Reminders to set reminders

One of the most true statements that directly apply to me is that major problem in the new century is not getting information, it's sorting through it. I've had some major struggles lately thinking of the word I want to use (I couldn't think of the word 'treadmill' tonight), but am hopeful it will return when sleep does. The funny thing is (there I go again with that phrase), I get so intent on making sure I write things down so I don't forget them, I'm going crazy.

If you'll note on my Outlook tasks, I have two reminders to set reminders. Enough said about that. I have reminders to take out the garbage, clean the furnace filter, clean the kitty litter (which has been 'snooze'd for a few extra days now. Some people say if you make lists, you look at all the things you want to get done but haven't, and get depressed. I'm of the opinion anything that gets put on a list and gets accomplished is a goal accomplished, and should be rewarded.

Ok...it's 12:21 AM and I'm in my second wind. My last thing to mention is my monthly reminders. I'm sure if you've read this far you probably can't sleep either, but I once heard a talk where you should take your temperature, give yourself a report card, (follow the analogy you prefer) every so often. I created the task in May 2006 and I hadn't done it yet, until now.

I recently heard a radio spot that compared what you were interested in and what your children were interested in (i.e. who was the latest pick for your sports team vs. what school books are in your child's backpack), showing how you're doing balancing between you and the time you spend with your kids. I think I've always avoided the report card, not so much that I'm doing horrible, but unlike not feeling like I'm doing well or near perfection.

Tonight I went home teaching, and talked with the Elder's quorum president (he subbed for my companion who's sick) about validation from God, yourself, spouse, etc. He said he wondered how many men take their twins home teaching to give their wives a break. I think I'm finally starting to see potential in the possibility I might plug the selfish holes that make me feel so unkind and selfish.
Ok...I'm tired.

Our little helper

Sydney has been such a huge help lately...getting garbage bags and putting the previous night's diapers in, etc. However, Lisa paged me downstairs asking "are you cleaning out the fridge?" I brought the camera upstairs.

Everything within reach was out, lined up on the kitchen counter, taken out of bags, etc. Just no comments about passing on my obsessive-compulsive nature, ok? :)

Reinvested

"It's the funniest thing" must be the most common thing out of my mouth, followed by something new, which begs the question, is the funniest thing changing 10-12 times a day? :) Ok..so it's the funniest thing, I have been trying really hard to spend less time on myself and more time on Lisa. So Saturday I went to play ultimate frisbee while Lisa took care of the kids, then Rich came out that night to play games and hang out. Despite letting Lisa take an hour and a half nap, I think my 4 hours playing didn't make the grade.

I replaced the faucet/drain in the hall bathroom, helped with dishes, laundry (forgot to include Sydney's), etc., but minus the drain, Lisa does these weekly anyway, so why should I feel I'm making a difference? Because this past week, I've been trying much harder. We cut down a tree in the backyard, and spent time out there cleaning it up (well...as much as will fit in the garbage cans each week). Because this month, for the first time in three months, I will have done my home teaching to all four of our assigned families. Because, despite frequent failures, I'm remembering to put the dishes in the dishwasher, not on the counter/in the sink. I'm tired of getting down on myself for the small failures I've had and focus on my desires to do better and where they'll take me.

We had a lesson yesterday in elder's quorum where we discussed the sacrifice of Christ in our behalf. The lesson included a statement explaining how and why if Christ felt our lives were so important to spend his whole life sacrificing in our behalf, shouldn't we have greater self-esteem and confidence in his power? Should we not also sacrifice for our friends and neighbors as well?

Soap box? Where? Ok...just had a great week, and wanted to share.

Chlorophyll

This morning as Sydney(3) and I were eating breakfast, she looks over at me, smiles big, then says "Daddy...chlorophyll makes plants green". We bought a set of 20 or so books for the kids to get them interested in plants, animals, etc. It's been fun to hear her soaking content in. She likes to point out all sorts of bugs now. "Daddy...is that a beetle?" or "Daddy...butterflies make cocoons". I'm glad we've pulled them out...she used to call ants "lizards". :)

Quality time

Lisa and the twins are down for a nice Sunday nap while Sydney and I are watching season 1 of Fraggle Rock. Sydney's been telling me "dance, daddy", "bounce, daddy", and "shake it, daddy". She loves to dance, and any time there's anything resembling dancing music, she's up and showing her moves. After dancing to a Fraggle Rock song, she looked over at me and said "Daddy...you are nuts". We then proceeded to play my favorite game (as of late), which followed "no YOU are nuts", back and forth several times. It's so great to spend some time in the afternoons on the weekends, during meals (working from home), reading books at night before bed. Lately she's taken great interest in getting the paper and mail.

Down to two in diapers!

In preparation for preschool, Sydney has been putting sticker after sticker on her potty prize chart and doing really well. We had heard mixed ideas on having a little kid potty and the transition to the full-size toilet, but after struggling with it, Lisa bought it, and Sydney loves it. It plays her a little tune, she gets a lot of praise, a sticker on her chart, and keeps her thinking about (every 5 times she goes) potty prizes.

Lisa took Sydney to the dollar store and let her pick out a few toys so she'd be motivated. It's nice to just have the twins in diapers, and hope that with an older sibling for an example, the twins will learn quickly when their time comes.

Surgery news

Lisa is scheduled to have her knee surgery September 5th. We decided to do it sooner rather than later, as it'll be much harder to chase three kids rather than one. Sydney and I are on the mend from a cold, but it seems Lisa and possibly the twins are just getting it.

Want to pay more for your health insurance?

In a blog I read of the Minority House Leader John Boehner, this article describes the nastiness we're starting to expect from the House Majority democrats. Here's the idea (quoting from Newt Gingrich's article):

“Beginning in 2011, every American who owns health insurance, including every senior in Medicare, would get a tax increase. This tax hike would raise billions of dollars by charging federal premium taxes on all insurance policies to fund a comparative effectiveness research trust fund. This new federal agency would assess the clinical value of prescription drugs, devices, and medical treatments. This is certainly a worthy and necessary initiative, but expanding the federal government and raising taxes on virtually every American with insurance is not the answer.”

“It is easy to foresee a time when today’s hidden tax increase will be the primary driver of moving Americans from private insurance to Washington-controlled bureaucratic health care. Benevolent bureaucrats will say, ‘If you don't want to pay the 20 percent premium tax on your private insurance, you can enroll in this government program that doesn't have any tax.’”

Quoting Boehner:
The Democrats’ bill includes $193 billion in Medicare cuts, new tax hikes on working families, new benefits for illegal immigrants, and a new ‘Hillary-Care’ plan for government-run health care. While Republicans support renewing SCHIP to provide health care to children in low-income families, they oppose the Democrats’ poorly-crafted, partisan proposal that works against seniors, working families, and taxpayers.

Surgery

On the 4th of July, Lisa slipped going down the steps in the garage and hyper-extended her leg. She has been doing this once or twice a year since her surgery in 1999 when she tore her ACL. She went to a doctor, who said it was just sprained and she'd be fine. She had made an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon, and was about to cancel it, but decided to get a second opinion from a more qualified doctor. Thank goodness. Lisa has torn her ACL again, and we're trying to figure out timing for surgery. Is it more important to finish breastfeeding, do the surgery before the twins are crawl/walk, etc?

See yourself in your children

Lately Sydney has been prone to show more of what she sees from her parents. Hopefully this is a good thing. However, I over heard this whispered conversation between Sydney, our three year old, and two month old, Tanner. Note, Tanner doesn't say anything, just stare back with big eyes.

"Tanner...no push Nanny (Natalie, Tanner's twin sister). Tanner...no squeeze Nanny's so hard. Tanner...look at my eyes. Look at my eyes, Tanner. Tanner, no kick Nanny..."

The next part she'll get down is "Say 'OK Sydney'".