when sweet dreams turn into nightmares!

i've been in dreamland {for the most part}
since anna decided to start using the potty 3 weeks ago,
just days after i accidentally took her commando style to an outdoor bbq
{didn't even notice she had no diaper on, i have issues, i know}.
at the very end of the night, my friend saw her lift her dress and asked,
"is anna wearing a diaper?"

appearantly she wasn't and hadn't cared to tell anyone!

after that night of freedom, i think she realized what she had been missing all these years.

she told me on monday, may 4th.
"anna has to go pee pee!"

and she did.


since then....

she's toured the globe using many, many new and exciting toilet facilities,

she's used our cute little "port a potty" {yes, i bring her little bowl ...sooooo handy.}

there has been much liberating bareback riding and horse bathing consequently.

we've had many mini potty party's full of cheering and flushing.
anna is LOVING it!

i share a story to illustrate her success....
one bright, spring morning this week, it was a dream to be sleeping away on that sunday morning only to be woken by her joyous squeal,
"mommmmeeee, i did it!"

"hooray for you anna!"
i replied as i tried with my might to go back to sleep.

WHAT A SWEET DREAM!


story to be continued below.

{*****disclaimer:don't even think of scrolling down if you are pregnant, have a weak constitution or have eaten in the last 10 minutes.}

a bit later i rolled out of bed and began carrying on as i do every morning.

while checking my e-mail and turning on K-Zion, patrick asked from the hall next to me, "what is dallin eating?"

"uhhh, i don't know,what is it?!?" i quickly replied.

that's when the nightmare part began.


justin chimmed in,

"mom, dallin is eating anna's poop!....
and he likes it!"

i surveyed the scene of the crime.

it was worse than i had ever imagined.

and way nastier

and way stinkier.

yuck!

then while enduring utter disqust i did what any mother who values the preservation of memories would do....

i grabbed my camera.

for posterity you know.


then there was nose plugging, baby bathing, sink sanitizing, probiotic powder feeding and milk of course...to wash it all down.



i have often wondered as a mother, could my job get any more disqusting!?!?

sunday, i realized it could.

it did.


have you ever googled, "my baby ate poop?"

well i have.

clueless

i have another confession.

yesterday, was st patricks day.

but my kids had NO CLUE that there was even a holiday going on in their midst!

no green.

no pinching.

no clovers

no clue.

which reminds me....

i have NO CLUE why we celebrate that holiday anyway.

i'm not irish.

i think i'm not at least.

and, this isn't Ireland. right?

so, i've observed this "holiday" for like 3o years now and i still have idea about it all.

well, scratch that. i've observed st. patrick's day 29 years.

every year cept this one.

oops.

bad mommy.

i deserve to be spanked with a 4 leaf clover or something!

i guess i could make ammends and tell them tomorrow is st. patrick's day!?

or not.

self imposed torture for a good cause

Dear Abby,

I need HELP! I have a confession. I like blogging, a lot. I have thought on occasion, " Oh blogging, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways." I've counted the ways before. Believe me, there are lots. Blogging is my drug of choice. It makes my mind whirl with delight to actually be thinking, growing, expanding, gleaning, sharing, communicating, relating and creating. It's wonderful.

But there's a problem I have. I feel like Ariel when she stated so poignantly, "how could a world that makes such wonderful things be bad?" Relating to my circumstance I say, "how could a blogworld that shares such wonderful things be bad for me at times?" Blogging never fails to cure what ails me, but I'm sick of it's pesky side effects. And I've felt more than a few. For example, I have Blogsession. You know, a blogging obsession. Sometimes, I just don't stop. It starts with just one little click, then before you know it, and hour (or 2) have gone by and I'm reading some stranger's blog that lives in Arkansas about making homemade laundry detergent. Then there are side effects of the side effects. It's not pretty. (See figure a, b, c and d.) Why is it that wonderful things are just so addicting!?!? The worst side effect of all is bloguilt. As it is with other things, when I overindulge, I feel guilty. I should feel guilt for Pete's sake, seeing how it's a natural indicator that something is amiss. So my question is, "how can I blog away freely without these unpleasant side effects!?!" I would appreciate any help you can offer. Thanks a lot.

Sincerely,

Julie the blogger.

anna KNOWS she can get away with anything when i'm overdosing on blogging.

did i do that???

poor lil guy!

uh...
Alright, so I didn't really send this to Abby.

I don't even know if Abby even knows what a blog is.

I just needed to write to somebody….anybody.

Except Dr. Laura.

She'd just yell at me and tell me to get over it.

Really, this is just so trivial that I would never bother anybody with this.

As a result I was left to figure it out myself.

So I pondered and decided it was up to me so find a solution to my dilemma.

Then, one especially guilt ridden day, I was thinking while driving and had the feeling that I need to limit my computer time.

I just hate it when I realize that I have yet another thing I need improve on in my life.

But then again, I do love overcoming issues and being in control of my life.

I had to come up with a remedy that would NOT resemble hitting the delete button on my blog or banging my computer with a hammer.

Instead, I've come up with a more reasonable solution so that I can still enjoy something I love without all of the negative side effects.

You know, a pro without the con.

My plan is a bit over the top.

Many of you may not need such a drastic intervention.

Well, I do.

Believe me, I've tried other means.

They just take more self control than I have developed.

Luckily I've finally found the solution for not overdosing on a wonderful thing.

It's name: K9 Web Protection Alert. Here's what I did.

• I downloaded K-9
  
• I restricted all internet access.
  
• I set up a daily time limit of a half hour of free time. (honor system w/myself…in my head.)
  
• When my time is up, the internet simply stops working and i give up....or log back in IF i can justify it! {this actually works wonders because it actully makes me stop, evaluate weather what involved in on the internet is really worth my time!}
  
• I also allow myself to use a 5 minutes worth of access if I need quick info like a recipe phone number or a map.
  
• Now, whenever I decide to use my free time, I just login, allow access for the half hour and that's it.
  

I've done this for a week now and my side effects….bloguilt, blogsession, and blogoverdose are gone!!

I can now blog away to my heart's content.

Oh the joy I feel.

I can do something I love, WITHOUT FEELINING GUILT.

That is, until this dreaded alert pops up. Over and over and over and over and over again. Until I just give up trying to click back and decide to actually decide to give in and click that little red x.

http://www1.k9webprotection.com/

p.s. this may not work for me forever.I wan't to know how you avoid bloggermania side effects. i can use ANY help I can get. :0)

p.s.s.....karen Kondos and other privatizers. pleeeese let me into your blog!!! i miss you! my email is morjulie@gmail.com

spilling the beans

patrick and i have been attending a marriage course sponsored by our stake [church group-not restaurant] on Sunday nights.

there is nothing like going to a class about improving your marriage to make you realize you have issues. not so much the big ones for me. just little ones.my issues are usually like a few grains of beach sand in your sandwich . yuck. [i HATE it when i am enjoying yummy food and i chomp down on a crunchy piece of dirt. it's kind-of a pet peeve of mine.]

i've got enough dignity to not spill my whole can of beans, just a few of them, so lets just say that i ALWAYS have room for improvement.

back to the story.

this past Sunday the main topic was on communicating things to your spouse. and seeing how i am married to a man [and we think VERY differently] there is never too much i can learn about the topic.

we learned fun stuff about.....

not giving unsolicited advice.
how husbands don't like nagging. [ha! i would never! :) ]
how to give encouragement.
how we should be able to say what we think feel and believe openly.
how to address issues without criticism and contempt.
and other good stuff too.

then, at the end of class we had an anonymous question and answer time.
i always like to hear the questions that others have because i just love to relate.

but then, the very last question [which was more accurately a statement] hit WAY to close to home. it was a statement that i wished i couldn't relate to.

as she read the statement, i just couldn't help but think, "that's something that patrick must feel sometimes." and then i started thinking..."what if patrick DID write that?" then i thought..."probably not. i know that i am a bit too picky at times, but it's not at that point."
and that was that. i felt better after i reassured myself, but i still made a little mental note and realized i could take the statement to heart and do little better about showing appreciation more and nagging less. [that's a no-brainer.]

the class ended and i felt a renewed desire to be a nice little wiffie.

then patrick went and gathered the kids and babysitter from the nursery while i waited for my turn to ask the teacher something to clarify.

as i stood and waited my turn, i spied the little question basket directly in front of me.

and it called my name.

i just couldn't squelch my curiosity.

i picked up the note on top, opened it up, and to my horror, i recognized it as patrick's handwriting!!!

emotions started running through my veins as i read,

"Nothing I Ever Do Is Good Enough?"

i thought, "could i really be THAT bad? why didn't he tell me directly instead of going the back door route to be noticed? if he would have would i have listened?" and so on and on went the thoughts of guilt.

then it was my turn to ask the teacher my little question.

i did.

then i blurted out, "and i just realized while waiting, that my husband wrote THIS question."
i handed him the slip of paper.

as he read, my eyes started flowing.
[yea, right there in a room of lingering people.]

and so did my mouth.

i went on, "i had no idea that he felt this bad. i really do try to show appreciation and tell him how wonderful he is. i just need to more often i guess. and he is wonderful. he's a good man."

then i showed the teacher how in my notes from the class where i had written in the margin, "i'm sooo grateful you are a good provider-very good!" [and i meant it.]

the poor teacher clamored to know what to say to this emotional woman standing before him. he did offer advice, but all i can remember him saying is that i should talk to him about it and really listen without "defending and explaining." i remember him saying as i walked out, "good luck."

"oh boy, this might get interesting," i thought.

i stood in the dark hallway of the church and composed myself, wiped my tears dry, put on a happy face, then proceeded to the car. i just thanked the heavens that is was dark outside. [mainly for the babysitter's sake, but also for mine since i did NOT want to talk with patrick about the note...yet.] patrick didn't even notice my red eyes! yeah!

-and so, i carried on with life.
-and i thought about why he wrote that statement.
-and i did some soul searching to think about what i could do to show more love to patrick.
-and I wondered why he felt so bad.
-and i felt bad for my weaknesses. [that i've not overcome. yet.]
-and i wondered why he made a statement during a 'question' and answer time ["he's smarter than that, isn't he?"]
-and i devised a plan - a way to bring up "the note."
-and i agonized.
-and i thought about all the times i had failed to say thank-you for____________ [fill in with one of the things he does on a daily basis around the house. like.....cleaning up the dinner mess and doing the dishes 3 days in a row without my help because i was taking care of little dallin who has been sick. or always putting the kids to bed or ....]
-and any chance i could find, i praised & thanked him.
-and i noticed how much he really does do for us.
-and i prayed for help to know what to say so i could right the wrong.
-and i felt disappointed in myself for all the times that i nagged him about ___________ [just fill in the blank. i'm sure i've nagged about it at some point.] :)
-and i realized that i need to be WAAAY more grateful for my wonderful husband.

then, this morning as he was getting ready to leave for a nice job interview [just an upgrade], and since spirits were high, i spilled the beans and said,

"i know you wrote that question!"

him: [w/ a puzzled look and a chuckle] what question???

me: that one from the marriage class.

him: what are you talking about???

me: you know, the last question.

him: huh?

me: it said, "nothing i ever do is good enough."

him: I DID NOT?!?!?

me: i know you did. i have the note.

him: you are crazy! i would never write that!

me: look. it's your handwriting!

him: you've got to be kidding me! this isn't my handwriting.

me: it sure looks like it!

him: look at how i write that same sentence.


me: you didn't write that?!?! [with tears in my eyes, feeling a huge weight being lifted off of my shoulders.]

him: they don't even look the same. now do you believe me?

me: yes.
[and i did even more after i looked at his handwriting from his journal. i was way off!]

and then, we laughed.
and he shook his head in disbelief considering how crazy and paranoid i had been.
and i felt much, much better.
and he said, you are just crazy. you should blog about this.
and i NOW grin when i think of torture i put myself through over the past 4 days.
and i have learned a very important lesson. [the hard way.]
and because he thought i was so off my rocker, and has a twisted sense of humor, he sent me this e-mail:

Morris, Patrick

3:20 PM (2 hours ago)

Does this look like my writing?

Nothing I ever do is good enough?

Patrick J. Morris

Application Developer

ha ha. very funny sir.

so, my friends, the moral of this long, ridiculous, bean splilling story is:

live your life so that when you hear the statement of an unappreciated, nagged, beaten down husband, "nothing i ever do is good enough,"you can say in your heart with confidence....

"my husband couldn't possibly feel that way, considering how wonderfully i treat him!"

because it DID come from one of the men in that class.
hopefully next time i can think, "it's not from my man!"
and what a wonderful man he is!

i have a goal.....
yummy sandwiches, light on the sand!

and now you need to spill your beans
....if your husband wrote a note in a marriage class, what would it say?!

the truth...

"my mom"

by JUSTIN age 4.

What is something mom always says to you?
"Wash your pants" ....because I never do it on time. (yea, I'm mean. I make him wash his pants every time he wets them - which has been A LOT this week. If you have any ideas on motivating an almost 5 year old whom has been potty trained for 2 years not to leak in his pants and wipe his bum...do share.)

What a great pouty face...and masterfully smeared window!

What makes mommy happy?
When I do what you say and I obey.(yup)

What makes mommy sad?
If I break your sprinkler and don't tell you. (insert MY pouting face...yea, already!)

How does mommy make you laugh?
You say funny words like, "someone has a cactus on their head."

What was mommy like as a kid?
I did not see what you acted like. I think you acted like an astronaut.

How old is mom?
80....(puzzled look on my face.) mom, you are 80(persistently.)

How tall is mom?
70 lbs. (o.k. so he did pounds instead of inches...Thanks Justin!)

Whats moms favorite thing to do?
Clean the house when I'm at preschool and watch your kids.

What does mom do when you're not home?
Work on the house and take care of Dallin and Anna.(i see a trend here!)

If mommy was famous, what would she be famous for?
Cleaning the house. (i hope he stays delusional for AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!)

What is mommy really good at?
Sports like games. You are really good at sports like Hi-Ho-Cherry-O. Oh...and feeding Dallin, who is a baby.

What does mommy do for her job?
Watching the kids is your job.

What is Mommy's favorite food?
Spaghetti. (really?)

What makes you proud of your mom?
When you go on the toilet. That's what I like you doing. (i know...i've got seriously amazing skillz!)

If mommy was a cartoon character, who would she be?
The Beauty on Beauty and the Beast.

What do you and mommy like to do together?
Go to church. (i must admit i probed to get this answer. He first said, "watch tv." which is sooo not true, especially since the TV hasn't been on once in the last month (except when dad is babysitting of course)....a little wishful thinking on his part eh?)

How are you and mom the same?
We have the same skin, and both have hair which is brown. God created us that way. We'll also be together when we die.

How are you and mommy different?
You have a baby and I don't. Plus, I have fancier clothes than you. You don't even have characters on your clothes, just colors.

What can I do to be a better mommy?

You should not say "go to time out"....ever!

(In a tender moment one Sunday I asked the same question he said, "Wear more make-up and get some pointy, shinny black shoes." hmmm...not what I had in mind.)

How do you know mommy loves you?
Because you always say, "I love you" and I give you a hug.

and now it's my turn..

What time do your kids wake up?

5:30/6:00...lucky thing Patrick is the charge boy then!

On a good night, what time do your kids go to sleep? 8:00pm (that's ideal remember...realistically it is 9 or 9:30. yuck. when i got home from HFPE last night at 10 p.m., Justin was still awake!!)

How long have you been a mom? 4 years and 9 months

How old were you when you became a mom? 25

What is your favorite kid show? Signing Time.

Least favorite kid TV show? Sponge Bob...even if I've seen I for a total of 2 minutes at Grandma's.

Favorite meal to cook? Dinner...the only time I really cook. The other times I just throw stuff together.

What's the meal cooked most often? Vegi Stirfry on brown rice with pot stickers.

What is the kids favorite meal? Spaghetti

What are your favorite things that Patrick does with the kids? Wrestling with them and putting them to bed.

When was the last time you and your husband went out without the kids? To the temple 1 month ago...it's been tooooo long!

One thing you said you'd never do as a mom? Have a tremendously messy car like the ones I saw sported by virtually every mom (except my own)...What on earth was I thinking!? Needless to say, reality has set in!

Favorite past time with your kids? I just love the times when I stop what I'm doing to just hold them and love them. I love having Justin's big boy self on my lap. I love the bashful look anna makes when we cuddle. Dallin just melts my heart when he stares at me.Watching them as the snuggle close and stare at me with loving eyes is about as good as it gets.

Advice for a new mom: Don't assume you know it all....Get LOTS of advice and learn from those seasoned moms. Having kids changes everything. Be gentle on yourself and enjoy the adjustment!

When was the last time your kids said "I love you"? While I was asking him the questions.

What are 5 things that make you smile while being a mom? 1-How blatantly honest Justin is (like his dad).2-When Justin and Anna play together-nicely 3-cute bare bums 4-Anna's new use of language..all sorts of mixed up but sooo cute! 5-Dallin's newly aquired laugh. 6- I just love all of the new things kids are constantly learning. Watching their growth brings me great joy!

thanks, Jane, for the idea...even if you have no clue who i am! http://crazygoodlife.blogspot.com

i did something hard today....

i was thinking.

well, at least Ralph said it was hard. i just think it was fun.

"What is the hardest thing in the world? To think."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have been thinking about the power of our thoughts/how we think about things and what we can create in our lives. Basically,
I have been thinking about thoughts.

This is mainly regarding to the power of our thoughts to create satisfying and wonderful circumstance. I can't remeber the exact quote but it basically said, You can't always change your circumstances, just the way you think about them. I've been trying this lately and have LOVED the results...less drugery, more pleasant feelings about daily things like laundry, changing diapers, mounds of dirty dishes and waking up at 6a.m. to workout. Just for fun I thought I would record what has been going on in my brain.

I just wish I had a thinking chair like Steve and could project my thoughts above my head.

From this point on I share nothing deep here, just a random sampling of what I thought about today. I present to you: thoughts from me, mom of 3, having a regular day...full of RANDOM thoughts.

My random thoughts:
9:30 Will this be interesting to anyone but me? Well, at least sometime in the future I'll enjoy knowing what was going on today in my mind today.

10:30 I just finished nursing and hugging Dallin. I just wish I could preserve the smell of Dallin's milk breath in a jar to smell later when I really miss it. I just love to constantly smell his warm little breath. wierd, i know. :)

I LOVE Ether chapter 4 (which is what I read today) and think Moroni is a stud!

I got a calling last week in our newly formed ward as primary secretary in my ward...I already enjoy it probably because I really love creating documents and routines... and I love the kids too.

2:30 I just got back from a 2 hour primary presidency meeting and I'm thinking about the many documents I need to create and modify before Sunday...and I need to create the roles...I also think I need to wear more comfortable shoes to church on Sunday. I had no Idea all of the running around that would be required. I see visions of white sneakers, socks over nylons and a knee length skirt. I'm not serious...but it sure sounds comfy.

I was just realizing that Dallin is wearing the pj's I put on him Sunday night. That's probably gross to you. I'm just amazed that his diaper hasn't leaked in 2 full days.

I'm wondering whether or not I should buy that kids kitchen set at the Pickled Peppers consignment sale. (Which I LOVE to frequent when they have their bi-annual sale...and I LOVE the location. )Its a cute wood one, the type they use in a preschool for only 60 bucks. If I do, I should sell some stuff to clear out space and earn the money to justify the purchase...

I wonder what else I can sell and how much to charge for several things I've already gathered to sell. I can just hear it now..."mommy, why are you taking all of my toys to that big garage sale!?!?.

3:45 How much longer Dallin will be sleeping...he's been asleep for an hour.

I marvel at the fact that mopping the floor was 1st on my to-do list and it still hasn't gotten done...yet.

I'm wondering what I am going to make for dinner....something with rice since it's already cooked. Maybe stir fry...again. I really wish I had some salmon to cook for tonight.

Weather or not I'll give our parents calendars w/ my kids on them for Christmas this year.

3:55 I was thinking how the back door is wide open! That means that Fall weather has finally blown in! I'm so excited. I think I am even ready to put out fall decorations.

I'm wondering when I'm going to get around to organizing the office...that's been on my to do list for months.

Where I'm going to get my hair cut next. I wish I had a regular hair lady!

I wonder when I'm going to finish handing out the thank you notes from my baby shower from a month ago1!?! (sorry to all you out there.)

4:00 Should I pick Anna up or feed her since she is tapping and clawing at my leg and saying deet (eat) in her saddest voice?

O.K., she's crying on my leg now I guess I'd better ....wait, she gave up, walked away, got a stool and has found a kiwi. I wonder how that will go. yum.:0} One bite out of the kiwi. She just brought me a bag of pitas instead. Smart girl.

I just remembered that I need to change over the laundry from this morning. I thought I was going to run laundry all day. Oops.

4:20 How I need to get off of the computer and start on dinner, use the restroom, mop the floor, change the laundry over, price my stuff and turn off t.v. I looked over at Justin who is completely absorbed in Arthur. I'm thankful it has occupied him for 20 minutes so far.

10:00 p.m Final thoughts: I'm just so happy I get to go to bed...and do it all over again tomorrow. Oh...and I think it's wonderful how Patrick just changed over the laundry from this morning without me even asking...I thought I was going to get to that. I guess not. Oh well.

I leave you with a thought from dear Buddha.
“What we are today comes from our thoughts of yesterday, and our present thoughts build our life of tomorrow: Our life is the creation of our mind.” Buddha.

So...what's been on your mind lately???

by the way, i did get the fun kitchen set. i have the perfect spot for it and am excited to set it up.

these are a few of my favorite things....

i just thought i'd share some things i'm enjoying lately....
to get the full effect of this click here to insert sound of music song mentioning doorbells and sleigh bells and schnitzel with noodles.

now, sit back, relax and....

imagine me prancing around the
nursery with my children
in matching nightgowns....
or not...that would be way too much.

1.

1. i just adore sleep grins. i'm still working on getting a full fledged sleep grin in a picture, but they are soo quick that i usually miss the great ones. this is the best i've gotten so far. i have one thing to say....these are NOT grins he makes when passing gas. i'm convinced that he's just having great dream. i can just imagine him having wonderful dreams of wonderful things like mom's juice, westling with justin someday, getting dressed up by anna in girl clothes and hevenly father. what a nice little face from the little guy that usually stares at me as if i am an alien.

2.

2.dang, PATRICK sure is cute! one of my favorite things is seeing a man...my man....wearing a sling. this is the 1st of our children he has carried in a sling and i sure do love it...and so does dallin. they just look so cute together. i also enjoy patrick's face with a hint of extra cheeze.

3.

3.i love how much justin LOVES dallin. he can't get enough of him. he just repeats over and over, "mom, his is just soooo cute." then he gives him a really tight squeeze and a kiss...or 10, but who's counting.

4.

4. i have a strange love for buckets. this cute mop bucket that rings out my dirty mop is handy and great to have around, even if it doesn't get used as often as it should. why is a mop bucket one of my favorite things? the floors in my house are entirely hardwood. nuff said.

5.

5. i think the perfect hair swirl on the back of dallin's cute little head is perfectly YUMMY. it must be in the genes. justin has it too. so cute.

6.

6. at times, i cant get enough of whole foods...no, people, i've not gone crazy throwing my money around, i like whole foods only under VERY special circumstances: when they are closing the store and selling off inventory at rediculously cheep prices. and just because they knew that i couldn't stay away when there would be more stuff i hadn't seen yet , they put new stuff on clearance every day. i'm sorry to say that i went there 10 times in a two week period. i paid 1.99 for a lg. bottle of delicious olive oil...then i bought 12 more just like it and called it food storage. i just couldn't pass up that 50# bag of sea salt for 10.99 either...it's name: food storage.

7.

7.the GOPHER is my true friend!!! i have never had such a fondness for a tool in my entire life. if you've ever been pregnant or have conastantly carried a baby around, while helping pick up after 2 young children you can imagine why i would love gophie so. i love his suction cups, sturdy construction and fancy trigger lock. i'm just lazy enough that even when the kids are grown and gone, he'll still be my friend.

8.

8. i just laughed when i saw anna's "rain" dance as she pranced around her puddle on the floor.
(and i'm not talking about the kind that falls from the sky).....

i also love that i have hard floors cause it's rains in our house more than is does outside ever since anna discovered that she REALLY enjoys that free feeling and has learned to take her clothing and nappy off.

9.

9. you may find this hare to believe, but: i LOVE laundry (hold on while i paste a VERY fake happy grin on my face.) come on, repeat with me...."I LOVE LAUNDRY." "I LOVE LAUNDRY." "I LOVE LAUNDRY." until this afternoon I did NOT love laundry. but i do now.

laundry is a crazy thing to love, but I've decided i've got no other choice. for as long as i can remember, at the very thought of doing laundry i would simply repeat the folllowing mantra in my head and from my tired lips:
"once i gave up all hope (of EVER keeping the laundry done on a regular basis) i felt much better." the only problem is that no matter how many times i would repeat this, i never felt better. i would just think, i hate laundry, then wait until it got so bad that our family would get together, put on a movie and have a LAUNDRY PARTY! yes. it was incredibly fun, right!? whenever justin hears that we'll be watching a movie he begs, "can we NOT have a laundry party while we watch a movie?" poor child.

the picture i posted i took 3 weeks ago. at that point i had had it and spent all day sorting, folding it and putting it all away. now, today, it is just as bad. but now i am NOT going to dread doing it because....
I LOVE LAUNDRY. yes, yes i do. i can love such a neverending monotanous task. last week when i went to TIME OUT for women, Virginia Hinkley Pearce , mother of 6, said something i needed to hear about housekeeping. she shared. "there are no insignifigant tasks, no matter how small." thanks virginia, i needed that.

i think she was even talking about my laundry, even if it's not exactly a small task.

the other day, my friend alissa wrote a post about how she LOVES ironing. so, if alissa can LOVE ironing, julie can LOVE laundry.
hopefully this is true love...but only time will tell.

I SIMPLY REMEMBER MY FAVORITE THINGS....AND THEN I DON'T FEEEEL SOOOOOOO BAD!

We got a doggie!

We just got the PERFECT dog!!!

Anna absolutely adores dogs. It was one of the 1st fancy words she learned. She squeals with delight whenever we see a picture of a dog. Justin has been asking for a dog since he was 3.
So...You can imagine my excitement when our nice bishop came to our car carrying Frank The Dog... Anna had met frank the day before at our ward 4th of July party and couldn't get enough of him (see pictures from the 4th post.) She hugged, pet and held him for half an hour! The bishop (see picture of him w/a wig on in 4th post too) noticed her excitement and just GAVE Frank to us! Anna has been a happy girl ever since. Justin told me the other day, "We have two pets now. Our dog Frank and fish Jojo."

Here are just some of the reasons I love him so:
(I'm sure there will be more to add to the list the more we get to know him)

He's huggable.
He doesn't shed.
He's house trained and has never lifted his leg on my furniture.
He doesn't bark...ever, so the neighbors love him.
He doesn't get on the furniture unless we put him there.
He has a small appetite.
He's patient.
He is wonderful with children.
He has great breath.
He sleeps in Anna's room when she is lonely.
He's always up to date on needed shots.
He lets Anna drag him around by the ear all day long without a complaint!


I have a bit of a confession to make. I'm sorry to say that it will be a very, very long time before Justin will be able to convince me to get a real dog. I kind of feel bad that I'm not quite up to a real dog. I just don't need one more living thing to clean up after...Do you blame me? Is a real dog worth it??? Plus, after having Frank around, I'm going to have unreasonably high expectations. At least my kids are young and easy to please.