This is PURE Clayton

I'm not sure quite how to introduce this video . . . last night Andrew playfully put a plastic basket on Clayton's head, and Clayton liked it! He also likes spinning around. He also likes drinking from his sippy-cup with no hands. So . . . there you have it. Pure Clayton.



I'm impressed that he can hang on to the sippy-cup, no matter what happens!

Shhhhh, don't tell Lisa . . .

Is it acceptable to have a "political crush"? Maybe I should talk to the bishop. I dunno.

Anyway, here are three reasons I'll vote McCain!

Big shoes to fill

Yesterday Brian was walking around in Daddy's boots- he really likes to imitate Dad! What a cutie.

This morning Clayton woke up at 5:30 for no apparent good reason . . . I tried taking him in to our bed to sleep, but he was having none of it. All he wanted to do was play with Dad! Now, Andrew often laments that Clayton never wants to play with him- he is more of a 'momma's boy'- but I guess if Daddy is sound asleep, then it must be time to play with him! I finally had to take him out so poor Andrew could get some rest before work.

Dirt, and deliverance!

This morning was one of those times when I wondered why I even bother ever trying to get anything done. I mean, I am only a mediocre housekeeper on a GOOD day- and with two boys going full gear, it is nearly impossible to keep anything clean! Case in point: the other day I was doing something (I forget what) and Brian dumped out a box of Styrofoam peanuts, then stomped them to bits. This morning I finally cleaned all that mess up- which was not difficult, but the little pieces just kept flying everywhere. Then I walked back out to the living room carrying the broom and garbage can . . . and Clayton was sitting on the carpet laughing his head off at the tomato he is busily smashing into the floor! Our friends the Watts' gave us a big bag of home-grown tomatoes, and Clayton found them- he threw them all over the place while I was sweeping up Styrofoam, and broke a few. Here's one:I mean, seriously?? If anyone ever wonders what I do all day as a stay-at-home-mom, THIS IS WHAT I DO ALL DAY! Pick up messes so that my kids can make more messes for me to pick up!!! YEESH. Short of hog-tying them, what's a mom to do???

HOWEVER- now for the happy part of my post- deliverance came this morning! Just after I'd scrubbed tomato pulp out of our carpet, the child care center here on base called- and said they had an opening today for Brian & Clayton! I signed up for drop-in care last week, and since the class was full, asked them to call me if there were any cancellations. So I took them in, and ran home and cleaned for a good 1 1/2 hours! It was so wonderful to clean something . . . and have it stay clean for more than 10 seconds! HOORAY!

My Superheroes!

Even though I offered repeatedly to call off the bet because of my sneaky (yet highly effective) method of winning, Andrew insisted that he would still wear the belly! Whatta guy. So tonight our good friend Laura brought it over from the hospital. I am pretty lucky to have such a good sport as my husband. And such a great sense of humor too! I mean, marriage would not be as fun if we could not play jokes on each other occasionally.

Andrew's verdict was that the belly was not quite torture- but would get tiring after a while! I have to agree.

My other superhero today is Brian- he is so happy and cute in his new 'Incredibles' pajamas! That's his current favorite movie. Hmm . . . maybe we should come up with a 'super' nickname for Brian . . .

Husband Tag

1. Where did you meet? At an Institute dance in Sandy, UT- after a Peter Breinholt concert. If it hadn't been for the concert, Andrew would NOT have attended the dance, so we owe our marriage to Peter Breinholt. Basically, we were the poster LDS engagement- meet at an Institute dance, attend Institute while dating, and he proposed to me at Institute!

2. How long did you date before you got married? Oh brother- about 6 months! What can I say? When it's right, it's right.

3. How long have you been married? 6 years

4. What does he do that surprises you? Um . . . not much! Andrew is fairly predictable. He did surprise me a few months ago by sending me flowers, which was awesome.

5. What's your favorite feature about him? His big, beautiful brown eyes! I'm bummed that none of our kids (yet) have inherited them! Genetically, they have a 50/50 chance of brown or blue. Maybe this next one . . .

6. What's your favorite quality about him? He is calm and has a great sense of humor.

7. Does he have a nickname for you? What is it? NO, darn it! I have tried since we got engaged to get him to call me some pet name like 'Sweetheart' or 'Honey'- but he just can't do it. I think he considers it embarassing or cheesy or something. The only term of endearment he considers acceptable is 'Dear', but that is what his parents call each other. So he can't use it. But I call him 'Sweetie' or 'Babe'.

8. What's his favorite color? Green, navy blue

9. What's his favorite food? Anything exotic- the more unusual the better. He will eat just about anything- the only foods he really hates are gummy candies, canned pineapple and McDonald's.

10. What's his favorite sport? He does not really watch any sports (yay!).

11. Who said I love you first? He did.

12. When and where was your first kiss? On my porch, on Valentine's Day after we'd dated a few weeks.

13. What's your favorite thing to do as a couple? Watch movies, take the boys somewhere fun, go on a date.

14. Do you have any kids? How many? Yes, two boys . . . and one baby on the way.


15. What's a hidden talent that he has? Packing up the car for a trip! He can fit so much stuff in our car; I don't know how he does it. He is also really good at learning new things and building things.

16. How old is he? 28

17. What's his favorite type of music? His taste is very ecclectic- everything from classical to Aerosmith to Toby Keith to jazz.

18. What do you admire most about him? He is very patient. He does not mope or complain. I tend to be overly emotional, and he helps me stay on a more even keel.

19. What's his favorite pastime? Flying planes, looking at flying planes, reading about planes, watching movies about planes . . . he is in the perfect career, wouldn't you say? Several times he has just looked at me and said "I can't believe they pay me to do this!".

20. Is he going to read this? Yup!

What do we do for fun in Enid?

Bowling, of course! We went bowling last night- and I literally do not believe Brian could have been more excited if we had arrived at Disney World. He LOVES bowling. The base bowling alley has bumpers, a ramp, shoes in Brian's size- AND grilled cheese sandwiches! Brian was in heaven. Clayton was happy just to wander around and look at all the sparkly bowling balls!
Plus, bowling on base is so stinkin' cheap! All in all, a great time for our family.

Picture Tag

Thanks Richae! This was fun. Everyone who is reading this who wants to play, give it a try on your blog!

1. Name:

Lisa

2. Where I was born:

Provo, UT

3. Favorite Color:

Blue (this is a Picasso self-portrait from his Blue Period)

4. Favorite City:

St. George, UT

5. A place I'd like to visit:

Australia

6. Bad Habit:

I let the house get too messy. But just FYI, this is NOT a picture of my house- it's not THAT bad.

7. Favorite Animal:

My parent's dog Charlie. Seen here with a younger, chubbier Brian!

8. A Past Love:


Teaching math! I would love to do that again someday.

9. First Job:

Seriously, be NICE to the people working drive-through at Taco Bell. It's a much harder job than you might imagine.

10. Another place I'd like to visit:

Gotta love Dizzy-land!

11. Job now:
Potty-training Brian. Sigh. But he has been really trying lately- he wants to sit on the potty until he goes! The picture above; I think he sat on the pot for about 20 minutes! I know this potty-training thing will happen eventually, right??

The Holy Grail of Garage Sales

This post is dedicated to my wonderful friend Laura W.

For months and months my friend Laura and I searched high and low for a Little Tikes big green tractor. It was discontinued in 1995, so you can only buy them used (if you are lucky enough to find one). Laura's family had one when she was little, and my little sister had one too! It is such an awesome, fun toy. Little Tikes came out with another tractor, but it does not have pedals, and is much smaller. Well, Laura's boy CJ is crazy about tractors . . . so the search was on!

Now, I pride myself on being able to find items that I/my friends are shopping for- and I'm usually pretty good at it- but this one item was impossible! Laura and I searched craigslist, ebay, freecycle, thrift stores, and probably well over a hundred garage sales. No luck. One day last year I was driving in Enid and saw a house with FOUR of said tractors!! My jaw dropped. I actually knocked on the door and asked the lady if there was any way she might be interested in selling one? She declined. I was dying to know why in the world she needed four of them . . . but decided that would be much too nosy to ask. Anyway.

Well, Laura moved away last year, and she actually found the tractor up in WA! Way to go, girl! And today . . . I found one at a garage sale!!! It does not have the trailer, but that is okay- it is in GREAT shape, and Brian loves it. I think this will be the perfect 'vehicle' for him to learn to pedal.

Can you believe this toy is at least 13 years old? Little Tikes is the BEST!

There is Hope!

Yesterday for the first time Clayton ate a few bites of a cookie! Our family's favorite chocolate-chip cookie, to be exact. Clayton has NEVER eaten any chocolate, brownie, cookie, ice cream, anything. Whenever we try to feed a treat to him he acts like it's gross (this from the child who will happily eat dirt, leaves, etc). So, it might seem weird for a mom to be excited that her child is eating cookies- but it just makes me happy that he is a little more . . . well, normal! I mean, a child of MINE and ANDREW'S that does not like cookies/treats??? Was he switched at birth??? Oh, and notice his cute little 'pinky-out' hold on the cookie:
We still have a little ways to go though- when Clayton would bite into a big chunk of chocolate it was too much for him, and he'd spit it out: I have not posted many pictures of Brian lately- here is why. He has wanted to be on the other side of the camera! He LOVES to take pictures and play with the camera. Here are a couple of his latest:

Way to go, Bri-man!

Ciao!

Things have been pretty good here lately- kinda slow and quiet since Andrew left. Plus it is raining. Nothing new to report. Oh, I did actually have a smidgen of energy today- so I cleaned the bathroom- now that's big news!

I am curious though- looking at our visitor map, I noticed that someone out there in Italy reads our blog regularly . . . occasionally other people in Europe too?? Seriously, I am amazed that anyone ANYWHERE reads this silly thing- but I feel pretty cool that someone in Italy does! I don't think I know anyone in Italy . . . either way, I would love to know who you are. I am always up for meeting a new friend. Leave a comment sometime so I can meet ya! Arrivederci!

Clayton the Car Guy

I know it is normal for boys to like cars . . . but Clayton takes it to a whole new level. He will play with other toys too of course, but he LOVES cars better than anything else. He especially loves real cars. If he is outside within reach of a car, he will go and hug the front of it.

Today we were outside for a bit while Andrew packed his car (he left today for water survival training in FL). Clayton has never really seen Daddy's car up close- it is usually parked across the street. Well, he went nuts over it. We let him sit in the passenger seat while Andrew was in the driver's seat getting the GPS ready- and he was on cloud nine.

A few minutes later Andrew brought Clayton in the house- and you would have thought he had a major head wound to hear him howling. All because he had to get out of the car. Now, you need to know that Clayton rarely throws tantrums- and when he does, they last all of 15 seconds (that would be #471 on the list of ways he is the OPPOSITE of Brian). Well, he cried and threw himself down by the back door for a good 10 minutes. I have never seen anything like it from Clayton. So, later on we let him sit in the car again- and my happy boy returned!

Way to go, Clayton!

Since Clayton first started eating solids, it's been an uphill battle with him. Here are a couple of pictures of when I first tried to feed him rice cereal (thanks for finding them, Andrew!)- it was hilarious! He hated it intensely. He finally got the hang of eating, but he never did like that cereal. He did better with baby food, but has always been picky.

Right now we are going through a VERY picky phase- almost the only foods he wants to eat are waffles/pancakes, crackers, PBJ's, apples and banana yogurt (I could not begin to count how many cartons of banana yogurt that boy has eaten in his lifetime- he has always LOVED it). Oh, and along with all the other foods he won't eat, he will not eat chocolate, ice cream, or any other treat! What can I say, he's a funny kid. He also never took a bottle, took FOR-EV-ER to drink from a cup, and has never wanted to feed himself with a spoon (he is smart- he knows he'll get his meal faster and more efficiently if Mommy feeds him).

However, we had a bit of a breakthrough today! He fed himself his beloved banana yogurt! He started with trying to eat it with his fingers- yikes. Then we moved on to scooping it with the spoon, THEN getting it off the spoon with his fingers. Then scooping it with the fingers, transferring it to the spoon . . . you get the idea. FINALLY, we got the hang of scooping it with the spoon, and eating it off the spoon! Way to go, Clayton!!

Mommy's little helper

Brian is a really good helper- whenever I vacuum, he runs to get his little vacuum and follows me around the house. He also helps with putting laundry into the washer and dryer, and emptying the dishwasher! I think Brian is such a good helper because has a good example- Andrew is so good at helping me. The timing with this pregnancy worked out so well- I'm exhausted being pregnant, but since Andrew just graduated his work schedule is much lighter! All three of us love to have him home more.

Order . . . Order in the Court . . .

[This session of the Online Family Blog-court is now convened. The honorable judge Joe King Round presiding.]

The accused and some of her accomplices

VS.

The Plaintiff

Thank you.

Your honor, esteemed male members of the blog-o-jury, media pundits, officials from the Monks household gaming commission, anonymous Nigerians who appear on our visitor map, snooping SERE instructors, and of course, the accused . . . thank you all for reading here.

Ladies and Gentlemen, something is rotten in the state of Oklahoma. Not one week ago a bet was made in the Monks household . . . a wager of sorts . . . regarding the wearing of one Empathy Belly™ by one Monks husband (who shall heretofore be referred to as The Lieutenant) at an undisclosed location and for an equally undetermined duration of time. The terms of the wager were that if a certain blog entry would garner 20 comments, The Lieutenant would be compelled to don the contraption in an apparent effort to achieve a higher state of empathetical consciousness. This wager was made in full faith between The Lieutenant and the accused.

To recap for those who missed the whirlwind of online activity that followed, the post was made and the comments came - and they came faster than an "Obama is a Muslim" e-mail is forwarded across Texas. They came from far and wide. Some came from members of the accused's family in an unfortunate (but expected) show of nepotism. One came from a sister of The Lieutenant who may or may not suffer increased torment at the occasion of the next Monks Family Vacation. But Gentlemen, many of these votes came - and I warn you, if you're partaking of a refreshing beverage, please shield your keyboard - from your own wives. So in a rush of electrons and estrogen, the wager was lost and a serious blow was struck to The Lieutenant . . . so to speak.

But this trial isn't about the grievous pain and suffering caused The Lieutenant at the hands of the accused and her accomplices. No, this is about gaming-fraud and perjury. It's about the violation of the good faith and trust of a poor, victimized husband. We have strong reason to believe this bet was rigged. A setup. A sham. Please Gentlemen, direct your eyes to:

Exhibit A: The Sheer Number of Comments. Please notice that no previous posts have received nearly the volume of comments. Reference, for your viewing pleasure, the blog entry entitled Dream of Flight, Part 6 - Crossing Into the Blue. Both a well-crafted account of The Lieutenant's experience piloting jet aero-planes AND the revelation of their expectancy. Either of these alone should garner a plethora of comments, yet together they received less than half of the comments posted on the Belly Blog Bet. Very suspicious.

Exhibit B: The Timing. Not only did the comments come in record time and numbers, but came almost on cue. Exactly 20 comments in favor were posted by various alleged accomplices (not counting the two in opposition) and no more. Hmmm, exactly the number required to win the bet. Coincidence? Perhaps. Read on members of the court.

Exhibit C: The E-Mail. Although already suspicious by these facts, The Lieutenant, a model of fairness and sportsmanship had conceded defeat and resigned himself to emasculating humiliation in the form of 25 pounds of sand. Dragging himself into work on Friday, and contemplating the gravity of the situation, The Lieutenant was surprised to find an e-mail, sent to his af.mil account, with the subject line "It's a Setup!" and enlightening him to the text of a certain e-mail sent by the accused. For his own protection, this brave member of our gender has entered the Witness Protection Program and will remain nameless. Many of you are probably already familiar with the text of the offending e-mail, but for the benefit of our jury members who respect their wives' e-mail privacy and for our visitors from Sub-Saharan Africa, here is the text in all it's glory:

Hi friends!

I wrote a new post on our blog this morning- about how I want Andrew to try wearing an empathy belly. He refuses. BUT- we have a bet going. If I can get TWENTY comments on this morning's post, he will wear the belly!!

So do me a favor, and leave a quick comment! Oh, and please do NOT mention the bet or anything, because he does not know I'm sending out this email! His only stipulation was that I do not mention the bet in the actual post, so this is not technically cheating . . . ha ha! Still, I want the comments to appear completely spontaneous!

http://theflyingmonks.blogspot.com/

Click the link above, and help me play a joke on my hubby! Thanks ladies!!!

Lisa

Gentlemen, the facts speak for themselves. Unrepentant, premeditated, feminismistry!

Now for the plea. Despite vicious rumors to the contrary, my client is a caring, understanding - even empathetic - husband. A bet is a bet, and he'll honor his agreement - however false the pretenses - to wear the belly. He does however, insist on two legal stipulations which the accused has already practically (and perhaps unconsciously) agreed to.

#1 If you'll refer to exhibit C, you'll notice that the accused claims, "His only stipulation was that I do not mention the bet in the actual post, so this is not technically cheating . . . ha ha!" Well, actually, The Lieutenant did mention not e-mailing her accomplices on two occasions, although probably after the deed was done but before the tally was complete. Another equally "unofficial" condition discussed in the same time-frame was the purchase of a very expensive, very large, very manly telescope if the bet was lost.















#2 In a separate, and unrelated e-mail the accused claimed "But since this is our third pregnancy, I thought it would be fun to have him wear this belly for a couple of minutes." A couple of minutes. Two minutes. 120 seconds. Clearly by her own admission, plenty of time for The Lieutenant to gain adequate empathy.

The verdict: Despite terrible slander, mental anguish beyond compare, humiliation in the eyes of his sons, and the immeasurable potential future harm possible via photographic evidence, The Lieutenant agrees to the amended terms of the wager, as outlined above. What we ask of the court is simple:

- Please make no mention of the this incident in or around any Air Force aircraft, squadron bar, elder's quorum social, shooting range, or any other manly edifice which could bring additional ridicule and humiliation to The Lieutenant.

- Don't place any blame upon The Lieutenant for similar actions of your own wives in the event of pregnancy. The Lieutenant absolves one Jeffery S. Ford of such blame for his belly-wearing actions and requests likewise from his fellow men.

- If while traveling on Hurst Drive you happen upon an apparently pregnant and bosomed man stooping over a telescope in the late hours of the night, please don't point and laugh.


Thank you for your time and consideration. We rest our case.

Good news, and more good news!

What a great day! Good news #1- I had my first 'real' Dr. appt. today with Dr. Ferguson- whom I love. I got to see an ultrasound, and the baby (only ONE, thank heavens. Twins are the norm on my street!) looks great. Strong heartbeat, lots of movement, perfect size.

Good news #2- Andrew and I made a bet with the previous post- if I got 20 comments on it, he would have to wear the belly!!! And I WON!! My friend Laura who teaches birthing classes is going to hook me up with one, and don't worry- I'll take LOTS of pictures!!!

Good news #3- Tonight was assignment night for our good friends Matt & Lily Fryer . . . and they got the B-1!!! We are so excited and grateful they will be with us in Abilene- it seems too good to be true that the Fryer's as well as the Smith's and Thorup's will all be at our next station.

Oh, and Andrew and I had a date tonight- assignment night and dinner. And of course a date with my hubby is always good news!