Christmas Confession

I absolutely, cannot stand the movie "Its a Wonderful Life!" The very idea of watching Jimmy Stewart whine for two hours makes me shudder and cringe. Yech!

Christmas Favorites 2008

Favorite Quotes:
"Rings and other jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only true gift is a portion of thyself." --Ralph Waldo Emerson

"He who gives money gives much, he who give times gives more, but he who gives of himself gives all. Let this be a description of our Christmas gifts." --Pres. Thomas S. Monson, Ensign, Dec. 2003, 5.


"Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile, kindness in your warm greeting." --Mother Theresa


Favorite Book:
Christmas Jars by Jason F. Wright-- It saved me from a not-so-great reading month, it was great, I cried, you shoudld read it, enough said.

Favorite Music:
On my ipod I put all the church hymns and primary song that were Christmas songs into a group, and this has been my favorite thing to listen to-- "Stars Were Gleaming" children's songbook pg. 37, and "The First Noel" Hymn #213 are a couple favorites.


Favorite Article:
For whatever reason, our church magazines didn't come this month :( I plan on buying copies, but there is a snow storm today so it will have to wait. I did find an article through one of my yahoo!groups. I've posted the complete text at the bottom of my blog. It's called "The True Spirit of Christmas"

Favorite Activity:
Decorating the tree as a family, baking cookies and making a gingerbread house as family, and snow sledding at the park. (And finally being finished Christmas shopping!!)

What are some of your favorites this Christmas season?

Joy to Everyone

http://www.joytoeveryone.com/en/

This is a wonderful inspirational song and video! Take the time to watch it--I watched it at least 5 times! Merry Christmas Everyone!

Who Needs Toys?

Austin and Nyah spent time outside playing on the rocks, Jolie entertained herself for a very long time with the blinds, and Olivia played her favorite game--tossing a bag over her shoulder she says "Good-bye-See you later-I love you" and pretends she's leaving by going in the bathroom and closing the door. Why did I bother with all the Christmas shopping? Oh, I know, all the boxes and bubble wrap from the online orders, right?

Stockings

Olivia said "Cute" for the first time today while we were looking at the stockings!

Mom, you did a wonderful job! They all look great!!
Thank you!!

Mom's Homemade Cookies

Yesterday I met my sister, Keshia, on her way from Idaho Falls to Cedar City. She was bringing some Christmas stuff for our family from my mom, who is awesome. She finished making Jolie's stocking and its beautiful. My camera is MIA today, but I'll post pictures of the stocking when it turns up. She also sent some presents for the kids--Olivia unwrapped Austin's, but thankfully he didn't see it.

But the most wonderful of wonderfully delicious surprises in the bag was a bag of homemade gingersnap cookies. My mom has the best gingersnap cookies in the world. My kids and I ate half the bag on the way home, and when I say "we" I mean my kids had one each and I had at least 6, and more today. My family has to move fast if they want any more, Kurt in particular is probably out of luck because he's at work.

Mom, your cookies are fabulous!! Thanks for sending some--I've enjoyed them! It gives me a little bit of Christmas home-iness. Love you!!

One reason I love to Homeschool . . .

While many a man, woman, and child spent their day inside a classroom/work office longingly gazing at the great outdoors, my kids and I hit the slopes--well, the hill at the park with snow sled in tow and hot cocoa in thermoses. We had a blast! Austin and Nyah practiced going down in many different styles, most impressively standing up like a snowboarder, which is what they've recently decided they want to be when they grow-up. Olivia didn't want to stop "sliding" and even Jolie got into the action a little unintentionally. Warning: Baby car seats are slippery on packed snow and ice. Having moved to St. George when I was 10 I'd forgotten how much fun snow can be, all the cold and such, but I had a great time and had to keep insisting I would ride with Olivia so I could have a turn too.

Only bad news: Forgot my camera, so no pictures except on cell phone, and I should have run errands before getting big wet spot on rear end. Maybe I should add snow pants to Christmas list.

I challenge everyone, everywhere to take a snow day and have a fabulous time!!

Haircuts

Due to Austin's desperate need of a haircut, no matter how much he protested and cried and begged, I buzzed his hair last night. For those who don't know, he has a hair fetish. He has always LOVED playing with hair. When he was younger I let him play with mine, when that became annoying I banished him from my hair. So obviously he prefers to have his hair long, because when when its buzzed its too short to play with properly. So I let his hair grow out as long as I can stand it before buzzing it off. The above picture doesn't show just how nappy his hair was becoming with tweaks and twists and cowlicks and this tuft of hair on top of his head that stood up all the time because that's where he plays with it. I shuddered everytime we went into public and I'd catch a glimpse of his uncombed or self-styled hair sticking up all over the place. One very adorable aspect of his hair fetish is when I catch him playing with his sister's hair while they watch tv or a movie. And the other day I saw Olivia playing with his hair. But even now, I can't stand to have him playing with my hair, though he tries--like when I give him a hug at bedtime or we are reading books on the couch together or anytime my hair is down.

Nyah just wanted her hair cut because Austin was getting a haircut. But she looks fabulous in a short cut. Not that she's ever let her hair get long enough for us to know how she would look with long hair, lopping off her ponytails and all, but she's always a beautiful girl.

Olivia wanted a haircut too, but I couldn't do it!! Her front hair is in her eyes, but since she's never had a haircut, its her baby hair and I didn't want to cut it. Her first haircut can be self-inflicted, which is only a matter of time.

I always want to say "Congratulations!! to Brad and Katie Laws (#2) who had their baby a few weeks ago!!! COngratulations!! She's beautiful!! I have a link to their blog on my sidebar if you want to see pictures.

Sleep!!

Last night I have 7 hours of blissful, uninterrupted sleep. I can't even remember the last time that happened. And it only took some drastic changes to accomplish--moving Austin upstairs, Jolie into Austin's old room, and getting a new tv to put in our bedroom so Kurt and I can watch tv at night without keeping Austin up (very important, right?). Next step--putting up the bunkbeds in Olivia and Nyah's room, if we can find all the pieces. I've been singing a sleep song in my head all day to the tune of the dolphin song from Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy "If I could have one more wish I would like a good night sleep! (I know-sleep doesn't rhyme with wish, but my songs about sleep not fish) . . . So long, so long and thanks for all the sleep!!" (Yeah, maybe I could use some more sleep)

Discoveries of Today

It is very dark and cold at 5AM. I am very tired when I get up at 5AM. Olivia is very tired and cranky when she gets up at 5AM. I will probably get cranky, too, but so far I'm not too bad. The greatest discovery of today will be if I can work in a nap. Olivia is already taking a nap. Now if only Jolie will nap too, but, of course, Olivia woke her up at about 5AM, though she did go back to sleep after a short time, but so far she's not cooperating with nap time, which means she's laying in her crib crying right now instead of going to sleep. Nyah was also woken up about 5AM, but she went back to sleep too. She's pretty cranky, but there's no hope of getting her to take a nap. "Big girls don't take naps" she said--now I know. Just last week I thought, "I'm so glad my kids are sleeping good." Yep, I went and jinxed myself.

Firstly, Jolie and Olivia do not sleep through the night. I accept this as where our lives are at this time, even if I don't like it. My sleep wasn't perfect, but it was routine and I felt like I was getting enough. But following my smug thought to self, the world as I know it now involves crappy sleep. You would think I'd know better, but I guess not.

Wait . . . what's that I hear? No crying baby and two happily playing children!! I'm off to nap before this ends--good night!

Climbing on counters is so much fun

WARNING: as a parent you will spend a huge amount of your parenting effort being repetitious, repetitious, repetitious. You will say to your children, at least two dozen times a day, to get off the kitchen counter. Even if you keep two stools in the kitchen so they can reach things on the lower shelves, you will still find yourself saying, "Get off the counter." and your kids will still have logical, reasonable reasons for being on the counter. "I'm getting a cup." (And the stools?) "I want those crackers." (Remember the stools?) "I want to watch the popcorn pop in the microwave." (What about the stools?) I'm getting the plates (Nevermind the stools). Or in the bathrooms "I'm getting my toothbrush" "I'm looking in the mirror" "I'm getting a drink" (stools in there too, though one is of a different kind). And then there is the huge desire little kids have to be on the counter, where they are suddenly taller than Mom and Dad, and get to jump off into their arms. How much fun is that? Tons, apparently. Olivia would love it if I allowed her to eat her meals on the counter, and since she ends up there most times anyways at least it would be with my permission. If she'd just stop slipping and falling on her head, we could seriously discuss it.

And the truth is, I occasionally find myself on the counter too. "I can't find such-and-such spice on the top shelf" and "I'm closing the blinds to the window behind the sink" and "Didn't I put such-and-such up there?" and so on. Intersetingly, I have to use the stool to climb up on the counter to reach whatever I'm trying to get. Sooo, logically, I know we're not supposed to be on the counters (see falling on head note above), but it seems there really are realistic reasons for climbing up there. I guess its a no-win situation. Or mayber its a win-win? I don't know.

Talking in Church . . .

I am confident I have never been excited to speak in church before, but I am feeling sooo excited to speak in church this coming Sunday. Initially I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath and thought, well, we're new in the ward, yada-yada, but I've totally changed my mind. My topic is "Charity" and it is so much fun!! I have been reading story after story of wonderful examples of charity. Why do I love these stories? Because I feel the Spirit of the Lord each time I read them-- it touches my heart, brings tears to my eyes, sends a shiver down my spine, and warms me up. The ward who helped a mom give her 3 year old disabled daughter physical therapy and she finally learned to crawl, the missionary who sent money to a friend to send back to his own mission companion to help where the boy's family couldn't, the girl scout who visited a nursing home as a challenge and made a wonderful friend, the teenager who let a stranded family into his home during a snowstorm, the boy who decided to use his college savings to give his family a christmas during the depression, and there are so many other wonderful stories!!

What a wonderful topic to be assigned!! I have no idea how I'm going to narrow everything down to 10 minutes!! A list of all I've read follows, but these stories are everywhere this time of year so they shouldn't be hard to find!!

Scriptures:
1 Corithians 13
Moroni 7:44-48 (For the full effect I like to start reading at about verse 37)
TG Charity; Love; Family, Love Within

Books:
Secret Santa by Anne Osborn Poelman
No Room in the Inn by Katherine Paterson
Shepherds, Why This Jubilee? by Jeffrey R. Holland
A Christmas Treasury for Latter-Day Saint Families by Lloyd and Karmel Newell
Night Tree by Eve Bunting
Merry Christmas, Big Hungry Bear! by Don and Audrey Wood,
Sunshine for the Latter-Day Saint Missionary Soul and so on . . .)

Ensign Talks: Search "Charity" at lds.org Gospel Library for lots more!!
"The Great Commandment" by Joseph B Wirthlin (Nov 2007 Ensign)--NOT just because of his message, which is fabulous, but it also reminds me of the conference [was it the same one? I think it was] when he was giving his talk, and was physically shaking and having a hard time standing at the pulpit, and Elder Nelson came and stood with him so he could finish his talk, brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it!!
Other great articles: Feed my Sheep by Silvia H. Allred (Nov 207 Ensign)
That Their Burdens May be Light (Sept 2007 Ensign)
Charity: One Family, One Home at a Time by Anne Pingree and You Are All Heaven Sent by James E. Faust (Nov 2002 Ensign)
Becoming Insturments in the Hands of God by Don R. Clarke and all talks in the General Relief Society meeting (Nov 2006 Ensign)

Farewell Olivia Naps

Olivia, who loves her Dad, likes to sleep like him too, with her pillow over her head. Unfortunately, it looks like its time to say "Sayonara' to her daytime naps. Sigh. And Jolie is acting like she's going to cut out one of her naps too. Double Sigh. For the past few months I have had the glorious luck to have Olivia and Jolie take 2-3 hour naps at the same time in the afternoon, and with part of this time being Austin and Nyah's cartoon time it was fabulously refreshing, and now it looks to be all over. Gone. Gone. No more The Count of Monte Cristo, or The Squire's Tale, or whatever I'm reading. When will I email or blog or mindlessly read internet gossip, er, news? I don't know. The hardest part of having little one's (for me) is giving up naps. They seem to find it very easy, but I wish I could fight them tooth and nail to keep on sleeping.

This is what happens when I try to take a picture of ONE of my children-- I end up taking pictures of ALL of my children. Since Jolie has recently been pushing up on her hands and knees I thought I would try to get a picture of it. It proved to be quite a challenge. For the few minutes she and I were hiding in my bedroom, I couldn't seem to push the button at the right time. Too early or too late, I just kept missing it. And then the clowns came in. Whenever Austin, Nyah, or Olivia see anyone with a camera they immediately want in on the action. Austin started making funny face and diving in front of the camera to block Jolie. Nyah tried this for a while until she was pushed, then she wanted to be the one taking the picture, and when told 'No' started pouting. Olivia wanted to be in the pictures and see the pictures on the back of the camera at the same time. Then I started taking videos (which didn't convert to the correct format when uploaded onto computer--have to have Kurt check that out). They were dancing, and making ninja moves, and star wars moves, and laughing, and wanting to watch behind the camera while I shot, and wanting to watch the movies when I was done, and "More Mom!!." It's amazing something 2x3 inches big can be so totally engrossing and entertaining and fun. And the bottom line is I love having fun with my kids, so its okay I missed my shots of Jolie. I got one of all 4.

Chaos

I like to vacuum. It blocks out all the noise, Noise, NOISE!!!

Growing up . . .

Jolie is six months old now. She has started pushing herself onto her hands and knees. She must be in a hurry to get moving, even though she is very mobile rolling and scooting around on her belly. I tried to get some video of her escapades, but her older siblings like to hog the camera. It makes me sad she's growing up :(

Side note: After getting a new ream of paper, and Kurt bringing me another ream of paper, I found the missing ream of paper, in a box of piano and guitar books which hadn't been unpacked yet. Of course.

Mysteries in our house . . .

We had a major crisis this past week!!! "Blankie" disappeared for three whole days and I was the last one to see her, and thus, the primary suspect. Even by myself. I kept thinking "Was I not paying attention and throw it away?" (Which I sadly suspect has happened to more than just a few things) I searched trash cans, laundry baskets, bathroom cupboards, toy baskets, under beds, and EVERYWHERE. And it was NOWHERE. And then it was there--in Austin's room, in a toy basket I know I searched at least three times, which means it was in his room the whole time, likely being moved from place to place each day as the tornadoes that are my children tore through his room each day. I love how he said, "I don't know" when I asked if he knew where blankie was 20 times a day, even though he probably picked it up each day as he cleaned his room. Olivia, thankfully, made do with the rejected look-alike blankie. Which then made me wonder if it was time for the official grayish-pink blankie to disappear, but Olivia's excitement and happiness on having her "blankie" back changed my mind. I guess she (blankie) can hang around a while longer. Notice how "it" suddenly became "her" when she was missing and I was worried about her?

Now if only I could find the two school books Olivia lost our first week here that we need for school, and the ream of paper I know I bought last pay day, but which I can't find. Sigh, suffering from mushy-mommy-brain at least makes life interesting.

As a side note, I love to receive comments on my blog and I think everyone does, so I have decided to leave comments on everyone's blog that I read this week. Hopefully you get to be a lucky one. And I admit to the world, that when I am bored I read blogs of people who are connected to the people I know, like my sisters in-laws or friends, who I don't even know and have likely never met and probably think its weird that I'm reading their blog, but its true. I don't know if I've brave enough to post comments on those blogs, but we'll see.

Scissors and little girls

Can anyone explain the fascination of little girls cutting their hair whenever they come into contact with a pair of scissors? Austin and Nyah were spending the afternoon up to their elbows in art project stuff-- paper, tape, stamps, markers, crayons, and of course, scissors. They were busy for a couple hours drawing and making things. When I was helping them clean up I found blonde hair clippings amongst the paper scraps.

"Nyah, did you cut your hair again?"

"Yes . . . I'm sorry. I won't do it again."

Right. If only I hadn't heard that at least twenty times before. It seems it was just a little snip, probably the end of a single lock of hair. *Sigh* well, at least it was only her hair (Austin has had a few trims thanks to her) and it wasn't an entire pony tail this time. One more thing to look forward to the other two girls growing up to do :).

New Tooth Fairy Wanted

Current tooth fairy not up to necessary standards. Child places tooth under pillow and it sits there for several days. Sigh.

Tonight I said to Kurt, "The tooth fairy needs to come tonight." (I don't know why I mention this to him. He's never done tooth fairy duty. Well, except once when he slipped the money under the pillow while I fed the kids breakfast. They thought it was cool the tooth fairy came while they were awake.) Anyways, we joked about how our tooth fairy is always a few days late.

Where is our tooth fairy? Barbados? She wishes.

Things only children think are a good idea . . .

In a moment of chaos-- Jolie needed to be nursed, Olivia needed to be hugged, Nyah needed supervision, the dog needed to be let out to do his business, you get the idea-- I sent my "responsible" child, Austin to let the dog out. In our new house the yard isn't fenced, but we have an area with a dog pen where Dade is trained to go. All Austin needed to do was take Dade to this spot, wait while the dog did his thing, and then bring him back inside. Things calmed down and I suddenly wondered where the boy and his dog were, so I went to check and found my son peeing in the spot where Dade goes to the bathroom. When I asked if he just went pee in the yard he said, "Yeah, but it was in Dade's spot." Like that made it okay. Who's child is this?

On one hand its horrifying! Did anyone see, start in surprise and run down a mailbox on their way to taking their kids to school? And on the other hand its hilarious--my seven year old, long ago potty trained and instructed in "we go to the bathroom in the toilet" thought it would be a good idea to pee in the yard! I'm laughing about it now!

Knock Knock

knock knock . . . Who's there? Dwayne. Dwayne who? Dwayne the bathrub, I'm drowning.

knock knock . . . who's there? Boo. Boo who? You don't have to cry about it.

knock knock . . . who's there? banana. banana who? knock knock . . . who's there? banana. banana who? knock knock . . . who's there? orange. orange who? orange you glad I didn't say banana?

Sadly, these are the only knock knock jokes I remember from my childhood, and mychildren are getting tired of them. Every night, usually at dinner, Nyah turns to me with a smile on her face and says "knock knock" and launches into her made up knock knock jokes, which, truth be told, aren't exactly funny and most of the time don't make sense.

knock knock . . . who's there? carrot. carrot who? carrot head (as an example)

So, save us from ourselves and share your favorite, kid-friendly knock knock jokes.

The Battle Begins . . .

Today is laundry day. I call it that because I like to think I can get my laundry washed, folded and put away in a day. In reality, it should be called laundry week. Laundry, the "vicious circle," so called by Notting Hill character Spike, is not the battle I am referring to, though it certainly fits. Oh, no, the battle I mean is the one between myself and my daughter, Olivia, involving her "blankie." "Blankie" is not just her beloved blanket, it also doubles as cape, hiding place, napkin, teething ring, coat, comfort, and constant companion. It went to the dentist with us. It sits at the table with us. It goes to the park, store, doctor's, upstairs, downstairs, outside, inside, you get the idea. There is tomato sauce, salad dressing, dirt, saliva, and a number of mysterious spots all over. At lunch today she dropped a blig glob of chocolate shake on it. It gets caught under the stroller wheels and dragged down the sidewalk. Her dad teases her by pretending its his blanket, holding it and snuggling it, while she tugs on it and demandingly says "mine." When she's going to sleep she holds it and fingers it and bites it until her eyes close. Once upon a time it was a pretty pastel pink, and now its a dingy grayish pink. So we bought her a new one, a new exact same blanket from the exact same store, exact same company, exact same, but of course, NOT the exact same, as she clearly made us understand by completely rejecting it and demanding her "blankie."

She is Peanut's Linus, but far more adorable, even when she has a massive, major meltdown in front of the washer as she sees her blanket turning around inside. I admit, I have to be sneaky. I sort my clothes, put a load in, add detergent, turn it on, and am constantly on watch for when she is momentarily distracted and I can snatch it up and toss it in. This doesn't always work. More than once she has caught me in the middle and snatched it back. Or she pulls it out of the washer. The only assistance I have on my side is that the washer door locks when its running, so she pulls on the door and pounds on the window, crying "blankie" and she bursts into tears and falls to the floor and must be dramatically dragged away.

Whatever people may say about our weekly battle, it is her "blankie," and I admit to encouraging the relationship, and can be found searching the house with Olivia throughout the day, calling out "blankie."

Blanket on left (with chocalate stain) is "blankie," and one on right is "reject" and how "blankie" used to look once upon a time. As a pertinent side note, she was very upset when I borrowed "blankie" for this photo shoot.

Dentist, costumes, and kids . . .

What fun to start the day at the dentist's!! Its somewhat ironic to be going to the dentist's before Halloween. Nyah had beautiful teeth, no cavities and no tantrums about the cleaning. Austin has two small cavities--must floss more! and now its not just me saying it needs to happen, the dentist agrees. Olivia was an angel for the nurse and bit the dentist. He said kids her age really like the nurses, but cry when he comes, which she did too. She has 3 molars coming or going to come in soon, which explains why she isn't sleeping well. Jolie didn't see the dentist, but we know she has teeth coming in which is why she also isn't sleeping well.

Afterwards we went to the store where the kids picked out their Halloween costumes, i.e. the outfits they will be wearing until next Halloween. Austin will be a ninja, Nyah a go-go girl, and Olivia a princess. What is up with girl costumes? A Go-Go girl? Nyah--"Mom, what is a go-go girl?" Me--"Um, I don't know how to explain it." (NOT because I don't know of the 1960's trend of girls in miniskirts and go-go boots entertaining patrons at bars by dancing on tables and around poles, but because I don't know how to explain this to a 6 year old without it seeming fascinating and her dancing around our tables in like manner--its hard enough keeping high school musical and hannah montana out of our house as it is, anyways . . . ) Nyah--"It's a girl who says go-go." Me--"Oh, right, of course." Nyah picked it because there are ruffles around the wrists so she thought it was a cheerleader outfit and she has been running around making up cheers. "1-2-Go-Go." Thankfully the "mini skirt" of her costume is past her knees. So, I'm calling on my faithful readers for great girl costume ideas!! Any suggestions? Next year I'd like to have more to choose from than go-go girls, cheerleaders, princesses, witches, and boy costumes (earlier this month Nyah was going to be Bumblebee from Transformers, which I think would have been better than a go-go girl anyways). The world needs cool girl costumes. Empowering costumes.

Olivia is wearing Austin's old boots in the picture, they aren't intended to be part of the costume, though they do add that empowering twist to a princesses image. Sort of like a lot of the new princess books out there, like Goose Girl which is fabulous.

Jolie's favorite thing to do is chew on her hands, fingers, thumb, or feet. My favorite is when I catch her sucking on her big toe like its her thumb.

Pictures

Our house

House from front door
Our morning

View from back porch

Kitchen

Our House

We are still living in Herriman, Utah, a mile or two from the house we were renting. We found an awesome neighborhood, a great foreclosure home, and just like that we moved. Our neighborhood is on the city boundaries so we are next to wilderness again, though we have been told its going to be a golf course in the future. We are close to the stake center (and rumoured site of a future temple), there is also a charter school next to our subdivision (no-my kids are still going to be at home), and--bad news--legacy highway might be coming through here too (yuck). Our subdivision has a clubhouse, pool, basketball/tennis courts, and playground just around the corner. Our house is an open floor plan, 3400 sq. ft., with an unfinished basement to expand into. Kurt says he sees us settling down here for the next ten years. I haven't been in a house for ten years in my life so that should be interesting. I'm actually excited about it, but we'll have to see what the future brings.

Here's a quick update on all of us:

Kurt-busy working hard. He's back with Max Int. full-time right now, helping his friend Jeff getting things set after a few guys quit. He's also still managing Nutranomics so he's plenty busy.

Kelsey-back in my pre-Jolie-pregnancy jeans, with pre-Olivia jeans in sight. Busy juggling kids and unpacking boxes (will it ever end? and if I could even find the ones that are missing that would be great too.)

Austin-dressed as a ninja most days, too busy playing eat, go to the bathroom or be bothered by mom. Complete with 7 year old attitude.

Nyah-highs and lows, complete with 13 year old attitude. Queen of making her sisters smile and laugh (and cry).

Olivia-taking toddlerhood is stride, tagging along after Austin and Nyah, loves to make jokes and try to be funny. She's hilarious.

Jolie-has two new teeth, rolling from here to there, and happy to be entertained by siblings.

Dade-thinks he's starving and very sly at convincing Olivia to share.

As soon as my hundreds of pictures upload from my camera I'll get those promised pictures up.

Happy days to all of you!!

We moved . . .

The good . . . we moved and everyday stuff is out of boxes. we love our new house, neighborhood, and ward.

The bad . . . stuff still in boxes, and yard full of weeds.

The ugly . . . in a word "vomit." As a suggestion, on your first night in your new home, after a long day of moving and cleaning, as you are lying in your newly put together bed fading into sleep do NOT wonder how loud the laundry room next door may be if you happen to need to do a load of laundry at night. Because the next night when your toddler spends the night being sick you get to find out, and then a few days later when it hits the older kids.

The good . . . everyone is better, and I didn't get sick.

The bad . . . we haven't hooked up internet service yet and with Kurt price shopping it may be a while, so pictures, posts, emails, etc. are on hold.

The ugly . . . NO UGLY THIS WEEK-- HURRAY!!

We're Moving!!

Sorry, all you devoted readers, but I've been busy packing up the house. We are moving next week--Hurrah!! Its all happening rather fast, but we are excited. Hopefully I'll get some pics posted soon.

We are in Idaho Falls right now visiting the folks!! Will post pics soon!

Michael Scriptures

So, last month the Primary theme was about being a missionary ("Because I know we are all children of God, I will share the gorpel with others" to be exact), and since my brother, Michael, is on a mission I asked him to share some of his favorite scriptures with me so I could share them with my kids during our morning devotionals. You know, reinforce the whole idea of being a missionary and sharing the gospel and help them feel closer to him while he is away because they keep asking when they get to see him again. Which is better than them not asking about him at all. Anyways, short explanation turning long, and Michael being the good missionary he is, he sent a huge list!! So I decided to share some with all of you. I copied and pasted this from the online scriptures at www.lds.org so it even has all the footnotes, should anyone wonder or care.

Joseph Smith-History 1:16-17
16. But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

17. It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!

Busket List

6. Read all the books on my "To Read" list. It's long and growing every day.

Catching Up . . . with US!!

So, we finally sold our house in Hurricane--HURRAY! And the search has begun for a new house (sigh). I dread the work involved with finding houses to look at, going to look at then, putting in offers and waiting to hear, then packing, moving, and unpacking. But hopefully it'll be over soon.

All our kids are doing great. I started school with Austin and Nyah probably about a month ago, mostly just math, phonics, penmanship, and reading, and we've slowly started adding in our other subjects like history and science. But things are going great. Austin reads everything he can find and he's thrilled he finished the first collection of BOB books (about 17 short readers) in about a week. Nyah, of course, feels left out and displays grand emotional outbursts to the effect, but she's really close to making the connections to reading on her own too. Olivia is constantly on the go. She loves going to the playground and slinding down the slides or sticking her hand in the sprinklers at the splash pad. Whenever we pass one in the car she begins pointing and exclaiming and gets adorably excited. Jolie is 3 months old and way cute. She's a very happy girl, smiling and cooing her days away.

Kurt and I are good, crashing on the couch after the kids are in bed and vegging to the Olympics. We love the Olympics.

Catching Up . . . Book Reviews

Hello today!!

The Fortune Cookie Chronicles: Adventures in the World of Chinese Food by Jennifer 8. Lee-- As recently discussed with visiting family members, I haven't read a book so boring since high school/college text books. I wish the author had stuck to her quest of finding the origins of "Chinese" food in America. Instead, she addressed historical, political and social challenges facing Chinese people in America, interspersed with interesting tidbits about chinese food. Such as fortune cookies are Japanese, General Tso's chicken was never eaten by Genereal Tso, as most of the Chinese food Americans think of isn't really food eaten by Chinese people. My favorite line in the book came from her chapter about how Chinese restaurants began in America and the sheer number of them in America, where she concludes with: Our benchmark for Americanness is apple pie. But ask yourself: How often do you eat apple pie? How often do you eat Chinese food?

The Open Road by Pico Iyer-- This book is about the Dalai Lama, Tibetan Buddhism, the challenges he faces with the modern world, etc. What do I say about it? Hmmm, a Hindu Indian man, writing about his friend the Dalai Lama, leader of Tibetan Buddhism, being read by an American, Utah Mormon girl. Let's just say there was plenty "lost in translation." I won't even begin to attempt to think about how I'd review this book.

A Treasury of Great American Scandals: Tantalizing True Tales of Historic Misbehavior by the Founding Father and Others Who Let Freedom Swing by Michael Farquhar-- This is the second book I've read by Farquhar (A Treasury of Foolishly Forgotten Americans--see Book Reviews) and it is much more entertaining than the first one. Actually, at times I felt like I was reading the National Enquirer because some of these scandals are so far-fetched. The difference would be that these stories are actually true. One favorite part was when the author declares what many of us have probably been thinking about the girls who started the Salem Witch Hunt in 1692, by stating they were probably "just plain bored." Another part is about Richard Nixon in the author's "American Hall of Shame" where he shares the president's tirades as captured on recording equipment in the oval office. Nixon and his bugs, right? Anywho-- I'll share a quote from the book: "On His Vietnam Policy: 'I'd rather use the nuclear bomb.'"

Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi-- The kids and I love this book!! We've been listening to it in the car and it is wonderful. Disney totally messes up when they don't use more of the original stories. Kids would love a fairy with blue hair that is a little girl who becomes Pinocchio's sister, then an older woman who becomes Pinocchio's mother, then a blue goat who gives her cabin to the Talking Cricket, and finally the fairy who turns Pinocchio to a little boy. A blue goat? What is not to love about it!! We are listening to it again.

Picture Book: Marsupial Sue Presents The Runaway Pancake with audio CD, written and read-aloud by John Lithgow-- Think of the gingerbread man (can't catch me, etc.) but much more entertaining. "No, no. No, no, no. I'm too fast, you're too slow. Pan, pan, patty-cake pan . . . I can get away from you, I can." On the CD Lithgow is reading to a live audience of kids, which makes it much more fun.

Memories . . . .

My friend did this on her blog and it is fun to see the memories everyone thinks of. Add a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's fun to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

**As a side note, my internet service is pretty spotty right now so I'm sorry I haven't been posting much lately. Hopefully things will get better.**

The Film Club

The Film Club by David Gilmour

Synopsis: The true story of a father who lets his son drop out of high school--if he agreed to watch three movies a week with his father.

I enjoyed Gilmour's engaging writing style, and especially his humor throughout the book. It very much felt like I was sitting with him, listening to him tell his story. As a parent taking a non-traditional approach to educating my kids, I related to many of his feelings, worries about what would come of his decision to let his son leave high school. On the other hand, I don't feel like Gilmour was advocating his approach to be tried by others, or trying to tear down public education, or taking a political stand. He is just relating his experience with his son. It is amazing to see the quality of their relationship all because this father decided to take a real interest into his son and what he felt his son needed. This is especially true when contrasted with the father-teenage son relationships usually portayed by the media-- anger, frustration, rebelling, clashing against each other, etc. It was a quick read--I finished it in a day. Overall, I say thumbs up. As a warning there is profanity, and references to alcohol and sex, throughout this book.

Jolie's New Talent

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw Jolie fit her entire fist into her mouth. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get a picture--she's incredibly fast, but here are some different "almosts."

Nyah's Birthday

Nyah had a great birthday! She chose to go to McDonalds and had a great time (and ate some of her food). She came home with her Transformers toy and very happy. She picked a chocolate cake, with chocolate frosting and chocolate sprinkles. YUM!! She loved her presents and says

THANK YOU to everyone.

Saturday's Warrior

Because my husband didn't grow up in a LDS family he had never seen "Saturday's Warrior" and so I HAD to request it from Netflix and we watched it last night. Sort of. I'd forgotten about the sheer number of songs they sing so many of those we listened to in fast forward and I fell asleep for about 20-30 minutes in the middle and we had a few distractions (Olivia getting up from bed, taking care of Jolie, phone calls, Austin and Nyah, and so on).

He said, "It was corny at times, but overall had a good message."

At times???

Anyways, two questions he asked about it that I couldn't answer. Why is it called Saturday's Warrior? I have a feeling this may have been explained during the movie while I was sleeping or Kurt was on the phone or the other distractions I previously mentioned.

And the second question is about the Netflix description, which said that when it was first performed as a musical in the 70's the audiences found it "controversial" and Kurt wonders why. I don't know. I could guess-- a stay at home mom with 9 kids, one of the big issues focused on in the show, and it was the 70's after all. Or the audience was more a mix of non-LDS viewers so doctrinal things like pre-mortal life were controversial. Any other ideas?? (Besides hair do's and clothing, which were fashionable in the 80's when the movie was made.)

Nightmares

Earlier this week I woke in the middle of the night after a bad dream. The dream involved Austin being lost while we were out shopping. The kids and I went to the bathroom and when we came out he wasn't with us. Then I stopped at the post office to buy stamps (???) before we tried to find him, so of course we couldn't find him. Then I woke up. To make matters worse, my husband was out of town so I didn't have anyone to snuggle with or comfort me. So I made the rounds to check all the doors and all my kids beds to tuck their blankets around them, give them a kiss, and of course make sure they were still there. I hate the feelings of helplessness and stress and worry nightmares like this stir up inside.

So last night when Nyah came in our bedroom in the middle of the night after a bad dream I felt far more sympathetic about it than I have in the past. Usually I escort her (or whoever) back to their beds. She didn't want to tell me about it, so the theory of "talking about it" to help her feel better went out the window. Kurt told her to go back to her bed, instead I grabbed a sleeping bag and she climbed in. She went to sleep without another thought about her nightmare. Sometimes its nice to know that being her Mom, and being within reach, is all it takes.

Bucket List

Having just watched "The Bucket List" and following the lead of my sister, Jesse, I decided to create my own Kick the Bucket List. It will be a work in progress as I've never really thought about this before.

Sooo.....

1. Raise my kids into good adults--- a very broad idea I know, but mostly I want them to be happy and not end up in trouble, like drugs or jail.

2. Climb to the Base Camp of Mt. Everest--- No, I don't want to climb to the top. From what I read its colder than I ever want to be, more dangerous than I ever want to risk, and I'd have to be more physically fit than I'd ever want to spend time becoming.

3. Participate in a marathon--- Just so I can say I did.

4. Participate in a triathlon--- Not just so I can say I did. These actually appeal to me so I'd like to do more than one. Nothing as long or strenuous as an Ironman, but something on a local level.

5. Write a book--- What kind? Children's lit, novel, non-fiction- something someday.

Well, that's a start.

A Treasury of Foolishly Forgotten Americans

A Treasury of Foolishly Forgotten Americans: Pirates, Skinflints, Patriots, and Other Colorful characters Stuck in the Footnotes of History

by Michael Farquhar

I learned about this book on and NPR (National Public Radio) interview with the author. This book covers 30 men and women who made a mark on American history, but are forgotten--thus the title. Some of them I have heard of, such as Anne Bonny, female pirate of the Carribean. I enjoyed her chapter the best, even though I'm familiar with her due to my kid's interest in pirates. Though this book certainly adds details to her life not found in the children's books we've read together, and for good reason. Though born to a wealthy plantation owner , she'd much rather be a pirate than attend balls or other such proper social activity of her time. She's wild. "If you'd fought like a man, you wouldn't be hanged like a dog" is her fairwell to her pirate lover before his hanging. I love it.

Others in the book were interesting and appalling at the same time, such as Gaston B. Means, who is horribly MEAN. Fittingly called a scoundrel, he murders a woman by shooting her in the back of the head and claiming she shot herseld, and then fakes a second will to try to get her fortune, and that's just the beginning. What eventually lands him in jail (FINALLY!!), is the swindle he invented to make money from the Charles Lindbergh baby kidnapping by leading people to believe he is in contact with the kidnappers and he can have the baby safely delivered for $100,000, and then $35,ooo more, and then . . . . Yuck.

Others were more than just a little boring, like Alexander "Boss" Shepherd who made Washington DC beautiful. Not surprising he's forgotten. Good work I'm sure, but not my cup of tea.

Others a little crazy, like John Ledyard who attempted to walk around the world. Why? Yeah I don't know. He liked to be starving, cold, lost, and unsuccessful? Hmm. A glorified version of adventure? You would think he'd get the picture, but he kept going.

Overall, the book gets a thumbs up. I enjoyed most of it and I'm intersted in reading some of Farquhar's other books such as "A Treasury of Royal Scandals" and "A Treasury of Great American Scandals."

Richards Family July

True to our family's nature, Kurt is in Montreal, Canada, for a few days while the kids and I are hanging out at home. At this moment, Austin is playing Super Mario Karts on Wii while Nyah watches in her swimsuit from slipping and sliding outside. She's still wet. Olivia is wandering around our family room alternating between playing with toys and giving "loves" to Jolie, who is sitting with me. I use the term "loves" loosely as others may think more along the lines of "attacks" but I know Olivia means "loves." Intestingly enough, and probably not for all you readers out there, Jolie's diaper just leaked all over my lap. Its a sad homage to this phase of my life, and likely my fault, as I'm waiting to buy the bigger diaper size when I can use a coupon at Costco that doesn't start until the 17th. All you diaper using people out there know what I'm talking about. Besides, on the upside Jolie is also snuggling and falling asleep on my lap and sweet, coooing, sleeping babies totally beat a leaky diaper. Well, maybe not. Probably not. Better take care of that.


Here are some pictures of our month so far:

On a Friday . . .

I know, I know--she's adorable. I caught her in the middle of a smile which is practically a miracle.
The only time she isn't busy going a million miles a miniute. Wild and crazy--that's all there is to say about these two.

Hanging Out

Everyone wants their picture taken with Jolie! The kids are doing really well welcoming Jolie into our family with lots and LOTS (and some times too much) lovin'.

Jolie's Blessing Day

The Sunday after Austin's birthday we were able to give Jolie Madsen her name and blessing at church. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, soon after a baby is born they are presented in front of the ward and given a special blessing by their father, where the baby's name is given and recorded on the church records, and the father is able to give the baby a personal blessing at the same time. It was wonderful, and Kurt did a beautiful job. We were glad that Karla and Elaine, and Val and Brenda were able to be there for this special day!

Austin's Birthday

Austin turned 7 years old! He had a great day. He went to Kung Fu Panda with his Grandma Karla and Aunt Elaine. Then he hung out with his family in the backyard. In his picture he is dressed as Ang, the avatar, from the totally cool nickelodeon cartoon that our whole family loves!! (I made him put a shirt on so he wouldn't get sunburned otherwise he'd look more "authentic" or so he thinks).

They had a great time slipping and sliding and playing in the water too. Then we had a party with Papa and Grandma Brenda, as well as Karla and Elaine, with brownies with m&ms and ice cream on the side. SOOO YUMMY! I had some on my birthday too.

Napping with Papa

Austin's Last Soccer Game

Austin had a blast this year and is excited for next fall. He and Nyah will both be playing, and hopefully their practices and games won't conflict too much.

Hanging out as a Family

I think these were taken the end of May when we had some sunshine in between spring storms. This was Olivia's first encounter with the pool and she decided to sit on the side lines with a bucket of water instead.