Tit for Tat

Growing up is hard. I remember as a child thinking I was so wise beyond my years, believing I could do it all by myself. Aren feels the same way...well, he did anyway until this afternoon.

Aren has always loved reading. He's seriously been reading since he was around 2 years old. I swear. I've got video of him reading Dr. Seuss and I have friends that will witness how they took an encyclopedia off the shelf and handed it to four year old Aren and he began reading the whole thing. I guess nerd runs in the family, huh Rick. His love for reading has continued and continued and a few weeks ago he discovered Harry Potter. He's read books two and three, started four and is half way through number one...don't ask. We're allowing him to watch the movies, but only after each book is read. Because of this, it's been hard to tear him away from book one.

This morning as he was reading, I asked him if he could stop and help straighten the family room. He looked right at me and said, "But mom, I'm reading Harry Potter and don't want to stop." I calmly told him that if he wanted me to help him with anything today that he needed to put that book down and help me. His reply? He stared at me for a few seconds then continued to read. Fine. No help. Rick tried to help him understand and got the same reaction. Fine. No help from dad.

Aren asked for help gathering snacks for church. No help. He asked for help gathering books. No help. Every request this morning was handled by me saying, "I'm sorry. I don't help people who don't help our family." It seemed to be going ok until we got home from church and Aren said, "Mom, I'll just have the usual for lunch...ya know...Raman," to which I replied, "I'm sorry...". Then it hit. The tears started coming and didn't stop for ten minutes. He kept saying, "I'm sorry. I promise I'll help you again," to which I responded, "I'm sure you will. Now go make your Raman."

I wonder which is harder - being a kid and needing so much help or being the grown up and doing all the helping. Maybe it's a toss up.

It's Car Buying Time!

Ok, so Rick and I are getting ready to buy a new to us car and we're pretty dang excited. We've had one car for about six months now and although it is doable, I'm not the best planner and I think Rick is going to kill me if I call him one more time at work and beg him to pick up some milk during his lunch. Love you milk boy!

So, I need help. We're looking for a bigger than a 4/5 passenger car. NO, WE'RE NOT PREGNANT, we just want some more room and the option to have more than just our kids in the car if we so choose to. Any suggestions?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Rick and I gave up on Valentine's Day dates a long time ago. It probably had something to do with the fact that we were/are poor, kids were sick, Rick was gone, whatever. So, instead of dates, we've switched things around and our whole family has a fun themed dinner at home. Here are some pictures from this year...

Icky Words

So, my last post got me thinking about disgusting words that should never be used unless you're trying to creep someone out. Words like lover, penetration, and my latest gross word - moist...thanks to Marissa and Sarah for putting that on my list. Ew.

So now I'm curious as to what words drive you crazy? Anything that makes you cringe every time you hear it? Come on, I know you have some.

My List of Things That Bug Me Today

Normally I'm a pretty positive person...I mean come on, I survived the death of a child and the bone marrow transplant of another within nine months of each other and did it on limited anti-depressants. That's pretty good, right? But things are bugging me today and here they are in no particular order...

1. Husbands who can't find their wallets. I'm guilty of not finding things either, but come on! Leave it in the back pants pocket and you never have to worry about where it is, or better yet, just put it on top of the piano when you walk in. Love you, babe.

2. People who don't immunize their children. Please, for the love of all that is good and holy, don't tell me, the mother of two children who were born without immune systems, that you don't immunize and then wonder why I won't come and see you. My daughter almost died of chicken pox. Don't even think to tell me that polio, measles, and mumps don't exist any more. They do you moron, but children weren't getting sick because they're immunized. Why do think there have been so many outbreaks lately. You suck.

3. When talking about your husband, please don't refer to him as your "lover". That is so gross. I'm not quite sure why...to me it's a word that ranks up there with penetration and penis. Just words I don't particularly enjoy hearing.

4. Doctors who won't see you if you haven't been seen in over a year. Look you jerk, it's not my fault I don't get sick. My ears are about to explode and my throat feels like I'm swallowing glass. Just let me come in and get some meds!

That's about all I can come up with at the moment. Strange thing is, I'm not even PMSing so I don't know where this is coming from but I needed to get it out. Feel free to post your own annoyances here...even if it's you're annoyed with people's random list of annoyances. All are welcome.

Television Confirmed It

So, most people know I'm not fond of children. Hell, I'm not that fond of my own kids a lot of the time. I mean, I don't beat them or tell them they're ugly, but I'll admit that by the end of some days my children are not cute, humorous, or even smart. They just plain suck. The other day while watching t.v. a commercial reminded me how much I really don't love my children.

Has anyone seen that Sinupret commercial? There's a beautiful brunette mom with her beautiful brunette daughter and they are in a beautiful field of flowers, one saying, "I love you more," followed by the other, "I love you more," and so it goes until the mom pipes up stating her superior love is defined by the fact that she gives her daughter Sinupret, which is best because it's all natural blah blah.

Seriously? It used to be that love was defined by reading stories at night before bed and a trip to the park. Now it's defined by all natural sinus relief? I must really hate Aren because I give him Claritin...and it's the generic Target brand at that.

Sorry Aren, Lily, and Tatiana. I promise I do love you for the most part, but when therapy is started, I'll take the blame. Now THAT'S love.

Who Am I?

Like so many good LDS people, this week I’m reading the Book of Mormon every day. And like so many good LDS people, I have a hard time finishing this book and find myself stopping and starting all over again. It’s kinda cool how Heavenly Father knew the majority of us are a bunch of non-committal dolts because he put a whole lot of information in those first few chapters. Especially when it comes to what kind of people we are.

Take a look at the main characters presented to us in the first four chapters of Nephi. We have, of course, Nephi – the goody goody who does everything right. He listens to his dad, who just happens to be the prophet, then prays to receive personal revelation to verify the truths. He does what he's asked, knowing full well it can be accomplished as long as he does it righteously, faith never wavering.

Then there is Sam. He does what he’s told and doesn’t really ask questions. He does it because if dad says so, and Nephi’s double checked, then that’s good enough for him. Of course we have Laman and Lemuel, the ones who everyone in Sunday School says we shouldn’t be, but come on, they deserve some credit. They royally screw up and then repent, granted only to screw up again, but heck, they must’ve done something right because they made it to the promised land same as Nephi.

I must say my personal favorite is Zoram. I mean, here’s a guy who pretty much just wanted to be left alone and got dragged into this whole mess by being at the wrong place at the wrong time. He ended up with Nephi not so much because of his sense of right and wrong, but more so because Nephi was going to kick his trash unless he did as he was told.

It makes me wonder what kind of person I am. Am I a good girl who’s always listening and paying attention, double checking with the Big Guy to make sure I understand correctly? Or am I more like Sam and content with the fact that if someone else knows it’s true and I trust that person than it must be good enough for me. Am I a Laman and Lemuel, knowing right from wrong but constantly messing up anyway, or am I more of a Zoram…doing everything because I don’t want to get my arse racked across the coals after I die.

Maybe I’m like each of them depending on the day. Maybe one isn’t any better than the other as long as I make it to the promised land.