Accidents, accidents, and accidents

Recently, I am not sure what is going on in my life. I seem to be in lala land most days and not fully with it. As a result, I do not pay attention like I should and do not even seem to realize. About two weeks ago, I was at a stop light and somehow eased off the brake, I am assuming, without realizing and bumped the car in front of me. I was not comfortable giving out insurance information without a police report, so we had one taken and I was issued a ticket....which I knew I would be. However, the lady did not pursue anything because it was such a light bump. Then Sunday evening, we went to Jackson for my dad's birthday and to get the kids because they spent the weekend there, so we could continue to "declutter" the house. Well, we had a pleasant day but as we were leaving I saw all the families cars and did not bother to look over my left shoulder and it slipped my mind that someone else was there too. So, I backed into their car. Instead of filing a claim, we wanted to pay out pocket, thinking the damage would be a few hundred back but it came back at about $1300. So my negligence has costs us more than anticipated. However, mom, dad, and Sandra were great. Mom let us borrow her van and dad was able to repair mine pretty good. Sandra offered to pay for the damage if we needed and us repay her. Despite their kindness, I still feel like crap and beat myself up for it. I feel like an emotional roller coaster, oh did I mention our computer crashed....I am hoping I have all the photos on it uploaded to get printed. I spent an hour uploading photos 2 days before it happened, maybe it was the Spirit. So, I feel like my life has had a little rain but I still try to see the rainbow. At least, I have a supportive family that provides unconditional love. The kids make me smile. Last week, Aubree informed us that there are "millions of car crashes....trust me, I know, I ride with mom", how cute is that. Ginny tries to see the upside pf everything and is plans her baptism everyday. Will is working on potty training, working is the key word there. Daily, I try to remember my blessings and I know other people have far worse issues than mine. I am alive as is my family and we are all healthy. Oh, the night of the accident, I called to make sure the person made it home and that her husband was okay. Jake spoke with her to ensure she gets the car fixed at a place where she is comfortable and then I hear him say...do not worry "Renee is the woman of my dreams". That may be one of my 2nd favorite things I have heard him the say. the 1st is before we were married and I heard him assure his mother that he loved me....he was not aware at the time, I heard it. I do not ever doubt his love for me. He was upset but never said an unkind word and like my mom and sister, he tried to reassure me it was just a mistake and things would be okay. He says I always need to pay attention though.

Lessons our children have taught us

Recently, we had stake conference. One of the speakers spoke about learning from your children. Jake and I were discussing it later that evening and he said he had learned the following from our children: From Ginny--OBEDIENCE, from Aubree--LOVE, and from Will--SERVICE. So, I elaborated but was all wrong. My thoughts were that Ginny is a mini-mom and can be a bit bossy, so we listen to her, Aubree is sometimes is pill and can be difficult, and Will requires us to do things for him because he is so young. However, after I elaborated, Jake corrected me on his thoughts. He believes that Ginny is very obedient, she does all she asked to do and usually does not complain about it. Aubree loves unconditionally and is concerned for others, and Will is always trying to help, although most of the time, he is in the way but we let him try. Boy was I off. We have been blessed greatly with out children. I love them..... I also told Jake that all those things, they must have learned from their mom.

Random rambling

I usually consider myself an overall good person but do you ever have those days that you feel like you suck at everything. Maybe its hormones? I decided to blog but realized my life is pretty boring, yet I feel so busy everyday but really nothing worth writing about. I went to Jackson this weekend and enjoyed hanging out with mom and dad. Jake is on a ski trip with his brothers and Sandra is headed on a cruise, so it was just me and the kids. I took 2 days off work because I wanted to not rely on someone else to take care of my precious little ones...they (my babies) really are my motivation and encouragement most days. Lately, I have been contemplating not going back to work after I have the baby but my problem is that I feel the need to work. It is gratifying to me and helps my self esteem but it is also exhausting. So, I feel fickle about it. I know either decision would be okay and I do not feel like me working makes me a worse mother. I work night to be with my babies during the day and still try to be involved in the girls schooling but I am tired. Yet, I like to be able to do nice things for my kids, although, I know that material things are not nearly as important as time and love.
Oh, also we bought another car....the best part is that we were able to pay for it, so wahoo, we have eliminated a car payment. It is a nice little car and we feel that we paid a fair price for it. It is a 2004 Nissan Xterra, nothing fancy but it runs well. We have to adjust to not having power windows and doors but the price was right and mileage not too high. The only drawback was that the previous owner was a smoker, so we have been trying to eliminate the smell. It is much better but not perfect yet.

Wireless internet

Can I just express how much I enjoy wireless internet? As I blog right now, I am sitting in the motor vehicle inspection lane, in which I have been for about 45 minutes so far and most likely will be for another 45 minutes....it is a bit frustrating...but, thank goodness for wireless internet. I am able to pick up someones or a local businesses server. The internet is helping me to stay entertained but is not helping Will any. Yet, he is being quite the trooper and I am surprised he is actually being this good, I would not be. I am going stir crazy and am not in a car seat. The kids are all doing well. Ginny has pulled almost all her teeth up top and looks a little crazy but she likes being snaggle tooth, she seriously has one tooth up top and that is it. Aubree is good too. She is learning math and school and really seems to excel in it. Math was not my favorite subject but Aubs gets it and likes it. Will is Will. We were planning to try to potty train since I have the nxt two days off but have not got on it as much as I should. I feel so busy all the time and need to take the time to do it with him....I know I will be glad when it is done and I bet he discovers that he feels fresher...

Where is Will?

My little boy loves to hide and and sometimes can be a little crazy trying to find him. Yesterday, I went to fold clothes and heard a little boy squealing. So, I ventured to find him. Usually he is in Ginny's closet behind the clothes or under the kitchen sink. So, to my dismay, you can see my surprise when I found him in the dryer. Here is my little stinker in his new hiding place.

Snow Days

The weather has been crazy lately. Last week, we had a nice little winter storm, it was beautiful. Yet beauty, in that case can be dangerous. However, the ice everywhere was breath taking, especially when it glistened off the tree branches in the sun. The earth truly is beautiful. Then a few days later, we woke up to about 5 inches of snow. The weather people did not see it coming because there was no talk nor warning but the kids loved it, and Jake may have loved it more. School was canceled and they till awoke early and ventured out to play and build forts and a snowman. The cute thing is that Jake and Aubree got so into it that they built snowman family. Ginny came in to help me because she was tired and we prepared hot chocolate, eggs, bacon, and pancakes. We created a fun family memory.

Jake and the kids working on the fort.

My angels

The snowman family

Gratitude with stress too

Aubree got this neat little game for Christmas and the girls love to play it. You have to guess what you are by asking yes and no questions to others. They are actually pretty good at it. We play it almost weekly. We lost power last week, during a little storm and found entertainment, sitting by the fireplace playing this. As for Will, he has learned to strip down all of his clothes.
He loves to be naked. It is too darn cute but we have to watch him closely too or he may just strip in public too. Currently, his favorite movie is Madagascar 2. He loves it....it is the only things he will actually sit down and watch.
As for life, in general, I still gratitude that my family is safe from the accident but they have totaled the car and car shopping stresses me out A LOT. There are days, we think we have found something and something comes up (it is sold by the time we get there or the ad is misleading). I know it is stressful on the family. Jake and I are ready to find a vehicle and I am sure the kids are tired of us consumed with looking. We are trying to be wise in our decision but a part of me just says, the heck with it. Jake has had a headache almost daily as well and is sore in his lower back. Ginny, too has had several headaches. We finally took both the girls to the chiropractor and both are very tight and inflamed. Aubree has yet to complain about anything, yet her x-rays were a little worse. I am very glad my little family is okay but this little accident through a wrench in our lives but thank goodness it does not effect our happiness and it only temporary.