Growing up, my mom LOVED the holidays.  I guess you could say that I picked this up from her.  I can hardly wait until the next holiday arrives.  
    Valentine's Day is no exception.  There's a certain feel that comes when the aisles at the store are decked out in red and pink. 
   This year, the boys were excited too, because they got to pick out their own Valentines for their friends at school.  Christian found a dinosaur pack, Ethan found a Ninjago set and Preston...all but screamed when he found some Spider-Man cards.  This will be Preston's first year to give Valentines to his friends in Preschool.
     When we got home, he ran upstairs to put his Spider-Man costume on, then came back down to sit at the table with his two big brothers.  The three boys began to diligently fill out their cards. 
     "Okay Buddy.  This says "To" and on the other side, it says "From".  Write under the word "From" on every card alright?"
     "Okay...got it."
     His little Spidey self carefully worked on each and every card.  16 of them to be exact.  One by one, he completed the Valentines while announcing, "DONE!" after each card.

      Christian and Ethan finished long before Preston was even close, but it didn't stop him.  He wrote as meticulously as he could until the end.
      "Mommy!  Look!  I did it!" 
      "Good job Buddy.  Let me see."
      Picking up a card, it read, "From: From".  Looking at all the others, Preston had written "From" instead of his name on all 16 of them.

     Beaming from his work, he jumped out of his chair, pulled his mask off and sighed.  "That was a lot of work!"
    Rustling my hand through his bangs, I gave him a kiss.  "Your friends are going to love them Little Man. Good job."  Putting his mask back on, he ran off to play.
     No matter what Valentine's Day may bring you this year, we hope it will be one full of love and laughter.  Even if things aren't exactly perfect, it's always the thought that counts. 
     May you have the HAPPIEST of VALENTINE'S DAYS! 
From: From

    It almost seems like a joke by now.  If you've read our blog lately...you know that Sears has been putting off fixing our washing machine since the beginning of the year.  After countless attempts, under the warranty that we purchased last year...we were told that today (again) was the day it would be repaired.  mmmmmmmm hmmm.
    A technician had been here a couple of times already, saying that he couldn't fix it because he had to order more parts.  The last time he was here, he left our machine like this...  

   That's how it's been sitting ever since.  The thing is...when you have four young kids, they see all of this as "Robot Parts".  Who would have thought in a million years to put a lock on a laundry room door?  It sure would have come in handy though.
   Needless to say, we have been waiting anxiously for the Sears guy to come today, so he could put things back together and fix the machine.
   He came, said the wrong part was ordered - again - aaaaaand left.  The washer still looks the same and now we have a new big box sitting in the front of our house with a part that has to be taken back because it isn't the right fit. 

     Yes...more robot parts.  
     We were told that within 24 to 48 hours we should expect a call and go from there.  I think we're just beyond anything at this point though.  It's time we just give up and go somewhere else to get a machine.  It's beyond time. 
     I've said before and strongly believe that there are much worse things we could be dealing with than this, but it sure is frustrating nonetheless.  I guess the one good thing about it is that the kids will end up having one very cool robot.  Maybe if we name him "Home Depot" or "Lowes", he'll actually WORK too.  

    Do they or don't they?  Can video games and movies affect the moods and or behavior of our kids?  
    Our five year old, Preston, has gotten into Star Wars, Teenaged Mutant Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers this year.  Our older two boys, ages nine and seven, never got "into" these shows, but for whatever reason, Preston became obsessed with them.  We really didn't have a problem with this.  My husband and I both LOVED Star Wars when we were kids, in fact.
    It wasn't until recently that we started to see a change in Preston, however.  It started with his light saber that he got for Christmas.  He would sit and watch his favorite Star Wars movie while holding onto it or put his light saber beside him as he played his Star Wars game on Xbox.  It was actually cute at first.
    Before we knew it though, he was chasing his little sister around the house waving his light saber around yelling, "I'm going to cut your head off and then your arms and legs!"    
    nice.
    It got worse as he watched the Power Rangers fight or the Ninja Turtles karate chop their way though an episode.  Preston started hitting and fighting all of us. 
    He and his little sister have always fought, but this was different.  He was showing aggression that we hadn't seen in any of the kids before.  
     We ended up taking his light saber, video game and movies away and only let him watch TV if it was "Little Bear", "Franklin" or "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse" because - well - he's five.
     It reminded me of a study that I learned about in a child psychology class called the "Bobo Doll Experiment".  In a nutshell, a number of kids were divided into three groups.  One watched a series of aggressive behavior towards a blow up punching bag type doll named "Bobo" while another group watched non-aggressive behavior towards the doll.  The third group was a control group with no exposure whatsoever.  
    The results indicated that the group of children who watched the doll being hit and kicked, repeated the behavior when placed in a room with their own Bobo doll.  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHHdovKHDNU
    This study can be argued on both sides...those who agree with it and those who don't. 
    All I can think though, is that millions if not billions of dollars are spent each year on advertising and commercials to get us to think one way or act another.  The same goes for the film and TV industries.  I know I feel very differently walking out of a chick flick or romantic comedy than I do when I watch one of my husband's favorite action packed movies with him.  There must be some influence in there somewhere...simply by what we're watching.
     I guess that the bottom line is, Preston is very young.  His little five year old mind is going to have more difficulty processing the fight scenes between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader (as cool as they may be).  When he's a few years older, we'll see how it goes.  
     As for now, we're pulling things back old school and Mickey Mouse will be just fine.  We've actually seen a difference in his behavior and he's lost his aggressive demeanor. 
     We're not opposed to him running around the house with his light saber someday.  I guess we're just going to have to wait until he's old enough to understand and be able to handle the responsibilities of a Jedi Knight though.
     May the Force be with him.

    Well Sears.  I don't even know what to say.  We're pushing into our second month without a washing machine that works, but under your protection agreement, it still hasn't been repaired or replaced. 
    We truly got our hopes up when you said that the man that has been out twice before, would come again to actually "fix things" this time...but yes...you called last night with another empty excuse of how he couldn't come today because THIS time, the part that was ordered was damaged - with a scratch down the side and a bottom that looked to be "chewed through".  I'm not exactly sure what that means, but in laundry terms...it equates to another week without clean clothes.  The kicker was when the woman who called, finished the conversation with, "I can understand your frustration Hon.  I know you have four little kids and a pile full of laundry, but sometimes when things like this happen...you just have to laugh."  
     Hmph. 
     Calling the 1-800 number for the umpteenth time, we finally got ahold of a guy named Josh, in Texas.  It was the first time that we have spoken with someone who actually said, "WHY do we keep sending the same guy out there?" 
     You'll have to understand how I almost dropped the phone.  Someone finally passed the common sense test and I think that birds somewhere began to sing.  It was shocking to speak with someone that actually listened, had empathy, then said, "We're going to take care of this.  We'll have someone DIFFERENT out on Tuesday." 
     Holy moly. Thank you Josh.
    So Sears...it looks like another five days without a machine and a hope that by next week, it will all get back to normal.  Life is too short to worry about things as trivial as laundry and if this is the worst that we have to deal with, then things aren't so bad.
    I will have to say though, we're just about ready to throw in the towel (no pun intended) and head to another store for a new machine.  We've certainly learned what to expect from Sears at this point and it hasn't been pretty. 
     There was some irony this morning when I opened my inbox.  There was a random email from h.h. Gregg for 10% off and free shipping on washing machines.  The code is FEB10% if you would like to use it.  It couldn't have come at a better time.

     The same guy is scheduled to come out tomorrow, 2/7, to try and fix the machine again.  Here's to hoping that it works this time!

     Okay Sears, I'm done.  I've been sitting on hold for the past 30 minutes and I'm still waiting to speak with someone who can help us.  
     Our washing machine kicked the bucket over a month ago and we've been going back and forth with you ever since. 
     When we originally called - you said that someone would come out to fix it in two and a half weeks.  That's a long time to wait without laundry for a house of six people, but okay. 
    When the man showed, he spent twenty minutes on the machine and said, "I can't fix it.  I need to order a part."     
     Then he left.  
     After many calls, we finally got him to come back to our home over TWO weeks later.  (We're up to a month without being able to do the laundry mind you.)

     Finally coming back, the man went upstairs to our laundry room and banged around quite a bit.  Out of nowhere, directly below him - which is our kitchen area - there was a stream of water pouring from the ceiling...yes...the ceiling.  
     Running upstairs, I said, "Hey!  There's water coming down from whatever you're doing!"  He simply replied, "I don't know what to tell you.  It's not my fault." 
     WHAT?!
     I ran back down the stairs to get a bucket and the man followed me down a little while later, shaking his head.
    "Ma'am, there's nothing I can do.  I can't fix it."
    It takes a LOT to make me cry. 
    There actually aren't a whole lot of people who have ever even seen me cry.  THIS guy was about to become one of them.  I was so mad and felt my eyes well up with tears but I immediately pulled them back. 
    "Why can't you fix it?" 
    "Well, because I ordered the right part, but Sears sent me the wrong part."  
    Picking up the phone, I called you - Sears - and you said that there was "nothing you could do".  You said that he had to order another part and wait for it to come in, then have him come back another time to try and fix it...AGAIN. 
    Hearing the front door, I went to see what he was doing but he was gone.  He left.  Running back upstairs, I found our whole machine torn apart - piece by piece with OUR bath towels draped over the parts.  One of the towels was covered with dirt and grease...ruined. 
    When I told you about all of this Sears, again you said, that there was nothing you could do.  I would just have to wait for him to come back (whenever that would be) and try to fix it for a third time.  I don't really think that I WANT him to come back to "fix" it after everything that he's fixed so far.
    So, here I am, waiting on hold...for you to tell me that regardless of the machine that we bought from you...regardless of the extra hundred and some odd dollars that we spent on the warranty guarantee that you promised was SO great...I sit...with a mountain of laundry from six people that's been growing for over a month...give or take an extra 45 minutes now that I've been sitting on hold. 
    I'll have to say that one of the most jaw dropping moments in all of this was when the last woman I spoke with asked me what the likelihood on a scale from one to ten would be that we would ever do business with you in the future.  I am wondering where "never in a million years" falls on your scale...
    But yes, Sears...don't you worry...I'll continue to hold...

    Our house at times feels like a man cave...a testosterone dome...or a frat house.  The three boys and Adam can be heard screaming and yelling on any given Sunday, but there are very few times that the levels are higher than right about now...Super Bowl Sunday.  (cue music.)
    Adam lived in California in the 1980's when the 49ers won their first Super Bowl.  Joe Montana became his all-time favorite football player and to this day, he has a Joe Montana figurine on his desk at work.  Adam was seven years old then, but his passion and loyalty for the 49ers has never waived.  On almost any given weekend...you will find him in a shirt of scarlet and gold. 
     Our seven year old Ethan has picked up this trait.  I have never seen a boy so in love with the game.  He eats, breathes and sleeps football.  The child knows more about the game than I could ever understand.  He practices different plays outside with his neighborhood friends and is often seen eating breakfast in his football helmet.
     Sunday is beginning to feel like he's getting ready for Christmas day.  I know how Adam will be during the game, but I'll be interested to see what Ethan will be like. 
     Tonight, before Ethan fell asleep, I overheard him say to Adam,
     "Daddy, when I grow up, I want to be just like Colin Kaepernick." 
      I thought I faintly heard Adam laugh and whisper, "Me too Buddy.  Me too."

    A friend recently asked a question in regards to a blog I wrote some time ago.  I went back to find it and decided to re-post it in hopes that it might help you too.  I had just learned about the possible effects of "blue light" and how it can interrupt our ability to sleep.  We have changed things around with bedtime for the kids and have found it to be ridiculously effective. 
    Last night, I was reminded of the alternative as my husband fired up a game of Super Mario Brothers and our five year old ended up bouncing off the walls for most of the evening.  I don't know what it is...but it seems to be pretty amazing when it's actually put into place.  Hopefully - you can thank me later.

   Blue Light 
    I have to take thirty continuing education hours every three years to keep my license as a therapist.  I went to a conference today to gain six of the hours. 
    The conference was a good one - but something in particular stood out.  The speaker began to talk about how important it was to get enough quality sleep every night.  She said that what we do BEFORE bedtime, can actually affect this.  
    Evidently, there is something called "blue light".  This light stimulates our brain and suppresses the secretion of melatonin - or the "sleepy hormone". 
   Where do we find this "blue light"?  From our televisions, computers, video games, energy efficient light bulbs, electronic gadgets, etc.  The presenter said that when our eyes and brain are exposed to it, it takes approximately 90 minutes for our minds to slow back down again and prepare for sleep.  An HOUR AND A HALF!!!  
      What do my kids do right before bed?  They watch one last show, play one last video game, spend ten more minutes on the computer and so on and so forth.  Adam and I wonder why EVERY single night, all four of them jump from bed to bed and flip through the air.  They're wide awake and it makes us crazy.
    We decided to see what would happen if we changed things around.  We told them that they had until 7:00 to do whatever they wanted, then absolutely everything had to be shut off.  When 7:00 came, we gave them baths and put them in their pajamas.  The hardest part of all, was that WE had to shut our TV shows and computer off too.  It's not about the content or the stimulation, ie. if our show is on, they won't be interested, so it won't matter.  Instead, it's literally the light that's emitted from the TV, computer, etc. that acts as the stimulant...which translates to...everything off.  
    It really made a difference.  The house was quiet and calm, while the extra "noise" wasn't there.  
    The kids got into their beds and read books.  We said our prayers with them, sang a couple of songs and left their rooms.  We waited...aaaand nothing.  No jumping, giggling, hitting, kicking, snorting...nothing.  All four were sound asleep. 
    I don't really know what to think about it, but I can't believe it could be that simple.  I'm anxious to try it over the next few nights to see if it was just a fluke.  
    I know it will be hard to turn everything off.  Come to think of it though, I'll be happy to do it if it means having nights of peace and quiet without our crazy monkey children screaming from room to room.  I would hope that they/we would feel so much better and well rested the next day too.
    I can't imagine that it will really work, but I know at least for one night, the house was as quiet as a mouse.  If you decide to try it too, we would love to hear if this "Blue Light Special" works for you 

    Have you ever have one of those days?  The kind of day when you wake up exhausted because your three year old climbed into your bed at two in the morning, kicked you nonstop and then woke you up once and for all - four hours later - with the warm sensation of her wetting your bed?
     You know, the day where an hour after that, the first sound you hear from your older kids is the screaming and laughing because of their toilet overflowing? 
    When you go downstairs to start packing lunches for school, only to find the kids smiling as they gobble their 'healthy' breakfast that they made "all by themselves"...and you have to wonder if they've even washed their hands from the toilet incident?  (Their breakfast was cupcakes.)
     Finally getting them dressed and wiping the icing off of their faces, you bundle them up to go to the garage and jump in the car...only to find that the garage door won't open.
    Overriding the garage door opener, you get in the car and realize that your five year old doesn't have shoes, so you go back INTO the house and spend ten more minutes looking for them. 
    Officially WAY behind schedule, you run back out to the car in the now freezing cold garage with the door wide open, only to climb in with four crazy sugar high kids.  Putting the keys in the ignition, you turn...aaaand nothing.  Dead as a doornail.  Four little monkeys suddenly become completely silent with the exception of one tiny, "oops".
    "OOPS?!  What does OOPS mean?!"
    "Sorry Mom.  I came out to my seat last night to look for my backpack and I guess I forgot to turn the car lights off."
    Have you ever had one of those days when you have to call AAA and try to explain that your car needs to get a jump...IN your garage?
    When the guy shows up and looks at you like you're a moron, (rightfully so) you have to run back in the house to catch the phone that's ringing.
    Excited that the call is from the company that you bought your washing machine from (and paid extra for the warranty) you finally have a second of relief knowing that your washer is FINALLY going to get fixed.  It exploded during the first week of January and the company has been saying each week since then, that they would come fix it.  They haven't.  Nice warranty.  Tomorrow is the day though...and this call was the confirmation.
    "Um, yes...Hi Ma'am.  We're just callin' to let you know that we're not gonna be able to make it out there tomorrow...it's lookin' like maybe by Friday we'll be there though.  Sorry 'bout that and have a good day."
    Can you imagine what a house with six people and no laundry for a month looks like?  Did I mention that our three year old wet our bed?
    Have you ever had one of those days when you don't think you can take anymore and the day hasn't really even begun yet?         
    Yes, it's days like these when people think I'm crazy as I laugh uncontrollably when they say, "You're late!" 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Adam's Mom!  You're the Best Mom and Grandmama!!!  We Love You!!!  Happy Birthday!!!  XOXO