Catching Up

I am trying to catch up, so if you are checking my blog, there may be several posts at a time that are new.  :)

Proud of A.

A. works really hard at school in fact he considers math and reading some of his talents.  Every quarter we lived in Prescott, AZ he got all A's on his report card.  At his school, that puts you on the Principal's List and you receive a dog tag each time.  We were really proud of him.  He is a wonderful brother and son. :)

Finally! Owners- Finally Posted

I need to get back into the habit of blogging.  When Andy was commuting, I learned to be pretty private about what was going on.  But now, I need to get back to documenting our lives.  :)

Andy came to Wenatchee, WA in December to check out a dental practice.  Andy always had strong opinions about any practice he went to visit.  I was stunned that he came home with no "drawbacks" about this one.

We prayed and pondered.  We researched.  The broker was concerned that maybe once I saw Wenatchee, I would halt the sale.  I told Andy to assure him that I thought Wenatchee was a wonderful place and that when I was a girl, it was the "big city".  :)

In the end, some things happened that made us feel that the Lord had answered our prayers.  We felt good about buying this practice.  After six months, the purchase went through and we moved back to Washington the beginning of May.  We are learning a lot as business owners, like for one...  I am a business owner too, even though I know little about dentistry.  We have already had to hire an employee and have jumped right into marketing.  I am excited for Andy to run it the way he wants, rather than be someone else's employee.  It's definitely a new chapter in our lives.  It's stretching us because it's all so new.  But we will get it.

Check out his web page...
http://www.eastwenatcheedentist.com

And here he's in the newspaper...
http://www.wenatcheeworld.com/weblogs/everyday-business/2011/jul/13/dentist-opens-new-practice/

And I am loving being closer to my family.  A few times, we have just gone over to my parents' house for dinner for no good reason, other than to see them.  Yay.  :)

K. Keeps Me Laughing: Updated

The other day K. put on his tennis shoe all by himself.  I said, "Really?  You did it all by yourself?"  And he said, "See, I TOLD you I was awesome!"  We are also working on potty-training.  (Yay!)  I heard him "tinkling" in the other room and I called to him to acknowledge that he was "going".  He called back and said, "Yeah, it's me.  It's the one that's three!"

Here are some more "Funnies" from July:

K. asks HUGE questions.  He prefaces them with, "I have a question..." and then asks things like "How come the Earth and Sun and Moon don't fall down?" or "How does an engine make the car go?"  I'm a little overwhelmed when my three year-old asks me some of these.

We went to a magic show at the library the other day.  The magician did a trick where he told the kids that he had a dog in his bag and it ended up being a plastic hot dog.  K. made the other moms laugh when he said, "No, that's not a hot dog.  That's a sausage.  It doesn't have any bread and it doesn't have any sauce."

Last night, K. was watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse when he observed, "Doesn't Mickey Mouse only have pants and he doesn't have any shirts?  He didn't buy any shirts."  I said, "Yeah, and have you ever noticed that Donald Duck only has a shirt and never wears pants?"  K. answered, "That would be naked too. Only a little naked."

Backtracking

So many things have gone on this year that I haven't divulged on cyberspace because it wasn't the right time.  Family and local friends were aware, but there were things I couldn't even share on Facebook.  Months went by that I felt like I didn't have anything to "say" online.  But now, I'm comin' clean.

Back in January, Andy's office was flooded by a broken pipe.  There weren't enough dental chairs for him to use so the owners suggested he commute to Tucson~ a four hour drive from our home.  They had an office there that they were trying to find a dentist for, but they would let him work there instead until the repairs were complete.  They would pay for his hotel and his gas.  He would leave around 6:00 Sunday night and get home around midnight Thursday.  For a while, they had him work Fridays here to keep up with his local patients.

We were grateful for the job opportunity, mostly because we had been terrified they would just tell him he wouldn't be able to work until the repairs were done... And how long would that be?  But we also felt like we had little choice in the matter.  We had bills to pay.  

To be honest, both Andy and I were devastated about being apart.  We hoped it would be a month or so, but knew that we had no idea what we were really signing up for.  I cried off and on the entire week before they made all the arrangements for his commute.  I ached for my boys that would be without a dad all week long.  I complained internally that I was going to be a single parent and that everything would be my responsibility.  And Andy knew how horribly he would miss us.

After Andy was there for six weeks, he was asked if he would be willing to do it until June.  They didn't think they were going to be able to find anyone to hire permanently until the summer.  Why that was our problem, I don't really know.  Six months is a long time for a three year-old, so I was hoping that somehow we could finish before then.  (He worked there for 13 entire weeks and 2 half weeks before he quit his job with them.  The repairs were complete long before the end, but they couldn't find someone to replace him in Tucson.  A new guy started the last week.  The office manager thanked Andy on the last day because she said that the staff there wouldn't have had a job those many months had he not come.  My next post will explain our next adventure...)

Andy hated the monotony of a hotel room.  His body didn't do well eating fast or frozen food every night.  Andy's toe started going numb, probably from the long drives.  And I swear, there was a truckload of major projects that had to be squeezed into precious weekend hours...  a pinewood derby car, a science fair project, a poster about "me" for A...  When the boys came home from school and told me they could dress up for Dr. Suess Day, I laughed.  Not happening this year, boys.

Andy would come home on the weekends exhausted from driving.  He would have a thousand things to do around the house and try to give the boys some fun time.  I would mentally tick off how many hours were left before he had to leave again.

For the safety of my family, I didn't really want to tell everyone that I was home alone with three boys all week long.  So I couldn't reach out online for support.  I'll be honest... it was very lonely.  Luckily, we survived it.  And now, I can tell you.  Now that my family is together.  We are very happy about that.  :)

I am grateful for my Mom that would call every Sunday night to comfort me.  It was like she knew how much I needed her.  I am grateful for cell phones that I could call Andy every night.  I am grateful for prayer that would help me feel more safe, confident in myself, and our family feel more unified despite the miles that separated us.  I am grateful for sisters that would listen to me cry and complain on the phone, so many times.  I am grateful for friends that helped me mentally survive it.  It was truly one of the hardest things I have ever done.  And I don't want to ever do it again.

"And Jesus Was Alive Again!"

My Easter post to the church newsletter.

When A. was a toddler, we taught him about the resurrection for our Easter Family Home Evening.  He learned it well enough that he would repeatedly tell the story.  My favorite part was when he would get to the end.  He would throw his arms up in the air and joyfully exclaim, "And Jesus was alive again!"  It amused me that he was so excited about it.  Typically we are reverent and reflective about the events of that Easter morning, but perhaps we neglect to recognize the joy we surely felt as we rejoiced on that day.

We chose our Heavenly Father's plan in the council in the pre-earth life.  We voted, trusting that our brother, Jesus Christ, would do what He said He would do.  Everything rested on Him going through with His part of the plan.  We must have known Him well enough to put all our faith in Him.   Jesus did fulfill His role in the plan; Jesus did what we entrusted him to do.  He paid for our sins and then He rose after three days in the tomb, conquering death.  President Hinckley said, "Easter morning...is the Lord’s day, when we celebrate the greatest victory of all time, the victory over death."  (April '96 conference, emphasis added)  

Jesus made it so we are not subject to the grave.  There IS life after this earthly existence.  All of us will one day have our bodies reunited with our spirits and have the opportunity to live again in our Father's presence.  Maybe we should feel the exclamation of joy in our hearts whenever we think about that momentous morning when "Jesus was alive again!" 

"He is risen!  He is risen!  Tell it out with joyful voice.

He has burst his three days' prison.  Let the whole wide earth rejoice.

Death is conquered. Man is free. Christ has won the victory!" (Hymn #199)

High Hopes

Conversation with 3 year old K. at Red Robin while everyone else was in the bathroom...

K.:  I want $10.
Me:  You have $14.  (allowance)
K.:  But I want $10.
Me:  $14 is MORE than $10.
K.:  Actually, I want 100 million.
Me:  Well I can't help you with that.  You're gonna have to get a job.
K.:  OK, I'll get a job.

Should I hope that he sends some of it my way?  ;)

Spoiled Plans and Probably Too Much Exposure to Superheroes

K. and G. playing in the snow

G. walked by A. and attempted to give him a wedgie.  G. has this fascination with wedgies.  I told him not to do it and that no one likes wedgies.  He disappeared for a few minutes and then delivered this note to me.

unedited
From A.
to Amy
I A. love Weges
Ples Haf G. giv me it


I told him that I knew this note was not from A.  He asked me how I knew.  First off, A. never left the room and A.'s name was misspelled.  G. says, "Oh man, my plans always get foiled..."

I'd Choose Him Every Time

engagement photo 1997

I met Andy at the first church activity freshman year at BYU.  I was asking boys to sign up for the ballroom dance class I was taking.  I was surprised that he said yes and actually signed up.  He was really careful not to dance with me too often, lest I would think he took the class because he was interested in me.  LOL  I got a B+ on the Cha Cha test that I danced with him.  My mom thought we should get married though because he was from Illinois where her family lives and we could have a reception out there.  I told her that was a silly reason to marry someone.  We were just friends, but I gave him a picture at the end of the year.  And he left on his mission.

Fast-forward a few years.  Andy was back.  We took a class together and I started crushing on him.  He went home for the summer and I hoped that having a newish car would give him reason to come around.  Then over the summer I got engaged to another guy.  And then when the new school year started, it started to unravel.  I was crushed.  I told my roommate that if it ended, the only one that could make me laugh again, feel good about myself again was Andy.  She told me that it sounded like I needed him now.  But I was engaged and it didn't seem right.  

So fast-forward through all that mess...  We got together a few months after I ended my engagement.  And married 8 months after that.  And he did make me laugh again (no surprise to anyone that knows Andy) and he did make me feel good about myself again.  And I'd choose him every time.

We have been through lots of jobs, lots of adventures (good and bad), four states, four cars, two apartments, four homes, three wiggly boys.  He's my best friend and we can still stay up too late talking.  He "gets" me like no one else.  He believes in me.  And no matter what we face, doing it together is the best part.  And he still makes me laugh.  And I'd choose him every time.  Happy Valentines' Day Andy.

P.S.  I scored the jackpot when I married into the Johnson family.  They are great people~ inspiring, loving people.  I appreciate all the time I get to share with them.  It's been the ultimate blessing to call them family and to have them spend time with our boys.

Indulgence or Gluttony? ;)

I was working at the computer today and I hear this little voice say, "I'm sorry."  And I realize that a little head is peeking around the corner.  So what was he sorry for???  I asked and he said, "I'm sorry.  I ate all 4 of them."

Then it made sense.  About 20 minutes before, K. had asked for some vanilla Oreos.  (one of my favs...)  I told him that he could have TWO.  He pulled out 4- 2 for him, 2 for G.  But G. was too busy cutting out a paper snowflake to even respond when they were offered.  So K. left the room to put them back.  And I thought it was all over...

Until "Honest Abe" admitted his disobedience.  Guess he just couldn't help himself.  LOL

I guess if this is as bad as my boys get, I'm a pretty lucky Mom.

3 Moments

1.  G. did something the other day that could have required a repairman.  When I explained that to him and asked him what he was thinking (!?!) , he said, "I'm sorry, and by that, I mean I'm REALLY sorry."  Luckily, so far, no repairman required.  Sending up my gratitude.

2.  K. told me the other day that the next time it was a "snowy wonderland" we should make a snowman.  I love the outlook of children.

3.  The other day I was by myself, thanks to a wonderful sister in-law that was watching my kids.  I chuckled inside when digging through my purse,I found these:

Usually they fit right in with my wallet, tube of lip gloss, and tin of mints.  I am a mom of boys.  I keep toys in my purse for boredom emergencies.  But at this moment, when I was taking a break from my usual life, it made me laugh at the reminder that across town were my three boys.  :)

The Aftermath

Yes, that's what it looks like.  A box of peach jello.  A box of cherry jello.  A box of pistachio pudding.  A box of chocolate pudding.  And three (count them THREE) boxes of vanilla pudding.  

And this is the bowl that had all that powder mixed with water from the bathroom sink that was carried (dripping all the way, on tile at least) to the kitchen.

G. almost lost his life...  And there is a Mommy that needs to repent from thinking such horrible thoughts.

This is being recorded, not to embarrass G., but to record it for memory's sake.  And so I can remember to tell it to his future wife so she knows why her kids do similar things...  Because I wished it on their dad... ;)

So she won't feel like a horrible mother when she thinks impatient thoughts when it happens with her own kids.  Because stuff like this happens to all mothers.  And it isn't our finest hour.  

But, later on this day, G. went to a friend's house to be babysat while I took A. to get started on his Pinewood Derby car.  G. told me afterward that he saw some T-rated video games that looked really cool, but he didn't play them because he knew that it was against our family rules.  

So far, we haven't allowed any T games in our home.  Of course when G. was 3 and he LOVED Spiderman, we had a long-winded argument on the way home from Target when I wouldn't let him get a T-rated Spiderman game.  I told him that I wouldn't allow that in my house because it might have bad words.   (I had recently bought a Spiderman cartoon DVD that had some mild SWEAR words.  I was horrified!)  G. told me he liked swear words and I was so mean.  I couldn't believe I was having this conversation with my toddler!

I was so proud that G. had made a good choice even though no one was there to see him make it.  We talked about "integrity" on the way home.  Could this be the same child that had made "Jello/Pudding" water!?!  (And the babysitting mom said that the "T" he was talking about was the T for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, not the rating... lol)

One more story about G.:

He really wanted a red pencil to mark the scriptures we gave him for Christmas.  I wasn't sure what he would mark, but OK, sure.  The other day, we were looking at a verse that I thought would mean something to him. He pulled out his pencil and started marking words that he felt were important: Lord, commandments...  Then he underlines "children" and says "that's important, huh Mom?"  I was so touched that I got a little misty.  

He's such a great kid.  He just has crazy ideas sometimes.  LOL