HB had a chance to teach her kindergarten class a special skill. She chose to teach "how to draw a ballerina" (after asking her classmates to vote on whether they wanted to learn how to draw a ballerina or a princess...I don't think many boys voted!) In my humble opinion, she did a brilliant job! (And don't forget to look at the previous blog to see a brilliant example of a typical morning at home with Hannah!)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Life In A Minute
Wow.
So here is why I haven't had time to blog...in case you were wondering...and even if you weren't wondering...
I haven't had time to blog because kids were dressing up for Classic Characters Assembly at school. (Refer to above photographic proof...if you can guess what character from a "classic" children's book Jacob and Matthew dressed up as, I will crown you as the smartest person I know. And if you can guess what Chris is, I'll send you $100.00!)
I haven't been blogging because it is Halloween...and Littlest Pet Shop bunnies, Commander Fox, and Dracula needed lots of supervision...it's a mess when Dracula starts biting, Commander Fox starts shooting, and the bunny starts crying.
And one of the last reasons I haven't been blogging is because Matthew got his Bobcat award and Jacob earned his Bear. So proud of my scouting boys!
So here is why I haven't had time to blog...in case you were wondering...and even if you weren't wondering...
I haven't had time to blog because we have been playing too much miniature golf...
I haven't had time to blog because I've had numerous appointments at HB's "Fancy Schmancy" beauty salon where I get to sit on a chair padded with pillows and blankets and then have my nails painted, hair coiffed, and makeup touched up...all for a fabulously reasonable price.
I haven't had time to blog because my son turned 8 years old and this boy needed some serious celebrating. There was a treasure hunt, a brand new bike, and of course, a fabulous cake. This year's birthday theme: SOCCER!
I haven't had time to blog because we were throwing soccer parties for 8 year olds. There was an abundance of pizza, cupcakes, soda, pinata candy, soccer playing, and designing and creating personalized soccer jerseys.
I haven't had time to blog because for the first time in my 16 years of Utah living, we decided to go to Lagoon. It was fabulous and weird and fun and freaky all at the same time. One minute I was delighted and the next minute I was creeped out. It is a strange, strange place. The Wicked roller coaster was AWESOME! The Bucking Pirate Ship made me want to throw up and the "swings" made me want to wet myself. I am too old for that kind of fun.
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I haven't had time to blog because we have been hiking the most glorious mountains in the world. Nothing beats Utah mountains in the fall. They are breathtaking.
And some day, when I have time to blog, I will tell you the story of the time our family hiked to Stewart Falls and instead of taking the trail back, our 2 sons climbed a sheer gravel cliff and the rest of us followed resulting in one son having to be rescued by his father and then another son having to be rescued by his mother and causing a small but painful rock avalanche. It was embarassing and scary. Moral of story...sometimes the road less taken isn't the best idea.
I haven't had time to blog because it is fall...my absolute favorite time of year. And that means our annual trek to visit the witches at Gardner Village. It involves good friends, donuts, chocolate milk, caramel apples, a scavenger hunt, lots of photo ops, tons of darling kids, and a wonderful afternoon of giggles and fun. It is one of my favorite fall activities...I look forward to it all year!
I haven't had time to blog because I got to go on a field trip with Jake's 4th grade class to Pioneer Village where we attended school, whipped up a few things at the blacksmiths, pulled some handcarts, did the Virginia Reel, and explored a wikiup. All in a day's work...
I haven't had time to blog because in the fall soccer season starts and I'm a big fan. We love soccer...sun, rain, wind, blistering heat or freezing temperatures, we are front row and cheering.
I haven't had time to blog because there were pumpkins to carve and candy to eat.
I haven't had time to blog because I was fixing gross school lunches to freak out a few of my favorite kids. It was classic...even though it made my 2nd son cry and tell me that "he just couldn't get the pictures out of his head". Severed hand sandwiches, bloody water bottles with rats floating on top, and finger suckers...their reactions were PRICELESS! (And you better believe I was slinking around the cafeteria that day with my camera to catch their reactions...)
I haven't had time to blog because kids were dressing up for Classic Characters Assembly at school. (Refer to above photographic proof...if you can guess what character from a "classic" children's book Jacob and Matthew dressed up as, I will crown you as the smartest person I know. And if you can guess what Chris is, I'll send you $100.00!)
I haven't been blogging because it snowed and while HB forlicked and played, I stayed inside, refused to get dressed, and drank hot chocolate. Not quite ready for winter yet.
I haven't been blogging because it is Halloween...and Littlest Pet Shop bunnies, Commander Fox, and Dracula needed lots of supervision...it's a mess when Dracula starts biting, Commander Fox starts shooting, and the bunny starts crying.
And one of the last reasons I haven't been blogging is because Matthew got his Bobcat award and Jacob earned his Bear. So proud of my scouting boys!
And that is why I haven't been blogging...
Sunday, October 24, 2010
My Mo!
Today my Mo is having a birthday. Six decades of amazing living! She is living so far away right now but if I were living next door to her in Sweden, here is what we would be doing:
1) We'd start with a delicious breakfast in bed. A big heart shaped homemade waffle with some yummy lingonberry syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, and a cherry on top. She'd have a mug of steaming Stephen's hot chocolate...her favorite flavor! We'd fluff her pillows, sing to her in a couple different languages, and have Chris do the end of the Swedish birthday song where it sounds like he is giving orders to a German army. Then she'd blow out the candle.
2) Next we'd shower her with gifts...the gifts that are sitting downstairs on our guest room bed...and unfortunately we don't live next door. So she would have to imagine how wonderful opening that birthday box is going to be when she gets it in a couple of weeks...
3) I'd give her a little hug as I sent her out the door to go work at the temple. I don't feel bad that she has to go to "work" on her birthday because she loves it so much! It isn't work...it is joy. And I love that about my Mo. While she was gone, I'd get to work on the rest of the day.
4) When she arrived home, there would be candlelight, a little Ella & Louis playing on the CD player, a cold glass of mineral water (that would be mine) and a delicious dinner waiting.
We would eat until we felt fat and happy and then we would sit around the table and everyone would take a turn telling Mo what they loved about her. Here is what I would say...
My Mo is remarkable because of the life she has chosen to lead. It is a life filled with amazing choices and consistent, remarkable dedication to the Lord. From the time she was young, she has been hard-working, dedicated, devoted, focused, determined, and persistent.
I love that she was willing to put her education on hold to marry the man of her dreams and start a family. She never gave up that dream of finishing college but had faith that her life was filled with times and seasons and our righteous dreams are never in vain but may have a different "order" then we had imagined.
I love that she had 7 children...and loved each and every one of them.
I love that she moved to a foreign country with 4 small children without hesitation because that is what the Lord asked her to do. I love that she learned the language, had another baby, took care of missionaries, and served the Lord in every capacity despite her "youth" and the enormity of the task she was asked to do. She is courageous, spunky, and gutsy.
I love that she let me dress up in her jean skirt and be Mother Superior after seeing Sound of Music. Really...how cool is that? And later, after seeing Ghandi, she let me borrow her yellow silk pajamas and wander around barefoot for a couple of weeks. She encouraged us to have imagination and dream big.
I love that no matter where we lived, she and my dad always made sure there was room for my "school room".
I love that she taught me to be confident and believe I could do and be anything.
I love that every time I call she answers the phone.
I love that she finished her college degree and let all 7 of her children sit in the audience and cry because we were so proud of her.
I love how many years she taught morning seminary without complaint. I loved watching her sit at her desk with her scriptures open preparing for those lessons that would touch and inspire so many youth. Her testimony has blessed so many individuals across so many states!
I love her passion for books and reading...she shared that gift with me and it has brought so much joy.
I love that she would always come stay with me after I had my babies even though she knew I would be a little crazy.
I love that she always knows what to say to comfort and support me. That is a gift...and I've been blessed time and time again by her sensitivity and guidance.
I love her testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel. That testimony provided a solid foundation for my testimony. I love that I could always count on her to do what was right...nothing wavering.
I love when she would imitate Solveig the dog.
I love that Hannah was her dog and how she was able to understand and appreciate her neurotic, protective canine personality.
I love the memory of her singing Olivia Newton John and John Denver songs. "I'll walk in the rain by your side" will always be my personal lullaby.
I love that she is my mom. I love that she has supported me through all the times and seasons of my life and been my biggest cheerleader. I love how much time she has spent on her knees praying for me. I am aware that so much of my life has been blessed by the faith, prayers, and love of my parents.
I love my Mo. And while I miss her desperately, I wouldn't wish for her to be any other place than where she is. I love her tenacity in learning and speaking Swedish. I love her determination to be the best she can be and do all the Lord has asked her to do. I love that she gets frustrated and discouraged and keeps on going. I love her blogs and insights and her beautiful face.
I think it might be time for more singing and some princess torte...
Oh dear...what a tiny princess torte! But we'll sing some more and this time we'll have Papa do the part at the end of the Swedish birthday song (no offense Chris!). After cake, we'll go upstairs and lay on the guest room bed and maybe she'll be willing to read me a story before bed. Then maybe we'll watch an episode of the Simpsons in German before taking our full bellies and turning in for the night.
Yeah, that is exactly how I'd do it.
Happy, happy birthday my wonderful mom! I am so glad you were born! What a wonderful life! We love you and are so grateful you in our lives!!!!
All my love,
Amy
P.S. Go visit my Mo at her blog...she has pictures...which is more than I have since my laptop is visiting the "computer doctor" right now. She is really pretty...go see!
1) We'd start with a delicious breakfast in bed. A big heart shaped homemade waffle with some yummy lingonberry syrup, a dollop of whipped cream, and a cherry on top. She'd have a mug of steaming Stephen's hot chocolate...her favorite flavor! We'd fluff her pillows, sing to her in a couple different languages, and have Chris do the end of the Swedish birthday song where it sounds like he is giving orders to a German army. Then she'd blow out the candle.
2) Next we'd shower her with gifts...the gifts that are sitting downstairs on our guest room bed...and unfortunately we don't live next door. So she would have to imagine how wonderful opening that birthday box is going to be when she gets it in a couple of weeks...
3) I'd give her a little hug as I sent her out the door to go work at the temple. I don't feel bad that she has to go to "work" on her birthday because she loves it so much! It isn't work...it is joy. And I love that about my Mo. While she was gone, I'd get to work on the rest of the day.
4) When she arrived home, there would be candlelight, a little Ella & Louis playing on the CD player, a cold glass of mineral water (that would be mine) and a delicious dinner waiting.
My Mo is remarkable because of the life she has chosen to lead. It is a life filled with amazing choices and consistent, remarkable dedication to the Lord. From the time she was young, she has been hard-working, dedicated, devoted, focused, determined, and persistent.
I love that she was willing to put her education on hold to marry the man of her dreams and start a family. She never gave up that dream of finishing college but had faith that her life was filled with times and seasons and our righteous dreams are never in vain but may have a different "order" then we had imagined.
I love that she had 7 children...and loved each and every one of them.
I love that she moved to a foreign country with 4 small children without hesitation because that is what the Lord asked her to do. I love that she learned the language, had another baby, took care of missionaries, and served the Lord in every capacity despite her "youth" and the enormity of the task she was asked to do. She is courageous, spunky, and gutsy.
I love that she let me dress up in her jean skirt and be Mother Superior after seeing Sound of Music. Really...how cool is that? And later, after seeing Ghandi, she let me borrow her yellow silk pajamas and wander around barefoot for a couple of weeks. She encouraged us to have imagination and dream big.
I love that no matter where we lived, she and my dad always made sure there was room for my "school room".
I love that she taught me to be confident and believe I could do and be anything.
I love that every time I call she answers the phone.
I love that she finished her college degree and let all 7 of her children sit in the audience and cry because we were so proud of her.
I love how many years she taught morning seminary without complaint. I loved watching her sit at her desk with her scriptures open preparing for those lessons that would touch and inspire so many youth. Her testimony has blessed so many individuals across so many states!
I love her passion for books and reading...she shared that gift with me and it has brought so much joy.
I love that she would always come stay with me after I had my babies even though she knew I would be a little crazy.
I love that she always knows what to say to comfort and support me. That is a gift...and I've been blessed time and time again by her sensitivity and guidance.
I love her testimony of the Lord Jesus Christ and His gospel. That testimony provided a solid foundation for my testimony. I love that I could always count on her to do what was right...nothing wavering.
I love when she would imitate Solveig the dog.
I love that Hannah was her dog and how she was able to understand and appreciate her neurotic, protective canine personality.
I love the memory of her singing Olivia Newton John and John Denver songs. "I'll walk in the rain by your side" will always be my personal lullaby.
I love that she is my mom. I love that she has supported me through all the times and seasons of my life and been my biggest cheerleader. I love how much time she has spent on her knees praying for me. I am aware that so much of my life has been blessed by the faith, prayers, and love of my parents.
I love my Mo. And while I miss her desperately, I wouldn't wish for her to be any other place than where she is. I love her tenacity in learning and speaking Swedish. I love her determination to be the best she can be and do all the Lord has asked her to do. I love that she gets frustrated and discouraged and keeps on going. I love her blogs and insights and her beautiful face.
I think it might be time for more singing and some princess torte...
Oh dear...what a tiny princess torte! But we'll sing some more and this time we'll have Papa do the part at the end of the Swedish birthday song (no offense Chris!). After cake, we'll go upstairs and lay on the guest room bed and maybe she'll be willing to read me a story before bed. Then maybe we'll watch an episode of the Simpsons in German before taking our full bellies and turning in for the night.
Yeah, that is exactly how I'd do it.
Happy, happy birthday my wonderful mom! I am so glad you were born! What a wonderful life! We love you and are so grateful you in our lives!!!!
All my love,
Amy
P.S. Go visit my Mo at her blog...she has pictures...which is more than I have since my laptop is visiting the "computer doctor" right now. She is really pretty...go see!
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