Everyone went to church Easter morning except me, as I was till very ill. I was disappointed because I knew some old friends were back - sorry to have missed you, Sarah and Josiah! I heard the blessing was beautiful. Gabi loved that she got to hold Abigal!
I loved that when my kids got home, they weren't really drawn in to the candy filled table! In fact, Jeremy kept waiting for us to tell him he couldn't touch it after we'd told him it was okay. Beth and Gabi told me all about their Easter lessons. And Bob filled me in on Sacrament meeting. I heard things went really well, a nice large turn out. And, Leah, that you did an especially wonderful job on your talk. Sorry I missed that too!
In general, it was a nice and quiet day. It was wonderful to snuggle up with each of my kids at different times and talk about our Savior and why we celebrate Easter. It was especially nice for me to have Gabi telling me why, instead of me telling her!
I am very grateful for the atonement of Christ. I have felt His love for me so fully. I have experienced the sweetness that comes from relying up Him and accepting that wonderful gift! I am so grateful to know that my family is eternal, and that we will all be resurrected again, thanks to our Savior's Atonement and Resurrection.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Gabi's Party
As I had mentioned in an earlier post, Gabi's party had been postponed due to illness. Well, I ended up the worst off by this past Friday, and was functional on three different meds on Saturday. Not enough to do the snow volcano we had originally planned, although we certainly have the snow still for it (at least 3 feet still). We tried to talk Gabi into postpone again, but she crumpled and so we fought our way through it Saturday afternoon.
She ended up with just a few friends from school, they made a clay volcano, which we baked and then set off with baking soda and vinegar. They colored pictures of volcanoes and dinosaurs and cut them out. 
Had cheese cake (in the shape of a volcano) with strawberries dripping all around for the lava. We tried to make dinosaur ice cream pops, but the ice cream was too soft. It was much quieter than Gabi parties tend to me, but it went well enough considering!
She ended up with just a few friends from school, they made a clay volcano, which we baked and then set off with baking soda and vinegar. They colored pictures of volcanoes and dinosaurs and cut them out. 
Had cheese cake (in the shape of a volcano) with strawberries dripping all around for the lava. We tried to make dinosaur ice cream pops, but the ice cream was too soft. It was much quieter than Gabi parties tend to me, but it went well enough considering!
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Barking Like A Seal, Feelin' Like A Train Wreck
Well, I think that says it all! This illness is certainly the worst of the year, and the thought keeps coming to me that I'm just grateful to live in a time when there's medicine to help with things like sinus congestion, ear aches, headaches, body aches, and runny eyes and noses! And I'm not even thinking about the kids any more! It's been me for the last many days! Bob even had to stay home from both jobs on Friday to take care of me and the house and kids!
This afternoon (still on drugs) I am finally feeling like a little of the sinus pressure has subsided. I stopped taking the medicine for the eyes last night (and they are no longer running :)). And, as long as I'm taking stuff to keep the sinus pressure minimal and the body aches bearable, well, I can be up and around a little today!
Anyway, just wanted to let people know what was up so you knew why we hadn't been posting! There will be posts on Easter and Gabi's Party to follow... just not today!
Hope Easter is great from everyone else!
This afternoon (still on drugs) I am finally feeling like a little of the sinus pressure has subsided. I stopped taking the medicine for the eyes last night (and they are no longer running :)). And, as long as I'm taking stuff to keep the sinus pressure minimal and the body aches bearable, well, I can be up and around a little today!
Anyway, just wanted to let people know what was up so you knew why we hadn't been posting! There will be posts on Easter and Gabi's Party to follow... just not today!
Hope Easter is great from everyone else!
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Virtual Visit To Grandma - You May Visit Too
Since this is on a public blog, you are all invited to enjoy in the chaos of my little ones. But this particular post is for Jeani. As her time is continually shortening, it's our opportunity to "visit" since we live too far away to do so properly. Jeani, we love you. And our prayers are always with you.
Okay, so this is a virtual visit since we can't get down to see you, Grandma D! Since the knowledge came that time is shifting, the kids have been finding ways to deal and to accept. They love you, and often Gabi will mention the time we met you in New York to go camping! The others were too small to remember, but Bethie remembers ("a little" - and probably with help) being down there a couple summers back. Gabi had mentioned that she wished she could visit you again, but understands that the schedule right now won't allow. But all the kids were excited to do a virtual visit (we just had to get everyone well enough first - not all there yet, but well enough to virtual visit).
So, if we were to visit, you'd certainly get worn down with all the noise, laughter, and energy crazy kids. They would be running all over. Although you'd probably be able to convince them to gather around for a story too! And although we can't get down there, we wanted to give you a little taste of what it might have been like.
The girls are always dressing up and preforming for everyone. These are dances they put together just for you!
Jeremy would be inviting you to play with his trains. Anyone but Peter is allowed.
And who says you need puppets (or an audience) to have a show? Peter has learned to ignore all cautioning and to do things his own way!
Things around here are always busy. We're making progress on the house... slow, but it's coming. And considering where it was when we bought it, we've come a very long way (or rather, Bob has). The kids are growing way too fast, and we're still trying to find the right routine for them (and us).
We're glad the weather down there has been suitable for "walks" and hope in continues to be. Although we're sick of snow and cold ourselves, we'll happily keep it up here if it means more warm weather for you.
We're also glad that so many people have been able to visit you in person. And anytime you need a little chaos, not your own, feel free to come back and see if you can't capture some of the never ending energy (I wish I could).
Love....Hugs and Kisses (as Gabi would say)!
Okay, so this is a virtual visit since we can't get down to see you, Grandma D! Since the knowledge came that time is shifting, the kids have been finding ways to deal and to accept. They love you, and often Gabi will mention the time we met you in New York to go camping! The others were too small to remember, but Bethie remembers ("a little" - and probably with help) being down there a couple summers back. Gabi had mentioned that she wished she could visit you again, but understands that the schedule right now won't allow. But all the kids were excited to do a virtual visit (we just had to get everyone well enough first - not all there yet, but well enough to virtual visit).
So, if we were to visit, you'd certainly get worn down with all the noise, laughter, and energy crazy kids. They would be running all over. Although you'd probably be able to convince them to gather around for a story too! And although we can't get down there, we wanted to give you a little taste of what it might have been like.
The girls are always dressing up and preforming for everyone. These are dances they put together just for you!
Jeremy would be inviting you to play with his trains. Anyone but Peter is allowed.
And who says you need puppets (or an audience) to have a show? Peter has learned to ignore all cautioning and to do things his own way!
Things around here are always busy. We're making progress on the house... slow, but it's coming. And considering where it was when we bought it, we've come a very long way (or rather, Bob has). The kids are growing way too fast, and we're still trying to find the right routine for them (and us).
We're glad the weather down there has been suitable for "walks" and hope in continues to be. Although we're sick of snow and cold ourselves, we'll happily keep it up here if it means more warm weather for you.
We're also glad that so many people have been able to visit you in person. And anytime you need a little chaos, not your own, feel free to come back and see if you can't capture some of the never ending energy (I wish I could).
Love....Hugs and Kisses (as Gabi would say)!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Recovery Begins!
Well, it seems we may have finally moved into the recovery stage! Gabi is well, no need for naps and she's not loosing color or getting tired any more!
Beth is up and around! She's eating, although it's not much. Still, considering she basically didn't eat last week, this is progress and we'll let her work her body back up at her own pace! She's smiling again! And we've not had to give her any medication! At present, she's down for her ONE nap (instead of 20)!
Jeremy is more like Gabi. Although I did make him take a nap this afternoon, and he still coughs here and there. Otherwise, the whining is to a minimum, he's eating well, getting along with others (or rather bugging the daylights out of them), and looks great!
Peter still has the "cold symptoms" with the runny nose and droopy eyes. He's taken one extra nap today, but otherwise is around and playing. He started playing again last night when he just couldn't get to sleep.
Then there is me... tired and run down, but my appetite seems to be coming back as well. I'm starting to get some more things done around here (Bob will be thrilled); and though it's slow progress for now, things can only get better!
Bob, so far, has still managed to miss it all. Let's hope it stays that way. I'm amazed because he's been so busy, but quite thankful that he's been able to continue with the Lord's work (and his jobs).
Beth is up and around! She's eating, although it's not much. Still, considering she basically didn't eat last week, this is progress and we'll let her work her body back up at her own pace! She's smiling again! And we've not had to give her any medication! At present, she's down for her ONE nap (instead of 20)!
Jeremy is more like Gabi. Although I did make him take a nap this afternoon, and he still coughs here and there. Otherwise, the whining is to a minimum, he's eating well, getting along with others (or rather bugging the daylights out of them), and looks great!
Peter still has the "cold symptoms" with the runny nose and droopy eyes. He's taken one extra nap today, but otherwise is around and playing. He started playing again last night when he just couldn't get to sleep.
Then there is me... tired and run down, but my appetite seems to be coming back as well. I'm starting to get some more things done around here (Bob will be thrilled); and though it's slow progress for now, things can only get better!
Bob, so far, has still managed to miss it all. Let's hope it stays that way. I'm amazed because he's been so busy, but quite thankful that he's been able to continue with the Lord's work (and his jobs).
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Nothing Is Better Than A Good Snuggle
My little boy (big boy) is typically too busy to rest and snuggle mom these days. Of course, this has been going on since Peter was born. Jeremy figured out he belongs with the older kids and really enjoys having the freedom and control. There are, however, special moments when my snuggly, sweet, baby-forever boy returns. Moments like today.
With him not feeling well (and most of the rest of the house in the same boat), and Mom being too busy with baby Peter or Bethie or keeping herself from throwing up to take notice of the little guy, Jeremy found the perfect opportunity. When Bob got ready for work, Jeremy waited in the large upstairs hallway (where he plays with his trains and cars to keep Peter away from them). He waited because it is routine for Mom and Dad to catch up in this brief few minutes between dance and work on Saturdays.
When the door opened, he came in saying he needed me. Arms out-reaching like when he was really small (Peter size and smaller). Since, for the moment, no one else was yelling for Mom, I was able to pick him up and just snuggle him. Gently rocking him like I use to do.
I know a smile came to my face. For these precious, sweet moments of being needed and snuggled are all too fading already. And before I know it, it will seem as though I've blinked and he'll be raising a family of his own. But just then, he was my little baby all over again.
With him not feeling well (and most of the rest of the house in the same boat), and Mom being too busy with baby Peter or Bethie or keeping herself from throwing up to take notice of the little guy, Jeremy found the perfect opportunity. When Bob got ready for work, Jeremy waited in the large upstairs hallway (where he plays with his trains and cars to keep Peter away from them). He waited because it is routine for Mom and Dad to catch up in this brief few minutes between dance and work on Saturdays.
When the door opened, he came in saying he needed me. Arms out-reaching like when he was really small (Peter size and smaller). Since, for the moment, no one else was yelling for Mom, I was able to pick him up and just snuggle him. Gently rocking him like I use to do.
I know a smile came to my face. For these precious, sweet moments of being needed and snuggled are all too fading already. And before I know it, it will seem as though I've blinked and he'll be raising a family of his own. But just then, he was my little baby all over again.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Sanity Returns....But Where Is...
Well, Gabi finally ended her siren when Beth came down asking if she'd heard they could get in the bath! Amazing what a little water can do for a kid...sick or not. After that, Gabi was great. Her cough sounds so much better...and seems to be just about gone! Hurray! One kid on the upside!
Beth, however, was back down today. If she's not fully hydrated by tomorrow morning, then we'll probably have to take her into the hospital. She really doesn't want that, so she's working really hard at drinking! She just doesn't understand that there are certain things we have to do to help ourselves get better. Our bodies can't really do it on their own. When Daddy comes home tonight, she'll get a blessing too.
So things are quiet....and if it weren't for the bread in the oven, then I'd probably be asleep too! But I thought I'd share with you a thought provoking question Gabi asked me when I tucked her in.
"Why can't we see Heavenly Father and Jesus?"
I stopped for a minute before answering her to evaluate what kind of answer was best suited for the newly 6 year old. Then I explained that we could see everything and knew about everything before we came to Earth. But that we also knew we needed to learn about faith and that we needed to be able to have free agency (the ability to choose for ourselves what we would do and say while here). In order for us to do those things, we had to have a veil (much like a curtain or a blanket) covering the part of our mental soul which remembers those things. And that after we die, that veil will be lifted again. And we'll be able to see and remember everything.
I also explained that it was through the power of the priesthood that some people are able to see Heavenly Father and Jesus while on Earth. People like Christ's disciples and the Nephites.
All this time, Gabi was looking at me very carefully. And then she said, "It's like our hair is the veil." (A sweet child-like way to see it, but it made sense to her some how)
Yet still, how often do we ask similar questions? Where is God when I need Him? Why can't I see Him? I think that we, too, forget the simple importance of learning faith. If we could see our Heavenly Father all the time, we would not need to have faith in Him. Without that faith, we do not learn adequately how to trust Him.
Though it can be so easy to think we are forgotten, I am often reminded of the poem "Footprints". It was a favorite of my PopPop, so it has been with me since childhood. It tells us that the Lord carries us in those time's of hardship and trial. It is easy to forget there is anyone else when we are being swallowed up in trials, hardships, grief, and life. Yet, Our Lord is always near us. He helps us. He carries us. And when we take a moment to pray, even during such times, we feel Him lift us, wrapping His arms around us, comforting us, and guiding us even when, in His infinite wisdom, there is nothing else left for Him to do so that we might learn.
I know that we are not given anything more than we can handle. There have been times when I've wondered just how much more of something I could take, or someone else I loved, only to see the Lord take over when the trial had indeed hit a point that I, or the other person, could no longer handle. I love that we are asked to endure to the end. We are told to be perfect, but we also know such perfection comes from enduring to the end. Enduring does not always mean getting to the end that we can see. It is getting to the end the Lord sees for us. Enduring is having the faith and the willingness to go forward, knowing that the Lord will provide a way for success.
He is always there. We may forget, or push Him away, but though we cannot see Him, He is there. And if we look, and if we have faith, we will see Him in the way He would have us see Him. Whether that be through feeling His help, His love, and His comfort. Or whether that be, as the prophets both olden and modern, in vision and in the flesh.
Beth, however, was back down today. If she's not fully hydrated by tomorrow morning, then we'll probably have to take her into the hospital. She really doesn't want that, so she's working really hard at drinking! She just doesn't understand that there are certain things we have to do to help ourselves get better. Our bodies can't really do it on their own. When Daddy comes home tonight, she'll get a blessing too.
So things are quiet....and if it weren't for the bread in the oven, then I'd probably be asleep too! But I thought I'd share with you a thought provoking question Gabi asked me when I tucked her in.
"Why can't we see Heavenly Father and Jesus?"
I stopped for a minute before answering her to evaluate what kind of answer was best suited for the newly 6 year old. Then I explained that we could see everything and knew about everything before we came to Earth. But that we also knew we needed to learn about faith and that we needed to be able to have free agency (the ability to choose for ourselves what we would do and say while here). In order for us to do those things, we had to have a veil (much like a curtain or a blanket) covering the part of our mental soul which remembers those things. And that after we die, that veil will be lifted again. And we'll be able to see and remember everything.
I also explained that it was through the power of the priesthood that some people are able to see Heavenly Father and Jesus while on Earth. People like Christ's disciples and the Nephites.
All this time, Gabi was looking at me very carefully. And then she said, "It's like our hair is the veil." (A sweet child-like way to see it, but it made sense to her some how)
Yet still, how often do we ask similar questions? Where is God when I need Him? Why can't I see Him? I think that we, too, forget the simple importance of learning faith. If we could see our Heavenly Father all the time, we would not need to have faith in Him. Without that faith, we do not learn adequately how to trust Him.
Though it can be so easy to think we are forgotten, I am often reminded of the poem "Footprints". It was a favorite of my PopPop, so it has been with me since childhood. It tells us that the Lord carries us in those time's of hardship and trial. It is easy to forget there is anyone else when we are being swallowed up in trials, hardships, grief, and life. Yet, Our Lord is always near us. He helps us. He carries us. And when we take a moment to pray, even during such times, we feel Him lift us, wrapping His arms around us, comforting us, and guiding us even when, in His infinite wisdom, there is nothing else left for Him to do so that we might learn.
I know that we are not given anything more than we can handle. There have been times when I've wondered just how much more of something I could take, or someone else I loved, only to see the Lord take over when the trial had indeed hit a point that I, or the other person, could no longer handle. I love that we are asked to endure to the end. We are told to be perfect, but we also know such perfection comes from enduring to the end. Enduring does not always mean getting to the end that we can see. It is getting to the end the Lord sees for us. Enduring is having the faith and the willingness to go forward, knowing that the Lord will provide a way for success.
He is always there. We may forget, or push Him away, but though we cannot see Him, He is there. And if we look, and if we have faith, we will see Him in the way He would have us see Him. Whether that be through feeling His help, His love, and His comfort. Or whether that be, as the prophets both olden and modern, in vision and in the flesh.
Where Does It All Go?
Yesterday Bob stayed home to help the rest of us recover enough to get through the weekend without him. Beth has had the worst of it being completely down (laying, asleep) three separate days and barely functional in between. Gabi's is still hanging around, although at this point it is mostly a cough. The boys had it hit two days ago, and so did I. So far I'm still eating, although not much, and I'm controlling the headache with painkillers.
I went to bed last night thinking I'd get one more night of good sleep before the marathon weekend started. Peter, although "sleeping", was up because he was having trouble breathing from being congested most of the night. He was still asleep beside me when Bob had to get up so I thought I'd get a little extra sleep then....
Enter Jeremy. "I'm thirsty and hungry"
So he melts down when he finds out Daddy will be getting him some breakfast and thus Peter wakes up. Peter is not about to sleep now that he knows it's morning and time for food. Both boys are given half of a child-size bowl of cereal, neither ate more than a couple of spoonfuls.
In all this, Gabi comes down stairs. Seems to be fine, aside from the horrid cough. Bob is getting ready to leave for the day. We say family prayers, hugs go around, and eventually out the door goes Dad.
No sooner did that happen then Gabi goes into melt down mode! Whining, fusing, now her eye hurts, the washcloth isn't helping, she just wants a bath (which she can have when Beth wakes up)...so she's crying at the top of her lungs... in a forced way!
Meanwhile, my head is pounding, I feel like my stomach is on the ocean, and I'm so tired I have little patience for excess and unnecessary noise! So, after talking this through with Gabi (who is, by far, the most healthy of us sick ones since she came down with it first a week and a half ago) I continue to get things like:
"Nothing is helping! I want Bethie to get up! I want Daddy home to take care of me! I can't take care of myself when I'm sick!"
Amazing! She cleaned house all day with Dad yesterday! She was perfectly happy and fine until Dad's car pulled out of the drive-way! So tell me, where does all the normal sanity and get-up-and-go disappear to? What is so magical about Daddy that people can be normal, happy, fine, helpful, patient when he's here and then crumple into a heap, being totally helpless, competing for mom's attention when he's gone?
At some point there will be quiet again... probably tonight when everyone goes to bed.... maybe we'll all be in bed by 6! Wishful thinking... but we all could use it!
I went to bed last night thinking I'd get one more night of good sleep before the marathon weekend started. Peter, although "sleeping", was up because he was having trouble breathing from being congested most of the night. He was still asleep beside me when Bob had to get up so I thought I'd get a little extra sleep then....
Enter Jeremy. "I'm thirsty and hungry"
So he melts down when he finds out Daddy will be getting him some breakfast and thus Peter wakes up. Peter is not about to sleep now that he knows it's morning and time for food. Both boys are given half of a child-size bowl of cereal, neither ate more than a couple of spoonfuls.
In all this, Gabi comes down stairs. Seems to be fine, aside from the horrid cough. Bob is getting ready to leave for the day. We say family prayers, hugs go around, and eventually out the door goes Dad.
No sooner did that happen then Gabi goes into melt down mode! Whining, fusing, now her eye hurts, the washcloth isn't helping, she just wants a bath (which she can have when Beth wakes up)...so she's crying at the top of her lungs... in a forced way!
Meanwhile, my head is pounding, I feel like my stomach is on the ocean, and I'm so tired I have little patience for excess and unnecessary noise! So, after talking this through with Gabi (who is, by far, the most healthy of us sick ones since she came down with it first a week and a half ago) I continue to get things like:
"Nothing is helping! I want Bethie to get up! I want Daddy home to take care of me! I can't take care of myself when I'm sick!"
Amazing! She cleaned house all day with Dad yesterday! She was perfectly happy and fine until Dad's car pulled out of the drive-way! So tell me, where does all the normal sanity and get-up-and-go disappear to? What is so magical about Daddy that people can be normal, happy, fine, helpful, patient when he's here and then crumple into a heap, being totally helpless, competing for mom's attention when he's gone?
At some point there will be quiet again... probably tonight when everyone goes to bed.... maybe we'll all be in bed by 6! Wishful thinking... but we all could use it!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Gabi Is 6!
Believe it o
r not, our first little one has turned six! It seems the time has really flown right by! A big help in so many ways, a little mother hen in others! :) Sometimes she's really hard to keep up with since she loves to learn everything, can barely sit still, and is always ready for a new adventure! Being still in recovery mode, her partying having been rescheduled, she was allowed to open family presents this morning!
Her Year's Accomplishments:
*Can Swim Underwater
*Addition & Subtraction
*Basic Multiplication
*Tying Shoes
*Spelling
Her Year's First:
*Piano lessons (at home)
*Public School Experience
*Sewing Machine Lesson
*Dance Recital
*Read Chapter Book
*Bus Rid
e
*Dancing On The Street
*Hiked A Mountain (did not need to be carried)
Favorite Foods:
*Pepperoni Pizza
*Fish Sticks
*Carrots
*Salad (Lettuce)
*Ketchup (makes the meat go down)
*French Fries
*Baked Potatoes
*Hash Browns
*"Red Soup" (Beef Ramon)
*Popcorn
Favorite Activities:
*Soccer
*Computer
*Movies
*Anything Outside
*Reading
*Playing Music
*Dancing
Favorite Colors:
*Pink
*Purple
*Black
*Blue
*Orange
Favorite Saying:
*Nah-Uh
*That's Freaky
*Yeah-Uh
*So.....
Her Year In Pictures (just a peek):
r not, our first little one has turned six! It seems the time has really flown right by! A big help in so many ways, a little mother hen in others! :) Sometimes she's really hard to keep up with since she loves to learn everything, can barely sit still, and is always ready for a new adventure! Being still in recovery mode, her partying having been rescheduled, she was allowed to open family presents this morning!Her Year's Accomplishments:
*Can Swim Underwater
*Addition & Subtraction
*Basic Multiplication
*Tying Shoes
*Spelling
Her Year's First:
*Piano lessons (at home)
*Public School Experience
*Sewing Machine Lesson
*Dance Recital
*Read Chapter Book
*Bus Rid
e*Dancing On The Street
*Hiked A Mountain (did not need to be carried)
Favorite Foods:
*Pepperoni Pizza
*Fish Sticks
*Carrots
*Salad (Lettuce)
*Ketchup (makes the meat go down)
*French Fries
*Baked Potatoes
*Hash Browns
*"Red Soup" (Beef Ramon)
*Popcorn
Favorite Activities:
*Soccer
*Computer
*Movies
*Anything Outside
*Reading
*Playing Music
*Dancing
Favorite Colors:
*Pink
*Purple
*Black
*Blue
*Orange
Favorite Saying:
*Nah-Uh
*That's Freaky
*Yeah-Uh
*So.....
Her Year In Pictures (just a peek):
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Fresh
Fresh... according to Beth.
"Fresh is when something is very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very cold.....like its been cold for a long time that's.....and makes you shake all over... like this...that's fresh."
"Fresh is when something is very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very cold.....like its been cold for a long time that's.....and makes you shake all over... like this...that's fresh."
Monday, March 10, 2008
Down For The Count
So here we are..... we've been hit one too many times since the beginning of February with one illness or another. It seems we never get well long enough to enjoy it! The good news is that it hasn't been the same illness twice. This one, though, seems to be taking it's toll and lingering longer than the others. Every time I think Gabi is up enough to be part of a normal day, we discover her body isn't at full recovery yet. So, with that, and with Beth completely down and the boys acting like they are headed that same direction....well, we're hunkering down.
No more out and about for anything (except doctor's appointments, if we have any)....except for Daddy who will continue to go to work unless he comes down with it too. This means postponing Gabi's birthday party, but we've discovered this is in the best interest of several of her friends as well. So...wish us well and we'll see everyone when the illness is gone....long gone.
No more out and about for anything (except doctor's appointments, if we have any)....except for Daddy who will continue to go to work unless he comes down with it too. This means postponing Gabi's birthday party, but we've discovered this is in the best interest of several of her friends as well. So...wish us well and we'll see everyone when the illness is gone....long gone.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
States Before Months
A favorite topic is holidays and birthdays. Such conversations involve who's birthday is next, which holidays are when, and how many months or days or weeks until the next big event! Tonight Jeremy was telling us about "his birthday". He knows it's a ways off still, and so, naturally he starts telling us the months that are important in this line-up for him.
"Maine comes before June."
"Maine comes before June."
Reality Check
I took a nap after church today... not always something I get, but I was too tired to not do so today. Afterward, Bob came to wake me up to help with kids while he got dinner ready. During this time Gabi was entertaining Peter, who was awake but still in bed, until "Daddy" could come get him. She asked Jeremy to tell Daddy that Peter needed him. The conversation went something like this:
J: Daddy, Peter needs you! Don't sleep.
D: Tell Mommy to wake up. Say 'wake up, Mommy'"
J: Wake up, wake up, wake up! (This is the way they wake up Daddy)
D: No. Tell Mommy to wake up. Say 'Mommy, wake up'"
J: Wake Up, Mommy.
M: Hi, Bug.
J: Peter needs you.
D: Who else needs Mom?
J: You. And me.
M: Always needed. Mommy is so important.
J: You're not important!
J: Daddy, Peter needs you! Don't sleep.
D: Tell Mommy to wake up. Say 'wake up, Mommy'"
J: Wake up, wake up, wake up! (This is the way they wake up Daddy)
D: No. Tell Mommy to wake up. Say 'Mommy, wake up'"
J: Wake Up, Mommy.
M: Hi, Bug.
J: Peter needs you.
D: Who else needs Mom?
J: You. And me.
M: Always needed. Mommy is so important.
J: You're not important!
Friday, March 7, 2008
Jealous Control
Peter is my big baby... as in he's the youngest, just over one, but in the 90-something percentile. He's sweet, charming, cuddly, and very, very jealous! If one of the other kids (and especially if it's Jeremy) is sitting on my lap or talking to me, Peter rushes right over and tries to push past them or knock them off. Evidently, he's claimed ownership!
Ownership, though, has turned into a control game. Take today for example: I was sitting in our nice, big, blue chair enjoying the warmth of the fire after finally getting Peter calmed down from his nap (he doesn't transition well). Peter goes off to find some train to steal from Jeremy. No luck. But Thomas The Tank Engine is on the TV, so he stops and watches that for a minute.
In the meantime, Jeremy has gathered his pillow and placed it on the floor near the wood stove to "take a nap". Peter, upon seeing the pillow, races over to get there before Jeremy can lay down. Though the pillow could easily hold two small boys' heads, Jeremy doesn't really want to share. Peter has a solution! Without warning, he flings himself onto the pillow so that his body covers it entirely, and then proceeds to laugh as Jeremy tries to move him off.
I sigh. Jeremy is too tired to be cooperative, and Peter is too young and defiant. This means I have to move. So, I get up, gather the Peter-Monster, and sit down in the chair to snuggle with him. Thinking this is great, but knowing he didn't choose it, Peter pulls back just enough to see my face. He grins. (Oh, Boy... this means trouble)
The next thing I know, Peter is bringing his head next to mine... as in cheek to cheek. (Okay, that was unexpected.) I smile back at him and say "ah, what nice snuggles." He responds by picking up his head and looking at me again. He does this three of four times. Than he gets that look in his eye.......
You know the one...the "okay, I'm done doing things your way" look....the one that means trouble. So as his head proceeds to come near mine, I put my hand out to stop him. He backs off for a minute. Looks at me. Ponders the situation...then tries again. This time he forces his way through my hand and gently lays his head on mine. (Okay, so maybe he's learned to be gentle)
He sits all the way up this time. Smiles. Laughs. Does "Popcorn" signs like he's trying to sing the song. Then, suddenly, he heads back towards me again. This time I am totally unprepared... my hands, of course, busy doing the popcorn song for him.
WHAM!!!!!!!
OUCH!!!!!!!
And somehow my nose manages not to bleed all over everything!
Ownership, though, has turned into a control game. Take today for example: I was sitting in our nice, big, blue chair enjoying the warmth of the fire after finally getting Peter calmed down from his nap (he doesn't transition well). Peter goes off to find some train to steal from Jeremy. No luck. But Thomas The Tank Engine is on the TV, so he stops and watches that for a minute.
In the meantime, Jeremy has gathered his pillow and placed it on the floor near the wood stove to "take a nap". Peter, upon seeing the pillow, races over to get there before Jeremy can lay down. Though the pillow could easily hold two small boys' heads, Jeremy doesn't really want to share. Peter has a solution! Without warning, he flings himself onto the pillow so that his body covers it entirely, and then proceeds to laugh as Jeremy tries to move him off.
I sigh. Jeremy is too tired to be cooperative, and Peter is too young and defiant. This means I have to move. So, I get up, gather the Peter-Monster, and sit down in the chair to snuggle with him. Thinking this is great, but knowing he didn't choose it, Peter pulls back just enough to see my face. He grins. (Oh, Boy... this means trouble)
The next thing I know, Peter is bringing his head next to mine... as in cheek to cheek. (Okay, that was unexpected.) I smile back at him and say "ah, what nice snuggles." He responds by picking up his head and looking at me again. He does this three of four times. Than he gets that look in his eye.......
You know the one...the "okay, I'm done doing things your way" look....the one that means trouble. So as his head proceeds to come near mine, I put my hand out to stop him. He backs off for a minute. Looks at me. Ponders the situation...then tries again. This time he forces his way through my hand and gently lays his head on mine. (Okay, so maybe he's learned to be gentle)
He sits all the way up this time. Smiles. Laughs. Does "Popcorn" signs like he's trying to sing the song. Then, suddenly, he heads back towards me again. This time I am totally unprepared... my hands, of course, busy doing the popcorn song for him.
WHAM!!!!!!!
OUCH!!!!!!!
And somehow my nose manages not to bleed all over everything!
Smiles!
Whenever my little ones smile at me, it's almost impossible to keep a straight face! This works well until it's time to discourage something, or when dealing with time-outs and such. Every time Beth looks at me and smiles a real smile, her eyes twinkle as if she's laughing all the time. Not in the "this is so funny, I got-ya kind" of way, but rather in the simple sweet fairy-joy kind of way. She is, by far, the hardest one for me to keep a straight face with.
When it's Peter, the smile that comes out of me seems to be accompanied with a giggle or laugh. He, too, looks like he's laughing and then quickly satisfies the look with real laughter! A bad or grumpy mood has no place to go but gone!
Gabi's smiles have almost always had to be earned. And, of course, being five almost six those smiles are often intentionally held back with the corners of her mouth just begging to shift upward! Her emotions are well read on her face, and when she's happy, well, it's hard to not be happy with her.
Jeremy... well he's another story. Again, addicting... but this time it's full of trouble! Eyes twinkling with the next "got-ya task" or joke. He knows he can flash a smile and have the full dynamic of the problem melted down. Cheering people up is something he loves to do.
So, with my thoughts on all that today, I share with you a poem I found in my high school English class many years ago! Such poems and quotes can be found at Once Heard, Never Forgotten which is where I am currently compiling and cataloging my favorite finds!
Smile For You
Smiling is infectious;
You catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner
And someone saw me grin;
When he smiled I realized
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile
Then I realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine,
Could travel round the earth.
So if you feel a smile begin,
Don't leave it undetected;
Let's start an epidemic quick,
And get the world infected!"
~Unknown
When it's Peter, the smile that comes out of me seems to be accompanied with a giggle or laugh. He, too, looks like he's laughing and then quickly satisfies the look with real laughter! A bad or grumpy mood has no place to go but gone!
Gabi's smiles have almost always had to be earned. And, of course, being five almost six those smiles are often intentionally held back with the corners of her mouth just begging to shift upward! Her emotions are well read on her face, and when she's happy, well, it's hard to not be happy with her.
Jeremy... well he's another story. Again, addicting... but this time it's full of trouble! Eyes twinkling with the next "got-ya task" or joke. He knows he can flash a smile and have the full dynamic of the problem melted down. Cheering people up is something he loves to do.
So, with my thoughts on all that today, I share with you a poem I found in my high school English class many years ago! Such poems and quotes can be found at Once Heard, Never Forgotten which is where I am currently compiling and cataloging my favorite finds!
Smile For You
Smiling is infectious;
You catch it like the flu,
When someone smiled at me today,
I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner
And someone saw me grin;
When he smiled I realized
I'd passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile
Then I realized its worth,
A single smile, just like mine,
Could travel round the earth.
So if you feel a smile begin,
Don't leave it undetected;
Let's start an epidemic quick,
And get the world infected!"
~Unknown
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Survival Instict
When your owners leave without filling your dish, you have to take matters into your own paws! And dig in head first!
Peter's kitten is the one in the picture, but Tiger Lilee was the first one I caught after returning home.
Mother's Little Helpers, Daddy's Fire Starters
Today was a long day... woke up just after 5am...out the door by 6:40am...drive really slow and careful from the mess yesterday left us... dropped off the car at the shop...took Bob to work...went to the store...then to Juanita's....stayed the day....breaking briefly to pick up Bob and take him to get his car and then back to Juanita's...arrive home to put kids into bed.
We had lots of fun, though, so long is really just in terms of hours. The kids got along great, played well, went crazy, normal kid things. At the end of the evening, we were sitting around enjoying some chocolate sundae pie with Juanita and me sitting on the floor. I was trying to share my overly-generous piece of pie with Peter. He, however, decided that Juanita's was by far better. So he shared that. Got impatient (I guess) and took her fork. She got another, and while he's stabbing pieces and eating them, he decides he needs both forks! So now he's whacking the pie to smooth and flatten it, scooping it up with his fingers and eating it. He also, kind soul that he is, gathers some on the fork and starts feeding Juanita.
By this time I figure out that I'm stuck with this gigantic piece of pie, and since Jeremy's was smaller than the other kids, I invited him to join me. So we were just about done when Peter ran out of Juanita's pie and came looking for more. But he wasn't getting it for himself....no, he generously came and helped himself getting forkfuls to walk across the floor to feed Juanita! :)
Upon arriving home tonight, I was pleasantly surprised to find the house warmer (or at least as warm on a good morning) as it is in the mornings when we get up. So, we were fine and no extra shivering! The boys immediately took charge getting the fire ready (as you can see in the video). Peter knew the stove was cold... he never goes near it when it's hot (at least not since he burned his hand earlier in the winter)! *I, of course, lit the fire myself*
We had lots of fun, though, so long is really just in terms of hours. The kids got along great, played well, went crazy, normal kid things. At the end of the evening, we were sitting around enjoying some chocolate sundae pie with Juanita and me sitting on the floor. I was trying to share my overly-generous piece of pie with Peter. He, however, decided that Juanita's was by far better. So he shared that. Got impatient (I guess) and took her fork. She got another, and while he's stabbing pieces and eating them, he decides he needs both forks! So now he's whacking the pie to smooth and flatten it, scooping it up with his fingers and eating it. He also, kind soul that he is, gathers some on the fork and starts feeding Juanita.
By this time I figure out that I'm stuck with this gigantic piece of pie, and since Jeremy's was smaller than the other kids, I invited him to join me. So we were just about done when Peter ran out of Juanita's pie and came looking for more. But he wasn't getting it for himself....no, he generously came and helped himself getting forkfuls to walk across the floor to feed Juanita! :)
Upon arriving home tonight, I was pleasantly surprised to find the house warmer (or at least as warm on a good morning) as it is in the mornings when we get up. So, we were fine and no extra shivering! The boys immediately took charge getting the fire ready (as you can see in the video). Peter knew the stove was cold... he never goes near it when it's hot (at least not since he burned his hand earlier in the winter)! *I, of course, lit the fire myself*
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Ya Got Me...
Okay, so I don't get it. Evidently being sick is the in thing. See, Gabi came home from school yesterday because she was throwing up. She seemed to get it out of her system by late afternoon and has been back to her old self. However, when it was mentioned that she was sick, Beth would pipe up that she was sick too. (And then, so would Jeremy) Now, Jeremy is far from sick. Beth, well she's had some bad cough that seems to attack her at random moments for about 5 days now. So, yes, I guess that means she's sick... just not Gabi sick.
I see the difference, acknowledge that they are both (in one way or another) sick. Still, there arises an argument about who is and isn't sick. It's not just an argument, it's a verbal knock down. But what I can't figure out is when being sick became a good thing!
I see the difference, acknowledge that they are both (in one way or another) sick. Still, there arises an argument about who is and isn't sick. It's not just an argument, it's a verbal knock down. But what I can't figure out is when being sick became a good thing!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Check It Out
There's a new site about our Savior... for anyone who might not have known. It's full of quotes and information about faith in Christ, Christ's mission, prophets testimonies, and tons more! Here's the link for anyone interested!
Jesus Christ, The Son of God
Jesus Christ, The Son of God
Monday, March 3, 2008
Tones Of The Heart
Tonight was part two of our Kindness Family Home Evenings. We started with a basic review of what we talked about last week and what we did over the week (the caught-ya poster). The kids have responded very well to the visual and are constantly trying to do nice things. Since it was a Caught-Ya poster someone else had to catch the person doing something nice and kind. It only took a little bit into the week for the kids to stop telling us every time they did something nice and asking if they could put something on the poster. I like this because I wanted the kids to do nice and kind things without "flaunting" what they were doing.
So, tonight we moved on to Tones of the Heart. We started the lesson with the first verse of "Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words To Each Other" (Hymns 232) and then pointed out the last line of the chorus which is "Kind words are sweet tones of the heart."
Next we said there were two types of tones - sweet and sour. We brought out a slice of lemon and a spoon of sugar. We let each kid taste the lemon (rubbed a finger across and then licked their finger). We talked about what it made our faces do. (Puckering, furrowed brows, grumpy-like face) and then had Daddy taste the lemon so they could see what it did. After doing this with the lemon, we did the same with the sugar (letting each kid get just a little sugar). We talked about what our faces did then (smile, eyes light up, excited-faces) and then had Daddy taste the sugar so they could see the reaction.
We asked which one they wanted more. Of course, it was the sugar. Then we talked about how the sour lemon, which made our faces grumpy, was the sour tones of our heart which makes us say mean words (hurtful, loud, rude, nasty, sarcastic, etc). And how the sweet sugar, which made our faces happy, was the sweet tones of our heart which makes us say nice and kind words (gentle, kind, friendly, soft, peaceful).
Gabi also pointed out that the sugar was "pure and white". We likened that to when we use kind words and voices, how we are working on being better people and are more willing to keep the commandments and follow Christ. This is what we need to return to be with Heavenly Father, Jesus and our family forever.
This week, to add to our Caught-Ya poster (which will continue through the "kindness unit") we will add a poster to record our "Sugar Words". The kids are very excited!
I love being able to teach my children things which are important both for here and in the eternities. I love how the Spirit guides these lessons. And I love the inspiration which comes to teach through visuals and hands on. My children really understand these lessons so much more than they would otherwise.
So, tonight we moved on to Tones of the Heart. We started the lesson with the first verse of "Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words To Each Other" (Hymns 232) and then pointed out the last line of the chorus which is "Kind words are sweet tones of the heart."
Next we said there were two types of tones - sweet and sour. We brought out a slice of lemon and a spoon of sugar. We let each kid taste the lemon (rubbed a finger across and then licked their finger). We talked about what it made our faces do. (Puckering, furrowed brows, grumpy-like face) and then had Daddy taste the lemon so they could see what it did. After doing this with the lemon, we did the same with the sugar (letting each kid get just a little sugar). We talked about what our faces did then (smile, eyes light up, excited-faces) and then had Daddy taste the sugar so they could see the reaction.
We asked which one they wanted more. Of course, it was the sugar. Then we talked about how the sour lemon, which made our faces grumpy, was the sour tones of our heart which makes us say mean words (hurtful, loud, rude, nasty, sarcastic, etc). And how the sweet sugar, which made our faces happy, was the sweet tones of our heart which makes us say nice and kind words (gentle, kind, friendly, soft, peaceful).
Gabi also pointed out that the sugar was "pure and white". We likened that to when we use kind words and voices, how we are working on being better people and are more willing to keep the commandments and follow Christ. This is what we need to return to be with Heavenly Father, Jesus and our family forever.
This week, to add to our Caught-Ya poster (which will continue through the "kindness unit") we will add a poster to record our "Sugar Words". The kids are very excited!
I love being able to teach my children things which are important both for here and in the eternities. I love how the Spirit guides these lessons. And I love the inspiration which comes to teach through visuals and hands on. My children really understand these lessons so much more than they would otherwise.
Saturday, March 1, 2008
This Is The Way We..
Today was another bread day. For some reason I thought I'd make cinnamon rolls, although Gabi doesn't like them. Instead we made cinnamon bread, which is she loves as toast. The rest of us will eat either. Because the recipe I was using makes a huge amount of dough, I gave each of the kids their very own piece to create whatever they wanted.
Gabi was very eager to be artistic... anything except the norm (volcanoes being her favorite). Beth wanted to eat most of her dough (all my kids seem to think that bread dough is as much a treat as cookie dough) and then ended up making ice cream and planets. Peter watched, then tried to get away (from his chair), although later I realized I hadn't given him a piece and that made him happy when I finally did. Jeremy watched me closely, and then tried to knead his piece like me. He ended up rolling it mostly, but really enjoyed himself. He made a mini-loaf and the girls made odd shaped rolls. Peter, well, he ate his piece and called it good enough!
Gabi was very eager to be artistic... anything except the norm (volcanoes being her favorite). Beth wanted to eat most of her dough (all my kids seem to think that bread dough is as much a treat as cookie dough) and then ended up making ice cream and planets. Peter watched, then tried to get away (from his chair), although later I realized I hadn't given him a piece and that made him happy when I finally did. Jeremy watched me closely, and then tried to knead his piece like me. He ended up rolling it mostly, but really enjoyed himself. He made a mini-loaf and the girls made odd shaped rolls. Peter, well, he ate his piece and called it good enough!
Sugar On Snow
With all this snow, why not find something happy to do? Gabi, the ever optimist when it comes to snow, asks if we can collect some snow and have maple syrup on it. I tell her where to find a couple of pans, and she puts them on the doorstep... later to run around (as best she can in the mountains of snow) gathering the falling snow.
For those of you who might not have ever done this, or might not know what this is....You gather fresh snow... best if you set out pans while the snow is coming down in a place you know animals won't be getting into. Once you gather your snow, you bring it in and pour (or drizzle) maple syrup over the snow. The kids love this as it's a "poor-man's maple candy".
Originally such maple candies were made during the sap season. While the sap was being cooked down to make syrup, snow would be collecting in pans and dishes. As soon as the hot sap was considered syrup quality, a holler would sound out and everyone would run for their dish of snow. Hot maple syrup would be poured over the snow and the dishes rushed back out into the freezing cold night to "set". Once set, they would have maple candy...for the moment.
Modernly, we use the syrup from the fridge, and just dig in.
Eenie Meanie Minie Mo
I'm not sure where the kids picked it up, but as it's a common childhood phrase I can ignorantely believe it was born in them. :) Never-the-less, there are numerous ways to express this phrase. Still, everyone that I knew growing up began the same: Eenie, Meanie, Minie, Mo, Catch a tiger by the toe, if he hollers let him go....and then the varied ending.
My children have come up with words that I've never heard of, and change it almost every they use it. (At least they still recognize that it's used to "choose" something). My favorite, though, comes from Jeremy (although I'm sure the girls have used it at some time too). He always starts the same way before adding a number of nonsense words to finish it off:
Eenie, Meanie, Minie, Mo, Chocolate Tail..........
My children have come up with words that I've never heard of, and change it almost every they use it. (At least they still recognize that it's used to "choose" something). My favorite, though, comes from Jeremy (although I'm sure the girls have used it at some time too). He always starts the same way before adding a number of nonsense words to finish it off:
Eenie, Meanie, Minie, Mo, Chocolate Tail..........
I Have To Go...
Juanita and I are going to once again make dresses for Easter...but they'll be done whenever they get done. We needed to get fabric, so we figured we'd go out this morning to do it... until we noted the weather report saying we were expected to get a foot of snow and that it would have started by 3am (by the way, it started around midnight). So, to avoid that storm, and the ones coming next week, and to still have enough time to do what we want to, we decided to run over to Waterville last night. We made all the arrangements and left my kids and Peanut with a sitter at my house.
Upon returning home, we were entertained with a highlight from the night. At some point there is a slight crying and whimpering coming from the boys' room. Expecting it to be Peter and that she would just need to give him his binky and he'd go back to sleep, the sitter goes upstairs. She walks into the room to find Jeremy apparently hanging most of the way off the bed. When she tries to find out what's wrong, he tells her he needs to go potty, and walks right past her and out the door. At the top of the stairs, he takes one step. Stops. And says "I need help."
The sitter helps him down the stairs and he goes right into the bathroom. Here he gets his little seat and puts it on top of the toilet. Walks over and flushes the toilet. Heads out of the bathroom. Stops at the bottom of the stairs and says, "I need to go potty."
Obviously he finally goes potty. But it was funny to hear the story told (I'm sure I didn't do it justice). And what made it funnier for me was that he rarely ever needs to go in the middle of the night. And when he does, he usually comes into my room and then I carry him down and put him on the toilet. He's so sleepy that he's not really awake. It was interesting to see that he could get the basics done even in that state of mind...with only a minor stumbling. :)
Upon returning home, we were entertained with a highlight from the night. At some point there is a slight crying and whimpering coming from the boys' room. Expecting it to be Peter and that she would just need to give him his binky and he'd go back to sleep, the sitter goes upstairs. She walks into the room to find Jeremy apparently hanging most of the way off the bed. When she tries to find out what's wrong, he tells her he needs to go potty, and walks right past her and out the door. At the top of the stairs, he takes one step. Stops. And says "I need help."
The sitter helps him down the stairs and he goes right into the bathroom. Here he gets his little seat and puts it on top of the toilet. Walks over and flushes the toilet. Heads out of the bathroom. Stops at the bottom of the stairs and says, "I need to go potty."
Obviously he finally goes potty. But it was funny to hear the story told (I'm sure I didn't do it justice). And what made it funnier for me was that he rarely ever needs to go in the middle of the night. And when he does, he usually comes into my room and then I carry him down and put him on the toilet. He's so sleepy that he's not really awake. It was interesting to see that he could get the basics done even in that state of mind...with only a minor stumbling. :)
How Dare She...
Gabi is an interesting child. She's probably a lot like other girls her age. Since she's a bright child, she typically understands things that most 5 years olds would struggle with, and I find some of the things she does just mind blowing. Take yesterday for example:
Gabi had arrived home. She dumbed out her backpack, handing me all the large papers. When I walk by the table, there are two smaller papers still on the table. I pick them up.. one is a little put it together story book from school, the other was a birthday invitation. I quickly look over the invitation and see that it's to be held on Sunday, so decide I'll tell her right way that she won't be able to go, but could still get the girl a present. I figured this would result in a melt down (as sometimes such things do when a social engagement is being threatened). Instead, Gabi asked who it's for. Obviously she'd not even realized she had it. I told her. And her reaction:
"How dare she give me an invitation to her party!"
There were numerous other statements, but the one above is the one that stuck with me. I was blown away! It's a birthday party! It's for a new kid in class! She's never mentioned a problem with this girl before! I decide to count my blessings (I'm no going to have to fight with her about being in church instead of at the party).
Later in the evening, Gabi mentioned that she has a friend named Danielle. Then she tells me this friend is the other girl's older sister. Okay. So now I'm curious why she doesn't like the other girl. I thought maybe the older sister had led Gabi to believe that the girl wasn't as nice as maybe she was (you know, like siblings have a way of doing). Not the case. The real problem:
This girl always wants to sit next to Gabi during rest time! Gabi insists that she has to sit next to a different friend, and that someone else always gets to her other side first. That this girl needs to let other people have a turn. (Not noting that to let someone else have a turn implies that the girl actually got to sit next to Gabi at some point... which she didn't).
It was so hard not to laugh at her. She was obviously very serious and distraught by this problem. So, I try to point out to her that this girl probably really likes her. That it's a great opportunity to make a new friend (to which she replies, "I've got enough friends"). We talk about how different this girl is. And then I remind her that missionary work involves being friends with people and letting them choose if they want to believe in God (one of her issues with the girl that she falls in the majority of the group who doesn't believe).
I even went as far as to remind her of a similar situation late last fall with a girl who has now become Gabi's best friend! (That time the other girl would try to get Gabi to talk to her by saying hi...they were on the soccer team together and loved to play together there)
So... I'm confused at how the 5 year old mind works... and as a parent I have to try really hard not to laugh at things which I see humerus and she finds to be a serious matter.
Gabi had arrived home. She dumbed out her backpack, handing me all the large papers. When I walk by the table, there are two smaller papers still on the table. I pick them up.. one is a little put it together story book from school, the other was a birthday invitation. I quickly look over the invitation and see that it's to be held on Sunday, so decide I'll tell her right way that she won't be able to go, but could still get the girl a present. I figured this would result in a melt down (as sometimes such things do when a social engagement is being threatened). Instead, Gabi asked who it's for. Obviously she'd not even realized she had it. I told her. And her reaction:
"How dare she give me an invitation to her party!"
There were numerous other statements, but the one above is the one that stuck with me. I was blown away! It's a birthday party! It's for a new kid in class! She's never mentioned a problem with this girl before! I decide to count my blessings (I'm no going to have to fight with her about being in church instead of at the party).
Later in the evening, Gabi mentioned that she has a friend named Danielle. Then she tells me this friend is the other girl's older sister. Okay. So now I'm curious why she doesn't like the other girl. I thought maybe the older sister had led Gabi to believe that the girl wasn't as nice as maybe she was (you know, like siblings have a way of doing). Not the case. The real problem:
This girl always wants to sit next to Gabi during rest time! Gabi insists that she has to sit next to a different friend, and that someone else always gets to her other side first. That this girl needs to let other people have a turn. (Not noting that to let someone else have a turn implies that the girl actually got to sit next to Gabi at some point... which she didn't).
It was so hard not to laugh at her. She was obviously very serious and distraught by this problem. So, I try to point out to her that this girl probably really likes her. That it's a great opportunity to make a new friend (to which she replies, "I've got enough friends"). We talk about how different this girl is. And then I remind her that missionary work involves being friends with people and letting them choose if they want to believe in God (one of her issues with the girl that she falls in the majority of the group who doesn't believe).
I even went as far as to remind her of a similar situation late last fall with a girl who has now become Gabi's best friend! (That time the other girl would try to get Gabi to talk to her by saying hi...they were on the soccer team together and loved to play together there)
So... I'm confused at how the 5 year old mind works... and as a parent I have to try really hard not to laugh at things which I see humerus and she finds to be a serious matter.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Gigaware Wireless Optical Mouse
This is a warning to anyone out there who might be looking at purchasing a wireless optical mouse. The Gigaware Wireless Optical Mouse Model: 26-339 (Catalog #: 26-339) is one to AVOID!
When our mouse died back awhile ago now.. but since we've had this blog...we decided to avoid the cords because of the kids. Bob went to Radio Shack and bought this mouse. We hooked it up and loved it immediately....until about two weeks later. That's when it just stopped working (back in January). We couldn't figure out what the problem was... we reset it, we restarted the computer, we changed the batteries, nothing worked. So, Bob returned it and they gave him another one.
Okay... so it is possible that one is defective. We set the new one up, and again loved the way it worked. But I was on the look out for trouble again. It's been about a month (maybe a month and a half) and suddenly, this morning, without warning it's all trouble again! Again nothing works to fix the problem. (Good thing we have the laptop!)
I went looking for information to see if I could figure out the problem... no luck! In fact, all I found were bad reviews (except one)... when we take this one back, we will not be replacing it with the same! We'll be buying a different one... with more reliability and better ratings. I hadn't realized we would need to be so picky with our mouse!
When our mouse died back awhile ago now.. but since we've had this blog...we decided to avoid the cords because of the kids. Bob went to Radio Shack and bought this mouse. We hooked it up and loved it immediately....until about two weeks later. That's when it just stopped working (back in January). We couldn't figure out what the problem was... we reset it, we restarted the computer, we changed the batteries, nothing worked. So, Bob returned it and they gave him another one.
Okay... so it is possible that one is defective. We set the new one up, and again loved the way it worked. But I was on the look out for trouble again. It's been about a month (maybe a month and a half) and suddenly, this morning, without warning it's all trouble again! Again nothing works to fix the problem. (Good thing we have the laptop!)
I went looking for information to see if I could figure out the problem... no luck! In fact, all I found were bad reviews (except one)... when we take this one back, we will not be replacing it with the same! We'll be buying a different one... with more reliability and better ratings. I hadn't realized we would need to be so picky with our mouse!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
What Was That?
The other day the kids were eating their lunch. And since they were pleasantly getting along, I decided to grab a minute and to look something up. While my back was turned I hear the following conversation:
Beth: Oh, Bomber!
Jeremy: Bomber?
Beth: Yeah, see. Oh, Bomber!
Gabi: What's a Bomber?
Jeremy: Oh, Bomber! Ha, Ha!
Beth: You know. Like when my sandwich messes up. We always say that.
Gabi: You mean Bummer! Not Bomber!
Beth: No.... you taught me that. It's Bomber!
Gabi: No! Bummer!
Beth: No! Bomber!
Gabi: Na-ah! It's Bummer!
Beth: Well I say it Bomber! See, Jeremy. Oh, Bomber!
Since I hadn't heard the phrase again in about a week's time, I figured all had been resolved. Until tonight... at dinner... something happened and again I heard Beth's voice boom out "Oh, Bomber!" It seems you can teach them some things, but others they "learn" themselves and then just won't budge!
Beth: Oh, Bomber!
Jeremy: Bomber?
Beth: Yeah, see. Oh, Bomber!
Gabi: What's a Bomber?
Jeremy: Oh, Bomber! Ha, Ha!
Beth: You know. Like when my sandwich messes up. We always say that.
Gabi: You mean Bummer! Not Bomber!
Beth: No.... you taught me that. It's Bomber!
Gabi: No! Bummer!
Beth: No! Bomber!
Gabi: Na-ah! It's Bummer!
Beth: Well I say it Bomber! See, Jeremy. Oh, Bomber!
Since I hadn't heard the phrase again in about a week's time, I figured all had been resolved. Until tonight... at dinner... something happened and again I heard Beth's voice boom out "Oh, Bomber!" It seems you can teach them some things, but others they "learn" themselves and then just won't budge!
Shush
We've had an evolving method of telling the kids to quiet down....Or more accurately, I have. Typically "be quiet" was what I said. I never liked "shut up" much as it always seemed too harsh. But, with more and more kids making more and more noise, the staggering frustration that mounts when you're trying to have a necessary conversation and hear the other person and hear yourself think makes it hard to not just snap and say it.
"Hush" has not been much in my vocabulary... I always think of sleeping babies, of which I had none...most of the time... so it didn't seem appropriate. Over the last year, I've used "shush" much more often. I guess that was my natural compromise when I was frustrated and wanted to yell "shut up".
No one else in the family uses it... or at least they didn't. Over the last week, though, I've found myself being "shushed" by none other than Jeremy! :) It should be insulting to be told to quiet down by a two year old in this manner, but I can't help but smile and laugh. It even makes it hard to enforce the "don't interrupt" rule when he's right in my face saying "shush, mom, shush"!
I guess I talk too much... so "shush, mom, shush"
"Hush" has not been much in my vocabulary... I always think of sleeping babies, of which I had none...most of the time... so it didn't seem appropriate. Over the last year, I've used "shush" much more often. I guess that was my natural compromise when I was frustrated and wanted to yell "shut up".
No one else in the family uses it... or at least they didn't. Over the last week, though, I've found myself being "shushed" by none other than Jeremy! :) It should be insulting to be told to quiet down by a two year old in this manner, but I can't help but smile and laugh. It even makes it hard to enforce the "don't interrupt" rule when he's right in my face saying "shush, mom, shush"!
I guess I talk too much... so "shush, mom, shush"
MUD
So... by now you've all heard how crazy I was the other night about mud. Well, what I didn't tell you was that everyone else was just as excited (once they knew that mud means spring). This is truly a unique feeling of excitement, as typically we dread the mud.
Where we are, instead of four seasons, there are five. The fifth being mud. That means, mud for months. In fact, I think spring is really only counted because it's known everywhere else in the world. Spring is usually a few weeks, and then it's summer.
Never-the-less, mud season usually means extra cleaning, yelling at the kids to stop and take off shoes as they go running into the main section of the house. It means cars getting stuck in driveways, shoes being sucked in as if in quicksand, in means digging your own trench in the hopes that the water will find its way elsewhere so the mud can go away!
Mud is typically something to dread. Really dread. (Unless you have 4 Wheel Drive and love to go "mudding"....even then, I've been on a few rides where we've gotten stuck in the middle of a very muddy, sticky field!)
The excitement comes when you look at what we've been through this year. Where snow starts flying in late October, and sticking in Early December (or was it around Thanksgiving....I can't recall now, there's been so much). As the snow gets to sticking (and building), the temps drop to below freezing at night, slightly above during the day. Winds pick up, the temps drop to below zero at night and just below freezing during the day. And then......temps don't come above zero at all! Snow is still flying.. mostly snow, but some other wintery mess as well.
By the time January finally comes in, we're done with winter... in spirit! But, with an early start, there's an early thaw... the nice respite brought temps from zero to 60 in a day! Talk about melt off.. with rain! But, that was short lived... our snow mounds might have shrunk by half and we still had two to three feet of snow! The thaw ended with three big storms in the space of a week! Short lived! The snow was back and higher than before!
The storms have not really let up... and neither of have the temps.... although we get a teaser day every so often, so I keep hoping that means the temps will be nicer soon! As February prepares to close, the snow keeps coming... the mounds outside (not touched with the shovel) are getting close to four feet standing...and cabin fever has given way to delirium!
And so.... We Love Mud!
Where we are, instead of four seasons, there are five. The fifth being mud. That means, mud for months. In fact, I think spring is really only counted because it's known everywhere else in the world. Spring is usually a few weeks, and then it's summer.
Never-the-less, mud season usually means extra cleaning, yelling at the kids to stop and take off shoes as they go running into the main section of the house. It means cars getting stuck in driveways, shoes being sucked in as if in quicksand, in means digging your own trench in the hopes that the water will find its way elsewhere so the mud can go away!
Mud is typically something to dread. Really dread. (Unless you have 4 Wheel Drive and love to go "mudding"....even then, I've been on a few rides where we've gotten stuck in the middle of a very muddy, sticky field!)
The excitement comes when you look at what we've been through this year. Where snow starts flying in late October, and sticking in Early December (or was it around Thanksgiving....I can't recall now, there's been so much). As the snow gets to sticking (and building), the temps drop to below freezing at night, slightly above during the day. Winds pick up, the temps drop to below zero at night and just below freezing during the day. And then......temps don't come above zero at all! Snow is still flying.. mostly snow, but some other wintery mess as well.
By the time January finally comes in, we're done with winter... in spirit! But, with an early start, there's an early thaw... the nice respite brought temps from zero to 60 in a day! Talk about melt off.. with rain! But, that was short lived... our snow mounds might have shrunk by half and we still had two to three feet of snow! The thaw ended with three big storms in the space of a week! Short lived! The snow was back and higher than before!
The storms have not really let up... and neither of have the temps.... although we get a teaser day every so often, so I keep hoping that means the temps will be nicer soon! As February prepares to close, the snow keeps coming... the mounds outside (not touched with the shovel) are getting close to four feet standing...and cabin fever has given way to delirium!
And so.... We Love Mud!
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Short Lived Excitement
A couple of nights ago at the dinner table Bob says to us, "Guess what I saw in the driveway?" I, of course, recognize that this must be something great. I start thinking about everything that might be in the driveway which might excite the kids....new snow? no. new pet? no. unexpected friends? no. A Robin! no.....and then I get it! MUD!
Yes! MUD! My eyes light up, my excitement overflowing! Gabi is looking at me like I grew a new head! But that doesn't matter... there's MUD! Finally we tell the kids that mud means spring is coming... and will be here soon! Though I know snow is due to come throughout the week, I push that to the back of my mind. It doesn't matter... we have MUD!
As I look out my window this morning, and see the driveway ever shrinking way, mounds of unwanted snow all around, I feel the dimness of despair as it registers fully that winter is not giving up so easily!
But then I remember....MUD! And know that somewhere beneath all the wintery mess is MUD! And this makes me smile!
Yes! MUD! My eyes light up, my excitement overflowing! Gabi is looking at me like I grew a new head! But that doesn't matter... there's MUD! Finally we tell the kids that mud means spring is coming... and will be here soon! Though I know snow is due to come throughout the week, I push that to the back of my mind. It doesn't matter... we have MUD!
As I look out my window this morning, and see the driveway ever shrinking way, mounds of unwanted snow all around, I feel the dimness of despair as it registers fully that winter is not giving up so easily!
But then I remember....MUD! And know that somewhere beneath all the wintery mess is MUD! And this makes me smile!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Kindness Begins....
Okay... like many of you, I've noticed an on going battle in our home. Friendliness gives way to bitterness, sharing to selfishness, nice and uplifting words and voices to mean and nasty name calling and screams.... This isn't all the time (and thank goodness or I might just have to resign from motherhood - just kidding ;) ), but when it does happen, the Spirit leaves! And when that happens, everything negative escalates.
Since Jeremy had the lesson last night for Family Home Evening (and Peter next week, myself the week after, and Bob after that) we started a series of lessons on kindness. Last night was the broad topic:
Kindness Begins At Home With Me
We had Jeremy remind us of the ways to be kind to one another. We're doing a chart (for a visual.. since at least one of our children absolutely needs that). It's entitled:
Kindness Begins At Home With Me
Caught-ya Chart
Whenever someone catches someone else being kind (in word, in deed, in voice, etc), then the person who did something kind gets to put either a sticker, a smiley face, or a heart on the chart. We want to fill it right up.
Next week will be The Tones of the Heart (using soft voices) and the week after that will be By Your Acts Ye Shall Be Known (acts of love and service). Bob's week is up in the air. If things are going well, then he'll move on to another topic. If we need to be specific about something else, then he'll do that.
The children typically do well... but I don't want to have to remind them all their lives! I want it to be the habit they have, not something they struggle with throughout life.
Since Jeremy had the lesson last night for Family Home Evening (and Peter next week, myself the week after, and Bob after that) we started a series of lessons on kindness. Last night was the broad topic:
Kindness Begins At Home With Me
We had Jeremy remind us of the ways to be kind to one another. We're doing a chart (for a visual.. since at least one of our children absolutely needs that). It's entitled:
Kindness Begins At Home With Me
Caught-ya Chart
Whenever someone catches someone else being kind (in word, in deed, in voice, etc), then the person who did something kind gets to put either a sticker, a smiley face, or a heart on the chart. We want to fill it right up.
Next week will be The Tones of the Heart (using soft voices) and the week after that will be By Your Acts Ye Shall Be Known (acts of love and service). Bob's week is up in the air. If things are going well, then he'll move on to another topic. If we need to be specific about something else, then he'll do that.
The children typically do well... but I don't want to have to remind them all their lives! I want it to be the habit they have, not something they struggle with throughout life.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Who Will Help Me Make The Bread?
I'm sure you all remember the story of the Little Red Hen...well, this story strikes a cord with my kids because they know what it means to "make the bread". I was thinking about this again today as I was not only making bread, but grinding more wheat to fill the wheat container. Each kid takes a turn at grinding the wheat. Usually they take turns adding ingredients to the bread dough too (if I don't shu them off). Their favorite part is punching down the dough (and snitching a little at the same time). And in the end, no one can say they can't have any fresh, hot bread!
For me, though, making bread is something else all together. As long as I can remember my grandmother made homemade bread. It was called "Grammy Bread" which was then turned into "Grammy toast". The smell of fresh hot bread is a soothing comfort of loving family. It's a sense of peace and relaxation. (Comfort food)
My favorite parts of making the bread are when my hands are actually in the dough. I love the way it feels, and I love to kneed it. In fact, I have to be careful not to over kneed my bread. Every time I make bread, I am reminded of the people who made bread for me all growing up. My Grandma Boone... always. And My mother... for a nice treat and so we could "make" bread too.
To me, bread is a symbol of love and nurturing. I guess that's probably why I love to make bread so much. (And why I love that others love my bread so much.) I figure that if I put the time into making something vital for my family, then my love for them will some how trickle into the dough while I'm kneeding and fill my family up!
And for anyone who likes my bread or has lost my recipe (because you can't find it any where else), here it is... the most commonly requested of my breads, and the one my family loves the most:
Tara's Bread (All molassas in the winter, half molassas and half honey the rest of the year)
Combine in small sauce pan, 1 cup of butter (or margarine), 1/2 cup molassas (or 1/4 molassas and 1/4 honey) and 1 1/2 cups water. Heat until butter has melted. Remove from heat.
While that is cooling, combine in a mixing bowl 3 cups ground whole wheat flour, 2 cups rolled oats, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 4 1/2 teaspoons active yeast (or two packages). Add two eggs and blend well. Now add the mixture from the saucepan. Kneed for 5 minutes. Add up to 1 more cup of all-purpose flour and kneed another 3 minutes. Remove from bowl and kneed by hand until smooth.
Place in a greased bowl, roll to coat, cover lightly. Allow to rise until doubled (about 1 hour). Punch down, divide into two equal parts. Roll into loaf shape, place in greased bread pans, roll to coat, cover lightly and allow to rise until double (about 30 minutes - 1 hour). Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and place on a cookie rack on their sides to cool. Cover with a towel to allow slow cooling.
For a softer crust, when loaves are warm (but not hot), place in a plastic bag. Leave the bag open so moisture can escape. When completely cool, completely close bag to keep fresh.
Can't you just smell the fresh bread now? Enjoy!
For me, though, making bread is something else all together. As long as I can remember my grandmother made homemade bread. It was called "Grammy Bread" which was then turned into "Grammy toast". The smell of fresh hot bread is a soothing comfort of loving family. It's a sense of peace and relaxation. (Comfort food)
My favorite parts of making the bread are when my hands are actually in the dough. I love the way it feels, and I love to kneed it. In fact, I have to be careful not to over kneed my bread. Every time I make bread, I am reminded of the people who made bread for me all growing up. My Grandma Boone... always. And My mother... for a nice treat and so we could "make" bread too.
To me, bread is a symbol of love and nurturing. I guess that's probably why I love to make bread so much. (And why I love that others love my bread so much.) I figure that if I put the time into making something vital for my family, then my love for them will some how trickle into the dough while I'm kneeding and fill my family up!
And for anyone who likes my bread or has lost my recipe (because you can't find it any where else), here it is... the most commonly requested of my breads, and the one my family loves the most:
Tara's Bread (All molassas in the winter, half molassas and half honey the rest of the year)
Combine in small sauce pan, 1 cup of butter (or margarine), 1/2 cup molassas (or 1/4 molassas and 1/4 honey) and 1 1/2 cups water. Heat until butter has melted. Remove from heat.
While that is cooling, combine in a mixing bowl 3 cups ground whole wheat flour, 2 cups rolled oats, 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 4 1/2 teaspoons active yeast (or two packages). Add two eggs and blend well. Now add the mixture from the saucepan. Kneed for 5 minutes. Add up to 1 more cup of all-purpose flour and kneed another 3 minutes. Remove from bowl and kneed by hand until smooth.
Place in a greased bowl, roll to coat, cover lightly. Allow to rise until doubled (about 1 hour). Punch down, divide into two equal parts. Roll into loaf shape, place in greased bread pans, roll to coat, cover lightly and allow to rise until double (about 30 minutes - 1 hour). Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. Remove from pans immediately and place on a cookie rack on their sides to cool. Cover with a towel to allow slow cooling.
For a softer crust, when loaves are warm (but not hot), place in a plastic bag. Leave the bag open so moisture can escape. When completely cool, completely close bag to keep fresh.
Can't you just smell the fresh bread now? Enjoy!
No Day
Sundays are busy... as in, get up, stop the fighting, find clothes, feed kids, find shoes, get them dressed, forget to comb everyone's hair, check for scriptures, find socks, "Yikes, I'm not dressed yet!", "who hasn't eaten?", "books! Do you have books?", double count, out the door, "what have we forgotten?", "too late now" kind of busy!
Yesterday was not far from off track. But, we managed to arrive to church a little early, got through Sacrament just fine, headed off to classes, then went to "mix-n-mingle" (a soups and breads lunch for the ward). It was nice to be able to visit with others and not have to go through the busy morning routine in reverse.
Since we stayed late, Jeremy had a nap in the car... and stayed there sleeping with Daddy when we got home. Needless to say, it was "no longer" Sunday when he came into the house. After eating more food (seriously, I'm dreading the teenage munchies) and finally settling into being back at home, Jeremy decides he wants to watch a movie.
Movies are a big No-No in our house on Sundays. Just one of those family rules we've had established since before Gabi so that we can focus more on our family and our Savior. It works for us, and we usually don't get any complaints. Yesterdays conversation went something like this (all the while with a big grin from Jeremy):
J: I want to watch a movie. Can I watch Candy Land?
Mom: No, Silly, it's Sunday. We don't watch movies on Sunday.
J: No it's not!
Mom: Where did you go today?
J: I played piano at church with Daddy.
Mom: So what day is it?
J: I don't know.
Dad: Where did we go before we played piano?
J: To church.
Dad: What day do we go to church?
J: Sunday
Dad: So what day is it?
J (grinning even bigger) "No Day"
Yesterday was not far from off track. But, we managed to arrive to church a little early, got through Sacrament just fine, headed off to classes, then went to "mix-n-mingle" (a soups and breads lunch for the ward). It was nice to be able to visit with others and not have to go through the busy morning routine in reverse.
Since we stayed late, Jeremy had a nap in the car... and stayed there sleeping with Daddy when we got home. Needless to say, it was "no longer" Sunday when he came into the house. After eating more food (seriously, I'm dreading the teenage munchies) and finally settling into being back at home, Jeremy decides he wants to watch a movie.
Movies are a big No-No in our house on Sundays. Just one of those family rules we've had established since before Gabi so that we can focus more on our family and our Savior. It works for us, and we usually don't get any complaints. Yesterdays conversation went something like this (all the while with a big grin from Jeremy):
J: I want to watch a movie. Can I watch Candy Land?
Mom: No, Silly, it's Sunday. We don't watch movies on Sunday.
J: No it's not!
Mom: Where did you go today?
J: I played piano at church with Daddy.
Mom: So what day is it?
J: I don't know.
Dad: Where did we go before we played piano?
J: To church.
Dad: What day do we go to church?
J: Sunday
Dad: So what day is it?
J (grinning even bigger) "No Day"
Friday, February 22, 2008
Don't Show Him!
Daddy's been gone on a great winter outing with some friends (I'll let him fill you in on any funny or exciting stories). Knowing that he has been camping out in this below freezing weather, I thought it might be nice to have some hot soup waiting for him. The kids were all in agreement, and kindly found other things to do while I made it.
When Daddy came through the door, hugs were handed out and Gabi helped me dish up a bowl of soup. Jeremy was so excited....until he looked at the soup on the table!
He crumpled into a heap on the floor sobbing "Don't show him the ugly soup!"
When Daddy came through the door, hugs were handed out and Gabi helped me dish up a bowl of soup. Jeremy was so excited....until he looked at the soup on the table!
He crumpled into a heap on the floor sobbing "Don't show him the ugly soup!"
I'm Chilly When...
Kids are truly amazing. The things they say....the way they say them....and the real life experiences which give great insight and knowledge (but which are also promptly forgotten or ignored).
As it's a little windy outside, the kitchen has a little chill to it. During dinner, Beth complained that she was cold.
B: "I think I need two back warmers."
Me: "Why two?"
B: "Because my arms are cold."
I try not to laugh at her.
B (with a look of deep concern and slight puzzlement): "My arms are always chilly when I wear short sleeves on a cold day."
As it's a little windy outside, the kitchen has a little chill to it. During dinner, Beth complained that she was cold.
B: "I think I need two back warmers."
Me: "Why two?"
B: "Because my arms are cold."
I try not to laugh at her.
B (with a look of deep concern and slight puzzlement): "My arms are always chilly when I wear short sleeves on a cold day."
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
And A Word From Peter
He's at that stage, new words every time you turn around.
And the new word is:
"Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Pop. Popcorn."
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Summer Complaints
Well, it has been a long winter, and we still have a ways to go yet before we hit mud season, but today I saw the first sign that summer is approaching. As it is, our dooryard is getting smaller and smaller as I clear after each storm. Our poor garage, which is little more than 3 recycled walls from previous structures (most likely not even the same previous structure,) attached to a 100 year old barn, and has a roof that has less slope than Kansas, has really groaned under the weight of the snow. Wednesday we had a snow day, so I got up there and relocated most of the snow. The section where the barn dumps it's snow was pure ice, however, and my will was weaker than the 30' X 4' X 4' iceblock.
Yesterday, it rained all day, which brought more snow off the barn onto the garage, and nearly doubled the width and height of my snow sculpture. The Garage really seemed to be unhappy with the additional weight. Since today brought temps in the 40's, I decided to get up there again and get some exercise.
I was down to the last 15 minutes worth of work when a minivan with out of state plates drove by, slowed, and stopped. They backed up to my driveway, and a woman leaned out the window. "We're from the south" she hollered up to me, "and we've never seen anyone shovel their roof. May we take your picture?"
Had I thought fast enough, I would have invited them into the barn and sold them some "antiques" (that I had picked up at the transfer station, AKA town dump), or a small bundle of firewood, or a made in China Statue of a moose eating lobster at the base of a lighthouse, or whatever it is that the summer complaints must have before they make their way back home. I suppose they got a great "pre-summer" deal on accommodations from a local B&B.
Yesterday, it rained all day, which brought more snow off the barn onto the garage, and nearly doubled the width and height of my snow sculpture. The Garage really seemed to be unhappy with the additional weight. Since today brought temps in the 40's, I decided to get up there again and get some exercise.
I was down to the last 15 minutes worth of work when a minivan with out of state plates drove by, slowed, and stopped. They backed up to my driveway, and a woman leaned out the window. "We're from the south" she hollered up to me, "and we've never seen anyone shovel their roof. May we take your picture?"Had I thought fast enough, I would have invited them into the barn and sold them some "antiques" (that I had picked up at the transfer station, AKA town dump), or a small bundle of firewood, or a made in China Statue of a moose eating lobster at the base of a lighthouse, or whatever it is that the summer complaints must have before they make their way back home. I suppose they got a great "pre-summer" deal on accommodations from a local B&B.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Correction Please...
I'm working at the computer when Jeremy comes over. He asks if he can play on the big computer (meaning the desktop, not the laptop). I tell him I'm having a turn and that he can have one after. He climbs up on the chair next me, which puts him closer to the mouse.
J: "Whoever's over here gets the mouse." (A common way to share with the kids)
Me: "Don't touch that. It might mess something up."
He reaches for the mouse. I get there first.
Me: "That's Mommy's mouse."
J: "No it's not! That's Daddy's new mouse!"
J: "Whoever's over here gets the mouse." (A common way to share with the kids)
Me: "Don't touch that. It might mess something up."
He reaches for the mouse. I get there first.
Me: "That's Mommy's mouse."
J: "No it's not! That's Daddy's new mouse!"
Carrots
Carrots. A favorite vegetable of Gabi's. In fact, it might well be her favorite.
So... she goes to a friend's house for a birthday party which includes staying for dinner. She's a very picky eater, but can actually have some manners and eat a no thank you portion of just about anything. So I remind her that she needs to be polite at dinner time.
When she arrives after school to the said house, she tells the mother that she didn't finish all her cold lunch. She asks if she can eat the rest for dinner. The mother says that is fine and then told her that she planned to have macaroni and cheese and chicken. And that she gets to choose her own vegetable.
G: "I don't like chicken."
The mom: "You don't like chicken nuggets?"
G: "Oh. Yeah. I like chicken nuggets."
She then tells the mother she wants carrots.
The mom: "Do you like raw carrots or cooked carrots?"
G: "I don't like raw carrots... and I don't like cooked carrots....I just like carrots."
So... she goes to a friend's house for a birthday party which includes staying for dinner. She's a very picky eater, but can actually have some manners and eat a no thank you portion of just about anything. So I remind her that she needs to be polite at dinner time.
When she arrives after school to the said house, she tells the mother that she didn't finish all her cold lunch. She asks if she can eat the rest for dinner. The mother says that is fine and then told her that she planned to have macaroni and cheese and chicken. And that she gets to choose her own vegetable.
G: "I don't like chicken."
The mom: "You don't like chicken nuggets?"
G: "Oh. Yeah. I like chicken nuggets."
She then tells the mother she wants carrots.
The mom: "Do you like raw carrots or cooked carrots?"
G: "I don't like raw carrots... and I don't like cooked carrots....I just like carrots."
And Behold... She's Really Listening
I have such a hard time with Beth. Okay, not all the time, but certainly some of the time and almost always at scripture time. It's not that she's a bad kid, so don't misunderstand what I'm saying. She's just a little....well...preoccupied.....
She can't sit still, sings to herself and dances all around. This, of course, drives me crazy (I know, short drive) because I'm a literal, need quiet for reverence kind of a person. I'm always interrupting scriptures to remind her to find a seat and be quiet so we can hear. Sometimes she sits with Daddy and is quiet and attentive. But this is not the norm. I'm certain she's not getting anything out of the scriptures. She can't possibly be listening and actually hearing anything.
So, Thursday night, she's off in her own world, singing and dancing. I remind her to come and have a seat. That there is a chair right next to me. So she skips over, hoping and turning at the same time to sit down in her chair... all the while Daddy is reading Alma 2:19....
D: "...that there were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand five hundred thirty and two souls..."
B: "WHOA!.....That's a lot!" (crazy energy vibe and legs swinging wildly)
D: "...of the Nephites six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls."
B: "That's alot too!"
So... I guess I don't know much. She's apparently listening and hearing!
She can't sit still, sings to herself and dances all around. This, of course, drives me crazy (I know, short drive) because I'm a literal, need quiet for reverence kind of a person. I'm always interrupting scriptures to remind her to find a seat and be quiet so we can hear. Sometimes she sits with Daddy and is quiet and attentive. But this is not the norm. I'm certain she's not getting anything out of the scriptures. She can't possibly be listening and actually hearing anything.
So, Thursday night, she's off in her own world, singing and dancing. I remind her to come and have a seat. That there is a chair right next to me. So she skips over, hoping and turning at the same time to sit down in her chair... all the while Daddy is reading Alma 2:19....
D: "...that there were slain of the Amlicites twelve thousand five hundred thirty and two souls..."
B: "WHOA!.....That's a lot!" (crazy energy vibe and legs swinging wildly)
D: "...of the Nephites six thousand five hundred sixty and two souls."
B: "That's alot too!"
So... I guess I don't know much. She's apparently listening and hearing!
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day
What a wonderful morning! Due to the storm yesterday, school was delayed (1 hr for Bob, 2 hrs for Gabi). The kids were able to enjoy their valentine gifts from grandparents and parents this morning instead of this afternoon!
Yesterday afternoon was spent making valentines. Jeremy and Beth made all that were needed for church on Sunday, while Gabi spent her time making her valentines for school today. You'll notice the picture.. these were a sample of what hers ended up looking like. Yes, complete with cookie pops!
The kids have decided they want a pancake dinner. Once they are done and into bed, Bob and I will have a real adult meal... maybe by candle light. This is, after all, the first valentine's we've spent together since we got married! He's always been working at the restaurant, and this time he told them he wouldn't be available! Isn't he sweet? I didn't ask, I just assumed he'd be working again. So, Happy Valentine's Day to me! :)
We hope everyone else has a wonderful Valentine's Day!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
It's All The Way You Look At It...
Well, yesterday was rather eventful... at least the morning. Let me back up, the night before I received a phone call from Melissa wanting to know if I had heard about the sewing group for Tuesday morning. I hadn't, so she told me that it was really to see what kind of interest there was. And, she had some more stuff to make more aprons (like the ones she and I made back when Savannah first started school a couple years ago). I was excited to go and help, although skeptical about my kids.
Tuesday morning started out okay...cold, but okay. The kids seemed to be helpful and responsive.. until it was time to get ready to go. Since my cell phone has been lost of many, many months now, and since I had been out on Monday in the mess, I finally bought a new one and was trying to transfer over the units from the old phone before leaving. I just felt like I needed to do that... so I did. Which put us behind by about half an hour. That was increased by kids who were off in their own worlds while trying to actually get out the door.
Well, the ride ended just over half way to our destination. Suddenly, the driver's side front wheel locked up. Over the course of the winter I'd heard some grinding like sounds off and on, but always when the roads were snowy. Sunday Bob thought it had locked up on our way to church. But with the roads being messy and all, he got out, kicked off the snow build up and we didn't have any more trouble. I drove it in the mess on Monday and no problems.
Five times in the space of about 3 or 4 miles I had to stop because it was locking up on Tuesday. I would get out and try to kick off the snow. Of course, the roads had little snow at all on them and so there wasn't much to "kick off". The fifth time there wasn't anything to kick off. There was no way it was snow!
So, here I am with my cell phone, but no phone numbers, and three of my kids with me away from any house or anything else. I did happen to remember Melissa's cell phone number and called her, since I obviously wasn't going to make it into town. She got me my mechanic's number, but I couldn't get through. I called AAA, made the arrangements, and then called Melissa again and she came and got me and the kids and took us home.
Thanks, Melissa, for doing that! And thanks, Marie, for taking her kids so she could!
The car wasn't picked up until 2 hours and 45 minutes after the initial call... glad I didn't wait around. But it's at the shop, and hopefully we'll have it back in time for Dance and Church this weekend. If not, there are plenty of things to get done around the house.
After getting through the emotional shock that comes from realizing you're stranded, I realized just how fortunate we really were:
1. It could have happened Sunday. That was a day no one who didn't need to be on the roads should have been. And we were going the opposite direction of our mechanic. Plus, can you imagine having to walk four kids in that mess?
2. It could have happened on Monday, when I has alone with the kids and the roads were a mess.
3. Had it happened either of those days, we probably would have had some serious damage to the van... when the wheel locked up, the van started pulling. In messy conditions, that means loosing control. Tuesday the roads were fine and I was able to manage the van safely to the side of the road.
4. Melissa was able to come get us. Had no one known we were out and about, I'm not sure if anyone else would have been around to come and get us! (Being the first nice-ish day in a while)
5. I might not have had the cell phone (good thing I followed that prompting), and then I would have been on a major state road, with below freezing temps and winds, with three little ones trying to get some place to make a phone call.
When looked at it from these five points, crying didn't make sense. I was actually rejoicing! Once again, the Lord kept us safe and provided for us. I have much to be grateful for!
Tuesday morning started out okay...cold, but okay. The kids seemed to be helpful and responsive.. until it was time to get ready to go. Since my cell phone has been lost of many, many months now, and since I had been out on Monday in the mess, I finally bought a new one and was trying to transfer over the units from the old phone before leaving. I just felt like I needed to do that... so I did. Which put us behind by about half an hour. That was increased by kids who were off in their own worlds while trying to actually get out the door.
Well, the ride ended just over half way to our destination. Suddenly, the driver's side front wheel locked up. Over the course of the winter I'd heard some grinding like sounds off and on, but always when the roads were snowy. Sunday Bob thought it had locked up on our way to church. But with the roads being messy and all, he got out, kicked off the snow build up and we didn't have any more trouble. I drove it in the mess on Monday and no problems.
Five times in the space of about 3 or 4 miles I had to stop because it was locking up on Tuesday. I would get out and try to kick off the snow. Of course, the roads had little snow at all on them and so there wasn't much to "kick off". The fifth time there wasn't anything to kick off. There was no way it was snow!
So, here I am with my cell phone, but no phone numbers, and three of my kids with me away from any house or anything else. I did happen to remember Melissa's cell phone number and called her, since I obviously wasn't going to make it into town. She got me my mechanic's number, but I couldn't get through. I called AAA, made the arrangements, and then called Melissa again and she came and got me and the kids and took us home.
Thanks, Melissa, for doing that! And thanks, Marie, for taking her kids so she could!
The car wasn't picked up until 2 hours and 45 minutes after the initial call... glad I didn't wait around. But it's at the shop, and hopefully we'll have it back in time for Dance and Church this weekend. If not, there are plenty of things to get done around the house.
After getting through the emotional shock that comes from realizing you're stranded, I realized just how fortunate we really were:
1. It could have happened Sunday. That was a day no one who didn't need to be on the roads should have been. And we were going the opposite direction of our mechanic. Plus, can you imagine having to walk four kids in that mess?
2. It could have happened on Monday, when I has alone with the kids and the roads were a mess.
3. Had it happened either of those days, we probably would have had some serious damage to the van... when the wheel locked up, the van started pulling. In messy conditions, that means loosing control. Tuesday the roads were fine and I was able to manage the van safely to the side of the road.
4. Melissa was able to come get us. Had no one known we were out and about, I'm not sure if anyone else would have been around to come and get us! (Being the first nice-ish day in a while)
5. I might not have had the cell phone (good thing I followed that prompting), and then I would have been on a major state road, with below freezing temps and winds, with three little ones trying to get some place to make a phone call.
When looked at it from these five points, crying didn't make sense. I was actually rejoicing! Once again, the Lord kept us safe and provided for us. I have much to be grateful for!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Yearly Check Up
We braved the terrible roads yesterday to take Peter to his doctor's appointment. I knew our road wouldn't be great, but it appeared passable with caution... but I figured the main road would be clear. No such luck... the main road wasn't much better than my road! Still, we doubled the normal travel time and managed to get there just in time (without complication).The news: Peter is still tall, and big, but has (like his siblings before him) slowed down tremendously. As in, dips way down and starts climbing steady again. Instead of being projected to be 6 feet 1 inch, he's now looking more like 5 feet 10 inches (that would be just like Dad). He was 31 inches long and 23 pound 12 ounces. Long and getting skinny. He had three shots yesterday (one more than I usually let them do at a time), but has been calm and happy anyway! :)
Sunday, February 10, 2008
And To Sum It Up...
Family scriptures are not always the most calm and quiet. Okay, most of the time they aren't calm and quiet. Often there are several loud voices arguing over who gets to read the scripture stories and who gets to choose the first song and who gets to read the actual scriptural verses. It's great to let everyone have a turn!
We added the scripture stories (using the Book of Mormon Scripture Stories book) so that the children would be able to complete the challenge of our Stake President to "read the Book of Mormon entirely through by this next stake conference." We knew they wouldn't be able to sit through lengthy readings.. or read it all by themselves in time. However, with this approach, they will have completely the "Book of Mormon" in an age-appropriate way twice before conference! We did not want this to take the place of the actual Book of Mormon even for them, so we also continue with a few verses each night.
As I mentioned earlier, there is often loud pronouncements of who gets to do what. Well, the other night, Jeremy would not let me read the scriptures. Oh no. It was his turn and he didn't need any help! Thus the the following:
"Now behold, they wanted to kill Nephi. And God said 'No'. And God said to love God."
Well, I guess that sums it up! :)
We added the scripture stories (using the Book of Mormon Scripture Stories book) so that the children would be able to complete the challenge of our Stake President to "read the Book of Mormon entirely through by this next stake conference." We knew they wouldn't be able to sit through lengthy readings.. or read it all by themselves in time. However, with this approach, they will have completely the "Book of Mormon" in an age-appropriate way twice before conference! We did not want this to take the place of the actual Book of Mormon even for them, so we also continue with a few verses each night.
As I mentioned earlier, there is often loud pronouncements of who gets to do what. Well, the other night, Jeremy would not let me read the scriptures. Oh no. It was his turn and he didn't need any help! Thus the the following:
"Now behold, they wanted to kill Nephi. And God said 'No'. And God said to love God."
Well, I guess that sums it up! :)
Thanks To All You Blogger Friends!
I just have to say that I love Sunday nights... Monday mornings. My highlight is all the blog notes that go up over the weekend... yes I check them through the week and many are updated more often than the weekend, but some how, after being filled at church, the joy is ten-fold!
I just love that little bit of everyone and their families which makes me smile. We all have such wonderful stories to share with each other.. laughs enough to go around... things to make you say "ahhhhhhh". It's great! And when you're at home without an adult to converse with, well, who can beat that!
I just love that little bit of everyone and their families which makes me smile. We all have such wonderful stories to share with each other.. laughs enough to go around... things to make you say "ahhhhhhh". It's great! And when you're at home without an adult to converse with, well, who can beat that!
Blessings of Travel
So here I am again.. mother's night alone.. by alone I mean mom, two boys and two girls. Dad is gone. It's for a good cause, though... it's Stake Priesthood Meeting tonight. I guess I'm grateful that everything went smoothly on this High Council trip.... sometimes it's really hard for the kids to do the actual traveling.
Our assigned unit was as far away as our normal ward. This made gathering for the ride a little easier, although they started sooner and the roads were snowy... so, we left early, took some extra time and arrived without any trouble.
When preparing my talk for today, I tried numerous times to settle on the right topic. It just wasn't working and I finally told Bob so. He makes it a habit to not give me an assignment, and rather to let me choose my own. I honestly think that 's much harder. This time, he consented to give me a topic to try out and see what happened. The talk came together in one evening. No trouble, just together.
After having so many people come up to me after the meeting to express how much they enjoyed my talk, I realized more than ever the powerful influence of the Lord. I know that he guides us. And I've seen it happen when preparing talks before. But while I've been speaking with Bob on these assignments, I have learned so much more about how much the Lord really knows each of us. Each ward or branch has needed something specific. I've been inspired, and often wondered how to work with certain topics or how they would be received. Yet when following this inspiration, I have found that the things I say and the things which the Spirit teaches are indeed what was needed. It's been a wonderful opportunity for my testimony of this to grow more.
I am grateful also for the time our family gets to spend together doing this. There is a special sense of calm and peace as we sit together in these units that we visit. I was noticing today just how much I enjoy partaking of these spiritual lessons while seated beside my husband. This is a wonderful treat for me since in our home ward we don't get this opportunity outside of sacrament meeting. (Due to callings)
We have been so blessed. I am indeed grateful for these spiritual blessings which strengthen us.
Our assigned unit was as far away as our normal ward. This made gathering for the ride a little easier, although they started sooner and the roads were snowy... so, we left early, took some extra time and arrived without any trouble.
When preparing my talk for today, I tried numerous times to settle on the right topic. It just wasn't working and I finally told Bob so. He makes it a habit to not give me an assignment, and rather to let me choose my own. I honestly think that 's much harder. This time, he consented to give me a topic to try out and see what happened. The talk came together in one evening. No trouble, just together.
After having so many people come up to me after the meeting to express how much they enjoyed my talk, I realized more than ever the powerful influence of the Lord. I know that he guides us. And I've seen it happen when preparing talks before. But while I've been speaking with Bob on these assignments, I have learned so much more about how much the Lord really knows each of us. Each ward or branch has needed something specific. I've been inspired, and often wondered how to work with certain topics or how they would be received. Yet when following this inspiration, I have found that the things I say and the things which the Spirit teaches are indeed what was needed. It's been a wonderful opportunity for my testimony of this to grow more.
I am grateful also for the time our family gets to spend together doing this. There is a special sense of calm and peace as we sit together in these units that we visit. I was noticing today just how much I enjoy partaking of these spiritual lessons while seated beside my husband. This is a wonderful treat for me since in our home ward we don't get this opportunity outside of sacrament meeting. (Due to callings)
We have been so blessed. I am indeed grateful for these spiritual blessings which strengthen us.
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Neat Sites
Just found these websites for anyone interested! One is the web page for our current Prophet Thomas S. Monson and the other is for out late Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley. They have the official church information about each.
Thomas S. Monson
Gordon B. Hinckley
Thomas S. Monson
Gordon B. Hinckley
"...When I Go To Other Countries..."
It's High Councilmen Thursday (the first Thursday of the month, and thereby meeting night) so the kids and I have the house to ourselves. As soon as Gabi arrived home from school we put in the new Cd's from the Johnson clan and danced ourselves silly. The kids thought this was great fun, especially since Mommy looked so silly! Jeremy learned how to do a jumping jack and Beth quit early with a tummy ache (probably because she'd only just finished her lunch).
We had left overs for dinner, which meant no arguing and fight! :) And the kids managed to play nicely, although didn't finish putting away toys. The only real commotion was keeping the cats off the counters!
Somehow, in all of this, Gabi was thinking about languages.....I know this because in her prayer she asked that she be blessed to "learn languages so that when I go to other countries I can speak with them" Who knew she had such big plans? :)
Actually, some day, we really do want to visit another country, so I guess it's time to invest in a real Spanish program (to be enhanced with Dad's expertise) and after that (and increasing the ASL) we might have to move on to another language! If nothing else, it prepares her for a mission, which she so quickly said she was planning to do one Sharing Time recently!
We had left overs for dinner, which meant no arguing and fight! :) And the kids managed to play nicely, although didn't finish putting away toys. The only real commotion was keeping the cats off the counters!
Somehow, in all of this, Gabi was thinking about languages.....I know this because in her prayer she asked that she be blessed to "learn languages so that when I go to other countries I can speak with them" Who knew she had such big plans? :)
Actually, some day, we really do want to visit another country, so I guess it's time to invest in a real Spanish program (to be enhanced with Dad's expertise) and after that (and increasing the ASL) we might have to move on to another language! If nothing else, it prepares her for a mission, which she so quickly said she was planning to do one Sharing Time recently!
Peek-A-Boo
Peter figured out how to play peek-a-boo last night. He'd had a rough day (still getting over the cold) and so he'd had a late nap. Thus, when everyone else was asleep, he got up on Daddy's lap to play! And so... Peek-A-Boo!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
And That's What We Call Team-Work
So you all know how much our family loves snow days.....well, yesterday was spent getting paperwork and toys taken care of. Paperwork... mom and dad...toys... kids. The reward... go out and play in the snow... o
r if you're Dad, go out and shovel. In any event, we all got some fresh air and even Peter played happily! I had forgotten what it was like to have a Baby actually like to be in the snow and not get so mad they needed to be returned 
to the house when a mitten fell off! (Gabi was like that... but the other two just didn't handle the cold so well).With Dad shoveling, we spent our time out front instead of trudging to the back hill to go sledding. This meant snowball fights, king of the mountain little kid style (get to the top
and laugh at Dad), sliding head first down the shoveled up mountain, and finding the deck (buried under the mounds and mounds of snow) without getting stuck! It 
also meant Jeremy shoveling the mountain back into the driveway. It's a good thing he can't push much at a time and that Daddy's faster!
For Peter, sitting below was not an option... well, he at least tried to get to the top! :) He discovered he loves snow... fist
by fist or just stick your face in and come up with a 
mouthful!We had quite a nice time and came in to hot cocoa and a movie (unless you were Dad and then you came in to make dinner :)
Monday, February 4, 2008
Pattern Blocks
Beth has had a continual stream of presents since her birthday party. One of the most recent arrived today. Grandma n Grandpa Nielsen sent a bucket of pattern blocks, just like the ones we used to use in school. For our Family Home Evening activity tonight, Beth decided that we needed to all play with her new blocks.Since the Lesson was on Valentine's Day, we challenged everyone to make a heart. Doing this with the shapes provided (two diamonds, a square, a Triangle, a Trapezoid, and a hexagon) without a pattern proved to be quite challenging, although the attempts brought out many different flowers, butterflies and other cute shapes. Beth made two people on either side of a flower, and Jeremy built a chimney off of mom's butterfly. Gabi worked hard on her heart, and finally came up with several variations.
Being more ADD than I would like to admit, I Started off in several different directions, and would not follow the patterns given to me on the sheets. I started to do the sheets using only colors that did not match. Finding a Kindred Spirit, I challenged Beth to do the same on her sheet. With a quick example in the beginning, she was off and running, and in no time, had joined her anarchist old man in full blown pattern block rebellion. This activity ran beyond the typical 15 minute FHE activity time, and led to the kids finally finding their bed nearly 2 hours past bedtime. One of the best parts of being a parent is playing with your kids' toys!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Thoughts From My Heart
Being at home with a cold and 4 little ones under foot, I must admit that I was truly grateful that we could watch President Hinckley's funeral online. I found it moving as I listened to the people speak of his accomplishments, his good-naturedness, his love for all, his example beyond measure. I was reminded of many of my own memories of him. Almost all of them are from a distance, but his influence has been felt in my life. His shiny eyes and loving smile. His sincere desire for all to be better people. His gentleness when he spoke, yet with such power and wisdom that a heart was forever turned toward the better.
President Hinckley was my Prophet. Others had come and gone before him. All have had a great impact for good as they've followed the will of the Lord. But I was too young to remember well anyone before him. President Hinckley is the one I remember. The one whose words reached my soul. He's the one whose teachings are most vivid to me. The one whose council I have tried, and continue to try, to put into practice. The one who inspired me.
I will miss hearing his voice at conference time. I will miss seeing his cane wave. I will miss the way he taught with humor and love. I will miss his living example. But I will cherish the messages he gave. What he stood for. What he taught. I will hold dear his love, that I have felt, even from a distance. And I hope that I can, everyday, "stand a little taller" steadily "raising the bar" until I meet him and my Savior in a more perfect state.
I am so grateful for the gospel! For the LOVE of our savior. For His wisdom in giving us prophets to lead and guide us. I am forever grateful to have lived during the time that Gordon B. Hinckley was chosen of the Lord to guide us! I am grateful to know of eternal families and of life after death.
I know that this church is indeed true, and the peace that comes in times like this is from our Lord. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, inspired and prepared to bring the church and all its saving ordinances back to the earth. And I know that Gordon B. Hinckley was also a prophet of our Lord. That he, too, was prepared to do the Lord's work. That he fulfilled his earthly mission, and that the work continues on the other side.
May our hearts be filled with love and compassion toward one another. That is something he would have wanted. Stand a little taller, be a little better, and live more harmoniously with one another.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Tributes to Gordon B. Hinckley
If you'd like to download (or just listen to) a musical tribute to our late prophet just click here.
If you'd like to read more notes and tributes about our late prophet then click here.
Two separate links. Enjoy them both.
If you'd like to read more notes and tributes about our late prophet then click here.
Two separate links. Enjoy them both.
A Poem To Honor Our Late Prophet
I found this on a friend's site (Chez Nous in Maine) and where she found it, I'm not sure. It's a wonderful poem about the Passing of our Prophet. I enjoyed it so much, I wanted to share it with others too! Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Prophetic Passing
I imagine he's running to Marjorie now,
Yes, running, not waving his cane.
I see him embracing his father and mother
While they keep repeating his name.
I see him now meeting his forebears,
Brother Brigham and Joseph are there.
Sweet reunion of prophets, united by service
That only such noble men share.
I see him embraced by the Savior
While Father says, "Good and well done.
So faithful in stalwart endurance,
I welcome My noble, most excellent son."
I then hear the ripples of laughter
As he says the reception's just fine,
But he hopes that he'll get an assignment or two
Since there's no need to waste any time.
I can hear his clear voice in the stillness
At the close of this sweet Sabbath day,
Have faith and move forward — there's work to be done.
President Hinckley would want it that way.
Anna M. Molgard January 27, 2008
Prophetic Passing
I imagine he's running to Marjorie now,
Yes, running, not waving his cane.
I see him embracing his father and mother
While they keep repeating his name.
I see him now meeting his forebears,
Brother Brigham and Joseph are there.
Sweet reunion of prophets, united by service
That only such noble men share.
I see him embraced by the Savior
While Father says, "Good and well done.
So faithful in stalwart endurance,
I welcome My noble, most excellent son."
I then hear the ripples of laughter
As he says the reception's just fine,
But he hopes that he'll get an assignment or two
Since there's no need to waste any time.
I can hear his clear voice in the stillness
At the close of this sweet Sabbath day,
Have faith and move forward — there's work to be done.
President Hinckley would want it that way.
Anna M. Molgard January 27, 2008
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