You know you're a real mom when...

Just some thoughts....
I had a time in my life when I didn't feel like a "real mom." I felt like I was just playacting or something, and this really bothered me. Let's just say that I didn't know how good I really had it.
These are obviously based on my experience, but I'm sure we all have a few.


You know you're a real mom when you think of your stretch marks as badges of courage.

You know you're a real mom when you choose your friends based on whose kids get along with your kids.

You know you're a real mom when "going out" always entails a trip to the grocery store, drugstore, etc.

You know you're a real mom when all of your kids' clothes are new, but somehow you're still wearing the same clothes that you did when you got married 7 years ago.

You know you're a real mom when you can talk on the phone, change a diaper, start a DVD and cook dinner all at the same time.

You know you're a real mom when you know what it's like to spend 25 minutes rolling off the bed and crawling across the floor so that you don't wake your sleeping baby/toddler.

You know you're a real mom when sex is scheduled around your kids' naps and/or bedtimes.

You know you're a real mom when you have no problem eating cold macaroni and cheese for lunch because it's just too much work to make your own meal.

You know you're a real mom when your laundry never makes it to your drawer. It only makes it to a clean pile on the bed (or in a hamper, chair, etc.) before it gets worn again.

You know you're a real mom when you can spend 3 hours in a mall and never enter the grown-up section of any store you go into.

You know you're a real mom when you never call your husband by his real name. He is only known as DADDY.

You know you're a real mom when you realize at 8:00 pm that you FORGOT to eat today.

You know you're a real mom when having vomit, poo, snot, etc. smeared on you is a daily occurence. You know you're a SUPER mom when this no longer bothers you.

You know you're a real mom when you can't remember the last time you went to the bathroom without spectators. (This is my personal favorite.)

Sick Siblings

Well, it must be "that time of year". Andrew had strep throat just over a week ago, Frank has been sick since last week, and Emma has now succumbed to some mystery disease that has decided to plague our household. I took Frank to the pediatrician this morning and was very dismayed to hear the diagnosis of "I don't know what's wrong with him." That's not something you want to hear when your son has been sick for a whole week. He has lots of fluid in his ears, so they're going to treat him for that and see if it helps the rest of his symptoms. The thing that worries me now is that he has started with wheezy lungs and a terrible croupy cough. He sounds exactly like Emma does. She started feeling yucky a couple of days ago and ran a fever all day yesterday. Unfortunately, with her asthma, no illness can be quick or easy. Last night she began wheezing and coughing, and I knew we were in for trouble. She is now totally miserable, and we've started the every-two-hour breathing treatments to keep her from getting worse. Could we possible have the amazing luck to have 2 kids with asthma? I can only pray that Frank's respiratory problems are only related to this illness, and that he'll clear up soon. I would hate to think of him having to deal with the same things his sister does. Ahh, the trials of life!

Cousins, Cousins, Cousins!

Our children are the only cousins from my side of the family that don't live in Safford/Thatcher. So, when we go down there, we try to get in as much "cousin" time as possible. After Thanksgiving dinner at the Merriman's without Grandpa (he's in Washington and Oregon visiting family), we headed over to my grandmother's house to see the Fords and Larsons. Emma was beside herself with excitement, as always. When we got there, Emma immediately headed out to the backyard to play football with the kids, but Frank followed me around fussing and crying. I didn't realize that it was because I was holding the newest Larson baby, Jason and Amanda's Travis. When I finally sat Frank down on his Aunt Dana's lap with Travis, he flopped right over onto Travis' chest. I thought he was trying to squash him, but he had been so upset all that time because he wanted to hug the baby! After some very typical group cousin photos (can anyone say chaos?), it was out to Nana's house for soccer in the backyard and some serious time on the swingset. We love our cousins!

Much to be thankful for

Well, what a trip! We just got back yesterday from the Safford/Thatcher area. We had Thanksgiving at Andrew's parents' house, and visited family all day long. We are so grateful to have people who love our family and want to see us happy. The Lord has truly blessed us!

We weren't really sure if we were going to be able to go to Safford for Thanksgiving, because Frank was SOOO sick on Wednesday. He was throwing up and had other digestive "issues". (All you moms know what I'm talking about!) He cried for hours on Wednesday afternoon, and nothing I tried could soothe him. Not even his Bo-Bo Monkey helped. He was so uncomfortable and miserable! He just laid on my lap squirming and crying, so Andrew got off work early to come home and take Frank to the emergency room. While he was on his way home, I called some friends to come over and give him a blessing, and surprise, surprise, he was better almost immediately. By the time Andrew got home, Frank was playing with Emma like nothing had ever been wrong. Isn't the power of the priesthood amazing?

Dateline: Nov 20, 2007 Vail, AZ

Well, we started this blog to tell the world what we're up to every day, but I can't seem to find anything to write about!! Today is an abnormally peaceful day. Frank has been asleep for almost 4 hours, and we're starting to wonder if he's OK in there. Emma is quietly playing Play-Doh, and Andrew has already gone to work at the railroad. We're getting ready to go to Thatcher/Safford for the Thanksgiving holiday, which means lots of laundry and house-cleaning. But other than that, there's not much going on.

We've decided to do Christmas more simply this year, and Andrew and I decided to get bikes for each other and nothing else. So, when he found the perfect bike for me on Craigslist yesterday, he went and picked it up before work. Now we actually have a bike to pull the bike trailer with! Emma and Frank squeal like crazy people when they ride in it, and Andrew is very proud of himself for getting such a good deal on a great bike for me. Hopefully I won't injure anyone as I attempt to get some exercise and entertain my kids at the same time. Fingers crossed, everyone!