Our Primary program

I found my self waiting too long to get to where the stage is to set up chairs. We were supposed to perform in the chapel, but somehow ended up on the stage in the cultural hall. I am alone, unfolding chairs as fast as I can, and look behind me to realize the congregation has already been seated, and are patiently waiting and watching as I frantically set up chairs for the children to sit in. Heather, the primary president arrives! She is smiling and not at all stressed. She has forgotten the poster prompts. It begins, I am in the wrong seat. Someone hands me a beautifully iced double layered chocolate cake and a large spoon. They begin with a prayer, I look down to realize I am sliding the spoon across the side of the cake and then into my mouth and repeating the process. Shelli, the pianist is behind me and disrupts the prayer with her giggles making fun of the person in the congregation eating cake and has it all over their face. I suddenly remember I am eating cake too. And I'm in the wrong seat. As I get up to walk across the stage, cake in hand, Shelli has not finished what she began to tell me. I find my self swatting her away reminding her she is pianist and she is on. I find my seat only to find a highly attractive man whom I have never met, sitting there. He strikes up a conversation. They skipped my part in the program! The program is over. We never sang any songs! The kids never said their parts! I look at Heather and the unstressed smile previously plastered on her face has vanished. I woke up at this point, grateful for once it was morning.

Out running the storm

First, thank you to Meg, and ultimately my mom for inspiring this line of thought. I hope Meg doesn't mind me repeating this little smidge of info on here as an intro...

"Being the great Grammy that she is, my mother had taken Andrew out on a walk to the park. She apparently didn't see the storm coming because it came from a different direction in the sky than it usually does. They were at the park playing when the wind picked up. Shelley got a little worried when they weren't home yet so she went out to look for them. There she saw Grammy holding Andrew running down the street as the wind was blowing with the lovely dust pelting their skin. Shelley then says Mom stopped, pointed to something, and then kept running Andrew home.

What, you may ask, possessed her to stop in the dust storm, point, and then proceed.......it was a cat! At first I found this very funny and it must have looked quite entertaining watching my mom running down the street carrying Andrew through the dust trying to get home. But today I talked with Shannon about parenting and this story came up. Mom is one to not let the little things pass by. To me I would have seen the cat and ran right by, not mentioning the kitty to Andrew since it was so dusty and stormy even though I know he loves animals, but my wonderful mother took those two seconds to show Andrew the cat. I need to remember to stop and show him the kitty's, flowers, planes, etc...not just when we have time and life is sunny, but when things are crazy, a little hurried, and maybe a little stressful. I need to just take a little more time...time to appreciate life and remember to look at things through a child's eyes. Thank you Mom! "

This has been rolling around in my head since I read it last night and and as the original thought was dissected and sifted through, I finally came to the conclusion that I needed to start looking for these things my mom has stopped in a storm to show her grandson, and realize them for what they are. Answers to prayers. If you are a regular pray-er you know that prayers get a little repetitive some days "thank you for... and please bless us that we may find financial freedom in some form, and bless my children to do whatever it is you aspire them to do, and as a mother bless me with not so much to do so I don't go crazy." Generally speaking. From Meg's post I realized that the Lord IS answering those sometimes frivolous and ungrateful prayers. I just have been to selfish and self indulged to recognise them.

• -Children sleeping just long enough for you to finish paying your bills in peace
  
• -Finding the sock stuffed in the toilet before I flushed it.
  
• -A 6 year olds freckles to soften the scolding
• -A word popping out of a book that reminds you of something very important that would otherwise be forgotten
  
• -crayons left in a pocket found before thrown into the dryer
  
• -uninterrupted sleep

You will be surprised at the blessings that pass by unnoticed.

Coloring in the carpool lane

I have been blessed with a fantastic carpool taking Jayce to and from school. I drive to school every morning and I am done for the day! There are two high functioning autistic boys and since one of them has a muscular disorder I get the pleasure of chatting with him each morning as he can only get in and out of the front seat. This 10 year old boy has the most interesting brain. Most days I need a translator and often ask for a simpler version of his most recent invention. He has constructed whole buildings in his mind alone, and never a detail is missed. His current brain storm is the 'Calvinator' it (from what I can tell) is a car and has a motor to match it's title. I always try and ask questions to keep the conversation going and today asked

Me: So, what color will the Calvinator be?

C: Color?? Why would the color matter?

Me: I just wondered

C: Motor's don't care what color they are.

Oh. Of course they don't. Silly me. Just one more thing that is a natural difference between male and female. Color matters to us.

How do I love thee... let me count the locks...

Routine when I have to do something that requires my eyes to be off my children for more than 10 seconds (i.e. take a shower, do someones hair)

• lock front door and flip top latch
• lock master bedroom door
• lock both laundry room doors
• lock both kids jack & jill bathroom doors
• flip lock pantry door
• remove handle from back door

There is but living space and one bathroom left accessible to my two smallest children. The bar handles are removed from bottom drawers in the kitchen to prevent from using them as a ladder to move about the kitchen countertop at their leisure.



After a record breaking 5 minute shower this morning I encountered the one bathroom left unlocked flooded (again) this time the water reached the ceiling in some places. They each had a soccer sock presoaked in the toilet and like a sling flung it wildly around their heads.

They were of course, soaked. I thought I had made myself quite clear about not playing in the toilet after this nose in the corner session, followed by a swat on a bare butt each. But soon after it was quite forgotten. I am in the market for a new camera. Jared thought it appropriate to dip my camera in the toilet.

The 5 year old in me...

It was my month to conduct primary and senior primary is working on memorizing the 10th article of faith.

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

After it was read, I thought I would give the kids a little lesson in pronunciation. I had been practicing this article of faith all week since I was a little shaky on it. "does anyone know how this word is pronounced?" As I pointed to paradisiacal. The response was para-dice-ical. I tried to tell them it was incorrect, but was quickly overrun by every adult in the room. Julia, you know like the word paradise? Just add ical to it! There was no arguing it. I was clearly outnumbered. Well, outnumbered no more!!

1 result for: paradisiacal
par·a·di·si·a·cal /ˌpærədɪˈsaɪəkəl, -ˈzaɪ-/
[par-uh-di-sahy-uh-kuhl, -zahy-]
–adjective
of, like, or befitting paradise.

and my inner child shouts victoriously 'ha ha, I told you so!'

Amen.

Click here

Root beer flop

Ahhh the all american classic root beer float. I thought it would be fun to surprise the kids last night with them. They had never had them, or even heard of them. I very dramatically hoisted everything out of the grocery bag as I explained how it went together, what it was called, and how wonderful they tasted. There were squeals of delight. As they sat around the table, taking first bites, I heard a splash followed by 'uh oh'. Lainy had spilled hers. No biggie. Refill, and we are enjoying our floats again, I felt like Leave it to Beaver intro music would be appropriate. As I went to try again at eating my own, I heard yet another 'splash'. Jared's was over the edge. My temper was of course being tried and my mood started to be less and less like that of the June Cleaver I began as...

So I cleaned up and as I was wiping the last of the stickiness off the floor Jayce approaches with his still full cup and says "Mom, I don't really like this, do I have to drink it?"

A glance forward

Potty training week means lots of candy rewards, but it also means having to put the candy bowl out of reach. There is no such place in Jared's world. He was after the glass dishes on the top shelf which usually house all kinds of candy, and this was how I found him.

Flash forward??

Happy Birthday Jared

So I tried my hand at the fish cake. Seemed simple enough. It was.

Something was wrong with my camera setting for this one- officially this is Jared's first year blowing out candles or even having a cake! I can't remember exactly (since I didn't have a blog back then) but I think he was sick.

Grammy's toys were by far the favorites. This little bat is cut off in the picture, but really it's only a smidge longer than you see. My favorite part of this pic is Jayce in the background. He was delighted with all the new toys. Mom also bought him a toddler remote control car- it's got a big remote with one giant button on it. It's genius. Thanks mom!

Happy birthday Jared!

"Don't wonder why people go insane. Wonder why they don't."

I played this over and over again my head when I heard it last night on a TV show and thought all day today about it. We, as mortals go through trials that seem unconquerable. Yet, somehow we come though it, most times stronger than when we began. And there are times when I wonder why it is that we are still sane. I am so grateful that I have the knowledge of the Gospel and understand (to a small degree) the process of the refiners fire, and why we have to under go such tribulation. They are truly our 'hard blessings.'

Simplicity at it's best

Again with the Christlike Parenting book (by Dr Glenn Latham), if you haven't read it yet after all my plugs for it, it's time. Although if you read my blog regularly, eventually I am sure you will get all the info. I have decided this is a book I will read over and over in my lifetime. Today I was reading about prayer in parenting. He says "Prayerless Christlike parenting is an oxymoron." Makes sense right? It seemed to me as well, until I realized how little of my prayers seemed to be directed at becoming a better parent.

"You need more than your own wisdom in rearing your children. You need the help of the Lord. Pray for that help and follow the inspiration which you recieve."

-Pres. Hinckley

Again with simplicity of that statement. I have read this page several times this week and each time I read this comment by President Hinckley, I'm struck that he didn't say 'follow the inspiration if it comes, or pray and do what you think is best.' He said follow the inspiration which you receive. Though they seem the simplest lessons that we are taught repeatedly, they are often times the most important.

Yellow plus Blue

Mom's favorite color: Yellow
Jayce's favorite color: Blue

Kissing Jayce good night:

J: Mom, do you know what I do with my crayon box at school?

M: What?

J: I put yellow and blue together because I love you.

I melted.

Could it be??

I am quite possibly reaping the benefits of this all too busy child. He turns 2 next week and has decided it is due time that he be potty trained. I tried to stifle it, knowing he was entirely too young to accomplish this feat, but alas, he is doing it!! I am sure there are many messes to come (hopefully no toothbrush incidents!) but they are worth the pampers freedom so I am willing to give it a try. Potty trained at 2!!! Only a child like Jared...

Fickle fickle me.

There I was, ranting and raving to all who would listen to my ramblings about how awful Jayce's school was, and how much trouble he got in for such small things, and how much I hate (still do) their undefined uniform policy. Should I switch schools? Do you like public school? Is there another charter school in the area that is better? I fed off all of the negative information, although it was interlaced with the posative, I chose to focus on the bad. 3:30pm and in walks my foot in my mouth. Jayce came in excited he had not recieved a warning that day, and as I went through his folder there was a new colored note from his teacher:



'Just a quick note to tell you how pleased I am that Jayce, sat tall and was an active listener during class today. Jayce had a great day! Signed his teacher. '



Ok, so he is staying put. And I am yet again, a fickle fickle mother.

We love Pergo.

Yet another reason I am grateful that we opted NOT to put any carpet in this house. Two joyful faces came flying into the room with what appeared to be water dripping from thier heads... it looked as if they has just showered in the oil for my hair clippers. I am sure that they will think twice before entering the salon room for the rest of thier childhood days.

Revenge

Looks good doesn't it? You know when you wake up in the morning and you think of exactly what you want for breakfast and once you arrive in th kitchen there is someone eating the very last of the very thing you came to eat? Ok, so that isn't what happened, but when I looked over Jason's shoulder this morning and realized he was eating two enormous chocolate- chocolate chip muffins from costco, I was a little irritated. They were the last two. So I asked him later...

Me: So when you ate those last two muffins, was that so I couldn't have one?

Him: No. (a grin pulling at the corners of his mouth)

Me: You ate them both so I couldn't have one??

Him: No, I ate them both because I knew if I only ate one, when I came back later to eat the other, it would be gone.

NICE!!

Yoga

Shell and I took a yoga class yesterday. I think this was the first time in my life I have used some of those muscles. I actually didn't know some of those muscles existed. But today I feel each and every one of them because they all HURT. I have to say it was the most relaxing workout I have ever experienced. Very quiet and calm. But when shelley busted out with a move like this one

I started laughing. Surely this was a joke. There is no humanly way for my body to do that.

Queen B

I am the Queen of the B word. ha ha, not that B word. I mean Budgeting! As much as most people have a bad taste in their mouth after even saying this word, I love it! I love the organization behind it, and I love the challenge it sometimes presents. Ok, ok. I don't love that I have to budget out of necessity, but there are good things to speak of. Like a grocery store high! I know some of you have experienced this. I am an avid couponer and have just recently delved back into it full force (This is the coupon site I use)

So this month we had to pay for Jason's classes and books for next semester. I decided instead of transfering the money over from my savings account I would try and 'squeeze budget'. A chance to live off my food storage! Some of it at least. I think because it was a 'let's see if I can actually do this' situation, I saw it as a challenge, and was a little bit excited to try! We drank Gossner milk all week, (which my children actually prefer to regular milk) made cookies for snacks, and I had such a huge stock of pretty much everything I needed, that we didn't have a lot of want for anything. Each time the account got down into the single digits (yes, like under $10 scary!) I had a haircut call to schedule, or a color client that would boost us back up into safe mode.

There are a lot of things I fall short of in the gospel, but the one thing I have never struggled to understand or obey, is the law of tithing. Truly it has been a blessing and I have been part of countless times when things work out in a way that seemed humanly impossible. We have been given blessings that would otherwise not have been ours had we not been diligent in this commandment. And this week is no exception. Small and simple things became evident as I watched closely. Hair clients popping at the right time, that spice I needed happened to be on clearance and I had a coupon, my grocery bill being $4 under what I had in the account, hitting every green light on the way home... Ok, so the green lights is pushing it, but I was on a grocery store high, I took it as a little extra gift.

Someday when I am rich and famous, probably not famous, or even rich for that matter, but someday when money isn't as tight and I don't have to 'squeeze budget' I think I will still enjoy getting the best deals, going to get that grocery store high, coming home with a cartful of groceries that I paid pennies for, yard 'sailing', and repainting something cuz sometimes it just needs a fresh start.

'Everybody dance now'

by C&C music factory

Some of you wondered what the song was that caused me to bust a move.

I was so mad

Jayce is learning to read and learning to recognize small words so he doesn't have to sound each one out. This book is one of my favorites and we read it often enough that Jayce knows that at the end of every page it says " I was so mad." A few pages in, we were reading along and we got to our third 'I was so mad' and I asked Jayce to look at it a bit more carefully and it said 'I was just so mad'. He read it again and leaned in to get a closer look, his head popped back up and he said " Hey! How'd that get in there!" He's so funny.