Reverence Issues

Yesterday, upon entering the chapel prior to Sacrament meeting, I was accosted by three of my children, all primary age.

"Mom! They asked Luke to give a prayer next week in primary!"

I was just finishing a conversation with a friend, so I did not pay much attention.

"OK," I responded distractedly.

"No, mom! They asked Luke to give a prayer in primary next week!"

"OK, that's great," I once again replied.

"No mom! They asked Luke to give a prayer in primary!!"

Finally, sensing their urgency, I turned to give them my full attention. They handed me this.



The looks on their faces told me they were worried, and when I assured them that it would be fine, they responded by informing me that he would have to give a prayer and be reverent while doing so.

Hmmm...now I could see the problem. Luke, the jokester, who can't seem to manage to sit quietly through any prayer, let alone give the prayer without making crazy noises, talking like a monster, or just laughing at himself.

Well, this ought to be interesting!

A Night Out

Just as Brek and I were ready to walk out the door for a night out together, Ben woke up crying. He had a fever, and he was coughing like crazy. So much for the night out.

Instead, Brek took Syd. At first Syd wasn't too hot on the idea of a road trip, but soon changed her mind and had a great time with her dad. They went to Costco and to dinner. You can't beat that!

For dinner, they went to Johnny Carino's. My kids all think Johnny Carino's is the best. This is a little strange, considering the fact that, until tonight, only one of my kids had eaten there! I took Scott one day after a doctor's appointment, and he loved it. He has raved about it so much ever since that they have all decided they agree with him! So, tonight Syd got her first taste of Johnny Carino's, and I do believe she was not disappointed.

Syd came home tonight with a beautiful bouquet of flowers that her dad bought "just for her".

Althought we had a change of plans, it all worked out for the better. Syd was a princess tonight, escorted by her dad who loves her and thinks she is so special.

The best gift....a day off

Brek and I spent a great weekend together.... away from life basically. We drove to Utah, shopped around, ate at one of our favorite restaurants (Thaifoons), stayed overnight, slept in, ate a yummy breakfast that we didn't have to fix or clean up, etc., etc., etc.

We returned home with a new violin for Madelyn, and a little something for Brek as well. If you want to know what it is, come on over and he will show you. But I must warn you. Be prepared for a "loud" experience. If you love music or appreciate good sound, then you will like Brek's demonstration. Especially if you like the surround sound sort of sound. (Have I given you enough clues?) After years (and I do mean years) of waiting and looking around, he decided to take the plunge and finally bought a home stereo system.

So, this is off the beaten path, but can I just say that it is annoying to walk into children's stores and find nothing but bikinis and two-piece swim suits. Come on people! OK, I didn't go into every children's store, but the few I did go in were sporting many, many colorful and darling, but skimpy bathing suits. Can't a girl find a cute, modest bathing suit for her daughter any more?

Sheesh.

We returned home and due to exhaustion decided to postpone Valentine's festivities with the kids until Sunday morning. OK, it wasn't really a we decision, since Brek has just about zero to do with the whole Valentine's day thing....unless it is for me, of course (I have trained him well.)

Anyway, Sunday morning, I made a breakfast of waffles with strawberries and whipped cream, and presented the kids with their gifts (a small something from me to my little Valentines).

It was a success. The kids loved it.

Chalk one up for mom.

I so sorry!!

There is a sound in my home which is becoming a bit too common. It goes something like this.

Ben: WHAAAAAAA!
Luke: I sorry...I sorry....I sorry! It was a accident mom! I so sorry!

Accident? Hmmm, I don't know about that one Luke.

Yesterday Luke even went so far as to blame Ben's wailing on a belt. Not just any belt, but (according to Luke) a weapon belt. He told me this (in his most innocent little voice) as if to say....What could I do, mom? It was out of my hands.

Nice try, Luke.

Goodbye 6, Hello 7

Happy Birthday my little 7 year old!

7 things I love about Maddy:

1. I love Maddy's smile! It is contagious!
2. Madelyn is very creative.
3. Maddy is a very kind girl. She genuinely loves people.
4. Madelyn finds secret delights in many things. A little smile will creep across her face, then she will break into giggles. Very cute.
5. Madelyn loves to read, and she loves school. She thinks her teacher is just about the greatest person on the planet, and is constantly making pictures for her.
6. Maddy is one mean hula hooper!
7. Maddy loves life and everything about it. She loves the outdooors, she loves her family, she loves to learn.

And we love her! She is an amazing person and a bright spot in our home.

Here is a recap of the parties (yes, as in more than one party!) in pictures.

Muscle Boy

It is 9 pm. Past bedtime.

Luke: I need to do my push-ups before I go to bed, mom.
Me: No Luke, it is too late. You can do push-ups tomorrow.

Luke: Pleeeaaase mom! I will do them very clickly (quickly)!!
Me: (how could I refuse such a plea) OK, very quickly.

Luke drops to the ground to do his push-ups. (I am not sure why he felt the need to do push-ups. For the record, this is not a normal part of our nightly routine.)

Luke's "push-ups" are not exactly the typical push-up. He lays flat on the floor, then lifts his behind into the air over and over. He huffs and puffs as though he were really working hard, then sighs in relief when he finishes.


I'm not sure he's doing much strength training, but it makes for good entertainment!

Calgon, Take Me Away

Do you ever want to quit? Just throw in the towel and walk away?

Well, I do.

What do I want to quit? Well....life, basically.

I get so tired of ALL the fighting and arguing. And then I just get so tired of being so tired! And I just don't know how to cope, and I think my brain isn't working, because why can't I think of some good way to get them to STOP. I just look at them and the chaos surrounding me, and just want to throw my hands in the air and walk away.

My house is falling apart around me, the laundry is ALWAYS there, and I just want to go crawl in my bed and hide!

But, I won't.

Because I'm not a quitter. And I know life isn't supposed to be easy. AND I know that in the end, the struggle is worth it. AND I know that I am not alone.

Besides, after the guilt trip I laid on my kids this morning, I'm pretty sure they feel very sorry for their poor mother and they will be little angels tonight....right?

A gal can always dream, you know!

Little Miracles

I believe that in my day to day life, there are miracles that take place.

Nothing big or elaborate.

Just those little things that sometimes go unnoticed, or perhaps are written up as a lucky coincidence.

But to me they are little miracles....answers to my prayers.

Let me give you an example. For the past two weeks, we have been sick. You know the drill. It goes from one child to the next, often times hitting the parents as well. The only person who has remained completely unscathed is Madelyn. But everyone else has been sick, some more sick than others. So, again, let me say that for the past two weeks, every day has been filled with some sort of sickness....with the exception of two days.

Now I will jump to another part of the story. For the past two weeks, my friend Lana has been in Utah. A five day trip to Primary Chidren's has now turned into two and a half weeks and counting. We (her friends) have been trying to help with her kids. Everyone has been so great to pitch in and help. I wanted to help more than I could because of the sick kiddos, but someone else was always willing to pitch in and take over.

HOW-EV-ER, there were two specific days when I was needed to watch the kids. Everyone else had helped so much, some had to work....you know. I really wanted to help out, and what's more, they really needed my help. I prayed that my kids would not be sick so I could help, and guess what? For two random days throughout those two weeks....no sick kids.

A little miracle.

One of those days in particular was quite amazing to me. The day prior to watching Lana's kids, my two youngest both had fevers. The day I watched her kids, they were both fever-free, and seemed to be cured. The day after I watched her kids, they were both sick again....for two more days.

Lucky coincidence? I think not.

Miracle? I should think so!

How grateful I am for a loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers prayers.