Things I'm Teaching My Kids...And My Husband

A few afternoons ago, Emily was sitting at the table and farted.  She yelled, "Excuse me! Hahaha!"  Since I haven't taught her that, I looked at her, a bit confused, and she repeated it, "Excuse me! Hahah!"

That's when I realized where she learned it from.  Me, trying to teach her daddy to say that.

Wow.  My girl has more manners than her daddy.

A day without running water

really really sucks, as I found out yesterday.  Although it was a good reminder that I am far from being pioneer worthy,  it also revealed just how much I use water for even the simplest of tasks.

1.  Washing hands.  Considering my hand washing compulsion, this was tough.  I used almost all of my hand sanitizer and tried not to touch any food.

2.  Washing dishes.  My obsession with clean dishes is comparable to clean hands; therefore, not being able to even rinse off, let alone wash, a dish was pretty unbearable.  I think we used every dish in our house by the end of the day.  (Okay,  this is not that big of a deal.  We have just enough dishes to feed ourselves and another couple and their kid.)

3.  Washing clothes.  A stomach bug plus being out of commission has placed us in a dire laundry situation.  Just ask my bedroom floor,  and my naked children.  Since I am feeling slightly better,  I wanted to remedy this.  Not to be.

4.  Cleaning up messes.  Without water,  cleaning up sticky messes requires creativity and lots and lots of wipes.

5.  Bathing.  This one is a bit obvious.  For a girl who never goes without a shower,  I felt disgusting by the end of day.  We had to use the tiny amounts of water left in my water bottle to brush teeth.  I guess the positive thing was we did brush our teeth.

6.  Drinking.  I love water.  Much more than juice or milk (soda comes a close second).  Once we realized we were without water, we went to the store and bought a gallon.  Unfortunately, this was divided between all of us and to  be used with cleaning and cooking.

7.  Cooking.  Even simple (and sanitary) things like washing vegetables was impossible.   Our meals were very simple.

I realize that we are so very lucky to even have running water,  but when you are used to the convenience it is difficult to manage without.   At least for me.

On a Whim

I do not like being away from Ben.  Even though he is gone quite a bit, I prefer his current schedule to one in which he would travel.  My preference does not exclude me from feeling overwhelmed.  Especially when Ben's schedule becomes so packed that I am left to bear all familial responsibilities.  That is how last week was. When I recognized that my sanity was quickly slipping through my cupped hands, I made a difficult decision.

When Ben came home on Saturday night, I explained how I was feeling and offered a solution.  A visit to my family's house.  Even though he would miss us greatly,  he realized it was the best possible answer.

On Sunday,  I finished laundry and packed the suitcases.  I was nervous. I would be driving for 6 hours alone and with the kids.  Two very young kids.

The next morning, Andrew and Emily woke up 15 minutes prior to when my alarm clock was set to ring--at 4 am.  I decided it was now or never, so I quickly fed Andrew and loaded the luggage into the car (which included 2 suitcases, 2 Pack n' Plays, 2 booster seats, and 2 grocery bags filled with food).  After a long kiss good-bye and a prayer for safety, Ben helped me load the kids into the car and we were on our way.

Because I left so early, the kids slept most of the way.  The challenge was when I needed to use the restroom.  Thankfully, they are small enough that I could carry them into a bathroom stall with me.  Maybe not the most sanitary option, but that's why I am liberal with hand sanitizer.

I still miss Ben, greatly.  Yet, it is nice to be somewhere with instant entertainment for Emily, yummy meals each night, and help with my little Andrew.

It kind of makes me hope we can stay out west for medical school.

Mercy Me

We felt it was finally time to move from our apartment and its many problems. Plus, with another baby on the way, we needed more space. So, we found the perfect place and filled out an application. We waited. And waited.
Finally, Mr. B. called and found out that we had the apartment if we wanted. We went in and signed the contract few days later. We were told we could move in on Saturday, the 5th. This was perfect because that weekend was Labor day weekend. So, we packed everything up on Thursday and Friday and excitedly waited.
We decided to move in after the BYU football game on Saturday. This would allow the place to get properly cleaned without anyone rushing the former tenants. So, we went home, packed the van up, and drove to our new place.
I ran up and went through the apartment. I quickly realized that a mistake had been made. Some of the previous tenant's stuff were still there (like their reptile cage...yuck!!), the carpets were trashed, and the place was very dirty. We decided that we were not going to move in yet. So, we called the management company and left a message explaining our situation.
We did not receive any calls back and continued to check out our apartment. By Monday all the previous tenants items were removed, the carpets were at least vacuumed, and they had cleaned up the place. But, the carpets were not cleaned so we did not think we should move in until our predicament was explained to the management company.
I called the only number I had available--the emergency maintenance number. The gentleman was extremely nice. He called the manager of our apartment and found out he was out of town. He called me back and explained that he would speak to the person the following morning.
So, we waited. We finally called and checked up on everything and it seemed like the news was not going through the appropriate departments. But, we did have assurance that the carpets and the apartment would be cleaned and ready for us by 5 pm.
Remember, it was now Tuesday. 3 days after our intended move-in date.
Mr. B. went and checked out the apartment at 5 to ensure it was ready for us. It was. The place had been professionally cleaned and the carpets looked fantastic. We finally moved all of our stuff in, but that evening realized we could not sleep there because the power was turned off. I called the next morning to transfer the power and gas to our name, and everything was ready for us by the time I finished work.
I was very frustrated and upset throughout this whole process. We felt so strong that we should move into this place. Now that we are in, I am glad that Mr. B. and I were patient. We love, love, love our new apartment. I know that we were led here for a reason, and sometimes the good things require patience.
Our next decision is deciding what ward to attend: the married student or family ward? We went to both and I am still confused. I want to be in the same ward as our neighbors (married student), but feel more comfortable in the family ward. After a day of tears, I am going back and forth. I guess my choice will be made on Sunday. Wish me luck.

Long Live the Errant Knight

If I were a more dedicated person, I would tell you that I am busy studying for my 2 finals, now that the Queen is sleeping. If I were a more responsible person, I would tell you that I am folding laundry now that the Queen is sleeping. However, I am neither dedicated nor responsible. Just kidding. Actually, I count Fridays my Free days. Hey, I spent the majority of my week working on school stuff. I am taking a break, to be with my baby AND the internet. I find that a very dignified way to explain my procrastination.
I did do a few things today:
I did the dishes
I put away the dishes
I showered
I brushed my teeth
I got 'dolled up' for my husband (dress and make-up)
I watched my cousin's baby boy.
AND I got the Queen dressed.
Hey, that is pretty good for having a busy week. I'm cool with it, and THAT is all that really matters.

Quit Trying to Grow Already!

I have determined that I cannot stop the Queen's rapid development, but I can enjoy every second of it. It is funny how as a parent I get caught up in the idea of the Queen "starting early" on whatever (rolling, talking, smiling, etc.) because no matter how early or late she starts walking, she will walk just as well as anybody when she is 4. I decided today that rather than dwell on attempting to make my daughter into the smartest ________(fill in the blank) I will look at all her uniquely beautiful qualities that combine to make her who she is: a Turner. Above all, I am grateful that she has come into our family. I love everything about her, especially how she makes me a better person.

Endless Words

I have a mantra: every moment counts, if you live for tomorrow then all the todays will be used up. This is what holds me together when I think about what I am doing-wife, mom, school, and homemaker. Sometimes I feel like I have been chewed up and spit out, other times I feel like the energizer bunny. It is in the times of sorrow that I realize I need an outlet. This is where writing is heaven. I can write out all my feelings that I repress during the day, too afraid to look at what I am thinking. These thoughts are those oh, so horrible thoughts.

I have an obsession with thinking. I am also a very passionate person (volatile in the mfhd world). These two clash together and create major migraines. These are the times that my husband needs an umbrella to protect him from the outpouring of words that greet him at the end of the day when he walks through the door: heydidyouwatchthenews? Iswearthatitkillsme. I normally do not take breaths in between my words, so my husband has to have me repeat them (if he dares).

So the point in all this? I have no idea. That is where the problem lies, I think without any direction. So, this is why I write. To put all my ideas into one coherent whole. Ah, I am rambling again. I think this tendency began while I was pregnant, when my brain began degenerating.

In order to end this never ending thought process I must finish. So, to sum up what I am trying to say- I write to remember that the place that I am in right now will end eventually. Until that day, I will love my todays.