Typical day

Before I continue on with this blog, I thought I would share what a typical day looks like for me.   To me it is just another day of my life, to others they always wonder how I do it.    Everyone has busy lives and when it becomes an every day routine, you learn how to get through it successfully.   If you don't figure it out, you will end up getting in your car all alone, driving a million miles away, all while crying your eyes out wondering how you got yourself in this mess.   But that's not me.   I love the challenge of trying to live my life, staying in shape, working, being a wife and raising 5 wonderful kids.  

During the school year, I start my day at 5:45am.   This is the only time for me to get ready before the twins wake up.    At 7am, I leave to run Kylie to school , go to work, run Ryan to school at 9am.  Then it's back to work.   Lunchtime is always spent at the gym working out and if things work out correctly, I squeeze in a run around 4pm before heading home.   At 3:30, I pick up kids from school and run them to their sporting events.    Then it's home by 4:45, cook dinner, bathe the three little kids, read books, put twins to bed at 7pm.    After twins go to bed, I do my chores - laundry, clean house, pick up toys.   At 8pm, I put the 4 year-old to bed.  Normally I have to run back to Lake Oswego to pick up older kids from their sport events and grocery shop which is usually every day!   Back to home with them and then help with homework and feed them dinner.   By 10 or 11pm, I finally get to say hello to my husband before passing out in bed only to start it all over again the next day. 

Now our 4 year-old will be going to preschool in the Fall 3 days a week, gymnastics on Saturday and dance on Wednesday so that will get thrown into my mix as well.    Ryan starts football and Kylie starts soccer.  I also volunteer at a local Credit Union and have monthly meetings and audits to attend.    I cannot wait for the boys to start doing extra-curricular activities!!!    Oh yea, Kylie is now taking driver's education classes so I get to run her to/from those classes.   The good news about that is she can help take Ryan to his events once she gets her license.    Finally I get to run back to Lake Oswego on Friday nights for my softball games.

How do I do it?    Lot's of drinking.   Just kidding.   The only way to do all of this and be a good person to them is to take care of yourself first.   I always try to squeeze a workout or personal time for me each day.  It is a necessity to feel good about yourself and what you are doing.   Everything you do and feel reflects back on your kids.   I feel it when I don't work out and my stress level gets to high.   Even if it's taking 20 minutes to go on a motorcycle ride or a walk alone, do it!   

Then second tip that has made this all possible is to find really good help.    We have a wonderful Nanny that comes while I work and takes care of the Twins and Brooklyn on Friday's.   She is the reason the boys are so good natured and always smiling.   She is one of the best decisions we have made since the birth of our twins.  She takes them to fun places every day, teaches them new things all the time, has a loving family herself that has also taken in the twins.   She is always willing to stay late if necessary and watch them for us overnight if we want to go out of town alone.   If I get in a jam, she picks up my older kids too and shuttles them around for me.    My kids all love her and it's such a huge relief to find someone like her.   She has become part of our family and I could not do what I do without her.   



Madisen with one of the twins



Madisen at beach with twins

Lake Billy Chinook Camping trip 2011

It's hard to believe that we pulled off another week long camping trip with seven kids without any problems.   I thought it was going to be a nightmare with 23 month old twins trying to run away from us but they were amazing!   Being outdoors is truly the ticket to entertaining the entire family and keeping everyone happy.   It's cost effective, fun, entertaining and great for the kids to reconnect with the basics and nature.  

We took two cars again and split up the twins for the drive to Perry South Campground.   The difference this time is they kept asking where the other twin was and seem confused.   Last time they couldn't talk so it's clear they notice when each other is not present.    Once we arrived, we set them loose in the campsites.   Luckily, we were able to reserve 4 sites together so they had plenty of room to play freely.   There were four families that went so we took turns cooking dinner and breakfast.    This is the way to go and made it so much easier and less stress!     After the boys passed out around 7pm each night we had great campfires.   They slept great from playing so hard all day outside.  

The highlight of the trip was renting a party barge at Cove Palisades.   It was a beautiful day and even the youngest of kids did great on the boat. 

Cole and Tygh loving the water

This trip was really neat watching the twins as they really never fought with one another.   I think because they had so much space and kept to themselves playing with things, they left each other alone.   At night, I would sit outside the trailer and listen to them laugh hysterically at each other.   Their portacribs were right next to each other so that was their time to share their adventures from the day.    The other highlight was having my twin brother Jim join us on this trip with his kids.   He is so much fun to have around and I truly miss him when he goes home to Idaho. 

Twin Brother Jim

With five kids all at different ages, I see camping being what we do for vacations for the next several years.   It's way to difficult and expensive to fly anywhere with 7 people and camping is relatively easy to do and so much fun.    There are no electronic devices (due to no coverage), no Facebook, no TV, only the great outdoors to enjoy.  Swimming, skiing, sailing, games, biking, hiking, fishing, boating, campfires....the list goes on and on.   Personally, I felt like I got more relaxation being on vacation with these kids then at home.  

Dad with Twins

Oldest daughter Kylie

Captain Cole on upper deck

Growing Interaction between Tygh and Cole

The twins second Birthday is quickly approaching in a few weeks.   It seems we just celebrated their first Birthday not to long ago but it flew by so fast.   The growing interaction between Tygh and Cole has both been a blessing and a curse.    They share lots more laughs with each other now but also lots more fighting over things.   We must have two of everything in order to prevent full on tackles between them.  

The two biggest changes with them this last year has been their increase in verbal communication and there ability to show affection to others.   From the moment they wake up to bedtime, they are chatting with one another.    The other day Tygh was able to tell me his ears hurt so I took him to the doctor and sure enough he had two terrible ear infections.   It is much easier now on us that they both can talk pretty well.    It probably helps that they have three older siblings to listen to all day especially Brooklyn (age 4) who never stops talking.   

Secondly, is there increased display of affection.   This past year has been fun coming home to all kids running up to the car with open arms, hugs and kisses.  What a great way to come home from a long day at work!   Leaving in the morning is always done with verbal good-byes and kisses from the boys.   The other day at the beach , Cole displayed his affection by kissing his girl friend.   It was the cutest thing in the world!!!  He is such a lover.  

Cole and Tygh giving each other kisses.

Next up on my list this week is preparing for another camping trip with family and friends.   We leave on Saturday and will be gone almost a week with all the kids.    This time it's Central Oregon so the drive won't be near as long as Montana.   This trip will be interesting considering the boys are now mobil and won't sit still.   I'm hoping we won't be chasing them non-stop.   Stay tune for updates on the camping trip and then the boys second Birthday!!!