Dix. Diez. Zehn. Ten.

See this boy? He is 10.
His birthday is never celebrated in a big way at our house. We have his favorite meal made by Grandpa H. (spaghetti, crusty bread and a cucumber and tomato salad). We have his favorite dessert, which is actually any dessert. This time it was homemade brownies with a chocolate chip icing. We don't sing Happy Birthday nor any version of it as he cries every time. We are not that bad for amateurs but he will not allow it. Maybe he doesn't like getting older.

Xlerator Hand Dryer XL-SB

Dear Reader,

It has been too long since I have written. Hopefully you have not forgotten about us!

I thought I would give you an update on what I have been doing....

Sports, sports and more sports! My eldest son and my youngest sons have been playing basketball for the past few months. I promised all three of them that I would attend all of their games. I love to watch them play and see how excited they are when they do well. I also love how they search me out among the sea of parents faces to see if I had seen their 'awesome move' or basket.

I must admit I didn't always 'see'. Most of my time was spent in the halls or in the bathroom with Conrad. He grew particularily fond of the Xlerator Hand Dryer. He would completely fall apart with laughter every time he turned it on. It was his sport, his way of getting me to 'see' him and what he could do. I have much to learn from this little human.

Are you ready to RUUUUUUUMMMMBLE?

Dear Reader,

According to Wikipedia; 'wrestling is a form of grappling type techniques such as clinch fighting, throws and takedowns, joint locks, pins and other grappling holds. A wrestling bout is a physical competition, between two (occasionally more) competitors or sparring partners, who attempt to gain and maintain a superior position'.

I was in a wrestling match today. During church. My opponent? Mr. Conrad.

There was grappling, grappling holds, pins, joint locks and a few takedowns. I attempted to maintain a superior position but was often thrown over. Because I couldn't very well pin my son to the ground and wait for the ref to count to three, I did the only feasible thing I could do. I called time and went home.

Conrad is now in his room watching a movie, drinking chocolate milk happy as a clown and I am at my computer telling you all about it.

Thank you for reading.

If you, dear reader, have anything you want to know please ask.

Live Long and Prosper

Jacob is a boy that rides the bus to school with Conrad. From the minute he sees me walking down the driveway with Mr. Conrad he is trying to get my attention. He loves to make hand signals. Anything from the peace sign to hang loose is great with him. And he loves it when you copy him or give him a new one to try. A few weeks ago I showed him the Vlucan (from Star Trek-are you impressed that I know this?!), 'live long and prosper' sign the other day. He loved it. He couldn't do it back but was intent on trying. He is still working on it.
On Friday he put his hand up to the window in a goodbye gesture. I touched the window and said goodbye.
As I stepped away from the window I saw one more hand waiting to say goodbye. It was Connie. He was looking and waiting for my hand to touch the glass of the window. As I touched the glass he smiled as if to say, "I can do it too, just thought you should know".
I know. Thank you.

The beginning

Dear Reader,
How do I begin to tell you about how the journey with an angel began? Just write.
Prior to even knowing that there was going to be a Conrad Jefferson I had promptings that there was a little person waiting to join our family. Someone excited to come down and be with us, have me for a mother and Matt for a father and Ben for a brother. I must admit I was hesitant to have another. Ben and I were such a great pair. Reading books, snuggling, napping together, going to thrift stores all over the city. I had gotten into the rhythm of three people and was quite content. However this thought kept coming to my mind more and more: someone was aching to join us. I didn't give it serious thought until our landlady said that we shouldn't wait too long before having another one. (why it was any of her business I don't know) But I remember telling her that I wouldn't. gasp. I had given weight to my thoughts. Needless to say we were going to have another.
One of my early ultrasounds I will never forget. As I lay on the table looking at the monitor, I saw a sweet little person looking back at me. As I lay looking for hands, feet and face, the technician yelled, "Did you see that?" I did. This tiny person waved. I swear it. I saw it and the technician saw it. It was proof to me that my promptings were right about someone wanting to join our family and he was so excited about it that he waved.
I drove home calling everyone I could that my boy had waved at me!! I was elated, floating on clouds, overjoyed. It was a day I will never forget. Especially because Conrad has never waved since. It was a gift to me before he was born. A wave that said so many things. Things that I will never hear from Conrad's mouth. Not in this life. I try to live everyday to be worthy of that wave and to hear his voice in the next. Because I know he has a lot to say.

Seriously?? Not again!

Dear Reader,
I feel that I must respond to some of the comments and questions I have received regarding my very first post on the question, "How Do You Do It?"
I have had several people comment that they felt they were stupid to have ever asked anyone that question. Subsequently I feel a bit of guilt for having made anyone feel stupid. So let me explain further.
Just the other day after my eldest's basketball game one of the other mom's who is also my neighbour (and I am positve is not reading this blog) asked me in an exasperated tone, "Pam! I just don't know how you do it! Four boys! There is just quadruple of everything!"
How would you respond to this? Like this? I am amazing", or maybe, "I have no idea" or maybe, "I have a nanny" or say what I said, "I don't". I wish I were amazing. I had these four little men because I wanted to. And with that comes the responsibility of caring for them. Of course it is not ever easy and is often so hard that I could crumple up on the floor at any time of pure exaustion. But I wanted them and I adore them and have made a commitment to care for them forever. And besides all that, I want to. I love them.
I really don't know how to respond to this question. Are you asking me, complimenting me or saying (this is what I hear) that you could never do it, that you are so glad you dont' have my life, it looks so exhausting, and frankly it kind of sucks!
Please someone enlighten me!
Maybe I am taking this whole thing out of context. Probably.
So! From now on I choose NOT to be bothered (well I may be a bit bothered) with this question. But if you really want to know, then stay around to hear the answer, maybe offer some support.
Thank you.

Tortillas anyone?

Dear Reader,
Do you ever feel like a referee? Or a drill sargent? And I am not talking about the ones that are revered, but the ones who are booed, yelled at, cussed at and overtly despised (At Ricks College the home team would throw tortillas at the ref's if there was a bad call made against their team). Well, I haven't had a tortilla thrown at me, yet. But I did have a lot of attitude thrown at me today. I have heard that if your children do not talk back to you or question e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. you do or ask them to do you are doing something right. Well I must have been doing a whole lot of right today because I had a lot of 'tortillas' thrown my way.
It all started at the beginning of the week when I grounded my boys from ALL media (not that they partake of it a lot... but enough to have it sting) They were such grumps about doing anything I asked them to do that I had to do something-so why not take away a favourite passtime. After I had had enough of their complaints I had them come into my room and talk it out. We started with a prayer, because we all know I need the help.
We made a plan. 'Lyman Family Expectaions' I let the kids take the lead on what they thought should be expected of them. It was so cute as they each took turns raising their hands and giving their answers (it took some of my anger away to see them take our meeting so seriously). Some of my favourites were, Don't break stuff, Don't lie, Tell the Truth. Then it was my turn, 'Lyman Parents' Expectations'. Fairly simple. I just want them to, as soon as they walk thru the door to hang up coats and backpacks and put their shoes away (Is that so much to ask? Apparently it is). They agreed, with the stipulation that if they had to rush to the bathroom they could do that first. The other main one was coming when you are called. This is HUGE in our family, as they come immediatly when dad calls but not when I call. I really h.a.t.e. that. So we had to set up rules and sub rules. So the first call is really a two minute warning, to finish up whatever you are doing. Second call is to come immediately or miss out on dessert, third call is instant timeout and fourth call is grounding. They made up the all the sub rules except for the second call.
But alas rules must be enforced. So I have become a drill sargent calling out calling for my cadetst o fall into line. Nevertheless there has been a lot of calling and warnings and pounding of feet on stairs as boys try to beat the no dessert call.
It is so hard to keep it up! Then I caught one of my boys in a blatant lie. Arghh! Anyway the day is finally over and a fresh start awaits me tomorrow. Wish me luck.
Good night dear reader.