My best friend! Love, Katelyn

Hi, This is Katelyn.  My name has a K in it.  I am playing with legos with my sister and my animals.   A few lots of minutes  later my best friend came to MY house.

 

This fun summer day, we had our friends over.  Mommy is friends with Eleanor's mom.  Alex and Emily play with Eleanor's siblings.  And Mark Runs and fetches, like a dog.   This amuses everyone.  Right now we have two pretty princesses who are swinging.   Next… 

 

Next up:  Emily about to be a Spanish dancer; E as Ariel the Mermaid; Kate as a go-go dancer*; P contemplating being a cheetah; Alex working on his “skater kool” outfit.   Playing with the dress up box outside is more fun.  I don’t know why they skipped over the Sheppard costume from Christmas, or the Crusades costume.  Heck, even army and police hats and we could have danced YMCA**

It was a fun day.  I love my friends.  Love, Katelyn   Bye-Bye!

*go-go, as is dance as fast as you can go-go before that size 10 dance outfit goes off of your body.

**Rachel is playing catch up with blogs, and this was a photo from early July, way before she was sliced and diced.

Low of 68, high of 71

Hate us.

That is the temperature inside our house.

Hate us bad.  Yes do.

Today.  Yesterday.  Everyday for to months.  Never above 71.

We are one of the rare families with air-conditioning.

I hate it this cold.  But I married a man who worked on a farm in 100+ heat until he left for college.  He got an education so he never has to sweat another day in his life.

I was going to keep our cool comfort a secret, until I read Amy’s blog.

Then I realized we may not be cool people, but have a cool house. 

FOR TRADE:  use of one 4 bedroom, 2 bath house that can stay below 70 AND bake lasagna.    4 lovely children come with the house.  (That’s the trade part) You can bring your own children.  Most messes won’t be noticed anyway.  Just feed your family, plus 4 extra.   Put your family to bed, plus 4 extra.  You can have the master bedroom suite.  It will be vacant.  Trades can be for 12-48 hours.  No advanced notice needed.  Mini-van comes with the house.  

 

This is not a joke blog.  This is real.  Send your applications to 6richins@gmail.com

Oh, and if I don’t know you, um…you aren’t staying at my house…{frownsmile}  Thanks for reading, though!

To Daddy, Love Mark

In celebration of Mark turning one, and…..

…..in honor of Grant’s second fathers day with Mark,

“Happy Fathers Day from your #4!  w  RZR

Mark Z Richins       April 2009”

Now Grant finally has photos of each child on his work desk. 

Oh, in case you are wondering why we choose a broom for Mark’s photo props……

Or even better, check out this ENTIRE BROOM POST

(Note to self:  Bookshelf Symbol 7 font contains a heart, lower case “w”)

Really!?! Did her mom know she wrote that?

After attending a birthday party…

Emily received this pretty thank you card in the mail.

I’ll translate:

“Dear Emily,

Thank you for coming to my party.  My mom says that when I finish these thank you notes, I’m going to a party!  Love, S”

Tears rolled down my face, I couldn’t speak, Grant looked confused. 

One thing that made it even more funny was that it wasn’t another party that Emily was invited to!

What a precious card.  God said I would find joy in every day.  I sure did that day. 

What to look for in the dry yard before rain

See two things?  One is obvious…..

This cute roller toy with PAPER stickers that is strictly an indoor toy.

The second is a small, unopened bottle of Kosher Pickles from Trader Joes that I paid way to much for, and was going to return to the store.

Thanks kids.  Thanks a lot.  Without you life would be too predictable. 

Feel like a caged animal: Feed me!

6 days post surgery:

This is the white ice pack under my purple-skirted-behind

 

This is the satin silver pillow case that holds my weary head in comfort.

This is the silver remote that connects me to recorded and internet TV while I snuggle under the quilt my grandma made for my wedding (Thanks Babi!)

 

This is the baby gate/cage that I borrowed from the Dog.  It now safely surrounds me so that no child or animal can injure me.   It took 5 surgeries to discover this, and I wish we had found it sooner. 

 

This is the living room where my family can gather with me.  We can watch TV nearly together.  I can watch them play outside.  We can eat close enough to hear slurps.  Yet I am safe, my body knows it and it relaxes.  I might just make it thru recovery #5 after all. 

Now that my body is safely guarded behind a tall gate, it might just start healing.  Can my prayers just be answered about  my brain?  I just need a safe, sure place for my mind to rest, so that I can trust it’s safety.  I really, really want to heal in one piece. 

If this was just a pregnancy, I know I would recover from the labor.  Even a surprise surgery or two.  But five?  Five surgeries.  Countess procedures and tests.   Permanent pain.  So many doctor referrals that I can’t recall all the names.   I’m lost.  I’m lost in the pain.  And I can’t remember the plan.  So I lean to Grant to remind me of why we are doing this. 

Um, I forgot already.  Why am I doing this?

Maybe Grant’s worked there too long…

…or maybe I’m becoming a geek.  The last two free company shirts Grant brought home were pretty classy. 

So cool that I took a photo for you.

Colors just perfect that I had him bring home an extra one for my Dad. 

 

 

And one for me.  

Which leads me to believe I have morphed into a geek.

Lucky Morning

When I was a kid, we had an unspoken contest at breakfast.  It wasn't every breakfast.  Just the ones that we got lucky and had cold cereal…huge bricks of “shredded wheat” or plain Jane “Corn Flakes”.   Now I’m grown up, with more money, so I ate Honey Bunches of Oats* this morning. 

This morning I poured a bowl that would have won the contest for sure.

Do you see it?  Do you see my prize winning wheat flake?  Bigger than a silver dollar?  How about now?

Wowsers!   First prize for me today!   What lucky quality control error have you been lucky to find?

*Okay, I must be honest.  I still can’t fight the Zmolek Gene.  I actually bought Safeway's brand of “Honey Bunches of Oats” that were half the priced…and   even on sale for less than listed!  Zmolek apples are cheap and don’t even roll far from the tree;m 

pps….recover is harder than I expected.  Grant was asked by my doc to take over pain pill dispersion.  I’m on a schedule, and forced to be around people.  I want to be in bed.  I want people to come to me.  And bring donuts.    I hate surgery.

Perfect time for yogurt pretzels and Jell-O

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that I have developed great cravings for yogurt dipped pretzels.  At one point I really had 3 bags of the best, Trader Joe extra tangy ones, in my top dresser drawer.  I did not share.  Grant calculates that within a short time, I bought ten pounds of them.  In one week, I also gained 5 pounds.    I can’t fit my zipper pants anymore.   So during the liquid only phase of my surgery prep, I stopped cold turkey.  No more wheat, or corn. 

So I gave my temptation to my willing children, who gobbled them up.  But they also wanted my Jell-O, to make it a complete…..

BREAKFAST!

Katelyn was especially proud of her Jell-o-filled pretzel.  Yum!

What’s the worst, or most interesting breakfast you let your kids have?

Ride ‘um cowboy!

My best girlfriend, Joanne, gave us this vintage springy horse.

Mark has found that it compliments his inner need to bounce….

….and jump (sometimes he gets it off the ground)….

 

….and be completely happy!  Oh, those old “death trap” toys are sure the best when you can find them. 

Thanks Joanne.  Not just for the horse, but for a close friendship.  Both were needed in this house.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

P.S. Did the colon cleaning on Tuesday, but successfully begged the doctor for a different way than this.  I’m not sure if it was better, but it’s done now.  Surgery went fine.  I’m home and felt great for 15 hours.  Now….well….now I’ve been awake for 3 unpleasant hours.   Look for some great blogs coming, that are actually absent of health.  

All because a girl turned 8

We send out invites.  Some hand delivered to neighbors.  Some by e-vite. 

And the grandparents came (and even babysat one night)

And we put on the first white dress.   And did our hair.

And Mom was glad she choose a long mirror in the bathroom, perfect for bonding with your daughter over hair and big events and pretty dresses. 

We went to the church. 

And found the room that was a previous mystery….and laid out dry towels (our best) , and another white dress.

We greeted friends, included dear Phyllis who came in the middle of her second full set of chemotherapy.   That made Mom cry.

Then Dad showed up.  The church didn’t have pants for him, and he had to run home for his temple clothes. 

Then Emily, my first born daughter, was baptized.  Even with the dress, she only went under once.   The second greatest event of our life together was wrapping a towel around her and helping her change.  The first-those first moments after labor, looking into a new souls eyes. 

Next Emily was confirmed, a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.   Oh, and my parents gave talks about baptism and the Holy Ghost.  (Me and my Dad)

Then we had balloons, and flowers and cake, and friends, and hugs. 

And gifts and gifts.  Emily was a spoiled girl!  Many thanks for the thoughtfulness of those who did and did not come.  (Wearing new necklaces, bracelets and key chains)

And cousins.  No Aunts or Uncles (Pioneer Trek), but Emily didn’t care.

And now we have one happy 8 year old.  And a very very very tired Mom.   And last, we say thank you.  We have thankful hearts towards Amy W, Nanny Julie, Kristalynn P, Deckers, The cleaning K Family, Chelsea, and maybe even you  for all the work and help to get us to today.   

Thank You!

The End

**P.S.  To those of you not blog savvy, just click on a photo and it will open a bigger version.  I never know how big to make my photos, to best compliment this blog. 

Leave a light on

Old age is creeping in.   College kids look too young.  Middle age people look normal.  And tonight, oh boy, the real kicker was tonight.

A thought caused by the arrival of 2 people…..

My mom and dad.  Visiting from Denver for Emily’s baptism.

Here we are eating a late dinner/snack of fresh cherries and blackberries and whole wheat bread.  (oh summer, i love you!)

My dad is eating standing up.  My mom is cutting produce in her hand.  And Katelyn, Emily, and Mark are sucking in the stories.

Off to bed, last kisses, lights are turned out.

But wait, we have guests.  “Grant,” I say, “go and turn the light on over the stove and in the bathroom.  I want both on during the night.”

In my head that sentence is finished, “because I don’t want my parents to trip in this unfamiliar place.  I don’t want any broken hips in my house.”  More than just those words was the feelings, deep worry for my parents less forgiving bodies.  

As I closed the curtains, I saw myself in the window. 

I. Am. Old.

I. Am. A. Parent.

I’m so old that I have kids to worry about.

I’m so old that I have started to worry about my parents bones and heads.  This job will not be done until they die. 

I have flashbacks, of my parents, of my in-laws…both protecting their parents during travel.   I think of a hot, Arizona summer.  When I had tiny Alex in my arms, it hardly seemed real that I could worry over him.  He was given to me too easily, and I had yet to develop a true “mother’s worry.”   It still seemed like I was a babysitter, not a mom.  Grant’s parents showed more concern for the grandparents’ safety,  another sort of “parent worry”.    It was odd that they showed more concern that myself, a green mom.   Doesn’t everyone know that new moms have the most worries?   Their strong “parent worry” was foreign until this moment, turning the lights out for bed.  

A dim light switched on over my stove, and I realized that I had just become an old daughter, I had started “parent worry”.   A job that I will keep until they die.  Which I hope is long enough for my own daughters to turn an extra light on.

This post is dedicated to my dear friends and mentors, Tammy R. and Mary A.   This month they both lost a father and mother, respectively.  It has made me more anxious to hug my own parents today, and has probably led to these silly thoughts.   What is far from silly is the sadness that every daughter feels when they lose a parent.  Even if you are a old mother, or a grandmother…the loss of a parent doesn’t become easy.   My prayers are with both families during this time.

I sometimes have a life besides pain: Children

(Getting “hugged” from all 4 kids, on day 5 of the 10 day migraine, I wore sunglasses all the time.   Kate’s legs in purple stick out, Emily’s head is next to my cheek, and you can see her skirt between the boys.  )

Alex:  You were so excited when you saw the knife I bought you for Cub Scouts!  I know Dad was REALLY mad that it wasn’t a small pocket knife.  But you didn’t care that I just bought what the guy at the store said.  You were so happy for all the attention it got us.  (and was I the only one who heard the giggle in the leaders voice when he got to another boys tiny boring folding knife?).  All the big scouts crowed around to help YOU sharpen your knife.   When you asked why they were all watching you, one boy yelled, “because you have the best knife!”  or was it “most awesome knife”  I can’t recall.  But we both had fun. 

It was really great to spend some time with just you, and watch you whittle your first bar of soap.  Your Aunt Liza was great at that.

(Alex gives Dad his Father Day Card- a remote.  For some reason the “mute kids” button is broken)

Today you start Cub Day Camp.  Though around here they split it up into two camps. One 10-2, One 2-8.  You are going to the later, “twilight” camp.   Your first year was tough, because you were used to going to bed at 7:30.  You didn’t arrive home until after 9.  This year you’ll be fine.  Since bedtime is now punishment…as in, the kids can stay up as late as they want until they annoy us.  

(Alex is a happy helper while Grant puts up the digital antenna)

Emily:  8 is great!  As you get ready for baptism, you have changed.  You are more thoughtful when you’ve done something wrong.  You take time to feel bad, say sorry, and ask/pray for forgiveness.  You still LOVE food.  If you are hungry, you sneak something.  We find your wrappers/bowls upstairs, behind the dollhouse (how do you fit in there?), in the back of your closet, between the food storage shelves, or in an old box.    I don’t give you a hard time about it, because all your Zmolek family did that.  I guess even an unlocked pantry isn’t enough to calm that gene. 

(Emily licking the mixer after making her birthday cake.  It was late night on birthday eve, since I only had a headache (instead of a migraine) I got you out of bed to cook)

You’ve been cooking up a storm.  You made your own birthday cake.  It was so sprinkled with coconut and color that it looked like a Homer Simpson size donut.  You dipped marshmallows with Nanny Julie.

( Emily laughing as we sang Happy birthday)

The next day (Saturday) morning, we woke up to morning treats made by you.  Jelly on the bottom, chocolate chips, and of course, cereal.   It was the first thing I saw next to me as I woke up.  For some reason, it didn’t induce hunger.

(Emily’s hand made breakfast treat called “ruin your morning and spend the day cleaning up jelly” munchies.)

Katelyn:   You are talking so much more!  We can understand you 90% of the time!  Even more impressive is when we say the correct word, and you say it back perfectly. 

(Kate, how do you fall asleep like that?  Even while awake, you will sit with your legs like a W.   Gotta give props to the Richins double joints)

The speech therapy is paying off.   We are about to change therapists, again.  Teacher Beth is awesome, a very skilled lady.  But we are wasting each others time.    Until our family is emotionally ready to stop bottles, you can’t go further. 

(Katelyn, changing outfits as often as she changes moods.  She loves all of Emily’s outgrown dresses)

Daddy swears when quitting bottles is mentioned, since it’s the only sure way to calm you down.  And right now we need all the tricks we can use to keep the family calmed down.  We tried to take you off them (again).  You really liked the new straw sippy cups at first.  Then you wouldn’t drink.  Or eat.  And you got painfully constipated.  And you cried a lot.  so we gave up.  For the 4 or 5th time.    We love you, and are sorry for any damage done by having you so attached to bottles at  3 1/2.    You are so good, only taking a bottle in bed.  If you are upset, you ask for a bottle.  A few minutes later, you walk out holding the bottle.  You are calm, put the bottle in the fridge, and start to play.  I Love you!

(Kate eating her first McDonalds Breakfast the day we left California.  )Kate+food=happiness

Mark:  Today you had your adenoids removed and tubes put in your sick ears.  We hope your speech will improve.  You chatter all day, but we can’t make out a word!   You are a ray of sunshine and laughter in this house.

 

(rare night, Mark fell asleep in my arms.  I held him for hours, since I missed out on so many nights like this)  

I didn’t realize how a smile is stuck on your face until Friday.  You had your 15 month  shots the day before, and you were hurting.  You walked around the house with a frown.  The only chatter you made was crying.  Even running up to me and cuddling, you kept a frown on your face.  I was really glad to see it back the next day.    Please, please give me a name.  You can even call me Rachel.  Just call me something!  My last baby, and you don’t even call me mama. 

(Mark “loving” a popular toy kitty.  This must be at night, because usually Kitty is in Kate’s proximity.)

The children really do adapt.  They are growing fast than I can heal.  But my eyes and ears work.