Going Digital Hurts

Today I informed my children that it would be a NO SCREEN day.....for them.  They were not happy and I have been unhappy numerous times today.  But I don't think I have had any more arguments between them than any other day when they do get a screen.  Just different ones.  And maybe a couple more physical. 
At one point I sent them up to my room to go look through picture albums.  It mostly went well, but like always the 12 year old boy does everything he can to make the 8 year old girl ticked off.  It seems he just can't be nice to her........EVER. 
But that's not why I'm writing. 
While the other 3 were upstairs gawking over how cute they were as babies.  My youngest, 4 year old Ben, came down and asked for his book.  "What book?" I said , "all your books are on your shelf."  That is not what he meant.  He claimed he wanted HIS book the one of HIM as a baby. 

OH CRAP!!!!!! There is no Ben Book.

I felt like OH CRAP too!  What kind of mother am I?  I told him that all his stuff was on the computer.  I showed him a few of the digital scrapbook pages I made of him.  He enjoyed looking.  And he again asked, "But, where's my book?" 

So, I just ordered 91 prints from WalMart photo.  (Great price) And in one to two weeks I will be stringing out all my scrapbook crap (That's my word of the day by the way...crap)  that I never use anymore and dish him up the best scrapbook photo album  ever!!!  12X12. 
Not even the other kids have 12X12's.

That truth made known to man

It's time for me to write down some thoughts and feelings.  It's been way to long.  I feel a great need to share my gratitude for the blessings in my life.  To testify of my Savior, Jesus Christ.  And to allow all those who stumble upon this site to read and feel it. 
This May, my oldest son turned 12.  He was ordained to the office of Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  This was a big deal for me.  And I'm just his mom.  I have not had the Priesthood in my home for the past 23 years.  I have been blessed by the Priesthood by many ways and forms.    But to actually have it in my home really makes me feel grateful and blessed. 
And my youngest daughter will be baptized this coming Saturday.  I'm so thankful for wonderful holders of the Priesthood who can bless my family so we can receive these sacred ordinances.  I'm calculating that if my youngest son can wait a couple of months after his 8th birthday, my oldest son will be able to perform that baptism ordination in four years. (Not mentioning all the other hopes and 'righteous' desires I will be praying for in the meantime.) 
I'm thankful for a supportive husband, that allows me to teach and raise our children in this Gospel.   And I'm thankful for my Savior, who has shown me the way to live.  Help me along that way.  And makes up for my mistakes as I carry on and try again and again to be a better person. 

A Homemaker Can Wish, Can't She?

I need to petition.  I don't know where. I don't know to who. But someone, somewhere needs to change this.  What is 'this' you ask?  It is the workout for homemakers.  Because, if you are like me, and stay at home with kids, and do housework, clean, cook, etc. etc. etc.  There is not a good time to go to the gym. (Why do I need one more place to go and one more hour away from my family??!!??)  And all the energy you spends taking care of kids and house and husband, leaves no energy for a good workout.  Is this just me????
Here is what I think needs to change:
Sweeping/mopping should burn the same amount of calories as running for 30 min.  I sweep at least twice a day. 
Laundry should equal a 20 minute session of lifting weights. This is also done at least once a day with a loaded trip up and/or down the stairs.  This doesn't include marathon days when you are catching up from trips, sickness or anything else that results in extra loads of laundry. 
Dishwasher, playing with kids, fixing things, and numerous other chores should also result in the precise toning of our muscles that others only get from a Personal Trainer.  I can't count the number of times I am up and down and up and down.  And the many steps I  pace all over the floor trying to shuffle away from the kids when I'm on the phone.  The pointer finger of my right hand should be strong enough to carry TWO gallons of milk up from the garage to the house.  But...its not.  And I grow weaker and fatter.   Because my job; homemaker, is not enough for me to stay in shape.  There is always a demand of harder work, extra time, more sweat. 

July 2012

As summer days are passing by, my blog remains blank.  Why?  Writers block? Boredom? Pure Laziness?  All of thee above?  It's not like I don't have time to do it, I do! Either way, I'm just writing today to fill in a space.  Nothing really to say.  I'm here, kids are doing good.  Summer breaks and trips are going great.   Garden is growing slowly but surely. Cat has been missing for 7 days:(
Riggles is glad to be back to work after our 10 day trip.  And all the pictures I've taken so far of summer are posted on FaceBook.  Come on August, I'm ready for ya!

Reflecting on a Fart

Last night as I was cuddling in bed with my 3 year old, he cut the cheese.  I told him he was gross, he giggled, and I asked him, "What do you say?"  He said, "Ixcuse me!". 
I was a little taken back.  Because usually he says, "Mee mee" for excuse me.  I pondered my growing son.  How fast its going by.  I thought of my other children, the eldest going off to middle school, the girls becoming little young ladies.  I thought to myself that it should make me more sad to see them all growing up so fast.  Knowing that I will never have them little again.  But I didn't feel sad.  I knew I would reflect this time, and the years before and miss them at their young ages.  But no sadness.   I believe that it is because of what I Know.  That families are eternal.  The children will ALWAYS be my children.   When this earthly life ends.   I will still be their mom.  We will work and act as the family unit we are.  I love that!  I love my family.  I love watching them grow. And I love that even though Summer Vacation hasn't technically started, (Thursday is last day), I will be excited when they go back to school.

Story Time

Yesterday in church I noticed on Ben E's wrist some red marker.  I asked him in a whisper as I pointed to it, "What's this?".  He whispered back, "It's blood."  Amused, I asked him what happened.  He told me it was a Monster. 
Me:    A monster? 
Ben:   Yes, I beat him up.  He was scary. 
Me:    Are you OK? 
Ben:   Ya, I killed him. 
Me:    And is that blood or marker on you?
Ben:   It's monster blood! Ghees!

The picture above isn't related to the story.  But I thought it was a good monster killing pose.

Some of April

I'm so thankful for my family. Not just the one I live with, but for the one I grew up with.  This month my Mom and Sister #3 and her 5 year old son came to visit me and my family.  They try and visit about twice a year.  It is a great blessing in my life to spend time with them.  Especially since I cannot go to visit them more than once or twice a year.  And when your sisters and mom are your best friends, 2-4 times a year is just not enough.  My mom's request this time was to ride the ferry.  We have lived up here in the Seattle/Tacoma area 8 years now, and this was our first time on the ferry. We jumped on at Bremerton, headed to Seattle and had lunch at Ivars.  We walked over to the carousel.  Then we headed up to Pike Place Market.  Seeing as it was like the first super, sunny, Saturday here in one of the cloudiest regions, every one and their dogs were out.  So we didn't stay too long.  The Ferry was  fun, great way to travel and a definite do it again soon..especially to a Mariners game kind of thing.