A day in the life. . .

So, everyone wants me to post more often on my blog. I wish I could too. Two things often stop me. First, I don't have the internet at home, so I only post on the weekends. Second, my life just isn't that exciting! To give you a taste of what you would get if I posted everyday, I decided to do a "day in the life of mom and boys". Hope you enjoy.

3:30 a.m. My super mom ears hear Noah whimper and I get out of bed to put his blanket on him and rub his back.

3:41 a.m. Super mom ears again. This time I nudge Rick and make him go.

6:21 a.m. Noah is awake for the day. Yeah, he has slept in 10 minutes long today. I am so tired from my interrupted night that I am glad it is Rick's turn to take Noah in the jogger this morning. (We trade off mornings that we get up and take Noah while we run or walk; guess who does it most of the time!)

7:15 a.m. Rick and Noah are back from their morning jog and it's Noah 1st trip to the potty today. Yeah! He is successful with both #1 and #2. What a smartie.

7:30 a.m. I get breakfast for Luke and Noah (pop tarts, banana, and milk) while put yesterday's dishes away, do dishes, and sweep the floor. Most of the time I really hate that my boys wake up so early, but it does help to be up and moving early so I can get things done in the morning.

8:20 a.m. One more trip to the potty before leaving home. More poop. I guess he didn't really empty out last time.

8:33 a.m. The boys and I are in the car furiously driving to the gym for my yoga class. We left a little late so now I am very impatient with traffic and those darn red lights.

9:00 a.m. Yoga Pump class at the gym. I am actually subbing at this gym today, but have a great class and we are headed back home by 10:10 a.m.

10:30 - 12:00 We are finally at home for a few hours and can spend time watching cartoons, reading books, another trip to the potty (just toots this time, but still a good try), and generally making a mess.

12:00 p.m. Lunch! The boys have melted cheese sandwiches and apples, I have candy.

12:23 p.m. Out the door for school. Luke is upset because if we don't leave right at 12:20 he isn't the first of his friends to get to school!

12:40 pm. Yes, another trip to the potty before nap time. Man, I forgot how time consuming this potty training thing is!

1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Me time! This is usually my time of the day when Luke is at school and Noah is having his nap so I can just do ME stuff. Today, I am making pumpkin soup and beef stew in a pumpkin for a girls night with some friends. I like cooking, so it is still "me time" but now I have a big mess to clean up. Also, Noah woke up 20 minutes early. Doesn't he know it's "me time"?

3:00 p.m. Back out the door to get Luke from school. It takes about 7 minutes each way to walk to the school and I am glad for the exercise added into my day.

3:30 p.m. Another trip to the potty and still more poop and pee. Noah either really is catching on, or really loves flushing the toilet, making bubbles in the sink, and getting candy. I am worried that he is going to get baby hemorrhoids from pushing so hard.

3:55 p.m Rushing out the door to get to piano lessons on time. I should really work on leaving 5 minutes early so I am not always in a rush! I think it would make my life less stressful.

4:05 -4:25 p.m. Noah and I make a very quick trip to the grocery store to get a couple of things while Luke is at piano lessons. Noah is helping me get a pumpkin for my beef stew.

4:30 p.m. We pick Luke up from piano lessons and hear what an amazing student he is. Really, his teacher is so excited to have him because she thinks he is very smart, talented, and has amazing potential. Of course, I am so proud of him.

5:00 p.m. The boys and I make some fun halloween sugar cookies for our family home evening treat. We made bats, jack-o-lanterns, and ghosts. I don't know why I ever bake the cookies because I really only like the dough. (I am sure there is another trip to the potty sometime between now and dinner, but seriously I can't keep track of it all!)

6:00 p.m. Yeah, daddy is finally home. They boys love when daddy gets home and they have someone else to play with. Rick is a GREAT dad to the boys and they totally love him.

6:10 p.m. Dinner of chicken and broccoli alfredo. Thank-you freezer group. Of course Luke only likes the noodles and Noah only likes the broccoli. At least they both eat something without having a MAJOR meltdown. Noah said the blessing for the first time tonight. Rick was helping, but the only thing Noah would say was Jeez. We think that he was saying Jesus, but it did sound remarkably similar to jeez (with a lowercase j) which is Noah's word for cheese.

7:00 p.m. With dinner cleaned up we can get to family home evening. Rick conducted, Noah led the music, Luke did the lesson (reading a scripture story about John the Baptist), and I provided the treats.

7:30 p.m. Tub time. I am so lucky because Rick has always done the bed time bath for our boys. I get a little rest before getting them into bed.

Noah gets one last time on the potty before the tub. That makes about 6 potty trips today, and he has done a little business almost every time!

8:00 p.m. Bedtime. We are blessed that both of our boys have a great bedtime routine. We read a story, sing a song, and put them into bed. I think that if I had to have a fight about bedtime I would not be happy after a long and tiring day.

8:30 p.m. With both boys in bed, Rick and I get to do what we love to do together... watch Dancing With The Stars! I like Sabrina and Helio. Of course they are the best. I just wish that Sabrina was a little thinner. She looks as bad in her dress and Marie Osmond!

10:30 p.m. Finally, time for bed myself. It has been a long, busy, but fun day. I only have 8 hours before it starts again!

Tagged

Well, since Chelsea technically tagged everyone (even all you other spouses who look at blogs but rarely post or comment), and since Olivia has specifically told me I have to do it, I'll be a good husband and put up my answers.

Jobs I've had: (1) Grandpa Gunnerson’s yard cleaner (earned $.01 for every black walnut picked up); (2) Paperboy for D News and SL Trib. (getting up at 5:00 a.m. to fold and deliver papers on my bike caused me to rethink my choice to deliver the D News, so started with SL Trib.); (3) Entrepreneur – mowing neighborhood lawns, and babysitting ward member’s kids; (4) Janitor for elementary school (till I was fired for goofing around too much – I guess inviting friends over to play football down the halls, almost knocking over the large fish tank, throwing snowballs at passersby from the roof, and raiding the kitchen-ladies’ fridge wasn’t what they wanted in a janitor); (5) Waiter – Frontier Pies (only got this job because my girlfriend worked there as well, in fact she was my boss – and that’s the last time I’ll waiter in an old persons restaurant, never got more than a 3 dollar tip – of course, maybe that was just my magnetic personality); (6) Ranch hand – summer between high school and mission, up in Star Valley Wyoming – Afton (best summer ever); (7) Concrete Laborer – Layton Construction; (8) Car salesman – Ken Garff Ford (after coming home from my mission I was delusional enough to think I could sell anything – only lasted 2 months); (9) Capitol Glass – (as glass worker, accountant, and salesman – my personal experience with conditions similar to “The Office”); (10) Ice Cream Distributor Truck Loader – (a side job while working at Capitol Glass that I did for the summer after Olivia and I got married. With all the damaged ice cream we accidentally dropped our freezer was completely full – that was a good job); (11) Judicial Clerk for District Court Judge in Third District Court; (12) Law Clerk for Summit County Attorney’s office; (13) Law Clerk – Witt, Morley Anderson; and (14) Associate Attorney – Goodsell & Olsen.

Places I love to go for a weekend: Anywhere if I can go golfing. Maybe that’s why its been 5 ½ years since Olivia and I’ve been alone on vacation. Better work on that.

Guilty pleasures: I usually don’t feel guilty for doing things, unless I’ve got Olivia there telling me I’ll have to run 10 miles to work off that piece of cake. Others, in no particular order, are working in the wood shop, golfing with anyone, but especially Max when he does his famous back-nine collapse, and fishing with Tim. Hopefully, both my boys will enjoy the same things so I won’t feel guilty about leaving them with Olivia.

Places I have lived (in chronological order): Sandy, Indiana, South Jordan, South Salt Lake, Lelystad, Den Bosch, Rotterdam, Den Helder, Leiden, Den Haag, Groningen, Amsterdam, Layton, Murray, Woodland, Tulsa, back to Woodland, and Las Vegas.

First thing I thought when I saw Olivia: I was trying not to think of her, as I was trying to focus on being a gentleman with my date; however, after hours of Olivia’s flirting I couldn’t help but succumb to her beauty. (sorry Joni). And I don’t think Olivia had to do much finagling, Billie Sue, as the conversation between Dan and myself on the way home from the date was whether he would mind if we could switch dates next time, which awkwardly enough is what happened a few weekends later. (again, sorry Joni).

Places I've been on vacation: California (San Diego – loved visiting Spencer and family, Disneyland, Tijuana, Northern California as well), the Uintah Mountains frequently on camping trips, Yellowstone, Seattle, Phoenix, Ohio (Kings Island), Nauvoo, Vancouver, Chicago, Denver, Hawaii, Lava Hot Springs (fortunately – what a great place), Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Hong Kong, Rosarito Mexico.

Favorite Food: Olivia’s chicken pot pie, homemade Root Beer.

If I am in a jam with Olivia: I just apologize immediately and then spend the next two hours explaining to Olivia how the apology was sincere.

Best first kiss landmark: Not sure which to answer, the best or the first. Best was certainly just after our wedding ceremony when I knew this was the person I was going to spend eternity with. First, was as Olivia explained it, after the derby and linked to drinking, swearing and screaming fans, a little bit of a contrast.

Places I'd rather be: Anywhere, since I’m at work right now.

Tagged

I guess since it has only been a month since people tagged me, I will finally get around to doing it!

Jobs I've had- Babysitter (starting at age 9; seriously), housecleaner, retail (Bugle Boy, Danskin, and Old Navy) Babysitter (again), telephone call center (worst job ever!), Wellness consultant (those paid jobs and those unsolicited by my family!), aerobics instructor, wife & mother (my two favorites).

Places I love to go for a weekend- I would love to go anywhere for a couple of days alone with my husband. I believe it has been 5 1/2 years since we have had time alone!

Guilty pleasures- eating, watching T.V., and reading. The best is making it a combination like eating while watching T.V. or reading. I try not to read good books anymore because I become a hermit when I am in the midst of a good book or series. Thank heavens Luke can pour cereal and milk for himself and Noah.

Places I have lived- Colorado, Utah (Woodland, Murray, and Provo), Jerusalem, Tulsa, and Las Vegas.

First thing I thought when I saw Rick- "Joni's date is WAY cuter than mine!" "He has such a cute butt."

Places I've been on vacation- Las Vegas, North and South Carolina, Yellowstone, California, Florida (twice), Hawaii (twice), Georgia (can you count Airborne school as a vacation?) Lava Hot Springs (unfortunately), Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Hong Kong, Mexico.

Favorite Food- Potatoes. Anyway you can think to make them.

If I am in a jam with Rick- nothing. I have exhausted my bag of tricks with him. He no longer responds to crying, silent treatment, screaming, or sleeping on the couch. I just have to get over it.

Best first kiss landmark- Kamas Derby! Actually it was after the derby, but in my mind my first kiss with Rick will always be linked to crashing cars and drinking, swearing, screeming derby fans (read: white trash)

Places I'd rather be- I think we all know I'd rather be in Utah!

Mas Mexico

This weekend Rick and Luke made a very quick trip back to Mexico for Luke's spacer to be put in. They left friday night and came back saturday night! I told Rick it was a long drive for a 30 minute dentist appointment. Anyway, everything went great and for the time being Luke's dental work is done!!!! When luke got back home he said he needed to look at his spacer in the mirror and went upstairs to inspect. A minute later he came back down and said "I don't know what the hell is in my mouth." I just looked at him with mouth hanging open. I almost laughed, but thought I should not encourage bad lanuage from my children. I said to him "Where did you hear something like that?" He answered "Ninja turtles". Okay, who knew that crime fighting mutant turtles used bad language? I tried not to get to mad at him beacuse he did not know he was saying something bad. I have etched in my memory a time when Allen and I were playing at the church while my mom was cleaning and we were using language we had heard on T.V. that we didn't know what it really meant. I can still remember the spanking on that one. Needless to say, I have NEVER said that word again, mom.

While in Mexico Rick did a little shopping. No, not to buy me a fake prada purse, or beautiful mexican pots, but for a Nacho Libre mask. If you haven't seen that movie, you should. It is one of Rick's favorites. In fact he loved it so much that he now has a Nacho Libre mask. He has promised me that is I can find blue tights and red briefs and cape he will dress as Nacho for Halloween. So I am currently on the hunt. If you are in posession of any of the above please send them to me. I am dying to take Rick to our ward trunk or treat as Nacho Libre. Rick said that he wanted a nude colored shirt, but I said he had to be authentic...shirtless.

Rick also bought a cowboy hat, and I don't like it. He loves it because he said it is just like Gus' hat from Lonesome Dove. I agreed. It is like a hat for a 70 year old man in the 1800s. So Rick has put it to a vote. DO you like the hat?

More Fundraising

Here is the link for any of the family members that wanted to order something from Luke's school's fundraiser.

http://www.sigfund.com/

If you want to order online, Luke's school is Eileen Connners Elementary, but if you want to save shipping then call Olivia and she'll order it for you.

Thank you so much.

This week

Life is good. Each day has it's own little routine and keeps up hopping. This week Luke started piano lessons, and totaly loves it. His teacher is in our ward and is darling. She use to be an elementary school teacher and is full of energy. He loved his first lesson and already has his first weeks songs memorized. He often playes them with his eyes closed, just for show! He told me the other day that he wishes everyday was monday so he could have piano lessons everyday. He is just so excited about learning. He is dressed for school and done practicing the piano by 7:30 am everyday. Let's hope he keeps this excitement for years to come.

While Luke was at piano lessons, I took Noah up the road to a little community playground and snapped some pictures. He is sooooo cute. He loves to ham it up for the camera, and has such a "natural" little smile. (Like mother like son) He got this little Bob the Builder book from the library a couple of weeks ago and hasn't put it down since. Yes, he has to have his "Bop" book when he takes a nap. (Again, like mother like son)

So life rolls on by day after day. These little times in my day sometimes seems insignificant, but this is really why I am a mom. I love to see my kids learning and growing day after day.

More Mexico

More sweet pictures of Mexico. You'll notice the famous smile was not lost with Noah.