Nine years ago yesterday at 3:56 PM, Mike and I became parents for the first time. We were so ignorant then about what it takes to be a parent, let alone a GOOD parent. We are still ignorant but less so! We figure Caleb must be pretty special to be entrusted to us from Heavenly Father to help him navigate through life. The last six months has been rough on him because of the move, but he has been brave and done things that he has been apprehensive about.
Caleb does well in school, plays the piano well, is kind to all his classmates and tries very very hard to always do what is right. He is a good example to all around him, especially to his brother and sisters. We love you so very much, Caleb. And are humbled and grateful to be your parents. Happy Birthday!
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Saturday, April 20, 2013
Charming Day
Soccer games, Em's first haircut, completing kitchen table refinishing project, yard landscaping beginning and spending time with the kids = a charming day.
Tonight I had Caleb get in our shower, I put the girls in our tub while I cut Jake's hair in the same bathroom. This is one of the many reasons I love our house--the space. Caleb was singing in the shower, the girls splashed in the tub and Jake whined about the hair on his neck while I cut. When Caleb was finished and dressed, I had him wash Emily, put her lotion on, diaper and clothe her. When everyone was squeaky clean for church, we read scriptures, prayed and went to bed. A rather mundane activity to do together, but I just enjoyed being with them, hearing their chatty, giggling voices. Days like today are my rewards. I love our kids. I love our life.
P.S. My mom refinished the table top and bench. I just helped her put it all back together. She did a marvelous job. She wants to tackle the chairs next. Thanks so much, Mom! (She also made the cute table runner.)
Tonight I had Caleb get in our shower, I put the girls in our tub while I cut Jake's hair in the same bathroom. This is one of the many reasons I love our house--the space. Caleb was singing in the shower, the girls splashed in the tub and Jake whined about the hair on his neck while I cut. When Caleb was finished and dressed, I had him wash Emily, put her lotion on, diaper and clothe her. When everyone was squeaky clean for church, we read scriptures, prayed and went to bed. A rather mundane activity to do together, but I just enjoyed being with them, hearing their chatty, giggling voices. Days like today are my rewards. I love our kids. I love our life.
P.S. My mom refinished the table top and bench. I just helped her put it all back together. She did a marvelous job. She wants to tackle the chairs next. Thanks so much, Mom! (She also made the cute table runner.)
Friday, April 19, 2013
Our Jake
When Jake is asked to unload the dishwasher this is usually what happens. Somehow it triggers his creative imagination to new heights. This is his castle with guards in the front protecting the king inside.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Job
I fasted today for guidance on whether or not I should quit my WGU job. The answer, "Don't quit." I feel a little torn. Mike doesn't necessarily think I should keep working because of the stress it can cause and the time constraint I frequently feel. He is supportive, however.
I am working on my relationship with Michaela. She mentioned that she feels like I don't really love her at times. I am to blame for that. She and I are so very different and I have allowed it to create a wedge between us. I keep remembering that it is a parent's love that helps us come to feel the love of Heavenly Father. I yearn to be the kind of parent that because of my love and compassion for my children, they will yearn to know God and Christ because of me.
One of the things that has helped me this week is that I have been listening to the scriptures on my iPhone as I take the kids back and forth to school. It has really helped bring the Spirit into my life. I know that if I keep the Spirit with me, I will be able to keep my temper under control and create a more peaceful atmosphere at home. My mom is a good example of not losing her temper. I appreciate her for that.
Mike and I were extended a new calling in our new ward today. We will be Primary teachers together. It should be a good calling to do together. I enjoy doing that kind of thing with him. I love him so very much. I am so very blessed to have a marriage that brings me the kind of peace and serenity I would hope every else could experience. It is because of his ability to love so unconditionally. I do not know why he loves as much as he does. He gives much and expects little in return.
I am working on my relationship with Michaela. She mentioned that she feels like I don't really love her at times. I am to blame for that. She and I are so very different and I have allowed it to create a wedge between us. I keep remembering that it is a parent's love that helps us come to feel the love of Heavenly Father. I yearn to be the kind of parent that because of my love and compassion for my children, they will yearn to know God and Christ because of me.
One of the things that has helped me this week is that I have been listening to the scriptures on my iPhone as I take the kids back and forth to school. It has really helped bring the Spirit into my life. I know that if I keep the Spirit with me, I will be able to keep my temper under control and create a more peaceful atmosphere at home. My mom is a good example of not losing her temper. I appreciate her for that.
Mike and I were extended a new calling in our new ward today. We will be Primary teachers together. It should be a good calling to do together. I enjoy doing that kind of thing with him. I love him so very much. I am so very blessed to have a marriage that brings me the kind of peace and serenity I would hope every else could experience. It is because of his ability to love so unconditionally. I do not know why he loves as much as he does. He gives much and expects little in return.
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Breathe
"Just breathe." That is what I keep telling myself these days. And "pray." I seem to pray more lately, for lots of reasons. Moving twice, driving to the school three times a day (1.5 hours total) and working 15 hours a week are just a few of the reasons. This is not me complaining, it's more that I am trying to sort out how I am going to juggle it all.
There are times we get time to breathe more slowly. Like last week. Mike's parents came for a visit and so did his Aunt Sherrill. They do so much around here and the kids are outnumbered so there are plenty of adult hands to keep little hands busy and out of trouble. And there was no school. So we got to sleep in and not rush in the morning.
We had General Conference recently. That's where the leaders of the LDS Church meet together and give talks about how to keep our lives balanced and all sorts of wonderfully inspiring thoughts. I always love General Conference. I was motivated to do better at logging our family's history, that is, keeping up the family blog a little better. I was also inspired that if I had enough time to log on to Facebook or browse through my smartphone several times a day, I should have enough time to fit in better scripture study. This has caused me to read or listen to the scriptures instead of looking at Facebook so often. I have noticed that I feel more patient, more grounded, more centered because of this. General Conference, what a blessing. The gospel is such a blessing in my life. It is my source for peace, for joy, for comfort and for guidance. If I need to find an answer to a deep pondering in my heart, I can always find it through scripture study, prayer or when I attend church. As I look back on my short 36 years of life, everything good has come into my life because of the church. Most importantly, my husband and children.
This is completely off-topic, but my mom has come to stay with us for a while to save some money. She has been a big help. She loves to dive into all kinds of little projects for me and helps with all sorts of little tasks that can pile up quick, like the laundry. It may not seem like a big deal to her, but it means a lot to me. She just quietly goes around to each room when she sees dirty clothes piling up and gets them washed. I know I do not tell her often enough, but I sure appreciate all she does. So, Mom if you are reading this, THANK YOU.
And one more thing, our new neighbors have been so nice. Especially in our church. I keep shaking my head in amazement at how warm and inviting they have all been. We got a plate a cookies the second day we lived here from a family that lives behind us. Our next door neighbor shoveled our walks when Mike was at work. Michaela has a whole gaggle of friends, she is never wanting for a playmate. (Of course, it helps she is our little social butterfly). She may drive me crazy, but she is very open and people just love to be near her. She is also a good little cleaner--she is my best dish dryer and organizer. Love you, Michaela. Well, I diverge. Yes, we are quickly coming to love our new neighborhood. It was terribly, terribly hard to leave Harvest Hills. I have had a few nights I have had to cry because I wish I could magically make our new larger house that we love appear on our old street. I am tearing up now. I just loved all of our neighbors there.
Ahaha, this day is almost officially over and our boys will be bursting through our bedroom door in less than seven hours.
There are times we get time to breathe more slowly. Like last week. Mike's parents came for a visit and so did his Aunt Sherrill. They do so much around here and the kids are outnumbered so there are plenty of adult hands to keep little hands busy and out of trouble. And there was no school. So we got to sleep in and not rush in the morning.
We had General Conference recently. That's where the leaders of the LDS Church meet together and give talks about how to keep our lives balanced and all sorts of wonderfully inspiring thoughts. I always love General Conference. I was motivated to do better at logging our family's history, that is, keeping up the family blog a little better. I was also inspired that if I had enough time to log on to Facebook or browse through my smartphone several times a day, I should have enough time to fit in better scripture study. This has caused me to read or listen to the scriptures instead of looking at Facebook so often. I have noticed that I feel more patient, more grounded, more centered because of this. General Conference, what a blessing. The gospel is such a blessing in my life. It is my source for peace, for joy, for comfort and for guidance. If I need to find an answer to a deep pondering in my heart, I can always find it through scripture study, prayer or when I attend church. As I look back on my short 36 years of life, everything good has come into my life because of the church. Most importantly, my husband and children.
This is completely off-topic, but my mom has come to stay with us for a while to save some money. She has been a big help. She loves to dive into all kinds of little projects for me and helps with all sorts of little tasks that can pile up quick, like the laundry. It may not seem like a big deal to her, but it means a lot to me. She just quietly goes around to each room when she sees dirty clothes piling up and gets them washed. I know I do not tell her often enough, but I sure appreciate all she does. So, Mom if you are reading this, THANK YOU.
And one more thing, our new neighbors have been so nice. Especially in our church. I keep shaking my head in amazement at how warm and inviting they have all been. We got a plate a cookies the second day we lived here from a family that lives behind us. Our next door neighbor shoveled our walks when Mike was at work. Michaela has a whole gaggle of friends, she is never wanting for a playmate. (Of course, it helps she is our little social butterfly). She may drive me crazy, but she is very open and people just love to be near her. She is also a good little cleaner--she is my best dish dryer and organizer. Love you, Michaela. Well, I diverge. Yes, we are quickly coming to love our new neighborhood. It was terribly, terribly hard to leave Harvest Hills. I have had a few nights I have had to cry because I wish I could magically make our new larger house that we love appear on our old street. I am tearing up now. I just loved all of our neighbors there.
Ahaha, this day is almost officially over and our boys will be bursting through our bedroom door in less than seven hours.
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