Adios January

Today is the last day of January. We woke up to almost a new 1/2 inch of snow. Not very much, but the kids were begging to play in it. So I told them to get dressed. I came upstairs to find a well collected pile of scarves, hats and boots from Kate, and a totally naked Sam with his snow boots on. With a little help from me, they were soon ready to go.

I often put off playing in the snow for another day because I spend 30 minutes dressing the kids and they are cold and in the house in about seven. But not today. We layered up over our pj's which cut down on prep time. And they refused to come in, even after a good 45 minutes outside. Some hot chocolate and watching an episode of Caillou finally convinced them.
They never complained of being cold and just sat, climbed, and stomped and tried to have tons of fun in the iced over snow banks in the front yard.

I was able to make myself useful in the garage and worked on cleaning up the blue crayon Kid A put all over the seats in the new car on Thursday, as well as the purple smoothie Kid B flung all over the ceiling of the new car last week.

Sunday Miracle

We had a Sunday Miracle today.

It started when all four of us were seated in Sacrament Meeting before it began at 9:00 am.
I am a prompt person normally, but this was the 1st week since the new year time that we have made it before the meeting began. Way to go Team.
Not only did we make it on time, we had about ten minutes to spare at home, we all got breakfast, I only had to do Kate's hair once, and Jake managed to throw some dinner in the crock pot so we didn't have to eat Spaghetti O's when we returned at noon.

I would count this as an A+ for Sundays already.

For Sacrament-
We sat in our row and did not leave with one child or the other . Not for potty breaks, not for drinks, not for general unruliness.
They both were relatively behaved, aside from singing along to some musical numbers which I deem more adorable then reprehensible.
We also managed to leave the row as we found it.
When I say this, what I mostly mean is that we didn't have to fetch the vacuum quickly before moving on to our next meeting because one or more children smashed popcorn, bread, crackers or whatever else they had for a snack into the carpet like we had to last week.

Both children happily ran to their classes. This is more usual than unusual, but it added to our perfect score.

Jake and I sat together through the 2nd hour Sunday school.
Then the stars really aligned.
It was our ward conference, and not only did neither one of us have to teach, the stake leaders taught and combined young women and young men together.
Meaning that Jake and I were able to sit together for the 3rd hour as well.
There is no question that this was a 1st and very unusual to sit uninterrupted through 3 complete hours of church together.

I'm not expecting a repeat of this miracle anytime soon.
Just enjoying it for today.

Aquarium Thursday

I woke up this morning feeling almost like a person.
It is likely because some saint of a spouse let me sleep until 9:00.
It was a wise move seeing as how I usually spend the hours of 8:00 am to 9:00 am throwing up in the bathroom.
Seeing as how the days I feel like I can leave the house are few, we decided to make good use of it by taking the kids to the aquarium in Sandy.
There were fish, sharks, turtles, pengiuns, salamanders, frogs, electric eels, and a poster of a tractor, which of course Sam found and pointed out to those of us who were just going to walk past it.
Favorite moments include Sam spending almost 20 minutes at the sting ray bay trying to summon the courage up to touch one.... but never did.
And Kate crawling through a coral cave shouting she was a snow bear.

Sam's Interpretation of Prayer

Sometimes we think we have done something right.
Like most days when we watch our 23 month old say prayers by himself.
He folds his arms and says "Heavenly Father, mumble mumble mumble mumble mumble mumble. Amen"

What a smart little guy.

Then today we realized he thinks saying a prayer is how you cool you food off.
And that is all he thinks it is.

We were eating raviolis for dinner.
Sam asked for some more.
His 2nds were hot, "hot" he says as he waves his hand at them.
Then mid meal, he folds his arms, says his prayers, and attempts to eat them again.
Unprompted of course.

Confused as to why he is prayer mid meal at first.
Then we realize.
He thinks that is how you cool your food off.
How did he come to the conclusion that prayers at the dinner table are simply a means of cooling your food?

This is what happens at almost every meal.

We sit down at the table. I have already served the children's plates up.
Sam goes to take a bite. He finds it too hot.
We tell him, "Wait Sam, we have to say a prayer 1st"
By the time both children are seated, with folder arms and we help one of them say a prayer and we return to eating the food has cooled.

Well logically it does look like that is why we say a prayer.

Of the funny things kids think.

Shoes that are the outfit

This post may come as a surprise to most. Not because of the content, which may be surprising and magical, but because of the author. While this blog is called "Team Freeman" it really has been created, written, and maintained by Crystal.
So, with Crystal feeling pukey and generally under the weather, I, Jake, am going to take this chance to try my hand at blogging and see how it feels.
As I was headed out to go get some groceries, I hoped to take the kids with me. Katerade happily got dressed, put on a hat, and got ready to join me on a trip to the super market. (As any dad will know, the hat was a necessity because her hair looked like a bird's nest and I cannot do hair) And Samurai wanted to come as well. But he refused to put his pants on. I put his pants on quickly at first and then started to put on his shoes. But he twisted away and took his pants off. So I pinned him down and put his pants on. He wrestled away and again took his pants off. So we tried some different pants, because maybe he did not just like the blue ones. I put the brown pants on him and again he took the pants off. As I reached the end of my rope, Crys explained to me that Samurai does not like to wear pants because then he cannot see his new shoes. It all made sense then, but unfortunately he could not go to the store without pants on. So he stayed home with Mom.
You have got to see these shoes.
Let's be honest, if I had Lightning McQueen shoes. I probably wouldn't want to wear pants either. The less distractions there are from the shoes, the better.

News You Should Know

The Freeman Family is going to be adding a member early August 2011.
That is right.
Baby no. 3!

I'll just let that soak in for a second.

And you will just have to take my word for it,
as I can't summon up the energy (or stomach the idea) to post a picture of a positive test or ultra sound.

The idea of having another Samuel or Kate around our home is a thought we just can't beat.
So we are excited and anxious for the fun to begin.
Have you seen my kids? The thought of bringing another gorgeous child into the world fills us with pride. We can't imagine any more love in our home, but somehow we will be blessed with even more. We really are so happy about our growing family.

The thought of us having three children seems almost impossible to me, seeing as how just 3.5 years ago we had no children. Life changes quickly. What fun!

I've been anxious to share the news with more than my close friends and family, especially seeing as how I have know about the pregnancy since the day I became pregnant.... well or at least suspected.

At no more than two days pregnant we set out to drive to California for Thanksgiving. At a pit stop I bought hard candies to suck on because I was feeling funny, and through the entire trip not only was I exhausted, but the thought of eating fast food (which I normally like) made my stomach turn. And I knew. Jake and I secretly discussed the possibility the brief moments we were alone over the trip.
At home, I bought a test and took it with out Jake even knowing.
He tends to think I am "the girl who cried pregnant" because every time I feel a little sick I claim I must be.
When it came up positive, I hurried downstairs to his office to share the news.
And we laughed.

This pregnancy has proved without a doubt my hardest.
I have thrown up almost every day at least once ( and usually 4 or 5 times) since Dec 4.
My body already hurts with the aches or being 5 months along though I am only 12 week.
And I am constantly constantly tired.
The worst part of it all though it that I can't breathe.
My mouth is constantly full of spit that taste like metal and it makes it hard to breathe, eat, not eat, sleep or act in anyway normal. It makes me lightheaded, dehydrated and sometimes faint and fall to the ground. It is overwhelming to deal with.

Normally I am busy and productive most the day.
But no joke, we just finished unpacking from Christmas vacation this Saturday afternoon.
And if you come by (and please don't... unless you have tissue, lemon drops and some kind of soft taco with you) you will find two children and their mother watching cartoons, unbathed and still in their pj's though it is lunch time.
We've taken life to the bare minimum.
And it still seems like too much most days.
And it brings me to tears nearly every day that I can't be the mother, wife, and woman I normally am and like to be. It is truly depressing.
It is beyond a blessing that my husband works from his home office.
When I accidentally fall asleep on the couch mid afternoon our children know how to go downstairs and ask Dad for what they need.
I actually have only left the house twice since Christmas without him by my side for fear of fainting and puking in public without anyone to care for our two small children who would be with me.

It is not all bad of course.
We have managed to get out a little on a few dates with each other and with the kids.
We had an enjoyable Christmas though I was secretly puking in the bathroom at my in-laws house four or five times a day.
And there is truly no reason we can't just lay around watching whatever is streaming on our Netflix Wii all day long for at least all of January other than the guilt of poor parenting.

The thought of holding a new little one in my arms and name-storming up what we might call them puts a smile on my face. And knowing that is 28 weeks or less away gives me some kind of hope for a normal life once again.

Yup, that is the news.
You can leave your congrats below now.

That is usually how this sort of thing works. Ha!

Meeting A Clown

Last night Lisa and Rodney came up to visit from South Jordan. It seems because they had a craving for a local restaurant we once took them to three years ago. We were happy for the visit and the reason to eat out.
We lucked out too, because as we were leaving a clown showed up. She held the kids attention with her big yellow hair and silly clothes. Then she made them each a balloon animal. Next came a face painting. Kate got a lady bug. She was very pleased and kept asking if it was still there every time she accidentally touched it. I wasn't sure Sam would be up for a face painting, but as soon as Kate was done he hoped up onto the chair. She painted a lizard for him on his cheek. And he was all smiles about what was going on, sitting as still as possible. He also kept touching his cheek very pleased with the temporary buddy on his face.

S and K Highlighters and Binder Paper

The kids together. Kate uses a highlighter to draw a doll for a friend, and also color a page completely yellow and call it a world. Sam draws whatever you ask him happily, but it always looks like scribbling.

Kate daily dresses her brother in her clothing. When he protests and comes to me to get the offending dress/ flower shirt/ princess dress up off, Kate whines " but Mom... I wanted a sister"

Sam consistently requires the following items to go to sleep. A baba (it is actually a CARS sippy cup) a remote control train and remote, two toy tractors, two books, two blankies, two pacifiers, and occasionally a wind up train and a cat in the hat stuffed animal. When put to bed he quickly surveys his sleeping arrangement, identifies what you have not included, then requests them by name. Sometimes you think you can skip something, but then he wakes up at 2:00 am, notices and starts calling "Mama Tractor" repeatedly until you get up, search the house for the missing bedtime buddy and return it to him. Then he holds it close, and falls back to sleep.

The other night putting Kate to bed, I asked her if she wanted her music on. She requested her Primary songs, so she could practice for Primary. Then I asked her if she wanted me to read her a book, instead she grabbed The Friend magazine and said she would just read that herself. Okay sweet grown up child.

Sam talks a lot now. Some of his favorite words.
Candy, Juice, Soda, Tractor, CHOO-Choo,Hot, Dora, Dola (what he calls the dog Cola), car, book, baba, no, spicy,water, soft soft, help( which is usually used when he wants help getting food on his fork),boots, off.... He also has a few sentences... things like "I want it" "my tractor" "more juice" "boots off" He will not say "I love you" no matter how much you ask him too, instead he will give you a kiss. A lot of his words are about food and drinks.
He likes food and drink. When we sit down to dinner he starts hoarding all the food onto his plate before the prayer has been said. Yesterday he didn't think twice about taking all the kiwi I had cut up and putting it on his plate. He also always swipes food off my plate too.

Yesterday Kate got dressed. I had some warm up pants for her to wear. She said "Mom these are my running pants." "Now I can go running with Dad outside" "We can invite everyone and all go running with my fast running pants" Usually when she dresses herself she tries to dress in something yellow telling me she wants to wear my favorite color. Not her favorite color, which is pink and dark red.

Sam loves to clean lately. He is always getting the all purpose cleaner off the counter, then any towel (or shirt) he can get out of the laundry room, and starts spraying and wiping down everything. I always take the actual cleaner away and give him only water, but he knows the difference and throws a fit.

After dinner each night we read a few verses from the Book of Mormon together. The kids are required to be reverent through the reading, then at the end they repeat a verse together. It is hilarious listening to them try to say scripture words. Sam isn't even close and we can't understand what he is saying, but Kate is usually close to those big and awkward words and listening to her tongue twist. They wait patiently after they have said their verse for a reverence treat. Which is a small piece of candy- usually a dinner mint. It is amazing how long we can bribe them along for one small piece of candy.

As I write this the two of them have dressed themselves in boots, hats and coats, and have collected all the stuffed animals and babies in the house to create a zoo. They came down to tell me to come take a trip to the zoo, so I think now I will.

Today Sam got into the fridge and got some cheese out. He is not allowed to eat dairy, because it makes him sick, but he threw a huge fit so I gave up, after putting it back in the fridge four times, when he got it out again, I didn't take it away. I told him "fine eat that but you will get sick" . When Kate heard me she started balling. " I don't want Sam to be sick, I want him to be better" over and over again, with real tears for several minutes until I told her not to worry he would be alright.

Just wanted to give you a glimpse of my hilarious kids.
They make life so fun.... and funny.