Practically Perfect

Lately I've been thinking that things are getting a little too easy around here. Ty is fully potty trained at 3 1/4 years, Sam & Devin are "practically perfect in every way", Noah is FINALLY sleeping through the night...and my house almost always has at least one clean room at any given moment. Even the bathroom is smelling a little less like a sewer...is someone finally hitting the water? If I listen really hard I can sometimes even get a 1/2 second worth of quiet time. With all this cleanliness, quietness, and overall, tranquility Mark and I decided to add another kid to the mix! I mean, heck, who would even notice?? :) Yes, this is an official announcement. We are having our fifth...sometime in the middle of November. We are really good at having Fall/Winter babies! We knew we wanted one more, but we hoped we wouldn't have to wait too long...I'm not getting any younger, and while we're in a state of chaos, let's just keep it that way! :) So, our perfect house is about to get even better!!! Bring on the madness!

Proud Mamma

Today we had SEP conferences with Devin and Sam's teachers. We had already seen their report cards, so we knew they had done well academically. But, it wasn't how well they are doing in math or reading that impressed me, it was when Sam's teacher said she has had "absolutly no problems" with Sam's behavior, that I started beaming. And then, Devin's teacher told us that she is impressed with his integrity. She said, "He knows right from wrong and has the courage to stand up for what is right, even if it means telling his friends to stop doing what they're doing." She went on to tell us that they have had incidents of vandalism in the bathrooms, and kids using foul language and talking about crude things. She said Devin has come to her several times concerning such incidences. I was beyond happy. I want Devin and Sam, and all our boys, to do well in school. But, it's getting along with people and having integrity that will get them where they want to be in life. This was one of those days that made all those "other" days worth it!! :)

What Number are You?

You Are 9: The Peacemaker

You are emotionally stable and willing to find common ground with others. Your friends and family often look to you to be the mediator when there is conflict. You are easy going and accepting. You take things as they come. Avoiding conflict at all costs, you're content when things are calm. At Your Best: You feel connected, trusting, and fulfilled. You feel at peace with your place in the world. At Your Worst: You compromise your values to make sure peace is maintained. You give in to bullies. Your Fixation: Harmony Your Primary Fear: Causing conflict Your Primary Desire: To preserve things as they are Other Number 9's: Marge Simpson, Ronald Reagan, Audrey Hepburn, Jerry Seinfeld, and Abraham Lincoln.

What Number Are You?

The Boys are Back

We saw High School Musical 3 for the first time this week. Devin and Sam liked it one time through, but Ty LOVES it. He especially likes this song. I've decided this is our theme song. It's pretty catchy, and it is a fun part of the movie-those boys can dance!! It's hard not to jump up and get down! Ty has some pretty good moves himself.

Building a Palace

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right, and stopping the leaks in the roof, and so on; you knew that those jobs needed to be done, and so you are not surprised. But, suddenly He begins knocking the house around in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense to you. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of-He is building a new wing here, putting an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You though you were going to be made into a decent little cottage, but He is building a palace."

-George McDonald


This has been a week of spiritual, soul-searching experiences. On Thursday my Mom came over to watch Noah so Mark and I could take Dev, Sam, and Ty to the Draper Temple open house. We were a little worried when Sam refused to sit through the 3 minute movie they presented at a church house down the road from the temple. But, once we got on the bus and then went into the temple, all three boys were mesmerized. It was so neat to see. Sam carried his little pamphlet, open, into each room so that he could find the exact rooms that were shown. Devin said his favorite part was the Celestial Room, Sam said his favorite part was the Celestial Room, and the mirrors in the sealing room. Ty said his favorite part was the "sparkly lights, and dancing"...confusion between the chandelier and a disco ball? :) The tour went quickly and afterward we took them to The Mayan for dinner. My Mom said Ty will forever associate the temple with plastic trees, fake birds, and people diving into water. Oh, well. It was a fun day.

Today I spoke in sacrament meeting on self-reliance and the talk in this months Ensign by Elder Ballard. I was surprised that he focused mainly on spiritual self-reliance, and it was a wonderful topic for me to study. The first thing Elder Ballard talked about was knowing that we are children of God and that we are loved by Him. I found the quote by George McDonald in a talk by Sister Margaret Nadauld and thought it was so good. God knows just what he is doing with us, even if we don't quite understand. Life may hurt sometimes, but for good reason. He is making palaces out of us. And I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind looking like a temple! :)

The Tale of a Bad, Bad Mom

Once upon a time in a place not so far away, there lived a Mom, who despite all her efforts, never seemed to get things right. Her third grader's teacher called one evening to tell her that her 9 year old son would be getting an award for the school read-a-thon, and that she was invited to come to an assembly the following morning. This doting mother was thrilled, and awoke early to make sure she got in a much needed shower. She also took the time to carefully apply colored hairspray in her 9 and 7 year olds' hair since they had both reached their reading goals for the read-a-thon. She arranged to have her 3 year old play at a neighbor's house, and then took her 1 year old with her to the school. She arrived right on time and sat in the back. She could see the backs of both of her sons' heads and watched as the top three readers (most minutes read) and top three "donation getters" (it is the school's only fund-raiser)from each grade were give an certificate and a medal. When the VP got to the third graders she announced that the 9 year old had received first place for getting the most donations. The mother watched as her son walked up and received his award to clapping and cheering. She continually looked at the back of her 7 year old's head, hoping he would look back and see her, but alas, he never did. She managed to get her 9 year old's attention and was able to take him out in the hall for a photo while the assembly continued in the cafeteria. Her one year old then proceeded to pitch a fit, so she hurriedly left the premises.

At 1:15 she went back to the school to pick up her boys, and her 7 year old began crying, telling her that she was a bad, stupid mom for not saying hi to him at the assembly. She had no idea that he had been trying to get her attention, and never could. Horror filled her heart as she realized that his teacher would have listened to his crying and complaining that his mother didn't say hi to him for the rest of the day. Alas, the mom drove home, feeling very bad, and very stupid. All the efforts of the day seemingly wasted.

Five minutes after they arrived home, the seven year old said, "I'm sorry Mom." Guilt washed over her, again. "I'm the one who is sorry." she said, giving him a hug.

She walked away shaking her head and wondering aloud, will this ever get easier? Knowing full well the answer to that!

AI Addiction, a Serious Affliction!

Here are my fav four, so far. Gotta love Megan, not just because she's from Utah, but she's quirky, different...cool. Anyway. Devin was sulking last night because he kept trying to talk to me during the show, and honestly, I couldn't hear a word he was saying! I thought that only happened to guys while they were watching TV. Apparently I am fully and completely addicted to American Idol. Love it baby! I think Devin, Sam and Ty are trying to retaliate by voting for Norman Gentle...down with Gentle. He may be funny-but, he's no American Idol.