I've Got A Secret

Trent and I won some movie tickets, but last night Trent gave up his to let me and Isabel go off to the movies together. We went and saw THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES. We loved it! I read the book a few years ago when it first came out and really liked it. Last night I was not disappointed. The movie is just as good as the book(which doesn't happen very often). It's a movie that makes you happy(which everyone needs). It's a movie about what family really means, and finding love in unexpected places. If I didn't already have a wonderful mother who loves me, I would want these 4 strong women in the movie to love me instead. The movie and book take place in the turbulent South in the 60's which adds to the story. I love most southern novels to begin with, it takes you to a different place. Anyway if you are looking for a sweet movie that even though there is some sadness, love triumphs in the end, then grab a girlfriend, your mother, sister, daughter, or a sensitive husband and go find out what the secret of the movie holds.

My Trusty Sidekick

Trent went off to a field trip with Miles, and Isabel who is on fall break went off to babysit all day, so it was just PHOEBE and I alone again. I feel so lucky that I didn't have all my kids super close just for the fact that I still get to have one home with me for a little while longer. I don't know what I will do when she goes off to school and I'm home by myself(I'm a little worried). Anyway, she is a good little sidekick. After everyone had gone we had cupcakes and milk for breakfast(she asked, and it's not going to hurt is it?) after, because she thinks she needs 2 breakfasts, she sat on the counter and helped me make a batch of oatmeal. While sitting there, she told me a riddle. She said "Mom, here's a riddle: a monster went into the garbage and got an apple." ( I pretend to understand, she's giggling, and in her world she thinks it's funny.) She followed me around the house while I cleaned up talking nonstop(I love it, will she always talk to me like this? I hope so). WE sang songs, because that's what she likes to do now. We sang until I ran out of songs. I then ask her what she wants to do, she asks if we can watch her Little Pony movie? I say yes, and she asks "are you going to talk on the phone while we watch?(cuz I never do that...) I say no, so we sit in our pajamas on the couch with her head in my lap. It's 75 degrees out so we go outside and I watch her run around in the sun (does the day have to end?). There's something special about every child, but knowing she's my last I'm trying to savor each and every moment knowing this is the last time I will have a 3 year old. I hope she will stay my sidekick for many more moments longer with days like this. We were very glad to have everyone come home to us though at the end of our day.

My Sunday Six

So here a few things either I've thought about or done this week:

1.Yesterday was a trip to the pumpkin patch, we waited a little long this year, but I figure we still have a week to go yet. Anyway, all the kids quickly chose their pumpkin except for Phoebe who was on a mission to find the perfect pumpkin. Every pumpkin seemed to be to "scratchy", have green on it not the right shape and so on...I"m glad to say she finally found one to her liking.

2.Last night Trent and I went to a Halloween party hosted by our friends Josh and Erica. It was great fun. We dressed up, had lots of great food, played fun games, and had fantastic entertainment. It was nice to get out and have fun with grown ups.

3.I've always felt torn between having my kids share rooms with each other and thinking I'm doing a disservice to them because no one shares rooms it seems now days. I can't help think sometimes it's not a bad thing though because I do love to hear my boys giggle in the dark with each other in their bunk beds. And this morning I went into the girls bedroom to wake them up and found them snuggled up to each other(yes they share a bed) with limbs intertwined looking so peaceful and sweet. I couldn't help but pause and think this is what's great about having siblings; dreams, secrets, giggles, stories, and bonds to share.

4.Last week I was released as Primary President and so this week for the first time in 2 1/2 years I sat in Sunday School with nothing to do but listen. I miss the kids in primary but I've moved on to Young Women's for new exciting adventure teaching the Mia Maids. Who knew I could feel so rested on a Sunday.

5.The one good thing about having Trent home is that he can finish projects. We found a ridiculously cheap, solid wood dresser on Craigs List for the girls room that he was able to refinish and paint to beautiful perfection...now onto the next project.

Before/After

6.I'm so grateful for long distance phone calls. I talked to my mom and dad this week. Even though they are so far away in Israel, when they call on the phone it makes them feel so close. They give so much encouragement, comfort, and loads of love that I feel so lucky to have them only a phone call away. Only 6 more months!

Monster Mash (Halloween Preview)

Getting into character


Phoebe as Little Red Riding Hood (her idea, and what's with the hand on her hips?)

Miles as a fierce ninja (deadly and silent)

Oliver as a wizard named something I can't pronounce from one of his video games

So tonight was the first of the many Halloween goings on. The boys school has a yearly MONSTER MASH, which is basically a carnival where they can wear their costumes. They have pizza, hot dogs, cookies, play games, play annoyingly loud music, and run around. They came home and filled up on candy from their goody bags until it was all gone. The kids had a great time though and are totally ready and waiting for the real night. 7 days and counting!

Pollyanna Effect

Do you all remember "Pollyanna" the movie or the book written by Eleanor H. Porter. It is the story of a little girl who moves to a town and has an extreme effect on the people of the town by playing the Glad Game. The glad game is a game taught to her by her father where you are always looking for and finding the bright side of things in every situation. Now why am I talking about this you ask?

A couple of weeks ago as many of you know, Trent was laid off (due to this economy of ours). I remember the first day literally being in shock, crying, couldn't imagine what we were going to do. My sister Cathy called one day to see how I was doing and was talking how she had come across the movie Pollyanna and how she had stopped to watch it, having not seen it in years. Cathy reminded me of how optimism can change the way you look at things. I have always been a realist, verging on being pessimistic. I always think of the worst things before ever thinking of the good. But since talking to Cathy and having prayed harder than I have ever prayed, my outlook has changed. I have thought maybe Pollyanna is onto something. At the end of the book/movie (spoiler alert) Pollyanna loses the use of her legs through an accident- she sits in despair until all the people whose lives she has changed through her sunny outlook on life come to her and remind her of the glad game. She ultimately plays the game and realizes in searching for something to be glad about that she is glad she still has legs.

Now all that being said- I still worry (a lot) but somehow I have decided to be more optimistic. I have found some strength I didn't know I have, to wake up every morning and to be happy, to be happy for my kids, be happy and supportive of Trent, somehow believing that this is not the end. It will be a new beginning and that our family will come out stronger because of this bump in the road of life. Not everyday is perfect but I'm not the sobbing mess I somehow thought I would be. I might just have to start playing this glad game, because I know that there are plenty of things to be happy about. What about you, wanna play along?

We're going to zoo, zoo, zoo.

Today the zoo was having a free day, so we decided to brave it on a Saturday and make a go of it. We missed the last free day because Oliver had to go in for an emergency tooth filling. It was such beautiful weather here (80 degrees ) and the kids were so excited to go. I must have had a crazy moment, because if I had known how crowded it was going to be I think I would have passed. We had a good time though and the kids were great (except for one constantly hungry boy) and it was nice to walk around in the sunshine. We left around lunchtime and headed over to a park near downtown that Trent had designed a few years ago to have a picnic and play. I think the kids could have stayed out and played all day if we would have let them. But the day had worn me out, and it was time to go back to real life where everyday things have to get done. I do so love these warm Autumn days that push you to go outside and enjoy.

Isabel - hanging out at the park.

Everyone enjoying the day - even if Phoebe doesn't look like it

Phoebe kickin it with the gorillas

Miles soaking it all in

Oliver - climbing to the top

Trent and me ready to call it a day.

It's Love That Makes The World Go Round

At least my world. A few things that make me know that I'm loved and makes every day better no matter what...

1. Phoebe who likes to come to me at random times and wrap her arms around me and tell me that she loves me "more than much".

2. Going to the park and watch the kids run around in the sunshine, their imaginations go wild and without any cares in the world.
3.A husband who will do the dishes for me just to make my life better because he knows I don't want to do one more thing today.

4. Spending a night out with Isabel browsing the bookstore and her wanting to talk, sharing her thoughts with me.( How much longer will she want to spend a Friday night with her mom?)

5. Children(one at a time) who still tell me every dinner no matter what I make- "Good dinner mom!"
6.Snuggling up on the couch with kids piled on top of me to read bed time stories, with them all saying "just one more, please" (how can I resist) 7.Good night kisses. (need I say anything more?)


8. A husband who is willing to listen to me, even when it's nonsense.

I really should count my blessings more often-life is never so bad as long as this is what I have at home.

V for VICTORY

I just thought I would follow up and let you all know that Isabel did it. She won the election for Student Body President, Yay for her!! Now if only the elections for Oliver and the big one in November will go my way.......

Busy Izzy

Ok, I don't think I ever have called her Izzy, but I couldn't help myself, it rhymed. It's always been Isabel. Anyway she gets my post today because she is the only one who is busy at the moment, with the boys being off track and all. She is busier now than I ever was at her age. I thought I would catch up on all her goings on. She just finished track and has now moved on to National Junior Honor Society. It is primarily focused on service and you have to maintain a 3.5 average(which she manages to do easily with flying colors, she didn't get that from me). She will have to do 25-30 hours of service outside of school on her own time. She is also running for Student Body President. I won't be surprised if she wins, she is very confident(also not from me) and she is the friendliest girl I know. I wish her luck. She's taking swimming lessons that we signed up for last month, I thought it was about time that she learned how to save herself if needed. She's taught herself how to swim but not very well. Anyway, she has 2 after school clubs, lessons twice a week, and Young Women's every week. She also has about 3 hours of homework a night. I seriously don't know how she does it all, with a smile to boot. I think kids now days are definitely more stretched for time than I ever remember being. I'm happy if she's happy though. And really Isabel is the most sunny person who always looks at the positive(another thing she didn't get from me, is she my daughter? I think she must have gotten it from her grandmothers.) I'm still waiting for the tough teenage years that I hear about with girls. She's not perfect but we don't have the total mood swings yet, or the meltdowns(I totally feel lucky). Isabel is also a very wise girl, she told me last night as we were driving in the car that she is sure that Heavenly Father is watching out for our family and knows that he takes care of us. How did I get so lucky as to be blessed with someone so sweet? Sometimes I feel like she is going to grow up and be gone before I know it. I'm trying to keep the apron strings tied to me so I can keep her close. She is just one of the evidences I have that Heavenly Father loves me.

Scary Saturday Six

Well we are now well into October, and where I am Fall weather has definitely arrived. With that-it is time to crawl under the covers and bring some scary movies out to watch. OK-not too scary, I admit, I don't like really scary movies that make my stomach in knots and have to leave the room kind of scary. I just like the ones that make me sit on the edge of my seat and hang on for the ride. So here are my movie ideas to get in the mood for Halloween-hope you like them!

1.Something Wicked This Way Comes-I remember seeing it when I was around 8 or 9 and being really scared. And to this day if I watch it I'm still creeped out. It's about a carnival that comes to town and 2 little boys who are affected by it. (all I have to say is carnival and it's already creepy, right?) The scene in the library still makes me nervous.

2.Here's one for the kids,Witches-based on the book by Roald Dahl. The movie has Angelica Huston in it. A little boy comes to a hotel with his grandmother and finds out there is a witches convention going on. My boys liked it and Isabel at 13 years old can't watch even now.

3.For scary funny, and the family- The Addams Family. Only the first one is worth watching, I think Raul Julia was fantastic and Christopher Loyd as Fester was great.

4.Gaslight (1944)-One of the scariest movies out there. I remember my mom and dad telling me this, and didn't believe it till I saw it. I think it being in black and white makes it even scarier. It is about a wife is being driven mad and menaced of being interned in an asylum by her husband.

5.The Sixth Sense-When I saw it I had not been told the secret to the movie. I remember seeing it in the theater with my sister Jenni and both of us clutching to each other the whole movie. I don't know even now if I could sit through it all without clenching my teeth, and I even know what it's about. This is one thing that Trent hates, is that I can't sit through a whole scary movie without leaving the room once or twice, asking him if it's ok to come back.

6. Alfred Hitchcock- I love them all. He is the master of suspense. My favorites and hopefully yours as well are-Rear Window(all I have to say is Jimmy Stewart), The Birds(freaky), The Man Who Knew Too Much(Jimmy again and Doris Day), North by Northwest (love Cary Grant and the mystery), Vertigo(Kim Novak, scary looking), I could go on and on but I won't.

This has made me want to make a movie marathon out of them all(I can't because life can't stop), but I'm definitely going to at least make a couple nights out of it. I just have to pace myself , my stomach can only take so much.

And for a little treat to have while watching- Marshmallow popcorn. So easy and so good. Just melt marshmallows and 3 TBSP of butter like you are making rice krispie treats except pour over popcorn instead. I can't stop myself when I make this.

Crazy Conversations & Control Issues

I preface this post - some of the things I blog about are more for my own memory with the hope that you the reader gets something out of it to. With that being said, having a 3 year old comes with crazy conversations that are not so much laugh out loud funny but make you think "I can't believe these are the conversations I'm having". Usually they put at least a smile on my face sometimes a muffled laugh so as not to make the 3 year old feel like you are laughing at them. For example: I had put Phoebe to bed the other night and she hadn't been in there more than 5 minutes when she comes out and tells me that she can't go to sleep. I say she hasn't tried and that she needs to go back to bed. Phoebe says "sleeping is boring"(how would she know she hasn't tried yet) I tell her we need to go to sleep so that we can grow. I tell her that night time is when her body does its growing. Phoebe says in her rational tone that she doesn't want to grow that she wants to stay little....obviously I've totally confused her all the while I was just trying to get her to bed. The next morning I came back from taking Isabel to school and Phoebe meets me at the door and announces "Look mom, I''m still little, I didn't grow big" For real.

Next: Phoebe has this little green witch doll from McDonald's. She shows me the doll and how it closes its eyes when you lay it back. Anyway she says "Mom, look she has green eyes" I say "yes, she has green eyes just like you" Phoebe in all seriousness says "no, I don't (are you stupid lady) I say "what color of eyes do you have then?" Phoebe says "well, I like chocolate, pink and purple eyes" I wish I lived in her world where if you want something different like eye color then it just isn't so(I could change so many things about myself that way).

Onto control issues. I don't think I've ever had a child who had to be in control so much. Such as everyone has to get out of the car, shut the doors so that Phoebe can open her door and get out by herself. She has to be the first one to open the doors at a store, or else we wait while other people go in so that she can open them again. At the library she likes to scan and check out the books. If I hand her a book, she has to lay it back down, so that she can pick it up again to scan it. She is the only one who can say the dinner prayer or else if someone else does we say a 2nd prayer. I could go on. Have I created this? I can't make this stuff up. Sometimes it's not worth the battle. It does drive me a little crazy but in the end it's not going to last forever and then I will be sad that I don't have a 3 year old anymore who makes me laugh every single day. I love every little crazy inch of her.

Hanging on to Hope

I figure everyone struggles now and again and hopes tomorrow is a better day, so here are some scriptures that give me some hope when needed. I thought scriptures were appropriate since it was Sunday after all. If everything is going fantastic for you I'm glad and you can just ignore this post.

1.Mosiah 24:14 "And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this I will do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions."

2.Psalms 30:5 "...weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."

3.Joshua 1:9 "Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."

4.Matthew 11:28,30 " Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

5.John 16:33 "...that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."

6. 2 Nephi 31:20 "Wherefore, you must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ and endure to the end, behold thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life."

To the Moon and Back

For my five Friday favorites I want to list 5 amazing people who in their own ways make my life more enriched and blessed just by having them in my life. I love them to the moon and back and then some more. Here they are:

Isabel

(this is this years school picture which she hates, I think she looks

cute but who loved their own 8th grade picture?)

My smiley Miles(I don't think he ever takes a bad picture)

My Oliver who is a tough kid (more about that down below)

My sweet and silly Phoebe

Trent- my rock, who my heart belongs to.

P.S. Oliver went to the ENT today to evaluate his nose, again and why he still isn't breathing after 2 surgeries. The doctor looked in his nose and his turbenate which is what she operated on was still clear and open. So she discovered by looking around that what she thinks is that he also is suffering from a chronic sinus infection. She said that when she pushed right between his eyes she could feel the infection way up there. She thinks Oliver hasn't complained because he probably doesn't know any different because he's had it for so long.( making him the tough kid) She thinks that his nasal cavities retain infection easily. She put him on 21 days worth of antibiotics hoping to clear up the infection and also Rhinocort which is a nasal spray. She put afrin in his nose today and he could actually breathe for the first time in a long time. You can only use afrin for 3 days at a time. The doctor says we should see a difference in 7 days (I'm hoping for his sake). She also said that from now on whenever he gets a cold we will probably have to use afrin the first 3 days to open his nasal cavities so that infection won't build up, she said that many people have to do this. I just hope this is the final thing to do on the goal to make Oliver breathe normally. He said today "Listen mom, I can breathe and smell" How sad that what we take for granted made such a huge difference to him.

Say It Isn't So!

I was reading today and came across an article about the Amazon Kindle, which is electronic-paper. It is a device which has a high resolution screen that looks and reads like real paper. First off who really wants to read like this? The magic of books is the old fashion kind made with real paper that as you turn the pages you see your progress. And one of my absolute favorite smells is that of a new book. I like picking up and feeling it and flipping through it, giving me a taste of things to come. One of my favorite things of the year is New Years Day with the tradition that I grew up with was having a New Years book wrapped up on your plate at breakfast. I love looking at books sitting on a shelf. Seriously what's there not to love?

Anyways, back to my original thought, Steve Jobs creator of APPLE said speaking of the kindle, "It doesn't matter how good or bad the product is, the fact is that people don't read anymore," he also said "Forty percent of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year."

I can't believe this, if this statistic is true. What have Americans come to if almost half of the country only manages 1 book or less a year? Truly sad. I can't imagine my life without books, let alone only reading one, which one would I choose? how many would I be missing out on?

So on Shelfari (http://www.shelfari.com/groups/10773/about?ec=7D8A021CFB00S18202) they have put a challenge out called the 50 Book Challenge. The challenge is to read 50 books in one year or establish a goal for yourself. It's up to you, just because they say 50 doesn't mean that has to be your goal.

I'll take that challenge, I've read 39 this year, so I just need to stay on track. Are you up to the challenge?

The Reason For The Season

It's the first day of October. I know I said I don't like doing costumes that doesn't mean I don't like Halloween and the reason for the costumes. So I thought I'd get in the mood of October and remember the reasons I get so excited about the season. Here is a walk down memory lane of some of our past Halloweens. Take notice if you can how much Phoebe looks like Isabel. I could totally swap pictures between the two and you would never notice. Don't worry I didn't do any swapping this time. This Halloween it looks like I'm going to have a wizard (think Merlin) and a ninja so far. Isabel hasn't decided and Phoebe is being stubborn because I told her there is no purple pony costume out there. She thinks if she holds out, that magically it's going to happen. I've got to think of something that might distract her(is that possible?) Happy October!!

Oliver- a bat 2 1/2 yrs. old

Oliver- ready to saddle up as a cowboy
around 18 months

Isabel, truly an angel at 3 yrs. old

Isabel as Jane, where is Tarzan?

4 yrs old

Isabel as Ernie, 2 yrs

Miles in his halloween pajamas, my kids don't dress up until they ask to 2 yrs

Miles, Oliver as Harry Potter and Isabel as a witch

Miles as the Human Torch, Oliver named himself Skullazar, and Isabel as a friendly pirate

Phoebe in her halloween pajamas at almost 2 yrs

Isabel as a witch, Phoebe as a princess,Oliver as a zombie skater, and Miles as his favorite, Wolverine