Can I complain?

I don't mean that rhetorically.  I really want to complain.  I feel like whining and whimpering until everyone agrees that I've got it bad.  Pooh-hooo.

1. MY DISHWASHER IS BROKEN!  Yes, broken. I've been washing dishes by hand for two full days now.  Soooo many dishes.  Tonight as I made dinner I tried to economize, using the same bowl over and over so I didn't have to wash more.  Spouse and I have been too busy to even think about a plan of action. (I know. I obviously have enough time to write this post.)

2. #2! If you've been reading this blog for more than two weeks, you'll know that #2 is a challenge. I love that Buster more than anything, but some days are harder than others.  Today he was a fierce wild animal at his well-child visit.  With sweat dripping off my forehead, I wrestled him to the table so he could be examined.  There were immunization shots too. And then we went to this awesome park with a huge lake so the kids could blow off some steam and #2 managed to nearly drown himself, falling over the edge into the 5 foot deep water.  My heart is still recovering.  (Amazingly, as I was running in what seemed like slow motion, I watched him bob up and down a few times then grab onto the concrete ledge. He held his head out of the water until I got there) 

3.  MY FOCACCIA BREAD SUNK! Easiest bread on earth to make and somehow mine turned out like a thick cracker.  

4. MIKE HUCKABEE. Although, I feel a bit of satisfaction knowing he lost three states tonight.

5.  I'M PETERING OUT. Ok, when I started this email I felt like this list could go on and on. I guess getting it out has helped me feel less whiney.  

Thanks for the free therapy.  

Estrella Ranch 5K

Today is a quintessential Arizona February day. 72 degrees, sunny and clear. Perfect for a 5k.

We (me and two friends) entered Estrella Ranch with our jaws hanging open. The sun was just rising and casting long shadows upon the saguaros and mesquite trees. We crossed the Salt River. It was full of water and life on its shores, including a tall white crane. The hills were green after all the rain we had last week. Arizona never seemed beautiful until that moment.

The race started at 9:15. We followed a path around a small lake, and then up a trail to the base of a small foothill. We crossed a few dry wash beds, with deep soft sand. Then back down the hill and around the lake to the finish line. It was a small race, so each person's name was called out as they crossed the line. I could hear my family cheering. It was over and I met my goal time.

Unlimited bananas, apples, pears and navel oranges were offered as well as balloons, face painting, and 3 huge inflatable obstacle courses for the kids. We stayed for an hour post race, making our cheeks pink from the sun.

Now our house is full of exhaustion, the good kind.

Park Day

This is what we do every Wednesday.

Dig in the sand. Come home filthy.

Get along with others. Learn to share and take turns.

Friends.

Happy Talk

#2 had his last week of speech therapy this week, as he turns 3 on February 4th and the early intervention program ends. He has come a LONG way. The greatest result is that he is happier. It's been at least three weeks since he hit, pushed, bit or threw sand at anyone at the park. The frustration is draining and the happy spirit that was always in there is now becoming apparent in the little songs he sings to himself, or the pleasure he gets when he says something and people understand! We still have a lot of work to do for him to catch up, but with his new confidence and attitude, I have great hopes.

CTR

On our way to our friend's house today, #1 pointed out that she was wearing her CTR ring. In a very knowing voice she asked me, "Do you know what that means Mom?"

"Yes, I do. Do you know what it means?"

"It means be good and be kind."

"Oh. I thought it meant Choose The Right."

"Nope. But you were close."

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In the car again later today and #1 looked so lovely with her head leaning on the window. I told her how beautiful she is and more importantly how beautiful her spirit is. She said, "Do you know what my spirit looks like? It's purple with a pink heart on it."

top teeth

This picture is one of the attempts I made at getting a picture of #3's new top teeth. They broke through about 4 days ago and look so cute! (PS the teeth that you can see in the picture are actually her bottom teeth)

My wildest dream come true

I've mentioned on this blog how tiny our house is thus making every square inch valuable real estate. Living in this house is a continual process of organizing, rearranging and reorganizing. Every trip to Costco means an afternoon making room. Holidays, even though I love them, mean that I've got to find space for new things. Food storage requires great creativity. So shelves in my kids closets have been a priority for quite a while. And finally, after more than a year of begging, I've got them.

sweet spouse wielding a nail gun

#1's closet - the finished product

No pictures of #2's closet - it didn't stay clean long enough to get a picture