Oh to Be a Fly

on the wall in the cafeteria tomorrow.

Think my girlie girls will scream in terror? :)

don't worry, there will be some veggie or fruit in there tomorrow morning. ;)

3 years ago.

Three Years ago this very minute I had a "contraction". I didn't really think it was one, but my in-laws were here and I was tired of being pregnant, so we went to the hospital. Roughly 25 minutes and a handful of labor pains later Lily Katherine made her wonderful arrival into this world. She was in a hurry and hasn't stopped since.


Here are 3 things I love about Lily.

1. Lily has amazing eye brows. You don't really notice them because she is so blond, but they are amazing and expressive. She has many beautiful features, but they are my favorite. I love it when they are like straight little lines, angling up with a look of concern. So cute.
2. Lily is cuddly. Very cuddly. As a newborn she loved to swaddle. Tonight, on her 3rd Birthday, I can guarantee that her daddy wrapped her tight in a blanket. Cuddling is one of the things she does best. Hugging too, but that would be 4 things and she is only 3. They are kinda the same though right?
   
3. Lily is funny. She talks all.day.long. She keeps me company and laughing from morning till night. I love it when she wakes up at 3 a.m. and sings Give Said the Little Stream, then goes back to sleep. I love to hear her telling Herry (her "n" is ... um... subtle") That she To-ally (subtle "t") Loves him and he is a Beauful (subtle "t"and "i" again) Boy.
   

I found a journal entry from about 2 1/2 years ago, and I think it is true today. I wrote:

Lily is Like Sunshine in a body. She just radiates happiness, warmth and light, you can't help but feel better by being in her presence.

Happy Birthday Sweet Lily Cakes!

Let's blame my lack of blogging lately on Velcro Boy. (Hey, now there is a great idea for his halloween costume!) Henry has also discovered how to push the off button on my pc. He has turned it off 5 times this morning. Maybe he is sending me a message? hmmm.

Week in Review:

Birthday Party Practice

Lily and her friend shared a birthday celebration this week (we did it in between the two birthdays, Lily will be three tomorrow). It was fun. We made crowns, played games and had lunch and cake. What could be better? (maybe it would be better if I took clearer pictures, but her wink is so very Lily I posted it blurry or not.)

Oh, and yes, that is Eve. She goes to all day school, so how could she be at the mid-morning party? She had a tummy ache. She really did, she was horizontal on the kitchen floor moaning. I believed her!Dave believed her! She believed herself! The bus left and she was "home-sick".... but then minutes later, I saw her bouncing around in a princess dress and I asked what was up. She said, "Mom, I was feeling so horrible. I went and said a prayer and now I feel wonderful! Plus, I can enjoy Lily and Analeise's party!" hmmmm... moving on.

Mohawk Man

It was Red Ribbon Week. The kids wore red, crazy socks, hats and mohawks, mis-matched clothes and Jerseys. We also discusssed why we say NO to drugs.

Halloween is coming

We went and picked out pumpkins. More pics to follow after FHE tonight. Wish us luck.

Trunk or Treat
with Rapunzel, the Blushing Bride, Kitty Cat, Punkin Head and Cap'n Duct Tape with his side kick Duct Tape Kid.

Sacrament Program
Michael and 2 talented girls in our ward started our Primary Program off with a musical number, it was beautiful and I am so proud of him. The girls did a great job on their parts and sang so well. It is my favorite meeting all year long. :)

Don't cry.

Over spilled milk right?

Last night, at dinner, Jane reached for a very full milk jug and precariously began to pour it into her tipsy cup. I reached over just in time to rescue it from the spill. I then told her (probably too sternly,) "I'm going to do the pouring tonight, I'm not in the mood to deal with spilled milk. You can pour it when it is less full." She was a bit bummed, but chattered on.

No less than 10 seconds later I, dear little me, knock over my very full glass of milk and it spills all over the table,and the chair, and the floor.

We all laughed.
Hard.
It is good to laugh over spilled milk. Much better than crying.

Jane offered to take over milk duty after that.

That is a Big Girl

Holy Guacamole! This makes Hank the Tank seem itty bitty! Can you imagine?


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article277535.ece

Look at that chub!

He is one.

Just a little trip down memory lane. I can't believe it has been a year. Here is a shot of me about a month before Henry was born. I was huge. Enormous. And he/we grew a lot that last month.

This video gets me, I'm not sure who I was reassuring that all was good, me or him. :) It was rough. (I love how huge is head is with that little cap. It totally didn't fit!)

Absolutely worth it.
10 lbs 4 oz of pure, delicious baby goodness.

Instant Love.

Growing Every Day.

Who says baby #5 doesn't have as many pictures taken?

Now, sleep child of mine while the stars shine above--
I love you as much as a mother can love.

Happy Birthday William Henry!

sniffle sniffle, sigh.....

This makes me think!

Which is more important? To be smart or a hard worker, or a good problem solver?

This article really made me think about how powerful words are and how I praise my kids. So far, we have very bright kids. Learning comes easily and so do the grades.(You know, Eve got a certificate for Honor Roll last year. In Pre-K.) (ridiculous.) I worry though when I see them face something new and challenging-- do they shut down or do they try all the tricks up their sleeve to solve the problem?

Read the link and tell me what you think. It is long, I think it is very worth reading though, and since all of my readers are so smart--- I mean-- such good thinkers and hard workers I'm sure you can do it. (See, I'm learning all ready.) I am tempted to forward it to all my kids teachers, I think it is that important, but I also don't want to be that mom. I fight a lot of urges to be "that" mom.... but that is another issue all together.

Happy Day Mom!

5 Things My Mom has Taught Me.

1. Attitude is everything. Say you'll have a great day and you will. It is up to you.
2. How to make delicious Grandma Cutler Rolls. (and how to buy Rhodes frozen cinnamon rolls).
   
3. On Parenting: Feed them before they are too hungry, sleep them before they are too tired and say Yes every single chance you can. Love them, love them, love them!
   
4. Enjoy the moments.
   
5. How to love Unconditionally.
   

Happy Birthday Mom, We all Love you!

Content.

Dinner is finished, the dishes are done, the kids are ready for bed and playing nicely. And Dave sits down and fills our home with this. He amazes me and I love him.

I feel Content.

TOFW

Today some wonderful friends and I ventured into Philly for Time Out for Women. It was wonderful! The speakers were uplifting, the music was tearjerking and the company was fantastic. Miracle of all miracles we found cheap parking in the city and I didn't cave and buy all manner of Deseret Book stuff. (so appealing though.)

When I told Lily I had been at Time Out all day, she said "They spank yo bottom momma?" Nope, no spankings. I do have a joyful life though. And, I am filled up again to be better at this thing called Motherhood.

TOFF

Time out for Fairies was happening downstairs from us. Very interesting. I bet they were wondering what a bunch of Mormon women have to gab about all day, just like we were wondering what on earth a Panel Discussion with Adults dressed like Fairies would be like. Strange. Notice the people dressed like trees? odd. And the man with wings??? So glad I had my camera so I could blog it.

Tagged by my Dearest.

Dave tagged me. Here it goes...

Ten Years ago I:
1. Was pregnant with Michael... wore really ugly Maternity tents that I thought were darling.
2. Substitute taught and loved every minute of it.
3. Lived in Eugene Oregon, and ate at yummy restaurants often.
4. Fell in love with my calling as Primary Chorister. (ok, this was more like 11 years ago.)
5. Loved spending a lot of time with Dave.

On my To Do List:
1.Laundry
2. Deal with the MVA. Don't ask, it is ugly and the price is high.
3. Send packages to my sisters that have been on my table for 6 weeks. ugh.
4. Clean the bathrooms.
5. Laundry


Snacks I enjoy:
1. Peanut M&M's and Dr Pepper.
2. Brownies and Dr.Pepper.
3. Chex Mix and Dr.Pepper
4. Chips and Salsa and Dr. Pepper
5. Fried dough that Dave makes. ;)

If I were a Millionaire:
1. Pay someone to put up trim in Kitchen. LOL.
2. Visit family, often.
3. Buy tickets for family to visit us often.
4. Create a laundry room in the basement that wasn't so creepy crawly.
5. Have a personal shopper help me. I have shopping ADHD and walk out empty handed every time. ('cept groceries, I am a master grocery shopper.)

Places I've lived:
1.Boise, Idaho
2.Logan, SLC and Alpine Utah
3. Eugene, Oregon
4 Colorado Springs, Colorado
5, short stint in Newark DE and landed in good old Marlyand.

Jobs I've had:
1. Jewelery kiosk salesgirl
2. TCBY person.
3. 4th grade teacher
4. Sylvan Learning Center tutor
5. Park and Rec Summer program coordinator

People I tag:
Anyone who hasn't blogged in the past 24 hours. :)

Eve-o-lantern

CUTE.

Signs of Fall.

Prettiest and most interesting leaves we could find during our mid-conference-get-the-wiggles-out walk.

I made pumpkin cookies. They were wonderful. The house smelled all spicey and pumpkinish and the warm carmel icing on top was perfect. Only problem, when I went to photograph them for "the blog" this is what I found:



We love conference. We try really hard to listen to all the talks. The kids are amazing. They sit still and reverent, for 8 hours in 2 days, without squirming or fussing or asking for food or anything. We are so righteous.
Ok, maybe this is more what it looked like. We do love General Conference though! (and I think the kids did some listening... it is like that doodling during a lecture theory-- more goes in your brain if you are doing something???) (Maybe.)


Last of all, and nothing to do with fall, but HOORAY For a temple in Philly! I am so excited. (and Hooray for the other 4 locations. My dear friend Chrissy in KC will LOVE LOVE LOVE not driving 4+ hours to St. Louis.)

Oh, and nothing again to do with fall, but we all must cheer loudly for Lily who finally got it in the potty training department today. (seriously huge development, we have been working on it for over a month with-- maybe 2 successes. Today she filled in 7 squares on her chart!!!) (Time to plan the party with her favorite friend-- our sitter Heidi!)