A Turn for the Worst

I am scared of the garden.

Last time I went to the garden I stepped on a snake. Now...there maybe people out there who don't think this is a big deal but let me tell you, snakes and I DO NOT get along. Saying I am terrified is an understatement (I cried for 20 min after it happened).

That was 2 months ago. Yes, it took me 2 months to gain the courage to go back again. I finally did it because I knew I had some carrots out there that needed picked.

When I got to the garden, I realized no one has been weeding because I had to wade through knee-high plants (this did not help me nerves). I started pulling up the carrots and was laughing to myself because they were so small (smaller than the baby carrots you buy at the store).........when out of nowhere something large and black came lunging at me. I screamed like death was imminent which brought some neighbors outside to see if I was dead (just a little embarrassing). That scream saved my life though because the animal was freaked and ran off as fast as it could.

So.....are you wondering what kind of animal it was????



A Black Cat.....(she says shaking)



What does this mean? I mean...it's Halloween and a black cat didn't just "cross my path", it tried to kill me.

I don't usually consider myself superstitious but I am convinced that some colossal bad luck is headed my way.......

The one thing I know for sure is, I am not EVER going back to that garden!!!!!

Not About the Kids

I know, it's a shocker but I am going to talk about something else today......I want to talk a little about friends, because I am a lucky girl (am I still a girl or should I say "woman" or "lady"?)

Last night I had a Girls Movie Night at my house. We watch "The Importance of Being Earnest" and ate some seriously awesome food. I was looking around during the movie and thinking about how lucky I am to call these people my friends. They are all so different and each has influenced my life in many ways....but mostly, I was thinking about........

The tomato plants that a friend of mine grew from seed and then gave to me after I killed all of mine. Our garden would be a failure if it weren't for friends.

And, the wall that we just painted green because a friend gave me the rest of her paint just because I said I liked it.

Also, the beautiful pictures all over my walls that a friend of mine took that are such treasures to me.

And I can't fail to mention the many conversations with a friend that made me feel like it's ok that I'm not perfect or getting things right and that I am just...not alone.

Or all the times each of them has made me laugh or brought me a meal or a super yummy treat or babysat for me and the list goes on and on.

I guess basically I am saying that without friends I would have a dead garden, white walls, no family pictures and would mostly just be really lonely.

Yep, that's right....I am a lucky girl!

An Update...

Ella:

She has been watching a lot of Tangled and has learned a new phrase from the movie. She walks around saying "I'm malicious, mean and scary and I'm going to______". She fills in the blank with any cruel act she can think of. For example; "I'm malicious, mean and scary and I'm going to hit you with my shovel." or, "I'm malicious, mean and scary and I'm going to poof you away." You never know what a child can learn from TV.

She has also finished her first year of preschool with flying colors. Her teachers even said they want her back next year. I knew she had it in her to be obedient. School taught her a lot of things this year. From her first swear word, "Jesus Christ, I am so frustrated at you" (I could have home schooled her right then and there). To how to count objects (she counts everything now). She also learned a lot of independence at school that really helped with her maturity and now is an awesome swimmer. I would have to say, I could have never imagined a better preschool for her.

She has also decided it is time for another baby (she is the ONLY one who has decided this). She is trying to convince Will. I found her yesterday telling Will, "Will, Do you want Mommy to have another baby? Go like this (shaking her head yes)."

And last but not least, is trying to convince Chris and I to call her "Rose". We have told her over and over again that "your name is Ella" but well like all things with Ella, that backfired because now if I call her Elle, or Ellibean, or Banana, or Sweetheart...she is quick to remind me, "My name is Ella".
















Will:

Takes steps every now and again but is mostly obsessed with climbing. I am amazed at where he ends up (on the back of the couch, on top of the table, in the tub, in Ella's bed...). He keeps me busy and tired...very, very tired.

He says a few words. I think he is holding out on us but if screaming works then why ask nicely? He says "Mama, Dada, All Done, and Ella". Basically, everything he says sounds like "Ella". I swear, if the kid yawns it sounds just like "Ellll--aaahhh".

He has started to sing. Like I said before, he can't talk so there are no lyrics and it is only one tune that he performs. It is a favorite around the Sturgill home (and by favorite I mean, "seriously, make it stop"). It goes a little something like this; "ahhhhhhhhhh-ahhhhh-ahh-ahh-ahhh-ahhhhh-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh". Did you guess it? Well here is a hint: It's from The Little Mermaid. You know the part where Ursula takes Ariel's voice and yells "Keep singing!!!" And if it wasn't bad enough that Ella sings it none stop and asks, "Hey Dad, Do you know this song?" "Ahhhh-ahhhh-ahhh-ahhh-ahhh-ahhhh-ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh". She taught it to her brother to sing it for a charming duet.

Will has also learned to fold his arms for the prayer. He folds his little hands together. Now of course, he doesn't do it when we ask him to (neither of our kids do for that matter). But it is as cute as can be when he decides to do it on his own.

And last but not least, has learned to hit a baseball off a Tee. This was a skill we were working on with Ella but she isn't great at it (she takes the Tee and runs away with it). But William picked it up and as you can guess Chris thinks he is destined for greatness.


By the way, the pictures are from a little trip to Ontario Beach to listen to the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Have I ever told you that Rochester is awesome?

Food Fish

Today was Ella's first time to eat fish. We grilled Salmon and she was very interested in the whole process. She wanted to watch me marinade it and see it cooking on the grill but the best part was when we sat down to eat it and she said:

"This isn't real fish. We wouldn't eat a real fish. This is food fish.......right? RIGHT?"

And on cue, Chris and I said "right".

Highs and Lows

I am convinced that parenting is all extreme highs and extreme lows.

That there are moments of intense joy that I will remember forever and wish I could get back. When I look at a baby picture of Ella, I wish for just one more minute that I could hold her and give her a little kiss behind her ear. Or when I see Will's Moses basket that he slept in when he came home from the hospital...so tiny...so mine.

But let us not forget the lows and they are extreme. When Ella threw a tantrum to the point of vomiting and I thought "I am done. You can run the house. I have no idea how to parent." Or when Will stood up in the tub only to slip and fall...head completely under the water and two little scared eyes just looking at me. So I get him out and put his diaper on him....only to have him crawl back to the bathtub and fall in from the other direction.

That's parenting...extreme highs and extreme lows. Usually these moments are spread out a little but today I experienced the high and low all within seconds...

William took his first steps. He was so proud of himself that he could hardly contain it. I, of course, went to clap my hands but before I got to the celebration... Ella peed her pants.

And I thought "That's parenting."

Big Pet Pig

First of all, I do it out of love...really, I do.

I remember learning in a parenting course at BYU that it is a good idea to take songs and insert your kids name into them when you sing it to them. Somehow I latched on to that idea and then took it to a whole new level.

With Ella it was pretty harmless...She has two songs; one is called "Pretty Baby" and I sing "Pretty Ella". The other is "What Heaven Sees in You". One song is more fun and one is more of a lullaby.

Will's lullaby is called "Hourglass" (I will be posting it later). It is a sweet song about how your baby boy grows up too fast. And now that I have you all thinking that I am such a sweet mommy it is time to confess to you all his fun song.

It's called "Big Pet Pig" and yes..I have inserted his name into the lyrics. I know what you are thinking, he is pretty skinny...but if you have ever seen Will with a box of Cheez Its, mouth stuffed to the brim, both hands full, and screaming while I try to pry the box from his grip... You will understand. Seriously, this kid starts eating dinner while I am making it and doesn't finish until about an hour after everyone else. If you are looking to win him over, just feed him and he will love you for life.

And so...here's to our Big Pet Big just a few days before his first birthday:

Making Memories

I am the youngest out of 6 children. My Mom and Dad were the age of most of my friends Grandparents.

I remember learning how to ride a bike but it wasn't my Mom or Dad that taught me. It was my babysitter.

Now this has always been a funny memory to me, I would ask......Did they pay someone to teach me to ride a bike.......Were they that tired?

It all makes sense now.

So who is up for the challenge???

Say It With Me:

"It's Mother's Day and I am a good Mom."




Countless people have asked me, "Did you have a good Mother's Day?"

Well...I would have to say "well..maybe...kind of, a little" but I have decided to embrace a new kind of Mother's Day. I like to think of it more as a Mother's Day Challenge and man...did I rock the challenge this year....

Let me start with Exhibit A: Ella's Mother's Day Card

Now my little girl has got some mad art skills. She draws things way beyond her level and loves, loves, loves to make cards. So of course, she was so excited to make cards for Mother's Day. She made two beautiful cards for her Grandmas. She folded the paper so it opened just like a card,
wrote their names on the front and then drew them each a picture of herself (complete with princess crown).

Then there was my card. I am not sure what happened but I ended up with a piece of yellow paper with the bottom cut up, a small scribble, and big hole cut in the middle with a ribbon coming out of it (I tried to take a picture but it didn't turn out). I asked her what it was and she said she didn't really know.

Now on to Exhibit B: A Mother's Day Greeting

Now, I am sure you can picture with me all the kind things you would like your children to say to you on Mother's Day so you will know in your heart how much you are appreciated.

Here is how Ella chose to greet me on Mother's Day morning, "Mommy, I just love Daddy so much. I wish it was Father's Day."

Bringing us to Exhibit C and D: Mother's Day Sacrament Meeting

Ahhh, I little time to listen to speakers talk about how mothers are awesome. And this year, for the first time, I get to have my little girl go up with the primary and sing "Mother Dear, I Love You So." (a proud moment for any mother)

But wait, somewhere between Will deciding he did not want to be in the pew and Ella peeing her pants...I missed the part about me rocking because I choose to stay at home with the kids. And when the Primary sang, Ella refused to go up front and sing because in her words, "I only sing this song in Primary!"

But don't worry...I am not throwing in the towel on Mother's Day. I am just embracing a new tradition of the Mother's Day Challenge. Because afterall, Mother's Day isn't a day when the children wake-up and think "It's Mother's Day. I am going to play it cool." No, it is a day for me to prove that I do rock as a mother. That when my kid uses my new shirt as his Kleenex, I'm not going to get upset...no way, It's Mother's Day and I am a good Mom. And when my skirt is colored on, you won't see me frown because, "It's Mother's Day and I am a good Mom." And when the goldfish spill and the song isn't song or the "I love you" said...you won't see yelling at the kids...no not on this day, because "It's Mother's Day and I am a good Mom!"

Because I Don't Want to Forget...

Ella: "Mommy, smell my hair."
Me: smelling
Ella: "Does it smell like something?"
Me: "I'm not sure. Is it supposed to smell like something?"
Ella: "Yeah. What does it smell like?"
Me: "What is it supposed to smell like?"
Ella: "I can't tell you because I don't want to get in trouble."
Me: "Did you put something in your hair?"
Ella: "I can't tell you because I don't want you to be frustrated at me. But what does it smell like?"

fyi- It smelled like Chris's cologne.

Little Liar

Ella has learned to lie.

And since it is Ella I am talking about this is no little lie but an elaborate story.

You see, Chris always keeps his wedding ring on his night stand while he sleeps but a few days ago when he went to put it on before heading to school, it was gone. He looked for it for awhile and then went to find Ella. He asked her if she had taken his ring and she looked from me to Chris and back again before saying "No, I didn't take it."

Later that day Chris found the ring laying back on the night stand. Suspicious?? We thought so. So off we went to find Ella.

Chris asked her. "Did you put my ring back on my night stand?" She then looked from me to Chris and back again before saying, "No?" Chris then said, "It would make me really happy if you found it." So she said, "Oh, I did find it and put it back on your night stand. Actually, Mommy and I looked and looked all over the house for it and then I found it under my bed."

I was stunned and shocked and desperately trying not to laugh because that did not happen. We didn't go looking for the ring. And I know I am slowly losing my mind kid but it's not so bad that you can start making up stories with me in them and I will be caught unaware. Also, why do you get to be the hero???

Teaching the Kids about Conference

I am sure most readers of my blog know all about General Conference but for those who are unaware, this weekend members of our church all gathered around TVs, computers, radios, and more to listen to our Prophet (Pres. Monson) and Apostles speak. It is a busy weekend that consists of 4 Conference Sessions that are each 2 hours long. So we spent our Saturday and Sunday watching church on our TV.

I am always grateful for the opportunity to listen to the Prophet speak and because of this I work really hard to try to teach my kids about the Prophet and how important he is to us.

For Will this doesn't require much...basically whenever the Prophet spoke I would point to him and say, "Look Will, that's our Prophet". And he would politely smile at me as if to say, "If I smile can I get back to playing with my ball?"

There was a time when this is all I did with Ella too and I was so excited when she learned to recognize the Prophet and call him by name. Every Conference I try to up our expectations a little for her but realize that no 4 year old is going to sit through 8 hours of Conference.

So, this year she just had to sit still and listen during Pres. Monson's talk. She drew a picture of the prophet (she drew a cute little tie on him and everything) and then listened for something he said that I could write next to the picture. Since he spoke about temples that is what she chose for me to write down. Then Chris and I had her choose her favorite temple so we can hang that picture up on her bedroom wall (she chose the one is Sweden so it is going to be an expensive wedding).

We made some great Conference memories this year but I can't conclude this entry without leaving out the other side of Conference. You see, Ella did not seem to understand what was happening at all...with quotes like:

"Is this that movie about the Prophet?"

"Why is the Prophet wearing a purple tie?"

"Purple is a girl color."

"Why are we praying during a movie?"

"Why is the prayer so long?"

"Why are we watching this movie over and over again?"


It would seem clear that Ella thought we were watching a movie and every Session was the same movie again and again. I tried to explain but she just didn't get it. It did provide some great comic relief though.

She's 4 and She's Cute!

My sister (Rayna) and I made this dress for Ella this week. I would have liked to have had a brown sash around the middle and lace at the bottom but when we asked Ella if she was going to wear it and she responded "If it is pretty enough", I figured we would let her accessorize.

I love the way it turned out. It is the perfect mix between my vintage style and Ella's fancy style. She even represented her father by wearing his Simon Business School pin right in the middle of the dress (she makes me laugh). And of course the look was made complete with her Fancy Nancy knee highs.

Isn't in fun to be a four-year-old girl/princess?

What Goes in Must Come Out

Will has learned to crawl and he is extremely excited about it. I on the other hand am feeling overwhelmed with trying to keep the floor clean (it is hard when their hands are now also their feet). I sweep and vacuum the floor daily (I think I have OCD)....but it just doesn't matter because every time I turn around he has found something else to put in his mouth. One nice thing is that I always know when he has something in his mouth that he shouldn't because he starts to giggle (why are children so happy about doing something they know they shouldn't?)



Here is the complete list of everything that I have fished out of his mouth in his first week of crawling:

-one packing peanut
-a penny
-a foil wrapper
-a pink Barbie shoe
-a gold teapot for Barbie
-a Barbie plate
-a tiny teacup for Barbie (notice a theme)
-a small rock
-one princess magnet
-an orange bead

PS...I think it was good for me to make this list because now I see the real reason William is getting things to put in his mouth that he shouldn't.

It's All About the Card

Ella took some pictures with my camera. After looking through them I noticed a theme:

This is Chris's Birthday card from his parents. It plays "Celebrate Good Times, Come On" when it is opened.

And here we have Chris and the card. Are you catching on to the theme yet?

Me and I know you are shocked but that is the card

Will showing off the tasty back of...the card

And now it makes so much more sense that she asked me to take a picture of her and the card. I guess her portfolio is now ready for display.

I think it's the Estrogen

Dilemma: I have no idea when Ella is sick or just trying to control me.

Evidence: Let's go back three weeks to an afternoon when Ella decided she wanted some applesauce. I told her she could get it herself because she had refused to eat any lunch when it was offered so I was not going to get her a snack. She cried and cried about how she didn't feel good and how she couldn't do it. She kept saying "I can't Mommy. I just can't!" We went the rounds for about 3 hours before she finally gave up.

After she ate her applesauce she begged to go to bed. It was like 5 so I thought that was pretty weird but I took her upstairs and she fell asleep while I was putting on her pjs. She woke up a few hours later and starting vomiting. So, I got that one wrong because she was really sick.

But while I have your attention let me bring up the fact that whenever it is time to go to school or church she insists that she is too sick to go. She will say that she has a cough or that her ribs hurt. I have tried forcing her, wrestling to get the boots and the coat on but that was unsuccessful because she took the boots off and through them at me. So, I have ended up putting her in her room until she decides to get ready to go. She is also under the threat that if she doesn't get ready she will have to stay in her room during all 3 hours of school. This has got her in gear each day and she ends up at school where her teachers report she seems very happy. So, all those times I was right. She was not really sick.

But then there was this morning. Where after arriving at school she said her tummy hurt and her nose hurt and she wanted to go home and go to bed. I talked it over with the teacher and I brought her home and immediately put her to bed where she was told she would be staying for 3 hours! Well..she fell right to sleep for over 3 hours. So, that time I was wrong. She really is rick.

And so I start to think, I am a bad parent. All this time I am punishing her for lying about being sick and she really is and I start to feel so bad for Ella but THEN....

I remember last week when she didn't feel good and her legs didn't work and she wanted me to get her goldfish to eat and I said I wouldn't and she ended up holding her hand over my mouth and saying "You get me my fish, NOW!" And after I put her in her room and told her "You can come out when you say you are sorry." She said "I am not gonna say I am sorry, you better say sorry to me!" She eventually said she was sorry but peed her pants because in her own words "I HAD to. My legs didn't work." And that time I was right, she wasn't sick.

And so I ask you...How do I know if she is really sick or trying to control me?

And by the way is it normal for a 3 (almost 4) year old to be this fascinated with control?

It Should be Illegal...

To be this happy!










There he is suffering with pink eye and only a lid to play with and I turn around and this is the smile I get. I love this happy boy.

He is growing and changing all the time. I am pretty sure that he can say Ella and loves to call for her whenever she leaves the room. Even Ella says he is saying her name BUT if I ever ask him to say Ella he looks at me like I am a fool (they must be born with this behavior).

He still loves his food and has learned how to tell me if he wants more and I am taking too long. He makes fists with both his hands and growls at me. I probably shouldn't think this is cute but seriously, I can't help but laugh every time.

So Proud of My Sunbeam

So Ella is officially a Sunbeam. It is exciting to have her in Primary. Her favorite part is learning the new songs during Singing Time. It is too cute to hear her singing songs that I don't even know. I also love hearing her tell me about Sunbeams. This week she came home and said "My teacher teached me a special lesson today about the activity (Nativity) and a new bersion (version) of "Once there was a Snowman"." I love it when she tries to use new words and has no idea how to pronounce them.

One of the things they are doing in Primary is memorizing scriptures. Ella was given a little book that has a scripture each month for her learn. Each night before we read from the Book of Mormon we work on her scripture for the month. And I am so proud because she memorized it!! She learned the scripture for January and is now so excited to learn the scripture for February!!

It's fun to be in Primary :)

My Doctor needs a Nap!

For over a week now, Ella has been very sick. It started with constant vomiting (she didn't understand throwing up in a bowl so we were spending our time trying to catch vomit). After 3 days she stopped throwing up and developed a horrible cough. She spent every second coughing without a break and literally didn't sleep at all at night because of it. It was at this point that I decided to take her to the doctor.

Now let me tell you, I hate trying to decide whether or not to take my kids to the doctor. I go back and forth about if they need to go or if it is going to be a big waste of time. My final decision was to call and talk to a nurse and see if they wanted to see her.

When I called the office I told the receptionist that I wanted to take to a nurse. She asked for Ella's name and pulled up her chart and then asked what was going on. After I told her she had been throwing up the receptionist said "Oh, you don't need to talk to a nurse. They will want to see her for sure so they can test for strep."

So, into the doctor's office we go for what I think is going to be a strep test. That is not what happened. I ended up spending the whole time holding Ella (who was too weak to walk) while the nurses and doctor each took their turn at giving me a lecture about not giving her the flu shot. They even had someone come in who said they were doing a study with the university on kids who didn't get the flu shot and got the flu. They wanted to take Ella's blood and a swab of her mouth. I said "Are you kidding me? Do you see how sick my daughter is? I am not going to submit her to unnecessary tests right now!!!"

And as I am sitting there holding my daughter who can't stop coughing and has lost 8 pounds (she weighs 25 pounds right now and literally looks like she is starving to death) the doctor made his diagnosis. He listened to her lungs, looked in her ears and said "She has the flu. And your whole family didn't get the flu shot so now everyone in the family will get the flu. You will spend the next two weeks with a sick family and when you baby gets the flu he will have to go to the hospital. After he has had a fever for 24 hours you will need to bring him into my office and I will have to have him sent to the hospital where he will be for 5 days. I just saw a baby his age with the flu this week and that is what happened." So, I say "I have kept the kids away from each other and have tried very hard to keep disinfecting everything and I always wash my hands before I pick him up." And then he says, "It doesn't matter. Now that Ella is coughing so much the germs will be flying all over your house and he is going to get it!" At this point he walked out of the room, shut the door and said to the nurses "She decided not to give her kids the flu shot so what am I supposed to do?"

So, I left the doctor's office crying. But here's to you Doctor.....YOU WERE WRONG!!!

I am happy to report that Will did NOT get the flu. He has a nasty cold but no vomiting. I am also happy to report that I did NOT get the flu and Chris did NOT get the flu. So, next time don't tell this mom there is nothing I can do!!!!