I just had to share that.
If I didn't fear that I would end up looking like the cow that provided it, I would drink whole milk - for all three meals.
And as the price of milk has risen to 15 cents a cup and now over 21 cents, I savor it all the more.
The only thing that makes milk better is a brownie or cookie or piece of cake. ;)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Spelling
Nathan brought this paper home this morning. It made me giggle inside. I congratulated him on his ability to sound things out! I never thought about it before, but it does sound like there is a "b" in hippo!
death
I didn't have many experiences with death when I was young. (Obviously, no personal experiences as I am still alive and interfering in most of your lives.)
I can only remember one loved pet dieing. It was a little white guinea pig I'd been able to have at the end of the school year. I don't even remember if it was a he or she or how old it was. I do remember that it was a hot Arizona evening when I discovered it was mostly gone. We had a babysitter who obviously had not learned much compassion. I think I tried to revive it under some running water and the babysitter dangled it in the air, waving its little legs(arms) at me to show me it was OK. It wasn't. The next day, my dad took it to "bury" it on his way to work. I later learned that he tossed it in the dumpster. No wonder they wouldn't let me attend the funeral services!
I can't remember having any other pets die. They mostly "ran away" (which translated into being given away while we weren't looking), or we found them new homes because they weren't working out.
I had two grandparents die while I was young, but I wasn't extremely close to them and don't remember feeling too sad. I attended the funeral for one and was more disturbed by the viewing than the loss of the person. My last grandparent died the night before I was married. She had been suffering from diabetes for years and had already lost part of her leg. It was not a distressing thing for me as I knew she was "home" again, reunited with Grandpa and whole again.
There hasn't been a death on my side of the family in 9 years (tomorrow). For that, I feel very blessed. Because of that, my children have had very few experiences with death. We lost a kitten about a year and a half ago, but they weren't attached to it yet. It did spark several conversations on heaven and resurrection.
Then we moved to the country. Shortly after settling in, our biggest (and meanest) rabbit got out for a night or so. Chad caught her again, but she died the next day. A few months later, the other 2 rabbits got out. We caught one and never did find the other. A few weeks ago, we adopted a stray rabbit from someone who found it, but didn't want to keep it. Then the neighbor's dog broke into the cage. One rabbit was never found, but the newest one was dead on the ground by the rabbit pen with teeth marks in her back. The boys found her.
Sunday, we lost Tabby. She got herself into some trouble and came home looking quite grotesque. All the kids saw her as we stood there looking at her, trying to decide what to do with her. There was dripping blood involved. Eventually, we distracted the kids while Chad caught her and got her into a box. We hooked her up to the truck's exhaust and then buried her a ways into the pasture. That really started some conversations on heaven and resurrection. We prayed for Jesus to take care of her in Heaven. We tried to explain to the kids that while it was very sad, this is a "farm" and animals die. (I also tried to explain that if she had been a person, we would have tried to help her. We don't need anyone afraid for their lives around here.)
So the neighbor with the hungry dog called yesterday. They are providing us with two replacement bunnies. Chad is working on reinforcing the cage. We are adopting two little kittens on Friday. We were already going to adopt them, but we're now willing to get them a little bit earlier. I'm hoping that they'll be accepted better if they're younger. They will be just shy of 8 weeks. I'm also hoping that they don't join Tabby!
And to top it off, we're going to try 2 bum lambs in a couple weekends. We'll see if they survive the rough start they've had and prepare the kids before hand that they might not live.
And so I've been thinking of death and its recent visits to our family. I've found myself grateful that the kids are having some experience on a smaller scale. I'm hoping that it will give them better understanding and preparation for the inevitable time when a close family member dies. Maybe I'll benefit, too. Although, I hope I get YEARS of practice with farm animals before I have to be tested with a loved one.
I can only remember one loved pet dieing. It was a little white guinea pig I'd been able to have at the end of the school year. I don't even remember if it was a he or she or how old it was. I do remember that it was a hot Arizona evening when I discovered it was mostly gone. We had a babysitter who obviously had not learned much compassion. I think I tried to revive it under some running water and the babysitter dangled it in the air, waving its little legs(arms) at me to show me it was OK. It wasn't. The next day, my dad took it to "bury" it on his way to work. I later learned that he tossed it in the dumpster. No wonder they wouldn't let me attend the funeral services!
I can't remember having any other pets die. They mostly "ran away" (which translated into being given away while we weren't looking), or we found them new homes because they weren't working out.
I had two grandparents die while I was young, but I wasn't extremely close to them and don't remember feeling too sad. I attended the funeral for one and was more disturbed by the viewing than the loss of the person. My last grandparent died the night before I was married. She had been suffering from diabetes for years and had already lost part of her leg. It was not a distressing thing for me as I knew she was "home" again, reunited with Grandpa and whole again.
There hasn't been a death on my side of the family in 9 years (tomorrow). For that, I feel very blessed. Because of that, my children have had very few experiences with death. We lost a kitten about a year and a half ago, but they weren't attached to it yet. It did spark several conversations on heaven and resurrection.
Then we moved to the country. Shortly after settling in, our biggest (and meanest) rabbit got out for a night or so. Chad caught her again, but she died the next day. A few months later, the other 2 rabbits got out. We caught one and never did find the other. A few weeks ago, we adopted a stray rabbit from someone who found it, but didn't want to keep it. Then the neighbor's dog broke into the cage. One rabbit was never found, but the newest one was dead on the ground by the rabbit pen with teeth marks in her back. The boys found her.
Sunday, we lost Tabby. She got herself into some trouble and came home looking quite grotesque. All the kids saw her as we stood there looking at her, trying to decide what to do with her. There was dripping blood involved. Eventually, we distracted the kids while Chad caught her and got her into a box. We hooked her up to the truck's exhaust and then buried her a ways into the pasture. That really started some conversations on heaven and resurrection. We prayed for Jesus to take care of her in Heaven. We tried to explain to the kids that while it was very sad, this is a "farm" and animals die. (I also tried to explain that if she had been a person, we would have tried to help her. We don't need anyone afraid for their lives around here.)
So the neighbor with the hungry dog called yesterday. They are providing us with two replacement bunnies. Chad is working on reinforcing the cage. We are adopting two little kittens on Friday. We were already going to adopt them, but we're now willing to get them a little bit earlier. I'm hoping that they'll be accepted better if they're younger. They will be just shy of 8 weeks. I'm also hoping that they don't join Tabby!
And to top it off, we're going to try 2 bum lambs in a couple weekends. We'll see if they survive the rough start they've had and prepare the kids before hand that they might not live.
And so I've been thinking of death and its recent visits to our family. I've found myself grateful that the kids are having some experience on a smaller scale. I'm hoping that it will give them better understanding and preparation for the inevitable time when a close family member dies. Maybe I'll benefit, too. Although, I hope I get YEARS of practice with farm animals before I have to be tested with a loved one.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Quote of the Day
Exclaimed by 2-year-old Rebekah upon seeing me with the vacuum:
"Mommy, turn it on and 'moke me!" (smoke)
"Mommy, turn it on and 'moke me!" (smoke)
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Recent videos and the dentist
Here are a few recent videos for you. I've been saving them up. Since Chad has the power to the well disconnected, and I am waiting to take a shower, I have time to upload videos.
Here is Leah in one of her famous tantrums. She only stopped screaming because she saw me with the camera. That girl is very aware of the cameras and will usually quit her antics when she sees one pointed at her!
Here is a video taken just this morning. I looked out the window and saw these birds weighing down the wires. There were so many! And then they'd take off, fly in a big, crazy circle, then land again. I'm guessing they were eating insects, but my camera isn't good enough to see bugs that high up, so we'll never know for sure. I was reminded of Alfred Hitchcock. I got a better video on my nicer camcorder, so you'll have to visit if you're a serious bird enthusiast!
This video is of Joseph last month. He was so cute. I am obligated to have that opinion, but it does come quite easily!
In other news, I went to the dentist yesterday for the first time in 4 years. My mouth has been hurting for quite a while and I knew my teeth were full of cavities. I was very surprised to learn that there wasn't a single sign of decay in there. My problem is receding gums. On several teeth. The hygienist told me a powered toothbrush would not only clean my teeth better, but would save my gums from further damage.
So I stopped by Wal-Mart on the way home and got one. I've used it twice. It's going to take some getting used to as the slobber and toothpaste dribble out of my mouth easier with that big thing in there, and I get double vision from the vibration of the motor against my teeth! I'm seriously hoping that the kids don't give in to the inevitable temptation to play with it. Do they make "The Club" for toothbrushes?
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Quote of the Morning
From my beautiful 4 year-old daughter, Leah:
"The more you don't give me a snack, the more I'll whine!"
"The more you don't give me a snack, the more I'll whine!"
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
I apologize
I need to start with some apologies.
Second, sorry that there are going to be an unfair amount of pictures. I've been saving some things up and due to actually having a life and/or no internet service, I haven't been able to share them. Now you get a bunch at once. But a picture is worth a thousand words, so this should classify as an epic tale.
Here is a promising picture. Joseph can already multi-task! Now if only I could figure out how to sleep and do something else at the same time. The world truly would be a better place.
Here is what happens when the kids get a turn with the digital camera. I've been very selective with the pictures I'm sharing. No one needs to see me from the rear - especially an upward view.
First, sorry that I have been absent for a bit. My internet connection has been nearly impossible. DigitalBridge took over the company we were using and things have rapidly gone from "not great" to "really bad." There are some days I can't even log on until the afternoon and then it's hit and miss. I usually can't load more than 5 pages at a time before it's down again. Today, we've not had any trouble. We'll see how it goes.
Second, sorry that there are going to be an unfair amount of pictures. I've been saving some things up and due to actually having a life and/or no internet service, I haven't been able to share them. Now you get a bunch at once. But a picture is worth a thousand words, so this should classify as an epic tale.
Third, sorry about the comments that my brother-in-law-in-law (Chad's sister's husband) leaves for all of you to enjoy. He likes to be colorful and shocking, though he CAN be pleasant company. He was obviously on his best behavior when he was dating Chad's sister. He once taught the boys how to flip peas with a spoon at a wedding reception. It took several years for us to recover from that!
Now to get down to business. I've been handicapped, so typing is neither fun nor easy. I've had a little semi-squishy, movable bump on my left pinky at the middle knuckle for some time. I had it checked out yesterday and the doctor put in a big needle to drain it. It was a tiny lump of partially calcified blood. It may have been caused by a burn I got there many, many weeks ago. So now my pinky is throbbing and useless. And I keep bumping it on things since I can't bend it. Yes, please feel sorry for me; it may speed up the healing process.
We've recently adopted 3 cats. It was supposed to be 2, but one disappeared so we went looking for another and then the other suspiciously reappeared. So now we have 3, but only 2 are working cats. We got the first two,
Fair - 6 years and 
Tabby - 2 years on Monday last week. Fair had some bad luck a couple of years ago and lost a leg. We adopted her out of kindness since she came with Tabby who is a very good mouser. Both cats are very sweet, but still getting used to being in our busy house. 
We just got Trouble - 7 months, on Monday this week (because we thought Tabby had escaped and wasn't coming back). He is the odd man out as the two other cats are slow to accept a boy cat into their lives. Trouble is a very unique cat and makes very strange cat calls. Last night we thought he was saying "hello" because it sounded just like it. I'm not sure why he doesn't just meow like a normal kitty. We'll see if he does once he settles in a bit more.
Joseph turned 5 months earlier this month and we decided to try him out on the rice cereal. 
Here he is with his first taste of semi-solid food (if you don't count the banana he licked or the tiny drop of melted ice cream we poked his pacifier into). He didn't have any problems eating it. I'm not too sure he actually liked it. 
And here is a picture of Joseph a little over a month ago. He was so cute in his seat. It will be an adorable scrapbook page some day. This shot makes me think of a gopher peeking up out of his hole.
This is shot I captured one Sunday afternoon. I walked into the room, saw this and walked back out for the camera.
Here is a promising picture. Joseph can already multi-task! Now if only I could figure out how to sleep and do something else at the same time. The world truly would be a better place.
Here is what happens when the kids get a turn with the digital camera. I've been very selective with the pictures I'm sharing. No one needs to see me from the rear - especially an upward view.
I finally finished that little quilt I was working on. Here it is with the binding. Sorry for the dark picture.
The girls recently became ladybugs, due mostly to the costume craft I got from Oriental Trading Company. I've been wondering how Leah knows to tilt her head for a picture.
And here is a little preview of my dining room curtains. (Another reason why I haven't been on the computer as much.) The actual fabric is a bit brighter than the picture shows. I'm going for a patchwork feel, if you can't tell. :)
And while I could continue to ramble on, I really need to go make lunch before the natives eat me alive!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Girls in Curls
Monday evening I was telling Leah about the times my mom would put sponge curlers in my hair after Saturday night baths so my hair would be curly for church. She was quite excited by the idea and wanted curlers in her hair right away! Unfortunately for her, we didn't have any.
I found some the next day at Family Dollar and that evening I rolled the girls' hair. Leah got pink curlers which were a pretty big size and Rebekah got blue ones which were fairly skinny. (The curlers came in variety packs.)
Here is what they looked like before bed.
And...WHOA!...here is what they looked like when the curlers came out!
Rebekah didn't need anything to keep her hair out of her face the whole day! All I could think when I saw her was "Brillo Pad." This morning, the sides of her hair were straight again, but the curls on top and down the middle back were still tight and bouncy. It was a curly mohawk! That is some crazy bed head.
And because Spring is so reluctant to come to our part of the world, this is what we were greeted with yesterday morning. It has all melted again, but you'll notice there are still no signs of life on the trees/shrubs. *sigh* I'll be wishing for some of this in August. That just proves that I'm never satisfied!
I found some the next day at Family Dollar and that evening I rolled the girls' hair. Leah got pink curlers which were a pretty big size and Rebekah got blue ones which were fairly skinny. (The curlers came in variety packs.)
Here is what they looked like before bed.
And...WHOA!...here is what they looked like when the curlers came out!
Rebekah didn't need anything to keep her hair out of her face the whole day! All I could think when I saw her was "Brillo Pad." This morning, the sides of her hair were straight again, but the curls on top and down the middle back were still tight and bouncy. It was a curly mohawk! That is some crazy bed head.
And because Spring is so reluctant to come to our part of the world, this is what we were greeted with yesterday morning. It has all melted again, but you'll notice there are still no signs of life on the trees/shrubs. *sigh* I'll be wishing for some of this in August. That just proves that I'm never satisfied!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
I bet this has never happened to you!
I knew I would blog tonight after what happened at the church.
Our stake has something called Choirsides. I'd never heard of one before we moved here so I'll explain it for those of you who are unfamiliar. Each ward in the stake sings two numbers, with narration between each ward. Tonight's choirside focused on Christ. We were in the chapel, and the sister missionaries had set up a display at the back of the gym. There were cookies, too.
The program started at 6 PM. There are 8 wards/branches in the stake and our ward was 6th to sing. I think it was about the time the third ward was singing that Leah climbed up into my lap and fell asleep. As the 4th ward finished, I realized that Leah was drooling on my dark blue shirt, very conspicuously placed. LOVELY! So I started blowing, blowing, blowing to dry up the 3" x 1" spot before I had to go up. Rebekah jumped in and started blowing with me. About the time the fifth ward finished its first song, it was dry. Whew! That would have been a little embarrassing! (You thought that was my big story, didn't you!?)
A few moments after I've dried up the slobbery mark, Rebekah starts to say that she needs to go potty. It really gets old to hear her say that she needs to go potty every time we go somewhere. I told her that she needed to wait because it was going to be my turn to go sing. It wasn't too much longer before she gets a bad look on her face and starts to whimper. I looked down on at her feet and watch a puddle forming right before my eyes! (I never realized how water-repellent the church carpets are.)
Meanwhile, the ward before us is just about finished with their last song. I'm frozen in shock. The puddle starts running away, so I grab Joseph's receiving blanket to soak it up, strip off her tights and underwear, put them into a little bag I have (for all those unpleasant moments), whip out a spare diaper and put it on her while she stands there. I was done with moments to spare. I THINK we got away without anyone even having a clue, except for the young man sitting next to Daniel who saw me adjusting the diaper. Only the most observant person would notice that she came in with pink tights on and left without any at all.
So has that ever happened to you? If you have a similar story, please share it and help me feel better!
Our stake has something called Choirsides. I'd never heard of one before we moved here so I'll explain it for those of you who are unfamiliar. Each ward in the stake sings two numbers, with narration between each ward. Tonight's choirside focused on Christ. We were in the chapel, and the sister missionaries had set up a display at the back of the gym. There were cookies, too.
The program started at 6 PM. There are 8 wards/branches in the stake and our ward was 6th to sing. I think it was about the time the third ward was singing that Leah climbed up into my lap and fell asleep. As the 4th ward finished, I realized that Leah was drooling on my dark blue shirt, very conspicuously placed. LOVELY! So I started blowing, blowing, blowing to dry up the 3" x 1" spot before I had to go up. Rebekah jumped in and started blowing with me. About the time the fifth ward finished its first song, it was dry. Whew! That would have been a little embarrassing! (You thought that was my big story, didn't you!?)
A few moments after I've dried up the slobbery mark, Rebekah starts to say that she needs to go potty. It really gets old to hear her say that she needs to go potty every time we go somewhere. I told her that she needed to wait because it was going to be my turn to go sing. It wasn't too much longer before she gets a bad look on her face and starts to whimper. I looked down on at her feet and watch a puddle forming right before my eyes! (I never realized how water-repellent the church carpets are.)
Meanwhile, the ward before us is just about finished with their last song. I'm frozen in shock. The puddle starts running away, so I grab Joseph's receiving blanket to soak it up, strip off her tights and underwear, put them into a little bag I have (for all those unpleasant moments), whip out a spare diaper and put it on her while she stands there. I was done with moments to spare. I THINK we got away without anyone even having a clue, except for the young man sitting next to Daniel who saw me adjusting the diaper. Only the most observant person would notice that she came in with pink tights on and left without any at all.
So has that ever happened to you? If you have a similar story, please share it and help me feel better!
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Up to no good
I've been trying to keep out of trouble lately. Here's a little of the past week or so.
A small quilt top
We made strawberry syrup and strawberry jam from a flat of strawberries. Chad is using the Squeezo. I love that thing! It gets out the juice and separates it from the pulp and seeds. Not so fun to wash it though.
A whole flat of strawberries and this is all we get??
I made a batch of bread yesterday. This time, it did not cave in and make itself into a bread bowl loaf. However, I am having a problem with the tops of my loaves sinking a bit and leaving me with a wrinkled crust. Anyone have any suggestions? Share them in the comments!
I mopped the floor tonight. I realize that some of you will not think this is anything worth mentioning. If that is the case for you, let me introduce myself. Hi. I'm Arlyn. I don't often mop my floor. When you come for a visit, please don't take your shoes off.
I also cleaned up the laundry room which had been terrorized by muddy boots all winter. It was an all day effort, but it looks so much nicer!
I bought 12 yards of fabric this afternoon to make dining room curtains. It cost me just under $50. That is my motivation to actually make the curtains! When you come for a visit, please mention how cute they are! (But give me a couple of weeks to make them.)
Nathan and Joseph got shots yesterday. Nathan got his last chicken pox shot and Joseph just about got everything. Poor kid. He woke up with a little fever this morning, but slept for a good chunk of the night! Rebekah and Joseph are on the down side of ear infections.
Daniel signed up for pee wee baseball tonight. It's more like a clinic, I think. It's only about a month long. Perfect!!! He still gets a T-shirt out of it, so he'll have something to brag about until he outgrows it (in two years at the rate he's growing). Anyway, he's quite excited about it. I said I'd only sign him up if he would quit complaining about going to TaVaci for the rest of the season. He starts to get TaVaci burn out near the end of each semester. I'm not a pushy mom, though! I don't make him sign up...I just make him finish. He gets a trophy when they graduate the kids in 6th grade. Part of him wants the trophy...part of him doesn't (the vocal part).
And for those who would like to and are able to, the Spring TaVaci concert is May 10th. That's a Saturday. It would be over about 7 pm, I'm guessing. It's free and you can watch Daniel and Leah on stage. You can also watch Nathan in the seats. He gets restless about 3/4 the way through and starts asking when it's over.
I have been doing a lot of laundry lately as Rebekah is timing her bathroom trips poorly. The boys just chose to wet their pants. Leah never did. But it seems like Rebekah is creating more laundry than any of the others ever did. It's been interesting. The little spot of linoleum by the toilet gets cleaned almost daily. And you should know that goes against my cleaning nature!
Other than that, I haven't been doing much. And my house shows it. On a happier note, I have been more patient and slower to anger with the kids. We're having nicer days all around. (I still want them to leave me alone while I eat my breakfast!)
A small quilt top
We made strawberry syrup and strawberry jam from a flat of strawberries. Chad is using the Squeezo. I love that thing! It gets out the juice and separates it from the pulp and seeds. Not so fun to wash it though.
A whole flat of strawberries and this is all we get??
I made a batch of bread yesterday. This time, it did not cave in and make itself into a bread bowl loaf. However, I am having a problem with the tops of my loaves sinking a bit and leaving me with a wrinkled crust. Anyone have any suggestions? Share them in the comments!
I mopped the floor tonight. I realize that some of you will not think this is anything worth mentioning. If that is the case for you, let me introduce myself. Hi. I'm Arlyn. I don't often mop my floor. When you come for a visit, please don't take your shoes off.
I also cleaned up the laundry room which had been terrorized by muddy boots all winter. It was an all day effort, but it looks so much nicer!
I bought 12 yards of fabric this afternoon to make dining room curtains. It cost me just under $50. That is my motivation to actually make the curtains! When you come for a visit, please mention how cute they are! (But give me a couple of weeks to make them.)
Nathan and Joseph got shots yesterday. Nathan got his last chicken pox shot and Joseph just about got everything. Poor kid. He woke up with a little fever this morning, but slept for a good chunk of the night! Rebekah and Joseph are on the down side of ear infections.
Daniel signed up for pee wee baseball tonight. It's more like a clinic, I think. It's only about a month long. Perfect!!! He still gets a T-shirt out of it, so he'll have something to brag about until he outgrows it (in two years at the rate he's growing). Anyway, he's quite excited about it. I said I'd only sign him up if he would quit complaining about going to TaVaci for the rest of the season. He starts to get TaVaci burn out near the end of each semester. I'm not a pushy mom, though! I don't make him sign up...I just make him finish. He gets a trophy when they graduate the kids in 6th grade. Part of him wants the trophy...part of him doesn't (the vocal part).
And for those who would like to and are able to, the Spring TaVaci concert is May 10th. That's a Saturday. It would be over about 7 pm, I'm guessing. It's free and you can watch Daniel and Leah on stage. You can also watch Nathan in the seats. He gets restless about 3/4 the way through and starts asking when it's over.
I have been doing a lot of laundry lately as Rebekah is timing her bathroom trips poorly. The boys just chose to wet their pants. Leah never did. But it seems like Rebekah is creating more laundry than any of the others ever did. It's been interesting. The little spot of linoleum by the toilet gets cleaned almost daily. And you should know that goes against my cleaning nature!
Other than that, I haven't been doing much. And my house shows it. On a happier note, I have been more patient and slower to anger with the kids. We're having nicer days all around. (I still want them to leave me alone while I eat my breakfast!)
Tiny Masters
Recently, Leah has been in awe of herself. She just can't understand how she can snap her fingers and Nathan can't, even though he is older. It simply amazes her. And she likes to point it out to Nathan often.
Today (or was it yesterday?), Leah got a little sliver of humble pie. You see, Rebekah has figured out how to zip up her own jackets. In case you need a reminder, Rebekah is 2 1/2. Leah hasn't mastered the zipper yet and asked me HOW Rebekah could zip her jacket and Leah can't but Leah is older? I think she was even a bit offended. I reminded her about the finger snapping thing.
Her response: "Oh."
But hey world, my 4 year old can snap and my 2 year old can zip!
Today (or was it yesterday?), Leah got a little sliver of humble pie. You see, Rebekah has figured out how to zip up her own jackets. In case you need a reminder, Rebekah is 2 1/2. Leah hasn't mastered the zipper yet and asked me HOW Rebekah could zip her jacket and Leah can't but Leah is older? I think she was even a bit offended. I reminded her about the finger snapping thing.
Her response: "Oh."
But hey world, my 4 year old can snap and my 2 year old can zip!
Sunday, April 06, 2008
New Header
My new blogger friend, Autumn, made me a blog header. What do you think?
My page has some pizazz now. Thanks, Autumn!
My page has some pizazz now. Thanks, Autumn!
I survived Conference - April 2008
I'm thinking of getting a shirt made that says this.
I hope my May Ensign doesn't get lost in the mail. I'm really going to need to read the Conference talks since I didn't get to hear many of them. I spent all of yesterday torn between wanting my kids to be at least NEAR the TV (so maybe they'd accidentally learn something), to wanting to send them downstairs - FAR AWAY from the TV (so I could accidentally learn something).
Then I had a grand idea to force some reverence on the kids by going to the church for one of today's sessions. The lazy part of me was screaming, "ARE YOU DELUSIONAL?" The CTR part of me was bursting with pride (which may not be "CTR" in itself) over such a reverent goal. So we got dressed and drove to the Stake Center this morning.
Apparently, we were a little too lofty in our attempts. Our building was only broadcasting in Spanish. We would have had trouble as soon as they finished with "Hola." So, while the opening song was being performed, we drove to our old Stake to catch the broadcast there. We arrived during the opening prayer and discovered that they'd gone all out and set up a TV in the Relief Society room. There were 4 missionaries and 3 other small groups of people there. I couldn't help but think, we could watch it on a TV at home!
But the kids were MUCH more reverent than they were at home. They suffered and endured to the end, as did their parents. We at least got Sunday to feel a little more LIKE Sunday and I heard a few more words during that session. We watched the last session from our couch, surrounded by the remains of our 72 hr kits (which we eat once a year during conference to help rotate the contents). By the time the prayer was given, most of the kids were downstairs playing and I didn't even feel guilty.
I console myself with the belief that any experience with General Conference is good and that we will sit better and longer in about...10 years.
I hope my May Ensign doesn't get lost in the mail. I'm really going to need to read the Conference talks since I didn't get to hear many of them. I spent all of yesterday torn between wanting my kids to be at least NEAR the TV (so maybe they'd accidentally learn something), to wanting to send them downstairs - FAR AWAY from the TV (so I could accidentally learn something).
Then I had a grand idea to force some reverence on the kids by going to the church for one of today's sessions. The lazy part of me was screaming, "ARE YOU DELUSIONAL?" The CTR part of me was bursting with pride (which may not be "CTR" in itself) over such a reverent goal. So we got dressed and drove to the Stake Center this morning.
Apparently, we were a little too lofty in our attempts. Our building was only broadcasting in Spanish. We would have had trouble as soon as they finished with "Hola." So, while the opening song was being performed, we drove to our old Stake to catch the broadcast there. We arrived during the opening prayer and discovered that they'd gone all out and set up a TV in the Relief Society room. There were 4 missionaries and 3 other small groups of people there. I couldn't help but think, we could watch it on a TV at home!
But the kids were MUCH more reverent than they were at home. They suffered and endured to the end, as did their parents. We at least got Sunday to feel a little more LIKE Sunday and I heard a few more words during that session. We watched the last session from our couch, surrounded by the remains of our 72 hr kits (which we eat once a year during conference to help rotate the contents). By the time the prayer was given, most of the kids were downstairs playing and I didn't even feel guilty.
I console myself with the belief that any experience with General Conference is good and that we will sit better and longer in about...10 years.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
I'm planting a bush
As you may already know, Rebekah is finally potty trained. Now what she once thought was cruel is suddenly cool. She goes potty... A LOT. Still, that doesn't keep her from wetting her pants because she procrastinates her trips sometimes and ends up peeing on the floor instead of in the toilet. So I have a lot more wet, stinky underwear and pants, size 2, sitting in the corner of the bathroom. I have learned to groan and make my way to the bathroom when I hear, "Mommy, I'm peeing!" That's where I find Rebekah standing in a puddle a mere foot from the toilet.
Another (dryer) side effect of one more person using the toilet is the increased consumption of toilet paper. We're now up to one whole roll a day. And while I have a propensity to exaggerate the facts, I assure you this is truth. It's also expensive. And my bathroom is covered in little bits of toilet paper.
So I was thinking about this new phase in our lives and realized it would only get worse during the summer when all the kids are home all day. That's when I came up with the decision to plant a bush for the kids. We need a large, low, quick growing bush with wide, smooth leaves. We'll plant it at the back of the yard, far enough away from the house to keep things from being unpleasant, but not so far that night time trips are hazardous. And, of course, we don't want the bush ANYWHERE near the garden spot.
Maybe we'll get 2 bushes. His and Hers.
Another (dryer) side effect of one more person using the toilet is the increased consumption of toilet paper. We're now up to one whole roll a day. And while I have a propensity to exaggerate the facts, I assure you this is truth. It's also expensive. And my bathroom is covered in little bits of toilet paper.
So I was thinking about this new phase in our lives and realized it would only get worse during the summer when all the kids are home all day. That's when I came up with the decision to plant a bush for the kids. We need a large, low, quick growing bush with wide, smooth leaves. We'll plant it at the back of the yard, far enough away from the house to keep things from being unpleasant, but not so far that night time trips are hazardous. And, of course, we don't want the bush ANYWHERE near the garden spot.
Maybe we'll get 2 bushes. His and Hers.
Wednesday, April 02, 2008
Homework Woes
I kind of expected my troubles with homework to be done when I graduated from BYU (10 years ago this August?!?!?). Alas, this was not to be since I eagerly began having children eight years ago and then sent them off to school.
You may remember this post about Daniel and his reading homework. Chad and I were reminded of Daniel's reading wiggles when Nathan was reading a little book last week and ended up with his feet touching the floor and his head down where his little behind originally sat.
*insert narration* Since sitting here to type this post, 3 kids have come to me with "serious problems." Where can I find a potion to make me invisible for just 15 minutes? I'll sell an organ to pay for it if necessary.
And then yesterday, while I was preparing fake french fries, Nathan was reading his little homework book to me...while spinning in place. I'm amazed he could make out the words. So now I know it's a (mutated?) gene we possess in our family. I'll have to wait another 2 years to find out if affects the girls, too.
Daniel is currently at the kitchen table doing his math homework. That's part of the reason why I'm in the computer room. I was in there cleaning up and had to keep reminding him to work on homework.
Me: "Daniel, Focus!"
Daniel: "Focus! FOCUS! Focus on cheetahs and zebras."
I did mention that he was doing MATH homework, right?
Then I began a repeated, circular path from the kitchen counters to the table. I first gathered a ripped up spelling test and threw it away. Next I rescued the letter opener. My next trip was for one tiny scrap of paper that I missed the first time, but was found by Daniel. I returned again for a spare pencil. Still, he found ways to play.
I want to say that I was NOT yelling, and he was not complaining. He was happy in his little distracted world.
*insert more narration* Since typing that last period, I did end up yelling and taking care of two different offenders over two different squabbles. I'm amazed that Joseph continues to sleep. I love that swing.
Just before I left the homework scene to save my sanity, I told Daniel that he had started out on his homework so well and then things just kind of fell apart. That's when he semi-seriously began searching his homework page for the exact moment that happened. He found it (about a third of the way down) and said something like, "Oh. Here it is." I rolled my eyes...either mentally or physically - I can't remember...and retreated to the computer.
*last inserted narration* Since starting this post, Daniel has finished his math homework, picked out a coloring book, gotten into a fight with Nathan, made up and gone outside in 46 degree weather with only gloves to ward off the chill. (Nathan was smarter and wore gloves, plus a coat - skipped the zip.) I have listened to countless whining, broken up 3 or 4 fights, "sternly" spoken to 3 little people, tied 4 shoes, put on 2 gloves, zipped Rebekah's coat and rubbed my forehead repeatedly. I think it took 20 minutes to write this.
You may remember this post about Daniel and his reading homework. Chad and I were reminded of Daniel's reading wiggles when Nathan was reading a little book last week and ended up with his feet touching the floor and his head down where his little behind originally sat.
*insert narration* Since sitting here to type this post, 3 kids have come to me with "serious problems." Where can I find a potion to make me invisible for just 15 minutes? I'll sell an organ to pay for it if necessary.
And then yesterday, while I was preparing fake french fries, Nathan was reading his little homework book to me...while spinning in place. I'm amazed he could make out the words. So now I know it's a (mutated?) gene we possess in our family. I'll have to wait another 2 years to find out if affects the girls, too.
Daniel is currently at the kitchen table doing his math homework. That's part of the reason why I'm in the computer room. I was in there cleaning up and had to keep reminding him to work on homework.
Me: "Daniel, Focus!"
Daniel: "Focus! FOCUS! Focus on cheetahs and zebras."
I did mention that he was doing MATH homework, right?
Then I began a repeated, circular path from the kitchen counters to the table. I first gathered a ripped up spelling test and threw it away. Next I rescued the letter opener. My next trip was for one tiny scrap of paper that I missed the first time, but was found by Daniel. I returned again for a spare pencil. Still, he found ways to play.
I want to say that I was NOT yelling, and he was not complaining. He was happy in his little distracted world.
*insert more narration* Since typing that last period, I did end up yelling and taking care of two different offenders over two different squabbles. I'm amazed that Joseph continues to sleep. I love that swing.
Just before I left the homework scene to save my sanity, I told Daniel that he had started out on his homework so well and then things just kind of fell apart. That's when he semi-seriously began searching his homework page for the exact moment that happened. He found it (about a third of the way down) and said something like, "Oh. Here it is." I rolled my eyes...either mentally or physically - I can't remember...and retreated to the computer.
*last inserted narration* Since starting this post, Daniel has finished his math homework, picked out a coloring book, gotten into a fight with Nathan, made up and gone outside in 46 degree weather with only gloves to ward off the chill. (Nathan was smarter and wore gloves, plus a coat - skipped the zip.) I have listened to countless whining, broken up 3 or 4 fights, "sternly" spoken to 3 little people, tied 4 shoes, put on 2 gloves, zipped Rebekah's coat and rubbed my forehead repeatedly. I think it took 20 minutes to write this.
April Fools!
We started off the day with yellow milk. It looked a lot like egg nog. I didn't have any though, so I don't know if my eyes would have tricked my tongue on that one. Chad said the kids stared at it for a bit.
Daniel wore his shirt backwards to school, but then I found out later that he turned it back around once he got there. I guess the pressure was too much for him. He's like his mom in that he loves to be the center of attention, but only intentionally. I think he was afraid of being laughed AT.
Chad took the girls to work with him yesterday morning so I could go shopping with just Joseph . I think he played an April Fool's joke on himself and the receptionist with that move. However, I was grateful for his sacrifice. It really did give me a wonderful break. Thank you, Chad!
I was shopping specifically for milk, TaxCut, and ingredients for my April Fool's Day dinner. I spent over $215. Obviously, I didn't shop strictly from my list!!
I went to FamilyFun.com because I remembered they had some good recipes for April Fool's Day a year or so ago. All my recipes for dinner came from their site. I only wish I was so creative!
For dinner, we had green beans, meatloaf, french fries w/ketchup, mini corn dogs and purple milk. The mini corn dogs were not tampered with and were added to the meal to have something somewhat healthy. That tells you a little something of the dinner!
Green Beans
Softened Jolly Rancher Chews expertly shaped into a bean resemblance. I'm sure Chad knew something was up with those right away since I detest green beans and never buy them.
Meatloaf
Essentially, it's chocolate rice crispy treats with bits of dried pineapple and red and green fruit roll ups. By the time I got a chance to put it out, it had cooled considerably and was extremely difficult to slice.
French Fries with ketchup
These are bread sticks cut into 1/4" strips and rolled in sugar before baking. The ketchup is seedless strawberry jam stirred until smooth. I could have used less sugar on these. Daniel decided he preferred real fries to these sugary ones and didn't finish his. I should always expect surprises.
The purple milk was just tainted with food coloring. I have to say, it plays quite a trick on your mind to drink colored milk. I kept expecting to taste a "mixed berry" flavor and Chad even thinks he did! We are weak-minded people! I'm glad cows just make white milk.
Here are some pictures of Rebekah eating the fake food and Leah was showing off her corn dog...another food that should be put into the Fake category.
Here's Joseph thinking he's been pranked, too because everyone else is at least tasting something and all he gets is a germy pacifier!
Daniel wore his shirt backwards to school, but then I found out later that he turned it back around once he got there. I guess the pressure was too much for him. He's like his mom in that he loves to be the center of attention, but only intentionally. I think he was afraid of being laughed AT.
Chad took the girls to work with him yesterday morning so I could go shopping with just Joseph . I think he played an April Fool's joke on himself and the receptionist with that move. However, I was grateful for his sacrifice. It really did give me a wonderful break. Thank you, Chad!
I was shopping specifically for milk, TaxCut, and ingredients for my April Fool's Day dinner. I spent over $215. Obviously, I didn't shop strictly from my list!!
I went to FamilyFun.com because I remembered they had some good recipes for April Fool's Day a year or so ago. All my recipes for dinner came from their site. I only wish I was so creative!
For dinner, we had green beans, meatloaf, french fries w/ketchup, mini corn dogs and purple milk. The mini corn dogs were not tampered with and were added to the meal to have something somewhat healthy. That tells you a little something of the dinner!
Green Beans
Softened Jolly Rancher Chews expertly shaped into a bean resemblance. I'm sure Chad knew something was up with those right away since I detest green beans and never buy them.
Meatloaf
Essentially, it's chocolate rice crispy treats with bits of dried pineapple and red and green fruit roll ups. By the time I got a chance to put it out, it had cooled considerably and was extremely difficult to slice.
French Fries with ketchup
These are bread sticks cut into 1/4" strips and rolled in sugar before baking. The ketchup is seedless strawberry jam stirred until smooth. I could have used less sugar on these. Daniel decided he preferred real fries to these sugary ones and didn't finish his. I should always expect surprises.
The purple milk was just tainted with food coloring. I have to say, it plays quite a trick on your mind to drink colored milk. I kept expecting to taste a "mixed berry" flavor and Chad even thinks he did! We are weak-minded people! I'm glad cows just make white milk.
Here are some pictures of Rebekah eating the fake food and Leah was showing off her corn dog...another food that should be put into the Fake category.
Here's Joseph thinking he's been pranked, too because everyone else is at least tasting something and all he gets is a germy pacifier!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Easter 2008
Easter seemed so early to me this year. I figure that has a little something to do with the fact that it came less than a week after St. Patrick's Day. It's really asking a lot to expect me to switch gears so quickly.
Fortunately, I am so organized and have all my Easter stuff in a bin. Unfortunately, it was in the garage, trapped beneath two of the very heavy Christmas bins. I was able to free it (3 days before Easter) with minimal grunts and groans and only one lost slipper. What joy the kids expressed when the lid came off and the colors came out! I was surprised to find my "misplaced" Valentine's Day decorations in there. I do seem to remember storing those two holidays together once upon a time. (I was even more surprised to find Chad's shoe shine stuff in the Easter box. Of all the unrelated places! I made him guess where they were and now he owes me a dinner.)
We tried something a little different (for us) this year. We had "fun" Easter on Saturday and "real" Easter on Sunday. I liked it better that way...less stress before and after church. Anyway, I've digressed.
We decorated 2 1/2 dozen minus one eggs on Thursday night. (I ate one that erupted during boiling.) It was a good math problem for Daniel. 
We really like to decorate eggs. I usually endure a high level of stress as eggs are dropped, plopped and slopped. I'm just waiting for a nasty lime green dye to get spilled and stain my floor and walls. Rebekah was especially good at making me gasp throughout the event. She pre-cracked them for us. Nathan had fun decorating, but reminded us that he wouldn't eat any. He's sworn off hard boiled eggs since last year's never ending supply of egg salad sandwiches.
I like Leah's expression here and can't help but think that she's eyeing the 
competition
...which apparently was Daniel.
We went to a community Easter egg hunt at the high school on 
Saturday morning. 
As it was 20 degrees, we looked more suited for cutting down a Christmas tree than gathering eggs, but what do you expect when Easter falls on March 23rd? They had the fields divided by ages and we were a little dismayed to find that we had 4 kids in four different categories. So Rebekah pretended she was 3 and Daniel pretended he was 6. Heck, I know there were true 6 year-olds bigger than him! I went with the girls and Chad with the boys. Joseph was in a cocoon in the stroller with me. All the eggs were labeled with local companies' names. They were waiting off to the side to give the kids even more sugary prizes if they presented the right eggs.
I thought we should have had hot chocolate once we got home...but that doesn't really seem fitting the holiday.
Later that day, we had our own Easter egg hunt. We hid our dyed eggs plus an additional 39 plastic ones.
Some eggs were harder to recover than others. 
I bought some hoppy balls (you know...the kind you sit on and bounce all over the place?) for the kids that they had to find from clues in specially filled eggs. The smell of the rubber just about knocked me out. I still make a face when I go downstairs and step around them. I intend them to be outside toys, as soon as the weather cooperates.
The next day was Sunday and we were fortunate enough to be speaking in Sacrament Meeting. Chad's mom drove out to sit with Joseph and Rebekah while the rest of us sat on the stand. Leah, Nathan and Daniel gave a short talk, then we all stood up to sing "He Sent His Son" and Rebekah joined us for that. It would have been nice if she sang instead being so interested in the podium. Then I spoke, followed by a flute number and Chad finished up.
The girls looked cute in their semi-matching dresses. The boys got new ties and Joseph got a new shirt. He then christened his new shirt (through his onesie) while grandma held him and endured to the end. I nearly put him in the women's bathroom sink after that, but used 20 baby wipes instead.
And that was our Easter 2008. Today I bought next year's Easter goods at 75% off. Long live Wal-Mart.
I'll try to post about April Fool's Day tomorrow. I've run out of time tonight. (It's no wonder since I blabbed on and on in this one!)
Sorry for the small pictures...I was economizing on space. Hopefully, Blogger will cooperate and allow you to click on them and make them bigger (huge, actually).
Fortunately, I am so organized and have all my Easter stuff in a bin. Unfortunately, it was in the garage, trapped beneath two of the very heavy Christmas bins. I was able to free it (3 days before Easter) with minimal grunts and groans and only one lost slipper. What joy the kids expressed when the lid came off and the colors came out! I was surprised to find my "misplaced" Valentine's Day decorations in there. I do seem to remember storing those two holidays together once upon a time. (I was even more surprised to find Chad's shoe shine stuff in the Easter box. Of all the unrelated places! I made him guess where they were and now he owes me a dinner.)
We tried something a little different (for us) this year. We had "fun" Easter on Saturday and "real" Easter on Sunday. I liked it better that way...less stress before and after church. Anyway, I've digressed.
We decorated 2 1/2 dozen minus one eggs on Thursday night. (I ate one that erupted during boiling.) It was a good math problem for Daniel. 
We really like to decorate eggs. I usually endure a high level of stress as eggs are dropped, plopped and slopped. I'm just waiting for a nasty lime green dye to get spilled and stain my floor and walls. Rebekah was especially good at making me gasp throughout the event. She pre-cracked them for us. Nathan had fun decorating, but reminded us that he wouldn't eat any. He's sworn off hard boiled eggs since last year's never ending supply of egg salad sandwiches.
I like Leah's expression here and can't help but think that she's eyeing the 
competition...which apparently was Daniel.
We went to a community Easter egg hunt at the high school on 
Saturday morning. 
As it was 20 degrees, we looked more suited for cutting down a Christmas tree than gathering eggs, but what do you expect when Easter falls on March 23rd? They had the fields divided by ages and we were a little dismayed to find that we had 4 kids in four different categories. So Rebekah pretended she was 3 and Daniel pretended he was 6. Heck, I know there were true 6 year-olds bigger than him! I went with the girls and Chad with the boys. Joseph was in a cocoon in the stroller with me. All the eggs were labeled with local companies' names. They were waiting off to the side to give the kids even more sugary prizes if they presented the right eggs.
I thought we should have had hot chocolate once we got home...but that doesn't really seem fitting the holiday.
Later that day, we had our own Easter egg hunt. We hid our dyed eggs plus an additional 39 plastic ones.
Some eggs were harder to recover than others. 
I bought some hoppy balls (you know...the kind you sit on and bounce all over the place?) for the kids that they had to find from clues in specially filled eggs. The smell of the rubber just about knocked me out. I still make a face when I go downstairs and step around them. I intend them to be outside toys, as soon as the weather cooperates.
The next day was Sunday and we were fortunate enough to be speaking in Sacrament Meeting. Chad's mom drove out to sit with Joseph and Rebekah while the rest of us sat on the stand. Leah, Nathan and Daniel gave a short talk, then we all stood up to sing "He Sent His Son" and Rebekah joined us for that. It would have been nice if she sang instead being so interested in the podium. Then I spoke, followed by a flute number and Chad finished up.
The girls looked cute in their semi-matching dresses. The boys got new ties and Joseph got a new shirt. He then christened his new shirt (through his onesie) while grandma held him and endured to the end. I nearly put him in the women's bathroom sink after that, but used 20 baby wipes instead.And that was our Easter 2008. Today I bought next year's Easter goods at 75% off. Long live Wal-Mart.
I'll try to post about April Fool's Day tomorrow. I've run out of time tonight. (It's no wonder since I blabbed on and on in this one!)
Sorry for the small pictures...I was economizing on space. Hopefully, Blogger will cooperate and allow you to click on them and make them bigger (huge, actually).
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