A Weee Bit of Contention

Who is this man? Duh, it's John Adams! The second President of the United States. He's the subject of a report that Max had to write. Max came home two days ago and told me he needed to do his report. I called Andy and asked him if he knew where the report information was. I told him if Max is asking to do his report it's because all the over-achievers have started turning their reports in early. So who really wrote the report? Andy, my mom, and myself were begging Max to let us help him. NOT! Does your third grader know these words and can they apply them to their hero? Here are some of the words: sacrifice, determination, loyalty, courage, intrepidity, valor, gallantry, fortitude and perseverance. Have your child read Wikipedia on John Adams and then tell you about his intrepidity. By 9 pm, the three adults in this home were at each others throats. I had no patience to sit at the computer and try to explain to Max the Stamp Act. I got my mom to look at the computer and she started getting frustrated as well. When we gave the assignment to Andy, he started losing it. During this time there were three children in the same room, trying to, I don't know, get attention. Andy worked on the report while I took Max into the kitchen to work on his regular homework. Here's the question we needed to work on: What are the differences and similarities of a compound word and a contraction? I look at my mom who has her Master Degree in English. "Go ahead Max, write out a couple of answers to these questions." Not so easy. I have to ask my mom to remind me of a contraction, knowing it's not the things I wish I was having to put me into labor. Mom was assigned to help Max with that homework. In between all of this, the whole family soothed their anxiety by eating frozen custard. I chewed on ice cubes. It was a lovely evening. I am learning that as a parent it's really my homework/projects. A couple of months ago, Max had to write a book report and make this pyramid to display all the facts about the book. Needing special help, I went into the classroom to ask the teacher how to make the pyramid. I helped Max read through his book and I made a kick-butt pyramid for his report. I was very disappointed when Max brought my book report home with no grade on it. I wanted to see something like "great job" "A" or "spectacular". No, nothing was there. Max could care less about the report. I actually found the report on the coat rack outside of the classroom. I think it had been there for two weeks. Has anyone read in "What to Expect When Your Expecting" how to help your kids with their homework? No one really told me how to do this. I know one thing for sure, Andy will be doing any Science Fair projects for the kids. I'm done!

Sherri's Blog

Here's a link to Sherri's blog. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sherriburmester

One of My Heros

This is Sherri. I met her in college. I consider Sherri a hero. It's been a little over a year since she was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a huge blow to my mind to learn she had cancer. She had enough health complications as it was. It just didn't seem right that she had to go through all the cancer crap. Rather than dwelling on the struggles, Sherri would rather talk about all the blessings she's had in her life. It's not that she looks at this world through rose colored glasses. She'll say things are hard but she says it with strength rather than pity. She's the kind of friend who makes you feel like you're worth 100 bucks. I could really talk about her forever but what I want to do is share this poem she wrote. Sherri wrote this poem, sent it into Ladies Home Journal, and won a bedroom makeover! Isn't that the coolest ever? She TOTALLY deserves it. I am so happy for her. Here is her poem:

I have cancer. Or does it have me?
The battle has begun, so we’ll just have to see!
I’m 36 years young, with a husband, daughter, and a son.
It’s hard, sometimes, to do what we’re told;
I’ve had to learn to surrender and reach for outstretched hands to hold.
SIMPLIFY is my mantra.
Sleeping in holds no guilt, nor shame.
And instead of waiting for the storm to pass,
I’m trying to dance in the rain!
I wave to bald-headed friends at starting lines of Races for Cures.
We may look goofy, but this is no club for sissies,
only the strong and pure!
So I fight, and hang on tight,
and dream of sleeping on a new Serta tonight!
My night stands are plastic, we have no dresser drawers;
and my comforter, well, it’s 12 years old!
For me, a bedroom makeover would be more valuable and healing than gold!

I do have to say one more thing about Sherri. On her blog, she put up pictures of herself when she lost all her hair. I felt that was a statement of complete self-acceptance. It was like she was saying "nothing is going to tear me down!" Just tonight, Andy and my mom were trying to talk me into taking my picture, pregnant and all. "No way!" I was telling them. Well, what a wimp I am! If Sherri can share her picture with no hair, I can take a picture with two babies in my tummy. It hasn't happened yet but I accept the challenge.

Thanks for everything Sherri!! I love ya!!

Thanks!

Once again, the ever so famous Annemarie
is on my blog. What a friend! She has brought me dinner the past two Thursdays. Last Thursday it was homemade Macaroni and Cheese. YUMMY!!! Last night it was Chicken Soup. It was delicious. She also brought bread sticks, strawberries and homemade pound cake. Maggie kept eating the strawberries as I cut them and lets just say that I never had any strawberries! I guess I'll go get some more. Anyway, THANK YOU Annemarie for the dinners. It's SO appreciated. Plus, Annemarie watches Maggie every Thursday while I go to my stress test. Another huge burden taken off my shoulders. Just so you know, Annemarie has twin boys. They are 10! She's my #1 empathizer. I would be in the nut house if I didn't her cheering me on.
I do have other friends that have really supported me. Marianna calls every once and awhile and takes Maggie to her house to play. That's when I get a "real" nap. Marianna has also come over to sweep my floors. She cleaned my kitchen once too. How nice is that?
Then there's Katy who emails me everyday. Sometimes it's twice a day. It's fun keeping up with her on a daily basis.
Don't get all offended if I didn't mention your name. I just wanted to write a few things I'm grateful for. FYI Anthony, if you want to be acknowledged in my blog, bring me dinner!

How are you FEELING?

That is the question I get from many, many people. It's not bad, it's just common. I am sure I ask the same thing to someone who is pregnant. I usually tell them I'm doing well. What I don't say is that I FEEL like this watermelon is in between my legs. This summer, if you ever get a watermelon, try holding it in between your legs. Walk around a bit. Then you'll know how I feel. When I went to my stress test this morning the nurse said she can't believe I can walk around because the baby is SO low. I wanted to give her a kiss for the acknowledgement. Many people say that I don't look like I am having twins. They say I look full-term with one baby. That's because they can't see the watermelon. If you had a watermelon in between your legs, I wouldn't think you looked "that" pregnant either. That's my pregnancy update for today. Seriously, when you get your watermelon, drop me a line!

4 Things You May or May Not Know About Me

I received this email and thought I'd blog it....

Four jobs I have had in my life: (in no particular order)
1. Newspaper Carrier
2. Safeway Bagger
3. Librarian Assistant (great job in college!)
4. Restaurant Server

Four movies I would watch over and over:
1. Hairspray
2. I can't
3. think
4. of any

Four places I have lived: (in no particular order)
1. Rexburg, ID
2. San Ramon, CA
3. San Antonio, TX
4. Springville, UT

Four TV Shows that I watch:
1. Oprah's Big Give
2. 10:00 News
3. American Idol
4. The Office

Four places I have been:
1. Mexico
2. Germany
3. Italy
4. Boston

People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Jerry
2. Katy
3. Amy (IM)
4. ???

Four of my favorite foods: (when I'm not pregnant)
1. Mexican
2. Cheeseburgers and Fries (not fast food)
3. Ice Cream
4. Almonds

Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Disneyland (with my family)
2. San Diego
3. Hospital
4. Bed

Four Things I am looking forward to in 2008:
1. 4th of July bash.
2. Twin girls that sleep more than 6 hours in the night.
3. Eating normally.
4. Planting flowers in the Spring.

Four Blogs I Tag:
1. Annemarie
2. Cecilie
3. Melanie
4. Katrina

Reality TV

I've been watching a lot of TV lately. I decided to start watching the Big Give. I gave up on reality shows a long time ago. I quit watching them after Meredith chose Ian over Matthew on the Bachelorette. I loved Matthew. He was darling. He was so hurt. I was so disappointed. I couldn't sleep that night. I was angry for days. Then I realized that reality shows are edited to make things emotional. The editing of the shows were causing this emotional roller coaster inside of me. That's when I said "no more". I figured I'd watch the Big Give because it seemed like a selfless program. When I woke up in the middle of the night, what did I think about? Duh, the Big Give. I do like the program. It amazes me how much money these people come up with to give someone else. I'll tell you who I wanted booted off, Brandi . I was not impressed how she was ripping on the other contestants at the beginning of the show. Plus, I don't know how many times she has to tell us that she's use to competition because she's been in beauty pageants, blah, blah. I like everyone else though. I hate to see people get booted off when they give so much.
The other reality program I am going to watch is American Idol. I haven't watched that one for years either. The last episode I watched was when Ruben won, Clay lost. Once again, too emotional for me.
My favorite show is The Office. I just started watching it this year so I like watching the re-runs on TBS. It's a good laugh.
I do watch one trashy show but am not yet ready to admit it in my blog. It's NOT Desperate Housewives or Lipstick Jungle. Okay, I'll tell you, Gossip Girl on the WB. I get into the teenage drama.
The reason why I'm into TV so much is that I'm just trying to get through each day. Heaven forbid I read a book. That would be too educational for me.
Well, there's my opinion on TV. Feel free to post any of your favorites. You can also admit if you like any trashy shows. I think I'll waddle to the kitchen to cook dinner.

Family Weekend: Baskets of Love

I had an email in my mailbox today and that was the title. I haven't read the email yet. I'm not at that point. After being awake for an hour, I decided I was really tired and went back to bed. Michael was next to me watching a show. Here's our conversation, remember, I am half asleep.

Michael: Mom, will you go get donuts this morning for breakfast?

Me: No, I'm not going to go get you donuts this morning.

Michael: You don't love me, do you?

Me: (trying to be all psychologically correct) Michael, this has nothing to do how I feel about you.

Michael: My stomach hurts and I don't want cheese toast.

Me: Well, find something else to eat.

Michael: I know you hate me.

Me: Go ask dad to make you something else.

Michael: Dad hates me too. You want me to be sick. You want me to throw up. You hate me.

I get so frustrated with the drama in a conversation like this that I want to say "Yes, now shut up!" I held my tongue. I remember years ago I was helping Max with his homework and it was a battle. I finally said "Max, your handwriting is horrible!" He put his head down and started crying. Max reminds me of this conversation all the time. It's been like 3 years and he hasn't forgotten. That's why I now bite my tongue and try and stay out of the drama. Oh well, Baskets of Love, I'll have to read the email tomorrow.

We've Got the Flu, How Bout You?

4 out of 5 of the family has it. I am not one of them (knock on wood). It's the crappiest ever. I hope no one else has to go through it. I think Maggie is coming out of it. In one day she has made up for the three days she was lethargic in bed. Some of her activities today are spitting on everyone, kicking her brothers (while they are laying sick in bed), throwing her sippy cup in my face, and climbing onto everything.

I've had four Dr.'s appointments this week (two included non-stress tests). It's not easy juggling sick kids and trying to make it to the appointments. Anyway, the babies are both weighing in at 5 lbs. each. Great news! My Dr. thinks I'll go only 3 more weeks, unless I go into labor on my own. I am relieved that they are at a healthy weight especially since I am 33 weeks. The Dr. thinks I am ahead of that, at least by a week. Since both heads are down he thinks it will be an easy delivery. I told him if he has to give me a c-section I'll need a tummy tuck along with it. He laughed but I don't think it's going to happen.

The other day I did my final service project. I took dinner to a girl in my ward who just had her second baby. I wasn't in the mood for socializing. I just wanted to drop the dinner and go. She pointed to the hand sanitizer and said if I wanted to hold the baby I could. I told her "no thanks" I'll be carrying babies soon enough. If she was offended, she'll have to deal with it.

I just had a thought. If these babies are coming in three week, I have three weeks to get rid of Maggie's binky. Oh crap!!!!