Spring Break 2008 - Day 4, Part A

What do you get when you let your kids all stay up past 11 pm and then get up early for a huge day of fun? These lovely sleeping beauties:Yep, they are currently all three asleep (forced naps for all). (Note to self: sleep when the kids sleep! Hint. Hint.) So, this morning started bright and early with "Done Before Fun" services. They whipped those babies out as they were so excited for today. Since we didn't get to have friends a couple of days ago, we worked into the budget having friends AND Putt-Putt together. K's friend got here at 9 and then we immediately went to pick up C's friend.

We headed out to a different Putt-Putt course. I was hoping it wouldn't be as crowded as last year's. We were the only ones on any of the three mini-golf courses, so I guess I made the right choice. It ended up being much older and kind of rinky-dink, but also so much calmer that I guess it was worth it. With us being the only ones outside and LD in the stroller, we couldn't follow them around very well....I guess there weren't any ADA requirements when they built this one! But, no one else was out there, so the boys played by themselves and the girls played by themselves and I just observed, taking pictures now and again. LD sat there so good. I am glad I trapped him in the stroller or he would have been torture to keep track of.

Oh, and a budget blessing happened there. We chose Putt-Putt since both K and C had gotten free passes for doing well in school. C's friend, G, had brought a pass of his own. When we got there they said that C didn't have to pay since he was still 6 and they used his pass for K's friend. I didn't golf...so that meant we were all free! We'd allotted $14.00 for this part! What a blessing.

After golf, we came inside to the video game part. I always get a little nervous since it is hard to watch all four of them at once, but I found a spot where I could see almost the whole floor and LD still stayed in his stroller. Since we had money, we used $10 to buy 80 more tokens (we still had a bunch from last year that we'd divided.). They had a blast and (imagine the coincidence) C and K ended up with the EXACT same amount of tickets: 165.

When we left from there, we stopped at a McDonald's on the way home, technically for ice cream, but there was a lot more playing in the playland than eating. The four of them had a blast together and LD wasn't too bad here, either. (cost: $5.41)

We came home and I made lunch of bagel pizzas, chips, carrots, apples, and water. Then, they played outside briefly and the friends went home.

But....our plan tomorrow was to go to Jumping Party. However, my good friend, JK's, little boy is having a birthday party there today. They can have up to 20 people, but only think 10 or so are going so they invited us along....this will save us even more on our budget, but will make for even more tired kids. I'll have to post part B when we get home.

Budget Summary: $36.00 - $0 -$10.00 - $5.41 = $20.59

Spring Break 2008 - Day 3

Today was such a fun day. I just had no idea how much I would love having my sister this close to me. We haven't lived this close since I went away to college and I was 17 and she was 11 1/2. I love it. Well, today, the kids planned to go to their house (30 minutes away) and play and teach them "school."

On a side note, I actually prompted them to eliminate this outing as we see them all the time and they might want to use their spring break days for other things. Both of them were VERY adament that this is what they wanted to do. Well, it turns out that my sister is not feeling well, her hubby is out of town, her baby was up a lot of the night, her bigger kids were being crazy and there couldn't have been a more perfect day for us to come up there! My big kids entertain her big kids and LD is also pretty happy so we just get to sit and visit and hold the baby. It was so fun. Anyhow, when I mentioned to C and K that perhaps Heavenly Father was prompting them to keep this day at their house, Little C's eyes welled up with tears. I mentioned that the feeling he was feeling was the spirit and he just grinned from ear to ear. It was such a nice experience.

We had such a great time. They played "school." We all played wii. I hadn't ever played before. Loved the concept, but I'd never tried it out. It rocked! Sis and I talked. We ate lunch. It was just a perfect time. I'm so glad that we went up there.

Budget Summary: $36.00 - $0 = $36.00

Spring Break 2008- Day 2

Well, amidst all the rain...we planned and planned and planned. I love how the kids have to figure things out on their own with just a little help from me. It is so fun. We knew it was supposed to rain...that's why today was library and friends day...but no such luck. So, we ended up waiting until after LD's nap when the rain let up a little (off and on). We then went to the library (free, of course!) and to McDonald's for dessert and playland time. I was bummed, though, since my memory card was still in my computer from this morning's post and so I couldn't take many pictures as my internal memory is full! UGH. They spent an extra $0.50 to play air hockey, and they had a wonderful time doing it. It turned out really fun. They loved both and they loved watching the flooded streets and yards that we drove by, especially since we had to take a different route to avoid the worst of the flooding. It was just so nice to be out of the house. They had been playing so happily together in the morning, that it was also so nice to be forced home as well.

Budget Summary: $39.75 - $3.25 -$0.50 = $36.00

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It is Day 2 of Spring Break and it is POURING! It was supposed to be library and friends day...but C's friend is sick and K's friend can't come. So, we have been trying to decide what to replace today with. It is so frustrating. Most of what we'd like to do is outdoors or pretty far away (I don't like driving in downpours unless it is urgent....we've treated too many car accident patients and see the pain they are in...so why risk it?). So...we are so bummed. And, we've wasted the last hour trying to figure it out. UGH! Why couldn't it be light rain? Or Sun? Oh well...our grass will sure be green. Maybe we can hang out here making cookies and playing games. There has to be some way to make it fun, right?

Spring Break 2008-Day 1

It's back! Spring Break! And...it is another year without any huge going away plans. But, the kids have been sooooo excited to repeat our Spring Break Budget from last year. They have actually already been planning for weeks. This year their budget is $50 for the week. They get to decide what we do, where we go, etc. They can use it all at once on a big outing or have 5 littler outings. It is so neat to see them deciding how to save money (coupons, discount days, gift certificates). It really is a great way to teach them about budgeting and they LOVE being in control. It is sometimes an eye opener what they choose to do and what they find the most enjoyable.

So, for Day 1: First they had to get their "Done Before Fun" services completed (commonly known as chores). They got up bright and early and were done before 9 am, I think.

1. Then, it was off to GameStop to buy a new DS game (they paid for it...so it didn't come out of the budget).
2. Next, we went to Barnes and Noble. My friend had given them gift cards to there for Christmas since they are such readers. (They actually earned $0.50 since I bought LD a book in the same transaction and ended up spending less than the book cost since each of them had about $0.25 left on their cards.)


3. Next we went to Wendy's for lunch ($8.75). The plan had been to go to Chili's since they had coupons, but we were worried that we'd miss the movie (see below).
4. Then we went to the dollar theater to see Enchanted. (Surprise! It was family Monday and the tickets were only $0.50 each instead of $1.25! So, we only spent $2.) They skipped popcorn and drinks and stuff so that they could save their money. The movie was good. It was pretty long, however, and LD didn't like the last 45 minutes or so. Oh well...the kids loved it! :)

Budget summary: $50.00 + $0.50 -$8.75 - $2.00 = $39.75

Taxi Mom

Some days it is more rewarding than others to be Taxi Mom. Today is one of those days. C had his third karate lesson. He LOVES it! He got his "gi" today (I hope that is spelled right) and he already has the kem sah down. His teacher didn't even start teaching him it until last lesson. She says that he is the faster learner she has ever had. Kids in his age group usually take six months to learn it and he has taken two weeks. Wow! :)

Then, right after karate, I had to take K to go sailing with her Activity Days leader (from church). How fun! I was jealous. They had such a good time. I love her leader. I love the other girls and I love the independence that I see her growing into. As much as I would love to keep her my little girl forever, it is very rewarding to see her maturing and some of the decisions that she is making now.

Some days...even amid the hecticness...it is awesome to be a mom!

He knows who I am

Isn't it awesome how sometimes there are just too many "coincidences" in this life to ignore! It has been a busy week. It will continue to be a busy week. I was just sitting here, feeling overwhelmed by all I must do, need to do, and want to do. It was just one of those moments. Minutes before, however, I had been watching this DVR'd Women's Conference broadcast while exercising. I had left it going in the background...and listen to what I heard, words of President Hinckley, quoted by Sister Ardeth G. Kapp, "I feel to invite women everywhere to rise to the great potential within you. I do not ask that you reach beyond your capacity. I hope you will not nag yourselves with thoughts of failure. I hope you will not try to set goals far beyond your capacity to achieve. I hope you will simply do what you can do in the best way you know. If you do so, you will witness miracles come to pass" What an answer to an unspoken prayer--especially the not setting goals far beyond my capacity to achieve. It was one of those moments that I realize that I am not alone, just one in billions of humans on this planet, but that my Heavenly Father knows who I am. :)

ABC tag

One of my roommates from BYU tagged me! And, since I haven't done a MEME in a very long time, I decided to play along. I don't think it will surprise anyone...but, fun nonetheless. And, when I finally get around to publishing this blog, my kids, grandkids, etc. might be able to have a good chuckle as they get to know me better. Let's begin:

A: Attached or single? Attached
B: Best friend? Too many to choose from. They all have a special place in my life. If I had to choose one and only one, it would be my sister!
C: Cake or pie? Yuck. I don't like either. Give me something loaded with chocolate, though...I love that!
D: Day? Sunday. I love going to church. I love the feeling of preparing for and being on top of the week. Seriously. I feel so enpowered after my spiritual boost combined with a day of rest.
E: Essential Item? Cell phone. Actually, (don't laugh) my weekly list of things to do (printed weekly from Total Mom.com) is probably my most essential item.
F: Favorite Color? blue
G: Gum or mints? gum
H: Home Town? Somewhere in the Denver metro area (I'm not big on disclosing everything on the Internet, but that gets you close enough)
I: Indulgences? Nutella, reading Eclipse, sewing my first quilt
J: January or July? Tough question. Probably July...it is usually unbareably hot, but we get to swim and celebrate the fourth of July, which is my very favorite holiday. And, the kids are out of school so I get to see them more! :)
K: Kids? Three of 'em. K will be 9 in June, C will be 7 in July, and LD is almost 18 months (nursery-here we come!)
L: Life is incomplete without? Family
M: Mexican or Italian food? Mexican, but nothing too greasy
N: Number of siblings? 3 brothers and 1 sister
O: One word that describes you? Grateful
P: Phobia? Dying while my children are young and leaving DH to raise them and run the clinic alone.
Q: Quote? So many to choose. Right now my favorite is "What matters is if there's love in your home at the end of the day, not perfection."
R: Reason to smile? LD's giggle, C's dimples, K's Hannah Montana voice, DH's kiss
S: Season? Fall. Leaves, cool weather, college football, school starting. What could be better?
T: Tag? Whoever is inspired to. It actually has been kind of fun! :)
U: Unknown fact about you? I must be boring. I can't think of any odd fact about me. I used to be a middle school math teacher. How's that for loving to be tortured? Just kidding. I love the kiddos and I love math even more! LOVE it!
V: Vegetable you love? Broccoli, particularly steamed in the new frozen veggies bags. Yummo!
W: Worst Habit? Being defensive. I don't know why, but it is so hard to admit to being wrong (just ask DH).
X: X-ray or Ultrasound? Ultrasound...I get to see my babies!
Y: Your favorite food? Salad, but not just the healthy kind: load it up with nuts, cheese, bacon, avocado. Yummy!
Z: Zodiac Sign? Pisces

SNOW!

Today was the second time in a week for SNOW! I actually went out this afternoon and took a picture...it is the South afterall...it might melt before the kids got home from school. But...it kept on snowing and snowing and snowing. LD didn't quite know what to do with it. It is his first experience with it. How different from me growing up in Utah and Colorado where snow was much more common in the winter. My kids thought the light dusting on Monday night was a huge amount. I think I have about 2-3 inches out there right now and it is still coming down! This is probably the second-most snow we've seen since moving here more than six years ago. How fun. Now...if my kids' (and kids all around the area's) prayers are answered...there will be no school tomorrow. We'll have to wait and see about that one. For now, it is frozen fingers, hot chocolate, warm soup, crazy, wild kids, and the peaceful feeling that comes from having the lovely white blanket over our neighborhood.

Basketball is over!

The basketball season has ended. It was a sad day on Saturday as both C and K played their last games of the season.

For K, this year was a struggle. She was the shortest, youngest, and least experienced on her team. But, she learned many new things and was a defensive star. She developed such good friendships with her teammates. She had both the fortune and misfortune of playing on a team with only six kids. Everyone else we played had at least 8. Some had 10-11. This meant that she was greatly involved in every game and that their team really gelled together, but it also meant that they were always more tired than their opponents. I am really, really proud of her for finishing the season. She is actually considering playing next year.

C, on the other hand, LOVED basketball. He was also the shortest and youngest on his team and this was sometimes a big disadvantage (when his defender was twice his size!). He had the same fortune/misfortune of being on a team with only six. He had a couple of stellar games where he was zipping around the floor and driving to the basket. Sometimes, though, he was very timid and didn't risk it. Confidence is the issue, I think. Next year will be better.

As for this "Soccer" (or Basketball) Mom, I am so relieved to have my Saturdays back, not to mention relief from all the practices during the week. At the same time, I will so miss the kids and parents that have been such a part of my kids' lives during the last few months. Now it's on to gymnastics for K and Karate for C...neither of which take up my Saturdays! :)

You Know Your Family Is Sick When....

• You count down the hours, not the days since the last time you cleaned up vomit.
• No one in your family likes saltine crackers and yet your brand new box is already 3/4 done.
• You drink soda with your breakfast.
• All of you stay home sick from church, not just one or two of you.
• Lunch consists of 1/2 banana and 1/2 an English muffin.

Yes, we have been sick...BUT...I think maybe we are done with it all! :) It has been the strangest bug ever. I sure hope we didn't share the germies with anyone since it has not been fun.

The Best Gifts, Yucky Surprise, and a Broken Washer

Yesterday turned into an adventure for me! DH came home early...which is probably the best present of all. He works so hard and so many hours. We ate a quick dinner (still wasn't hungry from Olive Garden) and had "cake." I have never been a big fan of traditional cake, so every year I try a new dessert for my birthday. This year was simple and yummy....Jell-o's No Bake Cheesecake. I used to hate cheesecake, but now I really love it...especially the fake kind. Don't ask me why, but I think I like it better than a homemade one.

After dinner, I was presented with my presents. The very best ones were the letter C wrote me inside his card and the card that DH gave me. Amazing how dots of ink on a paper (forming words) can mean so very much. They both made me cry and I have reread them already many times. Here is what C wrote:

Included in my card from DH was a note saying that in a couple of months he will take time off so I can go out of town for Time Out for Women in another city! Yippee! I am so excited. We can leave Friday morning, drive there, hang out, shop, eat dinner...whatever we kidless Mommys want to do...go to the night part of the conference for three-ish hours, sleep in a hotel, go to the other 6-7 hours the next day and drive home (two nights without wives and with kids might just put the DHs over the top). I think my sister can go, too! That would be awesome. I hope a lot of my friends can make it. It is actually on two of my close friends' birthday...maybe they can for their present, too.

Okay..now for the surprise...right as we were finishing the gifts, LD decided to contribute one of his own...he vomited all over! Now I know why he was cranky yesterday...the poor baby's belly must've been hurting. If vomit can ever be cute, this was. The poor guy would puke, say "uh-oh, uh-oh," puke again, "uh-oh..uh-oh," and so on. He was so concerned about this strange mess that he was making. Poor guy!

Of course I immediately cleaned up the mess and threw everything in the washer. Guess what! When I woke up at 3:30 (more vomit) I went to move the laundry and.....my washer is broken. The water won't drain out. I've dried a bunch of things, but nothing helps and the soonest the repair guy could come is Friday! UGH! I've been frustrated about it all day. Luckily, though, I have been diligent in setting money aside in savings and I'm not worried about the expense part, just annoyed that I have to deal with it.

One last picture...for our day off of school on Monday, I took the kids to Jumping Party and my sister and her kids joined us. SOOOOOOOOOO fun to have cousins close by! Here they are (minus LD (too squirmy) and her little baby (asleep, I think)):

3 cards + 3 visits + 5 emails + 6 phone calls=

Happy Birthday to ME!

Yep. It is that time of year again! Time just goes so fast. Today hasn't been all that great so far. I guess that it hasn't been horrid either. Ya know....normal stuff has to be done. I was hoping to get a few minutes to read or have "me" time, but LD is being VERY clingy and won't take a nap. UGH!

I did, however, get soup, salad, and breadsticks at Olive Garden courtesy of JK, one of my best friends. Amazing how filling those fatty little breadsticks can be. I am still not hungry. It was great to be out for a little bit with friends, too. I really am so blessed.

I realized that while today might not be anything too special....I am so blessed that every day is special. I know that I have a Savior that loves me, I have a wonderful family (DH and three kiddos), I live in a wonderful country, I have a beautiful home that protects me from this darn wind (but also from rain, cold, heat, etc.), we always have enough food to eat, I have the most amazing friends ever, my sister lives close to me now, my kids have a great school to go to, etc. See...I don't need to feel like a princess on one day of the year....I get to be one EVERY day! :)

Nails and a Symphony

For Valentine's Day, DH told me to look in the mail (He also came home from work and brought me a dozen gorgeous roses during lunch!). I dutifully looked and looked. All I knew was that we were going to go out on Friday night and that something was coming in the mail. I LOVE surprises. I am the type that would know that a present was somewhere and not look at it since I'd rather have the surprise on Christmas morning. Seriously. No peeking from me. Anyhow, they never came so DH had to tell me. We are now rest-of-the-season ticket holders to the symphony!

Friday was our first one. For my birthday, as well as the symphony, my sister and I went out for me to get my nails done. I LOVE the French tip. LOVE it. I have always had natural nails, but I've gone a few times for a French tip manicure and I've done it myself many, many times, but it never seems to last very long...even when they airbrush it. So, I decided to try the fake nail thing. Never been a huge fan...too much money, too fake, too long, too impractical...etc. But, I had the guy cut them as short as my natural nails so they really don't hinder me at all. And I LOVE them. I think they are so gorgeous. I love that the white tip doesn't chip within ten minutes. I will have to see if I love them still after I keep going and paying for the fills and such, but for now (as they say in the song)...I feel pretty oh so pretty.

And...the symphony was even better than I'd expected. I thought it might be a little boring honestly. The music, however, was beautiful. It was fun to dress up. It was awesome to be out with DH. And...we have three more to go. How fun is that? DH thought of it all on his own, set it up, and now we have mandatory dates! LOVE IT!

Just Had to Try it Again!

81 words

Speed test

This was fun! Next time maybe I will do better.

72 words

Speedtest

Don't they look like angels when they sleep?

What you don't get from the picture is....he woke up at 4:45 this morning! Wide awake. Guess who has also been up since then!?! Thank goodness for pictures like this. I am sure that in 5, 10, 15, 20, 25,... years I will look back on this picture and weep for my little baby. I have to savor the moments today.

Profound Random Thoughts

I have a few profound thoughts to share. It seems like a lot of things have especially touched me today.

1. I was in charge of a funeral luncheon to feed 100 people. It took a LOT of phone time and coordinating, but I am just so touched with people's compassion. Today, as this steady stream of people kept arriving to drop food off at the church, my eyes teared as I noticed old, young, richer, poorer, those that knew the family, and those that had only been in the ward a short time all come with their hearts full of compassion and their arms full of food. What a tribute to the wonderful side of human nature!
2. When I got home at 3:30 this afternoon, I had not had lunch. I mentioned this to the kids as they got home from school and the next thing I knew there was a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of water sitting on the table. C had decided that he would make me some lunch since I had been so busy with the funeral today. Isn't that touching?
3. I love to listen to Dr. Laura and I got to just for a few minutes today, but she said something I found profound...this is a paraphrase since I was in the car and wasn't able to write down a direct quote...What matters is if there's love in your home at the end of the day, not perfection. Isn't that great? My home doesn't have to be perfectly organized and clean at the end of the day (like it is in the house of my dreams in my head), but I have been successful if my kids feel safe and loved and taught. This is the most important.
4. Heavenly Father is always sending us promptings. My best friend, A, and I have been talking about this a lot. He is always sending promptings and we rarely know why, but we are always blessed if we follow them. :)
5. I love BYU Radio. On Dish Network, it is channel 980 and it is the same here and at my parents'....so I assume it might be the same everywhere. It is on all day long. I just turn off my TV and route it through the surround sound. It has uplifting music all day. Then, at various hours it has conference talks, scripture reading, etc. No matter what I am doing, I can listen to a few minutes and it always inspires me to do better. Or, all of a sudden, I will hear a chapter from the bible. I think this is one of the main reasons that I have been able to listen to the those promptings from #4.

That's all. Now it is off to basketball practice, dinner, creating Valentine's and Valentine boxes, and preparing for C's class party tomorrow (I am the room mom).

Really Quick

I only have a short moment, but I am trying not to neglect my blog so often. Just a fun couple of pictures. I walked into the kitchen today and found.....THIS! What you can't tell is that I have 10 ft ceilings (that slope up to 12 ft) and she is at the very top (before the slope). 10 feet high! What was she thinking?

Driving Me Crazy.

Does anyone need a 16-month-old for a week or so? He is driving me insane. The last two days have been almost intolerable. Right now...he is asleep! :) We tried to go out to dinner last night...usually a fun adventure and LD was horrid. He was whining and throwing food, dishes, silverware. He didn't want to eat any of his favorite foods or anything new either. At church today, he was the poorest behaved he has been in months. Can we say "nursery?" Good thing I love the kid so much. Good thing that his smile melts my heart. Good thing I love to hear him say "Cristo" (Spanish) as we walk down our hall and he sees a picture of Christ. Good thing he gets excited watching his siblings play basketball. Good thing I can handle anything he gives me since I also have a Mother's love.

On a similar note, I have been thinking a lot about the frailty of life during the last few months. I recently reread an entry in my journal about it (I think I commented here as well). It said something about how I realized that death will come. If not a physical death of my children or family passing on, then death of time. In a few years, we will not hear the patter of little feet or the fighting of siblings for, even if we are granted many years together in this life, the moments are still fleeting and will come to an end. It's just a reminder to live in the here and now for it will never come back.

The Best I Can Be

Last night, I realized that while I am nowhere near where I want to be, I am working; I am moving forward in many aspects of my life: organization, financial, spiritual, kids, health, etc. I am really trying to be the best me that I can be. I realized that by working towards all my goals...I AM being the best me! Although I've heard this many times, it was very comforting to realize that all that is expected of me is to be improving and working. Thank goodness for a loving Heavenly Father that knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts and knows if we are stagnating or striving to improve.

• In other news, I am so happy that my sister is here! The cousins love each other so much and I know my kids wish that they lived next door.
• K is feeling better, but I think that LD is getting it or something else: he is very clingy, very tired, and has a runny nose. -sigh- It's just that time of year!
• My vacuum is broken. The same part I had to replace about a year ago is broken again. I don't know what to do. The part costs about $50 and I have to order it so add some shipping to that. We've had the vacuum for five years. It is a middle grade Kenmore (costing about $200-$250 new). So, do I buy a new one or buy the part? Do I buy a cheap, cheap vacuum and just replace it later? Do I buy a really expensive one and hope it lasts longer? Any thoughts? It is just driving me CRAZY since I love to vacuum and do so about every day (except Sunday).

Crazy Weekend

My wonderful Sis and her hubby are here! What a big blessing to our family. Hopefully it is to theirs as well. Saturday, we went to move their stuff from the moving trailer into a storage unit. Silly me. I really thought it would take 2-4 hours. I just have forgotten what a big job moving us, and we had the baby while a babysitter had the big kids, and there wasn't a storage unit super close to where the trailer was. So...we worked and worked. DH and Sis's DH worked longer than us, as we had to get back to relieve the babysitter.

While we were doing all this moving, my parents were driving Sis's other car here. They ended up stopping just two hours away in a hotel and staying overnight that night and getting to our house on Sunday afternoon after church. It was nice to see them, even though they were here for less than 24 hours. Since they were here on Sunday and DH would be working Monday and Sis's DH would be leaving to go out of town Monday, we had to finish the unloading, even though we usually wouldn't since it was the Sabbath. It still took awhile, but the four of us did it! Sometimes the boys might have thought we were in the way...but, really, it took all four of us to do the work and my parents keeping all the kids (except K...she was sick, so we kept her in the car watching a DVD with us) to get it all done!

It was such a short, busy visit that I really didn't take many pictures (Darn it!). I am always sad to see my parents leave, since I don't get to see them much.

And...they're here!

After many long days of driving. Sometimes through horrid weather. All with three kids (ages 3 and under), my sister and her hubby made it! :) Finally, they are here. They have to live in an apartment for a month while their house is finished, but they are here and in their "home." -sigh- What a relief! We got to have them over for dinner last night and it was so fun. The "girl cousins" took off to K's room to do....well, who knows what...girl stuff, I guess. C and S played football, basketball, and tackling, ya know, boy stuff. Little Dan joined the boys in running around and screaming. And....I got to hold my newest niece (2 months old) for the first time! It will be so fun for my kids to have cousins to grow up with. I am so grateful that they are here and that I don't have to worry about the long drives any more....although my parents are driving here on Saturday with their other car and some of their stuff....I guess I do have to worry for a couple more days. How exciting, too, to end up with an unexpected visit from my parents. It will be a crazy weekend, but extremely fun, too!

Like Mother, Like Son

There are some traits that I would love to pass on to my kids. Others...not so much. The verdict is still out on this one, but I think it is absolutely hilarious! C has started making lists. He has spent 3-4 days making them. Here are copies of today's and yesterday's. Aren't they cute?!? If you know me personally, it is no suprise where he gets it from (Guilty as charged!).

A Prophet Dies

Tonight I heard the sad news. President Gordon B. Hinckley, prophet and leader of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died tonight at age 97. I am saddened. It is almost like the death of a friend. He was such an inspired man and a great leader. He loved all the people in the world. He taught what the Savior would have him teach. He will be missed.

I feel so blessed, however, to know that the Lord has established an order. The church never is without leadership and a new prophet will be called and set apart and given inspiration to lead the world at this time. How blessed I am to have this knowledge.

Speaking in church, mission calls, and moving

I spoke in church today. Thank goodness it is over! :) I actually got really nervous. I usually am nervous, of course, but today I was more than usual. Once I got up to speak, though, I wasn't nervous at all. I saw so many faces of people that I know and love. I had prepared as much as possible and I was just blessed to be able to deliver my talk clearly. Like always, the research, thought, and prayer that goes into the preparation really helped me to focus on things I need to improved. My topic was from Alma 34:18-27, on prayer. I really felt the love of our Heavenly Father and what a great desire he has to be a part of our lives. The rest of church was wonderful as well. I love church. I love taking the sacrament. I love the fellowship. I love the positive uplift at the beginning of a new week. I love coming home and pondering on what I can do to make my life better! :)

My kids also got "mission calls" today. What a fun idea our primary presidency had! :) K had to decide between a school function that she really wanted to go to and the primary activity. She chose this activity and it will be so fun. Anyhow, they got their "calls" at church and then got to open them in front of us, as a family, when they got home. It was a very special feeling and they were so excited. I am so grateful that we have wonderful sisters and brothers that give of their time to teach my little ones. There is so much they need to know and they have such great influences in their lives. I love that what I teach them at home is enhanced and reinforced by good teachers.

Finally, it is official! My sister is moving here! I am so excited. I love her so much and the opportunity for them to be close to us is so wonderful! As moves are, this is a lot of work for her and her DH and I wish so much that I could be there to help out. I worry a little that for some reason they will hate living here or not like being close to us...and then it will be our fault that they moved here. I know that is silly, but I do worry a little. I so want them to be happy and I do want them here, but I don't want them to regret it. I am sure they will love it like I do! :) Anyhow, pray for them this week as they make the long drive with their three small children: 3 years, almost 2, and 7-8 weeks old. I pray for sunny skies with no snow.

The End of An Era

I am so ready and yet so sad. LD, I think, is done nursing.

It is funny how life changes you. With K...12 months came along and that was it. I was NOT going to nurse one week longer. I had that idea in my head-12 months is perfect. No more. No less. Then, C came along and weaned himself at the age of 7 months. I think it partly had to do with my work schedule and partly because he was the only one of my kids to take a bottle. But, it still shocked my world that he didn't last the full 12 months.

Now, LD. He loves nursing more than the two of them combined. He is almost 16 months and up until a couple of weeks ago would still nurse 6-7 times a day, 20 minutes each time. He loved it. And I didn't stop him. A few weeks ago, though, I consciously decided to try to gradually wean him. I would only nurse him when he asks and a short time before bed and nap.

Well, yesterday he asked at about 2 pm. That was the only nursing yesterday. (He actually did ask again when we had company over at about 5, but I really believe he doesn't need to nurse in front of others at this age! Thank goodness I am the only one who understands his word for "nurse.")

Now it is almost bedtime and he hasn't nursed today. I think it is over. I am so ready in many ways. It really is time for him to be done. But, as much as I long for more children, I think there is a very real possibility that he is last. That means no more nursing EVER! That is a sad thought. I think it is the end of the era.

If the Savior stood beside me

I have a busy life. I know that I am not alone: I definitely do not have a monopoly on a busy life, but mine is pretty darn full. I have three kids (one a young toddler!). I have a DH that works 13+ hour days and also works on Saturday. I am increasing the frequency of wearing the "Taxidriver" hat: Activity days, basketball practices, basketball games, friends houses. I keep all the books, do all the transcription, and so forth for the clinic. I have a home and yard that either gets taken care of by me or not at all. I have a calling (i.e., "job" at church) that takes a lot of time (although sometimes not that much). We have awards ceremonies, school functions, church activities coming out of our ears. It is hard to fit it all in the 24 hours a day that I have been given. I also want to add to that time with MY friends, quilting, exercising, organizing. Things just for ME!

Yet, today we got our Primary Program CD and this song was on there: "If the Savior stood beside me." I actually sang this song years ago when I was in Young Women's. It is so beautiful. We immediately put it in the van and listened to it on the way home from church. As we drove, the truthfulness of the words really impressed upon me. I sometimes let all that I have to do shape my attitude, my actions, and my words. I want to try harder to take these words to heart and be the person that I would be if the Savior was right here, for indeed, He truly is. And, there it is: my insight of the day!

Here is the second verse:

If the Savior stood beside me, would I say the things I say?
Would my words be true and kind if He were never far away?
Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more rev'rently
if I could see the Savior standing nigh, watching over me?

Pre-Pre Teen

It is so interesting to watch my "babies" grow up. K is very social and loves to have friends over (something that I am working VERY hard to make time for in our crazy busy schedule!) This week she invited a friend from school, plus we have S (her friend that I watch every day after school). This is what 8/9 year-olds like to do: turn the music up really loud and play with the baby. They did these two things for almost two hours (with a little Nintendo DS, games, and playing with the pets thrown in for fun). They have such fun personalities and have so much fun with LD. Next time they all get together, I am going to plan a HUGE project for myself since I will unexpectedly have a couple free hours! :)

In other news, LD has been "using" his fork for awhile now, but I haven't let him try anything with a spoon. Here is the result of a 15-month-old with his own carton of yogurt! At least he had a blast. About half way through, he started handing me his spoon every bite and grunting, meaning, "Mom, could you feed me now. I am not getting enough in my mouth!"

Basketball Games

Both C and K decided to participate in basketball this year. If you know my family, you know that all five of us are short for our ages. This makes basketball a bit of a challenge, particularly for K. She really struggled with liking it for the first few practices and we struggled with determining where the line is between helping your child grow by finishing something that is difficult for them and being just plain mean and making them do something they hate.

Well, both of them had their games last Saturday AT THE SAME TIME! I really wanted to see both of them play and it became even more of a problem since DH had patients at that time. Thank goodness one of my really good friends volunteered to go with C so that they could both play. As it turned out, DH was able to reschedule some patients and got there just in time to see C's game start.

Both of them were extremely nervous. K was visibly upset. To make matters worse for her, the game before theirs was running late so she had an extra half hour to contemplate the nervousness. She cried most of the first half, but really got into the second half and on the way home commented that she'd like to do it again! Hurray! I can't wait to see C play this week.

A New Year

It is a great new year. We are less than a week in and I already feel blessed. I think as our family really tries to move forward, striving to do what God wants us to do, that we will be blessed. I hope that I will be a better person next year at this time than I am now. I hope I have much opportunity to grow and improve in all aspects of my life.

That being said, we rang in the New Year with some dear friends. How great it is to have friends that you can completely be yourself with. It doesn't matter how messy the house, how cranky the kids, how non-make-uped I am...these are true friends. I feel so fortunate that A is one of my very best friends and that our DHs get along so well. The only funny thing about our relationship is that (in the words of C), they are a "tall" family and we are a "short" family. Their 4-year-old daughter is almost as tall as our 8 1/2 year old. Here are some picts from that night. The kids were so excited to ring in the new year together.

Also this week, K got to spend a lot of time with her best friend, E, that moved to Mexico and visited during the break. They have a very special friendship and I hope that they can continue to keep in touch. We probably won't see them again for 18 months.

Finally, we began our new church schedule at 8:30 in the morning! Here is Little Dan this morning...he never sleeps this late and is also an extremely light sleeper, but somehow this morning slept through me changing him into his church clothes. Welcome to the early schedule, LD!