This and that

I was thinking the New Year would bring on more organization in my life, more time, and less stress (ha ha ha)  We're already nearing the end of January and it's left me wondering if I'm even a titch better person than I was last year.  I didn't really set any goals on paper this year because, frankly, that just stresses me out and I end up feeling disappointed if I don't achieve every one that is written down.  This year I just thought about the things I need to change, work on, do better, accomplish, etc., and didn't even write them down because let's face it, these things are already deeply embedded in my mind.  Everyday I'm just trying to do one thing better than I did the day before whether it's reading my scriptures, playing with the kids, not losing my temper with the kids (hard one), organizing an area in my house, planning menus, developing my own talents, exercising, an so on.  It's working pretty well and I'm not stressing myself out but I did realize something the other day while trying to organize my closet and that is, just because I know right where everything is in my house, doesn't mean I'm an organized person.  This thought bummed me out because I really thought organization might be one area that I was sort of good at but the more I clean things out, the more I realized that I need an expert to come in to this house and do a complete overhaul.  And, since that's not going to happen, I guess I'll just stick with my plan that I've had all along and that is, don't go buy more plastic organizing bins and all that jazz, just empty out the old ones, do yourself a favor and get rid of junk that you haven't used in months (trust me, you won't miss it), get rid of stuff, reuse the containers, and there you have it, you saved some money, helped someone out, and plus, you just feel good when you take a car load of stuff to the DI or the dump!  Now that I've rambled on about nothing,  what I really need to do is record the happenings of the last few weeks in no particular order:
* Jordyn has been losing teeth like crazy, she's missing 4 on top and 2 on the bottom but she still finds a way to eat apples whole. Funny, funny girl!  Kaleb's lost two of his own but I think he's a stand still.  Morgan came home from school yesterday with a tooth in her hand that she'd pulled out during school.  She told me she really wanted to get it out before she got home so I wouldn't sit on her and yank it out with dental floss.  While on the subject of teeth, Regan and Morgan took another trip to the orthodontist and much to Regan's dismay, she has to wait another 4 months for her darn teeth to fall out and fill in before we look at getting braces on her.  She's pretty sure that she'll be the only high schooler next year that is still losing teeth.  Poor kid!  Morgan has to have another space maintainer in preparation for her second set of braces.  She's been an expensive kid, but pretty teeth are a must as far as I'm concerned so any amount of money spent there is money well spent!

*  Regan decided before Christmas that she'd try out for the basketball team.  Tryouts were held two weeks ago and she made it and is now in the thick of practices every night and two games a week.  She's at somewhat of a disadvantage because most of the other girls have been playing basketball together for years, never missing a season. Regan stopped playing quite a few years ago other than playing for fun here at home and occasionally going to the church to shoot around with DJ.  So, she's having to learn all of the plays in a short amount of time and having to learn to be aggressive which is certainly not in her nature.  I'm proud of her for trying out and keeping a good attitude!
*  Jordyn got glasses!  She's been complaining of her eyes hurting for sometime but being the sympathetic mother I am (wink wink), I just thought she wanted to be like her other little friends who recently got glasses.  I sound like a mean mom but doesn't every kid that age want glasses and braces and maybe even a broken arm just because it's cool. Well, come to find out, she's far sighted in her left eye so she just needs reading glasses which she pretty much wears all day. So, the jokes on me!
*  I'm officially getting old.  I managed to have 2 doctor appointments in 2 weeks which resulted in way too many horse pills I must swallow every morning.  I finally decided that this dang cold wasn't going to go away unless I went to visit the Doc and low and behold, I found out I have Bronchitis.  The horse pills are working and the inhaler is working wonders.  Also, after 3 years of my back aching every day, I decided I better have someone take a look at it so that was the 2nd office visit.  I'm kicking myself that I didn't go in 3 years ago because he's got me on some awesome anti inflammatory pills that are working miracles.  I haven't been able to bend over to tie my shoes, lift a laundry basket, get off of a couch, pick up kids, run, cough, walk, etc. w/out any pain for so long and today I've done all of those things and more with minimal pain.  Anyway, at the rate I'm going, I'll have to make the dreaded purchase of a pill separator!
* Morgan just finished yet another round of indoor soccer and is moving right in to the next round.  She never seems to tire of the sport and is ticked if she ever has to miss a practice or a game.  Of all of her Christmas presents she received, her most exciting things were her new soccer socks and shin guards!  She couldn't wait to show them off to her coach.  She's really fun to watch on the soccer field and is quite sure that she knows everything there is to know about the game (ha ha)  This gets her in trouble sometimes!
*  Kaleb has taken off reading the last couple of weeks.  The light just turned on and it's all starting to click.  He love his teacher and hates when there is a substitute.  This week he came home very disgusted because he apparently had a "mean" substitute. He told me that she never smiles and that she's mean to him and everyone in the class. He was pretty disgusted with her bad attitude and can't wait until tomorrow when Mrs. Schuster returns. 
*  Porter and Kamryn spent a couple of days sick last week with a nasty flu bug.  It never ceases to amaze me how one will wake up with a sickness and within 1 hour, the other one has the exact same thing.  You can argue that they play together, sleep in the same bedroom, and spend much of their time together so naturally they would get sick at the same time but I still think it's bizarre.  I think they are just connected in every way, they are hungry at the same time, they poop at the same time (too much information, I know), they know what each other is thinking, they fight like crazy but come to each other's defense all of the time, they can't sleep away from each other, if one leaves the room, the other one will follow within minutes.  They crack each other up and carry on the funniest conversations ever!!  I rarely turn on the radio in the car because they are the only entertainment I need.  I'm having a hard time realizing that they will be turning 4 in 5 more months.  They are definitely not babies anymore though I'm sure they are treated like it a little too often. 

Jordyn and her friend Emily before there Fall clogging performance.  And, an adorable toothless Jordyn! 

Porter, Kamryn, and Kaleb with Grandma Johnson--this was taken at Promentory Rehabilitation where my Grandma spent a couple of weeks recovering after hip surgery caused by a nasty fall at her apartment.  She's since moved down to live with my mom and dad for the next few weeks until she's strong enough to move back to her apartment at Bonaventure here in Idaho Falls!!  We can't wait until she comes back!

Kami with daddy who she affectionately refers to as "her boyfriend" 

Jordyn and Kamryn playing dress up and dolls with Jordyn's new Journey Girl doll she got for Christmas.  She loves this doll more than anything and takes care of her just like she would a real baby.  I'm glad she's finally figured out how to do it's hair because that's all I needed was another head of hair to do in the morning! 

Jordyn with "Kelsee" our newest family member! 

Kami slicing her own apple.  Yikes!! Can anyone say in Ms. Independent!

My babies that are not really babies anymore! 

Kami's loving getting her hair done these days as long as she's the one who decides what we'll do for the day. She loves for me to curl her hair like Regan's with her new curling iron!

Porter Pie--always smiling and can win anyone over with those big eyes!

Toothless Jordyn with her sleeping mask that she got for Christmas.  At night time I'll go and check on her and there she is with her doll fast asleep, both with their sleeping masks on:) 

Porter and Kami spent a solid day on the couch sick!  Did I say Porter was always smiling...well, almost always!