Feeding the Birds -- with Nan

We went to visit Nan in Heber. She is moving pretty slow, and her neck was sore -- but she was determined to pretend like she was just fine. She took the kids out to feed the birds. (This video is for my mom, and family.) If you ever need a pick-me-up -- go see Nan! She always has something lovely to say to make you feel happy. I love my NAN!

Tabernacle Treat

We went on a little tour of temple square and we found ourselves inside the Tabernacle. I LOVE going inside that building. So much history. You can just feel the spirits of the past in that large room. You can sit and imagine the faces of those who once stood at the pulpit, and you can hear the silent echos of voices that filled the room with faithful song. Staring at the grandiose pipe-organ is a special experience. I just love it in that room . . . you can smell the history.

We had a special treat while we were there. It was empty at first, but then a man came walking down from behind the organ. I said out loud to Charles, "Oh, please let him play! Please let him play!" And play he did! I was so happy. ("Happy" is a pretty pathetic word to describe how glorious I felt!) I captured a little bit of his performance, just for us!

The sound shook the whole room. It was AWESOME!!!!

Cheap Thrills

When we were in Utah, we went to go see my Grandma's house (she passed away a few years ago) but we still like to go by her house -- it is a tradition, after all. She lived on the Salt Lake City "Avenues". I dare say she still lives there, haunting 171 J. Street. She refused to leave her home in life -- I doubt she is willing to leave it now! We gave her a wink as we went by. ;-)

We took a picture of her home.

(Look ma and pa . . . whoever lives there now painted it, planted new grass and trees, and added a new garage!)

While we were on J street we drove all the way to the top of the hill and had ourselves a little bit of fun on the way down . . . like I said, "cheap thrills!"

Girls

Wednesday I had my first primary activity day. (Did I mention that is my new calling?) I went from serving the young women, to serving the younger-young women. :-) It is actually a super calling. I was a little hesitant at first. (The time for activity days are right after school -- 3:30, my LEAST favorite time of the day!) But after meeting with the cute girls and having them in my home -- I think I am going to love the calling, and the girls!

Activity Day Girls

Katie, Maddy, Isabelle, Nikki, Hannah, Laura

Later on that night, there was a knock on my door and I found this lovely sight . . .

MORE GIRLS!!

The young women came to sing to me, and bring me ice-cream! (Can't beat that combo!) It made my day! Oh, and they brought me notes, too -- which are a real treasure. I will keep them, always. I sure love those girls! Sometimes I swing by the young women room, just to take in their energy and beauty -- hoping it might rub off!

Girls. What beautiful girls. I love my girls -- ALL of them!

What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice,
And everything nice,
That's what little girls are made of.

P.S. I am totally open to ideas for activity days . . . any help is always appreciated!

Mama-Bear Monday

Some days, everyone just needs a hug -- from Mom.

Monday was one of those days . . .

In the wee hours of the morning I heard sniffling and movement coming from the kid's bedroom. It was Daniel. He got out of bed and was crying and complaining about an itchy back. I pulled up his shirt and he was covered in a rash. So, with my eyes half-shut I gave him a cool shower and rubbed baking soda on his rash, to calm it down. It helped. Thank goodness. He went back into bed. I gave him a big hug.

A few hours later (still early morning), William crawled into bed with me. He was sleeping on top of my feet for awhile, and then he moved up to snuggle right next to me. I was sleeping very comfortably. Suddenly, I was dreaming of swimming in the ocean . . . and I felt a warm gushing sensation creep from my back down to my legs. It woke me up. It took me a minute to register what was going on. And then it registered: Pee. William peed on me. So, I got up, changed William (I had to change me, too), and I got a bunch of towels and put them on the bed. (I did not want to wake-up Charles and remove everything right then.) William got back in my towel-covered bed and snuggled close to me. I gave him a big hug.

*William NEVER wets the bed, ever. He has been potty-trained for a long time and since day one has had no accidents -- so it was really weird. Did I mention we ate asparagus for dinner . . . what a lovely smell.

The rest of the day was fairly "normal" . . . scripture reading (a MUST!), food making, doing the mailing for Charles' work, phone conversations, cookie baking, homework, e-mailing, cleaning, laundry, planning for activity days, family home evening, washing the pee-covered things on my bed. Really, no big deal.

Charles came home from work to overflowing rain gutters he had to clean out immediately. (What a nasty smell!) After some gnarly debris removal, he came inside and ate some dinner. He had a long day at work. I gave him a big hug. (He needed more hugs later on, too . . .) ;-) wink!

In the evening, Sammi was complaining about her earring hurting her. We went into the bathroom and took out her earring. Blood and yellow puss came out of the hole. (Ick.) Her earring had a kind of star shape to it, and it had been smashed really tight into her ear -- so her ear hole had been cut into a star shape. I ran to the internet and looked up what to do. We put rubbing alcohol on it, and then neosporin, and we left the earring out overnight. This morning it looked a lot better. I am supposed to repeat the alcohol/ointment treatment for about a week (or more, if it takes more). She had tears and worry. I gave her a big hug.

Sometimes, being a mom takes all you've got. Our role is to primarily nurture the children (and we nurture the daddy, too!). It is SO important for mamas to keep it together . . . to "stand on higher ground". Because sometimes -- EVERYONE NEEDS YOU!! (And you cannot fail!) Sometimes everyone needs you emotionally, sometimes it is physically, sometimes spiritually.

So, Mama-Bears . . . take some time during each day to refresh and renew YOURSELF!

So you can be ready when duty calls! (And duty WILL call!)

And so you can be ready to . . .

GIVE A BIG HUG!!!

Pee happens.

That is why Mothers were created.

Tangled

For those of you who may not know . . .

Tangled comes out on March 29.

I know because Sammi reminds me everyday --

100 times a day.

Sammi is a nut about the movie. She can't stop talking about it -- ever. I must admit I also adore the movie. I think it is one of the best and most beautiful movies I have seen, so far. The colors are so rich and clear . . . it truly takes you into another, magical world. My mom pointed out that the first time she saw the movie she kept thinking of Sammi. (She thought Rapunzel looked and acted a lot like Sam.) Now Sammi is growing her hair out, until it reaches the floor. What fun. :-) Love the movie!

If you have not seen it yet -- RENT IT!!

(Though buying it is TOTALLY worth it!)

Even boys will like it! My boys love it!

Only 10 more days . . . !!!!

(Thank goodness! Sammi is getting a little nutty!)

Truckload of Pictures

I realized I had not taken ANY pictures of my kiddos for a LONG time! So, I decided to remedy that problem. (And also make my Mom happy!) I took the kids and the camera outside and started snapping away (with my cheap-o camera). I think some of them turned out pretty darn good! ;-) I was reminded how beautiful my children are. Sometimes, honestly -- I can forget! What little darlings they are . . . (Oh, and you will notice Sammi preferred the camera more than her brothers.) It was nice to have a willing specimen . . . !!! Enjoy Grandma! ;-)

Studious Samantha

Silly Sammi

Sly Sam

Sweet Sam-O

Peek-A-Boo!

Smelling the Flowers

Dapper-Dan

The Three Amigos

Ta-DA!

Smiles!

Love

Brother-Buddies

Brother and Sister -- Best friends

1-2-3-JUMP!

I see you . . .

Just Chillin'

Handsome Daniel

Being the monkeys they really are . . .

William sharing a smile

William giving me "The Look".

William really looks up to Sammi

Tree-Time

Sammi spends a lot of time dreaming in the trees . . .

I really do need to use my camera more often! When it comes right down to it . . . I adore my children! They are the most beautiful children to me. As I am sure your children are the most beautiful to you . . . !!! Grab your camera and start capturing some magic moments! They pass by too quickly!