Oh the mistakes I have made...

You know how actors always respond to this question, "Do you have any regrets?" and they always say with their noses high up in the air, "No, because my mistakes have made me who I am blah blah blah." It really makes me want to scream because I've made mistakes and I have regrets!!!! So I've decided to tell you about some of them. The list could be quite lengthy (especially now that I'm raising children) and so I'll do my best to narrow it down to the mistakes I have made today. And it's 1:30 in the afternoon. Here we go...

1. What made me think that I would be okay wearing a shirt that doesn't go up to my ears today? Didn't I know that Abe would throw a fit whilst trying to pick Lilly up from school and said child would yank down said shirt and show what I like to call "the goods" to the passersby? Hello Susie Q and Lovely Ladies from my ward, this is the color bra I'm wearing today. Go buy turtlenecks. Check

2. What made me think that I shouldn't wear a belt so that when the afore mentioned child threw his pre fit fit and I struggled with him to get him in his carseat (wait, maybe he IS stronger than me) and his little feet kicked and pushed my pants down practically around my ankles I could have avoided that problem altogether. Thank goodness I was in my own driveway...this time.

3. Why didn't I shave my head long ago? Either I shave it now or Abe is going to slowly and painfully pull it all out anyway. Remember his tantrum at Lilly's school? He wanted to walk (another thing I should never have allowed...ever) but when I let him down he would stiffly fall to one side and not move. So I picked him up. Another mistake. His hands just went naturally to where they always go when he's angry-- my hair (or Lilly's, but I was closer) and he yanked my hair out of my carefully placed pony tail that I've had for the last 10 years.

4. What was I thinking when I actually encouraged these children to call me mommy? Once such a beautiful word that inspired daydreams of homemade bread and skipping through meadows holding my childrens' hands is now usually said accompanied by "I'm hungry even though you just made me dinner 15 minutes ago" and "Entertain me even though I have a million toys and my room is a disaster." I'm changing my name.

5. I must be off my rocker if I thought I could go grab a salad from Chipotle after picking Lilly up from school and get them some hamburgers and it would be no big deal. Oh the insanity of thinking I'd like to eat something other than a Lean Cuisine for lunch! All I have to say about this is thank goodness I got to Abe before he made it out into the street. That's all I'm saying.

6. Writing #5 is my most current mistake because just last night Kelly and I talked about how we eat out too much and really just need to eat the boring stuff at home. Oops! I thought you wanted to start that tomorrow.

So, if I am to learn and grow from my mistakes, then I guess I'm going to turn into a bald recluse who wears uber modest clothes (to the neck, wrists, and ankles is my new standard) named Tallulah. And don't even think of inviting me to go to Cafe Rio...Oh, that's just too harsh. I'll learn from my mistakes another time. Who wants to go to dinner?

A short story

Once upon a time, there was a cute and chubby two year old who got a new toy.

This cute and chubby and sometimes abnormally strong little boy did not like to share his new toy.

This cute and chubby, strong and funny boy often got his own way because of his perseverence and biting skills.

This cute, chubby, strong, funny, and sometimes strange little boy also likes to wear bows in his hair.

The End.

Tummies

Yesterday Lilly and I were driving in the car and she asked me why some people have small tummies and some people have big tummies. I gave a very "love everybody because we're all children of God" answer and said that people come in all shapes and sizes and that includes how tall we are and whether or not our tummies are big or small and things like that. Then she said the most wonderful thing I've ever heard. She said, "You, me, Abe and daddy all have small tummies." I almost cried at the beauty of that one little sentence. Bless that child!

Two!!

My little beast turned two yesterday! He was excited about his booday (as he called it) and I love that we had a very simple day with just the family. In fact, Lilly asked why Abe didn't get many presents. I told her we're making life more simple and next year she's only getting one present, if she's lucky. Just kidding. Anywho, here are some pictures from his party. Lilly and I made a cake and she decorated some party hats. Please notice Lilly's face in the second picture.

The Pros and Cons

Lilly started Kindergarten on Monday and I have some very mixed emotions about the whole thing. Here are a few of the pros and cons:

Yeah!
Lilly is excited and loves to go to school. Plus, I get 2 1/2 hours a day where someone else has to entertain her. It's time that will allow me to read the encyclopedia so that I can answer some of her questions.

Boooo!
Lilly's getting older which equalls me getting older. Ahhhh!!! (Sorry folks, I don't have a picture of my crows feet, but I got 'em.)

Yeah!!
I get to walk her to school and walk home which means an extra 30 minutes of good ole calorie burning.

Boooo!
I get left home alone with this!

Yeah!
I get left home alone with this!

Booo!
I miss her!!

Yeah!!
I feel a little bit of freedom!!

So there's a list of some good and some bad things about school starting. I'm happy to report that Lilly loves school and is very happy! Now if I could only get Abe in school :-)

Darling Husband

Here is a semi-quote from my own darling husband from yesterday as I wrestled with his two year old to get him in his car seat. It's my favorite thing he said to me yesterday and quite possibly in all of our seven years together. Here it is:

"I don't understand why you don't have more control over Abe. I mean, is he stronger than you?"

The reason it's a semi-quote is because after he said it I sort of lost my mind and can't be responsible for what occurred directly after his remarks.

Why oh why?

I just came back from the grocery store and while I was waiting in line I noticed that Abe (who was sitting in his stroller) was picking at something on the wall part that's underneath where you put the groceries (I know, good description). Anyway, I thought he was just picking at the black rubber and I pretended not to notice because he was quiet and that's all that really matters to me. A minute or two later I noticed chewed up gum in his hand and gasped. The lady in front of me told me it was in his mouth, too. I wanted to cry and where are my antibacterial wipes!?!? The really gross part is that this gum came from the kind of person who sticks his chewed up gum underneath the black rubbery part of the wall underneath where you put your groceries! Who does that? I know it could have been worse, but that was tramatic enough for me!