friday

6:51 a.m. wake up, see alyssa on the floor
6:55 a.m. wake the boys
7:10 a.m. the boys eat breakfast while I sit and talk to them about the cute clay frog michael molded last night while they were sleeping.
7:20 a.m. alyssa waltzed out and seeks me out for her morning groggy cuddle (i'm happy i don't have to go wake her)
7:25 a.m. leave for school
7:35 a.m. he still loves to blow me kisses over and over:)
7:45 a.m. matthew, alyssa, and I go to HEB to rent a few moive ($1 red box) I get 3 b/c we are babysitting tonight and we need kiddie movies...also get frozen pizza and bananas
8 a.m. linda calls and says marianne called her last night but she missed her...i am sad for her and i wouldn't have liked to hear how she is doing
8:15 a.m. home computer/curious george
8:40 a.m. doorbell rings....ya ya at the door....watch emily's kids while she goes to dr.
9:30 a.m. emily back
9:45 a.m. drive to Round Rock donuts to get donut holes to take to tyler at lunch strawberry shake
10 a.m. call candida to tell her about rich's surgery today....cry a little on the phone she says to stop by and meet her sister from out of town...i say i just have 5 minutes.
10:05 run in chat run out
10:30 a.m. drop alyssa off at emily's while matthew joins me to visit tyler at lunch
10:55 a.m. tyler's class walks up to the lunchroom. i ask a classmate if she remembers me from lunch on monday and she says, "I remember your smile!" Oh, music to my ears:)
11:15 a.m. I officially named all the kids in tylers class...i went down the line at the lunch table and they were delighted when i remembered their names. i hope i can remember when they are sitting in a different spot. 1 little donut hole (can't beieve i ate only one)
11:20 a.m. try to figure out what those kids do in class all day. Miss Julie who is a class assistant helps jog their memory.
11:30 a.m. back to emily's to get alyssa, they all have whiskers painted on their face, so matthew wants it too, and says he wants me to have one, too.
11:45 a.m. we all leave with whiskers and a black nose painted on our face
12 noon arrive at Michele's house to pick up Jackson to play with matthew...go in to chat and end up staying an hour and a half...she is pregnant and sick....we haven't chatted in a while b/c she was on vacation, so it was enjoyable to laugh and chat
1:30 p.m. bring Jackson to our house...jackson and matthew play well and request for me to put alyssa down for a nap (she's bugging them) strawberry shake & banana
2 p.m. a client calls with an order hard boiled egg 1/2 sandwich
2:55 p.m. go to get tyler
3:05 got tyler...nearly the last kid to be picked up, but he's still smilin'
3:30 michael home
3:45 p.m. michael takes jackson home and tyler & matthew to the pool...alyssa snores on the couch
4-4:50 p.m. peaceful quiet (except for alyssa's snoring) computer time for me
4:50 p.m. doorbell rings...Brady and Kacey join us for the evening so their parents can go on a date (this is unusual--2 nights in a row)
5p.m. michael comes home with boys from pool
5-6 crazy hour...frozen pizza in the oven, kids running in and out, michael un happy with the backdoor left open, alyssa just woke up and is unhappy
6 we eat, play trains 3 small slices of pepperoni pizza
7p.m. we begin Everyone's Hero...cartoon baseball movie...matthew is afraid it is scary or will have bad guys, so he cuddles with me...I love it:)
7:55pm Kasey freaks out b/c of the thunder outside, so comes to my lap, matthew transfers to michaels lap
8:15 movie over, pick up, play trains
8:30 Kristin rings doorbell, picks up kids
8:45 p.m. our kids get ready for bed
9:15 computer time: chat with linda online...don't quite get to the stuff I planned on, but thats ok:) gotta post some picts from my brothers wedding 2 weeks ago

Thursday

4:35 a.m. wake up and look around and realize alyssa hasn't come into our room yet!
6:51 a.m. I wake up before my alarm and see alyssa sleeping on the floor next to me (she din't even try to climb in)
6:55 a.m. go to wake up tyler...the first day that he isn't very happen to be woken up...for the next 15 minutes, we all hear about it...yes, I am tired,too
7:10 a.m. Matthew wants oatmeal, tyler wants cheeries, alyssa is just staring at her rice chex, michael is finishing getting ready, i pack tylers lunch
7:25 a.m. we head out to school, tyler is happier now
7:35 a.m. cute tyler walks away from us...backpack swooshing, big smile
7:45 a.m. I drag dishevled alyssa still in jammies and matthew into walgreens to pick up a prescription and search for the nail polish i got with my sis in laws in houston...cannot find the nail polish!
8:10 a.m. matthew and alyssa are enjoying the toy aisle in walgreens...simple pleasures
8:15 a.m. i find fun little things like a pencil sharpener (tylers request) and a dry erase board I've wanted for the fridge
8:25 a.m. I convince matthew and alyssa to go home...help alyssa put back all 15 babies she took off the shelf
8:30 a.m. we are home...computer time for me, cartoons and toys for the little ones
8:45 a.m. blog about michael's new work, finish Dial DVD, work on Hannah images
10 a.m. time for my morning shake, chocolate opti-meal
10:50 a.m. Emily brings over Jacob and Grace for me to watch
11 a.m. UPS delivery
11:15 a.m. Liz & gang come over to play
12:30 p.m. emily comes back...pb&j sandwiches for all
1:15 p.m. Liz & gang leave...my vt appointment was cancelled
1:20 p.m. alyssa, matthew, and I run an errand to Kohl's to return and ULTA to search for a nail polish that wasn't there...call Alayna to re ask the nail polish color
1:55 p.m. Run into Sally Beauty Supply, they don't have it either
2:25 p.m. get in line to wait for tyler...alyssa falls asleep....matthew joins me in the shotgun seat (we are parked in line) my mom calls from utah
3:01 p.m. smiley Tyler joins us in the van
3:05 pm run inside for my chocolate drink
3:10p.m. Arrive at Emily's house for a presidency meeting eat 2 yummy cookies
4:30 p.m. leave Emilys feeling accomplished
4:45 p.m. get home and Clair comes to visit for a bit...we chat while I clean my kitchen and get ready for dinner
5:20 p.m. Michael gets home...Clair leaves
5:30 p.m. the family eats grilled cheese sandwiches, and Michael and I also eat egg salad sand.
6:35 p.m. Ashlee joins us while her parents go out on a date
6:45 p.m. after jammies, scriptures, prayer, Michael reads the boys the 7th book in the Narnia series...I play "babies" with the girls
7:10 p.m. boys are in their room, Michael goes for a run, I try to keep the girls from ripping each others hair out....2 year olds don't understand "share" so well
7:30 p.m. computer time...finish Hannah session
10 p.m. ashlee's parents pick her up and we all head to bed

wednesday

1:50 a.m. alyssa joins us and is directed to the floor
6:50 a.m. alyssa wakes up frantically looking for her binkie
6:55 a.m. wake up tyler and matthew
7:05 a.m. breakfast for all
7:20 a.m. michael helps me pump the tires on the jogging stroller
7:25 a.m. we all leave at the same time...michael to work, us to school
7:34 a.m. wake and blow kisses to cute tyler as he walks away
7:50 a.m. strap matthew and alyssa into stroller with a few snacks and toys
7:51 a.m. start the jog (first time in 7 weeks)
8:15 a.m. check out the community center fall aerobics classes
8:20 a.m. kids play at park while i stretch
8:40 a.m. jog home
8:50 a.m. arrive home
9 a.m. eat Opti-meal shake phone call to bank, insurance company, primary teachers
9:20 a.m. lds.org to look up my primary lesson for Sunday...chat online with Angela
10:22 a.m. shower eat string cheese
11 a.m. head to HEB (excited that Danimals drinkable yogurts are buy 1 get 1 free...the kids love these and I never get 'em, bank (deposit checks and sign something), walgreens (drop off prescription)
1 p.m. marinade chicken for dinner eat hard boiled egg and banana arrive home, make lunch, talk to Alayna, computer make DVD for client
2 p.m. eat Opti-Meal Shake
2:25 p.m. leave to get tyler...not matter when I go, we sit in the car for 30 minutes! agh!
2:35 p.m. Linda calls...alyssa falls asleep in the car...
2: 57 p.m. we get tyler
4p.m. get off the phone with Linda...we are worried about our friend, Rich, with a mass in his brain, they don't know if it is cancerous, but it doesn't look good. They have to do a dangerous biopsy to find out. We contemplate the simple things in our lives that we are worried about and realize all is well...we wonder what in the world we would do if we lost our husbands.
5 p.m. make rice for dinner, grill marinaded chicken, make green beans
5:30 p.m. Michael comes home and I give him a big squeeze. I always greet with a kiss, but this time I held him a little tighter. I told him that we need to make sure we do a tight squeeze at greetings now, not just a kiss.
5:35 p.m. we eat dinner--I love this blissful hour...it is our family time every day. So great that we have a consistant schedule now...talk about our day, I realize I never asked tyler about his day b/c I was on the phone...not to self (again): greet tyler properly when you pick him up, don't always be on the phone.
6 p.m. those who ate dinner get some leftover cake from Monday...those who haven't are either trying to force it down or decide they don't want dessert. Michael tries to convince alyssa that the beans are good by throwing them in her open mouth. She won't open. But mommy and tyler oblige in the game and laugther erupts by all when daddy makes it in!
6:10 p.m. michael and I sit on the couch and watch the kids dance around and do flips all over the floor and sing loudly--getting a workout. It is hilarious and we video tape this.
6:30 p.m. michael takes messy alyssa to the bath, boys play soft animal (ty beanie babies) and they play "school" with the animals, I clean kitchen
6:45 p.m. Michael prepares for his mtg., boys quickly clean family room, get jammies on
7:15 p.m. Michael leaves for his meeting, boys are in their room for quiet time, alyssa says, "watch mommy's show" that is her way of saying she isn't going to bed yet. She took a nap, so I know she'll be up later. I take about 5 bites of chubby hubby ice cream
7:17 p.m. turn the computer on work on stuff...chat online with Angela and Mariel (fellow local photographer) finish Dial DVD, work on Hannah images to finish by Saturday, email people, blog a little, photoshop stuff. Alyssa plays with her babies behind me...I occasionally talk to the babies and take a picture of alyssa as "mommy". Alyssa enjoys her private time (without brothers)
8:30 p.m. I turn off all lights except computer to hush alyssa to stillness...she lays on the couch and twirls her feet around
8:45 p.m. i realize alyssa is asleep...I let her stay there
9:45 p.m. Michael comes home and relays to me what a great night he had doing visits for EQ. He feels fulfilled helping people and I am happy for that and love to hear what he's done.
10:30 p.m. computer off and head to bed

tuesday

2:50 a.m. Alyssa comes in and tries to climb in our bed. Finally settles on the floor.
3:30 a.m. tries again
6:55 a.m. my alarm goes off and I angrily wonder who set it
6:56 a.m. I realize it was me and that I have to get tyler up for school
6:57 a.m. Tyler gets up and matthew, too
7:05 a.m. Michael, Tyler, Matthew, and I sit for breakfast finishing yesterdays french toast...I prepar Tyler's lunch
7:20 a.m. Michael leaves for work (I put in a request for him taking tyler 2x a week, and he obliged, but he has to tell work to start scheduling patients 15 min. later)
7:25 a.m. Tyler offers to wake alyssa up and I"m happy b/c I hate to wake a sleeping child
7:27 a.m. Everyone in jammies but tyler, we all load into the van
7:35 a.m. I get annoyed at the congestion around the school and other cars trying to butt in unfairly
7:37 a.m. Tyler walks away with his huge backpack swishing on his back and turns back twice with a huge smile and a wave to us in the car. Matthew, his nose to the window waves, as well as Alyssa and I. I think to myself how truly sad it is to part with my sweet boy, but he loves it, so I must continue on.
7:44 a.m. Matthew, Alyssa, and I walk into the house all dishevled.
8 a.m. Curious George & Dragon Tales play while I tap away at the computer updating my website
8:30 a.m. Call from Jackie discussing our Busy Bee Preschool class that begins next week
9:30 a.m. Computer and TV off, Matthew, Alyssa, and I head to clean their rooms. I throw in a load of laundry.
10 a.m. I run to the shower while Matthew is arranging books on the bookshelf in Alyssa's room. Get dressed. Get alyssa dressed.
10:20 a.m. clothes from washer to dryer, start 2nd load of laundry.
10:25 a.m. put my make up on:)
10:30 a.m. Call from Linda to update me on our friend who is sick.
11 a.m. Run to the post office to mail 2 things.
11:15 a.m. My friend Jessica meets me at my house and we caravan to go eat lunch with her friend from out of town. I thought I'd introduce them both to Austin's original and authentic tex-mex cuisine, Chuys. I got a Mexi-cobb salad and it was SO yummy!
1:05 p.m. After leaving Chuys, I drop of a present to my friend, Kristin, whose birthday was yesterday, but I didn't remember until the evening.
1:32 p.m. Computer time...phone calls...play with toy babies with alyssa...Wonder Pets show
2:30 p.m. leave to get tyler at school
3:05 p.m. Tyler gets into car
3-7 Computer off (my new goal)
3 boys finish cleaning rooms, afternoon snack, another load of laundry, boys play with their little animals, push alyssa around in an indoor wagon
4 Access Hollywood
4:30 p.m. read the Church News about the passing of President Faust
5 p.m. Reheat last nights spaghetti for tonights dinner
5:30 p.m. I hear the key unlock the door that announces: Michael is home!
5:31 p.m. The kids run to the door shouting, "meeeeeee" b/c michael chanted, "who broke my window?" (family joke)
5:40 p.m. We all sit down together including Strawberry Shortcake in her own chair, placed by Alyssa
5:50 p.m. Daddy and Alyssa get ice cream b/c they finished, incentive for Tyler and Matthew to finish
6:10 p.m. Spaghetti bearded kids hit the bath tub. Michael makes phone calls. Kids seperate their laundry. Kids play. Alyssa tries to jump and only gets 1/4 inch off the ground. Michael immitates her and it is hilarious....he loves my out loud laughter, so he keeps doing it. I can't breath I'm laughing so hard!
7 p.m. Jammies, teeth, scriptures, prayer
7:12 p.m. Alyssa falls asleep on my shoulder (no nap today)
7:25 p.m. Boys sent to room with 10 minutes of quiet play
7:26 p.m. Michael leaves to go Home Teaching
7:29 p.m. I got back to shush the boys so as not to wake their sleeping sister from their LOUD play
7:35 p.m. lights out....the house is quite, except for the tapping of the keyboard:)
8 p.m. Make a DVD slideshow for client
8:15 p.m. Search Amazon for Beanie Babies (my new obsession b/c the boys love them)
8:30 p.m. Proof images from a senior photo session I did on Saturday