While Ken Was Gone...

While Ken was gone I did something I haven't done for a LONG time. I scrapbooked! I have a craft room down stairs, but never use it because it's too hard to lock yourself in the basement AND be a mom at the same time. Plus, there are always 100 other things to do. But I decided those other things could wait. Ken hates it when I get things out and leave them out for a few days, so I figured while he was gone was the perfect time to do just that. I hauled some scrapbook supplies upstairs spread them out on the table...and left them there ALL WEEK! It was awesome.

Since I could only scrapbook during rare quiet moments I would just come back to it when ever I could. My goal was to catch up on the kids school scrapbooks. I wanted to get papers, award, and pictures all put away and out of the growing "things to scrapbook" pile. I was able to do that and I few other pages. It was therapeutic and I plan on doing it more often. Here are few of the finished product....

Yay for me! I love to scrapbook. Blogging is a much more convenient way for me to preserve memories at this point in my life, but scrapbooking is still number one in my heart. I only wish I could do it more often.

Mama Bear Came Out Today

You might recall the conversation I had with Todd last week about being chased by a dog. Well apparently kicking that dog was a good idea.....cause that dog is a PUNK!

Tyler went out to ride is rip-stick this afternoon. He came back in a few minutes later limping and holding his leg. I thought he said that Todd bit him. I thought...you have got to be kidding me? I could tell that Tyler was really hurt, so I was about to go lay into Todd. Then Tyler pulled up his pants leg...I was confused...I said, Todd did that? No, mom, the dog bit me.

Then my mama bear instinct kicked in. I quickly asked which dog it was, although I already had a pretty good idea. Tyler confirmed my suspicions. I called for one of the kids to go get Ken to take care of Tyler. And I left barefoot to go hog-tie a dog.

As I began walking toward the owners house I saw him outside with the dog. I asked him if that was his dog. Then I proceeded to tell him that he had just bit my son. Which come to think of it I repeated loudly several times. I'll be the first to admit that when it comes to my children I am not the most level headed, calm, person in the world. I can get a little feisty if I have too. I asked him to come look at what his dog did. Which he did. I could tell he felt really bad. He explained that he was just a puppy and didn't know better. This 'puppy' is just 4 months old and may not know better, but he is no little dog. He is a hunting dog who's head comes to my thigh. This is of course the same dog that chased Todd last week. And all the kids have said they have been chased by him. The owners don't have a fenced yard, so the dogs just run loose.

I told the owner that, although I understand that things like this happen if it happened again I would have to do something about it. He said, I understand. He seemed frustrated about his dog, and said he would take care of it. I hope that means he won't be roaming the neighborhood until he's not a puppy and DOES know better. Or never...that would be even better.

After he left I went back in to take care of Ty. He was shaken up and crying. The bite wasn't that bad, it could have been much worse. Thank goodness he was wearing pants or I'm sure it would have punctured the skin.

Tyler was trying to be brave but eventually he started bawling. Probably more from fear, frustration, and adrenaline than from the pain. I was holding him when he let out a sobbing....mama....mama. Which broke my heart and made me start bawling. Then Kaylie who had been hot as a firecracker wanting to go rip the dogs head off lost it and began bawling.

All the kids were ranting a raving about the stupid dog who bit their brother. Sydney was the only one level headed enough to try and explain that it wasn't really the dogs fault because he's really just a baby. Okay, true...but doesn't that mean that a dog like that shouldn't be out and about when they aren't predictable.

I forgot to mention that the owner was outside and saw the whole thing happen. Tyler was riding down our street and saw the dog looking at him...he got nervous and got off his rip-stick. The owner then said...it's okay. So Ty got back on his rip-stick to ride back home when the dog came up behind him and bit him. The owner saw Ty holding his leg and asked if the dog had bitten him. Tyler who didn't want to be impolite said, Yes, but it's not that bad and then he walked home.

Here's my question....What would you do? I have never been a dog owner and I am definitely not a dog lover so my perspective may be a little biased. But I don't think this is okay..puppy or not. If your dog bites keep it away from other people. The family that owns the dog I don't know very well, but I like them. The wife is super sweet and definitely good friend material. So I don't want to be all jerky. Plus, we are so out numbered. Of the sixteen houses in our little circle I can only think of 4 that don't own a dog or many dogs. So again...what would you do?

We've decided to just wait and see what happens, but I want my kids to be able to ride their bikes outside and not have to worry about being eaten by Kujo. Arrrugh!

Dear Ken...

(Ken is in Texas for the week, so this post is a little love note for my Honey)

Dear Ken,

I saw you peeking at our blog this morning. You miss us, huh? We miss you too! I hope Houston treats you well today. Drive safe.

The house felt lonely last night, but I had two little girls in bed with me keeping your side of the bed warm.

Sydney, is super excited for her day at space camp. Check your email later tonight, I'll have her tell you all about it.

Don't let those big hairy Texans scare you, with that beard you grew last week I'm sure you'll fit right in. Plus you're awesome, so no worries!

Have a super day!

Love you so much, Nancy

Practice...

McKenna got a new bike for Christmas and over the last few weeks she's been trying to get the hang of riding it. She's not bad...check it out.

As long as she does not have to look up or steer she does really good. It's fun to see my little ones grow up.

Speaking of growing up...I just registered Sydney for Junior High this week. Oh, Yikes!

Kids...

It's lunch time and as usual Todd and McKenna are fighting. Usually it is over someone touching someone else's stool or someone is sitting too close. Today's was a little different....it went something like this....

McKenna: NO, TODD!

Todd: Get out of there, McKenna!

McKenna: I'm just trying to take a nap.

(pushing, shoving, grumbling)

I went to investigate.

Me: McKenna get out the refrigerator.

McKenna: I'm trying to take a nap.

Me: Well you can't sleep in the frig. ( I pull her out and close the door)

McKenna: Rrrrrrrr....YOU'RE A BAD MISTER!

(now I go in the other room to laugh)

Mister is the name she calls you when she's really mad. She thinks it's pretty serious stuff to be called a Mister. I'll just let her think that.


Here's a conversation with Todd from yesterday....

Todd: Mom, can I go ride my scooter around the block (the circle in our neighborhood)

Me: Sure Todd, just go around once then come home.

(three minutes later)

Todd: (panting)The dogs were chasing me. And I went faster, faster, so fast. And I kicked them with my shoe.

Me: You got chased by dogs, and you kicked them?

Todd: Yeah, I want to put them in a headlock.

Me: No, Todd you can't put the dogs in a headlock, how 'bout you just stay away from them.

Todd: Well, can I feed them some bread?

Me: No, you can't feed them either.

Todd: Man, those dogs almost bit my butt. They were chasing me like I was a chew toy!

Me: (laughter)

Today when he was getting dressed he asked me where his fast shoes were. Then he says....they're good for kicking dogs.

So far, he hasn't had to kick any dogs. Good thing!

Last Thursday

Thursday afternoon was nice and sunny. I've been wanting to get out walking and thought it would be a great idea to walk Todd to school. When Ken got home for lunch I convinced him to eat a quick bite and walk with us. He did. After dropping Todd of at preschool we decided to continue our walk just a few blocks further back to Ken's work. I would just pick him up from work later that night.

After dropping Ken off at work I stopped to talk to an old neighbor for a few minutes. As I stood there talking I noticed the weather was changing and decided I better hurry home. Within just a few minuted the sky darken, the temperature dropped, and the wind picked up. I was only about 6 blocks from my house, but I feared it was going to be a very uncomfortable ride for my two little ones that were dressed more for a spring day rather than a winter storm. I hurried home as fast I could, even jogging some, but before I could reach home the rain had started. By the time we reached our house I had a very cold, sad, crying baby. I felt so bad for him. Mckenna was a little better protected from the wind and rain, but I had nothing to bundle Daric with.

A few times on my way home I thought about the Pioneers. I was racing to make it home to my warm comfortable house that was only blocks away, yet I felt a sense of panic trying to protect my children from the wind and cold. I knew my destination was close, they had no end in sight, and they had no shelter from the cold. For a moment my heart ached imagining how very difficult that must have been for them to see their children suffer and not have the means to protect them from the bitter cold.




This is what the afternoon ended up like....

This day reminded me of another day last year that was very similar.

I had gone to one of my favorite stores (Saver's) on a sunny afternoon. I payed no attention to the time or the weather. As I left the store I found that the sunny afternoon have turned into a winter blizzard and my kids were just getting out of school. The snow was coming down so hard it was difficult to see in front of you. I was a few minutes away and by the time I could reach them they would be nearly home. Again, I felt awful that my four little people were stuck out in that horrible weather. I knew they must be cold and miserable.

By the time I made it home they were just two houses away. Two of the kids were bawling from the cold. We all made it in the house at the same time and I surveyed the situation. I noticed that Kaylie (one of the one's crying) was wearing only a light sweater. In an effort to curb my guilt I busted into a lecture about proper winter clothing. I told Kaylie that she better never go to school in just a sweater in the middle of winter ever again!

As she tried to choke back her tears she replied...I didn't mom, I gave my coat to Tyler. She had taken off her heavier jacket to give to her brother who had left his coat in the car that morning and had nothing to wear home. With tears in my eyes I hugged her to me and thanked her for being such a kind, unselfish sister. I apologized for my scolding. As I held her my heart was full and I couldn't have been more proud. She sacrificed her comfort to shield and protect her brother who had nothing. I have often thought back to her perfect example that day, and it continues to give me warm fuzzies.

I Am a Child of God...re-mix

Today I asked McKenna to sing me "I Am a Child of God". She did her very best, she even mixed it up a bit by adding a little of "Green and Speckled Frog" and something about Spiderman.



She is such a cute, fun, little stinker! We just love her.