White Tees

I like to read. I especially like to read books that tell stories that take place in the 1600s. It is fun for me to imagine what life might have been like back then. Most of the stories told of this time are about the rich people. Have you noticed that? It is interesting to me to learn that moms had a staff, or crew if you will, working for them. There was a cook, and a person to do the laundry. There was also a nanny-type person, or even someone to nurse your baby. The list of duties was endless, and there was a person for every job. The mom was busy running the household and visiting important people. I wonder if there is a book out there that tells a story about a mom like me? Probably not. It's not very interesting. But I would have liked to read a story like that 10 years ago. Maybe I wouldn't have been so surprised when I realized being a mom is hard work.

I like the idea of having a book. One that will tell me exactly how to talk to my 8 year old, and how to react when my baby throws a fit. I guess there are books out there. But I feel like I could study hard and still not know what I am doing. Like trying to read a book about riding a bike. All the studying in the world can't help you when you are sitting on the seat trying to pedal. I want to book to be titled: Amanda's Parenting Book, and it be just for me. It would know each of my kids individually, and tell me the perfect way to parent in each situation. If you think about it, most other jobs have guidelines and books to help. No one ever goes to work their first day with no clue what to do. And even if that did happen, the job would most likely stay the same. Not so with motherhood. My job is different everyday. There are always new milestones, new personality traits, new phases, new attitudes.

Don't even get me started on managing everything else.

As a mom, I feel like right next to keeping your kids alive, the most important thing is to raise your kids to be good people. I think the hard part is finding out what that means. I think my natural instinct is not always the right choice. For example, I have been trying desperately to help the girls get along. No fighting, is what I'm going for. If they don't fight, that must mean they are nice people and I am doing something right. Right? I realized tonight that that is impossible. Even as adults we don't always get along and we have had tons of practice. We still say things we shouldn't and misinterpret things that have been said to us. The arguments need to have limits, for sure, but I am not going to expect them to not have them anymore.

As Nate and I were talking about our kids tonight, and how we need to improve as parents, we realized the parallels between our relationship with our kids and our Heavenly Father's relationship with us. How many times does He repeat himself before we 'get' it? Lots. Man, there are so many things to figure out.

B.A. asked me the other day if having 5 kids was harder than having 1 or 2. I told her I didn't really know. I don't think when I say being a mom is hard, I am relating it to the number of kids I have. It really has nothing to do with that. The work load may be a bit more, but it is the same job with 1 kid or 5. But what I do know, is that even though sometimes it feels like I am drowning, I always recover. And the benefits are 5 times as great.

*****

Privileges: to earn, not take-away

B.A. - books

Rhon - tv

Dare - bike

Mads - DS

G - oh I don't know... being naked???

me: "G. If you hit again, you have to keep your clothes on all day." lol!

It's All In Love

No picture because I still haven't found my camera cord.

{me making a growling noise}

I have had daughters for 20 years combined. Plus several months that I don't want to count right now. I have had Mads for 3. In all those 20 years, I have never even gotten close to hearing these 2 sentences that came out of Mads' mouth in the last week. Here they are...

"Smell my finger!" -said after he scratched his bum. And...

"Mom, I'm going to flick my booger at you!"

Now, I don't want to get into gender stereotypes because there are people out there who would just call me a hypocrite, but seriously, what the freak?!!

I was shocked both times. Where does he pick this stuff up? He sounds scarily like my brother. Also, on the way home from the park today, he found a pile of dirt to kick. That isn't so strange, but without thinking, he kicked the dirt and rocks right at his sisters who were sitting on the ground. And he had a very devilish look on his face. Oh man, they are in for it.

G

Just for fun...

Word!

Since it is Sunday and all, Mads wanted to teach everyone how to say a prayer.

1. You always start the prayer with "Dare Enlee Faar".

2. Then a long series of "Nankufurrs".

3. These are followed by "Peasbessits".

4. Finally, always end with "Naamuh Jeez Krise, AMEN!"

Translation: "Dear Heavenly Father. Thank you for going to church. Thank you for eating food. Thank you for eating pasta for lunch. Thank you..."

{breathing from G, and an EEEEEEE}

"... pasta for lunch. Cheese and pasta for lunch. And peanut butter. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

I love his prayers. He usually goes into a big long thanks for all the places we go. Thank you for going to Target (Costco, Walmart, Smiths, etc.). We didn't get that this time. I was trying to be sneaky with the camera, but I think he knew it was there. Yeah. Because we didn't get any please bless its this time either.

*********

This reminds me of something. When Rhon was little, she used to say "Crisis" instead of Jesus Christ. I loved it. It was adorable.

In the last week of June...

... we went to the zoo.

Our membership expired the last day of June and the kids were begging to go once more before that happened. It was a really hot day. When the inevitable complaining started, I told them to remember this the next time they want to go, and I say no.

I'm writing this down to remind myself.

We enjoyed the Madagascar exhibit. They had cockroaches the size of watermelons! Sick. I will probably have nightmares for weeks.

Oh. Another thing. Mads doesn't like cotton candy. What the freak!?! He wouldn't even try it. I don't know what his problem was. And I, being the you-have-to-try-everything kind of mom that I am, forced him. I waited until he held his mouth open just right, and then I crammed it in. He spit it out! I was shocked and appalled. He kept saying on the way home, "I don't like cotton candy." It hurts my heart. I will try again and again.

I love they way Rhon is holding G's hand in this picture.

... we had some warm days.

The kids in our pathetic little pool.

... our astilbe plant bloomed.

This is my favorite plant in all of our yard.

... it was time to harvest the peas!

Letting the kids pick and eat veggies, is the best part of having a garden. It almost makes it worth all the work. Almost.

G is a pro pea eater. He picks them off, cracks them open, and eats all the peas inside.

So Cool

Novelty Neckties

This is how Dad takes the boys to bed.

G will start crawling on his shoulder before family prayer is even over.

They love it.

Two stories about Nate

The other day Nate was sitting on the couch watching a soccer game between Spain and South Africa. I was sitting with B.A. on the other couch. She asked Nate what ESP meant. Without hesitation, and hardly taking a breath, he went into a full explanation of extrasensory perception. He described what it was, how it worked, and how people debate its reality. This sermon lasted a good 5-10 minutes. When he was done, she said, "Okay. But what team is ESP?" (On the little scoreboard on the soccer match they had Esp, short for Espana).

I thought this was hilarious. This is something I love about the fatherly father in Nate. He will never hesitate to answer the kids' questions fully and completely. He loves the chance to teach them something.

+++++

A friend of Rhon's parents are divorced so I was talking about it with the girls a few days ago. They were thinking and wondering where they would live if Nate and I got divorced. Some of the things that were said...

Daddy is so funny. He makes us laugh all the time.

Daddy makes such good food.

Dad is so fun.

Daddy makes the best salsa. (This was said by B.A.)

... and I quote, "But Mom. You are a good Mom" said in a conciliatory way.

I am getting worried over here. Nate has all kinds of things going for him, but all I have is being a "good mom".

It's okay. I'm glad they like him. I'm glad he is a good dad.

Rhubarb

Mt. Rainier

brought to you by Southwest Airlines : )

Nate and I spent a whole 3 days alone together over the weekend.  It was perfect.  Nate is as funny as ever.  In Seattle, we did all the touristy things.  And we had amazing food.  If I ever go to Seattle again, I will for sure go to Piroshky Piroshky, and the Doughnut Company again.  And again.  And again.  There was also a boat ride and kayaking.  My mom was amazing and took care of all 5 of my kids!  That couldn't have gone better.  And because of my super awesome BIL, Justin, we were able to save a ton of money.  Thanks!

1999 - 2009

Today really feels special.

Chippity

Why can't he just eat a cookie like a regular human?

Maybe he is not entirely human?  I guess I need to teach him to say, "Kowabunga!"

Seven

There aren't many people who can pull off the missing front teeth look.  But I think Rhon does it really well.

Rhon is funny, dependable, and caring.  I know if I ask her to keep an eye on G for me, she really will.  She loves to ride her bike.  She loves to do the monkey bars at school.  School is not her favorite, but she does really well.  I think she would just rather sleep in everyday.  Even though she is a great artist, history is her favorite subject.  She loves food and bolognese is her favorite meal.  She has developed quite the attitude.  She rolls her eyes and glares like a pro.  She hates to clean up.  And she is terrible at it.  I suppose she probably gets that from me.  She still has a very inquisitive nature, which means there are always lots of questions.  She is starting to show an interest in boys, and she thinks Wayne Rooney is cute (ugh!).  I love this little girl.  I don't know what I would do without her.  

Two Stories, One Piece of News, and a Dinner

                                              

All this because I said I wanted guacamole.  "That man is incorrigible!"  said in a southern accent  He made 9 different things.  Rice, beans, chicken tacos, spinach & grapefruit salad, grilled corn, salsa, limeade, chorizo dip, and, of course, guacamole.

Another tooth lost.  Another slacking tooth fairy moment I'm sure I will have.  But this tooth has a special story.  The girls were in their room playing.  Rhon had a bag of candy that B.A. apparently thought was hers.  She tried to grab it, and Rhon played keep away for a minute or so.  Then B.A. grabbed it.  They each had a hand on it.  Finally, B.A. was able to get it away from Rhon.  As her hand flew back with her reward, she knocked Rhon's tooth out!  It just popped out and flew across the room.  I don't think it was 100% ready because there was more blood that any other tooth so far.  She wasn't mad or sad.  They both thought it was funny and cool.

G cried as I got in the shower today.  He always does.  Every single time, unless I let him in with me.  But today I wanted to take one by myself.  I wish I had my camera!  First he screamed at me.  Then when he realized he wasn't getting anywhere with that, he threw himself on the floor and hid his face in his hands.  Then he got up and started banging on the shower door.  That didn't work either, so he took a couple paces backwards and got a running start and rammed his head into the glass door.  He rammed it.  As if he were a goat.  He rubbed his head in disgust.  Then he did it again!  This time he just stayed there and kept banging his head.  Crack crack crack!  He must of realized that that was hurting him more than anyone else because he began his trouble making phase.  He crumpled up my rug into a pile, emptied out my drawer, and preceded to the toilet.  He lifted both seat and cover, and got on.  He looked like he did in the picture above.  Saying, "Pee pee.  Pee pee!" all the while.

We went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house last night.  I felt more like a cow being herded than a person walking through a temple.  That's okay.  It was still cool, and I am glad my kids got to see another temple.  I think the chandeliers were their favorite this time.

Following 6 and Preceding 8

Rhon's 7th birthday party

The bandannas were to help me keep track of them, and they worked as great party favors too. Oh, and I told them to make grumpy faces. 

This picture cracks me up because she is totally faking it.  I couldn't light the candles because it was too windy.  When we were done singing, she made a wish and pretended to blow out candles.

Letter

Dear Tomato Gods,

     In a small garden, in a small town, in a big state, in western United States, there are 20 or so sprightly, happy tomato plants that we ripped from the comfort of their birth containers and stuck them in the infertile, clay-like soil of our back yard.  We do what we can for these new, and still very fragile, plants.  The rest is up to you.  We have 5 very eager children that wish to eat of the fruits that these plants could produce.  We have much salsa to be made.  Many neighbors' summers wouldn't be the same without the joy of Nate's fresh salsa.  And just thinking about our BLTs makes my mouth water.  Not to mention all the salads that will be had, if our tomato plants are prolific.  We are only asking for kindness and grace.

                                                 Thank you,

                                                     Tomato Planters

 

Make Space For Me

Last weekend we had the best camping trip EVER!  Here are the top 10 reasons why...

1.  We didn't have to pack.

2.  We didn't have to put up a tent.

3.  Nate didn't have to chop wood.

4.  We got to skip church.  (heehee)

5.   We had running water and a toilet. 

6.  We didn't have to cook.

7.  We didn't have to clean up.  

8.  We didn't have to spend the night. 

9.  We didn't have to take a tent down.

10.  We didn't have to unpack.

Nice.

Trailers rule.

Hiking.

Hiking II (from the backside)

I swear this boy falls more than any human I have ever known.  He fell at least 6 times on this hike.  He just doesn't pay attention.

Hiking III (getting over the muddy bits)

The girls.

Mads chucking rocks into the lake.  There is nothing better than seeing standing water and making it splash.

My squirts and the Hirschi squirts.  (Don't roll your eyes.  It was funny to me).

Andrew, Mads, Rhon, G, Dare, B.A., and Gracie is in the back.  If G's face doesn't crack you up, it should.