February blahs

I need to start thinking like a blogger again. I've been dying to post something, but not only am I short on free time, I am also seriously lacking in good blog material. When I started blogging, everything around me provided inspiration. I was constantly composing blog posts in my mind. I think I've allowed all of those unwritten posts to rot in my head for so long now that I can't even recognize a good blog topic if it stares me in the face.

So all month I've been trying to think of something to write about. I just can't think of anything funny or upbeat. See, February is a rough month for me. I think I mentioned that last year. It takes me most of the month to get over myself and move on. (That's right, I said get over myself. It's time to start focusing on others and get myself out of this funk.) I am seriously excited for March to get here, just so it won't be February anymore, and so I can start fresh.

Now I want to give a little shout out to the sweet souls who have helped me get through this month. First of all, my dear friend Alisa, who sent me a package with the most thoughtful note, and these adorable things:

Oops, I already had the baby! This is the part she sent:Too cute, huh? She can't know how much her gift and note lifted my spirits. The timing was uncannily perfect. Thank you, Alisa!

Then there are friends who come into town and make time for a visit. Becky and I were lucky enough to do brunch with Lucy, one of my favorite bloggers and a friend in real life. (OK, it was actually the end of January, but it still counts.) The conversation is always great with Lucy. She's one of the best listeners I have ever met. She makes you feel like she really cares about what you have to say. I hope we all get a chance to do this again soon!

A few weeks ago I was graced with a visit from Becky C, one of my awesome Spokane buddies. She and her family were in town and made an afternoon for us. They were even kind enough to watch my little ones while I took Tanner for a haircut. Talk about nice! And I have to say that Becky looks amazing! See for yourself:

My sister Julie made time in her busy schedule to hang out with me this week and force me to sew. I've been meaning to finish up some projects, but never can allow myself the time. My sister and I are very close and have shared a lot. She's really fun to be around, and I can always be myself. Thanks, sis.

(Obviously this is not a recent picture. It sits on my bedside table in a frame Julie gave me a long time ago. It's probably my favorite picture of the two of us.)

Then there's my husband - my best friend. This month, in addition to listening to my constant ramblings and providing emotional support, he gave me an awesome Valentines gift. Out of the blue, he decided to buy me the dining table of my dreams. Now the house feels so much more finished. Here's the old hunk of junk:

And here's the new beauty:

I wasn't head-over-heels until we sat down and ate a meal with our next door neighbors. The table has plenty of space for people and food, but feels very intimate. Now I'm completely in love!

Last, but not least, I want to thank the friends who keep me going on a day-to-day basis - sisters who I talk to on the phone almost daily, friends who make the time and go to the effort to come to my silly little preschool music group on Thursdays. You guys have no idea how much your time and friendship mean to me. I'm a lucky girl!

Random Thoughts

I'm supposed to be doing my taxes, but TurboTax gave me a friendly little message when I signed in telling me that their service is currently unavailable. How can that be? I hope the site is up and running soon, but in the meantime....

• At my ward bookclub a few weeks ago, I was asked to pick a book for May, when it's my turn to host. When I told the women that I had chosen These Is My Words, two different people corrected me, saying, "You mean, these are my words?" Yes, ladies, my grammar is that bad! In reality, I am a grammar snob, and pick apart every little thing I see or hear in the media. That makes this kind of questioning particularly offensive to me. C'mon, ladies, don't you know I'm a genius by now?
• I am dying to plant my garden again! I think about it constantly. For some reason it sounds super fun to spend hours baking in the hot sun with my legs aching from the constant squatting and standing back up. I think I just need something to force me to get outside and get some sort of exercise.
• On that note, I took my first walk in ages today. I allowed the kids to ride their bikes while I pushed Aidan in the stroller. We headed to the library, and it took a full hour to get there! I knew I would need a lot of patience, since this was our first time learning the rules of bike-riding beyond our yard. Luckily the walk home was slightly downhill and went a little faster. I hope I have the patience to try it again soon. It doesn't sound very fun now that we've done it.
• While I was on the phone with my sister Stephanie this morning, Carter really wanted to talk. I gave him the phone and he proceeded to tell her, "I have a little baby brother. His name is Baby Aidan. We got him from my mom's tummy." And then, immediately, "We saw Santa at Grandma Rose's house." I thought the part about where we got Aidan was hilarious, as was the fact that these incidents are not at all related, and not at all recent. Kids say funny stuff.
• When he's not cracking me up with the stuff he says, Carter is trying to send me to a mental hospital. His behavior is the worst it has ever been, and it's constant. He hits and kicks everyone in the family, he talks back and yells at me all the time, he refuses to obey just about anything we ask him to do, and he gets this look on his face and laughs a maniacal laugh that says, "I'll do whatever I want and there's nothing you can do about it." I swear to you I get to the point where I want to throw my hands in the air and walk away from this whole mom gig. I have tried every method of discipline I can think of, and I'm really trying to be consistent and act immediately upon his misbehavior. Any ideas? If he doesn't grow out of this I'm not sure what I'll do......

I guess it's time to see if TurboTax is up again. Later!