Lisa Heuer

That adorable, awesome, sweet, loving 2 year old ALSO learned that he could blow his nose on my shirt and on that particular day when I was wearing a black shirt, it left a very noticeable mark.  So, he continued on-it was fun for him.  Disgusting for me.  I couldn’t put him down because he left his shoes somewhere and my hands were full so I couldn’t move his head away from my clothes.  So, there I was, holding him as he continually blew his snotty, drippy nose on my black shirt.  Gross, I know.  Its just that I forgot to add this to the list of things he did-it was an important one.  : )

We saw a party about to happen-riding right by my house.  How could I possibly not join that party?  I was planting some stuff and playing with my flower bed in my front yard (it will look fantastic in about 10 days… right now, just some good looking soil, vermiculite, and seeds) and saw about a million girls ride by on their bikes.  I couldn’t stand it, I just had to know what was going on.  They said, “Hi Sister Heuer, we are going to the Johnston’s to swim.”  WHAT???? SWIM??? Last time I looked at my calendar (probably this morning) it was Saturday, February 28th.  It was a beautiful day outside and my kids were out playing with me in their swimsuits so I suppose it all seemed very reasonable.  I finished my work, cleaned up, and the kids and me went over to join the party.  I couldn’t believe that they would really get in.  Well, they did.  My kids played a little in the water. (Zane lasted about 2 minutes and then started taking his shorts off because they were wet-so, about a million tween girls and my son who is taking his close off.  OH BOY.)  It was fun to sit in the beautiful weather, chat with Kristen, be paranoid about Zane falling in the pool, listen to Zoe’s voice get louder and louder as her excitement grew about the potential of swimming, and watching Zane gorge himself on some Cheese-its.  It has been a good Saturday.  Productive Saturday (is there a connection here?)

Now, I am off to make a final decision on my photography logo.  There has been 338 submissions.  It has been a full time job sorting through, giving feedback for revisions, and eliminating those that didn’t strike me.  (it has been fun too)  I see my personality in these designs… I give feedback and rate them.  It is funny that they all start to resemble my favorite colors and the way I think.  I am getting excited…

Oh, one more fun thing.  Since it is “quiet time” over here, I am working on this dang computer, Zane is asleep, and Zoe and Tim were going to run errands.  He invited her to shop Best Buy with him.  She said, “Oh, Dad… I know what we could do but I need to whisper it to you.”  Then I heard nothing except this… “Zoe you need money to do something like that.  Do you have any money?”  She was disappointed and asked me for money.  As you know, me and my best friend, BUDGET, are close. I want to give her everything she asks for but I had to resist.  I want to teach her something, just one thing in life.  : )

I told her that we need to budget for expensive activities.  She explained to me that she would like to go to As You Wish and paint something.  She was determined to find money, and she did (determination-who does that come from?) She dumped out our change bucket (free for anybody to take from, I learned) asked for help, and rounded up $37.  Can you believe it?  So, off painting they went.

I have one hour left to close out the logo contest.  I MUST manage my time well-stop blogging, stop emailing, stop blog stocking, stop editing, and FOCUS.  I should have put that on my 2009 goals!

You know what they say about terrible 2’s/3’s?  I think they might be right?!?!?  In the last few days (literally the last couple of days), here is what my darling 2 year old did (I will avoid calling him terrible-I would hate for him to live up to the stereotype, title, or even expectation.  Shhhh, don’t tell him I am writing this):

Sprayed scrubbing bubbles all over my laundry room floor-EVERYWHERE

Tipped over a stack of movies then pushed them all around to make it even harder to pick up

dumped out all of my rings, some fell under my bed, some under the dresser

painted his toenails purple (tried)

got into the scrubbing bubbles again

filled up the fish food with water

tried to sit on my niece

woke up somewhere between 2-5am every day as if the sun was shining

threw his bike down the stairs

dumped sand on my kitchen floor

woke a sleeping baby by turning on the lights and throwing laundry into the pack n play

sprayed hairspray on my mirror

I am exhausted even thinking of this list.  I am not sure that I can keep my eyes open any longer.  : )  My dear, sweet, little man.  For the first few days I was home playing sick with him, it was funny and bloggable.  Now, let’s just say I believe in a healthy degree of separation! 

Today, he was well!  3 days on the antibiotics dry nose, no eye goop, and a slight cough.  I took advantage of some time alone and was able to conquer some stuff on my list.  ahhh. I feel better!  Today was a glorious day, productive.  Yes, production….. another big AHHHH.   I thought I was good at being pink.  It turns out that in order to be pink, you must have some red.  I can’t be all white.

Zane was an unbelievable baby-just would hang out for as long as needed-wherever needed.  He never got mad, just an easy going infant.  He started to crawl at about 10 months.  I wasn’t worried about it-I learned after having Zoe that I didn’t want to push him to the next stage.  He would eventually figure it out.  Oh, he started walking the week before nursey (18 months) and  THAT WAS GREAT.  Well, I think he is making up for lost time now.  Zoe never got into cabinets or cupboards.  I can tell that I need to be more careful.  MUCH MORE CAREFUL if I care about my stuff at all!

I am grateful for sick days and healthy days.  I am grateful for automatic dispensing water and ice.  I mean, really… how convenient.  I am grateful for a super cute niece who is learning how to crawl.  Her little army crawl is awesome.  I am grateful for comfortable beds.  I am grateful for the bitter and sweet.  I am grateful for WW-I was down 3 pounds.  Now that is exciting.  I am grateful for the undying quest to find some clothes that Zoe will be happy with-a good reason to get out and shop.  (her preferences… well, I will vent about that another day).  I am grateful for our golf cart.  It is so fun to cruise around the neighborhood with the kids. I am grateful for my super sore shins.  It reminds me that walking once every 3 months really doesn’t do the job.  I am grateful that Cara let me walk with her last night.  I am grateful for a tiny tiny tiny opportunity to do some service today-that too feels good.  I am grateful for Zoe’s help every time the cousins come over to play.  She is a great helper.  I am grateful for giggles, sarcasm, and status updates.

Back to being productive (This to me, in case you are even concerned and wondering) is production for me.  Keeping up on my blog seems to be a never ending “to do” but one that I love.  I probably won’t be around to see its benefits 100 years from now but I smile at the idea of what my super great to the exponential degree, grandchildren will be thinking when they read this…. these is my words.  (That book, I have heard it is great but I couldn’t seem to get through it-probably because my mind scatters too quickly-you already knew that about me).

This RED girls has been doing ok on trying to be pink (according to myself).  I definitely have been enjoying my calendar the last few days (clear, clear, clear) and I have been letting go of some things that have been weighing me down.  Most of all, it has been too many days since I went somewhere by myself.  Tomorrow is the morning I am going somewhere just for me (don’t get all excited now).  I am going to WW and I am expecting some good results.  Well, I always EXPECT good results but seeing how I never hold up my end of the bargain (eat right, exercise, etc.) my expectations are often a let down!

My day was uneventful.  But that’s ok for pink girls.  I went for a long walk with Zane, learned that a walk in flip flops is never a good idea, watched many movies (or started many movies per Zane’s request and never made it through more than 15 minutes), took Zane to the doctor, and successfully made is through homework and piano practice without one single tear. (Zoe’s tears, that is.  Did you think I was crying?  I should be-it just about puts me in the hospital everyday!)  We had PB&J’s for dinner, popcorn and ANOTHER movie at 6:30 and kids in bed at 8.  I then worked on my future business (potential future business), wrote a list of outstanding duties according to priority and now I am looking at the clock as I can hear my bed screaming my name.  Weird, huh?!

I took Zane on a long stroll today.  We crossed over to Power Ranch and played, watched the ducks, and enjoyed this perfect weather.  He spotted the playground-I wasn’t going to say, “no.”  So, to the playground we went.  He is so easy to get along with.  He found some kids to play with and joined the digging.  I sat on the sideline wishing I had a smaller booty so I could lay back in the stroller!

While I was wishing my booty away, I recognized some Russian being spoken next to me.  There were 2 ladies and soon joined by a 3rd.  I was using every part of my brain, trying so hard to plan out how I would surprise them and start speaking Russian to them.  Who speaks Russian in Queen Creek, I mean really?  Well sadly, my brain has dumped much of what I learned.  I was so disappointed in myself. 

I eventually got up the nerve to ask, “Are you ladies from somewhere in Russia?”  They confirmed and explained they were from Moscow.  I asked how they ended up in Power Ranch and I only got one reply-she met her husband in Moscow while he was working.  I was curious to know if they wanted to go back home, how long they had been here, who did they leave behind, how many kids do they have, do they find friends easily, what language do they speak to their kids, do their husbands speak Russian, etc.  I just wanted to spend the afternoon talking and talking. 

I decided to just let them enjoy the day at the park as friends and mothers.  I won’t hide the fact that I still tried to eavesdrop and figure out their whole conversations.  Don’t worry, all I could pick out was some HERE, THERE, LATER, PLEASE, LOVE, WILL BE, CAREFUL, MAY I and a few other combinations.  They could have been saying anything with those words.

I was a bit enthused and remembered so much about my schooling there in St. Petersburg.  I have some good memories-it changed me forever.

So needless to say, 12 years ago I knew lots of Russian, today I felt like I knew none.

It is true, I did shower, clean the kitchen (and the spill on the floor) and complete one of those tasks that seemed to be taking over too many brain cells.  The shower happened around 3 but who is watching the clock?

I had a photo session with a new family today.  Their little baby was turning 1.  I love photography! (and Photoshop)

I yearn for good quotes.  I wish I was a good quoter, wait maybe I wish to be a good quotee???  You know what I mean…  As you know, I often blog hop and blog stock but today, I found a website with a great quote.  This woman is starting her yoga studio-this quote was found on her new site.

Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing,

there is a field.  I’ll meet you there.

-Rumi

Kind of cool huh?  Have any great quotes to share?  I would love to see your favorites!  I would love to post some more favorites!

That night that Zane kept wriggling and wriggling and frustrating me was not all that bad because after I asked him to PLEASE BE STILL, he replied…

“Mommy, I love you”

and then cuddled up close once more.

Later when we were getting ready to go outside for a walk, he said

“Mommy, I so happy”

For prayers, I asked him if he wanted to say them or wanted my help.  He said he wanted my help.  As I opened my mouth to begin, he cut in and said

“deeeer fervenly hotter” (Heavenly Father) 

I tried to be reverent but had to crack a smile!

He is a sweet boy… takes my sleep away, but I love him. I look forward to hearing him each day. 

All I want is this……….  SLEEP.  Zane, called it an early morning at 4.  He promised he would lay down with me quietly and not be “ wiggurwe” but I should have trusted my instincts.  I think I need to get back out the tape.  How do you explain to a little child that mommy needs sleep-it is part of a good mommy recipe?  Tim comes back today and I hope to get some rest.  I will maybe even go to bed when the kids do in order to maximize my chances.  : )

In the meantime, here is to a tired mommy who is getting a little angry…

Just skip this, move on with your life.  This is just the ramblings of a mind that has had not sleep…

If you were to stop by at this very moment, you may think you were at the wrong house.  Me, unshowered, spilled apple juice on the floor that I have yet to clean up so the sticky mess is still shiny and proud, dirty dishes in the sink, messy blankets on the couch, clothes in the hall that haven’t made it to the laundry room, Zane’s bike in the kitchen, school papers all over the counter, a bucket full of medicines-every kind for a child that has a fever, cough, goupy red eyes and a runny gross nose, and some half eaten Chik-Fil-A near the sink.  (hold on, I will go take care of that part right now)   Check. done!

(Actually, I love visitors and I don’t mind that you see this RED girl trying to be pink.  My house is NOT always clean.  Come see… you will, phew.)

OK, I am back.  Zane, man that boy can talk.  He has been a sick little kid today.  He has told me at least three thousand times, “mommy, I not feewing good.  I need metusin.”  He says it will a smile and a cute raspy voice from coughing.  That is the maximum complaint that boy has given me today.  He slept for about 2 hours last night, actually it was morning-6:30-8:30am.  He was plopped in front of the TV to allow others to sleep and he said at about 6:30 when Zoe woke for school that he was going to bed, and did.  I thought he would crash at “quiet time” but he fought to lay on the couch or be by my side.  I am tired, I am not interested in cleaning (obviously myself or the house) and I just want him to be healthy.  Finally, around 2, I gave up and decided to go outside and get some air.  Naps were not in the picture for us.  We went to Kristen’s house, borrowed Fui and Josie, and strolled to the park.  It was good to get out.  

Most of the day while inside, I was on the computer either debating between logos for a photography business, emailing Tim (it turns out that we can have great conversations via email, I should have known!) or catching up on all my favorite blogs. 

I was excited that the calendar showed CLEAR DAY, and I had to make tomorrow an almost clear day.  That is what you do as a mother.  Word to those still yet to conceive… pay attention here.  Parenthood is spelled like this-SACRAFICE.  I love Zane, I love the time we have together.  I actually feel guilty (oh, yes… parenthood can also be spelled like this-GUILT) because I was distracted by my laptop.  I should have just watched Monsters, Inc. over and over like he wanted.

So, as postless as this is, it is just another day in the life…

Oh, one more thing-I have lots on my plate.  I am an involved type of gal and like to make things happen.  I usually take on things without thinking through how much I can really do and still balance my life.  So, yesterday I was overwhelmed and realized that I needed to make some changes.  I did and I am proud of myself.  I was able to give up some things.  I really am anxious to start up something with photography and with this new opportunity around the corner, I want that to be my focus.  I need to get much in place-organization is my (sick) life.  One day at a time should be what I tell myself instead.  : )  jsyk, I am taking note of the things that I think about on a daily basis:

–completing the March calendar for babysitting co-op (email out requests to have shifts filled, then copy and send the month to all members)

–buying plane tickets and organizing the rental car situation for women’s conference.  (April/May)

–completing the plans for a Disneyland trip with my daughter and 3 other mother and daughter teams… need park pricing, hotel reservations, etc. (March)

–my photography logo, business plan, price sheet, what am I offering and not offering.  This is huge-it will make or break me.  My website, my image, my business or is it? (March)  VERY time consuming.  But, I want this for me!  I need this for me!  This one can’t be postponed or ignored…

–planning the enrichment activity for March and all the other months- getting committees together, planning meetings, follow-up meetings, etc.(March)

–laminating miniature ward lists for the gift at the March activity

–completing the process of selecting a logo for fellow neighborhood cyclists then submitting for estimates, selecting a company to print and of course taking the orders…  and having jerseys made (ASAP)

–approving and all other management concerns for Queen Creek Friends (our neighborhood email group) (all the time)

–OH, raising my children, focusing on my relationship and helping to make a happy home. (all the time)

I do it to myself.  I know.  I know.  I love my community.

And, as you know, I recently had a post about “will it ever be enough.” even as I spell out “tasks” I think about other things like daily scripture study, some time to read something that can help me escape, exercising, fixing my garden, taking care of my pool, playing with my kids, cooking something fabulous, serving others, making friends, losing weight, etc.  It really is never enough.  OK, so I need some YOGA!  And, I feel myself getting sick. 

I am enjoying my blogging outlet-ya know, talking to myself.  I am thankful for music. (are you starting to think I am a nutcase?  How many things have I covered in the last few paragraphs?) I am thankful for inspirations.  I am thankful for this awesome, beautiful, perfect weather.  I am thankful for new friends and old.  The dear ones…  I am thankful that my hair is a mess even when I supposedly put it together-it makes days like today no different than any other “bad hair” day.  I am thankful, in a weird way, for Facebook.  I have connected with my very own sister—at least I get to see her updates and they are fun for me.  I am thankful for Clorox wipes and hope they have worked magic in my home.  I am thankful for Tim’s stable job.  I am thankful for those creative and talented people who have mastered presentation.  I am letting that goal go for 2009.  I am grateful for technology!  And, I am grateful that is it 10:21 and I am saying goodnight!