Our Lowes Boycott

So, about a month ago Darin applied for a job at Lowes. The position he applied for was a part-time position on nights and weekends. We were really hopeful that he would get this job so that we could have some health insurance because Lowes offers their part-time employees health insurance. While in the interview, Darin was very clear that he would not be able to work on Sundays before 3:00 because he wanted to go to church with his family. Darin was offered the job and we were elated. Darin's manager told him that he would have to do a training on a Sunday and then, she would do her very best not to schedule him on Sundays unless they were totally desperate. We felt good about this because it is pretty important to have health insurance, right? Well, after Darin got his work schedule, he noticed that he was scheduled EVERY Sunday from 10-7 until forever. He spoke with his manager again and this time she had changed her tune, she wouldn't budge, not one bit. So he had to quit after only working there for 2 weeks. Also, when he was offered the job, he was told that our health benefits would not kick in until June 1st, we were okay with this because many companies have a policy that you have to wait a couple of months to receive benefits. Well, when Darin went to pick up his paycheck, half of it wasn't there because they had charged us for health insurance that we didn't or couldn't use. This time Darin went to the store manager and hes was just as unwilling to help a guy out as the HR manager. They would not give us our money back, so basically, half of Darin's paycheck was gone, paying for benefits that we didn't or couldn't use. Man was Darin ticked! Before Darin quit his job, he was able to take advantage of his 10% employee discount and purchase a deep freeze. It was delivered on Tuesday and it is Friday and it has stopped working all together. GREAT! We will be returning the freezer tomorrow and hopefully we will be getting a full refund and taking our business across town to Home Depot. The upside was that Darin really enjoyed the job for the couple of weeks he was there and he liked his co-workers, but the management stinks!!

Idaho Falls Temple

I had to go to Idaho Falls the other day to run some errands. Darin had to work, so I decided to ask Heather to go with me. I decided that it would also be a good opportunity to take the girls to the Idaho Falls Temple grounds. The only other time they have seen a temple is when Heather and Shane got married. I tried to walk around and explain some things with them and have a "teaching moment" with them, but it was a bit chilly and they were very excited to be there. I just had a hard time keeping them from trampling the tulip bulbs. Maybe next time. I had planned to maybe take them to the visitors center, but opted not to because they couldn't seem to walk very reverently around the temple grounds. Looks like we will have to have another FHE on reverence. I am still glad that they were able to go see the outsid and hopefully, feel the spirit there.

Abi's first sleepover

Abigail had one of her favorite friends come for a sleepover last weekend. Naia is a friend that we met when we lived in Rockland. They had lots of fun even though they are complete opposits. Naia is very much a tomboy and well, Abigail isn't. Abigail loves to sing and dance and Naia likes to do crafts and play outside. They did however agree on playing dress up and barbies. We made cheerio treats and granola bars and ate pancakes for breakfast. They also made necklaces. They were both so excited to expeirence their very first sleepover with someone besides family.

Daddy's Buzz Cut

Aggie heard the clippers turn on and tried to hide. Hair cuts are not her favorite thing. It was way past time for daddy to get a hair cut. He decided to buzz it this time and let the girls help. They were so excited to be his hairstylists.

Birthday Dresses

Elizabeth Emily

Grandma and Grandpa Ralphs got the twins birthday dresses. I just love the color. It is good for winter or spring.

Embarrassing

So, last week I put an ad on Craigslist offering part-time child care. A lady with four boys called me and was interested and wanted to meet me in person to do an interview and let her boys meet me so they could learn the rules and see the house, etc. We set up a time for her to come and I made sure the house was ready and that my kids were presentable. She rang the door bell and I said hello to the boys and told them that they could go downstairs to the playroom while their mom and I chatted. The four boys started walking down the stairs and froze and put their hand over their eyes. I looked at the bottom of the stairs and low and behold, Elizabeth was standing there stark naked and said, "Hi, I am Elizabeth!" I ran down the stairs and said, "please, excuse her she is potty training and I guess decided to take all of her clothes off when she used the restroom" I took Elizabeth in her room and put her clothes on and told her that we should not let other people see our naked bodies. (Strike 1). The mom and I chatted and then I decided to show the boys the back yard. I told them that we had a very friendly dog and cat, but if they were afraid I would put the animals in their pen. The boys were excited about the dog and cat and I said, "they are very nice and love children." Just as the oldest child stepped on the back porch Mr.O'Malley decided he was an attack cat and he jumped forward and attacked the little boys leg (Strike 2). I apologized profusely and put the cat away and told them that he would not be out if they ever came back. As I was walking the family out the door I told the mom that we had just moved into this house about two months ago. Right at that time Emily came around the corner with some lacy pink underwear in her hand and she said, "mommy, these are pretty panties, you should wear these!" Those underwear were well hidden in my room, and I had no idea that she even knew where they were. She brought those out at the worst possible time. I felt myself turning hot and bright red and before I could even respond Abigail said, "yeah we moved from the love shack in Texas." (Strike 3 & 4) The "Love Shack" was the nick name for the grandmother's cottage that we lived in for five months while we were in Texas. I couldn't even think quick enough to respond. I quickly grabbed the lingerie and stuffed it in my pocket. The mother said, "The love shack huh?" I had to explain what that meant and she said, "Well, can we start on Monday?" I couldn't believe that I was hired. Either she was desperate for a babysitter or she appreciated how I worked under pressure. I am convinced that all three of my girls and the cat were out to sabotage me. Thank goodness the dog didn't pull anything.

Potty Confusion

So the twins have gone about six days with only a couple of accidents, most of which were because we couldn't make it to the toilet fast enough. I think that they are FINALLY on the way to being potty trained. I find myself day dreaming about what I will do with all of that extra money that would otherwise be spent on diapers and pull-ups. Maybe I can paint one room in my house each month that they are potty trained. Anyway, today I walk past the bathroom and see Elizabeth standing at the toilet with her pants down by her ankles. She was starring at the toilet and a puddle was starting to form by her feet. I said, "Elizabeth, what are you doing? Pee Pee goes in the potty!" She said, "Mommy, it didn't go in like daddy's does." First of all, I am not sure when she saw daddy going potty, but I am sure it happened. We try to keep these things private, but you know, we all live in the same house and things happen. I had to explain to her that only boys stand to go Pee Pee and that girls have to sit. KIDS!