It's Funny Now... I guess.

The six most used words in our home, " Oh Bo what did you do?"
Last Thursday was the kind of day that makes me question my vocation of motherhood.
Let me set the stage.  I set the big kids up with lunch and went into my room to nurse Tucker asleep. I'm a sucker for bad (and super easy) habits.  Madilyn comes in to inform me how much Bo "weally weally loves cream." Foolish me thought she was reminiscing of last nights Chick-Fil-A ice cream run.  Silly me. I send her back to the table and come out 15 minutes later to Bo REALLY REALLY loving a Sam's Club size tub of SOUR cream. Loving it in his hair, on the counter, the floor, down the hall and walls, and not missing a square inch of any bare skin.  It's like he lathered it on like lotion during a Rexburg winter.
And then there is a knock on my door. And it's my wonderful and kind, never have they been over before, visiting teachers, popping in for a quick end of the month hello.
To my couch I usher them, asking them to wait just a quick sec while I de-cream the boy.  I banish him to his room for nap time. I field questions of the "tell us about yourself", and "what do you like to do when your not taking care of your kids?" sorts. With a fussy, needs a nap, Madilyn on my lap, and crying baby in my room. 
Note- before you think I am a terrible person for saying this about having my VT come by, please know that I LOVE the organization of the church, and being able to go teach and be taught. It is an amazing and important program that I NORMALLY warmly welcome into my sticky home.
 I excuse myself again and fetch the babe. Why is he crying? His brother is not in his room, but in my room, lights on, white noise off. His signature, I want to play with my brother for 45 seconds so I will just wake him up, move.  Apparently his 45 seconds were up and he had moved himself into the bathroom.  Super off limit room to him and he knows it.  Child locks, be it medicine bottle or door are no match for him.  The damage? 2 shattered bottles of essential oils, 1 emptied bottle of prenatals, and half a bottle of children's liquid Motrin .  Foolish mother.
Again, Visiting Teachers waiting in my living room.
I send him to the hall bath to wash his hands and lock the master bath.
I head back to try to politely wrap things up.  This takes more like 15 minutes as I stand bouncing a crying baby on my hip as I listen to the sisters talk to each other about school bus logistical issues, both current and from 24 years ago.
Finally it occurs to me that I am the dumbo that just sent Destruction Mode Bo into the bathroom alone. I check in. Flooded sink, flooded draws, and a solid inch of water on the floor. He was trying to use an empty wipe container to throw water from the sink to the toilet. 
I really wrap things up with the sisters this time, and honestly tell them I'm looking forward to a much better visit next month.
1.5 hours later the kids are sleeping, and sour cream is mostly cleaned up, but another two hours before I have the courage to consider clean up my bathroom. 
For the first time ever Jordan picked up Pizza on the way home from work.

Moral of this run on sentence? I think I made the mistake of telling Jordan how the kids and I were in such a good routine of things and how 3 kids were WAY easier than two or one kid. I also casually mentioned that it was kind of sad/weird that I wasn't going to be pregnant on a child's first birthday with future younger sibling.  A first for us.  And MAYBE we should have the baby conversation soon. Do you know what Jordan and Heavenly Father had to say about that? hardee Har har.  How about a serving of Humble Pie?

"That girl has an opinion on everything"

During my first year at BYU-Idaho I made friends with a guy named Noah in a foundations class. We sat next to each other for the semester, hung out a few times, and even went skiing with Molly and a guy I do not remember. We saw one and other on campus over the years and were always very friendly, boring, boring, boring, I got married and he transferred to Provo.

So now like 6 years later Molly calls me to tell me has ran into him in Provo and they went on a (horrible) date.  One of the opening lines of date was... ," How is Tracie, that girl had an opinion about everything?".  I laughed at the story and told Jordan. His response, " well if that does not sum you up I'm not sure what does."

I think there is a negative connotation with being someone who forms opinions and sometimes makes the choice to share where they stand. By no means do I think it's ever kind or remotely appropriate to force your opinion on someone. There is a growing issue with that in our society today. However, I think it's vital that we know where we stand on almost any issue, or at least know how to get to a point where are can make an informed opinion. 

It's good to have opinions, it means you have a mind that thinks.  And in my opinion, he could have used a better opening line.  Just Saying.


"There is something reassuring about standing for something, and knowing what we stand for." -Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

You may not agree with me, but at the very least, you will understand that your differing opinion is wrong.
-Stephen Colbert

Unrelated baby picture/ your face after reading this pointless post

At least he didn't make a huge mess.

I nap every other day. My kids nap every single day. It how we survive. I try to wake up before my kids, but I know I've slept too long when I'm woken up by yell whispering in my ear. 116% of the time my kids find me before they venture down the hall. 

So when I woke up to silence I was sure I had woken up first. But then I heard little feet in the playroom. And before I panicked that someone was stealing the Dora puzzles I went to investigate. And found this. 

Bo. Bo dressed in all new clothes, including undies purchased during a failed attempt at potty training over his diaper, who had enjoyed playing with everything his placement in the pecking order does not allow for during madilyn's waking hours. 

And he was just peachy about it. 

His punishment? Chips and salsa with mom. 

And now being held to the standard of always dressing himself. Buttons and all. 

The promise land.

In late 2016 Columbia SC will have everything Jordan and I consider essential to sustaining the Dickamore way of life. 

Temple

Airport 

Costco

When Jordan and I knew we would be leaving idaho and getting back into construction we were trying to decide where geographically we wanted to be. We knew we needed the above three to support our lifestyle.  You know, the lifestyle of a growing Mormon family with flight benefits. 

We most assuredly did not think we would be coming back to South Carolina. We both were actually really interested in Philadelphia.   But as we were being drawn to Columbia we new it had our número uno request, a temple. Oh and a job ha. 

So I'm just going to go out on a limb here and say that a Costco coming to our town is Heavenly Father's gift to the Dickamores for following his promptings to move here. Your are welcome Midlands, we are happy to share its beauty and almond butter with you. 

Sometimes when my kids nap I miss them, but when they wake up I wish they would sleep for 15 more mintues.

Jordan and I are a big fans of the 5 year plan.  We make a new one about every 4 weeks.  At first I was just thinking we were the most flaky and indecisive couple ever, but then as we were talking about that little issue it occurred to us... well life was completely different 4 weeks ago. 

To some families a year doesn't really bring that many changes.  Every couple of years might bring a new couch or a graduation.  But us, every year of our marriage has brought another kid.

This week I can be lazy about sweeping, Tucker doesn't crawl yet.  Next week there is a good chance he will stop belly flopping and be unrolling the toilet paper every time I turn my back.  Bo can still barely talk.  Really he just grunts, shouts, and signs.  I'm telling ya, it is milestone mania up in here.

Why in the world are we constantly trying to plan out the next five years, when TECHNICALLY we could have 4 more kids?! I should put some of that effort into planning our next four meals. 

Really, I had a point to this somewhere.

Anyways, I know while it is good to look to the future, and it does need attention from time to time, I sincerely need to try harder enjoy this time in life. I have had an overwhelming desire to soak in and try to remember all their little personalities, if I don't record them, these couple of years are just going to be a blur.  The first couple of months of Bo's life already feel like a blur to me, and I don't want that.  I want to remember these special times, I love that we do have tons of pictures to look at and have memories and feelings come back in floods, but I also know I need to record more of it all.

 I won't always be dripping in babies, and while I will say that sounded like a dream come true during the 45 min scream fest that was our drive today, at the dinner table it was a little sad to think about.  I think a change I need to make, is to show gratitude to Heavenly Father by enjoying and soaking in these early years of parenthood and marriage, because I know they are a blessing from Him.