Good Times....

Okay so life is not all doom and gloom. If you read my David Daily on the right hand side of the page you can understand my last post.

In fact yesterday was a pretty good day. We went to Wheeler Farm. The weather was perfect. It was warm with a little breeze to keep you from getting hot.

All the baby animals were out. The workers at Wheeler Farm let us pet some baby goats that were one week old. They also had lots of calves. There were two little older calves that would come right up to the gate and let you pet their soft coats. David loved feeding the ducks and geese.

Funny how we each have our own outlook on things. My sister Rebecca was there and at lunch she commented on how walking around made her want to have a farm. She could imagine having a cow and a pig and maybe some chickens. I said , "really?" I was just thinking to myself how much work it would be and how stinky it was. We are sisters but think so differently. I don't think I ever want to own a pet let alone take care of an entire farm.

The other really fun thing that happened yesterday was I went and picked up Steve from Trax. David came with me. On the way home we passed Gardner Village and a train passed over head. David loves trains. We took the route home by Sugar Factory so we could watch the train. Steve had his window rolled down and the conductor waived to us. In fact he blew his horn for us. David was in heaven. We drove along with the train up until we hit 2700 West. It really was so cute. The train blew it's horn when it passed a road and David would say "What's that? Choo, choo?" We definitely have to do that again. Funny how the best things in life are free.

I give in.

I have decided I cannot be a homemaker and mother. In trying to do both of these rolls I am failing at both. So I have quit I am no longer a homemaker just a mother. At least I can feel I am succeeding at one thing.

So if you have to kick your way in. If you come over don't ask for a drink because we probably won't have any clean dishes. In fact we probably won't be here because we will be on an outing somewhere so I don't have to look at my messy house.

Do I sound like I am venting, yes I am. My house is crumbling. It has been a hard week. Elijah is sick and David is bored. So the combination is a recipe for disaster.

Today....

So today I really wanted to re-clean the kitchen, scrub the bathroom and dust and clean the living room. However when David starts the day off whining I know I am in trouble. This morning it took me over an hour to get ready because the two boys were taking their turns at crying or whining.

Finally I gave in. I bagged trying to clean the house this morning. I packed up and went on a walk. It gave us the break we needed. I enjoyed a half-hour of no crying and whining. The fresh spring air. And we walked on my new favorite route.

If you walk on the other side of Old Bingham there is a road that says DEAD END. The house on the corner has a goat or as David calls it a sheep. So we always look at him. Then we went all the way to the end of the road where there are two horses you can get right next to.

Then Lucy Jackman told me about a little pathway you can take at the end of the road which will take you to the next neighborhood. So I tried it and lo and behold there it was. It was just what we needed to make it through our tough day today.

I really wanted chocolate but Steve took the van and I wasn't able to indulge my craving. Although the day is not over yet so I just may need a little something.

Never a dull moment...

So this morning I was going to bathe the boys. However I decided I would take a quick shower first. I was slow this morning and hadn't done it yet. Well I always leave the door open and put Elijah in the hallway to play so I can hear what's going on.

I heard David talking to Elijah and peeked out to see what was going on. All I saw was flesh and black. David quickly ran off when I saw him.

Covered with soap I showered as quickly as possible so I could try and control the damage. When I got out this is what I found. And what was David's response? "Look mom, pretty." As he pointed to the black lines all over his body. I can be thankful it wasn't permanent marker. Most of it came off in the bathtub. Boy am I in trouble when Elijah is mobile too. I better end here before some other "David adventure" begins.

Mommy's Little Helper

Yesterday I was making breaded chicken for dinner. The kind that you dip in egg, then the breading and cook it. As I was cooking it Elijah was getting very fussy. So I hurried as fast as I could to get the chicken done and throw it in the oven.

I then rinsed my hands and took Elijah into the bedroom to feed him. Ten minutes later I returned to continue on with dinner. It was then that I saw David sitting on the kitchen counter where I had been working.

He had taken the eggs and cracked two open. Luckily it was only two. One of which had made it into the bowl and the other all over the counter and him. David looked at me with his big eyes and said "Eggs." The joys of mommy's helpers. I couldn't help but laugh at the whole mess and go clean him up.

Baby Blue Eyes

My baby bug! He is so fun. Today I was sick and just lounging around while my girls helped take care of Elijah but even with being sick I found myself just enjoying my little sweetheart. He is such a delight. When he smiles, he smiles with his whole body. Who could have ever imagined that being a mother would be so wonderful.

Birthdays are the Best

Another year has flown by! I had such a fun birthday this year. My birthday was on Saturday. With the Easter bunny coming on Saturday and our family Easter party I got to celebrate my birthday on Friday.

It was so fun! Steve got off work early and let me have a day for myself. First I went to lunch at Sweet Tomatoes with my sisters, my mom and my grandmother. Mmm, soup, bread and salad. It was delicious. I don't get to eat there much because Steve doesn't think it's a real meal. I mean no meat and potatoes, who would even think to make such a restaurant.

After lunch I went shopping for me, a rare thing. My mom and I went to Kohl's and found just what I was looking for. I came home with a big bag of outfits to choose from. What could be better than new clothes!

I came home for just a short while and then we went to dinner at Red Robin. The Blue Ribbon Burger was the best. And almost all my siblings were there and my parents. I love sitting around laughing with my family.

So a big thanks to all those who helped me celebrate and a BIG THANKS to my husband for watching the kiddies so I could have a day for myself. (I noticed I used a lot of exclamation points but anyone who knows me, knows I would have said those things with a lot of enthusiasm)

Eggs, eggs and more eggs!

Oh my! I don't know which had more paint on it, the egg or David. It was definitely David. This year I boiled 9 dozen eggs! Each of my kids had to have a dozen eggs to dye. Then for our family Easter party my activity was to have the children paint eggs with acrylic paints. So I have boiled eggs coming out my ears! If anyone would like some boiled eggs just call or maybe I will drop some anonymously on your doorstep.

Easter

Easter is becoming one of my favorite holidays. Last year we watched "The Testaments" and had a little testimony meeting afterward with our children. I knew I wanted us to do that again but I wanted to do a little more so my children would reflect on the Savior for more than one day.

So I decided we should go to Temple Square. I am very proud of myself because we actually did it! Being a mother of six any outing is a huge ordeal and usually I chicken out. However I wanted us to go to Temple Square and be surrounded by the beauty and let some of the spirit there soak in. And it worked. We walked around and spent over two hours there. None of the kids complained and Sadie even said she had a good time. We didn't have any earth shattering testimony builders but it just felt good. During the drive home we spontaneously started singing songs as a family. Fun songs like, Row, Row, Row your Boat and other fun round-songs. It was the best.

Today we watched "The Testaments" movie again and had our testimony meeting. It is one of the most spiritual times in my life to listen to my children express their feelings of our Savior. It is a moment all of us are pulled close to Heavenly Father and reminded of our purpose here on this earth. I am grateful that I am blessed to have moments like that every so often which gives me a glimpse of what eternity will feel like.

General Conference

I am sad to say it was hard to hear even one talk this year during General Conference. My girls were as well-behaved as they could be but it was so hard to focus. Aside from the chaos I was able to feel the spirit. I could feel the Holy Ghost testify that President Monson was a prophet of God while he spoke. And especially while the choir sang "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" and showed pictures of President Monson.

The day is coming much faster than I want that my home will be quiet. That I won't have children to hush and tell them to listen to the speakers. I must remember that and use the time I have teaching them and loving them before it is gone. (Photo taken this morning while watching General Conference)

Keeping the Right Perspective

The other day my teenager was complaining about how we never get to do anything and how deprived we are. And it got me thinking, are we? My list of "wants" is a long one, but am I deprived? I should say not. We have a home to live in that is clean, safe and comfortable. We have never had to go hungry. The Lord has always stepped in and given us what we need. I have been given an abundance of blessing throughout my life.

But the biggest wealth in my life is my family. I get to be a mom of six children. Would I trade that for an extra car or a yearly vacation? Never. There is not one thing I could buy that would make me happier than when I hear one of my children giggle or see them smile. There is no material thing that has given me the fulfillment and satisfaction I get when I see one of my children overcome a trial or succeed in school or develop a talent.

I am rich. When I go from this earth I will have an endless supply of memories. I am grateful for the riches in my life. As hard times fall upon us I find myself on my knees thanking my Heavenly Father for the blessings that sometimes I have taken for granted. Prayers of wanting a better paying job have turned into a prayer of thanks that Steve has a job. Pangs of envy for a bigger more beautiful home have turned to prayers of thanks that we have a home that we can afford. I am very rich. (Photo: This is an old photo. In fact I was six months pregnant with Elijah and we are missing Emily in the shot. Not to mention we added our cousin Ali. So as soon as I can get a better photo I will post it)