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!!

growing like a weed!

Ammon had his 2 month appointment last Monday.

Weight: 13 lb 4 oz--90%

Length: 24 in--90%

Ammon, you:

*are starting to coo and smile more and more.

*enjoy laying on the floor and watching everyone play.

* eat about every 2-3 hours (and I'm apparently feeding you cream).

*sleep until 4ish every night... once you let us sleep until 5!

*are starting to fall asleep on your own and I love when you wake up and just look around.

*although we don't have a hard-core schedule yet, you usually wake up, eat, stay awake for a while (30-60 min), take a nap, and repeat this throughout the day.

*you and Grant usually nap at the same time after lunch, which makes mom very, very happy.

As a mom:

I am savoring every moment with you. I don't know if you will always be the baby, but for right now I am trying to soak it all in, just in case. That said, I have forgotten how demanding it is to have a newborn--even though you are a very, very good baby! You only really cry when you are hungry, but I look at the clock and can't believe it's already been 2-3 hours... it seems like I am constantly feeding you. You like to be held and to interact with us...if you can say that a 2 month-old baby can interact. You seem pretty serious, and make us really work to get you to smile! I think because of our experience with Logan, we are constantly worried about making sure you learn how to go to sleep by yourself and that you are content to be by yourself instead of wanting to be constantly held. I think our awareness is paying off! At night we put you in this Halo sleep wrap thingy that is AMAZING! I wish we had had it for the other kids. I've been very happy with how well the other kids have adjusted to your arrival. Madison is especially helpful while I try to get supper ready/homework done/kids ready for bed. She will hold you, sing to you, and give you the pacifier.

Basically, we all love you!

Oh what do YOU do in the summer time?

Only TWO weeks until summer vaca, and I'm trying to remember what we used to do when kids weren't in school all day. I have to be honest here... I really enjoy the kids going to school. There is no fighting, the house stays decently clean, I still get a nap time, and I LOVE them when they get home! It's too hot to play outside, which is what we used to do in the summer. I will probably sign the kiddos up for 1 round of swimming lessons, but at $50 for 2 weeks for 3 kids... well, I hope they learn how to swim in those 2 weeks. Last summer we spent a lot of time at the dollar theater, participating in reading programs, going to the splash park, and attending the special programs at the city community center. This summer... I'm afraid of catching lice at the dollar theater and with gas at $4 a gallon I don't know how much driving around we'll do. We were pretty good at doing some home-school every day (until I got pregnant), and I already bought some workbooks for the kids.

Here's what I'm thinking: Daily Schedule.

• chores
• piano lessons/practice
• reading time (during nap time)
• scripture study/learn a new primary song a week
• computer time (20 min/kid?)
• school workbooks
• some sort of exercise.... any ideas here?? Again, it's too hot to play outside. We do have a small trampoline we can bring in and jump on, and I'm thinking about looking for a children's workout DVD
• science/art projects? except I'm horrible at coming up with these things

Seriously... what do YOU do? Please share your ideas!!

And the pics? Well, couldn't resist the one with Grant, and of course I had to put one of Ammon up. Madi is the one who takes care of him while I get supper ready (she likes it). I guess next time I'll have to post one with Logan.

30 minutes of after-school social skills

Logan (7): plays tag, Star Wars/Transformers, jumps off of the swing

Madison (5): walks around holding hands with her friend, hugs every friend and teacher who leaves the school

Grant (3): swings, goes down the slide, runs 10 feet behind Logan and his friends

Ammon (7 weeks): sits in the stroller, looks around, breathes deeply every time a gust of wind blows in his face, looks pretty darn cute

*note: Logan, who is reading this over my shoulder, says, "Looks pretty dam(n) cute." Had to show him that it's daRn, and that the other word is actually a bad word.

Logan's Game

Last night Logan made a game for our family to play. I was the Holy Ghost and Joe was Satan. Those who followed the Holy Ghost made it to the table for brownies and ice cream. Those who followed Satan went to the dark depths of our bedroom. This means that last night I threw away all of the good strips of paper that were sitting around in the living and dining rooms. I found the rest of the papers today and decided to document what was left of Logan's game. Spelling and wording are as they were originally written by Logan.

*You have hit your brother. Go bake two spaces.
*You drink wine. go back 8 spaces.
*You don't want to go to church insted you wacht tv all day long. Go back five spaces.
*You are making the sabuth day unholly. Go bake five spaces.
*You miss a test in school and get very angry. Move bake two spaces.
*You kick a chare. Move bake Three spaces.
*You lisen to saten. Go back two spaces.
*You are not listing. Go bake one space.
*You are evle. Go back twenty spases.
*You have found saten. No disert.

I did, however, manage to save this one:
*You found jeses!

I'm happy to report that we all got dessert last night.

Welcome to the 4th Decade, Jennifer

Today is Jennifer's birthday. That's big stuff 'round these parts. Most families celebrate Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Canada Day, etc. At the McGregor household, the pinnacle of our year is the day on which Jenny officially gets older. And this year she's 30.

Thirty is quite a lot of years (I should know, I've been there). It's about that age where you use candles to represent decades, because if you used the appropriate amount of candles it would be a fire hazard. Over the past 3 decades, Jenny has accomplished some remarkable feats. Here are a few:

1. On May 11, 1981, Jenny came into this world screaming . . . literally. Her parents report that Jenny was so gassy that from sundown to sun up she vocalized her displeasure with severity. Her parents became so desperate that they would lay her in her crib and leave the apartment on short walks just to get away from the fury. It wasn't until the doctor clued them in on those magical gas drops that Jenny finally quieted down (at one end, at least).

2. Interestingly, Jenny was also born with only one hip due to her mother's ingestion of a pregnancy drug that is now outlawed--for obvious reasons. The other hip eventually grew in.

3. Jenny was born in Utah, moved to Idaho, and then to Arizona by the time she was 5. From ages 5 to 10, she attended a new elementary school each year. It wasn't until she moved to Pennsylvania that her parents found a principal willing to reign in Jenny's bullying of other students (mainly wedgies).

4. In Idaho Jennifer had a foster brother (literally, since Jenny's maiden name is in fact Foster). His life was miserable in the house because Jennifer relentlessly ordered him around, and told on him when he wouldn't listen. He was 16; she was 4. Jennifer's father warned me about this before I married her.

5. Speaking of marriage, before I proposed to Jennifer I called her father to ask for permission. He used the opportunity to warn me about her. I'm not kidding. In fact, the story above was first related to me during that conversation as a point to support his thesis.

6. Jenny once ran away from home (seriously). But once she realized her parents weren't coming to look for her, she went back home.

7. Jenny spent her 19th birthday teaching English in China. So accustomed to people not speaking English, she and her compatriots began admiring a young man riding across the aisle from them on the train. After they finished commenting about his attractiveness, he walked up to Jennifer to get her contact information. In perfect English.

8. By her 20th birthday, she met the man of her dreams. Then she married me instead.

As most of you reading this blog already know, Jenny is a fantastic woman. I'm so very lucky to have met her, drugged her, and then married her. She is an excellent mother, a patient wife, and a faithful friend.

Waxing philosophical for a bit, I'm one of those who doubts the existence of "the one"--that singular person God created as a match for us. Rather, marital decisions are ones of free agency and sound judgment (with the Spirit certainly playing its proper role). So I'm daily so astonished that I ended up with Jenny. I'm congenitally a very poor decision-maker, but at the time in my life I met and dated Jennifer, my stupidity knew few bounds. How I was ever able to see clearly enough that Jennifer would someday be a perfect wife befuddles me, and pure luck was surely the primary guide. Equally, how Jennifer, the paragon of wisdom, failed so utterly in choosing her eternal mate during this period also confuses me. Needless to say, I'm happy for her lapse in judgment, and I'm daily thrilled that I made the most logical decision in my entire life: to marry Jennifer Lynn Foster McGregor.

Happy Birthday, my dear. You've earned another.

While Jenn Sleeps

Right now Jennifer is taking a well-deserved nap, so I thought I would use this opportunity to catalogue a few of her most embarrassing moments.

Not really.

I came into the bedroom to look up a recipe on the computer and I saw Jenny in deep slumber, with her right thumb wedged inside the book she fell asleep reading, and her left arm cradling Ammon. The scene tugged this dude's heartstrings, as it reminded me once again that I am one extremely lucky husband who married far, far outside his league.

So I thought I would document a few things about Jennifer you probably already know, but am reminded about on a constant basis:

1. She has a superb memory. Seriously, sometimes it's scary. She remembers every conversation you hoped she would forget, every price you paid too much for, and every good deed ever paid to her. She can remember dishes she ordered while we were dating. She remembers when someone 7 years ago brought her a plate of cookies. It's amazing, and just a tad bit creepy.

2. She can't sit still. The only thing she can't remember is the definition of "relax." She is always cleaning, researching, doing some project. Every Friday night she maps out exactly what is going to happen on Saturday. She creates extra work for the kids ostensibly so she will have something to help them with. Her energy amazes me.

3. She's loyal. I'm not a very good friend, and I think I've always had a hard time making or keeping friends. Not Jennifer. She's accepting of everyone, and she remains loyal forever. Sometimes I'll ask her, "Remember that one family in Idaho who . . . . ," and she will detail exactly what's happening in their lives because she keeps up with them on Facebook, or reads their blog, etc. She genuinely cares about other people, and that's a quality harder and harder to find these days.

So as this family prepares for Mother's Day, and then Jenny's birthday right after, we have our work cut out for us if we are to celebrate this woman commensurate to the value she brings into our lives.