Conference Weekend

It is the time of year I love! Every six months to be spiritually fed by our dear Prophet, Apostles, and other leaders of the church. So much to learn! So much to be strengthened and encouraged by!

I must say, it's a bit tricky for Aaron and myself to help our kids understand just how blessed we are to have conference twice a year. There are so many great ideas available on ways to engage them, most were rewards with treats, but I thought we might luck out without the goods. I printed packets for them to color which had special pages of things to draw them into listen. Hannah really caught on and LOVED listening for those words so she could color her picture. Nathan brought his Lego's into the room and entertained himself. I'm not sure how much he got out of conference, but I'm just so glad he was in the room with us. Abigail sat quietly on mine or Aaron's lap, taking full advantage of the attention.

On Sunday I made a special breakfast and then we did more of the same. However, I brought paints out during the second and final session. Hannah painted such a darling picture of President Monson.

I usually take notes during conference, but for some reason I just felt like listening. There was so much I enjoyed that I wish I had written it down because I can't remember who said what, but I was touched by the messages on kindness, being happy for others, life and death and how death is not the end for us, agency and the importance of allowing our children to exercise their agency before they leave home, enduring to the end and showing compassion to others, and the wonderful talks on marriage and the strengthening of marriage. Oh there was so much to digest and process. I love how conference is a time of reflection and a renewal of goal setting.

Grouchy

Last week Aaron set up bunk beds in the girl room and then moved Nathan's bed in as well. Yep, all three kids in one room. I have to have my babies by themselves for the first year. I am somewhat crazy when it comes to good sleep and the only way I know to do that is "train" them to be great sleepers. It makes me so happy when I have babysitters tell me that my kids are so easy to put to bed, (this isn't always the case by the way) and that they sleep 12+ hours a night. They need their sleep and So.Do.I.

So, assuming that we'd have to do some re-training once all three of them were together, we decided we needed to have a couple months to ensure the novelty of bunk beds has worn off by the time little Joe joins our family. Almost a week later, the novelty is still going strong. Which means the 12+ hours has diminished to like 8 or 9 hours a night. Who knew that 3 hours could make such a difference? both in attitude and grouchiness? Nathan and Abigail have both taken naps during the day (something they gave up long ago), but then they are up late every night because they no longer are tired. Ugh! Even on the days they don't get a little nap, they are still up way later than normal. It's starting to wear on me an Aaron. So, last night when they came out of their room for the umpteenth time, we separated all three kids. Hannah got to stay in her bed, Nathan went back to his old room and fell asleep on the floor, and Abigail got tucked away behind our lazy boy in our bedroom. Are we mean parents? Maybe we are, but it worked and all three kids were sound asleep in minutes. Goodness gracious! we've got to get them back to their normal sleeping habits soon.

What's been going on?

So much! Don't know where to even start or if I should even share everything, but lets just say, we've been busy! Aaron has been home for the past 2 weeks and it's been heavenly. We of course had all kinds of plans to get things done.....most of which did indeed get done. The spring cleaning is the only thing I was hoping for that only slightly got worked on. But, the yard is in good order (minus the garden getting planted), you could practically eat off the floor in our garage it's so clean, all 3 kids are moved into the one room, closets have been cleaned out, most of the the clothes we've outgrown have been boxed up, baby's room is, well, vacuumed, but we still have some time to get his room ready. And then, there's been some random play in between the hustle and bustle.

I"m sad that it'll be back to the grind come Monday when Aaron goes back to work full time. I've taken full advantage of sleeping in in the mornings, taking spontaneous naps during the days, running quick errands without towing my kiddos along, and just enjoying adult company every day. But, the bills must be paid and I must admit that our regular routine will be nice to get back to.

To end this post, let me just write a few random funny things the kids have said as of late.

Abigail: "I'm so frustrated that I keep pooping in my underwear". That goes for me too!
Nathan: "Dear Heavenly Father, please let me have a motorcycle, airplane, and a rocket in my garage someday".
Hannah: "Ryker (boy in her class) gave me this today at school. I think he must love me".

Never a dull moment! NEVER!
(farm country at Thanksgiving Point)

Quite a Guy

I'm feeling particularly thankful lately for the guy I chose to marry. Little did I know how much he would teach me. Little did I know just how stalwart he is. Little did I know that he'd be lifting me up regularly. Little did I know just what great hands we are in because of him.

I found some random pictures of him that are just too good to pass up.

haPPy Sant PatRix baY

Fun Day in the Snow

 With a really fun Dad!

From Here to There. From There to Here. Funny Things are Everywhere

We celebrated a most beloved children's author today. Dr. Seuss! I have always loved his books and boy do my kids love them too. I hope his imagination will seep into their little brains as they grow and they will never lose the love of creating things from their own imagination.

We aren't ham eaters over here, but sure love his book, "Green eggs and Ham". We had to make something that would make him proud. But if our pancakes weren't up to par, I know Hannah's pictures sure were.
Flower

 Sun

 Lollipops

 Ice cream cones

Hannah's art work

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!!

The Power of Love

I belong to a group called, "The Power of Moms". We meet once a month and discuss an article relating to motherhood. February's article was entitled, "The Power of Love". Every read is fantastic and helpful for me on this journey of motherhood. I come away feeling rejuvenated, inspired, and committed to this most important job of raising my children.

I am not a real affectionate person by nature. It does seem to be easier to be affectionate to my small children, but as they grow I can see it's easier for me not to hug and kiss them like I did when they were born. Hannah is super affectionate. She reminds me often that she needs to be hugged, loved, kissed, and cuddled. I feel bad that I have to be reminded.
Nathan is more like me. He rarely seeks for affection. Is this because he's a boy? or is he really more like me in this regard? Maybe both.
Abigail is the epitome of affection. She cuddles, hugs, kisses, loves on, and constantly seeks affection, just like her older sister.

So, back to the article. There was a section about loving through poor/bad behavior. This is hard stuff for me to do! The stern, proud, adult self in me wants them to obey immediately. Loving through tantrums is so much easier said than done.
The last few days my child #2 and I have not been jiving. His tantrums and bullying have put me over the top and my reactions have been less than loving. And guess what? his behavior has been worse and worse. So......after reading this article and hearing what the other mothers had to share last night in our discussion, I recommitted to just loving this boy of mine. Tantrums, fits, bullying and all. I was determined that whatever he wanted from me today, if I was able to, I was going to give it to him. When he asked me to play cars with him after breakfast, I happily agreed. When he wanted me to read to him right now, I did it. And when he asked if I would play with him out in the snow today, I reluctantly said I would. No one can be surprised that he's been a pretty great little boy today. He's been more kind to his sisters. He's back to using his kind words to me. And his eyes have lit up every time I've agreed to do what he's asked of me. So, he may not want all the hugs and kisses all the time from me, but he certainly needs to feel love in other forms.

 A very tight squeeze to get in these puppies.

I hope to be better at showing all my children love in all the forms they need. I hope I remember to just love them when they seem to be acting out or showing defiance. I hope I will remember that me getting upset with them makes everything 100x's worse. I know there is a great power in love. Far greater than a power struggle.

33 years

In many ways it was just an ordinary day. I was surprisingly okay with that. Must have been because I scheduled a dentist appointment for myself that morning. Wasn't so bad though, they offered cookies, candy, and a happy birthday candy bar. (Does anyone else think that is bizarre by the way?)

I was planning on doing something out of the ordinary that afternoon, but when I saw how disappointed Hannah was that no one would be at her school program that afternoon, I quickly changed my mind to watch her. Glad I did. She was a hoot! and it was super uplifting as well. I've always LOVED that I share my birthday with George Washington and it was a privilege to watch the children of her elementary school honor him and the amazing men and women who fight for our freedom every day since. I may have shed a tear or two.

I snuck away with Abigail once her program was over to my favorite little place for a treat. Red Mango. Yum! Abigail is most thrilled to tag along with me anywhere that treats are involved!

Aaron had to work late on my birthday so we opted to celebrate Friday night with dinner and a movie. Best gift ever!

Hannah had another program that evening, so it was back to the school to watch her again. This time cousins, and Aunts and Uncles were in tow. She was thrilled! My sister Nikki invited us over for bananna splits afterward, since it is her husbands birthday as well. Made for a late night for the kids, but a great way to end the day. Aaron showed up at Hannah's concert at the end and was able to join us for dessert. I was happy all day even if it was pretty much a typical day. I feel so grateful to be a mom, and to have a hard working husband. And the good thing about not really celebrating your birthday on your birthday is getting to celebrate for days on end. It started last weekend when Suzanna made me a yummy cake and ended last night when we had our own, family cake. Life is good!

Parowan, UT

Don't blink or you might just miss it on your way to Cedar City or St. George. But tucked back in this little town, is a beautiful home that was cozy and big, with lots of fun "toys" for anyone to enjoy for several days on end. It's even more fun to enjoy this place with good friends. And now that I'm sitting at this computer writing about it, I realize I need another little getaway just to sleep. I'm tired. We had such a good time enjoying the beautiful surroundings, watching the wild turkeys and deer tiptoe around the house, reading books, watching movies, playing games, laughing, eating, watching the guys play hours of pool, listening in on giddy little girls playing with Ken and Barbie, playing in the snow, enjoying sleepovers, seeing Nathan beyond thrilled to have another boy to 'hang' with, staying up way too late, riding in a Polaris, spending every single minute with those I love most. And now it's back to reality. Abigail has already had her fair share of crying this afternoon because she misses daddy. I miss him too actually. It was so nice to have his undivided attention. One morning he spent playing with all of the kids throwing them on a huge bean bag and climbing underneath it and taking them for rides. I also caught him playing barbies with Hannah one day. I think they were getting ready to go to a wedding or something. Melt my heart, I love him. She does too. A lot. I took very few pictures. Wish I had taken more, like of the yummy strawberry whopper cake Suzanna surprised me with for my birthday, or of the kids playing Twister, or the guys playing pool, or of all the wild turkeys. I certainly will think differently of Parowan the next time I drive on by.

Love and Hearts

I LOVE that we have a day set aside to recognize those we LOVE. To pay them special attention and to show our LOVE to them and to receive their LOVE as well. The kids are no dummies and know that when there's a holiday there's going to be lots of goodies and fun activities. So, my LOVE and I woke up together and made the kids heart shaped pancakes and to die for syrup to top them. Yum!

I had so much fun helping out in Hannah's class today for her Valentines Party. There are some pretty darn cute kids in her class. Now, it is a well known fact that Valentine boxes are a big deal in the public schools. I am no good with crafty stuff, so I left that task up to Hannah's pops. He's the creative one. I was so impressed with some of the boxes I saw today. Like this one:

Or this one:

And look at this little clever thing:

Too cute. Well, you haven't seen anything yet. Look at what Aaron whipped up for his little girl.

Pretty impressive huh? I laughed out loud when he showed me. Apparently they don't make Valentine Boxes in schools in California. He's never made one before and had no idea the stiff competition he's up against in our neck of the woods. I told him this would suffice for Kindergarten, but he has to step it way up for next year. Hannah didn't care. She loved her box just the same. And come to find out, her class didn't even participate in boxes. They decorated their own paper bags. I think that's a perfect idea!

There was a darling heart shaped braid in one of Hannah's classmates hair. She was ever so kind to let me take a picture of it. Especially since I tried and tried to do a heart in Hannah's hair this morning and couldn't make it work. Next year I will try this.

Hannah in action.

We continued our LOVE party with our traditional heart shaped pizza and some goodies for my LOVE.

It never disappoints! Poor Nathan spent much of his day like this,

After writing in my previous post about how grateful I am for good health, Nate was nailed with a horrible cough and high fever. He didn't get to enjoy much today, but we've got plenty of LOVE to shower him with when he's feeling better.

As much as I love these munchkins, it's my Valentine that I LOVE so much. I found the perfect quote that sums up exactly Aaron.

And he is; quite perfect for me.