Today we took the boys to clean the church. They've set up a new system where each organization in the ward is responsible for a different part of the church building and it was my husband's turn to clean the Chapel.
This is a somewhat tricky arrangement and today was a challenging day to need to meet this commitment. We had a MILLION things that needed our time and attention, which, now that the day is nearly over, did not get done. We had tired boys. I mostly just fed the baby. But my sweet husband rallied the troops and put every able body to work. He brought kid-sized dusters and a small hand vac from home for the boys. They straightened hymn books and vacuumed crumbs. I also practiced the hymns I'll be playing on the organ for sacrament meeting tomorrow. The whole thing took nearly an hour longer than we had planned/hoped.
But what a privilege it is to care for our house of worship. I was trying so hard to explain to my two year old why we don't play soccer in the chapel. Over and over I kept saying this is Heavenly Father's House. This is where we take the sacrament. This is the most important room in the whole church. As I spent every few minutes breaking up a fight or calming a crying child, I had to remind myself that those words really are true. What a remarkable thing it is to show our love for the Lord by caring for his holy house. I've lived in places where the house of worship was a small rented house with no running water and electricity. I've met in churches where hundreds of people would fill a chapel (and over flow, and gym) every Sunday. The spirit of each ward is different, but one thing remains the same: we come together to worship in the Lord's House. No matter our differences, no matter our strengths or weaknesses, as we worship, we are one. A body of Saints. No longer strangers but fellow citizens in the kingdom of God.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Gum
Today on the phone one of my sisters asked me how I was adjusting to life with three kids. I was happy to say that we are doing well and seem to be settling in. Life isn't without its crazy moments, like the point this afternoon when I turned around to see what L was doing in the kitchen only to find him standing ON the counter chewing at least three pieces of gum that he had gotten out of the cupboard by his not-yet-two-year-old self. Gum is one of his favorite words and favorite things.
Honestly I think his mischievous nature is bubbling up rapidly right now because he is adjusting to big brother being gone to full day Kindergarten and he doesn't have anyone besides his mostly immobile baby brother to distract his sly tendencies. But this new school schedule has given mom and middle son sweet bonding time. I'm surprised, when I look back, on how much less attention my younger son has received, simply by being the second child and time got divided. Older brother, A, is a chatter box and can articulate everything he wants/needs/feels/sees/thinks very well. My days used to be a constant conversation, albeit somewhat limited in scope (think like an almost five year old--bugs, outer space, dinosaurs, roller coasters, soccer--and I'm pretty much an expert).
One of my goals with A starting kindergarten was to spend more quality one on one time with L. It has really paid off. He is sweet, fun, and learning to talk so much more. In the last week I've read a ton of books to him. His interest in book used to be minimal. Now it has exploded. I think the above picture is adorable. I happened across L "reading" to his baby brother. We spend our days reading and singing and dancing. L's got the musical gift of the family. Boy does he have pitch and rhythm. The ABC song is a staple. I think he sings it unconsciously. It reminds me of the way my dad whistles. You just know he's there by the music he's making.
He's a joy to be around, even when he's ravenously engorging himself on Raspberry Lemon Obitz gum behind my back.
Today's life lesson: put the gum on a higher shelf.
Honestly I think his mischievous nature is bubbling up rapidly right now because he is adjusting to big brother being gone to full day Kindergarten and he doesn't have anyone besides his mostly immobile baby brother to distract his sly tendencies. But this new school schedule has given mom and middle son sweet bonding time. I'm surprised, when I look back, on how much less attention my younger son has received, simply by being the second child and time got divided. Older brother, A, is a chatter box and can articulate everything he wants/needs/feels/sees/thinks very well. My days used to be a constant conversation, albeit somewhat limited in scope (think like an almost five year old--bugs, outer space, dinosaurs, roller coasters, soccer--and I'm pretty much an expert).One of my goals with A starting kindergarten was to spend more quality one on one time with L. It has really paid off. He is sweet, fun, and learning to talk so much more. In the last week I've read a ton of books to him. His interest in book used to be minimal. Now it has exploded. I think the above picture is adorable. I happened across L "reading" to his baby brother. We spend our days reading and singing and dancing. L's got the musical gift of the family. Boy does he have pitch and rhythm. The ABC song is a staple. I think he sings it unconsciously. It reminds me of the way my dad whistles. You just know he's there by the music he's making.
He's a joy to be around, even when he's ravenously engorging himself on Raspberry Lemon Obitz gum behind my back.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Welcome Baby!
We are so happy to welcome our sweet new baby boy into our family! What a joy it is to have our family grow. Six weeks has flown by. The planned c-section went extremely well--best delivery of the three, by far! I have a great doctor and the a great husband who provided so much love and support.
Baby S came out crying and, unlike my other boys, a robust eater.
He was bit jaundiced and had a hard time gaining weight for the first three weeks, but he's doing just fine now. The big brothers have slowly started adjusting. The oldest, surprisingly is the one who's struggled the most with this change. He's just trying to find his new place and role in the family. We'll all be glad when school starts next week and we can get into a regular routine again.
Baby S came out crying and, unlike my other boys, a robust eater.
He was bit jaundiced and had a hard time gaining weight for the first three weeks, but he's doing just fine now. The big brothers have slowly started adjusting. The oldest, surprisingly is the one who's struggled the most with this change. He's just trying to find his new place and role in the family. We'll all be glad when school starts next week and we can get into a regular routine again.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
In Two Weeks from Now
In two weeks from now I'll be frantically vacuuming my house and cleaning toilets. In two weeks from now I'll be making sure there's food in the fridge and plenty of extra toilet paper in the bathrooms. In two weeks from now I'll be giving my two boys as many hugs and kisses as I can possibly manage while I can still give them as much of my undivided attention as possible. In two weeks from now I'll probably take my kids to the pool and then go out to dinner because I'll actually be too tired to do anything else. In two weeks from now I'll calmly take a shower, ask my sweet husband to give me a blessing and then proceed to sleep restlessly thinking about our new baby that will be born the next morning.
I haven't made mention of it here in the last eight months, but baby boy #3 is coming in just two weeks. There is so much emotion build up with this pregnancy I can hardly believe it's already time. We're excited and a bit anxious, but will look forward to every moment that comes.
I haven't made mention of it here in the last eight months, but baby boy #3 is coming in just two weeks. There is so much emotion build up with this pregnancy I can hardly believe it's already time. We're excited and a bit anxious, but will look forward to every moment that comes.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Robot Valentines
Sunday, December 20, 2009
Minor Updates
Since time passes by at alarming rates these days, I thought I'd do a quick update with just a couple of things we are up to.
In the last two months all the boys in our family have had birthdays. L turned 1; A turned 4; and J turned 30! It's been a full, fun time of year.
L is finally gaining a little more confidence in walking and is also finally getting another tooth. That still only makes three. He's got another two or three on the verge of bursting through, though. He's been a little hard to handle because of all the discomfort. Last week the boys and I all got sick. The boys both had ear infections, A had a viral infection in his lungs and I had pink eye. Tell me. How does the mom get pink eye in both eyes if neither child has it. Oh well. We are finishing up our last doses of antibiotics today and hopefully everyone will stay relatively healthy through Christmas.
We're keeping busy trying to keep warm. It's been at least a week since we've seen above freezing temperatures. Gratefully we haven't had any ice storms like this time last year. We finished putting the next wood seal plate and new roof on the house earlier this year and hope that will keep us from getting the terrible leaking like last winter.
A is having a ball at preschool. He just loves his class of 14 boys and his two teachers. He is absolutely certain there are elves that live in the ceiling of the school (he says his teacher told them they live there and are watching to make sure they are good boys). Everyday he comes home with fun projects, games, stories and activities. He's so interested in letters, and sounds and reading and writing. Even though he'll be at the very youngest end of his class, he will be a happy kindergartner next year.
A few months ago I was approached about training to be a Weight Watchers leader. With in two weeks of training me, they offered me a job and my own meeting. It has been so much fun. A few weeks ago they also offered me another meeting. It is a fun way to stay connected to my health and wellness goals as well as help people to work through difficult things in their lives and reach their own goals. And it doesn't hurt that they pay me. Not much, but a little extra is nice. J says it is my running money: it supports my running habit. It's enough to pay for new shoes and entrance fees on a regular basis.
J has had a lot on his plate as of late. He switched from a rotating shift work schedule to a new position that allows more regular hours (though he still works a ton). He has been making up a lot of lost time with his responsibilities with the Elder's quorum in our ward that have sort of gone by the wayside over the last year or two with his previous exhausting work schedule. So, he's still gone quite a bit. But I see a new fire and light and energy in him. We've also been working like crazy to figure out what in the world is going on with his body. He can't seem to gain weight (this is only a problem if you are 6'2" and weigh less than 140 lbs. We think we've hit on something good and gratefully he has put gluten back in his diet. The biggest effort right now involves J applying to MBA school. We were going to wait another year, but had a pretty frank conversation a few weeks ago and decided that if this is what we know we want to do, we just need to go for it now. If we don't get in now because of the lateness of the application, we'll just do it again next year. But we feel like we've at least got to try. We don't exactly know what this is all going to look like just yet. The plan has been full time MBA program to get it done and finished, but we may pursue something more part-time. We don't know if it means staying here or going elsewhere. This is a big thing in our lives and once Christmas is over, it will probably consume most of our time for a little while. If you have suggestions on schools, programs, or other advise on career changes/moves, we are all ears. We're listening to everything right now to try to flesh out exactly what we want to have happen next. Happy thoughts and prayers are also always appreciated.
I promise we'll post pictures soon. It has been a long time, I know. Enjoy the holiday season and look for a Christmas card/New Year's card from us in the next few weeks. Merry Christmas!
In the last two months all the boys in our family have had birthdays. L turned 1; A turned 4; and J turned 30! It's been a full, fun time of year.
L is finally gaining a little more confidence in walking and is also finally getting another tooth. That still only makes three. He's got another two or three on the verge of bursting through, though. He's been a little hard to handle because of all the discomfort. Last week the boys and I all got sick. The boys both had ear infections, A had a viral infection in his lungs and I had pink eye. Tell me. How does the mom get pink eye in both eyes if neither child has it. Oh well. We are finishing up our last doses of antibiotics today and hopefully everyone will stay relatively healthy through Christmas.
We're keeping busy trying to keep warm. It's been at least a week since we've seen above freezing temperatures. Gratefully we haven't had any ice storms like this time last year. We finished putting the next wood seal plate and new roof on the house earlier this year and hope that will keep us from getting the terrible leaking like last winter.
A is having a ball at preschool. He just loves his class of 14 boys and his two teachers. He is absolutely certain there are elves that live in the ceiling of the school (he says his teacher told them they live there and are watching to make sure they are good boys). Everyday he comes home with fun projects, games, stories and activities. He's so interested in letters, and sounds and reading and writing. Even though he'll be at the very youngest end of his class, he will be a happy kindergartner next year.
A few months ago I was approached about training to be a Weight Watchers leader. With in two weeks of training me, they offered me a job and my own meeting. It has been so much fun. A few weeks ago they also offered me another meeting. It is a fun way to stay connected to my health and wellness goals as well as help people to work through difficult things in their lives and reach their own goals. And it doesn't hurt that they pay me. Not much, but a little extra is nice. J says it is my running money: it supports my running habit. It's enough to pay for new shoes and entrance fees on a regular basis.
J has had a lot on his plate as of late. He switched from a rotating shift work schedule to a new position that allows more regular hours (though he still works a ton). He has been making up a lot of lost time with his responsibilities with the Elder's quorum in our ward that have sort of gone by the wayside over the last year or two with his previous exhausting work schedule. So, he's still gone quite a bit. But I see a new fire and light and energy in him. We've also been working like crazy to figure out what in the world is going on with his body. He can't seem to gain weight (this is only a problem if you are 6'2" and weigh less than 140 lbs. We think we've hit on something good and gratefully he has put gluten back in his diet. The biggest effort right now involves J applying to MBA school. We were going to wait another year, but had a pretty frank conversation a few weeks ago and decided that if this is what we know we want to do, we just need to go for it now. If we don't get in now because of the lateness of the application, we'll just do it again next year. But we feel like we've at least got to try. We don't exactly know what this is all going to look like just yet. The plan has been full time MBA program to get it done and finished, but we may pursue something more part-time. We don't know if it means staying here or going elsewhere. This is a big thing in our lives and once Christmas is over, it will probably consume most of our time for a little while. If you have suggestions on schools, programs, or other advise on career changes/moves, we are all ears. We're listening to everything right now to try to flesh out exactly what we want to have happen next. Happy thoughts and prayers are also always appreciated.
I promise we'll post pictures soon. It has been a long time, I know. Enjoy the holiday season and look for a Christmas card/New Year's card from us in the next few weeks. Merry Christmas!
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