The Stone Age

saturday night

2012-02-12T21:04:00.006-06:00

Superstore the other day had a deal where if you spent X amount of money, you got a free case of mangoes.

I don't really like mangoes, but it is hard to resist something free, especially if you are related to my parents.

So, after spending an extra $25 bucks at the merc in Raymond, I had a fun night to myself making this

Mango Chutney

and this

Mango Strawberry Jam

and this

Mango Jelly

It felt great to get my canner out and fill up some empty jars. Almost like winter doesn't really exist and its still the end of summer. I haven't tried the chutney yet, but it smelled SO good going into the jars, and I do know that the Mango Strawberry jam is delicious!

happenings

2012-02-09T21:38:00.003-06:00

Don't forget:

Thad started rolling around right around Christmas time. By New Year's he could move in any desired direction he wanted. Now he is everywhere and into everything that is ground level. He still is not technically crawling, though. He does the worm everywhere. It is pretty cute and he is so proud of himself when he gets is arms and body up onto the bottom stair.

Monet says the cutest words. I will miss this when she talks more properly. Can you guess what they are? Bandi, Raingo and Mouwff are a few of my favorites. I can't believe she is almost 3.

Enoch is so hot and cold it is confusing. Of all my kids, he can be the best behaved. Unfortunately, the opposite is true as well. He loves Thad so much and thankfully has stopped hurting him. Now, instead he looks at him and gets so excited he just yells for joy. YELLS. I need to teach him the teeth clench.

Levi went skiing for the first time a week ago. He had a blast spending the day with Dad on the slopes. He picked it up pretty quick, and it only took a few falls going fairly fast before he realized that yes, he does need to learn how to turn. Tomorrow is Levi's first non-birthday party, a 'late-night" including a movie and games. Not much else has been talked about this week.

I am almost down my second round of only eating 3 treats a week. I have never been back in shape this soon after having a baby, and it feels pretty good.

Josh is MIA most evenings, but his team is doing well and they are a fun team to watch. Loooking forward to April and having him around more often.

jeopardy

2012-01-28T10:28:00.005-06:00

Answer:
Levi: Being nice to your kids. Loving so much that your eyes fall out. Sharing love. Playing with your kids.

Monet: Being happy.

Enoch: Spanking your kids.

Mommy: Someone who works day in and day out to provide, love and care for their family.

Question:
What makes a good Daddy?

parent trap

2011-12-21T13:08:00.004-06:00

I read an article last night about parenting which was all too true in many ways. I would link it but there are some questionable words in it so I won't. The main idea of the article was that parenting is the pits 90% of the time, but that those few moments of peace, love, sharing, teaching, etc. etc. make up for it and that the 10% of magic make up for the rest of the mayhem.

So, in no distinct order, here is my list of top ten reasons to be a parent:
1) I love being silly and goofy, and I am finding that the older I get the rarer it becomes. But with a little help from my kids I am able to burst through that shell and have a giddy good time every now and then.
2) Hearing the words that I am the best mom in the world for making the best dinner in the world (minutes after being told the complete opposite).
3) Big hugs when I come in the door.
4) Peaceful, sleeping angels.
5) Morning cuddles.
6) Being shown their imaginative wonders.
7) Reading stories.
8) Being freely forgiven. I think children really are the best at forgive and forget. I always think of this when I hear the Savior's words to become like a child.
9) That moment when their eyes light up and they understand something new.
10) When a baby learns to crawl. That is just the best.

Parenting certainly isn't as easy as I thought as a young adult, but it is a bigger blessing than I ever imagined!

catch up

2011-10-30T15:45:00.005-06:00

I can't believe how fast the first three months of school have been. The big boys are thriving and loving being in school. The little boy is growing so big, and his hair has fallen out on the sides and now he has an awesome mohawk. Yes, a mohawk. Princess has just entered the right of passage of all Stone kids; and now she has glasses, too. Basketball season is in full swing and we miss seeing Daddy.

Some things that I want to remember:
Enoch was reading really well the other night, and Levi noticed and praised him and really encouraged him. Enoch loved the attention and it made my heart warm up a bit. Its a little nerve racking having 2 so close together, I don't want competition to hurt their relationship.

Dinnertime is a little crazy most nights. We have started playing two games that bring lots of laughter onto the menu. It usually starts out with Knock Knock Jokes that make absolutely no sense, and then we move into movie quotes. Last night Josh quoted someone from Atlantis, but no one (as far as kids go) was getting it. Monet piped up Finding Tyrus (instead of Nemo- Tyrus is a most beloved cousin) and for some reason we were all laughing hysterically.

Thad really is such a sweet sweet baby. He is getting older now and likes to play with toys and cries when it falls or is taken away. I think this is so cute and could just eat those chubby little cheeks of his.

enoch turns 5

2011-09-30T13:37:00.002-06:00

Enoch turned 5 way back in August while we were in Utah. We celebrated there with ice cream at the creamery. Then we celebrated again with my fam in Waterton with a cake on the long weekend. Just when I was beginning to think I was off the hook as far as a party was concerned, we celebreated again in Sept with a party. he had 5 friends over for a Pirate Party. The boys all really loved to throw water balloon "cannons" at eachothers boats, trying to steal the other team's treasure. It was fun to do and I was amazed at how well behaved all those kids were.

thank you september

2011-09-30T12:31:00.005-06:00

Has this not been the September of a lifetime!??! When school started cold and windy on Aug 31 I thought we were in for it. But everyday since has been beautiful, with even some days that hit the 30s in the fall. I can never remember that happening before in my life.
Other than great weather, September has added some more great memories to my life this year....

I turned 31. I love having a birthday at the beginning of September because often I get to celebrate with a long weekend. I remember feeling pretty honoured as a child that the whole country took a holiday to celebrate the day my mom was in Labour with me. This year was no different, and my family got together in Waterton for a weekend of camping and yes, some bears.

The boys are in school. And loving it!! Levi is in grade one and has adjusted to the longer school day very well. Enoch is in kindergarten and only wishes he had school in the mornings, too.

Thad is getting too big for words. All I can say is it is not fair. September has really been a growing month for him.

Monet is a cute as ever, with an attitude to match. September for her means lots of trips to the park and extra long swingtime with no big brothers to spoil the under-ducks. It also means baking together.

September has brought to me a new love in my life; family history. We went to the family history centre in Lethbridge for one of our Young Women's activities and I have been back a couple times since. It is seriously fun, guys!! It's like facebook for dead people.

student life

2011-08-21T21:17:00.005-06:00

Josh and I headed back to student life for a solid week. It was great.

At first I was totally and completely opposed to the idea of going to BYU education week in Provo. We have four kids, we can't afford it, Thad is too little to leave my side, we have a flourishing garden to tend to, my calling at church..... all sorts of reasons not to take off for a week.

But, like usual, persistence wins and I conceded. And am I ever glad we went!!!

The kids travelled great (on the most part), and Thad was not even a problem. Not in the slightest. He took a bottle when needed and timed his feeds and poops on the long drives as though he knew what was most convenient. My cousin and her husband graciously let us stay in their house for the week. Did I mention they live 2 minutes from BYU???? I did miss my YW, but we made it back on time early Sunday morning for me to attend YWs. My parents also took care of our garden when they got a chance and picked veggies and watered for us. Thanks Jamie/Rob/Mom/Dad!!!!!

The week was incredible! We swapped kids back and forth and attended great classes on a variety of topics. From symbolisms in the scriptures to temple like homes to parenting to money matters to hope in the atonement to teaching kids a through z. The kids had more time with their Daddy than they have had in forever!!! And I had some alone time listening to great teachers. Ahhh, how peaceful. If anyone has been there before, they know how great it is down there. If you haven't been but are thinking about maybe going in the future, I highly recommend it. There are so many things to do with your kids down there, and many of them are free.

Here are some pictures for a quick run-down of what we enjoyed:

Conference Centre and Temple Square

Bridal Veil Falls

BYU Creamery

Fun activity at one of the many FREE museums on campus

Kangaroo Zoo

Went back to Temple Square on our way home

good reading

2011-08-11T22:02:00.005-06:00

What do you do for scripture study? I am usually pretty lame and do nothing but read with the occasional underline. Josh started a discussion blog for the Book of Mormon. If you are interested in reading cool info and/or adding your own, please check it out.

word from the wise

2011-08-07T18:37:00.002-06:00

We just spent a really great weekend with my extended family. My father is the oldest of 11 kids, and so when we all get together it is quite the event. We hiked in Waterton, went to the good ol' family fishing hole, and of course had a family sunday dinner. It was great to catch up with aunts, uncles and cousins. My sister-in-law asked my grandma what is the one piece of advice she would give to someone raising kids. My grandma answered: To never yell at your kids. A couple of my aunts overheard and affirmed that they had never been yelled at.

So, if Grandma, mother to 11 children could get by without needing to yell, I guess I can, too.

july in a nutshell

2011-07-31T21:04:00.006-06:00

Thad's Blessing Day (technically this was June)

A couple weeks ago we went to Montana and stayed at a cabin on Ashley lake for a week. That was fun, as always. 15 kids 8 and under makes quite the household, believe me! I am just glad there are people out there crazy enough to rent to us. Highlights of the week would have to include Monet falling in the water twice on the first day, going for little runs/bike rides with Josh, listening to Brian Reagan (water?), and all the yummy food. I think the week was maybe a little overwhelming for my new brother in law, who is used to life as a bachelor most of the time. HA! Just wait till next weekend when we do this again only this time with all of my dad's siblings.

Another memory to record is when we went to Harry Potter 7 Part 2 in Kalispell. I have never been one to take babies to movies, but Thad is so good that I thought, why not? He is always asleep by 9:30 and the movie starts at 10. Turns out he doesn't like movies very much. I spent the first half of the movie in the back of the side aisle burping and nursing the little guy, feeling a little sorry for myself that I was alone while all my family was watching from their comfy seats eating popcorn and the cheap candy I had snuck in from Wal-Mart. But then I really thought about it, how much I love my little boy. Would I really want to trade any moment I have with him for a silly movie? Of course not. Now that I think about it, why did I even care at all in the first place? Where were my priorities? Its amazing how a change of attitude turns a situation around.
We also did bears hump way back for Canada Day. That was fun, the boys did it all by themselves, I was impressed and they really enjoyed it. Josh had Monet on his back and I had Thad in a sling.

Enoch is now a crazy man in the water. No problems with waterslides or getting his face wet. Lessons have done wonders. Monet erased the last 4 months of footage on our video camera. Levi gave a great talk in church last week and even bore his testimony at the end. Thad smiles at us when we play with him. I did a super sprint tri yesterday in Raymond. Josh started tearing down two of our three chicken coops. That was the fastest July ever.

All our boys.

Monet likes to pretend she is a baby.

Can you believe his hair? It does that all by itself

everything enoch

2011-06-30T12:53:00.001-06:00

Enoch finished preschool. He will be in Kindergarten next year, I can hardly believe it!! He is pretty excited and has a very positive attitude towards school. I think it helps that Daddy is down the hall, how cool is that?
Soccer for Enoch has been a little trying. He didn't enjoy it too much and was glad when it ended. He still enjoys playing soccer in the backyard, and when the mosquitos are gone we will be doing that more often.

Swimming lessons are on for Enoch right now. He is still nervous of deep water but is being brave and listening to his teacher and doing everything she asks with a little coaxing. A promise of a new lego set next week when we go to Montana might help a little bit, too.
Enoch really, really, really loves his baby brother. I will find him sitting by Thad just staring at him. Enoch is always so excited when Thad's eyes are open - which is still not all that often. He loves to help me and is always willing to throw out the dirty diapers and fetch me things that I have forgotten.

A new love Enoch has found is banana bread. He loves it!! Aside from Lego, his interests right now are Thad, Ninjas and Star Wars. Spiderman is starting to be replaced..... We are also working on riding a two wheeler. This is slow going, but if he keeps at it I think he might be able to by the end of summer.

all about levi

2011-06-28T11:32:00.005-06:00

With four kids keeping up is a little difficult. There is always so much going on and so many little people that want my time and attention. Here is what is going on these days with Levi:
Soccer ended last week. The mosquitos were so bad! He got bit on his ears and they puffed up to twice their size and stuck straight out. I really should have gotten a picture, it was something else. Levi was able to play for the last couple weeks and got some goals and has improved quite a bit. He even has some moves and is learning to pass.

Kindergarten Grad was the night I got home from the hospital. My parents were nice and stayed in town so that I could go without having to take either of the younger two kids. Levi was very cute and the whole class participated. He got to share his favorite kindergarten memory, which was "going to the police station and making orange julius'." The teacher also spoke about what everyone wanted to be when they grow up. Levi's desire is to be a Lego Engineer. Sweet, eh?

Josh (and I when he is not around) have been reading Harry Potter to the big boys. They finished it last week and we watched the movie Sunday night. It was fun to see the boys be so excited as they saw things they had read about. Enoch could not contain his excitement when Harry caught the snitch in his mouth, and Levi was beyond delighted when Griffindor won the House Cup. Levi really enjoys reading, especially when it is with his dad.
Having read Harry Potter, Levi has become very interested in chess. I taught him how to play and was surprised he actually can follow the rules. He taught his babysitter to play, too. We have been playing lots of chess lately as a result, and have tried out checkers, too.
Levi has been fantastic with his new baby brother and has been a big help around the house. He now does most of the vacuuming has started to help clean the bathrooms, too. Swimming lessons are in full swing right now and he loves having it every day. Lego is still the best thing on earth as far as this kid is concerned.

how are things?

2011-06-13T22:31:00.003-06:00

Many people have asked how things are going with a new baby and all. Things are good. I feel blessed and happy. Josh is almost done school. The big boys absolutely love having a baby brother around. Enoch, especially, loves the idea of being a big brother to a little brother. They are helpful and kind and Levi even vacuumed for me today!

And Monet, well, this picture sort of sums it all up......

This was during dinner and she had a meltdown and plopped her head right into her meal.

thad

2011-06-10T15:40:00.004-06:00

Sunday was a beautiful day in Stirling. I am sure half the town saw Josh and I walking with the kids in tow, knowing that we were trying to walk this baby "out." Sunday night we watched a movie, and again, I was walking, but this time on the treadmill. About 2:30 am my water broke, and by 3:00 I was starting to have some contractions. After a week of picking up the house everynight in case something happened, I did nothing at all Sunday night. So I cleaned the kitchen and the living room till 4am. I didn't want things to move too fast so I tried to slow things down by having a bath and just trying to relax.

By 5:30 things were HURTING, so I woke up Josh and he got ready. We called our home teachers and they were here just after 6:00. We left for Lethbridge, only making a quick stop at the school so Josh could leave some sub plans behind. They checked us into the hospital, and to my surprise, before they checked me for progress or anything, the nurses led me right into a delivery room!!! No waiting in a pre-delivery room for me this time. At 7:00 I was 4 cm, and within 45 min I was 10cm!! Wa hoo.

I remember telling the nurse when I was 9 cm and holding that she could let me push cause I have small babies with small heads. She didn't seem that amused, nor did she let me push. But finally I got my chance and I was ready to pop this baby out. I thought it would be a MAXIMUM of two contractions of pushing, cause, well, that's all it took for Enoch and Monet. But it really took almost half an hour to get baby out this time. I recall telling Josh "I am going to die." I don't recall screaming lots, but my sore throat for the rest of the day told me differently. It felt like I had been at a very exciting hockey game the night before.

At 8:12 am, out came baby (we had no name at this point), and all I could think was, "Who is this?" He was so different!! He was CHUBBY. And he has HAIR. And his head was BIG. The nurse now laughed, referring back to my comment about babies with small heads. It was an excrutiating process, but at least it was quick. For the rest of the day my main thought was, I am never doing that again!!!!! But already the pain is forgotten...
Cause now I have the most adorable, cuddly, sweet baby: Thaddeus Luke Stone, or Thad. He is a very good baby so far and smells divine and has the most kissable little (or big) cheeks and has the softest skin and the furriest head of hair. Oh! I love him!! The other kids are all pretty crazy about him, too. Even Monet. You can tell she is not all that pleased with my lack of attention for her, but at the same time her attention is focused in on the same little being. She loves to call him cute, which is funny cause often it comes out as "Baby toot!," which gets the older boys roaring with laughter.

I am so grateful for my new baby boy. Yes, I thought he was a girl. Yes, I had hoped he was a girl. But I am so glad to have a new boy addition to the family and wouldn't have Thad any other way.

grad

2011-06-04T08:08:00.002-06:00

Went to our first small town grad last night. I have to say, it has its perks!!!!

The theme was Western, with a quote from a Paul Brant song - "Small Town, Big Dreams."

The things I really liked about it was with a graduating class of 17, each kid gets to participate. Each graduate was introduced and spotlighted on stage, telling of their accomplishments and what they had planned for the future. In the teachers tribute to the students, he mentioned everyone of them. The class of 2011 also took a moment to thank their parents and went out in the crowd to give their moms and dads flowers and cards and hugs. (One guy had nothing for his mom and he was lovingly heckled by the stands, it was funny). They also had a picture show of all the graduates. Like a wedding video only it is for a high school class. OH! and the whole town shows up after dinner to hear the speeches and see the show.

With a class of 800, there was nothing so personal for us back in the day. It was pretty cool to see.

play

2011-06-01T22:45:00.000-06:00

Josh was in the school play last weekend. He was asked to be the "Teen Angel" in Grease. When I found out about the request I laughed hysterically. I really couldn't imagine Josh singing on stage in front of people and acting out the words. But he proved himself to be quite the hit. I was impressed. I doubt I will ever see my husband again in sparkly silver shoes and a white sparkly fedora. Way to go, Teen Angel!!!

today

2011-05-30T23:25:00.002-06:00

Today I:

- went to Levi's Outdoor Fun Day at school
- weeded the garden (OK, not all of it)
- planted some annuals
- had a nap
- made chicken noodle soup
- mowed the inner lawn
- shampooed the main floor carpet
- bathed all my kids
- cut Josh's hair
- got a very sore back
- am very tired
- am not yet in labour despite trying to over work myself

anytime baby

2011-05-25T08:21:00.002-06:00

You know that list you have in your head that you want to get done before baby arrives???? Mine is just about done. Done enough that I won't mind a bit if baby decided to show up sooner than later. Some of the things we've accomplished are:
- clean out fridge/freezer (my MIL helped with this one and did the oven/stove, too while she was at it!!!!)
- made some freezer meals
- organized kids clothes for summer and got baby clothes out
- cleaned my room well
- went to Calgary and got my American passport
- cut the boys hair
- prepare and send off taxes

Things that are still on the list:
- clean the kitchen light over the table
- organize my craft stuff
- plant my annuals
- pick a name!!!

Other than the name thing nothing has me too worried. But really, we have nothing. I liked Esther but found out last night Josh isn't too keen. So we have nothing. Boy or girl, nothing. Maybe if its a girl we can just call her Baby and if its a boy we can call him Buddy.

lately

2011-05-16T10:47:00.004-06:00

We went back to the Dr's a few days later to re-x-ray (is that a word?) Levi's arm. This new Dr was really smart and asked for both elbows so that we could compare good and bad. Turns out his elbow is NOT dislocated, and IS broken. Poor guy. His half cast is all he needs, though, and according to the specialist in Lethbridge who looked at the radiographs, if you were to break your arm this is the way to break it. Levi has been rather..... emotional at times. Very sadly he has fallen THREE TIMES onto his arm while playing outside or even lego at the table. That sure isn't helping things heal quickly. The last few days he has been more calm and I am grateful for a husband who can give blessings of peace, comfort and healing to a very sad little boy.

Enoch has been picking up reading recently. When we read scriptures at night he will sound out words pretty well. (The short ones, of course). The best was when he read people as pee-op-po-lee. We all laughed our heads off at that. He is really loving school and has fun helping Daddy around the yard. That kid is a shadow of Josh's, for sure. Loves to do absolutely anything with him.

Monet runs the roost around here. I admit I am looking forward to having a real baby and not just a self professed one in the house. Her hair is long enough for a little pony tail in the back; so cute! She is my shadow and likes to "help" me weed the flower gardens and plant seeds in the vegetable garden. She still hates it when I sing to her but she will now let me sing My Heavenly Father Loves Me, since there are actions to it. Potty training has been put on hold as she refused to use it after our last trip to Calgary. One day I will be diaper free...... one day........

This last is from Easter in Saskatoon.

soccer playas

2011-05-10T08:25:00.002-06:00

I don't know how many times when the boys were in my belly, that Josh made the joke while they were kicking, "oh, looks like he's gonna be a soccer player."

They are now. Levi and Enoch are on the same U6 team here in Stirling. I debated putting Enoch in, but he insisted that he wanted to play. I think he hates it. He is definitely the slowest and smallest on the team. He never gets the ball and usually spends most of his time watching from a distance the pack of kids and the ball; he doesn't even try to run after them. And thats if he's standing up. He might just be sitting on the field staring at the grass. That seems to amuse him, too.

Levi on the other hand, being among the oldest on the team, has been doing well. He gets the ball and dribbles it and all that jazz. Unfortunately last night on a break away a good defenseman stopped him in his tracks and they both went down; with Levi landing on his elbow. Now he can be quite dramatic at the best of times so I sort of ignored his crying at first. But when it continued for an hour after we got home, we decided to take him into Raymond to the hospital. A couple x-rays later shows no broken bones but a dislocated elbow that for one reason or another the doctor couldn't put back in place. So Levi gets to wear a half cast for the next few days and then we go in again for more x-rays. I am ashamed to say I had to really hold back the laughter when Levi asked me about the worst day of my life. He was pretty sad. He wanted to know about Daddy's, too. What was sad, though, was when he asked me if he was gonna die. I assured him no such thing was going to happen, it was just a sore arm. He also wanted to know if he was hurt or wounded. What's the difference? I am not sure, but he seems to think there is one. Hopefully next week soccer won't be quite so eventful.

fabulous weekend

2011-05-02T11:08:00.003-06:00

A couple weekends ago I got very spoiled and spent some much loved time with three of the most awesome girls I know. We used to be 4 very silly girls in high school. Nowadays we aren't quite so ridiculous, until you put us together. It was so fun to laugh and talk and spend time with these girls that I have known for so long.

Recently I talked about reading my journals. I made it through HS safe and intact, and much of it had to do with having these three girls around. Yes, we were idiots sometimes; but we all shared common beliefs and I was never afraid to be who I was when these people were around. We have always been able to be just who we are around eachother. (For better or for worse). I love these girls more than I can really express, and am so glad that dreams of fab 4 reunions as teenagers actually come true, even into our thirties!!!

The weekend included dining at Chiantis, a favorite Italian restaurant that is sort of a tradition for us. We also watched the infamous music videos - for years around new years we would sing and dance in front of a camera thinking that we looked real cool. Watching these videos now provides endless laughter and we wonder what on earth we were thinking. What is even more funny is that we would get other people to watch these. My apologies if you were one of them. At least we have stopped that bad habit. We also got manicures (don't really care for) and pedicures (love) and ate a lot of candy. The weekend flew by and was so fun. Thanks to a great sister, husband and mother-in-law who all watched the kids so I could really enjoy my girl time!

the blanket

2011-04-30T14:22:00.004-06:00

Monet got a wonderful, cuddly, cute, soft, pink blankie when she was born. She loves it and sleeps with it every night.

We left it in Calgary a couple weeks ago, and had a difficult night the first night back. She quickly adopted a new blankie that Levi liked and all was well again.

BUT - then we went to Saskatoon. We had arranged for the blanket to meet us there, but that fell through. We soon discovered that the combination of Monet without her blanket and without her own bed equaled a complete disaster. Well, a disaster if sleep is something that you require or want.

Monet did not sleep. No naps unless she was sleeping on Daddy's chest, she would not fall asleep at night. Not even with me laying next to her bed for HOURS. She would eventually sleep in MY bed, between me and Josh. Not so comfy when you consider we are used to a king sized bed for two, and we were sharing a futon for three. AAAAAAHHHHHhhhhhhh!!! It was pretty awful. Needless to say we took the long route home and stopped in Calgary on the way to Stirling. Monet slept that night at her Gramma's without a fuss or tear, all night, with her beloved blankie. And I am happy to report that she has been sleeping happily ever after ever since.

easter

2011-04-27T09:15:00.005-06:00

This past weekend we went to Saskatoon. It was really awesome to see the old haunts and places that were such a big part of our life for 4 years. It was even better to see our roomies of 3 years and hang out with them for the weekend, along with their kids. Pam and I are both very pregnant which made it extra fun - you can complain all you want about how sore you are etc to someone else who feels the exact same way.

It was also so nice to go to church! How I miss Wildwood! So many familiar faces. So many new ones, too. It was great to catch up with friends, but I quickly realized that next time I need to plan for a girls night or something. 2 minutes at church really just doesn't cut it. Not one little bit.

The Easter Bunny came while we were all at church, and the kids had a blast searching for candy with their cool Easter buckets. Levi and Enoch definitely got their fair share of the candy, the younger kids were just as happy with a few jelly beans and chocolate eggs. We had a great dinner with ham and twice baked potatoes. MMMmmmmm. I asked Levi to sum up what Easter means, worried he might talk about the candy. But he didn't, he summed it up with "An empty tomb."

How grateful I am for a Savior who lived, died, and lives again! I love Easter. I think maybe even more than Christmas. Its really the same celebration, but in the spring this time. What's not to love?

32 weeks and counting

2011-04-11T12:38:00.004-06:00

Is it bad to admit that I haven't been all that excited about this new baby?
Until now.

Don't get me wrong, I have always been happy that we are expecting, and this is something I wanted, I just haven't really had the time to think much about it.
Maybe its spring. Maybe it is the fact that basketball season is over. But as this baby in my tummy is super wiggly and as I am getting pretty big and uncomfortable, the thought of meeting this new little spirit is SO EXCITING!!!! I have to admit, I am baby hungry and am feeling lucky that I won't have to wait too long to get my fix.

april

2011-04-04T16:44:00.002-06:00

So this winter was cold. And snowy. I have to admit that as I experienced my first AB winter in 5 years, I thought quietly to myself that the winters here are a little colder than I remember, and just as windy. At the same time, though, I was thinking that things were pretty good and glad the -30 never lasted more than a week or two. I also observed that snow that falls in a certain month usually melts in that same month. Whenever I was feeling sorry for my cold self, I would check the weather network and just be glad that I wasn't still where I was last year. (No offense to any who live there, it is just way colder there!!).

But now I have learned that this winter was an extra cold one for these parts. That is music to my ears. For the last four years February and March have crawled along at such a slow pace that it was hardly even possible to believe. But now, here it is, April, with snow patches here and there on the ground, and I can almost see flowers. The kids play outside regularly. I am so excited for spring, I just hope that when it comes it stays with a vengeance.

levi is six!!!

2011-03-28T22:55:00.006-06:00

and a half.
Oops.

After posting Monet's birthday pictures, I realized I haven't documented anything for Levi.

We had a fun party back in November. Levi wanted to have a fishing theme, and we went with that. We danced to Under The Sea, played Pin the Fin on the Fish, made our own tackle boxes, and had a fishing pond. The kids loved it. It was a little crazy cause Josh was working during the party, but the boys were all well behaved and had lots of fun.

Levi is a sponge for information. We have a hard time keeping up with him. The questions that he thinks of! We have regular conversations about infinity and numbers and such. He loves lego and anything related to it. Levi can work his way through a computer better than my mom. He is a joy to have in the family and (almost) always tries to do what is right.

two!

2011-03-27T19:23:00.006-06:00

The Monette turned two last week. Or was it the week before last??? How times flies!
A few things I want to remember about her from the last year....

We began potty training. Way before we ever attempted it with the boys. And with pretty good success, on her part, at least. I think she would be better off if I wasn't slow and pregnant and tired. Before our last trip to Calgary she was going maybe 5 times a day, as long as I reminded her. What I want to remember about this is how proud she is when she is done, insisting that I clap for her, and doing a dance and spinning around afterwards. So cute. I also figured out what her best bribe is: youtube. Candy? Works a little. Praise and stickers? Not so much. But the privledge of watching a Pluto or Snow White clip??? You betcha.

In January we switched Monet into a big girl bed. We had to dismantle the boys bunk bed because they kept moving the rungs on the top bunk to make a slide (ya --- a little unsafe!!), so we needed somewhere to put it and Monet's room was the best, if not closest choice. That change of course prompted some nighttime undertakings on Monet's part. We would always find her undressed, sometimes undiapered in her room. That evolved to undressed and redressed with whatever is lying around, only now inside out. She didn't love sleeping by herself and would usually fall asleep at the door, making it necessary to wake her up so we could actually get in there and move her back to bed once we were going to bed. It was a little exciting, opening the door at 11pm not knowing what she'd be wearing or what she'd be cuddling.... she's pretty good now and stopped taking off her jammies once we stopped putting them back on her.

Monet is a helper. She loves to put the soap in the dishwasher. She loves to put things "away," and even do little errands for the boys. She gladly puts her own diaper in the garbage. She loves to read and color with her brothers. She LOVES babies and is so interested in them and has a hard time believing me when a "baby" is as old as she is. I hope her interest and love for babies lasts through this next big change in the family. Monet, like the rest of our kids, loves her Daddy and is always wanting to cuddle with him. She loves to be tickled and loves the piggy game with her toes. She actually lets me do her hair and doesn't put up a huge fight like I always thought she would. Love pig tails. Love her.

Can't believe she is two! Time has flown.

snipits and quotes

2011-03-21T16:06:00.001-06:00

Before I posted some quotes from the kids. These are a few from me. I wish I would have thought of this sooner (thanks Lindsay), while I was reading the diaries and not going so much from memory and trying to find them.
Said on my first date, "Not to be rude or anything, but I'm really hungry. Can we get something to eat?"

"I'm so old. Well, not really. Old used to be when your friends leave on missions. Now old is being pregnant with your second child. NOW THATS OLD."

After an argument with my mom about grades and my work ethic "If I ever succeed at anything, it will be because of Mom. But, why can't she just leave me alone over the holidays?"

"I don't know why everyone thinks I like him so much. I don't want him for a boyfriend or anything, I just want to marry him."

iheartbasketball

2011-03-13T14:06:00.003-06:00

And I love when basketball is over!!!

Whew! That was a long 5 months. Josh has been way busier now than he ever was when he was in school.
I certainly have made a mental note that if I ever run into any of my old coaches, I need to be a little more grateful and thank them for their time (15 years ago....). What is it about being a teen and thinking the world revolves around you? This is no comment on the boys he coaches, but on what my views were at that age.

But on the plus side of things, his season went well. The team wasn't expected to do all that great, but they ended up placing 2nd in zones and 4th in provincials. Not bad for a first season coaching, eh?

Watching a lot of BB this year has certainly brought back a lot of fond memories. I was really close with the girls I played with. I loved the nervousness before a game, and the all out competitive spirit I had. Some of my teams did well and others not so well (0-10 one year!), but there were a lot of life's lessons learned.

I am rambling now. Glad BB season is over, but even more glad Josh coaches BBall and not football!!! At least it is something I love that he has to consume so much of his time with.

PS. I will never be pregnant again during bball season.

kiddie kwotes

2011-03-01T11:45:00.001-06:00

Mom, my brain has run out of batteries.
- Enoch

Daddy, the only thing in my brain is PS3.
- Levi (when not allowed to play video games)

I'm sad that Jesus died and I know I can eat and go to the temple.
- Enoch composing a song

I did it!!!!!
- Monet

Mom, it smells too good so that I don't want to eat it.
- Levi

Q: Mom, what's a tiquity?
A: Well, an antiquity is something really old.
Q: Is Daddy almost a tiquity?
- Enoch

Levi: Is this all the movie is?
Dad: Yes, this is it.
Levi: BORING.
(While watching a scriptural documentary on the NT. You have to know my husband to understand why he picks that to watch the kids Sunday night with popcorn).

Mom, when I grow up I want to be an underwear artist.
- Enoch

history

2011-02-28T08:58:00.005-06:00

Lately I have been contemplating if I should bother keeping up a blog or not. Seems like the same old is the same old and there is nothing new or clever to write.

Enter my grade 9 diary.

And grades 10 and 11.

These things are hilarious! Written by someone with only half a brain most of the time, complete with the tedium and details of my everyday life (I wrote at least 3 times a week for much of it), highlighted by little interludes of genius - admittedly, unfortunately greatly interspersed . But seeing me grow up has been astonishing! I was such an idiot in grade 9. But by grade 12 I am finally starting to think straight. It has been most interesting and educational to revisit these teen years. Certainly makes me understand my young women a lot more.

I keep a journal now a days. But I write in it every few months or so. It is more for personal and spiritual matters and experiences. But now I realize that if I didn't keep this up tons of interesting information would be lost. Maybe not all that interesting to you, but I am certain 10 years from now I will reread some of these posts and think, "Oh, ya! I had forgotten about that!" or even "And I was complaining about that?!"

Years from now, believe it or not, the diaper stage will be long gone from our home. How will I ever remember the pleasures (ha!) of potty training if I dont write it down? Or sympathize with my children when they have to do the night time feeding routine. Or recall how scary it is to send your oldest child away to school. Or the daily tirades and fights of siblings and trying to get your middle child to eat his dinner or .......

So this on-line journaling stays. I'll keep you posted.

computer love

2011-02-10T12:44:00.002-06:00

Levi loves computers. He originally was only ever allowed to play on educational sites, like starfall (highly recommended for little kids learning their letters etc) and funbrain. But then his father helped him find out about cool sites like lego and such. Levi can now log into his own settings on the old family desktop, which is nice cause the internet is limited to a few safe, child friendly sites where nothing can go wrong.

It is also limited to one hour after which he is automatically logged out.

The other day, I was napping and surprise surprise, Levi never came and got me after an hour. I went down there only to find that Levi had hacked his way in and bought himself more computer time. He guessed correctly both the username and password.

WHAT???

Maybe he will be employed by CTU one day and help Jack Bauer get out of all his sticky situations.

bigger and bigger

2011-01-31T09:31:00.002-06:00

The kids are really growing up. Here are some of the signs;

Monet can now open doors, she is sleeping in a real bed, and she can take off her clothes and diaper and put on new clothes. It is the funniest thing to check on her at night and see what concoction she has come up with. Usually she is diaperless with a pair of dirty pants (something she finds in the hamper) on instead of jammies.

Enoch is starting to pick up reading. He can't really form the words himself yet, but if he hears a word and there are 3 or 4 to pick from, he can often get the word it is. He is also my first child to sleep through the night without needing pull-ups (known as night-time underwear at our house).

Levi is so big, and this next one makes me sad. He doesn't sleep with his blankie anymore. If its there, sure, he'll cuddle with it, but in reality he no longer cares. He can sleep just as well without it as he does with it. We also have a problem at school. Well, I have a problem at school. I give this little girl a ride home every once in a while when its super cold out. This girl has a crush on Levi and is always proposing to him in the car. Yes, he's 6, but I want to tell this little girl to go home and never talk to my boy again. Is that taking it too far??????

Little baby in my tummy is growing, too. I can feel kicks galore. They are at the cute stage where the kicks don't hurt but just let me know that baby is doing well.

That turns us to me. Yikes. I am definitely getting bigger, but we don't need to talk about that.

who's your hero???

2011-01-21T10:21:00.001-06:00

For Christmas Josh got the boys some books called Who's Your Hero? They are illustrated stories from the Book of Mormon talking about a certain quality a hero possesses. (ie. Nephi didn't complain). Then, the book goes into explaining and giving examples of how YOU can be like that same person. They are really great books and I would recommend them to everyone.

Along the same superhero theme....
The boys have taken to inventing superheroes. I am always surprised and even impressed with the names they come up with. They made up Hothead, a head-on-fire kind of guy with real capabilities. Their newest heroes are Boyhit and Fate.
Enoch is Boyhit, a hero who could hurt the whole world but of course doesn't because he is a good guy.
Levi is Fate, who just so happens to be the strongest sword fighter in all the world.

goal update

2011-01-20T09:20:00.004-06:00

How are your new years resolutions??

I thought I would check in to make myself more accountable, and hopefully, more successful.

As far as FHE and scripture reading etc goes, we are doing pretty good. I end up having to do it solo lots because of good ol' basketball season, but hey, at least it is getting done! I think we have missed scriptures twice in 3 weeks. Not bad.

I broke my yelling streak the third morning back at school. Levi totally called me on it and was very disappointed in me. He was mad that I broke my goal. I have been good since. Maybe they are listening more????? I just don't get why some days I have to ask ten times for them to get their coat and boots on. How hard is it, really? I am sure (hope) that my kids aren't the only ones with this problem.

Levi has practiced piano pretty much whenever I ask him. I can't believe it. He is enjoying it a lot.

We have a skating rink shoveled and ready to be flooded in our backyard. Not ice yet, though. Good ol' basketball season strikes again.

I have stayed away from pop and chips. I never mentioned before that I was only gonna eat one treat a day on top of no pop and chips. Well, that certainly hasn't happened and I don't plan on it. Baby steps.

Of other news I had my ultrasound today. We are having a girl!!!

Just kidding. I didn't find out. But baby is doing well and is 9 inches from head to bum. My ultrasound also moved the date back a week, which is no surprise.

I also got glasses today. Purple plastic with sparkles on the inside. (I didn't know about the sparkles till today when I picked them up.) The world seems so..... clear all of a sudden. I decided to finally get glasses after going back to work last week and realizing that I really could no longer properly see 8 inches from my nose. Hopefully I will see better tonight.

what's in a name??

2011-01-15T16:12:00.004-06:00

Here is what the boys and I came up with brainstorming names for the little baby.

Jack

Astrid (for a girl)

Sonic Shadow Stone

General Grievous

Nohead Nohair Noface Stone (but this one's just a joke, I'm told -- I guess the other ones previously mentioned were all real)

Cornelius

Olga

Ar-4-9-4

Plocoon the Bearded Lady

Esther Chester Stone (Esther is one of our picks, but right after I said that the kids paired it up with Chester -- almost ruins it for me)

Tails Stone

Zebra the Lion-Headed Man Stone

Scorpion the no face

a goal not written....

2011-01-05T09:38:00.002-06:00

is just a wish.

So here are the Stone Family Goals we made in FHE the other night.

Practice skating. This was Levi's.

Practice piano. Levi's again.

No more yelling in the morning before school, this was mine and I paired it up with

Listening to Mom in the morning before school.

Family scripture study and prayer every day.

FHE every week.

I feel like a loser that we seem to have the same goals every year. We aren't too bad at a few of them, but then we visit Calgary or go on vacation, and that seems to really throw us off.

Personally I am going off pop and chips for awhile. Why do I consume the stuff when I don't even really like it?

I am also working on potty training Monet. Yesterday we had 2 accidents. I think it was bad on my part that I decided to make and ice 100+ mini cupcakes for YWs; sort of threw off my focus for the day. Here's hoping to better luck today.

bragging rights

2010-12-14T13:20:00.003-06:00

Enoch: Is my dad bigger than your dad?

Friend: Hmmm. My dad has spiky hair. Everyday, all day.

At this point Enoch concedes and grants biggest dad to his friend.

piano

2010-12-07T12:36:00.003-06:00

Levi has started piano lessons. Initially he was really opposed to the idea, even after the incentive that he could learn to play drums after he learns to play the piano. After talking with him, though, I found out that he was worried that he wouldn't get the songs right. Since he has discovered that he doesn't need to play them perfect, only his best and that is what lessons are for (learning), he has had a much more positive attitude.

The pressure he puts on himself worries me sometimes. Like a few weeks ago he was asked to say the 11th Article of Faith in primary. He did NOT want to do it, not until he found out that he didn't have to have it memorized and that he could get help reading the words. Is this me doing this to him or is it something he does to himself???

I am grateful that he is always willing to talk and am relieved the solutions are simple enough. I hope it stays that way and that he always likes talking to his momma.

to post or not to post

2010-11-30T17:33:00.002-06:00

For nearly 13 weeks I have thought I was pregnant. For about 10 weeks I have known that I was.

During those weeks I made posts about how awful I felt and kept track of what I was thinking. I thought that I would post it when the time came.

But now that the time has come, looking back through my eyes and my typing, I am a real whiner! Who wants to read that??

So lets forego the TMI posts, and just be happy with the news that we are expecting a baby to make our 5-family a 6-family early June 2011.

happy thanksgiving!

2010-11-22T13:22:00.002-06:00

As a belated salute to this thankful time of year, I want to say how thankful I am for my family.

For kids who are so cute they can get away with almost anything.

For a husband who helps clean around the house.

For in-laws who are thoughtful and caring.

AND for a dad who is going to watch my kids for 3 days so I can go to Kalispell for black Friday with my mom and some of my sisters!!!!!!!!!!!!

sweet childs o' mine

2010-11-14T15:32:00.000-06:00

Enoch has many spiderman/random superhero figurines. He loves these guys and plays solo quite a bit with them. For his birthday he even got a foot and a half spiderman "doll." He loves that thing and will put it to bed and loves to sleep with it. He has an old spiderman figure with webs in his armpits that Enoch is really taking to lately. He calls it "my son." It is so funny! "Mom, have you seen my son?" or "I want to play with my son, now." It cracks me up.

Levi has the idea in his head that we are going to be making a clubhouse this winter. He drew me pictures of what he wants it to look like, complete with color choices for walls and roof. What is really interesting is that his drawings include every angle of the house, front, back, left-side and right-side. I was pretty impressed.

Monet is starting to be a holy terror at church. We arrive just before 1pm and she is crazy. The boys are happy to color or read, while she just throws things out of my purse and speaks as loudly as possible saying the one word she loves most; "NO!" So then I take her to a classroom, let her cry on the floor for a few minutes, then pick her up, squeeze her tight for 10 seconds, following which she zonks out if I am lucky. Sometimes this process takes a few tantrums to get the desired outcome. Today at church, with her cute blonde hair complete with outfit matching bows, all I could think of was, "The Devil Wears Pig-Tails."

One more thing about this girl I don't want to forget is that she tells me to shhhhhh!!! anytime I try singing for her. It is so funny.

twenty-four

2010-11-08T22:57:00.002-06:00

I love love love this new show.
Well, its not new, but it is to me.
Just finished season 2 and it was even better than season 1.
Sometimes I ride my bike while I watch so that it is a good use of time. Sometimes I pretend to fold laundry while I watch so that I can pretend it is a good use of my time.

Lately I have been wasting the evening watching 3 episodes in a row with my hands clenched and my heart racing.

photo update

2010-10-23T11:19:00.004-06:00

First off we have a picture of the boys, together, on their first day of school. It is fun that they can share stories and exchange ideas on similar things, such as the coolness of the playground or the choice of books at the library.

Next we have Monet. This is her eating an onion. I literally had to pry it from her hands.

Pig tails!!!!! What a joyous day in my life. My mom called these things wop wollapins growing up.

These last two are the boys painting. We haven't done it again since, although I give full points for the image of gore they were going for.

you know you're in stirling when

2010-10-04T11:46:00.003-06:00

everybody you meet already knows who you are.

your new neighbours greet you with cookies.

you start to connect the dots, and see that everyone is related somehow to everyone else.

people around you seem to own more quads than cars.

you run down the middle of the road rather than use a sidewalk.

you can smell a certain something awful in the air.

you can hear more horses and dogs than cars.

you can fly a kite in your backyard (every day of the year).

you discover the BIGGEST scoops of ice cream at the local store.

you are constantly embarrassed that you are driving everywhere.

fried green tomatoes??

2010-09-29T18:16:00.004-06:00

No, thanks. But I made this the other day. It is a great way to use up green tomatoes.

all about me

2010-09-29T11:31:00.003-06:00

With such cute kids to blog about, it seems I never talk much about what I am doing.

So, the question is, what am I doing?

Well, of course, my life revolves around kids and a husband. But aside from that I think I am finding a thing or two to do around here. Some mornings I go running. A few girls are training for a half marathon and I join them. I ditch out on the long runs, though. I ran 10km on Monday, and that was a first for me.

I bought an exercise bike and I love riding it at night and watching 24. I am almost done season 1. What a great way to involve entertainment with exercise.

Canning, canning, canning, I have done lots of canning. I wonder how I ever lived without it. Apple butter, saskatoon sauce (its really a chunky syrup, but its really good on pancakes), cherry preserves, cherries, crab apple jelly, choke cherry jelly (more of a syrup), chokecherry syrup (more of a jelly), apple juice, cherry juice, applesauce...... I tried pear butter but they were to grainy and that was a big failure. Not to mention a big mess. I still hope to make a couple different salsas. Canning is so seriously fun, I wonder why no one ever told me before.

As far as Stirling goes, we love our house and yard. It is fun. The people here are really nice and friendly, but I miss some things about student life. For instance, girls nights. Here, everyone has a husband at night (who isn't studying) and so it wouldn't make sense to all get together then. I saw some pics on facebook of a girls night in Saskatoon and I loooonnnggged for it. I miss gaming with my girls, and talking till the wee hours in the morning. I also miss the hundred or so parks. We have 2 here and that is it. But don't ever let that defer you from coming out to visit. We can find something to do. Cow tipping maybe???

We ended up changing wards and I was called again into YWs. Now I am with the Mia Maids. It has been pretty fun and they are a great group of girls. I am in charge of YW in excellence in November. I have some plans outlined, we will see how things turn out.....

So that is all about me. Nothing spectacular but more than enough to fill the days.

flashback

2010-09-22T20:13:00.003-06:00

A few weeks ago we had some nice, windy, S Alberta weather. So what better thing to do than fly a kite? Please note the brave batman flying with the dollar store kite. I think that is why Enoch is so mad - because Batman kept falling off.

am i that bad?

2010-09-21T11:33:00.004-06:00

"Mom, sometimes I eat boogers."

This was said in a matter-of -fact tone, at the supper table, coming from the kid that NEVER eats his food cause he never thinks it tastes good.

Am I really that bad of a cook??????

karma

2010-09-05T12:25:00.001-06:00

Serves me right for relishing the thought of being able to see my HT/VT from my front window. Today they switched up the wards. Now we are in Stirling 1st ward. The boundary goes right down the street. So now my friendly neighbours across the street are all in the other ward. No callings for us again.

splashie jr

2010-08-31T21:56:00.002-06:00

In high school I joined the swim team. I was no good, but I had two friends on it so it was fun. My nickname was Splashie, cause no matter how hard I tried, I was a slow moving splash.

Miss mini-me has earned her rights to that name tonight. I turned on the bathtub water just after coming in from a dinner at the school. I wanted the boys to have a quick bath before bed. I was on the phone and a little distracted, and came back into the bathroom to find this:

That's not how a bath is meant to be, but she sure looks like she is having fun.

new calling

2010-08-29T17:44:00.003-06:00

Josh and I got new callings today. We are pretty excited. The ward here is starting to feel familiar as the faces start to be replaced with names and such.

Josh is the High Priest group secretary. We sort of laugh a bit at that. I didn't even know they had one of those.... then again there are 36 HP in the ward, so that is quite a few people to keep track of.

I am 2nd councilor in YWs. It'll be really fun. There are 30 YW or so, so maybe my job will be easier than Josh's. Next week our ward is having a joint meeting with 2 other wards in the area, so maybe my calling will be gone before I know it????

PS. I can see my home teacher's house from my front window. And my visiting teacher's if I look the other way. HA!

back and gone again

2010-08-26T11:36:00.002-06:00

After spending a fun week in Montana, the kids and I headed to Calgary to spend some time - seeing as we haven't really been there at all since Christmas. Monday we went to Calaway Park, something they have never done before. It was most definitely a big hit. Tuesday we went to the zoo. That was fun, too, but we stayed too long and should have left before few kids no longer had legs to stand on. And leaving the zoo at 5pm to take Deerfoot south???? What on earth was I thinking? Tuesday night was a cousin's birthday party. Yesterday I got to leave the kids ALL DAY and go hiking in Kananaskis. It was so fun to go and do a real hike and enjoy the outdoors and lack of diapers.

Today? I am recuperating. Hopefully I can learn to make crabapple jelly tonight.

things to remember lest I forget

2010-08-22T07:36:00.005-06:00

Living in an empty house really helped us to move and not look back remorsefully. Of course I miss the people in Saskatoon and our ward, but having nothing to do all day every day sure helped ease the ripping up of the root action while we transplanted to a new home.
Uncle Kyle did manage to save the day by bringing by old school toys of his that his mom had saved. Levi and Enoch enjoyed setting up GI Joes and taking pictures. I have a million on my camera.

I thought I got a picture of our meal area, but now that I looked for it I couldn't find it. We had two coolers next to an old end table for the boys, Monet in a borrowed high chair, and Josh and I stood to eat. every. meal. for. 2. weeks. Well, almost - we had nice friend invites for lunch or dinner sometimes. If they only knew the novelty we enjoyed of sitting down to eat......

We had fun at the Magrath parade. I cant believe the small town candy you get at these things!

Going to Writing On Stone provincial park was lots of fun. It was nice to go out with girls from my new ward and get to know them a but better- well, as good as you can with 28 kids running around. My favorite is that Enoch insisted on wearing his gumboots. Nothing could convince him otherwise.

stonelings are back

2010-08-20T17:09:00.004-06:00

We just spent a fun week in Montana. My parents rented a cabin on Flathead lake, and we got to spend the week swimming, shopping, playing, snorkeling, sea-dooing, and everything but sleeping. (Note to self - a king size bed can never be replaced by anything smaller and still grant the same amount of sleep).

Enoch celebrated his 4th birthday while we were there. In the morning he informed me that now that he was four, he would no longer whine. He kept it up for a few hours at least - but since turning four he has decided that he actually does know how to do up his own seat belt. We could never ever get him to do that before, although we had our suspicions.

Meanwhile at home we have discovered that we have some chokecherry trees that are nice and ripe. Oh, and so are the crabapples and the sour cherries. I am headed to Calgary tomorrow but plan to bring a lot of fruit, so unless you want to pit cherries, you might want to avoid me if you live there.

still alive

2010-08-11T16:04:00.007-06:00

It has been awhile since my last post. Probably a record for me. Nothing like a move to keep one away from the computer. (Also, because we didn't have the internet for 2 weeks after we moved, rural internet is surprisingly pricey, I now see why so many get dial up).
Here is a recap of that has been going on.

Obviously, we are no longer the Saskastones. We are now is Stirling. I don't have anything quite as cute to call us. Any ideas?

We have removed the trees in front of the house under the window. You can now even see a door! I have also spent HOURS weeding a little flower garden in the backyard. Apparently grass is really really persistent. I have made 2 kinds of saskatoon jam (one is good and one not so good), homemade cherry pie from my own cherries, saskatoon muffins with fresh ground wheat and have plans for making some cherry preserves tonight. We are lucky to have so much fruit, but for some reason the people who planted all these trees planted no raspberries. Hopefully I will have some of those in the future.

The kids and I went to windermere for half a week. There were 9 kids and 3 moms. Not the numbers for a very relaxing vacation, but it was so fun to hang with such amazing friends and see our own kids learn to make friends with eachother.

We have been swimming at the Stirling pool a few times. It is almost like having a pool in the back yard. Not quite- but almost. We are really enjoying it. We went to a Southern Alberta parade and got lots of candy. We went to Writing on Stone provincial park.

Lots of family has come for visits. That is probably the best of everything. It is so nice to actually see people. Aside from my in-laws, no one made regular visits out to Saskabush. I guess trips here are more fun- especially when you can find dead, petrified fowl in the barn!

I competed in my first triathlon in Raymond. It was supremely awesome. I definitely plan on doing more of those in the future.

I think that is about it. We have spend hours and hours and hours in our yard. It is big and overgrown and hopefully overtime we can tame it a bit. Josh loves his new mower more than I would have ever guessed.

Check out these before and afters.

home sweet home

2010-07-08T13:29:00.003-06:00

As promised, here are some highlights in no particular order.

A look a some of the trees/bushes at the front of our yard. These are all sour cherry and Saskatoon. (sniffle)

Our house from the front. Nothing fancy, and needs a lot of taming.

YES!!!! A master ensuite where I can pee at night without waking up the Monet. (pronounced Monette)

Pantry off the kitchen. Need I say more?

Kitchen.

Chicken coops. There are more not pictured, that need to come down seeing as they are S.C.A.R.Y.

new house

2010-07-06T18:07:00.001-06:00

I couldn't post about our new house before- partly because we had never seen it, and partly because it seemed like it wasn't real. This last weekend we were able to go and see our house. It lived up to our expectations, and more! The inside was as nice or nicer than what we had expected, and the outside was as wild or wilder than we had thought. After just a few short days, though, it was already beginning to feel like home. We were really welcomed into the new town. I guess it helped that my Dad's generous cousins live there.... between them, their kids, and grandkids, we were brought rice krispie treats, dinner, and had our lawn mowed - including our garden area that was so overgrown with weeds you would have never known it was a garden. Friends from Saskatoon were there, too, to greet us and even take the boys off of our hands for a day. Thanks to everyone who helped with the move from this end to the other end.

Our house here sold last night! We are so happy about that. Now we have some moola so that we can buy the riding mower and rototiller and trailer that we are gonna need to keep this new place lookin' good,

I took a few pictures but of course left the cord at the new place. So, here are a few pictures that my parents have sent previously. Nevermind, I can't get into hotmail. You will have to wait to see the new place.

specific enoch

2010-06-12T13:57:00.003-06:00

Previously I have posted about Levi being so literal it is hardly rational. ie. You can't call a piano bench at the table a chair, cause its a bench, etc. etc. etc.

As Enoch is growing up we are learning more and more about him. He is specific.

When he is building something with Lego, whatever it may be, he wants it to be just so. Often he can't get the Lego to do what he wants, and he demands that we do it for him. Unfortunately for all involved, we can't see what is in his head, so this has proved to be most difficult. The same thing with pictures. Enoch is learning and loving to draw. But he gets SO mad when it doesn't look exactly like he wants it to. My dear, dear Boy, you are only three!!!! What does he expect?

Clothes are no exception. He always has a shirt and pants picked out already, so don't even bother trying to get him to wear something else. He knows what he likes and he'll find a way to wear it. Then we get to his bedding.... He sleeps with one blanket ONLY, and even if you try to sneak another one on in the middle of the night, he somehow knows and will remove it. Once I tried to give him a different pillow, and I later found it outside his bedroom door in the hallway.

We see this mostly with food. Not only does Enoch love a PBJ sandwich, but he loves it a certain way. Cut in half. But not into triangles. Rectangular halves. And don't even think about ripping it into two at the table. He will call you on it. He wants it cut in half with a knife. And while we are at it, make sure its an orange plate, too!

Watching Enoch get bigger and smarter and taller is sure lots of fun. I love getting to know my specifically special boy.

my sister the hero

2010-06-07T11:13:00.002-06:00

My baby (and only little) sister came out this weekend. When she first decided to come out, I thought of going to the river for walks, pinics, a trip to the zoo, and other lovely Saskatoon things to do in the summer. Unfortunately for her, we then realized that listing out house needs to be a top priority.

So instead, we weeded the yard, cleaned up around the fire pit, raked, shampooed carpets, mopped, swept, organized, cleaned, packed.....

She was so helpful I really can't imagine what I would have done this weekend without her.

Thanks Lella and Kuma for coming to visit. I promise your next visit will be more fun and less work.

new pictures

2010-06-01T11:29:00.002-06:00

Just a couple of pics. I sure love love LOVE the last one.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2010-05-29T18:21:00.002-06:00

4 years anthropology
1 house, bought and sold
2 years chemistry
2 years education
too many "journal" entries
1 trip to Israel
100s seminary lessons
3 kids
4 seasons of Smallville
1 backyard with lots of trees

Getting a job when all is said and done....... priceless.

soccer mom

2010-05-08T08:09:00.003-06:00

Well, I have made it in life! Last night I coached Levi's soccer team. I am now officially one of those moms driving around in a mini-van with soccer balls in the back. Coaching was super fun! They are aged 4 to 6, so you can imagine the chaos that ensued anytime I organized a drill. I think they had fun, though.

The best of all, though, was when I had to send a dancing Levi on the field to see his Daddy to take him potty. Josh turned his head from Enoch for a second, and apparently (I didn't see it, but all the other parents did) Enoch decided not to bother trying to go in the school, too, but to water the grass right there in plain view of everybody.

Oops.

new look

2010-05-06T11:17:00.001-06:00

Enoch's got a new look:

They aren't the greatest pictures, but you get the idea.

foot in mouth

2010-05-03T22:50:00.003-06:00

Do you ever get caught with your foot in your mouth? That sort of happened to me this weekend. As I already mentioned, the boys were sick last week. Friday night Josh succumbed to the illness, too. I thought, HA! Serves him right for all that garbage he likes to eat.

Apparently I must eat a lot of garbage, too, cause I was sick with the exact same thing Saturday morning. Turns out the only one in the family who eats right is Monet.

On another note, our house recently doubled in size! Our renters moved out, and while we didn't mind them one bit, nor the rent they paid, it was really time to get more space. We have spent the entire day moving and organizing and unpacking and giving away and cleaning..... the house is a bit of a disaster but at least upstairs is starting to look reasonable.

sick

2010-04-29T12:26:00.001-06:00

Things have slowed down at our house for the last couple of days. Enoch had a fever yesterday. It wasn't too bad. It was mostly pretty mild and he was happy sleeping all day.
But then in the middle of the night Levi decided to pop in our room and announce that he had to puke. And he did. Right then and there. And then he managed to drag it all over the place seeing as his blanket swept through it on his way to the toilet.

So gross. At least now he has a bucket.

play

2010-04-22T15:34:00.002-06:00

The boys have a new game they have been doing lately, and I LOVE it!!

They are Frensten and Tensten. Two characters that do everything together from jump off of buildings (the table), to shoot guns at muddy water, to laughing and lego and everything in between. Just about the only thing that the infamous Frensten and Tensten don't do together is fight.

I hope this roadshow act stays around for a looooong while. They better, cause it took me almost a week to remember how to say their names right, as well as remember who's who.

bm

2010-04-20T13:45:00.003-06:00

No, not that sort of b.m. mother....

I had a blonde moment yesterday. I was at work and could not find my glasses anywhere. My head, pockets, counterspace, coat...... nothing. So I had to go and ask another employee to borrow hers. She looked at me funny but gave them to me. Then when I tried to put them over my eyes, there were my glasses!

Duh.

What was most embarrassing was that my patient, who was sitting in the dental chair the whole time didn't even laugh. Not one little bit.

Other funnies:
Levi and Enoch are very excited to go to their primary pajama party this Saturday. Levi asked if all the teachers would be wearing pajamas, too. When I answered, yes they would, he stared at me in disbelief.

"You mean all my teachers are going to wear just their garments!?!?!" he replied.

ouch

2010-04-15T21:24:00.005-06:00

Way back in the day I used to make music videos with my BFFs. It was really, REALLY fun. We did it once a year around Christmas/New Year's. I think only Laura still has the copies somewhere.
They are cool to us, but pretty sad.

My nieces just made a couple music videos, and they are really good. Puts me to shame. Technology does a lot, I guess. Along with good costumes and choreography.

Good job girls!

Watcha Say

Telephone

beware!!!!

2010-04-14T13:35:00.002-06:00

...of bangs.

Today I had 2 teeth filled. We were a little rushed this morning because I decided to take the kids to the mall before lunch so they could run around a little bit. We came home, just in time for me to make a hurried lunch of quesadillas before I was off. I checked in the mirror while brushing my teeth after lunch to make sure all was what it should be.

Then while I was in the chair, the dentist (aka. my boss) sat me back so that he could freeze me. He wanted to know what was green on my head.

What???

A quick look in the mirror revealed a nice big gob on guacamole on my forehead. I didn't see it, cause the bangs were covering it up before.

Nice.

mutiny

2010-04-04T08:54:00.002-06:00

I thought we were on the same team. I thought you had my back. I thought you would be different from the two older yo-yos you call brothers.

But no.

You have three words you can say. They are cheese (eeeez), clap (gap), and -

Daddy. Spoken clearly and perfectly.

prayers

2010-04-02T17:01:00.004-06:00

My SIL recently posted her daughter's first bedtime prayer. She did a very very good job. It just reminded me of Enoch's first prayer in primary closing exercises last week.

(This is without any help.)

Heavenly Father
Thank-you for this day.
Bless the food.
Thank-you for me.
In the name of Jesus Christ,
Amen.

This is the same prayer he does for EVERY meal, and at bed time. I was hoping it might be different at church, but oh well.

Levi also got to give a talk about prophets. He came up with a lot of the ideas himself. I asked him if he wanted to tell the listeners to pray to know if President Monson is the prophet. (He was talking about GC coming up in a week). He looked at me and said, "That's crazy! Why would I do that? I already know he is the prophet!" Those are the words he said, and it sounded just like this, "Duh, Mom, like, what is your problem??!?" He is getting very old very fast.

enoch the brave

2010-03-30T19:26:00.002-06:00

A few weeks ago I took Levi in to the dentist. He had had a dark spot on his tooth for a looooong time. Over a year ago it was fine, but it looked like it had finally turned into a cavity. We went in, and as soon as he was sitting in the dental chair he was crying. Great! Suffice it to say that he didn't let the dentist do anything. We are now waiting to see the specialist.

Next, Enoch had to see the dentist a week ago. He has not 1, not 2, but 3 cavities!!! (Yes, this is a hygienist who is writing this).
The dentist didn't even want to try just cause he remembered how poorly Levi did. So, good thing I have connections.... a friend on mat leave who is a dental therapist and has lots of practice with kids gave it a try. On Saturday Enoch did awesome and is now cavity free!!!

We are still waiting to get Levi's fixed. That poor kid is really gonna have to be drugged up.

today

2010-03-28T21:14:00.002-06:00

I NEVER take pictures and upload then on the same day. Well, almost never. Since I did today, here you go:

big smiles

2010-03-25T11:43:00.003-06:00

Levi got his report card recently; and just today I had a parent/teacher interview with his teacher.

I always thought I would care so much about how my kids did in school. Are they adding? Can they read well? How many questions can they answer correctly? Levi is doing fine in all these areas, but what REALLY pleases me is that his teacher described him with these characteristics: role-model, good example, well-mannered, confident, friend to anybody, respectful.... I was just beaming ear to ear as I drove away from his school. Way to go buddy!!!!!

birthday pictures

2010-03-20T09:58:00.003-06:00

You will notice Monet is wearing the tutu she got for Christmas. This was Levi's idea all on his own. If you knew me in high school these pictures would be funny to you.

the big one

2010-03-16T22:36:00.004-06:00

Happy Birthday to our Baby Girl!!

Monet right now:
starting to prefer walking
LOVES me
"sleeping" through the night (she still wakes up but we don't do anything)
97% height, 45% weight
loves to eat fruit, most veggies and pasta
does not like bread or pancakes (???, I know!)
will not drink cows milk
if you are reading a book on the floor she always goes and sits right on it
likes to play with blocks and empty out any cupboard she can reach
looks like me, from what I hear

Pictures to come soon.

family pictures

2010-03-14T15:02:00.005-06:00

We had some pictures taken in Calgary over with the Stones when we were there for Christmas.

true love

2010-03-12T22:26:00.002-06:00

I was working at the U of S today and someone asked me how old I was.

First off, I thought, "What? I am too old to ask that question to!"

Then I answered that this was my thirtieth year. She said no way and that she thought I was 24.

I love her.

from the mouth of babes

2010-03-10T19:30:00.006-06:00

Are you one of those people who always seem to be able to shove their foot in their mouth? Do you say things that you wish you could take back??

I remember roughly 10 years (before my twenties, I was a baby!) ago telling someone about how much I looked forward to getting married. I recall specifically saying that I didn't want to marry anyone who was finished their education; that I wanted to help my husband and support him through school. I wanted to feel as though I had sweated and sacrificed for it just like him.

HA! Little did I know that it would be 8 years of school. (And I certainly forgot to place kids into that equation). Whenever I have felt like complaining it has helped to think back and know that this is exactly what I wanted. And now that we are just about done; it really hasn't been that bad.

I wouldn't trade the last 4 years in Saskatoon for anything. They have been great.

not 100%

2010-03-09T12:46:00.001-06:00

So I have been trying to blog everyday this month. I missed yesterday mostly because I went to work in the evening and totally forgot about it.
I will keep trying, though.

Today I want to say that I am desperate. How do you wean a child?? What works for you??

I bought Carnation Instant Breakfast today at Superstore and am going to see if chocolate milk works.

a good friend

2010-03-07T12:48:00.003-06:00

A couple nights ago I got to go out with some friends and it was really fun. We were celebrating a birthday for a friend at church.

It was a fun night, but it reminded me of someone that I have really missed lately.

Maja was a councillor in Relief Society with me. I saw her a few times a week on a regular basis. Last summer we worked out together and swung rackets around pretending to play badminton while we talked. We all got released in January, and then she moved and literally I haven't seen her since. Talking and laughing with her the other night made me realize how much I have missed her.

I think I am gonna have to go paint her house for her just so that I can see her.

around the house

2010-03-06T17:55:00.000-06:00

We have been getting ready to sell. The boys have all been very helpful.

We tiled the bathroom (again) before Christmas. This time there are no cracks, no loose tiles and it looks fabulous. Its the same tile thats in the front.

We (I mean Josh) tiled the front entrance during reading week.

eh??

2010-03-05T12:37:00.004-06:00

I recently read an article that an American journalist wrote about the Olympic games in Canada.

Have a boo and tell me if you are as unimpressed as I am.

What I find so crazy is that this is coming from an American. The country of the biggest flag wavers I know. Does he not get that what he is poking at us for is something his own country does better than anyone else?? The thought of an American pointing fingers for too much patriotism is like a Canadian pointing fingers for someone liking hockey too much. Seriously?

I heard he wrote an apology but I haven't googled it yet.

christmas 2009

2010-03-04T16:24:00.005-06:00

Well, I am on a roll. 4 posts in as many days. I figure I may as well take care of some backposts and get it over with. Let's start with Christmas.
The boys enjoying a visit with Santa on Christmas Eve. We were so happy he had time to visit us on such a busy night!!

This is the best I could get of all three of them in front of the tree.

Monet with her stocking I made. Again, I am sad that this is the best I got.

LEGO. That is all Levi and Enoch did during the holidays at my parents house. I am so glad we took some home with us. They spend an average of 2 hours a day playing with this stuff. Two and a half months later. I don't know of any other toy that holds its novelty for so long.

Enoch protecting his ice cream from Kuma. Or is it Mommy??

Levi at Heritage Park for the live nativity the church does every year. It was FREEZING, but we were all glad we went. You can feel such a peaceful spirit there.

Auntie Steph and Monet

miss monette

2010-03-03T14:18:00.001-06:00

Dear Miss Monet,
I love you beyond reason. I think you are sweet and adorable. I love to hear you laugh and sometimes I love to hear you cry.

I don't mind when you get up at night, the first two times..... I even love your little tantrums when you don't get to play piano as long as you want.

But I am wondering, how on earth do you always know when I am about to leave the car? How do you wake up from a dead sleep, even if all I do is open and close the car door when we are stopped at a light? And why do you cry your eyes out when this happens?

I know you love me back almost as much as I love you. You don't need to reinforce this every time I step out of your eyesight for a second or two. I promise I will be right back!!

Love,
Mom

my house

2010-03-02T08:16:00.005-06:00

I was inspired by a couple posts to do this. (See here and here). While this is somewhat embarrassing, I do take comfort in the fact that if I were to have taken the pictures right now, it would not have been so bad.

These I took Sunday afternoon. In my defence I never ever clean up anything Sunday except dishes. But maybe I should recognize that about myself and clean up Saturday nights more often???

Monet's room not looking too bad...

But don't turn around.

Ummm. No excuses.

Bathroom, not too bad considering the rush it is to get to church on time. That is Levi dancing again in the picture.

Yes, I only ever make my bed when my MIL is in town. At least the clothes you see everywhere are clean. I think.

slowly but surely

2010-03-01T13:00:00.005-06:00

Saturday night we went to the Stake Ball. It was pretty fun. Josh played in quite a few songs and it was fun to hear him (click) and other people play live music; and to scream at the guitarist like some crazy groupie (sp?). We danced a couple of songs, and I have come to terms with something. Finally.

I am a girl.

Surprised? This has been dawning on me for quite some time. My MIL bought me a pink cardigan 4 or 5 Christmas' ago. Until then I hadn't worn pink since I was 7. Now I have quite a few pink shirts. I have also recently invested in a girls' wallet. OK, a year ago. But I was tired of the looks I always got when I would pull out my black leather wallet and hand over my visa. No one ever believed it was mine. Recently I bought boots. And they are so fun!!!!

Now after dancing with Josh I am ready to move on to something even more dramatic.

Heels.

Yes, I'm ready to give myself an extra inch or two. Why on earth wouldn't I with a husband who is 6'5"???

adventures in parenting

2010-02-22T13:26:00.003-06:00

So it has been almost two weeks since we have all been up and at 'em. It started with Levi and a cold. Then he and Enoch both had fevers. Then they were fine for a day or two. Then the fevers came back. Levi's went away right away. Enoch's persisted until I took him to the Docs and was told he might have pneumonia. (?!?!) Meanwhile Monet picked up the bug and has had a fever for quite a few days. The upside is that she is SO cuddly. It's nice, cause she is getting real big and won't be cuddly for much longer.

The down side is I have been feeling not so hot. Today all I wanted was a nap.... Monet asleep. Check. Levi asleep. Check. (He will always fall asleep if you cuddle him a bit, its miraculous.). Enoch asleep.... nope. Instead he is locked in the bathroom and neither of us can figure out a way to get him out!!! We've gotten the door handle on and off a couple of times, and still, no luck. Maybe I'll go pass him some books under the door. That'll keep him busy for a while, at least.

waiting

2010-02-17T13:13:00.003-06:00

Like many others in our situation (or similar), we are waiting. Waiting to know where we will be next year. Will it be in Okotoks? Or down the street?

I hate to say it but looking on mls is even losing its excitement. There are way too many houses to look at when you have the options of an entire province or two to browse through.

Where will you be and where do you guess we will be?

questions continued

2010-02-11T19:37:00.002-06:00

(For my own benefit and future use)

How can Heavenly Father hear my prayers?
Can He fly through space?
Did the dinosaurs die in the flood?
Will the earth be flooded again?
Why was there an earthquake in Haiti?

could it be multiple choice, please?

2010-02-08T11:50:00.006-06:00

Lately I have felt as though I am being drilled for answers. Levi is certainly starting to pay attention to what is going on around him. Everything he observes is being processed, and at a higher level than I operate.

Here are some questions he has asked Josh and I this week:
(And as you read it will be obvious, but Levi has been very curious about Satan this past week for no apparent reason)
How does Satan talk to us?
Why does he like to lie?
Does Satan have a body?
Is Spiderman real or is he a 'character'?
Are the dinosaurs 'characters'?
Do adults ever lie?
Why do some people not go to church?
Is Jesus your big brother, too?

Along with these questions, Levi is constantly claiming his own agency. 2 weeks ago in primary they must have had a lesson on it. He came home all proud that we all get to choose for ourselves. I thought this was great and tied it in with the 2nd and 3rd Articles of Faith. BUT, now, when its bed time - he tells me I am taking away his choice. When he only gets a certain snack offered- I am taking away his choice. When he tells me he doesn't want to wear pull ups to bed and I insist he does - I am told I am not being fair and am taking away his right to choose. Overall I think this is pretty cute, and am glad that he is only pulling out the "choice card" at bed time.

febEWary

2010-02-02T09:23:00.004-06:00

Traditionally I have thought Feb to be the worst month of the year. No longer is the snow a novelty, no longer can you ignore the fact that it is -20 outside, no longer can you overlook that you are still months away from summer.

December is OK because it is warmed by Christmas. The month just flies by. All of January seems to be a month to recuperate after Christmas and New Year's. I always start off February trying to remember that it is the shortest month of the year. Yet somehow as soon as reading week is done the month. never. ends. Every March I vow that I will be going away for reading week next year. But once again February has rolled around and I am still here.

Here's hoping for a mild February and an early Spring. Happy Groundhog Day everybody.

stumped

2010-01-26T18:33:00.004-06:00

I have been stumped lately.

Sort of cause what I would really want to say I don't.

Like I got released from my calling last week and it feels great. Is that bad to say? People keep asking me if I am sad..... no. Not one bit. Should I be? Someone even said I should get a blessing to help me deal with the change. I thought, are you crazy?? Not that I didn't like my time serving in RS, but it was time for a change and I am more than happy to pass on the torch to people more capable, organized and energetic than myself. Whew.

Also, why do kids always prefer their dads? It sort of ticks me off. Not that my feelings are hurt, I think. But I get a little irked when Levi saves his unwanted pepperoni for his dad, and then when I eat one bite of MY last piece of pizza that I give to him- he cries and cries cause that pepperoni went to me and not daddy. Humpf. Of course I want our kids to love both parents, but maybe I want them to appreciate me a bit more cause I am the one that is with them all the time.
I am now laughing cause that is probably the problem. Maybe its my attitude sometimes that makes them not want to be grateful for me. Yikes.

I started work last week. That was odd and fun and interesting and mildly stressful at the same time. I got home and Josh had a relaxing bath as soon as I walked in the door. He wondered how I didn't need one of those everynight. At least someone appreciates what I do around here....

Lastly, Monet. For any love the boys don't have for me, she makes up for in volumes. She loves me LOTS. People always comment on what a happy baby I have and I have to laugh cause it is always when I am holding her. She is starting to really like her daddy, too, though. Her eyes follow him around the room and she will cry hysterically sometimes when he leaves the room. My challenge with Monet now is that she wants to be with me all night long. Her room is cold so I hate to ignore her when she wakes up in the night. I dont mind feeding her once at night.... but twice? thrice? After last night's opera performance (it lasted as long as an opera, believe me), I figure it is time to wean. How do you go about it? I want to cut back without cutting off. Any ideas?

schoolin'

2010-01-22T17:51:00.004-06:00

Yesterday Levi very proudly told us that he knew how to say cool in music. Josh and I pondered on this for a second and asked him how.

He answered with a very enthusiastic, "ROCK!"

I haven't met his music teacher at school, but I think I like her.

new post

2010-01-12T12:11:00.001-06:00

I suppose it is time for a new post. We got back from Calgary on Sunday. Being gone 3 weeks is fun but it is sure good to be home. It was weird driving home from Calgary, cause who knows??? Maybe it was our last trip back after Christmas. Strange.

Anyways, we had FHE last night and we are working on the Articles of Faith. Levi could recite the 2nd one pretty good. But this is what Enoch heard:
We believe Batman will be punished for his own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.

funnies

2009-12-14T09:16:00.004-06:00

Funny:
Enoch had his Joy School program on Friday. We went to St. Anne's, a retirement centre. At the end the singing etc., the program director went up to each kid with a mic and asked them their name, age, and what they liked best about Christmas. Some answers were "Giving Presents," or "Decorating Christmas Trees." Enoch very quickly and deliberately answered "Star Wars."

Not so funny:
Perhaps this is why when I made him put down an Anikan Skywalker action figure at Walmart the other day he bit me.

Funny:
Josh's internship is going well and coming to a close this week! One of his students recently asked him, "Where do you get your clothes? Is there a teacher store somewhere?"

Not so funny:
I woke up from an afternoon nap to Enoch's sweet face saying, "Sorry, Mommy." I got up to find a black sharpie used all over the living room wall and the computer. At least he didn't touch the screen, though!

photos

2009-12-12T16:01:00.005-06:00

I just got my wedding pictures put onto a CD. It is sort of embarrassing to say that we got married before digital cameras were the thing. They were out there, but most certainly weren't the norm. Here are a few of my favorites.

I am sad to say that I am a few pounds heavier than those days.... but at least my teeth are straighter!

Take a guess, when do you think we were married. Don't guess if you know.

ten boom

2009-12-10T22:50:00.003-06:00

I am reading The Hiding Place, by Corrie Ten Boom. It is such a good book! My book club read it a few months ago but I was away and never got to it. It is really so good. I highly recommend it.

The book is about a Christian woman's struggle as a citizen and then a political prisoner in Poland under the Nazi regime. Realistic without being too gruesome.

OK. I need to clean my house and there is really no reason why I am writing this other than procrastination.