Uncle Kip

Because I want to eventually make my blogs into a book, I want to incorporate some of my family members and what I remember of them for my children and their children. So today's highlight is Uncle Kip.
My Uncle Kip has always had a special place in my heart. When I was little, I remember him coming to my house and making deals with me. One time he even "offered" to pull my tooth. He bribed me by saying he would clean my room if I let him pull it. But, I think the thing I most remember about this uncle of mine is that he always treated me with respect and love. Every time I see Uncle Kip, he pulls me tight and squeezes me until I can't breathe. He has done this since I was very young. I also remember that he came to my baptism. I had invited him and honestly didn't think that he would come. I can still recall the way he smelled when he gave me one of his sqeezes. He gave me a small teddy bear that held a pair of heart socks. I loved that bear...literally to death. I think it fell apart a year or so ago.
Uncle Kip lives across from my Gram Smith. While I was living with her, I made a lot of homemade bread. A couple times he asked me to whip him up a batch of rolls. He ate them up...even if they weren't the best. He made me feel special.
He also makes my children feel special. In fact, Daeson used to call him Papa Tip and ask me if he could call him on the phone. He takes Daeson down to the farm and around on the tractor. He is so good to us. Uncle Kip is a good man, the type that would do anything for anyone. He would help a stranger in need, give the shirt off his back, and never expect anything in return. I think my Uncle is often misunderstood. He truly is an important person in my life as well as in my kids'. We love you Uncle Kip and couldn't be more proud to have you in our lives.

Bargains

So, I decided it is getting very expensive to eat, clothe my family, and drive my car. For all of you bargain shoppers, I will post the sales I find to help you and your family save money!!! Check back and I will let you know of the great bargains!!!

I found one today...ends tomorrow though. Smith's: Cereal (Choc. Chex, Straw, Chex, Trix, Cheerios variety), BC fruit snacks, Nature Valley granola bars (variety...sweet and salty nut yum) and a few other things 8/$8...buy 8 and get them for a buck!!! Holy cow, what a deal!!!

Tiny fingers, big burns

I feel just awful about tonight's events. I was dishing up my children's potato soup and holding Tevan at the same time. The soup was very hot, just seconds before it was boiling. As I dished up a bowl for Tevan, he grabbed it and stuck his tiny hand right in the center...the hottest part. The worst part about it was that I saw it all happen and could do nothing for him. I rushed him to the sink and ran it under cold water. I am so grateful my neighbor, Barbara, was there. She helped me to calm down and take care of the problem. She had some burn ointment that her husband, Jon, brought down. It took forever to get him settled (an hour and half)...I gave him Tylenol and tried to keep it in cold water. He screamed and screamed and I felt so, so terrible. Barbara went down to her house and I called my mom to see what she thought. Run it under cold water...easily said, but not done. After an hour of screaming, I took him down to Barb and Jon's and Jon gave him a blessing. It was so nice to be able to go next door. Shortly after, Tevan calmed down and started acting like himself. Barbara gave him a popsicle...two reasons: he needed something cold on his hand and he hadn't eaten anything since his 2:30 snack. She was so smart to come up with that...I was still in panic-stressed mode. I am so grateful for her and Jon tonight. What wonderful neighbors and friends. Tevan is doing much better and he finally dozed off to sleep. His little hand is still red and swollen, but as long as he is careful it should be okay. I feel so terrible...but Jon said tonight that we can't keep our kids in a padded room...there is not one kid who hasn't had something happen to them. I just feel bad that I could have prevented it and didn't. I guess I am just so used to doing everything with him in my arms...next time he will just have to wait to be picked up. Poor little fellow...I am so sorry!!!!

One of those days

It is one of those days today. BLAH! I don't know if it is because we are getting SNOW right now, or if it is just that nothing seems to be working out right today. I won't go into detail, save you some boring reading. But, I guess I should look at the positive side of things...we are getting more snow so that we will have more water this summer. I am wanting to plant my garden, so maybe I can actually have water to make it grow.

I also wonder if today is one of those days because I have a lot on my mind. I never see Troy...he is gone a lot the last three weeks and now he has to go to a stupid (sorry for the language) meeting in Boise Sunday...leaving me here with the kids, alone. That is exactly how I want to spend my Sunday and Monday...alone. We wanted to go, but it just didn't work out with the van being broken down. So, I will just buck up and deal with it.

I am also starting to be very concerned about the economy, the elections, the state of our country and the whole picture. I worry about what kind of world my children will live in. It is becoming harder and harder to be a stay-at-home-mom and I would just be crushed to leave my kids with someone and go to work. I am realizing more and more how very lucky I am to be here with them. It is a frightening time and I fear it will be worse. Our friend, Andy, came over yesterday and we were talking about the end of the world. We, at first, were joking about it. Then it got turned into a very serious matter to me. I cannot shake it. I know that no one know the day nor time of the Second Coming, and if we are prepared we should not fear...HOLY COW, I AM NOT PREPARED AT ALL!!!! I am not spiritually prepared, I am not disaster prepared, I am not monetarilly prepared and I do not have enough food storage or emergency stuff to be prepared. I know we have been told for a zillion years to get prepared, and now I am starting to panic. I would love to just get things in order and not worry. II am not prepared and I have a lot to do to get there.

Daeson and Tevan, however, are doing great. Daeson tests his waters on a daily basis and my patience run quite thin. But he is a normal two year old boy. His birhtday is coming up and he is extremely excited about that. He asked for a swing set and a puppy. We just got rid of our dogs and already he is asking for more...oh boy. I jsut feel bad I am the mean mom who has to say no. But, we might be able to do the swing set thing...we will see. He doesn't want anything else, so I hope we can pull it off. Maybe for both their birthdays??? My birthday is also coming up...I have given some thought to what I want. I decided there is a lot of things that I want but what could I get the most use out of??? I think I decided on quilting racks...Troy gave me the leg things for Christmas, now I need the 2*4s to go on them, and the clamps and tacs. I also would really like a new sewing machine. BIG ORDER!!! But, I have a lot of sewing and quilting to do, so that is the final wish. Tevan doesn't really understand anything that is going on. He is such a carefree, easy going spirit that he just goes day to day happily. I could learn something from him, I am sure of it.

Well, Happy Thursday to all of you!!! It is almost FRIDAY!!!! HHOOORRRRAAAAYYYY!!!...oh, that means nothing to me, but maybe to the rest of you...one more day to go!!!

Can't we all just get along?

I am on a soapbox...watch out...Okay, so the church that I belong to teaches that we can all be sealed together and live in the life after for Eternity with our families. My question to you is this...what in the world makes us think that if we can't get along in this life that we will be able to get along in the next? I know that our church is true, I do not want to put it across as anything else. I guess maybe I should explain the reason for this particular blog.
Far too often in my family there are quarrels...if they are going to be there, then I am not coming...or, why do you have to invite them?...or, why did you invite that grandma and not the other one? I get so tired of trying to please everyone. Most of the time the reason I don't invite everyone becasue 99% of the time, not everyone comes. It is the same people (which I am grateful for) that come everytime. Why should I waste my time and energy inviting people only to be turned down and then later told that I never invite them and they don't feel welcome. So, back to the title...why does it matter who I choose to invite? Isn't the fact that it is my child's birthday, or my brother's birthday, or my parent's farewell party, or a just because party enough? My sister in law, Kayla, has the most wonderful parents who so happily come to everything. Never once have they said, "Well, if the Grover's are going to be there, I won't come." They have come to so many of our family things and it is wonderful. Not only do we get to be blessed with Kayla in our family, but we get to be blessed with her family. It is such a dream of mine for the animosity to be gone. Why can't people see that it is not the pettiness in the world that matters, but we should just all get along and be happy. If this is how the hereafter is going to be...bickering and fighting over what family member are welcome...then I don't want any part of it. I try so hard to make everyone feel happy and comfortable around each other, but I feel like I am wasting my time. I think that some of the members of my family have it made up in their minds to not be happy. IT IS A CHOICE we make everyday. We can CHOOSE to be happy, WE get to make that CHOICE!!! Redundant? Good...I think it is something we all forget. So, now that I have vented all of that emotion out, I feel better. Sometime I need to just say it...what better way than a blog? My next entry won't be so AAUUUGGGHHH...it will be more pleasant to read. Venting is healthy and it works. I look at my blogs as my journal, so this is the way I choose to vent. SORRY!!

Mom, I pooped outside!!! (He said with a look of accomplishment and joy.)

What can I say? I have been blessed with two boys...one of whom thinks it is a great thing to use the outdoors as his private (or not so private) bathroom. While we were at my mom's house, Daeson had to go frequently. So instead of bringing him inside, taking off all of his clothes, taking him to the bathroom and then dressing him all over, we let him pee off the deck. Well, I guess this has carried over to the city life. This is the conversation I had about five minutes ago.
I was in the garage cleaning and vacuuming the van. Daeson was in the back yard playing in the garden spot. He came running to me...
Mom, I poop in the back yard!!
Daeson, what are you talking about?!? You pooped in the back yard??!!??!!
Yes, I poop. See? (leading me to the back yard) I poop, I show you.
Daeson, why did you poop in the backyard? Who told you it was okay to do that? That is YUCKY!! You don't poop in the back yard...who wiped your bum?
Nobody, see it in my pants.
Daeson, where did you learn that?
No where, I just did it.
Don't do it ever again, do you know how yucky that is? Gross Daeson, gross.
BUT I HAD TO POOP.
I guess that pretty much sums it up. He had to poop.

CONGRATS, HEIDI

My sis in law, Heidi, is getting married on Aug 1, 08. We have not met him yet but we are all excited nonetheless. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

A Whirlwind of a day

What a day today has been.

My best friend's dad passed away today. I am still in shock. He was a great man, one who would help anyone in need...I know because I was that person in need a few times. So my prayers and my deepest sympathies go out to her and her family. Kim will be missed...

Barb and I had a date with our kids to visit Reed's Dairy today. I decided to take my boys over there...I told Daeson he could pet the cows and see where the milk was made. When Barb's mother in law picked up her boys from my house I had told her the boys were very sad they couldn't go to the dairy today. As I was walking out, they walked in. Daeson was thrilled to see them...and they were glad to see Daeson and Tevan. It all worked out as a suprise. Daeson had a blast. We ate strawberry icecream and saw the calves. We even got to see where they milked the cows. It was a great, inexpensive field trip. I really enjoyed it and so did the boys.

We ate at Gandolpho's for lunch today. I was in a hurry to grocery shop and all but inhaled my food. Daeson was chattering like normal and I, only half paying attention, told him to hurry and eat. He kept telling me something...I couldn't quite get it. Finally he said, "Mom, we fordot to tay payer." So I stopped and he said a sweet prayer. I was humbled at this, I never think to pray when I go out to eat. I can learn a lot from him!!!

My Grandparents stopped by today. It was great to see them. The boys slept while they were here, but I had a great visit...in between stirring the food to make for Barb. But they were patient with me and let me do what I needed to do.

Now it is almost midnight and I am not going to proof this, just pst. I have to go switch laundry out...we are leaving at 10 to go to Pocatello tomorrow to bid my parents farewell. BUSy BUSY!!!! Till next time...

I forgot a picture...

Daeson and Dad had a great time. My dad was on call a lot so our days with him were numbered. But, Daeson just loved being out with him...like a shadow. :)

We're back!!!

Well, we are back from Grangeville and we are supposed to be in Las Vegas right now....but plans changed. I don't know if it is for the better, but things happen. It is so nice in Vegas right now. My parents just arrived and are having a great time. Despite the COLD outside...I think it is 45 degrees or so...I bundled the kids and went out the door for a walk tonight for part of FHE. It was nice to be out and we had a great time. Daeson had his cowboy boots on with no socks though and now has a blister on his foot...OUCH. He forgets easily. The nice part of being two.

I have been worked on this blog literally every chance I got today. I moved all my scrapbook stuff downstairs today and now I have a big mess. The joys of remodeling...things get moved a gazillion times before finding a final resting place. I missed the WildFlower Blossoms sale and I actually am not too sad. I would probably have bought new stuff just to sit and accumulate. So, I have decided I am going to get organized this week...during nap time...and clean out all my scrapbook stuff. It needs done badly and I will finally be able to face the task now that I have room to put everything. My mom, for an early b-day present, gave me a paper rack (like the ones in the stores) and I now have all my paper out...calling my name. I am hoping now that my stuff is out of Tevan's room and downstairs I can work on it during nap time. Then I can pound and make noise and he won't hear it. Troy also got the speakers and projector hooked up down there so now Daeson can have movie time. I should spend that time with him, but I think we both need breaks from eachother. Nap time is perfect for that. Enjoy the pictures...it is good to be back!
Tevan had a great time playing in the seed packets. He played for about an hour. I don't know if he was excited for the reflection in the glass or the seeds, but it kept him busy. He loves crawling and does a great job at it. He likes to be able to move around where he wants and when. BIG BOY!!!

We got creative in the bathtub. I gave Daeson my shaving cream and this is what we came up with. It was fun...he ended up covered from head to toe.

We played hide and seek almost every day. I finally got creative and hid Tevan in the laundry basket. Daeson could not find him until Tevan started wiggling and gave the hiding spot away. They have so much fun together and play very well. Daeson and Tevan are quite the pair...best buds.

We went to the park on a whim one night while dinner was in the oven. The weather turned nice for about an hour, so we went out the door to the park. It was so nice. The boys had a great time...and a bit later one of Daeson's new nursery friends showed up at the park. He had a blast playing with his new friend. It will be nice as he gets older to have some summer friends at my mom and dad's house.

Tevan loved the swing. Everytime we tried to take him out, he cried until we put him back in. It was so funny. He loved it...the baby swing is the best invention!

This was the cutest thing. Not five minutes after the other picture was taken. How sweet is that?

Poor Daeson. This was one of the three times he got to play outside. He went out a couple times with my dad, but this was a rare treat for him. The mud in Gville is so black and clay-like and STAINS bad. He ruined a lot of clothes this way. So he got to play in the potting soil with his dump trucks. He had a lot of fun and that is all worth it.

Daeson had a great time dying Easter eggs. He did a good job, too. He made one of every color and was sooo proud of his accomplishment.

This was the egg hunt. He had a lot of fun doing this...I had a lot of fun eating the candy...YUM-YUM! I told you I gained a ton of weight...heheheh.

This is my little cowboy...with the hat and rope mentioned earlier. The rope stays on the fridge most of the time due to the urge to rope Tevan. He thinks he is quite the stuff with this get up!!! All he needs now is a stallion and some Wranglers!!! He even has the "Hello Ladies" down...Thanks to his dad.

This is Tevan's first bath without his bath chair. He loves it. He went under a couple different times, but still wanted to get in and splash around. Daeson thought it was pretty cool to have someone to play with. My mom bought a couple of really fun bath toys and they had a blast!!

This is the boys with my mom. She was happy to see them...it had been since Thanksgiving. That is a LONG time for a Grandma to go without grandkids. So she loved them lots while we were there. She and my dad read to Daeson every night and told him stories...honestly I had no idea my dad had it in him. It was fun to see them interact with my kids.

Oh What a Beautiful Morning

The last two mornings, as soon as Daeson woke up, he said, "Mom, today is a beautiful day." Two year olds have the most positive outlook on life.

It has been nice the last two days...nice meaning no snow and above 35 degrees :). Today we are doing laundry...we leave tomorrow to come home. YIPPEEEEEE!!!!!! I am excited. I won't be back in IF until late Saturday night, but we will be there. I will miss hanging out with my mom and dad, watching American Idol (finally Ramiele is OFFFFF!!!), and I will miss Dancing with the Stars, but it will be nice to be home with my HUSBAND!!! I called him on April Fools to tell him we were staying another two weeks, but he didn't believe me. Not for one minute...or so he says.

Well, I will post some pictures on here in the next few days...as soon as I get home. I filled three cards since I have been up here, hopefully something worth posting. Have a beautiful day...be grateful for what we have...this may mean no drought this summer!!! Yeah! See you all soon!!!

Daeson

Okay, I know I have posted once today but Daeson said a couple things I wanted to post before I forgot. I know I am on vacation, but I am tiring of the indoor scene very fast and so is Daeson. I wish that he could go out to play and be free...but we are couped up in the house...a brand new house that I am worried everyday of tarnishing. But tonight Daeson said some very cute things. I will try to do them justice.

This was a conversation that took place during dinner.
Daeson, you need to eat your food.
Daeson...eat...now. This is supper and you don't get pie if you don't eat.

I have to go potty.

Then go, do you need help? ( I asked because earlier today he was peeing and had his thing (sorry for the graphic content) in one hand and his other hand playing in the stream of PEE..YUCK!!!)

Is the light on, Mom?

No, but I will turn it on. (I returned to the dinner table after turning the light on to feed Tevan. A couple minutes later:)

Mom...(he was standing at the table with his jammies still down and holding a barrett...hands wet)

Daeson why are your hands wet?

Mom...

Daeson, did you pee on your hand again?

Mom...(handing me a barrett that I had earlier taken out of my hair)

Daeson, get in there and wash your hand...why are they wet? Did you already wash them?? Get in there RIGHT NOW!!!!

Mom....I DROPPED IT IN THE TOILET!!!! (it being the barrett that I had taken right before...yuck, yuck yuck!!!)

We all stopped and laughed. My dad said that if I would have just let him finish he was trying to tell me all along. I felt so bad. The whole time Daeson had a look of concern on his face and he was trying so hard to get a word in. Sorry, baby!!! Sometimes I just need to relax!!!

The second thing that happened tonight...after struggling to have FHE and I was tired of him fighting me...was the following.

Daeson had to go potty so off he went. He can't quite reach the sink so my mom has a little stool in there. I hadn't quite finished cleaning up the dirty clothes and towels, so they were on the floor making it very difficult for Daeson to scoot the stool. So he fussed and I went to the bathroom saying.."What is your problem???" Instead of being the great mom I should be and offering to help, he told me the situation. I told him he needed to ask instead of boobing about it and then he would have better results. He fussed and told me he needed help washing his hands. So I turned the water on. It was too cold, so I turned it the other direction. It was warming up so I tried to cool it down after he complained that it was too hot. I said,"Daeson, why do you always complain that it is either too hot or too cold? I can't get it right!!!" By this time I was frusterated. He looked up at me innocently and said, "I don't 'plain if it is warm." Slap me in the face. I felt so bad. I realized I am too hard on him...HE IS TWO!!!!!!

Anyway, one funny story and one very humbling story. Goodnight and sweet dreams!