Home Again, Home Again, Jiggity Jig!

Okay, so this last week I went on a much needed vacation :)

Much needed as in "I'm going insane, and I'm not sure my sanity is going to hold much longer..." needed. This winter was HARD. I love my kids to death and I'm glad that I chose to be a stay at home mom, but sometimes I seriously consider looking for a job, if only to get a change of scenery and someone to give me a job evaluation!

So Jer and I planned to escape for a week and my fabulous parents took the kids for us, because they are the most fabulous grandparents (and parents) in the entire world! (did I mention they are fabulous? I was SO born into the right family! I always think this, but it's times like this that reinforce the feeling!)

So off we went to the LA area and stayed with an absolutely awesome Navy family whom were absolutely awesome. Did I mention they are awesome? Ya, they're awesome! (As Erika would say, they are "Moi Bueno!")

I've known Erika since forever... as in the 2nd grade, forever... and we disagree on many things but still get along really well and I totally give the guy she married a BIG thumbs up! And hey! Let's not forget those kidlets (whom she is raising really well! In fact, I came home and informed my kids that we will be working on manners now... we will see how that goes..) and their spunky personalities, so cute!

  The weather was gorgeous (unlike here at home... which I'm glad I missed. A tornado warning? really?) and it was so nice to be away. We did lots of fun stuff, everything from playing SingStar at a friends house, going to a BBQ and going to Medievil Times, The Getty and Disneyland. The week was full enough to be entertaining, but not so full that we didn't get a chance to relax. It was perfect! And if I go into all of it now this post will be very, very, very long!

  And now that I'm home, I'm totally grinding gears to get back into the swing of things! Glad I got a break, cause this week is gunna be busy and my children are already testing me to make sure the rules still apply!

  Thanks SO MUCH for letting us stay! We may have to come crash the party again sometime ;)

Sunday Slacker

Ok, so today I bailed on church (again) and went fly fishing with my dad. (I, of course, forgot my camera)

It was great! We don't get many chances to talk one on one anymore these days, what with my kids and with dad's work. So it was a great change to go out into the outdoors and race up the river on his little boat.

We saw an eagle that was sitting on one of the gravel bars take flight and soar majestically above our heads and off to some unknown destination. I noticed that the leaves are starting to show the first shades of yellow that will soon become fall.

We anchored the boat and dad lent me some of his waders and we ventured out into the river to try and snag a fish. We saw plenty jumping. I had never tried using waders before and actually really enjoyed it, even if the footing was a little slippery. Moss will do that you know?

The wind did chase us off the river after a while, but we were able to get a little time in and lunch on the way back down the river. Dad even spotted a "Hog" ... pst that's a massive fish in dadese.

We didn't catch anything, but honestly... I didn't really care. It was just so nice to be out of the house, out of the neighborhood, out of the city. And then add the added bonus that I wasn't trying to coral my offspring and I was in good company and you have .... mom nirvana.

We all need a break sometimes.

So Wednesday was a nightmare... No kidding Big G and Missy My were fighting NONSTOP all freakin day! I would attempt to get something done and no kidding 5 seconds after I got to the top of the stairs Missy would start screaming bloody murder and G would start yelling at her to stop.... which only proved to make the issue worse. On top of this Li wouldn't let me put him down for more than 2 min without squaking about it. SIGH.

Yesterday was MUCH better. I think the fact that I had to go visiting teaching and left them with Gma S then after that had to go do Activity Days and arranged for them to go next door for a little while (many thanks Tandee!!) really helped. They seamed like different children last night... they played so well together and gave mom a few minutes to read a book in peace! Amazing! I usually have to wait till after they go to bed to really read and get anything out of it. I need to remember on those days when they are being demons that sometimes it's not just ME that needs a break!

I just have to remind myself on those hard days that even though I may not like my children at times... or some days even. I really do love them and enjoy them more often than not. Things like this make it all worth it!

G dressing up Missy and her letting him. WITHOUT fighting about it! And of course Li smiling...makes the frazzled nerves and diaper changing worth it when they get along and are happy!