Doing His Part

On Monday while we were at Dimple Dell after swimming Dayton bent down outside, picked something up and ran to the garbage by the front door. I'll admit that I hardly noticed as I was trying to account for all of our stuff.

He came back proud as a little guy could be and said, "Mom, I'm helping to clean the earth!" while dusting off his hands together in the air.

While this was just a simple and small act I love it and my little DD Cakes for these reasons;
A) He innocently took the initiative and served as a powerful example
B) It was a teaching moment...for me! It was a moment of realization for me to not get caught up jumping hoops but to pay attention, be a part of a bigger picture and enjoy living!
C) He's learning so much that I don't even think about or some times even know about. I love that he internalizes it and is able to apply it in real life.
D) Most would perceive such a task as a chore but he was happy to help!

On the B Side: Of all of the things I have done in my life, I love being a Mom the most. It is humbling to say the least, it is satisfying on every level and has taught me so much. The perspective that it gives is not something you could gain anywhere else except through the innocent eyes of a child. There are moments of joy. There are feelings of pride. With all of that goodness that comes there are moments of heart ache and feeling of inadequacy. Wherever you are and whatever you do there is the opprotunity each day to live, to learn and to love. With this in each situation comes the opporutnity to grooooow. It's been my experience that the sacrifice that comes with being a parent has has the highest return on investment that I will ever know in this life!!

Week 26

Baby girl is officially 26 weeks old in utero! She is now about 14 inches and weighs a little less than two pounds. I was surprised to learn that the uterus allows some light to be seen so baby is aware of light and dark. Her skin is wrinkled and translucent and has a reddish color due to the presence of dermal blood vessels. Veins are visible through her skin, although it is quickly changing from transparent to opaque as she continues to put on some fat.

I am tired as all get out and can't imagine wy this pregnancy is so much harder than the previous two. Could it be that I started with an extra 30lbs? Perhaps it's because I'm older or it is just because she is a Stott?! At any rate, the contractions continue and I am determined to avoid bed rest. She continues with her swimming, gymnastics and random karate moves. The kids have yet to feel her bounce around but that's mostly due to their impatience!

We saw Christian again today. He talked to the children about marriage and divorce. It's so hard to know if they are taking it in or not but I think as we continue to meet they will better understand. Upon leaving Ellie lost it and walking to the car gave Dayton just enough time to melt down as well. It's been a long time since we have had these issues; however, they are as heart breaking as ever.

Amy said that within minutes they recovered and after they filled their bellies it was a non issue. They came home tonight and were perfectly normal, had a fun time in the bath and played well before bed. They all went down so sleep peacefully and with little contest. Tomorrow Ellie is being tested by Challenger so we're hoping that goes well. You just never know what you are going to get with kiddos!

On the B Side: I love that the baby is still doing well and if my fatigue is the price to pay than it's worth it now, tomorrow and for the next three months! I have to remind myself that we learn and grow through the difficult times. Seeing and hearing the kids cry as we strapped them into Amy's car was a lot to bear but also a reminder that we do learn and grow thru adversity. Seems like if we could just put our little ones in a bubble and protect them forever all would be well...of course if that were the case then none of us would learn anything and that of course would defeat the purpose of being here!

To Date

While the week is only half over I feel compelled to document some of our events as part of my guilt free journal expedition. The time is passing far too quickly and what I have really noticed this week is that my kids are growing up way too fast!

Monday Highlights
Dayton had an appointment with a Pediatric Pulmonary Specialist. There is only one in the state of Utah so we had to wait quite a while to get in to see her. Our goal is to determine what is going on with Dayton's sleep. He is fatigued often and has never really slept well. Being in the exam room reminded me of something from Gorilla's in the Midst. The Doc quietly studied him over and took lots of notes. She listened to him intently and continued to take copious notes. He goes in for an overnight stay next Thursday. She is convinced that there is something wrong and I was pleased not to be pushed off.

Kayla and Mark went to the Optometrist. We knew that his eyes were bad and thought we would get Kayla in as well. She was hoping to get glasses like Ellie and ended up having perfect eyes like Dayton! That afternoon Kayla was going through a list outloud about who has perfect eyes and who doesn't. Micci, Kayla has proclaimed that you have absolutely perfect eyes!
Kayla had a swimming lesson and she was a real rock star! She and Dayton cruised down the big swirly slide in old school train style and had a blast! Kayla floated really well on her back and has started to learn various strokes. Ellie quietly followed Kayla and her teacher around the pool in little sister style!

Tuesday Run Down
Tuesday was mostly uneventful. I worked a full day in the office and suffered through some serious contractions. I got tons done and was determined to push through it (no pun intended!) I hate that it was obvious to others that I was having an off day.

Dayton had a parent/teacher conference. Miss Kari had good things to report about his progress and showed us his cute little journal. There is a huge list of criteria that they track quarterly and so we reviewed that. His little class is busy preparing for graduation. I can barely believe he will soon complete Kindergarten! Ellie is registered to begin in Miss Kari's class after the summer and she's super excited!

I picked up Kayla from her Grandma's. Dayton and Ellie came home from their Dad's in time to watch American Idol. The kids played and played and Mark didn't get home until long after we were all fast asleep.

Wednesday Dish
Kayla's Mom is out of town so she is with us this week. Ellie has been really excited to have her here and so far the three of the kids have been playing really well together. I was able to get them all up, fed and dressed this AM. I took D&E to school and made it to the office. Some times I think this working full time and being Mom is for the birds!

I made the rounds and picked up all three kids in time for them to swim again at Dimple Dell. Dayton and Ellie had a lesson tonight and did really well with Natalie. They have come a long way in the past two months. I was most pleased to learn that Dimple Dell installed a UV Filter on the pool TODAY to protect against cryptospuridium. That is one parasite that I do NOT want to relive.

We made it home in time for me to keep the laundry moving (we have a life sized mountain of clean clothes piled high in the laundry room), empty and fill the dishwasher and pull together some grilled cheese sandwiches for a hungry bunch of little monkeys! 3 pairs of jammies, 3 tooth brushings, 2 phone calls to other parents, 10 minuntes of play time and 20 minutes of snuggle time on the couch later it was time for family prayer. The kids have been really good about going to bed this week and that is a huge relief physically and emotionally off of me!

Going Forward
I have exactly 99 days remaining in this pregnancy. This one has been entirely different and somewhat challenging for me. At this point it suffices me to say that I am living large!
I have a ton of work to get done tonight and get to start all over again tomorrow! In the afternoon we have an appointment with Christian. Dayton and Ellie will be with their Dad after school which will give me an opportunity to return a few things to the mall, get grocery shopping done and keep that laundry moving.

On the B Side: As busy as life can be I enjoy it. I sat at the pool tonight and wondered what I did with all of my time before I had kids. I have struggled with having Dayton and Ellie being gone when they are spending time with their Dad but over time have adjusted to making good use of that time and not feeling bad. I was thinking about the significance of perspective and how it changes everything. Then out of the blue I read this really insightful post about perspective and it all came together and just felt good. Thank you Kristin!

Is there really any other choice?!

He has sang Michael Jackson, Mariah Carey, Our Lady Peace, and the Beatles and sang them all well with his own personal spin and a coif to kill!

Yes, I am shamefully addicted once more! This year I have my own little zoo crew though as the children love Idol! Ellie insists that she is Brooke and that Jason is her boyfriend. Kayla prefers Carly and has asked if she could share Ellie's guy! Dayton got out of bed last night and saw me watching it via Tivo without him and he burst into tears!

David Cook. He's talented, refreshing and creative. Despite his arrogance I will continue to put my eggs in his basket and wonder what the significance of his orange bracelet of his is!

On the B Side: I am grateful for simple delights! While singing it not my talent I will tell you that my 'talent' is enjoying and appreciating those that can sing! I also love, love, LOVE that Idol Gives Back raised over $60 million dollars in the course of <24 hours to assist in Africa as well as serve some of the disadvantaged here in America. I love that England's new Prime Minister donated $220 million to Idol to support the cause in Africa to help fight and protect against illness. I love that so many people came together to make this happen. I love that something as silly and trendy as Idol was able to once again do so much good in the world!!!

A Necessary Evil

Yes, it is officially tax day. To be frank this means very little to me on any given year simply because I know it has to be done so I get it done early. Here is what Glenn Beck had to say (and believe me when I tell you that I love this) about this annual necessary evil exercise that we all participate in,

"It's the day we hope and pray to regain ownership of a small percentage of our own money that was taken from us, and that somehow makes us happy. Not surprisingly, only the threat of prison convinces us to continue to participate."

Could that statement be any more accurate??? He went on to say (and I do think this is note worthy).."that Republicans say they will cut taxes for everyone and occasionally they do it. Of course, they don't combine that with a cut in spending, so it's like they stop punching you with their left hand and continue with their right.

Democrats don't even bother to hide their love for spending -- at least not well. They just say all those lucky rich people and evil companies will pay the bills.

However, I'm a little unsure which approach is better. Democrats burst through the front door of our convenience store with a gun and tell us to empty the contents of our cash register into their little bag with the dollar signs on it.

Republicans walk through the store and smile at us while shoplifting furiously when we turn our backs. When we catch them on surveillance cameras, they just claim they learned their lesson and won't do it next time. Either way I'm being ripped off, and both parties seem to have the attitude that we should be lucky they graced the store with their presence."

BAM! How you like him now?! Great insight. Great analogy. He then proceeds by contending that this is the day that everyone regardless of which side of the fence you stand can agree with Ronald Reagan who said, "High taxes and excess spending growth created our present economic mess. More of the same will not cure the hardship, anxiety and discouragement it has imposed on the American people."

While I am not a RR fan I do think he made a valid point to which for whatever variety of reasons is not heeded as our country continues to unempower itself at it's own hand.

The last point that I will cite as highlighted by Glenn is another quote from another President that again we can all agree to on this day. John F. Kennedy said, "I see no magic in tax dollars which are sent to Washington and then returned. I abhor the waste and incompetence of large-scale federal bureaucracies...."

What is interesting is that taxes become so 'normal' that most of the time it's just easier to go through the motions and not really think about it, knowing that it just HAS to be done. His arguement is actually in support of Corporate tax cuts. I'm sure everyone is dying to read the entire piece he put on this subject! Click here to further enlighten your mind!

Other wise you can click here to determine how smart you just may not be! I've already memorized the answers. Does that make me smart?! No, I still live in this country and jump through the same hoops that continue to drag us down and leave us 44 slots behind Borat's home country!!

On the B Side: I am grateful for smart people. Period.

Sunday Sunny Sunday

This is a picture of Dayton with his buddy Sumi! Each week on Friday at school Sumi picks a student to spend the weekend with. Dayton was elated that it was his turn again! He and Sumi snuggled close last night and drifted off to sleep.
Not to miss a photo op is Betty Beans with her beloved Simba just before bed time last night! She also went to bed in perfect form...which isn't always the case! Hooray for both of them!
Here on the kids on a scooter ride yesterday afternoon. It was beautiful outside! I heart Spring!

On the B Side: I love the excitement that children experience! The world through their eyes is so simple, so good and so wonderful to experience. Mostly, I am grateful that bed time was not stressful last night. Whew! Now if we can just all make it through the week!