Aunt Flo

You know what? I've come to realize that PMS totally turns me into a crazy person. And I don't know if it has just gotten tons worse as I've gotten older or if it is just more noticeable now because of the husband and three kids that have been added to the equation. Whatever the case, I feel sorry my kids and Brian have to live with me on or around the 24th thru the 27th of every month. You know that last little (or huge, rather) episode I had with Camp? Well, it should come as no surprise that it occurred during the afore mentioned time period. Bummer. And it's not like none of it would have happened had I not been menstruating--it's just that I likely would have been able to deal with it a whole lot better. It's like I totally lose my ability to cope every time I'm starting my cycle again. You know what I mean? It's seriously crazy. Earlier this week, I commented to Brian that he should just move out for a few days of every month while I cry myself back to normalcy. His reply surprised me: "I do." Waaaiiitttt a minute! I sat thinking for a few seconds and then realized--- Brian had spent several of the previous evenings (and even through the night) working at his shop....Oh, my heavens! Would I really be able to match all of the nights Brian has spent at the shop over the last few years with days that I've been on my period?! Crazy! Smart man, I tell you. Smart man. But anyway.... I just wish knowing what PMS does to me could stop it from happening. You know?

Anyway...( I think I now say anyway as much as I said like when I was 14)... I'll just tell you a few fun things that have happened lately and then I'll leave you with a bunch of pictures before saying good-night.
I did have such a wonderful time having some of my family here. They got to go with us to Camp's soccer game and we went to the dunes and enjoyed eating and talking together. On the Friday night that they were here, we were totally bummed because our TV wasn't working (don't ask), so we all huddled around my mom's laptop and watched 20/20 (with the beautiful Elizabeth Vargas) online. Do all of you already know that my LITTLE sister Audge is a JUNIOR at BYU and Sethy is leaving for his mission to Mexico in June? Crazy, I know. I'm afraid my kids might have run them all ragged, but I sure hope they come back soon anyway...
And remember how I told you a while back about how Camp got that nice little note in the mail from the Primary President asking him to give the scripture and prayer? And remember his response? Well, just to illustrate how different two kids from the same family can be, let me tell you how Jane reacted when she got a little note in the mail. She was absolutely delighted! She was beaming as I opened the butterfly-covered card and read the message inside: Jane, would you like to be the 'reverent child' this Sunday? Oh, my heavens. Jane was so excited. She took the card inside and told Camp, "Camp! I get to be the reverent cgnild (Jane's nasally pronunciation of child)!" And then she proceeded to color the rest of the card and cut out the figures and tape them to the hallway wall. She's darling, I tell ya. And she's always a dang good reverent child.
And it's so funny because once in a while Danin will throw a fit over something little, but she's always quick to follow it up with a reassuring, "Mom, I just was faken" and then a forced little laugh. And she's taken to pooping in our back yard. Sick! I tell her that pooping in the yard is for dogs, not for little girls--and there's a reason we don't have a dog--(lots of them, actually.) I'm sure it's just a phase, though, and as long as it's always a pretty clean break, I guess I can deal with it.
And while Camp is not busy sneaking matches to melt empty water bottles in the garage, attempting to break down his locked bedroom door, or trying to counterfeit twenty-dollar bills in order to send one to Collin, he does do things that are pretty endearing. He loves to catch and care for caterpillars and lizards, for example, and he is super good with the toddlers I babysit occasionally, and it's not at all uncommon for me to go in to check on him after he's gone to sleep at night only to find him sleeping in some kind of crazy contraption. (You can't even see him in this first picture.)















I really am lucky to be a mother.













P.S. I can't believe I never even posted anything about Easter! The kids had a great time and the outfits Becky made them are the cutest ones yet! Oh, I'm so lucky to never have to worry about Easter outfits!