November Traditions

The words of President Monson during our recent Stake Conference continue to echo through my mind, "Men change EVERY day."  I recently read a similar talk by President Monson from 2008... he spoke of change.  He emphasized the day by day, minute by minute and second by second... our lives are steadily marching on and we can choose to find JOY right now, in the present moment.  So, my handsome husband and I continue to add to our Family Vision... our Family Traditions shape and change our little family day by day, minute by minute and second by second :)

 Tradition #1  Our Christmas Gift to the Savior

On the day of November 1^st, I went visiting teaching.  Crazy, I know, because I have never visited on the first day of the month in my whole career as a visiting teacher :-)   A sister that I visit shared a beautiful idea that helps her embrace the holiday season each year.  Starting on November 1^st  and through Christmas day, she reads 10 pages of the Book of Mormon.  There are around 530 pages and about 55 days (so it gives a few extra days if you miss or need to catch up) 

I pondered the idea that day, wondering if I wanted to commit to a specific number of pages along with the other studying I was already trying to squeeze into my full days.  The answer was a strong yes.  I shared the idea with the twins who were already reading the Book of Mormon during their morning daily personal scripture study, both of them reading in Mosiah somewhere.  To my surprise, they chose to commit to reading 5 pages a day as their Christmas gift to the Savior.  So, it is the early morning of November 20^th and I just peeked into their bedroom - both comfortably sitting on their beds... silent, still, with empty stomachs... reading their 5 pages.

Tradition #2  Gratitude Jar

Our Gratitude Jar is being filled with words of gratitude!  The children choose one thing they are grateful for each day and write a specific way that they will express that gratitude.  An example from our 4 year old... 'I am grateful for my sister.  Today I will give her a big hug.'

"And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.”  D&C 78:19

Tradition #3  Magical Moments with Mom

and Dad Interviews

 So, my husband and I try to switch off creating one-on-one time with each child every other Sunday.  We started Magical Moments with Mom when the twins were little.  It's a special time with Mom, snuggled in her big bed reading a beautiful picture book.  Some favorites are Daughter of a King by Rachel Ann Nunes, The Story of the Walnut Treeby Robert T. Barrett and everything by Max Lucado.  

Now, the twins and I have Mom-n-Me Meetings, usually about 10-15 minutes long.  I ask a few simple questions about their joys, needs and desires.  I do lots of listening and write any ideas that need action.  Then we end with a special prayer specifically for them, a hug and a little treat.  Today during our Mom-n-Me Meetings, I listened to the boys share an idea for a Secret Christmas Service Jar, stories about the wicked Korihor, Alma sharing his conversion experience with his son Helaman and discovered the need to plan a trip to the optometrist.  Whew!  Makes a great hour :)  

Tradition #4 ~ Sunday Surprise Muffins

Growing up, I loved my mom's Surprise Muffins and Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Because we try to keep things fairly healthy around here, we've switched the recipe up a bit and use spelt flour and honey instead of white flour and sugar.  We eat a whole dozen ourselves, give a dozen away and keep a dozen for Monday snacks.  Any takers next Sunday? :)

October in San Diego!

Beach Treasures

San Diego Temple

Mormon Battalion

Dinner Over the Ocean

Summer Reads, Gospel Picture Study, and Tonto Natural Bridge

"Children don't stumble onto good books themselves. They must be introduced to the wonder of words put together in such a way that they spin out pure joy and magic."

~Gladys Hunt

We finally found a terrific way to hold our morning devotional.  Even the little ones can participate in our Gospel Picture Study, using the Gospel Art Picture Kit for the life of Christ.  While the kids are eating breakfast (mouths full : ), I read the back of a picture and they "Look and Listen."  Then, I ask them to close their eyes and tell me EVERY little detail they remember from the picture and the story.  We repeat each picture for three days in a row.  We are all RETAINING the scripture stories better, Mom included!  Then, on Sunday, we mix all the pictures up on the floor and create a Timeline.

In Elder Neil L. Andersen's talk titled Tell Me the Stories of Jesus he says,

"The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?

Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior’s life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead." 

To top it off, we use our Memorize Board  www.gomemorize.com, so we consistently SEE the picture and the scripture as we pass by this wall in the family room.  Love it!  

September Friday Family Field Trip

Ahhh.... enjoying the view!

Love these boys :-)

The twins turned 9 this summer.  I am amazed at the little gentlemen they are becoming.  They had a very grown up family birthday this year (friend party every other year).  Birthdays at our house start with a special birthday breakfast (they chose French Toast drizzled with maple syrup and fruit) and a special reading of our traditional birthday book Hooray For You!

The Story of Carl:
We spent a few fun hours exploring at the Arizona Science Center and Planetarium.

On the way out to the parking lot, we were approached by a nice man named Carl who was out of work and living on the street.  We didn't have any small bills to give him, but the twins insisted that after we paid for our parking, we would give Carl the $5 in change and they would pay us back from their own money.  On the drive home, the twins said they prayed that Carl would find work soon and that giving the money to Carl was the best part of their birthday. 

(grateful for those tender experiences that just can't be planned)

We finished the evening with yummy Mexican food and fried Ice Cream!  

Women were made to be Strong and Immovable

This angel baby is literally seconds old in this photo.  I experienced my first home birth as my sister and her husband welcomed little Micah into the world.  Wow ~ Women were made to be strong and immovable.  If I didn't truly understand it after the births of my own children, I see it clearly now.  As my sister labored, I had visions of the generations of women who have come before us.  Women who sacrificed everything to bring precious children into this world.  Pioneer women who gave birth and buried children along the trail side.  And women today, who continue to choose to bring children into this world.  

As stated in The Family: A Proclamation to the World, "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3).  

Welcome, little Micah!

One of THOSE days : )

I haven't had one of THOSE days for a while.  I've loved the past few years of having my children home with me each day, working along side them, reading with them, wondering with them, discovering new places with them, and learning patience and forgiveness with them.  But, I have an occasional day when the chaos gets under my skin ~ I'm only human.  I've learned that it is usually only for a moment, or a day ~ the kids and I call these "Crazy Mom" days.  So, it was the beginning of June, one of those unstructured, lazy summer days.  The baby was sick, the oldest three children were fighting over everything it seemed, and my husband and I were in the middle of discussing the monster task of selling our business. Yep, it turned into a "Crazy Mom" day!  After my impatient mother's heart was softened, I was reminded of the recent General Conference talks that I just listened to on my ipod.  I had an overwhelming sense that I should study them so that I can remember them always.  So, I've been studying the beautiful talks referencing teaching our children and I have a renewed sense of my role as mother in our HOME.  My quotes to remember...
  

Mothers Teaching Children in the Home

By Elder L. Tom Perry of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"Teaching in the home is becoming increasingly important in today’s world, where the influence of the adversary is so widespread and he is attacking, attempting to erode and destroy the very foundation of our society, even the family. Parents must resolve that teaching in the home is a most sacred and important responsibility... Parents must bring light and truth into their homes by one family prayer, one scripture study session, one family home evening, one book read aloud, one song, and one family meal at a time. They know that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily parenting is among the most powerful and sustaining forces for good in the world. The health of any society, the happiness of its people, their prosperity, and their peace all find common roots in the teaching of children in the home."

That Our Children Might See the Face of the Savior
By Cheryl C. Lant   Recently Released Primary General President
"It is our sacred responsibility as parents and leaders of this rising generation of children to bring them to the Savior so that they might see His face and the face of our Father in Heaven as well. If we want our children to come to Christ so that they might see His face, it is important that we seek to see it as well."

Our Duty to God: The Mission of Parents and Leaders to the Rising Generation
By Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"For all of us, doing our duty to God as parents and leaders begins with leading by example—consistently and diligently living gospel principles at home. This takes daily determination and diligence... When we have a family home evening, a family council, or a meaningful gospel conversation with our children, we have the opportunity to look into their eyes and tell them that we love them and that Heavenly Father loves them. In these sacred settings, we can also help them understand, deep in their hearts, who they are and how fortunate they are to have come to this earth and to our home and to participate in the covenants we have taken in the temple to be a family forever." 

Help Them on Their Way Home

By President Henry B. Eyring  First Counselor in the First Presidency
"So we help God’s children best by providing ways to build faith in Jesus Christ and His restored gospel when they are young... The family has an advantage in the first eight years of a child’s life. In those protected years, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Satan’s use of the mists of darkness to hide the path to return home is blocked... They realize that if the children are strengthened with faith and testimony, they will be less likely to need rescue as teenagers. They realize that a strong spiritual foundation can make the difference for a lifetime."

Mother Told Me
By Elder Bradley D. Foster of the Seventy
President James E. Faust said: “There is no greater good in all the world than motherhood. The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation”

Tell Me the Stories of Jesus
By Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
"The stories of Jesus can be like a rushing wind across the embers of faith in the hearts of our children. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” The stories of Jesus shared over and over bring faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strength to the foundation of testimony. Can you think of a more valuable gift for our children?
Are the life and teachings of Jesus Christ embedded in the minds and souls of our children? Do they think about the Savior’s life when they wonder what to do in their own lives? This will be more and more important in the years ahead." 

Back in June, I spent a day (something like13 hours!) with these lovely ladies, creating a vision for our new CoOp and discussing the needs of our 45 precious children. I loved getting to know each one of the children through their mother's eyes. Grateful to have these amazing women in my life!

Nana's Nook

2010 4th of July weekend ~ Christopher Creek with our friends the Barnettes.

The kids and I spent a few days with Sarah and her kids.  We enjoyed the cool weather and lots of outside exploring.  The little guys loved the swings.  Sarah and I did some planning for our CoOp, and then the dads came Friday evening. 

My favorite spot was relaxing on the hammock with my favorite girl in the whole wide world.

The kids had a great time catching all kinds of critters ~ butterflies, snails, crawdads, and beetles.

Grateful for this country and the freedoms we are blessed to have.  Happy 4th!

Celebrating 11 Years

11 Things I LOVE about this man:

1.  His love of God

2.  He chose me

3.  His BIG heart and love of people  

4.  His ability to play with our children and be present in their world

5.  His neverending drive to work hard to provide for our family

6  His patience and desire to understand me on Crazy Mom days

7.  His aching for a good adventure in the outdoors

8.  Those baby blues (that all our children were lucky to get, too)

9.  He shares my love of learning

10.  Even after 11 years, he can still make me laugh

11.  I get to share the rest of my life with him

Happy Anniversary!

The Ivy Girl Academy Workshop

Last weekend we had a house full ~ with 28 girls and a few volunteer moms (thank you ladies!) in and out all day.  Jessie was amazing with the girls... inspiring them to have confidence through engaging activities - not to mention, she sang for them and told her story about having the confidence to say 'No' to a worldly singing career when she was only 15 years old. 

They dicussed gratitude, self defense, motherhood, true beauty, etiquitte, and what it means to be a lady. The girls loved creating Dream Boards - I loved seeing their individual personalities shine through the pictures and random items they chose to put on their boards. Loved it!

My sweet friend Carey huddled with the girls and talked about service and good works and I had a great time chatting with the girls about nutrition and exercise.

Jessie's Shoes

Escape

Once or twice a year, my wise husband literally kicks me out the door for a few days away to catch up on sleep, do a little reading, and self reflecting. So, over the weekend I slipped away and it wasn't a coincidence when I was handed the keys to my rental car, a spunky silver Ford Escape.  Where did I escape to?  A relaxing and uplifting Mother's Retreat put together by two wonderful women - Saren and April (their website Power of Moms) at the beautiful Red Mountain Spa in St George Utah.  The mountains and weather were gorgeous.

I spent time with amazing women and ate yummy food.  I had a chat with Linda Eyre ~ I will be forever grateful for her example, as her words rescued me during a chaotic year (when I had a newborn and barely 2 year old twin boys) through her books - Teaching Children Joy and A Joyful Mother of Children.  I came home with fresh ideas for family systems and traditions and wonderful memories of inspiring conversations.  Thanks to my sweet husband and mother for keeping up with the kids and the house so I could escape for a few days!

Inspired by Stitches, the Stomach Flu and The Sound of Music

How can I use the words stomach flu and inspire in the same post?!? Doesn't the flu mean extra loads of laundry, sleepless nights, and three boxes of Clorox wipes?!? Yep. But, because we were all forced to stay home together as the flu rotated through seven people (we couldn't all get it at once, that would be too easy!) it also meant five days to be together. So, what do we do when it's HOT outside and we can't go swimming or play with friends??

Inspiration #1 The Sound of Music

I pulled out this family classic a few years ago and the kids fell asleep before the first half hour was through. But, this week I figured it was time to try it again. Magic. The kids begged to watch it again... and again. Three times.   All 175 minutes. It sparked amazing discussions about the von Trapp family, Nazi Germany, and Agency.

Inspiration #2 Paint

It's amazing what fresh paint and brushes will do to inspire my kids BIG imaginations. For as long as I can remember, the twins have LOVED to paint. Their latest masterpieces...

Inspiration # 3 Stitches 
The late night ER trip, you know, when the 3 year old silently snuck out of bed at almost 10PM and hit his chin on the counter while playing in the bathroom :-) Funny, but I really cherished the time I had to hold him while we waited to be seen by the doctor. I will always have the memory of laying in the hospital bed next to him and talking softly with him... an unsual charactaristic of my tenacious, active, loud 3 year old. Of course, to stitch him up, he had to be sedated because of the location and size of the split. 7 hours and 7 stitches later... still smiling. 

A Beautiful Day

~ I am incredibly blessed to be the mother of five children who teach me daily about love, patience, wonder, joy, fun, and forgiveness.   My handsome husband and the kids made a yummy Mothers Day Lunch, complete with a show and my very own bowl of fruit :-)  ~ Then, because I've been a busy mama these past 9 months, Jared gave me a few hours to work on organizing my very neglected photos. I love feeling organized, even if it's only the photos on my computer :-) 

Thanks for a beautiful day!

Four Generations
~ I am blessed to have a beautiful mother with so many gifts. She continues to teach me about service through her example and willingness to help when anyone is in need.  She is still always willing to lend a hand when I have chosen, again, to put too many things on my plate.

~ To my mother and all the wonderful women in my life... your endless examples of motherhood inspire me to keep going and become more.

Serendipity

~ We all have one of these family pictures… you know, the one where the toddler refuses to cooperate and simply smile for the camera no matter how much coaxing or bribery you do! ;-) The moment I saw this picture on my digital camera tonight I laughed out loud… It reminded me of something I recently read in 'A Mother’s Book of Secrets' by Linda Eyre.


She wrote, “The definition of serendipity is “Through awareness and sagacity, finding something good while looking for something else. Serendipity usually happens because of a crisis or when you are least expecting it. It might be getting a great idea because of something your kids said or did. It might be taking a minute to enjoy a gorgeous sunset. It might be getting a call from a long lost friend, just when you though it was so important to accomplish something else. An annoying interruption by a child becomes an opportunity! … When you get really good at looking for serendipity, instead of rolling over in the morning with your first thought being a heavy, “What do I have to do today?” you might be able to roll over and think, “I wonder what’s going to happen to me today?”


~ This picture was my serendipity today. Instead of finding the perfect family photo on my camera, I found a priceless memory where everything was out of my control and just the way it should be.

(Christopher Creek this 4th of July weekend)

Celebrating 10 Years

Now for the sappy part... I promise to keep it short :-)


10 years ago we sat on the floor in my parents dusty attic in Utah and made a plan. We casually talked about what we wanted our future lives to be like ~ who we wanted to become ~ how to raise our 10 children-haha ~ what our home environment would be like and what we could accomplish together... Over the past 10 years I have watched as we've lived the life we planned. Yeah, we've had our share of mountains to climb along the way... and we are stronger because of them.


This man was designed to fit me perfectly... He's been the never ending supportive force behind my wild vision for our family's education, makes me laugh, gives compassion when I need it, teaches me when I am impatient, gladly takes over the children and household when I am in desperate need of ME time and is an amazing father to our 5 (not 10 :-) children... and I could not ask for more.


~ Looking forward to creating the next 10 years together :-)


We took a relaxing get-away ~ Dinner, movie and a little shopping. We stayed at the Camelback Inn JW Marriott Resort & Spa. It was quiet and relaxing with a great view and a lot of fun AZ history.

Confessions of a Converted Reader

I started collecting Children’s Literature my first year of college. Since then, I have steadily added to my Home Library each year. In the past I have been a reader of scriptures, parenting books, how-to manuals, self-help, and nutrition books.

Once in a while I would hear about those people who eat books for breakfast. Looking back, I think my dad was one of them… But, for those of you who HAVE been hearty readers your whole life… I have some catching up to do!

This past year I completed the first half of a 5 Pillar Certification Program which was created by George Wythe University. It was an inspiring and transforming experience and Wow - I believe in the power of self education! I have caught the reading bug and now “I cannot live without books” as Thomas Jefferson said.

"Because life and time are short, we will be able to read only a few thousand books in our lifetimes. When we pick any book, we are ruling out hundreds and thousands of other books. How important it is, then, to choose time-proven great books that will [uplift and transform us], and enable us to rise to greater levels of truth and beauty and insight and understanding and, hence, spirituality. Many great men and women have found that a steady, systematic approach to literature has enabled them to fill their beings, in a lifetime of good reading, with the great thoughts of men and women of all the ages, for through reading great books we are put in touch with the great minds of all time, and we become their spiritual and intellectual heirs.” George W. Pace

In the last 2 weeks, because I have a break from my 5 Pillar group, I have finished The Anatomy of Peace, listened to 3/4 of Pride and Prejudice and 1/2 of The 8th Habit by Steven Covey. I like to keep a "classic" going along with a "principle" book. I admit that I listen to the audio books of about 1/2 of what I read on my ipod and follow the actual book when I come to something I want to mark. By using audio books, I can do housework at the same time ~ gotta multi-task with a house full of 5 little ones! :)

Awareness

The last two days have been full of busy-ness and urgent things… running kids here and there, shopping, mountains of laundry… In those moments it was easy to allow my mind to see the urgent things as more important than the little people begging for my attention. I love Thursdays because it means that I can slow down and take care of the people and things in my little corner of the world.

This morning I was having our Morning Devotional with the kids and received a phone call from my mom letting me know that my grandfather had lost his battle with cancer late last night. For a few minutes I sat and pondered on his life and how he will be missed by those he left behind. I was reminded of the most important things I can be spending my time doing... grateful to have all of my children gathered around me and to be holding my usually active two year old close to me as I read scriptures to them. It was one of those joyful moments that a mother cherishes :)

Baby #5 is finally here!

Born on Friday November 7th weighing 8lbs 5oz. Here he is at 1 day old. We brought him home after 24 hours and are grateful he's so healthy! We're excited to have him join our family:-)

My Masterpiece

I have some amazingly talented friends... authors, public speakers, singers, teachers, life coaches... they have spent time developing these talents (as well as being born with them:-)  I am grateful to each of them for blessing my life with their talents!  I have pondered this weekend where I am spending my time, being reminded that JOY comes in the smallest moments of my life and that I can have it with me as often as I CHOOSE it.  From the time I was a little girl I have sensed a GREAT calling and mission, I just didn't know what FORM it would show up in! Time continues to open my eyes to one of my greatest purposes and teachers... motherhood:-)

"She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and plaudits of man, but she who rears. a family of beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come, long after paintings have faded and books have been destroyed, she deserves the highest honor that man can give and the choicest blessings of God. In her high duty and service to humanity, she is co-partner with the Creator himself."

President David O. McKay

Mama On a Mission

Lately a popular topic of conversation with people is the number of children we will soon have. When my handsome husband and I are out alone, strangers often comment, "Oh, is this your first baby?" (I know, we look young)

The past few years I have felt inspired to teach my children and have strongly felt their individual purposes. Being pregnant again and not always feeling like myself has caused me to ponder even more why we bring these special spirits into this sometimes crazy world.

This morning I was reading a talk by Elder Boyd K. Packer from the 2006 Women's Conference titled 'Children of God.' He quoted the poem ..."the hand that rocks the cradle is the hand that rules the world." He goes on to say, "Now the birthrate is declining in every country in the world. In order for a nation's population to remain stable, the birthrate must be just over two children per woman of childbearing years... worldwide, the birthrate among members married in the temple is notably higher than in the world, but this rate too has been declining... we face a particular set of issues because the pool from which missionaries are drawn is in steady decline."

I never imagined I would be the mother to so many boys... but I know that there is a purpose for them to fulfill. I hope to be more aware of my own purpose in preparing them.
Who am I BEING when I am with them?
How do I speak to them?
What true/false beliefs am I teaching them through the things I choose to do with my time?
It can be a little overwhelming to think about the huge influence a mother is on her children and what they will take with them into their own future families :-)

Elder Packer concluded, "The ultimate end of all activity in the Church is that a man and his wife and their children can be happy at home, sealed together so that the family can continue throughout eternity."

Thanks for the LIFT Elder Packer :-)

It's a BOY!

No mistaking this one for a girl! It's a BOY!

Together Forever

Lately we've been working on teaching our kids Spanish... okay, so mostly my handsome husband is doing the teaching and I am learning along with the kids :) We frequently talk about other languages and cultures and to go along with that, we had an FHE lesson last night on 'Going on a Mission'. As we talked, the twins were SO excited...
One said, "I can't wait to go on a mission, I wonder where the prophet will send me!"
The other said, "Awe, we have 12 years left to wait!"
We explained that they could go at the same time to different places and teach the gospel and then watched 'Called to Serve.'
Half way through the movie one of my compassionate little guys leaned over to me with tears in his eyes and said "Do you think the prophet would decide we could go together since we are brothers and twins?"


My future missionaries on their 4th birthday...



I think it was the first time he realized they wouldn't be together 24/7 for the rest of his life. LOVE the special bond they share...