Mom time out

I am loving November. October was... SO busy. Too busy. November 1st came and it was such a calm day. I had no appointments, time constraints, pending projects, deadlines. All of November has been so refreshing. I've really tried to enjoy it and not rush into mad Holiday mode.

You know how kids have to get put in time out and they hate it? I would love it if I was getting out-of-control and someone said, HEY- go to time out. and I got to go to my quiet room by myself and think. Well I had 2 Mom time-outs recently. The first one came after a phone conversation with a friend of mine. I was alone after I'd put my kids to bed. My house was trashed, my husband was out-of-town, and I had a huge list of things to do for primary and Halloween. Plus trying to run my house, teach piano, and care for my kids mostly by myself. I was tired, over-worked, underpaid, and depressed. I tried not to let on to my friend how crappy I felt but I must not be a good actress because the next morning, she showed up with another friend of ours, and said "We're here to rescue you! Get out of here and go for a run." I was so embarrassed, humbled, and grateful. I started to bawl. My friends gave me hugs (which made me cry harder) and I put on my running shoes and left (they wouldn't take no for an answer). It is hard to describe the feelings I had. I was humiliated. But also amazed that my friends took the time to care for me. I felt so loved but so silly that my friends had to come bail me out--that I couldn't just take care of things myself. I will never forget what they did. A simple act of kindness. They gave me a time out that I really needed!

Time out number 2 came when I dropped my kids off at my parents'. My sis-in-law Abbey picked me up and we went to St. George. No kids, uninterrupted conversation. We met up with my MIL and Abbey's Mom for Time Out For Women. We had so much fun. 3000 women at the Dixie Center and no one got lost or freaked out because of the crowds. The messages were funny, entertaining, and inspiring.

They ended up buying the same shirt!

 

Our downtime included shopping, yacking our heads off, and eating delicious salads for every meal.  Fun bonding time with cool ladies!


This salad was amazing. George's Corner Restaurant - St. George

Mom's need to send themselves to time out more often. People don't usually give us time out unless we ask for it, plan it, arrange for the kids and the husband to be taken care of and then make it happen. It takes work for Moms to have a break. But we need to do it! We should remember to take care of the person who takes care of everyone else!

vacay with the ladies

I met these two gorgeous ladies in Park City for a relaxing weekend getaway! It's been 4 years since I've left my kids overnight and done something for me. IT WAS SO NICE!

My Mother-in-law is awesome. And isn't she a babe? She took a day off teaching school and drove many miles for this fun weekend. And my sis-in-law Abbey is as sweet as she is beautiful. She is going to have a baby soon so it was a good time for her to get away before she starts taking orders from her new baby boss.


We met in the hotel lobby and and went to eat at Loco Lizard Mexican Cantina. Yum! Then we went and saw the movie "The Help" at which I both laughed and cried. After swinging by Wal-Mart for a toothbrush and pajamas (i always forget my pjs), we vegged at the hotel and relaaaaaxed. No kiddos to put to bed. No one cried in the night. Abbey was a perfect bed partner keeping her 8 pillows in check so as not to disturb me.

My body probably wondered why it had a full night's sleep and was shocked awake at 7am. I decided to get up because I knew it would be a full day. And it was. We hit the breakfast buffet and then headed up the road to Midway for the famous Swiss Days. So much to see. Lots of wonderful talent and creativity on display. Yummy food, too.

After we saw everything, we made our way back to Park City and had a lovely nap to regain our strength for more shopping at the outlets. A relaxing dip in the pool took a load off our tired feet that evening. Then we had fun discussing the questionaire my MIL had prepared for us. It is fun to get to know people in your own family. And fun to get re-acquainted with myself.

I was sad the next morning when the fun had to end. But I was excited to see my family back in my real life.

Dax and the kids fared well without me. Quinn didn't cry for me at all. Dax took good care of our children and even had 6 of their friends over at one point on Saturday WHILE he was canning salsa on the back porch. He even made it on time to church with all four children dressed and a well-stocked diaper bag. I commented that he was super Dad and asked if he thought it was pretty easy since he did so well.

"NO. I'm beat. Now I understand why you never want to stay up late with me. I get it now."

I love and appreciate my dear husband! And I am so thankful for my time with his wonderful Mom and Abbey!

Dinosaur Round-Up!

Dax's buddy Clint talked him into doing the Wild Cow Milking in the rodeo so I thought it was a good chance to get Preslie in the Muttin' Bustin' since we'd be there anyway. I asked Hunter if he wanted to ride a sheep too even though I already knew what his answer would be (his answer to everything, especially anything involving speed or danger or anything that is someone elses idea...NO). I signed up Preslie and she was drawn out to ride. She was a little nervous but when we looked up muttin bustin videos on YouTube, Preslie started crying and said she didn't want to do it anymore. That is when Hunter stepped up and said, "I'll do it for you, Pres." I didn't think he could possibly be serious. This is the kid that won't ride his bike a half a mile an hour cause it's too scary. Did he actually do it? See for youself...

Dax participated in the Wild Cow Milking on a team 3 guys, but spent most of the time trying very hard to SLOW that Mother down. It took both Dax and Clint holding onto her rope with a combined weight of over 500 lbs. to even phase that pile of beef. They got dragged all over the arena. Entertainment at it's finest, folks. Aren't rodeos the best?

I will post a video of Dax's event when I get a good one sent to me. I am VERY proud of my sexy cowboy.

YEEEEE-HAW!

spring break/Easter

Preslie had 2.5 days off for spring/Easter break so we celebrated in Santa Clara with Dax's folks. The kids were so excited. They started packing Monday and we left Thursday. I love celebrating with baskets and eggs on Saturday and celebrating Christ's ressurection on Sunday. The separation between the two helps me. And I hope it helps my kids. Saturday we colored eggs, found baskets, made foil dinners, and went on Grandma and Grandpa's egg hunt. That evening, Dax and I went on a date to Olive Garden. It was SO nice to leave ALL the kids, including Mack. We don't have that luxury too often. Sunday we attended church and recounted the last days of the Savior's life and His resurrection. We also had a lovely Easter dinner. Mack PUT IT AWAY. He ate and ate and his belly was huge afterward.

People in Southern Utah landscape so differently than those in the North. As I am at a total loss in the landscaping department, I looked around for ideas. I spotted this and fell in love:

On the way home, we stopped in WJ for a rest at the parents' house. My little brother, Trent taught Preslie to ride his mini-motorcycle. Yeah, of course I rode it too.

Mack was so into it and kept saying "Preslie, motorcycle" ("Bah-Bah, Adee-Adah") over and over.

The (Real) Supreme Commander and Bean Machine (aka Dax's parents)

Dax's parents came to see us last week and we had a wonderful time. The kids get so spoiled when they come and so do we. These guys VOLUNTEER to babysit so we can go on a date. Dax and I went to see the play Bye Bye Birdie here in town. The last date we went on was to see the movie Twilight too long ago. But anyway, the food... We made Cafe Rio Salads for dinner and they were an extremely close replica of the ones at the restaurant.

Want the recipe? Click here.

We took advantage of the great weather and rode bikes. Here are some pics with Grandma Beaner pulling Mack in the trailer and some bike pics from last week, too.

Dax's mom and I went and watched Preslie's dance class. Too cute. She is definitely a tapper! I think she loves to make noise...

The kids enjoyed getting 100% attention for 2 days: reading books, coloring, planting radish seeds in egg shells, hearing stories and just goofing off. Yay for grandma and grandpa!

the kids' vacation/ our stay-cation

The kids had 7 days of fun, fishing, swimming, donuts, movies, naps, restaurants, playing, with a tea party, biscuit making, and fireworks in the mix. Preslie and Hunter had a blast with Dax's parents.

Dax and I had a fun week minus our 2 big kids although we missed them! It was weird to not have them around. Mostly it was super quiet. And clean. I always wondered why things get so messy so quick around here, and now I know. Dax and I bonded with each other and with the baby. I thought Mack would notice the kids gone right away, but I think he basked in all the extra attention and no mauling whatsoever. Dax and I lived it up by going out without having to get a babysitter, buying tons of treats and not having to share (which didn't turn out quite as good as I thought, because I just made myself sick), and we made a delicious enchilada meal which our kids HATE and we relished every delicious bite and the no complaining. We went on walks together, cleaned together, and talked about lucrative persuits. During the day when Dax worked I got a touch bored with just Mack-not that there wasn't anything to do, but just that my main entertainment was missing. When he went down for a nap, however, man that was FUN to do whatever I wanted! We sure missed our kiddos, though. I had butterflies in my stomach the day they came home. Thank you to Grandma and Grandpa for taking them! We all had a wonderful time!