Brighton

For Labor Day, we went for a walk around the lake up at Brighton with Lisa's mom. It was a lot of fun, and the kids were really good. Sydney (with the strap tightly around her wrist) was taking pictures throughout from atop my shoulders. The bottom picture is one of Sydney's. She's still learning not to put her finger over the lens, so we had to delete quite a few, but she's learning and having a lot of fun. We're looking into get her a very cheap but digital camera for Christmas. Hopefully she'll continue to love taking pictures like Aunt Wende.

First day of school

What a fun day. For two months we've been talking to Sydney about school, what she'll learn, being able to play with friends, etc. It seemed like the day would never come, so I never realized how hard it would be to see her gone when I go up for a snack, etc. True, she'll only be gone while I'm at work, but who can pass up the fun opportunities to talk about what she learned at school, etc. This week they're supposed to wear red (learning the color), talking about 'A', alligators, apples, etc.

Here are a few pictures Lisa took before taking her to school.

Reminders to set reminders

One of the most true statements that directly apply to me is that major problem in the new century is not getting information, it's sorting through it. I've had some major struggles lately thinking of the word I want to use (I couldn't think of the word 'treadmill' tonight), but am hopeful it will return when sleep does. The funny thing is (there I go again with that phrase), I get so intent on making sure I write things down so I don't forget them, I'm going crazy.

If you'll note on my Outlook tasks, I have two reminders to set reminders. Enough said about that. I have reminders to take out the garbage, clean the furnace filter, clean the kitty litter (which has been 'snooze'd for a few extra days now. Some people say if you make lists, you look at all the things you want to get done but haven't, and get depressed. I'm of the opinion anything that gets put on a list and gets accomplished is a goal accomplished, and should be rewarded.

Ok...it's 12:21 AM and I'm in my second wind. My last thing to mention is my monthly reminders. I'm sure if you've read this far you probably can't sleep either, but I once heard a talk where you should take your temperature, give yourself a report card, (follow the analogy you prefer) every so often. I created the task in May 2006 and I hadn't done it yet, until now.

I recently heard a radio spot that compared what you were interested in and what your children were interested in (i.e. who was the latest pick for your sports team vs. what school books are in your child's backpack), showing how you're doing balancing between you and the time you spend with your kids. I think I've always avoided the report card, not so much that I'm doing horrible, but unlike not feeling like I'm doing well or near perfection.

Tonight I went home teaching, and talked with the Elder's quorum president (he subbed for my companion who's sick) about validation from God, yourself, spouse, etc. He said he wondered how many men take their twins home teaching to give their wives a break. I think I'm finally starting to see potential in the possibility I might plug the selfish holes that make me feel so unkind and selfish.
Ok...I'm tired.

Our little helper

Sydney has been such a huge help lately...getting garbage bags and putting the previous night's diapers in, etc. However, Lisa paged me downstairs asking "are you cleaning out the fridge?" I brought the camera upstairs.

Everything within reach was out, lined up on the kitchen counter, taken out of bags, etc. Just no comments about passing on my obsessive-compulsive nature, ok? :)

Reinvested

"It's the funniest thing" must be the most common thing out of my mouth, followed by something new, which begs the question, is the funniest thing changing 10-12 times a day? :) Ok..so it's the funniest thing, I have been trying really hard to spend less time on myself and more time on Lisa. So Saturday I went to play ultimate frisbee while Lisa took care of the kids, then Rich came out that night to play games and hang out. Despite letting Lisa take an hour and a half nap, I think my 4 hours playing didn't make the grade.

I replaced the faucet/drain in the hall bathroom, helped with dishes, laundry (forgot to include Sydney's), etc., but minus the drain, Lisa does these weekly anyway, so why should I feel I'm making a difference? Because this past week, I've been trying much harder. We cut down a tree in the backyard, and spent time out there cleaning it up (well...as much as will fit in the garbage cans each week). Because this month, for the first time in three months, I will have done my home teaching to all four of our assigned families. Because, despite frequent failures, I'm remembering to put the dishes in the dishwasher, not on the counter/in the sink. I'm tired of getting down on myself for the small failures I've had and focus on my desires to do better and where they'll take me.

We had a lesson yesterday in elder's quorum where we discussed the sacrifice of Christ in our behalf. The lesson included a statement explaining how and why if Christ felt our lives were so important to spend his whole life sacrificing in our behalf, shouldn't we have greater self-esteem and confidence in his power? Should we not also sacrifice for our friends and neighbors as well?

Soap box? Where? Ok...just had a great week, and wanted to share.

Chlorophyll

This morning as Sydney(3) and I were eating breakfast, she looks over at me, smiles big, then says "Daddy...chlorophyll makes plants green". We bought a set of 20 or so books for the kids to get them interested in plants, animals, etc. It's been fun to hear her soaking content in. She likes to point out all sorts of bugs now. "Daddy...is that a beetle?" or "Daddy...butterflies make cocoons". I'm glad we've pulled them out...she used to call ants "lizards". :)

Kid update

Well, obviously I've gotten a bit behind on the blogging. It seems I hardly ever have two hands free at a computer anymore. I've become very good at checking my email while I nurse the twins but terrible at responding. Typing out a whole email with my one available hand usually doesn't appeal to me. I have recently enjoyed a couple nights of extra sleep. Two nights in a row this week Tanner and Natalie slept until 5 am, so I only ended up getting up once a night to feed them. I decided to try swaddling them again and it seemed to help a lot. I thought swaddling was just for newborns. They are 3 months old now and it seems they still like it.
Lately I've really been looking forward to my little trips to the grocery store, the gym, or the DMV. Wherever I can get a little time to myself really. My oldest daughter, Sydney is in need of a little more social interaction I belive. I love her and the cute things she says but sometimes the non-stop chatter can wear on me a little. It's amazing how persistent kids are. She will repeat something a hundred times until I respond. She will be starting pre-school in 2 weeks which I think will be a nice break for both of us.