Mothers Day Recap....

My day started with breakfast in bed made and served by my Alex!

Scrambled eggs-enough for an army. Two pieces of toast and a HUGE orange all served with an economy size bottle of ketchup! (He LOVES ketchup so he's figuring I would too!) Last year he'd been home for less than two weeks when we had Mothers Day and he witnessed Rylee serving me breakfast in bed.
On the tray was the gift he made at school. A picture of him in a homemade frame, a sucker made into a flower and in addition to the first card (at the top of this post) I got a certificate that said
I love you because.....you are the best mom I had.
Since he's had more than one mom that's pretty cool isn't it?
Rylee ate one of the pieces of toast and Alex ate 3/4 of the oranges and half the eggs. (Thank goodness!)

After my breakfast Rylee gave me a back rub and an ear massage. If you've never had an ear massage you are missing out! She commented on how my ear lobes are attached to my head more than hers. Her's are more like her dads. Then she pointed out that mine are more like Alex's. Of course, I said because he's my son! To which Alex replied "Yeah when we get sealed my ears grow to my head like moms!"
We went to church and unlike last year, Alex got up and sang with the primary. My sweet Rylee just started crying right at the first and sobbed through both the Grandma song and the Mom song. Then she sat back down and sobbed some more. She has such a tender heart that when she feels the spirit she is moved to tears and then she cries harder because she's embarrassed that she's crying! So I spent the remainder of sacrament meeting trying to comfort her-to no avail!
After church I was showered with Rylee's gifts. A hand made necklace she made at achievement days (she has a smaller matching one) and a leather #1 key chain that she made at school. (Between Alex's many boondoggle creations, and now this, my key ring is getting pretty big!) Kambree gave me a cute mom necklace and earrings and a pack of gum.
Here's me with both my necklaces on:
Rylee and Alex also gave me flower seeds from primary. Kambree remarked that now I had work to do. (Plant the seeds) to which Alex quickly retorted. "No not today. She work tomorrow!"
Our ward always does a lovely Mom's brunch and this year was no exception.
Then we went home and James made a fabulous salad and we went to a BBQ my Dad had orchestrated and the menfolk did all the work!

BBQ
Brach & Alex pretending to be happy. They wanted to go to our house and jump on the trampoline but we made them stay with us.

This is truly how Alex looked. We call this his Ukraine smile.

Then I asked him for a G.Q. pose...

My beautiful Mom

Here's Syd and Ry eating cake right out of the box!

Jazz & Dev
Kam and James

Austin and our most recent new family member Hunter. My sisters dog.

Rylee & Alex
My mom gave my sister and I slippers. I LOVE slippers. I wear them everywhere. I just figure people can think I'm eccentric. I truly don't care. In fact I look forward to the day when I'm old enough for people to say "Oh, that's just old lady Richhart. She's crazy" and I'll be wearing whatever I want, color my hair blue and wear slippers everywhere of course! It may happen sooner than later. I find myself wearing things like my very old Old Navy jacket that now doesn't have the pull tab on the zipper that has paint AND hair coloring on it. I've tried to replace it but nothing feels the same. It's just comfy. It fits. The same for my favorite purple cardigan that has a hole at the neck and my going on eight year old wallet. I would have never thought I'd get so set in my ways that I can't replace such simple items. I remind myself of my father in law sometimes. He wore the rattiest, old, falling apart jacket. He had bought it at the DI and in my attempt to replace it I had researched it and found it was a Fed Ex deliver man's jacket. Irreplaceable. He liked the angle of the pockets and how his hands fit in them. I thought he was such an odd old man. Now? I'm seeing his side of things. Crazy? Yes. But so what? So, like I said, that title of "Crazy Old Lady Richhart" might come sooner than later!
We went home and I helped Alex with his homework and took a nap. (Sounds of angels trumpeting softly right here!)
After my nap James gave me my NEW DISHES! I had my eye on these dishes for weeks. Darling mult-colored melamine dishes from Costco. Did I NEED them? No. I just wanted them. I finally justified that I SHOULD get them because I could send Kambree to college with my old set. I loved the fact that they don't make loud sounds when plopped on the granite counter tops and because they are just so dang cute!
I knew they were not microwave safe but I figured I could use my old Correlle set for that. BUT imagine my disappointment to learn they were top shelf dishwasher safe only! I started goggling. Yep. Dishwasher top shelf only. The dinner dishes won't even FIT on the top shelf! There is no way I can keep these dishes. They are just not practical. Like I (and my children) are going to HAND WASH the dinner dishes? Please. James is all for returning them. He was disgruntled at the microwave issue and had called me from the store asking if I was sure about them. YES! But the dish washing is not something I can comprise on.
(Sigh)
All in all a very nice Mothers Day. Not too much guilt this year. Lot's of food, family and I didn't bake a thing or do a dish.
(Sigh)
But like Alex said, it's back to work tomorrow.....

Rylee's Dance Concert

I have no idea why this is side ways! I've rotated it and it appears upright but downloads sideways? Anyway, here is Rylee in her dance costume after her performance last Monday.

Getting Grandma hugs

With Alex

With Kam

With Dev

With Grandparents!

Austin was there too but no where to be found during pictures.
He and Hayden and Alex entertained themselves with their I-pod touches and Game Boys until Rylee performed. She was the 23rd dance out of 25!
This morning Rylee and Alex were helping me eat my Mothers Day breakfast in bed and Rylee was sharing how nervous she is to try out for Junior Starlets this week. Alex told her:
Just dance like a rock star!
Rylee: What?
Alex: You will kick their butts!
Nice to have a brother that thinks you dance like a rock star and has so much confidence in you. I didn't know what a joy it would be to watch these two learn how to be brother and sister. They are so sweet. Last week Rylee was having a bad day at school and asked Alex for a hug which he willingly gave. AT SCHOOL never the less!
Rylee asked if she and a friend could go to our local park by themselves a few weeks ago. I don't like her going there with girlfriends yet the next day I let her go with Alex. She called me on it. "Why can I go with Alex and not my friend?" I had to think long and hard on that one. Why? Because Alex is street smart and looks out for her. That's why. I know he wouldn't let anything bad happen to her. He took care of himself roaming the streets of Ukraine for ten years. I know he can take care of himself and Rylee. (Even when he was in the orphanage he did his own thing-scavenging for metal to take to the recyclers, going to the stores, holding his own, he really just came and went as he pleased.) But how to explain that to Rylee?
Then a few days ago Rylee out of the blue said
Ry: I like Alex's Ukraine Mom.
Alex, looking at her in disbelief shakes his head and says: Well, you shouldn't.
Ry: Well, I do or we wouldn't have you!
Alex looks a bit confused so I continued:
Yes, we wouldn't have you as part of our family if she hadn't given birth to you. We should be thankful for her. There's at least one reason to like her right Alex?
Alex: Uh....(not too sure) Okay. (And a shrug.)
It's taken him a while to figure out how to wear this big brother hat but he's getting it! By George, he's getting it!

Words of Wisdom from a Wonderful Woman

"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.
I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.
I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.
I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden.
I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.
I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Charity Never Faileth

"Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for and relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into standing on higher ground than the environment surrounding them.
Mother's are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Mom thoughts...

"I love him and he could stay with us all night or into next week. What a darling boy. He's so well behaved and my baby just loves him. He was so cute with him. Carrying him around. What a sweet boy. He is just so cute. Very good looking. And manners? Please, he did better than my own children. I don't know what you were worried about."
Exact words from a mom and friend of mine that had Alex over last night for a late over. I was a little nervous as he'd never been to this friends house and although they're school mates, he lives about 2o minutes away so Alex couldn't just come home if he needed to. I know the mom super well and had shared my concerns when we set up this play date. She called last night while her husband was bringing him home to report. It was her son's birthday weekend and he could invite ONE friend over for dinner and playing and get a bigger birthday present OR he could have a party with many friends. He elected the one friend deal and chose Alex!
I don't know why I worry either. He is a good boy. He tries very hard. In fact when asked what he'd like to drink he told them Sprite he can't have Dr. Pepper. (What a good boy!) They had pizza and soda pop and played and played. He did ask to go home a little early complaining of being tired but secretly I think he was just ready to come home as he didn't appear tired at all or want to go to bed once he got home. He likes being home just like I like having him home. Having him gone is sort of like when you leave your baby with a sitter for the first time. You just wonder if he's okay, what he's doing and you realize just how much he fills up your life. I remember when James and I would finally slip away on a date when our kids were younger and all we'd do is talk about them!
When Alex came home he announced that "Chandlers baby brother love me!" the minute he walked in and he was so pleased with himself. He is very good with little kids. And he had so much fun. Yes, I worry all too much.
Today we spent the morning weeding and planting flowers as family. (Could you hear the groans coming from the Richhart home this morning?) Then James and I rushed to pick up our co-opp produce basket and the kids dispersed to friends and work and to take naps in the trailer. Anywhere were they would not be found by their parents in the event we got another brilliant idea to WORK as a family.
Alex came in later all red faced with his bike helmet on, rushing through the house. "Alex where are you going?" "I getting fishing pole. Me and Rylee fishing." We live very close to the Jordan River and he has been bugging James to take him fishing. James told him to go throw his pole in the river. I guess he and Rylee were on a bike ride and the decided to do just that.
He received his own pole from Devree from Christmas but Rylee doesn't have a pole so he was rummaging through the wood shed to find her a pole and get them both rigged. I was of no help. I finally took the tackle box in and asked James what hook? (He was in having a serious guy talk with Austin. Ahh the joys of teenage boys!) James had Alex bring the poles in the house and helped him rig them. He planned to send them off then thought he should go too-just to make sure they know how to cast and where to go. He said he'd be right back-as he does not have a license. That was 45 minutes ago. I hope he doesn't get caught without a license. The joys of men & boys and fishing!
Tomorrow is Mothers Day. Good luck everyone. Mothers day can be disheartening. I know I feel inadequate when I hear and or read about all wonderful, fabulous, extraordinary mothers doing incredible, selfless, fabulous things. Super hero mothers. How about the mother that had a son born without ears and later in life someone donated him ears. All his life he wondered why is mom had ugly long hair around her face. He was so embarrassed of her and her appearance, Then when she was on her death bed he found out she wore her hair that way to cover her lack of ears that she donated to him? Could this be true? I don't know. Stories like that. I don't think that's happy and uplifting.
I want to hear stories about mom's that don't always successfully juggle their schedules, are OCD about their children wearing matching clothes, combing their hair and bathing daily. Moms that worry, and hate to play Candy Land and don't know how to turn on the Wii. Mom's that sing silly songs when she doesn't have the words to cheer up or comfort a sad or grumpy child. (Even when the singing just make the grumpy child grumpier!) I want to hear that these children LOVE and appreciate their mom-even though she gives them a curfew, makes them eat veggies, lectures repeatedly, won't let them swear or say words like sucks, pissed and butt face. I want to hear that these kids turn out successful, happy, loving and have great memories of growing up with a mom that was spread thin, sometimes complained, often times yelled and loved them everyday. Just ordinary moms, doing ordinary things with ordinary-all be it cute and incredibly funny kids. That's what I want to hear about. Successful happy stories about mom's that are more like me and less like Wonder Woman!

The Game Of Mom w/some clarification added.

I spent the evening cleaning out my blog. Believe it or not, I have MANY post that I haven't ever posted. Mostly private/embarrassing/spiritual things. (I know, I am pretty much an open book so imagine how juicy they must be if they're too private for even me to publish?)

Anyway, I was going through my blog cleaning and posting a few that I don't know why I didn't post in the first place and copying the private one's on to my private blog that I started a few months ago as my journal-and deleting the half started never got anywhere post and I found this post. I wrote this in the December of 2008. I don't know why I didn't post it then but thought it was worth posting now especially with Mothers Day staring us in the eyes!

THE GAME OF MOM

I've often said to my friends that there should be a Mom Game. Like football or baseball but just for Mom's. No, not a league or anything requiring you to take more precious time out of your crazy days. A game you can play while your busy doing all your Mom things. Let me explain.

When a Mom does something amazing like a marathon day of getting kids to dance recitals, practices, performances, games, makes dinner, finds the lost ballet slipper etc there should be a phrase she can shout at the end of the day similar in exuberance to "touch down" or "home run". It could be "MADE IT!" or "HA, I'M STILL ALIVE!". In this game points will be given for all sorts of unappreciated Mom chores like:
Cleaning up barf without barfing herself
Finding lost things
Delivering homework/feminine hygiene products to school at a moments notice
Doing the laundry in ONE day
Remembering when your child is "this weeks super star" or student of the week
Sitting through any child production/performance more than once
Getting teenagers to school on time
Cleaning the bathrooms
Selling fundraiser items for child's team or dance group*
Remaining calm during all ER visits
Reading with 1st grader (or recently adopted English learning child*) nightly
Not losing your temper after telling your children to get to bed for the 10th time
Picking up flipping goldfish off the floor or out of the garbage disposal.
Anything you do for the PTA or as room mother
Driving carpool
Driving with a child with a learners permit*
And the list goes on...
In this game each activity/chore will be worth certain points and there will be no negative points as long as you and your children are all still breathing at the end of the day.
This way and the end of each day you can tally your points up.
Let's see today I...
Made breakfast +5
Remembered to send lunch money to school +3
Drove Carpool +3
Returned over due library books AND paid the fee +4
PTA Meeting +5
Started Laundry +3
Remembered child's orthodontist appointment +6
Picked up supplies to make school assigned Indian village +5
Finished folding laundry while making dinner & listening to child recap day in 3rd grade +10
Drove BOTH ways to dance class +5
Helped child with algebra +3
Bandaged both knees AND put chain back on bike +20
Got kids in bed before 10pm +5
For a total of 74 points!!
Every time you get 25 points you shout out a victory phrase like "Mom is great" and do a victory dance while the family cheers enthusiastically.
CLARIFICATION ADDED TODAY!
(All italic's and * items I added today!)
There are NO negative points!
Even if you burn dinner
Forget to sign permission slips
Call you child by the wrong name
Forget to give child required antibiotics
Correct homework....wrong!
Tape up a hem because you don't have time to sew it or don't even know how to sew or want to blow the dust off your sewing machine!
Drive to the wrong practice, dance class, pick up etc
Don't sign up to be a field trip chaperon for the fifth time this year
Space a birthday party invite
Write embarrassing things on your blog about your children
Yell, swear or lose your temper
Hide in the pantry to eat the last piece of cake
You name it.
NO NEGATIVE POINTS!
And this is NOT a competition with other moms! If you make 5 points and your friend makes 105....who cares! We have enough competition/guilt/feelings of inadequacy. This is a game to support and encourage this lovely and fleeting moment of motherhood! To add some cheering and funky chicken victory dances to the overlook and mundane chores you do each day. Hurray for us! We're all on team MOM!
What do you think? You want to play?

Spring Fever

Been so busy.

Have pictures to post but no time to down load them.

However, I wanted to write about this before I forget the details.

Spring is in the air at the Richhart home-depsite the rain, snow and wind of the previous weeks. Kambree's on cloud nine and since she keeps a blog I will leave it up to her to share that if she chooses too.

Austin has suddenly found that girls are fun to hang out with and he and his friends are continually planning activities with girls (many I have never met or seen before) and/or having them over to jump on the trampoline/play video games/eat our food.

I think I should have installed a revolving back door the way the kids come and go through the house. That and a drinking fountain-outside!

Alex came home and told me he likes TWO girls, Katie and Lexy. He's not sure which he likes most and he's of the opinion that he can handle both girls anyway. He asked Katie for a hug two days ago. To which Rylee and Devree shrieked "Creeper!" Katie just walked away from Alex. But he doesn't seem to care about his sisters opinion or Katie's reaction. He is a man on a mission.

Kambree upon hearing he has these crushes teased him with a "Oh Alex, are you starting to like girls?"

To which he indignantly answered, "No. I always like girls. Since I was five!"

That night as I tucked him into bed I gave him a hug and told him I would hug him even if Katie won't. To which he replied very self assured, "Oh, she will hug me mom. Maybe not till I'm big-like 6th grade-but she will hug me!"

Oh my. Nothing like self confidence.

The next day I went upstairs to remind them it was time to leave for school and was hit with the over powering scent of men's body spray permeating through the entire upstairs! Wooweee! It was strong. "Alex, you're really working on that hug aren't you?'

"Yep!"

This morning he went to school again wafting in body spray. I also noticed a definite strong smell of soap after is bath the other night.

Glory be and the saints be praised!

I've been working on him smelling good for a year, and all it took was a cute girl and a quest for a hug!! Who would have thought?

You gotta read about this!

Hi everyone! I have to share this with you. This blog is of friends of mine that were in Ukraine with me last year adopting. The nicest, sweetest people you'll ever meet. Their first adoption took EIGHTEEN months and now....they're doing it again. Seriously. Awesome people. Please check on this link to learn more.

http://www.bringmysisterhome.com/

Conversations with Alex

A few days ago:
Alex: Devwee, I saw your chiny (sounds like shiny but with a ch sound) friend.
Dev: My chiny friend?
Alex: Yeah, your chiny friend. (Then he takes his hands and pull's his eyes back imitating an Asian's eyes.)
Dev: Oh, you mean my CHINESE friend.
Alex: Yes. He ask if yous my sister.
Dev: What did he look like?
Alex: (Thinking deeply then replying) He have black hair.
(Everyone starts laughing.)
Dev: ALL Chinese people have black hair!

Last week:
Me: Alex what did you learn about in Primary today?
Alex: I learn about Abraham. Abraham have 12 sons. One named Benjamin. Benjamin Franklin.
Oh my.
Alex is enamored with Benjamin Franklin. I think because his middle name is Benjamin? He talks about BF all the time. I just figured they'd been learning about him in school? Nope. He just like's BF and apparently he's under the impression he heads up one of the twelve tribes of Israel!

I need to give Alex some credit.
He has been trying so hard lately to be good. He's been attacking his homework, he cleaned out his drawers and closet to perfection (well, I told him to after finding everything in the wrong place and clean clothes thrown in the dirty clothes hamper-but he really went the extra mile on straightening his clothes) he's been putting himself to bed on time, he fasted on Sunday on his own and refused to eat until we had prayer over lunch, even though he was so,so,so,so hungry according to his journal entry, he confessed the first time I asked that he used the calculator to do his math problems, and he's been trying to listen and communicate better. (Even though he administered his own antibiotic the other night with a random spoon and didn't listen to the "bring me the medicine and the syringe" part of the sentence. We had a big talk on taking medicine and how important it is to take the proper amount and about over dosing.) Anyway, I always write about his misbehavior's, I need to be sure to document his good behaviors too!
AND
Yesterday I asked him if he could find me a tool to fix my broken necklace. (He knows where everything is in the garage better than me.) I left it on the kitchen counter and ran upstairs for something else. Before I came back down he had not only found the tool but fixed my necklace! Thanks Alex!
That's my boy. The fixer!

Friday

Good grief!
Friday was a LONG day.
After getting everyone off to school except Kambree, we left for her MRI. (She an Austin are participating in a research project requiring two MRI's of their brains and paying them $150 each! Easy and much needed money for both of them!)
I had made it to the gym early and knew I had a late night ahead of me so my plan was to take a nap in my car during her scan.
That didn't work out so well as I spent the entire time on the phone.
Kam and I stopped for lunch and I introduced her to sushi at my favorite place. She loved it! We had a great talk and I realized while sitting there across the table that my little girl is all grown up. (That and the fact that the server was all tongue tied taking our order and couldn't stop looking at her!) I dropped her off back at school. Just in time for dance. (Can't miss dance.)
Now my plan was to run to my office to drop off earnest money and then go home and attempt to clean my house for the big Women's Retreat at our home that night.
I got a call while stuck in traffic on the way to my office.
A: Mom?
(I can sense panic in his voice)
Me: Honey, what's wrong?
A: My ear hurts. Loud noise make my ear (insert pounding sounds.)
(I can sense he's on the verge of tears.)
Me:It's okay honey. Where are you?
A: Office.
Me: Alex, I can't get there for ten or fifteen minutes. Go get your back pack and coat on and wait for me in the office.
A: Okay. (In a little voice)
The traffic was terrible. Some sort of construction, it was like time was standing still.
I rushed to the school and the office lady pointed me to the sick room.
There's Alex sitting in the dark with both fingers in his ears, rocking slightly and groaning.
He turned to me with tears in his eyes and tried to explain his pain.
All I can think is last Friday when he went swimming he was complaining about water in his ears and I had him use a cotton swab in an attempt to get it out. But that was a week ago. Could it be swimmers ear? If it's an ear ache how could it happen in both ears at the same time?
I checked him out and we drove straight to the Insta-Care.
I filled out the require paper work. (It always kills me when the ask for family history and I put "unknown" and allergies "unknown". I feel like a fabulous mother. I know nothing about my child's medical history.)
We waited. And waited. Despite being the ONLY people there.
I had him lay his worst ear on my leg and I covered the other ear with my hand. His ears are hot. He has had his fingers in his ears the entire trip as I've been trying to get information and history from him. Has this ever happened before? In Ukraine? Do both ears hurt the same? Did you put anything in your ears? Did anything loud happen? Did you get hit in ear? To which he replies "Huh?" He can't hear me. He has his fingers in his ears.
He slips his fingers back in his ears. Still laying on my lap.
I stroke the hair off his forehead and lean down and kiss it. I can tell he has a slight fever-he rolls his head to look into my eyes. "It's going to be okay Alex. I am going to take care of you. The doctor will help you feel better." For the first time I saw a little look of relief. A look of trust. His past hits me between the eyes. This is unknown to him. Being taken care of. He has never had someone take care of him when hurt or sick. He's always had to take care of himself. Be his own advocate. Worry alone. From what I was able to find out, he has never had problems before with his ears before. He is scared.
His look of relief tells me just so slightly that he trusts me. He knows he is not alone now. I will take care of him. I will make it okay. We will fix it.
We go and sit IN the office and wait. At this point he's removed one finger from one ear and he's telling me that this ear is not as bad as the other. He finds a magazine to flip through and starts pointing out cars he's going to buy me when I'm old. Except he decided he won't buy me red cars because I'll get in trouble in a red car.
The doctor comes in and convinces him to remove his finger from his bad ear. Takes a quick peek and tells us he has a bacterial infection. A bad one in this ear and slight congestion in the other. He prescribes an antibiotic and I pull ibuprofen out of my purse and medicate him immediately.
We head straight to the pharmacy and sit and wait some more. By this time I think Alex is relived he is not dying and or losing his hearing. His fingers are no longer in his ears and he seems to be feeling much better. The ibuprofen has probably started to kick in too.
So I arrive home with him right when school is getting out. It's a mad crazy mess as I try to medicate Alex, (He does not like his bubble gum flavored antibiotic-although Rylee asked if she could just have a a little taste-she loves it!) rustle up dinner, kids to friends for sleep overs, Kambree ready for her big date, crank out a batch of cookies for her after dance plans, and the house in some sort of order before six!
Retreat was a success! We laughed and laughed and ate and ate. And some of my friends stayed until almost two in the morning.
I text Kambree to make sure she's made it to her sleep over. She had a wonderful time. She promises to give me details tomorrow.
Austin and Hayden slipped in late and went to sleep downstairs.
Alex is at a friends. Luckily ear infections are not contagious and I sent a second dose of ibuprofen and antibiotics and he's had no pain or issues since.
Rylee & Devree are also at a friends for the night and I fall into bed.
Today after running to get my produce in the rain at seven in the morning with Jan, I just crashed and slept.
Quiet Saturday. The first in weeks and it couldn't of come at a better time.
Now, I better start figuring out my RS lesson for tomorrow, finding something for dinner and get my house in order for Sunday.
Here's to crazy days, antibiotics mom and daughter lunch dates and finding trust!
May we all have a little of the first two and lots of the last two!

Bountiful Basket

My friend Jan called me about this co-op thing she wanted to try. I-always up for adventure and attempting to save money- agreed to try it with her. On Monday,we logged into boutifulbaskets.org created our accounts and at four o'clock on the nose, ordered our $15 basket of produce. This morning we picked it up. Above is everything I got for $15

1 HUGE head of Romain Lettuce

1 bunch of spinach
1 small cantaloupe

1 small honey dew melon

1 big bunch of banana's

3 Artichokes

1 bag of radishes

3 small containers of black berries

8 Gala apples

2 cucumbers

10 Roma tomatoes and

6 kiwi's

All for $15 dollar!

Jan accidentally ordered two tortilla packages and Mexican packages so I bought one of each from her.

For $10 I got this bag of tortilla's. (The big tortilla's could wrap a basketball. They are that big!)

For $6.50 I got cilantro, jalapeno, avocado's limes, garlic, onions, tomatio's, and squash.

For another $10 I got 5 loaves of 9 grain bread! The heavy, yummy kind.

They do this every other week, I guess. I highly doubt I'll run out of tortilla's in the next two weeks-luckily they'll freeze well.
Well, I guess I better Google some Mexican food recipes so all this produce doesn't go to waste! Any ideas?