I think I can, I think I can...

Whew, what a day. It wasn't totally a day from "you know where" but just one of those days you're SO ready to be over. One of those days that starts with a headache, little sleep and no husband. Oh, and two very LOUD children. Now, I'm not going to name names, but I had one of those parent-challenging days because of one of my children...the one who won't take naps...the one who decides to take her underwear off to do her business on the floor during supposed naps...the one who runs away from me while trying to load two children into the car...the one who laughs at my futile attempts to discipline patiently...the one who suddenly is literally deaf to every single word that comes out of my mouth...that one. Of course, I lost my internal battle to be patient halfway through the day. It didn't help that I had disregarded my mess of a house so that I could spend time wasting some of that mischievous energy playing outside all afternoon. Didn't seem to help. But after I had exasperatedly plopped said uncooperative child into bed after yet another mini battle tonight, I came downstairs still fuming. Part of me wondered in awe how the women in my life were able to raise so many more children (and still are) and come away from the experience completely sane! Can I really do this?? Of course, after about fifteen minutes, I start thinking about all the things I could have done differently today, worrying if Ki- uh, I mean, said child, would grow up remembering this day and how awful her mother was, scarred for life. It didn't help that I was going through pictures I had taken of her today, chastising myself for getting so frustrated and upset at such a cute, innocent(-looking) child. As I sat there feeling like the biggest failure of a mother, I noticed her face...her smile. It's so...genuine. Then, a tiny, timid thought passes quickly through my mind, You can't be doing that bad, look how happy she is! I almost didn't catch it. I guess, in the end, I hope she can filter through the raised voice, time-outs, and tears and know how much I truly love her and love being her mother. Because I really do. I guess maybe I can do this.

I think she's thinking about how unfair mommy's been today.

Grandmas...

This last week my mom and grandma came up for a visit. It's starting to become an annual fall tradition. It was the first time that my grandma was able to see Alexis. I'm so glad that the girls are able to develop a relationship with their great-grandma (and their other great-grandparents, for that matter). I have many fond memories of my own great-grandparents. I hope that distance and time don't deter these memories for the girls. Kira had so much fun. We had some "unspoiling" to do after they left, but I'm glad she enjoyed her grandmas. Thanks for all the time, gifts, yummy food, and love! We miss you!

Looking for the itsy bitsy spider

It must be a grandmother thing-- taking advantage of every photog opportunity of grandkids, not matter where it may be, even in the middle of the grocery store aisle!

Going red...

So I decided to gather every shred of courage I could and fulfill a little cosmetic fantasy of mine. What do you think?

Ok, so I know it doesn't rank up there with Debra Messing or Lucille Ball, but I kinda like it!

***Special thanks to my newly discovered stylist, Christopher (great job, hon!).

Halloween (a little late)...

Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween!

So I'm a little behind in posting Halloween pictures...sorry. We had a little more fun this year than we did last year. Kira was a ladybug with antennae issues. She was excited about getting dressed up. But again, once the novelty of getting free candy wore off and attentions were focused on actually eating it instead, trick-or-treating ("trunk"-or-treating, actually) was a lost cause. We attended our ward "fall festival" which I think Kira enjoyed. She liked the little booth where you made a spider web out of yarn (any excuse to throw something and it be okay).

There were other cute games/activities and best of all (for me anyway), homemade root beer, complete with dry ice. Trunk-or-treating was fun but of course, Kira was impatient to sample some of her loot. This was on Thursday. On Halloween day, we attended the SAA's trunk-or-treat. By then, Kira was unimpressed and would have rather sat with my mom at our truck and eat the candy we brought. Alexis was pretty mellow and went with the flow. For the ward activity, we dressed her up in the chili pepper costume (she was hot, hot, hot! (I know, I couldn't help it)) but let her off the hook the next day. There were lots of other Halloween opportunities in town but I don't think it would have been worth it to drag an uncooperative two-year-old to all of it. Maybe next year...