New Puppy

So I don't know what in the heck I was thinking, but I had a moment of weakness/stupidity and gave into the cutest puppy in the world. We can't agree on a name, and worse, he won't stop pottying on the carpet. Since we got him on Saturday, I think he's got in his litter box three times. I am giving him one month, and if he has shown no potty progress, I am going to have to give him the boot. If anyone has any suggestions on litter training him, I will gladly listen, as I haven't got a clue. I feel like he needs more attention than a baby. On the up side, the kids adore him, he falls asleep in Savanna's bed every night, Maddox squeals and chases him every time he catches a glimpse of him, and Berkley has finally decided he just might not be scared of ALL dogs. Mike loves him as much as the kids do, so I am praying that he gets easier, and we can keep him forever!

Gingerbread House

Here's this year's gingerbread house. The kids frosted Savanna's Littlest Pet Shoppe Kitty on it, for a little extra flair. They have had a fun time eating it too for the past couple of days.

Maddox's First Birthday

I just barely got the pictures off my camera of Mad's first birthday. Here are some facts that you might not know about him:

1. He will smile at anyone. He even smiles at me sometimes when I am mad at him.
2. He loves his Uncle Brandt! It borderlines obsessive! He will pick him over his mommy or daddy any day.
3. Mad is the chubbiest baby EVER! He gets sores behind his knees because the skin there never gets air.
4. The only word he can say is "Whoa!"
5. He follows Berkley around like a puppy all day, and when Berks isn't looking, Maddox takes Berkley's favorite blanket and runs (then ends up tripping on the blanket, and crying, while Berkley scolds him.)

Maddox is a little sweetie and it is so fun watching him grow up. WE LOVE YOU MAD!!!

QUESTIONS

My friend Robyn had these questions on her blog, so I decided to answer them and put them in our McEwan Family Record I am working on. After I answered them, though, I realized I am in real need of a break from my children. After reading back my answers, I choose to get a babysitter, and get outta here tomorrow.

I am: tired from a long day with the kids (plus four of their friends).
I want: my family to be happy.
I have: the hardest working husband EVER! (Seriously, I see him for like 30 seconds in the morning and thats all).
I dislike: mean people.
I miss: my sister and mom.
I fear: that I am not a good enough mom.
I feel: like there are so many kids in the world that are suffering, and I want a few of them.
I hear: the sound of the T.V. after the kids are all asleep. Blissful.
I smell: smoke permeating my house because Berkley and his friend Halle started a piece of French toast on fire in the microwave. I almost called 911. No joke!
I crave: a big piece of Thanksgiving Point chocolate cake with fresh raspberries on top.
I cry: when I am overwhelmed (usually on the phone to my mom or sister), when I hear of people who are suffering, when the kids are asleep and I feel like I was a mean mom during the day, when I think of how much I love my precious children and husband. I cry a few times a week. I am OK, I promise!
I usually: try to relax for a few minutes after I send Savanna off to school at 7:15 in the morning, because I know I am not going to get another chance until the kids are asleep.
I search: for clean underwear for Berkley every day. I can’t keep up on washing them because he likes to change them a few times a day. OCD? Maybe.
I wonder: when Mike is coming home tonight. It is 11:00 p.m.
I regret: too many things. I am very hard on myself.
I love: hearing my kids laugh, and hearing Maddox chase Berkley around the house, growling.
I always: tell my kids I love them at least 5 times daily.
I worry: that Maddox isn’t eating enough now that he is off of formula. (I guess he could live on his own fat for awhile, so he should be fine.)
I am not: very good at staying calm when I have a million things going on. I try to keep my life pretty simple.
I remember: my amazing childhood. It doesn’t get better than growing up on a farm.
I know: that families are forever.
I dance: only to make the kids or Mike laugh.
I sing: really loud with Savanna and Berkley to Hannah Montana in the car.
I argue: only when I know I am right, which is almost all of the time.
I write: in my journal when the kids do something cute, in our McEwan Family Record, and Sharing Times.
I wish: I had a maid.
I listen: to Christmas music the day after Halloween.
I don't understand: why any woman would not want to be a mom.
I can usually be found: holding Maddox in the kitchen.
I need: a spa day.

I have been working on our McEwan Family Record this week, and thought I would share a few scans of Savanna and Berkley's drawings.

"A Snowman" by Savanna

"BYU Soccer" by Savanna

"Eyeballs" by Berkley

Savanna's Friend List

Savanna's Favorite thing to draw - Penguins

"A Turtle" by Savanna

"A Swimming Pool With Diving Boards for Everyone" by Berkley

Self Portrait by Berkley

Happy Halloween!!!

I haven't uploaded this years Halloween pics onto my computer yet, and am sitting here at home with the flu, while the kids are out with Daddy trick-or-treating, but I found these from two years ago, and am wondering where the last two years went. I tell my kids daily to eat lots and lots of candy so they'll stay little forever. They just laugh. Why do they have to grow so quickly???

Breakin' My Heart

Both of my boys got the flu tonight! Bless their little hearts, I feel so bad for them.

Berkley: Mom, can I have something that will make my belly better.
Me: You can have some gatorade.
Berkley: Oh, thank you Mom, thank you; thank you so much Mom. (Takes a drink and then throws it all up.)

He is even polite when he is sick. I just want to hold him and kiss him...but I won't since I would rather die than have the flu. I keep going to check on him in the bathroom (where I made a bed for him) and every time I do, he is just staring at the ceiling. SOOOOO SAD!!!

Oh, and did I mention it is our 8th anniversary today! I am celebrating by cleaning up throw-up! Yeahh!