Stop the Fighting

I wanted to tell you a funny story that only a few people know about me and fighting. I hate fighting. I'm very non-confrontational. I will avoid a fight at all costs. (Except a good fight with my husband- I like making up!) BUT, I didn't hate it so much as a child. At least not with my sister. I never wanted to pick a fight with anyone else, but it just seemed to happen with her.

It happened everyday. One minute we were best friends, the next, in the middle of a cat fight. One particular day, we were suppose to be watering flowers for Mom. I wish I could say I remember the reason for the brawl, but alas, it is the outcome of the fight that was much more interesting. We happened to be in the front yard when one of us (probably me- I honestly don't remember) lunged at the other like a ravenous tiger to a baby deer (must've been me-- I'm writing the story, I can call myself a tiger if I like). Faces were slapped, hair started to fly, water ran down the driveway instead of into the flowerbed, and eventually..........it stopped. I walked away fuming into the backyard.
A good neighbor must have gotten an eyeful next door and took it upon themselves to take matters into their own hands. 10 minutes later a Sheriff showed up in the driveway. Curious, I sauntered back to the front yard and joined my sister at the passenger side of the cop car.

"I had a call about a domestic dispute here. Is there a problem?"

My sister looked at me- then back at the Sheriff, "Not here sir, there's no problem here."

He glanced back at me and I nodded, "Must be the wrong house cause we're all good here."

He left with half a smirk on his face. As he drove out of sight my sister and I burst out laughing.

I do believe that was the last of our cat fights.

So.... now that I've ruined any sympathy I might have garnered over my childrens' fights, let me just get to the point.

My boys fight. A LOT. More than my sister and I. More than my brother Bryan and sister Wendy did........
No I take that back, not that bad............but still. I wish for it to stop.

My terrible mother made us hold hands and sing "Love at Home." I hated that. I tried it with my kids, I did. But the song still makes me cringe. So my latest attempt---stand there and hug each other until I'm over it. Don't know if it works, but they haven't fought in 1 hour, 17 minutes and counting.

1 hour, 18 minutes.......stop counting.
(real time update 12:34pm) "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.. that's my truck. Give it back you butt!"
(Guess I'm off to supervise some more hugging)

Solicitation

~ I have been benefited by praying for others; for by making an errand to God for them I have gotten something for myself ~
Samuel Rutherford


Do you ever read or watch the news and learn about tragic and life altering events in the lives of total strangers? Do you ever stop and say a prayer for those individuals and their families? I do. All the time. I'm always draw to such stories and feel such compassion for those who are suffering. I'll admit, I sometimes cry-- sometimes, a lot, as I internalize how I would feel if it were my family experiencing such a trial. I'm gonna venture a guess that I'm not the only one who does this. I'm right, aren't I? ;-)

Today, I am soliciting your prayers on behalf of two families whom to most of you, are total strangers. To me, they are family.

My dear sister-in-law Sarah. To her I am indebted, for without her, I may have never met my wonderful husband. She is one of the most cheerful and optimistic people I know. She can make anyone smile and feel loved. A few weeks ago, she underwent a hip replacement surgery, and shortly thereafter, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. She is my brother's eternal companion, and 6 beautiful children, call her Mom.

My sweet little niece, Emily. I only met her 6 months ago, and in minutes she was attached to my leg. She is beautiful, soft-spoken and meek, and looks just like her big sisters when they were little. Yesterday, she was sent to Primary Children's Hospital where they diagnosed an untreatable, E. coli infection that her little body is struggling to fight. She will be 3 next month.

I ask not for you sympathy on their behalf, but your faith--that their families may be strengthened, and Lord willing, that their bodies may be healed.

I have never once regretted the spoken or silent prayers I have offered on behalf of those I didn't know. They will never know I prayed for them, but I know my prayers were heard and answered in the Lord's way. I am also certain that the comfort of the spirit is increased with every voice that drifts upward on their behalf.

Thank you, for the prayers I know will be whispered .

How She Feels

I'm going to assume this was directed at the bottle and not myself.

Commentary on Parenting

We are leaving to go to the temple Friday night, explaining to Rod and Jazz that the boys have been grounded from Wii, and will not be playing tonight under any circumstances. Andrew turns to Rod and says,

"I've learned that if you want something, and you whine for about an hour, you usually get it."

I would try to defend myself, but it would be pointless. We have been "outed" and there are witnesses.

But...... I would like to add that it's Sunday-- the boys have whined about the Wii 7 times since then---and they are still grounded!

(Ha...........take THAT Andrew!)

Middle Child

Do you suffer from middle child syndrome? If so could you please explain it to me and how to overcome it?

I'm afraid my sweet Ethan is suffering from it. He has always been such a happy kid--easygoing, obedient, and good most of the time. The last couple of weeks it seems as if the little devil on his left shoulder has completely eradicated the angel on his right.

It occurred to me tonight that this is really the first time he's been the middle child. Andrew started school the day before Ava was born, so for the past 10 months Ethan has had a majority of his day acting as "oldest." Now that Andrew is home he has started whining, crying, screaming, fit throwing, backtalking, and generally falling apart. Now if this were Andrew (love him, we do), we wouldn't bat an eye, but it is exasperating to see Ethan act this way.

Every once in a while, I pull him aside and ask him to bring Ethan back, and put away the little devil. He smiles, just enough, and I begin to think the angel will win out this time, but...alas...no. The smile shifts to a smirk, and that little devil is running the show again.

So if you find my Ethan, could you please, please---bring him back! We miss him dearly!

Feeling Deprived

I'm feeling a little deprived, and selfish. So be a kind soul and help me out!

Ava has issues. Several, in fact, but I'm only concerned with one at the moment. She is allergic to milk. Cow's milk that is. No we're not talking she gets a little diarrhea or diaper rash from ingesting it. We're talking hives, violent vomiting, swelling, and airway constriction. The doctor gave her one of those lovely little epi-pens to keep on hand if Benadryl and Albuterol won't do the trick. Scary, but also really sucks for me (here comes the selfish part.)

Since Ava has so many issues, the majority of her diet comes from me still. We cannot put her on formula because of the milk/soy. We could put her on rice dream, but I just can't see her getting proper nutrition from it. (She is too tiny to mess around with.) So, the only choice is to continue nursing her for the near future to ensure she stays healthy.

I'm sure you've guessed that means I cannot have any dairy. I know, I'm a big baby. I'm sure some of you have gone without it before and it wasn't a big deal. BUT, I love food. I love to eat. I love to bake. AND just about everything, that's worth eating anyway, has milk in it. So please- do a girl a favor and tell me something so yummy that has no milk products in it. It will make my day, or night.

And if you dare say something about chocolate or ice cream, I'll have to hurt you!