January Has Felt Like 74 Days Long.. Also, my 900th Post!

January felt like it was a million days long. And the last week of the month was rough. I had to jump through so many hoops to get Rayleigh all registered for school. It has taken me months to finally get to the point where I can sign her up for preschool and it just so happens that it's not time to register her for transitional kindergarten too! 

On Wednesday I had an appointment with our pediatrician to get her TB test. I wanted Tanner to figure out a place/person who could administer the test locally so I wouldn't have to drive all the way down to Laguna and back. But he kinda... didn't. He's got his own stuff to deal with so that's fine. But when all was said and done, he said his DON who lives in Eastvale, could have done it. Ohhhh well. Anyhoo, I dropped Parker off at school and rushed down to Laguna with the other 3 babies. I got to the appointment early and was able to call and make sure our insurance was active in the system. Tanner signed us up for our new insurance with his new job just a few days prior. But it was not showing active in the system. I called the doctors office. I called the insurance company. I called Tanner. They were all telling me different things and now I was going to be late for the appointment and possibly miss seeing the doctor and receiving the TB test rendering this entire endeavor a complete waste of time. 

So, I walk in and of course have to wait for about 45 minutes. Soooo frustrating. The kids were absolutely perfect which was a tender mercy. Finally we were able to be seen and within a few minutes, Rayleigh got her shot. She looked at me in horrific disbelief. Her eyes said, "I'm terrified and YOU told me I'd never have to get a shot again! YOU'RE A LIAR!!!" I had to hold her down as she flailed and kicked and screamed while the nurse gave her the shot. I broke down and was sobbing. 

Bawling. 

It was too much. 

Too much for this little mama heart. 

I was about ready to give up on life and say, "Screw all of this! Let's just stay home forever and color with markers and swim in the pool and having picnics on the family room floor for every meal!" Sometimes being a parent is really hard. 

Well, I took a few moments to compose myself but was still crying when I went to check out. Ella had been in her car seat for 3 straight hours and was now getting hungry and she was poopy. Rayleigh was upset and clinging to me and Jack was a 2 year old. I sat at the front desk waiting for someone to help me check out when finally someone came. (I should have just left and had them send me a bill) She said I'd have to pay cash for the visit but all I had was $34 and I needed about $150. I didn't know what to do. Now listen, I NEVER call Tanner while he's working. I try not to even text him unless it's really important. He is incredibly busy and I don't ever want to be the reason for him to be distracted or fail in some way. But I had no choice. So I called Tanner and he gave them the number of his card. I just stood there humiliated and crying. She ran the card and processed the payment then said, "Oops! I charged the wrong account!" I had to call Tanner back and I just handed her the phone and walked out. I got Ray and Jack in the car, changed Ella, and was feeding her a bottle sitting on the side of my car, tears streaming down my face. The lady came out, handed me my phone and a receipt and walked away. It was brutal. I just needed a hug! 

I drove to my parents house and no one was there. I had forgotten that my mom went to Vegas that morning to spend the weekend with Josi. I made myself something to eat and tried to take some deep breaths. The kids were happy and the hard part was over but I was still feeling upset. I just needed a hug!

Just then, my dad walked in. He took one look at me and threw his arms around me and didn't let go. He asked me what was wrong and I told him the story and he hugged me a million more times. I felt sooo much better after that. Then he told me that he'd been at the movie theater. He bought his ticket and sat down. He waited and waited but the movie wasn't starting. That's when he realized that he was there an hour early! Instead of waiting there for an hour, he felt like he should go home. He was only home for about 10 minutes but it made ALLLLLLL the difference!! We both agreed it was a tiny miracle. Heavenly Father has a hand in our lives at all times. 

Needless to say, I took the rest of the day "off". We relaxed in the back yard and had a yummy dinner and I went to bed at 8:45. That night as I was up making a bottle for Ella, around 2am, we had an Earthquake! Sheesh! Sign of the times...

These kids are soooo good and make life so wonderful. Tanner is NEVER and I mean, never home before 8pm. And he's usually home past 9pm. Sometimes he's even home around midnight! So I have a nice little routine with them and life is pretty peaceful. We are all working hard but I know we are being blessed for our valiant efforts.

Rayleigh loves to line stuff up like this. And she's pretty good about cleaning it up too! She's so silly! She's got an engineer's brain for sure.

We had some guys working on a water pipe the other day. Rayleigh and Jack thought it was so cool! Lots of big trucks and heavy machinery!

Parker set up the tent for them one night and they ate snacks and watched a show. He is the biggest helper and the best big brother!

Singing to my baby while I rock her to sleep. She was just looking up at me and smiling. She is THE sweetest thing. I've been loving listening to this Mom Summit (podcast type of thing). I've learned SO much! I've averaged about 2 books a week as well! New years resolutions going strong!

Friday, I got a babysitter so I could run to the district office and then over to Harada to register Rayleigh for prechool and kindergarten (now that I had her paperwork and TB test all together- Tanner's DON was able to read the TB test so I didn't have to haul my butt all the way back down to Laguna) She's all ready to go! The only problem is getting Rayleigh and Parker on the same track.... but that's another headache for another day.

S.A.T.U.R.D.A.Y.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This day could NOT come soon enough! I told Tanner that I REALLY needed a day to commune with nature. I didn't care where we went I just wanted to feel the sun and the air and be with my family. We considered the mountains but figured it would be much more crowded due to the recent snow fall. So off to the beach it was! To be honest with you, Tanner was NOT stoked on this idea and he was a big fat wet blanket all day. It was very frustrating. But after we got home and he had a chance to reflect on the day, he felt sorry that he let such a beautiful day go to waste. I think it's hard sometimes for him to connect with our little kids. Also, he's gone literally alllllll day every day so I know he relishes a day spent just at home. But I am always home... so it was definitely a compromise. 

Saturday: away. Sunday: home. 

Anyhoo, we took it easy in the morning and had breakfast and went swimming. Parker took care of the babies and let us sleep in. He got them dressed and baked with them. He's the best!!! We went swimming and I cleaned and we headed to the beach with a picnic lunch in the afternoon. It was a beautiful day! We went to Victoria and the kids were in heaven!

They love their dad. They basically don't see him during the week so they were thrilled when they saw him Saturday morning!

Jack kept losing his shorts. By the end of the day he was just naked. ha ha

The kids LOVED the princess tower. They wanted so badly to get in there and go to the top but it was locked by the wicked witch and we didn't want to wake the dragon! ha ha I love their cute imaginations!

Jack has brownie crumbs all over his face from the brownies they baked with Parker.

She was almost asleep in Daddy's arms

Jack was sharing his crackers with me. He LOVES to share his snacks with me!

It's a rough life

We ended the week on a high note.

Sunday we had a regional broadcast from Salt Lake so I volunteered as tribute and was able to enjoy the meeting sans kids. We were taught the basics: Pray. Read the Book of Mormon. Serve. It was edifying and it was a joy to see some good friends and know that our roots are growing here in our little town. We spent the rest of the day eating, swimming, and relaxing. We were able to chat with Tanner's parents too! We are ready for another week! Rayleigh's first day of school (again) is tomorrow!