29 May 2011
"You are invited to a show after dinner, love, Jane and Lizzy"
This year I missed the girls' school program so their teacher sent a cd home for them with all of the music on it. Tonight we gathered in the living room and watched their "show". Apparently, Natalie has been practicing with them at night. I was so proud of how well they learned the music and Natalie had me laughing as she watched and copied her sisters. She knew almost half of the music. What great little teachers the twins are! This song is in Chinese. (half of the first graders at the school are in a Chinese immersion program.)
12 May 2011
Natalie's New Look
Natalie working her self-made mullet in her "goggies".
So, Natalie has recently discovered scissors. I try to keep them out of her reach but she is VERY good at finding them. She has cut locks of hair off half a dozen times now. The first time, she gave herself bangs. I'm not a fan of bangs, they have to be constantly trimmed and styled, blah blah blah, but on a little lovey, I think they look cute. The big problem is that she keeps getting to the scissors. I usually catch her as she's taking the first cut, which has minimized the damage. However, the other day I looked over at her with her little rainbow striped shirt that is getting too small to fit over her tummy and it struck me that she looked an awful lot (yes I just used that phrase) like an 80's icon:
What do you think? I think all she's missing is some of those fabulous moon boots...
24 April 2011
Hodgepodgey
Here's a quick update on everyone and little things that I've been thinking about:
Benjamin: While running into school last week, Ben turned to wave goodbye to Jason and ran into a metal "no parking" sign. I'm not very good with guts so Jason picked him up from school and took him to the instacare. 2 staples and a few hours later, they came home. Ben proudly showed me his staples and like a dummy, I looked-and nearly lost my breakfast. He was pretty excited to go back to school and show off to his class. He has been doing really well in school and I think we've FINALLY gotten his medication balanced. He loves scouts and playing outside. He has a giant stick collection that my mom and I keep "thinning," but I think he's adding to it faster than we thin. He had his first pinewood derby last week. The whole family was pretty excited. Ben's car was really cool looking and he won an award for the "Most Original" car. He was pretty excited. (which was good because his car lost all but 2 races.)
Thought: I am so grateful for the kind kids that live around us. The neighbors around us too. They praised Ben and helped him stay involved even though his car didn't do well. I'm also grateful for a husband who let Ben make all the decisions about his car and just helped him accomplish his plans. Ben learned a lot about what to do differently next time.
Elizabeth: She is getting pretty silly. She informed me the other day that her best friend is named Hector. He is her best friend because they take turns bringing change to school so they can buy beef jerky from the school store during lunch break. Every morning Lizzy takes more time getting her jewelry and hair just right than a junior high teenager. She loves watching things like "Say Yes to the Dress" (which has created some really good teaching moments for topics like modesty) and cooking shows with Grandma and Grandpa. She always tries to be neat and tidy and helps me with Eli.
Jane: The girl is getting some major opinions. Which is good. I think this year she has really developed her own sense of self. We're having trouble with her mood swings, though, and I have felt it necessary to have her checked out for depression. (Pray for me and her.) She likes to wrestle with Eli and take him and Natalie for walks in the stroller. Jane and Lizzy brought home their report cards and scored above average on EVERYTHING. They both love to sit and read. Sometimes Jane likes to read instead of having quiet movie time which I will never complain about.
Liam: This kid is CRAZY! He literally hits the floor running every morning. Lately, he's taken to running up to Jason or I, throwing his arms around me, and saying, "I really love you, Mommy." What could be nicer than that? He is still learning to read via homeschool and we both love our time alone together. (Except lately he's been telling me that he wants to do more school but no more reading.) He likes to write letters to his friends and is starting to sound spell on his own. He is a smart guy and learns quickly, when I can get him to sit still.
Natalie: Guh-nat is the princess. She is in charge of every one she has wrapped around her finger and she knows it. She is also a disaster. I can't count the number of things she has broken, damaged, drawn on, or eaten since we've moved in here. She's starting to speak more clearly and loves, loves, LOVES, to sing. She has learned a lot of great songs and my favorite is when she sings "Smiles." She makes the cutest adorable face that she made in this post when she sings it. "If you chance to meet a frown..." I've even seen her work up a tear.
Elijah: Is learning to talk. He loves "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," and has a little stuffed Mickey that he borrowed from Liam. He dances it around and says "hot dog hot dog". He has a silly giggle and his favorite things are still batteries (he figured out how to break my watch back off to get to the batteries inside), playing outside, balls, and Mickey Mouse. He likes to spin in a circle and make himself dizzy. And then he falls over laughing. He SCREAMS when he is hungry but mostly is a nice boy.
Jason: Just got a new job! It's part time but it's doing something he really enjoys and uses a lot of his many talents. He is such a patient, wonderful husband and daddy. We're always glad when he gets home, things always feel better when he's around. He is waiting for a flight instructor to becomes available so that he can finally (fingers crossed, prayers prayed) finish his commercial pilot's license. His office has a big window where he can watch planes land and take off. He also just started the Orem Chamber Orchestra (which meets on Wednesdays from 7-9 pm in the media room at the Orem Library-come audition). He's currently serving in the ward as the choir director and ward music chair. People are constantly coming up to me and complimenting Jason on how well they like choir, how much they've learned, or how good the choir sounds.
Me: I've been having a lot of fun with the singing group I'm accompanying for. I'm also really enjoying proving to myself that I can be and still am the mother. I've been trying to do something "domestic" ;) every day while Jason is gone. It's difficult to be the mom when you're living in your childhood home and your husband and mother are home to help lift so many burdens. I've enjoyed the extra responsibilities being added back to me. I also just got involved in a colloquium that starts meeting next month. I'll take any excuse to read and sit around discussing said reading with a bunch of other women! What fun!
In other news, conference this month was incredible for me. I didn't get to hear very much but Jason and I have started listening to one talk every night before bed together. It's been nice to share them in the QUIET evenings. I've had a lot of insights, help, and answers to prayer come from this exercise. I'm so grateful for my knowledge of the Savior and his birth, atonement, and resurrection. What a blessing to know of Him and have special witnesses of Him to guide me in raising my family!
Benjamin: While running into school last week, Ben turned to wave goodbye to Jason and ran into a metal "no parking" sign. I'm not very good with guts so Jason picked him up from school and took him to the instacare. 2 staples and a few hours later, they came home. Ben proudly showed me his staples and like a dummy, I looked-and nearly lost my breakfast. He was pretty excited to go back to school and show off to his class. He has been doing really well in school and I think we've FINALLY gotten his medication balanced. He loves scouts and playing outside. He has a giant stick collection that my mom and I keep "thinning," but I think he's adding to it faster than we thin. He had his first pinewood derby last week. The whole family was pretty excited. Ben's car was really cool looking and he won an award for the "Most Original" car. He was pretty excited. (which was good because his car lost all but 2 races.)
Thought: I am so grateful for the kind kids that live around us. The neighbors around us too. They praised Ben and helped him stay involved even though his car didn't do well. I'm also grateful for a husband who let Ben make all the decisions about his car and just helped him accomplish his plans. Ben learned a lot about what to do differently next time.
Elizabeth: She is getting pretty silly. She informed me the other day that her best friend is named Hector. He is her best friend because they take turns bringing change to school so they can buy beef jerky from the school store during lunch break. Every morning Lizzy takes more time getting her jewelry and hair just right than a junior high teenager. She loves watching things like "Say Yes to the Dress" (which has created some really good teaching moments for topics like modesty) and cooking shows with Grandma and Grandpa. She always tries to be neat and tidy and helps me with Eli.
Jane: The girl is getting some major opinions. Which is good. I think this year she has really developed her own sense of self. We're having trouble with her mood swings, though, and I have felt it necessary to have her checked out for depression. (Pray for me and her.) She likes to wrestle with Eli and take him and Natalie for walks in the stroller. Jane and Lizzy brought home their report cards and scored above average on EVERYTHING. They both love to sit and read. Sometimes Jane likes to read instead of having quiet movie time which I will never complain about.
Liam: This kid is CRAZY! He literally hits the floor running every morning. Lately, he's taken to running up to Jason or I, throwing his arms around me, and saying, "I really love you, Mommy." What could be nicer than that? He is still learning to read via homeschool and we both love our time alone together. (Except lately he's been telling me that he wants to do more school but no more reading.) He likes to write letters to his friends and is starting to sound spell on his own. He is a smart guy and learns quickly, when I can get him to sit still.
Natalie: Guh-nat is the princess. She is in charge of every one she has wrapped around her finger and she knows it. She is also a disaster. I can't count the number of things she has broken, damaged, drawn on, or eaten since we've moved in here. She's starting to speak more clearly and loves, loves, LOVES, to sing. She has learned a lot of great songs and my favorite is when she sings "Smiles." She makes the cutest adorable face that she made in this post when she sings it. "If you chance to meet a frown..." I've even seen her work up a tear.
Elijah: Is learning to talk. He loves "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse," and has a little stuffed Mickey that he borrowed from Liam. He dances it around and says "hot dog hot dog". He has a silly giggle and his favorite things are still batteries (he figured out how to break my watch back off to get to the batteries inside), playing outside, balls, and Mickey Mouse. He likes to spin in a circle and make himself dizzy. And then he falls over laughing. He SCREAMS when he is hungry but mostly is a nice boy.
Jason: Just got a new job! It's part time but it's doing something he really enjoys and uses a lot of his many talents. He is such a patient, wonderful husband and daddy. We're always glad when he gets home, things always feel better when he's around. He is waiting for a flight instructor to becomes available so that he can finally (fingers crossed, prayers prayed) finish his commercial pilot's license. His office has a big window where he can watch planes land and take off. He also just started the Orem Chamber Orchestra (which meets on Wednesdays from 7-9 pm in the media room at the Orem Library-come audition). He's currently serving in the ward as the choir director and ward music chair. People are constantly coming up to me and complimenting Jason on how well they like choir, how much they've learned, or how good the choir sounds.
Me: I've been having a lot of fun with the singing group I'm accompanying for. I'm also really enjoying proving to myself that I can be and still am the mother. I've been trying to do something "domestic" ;) every day while Jason is gone. It's difficult to be the mom when you're living in your childhood home and your husband and mother are home to help lift so many burdens. I've enjoyed the extra responsibilities being added back to me. I also just got involved in a colloquium that starts meeting next month. I'll take any excuse to read and sit around discussing said reading with a bunch of other women! What fun!
In other news, conference this month was incredible for me. I didn't get to hear very much but Jason and I have started listening to one talk every night before bed together. It's been nice to share them in the QUIET evenings. I've had a lot of insights, help, and answers to prayer come from this exercise. I'm so grateful for my knowledge of the Savior and his birth, atonement, and resurrection. What a blessing to know of Him and have special witnesses of Him to guide me in raising my family!
19 April 2011
Saturday
Saturday we were so excited to take advantage of the beautiful weather and took one of our Saturday trips. This time, we took the kids out by nutty putty caves and let them climb the sandstone formations. Even Eli enjoyed climbing all over. We ate, climbed, found lizards, saw beautiful country, and generally enjoyed ourselves. The kids covered themselves in sand, strawberry juice, and wildberry cream cheese. It was a great day.
I got out of the shower today and this is how I discovered Eli. He was really proud of himself.
07 March 2011
A Few Random Ideas
First of all, I suffered the dreaded but yet necessary yearly trip to the ol OBGYN. I really like my doctor, in fact, I wish I would have discovered him years ago. He remembers who I am and relevant bits of information. He remembered my husband's name and things about me a year later. (Even if he only remembered because he wrote notes down in my chart, I'm impressed because he took time to write the notes down in the first place. ) Anyhoodle, while in the waiting room, I had a revelation. BING! I am so DONE! I sat there looking at the mountain of magazines on the table next to me and realized, not only was I apathetic to reading one (they were all parenting or baby magazines) but I really would rather sit in SILENCE and watch the boring and depressing news on the tv than ponder about what those incredible first few weeks of life. Or which stroller will I get (no reference to you, Amy, I'm excited for YOUR stroller. I just don't need my own!) I like the idea of buying ridiculous amounts of adorable clothes for my nieces and nephews. I like knowing that my kids are all moving on to new stages. At first, this idea saddened me but now I'm excited and embracing it! There is a light at the end of the tunnel. SOMEDAY, I WILL sleep through the night again. We WILL go to Disneyland when the youngest is 5ish. Camping as a family is no longer impossible. Getting kids in and out of the car WILL become easy. At some point, I WILL be able to say, "Go to bed," and my children will be capable, if not entirely obedient, of doing so! My children will one day, and this is a big one, be able to BABYSIT THEMSELVES!! I even type the words with relish! HAAAAAAAA! Free babysitting and a date every week?!! It's not only possible but highly probable!!!
I suddenly realized the other day that General Conference is only a month away. I'm so excited! I love conference time. I have so many good memories of spending time at the cabin, working in the yard, lazing on the couch, crocheting, etc while listening to prophets. I love spending time with my family this way. Last conference the kids sat quite well through all of Sunday and we enjoyed the day. BRING ON THE PUZZLES AND THE HOAGIE SANDWICHES!
Electric blankets: I Love Them.
I'm finally making a quilt for Eli. My mom made him a beautiful one with a cowboy theme. I like to make them too and since all of my other kids have a baby blanket that I made, I thought I'd better make him one too. I decided to keep with the cowboy theme and found some adorable fabric. I love fabric. I think I might possibly like to shop for it even more than shoes. I would probably spend more money on it than shoes as well. A girl only needs so many pink shoes, but pink fabric?! You can NEVER have too much pink, purple, or any color of fabric.
The Ladies and I are performing at the SEVILLE (swank, right?) this month. We need groupies. Anyone interested?
To encourage feedback, I'm going to ask a question at the end of posts. Today's general inquiry is what is your favorite conference memory?
I suddenly realized the other day that General Conference is only a month away. I'm so excited! I love conference time. I have so many good memories of spending time at the cabin, working in the yard, lazing on the couch, crocheting, etc while listening to prophets. I love spending time with my family this way. Last conference the kids sat quite well through all of Sunday and we enjoyed the day. BRING ON THE PUZZLES AND THE HOAGIE SANDWICHES!
Electric blankets: I Love Them.
I'm finally making a quilt for Eli. My mom made him a beautiful one with a cowboy theme. I like to make them too and since all of my other kids have a baby blanket that I made, I thought I'd better make him one too. I decided to keep with the cowboy theme and found some adorable fabric. I love fabric. I think I might possibly like to shop for it even more than shoes. I would probably spend more money on it than shoes as well. A girl only needs so many pink shoes, but pink fabric?! You can NEVER have too much pink, purple, or any color of fabric.
The Ladies and I are performing at the SEVILLE (swank, right?) this month. We need groupies. Anyone interested?
To encourage feedback, I'm going to ask a question at the end of posts. Today's general inquiry is what is your favorite conference memory?
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