What Kind Of Mother Are You?

Jack played football this year.  It's the first activity he actually asked for on his own.  He's been loving it.  If I were the kind of mother that I am supposed to be.......there would be pictures to substantiate my claim.  Jack was terribly adorable.  Everytime he made a touch down he would hang his head and pretend it was nothing instead of chest bump and high five.

A few weeks ago The School of Awesomeness (Jack's co-op) had Red Ribbon Week.  Of course Officer Handsome was our guest speaker.  We tried the old....scare em straight strategy.  Only one child confessed to nightmares after, and one refused to participate completely.   The children were whisked off to the land of drug abuse by their fearless leader, where they learned the dangers of meth abuse through pictorial proof provided by a series of mug shots.  Meth makes you look old, dirty and you get lots of red sores!  The treachery of huffing, shown here....

And to really drive it home, the kids wore 'beer goggles', which skew your vision and trick your mind.  It illustrated how your reaction time and balance are changed with alcohol use.

Riley is continuing on with her piano.  She has also been crafting like mad with Duct Tape.  It's been pretty fun.

Mads is in the children's theater play of 'Thumbelina'.  She seems excited.  She's really loved school but finds it a little boring.....which she told her teacher.  The teacher then sent home loads of algebra for her to do HERE.

Max remains shaggy and handsome.  He has no need of preschool because he finds it useless.  He will never know his numbers or letters.  He will grow up to be a wrestler or football player with a small farm on the side and a lovely wife that will do all of his reading for him.

I Bit The Bullet

     Er, that is a picture that I took while I was waiting to board my ship to paradise....the boarding happened to be much later than expected.
      Something else I didn't really expect.  I pulled Jack out of school.  There wasn't one big reason.  I have wanted to homeschool all of the kids for a long time.  He was being overlooked and not challenged.  And he HATED school.  HATED it.  I felt like I owed him to try something else since four continual years of hating 75% of his day didn't ever make him wake up with a different attitude.  I knew it would be a challenge.  Still...I didn't really expect what I got.
      We quickly formed a sweet little co-op of our own with two other families and two fun mamas.  The kids are pretty awesome and it is nice to have a group for the male child to hang with, especially around holidays.  We meet on a weekly basis and have a fun project which the kids get through with gritted teeth so that they can move on to challenging each other on the Wii (yuck).
     For the first few days while Jack and I were on our own, it was like all of the dreams I had about homeschooling.....except for the missing ten other children and the long farm table.  I tested him out of 3rd grade and moved him on to some other things that didn't glass over his eyes.  He read, he wrote, he did algebra.  And then the honeymoon adjourned rather quickly.  Despite how terrifying and wicked mean I find myself, Jack is not ruffled or intimidated.  I hate it.  If I don't have intimidation I have nothing.  Even love doesn't pack the punch pure meanness does.  Jack and I are a poor personality match.  I pray that someday he finds a girl just like his dad that can put up with the shear amounts of stubborn that spit out of him like lava.  He has yet to actually win one of our scuffles.....but he is getting close.  Ssh don't tell him.  I'll flat out let it be known I dream about starting to drink.
     All of the field trips, organic learning in situation, brain bending science experiments, leading Jack to find internal motivation, and break out literary adventures......they are in the crapper and I am about ready to flush.  I think my expectations were too high.  I think learning is so fun.  I want it to be amazing and exciting.  I think he should pick up on whatever I present him before I am even finished.  I think that I don't want to have to stand behind him with a bull whip and physically press him into doing a teeny weeny bit of work. 
     At this present moment it is 4:38 p.m. mountain standard time.  He has done nothing more than eek out a few words of writing.  He has yet to attempt his math.  He did not read anything.  There was no science experiment.  He did however move all of the chairs from one room to another, make cup upon cup of chocky moomie for Max, play football with Max, make two meals for himself, poke me everytime he walked by, help unload groceries, and explain a movie that I haven't seen.  And still......still! Even though I want to drown myself or put my passport to good use by disappearing.......I STILL think that for right now, this is a better choice for Jack than going to an organized school institution.

Day #14

Day #14 A picture of my family and I. 

Day #9

Day #9 Something I am proud of in the last few days.

Monday Mads had her little eyeball gouged out at tumbling. Poor nugget had a bad afternoon being rush from doctor to specialist.   I am proud that I held her that night while she fell asleep.
Jack became sick at school.  I drove rather swiftly to his rescue and found him near breaking in the school office.  I am proud that I could be home to take care of him when he needed me.
Riley has felt of late that she is old enough to ride her bike down the street to the park.  I am proud of myself for giving her a cell phone with instructions to run screaming if anyone looks at her......and then letting her ride her bike out of the driveway.......
Max has been tired and had a stuffy nosy, and even though I needed to clean the house for the appraiser and pack for Disneyland, I made him choccy moomie and snuggled on the couch.  Yep, I'm proud of that too.

Day #7

 

Day #7 A picture of someone or something that has had the biggest impact on you.

So what, I'm gonna break the rules.  I am naming at least 5.  This is my journal and this is how I want to journal it.

Ri is my first baby and that definitely impacted my life.  I will never be the same shallow person roaming the world without a point.  Having kids gave me much more focus, deeper understanding of life, and made me take the spiritual side of my life much less flippantly. Riley is my right hand.  She is a great sister and a good buddy for me. 

Jacks helped me understand boys better.  They need a lot more physical attention.  Jack was another limb on my body until he was about 4 years old.  Jack has a deeply sensitive side that I feel the urge to protect and yet I wish I could toughen him up so that he didn't feel so intensly.  I can see a lot of myself and my parents in Jack.  It's helped me to appreciate my mom and dad more.

Ah, my little piece of ham, my little Maddy Cat.  Before Miss M was born I had a blessing that said she would bring me so much joy.  Boy was that ever true.  She is funny, beautiful, and a screaming genius.  This kid has it all......except for the good eye sight.  I wish I could attribute all of the good parts of Mads to my fantastically honed mothering skills but this kid has taught herself everything; getting dressed, tying her shoes, riding a bike, putting on makeup, reading........this chicklet is the total package. 

I have never been more tired than when I look at this picture of Max.  Max is in constant motion.  He is his own law of physics.  He is sweet and sunny, mean and devious, and super funny.  He asks me all of the time if the cars he sees really transform.  Everytime I say that I don't think so and he answers in return that he does think so.  He's my little bitty baby.  The last of the greatest souls ever sent this way.

That's my guy:)  He's eating a Happy Meal shot.  That would be a complete Happy Meal blended together to make a tasty, vomit inducing treat.  He did it because I thought it would be funny and he likes to make me happy.  He spends a lot of time making me happy.  He impacts my life everyday.  He keeps me on the straight and narrow.  I would surely not be the person that I am (for good or bad) without his constant love and encouragement.  Frankly kids.......he's a stud.

Not pictured are my parents.  They have been fantasticly loving.  I think of how much patience my mom had when I was little and wonder why I didn't inherit any.  I see what an upstanding man my dad is and hope to ever be that smart and have that much integrity.  It has been the best thing in the world to see them as grandparents.  Watching them be happy because ALL of their awesome grandkids has really done my old heart good.

Last but not least, something I am pretty tight lipped about.  The thing that has impacted my life in a big way is my faith.  Ya, I actually have some.  Without the knowledge that I have of eternal concepts, I would be a quivering heap.  It helps center me to be able to see the big picture and know that everything and everyone I  love will go on.  I can mess up with every step I take and I'll still be okay.  I don't have to be perfect.  I can't be perfect.

Back to School

Stopping the new school year was like trying to stop a hurricane.  I tried my best but the wind and rain came and so did September:(

As you can see, Miss Mad is pretty happy.  This was not her real first day.  She only had testing for placement.  But she has been waiting nearly 6 years (no preschool even!) and going in for testing was good enough.  Mads ended up in the classroom next door to her bestie, which was a sad day.  She is usually excited and enjoying herself.  She went in reading so she has had a lot of reading homework.  On the days she hasn't had enough sleep she is kind enough to tell me I was right when I told her she would be better off being homeschooled.

My dear boy......go ahead and look again at his face.  Jack does not enjoy leaving home.  He would rather be here with Mama and Max, herding his cows on the ranches he creates all over the house and yard, complete with watering holes and cattle guards.  He is terribly bright and popular, and once he gets to school things go smoothly.  But making the break from home is heart breaking.  I think 3rd grade is going to be his year.  His personal goal is to go to school happy....ish, and without resistance.  If that happens, every month he can choose one day to stay home. 

Lovely Ri Ri.  Fifth grade.  I just gagged a little.  Riles is the one child that does not want to be homeschooled.  She has lots of friends, sets her own physical and educational goals, and loves sports at recess.  This year instead of joint ruining gymnastics, she is taking piano, basketball, and more baseball.

Max, Max, Max.  When people ask him if he is going to school this year he says, "No, I not big enough."  For better or worse he might be my last and I am indulging myself by keeping him home.  Since his birthday is close to the cut off, he will be going nearly a full year before his sisters did.  Then he's gone forever. 

I used to think that if you were an involved parent, public school was a viable option.  I am seriously beginning to rethink that.  But that's another story.

Christian Carriage and Frame

Owner.....Christian Carriage and Frame

(The red car......#39....kicked it......graciously.)

How I wish I could take credit for what you are about to read.......The real genius lies with Coppa as he succinctly covered the scathing results of the Helper Pinewood Derby.

HEADLINE NEWS


Shock & Awe was the term used to describe the resounding butt kicking handed down by Jackson Marshall and his Pinewood Derby car dubbed Marshall Madness here Tuesday evening.

Stained glass windows shook in their frames as fire trucks with water cannons were called out to quash the riot that erupted after the surprising victory by Jack and Marshall Madness.

Entire food storage caches and temple recommends were offered to the designer and builder , Christian Carriage and Frame, of Carbonville Utah, for plans and secrets used to create the victory car.

One observer stated that “It was the fastest thing to hit this cultural hall in a milenia”.

Rumors that MEHC was attempting a hostile takeover of the little known design and build firm were not verified. Warren Buffet was unavailable for comment.

I Belong To The Church Of Jesus Christ......

The boy was baptized.......March 6th 2010.  The program was short and sweet.  Riles was the only speaker and she was adorable and great.  I sniffled through a short testimony.  Tons of people showed up which was so appreciated.  Jack doesn't like a crowd.........and neither do I.......but to have the love of so many family memebers and friends was the best part of the day for all of us.  Jack was totally prepared.  He and Daddy jumped in the font like old pros.  Later we had lunch and the kids all ran around like wild baboons :)

Why do I laugh????

I have all of the nuggies in the car the other day toodling off on some errand and I hear this conversation, which cracked me up.......

Jack:  Hey Mom, I thought I just saw Isaac down in that trailer court bouncing a basket ball with his hand.
Mads:  Me too.
Jack:  Maddy you don't even know who Isaac is.
Mads:  Yes I do!
Jack: Okay Maddy.......how many arms did he have?  (this is very significant because Isaac only has one arm, also if any normal person were asked this question, they would then ask themselves why this would be significant to Jack and probably change their standard two arm answer.....nope)
Mads:  TWO!
Jack:  Maddy you don't know anything!  He does not!  He only has one.
Mads:  That's what I meant Jack....he has one arm........on each side!

This has seriously cracked me up for days.....
*********
Today I was a guest speaker in Relief Society and miracle of miracles, I did not go up in flame.  Probably God is waiting for me to finish with my mistake making so the fireball  will be awe inspiring........not the point though.  I was comparing myself to Jack.....super sensitive, not a real people person, not willing to try when things look daunting, shy, and not very willing to be creative because that is risking too much.....One of my very favorite people in my ward came up after and said....."When you started comparing yourself to one of your kids, I thought it would be Maddy.  She is so out there, such a people person, so beautiful and self confident."  Sadly I laughed that she had been snookered by my wily ways.  All Maddy got from me was quick wit and the inability to pick up her dirty laundry.  Her sweet spirit and extrovert personality came straight from her dadda.

You Crack Me Up

Jack and Mads are playing farm.  Jack has tied Mads up to a desk with a jump rope.  She is the old dying cow he has to put down.
Mads:  Mooooooo  Mah,     Moooo (writhing in old cow agony)
Jack:  MADDY........why are you covering your vitals?
Mom: Jack what are you doing to her?
Jack:  She's an old cow mom.  I have to put her down but she keeps covering her vitals and I can't get a good shot.

At lunch.....
Mads:  Jack do you know why they call oranges oranges?
Jack:  Why?
Mads:  Because they are oran and ges!

FAMILY PICTURES

Finally after much mental prodding and guilty head shaking on my part, I finally broke down and found outfits and booked a time for pictures.

I could go on posting the 200 pictures because I loved every one of them. Especially the weird ones with the kids looking nutty.

Jack's Special Day

Jack decided that he wanted to tent camp for his special summer day. He and Superman headed up to Pete's Hole and had so much fun. Twilight fishing.......

Thanks Jensens for letting the boys borrow the boat!

Biking the trails. Jack biked about 15 miles on this dinky little bike. He had so much fun.

Satan's grouse.......I mean sage grouse. I think it is the same evil incarnate that chased me on our honeymoon. I was lost for hours.

Rugged men and sweet flowers :)

Dead tired after biking and fishing for two days.

Jacks

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
*that I could fly
What chore did you do last?
*I cleaned up before we went to Goose's
What is your favorite Movie right now?
*Home in the Range
What is your favorite song?
*Holy Water by Big & Rich
When was the last time you cried and Why?
*Yesterday when Maddy jumped on my back
What do you want to be when you grow up?
*A doctor and a farmer or a vet actually
Describe your perfect day?
*Go to IFA (InterMountain Farmers) and get a few toys
What is your favorite food?
*Pizza and mac & cheese and spaghetti
What's the nicest thing you've done lately for someone in your family?
*I wrote Aunt Mary Ann a card and I turned the bathroom light on for Maddy
What makes you mad?
*When Riley teases me
Where would you like to go on vacation?
*Disneyland, Lagoon or to the Zoo or Tahiti in a thatched hut
How are you the same as your Mom?
*I have the same color of eyes and even our little hearts break easily
What one thing is Mom always saying to you?
*clean up
What is something you liked doing with your Dad?
*go hunting with him, go to basketball with him
How do you know that Mom and Dad love you?
*because my dad always tucks me in and my mom always kisses me

YAK

Since Easter one or more of us have been suffering with bouts of unmentionable and disgusting bodily functions. The latest to succumb, poor Jack. In the wee hours of morning he started his "I am not going to Yak", scream. Luckily our coaching and puke drills paid off and he was able to make it to the garbage can. A small feet from top bunk in the dark. Go Jack!!
Daddy had luck with him today and swiftly left the house for the excitement of a funeral. Oh to smell gun metal all day, not last night's dinner. How would it be.
Besides an adorable and sensitive spirit, Jack also has a sensitive nose. The fever and hurculean heaving set his blood a drippin'. By the time the shrieks reached me and I had dislodged my self from the suckling babe, the bedding that had escaped the yak, fell prey to the blood. It was everywhere!!! It looked like Jack had suffered a beating in the school yard. The red stuff gushed from his nose and mouth. Nothing a little ice water and spray n' wash can't fix. People, this is why I get paid the big bucks. When I answered the add in the paper: Ladies, Ladies, Ladies!!!! Do you enjoy being jolted from what little sleep you get? Is bio hazard your game? Does the stench of aged chicken and stomach acid get your blood pumping? Do you live for laundry? Then this is the job for you!!" This is exactly what I had in mind ;)

RANDOM ACTS OF JACKNESS

I found these sweet pics of Jack from the summer of 2005. He is 3 years old and edible!!!


The handsomest cowpoke west of the Mississippi.




The Mamarazzi caught Jack here in a rare moment while doing the remake of 'Urban Cowboy'. He is the bull.

Gasp.......... Jack Attack!!!!

Things I love about my boy................

Jack doesn't just love he has passion.

I love to watch him really enjoy something.

He loves animals of all kinds and owns at least one toy of almost every animal under the sun.

He can buck like a real rodeo bronc. It's amazing.

He is adorable with Max and Mad.

He takes Madison out in the snow and shovels trails for her because her legs are so short.

He always tells me I am pretty.

He has a great imagination.

He is an awesome reader for only starting in October.

He draws the best pictures and cards.

He went through a water coloring stage where he would water color various wildlife and then paint a very bloody chest wound on the animal. What talent.

He is very sensitive and takes things to heart.

He is shy and doesn't like to be the center of attention.

He still hugs and kisses me.

He is a man's man, and loves hunting, fishing, 4 wheeling and cattle. These are things are things he was born loving.

He is sweet when he prays. He still prays that our Grandma's leg will grow back. (She lost it before I was married.)

He is terrified of dogs.

He loves outside and will stay there all day whether it is snowing and blowing or 100 degrees.

He always hugs and kisses me at the end of the day and says he loves me.

He has a temper like a wind storm. It is ferocious and wicked, but once it blows out, it's gone.

His eyes are amazing.

He has the best head shape.

When he was born he was afraid of any noise. We played Skipbo in the hospital and he would jump and cry every time we shuffled the cards.

He's pretty funny. About a year after going to Disneyland, he said the only thing he remembered about our trip was that we never fed him enough and he was hungry the whole time. So much for those thousands of dollars.

When he was about 3 he had a little play rifle that had to be cocked in order to shoot. He didn't know what that was called, so he would ask me all day to trigger his gun for him.

Jack has a very old wise soul that I hope will serve him well someday.

Jack is my #1 man with the most adorable face. I am always proud to be his mom because he has the heart of an arch angle.