Train Ride

*I apologize in advance for no pictures. My camera is broken*

The day started out pretty much like any other day. I woke up to the kids fighting over the computer and the ever dreaded sound of "mo'om." I was feeling kind of lazy, playing cards with Rigel and Ara, while still lying in my bed and in my jammies, when the phone call came. There was a cancellation at the Dental Clinic up at Primary Children's, they could bump Vega's appointment up if I could get there at 3. It was noon. "No problem," I said. Vega was in serious need of a dental visit and I wasn't going to pass this up. It was then that I came up with my brilliant plan. I was going to take the train! I hadn't taken the kids on the train since they were little and it was high time I took them again. I packed my backpack with treats, drinks, activity books and colored pencils and we were on our way!

When we got to the train station, I was already running late when I noticed the train was getting ready to depart. I grabbed the kids, skipped the ticket booth and jumped on the train a mere 5 seconds before it left. Orion was ready to panic! We got on the train without paying!! I knew I was busted when I did it, but I didn't think I would feel so guilty when my own child pointed it out to me. I fumbled over excuses, but promised him when we stopped at the station to switch trains I would get the tickets and it would be okay. He was soothed for the moment.

When we got settled, Rigel was in the window seat. He hadn't remembered ever riding the train, so he was pretty excited. When the train started to go fast he jumped into my lap, it scared him to death! After I calmed him down and convinced him he was having fun, I turned to look at Ara. She was clinging to the seat. "What is wrong?" I asked. She kind of looked around and then said, "There are no seat belts, I have to stay in my seat somehow!" I gave her a chuckle and helped her to relax.

It was really kind of fun, the kids were asking all sorts of questions about the places we passed. I was able to point out an old house we lived at and we passed right by Daddy's work. When we got to the station to switch trains, you could tell Rigel was nervous again. I bought my tickets without incident and Orion was very relieved. I really love when things go smoothly.

On the next train, there was a man that seemed to think we would drive him nuts. He took one look at me and my brood and turned to sit somewhere else. I think it is so funny when people are shocked that they are "all yours?" Of course they are all mine! I wouldn't be insane enough to go on adventures into downtown Salt Lake City with anyone elses' children, just my own!

When we finally made it to Primary Children's the man told me how well behaved my children were. I love it when people notice my kids for good reasons instead of the usual awkward ones!

I work really hard on having well behaved children in public, it is when they are at home that I want to pull my hair out.

The appointment went well. Mostly because of the super fantastic Forever Young Zone that they let my kids play in while I visit with the doctors. Let me tell you! They have video games, arts and crafts, barbie houses, train sets, even an electric keyboard with head phones for the musicians. But, the best thing of all...SUPERVISION! Someone else took over for a minute, so I could focus on Vega's dental visit.

Apparently, Vega is a "fascinating subject" her bone structure has changed since she was 2 and I get to do all the genetics testing and see all the specialists that she had to see when she was little. I knew this day was going to come soon, but I swear it snuck up on me faster than expected. If you have a child that requires "special care" you will totally understand what I mean. The time between doctor visits and tests is really a scary thing. Getting MRIs and echo cardiograms. Having them treat your child like a subject instead of a kid. It can really get you worried.

The train ride home, I was dealing with exhausted children. They all made dolls at the Forever Young Zone and were quietly playing with them, as I was stuck in my own thoughts about my next journey with Vega. The transition to the next train was a little scary this time. Rigel had left his doll on the seat and Ara tried to go back and get it. I had to jump in front of the doors before they closed and grab Ara before the train took off with just her in it! That got our hearts pumping a little, so I decided to pass out drinks and treats while we waited for the next train. (Rigel was also heart broken that his doll was gone forever. Luckily, he had an older brother that made a doll too. Orion knew he was to old for the doll, and gave him to Rigel. Sometimes he can still be a sweetie).

I am thankful everyday for the kids God has blessed me with. They make it so my wonderful ideas for adventure go off without a hitch! I'm pretty sure life for me would be pretty boring without them to keep me entertained.

First-Month-of-Summer Blues

One of my favorite things about my job is that I get the Summers off to spend with the kids. The first three weeks are so much fun! We go exploring in the hills by our house. We find all the local parks and visit them one by one. We get all of the bikes fixed and functioning to last us for another year. Yep, those first three weeks are amazing.

Slowly, without anyone expecting it, the monotony starts to sink in. The kids are sick of what the outside world has to offer. They want to play the computer, or watch videos. They are starting to say those two most dreaded words in the English language... "I'm bored!"

With boredom, comes fighting. The whiney voices start going, the teasing and altogether obnoxiousness that having five kids in one house for three weeks straight causes. It can't seem to be avoided! (Did I mention I don't have a vehicle this Summer, so I can't really escape like I used to be able to?) To add to this, I have school work that I am behind on, so every little shriek, whether good or bad just grates on me like nails on a chalkboard! How can I think with all this chaos going on around me?

I do what any mother on the brink of insanity would do.... I borrow a car and load the kids up for a trip to the dollar store! Oh wonderful, amazing dollar store! With all your cheep paper and crayons and coloring books. Your little craft kits and dinky toys. Your puzzles and notebooks, bubbles and jump ropes, playdough and cookie cutters! I can spend $20 dollars and come away with a menagerie of things for the kids to do with their time. Did I mention all the candy a child could ask for that even their little piggy banks could afford?

When we finally come back home, the house is silent. AHHHHHHH, I take a sigh of relief and get back to work on my latest research paper. The children are all behaving like angels at the kitchen table with their little projects and other various things from the dollar store. So what is the cure to the-first-month-into-Summer blues? The beautiful, blessed dollar store in all of it's cheep, dinky gloriousness!!!!!

I Scream, You Scream!!!

Remember when your parents would take you to an ice cream parlor and you got to pick whatever flavor you wanted? You ran over to the freezer and stretched up onto your tip toes to see what bountiful colors of ice cream awaited for you to choose them. It would always blow my mind how many different flavors there were. Of course, I would always choose the most colorful ice cream I could see (usually bubble gum) and then I would savor every lick that dripped down my arm. There was always an older brother or sister or my mom and dad to say, "let me help you, before it drips all over." but I would guard that ice cream like a lion on a zebra!


I was so excited when I found out there was an ice cream parlor opening up right here in Eagle Mountain! I finally get the opportunity to let my kids experience the ice cream parlor feeling with out the "Cold Stone" price. We walked in and my kids did the exact same thing that I always did... they ran over to the counter, (they actually had step stools, so no getting on tip toes) and made their eyes pop out of their heads because of the excitement of the various colors!



Vega was the first to choose, she didn't even blink when she said, "mint chocolate chip." The other kids took a little bit more time to decide on which new flavor they wanted to try. Ara didn't take very long to choose the most colorful flavor she could see (she is exactly like me you know). This time it was Playdough. Orion followed closely with cherry chocolate chip and Centauri wanted coffee (leave it to her to test her limits of what she could get away with). Rigel actually pulled out his own money from his pocket (the money he has been saving for a big barrel of cheese puffs) and requested a double scoop. In this amazing double scoop, he had Playdough and pistachio, (a choice he would later regret, he didn't like the nuts). I had Caramel Caribou, yes, I do have actual taste buds now.



We sat outside enjoying our ice cream with grins on our faces and ice cream running down our hands. Of course, I had to do it..."Rigel, let me help you before your ice cream gets all over." As he pulled it away, it toppled off the cone! With my cat like reflexes, I caught it with the hand that was not occupied with my own ice cream cone! He was so relieved, he did let me help him a little, but only after giving him my cone to "hold."




We walked home with sticky fingers and sticky smiles, but it was soooooo worth it!!! Letting my children experience a moment of genuine happiness that I myself got to experience as a child was one of the best feelings I have had in a long time. As a child, I never really thought of sharing that type of thing with my own children, but as a mom, I cherish every second of their sticky, happy grins!

Out of school/In school!

Having the kids out of school for the Summer is one of my favorite things in the world. There are so many things that we love to do together. The problem I am having this Summer is that I am in school. My school isn't your average go-to-class-and-do-your-homework-deal. I am doing a blended format of schooling. This means I do most of my classes online.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy being in school too, but I get so caught up in my everyday life, I forget to do school. Suddenly, it is Sunday and everything (that I had all week to do) needs to be done and turned in by midnight! Monday morning, I'm promising myself that I am going to get my work done early this week.

I start off with good intentions. I wake up super early while the kids are still asleep. I start my reading Monday morning, everything is going great until I hear, "Mom, What's for breakfast?" One of the kids heard my breathing or something (I swear they just sense when I'm awake) and woke up to see what I'm doing. Since spending one on one time with each of the kids is really important to me, I stop what I'm doing and find out what is going on in this child's life.

The day goes on with one adventure or another, the next thing I know, it is the weekend. The only time in the world I get to spend with Tim. I can't waste my weekends on school! We spend the weekend doing family things and just enjoying each other's company. As Sunday comes to an end, I think, "OH NO!!! I have a report that is due at midnight!!!" and the cycle starts over again.

I think my kids need to start telling me every night to get my homework done. That is what I would do to them when they were in school. What if I can just get some motivation for getting my homework done, maybe if I offered my self a reward when my paper gets written? How about setting the alarm for a certain time that would be best to do the work? Those would all be great ideas, if I would ever stick to them!

I don't know, maybe it is just to hard to be in school when my kids are out of school. What do you think?

The Shoemaker.....

Have you ever heard "The shoemaker's children have no shoes"? Well, the cabinetmaker has no descent cabinets. What is up with that? My husband, (sweet man that he is) is one of the finest cabinet makers in the world. He builds furniture and kitchens in multi-million dollar homes, yet he comes home to a house where the cabinets are falling apart and I have one room with no furniture in it at all.

One of Tim's chests that he designs.

I can't blame him for being tired and not having the time or energy (not to mention the money) to fix our cabinets. I recently discovered that the same applies for the Child Psychologist. I am aware of so many methods of raising children, I have a million theories and I have worked with tons of kids. Some parents call me a miracle worker because of what I have done for their kids. Why can't I figure out what to do with my own kids? Actually, just one in particular... Rigel. For the most part, I have fairly well behaved children. They have their moments (we all do) when they fight and generally just drive me crazy, but for the most part, they are good kids. Rigel, on the other hand, is the most unusual kid I have ever met.

He can't let us take pictures of what is going on, they have to be of him.

This morning, he woke up seemingly in a good mood. As we went about our day, he decided to be clingy, which happens occasionally. So, being the mom that I am I played a game of Monoploy Jr with him, (in which he won..AGAIN!) and we talked and had a happy time. He decided he wanted to earn gems, (a reward system where he trades gems in for money at the end of the month) so he does his jobs and looks for other things to do.

It was a wonderful day... until Uncle Christian came over. For some odd reason Rigel thinks he needs to be the center of attention when his Uncle comes over. The way he does this is by bugging everyone else in the world until someone punishes him. Punishment usually involves his gems being taken away. When that doesn't work, he gets his hands on the wall, when that isn't working, he goes to his room. I am now, pulling my hair out!! He has been in his room three times and he doesn't show signs of stopping.

Every other child in the world responds to consistent consequences except for my boy! The Psychologist's kid. I have everyone else's children figured out except for my own! It has been this way since birth. Everything I have done for all of my other kids has NEVER worked for Rigel. Sleep training, potty training, time outs, positive reinforcement, unpleasant deterrents.... nothing works! He has done everything the way he wants to, at his pace, when he decides that is what he wants to do. If you have children like this, it can be a very frustrating thing, just know that you are not alone. Someday my kitchen will be amazingly beautiful, and someday, Rigel is going to be grown up and dealing with kids of his own. In the meantime, I just have to keep believing that what I am doing is working. In the end, the journey won't be as frustrating as we thought it was at the time. After all, hind sight is 20/20.

Alien Abduction!!!

Once upon I time I had the sweetest little boy. He would do anything for his Mama. He was happy and easy going. Rarely did he ever throw a temper tantrum and when he did, he would always apologize and give hugs to make it better.

As he grew, he had the same personality. He would test his limits every now and again, but he was always so polite and kind. His sisters loved him and he loved them. He was a protector and a friend. He also had a little brother that loved him and wanted to be just like him.

This little boy was named Orion. His Mama was always so proud of him! He wanted to be just like his Daddy. He loved cars and trucks and building things. He always wanted to help cook in the kitchen and when I asked him to help clean up, he would say, "okay, Mama!" and do it right away. Oh, what I sweet little boy I had!

Suddenly, without warning my sweet little boy was abducted by aliens! He was taken away from me and in his place a strange being stood! This other being was tall and awkward, he was ornery and rude. If I asked him to do his job, he would yell at me and tell me that I make him do everything. I don't understand where this rude, disrespectful person came from. He looked like my Orion, but he didn't talk like him, he didn't smell like him, and worst of all, he didn't act like him.

I am convinced that my sweet little boy has to be in there somewhere. Every now and then I get a glimpse of that young man that was so polite, but all to quickly the alien rears his head back and bellows about how life isn't fair! He yells at me that I don't understand, that he hates me and that he doesn't want to be here anymore! I can't get rid of this alien, he holds my sweet little boy hostage inside of him somewhere.

I have an idea! Maybe if I can establish boundaries and lay down the law, but keep our dialogue open. Maybe, I can save that sweet kid inside. If I can patiently wait through the outbursts and teach this alien how to deal with all this emotion that he doesn't know how to deal with, maybe, my kind and loving child will emerge into a respectful amazing adult. If I can just walk him through this patchy time letting him know I will never stop loving him, I think, in the end, he might just be okay.

Dirty little freaks

There are some days when I look around at the families in our neighborhood and I wonder what goes on in their houses with their families. My children are independent and loud! They run around the neighborhood like a bunch of wild Indians. The rest of the neighborhood seems to hide in their houses all day. I don't usually hear from their kids or see any activity at all.

The wildest Indian of them all!

Maybe the reason that my kids are always outside is because we don't have any TV in our house. There were many days in my childhood where I would sit in front of the TV all day. I never really watched anything, but I did watch everything. I didn't really make the choice to not have TV in the house, it just sort of happened. When the analogue signal was turned off, we couldn't afford the converter box. Since we don't have satellite or cable, we have no reception. Therefore, we don't have television to vegetate in front of.

Water + dirt=mud! At least they know their math.

Another theory is that our house is really too small to have 5 rambunctious kids in and live comfortably. We are always bumping elbows and being general Space Invaders. There is lots of fighting about this or that and chaos reigns. What choice do I have but to tell them all to go outside and leave me alone!

This is actually a rare occurance for Vega. She never takes off her shoes!

In any matter, my children come home covered in dirt and all matter of filth. They have torn clothes and scuffed knees. The girls' hair is always flying all over the place and it doesn't matter that I just did it 5 minutes ago. When it comes down to it they are dirty little freaks. The funny thing is, they think that is the best compliment they have ever heard! I guess since I say it in the most loving way I can think of, they wear it like a badge. This is their theme song: Raise Your Glass. I love my kids' independent sense of self! The way they have confidence in themselves and know that they don't have to be like everyone else in the world.

I'm happy I have my beautiful kids and their messy faces and sense of adventure. If I didn't teach my kids to enjoy life to its fullest, I may as well just produce little Ken and Barbie clones.

But that is a blog for another day!