How Much is that Doggy in the Window...

I have a moral dilema. Our 6 month old dog, Barkley, is driving us crazy. He is very cute, but I think that may be his only redeeming quality. Yesterday, he peed in the house 4 times- once on Zack's blanket, once on Maycee's newly washed comforter (newly washed because he had lifted his leg on it the day before), and twice on my bed (on our nice comforter and sham, and on the pile of newly washed sweaters I had just folded and set on my bed). Every time I let that dog in the house he would go and pee on something. And, every time he did this, I would make him smell it, in my angriest voice tell him that was naughty, and then put him outside in the freezing cold. I just don't get why he would still do it over and over. He has never mastered the outside potty task. It seems like at least once a day, I'm cleaning up some kind of doggy accident. Today he pooped in Zack's room. Aaugh! I am so tired of cleaning carpet and washing everything! This is not his only problem, however. He gets really riled up and kind of nips and scratches at the kids. I must say, the kids usually start this, but not every time. And then, there are tears shed and band-aids given. But, this is several times a day. I can't stand it anymore. And, I can't just leave him outside, it's too dang cold. So, this brings me back to my moral dilema. I feel terrible about this but, I think we are going to take him to the Humane Society or the Animal Shelter. I feel bad because I have had a dog in my house all my life and have never had problems like this before. I guess I just don't know how or have the patience to train dogs. I also feel bad because Ryan's brother and his wife gave us this dog and I don't want to hurt their feelings. More guilty feelings- I don't want Barkley to go anwhere but a happy, nice family that will love him and take care of him. And, I can't totally gaurantee that. But, even with all these reasons, I think he still really needs to go. I already have enough around here to take care of! He is adding stress to my life. So, am I just giving up, or what? Am I a loser because I can't handle it anymore? Or, is it OK to admit when you are defeated and you try to fix things the best that you know how? Any thoughts? Council me please!! Brett and Steph- don't hate us!! Animal lovers everywhere- I'm sorry! Do YOU want a new dog?

Well, I got a new church calling last Sunday...Boy Scouts Den Leader. I know, I know, you can stop laughing now. It is a little funny, I realize, but the member of the Bishopric was "inspired" to call me to this. Which I really do believe, but I'm sure that the reason for this is surely for ME to learn some lesson to better my life. I'm truly not sure what I'll be able to teach these 8 year old boys. I am not very handy dandy with tools, pinecones, or popscicle sticks. And, as I am going through the several different manuals and books given to me to help guide me through this wonderful challenge, I see ahead many crafty crafts in my future, but none involve ribbons, scrapbook paper, craft paint, or fingernail polish. Boo. I did actually attend my first Den meeting on Wednesday afternoon. There were only 5 boys present, but it was like 5 ADHD boys who just drank a whole can of grape soda jumping around a McDonald's Playland, which actually was my neighbor's living room. It was a little insane, needless to say. One boy constantly was poking another person and then would whine, "He hit me, he hit me," just to be annoying. Another boy would answer every question with, "To hurt someone?" Doesn't matter what the question was, that was the typical answer. One boy refused to say the prayer or play any of the games, even the fun one, not sure why. And, to my chagrin, my partner informed me that it was like this most of the time. Although, in the summer, it was a little better because they could go outside. Yahoo! And then, on Friday my partner came over to bring me manual, a Scout Magazine, a game book, a list of the clothing I need to buy, the list of meetings I need to attend, etc, etc. Aaugh! Overload. Overload. I am a little nervous about this. I don't want to not like any calling. I really don't. So, I'm begging any of you out there that have served in Scouts to assure me that it's not so bad. I know this deep in my heart, but like I said, overload. I know most of the boys and their parents pretty well, and they really are good kids. I was just a little shocked at their combined energy. Anyway, I will keep you updated on this wonderful challenge!

Aahhhh....Maycee

I was checking some of my favorite blogs when I overheard Maycee talking to Avery just now. I said "What are you doing?" because I can hear a little of what she is saying and it is not good. I'm hearing "Say pooh. Say bum." She says, "I'm teaching her naughty words so that she can use them when she's older." Words like stupid, pooh-pooh, etc...I think that's when I caught her. Thanks, Mayce. That's what a big sister is for, right? However, this is the same girl that hopped into bed with me this morning and noticed that Barkley (the dog) was snuggled up to me. She says, "Barkley loves you, huh?" I say, "Yeah, but I don't know why." She says, "Because, mommy, you are very nice and kind." Oohhh! You take the good with the bad, I guess. Actually, she is a lot like me. crap. I'm in for it.

The Forgotten Ones...

You know how you take a hundred pictures of your kids because they are so cute and they are doing something adorable, you download the pics on your computer and then you forget about them? Some of you probably don't- you are the type that scrapbooks (or something equally as crazy). I am a terrible scrapbooker. I don't know why. I have all the stuff. Bins of stuff- paper, stamps, templates, embellishments (what are those really?). But, I never sit down and scrapbook. I have one and only one place to do it- the kitchen table. Maybe that's why I don't actually do it. I'll get it out, have 3 kids who would normally ignore me suddenly be very interested in what I am doing, and then have to put it away again very soon because we'd have to eat or something. It's a terrible thing. I want to be a spectacular scrapbooker, but, alas, I think it will have to wait until my children are older, ooh or maybe even out of the house! :) Anyway, I thought that since that time is oh so far away and it is the end of 2007, I would show some of the cuter pics of our family from this year...

Ryan has Dinner Making Skills!

So, Christmas is over. I can't believe it has come and gone already. We put the Christmas, well let me rephrase that, WE started putting all the Christmas stuff away and I finished putting all the Christmas stuff away. I'm not sure how I get stuck with this daunting task every year, but somehow midstream everyone seems to magically disapear. However, while I was putting everything away in boxes and bags, Ryan did make dinner. He made a really good dinner- breakfast burritos with sausage, eggs and cheese and warmed up pancakes from the day before. So, I have to tell you what the kids said about Ryan's dinner making abilities. Zack says, "Dad this is actually really good food." I giggle a little bit. Maycee says, "Dad, I think I'm falling in love with your food." I giggle a lot. Maycee seems to be falling in love with a lot of things lately- Zack's friends, the cute little Carston at preschool, but this was by far the funniest. Don't you think Ryan should cook more?
We hope you have a wonderful New Year with lots of laughs!!

A Not So Silent Night

So I decided yesterday at the Grocery Store, probably because I was a slacker and hadn't planned anything else, that the kids and I would put together a Gingerbread House for Family Home Evening. Ryan had to work and I thought that it would be fun, easy, and a creative project for the kids. Well, it was creative! Ok, it was pretty fun, too. And, it wasn't too hard. It was a good thing that I have a little cake decorating kit with different little tips to do some fun stuff with the icing. The kit only came with the Gingerbread, the icing and a little piping bag that I guess you'd cut the tip off of and try to decorate with that. So, anyway, I did all the icing. It just seemed easier (and a lot cleaner)that way.


Zack and Maycee did all of the candy decorating. They put gumdrops on the roof and by the front door, and these little tiny colorful candies around the edges like Christmas lights. I was pretty impressed with them at this point. I guess they have grown out of the "throw everything on anywhere" kind of stage.
Which, I will admit, I'm kind of glad about because I tend to be a little obsessive/compulsive about stuff like this.

Now, remember how I said that Zack and Maycee did the candy decorating?Well, Avery was there, but all she did was sit and lick the frosting off of everything; out of the bowl, off of the beaters, taking little swipes with little fingers at the Gingerbread House. You can't tell very well from this picture, but Avery's face is covered with white icing and a little chocolate from the peanut M&Ms the neighbors brought over.

Aahhh! The finished masterpiece. We did pretty good, right? There was only minimal yelling, "Don't move it, I'm trying to do the windows." "Quit eating the candy!" "Keep your hands to yourself!" But, it was worth it. It really was a fun project. I think we'll do it again next year. Hey, did you notice the cool icicles? Yeah, I did those! :)

I'm sorry that I haven't written for so long. It seems that we have been so busy, but I couldn't tell you with what. Tis the season, I guess. I can tell you that I am pretty much done shopping. Christmas cards have been sent. Neighbor gifts have all been made and delivered. So, I think I can kind of relax now. Yeah, right! Anyway...

I was reading a friend's blog and she had this cute questionaire on there. I learned a lot about her and I thought I would share some of our likes/dislikes, traditions, etc. Merry Christmas!!

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Mostly wrapping paper and, this sounds a little odd, but between my family members we wrap and exchange gifts in fabric gift bags that my aunt made. They are neat because we give them back and forth to each other and we don't have to throw anything away or take the time (and paper and tape) to wrap anything.

2. Real tree or Artificial? Fake. Last year we finally broke down and bought a beautiful 9 ft. pre-lit tree. Love it. I especially love the pre-lit part. It seems in years past that I Always had to do the lights on the tree. Granted, I am kind of a Nazi about how the lights should go, but I still got sick of doing it alone. I also like that we don't have to water it, which could have been kind of interesting with our dog this year. I will admit that I miss the smell of a real tree, though. I guess that's what candles are for.

3. When do you put up the tree? We don't really have a set time. Somewhere between Thanksgiving and, um, Christmas?

4. When do you take the tree down? Again, no set time. I love to put up the Christmas decorations. But, around the first part of January I start to feel a little clostr0phobic (I'm sure I didn't spell that right) and I have to put everything away. Our house seems to gain square footage when all the Christmas stuff is down.

5. Do you like egg nog? Yes!! Which is probably not a good thing. I try not drink too much of it. I do, though, thanks to my parents, dilute it with a little milk. My kids love it too. All of them when they were young, and Avery now, call it Neg Nog Juice.

6. Favorite gift received as a child? I really don't know. That's a tough question. I had a great Christmas every year. I loved the Barbie furniture and clothes my sister and I got one year. I got a cool new bike another year. And, I'll never forget the year my family got it's first computer.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes, I have lots. I kind of collect them. I have some from different countries like the Czech Republic and Mexico. I have some that are antique and some that are handmade. I take out all the glass in my China Hutch and put all my nativities in there.

8. Hardest person to buy for? Um, probably Ryan's parents. Although, I think we did pretty good this year...

9. Easiest person to buy for? Definitely Zack and Maycee. Every commercial they see, they yell, "I want that, I want that!" I have so many choices!! Maycee is escpecially obsessed with "Qick Gems, by Conair". Her dad is a sucker and called and ordered them. Don't tell!

10. Mail or email Christmas cards? Definitely mail. I hate to admit that my technological skills seem to be dwindling each year I stay home with our kids.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I think I am not going to answer this question. :)

12. Favorite Christmas movie? Definitely, Christmas Vacation, hands down.
"Eddie, I wouldn't be more surprised if I woke tomorrow morning with my head sewn to the carpet."
"Aunt Bethany, would you say grace?" "Grace...she died 30 years ago!"

Love it!

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually around October.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Again, I am not going to answer this question. No, just kidding. I never have, unless it was a white elephant gift.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Oh my goodness. "It's the most wonderful time of the year..." I love when the doorbell rings at night and it's a neighbor delivering some kind of goody. But, my all-time favorite treats at Christmas is the candy my Grandma used to make: peanut brittle, pecan logs, fudge, chocolate covered cherries. Oh my goodness.

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Clear.

17. Favorite Christmas song? Probably Silent Night. Sinead O'Conner sings a great version of this.

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Both, kind of. I don't know if driving to either my parents or Ryan's parents is considered "traveling", but we split the time between them.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen, and Rudolph. I think that's all of them, right?

20. Angel on the tree top or a star? A Star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning. Although, when we were younger we woke up so early we could almost consider it Christmas eve.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Lines. Lines. Lines. At the post office, at the store, everywhere.

23. Um, somehow I lost #23 question in translation.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner? Christmas eve dinner: clam chowder and rolls. Christmas morning: yummy breakfast at the Normans, and before I got married, my mom's Breakfast casserole. Christmas dinner: Turkey or ham and mashed potatoes and all the trimmings. It's like Thanksgiving all over again!

25. What do you want for Christmas this year? I don't know. I really was spoiled for my birthday. But, I'll tell you what I really want even though I know it's never going to happen. I want a dog that doesn't pee or poop on the carpet. I want new carpet. I'd like a finished, organized basement with a CLEAN toy room in it. (that's more unlikely than the dog that doesn't pee on the carpet) But, I got my new car, so really, I'm good.