FHE: Be My Valentine

February passed fast, but luckily we had a head start on getting our valentine's cards out, thanks to a well planned FHE. Faith was sooo good at putting the sprinkles on. She knew just were all the stickers should go and what design the glue should go in. Hey, you can't go wrong when making homemade Valentine's cards for grandparents!

Silly Fam Photos

It was simple, but fun enough for 2 yrs and 8 months. Here is the catch up of some past fun.

Pick your Battles; Part 2

Obviously, with the economy going bad, people going sour, and all around evil is becoming accepted, I have chosen to pick my battle as a mother.
I decided I don't want to read the news,
my kids don't need TV or even the vast majority of movies,
the economy can only effect us as much as we let it,
and the pop culture of the world is not 'in' in our home.

We have made some tactical maneuveurs lately for our family to help fortify our home -

• we read the Book of Mormon as a family daily, without fail - Faith is a creature of habit and has made sure this is a nightly routine
• we have Family Home Evening every week: this week we sang songs for most of it, but it was effective
• we have weekly Family Fun nights - in the last month we have had silly picture night, ice cream run (using only spare change), and 'do as I am doing'
• monthly Final Friday Family Fun - why not invite good friends to enjoy the fun we have? last month was disco night, this month was pajama party
  
• we do not have the TV on for more than 2 hrs each day - makes more time for letters, coloring, reading, singing, and cleaning
• we are reconsidering everything on our budget and categorizing it as a 'want' or a 'need' - today we cancelled our Netflix; although it was nice to have a movie when we wanted it, the library is free, and movies aren't all that great anyway, lately we have only been watching them because they are here but we would rather read books...funny how easy it is to be lazy sometimes
• we 'make it do, or do without'- this has translated in lots of ways mostly which has become our groceries and other supplies, last week I worked my magic with orgigami because we had run out of staples and tape and wouldn't be getting any again until March, worked just fine
• we have made a change toward being positive in ALL things - after all, no one wants to hear you gripe about things anyhoo. it has a remarkable effect on the gloom around you as well. we just like it better
  

I just finished reading this in the Doctrine and Covenants 27: 15-18
Wherefore, lift up your hearts and rejoice, and gird up your loins, and take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand.......and be faithful until I come, and ye shall be caught up, that where I am ye shall be also.

I love the "rejoice" scriptures. There is reason to be happy. If for no other reason, than the promise that we can be where Christ is in the end, if we remain faithful and put on His armor.

Married to a MASTER

This morning Josh presented his Masters project/dissertation/SOAP note. He passed. Not only did he pass, but one of the toughest faculty members in his department told him he did "excellent." Best of all, he is done with his Master's requirements! Now he just has to finish out his rotations and pass the Boards. Josh has been very dilligent with keeping up on his study for tests weekly and generally being one of the most prepared students, I really do not worry about him passing his certifications. He probably does. I am so proud of him! Here we are, one step closer to being almost done with school, almost....

Early Morning with my Little Man

This morning Josh gets to sleep in...well, that is kinda true. He has been a champion helping me get Danny into a better night time feeding schedule; meaning, when Danny wakes up at night and it is not my designated time to feed him Josh goes in and comforts him. Josh held him off for more than an hour this early morn, so after feeding Danny, I stayed up with him. It is unusual for me to be up early with the kiddos. Generally Josh is our early riser and has the kids from when they wake until 6:30am when I get up. I wonder now, what does he do while I sleep?

I have enjoyed this little quiet time with Danny. My son is so beautiful! He grumbles and growls and just figured out how to do the "Oooooo" with a little circle mouth. He, like his father, is extremely jealous of my attention. If I am near him at all on the floor he scooches over to me and cuddles his head into me...so loving. When I put my face near his, Danny grabs my hair to pull me closer so we can stare at each other forhead to forhead.

In short, I am in love with my son, and I think he loves me.

Pick your Battles

I have recognized as a mother of small children that every day you pick your battles. My most recent enemies have been:


Although initially I was glad that Faith was not a binky gal, but rather a self-soother, it has gotten to the excess stage. Thus recognizing the correlation between blankey holding and thumb sucking I have given restrictions on cuddle time. If thumb goes in the mouth after three warnings, blankey goes to time out. It seems unjust that blankey has to suffer, but some changes have been made. There is no longer a perpetual wet spot on Faith's left sleeve from the drool running down her thumb, nor is there a slight sore at the base of her finger from the teeth rubbing there. And the true reason for picking the battle, no more slimy girl spit smeared all over my face when she wants to touch mommy.

After reading yet another article about children's exposure to TV, this is not news people - it is just me getting used to actually changing. It all boiled down to a few days ago when I was turning off the regular length of PBS morning viewing and suggesting to Faith that she read a book when she responded, "No want read book! You open TV now! Want watch movie!" That is a big sentence for a two year old, and some serious communication on many levels. Now I am being a good parent and limiting TV time to two hours. It is more difficult. I now have more messes, less easy meal time, and a whole roll of toilet paper turned off the roll during each shower. Yet, if it is all for the greater good, and my kids are smarter because of this battle - CHARGE!
I have a feeling this is not the end of battles.

Dirty Work

Plenty has been going on lately, but these few cameos of all the work might sum up the lengthy happenings:
garage orginization - pulling in the pumpkins and carrots that have been there for months, brewing and baking, makes for a lot of puree veggies, best protect the ears.

hair removal - floors, walls, sinks, little girl faces


washing laundry and kids - easier if you carry them in the same thing