Mary Full of Grace

I have this running list of people I would love to meet. This list is just in my head, you know, people I would like to sit down to a nice long lunch with, and ask lots and lots of questions. The list is getting longer, and should probably be moved to an actual written list. One name on my list, Mary of Nazareth, has been there awhile, but I seem to always come back to her at this time of year. My mom was telling me about a song she recently heard, Labor of Love, and it brought dear Mary to the forefront of my mind. This beautiful song brought all of the questions I have ever had about Mary, to the forefront of my mind. This song and all of my thoughts about the mother of Jesus have been on my mind for days.

I went and found a few versions of the song and they were all put to different videos or photos, but this is the one that I love the most.
Labor of Love Video

Heading Home

We had a great time, but we are ready to get back to reality.

 

This is what our day involved today...  But add about 5 more movies.  Hannah and Milo are the only 2 victims so far. It was just over a month ago (35 days to be exact) that we had a different tummy bug in our house. I am hoping we can be done with the pukies for the winter.

Roooaad Triiip!

I love road trips,  but I think I love the actual road trip more than the destination.  Cramming everyone into the car,  invading personal space... and even the crying,  whining and fighting.  We are forming real family bonds here!

Obviously,  from the look on his face, Jeff might not feel the same way.  Or perhaps he takes his driving responsibility very seriously. 

P. S.  This is on our trip to visit Jeff's family in Houston.

Crazy in Her Eyes

As a mother I find myself saying things I never imagine I would have to say, or in places I never thought.... Today I had to say: There is no body slamming in church!!

Today was one of those days that trying to referee 3 kids during church didn't disappoint. We were standing with the congregation while singing the rest hymn, The Spirit of God.... such a lovely song. I look over and see Vivien wrestling Milo on the church pew. Jeff gets her to get off, and she jumps back down on top of Milo.

Jeff manages to get her off for good, and she takes the pen she is holding (so glad she is body slamming Milo while holding a pen.) she places it between her teeth, bites down while baring her teeth and me and opens her eyes big and wide at me. She seriously had crazy in her eyes at that moment, and I loved every second of it.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

The kids were in playing,  I was in folding laundry,  and I heard Milo say to the girls...

"Let's get a knife and I'll bust this thing open!! "

Hmm...
Do I worry about the knife choice, the item being busted,  or the 30 possible fingers that may be in has way.

Sink or Swim

The last class of each swimming lesson session (that is a mouthful) does a water/boating safety type of thing. It involves putting the kids in a raft and splashing,twisting and turning them about before flipping them out.
I may enjoy this night too much! hehehe

Whaaaat!?!

We are in shock after asking a man in the parking lot to jump start our car, and he told us no!!
I hope he doesn't have a mother, or a wife, or a daughter that ever find themselves in the same situation.

Luckily, Hannah's very kind swimming teacher came to our rescue. Yes, mom, it was the same handsome teacher she had last session.

Genetics

I love that when the camera comes out Sweet Cheeks pulls a good face.  It is either the biggest, cheesiest grin or something like this.

She is so her mother's child. Love Her!

A Love Story

This is the tale of a boy and his love for his dog...

One day the boy was extra grumpy and tired.  His mama said he needed a nap,  and this made the boy mad.  While his mama was putting his sister down for a nal she was gearing herself up for the struggle she was going to have getting the boy to nap. When the mama came out she found the boy on the floor next to his best friend,  his dog. The boy and his dog have such a special bond,  because the dog can calm the boy better than anything or anyone else.


The mama loves the boy, the boy loves the dog,  the dog most likely loves the boy,  and the mama loves the dog for the power it has over the boy.

Aaahh...

Nothing like relaxing on a park bench, soaking up the sun, listening to your kids giggle and play.
Perk of the job. 

Sunday Struggles

I must admit that Sundays used to be a favorite of mine,  but they have dropped on the list lately. I try to take it easy and do as little work/cleaning as possible,  but the messes make me crazy. This morning we just let the kids play, and my house shows it, and I must admit they were getting along well... So well that they didn't want to stop  to get ready for church.  And trying to get my little troops to clean up is near impossible even with extravagant bribes.

You would think that the headache of getting out the door would be worth it, because of the 2 hour kid-free break.  But after the painful task of trying keeping my 3 ring circus to more of a 3 person mime show during sacrament meeting is exhausting.  And then I go teach a sunbeam class of 3 and 4 year olds.

Today was one of those hard Sundays where I struggled ji the morning.  But I was able to get something out of the speakers in between the shushing and separating of little people.  And even though it was the chaotic Sunday,  also known as the practice for the primary program,  there was a sweet spirit that brought peace.
We just finished dinner and my very crazy,  yet very happy children ran out back to play and I can't help but smile as I watch and listen to them play and giggle as only kids can. 

Hopefully I can remember this feeling next Sunday morning when we start the process again.

Girly-Whirlies

I love these 2 girly-whirlies and I love that they have such a fun little relationship.

What I don't understand is how someone as reserved and proper as me, has 2 crazy ladies for daughters.

Three Little Monkeys

The kids are out of school for fall break,  and Jeff asked if we wanted to venture out to Shawnee with him.  Years ago we went with Jeff often on these drives,  and they were always a bit of an adventure.  I have decided that my life must have been very boring back then...  Because these little trips aren't as much fun now.

The best part was the 5 minutes we waited out front of the Pottawatomie County Court House and watching my little monkeys entertain themselves.

The rest of the time, the actual driving part, involved lots of whining, fighting, yelling (mostly by me),  shushing the kids when Jeff had to take a call.

Ok,  in all fairness to my little troops,  this trip was supposed to take place in the ultra cool minivan (we might jave to rethink that name) ... But when we were picking Jeff up, I pointed out that the a/c felt like it wasn't working quite right.  So we took it back over the the mechanic. (Yeah,  we picked it up from them yesterday morning after having other repairs done.) We left the van and the entertainment (the dvd player and movies)  and took the car.

I can't wait...

Tomorrow is the first day fall break!! My kids are excited, not sure what they are excited for.... But I know that I am excited to stay in bed a little later and perhaps get a little more sleep!

If Only...

Does it make me a terrible mom to wish I had a nice little set of lockers at home, like these ones that are at our local YMCA to place my little monkeys in? I found as much enjoyment as they did when they climbed in and closed the doors.... If only they weren't so easy to open from the inside.

A Simple Truth

35

Today this guy turns 35

 He is a pretty fantastic guy... oh wait, he's a nice guy
(or so he would tell you. hehe)

Not feeling extra cheesy today, so I won't list 35 of his greatest qualities. 

But we couldn't let it pass by without saying... 
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

From your lovely family

Buzz

This evidence was found at 6:00 on a Saturday night.... 

the incident hadn't happened much earlier, 

the wrappers will still wet with saliva. 

The ice not yet melted.
(I should mention that this cup was over 1/2 full of a caffeinated drink.)

The guilty party was found... she is 2 1/2 years old.

Do you think she will sleep tonight?

What I didn't photograph was the kitchen chair she pushed across the kitchen to climb onto the counter, to get the tin of sweets off the fridge.

For a brief moment I was amazed that she pulled this off without either one of us knowing, but then I realized how smart she was.... she went outside to enjoy her prize in peace... and out of ear shot.

Better Late than Never, Right?

This is for you mom... Merry Christmas!!  HA!

1. Bought lunch for the car behind us in the drive through I was getting my coke

2. Hannah helped Saran get her things put away one morning at school.

3 .Megan emptied the dishwasher for Hannah.

4. Milo surprised Jeff by pre-pasting his toothbrush & leaving it for him to find. 

   (We won't tell Milo that the toothpaste fell off, so Jeff didn't notice, he just asked who was using his toothbrush.)

5. Cleaned Hannah's room.

6. Paid for the car behind us in line at McDonald's

7. Brought in grocery carts.

8. Hannah and her friend asked another friend who was lonely at recess to join them in their game of tag.

9. Patiently waited for my turn at redbox, while a group of teenagers took their sweet time 

deciding on movies in the cold windy. I even smiled & told them, no rush!

10, 11, 12. Hannah drew Milo's name when we did Secret Santa. Even though she said "this is going to kill me!"      

                She sought out every opportunity she could find to do acts of kindness for him. 

                (helped him get ready for bed, cleaned up his messes, left him notes on his bed, etc.)

13, 14. Brought in the garbage cans 2 weeks in a row for Jeff, something I usually never do.

15. When we were on one of our evening drives to see Christmas lights we went to the home of The Stone Family.

Fantastic lights that included a huge screen in the front yard & music videos.

They were accepting donations that they were giving to  OK Foster Wishes.

16. The kids put dollars into the bucket of the best Salvation Army bell ringer, 

and then we sat and listened to him belt out Christmas Carols.... he was the best bell ringer!

17. Bought lunch for the car behind us AGAIN at McDonald's.... 

we've had a lot of McDonald's this month, that $4.99 for 20 nuggets is a steal!

18. Left a bag of quarters taped to the tower of quarter candy machines.

19, 20. Took the bag of nasty diapers that I usually have collecting in the garage out to the garbage can...

Rather than leave them at the garage door for Jeff.

And I did this a few different times! (That's big, HUGE!)

21. Threw our change in the parking lot for others to find...

 "Find a penny, pick it up, all the day you'll have good luck!" 

22. Gave money to people in the parking lot at Old Navy.

23.Got out of my car to move a few stray grocery carts that were waiting for a gust of wind 

so they could do some damage & that happened to be taking up good parking spaces 

24. When approached by the bishop on Christmas Sunday I said yes to talking in Church.... 

I must have been taken over by the Christmas spirit.

25. Donated to the Regional Food Bank

Thanks, loved it!