A decade of parenting....whoa!

Yep...as of 4:56 p.m. this afternoon, I have officially been a parent for 10 years. Where did the time (and my sanity) go.....

My sweet Parker turned 10.

Here is some stuff I like about Parker right now:

1. His impressive knowledge of stuff. I say stuff because I can't say that I'm totally thrilled to hear all the in's and out's of every Star Wars vehicle, but I'm impressed with how much information he can store in his brain. His memory in unnatural.

2. His love for Macy. She can do no wrong. I wonder if that is how it is always going to be, but she can mess up anything of his and he doesn't care. Anyone else....and watch out. He kisses her several times a day.

(2 years old)

3. There is rarely a dull moment with him. Notice the one snow boot. This was typical. We once found everything off every shelf, and him lying asleep naked in the middle of it. We never used that sitter again.

4. He's resourceful and cares very little about money. Through Bill's unemployment, he was often found offering up his money to help out. He even made $6.40 on a lemonade/juice stand and gave the money to Bill. We cried. This is a pic of him entertaining my student's parents. He often drags Emi into his endeavors.

5. Parker can build a Lego set in nothing flat!

6. His musical ability still amazes. He'll have his entire week worth of lessons memorized for piano in 2-3 days.

7. He's scrappy, silly, creative, and has a great sense of humor

8. He really could care less about sports, but is still the ultimate Cougar fan.

9. The Spirit is very strong with him. He looks at the world and spirituality in a very unique way. I would love to see the world through his eyes, just even for a day.

(baptism day)

10. He's just so darned handsome. I mean, I know I'm his mom, but he really is good looking.

Raising Parker has never, never been easy but it is so, so worth it. Asperger's kicks my butt on an extremely regular basis, probably more than I ever let on. He truly is special, and he has to be. The obstacles he has to get over on a daily basis....well, it's often painful to watch. I really believe he has come a long way in just 10 years and I know he will be one to watch. He's bound for greatness!

I love you, Parker!

Phew!

Well...I haven't talked much about it, but Bill has been out of a job for 7 months. Until NOW! Woo hoo! His former employer was dropping people like flies, and luckily, we saw it coming early enough to hold on to savings. Once the other shoe dropped and he was let go, we were lucky enough to receive a wonderful severance that lasted quite awhile. Now that I am on the other end, I'm quite amazed at how well this went.

My work has never gone better. Every class is at perfect capacity. About a week before I started my fall season, I had one class with 6 openings in it. Every other class was full. Everyone who called that week wanted that class. Huge blessing to be "Sugar Mama" for awhile.

I just have to say that we really were blessed. We never wanted for anything. We took it easy, obviously, since we had no idea how long it would last. But had amazing things happen and we will forever be grateful for the lessons we have learned before the unemployment (like provident living and savings) and during (like how this could be a serious problem). I feel blessed to have a business and a college degree to fall back on. I already had a testimony of girls getting an education and skill set, but I will not rest until Macy and Emi have a career they can rely on if necessary. It's power, freedom, and the best insurance I can give them as a mom. I have increased empathy for people who are in this situation long term. I hope that I can serve people who are, because it does really suck. I do believe it is good for the soul to do without once in awhile. It has kind of centered me a bit, which I can see now that I am out of the "constant anxiety" phase.

And our friends/family...WOW! They are amazing (and you know who you are). They were sympathetic, generous, and willing to fast for us frequently. We really felt the love and we love you all right back. My mom and dad especially. My mom is always one to dote on my kids with wonderful, crazy cute clothes, but she knew when we needed a dinner out, free sitter, etc. It was nice and my dad is always happy to help, even when we don't ask for it.

So good luck, Bill! He will be serving at the "pleasure of the President" with his new job, and loving every minute of it. Go and do whatever the heck it is you do!

My Birthday Wishes.....

Well, it's my birthday. A little boring as it's the most popular day to have a birthday in the U.S. It's 1 day after my sister's birthday, 3 days after my brother's, 8 days after my daughter's, and 9 days before my son's birthday. But, still. It's mine. And I am a believer in celebrating life's little moments. So here are my birthday wishes:

• For Parker to walk into his room after school and come out 1/2 an hour later with his homework done.
• More twice baked potatoes from my mom....she spoiled me with some on Sunday. I LOVE them.
• Shopping....no kids.
• While shopping, it would be great to find magic jeans that fit perfect.
• Being able to exercise today when I want. Not just when the kids are sleeping.
• My own personal hotel room. (and room service)
• Sweater weather
• A nap
• For Quinn to want to play a DIFFERENT video game than MarioKart.
• For preschool to go for 8 hours.
• To not have to work. I seriously love my job, but no one should work on their b-day.
• A call from the VA hospital (I'll explain later)
• Wow....for my marriage to survive. Just heard on the radio that my profession has the highest divorce rate (must be all the hot male dancers). Couple that with the "parents of autistic spectrum kids" rate of divorce (80%)....wow. I'm screwed!
• For Macy to say Mamamamama all day (oh wait...she already does =-)
• Diet Coke...I've tried to cut it out, but I don't do things like that on my b-day.

Well....miracles can happen. If not, just time with my cuties will be sufficient. As long as they act cute.

Can you believe she's 1?

Well...I can't. She is the sweetest creature on the planet and I can't get enough of her.

10 things I love about Macy right now:

1. She burrows her fuzzy little head into your chest when you hold her....so great.

2. She says "mamama" when she babbles. I'm taking it as her first word.

3. Macy has great rhythm. She totally bounces to the beat with any music. She'll hang with me in the studio while I'm making up dances, and the girl can groove.

4. She loves her pig. She sleeps with it all the time.

5. Best legs ever....I've never really had the chubby baby thing. I squish her legs all day.

6. Super eater...as you can tell from the cake pictures, she is adventurous. My mom says that means she will be creative!

7. The blue eyes.

8. Her ability to destroy a room in 30 seconds flat. She can pull stuff out quicker than you can get it back in. She found the box of 96 crayons yesterday...wow!

9. She tolerates the annoying 3 older siblings that constantly smother her. In all fairness, they tolerate her piano duets she does with them while they are practicing.

10. She love anything that will make her bounce...couches, cars, music.

Ummm...she's the best. I love her dearly. Happy (belated) Birthday, baby girl!

Gripes for a Wednesday

1. There should be a special class to teach drivers how to go around a round-a-bout. I drive through one several times a day and I get so frustrated with people who can't figure it out.

2. Having to undo the entire car seat if your baby throws up in it. Takes forever!

3. Telemarketers asking for donations

4. All the little aspen trees that pop up everywhere in my flower beds.

5. Macy's runny nose....no teeth yet. I'd love for her to have something to show for all her pain.

6. Babies who used to sleep through the night....that now don't.

7. 3 year old temper tantrums

8. 7 year old temper tantrums

9. Back-handed compliments....("oh Liz, your looking good. Last time I saw you, you still had your baby tummy"....I saw her a month ago)

10. Tomatoes that won't turn red.

11. 4th grade boys who don't write their school assignments down.

12. Tivo on the blitz

13. Arthritic hips

14. The little green "done" light on my dishwasher. It means I have to unload.

15. My washing machine that needs CPR to keep it going. I'm not kidding...I take 2 hands and press down on the lids to move it to the rinse cycle. I have stuck a 20 lb weight on the lid, and sometimes that helps.

Thanks...I'm done venting now!

Things I could blog about today.....

1. How to totally ignore a grumpy baby.

2. How to TRY to ignore a grumpy 3 year old.

3. Church....with 4 kids.....three hours of what "spirit prison" must be like.

4. Why bishopric members get fat.

5. My journey with a certain black widow.

6. Treasures I have found while cleaning my storage room.

7. Sunday dinner last week=gourmet cooking from grandma.

8. Sunday dinner this week= leftovers from mommy.

9. Does Quinn have a mute button? There is a big horse on the Ghost Falls trail that discovered he didn't.

10. My darling 7 year old/demon. What happened to my angel?

11. 2 weeks until I take class from tWitch, Lauren, and Comfort (woo hoo!)

12. Exercise is overrated. That's why we have Spanks.

13. How to make a killer "Mormon Mojito"

14. Unemployed husband=messier house.

15. Partying it up with my neighbors.

16. I do not consider Costco a getaway.

17. I really do love my children, though I have no reason to.

18. The list of stuff I will buy when Bill is back in a job.

19. BYU choked.

20. Social Kiva...what is it and when will it pay the bills.

21. I love me some Green Tea.

22. New ways to wipe my babies yucky nose.

23. Role reversal: Emi vs. Parker, Liz vs. Bill

24. My ghetto mailbox drama.

25. September 11 still makes me crazy sad. Almost like it happened yesterday.

26. Mourning the baby clothes.

27. How to turn your kitchen floor into an ice rink using vegetable oil....twice.

28. Where's the teeth?

29. Macy, the grass princess

30. Parker is the prime example of the pot calling the kettle black.

31. Bill does an amazing Dr. Doofenschmirz impression. You really must see it.

32. Why Liz is walking sideways today.

33. I envy my cat.

I guess that's it. Should I expand on any of these, or just let them be?

August 2010

Well, here is the last of my summer re-cap. I'm just a teeny bit impressed with all we did, but I'll try to not to get a big head about it.

More swim classes...after crying for mom the first day, he sucked it up and became a GREAT little swimmer.

Not even sure how to describe this one....I run a dance studio. Props and costumes are everywhere.

Macy is the world's cutest sleeper. She loves her piggy.

We were lucky enough to go to the opening night of "Lion King". So amazing. I saw it in NY before I was married, and it was so fun to take Parker and Emi to it.

Quinn started pre-school. I have a cuter shot than this, but it showed too many name tags with first and last names. Darned stalkers ruin it for everyone!

The ward campout. This is the bishopric performing "My Little Buttercup". There is oodles of talent seeping through these men.

Emi went to a wedding party. WOOOOW is all I can say. She's got great friends.

We ate lots and lots of fresh corn. Sucks with braces, but I'm making it work. Yummmmm.

Cowabunga Bay. Went on the world's most crowded day, but still great.

Grandma came to observe......

Macy is everywhere, into everything, and all-around crazy!

My friend's dad set this up at the library for a day. Parker was in Heaven!

And then school had to start and ruin it all.

Cubs started up again, with Parker getting his Bear. Here I am getting pinned. All I can say is ouch!

So...here we are in September. I'm ready for it. Bring it on school, work, lessons, homework, and schedules. I can take it!