My New Favorite

Snoring

So, Greg was teasing me before I left for Denver, saying that he'll be happy to get a good night's sleep without somebody constantly waking him up and rolling him over because of his snoring. (In reality, he doesn't even remember when I do this to him. But, his snoring does wake me up - especially in the early morning hours.) Anyway...while we were in Denver, Jen asked me, "How much do you want to bet that Macy ended up in your bed last night?" I said to Jen, "How much to you want to bet that she started out in my bed?" (Side note: We've had A LOT of trouble getting her to stay in her own bed lately. She climbs in on Greg's side because he lets her in and doesn't make her go back to her own bed. I don't even know she's in the bed until I wake up with Greg right next to me and realize that I'm sleeping on one foot of my king-size bed.)

Sure enough, when I got home, Greg said that she had slept in my spot. He woke up in the middle of the night with Macy's finger right under his nose. He kind of startled himself awake and shook her hand away. He said, "Macy! What are you doing?" She said, "Daddy...I really need you to stop breathing out of your nose." I guess his snoring was keeping Macy up! We laughed so hard when he told me this story.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

A few weeks ago, we went kite-flying for Family Home Evening. The kids had been begging us for weeks, and they weren't quite grasping our explanation that you can't necessarily fly a kite on any given day - there had to be wind! Anyway...we have actually had a very windy couple of weeks. The kids loved it - and they were thrilled with their Dollar Store kites. We had such a good time! I love these guys!

See...He really is such a great big brother!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this dress on my sweet Paige. My mom gave it to her. I love the bright pink, and I just love the way that it flows around her cute little body. It just bounced back and forth while she wandered all over the soccer fields. And don't you just love her curly little piggy on the top of her head. She's really reaching that rag-a-muffin stage (which I adore). But, I kind of have to pull her straggly hairs out of her eyes. She held onto the kite string, but would easily get blown over with a gust of wind. She never cried; she just got back up, brushed herself off (okay...not literally), and held her arm and hand out for the string again. And yes...that is my girl eating sticks, sand, and dirt (her personal favorite) mixing up great with her constantly snotty nose.
After kite-flying, we did a little batting practice. We pitched to Austin and he pitched to us (just like the guys on TV - Austin's words) while the girls played in the sand. What a nice evening!

I guess Austin did a little "playing in the sand" too (this is his way of focusing in-between batters, right?!?). I love you, bud!

Spring Skiing

Ski Rental for 2 People: $57.10

Lift Tickets: FREE (thanks for the Christmas present Mom and Dad)

2-Hour Kid's Lesson: $40

Sunscreen: $0 (we forgot to put it on and we got fried)

Lunch at the Lodge: $21.70

Being on the slopes with Austin (and not yelling at him ALL day): PRICELESS!

A "Sweet" Disaster

Macy's preschool class went on a field trip to Sweet's Candy Factory. Once again, something that was supposed to be a lot of fun turned out to be full of stress and frustration. They make you wear these little white caps that cover your hair. Not really a big deal, unless you're 13 months old. Paige was just too young to understand that she had to leave it on. So, I wrestled with her the entire time. Just before we went in, the lady was giving instructions while I was buckling Paige in one of their strollers. Macy walked around the corner to the drinking fountain. The lady said, "Who's child is that?" (I love that phrase!) She proceeded to tell me that I had to keep a very close eye on her while we're in the factory (duh!). Then, she explained to all the children that we had to stay inside the yellow lines. For all of you that know Macy, you know that she likes to mosey a bit. So, we were at the back of the group and Macy was a couple of feet behind me. Again...the lady lectured me, and only me, in front of the entire group about how I really need to keep an eye on her. She was staying inside the yellow lines, right?!? It's not that I wasn't aware of her. So, I spent the next few minutes trying not to cry for being reprimanded AGAIN while Macy's teacher walked over to us and took Macy's hand. I just kept wishing there was a way for me to escape and just leave.

Throughout the rest of the tour, I had to take Paige out of the stroller because she wouldn't keep her little cap on. Macy spent time in the stroller, out of the stroller, holding my hand, Miss Linda's hand, and a very nice Grandma carried Paige for me while I rescued Macy from another mother who was reprimanding her for not listening to the tour guide and playing with the taffy wrappers. Honestly! Why do I go in public with my children?!? I despise field trips almost as much as I despise Parent/Teacher Conferences. I haven't gone on one of Austin's for that very reason - I just can't handle all the other parents judging my son and my parenting. I know they will judge us even if I'm not there, but I don't have to witness it. I spent the entire tour wondering if I'm just over-sensitive or if my children really are so much more disobedient than all the other children in the world. The thing is...not one other child (or parent) got reprimanded during the entire tour. Macy (and I) got in trouble about five times. I never feel so inadequate as a parent as I do in public.

To top it off, there was a lovely message from Austin when I got home. It was his teacher and himself explaining everything that he was doing wrong today. A few day's ago, his teacher sent home this note, "Best first grade day so far! He (Austin) even spent a few hours at Table 7 away from Miss Karen! Yay!" For the past few days, in Austin's prayers, he has said, "Please help me to have another 'best day' at school. Please help me to graduate from Table 4." Poor kid! Why can't his teacher just handle it with him? Why does she have to get me involved? It's the middle of April for heaven's sake. It obviously isn't working to have him call home! Arghhh. I hate days like this! I feel like such a complete failure, and I feel absolutely zero incentive to go on!

*Explanation of Table 4: This is a table where four of the most difficult boys have sat for the past five months. Miss Karen, the full-time aide, sits at their table with them and helps keep them on task. A couple of weeks ago, two of the boys got to go sit at regular tables (like Table 7), while Austin and Seth were left at Table 4 with two girls who are good behaviorally, but struggle academically so they need Miss Karen's help.

Happy Birthday Greg!

Today is Greg's birthday. He was born six weeks early, and had to stay in the hospital for a few weeks. He is the fifth of eight, and just the perfect personality to be "stuck" in the middle. He is pretty easy-going, desires to be a peacemaker, and was (is) quite mischievous. When I asked his mother if he had a lot of ear infections as a baby, she told me that if he did, she never took him to the doctor. Her favorite story to tell of Greg is when he was a baby. Greg's older brother (just 18 months older than him) was climbing on the kitchen counter and they had the spiky, 1970s handles on their cabinets. Anyway...Brad jumped on one and it went though the bottom of his mouth. Greg was down for a nap. Greg's mom said that she could always count on Greg napping for 3 hours. So, she ran Brad to the Emergency Room and left Greg home asleep. Sure enough, they got home before Greg woke up. It's true to this day - he is still a great napper!

So stinkin' cute!

Greg's parents say that he was the child who got into the most trouble (although he claims that his older siblings just blamed everything on him), but they also say that he was the happiest child. Even if he was in trouble, he would just smile and go along with any punishment. He still does that, only I call it "ignoring" (j/k, j/k, j/k).

I know this isn't me (I was still in Elementary School), but how hot is he in this picture!!! The mullet, the gold chain, and the Miami Vice pink tank top. Oh baby, baby!!!

He really is a great guy, an amazing father, and I absolutely love him to pieces. He has such a great heart, and really tries so hard to make everyone around him happy. I've never met any man so sensitive about birthdays - he hates them! So, I'll just say that he's 30-something and post some pictures of his "glory" days. I love you, honey! Try to enjoy your birthday week!

My Prayer Today

The Serenity Prayer

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.
--Reinhold Niebuhr

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. - Proverbs 3: 5-6

Quote of the Day

I stole this from my sister's blog who is beautiful, intelligent, loving, patient, a hard-worker, dedicated, spiritual, sweet, incredibly kind and fighting a very big battle right now:

"Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

My Responsibilities

When Austin was a toddler, I used to make myself crazy worrying about his eating habits. I tend to be a little hypoglycemic, and I think Austin has this trait as well. Whenever I am irritable, Greg looks at me and says, "When was the last time you ate something?" If I think about it, it has usually been a long time. Austin is also incredibly susceptible to food, and starts acting very naughty when he hasn't eaten or if he eats the wrong types of food. When he was a little toddler, we were at my parent's house, and he was acting particularly crazy and naughty that day. After countless attempts to discipline him, I realized that he was probably hungry. I fixed him something, and tried every game in my hat of tricks to get him to eat. (It never fails - when he really needs to eat, and is incredibly hungry, he fights it so much!) I'll never forget the look on my sister's face when she observed him after he had eaten. He was a totally different kid.

Anyway...I really made myself crazy trying to get him to eat. My doctor suggested a couple of books, and they changed my life. (Yes - I am one of those people. Whenever I have a problem that I cannot seem to solve on my own after several failed attempts, I research and buy a book.) This book pointed out that it is not my responsibility, as a parent, to get my children to eat. It is my responsibility to provide food for them and thereby give them the opportunity to eat. I DO NOT have control over getting food into their mouths, chewed, and properly digested. I DO have control over offering them several, healthy choices. Although I still get worried at times, my life has changed immensely by realizing my responsibility.

I've thought a lot about this lately. I recently realized that Austin is actually closer to being a teenager than he is to being a baby. As I listened to Conference, I realized that my responsibility is to love my children and teach them the gospel. I am not responsible to ensure that they learn it and follow it perfectly throughout their life. I get so stressed out over Family Home Evening because it appears like my kids could care less. They don't seem to listen, and they love to either goof off with each other or see who can make whose life more miserable. I had this epiphany that all I have been asked to do is hold FHE. I am supposed to take this time to teach my children, but I can't FORCE them to listen and learn it. That is their responsibility. Just like with the food situation, I have been asked to provide a loving environment in our home where the gospel is lived and taught. If I try to force it on them, I am not longer following Christ's example. Taking away one's agency is Satan's approach, not Christ's.

I thought Conference was filled with talks addressing the need to treat other people with more love and kindness. Of course, I was very touched by Elder Ballard's talk on Motherhood. I felt his love and genuine concern for all of us "young mother's." I was also extremely touched by President Monson's plea to those whose hearts are broken, whether by their own sins or the actions of others. He pleaded with these people to come to Christ and embrace the gospel. He then explained that it is our responsibility, as imperfect, flawed members of the church to reach out in love and support to those that are suffering. I sat there, watching this talk with Austin and Macy both on my lap, with tears streaming down my face. I was astonished and amazed that, once again, this was a testimony that the Lord knew me and my family. Horrible events had happened earlier that morning, and here was the Prophet of the Lord, addressing these events and offering answers just hours later. My love and appreciation for this man, the organization of the gospel, and the tender mercies of the Lord deepened immensely.

This next part is a little cheesy (you've been warned):
I've also been thinking about a line in "Because of Winn-Dixie," the book that Austin and I just finished reading. One of the older characters offers advice (this is set in a small town in the South, and this is a very wise, although uneducated character): "There ain't no way you can hold on to something that wants to go, you understand? You can only love what you got while you got it." Obviously, I apply this to my children because this is my season of life right now. We can only love them while they are with us. Hopefully, we will show them enough love to help them through their trials and temptations after they leave our home. This is exactly what Elder Ballard said when he talked about the "formative years" of our young children. However, I think this can apply to anyone. For example, I watch my parents struggle with their ailing parents. I guess they can only love them while they're here, because they won't be here for much longer.

These are just my thoughts. I function much better when I concentrate on my responsibilities and focus on things that I have control over. As always: I pledge to show more love to those around me. I pray that they accept my love.

O Captain, My Captain

So, I was making cookies for Conference Weekend, and Macy and Claire were helping me. I got out my big Kitchenaid and was just using the blender attachment. I store it all together on my counter, so I took the other accessories out of the bowl and put them off to the side. Macy picked up the Dough Hook and said, "I'll be Captain Hook."

Then, she picked up the Flat Beater, handed it to Claire, and said, "Here. Now you can be Captain Moroni."

Boys...Boys...Boys... (and Girls...Girls...Girls...)

So, Greg took Austin to Lava Hot Springs last night for some one-on-one time (he is such a great Dad). I guess a girl came out in a bikini sporting off a fair amount of cleavage. Greg said that Austin could not take his eyes off her. Really!!! He's only six!!!

Greg's dad has season tickets to the Utah Utes basketball games. We are lucky enough to get the tickets a couple times a year. Last year (when Austin was only five!!!), we went to the game as a family. He wasn't too interested in the basketball. He would occasionally watch a play or two, but he was much more interested in the mascot and the air gun that shoots free T-shirts. But, the cheerleaders came out and did a dance during one of the time-outs. Austin stood there and watched the entire time (it was probably a couple of minutes long). At the end, he turned around and said (very matter-of-factly), "I like those girls." Goodness!

I didn't have a picture of the girl in the bikini, so I thought I would post some of Austin doing a little reading. You can't tell, but he's got a toothpick in his mouth. So funny!

Show More Love!!!

This was Austin's prayer tonight:

Dear Heavenly Father:

Thank you for this day. Thank you for my mom and dad and Macy and Paige.

Please help me to be a good boy.

Please help me to be a good boy at school.

Please help me to be a good boy at home.

Please help me to listen to my mom and dad the first time they ask.

Please help me to be a really, really good boy.

Please help me to listen to my teachers at school.

Please help me to make good choices at school.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

This is my prayer forever and always in my heart:

Please help me to not be such an angry person. Please help me to show more love toward my children instead of frustration and anger. Please help me to stop yelling, once and for all! Please help me smile and laugh more often. Please help me get rid of the mean, grumpy face that I show my children much too often. Please help me not to take things so seriously. Please help me to slow down and enjoy my children. Please help me to see the situation from their point of view. Please help me to remember to act in a loving way when I'm in the middle of the situation, and not just afterward. Please help me to show empathy. Please help me act in a way that the spirit can dwell in our home.

Please, please, please forgive me for hurting their feelings and shattering their spirits. Please forgive me for being so cruel toward the people I love the most.

*I read this again this morning, and it sounds like I beat my children. I don't! I don't remember the last time that any of them got a spanking. I just feel like I have such a short fuse lately. It seems like I wake up in a rotten mood and I can't shake it throughout the day. It seems like all my frustration is taken out in my impatience toward my kids. It just breaks my heart when I hear Austin say a prayer like that. He's not a "bad kid." I don't want him to think that - ever!

Winn-Dixie for Family Night

I mentioned it before, but I've been reading "Because of Winn-Dixie" to my kids for the past several weeks. Actually, Macy probably only listened to about half of it because of her attention span, but Austin was totally into it. It's been harder for me to get him to read out loud with me the past several months. So, I decided to read this one and not pressure him. When we were done with the book, he asked me if on our next book, we could take turns reading paragraphs. Yeah! Anyway...we had a lot of fun reading it. The book is set in a very small town in Florida. It's a very relaxed book with a lot of introspection - so not really fast-paced or full of excitement. But, we both really liked it.

For Family Night, Greg set up the projector in the basement, covered the windows with heavy blankets, and we created our own little movie theater. We all bundled up on the floor and watched the movie. It was cute, and pretty true to the book. Since Greg didn't read the book with us, he would ask periodically, "Is that in the book?" There were some things that I really couldn't remember, but Austin could. That kid has a phenomenal memory. He really amazes me.

We had a lot of fun. Austin had a hard day at school (again!!!), and I was irritated with him (again!!!) to the point that I almost canceled the movie night. I am so glad that I didn't! We really had a lot of fun watching it together. The funniest part was that Paige got a hold of the remote near the beginning of the movie. Somehow, she turned on the subtitles and changed them to French. So, whenever there was any writing on the screen (a sign, note, etc.), the French writing appeared. We laughed every time!

We did this last year with "Swiss Family Robinson" - read the book then watched the movie. So, let me know if anyone has any suggestions for our next book.