We recently purchased strawberry plants.. yes, strawberry plants (even though Peter can't have any). We're fairly certain he'll out grow his sensitivity, and we've always wanted to have a "berry patch"... we have a few blueberries, raspberries and blackberries, so when this amazingly good deal came along we figured now was the time to buy. Since luck seems to have it that we always loose about 1/3 or more of our transplants, we figured we'd play it safe... Bob purchased 120 plants! .50 a piece....
The plants arrived and we headed out to the preselected and prepared space... we planted and as we were planting we quickly realized we'd been sent more than we had ordered... we're still not sure what exactly happened, whether we missed another deal in there, or what, but we ended up with an additional 120 plants (give or take since each bag has 20 in it, and we noticed that a couple actually had 21)....
Well, we're not prepared for 240 plants... (not strawberry any way)... so we're selling off the rest to anyone interested... the going rate is 20 plants for $5.... We're down to under 60 plants... let us know (if you haven't already) if you want some and how many!
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Friday, May 22, 2009
Bedtime
My two year old is down stairs.. having a snack. He shares with me. Finishes. Lays his head on my lap with a squinty grin. I kiss his head and whisper:
"Where are you suppose to be?"
"In Bed."
"So why are you not in bed?"
"Because... I'm awake."
"Where are you suppose to be?"
"In Bed."
"So why are you not in bed?"
"Because... I'm awake."
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Just Waiting
So, what do you do when you're waiting....
Well, you could just go crazy with anticipation.... drive yourself nuts with worry and fear.... play the what if game... watch the clock tick by.... forget there is anything important to do....
OR
you could...
go to baseball games, clean house, plant a garden, weed the flowers, feed the kids, wash the laundry, work on renovations, go to work, read a book, work on a talk, work on your calling, play with kids, plan vacation.....
And still manage to drive yourself crazy not knowing... just waiting... and waiting... and waiting....
I guess that's what most of life is all about... waiting... for something... though most of the time we don't pay attention! Thank goodness for that!
So, we're waiting... as usual... some things have passed the waiting point, others have not.... and we're still functioning... though at a different level.. because with each passing day we know the waiting is finally coming to an end.
Well, you could just go crazy with anticipation.... drive yourself nuts with worry and fear.... play the what if game... watch the clock tick by.... forget there is anything important to do....
OR
you could...
go to baseball games, clean house, plant a garden, weed the flowers, feed the kids, wash the laundry, work on renovations, go to work, read a book, work on a talk, work on your calling, play with kids, plan vacation.....
And still manage to drive yourself crazy not knowing... just waiting... and waiting... and waiting....
I guess that's what most of life is all about... waiting... for something... though most of the time we don't pay attention! Thank goodness for that!
So, we're waiting... as usual... some things have passed the waiting point, others have not.... and we're still functioning... though at a different level.. because with each passing day we know the waiting is finally coming to an end.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
8 Years And Counting
A little hard to believe... 8 years married.
We started with a very unusually quiet morning - it was nice. Our thoughts turned back to our wedding - to the true beginning of our family. It was fun recalling details of our "honeymoon" (the first couple of days after we'd been married) like that we hadn't cleaned off the car before going to get breakfast at a little cafe. We were given a cozy little booth in the back of the cafe - alone - with congratulations. And when we stopped in at the mall to find the kitchen store was going out of business, so we got an awesome deal on glasses. And birdseed flying out of our car vents for years afterwards (btw, thanks Melissa for letting my sister in to do the damage)! And covering each other in cake! (Okay, so that was reception)
Anyway, as we went over those cute and silly memories, the children started getting up one at a time. It was fun to see them come down stairs and join us in our room. We cuddled, laughed, and played for a couple of hours - always with the first response to each child as they came down the stairs being "Happy Anniversary!"
We really love to celebrate the beginning of our family with our family! It truly is a day for all of us, not just Bob and I! The kids love it as much as we do... they've been looking forward to today for quite awhile... almost as impatiently as Christmas... though we don't do gifts. But they love to celebrate... and to have Midnight Delight (our own family creation which we only have on our Anniversary).....
But, alas, no Midnight Delight this year... Peter can't have chocolate and we all agreed it wouldn't be fair. So we spent time off and on today figuring out just what to make... in the end... well, we settled for chocolate chip cookies (no chips for Peter, Beth or Jeremy) with a dash of cinnamon. As they came out, Peter starting singing "Happy Birthday" and we all joined in to sing to us.. the family! It was fun!
It was Stake Conference today - regionally broadcasted - and all four children were sick in some degree or another with a cold. So, I stayed behind to watch them.. Bob was tempted (due to the nature of wanting to just be a family today) but needed to go as a High Councilman and to take our neighbor too. It turned out to be fine.. the kids went round and round with stories while drawing pictures, putting on puppet shows and playing little people. Bob came home with a copy of conference, so he watched it again, while I watched it for the first time. It was a great gift... I so very much needed that first talk more than anything!
All in all, we had a good day... reflecting on the things that are so special and dear to us... remembering what is important... and drawing our children close as we remember what it really means to be sealed for all eternity!
Happy Anniversary to Us!
We started with a very unusually quiet morning - it was nice. Our thoughts turned back to our wedding - to the true beginning of our family. It was fun recalling details of our "honeymoon" (the first couple of days after we'd been married) like that we hadn't cleaned off the car before going to get breakfast at a little cafe. We were given a cozy little booth in the back of the cafe - alone - with congratulations. And when we stopped in at the mall to find the kitchen store was going out of business, so we got an awesome deal on glasses. And birdseed flying out of our car vents for years afterwards (btw, thanks Melissa for letting my sister in to do the damage)! And covering each other in cake! (Okay, so that was reception)
Anyway, as we went over those cute and silly memories, the children started getting up one at a time. It was fun to see them come down stairs and join us in our room. We cuddled, laughed, and played for a couple of hours - always with the first response to each child as they came down the stairs being "Happy Anniversary!"
We really love to celebrate the beginning of our family with our family! It truly is a day for all of us, not just Bob and I! The kids love it as much as we do... they've been looking forward to today for quite awhile... almost as impatiently as Christmas... though we don't do gifts. But they love to celebrate... and to have Midnight Delight (our own family creation which we only have on our Anniversary).....
But, alas, no Midnight Delight this year... Peter can't have chocolate and we all agreed it wouldn't be fair. So we spent time off and on today figuring out just what to make... in the end... well, we settled for chocolate chip cookies (no chips for Peter, Beth or Jeremy) with a dash of cinnamon. As they came out, Peter starting singing "Happy Birthday" and we all joined in to sing to us.. the family! It was fun!
It was Stake Conference today - regionally broadcasted - and all four children were sick in some degree or another with a cold. So, I stayed behind to watch them.. Bob was tempted (due to the nature of wanting to just be a family today) but needed to go as a High Councilman and to take our neighbor too. It turned out to be fine.. the kids went round and round with stories while drawing pictures, putting on puppet shows and playing little people. Bob came home with a copy of conference, so he watched it again, while I watched it for the first time. It was a great gift... I so very much needed that first talk more than anything!
All in all, we had a good day... reflecting on the things that are so special and dear to us... remembering what is important... and drawing our children close as we remember what it really means to be sealed for all eternity!
Happy Anniversary to Us!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Our Very Own Cream!
So we finally did it... okay, we've been waiting for supplies so I guess it's only fair that it's taken this long...
We made our first batch of lotion today. After studying out so many recipes and only having tried the two our friends had given us, it was a little nerve racking to get started. I decided not to use any one specific recipe - but did the research on various oils and choose the ones I felt would best suit our needs - or rather Peter's needs. The rest of us could only benefit from such a perfectly matched combo to his highly sensitive skin! I also researched numerous recipes... the style we did is technically a cream... it is creamy, though it's thin, so I called it a lotion.
Well, with research in hand, proportions to work with, and a few questions answered, we got started. (We being Gabi and myself). It only took about half an hour... though most of that was probably me being slow trying to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything or doing something in the wrong order. What we got was something we really like - so far!
It's a little thinner than I think I was originally planning on, but I'm trying to determine if I want to make the next batch a bit firmer or not. The way it is, you just get a tiny amount on your finger and it goes a very long way really easily. It just glides on... you can feel the hydration, and it's not greasy (this was a surprise to me). It even absorbs quickly, so I can use it any time without having to worry about not touching anything or about letting it soak in over night. And because it absorbs so quickly, Peter's clothes are not becoming oily. We like this!
If anyone wants to try some, let me know, I'll be happy to let you try it out. Oh... and as for scent, well, I was thinking we put too much Tea Tree in it, but when it was all together and then put on, it smelled so nice... I can't fully describe it - though Gabi and I spent a good hour trying to. It's a light, slightly sweet scent that reminds me of candies when baking with Grandma... I know, that doesn't tell you anything... but, like I said, I just can't really describe it.
We'll let you know how it does with Peter.... he's been off lotions / creams for a good week and half... in that time, he insisted that he be allowed to eat Peanut Butter - and, yes, for certain he has a sensitivity. Anyway, we'll see how long it takes to help him heal and replenish the damaged and dried out skin!
We made our first batch of lotion today. After studying out so many recipes and only having tried the two our friends had given us, it was a little nerve racking to get started. I decided not to use any one specific recipe - but did the research on various oils and choose the ones I felt would best suit our needs - or rather Peter's needs. The rest of us could only benefit from such a perfectly matched combo to his highly sensitive skin! I also researched numerous recipes... the style we did is technically a cream... it is creamy, though it's thin, so I called it a lotion.
Well, with research in hand, proportions to work with, and a few questions answered, we got started. (We being Gabi and myself). It only took about half an hour... though most of that was probably me being slow trying to make sure I wasn't forgetting anything or doing something in the wrong order. What we got was something we really like - so far!
It's a little thinner than I think I was originally planning on, but I'm trying to determine if I want to make the next batch a bit firmer or not. The way it is, you just get a tiny amount on your finger and it goes a very long way really easily. It just glides on... you can feel the hydration, and it's not greasy (this was a surprise to me). It even absorbs quickly, so I can use it any time without having to worry about not touching anything or about letting it soak in over night. And because it absorbs so quickly, Peter's clothes are not becoming oily. We like this!
If anyone wants to try some, let me know, I'll be happy to let you try it out. Oh... and as for scent, well, I was thinking we put too much Tea Tree in it, but when it was all together and then put on, it smelled so nice... I can't fully describe it - though Gabi and I spent a good hour trying to. It's a light, slightly sweet scent that reminds me of candies when baking with Grandma... I know, that doesn't tell you anything... but, like I said, I just can't really describe it.
We'll let you know how it does with Peter.... he's been off lotions / creams for a good week and half... in that time, he insisted that he be allowed to eat Peanut Butter - and, yes, for certain he has a sensitivity. Anyway, we'll see how long it takes to help him heal and replenish the damaged and dried out skin!
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Fun Sayings From Peter
Word: Super-Salt
Translation: Somersault
Word: Hide N Sneak
translation: Hide and Seek
Translation: Somersault
Word: Hide N Sneak
translation: Hide and Seek
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Just A Few Thoughts
This week has been up and down... I'm sure that has a lot to do with the rain that came... and kept us from enjoying our gardening.... but... today has been nice so far and since Bob took the day off, he and three kids stayed here to get some more gardening done....
I was able to take Beth to dance... it was nice to not be 'mama'ed constantly for a couple of hours. And Beth did really well... I was going to take notes of her dances so I could help her here at home, but Miss Jodi was all prepared with a video tape and just recorded it for us... that should help. Beth knows most of them without trouble, but then she gets towards the end and listens real hard but still gets stuck. She doesn't like that since Gabi does not have the same problem.
I came home and took the kiddos for a quick walk through the woods outback while Bob rototilled the garden. Peter was so funny.... he was excited about the trees and had to go over and touch each one - only coming along because I wasn't stopping for each one. But he told me to look at the tree every time in such awe - almost as if he'd never seen anything like it before. I do love how little ones just drink in all the beauty around them!
Tonight Bob is taking me and the girls to see "Miracle Worker", the story of Helen Keller being performed at the high school. Bob and I love to watch plays, though we don't do it nearly enough. And this will be the first real experience for the girls (who've ever only seen "elementary theatrics"). It will also open up a new topic of interest in our home schooling.
How nice it is to have Bob around on a Saturday!
I was able to take Beth to dance... it was nice to not be 'mama'ed constantly for a couple of hours. And Beth did really well... I was going to take notes of her dances so I could help her here at home, but Miss Jodi was all prepared with a video tape and just recorded it for us... that should help. Beth knows most of them without trouble, but then she gets towards the end and listens real hard but still gets stuck. She doesn't like that since Gabi does not have the same problem.
I came home and took the kiddos for a quick walk through the woods outback while Bob rototilled the garden. Peter was so funny.... he was excited about the trees and had to go over and touch each one - only coming along because I wasn't stopping for each one. But he told me to look at the tree every time in such awe - almost as if he'd never seen anything like it before. I do love how little ones just drink in all the beauty around them!
Tonight Bob is taking me and the girls to see "Miracle Worker", the story of Helen Keller being performed at the high school. Bob and I love to watch plays, though we don't do it nearly enough. And this will be the first real experience for the girls (who've ever only seen "elementary theatrics"). It will also open up a new topic of interest in our home schooling.
How nice it is to have Bob around on a Saturday!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Looking For Recipes - Making Some More Changes
I'm making some more changes to some of the items our family uses (for the sake of Peter, but which will ultimately help us as well)... but I'm looking for some help in finding just the right recipes....
Beeswax lotion - I'm most interested in the knowing the proportions of the following that people may use. I've already researched the various items out there (no, not all of them, but I've figured out which ones I want to use and have studied over several recipes to get basic ideas of what "needs" to be there) - so... what proportions do people use for the following items (or would suggest):
Beeswax, carrier oils, essential oils, and butter (specifically cocoa butter)
I'm also looking for a laundry detergent that does not call for soap... soapless please... that's important. We already do the vinegar for the rinse.
While we're at it, any favorite moisturizing, sensitive-skin-friendly soap recipes? Bug repellents (specifically for black flies and mosquitos)... again sensitive-skin-friendly.
Other things to consider - nothing that comes from nuts, please... though we're not certain about his particular sensitivity, we've taken chocolate and nuts out of Peter's diet. (He does not have issues with cocoa butter - we use that in the bath wash we use now without problem). Also avoid anything with strawberry, raspberry and blackberry.
Thanks for your help!
Beeswax lotion - I'm most interested in the knowing the proportions of the following that people may use. I've already researched the various items out there (no, not all of them, but I've figured out which ones I want to use and have studied over several recipes to get basic ideas of what "needs" to be there) - so... what proportions do people use for the following items (or would suggest):
Beeswax, carrier oils, essential oils, and butter (specifically cocoa butter)
I'm also looking for a laundry detergent that does not call for soap... soapless please... that's important. We already do the vinegar for the rinse.
While we're at it, any favorite moisturizing, sensitive-skin-friendly soap recipes? Bug repellents (specifically for black flies and mosquitos)... again sensitive-skin-friendly.
Other things to consider - nothing that comes from nuts, please... though we're not certain about his particular sensitivity, we've taken chocolate and nuts out of Peter's diet. (He does not have issues with cocoa butter - we use that in the bath wash we use now without problem). Also avoid anything with strawberry, raspberry and blackberry.
Thanks for your help!
Friday, May 1, 2009
STUBBORN & STRONG
Well that sums it up... that's Peter....
In particular I'm talking about yesterday... when he went out back to play... He saw the hose... he turned it on... I turned it off... he turned it on... I turned it off... he turned it on... I turned it off... he turned it on...
I turned it as tight as it would go... he promptly walked over and struggled only a second and had it back on in force!
So, what was I do to? I still had the baby with me... I couldn't fight Peter into the house with the baby in my arms... so I sat down on the edge of the playset and watched... after all, stubborn is only stubborn for a reason... and the reason... education of course....
Peter had built up different types of sand figures.... he then took the water... pouring it in neat patterns to create interesting designs and then completely wiping it out all together. Yup, that fits... build and take apart... put together and destroy... that's Peter.
The only problem.... (besides the water running constantly) there was only one hose and Jeremy wanted to have a turn too....
In particular I'm talking about yesterday... when he went out back to play... He saw the hose... he turned it on... I turned it off... he turned it on... I turned it off... he turned it on... I turned it off... he turned it on...
I turned it as tight as it would go... he promptly walked over and struggled only a second and had it back on in force!
So, what was I do to? I still had the baby with me... I couldn't fight Peter into the house with the baby in my arms... so I sat down on the edge of the playset and watched... after all, stubborn is only stubborn for a reason... and the reason... education of course....
Peter had built up different types of sand figures.... he then took the water... pouring it in neat patterns to create interesting designs and then completely wiping it out all together. Yup, that fits... build and take apart... put together and destroy... that's Peter.
The only problem.... (besides the water running constantly) there was only one hose and Jeremy wanted to have a turn too....
A Few Goodies
I mentioned back at Christmas time that I'd received a bundt pan... something I had really wanted. Well, the first thing I made in it was a very moist, incredible chocolate bundt cake with a triple glaze finish (chocolate, vanilla, and peanut butter). It was sooooo good... and I have a picture somewhere.. but that was quite some time back.
Well, I'd been meaning to make Monkey Bread with the bundt pan... and finally, well, I'm not sure how it came to be, but we seemed to have everyone together, the kitchen clean, the baby sleeping, and everyone getting along... so we made a delicious Monkey Bread... no we didn't glaze it... my kids are too picky and don't like the glaze... I did make some in a small dish to the side for me and Bob and anyone else to dip our pieces into.
Anyway, besides having a perfect monkey bread, I didn't have to butter the pan... thank goodness because it's a decorative one... but it came out just fine... since it's a non-stick finish.
Then, yesterday, I decided to try out a recipe for applesauce doughnuts... now I'm a terribly picky doughnut person.....I only ate my Gramma Boone's doughnuts growing up, and then eventually added yeasty doughnuts to the list... and on occassion I started to get Peanut Butter filled and Boston Creme (my current favorite). Well... I'm not a big cake doughnut person, but this recipe sounded really good... so I tried it... the doughnuts are gone (we made a double batch)... they were really yummy... and even tasted much like Gramma Boone's doughnuts... not sure what kind she made, but it certainly brought back yummy memories!
If you're interested, recipes will be posted here later, so check back again soon... I have kids to tend to this evening.
Well, I'd been meaning to make Monkey Bread with the bundt pan... and finally, well, I'm not sure how it came to be, but we seemed to have everyone together, the kitchen clean, the baby sleeping, and everyone getting along... so we made a delicious Monkey Bread... no we didn't glaze it... my kids are too picky and don't like the glaze... I did make some in a small dish to the side for me and Bob and anyone else to dip our pieces into.
Anyway, besides having a perfect monkey bread, I didn't have to butter the pan... thank goodness because it's a decorative one... but it came out just fine... since it's a non-stick finish.
Then, yesterday, I decided to try out a recipe for applesauce doughnuts... now I'm a terribly picky doughnut person.....I only ate my Gramma Boone's doughnuts growing up, and then eventually added yeasty doughnuts to the list... and on occassion I started to get Peanut Butter filled and Boston Creme (my current favorite). Well... I'm not a big cake doughnut person, but this recipe sounded really good... so I tried it... the doughnuts are gone (we made a double batch)... they were really yummy... and even tasted much like Gramma Boone's doughnuts... not sure what kind she made, but it certainly brought back yummy memories!
If you're interested, recipes will be posted here later, so check back again soon... I have kids to tend to this evening.
He's Really 30 .... Old Man
Hey I had to have a little fun... since, after all, he's always calling me the old woman... yes, I'm older than him... by a mere 7 months....
Anyway, Bob had his birthday the end of last week... we were gone, he was working... and well, schedules being what schedules are, we didn't celebrate it until Monday night this week... I guess that's still better than Gabi's. ;)
Just a simple chocolate cake with the full 30 candles... and the gift... a fishing license... what else could the kids really get Dad? They'll all have a ton of fun, when he finds a little time to take them fishing... they all really enjoy that time together!
As for singing... well, let's just say the kids take after their Dad... they love to make everything into a joke or a game or whatever... so, to sing the traditional birthday song, they pinched their noses!
And, for now, he can't call me the old lady... soon enough that will all change again! :) Happy Birthday, Honey!
Anyway, Bob had his birthday the end of last week... we were gone, he was working... and well, schedules being what schedules are, we didn't celebrate it until Monday night this week... I guess that's still better than Gabi's. ;)
Just a simple chocolate cake with the full 30 candles... and the gift... a fishing license... what else could the kids really get Dad? They'll all have a ton of fun, when he finds a little time to take them fishing... they all really enjoy that time together!
As for singing... well, let's just say the kids take after their Dad... they love to make everything into a joke or a game or whatever... so, to sing the traditional birthday song, they pinched their noses!
And, for now, he can't call me the old lady... soon enough that will all change again! :) Happy Birthday, Honey!
Camp-In
So... along with all the running around... I promised the kids a camp-in... it's still too chilly (for us) to camp out, but they really wanted to do something. So early in the week Daddy came home to a house of kids still up and us dragging the bedding downstairs to the playroom... Daddy, complete with smiles, jumped right in and helped build the tent (okay, so I let him take over completely so I could take pictures... he certainly didn't mind).... using the puppet theater as the center holding point and also as a divider for the girls and boys. It was fun to put together and the kids enjoyed the camp in so much... they wanted to do it again... but with the busy week, well, that just didn't happen.
I loved seeing them climbing through the puppet theater..... crawling in and out of the tent... and just their genuine excitement. Oh, it's great to be a kid some times! (And great not to worry about what time people wake up the next morning!)
I loved seeing them climbing through the puppet theater..... crawling in and out of the tent... and just their genuine excitement. Oh, it's great to be a kid some times! (And great not to worry about what time people wake up the next morning!)
A Vacation Week
Last week we had no baby to watch... it was April break at school, and normally that would mean our family was going out of town some where for some uninterrupted family time. This year was different, however, because Bob has a cabinet contract that was needed to finish up. He thought he'd be done by mid week, but with the way schedules had been, he was little behind... and then discovered we'd had a leak in the basement which put him more behind (since he had to fix somethings). He hired someone to help him out... thank you so much, Jim.... and then it was a matter of the kids and I not being "needy"....
As part of that, the kids and I tried to make some good home schooling plans.... We didn't have the van Monday or Tuesday (and I honestly don't remember what we ended up doing, though I think it had something to do with bookwork...to end the week before, we had made butter, check out Fly Away Home Butter for the full story) and then Wednesday we were invited down to "Green Up" and look for Frog Eggs.... a great opportunity for a quick field trip and a way to start a new unit... the Frog Life Cycle.
Anyway, we had a wonderful time... and yes, found frog eggs.. but you can read about that adventure over at Fly Away Home Green Up and Frog Eggs.
Thursday Bob took the day off to spend with the children... I don't know all that they did, though I do know that the "big trains" came down to play with (that would be the electric trains). I also know that Bob took them over to the new house (the one he's now fixing up) so they could see where he would be spending a good deal of time over the next couple of months.... we're glad it's only just down the road a piece and that we'll be able to visit him over there from time to time. The best part is that this is the next step in bringing Bob down to one job... it's been a long process, and we still have a way to go, but the Lord is continually opening the way for us and the end is truly in sight!
Anyway, while Bob had the kids, I spent the day with a friend down the Temple. It was nice to finally get back since it's been sometime before I was pregnant with Peter... that's a rather long time. I came away feeling more calm, feeling like I had the insight and strength needed to continue on some more challenging things. It was also so nice to have someone (an adult friend) to talk to without being interrupted by little kids... that's a real novelty for me!
Friday was a day full of field trips... first to Southworth Planetarium and then to the Maine Wildlife Park.... it was adventurous and fun... but you can read about that at Fly Away Home Couple More Field Trips.
As if that were not enough, we then decided to go to the Shrin
e Circus on Saturday. The kids had never been to a circus... and me, well I grew up with the "REAL CIRCUS"... you know the type, real tents, real crazy stunts, real circus animals... I mean really, I always rode 
the elephant! Well, that's a whole different circus, and fortunately I had not hyped it up... so they kids enjoyed it.
It was hard for them to get there so early and then to wait, but they did well enough.
Jeremy fell asleep during the
second half, although otherwise enjoyed watching everything. The girls especially loved to watch the aerial acrobats, but the things that took t
he cake, was, of course, the clowns.... the most exciting of that was when they were trying to paint and the
y ended up covered in "paint". I really enjoyed listening to my children laugh at the silly tricks.... at the clowns and poodles especially!
Jeremy has seen the light sticks and kept saying that he wanted one. Since I had gotten my ticket half off and since I didn't have to pay for Peter, I decided to go ahead and buy two.. one for each b
oy, to then later share... sharing, of course, is always the hard part..... but the light sticks came in handy when there was a contest half way through... and Light Up The House contest... which we were lucky to 
be in the winning side... not that we got anything from it... just fun to do.
All in all, if was a nice week, busy and full, but it as worth it.... we got back to the normal life this week....if normal includes baseball, that is... Gabi's first game is tomorrow, though there will not be any pictures because I'll have the other kids at dance and Bob will be assistant coaching... I'll try to get pictures next week! It would seem there is no T-Ball this year, so I'll need to find a set and get a little "T-Ball" session started in the back yard... Jeremy was really looking forward to it again!
As part of that, the kids and I tried to make some good home schooling plans.... We didn't have the van Monday or Tuesday (and I honestly don't remember what we ended up doing, though I think it had something to do with bookwork...to end the week before, we had made butter, check out Fly Away Home Butter for the full story) and then Wednesday we were invited down to "Green Up" and look for Frog Eggs.... a great opportunity for a quick field trip and a way to start a new unit... the Frog Life Cycle.
Anyway, we had a wonderful time... and yes, found frog eggs.. but you can read about that adventure over at Fly Away Home Green Up and Frog Eggs.
Thursday Bob took the day off to spend with the children... I don't know all that they did, though I do know that the "big trains" came down to play with (that would be the electric trains). I also know that Bob took them over to the new house (the one he's now fixing up) so they could see where he would be spending a good deal of time over the next couple of months.... we're glad it's only just down the road a piece and that we'll be able to visit him over there from time to time. The best part is that this is the next step in bringing Bob down to one job... it's been a long process, and we still have a way to go, but the Lord is continually opening the way for us and the end is truly in sight!
Anyway, while Bob had the kids, I spent the day with a friend down the Temple. It was nice to finally get back since it's been sometime before I was pregnant with Peter... that's a rather long time. I came away feeling more calm, feeling like I had the insight and strength needed to continue on some more challenging things. It was also so nice to have someone (an adult friend) to talk to without being interrupted by little kids... that's a real novelty for me!
Friday was a day full of field trips... first to Southworth Planetarium and then to the Maine Wildlife Park.... it was adventurous and fun... but you can read about that at Fly Away Home Couple More Field Trips.
As if that were not enough, we then decided to go to the Shrin
e Circus on Saturday. The kids had never been to a circus... and me, well I grew up with the "REAL CIRCUS"... you know the type, real tents, real crazy stunts, real circus animals... I mean really, I always rode 
the elephant! Well, that's a whole different circus, and fortunately I had not hyped it up... so they kids enjoyed it.It was hard for them to get there so early and then to wait, but they did well enough.
Jeremy fell asleep during the
second half, although otherwise enjoyed watching everything. The girls especially loved to watch the aerial acrobats, but the things that took t
he cake, was, of course, the clowns.... the most exciting of that was when they were trying to paint and the
y ended up covered in "paint". I really enjoyed listening to my children laugh at the silly tricks.... at the clowns and poodles especially!
Jeremy has seen the light sticks and kept saying that he wanted one. Since I had gotten my ticket half off and since I didn't have to pay for Peter, I decided to go ahead and buy two.. one for each b
oy, to then later share... sharing, of course, is always the hard part..... but the light sticks came in handy when there was a contest half way through... and Light Up The House contest... which we were lucky to 
be in the winning side... not that we got anything from it... just fun to do.All in all, if was a nice week, busy and full, but it as worth it.... we got back to the normal life this week....if normal includes baseball, that is... Gabi's first game is tomorrow, though there will not be any pictures because I'll have the other kids at dance and Bob will be assistant coaching... I'll try to get pictures next week! It would seem there is no T-Ball this year, so I'll need to find a set and get a little "T-Ball" session started in the back yard... Jeremy was really looking forward to it again!
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Cute Things
The other night while Bob was getting the kids in bed, Jeremy wasn't quite ready. He's at the stage where there's a problem with everything (mostly because whatever it is appears to be an inconvenience for him right then). He was talking about how he was out growing things too fast - maybe it was the clothes he was trying to take off himself that were getting stuck, or maybe it was the pj's he was suppose to put on. Whatever it was, Bob made it into a game... like everything else. This is (to my understanding) the way the conversation went:
Bob: What happens when you out grow your feet?
Jeremy: That's impossible, Dad! Impossible means not possible!
Yeah... sure he's only three....
And since we've had some changes in our lives with Peter - something's working great, by the way, since all that is left is dry skin - no raised skin, no redness! Anyway, since he's been feeling better, there's a slightly different Peter showing up - he's terribly concerned about my happiness. One example of what he does follows:
Peter, playing with the printer.
Me: Peter, that's not okay. Leave the printer alone.
Peter: You happy?
Me: No, I'm not happy when you play with the printer.
Peter (with concerned face and voice): You sad, Mama?
Me: Yes, Peter, I'm sad when you play with the printer.
Peter then takes the offending hand with his other hand, holding it fast he looks at it and says: Behave hand.
Still holding his hand, he looks back at me: Hand behave, you happy?
Me: Yes, Peter. I'll be happy if your hand behaves.
Now whenever I tell him that what he's doing makes me sad or disappoints me, he immediately grabs the one hand with the other and with a teary voice says: Behave, Mama. You be happy. I behave.
What a difference from the little monster who would head butt and hit me hard enough to leave bruises when he wanted to let me know he loved me! Oh how good life is when the little one is feeling sooooo much better!
Bob: What happens when you out grow your feet?
Jeremy: That's impossible, Dad! Impossible means not possible!
Yeah... sure he's only three....
And since we've had some changes in our lives with Peter - something's working great, by the way, since all that is left is dry skin - no raised skin, no redness! Anyway, since he's been feeling better, there's a slightly different Peter showing up - he's terribly concerned about my happiness. One example of what he does follows:
Peter, playing with the printer.
Me: Peter, that's not okay. Leave the printer alone.
Peter: You happy?
Me: No, I'm not happy when you play with the printer.
Peter (with concerned face and voice): You sad, Mama?
Me: Yes, Peter, I'm sad when you play with the printer.
Peter then takes the offending hand with his other hand, holding it fast he looks at it and says: Behave hand.
Still holding his hand, he looks back at me: Hand behave, you happy?
Me: Yes, Peter. I'll be happy if your hand behaves.
Now whenever I tell him that what he's doing makes me sad or disappoints me, he immediately grabs the one hand with the other and with a teary voice says: Behave, Mama. You be happy. I behave.
What a difference from the little monster who would head butt and hit me hard enough to leave bruises when he wanted to let me know he loved me! Oh how good life is when the little one is feeling sooooo much better!
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter 2009
Easter was... different... this year. Normally there is a special Sacrament meeting... this year, Easter came a little early, and with General Conference last weekend, well, it was Fast and Testimony Sunday instead. I still felt the spirit, but I must admit that I did miss the extra music and extra attention to the Resurrection of Christ (though many people did mention it in their testimonies).All week I found my attention drifting to Savannah. This is her first Easter away from her earthly family. It's strange to think of. Wh
ile she was ill she didn't visit with us on Easter, but prior to that, her family would gather with ours for a special Easter Egg hunt, dinner and a special "story of Christ in 12 eggs". I'm sure that's why she was on my mind so much this week. Over the last couple of years, our family has kept to ourselves for Easter - teaching our children, watching their excitement, drawing our family close together in a relaxing setting. It seems we don't get many of those kinds of days.Since the kids were so excited about having a
n egg hunt, and since the tables were covered... well, the Easter Bunny didn't find his way to our house during the church hours (which is the normal time for Him in our house). In fact, Mommy was dropped off early to see if the Easter Bunny had come yet and to clear the sewing stuff from the table. Daddy toke the kids to drop off our neighbor and then up the road the long way home. When they came back, Mommy still had not seen the Easter Bunny... but, the kids noticed candy leading along the deck to the backyard and a sign on the door, right at their level, that said "Hippity Hop Hop to the backyard. Love Easter Bunny".... so they followed the trail and squealed with delight at the sight of the backyard.The only trouble was that it was sooooooo windy... and, of couse, Jeremy hates th
e wind. But he was a good sport and filled his basket before he went inside... to stay. The girls were quick and all over the place - soon with filled baskets and an assignment to assist their bothers in finding ones to fill their baskets. The Easter Bunny even hid Cadburry Cream Eggs... special for Daddy!Peter was so funny - he was excited by the idea of Easter Bunny... and every time he'd pick up an egg he'd show me and squeal "An Easter Bunny" beaming ear to ear and then putting it in his bas
ket! He did get two chocolate Easter Bunnies (one from the Easter Bunny and one from Aunt Cheri and Uncle Andrew)... he was so thrilled! When he bit into the one from Cheri and Andrew, it was hollow... he thought that was great.... put the ear up to his eye and had himself a chocolate telescope!And when we called to say "Happy Easter" to family, Peter would exclaim, every time, "Happy Easter Bunny!"
Such a fun age! And it was so nice to see the excitement in our children's eyes.. for the clothes and the candy. But the best part was Gabi...
We had made up Easter Baskets for the missionaries (even the girls, as the kids insisted). And then filled up a large jar with candies and wrapped it in spring fabric to take to our neighbor. On our way back from delivering it, she said "I feel so warm... even though it's cold outside, I feel so warm. I love helping others who don't have the same things we do."
Yes, we ha
ve an Easter Bunny. But no, the focus is never centered there. Our children know the importance of Easter - why there had to be an atonement. What that meant for each of us. And how much Christ loves us all. They know that Christ was resurrected and that we each will be. They know that families can be eternal. And they know that serving each other is what Christ would have us do - that it brings us one step closer to Him.I am so grateful for this. For the reminder that my children are learning what is important not just in word, but in deed also. I'm so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who prepared a plan to allow us to grow, to learn, to gain physical bodies and then to return to him again. I love my Savior so very dearly - I can not even begin to imagine what he must have suffered for me - let alone for all of us. And to know that He had a choice, even at the very end, He had a choice. He choose love above all else... He loved (and loves) us so much that He was willing, and then did, suffer beyond all imagination to bring us back to the Father, to the Home we all came from. I will be forever and eternally grateful - and though I know I can never repay Him, I want to be more and more like Him everyday. I want to be a better person each and every day, so that I might grow and learn and become the best I can be through His love and His atoning sacrafice.
Easter may come only once a year, but the message rings strong every day, every week, every month, every year. It is brought back to our memory in great strength each Easter, but it remains alive within us because we know and feel the love of our Savior Jesus Christ.
We hope everyone had a wonderful, peaceful "Happy Easter Bunny"!
Easter Outfits
Easter has always been my favorite time of year... it brings back great, pleasing, and joyful memories from my childhood (not many holidays do). So, in keeping with my mother's tradition, I try to make a dress for each of my girls for Easter... expanding that, I also make shirts and vest for the boys..... (sorry about the above picture.. not sure what setting Bob had that on).
Mom tensed me this year - because even starting a month and half early (which explains why Gabi's dress is two inches shorter than I had planned it to be) I was putting the embellishments on Sunday morning! She was laughing so hard because of my adventures with Beth, Jeremy and Peter in the store trying desperately to find BROWN dress shoes in "toddler" sizes (Gabi was fine) because apparently my sister and brother were the same way. Brings back memories for her - ones she wouldn't have laughed at then, but could now! (There's hope for me yet). Then she asked me if I remembered the year she bought us girls dresses.... honestly, No... No I do not. So she told me about it. (I have bought my girls dresses before, but I just love to make them... I love how I felt as a little girl getting these new dresses, freshly sewn by my loving mother... I want to pass that on.)
Well, I mentioned in an earlier post the the kids got to help this year... once... each... and then we ran out of time and I had to take over... Bob ended up home earlier on Saturday night and (the sweetest husband awards goes to him) he sat down and sewed on every single button on the boys shirts (you soon to be and just returning missionaries... Bob said that this was the reason missionaries are suppose to learn to sew! :))... even with that, we were in bed around 1am.... because I was cross eyed..... and everything could be worn, even if it wasn't "complete". In the end, I had everything except Gabi's little bows on - so I sewed those on the half hour ride to church... and finished just in time!
I'll admit that this year I was suppose to make pants and ties for the boys as well... but I knew that was not realistic for Easter... they will still get them... but I'm going to take a week long breather first! I also didn't put buttons on the vests yet... because the ones we got I ended up not liking... I had some I did like, but only enough for one vest... and no, I couldn't bring myself to do t
hem on one and not the other.... and it was too late to go "shopping" and we don't shop on Sundays.Though the boys shirts are terribly bright (say, living easter eggs), they really looked great! I might make lighter blue shirts for them too (not sure yet) to keep the tone down a notch for family pictures when the flowers bloom! And Gabi and I agreed to look for some really soft pink (like the flowers in her dress) to add a couple of inches on the bottom... so she can wear it longer.
Regardless of the "stress factor" it was a "good stress" mostly... but then, being up late three nights in a row really did me in.... we'll have none of that next year.... (yeah, right!)
A NEW Way of "Life"
Okay - so here we are again - that's right.... another thing to try with Peter.
We had the three kids (Gabi, Beth and Peter) in for wellness check ups last week. Peter had one of his worse flare ups of all time the day before on our ride back home from our weekend away. He was red, itchy, and had huge hives. They were bubbled way up and one hive covered his entire arm. Needless to say, he was miserable. Benedryl does not always work with him. I've yet to figure out any rhyme or reason to when it does and when it does not work. Anyway, at the doctor's visit, it was agreed that it was time to see a specialist. It was also agreed that we needed to look at things like diet, not just cover up the problem.
New Problem - our insurance does not cover naturalist options. All the dermatologists that I was able to find and talk to work strictly with medications and creams (ie... steriods)... we're not ready to believe that Peter needs to be on steriods... especially when it would likely mean the rest of his life. We want to find the cause and eliminate it... not just cover it up and pretend it isn't an issue.
So, with that in mind, Bob wants us to keep a detailed journal and try a few more things ourselves first - before paying out of pocket. It's been overwhelming to consider, but we're finally doing some other things... not everything yet, but we'll get there if we need to.
We've eliminated the following:
Eggs
Dyes
Berries (which we already know cause problems)
Seafood
If needed, we'll also eliminate chocolate, peanuts, wheat, milk and soy. I might start in on the chocolate because he had some yesterday and today he's not feeling so well. He's not too bad... and it may be because his legs have been so dry and I've not put anything on them (trying to avoid anything store bought). I'm working on getting some beeswax lotion made only with olive oil (since he's okay with that oil).
We've also changed our laundry habits:
No more fabric softeners or dryer sheets. No more strain removers (though I'd love to find an all natural one that we can "make" ourselves). We're only using All Free and Clear (though we're going to try some homemade Borax stuff) and then Vinegar in the rinse cycle (which we do twice) which both softens and strips any excess detergent out of the clothing. And YES! Vinegar actually works to soften clothes... more than that, I honestly think our clothes are softer... and.... it's sooooo much less expensive! We use about 1/2 cup in each rinse.
Anyway... we've seen a huge difference in Peter's skin... we're not sure if it's food or contact since we've removed things for both. But Bob seems to steer towards contact because the hands, feet, head and diaper area are never effected.
The good news in all this... it may just force us to find more natural alternatives... and that's not a bad thing... especially when it's more cost effect (and not just in buying the products, but in preserving health).
We had the three kids (Gabi, Beth and Peter) in for wellness check ups last week. Peter had one of his worse flare ups of all time the day before on our ride back home from our weekend away. He was red, itchy, and had huge hives. They were bubbled way up and one hive covered his entire arm. Needless to say, he was miserable. Benedryl does not always work with him. I've yet to figure out any rhyme or reason to when it does and when it does not work. Anyway, at the doctor's visit, it was agreed that it was time to see a specialist. It was also agreed that we needed to look at things like diet, not just cover up the problem.
New Problem - our insurance does not cover naturalist options. All the dermatologists that I was able to find and talk to work strictly with medications and creams (ie... steriods)... we're not ready to believe that Peter needs to be on steriods... especially when it would likely mean the rest of his life. We want to find the cause and eliminate it... not just cover it up and pretend it isn't an issue.
So, with that in mind, Bob wants us to keep a detailed journal and try a few more things ourselves first - before paying out of pocket. It's been overwhelming to consider, but we're finally doing some other things... not everything yet, but we'll get there if we need to.
We've eliminated the following:
Eggs
Dyes
Berries (which we already know cause problems)
Seafood
If needed, we'll also eliminate chocolate, peanuts, wheat, milk and soy. I might start in on the chocolate because he had some yesterday and today he's not feeling so well. He's not too bad... and it may be because his legs have been so dry and I've not put anything on them (trying to avoid anything store bought). I'm working on getting some beeswax lotion made only with olive oil (since he's okay with that oil).
We've also changed our laundry habits:
No more fabric softeners or dryer sheets. No more strain removers (though I'd love to find an all natural one that we can "make" ourselves). We're only using All Free and Clear (though we're going to try some homemade Borax stuff) and then Vinegar in the rinse cycle (which we do twice) which both softens and strips any excess detergent out of the clothing. And YES! Vinegar actually works to soften clothes... more than that, I honestly think our clothes are softer... and.... it's sooooo much less expensive! We use about 1/2 cup in each rinse.
Anyway... we've seen a huge difference in Peter's skin... we're not sure if it's food or contact since we've removed things for both. But Bob seems to steer towards contact because the hands, feet, head and diaper area are never effected.
The good news in all this... it may just force us to find more natural alternatives... and that's not a bad thing... especially when it's more cost effect (and not just in buying the products, but in preserving health).
Mom Is 50!?! - Can You Tell?
The first weekend in April was an eventful one for us. We made a quick trip to Vermont to help celebrate my mother turning 50! It was exciting to try and help plan the celebration on such short notice - things had just been 
too hectic and crazy in her life to know if we could even try to plan something. Even that weekend
things got hectic again - but it all came together and she was truly surprised (my kids didn't even give it away!).
While we were there, the community was putting on an Easter Egg Hunt - complete with crafts before hand. So though the first day and half we didn't see much of Mom, that Saturday was a day for her and my kids - and it was so much fun (even though the hunt was held outside, in the freezing rain).
Bethie and
Gabi ended up in the same hunting group, and aside from a slipped off shoe at one point, they had a blast. It was much harder to find their eggs than it was for the boys. Braeden, Peter and Jeremy were in the little group - where all the eggs were easy to see and easy to grab. Braeden and Peter were so funny - they would find an egg, but then refuse to touch it (because it was wet). So Mom and I picked up the eggs they found. After a couple of times with that, Peter found another egg, not so obviously wet, and picked it up. He made a little face and told me it was wet, but then put it in his basket and went on for another one. That allowed me a chance to run off and try to get a couple pictures of the girls - since they were on the playground quite a distance away.
They had a really nice time - and so did we.
After that we headed over the mountain to the party - Mom fully expected to get pictures with her grandkids... we owe her big time... and she didn't figure it out until we drove into the pa
rking lot and she saw Craig who lives quite a ways away. She had a nice time - we had asked everyone to write down a memory about her or something they admired about her. This was really special for her because she often feels that she has not made a difference in the lives of her family. She often hears the negative and lets it make her think she's not as wonderful and special as she is (we all do this at times).
She also mentioned how special it was for her to have her grandchildren there. Almost all were able to be there - and to watch them playing together and having a good time. She loves those moments (though they are few) so very much.Over all, she had a wonderful time - her heart was filled with love and gratitude. That's what makes a party special.
Monday, April 6, 2009
Ice Soccer
As the snow melts, the kids get more and more excited about getting outside. They had a good winter (aside from not having much in the way of wet snow) but then had come the "in-between" when it's not really winter and it's not really spring and the ground is covered too deep in pothole snow with black holes hiding everywhere. They don't like to be out in that much, and I can't 
say as though I blame them.Well, early last week the kids were so excited because the deck was just about completely clear of the ice and snow. This meant space to move around without falling into who knows how big a hole and loosing a boot. Since it was also rather warm (
as you can tell by Beth's "shorts"), they went out to play while I got things ready for the missionaries. Normally I would have insisted that they help by cleaning up, but I couldn't resist letting them have some good outdoor fun.
With the windows open, I hear Jeremy holler in to me "Hey, Mom! We're playing ice soccer!" I glanced up, and sure enough, all although the deck (and the deck walk) the three older kids are running around sliding a huge chunk of ice with their feet. I, of course, figured I better get a picture, but between that and getting Peter ready to go out, well, I only got the end of it... oh well, they certainly had a lot of fun!
The Garden Begins
A couple of weeks ago we had our annual Gardening Family Home Evening. We always start with tomatoes - and then a few weeks later, if we find more time, we start other things. We like to have our complete garden in by the end of May, but sometimes the weather does not cooperate. This year we might just get lucky.
Anyway, we also sing "The Prophet Said To Plant A Garden" to get us focused on the importance of the project, not just the fun. Everyone gets to help - you'll see Peter had a lot of fun when it was his turn to help put the potting soil into the containers. Each kids had a couple of turns to do that, and then Dad gave them each a few seeds to count out into each container. It's always a little messy, but it was excited to see the first bits of green come up before we left for Vermont last week!
Anyway, we also sing "The Prophet Said To Plant A Garden" to get us focused on the importance of the project, not just the fun. Everyone gets to help - you'll see Peter had a lot of fun when it was his turn to help put the potting soil into the containers. Each kids had a couple of turns to do that, and then Dad gave them each a few seeds to count out into each container. It's always a little messy, but it was excited to see the first bits of green come up before we left for Vermont last week!
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