Saturday morning cleaning

Saturday was a day of cleaning. I told the kids there would be a Jamba Juice reward if we worked really hard and got their toy room cleaned up on Saturday. They took it to heart and picked up their toys and then turned to the bathroom. Evan and Kamri washed the walls while Sara cleaned the counter, sink, and mirror. I would have usually had a hard time letting them do this, but I have been trying to be better at saying yes to the kids when what they want to do won't hurt anything or anyone. I usually need to have control over most things, but it feels so good to let things go sometimes. Hopefully I can keep it up. The kids were so proud of themselves and felt like they had done a huge favor to me. It hurt no one and only made everyone happy. It was a great morning.

Just practicing....

I walked into the living room the other day and this is what I found. Kamri was changing her doll's diaper. She even had to take her own pants off first. She was so excited and proud of herself. We had a good laugh. I just wish she was old enough to change a real baby's diaper. Wouldn't that be awesome?!

B-ball cookies

We were in charge of Evan's team treat last week for his last game. I made these sugar cookies. Their team name was the Jazz. They look good, but they tasted even better. Yummmmmmm!!

It is worth it

I was just reflecting a little bit today. I was reading the Friend with Sara and Evan. I don't remember what we were reading or talking about but Evan told me he was trying to be good like Jesus. It reminded me of a day not too long ago that I was talking with Evan. We had a little argument with eachother. I don't remember the particulars. He had done something he shouldn't have and I overreacted badly. After I had calmed down a little bit he was still a little upset so I held him for a little bit and talked to him calmly. We talked a little about making good choices and trying to be like Jesus. (I needed the reminder as much as, if not more than, he did). He looked up at me and, sobbing, said "I'm trying to be like Jesus. It's just too hard." How true is that? It is hard to act like we should ALL of the time and of course none of us are perfect no matter how hard we try to come across that way. But how blessed are we to have a Heavenly Father who loves us inspite of our mistakes and shortcomings. A father who knew it wouldn't be easy. A father who sacrificed His son, our Savior, so that we can become perfected. One of my favorite sayings since I was in high school is "I never said it would be easy. I only said it would be worth it." I'm realizing more and more that anything worth it rarely is easy.

Jungle Jim's

A few weeks ago I told the kids we would go to Jungle Jim's as one of our last activities before school started up again. But we couldn't go because Sara was sick with strep. So, to make good on my promise to take them some other time, we went Monday since it was a day off of school. We ended up having all the cousins come with us. They had so much fun. Way more fun than if we had been there by ourselves. After the kids had their fill of rides we all crossed the street and went to Fazoli's for lunch. It was a successful day and I no longer have to hear the question, "When are we going to Jungle Jim's". Kids don't forget!!!!

I was a little annoyed yesterday as I was listening to the Today show and Good Things Utah. They were talking about the inauguration - sort of. They were talking about what Michelle Obama was wearing and the designers she chose to wear and what everyone was saying about it and if they liked it or not. For 20 minutes. Really? I guess the important thing about a person being sworn in as the President of the USA if what his wife is wearing. Let's just hope we don't all end up like the Nephites who's downfall was the obsession with "costly apparel". Is it really that important? I don't get it.

Cute Conversation

I have always meant to put the cute-make-you-smile (and some that don't make you smile) things my kids say. But, like a lot of other things I mean to do, they don't get done. I've decided to try and see how it goes this year.

Tuesday night before bed I was reading to my kids out of President Hinckley's "Stand a Little Taller" book. We read a scripture and quote about work. The quote said something to the effect that work is what brings about our talents and makes our dreams become reality. I was explaining it a little more to them. this is how the conversation went....

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S: That means I can live in a castle. (eyes huge and very seriously)

Me: (chuckle) Sure. That would take a lot of work and a lot of money.

S: Oh

Me: But, you can feel like your living in a castle anywhere you live. Even in our little home you and Kamri can feel like a princesses and Evan can feel like a prince.

S: And Dad can be the king, you can be the queen, and we'll be the princesses and prince.

M: Yep.

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I never knew Sara aspired to be a princess and live in a castle. They went to bed with smiles on their faces. Oh, the things you can learn when you sit down and talk to your kids.

A few (not-so)-well-known lines...

Ben had never seen The Wizard of Oz. Seeing as how we are going to the play Wicked in May I thought he should see the movie to get some background so he wasn't completely confused when we saw the play. So this weekend we borrowed it from my parents. It was kind of funny to watch his reaction when lines that he has heard his whole life were said and the realization that they were from this movie. Some of them were....

* "I'll get you my pretty. And your little dog, too"

*"Lions and tigers and bears - oh my!"

* "Ding dong, the witch is dead."

* "Follow the yellow brick road."

* We're off to see the wizard."

* "I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore."

* and the song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow"

Some of them I couldn't believe he didn't know wher they came from (i.e. "Follow the yellow brick road" and "I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore") but I guess I wouldn't know if I had never seen it.

Saturday morning we were talking about the lines and the kids wanted to put a play together acting out The Wizard of Oz. It was so fun and the kids were so proud of themselves.

The wicked witch, Toto the dog, and Spiderman

(I know. There's no Spiderman in the movie, but it's the only thing Evan had to dress up)

Sara was a very good director and helped Evan remember his lines by whispering them to him

Now I just hope this baby doesn't come as early as Sara did so we can actually make it to the play. I would be so sad to miss it.

Random Tidbits

Well, it looks like our life has slowed down a bit since the holiday season ended. I realized I haven't updated for a while. Why? Because not much has happened. Here are some random tidbits from our uneventful life the last couple weeks. Uneventful can be good though.

The kids love their snow shovels. Almost everyday they ask if they can go out and shovel. One sunny day we took the chance to take some of the once-frozen-snow-now-slush off our driveway. Another surprisingly warm day we took some snow off the pile out onto the driveway to melt. It melted quite fast.

Kamri is obsessed with pockets. She loves to put her hands in the pockets of her pants, shirts, or jackets. She even reminds us to put our hands in our pockets.

Kamri has some wicked bed-head

Random cuteness

AMAZING

I have been able to feel the baby move for quite some time now, but this morning Ben felt him kick, too! Everytime he moves inside me it amazes me. (Just the fact that a person is growing inside me conmpletely amazes me.) But something astonishing happens when someone on the "outside" of this whole experience feels it for the first time. It's different somehow. I don't know how to explain it in words, but all of you mothers out there know what I'm talking about. Can you explain it better than I can?

SOS

I guess the makers of maternity clothes (more specifically pants) think only short people get pregnant. Those who know me know I am NOT short. I have become DESPERATE. I'm looking for a pair of jeans and other casual pants (i.e. cords or khaki) that will not fall down every time I move. I've just been wearing my regular jeans using the elastic technique around the waist, but that is not working any more. The hard part is finding them long enough. So all you tall girls out there who have had this problem, where do I go? Any ideas? Online would be fine, but if there is a store out there (in somewhat close proximity to me) that carries them that would be perfect. HELP!!!

For family journal purposes, I'm including a picture of me from last Tuesday. The half way mark. Let the countdown begin!

great visitors

New Year's Day, after the festivities at my parents' home, Ben's sister and brother and their families came over for a couple hours. His brother has 7 kids and his sister 4. So in total there were 20 of us crammed in our little place. It was great because it has been years since that many of Ben's family have been together. He comes from a family of eight kids and not two of them live in the same state. That makes it hard to get together.

Ben with his brother, Dan, and his sister, Kim

The cousins

All 20 of us