Week Loves.

This week I love,
*Deakon's Pediatrician, Dr. Kramer.
This man is solid, and has been there from the beginning of our journey with Deak. Even though we changed insurance companies a year and a half ago, I still pay to see him, because he is that good. Deak had his BIG three year well-child visit this past week and I was excited to show off how well he is doing. Two days later, Dr. Kramer's nurse called just to let me know that they know our insurance doesn't cover his visits (they usually have discounted their rate for me in half), and Dr. Kramer wanted to see him free of charge. FREE! What an amazing man.

*Abby's Mother Day Book she made for me in school.
When she writes she becomes more heartfelt; a side I don't often get to see. What a perceptive little girl. One of the questions she was asked to answer read..."What is most Important to your Mom?" She answered...Me and my bruther. So true.

*My job.
I am grateful to have one. I am so glad I made the choice to go into a field that I love. Hopefully my heartbreak over some of these kids balances out with my ability to help them overcome their challenges.

*My monster of a man, Deak.
He is now beginning to verbally answer questions...constantly, and typically with his one syllable answer of "Ah (Ya.)" He even answers all the questions Diego asks while watching his show. Every once in a while he'll answer you with a VERY distinct and powerful "Uh-Uh," while at the same time flinging his arms and head back and forth. We usually let him win in those situations because we just love that he has used his voice to tell us no.

*Lost.
This show has given Blair and I a chance to spend our limited time available together doing something we both enjoy. Thanks to our friend (who shall remained unnamed...) we are now beginning to watch the current TV season, and are LOVING it. It has been such a great escape, and a chance to forget the crap we have to deal with.

*Friends/Family.
I need you now, and you have come through. It is a little lonely without a husband around to nag, and you have given me an outlet. The lunches, sports, park dates, and exercise outings are what fuels me right now.

*And last, but not least, Blair.
Remember when our life together began? I don't think we imagined a fraction of the things that have happened, happening to us - and that's okay. The ignorant bliss is fun while it lasts, but the companionship that ensues after going through these unexpected turns are better. Man, I need you. Not just your help, but you. I need you to to listen to me whine about the nuances of my day and get really protective when people disappoint me. I love how you love our children, proved in the fact that on your one evening off this week, you chose to take Abby to tee-ball practice, and then play catch with her in the yard afterward. My heart swelled watching through the window.

You Know...

... (a) You're Husband is Working a lot (like 70 hours/week).

...(b) You are exhausted.

...(c) Your toddler has acted like he came from Hell.

...(d) All of the Above.

In my case, all of the above. Sure, I may have gotten several dirty looks from the family of nine, dressed in their BYU gear, enjoying FHE at their local Costco. But, whatever. I didn't care. If he wanted to down my diet coke, I was going to let him. I COULD NOT listen to the whining/animal-like screaming anymore.

So Shoot me.

Yep, that would be Deakon's piece of Pizza. He ate the whole thing (minus the crust) and those pizza slices at Costco are inhumanely large.

I didn't care about that either.

And, if I am being completely honest, the only reason I took the diet coke back was because Deak was hogging it, and I wanted the rest.

A Little Wicked.

My Dad rocks.

He surprised my Mom with Wicked tickets for her birthday last month. The coolest part was that we all got in on the action as well.

What a fabulous play. I know, the rest of the world has already seen it, but I hadn't. I really thought the story was so creative and well-written.

After the play, we went to dinner together and had a blast. It seems we don't often have time (mostly me) to get together with all of us, and it was fun to just hang out, be ourselves, and relax.

Dad, thanks for being so thoughtful. Mom, thanks for your birthday...I think it was well-spent.

Thank you.

Thank you Eminem for your song, Crack a Bottle. I listened to it about ten times today on the way home from Salt Lake after some crazy mom took my therapy time at Shriners (it was real shady). I lived vicariously through your f-bombs, and it helped. I guess I won't be surprised if Deakon asks when we are going to pick up the bitches in our Tahoe.

Thank you old VIP in Farmington for coming through with a greasy burrito and full calorie Pepsi. They helped as well.

I think I possibly need to develop better coping strategies.

Better Together.

(...at a mock sleepover Abby created for the two of them this past Friday Night.)

There is one thing that cannot be beat in terms of the rewards of parenting.

Those moments when our children are one; when the fighting has momentarily stopped, and they are actually enjoying one anothers' company. Those moments when you think that maybe you just might've done one half of a thing right.

My experience with my children as siblings is a little different, as I have mentioned before. I didn't want to place expectations on Abby and Deakon's relationship for fear of it being too complicated, or never really happening. I have been consistently surprised to find they are very traditional at times: Deak pulls Abby's hair, and Abby complains about Deak getting more attention. But, there are these other times, I get to see the big picture.

Abby knows Deak is different, and although she isn't perfect, she "gets" this one. She pushes him to compete with her, she involves him in her activities, and doesn't understand why someone else would not.

Yesterday, I was trying to be brave and take my kids to Lagoon. I/Easter Bunny made the mistake, oops - choice, to leave us passes this year. Frankly though, I was tired, and I knew that having Deakon at Lagoon would require a lot of energy. So, I began making phone calls to see if someone could watch him, since Blair was working. None of the phone calls ended up working out, and I decided to bring him. A decision I am so grateful I made now.

If you can't see, Abby has her arm wrapped around Deakon as they are riding together. A ride which Deakon LOVED. By the end of the ride, Deak had snuggled his head into her shoulder.

It was one of those times you want to bottle and save the next time both of them are screaming and don't want to go to bed. One of those times that you dream about when that Fresh from Heaven angel gets placed in your arms the first time.

And, I almost missed it.

More pictures from the day...

Deak riding his first solo ride ever. He actually was the only one on it period.

The first ride at the park.

Deakon could not get enough of the steering wheels and levers. He would literally laugh out loud almost the entire time the rides were moving. I was excited that he was strong enough and big enough to go on about seven of them. Abby has become braver, and is now wanting to linger longer in the adult ride areas. She was excited about the new Dragon ride, and riding the Bat for the first time.

We had such a great time. But, I openly admit I most likely will NOT be saying that towards the end of the Summer.

A Pocket Full of Wishes.

Today as I have been teaching the cute kids at my school about test anxiety, I have used my now infamous "gas pump" story as an example of what happens when one's brain does not get enough healthy food and sleep.
I think it's been rather impactful. I've never seen so many five year olds shake their heads in disgust.
I kinda wish that day wouldn't have happened, and right now, I kinda wish lots of things.

I wish I wouldn't have tried to cut-off the 70 year old man who wouldn't let me merge on the freeway. Ya, he might've been a road hog, but I didn't like the way I felt after I honked at him in his church clothes. I didn't like it when he shook his fist at me either.

I wish I wouldn't have stayed up until 1:00 am last night watching Lost. But, seriously people, that show is crazy good. The dreams are crazy too: Stranded + Aliens + Psychological Manipulation + Zac Efron (He's just always around) = Quite a Night.

I wish walkers and heart tests and Cheerleading teams didn't cost $3000. Though, worth every penny for what they bring to me in return.

I wish Abby would stay little enough to hug her mom in front of her friends forever.

I also wish Abby would let me ramble more and not cut me off with, "Umm, okay mom, you can be done with the talking."

I wish someone would knock at my door and tell me I've been chosen to be on a new show about how people clean your house for free every week.

I wish I could eat like Deakon.

I wish I could kiss his face right now, and watch him blow me a kiss back.

I also wish Deakon's favorite show was more like Grey's and less like Yo Gabba Gabba.

I wish someone knew where I could find denim patches to fix my favorite jeans that ripped.

I wish denim patches were in style.

I wish I saw my husband more often than the hours of 9pm-1am. Although, I am extra lucky to have a guy who is not ashamed to do whatever he needs to do to keep us afloat.

I wish for free Diet Coke at work like my friend Julie. (Seriously, Julie. No job could be better than that.)

I wish this weather would stick it out.

I wish Kyle Korver would make a bunch of three point shots tonight and shut-up all the haters.

The end...I could go on forever....Any wishes I have forgotten?

The Spring Break "Theory"

I love Spring Break.

Well, actually, I love a "break" from almost anything.

This year, the weather did not cooperate in giving my much needed break from Winter weather, so I decided to take a break from other things instead. Things like laundry (not one load), cooking dinner, and if I dare admit it, washing my hair. I would've preferred a break from the frost, but one takes what one can get, right?

I think I may have let my brain go on break also, because I am quite sure I didn't do a whole lot of productive thinking. In fact, I don't think my brain has come back yet. Today I drove away from the gas station with the entire gas hose still connected to my gas tank. It broke, and lots of people laughed and shook their heads at me.

I did remember to get my coke though...

Anyway, last week during our "break," we did a few fun things and enjoyed Easter. Here are the pictures.

We ate at Hires:

We Went to the Children's Museum:

(Deak had had it after about an hour.)

(Yes, Deak is kicking the Bunny.)

We Jumped and Dyed Eggs:

We Had a Hunt:

We also saw Hannah Montana, made lots of yummy things, and Ab went to a baby animal festival.

Now....BRING ON THE BREAK FROM THE COLD!

(And let's lose the break from my brain.)