My 12 Year Old

I love Connor. He has always been my sweetheart, cuddler and all around good kid. Lately he has surprised me. One day he needed his shirt for church. I was busy and couldn't get it for him. He decided to iron it himself! It was actually done pretty well. For the past few days he has gotten up, dressed for school and started on the packed lunches. He's a keeper!

Prayers ARE Answered!

I've had an emotional week. One of my children is really struggling right now. Actually, we have been struggling for years it has just recently moved to a new intensity. I have felt completely hopeless about this situation for a while now. Today, I found out how my prayers are being answered and how much people care about our family. We had a terrible morning today. I can't tell you how awful it was. I dropped the kids off at school and just had a stomach full of anxiety. I got half way home and decided that one child needed to be home today. I drove back to the school and ran in to the director of the school. She asked if I was okay and if we needed to talk. I ended up telling her about what was going on with my child. She in turn found my child's teacher and we had a short chat. In the end we decided to keep this child in school and they would help with the problem. I then found a message from our chiropractor (I'd pleaded with him for help) and he's going to do everything he can. He has given me some things to think about and different routes we can take. Two women that I've been working with in the school parent organization saw me at the school and were quite concerned that I was upset and both called a friend of mine to see if I was okay. My friend then called and listened to me while I spilled out my worries. I also have a neighbor that knows what is going on and is helping in her own way. I feel such an outpouring of love and can see a light at the end of this tunnel. So often I try to do everything on my own but can now see that this is an impossible task. Thank you friends!!!

Preschool

Mckenna had an open house at her preschool. She has been excited since she found out she was going but got nervous just before it was time to go. She had so much fun meeting most of her classmates and playing. I knew she would go straight for the little tea set and she did - played with it for quite a while. I love her teacher. Kellie and Mailaya also had this teacher and she is wonderful. She got to teetertotter and play in this cute little mesh tent that hung from a tree. Next week she will have her official first day!

Talking

Karlyn has been saying a few things for a while but her little vocabulary is really starting to progress. Today she said Nenna (Mckenna), she says daddy, pup pup (puppy), squeals for kitty and mom mom. She is good at letting us know what she wants by putting her whole body forward and leading with her arms. She is such a little joy!

Diet - again

Our family is in the middle of a lifestyle change. We recently found out that 3 of our children have food intolerances and/or allergies. The food that is common in all three is gluten. After a lot of research I believe that the other foods are now allergens because of their consumption of gluten. I also believe that my infertility/endometriosis are linked to food because my endo symptoms receded and I became pregnant after I drastically reduced white flour and sugar from my own diet. I wanted to send a video link for people that suspect they or their family might have some sort of food allergy/intolerance. This link is specific to gluten but it still may give some idea of what types of problems can happen when someone consumes foods they have intolerances to. Also, it explains the difference between a celiac disease, gluten intolerance and gluten allergy.

Happy Birthday Connor!

I'm having a moment. My boy is 12 today! Can you believe it, 12 years old. I love my Conbon. Connor is my ONLY snuggly child. He has been this way since day one. He's always the one to give me a hug, want to sit down by me and often asks if we can snuggle. Connor is SUPER intelligent. His best subject is math. He could spend days putting legos together and has come up with some really cool designs of his own. His designs usually involve trap doors, slides, weapons, etc. Con has always been a peacemaker. He makes friends easily and wants everyone to be happy. Con will now be able to hold the priesthood (huge milestone), pass the sacrament, and has graduated from Cub Scouts to Scouts. I love my Con! Happy Birthday!!!

Happy Birthday Mailaya

I'm hoping to have my computer back today so I can post pics later. Yesterday was Mailaya's 7th birthday. I LOVE my sweet Mailaya. I searched for her for a little less than a year. I knew I was looking for a girl, but where, I didn't know. Many situations were presented to us. We took classes for Utah Foster care, had a beautiful girl from Kazakstan in our home, either declined or denied several domestic adoptions and when I was ready to give up, we found Mailaya. She is a joy and a delight. She is strong, quiet (unless you get her alone!), loving, desires to help, and beautiful. Even before I was marrried I wanted to adopt a child internationally. I was able to fulfill this dream with Mailaya. Mailaya has many friends due to her laid back personality. She also has an intense love for her true friends and family.

Yesterday we had a birthday party for Mailaya. She decided on a luau. We had fruit kabobs and pina coladas with sorbet and cute straws. We had a "pie" eating contest with whipping cream instead of pie. We did the limbo stick. Made sponge balls. Had a HUGE water fight with balloons and the sponges, oh and buckets. Mailaya's friends were relentless in getting Connor, Kellie and Mailaya wet. It was fun. A couple of kids asked about cake but were okay when I said we didn't have one. I wasn't prepared to make a gluten free cake and ran out of time for it anyway.

Accepting a "No" Answer

How many of us like to be told "no?" I sure don't. Lately I have been getting many of these. I've had two fairly big projects that I was working on. With one project, I went to a meeting and found out that the assignment had been given to someone else. All the hard work I had put in to the project went down the toilet. With another one, no one got back to me so I assumed it was a go ahead only to find out (after several months) that, no, it is not. I had a mini tantrum last night. Not too pretty. This morning I woke up and realized that sometimes I have to follow the very instruction I have given my children. In this case, try and disagree appropriately and if the answer is still, "no", I must accept the answer and drop the subject. "Teaching Self Government" has helped me again. I'm in the process of disagreeing appropriately. My assumption in this case is that the answer will still be, "no." Now I have to swallow my pride and drop the subject. I have found that sometimes logic and reason don't work with certain people and either am going to be upset or I just have to let it go.

FOOD!

Food, it's been the topic in our home for well over a year. What should we eat, what shouldn't we? We found out Jacob had an allergy to sugar some time ago. We were already eating very well at home. We had gone to almost complete whole grains and had taken out most of the obvious sugars. It seemed that behavior really got out of hand during the school year and holidays. My kids were homeschooled last year and it helped immensely. However, scouts, homeschool activities and sometimes church seemed to hold setbacks. We're still working out those issues.
Recently, I stumbled in to another look at food. It now seems that my son is having yet another allergy to food. We are in the middle of testing to find out for sure. It looks like gluten. We have taken out most gluten for the past several weeks. I have seen a calm in him that hasn't been there before. His impulses also seem to be much better. One great improvement for him is that his terrible headaches have ceased. He had a setback after the 4th of July when he ate a ton of candy that was thrown at the parade. During all of this I have been studying what I can about gluten and other food allergies. Much research suggests that autoimmune disorders (diabetes, fibromyalgia, etc.) can be controlled by finding out what is attacking the body. Apparently, whatever in the body is the weakest is targeted when a person is having an autoimmune response. Many parents of autistic children have found that by removing allergens (most common seems to be gluten and dairy) the children improve in areas like language, behaviour, etc. Just this morning I read an article about inflammation and obesity. It seems that much of the food we eat is literally killing us.
The good news is that by changing what our family has eaten, over time, we are all feeling a great deal better.

Last of my 22 Things I've Learned from Being a Mom

11- If an outfit is loved enough, it might take several days before mom can pry it off your body.
12- On most surfaces, permanent marker really IS permanent.
13- Praise is the best way to a child's heart.
14- Children can sing the "Happy Family" song without a single happy note, BUT by the end of the song every face will at least have a smile.
15- Babies have a way of melting even the coldest heart.
16- You can't disguise certain foods, broccoli is broccoli no matter how you fix it.
17- It really is true, if there is a puddle ANYWHERE, a child will find it and jump in it.
18- White clothes shouldn't even be an option for children.
19- If your teenage girl talks and giggles non-stop about a certain boy, you should not assume that you can now tease her about this boy.
20- A teens' version of a clean room is not always the same as moms version.
21- Just ignore rolling eyes, those eye muscles just need proper exercise.
22- Time really does go too quickly, enjoy!

22 things I've learned from being a mom

So, if you've noticed that my background is still "Happy New Years," you're pretty observant. I can't change my background because I can't get my computer to work right when I'm on the internet. I just might have this background until I get my computer fixed which just might be around next New Years, LOL!

I just read about this great idea to list 22 things I've learned from being a mom. I haven't thought of 22, so I'll start with a few.

1. Pull-ups are not underwear. They may have princesses on them, but the three year old is not fooled in to thinking they are underwear.

2. Babies don't like baby jar peas. Heck, have you tasted them? Giving them peas is like saying, "hey cute baby, here's something you can spit all over mommy and really get a good laugh!"

3. If it sounds too quiet, RUN! If you don't, there might be a pile of hair somewhere and bald spots on a child.

4. I have no actual video footage of this one, but apparently a child can start a fire by tripping over a match.

5. "Mommy, I love you," or "thanks mom," can make the worst days seem pretty darn good.

6. Sticks are a boys best friend. The bigger the stick, the better.

7. Big girls need their mommy just as much as little girls. Same with boys.

8. Never say "uh, huh" when you're pre-occupied. You never know what you just said yes to.

9. There is nothing that can make you smile like a child laughing.

10. Peace is holding a child while they sleep.

11. The times when a child needs you the most are the times it is most difficult to be around that child. Be around them anyway.

So Much Excitement!!!

Ok, so there is something seriously wrong with my computer and I'm having trouble posting, but it looks like I've at least found a workaround for now. So on to the exciting news. Yesterday, after much hard work, Kellie made cheerleader for next year. She was the first one picked up by the 9th grade cheerleaders and so I missed that part, I'm so sad about that. I had to pick up Jacob, Mailaya and Mckenna from grandmas (which is about 2 min. from our house). Anyway, I went to the local restaurant and got pics of the girls. This gorgeous downs syndrome girl tried out and is an honorary cheerleader. She was so cute at the mock tryouts and even remembered her personal cheer. I'll see if I can post a pic later. Kellie really wants to be cheer captain or co-captain so we'll see what happens with that. She'd make a good captain.

Next, Brent has lost almost 10lbs from doing the P90X. He also is getting a little flexibility in his feet and ankles AND he even jumped. Okay, so I wouldn't actually call it jumping, but his feet almost left the floor, LOL! Anything that can help his pain and flexibility is awesome. I have also lost a little weight, 2 lbs. Even better, I'm gaining muscle.

P90X

Anyone ever heard of this? If you haven't, it's a 90 day workout program designed to kick your butt! Well, Brent and I are on day 2 and I'm feeling it. I'll let you know how it goes. I'm hoping to lose about 15-20 lbs before June. I've got my 20 year reunion and I want to look decent.

Penny Boat Fun

Our family is trying to do a family activity each week to get closer and have fun together. We planned an activity. The planning goes like this: everyone throws out a bunch of ideas for the activity and we vote on it. Connor wanted to make penny boats. His won because we had votes for 3 activites (all had two votes) and Mckenna had the deciding vote. I think she liked the sound of money being involved. The kids whose ideas did not win were not too happy about the activity and one complained all day that it would be boring. What are penny boats? Well, everyone gets the same size and shape of tin foil and designs their own boat. The boat goes in water and the one that holds the most pennies before sinking wins. Guess who won? If you guessed the child that complained, you are right. Jacob won with over 20 pennies. Kellie felt he cheated because she was winning and then Jacob changed his boat design and beat her, LOL! Brent decided to spice things up by having tin foil boat races. He had two boats in a cookie sheet of water. Kellie and Connor were on opposite sides of the pan and were supposed to blow the boats to the opposite side, the winner being the one who got the boat there the fastest. Anyone ever heard of this one before? Well, the kids were in position and Brent slapped the water and sprayed the two of them pretty good. That started a mini water fight in the house.

Stake Conference

I really love Stake Conference. The themes are personal to me and those I go to church with and associate with. Our theme for the year is based on family. Our family has really been working on strengthening ours in many ways. Listening to the speakers at Stake Conference made me want to work harder and with more urgency on that goal. I had recently been feeling overwhelmed and a little tied to home. Homeschooling kids is difficult in that regard. It feels sometimes that I can never get time for myself or adult conversation. I then remembered why I am homeschooling and realized that during this time of my life I SHOULD be tied to home and my kids. My kids are growing very quickly and it won't be too long until they are not here anymore. The messages shared brought back to focus my purpose as a mom. Oh, and we had to be good and listen because our family was part of a "family" choir and we were sitting on the stand. The conference was broadcast to all the ward buildings in our stake. Poor Brent had the camera right on him the whole time. I do need to set some time aside for myself to rejuvinate and do the things that fulfill some of my needs and also time to keep my marriage happy. It was a good weekend!

Guess Who's Three?

Or firteen or sixteen or fourteen (she can't make up her mind). If you guessed Mckenna, you're right. My sweet little princess is three today. Mckenna is our joy. She always has a smile that lights up the room. Her eyes twinkle when she's happy, which is most always. We found, early on, that she looks very similar to her grandma Pat. Grandma died several years ago and it seems that Mckenna and grandma must have been very close. Mckenna and grandma have the same smile and contagious joy! I love you Kennaboo

Valentines

Last night we had such a fun FHE. We made valentines for each other. It was so cute to watch each child spend so much time and make each valentine individual for their brothers and sisters. Connor did a cool drawing and sort of poem for each person. Connor surprised me the most because he used to hate writing. Since homeschooling, he is actually writing stories and things on his own. Even Mckenna got into it. She was gluing, cutting and drawing circles on her cards. I love seeing my kids using their creativity in such a loving way.

Can You Feel the Love?

It's February! The "love" month. What do I love most? My family. I love that Mckenna heard Brent pull up in the driveway and ran to the door, "daddy's home, daddy's home!!!" When he walked in she excitedly told him that she was drinking hot cocoa. I love that Jacob had 6 days of good behaviour. I love that Connor still loves to cuddle. I appreciate that Kellie leaves notes on the mirror for everyone to read and know she cares. I enjoy Mailaya telling me that she needs a hug. I love watching everyone want to make every waking moment of Karlyn's a happy one. I love that my dh is getting pizza tonight because he knows I don't feel well. I LOVE my FAMILY!

Family Meetings

We have been having family meetings every Sunday. Brent and I have also had meetings with each child individually. We weren't sure if we should do them with Mckenna because she is too samll to understand exactly what is happening. We decided to do them with her. Well, her goal each week has been the same, hugs and kisses. Last night, she saw that the meetings were going on and she jumped on to our bed and said, "hugs and kisses!" She gave Brent and I both hugs and kisses on the spot. It was so cute.

A Funny

Tonight, we were having meetings with our kids and my dd reminded me of a funny. A few years ago, Connor, was really into Spiderman. He used to stick tape on his feet and hands and try to climb the walls, LOL!

Children Teaching Children

I've written a couple of times about our family trying to parent using the book, Teaching Self Government. Today my 6 year old was talking to her almost 3 year old sister. She was trying to teach her to say, "okay." It's the key word for accepting "no" answers, accepting consequences, showing that your listening, etc. It was so cute. "Mckenna, say okay." "Put that back, now say okay."

Artwork

I love art. I decided to be an artist when my grandpa hung a picture I did for him on the wall. I'm not quite an artist, but it brings great joy to me. I am trying to instill some sense of joy in my kids with art as well. Three of them recently entered the K12 art competition. Mailaya's picture she calls Summertime Express

Jacobs picture, House in a Snowstorm.

Connor's picture, House by the Pool

Potty Training

I'm just going to say it, "I HATE potty training." I really do. It's that time between diapers and being trained when there are accidents on a daily basis. We've been working on potty training with Kenna for months. She was almost trained when Karlyn was born. Somedays she is dry through the whole day and others she'll have one to three accidents. This morning she said how much she loved her diaper. I asked her about her princess underwear. She let me know that she doesn't love her underwear and doesn't want to potty in the toilet. Sigh...

Goal # 3

This goal is an emotional goal. Out of all the goals, this is the one that I tend to put last. My goal is to do something each week that is just for me. I want to make time to read books for enjoyment. Digital scrapbook at least once per week. Oh, sew and paint. I LOVE to paint and don't make the time for that like I want to. I've got one more goal to write out, my religious goal. I'm not sure what I'm going to do for that one but it's being thought out.

How's it Going?

It's going great! What? My first New Year's resolution. Strengthening my family has been fun. One of the "Teaching Self Government" ideas is to have a once a week activity with the whole family. I actually asked Nicholeen about this because we already have FHE (family home evening). She said that they do FHE on Sunday and the activity on Monday. The reason is the anticipation of a family planned event is really important. It has been especially important in our home right now. One child is making some huge changes and has lost privileges quite a bit. Family time is special and every child gets to participate in all of the planned family stuff, even if they don't have privileges. We've only had two activities so far but I can see it's something the kids are going to relish and become more creative in planning as time goes on. We did puzzles the first night and went sledding last night. We had intended to build a snow man and have a snowball fight but the snow wasn't right for either. We had sledding as our secondary plan. It turned out to be a great lesson in having fun even though plans change.

They Grow Too Fast!

Karlyn rolled over Sunday. I can't believe it. She's such a people person baby. She LOVES to be talked to and held BUT she doesn't like to cuddle. She wants to see everything going on around her so always has to face out. We took her sleigh riding (she didn't sled of course). She liked being with us but hated the snow suit - she couldn't suck her thumb.

Thomas Jefferson knew

How did Jefferson know?

HOW DID JEFFERSON KNOW?
When we get piled upon one another in large cities, as in Europe, we shall become as corrupt as Europe.Thomas Jefferson

The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. Thomas Jefferson

It is incumbent on every generation to pay its own debts as it goes. A principle which if acted on would save one-half the wars of the world. Thomas Jefferson

I predict future happiness for Americans if they can prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them. Thomas Jefferson

My reading of history convinces me that most bad government results from too much government. Thomas Jefferson

No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms. Thomas Jefferson

The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government. Thomas Jefferson

The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. Thomas Jefferson

To compel a man to subsidize with his taxes the propagation of ideas which he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical. Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson said in 1802:'I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies. If the American people ever allow private banks to control the issue of their currency, first by inflation, then by deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around the banks will deprive the people of all property - until their children wake-up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.'

Such a Lovely week

I love vacation-relaxation time. Sometimes vacations don't work out like that. This one did. Brent and I have both been really tired lately. We decided to have a quiet New Year's Eve. Instead of inviting family or friends over, we watched a movie with the kids (Night at the Museum) and then put the kids to bed. We then played a little WII Fit Plus and watched "An Affair to Remember." It was so nice. New Year's Day we invited another family to our house to sleigh ride and have nachos and hot cocoa. We ended up having 5 of the kids at our home after that and we played games until they left. Saturday, we went to my moms for our annual sea food dinner. Wow, I wish I would have taken a picture of the crab legs. They were huge!!! It was fun getting together with family. We learned a fun game, Jungle Uno, which was a riot. Sunday, we had a Christmas get together with Brent's family. It was fun. You know the best thing? My kids were SO good.

Goal Number 2

My second goal is a physical one. I want to get in to shape! I have about 10 lbs to lose from being pregnant. I don't want to just lose the weight, I want to be fit. I plan to keep eating well and start some sort of exercising. It's no problem in the summer, but I'm not sure yet what to do for the winter. I'd like Brent and I to take the kids biking in Southern Utah this summer so biking will definitely be part of the program. My body was made for running, but I really don't like to run. I might have to do a little though for conditioning. Okay, it's been typed out, it's official!