Awesome Website, check it out.

CLICK HERE FOR FAMILY FUN BLOG

I love the ideas on this site. Super simple and fun for the whole family.
Snow painting with squirt bottles, and using old fruit drink mixes for scrach and sniff paintings! Cute ideas for Easter Holidays.

Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive that is youer than you.

Like most my life this post is also late. So, Happy 31st Birthday Christy. You must know how loved you are, but if not you can look at these sweet pictures, of people gathered just for you. Happy Birthday.

. . . .(When she first walked up. "Surprise!")

Here is a super rad Birthday Hat, straight out of the 40s literally -minus the little stuft bird. I don't want to make everyone else feel bad, but I'm pretty sure it was her favorite gift. See, even Cathy wishes she had one (maybe for your bday).

Curse-ed Electronics!

Dying;// at death's door, done for, doomed, fated, giving up the ghost, moribund, on last leg, one foot in the grave;

It's like a parade of dying electronics. First went the freezer, then the flat screen tv (via Bridgey's help), dishwasher, deep freeze, camera (also via Bridgey's help), vaccumn, crock pot, stupid vonage phone, my sad little van, even my mixer started to catch fire while in use. It's an epidemic, virally contagious.

Good news is we get to get all new replacements. This week I replaced the phone, vacumn, and dishwasher. And, the dishwasher I replaced myself. It hasn't even leaked, or caught fire yet, I'm pretty proud.

The Luck of the Irish. . . and $1000.00

(My lucky St. Patty's Day: I won a $1000.00 gift card for Home Depot today. Isn't that crazy? The Fedx man came to my door this morning with a certified letter. Assuming it was a bill my first words were "Oh, no". To which the delivery man said, "maybe it's a check". "Yeah right" thought my brain, but my mouth smiled politely and closed the door. As it turns out the day I decided to submit my receit online to be entered in to win, I did!)

I can't wait to start shopping. I'm leaning mostly towards carpet in the living room, but then I could always buy 1,000 one dollar items instead, or 10 100.00 items, or 20 50.00 items, awh the endless possibilities!

I have always loved St. Patricks day. When I was 6, I saw my first real leprechaun. It flew across Mrs. Snows 1st grade classroom during story time. He had been writing us letters in green pen all week. Telling us if we were good for Mrs. Snow he would come visit us on St. Patricks day, and he kept his word. Just after lunch a flash of green light flew across the room, and all 20 kids flew after it. Until finally, Mrs. Snow snuck up and caught him in a glass jar. And, do you know what that little green man did? He turned right into a peanut shaped refrigerator magne before any of us could see what he really looked like. It was pretty disappointing when you were expecting to see a round minature person with a miniature green suit and cute red beard, but at least he left us his pot of gold which turned out to be exactly enough pennies for each child in the class.

Of course I couldn't wait to get home and tell my mom that I met a real leprechaun. She says I wouldn't stop talking about it for weeks, so she felt obligated to sit me down and have a "talk". Whenever my mom needed to have a "talk", it made my stomach turn even at age 6. In this "talk" she told me that Santa and Leprechauns weren't real. Double Whammy. I told her "I didn't care about Santa, but she was wrong about Leprechauns" and ran to my room crying. She says she still regrets that "talk" to this day. I think a bit of me does too. What's so wrong with believing in childhood magic as a little person. It's so fun.

Today I spent the better part of the morning educating my little children about Irish folk lore via youtube. We watched a few leprechaun cartoons and then got dressed in all green, and delivered cookies to the people at dad's office in our fabulously festive outfits. The kids are napping at the moment and I'm about to go catch a leprechaun for them to recatch tonight and set up a near by pot of gold (Reese's chocolates). I can't wait, I love this holiday!

Baby's Juice.

About a month ago Ky brought up something about her "Baby's Milk". (When she was 2 and I was nursing Bridge she became really interested in that part of the body that she called: "Baby's Milk". Jess and I thought it was funny, so we just went with it. We especially liked the term when she undressed a maniquen and then shouted across the store, "Mom she has Baby's Milk too!")

Anyhow, this is a two part story. Part one:
After Ky brought up her baby's milk Bridge decided he had some too but his were called: "Baby's Juice".

Part two of the story took place yesterday when he pointed at my droopy tummy and said, "Mommy's Baby's Juice". His honesty was funny and sad all in one!

"Can Heavenly Father see us?"

Kyanne: "Can Heavenly Father see us?"

Mom: "Yes. And, we can talk to Him whenever we want. When were happy, sad, scarred-"

Ky: "Yeah, we should talk to Heavenly Father when we're scarred, but not grown-ups. They just say 'Go back to bed.'"

In a flash I saw bedtime over the last 2 weeks. Ky accending the stairs for the 8th time, telling me she is scared. This is about the time my after-hours Mommy voice would kick in and say something really sympathetic like, "There is nothing to be scared of, Go-To-BED."

-Opps.

"I heart wallets" GIVEAWAY!

Look at this little sweetheart. I had so much fun doing the giveaway for her a few months ago that I thought I'd do another. For those who have been following Mia's story you can get a better update than I can give by going to her website.


And, to enter in the giveaway all you have to do to is leave a comment on the Help Baby Mia website, and for extra entries please help get the word out by posting about it on your blog.

To ENTER Giveaway Click Here: HELP BABY MIA

Perfect.

A friend asked me what it was like having 3 kids so close together. My initial response: "Hard". It was out of my mouth before I could catch it. But the truth is: it's more wonderful than I could ever describe and I'm happier and more content than I've ever been.

The year I married Jess I couldn't believe how very blessed I was to have found the gospel and my perfect match all in one lifetime. We moved to a little cottage by the water in Huntington Beach and life was bliss. Life was so happy I spent those first few years looking over my shoulder waiting for it to dissipate, but it never did. It just got better.

Two years later we we're blessed with our first baby: Kyanne. By the time she was 3 months old, I was surprised to find my capacity for love and happiness had expanded again. Of course in between all this there were little clouds like lost jobs, living with in-laws, unexpected $30,000 dollars of medical debt, and eating more .25 cent pies than we care to admitt.

When ky turned a year and a half, we bought our first home and were expecting our second. With so much instability in my past, having a real home felt pretty surreal. I spent that first summer in Raymond pregnant and hormonal. Worrying day after day that I wouldn't be able to love my new baby, so Jess gave me a sweet blessing of reassurance a few weeks before his birth. As it turns out, I like boys after all. The moment he was placed in my arms, I just sobbed, I loved him at first site.

7 months later I cried more joyful tears as I found out we we're pregnant with #3. Jess was understandably nervous, as our financial future had just crumbled, leaving us in ruins and without a home. I on the other hand was the good parent who wanted Finley from the start. Actually I was surprised at just how calm I felt. I knew the timing was right and I couldn't be more happy about another little girl. Now that little girl is a year old, Bridge is 2, and Ky is 4.

Today as I listened to Ky help Bridgey pray my heart was so full, I again wondered if this was all too good to be true, would I have some terrible trial to make up for having more than I had even hoped for. Every dream and secret wish I had as a child has come to fruition, making life truly perfect. Perfect -with all the trials, mishaps, and joys that have come along with it.

We've had plenty of tears, and growing pains along the way, but today I feel grateful for it all. I feel grateful to the Lord for allowing us to experience trials that shape, mold, and help us become closer to one another. Without the bad, we wouldn't recognize or be able to fully appreciate the good, so in this fleeting moment I'm grateful for it all.

And This To Shall Pass... we hope.

Tonight little Bridgey Bear swallowed a penny while in the corner doin' time. After the initial panic attack and desire to hide all small shiny objects, I called Jess to ask if he thought there was anything to do but wait. He agreed to just wait and see if the little copper treasure made a return.

According to my personal doctor -The Wild Wild World of Web: "A penny (or even a quarter!) can easily pass through the digestive tract and will probably do so within 24-48 hours." All you can really do is wait and go treasure hunting to make sure it makes it's way back out (fun!).

Renovating, Bo-bating, Bannana Fanna, Fo-fate'ing ...Renovating!

The past three weeks we've been renovating the basement. It started with a terrible two days of cleaning and clearing out, ending with two cheery trips to the dump. It felt so good to de-junk-a-fy my life and liberate the Inner Organizer within that I haven't been able to stop. Everyday I find more to donate to the: 'Trash' or 'Other Peoples Treasures' Box. I'm looking forward to tackling my closet next. I find in actuality I wear the same few shirts and pants over and over. The rest just tortures the small, organized part of me. If we end up going somewhere fancy I'll borrow or go buy something new, that's more fun anyhow.

Update on the basement, it took the contractor 2 weeks to frame, drywall and mud, in which the kids and I moved in with the grandparents. It was one of the nicest vacations I've had. We just relaxed down in Raymond, did some shopping, sewing and alot of visiting. It was lazy and perfect. Except for the part where the kids would wake Mo night after night with their nightly demands. Ky spent at least 1 of the weeks paling around with her best bud Maimie. And, the rest of the time paling around with Grandma. Grandma took her to see the play Peterpan put on by the 5th graders. Ky thought it was rivoting, Grandma fell asleep. Another night, we made homemade pizza at Jill's with all 7 kids (ages: 6mos to 5) with foolish plans of sewing. Good times Good times.

I'm hoping to finish painting the basement and get carpet laid in the next couple of days, we'll see how much I get done with Jess out of town.

PS: We had a FABULOUS contractor and electrician if anyone is looking. They were priced super well too.

Lesson Learned: Crying = Getting Your Way

• Ky: Is it important to cry?

• Mom: Yes sometimes it's good or 'important' to cry.

• Ky: Yeah, it is important to cry sometimes, when you want things that are not yours.

And, there you have it. It's important to cry when you "want things" especially "things that are not yours". All those times I stuck up for her thinking she really didn't understand and had hurt feelings, I was being snowed.

At least she's a clever little thing.

Is that Chocolate or Poop??

It was about two days ago when I ran up the stairs just in time to see Bridgey slam the bedroom door shut on Fin's tiny head. As I grabbed the baby to console her and her wounded noggin, I caught glimpse of the brown deposits along the carpet.

The scene from Baby Mama flashed across my brain, "Is that chocolate or poop?"

Sadly it turned out to be the latter. Poop that had been happily strean about and then smeared into the carpet when the door was hastily pushed across it. When I walked in Bridgey smiled proudly and said, "Look mom, I cleaning up." And, there I saw a pile of Fin's clothes being used to smashed more poo into the already sad looking carpet. I couldn't help but find some humor in Bridgey's proud smile, so after I snapped some pictures I took to antibacterlizing the carpet and scrubbing.

After all was said and I done, I let the kids know I was a break, and retreated to the bathroom, where I slid across the floor in a yellow puddle. Bridgey strikes again!

Obama's Inauguration

I've been wanting to post about Obama's inauguration for my own historical record but then I read this post on Cocoa's blog (Now See Here), and thought I'd just re-post hers since she did such a good job.

"I'm not about to say much else since let's be real, there's nothing that hasn't already been said. And who wants to read more about this anyway. So rather than wax poetic using my own poignant yet insightful words, I'll share some other people's who just happen to run countries..."

First, the usual flowery-ness...

UNITED KINGDOM
Prime Minister Gordon Brown

"The whole world is watching the inauguration of President Obama, witnessing a new chapter in both American history and the world's history. He's not only the first black American president but he sets out with the determination to solve the world's problems."

No Pressure dude.

FRANCE

President Nicolas Sarkozy
"We are eager for him to get to work so that with him we can change the world."

'So that we can change the world'...

Ah, France.

No further comments.

SPAIN

Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero
"Obama gives us hope and his words put us on a better path for a smooth and fruitful relationship with the Spanish government. The arrival of Obama gives us an opportunity we won't pass up."

Anyone who seriously uses "fruitful" in a sentence is a friend of mine.

And now for my favourites...

IRAN

Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki

"We prefer to wait and see what the practical policies of the American government will be."

And now, how do you really feel?

RUSSIA

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov

"We are ready for this. Our president confirmed this in a telephone conversation with Barack Obama straight after he was elected. I think there will be additional telephone - and not only telephone - contacts between our leaders."

Russia is ready. There will be additional contact. He thinks. And not just on the phone...

Snap.

VENEZUELA

President Hugo Chavez "Hopefully the arrival of a new president will mark a real change in relations between the United States and the countries of the Third World, one of respect for sovereignty and the freedom of the people. But nobody here should be under any illusions. This is the North American Empire we are talking about."

Ahaha. Fair enough Hugo. FAIR. ENOUGH.

Side note - Canada's response is conspicuously missing since Stephen Harper was too busy tryin' to keep his job. Canadian politics were "exciting" like that for the first time ever so get back to him next week. Also, word on the street is Obama's first international trip is to Canada so somebody call up England and let them know that we're still America's best friend after all. We'll stop crying ourselves to sleep on our huge pillow.

Also, where can I get one of these?

The brave may not live forever...

". . .but the cautious do not live at all. " -Meg Cabot

Today, my three little ones and I decided to brave the mall. There were hopes of a new iphone for mom, some not so delicious food court treats, and possibly a few laps around the Disney store. First stop: Customer service for a stroller disguised as a tandem fire truck. Bridge in the back, Ky crammed in the front (Fin on her lap). The doubles aren't nearly as cool as the single strollers with their blinged out dvd players, but the kids made due with games like, "Scream until your mom turns purple", "I'm a pest, your a pest", and "I spy".

We had about an hour or so to kill before I could sign up for a cell phone plan, so we did things like make 3 separate trips to the Disney store, a pit stop in Casa Blanca (which I think is a cute store despite the Meggie Fashion Critic in my head) and Duh du na naaaaa! The moment you've all been waiting for.... a BRAVE trip to get Ky's ears pierced.

It was so fun! We browsed the different earrings, picked some she loved (purple of course) and then grinning from ear to ear we asked the lady at the register to pierce Ky's ears. She didn't even smile back. Maybe she was having a bad day, or maybe she was a grouch who hated adorable, smiley little girls, but either way I needed her to be excited about this big moment. So, I ever so kindly said "she's so excited you should smile at her." And, oddly enough this woman wasn't offended in the least from that moment on she smiled and chatted it up with "Princess Kyanne". She was really great (except when she encouraged the dad behind me to take his little girl outside so she wouldn't see how painful it is). Luckily Ky wasn't paying attention. Anyhow, short story shorter, Ky didn't even wince, let alone cry. I was amazed! She hardly wait to come right home and tell her dad and Livi. I'm still amazed at how brave little Kyanne was today. Maybe it's from all the times I've repeated "Beauty hurts" while tugging at her hair.

He said... She said...

K: Where's my bracelet?
M: I don't know
K: I'll go ask dad, he knows everything.

K: You just talk about me getting older everyday. And, it's going to take a few more days, M-om.

K: Bridgey, do you want to come help me pick out my outfit?
B: No.
K: Come on Bridge, I don't like to pick out my outfits alone.

K: I don't want to turn 5 and go to Kindergarten.... I just want to stay home and be a mom.

M: Oh, Bummer!
B: I not Bummer! I Bridgey-Bear!
B: I not a Deer. I Bridgey-Bear!
B: I not Sweetheart. I Bridgey-Bear! (you get the idea)
B: I Bridgey-Bear. And, you Bridgey-Mom.

M: Is Mommy a boy or a girl?
B: You a Boy, MOm!!

A Hatters Life for Me!

So Christmas Holidays were a riot. Like always I complained, had my own emotional break down with comments such as "What was I thinking!" and "We're never traveling with small children again!" Lucky for me Jess, who loves to travel, bribed me with the most fabulous kid-free shopping spree in Salt Lake. So... my love can bought...what?




Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, Forever Young -my heart (and wallet) belongs to you. Anthropology -my heart belongs to you when I become a bit richer. Urban outfitters had the most fabulous hats!! They were beauties to be reverenced and possibly replicated at a future time (stay tuned).



After heavy contemplation and much sighing I settled on the beautiful feather hair bow, a grey pair of moccasins, 3 really fun dress gloves, and a fabulous frog green, old man cardie. I also couldn't resist making a few fabric runs. $8 dollars a yard compared to the highway robbery ($17.00 a meter) here in the Great White North. It was Heaven.

Aside from the good shopping, we got to play with some good friends, snow mobile and Ky got some good one on one time with Nana and Poppy while we were down South.

More Styles I just LOVE (most by Etsy designers).

'What would I put in the Box?'

Coming up with different activities and treats to put in the advent boxes for each day until Christmas has been harder than I thought it would be. One of the funniest things we've done was go a-hunting in our house for 'Magical Christmas Treasure' which ended up to be a basket full of Christmas books. Jess made an 'authentic treasure map' and put it in the advent box. We had to go through scary forests, up mountains (stairs), and across the edges of cliffs (the sectional). It was really silly, and we all loved it. Now the basket of books sits by the fireplace and we read so much more during the day just because they are out in the open (thanks for the idea Jolie).

Another idea that I just love came from Rachel. For her Christmas Day box she is leaving it empty and when the kids open it she'll explain that this box is for them to put their gifts for Jesus in. After writing down the gifts they want to give Jesus this year, they will place them in the box and read them next year.

Such a sweet idea. I've been thinking about it ever since. What would I put in the box? There are so many things I could write down, lists of ways I need to improve and things I could be doing more of. It needs to be a Big Box. But the one that grabs my attention the most is: Service. Probably because it's my love language (poor Jess) and, it's how I feel most comfortable showing my love for others. *(Great book: The Five Love Languages and there's also one for learning your children's love languages, it's really helped with Kyanne's misbehaviors, I'll save that for another post)

Anyhow, I'm really looking forward to this year as I take time each day to include in my prayers my petition to frist: see the needs of others, and then: find ways to help and serve. My relationship with Jess and the kids is always at it's best when I take time to be prayerful about their needs/wants and what I could do for them personally.

Dear Santa,

I'm finding a way how you ride your rendeer over the houses. Could you get me a Cindy Loo Who Ballet costume for Halloween and give me a ride in your sleigh. I am hoping that you would give lots of blocks to Bridge to play with. And, bring Mommy a Princess book for her to read to me and Fin.

Love, Princess Snow White Kyanne

Bloggers Block

I was never much of a writer, at my best I got B's in English, and I own enough blank journals to start a small Hallmark, but when I found the BLOG-o-Sphere, I was changed in the click of a button.

When I first started I only knew one other blogger personally, so I had no inhibitions. What ever popped into my scattered little brain was posted: closet pooing toddlers, sagging unmentionables and the heart break of losing a loved one, it all got written.

I loved the idea of having a record of our family adventures, random thoughts, daily doings, and testimony building experiences. I would love to read about how my mom dealt with day to day life. So, I guess I write with the assumption that one day my kids might be interested in my day to day life. And, I plan on printing it into a bound book for my kids, one day.

But, in the last year I find myself holding back so many of my real thoughts and what I would write if I knew no one was looking, that it's losing it's appeal to me. I was talking with Racheal awhile back and we decided we would write how we wanted, because the only people's opinion we really cared about were those who loved us anyhow, and since they would expect some odd posts about subjects like quilts, pooey mishaps, and Mommy rants, it would make us just that much more endearing. But alas, I digress. I still find myself writing carefully, and cautiously. Sometimes I just write freely with the expectation that I will just save the post as a draft and post it right before I print.

I've contemplated going private with only subscribers being able to read, but the truth is I love to read other mom blogs, I gain ideas, insight, and perspective from reading about their daily mishaps and adventures and I want to share those things with others too. I really am inspired and strengthend by the things I read on friends blogs, so I just don't know. What do you guys think? Anyone else having the Private? Public? Issue?

"Leave her alone! She's my friend."

Ky came home from school the other day with a frown, when I asked what was wrong she said "no one would play with me". One of the saddest parts of being a mom is the part when your little one gets teased or snubbed and you just have to stand idly by.

Maybe it's because I'm her mom or maybe it's because I can remember what it's like, but her frowny face made my heart just ache.

I can remember feeling a like when my mom and I moved during my 3rd grade year. The first day seemed to be going well, I liked my teacher, I didn't feel too behind, and by recess I had been invited to hang out with a group of kids. They seemed so much older than the 8 year olds I was used to. They hung out with kids of the opposite sex, some were even holding hands and their swearing could put a sailor to shame.

That first day, I was told that "I acted like a lady", it sounded like a compliment, but something in my gut told me it was not. From there I was dared, and taunted to also take up swearing. After enough goading, I'm sad to say there on the monkey bars in a shaky voice I uttered my first B@#$%. Shameful, I know. And, you guessed it, those kids didn't even think I was cool after that, they just went about their teasing and taunting.

By the end of that week, I'd been dragged out to the school yard by my hair, and just as my life flashed before my eyes and the contents of my lunch nearly made a return, a really cool 3rd grader, stood up and heroically said: "Leave her alone, she's my friend!" I will never forget those words as long as I live! I had been rescued, someone heard my prayer! It was straight out of an ABC After School Special. What an amazing little 8 year old, to have the guts to stand up and do what was right, and here I am 20 years later and I still remember this act of kindness. As sad as that experience probably was at the time, it made me want to be brave like that girl, to be kind to others and stand up for what is right even when it's hard.

As natural as it is to want to save your kids from the heartaches of childhood, trials mold and shape us. While I didn't care for being the "New Kid" year after year, I really feel like it taught me compassion for others, and how to notice people and help serve them. So, on that note, I'll just try to make Ky feel included at home, and quit having daydreams about threating small children.

Holiday Traditions? Recipies? Crafts? Leave a Comment.

Last night I crafted with firends till just about 3am! Totally worth it, dark circles and all. And, here she is the Larsen's very own: Advent Calendar!

I can't wait to fill it with goodies and wonderful Christmas-y Activities to do during the respective day.

Speaking of which I'm really needing ideas if any one has a tradition that they do during the holidays, a great recipie, or fun craft??? Please post!!

Also, if anyone wants to make one, I have tons of left over boxes from 10 thousand Villages (such a gorgeous shop! Everyone should go there.)

Strategy: Fail your way to Perfection

The thought often crosses my mind: Who's big idea was it too let me be in charge of these precious little ones, anyhow? But, as I've stepped back and really ponder it, I realize just how perfect this plan is (at least in the long run).

We get to try our best, succeed and fail -sometimes all in one breath, and be humbled time and time again. (ie. KY-ANNE! Leave Bridge Alone for the 300th time!" Just then, I realize she's just saved him from some major catastophy. [Humbled], "I sorry Honey, I thought. . .")

In the same token, our kids develop divine qualities such as: compassion, patience, and forgiveness as they endure the inadequacies of their very human parents.

And, together we all become more like our Father in Heaven who is perfect and Happy and we get to be Happy too!-At least this is the pep talk I give myself at the end of the day. I'm surprised at just how I want to rip my hair out strand by strand in hopes of forgetting about the toothpaste all over "my baby", not my Finley-baby, -worse, my MacBook-baby, or how about the water spilling over the bathroom sink onto the floor all in the name of an unauthorized tea party, the purple marker all over the slide on Kys bed, the dozen half eaten apples that decorated the floor when I woke, or the shampoo poured in diliberate little puddles around my bed (this all happened: yesterday. Here's an excerpt from one of my favorite talks, you can click the link below to read the whole talk.

"I was recently at a park where I met a group of women. They were bright and had obtained advanced degrees from respected universities. Now they were devoting their considerable gifts to planning dinner that evening and sharing housekeeping ideas. They were teaching two-year-olds to be kind to one another. They were soothing babies, kissing bruised knees, and wiping tears.

I asked one of those mothers how it came about that she could transfer her talents so cheerfully into the role of motherhood. She replied, “I know who I am, and I know what I am supposed to do. The rest just follows.” That young mother will build faith and character in the next generation one family prayer at a time, one scripture study session, one book read aloud, one song, one family meal after another. She is involved in a great work. She knows that “children are an heritage of the Lord” and “happy is the [woman] that hath [a] quiver full of them” (Ps. 127:3, 5). She knows that the influence of righteous, conscientious, persistent, daily mothering is far more lasting, far more powerful, far more influential than any earthly position or institution invented by man."

Julie B. Beck, “A ‘Mother Heart’,” Ensign, May 2004, 75