Pregnancy Progress Report

Sometimes I avoid writing all of the little details of my daily life because I am afraid of boring you. But then I find that I rarely tell you what's going on at all. In fact, I have purposefully decided not to reveal my due date because I can't stand the idea of all of you biting your fingernails in anticipation. Or maybe just that I actually can't stand the constant comments and questions toward the end, when I know exactly how much more time until my due date-thank-you-very-much. And yes, I know I look like I could deliver any day-thank-you-very-much (yes, people have said quite tactless things this time around--and yet all I can do is laugh or else I'd cry). So here is the DL, sans due date.

Let's just say that I'm going to weekly visits now.

And for those of you who can stomach my personal numbers (because I, for one, am fascinated with the anatomy of pregnancy):
50% effaced
2.5 dilation

Now, don't go telling me your predictions on when I'm going to deliver. The doctors are never accurate, so you won't be either. I'm just satisfied with the fact that I'm making progress. Because (and here I'm going to take a tangent):

With all of my previous deliveries, I believe I went to the hospital too soon. But far along enough that they admitted me. And then force-fed me IVs and pitocin, and strapped me to a bed with monitors. And then the contractions would slow, they'd up the pitocin, and I'd be in labor forever. So then I began to wonder, would my body ever actually go into labor on it's own? Because this time around, we will be paying a hefty sum to bring this baby into the world. And because of that, I am completely aware that an epidural would cost me over $1000. Since I have had two faulty epidurals, and therefore am acquainted with the pain of labor, I'm going to forego the epidural this time. Which means, I really don't want to be strapped to a bed, and IV, and pitocin (which supposedly makes the contractions harder and more painful). So all of that to tell you that I'm just really glad that my body is naturally progressing on it's own.

Now, don't go biting your fingernails. I'm planning on making it all the way to my due date, which is still far enough away. Because if I don't think that way, I will only cause myself frustration.

Ciao.

P.S. Feel free to comment or ask questions. Commiseration is welcome. Questions may or may not be answered.

Grateful

Bryan went out of town. But I am grateful he is safe. And I am grateful we are safe. And I am grateful I have a couple awesome friends for a support system while he is away.

Of course yesterday, while Bryan was out of town, the van broke down. But I am grateful we were in a safe place. And I am grateful that I had my cell phone and could call my knowledgeable dad. And I am grateful to the banker who offered help, knowledge, and skills. And I am grateful that my kids handled it so well. (I am grateful I packed water and snacks.) And I am grateful for my friend who stayed with me until the tow-truck came. And then paid for it. And I am grateful for another friend who left her kids with a neighbor so she could come and give Joseph and me a ride home (there wasn't space in the first friend's car for everyone and their car seats). And I am grateful that we arrived at the car repair shop twenty minutes before they closed so I could drop off the keys and make an appointment. I am grateful they could fit me in today.

My friend (the first one) had been planning to take me and the kids to dinner and a movie. But since we had to deal with the van, we didn't make it to the matinee. But after we dropped off the van, she took the two older kids to an early dinner and a later show time. Joseph and I went home. I am grateful Joseph ate his dinner. I am grateful I could bathe and take care of him without interruption. I am grateful he went to bed early.

Then Caleb and Savanna arrived home, a little after bedtime. I am grateful they had a good time after the whole ordeal. But then Caleb said his tummy was hurting because he ate too much popcorn. But I am grateful that he threw up in my bathroom sink and not on the floor.

But then the ickiness wouldn't go down the drain. But I am grateful that I had plenty of plumbing liquid on hand. And rubber gloves. And bleach. I was especially grateful when it finally drained and I could clean out the sink. I am grateful for the good ventilation in my room so that I could still sleep in my bed.

But then Caleb woke up early in the morning and threw up again, so maybe it wasn't just the popcorn. But I am grateful he made it to the toilet this time. And I am grateful that I could turn off my alarm because I knew Caleb would not be going to school. And I am grateful that I got a little more sleep than normal (unless you count the interruptions).

But then Savanna woke up with a sore throat and terrible cough. So while she was crying for a drink, Caleb was crying because we wouldn't be able to go his last swimming lesson, and Joseph was crying because he wanted breakfast. But I am grateful that within ten minutes everyone's needs were met and a sort of calmness ensued.

And I am grateful for TV. Specifically PBS Kids.

But then the car repair shop called and told me that an inevitable repair would cost $400+. But I am grateful that I had set aside an extra $400 for our student loan this month. Not too tricky to wait until February to pay off the loan completely, instead of January. I am grateful that while $400 hurts, it doesn't hurt as bad as it could.

But then the car repair shop called to tell me that my car was fixed. During nap time. All three kids are asleep. (I should be napping too. Oh, well.) But I am grateful that the car repair shop will come pick me up. And they will wait until I call them to tell them I'm ready. So I don't have to wake up the kids.

But I should have gotten flu shots for my kids. Shame on me. But I am grateful that I got my flu shot, so at least one of us is healthy. And I am grateful that I can take care of my kids.

And I am grateful that Bryan is returning tonight.

And I am grateful that sicknesses never last forever.

The end.

Show me how much I love you.

(For those of you who don't know, Bryan and all his brothers are particularly fond of back-scratches.)

Bry: Can I please have a back-scratch?
Bri: Only if you really love me.
Bry: Then this is going to be a long, lovely back-scratch! Show me how much I love you.

Happy Halloween!

C

Little Man

Joseph wants to help. He is very curious, and he likes to get his hands into whatever anyone else is doing. If he hears the crinkle of a wrapper, he'll come running to make sure he gets his share.
Here he's helping Daddy assemble a kitchen chair.

Everybody tells me Joseph looks like a little man. They also use the words "hefty," "sturdy," and "healthy." He is not chubby anywhere, just completely solid. Weighing in at over 29 pounds, you can imagine how strong his mommy's arms are!
The other day, Joseph got into the toothpaste. After I cleaned him up and while I was on the phone with Poison Control (one swallow, no big deal, cup a milk, all good), he drew all over himself and the couch with a green marker. And then he has the sweetest smile and you can't get mad at him.

He is learning all kinds of words: break (from our family cheer "One, two, three, break!"), knock knock, hands, tickle, cool, wow, woah, mine, me, and no. All the important ones. And you've never met a more polite 18-month-old, saying thank you (which means thank you, no thank you, mine, and gimme) and sheez (please) all day long.

I love this boy!

It's a...

Healthy baby!

Okay, so those of you who don't know the gender yet may not even know the question was to be begged.

This is partly because we waited a long time to tell family.

And then there was the awkwardness of how to break the news. Most of the time it was like this:

"Yeah, I'm feeling really sick because I'm pregnant."
and
"Yes, thanks for asking if I'm pregnant before I tell you because if I wasn't you'd be in real trouble right now."
and
In response to people looking sideways, and sometimes even bending over sideways to get a better look, "Yes! I'm pregnant, okay!"

Really, I'm very excited to have another baby! And I'm not even bothered by the asking. I just never could come up with a fantastically clever way to share the news, so then it became more and more awkward as time went by. And the only way I could come up with to blog about it was to just wait a little longer until we actually had news of the gender.

We had an ultrasound today. And our families have already been informed. So now I can finally present to you the news of the day:

It's a boy!

I don't have a scanner, so for now I can only describe to you the relaxed state this baby was in. I mean, he was very active and even had hiccups. But there was one shot of him with his right hand under the back of his head, while he was trying to suck on his left hand. And then a shot of his two femurs in a very wide V-shape, spread eagle. The kid was chillaxin'. I've never seen a baby in anything but fetal position! Ha!

And everything looks normal and right on schedule.

And while I can now begin sorting boy clothes, I'm realizing that many of the clothes we have may not hold up much longer.

And I have put off thinking about names until now. And I think I will need some help. Here is the criteria:

1. Nothing that rhymes or resembles any of my immediate family's names.
2. Nothing that starts with B or Br.
3. L names are iffy.
4. Names ending in ie, ee, ey, or y are iffy.
5. James, Michael, Joshua, Callan, and Thomas are out.
6. Gordon, Bruce, John, Adam, Robert, Nathan, Bryan, Eric, and Andrew are out.

Go!

My Little Couch Potatoes

My Boys

Yes, the hoop is 4 or 5 times taller than Joe, but does that stop him? No way!

All set with all his gear: His well-used backpack from last year (that will need some duct tape here shortly) and his incredible lunchbox.

This boy was so excited to start first grade, he was up at the crack of dawn. Caleb completely dressed himself and got himself breakfast all before I was out of bed. A few people told me that first graders get so tired transitioning to all-day school. That wasn't true the first day, but on the second day it proved true.

Savanna, Joseph, and I have enjoyed a morning play date and some shopping. And while Joseph has been napping, I have been organizing!

Update

We just got back from an action-packed adventure to Utah. While we didn't blow a tire this time around, we did visit with almost every member of each of our families. (I visited my sister a couple months ago, so I've seen everyone this summer sometime.) The big news was that Bryan's youngest brother Andrew left for Ghana on Thursday. I've never seen someone more prepared for missionary service than Elder Lindsay.


School starts next week, so I need to hurry up and take care of the school supply list. Auditions for the choir I was in last winter/spring are coming up again.

Bryan's hand is still in a splint from a fractured metacarpal bone in his right hand, which happened about three weeks ago while playing church basketball. I have since banned him from the sport. I have been doing all the dishes, and I can't pawn off the diaper changes to him when he's home. But I do actually feel bad for him because his work productivity has gone down, in the form of typing with one whole hand and a thumb. And his atrocious handwriting is even more atrocious now. And then we went on vacation for 9 days (including two spent driving), and all he could do was remotely access his emails, reply to texts, and hope for the best. I don't plan to see him much this week while he catches up.

Like I said, Caleb starts school next week (full day!). And I really think it will do a world of good for Savanna to be the oldest kid around during the day. She's ready to shine! Joseph is walking/running, and now he's climbing on things and even climbing on stools to reach things previously out of reach. I need to re-babyproof.

More soon!

Year In Review

Okay, maybe not the whole year. But it has been a long time since I uploaded pictures, and here are some of my favorites in random order:

Sometimes we call him "Joyseph."

Falling asleep in the car. I think this was after Bryan's grandpa's funeral.

Patriot

On the way to Utah for the funeral.

Dear friend,
You never returned my phone calls and caused me a lot of frustration before you moved away.
But I forgive you, because you gave me this recipe. Oh, and the freezer raspberry jam that you couldn't take with you. Mmm boy.

Patriot and parade.

This is when we went camping. Yes, it was actually as bad as I expected. The kids did just fine and slept through the night. It was the multiple trips (for me) to the bathroom and the territorial hawk that kept me up most of the night.

Joseph is this helpful every day.

In which our friends came at the end of April, and we didn't feel like making dinner. Instead we got a pizza the size of a car.

Just, awesome.

In which we got to the end of a very long day with no fun for the kids, and then we stopped to visit Grandpa. All was right with the world.

See? More help!

Camping, building memories. Caleb, Savanna, Joseph? You better remember this because I went through a lot to make this memory.

Savanna's first haircut, which somehow gave her permission (in her mind) to then cut it some more. And then some more. I don't have a picture of the current hairstyle unless you look really hard at the previous picture.

Why do kids love boxes?

Our friends that came in April.

My haircut. Which now I'm trying to grow out again because I just can't stand to have hair in my face or on my neck. I should either go super-short, or long.

Savanna as Buzz Lightyear.

Please? More?

Two holes in one

This happened today.

Pause

You want an update, do you? Well, just pause for a second while I get Joseph up from his nap. (I get that from my kids: they are convinced that you can pause life and push the backspace if things aren't going your way.)

Where was I? Oh, yes. Let's start with Joseph. Walking. Getting more and more stable every day. Likes to show off how talented he is at walking. He also talks a lot. We can only understand a few words, and his inflections sometimes clarify the gibberish. He is still always into everything. He makes lots of messes and only occasionally finds enjoyment with putting things back. He also loves to amuse other people. Making people laugh is in his genetic makeup, I guess (not from me). He is also very picky. You'd think that a kid who seems to be a people-pleaser would find great encouragement in words of praise, but no. I'm having a hard time getting him to eat a balanced diet. Even though he doesn't like to eat food, he likes to sink his 12 teeth into bare flesh. Clothed flesh will also do just fine. Still smiley as ever. He comes to give me hugs frequently throughout the day, but spends most of his time being independent and exploring any non-babyproofed spot in the house. I will make it a goal to download some videos and pictures tonight. Wish me luck.

Savanna. Still changes her clothes five times a day. She thinks she can sneak her wet-in pants into the laundry without me knowing, but unfortunately she can't distinguish between a basket of clean laundry and a basket of dirty laundry. Recently she also sneaked into my room, found some scissors, and cut her hair (for the second time). We found the evidence all over the floor. I will also try to post pictures of this later. My friend fixed her hair, sort of. The snipped spot is not really salvageable, just disguiseable. I don't really like the hair cut, but it is better than shaving her head.

Caleb is creative. He is always making projects and drawing pictures and anything else to entertain himself and me. Today he made a reusable scavenger hunt that I tried out three times. Caleb loves to play outside in our cul-de-sac with Bryan. They play all the sports. It really is a good set-up. Even though the south side of our house is right next to a fairly busy road, the cul-de-sac goes downhill away from the road into a flat-ish surface. And since our driveway is a pretty good hill, all the balls roll back into the middle of the cul-de-sac, ready for more play. Caleb takes Savanna on adventures in our house and in the backyard, but more often then not they end up in screaming matches and "I'm gonna tell mom!"s. Oh, well. I didn't get along with my brother until I was 17 and he was 18 and we finally had some of the same friends. Teaching them to get along is going to take a loooooong time, I think.

Not much is new with Bryan and me. We're just trying to figure out how to pass the time this summer in a small town with few options.

103.1°

It literally took 48 hours for Joseph's fever to break. After about 36 hours, I became especially concerned when I set Joseph down on his feet and his legs buckled under him. I took him to the ready care, got right in, and the doctor diagnosed an especially bad ear infection. We started antibiotics asap, but were up half the night trying to make him comfortable enough to sleep since the acetaminophen only seemed to be shaving off a degree or two. This morning, our happy Joseph is back! Hallelujah!

I Kid You Not

Tonight, while we were getting Joseph ready for bed, he said his first sentence.

Bryan is my witness.

"I duh-joo ma!" in a sweet voice, followed by a sweet smile.

Okay, I admit it, being a mom has some rewards. :D

Pizza Party or Bust

(By Bryan)

Today when I picked Caleb up from soccer practice, he asked if he could do chores to earn some money.

I asked him what he needed the money for.

He then showed me a flier, which said:

Golden Champions
Parent/Sibling Game &
End of the Year Party

Date: Thursday, May 6, 2010

Time: Game will be at 4:15 and after we will
head down to Pizza Hut

***Kids will be responsible for paying for
their own food

I chuckled inside; and I was touched that this sweet little kid would do anything to go to this party, even pay for his own dinner.

Because I'm such a good dad, I said, "You know, Caleb, I could probably pay for your dinner."

To which he defensively replied, "No, Dad, it says the kids are responsible!"

I Stink

See, I knew that would get your attention. But while you may be pondering the odor emanating from my corner of the world, I'm actually pondering how terrible I am at this family blog in the form of what's lacking: videos, pictures, and cute stories. So let's hear it: I stink.

All together now, do you want to hear our family update? Yes? Even though the pictures and videos are stuck on the camera for now? Alright, you asked for it.

Bryan: still busy as ever. In fact, he just drove down to the hospital to pick someone up and take them back to the nursing home. It's technically called a "Care Center," and people who live there are "Residents." But let's not be politically correct, because it is a place where people receive "acute nursing care," just one step down (or up?) from the hospital. Even though there are mostly old people, I have seen a few young people there in the last two years; so I think "residents" is a perfectly acceptable term.

Sundays, I have two callings: YW and ward choir director. Mondays I rehearse with the local choir(s) for three hours (come to our concert April 30 and May 2!) Tuesdays and Thursdays Caleb has soccer. Wednesday nights are YW activities. Thursday nights Bryan tries to play basketball, but more often then not stays home to spend time with me and the kids because he has been so busy all week long. Fridays and Saturdays we try to clean and shop and play but almost always fill the days with other things (such as soccer games; voice lessons; and the car breaking down 8 miles from home, filled with groceries and melting ice cream). It seems almost unbelievable that I could keep so busy with three kids when only one has extracurricular activities. Heaven, help me.

Caleb is mischievous. Not all the time, but he finds great amusement in teasing brother and sister. And almost invariably, he will write me a note telling me he's sorry and asking me to forgive him: check yes or no. So far, I haven't had to check 'no.' He also has been questioning everything I ask him with Why?! and WHAT?!, and we've had to have a lot of talks about being respectful and how mommies actually have reasons for everything they say and do.

Savanna has picked up on his attitude. She says things like, "When can I?" and "Fine, whatever!" We have talks about "You can't talk to mommy that way," since she doesn't understand respect. She also changes her clothes five times a day, if I let her.

Joseph. Oh, Joseph. Still happy as ever. Always smiling, always making new friends. Stinker, though. He makes a mess out of whatever he can reach. It's the destructive phase. You don't stack blocks, you knock them down. And everything else you can get your hands on. And even though he was never very cuddly, he pushes me away even more now. He wants to get down and explore all the time. Sacrament meeting is exhausting because it's constantly up, down, twist, over to daddy, back to mommy, smile at the people behind us, play the gravity game with the people behind us, up, down, etc. *SIGH* He's on the verge of walking, but crawling is just so much faster.

Even though they are challenging and exhausting, they are still really good kids, and I wouldn't trade them for anything.

So now you see why I've fallen off the face of the earth with this blog. At the end of the day, when the kids are in bed, I'm usually just not in the mood to wait for videos and pictures to upload.

Okay, bloggy friends, I'm off. And I'm not going to promise that this is going to get any better. Maybe. Sometimes. We'll see. And seriously, if you want a more frequent, personal update, call me!

Cheerio!

New Blog

After much consideration, I have decided to start a new blog. This blog will be dedicated to family updates, pictures, and videos. And my other blog will be dedicated to my thoughts and essays. It will be public, for you Google Reader lovers; and I will try to indicate when updates are available on this private blog. Since my other blog will be public, I will refrain from using my family's names; please do the same in your comments.

http://aspoonfulofpeanutbutter.blogspot.com/

Cheers!

Lyrics

We have been listening to a CD in the car non-stop for about a month. And while I didn't understand the lyrics as a kid, they are really cracking me up now!

See if you can guess the movies and/or songs:

1. Ev'ry one ellis is jealous.

2. Oh, look: What's this? They're hanging mistletoe, they kiss. Why, that looks so unique, inspired!

3. As a specimen, yes, I'm intimidating....As you see, I've got biceps to spare....And every last inch of me's covered with hair....I'm especially good at expectorating....And now that I'm grown I eat five dozen eggs, so I'm roughly the size of a barge!

4. Now, it's happened once or twice, someone couldn't pay the price; and I'm afraid I had to rake 'em 'cross the coals. [sung very sweetly]

5. Where we finding baby, there are milk nearby.

Too tired.

Today, I'm too tired to be offended. I'm tired of being too tired and offended.

Let me back up. Iron deficiency anemia can come on so gradually that you are fully immersed in it before you even notice it. I have been iron deficient all my life. But I haven't always been very good at taking the supplements necessary to combat it. So it's no wonder that after being pregnant, having a baby, nursing a baby, and commencing menstruation again (sorry, guys), that I am severely iron deficient now. To the point of exhaustion, being lightheaded, and extremely emotional. Depression is a side effect of iron deficiency; but I wonder if it's really a side effect of being tired, which is a side effect of being iron deficient. Depression can also be a side effect of menstruation; again, I wonder if it is a side effect of being tired, because I am iron deficient, because I am menstruating. Well, no matter. You just need to know that I've been tired.

My social anxiety, which I addressed before, seems to be exacerbated by being tired. Sometimes my social anxiety sits down right next to depression on the spectrum.

I feel like I've been in a rut for about a month now. And it all seems to be related to the above issues.

And one other issue, which is that Bryan is my social life. Let me back up here, too. I had pretty severe social anxiety through high school and college, but particularly in college. It was not fun for me. But when I married Bryan, a very social person (nicknamed "the Ambassador" on his track team), all my anxiety went away. For two reasons. One, Bryan brought friends to me, and I didn't have to work all that hard for it. And two, as long as Bryan was there (to make me feel important and valuable), no one else mattered. Well, at least their opinions didn't matter as much to me.

Problem is, Bryan has been so busy with work and all the craziness there, that he doesn't have much time for a social life right now. Which means, I'm back to trying to have a social life all by myself again. And I'm tired. Really tired. Hence, the rut.

But I'm feeling better. Not 100%, but better.

And all that to explain why I'm too tired to be offended. By the guy in ward choir who rolled his eyes at me because he didn't like the way I was directing. I just don't feel like being bothered by it right now.

So I'm not.

So there.

:p

Green

Dear Matt,

On a day when some of us are green, and not because of the holiday, this brightened my day. Thanks for sharing!

Woes of an Introvert, Part II

I appreciate all of your comments; many have been very enlightening. But I feel like there is a little more to say here, since it seems that I may have been somewhat misunderstood.

Where to start?

I really appreciated Shalissa's comment about the difference between shy and introvert. I must say, by that definition, I vacillate between introvert and shy extrovert. Sometimes I really need people, even if that means stepping out of my shy self. Sometimes I just need to be alone. Which brings me to my next point.

I have always dealt with social anxiety. At one point I was even medicated for it; and at other points I have been able to deal with it on my own with a fair amount of success.

One of the main symptoms I deal with is the desire to run and hide, sometimes just figuratively. Any new or scary situation usually amplifies this desire, but I make myself stay put and ride the wave until it is over.

With that said, I feel that I need to tell you that my previous post was not me begging for attention or seeking compliments. It was also not a cry for help. It was a quest for understanding. And now I realize that many of you are trying to understand, and care a lot for me. And I appreciate that.

Many chunks of my life have been very difficult, with regards to social anxiety. Every day situations, which are normal to you, may create a huge obstacle for me. Which is probably a huge part of the frustration I illustrated in my previous post.

Thanks for reading.

Woes of an Introvert

I have been an introvert for as long as I can remember. This week, many of the symptoms have come to the forefront as I have dealt with new (and old) situations. I think I wrote a post like this a few years ago, but I am here to enlighten you to what it feels like to be me.

Case Study #1: I teach the 16-17-year-old girls at church. I get very nervous and feel very awkward when I am teaching them. When they give me sideways glances, I feel like there is so much more behind the look than just a look. I worry that they've had conversations together about me (and maybe they have) about how dumb and uncool I am. While I would like not to care, I do. Not just because I wish I was cool (I do), but because I feel like I can't even be an effective teacher if they don't respect me.

Case Study #2: I lead the choir at church. I have a fair amount of musical knowledge, but I have very little experience in leading. While my performance degree helped me be able to stand or sit in the spotlight without looking nervous, inside I'm barely keeping it together. I worry that my awkwardness in what I say and do is creating a sympathetic response in my audience (the choir), so the feedback I get is less than ease. So then I worry about that, which makes me more nervous, which then spirals downward from there.

Case Study #3: I started an aerobics class today. It was so much fun, but I was far less than coordinated when it came to moves with more than 3 steps. I feel like an idiot, but at least I'm surrounded by friends. I guess my point here is that because I was so shy growing up, I didn't dare try new things, especially with regards to movement (dancing, athletics, etc.). I was so afraid of looking totally dumb, that, to this day, I still do not feel comfortable moving my body around.

Case Study #4: I'm trying to be okay with who I am. It is so bizarre to me that I can't choose not to be shy. It is a part of who I am, and all I can do is deal with it; but I doubt I will ever totally overcome it. More times than I care to admit, I have felt jealous of you. Yes, you. All of you, separately, at one time or another. Because you might be more outgoing than me, and you might make friends more easily than me. This makes me mad at myself and feel inferior to you. Or you might be more creative than me. Many of you are so creative. I'm not. I don't have a creative bone in my body. I'm terrible at decorating, sewing, crafting, scrapbooking, and the list goes on. Sometimes I feel so frustrated when I see your blog and all the really neat things you are doing. But then I have to realize that those things do not interest me. But then I feel frustrated because I still haven't discovered what does interest me, and it looks like you got it all figured out. I know in my mind that it's okay that I'm not exactly like you, but the way I feel is the opposite. I'm trying to learn how to be satisfied that I'm just different than you. I'm very introverted. And I don't have the same talents and interests. And that's okay. I guess.

I will never know what it feels like to be completely settled in my skin. But I hope I can attain a degree of satisfaction with who I am, even when my physiological response to new and scary situations dictates otherwise.

How is it okay?

Sorry, but this is going to be a quick rant post because I've got to run.

But how is it okay for famous people (including but not limited to politicians, athletes, musicians, and actors) to get away with bad things? Especially lately, it seems that many people are cheating on their spouses, then apologizing (when and because they were caught), and the punishment is only a slight frown (big smiles from the papparazzi), and they go on with their lives?

I mean we've even had a couple womanizing presidents in the last few decades, and it's okay?

HOW IS IT THAT WE CAN TURN A BLIND EYE TO THEIR INFIDELITY AND THEN TRUST THEM TO BE TRUSTWORTHY IN EVERYTHING ELSE??????

Oh, and don't get me started on sexuality. WHEN IS IT EVER OKAY TO TELL PEOPLE ABOUT YOUR PRIVATE BEDROOM LIFE?

I don't want to hear if someone is gay, bisexual, or straight. I don't want to hear it people. I wholeheartedly believe that God instituted marriage between husband and wife (a real man and a real woman), that procreation is sacred, that children are blessings from God, and families can be together forever. But I don't want to hear about anyone's private life (including happily married husbands and wives, thank you very much), but especially those who choose to live in sin.

Forgive me for my strong opinion on the subject.

Featuring Caleb

Once upon a time there was a bird named Gomo. He lost all of his feathers because he bumped into a tree. Then he asked a squirrel to help him put all his feathers back on. They kept on trying to put the feathers on by just pushing them on Gomo. But that didn't work. Then they tried punching them back on. But then they fell into the sea. A whale was close to them. He swallowed them. Then the whale blows Gomo and the squirrel out of his blowhole and they land in a tree. Then they fell into a Jack-O-Lantern that was swallowed by the whale and shot out through his blowhole! The pumpkin got swallowed by a turtle and they were inside it still. The turtle spits the pumpkin out. Then they get out of the pumpkin. Then they use glue to put Gomo's feathers back on. Then he had to sit somewhere to dry. Then a pig came and wanted to be friends. The End.

By Caleb

Mommy Brain

You've all heard of it. Many of you have had it. I submit that although there may be physiological links to Mommy Brain in the form of endocrinology, there is at least one other culprit.

The lack of time.

When I have time between poopy diapers, bottles, solid food, chauffeuring, and potty-training, I might be able to think things through; be logical; rationalize.

Many times this week I have suddenly had Eureka moments, and immediately realized that those moments should have been much more obvious than they had been.

Today I had a headache. Last week I had a headache for several days, along with some insomnia. Finally, I figured out that I was dehydrated, which gave me the headache, which caused me to have trouble sleeping. Today, I drank water to get rid of the headache, because that's probably why I had a headache, right? Well, it might have been, in part, a logical reason.

After feeding two kids lunch, giving two kids a bottle (did I tell you that I'm watching another 9.5-month-old full time?), packing four kids into the van, taking one kid to school, returning home, and feeding the babies some food and changing their diapers, I realized that I had not yet eaten. My body felt tired, I had the headache, and my stomach hurt. And yet, it never dawned on me that I might just be hungry. (Well, I'm probably dehydrated too, and lack of sleep never helps either.)

My name is Brianne. And I have Mommy Brain.

Next Time I'll Wash the Car by Hand

Go to the bank. It's closed. Make a deposit anyway.

Go to the gas station. Get gas, buy a car wash because we really need one.

Car wash is very clean and wet. Joseph and Savanna are terrified and in tears. End car wash.

Hm. Power-steering goes out. That's strange. On to the Science Center. Car starts beeping unrelentingly. Battery light comes on. Takes all my energy to steer the car and pull into the Science Center parking lot. They're closed. Call my dad (a mechanic among other things). Open the hood. Yep, the serpentine belt is extremely loose.

Go straight to the car repair shop because it will probably overheat very soon. Call Bryan to get directions to car repair shop. Car starts to overheat. Pull over into the car repair shop. Yep, serpentine belt is loose. This model of car needs a water shield thingy that didn't originally come with the van. Apparently, it is common for the high-pressure water car washes to "float the belt." $35 and 2-hour wait.

Which means I got a $42 car wash that took 3 hours, and it's not even that clean.

Bry and Bri in a decade

1. Bri graduated high school.
2. Bry returned from his LDS mission to Portugal.
3. Bry and Bri met.
4. Bry and Bri got married.
5. Caleb was born.
6. Bryan graduated college and ran the BYU school record in the mile.
7. Brianne graduated college and performed a senior recital.
8. Savanna was born.
9. Bryan graduated with a masters.
10. Bryan completed administrator in training program; Joseph was born; Bryan started his first real job.

Happy New Decade!