Back to the Beach

We thought it would be logical to leave at 9 PM Thursday night and have a nice peaceful drive while the children slept. The theory was good. 2 hours in I got really sleepy. And before I could mention that to Jason, I noticed his eyes were getting a little glassy. It's times like these when you are forced to conversate or die, that you have the most interesting conversations. We talked until 1:30 AM and pulled over to sleep.


We spent the whole day Friday at Jess and Christina's. We all went to breakfast and went swimming in a heated swimming pool. I didn't even care that I had just spend 30 minutes doing my hair and makeup! It was a heated pool!!





Later that day we headed out to McGrath state beach to set up camp. Yes, we went tent camping. I can safely say that will not happen again anytime in the near future. Our good friends the Kayci and Shannon and thier kids came with us camping. We love them.

We all walked down to the beach the next morning about 8 am to check out the beach and see how long a walk it would be with all of our 'gear' because gone are the days of grabbing a towel and a bag of Doritos and heading out. I am estimating that it was about a mile walk through stick ridden sand down to the shore. By the time we actually arrived to the shore, the kids were muttering about how much they hated the beach. Needless to say we got in the car and drove to another beach the days following.

We met up with Scottie and old friend of mine while we were there and my dear friend from high school Alaina. Lainy's namesake. It was good to see thier faces again.

All in all the kids had a grand time, Jayce was the only one who got burned pretty bad. It's a week later and it's still pretty bad. Poor little white boy. I have to say, it is nice to be tan again. We did see something I had never seen at beach in all the hundreds of times I was there as a kid. Jellyfish! There were a couple of them that had washed up on the shore.

It's good to be home. I didn't realize what a beautiful place I grew up in until this trip. I don't think I will even get the chance to live there again, not even sure if I would want to, but it was nice to visit for a while.

Got Milk?

If you are anything like my family you just can't envision a year without milk right? I have been stumped by the dillemma of how to stock a year supply of milk. I just can't bring myself to buy a year's worth of the powdered stuff. Gag.

Lo and Behold I think I have found something. Well, I hould say I have been introduced to something. Gossner milk. My sister in Logan had mentioned the local dairy up there called Gossner foods. And I didn't think twice about it. A week or so later as I was praying for help with my food storage and for ideas and the gift of organization etc... I ran into a friend of mine who is a distributer for the stuff!! I should explain what it is, for those of you who are not familiar. It is milk that has been put through a special heating process and packaged in a way that has a room temp shelf life of 1-2 years!!

I ordered about a 3 month supply. (white milk, chocolate, strawberry and root beer flavors. I know, but it's delish!) So, my kids tried it for the first time yesterday... I have to put it up high so they don't get into it all day!! It's fantastic. Just google it if you want more info!

That kind of mom

I want to be the kind of mom who wants to color with her children.

I want to be the kind of mom who hugs you even though you have made a mistake.

I want to be the kind of mom who helps you clean up nail polish in the carpet so dad won't be mad

I want to be the kind of mom who makes a cake every Sunday

I want to be the kind of mom who gets all the towels in the house wet, strings the hose up the balcony and pretends the waterbed burst for an april fools joke on dad

I want to be the kind of mom who sits on the floor with me and my sister and wonders why I didn't tell her about my first kiss.

I want to be the kind of mom who starts a marshmellow fight in the kitchen

I want to be the kind of mom who has 5 children and somehow each of them thinks they are the favorite

I want to be the kind of mom who will do anything for her child

I want to be the kind of mom who's children can't hear her and dad fight because they take it somewhere else

I want to be the kind of mom who buys boardwalk fries everytime you hit the mall

I want to be the kind of mom who's love for the Savior is so strong it's visable in everything she does

I want to be the kind of mom who's house is open to those who need it

I want to be the kind of mom that my mom has been to me

The Fence
There was a little boy with a bad temper.
His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that everytime he lost his temper,
to hammer a nail in the back fence.
The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.
Then it gradually dwindled down.
He discovered it was easier to hold temper than to drive those nails into the fence.
Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now
pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone.
The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence.
The fence will never be the same.
When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one.
You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there.
A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.

Yup, there once was a boy with a temper, so I decided to give it a go with Jayce. I don't have a wood fence so I had to drag a pallet out onto the driveway. We have a handful of nails hammered in today. Now that he has the hang of it, he keeps asking for more nails. I am hoping it will get old and he will not enjoy this punishment so much. My guess is, once it hits about 115 degrees he will gain control of that temper of his.

If the shoe fits

I love this kid. We have our moments. But I love this kid. He came around the corner walking on his heels so as not to disturb the barbie sized army boots carefully placed on each of his toes.

New found friends

And reunited with past ones. We traveled (yes, traveled. It took an hour) to Avondale last weekend to visit Esther and Ben. It was long overdue, and I must say I missed my friend! The kids played together as if they had known each other forever. We talked for hours and as you can see, the kids crashed on the way home. I had good intentions when I stuck the camera in my bag to take pictures of all of us together, but got lost in reminiscing until the drive home. No crazy stories here, just blogging the experience.

Better kisser at 3

If you recall Lainy had a dental appointment a few weeks ago and returned last week to fix a tooth. They gave her laughing gas, which did nothing but relax her. I was bracing myself for some pretty funny convos. She did have a numbness for a few hours, which turned out to be rather humerous. She didn't think much of the numb lip until the ride home when her nose had an itch. As she proceeded to scratch, she realized she couldn't relieve the itching. She panicked. She began screaming that her nose itched and it wasn't working. I calmly tried to explain that that part of her face had fallen asleep. She understood as much as a 3 year old can. Once we got home, realized she was a much better 'kisser' with a bum lip. She wandered around making kissing noises for quite some time. As you can see, it is much like a shower singer. You think you are much better than you sound, or in this case look.

Red white and blessings of Blue

Tonight we were snuggled in the couch reading a couple of new books a sweet client had brought for my kids, and Jayce was reading to Lainy. Out of my 5 year olds mouth came this:

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

Now I know they say the pledge everyday at school, but I cannot put words to how impressed and grateful I am to his teachers for teaching Jayce something more about our country. Patriotism is something many people fall short of in this country, and I want my children to know how truly blessed they are to have born into freedom. I have always enjoyed seeing the colors of our flag, but I have come to love and admire what it stands for and the sacrifices that have been made in it's behalf. Now I know many things are array in this beloved country of ours these days, but truly we should express gratitude to the Lord for the blessing it is to raise a family and live in this great country.

No title is worthy

I considered several titles to this blog, but realized, you cannot encompass the things that happened in the last 3 days in such small writing space. I won't even include the real reason I went to Utah in this blog. It's much too important to be intertwined with what I experienced.

I began my journey well, I got hit on in the airport. Alright! That's always a self esteem booster. Although it's more fun to factor into the conversation your 3 children and husband. I made it to the plane and found a seat next to a delighful grandma. We chatted a bit, and she reached in the pocket in front of her to retrieve the skymall magazine, and then begins to giggle. And then laugh out loud and point to it, and tell me I should look. That I will never believe what is in it. Nice. Women's pink underwear, stuffed in the magazine pocket. Ugh! ew ew ew.

So, after the plane I call shannon who is running late because they had to turn back around and get thier temple recommends for the sealing. Crap, my recommend. So began the phone calls to the appropriate people to get me in.

Poppleton's arrived to pick me up in record time, and idle chatter somehow turned the conversation to the realization that I had forgotten to pack myself underwear. Oh for crying in the night. I just knew this trip was going to be memorable.

We did thankfully get all of that squared away, and I had a lovely time with my little sister Meg until she asked me to accompany her to the bakery to pick up the cake. A nice old (I like to think he was senile) man and his daughter entered the bakery. Meg had Andrew, her 2 year old propped up next to her very pregnant belly as the man approached her and with a hand on her shoulder proceeded with these words " Oh, I think this little guy looks a little bit like his mommy and his grandma." Needless to say 'Gramma Lu' was mentioned once or twice that weekend.

My first trip away without children or a husband and I anticipated a glorious homecoming. The kids piled out of the car at my mom's and in place of the hugs and laughter what I got was, "Hi mom, can we play at grammy's?" Nice.

Sweet Dreams

Jayce: Hey mom, I had a really scary dream last night
Mom: What was it about?
Jayce: I can't tell you, it was way too scary
Mom: Ok
Jayce: (15 minutes later) ok I can tell you.

(I happened to be sitting at the desk writing anyway and thought I might write what he was saying just in case it was good!)

"There was this robot, and he had lasers on his hands. And he lasered me in the head! There was this zombie with him and they made me walk through this machine and it turned me into a robot. It took a really long time to get out of the machine too. And then I had lasers, and if you laser someone else, they had to walk through a machine. Then there were 3 zombies! (Can you see this 'dream' is growing?) And they took some green stuff off them and I saw thier skin in some spots. And they threw the green stuff at me. Then I turned into a zombie. That's all. Pretty ugly huh?"

Where have I been?? And what has my child been watching??

Go Green

Are you green? I am. But only because I associate irritation with the color green. Now don't get me wrong, I am all for bettering ourselves and where we live. But seriously, we have been damaging this earth a heck of a lot longer than the small amount of time this 70's rehash will last. I think I am most annoyed at the celebrity involvement. It's as if it's something new they can stamp thier name on. And sadly, it's probably the only way the world will respond and listen to the message. On a posative note, I think there are truly some amazing people out there doing phenominal things for the earth. But c'mon, pushing 'earth friendly' candles on Oprah? Everyone wants a piece. I bought 5 reusable grocery bags yesterday and talk about convienent! They don't fall over in your car, and make that loud plastic noise, and you can fit way more food in each one so you don't have to bring 20 bags into the house, AND it's helping the environment! I don't know much about the guy, but I just learned today that Al Gore recieved the Noble Peace prize! Sounds a little far fetched. Maybe I'm wrong. Is everyone just stoned again?

Disclaimer: This was not intended to offend, outrage, or provoke anyone. It is purely the observation of a stay at home mom.

Some mom's have all the luck

This was how lunchtime started. That'll teach me to leave a 1 year old alone with a table full of food. He was actually licking it off the table. After clean up and setting them up in front of cartoons, I deemed myself worthy of a quiet lunch.

(Silver Lining: Jayce still does the dishes. Dirty shoes on counter aside)

I made myself a sandwich (with the last of the ham and last 2 slices of bread) and a glass of red koolaid. (I know you are weary of the koolaid, as was I) Jayce couldn't reach the video game he wanted and after I had already given the 'Just give me 15 minutes alone to quietly eat my lunch' speech I went to the next room to retrieve the game. Much to my irritation upon my return, my lunch was being eaten. Flapjack. Finishing off my half eaten last-of-the-ham-and-bread sandwich and chips!! So I quickly 'disiplined' him and very 'gently' threw him outside, I came back in to survey the damage. Alas! He has left me something! It was.... a tooth. Gross. You see, he has so graciously been leaving these gifts of the mouth all over my house. In fact, I found one in Jared's mouth last week. No visual aids on this people, I had to retrieve it before I could grab the camera.

My latest refinish

Before (and for $20 on Craigslist)

After

Ye are the Salt of the Earth

And this was how it began. My first meeting in months without distractions. She began with this statement that we are all the salt of the earth. (Matthew 5:13) And then asked why. Hmmm. And came the answer; salt adds flavor. It makes things better. We add flavor, We make things better. It was a stake auxillery training meeting and it was much needed. I can't say it was the most inspirational or spiritual charged meeting I have ever been to- but I needed it. Sometimes I forget, being a mother of 3 small children, and being in the primary room each week, what it feels like to be edified! I love my calling, and I learn more from those kids (and Heather and Teri) and from teaching the lessons, than I probably would sitting through Relief Society or Sunday school, but I needed an adult meeting. Ü So, I began feeling like I can make things better! Great start! I was some of the salt of this earth and I needed to share my aroma. There was so much info I can't even begin to make a dent. So, I will move onto the topic of the Primary breakout; "Simplicity- you can do it" ha! So many think primary is simple. Keeping it simple involves inspiration! I tend to rely more on copycatting than inspiration. I am all about utilizing others' already prefected sharing time ideas! It was a great meeting, I am never dissapointed with thier grand ideas and I always come home excited about teaching the kids something I have learned. Which is what it is all about! Making things 'taste' better!

So cheek to cheek...

and jaw to jaw, we'd sip some ciiider through a straw.

A favorite girls camp song of mine. And when I found my boys 'sipping' water together through silly straws (a very fun gift from Gramma gett's sister!!) I had to make it a photo-op. These two are about 4 years apart in age and couldn't be closer in friendship. Jayce naturally takes on a patient role (which is obsolete in his relationship with Lainy) and makes sure Jared is safe and gets what he needs. And Jared likewise trusts Jayce (a quality lacking in his relationship with Lainy) But what I don't find with these two is much alone time.

I should clarify. Lainy is not the common enemy here. Jayce just doesn't have much patience with her, and Jared rightfully doesn't trust her! I wouldn't trust a 3 year old with my life either if I was jumping off the couch waiting for someone to catch me.

Dental Woes

Can I tell you how much I despise the dentist? And I hate the terminology even more. Decay. cavity. root canal. Seriously? They make it sound like you are dying! Ok, ok so I haven't done my part in making it in for my regular checkups. But 9 cavities!!! And a possible root canal. Oh and I have this tooth I had fixed years ago when I was a teen, and yes of course it's breaking apart! When I walked into that brand new spotless dentist office I was smiling and happy. By the time I left, I didn't want to smile for fear something might fall out.

Scorn the Scorpians

It's officially scorpian season in the desert land. I dread this more than the heat. Those creatures that seem to find the seemingly obsolete cracks and crevices and squeeze thier way in to our barefeet riddled home. For those of you who are not familiar with these creatures... they can literally lay flat and squeeze right through a crack you never deemed scorp worthy. They carry thier young on thier backs, so you never dare step on one for fear of infesting your house with the babies. And they climb walls and drop from the ceiling and of course hurt (from what I hear) like something awful. So.... anyone want to come visit?


Seriousy though, I depsise them. And I found my first one today (this year). UNDER MY BED. Still alive and right where I would prefer, if they find enterence. On a sticky trap. Oh, one more little tid bit about these horrible creatures... they can live without food for a loooong time. So, being the caring person I am, I left him there to suffer. While we were building our house here and living in the mobile home we didn't see ANY. 2 years free and clear. But so far since we moved in last year... I found 2 in Jayce's bed, one in my room, and one fell right onto Lainy's face in the middle of the night. And a few cetipedes. Those are gross too.

I should mention the remedies or things we do to prepare, prevent and treat scorpian stings.

• First, black light! We have several, and scorps glow in blacklight.
• Always ALWAYS check your sheets and clothing before adorning them.
• Wear shoes. I am guilty, and know I am going to be punished one of these days for barefooting.
• Lots of people have chickens which seems to help. I think I might just invest in some. I can deal with the poop
• and to treat stings there is something called french green clay a friend gave me and seems to help with the pain.
• Lastly: MOVE This is my plan someday.

Broken Sun

3:37 am

Lainy is coughing non stop. I go in to give her a breathing treatment and this is the conversation.

M: Lainy, sit up honey.

L: (still partially asleep) Mom! The wind! The wind broke the sun!

M: What?

L: The wind broke the sun! It was falling and I ran and got in the rocks and I catched it! (Calming now) I catched the sun.

She seemed so proud that she had saved the sun. Smiled and laid back down.


Even at 3:30 in the morning, I knew that dream was really cool. I wanted to see it! I actually tried to keep her talking and asked questions about it. She did say the sun was white. I wonder why the sun was falling, what it looked like, and how it must have felt to have caught and saved it!

Show me the Money

I should actually call it don't show me the money. This little game started years ago and I am not sure by whom, but here's how it goes. One person tries to pay another for something they feel is owed to them. ( i.e. for gas, if you drove them somewhere, or for lunch you had together) and the other person feels as though it is not nessesary. And so the game begins. It's usually a $20 bill. And if payment is refused, the paying party tries to find a hiding spot for the $. You can walk out the door of someones house and wave goodbye and casually drop it behind the door as you go out. Or fold it up and stuff it in between the cracks of the steering wheel, to be forgotten for weeks or months. You can return it in a CD case you borrowed. (Yes, I found it mom) In any case, the game goes on until one person is reasonably successful or the other has forgotten!

Today I love...

• All 3 kids snuggled together watching cartoons (and Lainy's hair)


• that Lainy wears canning jar rings as bracelets and calls them 'shaky shakies'


• that flapjacks tail looks like it's bent when he's focused on something


• that even though Jayce says a show is stupid, Lainy is smart enough to know she still loves it


• that we have the technology for asthmatics


• when Lainy screams at the bathroom door until I jump out of the shower (soaked) to see whats wrong and all she says is I love you


• when ANY music comes on from anywhere, Jared dances


• Playing "Show me the Money" with my mom (see next post)


• 'Game Day' by Jon Schmidt. It's inspiring.

The needs game

Thank you Laurie for posting this on your blog. I find it hilarious. Just type your name and 'needs' in your search engine and whalah!

Julia needs a piece of my mind
Julia needs an a** whoopin' (ha ha! I couldn't NOT put that one in...)
Julia needs a bath
Julia needs new shoes (Yes, she does!)
Julia needs to lose some weight
Julia needs to grow
Julia needs a hug

Jason needs to diet b/c he has become much too fat (ha ha ha ha)
Jason needs to shut up
Jason needs to put on his shirt, overalls, shoes and socks
Jason needs a ring (yes, his wife tends to agree)
Jason needs a good slapping
Jason needs to stop making her think he likes her if it's clear he doesn't
Jason needs a helmet
Jason needs a haircut (he does!)
Jason needs to rock a little next week

Why am I so mean?

Today started out sunny and full of love and laughter. About halfway through the day I found myself yelling, impatient, and just plain mean. You know when your yelling at your kid, and then thier response is a returning yell? And then you yell at them for yelling at you? Yeah, that was me today. Usually about halfway through the second round of 'yelling because your yelling' , I realize what I am doing and of course, apologize or laugh in realization. My rule for my kids has always been that they are entitled to speak to me with the same amount of respect I speak to them. It's intelligent in theory, but the reality of it makes me crazy. It teaches me to keep myself in check, and to control my temper and emotions. I am reminded of a chapter in one of my most read books on parenting (Christlike Parenting by Dr Glenn Latham) The chapter called 'Revile not.' It's time to delve back into this book I assume. It talks about Christ and how he was treated, and yet he never was one to strike back. What a supreme example! In the face of mockery and rejection, even to the very end when he was crucified. He reviled not.
Anger is not an emotion that has to be within us. Obviously, I am lacking in that department, but I am learning that we have control over what we feel, and how we choose to direct it. I think it is time for me to crack open that book and re evaluate my ability to parent. And to all of those who might be reading this, This book has changed my life. It has changed my marriage. I strongly suggest you invest in it.

Easy Parenting

We have all heard time and time again that just because your children get older, doesn't mean it gets easier, and you have more free time. Well, today I had more free time! We had all finished breakfast and everyone has to clear thier own plates. Jayce went a step further and asked to load his into the dishwasher. Of course you can load your own dishes 5 year old! Then came the best part. Mom? Would you mind if I did all the dishes on the counter? Viola! I must make doing dishes look like fun! He mentioned later that the dishes could be his chore everyday. I know, realistically speaking, I have a few days before he realizes what he has chosen for his fate. But I will enjoy it until then!

All fenced in.

Our fence is finally up! I should clarify that actually putting the fence up only took a few weeks. Jason did it all by hand and shovel. But we moved into the house a year ago this month and I can't begin to count how many times my children (and dog) have escaped. I am sure my neighbors are equally elated. Not to mention I have heard coyotes on many occasion, and they would have little flapjack as an appetizer.

Opening Day

Tball season is underway! I quickly learned that Tball is a bit more intense than soccer. I somehow ended up volenteering to be the "team mom". Sounds fun right? It actually is! I get to organize for fundraisers and pictures, and the best part is that I am kindof forced to get to know each family on the team.

I've decided to make sure I am included in some more pictures these days!! Plus, it was fun dressing up as part of the team.

Ok, so this was SO much better in my brain. Each team was supposed to make a basket to auction off in the silent auction on Opening day. Since Jayce's team was "The Express", I thought I would cut out a train and put giftcards in each train car. And as the actuall basket, I got a batting helmet and filled it with baseballs. By the time I got to the tables to see all the baskets that afternoon, mine was falling apart. Train had wrecked, and baseballs were rolling all over. Ah well, maybe next year.

We bought Jayce a Tball set and he has been practicing, and he did fantastic! Next we need to work on running the bases. I only assumed we had "run to first base" down pat. Apparently not. But he sure looks good!

Happy Birthday Gramma Gette!

We have a neighbor and her name is Georgette (Gramma gette). My kids have loved her since the second they met her. As have I! Today is her birthday and I couldn't for the life of me think of what we could get her that she would enjoy. Although if you met her you would know, she finds joy in everything! So, we decided to make her a cake and visit her with cake and ice cream. The kids were bouncing off the walls and chattering a mile a minute.

Lainy helped "make the cake"

I figured we live in AZ, and we could all use a good pair of sunglasses!

Jayce shoves Lainy.
Lainy falls down. She cries.
Jayce helps Lainy up and says "wasn't that fun??"
Lainy gets up and says "yeah, let's do it again!"

Officially official

Today is the big day for the Baker family. My little sister is adopting her first child, Andrew. I love that little guy, and I am so grateful for his presence in our lives, and I want Megan to know how proud of her I am. She is a great example to me and and to all of us. I know her trials have been, and continue to be hard ones, but she carries them with grace. Today, even though I am so far away from her, I am overwhelmed with emotion. She and Bryan have been through so much, and are amazing parents. I am so glad I am going to be able to witness this family be sealed for time and eternity. Meg, I love you. Good luck today!!

Let's go fly a kite

Today I had a love/hate relationship with my acre of land. I started out by pulling weeds and sweating in the 80 degree weather at 8 am. And after I had had enough, and decided an acre was just too much to take care of, the kids came running out reminding me of my promise to help them fly a kite once we had enough wind. They were right! It was the PERFECT day to fly kites! This is when I realized just how blessed I was to be able to go outside and fly kites in my front yard! I know we live at least 5 miles from even the closest grocery store, but the space and peace make it all worth it!!!

Lainy and her Dora kite got along pretty well, she was bored after about 10 minutes and ditched us to go in and actually watch Dora.

I couldn't have asked for a nicer day! It's actually pretty theraputic flying a kite.

Jayce really learned how to work with the wind, he had Spongebob flying for almost an hour! When I came out to get him he had somehow dragged a lawnchair out and sat down to rest as he flew his kite!

I believe I can fly

The kids were still a bit high on sugar, and Jason had Jared held high up in the air and was letting 'fly' and catching him just before he met the ground. Jayce wanted in the action and it made for some pretty cool shots!

Eggin' it

We did a family Easter egg hunt on saturday with mom and dad and the kids had a grand time. Mom and I had planned a really nice Easter meal of Ham, baked potatoes, jello, rolls, deviled eggs, fruit and whatever else we could think of. I had taken the ham out of the freezer the day before to thaw, and guess what? It was still frozen. Ah well, the pizza was good.

The hunt went well, Jared of course did the typical 1 year old behavior, find an egg, open it, sit down and devour whatever is in it, and then move on.

Jayce's eggs ended up all over the place once the hunt was done.

It was all very fun. There are still a handful of eggs hidden thoughout the house. They will be found eventually. I remember as a kid, taking a book off the shelf in august and finding an egg behind it. And yes, we decorated eggs this year, but neglected to keep a photographic record of it!

New tradition

Easter is that one holiday that we haven't quite gotten our bearings on our family traditions. Oh we have the basics; egg hung, decorating eggs, and the bunny leaving "tracks" on Easter morning leading to each child's basket. But I wanted something as physical as those things but to teach them of Christ, and I found a great one.

Easter Story Cookies

Ingredients:
1 C whole pecans
1 tsp vinegar
3 egg whites
a pinch of salt
1 C sugar
ziplock bag
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

1. Preheat the oven to 300 degrees (this is important, don't do it halfway through)
2. Put pecans in ziplock bag and let the children beat them with the wooden spoon to break them into small pieces. Explain that after Jesus was arrested, he was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3
3. Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar the drink. Read John 19:28-30
4. Add egg whites to the vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11
5. Sprinkle a little salt into eah child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus' followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27
6. So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add one cup of sugar. The sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and love Him. Read Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16
7. Beat with a mixer on high for 12-15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. The color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3
8. Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus' body was laid. Read Matt 27:57-60
9. Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven off. Give each child a piece of tape and have them seal the door. Explain that Jesus tomb was sealed. Read Matt 27:65-66
10. Go to bed! The children may feel sad to leave the cookies there overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22
11. On Easter morning open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt 28:1-9

Ok, so it seems like a lot of work, but I did it with my 3 and 5 year old and it went great! Ok, so not great. But I thought it was really cool. Jayce was a little dissapointed because I prefaced the event with the word 'fun'. It did turn out pretty cool. This may just be my new Easter tradition.

Whoops

I was playing around with the settings and must have made it so no one could comment. Thanks for the heads up Heather! Comment away!

Kiss me Quick

Yesterday I was walking in the front door and Jared was anxiously awaiting my arrival. His little face was pressed tightly up against the window next to the front door. I quickly got down and pressed my face against the other side and kissed him "thru" the window. He thought this was a fantastic new idea and wanted to window kiss over and over. It got me thinking about all the kisses we give and get throughout the day.

• Morning kisses- Usually occumpanied by morning breathe, but always welome and the only way to start a day.
• Owie kisses- Sometimes the only way to soothe a screaming child. And if it's a big person needing to be mended of an emotional pain, a kiss is the beginning to healing.
• Just because kisses- Most times these are the best kind, usually unexpected and always puts a smile on both parties face.
• butterfly kisses/eskimo kisses- varies from the traditional lip kiss, but makes a great alternative when a child is booger ridden.
• puppy kisses- I am not a huge fan of these, but my kids seem to enjoy the puppy tackling them with wet kisses.
• Apologetic kisses- Usually these are quick and quiet from a child who has reason to be sorry, and wants permisson to continue playing.
• Adult apologetic kisses - These can turn into bedroom kisses if your not careful!
• Good night kisses- If planned and executed correctly, these can be calm and just the right preperation for a good nights sleep!

I am so grateful to have been brought up in a home filled with so much affection and love. It is vital for my children to know and physically feel that we love them, and that they can love us back, and all of it is purely unconditional.

Pink eyes

L: Mom! My seatbelt is too loose!

M: Just pull on it hun, it will tighten.

L: Mom, I can't! What if I fall over? I will hit my eyeballs! I want pink eyes.

M: Pink eye? What?

L: Yes, if I fall over and hit my eyes I will need new ones. And if I get new ones I would like pink eyes. Pink are for girls. Blue are for boys.


Ha ha. I guess I never thought about blue eyes being associated with boys. But she makes a good point!

Impulse parenting.

We learned a little something about seatbelt safty last week. Jayce thought it would fun to impress Madison (carpool friend) in the car by unbuckling "I am standing, na na na na na na" Didn't take long for Lainy to follow suit. She popped that belt right off, but I was quick! I hit the brakes. (Residential street, 25 mph tops) Well, Lainy flew right out of her seat into the radio head first. Whoops. Of course I pulled over and made sure the screamer was fine. I glanced in the rearview mirror and Jayce and Madison were still in shock. I have yet to call Madison's mother and explain. I am sure she got an earful when Madison got home. I do feel kindof bad for Lainy flying through the car, but they sure are careful to make sure the vehicle stops moving before they unbuckle!

Simplify.

"As you seek spiritual knowledge, search for principles. Carefully seperate them from the detail used to explain them. Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances. A true principle makes desicions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances. It is worth great effort to organize the truth we gather to simple statements of principle." -Elder Richard G Scott

I found this in my most relaxed state humanly possible. Bubble bath and John Schmidt on the mp3. Lately I have felt as though I needed to complicate my lessons taught, or make them sound inspired and pretty. I was quite stressed and came across this quote and realized we need to integrate it into our daily lives as well. Simplify.

Twinkie, Twinkie little star

Do you know how much trouble you are??

Ok, I know all of my family members have heard and seen pictures of this story, but again, this blog is for journaling purposes and this is one I would like to remember.

MMMMmmmm, rarely do I buy things like Twinkies because, (if I'm being honest) I eat the majority of the box. My children had never had twinkies prior to this experience, so I can sympathize with the outcome. Lainy and I were enjoying a quiet afternoon (Jayce was at school and Jared asleep) and she had her alotted one twinkie already that day, and was asking for more. I of course told her no, and put her back in front of whatever movie she was watching for quiet time, and went back into the office to do whatever I was doing. It was a very quiet few minutes later, so I went to check on things. I walked by her room and the door was open just a crack and she was sitting on her bed eating something. When I came in to get a closer look, I realized she was finishing off a twinkie. But as the brainchild she is, she realized she couldn't get the wrapper open alone, and knew sure as anything I wasn't going be any help, so she had sucked every ounce she could out of the cracks in the wrapper! It was too late for discipline I had already started laughing, so I grabbed my camera.

Mad Cow

I am the second counselor in the Primary Pres in my ward. Love it. Can't say I dislike anything about it. Ok, so I will admit it seems a little easy. I work with amazing women and I have to do sharing time once a month and I am over scouting. All good fun things. I am kindof thinking the Lord thinks it's a bit of a simple plan as well.

I should preface with the noteworthy info that I am quite possibly the worst public speaker ever. Which is why when the Young women leaders came to me a few months ago, and asked me to speak at one of thier "spiritual mutuals" I was astonished. Of course, I did it, and hated it and I am sure they did as well. Well, now the Relief Society wants me to do a little number at their enrichment night next week. Seriously? And get this, the theme is "8 cow wife" and I have so graciously been assigned the Mad cow. At the risk of sounding arrogant, am I really not as bad as I imagined? Maybe I just need to get off my rear and go to enrichment once in a while.

Sooooo, any ideas? When they asked me to prepare for it, they mentioned it would be something to do with taking care of yourself. Whether it be beauty, relaxation, or health. I will be sure to blog how it all goes.

Proud Parent

Ok, so we all have seen those parents with "My child is the child of the month at ________ elementary school" right? I have yet to write my story of Jayce's story of the first day of Kindergarden. And I want to remember it. I was looking at one of the bumper stickers and thought, I dont have one of those. But do I have to have a sticker to feel like he is the child of the month in my world? Let me rewind.

Jayce never went to preschool, my mistake. I was new at the whole parenting thing then. (No excuses now) So, that morning we arrived at Ben Franklin, donning brand new clothes, and hair spiked to it's full height. The time had come to line up with the other students. I watched Jayce begin to stare. A little nudge. He looked at me and his little eyes welled up with tears. Oh! My little boy is nervous, he can't bare to leave mommy. ha. This was the beginning. By the time the other kids were heading inside, (in a perfectly straight line with NO screaming) Jayce was irate. I took him by the hand (as well as I could, carrying a 1 year old and pulling a 2 year old.) We made it inside the building! By this point, I was dragging his body, as he kicked and screamed. His classroom door shut. With every ounce of patience I could muster, I got down to his level and through gritted teeth said "You are going to have a great time Jayce, I love you." I opened the door shoved him in (pulled Lainy out, as she was trying to run in) and shut the door. And cried. Of course, the next 4 days were the same as the first, but eventually it got better.

We are now rounding the corner toward the end of the year. And Jayce is doing amazing in school. We battled some anger issues along the way, but he has learned to love learning. And his little brain amazes me. I am so proud of him and how hard he works.

Musically uninclined

I have always wondered why I was blessed with the heart of a musician and lack the talent. Clarinet was as far I got in Jr high school, and I think more noise came from my mouth in complaint to my instructor, than ever came from the intrument itself. But I didn't love the music that came from that room we practiced in.

• Music has the ability to inspire or break down.
• To cause tears, or bring on fight and fury.
• I love that when I am running and I feel as though my body has nothing left, and when I hear the beginning of the best Rocky song ever, that my body feels rejuvinated and I begin to pick up speed.
• Hearing children in Primary sing, often makes me feel as close to heaven as mortally possible.
• My kids know that when mom's blog music comes on and is turned up, it is time to DANCE!
• Jon Schmidt inspires me to buy a piano
• Gwen Stefani (although inappropriate at times!) bring out my younger days and reminds me, I am only 28!
• Andrea Bocelli is the beginning of my passion for the opera

So many songs have a label attached for me.

• Lonestar- Don't want to miss a thing, this was the song Jason had me listen to when he first wanted me to know how he felt about us.
• Particle Man - Marsha Prophet
• Rocky- ha ha- Leading a symphony a top my bed in high school with this music blaring and Alaina Voss by my side
• Air supply- so many old boyfriends...
• Women at the Well- A life changing fireside where this was enacted
• Dave Matthews- Jenn and Justin Hambly
• Come original- Scottie Williams (if you knew him, he wasn't a wild singer, but he ROCKED out to this song!)
• Hollaback Girl- this is a recent memory made. I had never actually heard anything but the chorus, and Lainy quickly came to love it. It was brought to my attention that it is not a very nice song! But I will forever remember it in this light!

I am truly grateful we have a Heavely Father who shows us the importance of music, and what it can do for our soul.

And the beat goes on

I don't know which I am more irritated at, the brand new shirt and pants of a 3 year old, ruined by her artistic abilities and love for the permanant purple marker? Or the now half empty bottle of matrix hairspray I used to try and remove the stain.
Lainy.
She is partly to blame for my now greying hair.

All in a days work

• Flapjack dug up my freshly planted flowers
• Lainy played in the mud from the freshly watered flowers (in her brand new clothes)
• Jared and flapjack took off halfway down the street
• Lainy peed all over the bathroom
• Jared got a cup of yogurt and smeared it all over himself (and everything else)
• Lainy got a hold of my spray bottle and 'cleaned' every smooth surface in the house
• Lainy got into my make up to do her face 'just like mommy'
• Flapjack pooped on my doormat (need I say what happened to it?)

Weighing on me

I was catching up on my favorite family blogs tonight when I heard my name. Not the way someone typically calls your name. This was my name yelled in panic. Darn it Jason. He has a set of weights in our room and I will admit, he is freakishly strong. But sometimes he gets in well over his head. In other words, he gets stuck under the bar. I despise these moments. It means I have to rush in and run from one side of the weight bench to the other one by one pulling the weights off so he can get out from underneath it. All the while he is trying to breathe with several hundred pounds on his chest. Sheesh. Seriously, you all know I have grey hair now, I am sure my heart is next.

Tagged!

• Here are the rules:
  
  1. Link to the person that tagged you.
  2. Post the rules on your blog.
  3. Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself.
  4. Tag at least three people at the end of your post and link to their blogs.
  5. Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.
  6. Let the fun begin!
  
  Thanks Gena for this 'opportunity' Here goes...
  
  -I weigh myself at least 5 times a day (I know, no need to comment)
  -I wear a 'sucker inner' with my jeans so they fit just right.
  -When I do anything decor it HAS to be symmetrical. Even landscaping. (I know, it's all dirt right now, but we will get there.)
  -My most favorite color in the world is yellow.
  -I spelled Lainy's middle name wrong on her birth certificate.
  -I love to write. But will probably never publish anything because I am a big self doubter.
  
  I don't think there is anyone left to tag on my list.

No neener neener

There are few rules in our house in terms of how we speak to one another. It all rallies around respect. First, what we call no neener neenering. You know the tone of voice "neener neener neener" or "I have more than yooou do. ha ha ha ha ha" Yeah, that doesn't fly in my house. Also, no name calling. We are all welcome to express how we feel about each other, but name calling is not tolerated. And the other is no "I told you so's" Well, my 5 year old called me on it this morning. He was trying to make a paper airplane, and I told him I knew how to make one. He didn't believe me. (I suspect because I am a girl, but this is just theory) Anyhow, he hesitantly allowed to me fold away and took off with it after I was done. (With a very nice airplane I might add) He came in about 15 minutes later and was ramblng on about how wonderful his airplane was. I responded by saying "See? I told you I could make a great plane" He 'respectfully' let me know "Mom, it really isn't very nice to say I told you so."
Lesson learned. Do as I do, not do as I say.

Power Socks

It was time to go play outside for the morning and I asked Lainy to go get me a pair of her socks and shoes. She came flying in and said "Here they are! Power socks!" I laughed and just went along with it calling them her power socks. Well, you if you know Lainy, you know she speaks with a toddler accent. Her r's are pronounced ow's. So, I quickly realized she wasn't actually saying power socks. It was pair of socks. Duh mom.

Unnatural

So, today is the day Steffani and I get together and do one anothers hair. I love these days! They are crazy and busy and my kids have full reign of the house and each other for 3-4 straight hours while we beautify ourselves. My house is usually a heap by the time we are done, and the kids eat about anything they can find without my help.

So, she is weaving the sides of my hair and dares to say " Umm, you have some grey hair" Nope, I sure don't. I grab my hand mirror and desperately try to see the 3 hairs she is lying about. There must be some mistake. Nope. Sure enough. Grey, grey and grey. And there are a handful more in the back!! Ugh. Surely they will return from whence they came now that my life has settled from last months mom miracle. I am happy to announce they are no longer grey, but a nice natural blonde and honey brown.

After a long talk with an old dear friend, it was 10 PM and Lainy having taken a nap earlier today was still awake. SO we lay on my bed and a had a little conversation.

Lainy: (reading the manual for my cell phone) This is a story about Lainy. She is so pretty. And she is so cute. The end.

Mom: What does she look like?

Lainy: Blonde.

Mom: What color are her eyes?

Lainy: Blue

Mom: What about her nose? What does it look like?

Lainy: (scrunching her nose) Mmmm, I don't know. (opens the book again) I love Jared. I love flapjack (our puppy) I love Jayce.

Mom: What does Love mean lainy?

Lainy: A hug, like this (gives me a sideways hug)

Mom: Love is when you really really like someone. Do you want to get married someday?

Lainy: Yeah. To Jayce.

Mom: No, you have to marry a different boy.

Lainy: Not a boy! I want to marry a 'gull'

Oh geez...

Are you my mother?

Today was a long day. I worked all day and resorted to ordering pizza halfway through my last client of the day. After dinner came bathtime routine, which went a little like this:

Lainy and Jared bathed, washed up, and play for 15 minutes. I leave the room for 15 seconds and it's SOAKED. So I pull them both out, dry off, jammies. Next is Jayce. Mommy, can I shower in your shower, it's bigger and warmer. Sure Jayce. 10 minutes later... crying. Jason brings a head to toe dripping wet Jared to me. Still in his jammies mind you. Sigh. Change Jared. Say prayers, hug kiss. Good night loves.

Then the beloved computer time. Ah. Sweet silence. I thought I might go through and find a couple of recent pictures of myself to post onto my blog. Hmmm... Searching. Searching. Nothing! I have NO pictures of myself. How are my children ever going to know what great looking mom they had?? ha ha. At least I have good hair right? You'll have to take my word for it, I have no pictures.