This Minivan Life

Someone posted this on our ward Facebook page and I LOVED it. How to make it through Sacrament Meeting If you're unfamiliar with Sacrament Meeting it is the main worship meeting of the LDS church. It is usually the first meeting of the three hour block, it is the time for members to take the Sacrament and the time when the "sermon" is offered. It is also the time when the entire family sits together. I laughed when I typed sits, it's just too hilarious to think there are people that sit during that meeting. We are in the phase of life when Sacrament meeting... isn't a super spiritual experience.Actually sunday is my least favorite day of the week. You have church which is a wrestling match and for some reason you dress kids up in nice clothes to do that, and they hate them. We've gone with the most casual of nice clothes, but every week it's a battle. But that isnt the purpose of the post, so back to the subject.  If you haven't experienced this o

I don't think I appreciate my kids enough. Most days I get caught up in the business of life. I get caught up in cleaning the messes, making the meals, and just trying to keep up. But after a conversation with a friend this week I have been thinking about how I might need to appreciate them just a little bit more. They won't be little forever, some day they will be more independent (hopefully) and they might like me even less. I need to remember that they are awesome people, not just little mess makers and screaming machines. I think it's easy to forget this in the busyness of life. It can be easy to forget that they do a lot for us, not just the other way around. For example, this past week when Zach had to start breathing treatments (nightmare), Michael was the only one that could get him to do it without screaming. Yes, michael may have had an ulterior motive (he wanted to watch a show), but he was great, he kindly got Zach to calm down and follow his example. While we w

Zach is not sure this was a good idea... poor Zach.  Yep, it's true! In May there will be three little Sukers!  We are excited (and nervous and nauseous)! So to answer a few Frequently Asked Questions: Was this planned? Why yes friends it was. Is this the last one? Yep, I am pretty sure it is. Three kids seems like a LOT of kids. It seemed like less until number three was on the way and then we started to notice how crazy life with two was... Are you sick? Yes, very. I am getting out of bed, and it's getting better but those first... 11 weeks, were really truly terrible. We were really blessed that my parents were here for weeks 8 and 9, thank goodness for them. Do you want a boy or a girl? Not to be cliche but a healthy baby (either way) will be wonderful! We are excited either way. Do you think this child will be crazy? Yes... yes we do. If you've met the other two you wouldn't expect anything less. So to everyone, I'm really

 If you're unfamiliar with kanafeh... your life is missing something. No really it is. This is my favorite dessert EVER. Hands down, this is the best.  My family usually makes it around Christmastime. I don't know that it really has to do when the dessert is traditionally made so much as that is when we are together and it's a hit. So what is kanafeh? It is a Middle Eastern pasty made with shredded filo/phyllo dough, cheese, and a simple syrup. My dad used to make it when we were kids and tell us this was his grandfather's favorite. He'd tell us how his grandfather would buy him some when they were out together and how it wasnt his favorite but it was his grandfather's. We havent found a bakery that makes it (well no I did find a few in NYC),  so we make the homemade version. I'm not sure how much this version differs from what you would find in the bakeries in the middle east (I'm guessing it differs quite a bit) but it is my favorite. This is a

There is a park near us that has a town for kids to ride their bikes etc around. There are working street lights, stop signs, stores, etc. it is just so fun. We took a quick trip there today. The weather looked bad but wasnt so we had the place to ourselves (rare occurrence)  Zach wanted to "be driver"

Zach woke up on the wrong side of the bed today. This never happens. He is almost always just sweet and kind. Today... it was like a different child. Michael on the other hand was sweet, it was a freaky friday sort of morning. Then they napped and Zach woke up Zach and Michael was... not as great as he had been. But no worries by dinner angry Zach was back and Michael was nice. Crazy day, Im hoping tomorrow brings me back the children I remember. This is normal Zach in the morning- unwilling to relinquish his pup pup and pacifier but very nice.  See sweet And this was today... less sweet I should mention he was attacking with his lightsaber

Today we went to the park. It seemed like no big deal, we were meeting up with some friends for a playgroup and we went to the park (that we almost always go to) right down the street from our house. It was a beautiful afternoon, everything was going pretty well (Michael refused to walk or wear real pants but that's normal). Things were going well, we had snack, played, the moms were chatting, and then... things went south. Michael and his little buddy started to walk towards the trees. The park is right next to the pool in our neighborhood but there are some big trees and grass between the two and the whole thing backs up to some "woods" that lead to a lake and "nature area". So they start walking that way. They were pretty close so we didn't worry. But then... Michael's friend pees on a tree. There aren't bathrooms at the park in the winter so while not the favorite thing it was understandable and then he is clearly trying to get Michael to do it a

 We decided to carve our pumpkins this year. Sadly I didn't get a picture of Brian's but this was the year he carved the "throwing up pumpkin". When Michael was two one of our neighbors had it and he was obsessed with it, we've been meaning to recreate it ever since.  Grammy carved too.  Three of the four. Michael's cute Jack O Lantern, my way too happy pumpkin, and Grammy's Zacho pumpkin (it has a pacifer).

We finally had our first kid in the ER. I knew it would be Zach, but I thought it would be for an injury, not because he couldn't breathe. So here's what happened. Zach was a little bit wheezy at bedtime. My parents put him to bed while Brian and I were out but he had a rough time, he continued to have a rough (SCREAMING) time for the remainder of the night. He was a bit more wheezy, but as the night progressed it became worse, he was inconsolable. It was terrible. I made an appointment with the pediatrician, thinking his breathing was a bit concerning but that he must be screaming because of an ear infection. We go to the pediatrician and the nurse listens to him, rushes him into an exam room, grabs a doctor and they start the breathing treatments. Two breathing treatments later, he still wasn't where he should be so they sent us to the ER. It was pretty causal at this point. His O2 levels were ok, not great and they sent us a precaution. We arrived at the ER, did ano

Today as I was leaving the room (shutting the door) at nap time Michael SCREAMED "Mom! what does high maintenance mean!" Oh my sweet oldest son, the fact that you are SCREAMING that at me just further explains how high maintenance you are. I'm sure I was a high maintenance child, but I was in no way prepared to have one. He is high energy, high volume, high need every.single.waking.moment. Preschool has been our saving grace (Thank you Ms. Ferial!). From the moment his little eyes pop open in the morning he needs your full attention (or thinks he needs, but perception is reality). He wakes up yelling for us, requests things constantly, will not play alone, and wants to be entertained. This isn't new, this has been Michael since... well since the delivery room. It's exhausting being his parent (wonderful, exciting, and the best thing ever but exhausting). The concept that mommy doesnt like to talk while she pees... well that is lost on him, who doesnt want to carry

2015 was the year of the owls. Michael decided way back in August that he wanted to be owls, seemed easy enough... wrong. But they turned out ok, so we'll keep them. Sadly we were sick (and it was raining) so we didn't get to use them for trunk or treat, we may have to recycle these again.  Zach did not enjoy having his photo taken. He preferred to run like an owl yelling "flap flap".   Zach was also a huge fan of going in the street. Michael has always been much more cautious.  See... crazy  First attempt at the owl family. We really enjoy not looking at the camera, fighting while the picture is being taken, and having something in our mouths... just saying  At some point Zach sat down with a lollipop and said "all done trick or treat". I think he would have been content with that one lollipop.  Michael's stash. He only did two streets but he got a ton of candy! People are pretty generous in our neighborhood.