SURPRISE!

The end of march I turned a year older. Birthday's are just another day. Infact I had to go and get my teeth cleaned on this day, then go to lunch with my hubby afterward. A few days before, I was trying to find a sitter for the twins so I could get my teeth cleaned. I asked one of my friends, Bobbi, whom delayed in answering me. When she did answer me she says that she can't watch them, but another friend, Robyn, will watch them. I thought how sweet of her to find a sitter for me...I know I have amazing friends though, right. Well, it gets better. Robyn picks me up because she is heading to Cathie's house for lunch. That way the four little boys can play together and Robyn would pick me up after. Cathie lives just around the corner from Greg's office, so this did not seem the least bit strange to me.

When I am getting out of Robyn's car I was going to leave my purse because it had diapers and sippy cups in it. She was very pushy about me taking my purse and leaving the twins stuff. Before she drops me at Greg's office I get a call from Greg saying that we need to drop his partner and wife off at the airport before we go to lunch. I was a little bummed because he only took an hour off for lunch and that would cut into that time. Selfish me. So she drops me at Greg's office and I sign in, just as I do when I am getting work done on my teeth. I take Greg's diet coke back to his office and he is in normal everyday clothes. I only think for one second that this is odd. Then Greg tells me that he canceled my cleaning appointment and we have to go now to take Larry to the airport. So we get to the airport. I stay in the car. Everyone else gets out. Greg says "hey Melinda you need to come and help them get their luggage." I was thinking that they only had a couple of things, why would they need my help. But I get out to help. I notice that they have all the same things we have. They have the same pillow cases and make-up bag and carry-on. I even tell them that they have the same stuff we have. That did hit me strange. Then I realized something strange was going on. Greg says "Do you want to go to Hawaii with them?" I was shocked. Of course I did, but I have four kids at home to care for. He assured me that it was all okay and the boys all had places to go. He even had a list of where they would be at different times (thank you Robyn). With five AMAZING friends my boys were well taken care of. Thank you so much to Robyn, Bobbi, Cathie, Nichole and Katie. They all knew about Greg taking me for a week or so and didn't even hint to me. They even lied a little, (bobbi).

So of course I had to forget about everything that I left at home, clothes still in the washer, a repairman coming for my stove. I had so much fun with Greg in Hawaii. I finally got to see and stay in the house that we purchased. It is in Kona, so we had to hop a smaller plane to get to the island of Hawaii. We did so much fun things. Saw a few different beaches. Saw a beached whale. Hiked (in flip-flops). Shopped for the Hawaii house and went on long drives all over the island. We also had to do a little clothes shopping for myself since Greg only packed a few swimsuits and my make-up bag.

I must say that this was the best birthday ever! And I thought I saw him hiding my birthday present at Robyn's house! Silly me!!

To the men in our lives...finally giving you an "in" on our language!

Greg's sister sent me this and I did laugh out loud because I know we ALL use these phrases.

NINE WORDS WOMEN USE:
(1) Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.
(2) Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.
(3) Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with nothing usually end in fine.
(4) Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It!
(5) Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to # 3 for the meaning of nothing.)
(6) That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.
(7) Thanks: A woman is thanking you, do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add in a clause here - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - that is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' . That will bring on a 'whatever').
(8) Whatever: Is a woman's way of saying ____ YOU!
(9) Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to # 3.

Valentine's Day!

I normally hate Valentine's Day, but for some reason this year I was a little bit excited. Maybe it's because someone left the most amazing pound cake I've ever had on my front porch (I gained back all 7 pounds! Is that why they call it pound cake?). The boys are getting to ages where they have fun projects at school, and I don't have to do all the work...that's my most favorite part. Greg's dad was so sweet and thoughtful and sent out all the girl's in his family a rose to wear to church on Sunday. What Greg says I got from him this Valentine's Day, (and my birthday, and mother's day, and Christmas and every other holiday that involves a gift) A House! We haven't moved in yet, but soon, I am hoping.

Ryder gets his lovely flared nostrils from his daddy. But he gets the lovely headband from his mommy!


Peyton in these HUGE batman wings (they are awesome Cathie) and star wars light sabor...that sums him up! Oh and every other character that is a cartoon. If you thought Austin wearing his batman costume under his church clothes was bad, Peyton is going to top that, I just know it!


Hunter made this robot as his valentine's box. You open up the stomach and put in your valentine. I threw it out the next day and forgot that we used a never-used popcorn bucket from Blockbuster for the head...but no worries, Austin just scrounged it out of the garbage cans on the side of the road before the garbage men came. Good thing it's his job to take out the trash, or should I say bring it back in the house. Do you feel like you have to sneak the trash out to the road so your kids won't bring back their crap???


Austin made a big cardboard heart. It was huge. It also went into the trash the next day. Good thing my kids aren't too sentimental, unless food is involved.


Both boys with projects...


Peyton and Ryder enjoying Austin's Valentine candy. Everytime Peyton looked away Ryder would take some of Peyton's candy (which is really Austin's) and once it was in his mouth he would yell, "Yook (look), Yook (look), Peyton!" and he would open his mouth big to show he was eating Peyton's candy. Good times!


Getting ready to pass out Valentine's at a fun party Cathie hosted.


Messy, Messy, Messy! (what movie is that from?) This is what happens when you leave two 2 year old's alone so you can shower!!! I had tears in my eyes cleaning up this mess.


This picture was taken a few months back, and since they have added the rock, outside lights, front porch and LOT'S of snow. I will take more pictures after the appliances get here. I don't think they can paint the front door until it's warmer. I walked through it today when no workers were there, a miracle within itself, and I was so excited to finally have my own home. No more duplex living...did I say I was so excited???

helping with laundry

I know I post a lot about the twins, but they do take up a lot of my time. Lately they have been helping me with the laundry. I will fold all the clothes into piles for each person and then as I take a pile up to their room I hear tiny voices saying "dis is heby". I look downstairs to find them carrying up everyone's laundry. Can't get mad at that right? (even if they unfold eveything you just did). Anyway, I praise them for helping and then they disappear back downstairs to "help" with another load. Later in the day as I am looking for the clothes that the twins helped with, they are no-where to be found. Eventually I am finding piles of clothes by the front door, or on shelves in closets. Their own clothes they are trying to put away and they are everywhere in their room. It really is cute of them, especially when they are putting older brother's undies on, both legs through one leg hole!

What to do...

I can't say how many times that I have woken up in the middle of the night to find the twins "playing" with every toy in their room. They have dumped bins, actually combined all the toys, into a huge pile onto their train table. Then they load empty drawers on top to make it their own Mt. Everest. I thought that if I packed a lot of their toys they wouldn't do this. But they do.

I. Am. Going. Crazy! I think I've found a solution, and no it does not involve chaining them to the bed. I will lock ALL the toys up in a different room. Two problems. 1-Right now I don't have another "extra" room to lock all their toys in. 2-Once the toys are locked up what will they play with next? I've already had rotto-rooter here fishing out their Spidermen toothbrushes or getting out full blocks of cheese with a butter knive and trying to cut themselves a piece. Anyone have better soloutions?

This paragraph has nothing to do with the previous...but I had to comment. My wonderful friend, Susan, let me borrow her brand new book that her friend gave her. It's titled "The Five Love Languages". I have only read a few chapters, but I have loved every bit of it. It all makes sense. I did sneak to the back already and took the test to find out my love language. Before I took the test I asked Greg what he thought I was. He was right on the money when he said that I need words of affirmation. Sadly to say, needing gifts comes in very last. It is true. I need Greg to praise or notice everything that I do. He's a lot more observant in our relationship than I am and I don't think I could guess Greg's love language. I will have him take the test and then we will have the perfect marriage because I will know exactly what he needs to "fill his emotional bucket". Thanks for lending the book, Susan!

another thing....

Since I've been doing this WW stuff I have been looking at fats and all. Yesturday when Greg and I were indulging I felt I just had to have a donut. Ohhhhhhhh how I looooooooooooooooovvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeee donuts. Any kind...but mostly applefritters. Carrs actually puts the nutritional contents on laminated cards that hang from the donut door. So I had to look. Applefritters have like 28 fat grams!!! My love affair with applefritters are over! But I can still have most other donuts, they only have around 6 grams of fat. Again, I can only have one glazed donut...not the whole dozen :(

Deprived.

So those of you that know me, know that I LOVE candy, any candy. I've been noticing my cute friend Robyn is losing alot of weight, like 25-30 lbs. I want that! Can't I have that and still eat treats? So I finally find out all the details about how she's doing it and it's actually do-able, and I still get treats, only one or two instead of the whole Costco bag :( Anyway, most of you have heard of Weight Watchers. You have a point system and you actually get to eat quite a bit. You are just paying closer attention to portions and you have to write everything down. I started on Sunday, was doing well until...last night! Greg is doing an Isagenix cleanse for the month of January and I guess you just have off nights, but we ate things we weren't supposed to! I don't really feel guilty because that's life. I am just starting again today, it's just that I feel like crap. My stomache keeps gurgling and I had a harder time waking up in the morning. So it goes to show that my body needs Weight Watchers. I know I can stick with it, but here are some things I am learning about myself:

1. When Greg and I go out on a date and food is not involved, then it doesn't really seem like a date. Need to get more creative.

2. When I am relaxing (reading a book, driving, watching 500 DVR'd Medium's) then I feel like I need a treat. This is my bad habit I am trying to break. You can have 5 cups of lowfat popcorn on weight watchers and it only counts as a point. I never really cared for popcorn until now.

3. When I can't have treats...that's all I can think about!!! Help!

4. It truly is POSSIBLE to eat normal food and still lose weight, just portion control it. Who knew! I always thought I'd be depriving myself.

5. I feel not so tired when I eat right and get the water that my body really needs. I thought that I was so tired just from being a mom, but it's the food, I mean treats, I'd been eating.

6. This is bad to admit...but life seems so much happier when treats are involved. I liked eating treats, thanks Bobbi for that huge bag of Lindt Chocolates. I think that's what set me over the top for this diet, well that and gaining weight. I mean really, I thought you could lose weight and almost eat a whole bag of chocolates!

So, that's what has been going through my mind lately and it feels good to write it down. I need a beach body by the time this summer comes around because I will be spending two weeks at Myrtle Beach and I want to feel comfortable in a swimsuit for once!!

Pictures of last two months

Catching up

It has been a while since I've last blogged. It seems that since school started life has been way too hectic. We are finally building a house and that also seems to consume a lot of my time. I drive my kids to school everyday, 15 minutes each way, on a good day. We just got our first snow of the season and it was so crazy driving the freeway! Updates on each of us:

Greg: Happy Birthday last week! Greg is always looking to do a business deal. He and his partner just closed on our Hawaii house and he has flown out there to check it out in between his long hunting trips and helping our awesome (a friend) electritian with the electrical work in our new home. He has been a trooper in the past few months with all that he has gone through.


Melinda: I already updated myself in the first paragraph

Hunter: He started a new school this year and is loving it. He made honor roll his first semester, which is awesome because it is quite a few steps up from the school he transfered from. He has been playing basketball the past few months and his coach has recruited him for "competitive" league basketball. That starts soon. He has been doing choir and cross-county running at his new school (I might add he gives up his recesses to do some of these activities). He has been in piano since January and he seems to like to play. Hopefully he'll stick with it.


Austin: He is also loving his new school. He did cross-country this fall also and ran in the jamboree with Carter Newell. They loved it! He also earned grades high enough to be on honor roll. He is playing basketball through YMCA. He plays hard. He has a soft heart and loves dogs, too bad we don't have one!


Ryder: He has such the sweetest smile that gets him almost anything he wants! The age that they are at now is so much fun, but still so demanding and exhausting. He has a little girlfriend "Abbi". He was so upset the other day in the car and after he had calmed down he put a pretend phone to his ear and talked to Abbi for over 1/2 hour. Ryder and Peyton still have a special language that they use, and I can't understand. Somehow they are both on the same page. Ryder has learned how to houdini himself out of his carseat, so now I use zip-ties, which he has gotten out of a few times. But mostly it keeps him be.



Peyton: Peyton plays dual roles in the twinship. He is very mischievious but also obey's everything I tell him. He never tries to get out of his carseat. He pretends that he is shooting everything. If Ryder is not following the directions that I gave him then he yells out "DYDER" in the highest pitch voice. If I tell Peyton to do something he says "Peytie do it?". He is a parrot and copies the last word of everything you say. I love that for the most part Ryder and Peyton play well together.

Life and Death

I must say these past few weeks have been very spiritual, but also very hard. We went to Utah for a family reunion that we have every year over the 24th. After a few days of being in Utah we got news that Greg's mom's cancer in her liver was shutting her body down and she only had two weeks to a month left to live. I decided that since I really had nothing pressing for me to do in Alaska that I would stay and help with as much as I could. I am so thankful for that choice. I feel like I was able to spend some very valuable time with a women that I've always admired. I imagine that when you know you are going to die soon that many thoughts go through your head. You start to have regrets on how you lived your life or choices that you've made. Not Janet. I never once heard her talk about regrets. She just pled for us to forgive others and spend time with one another. Greg's family is amazing! Someone was always there to rub mom's back or feet or just lay by her in bed. Greg has five siblings and about 37 nieces/nephews and almost 7 great neices/nephews. Every person has been touched by this wonderful women. I must say that what I have learned from her is how much she cared for others. When you talked with her she only had ears for you. She made you feel like you were the most important person at that moment, plus she was always on my side if Greg and I had a disagreement. She will be missed!

We got home late Wednesday night and was Thursday morning we were trying to get back into a routine until we got news that Greg's third oldest brother, Bruce, was coming back from picking his trailor up from Fish Lake and it fishtailed so bad that they (Bruce, Ali and her three kids) crashed. Bruce died on impact. The children were not hurt badly and Ali has some head injuries. August 13th is Greg's mom's birthday and Greg's dad was making a special trip to the ranch to have some alone time and try and sort out his thoughts about losing a wife at age 68. He came upon this accident and knew it was his sons van. Life throws you curves that change your life! Greg flew back last night, not 24 hours after being home to go be with his family. A lot of "why" questions are being asked, but all I can say is life has been put into perspective. Life is so short and we don't know what is in store for us. As Greg's mom would say...Forgive and love all you come in contact with.

Thanks for all the love and support that has been with Greg and myself and his family through this all. We love you all and know that we are in your prayers. Thank you!!