The boys

 I was a cool mom this year w/crazy hair day (he does look pretty handsome in the top picture! He doesn't usually have it this long, we were just waiting until after crazy hair day to cut it)

 I shaved a spot in the back for a Y, but realized I didn't really need to do that.  We used normal washable paint.  It wasn't as bright when he got home from school, but it did its job!

 awww...michael has the best faces

 On crazy hair day before we cut it.  He definitely looks like me in this picture!  We finally figured out a way to get his hair to stay down-wear his hood outside playing in the snow.  It lies down great now!

 Daddy and Michael painting.  Michael LOVES arts & crafts right now.  I printed off a tree & they were suppose to pain leaves on, but we ran out of red.  When I came back, they had made a rainstorm.

 I brought (store bought) frosting to Christopher's class for the Halloween party.  There was a ton leftover (I bought 4 containers when i would have had leftovers w/3), so we decorated cupcakes at home.

 Playing in the snow!

 These kids are crazy!  They are only allowed to sled down big the stairs when Daddy is home. They can go down the 2 little stairs anytime though.  They'll be outside for 1-2 hrs playing in the snow- mostly sledding & shoveling.  Michael is a much nicer boy while outside!

Rob and I went on a date!  They are getting more sporatic, but Rob had the idea to plan our dates for next year all at once, so we won't forget to date :)  We went to costa vida and a byu choir concert.

The talk I gave at church

The Joys of Teaching Children the Gospel

This is obviously a really relevant topic to me, as I am a young mother and I was recently released from serving in the Primary Presidency.  One of my favorite things about that calling was teaching sharing time.  This meant teaching a group of 15-30 children of varying ages.  I enjoyed the challenge and the sweet spirits of the children.  They probably taught me more than I taught them.  I was impressed with what they did know (just ask Levi Rubow about the 10 commandments sometime! He started spouting them off when prompted!) and how fast and willingly they learned the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  There were plenty of volunteers for every question asked, even if the answer was a little off topic (One day Abby (who is a sweet 4 year old girl with the cutest smile) gave the answer “flowers” every time she raised her hand.)  I served in primary for 3 & ½ years, and I know there are a few teachers still in there who started before I did- so watch out if the Bishop calls you into his office J.  Kidding aside, serving in primary was one of the most fulfilling callings I’ve had so far.

One resource that helped me-and would help anyone in a teaching calling- and even parents, is Teaching No Greater Call.  It has sections for everyone - teaching in the home, at church, for different age groups, etc.  One thing that stuck out to me, since the day I read it is ‘how to look for lessons everywhere’ (yes, that’s a section in the book! It’s on page 22 if you want to go back and read it.)  I had been praying for ways to include gospel subjects in our everyday lives.  (I can’t see myself driving in the car saying ‘so kids, remember at general conference…?’)  But I knew that as a mother (same is true for fathers) it is my responsibility (and pleasure!) of teaching my children gospel principles.  So, in answer to my prayer, I stumbled upon this section.  It starts out with a story about a stake president working in his flower garden, pondering his topic for an upcoming stake conference-strengthening families.  His neighbor came out & they started talking flowers.  He asked her secret for her beautiful garden.  She said “I stay close to the garden.  I go into my garden every day, even when it isn’t convenient.  And while I’m out here, I look for little signs of possible problems.  Things like weeds and insects and soil conditions that are simple to correct if caught in time, but that can become overwhelming if left unchecked.”  This was a great analogy for the stake president’s talk.  “He observed: we need to spend time with family members every day, talk with them, express appreciation for them and look for little signs of potential problem that can be resolved before they become overwhelming.”  Another quote from the section that stuck out to me is “(Our) children are growing up and (we) should not waste the few years (we) have with them.”  I can’t believe Christopher will be 8 in a few short months.  I really need to not waste these years!  This task seems daunting - will I remember to make these connections with my kids? But, I’ve come to realize that as with everything, the more I do it, the easier it is.  When I first started teaching primary I was soo nervous each time before I taught.  But then I got used to it.  It was easier & I didn’t get nervous.  The same is true for bearing our testimonies.  It became easier in primary, but speaking here makes me nervous, I guess I need more practice-(that was a joke, Bishop!)

Ok, back to teaching in the home.  Elder Quentin L. Cook said in his talk “Can Ye Feel So Now?” in the October general conference: “Parents, the days are long past when regular, active participation in Church meetings and programs, though essential, can fulfill your sacred responsibility to teach your children to live moral, righteous lives and walk  uprightly before the Lord.  With President Monson’s announcement this morning (the change of age for missionaries), it is essential that this be faithfully accomplished in homes which are places of refuge where kindness, forgiveness, truth, and righteousness prevail.  Parents must have the courage to filter or monitor Internet access, television, movies, and music.  Parents must have the courage to say NO, defend truth, and bear powerful testimony.  Your children need to know that you have FAITH in the Savior, LOVE your Heavenly Father, and sustain the leaders of the Church.  Spiritual maturity must flourish in our homes.  My hope is that no one will leave this conference without understanding that the moral issues of our day MUST be addressed in the family.”

We are all in different stages of life.  Our kids, or those who we have some influence over, whether it be neighborly or as their teacher, are different ages.  They have different needs and challenges.  As I pray daily for patience, the answer comes to me “Love.”  The little things don’t matter as much.  But what’s important is that I show them love.  They need to know that I love them unconditionally.  And they need to know that their Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ love them.  They will feel this through my love and example. (Now don’t go thinking I’m perfect! Cuz I’m not.  I often find myself yelling at my kids, so it’s something I’m working on.)

What do you know, I read about that very topic in the most recent conference addition of the ensign in a talk by Elder Anthony D. Perkins called ‘Beware Concerning Yourselves”  He said, “Showing genuine love is at the heart of personal conversion and family relations…Never forget that Satan is the “father of contention” and seeks that family members “fight and quarrel.”

Elder L. Tom Perry spells out how we can ‘create a stronger family culture’ in his talk entitled “Becoming Goodly Parents” in October general conference.

First: “parents can pray in earnest, asking our Eternal Father to help them love, understand, and guide the children He has sent to them.”  They are after all, God’s children.  He knows them best.  You know how people say ‘kids don’t come with an instruction manual,’ well, it’s just not written down.  We need to pray for guidance.

Second: “(Parents) can hold family prayer, scripture study, and family home evenings and eat together as often as possible, making dinner a time of communication and the teaching of values.”  This is something I need to work on.  Usually I’m like “be quiet, eat your food, don’t complain.”  I took a class by LaDawn Jacobs in college & she talked about how they had placemats with cool stuff to talk about during meals.  It’s hard enough getting food on the table at a decent hour- I can’t imagine having to come up with the dinner conversation too.  Maybe it’s as simple as having each person share something they enjoyed about their day. 

Pres. Eyring talked about this in his talk “Help Them Aim High” in priesthood session of October conference “Your habits of family prayer and scripture reading will create more lasting memories and greater changes of heart than you may realize now.  Even apparently temporal activities, such as attending an athletic event or watching a movie, can shape a child’s heart.  What matters is not the activity but the feelings that come as you do it. I have discovered a good test for identifying activites with the potential to make a great difference in a young person’s life.  It is that they suggest the activity out of an interest they feel has come to them as a gift from God.  I know that is possible from my own experience.”   So, again, we know our kids (or pupils), Heavenly Father knows our kids.  So, when we feel stuck in knowing how to deal with a situation.  The answer is as simple as saying a prayer.  The answer might come right then, or later, but it will come.

Pres. Eyring said in his talk “Help Them Aim High” in priesthood session of October conference “God knows our gifts.  My challenge to you and to me is to pray to know the gifts we have been given, to know how to develop them, and to recognize the opportunities to serve others that God provides us.  But most of all, I pray that you will be inspired to help others discover their special gifts from God to serve.”  As parents, teachers and friends, this is important to remember.  We aren’t just shaping lives, we are helping children learn who they are and how they can make a difference.  How they can serve others using their talents and become more Christlike.

Third: “Parents can fully avail themselves of the Church’s support network, communicating with their children’s Primary teachers, youth leaders, and class and quorum presidencies.  By communicating with those who are called and set apart to work with their children, parents can provide essential understanding of a child’s special and specific needs.” Also, if you ask in passing what the lesson was about, you can talk about it at the dinner table!

Fourth: “Parents can share their testimonies often with their children, commit them to keep the commandments of God, and promise the blessings that our Heavenly Father promises His faithful children.”  Sometimes for family home evening, or on a Sunday night Rob and I will bear our testimonies to our children, then invite them to do the same.  It gives all of us good practice and invites the Spirit into our home.

Fifth: “We can organize our families based on clear, simple family rules and expectations, wholesome family traditions and rituals, and “family economics,” where children have household responsibilities and can earn allowances so that they can learn to budget, save, and pay tithing on the money they earn.”  We don’t have a set allowance or very many specific jobs for the kids to do on a regular basis.  (Well, Christopher has to empty the dishwasher 3 times/week.  This is great- I haven’t had to do it in 3 years!)  On Saturdays Rob and I will give the boys jobs-here’s your pile to put away!  Christopher loves raking leaves & shoveling snow.  Michael will soon be learning to empty the dishwasher- starting with the silverware, then when he gets that, the top shelf and so on.  If I get the plates down, he can set the table (I remember having to do this for 8 people growing up-that took a lot more time than just 5!)  One of the first ‘jobs’ in our family is helping with dinner.  We eat potatoes a lot at our house in many different forms.  15 month olds love putting things in buckets- so I have them put the pieces in the pot to boil after I cut them (just look out for little fingers when cutting!!  And, if you don’t work fast enough- the little ones will empty the pot so they can start over. ) I like working alone in the kitchen, so I’m trying to get better at letting the kids help.  Michael likes to dump or pour ingredients for me. (I try to be patient with the messes).  Christopher is getting better at peeling the potatoes.  Of course I can’t let them grate the cheese- they would eat more than they grate!  One memory I have is from the year of the apricot jam.  In our old apartment, when Christopher was 3, some friends gave us A LOT of apricots.  Christopher and I went to work on those apricots.  I showed him how to put his thumbs in and split open the fruit, then pull the pit out.  He was faster than I was at it!  We made so much jam we ate it for a year.  And if you knew how much jam we go through, you’d be very, very impressed.

               As Christmas is getting near, we want our kids to have a way to buy presents for each other. (from the dollar store of course.)  So we think of odd jobs they can do so they can earn quarters.  They are very excited about choosing, wrapping, and giving presents to each other.  And of course, they pay tithing on what they earn and they are excited to do those grown up things.  When Christopher was 2 years old we lived south of BYU campus.  He gave his tithing to the Bishop.  Then the next week he marched up to him and asked “Did you give my tithing to Heavenly Father” so matter of factly. 

President Joseph Fielding Smith taught: “It is the duty of parents to teach their children these saving principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, so that they will know why they are to be baptized and that they may be impressed in their hearts with a desire to continue to keep the commandmesnts of God after they are baptized, that they may come back into his presence.”

I want to end with an example of how our words and actions make a difference.  This has stuck out to me & I have remembered it ever since I read on Rachel Rubow’s blog about Matthew’s science project for school.  He wanted to see if plants have feelings.

Here is an exert from her blog:
The experiment:  Purchase two plants that are the exact same.  Treat them exactly the same except for one thing.  Each day Matthew would take plant A up into his bedroom, close the door, and tell plant A five negative things.  You're ugly.  Pink is an ugly color.  etc.  Then he would bring plant A back and take plant B up to his room, close the door, and tell plant B five positive things.  You are such a pretty plant.  Pink is such a pretty color.  You are so strong.  Etc.

Day one.  Both plants look the same.

Day 2:  We're already seeing signs.  Plant A has some leaves that are starting to wilt.

Day three:  Plant A loses a leaf.

And so it goes....... plant A starts to lose leaves.  Several leaves a day and the pink color starts to fade. More leaves fall......... Plant B hasn't lost any leaves. So many leaves lost...........  the pink not as vibrant............  plant B thrives while sitting next to it plant A struggles. More leaves drop. And then the stems start to droop.  No longer able to hold themselves up after 14 days of being told negative things.

"Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me".  False!  Be careful what and how you speak to others.  

P.S.  Experiment lasted 14 days.  The second the experiment ended we have been lavishing much love on plant A and we are happy to announce that plant A is thriving and happy under it's new love and attention.  Which brings us to another lesson.  Repentance and forgiveness.  May we all be as forgiving as our little plant A.  

To me this shows that everything we say will have an effect on someone else, whether positive or negative.  We need to be careful that what we say uplifts others, not bringing them down.  This is especially important for children.  They overhear stuff we say.  We need to make sure our words and actions are good examples for the children around us.  Heavenly Father has given us great trust in teaching His children, when we are still learning and growing in the gospel ourselves.  Remember the quote by Elder Cook that I mentioned earlier, that its our “sacred responsibility to teach your children to live moral, righteous lives and walk  uprightly before the Lord.”

(Then I bore my testimony)

It was exactly 20 minutes!  My longest talk ever!

Makayla at 7 months

 This cutie is amazing.  She gained the weight that she lost from her surgery in 3 weeks.  Around 3 weeks after surgery she started taking a normal bottle.  A week after that she started nursing!  She's not very efficient, so I give her 3 bottles a day and 2 meals of solid foods, besides her nursings when she goes to sleep & wakes up.

 Grandma feeding her a bottle

 Getting into stuff (I left her on the blanket w/toys)

 Who me? I didn't do it!

 Getting too big for the bassinet.  We moved her after the surgery to the crib.

 too big for the swing

 Sitting up w/the boppy!

 Notice Cielo (5 weeks younger) sitting well w/just a couch behind her.  Makayla took up scooting first.

 Again, Grandma feeding her bottle when she came when baby Kate was born.

 I need to get the pictures of Makayla meeting Kate from Rob's phone.  She gets sooo excited when she sees her.

 Getting stuck everywhere

 a short walk

 Sleeping in the carseat.  LOVE this jacket and bow (and outfit) from Rob's aunt!

 practicing sitting

Happy girl!

Makayla's surgery

 Pre-surgery: She was amazingly happy despite having an empty tummy. (warning- a few quesy-ness causing pictures)

 She loved playing w/daddy the hour before her surgery.

 Right after her surgery.  They put tubes in her ears & fixed her cleft palate.  The blue string on her cheek is attached to her tongue.  It kept it out of the way during surgery & kept it from swelling up afterwards.  She had it on for 20 hrs.  She ate and slept so much better once they removed it.

 my "bed," not that I slept much.  She woke every 2 hrs in the night to eat an ounce.

 makayla's bed.  She slept alot and whimpered when she wasn't sleeping.

 Loves her cuddles w/her daddy.

 While the blue string was on, she had to wear these arm bands so she wouldn't accidently pull the string.

 I brought an old blanket because I didn't want a new one to get bloody & she liked me rubbing her head w/it more than my hand stroking her face.  The greenish thing is oxygen to blow by her face while she was sleeping.

 We just stayed over night one night in post-op.  A closet w/a glass door & communal bathroom.  I didn't see much of other patients/parents.

 My Grandma & Grandpa Call who are serving a mission in SLC came to visit & bring me dinner.  They took these pictures.

The day after she came home from the hospital she started smiling.  She still wakes a couple times in the night, and complains when she eats, but she is returning to her cheerful self.

Makayla at 6 months

 I wanted to get some "leaf pictures" like I did with the boys.  I love this first one, with her eyes wide open, and the focus & color is beautiful!  even unedited! though I wish she were smiling.

 flowers just add so much

 in the sun, mom!

 Looking at leaves

 Looking at brother (she looks alot like Michael!  I will have to take a picture of them wearing the same outfit & post a side-by-side.)

 why are you putting leaves on my head, brother?!

 Happy girl has her cleft palate surgery on Monday. Yes, she is still in her jammies.  she's less spitty as of 2 weeks ago & doesn't go through 4 outfits every day anymore.

 Another serious pose

 There were several "smiles" w/her eyes half open like this.

This is as close to a smile as we got with her eyes open.  I think I like the serious ones better from this photo shoot though.

She doesn't seem to like rice cereal.  I wonder if its the grainy up her nose, or maybe I don't make it thick enough?  She LOVES pumpkin & yams.  I'm not consistent at giving her solids.  She takes 5 bottles a day (4 breastmilk, 1 formula) and goes 10-12 hrs between her last feeding of the night & first one the next morning.  (I feel so lucky!!)  She loves laying on her tummy playing with toys, spinning around on her tummy, and is so frustrated she can't crawl forward.  (I wanted her to wait until after Christmas for crawling, but I dont' think we are going to make it.)  We haven't worked on sitting up yet.

OH, and as I was putting the camera away, I turned back to her & there were 2 grasshoppers on her head.  GROSS!  I shewed them away as fast as I could, thinking later that might have made a good picture. But I had to save my baby girl!

Halloween 2012

 I am on top of these-posting them today!  This is how the boys were dressed for the ward halloween party.  It was so much fun this year. Usually we just do a chili cook-off, but this year, there was a pumpkin decorating activity, a maze (that Rob was incharge of setting up w/the young men), and trunk-or-treating.

 These 2 pumpkins grew in our garden- and we didnt' even plant pumpkin seeds.

 oh, we had 3 pumpkins...this was our first.  Rob picked it a little green & it oranged up nicely.

 Christopher's decorated pumpkin from the halloween party.

 Christopher has to wear a patch for 3 hrs a day to make his eye stronger.  The eye dr said it should be good in 3 months.  After 1 month it should go from 20/80 to 20/40.

 Michael and his pumpkin from the halloween party.

 The boys getting ready to carve.  This pumpkin came from our neighbor's house.  They didn't plant pumpkins either!

 front

 back

 I went to a costume karaoke night at pizza pie cafe with one of my best friends from high school, Mary.  I sang "eye of the tiger."

 christopher doing a maze at his desk on halloween

 in the parade at school

 doesnt look so scary now :)  I got to help out w/his halloween party & it was so much fun!  I brought frosting & 4 containers was too many.  I had 1 chocolate, 2 that I dyed orange, and 1/2 that I dyed green (saving half white for whatever I needed).  I would have been fine w/3...and still had left overs.

 michael's friend (not pictured) threw a halloween party & it was so much fun! he wore the thomas costume to christopher's school that morning & decided it was too cumbersome, so he wanted to be batman.

 with his pumpkin

 Halloween night, ready to go trick-or-treating.  I didn't realize how excited he was for trick-or-treating.  He told me he wanted to go to "Yophie's house FIRST"  Luckily the Mannings live next door.  Michael RAN from house to house.  He would give dad the treat bag to carry (they fell out of the bucket, so we switched & had Christopher carry the bucket.) from house to house, and he would run ahead.  but, he'd have to run back cuz he didn't have the treat bag.  Christopher wasn't as energetic, but had a good time.  (i wonder if he couldn't see well, so he was more hesitant). Makayla and I went for the first 45 mins, then we headed home...she was getting heavy.  We handed out candy to 32 kids.

 Makayla was a teddy bear.

 So excited!

 The force is strong with this one.

 our pumpkins

 playing on the floor while mom handed out candy.

what 2 hrs of trick-or-treating will get you.  Filled up the big white bowl & half the black bucket.  The weather was awesome again this year-close to 60 degrees