1.27.16- When mom is distracted...

Then the kiddos must fend for themselves. Some take up peaceful waiting.

Some become pirates

Some dress up to go elsewhere. Anywhere is more exciting than home.

And some take selfies and teach others how to do so.

But mostly we are just thankful when the entertainment crew comes home. Dad, the big kids anyone who will pay attention and love us. It's hard to be ignored when you are little.

If you have any suggestions on how to channel John's obsession with knives into a earning money career please let me know. He loves to draw them, make them from all different mediums, carry them, and wield them. I don't know enough to know how to channel that love. If you do please help me teach him about a life he might love. And yes pirating or becoming a knight are too far in the past!

1.26.15 - May all your problems be little ones

Yesterday Livy was pretty sick. She didn't pick her head up except to walk. We spent the entire day snuggled in a chair letting her and Afton rest. It was good to be able to just stop and snuggle my little girls. I haven't done that in a long time. I think it's a perk of having your mom at home.

After a day of rest and finally puking a bit Afton felt good enough to play with this horse while we had family home evening. She would laugh as she pushed it around the top of this apple box. Another treasure from my grandparents estate. These solid wood boxes make perfect book shelves!!

And Greg finally has a soft comfortable chair to relax in. Seriously this is about the 2nd time he has comfortably sat at our house. We have couches and the like, but nothing beats a recliner for comfy resting- I know I sit a lot!

And Dr. Millie who has been well through this ordeal decided popcorn was the needed medicine for today's work on recovery. She got the popper out and the corn and loaded the machine up. I came and provided the bowl and plugged the machine in. She took it from there. She's an eager little one and very intent on doing big things. While we butt heads she is a cutey to be around. Started teaching her the When Daddy Comes Home song yesterday while we drove to get the kids from school. She thought it was a perfect song. She loves to sing and is often found doing so. She's Aliza's shadow and for that I thank Aliza for being such a good example.

And in other news. Harold got In school suspension for reading and chewing gum! So of course his sentence writing was I will not read books in school. Which he wrote after scraping the gum off two classrooms worth of desks. Yes seriously reading and gum chewing are not serious problems and I am thankful he is such a sweet kid. He really enjoyed the time with the principal and honestly would probably prefer an hour or so with her every week doing something than filling out the incessant worksheets and busy work of class.  It is so hard to be a boy in public school. BORING is an often report. Unless you get in trouble then you get to do something worthwhile. Ohh the irony.
Grateful for our little problems. Best to you today.

1.21.22 didnt do it

Today these two didn't do anything. They didn't spread lunches all over the house. Or yogurt all over floors and window. Or get pretty for the day. They do well self maintaining while I'm fixated on reconciliations, again and again.
I Love their innocence and not so innocent play! Hopefully "nobody" and "I didn't" aren't raging at your house today too. I think they permanently live with us. Best to you.

1.20.15 Awards

Last week was the semester awards assembly. The kids got awards for reading and determined hard work.
It is important for kids to get recognized and singled out for accomplishment. It is important for kids that are struggling to be noticed and it is fun to hear the teachers comments about my children's peers. We have great teachers and are very fortunate to have such strong families who support and teach their children.
Addie's teacher Mrs. Mulvany is warm and calm. I love watching her nurture the 1st and 2nd graders. I think it is so important to realize these are just young children that necessitate hugs, some silliness, a lot of patience and structure. She has been interesting and cool under pressure. We have been so thankful Addie has had her as a teacher. Addie misses her sorely when there is a break.

Mark got the lone math award in our family. He is working at the 4th grade level. Interesting note this teacher, Mrs. Robertson was my 2nd grade teacher. She is a master teacher with lots of ideas, structure and organization and commitment to loving and teaching her students. It has been a real answer to prayers to have her teach my sons this year. When things look bleak have faith changes can and do occur!

This woman with Aliza is the all around utility person at the school. She manages the reading program- although she divulged that Mrs. Robertson mentioned above, had dreamed it up in the 90's. This woman is also the librarian and nurse and secretary. She is one reason I feel safe having my children so far away. She has taken care of them when injured or sick, helped them feel welcome and encouraged their reading passion. She is a blessing in our life as well!

Aliza's personal plaque She is at 6000 points, which means she reads about 2 books a day and. She has really blossomed into an interesting, thoughtful, smart person. We all have different talents and I'm so thankful she has been given the opportunity to see that learning is one of hers. She also spends a lot of time helping her peers read and learn. She is concerned about the needs of others and strives to help them however she can. She loves helping in the library and reading to the younger students and siblings `here too.

1.18.16 Throwing a ball

Many people believe that if you come from a big family you are neglected by your parents. I admit to have worried more than needed about this obvious outcome of parents divided attention and time. However I continue to see and am filled with gratitude for the inaccuracy of this statement. While parents time does become divided siblings are a great fill in.

These pictures were taken one night at family home evening. I had been playing with Afton and Harold helping Afton throw a ball to Harold. She thought it was so funny. 

In our family the older three have their buddy. Anna and Reed, 

Aliza and the little girls, and Harold and Afton. Each has a special connection with their sibling. 

As we all gathered around to have our lesson she had the ball in her hand. He helped her throw it, she would giggle and laugh loving the full attention of all the family. I have video of this but have been unsuccessful in uploading. Not sure how to youtube but it is precious. Think 11 people cheering for you! I love how families work. I love how I get to learn that from the parent perspective. It's one thing to be a sibling and adore your younger siblings it's a whole other to watch your children develop and nurture those relationships.

Post throw a midst much laughing and cheering. She is a ham, and we are so grateful for this little bundle of entertainment!

1.11.16 Ears

This weekend we hit the road and headed to the big city. While there and under the excitement of our close proximity to so many services we decided to follow through on the promise Anna could get her ears pierced.
We loaded up and headed to the mall. My kids have not been to the mall much or ever. We just don't do that. It was an experience I had often growing up especially in college, it was surreal to go back now with mom eyes and responsible parent outlook. Shocked could be applied to my  impression of the sights!
Not much had changed. Same food court offerings same outrageous store prices and "styles." The girls were impressed and excited. We found the jewelry store and waited our turn while browsing the dazzling selections.
One of the favorite aunts had a small collection of like articles and it was fun to remember her while we waited.
Finally our turn came I didn't hear the price clearly but we selected earrings based on Anna's sensitive skin and personal preference. After haggling a bit over the correct placement of the marker dot- I hate them too low or too close to the head. She has pretty ears.
 She didn't even flinch or bat an eye at the punching through her skin with a largish needle. She did great! Her cousin was disappointed that she was so anti-climatic. Hearing the actual price of the process was a bit more climatic A LOT more than I had anticipated but what do you do when the service is done? We paid and don't think about it now.

We returned home with wash solution in hand and a very pleased young lady.

 One more growing up step taken. It's been interesting to move through these very visual steps with this oldest daughter of ours. Make-up first, now piercing. She was pretty without any of it and she is pretty with small amounts of the make-up and small earrings too. Pretty comes from the inside and she is beautiful from her choices to be kind and virtuous and her ability to work and endure hard jobs. We sure love and are humbled by this sweet daughter of ours.

1.7.16 Teaching Doctrine

“True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and

behavior.

“The study of the doctrines of the gospel will

improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior

will improve behavior. ... That is why we stress so

forcefully the study of the doctrines of the gospel.”  Boyd K. Packer Little Children

My sister took a parenting class last fall and shared the teachers insight that we need to teach doctrine to our children. To be more intentional and apply it more often to the problems and challenges we face.

I just wanted to share a quick testimony that in the gospel of Jesus Christ are the answers to all our parenting question marks.

The son  on the right likes to read science fiction fantasy books. He devours them hundreds of pages at a time. After being repeatedly asked to stop or switch it up I finally banned him from library privileges. He continued sneaking some of the most banned books on my list because of their total disregard for God.

Finally this morning I sat down with him alone and explained how important it was what he puts in his mind, because it's that knowledge that will stay with him eternally. Likewise eternity is a long time determined by our actions here in this finite earth experience. And last but most important I want him with our family eternally and he has to choose to follow God to do so. And books that disrespect God and say he doesn't exist will not help him learn to respect and love God.

The other son has also been taught the  reality of being a child of God, and as such completes projects with his best effort! That he capable of much more than he chooses to give, and to stop living so far below who he really is. That it is offensive to his majestic spirit to be lazy with his life and destiny! (he has since done much better after building on the positiveness in him instead of the negative he was displaying)- this counsel came from a book written by Henry B. Eyring, not sure of the title just heard and excerpt one day.

I feel the spirit when I teach my children doctrine, it is calm and warm in my heart vs. my ears and eyes when I am super mad in anger and frustration!! I feel my own understanding grow. There isn't much to argue about when teaching truth.

In this world of shadow and smoke I'm so thankful for prophets and leaders who guide and direct us so we can enjoy the peace of God. Motherhood has been the study of the gospel I could ever have hoped for. It makes me stretch, ponder, search, and pray.

And it is beautiful. My Christmas present from Greg. Totally unexpected and beautiful, still blooming in my kitchen. A bright spot in the mess of living and the fog of January. Best to you today.