Saturday, November 29, 2014

Jogging and a New Family Book

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . .  Daniel deciding that bathroom humor is utterly hilarious.  Sigh.

Today's favorite moments included . . .


. . . finally completing a new family photo book (our old one only covers 2005-2009).  It took me more than ten hours (thank you, Phillip, for watching the kids this weekend!), but it will be great to have a photo book that includes Anna and Todd, not just their older sibs.  Anna didn't mind for the first year or two, but she's starting to ask why she isn't in the first book.

. . . a short conversation with a health-conscious neighbor as I jogged down our street:

Neighbor: I didn't know you jogged!

Me: I don't.  I'm running exactly one block to a friend's home.

Neighbor: You go, girl!

And another thing . . .

"The first time I see a jogger smiling, I'll consider it." (Joan Rivers)

Saturday, November 15, 2014

Anna Hands and Nephi's Relevance

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . holding little Anna's hand as we walked to and from the car picking up the big sibs.  All my kids reach a stage as toddlers when they no longer want to hold my hand, even when crossing a busy street.  Anna has suddenly decided that that stage is over, and she wants to hold my hand all the time.  I find I don't mind.

And another thing . . .

. . . I've read the Book of Mormon so many times I've lost count, and I recently felt prompted to start reading it again.  I started last week, and as I've read the first few chapters I've been struck by how relevant this ancient book feels to the daily challenges of my life.

Nephi’s multiple attempts to get the brass plates remind me that we should enlist the Lord’s help and keep trying to figure out how to kepp working on worthy goals, even though earlier attempts have run aground in one way or another.  The fact that Nephi’s brothers followed him (however reluctantly) back to Jerusalem after the angel  left reminds me that I can be a force for good in my family if I am committed to doing what is right. Lehi’s soft answer to Sariah’s complaints reminded me that it’s best to give my husband and children a gentle response, even if I think an impatient one is justified.  This morning, as I read Sariah’s testimony  after her sons’ safe return, I felt that we will one day look back on this time and see that God had a plan for us and a guiding hand in our lives, even amidst our trials.

Friday, November 14, 2014

Stain, Be Gone

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . finding an easy method to remove a fresh grape juice stain.  Huzzah for the internet!

Thursday, November 13, 2014

Leaves, Art, and a Virtual Pet

Today's favorite moments included . . .

. . . coloring with Anna this morning.  When I finished drawing a tree, she asked me to draw one on her picture, too.  Then she asked me to draw twenty clouds--ten blue ones, and ten red ones.

. . . savoring the cool autumn weather.  Daniel, Anna, and I collected some colorful fallen leaves to decorate our dinner table.

And another thing . . .

. . . this afternoon, Joy's Minecraft character got killed by the giant spider she invited into her home as a pet.  She had sworn it wouldn't be hostile if she didn't attack it.  Sounds like something Hagrid would say.

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Cute Costumes and Scary Lemonade

Today's not-so-favorite moments included . . .

. . .  shopping with all four kids at the grocery store.  No matter how much we need an item, and no matter how convenient it seems to just swing by the store a pick a few things up, it is never, ever worth the nagging, scolding stress of shepherding four energetic children through the checkout line.

Today's favorite moments included . . .


. . . watching the Halloween parade at my kids' school this morning.  I love the whimsical creativity the kids and teachers (and even some parents) put into their costumes.

And another thing . . .

. . . sometimes making something at home kills my enjoyment of it, because I find out how unhealthy the recipe is.  Lemonade (it takes how much refined sugar to make this palatable?) and ice cream (so basically I'm stirring refined sugar into heavy cream and eating it by the spoonful?) are two such things.  Don't get me wrong, I still love eating ice cream, but I don't enjoy making it.