Saturday Morning

It's 6:30 in the morning. It's Saturday. Why am I awake? Why am I blogging? Partly because I'm an earlybird. I always have been. Even as a teenager, I couldn't sleep past 8:00 and I never could stay up late enough to finish Saturday Night Live.

But I was up at 5:30 this morning--just like it was a school day. Why, you may ask? One reason is a dog named Larry who doesn't yet have the concept of time. I really do love this dog, but I'm feeling like I have a baby in the house again. And I don't want a baby in the house. If I wanted to get up in the middle of the night to change a diaper (take Larry outside to potty), I'd have a baby. We're done with that season of our lives and I'm not sad about that. (Don't get me wrong--I love babies. I love holding other people's babies. And I love giving them back and getting a full night's sleep while *they* get up for middle-of-the-night feedings and diaper changes and playtime.) So, we're training him. And it will take more than a week. And Richard gets up with him too, but just like with our babies, that doesn't mean that it doesn't wake me up. And you know what? When Larry decides that he wants on the bed, he's not shy about it. He just leaps right onto you--all 50 pounds of him. It can be a frightening way to wake up.

But the other reason I was up at 5:30 this morning was because my dear, sweet, wonderful husband who went to bed at 9:00 last night leaving me to get the evening "stuff" done, was snoring his head off. And that was with the dog in the bed too. (Yeah, I didn't really want him on our bed, but I'm a wimpy fighter.) So, I gave up.

There is much to be done today. It's our assigned day to clean the church building. There's the usual Saturday chores: clean our own house, grocery shopping, etc. Richard and probably Chris are going to help a neighbor put in some fence posts. And we need to get some more dog stuff--a kennel and some chew toys.

But for now...most of the house is quiet. James is up (he's a earlybird like his mama) playing a video game. Everyone else is asleep--including Larry--who's on the floor at my feet--snoring.

Teenagers

While on the phone with Richard, my cell phone rang. I figured it was Chris calling to be picked up from track practice. Chris told me that they didn't have practice and asked me to come pick up his stuff.

"Your stuff?" I said. "Not you but your stuff?"

"Yeah, I wanna run home."

"Well, your father is still at school. Maybe he could bring home your stuff? Wait, I've got him on the other phone. Let me ask him."

So we worked it out. Chris has the combination to Richard's truck lock, so he can drop his stuff in the truck and then run home.

Then I start to think about this whole conversation. Did Chris really forget that his dad is at his school? Did he really think I wanted to come up to school to pick up his STUFF? Good grief. Think it through, man!

Dog Owners

We got a dog. I can hardly believe it. On Monday afternoon, a teacher at my school put out an email about a dog they found. They couldn't keep him because they already have two dogs. I forwarded the email to Richard who immediately said, "When can we meet him?" They brought the dog over Monday night.

He's an American bulldog--from what we've been told. He was clean and feisty. We kept him Monday night. The only problem we had was that he thought the bed belonged to him, so he ended up sleeping in the garage for part of the night. No whining or barking.

Tuesday was a snow day--but the ice didn't come in until late evening, so Richard was able to take the dog to the pound and check for a chip (none) and then to the vet for a checkup--clean bill of health. (I must say I'm not too sure about the vet. He thought the dog is an American bull terrier (like Spuds Mackenzie). I don't think he looks anything like him--he's an American bulldog from the pictures I've seen. What do you think?

Above is an American bulldog.

This is an American bull terrier.

This is Larry. Yes, his name is Larry. John named him that. Personally, I don't think he looks like a "Larry," but that's what John came up with and now it's stuck. He's really sweet. He's only barked twice in two days--and that was when Richard had a bowl of beef pot pie and wouldn't share. The vet said he's probably 6-8 months old, so he's still very much a puppy. He loves to romp and play and has some trouble knowing when to quit. But he's learning. He already knows how to sit on command and we're training the boys to be firm so that he won't think he can boss them around.

I think he's going to be especially good for John. Whenever John gets upset, he can just sit and love on Larry. So far, Larry hasn't gone upstairs and Richard doesn't really want him to until we get him well acclimated to the house. He spent last night on the couch. The couch with a slipcover. He's already learning that it's the only furniture he's allowed on.

So...I'm now a dog owner. I've always been a cat person, but Larry is starting to grow on me. It may even end up that I love him. Chris isn't real excited, but he tolerates him--not unlike his brothers really.

New Calling

I got a new calling today. Richard and I both did. We're going to be working together as...

ward missionaries! It's kind of exciting. I've never had this calling before. When I get called as a pianist somewhere or chorister or choir director--or even primary teacher--it's kinda, I don't know, normal? Nothing surprising or anything like that. But ward missionary? This is all new. Richard was called as one too, so we'll be working together. And our friend is the ward mission leader so we'll be working with him and his wife. Not surprising. She and I are joined at the hip when it comes to callings.

Richard got a really insightful blessing at his setting-apart today. It was a really, really good day. I can feel myself hoping that this is the start of a new chapter. Every time I hope that, things go back to the way they were. But there's more to it this time. I have help. We have help.

So...would you like to know more? ;-)

Being a Mom Can Be So Hard

Do you ever just want to take your child's place at something? Something that they have to deal with or go through and you just don't want to watch them do it--or deal with it, frankly. That's where I am with John. He had his checkup last week. Healthy and right in the middle of the chart for height and weight--even with the celiac disease. I mentioned to the doctor (whom we love, btw) that he's pretty moody and gets angry easily. Not long after that John sighed, "Maybe I'll just die." Boy, that got Doc S's attention. They chatted for a few minutes and John admitted that he was sad a lot. So, we have an appointment for an assessment at a local family therapy place that the doc recommended.



I talked to our counselor at school--just giving her a heads up. She knew of the place and seemed positive. So we will think happy thoughts, pray for him and hope that we can find some answers and John will be a happy boy again.

Revelation Sunday

It was a Sunday of revelation for me. In the middle of sacrament meeting today, I realized that a prayer had been answered. Last week, I asked Heavenly Father to touch the hearts of those in our ward regarding Richard--that someone would realize that he hasn't been there and reach out to him. That prayer was answered yesterday when our friends brought over the pie and ice cream as a bribe to get him to come to church. (And, by the way, it worked! Yay!)

So then Suzanne gave me a copy of this book:
There were so many little things in there that touched me or turned on a light bulb for me. One of the strongest concerned prayer. That I can pray for specific things. I can be grateful for what we have, but I can still ask for more. It's okay to do that. How did I not know that before? I was already thinking along those lines and then to have it confirmed in this book. Hmmm....

So I hope that I can take what I learned and felt today and keep it with me as the week starts back on Tuesday. Tomorrow's a holiday and a day off school. I hope we can have a good day--and I plan to do my part to make it a good day. And I will pray specifically for the things we need. And I will thank Suzanne and tell her (or maybe I'll just let her read this) that her husband's idea to bring food to Richard as a bribe was not just some hare-brained idea. It was an answer to a prayer. Thank you.

A Day of Friendship

Yesterday was just the coolest day! It was a Saturday, so of course that meant grocery shopping and doing laundry. But I decided that we would somehow, someway have fun--or at least the boys would.

Chris was at a campout. They spent Friday night (35 degree weather) out by the lake. In cabins. With electric heaters. And they borrowed the bishop's projector and watched a movie. This is camping??? But then they spent most of the day Saturday working on requirements. Yay! He came home completely spent. Went straight to his room (I think he took a shower--not sure on that one) and to bed. Watched movies on his dvd player from his bed. He was exhausted! Yay! :-)

James wanted to invite over his best friend, so after karate Allen came over for the afternoon. They played video games, legos and watched a movie. A good time was had by all.

So what kind of friendship did you get, you may ask. Well, long about 3:00, the doorbell rang. Unfortunately, I had *just* gotten in the shower. Fortunately, they are good friends and hung out with Richard until I came out looking, as Suzanne put it, like a deer in the headlights. Richard never came and told me we had company, so I just took my time showering, dressing, putting on makeup. Guess that'll teach me to wait until 3:00 to shower!

Anyway, Suzanne and Allen stopped by with pie and ice cream. It was a ploy--a bribe, if you will--to get Richard to come to church. You can have the pie if you promise to come to church. I was touched by their thoughtfulness. Richard was too, but of course he can't show it. :::eyeroll::: But he was. We chatted for quite a while--about math, church, school, math in school, and more math. I think Richard really likes talking to Suzanne because she's one of the few people in our sphere who can relate to his job. Most people, when you say, "I teach math," just get this blank look on their faces. Suzanne teaches calculus, so they can go on and on and on and on. Meanwhile, Allen and I just stand there with blank looks on our faces. LOL But that's okay.

It was such a sweet thing for them to do. Richard was a little worried about being "a project," but I told him--it's not like their family hasn't been over here before and we've been to their house. If it were other ward families who've never really "partied" with us, so to speak, then yeah...I can see it being a "project." But these are friends who truly care about our family and there's no "project" involved. Richard committed to going to church--at least sacrament.

Then Allen's mom came to pick him up and we chatted for a few minutes while they finished cleaning up and got all his stuff together. By then, Richard was tired and took a nap. LOL

Then...(wow...what a day!) I got to go out for girls' night out. Five friends and acquaintances from church and I went to The Cheesecake Factory. Good food (I brought home half the club sandwich--good grief it was huge!) and good conversation. It was an interesting--dare I say eclectic--group of gals, which made for a bit of a stretch out of my comfort zone. And that's a good thing. And five of us split a piece of their 30th anniversay cheesecake. I'd show you a picture, but I can't figure out how to put it where I want it. If you really want to see it, go to the link about and to "shop" and there's a picture. It was yummy. I could've eaten the whole thing myself, so I'm glad there were others to help me with that.

It was a fabulous day--a day that showed me that there are people who care about me and my family. People who love me and want to be around me. It was a fulfilling day. And I got 5 loads of laundry done--with Richard's help! Can't get any better than that!

It Was Supposed to Be...

a post about a nice, long weekend. But I guess it turned into a rant about how we never do anything. Didn't mean to do that. I should learn not to blog when I'm a bit down. It's been a rough week around here, but right here, right now...I'm going to decide that the boys and I are going to have a good weekend. We'll go bowling or go to the park (if/when it warms up a bit) or something. I will do this for the boys. I will pull myself out of this chair and away from this computer and go DO SOMETHING!

So...here I go. This is me. Getting up. Walking away. See me? I'm doing it. Right now. Here we go!

Long Weekend

It's the beginning of a 4-day weekend. Woo-hoo! Well, I say that...but really...am I gonna do anything different this weekend than any other? I'd really like to take the boys out to do something, but money being what it is...there's just not that much we can all do that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. I had orignally thought about going down to visit Dad, but again the money issue.

We've done a really good job of curbing our expenses during this little "mortgage crisis" of our own making. However, we still need to get Chris signed up for EFY, pay his orchestra fees and his next trip payment. I'm not sure if the paychecks will deposit tonight or Monday night. Ooh--thought! Monday's a federal holiday! I bet they go in tonight! Woo hooooooooo!!!! (I knew there was a reason I keep a blog!)

So...now that I know there's money coming in--now what? Will we do something fun? Will we play together? Go bowling? Swimming? (Kidding.) Invite over friends? Nah...we'll probably just watch TV, blog, play video games (James is so excited to be "ungrounded"), and argue. Ahhh...I just love a long weekend.

Standing Strong

I talk a good game about being strong in the discipline of my boys. I know what I should do to "train them up," but as most parents (I hope) I sometimes fall short in the small things--like dinner.

I've tried to make my children eat their dinner--or at least take a few bites. Then if they don't like it, they can have something different. I think it's been harder to stick to that with John's celiac. It's hard to make him try something he doesn't like knowing that there's so much he does like that he can't have.

But I did it last night! I made taco soup. Yummy, not-too-spicy-just-spicy-enough, warm-in-the-cold-weather taco soup. I thought about making GF cornbread, but John wouldn't eat it so what's the point. So I made "real" cornbread for the rest of us. It was sooooo good!

I knew it wasn't a kid favorite. I didn't care. I'm trying to plan menus and stick to a budget and by golly--eat what's put in front of you. I had secretly (meaning I hadn't even told Richard) already decided that I would make quesadillas (easy microwave ones--lest you think I was going to do double-duty in the kitchen) for the boys if they tried the soup. Here's the summary:

Chris--ate most of his bowl--moving around the tomatoes and certain beans.
John--ate most of his bowl without moving all the "icky" stuff around--just ate it! Yay! He even said how surprised he was that it was good. I'll just take that as a compliment.
James--stared at his bowl. Stared at the table. Stared at the floor. Drank half his glass of milk. Stared some more. Reached for the cornbread and was told no--twice. After 30 minutes, he was dismissed from the table to his room. He never even picked up his spoon!

And I was strong. He never got another bite to eat. He went to bed without supper. And guess what. He survived. He woke up at 5:00 this morning and had a bowl of cereal. Went back to bed and got up again at 8 and had another bowl of cereal. I don't know if he learned anything--time will tell on that.

I think it's easier to be strong in this house. His room is upstairs--and so I don't have to see him wandering around the house looking pathetic and starving. And maybe--just maybe--he'll give dinner a try next time. Or maybe he'll choose to go without. So...maybe I haven't regained any power at all.

Next Step in the Mortgage Saga

The first week back to school is over and we made it! Yay! The week actually went by pretty fast. I have no idea why. Next week is a short week--early release on Thursday and no school on Friday or Monday. So that's two short weeks in a row. Those weeks will drag on for eternity. Why is it that a 4-day week seems like 12 days? Is it because we know it's a "short week" and know it will be "faster?" Kinda like a watched pot never boils? I don't know, but I digress.

The week is over and now it's early on a Saturday and I'm making my grocery list. Yes, I can buy groceries--but only because I still have that Walmart gift card from when Richard took the back the flat-screen TV. Lest you worry, yes we got another, better (read: more expensive) one. But the gift card is paying for groceries. It's amazing how it's worked out.

No, I haven't turned in my tithing check. I've thought about it and prayed about it and talked to good people about it. I would've talked to the bishop, but he was out of town last week. Coincidence? I don't think so. But in thinking and praying about it, I decided that there are many people who don't pay their tithing with every paycheck. They pay it once a month or once a year or every six months or whatever. It's not really *when* you pay your tithing, but *that* you pay your tithing. And I feel good about the decision.

Our payday is this coming week and I don't have to pay my mortgage, so we'll be right back on track again making ends meet with a very tiny, loose knot.

ARRRRRGH!

I'm doing the bills today and I checked out my checking account online--just to make sure that I hadn't missed anything (read: Richard bought stuff and didn't give me the receipts). Right there, on my computer screen, it says Mortgage Payment. (Ok, it actually said the name of the bank, but you know...identity theft and all.) Then right above it, it said Mortgage Payment again! After checking it all out, it turns out that I set up my account for automatic payment. Then I apparently forgot that I had done that and I made a one-time payment online.

***I DOUBLE-PAID MY MORTGAGE!!!***

Okay, so now what? Technically, according to the bank, we're not in the red yet. But that's only because I haven't turned in my tithing check yet. Well now, that's quite the dilemma. How much faith do I really have? Of course, it's the tithing check that will bounce if/when I turn it in. Everything else has gone through. Do I wait until payday and just pay all the tithing at once? Do I talk to the bishop and see what he thinks? What if he says, "Hand it over." Do I trust him? Do I trust Him?

On the positive side, I don't have to make another mortgage payment until March. Man I hate it when I'm stupid.

What Are You Doing New Year's Eve

Or should I say "what *did* you do New Year's Eve?" This is what we did. Most of us. The teenager went to the stake dance. First he said his YM pres would be picking him up. Then yesterday he said that he would need a ride to the church. Then his YM prez shows up at 8 (thirty mins earlier than he said he needed to be at the church) to pick him up. I'm all worried that Chris isn't ready, but he comes leaping down the stairs ready to go--in appropriate attire. So as they're walking to the door, YM prez says, "Is your friend coming?" Um, excuse me? Friend? Now, really...what better place for my 15 yo to bring his kinda-sorta-girlfriend than a church dance for New Year's Eve? I didn't mind that. I minded not having any clue that he was even inviting her! Yes, we'll be chatting about that later today. But after he was gone, the rest of us had a fun night. First with this....The Harry Potter Scene It? game. Mimi and Poppi gave it to the younger boys for Christmas. It was pretty cool. James and I won--mainly because I can't stand losing even to my children. When I figure out what the name is on the screen, I have to shout it out. I can't help myself. And I *know* the HP movies pretty darn well, so we had fun. Because James won, well really *I* won, but he was on my team, so...okay. Anyway, because James won, we let John pick the movie to get us to midnight. He picked...

Not exactly a holiday movie--and I might've chosen a later one, but it was still good. Even if I did doze through most of the last third or so. But we made it til midnight, toasted with Martinelli's and sent everyone off to bed happy. Richard was even nice enough to stay up and wait for Chris. Later today will be the traditional New Year's Day "thing"--taking down Christmas decorations, watching the Rose Parade, watching football, and eating all kinds of snacks! HAPPY NEW YEAR!