Just like you were always here. . .

Dear Ammon,

Happy 3 month birthday!! It seems like you have always been here. In fact, sometimes I forget that you are only 3 months and when I start doing a head count (like at the store) I count three kids and then have to remind myself that you aren't going to be running away from me. Yet.

As you can see, the other kids think you are a fun toy to play with. Happily, you don't seem to mind (unless you are hungry or sleepy). It is hot, hot, hot here this week. So when you get older and see all these nakey pictures. . . I'm trying to keep you comfortable. Although, truthfully, you seem to handle the heat much better than I.

Two days ago you started rolling from your back to your tummy. I think this is pretty impressive. At first I thought the kids were rolling you over and I kept telling them to leave you alone. And then I saw you do it and realized they were telling the truth. Oops.

You are so fun to listen to. You squeal when you are happy and make little shrieks when you are mad. Even your cries sometimes sound kind of fake. . . unless we wait too long and then you let us know that you're serious.

Today you came with me to Young Women's and all the girls pinched your thighs and wanted to hold you. When it was time to go you started whimpering and they all said that you were sad that we were moving away from these beautiful girls. The truth is you won't remember any of it at all. I am a little sad to be moving because we just started growing roots here in Garland. But I am excited because the next house has soft carpet that will be better for you when you start crawling (and falling down). It also has a bathtub, so you will get to grow up knowing what it is like to take a bath. So I think we'll all be ok.

You've been sleeping until about 7:30 in the morning, except this morning you woke up at 5:30. I'm tired today, but that's ok. You're worth it.

I'm excited to see you learn and grow and sad that it is happening so quickly.

I love you,

Mommy

Opportunity Part II

I married Joe for lots of reasons, which you will probably get to read about sometime in the next month when we celebrate our 10 years of crazy marriage. But some of those reasons include how helpful he is around the house, his sense of humor, his optimistic views on life, his spontaneity, his people skills. Basically, he's everything I'm not (besides being helpful around that house because that's my job). So anyway, we just had this conversation about the new improved people we are going to be when we make this move. I already introduced you to the new me. But Joe? Well, he just wants to talk less.

This is even funnier if you know about our first impressions of each other. Maybe that is what I can share with you on July 14th. :)

Opportunity

To all of you who move a lot. . . any tips? Suggestions and advice?

We are almost all packed up, except for the kitchen and the garage, and Joe's side of the closet, and. . . well I guess we've got a ways to go.

It looks like we will be moving to a rental home about 30 miles from where we are right now. That means that we are kind of starting all over--new neighborhood, new schools, new ward. Some days I am really excited and some days I feel sick to my stomach. I don't know what that means. The good news is that it is a nice home with a good school, and we will already know a family in the ward--the Packers from BYU. (Actually, they introduced us to the guy who is renting out the house. And Trulee, if you read this, please tell me how wonderful your ward is!)

Every time we move I say I'm going to use it as an opportunity to start over and be the person I want to be. I'm kind of a loner; I am afraid of inviting people over, and it takes a while for me to feel comfortable around people. Maybe we have to keep moving because I never change. So I was thinking that maybe if I posted some goals on here to be the social person I want to be that maybe this time will be different.

I want to be someone who invites people over for dinner and/or games on a regular basis. I want to be more willing to let my kids invite their friends over without it being a big deal. I think I try to make everything a house-cleaning event, and it shouldn't be! I want to be less serious and more fun. I want to be more service-oriented. Anyway. . . maybe the new me will be the 3 S's: social, serviceable, spontaneous.

So now I just have to make specific goals that will help me to become those things. What do you do to be social?

Also. . . to those of you who noticed the "baby girl McGregor" at the top and have asked. . . Joe wrote it. I asked him about it and he said that on that particular day that he was felt like we needed another girl in the family.

Summer Schedule

Some of you know about the fun jar and chore jar that we've used in the past. This summer I decided to do things a little differently. My kids are always asking to play the computer, watch a movie, go to the splash park, invite friends over. . . well you get the idea. This summer they get to earn those fun things, which means they also do what I want them to do without any (much) complaining.

I wrote up a chart with activities and the points each activity is worth. Some of the activities are:

• clean room (1 pt)
• read for 20 min. (1)
• 1 page of homework (1)
• write in journal (1)
• exercise for 10 min (1)
• read scriptures (1)
• chore for mom (2)
• practice piano (2)

They "buy" rewards with their points (which they are in charge of keeping track of on a separate piece of paper). Here are some examples of the rewards they can earn:

• snack (1)
• 10 min on computer (2)
• watch a 20 min show on computer (3)
• watch a movie (4)
• stay up 30 min. after bedtime (10)
• retrieve a taken toy from the box (10)
• go to splash park (15)
• invite a friend (15)

What I've learned: Logan and Madison think it's fun; Grant, as expected, doesn't really get it. We might have to adjust a few things. . . homework is apparently the easiest thing to do. Logan can go through several pages in a matter of minutes (even when I'm picking out the pages). Logan is my saver. He has a lot of points, but he isn't really willing to spend them. Madison enjoys doing it, but she isn't concerned about racking up points. Basically, she doesn't mind not getting to play on the computer or watch a movie. We are still trying to figure out what to do if, say, Logan wants to spend his points at the splash park, but Madison doesn't. Does everyone have to use their points to participate (like watching a movie), or can one person's 4-point movie count for everyone? I also like how the kids want to be helpful/read/do homework--and I wanted them to be able to set their own schedule and practice being responsible--but my controlling self wants to make them sit down in the morning and read or do homework. So we still have a little ironing out to do, but I can say, happily, that I do not have kids begging for extra privileges all day.

Summer Day 1

I will explain what how I decided to schedule our summer days another time. But for today, I will share a piece of what went on in our home.

I read Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day to the kids. We talked about some things that made a bad day, and then I gave them the assignment to write in their journals what would make a very good day. I wish I could actually show you what Logan did, but words will have to suffice. He made a little illustrated book; here's how it goes:

(p. 1)

A marvales super duper Owsom good deliteful tirific good Wondiful day!

table of contens

chapter one: time to eat

chapter two: go to school

chapter three: Huray

(p.2.)

Chapter one:

This morning I woke up early and got the table set without anybody asking and I got Braekfast.

(p.3)

I chose my favorit one. oatmeal. Except my seven broters and five sisters do not like it. But they have to eat it anyway.

(p.4)

Then it was time to eat. We all race to the table and I won. I knew it was going to be a mavales day.

(p.5)

chapter two: time for school!

I was first to get redy for school. At school I was the only one hwo got a 100 on the test. I got my number moved up to a five.

(p.6)

chapter three: Huray!

When I got home I did my favorit sport: jumping on the trampleing. I got my favorit treat before bed. That night I had good dreams.

(p.7)

And what do you think happened next? Another good day. Hurray!

(p.8)

About the auther

When Logan was a kid he read alexander and the terrible Horible verry bad day.

He rerote it. but changed a lot.

OK, maybe I'm a little biased, but besides being super cute, my 7 year old is pretty brilliant! He obviously reads a lot; his use of punctuation and arrangement of the book is pretty impressive. I also learned a lot about what a good day is to him... service, and "beating" everyone else! I have to say, it's pretty rewarding to be a mom when these experiences happen on an almost daily basis. :)

LIFE

Have you ever played the game of life? Well, we just landed on the space that says, "Owners just sent you a letter saying they are moving back to the house you are renting. You have one month to pack up everything you own, find a house, and move."

I've been complaining about this house for the past 18 months; I've even been looking at places around here that are up for rent. But I thought time was on my side. We just bought a desk and moved the computer into the living area. We just set up the treadmill so I can still exercise in the 100 degree weather we've been having. We just got the kids signed up to go to this great school. We are starting to feel like we have a real place in the ward and neighborhood we are living in. HAHAHA!! The joke is on me!!

You know how I had all these great ideas for the kids and I to do this summer... well... I guess we'll be moving instead. I feel like every time we start to get back on top of things something else comes crashing down. Good thing Heavenly Father knows what he's doing, right?

I hate moving.

OK, on the bright side of things... maybe we can find a nicer house, bigger, for a similar price?? Closer to where Joe's office is?

Maybe it's easier to move just a few miles away than it is to move 1500 miles across the country? Please PLEASE tell me it is!!