weekend notes

Saturday night found Brian and I on the dance floor at the Red Lion among fellow Chamber of Commerce members for a very prom-ish gathering. Cheesy? Totally. Can't wait for next year. We decided to save our change and skipped out of the "formal" pictures and instead took our own poor quality, face only, in the dark shot via the Blackberry.
And thanks to Grandma & Grandpa W. we left all 5 of our little dears home.

On Sunday morning, seconds before we had to leave out the door I instructed the kids to sit on the chair for a picture. Because I have maybe 1 of all of them together. And then I realized why I only have 1 decent shot of them all together. It's insanely. . . impossible.

When I uploaded the 12 pictures I took, they all looked like this.

I thought how appropriate.
It's exactly what our Sunday mornings are like getting ready for church--- without dad who is already at meetings.
Someone is always crying, or pouting.
Someone is always not focused.
Someone is always not doing what I've asked them to do.
And I think to myself, "Why do I do this every single Sunday?"
And then I remember.
Because it's worth it.
And I would not choose to have my 5 little ones anywhere else for those 3 hours each Sunday.
But that doesn't make it any easier.

Sometimes the biggest blessings come from the biggest sacrifices.

Wouldn't you say?

Time flies

We had a few minutes to spare this morning before the boys' ride to school came, thanks to our new routine of eating breakfast, reading scriptures, and having family prayer--- before getting dressed. So, I had time to snap a picture. Then I wondered, "how can 3 boys that make me so insanely crazy and maybe somewhat stressed also make me completely happy and content?" I'll never know. But this much I do know. They are growing up. Fast. Right before my eyes.

It was nice of Chandler to sit down and help Carson practice his piano (without being asked, I might add) the other day. Among the not-so-sweet moments of our day I'm grateful for the sweet moments like this that help us move along. Slowly moving along, but moving nonetheless.

It's happened. We're busy. Some days more than others. Soccer, scouts, piano, meetings, homework, and the list grows. Something has got to give. Much to the dismay of my children, it's going to be soccer. Reading this makes me think I can and should.

II.

Some of our most important choices concern family activities. Many breadwinners worry that their occupations leave too little time for their families. There is no easy formula for that contest of priorities. However, I have never known of a man who looked back on his working life and said, “I just didn’t spend enough time with my job.”

In choosing how we spend time as a family, we should be careful not to exhaust our available time on things that are merely good and leave little time for that which is better or best. A friend took his young family on a series of summer vacation trips, including visits to memorable historic sites. At the end of the summer he asked his teenage son which of these good summer activities he enjoyed most. The father learned from the reply, and so did those he told of it. “The thing I liked best this summer,” the boy replied, “was the night you and I laid on the lawn and looked at the stars and talked.” Super family activities may be good for children, but they are not always better than one-on-one time with a loving parent.

The amount of children-and-parent time absorbed in the good activities of private lessons, team sports, and other school and club activities also needs to be carefully regulated. Otherwise, children will be overscheduled, and parents will be frazzled and frustrated. Parents should act to preserve time for family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, and the other precious togetherness and individual one-on-one time that binds a family together and fixes children’s values on things of eternal worth. Parents should teach gospel priorities through what they do with their children.

Family experts have warned against what they call “the overscheduling of children.” In the last generation children are far busier and families spend far less time together. Among many measures of this disturbing trend are the reports that structured sports time has doubled, but children’s free time has declined by 12 hours per week, and unstructured outdoor activities have fallen by 50 percent.2

The number of those who report that their “whole family usually eats dinner together” has declined 33 percent. This is most concerning because the time a family spends together “eating meals at home [is] the strongest predictor of children’s academic achievement and psychological adjustment.”3 Family mealtimes have also been shown to be a strong bulwark against children’s smoking, drinking, or using drugs.4 There is inspired wisdom in this advice to parents: what your children really want for dinner is you.

President Gordon B. Hinckley has pleaded that we “work at our responsibility as parents as if everything in life counted on it, because in fact everything in life does count on it.”

He continued: “I ask you men, particularly, to pause and take stock of yourselves as husbands and fathers and heads of households. Pray for guidance, for help, for direction, and then follow the whisperings of the Spirit to guide you in the most serious of all responsibilities, for the consequences of your leadership in your home will be eternal and everlasting.”5

The First Presidency has called on parents “to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles. … The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place … in … this God-given responsibility.” The First Presidency has declared that “however worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.”6

it's the most wonderful time of the year!

4 month shots

so her Texas cousins can get their Clara fix.

She misses you too.

We used to know a family who had several teenage boys. When the fighting got out of hand the punishment was that they had had to sit on a bench in front of the house holding hands. We
thought that was the best idea and mentally filed it away because we knew it would come in handy someday. Yesterday, Carson's pestering and followed by Baden's screaming brought to memory that punishment for fighting. Since we don't have a bench, I decided to kick it up a notch and have them walk down the street and back holding hands.


Haven't had to break up a fight since.

I love being a mom.

treasures

Water balloons, rocks and smarties wrappers. A sampling of the surprises that come with doing laundry around here.

Clara's first swim

she liked it.

Priest Lake 2009

(click to enlarge)

Next year's reunion can't come soon enough.
We had fun, fun, fun! Despite the cooler temps.

We've been back for awhile, but loads of laundry, yard work, tomatoes, catching stupid mice (AHHHHHH!), and everything else have kept us busy. Why is coming back to reality is so hard? My kids don't know what to do with themselves. Bored out of their minds. Maybe it's time for school to start.

before every family trip the car MUST be cleaned out

you know . . . to make room for the new crumbs as well as all the sand and pine needles we will bring home with us

It really stinks when the forecast for your yearly vacation to the lake looks like this:Stinks big time.

Clara @ 3 months

Where has the time gone?

Reunion

Yesterday we had a big family reunion. Those unable to attend were missed. See you next year!

I wish I would have gotten a picture of the belly flop competition.
Or the doggie paddle relay. (participants ages 7-50+ !)
I don’t even have a picture of my cute cousins who held and played with my girls, so I didn’t have to. I’ll return the favor in a couple of years.

But, I did get a picture of this. An aunt and uncle pyramid with Grandma in the front. You can see why we have so much fun together.
And this picture of my cheeky baby.

How about this one of my kids lip syncin’ and air guitarin’ it to Barbara Ann? Some like to perform more than others. . . Our family was embarassingly “out-talented” in the Family Talent Show.

3 observations

1.
apparently, finally, having your own room isn't all it's cracked up to be

2.
lounging in a bathing suit on the rocks is only comfortable when you're two


3.
the mother of this darling baby is

definitely not losing weight as fast as she is gaining

I look out the window and what do I see?

Oh, that would be my boys taking turns sitting in a dirty old bucket filled with water.

And to think I'd contemplated purchasing one of those big fancy schmancy water slides.

Sometimes I forget they can be so easily (and cheaply) entertained.

When she's not eating yogurt with her sunglasses upside down,
she's waking up her baby sister or begging for some ice cream.
Either one is a pretty safe bet.

Things that made my day (yesterday)

With Chandler being in school all day I think I've been missing out on some of the humor he has to offer. So summer has reminded me of how funny he can be. Well, at least to his mother. Here is a sampling of things he said today that made today so worth it.

When I saw that Michael Jackson died, I told the kids and Chandler said, "I can't believe Michael Jackson died! He's was like my favorite singer. At least the Beach Boys are still alive."

Somehow Chandler "accidentally" pushed Baden off his bed and so Baden was hurt. Weeping, wailing, and gnashing of the teeth. I was feeding Clara so I couldn't help Baden out, so I told Chandler that I wanted him to console Baden. He kept refusing to do it and finally I ask why he won't obey me and he starts crying and in-between sobs says, "Because I'm a man! And men don't do those sorts of things." (it was really funny and I lost all sensitivity and started laughing, but really I'm gonna bust the chops of the macho man who is feeding him such lies. And I know it's not Brian.)

I was trying to pull a fast one on them tonight and skip reading scriptures, but Carson set me straight so I repented and summarized the story of Abraham and Isaac. When I finished Chandler said, "Mom, don't you read the Bible? That is not how it ended." Then he proceeds to tell about the sheep in the thorny bush etc... Then he asks me if I need to borrow his Bible stories. I've been sufficiently humbled.

Stop the clock!

My babe is 2 months old.

Growing, growing, growing!

We love her overpowering cheeks and her serious nature (she's got some Lybbert genes).One thing we know for certain. It is virtually impossible for a baby to get too much lovin'.

She's a keeper, that's for sure.

My saving grace

I'll be flying solo for half the week so my cousin, Katie Sue, has come to the rescue. She arrived yesterday and I don't think she's left Kate's side since she got here. She even slept on the floor by her crib! It's got me thinking that adopting an 11 year old might be a brilliant idea.

Wednesday Letters

I love reading the weekly emails from my brother Andrew who is on a mission. But, I have to say the one he sent today is my favorite. He's right. It's all about obedience and sacrifice. Good lessons to remember.

FUN

Napoleon style

Thanks for the Costco tip, Debie!

Last Day of School

Some of us are more excited than others.
I'll let you guess who's who.


Chandler 2nd grade Carson Kindergarten

I have approximately 67 hours to figure out how exactly I will keep myself these bundles of energy busy all SUMMER LONG!

Care to share what you will be doing to keep your children entertained?
I'd love some ideas...

So happy to have her around.

Clara's Day

Yesterday was Clara's blessing day.
It was a special day for our family.
Brian gave her a beautiful blessing.
She wore a beautiful dress my mom made her. (based on only a picture!)
After church we had a delicious meal and enjoyed the company of family.
You will just have to believe me that the day was wonderful because the pictures that were captured towards the end of our day don't do it justice.

See what I mean?


We are going to have to try again another day.

Help

(so nice to have another helper when I need it the most!)

Life is beautiful

(if only they'd bloom all year long)

Doesn't this little video make you want to keep a little notebook and a pen by your bed?
Sure makes me want to.
In fact I'm going to.

to do this weekend:

• kiss my one month old's cheeks (oh those cheeks! can they be any cuter?)

• and if there's time get a handle on all this laundry (again!)

happy warm weekend!

Lucky

My sweet neighbor Marilyn knocked on my door Friday afternoon. As I opened the door the 3 boys and Kate barreled down the stairs to greet her. She looked at them and then me with Clara in my arms and said, "Natasha, you are so lucky! Look at them. You are so lucky!" It lifted my spirits. I needed that reminder.

After she left I thought how different I would have felt had she come in and said, "You have got your hands full!" or "Five kids! What were you thinking?" I'm sure I would have felt overwhelmed and crazy!

But instead, I felt lucky. And I am!

So when the going gets tough, I'm going to remember: I am lucky!

I'm also going to remember: Positive remarks can make or break someone's day.

Keep it positive. We're all lucky. Don't you think?

4 year old logic

Baden:
It would be a lot better if everyone in the world was a bee.

Me:
Why?

Baden:
Because then whenever they went by a plant they could pollinate it.


Makes perfect sense.
Everyone needs a Baden in the family.

Thankful

that croup isn't contagious.

that my 5th baby likes, no, LOVES the swing.

blue cups

simplifying things around here

loaded in the dishwasher at night
unloaded from the dishwasher in the morning
no longer do we have a bazillion blue cups everywhere

the next best thing to having a drinking fountain installed

Would you believe these two darlings robbed me (and Brian) of sleep last night?
Well, believe it!

Thankfully, joy cometh in the morning.
(I read this talk last week as suggested by my father. When I was done reading I knew why he'd offered up the suggestion. It's helping me through this "transition". So, listen to your fathers.)

Day 10

See?

She really is a bundle.
She just fell asleep on my shoulder, I better go put myself to sleep as well.

11:02 pm

Miss bright eyes doesn't know we are suppose to be asleep at this hour.

Chandler turned 8 on Tuesday!Luckily, Clara and I came home from the hospital so we could join in the celebration.
I love that he got all decked out in his new scout uniform for the festivities.
He wanted to wear the get-up to school, but dad wouldn't let him.
Next Wednesday can't come soon enough for this new Wolf.

But what he's the most excited about is getting baptized on Saturday.
He said "when your 8, you get the best present. The gift of the Holy Ghost."
I couldn't agree more.

head over heals...

Update

I've got myself about 5 more days of pregnancy thanks to a body that's not quite ready. And no, I'm not disappointed. I'm relieved. Now I have time to get a few more things done. Because we all know how much time I'm not going to have after next week. However, I do believe a certain 4 year old is going to be very distraught when I pick him up from preschool.

Time to get to work.

We had to take advantage of this rare opportunity to snap a picture of all three sisters pregnant at the same time.
It is very likely to not occur ever again.


Can you see the HUGE growth spurt I underwent these last two weeks?
The million dollar question is this:
Will I still be barefoot and pregnant tomorrow?
Stay tuned to find out.
Frankly, I'm dying to know myself.

Easter snapshots

After church family picture. Probably our last picture as a family of six. I know it looks really weird how I'm holding on to Carson's pants, but he kept trying to leave.

Customary before church picture. As usual ended up with me frustrated and asking aloud, "why can't we ever get a decent picture of you kids!" This one is the best one, and would be even better if missy would quit untying her bow.

This is my favorite picture of the day because apparently Carter thinks that getting your picture taken with your cousins and Nana & Papa is painful.

We had such a nice day and it was a special treat to have Devin & Kendra and Candace and her boys to spend it with. (Cody spent his Easter on a plane to Japan.)

Can't please 'em all

Monday night I made stuffed shells for dinner. It was no secret that Chandler didn't like them (big surprise). As we were cleaning up the dishes he muttered, "The only thing good about this dinner was the water."

Hey, at least he's honest.

Whoa Baby!

(Proof for those strangers who said a couple months ago, "you must be due any day now," I do get bigger.

2 weeks left for Brian and I to agree on her name.
Have any to throw our way?

Good lesson for Family Home Evening tonight.

Miss Smarty Pants

Trouble I tell ya!

And just when I didn't think I could take the cold weather another day...thank you warm(er) weather. Much nicer for walks along the river.

It's our semi-annual favorite time of the year again.

General Conference.
We all, minus Kate, wrote down our questions and readied to hear the answers.
(some for longer than others)
We have heard some answers come, and the rest will surely be heard during tomorrow's sessions.

This little cozy fest was take during the first 3 minutes of the morning session.
It quickly dispersed and was never seen again.
Good thing we snapped a picture.

This family of 6 is thankful for the wonders of modern technology that allow us to watch and listen to the words of the Prophet and apostles 600+ miles away.
See for yourself, here.