30 January 2010

sPEEdy world

Have you ever really stopped to notice just how fast paced our lives are today? I know that I am always on the go, racing from one thing to the next, trying to beat the clock and get as much done as possible.

Never once have i stopped to consider the effects that this has on our children collectively throughout the community and even perhaps the world, but Thursday night, the truth rushed into my face....

We attended the Family Math Carnival at Natalys school. Many families were there, not just the kids who attend that school and a parents but whole families, which was pleasing to me. Of course I had my whole entourage with me(i.e. Cory and the kids). We went from classroom to classroom playing math/number based games and winning little prizes for the kids, a bag of freshly popped corn as well.

In the midst of this fast paced evening activity, I witnessed three...yes, count them...THREE kids wet their pants. I felt sad and ashamed....mostly because this happened to my daughter less than a week ago...there was so much going on that although she asked to go to the bathroom, the teacher told her to wait and by the time she "got the chance" she fell short of the pot.
How often do we do this ourselves as adults? I find myself quite often having to "hold" it, or I tell myself that i can wait until I accomplish just a little more.
To do this leads to extremely poor bladder health and for women poor bladder support. For any and all who have trouble jumping on a trampoline you know just what I am talking about.
So, perhaps we can all slow down just a bit, stop...and sit on the pot, bring a magazine and enjoy the time.

26 January 2010

Sisterly Love?


We gathered around the table tonight for some girly fun and bedazzled our fingernails and toenails...much to Ethans discontent because he feels so left out. I finally relented and swiped some clear on, and honestly sometimes I do paint his toe nails!


Any-who, the girls are supposed to be getting Pjs on and picking out clothes for the next day, i am still at the table cleaning supplies up and I hear a horrible horrible shrieking noise.


I drop the bag of nail decorations and full on run back to the bedrooms where the little darlings sleep.


I find Rylee and Nataly standing in the middle of their room each holding one end of a pair of Pj pants and tugging for all they are worth!


"I want to wear them tonight!" "But they still fit ME!" "Well, they look better on ME!"(I kid you not...that is what came out of Rylee's mouth) "NOOOO, I want them!"....well you get the idea.


Sighhhh, I really thought it would be at least a few more years before I had to deal with the clothing wars. I seriously thought they would be in the teen years.


Apparently I was wrong. We do have arguments over hair dillys and accessories, but its never been on this grand a scale.


I quickly intervened to avoid what was sure to be bloodshed.


In the end, well, I took the dang Pj pants away and NOBODY got to wear them...


24 January 2010

Generation gap

Tonight I was working on compiling a new playlist for myself. Emily was watching over my shoulder and commenting on each song I chose to download. Apparently I am a "cool" mom b/c she knew most of the songs I was picking...but it wasn't until Rylee, my three year old, came up and started singing "paparazzi" by Lady Gaga that I figured one of two things...they are growing up really fast or I am hanging on to my youth with the music that I listen to.
In all honesty, I know they are growing up fast, I see and hear new things from them all everyday. I still remember the moment I found out I was expecting each of them, and the moment that they were born...seems like yesterday.
However, I have always been one who listens to a VERY wide variety of music, and yes, I know that some of it is just down right weird, but I am okay with that. Music is everything for me. More often than not, I think in terms of songs...such as..."you know that song____well, thats just how I feel at this moment"
I am sure some of you have seen the group on FB that you can become a fan of, something about wishing the epic moments in our lives were set to a soundtrack, well THATS ME! There is always some form of music going on in my head, even if its not playing outloud for the world to hear...its there for me to enjoy.
I hear comments all the time about how well my children know the songs we are singing/learning at church. My reply is always the same...its because we sing and listen to music constantly at my house...no seriously, we do. Cleaning is almost impossible to do at my house without an energy pumping playlist blasting from the speakers. And many times, I play guessing games at the piano with the kids, in relation to the songs they know from church...well the ones I can actually play since I am a really amatuer when it comes to my piano!
Back on track here...Emily progressed from making comments about my playlist to making suggestions for the playlist...and now she wants me to download it to her mp3 player...sigh, do you have any idea at all how old I feel to be sharing a playlist with my daughter?!?! yikes, whats next...she will want to borrow my lip gloss or some clothes...oiy.

14 January 2010

sleeping beauties











Classes this semester require that I be away from home one full evening a week. This leaves Cory to run the bedtime circus, and while he is fully competent, it was a bit confusing for the kids last night. I had made it known to all of them that I would not be here when they got up from naps or home from school and that I would not be home until they were in bed and asleep.
Last night when I got home all was quiet and the children were asleep in their beds. I missed all the good night routines so I crept quietly into each room and gave each child a kiss.
Nataly happens to sleep on a top bunk and was so far over that I could not reach her well, so I kissed my fingers and placed them on her face, I let them linger just a bit, she stirred and said(in her sleep) "Whats that smell?, It smells pretty...like my mom". I melted inside, what a tribute!
I have always been a firm believer in taking a few moments to watch my children sleep, especially if the day has been rough. For me that quiet reflection reminds me just exactly why all of the chaos is worth it. To see them so relaxed and peaceful brings the peace inside of me, I can let go of the power struggles and messes and everyday life. Its a moment of wonder and awe to know that I helped create this precious beings. They continue to be the reason I do most everything in life, because I simply love them.

10 January 2010

A little over a week ago, I posted on Facebook that I would not be setting any goals for the New Year. I made that decision based on the fact that this first part of the year is going to be hectic for me with a full class load and my family to care for. What if I failed in these "goals"? Then I would be down on myself, feel depressed...its a vicious cycle that I don't want to get into right now.

Flash forward to today...Cory and I are sitting on the bench at church holding hands with a kid on each of our laps, and one apiece on our sides. The speakers were asked to speak specifically about goal setting...sighhhhh.

Let me summarize by saying that I will be setting goals. But in setting them I will have a plan to accomplish each item, I will record them and put them out where they are visable, I will re-evaluate often and keep track of my progress.

To say I am looking forward to setting and posting these goals could not be further from the truth! To say that I need to set these goals and work hard to obtain them is an absolute truth.

1. Have lunch at school with the girls once a month.
2. exercise for 1 hour AT LEAST 2x's a week, 3 preferably.
3. Date night, once a week...need I say more?
4. Maintain GPA.

There...that wasn't so painful now.

03 January 2010

♫♪♫I know He lives! I will follow faithfully! My heart I give to Him, I know that my Savior loves me.♫♪♫
I stood in front of close to 20 kids today ages 3-11 and sang a song titled "I know that my Savior loves me". It is a song that we will be learning and later will incorporate into our yearly program at church. In planning how to teach this song, I also had to form a plan for teaching about the spirit and feeling his love for us and other...because this song touches me in a way that few others in the world do, I knew I was going to cry in front of those kids today. Even now, sitting here typing these words and remembering there little voices singing such wonderful melodies and beautifully thoughout words makes my eyes tear up.

I have finally figured out that I love my calling, and while it has rough spots it is the most special calling I have ever had. For the first time in the year that I have held this calling, I want to magnify it and do my best by those children. Not because I care what others will think of the performances(ok, I do care about that, but not as much as before), but because I want these children to know of the love that our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for them. My hope and prayer is that one song, just one song that I teach to them will stick with them and help them in anytime of need they encounter.

There is nothing in this world as special as a child.