Our Date

Well some of you may not consider bringing the little ones with you on a date, but somehow when you have seven children, a date is good even if you have your two youngest tagging along.  It's still a night out with the hubby, and that's all that matters!  I've even found that when we've brought our kids along, it actually enhances our date.  They're just so funny!

When it was time to pick Aaron up from work yesterday, I went to load up Anderson and Abigail in the car, and then I realized what Anderson was wearing (hmmm, and I thought that only girls liked to rummage through their dresser drawers). This kid's into, and I mean really into clothes! Check my little guy out:

Tacky, I know!  We've got plaid shorts on, and a camouflage fleece hat! 

Well I didn't have time to change him, so we proceeded to get into the van, and pick Aaron up from work.

Our agenda for the night was Costco, Dinner, and Target.

I was driving, and since Aaron and I still don't know where everything is, I pulled out my cellphone and turned on the navigator app.  I love this feature, very handy at times.

It was so funny, because when we arrived at Costco I could not find a parking spot.  Finally I found a few, but they were way out there! 

Aaron:  "Why are we parking so far out?"

Me: Well, I'm thinking in my head, "What's so wrong with that, it's not like we both could use a little more exercise!"

GPS:  Right then, the GPS lady said, "Make a legal u-turn when possible."

Aaron and I started busting out in laughfter, it was hilarious!

So anyways, we went into Costco, and after shopping for a while, Anderson said he was hot! He then proceeded to undress.  Here's what he had on under his coat:

                                                                             This

THIS

AND THIS!

Did I mention that his pants were backwards?

And THEN he started to unbutton his shirt!

 Right when I stopped looking, he pulled it off and was completely bare chested, at the cash register!  I was way too to embarassed to take a shot.

He seriously spent the rest of the evening playing with those buttons!

Dinner at Costco is yummy, but best of all cheap!

Abigail and me

When we walked out the doors of Costco to leave, it was pouring!  We had another good laugh when Aaron said, "Great, now I'm really glad we parked way out in Timbuktu!"

Like the gentleman that he is, he ran and got the car so we could load up the kids and groceries.

We ended the night with a trip to Target, and I just have to share this picture of Anderson.  Doesn't he resemble the small people found in the North Pole?

The Land of Oz

Many of us have wondered if Vail/Rita Ranch (where I live) was going to blow away today!  It's been so windy, and they're calling for it to get worse!  We've had 38 mile/hr sustained winds, with gusts up to 60 -80 miles/hr!  There's more rain to come, which should cause some flooding. 

I been told that you should never cross a stream flowing over the road, because it can wash you and your car away in an instant!

We've even had a tornado watch in effect the last couple of hours!

The kids have been really scared (WHY do I tell them these things).  I have to admit, I get scared myself!  We're not supposed to have to worry about things like *tornados* in AZ!

I actually saw a stop sign spinning around in the ground, it was crazy.  It was still in it's hole in the ground, but spinning around, FAST!

I saw on the news, that a semi-truck was actually blown over, and several people's roofs have blown away.

Flagstaff supposedly got between 40-60 inches of snow! 

I took this picture of the dust storm the winds produced:

The sky was beautiful with all the clouds and mountains:

Anyways, it's been a pretty exciting day.  We don't get this kind of weather very often.  I'm hoping we don't loose power, the lights are flickering even as I write this blog entry. 

I Had a Good Day!

This has been, by far, one of the best days I've had in recent weeks!  What qualifies as a good day for me?  A good day, is a day in which I/our family accomplish a lot! 

I have not been very successful lately when it comes to conquering my daily agenda.  I still find myself "trying" to do everything!  I have a to-do-list a mile long, and between teaching the kids school and holding Abigail, it seems like I can't get the housework caught up.

 I have realized that I can no longer do it all! 

I've known this for a while, but there are times when my family listens, and times when they don't, and there are times when I forget that I can  have them do more than they are doing.

This has been good for me to realize this, and it's forced me to work smarter, not harder.  I told my family this and they listened. I love them even more for making the changes we need to make, so our family can be happy and thriving.

This was a splendid day because both the kids and Aaron heard me out. 

Aaron and I both realized, that if we want to have quality "couple time" in the evening, that is productive and actually brings us closer together-- there are a few things that have to happen before I can relax enough to have a good time.  He helped me with the kids and chores last night, which set me up to have a head start on my day.  It also gave me more time to spend with him and the kids in the evening.  I love him so much.  I love that he listens to me, hears my needs, and then finds ways to help me. We are working together, to make life more enjoyable for the whole family.

So anyways, I'm going to share with you my new routine, that's working!  Yay.


The Barry Family Routine

1.Wake up- 6:00 a.m. check email and calendar

2.Wake up kids -6:30 a.m. have them get dressed, as well as, tidy up their room

3.While they're getting dressed and cleaning their room, I make breakfast.

4. When we finish breakfast, the kids clean off the table, wash dishes and load dishwasher, shine sink, wash table + counters, and sweep. While they're cleaning up from breakfast, I'm getting the laundry started, and dressing the 3 little guys.

5.Morgan starts school, Madison teaches Sarah history, and Kaitlyn watches the baby while I exercise.

6.When I'm done exercising, I feed and change Abigail, put her down for a nap, and then shower.  Kaitlyn and Madison start school.

7.After my shower, I finish school with Sarah.

8.Then we have lunch, and again the kids clean the kitchen.  I fold laundry, clean bathrooms, and prepare for dinner, while they finish.

9.The kids who haven't finished school, continue with their school work.  Our goal is to finish by 2:00 p.m.

10.We go outside for fresh fresh air, relax, afternoon chores (basically straighten bedrooms, and rest of the house), and have some personal time until dinner.

11.We have dinner when Aaron gets home around 6:30.

12.The kids clean up kitchen.

13.We take baths, finish laundry, hang out as a family, read the scriptures, continue to work on memorizing scripture mastery verses, and pull out the testimony jar.

14.The kids go to bed by 9:00, and then Aaron and I have time to unwind, and have couple time.  We need to be in  bed no later than 10:00 p.m. if we want to have energy for the next day.

That's the schedule that made my day, a good day.  Aaron and all the kids are helping, and I feel that our family is succeeding because were working as a team-- no more mommy running solo.

All I Want Are My Two Front Teeth

Well he survived, and I did as well.  I don't know why I worry so much.  Aaron did a wonderful job, and brought our son home, alive and well!  Aaron said Christian didn't feel anything, and was relaxed through the whole experience. 

Christian with his two front teeth.

Kaitlyn drew this picture for the dentist before they left.  I thought I'd sqeeze in a picture of Christian and I (no make up and all, scary, I know).

Christain after the appointment, still a little dazed.

 Here are his teeth.  I love the treaure box they sent them home in.

Christian without his two front teeth.

Anderson wanted me to take a picture of his teeth as well.

So there ya go, the dentist isn't all bad.

http://www.facebook.com/trina.barry?v=app_2392950137&ref=profile#/video/video.php?v=260884837490

Anxiety

I am full of  anxiety!  Tomorrow bright and early, Aaron's taking Kaitlyn and Christian in to the dentist.  I feel pretty confident that Kaitlyn will be fine, because all she needs is a filling or two.

Christian, however, is a different story.  They will be removing his two front teeth.  When he's teeth came in, they were missing some of the enamel.  This concerned me, so I brought him in right away and showed the dentist. 

Christian was too little at that point for him to want to operate, and so the dentist thought it would be better to wait 6 months, and then re-evaluate. 

Well, we did that for several years.  Each time, I thought for sure the dentist would advise us to go ahead with the surgery.

Then we moved.

It seemed to take forever for us to re-establish our children's health insurance, pediatrician, and dentist.  So now it's too late to save his teeth.

I'm so bummed, because I really hope this won't be a hardship for him.  Sarah just lost her top teeth and she's six, so does this mean that Christian's top teeth are going to be missing for two years? 

• I'm worried about the medicine that they're going to give him.
• I'm scared he's going to be scared.
• I hope he won't be in too much pain, or even worse, tramatized!
• If he does have a horrible experience, will this cause him to come down with a case of post tramatice stress disorder whenever he goes to the dentist in the future?

Aaron will bring them tomorrow since I have another responsibilty to take care of.  I'm feeling terrible because I feel like my kids should be my first priority, and I should be there with them as well.  Aaron insists that he will nurture them just as much as I would if I were there.  I told him he better hold Christian, kiss him, and reassure him like crazy tomorrow, because that's what I want to do, but can't. 

Well, please keep my little guy in your prayers tonight, and I'm sure Kaitlyn's a little anxious as well, so if you want to pray for her too, that'd be great.

What Goes BUMP in the Night

Just so ya know, I DID get sleep last night.  It was great, a little interrupted, but I'll take what I can get.

Sometime after Morgan came home and Abigail fell back asleep, I was awakened  by Morgan SCREAMING, "MOM, DAD, SOMEONE'S TRYING TO BREAK INTO OUR HOUSE!"

I sat straight up in bed, totally disoriented, SCREAMING, "AARON, SOMEONE'S TRYING TO BREAK INTO OUR HOUSE!"

Then Aaron woke up SCREAMING, "EVERYONE CALM DOWN!"

Morgan: "They're banging on our garage, and I hear a zipping sound."  By the way, his room is at the front of the house by the garage, and ours is at the back of the house.

Aaron:  "Let me check it out."

Me: well, I'm already falling back to ZZZZZ.

Aaron and Morgan: "Wow, that's so cool- Javelinas!"

Me:  "what?"

Aaron and Morgan: "There are two javelinas walking around in our front yard."

Me: too tired to check them out, already ZZZZZing again.

These guys are pretty fun creatures,

they basically look like a wild pig,

but they're not in the pig family-- well,

at least that's what I've heard.

Here's what they look like:

One time we were picking up Morgan from a youth activity,

 and there were approx. 2 dozen of these guys

grazing on the lawn of the Stake center!

It was really dark, and we didn't see them at first,

pretty scary, because the people coming

out of  the church building didn't see them either.

I've learned that they can be quite aggressive,

especially when it comes to protecting their young!

There was a man on the news just the other day

 that was attacked by a javelina while hiking.

He was bit three times,

the javelina tested positive for rabies,

and

now he's undergoing rabies treatment.

I have to admit,

I'm a little worried

to walk out my front door!

If you happen to see a picture of me on this blog,

frothing at the mouth,

PLEASE call Animal Control ASAP!

Hmmm... What to Blog About?

Should I blog about the lack of sleep I've been getting lately?  Last night was a doosy!

Should I blog about how hard it was to motivate myself to do ANYTHING this morning after being so sleep deprived?

Should I blog about how forgetful I've been lately, and even when I've tried to make a considerable effort to enter all of my appointments into my phone calendar, I'm still overbooking myself! 

Should I blog about the luncheon I really wanted to go to, but missed it, due to what I have just aforementioned?

Should I blog about Morgan's mandatory conference session I had to attend today with K12?

Should I blog about my how I didn't have to watch a friend's kid today because he was sick, and how great it is that I'm babysitting for her from time to time, in exchange for piano lessons which she's giving to Kaitlyn and I-- how cool is that!?!  Bartering rocks!

Should I blog about the punky state I found myself in, and still couldn't shake, due to the lack of sleep?

Should I blog about the laundry I was supposed to get done today, which is still dirty?

Should I blog about how hard it is to keep your kids focused on their school work, when I can't even focus myself?

Should I blog about how my dog tries to get into the house by jumping on the sliding glass door? Suicide mission, I tell you!

Should I blog about the fact that he's panting at me right now, wanting me to let him out-- but I'm so lame, I just keep writing.

Should I blog about how I went for a ride today, with just the baby, hoping to get her to sleep?  Mission accomplished.  After mission accomplished, somehow I ended up at McD's, ordered some milk and three chocolate chip cookies-- not a part of my NYR.

Should I blog about how guilty this made me feel?

Should I blog about how I called my sister Tara, since we haven't talked for a while, and found out she and her husband are going to Puerto Rico TONIGHT? Lucky girl!

Should I blog about how, while I was on the phone with her, my friend called, but I didn't swap over because I really needed to talk to my sister.

Should I blog about the reason why my friend was calling?  She was calling to tell me that one of our dear friends, lost her mother today.

Should I blog about how incredibly sad this made me feel, and how I wished I could do something more to help?

Should I blog about how sweet Aaron was to make dinner for me tonight, while I was on the phone, working on my calling?

Should I blog about my short call to mom, that ended when I had to get my son ready for babysitting?

Should I blog about how I realized I sent him out the door, without feeding him dinner, and how this made me feel like a terrible mom?

Should I blog about how Aaron and I then brought him dinner, and dropped off our overdue Blockbuster DVD.

Should I blog about how Aaron was so tired from his lack of sleep, that he fell asleep during our scripture reading-- all we read was 3 verses?

Should I blog about the sweet testimony that Kaitlyn gave after we read in Moroni?

Should I blog about the fact that Anderson actually opened his mouth wide enough for me to brush his teeth? Seriously, this has been a real struggle.

Should I blog about how much I loved that Christian snuggled up to me today, and said, "Mom, I love you?"

Should I blog about the fact that my oldest son, Morgan, sent me a waving hand message from his phone while babysitting that said, "big hug"?

Should I blog about how he's still not home, and I miss him.  How will I survive his mission?

Should I blog about how helpful Madison was today?  That girl NEVER complains and I really don't know how I'd make it without her.

Should I blog about how Sarah just came in and gave me a heart that she made, kissed me, and said,"I love you!"

Should I blog about how quiet it is in my house right now?  I think everyone's asleep.

Should I blog about how comfortable I am as I climb into my soft, cozy bed, with the hope of getting a better night's sleep?

Wait-- Morgan's not home yet, I guess I'll wait up just a little bit longer, so he'll know just how much I love him!

Should I blog about how Abigail just woke up? I think this is going to be a long night afterall-- no sleep for me.