So many things

NOAH is 7 months old today!!! I seriously can't believe it's already been 7 months. He's such a cutie though, it's fun to see him doing new things and growing. I do wish they could stay small longer, but if they have to grow, at least it's cute and fun! I LOVE how he hugs me!! I seriously cannot get enough of that!! He's like a little monkey clinging to his mommy (guess that makes me a Mommy Monkey :)). I just love him!! Happy Seven Months to ya Noah!!

This morning, I noticed that our milk had expired AUG 03- yes, that is over a week ago. We have had cereal almost every morning since then. With milk. Did anyone get sick? No. Did I feel queasy after I read the expiration date this morning (after having used it in my cereal, and the kids as well)? ABSOLUTELY!! And it was with me ALL day. I think it's all in my head!!! (or maybe it's just because it was REALLY bad! jk)

Today when we were at the park with all my good ol' friends from Taylorsville, Sherry and Meredith were talking about how they hate it when people in the store tell you what to do with your kids. I had to agree. I have a LONG list of annoying experiences in this area, and I shouldn't even get started. From the "where's his hat? it's September!"--come on lady, he's 2 and SEPTEMBER?? to the "where did she get that bruise?"--it's just her veins, her skin is thin, to the "that looks dangerous!"-- well, I'd rather have her hanging out of the cart than pulling things from the shelves or running off! to the "Lady, you might be used to your baby's crying, but I am not!"-- long story, a post for another day, and let's not forget the classic "YOU have YOUR hands full!" (not really telling me what to do but very annoying nonetheless). I've always taken my kids with me to the store. It used to be that we all went as a family to the grocery store, so not a big deal, but when Nate started school I started doing it on my own, and it's just been that way ever since. I know people think I'm crazy for taking ALL of my kids grocery shopping, but why waste a babysitter on something as lame as grocery shopping. Although this has lead to some really annoying situations, which I usually end up walking through the store mad at someone for telling me what they think I'm doing wrong as a mom. And really, whether they are right or not is beside the point- it's IRRITATING!! So just hours after this little discussion with Sherry and Meredith, I was at Walmart (that may be where I went wrong), my kids were doing....okay throughout the store. They got bored though. Eventually they were all kind of milling around the store, keeping within about a 20 foot radius, so not too bad, but 3 kids doing this can be somewhat of a hazard I'm sure. I was trying to look at something when it finally occurred to me that my kids were starting to get a little out of control, so I called them over to me and we huddled and I lectured them a bit about staying by the cart and not wandering around because they can get hurt or lost, bla bla bla. So as I'm talking to them, this lady who had been right there when I called them over and talked to them INTERRUPTS ME to tell MY kids (use a really naggy sounding voice in your head) "there are a lot of people and shopping carts in this store and you are going to get in someone's way!" HELLO!!!!!!!! I got SO MAD (which I probably shouldn't have, but I turn into the mother bear when someone who they DON'T EVEN KNOW starts lecturing them!!!) I was ticked, and tried to calmly look at her like, "what?are you doing?". She assured me that she was just trying to discourage them from running around (oh how nice of her), and I asked her, "oh was I not doing a good enough job of that?" (I didn't say it rude, kind of how I would have said it to Charity though :) which is clearly not the most Christlike thing to do, but can ya blame me?). She could tell I was bugged at this point I think, and said "no, you're doing fine" and then tried to cover up her annoyingness with some comment about how cute Noah was (sounds like a pretty big jerk of a lady huh :) jk), but MAN!!!! I know I shouldn't get so mad, but I guess it just gets old. And I realize that I have a lot of kids so I'm sure people just automatically think I need help, but PLEASE PEOPLE!!! And maybe it's just me being protective of my kids, but I hate it when people think they have the right to discipline my kids when I'm standing right there! MAJOR PET PEEVE of mine!!! You wouldn't stand there and tell an ADULT what to do if they were in your way (although we all know this would come in handy at walmart if it was socially acceptable to do that to adults)- but it's not so don't do it to kids either!! They're people too! I felt kind of bad afterward because Charity says, "were you mad at that lady, mom?" I said, "Well, kind of. Mostly just bugged that she was telling you guys what to do!" And Charity said, "Yeah! That's mean of her!! She shouldn't do that!!" I tried to explain that we aren't mad at her, we're mad at what she did, but I lost her..... Now I'm teaching her to be mad at strangers- great! But oh well. I am going to stick up for my kids.
Okay, done with that one :) sorry :) (although now that I think about it, it is kind of handy to have someone look at your kid with that "what's the matter??" face when they're freaking out- then your kid gets all shy and stops whining.....I do appreciate that one.....so dont' stop doing that- just keep it to looks, not words :) wow, I'm picky.)

As we were driving to the park today Charity asked me if Heavenly Father could move a tree. I told her that he could if he wanted to. Then she asked if Heavenly Father could do anything He wanted, and I said "yep!" Then she said, "I wish I could do anything I wanted to like Heavenly Father, He's lucky!" And of course she followed with, "When we die- can WE do anything WE want to?"

Church went well yesterday for anyone who wants to know :) Since I'm keeping y'all updated on my church experiences- it was a really great Sunday. Thanks again Jen.