5.11.14 A Mother's Day to Remember

This year’s mothers day is one I need to remember. It started Saturday with a busy morning working with my kids making breakfast to be delivered to lots of special moms. We completed our task by noon and were out the door off to drop our brunch and run. We made it to all the houses by 2:40 and headed back to home. We were out of milk and needed to get a few weekly items at the store so we stopped in the big town near us to do our shopping. As we were completing the gas station routine and dropping the bank deposit off Aliza asked if we could go to the library? We had time, if we hurried, so we ran in the library. 

Oh how we love that place. It is so great to feel all those books with all their excitement, adventure, information, and entertainment waiting to be selected. As usual we found a lot to take home to enjoy. We rushed to the store. Of course no one wanted to get out their heads were buried in the book treasures. I got the milk and we headed home to host the missionaries for dinner. It was a near perfect day. Time spent doing the things I love. Some service that would make other smile, and hopefully know how much we appreciate and love them, and time spent with my kids reading. It is good to be a mom.

My  Grandma's and mom at the mother's tea

On to Sunday. Greg was asked to speak on mother’s day. I was not excited as it is a bit uncomfortable to be talked about in church when you are either undeserving or too deserving. We had discussed the talk all week but had nothing committed to paper until Sunday morning. Greg was up early. I woke a little later and we started hammering it out. The kids were instructed to take care of themselves and the littles and to just be good as dad was in serious need of some peaceful contemplation. We got the talk worked out by 8:20 and sat down to the fabulous breakfast we had put together the day before. It was delicious! 

Quickly got ready and out the door to be right on time at 9. My parents showed up to listen to Greg. We all headed in and got situated. The kids in the congregation were semi-restless, possibly excited to be celebrating their mom’s. Greg did very well. My mom headed out with Livy, whom she discovered was not finished dressing on the under side. While addressing that problem she missed the problem inside the chapel.

The primary got up to sing and I noticed Harold not singing much. I was a little miffed. He did great at his school program on Thursday. He does great at any other venue besides church singing. Well after scanning the rest of my kids singing I saw a blur of white and had the urgent thought get up and get to that. I found my son out cold on the floor at the center of the chapel.

Some moments stop your heart as a mother. This son of mine has given me more than I need. From his early birth, to his breathing difficulties, then his normal childhood adventures, he makes me catch my breath. Today crouched over him hoping and begging him to wake up or breathe- he was unconscious for several minutes- was another. It was that awful feeling of hope and concern for their future. Fortunately he landed at the feet of a hygienist, who was sitting next to a critical care nurse. An EMT was a few rows back, who had also passed out as a youth at a choir concert off of bleachers. And another nurse was a few benches over. Between the three of them they positioned him in the recovery position and applied ice to relieve some overheating concerns. They also checked him for injury. He isn’t really hurt. He has a bruise on his chin and a slight scratch on his forehead. It was scary but we were so blessed to be spared serious accident.

Harold at home after the fall. z

Mark told Greg later "I felt him moving so I stepped out of the way!"

And down Harold went. We came home and sat on the lawn just visiting and observing. He is totally normal and fine. I am so thankful we were spared. 

Millie  squares off with Tiger the cat. The Cat was overwhelmed!

Sue was monitoring this experience. She was teaching the little kids how to push and jump on and how to balance inside. she is so good with children.

When the kids came home they had filled out worksheets on mom. I have to report them as they are priceless!

All about mom:

MY mom is: 33 (John & Addie), 34 (Mark), 36 (Aliza), 2 (Reed)

She likes to: cook (J), clean (Ad), serve (M), cook, clean, have fun with us (Al), eat eggs and read books (R)

The best thing she cooks is: chocolate chip cookies (J), crepes (Ad), cookies (M), everything (Al), meat (R)

Hear favorite food is: chocolate (J), hamburgers & hashbrowns (Ad), casserole (M), tacos (Al), ham and chicken (R)

Her favorite thing to do to relax is: read (J), nurse Millie in the rocking chair (Ad), read (M), to sleep (Al), to cook bacon (R)

Our next source of bacon! They rooted through their pen so Greg and Harold fixed it up Saturday morning. Good thing they are nice piggies

We like to: read (J), play after church (Ad), have fun (M & Al), ride tractors (R) together

She is really good at: cooking (J, Ad & Al), reading (M), cleaning up pee on the floor (R)

As you can see my mom is special because: She helps me learn (J), she loves us and cares for us (Ad), she takes care of us (M), she is awesome (Al), she is beautiful like a princess (R)

Oh I love having so many kids to be a mother too. I laughed and laughed over Reeds noticing my abilities. 

Years ago Sue was in the paper on Mother’s day. She said the best part of having so many kids was she got that many more hugs, kisses, and good times with each child. I feel the same way. While I do endure more years of crying toddlers I also enjoy their precious smiles, their funny comments, and the joy of having children in my home.

The girls are working hard with grandma to make a special mother’s day dinner. I’m sure it will be delicious and they did a great job keeping it a secret for more than 24 hours. Happy Mother’s day.

FYI Greg's talk centered on the favorite scriptures of the mother's in his life

Eyres quote

What are we trying to do? In other words what are our objectives?... If you don’t have a clear idea of your specific objectives you’ll end up reacting instead of acting. If you want to succeed you need some precise goals. How can you get so involved in something with so little idea f what you want to do with it?

Helaman 5:12 Doris

12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

Malachai 4:5-6 Bette Lifelong Geneology Enthusiast

5 ¶Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:

 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

DUTY Keith McMullen Presiding Bishopbric

Duty does not require perfection, but it does require diligence. It is not simply what is legal; it is what is virtuous.

Alma 32: 37-40 Renae Corn a parenting lesson she learned some years ago

 37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit.

 38 But if ye neglect the CHILD, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out.

 39 Now, this is not because the CHILD was not good, neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable; but it is because your ground is barren, and ye will not nourish the CHILD, therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof.

 40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word- TESTIMONY, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life.

 41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the CHILD as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.

 42 And because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the CHILD  in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst.

 43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you.

Alma 57:21 Sue learned from watching others suffer the choices of disobedience and rejoice from peace and blessings received because they were obedient

 21 Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.

Alma 48:17 Sue  her hope for her children

17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men.

Proverbs 31:10

10 ¶Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 13 She, and worketh willingly with her hands.

  16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.- Especially grandma Lois who spent entire married life saving to be ready to purchase next farm often doing without personal things

 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

Ecc 3:1 Amanda

 1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

The Moral force of Women D. Todd Christoferson

Women bring with them into the world a certain virtue, a divine gift that makes them adept at instilling such qualities as faith, courage, empathy, and refinement in relationships and in cultures. When praising the “unfeigned faith” he found in Timothy, Paul noted that this faith “dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.”^{1  2 Timothy} 1:5

A woman’s moral influence is nowhere more powerfully felt or more beneficially employed than in the home.

President Thomas S. Monson has counseled: “If we are to walk with head held high, we must make our contribution to life. If we are to fulfill our destiny and return to live with our Father in Heaven, we must keep His commandments and pattern our lives after the Savior. By so doing, we will not only achieve our goal of eternal life, but we will also leave the world richer and better than it would have been had we not lived and performed our duties.” ⁸

 

5.6.14 Mini MTC Mother-Son Activity

I had a rare opportunity to go with my 4 sons to a mother son activity. Rare because there are few activities for mothers and sons and rare to have so many sons to escort. I love my boys. I love getting to expereince life with so many different personalities.
Quick example before I start: Took John and Mark to cash paycheck from working for neighbor. They were musing over how to spend their money, I suggested they could buy me a mother's day present. I recounted the recent add for Sherry's Berries and flowers for only $40.00. John said, "No way! I need to spend my money on me...!" Mark thought a minute and said "that's a lot, do you want anything different?" So cute I just wanted to hug Mark, but was driving so I didn't, but he got a hug when we got home.
So back to tonight we visited my parent's ward and feasted on a fun activity.

They started off with a sign in and pictures of mothers with sons. Then we were treated to a quick talk from a recently returned missionary who bore a powerful and quick testimony of needing to be ready to follow Christ when he calls. That we should strive to be like His apostles who left their boats and nets and immediately followed. We then divided into groups one to make their mini-pizzas and begin the clothing care/sewing with needle and thread class, and the other group to learn how to tie a tie, shake hands and do a door approach.  Most of the kids went to the elders to learn how to tie the tricky but much sharper 'double windsor' knot. Harold knows this from his dad and whipped his up before all the boys got there.

He has lots of practice as he ties his own a few brothers ties each Sunday. Obviously we need to get John and Mark going on some better self-reliance.

I love all the faces caught in the pictures. My sister-in-law wins the super mom award she knew the way and got a spiffy tie whipped up in no time. I did not.

We shook hands and practiced introducing ourselves. Then the boys were taken to 4 closed doors in the church. Behind each door was a person with whom the boys were to introduce themselves. Reed was shy and did not talk but his cousin came with him and while he forgot what he was supposed to say, I whispered in his ear and he repeated his introduction. They were a companion team, I guess.

Harold knocked on the door my mom was at. He did his introduction and she told him she was busy right now but he could come back later.

John got the door slammed in his face.

Mark got invited in and was asked lots of questions. The people reported that when they asked "Why he was on a mission?  He replied, "So I can help people get blessings too!" And when asked if he prayed every night he said, "Yes." Oh my mother heart just about bursts with love for these people in my home.

After that we headed to make our mini pizzas. The boys thought that was way cool. Biscuit dough topped with red sauce, cheese, pepperoni, olives,ham, pineapple. Easy, and the boys were so impressed.

On to the sewing class. A dear friend who has lived all over the world shared that she had fixed many many pairs of mission pants after elders had split them out. So the boys were practicing sewing a seam "that wouldn't show their underwear. No one wants to see that!" I think some boys were learning the definition of eternal torment, but it was good for them. Some boys obviously knew their stuff. Harold was very proud of his sewing skills. (When we got home Anna said I can sew on a machine, we reminded her you don't tote a sewing machine around on your mission, and you need to know how to sew with needle and thread too.)

We enjoyed our mini pizzas and sharing our success with the various stations. It was a nice evening where the boys were able to learn a bit, feel the spirit, think a little more about the great times that are ahead, and hopefully become more committed to being ready to serve when the time comes. I have been impressed with the warm inviting spirit that accompanies missionary work. Prior to some recent experiences it made me nervous even nauseous to think of being a missionary, but I can testify that it is easy and good to share as Mark said "getting blessings" with others.

5.5.14 Another Busy Weekend or DUTY!

We are sure good at "doing nothing." See the post for a fill-in on that joke. "If we are to walk with our heads held high we must make our contribution to life... We will leave the world richer and better, than if we had not lived." Thomas S. Monsen. Duty what we are expected to do or be.. what I am listening to as I make this post. Hmm direct revelation. I think so.
This weekend we celebrated my Grandma Corn's 80th birthday.

I love this lady. Her praise and unfailing devotion and love have given me courage and strength. She has soothed my troubled soul, taught me style and kindness and what enduring to the end really means. She loves to read and learn, she is kind and patient. She is not afraid of hard things or changes in life. I am so blessed to have claim on her as a grand daughter. It was a great party. Full of friends and family. A testament to the power of living a kind life.

As is my bad habit I double booked the day. We needed to participate in a community service project so volunteered to be colorers at the local color run. It was fun and BUSY! I often wonder how things would turn out if my crew was not there to do their part? Less color I guess. We showed up in time to play in the park while the organizers got the race marked. We then got some instruction on how to color people and took the little girls to the tennis match with Aunt Alena and headed to our post. We tossed color from paper cups, used mustard bottles to squirt it, and water guns to puff it. We learned the cups were most effective for dispersing color. We were pink and purple when we were done. It was fun over 200 runners to get 2x.

Addie on her second trip across the monkey bars. Wow that's strong!

Getting our color spreaders ready. We were excited!!

Are they ever coming? Pre-race we were covered by the end

Protective eye wear. So cool.

Professional pictures from the race to get a feel for the action of coloring!

 

Same kids 2010. Wow how the time flies. Just cuz' you have many doesn't make it any easier to watch them grow up. I'm so thankful for each and everyone I get to have in my home. I love being a mom!

Sunday night we took a quick spin on the four wheeler after 3 years of it being broken. I ran it out of oil literally. Oops. I don't generally worry about mechanical things here for obvious reasons. But I did break it and it has been a long time in getting fixed. The kids are quite a bit bigger now requiring multiple trips and mom staying home to get them all rode around. Harold keeps coming up with ideas of places he and Anna could go to help me out. He's so thoughtful!

Addie is apparently the only one noticing I'm taking pictures.

Millie getting ready for her first ride. She of course loved it.

April Postings

I decided if the baby weight was going to come down I needed to exercise, for real, more faithfully. No more counting up and down stairs and out to the clothesline on laundry day. Or just substituting Greek yogurt for cookies, but serious exercise at least 5 days a week. I have been seeing results, my jeans and shirts fit better,  but I am not on my computer much anymore. I love the Nike Cross trainer app. It's free the workouts are good and there are a lot to choose from. Pretty discreet for young minds around- no naked ladies bopping around or cussing like a drill Sargent. I also try to get outside and run/walk. Love the general conference component of the gospel library app. I love multitasking and being reassured.

My smart phone has also freed or tied me to just skimming computer stuff. But I do have some memories I will try to share as I hazily remember them. Thank goodness for pictures.

Anna after the super spiritual plane crash of life- where the youth are on a pretend air flight and crash and then go and view the 4/5 kingdoms of after life. It was very touching she is becoming quite the spiritual giant. I am so thankful for the mutual program. I love how excited and happy she comes home each Wednesday night, it is a good addition to her life. Livy loves her big sister. Yes that is the mountain of clean laundry waiting to be sorted or just re-worn by the army that lives here.

Addie and Reed just reading the paper with breakfast. They are so funny. I wish I could post the video of their morning calisthenics. So funny. The up-down bridge push-ups are great!

 

Aliza loves maxi length. She found this number at Wal-mart. I am continually amazed at the tender mercies I experience when shopping for needed/wanted items for my girls. Me and my 5 girls and a friend and her 3 girls all headed into Ontario and hit 6 stores to procure the needed items for this pretty group. I felt like a good mom shopping with my girls and spending time with a great friend. It was fun and always good to find modest reasonably priced clothes. 

These are actually super wimpy to drive. No shifting you just turn a knob. No rumbling engine or vroom vroom just a soft purr. I kept cranking cuz I didn't hear it ignite just finally noticed the lights on the dash dancing. Gross totally sissy!!

Now this honey did vroom vroom. Another push start but you could actually hear the rumble. I think muscle cars should have some muscle. Would have liked the manual shift but did get to play with the paddles a tiny bit. Fun option.

We helped the local FFA chapter fundraiser by taking test drives in these new diesel pickups. I then took a rare opportunity to try out this challenger. Unfortunately a elder driver pulled out in front of me so we went 23 for most of my test. :( !!

Anna almost ready for her first cotillion. I arranged to take some friends, because dances are only fun if your friends are there. It was so great to take a carload of kids to the dance. I love dances and they had a good time too. The kids here at home were just as excited that Anna was going. I piled them in the back two seats of the van and took Anna 2 other girls and 3 boys to the cotillion. Loved hearing them all visit and recount the dance.  She danced once with a boy and learned a few line dances. Harold was dying to go. He loves to dance and is very confident in his skill. Soon my son. 

4.5.14 Science Fair

What a weekend. And it continues thru this week. An ambitious teacher at the kids school is hosting a science fair this week. I admit I am thrilled with the idea and love the thought of it... the doing has been much more of a battle. 1. to find to unique science projects two kids would agree to spend their time on- meaning I scratched anything volatile, expensive, and over my head. So yes I guess we went into it as a downer but we have had a lot of learning happening even though I was helicopter parenting- or knowing our limits and tendencies!

I loved Aliza's experiment figuring out the best laundry detergent. It was fun to orchestrate meaning help her stain things, help her figure out how to replicate the washing machine, watching her and her brothers "agitate the soap" or dance!! And it has been pulling teeth to do the write-up but good. I see holes in her super duper learning and reputation as being the top academician in her school and things we are going to work on in the coming months.

The stains hot chocolate, grass, mustard and black pen ink.

Mimicing a washing machine by shaking mason jars. We used two temperatures of water and three soaps with no soap as a control. Tide was the clear and clean winner. All with oxi was a close second.

Harold and I are still in process on his. He always makes me thankful I went to college that I learned a little more than he wants to know right now. This weekend it was microscope time. Ugh I hate microscopes! It's so hard to share what you see. But I think we finally got the hang of it and found some interesting phenomena.
We were clued into a new process where people in third world countries can purify water in plastic water bottles bottles, more info HERE by placing it on their roofs for the sun and UV rays to kill the dangerous bacteria. A sweet friend came to get strawberry plants and while weeding my overgrown bed expounded her knowledge of water practices in other parts of the world. How I want to be a knowledgeable person like the ladies in her family. They are all interesting, well read and kind, and most impressive to me very strong in their sense of self and not self-centered, rather concerned with helping others and making the world a better place.  We found that water that had sat on the kitchen counter was much more dead than fresh water collected within hours of observation. This was a thankful finding as I was super frustrated looking through the microscope at the same nothingness from our original samples. Finally viewing fresh water showed activity and life and we changed our hypothesis.
Trying to help Harold articulate this to the judges did not happen as he did not place in the fair but the time spent with him and the energy that comes from learning was priceless. For some reason he gets or needs that uninterrupted one on one mom time where we do some project together. Last time it was taking care of the neighbors  chickens while she recovered. I'm thankful to be able to spend the time with him even though it is really hard to leave the other 8 and spend much needed time and thought on the 1. Oh the trickiness of being a mom.

Mr. Huston was so patient and kind to open his lab and help us with supplies to achieve Harold's objective of looking at stuff under a microscope.

Figuring out how to manipulate the functions of the microscope. Note our jar of rain water from a puddle in the background. It takes a solid week for all that suspended dirt to settle. I watched.

John and Addie collecting fresh water samples