Memorial Day

Memorial day always seems to be the kick off for summer fun. We have been lacking the sunshine here, which has made for a very gorgeous, green spring, but I'm here to tell ya, I'm ready for the sun! It did grace us off and on over the weekend. Nikki and Dave invited us to go fishing with them to a very well hidden pond, not far from our house. It may be Utah County's best kept secret as it has a park, picnic areas, and a pond stocked with fish. Is there anything better than fishing and eating s'mores? I think not! On the way to this hidden goodness, I took the opportunity to tell the kids why there were so many flags out lining the streets. As I told them about all the brave men and women who have fought for our freedoms and who still fight today for us, I could tell they were really thinking about that. Even more so when I told them that it's also a day we remember ones we love who are now in heaven like their Grandpa Lombardo and Great Grandpa Eyre. Those little minds really get thinking. You can see it in their eyes. 

Nathan was beyond giddy about his fish he reeled in.

Abby caught one too, but she was slightly less interested in it.  

Hannah had a few bites, but no takers. She thought the fish were slimy and disgusting anyway.

This is truly one of my favorite things to do. Although this is the first time we've taken the kids fishing, (kind of a shocker really) I just love camp fires, going on nature walks, being with family, watching the kids play hard with their cousins, spending time outside, looking at all the beauty around us. I could go on and on. The pictures say it better.

When we had our fill of fun for the day, we took the fish home with us. I made a great big salad, corn on the cob, baked potatoes, and Aaron prepared the fish the kids caught! It was DELICIOUS! and the kids thought it was so cool that they actually helped with making our meal that evening. This may be the life I've always dreamed of.

Book Club

The much anticipated night to discuss "Battle Hymn of a Tiger Mother" was last night. Boy oh boy, it was not disappointing! We had a record attendance and the night will go down in history as our very lives were at risk when my ceiling fan decided to wig out and drop, while in full mode, to the floor. It was exciting to say the least. Katie Hellewell saved us all and caught the fan (it had stopped spinning before it fell so no one was hurt). Crazy! So we carried on with only the light from the kitchen and a little lamp. Kind of set the mood really. When I chose this book a couple months ago someone said, "you would choose a book that is so controversial". I had to laugh at that. I didn't intend to be controversial, but some know that I don't hesitate to offer my voice, especially if I feel strongly about it. I simply chose this book because I thought it would be an interesting read and a great discussion. And I was right. Motherhood can be a touchy subject to discuss, especially when one is in it full force. There were lots of opinions of the book, and I think for the most part, all of us were on the same page. There were moments where the level of excitement  over one of her parenting tactics, got pretty intense. She is a mother of force, no choice, idle threats, little to no affection, and unrealistic expectations. That said, I couldn't help but to agree with a few of her thoughts, such as this one, "Western parents worry a lot about their children's self-esteem. But as a parent, one of the worst things you can do for your child's self-esteem is to let them give up. On the flip side, there's nothing better for building confidence than learning you can do something you thought you couldn't." That really rang true to me.

I think we could push our kids a little more than we do. I think we could expect a little more of our kids than we do. I think we could provide healthy situations for our children that will help them to grow and stretch a little more than we do. And I think we can expect our children to show and be respectful. The discussion was summed up with the thought that there really needs to be a balance. A moderation of all things. What Amy Chua lacked was balance.....in a really bad way. She was so extreme and being extreme in either direction can be a great mix for parenting failure.

I think it's fair to say that I am a bit of a tiger mother. I want to push my kids a little out of their comfort zone, so they can reach their potential. I think my own mom was the best kind of tiger mom out there. She was kind and loving, but she wasn't always willing to come to my rescue. She would not always pull  me out of situations that at the time, I wish she would have. But I grew from those experiences and learned how to stick up for myself. Man alive though I could not understand why she would not come to my aid and be my voice to defend me, but what I realize now is that she did defend me. She was and is the world's BEST listener. She taught me to turn the other cheek or to stick up for myself if necessary and now I'm forever grateful for her. And I know she would have come to my aid had there been a real necessary need.  Honestly, I think my parents had a great balance raising us and now that I'm in the thick of it, I don't know how they did it. Actually I do. They were on their knees often, praying for guidance and without a doubt, they were lead to do what was right for each of us individually.

Ok, this is long enough. It was a book worth reading.....I thought anyway, and I think most thought so as well.

This is My View

Right outside my backyard I get to look out to this every day! I LOVE it here! Today I took the kids for a walk on the pathway so they could throw rocks in the river. Man alive, you would have thought I had asked them to walk 100 miles! We walked a bit through the neighborhood first, and then straight down to the trail. Nathan kept complaining that his legs hurt, Hannah was tired, Abigail was pleased as punch because she was being pushed in the stroller. Wimps I tell ya! Wimps! They were happy as larks though once they could throw those rocks in the river. All those achy legs went away. Phew! :o) Guess we will need to exercise those winter legs a little more frequently now that the weather is looking a little more in our favor. How could we not take advantage of this gorgeous place we live? 

*side note: tonight while I was lying next to Nathan, I couldn't help but to notice his perfect little freckles. I LOVE freckles and his are so adorable! He also came up to me today and said, completely out of the blue, "mom, I really love you". Made my day! And thank goodness because sometimes I wonder! :o)

Signs of the Times

I'm not sure why this natural disaster has kept me glued to the Internet more than previous disasters, which have recently taken place. Joplin Missouri is a place few have probably ever heard of. I am fortunate to be one of those few and maybe that is why I am drawn to this devastation. My first mission companion is from this small town and her parents still live there. I just cannot get over the wreckage. Something inside of me wishes I could be there to help. I am so thankful for prayers though, which helps me to feel like I'm contributing something to these poor people. I dare say I've had a prayer in my heart all this day while thinking of my dear friend and her family. I keep looking at the above picture and thinking, "all that stuff is somebody's 'stuff'". Gone. Destroyed. Life is so too short to worry about "stuff". I can only imagine the tears that flowed as my friend received news that her parents were okay. That is all that mattered. It really is all that matters. The thought also keeps popping in my head, "these are the signs of the times". The scriptures talk of these days that I am witnessing. Sometimes it is so obvious as to what is happening and why it is happening. My heart aches for these people. I have shed tears today for people I do not know. What more will we see before He comes again? There is a part of me that thinks this is only the beginning of many many more days like this.

I was sweeter today. I was kinder to my children today. I complimented my children today more than I usually do. I held them a lot today. I kissed them a lot today. I breathed them in more than usual. I had a thankful heart all day. No matter what lies ahead, I know to whom I put my trust and faith and I am full of gratitude to Him.

The Man

It was The Man's birthday earlier this week. He is loved, appreciated, sometimes spoiled, but probably not enough. But let the record show, he got his wishes this year for his birthday.

In no particular order, Aaron's wishes were:
-Red Velvet cake with cream cheese frosting (to die for and worth every calorie)
-Table Saw
-Snuggle time with his kiddos while watching "The Dark Crystal". Have you ever seen this movie? It's horrible! It's disturbing! not to mention dumb (sorry babe) but I endured it even though I was quite certain our children would all have nightmares. To my great surprise, they did not. Now, to hide that movie or accidentally misplace it in the trash is on my to do list.
-Dinner and a movie with his wife
-A date is also set to go rock climbing with his beloved (me) which we haven't done in years. (There was a time we were both pretty good at it).

Happy Birthday Lover Boy!

Abigail Jane

You make me SMILE!

A Boss with Benefits

Aaron's new boss had a birthday yesterday. It just so happens that we are good friends with them as well. So when his wife asked if we would like to go up to the mountains for a surprise dutch oven cook out, we were all in. Don't have to twist my arm too hard to get up into the mountains, let alone with friends. Oh the smell, the campfire, the roaring rivers, (which had me a little more on edge this time since Abigail was completely enamored with it) the kids getting completely filthy.... I just love it! We had such a good time and so did those kiddos. In fact, Hannah thinks the Bonham kids are her cousins, or at least last night she did.

Glorious Mountains.....we will be returning very very soon! Probably tonight, tomorrow, and Monday since we have a 3 day pass. :o)

My Thoughts

I went to the temple tonight with my parents and some of my siblings and spouses. All who could make it came. Man alive I had a hard time staying focused! I kept thinking of my kids, things I have to do tomorrow, about Aaron who wasn't able to be there with me, I kinda just wanted to be somewhere else. Isn't that so bad? But then as I was in the celestial room with my family, we got talking (and we can be somewhat excited when we are together) and a temple worker came over to us, but not to shoosh us but rather to compliment us and to let us know this is the best place to be as a family and to talk. I suddenly didn't want to leave. We did keep it down though, since it is a reverent place to be. We took our discussion to Red Mango. Do you know how much I LOVE Red Mango!?! It is lick the bowl clean good to me. I LOVE it! I love my family too. A lot!

So, cute things that made me smile today. Nathan is behaving SOOOOO much better lately. He is adorable to me in every way. Today he wanted to play with the water spray bottle. I told him absolutely, as long as he didn't spray anyone. He agreed. He kept coming inside asking me to refill the water bottle. I couldn't resist saying anything but yes to those big beautiful eyes. Do you know that most people compliment Hannah's eyes, but it is Nathan's eyes that I absolutely love.

Hannah came home from preschool today, ran in the door yelling for me with such excitement telling me that she made me something at school. It didn't even matter what is was, her excitement was enough to make me so happy. And I loved her paper plate of glued pasta shells. :o)

Abigail is turning into a little stink bug. But she is the cutest little stink bug I know! She is a tease. I long for her loves and kisses. Her little voice melts me and she continues to trot or skip everywhere she goes. Oh I just want to go wake her up right now and kiss kiss kiss her!

Now if the Mr. would just get home so I could pamper him a bit too. He's had a hard day at work today. Oh.....I just heard the garage door open! G'night!

A Well Deserved Day

I think all moms deserve a day of recognition and so I'm so glad there is a special day set aside just for moms. It was always a favorite day of mine growing up; waking up early to make breakfast for my mom with my sisters and little brother. Us kiddos would pick some flowers from her garden, make her some cheesy homemade card and bring it into her room where she would pretend to still be asleep. Did you do that too? Oh.....I think I understand now just how much she must have loved that. All week Hannah has been picking the lovely dandelions from our yard and bringing them to me as a special surprise. I now have a very beautiful bouquet of dandelions. I also had joy school at my house this week and we did mother's day crafts and cards one of the days. It was so sweet to hear what those little kids had to say about their moms. It's so fun to me that Hannah is learning how to spell and can write her own things now (with my help still of course). She did write me a very sweet card and Nathan actually colored his own this time as well. That kid does not like to color! And the traditional breakfast in bed is carried on. I had a most delicious breakfast of crepes with homemade berry syrup. Yum! What a great dad these kids have. :o)

I love being a mom! My little kids are my sweet little friends and they are getting sweeter all the
time.

Happy Birthday

Today is my mom's birthday. There is probably no other person in this world who has had more of an influence on me than my mom.

Things I absolutely love about her:
-loves to read
-loves to cook
-loves to garden
-so very patient
-loves newborns
-a great listener
-most giving person I know
-thoughtful and sensitive towards others
-forgiving
-fun,fun,fun
-very wise
-a terrific grandma
-a great friend
-great sense of humor
-selfless

She can always be found with an apron on. She is the perfect hostess. She is spiritual and insightful. She has taught me so much about life and what really matters. I love you Mom, so very much!