We're Binki Free!!!!

As most of you know Emmet has been addicted to his binki since birth. Emery wasn't quite interested in hers until she got old enough to copy Emmet. My mom has been staying with me while I've been recovering from adominal surgery. I'm getting better each day. I'm not allowed to lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 6 weeks. (Emery is 34 pounds) So yesterday, I was frusterated, sick and tired of being a push over, realizing that if I didn't stand up to at least my kids nothing would change. So in a moment without thinking I pulled the binkis out of their mouths and threw them in the trash. I have had suggestions of having the balloons float to the binki fairy, but I think the dramatics of the trashcan worked great!! Emery and Emmet sobbed and sobbed and eventually stopped. Emmet put on a brave face and fell asleep fine, but a little before five he woke up and moaned for his binki until I was willing to get up for the day. In the mean time my mom was upstairs suffering the rath of the two year old. She had a difficult time falling asleep and then tossed and turned all night. She was up also around five moaning for her binki. My mom and I are sleep deprived, but determined to stop the bad habit. I am so glad I got upset enough to make this change now. I do not see how I could've done it by myself. I would've eventually given in. This is the first "major" change I've made with the kids since Sam's death. It's making me realize I can do this. There have been moments where being a single mom has been more challenging than I anticipated, but we're making baby steps and being a binki free home is a major step!! Wish us luck tonight!!!

Whose addicted to American Idol?

I can't believe how much I am enjoying watching American Idol. I'm amazed at how many of the contestants can really sing. It looks like so much fun!! I'm not sure who my ultimate favorite is yet. It changes weekly!!

My Grandma Turned 90....

All of my family flew into to town to celebrate my Grandma Olson's 90th birthday.  I'll be 30 next month and it worries me I could be around for another 60 years!  That's a long time.  I grew up 10 minutes from my grandma and have such great memories of her teaching me to cook, swimming at her house and enjoying her positive personality even though she is legally blind.   One of my favorite stories is that when my grandma would go to the cinema as a teenager she always took olives with her as her snack.  I don't know why, but that always makes me laugh.  So much in American history has taken place in her lifetime.  I wonder what the next 60 years holds in our country's future?  It will be fun and scary to watch.    

Tagged

This took some thought.  I'm bad at analyzing myself.  So here it goes:

10 Years Ago--February 1998

I was a sophomore at BYU.  I was living in Centennial with five other roommates.  Kate Smith was in my FHE group.  I was singing in Women's Choir and I think I finally figured out what I was majoring in.  It was a happy time, I was excited about the future, day dreaming about my future husband, and no I had no idea it would be Sam!!  

5 Things on my to-do list today

1.  call my insurance company

2.  mail bills

3.  deliver thank you notes

4.  go to Walgreens and get some zit medicine!!

5.  attend Enrichment

3 of my bad habits

1.  I am a horrible eater.  I could live off of bean burritos.  I'm working on making meals for the kiddos.

2.  If the task seems difficult I put it off as long as I can and that usually makes it harder.

3.  I don't wash the bed sheets and towels very often.  Gross I know!!

Places I have lived

Gilbert and Mesa, Arizona

Las Vegas, Nevada

Owings Mills, Maryland

Provo, Utah

London, England

Everett, Washington

Vienna, Virginia

San Fransisco, CA

Illinois

Jobs I have had:  not many

babysitter--all the time when I was young

I ran a concession stand

taught piano lessons in high school

worked for a temp agency

secretary for the ASU school of architecture

junior high school teacher

mom

Things Most People Don't Know About Me

I was the model student in school except for fifth grade when I was sent to the principle for flicking staples!  I wanted to be an archeologist, I even took a class in college.  I had straight A's in high school.  In college, I had over 20 pairs of underwear so I would only have to do laundry every 3 weeks.  I'm extremely independent and feel smothered by people really easily!!  Yet, I hate calling people on the phone.  I have had a fear of calling people my entire life.  Ironically though I love speaking in public.  Go figure!!

I think most of you have been tagged, so I think you're all off the hook!!

Yes, I do claim him as my son!

I ran and got the camera when I saw what Emmet was doing.  I wonder if he put the DS down to pee?  I'm embarrassed to say this is my son.  He loves his DS a little too much for a four year old.  What's even worse is he still has his binki.  He stood mesmerized like this for over five minutes!!  I assume this is something Sam would have done at his age.  It seems like such a Sam thing!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!  I hope each of you buy yourself some pretty flowers.  Emery picked out mine yesterday from the grocery store and she did a great job!!

help....

So, I'm attempting to potty train Emery.  She's two and a half and quite ready and capable, yet I need some suggestions on what's worked for you.  Emmet was a breeze, he loved chocolate and that was his bribe.  On the other hand Emmet and I tried everything to get Emery to "peep" on the pink potty to no avail.  It was so cute, every time Emery said potty, Emmet and I would jump up together.  It was quite the family effort.  After two hours she finally went into the pantry, shut the door and peed in there!  She's definitely has a mind of her own.  I thought girls should be easy, so any ideas, brilliant or quite silly, I'll take them.