Grandma's Grandkids

I went through all of the pictures we took on my camera - and this is what we've got. Will someone post the best pictures from the other cameras?

Is Sugar Toxic?

Watch this. Click here.

Road Trip

Tomorrow we are heading to Phoenix, and we're driving! I was trying to think of some things to keep my kids busy and happy along the way and a friend had some ideas for me.

They were found on a couple of different websites. I downloaded them, printed them on cardstock and had them laminated. I'm emailing you all of the files, in case you ever need them:-). My kids are super excited to get going and playing the games. I got two cookie sheets to set them on and I'm going to get magnets and dry erase markers to use while we play.

Also, the travel bucks you see here can be used for anything. The person that made them suggested buying dollar store items and letting them purchase from you after they earn bucks them along the way. I'm going to trade them for money in the end and let them buy something in Phoenix.

Also, if you are road-tripping anytime soon you may want to check out Target's dollar isle right now. All kinds of things for the kids.

Happy travels:-).

!Emergency Preparedness

Ever since I have started having children I have felt the need to be prepared for an emergency. I was not as inclined to worry about it, until I had innocent children depending on me for their care and safety. When I was pregnant with Sadie, I ordered a 72-hour kit for 4 with my birthday money. I got it from thereadystore.com and it turned out to be a great deal. I spent $149 and got all of the supplies I would need for four adults (which easily translates into two adults and now almost four children).

Last month our Stake High Council Rep. came to our ward to let us know that our stake president has asked that each family in the stake be prepared with a few things by the end of this year. I thought it was a good reminder that we should be prepared at all times, especially with children. Here is what our Stake President recommends for each family:

-15 gallons of water/person (I started picking up a couple of the 5 gallon boxes each time I go to Costco, $4/each- easy)!
-3 months supply of food (always a work in progress).

-72 hour kit for each person (with adding a few things to mine, I think the 4 person kit will be plenty for my family-for now).

-A water filtration device for each member of family. Apparently the church endorses the brand Seychelle. They have purchased literally hundreds of thousands of Seychelle filters for missionaries, and for sending to disaster zones around the world. The church has purchased so many that Seychelle will give LDS members 1/2 off of their filters which makes them $16-a great deal compared to other brands and sights(we have our own coupon code). I got on their website today and ordered each person in my family a water bottle. The high councilman also recommended buying a hanging bag from Seychelle- they will filter over 100 gallons of water and they are only $17 for church members.

https://store.seychelle.com/ Here is the website. When you checkout, the coupon code is L8D8S.

Here are some other ideas I had for making our 72 hour kits do-able for me:

-Check and change out clothing/food/etc. every six months on General Conference weekend.

-Buy kids sneakers one size ahead, and keep that pair in 72 hour kit. Same with one outfit/each.

-Rotate snacks my kids will actually eat like granola bars,etc. instead of just MRE's every six months.

-Stake Pres. asked us to remember diapers and some activities for kids in case of emergency. I thought it might be fun to get a few travel games to keep in the bags...just in case!

Anyway, this is what I am doing right now to prepare my family for a disaster. I'm sure you are all ahead of me by far, and I would love to hear any ideas you have!!

Lacey

Watch this.

There is no doubt this video is compelling. It is well made and the story is well told. Some think this video do more harm than good for the people of Uganda. There are even questions about the charity involved - but this video at least makes you think outside of our little sheltered world. Definitely worth watching.

Breckons room.

Why can't I format my stupid posts? I swear I need some serious help with my computer skills. You may want to skip to the bottom, and read that paragraph first.

Kenny painted this old end table, and we found the cute baseball knob on sale for $2 at Hobby Lobby! The baseball frame is also from there...I haven't filled it yet, but I"m going to put the picture of Breckon at the red sox game where he and Kenny caught a fly ball!

Breckon brought this silhouette picture home from school, and Kenny and I both love it...one of the mothers came into their class and drew them!

This old tin sign was at Hobby Lobby...all of their boy stuff was 1/2 off the already cheap price!

Here's a look at most of the room...he loves it and I am proud that it is as decorated as it is. Kenny says if you come over you will see who is the favorite...our poor girls room struggles, we still only have one bed! I'll get to it sometime...

I'm sure you are all aware at how decorating a room/house does not come naturally to me. In fact, while I love a well put-together home, I can't pull it off. But I have been working on Breckon's room for a few months now. We bought his bed/dresser from Kelsey. I found his bedding on clearance at Pottery Barn (the only way I buy things from there)...and I've been gathering the rest since then. We still want to get a framed poster of Fenway park for the wall, and do a few other things, but here are some pictures of what we've got so far...

RS

I'm speaking tomorrow at our Relief Society Birthday Party. They told me the evening is all about celebrating the sisters...for all that they do. It has reminded me that the purpose of Relief Society is so important. With an organization that spends all of its efforts on helping others - what's not to love? 


For my talk, I've gathered several stories about Relief Society sisters around the world, some simple and others that are not. It's amazing to realize how even small acts of kindness or service can really mean a lot to another person.


I won't bore you with my entire talk, but I did want to share with you one portion:

Deb Barry
Kosovo
During the war, one of the first shipments to arrive in Kosovo was the shipment of quilts and hygiene kits. It was wonderful to be able to see so many of those items in the homes of the families who had lost everything. Families were blessed to be able to brush their teeth, wash their hands, and reduce the risk of infections as they worked at rebuilding their homes and burying their dead.

When assembling kits, it seems like such a simple thing. But to see the joy on a persons face when they are able to feel clean and a bit normal is overwhelming. It makes you realize just how important each and every one of those kits are.

The families I knew in Kosova were so excited when news spread that the blankets had come from the church that I belonged to.

As written in the Church News

Months later as Sister Barry was preparing to leave Kosovo two women from Sister Udall's class approached her.

"Will you be going to your church next Sunday?" they asked.

Sister Barry assured them that she would.

"It would be wonderful," one said, "if when you go there, you would thank the people for remembering us in our time of need."

Sister Barry nodded and promised she would. It would be her pleasure to share with her {6 million} sisters that the words, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints," are spoken in Kosovo with love and affection.

In the book, “Daughters of My Kingdom” we read

“During Christ’s time on earth, He told stories of women engaged in ordinary activities. He demonstrated deep familiarity with women’s lives and drew timeless gospel lessons from their everyday experiences. He forgave them. He wept with them. He had compassion on them in their specific circumstances as daughters, wives, homemakers, mothers, and widows. He appreciated them and ennobled them.” (Daughters of my Kindom, pg. 3)

Imagine that, Christ drew lessons from women and their everyday experiences. Often, we may think it’s only the enormous acts of service or the life altering experiences that build up those we serve. However, Christ taught us differently. He cares deeply about the little things - the things that make up our everyday life. The things YOU are doing EVERY DAY!  


Thank you all for being great examples to me & for all that you do. I love you!

Very Jane

I came across this online shop Very Jane awhile back. It's a daily deal site that offers an assortment of homemade products. I haven't bought anything yet, but I have been tempted a few times. I've seen lots of darling bows, necklaces, window panels, shower curtains, t-shirt quilts, jewelry, personalized notepads, announcements ... just to name a few. The prices are good. Check it out.

What's for dinner?

I've really been trying to be more consistent about cooking dinner. It's hard because Darin doesn't get home until 7 or 8 (or later) most nights - but I know eating at home is better for us ... and our wallets. With that said, I thought I'd pass along a few recipes I've tried and liked lately. Click to get the details.

Lasagna Soup

The BEST Crock Pot Roast

Green Smoothie

Balsamic Chicken and Roasted Chicken

Kitchen Quotes

I am off days (not that it matters:-), but thought I would post something I have been working on tonight for my kitchen area. Quotes to go in frames above the windows.

gender reveal party!

These pictures somehow got posted in the wrong order, so look at them from bottom to top. I need a serious lesson on blogging. We had our Gender Reveal party on Friday and it was so much fun! You know me, I'm not into spending much time on making things pretty, but I do like a good party...I spent the morning at the Dr's office, getting my ultrasound and check-up. The tech told me when to close my eyes, then wrote the gender on two slips of paper, and put them into two separate envelopes. After my appointment I went straight to the party supply store with a box I had wrapped. I gave the clerk my envelope, paid for a bouquet of balloons, then went to sit in my car to wait for her to get them blown up and into the box (yes, I was kind of dying to know by then).

After lunch, I let my kids open the box, and I have to say it was a pretty exciting and dramatic way to find out the sex of our baby. Everyone in the entire room screamed, including me...I was honestly shocked! I thought for sure it was a boy (but I have been dead wrong every time so why would I even try to guess?) Breckon went missing and we found him hiding in the other room. He was not happy about the pink and purple balloons, and when Krista and I tried to talk to him, he punched and spit at us until we left him alone. When Kenny got home (he got called into work and had to miss the whole thing), they had a long talk and I think he's feeling much better.

Thanks to everyone who came, wearing pink or blue, and participated...it was so fun! We are now getting excited about the idea of another baby girl in our family- even Breckon is warming up to the idea! Any suggestions for names...?

The Beast

My cousin Ashley Baird has recently been diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer. It's stage 4 cancer and level 3 in aggression.

Ashley is a 36-year-old mother of 5 and lives in St. George. She's originally from Grantsville and moved to St. George with her family a few years ago. All of this has happened over the last two or three weeks and continues to move quickly. She started chemo last Friday and I hear she's exhausted and sleeping often. Ashley is a strong and funny person. I'm certain she'll get through this and be able to smile often. But, it's not going to be easy.

Today I found out that Ashley and her husband Chad have started a blog. Most of you know her and if you are interested in following her journey it can be found at http://www.sunshinesafterrain.com/.

Ashley and her little family have been on my mind non-stop since this ordeal started. It's devastating to think about how hard this is going to be for all of them. I know they have been overwhelmed with the love and kindness that they've felt over the last couple weeks. I can't help but think these kind of situations bring out the best in people and teach us all a good lesson {although it doesn't seem at all fair}. It makes me all the more grateful for the blessings I enjoy and helps me remember what's really important.

This is also an unfortunate reminder that all of us need to have yearly check-ups, even before the recommended age of 40!

So funny...

Hey ladies...I read this article on FB and I actually laughed out loud! I completely related to it on so many levels and wanted to share it with you. I highlighted my favorite line in red for you...enjoy!


Lacey





Glennon Melton
Blogger, Momastery
Don't Carpe Diem


Every time I'm out with my kids -- this seems to happen:
An older woman stops us, puts her hand over her heart and says something like, "Oh, Enjoy every moment. This time goes by so fast."
Everywhere I go, someone is telling me to seize the moment, raise my awareness, be happy, enjoy every second, etc, etc, etc.
I know that this message is right and good. But, I have finally allowed myself to admit that it just doesn't work for me. It bugs me. This CARPE DIEM message makes me paranoid and panicky. Especially during this phase of my life - while I'm raising young kids. Being told, in a million different ways to CARPE DIEM makes me worry that if I'm not in a constant state of intense gratitude and ecstasy, I'm doing something wrong.
I think parenting young children (and old ones, I've heard) is a little like climbing Mount Everest. Brave, adventurous souls try it because they've heard there's magic in the climb. They try because they believe that finishing, or even attempting the climb are impressive accomplishments. They try because during the climb, if they allow themselves to pause and lift their eyes and minds from the pain and drudgery, the views are breathtaking. They try because even though it hurts and it's hard, there are moments that make it worth the hard. These moments are so intense and unique that many people who reach the top start planning, almost immediately, to climb again. Even though any climber will tell you that most of the climb is treacherous, exhausting, killer. That they literally cried most of the way up.
And so I think that if there were people stationed, say, every thirty feet along Mount Everest yelling to the climbers -- "ARE YOU ENJOYING YOURSELF!? IF NOT, YOU SHOULD BE! ONE DAY YOU'LL BE SORRY YOU DIDN'T!" TRUST US!! IT'LL BE OVER TOO SOON! CARPE DIEM!" -- those well-meaning, nostalgic cheerleaders might be physically thrown from the mountain.
Now. I'm not suggesting that the sweet old ladies who tell me to ENJOY MYSELF be thrown from a mountain. These are wonderful ladies. Monkees, probably. But last week, a woman approached me in the Target line and said the following: "Sugar, I hope you are enjoying this. I loved every single second of parenting my two girls. Every single moment. These days go by so fast."At that particular moment, Amma had arranged one of the new bras I was buying on top of her sweater and was sucking a lollipop that she must have found on the ground. She also had three shop-lifted clip-on neon feathers stuck in her hair. She looked exactly like a contestant from Toddlers and Tiaras. I couldn't find Chase anywhere, and Tish was grabbing the pen on the credit card swiper thing WHILE the woman in front of me was trying to use it. And so I just looked at the woman, smiled and said, "Thank you. Yes. Me too. I am enjoying every single moment. Especially this one. Yes. Thank you."
That's not exactly what I wanted to say, though.
There was a famous writer who, when asked if he loved writing, replied, "No. but I love having written." What I wanted to say to this sweet woman was, "Are you sure? Are you sure you don't mean you love having parented?"
I love having written. And I love having parented. My favorite part of each day is when the kids are put to sleep (to bed) and Craig and I sink into the couch to watch some quality TV, like Celebrity Wife Swap, and congratulate each other on a job well done. Or a job done, at least.
Every time I write a post like this, I get emails suggesting that I'm being negative. I have received this particular message four or five times -- G, if you can't handle the three you have, why do you want a fourth?That one always stings, and I don't think it's quite fair. Parenting is hard. Just like lots of important jobs are hard. Why is it that the second a mother admits that it's hard, people feel the need to suggest that maybe she's not doing it right? Or that she certainly shouldn't add more to her load. Maybe the fact that it's so hard means she IS doing it right...in her own way...and she happens to be honest.
Craig is a software salesman. It's a hard job in this economy. And he comes home each day and talks a little bit about how hard it is. And I don't ever feel the need to suggest that he's not doing it right, or that he's negative for noticing that it's hard, or that maybe he shouldn't even consider taking on more responsibility. And I doubt anybody comes by his office to make sure he's ENJOYING HIMSELF. I doubt his boss peeks in his office and says: "This career stuff...it goes by so fast...ARE YOU ENJOYING EVERY MOMENT IN THERE, CRAIG???? CARPE DIEM, CRAIG!"My point is this. I used to worry that not only was I failing to do a good enough job at parenting, but that I wasn't enjoying it enough. Double failure. I felt guilty because I wasn't in parental ecstasy every hour of every day and I wasn't MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY MOMENT like the mamas in the parenting magazines seemed to be doing. I felt guilty because honestly, I was tired and cranky and ready for the day to be over quite often. And because I knew that one day, I'd wake up and the kids would be gone, and I'd be the old lady in the grocery store with my hand over my heart. Would I be able to say I enjoyed every moment? No.
But the fact remains that I will be that nostalgic lady. I just hope to be one with a clear memory. And here's what I hope to say to the younger mama gritting her teeth in line:
"It's helluva hard, isn't it? You're a good mom, I can tell. And I like your kids, especially that one peeing in the corner. She's my favorite. Carry on, warrior. Six hours till bedtime." And hopefully, every once in a while, I'll add -- "Let me pick up that grocery bill for ya, sister. Go put those kids in the van and pull on up -- I'll have them bring your groceries out."Anyway. Clearly, Carpe Diem doesn't work for me. I can't even carpe fifteen minutes in a row, so a whole diem is out of the question.
Here's what does work for me:
There are two different types of time. Chronos time is what we live in. It's regular time, it's one minute at a time, it's staring down the clock till bedtime time, it's ten excruciating minutes in the Target line time, it's four screaming minutes in time out time, it's two hours till daddy gets home time. Chronos is the hard, slow passing time we parents often live in.
Then there's Kairos time. Kairos is God's time. It's time outside of time. It's metaphysical time. It's those magical moments in which time stands still. I have a few of those moments each day. And I cherish them.
Like when I actually stop what I'm doing and really look at Tish. I notice how perfectly smooth and brownish her skin is. I notice the perfect curves of her teeny elf mouth and her asianish brown eyes, and I breathe in her soft Tishy smell. In these moments, I see that her mouth is moving but I can't hear her because all I can think is -- This is the first time I've really seen Tish all day, and my God -- she is so beautiful. Kairos.
Like when I'm stuck in chronos time in the grocery line and I'm haggard and annoyed and angry at the slow check-out clerk. And then I look at my cart and I'm transported out of chronos. And suddenly I notice the piles and piles of healthy food I'll feed my children to grow their bodies and minds and I remember that most of the world's mamas would kill for this opportunity. This chance to stand in a grocery line with enough money to pay. And I just stare at my cart. At the abundance. The bounty. Thank you, God. Kairos.
Or when I curl up in my cozy bed with Theo asleep at my feet and Craig asleep by my side and I listen to them both breathing. And for a moment, I think- how did a girl like me get so lucky? To go to bed each night surrounded by this breath, this love, this peace, this warmth? Kairos.
These kairos moments leave as fast as they come- but I mark them. I say the word kairos in my head each time I leave chronos. And at the end of the day, I don't remember exactly what my kairos moments were, but I remember I had them. And that makes the pain of the daily parenting climb worth it.
If I had a couple Kairos moments during the day, I call it a success.
Carpe a couple of Kairoses a day.
Good enough for me.

"As I Have Loved You"

Ladies...is anyone alive? I am missing everyone. I have skipped several weeks of blogging but I'm getting my stuff together and trying to come back!

In December, our Relief Society had the opportunity to hear a woman named Kitty De Ruyter speak. I sat there for nearly two hours listening and hanging on every word she spoke. Mrs. Ruyter is full of love, knowledge, humor, incredible experiences, patriotism, the Spirit and possesses a strength like I have never heard of before.

I hope that one day you will all have an opportunity to hear her speak, but until then I've just had her book sent to Lacey's house. Lacey has already agreed to read it and then let's continue in the order below. If you want out of the circulation for one reason or another, just let me know!

Lacey to Nikki
Nikki to Krista
Krista to Michelle
Michelle to Kelsey
Kelsey to Mom Michelle
Mom Michelle to Courtney
Courtney to Meagan

You'll see the official review of the book below. I imagine that the book is full of inspiration just like the speech she gave. I hope you enjoy.

As I Have Loved You

by Kitty De Ruyter

Like Anne Frank, Corrie ten Boom, and Viktor Frankl, Kitty de Ruyter Bon endured the terror of man's inhumanity to man during World War II. In this inspiring and powerful true story, Kitty testifies of the triumph of the human spirit.

As both of Kitty de Ruyter's parents were devout Christians, her day started with a hymn and a scripture from the Bible. Kitty was only eight years old when her island paradise of Java, Indonesia, was invaded by Japanese soldiers during WWII.

Members of Kitty's family were taken to different prison camps. Kitty describes how her mother acted with courage in the face of hardship-even torture. Forbidden to pray at the camp, she nevertheless prayed and taught her children all she remembered of the scriptures. She courageously defied the Japanese officials and bravely took upon herself the consequences.

These and countless other incidents, beautifully portrayed, prove that the grace of Christ gives one power in the presence of hatred, evil, pain, and suffering.

Dad's Birthday

My post today is mostly pictures.

This past Sunday was Dads birthday, we had dinner, opened presents, took pictures and played games. 

Dad's biggest present was the video we decided to make (it was a last minute thing and we are still missing a few peoples stories but overall it turned out pretty cute). It was compiled of stories about dad told by his kids. 

 Michael and Nikki

 Lex sang a special Happy Birthday song for dad.

 As you can see Grandpa is the Grandkids favorite around here.

(especially when he has candy).

 Kelsey, William and Lex.

 Michelle, Devin, Merrick, Allie and Ashley.

 Merrick and Savannah.

 Ashley, Allison and Mayson.

 Breckon and Michael.

 Michael and Lacey.

 Kelsey and Mom.

 Jay, Krista, Cameron, Michael, Savannah and Gracie.

Krista, Lacey, Nikki, Michelle, Kelsey, Mom, and Annabel at the bottom.