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!