Better Late Than Never

Wow! I guess it's pretty pathetic that I haven't blogged for over a year now! Maybe that gives a little insight into how crazy this last year has been. To sum it up I started a business, I went back to school and had another baby. Yes, a lot has happened. I will have to go back and blog about everything that's happened this last year eventually, but tonight I will start by pretending I have a clean slate.

This week was filled with many events. The first event of the week was not so happy. A few weeks ago our beloved cat Daisy, who is only 2 years old, peed on our mattress. I was of course annoyed, but I know sometimes cats get confused. However, this peeing on our mattress episode continued day after day, which means our mattress is completely ruined. Ryan and I discussed getting rid of the cat, but we didn't want to break the kid's hearts. We've been wanting to get a smaller bed set for our room anyway, so I told Ryan we would get a new bed to see if that would solve the problem. On Thursday morning I woke up to cat pee all over Skylie's room. Unfortunately when cats start peeing like that in your house there's no stopping them. Ryan and I made the hard decision that the cat would have to go. When I got Hailey from the bus I told her the sad news. She was devastated, and it was awful! We got home and let Hailey say her goodbyes and Ryan took the cat. I sat with Hailey, Hayden and Katelyn in my arms on the couch and we all cried. That was one of the worse things I've had to do as a mother!

We told Hailey she could get a couple of hamsters, which I really am not excited about, but I know we have to sooth the pain somehow. I told her we could go Monday as a family. She's really excited, and keeps saying how bad she wishes it was Monday. The last few days I've been questioning whether or not I did the right thing by getting rid of the cat, but every time I lay down on my bed and can still smell a hint of cat urine I KNOW I DID! Not to mention, Hailey's allergies will finally get better. The poor girl would wake up every morning in misery. On the bright side for me, I get a new bed for Christmas.

Thursday night Ryan left for South Dakota with his Dad and Jeremy to go pheasant hunting. Why anyone would drive 11 to 12 hours to go shoot a bunch of birds is completely beyond me, but they had a blast. Ryan was really excited he got to go this year. He missed out two years ago when they went, and I know he was pretty sad about it. Normally I whine and complain about him leaving me to go hunt, especially now that we have 4 kids, but this time I was very supportive because I knew what a big deal it was to him.

Ryan, Rudy and Jeremy with their pheasants.  

 Hayden wanted to be like his daddy. 

This is his pheasant that he shot (I guess the hammer is his gun?).

To keep ourselves entertained we spent Friday night at Cortney's house. Cortney got a couple of babysitters, and we went with Lori out to dinner and to a boutique. After we went back and attempted to get the kids settled for bed. The next day Cortney watched the kids while I went grocery shopping and to a little boutique that Lori got me a gift card to for Christmas. They had the cutest clothes! I have always been a tee-shirt & jeans kind of a gal, and every time I attempt to dress in style it's a big fashion disaster. Lori meant up with me, and helped me pick out some really cute clothes. I am so grateful for her, and her willingness to spend time with me.

One of my new outfits that Lori helped me pick out.

Today I took all 4 kids to Church by myself. I contemplated skipping Sacrament, but we were all ready in time so we ended up going. It went really good until the last 10 minutes when Katelyn started throwing crayons, and yelling, "Yo mean mommy!" I practically had to drag her into Nursery. I couldn't carry her because I had Skylie in my other arm. She was screaming and hitting me. The nursery leaders weren't there yet so I had to stay. A sweet girl named Ashley offered to take her for me. I was so grateful for her help so I could get the other kids to Primary. I swear Heavenly Father sends angels just when you need them!

Told Katie to come down stairs to get ready for church. She came down in this and said she 

didn't want to go to church because she was going swimming. :)

Oh dear... I really don't know what to do with Katie. She has been so hard for me to deal with lately. I know a lot of it is coming from having a new baby around, but the majority of her attitude problem is just her personality. There isn't a night that I don't pray for her to get easier and for me to have patience for her tantrums. Unfortunately, there also isn't a night that I don't go to bed feeling guilty, and like I'm the worst mom. It doesn't matter how hard I try. I end up loosing it on her. When I'm nice she just gets worse. When I flip out she usually shapes up. She's right! I am a mean mommy, and I hate that! Oh please let the terrible twos end soon. Please!