Typical

I love this inadvertent family portrait that someone captured with my camera. Just so happens to be the only one we have from Tuesday.

Football after swimming. With shirts off.

Baden pretending he's a race car driver on a trike wearing Superman Pjs (with a "skirt on the back, as he refers to it).

Kate soaking it all in while sitting in the middle of the driveway eating a graham cracker.

Not to be outdone by his younger brother, Carson, speeding around.

Where's Chandler? Sitting on the couch. Wishing he was someone else.

Enjoy the heat.
We'll enjoy it all dressed up at a reception.

A Perfect Day

Monday

Chandler joined me bright and early this morning, 6:00 am to be exact, on a drive out to the country to pick flowers from some generous friends. On our drive out of the city limits Chandler said, "I wonder what it's like to live out in the country?" So naturally, I turned the question to him and asked what he thought it was like. "Peaceful and quiet," he said, then added "That's what I want my life to be like. Peaceful and quiet." So we enjoyed some peace and quiet during our time in the country. And then we came home (not peace and quiet, Baden woke up).

I'll be a busy bee today arranging these pretty flowers. Pictures of wedding festivities tomorrow.

Enjoy some Peace and Quiet today.

Once upon this weekend three equally excited boys and their dad (who pretended to be excited) departed for the great backyard to sleep under the stars.


Meanwhile, inside the house the babe slept and Cinderella kept busy organizing, cleaning and throwing out stuff all through the night and all day Saturday.

And there is still more work to do!

THE END

Meet My New Babysitter

Now for some links:
Ensign inspiration for my parenting was found here.
Also, I performed a little experiment without even realizing it.
Not getting my scripture study in makes me a lousy mother.
No, seriously. Total loss of control, no patience and completely crazy.
So I got back on track and the first thing I read was this:
when ye are in the service of your fellow beings [my children] ye are only in the service of your God.
Just what I needed.
A good example to me of mothering service is my friend Avery. I cry every time I read. She's amazing.

FINALLY

Kate's walking! But she's not always happy about it...

The Low Down

As usual a good time was had by all at Priest Lake. Aside from Brian being out for 24 hours with the flu and Grandma's heart attack scare (she checked out fine, esophagus problems apparently) it was a picture perfect vacation.

On location

Lots going on here at Priest Lake. If this satellite modem were faster I'd share some pictures of:

First kiss
Ambulance trip
Best picture ever of my 3 sons
Watering the dog
Pyromaniac
John Travolta

More later.

In the Swing of Things

Kate's verbal communication is improving. "Outside, " she said after dinner persistently pointing to the door. Carson and Chandler headed upstairs for a shower and so Kate and I joined Baden outside on the swings as directed by little Miss. While pushing them on the swings I worked on teaching Kate how to say "yes" and "swing". Baden asked silly questions like, "What do we do with dad when he dies?" "I don't know Baden, what do you think we do?" "Bury him." Glad that's settled. Stuff like that... Not very often is it just me and the younger ones this summer.

Kind of fun, and pleasant for a change.

Three hours later not so pleasant.

Who invented the summer flu anyway? 4 down 2 to go.

What's your score?

Lucky winner #3 earlier today
[bluetooth on because apparently you need to be hands free when you've got the flu]

What A Weekend

He did a little of this in the 7 hours he spent in the pool on the Fourth. How he does it, we'll never know.WOW, a decent picture! I wonder what he's thinking? It's amazing that one can keep us so entertained and so crazy at the same time.

This is big. Really, really big. He graduated from being the sideline observer to actually in the pool. Just in time for swimming lessons Monday morning.

She's learned to throw everything in the pool from the best of them. I just love that ruffle bum!

Family photo at the park. Now don't pretend you're not jealous of our photogenic capabilities.
(Seriously! It's a good thing these picture will be treasure some day, and I won't care that no one is smiling, or in Baden's case- fake smiling, looking in the same direction etc...whatever we're all together that's all that matters right?)

Don't Grandma & Grandpa have the best swings?

...and the best garden?

My super sweet mother-in-law picked up the boys for lunch and a movie. Peace and quiet around here right now. I'm coming out of my summer-blogging hibernation.

Last night our family determined that we would have the phrase "Safety in Counsel" be our family motto (inspired by President Eyring).

Personally and as a family we have received blessings from heeding counsel. We also recognize the times when we have not heeded and things were more difficult than they would have been had we obeyed counsel we were given the first time. President Eyring qualifies this:

"Another fallacy is to believe that the choice to accept or not accept the counsel of prophets is no more than deciding whether to accept good advice and gain its benefits or to stay where we are. But the choice not to take prophetic counsel changes the very ground upon which we stand. That ground becomes more dangerous. The failure to take prophetic counsel lessens our power to take inspired counsel in the future. The best time to have decided to help Noah build the ark was the first time he asked. Each time he asked after that, each failure to respond would have lessened sensitivity to the Spirit. And so each time his request would have seemed more foolish, until the rain came. And then it was too late."

Sometimes I get so frustrated with my boys (because Kate doesn't disobey yet) when I ask them to not do something or to do something and they don't listen! Am I any different?

I realize that I need to be better at being quick to obey and not wait for a more convenient time or passing things off rationalizing that they don't apply to me.

I know we have a prophet on the earth today. Thomas S. Monson is the prophet, not just for those people who are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but for men, women and children all around the globe. He is God's mouthpiece. As we listen and obey the words of prophets, seers and revelators we will be safe.

Delegating

*Not pictured: Mother locking children outside 6 times in the last two days, 3 year old meltdowns, 29 year old meltdowns, games of keep away, water hoses, puddles, lots of dirty clothes, snacks and more snacks, mother repenting and realizing her spiritual reservoir needs to be a little higher during the months of June, July and August.

TIME

I've been thinking about time lately. Time I waste, time that goes too quickly, time I need more of. This article came just in time. A good reminder for me.

Speaking of time it's 10:22 pm (on a school night) and my children are still awake watching State Fair.
I should probably usher them to bed now.

Cloudy Day Confessions

Confession #1. I don't have 72 hour kits. I need to get ours together soon for peace of mind. What do you put in yours?

Confession #2. I've turned 24 pounds of strawberries into freezer jam and will be doing 16 more pounds tonight even though I see how much sugar goes into it. Wouldn't you if you got them for 62 cents a pound?

Confession #3. I'm more excited for school to be out than my children. You too?

Confession #4. Fathers and Sons weekend is my favorite weekend of the year. Does that make me a bad mom?

Confession #5. I wholeheartedly agree with paragraphs 16 & 17 of this talk. Are we still friends?

Confession #6. I think she's cute. Don't you?

And the winners are

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

16
7

Timestamp: 2008-06-07 06:58:50 UTC

#16 Debsters
#7 Azucar

This was fun! Send me your email addresses and I'll get you started with your relish! subscription. Enjoy!

A Relish! Giveaway

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Post a comment by Friday, June 6th @ 11 pm for a chance to win a 1 year subscription FREE ---a $58 value. TWO lucky winners will be randomly chosen via random.org. Spread the word!
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I may be generous, but I'm not THAT generous

Oh, What Do You Do In The Summertime?

I think I may be more excited than anyone for school to be out. So, for Family Home Evening we opted to forgo attending the city council meeting [where they discussed throwing up a bridge by our house] and make some plans for summer fun.

First off, we instructed the boys on the inspired wording in The Family: A Proclamation to the World paying special attention to this paragraph:

Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities.

I pointed out that it is no coincidence that work is listed before wholesome recreational activities, and we learn that before we can do fun things each day, we need to get our jobs done and then it's fun time.

"BUT," Chandler said "It doesn't make sense to clean clean up our toys if we are just going to mess them up a second later!"

We eventually convinced him of the logic of working before playing, but we shall see if the logic stays with him come June 13th. After all, who wants to work after they've been playing all day? Not me!

After we got all of that cleared up we moved on and made our
"What we will do in the summertime" list of 2008.
Looks like we're going to be busy [after the work is done, of course].
And now by popular demand, a picture of the shave.Since it is summertime, Chandler decided to give his bangs a little trim, Carson followed suit a couple of days later by giving his bangs a BIG trim. I was left with no other option than to shave all 3 with a numero uno just in case Baden decided he needed a trim (we all know it was bound to happen). So here they are with a couple of days growth. At least they are boys.
They said they wanted to look like their dad.

Peonies are my favorite flower.
I thought I'd brag, I mean blog about how pretty mine look this year.
Albeit a little later than they would usually pop out, as beautiful as ever.
However, I'm thinking of changing my favorite flower to something that blooms all summer long.
Zinnias, perhaps?

As I'm typing this I see 2 little boys in the backyard with the hose on. I'd better go check it out. Last week they drilled the hose in the ground 30 feet, so we cut the hose and left it after digging 5 feet to no avail. Boys are the best!

The Faces of Disneyland

Carson's 1st time down Splash Mountain. Can you see the fear in his eyes?

Baden's new friend from Korea liked his "smile". He only got about 49 pictures with him on the monorail.

Poor Chandler. There were tears as we rode the shuttle for the last time from the happiest place on earth back to reality.

Such a fun trip. If you want to see more pictures you'll have to come over.

As Good As It Gets

...on a school morning when Baden's wearing only his undies (what's new?), Kate's still wearing her jammies (way too small), Carson is wearing his favorite jersey-shirt (again), Chandler has on a huge polo that he insisted on wearing (he's insistent about most things these days, is it the age?).At least the three boys all got hair-cuts this morning.
If only Kate needed at least a trim.
...
Next week we are taking off to the land where dreams really do come true.
Thank you economic stimulus plan...it pays to have 4 children.

Motherly Advice

Four things I want this future mother to know:

• Modesty is always in style.

• If it isn't "virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy" it isn't worth reading, watching or listening.

• Nothing is worth losing your integrity.

• In this there is safety, In this there is peace.1
  

• And always remember who you are.

Editors note:
I have become increasingly cognizant of my actions as my children are growing older. I have adopted the mindset that; If I don't want my children to see, do, hear or speak something than why should I? Now you may disagree, but give it some thought.

The primary children are learning a song this year that I love and reminds me to stay true. It reminds me of how I can be the kind of mother I want to be and that my children need me to be. (If you haven't heard it, you can listen to it here: If the Savior Stood Beside Me.)

I know my abilities to mother are greater when I have the spirit and am Christlike. I will always have things to work on, but know I have a perfect example to follow. I know that I have a sacred responsibility to rear my children in love and righteousness. My influence in my home is great and never ending and knowing that if it is in the mother's heart it is in the mother's home (Sister Dalton shared that at BYU Women's Conference) inspires me to greater heights. So I say, carry on!

Joy in the Journey

How many times have we heard others encourage us throughout our lives to find joy in the journey? We are all witness to the fact that our stages of life come and go, sometimes more quickly than others. Admittedly, I've been one who has at times been anxious to get on to the next stage, wishing for time to hurry up a bit. Because of some experiences I've had lately, I am committed to have joy in the journey. At this season of my life with 4 children under 7 years life is busy. Not so much with the things that are pulling me away from home, but things that keep me in the home.

Many of you know of these things: the mountains of laundry, dirty dishes, the messy faces, the floors that need swept and mopped (again!), what's for dinner?, the homework, piano practice, dirty windows, bathrooms to clean...and then we have to find the time to study the scriptures and exercise! It has occurred to me that sometimes I am home, but I'm not really home. Do I put off the pleas to "read me a book," "play with me," "help me"? Am I missing out on opportunities to teach and talk with my children? Do I let too many distractions and self-interests get in the way of my responsibilities I hold sacred? Yes, I have been there, done that.

BUT:

1. Eccl. 3: 1
   1 To every thing there is a ^aseason, and a ^btime to every purpose under the heaven:

AND:

David O. McKay said; “No other success can compensate for failure in the home.”

The time is fleeting, but is not far spent. I want to live without regret. So for now, I will work on my talent of being a mother. I am going to have joy in MY journey by savoring the moments that won't last forever so that we can be together forever.

How are you finding joy in YOUR journey?

Nine Years of Marital Bliss...

have been filled with 4 children, 9 moves, 3 graduations, 4 houses, 3 cars, 3 real jobs, 3 computers, 29 church callings, 3 refrigerators, 4 lawn mowers, 11 wards, 180,000 miles on cars, 9 strollers, 5 digital cameras, 4 cross country drives, 3 TVs, 1 brain surgery and lots of friends and fun.

What will the next 9 years bring?

Happy Anniversary to us!

Happy Birthday Chandler!

7 Reasons Why We Love Chandler:

7. He makes us laugh...like last night when he said, "the phone is all mine tomorrow."
6. He has a tender heart.
5. He comes home everyday from school and immediately heads outside to throw, kick or shoot a ball.
4. He is persistent. Sometimes we don't love it, but it will be a good quality to have when it's time to make a living.
3. He is very focused (especially when the TV is on).
2. He sleeps in.

and the number 1 reason we love Chandler?

He likes to make cheesy poses.
Oh yeah, another reason I love Chandler... He told me that he doesn't need cake, just ice cream with hot chocolate sauce. Atta boy!

Comments

Every once in awhile someone will ask me why I don't have comments on my blog. I don't really know how to answer that. There are several reasons. Some of the primary reasons I suppose are I didn't want to feel like I needed validation for what I'm saying, doing, etcetera. What if I became dependent on feedback? Does that mean I have to comment on the blogs of commenter's? After all, I'm just saving fellow mothers time. That being said, I've been thinking that maybe sometimes I'm doing myself a disservice by not allowing them. I can learn from what someone shares and so can others that read. (All 5 of them!) So every now and then I will let the comment gates open and allow others (who I may or may not know) to share insight, motivation and ideas. With the understanding that there is no obligation to do so.

PERFECTION

"Be ye therefore perfect..." Matthew 5:48

I happened to catch a talk by Carol B. Thomas that she gave at the 2002 BYU Women's Conference, a couple of weeks ago while I had byu.tv streaming.
I was inspired and motivated.

You can read it.
You can listen to it...
this way,
or even this way.

You will be glad you did. I promise.

Momma needs a timeout...

Anyone headed to Women's Conference next week?

Hoopla!

Spring break lends the young boys opportunity to use their imaginations.

(notice the graffiti on the fence...the Easter Bunny won't be
delivering chalk to them anymore)

(no progress on the garden...tomorrow is the day)
There is an unwritten rule in the realm of boydom (made up word) that all good things must end in a DOG PILE.

To the not so little guy...

who broke his collarbone and broke my coccyx 3 years ago today.

Happy Birthday Baden!

And he's been screaming ever since.


Birthday wishes?
A rocket ship
An airplane
A helicopter

I'll have the run down tomorrow of what he'll really get.
Because, well, I haven't gotten anything yet.

No Foolin'

Prepare to be amazed...

April Fools?

This cracks me up.

Really?