'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

Flying our Family Flag... Any Ideas???

A friend of mine is making a family flag, Jess and I want to do one too. How fun for a kid to get the job of flying the family flag each Monday for Family Home Evening. I had another friend who did something similar, but they would sing a family song every Monday that said all the things that defined their family.



For Example our flag would say somethings like:

LARSENS

• Like to Have Fun! (Our Family Motto.)
• Love the Gospel
• Are Cheerful
• Speak Kind Words
• Make Time for Family
• Find Joy in All Things
• Work Hard
• Love to Serve Others and Each Other
• Make Lemonade out of Lemons

Do any of you have family mottos? Or did you do anything like this with your family growing up? I'm looking for more ideas... what would your family flag say to describe you?

Bottle versus The Goods

Before I had kids, I had many thoughts that started with. . . "When I'm a parent...(I will... or I will never. . .)". I was of the opinion that if a kid was old enough to ask for the goods/lift your shirt/unbutton your bra, they were too old to be nursing. But alas, times have changed and 3 kids later I have become that mother I use to look upon with scorn. It seems I walk a lonely road, here in this half of the Hemisphere. But. . . I LOVE NURSING.

Having said that, I have to admit lately I'm feeling a bit more like a dairy cow than a HAPPY nursing mommy.

PROB #1: Fin wants to nurse several times a night. She'll be one next month! I could just let her cry, but I love to nurse her once during the early morning hours. It's so quiet and the house is still, except for this little sweet baby, all snuggled up with her mama. If I let her cry the other times, I'm afraid she might start sleeping through altogether and then where would I be? ...Well slept, I suppose.

PROB #2: She's become proactive and very loud in her Boobage lobbing. It's like she wants to become a permanant apendage. And, I don't need any more of those, unless they were extra hands, that would be useful.

And then, yesterday I got this big idea... the bottle. That could take care of those whinny times when she just wants to comfort nurse. But, I've been trying to follow the advice of The American Pediatric Society, who has the big fat opinion that kids should go right to sippy cups and skip bottles altogether. But, as I think more on the subject, I think I have the big fat opinion that baby's have a need to suckle, and if they don't take a soother and you don't want to be the human soother, the bottle is the ticket!

Okay, so I put my plan in action, but she still spends most her waking hours chasing me around, letting me know in no uncertain terms that she wants the boob. And, so dairy cow I remain. Help! How many times should I be nursing a one year old?

Angels Among Us.

Finley did her first somersault today... off the stairs! After which, she stood up and smiled like a true performer... Ta-Daaa! I stood up and nearly fell over due to the adrenaline rush to my heart. Awh, That baby! I can't believe how much trouble these kids get in and how little they get seriously injured. Surviving childhood is truth enough that there are angels among us.

Bridgey fell from the breakfast bench to the floor, with his neck breaking his fall on the corner of the table. It's hard to explain what happened in a way that would help you understand the panic I felt, but let's just say I think I quit breathing for a full minute.

While chatting it up with a friend, I off handly told her that sometimes I fall right to sleep forgetting to pray and in a sobering tone she replied, 'Don't forget those. You need to pray for your children every night.' I thought about this. And, how the scriptures tell us to pray every night for our well being and that of our household. I was touched by what she said and how she said it.

Still, I'm grateful that even the nights I forgot, Heavenly Father doesn't. I find comfort in knowing He loves my little ones even more than I do, that I'm not all alone in caring for them, and ultimately in the end He's in control. I'm so thankful that when my best isn't enough, Heavenly Father is there to make up the difference.

Do you Snoop?

S0, I'm a total Snooper! Facebook, Blogger... all fabulous for a bored snoopy mom! Truthfully, I don't get bored too often with 3 kiddies, home blessings (alternately known as house drudgery...depends on the mood), projects and other family stuff, but when I do find the occasional moment, I like to fill it up with something really useful like frivolous snooping.

For all those looking for more time wasters theres:

• Celebrity Baby Blog,
  
• Sew Mama Sew,
• Grosgrain Handmade Baby Clothes Bi-weekly Giveaways!
  
• Blog Giveaways
  
• Daily Struggles of the Domestic Un-Goddess
• Etsy
• The Fashionable Housewife
  
• Crazy Bloggin' Canuck
• IKea Goddess
• The Fashionable Bambino
  

Any other fun ones that you like to read?

Quilt Giveaway to Help Baby Mia

 GOOD NEWS UPDATE!
Mia got a Heart!! The transplant took and she now has a new beating heart. Please keep them in your prayers as well as the family who generously donated after their loss. Thanks for all the donations, they are needed now as much as ever, as the expenses will continue to escalate through this transition and especially recovery. Hooray for this good news!! MORE DETAILS IN NEXT POST.

THE STORY:

I'm so happy to be doing a Quilt Giveaway, in hopes of generating donations for Baby Mia. Mia is my friend's baby, who was born with a dysfunctional heart and is on a waiting list in Seattle for a heart transplant. I read their family blog everyday and just cry. My heart aches for Mimi (the mom) and is so inspired by her strength and faith. She's with Mia everyday, but because of all the tubes isn't allowed to even hold her.













Mia has been patiently holding on for the past 3 months. But, she's one of 7 babies in the Seattle Children's Hospital on the Washington waiting list. Sadly their insurance is falling short of paying for the surgeries and health care Mia has already received. I ask all who read this to please help, by adding the banner at the bottom of this post to your blogs, email, or Facebook. Donate if you can and read about sweet little Mia: HERE

TO ENTER:

Please leave a comment on this post. Your comment earns you one entry. (Make sure to say if you've been able to donate, or post this on your sidebar/facebook etc.)

You can earn an extra 5 entries for each of the things below, (for a total of 20 entries):
1. Please take the time to write about sweet Mia on your blog (nothing helps more than this).
2. Post about it on Facebook with the link.
3. Email your friends and family with the giveaway post link.
4. Post the banner below in the sidebar of your blog.

Not only an I excited to do a giveaway but, I'm so thankful for any and all of your help in getting the message out there. Really I'm so grateful for all the love that's being spread for baby Mia. Thanks. The contest entries will go until 11pm MST on Wed. November 12th. I'll tally up the entries and let the random # generator decide the winner.

To DONATE:

To those who donate a dollar or more if you can, I will give an ADDITIONAL 20 ENTRIES. I'm grateful for this opportunity to help. I read about baby Mia's updates everyday on their family blog and wish there was more I could do to help. Thank you for your generosity and kindness. Good Luck!

To post the banner in your Blogger sidebar.
1. Go to "Layout"
2. "Add a Gadget"
3. "HTML/Java Script" and paste the code from the text box below.


<a href="http://a-mama-drama.blogspot.com/2008/11/blog-post.html" target="_new"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v412/tickled2bmum/miasbutton4-1.jpg" border="0" alt="stephhhead@yahoo.com" width="175" height="350" /></a>

THANK YOU!! So much to everyone who's helped! And, small donations can go a long way! Imagine if we could get the word out to 500,000 people and each one donated a dollar, that would half a million dollars!

"By small means great things come to pass." Thanks again!

Slip n' Slide Poo...

That's right. Monday morning doesn't get more fun than: Slip n' Slide Poo! Naked boy Bridge came running in to tell me: I pooed! Come See! Come See! In his haste and excitement he must have jumped off the potty mid poo, because it was trailed all along the bathroom floor, where he then sliped and fell into it (twice!!) trying to proudly show me his deed in the potty. Hats off to Bridgey, our Big Boy for the day! Hats off to Mommy for cleaning the up the poo with a smile!

Identity Crisis, Parties, and alot of Candy!

Halloween was super fun this year. The kids and I spent the whole month of October celebrating. We made treats and crafts, through parties, went Trunk or Treating where Ky got to go up on stage with a 'real Magician' (she was so nervous, she stared at the crowd and had a hard time answering his questions. And, of course we went Trick or Treating on Halloween night. Afterwards the kids handed out candy, while there dad and I had a romantic dance with the lights down low and a few kids tugging at our legs.



Here's some fun pictures of the the fam. Jess dressed up as his Grandpa Bridge, and Bridgey was forced into this Spiderman costume (he doesn't really get the dressing up part yet) and Ky had an identity crisis half way thru Halloween day. Snow White-Spider Man? A "Princess Witch"? In the end Snow White won out. She always does.

Quilt Giveaway to Help Baby Mia

A good friend and his wife had their 3rd baby about 3 months ago. Baby Mia. Mia was born with a severe heart defect and is on a waiting list for a heart transplant. My heart just aches for this sweet baby and her family. I can't imagine the faith it must take to be cheerful and positive in this situation, but they are. I just sat and cried for about two hours as I read their sweet blog. They're so cheerful, and such great love and faith for little Mia.

On top of the heartache it must be so stressful to be apart, one parent always with Mia and the other working and tending the other kids. On top of this their insurance will not cover all the expensive surgeries and needed health care. I was hoping to help and invite anyone else to help by making something for a blog giveaway and asking for donations from those who would like to be entered in.

My friend Liz made a quilt for a fun giveaway on her blog a few weeks ago and she got 2100 entries. Could you imagine if everyone who entered donated a dollar? It could be such a blessing for little Mia. I don't know that we will be able to get those kind of numbers but, any thing would be helpful.

On top of that there will be a fun quilt to be given away! I'm hoping to be done with the quilt in the next few days. So, just keep checking back!

Metallica meets the Children's Song Book!

Disclaimer: Long Post ahead. Labor Stories, Tantrums, Meltdowns. (Stories from the Trenches.)

And, so went the ending to our night. After our really fun Halloween Party-Part 3, with great effort I put my well sugared, overtired (great combo) kids to bed. Then I went to nurse Fin in her room, directly above the kids room where Ky was having an all out screaming match with her brother. I couldn't quite make out what was being said, so I decided they were singing my praises.

When this strategy could no longer keep away the angry throat welling up inside, I decided to sing, rather than storm down the stairs, promptly provide each kid with a good spank and perhaps a muzzle.

In the end I settled on "[Singing my] favorite hymn . . . with vigor and vim." I'm not sure what 'vim' is, but I took it to mean Metallica meets the Children's Song Book. I choose my favorite "A child's prayer". There was something about belting out a children's hymn, rocking a little baby, and 2 screaming toddlers in the background that brought humor to my heart. Fin must have found the combo soothing because she fell fast asleep.

Hooray for the Children's Primary Songs that bailed me out once again. And since this blog is the only journal I keep, I just want to add my testimony that the hymns are inspired and I love them. I find that good music in general softens my heart and helps me feel the Spirit. I'm thankful for the atmosphere it brings to our home.

The kids and Jess and I sing together just about every night. None of us sing well. Me being the worst, and I'm not trying to give myself airs. When I was little my mom told me the truth, "Honey, your tone deaf." Alrighty then. If you can't trust your mom, who can you trust.

Music helps me in my role as a mother. More times than I would like to count I have found myself singing, "Do as I'm dong" because it helps me make good choices when I'm frustrated with the kids. I figure I am their primary example of what a parent is like. How we parent will most likely influence how our children will parent later in life, whether we want it to or not.

I also sing when I'm scared. For instance, Labor. Yes, I sing straight through labor. All three times. With Ky, Jess held my hand and sang right along with me. "I love to see the temple..."and "Families can be Together Forever". Cheesy, out right weird, I know. I can't imagine how odd it must have seemed to the nurses flinting about. They probably thought, "Singing during labor is weird but, What's a temple?" Couldn't we have at least picked more normal songs.

When I was getting my epidural with Fin. I was so focused on not moving that I didn't notice I was singing until Dr. Lepert started singing along. Of course he didn't know "A child's prayer" so he chimed in with "I feel pretty, oh so pretty..." We sang it together and the next thing I knew it was all over.

I love to sing. And, before I had kids I prayed so often to have a pretty voice, by the time I had a baby so I could sing to him or her, that I really thought the Lord would bless me with one. As I look back now it makes me giggle. Maybe he didn't bless me with my wish so I could learn that the "Tone Deaf" of the world could also find joy and blessings through singing.

"Uh-oh, Bum!" and other Fluffs

When Ky was about two she loved to make a public announcement when a person would... fluff. She'd excitedly run up and vigorously pat their bum while chanting "Uh-Oh Bum, Uh-Oh Bum!" Of course we thought it was hilarious if it wasn't our bum being spotlighted in the middle of Sacrament Meeting or in line at the grocery store.

Last night Ky says "Mom listen, I taught Fin to talk!" And, sure enough there was our little baby girl chanting, "Uh-oh, Bu-um!" Her first word! It was a proud parenting moment!

Speaking of which, I think it's safe to say everyone has blamed a smelly or two on a nearby good smelling infant, who cannot make their claim for justice. If not, then neither have I.

But, since we all have, I was just thinking of my most blatant fib in Walmart when Ky was a baby. While leaning over a perfect stranger, to look at makeup, a horrid smell slipped out. When the lady looked up at me in disgust, I said something really adult like, "Oh, Kyanne! We'd better go change those pants!"

Nothing so cute as a little Ballerinas!

Ky's recital was so darling. All the ballerina's showed up at 10:00am for make-up and costumes. Then the parents and grandparents came at 10:30a for the Princess Recital.

Miss Meg was the most wonderful ballet teacher. She taught the girls their different positions and moves in such a fun way. There was lots of imagination along with good dance instruction. The girls loved showing off their individual moves such as: quite toes, loud toes, spins and chasse's (sp?) and best of all how to dance with a Prince.

Do you know the Muffin Man... the one on drury lane?

This is how it usually starts. Cute, and innocent (see Exhibit A).

EXHIBIT A

This is how it always looks somewhere in the middle and sometimes at the end (see Exhibit B).

EXHIBIT B

But this day we were lucky enough to end like this (see Exhibit C).

EXHIBIT C

Today Jenny (who takes Ky to preK) told me that when she brings treats for the kids on the way home, Ky usually asks for an extra for her "Brother Bridgey". Isn't that sweet! My heart leaped for joy, maybe we're not doing it all wrong after all!

"I wonder if I could make this..."

While I was shopping at Home Sense with Rachel last night she kept teasing me about thinking "Could I make this?" I never realized this about myself. But, as we kept shopping I realized, when I find something I like my first thought is "Can I make this?" or "How could I embellish on this one?" I just love to create. It just seems more special if it's made by hand. I can spend hours on Etsy appreciating all sort of handmade goodies.

Speaking of which, due to my love of the homemade I've been a Blog Slacker. Here's some new projects. Including my new puffy dress. I was so excited when I designed it, and even as I sewed it together, and then I tried it on. Disappointing. It just doesn't look nearly as puffy or cute as I imagined in my head. So, I'm in the process of making alterations. Then I made a couple of button bows for the girls and finished Fin's black dress. In the background you can see the new fireplace and wallpaper. I love it! It's so cheery and bright. Now I just want to find a way to incorporate more fun colors like, hotpink, red, and soft lime.

Potty trained at 8 months? Opinions?

Crazy I know. But, a friend of mine said she started putting her little girl on the potty when she awoke, before nap, after, etc. each day for about 2 min whether she went or not and the baby hasn't had a dirty diaper in 2 weeks. It's amazing. I can't decide if I dare try it with Fin. What do you guys think?

In response to one of our new family leafs (FHE) a dear friend of mine left this quote in the comments. Reading it only made me want to try harder to make sure we never miss.

"If the Saints obey this counsel [to hold regular family home evenings], we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase. Faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influence and temptations which beset them." (First Presidency letter, 27 April 1915 - Joseph F. Smith, Anthon H. Lund, Charles W. Penrose, emphasis added)

I'm grateful for the wonderful friends that I've been blessed with. Many of them are mothers like me, in different stages of their lives. I feel so thankful today for these friendships. They teach, strengthen and inspire me. Last night I went shopping with a good friend, and even though we just shopped and chit chatted, I left feeling happy and inspired to be better in my responsibilties at home.

Turning over some new Leaves

This Fall the Larsen Family has turned over some new leaves.

1. Mom got organized! It's been a perilous journey but, Hooray for little ol' frazzeled me! It started with the Pantry. Yes, our pantry no longer has 7 gallons of paint (literally), saws at random, caulking guns and adhesives for all occasions. I'm feel so empowered! Look out Linen closet! (if I'm not back in a few hours send in the dogs!)
2. Ky started "real school" as she calls it. Don't even try saying preschool or prepare to be corrected with a light scolding to boot! This is serious business. She goes to real school now, which apparently means many things, such as she's "almost an adult", needs a backpack even if she can't bring it to school, and no longer takes naps.

It's crazy how expensive it is too. Preschool? or Feed a small country? I guess we'll go with preschool? Everyday we are woken to the same 3 questions.

• Can I watch Treehouse?
• Will you make me breakfast?
• Do I have school today?

It's sweet how she loves preschool (I figure I'm safe since the 'almost adult' can't read yet). Her teachers name is Mrs. Hamilton, (she's taught pre-k for 25 years) and she has 10 classmates. Her favorites being Jayden, Area, Tiley, and Montana. I could do without the ATTITUDE she brings home on school days, but other than that were pretty happy for her. Bridgey misses her lots during those two hours, but we usually can keep ourselves pretty amused with Ikea hotdogs or something until it's time to go get Ky.
3. Bridgey has started talking and whispering. I am so happy. We went through a horrid stage of screeching and shrill screaming (It was torture). I was worried I wouldn't make it through, but alas we did, hearing and all.

He is now a full on conversationalist, and we can even understand a few words here and there. Ky's really good at understanding him, so sometimes we get her to translate for Bridge and Finn. Her Fin translations:

• "Fin says she wants to share her cookies with me, isn't that nice?"
• "Fin is saying she's awake" (she's asleep in her room)
• "Fin is saying she likes my dress and when she's bigger she wants to borrow it."

4. Hooray for Jess! His company has really taken off. I am so proud of him. He's so visionary, even when it's not so apparent to everyone else. It's been so fun having him work from home, and having a consistent schedule for family time.

5. Jess has been dubbed: "Pooh Master" -(a moment of silence please). I've always loved him, but now it's got to be twice as much. I hate when baby poo's make that 'People Poo' transition. It really grosses me out. And, worse is when your Heavy Weight starts begrudging your invasion of 'his personal spaces', and sends a few "kicks to the face" your way.

6. Fin officially became a walker at 9 months. She took her first little wobbly steps about a month ago. She's our "smart baby", our very own Livi. She's delighted with herself.

7. Family Home Evening every week. This leaf is one we all love, even Jess and Meg who do a fair amount of whining. A friend of mine shared with me their fhe routines which included testimonies each week. I love this idea so much we've decided to adopt it. The kids stood at the fireplace to say their testimonies on Sunday and it was so sweet. Ky's went on for a good solid 5 mins. She's such a grateful little girl.

Thankful for...

• Thankful for my 3 sweet babies! I love them so much words couldn't suffice.

• Thankful I'm married to my favorite friend in all the world!

• Thankful I get to wake up and snuggle with him and the kiddies each morning.
  

• Thankful I get to not only live with my cute husband, 3 kids, but my favorite Meggie too. Thankful that she never plans to move away. When she gets married we'll just build her and her husband their very own room with a door and everything.
  

• Thankful for our little smart baby that already knows how to walk and toddle around after her siblings at 9 months old! I was surprised how much I loved Bridgey moments after he was born, and when I had Fin I was again surprised at how much I loved her the moment she arrived on Earth. It just makes me want to have 10 more!
  

• Thankful that Bridgey has learned how to whisper. If he can't get my attention he starts whispering, it's so cute what else can I do but, oblige him.
  

• Thankful that Ky's 4 and so much fun to hang out with. We have real conversations, play house, make treats, clean, quilt, or do crafts together. It like a little friend all day long.
  

• Thankful for grandma's and grandpa's. I love how delighted the kids are at the sheer mention of their grandparents. Ky prays for them pretty consistently and speaks of them daily. Her Nana and Grandma Larsen are by far some of her bestfriends. Right up there with Lexi and Mamie. That's saying alot.

• Thankful for my Mom. Thankful for her kind heart and example of great love, and the happiness that comes from losing your life in service. When I was growing up I wasn't sure I wanted to marry, but I was absolutely sure I wanted to be a mother because my mom made it look so wonderful. She probably told us daily how much she loved being our mom.
  

• Thankful for my testimony of Heavenly Father's love. I know that I am His daughter and he cares about even the small things that matter to me. When I was a little girl I attended the nearby Baptist church with a neighbor each week. There in Sunday school they taught me about the Savior and how to pray. I'm so grateful for those early testimony building experiences and for that kind family who thought to invite an 8 year old out to church.
  

A miniature reflection...

Who needs a mirror when you have 3 little kids around to reflect the real you, for better and for worse.

Today I overheard Drill Srgt. Ky, laying down the law, complete with -the Mommy Stink Eye (which looks so much like her Nana's, it's scary).

Ky: "Uh-oh Bridgey. UH-OH (envision: evil eye, hands on hips). I'm the Mommy and you need to obey. Do you understand? Bridgey..."

While not yet fluent in English I think he got the idea, because he replied, in standard Bridgey Protocol: "NO!" and a simultaneous smack to the head. Sighing to myself, I again vow to be the picture of patience with a smile and a plate of cookies for good measure, that a "good" mother should be.

Sometimes as I am curtly correcting a kid I have this flash of insight: These are Heavenly Fathers babies too. How would I feel if someone spoke that way to my kid and dragged them by their hair (okay that's a bit excessive but I have thrown Ky over my shoulder while she was kicking and whaling loud enough to wake the dead, winning the sympathy of every person in the Lethbridge mall.)

Thinking of my kids as belonging to someone else helps me be more patient. And, see them as little people exploring their world, boundaries, and mother's self restraint.

Another of my less desirable traits Ky has taken up is: grrrr....ing. She's practically as good at it as I am... practically. Some of Ky's more common reason to grrr...

• not getting the 'square bowl' for breakfast.
• pants
• shirts without puff sleeves
• denying her 50 requests to 'cut and dye her hair black like Snow White's"
• letting Bridgey be the "Guest" and by that I mean letting him pick which color cup he wants at lunch.
• reminding her who's the Mommy
• washing her blanket
• lunch items without cheese
• non heel-shoes
• non bow-shoes
• pony tails as opposed to "Ballet Buns"
• chastisement for wearing dresses off the shoulder.

The truth is, in retrospect (definitely not in the moment) I love these quirky things about my little feisty princess, who's become a fabulous Copy Cat (speaking of which she learning how to spell C-A-T today at school).

She seems to notice and then copy everything I do, right down to the day I wore a shirt with a bit of a plungy neck line. I was just wearing it under a sweat shirt but the next thing I knew, there was Ky tugging at her modest shirt in attempts to be like mom. Or how about the time she wore a shoe lace around her bosom for days because she wanted a bra like Mommy's.

In the last few months I've come to realize just how important my example is. How close they watch and quickly they absorb.