Family Green-Up Adventure

It didn't start out that way.... when we'd finished some chores and lunch, we noticed it was 65 outside! So everything else got left behind and, with Peter up from his nap, we headed outside for the rest of the day! I tried to work some on preparations for my calling in church while the three younger kids enjoyed playing on the deck! Jeremy realized there was still snow on the lower step, so he decided he had a duty to clear it. Peter tried to help, tried to climb the bench back, and just had a good time! Beth had trouble adjusting to the sun-light, but once she found ice crystals she forgot about all that and decided it was time to have an experiment!

She took some little ice crystals into the house, put them in a cup and added a little water. See, since ice cubes melt in our water, then the ice needed water to make it melt. I told her it was a great experiment, but that she needed to do it outside. She loved that because she could gather many more little ice crystals and add them to the cup.

At one point the cup tipped for a moment and some of the water and ice crystals landed on the bench. She apologized and I told her it was a good thing it was outside because the ice would still melt and the water would dry quickly. She agreed, so I asked her if she knew what made the ice melt. Her response, referencing to the ice crystal she was playing with:

"It doesn't like the sunshine. And the sunshine makes it go away."

After that she went into typical Beth-mode of entering into a world all her own. She was pretending to have a conversation with the same ice crystal:

Beth: You're going to get dried up.
Ice Crystal: Forever?
Beth: Yes!...until you come back.

Shortly after, Gabi got off the bus, away we went on a walk! We hadn't thought of anything except keeping everyone safe and getting along with our exciting outing. Not long down the road Gabi noticed some trash and wanted to pick it up. We were far enough from the house that we couldn't really go back, so we just picked that up and put it in the little bag like thing on the back of the stroller. We did that with some of the little trash we saw, but left the big stuff because we had no way to get it back to the house. We soon had to stop gathering trash, but knew Daddy would be along on his way home while we were out.

Sure enough, as we headed back, Daddy came down. Gabi asked if he had a bag and I explained what was going on. He headed home, grabbed a bag and walked back to us. We hadn't gotten very far because the kids had stopped to throw rocks into the "melt off stream". The rest of the way home we gathered everything we saw except the three broken glass bottles.

It was so refreshing to have spent almost two hours walking with the kids and having them take a sincere interest in making their town a better place! It was wonderful to share in cleaning the earth a little, and showing our Father in Heaven how much we love and appreciate this beautiful world!

As Requested: The Recipe

I didn't include the recipe this last time because the blog was so long by itself... but I guess I should have! You'll love it if you've never tried it! And if you have tried it, you'll love to have the recipe (although I know many of you have it in our ward cookbook).

Betsey's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

1c. butter, softened; 1c. brown sugar; 1c. sugar; 2 eggs; 2 tsp. vanilla; 2c. flour; 1 tsp. baking soda; 1 tsp. baking powder; 1 tsp. salt; 2 1/2c. oatmeal, ground; 16oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips; 1c. milk chocolate chips

Cream together butter and sugars. Add eggs one at a time. Add vanilla and beat well. Add flour with soda, baking powder and salt. Mix well. Grind oatmeal into flour in a blender; add and mix. Mix in chips.

Roll into ping pong size balls. Place on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees F for 7 to 8 minutes. Cool on sheet for 1 minute and removed to cool completely on rack.

*I'll admit that I put both eggs in at the same time. I also put in the soda, powder and salt before the flours and blend them well and then add the flours.

*I also only use 1c. of chips total. Sometimes I mix the above two types, most often it's just one type (and usually we choose to do dark chocolate instead of either above), and I've done them with M&Ms which the kids love for the colors.

**I was told that to flatten the cookies a little (they get really puffy) to take the pan out 1 minute before they were done and "drop" the pan onto the stove. I've noticed that this is not necessary when I bake with my confection mode.

Chocolate Chip Cookies, Laugher & Memories

I never thought there was a true best chocolate chip cookie out there. Chocolate chip was chocolate chip and they were all good...after all, they were cookies. But a few years ago, when I'd make chocolate chip cookies, Bob would ask if they were Betsey's. I never understood what was so exciting about those particular cookies (but I also didn't really eat the cookies much, I generally made them for everyone else). Bob had noticed a difference the first time he'd had Betsey's chocolate chip cookies. He didn't know what was different, just that something was different!

So, I called and got her recipe! Indeed, something was different, and I have since decided that there really is a best chocolate chip cookie out there! This is the only chocolate chip cookie recipe I use and I eat at least as many (and most likely more) than everyone else in the family now! I even participate in eating the dough!...okay, story time:

When I was a rather young teen, my aunt and her family came out to visit. I was the family chocolate chip cookie maker (in my immediate family and extended in the area). So, true to my nature, I was making chocolate chip cookies one afternoon when my aunt stopped by. She starting eating the cookie dough!

I was polite for one taste, but, as my nature would have it, I got mad after that (short temper, hot fuse). She and her kids were eating up all the cookie dough! A small taste I could understand, but cookie dough was for making cookies, not for eating! She told me that back home they would make a batch of cookie dough just to eat it! I was horrified! And even more so when my mother said it was fine we could make more cookie dough!

I have since come around. After all, it's fun to let kids have a spoonful of dough after they've helped to make it. (It also keeps them out of my hair long enough for me to get at least one pan made up and in the oven!). And since Bob loves cookie dough so much, I've gotten good about putting aside a few large spoonfuls for him to have as a treat when he arrives home on our cookie baking days! The most amazing thing (shhh don't tell anyone) I actually eat the dough too and a few times we've actually eaten all the dough without cooking any of it! I bet my aunt's laughing now.

Today Peter helped make the cookies. He didn't mind me putting things in and just watching until it was time to grind the oatmeal. He had a blast! By far his favorite part of making cookies! Just watch the video below and you'll see what I mean!

In Case He Missed One

As the family gathered for dinner the other night:

Beth: "Did you know we have four kids, Dad?"

A Personal Witness

It has been an amazing weekend! Our entire stake was asked to participate in the reorganization of the stake presidency by fasting and praying. My thoughts turned to the topic over and over throughout this past month and half. I found myself praying that the Lord would strengthen and enlighten those who were sent to call the new stake presidency. We had been promised that if we did this we'd have a direct and immediate confirmation, by way of the Holy Ghost, that the men called were truly called of the Lord! This is indeed what happened!

It was amazing to have felt the prompting over and over again to pray in behalf of those involved. I do not believe I've ever felt so compelled to pray about the same thing so many times in a single day as I felt on Friday and Saturday. Indeed I found I was communing with the Lord on a level that I had never experienced before! I am so grateful for this opportunity!

Each time I prayed, I felt the spirit bare witness that this was what the Lord would have done. And that, as the scriptures tell us, it is by the faith of the people that the Lord reviles such great and marvelous things. I felt that same spirit witness to me that these three men called to serve at this time in the stake presidency are the men He has chosen. There could be no denying the power and surety of the spirit as it bore witness of this to me today.

During this conference, we heard and felt the testimonies of our former stake presidency, the new stake presidency and members of the seventy. Each also taught important principles and reminded us of what really matters here. Who we are, whose church we are a part of, and how we can reach out to others through Christ-like love - to help them and to love them. What matters is that each one of us listens to the calls (or promptings) the Lord gives to us so that we might help one another in returning to be with Him again.

It was wonderful to feel the love, once again, of those who had served us for so many years. It will be hard to not see them up there at stake conferences in the future for I've gotten use to them being there, and have loved feeling their love and concern for me, my family, and my friends. But knowing that the men in this new stake presidency have been called of God, and hearing them speak with the same love and devotion, I know that the Lord is with them and that they will help the people, get to know the people, and love the people as the former stake presidency did. They will speak for the Lord and teach us the things the Lord would have us know.

There is so much that was shared and so much that has filled my heart that I cannot even begin to share it all. I am so grateful for all that I have learned, all that the Spirit has witnessed to me, and for, once again, the strengthening and the growth of my own testimony of the work of the Lord.

Helping Spring Along

Okay, so I posted number 100 just before this, and no, I did not follow the "blogger tradition" and I don't plan to. This is, after all, my blog. (And anyone who wants to know 100 things about me probably already knows them).

But what I will do is finally post some more pictures... sorry that I've been so awful at that lately.

Since spring is here... remember we heard the geese and saw the robin...we've simply been waiting for the snow to melt away so we can get outside without loosing the kids in those snowy black holes. Well, I had the bright idea that my kids needed to just run...but where? The backyard is too full of snow to shovel out (yes, I actually do that when it's low enough to make sure the kids play section is the first to be dry). But then, as I saw the snow melting away from the benches on the deck I thought about how they could run on the deck, up and down the walk to it, and I could sit outside and read! :)

Great idea... but the deck and walk were still covered in snow....and ice!

But the great man I have around here heard mention of my idea and one night, while I was having a bit of a melt down because my long time dream had almost come true and I couldn't complete it then, went outside in the dark and shoveled his way through half the walk - snow and ice both! Dreams or no, that brought me back to what mattered! People who love you!

Since there was so much ice, he's been out again and the walk and part of the deck are now clear. Gabi thought she'd help out the other day... and today, well, you can see for yourself! The boys and I got out there too! No, the deck still isn't clear, but it's getting there...

I Did It!

I did it! I completed the 6 month Book of Mormon challenge this morning! Okay, so many of you are thinking that's nothing special, but I say you're wrong. It's been years since I read it straight through without interruptions... things like having babies and never sleeping! I have to admit that in some ways it was still hard (not the reading it... getting through it). Kids are truly demanding and there is always something that seems to be more important than Mom reading her scriptures!

But I must say it was refreshing to be able to complete this challenge. Not only was I able to feel good about myself (I hate to not complete a challenge), but it only strengthened my testimony. I always seemed to be at the right place in the Book of Mormon for the challenges that came into my life over the last six months. Some lessons were simply reinforced, others were understood on a deeper level. In all cases, my testimony grew! I love it when my testimony grows because I feel like I see things in a much clearer light! Understanding is increased!

I do believe that as we go off to Stake Conference this weekend, that having completed this challenge will have only been the preparation for the knowledge to come! I am excited!

It's Boring!

The unforgettable, all-kids-say-it, makes the parent laugh and then get irritated because somehow the kids-really-believe-it saying! No day is complete without those dreadful words "It's boring!"

So, what do kids do when they're bored... they find ways to get into trouble.... when you're my kids (or rather, Bob's kids) you pick and poke and annoy laughing all the way!

So I say to Jeremy "You need to leave Bethie alone now. Why don't you come in the other room so you won't have the temptation."

I go in the living room hoping he'll follow me.

Enter Jeremy. Places both hands on hips. Stomps right foot. Tries to make a grumpy face.

"IT'S BORING not bothrin' Bethie!"

(Can you tell I'm still laughing?)

Little Robin Redbreast

Gabi spotted a robin hopping along our driveway this morning. We were both pretty excited and watched him for a minute. Then I thought I ought to take a picture... to prove that spring was really here (even if we can't see the ground). I grabbed the camera and took one through the window so as not to scare him off (though it didn't turn out too well). I then opened the door, hoping he'd not run off too fast, and he stayed long enough that I could have gotten a picture if my camera battery hadn't died just at that moment!

Still, Gabi gathered up her toast crust to sprinkle out along the drive so that maybe he'd come back and visit us again! Regardless, we are in greater spirits because now we've heard the geese honking, since the snow shrinking, have bright and longer sun light, and now we've seen a robin! Welcome Spring... the snow won't be around much longer now! :)

MUNCHKIE Baby Sling!

Okay... I should have posted this awhile ago! I have a friend who makes slings! I have other friends who have and use slings (and she does too). I have never thought of myself as someone who would use a sling. I figured it would pull on my shoulder too much, cutting into my neck or whatever. Or, I figured all that trouble to adjust the sling only to have it slip and have to readjust it was not worth it! (It depends on the style you get as to which "problem" you'd deal with)

So, in visiting my friend who makes slings, she had me try one on... and put my baby in it! I was immediately amazed because it was comfortable! It didn't cut in... it's a pouch style so there's no adjusting and no rings to have slip and all that! I could not believe I'd gone through four babies (the one being over a year now) without a sling! My kids are crazy attached... physically attached... for a long time....I couldn't get anything done with screaming, crying, whining, fussing, pulling my hair out... you get the picture!

So, having not used a sling with Peter before, I figured he'd not be too happy with the "trapped" feel of it at this point. Boy was I wrong! At first he'd fuss a little and then realize that he was able to snuggle while I still got things done! Bob was even able to use it when I had to go to the doctor's during all that illness... Peter hates to not have mom right now!

One night, I had used the sling while making pizza. Peter was fussy and trying to push me away so that dinner wouldn't get done. I remembered the sling and got it and put him in it. I even braved putting him on my back which I thought I could never bring myself to do... it was great! He snuggled me from behind watching over my shoulder everything I was doing. The best part... He was silent!

Later that night, after dinner, Bob and I were talking by the sink. Peter started to fuss and come towards me. He hates to compete with Dad...so he started over like he was going to push Daddy away. Suddenly he stops. Turns around and walks over to the lower shelf in the kitchen. He grabs the sling, folded there right in his reach, and brings it to me. Hands it to me and then reaches up towards me like he does when he wants me to pick him up. So I put on the sling, picked him up and put him in it, and he snuggled me for a good 30 minutes or more while I finished my discussion with Dad!

Since then, when he wants to snuggle and I'm busy, he runs over and grabs the sling and brings it to me! It has been a life saver! Anyone interested in a sling, get one... I can put you in touch with my friend. She sells them and they are great... comes in three sizes and three colors (although there are some fabric designs from the start up that she's no longer using that she's selling too)! Can be used from birth to at least 3 years old (she can lug her 3 year old around in it)! Her sling name is Munchkie and can be found online for purchase here.

Baseball Season

Baseball season has officially begun in our neck of the woods! Gabi has never had the opportunity to play T-Ball since there was not a program for it here last year and she was too young when we lived in the other house. But, this year they've kicked up the program. Two different aged baseball teams, a softball team and a T-Ball team! Gabi is 6, which means she could play T-Ball or the first baseball team. She's playing baseball! (She needs the games, and T-Ball doesn't do games up here).

Tonight was her first practice. With three feet of snow in most places and nothing less than two and half feet around here, they held practice in the gym of her school. It went well... and considering she knew nothing about the game or the practices, she seemed to catch on quickly! She's almost the smallest person on the team... I think there is one boy who is her same height. It will be fun and exciting, and if all goes well Bob will be helping out!

Beth and Jeremy want to know why T-Ball hasn't started yet! I told them they'd have to wait until the snow left the field! They don't like to wait. Since T-Ball here is for ages 3-6, Beth was excited to know she'd get to do a sport. And since they need parental help, I asked if Jeremy could do it this year even though he doesn't turn three until the end of the season. They said he could... the Peter can be in the sling and I can help out!

It Just Marched Away!

Last night Gabi came down (as she often does when she doesn't think she's tired enough to go to sleep yet). She informed Bob and I that she had a nightmare. To which I promptly told her she hadn't been asleep yet, so that wasn't possible. So she told us that she had all these scary thoughts in her head and she just couldn't get them out. I told her to think of something silly and funny and then go back to bed.

She said "I can't because my brain just left my head and marched away!"

Bob helped her think of funny things and I guess her brains just "marched" back because she seemed satisfied enough and went back to bed after that.

This morning, Beth was talking about breakfast and how she just didn't know what we had to eat because her "head just marched away"!

I wonder where the head and brain go when they march away....I certainly hope they have a wonderful trip!

General Conference

It was General Conference weekend. That means we had the wonderful opportunity to hear our Prophet and other general authorities speak to us! It also meant 4 two hour sessions for the general audience over Saturday and Sunday! Certainly well worth it!

As we have dance class (and recital only 4 weeks away) on Saturday and I knew I wouldn't get anything out of what was being said with the boys up and around, I waited and watched conference with my girls on Saturday after the boys were in bed! Let's hear it for BYU TV online!

The girls really enjoyed much of conference. Of course, it was long for such little girls. They did really well while listening and putting together puzzles for a while. Then they played other games and managed to listen to all but the last hour of the last session! There were some special remarks to the children in that last hour which we called the kids over to hear and they were especially excited to know they were being spoken directly to! We even listened to that part twice!

Many of the speakers spoke in regards to several of our articles of faith which had particular interest for our girls. Whenever one was recited, one of the girls would excitedly announce that it was an article of faith. And Gabi would tell us right off which number it was!

There was so much to love about conference. I wish I could have shared my thoughts and feelings as it went along! I was deeply touched by all that was said. I especially enjoyed (and was uplifted) by the remarks about family, specifically strengthening family. And, of course, the talk about mothers and their sacred role and how each member of the family and the church can assist mothers in their divine callings! I needed to hear much of that! To feel in my heart someone speaking upon the divine calling, the struggles, the blessings, and how to best be able to fulfill such a divine role!

Many shared their testimonies about the prophetic mantel, prophets, and divine revelation both olden and modern. They spoke of the convincing power of the Holy Ghost to the divine calling of President Thomas S. Monson as our Prophet today.

I cannot do justice to what was said and the power therein. But I wanted to share my own feelings about the concept of sustaining these individuals in their callings! I've always sustained (believed in and accepted) each Prophet to be such. I've done the same for others who have been called of God in various callings throughout the church. And though I knew I was sustaining them, saying that I accepted them because the Lord had chosen them for a time, and was willing to support them (through obedience, through preforming my own callings, through prayer, through faith), I had never really thought about it before.

I was deeply touched by the comments shared regarding the difference in sustaining someone and blind obedience. And it caused me to reflect upon how I had accepted each individual in the past. With our Stake Presidency to be reorganized next weekend, it also caused me to reflect upon how prepared I really was to sustain whomever the Lord would call. I came away with a new understanding and acceptance of what sustaining someone really means.

It's not blind obedience. It's having faith in Christ and in His ability to call someone to the work and then to make that known. In other words, it's having faith that the call comes from God. And then, having faith enough to pray and ask for a confirmation of that calling. It's then having faith enough to pray for the individual so that they can have all the blessings the Lord has for them so they can continue in their calling to thus bless the lives of others. It's also having faith enough to move forward doing what we are called and asked to do, based on confirmation from the Lord.

Blind obedience would lead one to just do, without question, without learning for oneself that something should be. Sustaining someone means moving out of blind obedience in order to receive that confirmation for ourselves. And thus, being able and willing to do what the Lord asks of us. In the case of our leaders, like our Prophet, the Apostles, the seventies, our stake presidency, our bishoprics, and continuing on, it means also accepting what the Lord asks of us through His servants. Always, we are able to, and should ask for, direct confirmation of such things from the Lord through his Holy Spirit.

By asking for and receiving direct confirmation, our conviction to the gospel is enhanced! Our faith is increased. And our lives, and the things we do, take on more significant meaning.

I am so grateful for conference! I can't wait to receive my conference edition of the Ensign in early May! There is much that I want to review and more fully study for greater understanding and ability to put things into practice in my own life! If you did not get a chance to watch conference, BYU TV allows you to go back by date and time to select something they have aired (and they aired conference). Don't wait for the Ensign to come! Watch it! It was so good! Very uplifting and worth seeing and hearing over again!

Good As....

Bethie is surely one who keeps us smiling! She loves to make up things and use words that she's heard even when she has no idea what they mean. And she loves to come up with her own phrases!

We were having popcorn yesterday and she excitedly announced "Good as grass!" This is her new catch phrase! :)

Bummer!

Jeremy is easily "excited" at this stage in his life. By excited I mean that when he doesn't like something he's very vocal, loud and emotionally explosive. I've been very lucky, though. When he doesn't like something I've told him he has to do (and he recognizes there is no negotiating), he turns red in the face, tears start coming, and he screams "Bummer! Bummer, Bummer, Bummer!"

Could be a lot worse.

What's With The Snow?

So it's April 4th....and the snow was coming down. Not just a light, friendly, good-bye-until-next-winter kind of snow.... it was the heavy, wet, messy, stress-out-because-they-don't-plow kind of snow! Not a big deal because it didn't start until afternoon....or was it?

Bob needed some paperwork and Peter had not-so-gently killed our other (cordless) mouse by running off and dropping it too many times! So, instead of scanning things in for him to print and take with him, I picked up Gabi early and we headed down. The snow was already sticking, but since we were going to be in town anyway, I was bound and determined I was getting a mouse! (And milk and yogurt). So we did just that. In town the snow wasn't sticking when we got there, but it was when we left. I knew that meant trouble back on the home road.

Sure enough, turn onto that nice long road home and it's nothing but wet, sticky, icy, messy, please-let-us-get-home-without-going-off-the-road snow covered! Never mind the fact that the town officers were writing a letter to whomever was contracted to plow the roads letting them know they had done, and were doing, an "unsatisfactory job." Not even a mark of plow! And it had been two and half hours since I had been going out to town!

The special thing was that I told the kids what we were up against and they got really quiet so I could concentrate. And then they each took a turn saying a prayer asking that we'd make it home without going off the road or getting in an accident! I have such wonderful, faith-filled children! I love it!

Our prayers were answered...after the van slid to within about an inch or two of being completely stuck in the mess on the side of the road 4 times... the 4th time being when we tried to turn across the street into our driveway! We managed to get things straighted out even that last time and backed our way into the garage...where the van is resting peacefully awaiting tomorrow's morning adventure to dance class!

I am truly grateful for a loving Father in heaven who watches out for our family! We are safely in home... the power went out (and no yelling or complaints from the kids) and is now back on. And soon, I know the Lord will bring Bob home too...safe and sound....as he does every Friday and Saturday night!

When You Have Monkeys, Make Monkey Bread

Our house has turned into a bitter, whiny, life-is-unfair zone. Has anything really happened to make it this way? Well, no. Just that we should be able to be outside playing on swings, flying kites, taking walks, and playing at the playground! We can't, though, because there's still too much snow to safely walk with kids down the road that cars travel, the snow is in the melting-away-so-you-sink-into-black-holes mode (and still 2 1/2 feet or more at places), the swing set is still buried, the decks aren't clear yet, and what little ground is open is full of mud! I thought Cabin Fever was bad a month ago... it was nothing like this!

Yesterday afternoon I realized the kids just need a change of scenery, but where? Not wanting to drive some place to just keep them inside again, I figure we need to change things around here. Gabi and Beth even tried to go outside yesterday, but didn't last long for the above mentioned reasons.

Today, with my little monkey... and my big one... I thought "Monkey Bread!" When I can't do anything else, I bake.....and since Peter wants to be held ALL-THE-TIME, I can't do anything else. But this was a great idea because it changed the routine for Beth and Jeremy! (I'll be racking my brain for something Gabi can do to change things up when she gets home). They loved it, and are now happily playing, giving each other space, playing together quietly.....my house is s different place!

So, my new saying, "When you have monkeys, make Monkey Bread!" Hey, it worked today!

Here's our recipe (thanks to Grandma Nielsen who, I believe, found it in a cooking magazine a few years ago):

Dough: Take 2T of butter and butter a bundt pan. Set aside. In a small sauce pan, melt 2T butter (yes, another 2T) with 1 c. milk and 1/3 c. water just until warm. In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 c. sugar and 1 pkg yeast. Add milk mixture, let set until yeast is bubbly. Add 2t. salt and lightly blend. Add 3 3/4 c. flour. Knead in mixer until dough forms a ball. Knead lightly the rest of the way by hand. Place in greased bowl, roll slightly to coat, cover lightly and allow to rise until double (about 1 hour).

Pat dough into an 8" square. Cut into 64 pieces. Combine 1 c. brown sugar and 2 t. cinnamon in a bowl. Melt 8 T. butter (one stick or 1/2 c.) in a separate bowl. Roll each piece of dough in the melted butter, then in the sugar mixture then drop in the bundt pan. Do this until all pieces are coated and in the pan. Sprinkle the extra sugar mixture over the pieces in the pan and drizzle the last of the butter over that. Cover lightly and allow to rise until puffy and 1-2"above pan (about 1 hour).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Bake 30-35 minutes until sugar mixture bubbles. Cool 5 minutes. Turn out onto a platter. Cool 10 minutes. The drizzle the glaze over the top (recipe below). Or, if you have picky kids who don't like the glaze (Gabi doesn't like glaze or most frostings) then put the glaze in a dish and allow the kids to dip their pieces in it.

Glaze: Mix together 1 c. powdered sugar and 2T milk.

Enjoy!

I Not Little, I Big

This morning I was watching Peter push a chair over to the table and climb up so that he could get to whatever it was that Beth had there. (We're in that dreaded nothing-is-safe stage). I called over to him telling him that he was "a little monkey." Jeremy giggled and said "and I'm a big monkey."

That reminded me of when Gabi was around two years old. We use to call her a silly goose or a little turkey when she'd do something funny or get into something we didn't want her to. One time I called her a "little turkey" and she looked right at me smiling and said "I not a little turkey! I big turkey! Gobble, gobble."

Rock, Paper, Scissors

The battle for who's turn it is or who gets what is never ending around here. Gabi brings home all sorts of new ideas (some good, some questionable, and some that make no sense at all) from school, and Beth and Jeremy quickly latch on. Well, remember the Eenie, Meanie, Minie, Moe, Chocolate Tail....? That's been the way to choose things... or rather to have someone else make the choice for you.

This, of course, is truly unfair because it doesn't take much to manipulate where to start to end where you want (once you figure it out), or to just keep saying words and waving your hand around until you like the results. Since Beth and Gabi have both figured this out (and knows the other knows it too), no one is willing to assume that chance played a roll. So, down come the tears, up go the wails....and what happens? Mom gets an ingenious thought!

"Okay, girls! Time to learn something new!" I then proceed to show them how to play Rock, Paper, Scissors! Eyes light up! Okay! Fun! It only took them five tries to figure out how to play the game and realize that they couldn't control the outcome and had to just live with it!

That was yesterday! Tonight Gabi and Beth were fighting over who got to read what part of the scripture stories!

"Hey, I know" says Gabi. "Rock, Paper, Scissors" Both girls get ready, but before they can start counting off, she adds "But Bethie, let me win this time."

But I Still Love You

I've always heard that most kids will go through an "I hate you!!!!" stage. So far, I think I have to count my blessings. See, although I vaguely recall Gabi trying it out, I must have been far too prepared or far too insensitive because instead of having that "rip-your-heart-out, what-have-I-done" feeling, I had to quickly turn away from her so she wouldn't catch me laughing at the absurdity of the whole thing!

Like I said, I'm counting my blessings, because I've had two others come through this same stage in some form or another. I don't think Beth knows how to put those dreaded words to use on Mom or Dad... her siblings, sure, but then she makes up pretty quick. Jeremy, though, has entered the stage in a rather humorous fashion! One which makes me smile, so I have to bite down on the corners of my mouth while he's so seriously looking at me!

See, it's been a wonderful thing to listen to Jeremy say he loves me. That later turned to "Your my Valentine" because, after all (and as the girls pointed out) your valentine is someone you love a lot! So, Valentine's Day or not, he likes to use this!

A few weeks ago he got mad about a decision I had made. In his stomping off, bend the eyebrows as low as you can, and make your best grouchy face and voice mode, he says "Mom! You're not my valentine any more!!!!" Later that evening, he curled up on my lap, snuggled in, gave me his best "I-love-you and aren't-I-so-cute-and-sweet" look and told me that I was, once again his valentine!

Two nights ago, it's time for bed. This is a time to be dreaded, if you're the kid, and so Jeremy is rather vocal about the "it's not fair" - ness of the whole thing. Then, just as mad and loud as he can possibly say "You're not my valentine! You're not my best friend any more!" (Oh, I think, as I try not to laugh, we've changed the value) As he stomps off towards the stairs (still making his best "I'm-so-mad" face and stomping for all he's worth), he calls back over his shoulder "But I still love you!"

It's so nice to know that love is not something he's willing to trade off!

Welcome, Baby Anna

Okay, so I thought I was done posting! Nope! I have to say welcome to Anna! Her family knows I'm talking to her! To me this is special for so many reasons.

First, a birth is always a special thing. It's one of the few moments we have in life where our Spirit is connected to the other side of the veil, even though for only a small moment. That moment when a new life enters into this world! The Spirit within the room is always so strong, there are never words to truly describe that peaceful and amazingly strong love! A birth is indeed so awe-inspiring. It's special. Each one is very special.

Second, this is my best friend's first! I'm not there... we live far enough apart (and I'm sick enough) that it's not possible. But my heart is with her. Throughout this week, I have continually thought about her and wondered when that call would come. Not wanting to push that emotional envelop (which all pregnant women manage to have overflowing at the end of their pregnancy anyway), I've just prayed for her and waited. I know she will be an amazing mother! I watched the way she was with kids of so many ages all growing up! She's incredible! Now the little one whom she'll be helping along in life will be hers! I'm so happy and excited for her! (And for the Daddy too.... they are best of friends, so together they're an unbeatable team!)

Third, with so many sad things creeping up on our family, it's so nice to have that bright happy something to remind us of the true value of life! A new birth is a symbol of so many things. A symbol of baptism as we commit ourselves to follow Christ. A symbol of death, as we leave this life to go on to the next - for our spirits live on and we will be resurrected one day! A symbol of love - for out of sorrow and pain have come the greatest love ever (out of the Atonement, has come Charity, the true love of Christ).

So, welcome baby Anna! You are a precious gift, already loved beyond measure! And your birth is a symbol of the love that surrounds you and the love you possess, ready to assist and aid those in need! You are a treasure!

What Goes Down Must Come Up!

A while back, Peter received a Fisher-Price Ball Popper toy. He loves it! So does everyone else. Everyone, that is, except Mom and Dad at the very moments we hear "it's broken again" coming from the kids. Until that moment, even Mom and Dad can enjoy it because it has an amazing way of giving us a little "quiet" time from the kids' noises (although it has a noise all its own).

So, the "it's broken" does not, in fact, mean that it's really broken. But rather, that some kid (Peter, if we're naming names) finds random items that seem small enough to fit, make them fit, and then finds out that the air meant to blow the balls back out isn't strong enough to blow out whatever else he's found to put down the tube! We just disassemble, and put it back together. The kids (again, this means mostly Peter) are beginning to realize that only certain things can "fit" and should be put down the tube.

Tonight, this included a new "toy".... a crumpled piece of junk mail. One of those flier cards. To Peter's wonderful delight, this "toy" was light enough to find it's way out. But, due to the nature of the crumpling, it only worked when the ball came up from behind it! Thought you might enjoy seeing this. It was so much fun the first few times, but I didn't have the camera. So, you'll get the joy of seeing two movie clips. The first because it shows his delight with the air blowing out over his own face! And then the second because you can see how he makes it all work.

Since the camera was out, you'll also hear the "jealous" brother wanting his fair share of the lime-light too! Ahh... the stage where cameras are still enjoyed!

Making The Come Back

So I think I might finally be back. I'm not all well yet, but I think this time I might actually get there. See, after all the illness that's been passing around the house, I got hit with the worst... a head cold. Being me, and not some normal person, this means that in addition to the congestion, I have a runny nose and two runny eyes. I have a splitting headache that medicine won't touch and am lucky to fall asleep for five to ten minutes before waking to try to clear things again and spending another half hour or more getting back to sleep. I also feel like loosing my stomach all day long. Okay, so I'm sure there are others like me out there. Just seems that everyone else I know gets miserable, but at least can still see!

Anyway, the worst of it was last weekend when Bob stayed home. I started on what seemed like the upswing of things. I figured I'd take it easy, continue on the sudafed, and in a few days I'd be better. Oh, what a joke! I felt like I was getting better for a couple of days, and then, wham! All the pain that had been evenly distributed across my face had settled into my left cheek bone and across that same upper jaw! This was an unshakeable pain! Nothing to do now but call the doctor.

By Thursday evening, I was diagnosed with a severe sinus infection, was on antibiotics, and was home to bed with Bob having come down with the head cold. Poor guy has fought right through it so that I could rest and get better, but that means no extra rest yet for him. He did start the sudafed right away, so he's not likely to get as bad as I did.

Friday (yesterday) I spent feeling like someone was repeatedly smashing my face in! Not an old pro at sinus infections, I figured being on the antibiotic meant I could stop the sudafed and pain killers. I quickly learned that was not the best route to go. I'm still in pain today, feeling more like I have a bruised face (but not looking like it), and some what functional!

So, though I'm doing more and feeling a bit better, don't expect to see me until this is licked. I can't fathom trying to do too much too soon and landing another round of some illness or another! And pray that Bob's head clears quickly!

Easter

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.

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!

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!

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)!

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).

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.

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.

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!

Gabi Is 6!

Believe it or 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 Ride
*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):

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."

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.

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."

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!

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!

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

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*

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!

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

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.

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!

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..........

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. :)

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.