love

 To celebrate Valentine's Day we had a special love family night on Monday evening.

The family was split into partners and each partnership was supposed to find a scripture about love to share with the rest of us.  We ended up with perfect scriptures talking about loving God, family, neighbors, and everyone else.  It was perfect.  We talked about love for our Savior also and I shared this......

from pinterest

Then we sat in a circle and each of us had a heart with our name on it.  We sang songs about love (Love One Another, A happy family, etc.) and passed the hearts around.  When the song was over we got to say something we loved about the person whose heart we had.  We did it a few times, and it was very sweet.  Everyone said such thoughtful and kind things about each other.  Lots of giggling and silliness of course - it just wouldn't be the same without it at our house!

We finished off with Corina's treat....heart shaped sugar cookies that we all made and decorated.  (Even though we all felt sick afterward and vowed never to eat another sugar cookie.  It's tradition!!)

Valentine's Day morning I had set up our table a little bit fancy (kinda hard to make our table look very fancy,  but I tried), and we ate heart-shaped "One-eyed-willies" and pink juice.

image & inspiration found  here

That's about it.

The kids had valentines parties at school.
We didn't make fancy valentines - tried to keep things a little more simple this year.


Best part of the day:
Dave and I celebrate our Valentine's Day 2 weeks earlier every year (when we had our first date), and it's so special to us.  I don't expect anything on V-Day.

This year after dinner he jumped right up and did all the dishes and cleaned the whole kitchen for me (a job he despises).  He came in and whispered to me that flowers die, chocolate makes us fat, but to show how much he really loves me he cleaned my kitchen.  He knows that my love language is totally acts of service, so that was the best gift he could ever give me!


good things:
my valentine
my 9 adorable best friends
funny little hearts cut out by my 4-year old

I'm tyoo!!

At 2 Leandra:


*is a tornado......she gets out ALL the dolls, ALL the books, ALL the shoes, ALL the baby toys, ALL the play food.

*always falling, tripping, bumping, and getting hurt.  A complete klutz like Corina was.

*LOVES loves loves books.  She brings me books all day and DEMANDS that I read to her

*is a little behind in her speech.  If she was my first child I would worry more, but since I've had others that have been the same way and they are very smart kids - I'm not worried!

*has darling curly red hair

*dances & twirls around the house

*likes coloring (often on things she shouldn't color on)

*LOVES her dollies.  We have a lot at our house, and she likes undressing them so that we can dress them again.  She always has a doll in her hands.

*is addicted to her binkie.  Never had a kid like binkies past 6 months, but she's obsessed.  We've gotten rid of it several times only to have her steal Landon's.  Luckily he's almost done with his so we'll be able to get rid of binkies altogether!

*deeply feels music.  It's really interesting and endearing....... when she hears beautiful music she will close her eyes and start singing (nonsense words or names of her family because they are words she knows), and usually with the funniest vibrato (like an old woman).

*lives to make others laugh.  Since she was very young she does things that she knows will get us all giggling, and then she throws her head back with a hearty laugh and really enjoys it!


Leandra is a girl with a strong personality.

She reminds me so much of Corina, so I expect very good things in the years to come!

Sometimes she makes me crazy, but mostly I think she is a darling and very fun little girl!!


good things:
she doesn't even know it's her birthday so we can celebrate next week without her knowing


valentine sugar cookies


taking a hot shower after not having a working water heater for 2 days

when I grow up......

Mariah wants to be an author, a mom, and a teacher when she grows up.

She's always making little books - stapling paper together, drawing pictures, and writing very creative stories.

We have so many beautiful pictures drawn by Mariah, and she loves to make the sweetest cards for each of us.

Her favorite thing to do is play school.

She loves to set up her whole "classroom" and make little homework pages for her "students" (usually Elli and Lea).

She is such a sweet little teacher, and Elli has learned quite a bit from her big sister already!!

good things:
school supplies, especially freshly sharpened pencils
so many wonderful lessons in church today
a chance to chat with friends for a few minutes

hands full

I wish I had more than one lap to hold my kids on .  We love reading together before bed!!

As a mom with 9 children I am very used to people staring, counting, and asking "Are these all your kids?!!!".

Most people just assume they are mine since there is such a strong family resemblance.

I do get many comments - usually nice ones - about my many children.

One that I hear nearly every day (even if I only have my 3 youngest with me - if they only knew how many I left home!) is, "You have your hands full!"

I always just smile and agree.

I've often wished I had something to say back to them........... something that expresses to them how blessed my hands are, or how full my heart is to have my wonderful children.

My sweet friend Hollie expresses herself so much better than I do, so I hope she doesn't mind me quoting her beautiful thoughts.

"If I were to say something about the most precious thing in my life right now, it would be about the sweetness of rocking my own babies, and holding and watching them while they sleep.  As simple as it sounds, nothing in my life has opened my heart so wide.  There's something so eternal there, it nearly takes my breath away.  Never have I felt feelings so pure.  The work of motherhood is hard and exhausting.  But it is holy.  I know it a thousand times over.  What a privilege, sweet and pure." 

Nothing brings me more joy than having my hands full!!


good things:
working hard
expressing frustration and having my sweetie rush to my aide
running into old friends 

open W I D E

To celebrate the anniversary of our first date 18 years ago, my very romantic husband took me to a hotel.  

We went out to eat, we relaxed in the hot tub, we ate strawberries drenched in nutella, we watched psyche, we stayed up late, we slept in and didn't have any kids waking us up, we listened to our favorite romantic music, we enjoyed a delicious breakfast at the hotel, and we snuggled to our heart's content.

Totally wish we could go every weekend.  Sigh.

This is what we found on our camera the next day.......

Apparently no-one could find Lea a smaller bowl and spoon.

She didn't seem to mind.

(I'm so glad I didn't come home to that messy kitchen.....my house was spotless when we got back. I have the best kids ever!!!)

Such a BIG girl!!!


good things:
*18 blissful years


*going to the elective fair (3rd time now) at the high school - my Tanner will be there next year


*having tons of energy and feeling great today

country reports

All the 6th graders at Adri's school are almost finished up with their country reports.

It's been a HUGE project...... with lots of tears, stress, frustration, and hair-pulling.

They each had to contact a consulate from their country, do a written report, a power point, a poster, a food sample, and a presentation in front of their class.  They also had to do a display at an International Fair after parent teacher conferences.

I thought it was WAY too much for 6th graders.  Adri is a perfectionist, and the whole thing put a lot of pressure on her!

When I went to the International Fair I changed my mind.

I walked around and talked to every one of the 6th graders and they all knew so much about their countries!  I tasted lots of fun things (and some really icky things!), and I was very impressed with their displays.

I think kids should do their own work with HELP from parents (not parents doing all the work so it looks better), and in most cases it was obvious the kids did most of the work.  But, I think it was a great chance for the parents and kids to learn something and experience something really great together.

I'll be more excited about the project when it's Annalisa's turn!



good things:
down 30 pounds since I had Landon
the movie 17 Miracles - so so good
Nutella on everything

new purse

This is my new purse.
Isn't it cute?!

Know why I needed a new purse?

2 Sundays ago we were in a rush to get to choir practice on time because Akayla is the choir accompanist.

Dave dropped us all off (it was a little slippery) and went to park the suburban.

I had 3 bags and didn't want to also bring my purse in, so I left it between the front seats.

Dave had a whole armful of stuff and had his mind on other things because he had to teach an inservice to the whole ward, so he didn't think to lock the doors.

It was a great day - no major mishaps.

Later in the evening I went to find my phone (in my purse) and see if I had any calls.

I couldn't find my purse anywhere.

I had a weird thought that it could have gotten stolen but just figured one of the kids brought it in and set it somewhere so I figured I'd ask them in the morning.

At about midnight I had a distinct impression to go look at my bank accounts online.

There had been several charges made from my debit cards that we didn't make ($60 at McDonalds, $20 at Redbox, gas stations in Fort Hall, etc.), and there were calls made on my phone.

I immediately called and cancelled my cards and turned off my phone.

As I started thinking about all the things in my purse - all of my kid's social security cards, $100 cash, the book I was reading, all kinds of personal things, my house & car keys........ I started to freak out!

My mind was racing and I felt so vulnerable.

I knelt down and poured out my fears to the Lord, and immediately the peace came washing over me.
I knew the Lord was aware of my little problem and He cared so much about my fears.

Although it has been a BIG pain.........I feel so blessed that my family is safe.

I pray for the (probably teenagers) people who took my purse.
They will probably never be caught, and who knows what other crimes they may commit in the years to come.

Plus, I love my new purse!

good things:
the Lord cares about my little insecurities
middle-of-the-night impressions
slow Saturdays with no major appointments

moments

I love that when Elli asks Tanner to play Candy Land he willingly agrees.

What a cool big brother!


good things:
my new purse
only needing a jacket running errands yesterday
it's Friday tomorrow

4

Our squishy happy boy is 4 months.

At 4 months Mr. Landon is:

*huge....from the top of his head to his little toes he is just a big chunk!

*so slobbery, and he spits up a lot - but he's still so kissable!

*in love with mommy, but he's pretty good with everyone else unless he's tired

*crazy about being naked and bathtime

*just learned to roll over

*still blue-eyed

*discovering his hands.....almost ready for toys

*super ticklish especially under his neck

*completely bald except for the funny little tuft of hair on the top of his head

*not crazy about his binky - losing interest fast

*a little hothead......if we put him down when he's not ready he throws a little fit (it's still cute)

*claustrophobic.....doesn't like being wrapped up and freaks out if his hands or feet aren't free

We're all still smitten and just want to squish him all up!


good things:
our family circle
our busy home - always so much going on
when everything is still for a few minutes because Lea is sleeping

Mozart's birthday party

I happen to love music written by Mozart.

I also happen to be a really fun music teacher.

For several years now I have had a birthday party with my students to honor Mozart's birthday.

This year I offered a special prize for anyone who dressed for the time period.

We had a tea party (we always do), we played blind man's bluff (a favorite when Mozart was young), and we learned a little more about the musical genius while listening to some of his music.

It's not the easiest job coming up with clothes from the 1700's -- my students are so creative!  I didn't get a picture of one of the other girls who looked awesome.  So glad I kept my old prom dress so Adri had something to wear - we've used it for tons of other costumes too!


good things:
hot chocolate "tea"
funny people who can always make me laugh
parties

girlies

Every Saturday my girlies work really hard to get their chores done quickly.

The gym that I recently got a membership from has a nice big pool, and they let kids 10 and under go swimming free with my membership!

So as a reward for helping me I happily take them for some fun!

good things:
hearing my sweetie laughing in the other room
sending my girls off to the dance (Akayla can drive now!)
helping Adri finish a big project

T I M E

There are some constants in our lives that our kids count on every day & every week - things that they will remember when they don't live here any more, and things that they will probably do with their own children.......

**reading scriptures together around the breakfast table

**family prayers in the morning and evening followed by hugs & kisses (and whispered I love you's) for each member of the family

**family dinner every night

**Friday date nights for mom & dad (and kid movie nights)

**Monday family nights (don't forget the treat!)

**Saturday brunch (made by the boys).

Every one of these things give us T I M E 
.....time to reconnect, time to grow closer to each other, and time to help each other come closer to knowing our Heavenly Father & Savior.

In our fast-paced lives it never feels like there is enough t i m e to do everything we need to do, let alone everything we want to do.


I love the chance we have to  S L O W things down

and E N J O Y the simple things in life.



Pictures of our Saturday brunch (yesterday)......
4 batches of puffed up pancakes made all by Tanner (including the homemade syrup)!

good things:
fuzzy slippers
fun plans for the day
our funky table - big enough to seat all 11 of us!