Eirik is getting so creative with his creations. He loves the hot melt glue gun. We've used it together on so many projects that he is pretty proficient. I got out a bunch of acrylic paints and the hot melt glue gun and left the kids to get creative on the back porch and then I thought; "hmm, is this wise?" It turned out pretty cool. I wish I could show you all the things Eirik makes. His drawings in church were so cool this week. I was seriously impressed. I have to admit, it makes me secretly really happy when my kids make stuff.
Joren says he's 116 million miles per hour strong. Pretty strong. :)
I loved going to parent teacher conference. Mrs. Tobias loves Eirik and had lots of great things to say about him. She said the other parents always comment about how smart he is and how much he talks like an adult. She said I will probably have to look into gifted and talented to make sure he does not get bored. She said, "don't be worried about being "one of those parents" who is always bugging the teacher for more challenging work or more materials. She also gave me a whole list of ideas to do over the summer for some great learning activities. I need to get an organized preschool plan for the summer.
Walking into preschool Eirik said, "Mom, you are going to be really sad when Kasey moves aren't you?" I told him to expect me to probably cry. He said, "Mom, on the day that Kasey moves I am going to tuck you into bed, bring you breakfast in bed and a cooling cloth and bring the TV into your room and have a tea party for you that night." Later that day Eirik was very sad and tired so I tucked him in bed, brought him the iphone so he could watch a show and gave him milk, watermelon and a sandwich in bed with a cooling cloth. He didn't know by being his wonderful sensitive, caring self that he was teaching me how to care for him. What a sweet heart.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
starting the recap...
I like writing every day because all the wonderful words and thoughts I had get lost so fast. I missed a week of writing because I lived so huge this week. Basil and Kristen and their two sweet babies were here for 7 days. It was a carousel of coordinating and a carnival of fun. We really do not have the room in this house for 2 extra kids that need their own rooms to sleep in so the sleeping coordinating was a fiasco at first. I was mortified that the only solution we could conjure up was to have her baby sleep in the storage room and Rhoda sleep in the laundry room. That didn't end up working so on the second night I set up an extra play yard in my room and put Rhoda in Teig's room. That did not work because Teig kept me up all night. So the next night I figured out that I could set up the play yard in the shower of our upstairs bathroom. It was not ideal, but it was how we got through the week. The second catastrophe of the week happened the day after they arrived. We had enjoyed a rich 5 days of luscious rain and then the day after they arrived the weather took a turn and hit 95 degrees with tons of humidity. We've never had so much water in our basement where they were sleeping. It was seeping through all the walls and soaking boxes and guess what?! We discovered that day that the AC did not work! We were miserable. I thought Basil was going to book a ticket home. Luckily Gayle rushed to our aid the next day and it was cool as a cornfield by 5:00.
Rhoda took to Tor in a way that amazed and delighted me. She loves him like Paul hoped our boys would love him. She followed him around and let him in every time she could. She gave him treats and teased him and played in his water and never once was scared of him. She was so sweet with him. Paul commented that she has not been taught to fear and hate him like our boys have been. I felt bad because I have not been able to teach the boys to adore that sweet dog like I should. Basil admitted that he thought Tor should be an outside dog, and Kit tended to agree, which made me secretly glad and sad a bit. All my friends think he should be an outside dog or they say, "you're a better woman than I am." I have not had any of my friends understand why we have him inside which I think makes me have a harder time feeling right about it and it feels like everyone gangs up on Paul about it. At least in my mind. If it was just the thing everyone does, I think I would be more cool about it. Anyway, Rhoda was great. She is adorable and mischievous. Kit kept saying that Joren and Rhoda are two peas in a pod and she was right. They both are following their own curious compass. It's hard to tell them no to anything and you have to watch them like a hawk. (which definitely added to the drama of the week.) I felt like I was running all week long. I think I made 8 meals that I cooked, put on the table and had to run to do stuff before eating. I lost 7 lbs. I am still hungry. :)
We stayed very busy. We threw a party for baby Lindyl who turned 1. Kit had it all preplanned and it was darling. We made our own party hats and Lindyl got her first cake.
We played in the sprinklers and ate pop cycles.
We went to the carnival and rode ponies. I took Kit to my favorite thrift store and she lucked out on some awesome finds (and I did too). We saw a Parade and Eirik and I walked in it with the preschool. They came to Eirik's soccer game, we ate at 5 Guys and Fries, we bbq'd and ate on the back deck.
We went on a few great walks. As I tucked Joren into bed we were talking about all the wonderful things we did that day and he said, "I wove wife." (I love life.) So cute.
One of the best parts of the week was seeing Kristen climb our tree. She said she was going to do it, but to be honest I could not even imagine it really being done so I did not take her seriously at all. When I ran back out with rope, there she was 20 feet in the air. How did she do it?? I don't know. She strung up our fairy mobile and the coolest chandelier that she found at a garage sale for us for $3! Isn't it wonderful!? I love it!
Rhoda took to Tor in a way that amazed and delighted me. She loves him like Paul hoped our boys would love him. She followed him around and let him in every time she could. She gave him treats and teased him and played in his water and never once was scared of him. She was so sweet with him. Paul commented that she has not been taught to fear and hate him like our boys have been. I felt bad because I have not been able to teach the boys to adore that sweet dog like I should. Basil admitted that he thought Tor should be an outside dog, and Kit tended to agree, which made me secretly glad and sad a bit. All my friends think he should be an outside dog or they say, "you're a better woman than I am." I have not had any of my friends understand why we have him inside which I think makes me have a harder time feeling right about it and it feels like everyone gangs up on Paul about it. At least in my mind. If it was just the thing everyone does, I think I would be more cool about it. Anyway, Rhoda was great. She is adorable and mischievous. Kit kept saying that Joren and Rhoda are two peas in a pod and she was right. They both are following their own curious compass. It's hard to tell them no to anything and you have to watch them like a hawk. (which definitely added to the drama of the week.) I felt like I was running all week long. I think I made 8 meals that I cooked, put on the table and had to run to do stuff before eating. I lost 7 lbs. I am still hungry. :)
We stayed very busy. We threw a party for baby Lindyl who turned 1. Kit had it all preplanned and it was darling. We made our own party hats and Lindyl got her first cake.
We played in the sprinklers and ate pop cycles.
We went to the carnival and rode ponies. I took Kit to my favorite thrift store and she lucked out on some awesome finds (and I did too). We saw a Parade and Eirik and I walked in it with the preschool. They came to Eirik's soccer game, we ate at 5 Guys and Fries, we bbq'd and ate on the back deck.
We went on a few great walks. As I tucked Joren into bed we were talking about all the wonderful things we did that day and he said, "I wove wife." (I love life.) So cute.
One of the best parts of the week was seeing Kristen climb our tree. She said she was going to do it, but to be honest I could not even imagine it really being done so I did not take her seriously at all. When I ran back out with rope, there she was 20 feet in the air. How did she do it?? I don't know. She strung up our fairy mobile and the coolest chandelier that she found at a garage sale for us for $3! Isn't it wonderful!? I love it!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
A true friend.
How do you know a true friend? For me it goes something like this: When she arrives, she can't come into the house because she has to go back outside with me to admire the house from the front. She knows the names of the archetectural detailing. Then we walk around the yard and she knows the names of all the flowers I care about and oohs and ahhs at all the things I have worked on and the things I love. When we get inside, she notices all the details, says I'm magi with color and loves all the things I have made. Not only does she appreciate my creations, but knows where I got the pieces to make them and remembers where the inspiration came from. She asks details about my family and remembers the funny stories that make up the web of our life together and even things that she was not present for. She knows and loves my children and talks to them about the things that are important to them, like telling Eirik his is the best Airbender and has a cool haircut. She brought me a bag full of hand me downs, and special thrifted items that she specifically knew I would love like a burlap vintage Christmas tablecloth. (sweet!) She wanted to see all my new clothes, and even loved my crazy new white leather jacket. When I gave her the painting I did for her, she cried and said she was lucky to have me as a friend. Now I ask you; who is the lucky one!?
Sunday, May 29, 2011
"That's why they call me the feeling better kid."
May 29th
At church we talked about the priesthood blessings that we miss out on if we don't partake. There was a man who saved up for a vacation on a cruise ship. He saw all the other people eating all the buffet items and thought, "I can't afford that rich food." so he ate cans of beans in his room. At the end of the end of the cruise he learned that all the food was included in the price of the cruise and realized he had been missing out. Are we missing out of blessings already available to us? It was a great lesson. I hope I can think of the right questions for my lesson I am giving next week. So far I feel uninspired and unprepared. In sacrament meeting we had a talk on modesty. We learned that modesty is showing respect for people around us. That tells me that I shouldn't wear my skinny jeans around people that are uncomfortable about their weight. It says that I shouldn't dress my best around people that don't have much money. It says that I should be simple in my dress and not flaunt anything. That is simply being considerate, but it is also pleasing to the Lord. Otherwise it shows vanity, which I am fully guilty of. I definitely need to work on my respect for others and my vanity. Anona is such a great example. Such a pure heart. I hope to be more like her.
I tried not to, but I stressed out about getting the house clean for company. I know they don't care if the house is not spotless, but I do. I have been so full of anxiety letting my baby crawl on a dirty floor and with Tor it is such a big job to keep it clean. I just have to carve out more time at night to sweep and mop more often. I cleaned until I was dead tired last night. It is so nice to have a clean house today. It only lasts a day, but I made Paul keep Tor out most of the day so I could enjoy at least one day of it.
Speaking of Tor, Patty told Paul today that the spirit was telling her that she needed to tell him to get rid of the Tor. She told him that there was nothing more important that she could tell him than to stop being selfish and get rid of him. I don't think Paul can do it and I told him we are not getting rid of him until/ and if he decides it is right for him. Tor does make life way harder for me, but, I'm glad Paul is getting to have his dream come true. We sacrifice for each other and Paul sacrifices a lot for us too. I feel so blessed that he is in my life and that I am the benefactor of all the cool things about him. He is so good to me. In sacrament he leaned over and told me that when he prays he asks how he can make me happy. That was sweet. He does a lot of things to make me happy. One of those things is letting me go buy a bunch of new clothes and he is happy for me and does not complain, in fact he encourages it. I never dreamed I would have so many cool clothes. I love my clothes right now and I love Paul. I don't like Tor, but I love Paul. :)
I know all temporal things are temporary and that we should not put our treasures on our things, still I hope my boys don't break my green or yellow lamp, or put holes in my new favorite baby blankets like the quilt I made or the one Jena gave me. I hope Tor does not chew anymore furniture or my new sketchers. I hope our cars don't break. I hope Joren does not destroy my tablecloth or my computer or the pillows I made. I hope my blog books will be alright and that my white owls won't get broken or my new cheese plate. I hope my orange couch will not be permanently ruined by Tor sitting on it all the time. I do have too many treasures I think sometimes. If I have to worry about them that much, should I get rid of them so that I don't feel so protective and set on them? I love my treasures, and I hope I get to live with them for a long time. Is that bad?
Paul and I told the kids about Memorial day tonight and I showed them pictures of normandy and some other veteran's memorials. We told them that Grandpa Rallison served in WWII. Eirik asked, "Is that what our country is all about; helping people?" I said, "you got it!" I love our country and our freedom. I'm grateful for all those people who have given their lives for the freedom and prosperity that I enjoy today. I feel so indebted and blessed. I want to show them tomorrow. What should I do?
I've been sick and I was rubbing my temples tonight. Joren asked, "why are you so frustrated mom?" I said, "I'm not frustrated, my head just hurts." He said, "I will kiss you better." I said, "that feels better already." He said, "That's why they call me the feeling better kid." He's a sweet kid. He's still awake at 10:30, but he's a sweet, sweet kid.
At church we talked about the priesthood blessings that we miss out on if we don't partake. There was a man who saved up for a vacation on a cruise ship. He saw all the other people eating all the buffet items and thought, "I can't afford that rich food." so he ate cans of beans in his room. At the end of the end of the cruise he learned that all the food was included in the price of the cruise and realized he had been missing out. Are we missing out of blessings already available to us? It was a great lesson. I hope I can think of the right questions for my lesson I am giving next week. So far I feel uninspired and unprepared. In sacrament meeting we had a talk on modesty. We learned that modesty is showing respect for people around us. That tells me that I shouldn't wear my skinny jeans around people that are uncomfortable about their weight. It says that I shouldn't dress my best around people that don't have much money. It says that I should be simple in my dress and not flaunt anything. That is simply being considerate, but it is also pleasing to the Lord. Otherwise it shows vanity, which I am fully guilty of. I definitely need to work on my respect for others and my vanity. Anona is such a great example. Such a pure heart. I hope to be more like her.
I tried not to, but I stressed out about getting the house clean for company. I know they don't care if the house is not spotless, but I do. I have been so full of anxiety letting my baby crawl on a dirty floor and with Tor it is such a big job to keep it clean. I just have to carve out more time at night to sweep and mop more often. I cleaned until I was dead tired last night. It is so nice to have a clean house today. It only lasts a day, but I made Paul keep Tor out most of the day so I could enjoy at least one day of it.
Speaking of Tor, Patty told Paul today that the spirit was telling her that she needed to tell him to get rid of the Tor. She told him that there was nothing more important that she could tell him than to stop being selfish and get rid of him. I don't think Paul can do it and I told him we are not getting rid of him until/ and if he decides it is right for him. Tor does make life way harder for me, but, I'm glad Paul is getting to have his dream come true. We sacrifice for each other and Paul sacrifices a lot for us too. I feel so blessed that he is in my life and that I am the benefactor of all the cool things about him. He is so good to me. In sacrament he leaned over and told me that when he prays he asks how he can make me happy. That was sweet. He does a lot of things to make me happy. One of those things is letting me go buy a bunch of new clothes and he is happy for me and does not complain, in fact he encourages it. I never dreamed I would have so many cool clothes. I love my clothes right now and I love Paul. I don't like Tor, but I love Paul. :)
I know all temporal things are temporary and that we should not put our treasures on our things, still I hope my boys don't break my green or yellow lamp, or put holes in my new favorite baby blankets like the quilt I made or the one Jena gave me. I hope Tor does not chew anymore furniture or my new sketchers. I hope our cars don't break. I hope Joren does not destroy my tablecloth or my computer or the pillows I made. I hope my blog books will be alright and that my white owls won't get broken or my new cheese plate. I hope my orange couch will not be permanently ruined by Tor sitting on it all the time. I do have too many treasures I think sometimes. If I have to worry about them that much, should I get rid of them so that I don't feel so protective and set on them? I love my treasures, and I hope I get to live with them for a long time. Is that bad?
Paul and I told the kids about Memorial day tonight and I showed them pictures of normandy and some other veteran's memorials. We told them that Grandpa Rallison served in WWII. Eirik asked, "Is that what our country is all about; helping people?" I said, "you got it!" I love our country and our freedom. I'm grateful for all those people who have given their lives for the freedom and prosperity that I enjoy today. I feel so indebted and blessed. I want to show them tomorrow. What should I do?
I've been sick and I was rubbing my temples tonight. Joren asked, "why are you so frustrated mom?" I said, "I'm not frustrated, my head just hurts." He said, "I will kiss you better." I said, "that feels better already." He said, "That's why they call me the feeling better kid." He's a sweet kid. He's still awake at 10:30, but he's a sweet, sweet kid.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Girl's Night out!
Yesterday was the stake Father and Son Campout which, at the last minute, moved location to the church lawn since all the campgrounds in the area are all flooded. It was a bummer for Paul but I don't think the kids new the difference and it did not deter me and the girls from escaping like bandits for our girls night of shopping and sleeping over at Anona's house. It was just the three of us, Kasey, Anona and myself and we headed up to Great Lake's Crossing outlet mall the minute our babysitter got home from school. Kasey can talk me into buying anything. I came home with a bunch of clothes that I did not intend on buying, but I Love them. We had a great time and I enjoyed the talking on the car ride up and back and late into the night as much as anything else.
Good news: 1. I got all my food storage put in buckets/ labeled and safely stored in our basement closets. 2. I got a new temple dress. Well, my first ever temple dress. Kasey gave me the skirt and she found me the sweater at Banana Republic outlet. So, I finally have my own temple clothes! I'm 34 and finally getting it together. :)
Teig said his first word today! Actually, his first wordS! He said Da Da and Ma Ma and he stood up on his own all in one day! I put him in the swing in the backyard and pushed him really high. He loved it. He is so enthusiastic and smiley and happy happy happy! He has just started really caring is I am near him or not. He cries when I leave the room and gets really happy when I come back. It is so endearing. I have not talked about him very much in my blog and I'm not exactly sure why but partly it is because he is just so ... perfect.. I don't want to jinx anything or brag too much. People tell me all the time that he is so cute he should be on TV or in commercials. His hair has turned platinum. I did not think he was going to be so blond. He crawls... FAST and is very curious and I spend a lot of time cleaning and wishing I were cleaning because he gets his cute little fingers into all kinds of gross messes crawling around in our dog hair padded house. It's so gross. I also feel like I am on high alert all the time with my two sets of non carpeted stairs. I have nightmares of one of the kids leaving the gate open and Teig following him down. aHHH! He's a great baby. So sweet, so brave, so smart. SO cute! Well, speaking of Teig; there he is. He will be 10 months on the 4th and he does not sleep through the night yet. Oh well.. we'll get there.
Most 5 year olds would whine and cry for a drink before bed if they had initially been told no, but not Eirik. He has learned the power of words and uses them to his benefit. Who can so no to: "Father, I'm sorry, but I am extremely dehydrated." He's a smart one.
Good news: 1. I got all my food storage put in buckets/ labeled and safely stored in our basement closets. 2. I got a new temple dress. Well, my first ever temple dress. Kasey gave me the skirt and she found me the sweater at Banana Republic outlet. So, I finally have my own temple clothes! I'm 34 and finally getting it together. :)
Teig said his first word today! Actually, his first wordS! He said Da Da and Ma Ma and he stood up on his own all in one day! I put him in the swing in the backyard and pushed him really high. He loved it. He is so enthusiastic and smiley and happy happy happy! He has just started really caring is I am near him or not. He cries when I leave the room and gets really happy when I come back. It is so endearing. I have not talked about him very much in my blog and I'm not exactly sure why but partly it is because he is just so ... perfect.. I don't want to jinx anything or brag too much. People tell me all the time that he is so cute he should be on TV or in commercials. His hair has turned platinum. I did not think he was going to be so blond. He crawls... FAST and is very curious and I spend a lot of time cleaning and wishing I were cleaning because he gets his cute little fingers into all kinds of gross messes crawling around in our dog hair padded house. It's so gross. I also feel like I am on high alert all the time with my two sets of non carpeted stairs. I have nightmares of one of the kids leaving the gate open and Teig following him down. aHHH! He's a great baby. So sweet, so brave, so smart. SO cute! Well, speaking of Teig; there he is. He will be 10 months on the 4th and he does not sleep through the night yet. Oh well.. we'll get there.
Most 5 year olds would whine and cry for a drink before bed if they had initially been told no, but not Eirik. He has learned the power of words and uses them to his benefit. Who can so no to: "Father, I'm sorry, but I am extremely dehydrated." He's a smart one.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
the best artister
Tonight Paul worked late and Joren fell asleep at 5, so Teig ate like crazy in the high chair and Eirik and I had a little mom/ son time. I turned on some beautiful jazz music and we opened the windows so we could hear the rain and we danced till we were dizzy and weary. It was magical and he was so infatuated with me. He is interested in doing anything and everything to make me happy. We wrote out the words to "mother I love you" on a card for me this morning. Tonight he asked me, "mom, how can I worship you?"
This morning we drove through torrential rain for 3 hours to pick up a years supply of wheat and other food storage. I got detoured 2 times and had to drive through flooded streets with the water up to the undercarriage of my car. At one point I could not exit the freeway because of flooding and had to merge back into traffic while rain made it hard to see in front of the car. It was a little crazy, but luckily we finally made it. I'm glad to have all the food we need if there were a disaster. 122 people just died in MO from a twister this week.
Today Joren said, "mom you're the best artister in the whole wide world."
We found that we love to play pictionary as a family today. So much fun!
This morning we drove through torrential rain for 3 hours to pick up a years supply of wheat and other food storage. I got detoured 2 times and had to drive through flooded streets with the water up to the undercarriage of my car. At one point I could not exit the freeway because of flooding and had to merge back into traffic while rain made it hard to see in front of the car. It was a little crazy, but luckily we finally made it. I'm glad to have all the food we need if there were a disaster. 122 people just died in MO from a twister this week.
Today Joren said, "mom you're the best artister in the whole wide world."
We found that we love to play pictionary as a family today. So much fun!
Tuna noodle casserole stuff
"Mother, I had a really hard day. I went through some really disappointing situations. I had only 4 good things happen and 10 bad things happened." Eirik
Paul accidently showed Eirik a clip of Golum while they were watching cartoons. Eirik turned to Paul and said, "Dad, I'm 5! Why would you show that to me. You know how I get nightmares!"
When Eirik ate some mango the other day he said, "mom, I can see how when I'm older I might like this, but right now, I just prefer not to eat it."
"I hope I can lift up the sun mom. But how will I? Maybe with a big big big big ladder." Joren
"I just have secret spy stuff. Speaking of spies, I am a spy!!!" Joren
"I don't have enough bones in my leg cuffs so little tiny drops of rain covered the cardboard and made the cardboard nice and soft and it makes my legs feel good. Then it turns into tuna noodle casserole and makes me feel good. Cardboard is good fr my body. I'm not saying cardboard for cars, just drops of cardboard go in my legs. Just all the stuff are going in right now. All the stuff I told you and it makes me feel good." Joren (I really have NO idea.)
Paul accidently showed Eirik a clip of Golum while they were watching cartoons. Eirik turned to Paul and said, "Dad, I'm 5! Why would you show that to me. You know how I get nightmares!"
When Eirik ate some mango the other day he said, "mom, I can see how when I'm older I might like this, but right now, I just prefer not to eat it."
"I hope I can lift up the sun mom. But how will I? Maybe with a big big big big ladder." Joren
"I just have secret spy stuff. Speaking of spies, I am a spy!!!" Joren
"I don't have enough bones in my leg cuffs so little tiny drops of rain covered the cardboard and made the cardboard nice and soft and it makes my legs feel good. Then it turns into tuna noodle casserole and makes me feel good. Cardboard is good fr my body. I'm not saying cardboard for cars, just drops of cardboard go in my legs. Just all the stuff are going in right now. All the stuff I told you and it makes me feel good." Joren (I really have NO idea.)
A diamond in the asphalt
"I had a dream a T-Rex was chasing me and trying to bite me. I ate
his heart and it tasted wike strawberry mint sour cream cheese. It
tasted good. I saw a shark and I punched him in the nose. And ven I
ate his heart. It didn't taste wike anyfing. It was just sour."
Joren
"All my life I have been wanting a weapon like a secret weapon like a pocketknife or a bee stinger. I want to kill a bee and cut off it's stinger and use it as a weapon. Let me explain to you how a bee stinger could be useful in battle. First, I am going to have a box that has all kinds of stingers in it. Then I will have a computer that I can type in which stinger I want so that it can attach to my weapon and then I can sting the enemy in the bum. It will bleed and be very painful" Eirik
"Joren, go put the knife away." I said. "no, you put the knife away mom." "Joren, don't talk back to me please." "No, you don't talk back!"
Then he took my cell phone and threw it in a hole in the dirt. Then he hit me. Then he went to time out in his room. Later, despite my efforts, he wore his hat and backpack and shoes to bed. Our friend Trevor commented that he had never met a kid that had such a sweet and innocent voice and demeanor that could be so capable of mischief. I agree. And he is such a sweetheart too.
Tonight Eirik picked up a piece of asphalt and brought it home to give me because he thought it was coal and he wanted to squeeze it really hard tonight and make it into a diamond for me. When Paul explained to him what it takes to make a diamond he started to cry. When Paul told him that he had brought home a piece of asphalt and that it was not even coal, he was devastated. I told him I would pretend that it was our very special diamond in the rough and I would save it to remember the special treasure he brought for me. That made him feel a little better. Then Joren found a hammer and sneaked away my "diamond" and smashed it into pieces to get the "diamond" out of it. This threw Eirik into a tizzy. I told him I would pick the largest piece and treasure it. Boy, what a sweet sensitive darling boy.
"Mother, I had a really hard day. I went through some really disappointing situations. I had only 4 good things happen and 10 bad things happened." Eirik
Paul accidently showed Eirik a clip of Golum while they were watching cartoons. Eirik turned to Paul and said, "Dad, I'm 5! Why would you show that to me. You know how I get nightmares!"
When Eirik ate some mango the other day he said, "mom, I can see how when I'm older I might like this, but right now, I just prefer not to eat it."
"I hope I can lift up the sun mom. But how will I? Maybe with a big big big big ladder." Joren
"I just have secret spy stuff. Speaking of spies, I am a spy!!!" Joren
"I don't have enough bones in my leg cuffs so little tiny drops of rain covered the cardboard and made the cardboard nice and soft and it makes my legs feel good. Then it turns into tuna noodle casserole and makes me feel good. Cardboard is good fr my body. I'm not saying cardboard for cars, just drops of cardboard go in my legs. Just all the stuff are going in right now. All the stuff I told you and it makes me feel good." Joren (I really have NO idea.)
"All my life I have been wanting a weapon like a secret weapon like a pocketknife or a bee stinger. I want to kill a bee and cut off it's stinger and use it as a weapon. Let me explain to you how a bee stinger could be useful in battle. First, I am going to have a box that has all kinds of stingers in it. Then I will have a computer that I can type in which stinger I want so that it can attach to my weapon and then I can sting the enemy in the bum. It will bleed and be very painful" Eirik
"Joren, go put the knife away." I said. "no, you put the knife away mom." "Joren, don't talk back to me please." "No, you don't talk back!"
Then he took my cell phone and threw it in a hole in the dirt. Then he hit me. Then he went to time out in his room. Later, despite my efforts, he wore his hat and backpack and shoes to bed. Our friend Trevor commented that he had never met a kid that had such a sweet and innocent voice and demeanor that could be so capable of mischief. I agree. And he is such a sweetheart too.
Tonight Eirik picked up a piece of asphalt and brought it home to give me because he thought it was coal and he wanted to squeeze it really hard tonight and make it into a diamond for me. When Paul explained to him what it takes to make a diamond he started to cry. When Paul told him that he had brought home a piece of asphalt and that it was not even coal, he was devastated. I told him I would pretend that it was our very special diamond in the rough and I would save it to remember the special treasure he brought for me. That made him feel a little better. Then Joren found a hammer and sneaked away my "diamond" and smashed it into pieces to get the "diamond" out of it. This threw Eirik into a tizzy. I told him I would pick the largest piece and treasure it. Boy, what a sweet sensitive darling boy.
"Mother, I had a really hard day. I went through some really disappointing situations. I had only 4 good things happen and 10 bad things happened." Eirik
Paul accidently showed Eirik a clip of Golum while they were watching cartoons. Eirik turned to Paul and said, "Dad, I'm 5! Why would you show that to me. You know how I get nightmares!"
When Eirik ate some mango the other day he said, "mom, I can see how when I'm older I might like this, but right now, I just prefer not to eat it."
"I hope I can lift up the sun mom. But how will I? Maybe with a big big big big ladder." Joren
"I just have secret spy stuff. Speaking of spies, I am a spy!!!" Joren
"I don't have enough bones in my leg cuffs so little tiny drops of rain covered the cardboard and made the cardboard nice and soft and it makes my legs feel good. Then it turns into tuna noodle casserole and makes me feel good. Cardboard is good fr my body. I'm not saying cardboard for cars, just drops of cardboard go in my legs. Just all the stuff are going in right now. All the stuff I told you and it makes me feel good." Joren (I really have NO idea.)
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Sure no
It turns out that there is more to the story from Relief Society. The girl who gave her testimony is Armenian and looks a lot like Debbe Lavely in our ward. They sat by each other. Debbe was feeling inspired to have Anna tell her conversion story before Leah even asked her to. They were brought together in that Debbe's patriachal blessing tells her to do her geneology for her Armenian Ancestors and Anna shared that the spirit told her that the reason she was brought to America was so that she could find the gospel and teach her family and do her family temple work. Those Armenian ancestors must have some real pull in heaven. The spirit was so strong, and we all just listened. It was so cool.
This morning I woke up to the insistent and persistent request for long black socks and fabric scissors. I know when I hear that tone in Eirik's voice that I am going to have to either give in or fight all day long, so I got up and found him a non pair of mismatched black tall socks and cut out the heal and the toe at 7:15 AM so that he could dress like a ninja. We had to make him a mask too.. also out of a sock. He drew the war paint on his face and in his mind he was truly a fierce, actual ninja all day long. He so literally becomes his characters that it is past acting. He IS a ninja. After I saw what he was trying to create with the socks, I was like, "hmm, that does look pretty cool." I'm telling you, he's a smart one, and he knows what he wants.
Yesterday I spent 6 or 7 hours working on visiting teaching routes and assignments and other follow up items from presidency meeting and ward council. It was nice to get some things done. I have a couple more hours of work this week ahead of me, but I made some good progress. Also, I still have to plan my lesson. I thought I would teach on self reliance, but it occurred to me that I ought to play off of the listening to the spirit lesson we learned last week and talk abut spiritual self reliance. That goes along with conference really well too. I should have been working on that instead of watching 2 episodes of Glee tonight, but it was so much fun! I wish I were a performer. Sometimes I laugh so hard thinking about my patriarchal blessing that says I will achieve all I want in acting and singing. HA! What the crap is that supposed to mean? Still, I think my voice has really blossomed in the past couple of years. I love to sing. I wish I knew if I were any good.
I have been trying really hard to catch my boys doing good things so that I can give them stickers for their books. Eirik is easy to give stickers to. 1. He is old enough to actually help out so I can ask him to do something and he can do it. 2. He's desperate for stickers, so he will do a lot for them.
Joren, not so much. I am having the hardest time getting him to obey anything. He is in his own world. He loves to wander outside and do "stuff". He does what I always thought little boys did outside, poke the dog, throw stuff in the water, find worms and other bugs, collect stuff, make pocketknives, rescue his pet dinosaur, leave the garden gate open for the bunnies to get in, get in the great big tin bucket full of rain water and take a very dirty swim, or better yet, splash in and then, hey why not, lay down in the huge muddy puddle. And of course, he likes to wander. "Mom I was just trying to catch the ducks." or "I crossed the big street on my bike because I was trying to follow Montana" (the neighbor teenage girl.) I tell ya, he is trouble! He is never malicious, just non compliant, often in an infuriating way. He can get away with so much because he says, "I won't do it again mommy." "I just had to." in the sweetest voice. How does he twist my arm like that!!? Anyway, he won't help, he disobeys, he bites, hits and screams in a super high pitched decibel when he does not get his way and makes mischief and messes everywhere he goes. He likes to say, "sure no." which means, "I'm not gonna do that mom." He also sasses. ie; Joren, please go to your room. "mom, you go to your room!" I wouldn't trade him, I just can't give him very many stickers. I could give him stickers for being cute I guess.
This morning I woke up to the insistent and persistent request for long black socks and fabric scissors. I know when I hear that tone in Eirik's voice that I am going to have to either give in or fight all day long, so I got up and found him a non pair of mismatched black tall socks and cut out the heal and the toe at 7:15 AM so that he could dress like a ninja. We had to make him a mask too.. also out of a sock. He drew the war paint on his face and in his mind he was truly a fierce, actual ninja all day long. He so literally becomes his characters that it is past acting. He IS a ninja. After I saw what he was trying to create with the socks, I was like, "hmm, that does look pretty cool." I'm telling you, he's a smart one, and he knows what he wants.
Yesterday I spent 6 or 7 hours working on visiting teaching routes and assignments and other follow up items from presidency meeting and ward council. It was nice to get some things done. I have a couple more hours of work this week ahead of me, but I made some good progress. Also, I still have to plan my lesson. I thought I would teach on self reliance, but it occurred to me that I ought to play off of the listening to the spirit lesson we learned last week and talk abut spiritual self reliance. That goes along with conference really well too. I should have been working on that instead of watching 2 episodes of Glee tonight, but it was so much fun! I wish I were a performer. Sometimes I laugh so hard thinking about my patriarchal blessing that says I will achieve all I want in acting and singing. HA! What the crap is that supposed to mean? Still, I think my voice has really blossomed in the past couple of years. I love to sing. I wish I knew if I were any good.
I have been trying really hard to catch my boys doing good things so that I can give them stickers for their books. Eirik is easy to give stickers to. 1. He is old enough to actually help out so I can ask him to do something and he can do it. 2. He's desperate for stickers, so he will do a lot for them.
Joren, not so much. I am having the hardest time getting him to obey anything. He is in his own world. He loves to wander outside and do "stuff". He does what I always thought little boys did outside, poke the dog, throw stuff in the water, find worms and other bugs, collect stuff, make pocketknives, rescue his pet dinosaur, leave the garden gate open for the bunnies to get in, get in the great big tin bucket full of rain water and take a very dirty swim, or better yet, splash in and then, hey why not, lay down in the huge muddy puddle. And of course, he likes to wander. "Mom I was just trying to catch the ducks." or "I crossed the big street on my bike because I was trying to follow Montana" (the neighbor teenage girl.) I tell ya, he is trouble! He is never malicious, just non compliant, often in an infuriating way. He can get away with so much because he says, "I won't do it again mommy." "I just had to." in the sweetest voice. How does he twist my arm like that!!? Anyway, he won't help, he disobeys, he bites, hits and screams in a super high pitched decibel when he does not get his way and makes mischief and messes everywhere he goes. He likes to say, "sure no." which means, "I'm not gonna do that mom." He also sasses. ie; Joren, please go to your room. "mom, you go to your room!" I wouldn't trade him, I just can't give him very many stickers. I could give him stickers for being cute I guess.
Monday, May 23, 2011
Bee stinger- secret weapon
"All my life I have been wanting a weapon like a secret weapon like a pocketknife or a bee stinger. I want to kill a bee and cut off it's stinger and use it as a weapon. Let me explain to you how a bee stinger could be useful in battle. First, I am going to have a box that has all kinds of stingers in it. Then I will have a computer that I can type in which stinger I want so that it can attach to my weapon and then I can sting the enemy in the bum. It will bleed and be very painful" Eirik
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Get out of the way and let the spirit work
May 22
"I had a dream a T-Rex was chasing me and trying to bite me. I ate his heart and it tasted wike strawberry mint sour cream cheese. It tasted good. I saw a shark and I punched him in the nose. And ven I ate his heart. It didn't taste wike anyfing. It was just sour." Joren
The warm scent of the spring nighttime rain wafts through my open window. The fan above gently stirs the air and wind chimes ring a random melody. Today life's moment feels perfect and fragile like a robin's egg in my hand. I rocked my baby to sleep moments ago and held his perfect little roundness close to me. The fan ruffled his feather lite baby hair that glistens as only baby hair can. His contented slump into my shoulder as he drifts to sleep has to be one of the most stirring moments of life; of which I get to experience daily. My Eirik wanted only to snuggle and listen to me sing to him tonight and Joren delighted as I whispered the words to "Bedtime and the Swamp" into his ear as he settled into bed. I regretted having friends over to dinner today because my church meetings went late and I did not get home until 30 min before they arrived. Paul had raced to clean the house and prepare food in record time and I only had a few mintues to help before they arrived. Then the boys got "lost in the shuffle" of the evening and i did not get to adore them properly. That's why the Sabbath needs to be a family day. Our time with Paul is precious too. We did have a lovely dinner with Kasey, Annie, Ryan and Jen but Steve and Ben were at work so Paul did a lot of work to end up hanging out with the girls. That is not how it should be. I love my Paul so much. Paul spilled the beans about my new hair extensions and they all insisted on seeing. I was shy and embarrassed. I felt as if my insecurity about my hair which I like to hide was on display. They were kind, but I felt silly. I wanted them to go home and I wanted to hold my children and my husband and read and sing to them and tell them about Heavenly Father.
Relief Society was wonderful today. Leah taught by the spirit and we were richly blessed. She was prompted to not prepare to say anything from the lesson manual about missionary work, and to just call on a new sister in the ward to share her conversion story. It was remarkable and I could tell it was as the Lord intended. Sometimes we let ourselves get in the way of the workings of the spirit. The way to edification, in this case, was the simplest lesson. I hope I can hear the spirit help me prepare to teach next week on self reliance.
"I had a dream a T-Rex was chasing me and trying to bite me. I ate his heart and it tasted wike strawberry mint sour cream cheese. It tasted good. I saw a shark and I punched him in the nose. And ven I ate his heart. It didn't taste wike anyfing. It was just sour." Joren
The warm scent of the spring nighttime rain wafts through my open window. The fan above gently stirs the air and wind chimes ring a random melody. Today life's moment feels perfect and fragile like a robin's egg in my hand. I rocked my baby to sleep moments ago and held his perfect little roundness close to me. The fan ruffled his feather lite baby hair that glistens as only baby hair can. His contented slump into my shoulder as he drifts to sleep has to be one of the most stirring moments of life; of which I get to experience daily. My Eirik wanted only to snuggle and listen to me sing to him tonight and Joren delighted as I whispered the words to "Bedtime and the Swamp" into his ear as he settled into bed. I regretted having friends over to dinner today because my church meetings went late and I did not get home until 30 min before they arrived. Paul had raced to clean the house and prepare food in record time and I only had a few mintues to help before they arrived. Then the boys got "lost in the shuffle" of the evening and i did not get to adore them properly. That's why the Sabbath needs to be a family day. Our time with Paul is precious too. We did have a lovely dinner with Kasey, Annie, Ryan and Jen but Steve and Ben were at work so Paul did a lot of work to end up hanging out with the girls. That is not how it should be. I love my Paul so much. Paul spilled the beans about my new hair extensions and they all insisted on seeing. I was shy and embarrassed. I felt as if my insecurity about my hair which I like to hide was on display. They were kind, but I felt silly. I wanted them to go home and I wanted to hold my children and my husband and read and sing to them and tell them about Heavenly Father.
Relief Society was wonderful today. Leah taught by the spirit and we were richly blessed. She was prompted to not prepare to say anything from the lesson manual about missionary work, and to just call on a new sister in the ward to share her conversion story. It was remarkable and I could tell it was as the Lord intended. Sometimes we let ourselves get in the way of the workings of the spirit. The way to edification, in this case, was the simplest lesson. I hope I can hear the spirit help me prepare to teach next week on self reliance.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The perfect little red bead clutch
This morning we got to put rich dark mulch all over the flower beds. Gayle, our landlord, had it delivered and came by to help spread it. It was wonderful work. At 1:30 I stopped to make fish tacos with cabbage, red onion and cilantro salsa with adobo sauce. Easy and so yummy. Kasey taught me to make them last week. We ate on the back porch. I asked the boys how they knew there was a God. Eirik said, "It says so in the Book of Mormon and the Holy Spirit will tell you in your heart and your mind."Paul said that when he asked if it was true, he got an answer in his heart that it was. I said that whenever I talk about my ancestors or geneology work I feel the spirit. I said, "I know they are there in the next life." As I said it, I felt the spirit. I said "if there is a next life, then there has to be a God orchestrating His plan. Also, the more I study animals and living things, the more astonished I am. Every living thing testifies of a Creator." Joren said something wonderful about the Bible telling him there is Jesus. Then Paul asked, "do you think public school is going to ruin our kids?" Of course Eirik wanted to know all the details about what his question meant. I explained that when you go to public school you go with kids that come from all kinds of families and many of those kids might not know what we know and they might try to teach you things that aren't true or tempt you to do things that aren't right. He said, "don't worry mom, I'm always going to choose the Lord's side. Always."
After lunch I took the boys to a few garage sales on the island and let them spend their piggy bank money on spy gear. We stopped by the park to teeter totter and play imagination games and check out the herb festival. When we came home we read library books on the back porch for an hour or so. Then Paul and I got dressed up for the Luau Oakwood hospital doctors party at the country club. I could not figure out what to wear until I finally got my inspiration from Angelica Huston in Life Aquatic. I wore cream linen pants, a white blousy shirt belted with a big black belt and red chunky beads with super sexy black strappy heals that I tripped in all night long. I loved my outfit. I even had the perfect little red bead clutch to take. After all that stress about what to wear I had all the things in my closet except the shoes that I borrowed from Selina. We arrived at 6:30 for cocktails. Paul and I ate cheese squares and fruit and Diet Cokes while we stood around and felt extremely out of place and silly. We did not know anyone except Dr. Glines, the guy in charge. Finally I found a fellow mother that we could swap family stories with. I don't know how to talk to doctors yet and my conversation skills are a bit dried up since I only talk to kids and other moms from church or preschool. As soon as we were called in for dinner, Paul insisted on leaving. We drove for 5 minutes and I convinced him to turn around and go back. We arrived just in time to be served dinner and sit at the table with the youngest looking couple. We ended up having a good time even though Paul would still have preferred to have left. Once again, Paul put someone besides himself first. He is ever the gentleman and I am the lucky benefactor. The doctor we sat by gave us some good advise about starting our practice. It was a helpful conversation.
I have loved my free time tonight reading about celebrity hair extensions and gardening tips.
I love my lovely life.
After lunch I took the boys to a few garage sales on the island and let them spend their piggy bank money on spy gear. We stopped by the park to teeter totter and play imagination games and check out the herb festival. When we came home we read library books on the back porch for an hour or so. Then Paul and I got dressed up for the Luau Oakwood hospital doctors party at the country club. I could not figure out what to wear until I finally got my inspiration from Angelica Huston in Life Aquatic. I wore cream linen pants, a white blousy shirt belted with a big black belt and red chunky beads with super sexy black strappy heals that I tripped in all night long. I loved my outfit. I even had the perfect little red bead clutch to take. After all that stress about what to wear I had all the things in my closet except the shoes that I borrowed from Selina. We arrived at 6:30 for cocktails. Paul and I ate cheese squares and fruit and Diet Cokes while we stood around and felt extremely out of place and silly. We did not know anyone except Dr. Glines, the guy in charge. Finally I found a fellow mother that we could swap family stories with. I don't know how to talk to doctors yet and my conversation skills are a bit dried up since I only talk to kids and other moms from church or preschool. As soon as we were called in for dinner, Paul insisted on leaving. We drove for 5 minutes and I convinced him to turn around and go back. We arrived just in time to be served dinner and sit at the table with the youngest looking couple. We ended up having a good time even though Paul would still have preferred to have left. Once again, Paul put someone besides himself first. He is ever the gentleman and I am the lucky benefactor. The doctor we sat by gave us some good advise about starting our practice. It was a helpful conversation.
I have loved my free time tonight reading about celebrity hair extensions and gardening tips.
I love my lovely life.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Hair hair hair hair hair!
May 20th:
My hair extensions came today. Wow, I know what it feels like to look down and see and feel hair for the first time. It is so soft and pretty. I feel so feminine. It doesn't blend with my hair now since it is still so short, but I hope I can grow it out and wear it. It's so pretty. Paul is so thoughtful. He bought it for me so that I could just try it because he knew it would be fun for me.
At school Eirik got 5 certificates for good behavior which meant that he could choose a prize. He chose a green heart shaped ring for me as his prize. I think he still feels sad that he could not make me a diamond from coal. We talked about how I wear my diamond wedding ring as a symbol of my love for Paul and he wanted to give me a ring just like Dad gave me a ring. What a sweetheart.
The Later's came for lunch again today. Last week Kasey told me she loves artichokes so I bought some this morning at the farmers market and steamed them for lunch with our sandwiches. I cut up peaches and put whipped cream on them for desert for the kids. They ate them with tiny forks in the fern fortress. While Teig ate on my lap he reached out and spilled a whole green baby food all down me to my shoes.
The weather was perfect and we thoroughly enjoyed the cute kids. Later we made "badges" with felt and jewels and hot melt. It is so easy to please little people like ours. As we made badges, Teig was on my lap and he reached out and spilled the whole bowl of tiny beads; hundreds of them and may I admit that our dining room floor was filthy. There was more dog hair and dried peas than beads after I swept them up. (Ok, I'm exagerating a bit, but it was gross.) Teig, Teig, Teig!
Next we read the wonderful library books we got at the library this morning. I love reading with the kids. Then Teig went to bed and the kids watched Avatar while I cleaned and got ready for soccer. Soccer is 8 of my favorite women all hanging out while we almost always forget to watch or cheer for the kids. It's a lot of fun and I wish the season would last longer. Anona, Erin, Kasey, Ruth, Rachel, Jen, and Annie. Great ladies.
Kasey moves in one month and three days. Ruth and Rachel will be moved in 2 weeks. Jena already moved.
My hair extensions came today. Wow, I know what it feels like to look down and see and feel hair for the first time. It is so soft and pretty. I feel so feminine. It doesn't blend with my hair now since it is still so short, but I hope I can grow it out and wear it. It's so pretty. Paul is so thoughtful. He bought it for me so that I could just try it because he knew it would be fun for me.
At school Eirik got 5 certificates for good behavior which meant that he could choose a prize. He chose a green heart shaped ring for me as his prize. I think he still feels sad that he could not make me a diamond from coal. We talked about how I wear my diamond wedding ring as a symbol of my love for Paul and he wanted to give me a ring just like Dad gave me a ring. What a sweetheart.
The Later's came for lunch again today. Last week Kasey told me she loves artichokes so I bought some this morning at the farmers market and steamed them for lunch with our sandwiches. I cut up peaches and put whipped cream on them for desert for the kids. They ate them with tiny forks in the fern fortress. While Teig ate on my lap he reached out and spilled a whole green baby food all down me to my shoes.
The weather was perfect and we thoroughly enjoyed the cute kids. Later we made "badges" with felt and jewels and hot melt. It is so easy to please little people like ours. As we made badges, Teig was on my lap and he reached out and spilled the whole bowl of tiny beads; hundreds of them and may I admit that our dining room floor was filthy. There was more dog hair and dried peas than beads after I swept them up. (Ok, I'm exagerating a bit, but it was gross.) Teig, Teig, Teig!
Next we read the wonderful library books we got at the library this morning. I love reading with the kids. Then Teig went to bed and the kids watched Avatar while I cleaned and got ready for soccer. Soccer is 8 of my favorite women all hanging out while we almost always forget to watch or cheer for the kids. It's a lot of fun and I wish the season would last longer. Anona, Erin, Kasey, Ruth, Rachel, Jen, and Annie. Great ladies.
Kasey moves in one month and three days. Ruth and Rachel will be moved in 2 weeks. Jena already moved.
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