America The Beautiful

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to Maddi's class with Kandrea and Lily to watch her class perform a patriotic skit. I was not at all prepared for the effect that it had on me. The children recited the Preamble and after each line they explained what it meant. They went over all of the rules for dealing with our country's flag. They then recited quotes from many different former Presidents. The quote that hit me was by FDR, "There is nothing to fear, but fear itself." With the election of a new President on the forefront and this scary Prop 8 business, I have felt a lot of fear. I know that that is the opposite of faith, but it has been a major struggle for me. I can take the things that affect me as an adult, but my children. I feel like a mother bear wanting to protect my cubs from danger. When the well being of my children is threatened, I want to tear someone's throat out. I have been actively helping with Yes on Prop 8, but I have made it a point not to go out on the streets or to meetings where the opposition will be. I know that the church needs those people that are even keel to be at those places and that is not me right now. I am afraid I would end up being one of those people on the nightly news punching some dumb youth (from the opposition) in the face.
Back to Maddi's program, until this year, I have never truly appreciated the freedoms that we enjoy in this country. I have always loved my country, but now that passion is deeply embedded in me. Just saying the Pledge of Allegiance yesterday got me all choked up. Do we really realize the freedoms that we enjoy? Do we think about the abundance that we have in this country? Do we think twice about the opportunity that we have to fight for what we know is right? I hope that we can all find joy in fighting for this awesome cause. We must not stay complacent anymore. It is time to stand up for what we believe in, in all things and in all places. Stand up and be counted. Let's show the Lord and all mankind whom it is that we serve.

FHE FUN

Trevor was in charge of the activity for FHE last night. I think he chose this one because he thought he could beat everyone. Well, he did beat everybody's time, but he is paying for it now. He has a rug burn and a hurt hip.

And The Award for Best Mom of the Year Goes to........................ME!

Lately, Kandrea has become a very strong willed little girl. If anyone in the house even looks at her a way that she doesn't like, she screams her head off. One moment there is quiet, the next you moment you would think someone had ripped a chunk of her hair out. We have been trying for some time now to curtail this behavior. At first, we used baking soda and when she began to like that (Yuck!) we resorted to using soap. Soap worked for about a week, then we moved to the squirt bottle (Trevor's personal favorite). I am not sure that ever worked. Needless to say, we have tried everything we can think of. She just jumps off of her timeouts over and over again. Lately, I have even spanked her and it doesn't seem to phase her much at all, within minutes she is being naughty again. Apparently she is only this angelic for us. I asked my friend Lucinda, who keeps Kandrea two half days a week, how Kandrea behaves at her house. She told me that she is always so even keel and that she plays wonderfully with all of the little girls. She is always willing to share her toys and her puzzles with everyone. She said that Kandrea never raises her voice or does anything mean. I guess I should be grateful for this blessing, but I am left wishing she acted that way at home too.
I do have a story to share, I just have to give you some background to the situation so that you will still love me after you hear what I did. The other day, Kandrea was especially rotten. Let's see, after I told her no to one of her questions, she screamed at me and then I proceeded to put her on a timeout for the next 20 minutes. She got off every 20 seconds or so. I forgot to mention that while this was going on, I kept having to put Lily down on the ground in order to place Kandrea back on her timeout and Lily was screaming her head off. Finally, I gave up and I put Kandrea in her bed. In my head, I was trying to figure out what I was going to do with her the next time we had an issue. The first thought that I had was to put her in a cold shower, but I quickly realized that that was a little harsh. The next thought, the swimming pool....Within 4 minutes, Kandrea threw the straw the broke this camel's back. I whisked her up and we quickly walked out to the pool. I dunked her right in up to her belly button, jeans, long shirt and all and then I placed her on a chair outside and I told her to stay there. I walked in the house and I informed Trevor of what I had just done and I walked out the garage door to pick Heidi up from the bus. I texted Trevor to ask how Kandrea was doing and he said that she was still sitting very still in the chair outside. When I got home (10 minutes later) I went outside and I explained to Kandrea that she cannot keep behaving this way. She agreed and said that she was sorry. So, I said let's go get you some new clothes, she said "Yeah, I am a little wet." Inside her room, I told her that she needed to behave. I said "I do not want to spank you anymore." Her reply, "Why Mommy, does your hand hurt?"
If you all want to start a vote, I am sure that my actions will earn me the Mom of the Year Award for that one. Don't tell too many people about this experience though, the last thing I need is Oprah knocking down my door!

Doesn't She Look Like Abby

I decided to see if I could put a bow in Lily's hair tonight and it stayed. While she was crawling around, I could totally picture Abby as a little baby with her hair in cute bows. I am sure that you will all think that I am crazy and not see the same thing.

Just a day in the life of a Mom

Some family funnies that I have to share. The other night Heidi came out of her room after we had already put her to bed to tell us that Ali informed her that she had already said her personal prayer. Heidi asked her when she had said her personal prayer. Usually the girls say their prayer after I scratch their backs and kiss them goodnight. Ali replied, "I said my personal prayer while you were saying the family prayer." Now, if you know Ali, you can imagine just how she said this to Heidi. I am picturing her looking at her like duh. So, we called Ali out and asked her if this was true. She, of course, said "Yeah?" She was really bugged that we were even asking her such a silly question. Trevor and I could barely hold back our laughter. Brother, she brings new meaning to my favorite saying of killing two birds with one stone.

CAUTION: This story could cause discomfort for the male gender

Then, the other night at dinner, we were talking about bad guys or something like that. Reid said that he wasn't scared he would just punch him right "there". It seems this Summer Reid learned a very valuable lesson about that area for a boy. One of his friends was over and they were all playing in the hot tub. They were taking turns doing flips under the water and splashing about when Reid accidentally kicked his friend "there". His friend was pretty mad and so he proceeded to punch Reid in the same spot as hard as he could. I came outside because Reid was screaming and crying. I couldn't imagine what had happened to him. When I got to the hot tub and asked what was wrong, Reid couldn't talk. His friend said we both accidentally hit each other in the balls (those are not my words and I would never use that saying, nor would my kids. So, you can imagine the look on my face and on my children's faces when he said this.) As I pried a little more, I found out the real story and I explained to this boy that that was never an okay thing to do to someone. I told him that Reid would never have intentionally done that to him and that it was a complete accident. This friend of Reids comes from a family of all brothers. Is this really what boys do to each other. I am glad I am a girl.

When Mom's Away, The Kids Will Play

So, I had to go to a meeting last night and before I left, Trevor asked me if the kids could watch TV. Week nights are so busy for us that the rule is no TV usually, but I said that they could watch a show if they had their rooms clean and all of their jobs done. Basically, no. I knew they weren't going to be able to get all of that done before bedtime. I guess I was wrong. It looks like they also had time to play a little.

Too darn cute!

This picture of Lily sleeping in her Daddy's arms was just too darn cute. Wow, I guess sixth time is a charm. I always say, Lily is an angel baby. I just hope she stays that way.

Halloween Already

So, the kids made me get out the Halloween box on Sunday. They all had fun trying different things on. It looks like Reid had the most fun though. For some reason he ran around the house in this panda suit that was way too small for him. So, Trevor chased him around and tried to take pictures. Reid try to do everything he could to stop him from getting a good shot. If Reid finds out that I posted these pictures, I will be in so much trouble. Shhhhhhh, it will just be our little secret.

We love to read

So, Trevor has been telling Maddi and Reid his own version of The Lord of the Rings at bedtime. They have been loving it and so he decided they were ready to read the books. On one of the first nights of reading, they lasted about five minutes. I guess Trevor's version was a little more interesting than the books.

Me and my girls (well, 2 of my 5 girls)

Cute Cousins

Sleeping Beauties

Have you ever heard the expression, it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission? Well, I am going to need Mark and Kate's forgiveness after this post. I just couldn't resist taking this picture. We love conference, but 8 hours is bound to induce sleep.

Cookie Fun

I made Trevor a deal when we do sugar cookies. I make the dough, he rolls it out and cuts them with the kids, I bake them and frost. I think I got the good end of the deal. He is so good to have agreed to it. Anyone who has done sugar cookies with kids knows how hard it is to roll them out and cut them efficiently with little ones helping.

Say "Cheese"

When we got home from dinner, Kate and I realized that we hadn't taken any pictures together, so we asked Trevor to take one. Well, one turned into many. Am I the only one that has the fattest arms ever in pictures? Maybe my arms are that fat. So, I was trying to find a way to make them look slimmer. Kate showed me some tricks that she thought might work and that is when it happened. We started laughing and we couldn't stop. It took quite a few pictures before we got a normal one. I have to admit, it felt so good to laugh, to really laugh. Thanks Kate.

We were able to get a babysitter and have a night out together. We went to Tokyo Gardens, where they cook right in front of you and do lots of fun tricks with the food and utensils. I was thinking how great it would be to have my own personal chef.

Conference Weekend Fun

These are just a few glimpses of the fun that we had.

Happy Early Birthday Kate

Kate, Mark and their kids came for our semi-annual General Conference weekend get together. It just happens to fall close to both of their birthdays. I am always looking for a reason to bake and celebrate.

Tender Mercies

Yesterday was our ward's Primary Program. Ali was assigned to give a talk on the May theme which is, Heavenly Father planned for me to come to a family. "The family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children" ("Proclomation," paragraph 1). Trevor and I asked her to start working on her talk by herself and then we would help her elaborate. So, she came to me a week or so ago and handed me a small piece of paper. This is what was written on it:

A couple of months ago my aunt died. I was so sad that I never got to say goodbye. But I know that when I pass away, that I will be able to say "Hello" to her. I am so glad that I know that families are together forever. I couldn't imagine how sad I would be if I didn't know that.

While I was reading those words, the tears began to flow. I think she was surprised by that. I reassured her that my emotions were already on the surface and her words just made them overflow. Needless to say, she didn't end up including this in her talk. She was worried that she would get too emotional to talk. I was so grateful for these words that she wrote down. I had begun to wonder if my children were missing their Aunt Ginger. They seemed so unaffected by her passing. I know that they are each dealing with this loss in their own way. Thank goodness for the answers that the Gospel offers in these trying times. It is wonderful to know that my children know that families can be together forever. We will see Ginger again and what a joyous reunion that will be.

Maddi? Are you sure it was My Maddi?

Well, it happened today........Madison not only participated in her first ever Primary Program, but she even sang a song with two other girls in front of the whole congregation. Those of you who know my shy little girl, will know how impressive this is. Next we just have to get her to be baptized. I am open for suggestions on that one.

What a Beautiful Baby