Saturday we came home from lunch with Melissa and Lisa and our babysitter told us that Drake had unlocked the front door and walked out! A stranger found him and brought him back home. Ahhhhh!!

So today, I feel very blessed to still have my grumpy, Blue’s Clues loving, insomniac. First thing on my list – Home Depot for more locks!

Trace Adkins didn’t win Celebrity Apprentice, but he gets my vote for understanding what it takes to be a great parent! (at least in this song)

Lately I’ve been really thinking about distractions. I found that I’ve filled my life up with so many distractions that some of the more important things get put on the back burner. With Jason in the MBA program, I’ve had to pick up several of his responsibilities and I realize now how much I’ve taken that for granted.

With these new responsibilities, I’ve felt completely overwhelmed and find that I’m focusing on the wrong things. I’m completely missing out on really cherishing everyday moments with my boys.

I’ve done a lot of thinking about how I want to run my life and how on earth to get everything done. {{if that’s even possible}} One thing kept coming to me – “I can’t do everything on this list alone and I can’t do everything on this list every week.”

Over the past couple months, I’ve changed my thinking and it’s worked for me. Now, I’m not pretending to have all the answers (any actually). I just thought I’d share what I’ve been mulling over inside my head.

Here goes: I no longer see multi-tasking as doing several things at once – now I look at it as doing one thing that accomplishes many goals. 😉 I’ve also had to change some traditional thinking into “what would really work for me”.

For example, since Jason’s in school Monday nights – I’ve changed family home evening to Sunday mornings (we have church at 2:00pm). I’ve also changed family home evening to scouting stuff. Right now for Scouts we’re focusing on the Faith in God award. It’s been so wonderful for Davis to prepare a lesson on faithful historical figures, Joseph Smith, and prayer. Those family home evenings accomplished 3 goals – 1) family time 2) Scout merit badge 3)Faith in God award. {{yippee!}}

Even if the scouting badge is only the dessert part, it accomplished something that otherwise wouldn’t have gotten done. For instance, one day we had a regular lesson but we roasted smores outside on the grill to get his outdoor cooking merit badge.

I’ve also changed the boys chore chart to reflect the household responsibilities I have a hard time with. Such as clearing the table and unloading the dishwasher. This way they are really helping me out instead of just doing a chore because they need to learn responsibility.

Anyone going green will hate me for this, but I’ve also taken a Mavens tip and started using paper bowls for cereal. We go through tons of bowls and it’s been adding a lot of stress to my life when the boys are constantly asking me to wash a bowl. Problem solved.

I know this is a lot of random information, but basically what I did was sit down and think of the area’s in my life that are causing me extra stress. Little things that would make my quality of life better. Then I made a list of all the basic things I wanted to do (like Scouts and board games) with my boys that in a perfect world I would happily do.

This is what I’ve come up with and it’s been really working out well. I know that these years with the boys are tough, but I don’t want to look back and think, “Boy, did I miss out on that.”

What “multi-tasking” things do you do at home?

Sorry Ladies, I’m soo sick. No post today. 🙁

My sister and I have this thing where we assign certain songs to traumatic experiences in our lives. It just makes it easier for us to cope when we’re laughing so hard we can’t feel the pain. What do you think about his song, Lisa?

The news is my Dad filed for divorce from his wife of 2 years a couple days ago. I don’t feel it’s appropriate to go into details, but I feel lots of different emotions. My desire at this point, is that my Dad can learn from his experiences and not repeat them in the future.

Even though he doesn’t read my blog, “I love you, Dad. I’m sorry you are going through such a difficult period in your life. I hope you eventually find happiness and peace. Lots of love and hugs.”

Tonight was supposed to be our ‘Emma’s Garden Party’ that I’ve spent way too much time planning and preparing for. Contrary to popular belief, I’m not an organically creative person. I have to achieve step 1 before my creative brain opens up to other possibilities. Therefore, after seeing the church gym on Wednesday morning, I was finally able to finalize the decor plans in my head.

That of course meant cutting out this paper fence, and since I couldn’t find any microphone stands, making and painting stands out of wood. Needless to say I was up until the wee hours preparing for what would have been an amazingly spiritual “girl power” evening full of beauty and grace.

This picture doesn’t do it justice, but basically we cut sage green plastic (from a roll) as the “charger” and placed a paper doily at each place setting. The flowers are pen flowers that each guest will be able to take home with them. What’s missing are the quote bookmarks from past Relief Society Presidents that will go at the top of each place setting to finish the look.

Thanks Jen and Carrie for all your help!

Here’s the stage that’s made of trees, flowers, my wood stands with tulle fabric and lights. We also swagged lights around the gym and added smaller plants to warm it up.

Remember those desert spoons I glued flowers on?

Well, because of my constant battle with Karma the party was cancelled. (Seriously she hates me).

My man and the boys helped me clean it all up and this is what the gym looks like now. Thanks Honey! I appreciate all your help. He even took us to Starbucks for hot chocolate to help wash away my woes.

It really is a bummer that the night was cancelled but what’s worse is all the time I took preparing for an evening that didn’t happen. I hate wasted time.

“The Truth” by Good Charlotte, music only

I guess it is only appropriate that this is my 250th post. It’s a milestone for me personally and a defining moment for my middle son, Dylan.

I finally got a call from Dylan’s psychologist yesterday and Dylan has been officially diagnosed with ADHD. I haven’t received all the results yet, just verbal confirmation on how to proceed.

“Dylan scored way above average on perceptual reasoning and average on verbal comprehension. He has an average working memory but a low processing speed. He’s a visual learner and will need visuals to help reinforce learning.”

I’ve started the process of having Dylan’s medical records transferred to Davis’ pediatrician and talked to the nurse to schedule the appointment to have him evaluated for medication.

This is a very emotional time for me, especially since I’ve been noticing some issues with my youngest son as well. I’ve been grieving inwardly and trying to come to terms with my vision vs. my reality of the family I’m raising.

I’m a terrible liar – yep even to myself. ha ha I feel that even though it can be very tough, knowing the truth is better than living in denial. “Truth Hurts!” Who ever came up with that phrase wasn’t kidding.

I guess it’s time to finish reading all the books I’ve been collecting on the subject. Drat! I need some quality time in my bathroom.

I can always tell what mood I’m in, by the music I’m listening too. I love the band Simple Plan! They’re a group that I can totally relate too, especially when I’m angry. 😉 I’ve been listenting to this song for the past week, to help deal.

I don’t believe the lyrics “No you don’t know what it’s like” because I think you do. We can all relate to difficult struggles no matter what the forum.

So here’s a “shout out” to everyone out there who’s dealing with hard trials with kids, spouces, finacially, work, or with health problems. I’ll let Simple Plan unite us with “Welcome to My Life!”

I was trying to save this post until I had the results to share with you but I’ve got to vent a bit and let it out. I’ve been seriously so grumpy the past week! I’ve been diving into project after project trying to keep my spirits up and keep my mind distracted. But it’s not working.

I spent 8 hours at the psychologists’ office and had Dylan tested. For what? I have no idea. Learning disorders, audio response issues, ADHD, you name it. I’ve also had his hearing and vision checked.

I’m at a complete loss as to what is going on with my little boy. He’s been having problems at school and a couple weeks ago, his teacher called and asked me to take him home. He’s also had some problems at church as well.

The doctor needs another week to gather all the testing results and paperwork to come up with his final diagnosis. I’m tired and I don’t want to go through this whole process all over again (like we’ve done with Davis several times already).

I was counting on Dylan to be the “normal” one and to help me out by being a good example for the other two boys. I don’t know what’s in our future but my heart is broken and I’m trying to find the strength to be positive and do what it takes to move forward.