Some things are wonderful....

Thursday afternoon Rhett was having a nap, I was doing laundry and other chores around the house and Zane was having quiet time with a movie....or so I thought. The conversation started like this: Mommy I'm sorry. Sorry for what? For this - as he holds his hands out that are COVERED in gum. He was trying to make spider webs like spider man with the gum that he had been chewing. I didn't know whether I should laugh or cry. I know how to get gum out of carpet and hair - ice or peanut butter...but what's the best way to get it off a kids hands? It took me almost 20 minutes of lukewarm water and soap and rubbing and pulling gum off his hands to get it all off. He complained a couple of times but I told him when we started it wasn't going to be fun and it was consequences for what he had done. The little yahoo! I told him he doesn't get gum again until I decide he can have it.

But then there are nights like tonight when he wraps his arms around my neck and pulls me down for a hug and whispers in my ear " I love you 50, 50, 50, 50, 50, 50, 50, 100" and the spirit whispers to me that this is a moment to lock away in my memory and hold tight to because he's going to be big and grown before I know it and won't be so willing to show his affection. Being a mom is wonderful!

So much fun!

I know Leslie has already blogged about this so if you read her blog and mine...sorry. Leslie, Alisha and I went to the stake's annual piggy bank sale this past Saturday. Basically people in the stake and community at large donate anything from clothes to furniture to electronics...basically anything that is still in good repair but they don't have any use for anymore...and then it's like a big rummage sale at the church. Everything is priced at 10 cents...yep...you read write....10 cents! Ahh the pure bliss of going without our kids and finding some great things. My intention was to look for fun patterns in shirts and stuff that I could cut up for quilts....(great idea from my mom!) I spent $4.30 and came home with some great stuff. I promised mom that I would take pictures of all my material...I'll try to get them in on this post. Us girls also went to Earl's for lunch....a full meal of girl talk. Oh it was bliss. Thanks gal 'cause it was so fun!

(the basket is full of jenas and khakis that I'm going to use for a denim quilt and the rest is all fun stuff for quilts.)

What other fun things have I been up to? Yesterday we hung out in the morning while Cliff and some friends went golfing and in the afternoon we headed in to Red Deer to Rick and Kala Striebel's house for some softball and potluck supper. It was lots of fun....there was probably about 30 of us...kids and adults....and after a fun game we headed for the backyard for food and conversation. They have a trampoline that all the kids were nuts about. House rules were one kid at a time so there was always a line up. Our kids were almost the youngest there and when the night was almost over Zane came over to where I was in tears claiming that the big kids weren't giving him a turn. I asked if he was in line and he tearfully proclaimed that he was in his own line! Poor kid. Daddy took him over and got him in the right line and all was good. Kala is a maternity nurse and gave me lots of good info....of course it's still hypothetical and at least 3 years away before I would do anything....but its definitely an idea. We got home, got the kids in bed and watched a bunch of season endings to some of favorite shows....I bawled my eyes out over one. I'm such a sap sometimes.
Today Cliff and I bought something that I have been wanting for a really really long time. New dining room furniture. Table and 4 chairs....Sims furniture let us buy some stuff out of the back of their warehouse (not sure if it's open to everyone or just because the wife of one of the sales guys at Trail is in sales there) Anyways, We have 2 chairs that are the same, one that is pretty similar and one that's not but I don't care because I think they're all great....and very heavy! So one of the best parts of it is the price tag. I added up the total RETAIL with GST = $1595....should I tell you what we paid? You better sit down because I just about fell over when I realized the difference....we paid $215. Yep....we saved more than $1300!!! And why were they such amazing prices? They have a few scratches, aren't perfectly balanced, or some other minor flaw. This might bother some people. It thrills me. Why you ask? Let's review the ages of my children....5 and 2....and we're trying for a third. Kids are hard on furniture. No getting around it. My new stuff isn't perfect and that takes the stress off of me to keep it that way. Plus it lends a bit of character to it. Happy anniversary to us! I should add that the original plan was to buy chairs...no mention of a table but I saw it, fell in love with it and I'm spoiled. There's really no other way to say it. Cliff absolutely spoils me.

Better late than never....right?

So everyone will have to forgive me....I kinda didn't get around to posting before leaving for Raymond last week (and to those in Southern Alberta that I didn't call....that's everyone....sorry. We were so stinkin' busy with our quilts. ) Anyways, I do have a good excuse for not posting....a girl that I visit teach went into labor Monday morning and as she is a single mom she had asked if I would be in the hospital with her and her dula. Very interesting....I was terrified when I told her yes (months ago) and had really been hoping she would have her baby when I wasn't around. However, I found that I have a talent I didn't know about and loved being there. So much so that I'm even considering going back to school for nursing in the future. I'd want to be on maternity.....something to think about!

The 4th was Rhett's birthday and it was a fun day. The Robison's came for a supper of scones (Rhett eats crackers, cheese, peanut butter, apples, snacky stuff and anything with syrup!) Since we eat scones with syrup or honey I thought it was something all would enjoy and Rhett would actually eat his birthday supper. He loved the cake I made for him and I was quite happy with how it turned out myself. We got him a trike which he loves and tried out the night before his birthday, Zane got him golf clubs and a bat and ball, and Robison's brought him stickers which are one of his favorite church activities. The kids played hard, we put them all to bed here and then the grown ups played! It was a fun day. I'm really glad that I posted about all the fun 2 year old stuff that he is doing a couple of days before his birthday or I would feel like a really crummy mom! And I made it through the day without tears! I'm just so blessed that he is the happy busy toddler he is when he had a little bit of a rough start. Doctors and nurses don't get the thanks and credit that they deserve!

Tuesday (the 6th) the kids and I headed for Raymond so Zane could go see auntie Kizzy and her dentist on Wednesday and Thursday. The poor kid has a bad cavity on his back molar that the pedatrician dentist put sealants on a year ago...don't get me started on that. Still rather ticked off about it. Anyways, he did great while auntie cleaned his teeth and doc Goth looked at this teeth on Wednesday but freaked out a little on Thursday when we tried to get him frozen. He ended up with 1/2 the freezing he needed so we couldn't get the cavity fixed. Doc Goth has referred us to a peds dentist in Lethbridge because they book fairly soon and are supposed to be cheaper (we have great dental plan but peds dentists and sedation is not well covered. ) Sigh. Why do you ask do we just not take him to the one here in Red Deer. Well....I'm not really a huge fan of the dentist, his work, his prices, oh and his booking times are 6 months in advance. Arg. We'll keep you posted on this. As for me and grammie....we quilted and quilted and quilted and Auntie Kizzy joined us for a couple of nights as well. One night got cut short because Zane had a really bad tummy ache but we got lots done. Sooooo fun and thanks again mom for all the new material. Can't wait to get it all used! Friday night we had a party for Rhett with mom and the aunties - poor Grandpa Dooley gets sent to timbuktoo every time we're in town and didn't get home until late Friday night. Saturday they were off to the temple and we were off to Barnwell to play with the other grandma and grandpa and aunties and of course uncle Jamie. The spoilage continued and we came home with a wonderful sandbox which my boys LOVE. Grandpa Dooley has plans to build them one in Raymond and I would highly recommend to any mom....

We surprised Cliff by coming home really late Saturday night...instead of Sunday evening as planned...I have an interesting story about that one but it involves some spiritual stuff that I don't want to post here....kind of using a "blog face" as Shauna would say but there are some things that I think are just to sacred to have published on the Internet. So, to solve this dilemma I"m going to write them in word and print and put them with my hard copy of these blogs. That way my kids and future family can know of the spiritual experiences that I've been having...I have a lot I want to write on that but I think that's good for now. So, back to surprising Cliff...I called him after I got through Calgary because I realized that he probably wouldn't be home when I got home and I didn't want to unload the van by myself! I still beat him home by about 15 minutes but that's ok. Dad J said it was mean to surprise him like that because Cliff wouldn't have a chance to clean up the house...and he was right! But I already knew that it wouldn't be clean...he always does it the day I come home. Guys, what are you gonna do with them?

This week has been busy getting caught up on things, doing some yard work, playing in the yard, enjoying the beautiful weather, quilting, and hemming some shirts for Cliff. You know, the usual day to day things.

Sunday makes 7 years that Cliff and I have been married. Wow. It doesn't seem like that much time has gone by but then I go, well, we have a 5 year old...so really, yeah I guess it does seem like that long. Every year we switch whose turn it is to plan something to do and this year it was my turn. I picked going to the temple today to do initiatory and sealings. I did initiatory for the first time since I went through for myself, last week in Cardston and today was Cliff's first time since he went through for himself. I don't know why we've never done it before....maybe because it's not really something we're doing together where in the endowment session we're together? Anyways, same with sealings. We've never done sealings for anyone else. It was a really great day...I'm so blessed to be married to such a wonderful man. He works so hard to keep me at home with the boys and really spoils me. I'm so thankful that he is a worthy priesthood holder and that he uses it to bless our home and children. I love you hon! After the temple we went to the Olive Garden...soooo yummy. We ate way too much but it was so good. Thanks a million again Leslie for watching the boys all day. We really appreciate it! I'm going to add pictures now...not sure where they will end up....beginning, middle, or end of the post? Depends on how many I load and how much time I have. Enjoy and I'll try to make sure my blog doesn't go into such a drought again!

ok...so I've just added all the pics...some explanations...the picture of the quilt is roughly what my quilt looks like...I've added a square to make it 5 squares by 5 instead of 4 by 6... and that picture doesn't show the 2 borders that I'm going to add. I'll post another one when I get the borders and stuff on. Yes, Rhett had 3 birthday cakes. My kids are spoiled. No other way to say it. He loved opening presents....and the others are some pics from the last 2 years. My disk with his baby baby pics has gone MIA at the moment. Sigh. sorry for the jumble. Rhett is trying to help and I want to get this posted!

Rhett and W!

So Rhett will be 2 on Sunday...craziness. Seriously, how can it be 2 years already that Cliff kissed me and said you can have the baby after the big sale on Thursday....and what did I do? Called him at 9:03 Thursday morning and told him my water broke. The guys at work still don't let me live that down...every time a private sale comes around they all have to mention the fact that Cliff had such a great day number wise and wasn't even in the store because he was in the hospital with me!
So anyways, being the softie and general mommy suck that I am, I thought that maybe if I wrote some of the fun things my little man is doing these days a few days before he actually turns 2 I might get through this without crying. Don't know why 2 is such a hard birthday for me - just is.
Let's see....

Rhett's new favorite words: Hi you guys....Lightning McQueen....I got you....there he is....kitty....JUICE....hat (much emphasis on the T)....run....truck....shoes....my...mine....

Funny or Amusing things he's been doing recently(and of course I don't want to forget!):
The other night I was putting the kids to bed and in Zane's room singing to him when I heard a noise coming from Rhett's room....I stuck my head back in there and Rhett's all cuddled into bed doing the whole fake snoring thing...you know where you do the really loud snore in and the phew thing out? Yep...and then he sits up, grins at me, says "sleep" and lays back down and starts it all over again. I burst out laughing because it was just so cute. He now will randomly lay down anywhere in the house and start to "sleep". It cracks me up every time....what 2 year old does this? I posed this question to Leslie and she started to laugh because Tanner does the same thing....who taught them this?
My son has learned to jump....not just a little bit of a skip, but a whole 2 feet-off-the-ground jump and then he lets himself fall in this dramatic little heap complete with a very dramatic "ohhh" and then he gets up and does it all again. Of course he thinks this is just hilarious
Every car he sees is Lighting McQueen....or truck. Take your pick.
He does not like it when I put things in his pockets.
He is starting to sit on the potty for treats....but has yet to pee in it. But really...we're just trying to get the idea there for now.
Walks around with his blanket in his teeth...not sure what this one's all about but it makes him happy...that is until he trips on it!
Likes to "talk" to grammie on the phone...really he just grabs the phone, puts it on his shoulder and starts to natter. Poor grammie...she can hear him but he can't hear her...although the last couple of times he has put the phone up to his ear for a few fleeting seconds
Has discovered slides...and loves them. I'm to that beloved age where park going is great because I get to sit on the bench and watch instead of climbing all over the silly thing myself
We went for a walk tonight after supper (silly kid has been taking insanely long naps - 2 to 3 hours and didn't wake up until 5...why don't I wake him up do you ask? For the same reason you don't wake up a hibernating bear...I like all my limbs where they are thank you...dealing with him being up a little past bedtime is much preferable to the bear he is when woken..but back to my story!) So I decided we needed to burn some energy...usually our walks lately have consisted of Rhett in the stroller and Zane on his bike and we do about a 30 minute loop. Today I decided to see how Rhett did walking and he did the whole thing! It took a little longer but he did it. Now here's the part that cracked me up....there is a part of our loop that's about 3 blocks of pure sidewalk - no driveways, no new streets, just sidewalk, and it's slightly down hill. Zane loves it because he can go really fast - so he takes off and me and Rhett start after him. Rhett decides to hurry a little and starts to run...about 3/4 of the way I asked him if he wanted to walk because I could hear him starting to pant a little...but he said "no...pant, pant...run...pant, pant" so I kept up and prayed the whole way that neither one of them would biff it because I didn't have band aids and didn't want to pack Rhett home or try to convince Zane to get back on his bike. Luckily we all made it!
On the same walk we encounter big circle compasses set into a great path close to our house. They are labelled with an N, E, S, and W. As we got to the first one, Rhett said clear as a bell "W" and pointed to the ground. I thought, nah, it's just a fluke. We came to the next one and he did it again...and I thought, really? So the next one I asked him "Rhett, where's the W? " And the little stink went and stood on it! Seriously? My 2 year old can say and recognize W? It just makes me giggle because most kids i know learn A first or the letter that starts their name...W just seems so random and I've never heard him say it before either so it just makes it that much funnier to me. But then when my little guy is in a good mood everything he does is fun and funnier.
He loves to wake up daddy in the morning...his idea of this is to crawl up on bed, pounce on Daddy (who usually knows he's coming) and then make a speedy retreat to avoid tickling....some days he makes it, some days he doesn't.
He LOVES Zane. Wants to be Zane and do everything that Zane does. Will do anything for Zane (as long as in a good mood) Thinks that he has died and gone to heaven when Zane plays with him (which is really most of the time). Two boys together really is great.
Is still a mama suck. Sigh. One day I'll make it back to Relief Society....and not nursery...one day
Loves peanut butter and usually eats it 3 times a day...on a bun or on graham crackers...eats most of the peanut butter by sliding his finger through it and then licking it off... crazy kid!
Has refused to drink milk for over a month....not sure what's up with that or if I should really push it? Opinions from you wonderful pediatric nurses?
Knows how to drive his brother crazy...his favorite lately is to "play" the piano while Zane is watching a movie. Drives Zane nuts and Rhett pretends to be deaf to his pleas to stop. I'm torn on these days because I don't want to tell him not to play the piano....but he is annoying his brother. I try to 50-50 it.
Loves to watch sports with Cliff...his attention span is still short but he totally gets that it's all about the ball. The other day they were watching golf (yes, you may roll your eyes) and he watched the guy hit the ball and then looked at Cliff and asked "where's the ball...where'd it go?" And then when they cut to the ball landing on the green he shrieked "there it is!" and cheered when the guy putted it in....we're talking arms in the air and cheer loud enough for me to hear down at the other end of the house. I thought Cliff was going to pee his pants from laughing.
Would live outside...but doesn't always want to stay in the yard...hmmm, may need to put the gate back up even though it's broken. Note to self to think about that one.
Any bump, fall or slight nudge of anything needs an immediate kiss and then it's fine. Even the big bumps that cause real tears get a kiss and then he's done and goes on with what he was doing even though he's still crying.
He knows which shoes belong to who in our family and as soon as it is announced that we are "going" he makes sure that everyone has a pair....even if he has to try a few times to get the appropriate one...(tried to give me heals the other day to go to preschool...just not my style!)

I love this little boy sooooo much. He is so different from Zane and it's a constant adventure with him around. I never know what he's going to do next and not being able to distract him drives me crazy but I wouldn't trade him for the world. Of course I'll do his "official" 2 year old post in a few days but maybe this will keep the chuckles going until then instead of the tears!