! A rare thing. Wyatt has been applying for internships and trying to get a foot in the door....anywhere. He sent Troy his resume several weeks ago and he reworked it. Wyatt then sent it to Disney World for an Internship, had one interview, and now has a job that starts the day that the entire family is arriving for his graduation. He will miss his graduation and the week with the family. But the part that Troy and I are blown away with after searching for jobs for 5 months ourselves after graduation...is all it took for him was ONE resume draft, and ONE interview. We are thrilled for Wyatt and absolutely amazed by his luck!...Could he be Irish?

We are off to a start.

I can't tell you how many journals I have that only have two pages written in them. But now since having a baby I feel that I need to keep track of our life and the adventures that we have each week. My friend Heather mentioned to me that she uses her blog as a way of record keeping and now I feel inspired. This past year of being a mother has been amazing and I feel that I need to start keeping track of all the amazing things that Henry does each day. So here we go.....