A Week In Our Life December 19- December 25

Sunday night (December 19th), we went Christmas caroling with some friends from church.  It was so fun, albeit super super cold.  It was nice to be able to spread some Christmasy cheer, and spirit, with our neighbors and ward members.  I haven't gone caroling in ages, since I was a teenager, and I quite enjoyed it.  Clark and Jason wore their Santa hats, and Clark was really well behaved, he even tried to sing along to a few of the songs.   Can't wait to go again next year.

Jason and the boys, waiting to see Santa.

(Thank goodness for camera phones.)

For Family Home Evening Monday night (December 20th), we decided to finally take the boys to the mall to see Santa.  Clark was such a good boy, and so excited to see the big man.  He waited in line with me for an hour!  Jason tried to ask him if he wanted to go and play, but Clark was very insistent on waiting to see SANTA.  The mall we went to had a little area the kids could play in before they saw Santa, where it fake snowed.  Harry loved it, he rolled in it, tried to catch it in his hands, and just and watched it fall (it was a long long Santa line).  Clark, per his usual, was bashful and quiet when it was his turn to meet Santa, and Harry, again-like always, was screamy and mad.  We didn't get a cd this year to post our pictures online, but maybe if I remember, I will scan off the picture to share before it 2011. 

Harry loving the fake snow!!!  

For play group on Wednesday (December 22nd) we decorated Christmas cookies.  Or at least tried too.  Harry and the kids were much more interested in eating the sprinkles and icing, than decorating the cookies.  It was so fun, albeit a little messy :)

Porter helping Clark with the sprinkles.

Harry contemplating the green icing, and whether or not he wants to lick it off his fingers.

Clark needed a bigger spoon, and a cookie to go along with all the icing he ate.

BFFs wearing their Santa hats.

The rest of the week was a blur of Christmasy fun.  Late night shopping trips for me and Jason, without the boys (so thankful that we have a couple babysitters here!!!).  And an even later night shopping trip for Mom,  remind me never to go to Walmart the day before Christmas Eve again, I waited in line for 75 minutes, not fun.  

This is my favorite time of year, with my family.  We have so many little traditions, and new ones we start every year.  Watching National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, and Elf at least a million times.  Baking Jason's favorite candied ham on Christmas Eve, and our big (read, lots of bacon) Christmas breakfast the next morning.  Wrapping all the kids presents (from Santa) late into the night on Christmas Eve.  Driving around looking at Christmas lights, making cookies, and eating copious amounts of Christmas candy (I think Clark enjoyed this part the best).  It really is so much fun.  This year we even had the pleasant surprise of some Christmas snow!!!  I love how happy Jason is around Christmas, he tires so hard to make everything so special for me and the boys.  He is such a good Dad.  We were definitely blessed this year, in the present department, and we surprised Clark with a Wii (even though it is more for the whole family).   We did a lot of talking with the boys this year, about the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our brother Jesus Christ.  We talked about the baby Jesus being born in a manger, and the shepherds following the Christmas star to welcome him.  Clark was very interested in it, and spent a whole day asking me when baby Jesus was going to come.  I love that he is becoming more teachable.  I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for all that I have, temporally and spiritually, my family, my children, my home, my friends.  I am so blessed.  I am so thankful for this Christmas season, when we can gather together as a family and celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Merry Christmas!

A Week In Our Life December 12- December 18

December 18-  Jason had a meeting at church today, a meeting I have been hoping and praying for.  I am thrilled for the possibilities and blessings this could bring our family.  I am proud of Jason for making a good decision!  That's pretty much all I want to share now, but I am thankful.... okay, cryptic talk over ;)

Since Clark is starting school tomorrow, he got his special Father's Blessing tonight.  Growing up, my Dad gave me, and my brothers and sisters, a special Father's Blessing before the start of every school year.  It meant a lot to me growing up, and I know it helped me through my rough times.  I am so glad this is a tradition that we can pass on to Clark (and our other kids, to come...), and I know it will help him with his struggles and changes in the next coming weeks and months.  I am so proud of the little -BIG- boy he is becoming.  He has fallen asleep the past couple nights, with his back-pack and shoes on, just so excited for school to start.  He is going to be a very happy boy tomorrow.

We have been thinking more and more about the school Jason was offered, at work.  It is still 50/50.  We both think the school is a wonderful idea, for his career, and we really want to do it.  But so many things are telling us to stay here, at least for now.  Things just seem to be falling into place too perfectly to ignore, Clark's school, Harry's therapy classes, church things, friend things... I don't want to mess with a good thing.  So unless something (BIG) changes in the next couple weeks, I think we are going to hold off on the school for now, maybe still do it in a year or so, but most likely not in March.  (I realized as I type this, I could be eating my words very soon...but that's how life always works out huh???)

Monday morning we woke up to it snowing! Big fluffy white snowflakes.  I loved it.  And Clark was so excited.  He came running into my bedroom, shrieking about a ho-ho show, and Santa, I thought he was asking me to put on a Christmas movie, when he pulled open the blinds and said, "see Mom ho ho snow, Santa snow."  He must think Snow and Santa go together, as they should.  It really feels wintry with the snow.  He was also really excited to go to school.  He had no problem getting on the bus, and was very happy when he came home from school.  I did wish he would talk a little more, so he could answer all my questions about school.  Harry and I enjoyed our first afternoon together, we had a nice quiet lunch, ran some errands and played Lego's.  I can't tell if he misses Clark or not, he doesn't seem to care either way.  Now that Clark is in school I am going to find a reading group for Harry and me to go to, at the public library.
For FHE tonight we went to see the Christmas lights on the broad walk.  They have the board walk at the beach decorated with big light displays. It was fun driving up, and laughing as a family, looking at all the lights.  It was dark out, but I do think I saw a little remains of that mornings snow, ON THE BEACH.  Snow on the beach, something about that doesn't sound right.  Next time it snows I wanna go to the beach :)

Tuesday morning Clark got up so early, asking to go to school.  After talking for a bit, I finally convinced him to fall back asleep for an hour.  Before falling asleep I asked him if he as excited to ride the bus again, to which he replied, "no bus, sailboat please."  "What?  You want to ride a sailboat to school?"  I was trying hard not to laugh at him.  "Yes, a sailboat, night." Then he fell right back asleep, and of course when he woke up he didn't remember the conversation at all, because when I asked him if he wanted to ride a sailboat to school, he looked at me like I was a nut.

Harry that is sure a funny way to sleep!

Harry has been having a hard time sleeping.  Late nights, really early morning...tired Mama unable to keep up, you know the drill.  He must be going through a growth spurt, although I don't know how much bigger he can get. He already looks like  3 year old, and is bigger than Clark -except in height. 

It's been a busy week getting ready for Christmas and keeping up with the boys.  We had a fun party, with a visit from Santa, at Clark's new school.  Thursday we had an unexpected snow day, with actually very little snow, but it was fun to have Jason and Clark home all day to laze about and have fun.  I have been trying to finish my Christmas cards all day, and I will be lucky if I can get them out by this weekend.  I don't do anything fancy, so I don't know why it takes me so long every year... maybe it is all the extra little hands trying to "help".  Next year I swear I am starting in October to save myself the
stress.

Busy, busy, busy... things here have been so busy, and it is strangely wonderful.  I used to get so depressed for days and weeks and months at a time.  It was maddening.  But here I am so busy I never have time to sit and think about those types of things, dwell over the things I can't change, mope about the things I don't like.   (It also helps finally having my own car, and the boys being older.)  Today I didn't have a minute to sit still; babysitting for a friend, a hundred errands to run, school things, shopping things, dinner for the missionaries, chores... it is 11:00 pm and I still have to get the boys ready for bed.  I didn't have a minute to myself today, and you know what, I am happy.  Now, I can't do this everyday, it would kill me, but it is nice to have a busy day.  A happy, busy life.   Who knew that I would have to leave paradise (Hawaii) to find happiness, and some peace of mind.  I still have a few hard days, but they are less frequent, and it is much easier to step out of the fog.  By the way, Clark loved having the missionaries over for dinner tonight,  the rest of the night he told me he wanted to go on a mission, my heart swelled with joy.

Daddy and Clark fixing my broken garbage disposal.  Clark loves helping Jason. 

 He gets so excited every time Jason gets out his tools to do a project.  

On Saturday (December 18th) my friend Trisha came over and we made little Christmas tree ornaments for our playgroup/girls club friends.  Aren't they so cute???  It took a couple hours of prep work, and another couple of hours deciding what direction we wanted to take, but I think the end result turned out really cute.  I am proud of myself for taking more crafty steps... who knew I had it in me :)  I also had so much fun getting to know a new friend.
The longer we are are here and the more people we get to to know, the more I see why we were sent here to Virgina Beach.  This was truly an answer to my prayers, only I guess I didn't realize it until now.
 I am so thankful for Trisha, for helping me feel welcomed and included.  I now help her out with all the Girls Group activities, which include the playgroup, a book club, and girls night outs and more.  This was something I never knew how much I needed, and it has helped me get over my shyness, and all the anxiety I feel whenever I go out.  Another awesome thing about Trisha (besides her sparkling personality), is her son Porter, Clark's best friend.  They love each other, honestly. They are a pair of adorable little trouble makers, and they play so well. Clark really looks up to him, he gets so excited whenever he sees Porter, and asks for him constantly.

Clark and Porter, best friends, making their silly faces.

It makes me so happy the Clark had a special friend too.

A week In Our Life December 5- December 11

Dec. 5-  I spend another day alone at church, again.  I just can't get my lazy babies out of bed to ever get to church, on time.  C'est la vie.  Next year, in just a couple weeks, church will start at 11:30am, instead of 9:00 am.  I am very excited about this!!!
We finally put up put Christmas tree tonight.  The kids loved getting out all the Christmas stuff.  It is so fun that we have a fireplace to hang the stockings from this year.  It was also fun to wake up to a little bit of snow on the ground, not much, just a light dusting.  It sure helps make things seems more Christmasy.

I was up all night with Clark again.  He had his little croupy-coughy asthma attack again, and couldn't sleep.  Luckily I got him in to see the doctor, and they gave us a new inhaler to try, that will hopefully prevent the attacks, rather than trying to treat him after.  Now, if I could get him to use the inhaler thingy without throwing the biggest fit we would be set.

For Family Home Evening tonight we went to Target, so the kids could give us hints on what toys they like.  Harry liked all the books, and anything with flashing lights, and/or music.  Clark, of course, liked anything and everything that had to do with Star Wars and Mario.  We also drove around looking at Christmas lights, got some pizza, and watched Simpson's Christmas episodes. I love having FHE.  I wish we could remember to do it every Monday, and I can't wait until the kids are older so we can do more types of things.

Harry is not doing as well as I thought, with the milk with-drawls.  He has spend the last two days following me around crying.  He throws his cups at me over and over, trying to get me to get him milk.  He steals Clark's cups.  He is just insatiable.  I feel so bad, and I really do want to give him what he wants, but I also need him to eat more real food...and not pee his bed every night.  Poor milky addicted Harry.  I really don't know how much longer I can deal with his tantrums and begging.  He did do well at both of his therapy appointments this week though, and I am proud of him.  I know he doesn't like to be bothered, but so far he is putting up with it really well.  I can't wait to start seeing some improvements.

I got a Good News call today, Clark finally got accepted into the Head-start program here.  Finally!!  The weird thing is he starts Monday.  That is in 3 days, and you can't really count the weekend.  The lady who called me hardly gave me any information.  I've had to call her back three times, asking her simple things, like, WHERE is the school, WHAT time does it start...you know normal information, that she should have told me without me having to ask her.  I hope I have time to find out everything else tomorrow, while people are still in their offices, so I can feel comfortable enough to send him on Monday.  I might just have to go down to the school and stalk them a bit.  It all just seems so different from Hawaii...  In Hawaii we were so involved every step of the way, here it seems like I am having to beg and steal to get any sort of information.

Friday was a busy day.  Grocery shopping, list making, and laundry laundry laundry.  I found an hour to go and visit Clark's new school, which turns out - is not an actual school, but a trailer size classroom in a subdivision down the street (actually I think it is the section 8 houses- so totally ghetto, but it's free preschool, and Clark is so happy).  I got most, if not all, of my questions answered.  There will be a bus that takes him to and from school, and he is in the afternoon class, yay for not having to get up at 6 am (!).  No backpacks allowed, which he is really really sad about, he had an R2D2 one picked out (shhh... he may still get it for Christmas).  All in all it looks like a good plan, and Clark is over the moon happy.  When we walked into the class, to meet the teacher, he didn't even take a second glance back at me, he went straight to the other kids, and sat for circle time.  In fact a few times I saw a look of annoyance on his face that I was still there, and he kept trying to wave me away- "go Mom, I'm fine".  I really am so proud of him, and his excitement for school.  And I am so beyond grateful that it finally worked out that he could get into a class, we needed this so much.  For Clark, for Harry... and for Mommy :)

Saturday was a fun day at home with the family, watching old movies, playing "choo-choo train tracks" as Clark likes to call it, and catching up on chores.  Clark must have asked us a billion times if it was time to go to school yet.  I love a good rainy lazy day every now and then.  I can't believe Christmas is coming up so fast.  We still have so much to do, and I am just waiting for our next paycheck (on the 15th) to start doing it.  Thank God,  I am good at making lists (and lists and lists), or I would be going crazy right now.

A Week In Our Life November 28- December 4

11-28-10.  Today was such a great day for the Bosko family.  The boys were mostly good in nursery, even Harry sort-of interacted with the other kids, and tried to participate... Which means he didn't actually play WITH them, but he played (or laid on the floor) near them.  Clark and Jason set up some more Christmas lights, and we got to video chat with Nana, Papa, and some family back home.

I noticed Harry has started to do this cute little dancing thing when he hears a song he likes, it almost like he is conducting the music.  I find it adorable, like I do most everything he does.  We got to have dinner with the Strauss family tonight, they were so fun to talk to and joke around with.  Brother Strauss is a historian, and he had Jason dress up in one of his old Civil War re-enactment uniforms... it was pretty cute. Jay sure does have a good face for it, he looks pretty authentic to me.  I really love how included we feel in this ward, and all the great people we are meeting.


(Here is where I don't blog for days, and I forget what is going on, cause I am busy being a Mom, maid, wife (mean wife, if you ask Jason), cook, chauffeur, playmate for the boys. Did I say maid??? I feel like all I do is clean, I am so behind on my reading and TV watching.)

It is already Thursday and I can't believe how fast the week has flown by.  A crazy week for sure.  Harry started his new therapy sessions this week, and they went great.  His speech appointment on Wednesday was particularly awesome. After 20 minutes of work and play Harry said, "bububu" all on his own, and on purpose... for bubbles.  I know it sounds like such a little thing, but for us, and for Harry, this is a big step.  He has so many sounds he makes, almost all the sounds he needs to make real words.  The problem has been him not making any words, for people, objects, feelings, anything.  His therapist said that maybe it is because he can't pay attention long enough to figure out that certain things have certain sounds, and how to put those sounds together.  All I know is I am happy, it is a small start, but a start. Baby steps, now we know that ability is there, we just wait for it to click.

On Monday Harry also had his EEG.  We are happy to report that all is well, much like I thought it would be.  It was such a traumatic thing for our little guy.  We had to get him up so early, after very little sleep (they want the kids sleep deprived) and we couldn't feed him anything.  He was so crabby, hungry and confused.  The procedure it self was hell on earth for Harry.  He hates having his head touched and messed with, HATES IT!  They had to strap him down in a little cocoon thing, and even then he kept on trying to bite the nurse who was touching his head.  I have never seen him so upset in my whole life (well, it was pretty close to that scary time when we tried to cut his hair) he was struggling so much, he is so unbelievably strong.  I felt so helpless, watching him be so scared, I wanted to help him and save him... but he did need the test done, I just wish I could've explained it to him.  I will never forget the way he looked at me, like why wasn't I doing anything to get him out of there, he was betrayed, and sad.  After he was all hooked up, it was much calmer, and all we had to do was wait for him to fall asleep.  They monitor the brain activity while he is sleeping.  It was so hard to wake him up after the test, knowing how tired he was, and knowing we were just going to torture him some more taking all the things off his head.  The pictures above were after the test, his hair was so crazy from the gel stuff they used to make the electrode thingys stick.  He looks like a mad scientist, and sad-mad scientist.  I think his feelings were hurt for a while, and all I could do to console him was give him pretzels and let him watch Walle.  I'm so glad this day is over.

We had play group again on Wednesday, and once again we held it at our house.  Clark loves it so much.  Now, if i could just get him to listen to me when his friends are here, and NOT be such a show off, it would be great.  We also went to go buy a new Christmas tree, since we had to throw out our old one when we left Hawaii.  Its just a little one for now, but maybe we can move up to a bigger one next year.  Clark loves seeing all the Christmas lights, as we drive through town.  Every time we pass a decorated house he says, "oh lights" over and over, and we have to say it too, without faking enthusiasm, he some how knows when we fake it.  He is also going over board with all the ho ho shows, as he likes to call them, he loves watching Christmas cartoons and movies.

On Friday night we had our ward Christmas party. It was fun to have a nice dinner with all our new friends.  Clark was so happy to see his friend Porter, or as he likes to call him Horter.  I love that Clark has his very own friend, and I love how he asks for him all the time.  After a rowdy dinner (my kids never want to sit and eat, I need to start bringing duct tape with me everywhere) there was a little presentation.  Clark is still in nursery class, and too young to go to primary, but that didn't stop him from going up with all the other little kids during the primary part of the presentation (he wanted to be just like Porter).  He was a little nervous at first, because everyone was watching him, and he didn't know the song they were singing, but he warmed up and gave me a few small smiles.  I am so proud of my little guy, making new friends, not being afraid to try new things.... such a good example to me.  I can't believe how fast he is growing up.  (ps. Can I just say, this was the first church Christmas party I have been to, in my long life, that didn't have a Santa come for the kids.  Even in my parents ward, where they do a Christmas breakfast, Santa always comes.  I am glad Clark didn't notice, he is still to young to care too much about Santa.)

Saturday night, it started SNOWING!  It wasn't very heavy, and hardly any stuck, but it was snowing.  I was (and am) so excited.  I hope we at least get one decent snow this season, enough to build a snowman or two.  The kids couldn't have cared less for the snow, I don't think it was enough for them to really get what was going on... maybe next time :)

Good news for Harry. He is starting to sleep in his bed so much better. I still have to wait until he is drowsy to put him to bed, but he doesn't cry in the dark anymore, and he doesn't get out of bed one thousand times every night. Also, I have cut his milk drinking in half, probably even more than half. He only gets 2 1/2 cups a day. (I know you are thinking that is a ton already, but he was probably getting that much before bed time, not counting what he drank during the day.) Hopefully it will help with his eating, as in- he will start actually eating more food than pretzels, and I can already see a difference in the amount of diapers I am changing, and he has had a dry bed for 4 nights (!) in a row, yay Harry.

We had a bit of a stressful weekend. Debating, arguing, pondering, making long pros and cons list, fasting and praying... trying to decide whether Jay is going to take this new school the Coast Guard is offering. He wants to do the school, and thinks it will help him in his overall career.  However, it starts in March (4 months!!!) and we aren't sure if we can go as a family (its a year long school) or if we are ready and willing to leave VA Beach so soon. I am worried about Harry's therapy and classes that we just got started, and getting Clark in school. And honestly, we just started really liking it here, and making friends.  The good thing is, it's in Texas, close to Jason's sister and much closer to home. Time will tell, the information is changing (since it is still so new)....but we may just be moving, again.  I will let you know, as soon as I do.

A Week In Our Life November 21-27

We had a very fun, busy week, spending time with our friends, Carol and Eddie.  It was so nice to be able to hang out again, laugh, talk and just be together.  I didn't set aside enough time to keep up on my blog, so I will be playing catch up this week (like always right).  I have a few pictures to share, later this week, of some of the fun things we did...like ICE SKATING!  We also tried to take family photos, with my squirmy kids we will be lucky to find one that works, but it was fun to go out and give it a try.  OH!  And very exciting news for me...almost as exciting as the Papa Murphy's that opened around the corner, I found a TRADER JOE'S!  It must be very new, since I know when we first moved her there wasn't one.  I can't wait to go tomorrow.  I really am starting to feel more at home here, really really.

Jason started putting up the Christmas lights this week.  He was so excited he couldn't even wait for Thanksgiving to be over.  Clark had fun "helping" Daddy, and the yard is starting to come along nicely.  Jason was very proud of the fact that we were the first house in the neighborhood to have their lights on.

Clark had learned how to open the front door, even with the kid proof handle thingy on it!  After dinner one night we were all chatting around the table, enjoying the fact that the kids were amusing themselves.  Little did we know that Clark escaped out the front, with Harry.  Harry was half-way down the street before Clark even thought to come and get us.  All he said was "uh-oh baby"... and I knew something was wrong.  Thank God Harry hadn't made it to the intersection yet, and thank God the neighbor girl was sitting in her car and saw my fatty baby running down the street.  I was terrified, knowing how fast that situation could have turned into my worse nightmare, and I was embarrassed, that I was "that Mom", the one who can't even watch her kids well enough to know when they are running loose in the streets.  Bad moment.  I am so thankful that Clark had the sense to come and get us when he did.  We will now be buying a bolt, for very tip- top of the door.

Auntie Carol and Uncle Eddie were very generous and bought us a Zoo member ship to the Virginia Zoo, in Norfolk.  We went on Tuesday, and the weather was unbelievably warm and sunny.  It didn't feel like November at all.  I think it was in the mid 70's most of the day, perfectly lovely.  The boys had fun, running like crazy, and of-course riding the little train they had.  We had a nice little picnic at the park after.  It will be fun to go to the zoo all year, they are building a new Asia exhibit, and it will be fun to watch it expand and open in the spring.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving Day.  We spent the morning watching (my favorite) the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and decorating Gingerbread Houses.  Even Clark decorated his own little house, although I do think Clark ate more icing than anything.  We prepared dinner and enjoyed it together, as family and friends.  We made a turkey and ham this year, and I think they both turned out well and tasty.  I am so glad that we had some friends to spend the holiday with, even if we couldn't eat dinner on the beach like we used to.  I am so thankful to have good friends and wonderful family in my life.  I have been so richly blessed, and often times I wonder what I did to ever deserve all that I have.  I am thankful for Jason and how hard he works for out family, and what a good Dad he is.  He is so caring, and he truly wants the best for us.  I am thankful for a good job, that takes care of our family, and allows us to travel the country.  I am thankful for my health, and that of my babies.  I am thankful for my Heavenly Father and Jesus.  I am thankful for the gospel in my life, and the direction it gives me and my family.  I really do have so much to be thankful for, the blankets on my bed, the clothes in my closet, the food in my fridge, the books on my shelf, the babies in my lap.  I love Thanksgiving.  I love the food and family, but most of all I love having a day to pay tribute to all the things I hold dear.

On Friday we had to say goodbye to Carol and Eddie.  The week went by so fast, and I wasn't ready to take them to the airport yet...and neither was Clark.  Once he realized what was going on, at the airport, he broke into tears, and cried the rest of the way home.  He kept on checking the extra room to see if they were in there, hiding I guess.  It's a good thing we planned a pizza party, with some friends from church, to help us get our minds off it....as soon as Clark knew he had some more friends was coming over, he was happy again.  We had fun making homemade pizzas, while the kids ran crazy and played.  I am so glad there are people in our ward we can hang out with, cool people, and I am glad we are making friends.

I have such a busy week planned next week, so much needs to be done.  I have to say I am not looking forward to starting it...

A Week In Our Life November 14-20

November 14, Sunday.  I listen to a wonderful talk in church today about genealogy and keeping a family journal.  I am glad that I started this blog, and this little family journal.  I am also glad that I take so many pictures (too many if you ask Jason).  I love going home and looking at my Mom's old pictures, and my Granny's really old pictures, and I know my kids will appreciate it someday.  Although all my pictures are online...I may need to start making some photo albums.
We finally succumbed to the cold, and turned on the heat.  Jason was holding out, I guess trying to save some money, but we have company coming and I don't want them to freeze. It has been getting down to 48 degrees most nights, and I have woken up more than once to a freezey house.  We also got some firewood to try out our fireplace!

Monday the boys were so good.  They behaved while I ran errands, they ate most of their dinner, they went to bed good (albeit a little late), AND-the good news- they slept all night long, in their OWN BEDS!!!  It was so nice not to have to get up all night long, or share my bed with Clark.  I don't know what we did differently, but I sure wish I could figure it out so I can do it everyday.  Harry had so much fun playing chase with his Dad and brother tonight.  I love his little fake laugh he does, trying to impersonate his Dad, playing along.  He sure has the funniest little personality, and even though sometimes I don't understand everything he does, I love to watch him.

 Clark is so ready to go back to school.  Everyday when Jason comes home from work he steals his back-pack and says, "Come on Mommy, time for school".  I hate that it is taking so long to figure things out here and get the boys in school, I feel like I don't know what I am doing...maybe I am not doing enough.  I finally got a hold of someone who is going to get me started with the paperwork. Hopefully soon, little Clark.

I loved Tuesday!  We hung around the house playing, watching shows.  Daddy came home, and we had a tasty dinner-that I already had made, waiting for him :)  The boy had baths, read stories-even The Book of Mormon, and were in bed asleep by 8:30pm!!!  My house is clean, and quiet and it is only 9:30pm!  I don't know how I did it today, but I feel like super mom.  It is days like this when I actually feel like I am doing a good job.  It's days like today that give me strength to get up every morning and do it all over again.  Now, if I can just get them to eat the food I make them, and not ketchup sandwiches and pretzels, I would have it all set.

Wednesday we had play group at our house for the first time.  Normally we meet up at a park, with a small group of gals and kids from my ward, but since the weather is getting cooler we decided to move it inside.  I think it went well, considering the mess of toys and such.  Clark and Harry were a little crazy having so many people in the house, but not in a bad way.  Clark was happy and excited, but just too over the top, he gets so intense...and I think it sometimes scares the younger kids.  Harry did well at first, but towards the end he just wanted his space, and some quiet.  I look forward to it every week, and I think it is good to get them both out their element.  I hope we didn't scare anyone away.

Harry has started this cute new little thing, where he loves to hold my hand, everywhere.  When we are walking to the car, to the backyard, to the mailbox, to the kitchen, to the bedroom...everywhere, he just wants to hold hands.  I think it is so cute, and I really love it.

Thursday was a busy shopping/errand day, and the kids were so good as I drug them all over the mall.  Clark even got a cute little haircut.  I am kinda sad his hair is not as curly here, as it was in Hawaii, so I think I am going to start keeping it shorter.  Even though it was kinda chilly out, I took the boys to play at the park.  We swung on the swings, forever, and watched the ducks.  Harry loves going to the park so much, as soon as I pulled up, he was bouncing up and down trying to escape from his car seat.
I have been busy trying to keep on top of the house cleaning, getting ready for our company coming!!  We are all excited to have Thanksgiving with Carol and Eddie, again.
Clark was being sneaky and got into my bedroom drawers Thursday night, and drew permanent blue marker all over his legs and arms (not the first time he has done that) but he also drew all over the carpet too! UGH!!  He really knows how to test our patience.  I made him help me scrub it out of the carpet, and he did genuinely seem sorry about it, so at least he is learning from his mistakes.  I am just glad Harry is not really into coloring, yet.

Friday and Saturday we were so busy getting ready for our friends, Carol and Eddie, to come visit for Thanksgiving. Lots and lots of laundry and cleaning...but it is all worth it.  We haven't seen them in over a year...almost two, and it will be so nice to spend time together again.  Friday night we got a babysitter and went to the newest Harry Potter movie!!!!  We found another family in our ward that we can trade with, so it is fun and easy.  I was so excited that I could go on opening night, and Jason got me another Harry Potter shirt to add to my collection (for my HP quilt I am going to make next year).  I thought the movie was amazingly perfect, so in tone with the mood of the last book.  I cried a lot, and I think that actors did so well this time around.  I am dying that we have to wait eight whole months to watch the last installment, and yet, at the same time, I am so sad it is going to over.  I am going to miss Harry Potter so much.  I know I can re-read all the books again and again, and watch the movies whenever I want.  But there will be no new Harry things...

Hmm, have I gone overboard??? Maybe I am just being hormonal, or possessive, but I really do love the Harry Potter series (the BOOKS and movies) as a whole.    MAYBE, just maybe,  J.K. Rowling will make good on her mention of doing three more books, but I highly doubt it.  I am excited to be able to share it with Clark and Harry some day.  Clark already knows who Harry Potter is, because we played the Harry Potter Lego video game together all summer.  And he has watched bits of the first couple movies.  Someday soon, I hope I can start reading the books with him.  Ok...enough with the Potter talk.  We can move on now.

I have been noticing something new Harry has been doing lately.  I am not sure it is a good thing or a bad thing...but certainly a curious thing.  When Harry gets stressed out, or overwhelmed with too many people or crazy situations, he likes to gather little objects.  He gathers them up, organizes them, then tosses them on the floor again, gathers them up, carries them around for a bit, tosses them on the floor again, gathers them up....over and over.  I noticed him doing this the other day during playgroup, and then again when we picked him up from the babysitter the other night.  The more I think about it, the more I remember him always doing something like this, to cope with hard situations.  During the summer it was colored pencils at Nana's house.  When he was a baby with was sticks in the back yard.  I just never realized that he was stressed out all these times, over maybe over-stimulated.  I feel kinda bad... and I should have realized it sooner.  Now that I know, I don't really know what I am going to do about it.  He starts he new OT and Speech Therapy in two weeks, maybe I will just ask them what are some ways I can teach him how to cope better.  He really is such a good little baby, or toddler, he is in fact two now...he can't be my baby forever (well he can, but I am sure some day he will not like me calling him that).

Saturday night we finally got to pick up Auntie Carol and Uncle Eddie from the airport.  Clark was so excited, we all were.  When we walked into the house, Clark was proudly showing Carol all round, the pictures on the wall, where the tv was.  It was so funny, and cute.  Clark is slowly becoming a good little hostess.  I am looking forward to a fun filled week and I hope the time doesn't go by too fast.

On a different note, I am sort-of liking keeping this daily journal.  I kinda feel like Doogie Howser, except not as smart.... I need to have some more deep thoughts and catching quotes ;)  The posts are so long, and I am sure to most of you, quite redundant and boring, but I think that someday I am going to be really glad I did this.  I just hope I can keep it up.

ps.

You know Clark has been watching too much Curious George,

when he starts asking for things in his monkey language.

A Week In Our Life Novemeber7-13

November 7, 2010
Oh Happy Sunday, I love you.  Today I went to church alone, since both my boys were a little sick, and I didn't want to them to share their colds with the rest of the nursery.  I love Fast and Testimony meeting, there is no better way to get to know, and love the members in your ward.  I am starting to feel more at home in this ward, and I am enjoying getting to know all of its members.  We were lucky, and blessed to have moved into this neighborhood/ward.  I love relaxing with my family, watching movies, on our lazy Sundays.  We had dinner and watched Simpson's Tree House of Horror, Jason and Clark's favorite after Halloween tradition.
Also today, all of the sudden-out of the blue, Clark told us he needed to go do-do.  We have been trying to get him to use the little potty we got him last month, but he is so resistant to it.  Some days he will try to go all day, others days I can't even get him to sit on it.  We've just been taking it slow, for everybody sake.  I was surprised when he told us he needed to go, and even more surprised when he went (although it was pee- he calls everything do-do).  He went a couple more times that night, just a little bit, and his diaper was still wet, but he is at least trying now.  We got to bed kinda late tonight, all our schedules are off due to the time change last night....so weird this time changing thing.  We aren't used to it, having lived in Hawaii the last 4 years, but I did enjoy the extra hour of sleep.

Monday was an uneventful day.  I went grocery shopping, which is always a treat by myself with both boys, NOT.  I don't know how my mom did it with all us kids.  Clark tried to use the potty a few more times again today!  He told me almost every time he needed to go, and a few times right after.  I think it is finally starting to click, and I am hoping he keeps up the progress, I hope, I hope, I hope.  I think the highlight of my day was Conan coming back on air!  I missed falling asleep to that giant funny ginger.  Remember folks, if you don't watch Conan, the terrorist will win.  And by terrorists, I mean Jay Leno.

Tuesday night I taught a small little class at Relief Society Enrichment night.  We made little quiet books (pictured on the side).  I am not sure why they asked me to help out and teach it, but it was easy (and nice to be included) so I did it.  I took Clark with me, cause he wanted to play with his friends so bad, he is such a social butterfly.  I came home to Jason and Harry chilled out on the couch, watching Monsters vs. Aliens, one of Harry's favorite movies.  Harry went to bed so well!  He has been getting better at not staying up all night, both boys have, it is so nice.  Even though the boys go to bed early, I still stay up way too late reading and watching tv :)

Clark has been sleep walking and talking a lot lately, just like his Daddy.  It is so funny.  He has always come into our bed at some point in the night, for what reasons I never know.  Well, Tuesday night he woke me up several time crying for his lost Popsicle???  Yes, honestly a Popsicle.  He was searching all over the bed for it, even got out a bed a couple times, crying and asking me for help to find his Popsicle.  Then when he would wake up himself enough, he would instantly fall back asleep again.  It is pretty crazy.  Jason has always been the same way, talky talky talky, and when I wake him up to tell him he is talking in his sleep, laughing, he gets mad at me (ha!!).   It sure makes for some crazy nights in our house.

Wednesday we had playgroup again.  It is getting pretty cold and windy outside, so we may have to start moving it to our house.  Clark has been addicted to the video games a lot lately too, I can't believe we are actually getting him-well the whole family- a Wii (shhhh! it is a surprise Christmas present).  Harry was so vocal and playful today.  He even gave me some love, which is a big thing for Harry.  He will sit on your lap, and maybe even lean his head on your shoulder, but he does not hug, or kiss or purposely give you affection.  But today, he crawled up on my lap and curled himself around me, and practically did everything that hugging involves, without actually wrapping his arms around me.  I know I am reaching here, but it meant a lot to me. Sometimes its hard that Harry is so emotionally disconnected.  I remember only one other time that he loved me.  I had been out shopping with my mom and sisters for the most part of the day, and Harry was left with Jason and Clark to play.  I was probably only gone for 8 hours or so, but when I came home Harry crawled on my lap, grabbed my face with his hands, and starred at my face for a few minutes....like he was telling me he missed me and noticed I was gone. That short minute got me through the rest of the summer, and now I have another moment.

It is so weird that it is getting darker sooner, this whole day light savings time is crazy!  We sure got spoiled living in Hawaii, with normal time, and no cold weather.  My feet have been freezing me all day!

Thursday Harry had another doctor's appointment at the Neuro-developmental Clinic in Norfolk.  They watched Harry for a little while and went over all his paperwork, and pretty much said you are doing everything you can do, for now.  I mentioned my concern that he was only getting 2 hours of therapy a week, but they said that was good for now, and that the Virginia Early Intervention department was really good (I am starting to wonder if that's just what people say...oh you live in "insert generic town here", they have a really good Autism program there-blah blah blah).  We will go back every 4-6 months to check on his development.  They also had me schedule a EEG (for the week after Thanksgiving) to check and see if he is having seizures.  I used to think he was having them all the time, little ones-the kind where you just blank out- but it happens much less frequently than it did when we were in Hawaii, so I am not too sure anymore.  Either way it will be nice to rule out.  On a side note, he weighed a chunky 41 pounds, I can't believe how big he is getting, I think I had 13 people tell me how very tall he is for his age too.

I hated Friday, everything about it sucked.  The kids got into everything, and used up all the patience I had.  It was not a good day.  However my funny little Tuna made the whole thing better when he woke me up at 2 in the morning to have me congratulate him for getting the sharks.  This sleep talking thing is getting hilarious!  He said, "Mom, MOM, I did it, I got the sharks!"  "Hey Daddy," he was shaking Jays shoulder to wake him up, "I did it! I got the shark, yay me".... AND back to sleep in an instant. LOL!!!  My little shark killer.

Saturday we spent some much needed time organizing our house, and finally hanging some pictures.  It was nice to just hang around the house as a family, and finally get some things done.  Both of the boys love it so much when we are all home together, and so do I.  While me and Jason were in the garage putting somethings away, Clark decided he wanted to play Monopoly.  He got out every single Monopoly game we have (and if you know us, you know its a lot!) and a few others.  It took Jason and I an hour to sort through all the game pieces.  I am so glad Harry was napping!!!  Clark also has stopped using the potty again, in fact he is back to not even wanting to go into the bathroom.  Although he did try to fake pee for us Saturday night, so we would give him some m&ms.  He went into the bathroom and put some toilet water into his little potty, and then proceeded to tell us he went potty....wow! the lying really starts so young.  He is so sneaky.

A Week In Our Life October 31st-November 6

I was reading over my blog a few days ago, enjoying the nice little walk down memory lane.  I was astonished how fast the time flew by (and also how bad my spelling, punctuation and grammar is, oy! I need to go back to school).  I know so much more happened than what I blogged about, and I  hate missing all the little things that make up our day, the little things that make me fall in love with my family everyday, the little things that I will forget the older the boys get.  So, in an attempt to document better for our family journal (I really hope to start printing my blog out one of these days, and save them for my kiddos), and be more real, I have decided to start a new weekly post, Saturday nights (or late Monday night, whenever I can actually finish it), called a -A Week In Our Life-.  It will probably be long and rambley, so you can feel free to skip right over it, it's mostly for my own documentation, so I can see how we are doing, how we are improving, and where we are going :)

Without further ado, here I go...

Sunday, October 31st, was a super fun day, but also kinda sad. Since the our ward's Halloween party was the night before we slept in, and as a result were an hour late to church (which actually is not a new thing since we have 9am church, and certain Boskos -named Jason- hate getting up early to be on time).  The boys are getting better at going to church, even Harry.  Clark loves going to nursery every week.  He helps me set up the room, (I am nursery leader again-UGH) and as his friends walk in one by one, he get more and more excited, giving them little hugs, showing them the toys, shouting "yay friends!"  It is his favorite part of the day for sure.
Later that night, after we had a nice lunch of Halloween candy, we talked online with Uncle Cody, Auntie Emma and little Reese.  Clark had fun seeing his cousin, he misses her a lot.  In fact the night before some one had asked him if he wanted a Reeses candy, and he spent the rest of the night asking to play with Reesey, poor boy.  During our video chat Jason and Clark decided to play with some bubbles, which resulted in Clark spilling bubble soap all over my computer screen :(  My heart was breaking as I watched the liquid slowly creep up the screen.  I knew we had no money to get a new one, or fix my computer...so I was so scared.  I cried and cried.  Luckily it seems to be fine, it is Thursday now, and even though the screen is a little spotty (from the soap residue) and its hard to read, at least my computer is still use-able.  We will just save up some money and get me a new one next year.
We finished out the night Trick or Treating, I know I know, it was Sunday and we should have been keeping the Sabbath day holy, BUT this was our first year in a real neighborhood and we wanted to take the boys out (we've have always gone trick or treating at the mall in years past).  Also, we didn't buy any candy for the trick or treaters who were coming to our house, so we needed to get out ;)  The boys had a ball, even little Harry, although he was a little confused and cried for the first few houses because he wanted to go inside and play.  It was a good night... a bittersweet day with the demise of my best friend Macky (my lap top), but a good fun family night.

Monday and Tuesday were boring errand running, house cleaning day.  I swear I did 11 loads of laundry already this week.  I love to wash and dry it all, and pile it up on my bed, then after dinner is done and the kitchen is clean, I let Jason watch the boys while I sort and fold in peace and quiet, watching some good tv shows.  I tried to take the boys to the mall to play on Monday, but Harry peed through his pants before we even got to the play area (and I had just changed him an hour before- he pees A LOT).  I did let Clark play some computer games at the Apple store.  He shows so much interest in those type of things, but I just do not trust him using our computers yet.  I wish we still had our old Compaq that we bought when we were first married, so the boys could play around on it.  By some miracle Clark and Harry fell asleep and went to bed by 9pm on Monday night.  No matter how much I try to put them on a schedule it just never works, the little variables everyday are too hard to control, and the boys are so resistant to it.  I do treasure those nights when I can get them to bed on time, but mostly it is Clark crying for two hours cause he is not tried and Harry bouncing around the living room until 11pm when he finally passes out.
November 2nd, was election day, Jason sent in his out of state ballot for Utah, he didn't tell me who he voted for, but I am sure it was all red and conservativey.  I didn't vote, only because I am not registered anywhere yet.  I don't really see the point when we move around so much, and anyway I just plain HATE politics, I don't trust any of them.
We also found out that our little Gary got pick up by the Humane Society in Hawaii, and was waiting there until someone picked him up.  It turns out that the poeple that moved into our old house had a dog, and Gary just didn't like to stay on the property anymore.  They tried to feed him, but he kept running off.  I felt so bad and guilty.  Had I known he was going to end up in a kennel, all alone, I would've tried to bring him with us or found him a better home.  I am just praying he gets adopted by a good family...and leave it at that.

Wednesday, I took the boys to play group.  They played with play-dough for the first time, I know-I know, I am a mean Mom, but I never let them play with play-dough cause I don't want to clean up the aftermath.  Harry just wanted to hold it in his hands, and take a little taste every now and then, but Clark had fun rolling it out and making little things.  I love being able to take the boys to play group.  It is so nice to finally live in an area where we are included in things... so nice to finally have friends, and a car to go places!
Later that night both of the boys woke up in the middle of the night.  Harry with some congestion and a runny nose, I already knew he was getting a cold. And poor Clark was in the throws of what appeared to be an asthma attack.  He had a cough, much like a barking seal, that croupy cough that I hate.  He seemed to be having a hard time breathing, and was clawing at his neck, so Jason took him to the emergency room.  This is not his first trip for something like this, I would say at least once or twice a year since he was born, we have had to take him to the ER for this type of coughing/asthma attack.  I hate it, and even though I have seen him do it before, it is scary.  This time instead of giving him a breathing treatment they gave him some sort of steroid drink for his neck, to help it open back up, and sent him home with an inhaler.  I was, like always, a nervous wreck until him and Jason walked back into the door, 5 am in the morning.  You could tell he felt so much better, and he kept opening his mouth, showing me how good he did it for the doctors.

Since we were all up to 5:00 am the next morning, Thursday, the day Jason took off work to help me get some big chores done around the house, turned into a sleeping lazy day... just my luck.  Nothing got done, again.  My walls with be picture-less forever, and my curtains will never get hemmed.
Thursday Harry had another evaluation, from the Virginia Early Intervention this time.  I am glad the ball is finally rolling on his services, and things can get started.  He has already made some improvements from earlier this year, like he is making more vowel sounds when he bables, and makes eye contact better, not all the time, but more often.  He is pretty behind in most things, but is right at his age limit in his gross motor skills.  Things here in Virginia are so different from Hawaii, and you would think they would be better, but they aren't.  We have to pay for services here, which thankfully our insurance covers.  In Hawaii, Harry was offered about 12-15 hours a week in therapy and services, here we will only be getting two, 45 mintues appointments, per week.  Clark doesn't even qualify for Headstart here in Virginia (which makes no sense since we made more money in Hawaii, and less money here).  I was starting to really panic about how I was going to get him into school, but I think I found a way, through the public school system, instead of Headstart.  Overall, I am just a little disappointed, I thought things would be better here, now that we are in a bigger area, with seemingly more options, but it turns out the kids just get more lost in all the paperwork, competing with other children that may have more problems.  I have some ideas how to get around things, and a few more calls and appointments to make, its just taking so much longer than I thought.

Friday, my super awesome friend invited me up to  spend the weekend.  So I left Jason and the boys to fend for themselves for the weekend.  This was really the first time I have left both of the boys.  The last time I took a little trip for myself was two years ago, when I was pregnant with Harry... and since Harry kicked me a lot and was very much there, I don't really count it :)  I was nervous for the 3 hour drive, all by myself, but I had so much fun!  Listening to whatever music I wanted, as loud as I wanted, singing at the top of my lungs... it was wonderful, and the drive was much faster than I thought it would be.  It was so nice to spend some time with my girlfriend, without my kids running around, talking and being girls.  Saturday we went to a Christmas Card making class. We spend almost 7 hours making Christmas cards!!  It was not something I thought I would enjoy too much, since I am not particularly crafty, but I had such a fun time being creative and working on a project.  I came home with 20 of the cutest Christmas cards ever.  I can't wait to find another class!  I was a little sad when I came home, and the boys weren't overjoyed to see me.  Harry walked right past me like I had been there all weekend, and I got a half hearted hug from Clark.  I guess I just wasn't gone long enough :)  It was nice to be back home with my little family. We had fun Saturday night watching Avatar, again, per Clark's request... I guess he needed a break from Star Wars.

Well, there you go...  my first weekly journal post, sooo much longer than I planned it to be.  We will just have to see how long this will last, or if I want to keep doing it, but for now I am happy.