Usless? Unlucky?

Ok so turns out I can't even keep this plant alive for the 2 weeks I had it. I kept it by the window, I kept it watered and this is the result. I'm so usless. I don't think plants like me. They must be like dogs and feel the negative energy from me when it comes to gardening.

BUT all is not lost as this is the plant I was given on mothers day in my old ward. She's still alive and kicking. She even is ok after the move to Moscow. Look at her. She's doing great.
I don't know what my deal is. Two contradicting plants, telling two contradicting stories. If the top on could talk I'm sure it would've told you it knew from the start it was doomed.
Yet the bottom one, dispite me, is doing great. Maybe that's the kind've plants I need, ones who are determined to live, dispite me.
I love this plant, it's my only sucess story. I'll probably cry when and if she dies.

FINISHED!!THE END!!DONE!!

DISCLAIMER: If you haven't read the last of the Twilight series read at your own risk. I don't give it away but I say a couple of things you might not wanna hear.

That's right folks. As of 10:13pm I am officially finished the Twilight series.
I haven't seen the movie, and I don't know if I will BUT I've finished the books, thanks to my mate Piper. Thanks Piper.
It's nice to have an end and I feel great about it.
I cried and laughed and was anxious and nervous and moved. I thought it was a little weird but great.
She really pulled out all the guns in this last one.
And I must say that I LOVE JACOB, I've always been a sucker for a ruggedly good looking darker man and so I'm happy with Jacobs path too. Almost relieved, because, believe it or not he was one of the most important characters to me and I wanted him to be happy. So I'm glad he's happy. It was funny cause when the last book introduced him I cried cause he was back, and I felt so happy.
I know there's some Jacob haters out there and that's fine but don't put your hater words on my comments thanks or I'll delete them!!!
This is part of the reason I dont' want to watch the movie.
I have ideas in my head of what the characters look like and I don't want it influenced by the movie. I dunno if I'm willing to give it up.
Maybe, one day, if they're cheap or a mate has them on their shelf I might watch them, if I have a few spare hours.
We'll see.
ANYWAY ............................ I LOVED IT.
Loved it, loved it, loved it.

Masaru's observation

Masaru was observed today in Head Start for his speech by the districts speech pathologist.
She seems to think that he's using his tongue too much in his speech, like sticking it out. Or something.
She seems to think things will be fine though and will be able to work with him once we get back from break.
I'm excited to start hearing Masaru talk clearly.
He has so much to say and I catch maybe 80% of it. Sometimes he repeats things to me and Dru all the time and we still can't understand what he's trying to say. I know for some kids this means a tantrum but he'll just figure out other words to tell us or act it out or show us.
He's such a good kid.
The teachers tell me his really popular in the class with many friends and he's just adored. So it's always nice to hear that about your kid cause you just never know how they'll really do in a public school setting with other kids.
Of course I think he's awesome but I'm bias.
Love you bub!

Yuki's first sour patch

Masaru found this in his Halloween stash and said he wanted it. I already told him he didn't like those lollies and he moaned a bit.
I told him we'd give it to Yuki and then he'd remember. Once he saw her reaction he knew and promptly put it in the rubbish.
Thanks for taking one for the team Yuki. You're a real trooper.

My Morning

We've all heard this before, Dru get up and says "Oh no" and then the fun begins.
Yukiko had spewed up EVERYWHERE! It was all in her hair, on all of her toys, blankets, sheets, clothes, crib. Somehow Brookes quilt was missed though. That quilt is a miricle. It was stuck to the side of her face and there were big bits all over the show.
To top it off she was sleeping peacfully amongst this spew. HOW DO KIDS DO THIS?
How do children throw up and then roll over and sleep in it?
Wouldn't the stench alone be gross enough?
Children are a mystery. I wonder if I ever did this?
Well spew makes me spew, so Dru was ontop of it.
Threw her in the bath as well as all the sheets etc into the washing machine.
Case closed.
Woah woah woah there folks we have another child. And he was happily watching cartoons while this was going on.
He marches into the bathroom to see what the fuss is all about and LOW AND BEHOLD HE'S BLUE!!!
Thanks to crayola he was blue. There was blue EVERYWHERE. On the Jesus statue, plants, coffee table, couches, books, TV, lamps, pillows, toys.............................AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
But he's just a kid and I'm sure this seemed like a lot of fun.
And WHO was the bright spark who left the markers down so he had access? That's right folks.........yours truely. So who's really to blame here? A 3 year old or a 31 year old?
Maybe a bit of both.
So we had the talk about our bodies being temples and not drawing on them.
Hopefully it got through to him. Only time will tell I guess.
Lucky they're both so damn cute or there'd be some selling on ebay going on.
So there's my morning.
How was yours?

Drama, and it's just the FIRST exam!!!

So Dru did his exam and then saved it and was planning on coming home straight away. So I expected him home a little after noon.
So noon goes by and at 12:40pm his phone gets a text from his mate asking if they sorted out his test yet?
So I start to panic and start ringing around all the numbers I have in his phone of the people who are his mates in law.
I finally get his one mate Robby, who happened to be still at the school studying, and he found Dru.
Apparently it saved wrong and they're trying to find and open the test.
I asked him if it was just him or a bunch of people.
No, no, just Dru.
Great.
So it saves it and then has a back up save.
It's not online, it's a school programme and so the guy didn't know what to do.
Apparently they found the back up saved test but it was incripted and so they had to try and figure out how to uncript it and then print it out.
So Dru was there for 2 and a half hours waiting for them to figure his test out.
So, so much for hanging out with all for the afternoon.
He got home then left at around 5pm and came back at 10:30pm.
So we slept in this morning till 9am, thank you very much, and I'm not feeling guilty about it!!!
So I guess our prayers, this next exam need to be more specific!!!
My mate said "Lucky it happened to Dru, he's so patient, he could handle it, any one else would've been mad stressing"
This is probably true.
Ok let's hope this Friday's exam goes without a hitch!!
I guess everyone else is glad Dru took one for the team. Now if this ever happens to another person they know how to fix it.

The beginning of the end

So today is the first exam of four for Dru.

Can I just say I'm scared to death!

He's put in so much study into this ONE exam which determines the whole grade for this semester!

I think Dru's pretty intelligent, I mean I'm glad it's him in law school and not me.

I think I'd really like to do law school actually BUT there's no way I could do it with children.  Now each to their own but for me I'd feel too guilty and wouldn't do well at all putting my kids somewhere so I could study.

I'm planning on doing more schooling, as I love to learn, but that can wait until my kids are all in school.  I just can't do it.  I'd be a wreck.

I told Dru a couple of nights ago he'd have to take a day off to take Masaru to his first day of school in the first grade cause I wouldn't be able to make it without embarrassing Masaru in front of his potential mates.

Honestly I love being around my kids, all the time. I love it.  I love being a mum, and I love being a stay at home mum, love it.

Who knows, maybe I'll go to law school later on in my life.  Wouldn't that be great?  I really think I'd do alright.  I think if I dusted off the cobwebs on my brain I could actually be an intelligent person!  It's kind've dissappeared though with motherhood.  

Ok this post is turning into a ramble.

The whole point of this post was to say that I hope Dru does well in his exams.

He's studied so hard and I think he deserves this.

Like I've said in previous posts, he's the hardest worker I know, and not just physically either.  Like he can put the hard yards in the construction site but I'm talking about with everything.

He's been putting 16 hour days into his study as well.  I know he did the same with his mission.  No matter what job Dru does he does it well and he does it hard, with full effort and with all his energy.  He's the biggest example of hard work I have in my life.

I need to do the same.  Man if I worked as hard as him around the house it'd be perfect all the time.

Sometimes I wonder if he should've been born around the era with the pioneers.  They were hard workers too and never complained.

That's another thing too, Dru doesn't complain.  Man if I was working 16 hour days you'd be hearing about it!! LOL

But if he was born back in that era we would've never meet as I was not suppose to be born back then!!!

ANYWAY.....................I've been praying for him and so have the kids, and I hope he does well.

I know I'm totally bias, but I hope he hits this one out of the park!

True Christmas Spirit

Wanna feel the true spirit of Christmas?
Watch this video.
My mate Sarah had it on her blog.
It's great.
Click HERE to watch it.

Ward Christmas Party 2008

So we went to the party. I got a red Christmas plant thingi I'm not going to attempt to spell it. It starts with a P and they're everywhere at Christmas time. I was pretty stoaked about that. I just don't know how to look after it. Do they need light and much? How much water do they need?
Suggestions are welcome. I know Dru's mum can keep them alive forever. But she's good, I'm usless. I just need it alive until I leave in 2 weeks time. It looks great in the flat/apartment.
So Masaru's been talking about Santa for the WHOLE DAY. And this is all he'd do once Santa arrived. He got his present and was outta there. He wouldn't sit on his knee, nothing.

When Santa left he's like "Where's Santa mum?" I said "He's gone man, you missed out" He didn't really seem to care for too long though. I think he likes the idea more than the actual thing, I'm begining to learn.
Dru, graciously came to the activity. I picked him up from the law school and dropped him off after the activity.
So here I sit, all alone, writing in my blog. I need a good book.
I still haven't read the last book in the Twilight series. Anyone got it? With Dru gone at nights it'd be the perfect time to read it.
We thought Yuki was doing a little better and then we took her to see Santa.

Now this has to be my most favourite Santa shot of all time. I love that she's reaching out for Dru to save her and Santa's just smiling nicely whilst getting his photo taken and showing off his belt buckle.
This is a picture that says a thousand words.
Other people thought it was so good they started taking shots as well. I wonder if anyone else got a good shot of Yuki on Santa's lap?!?

I got one of her, at least, looking at me. She doesn't look too much better though. At least Santa's having a good time. She basically sat on Dru's lap for the last half an hour after this ordeal. Maybe Santa needs to come to sacrament so she'll behave a little better at church on Sunday's.
Dru and I used to be on the activities committee of our old ward and so I can honestly say I appreciated all the time and effort it took the members of the ward to put this activity together and to clean it all up. It's a rough job that people dont' think about or, sometimes appreciate until your in the front lines. So thanks guys.
We did a white elephant gift exchange. Dru got bubbles and I got some random gross jokes thing which had a fake mouse, snot, a spider and a blow thing which made fart noises that Masaru blew through the closing prayer.
Great ending to a great night.

Poor little Yukiko Mei

Yuki got her shots Wednesday. Turns out she didn't get her 4 month ones and 2 of her 6 months and she hasn't had her 1 year ones and she's due for her 15 month ones on the 19th.
So they did her 4 month ones on Wednesday and she's been all clingy and forlorn since then.
There's something about getting 6 diseases put in your legs that must be a little hard for her. Go figure!
Masaru was always awesome with his shots. After his 4 month ones I stopped giving him pain relief. He was great.
I've done the same with Yuki and she's been good with it but let's get serious here she's only had her 2 month a little of her 6 months and now her 4 month. All of this was suppose to be done before her first birthday.
So I just didn't give her anything and she went to sleep for a couple of hours and when she woke up she was in the biggest mood.
She's SUPER clingy, like I said and just goes around mostly moaning.
She's REALLY hot too.
So I've been giving her pain relief in the morning and at night. That seems to be helping.
I don't like giving my kids medication if I don't have to. But I'm not gonna let her cry just because I think she doesn't need it. Plus Dru's a big softie too. He emails me and calls about 3/4 times a day to see how she is.
Man I wish I got such star treatment.
Dru's a gonner man. Yuki has him right where she wants him.
I wonder if we have a girl next how Yuki is going to deal with it?
Anyway, back to the point, I think I'm gonna space her shots out. I think 6 all at once is too much. I might just ask if they can do 2 at once.
I know she'll be getting them till she's about 5 but too bad man. I just think 6 is too much.
I'm sure you all have opinions about this and feel free to share them, I guess, but I might take them with a grain of salt, no offense.
At least she gives me cuddles when Dru's not around. I'm her plan B and I guess plan B is better than nothing right?
My poor little Yukiko Mei.

The Door's

Yeah, of course the post about 'what's wrong with this picture' is the doors!
Dru took the picture and told me to blog it and wanted his brother to see it. So Les if your reading this please show Ryan the picture.
You're all right, Dru can't stand it. It doesn't bother me.
But like Leah said in her comment, it IS probably good he's spending so much time at Law School so he doesn't see it much.
We had dinner at the place right underneath us one night and turns out THEIR DOORS ARE EXACTLY LIKE OURS.
So maybe if it gets to be too rough for Dru he can do a swap, if the people under us are willing.
I'm actually surprised Dru hasn't already done it.
I can't believe they put them up thinking that was ok.
Who are these people?

More Info. about Blurb

Apparently if your willing you can still make a book through blurb. It's just a little bit more work.
My friend is doing this.
So she told me she copied and pasted her text from her blog into the text boxes in her book then put her pictures in from her album in her computer where they are kept.
It works still it's just a little longer.
It's still pretty easy she said though and quick.
So if you still would like to do the discount and are willing to put in a little more time, like maybe an hour, then you should still be fine.

SORRY!

So turns out I did my blurb book just in time as they DON'T do blog to book anymore.
I'm so sorry.
So disreguard the discount I guess.
If anyone knows of another company that does blog to book please let me know.
Now what am I gonna do?

What's wrong with this picture?

Blurb Book discount

So if you wanna make a book out of your blog before Christmas then you need to get in by December 5th.
* To qualify for free shipping (up to $10), you must enter the promotion code in the shopping cart at time of purchase and complete your purchase in USD. Offer is good for free shipping up to $10.00 in value. Offer expires 11:59 PM PST December 5, 2008. Limit one-time use per user and cannot be combined with other offers. Not valid towards purchase of gift cards.

Promotion code: freeshipping

My book would've cost $28 without shipping. I think that's a great price.
I wish I would've had a coupon when I made mine.
Just thought I'd share.

My Day

Dru leaves at 7:30am.
I see him for an hour at 6pm.
He gets home to go to sleep at 10pm.
At least it's only gonna last 3 weeks, then it's 3 weeks with all of us.
I hope he gets good marks.
You can all pray for him if you'd like!

Memories of Elder Wirthlin

Well Elder Wirthlin of the Quorum of the 12 apostles passed away.
So I thought I'd write a little bit of our personal memories with him.
I remember saying to Dru one conference about Elder Wirthlin and how he wasn't one of the 'better' speakers at conference, "I know, man I know I'm going straight to hell", and Dru told me that he was actually really funny.
Dru said that Elder Wirthlin was one of the apostles who visited his mission while he was there and he got to sit in the same room with him amongst other missionaries and have a talk to him.
Elder Wirthlin wanted to know how the church could improve the mission training centre and so the Elders started bashing it.
Dru said this went on for a while, with the missionaries just ripping apart how horrible the mission training centre was etc etc.
After a while Elder Wirthlin said "Ok, well, looks as if we've covered the MTC, how about we move on"
I guess you had to be there but he, obviously was being slightly sarcastic.
Ever since then Dru always enjoyed Elder Wirthlin more. Ever since Dru told me this story I've tried to listen to him a little better in his talks and sure enough, he's actually very funny.
My favourite laugh was this past talk he did in conference, this is what he said.

I remember when one of our daughters went on a blind date. She was all dressed up and waiting for her date to arrive when the doorbell rang. In walked a man who seemed a little old, but she tried to be polite. She introduced him to me and my wife and the other children; then she put on her coat and went out the door. We watched as she got into the car, but the car didn’t move. Eventually our daughter got out of the car and, red faced, ran back into the house. The man that she thought was her blind date had actually come to pick up another of our daughters who had agreed to be a babysitter for him and his wife.

We all had a good laugh over that. In fact, we couldn’t stop laughing. Later, when our daughter’s real blind date showed up, I couldn’t come out to meet him because I was still in the kitchen laughing. Now, I realize that our daughter could have felt humiliated and embarrassed. But she laughed with us, and as a result, we still laugh about it today.

I was laughing so hard at this. I think Elder Wirthlin is a great man who had many great things to say. I'll really miss him, but I hope he's having a great time being back with his wife and probably sharing a few jokes and hugs with her.

Memory #4

Now knowing me, this might seem a surprise, but I only ever told my mum to shut up once.
I was a teenager, go figure, and it was over some basketball game that I was suppose to go to or something and play.
I can't remember the argument just that in this argument I told mum to shut up and must've stormed out or she stormed out and I think I went to the game anyway.
I remember thinking it was no big deal and wondered why mum made a huge argument out of nothing?
Of course I must've thought I was in the right and mum was over re-acting.
After both of us had cooled down I went an apologized or she apologized and it turned out mum was having a hard time with me growing up.
I think I was in my last year of highschool and she was struggling with the fact that I was almost going to be out of the house and gone.
She was a little upset that her oldest was getting up there I guess.
I'm thinking this must be a tough thing for parents.
It really surprised me as my mum isn't really too emotional of a person. I would've never had guessed she would've cared about something like that.
Dad, maybe, but not mum.
It turned out to be a great talk between us. Very honest.
Mum and I didn't have many 'honest' heart the hearts I don't think. Like I said, she's not that kind've person.
So I guess this memory sticks out to me because it was one of the few honest heart to hearts.
I said sorry for telling her to shut up and never did it again and felt embarrassed that I had said it even that one time.
I have to admit I'm having a hard time letting Masaru grow up.
I really struggle with it.
But I enjoy my children and hope to be honest with my feelings towards them, not brutally honest, nice honest.
Ok I'm gonna be working on the nice honest for a while.
Wish me luck.