Quick Update

Well, it's been unusually quiet around here. It's the same old, same old. Between Papa Echo's job ANOTHER paycut, the real estate market slump and still owning the $#%&@ house in Big Timber and the bills piling up, I haven't been in the mood to write. So, here's an update with no whining about the above issues.

We went on a quick trip down to Salt Lake a couple of weekends ago. I needed to go see my newest nephew before he grew up. The kids had fun with all their cousins, and I had fun holding baby Jackson. And no, I'm not "baby hungry". The kids helped Grandma and Grandpa plant flowers and clean up the yard. (not that there was much to clean up...)

Caitlyn and Alyssa

Alyssa and Jessica


Jonathan and Caitlyn helping Grandpa

It was a quick trip, but great to be with my family.


Easter Weekend was productive and fun as well. The kids and I did a lot of yard work here at the new house. We pulled vines off the house, off the fence and out of the borders . I can't wait to see what it looks like in a month or two. We also started a big drainage product. We had to dig dirt away from the bottom of our house and in doing that needed to grade said dirt so that water would not pool at the foundation. (Can you tell I'm married to an engineer?) Bottom line is that we worked together all day Saturday moving dirt. The kids had fun and were such a big help!!
Then we decorated Easter eggs and sent the kids to bed.

The Easter Bunny brought baskets with candy and a summer clothes Saturday night, but since mom and dad forgot to put the eggs out on the counter, there was nothing for the bunny to hide. (I know, I know, we are the laziest parents ever...) So, Jason hid the eggs while the kids waited upstairs and then they went on their hunt. Jessica said it was okay that we forgot this year, but to try and remember next year.

We drove out to my brothers and spent the afternoon with his family. It is so nice to live close to Dave. (one hour is close in MT) We were able to see his new house and all the renovations he's done so far. The kids liked jumping on the trampoline and playing with Trace, Alexis and Parker (their cousins). All in all, a good day.

Well, I'll head back to deal with big grown up issues now and leave you dear blog with my favorite subject, my kids.

And now for something completely different

In honor of my sister J who had her second baby today, and after receiving Michelle's comment on my last post, here's to the things I won't miss. Because I agree with Michelle, it isn't always sunshine and rainbows when raising kids.

Things I won't miss:

• Being pregnant. I don't miss much of those 27 months of my life.
• The poking/prodding/examining of being pregnant.
  
• The swelling/pain/stitches of labor and delivery. Sorry sis. I feel for you tonight.
• Diapers. I was so glad to be DONE with this stage.
• Middle of the night feedings. My kids didn't sleep through the night until they were one. That makes for a very fuzzy thinking mommy.
  
• Potty training. Don't even ask me for advice on this topic. I hated it and waited until they pretty much did it on their own.
• Laundry. Does it ever end?
• Vomit. I know. Disgusting. Why would I put it here? Because I will never miss waking to "that sound" in the middle of the night when you know that you have bathtime, three loads of laundry plus carpet cleaning to do RIGHT NOW.
• "What's for dinner? Have I had it before? Do I like it?" How do they ask those questions and whine at the same time?
  
• Body fluids. Let's face it, little kids are pretty leaky and gross.
• "I don't have anything to wear" when it's five minutes before we have to leave for school and I have just finished the last load of laundry only to find that there is a large pile hidden in the corner of a bedroom of said child whining about lack of clothes.
• Homework. They have a lot more than I had in elementary school.

Okay, deep, calming, relaxing breath.... I better stop there. Wouldn't want you to think I was turning all negative...

On a positive note, sister J and baby boy J are doing great. I'm so excited to go see my newest nephew at the end of the month!! Jonathan is just thrilled because he is outnumbered here with two sisters. He thinks it's pretty cool to now have three boy cousins in UT and two boy cousins in MT.